The Catcher In The Rye :: essays papers

The Catcher In The Rye In a novel, the theme is the insight of real life. J.D. Salinger’s initiation novel, The Catcher In The Rye, describes the adventures of 16-year old Holden Caulfield, the protagonist and first person narrator, who refuses to grow up and enter manhood. The most important theme developed by Salinger is Holden’s problem of dealing with change; he has trouble dealing with death, he refuses to accept children’s loss of innocence as a necessary step in the growing-up process, and has difficulties with growing up. Holden has a near obsession with the death of his younger brother Allie, who died at age thirteen due to leukemia. Holden had punched and broke all the windows in the garage out of anger; he says that his hands still hurt from the incident. Throughout the novel, Holden dwells on Allies’ death. From Holden's thoughts, it is obvious that he loves and misses Allie. In order to hold on to his brother and to minimize the pain of his loss, Holden brings Allie's baseball mitt along with him where ever he goes. The mitt has additional meaning and significance for Holden because Allie had written poetry, which Holden reads, from the baseball mitt. Towards the end of the book, Holden proves again that he can’t cope with death. Phoebe, his younger sister, is putting him on the spot by asking him what he likes, but Holden can only think of two nuns and a boy, James W. Castle. James W. Castle was a boy who Holden had lent his sweater to, Castle died unfortunately by being th rown out of a window wearing Holden’s sweater. Another thing that haunts Holden is the fact that during roll call in class, his last name always is called after Castles’ last name. After the brief moment of reminiscing, Holden irritates Phoebe by saying, â€Å"I like Allie†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . He has trouble acknowledging the death of his brother. Holden cannot accept the loss of innocence as a step into the growing up process. The ones that he loves most, are those who are younger to him, they are innocent, and untouched by society’s truths. Holden says, â€Å"†¦I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around-nobody big. I mean – except me.

Thai Environment Support Physical Activity Health And Social Care Essay

Introduction:In older grownups, physical activity is necessary to supply and keep wellness. ( 1 ) Physical environment, a construct of environment which includes both natural characteristics and human concepts, ( 2,3 ) is significantly associated with physical activity engagement within older people. ( 4-8 ) While the significance of physical environment is good recognized, an accurate step to place the specific features of the physical environment in relationship to one ‘s physical activity, with regard to older Thai people ( aged 60 old ages and older ) , presently non good established. Most of the physical environment questionnaires presently being used have been developed in Western states and most of these graduated tables used within all ages. ( 9-12 ) Furthermore, different dependability among urban and rural respondents have been noticed. ( 14 ) Some questionnaires are designed utilizing either neighborhood-focused graduated tables or community-focused graduated table to measure the physical environment ( 5,12,14 ) , whereas others uses both. ( 8,15 ) Prior research has found that facets of physical environment, i.e. safety, traffic volume, street lighting, unattended Canis familiariss, pavements and accessible public diversion installations, influence one ‘s physical activity, ( 5-8 ) whereas other groundss suggest ambiguous consequences. ( 12,14,16 ) These incompatibilities may be related, peculiarly in older grownups, to the type of measuring used to measure the physical environment. The Environmental Supports for Physical Activity Questionnaire ( ESPA ) is a measuring designed to capture and measure the back uping societal and physical environment for physical activity typically performed by all ages. ( 4,17 ) While non all ESPA attributes apply to the aged Thai who live in either urban or rural countries, most properties are closely congruous with this population. In add-on, the coefficient differences between urban and rural respondents of the ESPA were little when compared with other questionnaires. ( 13 ) As a consequence, ESPA was chosen for physical environment appraisal in senior Thai individuals. The differences in geographic characteristics, civilization and forms of life of aged Thais, may be influenced non merely by their vicinity and community environments but besides place environment. Merely over three-quarterss of senior Thais resided in their ain places. ( 18 ) Most spend the bulk of their twenty-four hours in family jobs, household attention activities, horticulture, every bit good as take parting in community groups activities. ( 5-6 ) With progressing age, the place environment and close milieus become the major life infinite where senior citizens perform their mundane activities and spend most of their clip. ( 19 ) Harmonizing to the findings of the preliminary survey in 10 older Thais, place was most often mentioned as a favourite topographic point for prosecuting in physical activity because of safety concerns and convenience. Even though ESPA focuses chiefly on vicinity and community environmental properties, the relationship of place environment and physical a ctivity of older people is still unknown. After obtaining written consent from the writer, the ESPA was translated into Thai by the translation-back interlingual rendition method. ( 20 ) Some points of the ESPA questionnaire were deleted and the questionnaire format reviewed. Deleted points reflected physical activities and topographic points that are unfound in the Thai context. Five