Evaluating international business communications situations Essay - 11

Evaluating international business communications situations - Essay Example Globalization has been known to provoke massive reactions in regards to its effects, both positive and negative, though the new opportunities it creates to people cannot be overemphasized. The creation of multinational companies all over the world is one such major opportunity that globalization creates, and this tends to encourage the interconnection of people from very diverse cultural and social backgrounds that would otherwise never have come together. As a result, globalization has produced workforce with the diverse cultural backgrounds at the same workplace and/or business encounters who have to work at an international level. These cultures are represented by individuals who come together at the workplace and have to learn how to communicate and tolerate one another with their diverse backgrounds. Intercultural communication occurs whenever a message is produced by a member of one culture for consumption by a member of another culture, a message must be understood. Because of cultural differences in these kinds of contacts, the potential for misunderstanding and disagreement is great (Pinto, ). Communication can only be said to be effective when it reaches out to the receiver in the manner in which it was intended to by the sender. As such, the idea, information or opinion being transmitted to the receiver must be carried out in a manner that ensures it is correctly understood, and that it is received on time by the receiver. This aspect emphasizes the importance of choosing the right mode of communication at both the individual as well as the organizational level for optimum communication. The various forms assumed by communication include formal vs. informal communication and verbal vs. non-verbal communication among others. Informal communication method is the one whereby the flow of information does not follow the known and established organizational channels. People make communication using unofficial lines that tend to follow

Acid Violence in Bangladesh Essay Example for Free

Acid Violence in Bangladesh Essay Acid throwing on women and girls are on the rise in Bangladesh. Of all the gender-based violence directed at women, one of the most horrific is acid attacks. Acids are used to disfigure and sometimes kill women and girls. Reported reasons for the acid-throwing attacks include the refusal of an offer of marriage, dowry disputes, domestic fights, and disputes over property.. For the last few years, it has been on the rise in both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. Cheap and easy availability of acids makes it the most effective weapon for man to use against girls or young womens faces to prove that they have no right to deny a mans proposal and is one of the extreme forms of repression and violation of womens right. The consequence of acid attacks on survivors brings dramatic change in their lifestyle. Most of them have to give up their education or work. Social isolation, fear of further attacks, and insecurity damage their self-esteem and confidence. Illiteracy, poverty, threats to further retribution, and ignorance about legal support increase their miseries. Social awareness, economic and psychological support, rehabilitation, and strict enforcement of laws are key to combat acid violence in Bangladesh. Purpose: Our purpose here is to find out and show how many victims are there in Bangladesh. And show what are the reasons behind it, causes of Acid Throwing, and last but not the least the effects of acid throwing. Methodology: 1. Information Collection: We collected the information through internet basically. We also managed the information from some NGO’s like Asha, Mukti and Sheba. The daily newspaper was a great help. The Acid Survivor Foundation helped a lot. 2. Analysis Presentation: We have separated the analysis in some part. The parts are Causes of Acid Throwing, Effects of Acid Throwing, Prevention of Acid Throwing, Laws against Acid Throwing. Limitation: While preparing the report we have faced some problems like gathering Information, where to find it, how to present the reports, victims are not comfortable to talk about it and many other things, We tried to overcome this things and tried to make the report as best as possible.

Living Together Before Marriage Essay -- essays research papers

Living Together Before Marriage As the rate of divorce soars and as increasing numbers of marriages disintegrate, living together has become the popular alternative to many people in north America. Expersts estimate that "roughly 2.2 million people are currently sharing bed and board in a live-in arrangement, this is approximately 1% of the total population."("Family." Comptoms Encyclopedia. 1992 ed.) Living together, more formally known as non marital cohabitation, is an emerging lifestyle. In fact, "More than one fourth of all unmarried couples living together in the early 1980's were between 25 and 34 years old, and an additional 19 percent were 45 and over."("Today's Families."Detroit Free Press 18 October 1995: B17.) Although living together is not a recent invention, the relationship has yet to be legitimized with a respectable name. Existing terms such as "shacking up" or "living in sin" are just some of the crude names being tagged to people living together. Living together can be valuable a substitute for marriage, a cur e-all for marital problems, and a solution to the problem of frequent divorce.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A popular rationale for living together is that it is an ideal way to have a "try out." This trial marriage is a result of the ever increasing divorce rate. Many couples are afraid of marriage and decide to live together with the intention to persue marriage if the temporary arrangement is successful. The couples hope to "minimize their chances of a potential disastrous marriage; any conflicting attitudes toward social activities, economic arrangements, or domestic chores will be discovered and hopefully resolved while the couple live together." (Carter, Sharon. "Trial Marriage". Ladies' Home Journal 14 (May 1993): 12-13.) If an unsolveable conflict arises, the couple can cancel their wedding plans and escape the painful exercise of divorce. Living together ultimately can test the couple's compatibility and have them really get to know each other. Although evidence suggests that "couples who live together do not necessarily have more or less successful marriages than couples who don't live together before the wedding, studies show that non-marital cohabitors are more realistic about their demands and expectations of marriage.("Ross, Eshleman J. The Family: An Introduction. 5th ed. Detroit: Allyn,1988) Living toge... ...of divided energies among dating, career development, and economical survival. The burden of living can bee shared as the couple persue personal goal and ambitions. Living together, for example, can provide a harried student with emotional, physical, and sometimes economic support from a sympathetic partner. (Pearce, Jack M. Modern Day Marriages. New York: Abel- Hils,1990.)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finally, more and more are turning to the idea of living together as the emotional, physical, social, economic, and legal benefits are much better alternative than the consequences that can arise from a failed marriage. Certainly, "not all couples choose to include living together as a temporary stage in their courtship, yet the option to cohabit is becoming increasingly popular."(Groode, Williams J. "Marriage" Comptoms Interactive Encyclopedia. (1996 ed.) The freedom associated with living together is an important aspect, because after a period of time the couple may decide to marry, to end the relationship, or simple continue living together. As future trends continue, and more marriages fail, the number of couples who live together are going to increase due to the valuable benefits.

Canadian Blood Services IMC Essay

INTRODUCTION â€Å"Oscar Wilde once said that youth is wasted on the young. But investing in the future, the leaders of tomorrow, is more than just good business sense – it’s a necessity for survival and success† – Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services (Pulse Magazine, 2012). Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit organization that operates across Canada, excluding Quebec. The objective of Canadian Blood Services is to encourage and receive blood donations through safe and secure methods to help Canadians who need blood transfusions (Canadian Blood Services, 2013). There is an increasing need for blood and blood donations across Canada. Of the current Canadian population, â€Å"the baby boomer generation remains the most loyal in terms of donating blood, while younger generations are significantly less likely to donate on a frequent basis† (Renwick-Shields, 2013). As the baby boomers age, Canadian Blood Services must find new ways to reach the you nger generations, including the fastest growing segment, the Millennials. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION How can Canadian Blood Services increase the number of BC Millennial whole blood donors by 20,000 by March 31, 2015? The target number of donors is based on the previous years’ statistics of Millennial donations (age 17-34), according the Canadian Blood Services data provided (Bird, 2014a). The target number is a percentage of half the total Millennial population of BC in 2012, as typically only half the population is eligible to donate (Renwick-Shields, 2013). The problem statement is specific to BC as a test market. The timeline is based on Canadian Blood Services’ fiscal year, beginning April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015. KEY FINDINGS According to Canadian Blood Services, on average, every 60 seconds, someone in Canada requires blood or a blood product (2013). The demand for blood is not subsiding, increasing at a steady rate of 2% per year (Canadian Blood Services, 2013). To be an eligible donor, volunteers must meet many stringent requirements, including a minimum age of 17, sufficient levels of iron and hemoglobin in blood, and disclosure of health and travel history.

