The Four Components of Strategic Management and How They Interact with Essay

The Four Components of Strategic Management and How They Interact with Each Other - Essay Example The first component of strategic management is planning. Planning involves determining the organizational goals and how they are going to be achieved (Rothbauer-Vanish, 2009). Managers can utilize planning to forecast sales levels, inventory requirements, and labor necessities. The second component of strategic management is organizing. The managers of a company must organize all its resources in order to implement the course of action it determined in the planning process (Associatedcontent, 2011). Organizing helps companies in the implementation process of its plans. The third component of strategic management is controlling. Controlling is the process of establishing performance standards based on the firm’s objectives, measuring and reporting actual performance, comparing the two, and taking corrective and preventive action (Erven). The final component of strategic management is leading. Leading involves motivating and helping workers achieve the organizational goals of th e company. In the hospitality industry the four components of strategic management can be put to good use. Hotels have to plan how many resources such as labor are needed in order to comply with the demand of customers. For example there are more guests staying in hotels during summer season than in autumn.

Marketing Strategy Essay Example for Free

Marketing Strategy Essay Discuss the type of product the company will offer and identify its primary characteristics The type of product the company will offer is a bracelet called Life Alert band. The characteristics of this device are size and the ease of use along with a lifetime guarantee. The Life Alert band is light and portable that no one will even know it’s on his or her wrist. It’s the size of a thick rubber band and comes in different wrist sizes. It has one easy to access button with an emergency icon that only needs to be pushed once to alert the Life Alert call center in the event of an emergency. The bracelet has several hidden sensors that monitor a person’s pulse and blood sugar and wirelessly sends this information to the Life Alert monitoring centers. If a change is detected in any of the monitors the bracelets sends a signal to the centers for immediate action. The Life Alert medical counselors immediately call the patient to see if they are ok. If no response is received they dispatch emergency responders right away. The bracelets uses flash memory to keep the device slim and flexible. It has a flexible band that can bend slightly. The material of the bracelet is a made of hard rubber that protects the electronics and its sensors. The bracelet requires a one-time setup much like a cell phone has to be programmed by Life Alert in order to ensure communication is occurring with their monitoring centers. The device has wifi built in for local communication. Users who have a wireless network can browse directly to the bracelet using a web browser. This gives them access to all the information the bracelet is recording. Discuss the product branding strategy Entrepreneur magazine states that a branding strategy is how, what, where, when and to whom you plan on communicating and delivering on your brand messages. Where you advertise is part of your brand strategy (Enterpreneur, 2011). In this case a brand is name that consumers associate with a device or service. Life Alert has many devices, all which bare its name on it. For example wireless companies such ATT sell cell phones from different manufactures but all of them have the name ATT on them and their logo. This goes for any large company that sells multiple products even if the products are manufactured by another company. Another good example is Apple. Apple has mp3 players, desktops, laptops, and other computer peripherals, all have the Apple logo on them. Therefore, the branding approach for the Life Alert bracelet will be the umbrella branding approach. The umbrella approach will help Life Alert in promoting their popular name even further. In a survey taken by ACNielsen International Research, 87% of Life Alert members said that Life Alert’s protection is a main or important factor in their decision to keep living at home rather than going to a retirement institution (lifealert911, 2011). Life Alert members on an average spend 6 more years living alone because of their services. The bracelet will not only enhance their product line but attract more customers. The introduction of this bracelet will increase their customer base and maybe appeal to those who have a serious illness. The bracelet will become the main entity of the product line with Life Alert’s name and logo. Discuss how the product fits within a product line and the depth and breadth of the line. Life Alert’s bracelet is a unique product that has carved a niche in the medical devices industry. It fits into health care products that offer emergency services for monitoring and addressing health related issues. It addresses a void in the industry and aims to support independence in aged adults by providing state of the art monitoring and emergency services. The distinctive aspect of the Life Alert bracelet is that it is both broadens and intensifies in scope in terms of its breadth and depth. It fits well into the product line Life Alert offers. It’s an extension of the current product offerings. Some of the functionality the bracelet offers cross’s over to other product categories. For example the bracelet now becomes competitive with blood glucose meters. Regardless, the bracelet extends the depth and breadth of the company. Explain how the product and target market strategies fit with the organizational strategy. The organizational strategy is based around a few key factors. The company’s business domain is clearly defined and is focused towards Mature 50+ adults who wish to live an independent lifestyle. The factors that are considered are mainly geographical location, age, retirement lifestyle and medical needs. The strategy is effective as it concentrates on a few key product and ervices. Life alert employs niche marketing to devise a product strategy aimed at that targets mature 50+ adults residing mostly in Florida, which is a popular retirement destination, who are currently living a retired lifestyle and desire a degree of independence and who may or may not have specific medical needs. The Life Alert bracelet fits into the organizational strategy for Life Alert. Introducing the bracelet will solidify the stance in the market. The organizational strategy for Life Alert is to be most innovative company in assisting the elderly. Life Alert can take advantage of its existing organizational strategy to support and market the bracelet. The company can further expand its diversified portfolio of services by using its existing infrastructure and the multifaceted use of its core resources. By including and expanding on existing product offerings the company can reduce cost and maximize return on resources. Life alert bracelet can utilize the infrastructure for Life Alert Necklace, security, monitoring and emergency response services with minor additions. All of these services employ the same core organizational set up, which is the monitoring center, which maximizes service offering with minimal investment. The marketing strategy includes Ads in local newspapers or niche publications, Opt-in web sites that make use of keywords to connect with potential customers, direct mail campaigns, as well publicity through Television developed for mature audiences. The bracelet can be incorporated under these existing marketing tools since it’s directed towards the same target audience. The ease of competitors’ entry into Life Alert’s market segment is minimal as the company employs a profitable business model where users pay an initial set-up charge for the systems and the company generates revenues each month through subscription-based monitoring costs. The company also distributes medical alert system to more than 300 resellers and is one of the largest wholesale medical alarm distributors in the nation, with over 200,000 medical alert devices in service. The bracelet can be an adjunct to the existing portfolio and use the same monitoring system and distribution strategies in use. The business strategy also supports innovation and product development and at present only a couple companies offer a medical alarm with two-way voice. With an additional service such as the bracelet the company will be a step ahead of its competitors and can utilize its RD budget to support the new product. The company’s ability to customize services and marketing different price points for packages will allow customers to use the bracelet with other Life Alert products and services. The new product aligns well with the company’s organizational strategy and the same marketing strategy can be applied towards the Life Alert bracelet.

machiavelli Essay -- essays research papers

The Church accused Niccolo Machiavelli of being Satan for writing his book The Prince. Machiavelli completed The Prince in 1513. He wrote it as a gift to Lorenzo Medici, called the Magnificent, ruler of Florence. The political views Machiavelli expressed in his book went against the theology of the Church, specifically the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Machiavelli wrote to gain control of a principality one must be brutal. (I)f you are a prince in possession of a newly acquired state and deem it necessary. . . to annihilate those who can or must attack you. . . . , you must do so to protect your principality. He gave the example of Duke Valentino's slaying of his nobles to maintain order, saying if Valentino had not killed his men, Valentino would have lost power. The Bible strongly forbids the killing of anyone. The Sixth Commandment states You shall not murder. In what is known as the Beatitudes, from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the Bible also says those who are meek shall inherit the earth. A meek person certainly does not kill others for standing in his or her way like Machiavelli is suggesting to be done. Another verse from the Beatitudes says those who are peacemakers will be called sons of God. Peacemakers do not kill either. For Machiavelli to say if killing a person is for the betterment of your principality, then to do so went against God's rule and the Church's. True followers of the Church abide by the Church beliefs, because if you are not for God, ...

