Ethical Communication Essay

Ethical communication is fundamental to responsible thinking, decision making, and the development of relationships and communities within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media. Moreover, ethical communication enhances human worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for self and others. We believe that unethical communication threatens the quality of all communication and consequently the well-being of individuals and the society in which we live. Therefore we, the members of the National Communication Association, endorse and are committed to practicing the following principles of ethical communication: We advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication. We endorse freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to achieve the informed and responsible decision making fundamental to a civil society. We strive to understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to their messages. We promote access to communication resources and opportunities as necessary to fulfill human potential and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, and society. We promote communication climates of caring and mutual understanding that respect the unique needs and characteristics of individual communicators. We condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity through distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence, and through the expression of intolerance and hatred. We are committed to the courageous expression of personal convictions in pursuit of fairness and justice. We advocate sharing information, opinions, and feelings when facing significant choices while also respecting privacy and confidentiality. We accept responsibility for the short- and long-term consequences for our own communication and expect the same of others.

Benefits of Internship

One of the highlighted part as a graduating college student was conducting On-the-job training or internship. This Training exposes us to the real environment of a certain organization. Thus, adjusting oneself and mingling others is a must to cope up with different standards and attitudes of every individual in a particular field of industry. In furtherance, OJT will be a bridge to enhance our skills in communication and technical activities that makes it a plus point the sooner we landed a job and help ease the culture shock while dealing with different specialized people of their expertise.May 30, 2012 was the date when I started my on the job training at The Nielsen Company, located at Edsa Mandaluyong City. It is an international publishing and information company that is active in the markets for consumer and professional information. In line with my course, I was assigned in IT Department of the Company. Our task has something to do with Networking and Troubleshooting. And as a n OJT technical support, we also assemble lines and switches for local area networks (LAN), creating connections between several workstations by using cables and also wireless technology.We ensure the proper function of computer networks by making certain components are connected properly throughout the LAN/WAN infrastructure and by monitoring server deployment and security. We are also tasked to set up and configure computers. My first day as intern is not that easy, mixed with excitement and unexplainable fear, it is my first time to enter the reality of our chosen field. Since my schedule starts from 9:00 in the morning, I have to awake as early as 7:00 am.At first, it is a big challenge for me to wake up that early, but as the days goes by, I learned how to cope with that situation. At first, our supervisor oriented me on what to do and exposed to other employees as well. As the days pass by, I learned to adapt new things with this kind of environment. This was serve as a bridge for more learning. To tell you honestly, I have a lot of first time in my stay in Nielsen including my first time to have a conversation to a foreigner. All employees are very nice to be with , made my stay very easy.After finishing my internship here at Nielsen, I may now say that I am ready for my future career in the field of ICT. The knowledge and experiences that this company shared to me will help me in the future to become a successful engineer. In 5 months of being an intern here, I gained more confidence and learned how to communicate well with other people. Therefore I conclude that being an intern here at Nielsen is far more enjoyable than I expected. I will treasure all my experience and learnings for the rest of my life.

Fair Value accounting Essay

The squabble on the issue of what accounting measurements will be used as the standard for financial instruments had caused the on-going debate with various proponents of accounting standard; even today, proponents of every side argues on the basis of their advantages over the others. Among these contending parties are the proponents of the fair value accounting and those who favored accounting standard based on the historical costs. Hitz (2007, p. 324) pointed out the increasing importance of fair value as an accounting measurement attributes. Hitz stated that today, the â€Å"cost and transaction-based reporting model is in decline and a new market value and event-based model is on the rise† (Hitz, p. 324). Citing the significance of fair value accounting, Hitz mentioned that starting out as a specific remedy for the iniquities of the reporting model for certain financial instruments â€Å"fair value has manifested it self as a dominant measurement paradigm for financial instruments and, more recently, has increasingly been implemented for measurements of non-financial items† (Hitz, 324) such as investment property. On the other hand, while Hitz adhere to the tenets of fair value accounting, he recognized the views of the opponents of fair value accounting particularly the criticism regarding the questionable reliability of fair value measures notably for model-based estimates relying on management’s expectation and projections. However, Hitz asserts that results on empirical research regarding value measurement â€Å"support the incremental value relevance of fair value disclosure for securities (Petroni and Wahlen, 1995; Barth et al., 1996 as cited by Hitz). The Australian accounting standards Board (AASB) though recognizes other accounting standards it recognizes fair value accounting as the main financial instruments which applies in various financial processes and transaction within AASB. The AASB defines Fair value as â€Å"the amount for which an asset could be exchanged or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arms length transaction† (p. 21) Fair value has been the standards in evaluating and managing the performances of a group financial assets or financial liabilities. In the ASSB 7, paragraph 9 to 11 and B 4 the ASSB require the entity to provide disclosures about financial assets and financial liabilities it has designated at fair value through profit or loss including how it satisfied these conditions (ASSB, p. 17). This clearly indicate that fair value accounting as a financial standard instrument have been effectively use and provide significant contribution to the financial situation. This is clearly reflected in the following statement from the ASSB as follows: â€Å"investment in equity instrument that do not have a quoted market price in an active market, and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured shall not be designated as at fair value through profit or loss† (p. 18). The Fair value of any investment plays an important in determining market condition as the fair value of a particular financial instrument is based on the following factors a. the time value of money, b. the credit risk, c. foreign currency exchange prices, d. commodity prices, e. equity prices, f. volatility, and g. payment risk. Regardless of the accounting standard used, accounting plays an important role in financial reporting. While M. J. Milne’s discussion focus on the importance of accounting in financial management including accounting standards that lead to increases in reported earnings,   citing the arguments of Watt and Zimmerman Milne (2002) puts it â€Å"Managers have greater incentives to choose accounting standards which lower earnings thereby increasing cash flows, firm value, and their welfare, due to tax political, and regulatory considerations than to choose accounting standards which reports higher earnings and, thereby increase their incentive compensation† (p. 372). Obviously, accounting standards contributes to the financial situation not only of the firm that uses such standards but the entire financial realm. In this case, Milne partly hinted as to why trillions of dollars went off the global financial market balance sheets and why asset values experience decline. Milne seem to mean that managers choose accounting standards that reported lower earning yet, it increase the firm’s cash flows, the firm value, and their welfare, due to higher tax and political pressures. In this case the real market value as well as the real earnings were reassigned to somewhere else or as Milne suggest, to cash flows and their value. Given this accounting standard, it is no wonder that management will lobby financial instrument that reduce reported earnings to avoid taxes, regulatory procedures, and all other costs. As Milne stressed, â€Å"ordinarily, managers are predicted to have greater incentives to lobby for accounting standards that lead to increase in reported earnings and thereby management wealth. However, since changes in cash flows and stock prices can also be affected by taxes, regulatory procedures, information costs and political costs, managers also have to consider the effects of reported earnings might have on the likelihood that such costs could be imposed on the firm† (p. 372). The trillions of dollars that were written off the global financial market balance sheets and the massive decline of asset values can therefore be attributed to these factors accompanying this accounting standard, and the commentators were partly right in their opinion regarding this massive decline of asset values. However, this does suggest that that money going to taxes, regulatory procedures, political costs, and information costs are lost money and that regulatory procedure should be viewed as negative for business activities. Regulatory procedures should be viewed in even broader terms that include all forms of social control and influence. Michael Greiffin emphasized that this should also include â€Å"not only the corporations legislative requirement but also other rules and directions, such as professional accounting standards and stock exchange requirements† (p. 2 par. 3). Graffikin pointed out that regulation is considered desirable â€Å"where there windfall profits† – where through some fortuitous event is able to make above â€Å"normal† profits. Regulations should be seen as necessary in the rationalization and coordination of economic activity so as to organize behaviour of industries in an efficient manner (graffikin, p. 3).

Native American Indian Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Native American Indian - Essay Example The American policy towards the Native American Indians were continually evolving and changing. After the United States-British war, the United States treated the Native American Indians who allied with the British as a conquered people who had lost their land. However, the Americans find the policy very difficult to impose. In a short period, the United States abandoned the policy (Native Americans). In the decades following the American Revolution, the desire for more land by the rapidly increasing population of the United States resulted in numerous treaties in which lands were purchased from Native Americans (Indian Removal). Eventually, the U.S. government began encouraging Indian tribes to sell their land by offering them land in the West, outside the boundaries of the then-existing U.S. states, where the tribes could resettle (Indian Removal). This new policy was commonly known as the Indian Removal policy. The main goal of the Indian Removal policy was to relocate Native American Indian tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river (Indian Removal). This process involve in the Indian Removal policy was accelerated with the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 (The U.S. ... Consequently, conflicts generally known as "Indian Wars" broke out between U.S. forces and many different Native American Indian tribes (Native Americans). The United States and the Native American Indians made plenty of treaties during this period, but later abandoned them for several reasons. Well-known military engagements include the typical Native American Indian victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, and the massacre of Native American Indians at Wounded Knee in 1890 (Native Americans). Contrary to some modern misconceptions, the Removal Act did not order the forced removal of any Native Americans, nor did President Jackson ever publicly advocate forced removal. The Indian Removal policy was supposed to be voluntary, and many Native American Indians did indeed remain in the East. In practice, however, the Jackson administration put great pressure on tribal leaders to sign removal treaties (Indian Removal). This pressure created bitter divisions within the Native American Indian nations, as different tribal leaders advocated different responses to the question of removal. Sometimes, U.S. government officials ignored tribal leaders who resisted signing removal treaties and dealt with those who favored removal (Indian Removal).However, the American policy toward Native American Indians has been an evolving process. In the late nineteenth century, reformers in efforts to "civilize" Indians adapted the practice of educating native children in Indian Boarding Schools run by Christians (qtd. from Native Americans). However, most Native American Indian children were traumatized by the methods of teaching. Children were forbidden from

