Baby Boomer Health, Money and Retirement Concerns

Baby Boomer Health, Money and Retirement Concerns Free Online Research Papers As the Baby Boomer generation continues to grow older, their concerns have shifted to their health, money and retirement. The days of wondering where their next vacation should be and whether their bonus check will be as much as they deserve are passing. Today, Baby Boomer issues are mostly about concerns with maintaining their health and having enough money to live comfortably through their years. As people grow older, they often experience problems with their health. Their bodies grow more fragile and susceptible to diseases. Many people 50 years of age and older are reporting health problems that were not experienced by people in their same age group long ago. This problem is created by rising health care costs. As the Boomer generation begins to require more medical care, the cost of that medical care continues to increase. Health issues and their ability to cope with them and find the proper medical support is a major concern for Baby Boomers. Along with rising health care costs, Baby Boomers also worry about money and retirement. During the last couple years of their careers before retiring, people usually enjoy salaries and bonuses that are larger than at any other point in their career. As a result, money is rarely a major concern. However, many people fail to save that money. Instead, they spend it on vacations, their families and in the pursuit of living fun lives. This can lead to a rude awakening when they retire. Because they have not saved much money during their career, a lot of people discover that they do not have enough money to live comfortably during their retirement years. When they retire, they no longer earn a salary. They no longer receive bonus checks. Instead, they are forced to live off the income that can be generated by the investments they have made throughout their lives. Unfortunately, many have not invested any money that can generate this income. Other Baby Boomer issues complicate this money problem. People live longer lives today. When a Baby Boomer retires, he can expect to live many years in retirement. In the past, a 65-year old man could expect to live 10 years in retirement before passing away. The financial requirements of living comfortably for these 10 years were manageable. Today, people use a life expectancy of 90 to 95 years. That is, when a person retires at 65 years of age, he can expect to live up to 30 years in retirement. With dwindling health, rising health care costs and a lack of savings to generate income, the financial requirements of living 30 years in retirement are out of reach for many people. These health, money and retirement concerns will grow as more of the Baby Boomer generation moves into retirement. Some will choose to work part-time jobs to keep active, stay healthy and generate supplemental income. Others will require the aid of family and friends. Still others may require more help than is available to them. As the Baby Boomer issues are beginning to emerge the Boomers will experience the issues that have been quietly gaining momentum for years, their health, money and retirement concerns will continue to grow. Research Papers on Baby Boomer Health, Money and Retirement ConcernsTwilight of the UAWThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationPersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesGenetic EngineeringQuebec and CanadaThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsPETSTEL analysis of India

The Provisions of Convention on the Rights of the Essays

The Provisions of Convention on the Rights of the Essays The Provisions of Convention on the Rights of the Child. The International programme on Elimination of Child Labour was ILO's response to provide direct assistance to countries to tackle child labour and give teeth to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child made effective in 1989. Today it has 30 funders and 86 programme countries ILO in its Report. "The end of child labour; within reach" released in 2006 says, in 2004 there were 218 million children trapped in child labour of whom 126 million were in hazardous work. However the number of child labourers globally fell by 11% over the last four years, while that of children in hazardous work decreased by 26%. (www.ilo.org/declaration) IPEC the campaign instrument against child labour conducted by ILO commenced in 1992 and has made several break throughs in advocacy; tackling the worst forms of child labour; developing a learning culture and mainstreaming child labour within the decent work agenda. ILO is also aware of future challenges. Child labour elimination may be mainstreamed into key development and Human Rights frame works like Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction strategies. Child labor first emerged as a major public policy issue with the impact of the industrial revolution. The first wave of industries at countries offered several packages of intervention to overcome presence of child labour like advocacy campaigns; public inquiries; minimum age legislation; education provision for working children. These have been expanded, replicated by many developing countries ILO has expanded its efforts through IPEC programme in some 90 countries. It has been observed that child labour declines with increase in GDP growth; improved school attendance; reduction of absolute poverty; The elimination of child labour is linked with provision of compulsory, free and accessible education. Without educational opportunities it is likely that children will enter the labour market and take on dangerous and exploitative jobs. Though the Dakar forum of 185 countries resolved to provide all children of primary age free schooling of quality by year 2015 and eliminate gender disparities by year 2005 much remains to be achieved. Although concept of education for all has not taken off the ground at an international scale, efforts are made with community groups, parents, employers, and government officials to remove children from work and enroll them in school. An example is efforts of an NGO(MV foundation) made in India in state of Andrah Pradesh. It enabled 150,000 to be enrolled and retained in schools and more than 4,000 boned labourers released and of 500 villages under project 168are free of child labour. These results were achieved through awareness raising and demand for education of children; support Teachers through special training; support parents to provide alternatives to labour of child withdrawn; provide clearing schools to prepare children for formal education. (source: Child Labour a Global concern, www.schoolsthebestplacetowork.org) UNICEF has been advocating education as a preventive strategy against child labour (www.unicef.org/evalvatebase/file) child labour evaluate rights 27 Feb 2004 National International comments PDF. Some ILO actions against child labour since 2002. SCREAM stop child labour (sup poring children's Rights) through education the arts and the medias is a community based education and social mobilization programme that commenced in 2002 it is directed to children and youth in some situations programme works with world Scout Movement, in Arab States it works with UNESCO (p 29,30) World Day Against Child Labour initiated in June 2002 is another tool. Annually it has focused on particular issues of relevance like child domestic labour, trafficking, elimination of child labour in mining and quarrying . ILO Red Card to child labour has expanded campaign to sports and removal of children from abusive sports good production. There have been efforts to improve knowledge base on child labour. This is linked to research data collection and field operations and surveys. (P46) Links have been observed between child labour and globalization. "Globalization can help reduce child labour in countries where there is a relatively largepool of workers with at least a basic education complemented with active social policies." A few studies have also shown that "child labour appears to diminish as foreign direct investment increases"(pg 19). Special country projects directed at eliminating child labour have been identified. The CSR Movement (corporate social responsibility) encourages voluntary codes of conduct in industries where child labour may prevail like garments, sports goods, footwear, toys. Employer organizations like the Federation of Uganda Employers, have been actively involved in preventing employment of child labour in agricultural sector. The Employers Organization in Yunan Province, China (p 70) has taken hand the arrest of trafficking women and children. Trade Unions have joined hands against child labour in Andhara Pradesh (p72) aimed

