Implemente an creative idea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Implemente an creative idea - Essay Example To me that was a total waste of time. After watching the activity in the document room I noticed that those currently used documents and incomplete files are returned as all the other files. However, since these incomplete files are needed on a daily basis in order to save time, it is better to put them at a special location instead of placing them with the others. While I watched and analyzed this method of arranging files I remember a scientific method of arrangement for warehouses which I learned in a supply chain management course. Arrange the location of goods according to the frequency. This method saved lots of time walking and searching files in the document room. Based on my observation and analysis of the situation I suggested to the document room manager to place incomplete files and frequently used files in a position near the door, so that time spent walking locating files could be saved. The result of this new method was quite hard to judge. No one was actually timing and calculating it. According to my co-workers the new method seemed more convenient. To me saying that it was more convenient was a simplification of the issue. The idea that I implemented required the application of the scientific method. We could treat more issues and solve more problems using the user friendly scientific methodology. This is my opinion behind this little creative

News Article on Helicopter Deaths in Afghanistan War Essay

News Article on Helicopter Deaths in Afghanistan War - Essay Example The exact number of US soldiers who died is not known, as the US military has not confirmed it, but the news sources reported the number at either thirty or thirty-one. There is some confusion as to exactly how the helicopter really crashed. The helicopter was involved somehow in an attack on a Taliban compound in Wardak Province of the country, but it is not clear how active a role this played in its crashing. According to the New York Times, the helicopter was â€Å"shot down †¦ after a night raid† (Rivera, Rubin, & Shanker). The BBC also says that the helicopter was returning from an attack of some sort, but does not specify the cause, simply stating that it â€Å"went down† and noting that NATO was still investigating the reasons (BBC). Al Jazeera reports a source as saying that â€Å"the helicopter was apparently taking off from a roof of a building during this operation when it then crashed,† although they note that the Taliban was quick to claim they had shot it (Al Jazeera). The three news articles cover this event very differently, both in terms of what related material they discuss and in terms of the language they use to talk about the event. Of the three, the BBC article seemed to be the most neutral both in tone and in its coverage. The headline of this article was â€Å"US special forces Afghan helicopter 'downed' by Taliban† (BBC). ... So, for example, instead of just saying the helicopter was shot down by Taliban, it notes that â€Å"Reports say the Chinook helicopter was shot down by the Taliban† (BBC). By always making a note of its sources and that some statements may not necessarily be correct, the article sounds neutral and does not really take sides or try to make you assume something about the events it reports on. What is also interesting about the BBC article is the range of people it talks to for its information. It does not just get all of its information from American sources, or all of its information from ones in Afghanistan. Instead, there is a more or less even mix of the two, with quotes not only from US Officials and Afghan government officials, but even from the Taliban and just ordinary residents of the area. The version of events that comes out of all this is one in which nobody is really sure exactly what happened yet, and it is implied that we should take what everybody is saying with a grain of salt. The language in the article is also very passive, such as â€Å"An increase in US troop numbers last year has had some success combating the Taliban in the south of Afghanistan, but attacks in the north, which was previously relatively quiet, have picked up in recent months,† (BBC) which leaves off who increased the troops or attacked and does not take sides. In contrast to this, the New York Times article comes down very strongly on the side of the Americans. This is not surprising as it is an American paper. Unlike the BBC article, which starts of by simply stating what has supposedly happened, this article begings with the phrase, â€Å"In the deadliest day for American forces

Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Essay Example for Free

Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Essay Personal interest: My first awareness of racial identity and diversity occurred when I was in Year 3. Having being raised acknowledging acceptance of people of racial or cultural difference my thoughts of children of colour were positive and impartial. However, one day a boy in my class of Sri Lankan descent got into trouble with another student, but only the Sri Lankan boy was asked to go to the principal’s office. During our lunch break he came over to a group of us and told us that he thought he was the one that got into trouble ‘because he was ‘black’’. I remember thinking to myself, ‘why would he get into trouble just because he was black? ’ It was in fact that both boys went to the principal’s office, just on separate occasions. This was my first memory of someone thinking that they were being singled out or getting into trouble due to belief of skin colour dissimilarity and racial stereotypes. I’ve been aware of racial diversity ever since. Now that I have an opportunity to be a part of children’s learning and development I want to learn more about diversity and make a difference in children’s perspectives of themselves and others. Discussion: As educators in early childhood, it is crucial that we acknowledge and respect that children’s personal, family and cultural histories shape their learning and development. The increase in racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in educational centres is reflected in many early childhood classrooms. Although the diverse composition of early childhood classrooms may bring challenges, it also introduces many opportunities for educators, parents, and children as we need to value and appreciate difference and variety as a positive attribute in all educational and social environments (Ashman and Elkins 2008). As adults, being ‘different’ is a decision to make a personal statement; such as deciding to change a hairstyle, get a tattoo or by wearing alternative clothing. It is one thing to be different by choice, and another for a child to discern themselves as being different based on their physical features, cultural of religious differences. One of the most stimulating aspects of early education is observing and supporting young children as they develop their individual identities. This