Mcdonaldization and it's effect on globalization Essay

Mcdonaldization and it's effect on globalization - Essay Example Therefore, the process of McDonalization obliviously predates the starting and the proliferation of McDonald’s restaurant. The system of McDonald and the standard on which it spread so successful across the world is a representation of the example of modern development of rationalization. Whereas the fast food restaurant is the paradigm of the McDonaldization process, the process by now has affected many if not all of the social structures as well as institutions in the US. The same has penetrated many countries across the world. Therefore, the term ‘McDonaldization’ is not limited to just the fast food industry or the US. Instead, it refers to far reaching distinctive process of social change (Ritzer, 121). The model of McDonalization has been used well beyond the industry of fast food restaurant and even daily intake to such disparate phenomenon as higher education, vegetarianism, theme parks, southern fork art and politics. This process is a wide social development. Not all systems are the same as McDonalization which may be a matter of extent, with some situations being more McDonalized than others. Nevertheless, few modern social situations or institutions have managed to escape its impact altogether (Ritzer, 105). The relevance of the thesis of McDonalization to the issue of globalization ought to be apparent, both explicitly and implicitly. It asserts that social systems in the modern society are increasing in McDonalization and more so, that the fundamental principles of efficiency, predictability, accountability and control by the replacement of nonhuman for human technology that undergird it have been brought in from America to most of the rest of the world. This is to the degree that these principles have been adopted and turned to be defining characteristics of institutions in other countries and it can be stated that they are undergoing the process of McDonaldization (Richland WA