Discuss Phosphorous Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discuss Phosphorous Cycle - Essay Example Thus, the phosphates present in the plants through irrigation or through natural absorption of soil water, become part of the constituents of growing plants in the ecosystem. Plants, however, do not remain unused; they are consumed by herbivorous animals, as fodder and by man as herbs and vegetables. As a result, phosphorous, in the form of the phosphates originating in the weathering of rocks, enters into the bodily systems of herbivorous plants and animals, and unites in the process of transformation or metabolism to form other chemical compounds of phosphorous. The process does not end there, as both man and animal pass out waste matter in the form of urine and excreta (Joiner, 75). Man and animals pass these out into or onto soil, or into lavatories (from lavatories, these wastes ultimately arrive in the soil). Alongside these process is the decomposition of dead plant or of animal and human bodies, which releases already absorbed or digested phosphates ( Mariah, 95). Thus, conve rted phosphates enter the soil, and close the cycle there. The above description is basically the process of the phosphorous cycle. ... Sewage farm, for instance, is farm which is irrigated with "sewage irrigation" (i.e. irrigation by sewage liquid), while sewage grass is grass grown on land fertilised by sewage. Thus phosphate waste matter is used to nurture plants, which store them up for animal and man, and for the enriching of farm soils, from which plants take nourishment or off which they may be washed into rivers and streams. Also relevant in the phosphorous cycle is the aquatic system, which includes plants and their environmental streams and rivers. Phosphates (from fertilisers or weathering of rocks, for example) not used by aquatic plants find their way into streams and rivers, and settle at the floor these waters. When these waters are stirred up (perhaps by man or fish), part of these settled sedimentary phosphates may re-enter the phosphorous cycle, through spilling over onto soils.In summary, therefore, the phosphorous cycle involves the transformation of phosphates from some liquid form into some solid form - or vive-versa - through the internal chemical processes of the interaction of the ecosystem constituents. Beginning with assimilation of phosphates into soils through rock weathering, its ends with the assimilation of phosphates back into the soil through the decomposition and excretion of plant, man, and animal. However, while phosphates are advantageous and essential to life and agriculture, they do at times have their adverse effects. A typical instance is its negative effect on fresh water. Typical fresh water is neutral, i.e. it has a PH value of 7; it is colourless, tasteless and odourless; perfectly fit for drinking, for cooking and for washing. But when excessive phosphates are allowed to enter into a reservoir or pool of fresh water

