Outsourcing IT Servises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Outsourcing IT Servises - Essay Example Another form of outsourcing is based on salary cost arbitrage that takes place between national economies when a company will seek to contract with another business abroad where the labor costs are cheaper, so that cost savings will be gained in the overall organization. Some companies may establish overseas branches of their company and hire employees directly in the foreign market, but this is technically different than outsourcing on a business-to-business basis. In this context, most companies perform a cost analysis on the savings that can be gained through outsourcing by comparing local salaries and the internal requirements for managing the services with the quoted rate of the outsourcing company for the same work. The labor arbitrage through outsourcing may also include tax savings, a reduced requirement of benefit payments, or lower insurance costs for the company. Thus, in software development and hardware maintenance, the quality of the outsourcing services provided by for eign or offshore companies who provide the same service as local companies is critical and determinant as to whether outsourcing actually makes sense for a business. If the company cannot receive a quality of service from the outsourcing company that they can receive from local employees, it will generally not make sense for the company to pursue an outsourcing business model because the overall operations will suffer if there is a weak link in the organization. However, if the IT services such as medical software programming, computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and hardware maintenance can all be acquired from outsourcing companies in the U.S. or abroad at the same quality or higher and simultaneously a lower cost, then it does make sense to pursue outsourcing as a business model. Because some outsourcing companies are specializing in hiring highly skilled and trained staff for the employment positions, it is also possible to outsource abroad with the same level of quality o r higher than local staff, and to save significant operating costs in doing so. Outsourcing can potentially save billions of dollars in costs from within the U.S. healthcare system, but if quality is compromised in pursuit of greater profits or budgetary savings, the people who are being served by the business will not be satisfied or happy. (Rand, 2005) b) What component of IT services in your current organization makes the most sense to target as an early candidate for outsourcing? Why? Our organization is currently focusing on going live with a 50 person, outsourced Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) program that is expected to save considerable costs for the hospital annually while still providing the same quality of service expected by doctors and patients alike. CPOE is ideal for outsourcing as it involves the digitalization of medical records that are linked to a master database of records in the IT department. The core skill required by the outsourcing team is the abi lity to quickly and accurately transcribe hand-written doctor notes and prescriptions, to archive these documents with the appropriate patient records, and also to forward the transcriptions to other offices within the medical network. In this manner, the skills

News Write- Ups Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

News Write- Ups - Case Study Example The alleged stabilization of the global economy by IMF has been achieved through efforts from both the U.S and Europe. The stabilization became apparent through economic indicators in the U.S that seemed more positive or optimistic while, on the side of Europe, the measures that had currently been undertaken in Greece demonstrated perceptible recovery. Learning and Benefits In view of the news article, I have managed to understand that the global economy has had numerous problems in the recent past. However, the economic crisis at international level has stabilized after prolonged periods of backdrop since the problem invade the global economic system. According to the news, the world has the grounds to be optimistic although there is no guarantee regarding financial security. This is because other principal economic and financial threats still challenge the current state of the global economy. According to IMF chief, certain risks still exist in a global economy with the leading bei ng massive debts that emanate from the public and private domain. In addition, augmenting oil prices offer substantial risk to the growth of the global economy in diverse ways. The only way to tackle the threats is addressing the matters that pose the greatest risks. Source: Edwards, N. and Qing, K. G. (Mar 18, 2012). Global economy on recovery path, risks remain: IMF chief. Reuters. Retrieved from: News write-up 2 Summary Stocks have assumed a downward trend for the next five days indicating the longest slide down in this year. The problem has occurred at a period that has seen persistent European debt and at the commencement of tentative corporate earnings. This implies that the problem is a triple tragedy within the country considering all the problems hitting the economy. The backdrop in stock has seen numerous falls in stock exchange earnings, in Europe. Companies from that have recently swept the markets have considerably lost out in the stocks slide down. Connection The losi ng splash is speculated to have commenced on the previous Tuesday after the Federal Reserve admitted to being concerned about the vigor of job augmentation, and asserted that it was not obligated to offer additional or supplemental assistance for the financial system. Unlike other companies, Alcoa presented promising quarterly results in terms of profits and sales. However, their success has been attributed to cost-cutting through layoffs some of their workforce. Investors in the U.S were astonished with the performance since they expected backdrops similar to those from companies in Europe. Most European companies experienced backdrops in the five days since the stock commenced the losing trend. Learning and Benefits In view of the news article, various factors have contributed to the recent stock slide down the most imperative factors being the debts that emanate from borrowing. The article presents the idea that Spain and Italy has recently accumulated numerous borrowing costs. I n fact, Spain’s borrowing expenditures almost reached extents that would otherwise pressurize other nations to request for bailouts. The stocks slide down has caused Dow to move approximately 550 points below its previous levels. In Spain and France, the falls approximated 400 pints, which is