Identity Construction of the Entrepreneur

Identity Construction of the Entrepreneur BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR: ENTREPRENEURIAL IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF AFGHANS IN PESHAWAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS 1.0 Introduction Wealth creation and economic growth has been one major factor which distinguish the developed countries from the third world countries and entrepreneurship is one of the main reasons, responsible for of the current progress of nations (Baumol, Litan et al. 2007). The identification of ‘entrepreneurship as a differential factor raises numerous challenges. One of those is to replicate the economic success in nations which lag behind, the developing countries and the third world countries. However it is of importance to answer some basic questions about entrepreneurship, what are its causes? What are its effects? And its different understandings and meanings specially when applied to wide arrays of contexts. In the seminal literature there exists an inherent divergence. Richard Cantillons (who used the term entrepreneurship for the first time) defined an entrepreneur are â€Å"wholesalers in Wool and Corn, Bakers, Butchers, Manufacturers and Merchants of all kinds who buy country product to work them up and resell them gradually as the inhabitants require them†. This description essentially included ‘replicative entrepreneurs who set up a business for livelihood purposes. This type of entrepreneurship can be found in abundance in capitalist economies however in terms of impact on economic growth ‘innovative entrepreneurship is of higher significance. Schumpeterian entrepreneur is one of its kinds among thousands, a hero, motivated by higher order goals than mere profit earning, fights against the odds, battles risks and achieves success. One implication of a celebrated figure of hero entrepreneur is that there is an elite group of higher order ‘homo-sapiens who are considered the driver of economies and whose vision will be followed by ‘lower order humans. Those working for ‘real entrepreneurs will be working either as ‘cogs in a machine or entrepreneurially in some respects, depending on the type of organization and the economy they are in. While the few ‘real entrepreneurs enjoy the fruits of their success and find infinite reasons for their success the rest have to be content with what they are allowed to take. The speed and trajectory of progress of ‘the rest differs, e.g. someone working for Donald Trump or Bill Gates can earn a fortune and easily spun out their own organization. While a lady working on handicrafts in far flung mountains of Afghanistan may never get to know the real value of the art her fingers create. Surely not even in terms of monetary rewards leave alone t he artistic and aesthetics appreciation of it. Entrepreneurship is a multidimensional concept. For entrepreneurial venture to materialize many factors must get aligned at a critical junctures. Because of the ‘hero entrepreneur model considers the ‘successful innovative entrepreneurs it might ignore all those potentially innovative entrepreneurial ventures which could not materialize. In other words ‘innovative entrepreneurship will be appreciated if it goes the distance. This essentially believes that humans will either be entrepreneurial or not. However Hornaday (1992) proposes that entrepreneurship rather lies on a continuum along three dimensions of organization creation, economic Innovation and profit-seeking in the market. This approach relies on the fact that entrepreneurship can only be rated (like rating points in gymnastics) and not measured (like clocking the exact time in 100 meter race) along three dimensions. This view is more humanistic, as the difference between an innovative entrepreneur and a me re factory worker is not that the former was born with abilities (and led a track) which implies 1 while the later was a zero. If all human beings are entrepreneurial to some level, that is that they essentially form unique combinations to create or add value, then entrepreneurship lies at the heart of human spirit. However it is necessary to see why it expresses itself in differently under different conditions. The question of where to find an entrepreneur is elaborated by Baumol, (1990) giving examples from history, suggests that variation can be found among societies in terms of both the total supply of entrepreneurs as well as their allocation between productive activities such as innovation and unproductive ones such as rent seeking and organized crime. This allocation is influenced by the relative payoffs society offers to such activities. It follows that numerous reasons pertaining to context actually allocate the entrepreneur to different sectors and thus there is no reason to eliminate any sector from entrepreneurship. For the developing countries and the third world, entrepreneurship is more significant than only economic development â€Å"Replicative entrepreneurship is important in most economies because it represents a route out of poverty a mean by which people with little capital, education or experience can earn a living†. ((Baumol, Litan et al. 2007, page 3). However it does not qualify everyone as an entrepreneur. There must be some scale on which one can segregate entrepreneurialism. Gartners (1990) reports distinct perceptions of entrepreneurship as ‘focus on characteristics and ‘focus on outcomes of entrepreneurship. Resource acquisition and integration under the head of new venture creation and organization creation emerged as the most agreed upon parameters for assessment of being entrepreneurial. This means that perceptually organizational creation will be creation of new organization will be one of the foremost requirement for people to start considering as entrepreneurship to be taking place. This research investigates entrepreneurial identity as it perpetuates the entrepreneurial process. The study takes a dynamic view of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial identity is seen as becoming rather than static phenomenon. 1.1 Background In Pakistan, cultural orientations discourages independent thinking which is a significant impediment to research, this results into low level scientific knowledge. The hierarchal system at every level of society means that elders can ‘never be wrong and children are ‘not expected to speak unless asked to (Jafarey, 2005). Though efforts have been made to stimulate research activities, the solution is still elusive. Social Sciences have emerged as the weakest, Altaf (2006,s.1) expresses his views: Research is mostly funded, demanded by foreign donor agencies and has no internal demand and thus never translates, locally, into actions. Pakistani culture predominantly oral, the response to written word is lukewarm and the world view deriving form this kind of wisdom is renewed very slowly. Researchers must direct existing and future knowledge and research to permeate popular wisdom and help it update much quicker. The situation is unique to us and cannot be achieved by only as setting up research and policy institutions and publishing journals. This has now led to the stagnation of continuous process of making sense and understanding. Educational institutes and faculty should be the mainstay of research, have failed to produce the desired results in Pakistan and they have not produced significant contributions (Inayatullah, 2005). A considerable increase in disciplines and number of teachers in social sciences has still resulted in low to average research output. Economics and business administration also suffer from the lack of local research and knowledge. A deeper analysis reveals that education is perceived as a direct means to employment. In the absence of well defined, overarching strategies in pursuance of clear goals corresponding to long term vision has resulted in mushroom growth of institutions following a convoluted meaning of ‘education and research. Whatever local indigenous, research activity is produced in these circumstances is neatly summarized by â€Å"We might have gone beyond the point of diminis hing returns and we are researching in the state of habitual mindlessness† (Altaf,1, 2006). Research in Pakistan has been largely initiated and funded due to foreign (donor bodies and funding agencies) interest (as mentioned already). This type of research, though beneficial, cannot drive the research towards the knowledge and understanding which can direct action. Thus there has been little effort to understand the local scenario. Particularly, there are very few mentionable publications on entrepreneurship and SMEs. Predominantly highlighting problems has been much more prevalent rather than exploring success stories. This study takes different and deeper view that explores success stories which are deeply ingrained with social and cultural factors. This research aims to make sense of the business successes achieved by Afghan Entrepreneurs in unfavourable business conditions. This research aims to answers the question of how this group of people construct their success as entrepreneurs. Peshawar, not the best city in Pakistan for business, where the local population grapples for any business opportunities and jobs are hard to find, Afghans appear to be highly entrepreneurial and successful entrepreneurs (Inayatullah, 2005). This study takes departure from a position where this phenomenon has been considered as a refugees practice of livelihood. The conventional idea of Business functions such as Finances, Marketing and Human Resource though highly relevant with self-employment their contribution is secondary to the entrepreneurial success in this case. The Success of Afghan Entrepreneurship is about a group of people with ancient culture and strong traditions faced with odd circumstances. The interpretation is that Self-employment and creation of sustainable business ventures translates into a strong entrepreneurial identity which leads to successful entrepreneurial activities. As a knowledge quest his study, firstly, will contribute to opening up new avenues of research in entrepreneurship. Understanding of entrepreneurship can be enhanced through contextualization (Morrison, 2006). Secondly, exploration of research consistent with local interests and more inline with local wisdom can be helpful in improving local business opportunities. My personal conclusion, based on me living for the last 15 years among Afghans in Peshawar, is that socio-cultural factors are the key factors in forming their entrepreneurial identity. Thirdly an Afghans are open to talking about their culture and their relationships which affect their business; this is compatible with an in depth research. 1.2 Motivations My experience with Afghans come from living together with them or 15 years as well as carrying out business transaction as I work for family business, â€Å"Junaid Paper Mart†, a printing and packing paper and board business , headed by my father. I have observed the rapid rise on many Afghans; they take part in diverse range of businesses. So much so that Afghans are found in every kind of business and it will be next to impossible to find a business without any Afghan Entrepreneur. 1.3 Expected Contributions This study researches a group among Afghans who are involved in entrepreneurial business activities; it opens up new areas for future research e.g. comparative studies with other groups. This study actually tries to find the roots of entrepreneurial identity as a social process in a refugee/immigrant context. In particular, the proposed study will have the following implications. i) This study is beneficial for wide range of audience (e.g. Governments, United Nations, humanitarian non Governmental organizations) concerned with refugees. From policy making to directing of aids and grants in efficient manner, the results form this study can be of importance. ii) The context of study makes it unique but is not the only one in the world (War Refugees crossing into nearby countries). As a contribution to knowledge, entrepreneurial identity has not been explored in a refugee context. iii) Underdeveloped and developing countries do not necessarily need to â€Å"Export Policies† from developed countries in order to progress. This research will explore the way entrepreneurship as a social practice, thus opening up new ways for promoting entrepreneurship. iv) Geographically, the area of study lies at the heart of South Asia and is of high importance to China, India, Iran , Pakistan and the oil rich central Asian states. Afghanistan, after the defeat of invading Russian forces, never settled. From the policy perspective, one main reason for failure is lack of local knowledge. This study will also prove to be a first step towards this direction. On the practice front, firstly, this research will make potential contributions to refugee and immigrant knowledge. The interest in this research is consistent with the current world scenario where population movement is a natural consequence in prevailing circumstances. Chinese economy growing ever stronger by economies of scale, the Europe Union forming an integrated economy and Canada and Australia encouraging valuable human resources to immigrate. The integration of new settlers is a matter of importance. The utilization of these immigrants in entrepreneurial ventures will be highly desirable by the host countries. This research can contribute to formulate better policies that govern current and new immigrants and refugees. CHAPTER 2: Literature review 2.0 Introduction There is no one agreed upon definition of entrepreneurship and it has led to an ever increasing debate. The word ‘Entrepreneur is derived from French word ‘entreprendre which means ‘to do something and it was used in the sense of ‘a person who is active, who gets things done (Hoselitz, 1951). In 1730, Richard Cantillon, a Paris banker gave the first economic theory of entrepreneurship in an article titled ‘Essays on the nature of commerce in general. In the mid nineteenth century John Stuart Mill, an economist, gave the term general currency. Since then the term has been used in variety of ways, all having some justification as they point towards different dimensions and forms of entrepreneurship. The distinction and relationship in basic terminologies can serve as a starting point. Essentially, the phenomenon, ‘entrepreneurial process, is made up of an activity (entrepreneurship) where a market place combines individual (entrepreneurs) act in a certain way (entrepreneurially) (Virtanen, 1997). Theories from different fields have been used in effort to capture the essence of entrepreneurship. This chapter will highlight different views of entrepreneurship as progressed by theories from various fields. 2.1 Views of Entrepreneurship: Definition and Meaning The research in quest for the how, what and why of entrepreneurship has been undertaken under the umbrella of social science, traditionally. However business schools are responsible for the current surge in studies of entrepreneurship (Swedberg, 2000). The contributions of Social Sciences can be broadly categorized as studies under Economics and non-Economics social Sciences. Social sciences (such as economics, anthropology, sociology and economic history) and business studies alike have contributed to highlight the different aspects of entrepreneurship, however the debate among different disciplines about the ‘usefulness of their insights still goes on (Swedberg, 2000) . A view progressively posed by business studies community is that Social sciences answer the ‘what and ‘why of entrepreneurship however they lack in terms of explaining the ‘how question (Jarillo Stevenson 1990:23). Though it is right to argue that business school ought to concentrate more on the ‘How aspect of entrepreneurship, at the same time social sciences have contributed to the preclinical side of entrepreneurship though the emphasis on what and why have been deeper than business studies. The different understandings given by social sciences and business studies gives a complex but deep insight in the phenomenon. 2.1 Contributions of Economics Economics literature on entrepreneurship is not nearly as intensive as it should be on entrepreneurship because mainstream economics have great difficulty in fitting entrepreneurship in its theory. The work done in economics (on entrepreneurship) has therefore only been possible through invention in conventional economic model. 2.1.1 Early contributions the legacy of Joseph Schumpeter Among economists, Joseph Schumpeters contributions are a landmark because firstly, he is able to give a comprehensive account of entrepreneur and entrepreneurship and fitting it in economic theory. Secondly his views on entrepreneurship have evolved into a multi-dimensional and eventually (1940 and onwards) into multidisciplinary perspectives. Joseph Schumpeter was born in 1883 in todays Slovakia in family with business background; he also tried his hand in venture capital later on. There is some evidence which suggest that Schumpeter did not had much success in his business endeavors. He started with a thesis in economics and followed Leon Walrus, the great mathematical economist; believing equilibrium theory is the solution to every problem in economics. Schumpeter developed felt that Walruss static economic model does not take account some essential parts of economy. According to Walruss model economy is static and responds to external impulses (e.g. population growth) by trying to adapt and get back into equilibrium. In his book The Theory of Economic Development (1911) Schumpeter progressed dynamic view of entrepreneur. He emphasized that entrepreneurs are responsible for all important changes in economies, thus changes in economies are not only form external impulses. Schumpeter classified the activities in all pheno menon (including economics) as consists of two types of activities, the routine and repetitive ones and the new and innovative ones. In 2nd edition of the same book (1926) Schumpeter suggested a comprehensive theory of economics with entrepreneur placed in centre. His views became more moderate e.g. Innovation, described in terms of business cycles was simply ‘new production function (Schumpeter 1939; 87). Entrepreneurship was defined as making of new combination of already existing resources, it is innovation not invention. Accordingly no one is an entrepreneur forever but only when they are doing an act of entrepreneurship. In other words it can be concluded that humans are essentially entrepreneurial, though they differ on the extent to which they are entrepreneurial and for the time they act entrepreneurially. Schumpeters view of newness is applicable to variety of situations; he broadly categorized entrepreneurial behavior consisting of ‘essentially new a) Good; b) Method of production; c) Market; d) Source of supply and e) Organization of industry. Schumpeter also highlighted the motives behind a n act of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs are not purely motivated by profit; in his view three main factors motivate the entrepreneur The dream and will to found (strive for independence and power) The will to conquer (or thirst for success) The joy of creation ( to get things done) Considering profit motive as a contributing factor and not the foremost primary motivational factor is well founded in research. Hirschman (1967) argues that many businessmen would never start a business if they come to know in advance how difficult it was going to be. Though without any profit motive, an act of entrepreneurship may not be considered entrepreneurial. Profit motive might be acting as a catalyst which induces the act of entrepreneurship. Whereas, afterwards the entrepreneurial process requires further motives and money is not enough as motivator. After 1940s Schumpeters works consist of sociological work, mainly Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942), where he argues that routinization of change, demystification and rationalization of innovation has created an environment of less opposition towards entrepreneurs. This environment is not conducive for breading real entrepreneurship (Schumpeter). The presence of opposing force for ‘unleashing entrepreneurship has been evident throughout history, though in different forms, ranging from dissatisfaction with current job to need for a basic ‘bread earning activity. Schumpeters views entrepreneurship as not limited to a single person and organization (social or business) or institution (even as a society) can be entrepreneurial; this argument comes from his belief that theory of entrepreneurship should be based upon the actual activity of entrepreneurship rather than researchers personal injunctions. Schumpeters views on entrepreneurship does glorify entrepreneur to some extent. This element does not lend Schumpeters entrepreneur to be explained through mathematical economics. Some may view this as detrimental even unacceptable in terms of economic contribution, however in essence Schumpeters work lives on even today only because his views are ‘practical. Schumpeter ‘spoke of realities which he tried to explain through theories rather than theories trying to explain the reality. 2.1.2 The Contributions of Mainstream Economics Economics is unable to place Entrepreneurship in its mainstream theory, though the presence of entrepreneurship has been largely accepted by economists. The lack of entrepreneur from economics has been termed as the performance of Hamlet with Danish Prince missing (Baumol 1968; 64), so much so that Blaug (1986; 229) calls it a ‘scandal of keeping the students of economics unaware of entrepreneurship. Economics does have some thoughts on entrepreneurship mainly Schumpeters thoughts, which are supplemented by theories of Israel Kirzner and mark Cason. Other also takes account of William Baumol and Austrian economics such as Friedrich Von Hayek and Ludwig Von Mises. The first two economists who considered entrepreneur were both French. Richard Cantillon defined entrepreneur as those willing to buy at a certain price and sell at uncertain one. (Blaug 1986; 220) while Jean Baptise Say tertmed entrepreenruship as combining of factors of production into an organiasm. Entrepreneur and capatilst were also confused however it was suggested that entrepreneurial profit can be termed as rent of ability (Hans Von Mangoldt 1824-68). Among the Neo-classical economists entrepreneurship was classified as ‘rent on ability (Marshal 1842-1924) while others ignored entrepreneurs as neutral entities in terms of profit or loss in equilibrium conditions (Walrus cited by Schumpeter 1954: 893). Frank Knights Risk, Uncertainty and Profit (1921) explained entrepreneurship in terms of risk (where objective probability can be calculated) and Uncertainty (where nothing can be known). She classified entrepreneurial profit as profit derived from bearing uncertainty which is consistent with neo-classical framework as entrepreneurs. Mark Cason views entrepreneur as specialist on decision making regarding coordination of scarce resources (Cason 1983; 23). Isreal Kirzner termed entrepreneurship as alertedness to profit making opportunities; he argues that entrepreneurs restore the equilibrium of economy. The argument is often contrasted with Schumpeters thought of entrepreneurs as disrupting the equilibrium. Mises and Kirzner bo th agree that one entrepreneurs error becomes other entrepreneurs opportunity. Kirzners insights also draw from Ludwig Von Hayek (199-1992). Hayeks relates entrepreneurship to knowledge. The knowledge about local condition where profit can be made come more in form of ‘discovering new information rather than being preceded by analysis of already present information and diagnosing it as incomplete. The above insights are of significant importance for theory and practice. An entrepreneur is someone who takes on selected uncertainties as he is alert to ‘appropriate for profit uncertainty. Entrepreneur is specialist decision maker and goes through ‘discovery of information process. A comprehensive sketch of entrepreneurship consists of various external and internal forces shaping the process of entrepreneurship. At an individual lies the ability of a human to interpret opportunity, decide to take on an uncertain situation while discover information throughout the process. Economy is but one element of the ‘habitat of entrepreneurs, they are doing all these activities in a social setting where all non-economic social sciences become relevant to exploring the concept in further detail. 2.2 Contributions of Non-Economic Social Sciences literature Non Economic social sciences have contribution from a much larger variety of perspectives on entrepreneurship though it lacks the coherence which is the mainstay of economics literature on entrepreneurship 2.2.1 The contribution of psychology Psychological theories of entrepreneurship pay attention to personality traits, motives and incentives of one individual. Entrepreneurship has been researched by focusing on the individual since long mainly under the field of psychology. The approach used in this study adheres to these traditional approaches (that are going to be discussed in the following) which consider Entrepreneurs as unit of analysis, however it takes a more holistic view. Various studies researched the traits responsible for entrepreneurship (e.g Gartner 1998, 1989; Bird 1989, baron 1998). Psychology has mainly contributed two broad categories of insights, both have at its core, the personality of an entrepreneur 1) the trait theories of entrepreneurship take a view that internal characteristics of an individual are responsible for entrepreneurial behavior, 2) the more social psychological insights into entrepreneurship take a view that an entrepreneurs personality is shaped by outside forces (Swedberg, 2000). Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs are differentiated on the basis of attitudinal and behavioral factors. In general, tra it theorists see non-monetary rewards as the main source of motivation for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is dictated by innate characteristics. Nature rather than nurture is what would determine entrepreneurship. McLelland Winter (1971) concluded that a strong need for achievement is a distinguishing trait of entrepreneurs. Yet as Virtanen (1997) summarize In analyzing entrepreneurial behavior we should pay more attention to expectations, motives and incentives. â€Å"The forces in the brain region† (needs) foster expectations, motives and incentives to take some action. What kind of motives and incentives are required to enforce entrepreneurial activity? Why would someone start a new venture? The reasons, as well as the businesses, may differ from case to case. Why do People act entrepreneurially? The Motivation for entrepreneurship comes from diverse sources but at the individualistic level Vrooms (1964) expectancy model takes into account the desirability and the feasibility of becoming an entrepreneur. Recent studies of OECD-Member nations shows that dissatisfied people draw satisfaction from the very acting of creating own business (Noorderhaven et al., 2003; Hofstede et al., 2004). Results of studies focusing on trait theories show a large variation of characteristics that are held responsible for entrepreneurialism e.g. need for achievement and strong urge to build (David McClelland ,1961), toughness, pragmatism unwilling to submit to authority (Collins and Moore, 1970), mercurial, cunning, opportunistic, creative, and unsentimental behaviour (Bird, 1992), overconfidence (Busenitz and Barney 1997). Trait theories project the image of entrepreneur as some one who is (or assumes to be) in control historically because of higher need for achievement and high self-efficacy. This high level of self control has roots in Descartes philosophy of self, which argues: While the external world, including the thinkers body, is subject to the laws of physics and other external contingencies, the mind is not. I, being pure mind, enjoy a supreme degree of independence from my body and everything physical. †¦..The radical separation of mind and bodyand of the mental and the physical in generalis known as Cartesian Dualism†. (frostburg, September 2007) The field of Psychology has produced more studies than either in mainstream economics or sociology (Chell et al 1991). The status of psychological theories of entrepreneurship is fairly low among social scientist mainly because firstly, the existence of a distinct blueprint for ‘entrepreneurial personality is doubted and secondly, psychology has tried to explain about entrepreneurship what other fields e.g. sociology or economic history would be better equipped to explain (Swedberg, 2000). 2.2.2 Sociological view of entrepreneurship Indeed, some theories have pointed at the dynamic view of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial process feeds on change and in fact can create it, as Bagby (1988, 5) concludes: â€Å"Entrepreneurs capitalize on change, or even create it.† This means that Change and dynamism can be favorable for entrepreneurship. This thought leads to a process view of entrepreneurship which is dynamic â€Å"Entrepreneurship is the process of doing something new and something different for the purpose of creating wealth for the individual and adding value to society† (Raymond 1993). The notion of ‘becoming emphasizes the nature of the entrepreneurial process as a dynamic rather than static phenomenon. According to Bygrave Hofer (1991, 14) the later contains all the functions, activities, and actions associated with the perceiving of opportunities and the creation of organizations to pursue them†. The process itself is not taking place in vacuum. Social institutions play a major role, they are defined as the written and unwritten ‘rules of the game: laws, norms, beliefs, etc. (North 1990). How the social system works varies and different social system that places a high value on innovation, risk-taking, and independence is more likely to produce entrepreneurial events than a system with contrasting values (Amir, 2006). The way in which culture, societal values and personality create this effect is complex and highly interrelated 2.3 Entrepreneurship as an embedded process In this thesis I will propose that entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in society. It is a dynamic process of interaction between socio-cultural factors and personal attributes; change is the essential ingredient of this process. Such embeddedness perspective is highly relevant to most of the eastern part of the world. The reasons for greater need for affiliation, strong family structure and embeddedness is one plausible explanation is given by Amir (2006), the environment of weak resource-sharing institutions are vulnerable and thus entrepreneurs ‘must bond themselves by affiliating with a social network. For deeper insights the entrepreneurial process rather than entrepreneur in isolation should be researched. Entrepreneurship is an economic process drawing from the social context which influences outcomes, so it is fitting to call it socio-economic. Jack and Anderson (2002) emphasize that; â€Å"Embeddedness is process whereby entrepreneur (acting as agent) becomes a part of the local structure; both the agent and structure affect each other through diverse mechanisms. The social structures nature is understood; ties forged through enactment of re-enactment and maintained, this leads to drawing on resources and creating opportunities.† 2.4 Discussion Entrepreneurs give different understandings to their own selves and may be acting entrepreneurially and not knowing, For instance, a businessman may say that why would he want to know if he is entrepreneurial or not, he thinks he is (Gartner, 1990). It is mo