Strategic Tourism Planning and Development in London Essay

Strategic Tourism Planning and Development in London - Essay Example The objective is then to proceed to external focus that will solidify the promotion of the London by addressing natural and made-made environmental issues. Therefore, the main observations provide the aim to effectively describing current tourism issues that stalls the sustainability in development. Thus, the designed aspect provides an opportunity to creating a sufficient resolution towards the identified different sustainability protocols for successful private and public sectors endeavors (Dibbs, 2007,pp.107). Current trends in tourism present challenging in the pursuit for sustainability and profitability within the targeted industry. The tourism planning is vital to determining how a particular locale is performing within the private and public sectors aspect but also the environmental concerns. The most damaging issues arises out of balancing out the concerns relates to focuses on operation of tourism enterprises. The consideration in tourism operation management offers a strategy to identify and resolving certain issues that arises in a given season. The effort demonstrates the presentation of resources for maneuvering through the public and private markets. The community attitudinal studies relates to how the particular city challenges to managed resources can reduce significantly interests for tourism planning and development. The designed concept to promote the London as the designation for a tourist private and public sectors objectives will only be successful if stated issues are addressed. Therefore, the awareness level provides an open forum for the concerns of tourism environmental concerns are addressed accordingly to brainstorm suggestions. The tourism planning and development for the promotion of the London is dependable of mastering the economic and employment dependency.

Circadian Rhythms and Their Importance to Humanise and other Animals Essay

Circadian Rhythms and Their Importance to Humanise and other Animals - Essay Example 649). It was significant to note that in this study 25% of the subjects presented arrhythmic Circadian Rhythm patterns and had a shorter life span by 50% compared to the animal subjects with normal circadian cycles. Kumar, Mohan and Kumar-Sharma (2005) in their study further found that the arrhythmic patterns found in the test group also had a correlation to the reproductive success of the mature species with 40% less than their rhythmic counterparts successfully producing viable offspring. The authors noted that although the study did not investigate the causal effects of this it does indicate that further study is necessary. It does, however, demonstrate that the circadian rhythm plays an integral, if not fully understood, role in the viability of the species - not only on an individual basis but also species wide. Doljansky, Kannety and Dagan (2005) note that circadian rhythm typically produced by period s of day and night are manifested in mammals in many of the physiological functions including "appetite, core body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and various endocrine and metabolic variables" (p. 598). Much of the cycle is based upon the natural timing of daylight and night. As our study encompassed a full day, examples of the circadian cycle will be demonstrated readily thought each phase of the study with visible, predictable cyclic patterns emerging. Results of the study conducted confirm the findings of researchers that the blood pressure and pulse rate follow a Circadian Cycle. As seen in Appendix A which is the class study findings there is a distinct circadian cycle demonstrated for the pulse rate of the subjects with the peak pulse rate period falling in the 1800 reading systematically reducing to the low pulse rate period at 0600 before again gradually rising. These findings are supported by a study conducted by Moroni, et al (1998) which evaluated both severe cardiac impaired subjects and healthy control subjects. Results of their study found no significant difference in the blood pressure or pulse rate of either group. Rather, both groups exhibited a normal circadian cycle of both pulse rate and blood pressure which was contrary to their hypothesis. The second portion of the class study measured the cognitive functioning at two hour intervals during the day. As surmised in the hypothesis there should have been a distinct circadian cycle manifested. However, this was not the case with distinct functional differences noted by individuals across distinct time periods. What the findings did demonstrate are supported by Pardee, et al (2005) which examined the cognitive functioning to determine whether a universal circadian cycle was noted. Their findings showed that cognitive functioning ability is not solely evidenced by a universal circadian rhythm. Rather cognitive functioning ability is based on a combination of the circadian rhythm, personal preference (simply put day or night people) and the ability to compensate for 'down-time' periods in the circadian cycle through cognitive reserve. The motor skill portion of the study consisted of an eye hand coordination test. As hypothesized there were be a general pattern emerge indicative of a circadian cycle. Mean results showed that with only minimal variation the