Impact of National Culture on HRM practices

Impact of National Culture on HRM practices According to Brewster (1995, cited by Wilton, 2010), an organisations Human Resource Management policies are dictated by international, national, and organisational constraints. The impact of such limitations, particularly in the midst of an increasingly globalised society, is of particular importance with the continued growth of Multinational Corporations (MNCs). With business extending across regional, national and international boundaries, now characterized by heightened permeability, adaptations in HRM practices are necessary to account for the variations apparent between nations. As reiterated by Schuler (1998), with MNCs competing in a global marketplace, it has become increasingly important to recognise the significance of the admonition When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Including both institutional (hard) and cultural (soft) discrepancies, MNCs must not only seek to understand the social framework embedded in foreign cultures, but must develop a means to overcome the impedim ents associated with it to insure the success of the corporations subsidiaries abroad. Research illustrates that MNCs often attempt to transfer existing HRM practices to their foreign subsidiaries, however, in the midst of significant cultural gaps; such methods are correlated with high failure rates(Morris et al, 2009; Tayeb, 2005). As national culture is engraved into the skeletal framework of a society, and hence, its organisations, an approach that adapts to the local environment and established social norms, is of pivotal importance (Newman et al, 1996; Morris et al, 2009; Tayeb, 2005). National Culture: A Brief Overview Despite the controversies apparent in its definition, there is wide consensus that national culture encompasses a cornucopia of shared assumptions, norms, values, and beliefs that are embedded into the very core of society (Wilton, 2010; McSweeney, 2002; Maih et al, 2007). A system of values, national culture is perceived as collective programming of the human mind, which, in turn, directly influences the behavioural manifestations of a society within the environment and the group itself (Sackmann, 1992). As reiterated by Schein (1985, cited by Wilton, 2010), national culture is a means of overcoming the universal obstacles within society, that of external adaptation and internal integration. It is a thread that intertwines the heart of a nation with the essence of each individual, community and organisation a thread that stitches an otherwise fragmented society into a tapestry of commonality. As a nations human and institutional foundations are the fruit of its cultural roots, nati onal culture has a significant impact on business operations within MNCs, particularly in regards to the soft aspects of organisations, such as HRM policies. As emphasized by Hickson and Pugh (1995, cited by McSweeney, 2002), a nations culture has a broad spectrum of influence, shaping every thought, every decision, every action, every organisation. Conceptualising National Culture The values embodied by the vast array of cultures worldwide are highly diverse, and so, with business operations no longer constrained by geographical boundaries, MNCs must acknowledge this diversity and its subsequent implications for management (Miah et al, 2007; Newman et al, 1996). While the permeability of global barriers is widely acknowledged, the transferability of HRM practices from the country of origin to those of the subsidiaries is fraught with difficulties, and so, the implications of culture for corporations, as emphasized by Hofstedes model of national cultural differences, are indispensible for MNC management (McSweeney, 2002). Based on research conducted at IBM and its foreign subsidiaries, Hofstede concluded that differences between the values, norms and beliefs of national cultures could be categorized into four dimensions. Despite significant criticism in regards to methodology and obsolescence of data(McSweeney, 2002), the cultural differences apparent in Hofste des model may have implications for an organisations HRM policies in terms of the leadership style, importance of regulations and whether compensation should be linked to individual performance or seniority (Leat et al, 2007). Table 1: Hofstedes Model of Cultural Differences (Adapted from Wilton, 2010) Hofstedes Dimensions of National Culture Cultural Dimension Significance Power Distance A reflection of the acceptability of the social inequality that underpins the functioning of all societies, this dimension indicates the extent to which unequal power distribution is accepted within nations. While in high power societies, inequality is largely accepted, giving rise to autocratic management practices, low power societies are characterized by a desire for equality, stronger interpersonal relationships and heightened employee involvement Uncertainty Avoidance A reflection of the extent to which uncertainty and unpredictability are accepted in a society. In societies with high uncertainty avoidance, the creation of a sense of security and long term predictability is the central focus. On the other hand, in societies with low uncertainty avoidance, unpredictability and risk taking is encouraged. Hence, the importance of regulatory procedures is of less importance. Individualism vs. Collectivism A reflection of the degree to which self identity is reliant on individual or group characteristics. While in individualist societies, individual responsibility, initiative and concern predominates, collectivist societies are characterized by loyalty and concern for a much wider social network. Such societies are hence, more reliant on the organisation, community and country. Masculinity vs. Femininity A reflection of the significance of social differentiation between genders within a society as well as the degree to which traditional male orientations are emphasized over those linked with females. Masculine societies are characterized by ambition with success linked to the acquisition of material possessions. In feminine societies, however, interpersonal harmony is core, and so, quality of life, consideration for the environment and emotional satisfaction is fundamental 2 A noteworthy comparison dominating current HRM literature is that of the individualistic Anglo-Saxon countries and the collectivist Asian countries (Rowley et al, 2002). From the early 1960s, East Asia has been regarded as having one of the most rapidly developing economic environments in the world (Harzing et al, 2004). As a result of such rapid development, MNCs from Anglo Saxon countries, namely the USA, have developed operations in the likes of Japan, China and Taiwan. However, the development of appropriate HRM practices within their respective foreign subsidiaries has been fraught with difficulties, largely as a result of the differences in cultural parameters (Ralston et al, 1997). Values, norms and beliefs in Asian countries are deeply rooted in tradition and the notion workplace is family (Ralston et al, 1997). As such countries are a highly collectivist culture, characterised by high power distance high uncertainty avoidance, HRM policies developed by the USA which, accord ing to Hofstede, are markedly different would be ineffective without contextualisation (Rowley et al, 2002). Hence, as reiterated by Schuler et al (1998), congruence between culture and management practices is of pivotal importance as such an approach (1) demonstrates cultural awareness (2) intertwines policy with ingrained behavioural patterns and (3) is correlated with heightened financial performance . While institutionalists argue that institutional systems, such as the macro-economy, governance and legislation, are the main determinants of HRM policy differences(Leat et al, 2007; (Rowley et al, 2002), research findings derived from studies regarding the effect of national culture on HRM practices in Asian countries (Miah et al, 2007; Sparrow et al, 1998), the Middle East (Leat et al, 2007), Europe ( Newman et al, 1996) and North America (Rosenzweig et al, 1994; Schuler et al, 1998) suggest quite the contrary. Such notions are further supported by Budhwar(2000, cited in Leat et al, 2007), whom asserts that while management practice may be influenced by culture free institutional factors , HRM practices are determined largely by those which are culture bound. National Context: Implications for HRM National culture is engraved into the skeletal framework of a society, and so, as reiterated by Rosenzweig and Nohria (1994, cited in Leat et al, 2007), HRM is both historically and socially embedded and so, it is the area of management most susceptible to cultural differences. National culture, therefore, influences numerous facets of a corporations HRM policies, including resource administration, performance appraisal, strategic decision-making, leadership style, provision of developmental opportunities, and the management of employee relations (Tayeb, 2005). Reinforced by Sparrow et al (1998), HRM policies and practices in any given country are cultural artefacts a reflection of the cultures values and norms in which all organizations are embedded. 3 While research illustrates that various MNCs have opted for the transferral of established practices from the country of origin to that of the host countries (Morris et al, 2009), the lack of contextualisation accounts for the limited acceptance (Newman et al, 1996; Leat et al, 2007). As echoed by Newman (1996) and Miah (2007), the notion of one size fits all is no longer relevant, and so, contextualisation of management practices is vital. According to Nohria et al (1994), the degree to which a MNC differentiates its HRM policy to fit the cultural context of its affiliates is directly correlated with heightened performance of the firm. Furthermore, HRM policies that are consistent with a nations culture have been manifested in heightened employee motivation, self efficacy and improved organisational performance (Newman, 1996). Therefore, the admonition when in Rome, do as the Romans do, appears to be applicable where international HRM practices are concerned. As congruence between the external environment and internal strategy is vital, a misfit between national culture and HRM policies will cause rifts in the organisations foundations, whereby even the most seemingly insignificant crevice will impact the effectiveness of the business (Gerhart, 2008). Hence, in order for Multinational corporations to be competitive on a global scale: it is crucial that they recognize these relationships and adjust their compensation practices to the cultural specifics of a particular host country (Schuler et al, 1998, p. 161) Multinational Corporations and HRM policy 4As highlighted by Taylor et al, 1996, HRM policy orientation, defined as the general philosophy adopted by MNCs within their respective subsidiaries, must be geared towards addressing the tension between the dual imperatives of global integration (convergence) and local responsiveness (divergence)(Edwards et al, 2005). Based on research from Rosenzweig et al (1994), three generic HRM policy orientations may be adopted by MNCs within their foreign affiliates: Adaptive, Exportive and Integrative, which if often dependent on the stage of international corporate evolution (refer to table 2). Based on this typology, which links to that developed by Perlmutter in 1969, multinational corporations management practices within overseas subsidiaries could mirror that of the parent company (ethnocentric), could resemble local practices (polycentric) or could seek idle ground between integration and differentiation(geocentric) (Morris et al, 2009). While early convergence theorists argue for the adoption of an exportive strategy based on the existence of universal truths, differences between national cultures in todays society are deeply rooted, and so, adaptation to local practices is of pivotal importance (Rowley et al, 2002). As argued by Kristensen and Zeitlin (2001, cited in Edwards et al, 2005), Thus, it is arguable that in the midst of increasing globalisation, whereby the idea of readily transferable best practice is no longer relevant, an adaptive or integrative HRM orientation strategy is more applicable. The central issue for MNCs is not to determine the most effective HRM policy per se, but to identify the best fit between the firms external environment, its overall strategy and its HRM policy (Taylor et al, 1996, p.961). Table 2: MNC Human Resource Management Policies (Adapted from Taylor et al, 1996) Adaptive Exportive Integrative The Polycentric approach The Ethnocentric approach The Geocentric approach HRM policy that mirrors the local environment / culture Wholesale transfer of HRM policy from the parent company to the foreign subsidiaries HRM policy that integrates the adaptive and exportive approaches Low internal consistency within the MNC parent company and affiliates and high external consistency with the nation High internal consistency within the MNCs and affiliates and low external consistency with the local environment High internal consistency and moderate external consistency Differentiation is emphasized whereby HRM policies reflect existing local practices High integration whereby HRM policies are replicated in an MNCs foreign subsidiaries Combines differentiation with integration strategy Minimal transfer of HRM philosophy and policy between the MNC and subsidiaries Complete transfer of HRM practice from the parent MNC to overseas affiliates Multidirectional transfer of policies between the parent company and foreign subsidiaries According to Porter (1986, cited in Taylor et al, 1996), HRM policy orientation is dictated by the international strategy adopted by the MNC multidomestic or global. On a similar note, Nohria et al (1994) make the distinction between firm strategy that pursues differentiated fit and that which strives for universal adoption of shares values. A multidomestic strategy (decentralisation) is often pursued in nations where the local market places high demands on MNCs for policy adaptation (Wilton, 2010; Taylor et al, 1996). As argued by Edwards et al (2005), while multiculturism is the primary argument for differentiation, this pressure is augmented by the need to abide by national legislation, regulations and labour market institutions termed local isomorphic factors. As a result, based on contingency theory, such strategy requires policy differentiation to fit the national conditions of each subsidiary (Nohria et al, 1994). MNCs pursuing a global strategy (centralisation), on the othe r hand, employ a set of shared values and goals to achieve a collective competitive advantage. Such a strategy is, hence, dependent on heightened levels of integration, centralization, coordination and control within the MNC and its respective overseas affiliates (Edwards et al, 2005). As emphasized by Wilton (2010) and Nohria et al (1994), a global strategy seeks to minimise the abyss of differences between national systems, placing emphasis on the importance of policy integration and mutual interdependence at an organizational level. 5 MNCs that adopt a multidomestic strategy, and hence are characterized by heightened independence and localization, are likely to pursue an adaptive HRM orientation (Brock et al, 2007). In MNCs geared towards the pursuance of a global strategy, however, an integrative approach to HRM policy is a more viable option. As noted by Taylor et al (1996), corporations that pursue a global strategy require higher levels of integration and internal consistency between the MNC and its respective foreign subsidiaries. However, as Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989, cited in Taylor et al, 1996, p.968) argued, MNCs competing in an increasingly globalised marketplace must not only internationally integrated but locally responsive, and so, in spite of the trend toward internal convergence (ethnocentric), discrepancies between national cultures call for differentiation. Echoed by Rowley et al (2002), while international trade and finance pressure firms to standardise management policy, the local customs and c ulture embedded in the fabric of the nation act as barriers to convergence (geocentric). As highlighted in the study conducted by Nohria et al (1994), the performance of MNCs that adopted an integrative policy orientation (high degree of differentiated fit and shared values) was significantly higher than other firms in the sample of 66 MNCs in 19 different countries. These results are consistent with the findings of Brock et al (2007), whom notes that MNCs that pursue a geocentric approach have higher sales, profit margins and significantly better market shares. Nevertheless, numerous authors acknowledge that while an integrative policy is most appropriate, few firms adopt such practice, often opting instead for an exportive HRM orientation (Taylor et al, 1996; Rowley et al, 2002; Harzing et al, 2004). While the wholesale transplant of the HRM system (Edwards et al, 2005, p. 8) will heighten integration among the MNC units and ensure the continuity of firm ethos, it fails to acknowl edge both cultural and institutional barriers embedded into societies (Morris et al, 2009). USA and Japan: A Case Study 6In todays society, foreign affiliates are the gladiators of the Coliseum that is the modern globalised environment (Pudelko et al, 2007). Hence, in the context of the USA and Japan, HRM policy must attempt to address the conflict between global integration and Local responsiveness (Brock et al, 2007). While American firms initially believed in the notion of one size fits all, which led to the transfer of policies abroad, low success rates by companies such as EBay within an Asian context (refer to table 3) provides evidence to the contrary(Morris et al, 2009). According to Paul Schwamm, an entrepreneur based in Tokyo, EBays lack of success in Japan is attributed largely to their lack of consideration of national culture differences. Instead of adapting to satisfy local needs, EBay attempted to manipulate consumers to fit the companys American centric model (Lane, 2007). Furthermore, as echoed by Ferner (1994), where American firms have integrated a degree of Japanese HRM practice i nto that of their own, they have only done so in a piecemeal fashion. In Japan, an ethnically and religiously homogenous society with deep rooted nationalism, however, such practices are insufficient (Ralston et al, 1997). Table 3: Comparison between Japan and the USA (Adapted from Morris et al, 2002 and Wilton, 2010) Hofstedes Dimensions United States Japan Power Distance Low Medium high Uncertainty Avoidance Low medium High Individualism High Medium Low Masculinity High Medium As the conflict between western and eastern values, norms and beliefs provide a basis for policy differentiation; the adaptation of HRM policies to account for national discrepancies paves the road to organisational success, as can be seen in companies such as IBM, Canon, Sony, and Matsushita (Pudelko et al, 2007). Comparing subsidiaries of US firms in Japan and vice versa, those which have, to a certain extent, adapted practices to the national context (culture and institutional factors), experienced improved efficacy, commitment, employee satisfaction and higher performance (Ferner, 1994; Morris et al, 2009). Interestingly, however, Pudelko et al (2007) notes that while an integrative HRM orientation is apparent in numerous American and Japanese success stories, Japanese subsidiaries in the US are more willing to adopt local practices than their American counterparts are within Japan. This suggests that, while contextualisation is vital, MNCs within both Japan and the USA may still link the American HRM model as a code of best practice (Pudelko et al, 2007). While Japanese MNCs, such as Nissan, Renault, Matsushita and Hitachi are moving away from traditional practices and are becoming increasingly Americanized, traditional Japanese systems are still deeply rooted in various areas of the nation, and so, a degree of contextualisation by American firms is still paramount. Conclusion 7According to Brock et al (2007, p.354), MNC subsidiaries are faced with balancing dual roles: as cogs in the wheels of their parent organisations, and as competitors in local markets. With increasing levels of globalisation, internationalisation of business, and heightened competition, consideration of the viability of HRM policies within different national contexts is of growing importance. National culture is engraved into the skeletal framework of a society, and so, it has significant bearing on business operations within MNCs and their respective subsidiaries, particularly in regards to the soft aspects of organisations such as HRM policies, practices and philosophies. While research highlights trends towards global convergence of policies within MNCs and their respective foreign subsidiaries, discrepancies between national cultures and the norms, beliefs and values intertwined with their roots, call for differentiation. It is this need to bridge the concepts of integration and differentiation that justifies the adoption of an integrative HRM policy orientation in the midst of both a multidomestic and global management strategy. Hence, in order for MNCs to be successful, they need to adapt HRM policies to account for cultural diversity while maintaining the broader set of practices that reflect the firm itself.

