Freedom VS Security Essay

Many theories and assumptions have been fabricated upon the basis of man’s desires and beliefs. H. L. Mencken wrote, â€Å"The average man does not want to be free, only to be safe. † However, this observation does not correlate with what has been witnessed over the course of contemporary society. Since the 18th century, man has sacrificed safety for a reward that is much more paramount, freedom. Patrick Henry, an orator for freedom in the middle to late 1700’s, knew that liberty was a vital necessity in every man’s life, and that one must do whatever it takes, including sacrificing their security, in order to achieve it. In his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, he is most memorably quoted for his concluding antithesis, â€Å"Give me liberty, or give me death! † Henry conveyed to his audience, as well as the entire nation, that freedom is a virtue worth dying for. Mencken’s allegation fails to attribute this instance, even though Patrick Henry was able to convince a whole nation that their liberty was worth dying for. In the past we have had many examples of security vs. freedom. During the civil war we had soldiers and people fighting to be free. They risked their own life everyday stepping out on the battle field just so they could have their own rights. This also happens in the American Revolution; people fight and risk their lives for freedom. Many events in history show how much people truly care about their freedom. Our Founding Fathers created this nation so we wouldn’t have to be living in a society full of regulation. Freedom vs. Security is a non-stop debate in our country. However, freedom is unalienable. Freedom is what keeps the common man happy. Freedom allows us to treat every day as a new day, knowing that we can do and accomplish anything because we are free. On the other hand, while safety is what keeps man calm and secure, it is not what our nation thrives off of. Security is a blanket, while freedom is a threshold. Therefore it is desired, while security is expected. No man cries out for safety, but the same cannot be said about freedom. Freedom gives us hope and excitement, while security gives assurance. Both are essential, yet only one is craved. Mencken’s presumption of what man wants, and what man deserves are in disarray. Freedom is everything, and not even safety can over shadow it.

Knowledge for Nursing Essay

This essay will explore Peplau’s concept of a nurse-patient relationship and how it narrates to the experience I had whilst on placement practice. My aim is to demonstrate my gained understanding of the nursing process, the domains of nursing, the nature of nursing models and their relationship to practice and Peplau’s model of nursing. The reason why the student has chosen this concept is because nursing is an interpersonal process which involves interaction between two or more people with a mutual goal, (George 2003). The essay will start by defining the word concept then describe the incident that I observed in placement practice. The essay will analyze how theories can be used to justify nursing interventions in practice. The conclusion summarises the main points of the essay and reflect on my learning experience. (Meleis 1991) defined concept as â€Å"a label used to describe a phenomenon or a group of phenomena† (McKenna 1997). (McKenna 1997) concludes that concepts are identified when a name is put to a phenomenon. â€Å"Therefore, a concept is a tool and not a real entity – it merely facilitates observation of a real phenomenon,† (McKenna 1997 p8). Chinn and Kramer (2008); Hage (1972); Reynolds (1971) were cited that concepts can be theoretical or tangible. Theoretical concepts are created mentally independent of a particular or interval location, whereas tangible concepts are experienced directly and relate to a specific interval or location (Alligood and Tomey, 2010). â€Å"Nursing is a significant, therapeutic, interpersonal process. It functions co-operatively with other human processes that make health possible for individuals in communities. In specific situations in which a professional health team offers health services, nurses participate in the organisation of conditions that facilitate natural on going tendencies in human organisations. Nursing is an educative instrument, a maturing force that aims to promote forward movement of personality in the direction of creative, constructive, productive, personal, and community living. † (Peplau 1988, p16) Peplau (1952) defined phases in the nurse-patient relationships that overlap and transpire during the relationship interval. George (2002) cited the three phases defined by Peplau are as follows; orientation, identification, working, and termination. Whilst on Placement I had the prospect to put theory into practice with the supervision of my mentor when Mrs. Ahmed aged 85 was admitted into the ward after having had a fall (false name and age due to confidentiality, Nursing and Midwifery Council 2003). During handover it was reported that Mrs. Ahmed was at times unresponsive and seemed uninterested when addressed to by the nurse on duty upon admission, leaving the nurse to rely on the information obtained from the ambulance crew as she was unaccompanied. Upon arrival Mrs. Ahmed had not been able to get up from the stretcher as she was not weight bearing after the fall and appeared to be confused with the new environment. It was hoped that more information would be obtained in the morning when she awoke. Orientation stage My mentor gave me an opportunity to work with Mrs. Ahmed whilst under her supervision and it was obvious that the information we had was not complete. To get further information we went to her bedside which was in a mixed ward were we were introduced to the new patient. The orientation phase is initiated when a health problem occurs thus resulting in a felt â€Å"felt need, and professional assistance is sought. † Peplau (1952, p. 8) Peplau (1952) further states that the nurse and patient meet as two strangers, by clarifying and defining the problem in the orienting stage the patient can direct the accumulated energy from her anxiety about unmet needs and begin working with the presenting problem. The nurse patient rapport is established and continues to be strengthened while concerns are being identified. The nurse assumes a roles as described by Peplau in the overlapping phases of the nurse client relationship. Lebby and Pepper (1998) sees the nurse in the role of a stranger therefore acceptance of the patient as an emotionally able person is required. It is at this early stage I noticed that Mrs. Ahmed was unresponsive and seemed distant when my mentor asked for her consent to be assisted by a trainee nurse under her supervision (Nursing and Midwifery Council Code 2008). After asking her more than once she eventually responded and accepted the request. xxxxx When my mentor spoke to Mrs. Ahmed was clear and slow, and asked closed questions. Ashworth et al (1981) suggest that the quality and quantity of nurse-patient communication in geriatrics is affected by the nurse as well s the patient although some of the traditional attitudes by nurses toward elderly patients posed barriers to communication. Orem (1991) viewed the relationship between a nurse and patient as being complementary and therefore a nurse has to understand the basis of her own behavior. I noticed that the patient had some hearing aids on her bedside and I then considered that she might be having hearing impairment and was either not keen on using her hearing aids or needed assistance putting them on. I asked her if she was happy putting the hearing aids on her own. She attempted to put them on but seemed unsteady with her hands. I gestured that I could help and she extended them to me. I then helped her to put them on. George (2002) sees the working phase as a time when the patient starts to respond selectively to individuals who can meet their needs. Peplau (1952/1988) identified three types of responses from patients; the patient may participate and be interdependent, or be autonomous and independent from the nurse or be passive and dependent on the nurse (George 2002). Peplau (1952/1988) states the patient utilises the relationship fully by making full use of the nurse (Leddy and Pepper 1998). Peplau (1952) describes six nursing roles within the phases of the nurse patient relationship which are; stranger, resource person, teacher, leader, surrogate and counseling. She further described four psychobiological experiences, in her book which are; needs, frustration, conflict and anxiety. Peplau (1952) saw these experiences as energy providers transforming into action and provides a basis for goal formation and nursing interventions. Mrs. Ahmed showed she was becoming more relaxed and became more trusting and cooperative. Arnold and Underman Boggs (1999) suggested that the dynamic nursing approach Peplau advocated is not that of passive observer but participant observers, nurses actively engaging with their clients. I initiated further verbal dialogue and realised that although she could hear me she was struggling to understand what I was saying to her. Her replies where brief and at times not relevant to the questions posed. It became obvious that since English was not her first language she was struggling to understand me and her conversational English skills were basic. I then slowed my rate of speech and emphasised with gestures where appropriate. That way she seemed to comprehend what I was saying better. Forchuk (1993) mentions two types of communication, verbal and non-verbal communication, verbal communication conveyed by words and non-verbal communication conveyed through empathic links, postures, gestures, and patterns (Forchuck 1993). Peplau (1952/1988) considers the use of verbal communication to be an essential component of the nurse-client relationship (Forchuk 1993). The general principle is that anything clients act out with nurses will most probably not be talked about, and that which is not discussed cannot be understood. † Peplau (1989a p. 197). Forchuk (1993) suggest that discussing issues and concerns presents the patient an option to work them out. Thus nursing knowledge enables nurses to justify actions or stop unsafe or poor practices (Nursing and Midwifery 2003, The Code). Mrs. Ahmed was reluctant to have me assist her with personal hygiene although it was obvious that she needed it and it was also documented in her notes that she was not independent in this respect. She said something about being used to doing things for herself and how it was expected in her culture to clean one’s own body, she then suggested to wash herself and would ask for help when in difficulty. After washing herself, I took the opportunity of getting more information about Mrs. Ahmed, her family and health Data collection is constant throughout Peplau’s phases. George (2002) state that in the nursing process, primary collection of data is the nursing assessment, and further collection of data becomes an integral part of reassessment. The need for Mrs. Ahmed ‘s relations to be present compliments George (2002) statement that the nurse, patient and relatives need to work together in order to simplify and explain the problem at hand. Peplau (1995) discusses the need for the nurse to not only support but health educate the patient’s relations thus decreasing the tension and anxiety connected with the felt need and fear of the unknown thus the avoidance of future problems arising from unresolved significant events(George 2002). Peplau (1952/1988) states the importance of clarity on both parties in the relationship as their past experiences will influence their expectations in this progression. I also made her aware of her condition and situation whilst being conscious not to give advice, but rather asking her questions which we needed answers for, to help resolve her care needs. Peplau (1988) stated that the exploitation phase is where the nurse assists the patient to seek out other health care services and personal strengths in resolving the issues for which the client initially sought treatment. She thanked me for having explained everything she needed to know and for my patience during my interaction with her on that day. Peplau (1952/1988) saw the termination phase as a liberating process wherein the client’s wishes for psychological dependency and maintaining relationships have been worked through to support the ability to mutually end the relationship with the nurse (Leddy and Pepper 1998). Peplau views this phase as problematic for nurses as the progression of letting go is focused upon (Simpson1991).