Orientalism In Film Or Animation Cultural Studies Essay

Orientalism In Film Or Animation Cultural Studies Essay Due to the intuitive and emotional characteristics of the film, video screen is easier to stimulate the audience, so description of other countries people, history, image and customs in the film has always been a very sensitive side. Hollywood always portrayed Muslim, Chinese and Indians as thieves, warlords and terrorists, and the East itself has been described as indecent and strange land, where life is very cheap and eroticism is pleasure and abundant. In American film history more than one century, the Chinese peoples images have already constituted a very prominent phenomenon of Hollywood films, not only sizeable, but also diverse genre. Hollywood movies often gives the image of the Chinese is a kind of uncomfortable feeling, and some even have been distorted or be smeared. The theme of Hollywood movie shot in China, China (including the United States, Chinatown) has been portrayed as mysterious and playing with the local conspiracy, showing that the Chinese were more indecent w ay of life. Chinese people are not melancholy mysterious, that is heinous villains and criminals. Rampant criminal gangs, prostitutes everywhere, arms smuggling, smoking opium, the development of chemical weapons and nuclear proliferation activities all related to the Chinese image as a stereotyped in Hollywood films, when he still does not rise again, filled with a thick atmosphere of Orientalism . Due to the intuitive and emotional characteristics of the film, video screen is easier to stimulate the audience, description of other countries people, history, image and customs in the film has always been a very sensitive side. Western movies always Muslims, Chinese and Indians are portrayed as thieves, warlords and terrorists, the East itself has been described as indecent and strange land where life is very cheap and with abundant sexual pleasure. In more than a century of American film history, the Chinese peoples images in western films have already constituted a very prominent phenomenon, not only sizeable, but also diverse genre. Chinese peoples images in western films often give a kind of uncomfortable feeling, and some even have been distorted or smeared. In the films of Chinese theme in West videos, China (including the Chinatown in western countries) has been portrayed as mysterious place playing with the local conspiracy, showing that the Chinese more indecent ways of l ife. Chinese people are not only melancholy mysterious, but also are heinous villains and criminals. Rampant criminal gangs, prostitutes everywhere, arms smuggling, smoking opium, the development of chemical weapons and nuclear proliferation activities all related to the Chinese image as a stereotyped in the western films still float back again, filled with a thick atmosphere of Orientalism. All along, the use of salvation mode, the tragedy of love mode, super vulgar romantic mode, assimilation mode of narrative and discourse mode of operation in Western films, in a history of film with one hundred years has interpretation of the stories concerning Chinese peoples images. From Western silent films in the early twentieth century to the contemporary story of the films, Chinas social environment is deplorable, and the Chinese people often lack the basic normal human emotions, cynical demeanor, temperament catchy and metamorphosis, long sleeves, long braids and the three-inch golden lotus and the love and marriage patterns of East woman and white man have repeatedly been paraded across the screen and relish. More recent emergence of Red Corner, Little Buddha, Seven Years in Tibet in the United States with nature of anti-Chinese, shame China, due to a deliberate distortion of Chinas national image have been condemned by the international media, nowadays the veil, Nanking, Ch ildren of Huang Shi and other American films are not tortuous to express the Americans mentality to save the world. Western movies are the most important medium of the mainstream ideology in the United States and the Western countries. In the history, Western films with their strong racist prejudices and Orientalist thinking played vanguards to demonize China. The West often take out a virtual image of the Eastern world, resulting in the images of the Chinese people have been misunderstood or misread. Behind all this is intertwined with the complex social and cultural psychologies, such as desire, or fear, or hatred, however, the more important is the western mainstream consciousness, especially the important post-colonial theory Orientalism, provides the ideological and theoretical foundation for the East to construct and image the West. In short, the Chinese academic circles is both familiar and unfamiliar with Western films, familiar with the western films soon spread to China, especially since 80s, 90s in the twentieth century, split large entry and commercialism in Chinas emergence, the West has the underestimated impact on Chinese peoples entertainment and cultural life. The studies on connotation and extension of the Western films already yielded fruitful results, from the rise of the United States films to the old and new development and changes of the West, from the construction of the mechanism of films to the establishment of cultural and political functions, from experience in entertainment and cultural industry to the significance of the world films have promoted the Western films to a new stage. Unfamiliar still is that many still remain in the critical level of perception and fragmentation on the understanding, many of the problems go beyond that, have not been thorough clean-up and analysis systematica lly, resulting in a true sense of the criticism and the absence of the phenomenon of aphasia. Clearly, the studies of Chinese peoples images in the Western films have been started in the multi-dimensional perspectives. In particular, some Chinese scholars living abroad have outstanding performance in this field of study, and in some studies have already achieved outstanding results. The results of research embodied in two aspects: First, in a comprehensive study, from the perspective of film history, outlined the historic combing out the image of the Chinese American Film in the evolution of the approximate trajectory; Second, in the case studies, the right of a more representative to reflect the Chinese peoples images in Western films would be a more in-depth explanation, but mostly are the outline and comments for specific texts and phenomena, stay in the descriptive study on the superficial aspects of the miss. Then, in the growing and deepening of globalization today, from a dee per perspective, the Chinese peoples images in the western films with one hundred years have