Annotated Bibliography Essay

1.) How do we choose which laws are just and which ones are not? – Unjust laws are those that intentionally prohibit the person’s civil liberties, according to the articles. 2.) What laws do you see that would fit the model for what king would call unjust? – Thanks to Dr. King and other people who have impacted the past of civil rights problems I don’t see many examples of unjust laws. The use of Marijuana is encouraged to be used in some religions, although in this country it is illegal. Think of some unjust things you have witnessed and failed to act on. 1.) Had you acted on it alone, would your involvement have changed anything? – No, I would have been out numbered and possibly put myself and my children in harms way. 2.) What if we all reacted too swiftly and jointly to matter of injustice? – If most individuals would react too swiftly in a situation they would make irrational decisions and not take the time to think the situation through. 3.) How does the act of exercising of our first amendment rights, especially when we work together, help to shape the world we live in? – The problem is too many people expect other people to fix their problems, so it may be difficult to encourage many of them to use their first amendment rights. If we could get to a point of a group of people working together then yes I do feel that we would be able to decide on a reasonable, legal conclusion. 4.) How did the Occupy Wall Street Movement (OWS) use civil disobedience to  further its cause? – They worked together and came up with their solution which wouldn’t cause any more situations or violence and hostility. 5.) Considering the outcomes associated with the OWS Movement, could we claim that the days of effective civil disobedience are over? – No, in my opinion most large events that have large outcomes tend to occur at least once again in the future with double the power. Annotated bibliography Essay The violence portrayed in the media tends to make the public more aggressive and susceptible to violence by the simple factor of imitation. Moreover, due to the amount of violence exposure, the public ends up having a falsified idea of the world in which they live. Media violence has always been an emerging topic. We live in a world in which media is present in our everyday lives; whether we are watching the news, or watching a film, listening to a song, or even playing a video game. Many studies have showed a clear correlation between the amount of violence exposure and the aggressive and violent behaviour reflected in a certain individual. Moreover, after being constantly exposed to violent contents, the public ends up believing the world is a cruel and unsecure place. This topic is therefore very interesting to pursue and study in order to have a better understanding of it. The research I will follow will help show whether the media is in fact affecting the users’ minds and behaviors. Before taking on the topic I picked, I decided to go to the library to find relevant sources discussing violence in the media. I was sure to find credible and accurate sources from the AUD database, as all the articles are peer-reviewed. Moreover, as I am a media student in the school of communications and information studies, I am currently reading a book available at the library, entitled â€Å"Media, Culture and Society† by author Paul Hodkinson. It was interesting to find a section discussing television violence. There was also an interesting experiment led by Albert Bandura in order to study the behavioral effect that media violence has on the population. These sources would be extremely beneficial and useful to my research paper. Moreover, I was impressed by the great number of journal articles discussing this specific topic, and they were easy to find on the AUD database entitled Expanded Academic ASAP. I also managed to find many online sources on search engines such as Google. However, it was hard to evaluate the reliability and credibility of the sources as some important information were missing, such as the author’s name, and the date the article was published. Therefore, I chose to include only a few specific electronic sources, the ones that seemed most accurate to me. Finally, I thought it would be interesting to do a short survey consisting of questions such as the amount of TV consumed daily, the video games played, the most violent movie ever watched, if they were ever in a fight. However, my survey cannot be part of my paper as the people I  targeted were classmates, and were in majority highly educated and media literate; therefore, the media they consumed is not believed to make them more aggressive. Annotated bibliography Callahan, Sidney. â€Å"What We See, We Do: Violence and the Media.† Commonweal 123.1 (1996): 6+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Describes how people learn violent behaviour by seeing it enacted. States that even children who are not directly affected by aggression learn the behavior and remember how it’s done. They end up having a tendency of imitating the act of violence. Claims â€Å"people psychologically accept and become what they see through the media†. This article would be interesting for my paper as it highlights the power of media and the power of imitation. Diorio, Geri. â€Å"The Mean World Syndrome: Media Violence & the Cultivation of Fear.† School Library Journal Dec. 2010: 61. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. This documentary portrays media scholar George Gerbner who explains his theory concerning the effects of being exposed to high levels of media violence. Gerbner believes that the public is in constant thought that the world is a cruel place; the public therefore always feels insecure. The documentary discusses a study showing some statistics on crimes rates and people’s beliefs on the number of crimes occurring every year. It would be interesting to discuss this study in my paper. Gentile, Douglas A., and David A. Walsh. â€Å"A Validity Test of Movie, Television, and Video-Game Ratings.† Pediatrics June 2001: 1302. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Discusses movie, television and video-game ratings. Indicates that parent ratings and industry ratings differ regarding the amount of violent content and portrayals of violence. Proposes that industry ratings systems should be revised with the help of professional communities to improve their reliability. Based on secondary sources. This article would be interesting for my paper as it shows that the ratings are not fully credible, and many people manage to trespass them. Hodkinson, Paul. Media, Culture and Society: An Introduction. London: SAGE, 2011. Print. A section in the book, entitled â€Å"Bobo Dolls and short-term behavioural effects† undertakes an experiment led by Albert Bandura who is influenced by the social learning theory, â€Å"which focuses on the capacity of individuals to learn behaviours by observing others†. This experiment is therefore useful and interesting for my paper as it takes on a valid study. Lemish, Dafna. â€Å"‘Will This Happen to Me?’ Children’s Exposure to Disaster, Violence in the News.† Gateway Journalism Review (2013): 10+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Examines children’s exposure to violence in the news. States that children and young people are audiences too and are frequently exposed to news voluntarily or accidently. They end up having a very negative image of the world the live in. The author discusses her point of view and gives accurate examples that would be useful for my paper. Markey, Patrick M., and Kelly Scherer. â€Å"An Examination of Psychoticism and Motion Capture Controls As Moderators of the Effects of Violent Video Games.† Computers in Human Behavior 25.2 (2009): 407+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Examines the potential moderating effects of motion capture technology and participants’ own level of psychoticism on their hostility and aggressive thoughts after playing violent video games. Shows that participants with elevated levels of psychoticism are much more affected by violent video games than other participants. Provides factual information based on formal studies. â€Å"Media Violence.† Pediatrics June 1995: 949+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Describes the role of pediatricians in the entertainment industry and the media. Proposes that pediatricians collaborate with TV stations and networks to limit children’s exposure to violent content and counsel parents to monitor their children’s TV viewing habits by limiting them to a few hours. Based on secondary sources and provides information from formal studies. Nikkelen, Sanne W. C., et al. â€Å"Media Violence and Children’s ADHD-Related Behaviors: A Genetic Susceptibility Perspective.† Journal of Communication 64.1 (2014): 42+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Provides insight into the role of genetic factors in media effects. Examines the relationship between media violence exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and states genetic disposition as a possible cause of individual differences in children’s use of and susceptibility to media violence. It would be interesting to mention in my paper how genetics can also be a factor in media effects. Swani, Kunal, Marc G. Weinberger, and Charles S. Gulas. â€Å"The Impact of Violent Humor on Advertising Success: A Gender Perspective.† Journal of Advertising Oct.-Dec. 2013: 308+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Examines this convergence of humor and physical violence in advertising. Provides two studies of the responses of men and women to violence in humorous advertising. The results suggest there may be risk in the use of aggression with female audiences and that such gender effects can be explained by differences in men’s and women’s perceptions of humor and violations of social norms. Accurate examples and statistics are given based on multiple studies. Tompkins, Aimee. â€Å"The Psychological Effects of Violent Media on Children.† The Psychological Effects of Violent Media on Children. AllPsych Journal, 14 Dec. 2003. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Examines the correlation between aggressive behaviour and exposure to media violence. States that violent video games have a greater impact than television as the participant is acting out the violence instead of simply watching it, he/she ends up identifying with it and performing it r egardless of the consequences. . Gives specific news coverage examples on violent acts such as crimes, which would be extremely useful for my paper.

Strong Response

Preserving What We’re Losing If you don’t like something the way it is, or if you think you can make it better, then you can change it. That is the mindset of most Americans. Not only do we apply this to our working and family life, but we also apply it to things that I believe should not be changed; nature and the wildlife around us. Why must we â€Å"fix† what is already set in harmony to our benefit? Edward Abbey explores this idea in his essay, â€Å"The Damnation of a Canyon,† published in Beyond the Wall: Essays from the Outside in 1971. In this piece he attempts to communicate with others who have either a small or great interest in the environment and to spark their concern to a greater level. Abbey talks about his disapproval towards technological changes on a place that was once a natural habitat, the Glen Canyon. He believes that the canyon he has grown to love over the years has been robbed of its wild beauty. He points out that even though the scenery is still pleasing to the eye, it is not the same if you look closely. He implies not only has the aesthetics been changed but access to Lake Powell only allows people in who can afford it. Also, because of the changes in the way the water moves, only motor boats are allowed and these are extremely expensive to rent. Before the dam was built all you needed was a raft to float down the river in and a friend to join yo u. A guide was not needed because there was no danger, just calm sailing. Abbey ends with an idea that he believes would make for a better environment. He would like there to be alternative ways for producing energy rather than dams. He believes that if the dam were to be taken out of Glen Canyon it would only be a matter of time before it would begin to restore itself back to its natural beauty. Even though Edward Abbey’s solution is far fetched and his points are a bit repetitive, I believe that this is an issue that cannot be ignored and people need to un... Strong Response Free Essays on Summary / Strong Response Preserving What We’re Losing If you don’t like something the way it is, or if you think you can make it better, then you can change it. That is the mindset of most Americans. Not only do we apply this to our working and family life, but we also apply it to things that I believe should not be changed; nature and the wildlife around us. Why must we â€Å"fix† what is already set in harmony to our benefit? Edward Abbey explores this idea in his essay, â€Å"The Damnation of a Canyon,† published in Beyond the Wall: Essays from the Outside in 1971. In this piece he attempts to communicate with others who have either a small or great interest in the environment and to spark their concern to a greater level. Abbey talks about his disapproval towards technological changes on a place that was once a natural habitat, the Glen Canyon. He believes that the canyon he has grown to love over the years has been robbed of its wild beauty. He points out that even though the scenery is still pleasing to the eye, it is not the same if you look closely. He implies not only has the aesthetics been changed but access to Lake Powell only allows people in who can afford it. Also, because of the changes in the way the water moves, only motor boats are allowed and these are extremely expensive to rent. Before the dam was built all you needed was a raft to float down the river in and a friend to join yo u. A guide was not needed because there was no danger, just calm sailing. Abbey ends with an idea that he believes would make for a better environment. He would like there to be alternative ways for producing energy rather than dams. He believes that if the dam were to be taken out of Glen Canyon it would only be a matter of time before it would begin to restore itself back to its natural beauty. Even though Edward Abbey’s solution is far fetched and his points are a bit repetitive, I believe that this is an issue that cannot be ignored and people need to un...