Central American Migration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Central American Migration - Essay Example Due to social and economic pressures, the United States government and some of her people opposed the entry of Central Americans to the United States through various policies. This led to new immigrants fleeing war experiencing economic and other social problems although they contributed immensely to the economy. Central American Migration War, persecution, and violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua due to political upheavals spurred the mass migration of their citizens into the United States (Gutierrez 188). The migration occurred in phases with the elites fleeing first followed by professionals and the middle class and lastly, the poor working class. Nicaraguan migrants went to the US in three waves with the first consisting of the overthrown Somoza family and their associates, wealthy business peoples and members of the National guard in 1970s followed by the middle class professionals and business people in the 1980s and lastly, the poor workers and young men escaping recruitment in the contra war (Gutierrez 195). Their flight, unlike the Cubans, was not welcome by the American government who classified them as illegal aliens and used varied ways to try to stop their entry into United States. Even after conditions improved in their home countries, many Central Americans did not return home due to a variety of reasons. The end of hostilities did not improve their security at home. In Nicaragua, former contras and fragments of Sandinista army continued to fight especially in rural areas. In El Salvador and Guatemala death squads and vigilante groups also operated (Gutierrez 196). This coupled with increased crime rates reduced the number of immigrants willing to return home and led to many more Central Americans migrating to United States. Depending on their social economic status, Central Americans used several strategies to survive in the harsh United States. Wealthy immigrants used their economic resources and business connections to buy assets in the United States on which they lived comfortably. Many exiles including the Somoza family transferred their assets to Miami banks in the late 1970s, and they moved into fashionable residences in key Biscayne and Brickell Avenue where they invested heavily on condominiums in the suburban western edge of the city (Portes and Stepick 227). These were later to be sold to Nicaraguan professionals and business people during the second wave of migration. This group experienced tough economic hardships on United States soil, and the majority worked in unskilled trades to earn a daily living due to the uncertain future. The professionals gradually moved into their fields of work and some steadily advanced in a professional capacity because of prior work experience in their country of origin. Professionals used existing friendships with Cuban Americans, developed in school, to get financing to start their own businesses (Portes and Stepick 153). The peasants and Nicaragua workers migrated chiefly due to war and economic hardships brought about by war. Nicaraguan peasants and workers migrated because of the United States sponsored contra war. They became unskilled laborers in the host country. The United States could now access cheap labor easily, a thing that impacted positively on her economic growth. The resolution by the US to pigeonhole Nicaraguan immigrant’s illegal aliens exposed them to very many challenges because they did not receive any benefits

A Critical Analysis of Some Processes in the Cultivation Effect by Research Paper

A Critical Analysis of Some Processes in the Cultivation Effect by Robert Hawkins and Suzanne Pingree - Research Paper Example The methodology adopted by the researchers, including detailed description of control variables introduced, is comprehensively explained. Any similarities, as well as the differences, in researchers’ approach with Gerbner and Gross’s method, are pointed out. The qualitative as well as quantitative data is properly explained and the researchers’ justifications for the deviant data values are also analytically evaluated. The findings, which stated that the very young audience is not psychologically mature enough to get ‘cultivated’ by television, and perception of a ‘violent’ world is associated with the amount of crime related dramas and cartoons seen by the children, are adequately explained. Any shortcomings in the researchers’ approach and logic, such as, small research period, and generalized control variables, are discussed. Proper recommendations, for instance, advanced study of preconceived notions in children over a long pe riod of time, are provided. Introduction In 1976, while exploring the continuing effects of extensive television viewing on American audience, George Gerbner and Larry Gross introduced the ‘cultivation theory.’ The primary conclusion of their research was that prolonged exposure to violence related material on the television, results in the formation of a societal reality in the minds of the viewers, which further dictates their thought formation and alters their social behavior (Gerbner and Gross, 1976). To further this hypothesis, Robert Hawkins and Suzanne Pingree, in 1977, conducted a detailed research, to study how exactly cultivation effect takes place, and what variables can enhance or diminish it. In 1980, they documented their findings in a publication titled â€Å"Some Processes in the Cultivation Effect,† which is the subject of this paper. This paper will analyze how Hawkins and Pingree, in the light of ‘cultivation hypothesis’, formulate d their thesis, conducted research, and interpreted qualitative and quantitative data. Furthermore, this paper will suggest any revisions, deemed necessary, to their adopted research methodology, along with the recommendations that can enhance their findings. Hawkins and Pingree’s research was based on the already established fact that the viewers highly exposed to television programming, both aggressive and non aggressive, would carry a certain amount of prejudice in their social outlook. They were also influenced by the contrasting and contradicting studies conducted by various researchers in other parts of world, controlling numerous variables, such as Doob and McDonald’s study of cultivation effects among various demographics in Toronto, Canada (1979), and Wober’s research in Great Britain (1978). These studies showed that the effect of television on viewer’s perception is certain, however, what is still unknown is the exact ‘size and importance of that effect’ (Pingree and Hawkins, 1980). Generally, it was observed that, when controlling a third variable, there was no strong relation between watching violent programming and fearing that viewer himself would get involved in a similar scenario. One of the reasons could be that people in other parts of the worlds were unconsciously aware that their society was different than that of America, and therefore, were not impacted that much by American programming. Furthermore, not much research had been done involving controls that would illuminate the exact process of cultivation in the children. There had been studies involving age as a variable, and discovering that children in the learning stages are usually more susceptible to the television messaging systems, as compared to very young and an older audience (Drabman et

Change management of Toyota and Nissan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Change management of Toyota and Nissan - Essay Example The paper throws light on change management as a controlled approach employed to deal with changes both from the discernment of a human being or an organisation. It is a realistic method which involves altering individuals, teams, and organisations from an existing state to the preferred or future state. It is a managerial practice which intends to help employees in acknowledging the changes in their current industry environment. A change process or change management process is a set of actions that helps a group of members to control the specific change efficiently. The change process facilitates to trace the change requests, to evaluate and to endorse the requests, before execution. This mechanism eases the process of alteration. However, change is present in both personal and professional lives. Therefore, change management is the process which is utilised by organisations so as to accomplish their prospective goals. Change management process utilises varied tactics and procedures in order to achieve final objectives. Moreover, the process of change can be implemented effectively only if members coordinate and accept the change in a positive manner. It is the liability of the employees to manage change in such a way so that it enhances the effectiveness as well as provides inspiration and augments morale of employees of an organisation. Along with the employees, the superiors of an organisation are also responsible for proper adoption and implementation of changes. This can be done only with the help of proper communication and harmonisation among the employees of organisation. Proper management of a change can augment dedication and motivation of the employees towards work thereby improving productivity, firmness and profitability of organisation (Nakae, 2005). Hence, it can be avowed that change management is one of the significant systems utilised by organisations so as to retain and cope up with the cultural challenges of the current scenario. Change man agement is a practice utilised for sustaining in the global environmental conditions among other competitors in the long run (Fahy & Cunningham, 2007). The assignment mainly provides a concise understanding of the prime reasons for change, change management process adopted and the problems faced by the members of the organisations after adoption of the change. The organisations selected for the assignment are Toyota and Nissan. Discussion Change management is the process of scheduling, executing and evaluating of changes so as to cope up with the exigent environment. In order to sustain in this competitive environment, change is essential, so the practice of change management is also mandatory. The procedures of change management are mainly utilised so as to improve the level of potentials of employees and productivity along with development of new tactics, techniques and management systems. Change management process occurs due to diverse reasons in assorted organisations but in thi s assignment, internal issues related to human resource are predominantly highlighted. Reasons for Change Nissan Motor Company Ltd is one of the leading car producer organizations of Japan. It is a reputed trade name in the sector of automobile, and markets its cars with the brand name Datsun. It came into existence in the year 1934. Since then, Nissan Motor Company Ltd is adopting and accepting variety of changes in order to retain a reputed brand image in the competitive market of Japan. Moreover, in order to retain its uniqueness in the market among other competitors, change management is essential. However, in order to retain its market share and sustainability, Nissan Motors tied up with two other reputed automotive giants named Daimler and Renault (Renault, 2010). The prime objective behind this international collaboration is mutual

