What Is a Leave of Absence From College

You may know a student or two who took a leave of absence and some time off from college. You may also know that doing so is an option for you—even if you dont know the specifics. To decide if a leave of absence is the right choice, you need to understand what it is, what type of time off qualifies, and what it could mean for your college career. What Is a Leave of Absence? Leaves of absence are available for college students because things can happen during your time in school that might take priority over working toward your degree. Leaves of absence dont necessarily have to indicate that youve failed at something, messed up during your time in school, or otherwise dropped the ball. Instead, a leave of absence can be a good tool to help you deal with other issues so that when and if you do return to school, youre better able to focus on your studies. Voluntary vs. Involuntary Leave of Absence There are usually two kinds of leaves of absence: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary leaves of absence can be granted for a variety of reasons, like medical leave, military leave, or even personal leave. A voluntary leave of absence is just what it sounds like—leaving the college voluntarily. Here are some reasons you might need to leave voluntarily: A family member has a major illness and you need to help your family.You are suffering from depression and hope to improve your mental health before resuming classes.  Your finances are too tight and you need to take a semester off to work and make extra money. An involuntary leave of absence, in contrast, means you are not leaving the institution by choice. You may be required to take a leave of absence for any number of reasons, including: As part of a judicial ruling because of your personal conduct, a negative action, or an infraction of campus policy.Because your academic performance has not been at the level your college requires.Failure to adhere to the schools requirements for registration, immunizations, or financial obligations. What Happens During a Leave of Absence? Whether your leave of absence is voluntary or involuntary, its important that you thoroughly understand what your leave entails. Get the answers to all of these questions before you make a final decision or leave school. What happens to your academic work/classes and financial aid for this term? ​If you take a leave of absence right now, find out if you will need to pay back your loans and scholarships right away or if you will be given a grace period. You should also learn whether any of your tuition and fees will be refunded. Learn the status of your classwork: Do you take an incomplete or will your transcript reflect a withdrawal?What requirements, if any, are there for returning? ​You might need to complete some aspect of a judicial sanction, for example, or prove that you can once again perform academically at a college level. Learn if you need to reapply for admission if you want to return to your college or university and what other actions you will need to take if you are interested in enrolling again at a later date.How long will your leave of absence be granted for? Leaves of absence dont continue indefinitely. Learn how long you may be on leave and what you must do during tha t time. Your college or university may require you to update the institution on a regular basis—at the start of every semester, for example—about your status. Seek Help With Your Decisions While a leave of absence can be a great resource, make sure you are very clear about the requirements of taking such a leave. Speak with your academic adviser and other administrators (like the Dean of Students) responsible for coordinating and approving your leave. After all, you want your leave to be an aid—not an obstacle—to ensure you return to your studies focused, refreshed, and re-motivated.

Hispanic Groups in the United States - 1260 Words

Running Head: HISPANIC GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES Hispanic Groups in the United States Harley D. Palmer ETH 125 September 5, 2010 Dr. Carol Grant Hispanics in the United States have a history rooted for centuries. Many different cultures make up this group dubbed ‘Hispanics’, each with their own identity, culture, and struggles. However, they do group together in a common fight to gain a more stable and positive foot hold in the U.S. Mexican Americans seem to have the strongest and yet weakest position in the United States. Their presence is clouded with negative images of ‘all Mexicans’ being illegal aliens or harboring illegal aliens. They appear to dominate the news more so than other Hispanic groups, causing†¦show more content†¦Many say they would return to Cuba if the communist regime was overturned. (Schaefer, 2006) In education, Cuban Americans have collage graduates rates twice as high as other Hispanic groups in the U.S. Many Cubans come to this country already high educated and skilled, but even second-generation Cubans fare better in school testing than other Hispanic peopl e. (Schaefer, 2006) Cubans have created strong affects on the economy, especially in Miami. Immigrants turned Miami into a town booming with activity and economic strength. (Schaefer, 2006) Dominicans are often forgotten as they are grouped together with Cubans or Puerto Ricans as they come from the same region. While the Dominicans came to this country for similar reasons as the other Hispanics groups – political and economic unrest – they immigrated much later than their counterparts. Now, more than 1 million Dominicans live in the United States. (DR1, 1996) Statistically, according to the United Nations Subcommittee on Human Development, Dominicans are the poorest ethnic group in the U.S. Most of the Dominicans that arrive in this country are from the rural areas of the Republic and have very little formal education. (DR1, 1996) Unlike other Hispanics, Dominicans have not assimilated to the American culture the same way as other groups. Spanish is the language of ch oiceShow MoreRelated Hispanic American Diversity Essay1207 Words   |  5 PagesHispanic American Diversity Hispanic groups of all origins have a profound interest when relocating to the United States. Hispanic groups such as Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Central and South Americans share the same common interest of prosperity and a future for their families. Language of these groups is commonly Spanish speaking and they relish with religion of the Roman Catholics and Protestant faith. The United States Census Bureau shows different percentagesRead MoreThe Hispanic-American Experience1695 Words   |  7 Pagesdetermined to call their own. Almost every immigrant that has entered the United States has done so in hopes of finding a better life for themselves and for their families. For most Hispanic-Americans, the goal was the same. Hispanic-Americans come from a variety of different Spanish-speaking countries. Just as the wave of immigrants from Europe came to the United States of America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hispanics came from places like Mexico, South and Central America, and the CaribbeanRead MoreDiversity in the Hispanic Culture1225 Words   |  5 PagesDiversity in the Hispanic Culture Diversity in the Hispanic Culture The Hispanic community accounts for the largest minority in the United States. The United States Census Bureau reported as of July 2006, the percentage of Hispanics in the nation had grown to 15. This percentage excludes the 3.9 million Puerto Ricans whom call America their home. This number puts the United States ranking third worldwide for largest Hispanic populations, with Mexico and Colombia holding the first and secondRead MoreThe Issue of Immigration: The Hispanic-American Diversity1456 Words   |  6 Pagesindividuals identified with Hispanic cultures (Guittierrez, 2006). There is a misconception among many Americans that all Hispanic cultures are identical in religion, linguistic, political, social, and family conventions and this misconception too often leads to biases and prejudices that create barriers. In reality, there are a many similarities between Hispanic groups but there are also many differences that characterize each group as being unique. Among the Hispanic groups that have immigrated toRead MoreHispanics in the USA Essay1070 Words   |  5 PagesToday, the Hispanic population has grown tremendously over the years. We have watched the Hispanics community growth rate grow faster than any other racial and ethnic group in the nation. The Hispanic culture and community has populated all around the United States, introducing new traditions and customs. I was traveling to different to city in the States, I notice the wide spread growth of Hispanic communities, For Instance in Miami the Cuban and El Salvadoran culture is heavy populate in the areaRead MoreAnalyzing The Health Status Of A Specific Minority Group881 Words   |  4 PagesAnalyzing the health status of a specific minority group (Hispanic/Latino) in the United States Author University According to the â€Å"Summary of Health Statistics for the U.S Population†, around 10.3% of Hispanic population living in United States suffers poor health. (Cdc.gov, 2015) From a count of 52608 Hispanic/Latino people in America, 5437 are in poor health status. There can be numerous reasons for it, for example, loss in employment, loss in health insurance, not medically insured atRead MoreThe Health Status Of Mexican Americans Essay980 Words   |  4 Pagesdetermines the health of the nation. We as the United States of America have become more culturally diverse in this last century with thirty-six percent belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group. According to the US Census Bureau population estimates as of July 1, 2013 there are approximately fifty-four million Hispanics living in the United States representing seventeen percent of the US total population. This statistic makes people of Hispanic origin the nations largest ethnic or race minorityRead MoreThe Latino/Hispanic Class Is The Only Racial Grouping Calculated1128 Words   |  5 PagesThe Latino/Hispanic class is the only racial grouping calculated individually by the United States Census. According to the U.S. Census, a Latino/Hispanic individual can be of several nationalities. There is an extreme amount of variables in the cultural class, which may puzzle some individuals on what is considered to be a Hispanic person or something different. The census classification of Hispanic became approved about the late 20th century. The term has produced a lot of misunderstanding. InRead MoreThe Latino And Hispanic Group1025 Words   |  5 PagesThe Latino/Hispanic group is the only ethnic category counted separately by the United States Census. It’s also the largest minority group today in the U.S. and has a variety of different groups. According to the U.S. Census, a Latino/Hispanic person can be black or white when considering race. Depending on the country the individual is from, it could determine if they view themselves as white, black or neither. The census category of Hispanic became official near the late 20th century. In 1933Read MoreMinority Research Paper1715 Words   |  7 Pagesshould be sensitive to each group and shouldn’t be afraid to tap into each market. Below is information on the three largest minority groups in the United States and what each one prefers. African Americans †¢ The total numbers in the US is 42 million (â€Å"United States Census Bureau†). †¢ African Americans make up 13.6% of the total US population (â€Å"United States Census Bureau†). †¢ The rate of growth for this minority group from 2000 to 2010 was 15.4% (â€Å"United States Census Bureau†). †¢ The average

Basic Company Free Essays

Mr. James Pierce had recently received word of his appointment as general manager of the Jackson Plant, one of the older established units of The Rose Company. As such, Mr. We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Company or any similar topic only for you Order Now Pierce was to be responsible for the management and administration at the Jackson Plant of all functions and personnel except sales. Both top management and Mr. Pierce realized that there were several unique features about his new assignment. Mr. Pierce decided to assess his new situation and relationships before undertaking his assignment. He was personally acquainted with the home office executives, but had met few of the Jackson personnel. This case contains some of his reflections regarding the new assignment. The Rose Company conducted marketing activities throughout the United States and in certain foreign countries. These activities were directed form the home office by a vice president in charge of sales. Manufacturing operations and certain other departments were under the supervision and control of a senior vice president. These are shown in Exhibit A. For many years the company had operated a highly centralized-functional type of manufacturing organization. There was no general manager at any plant; each of the departments in a plant reported on a line basis to its functional counterpart at the home office. For instance, the industrial relations manager of a particular plant reported to the vice president in charge of industrial relations at the home office, and the plant controller to the vice president-controller, and so on. Mr. Pierce stated that in the opinion of the top management the record of the Jackson Plant had not been satisfactory for several years. The Rose board had recently approved the erection of a new plant in a different part of the city and the use of new methods of production. Lower costs of processing and a reduced manpower requirement at the new plant were†¦ How to cite Basic Company, Essay examples