pages of the graduated table and assorted types of picks that was thought by the research worker to be hard to reply were besides removed from the questionnaire. Furthermore, a demand exists to measure home-focused graduated table as an facet of the physical environment of aged Thais. The modified ESPA was conceptualized to include three subscales, with the six points functioning as supportive vicinity and community environments, and four new points as supportive of place environment. The new one page questionnaire was named â€Å" Thai Environment Support for Physical Activity in older Tai people ( TESPA ) † . However, if there is low m istake in the appraisal, the account of the relationship between physical environment and physical activity will be raised. For these grounds, the TESPA needs to be validated for the older Thai population.AimThe intent of this survey was to measure TESPA among Thai seniors for dependability and cogency.InstrumentsFour instruments were used to roll up informations. They included: demographic informations questionnaire ; the Chula Mental Test ( CMT ) ; the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Long signifier ( IPAQ-L ) ; and the TESPA Demographics: The research worker designed a demographic information questionnaire which was used to obtain demographic and socioeconomic informations about each topic. The Chula Mental Test ( CMT ) : The CMT is a 13 points, interview manner, used to mensurate cognitive map of older Tai who have trouble reading and authorship. ( 21 ) Entire tonss indicate cognitive map and scope from 0-19. The cogency and dependability of the CMT was acceptable. ( 21 ) The IPAQ-L: The IPAQ-L assesses the frequence, strength and continuance of all day-to-day physical activity undertaken by five spheres including: work-related activities ; transport-related activities ; domestic jobs ; leisure clip related activities and clip exhausted sitting during the old 7 yearss. ( 22 ) The entire physical activity equals the MET ( metabolic equivalents ) mark, which is the amount of proceedingss spent in each sphere multiplied by the MET value. ( 23 ) Threshold values for the IPAQ-L in this survey included the undermentioned classs: insufficiently active ( & lt ; 600 MET-min/week ) , and sufficient active ( & gt ; 600 Met-min-week ) . ( 24 ) After obtaining written consent from the writer, the IPAQ-L was translated into Thai by the translation-back interlingual rendition method. ( 20 ) The content was validated by three experts in gerontologies and a content cogency index ( CVI ) of 0.96 obtained. The stableness by test-retest over two hebdomads utilizing the S pearman correlativity coefficient of the IPAQ-L was reported to be 0.77 in the pilot survey. The TESPA: the TESPA is composed of 10 points: three vicinity points, three community points, and four place points ( see Table 1 ) . Neighborhood environment is referred to older people ‘s perceptual experiences of support including: features, entree, and barriers to physical activity in an country within a 10-minutes walk from their place. ( 17 ) Community environment support refers to older people ‘s perceptual experiences of convenience and the safe behavior of physical activity in their community within a 20-minutes thrust from their place. ( 17 ) Home environment support is defined as participants ‘ perceptual experiences of convenience and safety, both in and around their place, in relation to their physical activity battle. The Likert graduated table was used to measure physical environment for physical activity. Possible responses were 1 ( strongly disagree ) , 2 ( disagree ) , 3 ( neither agree nor disagree ) , 4 ( agree ) , and 5 ( strongly agree ) . The possible tonss ranged from 10 to 50. Higher tonss indicated a higher degree of sensed physical environment support towards physical activity.MethodThe cross-sectional design was conducted in two stages. Phase I involved quantifying the TESPA that had been implemented during the pilot survey. Phase II included using TESPA to the current survey ; concept cogency was accomplished through usage of confirmatory factor analysis and the known-group method.Phase 1: Quantification of the TESPAValidation and finding of the dependability of TESPA ‘s psychometric belongingss was accomplished. Three geriatric experts determined the content cogency of the TESPA graduated table. When the CVI reached an acceptable value, the pilot survey was conducted. Prior to garnering informations, two research helpers, nursing alumnuss with maestro ‘s grades who had old research experience, were trained to interview participants who met the standards. The research helpers were instructed and tested to corroborate their apprehension of sample standards, definitions, and base constructs of each questionnaire until a satisfactory degree had been reached at the discretion of the research worker. Each research helper and the research worker interviewed 5 samples and inter-rater dependability was assessed. Agreement between the research helpers and the research worker ranged from 78-92 % , with an mean understanding of 87 % . The pilot survey was carried out on October 2008. The purposes were to measure the feasibleness, and to measure psychometric belongingss utilizing TESPA. After obtaining moralss blessing from the IRB, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, consent was obtained from the managers of two Primary Care Units ( PCU ) , in two small towns ( one located in an urban environment and the other in a rural country ) , in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Participants were older Thai people who met the undermentioned inclusion standards ; 60 old ages of age and over, nomadic and cognitively capable of replying inquiries accurately. No wellness jobs or ongoing interventions that would