Organizing, Researching, and Illustrating your Material Essay

Step 1: Methods Observations: I would observe the individuals in different departments in their own work enviroments to see how they interact with each other and their clients on a day to day basis. I would do this in hopes to see where any and all issues or breakdowns in communication and work procedure and protocols are happening. I hope to have a better understanding of how each department works together after these observations and interviews. Interviews: I will would interview each employee personally, or in groups by department. Whichever I felt would get a better response from the employees. I would plan to explain to them the problems that have been brought to my attention and ask for their input into what they feel the biggest problems are and how they would solve them. Surveys: I would then have them fill out surveys followed by a question and answer session to try to get a personal feel to what is going on. Part 2A: Surveys Employees: Why do you feel some employees have resigned their positions here at Phoenix Advertising in recent months? I hope to find out what employee grievances are and how we as a company can create a better working environment for them. Are we satisfying our clients and what can be done to ensure satisfaction and return business of our clients? I hope to find out if the employees feel they are doing their best for our clients, working to their full ability, what is lacking, and what can be improved. Tell me about yourself and your position here at Phoenix Advertising. Who is the person that you report to when on an assignment? I want to learn what each person  believes their responsibilities are within the company and to whom they report. I also may find some other areas of concerns that have not yet been reported, such as a broken chain of command. 2. Clients: a. What services did you hire Phoenix advertising to do for you? Is there a service you wish we provided or would like to see in the future? Was the price what you expected for the outcome? i. I want to find out exactly what services we are providing most, and what is being offered most. And how our services compare to the prices our clients are paying for them. b. Are you satisfied with the Roanoke Branch staff and the services that have been provided to you on a scale from 0 to 10 (10 being the highest)? i. I want to find out if they are being treated the way they expect to from someone they are essentially paying to work for them. And if they feel like they are they receiving what was promised in their contracts with the company. c. What can we as a company, do better? Would you recommend our services to others? Why or why not? i. I want to know what is most important to our clients and where we need to improve. I also want to find out if our clients would tell others about us, because word of mouth is a great way to gain business, and if it is not I want to know what we can do to change it. Step 2 B: Letter to CEO of Roanoke Branch Phoenix Advertising ATTN: Roanoke Branch 2244 W. 177th Ave Suite 44C Roanoke VA 28135 Phone: (757) 455-2244 Dear Mr. Jonathan Willis: I am writing this letter to inform you that the company president of Phoenix Advertising, Mr. Gregory Forest is sending me to your branch to conduct an investigation into some recent customer complaints we have received. Mr. Forest was concerned after learning that several of our clients from your branch, have complained about the quality, or lack there of, of the work being produced by your advertising department. He is also particularly worried with the news that two of your top, long term, management employees have left the company within the last few months, along with receiving news of several other management and employee issues arising within you branch. For my visit, I am expecting that you to prepare various company documents, such as the company policy manuals you provide for your employees, any production manuals you may have, a list of your hiring and recruitment processes and management approaches, and all other company policies that you may have in place or that you pro vide to your employees. My hopes are that we can sit down together and go over them and try to find a solution to the problems at hand. Please make a copy of all of these available for when I arrive. I would also like to set a time to conduct an interview with some of your newer employees to see how they are being trained and some of your older employees in order to gather their views and opinions of these issues and any concerns they may have, so that we can form a solution to these problems and make your team stronger than ever. Your full support is crucial in resolving these possible problems that are happening in your branch, and more importantly, in coming up with the best solutions to ensure a better future at both your branch and within our company as a whole. I am looking forward to seeing you and your team soon. Thank you for your time and cooperation. Sincerely, Kirstin Krueger VP of Human Resource Management Step 2B – Problems and Illustration Problems: The Phoenix Advertising group is having problems with its employees both in terms of employee work ethic, and in employee morale and motivation. Because of this, a report is needed to find out the economic issues and any managerial issues there may be. Also to look at the relationship of these employees and their management. This report is intended to help the company understand the issues at the Roanoke branch and to find any solutions there may be in order to fix these issues for good. Facts and Causes: Background data: The company that is experiencing the problem is the Roanoke branch of the Phoenix Advertising company, located in Roanoke, Virginia. Phoenix, Advertising is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and has clients that include but are not limited to: banks, insurance companies and retail chains. My job as the Vice President for Human Resources Management at Phoenix Advertising, is to report to the company President. The visit to the Roanoke Branch is to learn the facts and causes of the issues and complaints that have been brought to our attention, and to find the right solutions to the problems and complaints so that these issues do not continue to arise in the future. Relative Information: The problem started when the company President learned that several of our clients have complained of the work performed in the Roanoke, Virginia branch. Every client is very important to the company’s overall success,, as clients are what drive our business. We also learned that two, long term employees and top management people have left the agency in the last few months. There are also other key people in the agency are threatening to leave due to other issues. The company president requires me, to conduct a personal inquiry of the situation. I need to determine and analyze the work condition of the branch. I will interview several, various employees, both new and old to determine the views and opinions of the employees of their  work environment. I will also look at various company documents, manuals, and all employee management training. Impact and Effect: The investigation into the Roanoke Branch of the Phoenix Advertising company showed that they are currently facing problems with both management and employee relations. The Roanoke management problems are significantly affecting their employee performance and work ethic. The overall quality and productivity of the branch is suffering. One of their main problems is the decreasing employee morale and motivation. This was easily observed and shown through the answers I received while conducting my interviews. The employees, both new and old showed a huge decrease in their dedication for their work, which resulted in the decline of the quality of their performance at work and the work they produced. The employees also associated this decline to the fact that they felt dissatisfaction with the services and the performances of their managers and the work environment that they were having to work in. The employees feel stress in their work environment which resulted in an increased rate of the use of sick days and was the main cause of the high employee turnover rate. A lack of or poor communication between the employees and the managers is also another problem raised during the my interviews. Solutions The problems discovered during my investigation have to be resolved, and soon, as this may negatively affect not only the Roanoke branch but Phoenix Advertising as a whole. We need to start by revising the hiring and recruitment process in the branch. Particularly on information relative to work assignments, chain of command, and the rights and privileges of the employees. This solution proposal will hopefully create a clear understanding of the purpose of having an employee, and allowing the superiors to use them accordingly based on their skills set, and responsibilities. As the investigator, I recommend the following solutions: Reducing the overall workload of our full-time employees and adding more  part-time employees to help them out, especially during peak seasons to lower employee tension and to even out the amount of work each individual has to do alone. Establishing a clear communication line between managers and employees. This will allow for a more productive workplace, better collaboration between the clients, artists, helpers and anyone else who is involved in the project. Creating a clearer procedural structure and requirements in future approvals of new clients and contracts, to be able to assure the capabilities of the overall company. By being able to provide a better quality product not just pumping out a higher quantity of products for the Roanoke branch and for the Phoenix Advertising company as a whole.

Statistics – Elements of a Test Hypothesis

Elements of a Test of Hypothesis 1. Null Hypothesis (H0 ) – A statement about the values of population parameters which we accept until proven false. 2. Alternative or Research Hypothesis (Ha )- A statement that contradicts the null hypothesis. It represents researcher’s claim about the population parameters. This will be accepted only when data provides su? cient evidence to establish its truth. 3. Test Statistic – A sample statistic (often a formula) that is used to decide whether to reject H0 . 4. Rejection Region- It consists of all values of the test statistic for which H0 is rejected.This rejection region is selected in such a way that the probability of rejecting true H0 is equal to ? (a small number usually 0. 05). The value of ? is referred to as the level of signi? cance of the test. 5. Assumptions – Statements about the population(s) being sampled. 6. Calculation of the test statistic and conclusion- Reject H0 if the calculated value of the test statistic falls in the rejection region. Otherwise, do not reject H0 . 7. P-value or signi? cance probability is de? ned as proportion of samples that would be unfavourable to H0 (assuming H0 is true) if the observed sample is considered unfavourable to H0 .If the p-value is smaller than ? , then reject H0 . Remark: 1. If you ? x ? = 0. 05 for your test, then you are allowed to reject true null hypothesis 5% of the time in repeated application of your test rule. 2. If the p-value of a test is 0. 20 (say) and you reject H0 then, under your test rule, at least 20% of the time you would reject true null hypothesis. 1. Large sample (n > 30) test for H0 :  µ =  µ0 (known). Z= x ?  µ0 ? ? v n Example. A study reported in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology investigated the relationship of employment status to mental health.Each of a sample of 49 unemployed men was given a mental health examination using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The GHQ is widely recognized measure of present mental health , with lower values indicating better mental health. The mean and standard deviation of the GHQ scores were x = 10. 94 and s = 5. 10, ? respectively. (a). Specify the appropriate null and alternative hypothesis if we wish to test the research hypothesis that the mean GHQ score for all unemployed men exceeds 10. Is the test one-tailed or two-tailed? (b). If we specify ? = 0. 05, what is the appropriate rejection region for this test? c). Conduct the test, and state your conclusion clearly in the language of this exercise. Find the p-value of the test. (Ans. H0 :  µ = 10; Ha :  µ > 10; One-tailed test; Rejection region: Z > 1. 645; Test score: Z = 1. 29; Do not reject H0 , GHQ score does not exceeds 10; p-value = 0. 0985) Example. A consumer protection group is concerned that a ketchup manufacturer is ? lling its 20-ounce family-size containers with less than 20 ounces of ketchup. The group purchases 49 family-size bottles of this ketch up, weigh the contents of each, and ? nds that the mean weight is 19. 6 ounces, and the standard deviation is equal to 0. 22 ounces. (a). Do the data provide su? cient evidence for the consumer group to conclude that the mean ? ll per family-size bottle is les than 20 ounces? Test using ? = 0. 05. (b). Find the p-value of the your test in part (a). (Ans. H0 : = 20; Ha : < 20; Rejection Region is Z < ? 1. 645 (one-tailed test); test score Z = ? 4. 45; Reject H0 at ? = 0. 05, su? cient evidence to say that the mean ? ll per family-size bottle is less than 20 ounces; p-value = 0) Example. State University uses thousands of ? uorescent light bulbs each year.The brand of bulb it currently uses has a mean life of 900 hours. A manufacturer claims that its new brands of bulbs, which cost the same as the brand the university currently uses, has a mean life of more than 900 hours. The university has decided to purchase the new brand if, when tested, the test evidence supports the manufacturer ’s claim at the . 10 signi? cance level. Suppose 99 bulbs were tested with the following results: x = 919 hours, s = 86 hours. Find the rejection region for the test of interest to the State University. ? (Ans. Rejection Region: Z > 1. 28) 1 . Small sample (n ? 30) test for H0 :  µ =  µ0 (known). t= This test requires that the sampled population is normal. x ?  µ0 ? s v n Example. A random sample of n observations is selected from a normal population to test the null hypothesis that  µ = 10. Specify the rejection region for each of the following combinations of Ha , ? , and n. (a). Ha :  µ = 10, ? = 0. 01, n = 14. (Ans. t < ? 3. 012, or t > 3. 012) (b). Ha :  µ < 10, ? = 0. 025, n = 26. (Ans. t < ? 2. 06) Example. According to advertisements, a strain of soybeans planted on soil prepared with a speci? d fertilizer treatment has a mean yield of 475 bushels per acre. Twenty farmers who belong to a cooperative plant the soybeans. Each uses a 40-acre plot and records the mean yield per acre. The mean and variance for the sample of 20 farms are x = 462 and s2 = 9070. ? Specify the null and alternative hypothesis used to determine if the mean yield for the soybeans is di? erent than advertised. (Ans. H0 :  µ = 475; Ha :  µ = 475) Example. A psychologist was interested in knowing whether male heroin addicts’ assessments of self-worth di? er from those of the general male population.On a test designed to measure assessment of self-worth, the mean score for males from the general population was found to be equal to 48. 6. A random sample of 25 scores achieved by heroin addicts yielded a mean of 44. 1 and a standard deviation of 6. 2. Do the data indicate a di? erence in assessment of self-worth between male heroin addicts and general male population? Test using ? = 0. 01. (Ans. H0 :  µ = 48. 6; Ha :  µ = 48. 6; Test score t = ? 3. 63 Rejection Region: t > 2. 797, or t < ? 2. 797 (two-tailed test); Observed t-score falls in the rejectio n region. Reject H0 at ? = 0. 1. Data indicate a di? erence in assessment of self-worth between male heroin addicts and general male population) 3. Large sample test for H0 : p = p0 (known). Z= p ? p0 ? p0 (1? p0 ) n For this test, sample size is considered large if p0  ± 3 p0 (1? p0 ) n falls between 0 and 1. Example. The National Science Foundation, in a survey of 2,237 engineering graduate students who earned their Ph. D. degrees, found that 607 were U. S. citizens; the majority (1,630) of the Ph. D degrees were awarded to foreign nationals. Conduct a test to determine whether the true percentage of engineering Ph.D. degrees awarded to foreign nationals exceeds 50%. Use ? = 0. 01. (Ans. H0 : p = 0. 5; Ha : p > 0. 5; Test score Z = 21. 63; Rejection region; Z > 2. 33 (one tailed test) Reject H0 at ? = 0. 01. True percentage p exceeds 50%. p-value = 0) Example. The business college computing center wants to determine the proportion of business students who have personal computers (PC’s) at home. If the proportion exceeds 30 percent, then the lab will scale back a proposed enlargement of its facilities. Suppose 250 business students were randomly sampled and 85 have personal computers at home.Conduct a test to see if the scale back of the proposed enlargement of its facilities is needed. Use ? = 0. 05. (Ans. H0 : p = . 3; Ha : p > 0. 3; Large sample z-test for proportion; test score: Z = 1. 38; Rejection region; Z > 1. 645; Do not reject H0 at ? = 0. 05. Scale back of the proposed enlargement of its facilities is not needed) 2 Example. A method currently used by doctors to screen women for possible breast cancer fails to detect cancer in 15% of the women who actually have the disease. A new method has been developed that researchers hope will be able to detect cancer more accurately.A random sample of 70 women known to have breast cancer were screened using the new method. Of these, the new method failed to detect cancer in six. Specify the null and a lternative hypothesis that the researchers wish to test. Calculate the test statistic, determine the rejection region if ? = 0. 05, ? nd the p-value, and state the conclusion clearly in the language of this exercise. (Ans. H0 : p = 0. 15; Ha : p < 0. 15; Test score: Z = ? 1. 51; Rejection Region: Z < ? 1. 645; Do not reject H0 ; Insu? cient evidence to conclude that the new method is more accurate than the one currently used. -value= p(Z < ? 1. 51) = 0. 5 ? 0. 4345 = 0. 0655) Example. The Midwest Organization of Retired Oncologists and Neurologists (M. O. R. O. N. ) has recently taken ? ack from some of its members regarding the poor choice of the organization’s name. The association bylaws require that more than 60% of the organization must approve a name change. Rather than convene a meeting, it is ? rst desired to use a sample to determine if a meeting is necessary. A random sample of 60 of M. O. R. O. N. ’s members were asked if they want M. O. R. O. N. to change i ts name. Forty-? ve of the respondent’s said †yes. Find the p-value for the desired test of hypothesis. (Ans. p-value= p(Z > 2. 37) = 0. 0089) Example. Increasing numbers of businesses are o? ering child-care bene? ts for their workers. However, one union claims that more than 80% of ? rms in the manufacturing sector still do not o? er any child-care bene? ts to their workers. A random sample of 480 manufacturing ? rms is selected, and only 27 of them o? er child-care bene? ts. Specify the rejection region that the union will use when testing at alpha = . 05. (Ans. Ha : p > 0. 8; Rejection region: Z > 1. 645) 3

