Organizational Strategy Essays - Management, Strategic Management

Organizational Strategy Essays - Management, Strategic Management Organizational Strategy The organization that has been selected for the process alignment exercise is Lego A/S which is a Denmark Based organization. It was founded in 1932 and is basically known for its Lego brand of toys. This company had been chosen because of its continual improvement in its offerings. It has done innovations not only in its products but also its business model, process and means of communication. Lego has tried to gain competitive advantage by means of adopting innovation as one of its strategy (LEGO, 2009) Key Success Factors 1.Current Strategy The company (LEGO) follows the strategy of focused differentiation. This again comes from the fact that the product offering of the industry player are very unique and the market segment is very narrow as it caters mainly to the children, their parents and teachers on some occasion only. Thus the price of the product offered is on the higher side with a higher perceived value. Forces influencing the strategy in LEGO The EnvironmentStakeholder Influence and CompetenciesResources/Capabilities External Regulatory BodiesInnovation that is sustainable Cant be imitated CompetitorsConsumersCustomized product with differentiation InternalEmployeeempowering them and cost cutting The Toy and games business follows the strategy of focused differentiation. This again comes from the fact that the product offering of the industry player are very unique and the market segment is very narrow as it caters mainly to the children, their parents and teachers on some occasion only. Thus the price of the product offered is on the higher side with a higher perceived value. Resources and competencies Resources and the competencies that are required to support the competitive strategy of focused differentiation: In the focused strategy the main emphasis is on a narrow segment wherein advantage cost and differentiation (product/offering) becomes the key. Commitment The company will have a narrow segment thereby having a lower volume and thereby less bargaining power with the suppliers. The company pursues a focused differentiation strategy because of which it will be able to pass on the higher cost to the customers as its product offering will be only of its kind in the market. One of the important characteristic that the company need to showcase is the wide product offering. The company should also be in the lookout to carve in and identify the sub segment in the market. The company should also be in the lookout for customer insights and needs such that the company is able to offer the customized products to its customer. The Supply chain strategy as is followed by Lego provides it with the competitive advantage. Lego believes getting the supply chain right was essential to meeting other business challenges. Getting the right product to the right place at the right time at the right cost was an important early step in grappling with an array of strategic challenges Core competencies The company should be able to offer a variety of unique products at a competitive price. Thus the focus here should be on the uniqueness of the product. The product can be a customized product that is being offered by the company Strategy and KSFs This is the first step in the process requires doing a 7 S assessment of the organization LEGO as it currently exists along either 7 Ss or those Ss that are relevant given your units size and scope. It is very useful to have your assessment of the current state validated by other members of your team to ensure that your analysis is correct. They may have experience or insights that you do not have. Strategy: Strategy is the plan of action an organization prepares in response to, or anticipation of, changes in its external environment. The strategy deals with mainly three important questions LEGO (Current Strategy) The company (LEGO) follows the strategy of focused differentiation. This again comes from the fact that the product offering of the industry player are very unique and the market segment is very narrow as it caters mainly to the children, their parents and teachers on some occasion only. Thus the price of the product offered is on the higher side with a higher perceived value. LEGO (Future Strategies) The major scenarios those are possible in future for LEGO are as follows: Organic and Green Toys-As the new laws for the safety are been developed the Topy makers would be forced