disrupt engagement in physical activity such as holding suffered a recent cardiovascular event ( anterior 6 months ) , nephritic failure, liver cirrhosis, human immunodeficiency virus, major surgery in the last 6 hebdomads, or a history of medicine usage for the bosom or blood vass during the last three months. Fifteen older people from each puting were recruited utilizing purposive sampling. Each possible participant was given an informed consent signifier that explained the intents of the survey, undertakings to be completed and the length of clip needed to finish the interview, every bit good as its benefits, hazards, types of questionnaires they would be asked to reply, and that they could retreat at anytime without reverberations. The participants were interviewed at their places or at a local temple, whichever suited them. A codification figure was assigned to each participant to maintain confidentiality. Furthermore, stableness of dependability of the TESPA was obtained in two hebdomads, whereas internal consistence was assessed at baseline. The participants were preponderantly older ( average age = 70+ 4.19 old ages ) , lived with partner ( 53.3 % ) , employed ( 62.6 % ) , females ( 76.7 % ) , who had an simple instruction ( 80 % ) and a household income of less than 5,000 Baht ( USD 147 ) per month ( 76.7 % ) . A significant proportion ( 63.3 % ) of them had lived in a municipal country for an norm of 44.6 old ages in their ain abode. Although 50 % ( n=15 ) of the participants felt they had a sufficient degree of physical activity, 20 % ( n=6 ) said their physical activity degree was low. Merely 23.3 % ( n=7 ) reported holding no current wellness jobs, and 16.7 % of them were hypertensive. Their most frequent type of physical activity was household-related activities, followed by leisure clip, transportation-related and occupational activities.Phase 2: Measuring the InstrumentPhase II involved finding of the concept cogency of the TESPA. A sample of 320 aged was obtained via multi-stage random trying from 12 small town s in six states of Thailand. One individual from each household was selected utilizing a systematic random trying technique from a list of household names provided by the PCU unit of each small town. None of the selected names were involved in any of anterior pilot surveies. Datas were collected between November 2008 and April 2009. Prior to the interview, the research worker introduced herself, established resonance, explained the intent of the survey, the parts the participants would do, the choice standards and emphasized the confidentiality or namelessness of the information being collected. Potential participants were eligible if they scored & gt ; 15 on the CMT, were able to ambulate without assistive devices and were willing to take part. The interview procedure took about 15-20 proceedingss. A 5 minute remainder was given after completion of each questionnaire. Participants were ab initio asked to finish the questionnaire on personal informations, and the TESPA, followed by the IPAQ-L questionnaires. Each participant were given a hankie for their clip take parting in the interview.Datas analysisDescriptive informations are presented as average + SD. The internal dependability of the graduated table was based on an alpha coefficient greater than o r equal to 0.70 ; ( 25 ) stableness of the graduated table was analyzed by merchandise correlativity coefficient. Reliability of each point, overall dependability, and concept cogency of the graduated table were determined utilizing structural equation mold ( SEM ) . ( 26 ) The known-group technique was conducted utilizing the multivariate analysis of discrepancy, to compare the physical environment of those who reported sufficient physical activity and those who did non. Statistical significance for analyses except SEM was defined as P & lt ; 0.05. SPSS version 17.0 was used.ConsequencesTable 1 depicts participants ‘ age, which ranged from 60 to 94 old ages old. One-half of the participants ( 50.0 % ) age ranged in between 60-69 old ages. The participants were preponderantly females ( 55 % , n=176 ) , and married ( 64.4 % , n=206 ) who had an simple instruction ( 75.6 % , n=242 ) .In add-on, family activities had the highest degree of engagement, followed by transit related activities, leisure, and business, severally.Insert table 1 herePhase 1: Quantification of TESPAThe CVI of the TESPA questionnaire was 0.92. The dependability coefficients and the test-retest dependability of the graduated table were 0.73 and 0.76 severally. Besides, the alpha coefficient of place had the highest value, followed by vicinity and community, severally ( i= 0.83,0.66, and 0.06 ) . The TESPA was culturally appropriate for aged Thais and the processs were followed without any trouble.Phase 2: Measuring the InstrumentThe entire amount tonss of the TESPA ranged from 19.00 to 50.00, with a mean of 34.87 ( SD=6.47 ) . Based on collateral factor analysis, the findings demonstrated that the concept of TESPA was composed of place, vicinity, and community environment subscales. The correlativity among points ranged from 0.02 to 0.77 and the entire graduated table could explicate 61.01 % of the discrepancy of physical environment. The place, vicinity, and community subscale could account for 29.4 % , 19.7 % , and 12.0 % of the discrepancy, severally. The measurement theoretical account testing was designed to gauge which ten points were used as indexs for the theoretical account. Although the original theoretical account was statistically important, th e theoretical account was non consistent with the informations /df= 4.59 and a RMSEA value greater than 0.05 ( = 151.54, df= 33 ; P & lt ; 0.0001 GFI= 0.91 ; RMSEA= 0.06 ; NFI= 0.88 ; CFI= 0.91 ) . Based on alteration indices, mistake covariances were