formed what the main types, different types of images showing how the themes and contains, as well as the mainstream ideology how to affect the statements of movie media, etc., which are yet to be carefully combed and revealed. Orientalism is one of the latest theories in the following of the post-modernist thought in the West, indicating the consciousness and mature of post-colonial theory, and is also a research hotspot in the academic community since the 90s. Western Movies are the most cultural industry with considerable global influence in the Western world, of which the ways of thinking of Orientalism and discourse hegemony are fairly typical. Therefore, Orientalism, as the main theoretical tool, is based on specific interpretation of the text, to systemically inspect the cultural elements and their narrative strategies behind the Chinese men and Chinese women images in Western movies more than a century, it is not only feasible, but the theories of value and practical significance are also very obvious, which is the main objective of this study. Chapter One Orientalism Thinking in Western movies In accordance with Foucault and Edward W. Saids theory, the otherness in cultural studies refers to a culture image establish its own value and power to order and identity itself, while to shape a confrontation with itself and less than its own. In dealing with the issues of ethnic and cultural diversity, the Western films have a profound tendency to the stereotyped images of the Chinese as the right to enter their domain, although is related with the images of the Chinese with the experience in the West and Western mainstream culture for the hundred years, the Chinese peoples images as the otherness of marginalization in the Western images, in its behind of fictional mold, it reflects the Western mainstream filmmakers Orientalism thinking. From a social psychological viewpoint, although non-ego stereotype is inevitable, the stereotyped image in the films is derived directly from the instinct of self-identification strategies on the main images of the Western discourse in the current context of globalization. Shaping the image of China in West there is a certain historical continuity, in western culture psychological structure, the potential prototype of Chinas image is more firmly secure than any objective experience or external experience, with more power to shape and inclusiveness. The Chinese peoples images in the films, or wicked, evil, cunning, or humility and supple, this change is not overnight, but showing a historic consistency, stability and continuity. So, it can be said that Western films to shape the Chinese peoples images will suffer at least two factors, one is the bilateral relation between East and West in reality, and second is the prototype of Chinas image in the concept of Western culture. These two factors offset each other, influence each other. The so-called prototype of Chinas image is the imagination of the building of heaven and hell about the styles of otherness and Orientalism. 1.1 Definition of Orientalism As an important part of post-colonial theory Orientalism has its own development process. As early as the late 18th century, Orientalism as a discipline has obtained an independent status. It originated a series of studies by Britain to India, including language (Sanskrit, etc.), laws, customs, and literature and so on. Up to the advent of decolonization, Orientalism is usually considered to be neutral, which is an instructive subject for the West. After World War II, people have the gradual in-depth understanding of the Orientalism, Orientalism is no longer refers only to scholars and their works on Orientalism, or the East national character, lifestyle or quality, but also the main means is used to handle the East affairs approach and a tool of Western imperialism. Edward Said, as the representative who holds this view, in his book Orientalism gave the definition: Orientalism is not to express an explanation distinctly different with its own (or novel, alternative) in some cases it is even annexation desire or intention to control and manipulate. It has a strong and special historical connection with imperialism. Said believes that, regardless of which one stage in the history of the West, any essentialism statement writing about the basic dichotomy of the East and the West as a starting point with the Orient, Oriental, Oriental custom, the East Mind, the fate of the East and so on belong to Orientalism. Historically, the West led by a fictional East make the West have the ontological differences with the East, and make the West to use for adventures and biased vision to see the East, thereby creating its own nation completely different with itself, so that himself is finally able to grasp the dissidents. It can be felt in point from a number of literary works: Saids Orientalism theory has a strong color of ideological and political criticism, its criticism directed at the idea of Western cultural hegemony and power politics. The reflection of Western on the exotic, there are two basic attitudes, one is fear, and one is desire. Thus, in the statements of a large number of classic Western movies on the Orient, it can be found the intertextuality between them and this group of type-oriented art film: chaos, noisy, yellow arm and yellow legs, people as ant colony, in which contain the magic power can not claim of solution. Also in this yellow crowd, unexpectedly will break out unimaginable states of human nature for the Westerner, the so-called is more likely linked with the Far East (mainly China and Japan). Said believes that the West for the understanding of Orient did not like Europeans to understand in depth, although they should have adopted a series of adventures in the Far East to obtain a more sober, more realistic Orient consciousness. In fact, the formation of West the East doctrine is rooted the Orient twisted imagination in the early 16, 17 century European immigrants arrived in North America. They imagine that the East is brutal, ugly, and weak. The image of the East has become the quintessence of irrational, immoral, childish and ridiculous and preposterous. In 18th century, when the European empires expanded the global, the origin of this concept has already become a long-standing prejudice. Later, the concepts of Eastern and Asia from the West are built on top of such a bias. Westerners on their own racial and ethnic have proud sense of superiority, Orientalism, only became an excuse so as to promote a political culture that it is superior to Asian countries, especially C hina and Japan as a basis. This kind of discrimination and prejudice to Orient, especially China, in the West screen there is also a large number of embodiments and the Orientalism in the West complexly exists.