Application of Logic in Everyday Living

Many branches of science can be Involved and applied In our dally life, even the broad study of logic also are included to our everyday living, it is a reasoning of life circulation to improve and explore. Basically, human being is the most powerful creature on earth that controls deferent physical, mental physiological, psychological and intellectual preferences. A proven capability of a person to make his environment change according to what he/she plans, or we can say to Innovate and evolve feasible things to make work, to grow, to process and to develop.Considering that present events, evaluations, and information are connected to which everyday composure or situation to our environment gets affected. Living in a world full of challenges is a broad act of adapting and adjusting to various conditions of how to live, suffer survive and conquer preparation for death, start of a new beginning, hopes of those hopeless, being strong from weak, living and dying In many reasons, sharing life to others, counting blessings you have, and making advantage and achievements, are just examples of how we deal to keep us alive.As individual hanger, the world also gone changes from its form, structure and growth. It is Just a matter of becoming pessimistic or optimistic. There are different levels of understanding how people change or maybe how the world change. Some answer, that history repeats itself, a part of the new generation, acquisition of powerful mankind, making choices for a better living. Well†¦ Being able to ‘predict' how systems and people (which are much the same really) will act in certain conditions and situations is a very useful skill to have.In ancient times image you are finding your way through a landscape and you come to a did no way round (in sight) well from the logical standpoint you look at it like this 1 how deep Is the void 2 how far can I Jump 3 will I make the Jump based on that measurement/experience? If you didn't have logic then y ou would Just jump and hope for the best†¦ Welch Is the mentality an awful lot of people seem to employ when making decisions now†¦ Look at the supreme crisis! Of course having too much Logic is the flip side.Imagine not leaving your house because statistics tell you that % of people get run over, shot, stabbed, attacked, abducted, struck by lightning, killed by flying debris†¦ Etc†¦ , well logic would tell you Don't leave the house It safer in here! So logic Is Like theory and then there is in practice which is usually slightly different. In essence you don't want to be too logical, or too creative, which Is why most people have a proportion of both†¦ Nature intended it that way for a very good reason.ANSWER Logic: thought processes are clarified, the use of logic enables consideration of all available options for opinion and action, and decreases the persuasive power of popular opinion; Because available options have been fairly considered, the use of logi c increases the likelihood that subsequent opinions and actions will adhere most closely to the truth. Adherence to the truth, while sometimes painful, is the human condition more likely to lead to satisfactory outcomes in most situations. Therefore, logic's relevance to everyday life is that its use improves the likelihood of satisfactory outcomes in the day-to-day decisions each person makes. Russian's Logic is the ability of reasoning your choices, to examine the consequence of every available action and then choose the best one. It has been proven that a simple rat has basic logic, Scientists created a machine that would create two types of sounds: a long beep and a short beep.They also gave the rat three small levers to pull, Lever 1 and lever 2 and lever 3. When the scientists played a long sound or short sound, the rat would get fed a large amount of good food if it pulled the correct corresponding lever to the sound played, left lever for long beep, right lever for short bee p, if the rat pulled the middle lever, it would get fed some food, but not as much, no matter what sound was played. If the at pulled the incorrect lever, it would not get fed anything for a while.The rat eventually caught on that if it pulled the correct lever it would get much better food, so it started pulling the correct levers. One day, to test the rats logic abilities, the scientists decided to play many different sounds, long short short long long short, to see what the rat would do. The rat was able to think about his choices, he chose to pull the middle lever, and he took the small amount of food because he knew it was the best choice.The rat would rather not take a chance at missing out on his food. Without logic, everybody would act instantly on their emotions, thus making many many radical choices, without logic there would be more criminals, for example: you catch your girlfriend or boyfriend cheating on you, you have tons of choices you can make at this point A. Some p eople Just end the relationship and walk away B. Some people might try to talk about it C. Omen people might even do something bad like attack somebody Without logic, most people would probably Just attack somebody at this point because they didn't think about which choice was best, obviously either A or B is a deter choice than C, but because you were angry, you didn't use logic, and Just chose. Imagine if everybody chose option C for all of their choices? Life would be a lot worse than it is now.Without logic, life would be chaos, without logic, the rat would starve ANN. Answer Logic, is a deductive reasoning that results when the human brain calculates the most rational and acceptable outcome of any given situation and recognizes that answer as the most constructive, and consequently the most two groups; rational or irrational, instinctual or improve, emotional or logical. Emotional responses tend to be the strongest desire in the moment, when followed outcomes like crimes of pas sion or moments of extreme passion.I tend to think that acting on an emotional paradigm feels better, and tends to be more rewarding but it also tends to precede more danger. Logical responses happen when the individual looks at a situation from a third party and recognizes the moral obligation or larger demographic of opinion that would rationally decide the correct decision. Why logic is so relevant to everyday life is a difficult question. I believe it stems from a natural unman desire to help support a social group and thus keep everyone content.

Scientific Investigation Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Scientific Investigation - Lab Report Example The steps in the entire experiment protocol include (1) GFP gene construction; (2) gene shuffling and selection; (3) mutant selection; (4) mutant characterization in E. coli; (5) CH) cell expression of GFP; (6) FACS analysis; and, (7) fluorescence spectroscopy. That is, the researchers first synthesized a GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene in an E. coli construct with optimized codon usage. This was further improved using an evolutionary process of recursive cycles of DNA shuffling of the GFP gene, combined with visual selection for the brightest E. Coli colonies. Since red-shifting the excitation maximum makes detection challenging by the naked eye, UV light was used for visual screening. The independent variable in this study is the process used to improve cell fluorescence or GFP in E. coli cells. In particular, the independent variable considered the absence of GFP, the Clontech GFP, the wildtype GFP, the cycle 2 mutant GFP, and the cycle 3 mutant GFP. On the other hand, the dependent variables that were investigated for differences in this study are the fluorescence signals and excitation signals of the E. coli genes. Technically, the control group for this study is the sample with no GFP. However, the three constructs (i.e., wildtype, cycle-2 and cycle-3) were also compared against the pGFP plasmid from Clontech, with a GFP sequence reported by Chalfie et al and contains a Q80R mutation which occurred as a PCR error as well as 24 extra amino acids from the N-terminus of LacZ. Results of the research study confirms the initial hypothesis that the combination of DNA shuffling and high throughput screening would be a powerful tool in optimizing a significant number of commercially important enzymes for which selections do not

Cover letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Cover letter - Essay Example I have been placing a high value on formal academic training as essential to achieve my career goal as a business manager in a commercial organization. It is in this context that although I have been in regular employment since July 2002 after high school graduation, I have not neglected to pursue college and higher education till date. My education is evolving over the subject of management, interlaced with related work experience. Simultaneously, I am also a certified ‘computer applications and database management’ specialist. Thus, I am sufficiently practical to understand the importance of education and hands-on training to be a successful business manager. I have had a steady career with church services ever since December 2000 and worked in various capacities. These positions helped me in several ways to not only learn to be a disciplined staff member but also to organize teams, lead events and interact with the public in a productive manner. In other words, I am comfortable in managing colleagues and customers in order to produce a high level of competence in services, and satisfaction among customers. I believe that these traits are essential for the advertised post in restaurant services. That I have been successful so far in my endeavors is indicated by the steady progress in my career with the present employers. After working for several years now in church services and simultaneously pursuing my educational goals, I am now keen to move on and occupy my rightful place in a commercial organization. I am confident that I can handle the challenges of such a change and add value to your organization through my qualifications, experience, and above all commitment and

How Personal Can Ethics Get Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How Personal Can Ethics Get - Essay Example For this very reason, it has become matter-of-factly for executives to trade in what is moral for what is lucrative. Decision-making is an integral process of everyday life. In a nutshell, it governs everything that we do from the moment we gain consciousness everyday. We decide what time to wake up, what breakfast to eat, what clothes to wear, etc. The same goes in a business environment. Every decision that must be made affects the entire company. But more than this, it also affects the community and is not delineated to only those belonging to the company. When one looks at every decision process in this context, then greed shall not govern the action of corporate honchos that run businesses which in turn affects everyone’s lives. â€Å"There is a natural principle of benevolence in human beings which, to some extent, has the same relation to society that self-love has to the individual† (Borchart & Stewart, 1986). Culture, from the origin of the word itself means cu ltivate. It is an aspect which can be formed and molded according to the necessities of the time and the will of those forming it. It may be for the better or for the worse depending on the vision of the leader who oversees the group. The same goes for an organization and how it may develop its culture. When it is focused on short-term goals of profit generation without regard for the welfare of other people, and when this is done time and again, then it becomes a part of that company’s culture and its own identity. Once this happens it becomes difficult to break away from and willpower is necessary to steer it into its right track. But when an organization builds from within itself a culture of excellence with concern for other members of the community, then this emanates and the growth of the organization becomes evident as all members have the common goal and the common missions that they must adhere to. Whole Foods Market presents an example for a company that strives to change the perception of a business venture and make it an overall experience for its customers. Founded by John Mackey in 1980, the small company has grown into a large corporation with 170 stores. Driven by the idea to make grocery shopping a whole new experience, Mackey launched the company which incorporated a wide array of choices and interactive experience with its courteous and informed employees. Steve Demos of White Wave says, â€Å"Wall Street – that’s where the fun begins. They only measure one thing, the bottom line. My goal is to demonstate that the principle-based business model is more profitable than its counterpart, and when we do, Wall Street will chase us instead of the other way around† (Slocum & Hellriegel, 2007). Like Demos, Mackey ardently believes in not sticking by the rules laid out in Wall Street whhere big and fast profit is the name of the game. He argues that a steady growth directed at a long-term goal is the way to go rather than relying on quarterly figures to determine the next steps of the company. Whole Foods even went so far as to release a ‘Declaration of Interdependence’ affirming their motto: â€Å"Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet.† Corporate greed had always been regarded as an acceptable reality in our society. Big busineeses always had been denoted as having attained their status based on shady transactions and corporate manipulations that CEOs must

