Human Resources Integration Essay

Hugh McCauley, the Chief Operations Officer of Riordan Manufacturing, has placed a service request, SR-rm-022 to integrate all existing Human Resources tools into a single integrated application across all plant locations. The business would like to take advantage of a more sophisticated, state-of-the-art, information systems technology to replace their current Human Resources Information System or HRIS (Riordan Manufacturing, 2006.) In response to this request, this document will outline the following items. The information-gathering techniques and systems analysis tools proposed for this project. Critical factors to ensure the sucessful gathering of information required for the project. Description of the project scope and the areas of project feasibility, and key stakeholders of which requirements will be collected are also discussed. INFORMATION GATHERINT TECHNIQUES AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOLS To ensure project success, it is important to gather your key stakeholders together to discuss the system. Key Stakeholders for this project would be key management personnel, IT staff, and users of both the legacy system, and the new system. Your key stakeholders will also be the first level of intelligence gathering performed. Key management personnel such as Hugh McCauley, the COO, who can give the corporate view of the legacy and the new system. HR Director Yvonne McMillian and Payroll/Tax Clerk Anan Richlich can give an exact use case on the HRIS system, and will be the two primary sources of legacy information. Director Yvonne can determine training requirements with the help of the IT department. The IT department can provide information about the legacy system and the capabilities of the current infrastructure of the business. IT can also judge and approve new requirements, privacy structures, and future support needed to maintain the  system. Face-to-face interviews will allow information gathering from these key individuals. Questions, an outline of topics, and a primary agenda will be provided beforehand to maximize the use of available time in hectic schedules. We will also be occasionally meeting to discuss the direction the system is heading, timelines, priorities, and key players’ lists to ensure success of the project. There is another primary source of information which needs addressing, and this is the group of people who handle information we will be adding which did not exist in the legacy system. This group can submit examples of their files, which will determine another part of the scope of the system, and use cases of how that information is gathered. After this information has been collected, documented and studied, the system development process can begin. The system will be designed using the Joint Application Development (JAD) method. JAD is a prototyping method which gathers our key players listed above, along with other designated individuals to collectively refine business requirements while in conference with the design team of the software and the support team from IT. â€Å"The JAD process also includes approaches for enhancing user participation, expediting the development, and improving the quality of specifications. It consists of a workshop where knowledge workers and IT specialists meet, sometimes for several days, to define and review the business requirements for the system.† (Joint Application Design – Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, n.d.) Using this prototyping method ensures that each key factors such as project support and misdirection will not be an issue. This also ensures that the project gets the continued support it will need in the future to succeed. SCOPE AND FEASIBILITY During the Analysis phase of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), several areas of project feasibility come into play. As discussed above, determining fully the system requirements ensures that you are filling the need of the system. â€Å"A preliminary study is then conducted to confirm and evaluate the need. A proposal of how the need may be satisfied is then made.† (Scope of Feasibility Analysis | Bicara Property, n.d.) The necessity of the system, as well as the improvements and requirements of the new system, will all be handled within the JAD process, allowing final project scope and requirements development. These developments can be realized  financially to allow final budgetary requirements determination. All of these determinations hinge upon the proper system scope being defined. During this process, the unique considerations are also shared. In this project, the request was to â€Å"Create a detailed system design and a project implementation plan required to complete the project. The project should be completed in approximately six months allowing new system utilization in the second quarter of next year.† (Riordan Manufacturing, 2006.) This design process includes checks and balances, giving the project the fullest chance of success. During the entire process, oversight will be maintained by corporate leadership. Final approval before entering the next phase of the SLDC allowing equipment purchasing approval from the COO, Hugh McCauley. By following this process, we can ensure this project produces a system which fulfills the requirements, bringing a â€Å"sophisticated, state-of-the-art, information system† to Riordan Manufacturing’s Human Resources Department. (Riordan Manufacturing, 2006.) During the JAD process, two methods were determined to fit the requirements, building a system in-house using programmers’ already on staff or using off the shelf software from a major corporation. To fulfill user testing requirements, a trial version of the BambooHR software was tested by staff and management. The BambooHR software fulfills all the requirements with less downtime for the company, saving valuable resources and eliminating the need for more support staff to be hired. The design process for this system began by gathering relevant data for the current system and by building both requirements for the new system and use cases of the current processes in the Human Resources department. After gathering and sorting the new system requirements using the Joint Application Design process, it is now possible to continue to design both the application architecture and apply the tools of system analysis to describe the information systems. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE The client/server architecture is one of the most prevalent system architectures used in corporations. With Riordan’s requirements to allow multiple sites access to data and to ensure that data remains secure, the data will be stored on the server, and access routed through a secondary  application server. The application server hosts the applications which access the data, allowing a lower cost local machine, and can allow both intranet access and outside access using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection to create a secure encrypted link between the client and the server. This style of client/server architecture is referred to as a three-tiered architecture due to the three tiers involved in accessing the data. Although this method may seem bulky at first, this will allow many different benefits for data security and lower overall cost of the system as requirements are lower for the client computers. The determined requirements for multiple locations to share and modify data leaving with Riordan only required to supply the client systems with no additional support necessary for a data server or application server. Eliminating the current architecture on hand will save maintenance, upgrade and support costs, both in monetary and staff requirements. The chosen software, Bamboo Human Information Resource System (HRIS) follows the same requirements recommended in terms of hardware as those designed using system analysis. ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAM SECURITY CONTROLS Security is the ability to protect the information system from disruption and data loss, whether caused by an international act (e.g., a hacker or a terrorist attack) or a random event (e.g., disk failure, tornado.) according to SYSTEMS TEXTBOOK. In modern corporations, internal threats can become much more dangerous than external threats. To combat both types of threats implementation of the following security protocols will be included in the system: DATA Data must be kept secure and confidential, protected from both internal and external threats at all times. Data encryption and passwords will be used in addition to other security features to protect employees. Data stored externally to the server, such as the outsourced benefits data will be reviewed for security procedures and evaluated annually. Currently the data is decentralized, being stored in different offices and by various methods, creating a security problem that the new system can correct. The first step  to addressing this will be to ensure secure storage of all data. Consolidating data allows secure controls on the access each person has to the secured data by both the application used to access the server, and the access controls given them when they log in. This will also allow multiple applications to access the same data, while leaving greater flexibility to find the best software to fit multiple needs. Each user can add, remove, and manipulate only the data they are given access to, no matter the platform the data is being accessed form. PROCESSES Some legacy processes consolidation will occur as the data is consolidated, and certain processes would benefit from using third party software thereby gaining security certificates and minimizing the amount of knowledge and training required for our Information Technologies department. Many of the software suppliers will assist with training, modification and installation making the transition from the legacy system easier on staff. INTERFACES System interfaces describe how the system shares information with outside sources such as outsourced data, user requests, and internal data sharing. As Intrusion Detection and Identity Management systems will protect the internal data interfaces, as discussed above, the user interface design process needs to be addressed. As many of the users currently only have forms built for their information and no system to store them in, Riordan Manufacturing can evaluate different third party solutions for a web-based system. Using a web-based system, such as Bamboo HRIS allows applications to be placed on a remote server, lowering the cost of the clients used and saving valuable money and resources. Employees accessing the application server via the intranet will use username/password combinations to decrypt data on their local machine, while access from external sources, including employees at a remote site will use a private key encryption system to decrypt their data. This process minimizes the amount of data stored on the individual clients in case of theft or destruction of client resources. NETWORK The network consists of the backbone, data server, application server, firewall, and clients. There are four processes that will be used to protect  the network from unauthorized access: Implementation of Intrusion Detection System – This system conducts real-time monitoring of the network, database, traffic, and user access and activity to find possible intrusion or security risks. Log Management Program – Almost all software produces logs which store information on user access, file management, and data modification to name a few examples. Consolidating these logs into easier to read and understand can help identify potential security risks. Identity Management Systems – Control access to resources and data based on the users identification within the system, i.e. the user’s login credentials.   Training for Security Measures – The best security system will not function to its highest potential unless staff are trained in the use of the system. This training includes proper in-processing and out-processing procedures to protect from unauthorized access. Although the Systems Development Life Cycle is a continuous cycle, the final step for this Human Resources Information System project is the Implementation and Operations phase. This is the most expensive and time-consuming phase due to the amount of personnel, resources, and time involved. According to Valacich, George, and Hoffer (2012), there are seven major activities, coding, testing, installation, documentation, training, support, and maintenance. This document will explore the first six activities, giving a brief description and the plan for implementation at Riordan Manufacturing of the Bamboo Human Resources Information System. It is important to ensure that each of these activities are adequately defined, as many of them are conducted multiple times during the life of the system, and some are carried out on a daily basis. Building proper procedures for staff and support personnel to follow ensures that all upgrade or modification testing is accomplished to the same standards as the original system. CODING Coding is the process by which designs are transferred into the physical form that is computer software. As the selected system requires no coding, this  aspect will not be planned for TESTING Testing is an involved process which begins with the first section of code and continues throughout the life of the system. There are several different methods of testing in use today, some in which the code is run to verify operation and output, and some in which a code error review is conducted without operation. The Inspection method involves a physical inspection of the code, checking for syntax, grammar, or other fundamental errors before running the code while ignoring the purpose of the code. The inspection method usually removes the majority of errors found in the program. A Walkthrough allows testing of the code for functionality and to determine if the code fulfills the design requirements identified by the design team. Desk Checking, another form of checking and verifying code involves running the code with paper and pen to determine the logical validity of the code without running any lines of code. The previous methods of testing are focused on catching issues when writing code and may not apply to the code purchased off the shelf, or in modular form to work within an existing system. With the cost of development for code, especially in smaller companies this may not be a viable option, however even if purchasing prepackaged code, there are tests which should be run to ensure no problems will be found during installation. After the code has been validated by manual means, or for purchased code, it can be processed by a program, such as a compiler, to verify that there are no significant errors by Syntax Checking. Syntax Checking can also be run automatically each time the program saves a file to identify issues which arise causing the system to need maintenance. Code is generally written in modular form in today’s environments, and there are methods of testing which lend themselves well to this. Unit testing is designed to test each individual module or unit to verify operation before the modules are combined together into a system. Testing individual modules may seem to be difficult as many modules share data and information, the way to fix any call errors is by using Stub Testing. During Stub testing, lines of instructions are inserted in the code to emulate a response from an outside source allowing the program to complete without errors. After testing the modules, they are combined and tested again during Integration testing, using a top-down approach to verifying communications and data sharing logic is sound. The final method  to discuss is System Testing, the act of testing the finalized system, using the same top-down approach from the Integration phase. The software chosen for Riordan Manufacturing to satisfy the needs listed is off-the-shelf giving limited testing requirements. Alpha Testing was accomplished during the final steps of the JAD, or Joint Application Design, process and beta testing will commence using key stakeholders in the project once final project approval has been given. INSTALLATION The installation process involves transitioning from the legacy system to the new system and can occur in several different approaches, direct, parallel, single location, and phased. â€Å"Each installation strategy involves converting not only software but also data and (potentially) hardware, documentation, work methods, job descriptions, offices and other facilities, training materials, business forms, and other aspects of the systems† (Dennis, Wixom, & Roth, 2012, ). Each of these different installation methods has their positive and negative aspects, and can be combined to fit the needs of the business requirements. The Direct Approach is a cold turkey shut down of the legacy system with no transition time, which can be dangerous if there are issues with the new system, or if support or training are lacking, however, this can drive the new system as there is no choice but success. In the Parallel installation method, the legacy system is left running allowing a safety net; however, this requires support for both systems causing increased cost to the business. A Single Location approach can allow for adjustments before all sites are brought online, however while the other locations continue to use the legacy system, data must be bridged between the two systems and the same additional costs of the Parallel system are incurred. Finally the Phased approach gradually transitions between the two systems, making transitions easier for the staff, yet limits the newer system to the constraints of the older system as they must share data. For Riordan’s new HRIS, the direct approach will be combined with the phased approach. Currently only the corporate site is using the legacy system, and phasing the other locations onto the system will allow training in phases by location. DOCUMENTATION Documentation of a system comes in several different forms each of utmost  importance. To ensure that the system can be adequately supported and repaired, System documentation is required. To ensure that users properly understand the system, User documentation such as a user’s guide, release description, system administrator’s guide, reference documentation and user acceptance are required. Systems documentation, user’s guide and reference documentation for this system is provided by Bamboo HR after purchase of the system is completed, and acceptance sign-off will be completed as the final step of the installation. TRAINING As systems can only function to the level at which users can operate the system, user training is tantamount to success of an installation. User training can occur in many different forms, classroom led training, literary resources, and online training, all of which are educational tools to heighten productivity and ensure system success. Support staff will also be trained to understand not only how the user accomplishes tasks within the system, but also the how the system performs these tasks if repair or maintenance is to be conducted. Training on the HRIS will be carried out by BambooHR using several different methods for different topics. As the system will be maintained by an outside company, the focus for Riordan will be user training. All staff will be trained using online methods with documentation support for using the new system as all pertinent employee information will be handled through the online system to include benefits, vacation time, and training. Specialist training will be available for the following procedures; benefit tracking, recruitment, employee and management training, employee tracking, login management, payroll activities, report management, change requests and performance reviews by BambooHR. In addition, IT support staff will receive refresher training in application program interface to allow for interactivity and continued development of the system as business needs change. SUPPORT Support of a system is conducted not only on the system itself, in terms of upgrades for the hardware and software, and backups of the data, but also support for the users. With any system, issues occur during use, and an avenue for users to report these quickly and accurately, and receive assistance for problems is required. Tracking these reported problems can  help system analysts and support staff determine if there is a fix for the software or hardware, or if more user training can solve the issues. CONCLUSION Purchasing the Bamboo HRIS program has both tangible and intangible benefits for Riordan Manufacturing. The financial aspect, $16,512 a year ($8 per employee for 172 regular employees) dwarfs the price of purchasing and installing the required hardware to run an on-site system, while removing the current outsourcing which exists for benefits management. Provided training, customer support, security support, data migration, business report design and security upgrades add to the overall corporate value and dispensing of the legacy system releases it support personnel while lowering utility and maintenance bills. Determinations of the proper level of support staffing needed to continue business operations after the legacy system retirement will be conducted to eliminate nonessential personnel. REFERENCES Cutler, T. P. (2015). Internal vs. external threats – Digital locksmiths. Retrieved from http://digitallocksmithsinc.com/2013/03/27/internal-vs-external-threats/#.VQ5XR-HZBww Riordan Manufacturing (2006). Riordan Intranet. Retrieved March 15, 2015 from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/libraries/IT Service Requests.htm University of Phoenix 2005-2009 Unified Security Management USM Platform. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.alienvault.com/products?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=%2Balienvault&utm_campaign=SITELINK-ALIENVAULT_USM&gclid=COrosKLUv8QCFRSIfgodGr4AUg Joint application design – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_application_design Bicara, Bedes (2009). Bicara Property. Retrieved January 16, 2010 from http://bicaraproperty.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/scope-of-feasibility-analysis BambooHR: Human resources software for small and medium businesses. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.bamboohr.com/ Valacich, J. S., George, J. F., & Hoffer, J. A. (2012). Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design (5th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.