Definition of a Private University

Definition of a Private University A private university is  simply a university whose funding comes from tuition, investments, and private donors, not from taxpayers. That said, only a small handful of universities in the country are truly independent of governmental support, for many higher education programs such as Pell Grants are supported by the government, and universities tend to get significant tax breaks because of their non-profit status. On the flip side, many public universities receive only a small percentage of their operating budgets from state tax payer dollars, but public universities, unlike private institutions, are administered by public officials and can sometimes fall victim to the politics behind state budgets. Examples of Private Universities Many of the countrys most prestigious and selective institutions are private universities including all of the Ivy League schools (such as  Harvard University  and Princeton University), Stanford University,  Emory University, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt University. Because of separation of church and state laws, all universities with a distinct religious affiliation are private including  University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, and Brigham Young University. Features of a Private University A private university has several features that distinguish it from a liberal arts college or community college: Undergraduate and graduate student focus:  Unlike liberal arts colleges, universities often have significant masters and doctoral programs. MIT, for example, has nearly 3,000 more graduate students than undergraduate students.Graduate degrees:  Most degrees awarded from a liberal arts college are four-year bachelors degrees; at a private university, advanced degrees such as an M.A., M.F.A., M.B.A., J.D., Ph.D., and M.D. are also common.Medium size:  No private universities are as large as some of the huge public universities, but they tend to be larger than liberal arts colleges. Total undergraduate enrollments between 5,000 and 15,000 are typical although there are certainly some that are smaller and some that are larger. Some private (as well as public) universities have significant online programs, but in this article well consider only the residential student population.Broad academic offerings:  Universities are typically made up of several colleges, and students can oft en choose courses in the liberal arts and sciences or more specialized fields such as engineering, business, health, and fine arts. Youll often see a school called a comprehensive university because it covers a full spectrum of academic areas. Faculty focus on research:  At big-name private universities, professors are often evaluated for their research and publishing first, and teaching second. At most liberal arts colleges, teaching has the top priority. That said, a majority of private universities actually do value teaching over research, but these schools rarely have the name recognition of the research powerhouses. Faculty members at regional public universities tend to have much higher teaching loads than the faculty at prestigious flagship state campuses.Residential:  The majority of students at private universities live at college and attend full time. In general, youll find far more commuter students and part-time students at public universities and community colleges.Name recognition: The most prestigious and well-known schools in the world are largely private universities. Every member of the Ivy League is a private university, as are Stanford, Duke, Georgetown,  Johns Hopkins  and MIT. Are Private Universities More Expensive than Public Universities? At first glance, yes, private universities typically have a higher sticker price than public universities. This is not always true. For example, out-of-state tuition for the University of California system is higher than many private universities. However, the top 50 most expensive institutions in the country are all private. That said, sticker price and what students actually pay are two very different things. If you come from a family that earns $50,000 a year, for example, Harvard University (one of the most expensive universities in the country) will be free for you. Yes, Harvard will actually cost you less money than your local community college. This is because the countrys most expensive and elite universities are also the ones that have the largest endowments and the best financial aid resources. Harvard pays all costs for students from families with modest income. So if you qualify for financial aid, you should definitely not favor public universities over private ones based solely on price. You may very well find that with financial aid the private institution is competitive with if not cheaper than the public institution. If you are from a high income family and wont qualify for financial aid, the equation will be quite different. Public universities are likely to cost you less. Merit aid, of course, can change the equation. The very best private universities (such as Stanford, MIT, and the Ivies) do not offer merit aid. Aid is based entirely on need. Beyond these few top schools, however, strong students will find a range of opportunities for winning substantial merit-based scholarships from both private and public universities. Finally, when calculating the cost of a university, you should also look at the graduation rate. The countrys better private universities do a better job graduating students in four years than the majority of public universities. This is largely because strong private universities have more financial resources for staffing required courses and providing quality one-on-one academic advising. A Final Word About Private Universities As you work to create your college wish list, dont rule out private universities because you think they will be too expensive. Instead, search for schools that are a good match for your educational, professional, and personal goals. Be sure to visit small colleges, public universities, and private universities so that you get a feel for the pros and cons of each.

Course work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Course work - Essay Example Due to this, an external management consultant was engaged to review the entire company in general and its IT development function. From the results of the review, the executive board commissioned the management consultant to identify appropriate techniques for business and requirements analysis activities for the company. The process of checking on the availability of products remain unclear and may require secondary scenarios such as what exactly would happen if a selected product is not available or if the selected product is available but not in sufficient quantity to serve the quantity selected by the customer. In the latter case, the system must know whether to remove the product from the customer’s order or supply a partial order. Inspection of the use case diagram and developing all scenarios in detail allows the analyst and the users to understand detailed system requirements and will be able to accurately specify requirements. Depending on the complexity of order processing for the different customer sectors, additional systems to be developed would either be a separate system per customer sector or additional system processes for the sectors with different processes from the home sector system. Based on the rich picture, other potential systems that might be developed are a warehousing system, an inventory and stock control system, a sales monitoring system, and a supplier management system. For the Home Sector Order Processing System, further investigation in needed to determine processes for unavailable products or available products but with insufficient quantity to fill customer orders. If products are unavailable, how will reordering from suppliers be conducted? The entire process for inventory and stock monitoring and control needs to be investigated if it will be integrated into the order processing system. For insufficient quantities, will orders be partially filled or cancelled altogether? What happens if order processing

Editing in Memoirs of a Geisha Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Editing in Memoirs of a Geisha - Essay Example This is especially well done in the sumo wrestling scene, where the viewer is able to watch the geisha, the Chairman, Nobu, and her mentor as they meet and discuss the match and life in the real world outside of the ring and the tea house. This focus on expression and verbal interplay continues throughout the film and enhances the final scenes when the Chairman and the geisha meet and finally express their devotion for one another. The editor frequently cuts back and forth to the vast sky and the large town, as seen from the rooftops. These scenes are used to convey motion and the growing of the geisha. Her initial journey from the country to the city is played out by cutting from her departure from the train station, to a view of a moving train as seen from a distance to her arrival at another station. She grows from child to woman when the editor cuts from the scene of her praying at the temple to the city in winter from an aerial view. When she first considers running away the edi tor cuts back and forth between her on the roof looking out at the city and the vast amount of rooftops that stretch out below her. The scenery plays almost as important a role, conveying unspoken emotions, as the characters do. Every scene is beautifully edited in a manner that makes the most of the characters’ facial and physical expressions, their interactions, and the world around them, making this an interesting and entertaining movie for the viewer. It is easy to get swept away and I was left wanting more.