allowed to correlate. The revised measuring theoretical account ( see Figure 1 ) was re-assessed and findings indicated that overall fit indices had improved. The revised theoretical account was fit with the following data/df= 1.33 ( =33.27, df= 25, p=0.13, GFI= 0.98, RMSEA= 0.03, NFI= 0.98, CFI= 0.99 ) . Furthermore, the correlativities between subscales presented significantly low to chair values ( Home-Neighborhood, r=0.51, P & lt ; 0.01 ; Home-Community, r=0.29, P & lt ; 0.01 ; Neighborhood-Community, r=0.38. P & lt ; 0.01 ) .Insert figure 1 hereTable 2 illustrates the burdens with t-values and squared multiple correlativity coefficients among each ascertained variables for the TESPA graduated table. The squared multiple correlativ ities for ascertained variables of the latent variables ranged from 0.02 to 0.92. The R2 of points 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were acceptable indexs, but points 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 which were less than 0.40.Insert Table 2 hereTable 3 shows differences in the TESPA subscale between the two physical activity degree ( P & lt ; 0.05 ) .Insert Table 3 hereDiscussion:Testing of the TESPA measuring provided extra grounds for the cogency and dependability. The findings are discussed in the undermentioned subdivision. The content cogency and concept cogency of the TESPA graduated table were acceptable. Continued support for the concept cogency of the graduated table was besides provided through collateral factor analysis ( LISREL 8.80 pupil edition ) and the known-group method. The TESPA measuring theoretical account demonstrated that all measured sub-scales had important low to high parametric quantity estimations, which were related to their specific concepts and validated the relationships among ascertained variables and their concepts. The known-group technique is an scrutiny of relationships based on theoretical anticipation. ( 27 ) Within the known-group method, the findings demonstrated that all three physical environment all three subscales and entire tonss were significantly correlated with physical activity. This determination indicated that older people who had sufficient degree of physical activity scored significantly higher in each of three factors – supportive place, vicinity , and community environment – than those who did non. The bulk of the seniors sampled have lived in their place for a average 30 old ages ; accordingly, they were familiar with the physical features of their environment in and outside the place. In add-on, engagement in family activities had the highest degree of engagement, followed by transit related activities, leisure, and business, severally. As a ground, senior citizens determine the facets of their physical environment to which they are exposed, and in bend, that physical environment modifies their behaviour. It is possible that the friendly environment contributed to physical activity battle, while unfriendly environments discouraged activity. Therefore, although place environment is restricted by country and instruments, the determination demonstrates that it can be included as an extra facet for supplying physical activity battle. Sing dependability, the TESPA exceeded the coveted standard of 0.70 for new graduated tables, peculiarly ; place subscale had the highest value. However, the dependability for vicinity and community subscale were depicted less than the old survey. ( 13 ) Although the R2 for points 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 indicated that they were irrelevant for the TESPA graduated table, the measuring theoretical account had a good tantrum with the empirical information. It is the first clip this graduated table has been validated in aged Thais, moreover this survey produced normative informations for comparing in the aged, which were non found in other surveies. Approximately 61 % of the discrepancy in the TESPA graduated table was explained by the 10 points, whereas 39 % of the discrepancy in this graduated table remains unexplained. Matching with the SCT attack, Bandura argues that about all facets of the physical environment can act upon one ‘s determination about physical activity battle. ( 3 ) O wing to the fact that the TESPA measuring includes merely safety, convenience, and handiness ; it is possible that other facets such as policy ( 28 ) may farther lend to physical activity. Extra work is needed to place these yet unidentified facets.Restrictions and recommendations:This survey was limited by homogeneousness of the sample. The bulks of participants were female, married, with low socioeconomic position, and lived in their place. Continued rating of the psychometric belongingss both in other samples and extra new points are recommended. Additionally, the usage of an utilizing nonsubjective measuring should be considered, to further add to the cogency of the findings and confirm the subjective study. However, based on three subscales of the TESPA, use of these factors with cognitive behavioural and policy schemes may promote the aged to increase their physical activity battle. This consequence can widen cognition of the physical environment for physical activity measuring.DecisionsThe TESPA was developed from the modified ESPA and the findings of a qualitative survey of older Thai people. Psychometric rating of the TESPA graduated table, including cogency and dependability, were chiefly satisfactory. Although the testing of the TESPA graduated table represents an initial effort, the consequences of the current survey suggest that the definition of the physical environment should include the place environment, every bit good as vicinity and community environment as these besides contains both incentives and obstructions for older Thai people set abouting physical activity.