ADRP 7-0 Training Units and Developing Leaders Essays

ADP 7-0/ADRP 7-0 Training Units and Developing Leaders Essays ADP 7-0/ADRP 7-0 Training Units and Developing Leaders Paper ADP 7-0/ADRP 7-0 Training Units and Developing Leaders Paper What is operational training domain is the training activities organizationsundertake while at home station, at maneuver combat training centers, duringjoint exercises, at mobilization centers, and while operationally deployed Whats is self-development training domain is planned, goal-oriented learning thatreinforces and expands the depth and breadth of an individual’s knowledge base,self-awareness, and situational awareness; complements institutional andoperational learning; enhances professional competence; and meets personalobjectives. Whats is The Army principles of unit training ? Commanders and other leaders are responsible for training.? Noncommissioned officers train individuals, crews, and small teams.? Train to standard.? Train as you will fight.? Train while operating.? Train fundamentals first.? Train to develop adaptability.? Understand the operational environment.? Train to sustain.? Train to maintain.? Conduct multiechelon and concurrent training. What is Train to Standard Units always train to the standard established for each individual and collective taskWhen no standard exists, the commander establishes one and the nexthigher commander approves it. What is Train as You Will Fight â€Å"Train as you will fight† means training under an expected operationalenvironment for the mission. What is Train While Operating Training continues when units are deployed or when conducting daily operations. Why must you Train Fundamentals First Units at every echelon must master the fundamentals needed to accomplish theirmission. Fundamentals include basic soldiering, the Warrior Tasks, battle drills,marksmanship, fitness, and military occupational specialty proficiencies that supportthe capabilities of the unit. Why do Leaders Train to Develop Adaptability Effective leaders understand that change is inevitable in any operationalenvironment. The time to react to change can be short. Adaptability comes fromtraining under complex, changing conditions, with minimal information available tomake decisions. Why should you Understand The Operational Environment An operational environment establishes the conditions for training. The conditions are drawn from the operational variables- known as PMESII-PT What is Train to Sustain Training prepares units and individuals to be resilient. Training must prepare unitsand Soldiers for the stress of operations. Why do you Train to Maintain Units must conduct maintenance to ensure equipment is serviceable and availablefor the conduct of training and for mission accomplishment. Maintenance training is an integral part of the unit training plan. What is Conduct Multiechelon and Concurrent Training Multiechelon training is a training technique that allows for the simultaneoustraining of more than one echelon on different or complementary tasks. It optimizes training time for subordinates during higher unit training events What are the PRINCIPLES OF LEADER DEVELOPMENT ? Lead by example.? Develop subordinate leaders.? Create a learning environment for subordinate leaders.? Train leaders in the art and science of mission command.? Train to develop adaptive leaders.? Train leaders to think critically and creatively.? Train your leaders to know their subordinates and their families. What is Lead by Example Good leaders understand they are role models for others and reflect the desired leader characteristics Who will Develop Subordinate Leaders Leaders have the responsibility for developing subordinate leaders. It is one of their most important functions What is *institutional training domain? The Army’s institutional training and education system, which primarily includestraining base centers and schools that provide initial training and subsequentprofessional military education for Soldiers, military leaders, and Army civilians. What is THE ROLE OF THE COMMANDER UNDERSTANDVISUALIZEDESCRIBEDIRECTLEADASSESS What is a mission-essential task represents a task a unit could perform based on its design, equipment,manning, and table of organization and equipment/table of distribution and allowances mission. A mission-essential task list is a compilation of mission-essential tasks What is MDMP MILITARY DECISIONMAKING PROCESS What are the steps of MDMP ? Step 1 – Receipt of Mission? Step 2 – Mission Analysis? Step 3 – Course of Action Development? Step 4 – Course of Action Analysis (War Game)? Step 5 – Course of Action Comparison? Step 6 – Course of Action Approval? Step 7 – Orders Production What does ADP 5-0 cover? A: Operations Process 2. Q. What does the Operations Process constitute for the Army? A: The Operations Process constitutes the Army’s view on planning, preparing, executing, and assessing operations 3. Q. What does the Operations Process account for? A: It accounts for the complex, ever-changing, and uncertain nature of operations and recognizes that a military operation is foremost a human undertaking What is the Army’s Framework for Exercising Mission Command? A: The Operations Process What are the Major Command activities performed during Operations? 1.Planning2.Preparation3.Executing4.Assessing What is Planning? A: The art and science of understanding a situation, envisioning a desired future, and laying out effective ways of bringing that future about What is Preparing? A: Those activities performed by units and Soldiers to improve their ability to execute an operation What is Execution? A: Putting a plan into action by applying combat power to accomplish the mission What is Assessing? A: The continuous determination of the progress toward accomplishing a task, creating an effect, or achieving an objective How do Commanders use the Operations Process? A: Through the support of their Staff, Commanders use the Operations Process to drive the conceptual and detailed planning necessary to understand, visualize, and describe their operational environment; make and articulate decisions; and direct, lead, and assess military operations What are the four Principles that guide the Operations Process? A: 1. Commanders drive the Operations Process 2. Apply critical and creative thinking 3. Build and maintain situational understanding4. Encourage collaboration and dialoge What happens upon completion of the initial order? A: planning continues as leaders revise the plan based on changing circumstances What is the Staff’s role during the Operations Process? A: to assist commanders with understanding situations, making and implementing decisions, controlling operations, and assessing progress During the Operations Process, what does Mission Command require? A: an environment of mutual trust and shared understanding among commanders, staffs, and subordinates What does it mean to Understand Something? A: to grasp its nature and significance What is an Operational Environment? A: influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander What is the Commander’s Intent? A: clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff, and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander’s desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned What does the Acronym CCIR stand for? A: Commander’s Critical Information Requirements What are the two components of CCIR’s? A: friendly force information requirements and priority intelligence requirements What does the Acronym EEFI stand for? A: Essential Elements of Friendly Information What does the Acronym PMESII-PT stand for? A: the eight interrelated operational variables: political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time What does the Acronym METT-TC stand for? A: mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations What are the six Mission Variables? A: mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (METT-TC) What does the Acronym TLP stand for? A: Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) What are some of the 17 Mission Preparation Activities? 1. Continue to coordinate and conduct liaison2. Initiate information collection 3. Initiate security operations 4. Initiate troop movement 5. Initiate sustainment preparations 6. Initiate network preparations 7. Manage terrain 8. Prepare terrain 9. Conduct confirmation briefs 10. Conduct rehearsals 11. Conduct plans-to-operations transitions 12. Revise and refine the plan 13. Integrate new Soldiers and units 14. Complete task organization 15. Train 16. Perform pre-operations checks and inspections 17. Continue to build partnerships and teams When is the Force as a whole most vulnerable to surprise and enemy attack? A: during preparation What is done to minimize vulnerability during preparation? A: security operations- screen, guard, cover, area security, and local security- are essential during preparation What ensures that the right forces are in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment and other resources ready to execute the operation? A: Effective preparation

Teaching Children to Count

Teaching Children to Count A childs first teacher is their parent. Children are often exposed to their earliest math skills by their parents. When children are young, parents use food and toys as a vehicle to get their children to count or  recite numbers. The focus tends to be on rote counting, always starting at number one rather than the understanding the concepts of counting. As parents feed their children, they will refer to one, two, and three as they give their child another spoonful or another piece of food or when they refer to building blocks and other toys. All of this is fine, but counting requires more than a simple rote approach whereby children memorize numbers in a chant-like fashion. Most of us forget how we learned the many concepts or principles of counting. Principles Behind Learning to Count Although weve given names to the concepts behind counting, we dont actually use these names when teaching young learners. Rather, we make observations and focus on the concept. Sequence: Children need to understand that regardless of which number they use for a starting point, the counting system has a sequence.Quantity or Conservation: The number also represents the group of objects regardless of size or distribution. Nine blocks spread all over the table are the same as nine blocks stacked on top of each other. Regardless of the placement of the objects or how theyre counted (order irrelevance), there are still nine objects. When developing this concept with young learners, its important to begin with pointing to or touching each object as the number is being said. The child needs to understand that the last number is the symbol used to represent the number of objects. They also need to practice counting the objects from bottom to top or left to right to discover that order is irrelevantregardless of how the items are counted, the number will remain constant.Counting Can Be Abstract: This may raise an eyebrow but have you ever asked a child to count the n umber of times youve thought about getting a task done? Some things that can be counted arent tangible. Its like counting dreams, thoughts or ideasthey can be counted but its a mental ​and not tangible process. Cardinality: When a child is counting a collection, the last item in the collection is the amount of the collection. For instance, if a child counts 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 marbles, knowing that the last number represents the number of marbles in the collection is cardinality. When a child is prompted  to recount the marbles how many marbles there are, the child doesnt yet have cardinality. To support this concept, children need to be encouraged to count sets of objects and then probed for how many are in the set. The child needs to remember the last number represents the quantity of the set. Cardinality and quantity are related to counting concepts.Unitizing: Our number system groups objects into 10 once 9 is reached. We use a base 10 system whereby a 1 will represent ten, one hundred, one thousand, etc. Of the counting principles, this one tends to cause the greatest amount of difficulty for children. Note We’re  sure youll never look at counting quite the same way when working with your children. More importantly, always keep blocks, counters, coins or buttons to ensure that you are teaching the counting principles concretely. The symbols wont mean anything without the concrete items to back them up.