Corporate Governance In Coca Cola Corporation Commerce Essay

The Coca-Cola Corporation is dedicated to reverberation political orientation of communal authorization. The Board is designated by the stockholders to oversee their concentration in the enduring strength and the mostly achievement of the production and its economic power. The Board provides as the eventual declaration industry organic structure of the concern, excepting for persons affairs retained to or reciprocally shared with the stockholders. The Board elects and administers the associates of superior organisation, who are charged by the Board with accomplish the production of the corporation. The Corporate Governance scheme, all along with the contracts of the all of the Board committee and the solution readying of the Board afford the construction for communal domination at The Coca-Cola Company.Ethical motives Conformity:The nucleus of the political orientation and public presentation plan at The Coca-Cola concern is our marks of Business behavior. The system conducts the concern behavior ; involves unity and dependability in all substances. All of the executives and decision makers are indispensable to analyze and recognize the system and prosecute its instructions in the administrative Centre and liberally proportioned society. The policy is managed by the company ‘s Ethics & A ; Compliance committee. This cross-functional superior disposal group supervises the full rules and acquiescence plans and resolutenesss system violations and ordinance. Our Ethics & A ; Compliance workplace has working liability for sophistication, treatment, analyzing and appraisal associated to the Code of industry perform and conformity concerns. Relates internationally obtain a mixture of moral codification and conformity direction options controlled by the Ethics & A ; Compliance Office. The company often screen and reexamine the concern to attest conformity with the system and the act. Coca-cola besides sustains a changeless remainder of best-in-class values about the universe that administrate how the company examine and keep Code concerns. In 2008, it modifies the Code to advance advancement its efficiency. More than 20,000 contacts concluded more than 30,000 personally and web-based Ethical motives and Compliance counsel conference from August 2007 in the path of June 2008. All correlatives will obtain in the flesh Code of company performs counsel in 2008. The company has skilled the contacts Code of covering accomplish, European Union competition jurisprudence, Latin American resistance jurisprudence, economic dependability, logical ownerships and spirited minds, drug-free bureau and avoids bureau ill will. In 2006, company revolved out a simplified cosmopolitan anti-bribery conformance plan with partizan schemes, preparation and reappraisal. In accretion, it extended the conformity plan in the part of United State operates approved with opinionative policies, direction and audits. Coca-cola associates, bottling co-workers, suppliers, habitues and clients can inquire questions about the Code and former moralss and conformity topics, or statement likely breach, through Ethical motives emanation, a cosmopolitan Web and telephone studies and exposure service. Phone calls are toll-free, and Ethical motives Line is accessible 24 hours a twenty-four hours, seven yearss a hebdomad, with gettable transcribers.Corporate Social Duty:Coca-cola Greece was recently documented for its commercial corporate duty efforts with 3 honours at the honored CSR differentiation Awards formal process. The CSR high quality Awards place achievement transversally all industries, non merely nutrient and drink, and are honoured by a committee includes of converting stakeholders, such as nongovernment associations and disposal representatives. The grasp of quality in 3 kind ‘s exhibits the compulsion of the coca-cola Company has for transporting the promises of subsist confidently phase to life at occupation and in the society. Continuous Achievement Award Human Resources Award Environment AwardVision 2020:The world is changing all around us. To protract to win as a concern for the following 10 old ages and beyond, we need to be required to gaze frontward, place with the inclination and services that will calculate out the concern in the chance and advancement rapidly to form for what ‘s to come. We have to acquire prepared for tomorrow today. That ‘s what the 2020 Vision is all sing. It produces a permanent purpose for the production and supplies coca-cola with a â€Å" Route map † for capturing reciprocally with the bottling spouses.Coca-cola MissionCoca-colas Roadmap commences by agencies of the mission, which is lasting. It proclaims the ground as a corporation and provides as the standard oppose which the company see the public presentation and declarations. To stimulate the universe†¦ To promote minutes of assurance and pleasance†¦ To bring forth appraisal and compose a diverseness.Coca-cola visionThe Company ‘s vision is to supply the construction for the Roadmap and conducts each and every characteristic of the trade by explicating what the company necessitate to carry through in order to protract achieving sustainable, high quality development. â€Å" Peoples: Be an tremendous circumstance to make occupation where individuals are enthused to be the best they can be. Portfolio: convey to the universe a portfolio of excellence drink trade names that predict and convince people ‘s demands and desires. Spouses: cultivate a charming system of consumers and providers ; jointly they produce common, permanent value. Planet: Be a painstaking national that makes a differentiation by functioning concept and maintain sustainable communities. Net income: exploit long-standing reaching to stockholders while being attentive of its all duties. Productiveness: Be an extremely efficient, thin and fast-moving organisation. †Undertaking 2Management of Financial RiskHarmonizing to one-year study, it ‘s clearly apparent that, certain financial hazards faced by Coca-Cola Hellenic occur from unfavorable fluctuations foreign Exchange rates, in involvement rates, merchandise monetary values and other market hazards. Company Board of Directors has accepted the Treasury Policy and graph of Authority, which reciprocally afford the organized model designed for every exchequer and exchequer associated minutess.Currency HazardGiven the Group ‘s operation public presentation, they are showing to a major measure of foreign currency hazard. Coca-colas foreign currency revelation comes up from disagreeable transforms in trade rates with the euro, the US dollar and the exchanges within its non-euro Kingdoms. Operation constitutions begin largely from the stuffs acquired in exchanges such as the US dollar or euro which can ste er to maximal cost of trade in the functional currency of the state. Conversion constitutions occur as several of its processing includes efficient currencies other than euro, and any alteration in the functional currency against the euro impacts our amalgamate income statement and balance sheet when consequences are converted into euro. Coca-cola exchequer program involves the lie of come oning Twelve month estimated operational results contained by the distinguishable least ( 25 % ) and maximal ( 80 % ) exposure phases. Beat around the bushing off from a Twelve month span may originate, subject to convert greatest coverage degrees, granted the estimated minutess are highly believable. Where available, we use derivative fiscal instruments to cut down our cyberspace revelation to currency changeableness. These conventions by and large established in one twelvemonth.Interest HazardThe Team represents to market hazard happening from changing involvement rates, foremost and first in the euro zone. Intermittently they estimate the needed combination of fixed and drifting rate duty and accommodate the involvement disbursals based on the needed combination of debt. They cope up the involvement rate outgo by agencies of an agreement of lasting and drifting rate debt, involvement rate switch and pick cap understandings. Thou gh they have denial topographic point of mark for the mixture of set to drifting rate liabilities, traditionally they have been excess demoing to drifting rates as this has be inclined to move as a expected evade against on the whole concern hazard.Recognition HazardRecognition hazard is inhibited by a probationary process as to the option of likely oppose parties for exchequer traffics. The Company ‘s recognition hazard is handled by establishing a permitted opposition party and state confines, detailing the highest experience that they organized to acknowledge with respect to single counterparties or states. The limitations are reconsidered and observed on an expected footing.Liquid HazardThe common scheme is to keep a least measure of liquidness engages in the construction of currency on the balance sheet when prolonging the stableness of our liquidness engages in the assortment of idle dedicated comfortss, to do certain that the Company incorporate cost-efficient admit to enough economic assets to convene the fiscal support desires. These embrace the everyday backup of all its procedure in add-on as the support of the resource expense plan. In order to relieve the chance of liquidness restrictions, Company make an attempt to prolong a least of a‚ ¬250 million of financial headway. Monetary headway refers to the excess engaged support gettable, subsequently than sing hard currency flows from working public presentation, dividends, acquisitions, revenue enhancement disbursal, involvement disbursal and capital outgo demands. Hazard Map:10High 9 Quadrant II ( Detect & A ; proctor ) Quadrant I ( Prevent at Sources )8Significance 76Low 5 Quadrant IV ( Low Control ) Quadrant III ( Monitor )43211 2 3 4 5Low Likelihood HighThe hazard map places every hazard in the following four Quadrants:Prevent at beginning hazardHazards in this Quadrant are categorized as premier Hazards and are rated High precedency. They are important hazards that intimidate the achievement of concern intents. These hazards are reciprocally considerable in significance and likely to originate. They should be condensed or removed with defensive reins and must be organize appraisal and testing.Detect and Monitor RisksHazards in the quarter-circle are momentous, but they are fewer possible to originate. To do certain that the hazards stay small chance and are administered by the concern appropriately, they require detecting on a revolving base. Detective powers must be positioned into a topographic point to do certain that these high effect hazards will be identified in front of they harvest up. These hazards are 2nd chief concern behind premier hazards.Monitor RisksHazards in the quarter-circle are non really of import, but contain a superior possibility of go oning. These hazards should be watched decently to attest that they are being decently supervised and that their deduction has non distorted due to changing concern fortunes.Low Control RisksHazards in this quarter-circle are every bit unlikely to take topographic point and non considerable. They involve least observant and oversee if non attendant hazard class.Undertaking 3a )Hazard FactorsIn Further the consequent issues, which may extensively act upon the trade, fiscal circumstance or consequences of operations in future periods? The hazards explained below are non the individual hazards confronting Coca-Cola Company. Further risks non presently recognized by company or that they soon consider being inappropriate besides may efficaciously unfavorably impact the concern, economic status or consequence of operations in future periods.Current hazard faced by Coca-colaHealth Concerned RiskCustomers, communal physical status functionaries and authorities functionaries are suitably increasing concerned about the public fittingness effects connected with stalwartness, chiefly between adolescent public. And besides, few research workers, fittingness protagonists and nutritionary proces ss are heartening clients to diminish outgo of sugar-sweetened drinks, together with those sugared with HFCS or other alimentary sweetenings. Rising community anxiousness refering these affairs ; likely new dues and law-making system concerns the advertisement, labelling or handiness of the drinks ; and harmful publicity consequential from definite or endangered authorised public presentation in resistance to the coca-cola or other companies in its industry relating to the advertisement, labelling or trade of sugar-sweetened drinks might diminish demand for company ‘s drinks, which may perchance act upon its profitableness.Environmental HazardH2o ( H2O ) is the major component in significantly all of the coca-cola merchandises. It is besides a partial beginning in several parts of the universe, confronting supreme differences from over use, mounting taint, broken disposal and conditions alteration. As demand for H2O prolongs to heighten all-around