Differences in People’s Perception of Reality in the Context of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

The inadequacy of humans' ability to discern what is real amid complex situations is a factor that forces people to have different meanings and views on all things existing. Heightened by people's internal and external conflicts, the different perspectives of reality are proven to be an unconquerable source of conflict in the society. The differences in people's perception of reality transcend beyond the definition of a systemic psycho-social problem because such differences include opposing value systems, institutionalized beliefs, social ethical codes and the omnipresent patriarchal ideology in the socieities.Such differences are all seen in gender issues as men have their own vision of reality built with their ethical and moral constructs in which women are of inferior status. One insightful literature that exposes the differences in people's perception of reality as a major source of conflict is the book titled A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams. This book is a reflection of how patriarchy remains dominant in the struggle against people's incapacity to discern what is real. This book reveals the uncertainty of destiny and failure to cope with complex situations.The female characters in the story, Blanche and Stella are passionate women who are controlled by their external and internal conflicts. These conflicts overshadow their strong desire for love and freedom making them vulnerable and susceptible to harsh attacks from the patriarchal society. The external conflicts that overpower the life of Blanche are a valuable factors that give great contradictions to her. Economic background is one external conflict inherent in the character of Blanche. Even though she has noble features embedded in her personality, and a lofty social background, her destiny is doomed from the very beginning.This is because she is ignorant about how complex and cruel life can be amid wealth and luxury. As Belle Reve, the family mansion has been traded in exchang e for the epic fornications of their grandfathers, uncles, and their father, Blanche goes to Stella's refuge to start a new life but is failed to do so (Tennessee 2004). Her shift from high social status becomes her external conflict that weakens her against the male characters, the domineering Stanley and Mitch. She lives under the pressure of a failed status and failed marriage and the social rules in which Stanley is the tyrant.Living with Stella, Blanche fails to see the â€Å"reality† of the world that contrasts with her beautiful and luxurious dreams. Blanche fails to overcome the cruelity of the real world because she has covered her eyes with horror, uneasiness, revenge and frustration. She never find a way to face the truth head on and all the she does is to take a detour and away from the world that she does not expect. The inner conflict existing in Blanche include her sexual involvement with strangers as the embodiment of her irrational indulgence for sex and cari ng for a lonely heart.The satisfactions of her desire has been the main context of her living and she will take no initiatives to suppress it. She makes her own reality by committing to take her passion to life while neglecting ethical standards and moral values. Her untamed tongue is a reflection that she would not take any negation and considerations when it comes to her desire. As for Stella, she fails to see the cruelty of her husband because her eyes are pointed only to one direction and one belief: that her man cannot do such a thing because of love and commitment. Stella's external conflict is her marriage to her husband.She cannot face the harsh truth because she defines her marriage as fidelity and righteousness alone. She is blinded by her love and cannot see the several dimensions surrounding marriage such as lust. Another conflict in Stella's character is her economic role of making her own living (Tennessee 2004). Stella is so consumed with making money and establishing her own life that she forgets to be sensitive to the needs of her significant others. All that she cares for is her marriage and moneymaking. Stella's one vision of reality reflects a peaceful and successful marriage with Stanley whom she loves most and loves her faithfully in return.Her reality is built within the constructs of society's ethical and moral standards. Her whole life is controlled by fantasy to which she creates an unbreakable bond. The male characters in the story Mitch and Stanley represent life's antagonistic feature that human beings tend to negate or consider as unreal. As the antagonists, they are the object of the assumption that conflicts arise when humans fail to recognize cruelty as part of llife's reality. The imperfection of the two characters substantiate the fact that Stella and Blanche are blinded by their illusions, fantasies and fulfillment of their desires.Stanley and Mitch bring the illusion of the female characters into fierce confrontation with t he cruel reality. Mitch and Stanley also represent the dominance of patriarchy in conflicts. They have the edge in the conflict because they fulfill the illusion and dreams of Stella and Blanche while at the same time make up the cruel reality of the female characters' lives. Mitch and Stanley are the unconquerable force that lead to the external and internal conflicts of the female characters. Stella and Blanche tend to establish that men are solely owned by their worlds of dreams instead of considering them as objects of life's reality.The differences in people's perceptions of reality are determined by their external and internal conflicts. These differences create an outwardly conflict that may destroy personal relationships. Such differences arise when people focus on only one aspect or dimension of life instead of creating a holistic picture of life's reality. The external and internal conflicts lead to such differences and bring constant suffering. The male antagonists symbol ize tension and cruelty which are all part of life that tend to crush people emotionally and physically.

