Role of Women in Forest Management

————————————————- Cudia, Jane Victoria A. February 23, 2011 2007-15891Soc Sci 180 Role of Women in Forest Management Increasingly, the role of indigenous peoples in forest management and conservation had been recognized on the international level. Even if forest management and conservation had been an indigenous practice since time immemorial, recognition of indigenous peoples roles started only three or four decades ago. However, indigenous peoples as protectors of the environment are taken as a whole disregarding the contribution of roles and differences as contributing factors to the continuous practice of forest management and conservation. In terms of IP roles in forest management and conservation, gender is a very important thing to consider. Given an indigenous social and political context, the management of forests is communal. In general, forest management is primarily the domain of men. Women’s participation on the other hand primarily lies in forest protection because there is an intimate relationship between IP women and the forest (Caguioa, 2011). However, problem lies in the lack of recognition in national policies as to the roles of IP women in forest management and conservation. The pine forest of Brgy. Agawa, Besao, Mt. Province is a communal forest shared by different communities managed mostly by indigenous peoples. For the people of Brgy. Agawa, the forest or langdas is the source of livelihood and a place where their unique culture thrive, one of the major features of indigenous peoples. In terms of livelihood, the langdas is the source of wild fruits and animals, lumber, and firewood. In the indigenous law they practice, selling of pine lumber is prohibited. Also, outsiders are prohibited from getting anything from the langdas making the practice sustainable. In terms of tradition and culture, they believe that there are spirits guarding the rivers and forests. This is one of the reasons why indigenous peoples do not exploit the forest resources. Also, they manage the forest in a sustainable way because of the belief that their ancestors, who were buried in sacred places, mingle with their affairs. The role of women in environment protection, forest management, and conservation is very significant. Two of the key informants of the study conducted by Caguioa (2011) and her colleagues are old women who spent most of their life living in the area. The people of Brgy. Agawa, has a history of resistance in protecting the langdas and the environment. One sign of protest they had done before was the exposure of older women’s breast to oppose people who wanted to operate saw mills in the area back in the 1940s. In response to the secret resin tapping activities done to pine trees that operated during the 1970s, women of Besao secretly removed the plastic catchers and burned all of it. In general, women of Agawa, Besao, Mt. Province show their protest in the regional and national level in opposition of road construction, mining, and logging projects that will ruin the langdas. Amidst globalization, vulgar consumerism, high demands from the market, and laws that treat us all equals [sometimes even without regard to culture], the people of Brgy. Agawa, Besao, Mt. Province especially women managed the forest in a sustainable way. Following their traditions and belief systems, they had managed to conserve the forest by following natural mechanisms to restore the forest. Given the resources and knowledge systems we have as members of the dominant and so called â€Å"developed† society, we should devise forest management and conservation mechanisms that are easy and applicable. However, due to a market-driven economy we engage in, we have no control over our resources anymore. The working mechanism that works today is â€Å"what the market demands, the market gets† even at the expense of the environment and the people who manages to protect and conserve the forest. Forest management, although primarily dominated by men, it should be the domain of all even if there are differences in gender. As seen in the case of Brgy. Agawa, Mt. Province, women had great contributions in forest management and conservation. It all goes down to this: in effective forest management and conservation, gender roles and differences have a lot to offer. Reference: Caguioa, M. C. (2011). Panagsalaknib ti Langdas: Role of Indigenous Women in Forest Management in Brgy. Agawa, Besao, Mt. Province from the Global Lecture Series on Indigenous Peoples’ Studies (University of the Philippines Baguio).

Consumer Research and Promotional Message Essay

This paper will focus on the research and promotional message of teenaged consumers in today’s social market. The current generation of teenagers is referred to as Generation Y or Millennial and is a large portion of the consumer market that attracts companies in gaining large profits. In 2001, according to the National Consumers League (2013), teenagers purchased approximately $172 billion dollars. This generation is described as having the following attitudes and beliefs, they are â€Å"tech-savvy: prefers media based communication, family centric: prioritize family over work, achievement oriented: confident and ambitious, team oriented: loyal, committed, involved, inclusive, and attention craving: seeks feedback, guidance, and mentoring (Kane, n. d. ). The manner in which Generation Y views their world has a significant impact on the psychology behind their purchasing decisions. In being able to define the wants and needs of this generation, marketers will enhance their profit. Generation Y teenagers form a significant consumer group more than ever in today’s society. This teen group has become one of the fastest growing markets and they are greatly influenced by their social setting and environment. This generation was born into the cutting and competition edge of technology. Therefore, technological innovations systems keep Generation Y immersed in an insatiable state of want and need for social interaction and communication, information, and stimulus. In today’s economy, â€Å"these teenagers are an easily identifiable market, they are eager to buy, able to spend, are easily reached† (Schiffman, Kanuk & Wisenblit, 2010). From the teenager’s perspective cost is a non-issue given that their parents purchase the items they need, there is no discretionary on purchasing as do their parents. Research and marketing teams identify that teenagers more often than not, spend money more on want than what they need. Another factor is that this is the â€Å"no child left behind† generation which strengthens the need for popularity, inclusion, and acceptance; these are defining elements to identifying their consumer needs. Teenagers are impressionable and are subject to positive and negative peer pressure. The need to fit in and be accepted as part of the group reveals how their purchases define these desires. An example of this would be Nike clothing and footwear. â€Å"Nike† is the winged Greek goddess of victory. The Nike Company is widely associated with athletic achievement and promotes challenging slogans on their apparel such as, â€Å"Just Do It†. Further, Nike reports from their own research that they catch the consumer’s attention through product quality, color and design and connect with potential consumer through aggressive media messaging and positive public relations imaging and professional sport sponsorship. These combining factors create an ideal product for Generation Y teenagers because Nike appeals to all aspects of their needs and wants. Another example of specific and successful marketing for this age group is through technological devices, such as with Apple. According to Buzz Marketing’s Tina Wells told Forbes, â€Å"Teens are telling us Apple is done. Apple has done a great job of embracing Gen X and older but I don’t think they are connecting with millennial kids. † (Matyszczyk , 2013). Further, Well’s states that â€Å"everything moves in cycles and you can’t rest on your past glory. You’ve got to evolve to maintain relevance. Apple needs to focus on innovation and teens will come back† (2013). Another interesting twist on this is that teen’s may now view Apple products as having become â€Å"too popular† and have therefore suffered the disapproval of this same teenaged group of consumers. This is a great example of how rapidly the attitudes and beliefs of this population can change and require a sense of balance in their marketing. From these examples, it seems that Apple, Inc. will be forced to redesign their marketing strategies to successfully compete with Samsung and Android. Conclusion Marketers will have to anticipate the ever changing and rapid trends of the Generation Y pathway. Given that this generation of teenagers is so innovatively advanced, they will continue to spend a vast amount of their time and effort involved with modern technology and devices whether to receive information, communicate to peers, to shop online for products, or to download their favorite music. It will remain of utmost importance for marketers to understanding the underlying influences which impact teenagers and as well as their behavioral processes within the social context of their culture, their peer groups, and their lifestyles choices. Knowing this will enhance a marketer’s process and will enable the proper promotional messages that will provide their business with a potentially lucrative lifetime of profit returns.

How to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle?

How to lead a healthy lifestyle? Leading a healthy lifestyle is very important duty to our ownself. How to lead a healthy lifestyle? Firstly, you can exercise regularly to maintain a good health. For example, you can join a gym or find some sport that you like. Next, you can work, jog, and cycle to the destination which near your house. Another example is you can do the stretching exercise when we free. Secondly, you should taking comprehensive and balanced of nutrition to maintain a good health.For example, you can control the total calories, the total heat control at 30kcal/kg. Next, you should reduce the intake of animal fats and sweets, to increase the food of soy products, vegetables, fruits and other foods which rich in potassium and magnesium, and generally ensure that the daily intake of 500g vegetables. Another example, you should eat foods which rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish food is rich in W-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has the role of lipid-lowering, visc osity, and anti-platelet aggregation.Finally, you should develop healthy habits to maintain a good health. For example, you should pay attention to personal hygiene such as wash hands frequently, do not spit, do not dumping trash and other. Next, we should refrain from smoking because smoke is detrimental to human health. Another example, you can drink tea, it is because the tea is recognized worldwide as health drink, and tea polyphones have antioxidant, lipid lowering anti-cancer and other effect.