development takes place within different social contexts where issues relating to human diversity and difference impact significantly on children’s understandings and ways of being in the world. Arguably, our education begins when we are first able to detect causes and consequences, and continue to form the basis of our identity, behaviours and knowledge of the world around us. Glover (1991) in the early 1990s found that as 2-3 year old children became aware of difference they simultaneously develop positive and negative feelings about the differences they observe. For example, racial awareness impacts on their perceptions of skin colour and on their preferences in the social relationships they initiate and foster with other children. An Australian study conducted by Palmer (1990) exemplifies how preschool children were able to make negative judgements based on racial characteristics of young Aboriginal children. Children were reportedly saying ‘You’re the colour of poo†¦ Did your mum drop you in the poo? ’ This observation suggests that children as young as 2 years old are becoming aware of diversity and differences of others, and these judgements children are making are often affecting their ability to make sound judgements of others as their perceptions of reality are distorted. Although Palmers study was conducted in 1990, there has been a significant increase in racial awareness since the 1980s of the importance of early childhood education policies, practices and curriculum aiming to positively reflect the diverse cultural identities of children and their families. Today, the embracing of children’s lives is a central focus of the different philosophies which foster early childhood education in Western society, such as the ‘anti-bias curriculum’ which emerged from the United States (Derman-Sparks and the A. B. C. Task Force, stated in Robinson 2006 p 2) and also in the perspectives of Reggio Emilia. In Australia there has been a broadening of cultural influences which has been referred to by Ashman (2008) as ‘the cultural mosaic’, which refers to those who have migrated maintain their homeland traditions while embracing the new norms, values and practices within the country. Furthermore data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008) show that around 25% of Australians were born in other countries, nearly half the population has direct links with relatives born overseas, and over 2. 5 million people speak a language other than English at home, which should clearly illustrate to educators that learning developmental experiences need to be appropriate for multicultural children to be involved in. As stated by Robinson (2006), the early childhood years are fundamental years in the growth and development of a child’s cognition, language, social, emotional and physical competence. Early childhood educators are in an ideal position to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families. My emerging philosophy would be to teach children to be critical thinkers specifically about prejudice and discrimination to encourage children to develop the skills to identify when something they have said or done is unfair of hurtful to another. Also to model the behaviours and attitudes I would want children to develop, particularly in situations that can either promote prejudice or inhibit a child’s openness to diversity. Furthermore, I would aim to expose children to role models from their own culture as well as to those from other cultures to encourage appreciation of their own cultural identity, as well as different cultures. As professionals who work with families, our willingness to talk openly about identity and to help foster a positive sense of self in children can make an enormous difference in affirming the rich diversity within our community and help children form bridges across cultures and traditions. The more that children have a solid grounding and understanding about who they are and where they came from, the more they learn to value differences of cultures different from their own, and the closer we get to building a world of respect of multicultural differences. Ashman, A F, Elkins J 2008, ‘Education for Inclusion and Diversity’, 3rd edn, Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest, NSW. Davis, B M 2009, ‘The Biracial and Multicultural Student Experience: a journey to racial literacy’, Corwin, Sage Ltd, USA. Glover, A 1991, ‘Young children and race: a report of a study of two and three year olds’, Australian Catholic University, Sydney. Pulido-Tobiassen, D, Gonzalez-Mena, J 2005, ‘Learning to Appreciate Differences’, Early Childhood Today, vol. 20, issue 3, viewed 2 April 2011, retrieved from Victoria University Database. Robinson, K 2006, ‘Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education’, Bell and Bain Ltd, Glasgow, viewed 1 April 2011, retrieved from Ebrary database.

The impact of globalization in China

The impact of globalization in China Globalization is a widely used term which can be describe or defined in various ways but if we are to describe it in economic terms there are lot of definitions which all bothers down to the same point which is the removal of barriers withing boarders in order for free movement of goods and services How to view Globalization Globalization is the objective trend of economic development in the world today, featured by free flow and optimized allocation of capital, technology, information and service in the global context. It is the inevitable result of the development of productive forces and advances of science and technology, especially the revolution of information technology since the 1980s and 1990s. As a result, economic interdependence and interaction between countries are becoming ever stronger. In this massive tide of economic globalisation, no country can develop and prosper in isolation. China has learnt from her long history that isolation leads to backwardness. Development,progress and prosperity could only be achieved through opening to and integrating with the outside world, through stepping up exchanges and cooperation with other countries and through absorbing all fine results of human civilization. Therefore, we should embrace and seize the opportunities presented by globalization and adopt reforms to keep up with the steps of the changing world. Challenges brought by Globalization Due to the lack of a just and equitable international economic order, the influence of globalization on countries at different stages of development is entirely different. The dividends derived from globalization are not fairly distributed. The developed countries have apparent advantages in capital, technology, human resources and administrative expertise and in setting the rules of the game. They are usually the most active propellers and the biggest beneficiaries of globalization. The developing countries on the other hand are on the whole in an unfavorably position. Developing countries can obtain some foreign investment, advanced technologies and management expertise, but at the same time