Epiphenomenalism a retrospective analysis Essay

Epiphenomenalism a retrospective analysis - Essay Example It suggests that mental events are caused by physical events in the brain, but in turn, the mental event has no effects upon the physical events. Epiphenomenalists argue that behaviour is a result of muscular activity resultant from neural impulses and that these impulses are triggered by other impulses that are inputs from the senses. Thus the mind has no role to play in human behavior. Huxley himself compared the mental events to the steam horns that are fitted on a steam locomotive. He said that they play no vital role on the functioning of the steam engine. Mental phenomena according to him cannot create anymore impact on the physical plain anymore than a shadow can create impacts on the footsteps of the person. All mental events can be broadly divided in to two categories according to their nature. The first one comprises of phenomenal experiences such as pain, qualia after images and tastes etc. The second kind of mental events comprises of occurent propositional attitudes such as beliefs and desires. Arguments on epiphenomenalism can concern both types of mental events and one cannot give solid evidence to its sanctity on both levels. The two types of mental events can be connected provided we assume that we have our qualia. Thus if we assume that pains have no physical effects, we could infer that (i) pains do not cause the belief that we are in pain and (ii) beliefs that we are in pain is epiphenomenal. Since if we believe that we are in pain and it leads us to some response (even indirectly) having an effect on the physical plane, then we would have to affirm that the whole proposition of epiphenomena is nothing but absurd because according to the theory, the feeling that we are in pain should have no consequence to events in our physical world. The logic though lies in the premise that events in the physical world have sufficient causes in the physical world and if men tal events were real and separate from physical events, then it would require a violation of physical law. The interactionist model proposed that the pineal gland undergoes changes according to mental events and brings about physical changes. But epiphenomena denies the involvement of any mental events and hence such physical changes of the pineal gland should have to be explained by events in the physical plane. It explicitly states that there will be no such change in the gland until a physical force would cause it to change. This is where epiphenomena disappoint us once more. Its rigidity and lack of accommodative capacity for new findings leave us with no option, but to sideline it and look for a better theory. Other arguments that are contrary to the standing of epiphenomena include the theory of natural selection. For that theory to stand, it should explain the development of consciousness. But a property by which a selection can occur in a species is relevant only when particular thoughts have effects upon specific behavior patterns. Therefore it is imperative that the conscious and the qualia should alter the course of behaviour in the physical world - quite contrary to what epiphenomenalism states. We all know that natural selection is a reality whether we like it or not and hence as a consequence epiphenomenalism fails to stand ground. It also contradicts the existence of other minds. But we do know that

Sales Planning and Operations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Sales Planning and Operations - Assignment Example Essentially, marketing is concerned with satisfaction of the consumer needs profitably. Therefore, for an organisation like Hendrix business to be better positioned to anticipate and satisfy the needs of the customers, there is need for them to have information about different targeted customers. Thus, through the efforts of the sales force, relationship marketing becomes firmly entrenched in commercial practice so the role of the sales person will increasingly encompass some of these wider issues. It is important for any organisation that is concerned with its viability to establish relationship with its customers to encourage positive image resulting in customer loyalty and repeat purchasing. The task of selling is principally about communication by word of mouth (Kotler 1999). Purchasers of the products normally need more than just advertisements when they want to make a decision to purchase something. The professional sales person is very flexible medium of communication and is b etter positioned to establish purchasing motives through listening to the buyer. He can then emphasise appropriate aspects of the product or the company in terms of meeting and satisfying the motivational considerations of the buyers. In the given scenario, the sales force can be effectively used to gather the views of the customers and make appropriate decisions that will satisfy the anticipated needs of the customers. This strategy can as well implemented to promote business to business B2B selling where Hendrix business will seek to sell its products to the other organisations. On the other hand, the company’s image is personally delivered... This paper says that the members of the team can also collectively work together to gather information about the potential as well as targeted customers. This information can be used to shape the marketing strategies of the above mentioned organisation. In most cases, a successful marketing strategy is determined by the information about the customers held by the organisation. Concerted efforts of a team are required in gathering this information that can also be used to portray the image of the organisation positively. The main purpose of the sales team is to coordinate their efforts towards the achievement of the sales goals of the organisation. Business is meant for gaining profits which can only be achieved when an organisation is aware of the needs of the customers and their buying behaviour which is the basis of marketing. It approves that Over and above, it can be noted that within a marketing strategy, personal selling plays a pivotal role in the growth and sustenance of business and it compliments other promotional activities. Personal selling plays a major role in gathering information about the needs of the customers, communication needs of the organisation as well as portraying the image of the organisation in a positive way. It has also been noted that the aspect of consumer behaviour has a bearing on the decision making process by the customers in making a purchase for a particular product. Sales teams also play a pivotal role in gathering the informational requirements of the organisation.