Theology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Theology - Assignment Example By praying, we seek God’s forgiveness of our sins and we in turn forgive others. This way, our human suffering, which is normally as a result of confining ourselves to our areas of operation, is reduced and we remain focused and hoping for the kingdom of God (Gibbs et al. 131). 3. According to Fischer and Hart, How does Jesus resolve the problem of suffering and evil? Briefly explain each of the four elements in his response. How does this response help us to understand what a Christian response to one who has AIDS might be? When we are suffering, Jesus is always on our side to guide us on how to respond to the evil and suffering. Through Jesus, God intervenes in our circumstances and walks with us, showing us what to do at those moments when we feel weak. In regard to solving the problem of evil and suffering, there are four elements involved, which are (Fischer & Hart 121): (1). Jesus forgives us our sins and calls people to get converted. He is merciful enough and is always ready to forgive everyone who seeks his mercy. He forgives us our sins and converts us to be among his chosen ones. Based on the above four elements, a Christian suffering from AIDS will get encouragement to fight the AIDS knowing that even Christ Jesus himself suffered so much. The Christian will have the assurance that the suffering is just for a short time while on this earth, and then inherit the eternal kingdom in the life after. According to Bonhoeffera, suffering can destroy the ability to respond to God, something which he considered as a temptation, a temptation which to some extent may result from despair driving someone into committing suicide. Bonhoeffera however gives us hope from suffering by assuring us that the compassion of Christ is always with us and is enough to rescue a person who is tempted (Blackburn 178). Bonhoeffera noted that the suffering of Christ Jesus on the cross brought people closer to the Christian faith. The death of Christ meant to bring us

Is Thrasymachus and Hobbes right to see human nature in such stark Essay

Is Thrasymachus and Hobbes right to see human nature in such stark terms, or is Socrates right to see justice as something good in and of itself - Essay Example The researcher states that prior to deciding who the righteous intellectual is regarding claims made either for human nature or justice, one might as well begin to consider deliberating upon how each perspective is delivered and which basis or grounds satisfy the premises established. Through Plato’s â€Å"The Republic†, a significant part of Socratic philosophy may be said to have been conveyed since Plato himself is subject to the tutelage and influence of Socrates in their period. Though Plato presents a rather limited scope of democracy in dealing with liberty and nature of man, his concern for justice and resolving to define such virtue with Socrates in the light that favors human psyche instead of a perceived behavior is remarkable. On the other hand, Thomas Hobbes and Thrasymachus share a nearly common insight whereby Hobbes proposes via â€Å"Leviathan† that man, by nature, is free the logic of which is based upon natural rights whereas Thrasymachus confe rs to defend the opposite side of justice and takes man’s freedom to agree with matters that are only advantageous to men regardless of whether or not justice is at work. Hobbes thinks â€Å"each man has the liberty to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life; and judgment, and reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means that each man has a will power to do whatever he thinks can preserve his own life and consequently to do anything which he thinks is right.† ... To Hobbes, until the man possesses the natural right to everything, he cannot be secured no matter how strong or wise he can be, in order to keep on living according to man’s life expectancy. Likewise, Thrasymachus promotes the Sophist challenge of arguing that ‘justice is nothing but the advantage of the stronger’ and this originates from the primary belief in objective truth among the Sophists such as himself, who further accounts for the objective moral truth that does not acknowledge the fact with â€Å"right† or â€Å"wrong† in absolute degree. For Thrasymachus, all actions are neither right nor wrong but are ought to be figured as either coming with or without advantage to the person who executes them. Like the rest of the Sophists, he supports the idea that an individual must gain involvement only with deeds that return advantage and avoid those whose results are otherwise obtained in unpleasant disadvantage. In the similar manner, Hobbes entr eats his own approach of the issue with a precept or general rule of reason stating â€Å"that every man, ought to endeavor peace, as far as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps, and advantages of war.† The first branch of this rule states the fundamental law of nature which is to seek peace and follow it while the second branch pertains to the sum of the right of nature which assumes by all means we can, to defend ourselves. This second law is derived from the fundamental law of nature by which men are commanded to endeavor peace, rationalizing â€Å"that a man be willing when others are so too, as far forth, as for peace and defense of himself

SQL Training Course Experience Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

SQL Training Course Experience - Research Paper Example However, the primary difference between all these SQL training alternatives is the quality of education and price tag (SQLCourse, 2011). Recently I got experience of attending tutorial of SQL Course named â€Å"Interactive Online SQL Training for Beginners†. I got an amazing experience of learning through this course. I got a lot of knowledge and experience through this course. The feature of any course is the ease and quality of knowledge that course can offer. In this scenario SQL Course has offered all aspects of ease and learning to me. This SQL Course has offered the way to learn SQL language through simple interpretation of knowledge areas. This course has also offered a deep and detailed knowledge and explanation of terms. For me it was really amazing experience to attend such course in my life. In addition, every SQL training course option has its own advantages and issues. For instance, the trainer led courses have the benefit of real time communication with the teach er and hands-on SQL training. Alternatively they are extremely costly and not everyone will be willing to spend thousands of dollars in learning structured query language. Additionally, if someone can improve their business to pay for similar SQL course, do not miss the chance. However, the course we have attended was extremely easy and less costly. This has offered us an opportunity to learn how to manage a database in a better way. This course has also helped us improve our previous concepts, knowledge and skills (SQLCourse, 2011). Moreover, this exclusive preliminary SQL tutorial not simply offered us easy-to-understand SQL statements and instructions; however it allowed us to complete practical assignments of what we learned from SQL interpreter. We have received instant outcomes following submitting our SQL commands. This course has taught us how to create tables and apply the commands of insert, select, delete, update and drop into the tables. This SQL course at present suppor ts a division of ANSI SQL. The fundamentals of every SQL command will be enclosed in this course. In this way we have gained a deep and comprehensive overview of all the knowledge areas and expertise. This course has made us believe that we can be able to get a great deal of SQL expertise in small time period. I hope in future this course will improve and enhance our professional skill and capabilities for the potential improvements of our business and personal life. I say good lock to all my fellows in this course and have a nice and blessing future (SQLCourse, 2011). References SQLCourse. (2011). Welcome to SQLCourse.com! Retrieved September 10, 2011, from http://www.sqlcourse.com/intro.html Paper 2 Because of growing globalization, companies are managing worldwide supply chains through information technology. Information technologies (especially internet) have initiated new marketplace prospects. Additionally, the needs for improved efficiency and growing costs force from worldwi de competition have initiated just-in-time production and assembly. In addition, the business areas of trucking industry, that move over three quarters of the nation’s freight, has had to become accustomed to accomplish the demands to travel freight consistently, on time and with superior visibility. In this scenario, the information techn

International Business Strategy IBS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Business Strategy IBS - Essay Example It is proved that using the first mover advantage a firm can increase its competitiveness but the full success of this practice cannot be guaranteed, even for firms that are already established in their market. 2. International Business Strategy 2.1 The concept of first mover advantage - overview In the context of international business the first mover advantage theory can be related to the work of Markusen (2002). According to the above theorist, trade relationships are likely to be influenced by geography, meaning that businesses that are interested in entering the global market tend to prefer the markets of neighbouring countries, probably because risks and costs involved are expected to be lower (Sitkin and Bowen 2013). For FDI also a similar practice is used. Under these terms, the development of international business is based on two, critical, factors: a) learning effects; this term is used for showing the transfer of knowledge between ‘the research and development secto r of each business and its other sectors/ departments’ (Sitkin and Bowen 2013, p.38); this strategy of knowledge transfer decreases risks since no external intervention on knowledge used for building business strategy can occur; b) the first mover advantage; the specific concept reflects the following idea: ‘the first firm to enter a new market and leverage its existing experiences is in a good position to shut out future rivals’ (Sitkin and Bowen 2013, p.38). According to the above, the first mover advantage involves in ‘introducing in the market a new product or service’ (Cullen and Parboteeah 2013, p.273). However, the benefits of the above concept are related to the following term: that the product/ service employed ‘is not only innovative but also comprehensive’ (Cullen and Parboteeah 2013, p.273). The term comprehensive is used for showing a product/ service that ‘meets the customers’ expectations’ (Cullen and P arboteeah 2013, p.273); only such product/ service would be able to result to profits. The concept of first mover advantage, as described above can be effectively used for developing a business strategy in regard not only to the international market but also to the local market (McDonald and Burton 2002). The terms of such use of the specific concept are described analytically in the next section. 2.2 The use of the concept of first mover advantage in formulating a business strategy In regard to the use of the concept of first mover advantage in practice the following fact should be highlighted: the specific concept can be incorporated in different business strategies, meaning that it can be used as the basis for developing business strategies of various formats, depending on the needs of each organization, the resources available and the conditions in the business environment (Cullen and Parboteeah 2013). Figure 1 – Franchising based on the first mover advantage – the oretical model (source: Michael 2013, p.62) The study of Michael (2003) refers to the use of the first mover advantage as part of a franchising strategy. The involvement of the specific concept in a franchising strategy should be based on certain rules; the relevant framework is presented