they are the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of globalization and lack the ability to effectively fend off and reduce the risks and pitfalls that come along with globalization. In the 1990s, especially in recent years, the gap between the North and the South has further widened. The eco nomic sovereignty and economic security of the developing countries are confronted with enormous pressure and stern challenges. Some least-developed countries are even on the brink of being marginalized by globalization. Therefore, in participation of globalization, developing countries should always be on alert and try by all means to exploit the advantages and avoid all kinds of risk and harm. Chinas Experience For China, globalization is often seen as a double-edged sword that brings both opportunities and challenges, advantages and disadvantages. How to turn disadvantages into advantages in the tidal wave of globalization depends on formulating the correct policies and strategies. If the policies are correct, challenges can be turned into opportunities. China has learnt many lessons and accumulated rich experiences in dealing with globalisation from its practice of reform and opening-up. In my personal opinion, they can be summarized as follows: 1. To find a road of development that suits the national conditions. In the past 20-odd years, China has maintained an annual growth rate of over 9.3% on average. China is now the 6th largest economy and the 5th largest trading nation in the world. More than 200 million people have been lifted out of poverty. The average life expectancy reached 71.8 years in 2002, close to that of a medium-level developed country. The above accomplishments were achieved against the backdrop of a volatile international situation. The reason why China can achieve so much in such a short span of time and in a constantly changing international environment is because China has found its own road of development, suitable to its national conditions, namely building socialism with Chinese characteristics. In one word, building socialism with Chinese characteristics is to base what we do on the realities of China. While sticking to the basic system of socialism, reforms should be carried out to solve the prob lems of incompatibility between the productive forces and the relations of production, and between economic base and the superstructure, so as to achieve self-perfection of socialism. Every country is different from the other. While it is important to learn from other countries in the world, no country should simply copy other countries model. 2. To adopt opening-up policy. Chinas opening to the outside world is comprehensive. It opens not only to developed countries, but also to developing countries, not only in economic field, but also in all areas of social development. At the same time, it is not a blind opening, but a self-conscious one, not a disorganized opening but a systematic one. Chinas opening proceeds and deepens in a gradual and step by step fashion. It started from the 4 special economic zones, to coastal cities, then to capital cities of inland provinces and now it has reached an unprecedented stage of all-round opening demonstrated by Chinas accession to the World Trade Organization. During its opening-up, China paid special attention to give full play to its comparative advantages to actively conduct international cooperation and competition. For instance, China has fully exploited its advantages of low cost of labour to attract foreign investment and technology to push economic development and better eff iciency and quality of economic growth. These measures have brought the Chinese economy increasingly integrated with the world economy. 3. To promote regional cooperation for better risk-resistance ability. Due to weakness in economic strength, its difficult for developing countries to resist the risk brought about by globalization on their own. Therefore, they should, through strengthening regional economic cooperation, rely on group strength to stand risks. Today, regional and sub-regional cooperation is becoming increasingly active. They complement and correlate with the trend of globalization. China has signed the Framework Agreement with ASEAN on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation with the aim of establishing China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone in 2010. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is also forging closer economic links alongside with cooperation in security issues. Strengthening cross-Taiwan straits economic links conforms to the pattern of economic development, serves the overall interests of the Chinese nation and complies with the trend of globalization. To set obstacle to this trend is unwise and is bound to fail. More than 3 million people travelled across the Taiwan Straits, with the two-way trade reaching 44.6 billion US dollars in 2002, an increase of 38% over the previous year. More than 60,000 Taiwan enterprises have invested in the mainland. By the end of 2002, the accumulated cross-straits trade was 267.9 billion US dollars, among which Taiwan enjoys a trade surplus of 182.6 billion US dollars. Now Taiwan is mainlands 4th largest trading partner. The mainland is Taiwans largest export destination and the biggest source of trade surplus. With regard to Hong Kong, more than 50% of foreign investment China has attracted so far comes through Hong Kong. The above figures have clearly attested to a growing economic interdependence between the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We strongly hope that the Taiwan authorities can have a clear understanding of the situation and does not move against the tide of history. 4. To be vigilant against various risks, especially financial risks. The Asian financial crisis in 1997 has clearly been a microcosm of the challenges and dangers involved in economic globalization. When the crisis swept Asian countries, China adopted a responsible approach. China not only persisted not to devalue its own currency, but also contributed more than US$ 4 billion through bilateral and multi-lateral channels to help the affected countries. This has helped to stabilize the financial situation in Asia as well as the world. Many lessons could be drawn from this crisis. Developing countries have to pay special attention to the restructuring and strengthening of their financial system. Developing countries should keep the destiny of their economy in their own hands and should not lose the grip to others. 