Employment Law Compliance Essay

Our client, Bradley Stonefield, is planning to open a limousine service, Landslide Limousines, in the Austin, Texas area. Mr. Stonefield plans to hire approximately twenty-five people to provide first class transportation to a variety of clientele. Before Mr. Stonefield begins hiring it is imperative that he has an understanding of applicable employment laws. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) is a well-known and widely used federal anti-discrimination law (LaMance, n. d. ). Title VII make it illegal for employers to discriminate against someone based on their race, religion, national origin or sex (U. S. EEOC, 2014). The Act also made it illegal for employers to retaliate against a person who files a complaint of discrimination or participates in a discrimination investigation (U. S. EEOC, 2014). An employer who violates Title VII may find themselves subjected to a number of legal consequences such as having to pay large sums for damages and being required to readjust the company’s policies (LaMance, n. d. ). To avoid violating Title VII Mr. Stonefield and his managers should treat all employees and applicants equally without regard to any characteristics except job performance (HR Specialist, 2013). The Texas Payday Law covers all business entities in the state of Texas, regardless of size except public employers such as the state or federal government (TWC, 2013). This law gives the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) the authority to enforce wage laws and investigate wage claims (TWC, 2013). Texas Payday Law covers compensation for services rendered, commissions and bonuses, and certain other fringe benefits according to a written agreement with or policy of the employer (TWC, 2013). The law states that employers must pay employees for all hours worked and these wages must be received by the employee no later than payday (TWC, 2013). If the employer lays off, discharges or fires an employee they must pay all wages owed to that employee within six calendar days of the date of separation (TWC, 2013). If an employee voluntarily quits or retires their final payment of wages is due to them on the payday following the date of separation (TWC, 2013). If an employer violates the Texas Payday Law they may be fined the lesser of the wages claimed or $1,000 (TWC, 2013). To avoid violating this law Mr. Stonefield should make sure that employees are paid for all hours worked and that all wages due are paid to employees on time. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies to all employers that employ twenty or more employees (U. S. EEOC, 2008). The Act states that it is â€Å"unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his or her age with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments and training† (U. S. EEOC, 2008). Violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act can cause the business to incur legal liability and require payment of large monetary judgments (Mayfair, n. d. ). Mr. Stonefield and his managers can avoid violating this Act by never taking a person’s age or proximity to retirement into consideration when making decisions about hiring, firing, pay, benefits or promotions (HR Specialist, 2013). The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 prohibits an employer from knowingly hire, recruit or refer for pay any person who is unauthorized to work in the United States (Boston University, n. d. ). If an employer violates this law they can be fined from $100 to $1,000 and the fine is not just for the employer but also for each employee working for them illegally (Boston University, n. d. ). There is also the possibility of imprisonment for employers that are deemed to show a pattern of violating this Act (Boston University, n. d. ). To avoid violating the Immigration Reform and Control Act Mr. Stonefield must verify the identity and employment eligibility of each employee he hires. He must complete and retain a complete INS Form I-9 documenting this verification (Boston University, n. d. ). Conclusion It is important that Mr. Stonefield and his management team understand that labor laws were passed in order to provide protection for both employees and employers. That is why the government puts so much emphasis on making sure organizations take them seriously by enforcing the laws with strict consequences for noncompliance. Staying in compliance with these laws is not only important to avoid legal penalties but will also protect the business from gaining a negative public image that can be extremely damaging to their bottom line.

Assess the reasons why the 2nd Republic was so short lived Essay

In 1848, agitation arose surrounding Louis Philippe, which led to his abdication later that year and the setting up of a republic in his departure. The ‘Second Republic’ was fated for failure and only reigned for an ineffective four years- between 1848 and 1852- before Louis Napoleon destroyed the republic in order to declare himself Emperor. I am going to discuss the combination of factors which contributed to the collapse of this flawed republic. In early 1848, under the government of Louis Philippe agricultural and industrial problems resulted in rioting, unrest and unemployment. Louis’ legitimacy as king was beginning to be challenged and the middle class, eager for reforms caught hold of a revolutionary spirit performing in demonstrations including that of the 23rd February, where nearly 50 people were killed. Louis, feeble in the face of a revolution, abdicated and fled to Britain on the 24th of February 1848. The abdication of Louis-Philippe left a vacuum or power and authority. The legislative authority which was in session at the time would willingly have declared regency for the ex-King’s mother until his son was of sufficient age to rule, had not the Republicans inside and outside the Assembly acted so swiftly. The middle class became worried as they were in the minority compared to the working class and feared them. The middle class were accepting of the decision of regency but the ‘Paris mob’, the working class, were furious at the prospect of their uprisings being ignored. They wanted a total change, not another monarch. A part of the armed mob which had in fact caused Louis’ abdication, successfully burst into the Chamber of Deputies as the arrangements for the succession were being discussed and to prevent any conclusion being decided. It was clear to those deputies who dared remain, that a republic was not in order because most of the people wanted it, but that only a republic would calm the mob down. A primary reason for the failure of the republic was that it was only set up in response and placation of the working class, or the ‘Paris mob’. The Paris mob was not the majority of the population therefore; support for the republic was thin from the beginning. Sufficient resistance was not raised opposing its creation however, because the monarchists were far too divided to unite. For example, even if the Orleanists and Legitimists did unite to overthrow the republic, there would then be a state of anarchy as they both wanted such different ideals for France. A provisional government was set up with 4 Socialists and 7 Republicans. Controversy arose, thus hindering the success of the republic, as both the Republicans and Socialists wanted a republic but entirely different ones. The Socialists were unlucky in the majority of the government being Republican as it meant they were ousted on most occasions. For example, it was decided to set the election date on Easter Sunday; a set-back for the Socialists. This was because the Catholic Church disliked the Socialists and a majority of their supporters, the urban working class, would attend mass, hear a biased sermon (in those days the church was permitted to interfere politically) and thus vote against the Socialists. The election results for the now ‘Executive Committee’ reflected this, with 5 moderate Republicans, and no Socialists. The situation was not dissimilar to that in the period Louis Philippe and much of the constituent in the Assembly were lawyers, professionals and landowners. In fact, 165 of the 900 of them had been in the July monarchy under Louis Philippe. This enraged the Socialists who were desperate for reformation. They attempted an uprising but were quickly crushed and their leaders imprisoned. The first reformation made by government was concerning unemployment and they gave money, buildings and tools in hope people would create jobs for themselves and become self sufficient. The revolution however, increased unemployment and the government themselves developed economic problems. They needed to either cut spending or raise taxes, which would be a danger for their popularity. The Committee was emboldened by the settled state of Paris brought around by the payment of the ‘dole’ by National workshops and with their conservative nature of the moderate Republicans it was decided it was time to put the ‘masses’ back in their proper place and assert dominance once more. Thus, the ending of National Workshops came around as they had cost the country a great deal of money and attracted the poorest of society from everywhere in Paris in efforts to receive handouts. Men were instructed either to join military service or go to Algeria to work. The Republicans motives were clear; they felt threatened by the large number of able-bodied poor in Paris and feared the only way to prevent a potentially revolutionary group was to disperse them into the army or to do work in various provinces, forcing them to comply if they objected. Their reaction was predictably infuriated at the audacity of the Republicans and 20,000 armed rioters took to the street in a resistance known as the ‘June days’ which was regarded as more commanding than the one that forced Louis-Philippe into abdication. The government was prepared to use any force that was required in order to crush the revolt. General Cavaignac, with calculated and cold-hearted efficiency brought upon his troops and begun the task of quiet literally ‘clearing away’ the barricades street by street. Troops roamed the quarters in which the barricades had been and killed anybody whom they thought had been involved in the fighting against them. Ironically, thousands of the protestors were imprisoned or deported to Algeria in the end anyway. The June days were a landmark of the republic, four days of brutal fighting clearly revealed to all the violent nature of the republic. The Republicans felt they now had power over the Socialists and decided to crush them once and for all. Newspapers and clubs run by the Socialists were closed. The working-class became anti-Republican as they saw them now as oppressive and manipulative, both to the Socialists and also to themselves. The Republicans were doomed. They were upholding a flawed government with diminutive support. In November discussions of the Constituent Assembly finished and it was decided there would be a president elected for four year periods and of universal male suffrage. In December 1848 the elections were held for presidency. It was an impossible task to appeal to any more than a small minority of the electorate as a candidate due to the obvious lack of media facilities. Louis Napoleon Bonaparte spent most of his personal fortune however, in one of the first attempts at a national scale campaign. Local newspapers, badges, pictures and Napoleonic mementos were widely distributed. Napoleon had come to claim what he believed, by birth, to be his right. Used to Lamartine’s dreamy romantic idealism, France needed someone new and decisive which was a windfall for Napoleon. Many had believed the election to be a foregone conclusion and that the presidency would certainly go to Cavaignac. However, he had made enemies whereas Napoleon’s reputation remained untarnished. Despite lacking in charisma and being a poor public speaker, the leading politicians appeared fond of him and in a bid for power thought that they would be able to manipulate him as a puppet. His policies were of a strong government inside a democratic framework, his strong self image and his uncle’s Napoleonic legend appealed to all and most importantly, he had no association with the June days. He allured the masses in differing ways; The Royalists wanted him as a temporary monarch until the Legitimists and Orleanists resolved their differences; the clergy and army men thought he would uphold their privileges; the working class were enthusiastic on his ideas of social reform; the Frenchman thought he would reverse the Vienna settlement and the peasants wanted protection from the Republicans who were associated with violence. Napoleon becoming president was of no advantage to the republic and it could not last long under his power. Once president, Napoleon became greedy in his desire for power and decided his position was not authoritative enough. He wanted to remain in presidency longer than the four year stint and also demanded an increased wage. On the 2nd December 1851, after his demands were not met, Napoleon staged a coup to gain support and brought in troops to quash the opposition. An overwhelming ‘yes’ vote secured Napoleon with a ten year rule and another for France to become an Empire with Napoleon as emperor. On the 2nd December 1852 Napoleon declared himself Emperor and therefore dissolved the Second Republic of France. After less than 5 years the Second Republic had been brought to an end. The republican form of government had such revolutionary overtones inducing political, economic and social turmoil that it is not surprising that the men of property and power throughout Europe regarded Republicanism as a danger. The Second Republic had been established through public acclaim in Paris although had there not been a split of the Orleanists and the Legitimists and the Constituent Assembly a Republican constitution, then a Republic would never have emerged. Thus the republic had such few positive adherents that it was unlikely to survive any determined and well-organised attempt to overthrow it. The Second Republic failed to survive once a suitable solution had been found, in the Emperor of Napoleon. However, we should not credit Napoleon’s rise to Emperor as all due to the situation; he had made skilful and determined use of all that had been handed to him. I believe the failure of the Second Republic to be one of inevitability as it was too diverse in comparison to the previous reign of the monarch, to be wholly accepted. A plethora of hindrances faced the success of the Second Republic but I believe it to be mainly due to 4 factors; the sparse support for the republic in the first place (only the Paris mob), the Republicans destroyal of their own reformation, the workshops, the French people’s need for stability and Louis Napoleon’s overriding determination for power, which was the ‘final nail in the coffin’; of the Republic.