the universe, and as H2O beco mes scarcer and the high quality of gettable H2O deteriorates, Company ‘s categorization might obtain increasing production costs or face possible boundaries which could destructively alter the productiveness or net purposeful returns in the drawn-out tally.Business & A ; fiscal hazardThe non-alcoholic drinks concern milieus is hurriedly developing as a consequence of, among other things, alterations in clients dispositions, together with altered based on wellness and nutrition concerned and obesity anxiousnesss ; variable consumer gustatory sensations and needs ; alterations in clients criterion of life ; and spirited merchandise and pricing demands. As good, their fabrication is being affected by the tendency toward consolidation in the market conduit, particularly in Europe and the United States. If they are unable to successfully accommodate to this quickly altering environment, the company ‘s portion of gross revenues, capacity growing and overall economic classs co uld be depressingly affected.Hazard factors which the Company may confront in futureTechnological HazardCoca-cola relies on informations based cognition system and strategies, include the Internet, to patterned advance, broadcast and store electronic information. Particularly, Coca-cola depends on its information engineering communications for digital advertisement public presentation and electronic substructure in its countries about the universe and between Company forces and our bottlers and other clients and providers. Defence misdemeanor of this substructure can make system breaks, closures or unauthorised revelation of classified information. If they are non capable to forestall such breaches, Company ‘s operations could be disrupting, or they might undergo economical harm or loss because of doomed or misappropriated information.Climate hazardThe gross revenues of the merchandises are inclined to several extents by clime fortunes in the markets in which they function. Qu eerly wintry or rainy weather conditions at some point in the summer months could hold a probationary effect on the insist for all its merchandises and contribute to lower gross revenues, which could hold an inauspicious consequence on our consequences of operations for such periods )Risk analysis & A ; direction techniquesRisk direction often concentrates on affairs of insurance. Conversely, there are figure of farther chief considerations when measuring countries of hazard into a large concern†¦ ab initio ; they require every bit dependability and the infrastructural proficiency to do the patterned advance. Second, they should wholly acknowledge their association, and its patterned advances and aims. And thirdly, they must be dwelling of support and keep up from the association and the administrative squad. Coca-cola Amatol ( CCA ) comes under the class of being hazard witting, but non obsessed by dictatorial status. CCA is increasing its hazard direction representation to pull off enterprise-wide and supply to the eventual productiveness of the concern. This consequence will be achieved non merely by prolonging sound concern determinations but besides all the manner through constellation of the organisation ‘s schemes with its stockholders ‘ and investors ‘ aspiration to do certain that efficient concern authorization is in topographic point. CCA, inside the broader coca-cola construction, is on an ERM expedition. They are determined to take out the conventional split and ‘soloed ‘ attack that regularly exists in organisations and they are duty so by taking an blessing and ownership of the hazard direction procedure. At CCA they know the significance of the indispensable values of the ERM procedure. They are: a dedication to the journey ; an sensible model that embraces a general linguistic communication ; a unvarying attack to- no affair the nature of the concern unit or its aims ; a statement signifier that identifies stakeholders, corresponds the class and aims ; and drives literary alteration ; and guaranting advice of the result through an riddance of ‘black holes ‘ or ‘silos ‘ .Risk Management PlanThere are four phases to put on the line direction planning. They are: A · Hazard acknowledgment Hazards Quantification Hazard reaction Hazard Monitoring and ControlTypesThere are several definite hazard direction techniques as there are kind of industry, but one time a hazard has been recognized and considered, mostly attempts at warranting the hazard autumn into four indispensable grouping in malice of the model. The initial, bar, can be every bit easy as non perpetrating in activity that manufactures the hazard, but this non merely eradicates hazard but possible benefits every bit good. Hazard decrease through concrete stairss is far more general, and the specifics will be associated to the type of concern and hazard involved. Hazard transference is besides extremely advantageous as when an accessible pick ; it involves outsourcing the trouble to an extra article such as in the class of get of insurance. Ultimately, hazard saving is predictable in a few instances where the hazards are either unlikely, or the costs of explanatory or reassigning the hazard are inordinate. C ) Communicating with interest holders Many of coca-cola stakeholders consist of all those who are by and large influenced by or who most influenced the means the company run the large concern. This includes clients, consumers, contractors, and workers, Government & A ; supervisors, NGOs plus the confined communities in which the company operates. Coca-cola regularly connect with its major stakeholders as exposed in Diagram In add-on, they conceded a elaborate probe in March 2007 to sort the most of import countries of concern for its stakeholders. This implicated a sequence of focal point groups with clients aged 18 and over and with work force of both CCE and CCGB. It besides incorporated the interviews with consumers, non-governmental administrations and the media. The survey exposed a strong understanding of appraisal between the diverse stakeholder groups and provided an obvious graph of the countries of liability they most require to concentrate on all these countries. Coca-cola stakeholder survey has besides helped out to polish its chance scheme on communal and ecological issues. On every key subject it contains ‘Next Step ‘ – the act which has to be taken in the undermentioned twelvemonth to attest that the concern persists to do an optimistic impact.Consumer CommunicationOn June 11 2010 Coca-cola has published that the Coca-cola Poland has completed a first move a caput frontward in how it instructs clients sing recycling, by incorporating its ‘Recover-Recycle ‘ activity into every chief coca-cola labelled or supported immense events this twelvemonth. A huge My Coke trying plan, which happened between April and September 2010, is one of the cardinal promoting public presentations where coca-cola Poland will describe to clients about the net income of recycling through Recover-Recycle.Decision:There is no uncertainty that the Coca Cola is the 2nd largest drinks company in the universe. However, it should work on above mentioned lacks to get the better of them and strive to do its rivals lagged behind. The Company coca-cola have a corporate ( Head Office ) subdivision that is apt for giving the Company a mostly class and provided that sustain to the provincial formation. Means considered pick at the Coca-Cola Corporation are completed by a managerial Committee of 12 concerned Officers. This committee assisted to organize the six strategic precedences set out in old. The fiscal resources allotment for the Vision 2020 had been discussed under the six P ‘s as laid out by the company. International through to grass-roots and the c ommunity, Coca-Cola has strengthened its place as a football insider and this helps to construct the trade name and corporate repute of Coca-Cola. Last twelvemonth, Coca-cola saw its gross revenues decreased in UK market. In order to re make the gross revenues, Coca-cola to specify new communicating program such as ‘Recover-Recycle ‘ activity.

Americans versus the Spanish Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Americans versus the Spanish Culture - Essay Example Pietri managed to illustrate the actual state of the cultural rivalry and the differences between the American and the Spanish communities in America. The poem clearly showed the differences, mostly due to his decision to use a number of issues such as differences in language, skin colour, and economic differences. Culturally, people of the Spanish community were considered slaves of the Americans and were supposed to work in their fields, industries and homes, ultimately dying with the poverty they came with to the country. The poem explored their deplorable conditions, their lack of ambition and their high level of suffering. Pedro Pietri revealed that hardly could the Spanish escape poverty that ravaged their masses. Instead, they died in hope for a better life, like owning some form of property, for example, a piece of land or a house. In their efforts to impress their bosses, they frequently died. He sympathized with them, for he never saw a possible end to the problems in the f oreseeable future. The scolding and demeanour of the race is evident, with the writer noting that some workers wished death would befall their supervisors so that they could get a pay rise. He actually sympathized with the troubled race of the Spanish and their hopeless condition. (Pietri 1-11). Rodriguez (7) gave his reasons for believing in the existence of cultural differences between the Americans and the Spanish. However, he did not vividly highlight the effects of this difference, just like Pedro Pietri did. His is a story of his

Relection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Relection Paper - Essay Example In a very interesting study, Hannaford cites examples of the effects of exercise of body on stimulation of mind. The author maintains that exercising the body can enhance learning experience. I loved the book because it was very refreshing and had some original food for thought. Though I was aware of the benefits of exercising the body, I needed to know how it could stimulate learning and brain activity. Now I realize why it is extremely important for children in school setting to be exposed to physical exercise and sports. Because it is healthy thing to do and it also makes exercise a learning experience. The children must be involved in exercise and its benefits so they can discover them for themselves. It has been noted that children and teachers are both delighted by the manner in which exercise stimulates mind. I feel that in our schools we should make exercise mandatory for all students with the objective of making learning a better and more effective experience for them and for the teachers as well. Hannaford makes it clear that senses and emotions play a key role in enhancing the learning process and thus recommends exercise both before and after learning. She starts from a very young age which helped me in understanding how exercise could affect learning. She says that basic early exercise like crawling have a great impact on a child's learning abilities. Crawling "activate[s] both hemispheres in a balanced way" (Hannaford, 92).the author also insists that real learning process "starts with movement in response to a stimulus, then creates a context or experience to understand the sensory input" (99). What was really enlightening came in the form of findings on reading. I learned that children are not very receptive to silent reading till the age of seven. And thus this activity must be postponed till then. They should instead be taught in a way that would acknowledge their natural progression of skills and their bodies' natural development stage. I was happy to see that when applied in classroom, children actually responded very well to these new ways of learning. All the noise they create while laughing, sharing, building and moving around and learning was a healthy indication of their high involvement. Hannaford advocates the use of pictures and painting to enhance learning: "Most people need to discuss, write, or draw a picture of new ideas in order anchor them in the body with movement for memory and clarity of thought" (101). Hannaford also presents her findings on inhibitors that can affect learning. She identifies such factors as television, computers and video games as few inhibitors that may slow down the learning process. Children fully engrossed in sports are less likely to watch television or spend time on video consol. This is beneficial in terms of their health and also facilitates learning. Stress is shown as another major inhibition factor. In short, the book focuses on the finding that: "It is the full activation and balance of all parts of our body/mind system that allow us to become effective, productive thinkers" (106). And this I have found to be a finding worthy of affirming over and over again.