Applying Standardized Terminologies in Practice Assignment

Applying Standardized Terminologies in Practice - Assignment Example Application of SNTs is fundamental to the advancement of nursing as a career (NANDA International, 2014). This article tries to identify related elements of North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). A patient scenario will be used in the identification of how the elements of NANDA, NOC, and NIC are applicable. The patient scenario will be created using the framework of Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom (DIKW). At a local hospital, in the Pediatric Acute room, a four year old female child gets an admission one week after undergoing chemotherapy. The child has a fever of 102.5 F. Her white blood cells (WBC) are 0.3 and the neutrophil count (absolute) is 0. A new central line was placed about 10 days ago. In addition, the child has nausea and vomiting (C/O). She also cries a lot and when the nurse approaches, she hides behind her mother. NANDA often comprises nursing diagnosis, which includes classifications and definitions (NANDA International, 2014). NOC comprises the categorization of nurse responsive results. It is a categorization of the nurse sensitive outcomes. The indicators and outcomes provide a chance for the measurement of the outcomes of the patient, community, or family at any juncture on a scale from most negative to most positive at different junctures. A name or a neutral label is used to characterize patient status or behavior. Also, there is utilization of list of indicators, which describes patient status or behavior. In addition, it involves a five point scale used in rating the status of a patient for every indicator (Iowa Outcome Project, 2012). NIC describes treatments used by nurses during practice in all facilities and all specialties. Actually, it comprises the interventions made by nurses. Further, NIC comprises a label or name, a definition,

Introductory paragraph and online worksheet Essay Example for Free

Introductory paragraph and online worksheet Essay I am number three of four children in the family line up, the first and only to go to college. My parents always have been supportive of my going back to school because they did not even finish elementary school. My career plan is to become an Elementary School Teacher or a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am currently working on getting my bachelor’s degree in psychology, possibly a master’s degree in education or counseling. University of Phoenix was one of my first school choices, I loved that I could focus on one class at a time and be able to work full time. The tools available to a University of Phoenix student are amazing; build a career plan, do job market research, online library, personality tests, and much more. My competencies helped me to see what my strengths and weaknesses are such as innovating, writing, adapting to change, and coping with pressure. Once I completed the career interest profiler, I was not surprised to see that my results encouraged me to be a teacher or a therapist because I am interested in that.