Research Paper on Plato Essay

Abstract Many Philosophers made a difference in society but Plato is perhaps recognized as the most famous. His writings have had a profound effect on people, politics, and the philosophy throughout the centuries. He was a public figure and he made major contributions to society. Plato helped to lay the philosophical foundations of modern culture through his ideas and writings. One of the most philosophical thinkers of Western civilization, Plato is the only author from ancient Greek times whose writings survive intact. His collection consists of thirty-five dialogues and thirteen letters, though the authorship of some is contested. Plato was born in Athens, into a prosperous aristocratic family. His Father’s name was Ariston and his Mother’s name was Perictione. His relative named Glaucon was one of the best-known members of the Athenian nobility. Plato’s name was Aristocles, his nickname Plato originates from wrestling circles, Plato means broad, and it probably refers either to his physical appearance or his wrestling style. â€Å"Plato is, by any reckoning, one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most penetrating, wide-ranging, and influential authors in the history of philosophy,† (Kraut, 2009). Plato was born during the Golden Age of Athens’s which saw the birth of classical architecture, drama, arts and politics. However, as he was growing up he observed the decline of Athens as a cultural center. He witnessed instances of cruelty, disloyalty, and dishonesty and it was in clear violation of his values. It was also during this time that Plato fell under the influence of Socrates, who engaged the people of Athens in philosophical discussions. â€Å"It was into this bright, sly, worldly atmosphere that Socrates appeared, moving questioningly about the streets of Athens†. (Plato 1984). In 339 Socrates was brought to trial and charged with having false Gods and corrupting the youth. Socrates was found guilty on the charge and was sentenced to death. The execution of Socrates weighed heavily on Plato and he turned away from politics, he thought the behavior of the courts was unjust. He decided not to get involved in political life, instead he decided to leave Athens with other friends of Socrates to travel and study. During his travels he met with all kinds of people and studied not only philosophy but geometry, astronomy, and religious teachings. Socrates was extremely influential to Plato and he was the main character in numerous writings, he was also influenced by Heraclitus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoreans. One of the most important goals Plato set for himself was to keep the memory of Socrates alive by recording and bringing about the kind of impact that Socrates had on people. Nearly all of Plato’s work takes the structure of dialogues in which Socrates is usually the main character. One of the goals of a Plato’s dialogue is to engross the reader in philosophical questions related to the ideas being discussed. The Socrates of the Platonic dialogues is modeled after the real Socrates but it is in part an imaginary character used to impart Platonic themes. Plato’s dialogues are divided into three groups, the early or Socratic dialogues; the dialogues of middle age; and the dialogues of old age. In the early dialogues, Socrates is the main character, but it is generally believed that Plato is expressing his own views. These are the only remaining dialogues of Socrates teachings hence; they are referred to as the Socratic dialogues. In The Apology Socrates was accused of having false gods and corrupting the youth. While on trial Socrates claimed that he was innocent and was not at all wise, â€Å"Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy†¦ Understand that I shall never alter my ways, not even if I have to die many times. † (Plato 1984). Middle Dialogues During Plato’s middle period he wrote the following, Meno, Republic, Euthydemus, Menexenus, Cratylus, Phaedrus, Symposium and Phaedo. The most important difference between these writings and his earlier works is that he is establishing his own voice in philosophy. In the Meno Plato introduces us to the Socratic idea that no one knowingly does wrong, â€Å"Virtue is the desire of things honourable and the power of attaining them. † Plato (1984). In the Phaedo we become familiar with the platonic doctrine of the Forms; this is where Plato makes a claim as to the immortality of the soul. Plato’s most influential work, The Republic, is part of the middle dialogues. It is a discussion of the virtues of justice, courage and wisdom. It addresses the question of how do humans approach living a good life. The dialogue finishes by looking at various forms of government and describing the ideal state. The allegory of the â€Å"Myth of the Cave† is also in The Republic it is an important writing because it contains the main points of his philosophy. It is intended to be a metaphor for education and it explains issues regarding the theory of knowledge. Plato believed one must explore the belief that a greater reality exists. It is through this belief that a person can gain greater insight into true reality and become enlightened. Without it we are like the prisoners of a cave who only see the shadows of objects and live in complete darkness. â€Å"And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened, behold! Human beings living in an underground den† (Plato 1927). It is only through philosophy that we can come out of the cave into the true world. â€Å"Who is best suited to rule the state – lovers of opinion or â€Å"true philosophers†? (Plato 1927) His final years at the Academy he wrote the later dialogues which included the Parmenides, Theatetus, Sophist, Statesmas, Timaeus, Critias, Philebus, and Laws. It should be noted that Socrates has a minor role in these writings. Plato examines his metaphysical theories through these dialogues. He discusses art, dance, music, poetry, drama, and ethics in connection to immortality and the mind. He also dedicates himself to the philosophy of mathematics, politics and religion. Plato argued that women were qualified to play a role in politics and philosophy. In The Republic, Socrates argued that women were as capable as men in pursuit of accomplishments. There is a suggestion that women should be educated for their roles in the class of guardians and possibly work next to men. A woman’s role could be significant in society, but different from a man’s role. Even though Plato believed that women were necessary in a working society, he did not mean he thought women were equals of men. Plato thought that women lacked the strength of men and that women were more suited for other responsibilities in life. â€Å"If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things. † (Plato 1927) The impact of Plato’s work cannot be measured or calculated. His writings had great influence on the entire intellectual development of Western civilization. Despite the fact that Plato did not leave a well-formed, rigid philosophical system he is considered the father for all forms of philosophical idealism and dualism. â€Å"The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful. † (Plato 1984). After he died the Academy continued until AD 529, when it was closed due to its pagan teachings. Neo-Platonism, founded by the 3rd-century philosopher Plotinus, was an important development of Platonism. It was a philosophical system which was as a combination of Platonic, Pythagorean, and Aristotelian elements. Originally it was opposed to Christianity but later on it integrated it. It dominated European thought until the 13th century and re-emerged during the Renaissance. The most important Renaissance Neo-Platonist was â€Å"Marsilio Ficino† who developed significant ideas from Plato and Neo-Platonism. Ficino founded of the Academy in Firenze and was responsible for the circulation of Neo-Platonic ideas. Ficino is credited with translating all of Platos’ dialogues into Latin and produced a great work called Platonic Theology, in which he outlines Neo-Platonism. His philosophy is based on the doctrine that the human soul is the center of the cosmos. It is the only thing that sits between the world of ideas and the world is the soul. Neo-Platonism was revived in the 17th century by the Cambridge Platonists such as Cudworth and Smith. The school stressed the importance of reason, maintaining that faith and reason are not that different. Rene Descartes an 18th century philosopher and Neo-Platonist developed a method to achieve truths. If something is not recognized by the intellect or reason can be classified as knowledge. According to Descartes. These truths are gained â€Å"without any sensory experience† (Descartes). He argued that as a result of his method, reason alone determined knowledge and that this could be done independently of the senses. â€Å"Cogito ergo sum, I think therefore I exist† (Descartes) Plato developed an absolutist ethical theory which is that there is a greater good toward which to aspire. He developed this theory to respond to the skepticism and the beliefs of the Sophists who Plato felt did not preach wisdom, but rather their opinions. Plato tried to protect the part of reasoning in human life though he had resistance from the ancient Greek preachers know as the Sophists. They came from different cities and proclaimed that they were able to impart knowledge to young men how to live prosperous lives. Even though the Sophists did not belong to a school and did not have a common creed, some opinions were typical of them as a group and were absolutely conflicting to the views of Plato. The Sophists were great communicators and skilled public speakers. Plato felt that the Sophists were more likely to appeal to emotions rather than to reason. According to Plato philosophers influence people’s souls not their bodies and Plato agreed with Socrates in thinking that the nurturing of the soul is more vital than the nurturing of the body. Furthermore, he also believed that true leaders need to have wisdom, and knowledge. Plato’s influence has been monumental as one philosopher said the history of philosophy is simply â€Å"a series of footnotes to Plato. † (Whitehead) Plato’s has been criticized down through the centuries for his philosophy of the forms. His ideas of the just life and an ideal state are complex. Plato tended to specifically ignores much of human nature. Plato did not think in the realm of the physical world, he was always looking to a different one where things exist only if he can prove there existence. References Kraut, R. (2009, Sept) Plato Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/plato; Plato. (1984) Great dialogues of Plato New York: Mentor Books trans. by Benjamin Jowett Blackburn, S. (1945) The republic of Plato. (45 ed. ). London: Oxford University Press, USA. trans. By Desmond Lee Descartes. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/descartes-works; Alfred North Whitehead. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/whitehead/