Leadership Skill Samples for Students †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Leadership Skill Theory and Practice. Answer: Introduction Leadership is the ability of an individual or organization to mobilize or influence people, organization or teams for the achievement of certain goals in a given situation. In an organization, the leadership role is mainly concentrated on the top executive but also draws down to the managers and other senior leaders. The leaders have the responsibility to positively influence other organizational employees towards achieving the set goals and objectives. In the contemporary society today, leadership is very important but has been curbed by many challenges, this has been as a result of the many issues that result in the lack of trust in leadership by other stakeholders. Among the many functions of a leader some include; control, evaluate the level of organizations performance as well as that of the employees after a given period of time, motivate the employees as well towards achieving the set goals among others. There are different types of leaders who are classified according to their level of ability to lead, the ground into which leadership is to be offered as well as the organizations set qualifications of a leader that relates to the set goals and objectives. These leaders classifications are as follows; Benevolent leader The benevolent leader is the one who understands the personalities of a group of people and appreciates that each person responds to altered situations to motivate the same person according to their own personality. This leader ensures that the team members are aware of their goals in the field that they have been allocated. This is important as every individual has a different personality and ability to deliver. In the business world today, different personalities fit the different business context in relation to abilities of an individual and the set business goals. Team leader A team leader is a person who creates a clear picture regarding organizations future expectations and acts as a role model, understands what the group stands for and what they are all about. Team leadership has a strong sense of purpose and direction. This type of leadership involves working with peoples personalities and minds. For one to be a good team leader they have to have very good leadership skills and qualities because this type of leadership may fail if one does not have the right qualities of the team leading like understanding, patience and critical thinking. Its of great importance for all team leaders to ensure that the goals set for any team to achieve incorporate the abilities of the team members to deliver. Teamwork is very important as it enhances the development of an individuals ability to grow as well as achieve the set goals. Laissez Faire leadership This is the kind of a leader that gives consultants to the employees as they are allowed to work as they desire with minimal or no interference. In this type of leadership, employees have the power to make their own decisions as long as they are in line with the set rules which in most cases are not strict. Having it mind that the only included personnel match the requirements, there is minimal follow-ups as well as conflicts. This type of leadership is very important in the modern organizations as it ensures that everyones ability to lead her is exercised. This is mainly found in the designing business, product design firms and architectural firms where the ability to deliver depends on ones creative mind. People who have strong skills, extensive education and experience are successful in this kind of leadership. People who are easily motivated also thrive in this kind of leadership and develop with a lot of ease. Autocratic leadership Autocratic leaders hold the authority and responsibility and make all the decisions even without consulting the employees under him and this decision is based on their ideas and judgments and rarely accept an opinion from their followers. Institutionalization theory of business illustrates that in every set of organizational leadership other employees or stakeholders views should be considered during decision making, thus this type of leadership may not be successful. The leader, in this case, has the final say and only requires the employees to implement and not question anything. In the modern world today, this type of leadership cannot influence the development and so should not be encouraged as it's mainly associated with the tyrants and dictators. People normally dont like this kind of leadership because they feel it epitomizes authoritarianism. An example of autocratic leadership is a standard oil founder John D Rockefeller and US president Nixon. Democratic leadership This is the kind of leadership that even the employees are involved in the process of decision making and their contributions are the ones mainly involved in the headship. In this kind of leadership, the leader is mainly known to delegate authority to other people though he holds the final responsibility. In this type, communication is valued to ensure that the employees have a significant role in enhancing development. It is the most preferred kind leadership since it is known for fairness, creativity, courage and intelligence and is based on mutual respect. There is a collaboration between leaders and the people they guide. Democratic leaders cannot accomplish their goals without direct participation of others. Examples of this kind leadership are the US presidents. Visionary leadership This is the kind of leadership that understands and recognizes that the methods and the process of leadership are obtained through people. They understand and transform their visions into realities. They are builders of a new dawn since they work with imagination, insight, and boldness. This is not a common type of leadership especially in a group setting as it dwells on the mind imaginations, beliefs, values as well as creative thinking. In the modern setting, visionary leaders are only taken as an impact where the goals to be met are only imagined and visualized as they are achieved. Negative emotions and leadership Negative emotions are any psychological feelings which causes one to be miserable and dislike yourself and other people and it takes away confidence and they affect our productivity and relationships. Examples of negative emotions are Sadness, anger, frustration, annoyance and resentment. Most of these negative emotions affect leaders productivity in following ways: They dont fulfill people expectations as agreed since they have a disturbed emotional setting. They feel misjudged They tend to be passive aggressive They fail to take responsibility They lack trust on other people. But negative emotion at any level of leadership van is handled by: Addressing the issue of miscommunication Engage in dealing with problematic behaviors. Managing conflicts productively. Engaging with the employees in life building skills Emotional intelligence and Leadership Emotional intelligence is the ability to say, understand and know how you have an influence on other and in return you were able to manage yourself in regards to that. Emotional intelligence usually increases corporate performance through discretionary effort. In the contemporary society today a leader must be very aware of him/herself: motivations and behaviors for them to develop an understanding of his or her people. Lack of self-awareness of a leader results to poor leaders thinking. For high emotional intelligence one to have self-assessment, empathy and compassion, self-regulation. Effective communication and relationship management helps the leaders to be in a place to put themselves in other peoples situations before condemning them. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are likely to be very good in their leadership roles and they are known to have better productivity abilities with positive relationships with other organizational members. High emotional intelligence can be motivated by setting a positive working environment for both the employees and the leaders that as a result ensures positive relationship as well as the development of the organization set goals. Case study What type of Leadership style did Mayer demonstrate, judging from the Case study? According to the case study, Mayer demonstrated autocratic leadership. In this type of leadership, the leader made decisions based on their own understanding. In relevance to the case study, it was clear that her leadership was more of herself than those she was leading. A good leader listened to his or her followers however Mayer could not practice good leadership as she capitalized on talking more than on listening (Adair, 2013). Mayer did all the leadership work herself she did not consult any of her counterparts of the best way to do regarding her leadership. It is noted that Mayer used her leadership to intimidate her colleagues as it evidently seen in the case study. Her counterparts had different views in regard to different ideas and issues in her constituency however she disregarded the ideas once they were presented to her. According to the case study, it is written that once leader does not listen to her or his subjects then they are afraid to share their insights. Mayer f orgot that if her subjects are afraid of her then she will not see the best out of her subjects. Where did she go wrong as a Leader Mayer as a leader had gone wrong in all aspects of leadership. It evident from the case study that she did not fully understand the culture of the people she was leading. According to the study, it is written that culture was always focused on but it was not understood (Harris, 2009). The case study revealed that culture was the main issue in the livelihood of people of a certain region, therefore, it was the main determinant of leadership. Mayer did not know the culture of the people she was leading; therefore, her leadership was termed as null and void. Mayer had taken leadership as her own affair and was not interested in the feelings of other people. She made decisions based on her own liking and did not take into account the feelings of others hence this action formed the falling stone into her leadership. As a leader, Mayer did not take the time to learn from her mistakes and this was a problem with her leadership (Owen, 2012). According to the case study, we saw that Mayer und ermines a comprehensive and well formulated leading strategy however she assumes the complexity that comes with leadership. Evidently, Mayer was an ignorant leader who did not lead for the benefit of her subjects but was using her position to undermine the views of others and also to intimidate her subjects as she tried to introduce new beliefs in a culture she did not take to understand. What in your opinion do you think she could she have done better In my opinion, Mayer would have tried to understand that leadership is service to others, not self. She should have taken the time to learn about the culture of the people she was leading. Mayer would have strived to build some trust with her constituents and colleagues so that she could have been able to lead without difficulties. Mayer would have taken an action to listen to her work mates and through this way she would have built a good rapport with her and her Colleagues. If her subjects were not afraid of her, they would not be afraid of making mistakes, therefore, they would have been producing the best hence enhancing her leadership. It is important if she had noted her mistake and corrected her relationship between her and others in the constituent as this would have led to the improvement of her leadership. Mayer also decided to ignore the complex nature of leadership because she did not put into account the mandate of leading her people according to their culture. In my opinion, Mayer would have taken into consideration the culture of her people thus proving to be a good leader. Leadership theories These are perspectives that give a view of traits that enhance effective leadership. the styles of leadership, forms as well as the expected techniques that influence effective and efficient leadership. These theories include; Trait leadership theory Every form of leadership enhances good leadership traits that are key to effective leadership. This theory gives a view on the relationship between individual personality and the expressed leadership skills (Ferguson, 2004). According to the proponents of the theory, the personal or individual characteristics greatly influence leadership skills. The environment in to which these skills are offered does not greatly influence the qualities of leadership as leaders emerge from a great variety of situations and responsibilities. Contingency theory The theory explains that all leaders do not have same qualities and abilities and a leader in one situation may not be a leader in a different situation as skills vary from one situation to the other. The theory proposes that the leadership qualities are independent of the individual concerned. Behavioral theory The theory proposes that any type of behavior that relates to leadership is modified by rewards or punishments (Northouse, 2013). Positive leadership is rewarded thus motivating the leaders to perform even better while negative leadership in most cases to punishment. As a result of this issues, leaders with viable qualities should be encouraged and the ones failing should also be encouraged to perform better. Full range theory The theory expounds on the need for enhancing motivation and morale of the leaders. This is done by relating the leaders with their project achievements openly to enable them to have a sense of belonging. Conclusion A leader being the one in charge of influencing and leading others towards a certain mission or goal of any organization he must understand the peoples personalities and help each one of them to achieve their goals as well as enhance their personal development. A good leader must not only be result oriented but also be mindful of peoples involvement towards attaining the goals of a company. A leader must be aware of every person and be all round. A good leader must have all types of leadership qualities for them to be more successful and more productive. Leadership skills are key to any leading scenario that has set goals and objectives that are important for development. Poor leadership skills influence limited achievements in any given unit of production that are seasoned to support developments. References Ferguson, . (2004). Leadership Skills. New York: Infobase Pub. Adair, J. E. (2013). Develop your leadership skills. Owen, J. (2012). The leadership skills handbook: 50 essential skills you need to be a leader. London: Kogan Page. Adair, J. E. (2013). Develop your leadership skills. Kurucz, E. C., Colbert, B. A., Wheeler, D. (2013). Reconstructing value: Leadership skills for a sustainable world. Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE. Winkler, I. (2010). Contemporary leadership theories: Enhancing the understanding of the complexity, subjectivity and dynamic of leadership. Berlin: Springer. Dugan, J. P. (2016). Leadership theory. Place of publication not identified: John Wiley Sons. Lussier, R. N., Achua, C. F. (2015). Leadership. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Bischoff, A. L. (2010). Leadership theories - Gandhi as leader: The application of leadership skills in organizations on a great leader of our time according to Gary A. Yukl. Mu?nchen: Grinverl. Iqbal, T. (2011). The impact of leadership styles on organizational effectiveness: Analytical study of selected organizations in IT sector in Karachi. Munich: Grin Verlag. Vurnum, G. (2010). Transformational leadership: 92 tips for using the different types of leadership to identify leadership traits that uncover your leadership strengths. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified. Harris, A. (2009). Distributed leadership: Different perspectives. Dordrecht: Springer.