Responsible for most of the global economic problems Essay Example for Free

Responsible for most of the global economic problems Essay Neo-liberalism is a political ideology that suggests that ‘human well-being can be advanced by the maximisation of entrepreneurial freedom, characterised by private property rights, individual liberty, free markets and free trade’ (Geografiskar, A 2006). In today’s modern society neo-liberalism is widespread around the globe with various stakeholders offering conflicting views. Some advocates, namely the capitalistic portion of society argue that a liberal market is essential for economic growth whilst others hold neo-liberalism responsible for the global economic problems we are experiencing today. It is clear to many that the policies arising from this ideology have caused the poor to grow poorer and the rich to grow richer. Accordingly, this essay will argue that Neo-Liberalism greatly contributed greatly to today’s global economic problems and will shed light on the overriding reasons why a neo-liberalism is not ideal to foster a sustainable and healthy economic environment for all as the ideology proposes. One of the primary economic problems in the world is sub-standard living conditions and the major gap between the wealthy and the non-wealthy. The first argument that encapsulates the problems associated with neo-liberalism is the tendency for the ideology to foster inequality in society. Navarro (1998) agrees and extends to say that neoliberalism has caused increasingly declining living conditions for most of the world’s population, whilst the minority continue to grow wealthier. This is supported by the argument that the inequality arises from policies that exist in a neo-liberal society such as granting tax-cuts for the wealthy and decreasing minimum wages for the non-wealthy (George, 1999). Pro neo-liberals would combat these arguments and suggest that a free market will grow the prosperity of a society as a whole however, it has been argued that although wealth might be increased, it is supressed by the elite and  the non-elite do not share in the economic growth making neoliberal ideologies on positive for one level of society (Beder, 2006). A prominent example is in Brazil where in the early 1990’s the country liberalised the market considerably, as a result the inflation rate decreased and the economy was stimulated however the living conditions of the general society did not improve and inequality was greater than ever (Amann Baer, 2002). Brazil still continues to grow poorer as neoliberal ideologies now control the vast majority of Latin America increasing the inequality amongst majority of society. Therefore it can be concluded that neo-liberalism is a major contributor to global economic problems such as inequality and sub-standard living conditions. When governments implement neoliberal ideologies it causes regulatory agencies to be taken over by special interests and anti-government groups which reduces the level of protection for the general public. Deregulation is the â€Å"the reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry, usually enacted to create more competition within the industry†. (investopedia, 2013). From a neoliberal supporter’s standpoint, deregulation allows corporations to increase their bottom line and profit margins by reducing regulations that may restrict them from certain income-producing activities. However, by reducing regulation there are large risks involved that can lead to catastrophic events. The enormous ecological and economic damage in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the British Petroleum oil spill is just one of many examples of the breakdown of regulation caused by neoliberalism. It has also come to light around the globe that the reduction of government oversight of the financial sector was a leading cause of the mortgage loan crisis and the severe economic recession that it triggered. The most prominent and possibly the most notable market crash is the ‘Global Financial Crisis’ which was a direct repercussion of the neo-liberal policies which were implemented at the time and for which many of today’s global economic problems has stem from. These policies predominately include the replacement of government functions and services with profit-seeking entities, or more commonly known as privatisation and most importantly the deregulation of the economic market (Beder, 2006). Due to the deregulation, financial institutions and other economic players were able to invest in more complex financial markets which were beyond their understanding and a result a market crash occurred and the detrimental effects were widespread. If regulation had been put in place to monitor investment activity then it has been argued that the Global Financial Crisis would not have occurred and the associated global economic problems we are experiencing today would not have eventuated (Dag Einar Thorsen, 2013). As neoliberal policies where implemented around the world casing the global financial crisis the world disparities in wealth and income increased as well as poverty, contradicting neoliberal theories that by increasing the wealth at the top everyone becomes better off. One of the largest areas of concern around the globe is the poverty levels. Over the last 40 years governments have been influenced by neoliberal ideologies and poverty has increased on a global scale. Neoliberalism has contributed to this increase by boycotting certain government regulations and cutting tax rates, providing private industries with more power to grow wealthier while the poor suffer the consequences. A representative from the World Bank stated â€Å"Reducing government regulation with tax rates and deregulation across most of the planet has not brought anything close to an end of poverty†, (World Bank 2001). Neoliberal advocates believe that wealth generated by reducing regulation and allowing private enterprises such as banks and financial institutions to hold more power will be passed down to all levels of society. However, this is not the case, an example is the United states, under Neoliberal governments child poverty rose by a third and in the â€Å"united kingdom between 1980 and 1990 when the government was run by neoliberal policies poverty rose by half†.( Navarro, Vicente. 1998). The high volume of capital movements caused by neoliberalism have led to much crisis, exposing developing countries to new risks. There are various reasons why neoliberal policies have failed to address the issues of poverty in society. One of these reasons being the stability policies neoliberalism has input into our governments, supported by tight fiscal and monetary controls which have provided neither growth nor stabilization within countries’ economies. (Geografiskar, A 2006). The liberalisation of foreign trade was put in place to remove the barriers of developing countries but maintenance of these barriers has given birth to an unfair international market. Thoroughly linked with poverty, another major economic human problem that neoliberalism has failed to resolve is  employment. Global markets have not generated anything close to enough waged work for the world’s labour force. Hundreds of millions of people remain unemployed or underemployed. Neoliberalism ideologies are set through government to generate wealth in private industries, this wealth aims to grow business’s and by doing this aims to increase employment. However, owing to the neo-liberal economic reforms, the higher costs of utilities like power and water are caused by the government reducing expenditure, when services become privatized, such as transport, health and education which the leads to business’s enhancing their turnover. â€Å"As a result of the diminishment government owned industries and the economic agents cut back on output growth rates and downsize the number of employees, inevitably generating unemployment† (Daniela Zirra, 2012.). Private industries continue to aim for increasing profits, this is achieved by lowering expenses and when their main expenses are wages the unemployment rate continues to rise. Current debates concerning the effects of neoliberalism ideologies have frequently separated between advocates who see only benefits and opponents who see only problems. In practice the results have been more one sided. Alternatively many people have faith in in the Neoliberalism ideology’s and argue towards supporting it as the way of the future. The mixture of positives and negatives has varied between one situation and another; the negatives of a neoliberal society are far more detrimental to our economy than what the positives produce. I argue that Neoliberals re responsible for most of the global economic problems we are currently experiencing today. It will be hard to stop governments enforcing Neoliberal policies and standards as ‘Neo-liberal theories have been embraced by big businesses because they provide legitimisation for their pursuit of self-interest and avenues for business expansion (Beder, 2006). However, we can look towards a more positive future for all levels of society, reducing the global economic problems we face today by standing together and fighting against Neo-liberal beliefs. Referencing Amann, Edmund and Werner Baer. 2002. â€Å"Neoliberalism and Its Consequences in Brazil.† Journal of Latin American Studies 34(4):945-959. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=376 2011  Beder, Sharon (2000). Selling the work ethic: : From puritan pulpit to corporate PR. Australia Daniela Zirra, 2012. CURRENT NEOLIBERAL IDEAS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT . Romanian Economic and Business Review – Vol. 4, No. 1. — Elizabeth Martinez and Arnoldo Garcia, What is â€Å"Neo-Liberalism†?, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, January 1, 1997 George, Susan. 1999. â€Å"A Short History of Neoliberalism.† Presented at the Conference on Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World, March 24-26, Bangkok, Thailand. Geografiskar, A. Series B, Human Geography , Vol. 88, No. 2, Geography and Power, the Power of Geography (2006), pp. 145-158 Published by: Wiley on behalf of the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography . Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/stable/3878384 Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order. Seven Stories Press. November 1998. ISBN 1-888363-82-7 1998†(John Williamsons Washington Consensus,1998. Navarro, Vicente. 1998. â€Å"Neoliberalism, ‘Globalization,’ Unemployment, Inequalities, and the Welfare State.† International Journal of Health Services 28(4):607-682. Neoliberalism, globalization, unemployment, inequalities, and the welfare state. Navarro V 2012. Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205-1901, USA. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/14/neoliberal-theory-economic-failure http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1220context=artspapers http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/as-expected-sequestration-cuts-are-neoliberal-blueprint-not-dumb-mistakes/ Title: Guidelines for Public Debt Management Published: 20010, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The Day the Noise Stopped :: essays research papers