Long-Term Orientation in Chinese Business Markets Literature review

Long-Term Orientation in Chinese Business Markets - Literature review Example According to the authors, guanxi behaviour consists of three elements: affect (emotions), reciprocal favour, face preserving. In Chinese culture, trust is an outcome of guanxi behaviour. The authors emphasise that in China, affection and business go together unlike the UK or USA. Affect denotes human feelings or emotional commitments that are central to intimate social bonding in several kinds of relationships such as between teachers and students, parents and children, or between close friends. In Chinese culture, the reciprocal favour stems from certain social behaviour evoking emotional responses and feeling by one of the group member to another. As such, reciprocity is a universal behaviour that can be traced even to animal kingdom. Similarly, the importance of face preserving for any Chinese in personal and professional life is tremendous. Face preserving behaviour plays a crucial role in constructing interpersonal relationships. It is important to note that in the Chinese cultu re, any disloyal person in the group is a faceless person. Society associates a great value when members of the group go to any extent to honour their obligations. Thus, it can be said that guanxi is a fulcrum of most activities in China that fall into the purview of political, economic and social order. However, to gain more clarity, researchers interviewed over a dozen sales managers in China and Hong Kong to find out how they view guanxi in the business world. ... As replied by the sales managers, guanxi is the first step of a salesperson to establish his or her intention to do the business; however, guanxi behaviour takes considerable time to develop to the point where unfamiliarity with the buyer ceases to exist. According to the sales managers interviewed, most Chinese firms respect guanxi style of relationships while doing any business transactions. That means the higher the salesperson interacts with a buyer, the greater the trust the buyer reposes in the salesperson. Surprisingly, business transactions are done on the basis of trust at personal level rather than at the organisational level. That is why many transactions with overseas firms are done on the basis of personal contacts. People are more loyal to their superiors rather than their organisation. A buying firm's trust on the salesperson is due to his or her expertise on the subject and ability to deliver. Similarly, the higher the status or position of the salesperson, the higher the trust the buying firm will repose on the selling firm. This is so because higher status of the salesperson signifies greater control on the firm's resources to fulfil agreed obligations. The researchers formulated various hypotheses to understand how a buying firm develops trust on the seller firm including the factors such as salesperson expertise and his or her status responsible for generating this trust. In the process to measure all the three elements of guanxi as mentioned above, the authors served the questionnaire to 250 respondents; however, only 51.2% respondents returned the questionnaire. Those who responded were in their current positions for last 4 years and in relationship with

Social Class and Gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social Class and Gender - Essay Example Question 1-Movie and Gender Gender issues come out clearly in the movie. The interactions between the various characters and the roles given to them bring out the gender relationships. Mrs. Tuohy is an extremely strong woman in the movie despite her being a female. She is also highly demanding as she heads her household and controls all the decisions made in the family. This portrays changing gender roles in the family, where women have gained ultimate control and ability to make vital family decisions. The changing authority and roles of women clearly comes out in the movie when Mrs. Demands that they go back and help Big Mike. She even offers him a place to sleep at their home (Lewis 18). In relation to the course materials from the gender lectures, Mrs. Tuohy shows that women have the capacity to give out orders just like men. On this regard, therefore, both genders should make decisions in their home. Men should not always dominate as the heads of households. No gender should be superior to the other; all should have equal opportunity and be accorded equal rights (Lewis 22). Mrs. Tuohy represents a typical modern woman, who does not heed to the traditions, which sidelined women and favored men. Her character and actions depict women who have the determination to challenge the status quo in the society. Question 2-Movie and Social Class The issue of social class depicts itself in the movie, with some characters having an elevated social status, while others appear to be in the low social stratum. Michael Oher belongs to the lower social status as his family cannot afford to cater for his education. For many years, during his childhood, Michael was under foster care with various families in Tennessee and Memphis (Lewis 30). He runs away whenever placed in a new home. On the other hand, the Tuohys can be regarded as influential and belonging to the upper social class/status. They live in a beautiful mansion. Besides, the friends of the Tuohy family have riches and property similar to that of the Tuohys. In relation to the lecture notes, the social prestigious status of the Tuohy and the lower social of Michael Oher depict the differences in social status. Further, this portrays the vast differences between the poor and the rich in the society. The rich, wealthy, and influential members of the society can be able to afford a luxurious and a happy, desirable life. On the contrary, the poor have difficulties affording to cater for the basic needs of shelter and education. The fact that the families surrounding the Tuohys have a lot of wealth depicts the existence of strong links and networks among the rich (Lewis 35). In the beginning of the Movie, Mrs. Tuohy nearly gets influenced by her friends, who discourage her not to adopt Michael. The Friends argue that the decision to adopt Michael would negatively influence SJ, Tuohy’s son. This shows how the wealthy view the poor as deviant and having undesirable morals. Moreover, when Mich ael goes back to interact with his family and friends, the community appears as poor African Americans who engage in criminal activities as gangs. Question 3-Movie and Race/Ethnicity Scenes from the Blind Side depict the relations that exist between the characters based on their racial and ethnic affiliation. The Tuohys, who belong to the white race, live a prestigious life, while Oher has gone through numerous challenges in life. Racial stereotyping is represented when the family friends

Emergency Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Essay

Emergency Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief - Essay Example However, this restriction is narrowly tailored as it does not consider that motorists reduce at certain times of the day and it also does not properly define what street performance encompasses. 12. The plaintiff alleges that the ordinance is stated vaguely and can have many meanings ascribed to it and as such it has impermissibly restrictive speech. This gives room for wrongful incarceration. 13. This is an action by the plaintiff for declaratory relief due to the current legal stake that the defendant has no legal standing or rights to enforce ordinance that purports to outlaw all street performances along St. Georges street. 14. As set forth above, the defendant cannot satisfy the legal standing requirements with this vague section of the constitution. As set forth above, the plaintiff will suffer loss and irreparable harm in case the relief is not granted. Other street performers will also suffer the same fate (Elias 112). 18. This action for emergency injunction is temporary. Plaintiffs use the St. Georges Street and the defendant shows no satisfaction of the mere necessary legal standing to enforce section 22-9 of the constitution. 19. Specific facts set forth so far demonstrate that there is need for an emergency injunction to be granted; otherwise the plaintiff and other street performers could suffer irreparable damage and loss. Therefore, with all evidence and legal stake withholding, the plaintiffs respectfully request the court to consider this matter and grant injunctive relief cancelling the blockade and impeding of the Southard Street for the reasons set forth hereinabove (Bastiat

History 1010 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History 1010 - Essay Example The 1866 Congressional elections allowed these Republicans to take control of the Congress and continue the process of reconstruction in the south (Henretta, and Brody). This process became known as Radical Reconstruction and began the process of freeing and emancipating black Americans. After gaining control in 1866, the new Radical Republican Congress began instituting new policies that not only hindered the power of President Andrew Johnson but also helped reconstruct the south so that black Americans could gain freedom. In order to establish their plan, Radical Republicans had to work with their moderate Republicans to gain enough power in both the House of Representatives and Senate that President Andrew Johnson could not veto aspects of their plan (Henretta, and Brody). The plan started with the First Reconstruction Act of 1867. This first act named the seceded states as territory that could be controlled by the military under marital law. The troops kept peace in the region and protected the former slaves while Congress compelled the southern states to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment in order to reintegrate with the Union states. This amendment provided blacks with the rights to vote, but in order to guarantee their suffrage, Congress passed the Second Recons truction Act that put the military in charge of voter registration. In order to establish order in the South, Congress used the military to enforce the previously desired reconstructive techniques. Although they were unpopular with the people, they proved to be effective because by 1870 all the states were reabsorbed by the Union (Henretta, and Brody). The effect of the new legislation is, however, debatable. Nevertheless, Congressional Radical Revolution did not necessarily change the way black Americans were treated by society. The institution of the First and Second Reconstruction Acts, with the help of the

Steroids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Steroids - Essay Example Steroids are not magic pills that produce the desired effects instantly. The truth is that they work only when the user observes certain lifestyles such as consistent physical exercise, healthy diet, and effective sleep schedules (Sterngass 32). Another common misconception is that injection steroids are safer than oral steroids. Safety is an important issue with all classes and types of steroids. Injection steroids do have side effects such as hair loss and acne that are also found in oral steroids. There are many who believe that women do not use steroids. On the contrary, there have been studies that have observed significant numbers of women who use steroids. Skewed body image, self-defense, bodybuilding, and athletics are all reasons that cause women to use steroids. However, there is strong evidence that more men use steroids than women do (Sterngass 33). Anabolic steroids are one commonly known type of steroids. Primarily, anabolic steroids are meant to reduce the breakdown of testosterone and maximize its ability to build tissues. Clenbuterol is an example of anabolic steroids commonly used by bodybuilders and athletes. This anabolic steroid helps in the shedding of body fats and weight loss. Anabolic steroids can be taken either through intramuscular injection or orally. Commentators observe that beginners in steroid use are the ones who prefer to take steroids orally. Oral intake of anabolic steroids has higher chances of side effects than injection (Sterngass 34). There are growth hormone steroids such as hGH (Human growth hormone) that imitates a hormone produced in the brain. Growth hormone steroids have been used to accelerate height growth in short children and increase the strength of the elderly. Most growth hormone steroids increase muscle mass, fat breakdown for energy and enhance musculoskeletal injury healing. Another type of steroids is erythropoietin that helps athletics endure the impact and improve performance. An example of

Understanding the Meaning, Ideologies, and Contexts of the films Argo Research Paper