5. To push for the establishment of a new international economic order which is just and rational. A globalized economy calls for globalized regulation and cooperation. All countries, big or small, poor or rich, strong or weak, should have the right of equal participation in international economic affairs, and the formulation and revision of rule of the game should not be determined by only a small number of countries or groups of countries. To establish a fair and rational international economic order is the only way to ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared more widely and equitably. The new order should uphold the principle of equality and mutual benefit and common development. It should be conducive to narrow the gap between the North and South so as to make it possible for the trend of economic globalization to evolve in the direction favorable to the common prosperity of mankind. The United Nations Report on Human Development shows that the trend of globalization has made the poor poorer and the rich richer. If such a situation were to continue, not only the economic development of the developing countries would be in jeopardy, the economies of the developed countries would also face difficulties in achieving a steady and sustainable growth. In the process of globalization, the developed countries should assume more responsibilities in such fields as restraining the speculative factors in international capital flow, alleviating the debt burden of poor countries, opening the markets and furthering technology transfer to help the economic development of developing countries. In return, they will enjoy more markets and investment opportunities to ensure long-term prosperity. It is indeed a win-win situation which is best testified by the case of China. Chinas Contribution to World Economy Chinas participation in Globalization is by no means a one-way street. When the world economic growth remains weak, Chinas economy is one of the few bright spots. As World Bank Report on Global Development Finance 2003 published in early April pointed out that Chinas fast growth helped to drive the recovery in East Asia. Together with policy stimulus in other countries, Chinas performance lifted the region to growth of 6.7 % in 2002, up from 5.5% in 2001. Average regional growth of more than 6% is expected for the next two years, with China increasingly becoming the engine of the regional economy. China has also provided the world with the largest rising market. When more than 1.25 billion people become well-off, the demand on everything will be enormous. Just to give you an example, in the coming 10 years alone, China will import US$ 2 trillion of goods from the outside world. A recent article in the Economist highlighted the benefits brought by Chinas growth: Millions of consumers in other countries are gaining from the low prices and high quality of Chinese goods. A billion Chinese are escaping the dire poverty of the past. Business across the globe will profit from supplying a vast new market. These are wonders to be celebrated, not threats to be agonized over. . China (SMEs) And The Internationalization Process of Chinese Enterpreneurs Chinese privately owned, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly internationalizing, yet little research has been reported about how these entrepreneurs manage decisions during internationalization. This study investigates how social networks (guanxi) are used when making strategic, competitive, and marketing decisions. Interviews in China with a small sample of SME entrepreneurs revealed that cultural and ethnic factors play a surprisingly important role in their successful internationalization. In the article, we discuss managerial implications for successful internationalization of Chinese entrepreneurs, we question the completeness of current theories on the internationalization process, and we propose specific directions for future research.  © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Little scholarly research has been conducted on how Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake internationalization. This is surprising when one considers the very significant contributions made by SMEs to national economic growth in China in recent years. For example, 2.2 million fully private enterprises were operating in China in 2002, accounting for U.S. $200 billion in investment and employing 29.3 million people (Peoples Daily, 2002). By 2004, the nonpublic sector accounted for 53 percent of total employment, up from only 17 percent in 1995 (Demurger, Fournier, Shi, Zhong, 2007). In 2005, approximately 50 percent of Chinas GDP was the result of activity in the private sector (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2006), and this was forecast by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to rise to more than 75 percent in the next five years (Peoples Daily, 2006). Similarly, RTTNews (2006) has predicted that 70 percent of all Chinese enterprises will eventually belong to the private sector, creating eight out of ten new nonagricultural jobs. By 2007, registered capital in the Chinese private sector was valued at 10.1 trillion yuan (approximately U.S. $1.42 trillion), growing at an annual rate of 22.7 percent (Xinhua News Agency, 2008). Indicators such as these demonstrate that Chinese entrepreneurs play a key role in the national economy, and many aim to become a force in the global marketplace through internationalization (I. H. Chow, 2000; Humphreys, 2007). The goal of this study is to understand how Chinese entrepreneurs in SMEs are using their social networks to internationalize their operations. (Hereafter, we refer to social networks interchangeably as guanxi, following Zhou, Wu, Luo, 2007.) A basic premise is the recognition that factors in any sociocultural and business environment will directly affect the behavior, performance, and success of local entrepreneurs (Kim, Hurh, Fernandez, 1989). This is particularly true in China, where social networking through guanxi has been found to determine success not only in business activities, but also in industrialization and modernization (Hutchings Weir, 2006). Three researc h questions guide this study: What motivates Chinese entrepreneurs to undertake internationalization? What paths do Chinese entrepreneurs take toward internationalization? what role do culture and social networks (guanxi) play in Chinese SMEentrepreneurs path of internationalization? 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) Global Business and Organizational Excellence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ DOI: 10.1002/joe.20299 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ November/December 2009 61 The first two questions relate to microlevel issues and decisions involving entrepreneurs themselves, whereas the third question links these decisions conceptually to elements in the broader social context of the Chinesemarket.We expect to find that guanxi plays a significant, if not critical, role in any internationalization efforts by Chinese entrepreneurs. We first present a brief economic profile of the Chinese market in order to characterize local conditions in which Chinese SME entrepreneurs undertake nternationalization. Next, we review relevant contributions to the literature in order to establish a theoretical basis for developing an interview protocol for use in personal interviews with entrepreneurs in China. Our research method is described in detail before results are presented and compared to previous findings reported in the literature. This