Myth Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Myth Analysis - Essay Example In that context, Ramayana not only makes an interesting story but also facilitates much guidance to one in the path of righteous behavior. Perhaps, that is why the Hindu religion attributes such a huge importance to this epic. Ramayana not only sheds much light on how a family man ought to lead life and face the hardships one comes across in the sphere of one’s duties as a family man and a public figure, but also has an undeniable spiritual aspect associated with it. Thereby, the concept of Dharma that is of prime relevance in this epic needs to be analyzed and understood so as to have a deep insight into the spirit of Ramayana. As per the Hindu theology, the human intellect and reason face immense challenges from the distractions and deviations created by the five senses. These senses give way to afflictive emotions like anger, greed, lust, attachment and arrogance which deflect a person from the rightful duties expected from one as a social and spiritual being (Narayan 85). Wrapped amidst this anger, greed, lust, attachment and arrogance, it is imperative that each sphere of the human life is defined in the light of an order of actions and duties that lead to the maximum fulfillment of the human life in this world and in the next world (Narayan 85). Thereby, Dharam happens to be a well defined order of actions and duties imposed on the human being as a worldly and spiritual being, enjoined on one so that one could lead a fulfilled and socially constructive life. At least, this is the essence of Dharma in the Indian epic Ramayana. In the light of this definition it needs to be understood that the Hindu rel igion accrues varied duties to an individual towards one’s parents, wife, children and other family members in a hierarchical order that collectively constitute the Dharma or the righteous behavior expected of an individual. In that context, propriety towards one’s parents and the king command a

Amazon Organization Is Involved in Online Retail Trade Research Paper

Amazon Organization Is Involved in Online Retail Trade - Research Paper Example Amazon manufactures electronics, such as the Amazon Kindle, for clients and provides cloud-computing services. Additional revenue for the company is from marketing services. This is mainly by online advertisement and co-branding of credit cards (Schneider, 46). The company operates in the United States and in other countries such as France, Germany and China. Strategy Amazon usually delivers products to the customers after transactions are complete. This usually takes a couple of days depending on diverse logistical factors that include distance and address. However, the company has introduced a new system, popularly called same day shipping. This enables clients to buy products online and then the products are delivered to them the same day. This remains its clear-cut strategy to ensure the achievement of competitive advantage. Indeed, the large range of products that it sells is one of the noble strategies that the company is integrating. Buyers can find a variety of products such as toys, electronics, and books that are in excellent form. It customizes the experience of the buyers and gives recommendations for advancement in service delivery that contributes to customer retention. Additionally, it does customer tracking to enable it to gain more customers and retain them. It also gives individuals the opportunity to sell various commodities via its platform (Rosenbloom, 174). These can be either new goods or those that have been used. The advantage that Amazon has had over its competitors is that it does not charge sales taxes. This is mainly because its clients perform online purchasing that ensures effective ordering and delivery of the items with immense convenience. The company’s prior operating strategy was to avoid establishing networks in the nations that have adopted unfriendly tax policies, and thus such states do not have Amazon distribution warehouses. However, the new strategy that it is adopting requires that it sets warehouses across the United States including those tax unfriendly states. This means that the company will give up the lead it has over competitors. However, more warehouses in many states in the US will mean that products are closer to clients thus can be delivered the same day that purchase takes place. This can benefit individuals who are last minute gift shoppers. Local commercial institutions usually push these states to collect sales tax from Amazon because lack of such revenue gives the company a price advantage over them. However, online retailers such as Amazon are exempted from paying sales tax in states in which they do not have physical existence. Currently, Amazon has warehouses in six states and thus contributes sales tax in six states. These are Washington, Kentucky, New York, Texas, Kansas and North Dakota (Rosenbloom, 174). With the new strategy, it will have to collect sales levies in more states. Presently, it is unclear how the strategy will affect the revenues. Effects on competito rs, consumers and Revenues Amazon has eluded charging sales tax from its clients.

Econ 4020 reaction 10 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Econ 4020 reaction 10 - Term Paper Example In addition, the article published by the New York Times, describes various reasons why increased government budgets could be detrimental to the future US generation. The last article basically describes the elements ascribed to the American Recovery Reinvestments Act and how the government would use them to ensure that the current expenses remain constant, without any form of reduction. Fiscal Policies are geared towards facilitating proper use of public resources; basically, they are pertinent in the sense that they regulate the manner through, which governments and other stakeholders spend their resources. However, in many cases, these policies may be faced by criticism from certain quarters, who believe that they may be detrimental to public finances. On the other hand, many fiscal policies may also create a scenario whereby, the future generation is given the burden to settle certain debts. DeLong Says Not Time to Cut U.S. Budget With Free Lunch. (n.d.). Bloomberg.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014, from

How might theories of economic power prove limited when exploring the Assignment

How might theories of economic power prove limited when exploring the relations between media forms and claims of cultural imperialism - Assignment Example Within the definition of imperialism, a deliberate act is visualized in which one country seeks to extend its power over one other or many other countries. The Roman Empire, the British Empire, and the German Third Reich are perhaps classic examples of imperial power, and it is from such systems that most models of economic power in which one nation asserts control over another have been built. But within the 21st Century world can a deliberate kind of cultural imperialism be identified? Within what might be termed as the hold-overs from the Twentieth Century system of Imperialism there clearly are deliberate attempts at cultural control through the power of the mass media. One example is the â€Å"Voice of America†. Started during the Cold War as an attempt to counter what was perceived as a propaganda machine being created by the USSR, the Voice of America was transmitted into eastern Europe, Cuba and whatever countries were deemed as needing the service. Financed and suppor ted by the US government, VOA claims to be â€Å"a trusted source of news and information† on its internet homepage. The move from pure radio transmissions to the internet shows how while the media may change, its basic nature does not. VOA seeks to present the American view of the world to the populations of countries that might not necessarily hear it otherwise. The move to the internet, with written news available in more than sixty languages, represents the growth of VOA into what is termed â€Å"the information age†.... Like road maps, models or theories of economic phenomena come in various degrees of detail - but all models describing the same set of phenomena are consistent with each other. No map or theory will be perfectly complete in every detail... So ask not, "Is the theory accurate" but rather "Is the theory good enough for our purposes" 2 So, to put it succinctly, are any theories of economic power "good enough" for the purposes of explaining the relationship between media forms and cultural imperialism. What degree of detail is needed in an economic map of media/cultural imperialism Can such complex and ambiguous a relationship be explained by the simplified model of reality that a theory implies This paper will analyze these questions in two parts. First, it will explore what the relationship between 'media forms" and 'cultural imperialism' is, and whether the latter actually exists. Second, an attempt will be made to place this relationship within present theories of economic power. Some initial definitions are in order. Media is defined as "a means of mass communication . . . the communications industry or profession."3 Culture is defined as "the behavior patterns, arts beliefs, institutions, and all other products or human thought at work; especially as expressed in a particular community of period."4 Imperialism is "the policy of extending a nation's authority by economic and political means over other nations."5 'Media' is then, at least superficially, quite easy to define. In the modern age media includes books, newspapers, films, TV programs and, perhaps, the Internet. Yet professional sports6 and education7When looking at the definitions of "culture" and "imperialism ", problems start. Within the definition of imperialism a deliberate act

The humpty dumpty falls scale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The humpty dumpty falls scale - Essay Example This paper critically analyses the paper ‘The Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale: A Case–Control Study’ which reports the findings of the aforementioned research study and a critique of the various components of this paper is presented in the discussion that follows. Research Problem/Purpose or Question Hypothesis   The authors have clearly stated the purpose of the study as being an assessment of the efficacy of the newly developed Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale (HDFS) in predicting the risk of falls in pediatric hospitalized patients, in a separate section entitled ‘purpose’ (Hill-Rodriguez, et al., 2009). Moreover, in the same section, the choice of the study design, i.e. case control study has been justified and the authors have explicitly mentioned that the research question was to elucidate whether the risk of falls predicted by the screening tool in question was in conjunction with the actual risk of falls. This gives the readers a clear picture of the aim s and objectives of this study and the rationale behind the conduction of this study. Review of Literature   An adequate review of the existing literature has been provided. The authors have quoted statistics to emphasize the magnitude of the burden that the problem in question poses. As pointed out by the authors, there is ample literature on the issue of falls occurring in the elderly population, but there is a paucity of existing data on the pediatric population in this regard (Hill-Rodriguez, et al., 2009). The importance of the development and implementation of screening and preventive strategies in the pediatric population is underscored by authors in this section. Moreover, the authors have also identified the gaps in the existing literature and have thus provided the rationale of conducting this study in order to build upon the existing research findings and fill in the gaps which were identified. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework   No theoretical or conceptual framework for this study has been provided by the authors. However, the study design is such that it does not warrant the need for a theoretical/conceptual framework. Research Design   The study design employed in this study was a matched case control design (Hill-Rodriguez, et al., 2009). The cases and controls were matched in various regards such as This design is best suited for the research question identified by the authors, as case-control studies have been found to be a suitable study design to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of screening tools (Rothman, Greenland, & Lash, 2008). Sampling Method/Data Collection   The data was collected from five different in-patient and two ICU pediatric units from a single center. (Hill-Rodriguez, et al., 2009) The sampling method is not mentioned clearly but it can be extrapolated from the given information that purposive convenient sampling methodology was employed. Although no specific inclusion criteria or cut-offs for age are mentio ned, the exclusion criteria are defined and presented in the paper by the authors. The data collection tool used was the Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale (HDFS), which consisted of seven different assessment items. This tool was designed after input from various skilled and expert nurses and other medical personnel (Hill-Rodriguez,

