External environment for banking industry Essay

Standard Chartered is the world’s leading emerging markets bank headquartered in London. Standard Chartered employs 30,000 people in over 500 locations in more than 50 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom and the Americas. It is one of the world’s most international banks, with a management team comprising 70 nationalities. Standard Chartered has been committed to Hong Kong and China for nearly 150 years. Standard Chartered Bank opened its first branch in China in 1858 and is the oldest foreign bank in the country. The Bank has operated in Hong Kong since 1859 and has been issuing Hong Kong banknotes since 1862. Standard Chartered PLC listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2002. The bank is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is in the top 25 FTSE-100 companies, by market capitalization. It serves both Consumer and Wholesale Banking customers. Consumer Banking provides credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, deposit taking and wealth management services to individuals and small to medium sized enterprises. Wholesale Banking provides corporate and institutional clients with services in trade finance, cash management, lending, custody, foreign exchange, debt capital markets and corporate finance. Standard Chartered is well-established in growth markets and aims to be the right partner for its customers. The Bank combines deep local knowledge with global capability. The Bank is trusted across its network for its standard of governance and its commitment to making a difference in the communities in which it operates. The new millennium has brought with it two of the largest acquisitions in the history of the bank with the purchase of Grindlays Bank from the ANZ Group and the acquisition of the Chase Consumer Banking operations in Hong Kong in 2000. These acquisitions demonstrate Standard Chartered firm committed to the emerging markets, where it has a strong and established presence and where it foresees future growth. With the acquisition of ANZ Banking Group, StanChart became the largest foreign bank in terms of branch network and profitability in India. The merged entity has a combined network of 61  branches and 74 ATMs across 15 cities of the country. Understanding the global, political, technological and socio-cultural segments of its environment is obviously critical to Stanchart’s success. It has acquired companies in order to consolidate its global operations; operates in 50 countries; seeks to display environmental and social responsibility; and deals with communications technology. It strives to take advantage of opportunities in the dynamic environment, the need to deal innovatively with new acquisitions, the problem of reframing the public’s view of banking and ongoing cut throat competition from other commercial banks and non banking entities. The bank therefore has to make clear the communication challenge and make clear the global nature of its operations to the wider community, governments and the population at large. Research evidence suggests that external environment affects a firm’s growth and profitability over time. Changes in political, regulatory features, the strength of different nations’ economies at different times, and the emergence of new technologies are a few examples of conditions in the external environment that are affecting banks like StanChart and several other firms throughout the world whether in manufacturing or services sector. The companies in attractive environments perform better than the companies that are in less attractive environments. Therefore strategy development is about ‘fit’ i.e. identifying opportunities in the environment and building strategy matching resource capabilities to those opportunities. The resources and competences of organizations also play an important role as they explain the differences between organizations, potential uniqueness and therefore superior performance. The ‘stretch’ view argues that strategies should be built on the unique competences and resources of an organization by seeking out markets in which competences have special value or by trying to create new markets on the basis of such competences Another consideration is the stakeholders of company. Organizations have different stakeholders (shareholders, customers, employees, government) who have expectations of the organizations and may exercise considerable influence and power over the strategy to be followed As said earlier, the external environment plays an important role for banks. Most of the external factors are beyond the control of a bank. The factors such as competition; political, economical, legal, government rules and regulations influence the firm’s choice of direction and action and also affect the internal environment of a bank. The external environment influences a company’s strategic options as well as the decisions made in light of them. The firm’s understanding of the external environment is matched with knowledge about its internal environment. Matching the conditions of the two environments is the foundation the firm needs to form its strategic intent, to develop its strategic mission, and to take strategic actions in the pursuit of strategic competitiveness and above-average returns. The external environment encapsulates many different influences which makes the tasks of CEOs more difficult. Identifying the different environmental influences though makes sense, is not very much useful as the overall picture of these influences does not emerge. The second difficulty is that of the speed of change. The impact of technological changes on businesses is much faster than ever before. Technology has