Drug Use and Addiction :: Drug Use and Addiction

Have you ever dealt with the effects of drugs firsthand? A drug is a substance which has a psychological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. The causes of drug use can vary depending on the person. According to â€Å"Causes and types of narcotic addiction: A Psychosocial View† in the Psychiatric Quarterly it says, â€Å"The causes of drugs stem from the manner of which you were introduced to it whether it be by abnormal curiosity, chance encounters with addicts and narcotic peddlers, or prolonged illness† (Ausubel). So in other words its somewhat bad luck if you become addicted. The effects of drugs can be different in certain people as well whether it be for pleasure or to take away the pain. Most of the effects of drugs occur in the brain, where it increases the level of dopamine at a specific site possibly giving the addict the pleasure they were feigning for (Robbins). I believe I was around the age of six when I started noticing the sign s of my Aunty Wendy becoming extremely skinny and looking somewhat unhealthy. As a child I didn’t know much about drugs except for what your parents and teachers at school tell you which is,â€Å"Just Say No.† The signs of a drug addiction consist of a high craving of drugs with no regard for the way in which it is acquired (Plos). Those signs are exactly the signs she showed in the kitchen that day besides how she physically looked. For awhile my aunt went missing due to drugs and then one day she turned up at the backdoor of my grandpa’s home. As I was playing on the steps of grandparents’ home I recognized my aunt. She was begging to come inside the house. Conveniently, enough, my Aunty Sharon, her sister, was in the kitchen and let her in, but my grandfather quickly put her back outside because he didn’t want her in his house if she was on drugs. Not too long after that day my Aunty Wendy got into trouble with drugs and was sent to rehab. According to â€Å"Drug Addiction Treatment Methods† on Drug-rehabs.com it says, â€Å"There are several types of drug abuse treatment programs. Short-term methods last less than 6 months and include residential therapy, medication therapy, and drug-free outpatient therapy. Longer term treatment may include, for example, methadone maintenance outpatient treatment for opiate addicts and residential therapeutic community treatment† (Drug).