How might theories of economic power prove limited when exploring the Assignment

How might theories of economic power prove limited when exploring the relations between media forms and claims of cultural imperialism - Assignment Example Within the definition of imperialism, a deliberate act is visualized in which one country seeks to extend its power over one other or many other countries. The Roman Empire, the British Empire, and the German Third Reich are perhaps classic examples of imperial power, and it is from such systems that most models of economic power in which one nation asserts control over another have been built. But within the 21st Century world can a deliberate kind of cultural imperialism be identified? Within what might be termed as the hold-overs from the Twentieth Century system of Imperialism there clearly are deliberate attempts at cultural control through the power of the mass media. One example is the â€Å"Voice of America†. Started during the Cold War as an attempt to counter what was perceived as a propaganda machine being created by the USSR, the Voice of America was transmitted into eastern Europe, Cuba and whatever countries were deemed as needing the service. Financed and suppor ted by the US government, VOA claims to be â€Å"a trusted source of news and information† on its internet homepage. The move from pure radio transmissions to the internet shows how while the media may change, its basic nature does not. VOA seeks to present the American view of the world to the populations of countries that might not necessarily hear it otherwise. The move to the internet, with written news available in more than sixty languages, represents the growth of VOA into what is termed â€Å"the information age†.... Like road maps, models or theories of economic phenomena come in various degrees of detail - but all models describing the same set of phenomena are consistent with each other. No map or theory will be perfectly complete in every detail... So ask not, "Is the theory accurate" but rather "Is the theory good enough for our purposes" 2 So, to put it succinctly, are any theories of economic power "good enough" for the purposes of explaining the relationship between media forms and cultural imperialism. What degree of detail is needed in an economic map of media/cultural imperialism Can such complex and ambiguous a relationship be explained by the simplified model of reality that a theory implies This paper will analyze these questions in two parts. First, it will explore what the relationship between 'media forms" and 'cultural imperialism' is, and whether the latter actually exists. Second, an attempt will be made to place this relationship within present theories of economic power. Some initial definitions are in order. Media is defined as "a means of mass communication . . . the communications industry or profession."3 Culture is defined as "the behavior patterns, arts beliefs, institutions, and all other products or human thought at work; especially as expressed in a particular community of period."4 Imperialism is "the policy of extending a nation's authority by economic and political means over other nations."5 'Media' is then, at least superficially, quite easy to define. In the modern age media includes books, newspapers, films, TV programs and, perhaps, the Internet. Yet professional sports6 and education7When looking at the definitions of "culture" and "imperialism ", problems start. Within the definition of imperialism a deliberate act

Ethics and Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics and Economics - Assignment Example Though there were several reasons for the occurrence of the incident the root cause would be the escalating greed among the people who are in power. The top executives of the investments banks and other financial institutions had repeatedly promised that the companies were stable financially (Fox, 2009). The main problems that the United States faced was the decline in the standard of the financial health, liquidity crunch and also the increasing amount of leverage in forms of home loan mortgage, the collateralized form of debt obligations, the freeze in the credit markets as well as the credit default swaps. On the 15th September 2009, Lehman Brothers reported their situation of bankruptcy to the US regulatory and compliance officials. The consequences of this were the immediate collapse of the investor confidence in the stock markets and the collapse of the securities market. This had its effect on the investors of the entire world and thus the financial condition of the entire wor ld worsened. Background of the Event The collapse of the Lehman Brothers started with the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in the legislature in Washington D.C. The legislation arrested the unhealthy rivalry among the investment banker and the commercial banks of the United States. The act also enabled each of the sectors of the industry to focus on their activities (Sloan and Boyd, 2008). When the Act was implemented in the US economy, the Lehman Brothers became leading player in the field of housing market. The US housing market bubble followed this incident between the years 2006 and 2008 and the company earned a lot of profit from the housing mortgage business. The stock prices of the company also showed an upward trend and had a record market capitalization figure. However, the burst of the housing market bubble was waiting. March 2007 witnessed a sudden decline in the stock markets and the defaults on the mortgage lending rose exceptionally high. A large number of hedge funds experienced loss due to the event. The company took various steps relating to investments in mortgage backed assets which were not conducive to the company as well as the investors. It did not bring into public notice the wrong steps that it took and the bleak circumstances it was heading towards. The calculatingly company made manipulation in its financial statements made false claims to the public. The accounting software that the company had been using could misrepresent the actual data and manipulate the procedure of accounting and it took place in legal terms and so it did not face any compliance problem. This continued till September 2008 when the company announced its financial distress because internally the fundamentals of the company had been destroyed completely. These series of incidents led to the Financial Crisis that the entire world witnessed. Ethical Issues behind the Collapse of the Lehman Brothers The collapse of the Lehman Brothers occurred due to a plethora of e thical issues on part of the top executives of the company. From the video it is clear that there were unethical moves on part of the executives who had led to the incident (Romereports, 2009). Michel Camdessus, the former MD of the IMF, claims that extreme greed of the top executives of the company for money has led to such an unfortunate incident. It was the result of the wrong steps that a number of people took. However, there are mainly three aspects to it. First of all, the CEO of Lehman Brothers, Richard Fuld, had repeatedly lied about the activities of the company. He believed in the business model in which aggressive leverage of the securities had to be undertaken which exposed the business to a lot of risks. The CEO should have adopted an alternative

Operant Conditioning Paper Essay Example for Free

Operant Conditioning Paper Essay The theory of operant conditioning was thought of by B.F. Skinner. Skinner came up with this theory based on the work of Thorndike (1905). The theory of operant conditioning states that organisms learn to act or behave in a way which obtains or gets a reward yet avoids a punishment. It is an instrumental type of conditioning. Type R conditioning is also known as operant conditioning. Type R conditioning is shown by the response rate. Type S conditioning is determined by the amount of the conditioned response. Skinners R conditioning is similar to Thorndike’s instrumental conditioning, and Skinners S conditioning is very similar to Pavlov’s classical conditioning (Olson Hergenhahn, 2009). The focus in operant conditioning is on a behavior and the consequences surrounding that behavior. The organism must behave in a way to cause stimulus reinforcement. This is also known as contingent or dependent reinforcement because getting the reinforcement or reward is based on a particular behavior or performance by the organism. An example of this would be, if a dog wants a treat, he must do a new trick hew has been taught. Positive reinforcements are those which cause a behavior to be repeated. An example would be a child crying at night (when they should be sleeping) and knowing that when he or she cries someone will come. This may be a positive reinforcement for the young child or baby because the child is being comforted and getting attention like he or she wants whenever they cry. The positive reinforcement is the person coming. On the other hand it could be negative for the person getting awakened. They do not want to have to get up in the middle of the night. They may eventually just let the child self soothe. Then eventually the person, if he or she decided not to respond to the child would not come anymore. This would be a negative reinforcement for the child because they are not getting a reward or what he or she thought of as a reward any longer. If the child did learn to stop crying in middle of the night, then the person getting up would have the positive reinforcement of silence instead of noise in the middle of the night. I think the form of reinforcement that is most effective is the dependent or contingent reinforcement. I reward my children with doing things they like if they do well in their school since they are homeschooled. If they know ahead of time that they will get special stuff, be able to go somewhere, or do something they like, they are more likely to try harder on their school work and act better. I will try operant conditioning with our dogs. Training a dog with the reward system is a good way to start or stop a certain behavior. The dog will perform the behavior habitually for a long time, and if it ever has to have reinforcement, it is only once in a while. I will try this with my dogs when taking them outside every day for the next two weeks at least three times a day. I will let them go off leash, because we have a non-fenced in yard, and I am trying to get them to stay within their bounds without leaving our property area. I have decided that if I take treats outside with me for the three out of the five times a day they are taken out, and offer it to them when I call them as they start to go out of their area, while at the same time telling them no and calling their name, they will learn where their boundaries or parameter is in our yard. I will do it gradually less and less so the reinforcement, which is the treats, eventually does not have to be used. The behavior will just become natural to the dogs, and eventually they will know where they can and cannot go. References Olson, M.H. Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009). An introduction to theories of learning (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall

Deregulation Of Downstream Oil And Gas

Deregulation Of Downstream Oil And Gas It is largely assumed by Nigerians that the government involvement in the management and ownership structure of the refineries and logistics infrastructures is the cause of the numerous problems associated with the downstream oil and gas industry. Thus, the government economic reforms by way of deregulation policy was established in 2003 to revive the ailing industry. This dissertation seeks to examine the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry in Nigeria, a strategic management perspective of the effects, challenges and prospects. The objective of this study is to have both theoretical and practical knowledge contribution on deregulation. This study theoretical framework is embedded in three literatures: deregulation, strategic management and competitive forces. These three perspective are used in order to assess the emerging effects, challenges and prospects that the industry has on the changing strategic landscape of the deregulation exercise. The literature for this perspective, competitive forces and innovation management were reviewed: The reason for this perspective is that the competitive forces provides the understanding of the industry structure and the interactions between competitors, while innovative management is to understand the industry processes and capabilities. By summarizing and integrating these viewpoints formed a hypothesized understanding that reflected the effects, challenges and prospects of deregulation. In order to obtain an empirical analysis of the study a social constructed research methodology that is based on quantitative and qualitative method were argued for. A non-probability sample approach with a dichotomous questionnaire of (YES/NO) was self-administered in three states Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt to represent the three geographical areas in Nigeria, the target population of fifty persons from each state was chosen using purposive sampling method. Furthermore, an open-ended questionnaire were self-administered on two managers from Forth Oil, One Manager from Oando Plc and One Manger from Total Plc. The managers views were sort in order have industry professionals opinion on the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry. The data collected were analysed with the use of SPSS to determine the effects, challenges and prospects of the deregulation of the downstream industry. A Porters five model was also utilised to analyse the competitiveness in the industry. The result of the analysis shows how firms within the downstream oil and gas industry have changed and responded towards deregulation. It further shows how the previous regulated regime of the downstream oil and gas industry has been transformed to become more competitive and market driven. The analysed result shows a slim margin between the (yes/no) responses on the effects and challenges of deregulation, while there was a significant margin on the response in favour of the prospects and opportunities of downstream oil and gas deregulation. Overall, the result shows that many Nigerians are in support that deregulation will deliver positive effects, reduce the challenges in in the industry and also create better prospects and opportunities. The study findings indicates that the downstream oil and gas industry is not fully deregulated to enable market forces of demand and supply to determine product price, rather government have been fixing petroleum product prices. Most of the industry challenges are still persistent, like fuel scarcity, corruption, smuggling, and ineffective refinery. Thus, the expected benefit as promised by the government is yet to be achieved. However, based on the overall response of the respondent, this study can infer that many Nigerians support the government deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry. CHAPTER ONE 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND The advent of deregulation reform dates back to 1973 after the first oil shock experience, which led to a decline in the economic growth of most developed economies Nordhaus, Houthakker and Sachs (1980); Sachs (1982) and labour productivity growth Baily, Gordon, Solow (1981). Further to the mid-1970s productivity decline, a wide range of policy responses, including economic deregulation were introduced. The inception of deregulation reform was initiated in the US Winston (1998); Morgan (2004), while the UK and other developed economies followed in the early 1980s Pera, (1988); Healey (1990); Matthews, Minford, Nickell and Helpman (1987). The reform was also copied by the new democracies and many developing countries in the 1990s leading to wide range of labour, capital and product market reforms. This was the scenario that prevailed throughout the early 21st century Wolfl, Wanner, Kozluk and Nicoletti (2009) until the global economic and financial crisis determined the credibility o f relaxing economic growth. Like many other developing countries that copied the market reform, Nigeria being a growing economy with an increase in demand for commodities such as petroleum products Nwokeji (2007) meeting the supply needs remains a big challenge due to frequent breakdown of the refineries and over-reliance on importation. Although prior to 1960s the downstream oil and gas sector was initially market driven with the mechanism of demand and supply determining product price Funsho (2004). The distribution and marketing of petroleum product was virtually controlled by the multinational oil and gas companies Jean (2012). This was the situation before the government decided to harmonise petroleum products by way of uniform pricing in 1973 to encourage even distribution of products nationwide Christopher and Adepoju (2012). In furtherance to the uniform price policy and also tackle the cost differential problem associated with the delivery of products to every part of the country, the government establ ished the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) Oluwole (2004). The participation of government in the management and ownership structure of the downstream sector culminated to a regulated regime Olumide (2011). The consequence of the policy shift by the government on the economy was characterized by acute product scarcity, hoarding, smuggling, adulteration; long queues, inappropriate pricing, under funding and monopolistic practices. This were the main features of the supply and distribution process of the downstream oil and gas industry Funsho (2004). The unhealthy development degenerated to poor performance of the nation refineries, which resulted in excessive dependence on imports Christopher and Adepoju (2012). Thus, the economic reforms of the government became imperative towards reviving the ailing downstream sector by way of deregulation Okafor(2004). The deregulation of the sector as implemented in 2003 implies removal of restrictions on the establishment of refineries, jetties and depots. It also involves granting free access to private sector participation in the importation of petroleum products and also allowing the demand and supply mechanism to determine price including also the government total removal of control on product prices Oluwole (2004). Furthermore, the objective is meant to achieve regular supply of petroleum products at reasonable price, maintaining self-sufficiency in refining, employment generation for Nigerians, growth in foreign investment and general economic growth. Onyishi, Emeh, and Ikechukwu (2012). Other major benefits are as indicated in figure 1 below: Figure : BENEFITS OF DEREGULATION OF DOWNSTREAM OIL AND GAS SECTOR Removal of subsidy burden Government refocus to segment regulator Competition on and a level play field to attract new entrant DEREGULATION Increased efficiency by service providers Eliminate sharp practices that exploit subsidy regime From the foregoing many years have passed after deregulation, yet the aforementioned problems still persist, refineries continue to operate below installed capacity Oladele (1997). Efficient transport system for product distribution is lacking while pipeline are still vandalized. The expected government responses by private sector investment in establishing new refineries after many years of issuance of licence is yet to be realized. This scenario is in contrast to the objective of deregulation as commenced in the USA in the 1970s which was to create competition, enhance industry efficiency and guarantee competitive prices DME (2007) ; Hicks (2004). Improving efficiency in the industry implies product availability, proper functioning of the distribution networks, availability of storage facilities and depots to avoid scarcity of products and to ensure regular supply of products to force down price. However with the lack of these facilities the intending benefit from deregulation of the downstream oil and gas sector by the Nigerian populace becomes defeated. The question now is why should government proceed with deregulation policy? Thus, this dissertation seeks to examine a strategic management perspective of the effects, challenges and prospects of the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry in Nigeria. The theoretical framework of this study dwells on three literature reviews: deregulation, strategic management and competitive forces. This three perspectives are utilized to assess the emerging effects, challenges and prospects of the deregulation exercise in the oil and gas industry. The study analyses the literatu re for this perspectives, competitive forces and innovation management in the context of deregulation. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study is to appraise the deregulation exercise that was carried out in the Nigerian downstream oil and gas industry. The specific aim of this study are as follows: To examine the implementation of deregulation policy in the downstream oil and gas industry in order to determine the effects, challenges and prospects. This study is also aimed to explore if deregulation has actually yielded the desired result in terms of the forces of demand and supply determining prices of product. This study further uses the Porters five model to establish if effective strategic management (innovative management and competitive forces) can achieve a sustained competitive advantage among industry competitors in the deregulated regime. 1.2 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY This study is relevant in many ways; apart from the downstream sector importance in Nigeria economic stability other relevance includes the following: As already stated, this study would use a Porters five competitive forces to analyse the attractiveness of the industry. This will inform us of the impact of deregulation on new entrants, competitive rivalry, buyers bargaining powers, suppliers power, products prices, product supply and distribution. The study would conduct a survey to know the feelings of Nigerians on the effects, challenges and prospects of the deregulation of the downstream industry. The study would also contribute to existing literature on deregulation thereby providing insight of current developments in the downstream oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study would also serve as an important tool for students, academia, institutions and individuals to consult for knowledge on deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS In finding out the effects, challenges and prospects of the deregulation of downstream oil and gas industry in Nigeria, this study answers three questions: How can government improve the implementation of the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry to achieve the actual policy objective? In what way can government encourage the private sector to fully participate in the downstream oil and gas deregulation exercise? What informed the government deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry and if it is the only solution in an economic environment such as Nigeria? 1.4 ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY This study contains six chapters. The first chapter is the introduction and background of the study, the purpose of the research, significance of the study, the objectives of the study, the research questions, this would guide the study. Chapter two would present the literature review on the subject matter. Chapter three gives the theoretical framework of the study. The methodology to be adopted in the study would be stated in chapter four. Chapter five focuses on the presentation of data, analysis of collected data, findings and discussion of results. The last chapter which is chapter six, would present the conclusion and appropriate recommendations. CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW Many existing literature have argued on different perspectives and motives for the government deregulation of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria yielding different opinions from two school of thought. The opposing and the supporting group respectively. Those supporting deregulation argue that deregulation of the downstream oil and gas industry would actualize government move to eradicate fuel scarcity and ensure constant fuel supply across the country Funsho (2004). Similarly, deregulation of the industry would create inflow of foreign investment while persistent smuggling of petroleum products and inefficiencies in the sector will be eliminated Oluwole (2004). They also posit that Nigeria has the lowest price of petroleum products in the world and with deregulation the international market equilibrium would allow government to channel funds to other sectors of the economy. Furthermore, they argued that it would break the monopoly enjoyed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Okafor (2004). Essentially, deregulation would lead to uninterrupted operation of the refineries, it would also guarantee steady supply by enabling stakeholders and independent marketers to participate in product importation and marketing Enemoh (2004). Their view is also that the regulated regime by way of subsidy is a way of government enriching few Nigerian petroleum products marketers Oluwole (2004). Findings from Abu (2012) indicates that Nigerians believes deregulation and privatization will usher in sustainable development and would be a blessing rather than a course. Odey (2011) recommends the complete deregulation of the downstream sector to reduce corruption, inaccurate record keeping, inefficiency, smuggling and insufficient product supply. Jean (2012) suggested that making deregulation work involves providing an enabling environment and framework for efficient production, supply and distribution. Braide (2003) recommends that the usual business as usual in the NNPC by way of product imp ortation and distribution is inexpedient because it represents a wrong step for government to continue with instead government should fully deregulate the downstream oil and gas sector. From the opposing group came the argument that the Nigeria petroleum industry must not be deregulated completely, instead government should maintain the status quo and restructure the sector to improve efficiency for the overall national interest. They opined that the root cause and clamour for deregulation is because of the massive corruption in the sector and therefore should be tackled rather than embarking on deregulation. They further argued that deregulation helps increase profit margin for the importers, interestingly this is the position of the labour union and the organized civil society. Furthermore, Amana and Amana (2011) asserts that the fair distribution of economic benefits derived from petroleum has proven elusive and therefore predicts same for deregulation. Ibanga (2011) argued that removal of subsidy may cause dislocation to the gas price because of high demand and inadequate supply. Bafor (2001) doubted government