transformed the way in which the banking business is carried out. In addition the competitive pressures are also driving more banks to diversify their product range in response to market demands. We can broadly categorize this environment into two types: remote environment and operating environment. Remote environment: This environment consists of a set of forces that originate beyond a firm’s operating environment. This comprises of political, economic, social, technological and industrial forces which create opportunities, threats and constraints to the firm. For example macroeconomic instability in an economy characterized by chronic inflation, fiscal imbalances and periodic balance-of-payments crises also affect all the banks. Operating environment: The operating environment involves the factors that provide many of the challenges a bank is facing when attempting to attract  or acquire essential resources or when striving to profitably market its goods and services in the immediate competitive position, customer profile, reputation among suppliers and creditors and accessible labor market. The operating environment is also called the competitive or task environment. Hence by considering conditions in the operating environment business can be much more proactively planned. An organization’s external environment is shown in the figure below. The figure depicts the firm’s business area, remote environment and the operating environment cutting into an area of total external environmental impact on the firm. In the banking industry if the Reserve Bank increases the reserve requirements for the commercial banks it would affect all the banking companies in the economy. This is an operational risk. Over the past two decades, commercial banks across the globe have aggressively repositioned themselves to compete under new economic, technological, and regulatory conditions. These institutions are no longer protected by regulatory entry barriers, and are confronted with a marked transformation in telecommunications and computer technology. Banks can no longer rely on traditional banking models and therefore have invested huge amounts of resources in the search for new competitive strategies. While many of these attempts had fruitless results, the most successful strategic innovations have set a new paradigm in banking and have changed the way banks compete. The manner in which commercial banks currently underwrite their loans, finance their activities, grow their franchises, distribute their services and market their images can hardly be compared to ones that bankers adopted in 1970s. Coming to the regulatory environment, banks still do not compete in a completely unregulated environment. Regulations continue to shape banking strategies for example, in US, the federally insured deposits are the basis of community bank business strategy. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) loans are a mandatory for all banks (in India, priority sector credit is mandatory for all commercial banks, this would be dealt in detail in subsequent pages). Investment decisions of every bank are influenced by capital regulations. The system of multiple regulators can affect the choice  of organizational form of banking companies. While most banks are regulated by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), some are under dual control of government and RBI. In India, all banks are subject to RBI’s regulation but the framework is not uniform in the sense that public sector banks, cooperative banks, and private banks are governed by significant differences and not all of them have access to the payments system. The Department of Company Affairs (DCA) regulates the deposit taking activities of non-banking non- financial companies and also some activities of Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). SEBI regulates the capital markets and supervises stock exchanges, mutual funds, securities dealers and brokers, merchant bankers, credit rating agencies and venture capital funds. Companies in the insurance sector are regulated by IRDA. Banks are permitted to be involved in insurance activity through joint ventures/equity participation/selling agency type arrangements. Thus, the object of regulation itself is susceptible to some overlap. Several scandals in banks have led regulators to make increased informational demands on banks. As banking markets grow more concentrated, anti-trust laws may increasingly limit the scale and scope of bank mergers. At a minimum, regulation is simply a fixed cost that must be borne by banks, which does not influence a bank’s behavior. At the other extreme, and perhaps in a more realistic situation, regulation can significantly affect banks’ strategic choices and influence competition in financial markets. Innovations introduced in the markets are often driven by, and in some cases succeed exclusively because of the prevailing regulatory environment. Similarly, commercial banks’ competitive strategies are shaped by both new technologies, and the limitations of technology. Retail banking had traditionally been built around the paper-based payments, but IT has created new strategic possibilities for it. Electronic delivery of banking services can reduce a bank’s overhead costs to a great extent. However abandoning bank branches can also give rise to disastrous strategic costs. New technologies have a led to a great transformation in the risk management practices of commercial banks, but application of such techniques may also create some unforeseen new risks. After generations of technological stasis  in the banking industry, the ongoing rapid pace of technological change has made â€Å"strategic innovation† a viable competitive strategy for banks.