Ethical Consumption of Cell Phones Essay Example for Free

Ethical Consumption of Cell Phones Essay 1. INTRODUCTION In just 30 years, mobile telephony has grown into a major global industry, with an estimated 5 billion users around the world, compared with a total world population of around 7 billion people. While new subscriber growth has slowed somewhat in recent years, product turnover remains high, with over 1 billion new mobile phones shipped in 2009 alone. This paper firstly examines the life cycle of a cell phone, describing its stages from the extraction of the materials to its disposal or re-usage possibilities. It also discussed the ethical issues that impact the environment and society. Lastly, two cell phone manufactures (Apple and Nokia) are being compared in terms of how they deal with environmental impacts. 2. LIFE CYCLE OF A CELL PHONE Stage One: Extraction of Materials Mobile phones generally comprise approximately 40% metals and 40% plastics, with the remainder made up of glass, ceramic and other miscellaneous materials. The parts of a cell phone include the circuit board, the liquid crystal display (LCD) and the rechargeable battery. The circuit board, which controls all of the phones functions, consists of copper, gold, silver, lead, nickel, tin, coltan, and zinc. The LCD, which is a flat-panel display where all the information and images appear, is made of glass or plastic. Batteries power the cell phone and, depending on the type of battery, may contain nickel, cobalt, zinc, cadmium and copper. Many of these materials are so called persistent toxins† that remain in the environment for a long period of time, even after disposal. Furthermore, an important life cycle consideration is the energy required to extract metals from their respective ores. From an energy perspective, precious metals gold and silve r and exceed the impact of copper. In addition, the energy content of glass also has a significant energy footprint, due to the high melt temperatures that are required during manufacturing. Stage Two: Materials Processing Raw materials that go into making cell phones must first be processed before manufacturers can use them. For example, to make the plastic casing, crude oil needs to be combined with natural gas and chemicals. The copper used to make the circuit board and batteries has to be mined from the ground, heated and treated with chemicals and electricity before it can be formed into wires and sheets. Stage Three: Manufacturing The individual parts of a cell phone each go through a manufacturing process. The circuit board is shaped using plastics and fibreglass and then coated with gold plating. The circuits and wires of the circuit board are soldered, glued and coated. The LCD is made with liquid crystals layered between glass or plastic. These layers include two polarized panels, with a liquid crystal solution between them. Light is projected through the layer of liquid crystals and is colorized, which produces the visible image. Batteries have two electrodes (both made from a different metal) and each electrode is touched by a liquid material called electrolytes. When an outlet or another outside electrical source is applied, a chemical reaction between the electrodes and the electrolytes causes an electric current to flow and powers the battery. Stage Four: Packaging and Transportation The transportation process and packaging of cell phones is seen as harmful to the environment. Transporting cell phones for distribution requires the use of fossil fuels for energy, which can contribute to global climate change. While packaging protects products from damage, identifies contents, and provides information, excessive or decorative packaging contributes to the waste that we produce. Packaging consumes valuable natural resources, such as paper (from trees), plastic (from crude oil in the earth), aluminium (from ore), or other materials, all of which use energy to produce and can result in waste. Some packaging, however, can be made from recycled materials. Stage Five: Useful Life You can extend the use of your cell phone by taking good care of it as in protecting it from damage by storing it in a case, avoiding dropping it, and keeping it out of extreme heat and cold and away from water and other liquids. However, the materials that are used to make cell phones can potentially damage the environment and harm people. Therefore, it is important to reuse, recycle or properly dispose cell phones. Reuse: Many organizations, including recyclers, charities, and electronics manufacturers, accept working cell phones and offer them to schools, community organizations, and individuals in need. Reuse gives people, who could not otherwise afford them, free or reduced cost access to new phones and this also extends the useful lifetime of a phone. Recycle: Nowadays, many stores, manufacturers, and recycling centres accept cell phones for recycling. Some cell phones can be fixed and sold as refurbished phones, or parts can be used to fix phones. Some rechargeable batteries can also be recycled, as this way the recovered materials can be used to make new batteries and stainless steel products. Disposal: However, about 40% of cell phones cant be sold as refurbished cell phones. These cell phones are shredded as well as smelted at a copper refiner. Many metals actually go back to their natural state. This process helps replenish some natural resources and it is called above ground mining. Still, many cell phones are simply thrown in the trash and end up in landfills (buried in the ground) or incinerators (burned). Because cell phones contain metals, plastics, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous substances, they should always be recycled or properly disposed. Phones that are thrown away waste energy and result in the loss of valuable resources. This figure shows the cell phone recycling rate from 2007 to 2010 in the United Stated. Even though sales were the highest in 2010, the recycling rate did not correspond to the sales. 3. ETHICAL ISSUES 1. Energy Conservation The quantity of mobile phone usage increases any environmental impact of this product. Life-cycle analysis conducted by the European Commission shows that energy consumption is the greatest impact, both during manufacture of components and during their usage. Nokia estimated that if 10% of worldwide subscribers would unplug their chargers once their phone is fully charged, the energy saved could to supply 60,000 European homes for one year. Issues like wastage of energy due to overcharging and or mobiles left unplugged even after being fully charged needs to be addressed more. 2. Exploitation Illegal Trading The material used in the manufacturing of the mobile phones is coltan, a heat resistant material found in the Republic of Congo. In the Coltan, mines there are children that have to work instead of going to school and many reputable companies buy this mineral. Companies have to resort to material provided by controversial circumstances. What is Coltan? Coltan, short for columbite-tantalite is a metallic ore comprising niobium and tantalum. The niobium-dominant mineral in coltan is columbite, and the tantalum-dominant mineral is tantalite. Niobium, whose leading producer in Brazil, is mostly found in the mineral pyrochlore whereas tantalum is extracted from the ore, tantalite and is created by smelting and tin mining in some places. Tantalum mineral is mainly mined in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Ethiopia, Mozambique and other central African countries. Coltan is important for manufacturing cell phones because it is in the capacitors that control current flow in the cell phones circuit board. When refined, coltan becomes a heat resistant powder, metallic tantalum which has unique properties for storing electrical charge. Mining Coltan In the Coltan is mined by hand in the Congo by groups of men digging basins in streams by scrapping off the surface mud. They then slosh the water around the crater, which causes the Coltan ore to settle at the bottom of the crater where it is retrieved by the miners. A team can mine one kilo of Coltan per day. Most of these miners are children which are subjected to extreme conditions. Therefore, awareness has to be brought to these terrible working conditions by which these child workers are affected. Coltan financing war A recent report by the UN has claimed that all the parties involved in the local civil war have been involved in the mining and sale of Coltan. One report suggested that the neighbouring Rwandan army made US$250 million from selling Coltan in less than 18 months, despite there being no Coltan in Rwanda to mine. The military forces of Uganda and Burundi are also implicated in smuggling Coltan out of Congo for resale in Belgium. A report to the United Nations Security Council has called for a moratorium on purchase and import of resources from the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to the ongoing civil war that has dragged in the surrounding countries. 3. Toxics Waste disposal Environmental Impact Persistent Bio accumulative toxins Persistent Bio accumulative toxins (PBTs) PBTs are particularly dangerous because they do not degrade over long periods of time, and can easily spread and move between air, water, and soil, resulting in the accumulation of toxins far from the original point source of pollution. Because PBTs accumulate in fatty issue of humans and animals, the toxins are gradually concentrated and are of great risk. Cell phone batteries Rechargeable batteries are rapidly changing as technological advances improve new power sources. Already 60% of rechargeable Batteries sold worldwide are used in cell phones. However, rechargeable currently have toxic constituents such as cadmium, as well as brominated flame-retardants. The total environmental impact from cell phone batteries depends on a batteries material composition as well as on the time cell phones are used before they are discarded. Therefore, many cell phone users replace their batteries at least once before retiring their phones Lead Lead is a highly poisonous metal affecting almost every organ and system in the body. It has been widely used in electronics as the primary method of attaching components to the printed wiring boards. Lead is a toxin to both humans and the environment. It is a common contaminant and can impact entire ecosystems. In humans, it affects the central nervous system, immune and vascular systems, kidneys, and the endocrine system, with serious effects on the development of children’s brains. Lead is also a possible carcinogen. It accumulates in the environment and has very high chronic and acute effects on microorganisms, plants, and animals. 4. Society In past few years, the boom in the usage of mobile phones has tremendously increased, a large percentage of which are children. With the advancement of technology with faster data rate and streaming videos, the youth has been given unlimited access to any contents on web. Restrictions should be established to prohibit children from accessing adult content. Also, mobile phones have been restricted to be used during driving as it has been one of the factors of road accidents. 4. COMPANY COMPARISON: APLLE vs. NOKIA How do these companies deal with environmental impacts? This part of the paper compared two companies in the cellular industry, Apple and Nokia, and how these firms deal with environmental impacts. Although Apple is not entirely a mobile devices producer, its only mobile phone, the iPhone, is very popular and widely sold. Nokia is a well known mobile devices producer, which was dominating the industry for a very long time. However, in past couple years they have faced tremendous difficulties catching up with the technological changes, and did not produce a smart phone in time. Despite their rapid losses in revenues, they still operate in this market, and one of their latest smart phones, the LUMIA 800, is very similar to the iPhone 4S. Both phones have similar hardware preferences and are comprised of similar materials. Now lets take a look at which company is better off when it comes to sustainable business. Apple iPhone 4S Apple generally says that their products are brominated flame retardant free, PVC free, mercury free, and that the glass they use is arsenic free. All of these factors conclude in a positive result for Apple. Also, the iPhone releases a minimum of CO2 -gases. In fact, it releases only 1.2g of CO2-gases per hour, whereas a light bulb produces 48.4g per hour. This performance is due to the LED screen, as LED produces the least CO2 of all light sources. Furthermore, Apple has reduced the size of their packages of iPhones by 42%, which not only rapidly reduces the amount of materials necessary, but they can also ship 80% more boxes in each airline shipping container. That saves one 747 flight for every 371,250 units they ship. If you count in the amounts of fuel that is saved and add every aspect of this change together, it is clear that Apples Environmental Management is doing incredibly well. Their whole portfolio regarding environment is a perfect marketing strategy. They claim that all of their products are fully recyclable. This also includes the power conservation, which in this case is a Lithium-Ion battery. This battery is efficient and long lasting, which eliminated the necessity to replace the battery often. Despite this, there is no way the battery can be removed from the phone without unscrewing the body of the phone, for which you need ultra thin screw drivers. Therefore, nobody can actually recycle these batteries themselves, unless they return it to Apple or give their phones to a recycling company. Despite all of these positive factors, Apple still operates this business using very irrational sales policies. They replace their products with twice as strong hardware every year and adapt the software to the new hardware, which makes the old products very slow and ultimately unable to use. This forces the customers to always buy the newest models, which eventually produces a lot of waste. Nokia LUMIA 800 Although Nokia now has very strong environmental reporting, this whole process started only after the crisis the company went through. Despite this, the LUMIA 800 proves to be a very sustainable product. In Nokias reports, it is stated that the phone is BFR-free and PVC-free. The company also states that this phone produces 16kg of CO2 emissions per constant 3 years of usage. Equally divided this yields 0.6g per hour of use, however this is not very reliable because it depends on the way these emissions are measured. When it comes to packaging, Nokia still uses the big boxes. After almost 15 years, they still use the same size of the boxes loaded with papers which contribute to a large amount of material waste. All in all, both companies provide very detailed information about their business ethics, and both rank positively. Apple as well as Nokia lay a great emphasis on improving the environmental aspects of their products and processes in each phase of the product life cycle, from raw material acquisition till the end of the product’s useful life. Both companies state to have reduced their carbon footprint, while introducing new features and constantly improving their products. To conclude, it cannot be said which company performs better as each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Taking all the above mentioned points into consideration, this paper aims to highlight the ethical issues of mobile phones. When buying a cell phone, most consumers do not even think about what impacts their choice can have on the environment; the same applies to the disposal after the end of life. There are estimated 5 billion cell phone users which should be made more aware of the potential hazards of mobiles. They can cause environmental and health issues, causing CO2-emissions which increase the carbon footprint. Therefore, in conclusion, the choice which cell phone to buy should not only be based on cost and technical factors but also include environmental aspects.