sustaining the gain of deregulation due to the undu e interference in NNPC affair resulting to near collapse and dismal performance which encouraged the clamour for the privatisation and deregulation. According to Kikeri and Nellis (2004) they argued that deregulation processes and institutions must be combined with appropriate competition policies and regulatory frameworks without which the gains of deregulation can be eroded by harsh impact on consumers and the overall economy affected due to inadequate product supply. Matthew and Fidelis (2003) opined that the merit of deregulation can only be enjoyed by Nigerians if only they could be genuine attention to eliminating corruption in the sector. Adagba, Ugwu and Eme (2012) posits that government is merely taxing the poor to subsidise the life of the rich. Similarly, Akpanuko and Ayandele (2012) argues that government is not transparent in its drive to transform the economy and suggested reduction in the cost of governance, rehabilitating the refineries as a measure to drive the economy. In global perspective, the theoretical argument behind the large scale deregulation reforms initiated in the late 1970s is two-fold. On one hand, deregulation reduces the rents that regulation creates for workers, incumbent producers, and service providers. This view has gained a widespread popularity among academics and policy makers ever since the works by Stigler (1971); Posner (1975) and Peltzman (1976) contributed to the understanding of the political economy of regulation. On the other hand, deregulation allows the newly created competition on product, labour and capital markets to determine the winner of rent transfers. Thus, by spurring productivity and efficiency gains Winston, (1993), economic deregulation ultimately contributes to the overall increase in economic growth. The additional growth is brought primarily through increased employment and real wages Blanchard Giavazzi (2003), which impacts both production and consumption and through increased investment Alesina, Ardagna, Nicoletti, Schiantarelli (2005), this affects the capital stock in the economy. However, a need for caution is required on the recent take on the efficiency gains from deregulation in the developing world. The key argument in this new area of literature is that deregulation reforms influence diverse economies differently, depending on their position on the technology level and on their quality of institutions. For example, Acemoglu, Aghion and Zilibotti (2006) claim that certain restrictions on competition may benefit the technologically backward countries, while Estache and Wren-Lewis (2009) finds that ideal regulatory policies in developed and in developing countries are different because of differences in the overall institutional quality in those countries. In addition, Aghion, Alesina and Trebbi (2007) use industry level data to demonstrate that within each economy, institutional reforms influence different industries differently, and more specifically, industries closer to the technology frontier would be affected more by deregulation and would innovate more than the backward industries in order to prevent entry. As a result, countries closer to the technology frontier would benefit more from deregulation. The alleged benefits of economic deregulation in many industries prompted a debate on the growth effects from specific types of reforms on petroleum product downstream deregulation. 2.1 THEORIES OF DEREGULATION Deregulation can be looked from the angle of different theories, we have the public interest theory which presume that deregulation would occur if the market deficiency which compelled regulation in the first place were to disappear. An illustration is a change in technology which could eliminate a natural monopoly. The public interest theory also predicts that deregulation would occur if discovered that a regulatory regime which had been perceived to be in the public interest was defective. It may turn out that, in the light of experience, the cost of the regulatory apparatus is or has become greater than the loss resulting from the market imperfection it was designed to correct Posner (1974). Thus, it may become obvious only with experience that entry restrictions is a relatively costly way to enforce standards. From Stigler Peltzman came the version of the special interest theory which suggests that a number of factors which may give rise to deregulation. First, a reduction in the cost consumers must incur in order to inform themselves regarding the effect of regulation on them. For example, price comparisons between regulated and non-regulated controls can assist consumers in estimating the effect of regulation on the prices they pay. Secondly, as product substitutes increases between regulated and non-regulated products, this would reduce profits and hence the urge to lobby for regulation induced price increases. Substitution may also occur between regulated and unregulated industries or between regulated and unregulated controls. Thirdly, a change in industry structure can reduce either the incentive or the ability to lobby for regulation. Also, an increase in the number of firms in an industry or a merging of their respective interests may increase the incentive to free ride and make it more costly to organize support for politicians promising regulatory benefits Stigler (1974). Noll and Owen (1983) argue that, over time, the beneficiaries of regulation will grow while groups that lose will contract. In view of the interest group structure, alternative for substitutes and information, McCormick et al. (1984) offer two reasons why the incentive to regulate is greater than the incentive to deregulate. The first is that the cost of seeking regulation may be as much as the present value of the anticipated wealth transfer involved, and if this cost is sunk it is not recoverable in the event of deregulation. The question is does Nigeria have a theory of deregulation? although the public and special interest theories of deregulation had slightly been criticized for the vagueness regarding transactions in policy frameworks and political markets. In the case of Nigeria the evidence on deregulation supports both the public and special interest theories. The two of them are in the same range, deregulation is used by government to effect wealth transfers through privatization. These transfers may benefit the highly concentrated special interest groups, such as petroleum product marketers and politicians. They may also benefit larger groups, like the deregulation of telecom industry. For the public interest group, government most times come up with reforms and policy frame work aimed at benefiting the masses, but often hijacked by the cabals who may want to exploit government programme to their own benefit. An example is the issue of oil subsidy which the original government intention was for p ublic interest, but was later hijacked by special interest groups or cabals. 2.2 COUNTRY EXPERIENCES ON DEREGULATION 2.2.1 ARGENTINA The Menem administration introduced deregulation in Argentina. The country underwent heavy economic deregulation, privatization and had a fixed exchange rate between (1989-1999). The resulting effects of Argentina deregulation exercise lead to the comparing of Enron with Argentina by Krugman (2001), asserting that they were both experiencing economic collapse due to excessive deregulation. However the claim by Krugman was termed as confusing correlation with causation, as neither the collapse was due to excessive deregulation Herbert (2002). He argued that if deregulation of the Argentine economy produced prosperity for years, how could it generate collapse within a few months? The answer is not deregulation but excessive loans. 2.2.2 AUSTRALIA Deregulation in Australia commenced with the Minimum Effective Regulation in 1986 following the announcement by the Labour Prime Minister Bob Hawke of a wide range of deregulatory policies. The introduction of the policy, which is now a familiar requirements for regulatory impact statements, took many years for governmental agencies to comply with. Although wider competition policy reforms had commenced, during the 1980s trade policy reform which substantially increased competition in the domestic economy Smith (2001). In this regard the level of assistance to manufacturing sector was reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent of the value of manufacturing output between 1981-82 and 1991-92. They was reductions in import barriers, which off course exposed many industries to the rigours of international competition, providing increased incentives to improve product quality, costs and innovation. 2.2.3 CANADA The deregulation of natural gas in Canada took place in the mid 1980s, with exception of Atlantic provinces, Vancouver Island and Medicine Hat, the whole of the country natural gas was deregulated. A price comparison service is operating in some of these jurisdictions, particularly Ontario, Alberta and BC. The other provinces are small markets and have not attracted suppliers. Customers have the choice of purchasing from a local distribution company (LDC) or a deregulated supplier. In most provinces the LDC is not allowed to offer a term contract, just a variable price based on the spot market. LDC prices are changed either monthly or quarterly. 2.2.4 UNITED KINGDOM The conservative government of Margaret Thatcher started a program of deregulation and privatization in 1979, where the conservative government criticised many public enterprises, including CEGB, for being too inflexible, bureaucratic and out of political control. As a remedy the government suggested deregulation and privatisation Foster (1993) ; Newbery and Green (1996). In response, the policy framework was enacted which included the express coach Transport Act 1980, British Telecom 1984, privatization of London Bus services 1984, local bus services Transport Acts 1985 and the railways 1993. The common feature of all the privatisations was the offering of the shares to the general public. In support of the policy since 1997 the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown developed a programme of better deregulation. This included a general programme for government departments to review, simplify or abolish their existing regulations, and introduced approach to new regulations . 2.2.5 NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand governments adopted policies of extensive deregulation from 1984 to 1995. Originally initiated by the Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand Dalziel (2010). The goal of the policy was liberalising the economy and had a comprehensive coverage and innovations. The major specific polices included: establishing an independent reserve bank; floating the exchange rate; public sector finance reform based on accrual accounting; performance contracts for senior civil servants; tax neutrality; subsidy-free agriculture; and industry neutral competition regulation. The introduction led to Economic growth in 1991. New Zealand was changed from a somewhat closed and centrally controlled economy to one of the most open economies in the OECD Evans, Grimes, Wilkinson (1996). 2.2.6 UNITED STATES Many industries in the United States became regulated by the federal government in the late 19th and early 20th century. Entry to some markets was restricted to stimulate and protect the initial investment of private companies into infrastructure to provide public services, such as water, electric and communications utilities. However in the 1970s among the problems that encouraged deregulation was the way in which the regulated industries often controlled the government regulatory agencies, using them to serve the industries interests. In the energy industry the Emergency Petroleum Act was a regulating law, consisting of a mix of regulations and deregulation, which passed in response to OPEC price hikes and domestic price controls which effected the 1973 oil crisis in the United States. After adoption of this federal legislation, numerous state legislation known as Natural Gas Choice programs have sprung up in several states which allow residential and small volume natural gas users to comparison purchase from natural gas suppliers, aside with traditional utility companies. 2.3 CONCEPT OF DEREGULATION Deregulation refers to a situation whereby they is a restrictive use of the states legal power to direct the conduct of private actors Stigler (1971). Deregulation programme is focused primarily on the withdrawal of economic interest of government apparatus. It is also the reduction of government regulation of business, consumers and market activity Economic glossary (2013). Similarly deregulation according to Webster dictionary is the act or process of removing state deregulations, it is the opposite of regulation which implies the process of government regulating certain activities. In the perspective of Kimberly (2013) deregulation is when the government seeks to allow more competition in an industry that allows near-monopolies. From the view of Ernest and Young (1988) deregulation and privatization are elements of economic reform programmes charge with the goal of improving the overall economy in a structured process. Essentially in an economic perspective deregulation implies freedom from government control Innocent and Charles (2011), while Akinwumi et al (2005) asserts that deregulation is the removal of government interference in running a system. By implication, the normal regulatory rules and enforcement in managing the operation of a system is replaced with market force of demand and supply to be a determinant of price Ajayi and Ekundayo (2008). In the opinion of Wolak (2005) he sees deregulation as the removal of control by government on natural monopolies in order to exercise market power. Where for example in US regulation generally held natural monopolies to a specified rate of return basis for pricing products Rothwell and Gomez (2003). Deregulation introduced free market principles and competition into these natural monopolies Hirsch (1999); Kahn (2004); Novarro and Shames (2003); Rassenti, Smith and Wilson (2002) and created the frame breaking changes. The deregulation of downstream oil and gas industry is the loosening of government control over the industry. It is a way of breaking the monopoly in NNPC in order to pave way for healthy competition. This implies the introduction of free market system, where the forces of demand and supply are allowed to determine the market price of products PPPRA (2004). This formula is in contrast to the regulated regime, where government acting on existing laws controls and determine retail and wholesale prices of petroleum products. A regulated regime is characterised by low level of competition and investment leading to distortions in product supply and distribution, scarcity resulting to long queues, hording, smuggling and other bottlenecks such as monopolistic practices, existence of subsidy and poor maintenance of infrastructural facilities Funsho (2004). The structural framework of deregulation involves the following phases: (1) Liberalisation (2) Privatization and commercialization. 2.3.1 LIBERALIZATION Liberalization refers to a relaxation of the government previous restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy, in most context the process or concept is often, but not always referred to as deregulation Sullivan, Arthur, Sheffrin and Steven (2002). It is also the involvement of many participants in the downstream petroleum industry PPPRA (2004). Liberalization involves removing monopoly, promoting high competitive culture in the industry, product availability, ensuring fair pricing for consumer, reviving and ensuring the efficiency of the refineries Oluwole (2004). Liberalization also ensures the removal of oil subsidy, which robs the poor to pay the rich PPPRA (2004). Liberalization is aimed to generate add