closedloop approach is a key feature of the study because it ensures that our results do not remain merely anecdotal but are fully integrated into the existing body of knowledge. Then we explore managerial implications, acknowledge limitations of the study, and outline specific avenues for further research. This is a pioneering analysis of cultural factors affecting internationalization of Chinese entrepreneurs. Findings from this exploratory research will lead us to conclude that current theories of internationalization do not adequately reflect the actual experience of Chinese entrepreneurs who use guanxi f or internationalization. This is a key contribution of the article and is supported by an urgent call for scholars to re-examine established theories in light of the new realities of internationalization, as the process is being experienced in China. The Chinese Economy and Chinese Entrepreneurs in SMEs By the late 1970s, Lester (1978) had already recognized that the entrepreneurial orientation of Chinese people would become a source of real strength for the national economy. Wei, Varela, and Hassan (2002) reinforced this early prediction, suggesting that Chinese privatization would bring about the largest transformation of industrial ownership in modern history. Their results confirmed that newly privatized Chinese firms achieve higher profitability, greater levels of employment, and better sales efficiency than state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Although SOEs still vastly outnumber private firms, their performance has been hampered by a complex burden of massive debts, inefficient or ganization and operation, and lost profits. Since the early 1980s, Chinas private sector has grown at an annual rate of 20 percent, which is a much faster rate than the 9.5 percent rate of growth for the national economy over the last 20 years (Peoples Daily, 2002). All these successes led Child and Tse (2001, p. 5) to characterize China as the largest, the fastest growing, and the most heavily engaged in international business and investment among transitional economies. Although SOEs still vastly outnumber private firms, their performance has been hampered by a complex burden of massive debts, inefficient organization and operation, and lost profits. It is ironic, however, that, prior to 1999, the Chinese government had barred entrepreneurs from operating directly in foreign trade, only authorizing them to conduct international business through intermediary SOEs. Financing options were also tightly restricted, which seriously hindered the growth of SMEs. Fortunately, after January 1, 1999, private firms were allowed to seek import and export licenses from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China (2002). After China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, private firms were permitted to trade freely and directly with foreign companies, if they satisfied certain conditions (such as registration, size, and financial competency). Economic liberalization released much pent-up energy among entrepreneurs in SMEs, 62 November/December 2009 DOI: 10.1002/joe Global Business and Organizational Excellence including a desire to internationalize, as this study will demonstrate The Internationalization Process Internationalization of the firm is customarily regarded as a process of successive stages of outward expansion by the firm (see Cavusgil, 1980; Johanson Vahlne, 1977; Turnbull, 1981; Wind, Douglas, Perlmutter, 1973). It is also seen as a continuous process of strategic decision making (Melin, 1992), with emphasis on international market selection and choice of mode of entry (Bradley, 1995). This process takes place in a gradual and orderly manner, incorporating learning from domestic market growth, which, in turn, provides experience useful in future xport activities (Cavusgil, 1982). Two integrative theoretical models are widely accepted as explaining critical components of the internationalization process. These are Rogerss (1962) innovation-related model (designated as the I-model) and the Uppsala Schools model (the U-model). Both the U-model and the I-model are behaviorally oriented, insofar as managers are assumed to take decisions and actions sequentially as they gain new in formation and assimilate new experience. Each theory is related to the present study in the next two sections. The I-Model and Chinese SMEs Internationalization Process. Rogerss (1962) I-model framed the decision to go international as an innovation for the firm, drawing attention to a necessary learning sequence that is involved in adopting any innovation (see Anderson, 1993). Managers typically need large amounts of information, both to compensate for lack of prior knowledge or experience and to educe the high levels of uncertainty routinely associated with large-scale innovation (such as internationalization). Managers typically need large amounts of information, both to compensate for lack of prior knowledge or experience and to reduce the high levels of uncertainty routinely associated with large-scale innovation (such as internationalization). In the case of Chinese entrepreneurs, we expect them to turn instinctively to their social networks (guanxi) as sources of information. We expect them to rely heavily on colleagues, friends, and business contacts for advice about how to handle the risk of internationalization, obtain necessary information, make informed decisions, and plan effectively for further expansion. The U-Model and Chinese SMEs Internationalization Process. The Uppsala Schools U-model, developed by Johanson and iedersheim-Paul (1975), distinguishes four successive phases of market entry: (1) no regular export activities; (2) exporting through independent agents; (3) use of an overseas sales subsidiary; and (4) creation of overseas production manufacturing units. This model posits two constructs: state and change. Market commitment and market knowledge are components of the state construct, while decisions to commit resources and current business performance are components of change. Researchers at the Uppsala School also identified psychic distance (PD), referring to perceived similarities and differences in culture, political systems, educ ation, and industrial progress between the home country of firm managers and the proposed market of entry (Hallen Wiedersheim-Paul, 1984). Global Business and Organizational Excellence DOI: 10.1002/joe November/December 2009 63 PD theory holds that managers are less likely to enter country markets that they perceive to be dissimilar from their home market (Jain, 1989; Johanson Wiedersheim-Paul, 1975). Based on this model, we developed some general expectations about how Chinese entrepreneurs in SMEs approach the decision to internationalize operations, choose which country markets to target first, determine how they feel about these markets (in terms of PD), make decisions about modes of market entry, type and quantity of resources to commit to the new venture, and how to manage future expansion. Factors Affecting