Mother of Three Earns Six-Figures with eCommerce Website :: Sell Websites Buy Websites

Mother of Three Earns Six-Figures with eCommerce Website Reprinted with permission of VotanWeb.com In January, Sarah Kline bought an old watch for three dollars at a small thrift store she stumbled upon in a tiny town near her home in Florida . She went home and listed it for sale on her website. Several days later it sold for $14,200. She'd recognized the watch as the signature style of a designer famous for his unusual creations. A sharp eye for authentic vintage watches -- watches no longer being made -- and the ability to connect with customers who want it are Ms. Kline’s secrets to success on the internet. The 36-year-old housewife has been selling to jewelry stores for years. In early 2002, a computer-savvy store owner and friend suggested she turn to the internet to widen her market. By selling directly to customers online, she could cut out the middleman. Ms. Kline wasn't an experienced Internet user, but she found an existing website listed for sale on VotanWeb. She bought the website when the owner agreed to help her until she had a thorough grasp of the website. His instructions were easy to follow. "It was all new to me, but I learned quickly," she says. "I also did a lot of research by looking at how successful websites set up their auctions -- the categories they listed their products in and the descriptions they used." Ms. Kline began holding auctions. Within weeks, her online sales exceeded those of her off-line business, and she decided to commit entirely to the internet. She now runs about 75 auctions a week, and her annual sales have doubled in the past year to about $420,000. The watch, for example, sold on the internet for about 20 times the amount she estimates it would have gone for had she solicited a local retailer. She's also no longer dependent on local buyers' tastes, since over 90% of her sales are to out-of-state customers. "I couldn't sell everything I had to stores because a lot were particular about what they wanted," she says. For example, most wouldn't buy large quantities of high-end vintage watches. "I found a lot of nice vintage watches from the estates of all the old people who move to Florida to die," she says. "But the stores I sold to wouldn't buy them." Ms. Kline fell in love with vintage watches in the early 1990s while working as a clerk at the local jewelry store. Mother of Three Earns Six-Figures with eCommerce Website :: Sell Websites Buy Websites Mother of Three Earns Six-Figures with eCommerce Website Reprinted with permission of VotanWeb.com In January, Sarah Kline bought an old watch for three dollars at a small thrift store she stumbled upon in a tiny town near her home in Florida . She went home and listed it for sale on her website. Several days later it sold for $14,200. She'd recognized the watch as the signature style of a designer famous for his unusual creations. A sharp eye for authentic vintage watches -- watches no longer being made -- and the ability to connect with customers who want it are Ms. Kline’s secrets to success on the internet. The 36-year-old housewife has been selling to jewelry stores for years. In early 2002, a computer-savvy store owner and friend suggested she turn to the internet to widen her market. By selling directly to customers online, she could cut out the middleman. Ms. Kline wasn't an experienced Internet user, but she found an existing website listed for sale on VotanWeb. She bought the website when the owner agreed to help her until she had a thorough grasp of the website. His instructions were easy to follow. "It was all new to me, but I learned quickly," she says. "I also did a lot of research by looking at how successful websites set up their auctions -- the categories they listed their products in and the descriptions they used." Ms. Kline began holding auctions. Within weeks, her online sales exceeded those of her off-line business, and she decided to commit entirely to the internet. She now runs about 75 auctions a week, and her annual sales have doubled in the past year to about $420,000. The watch, for example, sold on the internet for about 20 times the amount she estimates it would have gone for had she solicited a local retailer. She's also no longer dependent on local buyers' tastes, since over 90% of her sales are to out-of-state customers. "I couldn't sell everything I had to stores because a lot were particular about what they wanted," she says. For example, most wouldn't buy large quantities of high-end vintage watches. "I found a lot of nice vintage watches from the estates of all the old people who move to Florida to die," she says. "But the stores I sold to wouldn't buy them." Ms. Kline fell in love with vintage watches in the early 1990s while working as a clerk at the local jewelry store.

Location Matters

Twenty-five cent lemonade stands have cornered the market in beverage sales in neighborhoods across America. Lemonade stand â€Å"franchisers† have figured out that cute kids on sunny days with cool beverages in convenient corner locations can bring in pretty decent revenue. Unfortunately for them, their market is limited†¦to those within walking distance of the lemonade stand and those who happen to be driving through the neighborhood. Deciding where to run a business can be a pretty daunting task. There are six areas in which a businessperson can choose to operate his business, and the final decision will have a great impact on its success. Among locations from which to choose are central business districts (CBD), neighborhood locations, malls and shopping centers, near competitors, outlying areas, and home offices. Considering what the â€Å"type† of business is, the target market and the area surrounding the prospective location are all factors that will assist in determining where the best place to operate will be. Central Business Districts are located in the heart of a city, and are usually referred to as â€Å"downtown† in America (Wikipedia, 2006). One advantage to operating a business in a CBD is exposure, due to being surrounded by an assortment of retailers and services, allowing people who are not necessarily a target market to become aware of the business. However, disadvantages such as saturation, traffic and costs of purchasing a space could outweigh advantages, depending on the type of business (Leposky, 2005). Neighborhood locations offer a more intimate setting for a business’s customer base. Away from the hustle and bustle of CBD’s, neighborhood locations generally offer lower rental rates, more support from neighboring businesses and assist in adding vitality to surrounding neighborhoods . Malls and shopping centers offer locations which are usually equipped with fixtures, on-site maintenance, and  assistance with marketing. Conversely, these locations often charge steeply for space. For some businesses, such as McDonalds and Burger King, operating near competitors has proven success. This type of local provides choice for consumers, and the opportunity to shine for the business†¦but lack of performance could win business for the competitor. Conveniently, operating in an outlying area allows rest in the matter of competition. However, â€Å"inconvenience† also has the opportunity to slow business. Home-based operations are becoming more and more popular these days. Advantages such as low overhead, more time with family and, of course, no commute are among the factors leading to the growing transition from business office to home office (Pratt, 2006). But operating from home sometimes projects un-professionalism, constant interruptions and the inconvenience of friends and family assuming that you are always available. Setting up shop just â€Å"anywhere† is not as easy as it seems. There is a strategy to choosing a location, and a business owner’s final decision could make or break his business. Each one of the locations offer benefits as well as challenges, but ultimately, the saying â€Å"location, location, location† holds true†¦ success will not find the business whose location is amiss. References: Choosing a Business Location. (2005) Ampersand Communications: Leposky, G. March 2007. www.members.aol.com/amprsnd/location.html Definition of Central Business District. (2006) Wikimedia, Inc.: Wikipedia Writing Staff. March 2007. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_business_district The Impact of Location on Net Income: A Comparison of Home based and Non-Home based Sole Proprietors. (May 2006) SBA Office of Advocacy: Pratt, J. March 2007. www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs275.pdf      

Gay Marriage Essay

The issue of gay marriage remains controversial. Some people think that this trend has adverse effects on the society while others believe that it is seen as a natural trend and right for people to choose this type of marriage. My essay will discuss causes and effects of this problem. First, gay marriage is the result of psychological, legal, economic and biological effects. Medically speaking, if someone is born to be gay, the tendency is that he will not change his nature and want to live with people of the same sex. There are cases of men who marry the opposite sex and end up being unhappy till the day they decide to lead their own lives and stay with the same sex. Another reason is derived from economic drive. Despite not being inborn gay, several people, for sake of profit, opt for the solution to marry the similar sex. Besides, only after undergoing painful break-ups with so many people of the different sex do people lose their belief in love, and hence, choose to be by the side of the same sex. These people are believed to sympathize and care about them more. In addition, in such an open society where equality is recognized, it is inevitable that people can marry the one they love, despite the differences in age, race, family background and marriage notion. There are both positive and negative effects in this problem. As a result of recognizing the right of gay people in form of marriage, the society bestows upon these people the feeling of equity which makes them motivated to work as hard as other people. It is the acknowledgement of gay marriage that talented gay people continue contributing their best to social development, without bias. However, the fear is that no sooner has gay marriage become official than the society lacks the next generation since hardly could gay couples give birth. Another disadvantage is that children who are raised in gay families can rarely receive comprehensive education. Such purely male environment or female one is not enough for kids to develop normally, which might result in their mental disorders and sexual disorientation.