Alice in Wonderland Essay

You may have thought Alice in Wonderland was just a children’s tale that everyone takes too seriously but there is more philosophy, metaphors, and spirituality in this revolutionary children’s book than you can fit into one teapot! It seems everyone from my generation and up has heard the story, read the book, or watched the movie at some point in their lives. Alice in Wonderland started as a book written in 1865 by Charles Lutwidge. It is about a girl named Alice who sees a little white rabbit in the woods and follows it down the rabbit hole. When Alice goes down the hole she finds herself in a fantasy world called Wonderland, which is populated by peculiar characters. A few of these characters include the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the caterpillar, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and the Cheshire cat. Alice in Wonderland was a good story that caught the attention of both the young and the old but what most people did not know is that there is a bigger picture behind the story; the bigger picture being the one that famous philosophers pointed out. The first idea or character from Alice in Wonderland that I want to cover is the Cheshire cat. Cheshire Cat is depicted as an intelligent yet mischievous, villainous character that sometimes helps Alice and sometimes gets her into trouble, the cat is know for its disappearing acts where is starts to fade leaving nothing but it’s smile. Plato argued that what ‘is not’ in some sense also ‘is’, therefore he also believed that a non-being did exist. Plato believed that the incompatibility of Being and Non-Being was false. The only real antinomy is that of a single object of consciousness and all other things from which it is distinguished. Some would argue that no cat could just disappear into thin air and leave behind its smile. One would ask, can a smile be on it’s own? Apparently it can. The Cheshire cat’s grin, too, is a non-material being which would be categorized as a grin, as just a Platonic Form – a nonmaterial being which has real existence. Another aspect of Alice in  Wonderland that I want to cover is the food items that Alice eats. Her character in this story is almost entirely defined by what she eats. Once Alice has fallen down the rabbit hole she is stuck behind a small door that she cannot fit into. This talking door tells her that there are snacks on the table that will help her fit thru the door so she looks on the table and magically there are food items and drinks with tags that say â€Å"Drink me!† and â€Å"Eat me!† that appear out of nowhere, so Alice eats one without questioning it. â€Å"Food has a constant tendency to transform itself into situation,† the French sociologist Roland Barthes said. For that quote Barthes was talking about foods in the aspect of having communion without bread or Christmas withou t turkey. We can also question what would Alice be without those treats? The food made its way into this certain situation. Alice never would have been able to go thru that small door had she not eaten that one treat that made her shrink. This specific food choice set the tone for the rest of the movie, it made the story able to move on and allowed Alice to officially enter Wonderland. Another part of Alice in Wonderland that made me think of Ronald Barthes was when, in his essay The Death of the Author he states â€Å"it is language which speaks, not the author: to write is to reach that point where language alone acts, â€Å"performs,† and not â€Å"oneself.† Lewis Carroll does just this in Alice in Wonderland. He creates his story with his knowledge of language with the puns and riddles in this story. An example would be his parody of traditional songs, which create a double meaning. Carroll does not project one meaning, he hands his language to the reader and allows them to analyze the story however they would like. Barthes quote says basically that the author is not the one that is spe aking to you but his language is. The language the author uses should speak to readers in the different ways that they hear it and Alice in Wonderland does just that, which is why there are so many different views and interpretations on it. In this book, Alice’s powers to reason are so distinct they seem unsuitable to a little girl’s character. According to Aristotle’s book Poetics, he insists that a character must be appropriate. For example, any intelligence in a woman would be considered inappropriate. Though Aristotle does not cover a child’s appropriate characteristic, we should assume that if intelligence in a female character is marked as inappropriate then it should be for a little girl as well. From this we argue that Alice’s fearless reasoning through out  the movie is uncharacteristic of a child. However, when Alice’s reasoning is used to draw attention to her, Alice’s childish nature is skillfully put into words when Alice claims that she â€Å"[doesn’t] care which happens.† This would restore her values as a character for Aristotle since he says, â€Å"too brilliant a diction conceals character and thought.† Alice in this book experiences a lot of things that the reader might think of as illusions or things that aren’t true or cannot happen. According to Nietzsche, the things in this book make perfect sense. Everyone is driven by a will to truth and knowledge on hand and a will to illusion and ignorance on the other hand. These components help make a worthy and happy existence for everyone. This book constantly makes the reader go back and forth between what is the truth and what isn’t. This book is the perfect demonstration for Nietzsche’s theory of having a middle ground between the place for realism and for fantasy in a well-ordered life. Alice’s willingness to accept the appearance of the white rabbit without question and follow it down the rabbit hole to continue her illusion fantasy is the perfect example of Nietzsche’s theory of the will of ignorance and the good use of illusions a person needs to balance their life. Opposed from Nietzsche’s theory about everything in Alice in Wonderland making sense, David Hume has another idea. Hume is another philosopher whose theories can be found within Alice in Wonderland. Hume brought forth the idea that until we know the necessary connection or cause of things, than all knowledge is uncertain. Everyone who reads or watches Alice in Wonderland is just as intrigued as she is on her new findings. This Wonderland is full of things that contradict our experience and expectations. While following Alice’s journey one does not know what comes next, as in our lives we usually do. We know that if you roll one ball and it hits another than that ball will roll too. Hume has a different idea. Hume would have thought, based on this theory, that Alice shows little evidence of being an expert on deductive logic. Alice would not have been able to make any reasonable decisions in Wonderland because she