Senior Science Half Yearly Revision

Senior Science Half-Yearly Revision 1. Surface tension – A property of the surface of a liquid. It is what causes the surface portion of liquid to be attracted to another surface, such as that of another portion of liquid. Surface tension is caused by cohesion (the attraction of molecules to like molecules). Since the molecules on the surface of the liquid are not surrounded by like molecules on all sides, they are more attracted to their neighbours on the surface. Mercury has a high surface tension. The meniscus of water is concave whilst the meniscus of mercury is convex. When a water strider is on the surface of the fluid, the surface under tension will behave like an elastic membrane. There will be a small depression on the surface of the water. The vertical components of the forces by the molecules on the object will balance out the weight of the object. 2. Biomaterials are special materials that are biocompatible. They are able to function in contact with the living tissue with minimal rejection from the body. A biomedical device are implants that are engineered from biomaterial and designed to perform specific functions of the body. Titanium alloy – low-density, non-toxic, biocompatible, strong, and non-corrosive. Plastics (polymers) – biocompatible, not-toxic, non-corrosive, smooth, flexible, and low-density. 3. Muscles – Muscles look like bundles of pale pink tissue which pull the bone. Tendons – Tendons are shiny white tissues at the ends of the muscles that attach muscles to bones. Ligaments – Ligaments connect bones to other bones at joints. They look like a shiny white covering of the joint surfaces. Cartilage – Between the bones is another shiny white material that is slippery. This is cartilage, which helps the bones move without grinding against one another, or without causing trauma. 4. Why is it important for detergents to be biodegradable – Non-biodegradable detergents could build up in waterways and cause significant and long-term damage. Biodegradable can be broken down by the action of living things like bacteria and other microbes. 5. Transdermal Patches – Slow and steady drug release directly into the bloodstream is the main benefit of skin patches. The drug is encased in a polymer which slowly releases the drug. E. g. Nicotine patches. Subdermal Implants – Devices implanted under the skin are also being developed to deliver drugs at a controlled rate. E. g. Contraceptives. It consists of six flexible silicon tubes filled with a five-year supply of the contraceptive hormone. It is implanted in the upper arm, and small amounts of the hormone continuously seep through the permeable tubes into the bloodstream. 6. Water is important in making medicines because generally, the more water soluble a drug, the quicker will be its absorption. It can be administered orally (as solutions, or in capsules or tablets) and by injection. Water acts as a solvent. . What causes the sound of a heartbeat – The first heart sound (lub) is caused by the acceleration and deceleration of blood and a vibration of the heart at the time of the closure of the tricuspid and mitral valves. The second heart sound (dub) is caused by the same acceleration and deceleration of blood and vibrations at the time of closure of the pulmonic an d aortic valves. Basically, the sound comes from the heart valves closing. 8. Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lower the interfacial tension between two liquids. Surfactants improve water's ability to wet things, spread over surfaces, and seep into dirty clothes fibres. One end of their molecule is attracted to water, while the other end is attracted to dirt and grease. So the surfactant molecules help water to get a hold of grease, break it up, and wash it away. Soaps and detergents are both emulsifying agents and surfactants. 9. Colloid – a type of mixture in which one substance is dispersed evenly throughout another. Particles that remain suspended for a long time. Suspension – a mixture containing particles that settle out or form layers. Particles that settle out or form layers. Solute – the substance to be dissolved. Solvent – the substance in which to be dissolved in. Solution – a group of molecules that are mixed up in a completely even distribution. Dissolved substances. Mixture – is when two or more different substances are mixed together but not combined chemically. 10. Non-invasive medical techniques – X-ray and Ultrasound. Advantages – does make an incision into the skin and short or no hospital stay. Disadvantages – may not be able to detect all problems. Minimally invasive – Keyhole surgery and Angioplasty. Advantages – get a detailed diagnostic report. Disadvantages – long hospital stay. 11. Hydrophilic – refers to a physical property of a molecule that can transiently bond with water (H2O) through hydrogen bonding. Heads stick in the water, tails stick out of the water. Hydrophobic – is the physical property of a molecule that is repelled from a mass of water. Tails stick in the water, heads stick out of the water. 12. If plaque or fats get deposited in the arteries, it slowly blocks blood from flowing freely to the heart. Plaque deposits that have built up inside arteries can be reduced by the technique called angioplasty. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size. The balloon crushes the fatty deposits, so opening up the blood vessel to improved flow, and the balloon is then collapsed and withdrawn. 13. Lubricants: Use – Reduces friction between moving parts. Precautions – Some are flammable-keep away from flames. Pesticides: Use – Kills pests. Precautions – Toxic-do not swallow, inhale or spill on skin. Solvents: Use – Dissolves dirt on clothes, turpentine to clean paintbrushes, oven cleaners to dissolve fat. Precautions – Some are flammable and toxic. Drain and oven cleaners are corrosive and will burn skin badly. Do not swallow, inhale or spill on skin. Cosmetics: Use – Perfumes to produce a fragrant and pleasant scent. Make-up to change appearance. Hair gel to change a particular hairstyle. Precautions – May cause an allergic reaction in susceptible people. Sprays may be dangerous to inhale. Preservatives: Use – Prevent bacteria growing in food. Precautions – May cause illness if eaten. Sulphur dioxide may cause asthma. May cause learning difficulties. 14. Diagram of the Heart 15. Parts of the Digestive System 16. The pH of the stomach is between 2 -3. This acidic condition will help kill bacteria and mix the food with digestive juices. The pH of the small intestine is between 7. 5-8. This alkaline condition helps in complete digestion and absorption of the food. 17. Role of skin – Helps maintain a constant body temperature. Micro-flora – Protects the body from disease. 18. Water-soluble vitamins: 8 B vitamins and vitamin C. Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E and K. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water, and in general, are readily excreted from the body, to the degree that urinary output is a strong predictor of vitamin consumption. Because they are not readily stored, consistent daily intake is important. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids (fats). They are more likely to accumulate in the body.

Art Experience Essay

Abstract Through the journey of Art, one can experience many ideas and also learn how far his or her imagination can take them. While visiting the 621 Gallery located in Tallahassee, Florida, I learned that art does not necessarily have to consist of paintings or drawings but that it could also consist of steel made up into shapes and patterns that can represent some for of existence or portion of history. The first peice of atrwork that I would like to analyize was created by Charles Hook. The peice is call Fernis and it is painted steel that was done in 2007.It is a part of the permanent collection there at the gallery and it seems to be shaped up into the form of a dragon of some sort. It is black in color and seems to be the head of a dragon who seems to be opening it’s mouth with a gesture as if it is about to get very angry and possible send out a roaring hurl of fire. The tongue of the dragon is sticking out and the eyes are slanted. The dragon does not have a body, jus t only the head is seen here which to me seems to leave the viewer with more of a chance to imagine what could have possiblyhappen to this poor creature of extinction.The fact that the steel peice is located out in a woody area is also interesting because it seem to show that shrubbery has since then emerged around this image creating a scene to me that the dragon could have been seen in more recent of times, thats if one has a greater imagination. Being that dragons were considered to be winged beasts that were ruler of the water and the lands around them, this peice of art was interesting to me beacuse it makes me wonder how can such of beast of this great nature (ruler of the land and sea) end up with no body parts and be represented in a civilization where in all but his exist.The second peice of artwork that I would like to analyze is a peice created by James Davis. This peice is entitled, This is Something We Had to go Through. It is made of Steel and Cast Iron in 2004-2005. T his peice must have been for sale as it is priced at $10,000. The peice of artwork seems to be a wall that has the been ran through by maybe a soldier of war that has been in training. The wall also has a breakage area noted that looks as if the wall began to crack open as the force from the soldiers running through it caused it to crack open.I think this peice is a perfect representation of war times and one can imagine the types of training that the soldiers were asked to perform in order to get them ready for dthe next battle at hand. The two peices of artwork seem to be similar in that they both represent creatures of war and protection of territory in some form or fashion to me. I enjoyed viewing the peices as it broadens my mind and makes me take into consideration that there is a message in each peice of artwork whether it be a statue, painting, column, or just the impressionism of a male or female, flower or great wall of any nature.The viewer must be able to open up and und erstand that art is a creation of feelings, emotions and experiences that one has been through and that we must be able to try to open our eyes and see what the artist is trying to express as a whole. Art work can also be made out of many forms of material. It can be made of canvas, stone, steel and even objects found by many in things such as trash and even found in nature. Artists can be young or old. Imagination can become astounding when used spontaneously.

What is Dyslexia essays

What is Dyslexia essays Accommodating a Disability: Adults with Learning Disabilities Whether we graduate from highschool or college we all hope to find a challenging career that will propel us forward in todays society. For those suffering from dyslexia this only adds to the frustration and fears associated with seeking employment. Many adults with dyslexia or other forms of learning disabilities never disclose their disability in interviews or once employed for fear of being discriminated against. Several investigators have noted, however, that many persons with learning disabilities adjust well to the demands and complexities of adulthood. (Greenbaum et al. 1996). The basic cause of dyslexia is still not known, however, much research is being done to determine the problems underlying dyslexia. In many cases, dyslexia is highly inherited. Studies have shown a number of genes that may set the stage for its development. Characteristics of dyslexia are now more apparent to educators than ever before. Early educational interventions are helping individuals to manage their dyslexia. There have been some studies that attend to accommodating persons with learning disabilities in post-secondary and occupational settings. Only a few articles will be reviewed having been found worthy of this subject. However, before reviewing the articles, in order to gain a greater understanding of the types of learning disabilities people face lets define one of the most significant learning problems: dyslexia. A Type of Learning Disability: What is Dyslexia? The word dyslexia is derived form the Greek dys (meaning poor or inadequate) and lexis (works or language). Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in expressive or receptive, oral or written language. Problems may emerge in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening. Dyslexia is not a disease; it has no cure. Dyslexia describes a different kind of mind...