Crime Mapping & Analysis Spatial Theories of Crime Assignment

Crime Mapping & Analysis Spatial Theories of Crime - Assignment Example Developed countries have come up with mapping software’s that help in analyzing crime. The technology of crime mapping has proved effective in determining the quantity of resources to be allocated to patrol officers in certain areas. Crime mapping is guided by various theories of crime, which help the crime officers understand the human mind, and how the environment surrounding a criminal influences them to commit a certain crime. The spatial theories help crime analysts to analyze crime, and they support GSI. This theory focuses more on the social control of crime based on the relationships with other people. According to the theory, and offender is motivated by being in the same place with the target. This theory argues that an offender will only commit a certain crime in the absence of an effective control. Crime, therefore, occurs when the offender and the target are in the same place and in the absence of a control or presence of a powerless crime control. A crime offender is influenced by people around him/her who could either be their parents, peers, relatives or intimate partners. Such people are referred to as handlers and in their absence, or if they are weak, the offender can commit a crime. According to the theory, guardians also control crime. Guardians could be police officers, security guards or neighbors. A potential offender is likely to commit a crime is the guardians of the target are absent or if they are weak. According to this theory, criminal motivation is controlled by social structures that can either create and environment for crime occurrence or create an environment where crime occurrence is low. The theory assumes that related people or people living in the same areas are social and ready to help one another. The theory is not very effective in GSI since the modern society, socialness levels have fallen, and hence, the people around a target may not prevent crime

Digital and Marketing Communications Assignment

Digital and Marketing Communications - Assignment Example Introduction Social media has become an integral part of modern business management practices especially for the past few years. Most of the business firms have already appointed their own social media managers so as to pace with the emerging trend in the business communication tactics. The dramatic change with regard to business communication and business promotion strategies can be attributed to the increasing number of people using social media to keep in touch with their loved ones today. In other words, social media networks like facebook, Twitter, Orkut, Googletalk, etc have become the major platforms for millions of people across the world to interact with individuals from various cultures. Individuals obtain the opportunity to learn more about different cultural practices, norms, and beliefs this way. This is the context that forces business firms to perceive social media as the most innovative and rather potential podium for business promotion. Social media: An overview Inte rnet has been explosively growing over the last decade, for this worldwide network was found constructive for the whole world to be connected always. Internet has greatly changed the way people live and the mode they transact businesses. Needless to say, it is unimaginable to live without internet because this technology is playing a key role in different areas of the daily life. According to Wilder (2006, p. 204), one of the most noticeable effects of increased internet usage is that it promotes socialization, which is a dynamic learning process through which individuals and organizations change over time. Since internet influences cultural transitions, this global network significantly contributes to the pace of socialization (O’Keeffe 2011). Evidently, such dramatic improvements in information flow have had tremendous effects on the way companies run their day to day operations. Social communication websites like Facebook and Twitter allow people to open their own personal accounts and communicate with their friends around the world. It also allows people to make new acquaintances. The form of interaction addressed here is the facility of adding photos and videos. The website allows account holders to add photos and videos, and the viewers of the profiles have the chance to ‘like’, ‘comment’ or ‘share’ the photo and video. When it comes to business perspective, ‘Twitter Business Profile’ allow business firms to communicate with an unlimited number of customers simultaneously. In the same way, ‘Facebook fan page’ also offers very good opportunities for businesses to build their brand image and communicate with their customers in no time. LinkedIn is another network that enables entrepreneurs to find out potential candidates directly. Sony and Social Media As mentioned already, Sony is one of the leading firms that utilises the scope of social media for the promotion of their brand image and business communication. At this juncture, it is relevant to quote the social media policy of the firm; â€Å"Sony participates in social media to listen, learn and share stories of the passionate people who help bring Sony to life† (Sony: Social Media). Among the companies that use social media and web 2.0 technologies, Sony holds the prominent position. They effectively communicate with

Internationl Economic Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Internationl Economic Law - Essay Example These trade advantages encompass benefits like larger import quotas or lower tariffs and import duties. A country designated with the MFN status must be treated on an equal platform as any other country that has been awarded the MFN status by the nation granting this special status. The MFN treatment principle is important in the context of the WTO whose members have pledged to award MFN statuses to each other. There are also certain exceptions like designating free trade sectors on a regional basis and providing additional benefits to the developing nations. Under the MFN system stipulated by the WTO, a member nation that grants the most-favoured status to a non-member state for a particular product is obliged to provide the same benefits to other members of the WTO2. Thus, the WTO ensures that trade benefits are provided to all members as well as non-members on an equitable basis. The notion of a Most-Favoured Nation has existed since medieval times where smaller versions of such a greements have existed since the 15th Century. However, the expansion of MFN status in international trade began to develop during the 18th century3. Before the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the MFN treatment could be found only among Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) which indeed aided in liberalizing international trade. MFNs also find mention in the ‘Fourteen points’ laid out by United States (US) President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 which called for the liberalization and equality of trade conditions among nations4. Features of the MFN principle The MFN treatment principle has numerous economic effects that are elaborated below. Advantages to International Trade The most important benefit of the MFN principle is that it allows nations to import goods from the most cost-effective and efficient producer without disrupting the notion of comparative advantage5. For instance, a country can import products from the best supplier from different countries ba sed on cost, quality and efficiency thereby improving its economic efficiency. However this efficiency is distorted if the importing nation imposes a higher tariff on imports from the efficient supplier, prompting the importer to prefer products of the next best supplier (from a different country) at lower tariffs. This results in a trade imbalance which reduces the economic benefit to the importing nation besides disrupting global economic efficiency6. The provision of the MFN status in this context to all the countries implies that the importing country will levy equal tariffs on all exporting nations resulting in the procurement of goods from the most efficient supplier. Thus, the primary objective of the MFN treatment principle is to improve the efficiency of international trade. Free Trade System As mentioned above, the equal treatment of nations based on the MFN treatment principle accords the most liberal business environment that allows WTO member states to cut costs in nego tiation and monitoring trade agreements. In simpler words, the MFN treatment has resulted in the reduction of costs associated with the maintenance and functioning of the free trade system7. Equal treatment for imports from all member countries also means that costs associated with ascertaining the originating port or country are also reduced thereby contributing

An Orientation Tour along with Fall Prevention Education Coursework

An Orientation Tour along with Fall Prevention Education - Coursework Example Step 3:Create your research question. State your full question. For example: For new students entering an online program would a mandatory orientation course improve retention by increasing computer literacy and professional writing proficiency? Step 4:Select the key PICOT terms for searching the evidence.Is the potential solution something for which you (as nurse or student) can find a solution through evidence research? In the above example the PICOT search terms would be: Â  I will compare the rate of fall to tour with the family members alone to the unit prior to the admission without patient aware of the facility he/she is going to orientation tour with both patient and family members. One of the strategies I will use to expand the search would be refining the search statement, choosing the appropriate data base, using more focused key words, opting for advanced search as well as Boolean search. In addition, controlling the language and vocabulary can also be used in expanding my search. 3. Describe ways you might refine your general search to reduce the number of results from your search. Can you use the EBSCO subject headings? What about the advanced search option using Boolean limiters such as AND. Once you have a reasonable number of relevant search results (10-30) what final limiters will, you set to reduce the search results further (i.e., English language limiter, age limiters, publication year limiters, peer-reviewedjournallimiter, and/or human subject limiter)? The use of advanced search or the Boolean search is effective ways of refining the general research. The EBSCO database presents an opportunity for the use of headings of the intended subject which I can successfully use to define my subject. Moreover, using the option of AND, OR and NOT which are the Boolean limiters can serve as a strategy of refining my research.