Understanding the Meaning, Ideologies, and Contexts of the films Argo and Babel - Research Paper Example Film context entails the setting of a film. Other scholars refer to it as the situation, circumstances in which a film is set or scripted (Coleman, 2011). Film context involves the time frame of the film, the historic background and the geographical location of the poem. According to scholars, the ideologies of any film are those values that we get from a film that enable us to be better humans. They are the socio-economic, cultural and political values or ideas that we share with the film (Lewis, 2013). These idea or values inspire us and enable us to clean the world from the moral and political decays to make it a better ground for dwelling. If you watch a film and it inspires you to act, then you have gained ideologies in a film. This paper thus seeks to analyze the ideology, context and the meaning of the movies; Babel and Argo. Babel is a three plot American film screened in Africa, Morocco, Japan and America-Mexico. The initial plot is in Mexico. However the three are well connected such that the story line flows from one country to another (Shaw, 2011). In Morocco, in the desert, we meet Abdullah. Abdullah is a farmer who keeps his herd in the desert and has two sons; Ahmed and Yussef plus a daughter. He is constantly bothered by jackals in the desert that prey after his herd. He thus buys a gun from his neighbor Hassan. The gun is high powered. He plans to drive away the jackals with the gun. He gives the gun to his boys while out in the field herding. The boys always competing aim at rocks, trees and cars then compete in shooting. Ahmed aims at a tourist bus and shoots (Shaw, 2011). The bullet hits an American, Suzan, who together with her husband, Richard are on the country for a holiday. America is quick to brand that as an act of terror and therefore asks the Moroccan government to arrest the culprits. Police officers then come after the family of Abdulla and an open fire leads to Yussef

Analysis of Challenges in International Management Essay Example for Free

Analysis of Challenges in International Management Essay Analysis of Challenges in International Management† Abstract The following essay analysis the challenges in International Management with particular regard to the challenge of â€Å"culture† in international business as it is the must difficult to deal with and being essential for successful results in a wide range of global management tasks nowadays and in the future. Introduction Today successful international management requires more than a lot of frequent flyer miles or seasoned expatriate managers. But what are those exclusive challenges of international management in today’s world? The importance of international management is constantly increasing, as we exist in a world where globalisation is affecting the traditional borders in a broad range of areas. †¢Trade and investment, †¢Economic alliances, †¢The international stage players, and †¢The work environment are changing rapidly, being supported by the increasing sophistication and lower cost of information technology. World trade and investments are growing fast (the volume of world trade among countries has grown at an average rate over 8% since 2005 (WTO 2008)), linking the economies and creating opportunities and threats. New, strong and forced competitors are coming from developing nations in Asia and the transitioning economies of Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the constantly rising level of foreign direct investment also has a globalising effect (Thomas 2002). Moreover, the emergence of the free-trade areas drastically decreased traditional economic boundaries. So do the three largest groups, the EU, the NAFTA, and the APEC, account for nearly half of the world’s trade (Cullen 2002) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) now has 140 member-nations, aiming to reduce tariffs and liberalize trade. But globalization also affects the work environments within organizations. Changes involve cutbacks, team-based management movements and privatization. For instance, there can be factory closings, as Nokia closing their German plant in Bochum moving to Romania, because of cheaper labour. All in all, as one key consequence of globalisation, international managers nowadays have to face a more dynamic, complex, competitive and uncertain environment and need skills (as a global mindset or the ability to work with people from diverse background) not considered necessary for domestic-only managers. The environment of international management can be divided into †¢economic, †¢legal, †¢political, and †¢cultural factors (Thomas 2002). So for making decisions it is essential to understand the economic strategies of the countries in or with one wants to conduct business with, because level of economic development and quality of life differs extremely worldwide. Furthermore, there are various national sovereign laws and regulations existing in the world which have to be observed and made allowance for. And in addition, there are several varieties of political systems (e. g. , theocratic totalitarianism in Saudi Arabia), containing different levels of political risks which have to be managed. For instance, decision makers have to able to estimate the degree of risk associated with a government’s involvements in business affairs depending on characteristics of their company. All these factors present impressive challenges multinational management has to face. However, the management challenge of culture and its effects on business practices and organizations is one of the most difficult to deal with. As conducting business with people from other cultures will never be easy you have to understand how culture affects management and organizations. â€Å"Culture† is a concept borrowed from cultural anthropology and there are numerous and subtle different definitions. As each definition has limitations focussing on international management the following description of Geert Hofstede seems very helpful. He defines the culture of any society as comprising shared values, understandings, assumptions and goals learned from earlier generations, imposed by present members of a society and passed on to succeeding generations (Hofstede 2008). Culture is something shared by members of a particular group, differentiates humans from other groups, is transmitted through the process of learning and adapts to external and internal environments and relationships. The international businessperson needs to be aware of three levels of cultures that may influence multinational operations. These include national culture, business culture, and organisational cultures (Cullen 2002). National culture can be described as the dominant culture within the political borders of a nation-state. But one has to be aware that multiple cultures can exist within political boundaries and they do not necessarily reflect cultural borders. For instance, Canada being home to Anglophones and Francophones. Furthermore, even relatively homogenous cultures can have diverse subcultures, including cultural differences which are affecting the international business. Nevertheless, as most business is conducted within the political borders of a state and nations can be defined as political unities, varying in governmental, legal, educational, institutional and labour systems, influencing the way people interact with their environment (Thomas 2002), national culture has the greatest effect on international business being probably the most logic starting point trying to understand the cultural environment. Business culture, reflecting the national culture, influences all aspects of work and organizational life (e. g. , motivating staff, negotiating with business partners, etc. and knowing it’s basic requirements (e. g. , what to wear to business meetings, business etiquette is more formal in Germany than in the U. S. with conservative dark business suits, etc. ) is essential for the international manager. Moreover, especially in the last few years, people realized that the â€Å"culture†-concept also holds for individual organizations. So may differences in organizational culture may be one reason why the merger of two otherwise successful companies failed. It is important to evaluate the influence of organizational rules, norms and procedures to understand the causes of behaviour in organizations. With shared behaviours, conditional relationship, being socialized into and partly involved in it, etc. organizational culture differs in construction and elements of national culture. Even so understanding these cultural factors is fundamental for international managers conducting international business, they have to be aware that â€Å"cultures† can just offer wide guidelines for behaviour, as for instance organizational cultures differ within any national context and individuals vary in each culture level. One cannot predict exactly how each person acts, feels, thinks, etc. Nonetheless, broad generalization about a culture provides a level of analysis from which to begin to understand the cultural environment and the complexities of cultural differences, because management functions such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling in a global economy have to account for them. As international managers have to face various cultural challenges testing their management abilities they must be able to unpack the culture concept. Therefore the basic concepts of cultural dimensions can help them understand how two or more cultures might be different. An essential implication of these frameworks referring to international management and culture is that cultural interpretation and adaptation are a prerequisite to the comparative understanding of international management practice (Morden 1995). The following sections describe two popular models. Hofstede’s Culture Model This Framework, created by dutch scientist Geert Hofstede and based on a research over 11600 people in 50 countries (starting with 39 IBM subsiadiaries worldwide), tries to evaluate how basic values underlay organizational behaviour. National differences are investigated by five dimensions of basic cultural values: 1. Power distance 2. Uncertainty avoidance 3. Individualism 4. Masculinity and 5. Long-term orientation (Hofstede 2008). 1. This first value dimension refers to how cultures deal with inequality and tries to postion the inequality acceptance level by unequal power distribution society members. In countries with a high power distance acceptance (e. g. , such as Mexico), people respect and hardly ever bypass formal hierarchy positions (Elizabeth M. Christopher 2008). 2. The second value dimension concerns about the degree humans in a society are threatened by uncertain situations. The social system of a higher uncertainty avoidance society is dominated by regulations and rules, predictabilties and orders and people tend to be suspicious of change, whereas people from lower levels of uncertainty avoidance societies (for instance, countries such as Denmark). tend to be less formal, take higher business risks and plan and structure less 3. Individualism refers to the affinity to primarily take care of oneself and one’s direct family, and then to the rest of society (with the U. S. being a good example) (Elizabeth M. Christopher 2008). 4. The fourth dimension of â€Å"masculinity† concerns about the ranking of tradionally â€Å"masculine† values in a society, such as less concerning for others, materialism and assertiveness, whereas â€Å"feminity† on the other side emphasises the quality of life and relationships. 5. Long-term orientation cultures are insistent and saving (e. g. the culture of China) and short-term orientation is more self-centered, money-oriented and more social. All these factors are inter-reliant and interactive in their effects. So shows the Anglo-Dutch example Unilever the practicability of multinational enterprises where the power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism values are similar; and where the masculine achievement orientation of the British complements the people orientation of the Dutch (Morden 1995). All in all, so there is a lot of criticism (for instance, the time-dependence of the results, the non-exhaustive investigation of only one multinational US company, etc. to these findings and the model of Hofstede, it is still a very valuable and useful â€Å"gift† for understanding culture and culture-based behavior. Trompenaars’ Culture Model The model created by Fons Trompenaars its also based on the researched of value dimensions. He studied the behavoiur of 15000 managers, representing 47 national cultures (Hampden-Turner 2008). Five of the seven dimensions of his model deal with the challenges of h ow people relate to each other: 1. Universalism versus particularism 2. Neutral versus affective 3. Specific versus diffuse . Achievement versus ascription 5. Time as sequence versus synchronisation The two final dimensions deal with how a culture manages time and how it deals with nature. They include: 6. The society-orientation to the past, present, or future and 7. â€Å"Control of† versus â€Å"accommodation with† nature 1. The value of univerlism refers to the application to systems and rules objectively, without taking consideration to personal circumstances, whereas the particularism culture (e. g. in countries as Spain) is more subjective and focusses more on relationships. 2. The second, the neutral-versus-affective, value dimension refers on the emotional orientation of relationships (such as expressing your feelings and emotions more like, for example, the Portugese). 3. In Addition the specific-versus-diffus dimension investigates if people from a special culture tend to be more or less specific or diffuse in their relationships (for example, Germans try to separate work and personal issues). 4. In the achievement-versus-ascription dimension, it is asked: †What is the source of power and status in society? † (Elizabeth M. Christopher 2008) So is for instance, in an achievement refering culture, the â€Å"status† of a person mainly based on it’s individual achievement (such as job performance, etc. ). 5. â€Å"Time as sequence† orientated cultures separate events in time (â€Å"step-by-step†), whereas â€Å"time as synchronisation†-orientated indiviuals manage events in parallel. (For example, if their business partners are not sharp on time, Germans, coming from a â€Å"time-as-sequence† orientated culture, may consider it an insultation). 6. This value dimension is about past versus future orientations. 7. Moreover, this dimension refers to the extent to which individuals feel that they themselves are the primary influence on their lives. Using this framework trying to understand some culture-basics some interesting patterns may emerge. Altough, being recognised for their validity (the results of these both major studies have some significant parallels, even so they were carried out in different times using different methods and examples), these concepts of cultural value orientation proposed by Hofstede and Tropmenaar can only give a basic framework for the analysis of cultural differences. They are utensils to help understand a culture and adjusting business practices to diverse cultural environments. They are for instance, a prerequisite to the successful new-market country entry, whether by setting up licensing or new subsidiaries, joint ventures, mergers or for the establishment of efficient programmes of international HR development (Kay 1993). But international managers have to realise that the understanding of another culture is a inexhaustible learning process. They will have to practice for their international work with or in other countries by studiying all that they can about the country, including more than just the business etiquette. Understanding the national culture builds just the foundation. As you seldom can get behind the front stage of culture without speaking the national language onother basic instrument is learning the language. But the challenge of â€Å"culture† in international management takes such much more than this. International managers have to broaden their understanding of cultural differences and to learn to seek advantage in differences. Understanding the culture is just a basis for the diverse international management tasks, as appropriate cross-cultural communication (using appropiate communication styles), effective and positive motivating and leadership in international organisations and across cultures, successful negotiation with international business partners and making ethically and socially responsible decisions. Conclusion The environment of international management can be divided into economic, legal, political, and cultural factors, with â€Å"culture† being the most challenging and most difficult to deal with, influencing a broad range of management tasks. Providing oneself with the necessary knowlegde and understanding of the national culture of the country or the people one is conducting business with is essential and builds just the foundation for the successful complementation of global management tasks, such as for instance leadership in multinational organisations (where you have to have understanding of all three levels of culture; national, business and organisational culture, being different and influencing each other).

