Despite the Confederate Armies military advantages, how did the Union Research Paper

Despite the Confederate Armies military advantages, how did the Union Army win the American Civil War - Research Paper Example This paper will delve deeper into the history of the war and how exactly the North managed to turn the tide of battle in order to win the war. At the beginning of the war the Northern states had a combined population of 22 million people. The Southern states had a combined population of about 9 million. This disparity was reflected in the size of the armies in the field. The Union forces outnumbered the Confederates roughly two to one. 1 The sheer size of the population alone should have assured the inevitable victory of the North. However, due to the financial abilities of the South they managed to fend off the advances coming from the northern challengers for quite a long time. The bigger population of the North translated into more soldiers enlisting for the war. Since the North had a steady supply of soldiers enlisting for service in the war, they managed to keep a decent number of soldiers on the battle front as opposed to the South whose soldiers came from the ranks of the priv ileged and therefore did not always have the mettle with which to fight a battle. However, not every person who fought for the Union was in the war of his own volition. Most of these young men were serving in the army coming from the farmlands. hoping to fight in a batthle that would not last more than a few months at the most. Those who managed to dodge the draft did so to the tune of $300.2 Money which was used to help keep the war machine of the North well oiled and quipped. Those who served in the military action were mostly men in their 20's who held strong onto their ideals. Being part of the government troops meant that they were better equipped than their Southern counterparts. Since the south was known mostly for the cotton that they produced, their military uniforms were made of the same material, which made it quite uncomfortable for the soldiers who had to wear the material during battle since the material tended to absorb sweat and become heavy when wet. The Union soldi ers on the other hand, wore uniforms made of wool. The reason was that wool would not take in water, or remain wet like cotton in the event of rain, and it was also more durable. Union soldiers also wore woolen caps which had leather visors to provide shade when aiming in the blazing sun. 3 Uniforms must keep the soldiers comfortable at all times in order for them to effectively face their battles. After all, these battles were fought under the unforgiving heat of the sun or the cold temperatures brought about by incessant rains or snowing. The Union had better designed uniforms in this case that helped them fend off the weather and seasonal problems brought about by changing weather patterns. Aside from the consideration of the treatment of soldiers during active duty, there were also a number of other reasons that the Union far out ranked the Confederates during the civil war. I will be discussing some of these other reasons in the succeeding paragraphs. It is believed that the No rth enjoyed a manpower advantage ratio of 5:2. In actual figures, this ratio translates into 2.100 Union fighting men (50 percent of the military age population) against 800.000 to 900,000 Confederate soldiers or roughly 80 percent of the 1860 military age males. 4 Although the number of forces that fought at the beginning of the war seemed to be very high, both sides experienced a decline in the volunteering forces and