The network society Essay Example

The network society Paper With this rise in the service sector employment there was an inevitable rise in stability in that sector. However this, lead to an increase in both upper and lower levels of the occupational structure. There was an upgrade of the occupational structure in terms of jobs that require increased skill and higher levels of information. (Castells, M. 1996: pp229) The dominance of service sector employment through information technology has lead to significant managerial developments. Call centres and telecentres are workplaces, which are designed and operate with the aim of providing telephonic customer service. These workplaces depend upon state of the art communication and information technology. (Wyatt et. al, 2000: pp184) By incorporating these technologies into the once purely human service the employer is able to monitor the agents efficiency and output in terms of customer interaction. The demand of for customer service outside working hours (Wyatt et. al 2000: pp185) has actually reshaped the working day of the call centres agents and in doing so they have reshaped and it could be said that they have taken control of their social patterns. We will write a custom essay sample on The network society specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The network society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The network society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The ambition to make every form of work controllable in order to gain a clear indication of efficiency, which can be accounted for on balance sheets, has been an ongoing process since the industrial revolution. This goal of achieving some sort of measurement system has always been achieved through technology. The question is can we attach any form of economic valuation system to a human service? The technology that is used in telecentres are being specifically designed to supply demands for technology which will be able to generate high levels of management information on performance of the individual telecentre agents (Wyatt et. al 2000: pp186) The unpredictability of the of human element in the workplace has been a taunting management ever since the workplace came into being and attempts of gaining control has been pursued ever since. Here again we see the controlling feature of a capitalist system. The question lies whether this was the reason for the transformation. Previous control of efficiency and output was gained trough the commitment of the worker which was determined by job satisfaction, in these call centres however the commitment toward the job is gained through control which is achieved by the monitoring which are common on a Fordist assembly line. In a common factory setting the worker is required to detach himself from his emotional state and attitude and adopt one that will allow them to perform the job most efficiently, this system is being brought into service sector employment by training the agents on specific techniques and attitudes in order to achieve maximum output. There isnt so much a move from manufacturing sector employment to service sector employment but merely a transformation of the service sector to ensure the control and output principals that the manufacturing sector works under. With this flexibility that the network society demands comes the issue of weakening of social intuitions and organisations that served to speak for the worker and even represent the worker. With outsourcing and contractual employment there has been a significant reduction of representation power. The fragmentation of work makes the worker to an extent expendable hence removing their control of the job itself. This fragmentation coupled with the outsourcing of labour renders unions and those they represent powerless. Castells also claims that the unions inability of unions to adapt to the changing worker and organisation has rendered them powerless. He goes on to emphasis that the new network technologies could be just as helpful the unions as it is to organisations in that they can organise labour anywhere and any time. (Castells, M. 1996: pp278). There is said to be strength in numbers, and the capitalist system has noticed this and adopted the warfare strategy of divide and conquer by this I mean there has been a polarisation of the individual in the work environment. With heightened surveillance options at their fingertips management has no need to have workers collectively together to ensure supervision hence work is organised to ensure greater autonomy. It is this transformation of work, the individualisation of labour that Castells (1996) underscores in his work on the Information Age (Castells, M. 1996: pp265). Castells emphasises that this technological transformation especially exacerbates the trend towards increased flexibility of labour. This flexibility is hidden behind the illusion of home-based work and the ability for a work environment to co-exist in a social environment. Capitalism deceptive nature is thus shown again. From control of the occupational environment capitalism goes to the next stage with an attempt to control the culture of society. Culture plays a vital role in the way we think which determines what we consume. The capitalist system has used technology of the Network Society to shape our cultures to suit their needs and objectives. It is an indirect way of shaping and directing our thoughts and emotions. According to Castells our culture is shaped by communication. Previously our languages were our form of communication in the written and heard form, however with the emergence of network technologies the earliest of which was the television (networked through the media channels) the heard written and seen are combined in order to grant the ability to convey views, beliefs and emotions (Castells, M. 1996: pp328-329). Through his writing on The culture of real virtuality Castells shows how communication technologies have become part of our lives (Castells, M. 1996: pp327-375). He however fails to address the avenue of the liberation of society due to the abundance of information and media avenue available. I on the other hand feel that it should be address due to the fact that people have that frame of mind instilled in them which is misleading. Sure there is the element of choice in the media and we choose what we watch, but the communication industry, mainly the media (which includes the internet) is a business like any other and it will broadcast what is profitable. This profitability is determined by information on individuals. It acts on human characteristics such as curiosity and amazement. So whatever amazes us and whatever we enquire about is always best for us. By feeding human character traits our thoughts and in turn our cultures are reshaped to that which exists in the virtual world and suits the capitalistic system. Pierre Levys book, Cyber Culture, (Levy,P : 1997) provides one of the most coherent and persuasive expressions of the contemporary technocultural vision. Levy argues that knowledge is no longer abstract but has become the visible and the tangible expression of the individual and groups who inhabit it; interactive networks work towards the personalisation or incarnation of knowledge (Levy, P. 1997: pp184). This ability to reshape our cultures in effect influences and affects our political ideals. The ability of the Networks and Society to be accessed by politicians has made it a vital breeding ground for election campaigns. The media space has become a battlefield for politicians with weapons such as negative messages, scandal, spin, political marketing and legitimacy (Castells, 1996 : pp362). The political struggle is dependent on the media to such an extent that the media determines consequences, actions and ideals. (Castells. 1996 : pp476). This leads me to the issue of access to the media; by this I mean that media campaigns cost allot money and if the outcome of a campaign is determined by the best media campaign, which in effect depends on the availability of capital, we can assume that those with the money determine political outcomes. We covered all the elements of the network society except for the concept of time which is linked to Castells theory of the space of hows. I have left these two aspects to the end because they actually reveal the capitalist ambitions for control through the network society. Time and space has always been factors of production, which have only been regarded as such fairly recently. New technologies and initially compressed geographical space by reducing relay time of communication. The whole ordering of meaningful events looses its internal chronological rhythm, and becomes arranged in time sequences depending upon the social context of their utilisation (Castells, M. 1996: pp462). Here we see that time itself, an uncontrollable element of human existence, which was thought to be uncontrollable is manipulated to suit consumer trends in order to achieve the ultimate goal of the capitalist system. The capitalist system has thus gained control of the time, which governed the consumers purchasing habits. With new network technologies there is now a twenty-four hour day, which does not consist of, designated times to do specific tasks (Evident in the flexible workers of the network society). This pursuit for control has lead to the relinquishing of control that space has over us. This has lead to the movement from Castells (1996) space of places to the space of flows (Castells, M. 1996: pp276). Space has been a concept, which has been used to emphasize time simultaneity which is based on physical distance between actions, which determine the ability to accomplish various tasks simultaneously. This concept however has changed with technology in the sense that the ability to accomplish more than one task at the same time is no longer bound by vicinity between tasks (Castells, M Inch. 2003: pp56). This space of flows is not just about telecommunication technology but also the pursuit of technology to link places together to achieve the common ambition (eg. Stock Markets). Castells argues that the reason access to this technology in order to form part of the network is not a matter of availability but a matter of choice (Castells, M Inch.2003: pp58). He emphasises the fairness of the space of flows by stating that the first is linked to the third world via the space of flows. This justification however is sceptical and contradicts with his theory of nodes (Castells, M. 1996: pp413). Castells space of flows is made up of nodes. These are information gathering, communication and analysis hubs. These nodes are dependant upon the Network and their inclusion in the network is determined by their value to the network (Castells, M. 1996: pp413). My argument lies in Castells (1996) mentioning the link between the first world and third world, if inclusion into the network is determined by the value to the network then it isnt a matter of fairness but a matter of exploitation, something that has been common in capitalist systems. Under ideals and principles of a capitalist system, from evidence throughout the essay we can see capitalisms fundamental tool, which is control, has been a result or cause for the various elements of the Network Society. So as a concluding point, I would say that the Network Society is a more advanced form of capitalism, which is international, and carefully hidden. IOLS 2B Technology and Work Essay Name : Kubendran Govender Student Number : 202522553 Topic : Castells Network Society. REFERENCE 1. Castells, M. (1985) High Technology, space and society sage publications, inc 2. Castells, M (1996) The rise of the network society Blackwell publishers. 3. Castells, M and Inch (2003) Conservation with Manuell Casteller- blackwell publishers.4. Levy, P (1997) Cyberculture Paris, Edisions Odile Jacob 5. Stanier, T (1983) the wealth of information: a profile of the Post industrial economy London Methusen 6. Susser, I (2002) the Castells reader on cities and social theory Blackwell publishers. 7. Sylvia Downs, (1982) who learns whom training and development 8. Visvanathan, S (2001) knowledge and information in the network society http://www. indiaseminar. com 15/09/03 9. Webster, F (2002) Routledge 10. Wyatt et al (2000) technology and inequality Routledge.