Anchorman Movie Quotes

Anchorman Movie Quotes Anchorman is a crazy comedy that focuses on important issues that emerged in the 1970s- womens liberation being one of them. The movie is subtitled The Legend of Ron Burgundy. When the movie opens, Ron is the most happening anchorman in San Diego. As the character Bill Lawson says, He was like a god walking among mere mortals. All this changes when Veronica Corningstone enters the scene, wanting to be the top anchorwoman. Ron Burgundy cannot accept it. He is incredulous that a woman could aspire to become an anchorman. There is a constant battle between Ron and Veronica throughout the film. Read these Anchorman movie quotes and get a glimpse into this funny film. Ron Burgundy I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly.Im a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. Thats what kind of man I am. Youre just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. Its science.Well, I could be wrong, but I believe, uh, diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.Youre so wise. Youre like a miniature Buddha, covered with hair.Im in a glass case of emotion! Veronica Corningstone Oh, Ron, there are literally thousands of men that I should be with instead, but I am 72 percent sure that I love you! Brian Fantana No, she gets a special cologne ... Its called Sex Panther by Odeon. Its illegal in nine countries.  Yep, its made with bits of real panther, so you know its good. Champ Kind I woke up on the floor of some Japanese familys rec room, and they would NOT stop screaming!  We need you. Hell, I need you. Im a mess without ya. I miss you  so damn much. I miss being with you. I miss being near you! I miss your laugh! I miss your scent. I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together. Bill Lawson Bob Dylan once wrote, The times, they are a-changin. Ron Burgundy had never heard that song.  There was a time, a time before cable, when the local anchorman reigned supreme. When people believed everything they heard on TV. This was an age when only men were allowed to read the news. And in San Diego, one anchorman was more man than the rest. His name was Ron Burgundy. He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo. In other words, Ron Burgundy was the balls. Brick Tamland Im Brick Tamland. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an IQ of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded. Tino We have a saying in my country: – The coyote of the desert likes to eat the heart of the young and the blood drips down to his children for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wes Mantooth At the bottom of my gut, with every inch of me, I plain, straight hate you. But dammit, do I respect you!

Ap English Book Report Essays

Ap English Book Report Essays Ap English Book Report Essay Ap English Book Report Essay Name of Book: Nickel and Dimed Author: Barbara Ehrenreich Plot Summary: The author, Barbara Ehrenreich, works for the prestigious New Yorker magazine. One day over lunch with a famous editor discussing possible stories to write, she comments that the minimum wage is too low. She thinks someone used to more money should try to live on this pittance. The editor, Lewis Lapham, assigns her the story. This is not good news for Ehrenreich. Having spent her childhood with middle class struggling people, she does not want to live a life of risk or discomfort. Also, shes older and doesnt want to do hard physical labor or live in an inferior building. Therefore, the author makes some rules for herself on this assignment. She wont rely on her superior education or the skills she normally uses to support herself. So she does an experiment to see if she can survive working on low wage to support herself. Major Characters: Barbara Ehrenreich   Author was the main character of the book, conceiving and carrying out the low-wage experiments. Ehrenreich kept her real name while applying for jobs, though she did not reveal her Ph. D. in biology, or her background as a writer. B. J. B. J. was a manager at the first job Ehrenreich took during the experiment, at a restaurant in Key West. George- George was a dishwasher in the Key West Restaurant. An immigrant from Czechoslovakia, George spoke little English and had trouble understanding the problems that were happening in the restaurant around him. He was eventually accused of stealing from the restaurant and fired without understanding the reason. Ted- Is the manager of The Maids, a housekeeping service in Maine that Ehrenreich joins. Ted attempts to get Ehrenreich to tell him about any employees who have been complaining about their jobs. Ehrenreich believes that many of the women working for The Maids are doing so to gain Ted’s approval. Holly- Holly is a maid who works with Ehrenreich in Maine. She discovers she is pregnant during the month Ehrenreich is there, and suffers from dizzy spells and nausea. During one house cleaning she twists her ankle and walks with a limp afterward. Marge- A maid from Maine who suffers from arthritis, Marge is regularly paired with Holly and Ehrenreich for house cleaning assignments. Melissa- An employee of a Wal-Mart in Minneapolis, Melissa works with Ehrenreich sorting clothing. She quits her job when Ehrenreich does, saying that she doesn’t want to work there without her. Howard- Howard is the assistant manager at the Minneapolis Wal-Mart. He conducts regular meetings for all employees in order to discuss emergency scenarios and to warn them not to talk to each other. Setting: This novel takes place in three different locations; the first site chosen for the experiment was Key West, Florida, as it was close to her home. Searching for a job and a place to live, she found a waitress position at a small restaurant, which she calls Jerry’s. The restaurant, like most of the places she works, is not revealed by its true name in her book, nor are the people she meets. Her next city of choice was Portland, Maine. In Maine, there are many weekly motels to choose from, and she finds one that is affordable and comfortable. She chose this location because of its mainly Caucasian demographics. She finds two jobs that she is able to keep at the same time working as a maid for a housekeeping service during the week, and as a dietary aide in a nursing home on the weekends. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ehrenreich spends more time looking for a place to live than in the other cities. The vacancy rate in Minneapolis was less than 1%, and Ehrenreich was unable to find an apartment. Hotels renting by the week or month were also hard to come by. Motifs: Author is using imagery where Grace a senior in the nursing home staring at Barbara very accusing and demanding for her cup to be refilled. The author expresses the senior’s stare at Barbara and wanting her cup at this instance. There is a  sense of imagery where you can see the senior very mad and cranky for not having her cup refilled. Vocabulary: Chapter 1 Perpetual Continuing or continued without intermission or interruption. Intrigue To arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities. Dithering A state of flustered excitement or fear. Proffer To put before a person for acceptance. Chapter 2 Piteously Evoking or deserving pity. Albinism The state or condition of being an albino. Infiltrate To cause to pass in by filtering. Prophetically Of  the  nature  of  or  containing  prophecy. Pristine Having  its  original  purity. Chapter 3 Disembarking To  leave  an  aircraft  or  other  vehicle. Allopathic the  method  of  treating  disease  by  the  use  of  agents  that  produce effects  different  from  those  of  the  disease  treated. Corridors A  gallery  or  passage  connecting  parts  of  a  building. Denunciation An  accusation  of  crime  before  a  public  prosecutor  or  tribunal. Cadence Rhythmic  flow  of  a  sequence  of  sounds  or  words. Denouncing To  condemn  or  censure  openly  or  publicly. Chapter 4 Hierarchy Any  system  of  persons  or  things  ranked  one  above  another. Toiletries any  article  or  preparation  used  in  cleaning  or  grooming  oneself,  as soap  or  deodorant. Extravagances Excessive  or  unnecessary  expenditure  or  outlay  of  money. Expenditures Something  that  is  expended. Inadequacy something  inadequate.