Google Case Study Essay Example for Free

Google Case Study Essay Google was founded in 1999 and has been around in your everyday life ever since. Ranging from search engines to books to email, Google is somehow incorporated in your lives everyday. Originally beginning with their focus on search engines and algorithms, Google has since widened their availability of products. In 1999, when Google first came about, the company’s mission was: Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. 15 years later, this is still the mission of the company. According to the article, it will take upwards of 300 years to obtain and organize all of the world’s information. That being said, it is safe to say Google has a long way to go but are they headed in the right direction? Google, just like any other company has goals and objectives. Some of their goals include: Growth Develop and maintain the â€Å"perfect† search engine Provide innovative products early and often To organize information and make the web faster and better for everyone (These will be discussed in strategies and throughout the case analysis) Strategies Google is no different from Burger King or from LA Fitness. All companies share a same goal, regardless of the industry they are in: market share and growth. Google’s main goal is to continuously grow and dominate the market/industry and be a leader for years to come. Upon entering the market in 1999, Yahoo and AOL were some of leaders in the industry. Google immediately changed that by becoming working at becoming a player in the industry. As of 2009, Google had 65.6% share of all US searches and 90% of all international searches. Meanwhile, the closest rival (yahoo) had only  17.5%. Since the very beginning, Google came about to change search engines everywhere. They wanted to offer a faster search engine that provided more relevant results, incorporating history of search, keyword frequency, and important pages. Thus began the creation of paid listings. At the very beginning, paid listings were advertisements all around the page: top, bottom and in the margins. Additionally, cost per click (CPC) came about as well. Advertisers began to pay for clicked links by consumers to compete for position on search results pages. The higher their link was on the results page, the more likely it would be clicked. Google changed this aspect into a cost per impression, meaning if the ad is viewed and nothing clicked, then the client is still charged a fee. Google also developed a CPC rate based on actual clicks to expected clicks forecasted by Google themselves. In 2003, Google began advertising editorial content along with blogs, something that had not been done by any competitor yet. AOL ended up giving Google the rights to advertise on their website costing Google $1 billion and giving AOL $330 million advertising credit. Over the years Google has encountered many rivals and competitors ranging from Yahoo and Bing to Ebay and Amazon. These rivals came about due to the innovative products created at Google. Google purchased companies such as YouTube, DoubleClick and Channel Intelligence while coming up with products such as cloud applications, Google Docs, Gmail, Google Finance and so much more. Google was leaving their main focus of search engines and dabbled into other categories in the industry. To some, this could be seen as dangerous and deadly to the company itself. Not for Google, anything they touched turned into gold. Google Docs immediately challenged Microsoft Office while Gmail challenged any and all free email websites. Google has also come out with tablets and mobile phones of late, allowing them to compete in yet another industry. Some might ask what is so appealing about all of their products? In my personal experience, I would say the ease of use is what appeals to me. Anytime I have used a product of Google, it is so easy to use and has lots of capabilities. Some might see this ease of use as a competitive advantage. When it all comes down to it, developing the â€Å"perfect† search engine is their main focus. Google has a philosophy that says, â€Å"Do one thing really, really well.† That is why the main focus of the company is developing the perfect search engine and organizing the world’s information.  Through paid as well as free listings, Google has developed a faster and more accurate way to sort search results. This will continue to be their focus in the future and Google hopes to master the art of the search engine. Google Culture and Values During its existence, Google has proven to be loyal to a certain set of values, principles and culture. In my opinion, this can be swayed as part of their business strategy as well. As part of there culture, they make these three things consistently known: 1. â€Å"Don’t be evil† – Do not compromise the integrity of search, effective advertising without being flashy, and do not allow ads on webpages that have no relevance. At Google they have a firm set of beliefs and this is an important one. Google makes sure to do things the right way and follow their moral and ethic code. They do not take advantage of publishers, clients or the customers. Google is here to provide a service as well as products and they do so in an honest way. 2. â€Å"Technology Matters† – Technology rules everything. Developing a faster and more accurate search query could only be done so through new and advancing technology. Google developed custom hardware to decrease costs a nd improve speed. 3. â€Å"We make our own rules† – The founders at Google ran the company in a different and unconventional way. They were very secretive to outsiders, only unveiling things that they were required to and nothing more. This leads into their unconventional governance structure as well. Governance at Google was an interesting situation when it came to the IPO. They decided to offer dual class equity, giving 10 votes per share of Class B and Class A receives 1 vote per share. Assuming that majority of people will sell their shares anyways; that left the CEO Schmidt and the founders, Brin and Page, with 80% control of the vote. This allowed them to control the strategy and direction of the company. They made it very well known the direction the company was headed in and that anyone who invests is not only investing in Google, but the idea and direction that Brin, Page and Schmidt want to go in. 4. â€Å"Do one thing really, really well† – This is basically a quote that Google has and will always live by. When Google first came about, the main focus of the company was providing a better search engine than what already existed. Google created algorithms that allowed for  quicker and more relevant search results. Between these algorithms and the deals Google scored with companies, they quickly jumped into majority market share. To this day, Google still acquires companies and has deals with clients to continuously improve search quality on and day-to-day basis. Do not expect this to ever change. There are other points that Google lives by but these four are the most important and outline their every decision, their every move. Situation Analysis SWOT Strengths 1. Brand Recognition – Everyone knows and has heard of Google. People have begun to use the company’s name as not only a proper noun but also a verb, â€Å"Googled it or Googling it†. To be so popular not just in the form of a search engine, but with all the products offered, that is a huge strength. Reputation is everything. 2. Acquisitions – â€Å"If you can’t beat them, join them†. That is a popular quote heard from time to time. Google has dominated the market since entry in 1999 and lots of companies have fallen to this quote. Google acquires competitors (current and possible future) from time to time, such as YouTube, DoubleClick and Channel Intelligence. This increases their reach towards possible new target markets, increasing revenue and profit. Most importantly, it increases market share. As a company absorbs competition, one would assume their market share becomes absorbed as well. 3. Algorithms – Google created an algorithm to link pages together that deserved attention. This allowed for faster and more relevant search results leading to Google becoming a true threat to competitors. Irrelevant results always swamped and spammed customers. Google found a way to trim this down and it also became a competitive advantage. 4. Free Services – Google offered free software to optimize advertising campaigns. Google Analytics allows companies to focus spending on specific keywords that are more popular so they are more likely to lead to sales. Weaknesses 1. Variety of products – I very well could have considered this one of their strengths as well. I firmly believe when Google came about, their main focus was to improve the quality of the search engine. Since then, Google has developed a wide variety of products ranging from books, email and videos all the way to mobile phones, operating software and Google docs. Offering a myriad of products and services can cause a company to lose their main focus. 2. Legal issues – Google seems to not be bothered by their legal issues. From copyright infringement (books) to searches by trademarks, Google has faced legal issues throughout their existence. There was a class action lawsuit in which Google ended up settling for $45 million with book authors/publishers for copyright infringement. In addition to that, placing competitor ads when a company is searched did not sit well with companies such as Geico or American Airlines. It created customer confusion and led to possible loss in sales for the clients of Google. These suits were also confidentially settled. 3. International Reputation- These legal issues were not solely domestic. Litigation for companies overseas ended in a different result, with the courts siding with multiple trademark holders rather than Google. Book scanning was resolved domestically as well but the results were opposite once again overseas. It seems as though Google has a poor reputation as a result of these legal issues overseas. Opportunities 1. Mobile Devices – Google has created an Android phone that is currently competing with top market mobile devices. They also have come up with Google Glass and tablets. There are more opportunities in this industry and large room for improvement on their existing products. Apple may dominate this part of the industry but it is not farfetched to think a company like Google cannot deplete Apple’s market share. 2. Full Service Portal – Yahoo currently offers a full service portal inclusive of sports, finance, email, calendar, tasks, etc. Google already individually offers some of these products. Maybe getting into the idea of a full service portal could be their next step? 3. Improving existing products – After initial releases of products, Google can weigh the popularity and success of each product. They  will know what is failing, what interests society and what they can/should improve on. Innovation is not only creating new products but also improving existing ones. 4. Advancing Technology – Google has acquired many companies throughout their existence, which allowed them to use new and uncharted technology. There is always new technology and Google is a multibillion-dollar company allowing them the possibility of purchasing if not creating this technology themselves. Adapting to new technology allows Google to gain an advantage over others in the industry Threats 1. Replacement Advertising – Google began advertising on search pages. Since the start of web advertising, we have come a long way. Now there are mobile phone apps that include advertising as well as social media sites. This could begin to threaten the market share and revenue of Google 2. Privacy Laws – As we know, Google is no stranger to legal issues. Privacy has begun to threaten Google in many different forms. One common for was through Gmail. Advertisements were chosen based on what the email said but no one was actually looking; there was simply an algorithm in place to extract that information and process it. The search history can be accessed and people think this invades their privacy as well. Your search history is available for up to 18 months. 