A woman is sitting in her old, shuttered house. She knows she’s alone in the world because every other living thing is dead. The doorbell rings. She answers the door to find nothing but the wind. She looks to the left, then to the right and back to the left. She has a puzzled look on her face. â€Å"What in the world is going on†, she thinks to herself. Janet runs to the living room, picks up the phone and calls her sister. No answer. â€Å"A fluke†, she thinks to herself. She dials her best friend, again, no answer. She is starting to panic at this point. Janet calls everyone in her address book, including her brother in China. She gets no answer from anyone. Janet walks outside and finds nothing but dirt, empty cars and houses. She sees bicycles left lying in the street, as if the children were snatched off them while riding away from something. Janet walks down what used to be a beautiful street, lined with oak and willow trees. What she finds now is a desolate world in which she seems to be alone. Janet continues to walk, not realizing that hours have passed. Hours without any trace of life, not even a blade of grass. She is trying to sort things out in her mind as to how this could be. Alas, she comes up with the answer, or so she thinks. She is talking aloud as she walks because she knows she will go crazy if she doesn’t hear something. â€Å"While I was sleeping, I did hear a loud screeching noise. I thought it was just a dream. I did hear a lot of screaming, and what sounded like pandemonium in the front of the house. I think we were under attack. Yes, that must be it. They have dropped nuclear bombs on us and wiped out all of God’s creations. But, can it be? Who would do this? Why am I still here? Why didn’t I die too?† Janet remembers when she was a young girl and her father told her of a story about their old, run down, house with magic shutters. He said that his father had met an Indian Medicine Man during his travels. Her grandfather helped the Medicine Man’s son. He performed an emergency surgery on him that enabled him to live a long, prosperous life. The Medicine Man didn’t have anything to offer in return.