Oral History Interview Example

Oral History Interview Example Mrs. Cooper: My mother and father came from two different areas of Alabama. My mother grew up on the Morrisette Plantation in Alabama. We know that my grandmother was a servant there in 1880. My grandmother had more privileges than other servants because she worked in the house rather than in the fields. And she never lived in the slave quarters. When the overseer left the plantation, she and her family were allowed to move into his house. Her father was owned by one Alexander Bryant from Kentucky, and he willed his slaves to his children. From his will, we found that my family that found its way to Alabama was worth $385. All of my great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers children were born in slavery. The curious thing is that even though their children were born in slavery, they werent married until 1867, after the Civil War. And researching the records, we found that there were a surge of marriages after the War, as if only then were they allowed to be married. Anyway, the Morrisette Plantation was where my grandmother met my grandfather. They were married in 1884 at a time when we were led to believe few blacks ever married. When I was growing up, I knew nothing about all this. Anything related to slavery, we didnt want to hear it. I dont think any blacks wanted to hear anything about slavery. My mother grew up on the Morrisette Plantation and came to Birmingham when she was 21 years old. My fathers people came from the area near Panola, Alabama. This may shock you, but the plantation owner had seven or eight children by two of his slave. One of those offspring, Lorenzo Dancy, was my fathers father. We assume my father was illegitimate since there are no records of any marriages there. Interviewer: How was town life near Birmingham different from rural life when you were young? Mrs. Cooper: My father seemed to think living near Birmingham was a great improvement over the country. He said he left the country because he hated to be told what to do and he could be more independent in the city. He always said that he would refuse to be treated like a boy. Ive been trying to understand my fathers rebelliousness. There were times when he would rebuke people who said certain things to him, because he thought everything had something to do with race. Nobody could ever tell him he couldnt have a thing or do a thing. He carried the Bessemer Housing Authority to court in 1954 to keep them from taking his property for a housing project. No black person had ever challenged the Authority. He didnt win, of course -he knew he wouldnt win. But my father would challenge anybody. Mother moved to the Birmingham area to get away from a bad personal situation. But lots of people moved off the land because of crop failures. The land was just worn out and the South was suffering from terrible droughts. People got deep into debt-debts that were kept on the books, even when they had actually been paid off. It was hard to challenge the records kept by the landowners. Through the twenties and thirties, many black people hoboed away from the South because they realized that on the farms the more you worked the more you owed. For myself, I was never taken to the country until I was quite a big girl. Interviewer: So, you would describe yourself as a small-town girl, growing up just outside Birmingham? Mrs. Cooper: Yes. Interviewer: What were the houses like? The living conditions like? Mrs. Cooper: They were all shotgun houses, mostly two-room places. No electricity, of course. Even after TVA [Tennessee Valley Authority] came to the Birmingham area, we had no electricity until my father, who could be very stubborn and hot-tempered, fought and fought until he managed to get electricity run to our house. The thing we hated most about not having electricity was that we couldnt use a radio. It wasnt until about 1940 that we got a radio. Interviewer: About how large was McCulleys Quarters? Mrs. Cooper: It was only about a one-block area, but it had everything we needed-a grocery store and a barber shop and a blacksmith shop. Interviewer: How did a typical little girl spend the day when you were about six years old? Mrs. Cooper: Oh, I led a sheltered life. Mother always kept me dressed in the dresses she made and I was kept close around the house. I visited neighbors and played house and read. I never wore slacks or jeans. And I never took part in the boys rough games. Boys picked berries in the summer and sold scrap iron. Interviewer: As a child, did you have contacts with white people? That is, did you have a sense of yourself as black and without certain opportunities? Mrs. Cooper: Except for the few white people who lived in the Quarters, as a child I didnt know many white people or have a sense of being discriminated against. My Friends were right there in the Quarters. There were very, very few children there, so I remember primarily being with the adults. It wasnt until after I started to school that I because aware at we couldnt go to certain parks, couldnt swim in certain places. During the thirties my mother had to begin taking in washing and ironing for white people, so I began to see the white people she worked for. Then later I came to realize other differences. For example, there were no hospitals for black people. The one or two hospitals that would take black people put them in the based of course the black doctor, who had been taking care of you not be allowed to practice-to attend you in the white Interviewer: Did your family have any contact with white people who were in an economic situation similar to yours-people whom we would call poor whites? Mrs. Cooper: My mother and I didnt, but my father did at his work. I remember him talking particularly about the woman who worked as a nurse at the factory who always abused any black workers she had to treat who were injured on the job. Many workers would just try to treat their own wounds rather than go to her to help them. Some would pull their own bad teeth for the same reason, rather than be badly treated by some white dentist. Interviewer: Were conditions rougher in the 1930s during the Depression, or was it more or less more of the same? Mrs. Cooper: We were always poor, but the Depression was definitely worse. People who had had jobs lost them or, like my father, were laid off for periods of time. And if you worked, the pay was often something like 3 or 4 dollars a week. What my mother always said that people used the old plantation skiffs to survive: growing gardens, canning, making absolutely everything and buying almost nothing. Interviewer: What was education like for African-Americans in Alabama at that time? Mrs. Cooper: My mother, growing up on what had been the Morrisette Plantation, was well educated. Churches maintained schools in the country, and children who showed promise as good students were sought out and sent to these schools, if their parents would pay. My mother was sent for a time to Snow Hill Institute. Her parents scraped and picked cotton so that she could attend, but she didnt finish. The last year the crops were too bad, and she couldnt go. Most, of course, were not educated. My father attended school through the third grade only. in my generation, most children I knew attended school, though many left at an early age to go to work. I believe that compulsory schooling to the age of 16 did not come about until about 1941. Interviewer: What occupations were open to African-Americans as you were growing up? Mrs. Cooper: For women, aside from domestic work and labor like laundering, the only professions or trades were nursing and teaching. Of course, you only nursed or taught black people. Many women worked as cooks in private homes or restaurants, as maids in private homes or businesses. There were no black sales clerks in stores. Men worked in the mines, in factories, as delivery boys, carpenters, and bricklayers. They could operate elevators, but they couldnt become firemen or policemen or salesmen. Some black men worked as tailors. Those who went into professions became doctors or dentists or principals or preachers within the black community. Interviewer: What were the legal barriers that African-Americans faced? Mrs. Cooper: Well, of course, we werent allowed to register to vote. Even though I was a schoolteacher for twenty years, I didnt register to vote until the late sixties. There were a few black attorneys who would take on cases, but at least in Birmingham in the thirties and forties, black attorneys couldnt practice in the courthouse. Their very presence in the courtroom was bitterly resented by many people. Interviewer: What was the feeling in the black community about Autherine Lucys attempt to enter the University of Alabama? Mrs. Cooper: They didnt know exactly what to think. But it was horrifying for us, terrifying. I thought I would have just given up. Everyone was very scared for her life. The older people were especially scared for her. They thought that the people would kill Autherine. There were other cases of black people trying to enter the state universities, in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, at the time. Nobody thought they had much of a chance because every excuse in the world would be brought up. I knew one young woman who was told that she would be accepted, but when her mortgage company heard about it, they threatened to cancel her mortgage. They said if their white customers found out that their company was providing a mortgage for a black person who was trying to go to white schools, they would take their business elsewhere. So they couldnt afford to continue mortgaging her home if she kept trying to go to the university. Interviewer: What about the Montgomery Bus Boycott? Mrs. Cooper: We were always given the same treatment on buses throughout the South that Rosa Parks received. Most of us had to ride the buses. We bought our tickets at the front of the bus and then went around to the back door to get in. A sign marked where the white section ended and the black, section began. if the white section was filled and more white people got on, you were ordered out of your seats and the driver would move the sign back to make the white section bigger. It was a terrible humiliation as well as being terribly uncomfortable. We would be jammed together in the back like sardines. Even worse was when some of the whites would get off and some drivers would refuse to move the sign back up so that we could have more room and a few black people could sit down. Interviewer: Mrs. Cooper, despite the difficulties and humiliations you have lived with in the South, you dont seem to put all white people into the same category. Mrs. Cooper: No, you shouldnt put people into categories. Many of those bus drivers treated us badly. We disliked them and made fun of them behind their backs. But some of them were good men who were polite and considerate and would even hold the bus for us when they knew we were late. No, not all black people are the same and not all white people are the same.