3. Substitution- With the variety of products offered, each one has one or more competitors. If legal issues continue to rise or prices become too high, it is possible that customers switch from Google to their competitors. The threat of substitution is high in the sense of products other than search. Some would say they do not see a difference between Yahoo, Google and Bing BUT this is not a threat because as of 2009, Google had 65.6% of all US searches. If there is no difference, then where is the threat of this number to decrease? Why would anyone switch from the current search engine that they use? Competitive Advantage and Resources Resources and competitive advantages seem to go hand in hand here at Google. A key resource is the employees. Google has approximately 48,000 employees; this calls for a wide variety of knowledge and talent. Each employee brings  something different to the table. Google stresses individualism and personal projects. If 48,000 people are striving to improve the company and create new possibilities, that would make employees a phenomenal resource. Another resource is their algorithms. As I have stated throughout this discussion, Google created algorithms to create a faster, more dependable and relevant search engine. Developing these algorithms allowed them to sustain a competitive advantage. In fact, some competitors even wanted to purchase the use of these on their engines (Yahoo and AOL)! Instead, Google went ahead and created a search engine becoming a direct competitor. Another resource, which might actually seem odd, is the founders and CEO of the company. They run Google in an unconventional way but it has really paid off. They developed a set of values and pounded this culture into all heads at Google. Technology is another resource used at Google. Technology in general is always changing and people constantly have to adapt. Google is a driver of technology and constantly brings products to the market. Google uses technology to succeed as well as incur a profit. The above resources can also be considered competitive advantages for Google. The algorithm that was created set Google apart from competitors and allowed them to enter the market. They immediately began obtaining market share and competitors could not compete with that type of search engine. Brand recognition is another competitive advantage. If people were to give me the option to use Bing, Yahoo or Google, I would hands down always use Google. Not that I can tell a difference but simply because I am accustomed to it. It is well known and developed in so many facets of the industry. Another competitive advantage that Google has is its free software. The competitors cannot afford to offer free services to clients, which gives Google a leg up on the competition. It allows Google to tap into new markets, further tap into current markets and please current clients. Data scraping abilities (which I have direct contact with) is another competitive advantage. The data scraping capabilitie s at Google are unbelievable. The resources they have here allow them to analyze every bit of data possible. This leads to better and more accurate services for clients, enhanced keywords, and an enhanced overall experience for clients. Porters 5 Forces Threat of new entrants – Some would consider this high but I think it varies depending on which segment you are discussing. In the search engine segment, I would say the threat is low but when you look at the multitude of products offered elsewhere, there is always a high threat. Costs to enter could be high in some segments while low in others. While profits are attractive and could result in new companies entering the market, Google as a dominant firm can turn these potential threats away. Threat of Substitutes – This has the same basis as threat of new entrants. Depending on the product, the threat could be high or low. Cell phones and tablets have a ton of possible substitutes out there and that can cause customers to switch brands. Varying prices of products or differences in quality can cause a high threat of substitution as well. Rivalry- High. There are rivals in every segment of Google’s business. Search engine has Yahoo as its biggest competitor but not limited to just them. There is also Bing, AOL, and other small competitors. The existence of innovation and new products keeps the rivalry intense amongst competitors in the industry. Similar products and similar goals keep the rivalry constant Bargaining power of suppliers – Low. The main suppliers of Google are engineers. Due to the number of engineers, the supplier has low bargaining power. Google has 48,000 employees and if engineers feel they can do better elsewhere, then Google will find replacements. Being such a large and successful company almost has Google on a pedestal. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to work for them? Bargaining power of consumers – Also varies based on what product is being discussed. When you discuss tangible products such as mobile phones or tablets, power is high. When it comes to search engines, Google Docs, Gmail, etc, power is low. Although there are other substitutes to these items listed above, the interface and software of Google sets it apart from  the rest. The threat of switching is non-existent. Critical Success Factors – these are factors that are necessary for a company to achieve its mission. For Google, the following are CSF: Speed and accuracy- The faster results can be displayed with accuracy then the more likely that people will use Google. This is how Google set themselves apart from the industry. New algorithms allowed for more relevant results at a quicker pace. Quality search results – As I stated above, the algorithm allowed for relevant results. People were being spammed by random links not relevant to what they were looking for. Innovation- Google is constantly bringing products to the market and attracting new target markets. Not only are they bringing new products to light, they are changing and improving existing products Culture – This is a CSF for Google because it sets them apart from competitors. Google stands by their beliefs and their culture 100%. They do not deter from these beliefs regardless of the situation. It allows them to think outside the box and differently than competitors Ease of use – Older generations are not completely acquainted with the use of technology and probably never will be. The ease of use could help close that gap tremendously and allow for Google to tap another market. The multitude of products, software, hardware or tangible products need to be easy to use. Even my generation has trouble with software and hardware, it is like a second language to some! Alternatives and Recommendations A few possible alternatives that Google can do are become a full access portal, increase personal time to 20% (making it a 60-20-20 system) and focus on improving existing products. Becoming a full access portal will allow Google to take some additional market share from Yahoo. Currently Yahoo offers finance, sports, mail, news, etc. all in one place. Google needs to put this into action. The pros of this are that Google already has these things but offers them separately. Google has the Gmail option, finance, news, maps, books and much more. It already has the pieces and just needs to combine them into  one place. This should not be hard with all the talented engineers on staff. Another pro is that the market share is bound to increase. Google already has many loyal customers to different segments of the market. Some might use Yahoo for things not currently offered in the same place. If Google offers sports where it has email and finance (for example), it could take away customers from Yahoo. A con is that this is a big risk. If the interface is not easy to understand or follow, people might abandon these options altogether and go directly to a competitor. Increasing personal time spent on projects to 20%, changing the culture to a 60-20-20. Currently Google encourages personal projects and stresses to work on a 70-20-10 basis. Google says they do not mind spending money now if it can lead to possible wealth over time. For this idea, there are a few cons. Employees could get caught up in their personal ideas and projects leaving the important ones assigned by managers past due. This could also be seen as free time and some might take advantage of it as a break from work in general. Another con is if 48,000 employees are working on their own projects 20% of the time, it might not be time well spent amongst everyone. Even if everyone is working diligently on a project, these projects might not pan out and that is a lot of wasted time. One of the biggest pros is high risk, h igh reward. Google is willing to take a risk after evaluating projects developed by employees. Allowing them to work on personal projects 20% of the time can create more opportunities to â€Å"hit big† for Google. Another pro is the encouragement of creativity. Personal projects call for creativity and this can then transfer over into the 60-20 time spent elsewhere. My last suggestion is to focus on existing products rather than continue to increase the amount of products they have already. Google came about and was focused on search but since then have brought multiple products to the forefront of the market. While they have been mostly successful, existing products can still be tweaked to gain maximum exposure. The main pro of this suggestion is that the kinks and problems existing could be resolved. Google could perfect already popular and existing products with the possibility of taking demand from competitors. Another pro is redirecting their focus back to the original product and the main source of revenue. Search was the first product of Google and even today it makes up the majority of the revenues (including advertising since they are hand in hand). Some cons are that they could be missing out on the next big thing. Putting all focus on existing products might have Google miss out on a hot new product that could really bring a big boom to the company. Another con is there might not be much more additional potential to focusing on existing products. They have acquired companies and competitors throughout their time and this is one way to focus on existing products. Another recommendation is pretty simple and quick to the point. Get rid of products that do not have high value to the company. The scope of the product line is wide and I do not think it is possible that all are value-adding products to Google. While some might be reaching large audiences and bringing high profits to the company, there are always some that are not doing so well. While they still might be making a profit, the workforce could be used elsewhere and that might have a higher value than the non-core product. Resources and time could be used elsewhere to perfect other products or to create new and innovative ones. The con is that while it might not be adding â€Å"value†, the product is still bringing in a profit. Google is very successful and would not have a product existing that currently has costs outweighing benefits. They are too smart for that. Giving up on a product might not be the correct decision just because it is not bringing in expected amounts of money. My recommendation would be to combine the 60-20-20 option with the focus on existing products option. While the 60-20-20 idea can cause a lack of focus, intertwining it with the existing products idea allows that focus to still be there. Employees can incorporate work on existing products in that additional 10% of time as well. Allowing companies to work privately on anything could prove to be a bad idea but pairing it with existing products will benefit the company. Imagine 48,000 employees focusing on existing products. The sky is the limit and Google can really blow competitors out of the water. I decided the full service portal is not a good suggestion. The risk of it not being easy to access and maneuver around does not outweigh the benefits. Customers already use a variety of products regardless if they are all in one location. If putting theses product in one place backfires due to difficulty of use, customers may go to Yahoo and begin using their portal. Google already has a sense of customer loyalty so  why try and change something that is working. Implementation The recommendation at hand here is to increase personal time to 20%, making the culture at Google 60-20-20 while maintaining focus on existing products. To begin this recommendation, Google should select a percentage of employees to test this out. Of 48,000 employees, they cannot have everyone working on personal projects right off the bat. It might lead to laziness and lack of effort across the board. Google should select maybe 5% of the workforce and allow them to allocate additional time towards personal projects. Google can then compare it to prior months focus on core business and see if they still maintained focus. If this was successful, then little by little introduce the workforce to this new concept. Another part of this implementation would be to have different shifts. Everyone cannot work on personal projects at the same time. Setting aside different shifts for the personal time could prove pivotal to the success of this idea. Google likes the idea of these creative concepts and have used them before. Gmail is an example of the â€Å"personal project† and now that has flourished into a leading email in the industry. Google has no problem investing in long shots and extending to 20% would do just that. Another part of the recommendation was to put focus on existing products and tweak or perfect them. To begin implementation, analysts at Google need to perform an industry analysis and provide some data on the competitors that exist with similar products. Google needs to have numbers and data comparisons so that they know how their products are doing in comparison to possible substitutes. After analyzing the industry, Google would send out customer surveys. All customers are in a database and have their emails, addresses, phone numbers, etc. on file. Google will find a way to reach the customer, send them a short survey on what they like, what they don’t like, what needs improvement and other beneficial questions. To figure out what needs improvement, you MUST talk to the users of the product. Upon finding out what is liked, what needs fixing, Google must assign a task force to tackle the job. This can now be intertwined with the 60-20-20 change stated above. While it may be a core business task, the idea of how to fix a problem or tweak a product can  be completed during the 20% personal time. Once the task force has been assigned, the product will be evaluated by everyone on the task force. They will be encouraged to give blunt honest opinions on the product as well. These employees are more knowledgeable than the everyday user so they might have different ideas that could be acknowledged as well. Once the survey period has ended for both customers and employees, brainstorming must begin. Individualism is encouraged but working in teams can help brainstorming run more smoothly. Ideas will be bounced around and once they can settle on what needs to be done, the â€Å"how† part takes place. Strategies on changing, marketing, and promoting the new product need to be derived and approved by managers. Once the strategies are derived, products will begin to go through the makeover process. Throughout this makeover process, Google will begin marketing and promoting the changes that are coming. The public will become aware, arousing curiosity as to what Google did to make this amazing product even better. This will lead to some hype and Google, like usual, will please the customers and the public. Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. They have been doing this since 1999 and have a long way to go. Focusing on existing products by fine-tuning them will help change the world forever. Allowing new and great ideas to develop internally and then possibly taking a risk is what makes Google great. Google is an innovative company, changing many segments of many industries ever since Day 1. Just as the article says, everyone fears Google†¦as they should.