Reflection paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 10

Reflection paper - Essay Example Each one of us is familiar with the experience of having to drive several times around city blocks looking for parking space. In this article, Donald Shoup says that various studies have shown that on average 36% of cars in congested downtown traffic were cruising, looking for curb parking. The article cites a 2008 study for a 15-block area of Upper West side of Manhattan where the average cruising time was only 3.1 minutes and the average cruising distance only 0.37 miles. Even for such small time and distance, the high traffic density causes 366,000 miles of excess travel that puts out 325 tons of carbon dioxide every year into the atmosphere in the area. As we know from our own experience, cruising times and distances in most large cities is several times larger than the Manhattan area numbers cited above. Urban planners have sought to remedy urban parking problems by legislation requiring any new redevelopment plans in downtown areas to provide space for off-street parking. The high prices for land in such areas or the simple fact of non-availability of sufficient land have prevented much needed redevelopment in crowded downtown areas. The second solution attempted has been to install parking meters and charge high prices for parking and time limits such as 30 minutes or one hour for parking. These time limits are often impractical. For example someone going for a meal in a restaurant or for a show in a theater would need much longer parking time. High parking rates are also opposed by retailers and businesses in the area that fear that these rates would drive their customers away to other streets where parking may be easier. Donald Shoup advocates a deceptively simple solution for the urban parking problem. He recommends that parking prices be set to achieve an optimum 85% occupancy rate which translates to 1 or 2 open slots in a city

The Big Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Big Society - Essay Example The Big Society program is pertinent to England’s domestic policy alone. However, these policy areas are passed on to the governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The beginning The idea of Big Society, initiated in the Conservative manifesto was depicted in rather glowing terms by The Times in these words as an "an impressive attempt (The Times, 2010). To counsel the British Government on the proposed program, David Cameron employed Nat Wei, a founder-member of the well-known Teach First charity. The program envisages the establishment of a Big Society Bank and introduction of a national citizen service (Wiggins, 2010). The main characteristics of the same are as follows: More power to the communities (devolution). Transferring power from the central to the local government. Encouraging individuals to take an active part in their respective communities (volunteerism). Support to co-ops, charities, mutuals as well as social enterprises. Publish pertinent government data (transparent government). Measures to implement the program In 2011, major banks in the U.K. consented to provide ?200million as funds to the Big Society Bank (Giotis, 2011), apart from the funds to be utilized from those bank accounts that are lying dormant (Prince, 2010). It is reported that the British government has plans to release ?78billion in charitable assets to big society and accord up to 25 per cent of public service contracts to the voluntary as well as the private sector (Wintour, 2011). Discussions on the program Positive According to Simon Parker, who is the Director of New Local Government Network what is new about Big Society is that it spells out the extent of change required and it is a whole system shift (Parker, 2011).Ben Rogers of the Financial Times opined that the most remarkable factor about Cameron's address delivered at the Conservative Party Conference was on his notion, the Big Society. The speech signified that many of the political tribulations that confronts Mr. Cameron can be dealt with only if citizens are willing to play their part. According to the right wing newspaper The Spectator, it was Cameron’s hope to minimize fiscal shortfalls by dipping into bank accounts lying dormant and it is a bright idea in theory (Blackburn, 2010). Benedict Brogan in The Telegraph’s wrote that people expect their would-be leaders, to have vision and the PM offers a really big one, of a society re-erected from the ground up (Brogan, 2010). Negative To Labor MP, Ed Miliband, the Conservatives were "cynically attempting to dignify its cuts agenda, by dressing up the withdrawal of support with the language of reinvigorating civic society"(Watt, 2010). The Liverpool City Council of late pulled out of a pilot scheme, stating that the government’s current spending cuts is undermining the very future of volunteer groups. A former executive director of Community Service Volunteers, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless has expressed the s ame opinion. According to a recent independent audit report Cameron’s "big society" scheme is in danger of getting derailed by cruel cuts to grassroots voluntary organizations. It is also threatened by a breakdown in trust amid the very people that the administration is supposed to deliver its promising vision. The ?3.3 billion cut in government spending earmarked for the voluntary sector for three forthcoming years is said to be a body blow to the whole project (Butler, 2012). To this criticism Cameron counters by

Change Work Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Change Work Diversity - Essay Example An organization could be structured to make sure that each department runs autonomously, but also collaborates with others to achieve its objectives. The structural breakdown in an organization is essential in ensuring accountability of each department so that the areas of weakness could be detected and corrected early. This is important for the growth and development of the organization. Sometimes, various departments may initiate competition aimed at increasing the overall productivity in the organization. In such scenario, none of the departments would lag behind in adopting progressive approaches to develop the respective section (Bartlett & Beamish 2011, p.74). One could understand the kind of interdepartmental relationships that the organization has. For instance, the human resource, finance and production departments are very critical to the organization and have to work closely to make sure that the company achieves its objectives. Moreover, they have to relate to other depar tments so that the production system does not halt. The procurement department also works closely with the production and export counterparts to harmonize the production system. On the other hand, the IT department also works closely with that of training, research and development to increase innovation and improve efficiency. Finally, all the departments have to coordinate with security docket to ensure that the operation is not threatened from external aggression and internal conflict. Implementing a Resource Accountability Matrix (RAM/RACI) In project management, resource accountability matrix is a way of ensuring transparency in implementing the project. Accountability reduces the amount of resources being wastage because the managers would utilize the available materials prudently. It shows commitment of the managers as they implement the project and it outlines the materials to be used (Hochschild 1983, p.64). This makes such information available for the people affected by th e project. The matrix includes a number of variables, which have to be applied in project management. For instance, the performance data during the project’s implantation is crucial when analyzing and presenting the achievements and steps made by the implementers. Similarly, project allocations are equally important when evaluating resource accountability so that the financiers might consider extending the aid or intervention. In order to ensure accountability, awarded amounts for each program from resource acquisition to its completion must be documented. This includes the cost of labor, procurement of materials and transportation cost. The contract period should be clear to facilitate planning and accountability for the available resources. This is significant because it facilitates the distribution of available fund equally during the project. Mostly, projects depend on the available funds to finance its projections, depending on the period it will last. Moreover, projects that cover large area are difficult to manage if the implementers are not conversant with the program units. Each unit must be accounted for, including its budget, accessibility and the kind of activity to be carried out there. Resource accountability matrix encompasses the management of the project materials and funds to ensure its successful completion (Bateman & Snell 2010, p.112). Analysis of the British Airways Change Management Plan In making sure that the British Airways achieves its change management plans, it has to consider the

Animal Agriculture in Ukraine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Animal Agriculture in Ukraine - Essay Example Since independence, Ukraine’s animal agricultural policy seeks to address key issues such as; food security, the development of rural areas and international competitiveness with the poultry, beef and pig sectors being the most protected. Poultry farming, pig farming, Animal Feed production, Cattle farming and Bio Energy production constitute the key animal agricultural sectors in Ukraine. The country’s agricultural sector remains a key economic determinant; although the sector’s total output collapsed by 40% between the years 1990 and 2010, (USUBC, 2008). The period also saw the reallocation of resources as a result of comparative advantage with the share of grains in production growing at the expense of livestock. Statistics indicate that, between the years 1990 and 2008, livestock output suffered extensively with the production falling by 50% compared to only 25% for grain production, (USUBC, 2008). It is further predicted that the sector will further contract by 18% in the projection period from 2010 to 2018. Besides, the country’s Foreign Direct investment in Animal agriculture continues to lag behind other countries as a result of its structure and regulatory framework. It is estimated that FDI in animal agriculture fell from over 21% in 1990 to just 5% in 2002. Generally, an estimated 13% of Ukraine’s total land area constitutes permanent pasture land. A 2001 statistic indicate that there were 9.4 million head of cattle, 963,000 sheep, 7.6 million pigs, 912,000 goats, 20 million ducks and 103 million chickens,(OECD 2004). Poultry numbers increased by 9% between the years 2004 and 2006 while the number of pigs 25%. However, the number of cattle decreased by 11% within the same period. Turkeys, goats, Horses, rabbits and ducks are also bred and raised in the country, (USUBC, 2008). Meat production is a key component of the country’s animal agricultural sector with a 2001 statistic indicating that 646,000, 591,000 and 239,000 tons of beef, pork and poultry meat respectively were produced within the year much less than the 1, 986,000, 1, 576,000 and 239,000 tons of the same products in 1990. Milk and egg production are also key segments within Ukraine’s animal agricultural sector. In 2001, milk and egg production totaled t o 13.4 million and 546,000 tons respectively, (USUBC, 2008). In addition to animal rearing, Animal food production is also a key component of the country’s animal agriculture. Most feed production is for poultry estimated at 2.2 million tones in 2006 while pig and cattle feeds accounted for 850 and 650 tones respectively,(OECD 2004). Animal food production is however highly centralized, with an estimated 30 companies producing half of all feed. Furthermore, the country’s largest producers manufacture nearly all major types of feeds although the tendency to produce feeds for personal needs by farmers has also increased. This has can be attributed to the desire to save cost and to practice contemporary animal breeding techniques within their own farms,(OECD 2004). Changing Trend Although Ukraine has done considerably well in the animal agricultural sector, its full potential is yet to be realized. In beef farming for example, the cattle heard in 2009 was found to be almo st 88% below that of independence in 1991. Beef remains the largest meat sector with 900, 000 tones production in 2008. This is followed by pig meat and Poultry meat at 700,000 and 30, 000 tones