Pre-Ib Geography Exam Review Essay Example for Free

Pre-Ib Geography Exam Review Essay Angular Bearing: measured in degrees in a clockwise direction from the north; written as 3 figures (i. e. 90) * Military Grid (4 amp; 6 digit) * System of numbered lines; position stated by quoting numbers of the lines that intersect at the point in question * Easting Northing ; EAST TENTH NORTH TENTH * Contour line: a way of showing elevation; usually brown lines * Steep areas – very close contour lines, gentle areas – very wide contour lines * Latitude/Longitude * Latitude 0 °: Equator|23. 5 °N: Tropic of Cancer | 23.  ° S: Tropic of Capricorn * Longitude 0 °: Prime Meridian | 180 °: International Date Line * Scale different types; conversions Linear Scale| Representative Fraction Scale| Direct Statement Scale| * | * 1:50 000| * 1 cm to 10 km| * 1 km = 100 000 cm * Time Zones – know them amp; how to calculate time zone from one zone to another * From west – east: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, Newfoundland * Plus 1 hour, as y ou travel from west to east Global Positioning System (GPS) – what is it? How do you use it? * Revolutionary navigation system; provide location with metres or less anywhere on the globe * Canada Map: Unit 3 * Geologic time-line (eras amp; major developments in each) * Precambrian Era: the earth is formed; Canadian shield is formed; bacteria amp; algae – only life forms * Paleozoic Era: the continents straddle the equator; first insects appear; Pangaea is formed * Mesozoic Era: Dinosaurs rule the earth; first bird amp; mammals appear * Cenozoic Era: Dinosaurs go extinct; first Hominids appear; first humans reach North America * Continental Drift amp; Plate Tectonics * Continental drift (Alfred Wegener): 300 million years ago, all of the earth’s land masses, which were in constant motion, collided to form one supercontinent: Pangaea; could not explain how continents moved * Evidence: shape of the continents; Fossil Evidence; Rock Evidence; Glacial Deposits; Location of Coal Deposits * Plate tectonics (Canadian J. Tuzo. Wilson): the earth’s crust is divided into 12 major plates which moved in various directions by the underlaying hot mantle convection cells (mid-atlantic ridge) * Types of precipitations – Relief/Orographic precipitation; Cyclonic/Frontal precipitation; Convectional precipitation * Relief/Orographic precipitation: only in mountainous regions * Moist air rise up the windward slope amp; condenses as it rises amp; cools * Cool air descends on the leeward slope, warms up, drier climate because the clouds evaporate * Cyclonic/Frontal precipitation: only in places with hot summers +20 °C (continental areas) * The sun heats up the ground, warm air rises; condensing amp; forming clouds amp; precipitation. * As the storm persists, the air cools amp; drags down, bringing the storm to an end. * Convectional precipitation: happens in most places * Air masses of different pressure amp; temperatures don’t mix. * The warmer air will rise above the colder, dense one, creating precipitation. Gradual upward movement=mild precipitation; Sharp upward movement=thunderstorm, hail * Landforms: the natural features on the surface of the Earth (Canadian Shield, lowlands, highlands) What are they? | Development of landforms| How do they or will they contribute to Canada| Canadian Shield (largest amp; oldest landform region)PRECAMBRIAN| * Pressure inside Earth folded amp; crumpled the Metamorphic rock * Minerals in shield rock cooled amp; separated into layers according to their density * Intense heat amp; pressure changed the rocks * Erosion worn down mountains = flat * Ice age eroded amp; created lakes, depressions amp; valleys| * Not much farming thin layer of soil; little fertile land * Vast deposits of lead, gold, nickel, copper, zinc, etc. Mining communities drawn here; communities rely on the mining industry for jobs * Rich diamond deposits; Water for hydroelectric energy * Recreation, tourism, â€Å"get back to nature†, canoe| Appalachian Mountains (oldest highland region)PALEOZOIC| * End Paleozoic Era, North America collided with europe amp; northern Africa during the formation of Pangaea * Raised amp; folded layers of sedimentary, Igneous/metamorphic created from volcanoes amp; earthquake s * Erosion reduced jagged peaks to rounded hills amp; mountains * Glaciers smoothed peaks amp; separated hills with wide glacial valleys | * Sedimentary rich in non-metallic materials, i. e. coal * Igneous/Metamorphic rich in metallic minerals, i. e. iron amp; zinc created by volcanic activity amp; faulting * Long bays created from ice age, for deep harbours for ocean freighters amp; became site of major cities * Settlement along fertile river valleys amp; along seacoast| Innuitian Mountains (most northern region)MESOZOIC| * Formed in Mesozoic era; North American plate moved northward. Continental-continental convergence * Contain some igneous amp; metamorphic, but mainly sedimentary * Younger than Appalachians, not worn down as much| * Barren; trees can’t survive extremely cold winter temperatures; can’t grow during short summer * Covered by ice amp; permanent snow * Minerals not exploited because if remote location| Western CordilleraLATE MESOZOICEARLYCENOZOICCoast mountainsInterior plateausEastern Mountains| * Range after range of mountains separated by plateaus amp; valleys * Pacific plate amp; North American plate collided * Uplifting region into several mountain regions * Convergent; pacific plate subducted under North American causing folding, faulting, amp; volcanic activity * Great height + rugged appearance = geologically young| * North-south mountains amp; valleys = obstacle for transportation since main routes are west=south * Farming amp; mining towns in river valleys * Tourism(beautiful scenery); winter sports * Fishing(salmon); gold rush; energy resources * Copper, forestry, rocks, coal, fossil fuels| Interior PlainsPALEOZOIC + MESOZOICAlberta PlainsSaskatchewan PlainsManitoba Plains| * 545 million years ago; during formation, covered by inland seas, sediments deposited amp; compressed into sedimentary * Thick layers of mineral deposits left in dried-out sea beds * Composed of rolling hills amp; deep, wide river valleys * Differential erosion separated by escarpment * Glaciations created large lakes covered by sediments = flat| * Reafs from inland seas form oil amp; gas found today * Potash mined amp; used as fertilizer * Swamps at edge of ancient seas changed into coal * Soil developed on sediments of lake bottom deep fertile, good for growing grai ns amp; oil seeds * Agricultural amp; beef products | Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Lowlands(most southerly region)PALEOZOIC| * During Paleozoic era, glacier retreated which left 5 great lakes * Bedrock formed from sedimentary rock; several escarpments * Glaciations created rolling landscape, carried huge amounts of soil, sand amp; gravel from Canadian shield, dumped throughout region * Flat plains, glacial hills, amp; deep river valleys * Rift valley formed by faulting; flooded during end of ice age| * Good for agriculture; excellent soils amp; warm climate * Flat lands; ideal for transportation routes amp; development of cities (50% of canadians live in small) * 70% of country’s manufacturing industries * Maple syrup, forestry, mining, fishery, water supply, * Sheep, poultry, dairy, logging – lumber, paper| Hudson Bay Arctic LowlandsPALEOZOIC + PRECAMBRIAN + MESOZOIC PALEOZOIC + CENOZOIC| * Layers of sedimentary rock rest on top of ancient rock of Shield * Waters of Hudson Bay covered lowland amp; deposited sand, silt, amp; clay that became layer of sedimentary rock * A series of islands located in far north, gently rolling landscape * Bodies of water continues to deposit deep basins of sedimentary along east amp; west coasts (Paleozoic era) * Receding glaciers left sedimentary rock (Cenozoic)| * HB- mining, march, wetlands, plains * AL-Not good for farming, harsh climate * Rich in furs due to abundance of wildlife * Water resources provide hydro power for Ontario * Contain lignite, coal, oil, amp; natural deposits * Game, fishing| * Climate: weather conditions of a place averaged over a long period of time * Factors affecting Climate (LOWERN) * Latitude: Significant differences in average annual temperatures; distance from the equator a key factor. * The same amount of energy from the sun that hits Earth is spread over a large areas at northerly ocation because of th earth’s curve; the same amount of energy is more concentrated at the equator * Most southerly pointPelee Island; Most northerly pointAlert * Ocean Currents: The temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of the air passing over it. * Warm– warm air – the mild climate of B. C. ; Cold– cold air – Labrador amp; nor thern Newfoundland * Where air above two currents meet, conditions are often damp amp; foggy. * Winds amp; Air Masses * Air Masses: large volume of air with the climate conditions of the area where it is formed. * Over ocean moist; as air masses pass over land=in precipitation; over continental area will generally be dry. * Winds amp; Pressure Systems * Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, this causes wind. Prevailing Winds: around the earth, there are pressure belts which cause wind patterns. * Westerlies: over Canada, the winds tends to move from the west to east . * Polar Front: the boundary between the cold, dry, polar air amp; warm, wet, tropical air. * Jet Stream: high in the atmosphere above the polar front is a current of fast-moving air. * In winter=moves southward, cold arctic air into the U. S. * In summer=moves northward, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico to flow farther northward into Canada’s interior. * Cold air masses amp; warm air masses that meet at the polar front often create storms. * Elevation: height of land above sea level Air mass moves up a mountain= expands since there is less pressure; as it expands=loses heat amp; becomes cooler. * Relief: the affect that mountain ranges act as barriers to climate systems * Result in greatly differing temperatures in different cities that are close to each other but separated by mountains. * Windward side of rocky mountains=more precipitation; leeward side of rocky mountains= precipitation. * Nearness to body of water: Bodies of water have a moderating effect on land temperatures. * Oceans amp; large lakes heat up amp; cool down more slowly than land masses. * Results in cooler summers amp; warmer winters. * Maritime vs. Continental climate * Maritime| * Continental| Total annual precipitation of over 1000 mm| * Total annual precipitation of less than 1000 mm| * A temperature range of less than 25C °| * A temperature range of more than 25C °| * Winter: Season of Maximum Precipitation| * Summer: Season of Maximum Precipitation| * Soil make-up (MOMA) * Minerals; Organic material amp; bacteria; Moisture; Air * Vegetation * Tree line: boundary between the Tundra amp; the Boreal Forest zone; North of this line, it is too cold for trees to grow. * Permafrost: permanently frozen ground that does not completely thaw in the summer. * Active layer: upper layer of permafrost that thaws only briefly in summertime Unit 4 Demography: study of human population dynamics, population numbers, distribution, trends, amp; issues that looks at how populations change over time due to births, deaths, migration amp; ageing. * Push/pull factors – what are they? Be able to identify them * Push factors: factors that causes people to emigrate from their country (i. e. war, absence of human rights, poor economic/educational opportunities, religious persecution, terrorism, amp; natural disasters) * Pull factors: factors that draws immigrants to a country (i. e. job opportunities, freedom of speech amp; religion, lower taxes, better education amp; health care, better climate, join friends/relatives living in another country ) * Immigration – benefits amp; drawbacks Benefits| Drawbacks| Declining fertility amp; population=severe labour shortages; * Fiscal burden of aging population; scarce staff-nursing homes amp; retirement facilities * Replace baby boomers jobs; fill jobs Canadians don’t want; temporary jobs during harvest time * High-skilled-innovate higher rate than canadians; low-skilled- meet crucial service sector gaps * More global prosperity than foreign aid/international trade; revolutionize Canada’s foreign aid policy| * Short term expediency; political gain * Stress on schools to take in new students * Little cultural communities formed * Lack of culture belonging * Competition for jobs of Canadians| * Types of immigrants (3 types) * Economic Immigrants Skilled Worker/ Professional: 67 points (government adjust; make sure immigrants meet Canada’s economic needs) * Business Immigrant: 37 points (show willingness/ability-make significant financial contributions to economy) * Family Immigrants (Allows Canadian residents to reunite with family members) * Every family immigrant must be sponsored by relative in Canada (provide housing amp; other needs for 3-10 years, if immigrant runs into financial difficulty, they need to help them) * Refugee (Apply for refugee status while in Canada as visitors/living in home country) * Fears cruel or inhumane treatment in their home country ( persecution-race, religion, nationality, political opinion) * Special category includes victims of natural disasters (storms, earthquakes), amp; human disasters (war, famine) * Points system – what are points given for? Who does it apply to? Education: High School, University/college (diploma, bachelor, doctorate, master’s degree)_______________Economic * Language ability: English/French (high/moderate/basic/no

The Veldt Essay Example for Free

The Veldt Essay In the short story â€Å"The Veldt by Ray Bradbury, everything starts with the purchase of their new family home. This home was not your average home because where other homes flawed this house seemed to have perfected itself. This house had features that would cater to the family such as feed them, sing to them, and even nurture them nothing was to good for their children said George. The greatest feature was the nursery. What this nursery would do, was catch the telepathic emanations of the children’s minds and create it in the room. This house did everything for the family; the children quickly grew more and more fascinated by the house then there parents. Soon enough, the children realized there was no need for their parents. As time progressed the kids started to adapt to being spoiled and pampered by the house. As the story goes, one day the parents walked into their three dimensional nursery and they discovered Africa; no longer was there nursery a lovely childish room, but it was now a dead desert with feeding animals. At first they were surprised at what their kids had been imagining then George said, â€Å"Nothing over there I can see but cleaned bone and vultures dropping for what’s left. † Than Lydia suggested that they give a call to the psychologist because there was not any reason why kids of so little age can be imagining this. So they did just that, and the psychologist advisor agreed with them to close the nursery down, and go on a family vacation. So George locked up the room and started turning off all there other machines that would cater to them one by one. That same night Peter and Wendy snuck into the nursery and as they were there a scream was herd all the way into their parent’s bedrooms; so George and his wife woke up to see what the commotion was about. George decided it was time to turn off everything all the machines so he did but right before he did Wendy and Peter got two minutes to say good bye. Too much time had passed and Lydia and George began to worry; they went in the nursery and it automatically locked them in and the lions ate Peter and his wife. The following day the psychologist came to visit the family and Pater and Wendy just acted as if nothing was wrong. Wendy even offered the psychologist a cup of tea symbolizing that she had no remorse over what had occurred to her parents.