Printable SAT Practice Tests PDFs 18 FREE Official Tests

Printable SAT Practice Tests PDFs 18 FREE Official Tests SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In this article, I'll tell you where to find all official, printable SAT practice tests andanswer keys. This comprehensive guide gives you access to more SAT practice tests than any other online guide. In addition, you'll learn key strategies that'll help you make big improvements on SAT practice tests you can print out. Free Printable SAT Tests (Current 1600 Format, 2016-Present) Currently, there are 10 available practice tests for the redesigned SAT, all of which have been provided by the maker of the SAT itself, theCollege Board. These tests are the absolute best ones to use for your SAT studies since they're the most similar to the test. Practice Test 1:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay Practice Test 2:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay Practice Test 3:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay Practice Test 4:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay Practice Test 5:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay Practice Test 6:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay Practice Test 7:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay Practice Test 8:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay Practice Test 9: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations Practice Test 10: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations Don't forget to fill in your answers with theSAT answersheet. Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: Free Printable SAT Tests (Old 2400 Format, 2005-2016) These next tests follow the old 2400format of the SAT, with separate Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections. (By contrast, on the current SAT, your Reading and Writing scores are combined for a total Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score.) Despite their somewhat out-of-date structure, these tests can be useful for your studying.Just keep in mindall the major differences between the old and current SAT. I recommend using these tests more as training sessions than as full-on practice for the SAT. Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2013-14:Questions|Answers Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2012-13:Questions|Answers Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2007-08:Questions|Answers Official SAT Printable Practice Test 2004-05:Questions|Answers It might look as though I've skipped a few years here, but I actually haven't: all the tests for the yearsnot listed are repeats of those above, including the 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10, 2008-09, 2006-07, and 2005-06 practice tests. So if you find these tests on other forums or websites, don't waste your time taking them since they're the exact same as the ones already listed. We're going way back into the past for this next set of SAT tests. Free Printable SAT Tests (Very Old 1600 Format, Pre-2005) Before the SAT underwent a redesign in 2016, the last time it had changed was in 2005, back when it jumped from a 1600-point scale to a 2400-point scale. Despite this massive shift in scoring, only a few major differences could be found between the very old 1600 SAT and the old 2400 SAT. Other than those, most of the test remained the same. As a result, these very old SAT practice tests are a hidden gold minethat few students know of. By taking these tests, then, you'll have that much more of an edge over other test takers. Before I give you the links, though, note a few important caveats: You can skip the analogies questions on Reading. These are the questions that look like "CAR : ENGINE ::." Since they're no longer on the SAT, there's no point in studying them. You can skip the comparison questions on Math. This question type presents two boxes and asks you to decide whether A or B is greater. Again, these aren't on the current SAT, so you don't need to worry about these. There is no Writing section on these tests.Therefore, make sure you use supplementary prep materials to study the grammar and question types you'll need to know for the current SAT's Writing and Language section. Be grateful you don't need to answer some of these old-format questions- analogies were the primary reason that the SAT had a bad reputation for forcing students to memorize vocab! Official SAT Test 2004-05:Questions|Answers Official SAT Test 2003-04:Questions|Answers Official SAT Test 2002:Questions + Answers Official SAT Test 2001:Questions + Answers 6 Tips for Getting the Most Out Of SAT Practice Tests Each SAT practice test requires around four hours of intense focus, so it's important to utilize them effectively. Below are six critical strategiesto follow each time you take a practice test. #1: Print Out the Test and Take It on Paper Because the SAT is a paper test (as opposed to a computer test), it's best to take the practice tests on paper. Also, make sure youdo your scratch work directly on the test.Don't get out separate pieces of scratch paper to use since on the actual test you won't get any scratch paper (but will be allowed totake notes directly in your test booklet). Finally, if you're taking the optional Essay section, practice writing your essay using the lined paper included with your practice test. #2: Use Strict Timing on Each Section Although time pressure can be intimidating,it's important to follow official SAT time limits as closely as possible onpractice tests. Why? If, for example, you spend just two extra minutes on a section, this could raise your score by hundreds of points, since the extra time allowed you to answer more questions than you would've been able to within the actual time limit. As a result, your practice SAT score becomes inflated and doesn't give you an accurate indicator of your actual scoring ability. Here's an overview of the official time limits for each SAT section as well as how long you should spend (roughly) per question: SAT Section Time # of Questions Time per Question Reading 65 minutes 52 75 seconds Writing and Language 35 minutes 44 48 seconds Math No Calculator 25 minutes 20 75 seconds Math Calculator 55 minutes 38 87 seconds Make sure togive yourself breaks, too! #3: Take the Test in One Sitting The SAT is a marathon of a test, lasing around four hours on an early Saturday morning. Many of my students have told me how difficult it was to stay focused the entire time and keep themselves from making careless mistakes at the end. Preparing for the SAT is like training for a marathon: you need to ensure you have enough stamina to make it through the test.And the best way to do this is to take each practice test in one sitting, as if you were taking the actual SAT. If it's too difficult for you to find the time to take a practice test in one sitting, go ahead and split it up over several days- just make sure youadhere to the time limits for each section. Ultimately, it's better to do some SAT practice than none at all! #4: Review Your Mistakes (and Your Correct Answers, Too) Practice tests aren't just good for getting to know the SAT format and sections- they're also great for learning from your mistakes. For every practice SAT test you take, spend time reviewing both questions you got wrong and questions you got right. If you don't know why you missed a question, don't just skip it and move on; doing this means you won't learn what kind of mistake you made, raising your risk of making it over and over again. This habit can hamper your score pretty drastically. So make sure to approach your SAT prep with this in mind: quality over quantity. I'd rather have you take three practice tests with detailed review than six practice tests with no review. #5: Take At Least 4 Practice Tests Before the Actual SAT From my experience with thousands of students, this magic number works best at getting students really comfortable with the SAT in all major respects, including timing and endurance. If you want to take more than four tests, go ahead and try it out- just make sure that you balance your prep with some focused studying on your weaknesses so that you can make faster progress. #6: Use Supplemental Resources If Necessary Some students are great at learning the ins and outs of the SAT through practice tests alone- they recognize their mistakes, understand why they made them, and avoid making them in the future. But most students need additional help to pinpoint their weaknesses and teach them the skills and strategies needed for success on the SAT. If practice tests aren't enough for you, download our free guide to help you figure out which SAT prep method works best for you. What's Next? Want to get a perfect SAT score?Take a look atour famous guide to a 1600, written by an expert SAT perfect-scorer. Aiming high on each SAT section? Then read our individual, in-depth strategy guides to help you reach an800 on SAT Reading, SAT Math, and SAT Writing. Want to improve your SAT score by 160points?We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

Ethical Issues on the Case Ecuador v. Chevron Essay

Ethical Issues on the Case Ecuador v. Chevron - Essay Example ween Texaco and Petroecuador resulted into severe damage to the environment following the damage caused on Amazon forest besides contributing significantly to the export earnings of Ecuador. The influence of damages on Amazon forest also caused severe health problems to the indigenous communities through water and soil contamination. Amazon Crude, a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council published in 1992 outlined the degree of the damage. The report identified Petroecuador and Texaco as the main players in drilling, exploration, pipeline practices, as well as waste disposal earlier identified in the US. Two years after publication, a group of residents form Oriente sued Texaco in state courts of Texas. Texaco succeeded in convincing the courts to dismiss the case on grounds of non-conveniens. Later, a different set of residents sued Texaco in the federal District courts found in New York. Texaco has its headquarters in New York. Following the reasons cited in Texas courts, a judge sitting in New York dismissed the case one more. Appellants successfully managed to revive the case in the Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit. The referrals based on the proposal by the plaintiffs that courts in Ecuador did not have the capacity and integrity to try Texaco. Following the remand, Texaco consented to being tried in Ecuador holding that courts in Ecuador were honest and had the muscle to try any company. Judge Rukof dismissed the case again in 2001 based on reasons. This action affirmed the Second Circuit holistically. In 2002, the complainants sued Chevron, the new stakeholders seeking remediation and damages regarding the remaining part of the Amazon forest. In a makeshift courtroom in Lao Agrio, the trial part of the case lasted more than six years (Elliot & Quinn 2012). The location of the town is in Ecuadorian rainforest to allow judges see contaminated water systems, soils, and get the views of residents within the community. The flow of the case as

Environmental Awareness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Environmental Awareness - Essay Example The essay "Environmental awareness" shows us the current ecological situation. The understanding of environmental conditions can be boiled down into a painstakingly simple adage -â€Å"Live and let live†. Fortunately, across the world, the healthy awareness is increasing and the Welch Assembly Government has contributed for the cause in a proper way and their dedicated website echoes the same bold statement. In the end author concludes that the subject line that has been drawn in these topics is too diverse to end to a single point conclusion. In spite of that, from engineering point of view, these points can be summarized so that we may take steps out of that. For better climatic condition, one need to follow the stringent rules and the technology needs to be evolved out to match the situation. Air quality is to be monitored in much more stringent manner and vehicle and industrial carbon emission needs to be curbed. The same thing can be applicable for Chemical hazard and the problem out of that. The particular issue like radioactivity and the relevant protocol needs to be followed up. The huge industrial legacy of Wales area has left its pug mark in terms of contaminated land that keeps on bleeding. Water and flood management in one hand and on the other, the Bathing Water Quality monitoring also needs to be taken care of. The recycling technology needs to be overhauled. Still a messy process that has been followed and we are blissfully unaware of the consequences. The time is ripe enough to take these eminent steps.

OPERATION MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

OPERATION MANAGEMENT - Essay Example It was necessary to determine if it was still efficient as the company had to undergo numerous changes. Liang understood that it was essential to consider the issues, which would help impact the organization’s strategy and achievement. It was obvious that all the changes should have been made with a long-term orientation. The important issue was to determine, whether the strategy is commensurable with the combination of original equipment manufacturing, original brand manufacturing and original design manufacturing, whether the success of original brand manufacturing business in the international market can impact original equipment manufacturing negatively. The new markets offered new opportunities but also a great number of challenges, the main of which was cultural differences. Thus it was necessary to provide the corresponding quality of service in order to meet the requirements of all the customers in the new market and to cut prices to gain competitive