Technology - Privacy Issues with Web-Based Medical Information Essay

Privacy Issues with Web-Based Medical Information Abstract: With growing concerns about the privacy of personal medical information, the president has taken action and passed regulations attempting to protect this privacy. It should work well in traditional health care situations, but it questions still remain about how applicable it will be to health care on the web. A hacker downloads thousands of medical records from the University of Washington Medical School [1]. Eli Lilly and Co. accidentally discloses the email addresses of 6000 patients who are taking Prozac [2]. With these incidents fresh in the minds of many people, the privacy of medical information has been a hot topic. It has joined other issues such as the confidentiality of financial records in the forefront of the American public’s consciousness. In April, 2001, President Bush made an unexpected move and gave the OK to Clinton-era rules that protect medical privacy. Much to the chagrin of the health care industry, Bush reversed his repealing of the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), which requires doctors to get written consent from patients to share their medical information and allows patients to view their records and to amend them if necessary [3]. Commenting on the regulations, the President commented, â€Å"for the first time, patients will have full access to their medical records and more control over how their personal information will be used and disclosed.† [3] These regulations apply well to the physical world of health care, but when taken in the context of Web-based care, they become ambiguous, and even misleading, and fail to comprehensively protect privacy. President Bush’s move to implement the rules was a sur... ... 1. The Denver Post. November 20, 2001 Tuesday. First Edition. Pg C-01. â€Å"Web Health-Privacy Rules Help Few, Report Claims.† By Jennifer Beauprez 2. Exposed Online: Why the new federal health privacy regulation doesn’t offer much protection to internet users.† A Pew Internet Project report. Monday, November 19, 2001. 3. The Boston Globe. April 13, 2001 Friday. Third Edition. Pg. A-3. â€Å"U.S. Bolsters the Power of Patients to Guard Privacy of Personal Data.† By Anthony Shadid. 4. The Washington Post. February 10, 2001, Saturday. Final Edition. Pg A-10. â€Å"EEOC Sues to Halt Worker Gene Tests.† By Sarah Schafer. 5. www.healthprivacy.org/usr_doc/final%20Ooverview%20chart%2pdf. www.healthprivacy.org is the online manifestation of the Health Privacy Project, a program run by the Institute for Health Care Research and Policy at Georgetown University.

Genetic Engineering Essays -- Genetic Engineering

Just imagine the scene: and newlywed wife and husband are sitting down with a catalog, browsing joyously, pointing and awing at all the different options, fantasizing about all the possibilities that could become of their future. Is this a catalog for new furniture? No. This catalog for all features, phenotype and genotype, for the child they are planning to have. It is basically a database for parents to pick and choose all aspects of their children, from the sex of the child, to looks, and even to personality traits. Parents since the beginning of time have â€Å"planned† to have children, but never have they been able to legitimately â€Å"plan† out their child. This scene does not seem typical for our time and age, but truthfully it is what is becoming of our world. Through substantial research and experimentation that is taking place, scientists, specifically biologists, are becoming keener to the field of engineering. Genetic engineering that is. When one thinks of â€Å"genetic engineering,† the first thought is probably a perfect child, or paradoxically some inconceivable creature, forged under the microscope in a scientific laboratory. Though both of these are genetic engineering, many people do not consider other things, such as genetic engineering of agriculture and medicine, both of which are extremely useful. Through the genetic altering of plants and crops, scientists have been able to manipulate their genes to withstand lower temperatures, to resist herbicides and insects, and to even extending shelf life of some particular products (Gert 1). This technology has made farmers more prosperous, as well as given the population more food that will last longer. In medicine, â€Å"a patent has already been applied for to mix human embryo... ...engineering gone too far?† 1). The creation of â€Å"chimeras,† animals containing cells from another animal, has been one of the biggest controversial topics in genetic engineering (ibid). Researchers fret over creating new diseases by combining genes to make new ones (ibid). If this were to happen, political figures may step in and enforce strict guidelines and regulations for genetic engineering. In fact, in 2006, President George Bush asked to prohibit the creation of â€Å"human-animal hybrids† (ibid). Other scientists retaliate by claiming that these â€Å"chimeras† can help find cures to known diseases, and could become one of the most helpful tools in their arsenal of ideas for the future (ibid). Either way, whether or not the use of chimeras is acceptable is debatable. If used, they could bring up new problems as well as solve old ones that have riddled us for decades.

Sexism Exposed in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essay -- Jane Eyre Essa

Sexism Exposed in Brontà «'s Jane Eyre       The Victorian era in England marked a period of unprecedented technological, scientific, political, and economic advancement.   By the 1840s, the English had witnessed remarkable industrial achievements including the advent of the railways and the photographic negative.   They had witnessed the expansion of the Empire, and, as a result, were living in a time of great economic stability.   Yet they had also seen thousands of people starving-and dying-due to the Irish potato famine and poor conditions and benefits in British factories and witnessed the entire order of society questioned as the working classes began to demand representation in Parliament.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The English also experienced biological and scientific breakthroughs that challenged the once universally accepted beliefs in the authority of the Bible, the divine ordering of nature, and the gross exploitation of women and people of other races.   It was a time of great achievement, yes, but it was also a tim e of great contradiction and uncertainty.       The Victorian era was also the age of the novel, as many English citizens now possessed the time and money to afford such a luxury.   Novels at the beginning of the Victorian era reflect the growing unease of the day; writers of the 1840s in particular responded indirectly to the social upheaval, writing personal, subjective novels.    Charlotte Brontà «'s novel Jane Eyre, published in 1847, is an archetype of the 1840s novel.   It tells the story of Jane Eyre, an orphan who eventually finds herself and happiness as a governess and, later, a wife.   Although this is a "personal" story that provides escape and entertainment for its readers, Jane Eyre most certainly, if some... ...ntinually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital" (429).   Further, she marries Mr. Rochester only after he is dependent and in need of her care, claiming that she likes him better that way (469).   Victorian women were supposed to be passive, idle, uneducated, and subordinate partners in marriage.   Readers are forced to realize that Jane conforms to none of these expectations.    Charlotte Brontà «'s Jane Eyre is representative of British novels in the 1840s.   Though she tells the personal story of a young governess, Brontà « also uses the story to address an important social issue of the Victorian era-sexism-directly and indirectly exposing the flaws and hypocrisies of the patriarchal Victorian society. Works Cited Brontà «, Charlotte.   Jane Eyre.   1847.   Oxford:   Oxford UP, 1993.   