Diet and Nutrition Case Study

Diet and Nutrition Case Study Warda Abdulkadir Ahmed Diet and Digestion TAQ 1) 3 day meal plan for pregnant mother This meal plan for an expectant mother was designed as firstly the calorie intake required daily is increased to supply the placenta and growing baby the required energy to grow healthily. An estimated 300 more calories in the second and third trimesters. I have chosen foods high in iron and folic acid as these are needed in abundance by both mother and baby. A pregnant woman needs 60mg of protein and 1200mg of calcium I have sought to incorporate this through lean servings of meat and fish daily as well as porridge oats with milk. Three day meal plan for elderly male patient Nutrition is an important determinant of health in an elderly person. I chose this meal plan as the meals are low in fat, refined sugar and sodium, and high in essential nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals. Following this meal plan helps the individual avoid gout, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease arthritis, cancer, respiratory disorders, and difficulty in passing stools, obesity and type 2 diabetes. One major concern in an elderly person is obtaining sufficient fluid intake. 3 day meal plan for Teenage Athlete Case in point average height and weight of 17 year old male to be 5’10 and 10 stones/63 kg – This body mass index falls in the 50th percentile of the mean average Taking into account average male calorific requirement (2500 calories), this is to be exceeded by around 35 – 65 % based on exceeded average energy expenditure for athletic performance/training as well as a general faster metabolic rate for a teenage male opposed to a mature male. The meal plan incorporates 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day and a higher than average protein content mostly made up of chicken and fish and only one portion of red meat as to reach the protein threshold from a higher proportion of red meat is deemed generally as unhealthy, causing over a long period higher blood pressure and increased risk of stomach and bowel cancer. Due to the athletic activities to be undertaken there is an emphasis on consuming fluids and an excess and varied selection of carbohydrates is consumed daily. The diet is low in saturated fat and sugar TAQ 2) Type 2 diabetes can result from an inadequate diet, an inadequate diet can be defined as a deficiency, and a deficiency can be too great or too little of one specific food group in a healthy diet. Too much sugar in a person’s diet is a major factor in contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. Specifically sucrose, sucrose and sugar are not actually required by the body so their consumption can be deemed as a deficiency in itself. Furthermore the excess consumption of sugar can lead to an increase in weight and obesity which in turn increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Higher than normal blood glucose levels cumulatively over a long period leads to insulin resistance. Atherosclerosis, the clogging of the arteries can be a secondary effect of having type 2 diabetes but in most cases is caused by too high a fat content in one’s diet, more specifically consuming too much saturated fat often found in processed foods and a lack of unsaturated fats with high density lipids and beneficial cholesterol lowering effect on the body. A diet with a frequency of fruit and vegetables has a negating effect as well as oily fish, nuts and seeds, sunflower and seed oils. Rickets is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D and/or calcium. Physiologically most of our vitamin D comes from sunlight not our food and the process of calcium absorption is very dependent on vitamin D levels in the body. However we do garner some vitamin D from food. Eggs, oily fish and cereals are all good sources of vitamin D and deficiencies in these food types regardless of UV exposure could contribute to the onset of rickets. Milk and other dairy products have the highest calcium content and a lack of dairy as well as green vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage can have a detrimental effect on calcium uptake in the body. TAQ 3) Digestion is necessary as it breaks down the size of food to make digestion a more efficient process food is broken down into smaller constituent parts so the surface area for the active sites for enzymes to occur increases. Proteins are broken down into peptides, which are then broken down into single amino acids that allow absorption into the bloodstream through the small intestine. Absorption occurs when the food enters the body as the food molecules pass through a layer of cells and into the bodies’ tissues. This occurs in the small intestine which has many villi that are specialised for absorption. Assimilation occurs when the food molecules becomes part of the bodies tissue. b) TAQ 5) The digestive tract, consisting of the stomach, small and large intestines. The stomach is made of three layers of smooth muscle fibres, an outer layer of longitudinal fibres middle layer of circular fibres and an inner layer of oblique muscle fibres. This arrangement allows for the churning effect of gastric activity. When the stomach is empty the mucous membrane lining is thrown into folds or rugae when the stomach has contents these folds are ironed out.Numerous gastric glands are situated below the surface in the mucuous membrane. The small intestine also has layers,the peritoneum is a double layer and connects the jejunum and ileum to the abdominal wall.The attatchment is short and fan shaped,large blood vessels and nerves pass between the two layers.Their is also a mucousa present here it contains villi and microvill it has a large surface area and many folds.Their are circular folds which act to mix chyme,the villi in this mucousal layer contibute to final stages of digestion.There are also lymph nodes within the mucousa which release defense cells against ingested antigens. The large intestine also has a mucosa ; made of simple columnar epithelial tissue. The mucosa is smooth, unlike the small intestine lacks villi however it does have a large number of mucous glands secreting mucus into the hollow lumen as to lubricate the surface of the large intestine and protect it from rough food particles. Surrounding the mucosa is a layer of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, the submucosa, which is there to support the other layers of the large intestine. The muscularis layer surrounds the submucosa and contains many layers of visceral muscle cells that contract and move the large intestine. Finally, the serosa forms the outermost layer. The serosa is a thin layer of simple squamous epithelial tissue that secretes watery serous fluid to lubricate the surface of the large intestine. protecting it from friction between abdominal organs and the surrounding muscles and bones of the lower torso. References Gerard J. Tortola, Mark Nielsen Principles of Human Anatomy, 13th Edition December 2013 2014 http://www.valuepenguin.com/nutrition. Last accessed 10/03/2015 John Evans, Alison Lansley and Michael J. Sanderson, (2006), Biology A level Richard Parsons (2010) AS/A2 Level Biology AQA Complete Revision Practice Smith, A. (2012). Get instant biology help. Available: http://www.tutorvista.com/biology/ Last accessed 05/03/2015 Waugh, Anne and Grant, Allison (2006) Ross and Wilson: Anatomy and physiology in health and illness. (10th edition). Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

TV News :: essays research papers

TV News I started mowing lawns in my neighborhood when I was only 12. It was the only way I could put money in my pocket. I had several yards and I usually started early Saturday morning and worked right through about midday. There is something euphoric about mowing a lawn. It really gives you lots of time to think about almost anything. It was while doing this that I came across my love for TV. I remember mowing the yards one Saturday after my girlfriend and I had broken up. It was all I could do to keep it off my mind. I started thinking that there had to be other people my age out there with problems and then I wondered; how do other teenagers solve their problems. I thought about it and decided that if they didn’t have a way I was going to come up with one. So I came up with the idea of a teen talk show and pitched it to the manager of the government access station here in town. Teen Link was the name of the show and we discussed everything from breaking up with your significant other to dealing with the loss of a loved one. Although the show is no longer in production it really allowed me to get my feet wet in what was going to be the start of a hopefully long and prosperous career in broadcasting. Working for a news station now I realize how far government TV was from the reality of TV news but a career in news can be particularly exciting. The variety of the job, the gratification of communicating to thousands of people, the fast paced atmosphere makes the job not only exciting but extremely demanding. In general people don’t realize how many people it takes to put on a single newscast. Often times it takes a crew of 10 or 12 to make the news come alive. The most coveted position though out of all of those jobs is anchor. The anchor, or broadcast news analyst, analyze, and interpret news and deliver then news, introduce packages and live reports from reporters in the field. Although it looks like they have it made they probably have one of the toughest jobs in the station. In general the smaller the market is the more work an anchor is going to do. In small markets they will write and produce most of the newscast, as well as the teases and promo spots you see before the afternoon and late night newscasts.

Abortion Should be Illegal in American Society Essay -- The Right to Li

I must admit that the concern for the mother's safety is important, and that is exactly why abortion may not be the best option. There are many complications that affect a person after having an abortion, but I will only mention two. The first complication of having an abortion is a possibility of developing a mental disorder. The second complication is an increased risk of breast cancer. A study done by professors in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Manchester; showed that women who had an abortion have a risk of developing mental disorders (Major et al). The study also concluded that people who had prior psychological disorders have an even greater risk of developing a mental disorder, than people who did not have a history of psychological disorders (Major et al). In another study, a conclusion was reached that people that went through an abortion are more likely to develop mental disorders, than people that went through pregnancies (Reardon e t al). The research data that people use as a source for their information vary, because the amount of research done on the issue is minimal. However, the current indication is that an increase risk in psychological issues is associated with abortions. I am confident in the data that I obtained, because the information was taken from credible sources. The data that I located only mentioned that people are at risk of developing psychological disorders after abortion, but the articles did not go into detail about the specific disorders. The most remarkable danger for people that seek an abortion is an increased risk in developing breast cancer. The increased risk in breast cancer may be a compelling argument. Current studies show that people who have ... ...00. 10 Mar. 2006 . Reardon, David C., et al. â€Å"Psychiatric admissions of low-income women following abortion and childbirth.† CMAJ. 13 May 2003. 11 Apr. 2006 . Sade, Robert M. â€Å"Defining the Beginning and the End of Human Life: Implications for Ethics, Policy, and Law.† Blackwell Synergy. Mar. 2006. 11 Apr. 2006 . Turner, T. â€Å"Induced Abortion Might Elevate a Woman's Breast Cancer Risk in Later Years† JSTOR. Jan. 1995. 10 Mar. 2006 .

International Relations-Somalia

Somalia 1993 Cause and Effect, U. S. Involvement, & Scale of the Conflict The Somali conflict was created by a succession of events. Back in 1991, President of Somalia, Mohammed Siad Barre, was overthrown by a coalition of opposing clans called the United Somali Congress. Four main groups turned the country into a battlefield trying to gain control over the country. In the meantime a 5th group seceded from the northwest portion of Somalia calling it the Somaliland Republic, with its leader Abdel-Rahman Ahmed Ali as president.All the fighting in Somalia destroyed most of their crops creating mass starvation. The international community began to send food supplies to halt the starvation, but vast amounts of food were hijacked and brought to local clan leaders, who routinely exchanged it with other countries for weapons. This just led to more starvation and the international communities’ efforts seemed ineffective. In March of 1993 the UN’s mission shifted and tried to hel p UNOSOM II gain power. UNOSOM II tried to reconcile the country and build a democratic state creating a secure environment.This organization was met with heavy opposition led by Mohammed Farrah Aidid and his faction. Several bombing occurred and soon war was inevitable. On October 3, 1993 the US led an operation intending to capture Aidid's foreign minister Omar Salad Elmi and his top political advisor, Mohamed Hassan Awale. This battle is commonly known as Black Hawk Down where two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down and many US lives were lost. That day was a true battle; 1500 somalian militia men were estimated to have been killed.On October 6, 1993 President Bill Clinton directed the Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral David E. Jeremiah, to stop all actions by U. S. forces against Aidid except those required in self-defense. The White House stated that all U. S. troops would be completely out of Somalia by March 31, 1994. Impact of the Soviet Union Collapse During the Cold War, Somalia was used as a pawn by world superpowers, since whoever had control of Somalia had access to oil due to its location in Western Africa.After the Soviet Union collapsed, the U. S. had no interest in Somalia, resulting in U. S. support and foreign aid leaving the country. Somalia was left in a vulnerable state and was unable to create a stable political system. Somalia eventually collapsed due to a lack of infrastructure. Works Sited â€Å"Battle of Mogadishu (1993). †Ã‚  Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Sept. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2012. ;http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Battle_of_Mogadishu_(1993);.