Tradition and the Individual Talent Analysis

Tradition and the Individual Talent Analysis Tradition and the Individual Talent was originally published across two instalments of the Egoist in 1919 and later, in 1920, became part of T.S. Eliots full length book of essays on poetry and criticism, The Sacred Wood. Literary modernism is visible throughout the essay in the self-consciousness Eliot writes of with regards to writing poetry. The Waste Land, like much literature of the modernist era breaks away from traditional ways of writing and uses Eliots own understanding of tradition, literary allusion, in a unique way. This essay will be focusing on the arguments made by Eliot, with regards to literary tradition, in Tradition and the Individual Talent and how The Waste Land relates to those arguments. Eliot begins Tradition and the Individual Talent by arguing it is the poets treatment of their position within the historic context of literature that demonstrates talent. The essay asserts that the poet should use their knowledge of the writers of the past to influence their work. He states that we shall often find that not only the best, but the most individual part of his work may be those in which the dead poets, his ancestors, assert their immortality most vigorously. Eliot explains that to write with tradition in mind does not mean imitating, as this would lead to repetition and novelty is better than repetition. He defines tradition as something only to be gained by the labour of knowing literature of the past and by being critically aware of what techniques and content is of value. The poet should be aware of the simultaneous order of literary tradition, dating back to the classics. Tradition is the accumulated wisdom and experience of literature through the ages and is, according to Eliot, essential for great achievements within poetry. Eliot argues that no writer or piece of literature has value or significance when isolated from the literary cannon. In order to judge a work of art or literature it must be compared to works of the past. He believes that tradition is constantly changing due to adding new work to the literary cannon. He suggests that the author should conform to literary tradition and be informed by the past, but that by doing so the work of the author modifies the work they have been informed by. It is important for the poet to be aware of their own position within the present but also their relevance in relation to literature of the past. The modern author adds meaning to the traditional text by incorporating its influence into their work. Eliot acknowledges that the new work of art, when original, modifies the literary tradition in a small way. The relationship between past and present is not one-way, the present can alter the past, just as the past informs the present. Eliot then acknowledges that knowledge of the past as a whole would be impossible. In order to gain a good sense of tradition one must critically examine the past, focusing on works of art that are considered to be of high value. He explains that the definition of a sense of tradition is to be critically aware of trends and techniques which became typical of a particular age, movement or even author, and to have the ability to recognise deviation from this. An author with a good sense of tradition should also be aware that the main literary trends do not come, solely, from the most recognised poets, but they must be aware of trends set by poets of lesser recognition. Although the work of present poets is compared and contrasted to poets of the past, it does not determine whether the work of the present is better than the work of the past. Standards and principles are recognised to have changed. The comparison is made in order to analyse the new work, creating a deeper understanding of the text. It is only through this comparison the traditional and the individual elements can be determined. Eliot claims that art never improves. He argues that, despite changes in thinking, great writers such as Shakespeare and Homer remain relevant. He recognises that artists work with different materials and their art is a product of different eras, therefore it would be impossible to measure a qualitative improvement in any school of art. Eliot is aware that questions will be asked about the great level of knowledge that would be required of any one poet in order to meet his understanding of tradition. The essay will be criticised on the basis that there are great poets who did not have the level of education that Eliot is claiming is required. Eliot goes on to argue that it should be the duty of every poet to build their knowledge of the past for the duration of their career. He believes that it is knowledge of tradition that encourages and strengthens the poets ability to write great work. Eliot recognises that, at the start of a poets career, individuality will assert itself, but he notes that it is the sign of an immature poet and that as they continue to write one should lose the sense of the poets personality within the work they create. The poet should become objective with maturity. This therefore makes it irrelevant who wrote the poem under analysis, the relevance lies in the poems delivery of literary tradition. Eliot notes the necessity of the poet experiencing new situations and emotions without any changes being visible in their poetic voice. He states the more perfect the artist, the more completely separate in him will be the man who suffers and the mind which creates. He notes that the personality of the poet should not be expressed in their work but should remain unchanged by external factors. Eliot expresses that poetry may be formed from singular or various feelings, emotions or a combination of the two. He argues that poetry is in fact the organisation of emotions and feelings rather than inspiration. He believes that the quality of the poetry is not determined by the intensity of feelings or emotions but the intensity of the process of creating and ordering those feelings as part of poetic composition. The more pressure involved in the creative process the better the quality of the end product. Eliot goes on to note the difference between personal emotions of the poet and the emotion of poetry itself. While personal emotions may be simple, the expression of these emotions may be complex. While it is not the role of the poet to express new emotions, the poet should express ordinary emotions in new ways. Eliot then goes on to reject Wordsworths theory of poetry that is has its origin in emotions recollected in tranquillity. He believes that the composition of poetry does not require emotion, recollection or tranquillity, but that original poetry results from concentration on experiences. He also argues that this concentration should not be deliberate but passive. Poetry should be an escape from the poet, not a reflection of them. Eliot is not denying the poet personality but is declaring that the impersonality required to create good poetry can only be achieved when the poet surrenders themselves to the poetry they create. In part three of the essay, Eliot concludes that the poet is only capable of surrendering themselves to their work if they have acquired a good sense of tradition. And he is not likely to know what is to be done unless he lives in what is not merely the present, but the present moment of the past, unless he is conscious, not of what is dead, but of what is already living. By this he means that the poet should be conscious not only of their position within the literary cannon of the past but also where they belong in the literature of the present and how their poetry is relevant as a statement of the world in which it is created. The arguments made by Eliot suggest he is of the didactic school of poetic literary theory, believing that poetry should educate as well as entertain. Tradition and the Individual Talent sets out rules to be a great poet. Although he does not go to the extreme of being a neo-Classical critic, his theories do bear some resembalance in that he speaks of the classics being as relevant to poetry now as ever. This suggests that Eliot believes alluding to classical poets can improve the quality of the poetry. While Tradition and the Individual Talent does argue for originality it does so in a way that relies upon literature of the past. This still fits with the understanding of literary modernity as suggested by Ezra Pounds statement Make it new as, rather than making something completely original, Eliot is suggesting you take the traditional and make that new by attributing new meanings to what has been expressed. Eliot does not allow for the expression of new emotions. The arguments Eliot makes for the absence of the individuals experiences within their poetry is limiting the originality and uniqueness of poetry. While Eliot allows for originality in the way in which poets react and respond to the literary and historic tradition, he limits free expression of the self. Whilst the poet often takes influence from the past there should be unlimited freedom for expressing new ideas and emotions relating to the new material and the world in which they live. The ideas expressed in Tradition and the Individual discourages poets who are less well educated and therefore could discourage naturally talented poets from creating truly unique poems. Overall the essay is flawed not in the expression of Eliots arguments but in the rigidity of rules he places on a creative process, which should be free from rules and allowing for complete creative freedom. In Tradition and the Individual Talent, Eliot stated that the most individual parts of [the authors] work may be those in which the dead poetsassert their immortality most vigorously. When placing this alongside his argument that the experienced and mature poets converse with literary tradition in their work, it is hardly surprising that The Waste Land is full of literary allusions. The way Eliot alludes to literary tradition is in itself a source of originality, fitting with his arguments, however, emotions, personality and the personal experience of T.S. Eliot are disguised within The Waste Land. These aspects become clear when studied from a biographical perspective. The Waste Land is often read as an attempt to put the ideas of Tradition and the Individual Talent into practice, but the remaining part of this essay will focus on how Eliot fails to separate his personal experiences from the creative process. The Waste Land was written in 1922 during a period when T. S. Eliot was under orders from his physician to take three months rest. It is generally believed that this was due to a nervous breakdown. As a result of this Eliot was treated for neurasthenia[1] under the care of Dr. Vittoz in Lausanne, Switzerland. Because the majority of The Waste Land was composed during the period of Eliots treatment, the poem can be viewed as representative of Eliots psychological condition and his healing. It is due to this that Eliots emotions and personality are visible in the themes, structure, language and even grammar of the poem. This is something which Tradition and the Individual Talent claims should be absent in the work of a great poet. It is perhaps due to Eliots belief that poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality there have been relatively few critics to study Eliots poetry alongside biographical examinations of the poet. Lyndall Gordon states that the more that is known of Eliots biographical life the clearer it seems that the impersonal faà §ade of his poetry-the multiple faces and voices-masks an often quite literal reworking of personal experience.[2] Eliot claimed that Tiresias is the most important personage in the poem, uniting all the rest it is therefore likely that Tiresias, as the main consciousness of The Waste Land, represents Eliot in his struggle to gain brain control. Tiresias fits Vittozs understanding of the neurasthenic as living very little in the present and his thoughts always turn to the past or the future.[3] Tiresias figured in this sense can be understood as throbbing between two lives (l. 218) where the lives represent the two different aspects of his mind, the conscious and the subjective. Tiresias can be assigned the role of the characterisation of Eliots illness as the positive driving force of inspiration within the poem. Eliot himself wrote on the theory of the impact of illness on art in a positive light: it is a commonplace that some forms of illness are extremely favourable, not only to religious illumination, but to artistic and literary composition.[4] Eliot took a rest break in Margate in October 1921 which proved unsuccessful: On Margate Sands. I can connect Nothing with Nothing. (l. 300-302) This demonstrates the symptom of hopelessness. There are no connections to be found between the speakers thoughts. The conscious and subjective aspects of the mind are unable to communicate with one another. There are multiple references in the poem to blindness, deafness, muteness and difficulties with the sensation of touch. Vittoz has stated that the neurasthenic often looks without seeing and listen[s] without hearing (p. 44). The narrator, whether it is considered to be Tiresias, Eliot or another refers to all of these issues: I could not Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither Living nor dead, and I knew nothing, Looking into the heart of the light, the silence.'(l. 38-41) It is the neurasthenic condition that could be preventing the speaker from connecting emotions to senses which results in further hopelessness. This is followed by a quotation from Tristran and Isolde, Oed und leer das Meer (Desolate and empty the sea) which again furthers the state of despair associated with neurasthenia. Along with the narrator and Tiresias there appears to be another character who, as Vittoz would describe, looks without seeing and listen[s] without hearing: My nerves a bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me. Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak. What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? I never know what you are thinking. Think. (l. 110-113) The reference to nerves in line 110 should be attributed to insomnia, another symptom of neurasthenia. This furthers the argument that Eliots neurasthenia has impacted the poem greatly. Here we also see a lack of control in Eliots writing, he writes the question Why do you never speak without a question mark and the incomplete sentence What thinking? There is a severe lack of control in the poem so any semblance of narrative becomes blurred along with the sense of time, characters and their voices. The poem does seem to progress towards a sense of peace. It is in this way that it can be understood as Eliots process of recovery. In order to progress from this state of confusion Eliot must go through Vittozs therapy in order to reach the point of shantih. Vitozz wrote that several times a day the patient should repeat ideas of calm three times, this can explain the closing line Shantishantishanti (l. 434). In the manuscript version this movement can also be seen from the poem beginning with the horror, the horror to ending with the words still and quiet. In What the Thunder Said the tone of the poem begins to find its direction, or demonstrates the narrator approaching brain control. DA Damyata: The boat responded Gaily, the hand expert with sail and oar The sea was calm, your heart would have responded Gaily, when invited, beating obedient To controlling hands (l. 418-423) At this point in the poem Eliot is approaching a point of recovery. The poem has moved from the uncontrolled nature of neurasthenia to a calmer state of mind thanks to controlling hands. When linked to Vittozs technique of placing his hands on his patients temple in order to feel brain activity this passage is clearly in appreciation of his therapy. He spent time in the mountains recovering the symptoms of insomnia, hopelessness and confusion, In the mountains, there you feel free./I read, much of the night, and go south in winter (l. 17-18). These repeated references to symptoms, treatments and Eliots own experience of recovery certainly suggest neurasthenia is central to The Waste Land. This argument does not dispute the understanding of The Waste Land as a reflection on modern society. T.S. Eliots neurasthenia was a product of the financially focused post World War Britain in which he lived. The Waste Land can be seen as reflective of the sensibility of the time in Britain, struggling between the wars and trying to gain control, the poem could therefore be understood as diagnosing the society in which he lived. Whichever interpretation one believes, The Waste Land was composed as a result of T.S. Eliots mental health problems, whether it be an awareness of neurasthenia in order to diagnose society with or the expression of his internal struggle. This is clear through the fragmented nature of the text. The unannounced changes in speaker, time and location are as a result of Eliots mental state and yet have been studied in great depth without considering the biographical aspects of the context of the poem. The reason for neglecting this way of reading the text is lik ely to be a result of Eliots own arguments in Tradition and the Individual Talent, that The emotion of art is impersonal. The emotion of The Waste Land however is very personal to the poet, T.S. Eliot. [1] The symptoms of neurasthenia were notoriously vague-they included headaches, noises in the ear, bad dreams, insomnia, flushing, and fidgetiness, flying neuralgia, spinal irritation, impotence and hopelessness. Gold, M. K. 2000. The Expert Hand and the Obedient Heart: Dr. Vittoz, TS Eliot, and the Therapeutic Possibilities of The Waste Land. Journal of Modern Literature, 23 (3), pp. 519533. [2]Lyndall Gordon, Eliots Early Years (Oxford University Press, 1977), p. 2. [3] Roger Vittoz, Treatment of Neurasthenia by Means of Brain Control, trans H.B. Brooke (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1921). P. 19. [4] Eliot, T. S. and Kermode, F. 1975. Selected prose of T.S. Eliot. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. pP. 237.