The Art Essay example

The Art Essay example The Art Essay example 16 MARKETING AN INTRODUCTION Armstrong/Kotler Sustainable Marketing Social Responsibility and Ethics Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Chapter Outline Sustainable Marketing Social Criticisms of Marketing Consumer Actions to Promote Sustainable Marketing Business Actions Toward Sustainable Marketing Marketing Ethics The Sustainable Company 16 - 2 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 1. Sustainable Marketing Sustainable marketing is socially and environmentally responsible marketing that meets the present needs of consumers and businesses while also preserving or enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. 16 - 3 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 1. Sustainable Marketing 14 - 4 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 2. Social Criticisms of Marketing - Marketing’s Impact on Individual Consumers High prices Deceptive practices High-pressure selling Shoddy, harmful, or unsafe products Planned obsolescence Poor service to disadvantaged consumers 14- 5 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 2. Social Criticisms of Marketing False wants and too much materialism Too few social goods Cultural pollution Acquisitions Creating barriers to entry Unfair competitive marketing practices Marketing’s Impact on society Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall Marketing’s Impact on other businesses 14- 6 3. Consumer Actions to Promote Sustainable Marketing Consumerism is an organized movement of citizens and government agencies to improve the rights and power of buyers in relation to sellers. 14 - 7 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 3. Consumer Actions to Promote Sustainable Marketing – Seller’s Rights The right to introduce any product provided it is not hazardous, or if it is, to include warnings The right to charge any price for the product, provided no discrimination exists The right to spend any amount to promote the product, provided it is not defined as unfair competition The right to use any product message, provided it is not misleading or dishonest The right to use any buying incentive programs, provided they are not unfair or misleading 14- 8 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 3. Consumer Actions to Promote Sustainable Marketing – Buyer’s Rights Traditional Buyer’s Rights The right not to buy a product that is offered for sale Additional Consumer Rights The right to be well informed about important aspects of the product. The right to be protected against questionable products and marketing practices The right to influence products and marketing practices in ways that will improve the â€Å"quality of life† The right to consume now in a way that will preserve the world for future generations of consumers 14- 9 The right to expect the product to be safe The right to expect the product to perform as claimed 3. Consumer Actions to Promote Sustainable Marketing Environmentalism is an organized movement of concerned citizens and government agencies to protect and improve people’s current and future living environment. 14 - 10 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall The Environmental Sustainability Portfolio 14 - 11 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4. Business Actions Toward Sustainable Marketing - Sustainable Marketing Principles Consumeroriented marketing Customervalue marketing Innovative marketing Sense-ofmission marketing Societal marketing 14- 12 Copyright  © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall - Sustainable Marketing Principles a) Consumer-oriented marketing is the philosophy of sustainable marketing that

Beowolf - The Epic Poem Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays

Beowolf - The Epic Poem Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays Beowolf - The Epic Poem The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he "lost" a simple swimming match with his youthful opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's death, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster's neck with a Giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with ease, but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Herot mead-hall. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's heroism. Another heroic trait of Beowulf is his ability to put his peoples welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had served his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible dragon who is frightening all of his people. Beowulf is old and tired but he defeats the dragon in order to protect his people. Even in death he wished so secure safety for the Geats so a tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people find there way back from sea. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must! (18)" He is aware of the heroic paradox; he will be glorified in life or death for his actions. He knows that when he fights an enemy like Grendel or Grendel's mother he will achieve immortality as the victor or the loser. "When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendel's fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death! (22)" Even with the enormous amount of confidence Beowulf possesses, he underezds that Fate or Wyrd will work its magic no matter what and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing no fear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome. Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. His bravery and strength surpass all mortal men; loyalty and the ability to think of himself last makes him reveared by all. Beowulf came openly and wholeheartedly to help the Danes which was an unusual occurrence in a time of war and wide-spread fear. He set a noble example for all human beings relaying the necessity of brotherhood and

University of Puget Sound Admissions and Admit Rate

University of Puget Sound Admissions and Admit Rate Admission to the University of Puget Sound is not highly selective. In 2016, the university had a 79 percent acceptance rate. Successful applicants tend to have high school GPAs above a B and above average standardized test scores (note, however, that ACT and SAT scores are optional).   application, those interested in the University of Puget Sound will need to send in official high school transcripts, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation. For complete information and guidelines about applying, be sure to visit the University of Puget Sounds website, or get in touch with the admissions office. Will You Get In? Calculate Your Chances of Getting In  with this free tool from Cappex Admissions Data (2016) University of Puget Sound Acceptance Rate: 79 percentGPA, SAT and ACT graph for Puget SoundWhat these SAT numbers meanTop Washington colleges SAT comparisonWhat these ACT numbers meanTop Washington colleges ACT comparison University of Puget Sound Description The University of Puget Sound is grounded in a strong liberal arts curriculum that has earned the college a chapter of the prestigious  Phi Beta Kappa  Honor Society. The University of Puget Sound can boast of an 13 to 1  student / faculty ratio. The school is located in Tacoma, Washington, so students have easy access to the cultural and social opportunities of the city, as well as proximity to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Students come from 46 states and 8 countries, and on the financial front, the great majority of students receive grant aid. Student life is active with over 100 clubs and organizations, and 23 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 2,791  (2,508 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 40  percent male / 60 percent female99 percent full-time Costs (2016  - 17) Tuition and Fees: $46,552Books: $1,000 (why so much?)Room and Board: $11,800Other Expenses: $2,300Total Cost: $61,652 University of Puget Sound Financial Aid (2015  - 16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100 percentPercentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 99 percentLoans: 45 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $19,322Loans: $8,660 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors:  Art, Biology, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Economics, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology What major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation, Retention and Transfer Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 86 percentTransfer Out Rate: 16 percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 70 percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 80 percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports:  Basketball, Crew, Football, Swimming, Cross Country, Tennis, BaseballWomens Sports:  Lacrosse, Softball, Volleyball, Swimming, Golf, Crew, Track and Field Data Source National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like University of Puget Sound, You May Also Like These Schools Reed College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWhitman College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Washington: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphGonzaga University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSanta Clara University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWhitworth University: Profile  Stanford University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphLewis Clark College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSeattle University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Portland: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWashington State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph

Marketing transportation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Marketing transportation - Essay Example One way that firms can save is through the reduction of plastic bags, as they have a detrimental effect on the environment. One strategy that a firm could use is to encourage recycling among its customers. The benefits would be mutual is this instance because both parties would be helping to contribute. 12. Carrier tariffs and classification go a long way to improving the performance of logistics systems. This is because a packing firm must try to take advantage of equipment’s weight and volume capabilities. Also, there is less chance of products being damaged because of the way the goods are packed in. 18. Of the 10 materials handling principles in this chapter, the two that are the most surprising to me is the ergonomics principle and the environmental principle. For the first one, I would have thought that machines would have been in charge of this process and not human workers. For the second principle, I would have thought that the fast and most efficient systems would be used and not the most environmentally-friendly. 2. The most obvious difference between a fragmented logistics structure and a unified logistics structure is that the former involves logistics being managed across multiple departments, whereas a unified logistics structure only uses one department. One downside to a fragmented logistics structure is that logistics activities are organized by individual departments based on their own needs rather than those of the firm. On the other hand, a unified logistics structure has more cooperation through an organization. 5. Relevancy focuses on satisfying current and future customer needs, and this is done through mutually beneficial relationships. Responsiveness shows how an organization reacts to an unexpected or unplanned change. For this one, it is important that the key players in an organization are given correct information from which to base decisions from. Flexibility is a mix