Internationalization by Chinese Entrepreneurs Participants in our sample identified a range of unique and inimitable competitive advantages that flow from their human capital and organizational capital resources. These include membership in extensive domestic social and business networks; access to overseas Chinese networks and contacts; access to timely business advice about competitive strategies; and access to market information based on real-life experience. In this respect, factors relating to country of origin convey special advantages to Chinese entrepreneurs when going international. From a competitive point of view, Chinese entrepreneurs need to exploit these unique resources to the fullest extent possible because comparable benefits are not typically available to their competitors from the West. In other words, SMEs that are not owned or managed by ethnic Chinese may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage by not having access to these types of unique resources. Some of the factors for successful internationaliza tion by Chinese entrepreneurs in SMEs identified in this study can therefore be summarized as follows:Chinese entrepreneurs who enter geographically close export markets can use their home base in china as a source of supply.Chinese entrepreneurs who expand into culturally or geographically distant markets can reduce the negative effects of perceived psychic distance or actual geographic distance through the support that they receive from guanxi members at home and abroad. Chinese entrepreneurs who enter culturally close ethnic Chinese markets, even at great geographic distance, can continue to build social networks, accumulating further resources of human and organizational capital.Chinese entrepreneurs who expand into culturally or geographically distant markets can reduce the negative effects of perceived psychic distance or actual geographic distance through the support that they receive from guanxi members at home and abroad. Thus, we recommend that Chinese entrepreneurial SMEs : make full and continuing use of social networks when considering, initiating, and pursuing internationalization activities; make full and continuing use of social networks as sources of general business information, market-specific knowledge and advice, and insights about competitive strategies;continue to expand social networks domestically and internationally through contacts with overseas Chinese in geographically distant markets. Opportunities for Partnering With Chinese Entrepreneurs in SMEs Chinas economy has enjoyed many years of highlevelg rowth, and its domestic market has proven to be a magnet for direct investment by foreign companies. Large Chinese companies and SOEs alike have benefited from working with foreign partners in their home market, thereby accelerating their learning curve for doing business overseas. Yet it is the private sector in China that is expected to be theengine of future economic growth, and SMEs, for their part, will play an increasingly important role as global competitors. Chinas economy has enjoyed many years of highlevel growth, and its domestic market has proven to be a magnet for direct investment by foreign companies. Many Chinese entrepreneurs who own or manage SMEs are increasingly determined to enter overseas markets, as illustrated by members of our sample. Foreign companies looking to enter China must therefore actively consider how they might work with this new type of partner. Joint ventures that manufactu re products in China for export to world markets will offer some valuable reciprocal benefits: accelerated learning for the Chinese entrepreneur, balanced by the possibility of eventual assimilation of the foreign partner into a Chinese social network. Good guanxi with Chinese partners will doubtless yield tremendous long-term strategic and competitive benefits for foreign partners. Not only will they gain access to domestic market segments in China, but they will also be able to build competitive advantage, as insiders in social networks. Contributions and Future Research Contributions This study provides interesting and even surprising qualitative insights into the actual experience of Chinese entrepreneurs who are managing international decisions. Throughout the article, we have discussed our results by reference to results from earlier research and existing theoretical constructs. Our findings have generally supported previous results, confirming the value of dominant theories s uch as internationalization; the resource-based view of the firm; resource availability; sources, types, and uses of information; development of global strategy; modes of market entry; and selection of target markets. Less support has been found for application of theories about born global firms and asset-seeking behavior. Based on this study, we conclude that guanxi must be recognized as a sine qua non factor in the process of internationalization of entrepreneurial Chinese SMEs. Guanxi represents a unique and inimitable competitive resource that combines elements of human and organizational capital. This being the case, it appears unavoidable that any generalized theory of the internationalization process must recognize and include a social network construct. Yet this is not the case at the moment, insofar as the I-Model and U-Model theories are concerned. As a consequence, we consider that the main contribution of this exploratory and pioneering study is to call into question th e completeness of current theories of internationalization. Our evidence, albeit modest, suggests that none of these theories yet adequately identifies and includes all factors affecting the internationalization process for firms beyond those of Western Europe and North America. This shortcoming is particularly evident in the case of the internationalization of small and medium-sized Chinese entrepreneurial firms. Our concern about shortcomings of current internationalization theory has received recent support from Elango and Pattnaik (2007). Their study of Indian firms membership in business groups concludes that . . . certain assumptions and notions of the Uppsala model (i.e., deterministic sequential stages, commitment, state/change variables) need to be extended to incorporate the confluences of Global Business and Organizational Excellence DOI: 10.1002/joe November/December 2009 73 these linkages within a firms network (Elango Pattnaik, 2007, p. 551). In addition, these author s propose a theoretical link between network membership and an improved ability to reduce the liabilities of foreignness (mentioned earlier) through shared learning by members of the network. For our part, we would argue that other important theories mentioned in this article, such as membership in large business groups, social embeddedness, and absorptive capacity, also need to be properly integrated into any general theory of internationalization. The need for further work is all the more urgent as we see new firms (such as Chinese SMEs) entering international markets from their