Oracle

How is the IKEA operations design different from that of most furniture retail operations? IKEA is known as one of the world’s largest furniture retailer that focuses highly on cost control, operational process and product development. IKEA differentiates itself from most furniture retailers by offering a wide range of well designed array of home furniture at very attractive prices that remain affordable to a large group of diverse customers. There are some unique features of IKEA as compared to most furniture retail stores (IKEA, 2012) Self – Service’ (minimal service or influence from sales person) Details of all products are made ubiquitous in the showroom thus making sales assistance unnecessary which this in return helps to reduce the hiring cost of labor. Layout of Products (product exposure) Ikea stores are designed in a one-way ‘walk-through layout’ that requires customers to be exposed to the entire products which is unlike from most furnitu re retail stores where by customers may choose to go directly to the section they preferred.Hence, the flow allows increased efficiency from entering the showroom, selecting of products to lastly making payments. Furniture Most of Ikea products are self – assembled products, this helps to reduce the costs of shipping as higher volume of bulk packaging can be done. Unlike most furniture retail stores where free delivery and assembly is given, additional charges apply if fixing of product is required by the customers. Lastly, four dimensions of operations (Volume, Variety, Variation and Visibility) will be used to determine the differences between IKEA operations to that of most furniture retail stores.High Volume – IKEA’s operations are of very large scale, major land space and huge car parks are developed to cater to all customers, everything about the design of IKEA’s operations encourages high volume of throughput as compared to most furniture retail st ores (IKEA, 2012). High Variety of product but Low Variety of service – The variety of products showcase in IKEA is much more than most furniture retail stores, from small items such as kitchen appliances to large items such as tables.However, as far as the variety of service is concerned it is relatively narrow. Most products are self – assembled and there is no sales person to provide any service to the customers, leaving themselves to figure out and make their own decision for the purchase. High Variation on demand – Public holidays and weekends usually attracts more crowded as compared to normal week days, hence result in high variation.However, there will not be any difficulty of getting part-time staff into IKEA during the peak period as the operations in IKEA are well designed. Unlike most retail store which require staff with specific expertise that requires time to hire. Low Visibility – Customer contact is high in certain extend, but overall it is lower than most furniture retail stores considering most of the things are done (‘self-service’) solely by the customers from the start till it reaches the point of payment where it is also a standardized process by IKEA.This ultimately reduces the costs of the transaction as far as IKEA is concerned. What do you think might be the major problems in running an operation like IKEA? Having such huge variety and high volume of product being transacted, it may be tough for them to manage the inventory for all items. Shipping of high volume bulk items may take time and IKEA may face stock-out period, hence their operations planning has to be done and calculated accurately.As all sales are done on ‘self-serviced’ manner, it may not create a great shopping experience as compared to most retail stores where sales person are able to cater a more specific and unique first-hand experience to all customers to create loyalty. Lastly, IKEA being the largest furniture retailer require a lot of natural material such as wood, which may harm the global environment (IKEA, 2012). Reference IKEA (2012) Our Vision and Business Idea. Available at: http://www. ikea. com/ms/en_SG/about_ikea/the_ikea_way/our_business_idea/index. html (Accessed 29 January 2013)

Policing in Angola

Abstract With a need to maintain order and protect the citizens, nations such as Angola are grappling with how to create and maintain a police force. This study assesses the strengths and weaknesses of using non-state police forces in a law keeping and enforcement capacity. The results of this study illustrate that there is a high potential for corruption, yet, the need for protection is greater than the possibility of abuse. This study will be of interest to any person delving into the strengths and weaknesses of a non-state policing solution. 1 Introduction The need to ensure the security of the ordinary citizens in the nation of Angola on a day to day basis has prompted the consideration of creating and applying non-state policing actors (Hallsworth et al., 2011; Baker, 2006). With too little money from the regional government given for a police force, outside actors including businesses, private citizens and foreign nations can be utilized as investors in order to provide the service of policing the community. Non-state police forces are often unregulated and have the potential to take on a wide variety of forms that will speak to the characteristics of the surrounding population (Wood et al., 2007; Gill, 1994). Yet, it is necessary to avoid varied forces including vigilante groups that seek their own goals to neighbourhood watches and instead seek to stabilize a community made up of equally varied members giving the population to find them working against the same mutual enemy. Violent crime as well as rampant civil rights abuses has continuously promoted the need for a policing force throughout Angola and the entire African continent (Johnston et al., 2003; Wood et al., 2007). Alongside the need to keep the peace is the inherent need of the underlying community to support the force and the policies resting behind the enforcement of the tenants of the region. What cannot be denied is that despite the potential for abuse, there is a need for a centred and recognizable police force, whether a state or non-state actor, in order to ensure that day to day activities that contribute to the long term health of the nation are attended to. This brief illustrates the pro and con arguments surrounding the non-state police agenda and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the system. 