What to Do When Youre Bored at Work

What to Do When Youre Bored at Work There can be any number of reasons you’re feeling bored  at work. If it’s just a lull in your to-do list, maybe it’s temporary. If it’s more of a chronic case of â€Å"I-hate-this-job-itis,† well, you should certainly start thinking about looking for a new job. But in either case, it can be a dangerous habit to fall into. Here are some tips to save yourself before you fall into a full-on goof-off cycle. 1. Find something new to do.This doesn’t mean you should take online Spanish lessons while your company expects you to be working diligently at your desk. Rather, find something of value that you can learn from your workplace. Whether that’s picking up a new skill from another department or talking with colleagues to pick their brains on their own expertises, take this as an opportunity to boost your professional development. Just make sure that your off-the-record professional development doesn’t start displacing your regular work duties (you know, the ones you’re being paid to do).2. Reward yourself.Completing that report on time may not earn you the applause of your manager, but you can come up with your own reward system. Say, â€Å"when I complete this task, then I can get coffee,† or allow yourself 10  minutes of down time for checking something major off your to-do list. It’s a way of staying in the game enough to get things done, even when your head or heart might not be. If things get really desperate, there’s always the good, old-fashioned candy reward that’s popular with kids and bored professionals alike.3. Come up with an escape plan.If your case of â€Å"I-hate-this-job-itis† is a serious one, then even the act of figuring out your next steps can have a rejuvenating effect. Even the most tedious or soul-crushing work activities aren’t so bad if you know you won’t be doing them forever.4. Shoot for â€Å"good enough.†Sometimes a C+ is good enough, especially if you’re in danger of flunking. It’s not great to make a habit of doing the bare minimum, but if you feel yourself checking out, create a list of the parts of your job that are absolutely â€Å"must do† so that you’re maintaining until things get better.5. Do some networking in your field.Meeting and talking to new people in your field can introduce new opportunities. It can also help you remember what you liked about this field in the first place, and why you chose this job. Either way, it brings something (or someone) fresh into the staleness of your routine.Even if you’re halfway out the door and already looking for other opportunities, it’s important not to let your reputation lapse into slackerdom. If you feel yourself starting to check out, there are ways to slow it down before the blahs affect your job performance or work relationships.

JetBlue - Case Study Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

JetBlue - Case Study - Coursework Example To analyze the strength and stability of the sales revenue earned by the company over the years, ratio analysis will be useful. Thus in this case study ratio analysis is applied for evaluating the increase in net revenue in relation to increased operating expenses. â€Å"Profitability reflects the final result of business operations.† (Chandra, 77). In order to identify the profitability of a company, gross profit ratio analysis and net profit ratio analysis have to be undertaken. The trend in the gross profit ratio of the company over the years shows that there is an increase in its gross profit. From a loss of about $21188000 in the starting year of 2000, JetBlue earned a gross profit rate of 8.366 % in the next year itself. This shows that the company has a high potential to overcome its financial challenges. In the year 2002, the gross profit ratio had increased to 16.528%. The half year performance of JetBlue shows a gross profit ratio of 18.07%. But after that in the next half year there occurred a slight decline in gross profit ratio can be seen. It is 17.32 %. The gross profit rate graph of the company shows signs of significant increase. Net profit ratio analysis of JetBlue further shows that the operating performance is considerably improving. In the initial year, the company has incurred operating loss of $ 21330000. In the next year, company earned net profit of $ 38537000. The net profit ratio in the year2001 is 12.027%. In 2002, it decreased to 8.64%. During the first half of 2003, it again increased to 9.76 % and in the next half year it further increased to 11.977%. Thus, the net profit ratio of JetBlue is not found to be stable in nature. The ratio analysis on sales revenue shows that there is fluctuation in the net profit of the company over the past three years. This is due to higher operating costs resulting from increased interest expenses and increased taxation charges. â€Å"Financial risk can be measured from operating

Summarize the article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Summarize the article - Essay Example Other learners will fail to identify them at all. The varying grammatical sensitivity, especially on grammatical features results in different processing strategies such as rule formation and hypothesis testing. Understanding the differences in levels of awareness, provide important information especially for linguistic teachers in order to make grammatical features more salient in a given input. In this regard, learners who do not pay enough attention to the form as well as the meaning of a feature will understand them as in the case of communicative language teaching classroom (Philippa, 619). Additionally, understanding the difference in grammar features awareness among learners will assist in evaluating the significance of consciousness in understanding second languages. An aptitude test therefore assists in evaluating whether inputs provide incidental learning as well as the potential for learning other linguistic forms (Philippa, 619). Additionally, many educational institutions that adopt the communicative language teaching methodology must evaluate whether the language learning aptitude test enables learners to notice language features during incidental exposure in order to understand the significance of incidental exposure in learning as a pedagogical tool. The research indicated a high correlation between individual learning ability and the level of awareness. In this case, the level of awareness and maintenance of a given level of awareness is predicted by indicative language learning. The hypothesis was supported by 72 percent accuracy of the crossword puzzle exposure task. However, the research does not explain further the implication of this observation. In my view, the observation that language learning has no significant impact on determining the level of a learner’s awareness level in a meaning-based exposure to linguistic input is

The disaster recovery plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The disaster recovery plan - Assignment Example The one-story building is constructed of cement block, with no windows, and meets all hurricane-related building codes. The clinic does accept animals for boarding when a hurricane threatens, as public shelters for local residents do not allow animals. When developing a sound disaster recovery plan, there are systematic measures an organization must take to accomplish this task. One of the first such method is developing preventative measures that function to aid the organization ahead of time. In terms of the veterinary clinic adequate preventative measures include ensuring that the building is current with hurricane protection standards and that it is properly insured. While an organization cannot prevent a hurricane from occurring that can prevent further structural damage from occurring by making sure that these building codes are up to contemporary standards, and are insured in case of a potential failure. Special consideration must be given to the nature of the business as hous ing animals. Proper preventative measures will ensure that the structure is either strong enough to withstand a hurricane, and if it is deemed not, that there will be adequate measures developed for animal transportation. In these regards, the disaster care plan will ensure that the animals can be temporarily moved to a veterinary clinic outside the immediate county through the aid of a UHAUL truck.