Marks And Spencer: The Biggest High Street Retailers

Marks And Spencer: The Biggest High Street Retailers Marks and Spencer is one of the biggest high street retailers in UK with over 600 UK stores and nearly 303 stores in 41 territories. The home country of Marks and Spencer is United Kingdom. The head office is located in central London at Waterside House. As the companys principle is to value quality, innovation, personalize service and security to their customers in a very unique manner which builds the trust of the customers towards the company. MS offers stylish, high quality clothing, home products and outstanding service especially their own food brands since 125 years. Through massive supply chain including more than 2000 suppliers globally we have used the analytical to tools which are explained as follows: Pestle analysis Political Analysis: In spite of cultural differences MS have functioned very efficiently in terms of macroeconomic policies and also improved good relations with other countries to expand the business. Economical Analysis: As the current scenario the economic conditions are adverse because of the recession therefore MS is not able to achieve the desired targets due to which they have to reduce their cost of products and even bargain with the suppliers. ( ) Socio-cultural Analysis: MS adopt certain social and cultural aspects which vary from country to country in terms of their lifestyle, values and beliefs. This leaves the impact on diffusion of products onto the market. As changes in the lifestyle results in both opportunities and threats to the firm. Technological Analysis: MS uses advance technology in order to serve their customers such as enhanced online shopping were customers can make choices from various products that are available in relation to clothing, food etc. This provides flexibility in running the business more efficiently. (http://www.oxbridgewriters.com/essays/marketing/marks-spencers-corporate-objectives.php). Environmental Analysis: MS has developed plan A which makes the company to fight against climate change, waste reduction etc. This is the first company that has removed the artificial colours from the food items. They give points to the customers if the customer uses their bags while shopping. This way the MS is environmental friendly. Legal Analysis: MS has high holding status, so this will influence the environmental regulation with which in duties must comply. MS has standard accounting methods. MS is listed in on London stock exchange, they are founding member of business in the community. Industry life cycle period There are 4 phases in the life cycle, the MS had started from introduction phase it had taken a long time to developed and move towards the growth phase. In 20th century the growth of MS was strong enough to compete in the market. The company is still in the growth stage as they are innovative and creative in terms of developing new products and because of this only they havent reached to the maturity and decline stage. Five Forces Threat of New Entrants: In 19th century; there were new entries like Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury. Even Zara and Top Shop were entering the market. So MS faced high threat from them and started avoiding product differentiation decreasing the cost through mass production. Bargaining Power of Buyers: MS bargaining power increases because the quality and the price of the products are high therefore they cannot hold the customers as Tesco, Asda and Top- Shop do so they have come up with quality products with cheaper prices to attract the customers, thus MS is becoming more price sensitive. The Bargaining Power of Suppliers: MS bargaining power is very high as it is known for its quality value products. So supplier can threaten the market by increasing high price or decreasing the quality. As MS is doing partnership widely which increases bargaining power of supplier. Threat of Substitute Product Service: Due competition substitute products services are available, MS is having brand name which is valuable, but substitutes are also available like Tesco, Asda, Manchester United, Zara and Top Shop. Intensity of Rivalry among competitors: The Rivalry among the competitors is strong, In case of MS, there are many competitors so they use tactics like sales promotions, advertising, product differentiation and diversifying the structure by introducing other brand products. Threats Due to high competition, the products substitution is possible this will further reduce the price of product e.g. Primark. MS products are value perspective but there are very small group which constitute value perspective and consumer perspective products as it is having value added pricing methods as other retailers use market skimming method. Opportunities The competitive advantage helped the company to expands its business keeping in mind the futuristic vision in terms of diversification to help market development from the existing products by welcoming new products and make them exist in the global market this denotes the expansion matrix in terms of MS as the company is on the edge of establishing its brand across the territories. External Analysis: From the above mentioned analysis one can state that MS produces the superior quality products and thus MS can sustain in strategic market for long time but have to be protective from competitors. MS has strong advertising strategy (example: clothing). Mostly there sales promotions are done by online purchases and creating awareness in all the public places like tube station, train station, bus station etc. Buyers of MS are gradually falling because the Tesco and Sainsbury are providing quality products with cheaper rates. So through all this we can say that MS needs to take quick decision regarding various polices and strategies that they are following. Strategic Alliances Economy of scale: In case of MS economy of scale it uses the concept of mass production and through this they could reduce the cost per unit as well they raise more revenue. As it is one of the trustworthy brands it had to keep hold on efficiency. Economy of scope: MS has varieties of products in the different range of stores and locations. This diversification of their products and services as this core quality is giving greater opportunity to compete in the global market. Economy of learning: MS has additional competence as learning of new markets, new customers and new preferences according their previous pitfalls and achievements. (http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_PEST.htm) Evaluation of Company Performance by Balanced Scorecard Approach. Customer Perspective: MS has now understood its quality value attributes were not working longer as their business strategy because customers are trying to get quality goods at a cheaper price. As a result now they moved from product focus to customer focus to attract the customers towards them. E.g. innovative online shopping and giving more value added services. The Internal Business Perspective: This perspective highlights the internal capability of firm. MS has invested to open a retail park, food stores in different towns travel hubs in airports, stations etc. The speed and flexibility of getting the products into the stores has improved by managing inventory. To provide a good service to the customer, the company has invested in systems infrastructure. This helps to reduce the export cost ignites distribution. MS have launched an expertise division to fight against the climate change, waste reduction trading in ethical way etc. (Marks Spencer Annual Report 2009, http://annualreport.marksandspencer.com/). The Innovation Learning Perspective: From time to time; it is coming up with new ideas. For e.g. It has introduced Per Una in 2008 and introduced Cook Asian Bakery cup cakes along with lingerie collection in 2009. MS is conducting activities to train leaders of next generation with the Flagship leadership programme new line management developing programmes. They even have benefit package for their employees (Marks Spencer Annual Report 2009, http://annualreport.marksandspencer.com/). The Financial Perspective: In this year the total revenue of the company have increased by 0.4%. Whereas international market revenue has increased by 25.9%.But the UK market has decreased by 1.7%. Company interim dividend has decreased from 8.3 pence per share to 5.5 pence per share. MS company shares increased by 5.87 per cent to 361 pence per share in, 2009(Marks Spencer Annual Report 2009,http://annualreport.marksandspencer.com/).It is satisfied with its performance in the first half of this year as the Company has increased the shares of the clothing food market. Financial Ratio Analysis: The previous sections we have used numerous tools and techniques to analysis the company the strategic performance. In addition to conclude the precise strategic appraisal of MS is explained below. MS Company Current Ratio is 0.62 times in 2009.It was 0.60 times in 2008. It is less than 1; MSs networking capital is negative. It is unusual in a company like MS. In 2009; Quick ratio was 0.33 times in 2008 but it has decreased to 0.32 times in this year. The stock has increased because of slow moving inventory. Cash ratio is 0.13 times in this year; it was 0.16 times in 2008. In 2009 Total Debt ratio is 0.74 times 0.75 times in 2008. In this year its profit margin is (0.03). This helps MS to sustain in the market. This analysis helped to explain the internal structure of the firm which is explained as follows. (Marks Spencer half year results 2009/10, http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/page.aspx?pointerid=3e7ce29a8f244dc38e22943f16d954d3) Environmental Scanning Internal analysis: The MS has some powerful strength as their competitive advantages to sustain in the market: Strong brand name: MS achieved popularity in UK because of their quality, service and innovation; and effectively stepped in global market to diversify their brand internationally. MS also developed very high reputation from all kind of customers by maintaining their standard and never compromised the quality standards. Good Financial Position: The Company has a very strong cash flow position where the company doesnt require taking any loans from any financial institutions. They can easily manage funds from the revenue they generate. The company indicates to have a strong balance sheet as there is increase in their turnover and trading profits. Generic Strategies: Cost leadership: To compare with Industry competitors MS is not focusing to be a cost leader as to maintain their quality. Differentiation: MS always differentiate their products and services to keep their position in the retail market. For example to be a UKs leading clothing retailer maintain fashion trends and great value with more clarity and newness of all range from children to old generation. E.g. Women wear PORTFOLIO and INDIGO, AUTOGRAPHF, SLIMFIT SHIRT, AND NORTH COAST and for Men, etc. limited collection and 35 and under for younger customers DINE IN FOR TWO FOR Â £10 in Food and also always customer focusing and removing duplication that are priority issues. Focus: MS gearing a focus generic strategy by concentrating on narrow market segment such as a particular buyer group and age, social class, income and occupation. Market segments through value like premium price, high quality, mid-priced and low-price segment. These are the key points applied to achieve differentiation from their competitors like Tesco, Asda, Top shop, Clarks, Zara and Next. As a tacit skill they come up with new ideas to improve the business e.g. MS maintain to keep their own brand products in stores. MS have decided to introduce the other brand products like HEINS, NESTLE etc. Value Chain Analysis: Due to the effect of the recession few years back MS had face some drawback in business especially in food industry but they quickly rectified most of the problems. To overcome from problems they have restructured their supply chain and technology recently. Before MS depends on middle man as their main clothing supplier which led 5% to 7% additional cost plus more operational cost ultimately the cost of the products are more as compared to their competitors. Inbound Logistics: MS has controlled and improve effective computerised inventory control system which is centralised over the globe in order to delivery each item to the shop floor. According to Stuart Rose (Annual report 2009) MS always focuses on environment friendly manufacturing, recycling process through Plane A project which gives very successful achievement in food and clothing industry as well as very controlled operational cost led the company to reduced the price of goods . As an added value the company has a powerful website to integrate the online order management to fulfil the potential benefit. MS has signed an agreement with Amazon for e-commerce services to the retail sector (Press release 2009) which has efficient work flow design. Outbound Logistics: In order to provide continuous replenishment services and products to the customers MS has efficient automated system such as RFID to improve stock accuracy and inventory processes and delivery method. They have their own delivery vehicles and warehouses all over the world. They have closed 21 warehouses to consolidate their GM operations into four large warehouses within UK. In addition to this MS made agreements with third party logistics operators to integrate their suppliers in the supply chain. In case of International distribution they moved forward with direct sourcing as an add strategic value planed to implement SAP within their core commercial system in 2010 and going to outsource their HR system to save time to consent rate in core business (MS case study 2009) Sales Marketing: MS has excellent approach in sales and marketing in advertising, store seasonal promotions. They have proved that products are value for the money. Their recent sales improvements and marketing campaigns are such substantial achievement in retail industry (Annual report 2009) Service: To retain the existing customers and to attract new customers MS targeting more on value added services such as Insurance, Credit card, Tourism, Home delivery etc. Not only this MS has also established in HRM, Technology development, Procurement and General Administration and still keep looking to improved through standard dedicated RD team. In regards to Boston Matrix MS have penetrated into the market through its various new products and services which deals with selling products into the market and achieved main objective in terms to increase the market share of current products; also it has secured a dominant growth in the market. As they are diverse in their products the company has also opened new retail outlets in different countries and have occupied the market in a better manner. Therefore, the Boston Matrix analysis in terms of MS doesnt have any dogs and problem child because they are not losing any revenues which they have invested but in terms of cash cows they are not successful in gaining revenue from some international territories due to recession. But in terms of stars MS hold a strong market due to their reputation. Boston Matrix in a very simplified manner: In relation to the diamond porters competitive advantage in the market MS hold a very strong position as it has withstand in the international market keeping in mind firms restructuring strategies which has helped to increase the productivity and innovativeness as per the demand of the customer. The company is supported by skilled personnel, capital and infrastructure thus gaining sustainability in the world market. Even the government inspires MS to launch its desired products because of the companys loyalty towards the customers. Strengths: MS is the largest retail industry in the global market. It has strong financial backup and also holds good reputation among the customers, suppliers and the distributors. The brand is very famous among the market in UK as well as over the globe. Even they have diverse range of products which makes them unique in their behaviour as they have their in house production. These key points have helped MS sustain in the global market. Weakness: Marks and Spencer is in strong competition with Top Shop, Zara and Next for example the production life cycle of Zara is just 6 weeks even when it comes to clothing outlets these retailers offer the same price range as MS and even more fashionable products. In terms of food shopping MS faces competition with Sainsburys and Tesco as they offer high quality value added foods. Conclusion: Using both environmental analysis techniques (SWOT and PESTEL) and portfolio analysis we have seen that MS have various internal strengths and weakness in its current business activities as well as number of opportunities and threats. The portfolio of MSs products in terms of BCG matrix is either dogs (cash in balance) or question marks (cash cow). In food and clothing (with its focus differentiation generic strategy) relative market shares is low with low industry growth and Financial services industry growth is high but MSs market share is low and will require substantial capital investment to turn them into stars.