Southwest Airlines :: essays research papers

Southwest Airlines 1.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many changes have occurred and are occurring in the airline industry, which pose a potential threat to Southwest Airlines. The airline industry has traditionally had many airlines receive annual loses on their income statements. This trend is still continuing today as many airlines stand in financial trouble. Some of these financial troubles arise from changes brought upon them from the ever-changing governmental regulations. The most recent change in governmental regulations that will have the largest effect on Southwest Airlines is the change in the federal ticket tax in 1997 on flight routes that are one thousand plus miles. This new tax system replaces a percentage tax with a tax that includes a flat segment fee that will cause conflict with the low-fare carriers. This is causing Southwest to make some changes in their strategy, which will cause them to lose some of their cost advantage. Their largest cost advantage over their current rivals is in the fligh ts, which are five hundred miles (59% cost advantage). Their cost advantage is much smaller for the larger flights, which are one thousand five hundred miles (35% cost advantage). This already has caused Southwest to change their strategy by making their nonstop flights longer with over 16% of their flights longer than one thousand miles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another threat that Southwest Airlines is facing is the mimicry by other airlines. Other airlines are copying Southwest’s strategy in order to enter the low-fare, short-haul market. Delta Airlines has built a low-fare regional carrier service and has acquired a minority stake in three regional airlines. United Airlines is also making a serious entry into the same market. United is doing this with United Express, which will feed passengers from regional carriers into the United system, and United Shuttle, which provides over 450 short-haul flights in the western states.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The opportunity for expansion is limitless for Southwest Airlines.