Effect of CSR on Child Labour

Effect of CSR on Child Labour Abstract Child labour is an issue that is detrimental to sustainable development of any society. The underlying cause of child labour has been identified as poverty. The cocoa sector where this practice has been reported to be widespread is the backbone of most economies in West Africa. Chocolate and other cocoa based products are in high demand and so consumers and manufacturers alike are implicated in fuelling this trade. Corporate Social Responsibility is an important tool which if implemented and monitored properly could eventually lead to the elimination of child labour. This dissertation explores how industry with the support of the governments is engaging in programmes and projects as part of their CSR strategy in tackling child labour. Chapter One â€Å"We are the world’s children. We are victims of exploitation and abuse. We are street children. We are the victims and orphans of HIV/AIDS. We are denied good quality education and health care. We are victims of political, economic, cultural, religious and environmental discrimination. We are children whose voices are not being heard: it is time we are taken into account. We want a world fit for children, because a world fit for us is a world fit for everyone.† (Statement from the Children’s Forum to the United Nations, May 2002). Introduction 1.1 Definitions A: The definition of child labour as derived from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child (CRC) stipulates that â€Å"children should be protected from economic exploitation and any work that is hazardous, interferes with schooling, or is harmful to their health and development†. The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) defines it as â€Å"as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development†. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 138, minimum age convention in 1973 which sets the minimum age for admission into employment and ILO Convention182 on the worst forms of child labour refers to child labour as: all work that is harmful and hazardous to a childs health, safety and development; taking into account the age of the child, the conditions under which the work takes place, and the time at which the work is done. The Uni ted Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) defines child labour as â€Å"work that exceeds a minimum number of hours, depending on the age of a child and on the type of work†. B: According to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), Cocoa Certification is the process of certifying that the commodity has passed the performance/quality assurance tests/qualification requirements stipulated in the regulations/code: it complies with a set of regulations governing quality and minimum performance requirements: product certified may be endorsed with a quality mark or display a certification mark: it involves auditing, accredited certifying bodies, standards organisation, independent verification bodies and transactions costs. C: The Fairtrade Labelling Organisation defines fair-trade as a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in International trade 1.2 Background Information The successful elimination of child labour in the world is almost certainly one of the most vital policy objectives of today. It is at the forefront of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as adopted by all 198 United Nations Member States in September 2000 (Grimsrud, 2003). As part of broader efforts towards a sustainable solution to child labour, the ILO, UNICEF and the World Bank initiated the interagency Understanding Children’s Work (UCW) project in December 2000. This project, which is guided by the Oslo Agenda for Action unanimously adopted at the 1997 International Conference on Child labour, elaborated the priorities for the international community in the war against child labour. Through a variety of data collection, research, and assessment activities, the UCW project is broadly directed towards improving understanding of child labour, its causes and effects, how it can be measured and effective policies coupled with stronger international cooper ation for the elimination of the practice. The issue of the worst forms of child labour in the cocoa sector came into the public glare when a UK media network, Channel 4, in a documentary in September 2000 alleged the massive use of children as the labour force on Ivorian cocoa plantations. The backbone of plantation work is backbreaking labour, done using rudimentary tools under gruelling conditions. At the time it was alleged that 90% of cocoa farms in Cà ´te dIvoire, which is the worlds leading cocoa producer engaged child labour in their operations. The government of Cà ´te d’Ivoire strongly refuted these allegations at the time but eventually admitted there was a problem in the use of child labour but not to the magnitude as alleged in the documentary (Afro News, September 2000). In 2001, following the allegations of child labour in cocoa farms, U.S. Representative Eliot Engel and Senator Tom Harkin decided to adjoin a clause to the Trade and Development Act (TDA) proposing a federal system to certify and label chocolate products as slave free. The cocoa industry successfully lobbied against this on the premise that the supply chain was too complex. A compromise was eventually reached. A protocol entitled Protocol for the growing and processing of cocoa beans and their derivative products in a manner that complies with ILO Convention 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, signed in September, 2001. Industry agreed to establish a task force made up of government, non-governmental organisations to work towards its elimination in cocoa plantations. A critical part of this agreement was the commitment to design and implement â€Å"standards of public certification† in all of West Africa by July 1st 2005. All cocoa from this area would be certified as free from child labour. The governments would also be required by the protocol to establish monitoring systems and also issue certificates which describe the current state of child labour and forced labour in the cocoa sub-sector and efforts being employed to improve on the situation where necessary. Given the competing interests and values involved, child labour cannot be eradicated solely through domestic regulatory mechanisms and actions (Garcia and Jun, 2005). The inclusion of social responsibility and in particular avoidance of child labour in corporate strategies became inevitable for chocolate manufacturers to avoid the wrath of the public. A greater commitment to social responsibility on the part of corporations has been one solution put forth by some academics, government agencies, and development institutions to mitigate some of these negative impacts and help companies contribute more to socio-economic development in its broadest sense. Can the industry live up to its CSR commitments in relation to the cocoa industry? The concept of CSR is not new. Steiner Steiner (2006) trace its origins to the philanthropic work of John D. Rockfeller and Andrew Carnegie who gave away millions for social causes. The more contemporary understanding of CSR can be traced to Bowen (1954) who argued that managers have an ethical duty to take into consideration, broader social impacts of their decisions, and those corporations who act differently should not be seen as legitimate. In the elimination of child labour, the concerns include reducing and eliminating the use of persistent toxic pesticides and fungicides, preserving the value of cocoa agro forests, improving the social and economic status of the smallholder and labourers as well as maintaining a fair price for the commodity. These measures would ensure a sustainable production of the commodity and at same time increase household incomes and as a result reduce and eventually eli minate incidence of child labour. 1.3 The dissertation seeks to: Highlight the steps taken by countries involved to tackle child labour; Draw attention to country responses and responsiveness, to the initiatives employed by chocolate manufacturers. Elaborate on the industry response in the wake of child labour allegations within the cocoa industry. Identify CSR initiatives employed by chocolate manufacturers both individually and collectively to combat child labour. The issue of child labour has been alleged in all the five cocoa producing countries of West Africa namely Cà ´te d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Cameroon. However, due to lack of available data, this study will be limited to two countries: Cà ´te d’Ivoire which is the leading world cocoa producer and Ghana whose economy also largely depends on cocoa production and export. The first chapter has provided the background information on child labour and the purpose of this study. The remainder of the dissertation is structured as follows: Chapter two provides information on literature on the causes of child labour, corporate social responsibility as an essential tool to combat child labour, the link between the chocolate industry and child labour and the steps taken to eliminate the practice in the cocoa chain. Chapter three discusses the methods use in carrying out the study. Chapter four provides information on Cà ´te d’Ivoire and Ghana, the two countries involved in the present study. It also outlines their contribution to the elimination of child labour. Chapter five is a case study analysis of three chocolate manufacturing companies to get an insight into their CSR strategies. The case study will show the commitment and the strategy employed to approach the issue of child labour. Chapter six draws upon the case study findings. The final chapter will draw conclusions to support the hypothesis formulated in this study. Recommendations will also be formulated based on the results from the case study analysis. Chapter Two 2.1 Literature Review Introduction In recent years, there has been a surge of empirical work on child labour as well as literature regarding the plight of children working as child labourers in cocoa plantations in West Africa. The issue has attracted considerable policy and public attention over the last decade either due to self recognition or outcry from the public. Public interest in child labour seems to have been motivated by increased theoretical work and publicity by the press. Documentaries exposing the conditions to which the children are subjected aroused public awareness. The rise in interest could also be attributed to increased trade and globalization which have raised awareness about the pervasiveness of child labour and elevated concerns among rich country residents about their role in its perpetuation (Edmonds 2007).The unease about child labour as a human rights issue and its implication for the long term growth and development through its interaction with education is of great concern not just for individual countries but also for the international community. This practice is viewed as a threat to sustainable development in developing countries. Articles published between 2001 and 2002 in the wake of the child labour accusations highlighted the immorality of the practice. The horrors experienced by the children who are sometimes trafficked and even sold off by their families. The treatment meted out to them is inhumane even as they work under unacceptable conditions (Edwards et al, 2001). Some of the children engage in activity that is physically damaging or even morally objectionable (Cigno 2004). It can also be said that objectionable forms of child work have an opportunity cost in terms of forgone education. It can also bring immediate benefit to families who in this case will be the only means of survival. Child labour not only hampers the growth of human resources, it also reduces the individual’s education achievement as well as the effect and quality of the education system thereby continuing the poverty cycle (Rena, 2009). Udry 2003, further buttresses this fact by stating that the primary cost of child labour is the associated reduction in investment in the child’s human capital which occurs primarily because child labour interferes with schooling. With conflicting reports on the extent of the practice, a research â€Å"Child labour in the Cocoa Sector of West Africa† (IITA, August 2002) revealed that the figures of children working was not as high as was initially thought but that the children worked under unacceptable conditions exposed to long work hours, pesticides and other hazardous spraying agents. In addition, the Financial Times, (Circulation 477, 476 of August 7, 2002) and Business Respect (Issue Number 37 of August 20, 2002) agreed with the conclusions. These findings go to buttress the earlier conclusions of a meeting of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Minister of State with representatives of Cà ´te d’Ivoire, Ghana and members of the cocoa and chocolate industry. (Anti-slavery news, May 4th 2001). The successful elimination of this form of labour is one of the most urgent policy objectives of this decade (Busse et al, 2003). It has gradually developed from a matter of regional and national concern to one that would trigger International debates and global persuasion as well as policy intervention (Basu and Tzannatos (2003). Busse et al (2003) carried out an empirical study on the notion that multinationals invest in countries where the incidence of child labour is relatively high and, secondly, the concern that countries may gain an unfair comparative advantage in trade by using child labour. The results indicate that multinationals are highly sensitive with respect to the location of their subsidiaries and prefer countries with lower levels of child labour for fear of aggression from the public and international community. Causes of Child Labour Poverty is the major cause of child labour. In a landmark paper on The Economics of Child Labor published in the American Economic Review (1998), Basu and Van argue that the primary cause of child labour is parental poverty. Grootaert (1998) and Udry (2003) argue that poverty and child labour are mutually reinforcing: given that children of poor parents end up working and not attend school and the cycle of poverty continues. Kruger (2004) concludes that children only work when the family is unable to meet their basic needs and poorer children stand the greater risk of being withdrawn from school during production periods. This is further accentuated by Kruger et al (2007) which states that increased parental wages and household level of income are associated with lower child labour and higher school attendance. Household poverty is a very powerful motive of child labour and working comes at the expense of schooling because the income is essential for survival (Strulik 2008). Edmonds and Schady (2008). Basu et al (2007) provide recent discussions on the extent to which child labour is influenced by the income among poor households to show that the strong causal relationship between poverty and child labour. Increased trade and globalization might have contributed to the awareness of child labour but it could also be a reason as to why child labour is in demand. In trying to link globalization and child labour, Dinopoulous and Zhao (2006) cite Maskus (1997) two-sector specific factors model, in which child labour is modelled as a specific factor employed in the exportable sector and adult labour is modelled as the mobile factor. They conclude that trade liberalization raises the output of the exportable sector and increases the demand for child labour as well as child wage. They also state that trade liberalization raises the price of unskilled-intensive goods as well as guarantees a market for goods produced using child