Individual Reflective Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Individual Reflective Report - Essay Example More than half of the workforce employed on temporary basis with limited or no perks and benefits i.e. employee discounts, lunches, T&D allowance etc, offered other than market competitive salary. Lack of contractual obligations often resulted in unannounced resignations from junior employees with no notice period. Also, as a result of major policy changes, middle managers mainly store managers were made contractual and course of career progression within ABC was made restricted. Therefore, the interest of such managers in developing and retaining basic talent as a business leader was rather limited due to their own limited career growth. The store owners who were the founders and directors of the store were the only stable position holders in the organization and maintained a distant relationship with rest of the workforce with communication mainly through emails or meetings at head office. Resultant was no communication of management’s values, beliefs and goals to rest of th e employees. Furthermore, HR department was responsible for providing menial support in terms of recruitment, payroll and employee management instead of playing a role of HR business partner. A critical analysis of the situation illustrates that there were eminent issues faced by ABC in terms of lack of leadership display, employee motivation, managerial control, communication of vision and strategic partnership between HR department and rest of the business. The given situation was observed by senior management when a surprise visit was paid by one of the partners to the store which was met by a series of change in some basic policies. During an open meeting with senior managers, I shared my views by stating that that most of the employees perceive their compensation and benefits to be highly uncompetitive and was willing to switch for minor raises. With the help of this input, management increased some of the benefits while keeping the basic salary structure same and also began th e regime of employee recognition through best sales man of the quarter and monthly birthday celebrations etc. Despite the fact that these strategies were expected to increase employee’s morale, there was a limited increase in employee retention rate. Therefore, the interventions designed were not addressing the root causes of the problems faced by ABC. Self-Evaluation and Application of Organizational Theory Analyzing this scenario in the light of organizational change models, it was found that internal formal and informal subsystems along with industry related factors were triggering this change in employee retention (Waddell et al., 2011). The management identified lack of reasonable perks as the key factor behind low employee motivation and retention ignoring lack of leadership and managerial control at ground level. The change that was induced by the senior management had an episodic impact with no continuation in betterment of existing policies. Resultant was a convergen t change followed by small adaptation to existing market practices, loose support from managers and leaders along with small positive output. Analyzing this progress in the light of change offered by Plowman et al (2007), it was observed that ABC needed a continuous and radical change since the internal system was undergoing major instabilities. The discrepancies were existing organization wide and a frame-bending adaptation was required. Another major lacking observed in

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

Taxation - Research Paper Example Taper Relief: Land: non-business asset Qualifying holding periods: 7 whole years Chargeable gains before taper relief 74,286 Chargeable gains after taper relief @75% 55,714.5 Explanation In the above scenario, the acquisition date is assumed to be 1 November 1998. This entails that there could be no indexation allowance in this scenario because indexation allowance is deducted on gains obtained from disposal of assets that were acquired before April 1998. Because only three acres of land were sold for 80,000, the cost that is subtracted from the acquisition cost is the one that is deductible, as shown in the calculation. The retained or unsold part of the land has not been taken as allowable cost. Because the asset was acquired after 5 April 1998, therefore, it is subject to tamper relief. The qualifying holding period from 1 November 1998 to 14 December 2005 appear to be 7 years and 44 days, however it should only consider whole years, which in this case is 7 yeas. The land is assumed to be a non-business asset and thus the tamper relief is applied @ 75% which reduced the chargeable gains by 25%. D): Disposal Proceeds 6,300 Less: Costs 1,340 Gain before indexation 4,960 Chargeable Gains Nil Explanation Racehorse is a wasting chattel and therefore is always exempted from the calculation of capital gains tax. The gains obtained on a wasting chattel is never included in chargeable gians. No tamper relief has to be calculated because racehorse is already exempted from capital gains tax. E) Because the asset was purchased in May 1971 and held at 31 March 1982, the chargeable gains are to be calculated with the help of 'Rebasing rules': Rebased gain (new...Therefore, the qualifying period will be counted from 6 April 1998. This makes 7 years and 146 days or whole 7 years. It was a non-business asset, therefore the rate for taper relief has been applied at 75%. In the above scenario, the acquisition date is assumed to be 1 November 1998. This entails that there could be no indexation allowance in this scenario because indexation allowance is deducted on gains obtained from disposal of assets that were acquired before April 1998. Because only three acres of land were sold for 80,000, the cost that is subtracted from the acquisition cost is the one that is deductible, as shown in the calculation. The retained or unsold part of the land has not been taken as allowable cost. Because the asset was acquired after 5 April 1998, therefore, it is subject to tamper relief. The qualifying holding period from 1 November 1998 to 14 December 2005 appear to be 7 years and 44 days, however it should only consider whole years, which in this case is 7 yeas. *Indexation allowance for rebasing rules is always based higher of allowable costs before 31 March 1982 (i.e. acquisition cost in the above scenario) and the 31 March 1982 market value. Because of the fact that market value at 31 March 1982 is higher than that of the acquisition cost, 6500 has been taken to calculate indexation allowance. The oil painting was acquired in May 1971, there

Handling customer complaints in hospitality Essay

Handling customer complaints in hospitality - Essay Example This essay examines the various ways through which resources and activities can be reconfigured to accommodate and reduce variability in the handling of customer complaints. CAPACITY The main structural features of hospitality have significant implications for the management of operations in the sector. These structural factors also influence the nature of operations in hospitality. The most important of these structural considerations are related to the effect of seasonality on demand for the hospitality industry (Hayes, 2011). Most activities that are attractive to tourists also play a significant role in leisure consumption at the local level are highly seasonal in terms of feasibility and entertainment. Take Skiing as an example, it plays a role in both tourism and leisure, and at the same time an activity confined to winter and as such localities and operations relating to the provision of facilities and services are time limited (Hill, 2012). Likewise, outdoor activities depend on warm weather such as water sports are limited to summer unless one is in the tropical and sub-tropical locations. Most of the time ‘the operational season’ can be exceedingly short in ‘extreme’ tourism destinations, lasting between six weeks to two months. During which time suppliers seek to maximize on profits from tourism activities to generate sufficient income to cover the full year (Sloan, 2009) However, these structural considerations extend beyond seasonality. Location and distance from key centers of population, while essentially geographical in nature, may lead to the impact of peripherals on hospitality provision (Barrows, 2009). Peripheral locations suffer poor communications and access, and incur competitive disadvantage associated with destinations that offer the same opportunities and facilities, but found closer to the main urban areas with near excellent transport points. For example, Island locations have been the subject of wide study due to the specific influence that insularity brings on the performance and nature of the hospitality sector. Maintaining operations in remote areas can bring in  a challenge in hospitality (Jones, 2002). SERVICESCAPE AND PROCESS DESIGN The business ownership within the hospitality industry can be termed as another operational consideration. The weighing scale between large, chain-owned multiples and small, independent operators in the hospitality industry outlines the way the industry operates and how businesses are shaped (Krajewski). In most parts of the developed world there is a trend of increasing multiple operation and ownership, either by means of various forms of management or franchise or a direct model. This enacts requirements and standards on the operational standards adopted in these businesses. In other destinations mainly in the developing world, hospitality operations experience substantial contrast between micro operations of local entrepreneurs and big multinati onal operations in terms of market activities food or souvenir. Some states in the developing world that have pushed forward the early stages of growth in hospitality based on multinational investment currently recognize the importance of micro businesses to the future sustainability of the hospitality industry (â€Å"Managing service quality†). In hospitality customer expectations vary considerably across the sector on the basis of the type of business, where it is located, and the price-value benefit that

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

Taxation - Research Paper Example Taper Relief: Land: non-business asset Qualifying holding periods: 7 whole years Chargeable gains before taper relief 74,286 Chargeable gains after taper relief @75% 55,714.5 Explanation In the above scenario, the acquisition date is assumed to be 1 November 1998. This entails that there could be no indexation allowance in this scenario because indexation allowance is deducted on gains obtained from disposal of assets that were acquired before April 1998. Because only three acres of land were sold for 80,000, the cost that is subtracted from the acquisition cost is the one that is deductible, as shown in the calculation. The retained or unsold part of the land has not been taken as allowable cost. Because the asset was acquired after 5 April 1998, therefore, it is subject to tamper relief. The qualifying holding period from 1 November 1998 to 14 December 2005 appear to be 7 years and 44 days, however it should only consider whole years, which in this case is 7 yeas. The land is assumed to be a non-business asset and thus the tamper relief is applied @ 75% which reduced the chargeable gains by 25%. D): Disposal Proceeds 6,300 Less: Costs 1,340 Gain before indexation 4,960 Chargeable Gains Nil Explanation Racehorse is a wasting chattel and therefore is always exempted from the calculation of capital gains tax. The gains obtained on a wasting chattel is never included in chargeable gians. No tamper relief has to be calculated because racehorse is already exempted from capital gains tax. E) Because the asset was purchased in May 1971 and held at 31 March 1982, the chargeable gains are to be calculated with the help of 'Rebasing rules': Rebased gain (new...Therefore, the qualifying period will be counted from 6 April 1998. This makes 7 years and 146 days or whole 7 years. It was a non-business asset, therefore the rate for taper relief has been applied at 75%. In the above scenario, the acquisition date is assumed to be 1 November 1998. This entails that there could be no indexation allowance in this scenario because indexation allowance is deducted on gains obtained from disposal of assets that were acquired before April 1998. Because only three acres of land were sold for 80,000, the cost that is subtracted from the acquisition cost is the one that is deductible, as shown in the calculation. The retained or unsold part of the land has not been taken as allowable cost. Because the asset was acquired after 5 April 1998, therefore, it is subject to tamper relief. The qualifying holding period from 1 November 1998 to 14 December 2005 appear to be 7 years and 44 days, however it should only consider whole years, which in this case is 7 yeas. *Indexation allowance for rebasing rules is always based higher of allowable costs before 31 March 1982 (i.e. acquisition cost in the above scenario) and the 31 March 1982 market value. Because of the fact that market value at 31 March 1982 is higher than that of the acquisition cost, 6500 has been taken to calculate indexation allowance. The oil painting was acquired in May 1971, there

Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Essay Example for Free

Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Essay There are five main psychiatric disorders and they are schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, and Tourette syndrome. Psychiatric disorders are â€Å"disorders of psychological function sufficiently sever to require treatment† Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). The main fact about these psychiatric disorders is that they are difficult to diagnose. They use the DSM-IV-TR to diagnose patients that is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The first psychiatric disorder is Schizophrenia, this disorder is â€Å"the splitting of psychic functions† Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). This is a disease that breaks down the emotion, thought, and action, which is chaos or madness. Schizophrenia is divided into five different categories and they are disorganized, paranoid, residual, and undifferentiated. Each of these have their own set of symptoms, but schizophrenia affects a person’s behavior, logic, and emotions. There is positive symptoms and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The positive symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate affect, incoherent speech or thought, and odd behavior. The negative symptoms are affective flattening, alogia, avolition, and anhedonia. There was a neurodevelopmental theory of schizophrenia during the 20th-century two famines a Dutch and a Chinese famine had mother who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and these two by adults would most likely have it as well. The first antischizophrenic drug was chlorpromazine. This drug helps agitated patients and the severity of schizophrenic symptoms. Later reserpine was given, which is an active ingredient of the snakeroot plant. This was given to patients with schizophrenia, but was taken off for treatment because it caused a huge incline in blood pressure that could be fatal. Through these two together, the discovery of Parkinson’s disease came about. The dopamine theory of schizophrenia is caused† by too much dopamine and, conversely, that antischizophrenic drug exert their effects by  decreasing dopamine levels Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). People who suffer from schizophrenia have a decent amount of brain damage. The next ones are affective disorders, which include depression and mania. Everyone has depression at one time or another and it becomes stressful to you, your body, and even people around you. There is anhedonia â€Å"loss of the capacity to experience pleasure† Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). This is people who fall into despair for no apparent reasons, it just happens. When this happens, it causes them to slowly slip away from life and their normal daily routines and can be quite deadly to them if they fall too much. If this happens for more than two weeks then they might diagnose them with clinical depression, or major depressive disorder. The second affective disorder is mania, which is almost the total opposite of depression. Mania is â€Å"characterized by overconfidence, impulsivity, distractibility, and high energy. Depression and Mania are also under mood swings category. People who show mild mania might be talkative, energetic, impulsive, positive, and extremely confident. At this point, in a person’s mania they can do there day to day activities nicely but when it becomes extreme it can become a huge problem for them and possibly others around them. If there, mania becomes too extreme they will feel like nothing can stop them and it can get in the way of the many things that they are achieving in their lives. For people who are depressive they might experience episodes of mania and if they do experience mania they are known to suffer from bipolar affective disorder. The ones who do not suffer from mania are under unipolar affective disorder. Depression is under two categories and these are negative experience (reactive depression) and depression for no apparent reason (endogenous depression). Four main drugs are treatment for affective disorders and these are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, and mood stabilizers. MAO inhibitors have several side effects and the most dangerous is called the cheese effect. Cheese, wine, and pickles all contain what they call tyramine and it causes high blood pressure when mixed with the MAO inhibitors. Tricyclic antidepressants don’t cause any major side effects and is safer compare to MAO inhibitors. SSRIs and Prozac don’t have many side effects and they help with other psychological disorders other than just  depression. They help with lack of self-esteem, fear of failure, excessive sensitivity to criticism, and inability to experience pleasure. They even help with the rates of suicides. The last one is mood stabilizers, which are antidepressant drugs, and they act against depression without increasing mania, or they act against mania without increasing depression (Bourin Prica, 2007). Mood stabilizers are very effective and help with epilepsy. Lithium is what calms a patient in the mood stabilizers, but they cause extreme nausea as well or major sickness. All in all the best treatment for depression is lamotigine, and the best for treating mania is lithium and carbamazepine. Monoamine theory of depression â€Å"holds that depression is associated with underactivity at serotonergic and noradrenergic synapses† Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). A nice remedy or alternative for coping with depression and is trying to stay motivated and exercise. Light exercises can help keep you calm and get used to your life again and keep you healthy after all the stress you have been put through already from all the stress. This helps because you release feel good brain chemicals, rude immune system chemicals, increase body temperature, gain confidence, takes your mind off worries, and cope in a healthy way (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Anxiety disorders relate to stress a lot. Anxiety disorders that are severe in patients make it hard to cope with day-to-day activities and they can’t function normally. People who have this have feelings of anxiety, which might include fear, worry, and despondency. When they get these type of symptoms it can lead to rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, breathing difficulty, sleep disturbances, and high glucocorticoid levels. There is five classes of anxiety disorders and they are generalized anxiety disorders, phobic anxiety disorders, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorders. There are three types of treatments for these disorders and they are benzodiazepines, serotonin agonists, and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, which are Librium and valium, are the usual medicines prescribed for treatment and they help as sleep aids, anti convulsants, and muscle relaxants. The side effects include sedation, ataxia, tremor, nausea, and a withdrawal reaction, which causes rebound anxiety. These drugs are also very addictive and sold illegally if not prescribed to the right people who really need them for short periods.  Serotonin agonists buspirone is used a decent amount in the treatment for anxiety disorders. This drug helps with producing anxiolytic, which is anti-anxiety, and it helps by not producing ataxia, muscle relaxation, and sedation. The side effects that it does cause are nausea, headache, and insomnia. Tourette syndrome is the last one to talk about, it is a psychiatric disorder, and its different from the other three already discussed which include schizophrenia, affective disorders, and anxiety. The main symptom of Tourette’s is the tics. Tourette syndrome is a disorder in which they call the tics, which is involuntary, repetitive, stereotyped movements or vocalizations. This disorder happens in younger people or young adults. Sudden jerks and eye movements are usually the first signs and eventually it worsens, as they get older. The common complex motor tics include hitting, touching objects, squatting, and hopping, twirling, and sometimes-lewd gestures. The common verbal tics include inarticulate sounds such as barking, coughing, grunting, uttering obscenities, repetition of another’s words, and the repetition of one’s own words. People with this disorder can live normal lives if they have supportive and understanding people around them. It can get in the way of making friends and even getting a job if people don’t understand their condition. The first of the treatments for this disorder is family, friends, the patient, and teachers be educated on the condition. The second part of the treatment is finding out the emotional problems such as anxiety or depression, after this the treatment will be taken for the patient symptoms. One treatment is neuroleptics, which reduce tics by about 70% if the patient can be given the drug. The side effects are weight gain, fatigue, and dry mouth. Comprehensive behavioral intervention for Tics (CBIT) is something that is new and it’s a behavioral therapy for TS and chronic tic disorders. This includes habit reversal and other strategies, which include education about tics and relaxation techniques. This is a very effective program that starts when the child is young and even adults and they try to find better ways for the kids and adults to fit in, in any type of situation including in school and jobs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2013). References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2013). Tourette Syndrome (TS). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/treatments.html Mayo Clinic. (2013). Depression (major depression). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043 Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). Biopsychology (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Political Communication Strategies