PEER RELATIONSHIPS Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

PEER RELATIONSHIPS - Research Paper Example Further, the negative means by which group/individual interaction occurs is whereby an individual disrupts or derails the process of discussion and three location that is taking place within the group; or, when a group is able to impact negatively upon the ethics or personal beliefs of an individual. Because group behavior is able to bring out aspects of an individual that they may not otherwise exhibit, the impact and effects of groupthink is one of the most commonly referred to negatives that can exist within this relationship (Geldenhuys 5). Ultimately, a group made up and comprised of individuals is both able to affect a great deal of good and a level of harm; all solely contingent upon how the group is led, the means by which decisions are made, and the level and extent to which individuals within the group are willing and able to voice their own opinions as a means of steering the group towards a better understanding and solution. Works Cited Geldenhuys, Dirk J. "Group-As-A-Who le As A Context For Studying Individual Behaviour: A Group Diagnostic Intervention." SAJIP: South African Journal Of Industrial Psychology 38.2 (2012): 1-12. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. Michelena, Pablo, and Jean-Louis Deneubourg. "How Group Size Affects Vigilance Dynamics And Time Allocation Patterns: The Key Role Of Imitation And Tempo." Plos ONE 6.4 (2011): 1-9. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. 2 When trying to understand why groups exist, the reader/researcher should look directly to basic human psychology as a means of understanding the fact that humans are ultimately social creatures and seek the companionship and camaraderie of one another; both as a means of problem-solving as well as a means of entertainment and socialization (Kivlighan et al, 2012). Because of this natural desire to seek out others and to share information one to another, the formation of groups within both the professional and nonprofessional environment is evidence that nearl y every level of society. These groups can exist for purposes as diverse as deciding upon the theme for the neighborhood full cookout or bringing together key subject matter experts in order to define the next best mobile phone operating platform. Although there exists a great deal of scholarship upon the topic, one of the most often neglected factors with regards to group dynamics is the fact that the individual makes up the group and the group is ultimately made up of the individual (Tingyan & Yufang, 2012). So many times, the reader/researcher is tempted to view the group as something of a faceless amalgamation of individuals. Conversely, what can ultimately be seen as a situation in which key leadership roles act in order to give the group specific personality and focus. Although this personality and focus is not always towards the best ends, it nonetheless helps to define the group and give it more character and human definition that many would otherwise seek to find. Reference s Kivlighan, D. r., Kivlighan, D., & Cole, O. (2012). The Group's Absence Norm and Commitment to the Group as Predictors of Group Member Absence in the Next Session: An Actor-Partner Analysis. Journal Of Counseling

Management. Views of Fayol and Mintzberg Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management. Views of Fayol and Mintzberg - Essay Example This research paper explains what management is and examines basic management theories and definitions to compare and contrast each of them with others. This paper addresses management as an organizational function as well a topic for academic research and study. Management Managing is an extremely important and perhaps one of the most challenging activities in today’s complex society and especially in the contemporary business contexts. Various factors and forces such as globalization, competition, quality-concerns of customers about goods and services, changes in consumer requirements etc make ‘managing’ a more challenging and rather highly rewarding task. Management is generally defined as an ‘art of getting things done through others’ (Dessler and Phillips, 2007, p. 4). This definition by Herold Koontz denotes to various underlying concepts of managing such as delegation of authority, planning for some things to be done and executing them through people and available resources and coordinating and controlling it. Management is an art, science, technique, method, process or strategy by which people work with others and available resources to help the organization reach its destination. Management is therefore a goal oriented process. As Bateman and Snell (2003) described, management is the process or practice by which people (managers) work with other people and resources in order to accomplish the already set goals of the organization both effectively and efficiently. To be efficient means to achieve goals and organizational objectives with minimal waste of resources by making best use of money, time, technology, materials and people, whereas effectiveness refers to achieving the right organizational goals at right time through right ways. Managers do things differently with effective strategies and techniques and by using the organized knowledge that in turn help them make their organizations unique and ultimately successfu l. The general management thought can be affected largely by demographic, geographic and social influences from business to business. However, management theories and definitions are still applicable to varying situations in firms around the world. In today’s complex business contexts, it is very evident that management is merely the process of managing the total resources of an organization. Herold Koontz’s definition talks about delegation of authority and making people work for getting in to the ultimate goals. It is thus related to how effectively managing both people and other resources. People are used by managers to get their things done through. They moreover effectively and efficiently utilize the available materials as well. When it comes to the management practices in place today, Bateman and Snell (2003) argued that no manager is always right or always wrong, but some managers are getting it in to the right path more often than some other managers are doing (p. 6). Views of Fayol and Mintzberg In management study, the views of Henry Fayol and Henry Minzberg have gained considerable attention as their studies and findings have explored management as a function and role that managers do. Henry Fayol, famously renowned as father of modern management, defined management as â€Å"to forecast and plan, to organize, to command, to coordinate and to control† (Cole, 2004, p. 6). He asserted that management was characterized by five specific functions; that are planning, organizing, commanding,

Women Empowerment Essay Example for Free

Women Empowerment Essay When women are the advisor, the Lords of creation dont take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do; then they act upon it and if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it; if fails, they generously give herself the whole.- Louisa May Alcott Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. A woman is entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool foradvancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improved prospects for the next generation. Yet discrimination against women and girls including gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health inequities, and harmful traditional practices remains the most pervasive and persistent form of inequality and also decrease in child sex ratio. Women and girls bear enormous hardship during and after humanitarian emergencies, especially armed conflicts. They usually have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit, training and employment. They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence. The ability of women to control their own fertility is absolutely fundamental to women’s empowerment and equality. Gender equality implies a society in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, outcomes, rights and obligations in all spheres of life. Now let us come to our country, India today is at the cusp of a paradigm change in its growth and its position in the world. We (both men and women) must act decisively to capture this opportunity. We need to think big and scale up rapidly in each and every area, be it education, infrastructure, industry, financial services or equality of both genders. For around two centuries, social reformers and missionaries in India have endeavored to bring women out of confines in which centuries of traditions had kept them. According to the 2001 Census, the percentage of female literacy in the country is 54% up from 9% 1951. But we should not forget that history in a witness to the women who have in the past demonstrated unique leadership capabilities. Razia Sultana, Rani of Jhansi, Sarojini Naidu and Indira Gandhi are motivation examples of women empowerment. Earlier, most women were able to demonstrate the leadership qualities only on their home fronts, as in Indian society man has always acted as the master of the scene and the decision regarding the issue of empowering women has always been taken by him. God has gifted women with compassion, tender-heartedness, caring nature, concern for others. These are very positive signs which imply that women can be leaders. Though some women have shown their mettle yet a large number of them have to sharpen their leadership qualities in various ways. In order to help women to be in limelight, they need to be empowered. Therefore, empowerment of women is the prerequisite to transform a developing country into a developed country. empowerment has multiple, interrelated and interdependent dimensions economic, social, cultural and political. It can be understood in relation to resources, perceptions. relationship and power. Women empowerment generally has five components : firstly, womens sense of self worth; secondly, their right to have the power of control their own lives, both within and outside home; and lastly, their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a just social and economic order nationally, internationally and universally. Educational attainment and economic participation are they key constituents in ensuring the empowerment of women. Educational attainment is essential for empowering women in all spheres of society, for without education of comparable quality and content given to boys and men, updated with existing knowledge and relevant to current needs, women will be able to have access to well-paid formal sector jobs and advance with men. The economic empowerment of women is a vital element of strong economic growth in any country. Empowering women enhances their ability to influence changes and to create a better society. Other than educational and economic empowerment, changes in womens mobility and social interaction and changes in intra-household decision-making are necessary. Slight improvement in womens involvement in household decision-making in male-headed household, on such issues as credit, the disposal of household assets, childrens education and family healthcare can work wonders. Traditionally, gender based divisions persisted in intra-household decision-making. Women basically decide on food preparation and men make the financial decision. Women are one of the greatest assets in our society. They equal to men in all aspects. Women are more perfectionist in the power to create, nurture and transform. Today, women are emerging as leaders in growing range of fields. be it aeronautics, medicine, space, engineering, law, politics, education, businessyou just name the profession and they are there, all that needed in todays world in their empowerment. In India, the empowerment process has already begun. scholarship programmes aimed to bridge gender gap in education should take into consideration the context in which it is implemented, the actual needs of the people it wants to help, without overlooking external socio-economic, political, cultural and infrastructural factors with potential influence on the effective presence and success of girls in school. We are now witnessing a steady improvement in the enrollment of women in schools, colleges and even in profession institutes. Their health is better as compared to earlier decades. In this decade, women are entering into the job market in increasing numbers. They are showing their skills even in non-traditional sectors like police, defence, administration, media and research fields. Twenty-six laws have been enacted so far to protect women from various crimes. The recent law on the protection of women against domestic violence satisfies the long pending demand of the women activities. In the political field, the reservation for women is a significant step forward towards their political empowerment. When thirty-three percent reservation for women in Parliament becomes a reality, womens voice will be heard in the highest forum of democracy. The day, women of India will reach zenith in their empowerment. But a lot of work has to be done as there is a category of women (who consider themselves highly educated) that proudly accepts that they dont have digital literacy even though they own a computer, they cannot even operate bank accounts or make travel arrangements for family or handle hospital admissions even during emergencies. Even for a simple task like social visits or shopping generally they need the company of their husbands. Some qualities to be acquired by women to become truly empowered are awareness about risk prevailing at home, in work place, in traveling and staying outside home. They should have political, legal, economic and health awareness. They should have knowledge about support groups and positive attitudes towards life. They should get goals for future and strive to achieve them with courage. The best gift parents today can give to their daughters is education. If women choose to be ignorant then all the efforts taken by the Government and women activists will go in vain. Even in twenty-fifth century, they will remain backward and will be paying a heavy price for their dependence, So, it is a wake-up call for women to awake from their deep slumber and understand the true meaning of their empowerment. In the end I would like to conclude with the following words, Women as the motherhood of the nation should be strong, aware and alert.