Word Choice Tortuous vs. Torturous - Proofread My Paper

Word Choice Tortuous vs. Torturous - Proofread My Paper Word Choice: Tortuous vs. Torturous The way that language evolves is fascinating to word nerds like us, especially how different words develop from the same origins. â€Å"Tortuous† and â€Å"torturous,† for example, can both be traced back to the Latin term torquÄ“re, which means â€Å"to twist.† This shared root is why these words are similarly spelled. However, â€Å"tortuous† and â€Å"torturous† also have importantly distinct meanings, so you need to know how each is used. Tortuous (Twisting or Complicated) The literal meaning of â€Å"tortuous† is fairly close to its Latin origins, since it means â€Å"full of twists.† We might use this term to describe a long and twisting route, for instance: They followed the tortuous road up the mountain. Are we nearly there yet?(Photo: Srdjan Marincic/wikimedia) However, â€Å"tortuous† can also mean â€Å"excessively complicated,† such as in the following: It was difficult to follow his tortuous speech and the audience left the hall confused. The important thing to remember is that â€Å"tortuous† mean â€Å"twisting† or â€Å"complicated.† Torturous (Involving Torture or Suffering) â€Å"Torture† refers to inflicting pain as punishment or to gain information (e.g., â€Å"the confession was given under torture†). It can also mean â€Å"extreme pain or suffering.† The term â€Å"torturous† therefore means â€Å"related to or involving torture†: Prolonged solitary confinement is considered a torturous punishment. More generally, we sometimes use â€Å"torturous† to describe something that is very unpleasant: Professor Jones’ lectures were torturously dull. These uses might seem a long way from the root of â€Å"twist,† but they make more sense if you imagine someone writhing and twisting in pain while being tortured! Were not sure whats happening here, but it definitely looks torturous. Tortuous or Torturous? â€Å"Tortuous† and â€Å"torturous† are often confused because something â€Å"tortuous† (i.e., complicated) could also be considered â€Å"torturous† (i.e., unpleasant). For example: G. W. F. Hegel’s tortuous writing is torturous to read. Possibly not a fun-loving dude. Nevertheless, since these terms have very distinct meanings when used literally, you should always make sure you’ve picked the right word for what you’re describing. Remember: Tortuous = Twisting or complicated Torturous = Involving torture or suffering

David Gregg and the History of the Optical Disk

David Gregg and the History of the Optical Disk An optical disk is a plastic-coated disk that stores digital data. Tiny pits are etched into the disk surface that are read with a laser scanning the surface. The technology behind the optical disk is the foundation for similiar formats including CDs and DVDs. David Gregg The optical disk is an analog video optical disk format. The original format provided full bandwidth composite video and two analog audio tracks (digital audio tracks were added later). The optical disk (commonly known as the laser disc as trademarked by Pioneer) was replaced in popularity by the introduction of DVD in 1997. David Gregg Speaks on the Invention of the Optical Disk ...By dumbing down an electron beam to visible wavelengths, modulating it to the standard PWM video frequency, and reducing the power to photoresistive requirements, an e-beam optical videodisk mastering system was practical and commercially available in the late 50s. However, this simple and practical means of mastering was abandoned by others in favor of more costly and time delaying technology: the laser, the supreme toy of the moment for techies. Impact of David Greggs Patents Digital Versatile Disc or DVD and LaserDisc from PioneerMiniDisc from Sony Compact Disc or CD from Philips the 3M Company List of Patents for Optical Disk Technology Continue Extract from Optical Disk Patent Special thanks goes to Tom Peterson for providing information for this page including the words of David Gregg. David Gregg was Toms father by adoption. A transparent plastic disc is described in the Copending Application Ser. No. 627,701, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,966, issued March 4, 1969, in which picture information in the form of video signals is recorded on one or both sides of the disc. The recorded picture information on the disc is intended to be reproduced, for example, through a television receiver, by playing the disc on a turntable and by directing a light beam through the disc, as described in the Copending Application Ser. No. 507,474 now, abandoned, and its continuation-in-part application, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,258. The light beam is modulated by the video recordings on the disc, and a pick-up head is provided which responds to the resulting light signals to transform them into corresponding electrical video or picture signals for playback purposes. The present invention is concerned with such a video disc record, and with a duplication process by which a multiplicity of such records may be mass-produced from a master record die. The material of the disc record surface is made such to be appropriate for embossing and to enable, under suitable temperature conditions, a slight force pressing the disc surface against a master die to cause the impressions on the surface of the die to be embossed into the surface of the disc. With such an embossing process, there is no transverse flow of the disc material, as occurs in the usual prior art stamping or molding processes, as are presently being used in the production of phonograph sound records, for example, and by which the actual surface of the record is raised above its melting point. The stamping techniques presently being used in the manufacture of phonograph records are not suitable for the extraordinarily fine microgrooves and patterns required by video frequency recordings of picture information. Such stamping techniques as are presently being used in the production of phonograph sound records require that the master record die be heated to a temperature above the melting point of the vinyl or other plastic material used in the phonograph record. In the prior art phonograph record duplicating process, a biscuit of the vinyl or other plastic material is placed in a stamper, and the heated master record die is brought down onto one or both surfaces of the biscuit. The plastic of the biscuit surface is melted and caused to flow radially into the spaces defined by the impressions on the master die surface. As mentioned above, this stamping technique by present day standards appears to be unsuited for the extremely fine micro-spiral grooves required for video frequency recordings. As an alternative to the present day practice, and as will be described, a video disc record blank of laminated transparent plastic construction may be provided, the laminated record having a surface layer of relatively soft transparent plastic of any suitable known type, and which can be readily embossed; and a supporting base of a rigid plastic, such as an acrylic resin or polyvinyl chloride. As a first step in the alternate approach, the laminated disc record blank is heated to a point at which the surface tension of the surface material causes the surface to be smooth and regular. This temperature is the critical temperature at which embossed impressions may be formed on the disc surface, and it is below the melting point of the surface material. The embossing die(s) is(are) heated to a temperature slightly above the critical temperature, and it(they) and the record blank are brought together with a slight pressure. As the die(s) and the record blank are brought together, the die(s) is(are) cooled to the aforesaid critical temperature, and its (their) surface impressions are embossed into the surface(s) of the record. Obviously, if two sides are being embossed, two embossing dies are required. The supporting structure would require modification, but such modification is well within the skill of the art. After the disc record has been embossed, as described above, an opaque mask is deposited into the portions of its surface around the resulting embossed micro-grooves. This latter mask may be formed on the disc by using a vacuum deposition technique, as will be described. The aforesaid disc record, when laminated in accordance with the aforesaid alternate approach, is used in order to present the desired surface characteristics for optimum embossing capabilities, and yet so that the record itself may be rugged and suitable for rough usage. The laminated structure of the record comprises reasonably tough and dimensionally stable clear plastic for the main body of the disc; and a plastic material on one or both surfaces of the disc which is most suited for embossing. The combination provides a video record disc which is useful, which can take on appropriate amount of handling, and which still can be embossed easily and effectively.

Libertarian and Non-Authoritarian Schooling Systems Essay

Libertarian and Non-Authoritarian Schooling Systems - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that one of the most popular free schools in the UK is Summerhill, formed by A.S Neil in 1924. Today, the school is still witnessing sharp government criticisms and constant inspections, which resulted in a court case in 2000. The White Lion Street Free School is also one of the popular free schools in Britain. This school offers a space where kids can exercise freedom and democracy. The libertarian element of the school is based on the principle of equitable distribution of power. To achieve this objective, there are no distinctions between teachers and workers at school, like maintenance of personnel and chefs. To the proponents of such schools, the process of learning should start with the assessments of the individuals’ needs and objectives, as opposed to the societal demands. The basis of the establishments of free schools is that the students set limits to their own independence and freedom and decide on their own when they will learn and what they need to learn. As a result, this form of schooling usually stands in the way of critical pedagogy. Summerhill School and White Lion Free School are some of the examples of freedom-based schools. Summerhill School is one of the famous free schools in the United Kingdom, formed by A.S Neill in 1924. Today, the school is still being run by the management of Leiston, Neill’s daughter, in spite of the constant government criticisms and scrutiny which resulted in a court case in 2000.

Catalysis and catalysts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Catalysis and catalysts - Essay Example With this introduction, this essay will demonstrate how catalysts speed up reactions, explain how they work by using the enthalpy reaction profiles, and demonstrate the difference between the heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and showing examples (Bruice, 2007). A reaction can be sped up by a catalyst since they offer an optional route for the reactions to happen. They lessen the necessary reaction energy for the reactants to create products, therefore, atoms; at any given time will have the necessary energy for activation in order for the products to form. This principle is based on the collision particle theory (Gates, 1992) Reactant molecules interaction with catalysts to provide other routes for the response that connects a lower activation as compared to that of the non-catalyzed reactions. Many of the molecules that interact have energies that are bigger as compared to the lower enthalpy activation. Many of the collisions therefore end in a successful reaction and the conversion rates of reactant to product are enhanced and this demonstrates how catalysts function through enthalpy profiles (McNaught and Wilkinson, 1997) The two main groups of catalysts are homogeneous and heterogeneous. The catalyst in a heterogeneous reaction is in a diverse state as compared to the reactant. Catalyst in a homogeneous reaction is in a similar state as the reactant(Bell, 1973). This is pointless, in practice, because ethane that is extremely useful is being converted to ethane that is relatively useless. The same reaction however will occur with any compound having a double bond of carbon-carbon. In the vegetable oils hydrogenation one of the vital industrial applications is in its use in making margarine that also entails carbon-carbon double bond reaction in the vegetable oil with a nickel catalyst having a hydrogen presence. Hydrogen is created as before a link with the carbon, and that eventually also ends up breaking free. On the nickel’s surface