Rape Date Rape And Rape Trauma Syndrome

Rape Date Rape And Rape Trauma Syndrome Rape is a huge issue that plagues the world today. It is a worldwide issue, and is not specific to any one country. Rape also can impact anyone at any time. It is not specific to any one neighborhood, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or financial status. Rapes continue to happen frequently, and yet many are not reported to the police. Rape is widely thought to be the most underreported crime. There are many stigmas that go along with rape, so it makes it difficult to come forward. Also, it is sometimes difficult to prove rape when there are no physical signs. The victim may also fear being further victimized through the investigative process, so the crime is not reported. Furthermore, with the easy availability of illegal drugs, date rape has become more commonplace. Although date rape can occur without drugs, many times people use illegal substances to render their victims powerless against their advances. This is one form of date rape. In these cases, the victims do not even know what happened to them, and if they were even raped. Some of the drugs can create loss of memory, so it makes it impossible for the victim to express what happened. There are many different drugs used for date rape. Some, like alcohol, are not illegal substances. However, many of the drugs used in date rape are illegal substances. Rape can leave the victim feeling powerless. Many victims experience rape trauma syndrome, which can severely impact their lives. With the prevalence of rape in all communities, it is crucial for people to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Although it is impossible to ensure complete security, there are ways to maintain safety. It is important for everyone to make their own drinks so that no one can slip any drugs into them. Also, a buddy system can be very beneficial to help everyone stay safe, and not end up a bad situation. Reasons Why Rape is Underreported Rape is one of the most underreported crimes. The Uniform Crime Report is an annual report that includes offenses reported to law enforcement agencies at the city, county, and state levels (Meadows, 2010, p. 5). This report details the offenses that are reported to the authorities. The National Crime Victimization Survey is a source of data that recognized incidents not reported to the police and includes a detailed report of crime incidents, victims involved, and trends affecting victims (Meadows, 2010, p. 9). Both the Uniform Crime Report and the National Crime Victimization Survey include information about rape, yet they each report drastically different numbers. There are significantly more rapes reported in the National Crime Victimization Survey than in the Uniform Crime Report. It has been reported by the U.S. Department of Justice that only 31% of all rapes are reported to the authorities (Arrigo, 2006, p. 108). This creates a problem in the criminal justice field because it is difficult to put a stop to rape when most people do not report their victimization. There are many reasons why rape is underreported. The National Crime Victimization Survey found that the most common reason given by victims of violent crime (including rape) for not reporting a crime was that it was a private or personal matter (Meadows, 2010, ps. 9-10). Other reasons why victims may not report rape include fear of reprisal, embarrassment, or the belief that the victim may not be believed (Meadows, 2010, p. 10). These issues all contribute to the underreporting of rape. Rape is a profoundly different type of crime as the attacker is using their body as a weapon. Instead of merely stealing some personal item that can be replaced, the attacker takes something from the victims body and mind, which can never be replaced. This ordeal may only last a few minutes, but feels like hours to the victim as they wonder what will happen next. Also, it can last longer in cases of gang rapes. Once the event is finally over and the victim realizes they have survived, they may not want to talk about it with anyone, and especially not law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Rape truly is the most personal of all crimes. Many people do not talk about sexual matters at all, so they are even less likely to discuss rape. If someone was raised in an environment where they did not talk about sexual things, they will be less likely to report a rape as an adult. It is difficult enough for the victim to get through the actual experience, and victims do not want to have to relive it several times with many different people. Unfortunately, that is the only way to bring justice to the attacker. If the victim comes forward about the attack, they will have to talk to the police at least once, talk to the prosecutor, and talk to the judge or jury depending on the type of case. It would not be as difficult if the victim only had to discuss the issue once, but they continually have to discuss it with different people, all of whom are strangers to them. Rape can occur between a stranger and a victim, but many sexual assaults, however, occur between victims and offenders who know each other (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). This leads the victim to fear retaliation if they do report the attack. Many rapists may even threaten the victim to prevent them from going to the police. Victims take these threats seriously because the attacker has already shown their violent nature, so they may be capable of much worse. In the case of date rape, the attacker may know where the victim lives and works, and this makes their threats more dangerous because they know how to find the victim. A survey of college women showed that 38% reported sexual victimization that met the legal definition of rape or attempted rape, yet only 1 in 25, or 4% reported the incident to the police (Arrigo, 2006, p. 109). This is just a small illustration of how many rapes go unreported, and how many rapists are free to rape again. Rape victims also have to fear the embarrassment that a rape case can bring. When someone does report a rape and it goes to court, the defense may try to prove it was consensual, or that the victim wanted it. Also, the police officers may ask questions that appear to blame the victim. Although there are laws protecting rape victims to a certain extent, there is still embarrassment that goes along with reporting a rape. Many date rape victims are reluctant to report the act for fear that their own behavior will be scrutinized by others (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). This may be because many of the victims of date rape had been drinking or otherwise involved in some type of festivity when the rape occurred (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). Because of their partying, victims may not want to come forward. This also brings embarrassment into their family. It the rape is reported to the police, the family will find out eventually, and the victim may not want them to know. They may want to protect their fam ily, or are simply too embarrassed about the attack. They may not want their parents to know the terrible thing that was done to them. They also may feel partially responsible because they had too much to drink. Ultimately, they do not want to have to talk to complete strangers about what someone did to their own body. Rape is also underreported because victims fear they will not be believed. Many rape cases end up being he said, she said because there is no physical evidence. If there are no bruises or cuts on the victim, it is difficult to prove rape. The emergency room doctor can do a rape kit shortly after the attack to see if there is any evidence. However, even if bodily fluids are found on the victim, that only proves that there was a sexual encounter, it does not prove whether or not it was a consensual act. Many rapists may use verbal threats to get the victim to comply, so there may be no physical marks or bruising. Some women fight back, but others do not because of fear. Rapists may have a weapon they threaten the victims with, so it may be smarter not to fight back in that case. However, this makes it difficult to prosecute. If victims know that there are no bruises or cuts on their body, and it will be difficult to win a case, they many not even report it. Some victims may not report rapes because they do not trust the police. This is especially seen in certain cultures that exhibit a distrust of law enforcement. This may be for many reasons. They may have grown up in a low-income environment where many people participated in illegal activities. They also may have had negative personal experiences with police officers. Also, if they are in the country illegally, they are less likely to report a crime. They may also have a friend or family member who was arrested, and that makes them dislike the police as well. It can also be difficult for victims to come forward regarding sexual assault due to the large percentage of male law enforcement officers. When someone reports a rape, they are asked extremely precise and intimate questions about what exactly the attacker did to them. They have to give details about the encounter that may be difficult to talk about, and it is even worse when the victim is female, and has to discuss it with a male. Although males can be victims of sexual assault, many victims are females, and they have to talk to male officers about their sexual assault. It is uncomfortable for many people to talk to a stranger about anything sexual, so to discuss a sexual assault is even worse. This is made even more challenging as officers can sometimes seem to be uncaring. The officers job is to collect the information about the crime. They are not responsible for consoling the victim, so they may come across as being abrupt or unsympathetic. This only causes the victim more pain as they have to discuss the assault and feel like they are not getting any sympathy. These are only a few of the reasons why rape is underreported. Victims have their own reasons for not reporting rapes, including fear of embarrassment, fear of retaliation, and the fear that they will not be believed. They also may not want to discuss this due to the personal nature of the crime. Victims may just want to move on with their lives and act like the assault never happened. What is date rape? There are many different types of rape. One type is called stranger rape. This is when a complete stranger rapes someone. These rapists often use weapons and threats of violence to gain the victims submission (Arrigo, 2006). However, the most common type of rape is called date rape. This occurs when someone is raped by a person they know. They may be on a date with this person, or be socializing with them at a party. This is extremely common, and often happens on college campuses. Date rape can also include when the assailant uses some type of drugs to make the victim powerless against the attack. Most rapes occur between victims and attackers who are known to each other. In fact, among victims 18-29 years old, two-thirds had a prior relationship with the rapist (Meadows, 2010, p. 97). Many rapists attack ex-girlfriends, casual acquaintances, or people they are currently dating. These rapes are especially difficult as the attacker is someone the victim knows and trusts. The victim may even have to see the rapist around town if they decide not to report the rape. In addition, studies on college campuses have indicated that date rape is increasing (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). An alarming survey shows that more than half of a representative sample of more than 1,000 female students at a large urban university had experienced some form of unwanted sex (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). Of these reported acts, twelve percent were done by casual dates, while 43 percent were done by steady dating partners (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). One study found that many women raped by men they know do not think of themselves as rape victims (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). Perhaps they think the rape was simply a misunderstanding. Still another study shows that date rape primarily occurs when the date was unplanned or the woman had been picked up in a social setting (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). Further studies have shown that 1 in 4 college women . . . [have] been raped or [have] suffered an attempted rape (Arrigo, 2006, p.109). These studies show the frequency of date rape occurring on colleg e campuses. Many researchers have attempted to determine why date rape is so prevalent on college campuses. Mary P. Koss is considered to be one of the most prolific researchers on rape (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 403). Koss conducted much research on college campuses, and found that 73% of the rape victims reported that the offender was drinking (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 403). Some researchers point to the college lifestyle as the reason why date rape is so common. Fraternities can contribute to the formation of attitudes that and behaviors that objectify women and normalize sexual coercion (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 403). Fraternity parties have a long history of underage drinking and random sexual acts. This is a problem when the sexual acts are not consensual. Furthermore, fraternities are about brotherhood, and this creates a preoccupation with loyalty, group protection and security, use of alcohol as a weapon, involvement in violence and physical force, and an emphasis on competitiveness and superiori ty (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 403). This brotherhood mentality makes it difficult for anyone to come forward if they witness anything inappropriate. Even if a victim comes forward, the attackers entire fraternity house may come to his defense, making it difficult to win a criminal case. Date rape is far too common amongst young people today. Victims do not typically come forward to report what happened, which leaves the rapist able to do the same thing to yet another victim. The partying lifestyle found at some colleges contributes to the rape problem. Parties can end up being a place where drunken men force themselves upon others, who are unable to resist. The victim is left feeling helpless and afraid, and in some cases may not even know what happened. Drugs Used in Date Rape Sometimes rapists use drugs to make their victim drowsy or unable to fight back. There are many different types of drugs used in this way. Rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (more commonly known as GHB), and ketamine are just a few date rape drugs that may be slipped into an unwilling participants drink. These drugs are used for date rape because they produce prolonged sedation, a feeling of well-being, and short-term memory loss (Meadows, 2010, p. 98). In addition, many drugs on the market have no particular color, smell, or taste, which makes it easy to add to a victims drink without anyone knowing (Meadows, 2010, p. 99). Because these drugs can create short-term memory loss, the victim may not even know if they were raped or not. Rohypnol is a drug prescribed for insomnia, and is also used as preoperative anesthetic (Meadows, 2010). It also has medical uses as a muscle relaxant, hypnotic, anti-convulsant, sedative, and anti-anxiety medication (Schmalleger, 2009). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam. It is a benzodiazepine, and is a central nervous system depressant. Rohypnol can incapacitate victims and prevent them from resisting sexual assault (Meadows, 2010, p. 99). It also can create anterograde amnesia, which makes the victim not remember anything that happened while under the influence of the drug. The effects of Rohypnol can be felt within about thirty minutes of ingesting the drug (Weiss, 2008). The effects of Rohypnol can last from one to eight hours (Schmalleger, 2009). This can make the entire night a blur, and the victim may not remember anything about the night. A further danger of Rohypnol is that it can be lethal when it is mixed with alcoholic beverages or other depressants. This coul d cause a date rape to turn into a murder. This drug is not approved for use in the United States. However, the drug became more commonplace in the 1990s for date rape purposes, and became known as a roofie (Meadows, 2010). Gamma hydroxybutyric acid is another central nervous system depressant. GHB, also called Liquid X, has been used since the 1990s in the United States for its euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body-building) effects (Meadows, 2010, p. 100). This drug was actually sold in health food stores in the 1980s and the early 1990s (Meadows, 2010). Like Rohypnol, GHB can have negative effects if taken with alcoholic beverages. It can cause breathing problems and nausea (Meadows, 2010). GHB can take effect within fifteen minutes of being drugged (Weiss, 2008). The effects of GHB can last between three and six hours (Meadows 2010). Some of the effects of GHB use are slurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior without odor of alcohol, [and] impaired memory of events (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 540). Also, a study was conducted with 17 GHB users being interviewed about their drug use. This study found that while on the drug, 65% of users had an increased sexual desire, and 47% had decreased sexual inhibitions (Lee Levounis, 2008). Some of the subjects even mentioned that GHB could cause poor decision making in sexual situations (Lee Levounis, 2008, p. 245). This further illustrates why assailants would use this drug. If the victim is given too much GHB, the effects of overdose include shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 540). This drug can be very dangerous. Ketamine, also known as Special K, is another date rape drug. Ketamine is used in the United States as an anesthetic, and is predominantly used on animals in veterinary offices (Justice.com, 2011). According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, recent press reports indicate that a significant number of veterinary clinics are being robbed specifically for their ketamine stock (Justice.com, 2011). Thieves are stealing the ketamine and selling it as a drug to party-goers. It can come in a clear liquid form, so it is very easy to slip into drinks undetected. This drug is often used as a club drug, so it is easily accessible to students who may be planning a date rape. Some of the effects of ketamine are delirium, amnesia, depression, and long-term memory and cognitive difficulties (Justice.com, 2011). This drug, like GHB and Rohypnol, leaves the victim unsure of what has taken place. The effects of ketamine can be felt almost immediately (Weiss, 2008). Also, the victim m ay be aware of what is taking place, but unable to stop it (Weiss, 2008). One date rape drug that is commonly used at parties is alcohol. According to the National Womens Health Information Center, any drug that can affect judgment and behavior can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity (Weiss, 2008). This definition includes alcohol. Even though the victim may be willingly ingesting the alcohol, someone may take advantage of them once they are drunk. Alcohol can make it difficult to think clearly, harder to tell if a situation is dangerous, and harder to fight back if attacked (Weiss, 2008). Also, like the other date rape drugs, alcohol can cause memory loss, or a black out (Weiss, 2008). The victim may black out and be raped, and not remember what happened the next day. One common effect of date rape drugs is their ability to inhibit the victims memory. These drugs cause short-term memory loss so the victim is unsure if they were raped. This makes it less likely that the victim will report the incident to the police. In fact, the victim may not even realize they were drugged at all. If the victim was drinking the night before, it is possible they will think they simply had too much to drink. This further illustrates why date rape is drastically underreported. What Happens in the Emergency Room? After someone is raped, they may need medical attention. Most often they visit their local emergency room for treatment. It is estimated that 75% of female rape victims require medical attention after their attack (Arrigo, 2006, p. 109). Although different areas and hospitals may have different procedures for handling a rape victim, typically the process is similar. The medical staff will call law enforcement to make a police report, will call the local rape crisis group, will call the Division of Family and Children Services if a minor is involved, and will perform a full examination of the victim. When the police officer arrives to take a report of the alleged rape, they must speak to the victim. They will ask the victim to recall everything that happened in the attack. If the area has a local rape crisis advocacy group, there may be a victims advocate there to help the victim with this process. In an ideal situation, the victim can explain to the officer, victims advocate, and medical staff what took place at the same time so they do not have to repeat themselves. However, many times all parties are not present at the same time, and the victim is forced to relive the event multiple times. The victim must give details about the location of the attack, and what the attacker did specifically. They must tell exactly where the attacker touched them, and where the attacker kissed them. All of this information is crucial for the evidence collection process. Once the police officer has made the report, they will leave. The victim will undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure there are no health concerns. Depending on the nature of the attack, the victim may have a pregnancy test done. Charlotte Murton, a rape crisis specialist, noted that it is also common for the medical staff to check for gonorrhea and Chlamydia (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). The victims must follow up with their personal doctor or local health department to have a more complete sexually transmitted disease screen at a later time. Most victims are also given antibiotics to ward off possible infection. The medical staff will also check for any tearing or irritation in the areas of the attack. When the victim goes to the emergency room, they may have the option to do a rape kit or evidence kit. If the assault happened within 120 hours of the emergency room visit, the medical staff can do the evidence kit (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). This will help collect evidence for a possible trial if the victim decides to press charges. This process is extremely invasive and can even be painful, but it is the only way to collect certain evidence. Typically a rape crisis advocate will stay with the victim throughout the entire process. The process for collecting evidence in Augusta, Georgia is very specific, although the order may be changed. First, the victim must stand on a large piece of paper and undress. The paper is there to collect any loose fibers as the victim undresses. The victims clothes will then be bagged up separately in case there is evidence on the clothes (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). All of t he clothes, including underwear, will be kept as evidence. Once the victim is undressed, the medical staff will do a visual inspection to see if there are any obvious injuries. If so, these injuries will be documented and photographed. Then the victim will have to give 25 hairs from their head (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). This serves to show the DNA of the victim. Any areas the victim was licked or kissed will be swabbed for possible DNA. There also may be a swab of the victims mouth if there was any type of oral contact. The victim will then lie down with a large piece of paper below them to catch any loose hairs or fibers. The nurse will use a comb on the victims pubic hair to gather any loose hairs that may be from the attacker (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). The nurse must then use a special comb that rips out hair to gather 25 of the victims pubic hairs from the root (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). This process is especially painful. The nurse will also use a black light to see if there are any fluids that fluoresce. If something does show up, that area will be swabbed (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, September 17, 2010). If the victim fought against the attacker, the nurse will clean under the victims nails to get possible debris. The nurse will also swab the victims vagina, anus, or penis depending on the nature of the attack (Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services Volunteer Training, 2010). If the victim was drugged and is unsure what happened, all areas will be swabbed. There will be several swabs of each area. The victim will then be given clothes or scrubs to wear home. In areas that have a rape crisis center, volunteer advocates are on call at all times to help a victim in need. They are called in to be with the victim throughout the entire emergency room visit, and will follow up with the victim at a later date. These advocates act as liaisons between the victim, medical staff, and police officers. They can let the victim know what to expect in the examinations, and what to expect if they press charges. They also have information about places to obtain counseling and support. This is particularly important for victims who do not have family or friends with them in the emergency room. The process that victims undergo at the emergency room can be very painful and draining. They have to relive the experience to many different people and discuss extremely private matters. Many times, law enforcement officers are male, and the victim must discuss sexual things with this male. This proves to be a difficult experience as sometimes victims are not even able to articulate what happened. They may want to forget about it or not talk about it. Then they have to go through a medical examination to make sure they are healthy. If they decide not to do an evidence kit, it is still recommended that a doctor do a pelvic exam and take swabs for possible sexually transmitted diseases. If the victim does decide to go through with an evidence kit, it is a painful and invasive process. There may even be pictures taken of the victims body if there are bruises or cuts. In addition, in some areas the rape kits may not even be tested. The Texas Tribune reports that the state is so behind i n testing rape kits that it is impossible to catch up (Grissom, 2011). Some unprocessed rape kits in Texas date back to the 1980s (Grissom, 2011). Even if the kits are processed, it can take a year before the results are known (Grissom, 2011). This gives insight into why so many rapes go unreported, and why so many people choose not to have an evidence kit. Consequences of Rape Rape is a horrifying and invasive crime. It has the potential to completely change the victims life. With some crimes, once the actual crime is over, the victim can move on with their life. This is not the case with rape victims. Once the attack is over, there are many other issues the victim will encounter. Many victims of rape experience long-term consequences of their attack. There may be physical consequences deriving from the attack. There also may be emotional consequences. Many rape victims have difficulties returning to their normal lives after the attack. They may exhibit symptoms of rape trauma syndrome, a type of post-traumatic stress disorder. There are many physical consequences that can arise from rape. The victim may become pregnant from the attack. This leads to a difficult decision for the victim, made even more difficult if they do not believe abortion is an appropriate option. Some women may have religious or personal views that prevent them from getting an abortion, and thus are forced to go through a pregnancy resulting from a rape. In addition, the adult rape pregnancy rate is actually increasing based on United States Census Reports (Meadows 2010). It is estimated that there may be 32,100 rape-related pregnancies annually among America women over the age of 18 years (Meadows, 2010, p. 102). This statistic does not even include all the minors who become pregnant due to a sexual assault. Rape victims can also contract sexually transmitted diseases from the attack. Depending on the disease, there may be an easy cure, or they may have to live with the disease for the rest of their lives. If they contract acquired immune deficiency syndrome, more commonly known as AIDS, their life may actually be shortened. This is why many emergency rooms administer antibiotics when someone claims they have been raped. This is an attempt to cure a disease before it is even diagnosed. Also, some emergency rooms may have prophylactic treatment for those who may have been exposed to AIDS. Rape victims may also have acute injuries resulting from the rape (Meadows 2010). Depending on the level of violence in the rape, these injuries can be minimal to severe. Typically the most violent rapes are stranger rapes. This is because stranger rapists are more likely to involve the use of a weapon (Arrigo, 2006, p. 109). This weapon is most frequently a knife (Arrigo, 2006). If the attacker used the knife to stab the victim, there may be internal injuries or bleeding. Attackers also may beat their victims. This can lead to simple cuts and bruises or more complex injuries like broken ribs. In addition, the victim may experience vaginal or rectal tears from the rape. There are both emotional and psychological issues resulting from rape that are included in rape trauma syndrome. There are two phases of rape trauma syndrome. The first phase is the acute phase. In the acute phase, the victim experiences a complete disruption of her life, resulting from the violence she experienced (Meadows, 2010, p. 38). The victim may have a range of emotions during the acute phase, including crying, shouting, swearing, or laughing inappropriately (Meadows, 2010, p. 38). The victim may experience severe mood swings, and change emotions very quickly. They may be fearful to even leave their home. If the attack happened in their home, they may not feel safe living there anymore. The second phase of rape trauma syndrome is the reorganization phase. In the reorganization phase, victims must reorganize their lives (Meadows, 2010). This is accomplished with help from friends and family members (Meadows, 2010). During this phase, the victims have to learn ways to cope with their daily lives, and the disturbing thoughts that may enter their minds at any time. They may return to work and attempt to move on, but the pain and fear is still present in their minds. There are many different symptoms of rape trauma syndrome. Some of the symptoms include fear, helplessness, shock, disbelief, guilt, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, self-blame, flashbacks of the rape, avoidance of previously pleasurable activities, avoidance of the place or circumstances in which the rape occurred, depression, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and impaired memory (Meadows, 2010, p. 102). These symptoms greatly inhibit the victims ability to heal and move on with their life. They may be happy one moment, and then suddenly be overcome with sadness and not able to understand where the sadness originated. While in the acute phase they may experience a wide range of emotions. When they enter the reorganization phase, they may not have quite as many mood swings, but may experience flashbacks of the attack. This contributes to their insomnia. Victims are afraid to go to sleep because they may have nightmares of the attack. They also lost their sense of control when they were attacked, and going to sleep leaves them vulnerable yet again.