Coca Cola Entry Methods and Strategy Analysis

Coca Cola Entry Methods and Strategy Analysis Introduction Since the Coca-Cola was formulated by pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton in Jacobs Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S., passing by 140 years it became the worlds largest soft drink company in term of manufacturer, distributor and marketer in non-alcoholic area, and operates in more than 200 countries servicing over 16 million people different Coca-Cola products every day. The products in Coca-Cola company including sparking drinks and still beverages such as waters, juices and juice drinks , teas , coffees , sports drinks, and energy drinks. (Coca-Cola website 2010) Brand as the definition is A name, a sign, symbol or design or combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of either one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate the from the competitors (Kotler 1984, p442) . Brand is a symbol, an attitude and a culture to the people which can show their own personalities and life. A good brand is not only a name and a promise is not only a memory in peoples mind however it can influences peoples life. The brand Coca-Cola now is one of the most valuable brand ($66,667 million) including 500 soft drink brands in the company. Beside the most valuable brand Coca-Cola, the company still have another 12 brands which are over $10 hundred million consist of Diet coke, Sprite, Fanta, Coca-Cola zero, Glaceau, Powerade Minute Maid , Georgia etc(Coca-Cola website 2010), (annual report 2009) Foreign direct investment (FDI) FID which means investment in manufacturing and service facilities in a foreign country with an intention to engage actively in managing them-is another facet of the increasing integration of national economies. (Kotabe Helsen) The biggest investment in foreign market is direct investment, as the company investment the new manufacture in the foreign country to develop their local product and easy to control the price come from the raw material details. Such as HP make the direct investment in some majored market around the world, including India. (Kotler and Armstrong). Generally the foreign direct investment can help the company developing deeper relationship with government, customers and local supplier, at the same time improved their image in the target country because they create jobs. Also the foreign direct investment have the disadvantages like government changing , falling markets, frankly speaking the company have no chose but can build the effective operations to accept this. This first Coca-Cola bottling manufacture factory was established in Beijing in 1981, to got the benefits from direct investment, until now there are 35 bottling company and 29 manufacture factory for Coca-Cola products in china, more than 30,000 people working in Coca-Cola,99% stuff are Chinese local . Network models (alliances and joint ventures) Alliances An operate joint venture is an agreement for the partners to collaborate but does not involve any equity investment. (Kotabe Helsen) For the fierce of the business, more choose face to the customers in the market, however how can the company satisfy the customers multi-choice of the produce is an impotent to the company management. However the marketing partnership will be the first choice to enhance the value to customers. For instance two different company become to alliance their retailers has to be treat they are customer too, cause they may not in the same industry and market, therefore two different company to be alliances can support their sales channel ,design and implemented co-operative advertising campaigns. (Keller, aperia, georgson2008) 2000 in china , Coca-Cola and Lenovo (top technologies company in china) home computer together becoming to the marketing partner, with Lenovos high-tech image to match the Internet Express, Coca-Cola with this alliances for the first step to connected with internet and also it is a required of the development of the technology. In Chinese technology marketing, Lenovo has hundreds of stores and thousands of dealers spread all over the country, with the lager channel system, Coca-Cola to be well -know brand in china .(Lenovo website 2010) Joint ventures Joint ventures is the participation of two or more companies in an enterprise in which each party contributes assets, owns the new entity to some degree, and share risk.(Hollensen 2004) Joint ventures as the important strategy to the company developing their global business, before the FDI (Kotabe Helsen) most of the company choose corporation with the local company to help them entry the new marketing, therefore the most of the local company have majority market share in their industry, so it is easily and fast to the foreign company to introduce the product and build their services net work in the new marketing. Two top companies in the world Coca-Cola and nestle joined marketing force called Coca-Cola and nestle refreshments(CCNR) as the beverage partners worldwide (BPW)since 2001, the fifth-fifty joint venture held by the two companies. The joint ventures concentrate on the reedy-to-drink tea excluding the US and Japan, probably create the new values for all shareholders both of two companies. Before to cooperate with Coca-Cola, Swire Groups services consisted of property, aviation, beverage, marine services, industry industrial; COFCO is the largest oil and foodstuffs import and export company in china, also have food manufacture, hotel management and financial services, list by the magazine as one of the top 500 companies in the world; the Kerry group also the top oil and foodstuffs company have the high market share in china. In china Coca-Cola with the three partners in a joint venture bottling plants-Swire Group, Kerry Group and COFCO (China Oil Foodstuffs Corporation), responsible for the implementation of the beverage production, sales and building the marketing channels. The responsibilities for Coca-Cola are brand promotion, marketing development and control the liquid forms of cooperation. (Annual report 2009) (COFCO website). Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary Chinese culture Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one human group from another Culture, in this sense, includes systems of values; and values are among the building blocks of culture (Hofstede 1980, p21). To understand the different culture in different countries is a main principle for the global company enters the foreign, unknown market. Some of the culture elements like history, religion, ethnicity, family, language, social class, politics, income, etc, are very important when the company doing the business in foreign counties, so according to the different culture in different country to make the company localization strategy is helpful to the company for the long-term business to entry the new global market. China is one of the worlds oldest history of more than 5,000 years, has the territory area of 9.6 million square km, with the sea area of about 4.73 million square km, second largest country in the world. (China culture 2010). Coca-Cola in china While Coca-Cola was succeeded in penetrating nearly every country of the world, it has never been able to separate itself from the image of overpowering US brand (Hollensen 2004). For help to raise the international profile of the brand further Coca-Cola entry the third biggest country in the world -china. Therefore Coca-Cola is one of the earliest US company entries Chinese marketing since 1927. The first bottling manufacture factory established in Shanghai and Tianjin, this is the first time that Chinese people drink the new types, high-quality drinks. In 1930, in Qingdao the third bottling factory was established, till 1948 Shanghai become the first city outside Unites exceeded sales 100 million boxes. (Coca-Cola website 2010) After the restored diplomatic relations between china and the Unites States in 1979 , the first 28,000 boxes of bottled and canned Coca-Cola products were shipping from Hong Kong to mainland china to sales, since the Chinese marketing opening to the global ,the first Coca-Cola bottling manufacture factory was established in Beijing in 1981, until now there are 35 bottling company and 29 manufacture factory for Coca-Cola products in china, more than 30,000 people working in Coca-Cola,99% stuff are Chinese local . over the past 5 years of business in china the Coca-Cola company to be the main leadership in Chinese soft drink market, china become the worlds third largest market for Coca-Cola as well.(Coca-Cola website 2010) Segmentation (Kotler and Armstrong) statistics the definition of market segmentation as involves individuating a market in to smaller groups of buyers with distinct needs, characteristics, or behaviours that might require separate marketing strategies or mixes. Market segmentation is the subdividing of a market into distinct subsets of customers, where any subset may conceivably be selected as a target market to be reached with a distinct marketing mix. (Kotler 2010) The major segmentation elements for consumer markets are: Geographic, Demographic, psychographic and Behavioural. (Kotler and Armstrong2010) Developing the global businesses for the geographic and operating segmentation Coca-Cola divided the world into six parts: Eurasia, Africa, Europe, Latin American, North American and Asia Pacific.(Annul report 2009) Coca-Cola company purchase the vehicles for the factory to responsible for the drinks to retailers and giving free refrigerators, umbrellas to retailers, the company trying to find the different ways to perfect their customer services. once the people will think about Coca-Cola when they want to drink ,no matter where you are ,you can fine a Coca-Cola around you ,like grocery stores, restaurants, street vendors, convenience stores, movie theaters and amusement parks, the products covered among many others public squares. (Coca-Cola website 2010) (Annul report 2009) Therefore the fierce completion push the company must provide more products to satisfy the customers choice, for the entry the variety beverage field Coca-Cola try to transform itself into a localized comprehensive. on the other hand Coca-Cola was alliances with one of the Chinese largest internet services website companyTencent to developing their youth marketing in china, the star product of Tencent company is QQ (similar with MSN , is a instant message software), until march 5, 19:52:58 ,Tencent QQ announced that the number of the current users exceeded 100million .with this cooperation ,Coca-Colas iCoke website (www.icoke.cn) introduced the use of 3D QQ Tencent game show , QZONE personal space, QQ theme packages ,to be the first comprehensive online community for young consumers with a new experience of communication.Listen Read phonetically Target market and positioning strategy A target market is a chosen segment of market that a company has decided to serve. (David Jobber 2010 p 261) A clear target is helpful to the company to understand the costumers demand and favorite, easier to design the target product to the target customers. For instance CNN target its news program me, that is why CNN has globally, concentrate to the distribution effort in to hotels room, for the business people they can see the CNN news wherever they are.( David Jobber 2010) There are 3 key points of the Coca-Cola company-quality, customers and consumers. As the leader of beverage market, in the fierce international competition, Coca-Cola company does not pre-localization strategy, as the first global company to annoy the new localization theory think local, act local to the whole world, the main principle about this theory is relevant to the basic conditions of the different countries to make different decisions and strategy. Since the Coca-Cola has the 30% market share in US, the company theory is to satisfy every customers demand, the aim for the whole company to make the everywhere and easy to buy, so pervasiveness, price, value, preference to be the sales goal for Coca-Cola Company .The Coca-Cola Company is always Been the one of the first enter to developing marketing and build their strong positioning. Coca-Cola will no longer focus on formal product but it committed to expand its beverage varieties. From the style of oolong tea to a new era of mixed fruit drinks, high-calorie energy drink, or even to the most basic drink-water. Coca-Cola company follow give the world a coke, begin according to peoples teats in different countries to tailored drinks. Marketing mix Chinese marketing mix marketing mix is the set of market tools the firm uses to implement its marketing strategy. The major marketing mix tool is classified into four board four groups, called the four Ps of marketing: product, price, place, promotion (Kotler and Armstrong 2010 p 36) Product strategy Produce decision involves deciding what goods or services should be offered to a group of customers (David Jobber 2010 p 17) A good whatever the design, the brand, the price, the main objective should be according to the customers demand. The most important element is new product development. Because the change of the technology and taste, product become out of fashion probably or defeated by the competitors, so company should replace them to satisfying customers needs. As the developing of the society, more and more pay attention about their quality of living and health, people in order to keep their weight to reduce to eat some high energy food and even drinks.co ca-ca la at this time to be the extension of the market to made the coke without sugar and no calories but plenty of taste called diet coke in 1982, within two years it had become to the top diet soft drink in the world. In 2008 another successful product Coca-Cola zero was published. (Coca-Cola website) China has almost four or five thousand years history to drink tea, to the Chinese people tea is not just drink it is a type of culture. For this especially culture Coca-Cola made the product strategy for Chinese marketing to sale Nestea ice rush lemon tea, and design a new product for Chinese people called Smart to enhance the marketing competitions. Pricing strategy Pricing strategy is a key element and basic element of the marketing mix, for instance, the Spending on product design (product), advertising and salespeople (promotion), Transportation and distribution (place). So the pricing strategy should be very clear about objective, ethos, factor and influencing, and also the discount and allowance in some transactions. (David jobber 2010) The main principle in Chinese economic marketing are vast land and large numbers of population, varieties raw materials, nevertheless the another issue of the marketing is the low cost of the labor force. However compared the product price between china and other countries, the price advantages is obviously appeared. Place strategy Place involves decisions concerning the distribution channels to be used and their management, the locations of outlets, methods of transportation and inventory levels to be held. The aim of the place strategy is to choose the right time and place to do available produce and service. (David Jobber 2010 p 19) To build an effective distribution channel is a best way to cooperate to the retailers, and wholesalers, because they will fine the good way to sale the product and also analyses the market to help the marketer to change the marketing planning at the first time. The Coca-Cola s partner in china have the effective marketing occupation, the Swire group occupied southern part and central part market ,Kerry Groups business including North , Southwest, and Beijing, COFCO control sites including the northwest, northeast, Hunan, Hainan, and other areas, so for the share market area Coca-Cola s sales market channel like a big net hold the whole China. Promotion strategy Promotion mix: advertising, personal selling, sales promotions, public relations, direct marketing and online promotion.(David jobber 2010, p18) With the globalization of trade, many best international companies gradually enter the Chinese marketing, the best way to publicity is advertising, the effective advertising strategy for the foreign company must be care the basic conditions of the target country and the domestic customers demand. For the long term Coca-Cola advertising in china is coupled with the US vision of the Chinese commentary, the advertising was full of typical American style and American personality .Since 1999, Coca-Cola have been adjusted their advertising strategies in china , for the first time the Chinese stars , the traditional mascot ,family relations and friendship appeared in the advertising stories. The localization in china also appears on product packaging the most successful one produced for Chinese traditional festival- New Years Day, they put the 12 zodiac in the cans (this is the first souvenir to use Chinese theme around the world, worthy to collected and commemorative) for this new packaging Coca-Cola use Chinese culture to design the cans with 12 animals. Also as the New Year gift Coca-Cola change the normal size to family Value Pack, for another point of view satisfied the costumers demands. Coca -cola is the longest-serving sponsor since 1928. 2008 was the fantastic year for Coca-Cola when china held the Olympic game in Beijing; it is create a unique opportunity to the world to understand a new china and new Coca-Cola china. another agreement was signed at the great wall in Beijing between Coca-Cola company and IOC about sponsor responsible ,from 2009 to 2020 during winter Olympics in Vancouver, summer games in London and Olympic games in 2014,2016, 2018 until 2020.(Coca-Cola website) (BBC news) Conclusion As the sum up of all factors and model during Coca-Colas global business strategy, for a past 140 years Coca-Cola use their product, brand, cultural to infiltrate into the propelss life and impression of the taste from generation to generation. For the fierce of the competition and development of economic and technology ,Coca-Cola will meet more challenge and good competitors in the future, how can they conquer everything and according to methodthink global, act local,and still following the company work give to the world a Coca-Colais a worthy question need to considering in the next step. Listen Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary Appendix (Finger 1. The list of Coca-Cola products) PRODUCTS SERVED AT THE WORLD OF Coca-Cola (except US) Product/Brand Country of Sale / Group Stoney Tangawizi Tanzania / Africa Fanta Exotic Fruit Punch Uganda / Africa Krest Ginger Ale Mozambique / Africa Sparletta Sparberry Zimbabwe / Africa Bibo Candy Coco-Pine South Africa / Africa Sunfill Mint Djibouti / Africa Bibo Kiwi Mango South Africa / Africa Sunfill Blackcurrant Mauritius / Africa Smart Apple China / Asia Sprite Ice India / Asia Fanta Apple Kiwi Thailand / Asia Smart Watermelon China / Asia Crushed Lemon Bahrain / Asia Nestea Ice Rush Lemon Tea China / Asia Aquarius Citrus Taiwan / Asia Vegitabeta Japan / Asia HI-C Ume Japan / Asia Beverly Italy / Europe Fanta Magic (Blue Grape) Estonia / Europe Mezzo Mix Germany / Europe Kinley Bitter Lemon England / Europe Fanta Pineapple Greece / Europe Nestea Raspberry Iced Tea Spain / Europe Nestea Lemon Bulgaria / Europe Nestea Peach France / Europe Lift Manzana Chile / Latin America Fanta Kolita Costa Rica / Latin America Inca Kola Peru / Latin America Simba Guarana Paraguay / Latin America Ciel Aquarius Jamaica Sun Mexico / Latin America Delaware Punch Honduras / Latin America Nestea Light Peach Brazil / Latin America Nestea Mango Mexico / Latin America Finger 3. Some of the Coca-Cola product in china (some of localization) (Finger 4. Specific product designed for Chinese marketing) (Figure 5: Coca-Cola alliances with Lenovo to public the Coca-Cola /Lenovo laptop) (Figure 5: Coca-Cola to be the sponsor of Beijing Olympic Game 2008) (Figure 5: Coca-Cola alliances with Tencent) (Figure 6: the spread of the bottling factory in china)