LAND LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

LAND LAW - Essay Example e possession or enjoyment had been carried back as far as living memory would go, that a grant had once existed which had since been lost.’ A presumption of lawful grant can be made either at common law, by lost modern grant or under the Prescription Act 1832. Claims are usually made under all three methods2. When applying the doctrine of prescription at common law, such an easement is only presumed where the appropriate user has existed from time immemorial. The limit of legal memory for this presumption was usage from 1189 but as it is normally impossible to supply actual proof dating this far back it has been commonly accepted on the basis of evidence as a long user3. The difficulty with this is that such a presumption can be rebutted as occurred in Hubert v Dale [1909]4 where the plaintiff was able to show that the right claimed had not existed or could not have existed since 1189. Due to the difficulties with the common law approach to prescription and the possibilities of rebuttal the principal of lost modern grant was formed. Under this heading there is a presumption that if the user has used the easement for a period of 20 years that the deed of grant to use the land has been lost. This makes the presumption that a lawful grant was previously in existence and therefore the user should be entitled to continue using the land in the manner he has been doing. The case of Tehidy Minerals Ltd v Norman [1971]5 settled that the presumption cannot be rebutted even by direct evidence that no grant was ever made. If another explanation for the user is equally possible, than a grant should not be presumed6. It was decided in Neaverson v Peterborough RDC [1902]7 that the presumption can be rebutted if it can be established that no lawful grant could have been made at any relevant time. The Prescription Act 1832 gives rights to subsequent purchasers of the land. Section 2 of the Act takes the view that if a user has enjoyed the right without interruption for 20

Just-in-Time Planning at Mutual Insurance Company of Iowa Case Study

Just-in-Time Planning at Mutual Insurance Company of Iowa - Case Study Example Its image could also be affected in the negative light and bring a halt to the current growing demands for its products as new customers shopping around for insurance products will opt for firms with a good of reputation in terms of faster processing of claims. Resources are overstretched and the company could end up losing new and existing business. Looking at the case at the case even without the advice of consultants or experts a number of assumptions can be made about the company’s personnel and equipment situation. Firstly the company and particularly the Des Moines facility for claim processing is facing human resources crisis. The increase in number of claims flowing in on a daily basis means increased amount of work for the same number of employees. One solution thus is the company to hire more personnel to meet the demands of growing workload. The inventory handling capacity should also increase in terms of equipment; the current equipments were not bought in anticipation of the workload the company is getting today. A permanent solution to this would be to get more modern equipment with a capacity to handle more work and also the facility should be expanded commensurately. The company is also faced with challenges surrounding administrative and workflow management. Claim documents have to pass through the hands of different persons for approval before a customer gets a verdict. The net effect of this is a lot of time taken to process just a single claim and also many people doing just the same work. Precisely this could be causing duplication of effort and therefore under-optimisation. The solution approach taken by Cook of streamlining workflow process and cross training employees will eliminate these problems as just the same employees will be capable of handling different types of duties. To help in restructuring the entire process of processing claims, Cook has established a taskforce and also outsourced an external

Fair park historic site Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fair park historic site - Essay Example The alteration of the facility from its initial appearance to the present day one was done in an effort to make it attractive during the six months long exposition. These buildings still exist to date, which serves as an art decoration of the complex. During the 1936 exposition, the complex attracted millions of visitors. The complex got its name after the initial owners, Fair Association, who lost the facility through fire and financial loss in 1904 (Walker, 168). After this loss, it was voted that the facility be maintained and protected against the real estate developers, eventually becoming the second public park in Dallas (Collins, 187). Having initially started on an 80-acre piece of land, the complex has been increased in size, due to its relevance to the current 227 acre size. Today, the facility attracts over and above seven million visitors every year.The administration of the park is under Dallas park department, which it obtained in 1988, after the complex was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986 (Mark, 82). A lot of resources have been used to develop, maintain and renovate the facility since its establishment. However, in the light of its relevance in bringing in millions of visitors every year, the investment is worth it. ... on of the entrance gate to their look as at back 1936, the reconstruction of the monumental sculptures, renovations of the Hall of state and the Aquarium as well as the inclusion of a green space (Walker, 122). There is an additional construction of the Summer Place Park that is to be opened later this year (Collins, 156). This complex has influenced the nature of surrounding estates construction, with most of them being developed to match the aesthetic value of the complex. The buildings in this complex have emerged to be the busiest, with many annual and seasonal performances taking place here. The Fair Park site has become the most popular public spaces in the USA, with millions of visits every year (Walker, 118). The facilities in this complex, for example the Hall of State, were some of the most expensive building of its time in the whole of Texas. Its decor was an art work of international, regional and national artists. This has given it the most of all magnificent looks (Mark , 10). The facilities that the complex is a home to include; the Esplanade, Hall of state. Parry Avenue Entrance, the women’s museum, the D.A.R building, Museum of the American railroad and the Tower building. The annual festivity that takes place in this complex attracts millions of visitors (Walker, 118). These festivities include: The annual state fair of Texas lasting for 24 days, which is the largest state fair in the USA, by annual attendance since 1886 (Collins, 121). The fair hit a record six million plus in 1936, a historic attendance that is unique to this complex only as per those dates. The annual festivity runs from every last Friday of September each year to the third Sunday of October. The other annual festival is the North Irish festival, the largest of all Irish festivals

Ulysses Grant and His diplomatic achievements in Civil War Essay

Ulysses Grant and His diplomatic achievements in Civil War - Essay Example It is at this civil war that Ulysses Grant emerged as one of the most successful war commanders of his time after he prevented the secession from taking place. He would later become elected as the 18th president of the United States of America. Ulysses began his career in military action by first serving as a cadet after enrolling at West Point Military Academy at the age of 17 years. After graduation from the military academy, where he emerged at number 21 out of 39 cadets, Grant went on to serve in the American Mexican war. Being under generals such as Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, Grant was able to learn the strategies of war. He retired from active service in 1854, and was working at his father’s tannery as a clerk, when the civil war began. Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, he had to change his name due to a clerical error when at the military academy in West Point. According to Bunting and Schlesinger (2004), Grant grew up under easy discipline and devoted attention (p10). Therefore, it was not hard for him to adapt to the demands of military action. His parents were rather opposites in opinions, with his father Jesse praising the young boy at every opportunity he had while his mother Hannah, was an unbeliever in praise (Bunting and Schlessinger 10). His boyhood and education was conventional at the time (Bunting and Schlessinger 11). ... st Point but his wedding had to delay due to the threat of war with Mexico, which he later took part in unknowing that this would be an important phase of his career as a soldier. His performance in the war was exemplary, and lead to his promotion to first lieutenant due to his bravery. He played a huge part in the capture of Mexico City and his experience at this Mexico-American war would later come as an advantage to him during the civil war (Hickman Para 3). The Civil War The civil war began in 1861 when Grant was serving in his father’s tannery, and this offered him the chance he was so much willing to take- that of getting back to military action. In 1852, Grant had been stationed in Fort Vancouver, a place he considered lonely and could not take his family with him. Due to this, he started drinking heavily, and was charged for it though no formal evidence emerged. He later had to resign to avoid getting the boot. On coming back to the civil war, Grant served in the union army that was seeking to end the confederates reign. At the union army, Grant began as a trainer for the new recruits in the army and was promoted to colonel in June 1861, where Major General Fremont later appointed him as commander of the district of Cairo in Illinois. President Lincoln would later appoint him as Brigadier General of the army after serving for the adjutant in Illinois. His diplomatic achievements would start early on in his career as a civil war soldier, where after training the new recruits as commissioned by Governor Yates, he was successful in convincing congressman Elihu B Washburn to appoint him as colonel (Patterson et al 150). His colonel duty saw him lead the Illinois infantry a largely unruly unit, but was able to reform the unit into the best fighting unit in the

Fair park historic site Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fair park historic site - Essay Example The alteration of the facility from its initial appearance to the present day one was done in an effort to make it attractive during the six months long exposition. These buildings still exist to date, which serves as an art decoration of the complex. During the 1936 exposition, the complex attracted millions of visitors. The complex got its name after the initial owners, Fair Association, who lost the facility through fire and financial loss in 1904 (Walker, 168). After this loss, it was voted that the facility be maintained and protected against the real estate developers, eventually becoming the second public park in Dallas (Collins, 187). Having initially started on an 80-acre piece of land, the complex has been increased in size, due to its relevance to the current 227 acre size. Today, the facility attracts over and above seven million visitors every year.The administration of the park is under Dallas park department, which it obtained in 1988, after the complex was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986 (Mark, 82). A lot of resources have been used to develop, maintain and renovate the facility since its establishment. However, in the light of its relevance in bringing in millions of visitors every year, the investment is worth it. ... on of the entrance gate to their look as at back 1936, the reconstruction of the monumental sculptures, renovations of the Hall of state and the Aquarium as well as the inclusion of a green space (Walker, 122). There is an additional construction of the Summer Place Park that is to be opened later this year (Collins, 156). This complex has influenced the nature of surrounding estates construction, with most of them being developed to match the aesthetic value of the complex. The buildings in this complex have emerged to be the busiest, with many annual and seasonal performances taking place here. The Fair Park site has become the most popular public spaces in the USA, with millions of visits every year (Walker, 118). The facilities in this complex, for example the Hall of State, were some of the most expensive building of its time in the whole of Texas. Its decor was an art work of international, regional and national artists. This has given it the most of all magnificent looks (Mark , 10). The facilities that the complex is a home to include; the Esplanade, Hall of state. Parry Avenue Entrance, the women’s museum, the D.A.R building, Museum of the American railroad and the Tower building. The annual festivity that takes place in this complex attracts millions of visitors (Walker, 118). These festivities include: The annual state fair of Texas lasting for 24 days, which is the largest state fair in the USA, by annual attendance since 1886 (Collins, 121). The fair hit a record six million plus in 1936, a historic attendance that is unique to this complex only as per those dates. The annual festivity runs from every last Friday of September each year to the third Sunday of October. The other annual festival is the North Irish festival, the largest of all Irish festivals