The Atomic Bomb :: essays research papers

The Atomic Bomb The year was 1945. The war in the Pacific had reached it's climax with the attack on Pearl Harbor, or so the world thought! In 1943 a new era was just being discovered when Albert Einstein had uncovered a new way of destroying things. One so powerful it could wipe out entire cities in seconds. When Albert told the president of the U.S.A. he had no idea of what the army was going to do with that knowlege, the knowlege of Atomic Theory! When the president of the United States of America heard of this new theory he decided to embark on a project that would change mankind forever. He decided to name this project the Manhatten Project. This project was headed by six of the worlds best scientists: Neils Bohr, Joseph Carter, Enrico Fermi, Richard Feyman, and Robert Oppenheimer, each with their own ideas of what it would take to construct such a weapon. From left to right: Neils Borh, Robert Oppenheimer, Richard Feyman, Enrico Fermi The object of the project was to produce a practical military weapon in the form of a bomb in which the energy would be released by a fast neutron chain reaction in one or more of the materials known to show nuclear fission. That goal was to be completed in 1945 after the U.S.A. spent over 6.7 Billion Dollars on the test bomb named the "Trinity". I t was dropped on Alagormado in Texas on July 16th 1945. When Albert Einstein heard about the "Trinity" he called the president directly and asked for a halt on all atomic bomb projects for he did not want to hurt anyone with his discovery. But when spies reported the Germans working on such a project the Manhatten project was continued. The long nights there after were hell for the president while deciding to launch the soon to be completed "Little Boy" bomb. Finally, the american troops were told to load "Little Boy" in the specifically designed plane Enola Gay. With Paul Tibbets and his crew of 12 strapped in the plane named after Paul's mother, the American president gave the order to fly to Hiroshima. They chose Hiroshima baecause it was a major industrial Japanese port which held many Japanese seacraft. It was July 16 1945 at about 8:14 when Paul Tibbets got the order to open the hatch and arm the bomb. After released it took a little less than 1 minute for it to detonate. Over 40,000 innocent lives were taken with the blast and over 100,000 were taken in the next ten years from exposure to extreme radiation.