Comparing Mary Anne in Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong and Kurtz in Apo

Comparing Mary Anne in Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong and Kurtz in Apocalypse Now  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1979, Francis Coppola released a film that he said he hoped "would give its audience a sense of the horror, the madness, the sensuousness, and the moral dilemma of the Vietnam war" (as quoted in Hagen 230). His film, Apocalypse Now, based on Joseph Conrad's 1902 novel Heart of Darkness, is the story of Captain Benjamin Willard's (Martin Sheen) journey to the interior of the jungle of Southeastern Asia for the purpose of executing his orders to track down Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Once Kurtz is located, Willard is to "terminate his command with extreme prejudice" because Kurtz has raised an army of deserters and natives, whom he rules over like a fanatical war lord- When Willard finally reaches Kurtz's compound and meets him, he discovers a man who has descended into primitive barbarism. From the beginning of their encounter, Kurtz knows why Willard was sent to find him and makes no effort to stop Willard from slaying him with a machete. With his mission accomplished, Willard boards the boat that will take him. back to civilization. Tim O'Brien's story "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" is like Apocalypse Now in that it is also about a character who "crossed to the other side." Her name is Mary Anne and her boyfriend, Mark Fossie, has her shipped over to Vietnam to be with him. However, instead of reacting to the atmosphere of the war as Fossie thougbt she would, she becomes fascinated with the mystery of it, and over the course of the story is completely drawn in by the jungle's allure. Over a period of weeks, she disappears on ambushes with a nearby squad of Green Berets and when finally confronted by Fossie, he fi... ...e Now (1979): Joseph Conrad and the Television War." Hollvwood As Historian: American Film in a Cultural Context. Ed. Peter C. Rollins. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1983. 230-245. O'Brien, Tim. "How to Tell a True War Story," Writing As Re-Vision: A Studenl's Anthology Ed. Beth Alvarado and Barbara Cully. Needham Heights, MA: Simon and Schuster Custom Publishing, 1996. 550-558. __________. "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong,." The Things They Carried. New York: Viking Penguin. 1990. 101-125. __________. "The Vietnam in Me." Writing As Re- Vision: A Student's Antholoqy. 559-571. Phillips, Gene D. Conrad and Cinema: The Art of Adaptation. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., 1995. Watts, Cedric. 'Heart of Darkness.' The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Conrad. Ed. J.H. Stape. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. 45-62.      

Will Bury’s Price Elasticity Scenario

The economic concepts founded in Will Bury’s Price Elasticity Scenario are the following: 1. Supply and Demand One of the most fundamental concepts of economics and the backbone of a market economy is the concept of supply and demand. Demand shows the various amounts of a product that consumers are willing and able to purchase at each of a series of possible prices during a specified period of time. (McConnell & Brue, 2004) The law of demand states that, if all other factors remain equal, the higher the price of a good, the less people will demand that good. Therefore, there is a negative relationship between price and quantity demanded. The basic determinants of demand which affect purchases are: †¢Consumers’ preferences †¢The number of consumers in the market †¢Consumers’ incomes †¢The price of related goods †¢Consumers’ expectations about future prices and incomes Supply shows the amount of a product that producers are willing and able to make available for sale at each of a series of possible prices during a specific period. (McConnell & Brue, 2004) The law of supply states that as price rises, the quantity supplied rises; as price falls, the quantity supplied falls. Therefore, there is a positive relationship between price and quantity supplied. The basic determinants of supply are: †¢Resource price †¢Technology †¢Taxes and subsides †¢Prices of other goods †¢Price expectation †¢The number of sellers in the market In order to understand the effect of price on volume demanded, Will Bury must understand the theory of supply and demand. When he will put these two concepts together, he will identify the market equilibrium with the price and quantity at the intersection of the demand and supply relations. That will be the price just high enough that quantity demanded is equal to quantity supplied, and the quantity corresponding to that price. 2. Elasticity of Demand and Supply The degree to which a demand or supply reacts to a price change is measured by a product’s price elasticity. There are different types of elasticity. Price elasticity of demand measures how sensitive is the quantity demanded to a change in the price of the good. Price elasticity of supply measures how sensitive is the quantity supplied to a change in the price of the good. When elasticity is small (less than 1 in absolute value) the relation is inelastic. Inelastic demand (supply) means that the quantity demanded (supplied) is not very sensitive to the price. When elasticity is large (greater than 1 in absolute value) the relation is elastic. Elastic demand (supply) means that the quantity demanded (supplied) is sensitive to the price. General formula for price elasticity is: Elasticity = (Percentage Change in Quantity) / (Percentage Change in Price) As a general rule, the more substitutes a good has, the more elastic is its supply and demand. 3. Substitute Goods Substitute goods are goods that can be used to satisfy the same needs, one in the place of another. That means that demand for the two kinds of goods will be bounded together by the fact that consumers can trade of one good for the other if it becomes advantageous to do so. In Will Bury’s Price Elasticity Scenario the 500-page book on CD is a substitute for Bury’s audio files of a book, therefore Will Bury must stay current on marketing research and stay current on other potential competitors who may offer substitute products because an increase in price for one kind of goods will result in an increase in demand for its substitute goods, and a decrease in price will result in a decrease in demand for its substitute. 4. Cross Elasticity of Demand The cross elasticity of demand measures how sensitive consumer purchases of one product are to a change in the price of some other product. The general formula for cross elasticity of demand is: Exy = (Percentage Change in Quantity Demanded of Product X) / (Percentage Change in Price of Product Y) The cross elasticity of demand for substitute goods will always be positive, because the demand for one good will increase if the price for the other good increases. References: McConnell, C. R. , & Brue, S. L. (2004). Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies (16th ed. ). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin University of Phoenix Material: Will Bury’s Price Elasticity Scenario. Retrieved June 6, 2009 from: https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/classroom/ic/classroom. aspx