Market and Transport Revolution in the United States Essay

Market and Transport Revolution in the United States - Essay Example A group of Americans statesmen came up with a vision of implementing a national economic policy that enhanced the growth of the economy referred to as the â€Å"American system.† This paper aims at responding to the changes in the transport and market revolution in the United States of America; with direct relation to their contribution in the growth of the country. Considering â€Å"market revolution,† the expansion of the market place occurred in the nineteenth century giving way to infrastructural growth that promoted business growth in the United States. Construction of new roads and canals to join distant communities together for the first time came into effect. Resultant transport development, â€Å"inspired by the success of the Erie Canal where the States poured millions of dollars into the transportation networks† spurred the national growth economically (Cobbs-Hoffman and Gjerde, 232). This opened up the interior areas to the other parts and led to move ment of goods promoting development in the areas. The market revolution attributed with new roads and canal development can be said to have opened up business with other distant markets enhancing more earnings that were used in the economic development of the rural areas. â€Å"The invention of steam power saw the transport means improve a notch higher as steam boats and railroads were introduced† (Cobbs-Hoffman and Gjerde, 231). ... ar that, with the harnessing of steam power, improved transportation modes were realized and resulted to greater development in the transport industry; thus, promoting the business sector. Improved business relates directly to economic growth of a region and this saw the consequential advancement of the United States of America. â€Å"Technology advancement and improved business practice progressed well with the market and transport growth consolidating the market and building the economy progressively† (Cobbs-Hoffman and Gjerde, 248). Market development meant increased business activities which benefited a lot from the improvement of transport channels and effective market. This not only increased new market ventures, but also opened up far and new market places; thus, increasing output consumption leading to growth in the relevant sectors of economy. â€Å"Infrastructure development is of much essence in comparison to labor practices and business activities† (Cobbs-Ho ffman and Gjerde, 248). This portrays high level of attachment the changes that occurred in the transport industry ensued and made crucial impact in the business and employment sectors. With business thrive; the economy of any state is geared towards considerable and substantial growth. The changes experienced in transport laid a foundation for market revolution that brought about a permanent change in the daily activities of the American people. For example, with improved transport, â€Å"farmers could get their produce to the market at shorter times; workers got to work early or using considerably shorter periods† (Cobbs-Hoffman and Gjerde, 231). This in turn, contributed to a large extent, â€Å"in the changing of the economic landscape of the United States† (Cobbs-Hoffman and Gjerde, 232). With increased

Surgical quality improvement Essay Example for Free

Surgical quality improvement Essay Through a review of blood utilization in the surgical units, the administrative manager of clinical operations for a large hospital noted what she believed to be a significant variation in the number of transfusion orders being placed per surgical case among the surgeons on staff. She brought the question to the surgical quality improvement committee, and the committee initiated a review of current standard practice for ordering transfusions within the surgical units of the hospital and also a review of best practices as supported by current research evidence. They discovered that the evidence from transfusion research revealed that transfusion therapy can result in a variety of adverse patient outcomes, including the transmission of infection diseases and allergic reactions. As a result, the hospital medical staff moved to adopt as its general â€Å"best practice† for transfusion ordering: a minimum hemoglobin concentration of 7g/dL (21% hematocrit) as an indication for red cell transfusions and a 10g/dL hemoglobin concentration (30% hematocrit) as a level at which transfusion therapy usually is unnecessary. After the approved â€Å"best practice† guideline was introduced to the medical staff, a blood utilization dashboard was developed that helps responsible clinical managers identify at the physician level when transfusion orders are placed contrary to the guideline. Having this information available enables the clinical manager to address the issue on a unit or with the individual physician involved. Use of this dashboard has resulted in significant reduction in the variation in transfusion ordering practices among the medical staff and a significant reduction in blood utilization, which equates to a significant reduction in costs of maintaining the blood supply, and an improvement in patient outcomes. Questions: 1. What data elements must be accessed from the clinical data repository to drive the blood utilization dashboard? Explain. 2. What clinical data systems might this data come from? Explain. Support your answers from the text, supplemental readings, and any other applicable resources. APA Page Setup: Pages should be set with 1-inch margins. Font should be 12-point Times New Roman. Lines should be doubled-spaced throughout the document, without extra spaces at the top or bottom of the page or between paragraphs or sections. A complete document includes a title page, an abstract (if the instructor requires it), the body of the paper, a reference list, and appendices (if indicated). The paper should be 1 to 2 pages in length, not including cover page. Latour, K. M., Maki, S. E., Oachs, P. A. (2013). Health information management: Concepts, principles, and practice (4th ed.). Chicago: AHIMA Press.