labour and reduces the returns to education. This can clearly lead to an increase in the incidence of child labour. In analyzing the effects of trade openness in a dynamic model of child labour and debt bondage, Basu and Chau (2004) discovered that trade openness increases the short run supply of child labour but this does not affect the long run incidence of child labour. In a 2005 study carried out by Neumayer and DeSoysa in which they used both Foreign Direct Investment and trade openness to explain child labour, they concluded that countries with higher levels of trade and FDI had lower incidences of child labour. Davies and Voy (2007) finds that there is no robust effect of either FDI or International trade on child labour. Using 1995 data for 145 countries, they find that FDI is negatively correlated with child labour but when controlling per capita income, the effect disappears. Even cost benefit analysis by Nielsen (1998), Canagarajah et al (1998), show that annual Gross Domestic Products (GDP) decreases by 1-2% due to the use of child labour. Why then is child labour still being utilized if it is marginally less costly than adult labour? Levison et al 1996 suggest that it might be because children are less aware of their rights and more willing to take orders without complaining. Mehra-Kerpelman (1996), further explains that in households where parents are poor this is regarded as cheap labour that makes it possible to maintain the household budget. Corporate Social Responsibility CSR may be defined, consistent with McWilliams and Siegel (2001), as actions on the part of a firm that appear to advance the promotion of some social good beyond the immediate interests of the firm/shareholders and beyond legal requirements. While some scholars argue that CSR type programs and policies were originally adopted in the mid twentieth century to avoid criticisms of social and environmental misconduct (Gutierrez and Jones, 2005); Micklethwait and Woodridge (2005) argue that many more companies are viewing CSR as a way to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts their businesses have and to maximize the positive impact of their investment, particularly in developing countries (Blowfield, 2005). There is a growing body of evidence which asserts that corporations can be profitable not only by protecting the interest of their shareholders but by also engaging in actions that will be beneficial to their stakeholders (Pohle and Hittner, 2008). Davis et al (2006) state that while CSR came into existence largely out of commitments by companies to their employees and to communities where they were located, all that has changed in that, corporations can now be held accountable for practices within their supply chain. Amaeshi et al (2006) further states that CSR often makes multinationals uncomfortable as they are often challenged by the global reach of their supply chains and the possible irresponsible practices that could occur along these chains. The mere possibility of the existence of irresponsible practices puts firms under pressure to protect their brands even if it means assuming responsibilities for the practices of independent groups along their supply chain. Some studies have shown that socially responsible firms will financially outperform rival firms by attracting socially responsible consumers (Bagnoli and Watts, 2003), and will eliminate any concerns from activists and pressure groups (Baron, 2001). Well-known companies have already proven that they can differentiate their brands and reputations as well as their products and services if they take responsibility for the welfare of the societies and environment in which they operate. These companies are practicing CSR in a manner that generates significant returns to their business. CSR, though a major instrument to tackle child labour could have a limited effect on eliminating child labour if codes are not specific, strictly implemented and monitored, and combined with alternative arrangements (Kolk and Tulder, 2004). In offering an institutional theory of CSR, Campbell (2007) argues that the relationship between basic economic conditions and corporate behaviour is linked by several institutional conditions: public and private regulation, the presence of NGO’s and other organisations that monitor corporate behaviour, institutionalized norms regarding appropriate behaviour, associative behaviour among corporations themselves, and organized dialogues among corporations and their stakeholders. It is therefore not surprising that chocolate producers are encountering extensive pressure from consumers, community groups, government, non-governmental groups and other pressure groups to engage in CSR as a means to eradicating child labour (Morrison et al, 2006). From an economic perspective, companies would be expected to engage in such activities if the perceived benefits could exceed the associated costs which in this case could be a total boycott of their products. Some theories in CSR show that companies engage in â€Å"profit-maximizing† CSR based on anticipated benefits which might include reputation management (Baron, 2001), (McWilliams and Siegel, 2001). Davis et al 2006 argue that â€Å"CSR (understood as actions a company takes that are not legally mandated but are intended to have a positive impact on stakeholders, broadly construed) is challenged by the changing shape of the contemporary multinational corporation†. Should large firms be involved in poverty alleviation instead of simply contributing to output and employment? (Hopkins 2003). The UK’s Department for International Development suggests that businesses have an important role to play in the economic growth of a country which is essential to reduce world poverty. This they can achieve through their own policies and practices. â€Å"By following socially responsible practices, the growth generated by the private sector will be more inclusive, equitable and poverty reducing† (www.csr.gov.uk). CSR by its very nature is development carried out by the private sector, and it perfectly compliments the development efforts of governments and other multilateral development institutions. There is evidence to show that a firm cannot maximize value if it ignores the interest of its stakeholder (Jensen, 2001). This is further buttressed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development publication Making Good Business Sense†, Lord Holmes and Richard Watts, define Corporate Social Responsibility as â€Å"the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large. The recent concerns of how profit should be considered in a broader context of productivity and social responsibility and how corporations can better serve both their employees and surrounding society. The European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ) at the Round Table Conference on Child Labour and Corporate Social Responsibility in May 2008 remarked that â€Å"recent progress on corporate accountability has been dominated by the development of voluntary initiatives†. These voluntary initiatives have not succeeded in preventing continued abuses of corporate power, because they do not provide strong enough incentives for compliance to offset the financial gains for non-compliance. They also fail to empower citizens and stakeholders to hold the companies accountable for their actions. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD, 2000) calls for multinationals to â€Å"contribute to the effective abolition of child labour and â€Å"contribute to the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour†. Ignoring these guidelines could lead to damage in reputation (Orlitzky et al., 2003). â€Å"A good reputation enhances the value of everything an organisation does and says. A bad reputation devalues products and services and acts as a magnet that attracts further scorn† (Dowling, 2001). There are a number of challenges faced by states in the implementation of the OECD guidelines, but these are surmountable by strengthening the existing implementation system of the National Contact Points. However, there are positive growing trends movement arguing for more effective regulation of corporations relating to human rights at national and international levels (Cernic 2008). Chocolate Industry Response To Tackle Child Labour A: The link between chocolate and cocoa implicates the consumers in the encouragement of child labour (Raghavan et al 2001 article in the Knight Ridder Newspaper). This is further emphasized by the Ted Case Studies Number 664, 2002 which implicates the entire international economic community, the Ivorian government, farmers, the chocolate manufacturers and consumers who unknowingly buy chocolate in encouraging this practice (Samlanchith Chanthavong, 2002). The cocoa and chocolate industries, in conjunction with the ILO, other non-governmental organisations, the United States (US) government agencies and the affected African governments signed a voluntary and non-legislative protocol. The Harkin-Engel Protocol 2001, signed by the World Cocoa Foundation and Cocoa Manufacturers Association was aimed at developing a â€Å"credible, mutually acceptable system of industry-wide global standards, along with independent monitoring and reporting, to identify and eliminate† the worst forms of child labour as defined by ILO Convention 182 and certification that cocoa used or related products is void of child labour. ILO Press Release (ILO/01/32) of October 1, 2001 lauded this initiative and pledged to work in partnership with the cocoa industry to eliminate this form of labour. In 2001, with the establishment of the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) whose main objective was to work towards responsible labour standards for cocoa growing, it was clear that the entire cocoa sector was ready to get involved and this proved their committed to the fight against child labour. A general statement by the European Cocoa Association (ECA) on 19th April 2001, affirmed it was fully committed to sustainable development in cocoa producing countries and does not tolerate practices such as slavery and child labour [and that it] remains fully committed to maintain pressure on the relevant authorities, and to pursue all avenues in order to eliminate such practices where they are proven to occur. In a further communiquà © on August 2, 2001 the ECA was concerned about the allegations and the extent of the problem and decided to first update the information they had on the scale of the practice. B: Despite general acceptance that child labour is harmful and in spite of international outcry and Accords aimed at its eradication, progress on lowering the incidence has been very slow. Child labour eradication is at the top of the agenda of the millennium development goals which hopes to achieve this by 2015. Rena 2009, states that the research on child labour represents a new area of knowledge for policymakers especially regarding education and poverty reduction programmes. It further states that increased opportunities and increased welfare reduces child labour. Industry enforcement can only be effective depending on the mode of enforcement. As many labour relationships are in informal settings within family enterprises, enforcement is often very difficult (Basu and Tzannatos (2003). Krueger and Donohue (2002) conclude that an economically active child is less likely to receive education. If income gained by the economically active child is significant for the household, then the policy makers deciding whether or not to adopt child labour legislation would face important trade-offs between distorting private decisions and correcting potential inefficiencies arising from externalities. Doepke and Zilibotti (2005) discuss the introduction of laws from an historic perspective. They suggest that child labour laws can be triggered by skill-biased technological change that induces parents to choose smaller families as occurred in the U.K. in the nineteenth century. Regulations were introduced only after the factory system which was preceded by a period of rising wage inequality, and coincided with rapidly declining fertility rates. On their part, Ceroni et al (2003) present their study as a two-stage game. Firms decide on innovation and households decide on education. In equilibrium the presence of child labour depends on parameters related to technology, parents’ altruism and the diffusion of firm property. When child labour exists, it is as a result of either firms reluctance to innovate or households unwillingness to educate or both. Therefore, the elimination of child labour would largely depend crucially on its underlying cause. They conclude that, in some cases, while compulsory schooling laws or an outright ban on child labour are both welfare-reducing, a subsidy to innovation is the right tool to eliminate child labour and increase welfare. Garcia and Jun (2005) consider that International trade sanctions are a logical avenue to confront child labour, by eliminating the commercial opportunities available for such goods. However, they state that it is not clear if domestic child labour sanctions would survive legal challenges under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) law as currently interpreted. For international trade law to serve as a viable strategy for the elimination of the practice there must first be a clear theoretical and doctrinal case for the WTO-consistency of domestic child labour-based sanctions. Basu and Van (1998), caution against the rush to exercise a legislative ban against child labour. They argue that this should only be put in place when there is clear reason to do so especially if, it would lead to a rise in adult wages which will adequately compensate the household of the poor children. If this is done otherwise, then it will only lead them to more extreme poverty. Conclusion Despite the global initiative, the incidence of child labour shows no sign of decline as it brings immediate benefit to some families buttressing the fact that the root cause is abject poverty (Cigno, 2004). International organisations as well as national development agencies are embracing and encouraging CSR in the hope that the private sector can play a lead role achieving developmental goals which include eradicating poverty, and developing the social infrastructure in the rural communities such as providing education and health improvements. However, in a recent report published by the International Labour Organisation in 2006, it confirms that the challenge in the fight against child labour in the world continues to be daunting but there is evidence that a breakthrough was in the making. The report highlights that there is already evidence of encouraging reduction in child labour, especially its worst forms. The number of child labourers globally fell by 11 percent between 2002 and 2006. They are confident that with the combination of political will, resources and the right policy choices, this evil practice could definitely be put to an end. Exasperating and discouraging for developing countries is the fact that exports remain severely hampered by massive domestic support and export subsidy programs in developed countries through high tariffs and the difficulties in the implementation of the tariff-quota system (Chaudhuri and Kumar, (2005). More damaging for the cocoa export market is the adoption of Directive 2000/36/EC by the European Union which allows chocolate manufacturers to replace cocoa butter with cheaper vegetable fats. This in itself threatens the domestic food security of cocoa producing countries and undermines their export potentials (High beam Research, 2003). This position is further highlighted by a report to the European Union by LMC international on the impact of Directive 2000