Anguil Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anguil - Research Paper Example The company won the prestigious United States Chamber of Commerce award which s fitted to the best managed company in a given year. The company underwent major changes in its leadership structure in the year 2008 with Gen Anguil retaining his CEO positions but with fewer responsibilities. Chris Anguil who at the time was the Vice President in charge of Sales and Marketing became the President of the company while Deb Anguil who until then served as the Vice President of the Operations became the Chief Operating Officer. The company is being driven by its slogan which states, â€Å"Committed to Cleaner Air† that has motivated it over the years to develop a complete understanding of the processes of each customer as well as acquisition of a thorough knowledge on the application of the regulatory requirements. As a company dealing with thermal and catalytic oxidizers, the company offers a wide range of technologically advanced air pollution control products which are used in the abatement process of industrial emissions. Various forms of industrial emissions include Volatile Organic Compounds, odors and Hazardous Air pollutants. The company engages in the manufacturing of equipment, their installation as well as process analysis. In order to promote good customer relations, it ensures a 24 hour post sale service so as to ensure that their products operate effectively to the satisfaction of the customers. In offering industrial energy and heat recovery solutions, the company offers a unique blend of time-tested means of energy regulation as well as modern innovative approaches to such initiatives. The company designs manufacture as well as install energy recovery systems. The systems are geared towards reducing the operation costs of the customers, lowering their energy consumptions as well as maximizing on their revenues. The readily available energy recovery and heat transfer systems include air to steam exchangers,

Economic Development Middle East and South Asia Essay

Economic Development Middle East and South Asia - Essay Example The dramatic increase of oil prices can be related to the Arab-Israeli war that occurred in the year 1973 and the Iranian revolution which occurred in 1979. The oil producing states in the Middle East have directly benefited from the high export earnings brought by oil earnings. Further, there has been a decrease in the employment opportunities due to the blooming economies of these oil producing states (Askari 9). Non oil producing countries in the Middle East have also benefited even though they do not produce oil. Their citizens have crossed borders to seek for employment opportunities as well as suitable markets for doing business. Further, several citizens in the non oil producing countries have migrated in order to earn money as teachers, construction workers and engineers in the oil fields. The earnings from the employment opportunities for these citizens have very important for the growth of countries like Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and Palestine. During the period of economic development in the oil producing countries in this region, non oil producing countries also gained from the high levels of foreign aid they were able to get from the oil producing countries (Askari 9). The increased oil revenues in the Middle East brought about several developments, especially in the social scene. The country’s infant mortality as well as life expectancy was improved. The infant mortality rates were halved while life expectancy in the Middle East region rose to over ten years. On the education sector, more citizens were able to enroll for school. Adult education levels were also on the rise (Rodney 45). Further, another benefit for increased oil revenues led to the decreased gap between the poor and the rich. This show that while the revenues from oil were increasing, some countries developed faster than the others in their national wealth. The major oil producing countries especially those with low population in the gulf were able to substantially improve the lives of their citizens. The income level per person in these countries would in some cases, surpass those of the European countries. On the contrary, countries such as Jordan and Yemen have remained t o be the poorest in the region as well as in the world (Rodney 45). The economic growth, however, came to a decline in 1986. This period witnessed the decrease of oil prices from $28 per barrel to $10 per barrel. This huge drop in the price of oil was as a result of the overproduction of oil in these states. Consequently, the huge economic gains that had been made started to decrease. This decline in the economy led to the loss of employment opportunities as well as numerous job losses. Further, the non oil producing countries were not able to get foreign aid they had previously enjoyed from the oil producing countries (Rodney 45). Economic future The Middle East is currently being challenged by various factors in their economies. The most evident factor is the rapid population growth. The average population growth in the Middle East currently stands at 3% per year. This means that the population in a given state will double in every 20 years. The increased rate of population growth in this region is one of the highest in the world. The sub Saharan region in Africa still leads in the population growth rate in the world (Askari 10). Large population growth leads to various challenges in the economy and the available resources.

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Essay

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS - Essay Example that professional ethics is a constant feature in the legal profession, modern legal practice has attracted renewed attention to how professional ethics applies to the profession. For example, while discourse on professional ethics in legal practice tended to focus more on sensational cases such as lawyers knowingly keeping a secret that is life-threatening, some modern scholars are advocating for an interpretive approach that focuses on ordinary cases. According to Markovits, using sensational cases to analyze or evaluate professional ethics in the legal practice is contrary to the principle that ‘great cases make bad laws’.1 The purpose of this paper is to assess the content and role of ethics in modern legal practice. Ethics is a broad topic. Even within the legal practice, the subject of ethics covers a wide range of issues and areas. There are volumes of books, articles, and publications on professional ethics as it applies to the legal practice. However, to understand the general content of ethics in the modern legal practice, it is important to focus narrowly on some of the most recent discourses on ethics. In this respect, the paper will focus on the Model Code developed and administered by the American Bar Association (ABA). Some of the main ethical issues contain the Model Code of client-lawyer relationship, professional integrity, and information management. It is worth noting that the Model Code has undergone various revisions to fit the modern legal practice because the original canons were specifically meant for the legal practice in the past.2 Under professional ethics for practicing lawyers, one of the fundamental principles is the need for a professional and confidential relationship between the lawyer and the client. Under this ethical principle, several issues are covered including confidentiality, fees, conflicts of interest, and professionalism. For instance, it would be considered unethical for a lawyer to engage with a client with whom

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Business Ethics - Essay Example Thus, it is expected that the modern business will work for achieving growth and success for both the individual company and their communities (Business Ethics). The social and environmental thinking of business not only encompass a legal duty but also the long-term success of the business. Argument Businesses are operated within the society using the resources from and depending on the society for the proper functioning of the business operations. Therefore attending to the welfare of the society is an obligation or a responsibility on the part of the business organizations. Thus, the social responsibility of business forbids businesspersons in adopting unfair policies that may maximize the profit of the business but harm the interest of the society. Welfare activities on the part of the business organization gain benevolence and reputation. Business carrying out their duties properly can avoid government regulations. The employees are more satisfied if a good working environment is provided with some additional facilities. This in turn increases their productivity and hence facilitates the business. Last but not the least, providing quality products to the consumers at competitive prices is also necessary in the days of increasing consumer awareness about their rights. The integral development of human being is related with the obligations that may arise because of the relationship of man with the environment. Business or the material environment has been taking its toll on the environment and questioning the sustainability of future generations with the increasing pollution, new illnesses and its destructive capacity. If these are not immediately controlled then it may create immense problem for the entire human class. The problems of the ecological and environmental crisis cannot be looked upon distinctly from the notions of development. The obligations of the business towards the environment include consideration of the environment in the decision-making p rocesses and thereafter supervise the activities. There are obligations including monitoring of proper discharge of water. Proper insurance should be done against environmental damage. The environmental taxes and the charges should be paid properly. The land that is being used for the construction purpose should follow proper planning norms and the environmental legislation unit of the country should approve the product. According to the definition of sustainable development, a development is said to be sustainable if the present generation can provide the future generations with at least the same benefits that it inherited from the past generation if not more. However, if the environmental degradation continues then the future generation will not be left also with their basic requirements for a proper living. Since the natural resources are scarce, the use of those resources by the business organizations in their production should be limited and handed in a proper manner to reduce misutilization. Negligence or refusal on the part of a few people in handling the stewardship of the environment in a responsible manner may invite the larger population to experience ‘increased hardship’. The creation of the God is for all human beings and generations and hence needed to be shared equally by the humanity as a whole. The supplies of certain natural resources

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Essay

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS - Essay Example that professional ethics is a constant feature in the legal profession, modern legal practice has attracted renewed attention to how professional ethics applies to the profession. For example, while discourse on professional ethics in legal practice tended to focus more on sensational cases such as lawyers knowingly keeping a secret that is life-threatening, some modern scholars are advocating for an interpretive approach that focuses on ordinary cases. According to Markovits, using sensational cases to analyze or evaluate professional ethics in the legal practice is contrary to the principle that ‘great cases make bad laws’.1 The purpose of this paper is to assess the content and role of ethics in modern legal practice. Ethics is a broad topic. Even within the legal practice, the subject of ethics covers a wide range of issues and areas. There are volumes of books, articles, and publications on professional ethics as it applies to the legal practice. However, to understand the general content of ethics in the modern legal practice, it is important to focus narrowly on some of the most recent discourses on ethics. In this respect, the paper will focus on the Model Code developed and administered by the American Bar Association (ABA). Some of the main ethical issues contain the Model Code of client-lawyer relationship, professional integrity, and information management. It is worth noting that the Model Code has undergone various revisions to fit the modern legal practice because the original canons were specifically meant for the legal practice in the past.2 Under professional ethics for practicing lawyers, one of the fundamental principles is the need for a professional and confidential relationship between the lawyer and the client. Under this ethical principle, several issues are covered including confidentiality, fees, conflicts of interest, and professionalism. For instance, it would be considered unethical for a lawyer to engage with a client with whom