Compare and contrast the human condition as it relates to Muslims and Christians

The author of this paper will endeavor to compare and contrast the human condition as it relates to Muslims and Christians. The author will examine the teachings of these religions as it relates to the improvement of the human condition and will look at the public stance of both of these great religions. One of the five basic pillars of Islam is the Zakaat or spiritual tithing or almsgiving. In its simplest terms it is a command by Muslims to give 2.5% of their accumulated wealth on an annual basis to other Muslims. According to www.islam.tc there is much more to the Zakaat than the simple annual giving. According to this website the Zakaat is â€Å"the most important act of worship which has to be performed monetarily.† The website further lists the many benefits of giving Zakaat as follows: â€Å"It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such is to be spent according to His commands.† â€Å"Zakaat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.† â€Å"Zakaat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgement of gratitude. The receiver of Zakaat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to Allah.† Thus the Muslim by accepting the 5 pillars agrees that he is to help support the less well off from him. As this is a command from Allah, the benefits of the Zakaat are then seen as blessings directly from Allah. Allah says in the Qur'an â€Å"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom he pleases.† (Qur'an 2:261) Further research indicates that the Hadith indicates the following benefits are derived from the Zakaat as follows: 1. Gain the pleasure of Allah 2. Increase in wealth and protection from losses 3. Allah's forgiveness and blessings 4. Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death 5. A shelter on the Day of Judgment 6. Security from seventy misfortunes Benefit is sometimes looked upon as the avoidance of pain, and the Hadith certainly points out not only some benefits such as forgiveness and blessings, but additionally the avoidance of pain such as shelter on Judgment day and the security from seventy misfortunes. Allah also indicates punishment for not giving Zakaat as follows: â€Å"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding.† (Qur'an 9:34-35) Christians on the other hand are certainly not as public and seem to be by the author's experience somewhat bashful or ashamed to speak about money, tithing and almsgiving. From the author's own experience as a member of the Stewardship committee of his Church, we only speak of money three Sundays per year and only in the context that it is a member of the trilogy of time, talents, and treasures to be given for the glory of God. Further, Christians are of two minds as to the amount of money they should give. The old testament of the Bible in Leviticus 27:31 states the following: A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. The word â€Å"tithe† means one tenth. In the new testament of the Bible, Jesus teaches us in Luke 6:38 â€Å"Give, it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.† Also in Luke, Jesus says in Luke 11:41 â€Å"But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.† The passages from the old and new testaments seem to be mutually exclusive, but do indicate that giving must be done, but not how much. Muslims, it seems are definitely more clear on the amount of giving. Also different between the Christian and the Muslim is who are we giving to? The Zakaat clearly indicates that Muslims are giving to other Muslims as a command from Allah which then gives benefit to both the giver and the receiver. Christians on the other hand clearly give to the Church. The Christian Church according to their doctrines then gives to help support the Church and also humankind as a whole. Christians routinely support other belief systems through their outreach and missions. Look as an example of the enormous support for Muslims by Christians after the Tsunami. The author is a member of an ELCA Lutheran Church and as part of the mission of this Church; the congregation took a mission trip in part to support a Catholic Orphanage in Peru. Muslims routinely praise or do not disparage the terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Why is this so? The reason is that Osama routinely supports other Muslims through generous giving to Muslims. Since there has been no outward vocal opposition to this generosity by Muslims it must therefore be an accepted practice. The author cannot recall or through research find any Christian terrorist let alone one who is exalted because of his giving. Both great religions certainly promote giving. The Muslim Zakaat clearly supports other Muslims which may just be the single biggest reason for the explosive growth of the Islam faithful in the world. Muslims believe the Zakaat should support all things Muslim such as education and cite Muhammad's exhortations regarding education as follows: â€Å"If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation.† Certainly the Zakaat helps support education amongst the Muslims which further adds to their burgeoning populations. Christianity on the other hand is more quiet and somewhat bashful in their attempts at Christian education amongst the world's non-Christian people which may account for the slower growth of Christianity. Certainly both religions are painfully aware of the decline in the overall human condition, but Muslims, because of their adherence to the Five Pillars are doing a better and more public job of showing humankind (not necessarily in the United States) the kind, peace-loving, nurturing side of their faith.