Jesus And The Anorexic Suicidal Supermodels :: essays research papers

Jesus and the Anorexic Suicidal Supermodels The family unit is one of the most cherished institutions of American society. Its function is one of philanthropy, to raise America's children in accordance with our accepted norms and various proscriptions and prescriptions. However, rising teenage pregnancy and juvenile crime seem to indicate that the American family is not doing this. Many Americans insist that a family is capable of producing a productive citizen in every instance and believe that only a traditional family can do this. So the conclusion one might draw baring in mind this paradigm is that the traditional one mom and one dad family needs help as a function. Any Pat Robertson-fearing Republican will tell you that Judeo-Christian ethics are the foundation upon which the family is based, therefore to help the family why not foster these religious ideals? (And while we're at it, why not make a contribution to the two billion dollar tax-free Christian Broadcasting Network?) The manifest function here of religion is to provide people with a unifying belief that will scare kids into behaving so they do not go to Hell. The latent function is that it is a slap in the face to every Easterner who has conducted themselves in a productive and positive manner. Many of the Christian right I am sure do not realize how offensive the notion is that Christianity is the only faith to recognize that killing and stealing are bad. What exactly are the "norms" that are so exclusive to Christianity? The Christian world is more afflicted with crime than Singapore ever will be, just take a walk through the super Catholic ghettos of Buenos Aires. I personally believe that the break from moral traditions does not exist. The vast majority of American youth hold murder and violence to be a proscription, and so do their families whether they consist of two moms or two dads or one of each. Certainly poverty has created a problem to compliment the stress placed on those growing up in single parent families, and perhaps here is where faith belongs. If people can just have something to believe in, to lift up their spirits, perhaps the dread of daily life would not seem so terrible for those it depresses, and here I speak not only of inner cities, I speak of the dozens of people I know who have to be on prozac to have the will to wake up in the morning, I speak of the countless multitudes of young women who purposely vomit because they feel they have no control over their lives or because they

Analysis of the Movie, The Insider Essay -- Insider Movie Film Analys

The Insider (1999) is a film rife with ethical dilemmas, suspense and controversy. It is based on a true story related to a 1994 episode of the CBS news show 60 Minutes that never aired. The plot puts Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) at odds with Brown & Williamson, the third largest tobacco companies in the country. Wigand was fired from his position as Vice President of Research and Development, at which he was instructed to hide information related to the addictive nature of nicotine. The plot takes off when Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), producer for 60 Minutes, discovers that Wigand has a story to tell. The best way for Wigand to tell that story is with the help of Bergman, via an interview aired on 60 Minutes. However, tobacco companies have a history of viciously defending their profits, by whatever means necessary, and Brown & Williamson does just that. The story hits a climax as the interests and incentives of the television station CBS, 60 Minutes, Dr. Wigand and Brown & Williamson are played out. Portrayal of Business The film portrays business in an extremely negative light. It focuses on two central conflicts – one between Brown & Williamson and Wigand, the other between CBS Corporation and Bergman. Brown & Williamson is the primary antagonist. The film is ripe with examples of the bad things they do. Their principle, most damaging offense is deceit. They are charged with covering up the addictive properties of nicotine and finding ways to exploit it to increase profits. For example, in Wigand’s interview for 60 Minutes, he says that tobacco companies view cigarettes only as a delivery device for nicotine. He also says they take advantage of the addictive properties by manipulating and adj... ...ons, the responsibility that power implies and the responsibility of media as a corporate watchdog. It seems obvious that large corporations have a tendency to ignore the negative effects of their actions in favor of profit. This example, although sensationalized, still says to me that with power comes responsibility. It affirmed my belief that a corporation’s goal cannot be just to provide profit to shareholders, but there must also be an element of social responsibility. It also made me think about media’s role in business. I think it should be just as portrayed in this film. Bergman relentlessly pursued the truth, using a very credible source. Too often today, media is spoon fed by corporations. Media has a responsibility to objectivity that can be important in keeping businesses honest. But, it’s really up to media to maintain that objectivity.