Globalisation The Prospects And Challenges Politics Essay

Globalisation The Prospects And Challenges Politics Essay Without an iota of doubt it can be said that one of the metanarratives of our time is globalisation. Indeed, the phrases like the world has become a global village have become clichà ©s. To quote Fred Halliday Globalization has become, over the past few years, the catchword of international economic and political analysis. [Halliday, 2000, pp. 238] David Held and Anthony Mcgrew have expressed this in a slightly different way Indeed, globalization is in danger of becoming, if it has not already become, the clichà © of our times: the big idea which encompasses everything from global financial markets to the Internet but which delivers little substantive insight into the contemporary human condition [Held, Mcgrew, et al. 1999, pp. 1] They then superinduce globalization reflects a widespread perception that the world is rapidly being moulded into a shared social space by economic and technological forces and that developments in one region of the world can have profound consequences f or the life chances of individuals or communities on the other side of the globe.[Ibid] Here in this paper, first we will deal with the definitional and conceptual aspects of globalization. Then we will focus on the prospects and challenges of globalization. Finally, we will try to arrive at a cogent conclusion. Globalization has been defined by different writers in different ways. Indeed, it has got different meanings to different people. According to Anthony Mcgrew, in simplest terms, globalization refers to widening, deepening and speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness [Mcgrew in Smith and Baylis (ed), pp. 20]. Martin Griffiths and Terry O Callaghan have defined is as the acceleration and intensification of mechanisms, processes and activities that are allegedly promoting global interdependence and perhaps ultimately global political and economic integration. It is, therefore, a revolutionary concept, involving the deterritorialisation of social, political, economic, and cultural life. [Griffiths and OCollaghan, 2004, pp. 126-127]. According to Steve Smith and John Baylis, globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness between societies such that events in one part of the world have more and more effects on peoples and societies for away. They have also conceptualized the global world as one in which political, economic, cultural and social events become more and more impact. [Smith and Baylis ed, 2005, pp. 8] It is to be viewed not as a mere series of reforms giving free rein to transnational companies but as a radical programme to reshape the entire, economic, political, legal and ideological landscape of capitalism [Zuege, Leys et al (ed), 2006, pp. 1]. Amiya Kumar Bagchi has provided a different interpretation of globalization in his paper Womans Employment and well-being in a Globalising world as a deliberate concatenation and control of processes of production, exchange, information and services by the rich in rich nations of the world in collusion with the rich of most countries so as to increase their own power and wealth at the cost of the poor and disadvantaged everywhere. [Bagchi in Kar (ed), 2005, pp. 276] We may cite a few more definitions of globalization In words of Giddens, globalization refers to the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa. [Quoted in Smith and Baylis (ed), 2005, pp. 24] Gilpin calls it The integration of the world-economy. [Ibid]. Scholte conceptualizes it in terms of De-territorialisation or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the growth of supraterritorial relations between people. [Ibid] David Harvey defines globalization in terms of time space compression. [Ibid] Anthony Mcgrew defines globalisation as a historical process involving a fundamental shift or transformation in the spatial scale of human social organization that links distant communities and expands the reach of power relations across regions and continents. [Mcgrew in Smith and Baylis (ed), 2005, pp. 24] In his presidential address to the 78th Annual Conference of the Indian Economic Association (28-30 Dec, 1995), Deepak Nayyar defined globalization as the expansion of economic activities across political boundaries of the nation states. More important, perhaps, it refers to a process of increasing economic integration and growing economic inter-dependence between countries in the world economy. It is associated not only with an increasing cross-border movement of goods, services, capital, technology, information and people also with an organization of economic activities which straddles national boundaries. [Nayyar, 1996, pp. 1] Held and Mcgrew have written, A satisfactory definition of globalization must capture each of these elements : extensity (stretching), intensity, velocity and impact. And a satisfactory account of globalization must examine them thoroughlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. By acknowledging these dimensions a mere precise definition of globalization can be offered. Accordingly, globalization can be thought of as: a process (or set of process) which embodies a transformation in the spatial organization of social relations and transactions assessed in terms of their extensity, intensity, velocity and impact generating transcontinental or interregional flows and networks of activity, interaction, and the exercise of power. [Held and Mcgrew (ed), 1999, pp. 15-16]. According to C. Sheela Reddy, Globalisation is a complex, multidimensional, social, economic, cultural, technological and political process in which the mobility of capital, ideas, technology, organizations and people has acquired a growing global and transnational form. Advances in new technology (in particular information and communications technology), cheaper and quicker transport, trade, liberalization, increase in financial flows and growth in the size and power of corporations are its distinctive features. It is a blessing to people benefitting from the new opportunities. At the same time others are being left behind in poverty, effectively marginalized from the hopes that globalization holds out. [Reddy, 2008, pp. 84] Thus, from the above definitions, we may reiterate some important aspects of globalization like increasing interaction of social, economic, and political activity, relative deterritorialisation and de-nationalisation of the state, increasing movements of good and services, deregulation of national economy and so on. Anthony Mcgrew observes that globalization is characterized by a stretching of social, political and economic activities across political frontiers. the intensification, or the growing magnitude of interconnectedness in almost every sphere of social existence. the accelerating pace of global interactions and processes as the evolution of world wide systems of transport and communication. the growing extensity, intensity and velocity of global interactions. [Mcgrew in Steve and Baylis (ed), 2005, pp. 22] PERIODISATION OF GLOBALISATION: The periodisation of the process of globalization has been a matter of intense debate. Some regard it as a new phenomenon, while others regard it as the new phase of an old phenomenon and thus old wine in a new bottle. Chandan Sengupta has written One opinion is that the concept of globalization dates back to the voyage of discovery in the 15th century. According to Immanuel Wallerstein, the capitalist economic foundation of globalization was laid as early as in the16th century. Ronald Roberstson traced the historical temporal path of globalization to the present complex structure of global system through five phases: (i) the germinal (1400-1750) phase of dissolution of christendom an emergence of nationalism in Europe, (ii) the incipient (1750-1875) phase of nation state and the initial phase of internationalism and universalism in Europe, (iii) the take off (1875-1925) phase of conceptualization of the world as a single international society, global calendar, first world war, mass international migration and inclusion of non-Europeans in the international club of nation states; (iv) the struggle for hegemony (1925-1969) phase of cold war, the emergence of legue of Nations and the UN, and the emergence of third world, and (v ) the uncertainty (1969-1992) phase of space exploration, recognition of global environmental problem and global mass media, via space technology [ ] The roots of newly emerging forces of globalization have been traced in specific economic and political developments in the late 1980s or early 1990s. [Sengupta, 2001, pp. 3137] TWO PERSPECTIVES OF THE CONCEPTUAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF GLOBALISATION: According to Chandan Sengupta, there are two broad contexts in which globalization has been defined. These two contexts are not very far from one another. One is the economic context, the other that of non-economic which broadly includes socio-cultural, historical and political dimensions of globalization. Such a division of however, the author admits, in reality appear to be false because it is difficult to observe cultural dimensions of globalization totally independent of its material aspects. Scholars like Immanuel Wallerstein have resorted to the first perspective. While, Giddens, Robertson and Waters et. al, have tried to look globalization through the prism of socio-cultural perspective. [Ibid, pp. 3138]. THE GLOBALISATION DEBATE AND THE THREE SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT: Anthony, Mcgrew, David Held et. al have pointed out three broad schools of thought in relation to the globalization debate namely the hyperglobalizers, the sceptics, and the transformationalists. In essence each of these schools may be said to represent a distinctive account. We will highlight briefly what these theses are: For the hyperglobalisers, such as Ohmae, contemporary globalization defines a new era in which peoples everywhere are increasingly subject to the disciplines of the global marketplace. By contrast the sceptics, such as Hirst and Thompson, argue that globalization is essentially a myth which conceals the reality of an international economy increasingly segmented into three major regional blocs in which national governments remain very powerful. Finally, for the transformationalists, chief among them being Rosenau and Giddens, contemporary patterns of globalization are conceived as historically unprecedented such that states and societies across the globe are experiencing a process of profound change as they try to adapt to a more interconnected but highly uncertain world. Interestingly more of these three schools map directly on to traditional ideology positions or worldviews. [Held and Mcgrew, et. al, 1999, pp. 2] Held and others have also summarized the three dominant tendencies of globalization debate in a tabular form as follows. Conceptualizing globalization: three tendency Hyperglobalists Sceptics Transformationalists Whats new? A global age Trading blocs, weaker geogoverance than in earlier periods Historically unprecedented levels of global interconnectedness Dominant features Global capitalism, global governance, global civil society World less interdependent than in 1890s Thick'(intensive and extensive) globalization Power of national governments Declining or eroding Reinforced or enhanced Reconstituted restructured Driving forces of globalization Capitalism and technology States and markets Combined forces of modernity Pattern of stratification Erosion of old hierarchies Increased marginalization of south New architecture of world orders Dominant motif McDonalds, Madonna etc. National interest Transformation of political community Conceptualization of globalization As a reordering of the framework of human action As internationalization in regionalisation As reordering of interregional relations and actions at a distance Historical trajectory Global civilization Regional blocs / clash of civilizations Indeterminate global integration and fragmentation Summery argument The end of the nation-state Internationalisation depends on state acquiescence and support Globalization transformation state power and world politics [Ibid, pp. 10] It is noteworthy that when it comes to the sources of contention in the globalization debate, Held and others have mentioned five principal sources namely conceptualization causation periodisation impacts and the trajectories of globalization. [Held and Mcgrew et al.,1999,p10 ] It is not the purpose of this paper to explore them all at length. So, we will limit our discussion to the prospects and challenges of globalization only. PROSPECTS OF GLOBALISATION: Globalisation is a double edged phenomenon. It has got prospects as well as challenges. As regards the prospects or post dimensions of globalization, Smith and Baylis have written: The pace of economic transformation is so great that it has created a new world politics. States are no longer closed units and they cannot control their economies. The world economy is more interdependent than ever, wit trade and finances ever expanding. Communications have fundamentally revolutionized the way we deal with the rest of the world. We now live in a world where events in one location can be immediately observed in the other side of the world. Other side of the world. Electronic communications alter our notions of the social groups we work and live in. There is now, more than ever before, a global culture, so that most urban areas resemble one another. The world shares a common culture, much of it emanating from Hollywood. The world is becoming more homogeneous. Differences between peoples are diminishing. Time and space seem to be collapsing. Our old ideas of geographical space and of chronological time are undermined by the speed of modern communications and media. There is emerging a global polity, with transnational social and political movements and the beginnings of a transfer of allegiance from the state to sub-state, transnational, and international bodies. A cosmopolitan culture is developing. People are beginning to think globally and act locally. A risk culture is emerging with people realizing both that the main risks that face them are global (pollution and AIDS) and that states are unable to deal with the problems. [Smith and Baylis, 2005, pp. 10-11] C. Sheela Reddy wrote about the positive dimensions of globalizations as follows Increasing economic opportunities for countries to find markets in which their labour forces can compete effectively. Opportunities for countries with institutional and technical infrastructure to attract investments. Increasing consumer choice and falling prices for individuals around the world. Increasing protection of vulnerable groups, as communications technology facilitates global awareness and actions by international solidarity and human rights movements. Better protection of the right to seek, receive and impact information through new communication tools including cellular phones, satellite television and the internet. The right of freedom of association or freedom of assembly for which physical presence is no longer required due to new communication tools. Facilitating exchange of information on social policies and services, access to educational information and multicultural link with people of other cultures. [Reddy, 2008, pp. 86] Certain writers argue that now national boundaries do not stand in way of process of an individual or a community thanks to globalization. Men (and women) have gained access to the treasure of knowledge and culture