Academic Writing Skills Guide Essay

Introduction Preface to the first edition (2002) We have written this guide for you to help you on the way to becoming proficient in your chosen field of economics or business administration. As you advance in your studies, you will demonstrate your proficiency through the essays, papers, case reports, and other texts that you write. Your writing is thus a marker of your relative expertise in your discipline. Yet, it is also a means in itself. Writing helps you organize your own ideas, discover the strengths and weaknesses in your thinking, and internalize the knowledge you construct. We hope this guide will help you on your way. But like all guides, it does not contain everything. As Voltaire said, â€Å" the best way to be boring is to leave nothing out† This guide acts as a starter – it is up to you to . go deeper. Just as you will find with your writing assignments, we too have gone through the writing process in the construction of this guide. We constructed a plan, consulted numerous sources and people, wrote the text, revised it, and edited it, all the time trying to keep it clear and simple. See more:  The 3 Types of Satire Essay In putting together this guide, we have aimed to follow Ernest Hemingway who said, â€Å" My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way. †We hope we have succeeded. Henri Mennens, MSc Robert Wilkinson, MSc Second edition (2010) The second edition of this guide to academic writing is a thorough revision of the first edition (2002). Apart from changes to chapter 2, we have significantly changed chapters 3 and 5. In addition, we have completely rewritten chapter 4 on citing and referencing in line with the current (2010) citation and reference norms of the American Psychological Association. Major changes also entail the introduction of many more examples. In addition, the format requirements for submitting papers has changed. 2 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction We have not included information on grammar and punctuation, since we expect students at the School of Business and Economics to have a good command of these aspects on entry. However, we are aware that many users of this guide will wish to seek reassurance in this respect. We recommend users to consult a good grammar book or one of the many good writing sites on the Internet. Robert Wilkinson, MSc Jeannette Hommes, MA NOTE: the Guide is not presented in the format that you have to present your papers (see section 5). However, where extracts of student essays are given, these are in the required format. Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge the many people and sources we have consulted during the construction of this guide. In particular, we would like to express thanks to Henri Mennens for his work on the first edition, and Keith Campbell of the Language Centre who adapted the first edition of this guide in 2006. We also thank the Academic Writing tutors of the Language Centre for their inputs and the many students who have made use of the first edition. Furthermore, we are indebted to Mike Hannay and Lachlan Mackenzie, whose book Effective writing in English: A resource guide (both the 1996 and 2002 editions) has been a major source of information for chapters 2 and 3. We acknowledge the American Psychological Association whose â€Å" Publication manual† (American Psychological Association, 6th ed. , 2010) has been an excellent support in the construction of chapter 4 in this guide. Finally, we are grateful to the Director of the School of Business and Economics for supporting the production of this second edition. 3 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction 1. Introduction Academic writing covers the wide range of specific writing tasks that you are required to write during the course of your academic studies: papers, reports, literature reviews, projects, case studies, dissertations, theses, research papers, and articles. Some of these text types are quite rare outside the academic environment (papers, literature reviews, dissertations, theses); others (reports, projects, etc.) may well be aiming at a much broader public. However, what they all have in common is a similar type of reader: a person educated in the specialist field (here economics or business studies), and usually acting as a professional in that field. These target readers represent the professional community of which you aim to become a member. To be accepted as member requires you to meet the norms and standards that the professional community expects. Thus with regard to writing, you are expected to adhere to the norms expected by the (international) academic community. Compare this to a relay race in athletics. In the relay race, you run with three other runners. If you are one of the two middle runners, you have to collect the baton smoothly from the previous runner and pass it on to the next runner. In the relay race your team runs against other teams (your local community). All of you have to run according to the set of rules agreed by the sports governing body (the professional community). If you do not, your team may be disqualified. The rules set the framework for a potentially great race, and within the rules there is vast scope for individual flair and talent. So with academic writing: you have to write according to the ‘ rules’ but to write well demands your own indi, vidual talent and enterprise. Just as a highly skilled athlete knows how to use the rules to his advantage, so an expert writer uses the norms and standards of professional academic writing to persuade readers of the power of his argument. We should not extend this athletics analogy too far: sports have clear sets of rules that everyone can read and study; academic writing does not. What a professional academic field has is a set of overt norms, such as a style guide. This guide is based on the editorial style requirements described in the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010). Alongside these is a set of covert norms that are just as powerful. Examples of the covert norms will be the nature of argumentation that is considered acceptable in the field. Covert norms are hidden and therefore take a long time to acquire. Most novice writers acquire them through extensive reading in the field, and by paying active attention to the way other writers use 4 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction language. This process of acquisition demands close observation of how expert writers use words and expressions differently in different types of text, e. g. literature reviews or case studies in a single field (e. g. marketing). Academic papers (and most other forms of academic writing) are typically expository or argumentative. An expository or informative paper describes or explains a particular set of phenomena, and provides an account of why these phenomena are found in one or more specific situations or contexts. The goal of the expository paper is also to acquaint the reader with a body of knowledge. An argumentative or persuasive paper must choose a side, make a case for it, consider and refute alternative arguments, and prove to the undecided reader that the opinion it presents is the best one. You must be aware of other sides and be fair to them; dismissing them completely will weaken your own argument. It is always best to take a side that you believe in, preferably with the most supporting evidence. To develop a good academic paper you should go through a number of stages, called the writing process. The following seven stages can be distinguished: The writing process 1. Thinking stage 2. Research stage 3. Outline stage 4. Drafting stage 5. Revising stage 6. Editing stage 7. Final version stage } } Planning process Transfer in a first draft output Revising & editing Final output Figure 1. Stages of the writing process 1. Thinking stage In this stage you determine your topic area (which may of course already be given), brainstorm about ideas on the topic, select, reject and focus those ideas, before arriving at your final choice. 5 Guide to Academic Writing Skills. Introduction 2. Research stage Here you search for and study background literature and other materials, analyse the results, draw your own conclusions and interpretations, etc. 3. Outline stage In this stage you draft an outline of the paper you intend to write, setting out your main aim or purpose in the paper (the purpose statement or thesis statement), sketch how you will develop the points that follow from the purpose, and indicate how you will conclude the paper. 4. Drafting stage Here you put down on screen successively improved versions of your paper. 5. Revising stage In this stage you scan your work on a macro level for logical coherence, checking whether you need to add or delete information, whether sections need rephrasing for clarification. 6. Editing stage Here you edit your text on a micro level, checking the grammar, spelling, punctuation, in-text citations, references and the layout. 7. Final version stage In this stage you set out the final paper neatly and clearly. Writing a paper is recursive: you do not start at the beginning, and work through straight to the end, and that is that. At all times you will be ‘ backtracking’ ‘ or looping’so that as you are , writing your first draft, you may discover you need to add more information and have to return to the research stage. During the revising stage, you may discover that your original plan was too broad, and so decide to cut out a whole section. You may produce several revised versions of the paper before your final version. Do not forget to allow yourself plenty of time between writing your first draft and your final version. Figure 2 illustrates the three groups of actions in writing a paper, the planning process, the transfer, and revision and editing. The figure emphasizes the recursive nature of writing a paper in that each action not only feeds into the next but feeds back into the previous actions, entailing revision of those actions. 6 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction â€Å" You may start with a plan, conduct some research (reading, library and/or Internet search), analyse and then synthesize the information you have acquired, construct a question or a statement that you will examine, draft an outline, write a rough draft of the introduction, start writing the body, then stop. You go back, conduct some more research, adjust your outline, rewrite the body, write a bit more, adjust the introduction, perhaps adjust the statement of your purpose, then stop again. You conduct more research, rewrite the body again, draft a conclusion, go back to the introduction, adjust the purpose, rewrite the introduction, then stop. You let the paper ‘ simmer’for a while, then reread it, adjusting here and there for content accuracy, perhaps search or check for a contrary argument, throw out less relevant parts of the paper, check the logical development of your ideas and arguments, and wrap up the conclusion. Then you check again for spelling (using the spellchecker, but also reading carefully word by word), check for grammar (using the grammar checkers wisely), check all punctuation, check the layout, check the citations and the references. You check too for sentence length (eliminate very long, rambling sentences), check paragraph structure (particularly if the topic of the paragraph changes in the paragraph – check the subjects of the main verbs), check the logical links between paragraphs and sections. And so on. † Figure 2: The writing process and its recursive nature (Bruer, 1993). This guide is organized as follows. Chapter 2 focuses on the planning process, describing the planning activities and the construction of an outline. Chapter 3 elaborates on the structuring of the paper, through a detailed discussion of the three parts of a paper, introduction, body, and conclusion. Moreover, structuring a paper effectively requires that you write wellconstructed paragraphs: this chapter also provides brief guidelines on paragraph organization. Chapter 4 explains the importance of citing sources and giving references, and provides guidelines how to put them in the paper in a correct way. Chapter 5 concentrates on finalizing the paper. This chapter discusses the format requirements, text revision and the evaluation of the paper. To conclude, this guide helps you to master the process of academic writing, which you can apply to the specific writing assignments during the course of your academic studies. It specifies the elements necessary to a successful academic paper. But keep in mind two things. First, each assignment will be different and require a different organization. Second, writing is a skill; 7 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Introduction  you only get better at a skill through regular practice. Regular practice leads to routine and expertise. The application of the principles of this guide can be of use until your last writing examination: the final thesis. However, this guide just contains a brief summary of the different topics discussed. For more information you should consult literature, especially the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010, 6th ed. , in the University Library), and the Internet. Besides, keep in mind that the writing process is not just simply following a set of rules. Try to develop your own style, expertise and talent, in order to distinguish yourself. Good luck with your writing career! 8 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process 2. The planning process In order to get a good start to writing your paper, it is important that you go successfully through the planning process. This chapter describes the different activities of the planning process. Then, section 2. 2 discusses the most important stage of the planning process: the construction of an outline. 2. 1. The planning activities. During the planning process, according to Hannay and Mackenzie (2002), you are concerned with six major activities: 1 Generating ideas for the content. Ideas for content can come from several sources: from your own knowledge, from discussions with other people, and from various media sources (written texts, audio-visual media and electronic media). Brainstorming techniques help you to generate ideas in the first two categories. 2 Selecting and classifying points. Here you are concerned with ordering your ideas. Analyse them to determine the extent to which they are connected with each other. Ideas and concepts that are highly connected are likely to form key points in your texts. Those which are less closely connected may form essential supporting topics, or may need to be abandoned. Some may require more development. Always be prepared to get rid of ideas that prove not to be relevant to your argument. 3 Establishing your perspective. In this activity you need to decide what angle you are going to take with your material. Are you taking a historical perspective, or only discussing the present situation? Are you taking an objective position, or are you bringing in your own personal standpoint? Are you taking a general viewpoint, or only a specific case? Are you looking at the matter from your home country’ perspective? Are you discussing a general issue or only a nas tional situation? 9 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process 4 Determining your intention. Now you need to consider what you want to do with the text. Do you want to present both sides of an argument equally, or do you want to present only one side? Do you need to give examples, or will your argumentation be sufficient on its own? Do you want to persuade the reader of your opinion, or are you only wishing to describe the matter? Do you want just to present a problem, or do you want to offer solutions as well? What you are going to do with your text must become very clear to the reader in the thesis statement: this statement directs the readers to the purpose of the text. 5 Formulating a draft title, structuring the introduction and conclusion. Here you should set down a working title and devise a draft structure for the introduction and the conclusion. At this stage your drafting should only be provisional: you should write the actual version only after you have written the body of the  paper. This is because you do need to know what your introduction is indeed introducing, and you need to know what your conclusion is concluding. A useful rule of thumb is: Plan your introduction, then your conclusion, and then your body, but write your body, then your conclusion and then your introduction. 