Legalizing Marijuana in the United States

I. Introduction Marijuana has been one of the most researched drugs in the history of pharmacology, and there is still considerable disagreement about its short-term and long-term effects. It was made an illicit drug in the United States, and many states have established harsh penalties for those convicted of possession of even small amounts. In the recent years, there has been a move toward decriminalization of marijuana (Bock, 2000). Marijuana is the name given in the United States to the drug produced from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The use of cannabis derivatives under such names as hashish, charas, bhang, and ganja is widespread throughout the world. The most active ingredient of the plant derivative is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The potency of this chemical is indicated by the fact that the average street sample of marijuana contains less than .5% THC (Weisheit, 1992). Some samples are considerably higher in THC content; thus, effects from the drug vary according to its quality, meaning its THC content.   The flowering parts of the plant contain the greatest amounts of THC (Goode, Pp. 567-575). These are usually dried and smoked, but they may be made into a drink somewhat like tea or blended into various cooking recipes. Somehow, marijuana has been used for some medications but it is not a valid ground to legalize it because it has negative effects to human bodies. Moreover, marijuana is still illegal in most places. Under federal law a person can be sentenced to up to one year in jail or a $5000 fine, or both, for simple possession of marijuana. Every year about 400,000 people are arrested for possession; about 80 percent are under age 26. II. Background A. Why should it be legalized? I personally agree that marijuana should be legalized because it is being used as legal medical therapy for several conditions. Careful studies have shown that it is effective in treating severe nausea in cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. Older patients seem to respond less well than younger patients and complain more about side-effects, including feeling â€Å"stoned.† Researchers are continuing studies of marijuana’s possible usefulness in reducing pressure within the eye in glaucoma and in treating muscle spasticity (Earleywine, 2002). Most people use marijuana for the altered states it produces. These states are a little easier to control than those produced by other hallucinogenic drugs, unless the dosage is very high. At low to moderate dosages, hallucinations are not present. Instead, the person typically reports of calmness, increased sensory awareness, changes in space and time, and increased appetite, often with a craving for sweets. In addition, marijuana has been used for thousands of years, both as a medicine and for its intoxicating effects. In the form of tablets, marijuana is frequently prescribed to relieve the nausea and vomiting that often accompany chemotherapy. Moreover, most people use marijuana for the altered states it produces (Kreit, 2003).   These states are a little easier to control than those produced by other hallucinogenic drugs, unless the dosage is very high. At low to moderate dosages, hallucinations are not present. Instead, the person typically reports of calmness, increased sensory awareness, changes in space and time, and increased appetite, often with a craving for sweets. Many researchers too have concluded that smoking marijuana is no more dangerous, and perhaps even less so, than smoking cigarettes or using alcohol (Nadelmann, 2004). B. Pros and Cons Many perceptual and emotional effects follow marijuana smoking. Sensory experience may become more intense; smells are richer, textures feel more sensuous, objects are seen as more beautiful, sounds are more brilliant, and ideas flow more freely, although they may be disjointed. The person may experience an emotional high in which he or she feels joyful, tranquil, and happy. The effects of marijuana, however, are like those of other drugs; they very much depend on the person and the setting. Taken in a pleasant, relaxed social situation, marijuana can be quite unpleasant (Earleywine, pp. 123-156). Also, people who are naturally paranoid, suspicious, or aggressive may become more so under the influence of marijuana; the calm, better-adjusted users are more apt to experience a euphoric high. Its non-medical use, however, is illegal in the United States and most other countries. The penalties for possessing or using marijuana are, in many states, as severe as those imposed for the possession or use of much more potent drugs (Goode, 2000). Many argue that marijuana is no more harmful than cigarettes and liquor and should be legalized. The growing consensus of research on marijuana would suggest that it is not a safe drug. Indeed, it is doubtful whether any drug taken frequently by choice is advisable. The issue, though, is frequency of use. The literature on chronic users of marijuana—that is, people who use it a lot and over a long period of time—suggests rather strongly that there are serious deficits in some cognitive abilities such as memory. In addition, heavier users experience some undesirable personality changes, problems with sleep, deficits in psychomotor abilities such as driving, and changes in motivational levels that produce apathy and a lack of striving for achievement (Schlosser, 1994). Finally, there are a number of factors that influence the effect of a particular drug. There are factors associated with the drug, including its purity and the method of its purity and the method of its administration. Subject variables that are important include body weight, metabolic rate, whether or not the person has eaten, general state of health, and previous experience with the drug. In trying to predict how any one person will react to a drug, these factors, and many others, must be taken into account. But there is another important variable that plays a major role in drug reactions, and too often its effects are overlooked (Souder, 1998). That variable is the user’s expectation of the drug’s effect. Research has shown that the experience many drug users will have is not just a result of the physiological and biochemical changes produced by the drug, but also depends on how they think they are supposed to respond, or how they see others around them responding. These factors must also be considered when evaluating the reasons for altered states of consciousness through drug use. a.) Respiratory effects: Because marijuana smoke is deeply inhaled, retained in the lungs, and contains many of the same harmful ingredients as tobacco smoke, users show signs of impaired lung functioning when compared to nonusers. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains carcinogenic agents, but since many pot smokers also tobacco, it has been hard to isolate marijuana’s impact on lung cancer. At this point, the evidence is merely suggestive (Earleywine, 2002). b.) Immune system:   Animal studies have suggested that marijuana can dampen the body’s resistance to disease, but no studies have been done to confirm or refute this danger in human beings (Earleywine, 2002). c.) Mental effects: While there is no evidence that marijuana causes the brain to shrink, it can lead to amotivational syndrome, which researchers define as a mental dulling, emotional blunting, and loss of drive and goal-directedness (Earleywine, 2002). III. Conclusion In conclusion, in the last decade marijuana dealing has become a multibillion-dollar business, ranking right behind General Motors and Exxon. Throughout the world, marijuana seems to be the fourth most popular mind-altering drug, following caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. However, marijuana use seems to be on the decline nationally, especially among young people in high school and college. At low moderate doses, marijuana acts somewhat like alcohol and some tranquilizers, and like alcohol, the drug takes effects within minutes. Unlike alcohol, marijuana at low doses does not dull sensation but may cause slight alterations in perception, so that it is unsafe to drive a car for as long as 4 to 6 hours after a single joint. After the thorough studies, I therefore conclude that marijuana should be legalized because it has positive effects if properly used. On the other hand, the use of marijuana should be case to case basis and should only be used for medications. Reference: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Belenko, S. R. (2001). Drugs and Drug Policy in America: A Documentary History. Greenwood Press. Westport, CT. Pp. 34-67. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bock, Alan W. (2000). Waiting to Inhale: The Politics of Medical Marijuana. Seven Locks. Santa Ana, CA. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Earleywine, M. (2002). Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence. Oxford University Press. New York. Pp. 123-156. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Goode, E. (2000). Marijuana. Atherton. Chicago. Pp. 567-575. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kreit, Alex (2003). The Future of Medical Marijuana: Should the States Grow Their Own? University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Vol. 151 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nadelmann, Ethan A. (2004). An End to Marijuana Prohibition: The Drive to Legalize Picks Up. National Review, Vol. 56 7.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Weisheit, Ralph A. (1992). Domestic Marijuana: A Neglected Industry. Greenwood Press. New York. 8.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Schlosser, Eric (1994). Marijuana and the Law. The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 274 9.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Souder, Mark (1998). Q: Is the Government's War against Marijuana Justified as Public Policy? Insight on the News, Vol. 13.   