A New Era for Newark Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A New Era for Newark - Essay Example Newark is a perfect example of a failed state but brought to life by an exemplary leader. Newark in New Jersey, fresh from riots in 1967, was transformed into a wonderful state by Mayor Booker. This article analyzes Mayor Booker, what made him a leader so extra ordinary that he managed to transform Newark into a successful state and how he managed to work with others with the main of transforming Newark. Newark was engulfed in violence and businesses were closed down. This effectively ensured that its economy was grounded as businesses are the main circulation of money in state. The social classes were dismantled which saw the middle class move away. Obviously, this would present quite a challenge for any leader mandated with reviving Newark. Even in the contemporary world today, it takes lots of effort from a lot of people to patch together a nation or sate that was torn apart by war. Fortunately, this was not the case for Newark for Brook was equal to the task. Lots of people were taken by surprise how the mayor managed to transform Newark. It takes a lot of leadership abilities to manage with Cory Booker managed. Four decades after the homicide, Newark is utterly different with a fresh economy. Brook admits that hard work is a key factor in making a prominent leader. It is his hard work that enabled him to effectively mobilize his team towards achieving better Newark. In essence, hard work is always necessary for one to make desire achievements, and just like anybody would do, Cory Brook was hard working, and his success is purely attributed to it. Brook s with his police officers till the wee hours of the morning. Besides this being a show of hard work, it also shows that he was a team leader. Leading by example is a character trait of any leader. In order to effectively mobilize a team, it is indispensable to first show an outstanding support for the specified agenda. By staying late with the police doing patrols, the police could easily be motivated even in the absence of the mayor. This show of solidarity with the patrolling police is among the qualities that are attributed to Cory Brook. Solidarity develops a feeling of togetherness within a particular group there fostering unity and motivation. In any case, Cory Brook is undoubtedly a transformational leader. This is in line with what he achieved with Newark. Indeed, it takes a transformational leader to accomplish what the mayor accomplished. Raising Newark from ashes is a true testimony to this fete. His lead by example philosophy alone speaks volume about his transformational abilities. However, some critics may argue that his decision to turn down President Barrack Obama’s appointment is a hint that Brook may be having a phobia for bigger duties. Naturally, a transformational leader should not be afraid of any tasks, however big they are, but he was still entitled to making his own independent decisions no matter what people though. Cory Brook would surely be a benefic iary of the development techniques. Development techniques are essential because they help leaders to become even better leader. Leadership is a development pattern in which people try to adopt their leadership style and abilities to suit the current dynamics of governance. As much as Brook was an exemplary mayor, it does not necessarily mean that he would properly fit in

Importance of Early Childhood Education

Importance of Early Childhood Education Brain in early childhood takes what environment offers and learning environment that challenges and motivate children is the first preparation of child education. The education given in early childhood shapes foundation of the life and helps mental and academic development of child. It is very essential to recognize importance of early childhood education and how it effects to persons life. Effective curriculum and education in early childhood encourage and develop language skill and ability to acquire vocabulary. Throughout the play and education, children learn social skills along with how to deal with others and develop their own values. Importance of Early Childhood Education In old days, people used to think that children dont have ability to distinguish what is right and wrong so there is no need to educate them in their early ages. However, even though it is true that they cant differentiate right or wrong, it is also true that children absorb everything what they hear and see like sponge and therefore early education is essential. The education given in early childhood shapes foundation of the life and helps mental and academic development of child. It is very essential to recognize importance of early childhood education and how it effects to persons life. Research and study on brain development shows how closely they connect to development of emotional, physical, and social capability of individuals. If these fundamental capabilities are not developed in early ages, it would affect to childs learning potentials. Early childhood is defined as first eight years of life of individual. Eighty-five percent of brain develops by age of five and brain of child in age of three have 2.5 times more active brain than adults (McCarthy, 2011). The learning experience of diverse areas in early childhood makes number of childrens brain connection and such brain cell connection strengthens by continuous new stimulation from the environment (McCarthy, 2011). Brain takes what environment offers and there is prime time that brain absorbs new information like sponge especially in the first three years of life (Bouchard Gilles, 2011). By proving proper education in early childhood, children learn basic foundation of their whole life and also develop social, mental, and academic activities. Among many benefits of early childhood education, most fundamental reason is that education provided in five to eight years is very influential to what kind of person a child would grow up and is vital for academic and mental development of an individual. Effective curriculum and education in early childhood encourage and develop language skill and ability to acquire vocabulary. According to early childhood education research journal, most capacity of language skill of learning vocabulary, which is a foundation for literacy, develops by ages of three (Bouchard Gilles, 2011). Bouchard and Gilles have studied the importance of encouraging language skills in early childhood and argued that educators who are in daycare services by age of five have lots of opportunities of stimulating practice that helps children to acquire language skills (Bouchard Gilles, 2011). Studies show that how educational setting and specific training of language skills can develop and promote language skills of children. The studies were conducted at daycare center with 22 educators and 174 children and language skills practice have been divided into three parts; educator wait and listen, educator follows childs lead, and educator adjusts childs sentence. Practice that educators adjust childrens language shows rather few instances than educators wait and listen. Children in groups that educator waits and listens what they say and educator follow childs lead tried to use new vocabulary and to finish their sentence while children in group that educator makes correction when they use wrong grammar or vocabulary didnt use any new words and some werent even to start to talk later. Children learn language skills by interacting with immediate environment and training or simple structural changes can improve language skills of children (Bouchard Gilles, 2011). Development in early childhood does not only affect to academic and physical activities, but also involves relationship with other people and emotional and cognitive development. People easily think children struggle to find their ego in adolescence; however children actually start to realize their identity in first eight years and inner capacity of imagination and self-image of gender roles start to develop. In that age, they learn how to associate with friends and start to look people around them. Throughout the play and education, children learn social skills along with how to deal with others and develop their own values. Teaching language or academic skills in early ages is not only education, but rather child-directed play and interacting with them is most important education (Webster-Stratton Reid, 2010). Webster-Stratton and Reid conducted experiment to show difference and its effects between child-directed play that lets children to play what they want to do and express feeling and adult- directed play that parent or educator specifically asks to how they should play. In the therapy, five years old boy, Dylan who had multiple tantrums and aggressive behaviors to other people and no friends, was asked to child-directed play with his parents. First, he rejected his parents attempts to play with him, but gradually started to interact and invite them into his play. These child-directed plays enable to establish ego and practice how to express and control (Webster-Stratton Reid, 2010). Throughout the play and education, children learn social skills along with how to deal with others and develop thei r own values. Brain takes what environment offers and learning environment that challenges and motivate children is the first preparation of child education. Parents and educators should understand that children also have own thinking and proper education based on care and attachment is potent influence to them. Society and community should also recognize education given in these ages is very critical to childs mental and intellectual development and therefore provide more productive education program not only for the children, but for parent, since early childhood education is most efficient investment for society.

Managing Information Systems :: essays research papers fc

Communication, some say, separate us from animals. But not just communication, being able to communicate ideas and concepts and in turn make them into reality. For years businesses have had to distribute written memos and other paperwork to their fellow employees in order to spread their ideas. In the changing world that we live in today this concept of spreading ideas is slowly fading. Communication is spread throughout the globe in a matter of minutes through the use of computers and modern technology. We can communicate over thousands of miles or just a couple of floors with only the click of a button. But with this new found way of communicating comes the confusion of what to do with all this information, how best to utilize it, and how to regulate it. This paper will look into those questions and what actually makes up this new virtual world that we are creating for ourselves called cyberspace. In the 1950’s and 60’s the fear of nuclear attack was constantly on the minds of the American people and the government. The government therefore developed a corporation called RAND that they put in charge of making a network that could be protected from nuclear attack and could guarantee that we could still fire our own nuclear missiles in our defense. Soon major schools and corporations threw their hats into the race for a network in which information could be sent electronically. Throughout the seventies a couple of schools developed their own network in which they could communicate with each other and devices were designed to make networks within offices possible using a technology called Ethernet. Throughout the eighties the newly designed internet was mainly used by science foundations, colleges, and the government as they worked together with growing computer and telephone companies to help advance the technology. It wasn’t until the early nineties when the I nternet started to look the way it does now, with the first Internet society and the founding of the World Wide Web in 1991. Since then the Internet has been growing, getting faster, and finding its way into more and more peoples lives every day. Over 2.7 trillion e-mail messages alone were sent in 1997 (Nickels,Mchugh 508). Keeping that in mind it is easy to see why we need managers in order to keep this information from cluttering up systems and getting lost in the hectic world today.

Galileo and Newton :: Galileo, Isaac Newton

Galileo believed the physical world to be bounded. He says that all material things have "this or that shape" and are small or large in relation to other things. He also says that material objects are either in motion or at rest, touching or not touching some other body, and are either one in number, or many. The central properties of the material world are mathematical and strengthened through experimentation. Galileo excludes the properties of tastes, odors, colors, and so on when describing the material world. He states that these properties "reside only in the consciousness." These latter properties would cease to exist without the living creature so the mathematically defined properties are the most accurate in describing the material world. Galileo seems to test his beliefs through experimentation and mathematical reasoning. He sites examples in life that support his hypothesis. His argument is of a scientific nature because he is making a hypothesis on a distinctive type of concept. The conclusions that Galileo made relate directly to the work in physics for which he is so well known. His conclusions put emphasis on shapes, numbers, and motion which are all properties that lend themselves to support through "reasoning back and forth between theory and experiment." I feel that Galileo's argument is a valid one because it explains relations in nature and the physical world through mathematical analysis. This allows him to define a world outside of human existence that can be logically calculated and explained. His view describes the world in which living creatures live and not contrasts it to the world within living creatures. The problem with Galileo's view is that it pioneers a scientific outlook but never actually fulfills it. Newton believes the world is ultimately made up of hard particles that can retain different properties. The central properties are solid, massy, impenetrable, and movable particles. He believes God created matter in the beginning in such a way to allow the particles to take on mathematical forms. His approach is a scientific one because he practices the continual interaction of experiment and theory. It is the hard particles that move in such a way that can be assigned certain mathematical principles that clearly explain the interaction of bodies. Newton's conclusion seems to be a strong one because it deals with the world being made up of particles and shows how these particles act with each other in a way that can be explained scientifically. I like the idea of organized flow in the world and God being the creator of it all. The mathematical/scientific approach offers explanation to how the particles are