Japan and America History and Culture Comparison

Japan and America History and Culture Comparison Janette B. Perez Comparing a Culture and its Education:Â  The Correlation of the Two: What Prevails? The United States of America is a country that is largely populated by immigrants, and the culture is heavily influenced by the many groups of people that now make up the country. Culture could be defined as the characteristics and knowledge shared by a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Acculturation however, refers to the development between two or more different groups of people meeting and exchanging aspects of their culture. With time an individuals personality may transition based on the different variables that may be affecting it and that plays a pivotal role in acculturation. Would you say that being forced to change your lifestyle from one moment to the next affect your personality? During World War II, Japanese-Americans were evacuated and were forced out of their homes by the War Relocation Authority; having to live apart from what they knew could have changed some parts of the culture they ha d been brought up with, including their education. Although, each person may aspire different goals in regards to their education, during the World War II era, Japanese-Americans had to adapt to the conditions in the relocated facilities and the educational programs provided to them. Meanwhile many Japanese-Americans were also dealing with a clash of culture between these two countries. In this research paper, I will summarize and critique each article, one on the education systems of Japanese-American relocation centers during World War II and the other on the culture of Japanese-Americans and their acculturation to the United States; many conclusions can be obtained and compared from both of the articles mentioned that will proof whether there is any correlation between culture and instruction. To start off article one, keep this in mind: What is the difference between culture and acculturation? Furthermore, how are these related or can the two morph to form to make an individual transition into something new. Acculturation of Personality: A Three-Culture Study of Japanese, Japanese Americans, and European Americans This article begins with the question: Does an immigrants personality change when he or she moves from one culture to another? There is definitely an underlying idea in this sentence that will help us explore the remaining of the article (Gungor et al., 2012). Can culture shape the personality of a person or vice versa; can personalities be molded far enough to were the culture in a particular group of individuals becomes something entirely different or does it change only to a certain extent. To answer these questions a three-culture study between Japanese, Japanese-Americans, and European-Americans was conducted to show if there was any evidence that a strong-rooted culture like that of the Japanese immigrants could be influenced thus causing change in Japanese-Americans after being in contact with the American Culture and how it would differ. The researches chose to focus on Japanese-Americans because the personality patterns in their culture of origin (Japanese Culture) are very different to that of European-Americans showing obvious contrast if change occurs, for example, when compared on Big Five personality dimensions, higher levels of Openness to Experience, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness and lower of Neuroticism have been found to characterize the personality patterns of mainstream European and North American societies as compared to those of Asian and African societies (Gungor et al. 2012) In order to establish credibility, participants were selected very carefully and included, 57 mono-cultural Japanese women (strong-rooted in their culture of origin), 40 Japanese-American women(first generation), and 60 European-American women (culture of destination). The examination showed the groups levels of the Big Five qualities mentioned. The differences and similarities between the three cultures were calculated and documented. It was concluded that over time through involvement and exposure to mainstream culture in the United States an immigrants personality seemed to become more American and less Japanese. Something to note about this research is that it is very well categorized from beginning to end with each paragraph containing a specific title explaining the questions this experiment is trying to find answers to, as well as how the method was performed. The article is structured to primarily help us better understand the dilemma faced by the authors, followed by their hypothesis in how the culture of origin of an immigrant can slowly transition into the culture of the location they are exposed to. Finally, it demonstrates the outline of the experiment, including how the participants were selected, why those conditions were chosen, the results of the study, how thee were calculated, and the translation of them followed with the physical evidence of the research. I believe that the authors made incredible points of focus that were explained thoroughly and supported with the results. Not only did they use the research that they conducted as the main source of evidence, but also backed-up there results with similar studies conducted by other scientists to proof that this experiment can have a broader audience and that the material is relevant and truthful. Overall, research was conducted well the specifications of the participants selected had to keep in mind the two cultures compared and see how it differed in three characterized individuals. To determine culture of origin fifty seven women were selected from Tokyo, Japan-through a survey this cultures Big Five was calculated into a number. On the other hand, sixty women from another metropolitan area were surveyed to portray the Big Five in European-American. The samples surveyed were targeted to be as close as possible in terms of age range, social status, and their contributing roles in soc iety in order to maximize comparability and find the acculturation factor (Gungor et al. 2012). In an effort to demonstrate that over time personalities change due to exposure to the mainstream culture (in this case European-American culture), the first generation Japanese-American subjects selected for the study were slightly older than the other two categorized groups; however, their social statuses and roles were kept very similar. The final results portrayed that in fact, there is a correlation between the time spent by Japanese-Americans, and the age at which they were exposed to a new destination and the American culture. This experiment concludes that culture of origin diminishes over time and culture of destination grows. Continuing into the second article, it is important to note the following: The decision to evacuate the entire Japanese-American community during World War II was unprecedented and executed quickly. In addition to being secluded from their homes and communities, how do these circumstances affect Japanese and Japanese-American daily lives, including their education. The Education of Japanese-Americans, 1942-1946 During World War II many events impacted the entire world and in the 1940s the United States of America was not the exception. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, would live in infamy. This attack fully propelled the United States into the ongoing world war. During the spring and summer of 1942, the United States executed, in a surprisingly short amount of time and without conflicting events, one of the largest controlled migrations in history. The operation was carried out by the United States Army and the War Relocation Authority. An estimated 120,000 people of Japanese descent were moved from their homes and placed into 10 wartime communities located in remote areas between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mississippi River. It was estimated that two thirds of these individuals were American born while the remainder where alien immigrants. Works Cited Cullen, Catherine L. The Education of Japanese-Americans,1942-1946: The Fate of Democratic Reform.American Educational History Journal 38.1 (2011): 197-218. Gungor, D., M. H. Bornstein, J. De Leersnyder, L. Cote, E. Ceulemans, and B. Mesquita. Acculturation of Personality: A Three-Culture Study of Japanese, Japanese Americans, and European Americans.Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 44.5 (2012): 701-18. Web.