which is the product of genius all over the world. Now local communities have the opportunity to benefit from technology information, services, and markets available anywhere in the world. Finally, globalization has created an awareness regarding the global environment all over the world, and different nations have come to recognize global problems as a matter of their individual and collective responsibility [Gauba, 2005, pp. 173] Another section of writers who strike a balance between the merits and demerits of globalization have noted that globalisation has raised per capita income in the world to three times since 1945; it has created awareness regarding environment, and congenial conditions for disarmament. It has brought the condition of subordinate groups to limelight and inspired them to form their global organizations for their emancipation. It has also liberated them from the ideological domination of their local communities and enabled them to fight for their legitimate rights. [Ibid] As regard the impact of globalization on women, Lene Sjorup has written: women are ( ) involved in globalization at a number of interlocking, diverse and sometimes even contradictory levels. They may very well be the victims of one aspect of globalization, while they remain central actors in other aspects. Why, I ask myself, paint a picture of an overwhelming enemy confronting women, when a more detailed socio-religio-political analysis shows that women participate in complicated ways in global developments? Women surely are confronted with a number of obstacles at many levels. But, why use a mega-term like globalisation for describing the arch-enemy, instead of analyzing the many forms of oppression women face within the process of globalization, and including those from which we also benefit. [Sjorup, 1997, pp. 97] Thus, it would be wrong to treat globalization as a total anathema. As regards the future of globalization, Stanley Fischer (the first Deputy Managing Director of IMF) commented to Closing Panel Discussion of IMF on Aug 26, 2000: What about the future (of globalization)? Two cheering observations to begin with: First, most developing countries continue to liberalize trade despite their complaints about the global trading system. We calculate an index of trade barriers for individual IMF member countries. Almost uniformly, it shows that barriers to trade have been declining in the developing countries. They understand that unilateral trade liberalization is in their own interest, they are arguing for the advanced countries to open up not for themselves to close down and that is good news. Second, despite the recent crisis, capital accounts in almost all emerging market countries have remained open. And the two largest economies with relatively closed capital accounts. They understand that is the best way to go. They understand that is the best way to go. They are doing it cautiously and gradually and they are right to do it that way. But the direction in which they are moving is clear. Policy-makers in almost all developing countries have no intention of reversing the process of capital account opening, despite their complaints over much of what is going on in the world, and despite their concerns over the recent crises. [http: // www.imf.org/external / np/ speeches/2000/082600.htm. visited on 21/03/10 at 8.30 p.m] He has also mentioned two forecasts.The first is conditional : if we, and this means policy makers of the advanced countries and the international institutions, manage the processes well and bring the developing countries into the process of globalization, it will continue, to the potential benefit of all and to the likely benefit of almost all. And, second, there will be surprises along the way. [Ibid] CHALLENGES OF GLOBALISATION: The rewards of globalization has not been uniform and equitable. It has benefitted only a certain category of states and people. M.A. Ommen has even called it a contrived phenomenon. He cites three reasons why globalization is not the culmination of a natural process: Firstly, the world today is virtually governed by the G-7 countries (the USA, the UK, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy). The IMF, World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the avatar of GATT, are neatly co-opted into the process of the economic management of the world. Second, science and technology are not a free pursuit. They are in captivity, so to say. The military powers (this includes the former Soviet Union) and transnational corporations (TNCS) have manipulated science technology for power and profit. This trend continues. The end of cold war has not materially altered the situation. Third, the United States of America as Prof. Vernon points out, has been trying to create an international system in its own image has pioneered the so-called development ideology to counter communism. [Ommen, 1995, pp.75] GLOBALISATION : THE NEW AVATAR OF IMPERIALISM Some scholars are viewing globalization as the new face of imperialism. They are of the view that imperialist globalization is gradually spreading its wings to cast an abysmally dark shadow world over. Thinkers like Ranen sen are very much critical of this contretemps. He writes Globalisation is paving the way for the US imperialism which is out to exploit the unipolar geopolitics. Militarization and more aggressive programmes are designed within framework of hegemenistic objectives of the CIS authorities à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. Washington has a long-term plan to destabilize the south and central Asian countries which have untapped hydrocarbon resource. Afghanistan has a massive resource of natural gas and Iraq has a developed oil industry. The US scheme of subversion in Afghanistan, Iraq and adjacent countries in nothing new. After becoming the hegemonistic ruler of world capitalist order, following the collapse of the USSR, Wash ington pressed Pentagon more vigorously into service to dominate the oil and natural gas sectors in those countries.[Sen in Kar (ed) 2005, pp. 93-94] It is often claimed that globalization has led to the increasing interdependence. Now, the basic questions concern. Interdependence among and who are the beneficiaries? Samit Kar writes in the preface of GLOBALISATION : ONE WORLD MANY VOICES [pp. 12] Is this interdependence of world society real or tilted in favour of the richer nations? Neo-Marxists are also apprehensive of the lopsided development brought by globalization Robert Cox and other neo-Marxists à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ stress the uneven hierarchical nature of economic globalization. The global economic power is increasingly concentrated in the leading industrialised countries, including the United States, Japan, and the States of Western Europe. That means the economic globalization will not benefit the impoverished masses of the Third World. Nor will it improve the living standards of the poor in the highly industralised countries. [Jackson and Sorensen, 2003, pp. 217] Mahuya Chakrabarty writes in the same vein in the article Free Market Globalisation: Oil conflict and US aggression-This so-called free market globalization does not actually mean the spread of productive capital in the world but the accelerated accumulation and concentration of capital in the few imperialist countries, chiefly the US. Liberalization, p rivatization and deregulationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the key factors attached with free market globalization à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. have accelerated the outflow of social weather created by the people from the neo-colonies to the neo-imperialist countries. Here, the principal actor is the MNCs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the multinational agencies like the IMF, World Bank and WTO. [Chakrabarty in Kar (ed), 2005, pp. 108] Ranen Sen has written Globalisation is a bid to restructure the power and politics of developed capitalist countries under the US hegemony. It is in a way to recolonization through the trinity of World Bank, IMF and WTO. [Sen in Kar (ed), 2005, pp. 94] In the same tune Petras and Polychroniou, have pointed out the real nature and motives of these financial institutions These institutions were controlled by appointees of the respective imperial states and their function was to displace national markets and local producers and undermine popular social legislation in order to facilitate the entry of multinationals and the primacy of domestic export elites producing for the markets of the imperial counties. [Petras and Polychroniou, 1997, pp. 2251] GLOBALISATION AND UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT: The process of globalization is highly uneven. Deepak Nayyar observes There are less than a dozen developing countries which are an integral part of globalization in the late twentieth century. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico in Latin America and Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in Asia. These eleven countries accounted for about 30 percent of total exports from developing countries during the period 1970-1980. This share rose to 59 per cent in 1990 and 66 per cent in 1992. The same countries, excluding Korea, were also the main recipients of direct investment in the developing world accounting for 66 per cent of the average annual inflows during the period 1981-1991à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ this evidence suggests that globalization is most uneven in its spread and there is an exclusion in the process. Sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia are simply not in the picture, apart from many co untries in Latin America, Asia and the Pacific which are left out altogether. [Nayyar, 1996, pp. 15] Nayyar also notes that the benefits of integration with the world economy, through globalization, would accrue only to those countries which have laid the requisite foundations for industrialization and development. This means investing in the development of human resources and the creation of a physical infrastructure. This means the acquisition of technological and managerial capabilities at a micro-level. This means the creation of institutions that would regulate, govern and facilitate the functioning of markets. In each of these pursuits, strategic forms of state intervention are essential. The countries which have not created these pre-conditions could end up globalizing prices without globalizing incomes. In the process, a narrow segment of their population may be integrated with the world economy, in terms of consumption patterns or living styles, but a large proportion of their population may be marginalized even further. [Ibid, pp. 16] According to C. Sheela Reddy, the benefits of economic globalization have not accrued to the majority due to certain adverse consequences like: The increase of inequalities among regions and nations, within nations and among individuals The continued growth of poverty. The increase of peoples vulnerability due to social risks such as unemployment and crime. The decrease in opportunities for regions, nations, communities and individuals to enjoy the benefits and advantages provided by globalization. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Thus the benefits of globalization are not uniformly enjoyed at present as many people still live in poverty and the result of alleviation efforts are uneven within and between the regions of the world. [Reddy, 2008, pp. 87-88] Hirst and Thompson have made a very harsh criticism of globalization. According to them, the most extreme versions of globalizations are a myth. In support of this claim, they have offered five arguments. First, the present internationalized economy is not unique in history. In some respects they say it is less open than the international economy between 1870 and 1914. Second, they find that genuinely transnational companies are relatively rare, most are national companies trading internationally. There is no trend towards the development of international companies. Third, there is no shift of finance and capital from the developed to the underdeveloped worlds. Direct investment is highly concentrated amongst the countries of the developed world. Fourth, the world-economy is not global, rather trade, investment, and financial flows are concentrated in and between three blocs Europe, North America, and Japan. Finally, they argue this group of three blocs could, if they co-ordinated p olicies, regulate global economic markets and forces [quoted in Smith , Baylis, 2005, p. 11] We will highlight here some other challenges of globalization First it must be borne in mind that competitive markets may be the best guarantee of efficiency, but not of equity. And markets are neither the first not the last word in human development. There was a time when many activities and goods that are crucial to human development were provided outside the market à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but these are now being squeezed by the pressure of global competition. The policy of structural adjustment which was forced on most of the third world countries has reduced the amount of government expenses in health, employment as well as in education sector, subsequently making the people of the third world the victim of globalization. Second, unequal distribution: When the market goes too far in dominating social and political outcome, the opportunities and reward of globalization spread unequally and inequitably à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. concentrating power and values in a select group of people, nations and corporations, marginalizing the others. When the market goes our of hand, the instability grows up, as in the financial crisis in East Asia and its worldwide implications cutting global output by estimated 2 trillion dollar in 1998-2000. Since 1980s many countries have captured the opportunities of economic and technological globalization. Other than the industrial countries, the countries like India, Poland, Turkey, Chile are attracting foreign investment and taking advantage of technological progress. At the other extreme there any many countries, not all benefited from expanding markets and advancing technology Madagascar, sub-Saharan countries among others. Third, Inequality within and between countries: Jayati Gosh has written in her article Imperialist Globalisation and the political economy of South Asia à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The recent process of imperialist globalization has been marked by greatly increased disparities, both within countries and between countries. [Ghosh in Kar (ed.), 2005, pp. 260.] Inequality has been rising in many countries since the early 1980s In China, disparities are widening between the export oriented region of the coast and the interior. The human poverty index is just under 20% in coastal provinces, but more than 50% inland Guijhou. Inequality between the countries has also been increasing. Noteworthy that the income gap between the richest and the poorest fifth in the world was just 3:1 in 1820. Today, the gap in one word is gargantuan. Let us look at the following statistics included in UNDP 1999 Report: Year Income Gap Ratio 1820 3:1 1870 7:1 1913 11:1 1960 30:1 1990 60:1 1997 74:1 Again at the turn of the 21 century, the richest 20% of the worlds population had: > 86% of world GDPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. The bottom fifth had 1% > 82% of world export markets à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the bottom fifth had 1% <