Political Communication Strategies Political Culture in Comparative Perspective DERYA CIHAN Core Topics and Findings of the Research on Political Cultures Introduction In today’s world when we refer the term political culture which has recently become a very popular concept in political science, has remarkable constructs and theories in terms of political science. In fact, it is hard to reach a consensus in the sense of definitions, theories, methods and paradigms of political culture. Political culture of a society needs to take place within the political community, as well as other political formations such as the state, the parliament, political parties, the government, associations, public administrations trade unions, political power, democracy, election, constitution and etc. In the modern era, debates on culture role in politics have an incontrovertible significance in different states that has been discussed by many scholars. In this paper, I will try to clarify one of the core topics of political culture in political communication, and make an attempt the importance of the major changes of political culture in different societies. We will see the importance of one of the core topics of political culture and how it effects the political communication. Political Communication First of all, when we handle the term ‘communication’, we should say that during the last decades it is the basis of social relations through the developments of technologies of communication. Actually, the basis of the term political communication refers to the methods of communication which are put forth by political actors or organisational structures and convey to the mass through media systems. Franklin gives one of the broadest definitions of political communication in these words; ‘The field of political communication studies the interactions between media and political systems, locally, nationally, and internationally’’ (Gibson and Rà ¶mmele, 2008; p.475). As we sketchy see that the definitions of political communication, which is not only related with media and political systems, but also mostly the impact and the role of political systems to media and the meaning of media in terms of political communication, has indisputable importance in t erms of the fundamental interactions between governments, media and societies in general terms. Actually political communication is defined in terms of comparative politics that political communication is related with society, media and politicians through its interdependency and connection. In fact, the actors of political communication are seen in the central with the following phases; voters, the media and politics. It should be clearly remarked that these actors induce each other and if something changes or develops in one of these actors, the others are affected by nature (Ibid, p.475). We should need to indicate that the role of the media at governmental processes is one of the most attracting parts within the relationships among main actors of political communication. On the other side, Street refers that the modern political communications is related with the political marketing and it is different kind of business, show-business. It is seen that it is all related with how politicians make much of their appearance and their voices, because of that politicians are associated with celebrity and fame. In the article of ‘Political Style and Popular Culture’, Street emphasizes that political communication should be comprehended as ‘marketing’ moreover it is kind of buying reputations and power, selling performances and policies. Two criticisms are constructed for stressing on political communication. The first one is correlated with venturing political marketing and the second criticism is importance on political communication. Street emphasizes two analyses under the conception of selling performances and buying reputations (Street, 2003; pp. 86-91). It should be taken into consideration that political marketing as we know, is made before the electoral campaign in order to increase the chance to stand for election of candidates. In these circumstances, political marketing is creating a certain kind of political actors. Research on Communication in Four Phases Research on communication in politics has significant occurrences in term of how media influences public opinion, voters. Research on communication is a very broad topic in order to comprehend in detail. In the article of Gibson and Rà ¶mmele, the research on communication is distinguished in four stages and it is brought with historical perspective. The first phase covers 19th and 20th centuries till the 1930s, and in this stage, the media has a significant effect (direct and decisive) on citizens. Moreover, the media was used to form habits of life, belief and thought of societies. It was used as propaganda by the World War I propagandists and dictatorial states between the years of World War I and World War II. Besides that it was also used by the new revolutionary regime of Russia in order to promote its new political systems. It should be taken into consideration that in the conception of media, political actors have a great impact and a kind of powerful event at governmental p rocesses. As we see above that public opinion is formed by the mass media which has a direct and decisive effect upon choices of voting. In the second phase, the time period consists from the 1930s to the 1960s, which has rather sophisticated empirical studies. In this period, interpersonal communication has the greatest impact and investigations of empirical studies were about media effects and content in different classifications, having minimal effects in terms of the media is another point of this time period. The research results about the above mentioned investigations proposed a much more modest function for media in term of effecting unintended and planned effects. Joseph Klapper put in an appearance a useful summarization of research phase in these words; â€Å"mass communication does not ordinarily serve as a necessary or sufficient cause of audience effects, but rather functions through a nexus of mediating factors†(Gibson and Rà ¶mmele, 2008; p.477) Following thi s, Lang and Lang debate about conclusion of ‘minimal effect’ with this perspective; â€Å"The evidence available by the end of the 1950s, even when balanced against some of the negative findings, gives no justification for an overall verdict of â€Å"media impotence†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢(Ibid, p.477). Media effects in the third phase, built actually around the emergence of television in the period of 1950s and 1960s. The third period has the greatest importance around the appreciated influence of television. It should be mentioned that the third phase of media effects was the most powerful period which affected social life more than any other type of media systems. The fourth phase of media effects based on agenda setting and priming. It is different than above-mentioned phases and it is generally related with long-term changes, revolving around cognitions and collective phenomena, for instance; delimitations of social reality and ideologies, climates of thoughts and structures of belief. It should be taken into consideration that agenda setting is the basis of this phase. It is not only related about ‘what to think’, but also saying ‘what to think about’ to direct public opinion; hereby it is seen that agenda setting is for society and the theory concent rates on the quantity of coverage not actually its content or tone (Ibid, pp.477-478). It should be taken into account in these circumstances that, media effects in four phases have different influence in each other, but mostly when we consider today’s media effects, television still has significance in terms of affecting social life, besides that social media has obtained much more importance when we compare it with its emerging period. Political Parties, Electoral Campaigns and Communication As we see above that how media influences public opinion in terms of research on communication in four different periods. In this part, we will see the relationship between political parties and communication. Political communication is inquired into from a party research perspective without any doubt. It should be taken into account that political parties make suitable for the demands of change of the society and media, due to this reason party headquarters have been reinforced in order to be able to match new demands. In the paper of Gibson and Rà ¶mmele, the new campaign process influences the parties as well as the character of the parties in the new campaign process. Empirical research evidences illustrate that there are many distinctions within party systems in the course of time and on the step of their professionalization level at political communication in general and professionalized campaigning in particular. For the sake of example, in the US, the Republicans were profes sionalized their campaign functioning approximately a decade before the Democrats and they used political communication techniques more than before. On the other side, in the UK, Conservatives sustained it before Labour with the new style of campaigning in the late 1970s. In Germany, a new kind of professionalized campaigning appeared although the 1998 campaign occur by the Social Democratic Party (SPD). In the process of professionalizing, political communication can be more active when considering above-mentioned arguments (Ibid, pp.478-479). Actually, in the USA, before the presidential elections, the internet is used intensively at the electoral campaigns. In the USA, it should be taken into consideration that innovations and improvements related with actors of political communication play an important role. Because of that reason, it can be said that the USA stays one step ahead of other countries. On the other hand, it can be said that under favour of the research findings of political party, the party headquarters’ significance would be increased day by day in such a way that the candidate acquires more significance, due to the increasing appropriateness of television. Political parties make suitable their organizational dynamics besides that their strategies of communication. On the other hand, John Street remarks about party issue that a party’s conduct could be influenced by the particular orientations of the part. Two different-based parties are mentioned, these are; product-oriented party and sales-oriented party. The aim of a sales-oriented party is; persuading. Utilizing ‘the latest advertising and communication techniques to persuade voters that it is right’, whereas a product-oriented party occurs its ideas and its product; whatsoever happens to its electoral results, a product-oriented party would not be adapted or sacrificed. It is specif ied in the paper ‘The Celebrity Politician’ by John Street that political marketing in these circumstances not only describing viewpoint of the party practice but also it interprets how parties perform (Street, 2003; p.90). When we turn to the paper, ‘Political Communication’, scholars identify two different steps for the political campaigns which are comparative and historical perspectives. Firstly, in the new campaign communication, there are three phases which are measured by scholars. These historical phases are; the pre-modern campaign consists between mid-nineteenth century and 1950s, and the modern phase consists between early 1960s and late 1980s, lastly professionalized campaign phase occurs after 1990s. The third phase of campaign communication-professionalized- is defined by many scholars as modernization and Americanization. It is described as a US campaign model and is claimed that campaigning in most democracies change more Americanized. On th e other hand, when handling modernization term in terms of third phase of communication; it is quiet broader perspective and there is a reduction in party identification and an increase in electoral campaigns, therefore there are two models in these circumstances; an adoption model and a shopping model. For the example of US election campaigns could be shopping model which is related with accepted techniques in the campaigns (Gibson and Rà ¶mmele, 2008; pp. 480-483). On the other side, according to the scholars the two general phases in political campaigning are; in the pre-modern era, the strength of the local organization and face-to-face contact was significant in terms of political communication which is based on these factors. In the second phase of campaigning, party organization and face-to-face contact changed with mass media communication between citizens-voters- and parties in the second general phase of political campaigning. Citizens do not obtain information about part y programs from rallies and party meetings in the second phase. They certainly receive information through the mass media. Besides that the message of the party makes an overwhelmingly impression through the mass media. On the other hand, there is a new campaign era which is mentioned early 1990s and new challenges have the significance in terms of Americanized style of campaigning and it is called like a professionalized campaigning, a post-modern phase 3 or a post-Fordism. It has the historical and developmental characteristics besides that, parties enlarge the efforts of this phase in order to reach out individual citizens-voters- through telemarketing, direct mail or internet (Ibid, pp.480-481). However, referring the media systems, there are different styles in political communication which are mentioned by Hallin and Mancini. Three key models of media systems are pluralist or Mediterranean model, the democratic corporatist model and lastly liberal or the North Atlantic model. In the pluralist model which is most effective in Southern Europe, electronic media has the higher impress rather than newspaper spread. In the democratic corporatist model, commercial media and the relationships between civil, political groups and media can be seen very strong. Lastly the liberal model of media system has a greatest occurrence in commercial broadcasting. Furthermore, the media is independent from social groups and political parties (Ibid, pp.481-483). In these circumstances, the relationship among political parties- electoral campaigns and voters with the perspective of political communication, I want to mention about the case of Turkey. The ruling party in Turkey applies the methods and practises of political communication not only from one election, they fasten political communication practises every day and it can be seen that among the other parties in Turkey, AKP (the party in power) manipulates the practises of political communication effectively that is seen in the last electoral campaign which is resulted by 44.19 %[1] in AKP votes. On the other hand, when we compare it with other parties- vote rate- after AKP in electoral campaigns, it can be seen that these parties attach importance to political communication in recent years and they receive support from professionals in this field. However, when we consider the close relationship between political communication and democracies, it should be taken into consideration that , although AKP takes cognizance of practices of political communication mostly, democracy issue is still one of the most disputable arguments in Turkey. Based on this, how we could be of one mind about the effectiveness of the practises of political communication which is put account by ruling party in Turkey. On the other hand, when we consider the relationship between voters and electoral campaigns in Turkey that the results of elections in Turkey shows that the large part of the voters do not have the consciousness of political culture. For instance, Cem Uzan, who is the founder of The Young Party (Genà § Parti), gained 7.25%[2] vote rate in 2002, in a short time period while wandering from town to town with some concerts and dinner, the party reached different groups of masses through incompatible practices and techniques of political communication, discourses and techniques of political culture, however the success of the GP could not be maintained. It should be taken into con sideration in these circumstances that the success of political communication directly contributes to the political success. Conclusion As we see above that political communication is a very broad topic which is defined in the first years of the term as a relationship between governmental processes and its citizens which we mean here voters. We familiarized with the main actors of political communication which are media, political actors and voters. It should be taken into consideration that these political actors influence each other and in order to make the political communication effectively and successfully, the relationship among these actors is very significant issue. On the other hand, we referred integrity of both political communication and political culture. We saw the relationship among the actors of political communication such as political parties, governments, local governments, pressure groups, non-governmental organizations, the voters, the media, and etc. Furthermore, we clarified how media effects to the political communication referring to the comparative and historical perspectives of media systems. Furthermore, we saw that the practises of political communication contribute freewill, right of election and political information which voters need. The relationship between media and political parties has an incontrovertible impact in terms of political communication, as we remarked. It should be said that, in order to make political communication more effective in near future, it has to be sprawled more and should not be restricted with electoral campaigns, lastly applying the practises of political communication in everyday life will bring a new dimension to political communication. Bibliography 1-Gibson K. Rachel, Rà ¶mmele, 2008: â€Å"Political Communication†, within â€Å"Comparative Politics†, edited by Caramani D.Oxford Publications, 2-Street, J. , 2003: â€Å"Political Style and Popular Culture†, within â€Å"Media and the Restyling of Politics†, edited by Corner J. and Pels D. Online-accessed http://arsiv.ntvmsnbc.com/modules/secim2007/secim2002/genel.asp http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-secim-2014/ 1 [1] http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-secim-2014/ [2] http://arsiv.ntvmsnbc.com/modules/secim2007/secim2002/genel.asp