European Union Relations with the Russian Federations Essay

The EU (European Union) is an economic and political union form by 28 member states and the countries are primarily located in Europe. The union has developed differently and varying relations with its different members. Russia is one of the countries that make the union. Russia-European affairs are the intercontinental relationships between the Russian federation and the European Union, which is the largest bordering state to the east. The EU is the largest trading partner of the Russians. The Russian Federation and the European Union are major partners in a number of key spheres, including economy, energy, internal and external aspects of security. However, the relation between the two parties has been found wanting. The cooperation and Partnership union between Russia and EU has been the framework of the EU-Russia relations since 1997 and regulates the political and economic  relations between the two parties (Ross, 2004). Despite there being a long history of the relationship between the Russian Federation and European Union members, the current state of the relations have raised eyes on the future of the cooperation between the two parties. In the year 201, the then Swedish prime minister invited the Russian president and one of the discussions was the possibilities of the Russia nation joining the EU establishment. However, this looks to be a too far away reality as Russia, is not ready to follow the specific rules that are set by the EU for its members. Russia’s economy is on a rapid growth and they do not want to take on the EU laws’ and set of rules they use. Their social and political status is not exactly favorable either (The U.S. and Europe Diverge on the Crimea Crisis, 2014). In recent times, the relationship between the two parties has been brought into a sour one as the ‘2013 Vilnius Summit’ connecting the European union establishment with the countries to its east neighbors saw what  Ã¢â‚¬ËœThe Economist’   termed as â€Å"raw geopolitical contest† and wasn’t seen in Europe since coming to an conclusion of the Cold War. Russia tried to convince its â€Å"near abroad† nations to unite into its newly established ‘Eurasian Union’  instead of signing any contract with the European countries. The Russian administration under leadership of President Putin achieved a lot in persuading Armenia and Ukraine to stop their discussions with the EU and in its place commences talks with themselves (Ross, 2004).  Nonetheless, the EU pinnacle leadership went forward with Moldova and Georgia discussions and in turn resulted to agreement with the EU community in spite of Russia’s resistance. Conversely, these divisions led to extensive remonstrations of the Ukraine that finally brought down the Ukrainian president this year (Lavrov, 2013). Subsequent to the fall down of the famed pro-Russian regime in Ukraine, ‘Crimea 2014’ the Russian Federation commenced on a military intervention by putting up its military which was in ‘Crimea’, in addition to the ones on the Ukrainian boundaries. This action has greatly been faced with condemnation as EU leaders have viewed it as a raid. The current divisions between the two parties are believed to have a story and commenced sometimes back. The current hype of the crises is believed to have grown over time. The developed has brought along a strained relationship between Russia and EU. After accomplishing a number of victories within the country, such as: pacifying Chechnya, dealing with the oligarchs, and the avoiding of Russian breakdown, President Putin has focused attention during his 2nd term to foreign policy matters. The president engaged in a more and more revisionist strategy, with the main aim of rebuilding the country as well as its immediate nei ghborhood. These developments included standing up to Western dominance and pressure wherever possible (Ross, 2004). Not unexpectedly, the Russian revisionism has led an ever more opposed relationship with Europe and the United States. The EU and United States are believed to develop their own interest and strategies in Russia’s geo-strategically significant neighborhood, ranging from Eastern Europe to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Indeed, from a western point of view, the list of Russian treacheries is now legion: on Kosovo, Russian support for Serbia is seen as a major obstacle to peace in the Balkans; in the Caucasus and Central Asia, Russia has checked Western oil interests and reversed Western attempts to promote political reform; and in Moldova and the Ukraine, Russia has acted as a counter-balance to European influence. Moreover, all of this has been paired with Russia’s tendency to ignore existing treaties, revise its economic contracts and repudiate internationally respected norms (Shevtsova, 2010). There are numerous areas that have resulted to the strained relation between the EU and the Russians. For example, politically, the Russians has repudiated the OSCE and Helsinki Norms, disrespect of Council of Europe commitment and also breaching of Vienna Convention. Economically, the Russians failed to respect contacts, challenge of Energy Charter Treaty and disregard for WTO Norms. This in turn has led to the rise of opposition from the European members and the United States hence straining their relationship. The much published hype of the European frustration with Russian policies has been predominantly noticeable in three areas: (a) the Russian effort to divide the European Union by utilizing divide and rule strategies, (b) Russia’s move in setting itself up as an option to the EU in the familiar neighborhood and, (c) Russia’s own turn away from democracy and domestic reforms (Lavrov, 2013). In its relation with the Europe, the Russians have off late looked to undermine the unity between themselves and the European Union through engaging into bilateral relations which are meant to play to its natural power merit. This means that, the Russians have dismissed the European commission and in turn sidelining it terming it as inflexible and very little importance. Moderately, the Russians have been trying to build relationships with specific European powers such as Germany, France, and Italy. The Russian president has tried and regularly made it in building close and pleasant relations with the leaders of these nations and Russia’s state-controlled energy industry has build up some of its more important partnerships with German, French, Portuguese and Italian businesses (Lavrov, 2013). However, at the same time, Russia has variably overlooked or punished some European nations, mainly amongst the latest member state, that have shown them to be overtly critical of Russian policies (Shevtsova, 2010). Amongst others, Russia has interrupted its oil supplies to Latvia in 2003 and Lithuanian in 2006 for â€Å"technical reasons†; boycotted Polish meat exports; levied export tariffs on the sale of timber to Sweden and Finland; and it has turned a blind-eye to the harassment of Estonian and British diplomats, in 2007 and 2008 respectively, after high-profile disputes with these countries. The history of these developments has in turn resulted to the EU viewing the Russian as a threat to the unity of the EU members. This has in turn acted as catalyst to sour relations that have developed between the two parties. In addition, the current development has been seen as to have gone beyond repair as the two parties have been destined for eternal conflict (Ross, 2004). Internal Divisions Concerted Russian attempts to open up European separation and the lack of European Union unity, have split the EU into two schools of reflection on the correct way to be adopted in reference to how the relationships with Russia should advance. On one side, one school of thought has regarded Russia as a prospective partner. The group known as ‘friend of Russia’ which has countries such as; Germany, France, Italy, Greece. Spain among others has held to a policy that favors a close dialogue connecting the Russians and the EU as well as supporting economic cooperation as they have supported that this will and is the only chance for influencing Russians foreign policy behavior (Lavrov, 2013). On the other side of the Russian-EU relation, there is the â€Å"Russia realist† group. This contains nations such as, UK and numerous of the fresh member states of Eastern and Central Europe. These nations, have argued for a more forceful foreign policy approach, arguing that â€Å"they know Russia better† and that Moscow only understands the language of power and force, and in turn have turned to be the Russian opposes and hence redefining the EU Russia relations. The increasing pressure of this group is reflected in the escalating criticism of Russia from formerly â€Å"pro-Russian† countries such as Germany. Indeed, Germany is currently split between the more overtly â€Å"anti-Russian† Angela Merkel and her more â€Å"pro-Russian† coalition partner. Should Germany shift more pronounced towards the â€Å"Russia realist† camp, this might well tip the balance of power within Europe towards this group (Shevtsova, 2010). The inability of the EU to pursue a unified line towards Russia undermines its ability to develop a pragmatic relationship with this important country and over the last 15 years, the different elements of the EU have acknowledged this problem. The diversity of interests within the EU continues to undermine its ability to formulate coherent and practical solutions. There is a greater urgency for some states (those with common borders or who depend significantly on Russia for energy imports) to develop relations with Russia, while other states simply have different priorities. This makes real progress in EU-Russia relations to a certain extent dependent on which member governments presides over the European Council at a given time (Europe’s Risky Russian Energy Habit, 2014). Moving into new relationship between the Russian and European Union Looking into imminent elimination of the immediate obstacle into the negotiation of a new partnership between the two parties, the road has to better relations has looked once again promising. Officials have vowed for more punitive international actions aimed at Russia economy. United States President at a news meeting in Asian country (South Korea) believed he and other leaders from the European nations would consider sanctions against the Russian country especially at this time the Ukraine crisis are worsening (The U.S. and Europe Diverge on the Crimea Crisis, 2014). One of the measures that have been taken by the EU and the west is the introduction of sanctions, and implementing financial and visa limitations on almost 30 Russians and Ukrainian officials (Europe’s Risky Russian Energy Habit, 2014). Ukraine  amplified its bank rates  in an effort to guard its economy from the chaos generated by aggressive objections and Russia’s forces involvement in Crimea (Shevt sova, 2010). The economic relation connecting the US, European Union, and the Russia is unbalanced the approach from the United States and US towards the Russian county is different. The main reason behind the disparity has been laid to the fact that, the euro-zone has only just come out from its own catastrophe, and observers say it may wary of hastily ending connections with such a influential financially viable associate. Its dependence on gas out of Russia would also feed concern. In contrast, the United States, is weaning itself off Russia’s power supply and its trade connections is much less entangled (Europe’s Risky Russian Energy Habit, 2014). Conclusion In summary, the relationship between the Russian federation and the European Union cannot be said to good or healthy. However, it can’t be said to be have ended despite the growing animosity and unrest between the two parties. With the current state the relationship between the two can be said to be headed to forever conflict. Despite Russia being more into the EU than the Asia, the country has embarked on establishing itself in the economic front as well as in terms of political aspects. EU consent against individuals and Russian officials, introduced in March, may have accelerated this trend or widening the gap between the two parties. But real financial endorsements against Russia the so-called â€Å"phase three† have not been triggered yet meaning there is still a lot that remains when the relation between the comes into the play. References Great Britain., & Great Britain. (2008).  The European Union and Russia: Report with evidence :14th report of session 2007-08. London: The Stationery Office. Ross, C. (2004).  Russian politics under Putin. Manchester [u.a.: Manchester Univ. Press. Shevtsova, L. (2010).  Putin’s Russia. Washington DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Lavrov, S. (2013). State of the Union Russia- EU: Prospects for Partnership in the Changing World.  Journal Of Common Market Studies,  516-12. doi:10.1111/jcms.12047 US, EU impose sanctions after Crimea moves to join Russia. (2014).  Regional Today, 3-4. The U.S. and Europe Diverge on the Crimea Crisis. (2014).  Stratfor Geopolitical Diary, 13.Europe’s Risky Russian Energy Habit. (2014).  Bloomberg Businessweek, (4372), 16. Source document