Haagen Dasz Co. Inc Integrated Marketing Report

Haagen Dasz Co. Inc Integrated Marketing Report 1. Introduction Recent years, especially the period that has started since the maturing of the electronic media and the proliferation of the internet, have seen widespread and far-reaching changes in forms of communication. A number of changes in the global business environment, including factors like market splintering, greater segmentation, information technology and globalisation, have led to the emergence of a new concept in holistic communication. Known in management parlance as Integrated Marketing Communication, (IMC) experts feel it to be integral to the improvement of competitive advantage in marketing. (Pelsmacker and Kitchen, 2004) IMC is a marketing practice intended to ensure the working together of all components of marketing, for example, advertising, sales promotion, public relations, electronic, 121 and direct marketing in a unified manner, rather than separate and disparate forces, with little in common with each other. Marketing communications comprises five broad categories, namely personal selling, advertising, public relations, direct marketing and sales promotions. Each has its own set of pros and cons and can be accomplished in a variety of ways. However, the key is to look at the available options in a comprehensive way and to ensure consistency throughout the selected media. (Vargas, 2005) The creation and nourishment of a unified message in all elements of marketing is integral to its concept. Driven by a need for integrating communication components, and the organisational exigency of large advertisers, the rapid growth of IMC has led many advertising agencies to take it up as a primary service area. This report aims to examine the different elements involved in Integrated Marketing Communication, and recommend a plan for its implementation for Haagen Dasz, Inc. (HDI) The report is structured into sections that take up the concept of IMC, the strategies adopted by HDI to communicate its messages until now, and possible ways to adapt and change them in light of alterations in the marketplace, as well as in the modes of communication. 2. Integrated Marketing Communication Communication, an integral component of all relationships relates to the exchange of information, concepts, ideas and emotions. These exchanges occur through a range of communication avenues, each of which makes its own contribution to the total exchange process. Marketers, steeped in communication theory, were quick to realise this phenomenon and adopted numerous ways to communicate with their customers, e.g., newspapers, hoardings, radio, television, and progressively direct mail, as well as the internet. â€Å"Marketing communications is the process by which the marketer develops and presents an appropriate set of communications stimuli to a defined target audience with the intention of eliciting a desired set of responses.† (Vargas, 2005) Marketing has a number of distinct avenues, namely advertising, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing, personal selling, and in recent times, internet marketing. Each of these avenues works towards achieving specific objecti ves and great synergies come about when used in mutually reinforcing modes. In the eighties, most marketing experts saw each of these avenues as separate and deserving of different treatment. The concept of integrating all these separate components into one umbrella usage first gained currency in North-western University’s Medill School of Journalism†, through the efforts of Don Schultz. (IMC is) a concept of marketing communications planning that recognizes the added value of a comprehensive plan that evaluates the strategic roles of a variety of communications disciplines (for example, general advertising, direct response, sales promotion, and public relations) and combines these disciplines to provide clarity, consistency, and maximum communications impact. (Schultz et al., 1993) Most experts were quick to understand the innate common sense behind integrating these different sub streams of communication and using them to convey one unified message. One major reason for this was due to the realization that different marketing communication tools had very dissimilar attributes, for example while the ability of advertising to reach a large audience is large it proves to be quite ineffective in delivering personal messages. Similarly, personal selling can be very effective in delivering personal messages but is not effective in reaching large audiences. Direct marketing, on the other hand, can deliver personal messages, and reach reasonably large audiences. Differences like these characterise the various attributes of different communication tools, namely, (a) the ability to deliver personal messages, (b) the ability to reach a large audiences, (c) the level of interaction (d) the level of credibility and (c) costs, in total and per unit. (Integrated Marketing Co mmunication, 2007) In addition to this factor, the use of IMC increased because of the many shifts that took place in the advertising industry. Advertising focus shifted from being reliant on media to other forms of communication like specialised media, promotions and mailers. The market shifted from the domination of manufacturers to the influence of retailers and control of consumers. Advertising also shifted from being general towards becoming databased and advertising agencies became much more accountable for marketing success. The introduction of IMC also led to the creation of a number of benefits that included increased impact of communication, improved effectiveness of creative ideas, greater consistency in communication and better returns on communication investment. Even though marketing experts have come to recognise the benefits and efficacy of IMC, a number of unlikely obstacles continue to hinder its growth. Many companies have different teams of people working on different elements and it quite often proves to be difficult and highly challenging to produce communication with very similar messages for different types of media, considering that they have different uses and objectives. â€Å"For example, television ads are generally used for awareness generation, print to educate, and outdoor and radio to keep the message top-of-mind. In reality, the goal of all advertising, including packaging, is to sell.† (Young, 2006) Apart from this issue, a number of other obstacles also hinder the implementation of IMC strategies. Moriarty (1994) considered the cross-disciplinary managerial skills the biggest barrier to IMC, while Duncan and Everett (1993) reported that egos and turf battles were primary obstacles to integration. Eagle and Kitchen (2000) identified four groups of potential barriers to IMC success in their study of New Zealand advertising agencies and the marketing industry: power, coordination and control issues; client skills, centralization/organizational and cultural issues; agency skills/talents, overall time/resources issues; and flexibility/modification issues. Schultz (2000) saw structure the way the firm is put together as the most challenging problem of integration. Very obviously, successful implementation of Integrated Marketing Communication at Haagen Dazs will have to take account of these likely obstacles and ensure that they do not interfere in the process. 3. Assessment of the Current Position of Haagen Dazs Haagen Dazs is a pioneer in marketing and in conveying different messages in appealing ways to its consumers. The company, since its inception, has never hesitated to adopt a contrarian attitude and has gone against conservative thinking with great success. Its history of unique and different messaging started with the adoption of its name, which though it had no real connotation, gave an impression of exotica and cold Scandinavian companies. Packaging containing maps of Denmark served to reinforce this impression, a feeling carried to this day. (Chakraborty and Govind, 2006) The first break with accepted marketing thought came when Haagen Dazs introduced small portions of superior quality, extremely creamy ice cream at significantly more expensive prices. Its first forays in advertising were restricted to strictly word of mouth communication and the product depended upon its distinctively rich quality to do the talking. Over the years, through changes in ownership the company has re mained strongly committed to the concept of producing thick, rich, and creamy ice cream, and constantly reinforced its advocacy of the good life, of enjoyment, physical pleasures and sensuousness. The company has achieved tremendous success, in every market it has entered, a fact that speaks very strongly of the superior quality of the product and of the communication of the company. The company has continuously worked on the basis of a few strongly held beliefs, namely, (a) developing the brand with an attached history of perfection and luxury, (b) using the finest ingredients to deliver product excellence, (c) investing in consumer research to understand tastes and preferences of customers, (d) using selective distribution and delayed mass marketing until the establishment of minimum critical mass, (e) not shifting in its priorities and objectives and (f) using creativity and innovativeness to support brand identity. This helped the company in establishing its current competitive strengths and premium pricing. Its initiative of introducing ice cream flavoured postage stamps, in collaboration with the Austrian government, which could be used for checking out flavours as well as using on postage was an enormous success. While the number of people who use the ordinary mail in these days of broadband and email is questionable, the initiative, discussed at great length across western countries, served its purpose of strengthening the image of a quirky, fun loving and enjoyment centred product. (Marketing Concept and Market Segmentation, 2005) Haagen Dazs now operates in a number of countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. While the company saw huge successes in the USA, it had to face enormous competition in Europe from competitors like Ben and Jerry’s, and to some extent, from Baskin Robbins. The company operates in a niche market catering to affluent and brand conscious customers willing to pay premium prices for luxury products. Its main strengths lie in its fabulous image as a premium quality, expensive brand. The company also has a very wide range of exotically named products that strengthen its image of luxury and indulgence. Few people associate the company with plain vanilla, even though it was one of the original flavours of the company, and customers think more of sticky toffee and strawberry cheesecake when they walk into a Haagen Dazs cafà ©. In recent years, the company has pioneered a range of low fat flavours in the same price range. The company, apart from making its products available in high street supermarkets, operates through well-appointed owned and franchised cafes, where visitors receive special attention, gifts, and invitations to attend special occasions tasting sessions. The company operates in limited market segments and this definitely restricts its scope to grow into the economy segments. When the company introduced its range of low fat ice creams at similar rates customer, queries about the high price led to explanations about special technology, long and intricate processes and the use of only natural ingredients. This also restricts the company’s opportunities to expand overseas and it must necessarily enter markets with high-income profiles. The company faces threats from other ice cream companies and an environment where technology makes it possible to duplicate flavours with ease. This negates the efforts of product research and development, and first mover advantage, if at all, does not last beyond short time periods. The ability to keep on producing new flavours is a source of competitive advantage in the ice cream industry, a Haagen Dazs attribute that now stands blunted to some extent. (Marketing Concept and Market Segmentation, 2 005) The company does not face any political pressures, other than from lobbies that espouse low fat foods. Company efforts to address these groups with the introduction of low fat products, apart from opening up a market segment, has helped in blunting criticism from these quarters. The company’s products target affluent customers, and global upturns in business and disposable incomes helps such companies; who deal at the higher end of the market. Inversely any prolonged depression, like in the eighties, will hit such companies hard. The fact that the company operates in the foods segment in a number of international markets makes it necessary for the company to consider local traditions, cultures and norms. Research in this area was responsible for the introduction of the successful green tea flavour in Japan. Advertising strategy, until now, has focussed on luxury and life style, on desire, taste and indulgence. Advertisements are carefully constructed with emphasis on aesthetics and use ice creams, or people as subjects. Promotional activities reflect the same association with class. Wimbledon, Ascot and the Paris Opera preferred events and reinforce the image of luxury. The advertising history of the company has been marked by its rivalry with Ben and Jerry’s, competition that intensified after Unilever took over the company. In 2004, Haagen Dazs mounted a campaign called the â€Å"Made for Each Other† campaign that sought to revitalize the image of the company. The campaign, based upon television commercials, used soft music, poetry and gentle visuals, in stark contrast to the bright and bold messages, in vogue with other advertisers. The campaign worked very successfully and led to an increase of 3.6 % in sales when the market for ice creams was otherwise witnessing a do wnturn. (Chakraborty and Govind, 2006) Recent years have seen intensification in competition in the ice cream market and a change in customer preference to move away towards healthier alternatives. While companies like Ben and Jerry’s and Baskin Robbins have also become more aggressive in their marketing moves, new companies like the US based Cold Stone Creamery are also moving aggressively into new markets. The increase in internet usage also needs suitable response from marketing departments to ensure that opportunities available are utilised appropriately. 4. Recommendations Haagen Dazs is known for its superior quality, rich taste and lifestyle connotations. The success of the company been built on these factors and it would be unwise to discard the core values represented by the brand. The Austrian campaign â€Å"Let your tongue travel† using flavoured postage stamps proved to be immensely successful because of its newness and the opportunity for many people to taste a range of exotic flavours. The emergence of a young and affluent market all over the world makes it imperative for the company to target this segment to protect and augment future sales. Advertising initiatives should focus on being youth friendly and concentrate on current obsessions like Formula One rather than on events like horse races. While tennis remains an eternal youth fixation on a global basis, the emergence of Formula One as an adventurous and affluent sport makes it an ideal platform for long-term sponsorship. Apart from changing the thrust of sponsorships messages mus t necessarily take heed of the current fascination with health, fitness and low fat foods. The company should step up efforts to push its range of low fat ice creams through appropriate advertising messages designed to attract the health conscious market. It would possibly be a great idea to introduce a range of vitamin and mineral fortified ice creams to take advantage of the current obsession with health and promote it strongly across various media. The company has recently been very successful in it Crà ¨me de la Crà ¨me campaign in the San Diego market, wherein a number of high-end restaurants participated in serving company products to high-end clientele. We saw Hà ¤agen-Dazs as a great fit for San Diegos high-end restaurants because it is made with only the finest natural ingredients, and the local scene is unique because of its many farms and availability of organic, fresh produce, said Sarah Znerold, SZPRs president. The first program, held last August, was called Creme de la Creme. Chefs from 10 top local restaurants were each invited to develop a creative and tasty Hà ¤agen-Dazs ice cream concoction and have it judged at an event featuring San Diego media and industry VIPs, Znerold said. (Slavens, 2007) Campaigns like this in different towns are bound to increase the visibility of the company’s products. The vast number of owned and franchised shops also makes it very easy for the company to obtain personal details of visitors to these establishments. The company has the opportunity to use these personal details to put together a well-designed one to one campaign, wherein customers could be continuously informed of new products, health connotations, and offered a range of benefits including invitations to special occasions and discounts on purchases. The integrated marketing communications strategy must primarily look at five functions, namely identifying target audiences, determining the communications objectives, designing the messaging content, selecting the means of communication, determine the mix of media and budget priorities and implement a system to measure the effectiveness of the efforts. In the case of Haagen Dazs, market segment targeted continues to be the affluent, quality conscious customer. It is however important to realise that the segment will have a higher proportion of younger people, especially in emerging markets and take account of their preferences. The current marketing mix is effective in meeting the needs of the target segment and a stronger targeting of the youth segment will lead to more visitors to cafes, leading to an increase in tasting and appreciation of new flavours. The communication objectives range from countering competition from competitors like Ben and Jerry’s and Baskin Robbins, as well as spreading awareness about the product. Effective messaging is obviously critical to the whole exercise and needs great thought. This is however a company strength, evidenced by the highly successful messages carried by the company in the past. The media has to necessarily place much greater emphasis on internet and direct marketing, using the plethora of customer information that could be accessed through company cafes. The use of the internet will make it possible for the company to establish personal contact with customers on a large scale, learn about customer preferences, step up research efforts and plan effectively for new products. It will also act as a very effective vehicle for spreading information about the company’s new range of low fat, health products, in both the ice cream and yoghurt range. It is important to ensure that the results of the IMC strategy be ascertained and recorded properly. While sales movement will tell its own story, strong and properly planned research will be able to ascertain the success of IMC efforts and throw up deficiencies that will need to be corrected. Bibliography Chakraborty, I, and Govind, S, 2006, Haagen Dazs: repositioning of a cult brand, ICFAI Centre for Management Research Gronstedt, A., Thorson, E. 1996, Five Approaches to Organize an Integrated Marketing Communications Agency. Journal of Advertising Research, 36(2), 48+. Haagen Dazs, 2007, Wikipedia, Retrieved April 3, 2007 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hà ¤agen-Dazs Kim, I., Han, D., Schultz, D. E. 2004, Understanding the Diffusion of Integrated Marketing Communications. Journal of Advertising Research, 44(1), 31+. Kitchen, P. J., De Pelsmacker, P. 2004, Integrated Marketing Communications: A Primer. New York: Routledge. Marketing concept and Market segmentation, Haagen Dazs, 2005, Retrieved April 3, 2007 from www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=27166 Mcarthur, D. N., Griffin, T. 1997, A Marketing Management View of Integrated Marketing Communications. Journal of Advertising Research, 37(5), 19+. Moingeon, B. Soenen, G. (Eds.). 2002, Corporate and Organizational Identities: Integrating Strategy, Marketing, Communication, and Organizational Perspectives. London: Routledge. Oller, J. W., Giardetti, J. R. ,1999, . Images That Work: Creating Successful Messages in Marketing and High Stakes Communication. Westport, CT: Quorum Books Schultz, D. E., Kitchen, P. J. 1997, Integrated Marketing Communications in U.S. Advertising Agencies: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Advertising Research, 37(5), 7+. Slavens, R, 2007, Haagen Dazs tastes success with crà ¨me de la crà ¨me campaign, B2B, Retrieved April 3, 2007 from www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070115/FREE/701150759/1004/VERTICAL_EE Vargas, 2005, Integrated Marketing Communications, An effective comprehensive approach, Business ventures, Retrieved April 3, 2007 from www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/publications/bv4q05.pdf Varey, R. J. ,2001, Marketing Communication: An Introduction to Contemporary Issues. New York: Routledge.