A Comparison of Online Shopping at JCPenney and Kohls Essays -- compar

JCPenney Dominates Over Kohl’s in Online Shopping Being a multi-billion dollar retailer comes with its perks. JCPenney’s dominance over catalog merchandising has now extended into the cyber world at www.jcpenney.com. This website is multi-functional and easy to navigate, but how would JCPenney’s new e-commerce site stack up against its toughest competitor, Kohl’s, on the web? The answer may surprise you. This is an intriguing look at how varied retail comparisons can be. While JCPenney is struggling with sales on the retail floor, Kohl’s continues to exceed expectations in their stores. Online though, it is a completely different story. Kohl’s has a fledgling site located at www.kohls.com. The homepage for this site looks very modern and eye-catching with its large feature window and cute icons. Navigating into the site; however, a customer may notice that there are no opportunities to make online purchases or to view product. JCPenney’s homepage is dedicated to listing all departments and displaying several links to some of our strategic alliances. For instance, JCPenney’s ... A Comparison of Online Shopping at JCPenney and Kohl's Essays -- compar JCPenney Dominates Over Kohl’s in Online Shopping Being a multi-billion dollar retailer comes with its perks. JCPenney’s dominance over catalog merchandising has now extended into the cyber world at www.jcpenney.com. This website is multi-functional and easy to navigate, but how would JCPenney’s new e-commerce site stack up against its toughest competitor, Kohl’s, on the web? The answer may surprise you. This is an intriguing look at how varied retail comparisons can be. While JCPenney is struggling with sales on the retail floor, Kohl’s continues to exceed expectations in their stores. Online though, it is a completely different story. Kohl’s has a fledgling site located at www.kohls.com. The homepage for this site looks very modern and eye-catching with its large feature window and cute icons. Navigating into the site; however, a customer may notice that there are no opportunities to make online purchases or to view product. JCPenney’s homepage is dedicated to listing all departments and displaying several links to some of our strategic alliances. For instance, JCPenney’s ...

Slaughterhouse-Five Essay: Irony, Dark Humor, and Satire :: Slaughterhouse-Five Essays

Irony, Dark Humor, and Satire in Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut uses a combination of dark humor and irony in Slaughterhouse-Five. As a result, the novel enables the reader to realize the horrors of war while simultaneously laughing at some of the absurd situations it can generate. Mostly, Vonnegut wants the reader to recognize the fact that one has to accept things as they happen because no one can change the inevitable. Although Slaughterhouse-Five may not be filled with delightful satire and comical scenes, there are accounts which the force the reader to laugh. In one instance, an extremely drunk Billy Pilgrim is searching desperately for the steering wheel of his car: "He was in the backseat of his car, which is why he couldn't find the steering wheel," Vonnegut writes (47). In another episode, Billy becomes "unstuck" in time while watching television, so that he sees a war film backwards and then forwards. The most humorous sequence takes place when Billy travels from the zoo on Tralfamadore to his wedding night with his wife, Valencia. He wakes up to find himself in the German prison camp. He then finds himself back with Valencia after returning from the bathroom. He goes to sleep, then wakes up on a train on the way to his father's funeral. In any case, the reader encounters much dark humor in the novel. There is a sense of an embittered humor with the Tralfamadorian phrase, "So it goes," which is repeated over 100 times in the novel. John May says that Vonnegut's purpose in repeating the phrase after each statement of death is to build its meaning with each incremental refrain (Contemporary Literary Criticism 8: 530). At first, the saying can be looked upon as funny in an ironic way. However, as one reads further, the phrase becomes irritating and irreverent. The reader cannot fathom so many deaths meaning so little. According t o Wayne McGinnis, it is most likely Vonnegut's intent to cause such feelings from the reader (Contemporary Literary Criticism 5: 468). This punctuating phrase forces the reader to look at the novel's deaths one after the other. Ultimately, the repetition creates a feeling of resentment that too many people are killed. The saying is a grim reminder that means exactly the opposite of what its words say. Vonnegut ends the novel with the reminder of the deaths of JFK, Martin Luther King, and all of those that died in Vietnam.

Humanities anthropology Essay

Art and Society, what is their relationship? Does Art encourage the growth of a society or does a society provoke the direction of its Art? What are the influences? How much is being influenced? Art began, one may argue, when civilization was borne. With each civilization, we form a society, a group of people with individual characteristics, philosophies and cultures within which all sorts of ideas, thoughts and opinions are always brought to challenge and evaluation. These may be recorded in literature or in different forms of expression we known as Art. Right from the where culture started, events have been recorded in forms of pictures i.e. historical paintings which inform us about experiences in the past historical periods. History is the record of the development of human society. It can be expressed in forms of architectures, sculptures and paintings. As the topic is vast, I will therefore be focusing on the relationship between painting and society. I will be referring to different periods of Art movement to view its contribution to its society, and how Art and society have counteracted in bringing forth new Arts and new societies for generation to come. Traditionally, Art has been used as a vehicle to illustrate and illuminate history as historians recognize that some Art may help them to identify and explain the nature of a society or a period. Ideas trigger responses.