Anicent History Pompeii- Trade & Commerce

Trade and Commerce in Pompeii Before the tragic eruption on Pompeii it was a well established thriving market town situated right on the coast of Italy that was very advanced for its age. Evidence throughout the town suggests that Pompeii had a healthy commercial life but there has been little evidence of manufacturing and trade although still enough to show the importations and exportations of the town providing archaeologist with a sufficient amount to have a great knowledge and understanding of what life was like in Pompeii in terms of their trade and commerce.Pompeii was known as the trade centre of southern Campania for around 600 years and traded with various areas around northern Italy which involved the importation and exportation of goods. The geological positioning made it ideal for trade having a great access to the Mediterranean shipping as well as the Sarno River allowing access to other smaller towns. The harbour was constantly active with ships merchants and sailors ke eping the industry flowing.The trade industry was severed as a leveller in society which had even concerned the elite. Investigations have shown the most prominent exportations of Pompeii were pottery, garum (fish-source), wine and olive oil. Workshop production was on a small scale so very few goods were produced to be exported. Despite their local producers there is evidence of a limited range of imported goods such as pottery from Gual, lamps from northern parts of Italy, wine from Spain, Sicily and Crete, and would even get oil from southern Spain.Most producers would trade their merchandise with negotiators in exchanges for goods from other regions. The majority Pompeian imports and export goods of Pompeian origin have been found throughout the Roman Empire but mostly within the city itself which reinforces the fact that the trade industry was not comprehensive yet has been able to supply evidence that there was an active trade industry.Where as the trade industry can be contra sted with the commercial life of Pompeii, as it was bustling with the towns desire of profit it was accumulating great wealth which has a substantial amount of evidence providing support such as 600 excavated privately owned shops, bars, workshops and inns, the city controlled markets around the forum, epigraphic evidence of the number of guilds of tradesmen and retailers, and inscriptions on walls and floors paying tribute to the pursuit of profit and so much more. The commerce in Pompeii was conducted in public buildings in nd around the forum for marketing and private shops that extended along the main street the goods sold in these shops were sometimes brought from local merchants but mainly made on the premises or in adjoining workshops. The common commercial shops are the fullers and dryers, vinryards and wine production, graum the fish sauce production and bakeries as you can see they are dominate by food. The main food market was in the north-east corner of the forum the â⠂¬Ëœmacellum’ around perimeter was where the small shops and stalls.Fresh produce from local farms were sold throughout here of raw and prepared foods such as graum, olive-oil, wine, fruit and vegetables. Food shops being the msot common along the streets of Pompeii with the majority selling hot foods and drinks which are known as ‘thermopolia’ that has already been 130 excavated providing evidence of a large food industry. Taverns were also had a big contribution but has only had 20 excavated, these were known as ‘cauponau’. These food shops and the trade industry involving lots of local produce has clearly helped keep the commercial life flourishing in Pompeii.Outside the temple of Apollo near the ‘macellum’ a limestone table containing an official set of weights and measurements where market goods can be tested, there are early inscriptions that show Oscan weights and measurement were first used then the table was mortified for the Ro man standards this was set up near to markets in the forum and is known as ‘mensa ponderaria’. This is evidence that there was a well run economy, and everyone had the same amount for what they pay for keeping it equal while allowing the commercial life to run smoother in terms of the food industry.Lastly two collections of carbonised waxed wooden tablets had been excavated recording a wide collection of various business transactions. 154 of these tablets were found in the house of the banker Lucius Caecilius Jucundus, these were records of receipts of rents and loans. The other collection of around 120 waxed tablets were found belonging to the Sulpicii which was a firm of freedmen working as financiers more than 80 of the tablets reveal different kinds of business documents composed of contracts of sales, loans, leases, accounts and many more and the other 40 of them report of judicial matters, oaths and court proceedings.Which is again more evidence support that was a thriving commercial life in Pompeii. In conclusion there has been a substantial amount of excavated archaeological evidence as well as found artefacts tracing back to Pompeii to provide people of the modern age with enough information to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of how life was really like in the town of Pompeii of an active but not extensive trade industry and a healthy commercial life, the town was flourishing before it was buried but the eruption and lost hundreds of years.

Discuss Ways in Which Edward Thomas Presents Memory in ‘Aspens’ Essay

Empty as sky, with every other sound No ceasing, calls there ghosts from their abode† Discuss ways in which Thomas presents memory in ‘Aspens’. In your answer, explore the effects of language, imagery and verse form, and consider how this poem relates to other poems by Thomas that you have studied. Memory is presented as either a way of life or a community of change, as demonstrated in ‘Aspens’, ‘Old Man’, ‘Aldestrop’. He does this through the variety of techniques such as change in form, use of imagery and alternations in the tone of each poem to explore memory. As well as this, Thomas explicates the devastation of emptiness due to the consequence of war, which is portrayed through the use of soft consonantal sounds or the use of sibilance to carry the silence through the poem as it does in the places described in each poem. Quatrain A, B, A, B combined with the iambic pentameter shows regularity in the stresses of the beat, which reflects the motion of the Aspens as they sway consistently in the breeze. Alternatively, the regularity in the rhythm could reflect the beat of the hammer of the Blacksmith’s, as mentioned in the second stanza to emphasise how the vignette was once active, busy and lively. This is also seen in the sonnet by Robert Frost, Acquainted with the Night, where iambic pentameter could have been used to reflect the constant depressive state the poet experienced at the time. This contrasts with another of Thomas’ poems, ‘Tears’, where his thoughts are disjointed and disorganised as he tries to recollect his memories. Thus the use of free verse and an 18 line stanza, unbroken, is appropriate as it reflects how he struggles to remember. Despite this, the whole stanza is in iambic pentameter but Thomas has used this technique in order to reflect what is going on in his memory. For example, the last 6 lines of the stanza regulate, as all are of the same length, which expresses the formality of the soldiers marching and their systematic organisation. In comparison, ‘Old Man’ has an irregular structure and this use of free verse conveys Thomas’ uncertainty in dealing with the subject of memory. It would be deemed applicable to say that the struggle to reminisce is present in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas uses the hyphen at the end of the first line to show the pause in his recollection, as seen similarly and previously in the first line of ‘Tears’ as the use of two hyphens portrays Thomas’ thought process. The theme of emptiness is seen throughout Thomas’ poems. The wartime poet writes of his memory of livelihood and activity in villages, such as the one described in ‘Aspens’, and then how it begins to disappear as a result of war. This is shown as the village is left with a ‘lightless pane and footless road’ causing the village to appear as ‘empty as sky’ and this simile gives a sense of vastness of the effects of the war, emphasising on the emptiness in the poem. Further, the mention of the ‘cross-roads to a ghostly room’ explicates that the village is so empty that it is leading nowhere. This metaphor is ironic as cross-roads are suggestively open gateways and a sense of choice in direction. However this connotation is altered as Thomas uses the metaphor ‘ghostly room’, to portray the vacant village and this is supported by the cross-roads as they lead to emptiness and isolation. This is also seen in ‘Old Man’ as the paradox ‘only an avenue, dark, nameless, without end’ gives a sense of no lead despite the fact that an avenue should lead somewhere. It is clear here that Thomas’ state of depression is reflected in this last line as the imagery conjures connotations of death, gloom and finality. The emptiness is also portrayed in ‘Aspens’ as Thomas describes the ‘ghosts from their abode’, which suggests he is referring to the ghostly memories of the village, comparing them to how things have changed. We also see emptiness in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas explains how the unexpected stop is ‘bare’. The reason for this could be because the train was not due to stop at Aldestrop; on the other hand it could indicate the effects of wartime, particularly desolation. Loss of memory is seen in many of Thomas’ poems through different ways. Edna Longley, critic, points out that the part of the mind that remembers is the same part of the mind that generates poetry- the subconscious and comments that in ‘Old Man’ ‘perhaps / thinking perhaps of nothing’ is a rhetorically cunning line break. The verb ‘think’ is central to the poem as is the verb ‘remember’. Particularly in ‘Old Man’ Thomas uses the metaphor ‘I have mislaid the key’ to present his attempt of recollecting his first memory of the plant, Lads-Love. He portrays this as tantalising as he can ‘think of nothing’ when sniffing the herb, which suggests he finds loss of memory as frustrating. This is shown from the anaphora of ‘no’ at the end of the poem as it rightly expresses that the more he tries to remember the less likely the memory will reappear, which further shows his frustration of struggling to regain his memory. Despite this, Thomas makes it clear that the memory brings him sentimentality and this is clearly important to him. He shows that although the smell of the bush is ‘bitter’ he admires the plant because it brings back memories of his daughter. In comparison, Thomas also mentions that names are important in ‘Aldestrop’ as ‘I remember Aldestrop -/ The name’ suggests that the name brings every detail for him. A sense of change in community is seen in various poems by Thomas, due to the effects of war. Most specifically, ‘Aspens’ shows clearly how vibrant and animated the village was once before through the onomatopoeic sounds ‘clink, the hum, the roar’ as they reflect the vivacity that was once present before the war. This is contrasted as the silence is emphasised through the dominance of sibilance through ‘a silent smithy’ and ‘a silent inn’, which emphasises the hollow atmosphere. The silence is further shown by the sibilance in the penultimate line ‘ceaselessly, unreasonably grieves’, which allows the silence of the trees to continue through to the end of the poem. A sense of change is also seen in ‘Aldestrop’ as Thomas uses the metaphor of ‘all the birds’ to represent the people of England as they suffer from the effects of the war as a whole. The fact that Thomas mentions countryside towns such as Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire shows how much Thomas values traditional English scenery and therefore shows his devastation of the effects of war. Thomas uses lots of different techniques in order to portray memory through a communal change, emptiness and as a way of life. Through his language, structure and symbolism within his poems, the reader is able to understand Thomas’ thoughts about memory (those being that it is frustrating to have ‘mislaid the key’ and how memories can change over time) and relate their own experiences with Thomas’ due to his profound and truthful portrayal of memory.