Renault Nissan The Paradoxical Alliance Marketing Essay

Renault Nissan The Paradoxical Alliance Marketing Essay Individual Essay Contrary to common belief recent research suggests that, most often it is not poor strategic that causes mergers and acquisitions or alliances to fail but poor implementation. Common mistake can be identify in, for instance: lack of trust and communication, insensitive management, power struggles, slow execution or a leadership void following the deal. In this assay we will explain the points that have made what on the beginning was announced as a marriage of desperation is now considering one of the most successful alliance. The most fundamental challenge of any alliance or merger is cultural: if only one does not believe that something can be learned from new partners, the venture is doomed to fail said Carlos Ghosn. Renault-Nissan gave attention of the cultural people aspect, in fact Ghosn (Nissan and Renault CEO) created a specialize team combine both nationality together, in addition they chose a common language (English) and a common vocabulary, for some misleading words, with the purpose to avoid misunderstanding. A drive change, for the company has been the transparent valour and the strong leadership of the CEO; in addition a common vision, based on the Nissan Revival Plan, with the main purpose to be profitable in only three years, that has given a common point to reach for both the companies and what it is more the perfect goals to achieve. In this way, Ghosn had reinforced the value inherent in the organizations view and expressive a clear and appealing vision, such as using expressive, strong form of communication, show strong self-confidence and self-assurance in the attainment of the vision. Moreover, they transferred high expectations to the group and confidence in their abilities, showed role-modelling behaviours that emphasized and reinforced the values inherent in the vision and in this way empowering people to achieve the vision. From my point of view since the first meeting they create an alliance based on partnership and trust, rather than power and domination. The two companies utilize common synergies in numerous areas, apart from sharing the platforms on which vehicles are built; they also exchange research and technological innovation (transmission engineering, fuel and cell research, and state-of-the-art engines). In order to facilitate coordination and improve performance, they create a cross-cultural teams and functional task team, in fact some employee were working on the same time in Renault-Nissan alliance even though they continue to stay in their original company. Another important aspect is that the Renault-Nissan alliances have joining together people of various national cultures and different corporate society into one company. Moreover, the leader had capitalized on the cultural differences between employees and he minimized firstly the stereotype and secondly the psychological distances between them. Furthermore the company since the beginning invested a lot of money for training 1500 Renault employee about the Japanese culture and 400 Nissan staffs about the French culture. This one the first good step for create a cross-cultural alliance, studying the opposite company culture, habit and background, both Japanese and French could understand better the opposite point of view, in order to avoid misunderstanding and play together for a common plan. When Carlos Ghosh arrived to Nissan, he plan to cut 21,000 jobs (from 147,000 to 148,000) by March 2003, so basically in three years, in addition he closed five factories and interrupted the historical supplier rapport with the Keiretzu. He did all of these actions in order to give a strong signal to the company and reduce to the minimum redundancy and cost. Another important aspect that Carlos completely change was the management process, before he came to Nissan a younger employee could not managing and old colleague because of the age and the seniority, in fact promotion were related to the sonority of the employee. He creates a completely new promotion rules, based strictly on performance, without any relation between ages of the employee. In this way he creates common rules between the two companies and on the other hand he motivates young and not members of the team to work hard. This was completely different from the Japanese culture, but after a while, when the Japanese emplo yee understood the benefits of this action, it was easier for them accepted and gave them also, a huge motivation, because of the egalitarian style. Moreover, he established nine cross-functional teams; each was led by two executive members and headed by a pilot. Further, team members were selected by the leaders and the pilot. The purpose was to create a cross functional and international team, in order to share competencies, experiences and see the company as whole together. Moreover, Carlos Ghosn in 2001 hired a high-profile female Japanese executive for heading Nissan communication department; in fact she was the first woman to lead an important function inside the company. This new person did not create any contrast inside the company, because of the new mentality that step by step the CEO was trying to build inside the Nissan-Renault company. In the past, in Japanese culture an act likes that could create problems or just loose of power from the manager, but because of the lon g training and the new cross-cultural vision, what in the past would be a conflict, now it is a new benefit. Undoubtedly, there were some radical cultural differences between the two companies, Japanese culture is more collectivistic, as oppose to the French one that on the workplace is more individualistic. This two particular aspect of cross-cultural were explained by Hofstede before and Trompenaars later, even if with some differences. As a matter of fact, the former conceptualize the differences between individualism and collectivism as general differences between cultures. The author point out that on a scale of 50 different countries, with values between 91 and 6, the IDV value for France people are 71 so pretty high, as oppose to the Japanese with only 41, which show a more collectivistic culture instead on individualistic. The latter, on the other hand emphasis more frequent reference to managerial implication, even though the general sense is really close to what Hofstede set out. This last aspect can be a practical point that Renault and Nissan managers and employee had studied du ring the first months training, with the purpose to avoid problems inside the cross cultural team and colleagues indeed. Moreover, Hofstede explained the different point of view that some countries have about masculinity and femininity, in fact based on the authors fourth dimension, he underlined that the Japanese country is the first country for masculinity, such as competiveness and performance, with a score of 95 out of 5 and France only 45 out of 5, definitely with more femininity values, for instance relationship and a concern for the quality of life. This shows a huge difference between the two countries, but due to the high Japanese masculinity, for Carlos Ghosn (Renault-Nissan CEO) was the perfect synergy, in fact Nissan employees found a strong new management, which gave to the alliance new rules, with a continue demand of high performance and even more hard competiveness than before, because more egalitarian. On the other hand, we can find in Hofstede also same synergy; the first one is with the power distance, in fact following the author research France (68/104) is slightly more hierarchical than Japan (54/104) which is more equalitarian, even though the substantial difference with the two countries is really minimal. The second possible common point is with the last Hofstede dimension the uncertainty avoidance, where both countries show a closer score (92/112 France and 86/112 Japan), which underline a predisposition for the roles; which definitely prove an important aspect for a strong alliance. As Trompenaars and Hampden -Turner (1997, Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business) identified and analyzed seven different dimension, one in particular is the neutral/emotional dimension, where they describe the cultural contrast between countries where emotions are masked and others where emotions are exhibit openly, also inside a business situation. Moreover, the two authors emphasis the cultural differences between south European and Japan, the former in general tend to exhibit without any separation between emotion and reasoning. The latter, on the other hand, demonstrate that the 74% of Japanese do not want to express inside a workplace strong emotions. The points just mention above are absolutely a cultural difference, which can create discontent and fracture inside a new alliance, if the respective company do not know that it is more a behavioural aspect rather than a value in itself. Furthermore, Trompenaars and Hampden -Turner also wrote about the role of societal culture at the organization level, believing that corporate culture is shaped not only by technologies and market but by the cultural preferences of leaders and employees. This is another important point that links the two authors with the new Nissan-Renault vision. A common aspect that both Hofstede and Trompeenars mention in their studied is the negotiation aspect, in some cases if the two parts do not know the opposite habit respect the understanding and agreement phases, these can create some misunderstanding and emphasis the difference between a Middle East country and European or Western Countries (USA). Indeed, during Renault- Nissan negotiation the two CEO (at that time were Schweitzer and Hanawa) met dozen times, with the purpose to learn, trust and understand each other and in this way imagine a future alliance between their companies. Therefore, the second step was to put together for six months (before the alliance) some of the top executives, with the aim of forging a formal alliance between the companies. After that Schweitzer and Hanawa chose 100 engineers and managers from both companies to work together, with the intent to joint team study and without any formal objective and free from cultural stereotypes. Both companies have i nvested time, resources and money for a long period negotiation with the purpose to discover the possible synergies without pay attention to the economical aspect. According to Schwartz researches, the two core bipolar dimensions identified were: Self-transcendence/ self- enhancement and Conservatism and Openness to change, the last one is the first link for the two companies, in fact, even though in different way, both have been opened to change. Nissan had completely changed management structure, part of the company vision and it become more transparent and communicative; on the other hand, Renault brought to Nissan important key people (CEO C.Ghosn, product development P. Pelata and finance T. Moulonguet), in order to give to the alliance strong brick for the companys revival. Moreover, both companies since the beginning have been opened to share engineers, idea and platforms. The second point correlated with Schwartz (2000) studies is with the three indices and in particular with Mastery and Harmony, where according to the authors research the Japanese culture appear more focus for control and change the natural and social environment. On the Renault- Nissan alliance this has not been a problem, because of the common vision focusing to restore Nissans company. According to Hall (1990) search he point out in his model the difference between high and low context societies. In the high context societies are often stress the importance of establishes good social relations based on trust and respect, this is an useful link with the point already mention before about the negation period coped with the two associates. Further, Hall identify three distinct categories: High- context, Medium- context and Low- context. Japanese culture reflect for the author more a high-context model, as opposed to France culture which result more on the medium-context categories; some of the points mention of this model could create inside the Renault-Nissan alliance some problem, because of the different way to think and manage the situation. According to Hughes and Weiss (Harvard Business Review, 2007) -The number of corporate alliances rises 25% a year. And those partnerships account for nearly 33% of many companies revenue and value. Yet the failure rate for alliances stays close at 60%-70%, that is because too many firms trust too much on conventional advice for managing alliances- -such as Focus on defining a business plan or Minimize conflict. The idea in practice from my point of view is that companies need to focus not only on the business plan but also on the partnerships working relationship and, rather than suppressing disagreements, exploring conflicts to find sources of value in partner companies differences. Therefore, the authors recommend five different practices in order to managing alliances: Develop the right working relationship Peg metrics to progress Leverage differences Encourage collaboration Manage internal stakeholders. The suggestion for the first one is to define exactly how the companies will work together. For example, clarify what mutual trust and respect mean to each of the corporations. Articulate how they will make decisions, allocate resources, and share information. The second point is to Peg metrics to progress,  alliances require time to pay off financially and alliance does not reach significant result in the first period, (month or even in the first year). Third points that the authors underline are the Leverage differences,  companies can share advantage from partners different, for instance: know-how, markets, customers, and suppliers. Yet other types of differences (such as contrasting cultures) can direct to uncomfortable conflict. Instead of hiding conflict, surface it and find ways to use your differences to create value. Another important practical point is to Encourage collaboration in fact if a problem come up, rather than prejudge someone or something, it is always better try to analyse of how both parties contributed to it and what each can do to improve it. The last one is to Manage internal stakeholders, in a practical way most of the external alliances depend on cooperation from internal units in each company. The purpose i s to be sure that all internal players are involved in supporting the alliance and committed for the success. From my point of view, the two authors express some important guide for making a good alliance, such as encourage collaboration, uses the differences for create value or create inside the company mutual trust and respect, all the points mention before are well express also inside the Renault-Nissan alliance, as some of the core value of the alliance. In addition, Carlos Ghosn definitely represents a strong figure for the alliance, probably a part of the heart of the company. He begun Nissan COO in 1999 and with the Nissan Revival Plan (NRP) gave to the alliance immediately clear qualitative and quantitative targets, with the aim to achieve all of them in no more than 3-4 year. He imposed a common restructuring, with tangible but challenging mission and a share vision The return to profit. Nevertheless, the NRP as mention before Ghosn gave a lot of importance about cross-cultural team, link both of companies with the same rules, since the first moment he always tried to avoid cultural stereotype and created work teams with both nationalities together. Carlos is a charismatic business man, but is also a clever CEO, who knows that he could not overcome or transcended cultural differences, only with is personal quality. Therefore, he mixed both leadership quality and cultural synergies with the intention to create the perfect allianc e. J. Collin and W. lazier (Beyond 1992) wonderful explain the role of a Leader, all the first chapter of the book Entrepreneurship (turning your business into an enduring company) is dedicate in leadership style. The two authors identified a guide for an effective leadership function and style; for the former they specified that the purpose is catalyze a clear and compelling vision that is shared by the group and is acted upon. For the latter, they recognized seven common elements for consider an effective leader style, plus the individual personality characteristics: Authenticity, Decisiveness, Focus, Personal Touch, Hard/soft people skills, Communication Ever forward All the points mentions above are decisiveness for build a strong leadership; as a matter of fact most of them are easily connected with Renault-Nissan alliance. The first share aspect is that Carlos Ghosn gave immediately an authentic vision for the new alliance and he carries this authenticity out to the major strategic decision made by the company. Moreover, he is a role model of the value and beliefs through his day-to-day actions, in this way all the company should be a role model of its philosophy as exemplified by its major decisions. The second point is absolutely the decisiveness , in fact Carlos showed immediately the ability to decide what it was better for the alliance and what not ( an example could be the historical supplier Keiretzu that he cut off, without any doubt, because not anymore essential for the company). Other important point already amply discuss before are be focus, Personal Touch and hard/soft people skills for instance, He creates a completely new promot ion rules, based strictly on performance and new cross- cultural teams, with the purpose to used the common synergies and learn from the future conflict. Communication is a crucial point for this alliance, because Carlos Ghosn has completely changed the way of how to communicate inside Nissan, in fact he establish an absolutely transparent, open, precise and functional communication inside the company but also outside such as the media. The CEO believes that if people do not know the priority, do not understand the strategy, where the company is going, which one are the critical objectives. For his point of view confusion is the first sign of trouble; with large amount of different cultures and countries, it is important to be precise and factual, in order that people can see and measure. To sum up, more or less ten years ago Renault-Nissan was considered an impossible alliance, there were apparently too many economical problems, cultural and organizational differences. However, during these eleven years the two companies have become the number four and five profitable largest car manufacturer companies on the world. Therefore, I would like to emphasize the last element of effective leadership style: ever forward mentality. Since the beginning, Carlos Ghosn has always moving forward progressing- before as an individual and later transmitting this new values to the alliance. This new open-mind way of how to think, collaborate, cooperate between teams and share ideas, combine two cultures and languages together, broken any kind of stereotypes and avoid cultural shock. With the aim to achieve an unique common goal be profitable again and create a longevity alliance. Renault-Nissan from my point of view is the perfect example of the effective power of a strong and well establish cross-cultural alliance. Doriana Carlucci S00402667

The Origin of Life :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

How life arose is a question that is fundamental to both philosophy and science. Responses to it enable one, in turn, to answer such questions as, â€Å"Who am I?†, â€Å"Why am I here?†, and â€Å"How do I make sense of this world?† This secondary set of questions can be answered in a myriad of ways for a variety of reasons, but the answer to the first question has only two responses. As Douglas Futuyuma says, â€Å"Creation and evolution, between them, exhaust the possible explanations for the origin of living things† (197). Either we are the product of the chemical and physical laws of nature operating over time, or we have been formed, at least in part, by some supernatural Force or Deity. The acceptance of one of these options as a foundation will determine how one will establish a belief system to determine his place in the world. This is a matter of crucial importance, yet in most biology classes offered at U.C. Davis, we learn that life c ame from nonlife by strictly natural (as opposed to supernatural) processes. The possibility that perhaps the origin of life cannot be explained by a natural mechanism is ignored, and this is disturbing. For if we limit what explanations we are willing to accept for the origin of life, we could be closing our eyes to reality. Francis Crick, co-discoverer of DNA, has said that â€Å"the origin of life appears to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have to be satisfied to get it going† (Horgan 27).2 Noted evolutionary astronomer Frederick Hoyle has described the chances of life having evolved from nonlife to be about as likely as the chances that â€Å"a tornado sweeping through a junkyard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein† (Johnson 106). Why do respected scientists doubt what textbooks teach as fact? It would appear that these scientists know something that current theories describing the origin of life fail to explain. While current theories describe scenarios in which genetic material such as RNA becomes entrapped in a protective cell membrane as a likely recipe for the formation of life, they generally do not focus on the difficulties of forming and concentrating all of these components in the first place.3 To clarify, current theories suffer from what I call the â€Å"cookbook mentality.