6 Drafting paragraph themes. At this stage, go back to the ideas (themes) you have selected and classified. Now you have to decide which will be suitable for your text. Each theme usually is the basis for a single paragraph. Each theme too will require sufficient development; so do not try to include too many. As a rough guide, you probably cannot treat adequately more than about 4 themes in a 1000-word paper (roughly 3 pages), while a 2500-word paper (roughly 6 pages) will seem overwhelming if it includes more than 9 or 10 themes. Once you have selected your themes, list the points that you need to make to support the theme in the paragraph. 2. 2. The planning outline The goal of the planning outline is to help you organize your ideas, and present them in a logical order. It serves to identify the relationships between the ideas: it allows you to see how related ideas can be grouped together, and which ideas you can cut out, and which ideas need more support. A good outline helps you to maintain the direction in your paper, and prevents you from getting distracted into irrelevant information. 10 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process Figure 3 lists six steps that may be considered in the development of a planning outline. 1 Decide the purpose of your paper and the audience you are writing for. 2. Develop a statement in which you define the goal or purpose of your paper (commonly called thesis statement). This clarifies what you are going to present or argue in the paper. At this stage you may not have a definitive version of this statement. 3 List all the important points you want to handle in the paper. These points have to be split in three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The points in the introduction include the items that lead to the purpose or thesis statement (so-called background information), and a statement of the purpose or goal that should now be defined precisely. When you are planning your paper, you will group all your ideas around one central theme. This theme forms the core of your purpose or thesis statement or research question. The points in the body have to be logically organized so that they follow from your purpose and lead towards the conclusion. In a larger paper (for example a Master’ thesis), you usually develop a set of subquestions, covering the s points that lead to an answer to the research question. By answering step by step the different subquestions in the body, you can draw a structured and well-founded conclusion at the end. The points in the conclusion include the summary of the facts that lead to an answer to the statement or question you started with and the answer itself. 4 Categorize the points in the body under general headings so that you can identify which points need more development (e. g. you have to do more reading) and which points are not useful or relevant (delete these). Choose precise, concrete words for the headings: avoid vague terms. Relate the headings to the purpose of your paper. If your paper is describing a situation, you are more likely to choose noun structures for headings (for example: Failure of Bretton Woods). If your paper is oriented to action, you may choose verbal structures; typically -ing forms in English (for example: Reforming the auditor’ duties). s 5 Work out how one idea follows logically from the previous one. Note down how you will make the transitions from point to point. This is a key step, but one that is often underrated. Failure to think out the transitions in the planning stage can cost you more time in the revising stage. 6 Finally, look back at the whole outline, and check that you are satisfied that it all hangs together logically and conceptually. Now you are ready to start writing. Figure 3. Six steps in the planning process. Outlines are generative. They are most useful if you modify them as you write in line with new thoughts or information. Some of you may find that a simple, less detailed written outline is sufficient – you may be very competent in holding the full structure in your mind – but you may add more detailed points to the outline as you progress. Most of you, however, find that a relatively detailed outline on paper is an effective reminder of what the goal of your paper is and of what you have selected from the literature, and an efficient guide to how far you have come. 11 Guide to Academic Writing Skills The planning process An outline as a simple list of points (see Figure 4, box a) may not help you organize and structure your paper. A more organized outline (see Figure 4, box b) will help you see how the different parts hang together and may facilitate the writing. Many American writing textbooks and websites provide detailed guidance on writing outlines. Under the American convention, outlines are structured using the following symbols (Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals). This is only a convention used in the writing process: it is not part of APA style, and under no circumstances should it be used in the final paper (see for example Purdue University’ Online Writing Lab: http://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/544/03/). Box c (Figs ure 4) illustrates the framework using the American conventions. a Unhelpful outline Topic: The Struggle for the Mobile Phone Market 1. Description of the European mobile phone market. 2. Major players: Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens. 3. Focus of youth market. b Structured outline 4. Future trends in the market European Commission case on choline chloride cartel 1. Introduction 1. 1. Background to case: choline chloride cartel 1. 2. Aim of paper (thesis): European Commission took the right decision to fine the firms, because they had formed a cartel, but the fines are not sufficient to discourage cartel forming in the future. Key economic issues 2. 1. Market description 2. 1. 1. Producers 2. 1. 2. Consumers 2. 2. Agreements 2. 2. 1. Price fixing 2. 2. 2. Market sharing Economic impact on competition 3. 1. Fixed prices raised income for producers 3. 2. Market sharing reduced competition 3. 3. Economic impact of cartel (Perloff) 3. 3. 1. Oligopoly 3. 3. 2. Welfare analysis European Commission decision 4. 1. That the market is an oligopoly 4. 2. That the market is not competitive 4. 3. Punishment for firms 4. 3. 1. Fines 4. 3. 2. Leniency ruling Conclusions 5. 1. Summary 5. 2. Price setting agreements have a big impact on the market 5. 3. Fines based on gravity and duration of infringement 5. 4. Leniency: fines not high enough to discourage cartel formation in future. 2. 3. 4. 5. 12 Guide to Academic Writing Skills c Classic formal outline (American style) I. II. First item Second item A. sub-item B. sub-item 1. sub-sub-item 2. sub-sub-item Third item. The planning process III. Figure 4. Examples of outlines. 13 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring 3. Structuring On the basis of the outline, described in the previous chapter, it is now possible to continue with the structure of your paper. You started the structuring process already in steps three and four of the construction of an outline, described in section 2. 2. The structuring process continues by implementing these steps in the paper, starting with the introduction. Section 3. 1 discusses the structuring process of the introduction, section 3. 2. covers the middle part (or body), and section 3. 3. the discussion and conclusion. Structuring a paper effectively also requires that you write well-constructed paragraphs. This is discussed briefly in section 3. 4. 3. 1. The introduction The introduction has three functions, all of which must be present. First, it sets the context by introducing the topic of your paper. This is called the background information. This information leads to the second function: it specifies the purpose of the paper. Finally, the introduction contains a short outline of how you are going to handle the aspects of your topic in the rest of the paper. Any introduction in which one of these functions is missing is necessarily incomplete. The length of the introduction varies from one paragraph to several pages, depending on the total length of the paper. Three other factors influence the length. First, how familiar are your readers with the context? If, for example, you are writing about small and medium-sized businesses in Nepal, you may have to explain much more of the Nepalese background for readers who are less familiar with that country, since the readers may wish to compare Nepalese SMEs with those in other developing countries. Second, what the type of paper (or genre) are you writing? If, for example, you are writing a review of the academic literature on internet auction markets, your introduction might be quite short, since you will include the information from your review in the middle of your paper. Similarly, if you are examining a competition case from, say, the European Commission or the US Department of Justice, then you may not need much background information, for you can refer almost straightaway to the case. On the other hand, in a paper in which you argue a point of view (e.g. the abolition of export subsidies), then you may need to present adequate background information before introducing your pur- 14 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring pose. Third, what economics or business discipline are you addressing? The length of introductions may differ between econometrics, labour economics, marketing, strategic management, and so on. It is wise to check by reading relevant previous papers in the target discipline and the target genre, as well as taking the readers’ familiarity into account. Nevertheless, as a useful rule of thumb, it is valuable to think of your introduction as being about one-eighth of the length of the text you are writing. Thus, the introduction to a 1000word paper would be about 125 words; the introduction to a 10,000-word dissertation would contain about 1250 words, and may well appear as a short chapter in its own right. So treat the one-eighth concept as a guideline, not as a straightjacket. Writing the introduction depends heavily on personal preference. Some writers like to know exactly how they will begin before they start to elaborate the text they are aiming to write; other writers prefer to know what they have written first, and then write the introduction to fit it, so that it leads to the purpose statement. Yet, a good rule of thumb is to write a draft introduction that leads to your purpose statement, then write the whole text, right to the conclusion, progressively editing as you go along. Only then do you return to your introduction and adjust or rewrite it so that it does indeed fit your paper neatly and satisfyingly. 3. 1. 1. The background information The introduction prepares the readers for what follows. Thus, the introduction has an orientation function. Thus, it should therefore present enough background information so that the readers will recognize that the middle of your paper follows logically and coherently from the introduction – you need to pay attention to what the reader can be expected to know already and what will be new. Your introduction is more effective when it progresses from the known to the unknown (Figure 5). 15 Guide to Academic Writing Skills. Structuring Prediction markets and their applicability for organizational decision making 1. Introduction Whether firms are successful or not depends to a great extent on their decisions about new products. Therefore, top management has large Background information (known less known) incentives to have as accurate information as possible on future demand and success of new products. Usual methods of gathering this information include customer surveys and expert opinions. Often, however, these approaches are very inaccurate and misleading. In order to avoid problems linked to the two methods mentioned above, firms came to think about whether or not to make use of prediction markets as information gathering tools (Ho & Chen, 2007). New information (topic) Prediction markets, also known as information markets or future events (Wolfers & Zitzewitz, 2004), are markets in which price is used as an indicator of the probability that a certain event will occur in the future (Manski, 2006). Market participants buy and sell contracts of the particular event they think will be likely to take place and they receive money when they betted correctly (Wolfers & Zitzewitz, 2004). This Purpose of paper paper investigates the question whether or not firms should engage in prediction markets to make informed decisions. Outline Firstly, it explains some general aspects of prediction markets. Secondly, it describes examples of this forecasting tool, focusing for illustration on the Iowa Electronic Market and finally it compares benefits and disadvantages of implementing prediction markets in businesses. Figure 5. Example of an introduction from a first-year business paper. 16 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring 3. 1. 2. The purpose statement The purpose statement is a vital component in academic papers. It marks the high point of the introduction. This statement is a clear expression of the purpose that your paper is expected to assert, explain, support, or defend (Fulwiler & Hayakawa, 2000). It summarizes the main idea of a paper and makes that idea explicit to the readers. The statement answers the questions the critical reader has: â€Å" what? Why does this paper exist? What’ it all about? † So s In the literature on academic writing, you will meet the term ‘ thesis statement’ This term cov.ers the statement that the writer is going to argue in his or her paper. Strictly speaking, it is relevant to argumentative papers where you are advancing a claim (the thesis), and then in the paper you present the arguments (evidence) that demonstrates whether the claim holds. An example of an argumentative paper is a position paper in which you set out a particular theoretical position (opinion) based on arguments (evidence). Many papers that you write will not be essentially argumentative papers. You may often simply be explaining a phenomenon or showing and analysing data. Sometimes, you may simply be answering an exploratory question. However, all papers do require a statement or question that neatly summarizes what you are going to do in your paper (see Table 1). Table 1. Types of papers and associated purpose statements*. Type of paper Argumentative paper Purpose as: expressed Explanation You argue a proposition (claim). You present the arguments (evidence) for and against the claim, and decide whether the claim is supported or not. You start with a question about a phenomenon, and devise one or more hypotheses that you will test in your research. Your experimental paper reports the results. Example Government action to restrict the bonuses paid to investment bankers is unwise because it is harmful to the economy as a whole. Are poor people more generous than rich people? Poor people will give a larger percentage of a monetary gift to poor people than rich people will. Thesis statement Experimental per pa- Research question; hypothesis 17 Guide to Academic Writing Skills Structuring Exploratory analysis data Research question You conduct a survey or a series of interviews, for example, but do not have an explicit hypothesis before you start. You have a research question, but do not know in advance what the answers may be. How much do students know about financing small and medium-sized businesses? Or: This paper explores the knowledge students have about the financing of †¦ This paper reviews recent experimental research into the principal-agent relationship. This paper examines whether the economic grounds for approving the merger were sound. OR: Were the economic grounds for approving the merger sound? The European Commission was justified in fining the lift manufacturers as their cartel had distorted competition and reduced consumer welfare.