1984 and Oryx and Crake Essay

Some people say that religion key in building a stable person and society. Discuss the role religion has in the books 1984 and Oryx and Crake. Religion has been the main way in which societies have been formed for thousands of years. Laws, morals and society are basely modelled on it. In both 1984 and Oryx and Crake, the future (or in the case of 1984, the future of the past) is represented as dystopias; a society based on hatred which destroys the human spirit or a society which eventually led to the destruction of itself, leaving only the main character and a small group of new beings. In 1984, Winston Smith is the main character who rebels against society. He believes that human spirit will prevail, shown when he says to O’Brien; â€Å"I know you will fail. There is something in the universe – I don’t know, some spirit, some principle – that you will never overcome†¦ The spirit of Man† This is a very religious idea; that good will always prevail over evil and that the soul lives on after the body has died. Coincidentally, this is in some relation to one of the parties’ beliefs – which human people die but the body goes on forever. The dictatorship style of the Big Brother society is somewhat like that of a religious sect, or perhaps cult, where beliefs are not, using the process of doublethink, and all members must have absolute love for Big Brother. This is another trait that Winston does not have as other party members do; â€Å"Tell me, what are your true feelings towards Bog Brother?† â€Å"I hate him.† â€Å"You hate him. Good. Then the time has come for you to take the last step. You must love Big Brother. It is not enough to obey him, you must love him.† Here Big Brother is a God-like figure. No-one knows if he actually exists, but when asked, the answer is just â€Å"he exists†. In Oryx and Crake, religion is a large part of the Crakers’ lives. Although Snowman told them stories of their creation which he made up, they still believe them, and even start rituals of their own, such as talking to Oryx. Crake believed he had gotten rid of religion, describing the belief in God as a â€Å"cluster of neurons†. However, the human race had been destroyed, and the Crakers lived in harmony believing in the stories Snowman told them. In 1984, the hero of the story is Winston, because he rebels against the oppression of the party. In some ways he could be described a religious-type figure; rebelling against society to protect what he believed in. He feels that life is meant to be more than what he experiences. Snowman is also given this kind of title; he is the prophet of Oryx and Crake and the Crakers look up to him to tell them about their ‘Gods’. At some times he is seen as a biblical figure, such as the first man, with Crake being the person who created the Crakers and Snowman (not Jimmy). Both Winston and Snowman are not very good as role models though, as although Winston is rebelling against what he thinks is wrong, he is only with Julia because she is corrupt, and he gets pleasure from her; â€Å"Anything that hinted at corruption always filled him with a wild hope. Who knew, perhaps the Party was rotten under the surface, its cult of strenuousness and self-denial simply a sham concealing iniquity.† Winston holds onto this in the hope that perhaps this corruption can somehow break down the party. Snowman too uses the Crakers’ belief in him to get things that he wants, such as when he tells them that they must catch him a fish a week, even though they so not like too. Although this is simply a way that he can survive. From the Craker’s point of view, he is the only way in which they can connect with their Gods, so they do worship him to a degree. He is their link with the story of creation; â€Å"I’m your past. I’m your ancestor, come from the land of the dead.† However, this is not the past that they imagine. Snowman is in some ways saving them from the evils of the past, and creating a new past for them which will help hold their society together. It also raises the question of whether man created God, or God created man, for here Snowman created the God figures of Oryx and Crake, which was nothing like the actual people. In 1984, the fact that it is a totalitarian state could also be some comment on the religion of today – that you are told what to believe and are expected to without any evidence. One of the slogans used by the party and Winston at the end is; â€Å"God is power.† To some extent this is true, as God can be described as ‘all powerful’. But in the book the power is not to be used as anything good. O’Brien says to Winston; â€Å"Power is not a means. It is an end.† This perhaps could be from the saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely, for the party wants to simply crush any human spirit out of people, to have complete control over them. And here, this is the only way that they can maintain a stable society; â€Å"Obedience is not enough. Unless he is suffering, how can you be sure that he is obeying your will and not his own? Power is inflicting pain and humiliation.† Although extreme, it is this ‘religious type’ of belief that keeps things stable and keeps the party in power. On the other hand, to say that no religion results in a society that destroys itself is also something like what happens in Oryx and Crake. From what we are told about the society that Jimmy and Crake lived in before, there is no mention that either of them are religious, or there are any other religions mentioned, and the society was destroyed, by people playing ‘God’ and having power over things that they should not have had. From this, it seems that both the themes of religion and power are in both books, and also in both it is portrayed that they are linked to quite a large extent. Although power is seen as corrupting, there is some power needed to form religion, and society, in order to keep it stable, whether it is for the better or the worse.

Definition and Examples of Subvocalizing

Definition and Examples of Subvocalizing Though subvocalizing, the act of  saying words silently to oneself while reading, tends to limit how fast we can read, it isnt necessarily an undesirable habit. As Emerald Dechant observes, It seems likely that speech traces are a part of all, or nearly all, thinking and probably even silent reading. . . . That speech aids thinking was recognized by early philosophers and psychologists (Understanding and Teaching Reading). Examples of Subvocalizing A powerful but woefully under-discussed influence on readers is the sound of your written words, which they hear inside their heads as they subvocalizegoing through the mental processes of generating speech, but not actually triggering speech muscles or uttering sounds. As the piece unfolds, readers listen to this mental speech as if it were spoken aloud. What they hear is, in fact, their own voices saying your words, but saying them silently.Here is a fairly typical sentence. Try reading it silently and then out loud. It was the Boston Public Library, opened in 1852, that founded the American tradition of free public libraries open to all citizens. As you read the sentence you should notice a pause in the flow of words after Library and 1852 . . .. Breath units divide the information in the sentence into segments that readers subvocalize separately.(Joe Glaser, Understanding Style: Practical Ways to Improve Your Writing. Oxford Univ. Press, 1999) Subvocalizing and Reading Speed Most of us read by subvocalizing (saying to ourselves) the words in the text. Although subvocalizing can help us remember what we read, it limits how fast we can read. Because covert speech is not much faster than overt speech, subvocalization limits reading speed to the rate of speaking; we could read faster if we didnt translate printed words into speech-based code.(Stephen K. Reed, Cognition: Theories and Applications, 9th ed. Cengage, 2012)[R]eading theorists such as Gough (1972) believe that in high-speed fluent reading, subvocalizing does not actually happen because the speed of silent reading is faster than what would occur if readers said each word silently to themselves as they read. The silent reading speed for 12th graders when reading for meaning is 250 words per minute, whereas the speed for oral reading is only 150 words per minute (Carver, 1990). However, in beginning reading, when the word-recognition process is far slower than in skilled fluent reading, subvocalizati on . . . may be taking place because the reading speed is so much slower.(S. Jay Samuels Toward a Model of Reading Fluency. What Research Has to Say About Fluency Instruction, eds. S.J. Samuels and A.E. Farstrup. International Reading Assoc., 2006) Subvocalizing and Reading Comprehension [R]eading is message reconstruction (like reading a map), and for the most part comprehension of meaning depends on using all the cues available. Readers will be better decoders of meaning is they understand sentence structures and if they concentrate most of their processing ability on the extraction of meanings using both semantic and syntactic context in reading. Readers must check the validity of their predictions in reading by seeing whether they produced language structures as they know them and whether they make sense. . . .In summary, an adequate response in reading thus demands much more than the mere identification and recognition of the configuration of the written word.(Emerald Dechant, Understanding and Teaching Reading: An Interactive Model. Routledge, 1991)Subvocalization (or reading silently to oneself) cant in itself contribute to meaning or understanding any more than reading aloud can. Indeed, like reading aloud, subvocalization can only be accomplished with anythi ng like normal speed and intonation if it is preceded by comprehension. We dont listen to ourselves mumbling parts of words or fragments of phrases and then comprehend. If anything, subvocalization slows readers down and interferes with comprehension. The habit of subvocalization can be broken without loss of comprehension (Hardyck Petrinovich, 1970).(Frank Smith, Understanding Reading, 6th ed. Routledge, 2011)