Passage to India Part One Essay

Summary: Chapter IV Mr. Turton invites several Indian gentlemen to the proposed Bridge Party at the club. The Indians are surprised by the invitation. Mahmoud Ali suspects that the lieutenant general has ordered Turton to hold the party. The Nawab Bahadur, one of the most important Indian landowners in the area, announces that he appreciates the invitation and will attend. Some accuse the Nawab Bahadur of cheapening himself, but most Indians highly respect him and decide to attend also. The narrator describes the room in which the Indian gentlemen meet. Outside remain the lowlier Indians who received no invitation. The narrator describes Mr. Grayford and Mr. Sorley, missionaries on the outskirts of the city. Mr. Sorley feels that all men go to heaven, but not lowly wasps, bacteria, or mud, because something must be excluded to leave enough for those who are included. Mr. Sorley’s Hindu friends disagree, however, as they feel that God includes every living thing. Summary: Chapter V At the Bridge Party, the Indian guests stand idly at one side of the tennis lawn while the English stand at the other. The clear segregation dismays Adela Quested and Mrs. Moore. Ronny and Mrs.  Turton disdainfully discuss the Indians’ clothing, which mixes Eastern and Western styles. Several Englishwomen arrive and discuss the earlier production of Cousin Kate. Mrs. Moore is surprised to note how intolerant and conventional Ronny’s opinions have become. Mr. Turton arrives, cynically noting to himself that each guest has come for a self-serving reason. Reluctantly, Mrs. Turton takes Adela and Mrs. Moore to visit a group of Indian ladies. Mrs. Turton addresses the Indian women in crude Urdu, and then asks Mrs. Moore and Adela if they are satisfied. One of the Indian women speaks, and Mrs.  Turton is surprised to learn that the women know English. Mrs. Moore and Adela unsuccessfully try to draw the Indian women out into more substantial conversation. Mrs. Moore asks one of them, Mrs. Bhattacharya, if she and Adela can visit her at home. Mrs. Bhattacharya agrees to host the Englishwomen the upcoming Thursday, and her husband promises to send his carriage for them. Mr. Fielding, who is also at the party, socializes freely with the Indians and even eats on the Indian side of the lawn. He is pleased to learn that Adela and Mrs. Moore have been friendly to the Indians. Fielding locates Adela and invites her nd Mrs. Moore to tea. Adela complains about how rude the English are acting toward their guests, but Fielding suspects her complaints are intellectual, not emotional. Adela mentions Dr. Aziz, and Fielding promises to invite the doctor to tea as well. That evening, Adela and Ronny dine with the McBrydes and Miss Derek. The dinner consists of standard English fare. During the meal, Adela begins to dread the prospect of a drab married life among the insensitive English. She fears she will never get to know the true spirit of India. After Adela goes to bed, Ronny asks his mother about Adela. Mrs.  Moore explains that Adela feels that the English are unpleasant to the Indians. Ronny is dismissive, explaining that the English are in India to keep the peace, not to be pleasant. Mrs. Moore disagrees, saying it is the duty of the English to be pleasant to Indians, as God demands love for all men. Mrs. Moore instantly regrets mentioning God; ever since she has arrived in India, her God has seemed less powerful than ever before. Summary: Chapter VI The morning after Aziz’s encounter with Mrs. Moore, Major Callendar scolds the doctor for failing to report promptly to his summons, and he does not ask for Aziz’s side of the story. Aziz and a colleague, Dr. Panna Lal, decide to attend the Bridge Party together. However, the party falls on the anniversary of Aziz’s wife’s death, so he decides not to attend. Aziz mourns his loving wife for part of the day and then borrows Hamidullah’s pony to practice polo on the town green. An English soldier is also practicing polo, and he and Aziz play together briefly as comrades. Dr. Lal, returning from the Bridge Party, runs into Aziz. Lal reports that Aziz’s absence was noticed, and he insists on knowing why Aziz did not attend. Aziz, considering Lal ill mannered to ask such a question, reacts defiantly. By the time Aziz reaches home, though, he has begun to worry that the English will punish him for not attending. His mood improves when he opens Fielding’s invitation to tea. Aziz is pleased that Fielding has politely ignored the fact that Aziz forgot to respond to an invitation to tea at Fielding’s last month. Analysis: Chapters IV–VI The wildly unsuccessful Bridge Party stands as the clear focus of this portion of the novel. Though the event is meant to be a time of orchestrated interaction, a â€Å"bridge† between the two cultures, the only result is heightened suspicion on both sides. Indians such as Mahmoud Ali suspect that Turton is throwing the party not in good faith, but on orders from a superior. Turton himself suspects that the Indians attend only for self-serving reasons. The party remains segregated, with the English hosts regarding their guests as one large group that can be split down only into Indian â€Å"types,† not into individuals. Though the Bridge Party clearly furthers our idea that the English as a whole act condescendingly toward the Indians, Forster also uses the party to examine the minute differences among English attitudes. Mrs.  Turton, for instance, represents the attitude of most Englishwomen in India: she is flatly bigoted and rude, regarding herself as superior to all Indians in seemingly every respect. The Englishmen at the party, however, appear less malicious in their attitudes. Mr. Turton and Ronny Heaslop are representative of this type: through their work they have come to know some Indians as individuals, and though somewhat condescending, they are far less overtly malicious than the Englishwomen. Cyril Fielding, who made a brief appearance in Chapter III, appears here to be the model of successful interaction between the English and Indians. Unlike the other English, Fielding does not recognize racial distinctions between himself and the native population. Instead, he interacts with Indians on an individual-to-individual basis. Moreover, he senses that he has found like-minded souls in Adela Quested and Mrs. Moore. Of the two, Fielding is more closely akin to Mrs. Moore than Adela: Fielding and Mrs. Moore are unself-conscious in their friendship with Indians, whereas Adela consciously and actively seeks out this cross-cultural friendship as an interesting and enriching experience. Forster fleshes out the character of Adela Quested significantly in these chapters. As part of this effort, the author uses Fielding as a sort of moral barometer, a character whose judgments we can trust. In this regard, we can see Fielding’s judgment of Adela—that she appears to object to the English treatment of the Indians on an intellectual, rather than emotional level—as Forster’s own judgment. Adela, perhaps because of this intellectual, unemotional curiosity about Indian culture, conducts her interactions in India in a negative sense rather than a positive one—attempting to not act like the other English rather than attempting to actively identify with Indians. Adela always acts s an individual, rejecting the herd mentality of the other couples at the English club. While the other English try to re-create England in India through meals of sardines and plays like Cousin Kate, Adela hopes to experience the â€Å"real India,† the â€Å"spirit† of India. Yet we sense that Adela’s idea of this â€Å"real India† is vague and somewhat romanticized, especially when compared to Mrs. Moore’s genuine interaction with Aziz or Fielding’s enthusiastic willingness to partake in Indian culture. The primary Indian protagonist, Aziz, develops in these chapters as significantly distinct from English expectations of Indian character. While the English pride themselves on dividing the Indian character into â€Å"types† with identifiable characteristics, Aziz appears to be a man of indefinable flux. Forster distinguishes Aziz’s various guises—outcast, poet, medical student, religious worshiper—and his ability to slip easily among them without warning. Aziz’s whims fluctuate in a way similar to his overall character. In Chapter VI we see Aziz shift from mood to mood in the space of minutes: first he wants to attend the Bridge Party, then he is disgusted with the party, then he despairingly mourns his dead wife, then he seeks companionship and exercise. Ironically, one of Aziz’s only constant qualities is a characteristically English quality: an insistence upon good breeding and polite manners. This quality makes Aziz slightly prejudiced—it leads him to reject his friendship with Dr. Lal—yet it also allows him to disregard racial boundaries, as when he feels automatically affectionate toward Fielding because of the Englishman’s politeness. Furthermore, Forster uses these chapters to begin to develop one of the major ideas he explores in A Passage to India—the inclusiveness of the Hindu religion, especially as compared to Christianity. Forster portrays Hinduism as a religion that encompasses all, that sees God in everything, even the smallest bacterium. He specifically aligns Mrs. Moore with Hinduism in the earlier scene from Chapter III in which she treats a small wasp kindly. The image of the wasp reappears in Chapter IV as the wasp that the Hindus assume will be part of heaven—a point on which the Christian missionaries Mr. Grayford and Mr. Sorley disagree. Mrs. Moore is a Christian, but in Chapter VI we see that she has begun to call her Christianity into question during her stay in India. Whereas God earlier was the greatest thought in Mrs.  Moore’s head, now the woman appears to sense something beyond that thought, perhaps the more inclusive and all-encompassing worldview of Hinduism. Summary: Chapter VII In every remark [Aziz] found a meaning, but not always the true meaning, and his life though vivid was largely a dream. (See 0pl,) Fielding’s many worldly experiences keep him from being insensitive toward Indians like the rest of the English are. The English mildly distrust Fielding, partly out of suspicion of his efforts to educate Indians as individuals. Fielding also makes offhand comments that distress the English, such as his remark that â€Å"whites† are actually â€Å"pinko-grey. Still, Fielding manages to remain friendly with the men at the English club while also socializing with Indians. Aziz arrives at Fielding’s for tea as Fielding is dressing. Though the two men have never met, they treat each other informally, which delights Aziz. Fielding breaks the collar stud for his shirt, but Aziz quickly removes his own and gives it to Fielding. The relations between the two men sour only briefly when Aziz misinterprets Fielding’s dismissive comment about a new school of painting to be dismissive of Aziz himself. Aziz is disappointed when Mrs.  