2 Non state policing in Angola2.1 Pro non state policingThere is several sound reasons that a government such as Angola’s would choose to create and implement a non-state policing force (Wood et al., 2007; Hallsworth et al., 2011). Ranking as the primary motivation is the need for community security that allows for day to day activities to progress without hindrance. Furthermore, this perception of cultural stability aids in the operation of the underlying and associated financial and consumer markets that are themselves integral to the stability of the state (Crank et al., 2007; Baker, 2010). With a law abiding citizenry comes the opportunity to build a sound financial base that allows the operation of external and internal projects. With high crime rates to blame for abuses against the most vulnerable of Angola, the absence of a police force allows the criminal element to come to the fore, which in turn is directly against the needs of the regional population to grow and p rosper (Hallsworth et al., 2011; Baker, 2006). Enforcement of the law is only one facet of any regions police force, making the need for a working unit critical to Angola (Johnston et al., 2003). Absent the taxpayer funds to establish and operate a working force, the non-state police option provides a method that can accomplish the goals of both the government and the consumer community. With a private force the tax payer does not typically feel the sting of payment that these forces need to remain relevant in the states interest (Gill, 1994; Baker, 2006). This element provides many opportunities for private investors to step forth and equip the non-state police force in a manner that some of the poorer nations, such as Angola, can only hope to afford. Furthermore, a key advantage of many outside or private police entities are the established outside contacts and expertise that is brought into the region as a result of the engagement (Crank et al., 2007; Baker, 2006). In many cases the skilled labour may not be present in the im mediate area, requiring the need to look to the outside community for better talent and resources. Another opportunity provided by the consideration of a non-state police force in Angola is the potential to transform relations with neighbour nations or allies by incorporating elements of their working infrastructure (Gill, 1994; Johnston et al., 2003). It is become more common of multinational police forces to work together towards a goal that serves to benefit the entire international outlook by ensuring the stability of the region. Furthermore, this form of non-state or shared policing builds bridges and understanding between enforcement departments that often have work across national and international borders in order to address the issue at hand (Hallsworth et al., 2011). In summary, the primary positives resting behind the non-state police force in Angola is the increase in talent, decrease in state funds spent and the opportunity to find international partners that will assist to maintain order in the long run.2.2 Against Non-state policingAs with any employee or outside agency, bringing in an outside police force to Angola, holds the potential to be abused and subverted to the interests of others (Hallsworth et al., 2011; Baker, 2010). Private interests often play a pivotal role in choosing, maintaining and implementing any form of non-state policing, making the persons behind the effort at once suspect and complicit in the case of corruption. Lending itself well to the spectre of corruption, non-state policing can have chilling impact on the target community by stifling business and community activities to the point that there is a visible loss of enthusiasm and production (Johnston et al., 2003; Wood et al., 2007). Furthermore, this perception o f public abuse on the part of the policing efforts contributes to criminal activity and unproductive behaviour on the part of the local population. A secondary concern when dealing with a non-state police force in Angola is the need for the organisation to properly understand the community that they are assigned to protect (Wood et al., 2007; Crank et al., 2007). Many times an outside operator will mistake a cultural element as a risk, which in turn may lead to an issue that should never have been created in the first place. Furthermore, the local populace may not hold a great deal of confidence in the outside force, which can become a substantial hindrance in the operation of day to day policing activities (Baker, 2002; Wood et al., 2007). If the community is not helpful many opportunities will be lost to the non-state police effort. Yet, this can many times turn into a private citizenry that expects special favours of the police force, leading to another issue that has the potential to lead to widespread abuse and