Roman Empire

During the time of the Roman Empire the Roman military was a very powerful military war machine(Nardo 259) that conquered most of the known world of that time. The Roman military of the Empire was the best-structured, organized, and maintained military through 31BC-400AD. According to the size of the Roman Empire, which was about 50 million people, the military was relatively small. The Roman military consisted of three main branches: the legions with the auxilia, the Praetorian Guard, and the fleet. Each branch of the Roman military had its own distinct features, which made them different than the others. Due to its structure and leadership it became the greatest power in its time. The units called legions formed the core of the Roman army. During the first three centuries of the empire the army contained no more than 25 to 34 legions. Each of these units consisted of about 5000 to 6000 men recruited among the citizen body. The legion was subdivided into ten regiments know as cohorts and these cohorts were grouped again into centuries(Mills 418). A centurion who was appointed by the emperor commanded each century. Although the soldiers of the legion were Roman citizens, this did not mean that they were born in Rome. With the rise of population through the conquered territories provincials quickly became the most important source of new recruits for the auxilia. Roman legionary soldiers generally enlisted for a term of twenty years and on the date of discharge legionaries were given 3,000 Denarii in addition to land for retirement. Most discharged legionaries regularly settled in colonies throughout the empire.The legions were miniature armies that containe d within its rank troops trained and equipped to perform all kinds of different duties both on and off the battlefield (Tingay 312). Although the vast majority of soldiers served as heavy infantry, other legions fought as cavalry, arche...

Connective Tissue Types and Examples

Connective Tissue Types and Examples As the name implies, connective tissue serves a connecting function. It supports and binds other tissues in the body. Unlike epithelial tissue, which has cells that are closely packed together, connective tissue typically has cells scattered throughout an extracellular matrix of fibrous proteins and glycoproteins attached to a basement membrane. The primary elements of connective tissue include a ground substance, fibers, and cells. There are three main groups of connective tissues:Loose connective tissue holds organs in place and attaches epithelial tissue to other underlying tissues.Dense connective tissue helps attach muscles to bones and link bones together at joints.Specialized connective tissue encompasses a number of different tissues with specialized cells and unique ground substances. Some are solid and strong, while others are fluid and flexible. Examples include adipose, cartilage, bone, blood, and lymph. The ground substance acts as a fluid matrix that suspends the cells and fibers within the particular connective tissue type. Connective tissue fibers and matrix are synthesized by specialized cells called fibroblasts. There are three main groups of connective tissues: loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, and specialized connective tissue. Loose Connective Tissue This image of loose connective tissue shows collagenous fibers (red), elastic fibers (black), matrix, and fibroblasts (cells that produce the fibers). Ed Reschke/Photolibrary/Getty Images In vertebrates, the most common type of connective tissue is loose connective tissue. It holds organs in place and attaches epithelial tissue to other underlying tissues. Loose connective tissue is named so because of the weave and type of its constituent fibers. These fibers form an irregular network with spaces between the fibers. The spaces are filled with ground substance. The three main types of loose connective fibers include collagenous, elastic, and reticular fibers. Collagenous fibers are made of collagen and consist of bundles of fibrils that are coils of collagen molecules. These fibers help to strengthen connective tissue.Elastic fibers  are made of the protein elastin and are stretchable.  They help to give connective tissue elasticity.Reticular fibers  join connective tissues to other tissues. Loose connective tissues provide support, flexibility, and strength required to support internal organs and structures such as blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves. Dense Connective Tissue This image of the dermis of the skin shows dense fibrous connective tissue. Irregular collagenous fibers (pink) and fibroblast nuclei (purple) can be seen. Ed Reschke/Photolibrary/Getty Images Another type of connective tissue is dense or fibrous connective tissue, which can be found in tendons and ligaments. These structures help attach muscles to bones and link bones together at joints. Dense connective tissue is composed of large amounts of closely packed collagenous fibers. In comparison to loose connective tissue, dense tissue has a higher proportion of collagenous fibers to ground substance. It is thicker and stronger than loose connective tissue and forms a protective capsule layer around organs such as the liver and kidneys. Dense connective tissue can be categorized into dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic connective tissues. Dense regular: Tendons and ligaments are examples of dense regular connective tissue.Dense irregular: Much of the dermis layer of the skin is composed of dense irregular connective tissue. The membrane capsule surrounding several organs is also dense irregular tissue.Elastic: These tissues enable stretching in structures such as arteries, vocal cords, the trachea, and bronchial tubes in the lungs. Specialized Connective Tissues This image shows a sample of fat tissue with fat cells (adipocytes, blue) surrounded by fine strands of supportive connective tissue. Adipose tissue forms an insulating layer under the skin, storing energy in the form of fat. Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Specialized connective tissues include a number of different tissues with specialized cells and unique ground substances. Some of these tissues are solid and strong, while others are fluid and flexible. Examples include adipose, cartilage, bone, blood, and lymph. Adipose Tissue Adipose tissue is a form of loose connective tissue that stores fat. Adipose lines organs and body cavities to protect organs and insulate the body against heat loss. Adipose tissue also produces endocrine hormones that influence activities such as blood clotting, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage. The primary cells of adipose are adipocytes. These cells store fat in the form of triglycerides. Adipocytes appear round and swollen when fat is being stored and shrink as fat is used. Most adipose tissue is described as white adipose which functions in the storage of energy. Both brown and beige adipose burn fat and produce heat. Cartilage This micrograph shows hyaline cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue from a human trachea (windpipe). Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Cartilage is a form of fibrous connective tissue that is composed of closely packed collagenous fibers in a rubbery gelatinous substance called chondrin. The skeletons of sharks and human embryos are composed of cartilage. Cartilage also provides flexible support for certain structures in adult humans including the nose, trachea, and ears. There are three different types of cartilage, each with different characteristics. Hyaline cartilage is the most common type and is found in areas such as the trachea, ribs, and nose. Hyaline cartilage is flexible, elastic, and surrounded by a dense membrane called perichondrium. Fibrocartilage is the strongest type of cartilage and composed of hyaline and dense collagen fibers. It is inflexible, tough, and located in areas such as between vertebrae, in some joints, and in heart valves. Fibrocartilage does not have perichondrium. Elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers and is the most flexible type of cartilage. It is found in locations such as the ear and larynx (voice box). Bone Tissue This micrograph shows cancellous (spongy) bone from a vertebra. Cancellous bone is characterized by a honeycomb arrangement, comprising a network of trabeculae (rod-shaped tissue). These structures provide support and strength to the bone. Susumu Nishinaga/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Bone is a type of mineralized connective tissue that contains collagen and calcium phosphate, a mineral crystal. Calcium phosphate gives bone its firmness. There are two types of bone tissue: spongy and compact. Spongy bone, also called cancellous bone, gets its name because of its spongy appearance. The large spaces, or vascular cavities, in this type of bone tissue contain blood vessels and bone marrow. Spongy bone is the first bone type formed during bone formation and is surrounded by compact bone. Compact bone, or cortical bone, is strong, dense, and forms the hard outer bone surface. Small canals within the tissue allow for the passage of blood vessels and nerves. Mature bone cells, or osteocytes, are found in compact bone. Blood and Lymph This is a micrograph of a group of red blood cells (erythrocytes) traveling through an arteriole (small branch of an artery). P.M. Motta S. Correr/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Interestingly enough, blood is considered to be a type of connective tissue. Like other connective tissue types, blood is derived from mesoderm, the middle germ layer of developing embryos. Blood also serves to connect other organ systems together by supplying them with nutrients and transporting signal molecules between cells. Plasma is the extracellular matrix of blood with red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in the plasma. Lymph is another type of fluid connective tissue. This clear fluid originates from blood plasma that exits blood vessels at capillary beds. A component of the lymphatic system, lymph contains immune system cells that protect the body against pathogens. Lymph is delivered back to blood circulation via lymphatic vessels. Animal Tissue Types In addition to connective tissue, other tissue types of the body include: Epithelial Tissue: This tissue type covers body surfaces and lines body cavities providing protection and allowing for the absorption and secretion of substances.Muscle Tissue: Excitable cells capable of contraction allow muscle tissue to generate body movement.Nervous Tissue: This primary tissue of the nervous system allows for communication between various organs and tissues. It is composed of neurons and glial cells. Sources Animal Tissues - Bone. Atlas of Plant and Animal Histology, mmegias.webs.uvigo.es/02-english/guiada_a_oseo.php. Animal Tissues - Cartilage. Atlas of Plant and Animal Histology, mmegias.webs.uvigo.es/02-english/guiada_a_cartilaginoso.php. Stephens, Jacqueline M. The Fat Controller: Adipocyte Development. PLoS Biology, vol. 10, no. 11, 2012, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001436.