Personality Traits Of Hamlet :: essays research papers

In the play Hamlet, Hamlet has many different personality traits. Three of these characteristics are that Hamlet is depressed, clever, and hesitant. Throughout the play you can see these characteristics in Hamlet many times. It is obvious that Hamlet is depressed in this play. His depression can be seen in Act I scene II lines 129-132, when Hamlet says: "O! that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew; Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd His cannon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!" In these lines Hamlet says that he would like to commit suicide, but cannot because of the way suicide is looked upon in god's eyes. More of Hamlet's depression can be seen in Act III scene I lines 56-61 when Hamlet says: "To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more;" In this soliloquy Hamlet once again talks about suicide. He says he would like to get rid of his endless troubles by killing himself, because in death he can sleep and have no worries. Hamlet also shows that he is clever in this play. One way that Hamlet's cleverness is shown in this play is the way that he reacts after he sees his father's ghost for the first time. He makes Horatio and Marcellus swear that they did not see the ghost and to also swear that they will not reveal that Hamlet is only pretending to be insane. You can also see how Hamlet is clever in his plan to reveal Claudius as his father's murderer. In his plan the players that are visiting the castle will reenact the murder of Hamlet's father in the lines that Hamlet has written for them. This plan works because when Claudius sees the reenactment he runs out of the room in fright, revealing to Hamlet and everyone else that Claudius did indeed murder Hamlet I. Hamlet is also hesitant in this play. This is seen when Hamlet is about to kill Claudius. Hamlet wants to kill Claudius, but decides not to when he sees Claudius repenting his sins. This can be seen in Act III scene III lines 74-79 when Hamlet says: "Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;

Communication Opinion Paper Essay

Communication is the most important tool that we as human us. It is an imperative component in our daily lives. Communication begins when we greet or see another individual that we know. There are many forms of communication and they are effective communication, healthcare communication, and regular communication and many more. The time and place in which we used a type of communication depends on the context of the situation and purpose. Understanding the necessary elements of communication allows individuals to know when and how to use different forms of communication. Elements of communication or sender/receiver when you are speaking to someone they receive the message and then they will give you feedback. Encoding is when you put thought into symbols (gesture or words). Assigning meaning to symbols is called decoding. Message is the idea though, feeling or opinion. Channel is the medium in which through which message travels from sender to receiver. Feedback is the receiver response to the message and indicates how the message is seen (Cheesebro, O’Connor, Rios, 2010). The entire basic element are needed in order to communicate with other effectively the basic element help you to convey your feeling your though with an individual in order to get feedback from the person that is receiving the message. Do the basic elements and the rules of healthcare communication differ? They are the same in order for you to speak to a patient or their families you still have to us the basic element of effective communication. The ethical principles by treating patients with dignity and respect, being honest and trustworthy in their professional relationship, and maintaining patient confidentiality. We utilize the same element when we are speaking with an individual on a personal aspect. By being honest with the patient and their families they gain confide in the decision that you will make when carrying for the patient. How might a provider encourage communication to a reluctant consumer? When a consumer is reluctant to communicate you have to gain the consumer trust that you know what you are talking about. Sharing situation in a conversation that is similar to the consumer can be helpful and may break the ice. Smiling and reassuring the consumer that you are knowledgeable in can answer any question that they may have (Repetto, Gibson, Lubbers, Gritz, Reiss,). How might cultural differences influence communication? Cultural differences may affect the way you communicate. The differences may be verbal and nonverbal communication. Facial expressions like smiling can indicate that people are friendly and approachable but in other culture people who smile can be seen as inappropriate. Context whether it is high or low. High context culture explain everything that they are talking about and assume that other do not have any information on a certain topic. Low context culture assumed that people understand what is being said to them and as a result, they do not explain everything. Eye contact show interest in another person but in other cultures eye contact convey honesty. Formality speaking can be formal or in formal depending on cultural norms. Informal culture assume that everyone is equal. Formal cultures assume that there is hierarchy among people. Touching the way people touch one another may depend upon whether they are a contact culture or a noncontact culture. Contact cultures touch each other when they are speaking. Noncontact touching is inappropriate, pushy and aggressive. Even though we communicate there are still barrier that can stop us from communicating effectively with other. There are culture barrier and language barrier. We communicate with other on day to day bases; whether it is speaking to a friend or a consumer in order to communicate effectively we have to use the basic elements of communication in order to establish a relationship that is honest straight forward and respectful to whom you are speaking with. Barrier can be hard to overcome as well as cultural differences but with the basic element in place when we are communicating with other can establish a great relationship between the sender and the receiver. References: Communicating in the workplace Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Francisco Rios, copyright, 2010 Chapter 1 & 3 Practical Application of confidentiality rules to health lake transition instruction Repetto, Jeanne B, Gibson, Robert W, Lubbers, Joyce H., Gritz, Sheila, Reiss, John 2008 vol.29 issue 2

Essay about Human Resourse

Essay about Human Resourse Essay about Human Resourse I disagree with the statement. Social networking is a space for everyone to express their feeling and create an opportunity to communicate with each other regardless to their personal matter or public affairs. The invasion of accessing to their social networking accounts is a clear invasion of their privacy as well. Also, it will limit the employee’s performance than usual. Furthermore, it is violating the terms of service for social networking sites. Access to job candidates’ social networking accounts is like asking for the key to enter their homes and conduct a ‘sport-check’ of what they are doing. For example, those photos posted years ago in Facebook or twitter which is the period where most of the teenager enjoyed their legal age in the club may reflect a bad impression to the manager when they access the candidate’s profile. They might lose their job just because of this. Also, prejudgment was made by the human resource managers without clarified with the employee their information on the profile will eventually give up the job opportunity to other candidate. Once the password is given to the human resource managers, candidate must be aware that the human resource department consists of quite number of employee; their password must be passing over to different in-charge person. Different people access to their account checking their information making candidate spending most of the day worried of what might have find out instead of putting full attention on the work and works it well. Also, they must be living in non-privacy daily lifestyle as they don’t know when will be the day their account being hacked by someone else by posting non-related post or doing something else on the account. Worst cases, those who access to the candidate’s account can change their password without priority notices. As we have mention above, social networking is a space that creates for everyone to express their feeling regardless on the stress on work or the happiness among them. According to the statistics, those who express their feeling to their friend tend to work much better than their usual performance. Stepping into working industry will be facing a lot of stress. The invasion to their social networking account will take over their freedom on expressing themselves on the work which will increase their burden as the time pass by. This will eventually affect their performance on the work which in turn will affect the company as well. Asking for access to

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buy custom IT Governance essay How does the description of IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia differ from those presented by Weill and Ross (2004)? IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia describes the importance of the principles, as well as, lessons of good corporate governance being replicated in the individual IT governance mechanisms laid down for the institution (Ali and Green, 2007). These mechanisms encourage a set of behavior, which encourages behavior that goes hand in hand with the companys mission, values, strategy, and norms (Ali and Green, 2007). On the other hand, Weill and Ross determine that, managers should focus in designing, implementing, and communicating the IT governance processes (Weill Ross, 2005). Furthermore, IT governance incorporates five important decision domains: infrastructure, investment decisions, prioritization, IT principles, infrastructure and business application needs (Weill Ross, 2005). IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia, cautions the implementation of the above mechanisms; the nature of organizations is essential in showing how effective mechanisms are (Ali and Green, 2007). However, Weill and Ross explain six archetypal approaches applied in IT governance: IT monarchy, business monarchy, feudal, federal, duopoly, and anarchy (Weill Ross, 2005). The two recommend guidance in effective IT governance design. One needs to identify the companys needs for autonomy and synergy, establish the role played by organization structure, pick the desirable IT-related behaviors, and then design IT governance on a single page (Weill Ross, 2005). How does the description of IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia differ from the claims of the case study material from the COBIT site: Solo Cup Uses COBIT to Develop IT Policies? IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia describes the importance of the principles, as well as, lessons of good corporate governance being replicated in the individual IT governance mechanisms laid down for the institution (Ali and Green, 2007). These mechanisms encourage a set of behavior, which encourages behavior that goes hand in hand with the companys mission, values, strategy, and norms (Ali and Green, 2007). On the other hand, COBIT stipulates an effective set of guidelines that make sure IT policies show enough coverage of common control objectives. These guidelines also identify control gaps. The control elements have the correct content, depth, as well as breadth that would ensure compliance with the control objective put down by COBIT. IT governance mechanisms in Public Sector organizations in Australia, cautions the implementation of the above mechanisms; the nature of organizations is essential in showing how effective mechanisms are. In its part, the COBIT framework narrowed the process of coming up with a comprehensive set of the policies. Without COBIT, time and energy would have been wasted. Buy custom IT Governance essay