Moore and Adela arrive, as their presence upsets the intimacy of his conversation with Fielding. The party continues to be informal, though, even with the women present. Aziz feels comfortable addressing the women as he would address men, as Mrs. Moore is so elderly and Adela so plain looking. The ladies are disappointed and confused because the Bhattacharyas never sent their carriage this morning as promised. Adela pronounces it a â€Å"mystery,† but Mrs. Moore disagrees—mysteries she likes, but this is a â€Å"muddle. † Fielding pronounces all India a muddle. Aziz denounces the rudeness of the Hindu Bhattacharyas and invites the women to his own house. To Aziz’s horror, Adela takes his invitation literally and asks for his address. Aziz is ashamed of his shabby residence and distracts Adela with commentary on Indian architecture. Fielding knows that Aziz has some historical facts wrong, but Fielding does not correct Aziz as other Englishmen would have. At the moment Fielding recognizes â€Å"truth of mood† over truth of fact. The last of Fielding’s guests, the Hindu professor Godbole, arrives. Aziz asks Adela if she plans to settle in India, to which Adela spontaneously responds that she cannot. Adela then realizes that, in making this admission, she has essentially told strangers that she will not marry Ronny before she has even told Ronny so herself. Adela’s words fluster Mrs. Moore. Fielding then takes Mrs. Moore on a tour of the college grounds. Adela again mentions the prospect of visiting Aziz’s house, but Aziz invites her to the Marabar Caves instead. Aziz attempts to describe the caves, but it becomes clear that Aziz has never seen them. Godbole has been to the caves, but he does not adequately describe why they are extraordinary; in fact, Aziz senses that Godbole is holding back information. Suddenly, Ronny arrives to take Adela and his mother to a polo match at the club. Ronny ignores the Indians. Aziz becomes excitable and overly intimate in reaction to Ronny’s rude interruption. Fielding reappears, and Ronny privately scolds him for leaving Adela alone with Indians. Before the ladies leave, Godbole sings an odd-sounding Hindu song in which the singer asks God to come to her, but God refuses. In her ignorance, [Adela] regarded [Aziz] as â€Å"India,† and never surmised that his outlook was limited and his method inaccurate, and that no one is India. (See Important Quotations Explained) Summary: Chapter VIII Driving away from Fielding’s, Adela expresses annoyance at Ronny’s rudeness. Adela mentions Aziz’s invitation to the Marabar Caves, but Ronny immediately forbids the women to go. Ronny mentions Aziz’s unpinned collar as an example of Indians’ general inattention to detail. Mrs. Moore, tired of bickering, asks to be dropped off at home. Adela feels suddenly ashamed of telling those at the tea party of her intention to leave India. After the polo match at the club, Adela quietly tells Ronny that she has decided not to marry him. Ronny is disappointed, but he agrees to remain friends with her. Adela sees a green bird and asks Ronny what type of bird it is. Ronny does not know, which confirms Adela’s feeling that nothing in India is identifiable. Ronny and Adela begin to feel lonely and useless in their surroundings; they suddenly feel they share more similarities than differences. The Nawab Bahadur happens by and offers Ronny and Adela a ride in his automobile. Riding in the back seat, the two feel dwarfed by the dark night and expansive landscape surrounding them. Their hands accidentally touch, and they feel an animalistic thrill. The car mysteriously breaks down on a road outside the city. They all climb out and determine that the car must have hit something, probably a hyena. After a short while, Miss Derek drives past them offers them a ride back to Chandrapore. Driving back to Chandrapore, Miss Derek jokes about her employer, an Indian noblewoman. Ronny and Adela feel drawn together by their shared distaste for Miss Derek’s crass manner and for the Nawab’s polite but long-winded speeches. When Adela and Ronny arrive back at the bungalow, Adela says that she would like to marry Ronny after all. He agrees. Adela, however, immediately feels a sense of disappointment, believing she will now be labeled the same as all the other married Englishwomen in India. They go inside and tell Mrs. Moore of their plans. Adela begins to feel more pleasant, joining Ronny in poking fun at the Nawab Bahadur. When Ronny and Adela tell Mrs.  Moore of the strange car accident, the older woman shivers and claims that the car must have hit a â€Å"ghost. † Meanwhile, down in the city of Chandrapore, the Nawab Bahadur describes the accident to others. He explains that it took place near the site where he ran over and killed a drunken man nine years ago. The Nawab Bahadur insists that the dead man caused the accident that occurred this evening. Aziz is skeptical, however, and feels that Indians should not be so superstitious. Analysis: Chapters VII–VIII Though Fielding himself disregards racial boundaries, his tea party does not quite develop into a successful version of the Bridge Party. Aziz and Adela both appear overexcited during the tea, while Mrs. Moore and Professor Godbole remain withdrawn from the others’ chatter. The sudden cultural interaction carries Adela away and convinces her, almost subconsciously, that she cannot remain in India and become a wife at the club—prompting the spontaneous admission that upsets Mrs. Moore. The tea sours when Ronny arrives, though his rudeness appears only to bring out tensions that already existed. Aziz becomes grotesquely overfamiliar, Adela blames herself and Ronny, Fielding becomes annoyed, and Mrs. Moore becomes spiritually drained by Godbole’s Hindu song. The tea party is further disturbed by a disparity between what Forster calls â€Å"truth of fact† and â€Å"truth of mood. † Thus far in A Passage to India, we have seen that the Indian characters often tend to say one thing when they mean another. Forster presents this tendency as problematic only for the English, among whom words are taken at face value. Indians appear skilled at identifying the undertones—the unspoken elements—of a conversation. Indeed, we see that Aziz recognizes from tone, rather than words, that Godbole is withholding information from his description of the Marabar Caves. Moreover, when Aziz invites Mrs. Moore and Adela to his house, the â€Å"mood† of his question—his sincere feeling of goodwill and hospitality to the Englishwomen—is all that Aziz means to convey. Adela, however, takes the invitation literally and asks for Aziz’s address. The misunderstanding makes Aziz uncomfortable, as he is in fact embarrassed about the appearance of his home. Fielding, too, reacts negatively to Adela’s literal-mindedness. This disconnect between cultural uses of language is an important division between the English and Indians in the novel. Forster explores another divide between the English and Indian cultures through the idea of naming or labeling. If the English in the novel always say exactly what they mean, they also are quick to attach names or labels to objects and people around them. When Adela and Ronny sit together at the club, Adela wonders aloud what kind of bird sits on the tree above them. Ronny does not know, which depresses Adela even more; meanwhile, the narrator notes that nothing is identifiable in India, as things disappear or change before one can name them. The British in India realize that with the ability to name or label things comes power. It is for this reason that Fielding’s remark that â€Å"whites† are really â€Å"pinko-grey† upsets the men at the club: by deflating labels like â€Å"white† and â€Å"brown,† Fielding implicitly challenges the assertive naming and labeling power of the English in India. If â€Å"white† really only refers to skin tone—rather than also connoting superiority, advanced religion, technology, and morality—then â€Å"whites† have no inherent right to rule India. Adela’s conflicted view of naming or labeling constitutes a major tension within her character. On the one hand, Adela recognizes that the ability to label gives one power—or, as she might say, a purpose or place in the world. India’s resistance to identification, symbolized by the nameless green bird, challenges Adela’s sense of individuality. On the other hand, Adela realizes that being on the receiving end of a label can leave one powerless. It is for this reason that she remains resistant to marrying Ronny, knowing that she will be labeled an Englishwoman in India—a club wife—and that her behavior will be restricted accordingly. When Adela feels her individuality challenged by India’s resistance to identification, she seems more likely to turn to Ronny for marriage; yet, when she recognizes the tyranny of labels like â€Å"Englishwoman in India,† she feels reluctant to marry Ronny. We see in these chapters that the natural environment of India has a direct effect on Ronny and Adela’s engagement. As soon as Adela tells Ronny she does not want to become engaged, their surroundings begin to overwhelm them, making them feel like lonely, sensual beings who share more similarities than differences. In particular, they feel that the night sky swallows them during their ride with the Nawab Bahadur. The sky makes Ronny and Adela feel indistinct as individuals, suddenly part of a larger mass that is somehow fundamentally united. Therefore, when their hands touch accidentally in the car, both Ronny and Adela are attuned to the animalistic thrill of sensuality. Their experience under the engulfing Indian sky draws Ronny and Adela together, forcing them to assert themselves as important, distinct individuals through a commitment to each other. Furthermore, the social environment of India—the Indians who surround Ronny and Adela—contributes to this shift in perspective in the couple’s relationship, their new feeling that they are more alike than different. Specifically, Ronny and Adela feel a bond through their shared distaste for Miss Derek and the Nawab Bahadur—a bond that leads Adela to suddenly reverse her decision and renew her engagement to Ronny. In this regard, Forster implies that the union of marriage requires a third presence, against which husband and wife can define themselves as similar. Indeed, after announcing their renewed engagement, Adela shows her openness to her future with Ronny through her willingness to make fun of the Nawab Bahadur with him. While Ronny and Adela feel a sense of unity against the muddle that is India, we see Mrs. Moore grow even more spiritually attuned to the minds of Indians. First Mrs. Moore appears to be most aligned with the religious figure of Professor Godbole. Godbole’s song, in which God is called but does not come, profoundly affects Mrs. Moore, deepening her sense of separation from her Christian God. Then, when Ronny and Adela tell Mrs.  Moore of their car accident with Nawab Bahadur, the elder woman strongly feels that a ghost caused the accident. Though Ronny and Adela ignore Mrs. Moore, we learn a short while later that the Nawab Bahadur, too, suspects that a ghost caused the accident—the ghost of the drunken man that he ran over nine years ago near the same spot. While Ronny and Adela begin to segregate themselves from the social and natural landscape that surrounds them, Mrs. Moore surrenders to the overwhelming presence and mysticism she feels in India, attuning herself to a sort of collective psyche of the land she is visiting.