The End of American Exceptionalism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The End of American Exceptionalism - Assignment Example However, Woods tainted his reputation and that of his country despite the global respect that he had attained over time in his career. This had a major effect of undermining the historical American exceptionalism that had put the nation at a superior level in the face of the global nations (LeVine, 2009). As an indirect technical rejoinder, Obama proves to the world that America still owns its superpowers. He delivers a powerful speech to the world that shifts the global attention from the tainted side of America to a more convincing side of the same. However, either through America’s leadership history or Woods’ misdeeds, the brand that America has boasted about long is under threat (Beinar, 2014). Like Obama, Woods humbly accepts his mistakes and expresses willingness to change and restore their country’s reputation. Obama who is a victim of the mistakes made by his predecessors openly accepts the nation's failures attributed to historical mistakes. This is so despite the fact that he may not mention or wish to know the how, where and when the misdeeds caused by his predecessors came about. On his part, Woods accepts his mistakes and he pretty understands how his wrong deeds served to tarnish the nation’s image. Both Woods and Obama intercept at the point that mistakes recognized and accepted, preserve and or restores America’s national brand despite the fact that challenging the costs and justification for such mistakes may not be possible (LeVine, 2009). Obama understands very well what the repercussions for mentioning and detailing the mistakes would be felt severely by the U.S. Mentioning what exactly transpired during the past regimes, even if he knew a million about them, would threaten the country’s reputation and international pride. The world views America as a powerful and autonomous nation that wields a vast socio-economic command over other nations in the world... However, Obama understands that when the past mistakes, injustices and constraints of the predecessors were to be unearthed in details, the nation could lose considerable amounts of power and command in the socio-economic aspect.  Ã‚