Musicarama Concert †Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Musicarama Concert – Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Free Online Research Papers Musicarama Concert – Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra This is my first time to attend the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Hong Kong City Hall. In this concert, those musical instruments are very attractive, such as cor anglais, bassoons, timpani, and harp. I realize that each musician’s performance is very important to reflect the value of the whole concert. If there are one of musicians got mistake when he/she play his/her instruments, the appreciate value of the concert must be reduced. I have noticed that the sounds of some music programmes were inserted by the â€Å"chopsticks hitting† sound to enhance the music attractive. I think the whole concert’s echoed sound effect is suitable. The title for Hymn for Tomorrow was impressive, if brief, the Philharmonic making its powerful percussion parts and the melodic lines of this music were projected with a feeling of forward motion and climax. I like the music so much. This music evoke me hope for a better tomorrow and feel passionately to look forward to my future life. The title for â€Å"Dai Pai Dong† is the Hong Kong culture. This music included all sounds in the food stall, such as bowl, dish, cup, and big fan. I have noticed that they were used some real bowl, cup, etc., to make this interesting sounds. In this concert, I have learned about the stylistic period in which it was composed â€Å"musicarama†. I know the genre of the concert is symphony. I like this kind of music. It is because that kind of music can make my feeling so relax. Especially, I enjoy the violins soloist part. In a concerto, the soloist and orchestra very well coordinated. As last, in the whole concert, I got the impression that the conductor had the ensemble under control and the conducting gestures and motions seem to be conveying the feeling of the music. Totally all musicians’ performance was very professional and outstanding. The concert was wonderful. Research Papers on Musicarama Concert – Hong Kong Philharmonic OrchestraHip-Hop is ArtWhere Wild and West MeetOpen Architechture a white paperThe Hockey GameThe Spring and AutumnRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfQuebec and CanadaThe Effects of Illegal Immigration19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Elevator Observation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Elevator Observation - Research Paper Example However, observation can also be an act of noticing or an act entailing attentively. Observation is the habit of noticing or the act of noting and recording something. By this, one can strongly say that observing is the act of noting and recording something after a keen study. Keen observations are necessary in different parts or field of working. For example, a teacher needs to observe the growth of his/her students or a doctor needs to observe the progress of his/her patient. By so doing, they are able to gauge what to do next on the patient or students. They are able to know, if they are taking an excellent turn in terms of recovering and performance or a wrong turn that needs more attention and help (Ellis, 2007). Additionally, observation is an important aspect in the world we live in. With keen observation, we are able to make wise decisions that will be of much help to us. However, observation is the key ingredient of making wise and reasonable decisions; it also helps in comi ng up with good ideas, be it socially or businesswise. Observation helps a person make evident conclusions concerning different issues in life. This is because it influences the kinds of conclusion people make in a part of lives, whether good or bad. On the other hand, if one makes a wrong observation, then he/she is able to make the wrong conclusions about an issue or matter depending on the kind of the observation. In addition, it is good to pay keen attention to whatever one is observing in order to make the right conclusions or decisions on the issue or matter concerned. This is to avoid making quick judgments, decisions or conclusions that have no basis. Additionally, many brilliant or prosperous people, at one point of their lives, made a keen observation and were able to come up with wise ideas that helped the world as a whole (Ellis, 2007). Without observation, many things would not have prospered in many countries. However, this shows us how observation is important in our lives and the world as a whole. What is participant observation? Participant observation is a type of research mostly used in cultural anthropology. However, its interest is to gain intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals or people for a given time or period during a certain activity. The observer, in this case, has to participate or play a role amongst the group of people that he/she is observing. By this, the observer is able to create an intimate relationship with the group of people or individuals, and this will help him in his observation because he/she will not feel like a stranger during the observation process. Familiarity between the observer and the group of people or individuals grows with time. This helps in the efficient communication between the observer and the group of individuals or people. In addition, this makes it easier for the observer to ask questions easily and the group of people or individuals to an answer without hesitation (Ellis, 2007). Ho wever, the chances of the group of people or individuals answering falsely to the questions asked are very few. This is due to the good relationship created between the observer and the group of people or individuals. On the other hand, the key principle of this observation is not for the observer to observe, but to find a role to play and identify with among the group of people or individuals. However, this kind of observation is necessary where the group of people or individuals do not want an association with anyone who is not of their own. For example, many organizations and criminal entities do not want any kind of study on them or observations. In this case, observers tend to pose like one of their own in order to get the necessary information they

Transition to Democracy in Africa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Transition to Democracy in Africa - Essay Example The first part analyzes the decisive transition to democracy by South Africa and the policies adopted by the country, and the second part examines the difficulties and challenges that hinder the transition to democracy for many African nations. Part 1 The decisive democratic transformation by South Africa has been a source of inspiration for civilization across the world. Only a few analysts predicted such radical progress, considering the bloody and long history of the country against apartheid. Indeed, majority of the experts expected the country to succumb to ethnic violence common in many African nations when repression begins to transform to revolution. Today, many parts of the African continent and across the world are experiencing civil wars, with international terrorism plugging both developing and developed world into a state of anarchy. There is need to design democratic preventive and resolution methods to create a peaceful world free from hatred, bitterness, wars, enmity, and oppression (Donaldson and Marais, 2002). The experiences by South Africa may provide some invaluable insights for transition to democracy for other countries. The apartheid regime responsible for the reign of terror for more than four decades and the subsequent incarceration of thousand of people is among the most ruthless and heartless regimes to ever occur since Hitler’s reign in Germany. This is why the peaceful transition to democracy by South Africa remains one of the most significant democratic transitions in the world. The racial prejudice and discrimination against the natives of the country began in 1652 with the first Europeans from Holland. The intensity of racial discrimination against the indigenous people, particularly the San and the Khoikhoi increased during the subsequent domination by the British and Dutch in Cape Colony. However, the Dutch established inland colonies, resulting to clashes with the British coastal colonies, and ultimately culminated to the Boer war between 1899 and 1902. Nevertheless, there was some power sharing between the British and the Dutch (now refereeing to themselves Afrikaners) until in 1940s when the Afrikaner National Party gained a stronger majority (Nathan, 2004). The African National Party institutionalized discrimination after coming into power in 1948. The strategists in the party invented apartheid to enable them cement their control over the social and economic system. The concept of apartheid was to ensure white dominance and extending racial separation. Thus, the â€Å"Grand Apartheid† plan was set in motion in the 1960s, focusing on police regression and territorial separation. The party enacted apartheid laws touching all aspects of life. With the assistance of the European Community and the United States, the pressure began on the South African President Botha to dismantle apartheid in 1980s. The end of 1991 saw the revoke of the legal apartheid framework. However, internal violence continued, but Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk reached an agreement for the implementation of majority rule in 1993. Mandela was able to convince the United Nation to lift the remaining sanctions on the country.

Assignment 5 Practice Problems Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

5 Practice Problems - Assignment Example Depending on the government it can be adverse or favourable. If the US dollar is strong against another currency, it leads to increased demand of imports as prices go down. This inturn weakens export as foreign goods appear to be expensive outside the country. Importers prefer strong local currency while exporters prefer weak local currency (Econedlink par 11) For an export business based in the US the ideal situation would be if the dollar weakens, this makes it attractive for foreigners to buy goods from US, but if it appreciates it, makes foreign goods seem expensive. To balance this fluctuation the company needs to cut the dollar price to match the prices in pounds (Econedlink par 11). 4. Suppose that you are a U.S. producer of a commodity good competing with foreign producers. Your inputs of production are priced in dollars and you sell your output in dollars. If the U.S. currency depreciates against the currencies of our trading partners, b. your competitive position is likely worsened. When the dollar appreciates, this makes foreign goods seem cheaper and this improves their position in the market, but when the dollar depreciates the price of foreign goods seem expensive and this may probably worsen the position of foreign business (Econedlink par 11). 5. Suppose your firm invests $100,000 in a project in Italy. At the time the exchange rate is $1.25 = â‚ ¬1.00. One year later the exchange rate is the same, but the Italian government has expropriated your firms assets paying only â‚ ¬80,000 in compensation. This is an example of It does not matter the exchange rate, what counts is the fact that the government has taken over a private own business. The government does this without the owner’s consent but there must be compensation (Meridian Finance par 1). Upenn.edu Chapter 1 Globalization And The Multinational Firm Suggested Answers To End- Of-Chapter Questions. 2014,