corruption. The level of training and professionalism among these private forces can quickly become a liability in the effort to sustain a working police force (Johnston et al., 2003; Baker, 2002). With many forces seeking to cut corners and save money whenever possible, there is a real potential to provide a undertrained and ill equipped force that could possible cause more harm than good in the region. Furthermore, the less training provided to the force enhances the opportunity for corruption and the skewing of the original effort to protect the citizenry (Baker, 2010; Crank et al., 2007). Finally, with a force that relies on funding there is the real possibility for a rich person or outside organisation to negatively influence the operation of the police force, making the need for oversight both critical and expensive (Wood et al., 2007; Gill, 1994). In summary, the negative aspects of using a non-state police force include possible corruption, lack of training and the absence of cultural sensitivity that aids in conducting many day to day police centred operations. Furthermore, there is the very real opportunity for a well-funded outside entity to have a substantial impact on the operation of the police force, which in turn can produce a range of further negativity. 3 Conclusion The need to ensure the security of the ordinary citizen on a day to day basis throughout Angola has prompted the consideration of a non-state policing system. As this brief indicates, there is a need for a police force in order to create a sustainable and liveable condition in the nation of Angola. Yet, as the evidence insists, the presence of corruption and abuse is likely. However, the need for citizenry protection and stability outweighs the possibility of negative policy. It would seem possible for an Angolan effort to keep the policing force transparent would lead to a working force that benefits the population more than the special interests. Coupled with the reduction in overall state costs, the prospect of a working police force provides outside investors with a reason to hope for stability, thereby increasing the likelihood of investment which aids in the building Angolan infrastructure. In the end, no matter the negative potential, the evidence suggests that a non-state policing force offers more benefit than detriment, leading to the recommendation of creating and implementing a non-state policing force in the African nation of Angola. References Baker, B. (2002). Living with non-state policing in South Africa: the issues and dilemmas. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 40(01). Baker, B. (2006). The African post-conflict policing agenda in Sierra Leone. Conflict, Security & Development, 6(1), pp.25-49. Baker, B. (2010). Grasping the Nettle of Nonstate Policing. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 14(3-4), pp.276-300. Crank, J. and Giacomazzi, A. (2007). Areal policing and public perceptions in a non?urban setting: one size fits one. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 30(1), pp.108-131. Gill, P. (1994). Policing politics. London: F. Cass. Hallsworth, S. and Lea, J. (2011). Reconstructing Leviathan: Emerging contours of the security state.Theoretical Criminology, 15(2), pp.141-157. Johnston, L. and Shearing, C. (2003). Governing security. London: Routledge. Wood, J. and Shearing, C. (2007). Imagining security. Cullompton: Willan. ZIMBABWE: Security Sector Reform Deadlock. (2011). Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series, 48(7), pp.18921C-18923C.

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Going Green at an Oil Company () - Case Study Example Six months later, an even bigger leak occurred at a refinery within the vicinity of Curitiba – a million gallons of oil flowed into two rivers. Once more, the company was criticized for using outdated technology to detect leaks and for inadequate staffing and lacking emergency plans. The Curitiba accident elicited the worst negative publicity in the history of the company and led to a fine of $115 million being imposed on Petrobras. Just when the company thought that the worst was over, an even worse accident came in March 2001 when the company’s P-36 oil drill sank. Valued at $350 million, the facility was the world’s largest floating production facility. The accident killed 11 of the Petrobras’ employees and leaked over 300, 000 gallons of oil. The three major and several other accidents had far-reaching implications for the company – employees were demoralized, the image of the company was damaged and investor relations suffered (Barros de Cerqueira Pae, 2012). In addition, the hefty fines imposed on the company ate into its profits. Something drastic had to be done. The then CEO of Petrobras responded to the disasters by creating the new position of Director of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and introduced the Program for Excellence in Environmental and Operational Safety Management (PEGASO). These two interventions created a springboard from which Gabrielli dived into the business transforming Petrobras into a green oil company when he became the company’s CEO in 2005. In order to turn around Petrobras, Gabrielli adopted a three-point strategy on the environment (Gabrielli de Azevedo, 2009). First, he embarked on improving internal operations. At the heart of Petrobras’ internal strategy is the company’s HSE program. The program is a massive one – between 2009 and 2012, the company committed $2.5 billion in the program. The program is based

Micro1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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