Genetic Determinism Essay -- DNA Genetics Traits Essays Papers

Genetic Determinism On Christmas Day in the year 2001, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. When I looked into the brand-new face of my son I saw a beautiful mystery. I wondered what kind of man my boy would grow to be and what his life would be like. There are those in the scientific community who would argue that my son's path was already determined at the moment of his birth, that his fate could be deciphered from his genetic make-up. As a nurturing mother I know better. At two years old my son has developed a more diverse vocabulary than many children twice or even three times his age. He recognizes many written words and reads them aloud. He is able to spell his name. He can distinguish a square from a rectangle and an octagon from a hexagon. Was he born with this knowledge? The answer is no. My son, as genetically gifted as he may be, could have been born into an environment in which his inborn potential was never developed. The knowledge he now possesses can be directly traced to the teaching envi ronment in which he has grown. Human beings are a product of both their biology and their environment. As a mother, I am shocked and dismayed by the general acceptance of the myth of genetic determinism. One's environment, including people one interacts with, has an undeniable influence on how one develops. Nonetheless, many scientists disregard the impact of environment on one's intelligence. I do not deny that one's biology is a crucial part of one's identity. Inheritance of physical traits is obvious. Children often look "just like" their father or mother, or another relative. One's genes determine eye and hair color, height and body build. I believe, however, that what makes us human is not something that can be found in... ...ork: Praeger Publishers, 1991. Knapp, Peter, Jane C. Kronick, R. William Marks, and Miriam G. Vosburgh. The Assault on Equality. Westport: Praeger Publishers, 1996. Loehlin, John C., Lindzey Gardner, and J.N. Spuhler. Race Differences in Intelligence. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1975. Melo-Martin, Immaculado de. "When is Biology Destiny? Biological Determinism and Social Responsibility." Philosophy of Science 70.15 (2003): 11. Expanded Academic Index. Infotrac. Mabee Library, Topeka. 20 April 2004 Nurcombe, Barry. Children of the Dispossessed. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1976. Samuda, Ronald. Psychological Testing of American Minorities: Issues and Consequences. New York: Harper and Row, 1975. Steen, R. Grant. DNA and Destiny: Nurture and Nature in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press, 1996.

Joseph Stalin :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Son of a poverty-stricken shoemaker, raised in a backward province, Joseph Stalin had only a minimum of education. However, he had a burning faith in the destiny of social revolution and an iron determination to play a prominent role in it. His rise to power was bloody and bold, yet under his leadership, in an unexplainable twenty-nine years, Russia because a highly industrialized nation. Stalin was a despotic ruler who more than any other individual molded the features that characterized the Soviet regime and shaped the direction of Europe after World War II ended in 1945. From a young revolutionist to an absolute master of Soviet Russia, Joseph Stalin cast his shadow over the entire globe through his provocative affair in Domestic and Foreign policy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stalin was â€Å"born in Gori, Georgia† as the third and only surviving child of a â€Å"cobbler and ex-serf†(Compton’s 403). His true name was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. â€Å"In 1912 he took the alias of ‘Stalin’, from the Russian word stal, meaning ‘steel†, hence his nickname â€Å"Man of Steel†(Compton’s 402). Stalin began his studies at the seminary as a devout believer in Orthodox Christianity, where he was soon exposed to the radical ideas of fellow students. In 1899, just about the time of graduation, he gave up his religious education and to devote his time to the revolutionary movement against the Russian monarchy. In 1902 Stalin was hunted down and arrested by the imperial police for organizing a large worker’s demonstration. A year later he was sentenced to â€Å"exile in the Russian region of Siberia, but soon managed to escape and was back in Georgia by early 1904†(Arc her 58). When the Russian Social Democratic Party split into Menshevik and Bolshevik factions, Stalin sided with the Bolsheviks, who just happened to be led by Vladimir Lenin. Stalin immediately became a staunch follower of Lenin, studying his every move. He did marry in 1905 but his beloved bride died of tuberculosis two years later. Their son, Yasha, died later in a Nazi Prison camp during World War II. After the Bolshevik’s Civil War victory, Stalin became highly organized and was elected secretary of the Communist Party. â€Å"After Lenin’s death, Stalin gradually isolated and shunned his political rivals, especially Leon Trotsky, and by the end of 1929 Joseph Stalin had succeeded in eliminating his opponents and became the supreme leader of the USSR† (Compton’s 404).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the late 1920’s, living in Lenin’s shadow, Stalin decided that the New Economic Policy would introduce the Five-Year Plan.