Company Law Problem Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Company Law Problem Question - Essay Example The company under consideration, Homemaker Limited had three persons on its board of directors namely Jenny, Louis and Chris. Out of these directors, the most active role was played by Chris who also tended to act as the Managing Director though this was never formally recognized in writing. This indicates that Jenny and Louis were more or less passive directors of the company. Homemaker Limited was construed for construction of homes only, but Chris sought to diversify business into equipment and furniture supply. The shortage of work in the construction industry forced Chris to diversify business but he did not register another company to do so. Instead, the platform of Homemaker Limited was utilized by Chris to supply Easy Birds Limited with equipment and furniture which stands in direct violation of the original constitution of Homemaker Limited. Given the fact that Homemaker Limited was struggling with capital requirements, Chris decided to borrow one and a half million pounds f rom Star Bank. The transactions with Star Bank were executed by Chris and Louis alone without the consent of Jenny. The mutual agreement that the consent of all directors was required for transactions above one million pounds is clearly violated by the behaviour of Chris and Louis in this regard. Poor performance on the part of Homemaker Limited resulted in losses in the equipment and furniture supply domains leading to contractual failure with Easy Birds Limited. The failure of this gamble meant that Homemaker Limited was unable to deal with its fiscal obligation with Star Bank leading to liquidation of the company. A number of problems emerge in regards to Homemaker Limited and its liquidation. The majority of these problems span the domains of director’s conduct and the validity of transactions that resulted. The discussion provided below will cover these issues in detail relating applicable statutes and their interpretation as per case law. 2. Applicable Law In terms of s tatutory law the current case’s circumstances are covered by the Companies Act 2006 (which expanded on and replaced parts of the Companies Act 1985). Given the fact that the company Homemakers Limited was registered in 2007, the applicable legal elements will be derived from the Companies Act 2006 alone. This also means that previous positions on certain issues will have been revised even if they were fortified by case law on the matter. One of the largest directions taken by the Companies Act 2006 has been the roles, responsibilities and conduct of directors. The duties of directors had already been expounded by the previous Act but the new Act has consolidated these matters further by codifying principal common law as well as the equitable duties of directors. However, it must be borne in mind that the new Act is by no means an exhaustive account of the duties of directors. This therefore tends to indicate that the duties of directors expounded by common law still survive a lbeit in a reduced form. The Companies Act 2006 has revisited the domain of director’s duties as per Chapter 2, General Duties of Directors. The Chapter has been divided into an introduction, the general duties of directors and the supplementary duties of directors. The new codifications (in context of the duties of directors) will be used to evaluate the conduct of directors at Homemaker Limited. 2.1. Section 170 – Scope and Nature of General Duties This section serves as the

A Marketing Plan for the Budgens Research Proposal

A Marketing Plan for the Budgens - Research Proposal Example We will have to take special care to find out which of the environmental factors –social, political, cultural, economic, legal, technological-are the most important for the Budgens at the present time and which ones could be the most important in the next twelve to eighteen months. We should also concentrate on external agents such as competitors, suppliers, customers, trade unions, governments, shareholders, a local community which is affecting the company most.Here our client organization, the Budgens is planning for a period of 12 to 18 months in a market environment where the competition is severe from the big four supermarket retailers comprising of Tesco, Asda (Wal-Mart), Sainsbury’s, and Morrison’s. The sales forecast has to be done by taking to consideration of such competitor behavior and the market environment.The total environment can be segmented into three classes as 1.Mega environment 2.Micro environment. 3. Relevant environment. Out of these three groups as far as the now discussed market planning for the Budgens is concerned microenvironment is the most important one because the planning is for a relatively shorter period of 12 to 18 months. Therefore our important environmental factors of concern are suppliers, competitors, consumers, governments, local community, and shareholders.The main environmental advantages of the Budgens are their suppliers, who are quality assurance approved. Their independently functioning local retailers are in partnership with them. They care most for the quality of the food. They care for their consumers and the local community. As the Budgens is strictly abiding by rules, regulations and the government policies, there is no clash with the government. Now the only point of concern as far as the environmental factors are concerned is, from the competitors. Such issues we should address through the SWOT analysis and the resource analysis; and the findings may be taken seriously while proceeding t hrough the process of market segmentation, targeting, positioning Etc. Finally, the formation of the marketing mix and promotion policies are to be decided to base the above discussed environmental factors. The main factor needs to be focused on is the severe competition from the equally strong rivals. Advertising and other sales promotion policies such as offering discounts, special offers Etc. are recommended for the Budgens, based on the environmental analysis.   Thus a proper analysis of the environment, especially the analysis of the external environment will enable the company to locate its strengths and opportunities.

Vogue female magazines Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Vogue female magazines - Research Paper Example The primary objective of this research is to take advantage of my background in public relations, organization communication, international marketing and advertising to pursue an in depth research in the customer loyalty aspect of the Chinese Edition of the popular Vogue Female Magazine. As we know that a magazine is a periodical publication containing articles, photographs, advertisements and other features that primarily relies on advertisement and sales to accrue revenues. Thus customer loyalty is an aspect of business that is of cardinal importance, so far as assessing and assuring the profitability in a publishing business is concerned.On the accomplishment of a Masters degree in International Management from Loughborough University, I realized that I am immensely interested in the marketing issues associated with customer loyalty and retention. So in this research I intend to combine the knowledge I gained while pursuing my Masters and Bachelor degree to conduct an in depth and thorough research on the customer loyalty and retention issues faced by the International Chinese Edition of the popular Vogue Magazine. All the relevant data will be collected through return mail (on paper or through website), questionnaires and sales figures, which will aid in the sorting out and study of issues associated with the customer loyalty aspect of the publication under consideration. If this research turns out to be successful, it will serve as a rich source of reference for many foreign publishing companies. that are interested in entering the Chinese speaking market so as to enhance their global market share. After all Chinese is the second most spoken language in the world and the Chinese magazine market has a vast potential and scope that can be exploited by the foreign magazine companies. I would specially like to mention that while pursuing my Bachelors degree I not only achieved a high score of 87 in the 'Research Methods' course, but also finished a dissertatio n that was published in the Shi Hsin University's Journal of Graphic Communication and Technology. The topic that I choose for this dissertation was 'A Study of International Chinese Edition of Vogue Female Magazines' Market Segmentation and Positioning'. I preferred to join the Manchester Business School because I am particularly interested in the practical aspects of the business theories and dogmas and the Manchester Business School is an institution that believes in transcending the barriers between theory and practice so as to arm it's students with the right knowledge that will go a long way in ensuring that they become the business elite of the future (Manchester Business School, 2008). Manchester Business School is an institution that is committed to research (Manchester Business School, 2008). I am confident that the topic selected by me fits well into the priorities of the Marketing and Research Centre and Marketing Research Cohort at the

Company Law Problem Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Company Law Problem Question - Essay Example The company under consideration, Homemaker Limited had three persons on its board of directors namely Jenny, Louis and Chris. Out of these directors, the most active role was played by Chris who also tended to act as the Managing Director though this was never formally recognized in writing. This indicates that Jenny and Louis were more or less passive directors of the company. Homemaker Limited was construed for construction of homes only, but Chris sought to diversify business into equipment and furniture supply. The shortage of work in the construction industry forced Chris to diversify business but he did not register another company to do so. Instead, the platform of Homemaker Limited was utilized by Chris to supply Easy Birds Limited with equipment and furniture which stands in direct violation of the original constitution of Homemaker Limited. Given the fact that Homemaker Limited was struggling with capital requirements, Chris decided to borrow one and a half million pounds f rom Star Bank. The transactions with Star Bank were executed by Chris and Louis alone without the consent of Jenny. The mutual agreement that the consent of all directors was required for transactions above one million pounds is clearly violated by the behaviour of Chris and Louis in this regard. Poor performance on the part of Homemaker Limited resulted in losses in the equipment and furniture supply domains leading to contractual failure with Easy Birds Limited. The failure of this gamble meant that Homemaker Limited was unable to deal with its fiscal obligation with Star Bank leading to liquidation of the company. A number of problems emerge in regards to Homemaker Limited and its liquidation. The majority of these problems span the domains of director’s conduct and the validity of transactions that resulted. The discussion provided below will cover these issues in detail relating applicable statutes and their interpretation as per case law. 2. Applicable Law In terms of s tatutory law the current case’s circumstances are covered by the Companies Act 2006 (which expanded on and replaced parts of the Companies Act 1985). Given the fact that the company Homemakers Limited was registered in 2007, the applicable legal elements will be derived from the Companies Act 2006 alone. This also means that previous positions on certain issues will have been revised even if they were fortified by case law on the matter. One of the largest directions taken by the Companies Act 2006 has been the roles, responsibilities and conduct of directors. The duties of directors had already been expounded by the previous Act but the new Act has consolidated these matters further by codifying principal common law as well as the equitable duties of directors. However, it must be borne in mind that the new Act is by no means an exhaustive account of the duties of directors. This therefore tends to indicate that the duties of directors expounded by common law still survive a lbeit in a reduced form. The Companies Act 2006 has revisited the domain of director’s duties as per Chapter 2, General Duties of Directors. The Chapter has been divided into an introduction, the general duties of directors and the supplementary duties of directors. The new codifications (in context of the duties of directors) will be used to evaluate the conduct of directors at Homemaker Limited. 2.1. Section 170 – Scope and Nature of General Duties This section serves as the