Fsibl

Introduction Islamic Banking in Bangladesh There are currently seven commercial banks operating under Islamic principles. They are: 1. Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, 2. Al-Arafah Bank Ltd. 3. Social Investment Bank Ltd, 4. Exim Bank Ltd, 5. Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd. 6. Icb Islamic Bank Ltd 7. First security Islami Bank Ltd. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL) was incorporated in Bangladesh on 29 August 1999as a banking company under Companies Act 1994 to carry on banking business.It obtained  permission  from Bangladesh Bank  on 22  September 1999  to commence its  business. The  Bank  carries banking activities through its Fifty Three (53) branches in the country. The commercial  banking activities of the bank encompass a wide range of services including accepting deposits,making  loans,  discounting bills, conducting  money transfer  and  foreign  exchange  transactions,and  performing other related services such  a s safe  keeping,  collections  and  issuing  guarantees,acceptances and letter of credit. At the beginning, FSIBL started their business with traditional commercial banking services.However, from 2008 they converted their business to Islamic Banking with Islamic Shariah Act. The FSIBL has played a pioneering role in shaping the future of the Banking industry inBangladesh since its inception. The Bank started in 1999 with 14 branches and now it has 53  branches in Bangladesh and recently the bank introduce an Exchange House in Canada. The Bank also maintains a comprehensive correspondent relationship with top ranking banks. FSIBL has already started their on-line, SMS and ATM banking facilities for their clients. 2. 2 Vision of the Bank Wherever you are, you can Bank with us† is the motto of  First Security Islami Bank. FSIBL is  prepared to meet the challenge of the 21st century well ahead of time. To cope with the challengeof the new millennium it hired experi enced and well-reputed banker of the country from theinception. The  bank  has  efficient  and  dedicated  professional  and  equipped  with  modemtechnology to provide the best service in the need of the people and thus to realize its vision. Sothe Bank defamed its Vision: ‘to be the most efficient Islamic Bank in terms of customer service  profitability and technology application’Mission To develop & deliver the most innovative products, manage customer experience, deliver qualityservices that contributes to brand strength, establishes a competitive advantage and enhances  profitability, thus providing value to the stakeholders of the bank   2. 4 Goal of the bank To  exceed customer expectations through  innovative Islamic financial products &  services  andestablish a strong presence to recognize shareholder’s expectation and optimize their rewardsthrough dedicated work force. . 5 Special Features of FSIBL †¢ All activiti es of FSIBL are conducted under a profit/loss based system according toIslamic Shariah to get the nation rid of Usury. †¢ Its investment policies under different modes are fully Shariah compliant and wellmonitored by the board of Shariah Council. †¢ FSIBL  has  included  online  banking  in  its wide  range  of  services. Bangladeshisoftware has been introduced in this feature to  promote the local developers. †¢ FSIBL regularly arranges its AGMs (Annual General Meeting).Whenever neededEGMs (Extraordinary General Meeting) are also arranged. †¢ They believe in providing dedicated services to the clients imbued with Islamic spiritof brotherhood, peace and  fraternity. †¢ The bank is committed towards establishing a welfare-oriented banking system tomeet the needs of low income and underprivileged class of people. †¢ The Bank upholds the Islamic values of establishment of a justified economic systemthrough social emancipation and equi table  distribution of wealth. †¢Following  the  Islamic  traditions,  it  is  assisting  in  the  economic  progress  of  thesocially  deprived  people;  in  the  creation  of  employment  opportunities  and  in  promotion of rural areas to ensure a balance development of the country. 2. 6 FSIBL’s Inter Division and  Branch Coordination All  the  53  branches  are  computerized  under  distributed  server  environment. Another  few  branches are  planning  to open  in near  future. FSIBL has  already started their on-line, SMS andATM banking facilities for their clients.FSIBL  have  set  up  Wide  Area  Network  through  Radio,  Fiber-Optics  &  other  availablecommunication media systems to provide any branch banking to their customers. Customer of  one  branch  is  now  able  to  deposit  and  withdraw  money  at  any  of  our  branch es. 2. 7 Online Banking FSIBL  Online  banking  application  addresses  the  needs  of  small,  individual  and  corporateaccount  holders  of  the  bank. This  application  provides  a  comprehensive  range  of  bankingservices that enable the customer to meet most of their banking requirements over the Net at any  branch. . 8 SMS Banking SMS banking  is a  technology-enabled  service  offering from  banks to  its customers,  permittingthem to operate selected banking services over their mobile phones using SMS messaging. FirstSecurity Islami Bank Ltd. has officially launched SMS banking service from December 17,2007. 2. 9 Merchant Banking FSIBL’s Merchant Banking Group is strongly positioned to offer perfect financial solutions itsclient’s business. They specialize in the arrangement of various forms of Foreign CurrencyCredits for Corporate.FSIBL provide the resources, convenience and services to meet its cl ients’needs by arranging Foreign Currency credits through:†¢ Commercial loans†¢ Syndicated loans   Lines of Credit from Foreign Banks and  Financial Institutions†¢ FCNR loans†¢ Loans from Export Credit Agencies†¢ Financing of Imports. 2. 10 Product and Services In the memorandum and articles of association of the First Security Islami Bank is revised itsarea of operation is clearly written. The product of FSIBL is targeted to fulfill that aim.The  product and services that are currently available are given below: †¢ Depository Products First Security Islami Bank is now offering 09 depository products for mobilizing the savings of  the general people. There are also emphasizing on non-fund business and fee based income. Bid  bond/ bid security can be issued at our customer's request. FSIBL is posed to extend L/C facilities to its importers / exporters through establishment of  correspondent relations and Nostro Accounts with leading ba nks all over the world. †¢ Loan ProductsFirst Security Islami Bank offers a wide range of loan and advance product to the client for  financing different purpose that fulfill the requirements of the bank and have good return to theinvestment as well as satisfy the client. †¢ Other Product and Services The bank has its concentration for new product and services development for satisfying itscustomer and increasing its customer base. They prefer now faster service with least cost. For  delivering faster service the bank has introduced online banking service. There are other productsand services that FSIBL has introduced.They are: * Online Banking Services * Locker Services * Utility Bills * ATM services FLUCTUATION OF SHARE PRICE (ONE YEAR) BALANCE SHEET ANALYSYS 3. 1. 5 Types of Investment Facilities The Bank’s Policy is to introduce diversified / new types of Products / Product derivativesalong with usual Banking Products. At present the Bank offers the followin g facilities: i. Investment  / Deployment of Funds: a. Bai-Murabaha  (Deferred  Lump  Sum/  Installment Sale)  b. Bai-Muajjal  (Deferred  Installment /  Lump  Sum  Sale)c. Ijara (Leasing)d. Musharaka (Joint-Venture Profit-Sharing)e.Mudaraba (Trustee Profit-Sharing)f. Bai-Salam  (Advance  Sale and  Purchase)g. Hire-Purchaseh. Direct Investmentsi. Post  Import  Investment  j. Purchase  and  Negotiation of Export Billsk. Inland Bills  Purchasedl. Murabaha  Import  Billsm. Bai-Muajjal Import Billsn. Pre Shipment Investmento. Quard-ul-Hasan (Benevolent Investment) KYC Concept The Investment Officers/RM must know their customers and conduct due diligence onnew borrowers, principals and guarantors to ensure such parties are in fact who theyrepresent themselves to be i. e. , Know  Your Customer (KYC).The Banker – Customer relationship would be established first through opening of CD/STD / SB accounts. Proper introduction, photographs of t he account holders / signatories,  passport,  Trade  License,  Memorandum  and  Articles  of  the  Company,  certificate  of  incorporation, certificate of commencement of business, List of Directors, resolution, etc. i. e. all the required papers as per Bank’s policy and regulatory requirements are to beobtained at the time of opening of the account. A declaration regarding approximatetransaction to the account is to be obtained during opening of account.Informationregarding  business  pattern,  nature  of  business,  volume  of  business  etc. is  to  beascertained. Any suspicious transaction must be timely addressed and brought down tothe notice  of  the Head  Office /  Bangladesh Bank  as  required  and  also  appropriatecorrective measures to be taken as per the direction of Bank Management/BangladeshBank SWOT analysis Strength Diversified ownership pattern Strong market share Good Financial performance Good investment portfolio Comfortable Liquidity position Experienced management team Sound HR development programmes Improvement in automation Wide branch networkSignificant involvement in corporate social responsibility Weakness: Unmatched asset versus capital growth Limited delegation of power Limited modern customer service facilities Moderate recovery of rescheduled investments High large investment exposures Initial stage of system based internal control procedures Opportunities: Investment in SME and Agro based industry Real time online banking Credit card in dual currency Creation of Islamic Money market product Introduce above 5 years Islamic bond Threats: Market pressure for increasing the SLR Overall liquidity crisis in money marketGovernment pressure to reduce investment rate Increase the capital adequacy position Findings * Most of the costumers do not know the regulations of the investment modes. * Shortage of human resources in Investment Section. * Deposit schemes favorin g to the customers. * Senior level executives should be more cooperative with the subordinates. * Regarding security service of the bank, account opening and closing system, phone query, cash withdraw and deposit facility, credit profit rate, online banking, external and internal environment are satisfactory to the customers. Most of the customers are service holder and businessman; they like to come to FSIBL because near to residence / office / work place, better service, easier banking procedure. * Employees of the bank are more cooperative with the customers. * Employees of the bank have good knowledge to solve the queries of the customers. * According to the customers opinion more ATM booths needed to be setup in different places. According to the data analysis customers feeling about banking in FSIBL are very satisfied. Recommendations Different types of products and services are available in FSIBL but clients are not concerned about that so advertisement and promotional activi ties should be increased. * Increasing more deposit schemes under consumer banking. * Providing prompt service in account opening. * Now a day, the online banking service is very much popular in all over the world, so the bank should try to develop in this side. * FSIBL should increase Debit card ; credit card facilities. * SJIBL online service should be fast ; accurate. The website of SJIBL is not good enough; most of the pages are under construction. The page should be constructed as soon as possible. * Should increase the ATM Booths. * More manpower is required to run the business smoothly. * Employee trainings and workshops should be administered in order to give them knowledge and professionalism in customer interactions. They should be taught about how to deal with the problem of customers and problematic situations. * Physical and technological facilities should be increased in evaluating credit proposals. Experienced and expert personnel should be kept within the bank, which will lead to a quality selection of clients * SJIBL should more focus on customer needs. They need to concentrate more on their existing services and product innovation. * A yearly conference with the employees should be arranged where they will exchange their views with the management about different aspects. This will help to increase the efficiency of the employees. * Prompt service should be given to the customers. In this regard arranging job rotation regularly for employees to improve the skills in different types of service.This will increase the efficiency of the service. * More emphasis should be given on the customers’ complaint. * Informal training can be a way to improve the skills of the employee. Allocating job responsibility to the employees according to their profit. * Try to create a good image to customers through different promotional tools Conclusion First security Islami Bank Limited is one of the leading Islamic sharah based commercial bank in Banglades h. FSIBL is committed to provide excellent service to its valued customers. The management of FSIBL always gives special efforts to uphold the interest and trust of their customers.By providing excellence service and special effort First Security Islami Bank has placed itself to a strong position among all the banks. The main focus of FSIBL is to concentrate on the consumer demand, which differentiates FSIBL with other banks. FSIBL has been successfully created a brand image Islamic sharah based in the market and is maintaining a strong position in the market. But still it has some weakness, which can be easily overcome. FSIBL has much more potential to explore the existing market. So, to be the number one forever they have to be very perfect in their business.