A Gllance At Information And Communication Technology Essay

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become an important tool in all aspects of life. With the development of technology, the introduction of ICT as a tool has essentially brought tremendous revolution to the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of endeavor within business and governance during the past decades. Consequently, the importance of ICT project management cannot be overemphasized since it is the catalyst for successfully carrying out the ICT project. A critical research on the factors influencing the performance of ICT has been conducted as well as the introduction of different evaluation models or frameworks, which are used determine if an ICT project is successfully implemented. The last but not the least, a conclusion and a recommendation are given to prove that the potential values and benefits will be brought by elaborately analyzing those related factors before implementation and regularly evaluation on the ICT project. Table of content Introduction Recently, the role of Information and communication technology (ICT) has become more and more important in any forms of organizations and businesses. According to Daniels (2002) ICT has evolved to be one of the basic tool but pervasive among the public within such a short time. Besides, understanding the operational mechanism of ICT and mastering the fundamental skills and concepts of ICT are regarded as the basic knowledge that people now should equip with. However, it seems that many people have the wrong perceptions of what ICTs are; it’s commonly that ICTs generally be referred to ‘computers and computing related activities’ before the definition of ICT officially clarified by a United Nations report (1999). Also, according to UNESCO ICT could be understood in the way that which is the combination of ‘Informatics technology’ with other related technology, such as communication technology in particular. In other words, ICT is a more extended than information technology (IT), ICT not only emphasizes the technology itself, but also highlights the unified communications and the integration of telecommunications, computers; furthermore, by using these products such as the enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, users will be able to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. Now, we can find the radio broadcasts, audio conferencing, teleconferencing, email, interactive voice response system, audiocassettes and CD ROMs etc., are vari ous kinds of ICT products available, and those ICT products have been used for different purposes in our daily life, work environment, or common business practices. There are more and more people become aware of the benefits and efficiency brought by the ICT. With that in mind, people are starting paying more attentions on the ICT management issues, such as how to better manage ICT projects, what are those key factors determining the performance of ICT project, or how to adequately evaluate the performance of ICT project. Discussion Just as the other project management is, there are various success/failure factors related to the ICT project management. Here we discuss the roles of attitudes and the alignment between ICT and business, which are regarded as two of the most important key factors in ICT project management. A corresponding literature review is also preformed in order to better understand the background. The Roles of Attitudes Based on recent researches on the acceptance and use of ICT project, and related ICT design and development, ICT only brings values to the organization if it is accepted, applied and widely applied by those targeted users. From one of the research (Zhang, P. 2007), the author mentioned two different theories, which the inconformity between these two theories lays in the concepts behind and effects behavioral intention. The theories mentioned are Attitude toward ICT as an object (ATO) and Attitude toward using ICT as a behavior (ATB). By definition, ATO is â€Å"a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor† (Eagly et al. 1998) or, as a combination of evaluative judgments about an object (Crites et al. 1994), while ATB is defined as â€Å"an individual’s positive or negative feelings (evaluative affect) about performing the target behavior.† (Fishbein et al. 1975) And the conceptual confusions whether attitudes play important role in the context of ICT project acceptance and use has been clarified, and there is an interesting evidence showing that the roles of attitudes can change as the users’ use of the ICT increases. The Alignment between business and ICT The literature related to the information and communication technology (ICT) demonstrated that alignment between ICT and business will influence the business performance and effectiveness of the organization in a positive way. (Cumps, B., Viaene, S., Dedene, G., & Vandenbulcke, J 2006) Furthermore, the alignment of business and ICT of an organization is one of the fundamental sustainable factors, which can also be an advantage for an organization. In that case, the organizations should consider establishing specific ICT management routines in order to obtain better alignment performance scores. Since the role of ICT cannot be underestimated, more and more people want to know whether the ICT really brings values, whether the ICT substantially improved the efficiency, or whether the ICT works as expected. Based on the research, there are several more comprehensive ICT management capability maturity framework developed, such as the ICT management capability maturity framework and ICT Pe rformance Reference Model. The differences between these two frameworks or models are the focus and the content. ICT management capability maturity framework The framework is a ‘spider diagram’, which includes seven indicators: ICT Applications, Business-ICT relationship, ICT strategy alignment, ICT user profile, ICT managerial paradigm, ICT governance and ICT organization. Before applying the ICT management capability maturity framework, the users should firstly define the critical processes of their ICT management for each indicator. For each indicator, there are specific process-orientated evaluation standards, and the users should make judgments for each standard to see whether it fits to the organization’s characters, needs, and specific industry. For each applied standard, there are different dimensionalities to assess the maturity of capability. The key function of this framework is to be used as an evaluating tool and a improvement roadmaps that can point out directions for the senior management on ICT and business management in strategies planning in order to sustainably improve, develop, and manage the ICT capability in support of optimized business value delivery. From this capability maturity framework, we can clearly see the ICT management capability maturity of an organization as well as its improvement footprint. At the same time, with the use of such framework, the organization can be evaluated on its overall ICT management capability, the comparison analysis between different organizations can be conducted, and even the industrial benchmark can als o be made to see the ranking of the organization in the certain industry. ICT Performance Reference Model ICT Performance Reference Model is a model using the reference model principles in the area of ICT management. For better understanding of the meaning of reference model, here the definition of the reference model that â€Å"Reference model contains relevant structures and relationships among the model elements (process structures, levels, document structures) and also the predefined knowledge (best practice examples) already included in these structures.† is used. ICT Performance Reference Model combines the strengths of mathematical and data modeling techniques for its structure and knowledge management principles for its content; namely, it represents the best practices and knowledge in the formalized model structure, and therefore allows easier knowledge replication. The framework of ICT Performance Reference Model includes ICT Management Process, ICT Performance management Methodologies, ICT Performance Measurement Processes, ICT Performance Measures and ICT Performance m anagement Tools and Applications. The performance of ICT project is then be evaluated through these dimensions. With the implication of ICT Performance Reference Model, it would be easier to address ICT management related issues including application functionality overlap, technology and knowledge heterogeneity, and constantly changing business pressures. Conclusion From the discussion part, we can see that there are different success/failure factors relate to the Information and Communication Technology project management. Each factor cannot be left out from consideration whenever applying an ICT project, namely, the importance of each factor cannot be overestimated, or there would possibly result in an unpleasant outcome. On the other hand, it is also necessary to have the ICT project to be reviewed, or assessed the related management capability maturity periodically. With the regular evaluation, the organization will have better understanding about the current state of the implementation of ICT project, the acceptance level of related personnel, the operation results compared to expected results, and the continuing alignment with organization’s strategies. Recommendations As we all know that the management of ICT in the enterprise has been increasing in importance and nowadays it is one of the critical success factors of any type of business. In order to ensure sustainable growing of an organization, the use of ICT cannot be avoidable. After the careful research, I recommend the organization should look into every success/failure factors corresponding with the ICT project before implementation, which will largely reduce the risk of carrying out a project and ending in nothing. At the same time, with careful elaboration on each success/failure factors, the organization will have better understanding of its status quo, its strengths and weakness, which can be a great headstone for the design and implementation of the ICT project. In addition to the prior-art research, the ongoing assessment is also important for an ICT project management. In that case, the organization should choose adequate evaluation model or framework with some customized changes in order to fit into the needs of the organization. By doing the regular inspection, the organization can notice the wrong behavior in time and make certain modifications accordingly. Without such safeguard monitor mechanism, it may be too late when the organization realizes the mistakes happening. References Becker, J., Knackstedt, R., & Pà ¶ppelbuß, D. W. I. J. (2009). Developing maturity models for IT management. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 1(3), 213-222. Cumps, B., Viaene, S., Dedene, G., & Vandenbulcke, J. (2006, January). An empirical study on business/ICT alignment in European organisations. InSystem Sciences, 2006. HICSS’06. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on (Vol. 8, pp. 195a-195a). IEEE. Donnellan, B., Sheridan, C., & Curry, E. (2011). A capability maturity framework for sustainable information and communication technology. IT professional, 13(1), 33-40. Novotnà ½, O. (2009). ICT performance reference model in the context of corporate performance management systems. IDIMT-2009 System and Humans–A complex Relationship. Linz: Trauner Verlag Universitat, 13-16. Silvius, A. G. (2009, April). Business and IT Alignment: What We Know and What We Don’t Know. In Information Management and Engineering, 2009. ICIME’09. International Conference on (pp. 558-563). IEEE. Zhang, P., & Aikman, S. (2007). Attitudes in ICT acceptance and use. In Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Design and Usability (pp. 1021-1030). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