home base in emerging economies. The unique competitive advantages associated with guanxi make it possible, despite limited company resources, for Chinese SMEs to select, enter, and compete in geographically distant markets (such as Canada and South Africa) in a way that current theory would not predict. Furthermore, our findings call attention to the shortcomings of psychic distance theory. The unique com petitive advantages associated with guanxi make it possible, despite limited company resources, for Chinese SMEs to select, enter, and compete in geographically distant markets (such as Canada and South Africa) in a way that current theory would not predict. Moreover, PD theory does not adequately encompass the workings of guanxi, either as a compensatory factor for lack of market knowledge and prior experience or as a means of reducing uncertainty in decision making. Elango and Pattnaik (2007) concur with our conclusion, stating that further research is needed into how members of networks and business groups choose their overseas customers and markets, and how they build global market portfolios. A theoretical missing link here appears to be the unseen workings of guanxi and business networks. Finally, we would argue that learning theory needs to be revisited in the context of the internationalization of the firm. Social networks must be properly recognized as primary sources of in formation, rapid learning, and vicarious knowledge. Once again, we are supported by Elango and Pattnaik (2007, p. 552), who recommend that future researchers may want to look into how firms within and network transfer learning (i.e., internationalization knowledge: Eriksson et al., 1997) to other members. . . [because] it is still not evident what formal or informal mechanisms are used for transfer of learning (emphases added). Blueprint for Future Development The first 10 to 20 years of this century

14th Amendment -EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW Essay -- essays researc

EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW In school especially, as well as throughout our daily lives, we learn in America to live by the idea of freedom and equality for all. We do not allow race, class, or creed to determine a person’s stature in the community. It may seem as if this is the standard of society, but these ideas of equality have been fought over since the beginning of written history, and even in America today, prejudice still exists. To address these and similar problems, the founding fathers of this nation created a Constitution which included laws that dealt with individual freedoms. However great the founding fathers envisioned the United States Constitution, it did not form a perfect union and justice for all. America would have to amend, or add to, the Constitution in order to serve its constituents better. The most powerful constitutional act towards equality would come with the fourteenth amendment. This amendment permanently changed constitutional law by empowering the Federal government†™s jurisdiction to include local and state governments which would be required to abide by new standards of civil rights and privileges. In 1791, the states ratified ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These became known as the Bill of Rights, a cornerstone in providing individual liberty. The United States Senate dropped one of the original proposals stating, â€Å"No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience or the freedom of press or trial by jury in crimi...

Breakfast of Champions Essay -- essays research papers

Breakfast of Champions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Have you ever read a book and enjoyed it, but once you were finished you wondered what it was really about? You wondered if the book had a deep meaning that you had to sit and think about or if the book was just for entertainment purposes only and had no meaning whatsoever. For me, Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was this type of book.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Breakfast of Champions is a story about two men who are going to eventually meet each other at a festival for the arts. The story tells about their journey in detail and explains how each man perceives and reacts to society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dwayne Hoover, a Pontiac salesman, is on the brink of insanity. Dwayne is a very â€Å"well-to-do† man and owns many businesses in Midland City where he resides. In the blink of an eye Dwayne’s life changes forever. One day Dwayne’s wife drinks Drano and is killed. After this incident Dwayne’s body starts producing â€Å"bad chemicals† which causes him to become insane.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The other main character of this book is a man by the name of Kilgore Trout. Kilgore is an interesting character. â€Å"Trout,† as he is referred to in the book, is a lonely person who thinks everyone in the world is against him. Trout lives by himself and sells screening and siding for houses. Trout’s best and only friend is his bird named Billy. Trout is a struggling writer whose work is mainly published in pornog...

Comical Interlude in a Midsummer Night??â„¢s Dream

A comical interlude is a part in a play where there is a break from the main plotting and is a chance for the audience and actors to relax. Some may argue that the final scene in ‘A Midsummer Night's dream' is only a comical interlude and nothing more as it does not relate to the main story directly. However, I would argue against this and say that the last scene is written by Shakespeare as a clever way of showing the audience what might have happened to the lovers. Also, a common convention of comedies is mockery, so the craftsman's play could be interpreted as a way of mocking the foolish behavior of the four lovers.Another classic convention of comedy is forbidden love. In both ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' and ‘Paramus and Thesis' there is a couple who are forbidden to marry. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, it's Segues forbidding Alexander and his daughter Hernia to marry, ‘Scornful Alexander†¦ And all my right of her I do estate unto Demerits'. This sho ws that Segues treats Alexander with contempt and considers him unworthy to marry his daughter. The word ‘estate' shows that Segues treats Hernia as his property and not as a human. This reflects what life was like in the Elizabethan era as women were expected to obey their fathers and men in general.In ‘Paramus and Thesis', we do not get told that the lovers are forbidden to marry, however Snout says, ‘Paramus and Thesis, Did whisper often, very secretly. ‘ So, we presume that these lovers are not meant to be together- that's why they're meeting in private. One explanation to why Shakespeare connected these two is because at the beginning, the forbidden love is very serious as people may die however at the end in ‘Paramus and Thesis', it is very humorous. It also means that the characters watching ‘Paramus and Thesis' can look jack and laugh at themselves, so Shakespeare is mocking a key flaw in humanity, our hypocritical nature.In both plays, th e couples decide to run off together. Hernia and Alexander go to the forest, ‘Steal forth†¦ And in the wood, a league without the town'. The word ‘steal' automatically shows you that what they are doing is criminal and very serious. On the other hand, Paramus and Thesis decide to go to Minus' Tomb', Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me straightway. Compared to the serious language used by Alexander, Bottom mispronouncing ‘Minus' tomb' for ‘Ninny's tomb' is humorous as it wows how uneducated him and the rest of the carpenters are.You could also say that it shows how arrogant Bottom is, as clearly he was not listening when Quince corrects Flute of the same mistake, ‘Minus' tomb, man'. The more likely explanation is that Shakespeare is showing Bottom to be the arrogant fool he is, as Quince managed to understand it. There is a huge difference in where the couples plan to meet, the forest is a very magical place where as Paramus and Thesis are meeting at a tomb which is a very sad, depressing place.With forests you associate getting lost and infusion which is another classic convention of comedies where as you associate death with tombs and death is a common convention of tragedies. However you could interpret the forest to be like a tomb for the lovers as they fall asleep there and are lucky to be alive thanks to the fairies. The more plausible explanation to why Shakespeare used this comparison between locations is because he wanted to show the strong contrast between a comical forest and a depressing tomb. This is where the stories first start to take different turns and they divide into being a tragedy and a modem.Both plans seem flawless but they are both disturbed in some way or another. In ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon and Puck disrupt Hernia and Lassoer's love together by having Alexander fall in love with Helena, ‘anoint his eyes'. The word ‘anoint' portrays the fairies and very delicate and gentle w hen really the fairies are quite the opposite. In ‘Paramus and Thesis', the Lion disrupts the love, ‘[roaring] 0-! [Lion tears Thistle's mantle]'. This is comical for the audience as the Lion is meant to be a roaring beast and all he says is ‘O', This could be interpreted to how that Snug is very stupid or to show that he is very shy.It is more likely that he is very stupid as this is a lot more comical for the audience. It also contrasts from ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' as the lion (a fearsome animal) is portrayed comically where as the fairies (conventionally happy) portrayed as powerful characters in the play so it shows the tops-truly nature of the play. In both plays, one of the lovers thinks that the other has been slain. Hernia thinks that Demerits has killed Alexander, ‘Out, dog†¦ Hast thou slain him, then? She thinks this as she is so madly in love' with Alexander and is full of hatred for Demerits.Shakespeare is trying to young love and s how how easily it can affect someone. On the other hand Paramus thinks that Thesis has been eaten by the Lion, ‘O dainty duck! O dear†¦ Lion vile hath here deflowered my dear'. The term ‘deflowered' is humorous for the audience as Bottom is trying to say that Thesis is dead but it can be seen to mean that she's lost her virginity to the lion which is extremely comical along with ‘dainty duck also being a sexual reference adding to the comedic value.Both characters use an animal adaptor to portray their emotions, Shakespeare has had Hernia call Demerits a dog to show that she is angry and show that this part of the play is very serious. Bottom/ Paramus says ‘Dainty Duck as he is meant to be upset- but as it's a humorous production and a duck is a tame animal it is funny because Bottom has most likely made another mistake adding to his egotistical character, it is also a oxymoron as ducks are far from dainty. Not to mention, Shakespeare has used alliterati on. There is a connection between both plays throughout and that is still the case in the IANAL part.Alexander and Hernia get married and live happily ever after, where as both Paramus and Thesis kill themselves. ‘Now die, die, die, die'. This line performed by Bottom as Paramus in the play is an extremely comical moment. Bottom is a self- assured and over confident character who tries to make every part of his role eccentric and exaggerated. So he repeats this line to make it more dramatic but it becomes a comical moment because Shakespeare has created Bottoms character for the audience to laugh at. Another interpretation to why Shakespeare has added in his part is because there is no death in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream'.This makes sense as the play is a comedy and one of the key conventions of a comedy is that nobody dies and there is at least one marriage at the end. Perhaps Shakespeare included this death of Paramus because the audiences of the time loved seeing peop le die. So I think the reason Shakespeare killed Paramus off in this humorous way to keep his audience interested and laughing at the same time. The repetition of the word ‘Die' creates humor as it emphasizes it to the audience and shows how stuck up Bottom is trying to milk every line he has.Another explanation to why Shakespeare has written it like this is because he wants us to remember Bottom's humorous death. This particular explanation argues that the craftsman's play does have relevance to the main story as Shakespeare wants you to remember Paramus dying as much as the wedding. So Shakespeare has put in Bottoms death to show you that Alexander and Hernia were lucky to escape death. On the other hand, you could say that Shakespeare wanted to continue the parallel structure right through to the end so in a way he could be suggesting that marriage is like dying.When they awake into the real world once again, Demerits says, ‘Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream'. With it being a comedy the plausible interpretation is that Shakespeare put in the craftsman's play to simply demonstrate what could have happened, not what actually happened. ‘Are you sure that we are awake? Is a rhetorical question often delivered to the audience as to get them to start questioning themselves as to whether or not they have been truly awake the whole time.So, the green world was all real in the play so the characters ND audience could see the deeper meaning of how humanity has many flaws which are humorous. To conclude, although I understand that the final act is a comical interlude and that's how most audiences now and then view it, I believe that Shakespeare wrote it in to have a greater meaning than that as it links in to the main plotting so perfectly. The major plot points of ‘Paramus and Thesis' are not the exact same to ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' but mirrored with tragic conventions instead of comedic to s ymbolism what could of have happened to the lovers.