buy custom Applications in Corporate Finance essay

buy custom Applications in Corporate Finance essay The point of this analysis is to come up with how best DanAir Airlines can continue to be a thriving industry in the 21st century. This is accomplished by providing a background region analysis of the global industry of airlines. Current and future evolvement of the industry also has to be considered as do the reasons why airlines fail and how to achieve success. Regulation While route scheduling, as well as, the air ticket price has been de-regulated for some time and many of the sections are still under tight control. Governments own and regulate the airports in their regions and control key bottlenecks to airline services such as access to boarding gates and runways. Most airport commissions allocate gates without a formal market mechanism such as a bidding process. In addition, international routes have been de-regulated only gradually, through negotiated bilateral open-sky agreements, which generally allow airline companies from two countries to fly planes within and to each other without restrictions. In many airports, airlines must obtain a slot for their aircraft to land or take off. The regulations that were designed to avoid congestion in extremely busy airports have lagged behind market realities (Vasigh, Fleming, and Mackay, 2010). Service to some small and isolated markets is also subsidized and regulated by said the government. Airline competition has not benefited all consumers. Business travelers paying full fare usually enjoy a superior product in terms of service and flexibility. There is an increased demand for air travel, thus, there are new passengers who air travel. This means that even though competition among airlines may not necessarily profit all categories of passengers, there is an increase of the passengers, which lowers average prices (Shaw, 2007). While profits are volatile, industries without volatile profits operate without substantial government regulation. Free are an advantage for the big industries because they give provisions for firms when it comes to innovation to demand and cost systems. Free markets provide incentives for innovations to spread, thereby increasing efficiency. Impact of Policy on Competition Airlines are a complex mix of competition and standardization, the policy choices made could affect its competition. Policies are the mechanism for allocating airport gates and facilities. The airport commissions usually rely on the mechanisms not from market formations to allocate these resources (Renga and Mentges, 2010). Changes in these policies force the authorities to increase supply as the bid values go higher than the costs. Evidence suggests that the airfares increase as concentration in the market increases and this harms consumers. The concentrated markets benefit from the consumers by creating bigger networks with better flights. A third significant policy dimension involves restrictions on substantial foreign ownerships of airlines and on domestic flights by foreign owned airlines. While profits have fluctuated a great deal in the airline industry, DanAir has been characterized in the past by steady growth, and falling prices. Liberalization Since the horrendous attacks of September 11 2001, global airlines have registered abysmal performances especially when compared with their recorded profits in the years before 2001. The airline industry is structurally challenged by its very nature, facing high fixed costs, and cyclical demands. As such, the number of bankruptcies continues to pile up as airlines seek protection from creditors and look for ways to restructure costs. Facing increase competition and fighting to retain customers and thrive, most airlines have introduced cost cutting measures such as frequent flier programmes that reward customer loyalty with tickets, cabin upgrades, priority check ins, priority boarding, lounge access among other privileges. Passengers can also accumulate mileage point based on distances travelled and in what travel class and then redeem those miles for rewards such as free or discounted tickets. Loyalty programs such as these are often more profitable than other forms of marketing like comparison of routes, services and price. Both airlines and consumers benefit from the advent of loyalty programs. Airlines benefit from a faithful consumer base that remains even with increased fares and passengers earn free tickets and other rewards. Alliances Hardly any airline, no matter its largesse or scope is able to efficiently provide service to all the destinations of the world. To counteract this fault, airlines, even gigantic airlines, form alliances with other airlines to overcome their limited abilities and reap a profit. By amalgamating, they also increase their market presence and expand their network. While larger airlines opt for agreements with regional carriers, the trend of alliances is now beginning to go international. The benefits of this to the consumer are clear: more reachable destinations, lower prices, and more departure times, access to more lounges, faster mileage rewards and around the world tickets. This is the result of the airlines sharing facilities, cooperating in sales and making investments in different regions of the world (Morrel, 2007). Profitability in the Air Industry The ultimate challenge for airlines is selling the most ticets for at the highest prices and targeting the right customers so that price discrimination will occur where customers pay different rates for the very same destination and service. Airlines face additional pressure to fill seats because empty seats are considered perishable goods with the airline having to fly even with empty seats. Striking an ideal balance between price and demand is undoubtedly difficult and airlines resort to a lot of market research to categorize their customers. There are business travelers, and those travelling for urgent personal reasons, and there are leisure travelers who are price sensitive and an influence demands. At the extreme end, of the economy spectrum is the least expensive seat, which may be four times less the most expensive seat. Understandably, airlines will focus on filling their first and second class sections which more than over the cost of their lowest economy class seats. Managing Cost Structure In stark contrasts with the management of other service businesses, airlines today need an extensive range of expensive equipment in order to operate efficiently. Companies have traditionally financed their costs by loans or public stock offerings, but recently, airlines are leasing equipment such as aircraft, baggage vehicles, and hangars, having realized that those leases provide greater flexibility in updating equipment while keeping upfront costs down. If the lease is a capital lease, an airline records the asset and a lease liability that is generally equal to the sum of the present value of the lease payment during the lease term. Another benefit of the capital lease is the depreciating expense relating to the asset over the economical life of the asset. Aiming to limit their long-term liabilities, most airlines prefer operational leases (Crans, 1996). In these, neither the asset nor the lease liability is included in the balance sheet. Leases also provide airlines with flexibility. In times of increase of demand, airlines can quickly utilize larger planes to accommodate all their customers. In the post September 11, 2001 era, most airlines have espoused cost-cutting measures as a goal to pursue. The airline industry is labor intensive, and so pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, dispatchers, and customer service comprise the biggest portion of the airlines operating expenses. This is due to a highly tenured workforce, higher pension costs, and work rules because of hiring unionized labor. The maintenance department is also under operations focusing on aircraft condition to preserve the airlines most valuable capital asset, the airplanes. This group is essential to the airlines because it can affect the airlines bottom line. Aircrafts cost the airline a lot, whether just sitting idle or in full flight. As a result, maintenance personnel are often charged to keep the planes in tiptop shape to minimize downtime. Reducing Costs of Fuel In consistently seeking to lower fuel costs, management and operations will fill aircraft with more fuel than is necessary for the trip to its destination, as the cost of fuel in the place where it is going may be more than what it is in other areas. To save fuel, pilots use single engine emergency procedures when they doing normal drills as well as selective engine shutdown when the ground procedures are under delay. Cargo personnel can reduce and weigh more effectively the onboard weight while redistributing belly cargo to save on fuel. Pilots can also cruise longer at high altitudes while employing shorter and steeper approaches. DanAir can also optimize flight planning for a minimum fuel burn routes and altitudes. Hubs and schedules should be redesigned to alleviate congestion and DanAir can acquire fuel-efficient airplanes to save on fuel. High priced localities as far as fuel is concerned are also to be avoided. There is another risky option for decreasing fuelling costs, fuel hedging. The basic premise is to purchase a contract that locks in a fuel price in the future at which point the airline will pay that strike price should the price of fuel increase above the current price. Through forward contracts, future contracts and optional swaps, an airline can manage its fuel price risks. The primary difference between forward contracts, future contracts, and optional swaps is that options grant the airline the power to buy or sell at a specific time without obligation whereas future and forward contracts will result in direct losses if fuel prices drop below the contract price, as there is an obligation to pat the contract price. Landing Fees Airport and en route charges are a significant expense in flight operation costs. Both private and public airports charge airlines for the use of their runway and terminal facilities. These fees are quite considerable taking into account the number of aircraft landing and departing each day. Due to the considerable cost of airport charges, DanAir should attempt to fly fewer planes into the priciest airports and try to maximize their load factors during times of high fuel prices. Ancillary Fees In response to the most recent economic downturn, airlines have begun to charge extra fees for services that were once considered complimentary. These include checked baggage, food and beverage, seat selection, priority boarding, ticket changes, reservations via telephone or internet, and carryon baggage fees (Salerno, 2010). Performance Metrics Data revealed in specific metrics can underscore why some airlines are profitable and others slump into bankruptcy. It will underline efficiency measures undertaken in both cutting costs and in generating maximum revenue from each passenger (Banfe, 1992). In revenue metrics, rather than looking at system total operating revenue when comparing airlines, one can glean more information from system passenger revenue per available seat mile. Revenue per available seat mile, which includes both passenger revenue, as well as revenue earned from freight, is also used to compare airlines. It represents how much revenue an airline generates per seat per mile flown. In theory, higher revenue per seat mile translates into higher profit. Expense Metrics Analyzing airline expenses exposes a significant difference between the airlines that dedicate themselves to serious cost minimizing and those that place less value on it. The lower an airlines cost per available seat mile; the more efficient for the airline operations then the airline probably post a profit avoiding bankruptcy. Laborers Laborers in the airline industry have constantly sought to re-negotiate contracts and fight when their demands are not met. It is a constant battle between the airlines who struggle to cut costs to avoid bankruptcy and the labor unions that seek higher wages or better benefits. To cut costs, some airlines ascribe to employees extra duties that do not fall under their original portfolios but that they can perform easily and efficiently such as asking maintenance personnel to wash parts of the plane (Morrison and Winston, 1995). That can actually increase the bottom line of the said airline by lowering the overhead costs, as well. Stage length is an important strategy to consider, as well. It refers to the average flight times of a particular airline. As stage lengths increase, costs tend to go down which bodes well for the long haul airlines that have fewer take offs and landings. Traffic and Capacity Metrics The most fundamental metrics related to the airline industry are traffic and capacity, which are used as the basis for unit revenue and unit costs. They also provide the essential metric of load factor, which measures the percentage of seats sold out of the available seating places available. Total available seat miles determine which airline has the largest seating capacity as total available seat miles is equal to increasing seats proportionally to the number of miles flown (Doganis, 2002). Airlines strive for the highest load factor as they face high fixed costs for each plane flying. As the plane will typically fly regardless of its load factor, the airline will lose revenue for each seat that goes unsold as it absorbs operating costs, such as fuel, labor and landing costs. It is, therefore, critical for airlines to attempt to sell each seat, as the airline with the largest load factor is likely generating the most revenue for from each flight. Since reaching the low point of 2001, most airlines have steadily increased their load factors. This is primarily due to more efficient and sophisticated yield management systems which allow the airlines to more accurately estimate demand at different price levels resulting in more sold seats. In addition, some airlines have also reduced the number of flights, which increases load factor due to offering less capacity yet facing rising demand. However, while load factor provides insight into how much revenue an airline generates from each flight, it disregards expenses. Moving into the next decade, the airline industry is still at crossroads, and while demand for air travel has increased exponentially, many of the carriers continue to struggle in their quest to turn a healthy profit. A few steps can be taken to avoid bankruptcy and start the journey towards earning ever-increasing profits. (a)Cross utilization of employees. The major airlines must negotiate with their labor unions to seek changes to their agreements as concerns their duties. Management should highlight the advantages of cross utilization to the leaders of the unions, which can translate to a superior working environment, as employees are not limited to one function only. From a corporate perspective, this of course leads to productivity increases thereby decreasing costs (Haines, 2004). (b)Maintaining cost discipline. Airlines need to adopt efficiencies that include eliminating in-flight services such as food and snack distribution, flying more point-to-point routes, and decreasing turnaround times, which contribute to aircraft utilization. (c)Breakeven load factor. This is acquired by decreasing costs. It is the average percentage of seats that must be filled on an average flight at average fares for the airlines passenger revenue to break even with the airlines operating expenses. It is imperative for major airlines to reduce their breakeven load factors by focusing on reducing their unit costs thereby increasing their margins. (d)Intangible. Airlines should provide a fun atmosphere in their aircrafts that promote a fun outlook. They should also source for new aircraft if their present machines are dilapidated and not adopt a policy of providing frugal amenities, which can taint an airline for a long time with a reputation of stinginess. Buy custom Applications in Corporate Finance essay