Neuropsychological Testing

Clinical neuropsychology is a field with historical origins in both psychology and neurology. The primary activity of neuropsychologists is assessment of brain functioning through structured and systematic behavioral observation. Neuropsychological tests are designed to examine a variety of cognitive abilities, including speed of information processing, attention, memory, language, and executive functions, which are necessary for goal-directed behavior.By testing a range of cognitive abilities and examining patterns of performance in different cognitive areas, neuropsychologists can make inferences about underlying brain function. Neuropsychological testing is an important component of the assessment and treatment of traumatic brain injury, dementia, neurological conditions, and psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychological testing is also an important tool for examining the effects of toxic substances and medical conditions on brain functioning.Before the introduction of neuroimaging te chniques like the computed tomography (CAT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the primary focus of neuropsychology was diagnosis. Since clinicians lacked non-surgical methods for directly observing brain lesions or structural abnormalities in living patients, neuropsychological testing was the only way to determine which part of the brain was affected in a given patient. Neuropsychological tests can identify syndromes associated with problems in a particular area of the brain.For instance, a patient who performs well on tests of attention, memory, and language, but poorly on tests that require visual spatial skills such as copying a complex geometric figure or making designs with colored blocks, may have dysfunction in the right parietal lobe, the region of the brain involved in complex processing of visual information. When a patient complains of problems with verbal communication after a stroke, separate tests that examine production and comprehension of language help neu ropsychologists identify the location of the stroke in the left hemisphere.Neuropsychological tests can also be used as screening tests to see if more extensive diagnostic evaluation is appropriate. Neuropsychological screening of elderly people complaining of memory problems can help identify those at risk for dementia versus that experiencing normal age-related memory loss. As neuropsychological testing came to play a less vital role in localization of brain dysfunction, clinical neuropsychologists found new uses for their skills and knowledge.By clarifying which cognitive abilities are impaired or preserved in patients with brain injury or illness, neuropsychologists can predict how well individuals will respond to different forms of treatment or rehabilitation. Although patterns of test scores illustrate profiles of cognitive strength and weakness, neuropsychologists can also learn a great deal about patients by observing how they approach a particular test. For example, two pat ients can complete a test in very different ways yet obtain similar scores.One patient may work slowly and methodically, making no errors, while another rushes through the test, making several errors but quickly correcting them. Some individuals persevere despite repeated failure on a series of test items, while others refuse to continue after a few failures. These differences might not be apparent in test scores, but can help clinicians choose among rehabilitation and treatment approaches. Performance on neuropsychological tests is usually evaluated through comparison to the average performance of large samples of normal individuals.Most tests include tables of these normal scores, often divided into groups based on demographic variables like age and education that appear to affect cognitive functioning. This allows individuals to be compared to appropriate peers. The typical neuropsychological examination evaluates sensation and perception, gross and fine motor skills, basic and c omplex attention, visual spatial skills, receptive and productive language abilities, recall and recognition memory, and executive functions such as cognitive flexibility and abstraction.Motivation and personality are often assessed as well, particularly when clients are seeking financial compensation for injuries, or cognitive complaints are not typical of the associated injury or illness. Some neuropsychologists prefer to use fixed test batteries like the Halstead-Reitan Battery or the Luria-Nebraska Battery for all patients. These batteries include tests of a wide range of cognitive functions, and those who advocate their use believe that all functions must be assessed in each patient in order to avoid diagnostic bias or failure to detect subtle problems.The more common approach today, however, is to use a flexible battery based on hypotheses generated through a clinical interview, observation of the patient, and review of medical records. While this approach is more prone to bia s, it has the advantage of preventing unnecessary testing. Since patients often find neuropsychological testing stressful and fatiguing, and these factors can negatively influence performance, advocates of the flexible battery approach argue that tailoring test batteries to particular patients can provide more accurate information.Lezak, Muriel Deutsh. Neuropsychological Assessment. 3rd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. Mitrushina, Maura N. , Kyle B. Boone, and Louis F. D'Elia. Handbook of Normative Data for Neuropsychological Assessment. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Spreen, Otfried and Esther Strauss. A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Walsh, Kevin and David Darby. Neuropsychology: A Clinical Approach. 4th edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999.

Fashion Flow Theories: Misconceptions

Written Exam Fashion Flow Theories The Instrument of Meaning Exemplified as an instrument of meaning, the fashion system is a menagerie that takes meaning on an arduous cycle. One that sheds light on how its products are idealized, produced, adopted, and then finally discarded after serving its utilitarian or ideological purpose. Mass communication and other conduits of information dissemination play a role in channeling meaning from its origins to the consumer (McCracken 1986). The fashion system flows from one end to the other.At its starting, is the creation or invention of meaning, undertaken by influential individuals or groups that capitalize on their stature or celebrity status. Their influence help reshape ideologies of cultural categories and principles. Fueled by imitative appropriation by those of lower standing, this innovation of meaning is prompted and stimulated (Simmer 1904). American-born singer Lady Gaga is one good example. By using fashion as an outlet of self-exp ression, her avian-garden style of dressing caught attention and liking.Taking full advantage of her celebrity stature, she has brought about societal form in her support for the LEGIT community. Her constant feature and highlight of gays in her music videos and advocacy of marriage equality have inevitably given society new meaning. Her influence has trickled across to other influential individuals who then pass it on further, resulting in what we see today as homosexual taboos being slowly abolished (with countries lawfully engaging in marriage equality, etc. ). Meaning in this sense, has changed from vociferous aesthetics to a political statement.Aside from the designers of the goods itself, meaning transfer is accomplished by another group of people – the fashion Journalists. They act as conduits of meaning transfer through their work with print or firm media. They act as social observers of social development and reform, reviewing, inquiring and questioning it. They have to possess a clairvoyant quality as to pick out specific fashions they approve of then disseminating their choices onto their assigned publications. This in turn also affects the designers having their influence felt even before the early adopters of society or opinion leaders.Suez Menses is a British fashion Journalist currently serving as the dead fashion reporter and editor for the International Herald Tribune. Her work there involves reviewing fashion runways and giving her opinions on it, all of which is widely read by the public. Early February this year, Menses published an article for the New York Times titled â€Å"The Circus of Fashion†. In that article she gave her views on the changing dynamics of the biannual fashion shows; how the focus seems to be changing towards the people who â€Å"peacock† outside them (Menses 2013).This shift in paradigm stimulated others to rethink, with others giving their own views e. G. Garage Magazine (Take My Picture, 2013). It is such reviews that contribute to the shaping and reshaping of publics ideals of fashion. In the case study of the â€Å"preppie look† we see how the fashion system comes into play in this transfer of meaning. Originating from high society, people of upper- upper and upper-lower classes, the preppie look was a signifier of that particular social stratum.The term preppy derives from the expensive pre-college preparatory or prep schools that upper-middle-class White Anglo-Saxon Protestant children on the United States' East Coast (Fashion Encyclopedia 2013). Introduced in the sass, the preppy look has continually gone in and out of style. During the sass soap operas like Dynasty and Dallas brought about this social acceptance for the style. The North Americans who frequently watched these evening soaps generally began to accept and adopt the style of the preppy look due to its association with the show and its characters.This radical change of meaning transcends from what o riginally was being associated with upper-middle class stringent pre-college prep-school dress code, to the incorporation of lifestyle habits by lower standing individuals of North American society. This also clearly models the downward flow theory of adoption of fashion; a style first adopted by people at the top of the social pyramid then gradually winning acceptance at progressively lower social levels (Stone 2008). An innovation of fashion similar to that of â€Å"The Preppy Look† is Christian Door's 1947 â€Å"New Look†.The Haute Couture house introduced it right after the World War II. Contrast to the conservative wartime dressing, this profligate use of materials was well accepted amongst the social elite. Only a tiny minority of women was in a session to purchase the New Look. Because of its singularity and the fact that no other alternatives were available, the years following 1947 saw the trickling down of the it to department stores and then to patterns that could be easily used at home. The fashion system is an instrument of meaning.Consisting of a vast array of methodically linked elements that take the meaning of something from one end to another, changing and reinterpreting it to suit society. With examples of the preppie look and Door's New Look, the diffusion from high society to mass-market clearly wows the way by which meaning quickly changes and adapts around cultural principles and its repercussion reformation. 3 Misconceptions About Fashion Fashion has grown and transcended from bare necessity to a form of non-verbal communication, almost like an extension of the body.With it, there are common misconceptions that are still vastly kept. One of them is that fashion designers and retailers govern what fashion is or will be, forcefully imposing it onto helpless consumers. Although, to a certain extent, designers and retailers play a vital role in the fashion system as gatherers of meaning and injecting them into consumer goods ( McCracken 1986). However, in actual fact, consumers are the ones who decide the contents of fashion, what it will be. By their acceptance or rejection of an offered aesthetic, the design direction is then focused onto accommodating the consumer.In the example of the upward flow theory of adoption, fashion styles can be seen coming from mass-market, low standing society. With the evolution of fashion dissemination throughout the decades, the way fashion moves has progressively opposed what it used to be 50 ears ago. Beginning in low-income social groups, fashion trends from there move upward into the higher-income groups (Elaine Stone 2008). An example covered by Elaine Stone's article is the T-shirt. Generally associated with blue-collared workers and commonplace sportswear, it took a turn during the sass, igniting a brand new fashion cottage industry.The Channel No. 5 T-shirt was the epitome of what was in-vogue then. As a result, retailers and producers look towards this new direc tion of fashion flow, radically revising their methods of fashion forecasting. Today, more effort is focused on pr ©t- ¤-porter runways, aiming at the youths. Fashion is not governed by anyone nor is it a helpless process of induction to its consumers. The consumer plays a vital role in influencing and being influence by designers and retailers alike. The second misconception about fashion is that it acts as an influence solely on women.Men and children are as equally responsive and influenced as women towards fashion. A demand for styles and specific products in menswear and childlessness be it in suits, hairstyles or shoes, Justifies the fact that there is an end hat reciprocates and influences. In the case study of â€Å"The Perfecto Jacket†, we see again the upward flow theory of adoption, in light of menswear. The â€Å"Perfecto† motorcycle Jacket, by Shoot Brothers Company of New York, became a social signifier of rebellious youth culture.This was because of Maroon Brandon, when he wore one in the widely popular movie The Wild One in 1953. The sinister black sheen and knife-slash like zips personified an attitude of rebellion. It was an indicator of the way street style progressively became accepted as part of social culture (Polishes 1994). This clearly illustrated the fact that men from different social stratum had an influence and were influenced by fashion. There was a process of idealization and adoption, much like how women respond to fashion.The last misconception is that fashion an enigmatic and unpredictable force. Contrary to that belief, design direction and the way it changes can be quite accurately predicted by people known as fashion forecasters. These people study the basis of the fashion system to understand it and to utilize this knowledge into the business aspects of fashion. One major trend forecasting website is WOWS. Their method of research goes as follows – input, analysis and output. They offer a smà ¶rgà ƒ ¥sbord of analytical perspectives, from in-depth material predictions to aesthetic forecasts.In the article, Elaine Stone mentions that every action has a repercussion effect and questions its link towards fashion. With the Pearl Harbor bombings by the Japanese in 1941 and the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center on September 1 1, 2001, it is evident how events that spark social change have an effect on fashion (Stone 2008). Those attacks inevitably led to a sense of nationalism and patriotism amongst the American people – aptly resulting in a trend for clothing and accessories of the colors white, blue and red.Fashion is not a complex force that requires an extreme level of clairvoyance, but is in fact a logical process that can be anticipated by ways of analysis of past, present and future. With its quick evolution and reinvention, fashion is a complex system that ideas seem to have been wrongly interpreted or conveyed. Some of which involve the misunderstanding of consumer roles to the fact that fashion is too complicated to anticipate. However fashion does in fact engage in a healthy designer/retailer-to- nonuser relationship and through immense study of it, can be accurately predicted.Fashion has grown to be something more tangible and cognitively assimilative. Fast Fashion Consumerism is something we witness on a daily basis. We are incessantly bombarded with imagery that encourages the extensive purchase of products. It is everywhere. In this media saturated world, there is no escape. Fashion in this sense, is exploited. People of the fashion world have become so hungry (Polishes 1994). The fashion cycle gives us a clear idea of how this vicious recess works – ideas are generalized, produced, adopted then dropped (McCracken 1986).This all happens at an alarming rate that coincides with the biannual fashion calendar. In a year, there are two conspicuous seasonal showcases – Spring/Summer and Audiometer; each happening almost a full season ahead of the actual (for business practicalities). In between that we have Haute Couture, Menswear, Cruise and Resort collection showcases (Mode  ¤ Paris 2013). That totals about 8 shows in a year for the average homogeneous fashion house, a frenetic pace of activity. With its products there, the question then begets – What is the driving force of the fashion system?The consumers. Fashion acts as a social determinant. People are greatly concerned about the way they look, it affects they way one is perceived and how one feels about oneself (Gains 1999). The desire to imitate celebrities and the influential people of society is factor that is continually growing on consumers of all ages and the buying power throughout Europe (Simmer 1904 & Reenact 2005). The followers of fashion are the bulk of what the fashion industry is, owes it to its lowers (Stone 2008).Fashion ideas are deemed fashionable when a sufficient amount of people accepts it, and these ideas late r go out of style when people no longer associate with them (Gains 1999). Conversely, fashion acts as an outlet of self- expression, a promotion of individualism. Present-day youths tend to combine various styles to in turn create a look of their own. Noticing this, designers of clairvoyant nature have capitalized on it, encouraging this mixing-and-matching approach of fashion. Aside from the patronage of fashion, technology plays a huge part in the stimulation f fashion.The media acts as a convoy to the fashion system, disseminating information; being responsible for the image saturation in society. The fashion press stimulates and coaxes in consumers, famously inducing tastiness like â€Å"Shop till you drop† that psyched the American public into mass consumption (Gains 1999). In the example of fashion House Louis Button, their advertisements can be seen plastered on billboards and across the facades of their duplex stores. Their image distribution has also reached platform s like social media whereby they give the consumer a more p-to-date, interactive experience to the brand.It is this way that Louis Button garners patriotism and markets itself and it is this advocacy of consumerism by meaner of media that helps transfer meaning of products towards the consumer. Technological advancements and changing business dynamics are also factors that act as catalysts towards fast fashion. In delineative case study of China and Italy by Simons Serge Reenact, a shift of dominance in production in the amalgamated silk industry of both countries could be observed with the improvement of technology.The efficiency of production and new distribution channels that inversely reflect societal reforms have inevitably contributed to the pace at which fast fashion has increased further (Reenact 2005). The fashion world is one that comprises of its innovators, hungry-for-more consumers and the people who exploit it. Fashion can be said as a salient notion of planned obsoles ce (Gains 1999). Fashion is presented ahead of its intended period of usage, adopted and deemed fashionable, then obsolete when the same people quit it. It is a cycle that repeats itself on a seasonal basis, with its people almost nonchalantly and blindly embracing it.