Cipla

INTRODUCTION: Cipla Limited is an Indian pharmaceutical company, Founded by nationalist Indian scientist Khwaja Abdul Hamied as The Chemical, Industrial & Pharmaceutical Laboratories . Cipla laid foundations for the Indian pharmaceutical industry way back in 1935 with the vision to make India self-reliant and self-sufficient in healthcare. Legacy of innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit ingrained by the founder, Dr. K. A Hamied and propounded by the present Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Yusuf Khwaja Hamied .Over the past 77 years, Cipla has emerged as one of the most respected pharmaceutical names not just in India but worldwide. The company? s headquarter is in Mumbai, India. Cipla produces one of the widest range of products and dosage forms in the world today, everything from metered-dose inhalers, pre-filled syringes, trans-dermal spray patches, lyophilized injections, nasal sprays, medical devices, and thermo labile foams. The company Revenue is around 6977million and t urnover is around 1 billion. Cipla? Business model is based on international strategic alliances and focus on pursuing organic growth while reducing capital commitment and regulatory/litigation risks. Cipla makes drugs to treat cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, weight control, depression and many other health conditions, and its products are distributed in virtually every country of the world. And probably best-known outside its home country for pioneering the manufacture of low-cost anti-AIDS drugs for HIV-positive patients in developing countries.It has played a similarly prominent role in expanding access to drugs to fight influenza, respiratory disease and cancer. Cipla has over 34 state-of-the-art manufacturing units which have been approved by various Ministries of Health and Regulatory Authorities like US FDA, WHO, MCC -South Africa, MHRAUK, TGA-Australia among others. In addition, Cipla? s manufacturing facilities are GCMP compliant in conformity with national and international standards. With over 2000 products in 65 therapeutic areas, Cipla? product portfolio comprises of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients(APIs), Formulations for Human and Animal Healthcare and OTC products. Cipla has the technological powers of manufacturing products in most dosage forms across therapeutic categories, which offers the company a unique competitive advantage. Cipla has earned a name for maintaining world-class quality across all its products and services. With the dedication of its 20,000 employees, Cipla continues to support, improve and save millions of lives with its high-quality drugs and innovative devices and is focused towards its commitment.Cipla won Chemexcil Award excellence for exports in 1980, wins National award for successful commercialization of publicity funded R&D in 1988. Cipla received the Thomson Reuters India Innovation Award in 2012. VISION: Cipla started with a vision to build a healthy India MISSSION OF THE COMPANY: To make the life o f the patients better. CIPLA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CIPLA? S research capabilities are extensive, from Chemical Synthesis, Delivery Systems and Medical Devices to Process Engineering, Animal Health Products, Neutraceuticals and Biotechnology.Today, across 170 countries, there are millions of patients who get to use a Cipla product to prevent, to cure, or for relief from suffering. In their cure and relief lies th e ultimate purpose of what they do. At Cipla, this has been the driving force behind continuous quest for quality. The company strive not just to meet international specifications, but to exceed, to excel, to meet what they call the Cipla benchmark. In fact, they have set standards for the world to follow and have contributed to more than 125 monographs in the last 15 years – to British,European, US and international pharmacopoeia. Today companies from around the world seek strategic alliances with Cipla for product development, technical support and marketing. In a small way, the company even help countries set up their pharmaceutical infrastructure and train their professionals, contributing to their quest for self-reliance just the way they began healing India, seven decades ago. Equally inspiring has been Cipla? s fight against asthma. They partnered with the medical fraternity to shatter myths, spread awareness and empowered asthma patients to lead a fuller life.The company have the world’s largest range of asthma medication and delivery systems. This relentless commitment to asthma inspired to set up the Chest Research Foundation. It? s one of the few Institutes in the world that? s dedicated to clinical and allied research in the field of Chronic Respiratory Diseases. CHANGES In the past few years, Cipla has changed its strategy in a number of areas — from region, to product to human resources — to prevent a future meltdown from eroding margins. Till now, the names Cipla and Yusuf Hamied have been virtually interchan geable.After all, Hamied was the one who put the generic drug company onto the world map when he provided many health care systems in developing countries with cheaper versions of unaffordable AIDS drugs, making instant icons out of himself and his company . Today, however, Hamied is no longer steering the drug maker on a daily basis and Cipla, meanwhile, is engineering a quiet revolution on its own — attracting outside talent, which it has never done before — and venturing into new territory in order to avoid an existential crisis when the patent cliff expires in a few years.Simply put, the company has begun a quest for a growth trajectory that will generate sustainable profits in the future. â€Å"While we may call it a „transformation,? it is a reasonable and justifiable extension or next step to their current strengths†¦ The change is required to open new avenues of growth for the company, and not lose out on opportunities that come with a shelf life, p articularly the patent cliff in 2012-17, for both small molecules and biologics,† says Aashish Mehra, managing director, Strategic Decision Group.Cipla? s recent reconceptualisation has boosted its stock price from Rs 317 in June to Rs 395 in September. Marketing itself Perhaps the biggest change in the company? s strategy is the jettisoning of its focus on volumeled growth and a shift to an inorganic, profitability-focused one. A key indication of this is the company? s willingness to move on to the front-end in developed markets like the US, where, so far, it has operated primarily through partners for sales and distribution of its products.Recently, Cipla started filing applications aggressively with the US Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA), seeking approval for its own generic products, which it plans to market on its own while assembling a separate sales team there. â€Å"The move is aimed at getting more value for products and technology,† says Cipla Director S Radhakrishnan in an interaction with Business Standard. This is a laudable move, say analysts, in a company that had the potential, but, it was so far unrealised. â€Å"Over the last few years, while all of Cipla? peers have grown primarily on the back of their success in the US market, Cipla had adopted a seemingly faulty strategic decision to limit its exposure to this market,† says a recent report on Cipla by IDFC Securities. â€Å"Given Cipla? s extensive product repertoire, proven R&D capabilities and extensive manufacturing network, we believe it has all the ingredients to succeed in the US market despite its relatively late entry,† it adds. (Cipla's changing landscape) The change in strategy is not limited to just the US and other developed markets.The company is also actively planning joint ventures and even acquisitions to strengthen its position in key markets like Turkey, Morocco, Brazil and Nigeria. However, company insiders suggest that transformation do es not necessarily mean a complete departure from its present approach. â€Å"The spirit of the company cannot change, at least not entirely. We will continue with our basic mantra of low-cost drug making,† says the Cipla official. â€Å"We are also looking at consolidation with partners as one of the options in some key markets,† he adds.This can probably explain what Cipla has recently done in China. In order to streamline investments there, the company has rejigged its business in order to focus more on its core areas. While the drug maker has exited a significant part of its investment in Chinese partner Desano Holdings, it has ploughed part of the funds into specific units that manufacture biosimilars and niche active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The quest for higher margins An imminent revolution can be seen in Cipla? s product portfolio.The company is gradually shifting focus to high-margin products, such as oncology drugs and inhalers from tender-based an ti-retroviral medicines. No surprise as to why it is doing so — its margins are slated to halve themselves from 21. 3 per cent in FY10 to an estimated 11. 9 per cent in FY14. According to Mehra, Cipla may perhaps be best known outside India by its landmark low-priced, anti-HIV products, but, it also needs to address regulated markets with quality products, across segments. â€Å"Cipla should rightly be proud of its image of being a „low-cost drug maker? ut the anti-retrovirals had been quite low-margin for Cipla, and changing the product mix towards more high-value products, such as the inhalers for the regulated markets, would help shore up margins,† says Mehra. Praful Bohra, senior analyst at Nirmal Bang Securities, says two years ago, the contribution from anti-retroviral drugs was 20-25 per cent while today, it has fallen to 15 per cent. According to analysts, the falling margins in anti-retroviral drugs due to tough competition from multinational, as well as domestic companies has triggered the shift towards new avenues.Regional shift The rationalisation can also be viewed through the export contribution from different geographies. According to the IDFC report, contribution of Africa — which is primarily a tender business market — to total exports declined from 42 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 to 40 per cent in 2011-12, with absolute sales remaining flat, year-on-year. In contrast, the share of Europe and Australasia grew from 26 per cent in financial year 2010-11 to 30 per cent in 201112 with sales growing at 32 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.Cipla also plans to increase its focus on domestic markets, with introduction of its offerings in new therapeutic segments, such as oncology and neuropsychiatry. â€Å"The company is the market leader in key therapeutic areas, such as respiratory care, anti-viral and urological†¦ Cipla plans to focus on growing its market share and sales by increasing penetrat ion in the Indian market, especially in rural areas,† a recent report by Angel Broking said. The company? s distribution network in India consists of a field force of around 7,000 employees. The company? new offerings would also include biosimilars, especially those in the oncology, anti-asthmatic and anti-arthritis categories. â€Å"They already have the pipeline in place (Avastin, Herceptin, Enbrel, among others), and would benefit from having the commercial footprint in regulated markets at the earliest,† points Mehra. Cipla has already invested $165 million in India and China to acquire facilities and build new ones for its foray. The company? s earnings in the first quarter of the financial year 2012-13 have begun to demonstrate the potential of these initiatives.During the financial quarter ended June 2011, the company? s gross margin expanded by 490 bps, year-on-year, to 61. 8 per cent, mainly on account of a better product mix, which had lower proportion of anti -retroviral in formulation exports and higher proportion of domestic formulation sales. â€Å"Strengthening of the balance sheet has been a key focus area for Cipla in the last few years and the benefits of concentrated efforts are clearly visible,† says Nitin Agarwal of IDFC. People Possibly the biggest catalyst of the change that Cipla is going through is because of a radical new strategy regarding management hires. Cipla has traditionally not been aggressive about hiring senior management personnel from outside the organisation. However, there seems to be a clear change in strategy on this front, reflective of the transformation underway into a more aggressive unit,† says Agarwal in the report. According to Bohra, this also reflects increasing professionalism in the company, which is also essential to surviving cut-throat competition in the industry. Over the past year, Cipla has hired people in the key functions of finance, international business and strategy, from competitors such as Lupin and Dr Reddy? . In July, Cipla announced the hiring of Frank Peters (ex-Teva and GSK) to head its respiratory business and the European Union region. Also, two Hamied scions — Kamil (31) and Samina (36), children of Yusuf Hamied? s brother M K Hamied — are on Cipla? s senior management team since 2010 and 2011, respectively. Analysts see this as an attempt to address key investor concerns on succession planning. These are key moves that were long overdue for a company that is yet to harness its full potential.