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Abstractions In Power-Writing Essays - Philosophy, Free Essays Abstractions in Power-Writing There are many abstractions in the Declaration of Independence. These abstractions such as: rights, freedom, liberty and happiness have become the foundations of American society and have helped to shape the "American Identity." Power, another abstraction that reoccurs in all the major parts of the Declaration of Independence plays an equally important role in shaping "America identity." One forgets the abstraction of power, because it appears in relation to other institutions: the legislature, the King, the earth, and the military. The abstraction of power sets the tone of the Declaration, and shapes the colonists conception of government and society. Power in the Declaration of Independence flows from distinct bodies within society such as the King, the legislature, the military, and the colonists. The Oxford English Dictionary defines power as, "the ability to do or effect something or anything, or to act upon a person or thing" (OED 2536). Throughout the ages according to the dictionary the word power has connoted similar meanings. In 1470 the word power meant to have strength and the ability to do something, "With all thair strang *poweir" (OED 2536) Nearly three hundred years later in 1785 the word power carried the same meaning of control, strength, and force, "power to produce an effect, supposes power not to produce it; otherwise it is not power but necessity" (OED 2536). This definition explains how the power government or social institutions rests in their ability to command people, rocks, colonies to do something they otherwise would not do. To make the people pay taxes. To make the rocks form into a fence. To make the colonists honor the King. The colonialists adopt this interpretation of power. They see power as a cruel force that has wedded them to a King who has "a history of repeated injuries and usurptions." The framers of the Declaration of Independence also believe powers given by God to the people must not be usurped. The conflict between these spheres of power the colonists believe, justifies their rebellion. The uses of the word power set the tone of the Declaration of Independence. In the first sentence of the Declaration colonists condemn the King's violation of powers given by god to all men. When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of natures God Entitle them (Wills 375). In this passage the writers of the Declaration of Independence are explaining their moral claim to rebel. This right finds its foundation on their interpretation of the abstraction of power. Colonists perceive power as bifurcated, a force the King uses to oppress them, and a force given to them by God allowing them to rebel. In the Declaration of Independence the colonists also write about power as a negative force. In the following quote power takes on a negative meaning because power rests in the hands of the King and not the people, "to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned" (Wills 376). Power when mentioned in association with the power of the people to make their own laws has a positive connotation, "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to Civil power" (Wills 377). These two different uses of the word power transform the meaning and tone of the Declaration of Independence. The meaning changes from just a Declaration of independence from Britain because of various violations of tax laws, military expenditures, and colonists' rights; to a fundamental disagreement about power. Whether the King or civil authorities have a right to power. The colonists believe in the decentralization of power. The British support a centralized monarchy. The colonists believe power should flow up from the people to the rulers. The British believe power should flow down from the King to the subjects. The two different uses of the world power also change the tone of the document. The colonist's definition of power as coercive in the hands of the King and good in the hands of civil authorities identifies the King as the

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WW2 Japan and China's war AKA the Second Sino japanese war Research Paper

WW2 Japan and China's war AKA the Second Sino japanese war - Research Paper Example The results of the war were that they were displaced from their homes and properties totaling to billions destroyed1. This paper examines into details second Sino-Japanese War and its effects. The second Sino-Japanese War origin is traced back to the incident in Manchurian which took place in September 1931. Japanese being effectively consolidated had occupied different territories and the Kwantung army went ahead to occupy Munchuria. After this, they established their puppet state In Munchuria known as Manchukuo in February 1932. The Chinese were not happy with this change, but the Japanese forced them to recognize the independence of their puppet states. They opposed this by conducting suppressed anti-Japanese activities and in the process forming an autonomous regional government in Northern China. However, the Japanese succeeds in their quest of forming puppet states because between the periods of 1933 and 1935, the Chinese people were forced through their armies to create two demilitarized autonomous areas to border their puppet state2. The break of the Second Sino-Japanese war was traced back to increased internal opposition to the Japanese government by Chinese citizens who saw that the Japanese policy of making their selves stronger before carrying out an attack was a threat to their sovereignty. In 1937, the Japanese soldiers headed for Beijing and Tainjin demanding that the Chinese soldiers were to surrender under their terms. This was because they knew that the military might of the Chinese could not match them as they were advanced weaponry. However, this did not go as planned because the Chinese clashed with the Japanese as they saw that they were slowly loosing their freedom and country to the Japanese who were foreigners in their land3. The Chinese initial response to this was to place their troops outside Shangai an area occupied by the Japanese. This act greatly agitated the Japanese as they saw this as an act of challenge to their

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