Obesity in the UK Essay

Obesity levels in the Untied Kingdom have reached an all time high with one in every four adults suffering from obesity. Childhood obesity has also drastically increased with 25 percent of boys and 33 percent of girls aged between two and 19 years being overweight or obese. There is little sign of this upward trend in obesity stopping, and it will have a significant impact on the state of the country. It will negatively affect the UK’s economy and more importantly negatively affect the health of the UK’s 63 million people. With obesity becoming this prevalent in our society is it not time we address this issue? I think it is, and one of the best ways in my opinion is to introduce a tax on fizzy drinks and fast food. This may sounds rather drastic when first heard but consider the  £5.1billion spent every year by the NHS to treat those with obesity related medical conditions. Now consider the 2535 branches of Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut located all around Scotland and England, consider the number of products those branches sell and the amount of money that could be raised through taxes upon those products. That money could be spent on our NHS which is being crippled under the weight of budget cuts and the cost obesity is having certainly isn’t helping the load. These taxes could also deter many from the promise of quick, cheap food from these outlets and could send them in the direction of healthier options. The recommendations in favour of taxing these food are quite reasonable, such as recommendation of taxes of twenty percent on sugary drinks for at least a year being put forth. Other initiatives are already in place to help tackle the UK’s weight problem such as the ‘Change 4 Life’ initiative run by the NHS which offers free nutritional advice to those who want it. The problem is though, that as much good as these schemes are doing they aren’t working well enough. The obesity levels in this country are still rising and we need more action to stop it. We need to have more healthy eating schemes in place around the country in places such as schools, at the work place and even at hospitals. People need to understand the risks of junk food and the major health effects it can have causing obesity, and with obesity comes a vast array of other negative  health effects which include heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure, joint problems, psychological difficulties and diabetes. There have been other recommendations on ways to tackle obesity with ideas like banning the advertising of foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt before 9pm, this can help with the problems of childhood obesity as children would be less likely to have seen these advertisements meaning they were less likely to be influenced by them. Another change that could drastically tip the scales towards healthier eating is giving local councils the power to limit the number of fast food outlets near schools and leisure centres limiting the availability of these types of food to young children. There are also plans for the government to spend  £300 million on weight management programmes, that may sound like a large amount but it is far less than the cost obesity is having on the pockets of the NHS. Taxation on tobacco products has already been proven to help reduce the number of smoking related deaths and the amount of money collected in taxes from tobacco products in 2012 ( £12.1bn) far outweighs the cost smoking related illnesses have on the NHS annually ( £5bn) so surely the idea of taxing fatty and sugary foods is not too drastic. Especially when there are around 35,000 obesity related deaths each year. Other ways to tackle obesity have to do with activities rather than food. Along with the increase in junk food intake by people in the UK there has also been a large lack of exercise or sporting activity. Most people nowadays have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for long periods of the day, this combined with the fact that most people commute to work by car or bus rather than walking equals to a lot of sitting down during the day. After work most people just want to relax and so often sit down on the sofa with a cup of tea and watch television rather than do something active. This problem is hard to tackle but if initiatives at the work place are introduced which include things like sporting clubs offered free by the workplace or other incentives to walk to work rather than drive this can serious help with the daily inactivity. The workplace can also help by removing vending machines that give out junk food and replace them with one  that give out a healthy snack. Finally one more thing the government can do to help with this problem is to subsidise the cost of healthy foods in shops. This will be useful as one of the main reasons people eat unhealthy food is because it is often cheaper than most healthier products. If the healthier products are cheaper than other choices then people are more likely to eat healthily. Or instead of subsidising the food the government could give out food vouchers to those struggling for money to give them discounts on the healthier products in shops. This combined with taxation on the fattier foods can completely change the perception of healthy food in this country and we can begin on the road to eradicating the problem of obesity in the UK. By Rajan Gill 11E

Culture differences in business relations (report based on case study) Essay

Culture differences in business relations (report based on case study) - Essay Example Both Africa and China can be categorized as collectivist cultures and hence they tend to depend on groups for decision making. However as compared to China, African culture is highly masculine in terms of behavior. They display typical male attributes such as independence, and values inherent in males such as aggressive goal behavior, material possessions, and assertiveness are given precedence over feminine traits such as social relevance and welfare of others. China on the other hand, has a medium feminity culture and value relationships more, which is perceived by the Africans as a sign of weakness. Both Africa and China differ greatly in terms of their attitudes towards management of conflicts within organizations. Since China is a more feminine cultural attributes, more emphasis is given on relationships and almost all business decisions are centered on maintaining and sustaining cordial business relations. China tends to avoid conflicts and use authority and indirect influence in dealing with conflicts. They tend to avoid bringing problems out in the open and strive to resolve them privately. Africans on the other hand implement a direct approach to resolve conflicts, by using rational methods and communication to arrive at a common consensus or agreement. The various challenges encountered by people from different cultural backgrounds include communication problems, problems in amicable resolution of conflicts, problems in achieving a common consensus due to differences in risk taking abilities and attitudes, etc. These cultural differences inherent in people prevent them from understanding others and at times lead to misinterpretation of the thoughts or ideas being communicated (BÃ ¼hrig and Thije, 2006; Gudykunst, 2003). Furthermore the cultural difference in attitudes plays a key role in the manner in which a given task is executed and determines the success / failure of the