has never experienced anything like it before and therefore doesn’t know the outcome of anything she might do. Alice does use great inductive reasoning skills though when she learns how to change her size by drinking the bottle and  other foods. She uses this type of reasoning to make successful predictions. Her use of evidence about past events to predict and control the future course in Wonderland allows Hume’s theory to come alive within Alice and her choices. Time is also a big question in Alice in Wonderland and it shows up quite a bit. Though Plato may believe time to be just a mere illusion, Kant has his own point of view. Kant has three conclusions about time, one being that time is not something that exists by itself, time is actually a psychological sense by which the world is engaged in, and that time is prior to any particular engagement that one many have. Kant believes that time is an intuition of the mind and Alice would have needed that in order to have any type of adventure. One of the main points that the reader comes across time in Alice in Wonderland is when the white rabbit was running to his hole saying â€Å"Oh dear? Oh dear? I shall be too late.† Every time the white rabbit is in a scene he seems to be in a rush and saying he is going to be late. According to Kant, the white rabbit is experiencing an expectation of a time to come and understands that the present is prior to the future event, which would explain why the rabbit was always anxious. Out of all of these philosophers I believe that Alice in Wonderland connects most with Nietzsche and Barth. Nietzsche’s theory of illusions and the will of ignorance. When personally watching Alice in Wonderland, the movie, and knowing that people read the book, any one would be able to tell that it is all about illusions. I mean, at the beginning of the story she is talking to her teacher saying things like â€Å"if I had my own world the books would be pictures,† â€Å"if I had a world of my own everything would be nonsense, nothing would be what it is.† Then a few minutes later Alice falls asleep and ends up in Wonderland. This shows that Wonderland is Alice’s illusion. Nietzsche shows that one needs a good balance between what is real and what is fake. Barth also gets most of Alice in Wonderlands theory because he explains that story’s are not what the author says they are, they are what the reader sees them as and Alice in Wonderland has been interpreted in so many ways that Barthes theory is spot on. Everyone sees Alice in Wonderland differently because the author made it so it wasn’t just one meaning. Nietzsche and Barthes’s theory is exactly what the whole story of Alice in Wonderland is about.

France and United States Health Care Policy Comparison

Abstract The efficacy of the social policies of health care has become a topic of considerable debate. This essay examines the nations of France and the United States in order to develop better understanding of the similarities and differences to be found in each system. The evidence shows that both nations are attempting to address the same issue, through different methods, which in turn are based on social policy. This research will be of value to any person studying the convergence or dependency theories. 1. Introduction As technology unfies the world, there is a continuous debate on the efficacy of individual social policies. This essay assesses and compares the Health Care policies found in the France and the United States in order to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses associated with the processesThe essay identifies convergence or path dependency theory in order to demonstrate how different nations approach the same issues. Suggestions for the future will be offered 2. Health Care Policy2.1 OverviewHealth care is an issue that every nation has to address in order to create a stable, profitable internal environment (Fischer and Collins, 2010). Health care policy can be defined as an effort to alleviate ill-health amongst the population. Although health care policy is increasing, some debate its efficacy (Fisher et al, 2010). This literature suggests that varying societal factors including perception and acceptance play a positive role in the establishment of any social or health care policy. In order to explain the development of healthcare policy, two theories are commonly employed: convergence and path dependency (Dutton, 2007). Each of these methods speaks to the cultural need to assert a semblance of cultural impact on the development of national societal institutions such as health care policy. Cnvergence theory is commonly tied to the functionalist approach which speaks to the societal expectations of having to meet requirements in order to survive and continue to operate (Baldock et al, 2012). The essence of this view associates an increase in industrialization with the coinciding resemblance to other already industrialized nations. This suggests that these forms of nations learn from and adapt other countries policies in order to enhance their own development. Alternately, the path dependency theory denotes a ‘history matters’ approach, that states future social decision and influences are constrained and based on past practices (Baldock et al, 2012) . Prior decisions have a limiting impact on future actions, this method of development often is relegated to the already present institutions that society embraces. This definition of alternative development models indicates a defined social impact to any form of policy institution, not the least of which becomes health care and general population well-being. Both the United States and France will be assessed for their health care policy approach, seeking to Understand whether the convergence or dependency models is more influential.2.1.1 Health Care Policy FranceThere has long been a public policy approach in France (Hantrais, 2010). There is a commonly held belief a nationally subsidized health care system provides a methodfd keeping the population healthy (Hantrais, 2010). With a consistent pattern of leadership in the industry, providing a consistent and strong health care France has illustrated a convergence/functionalist approach to the health care issue, often citing their system as a model for other nations (Marmot et al, 2012). In many ways this evidence speaks to the fact that a healthy population enables increased access and opportunity to social benefits by reducing health care costs and increasing spending in other areas. France as a European nation is marked by a larger than average ratio of health spending yet remains much less than their counter parts in the West spend on health care(Marmot et al, 2012). Alongside this popular national support rests that the fact that the population is largely healthy with a average life span two years more than the rest of the word (Marmot et al, 2012). . The French is to manage cost by implementing a system of premium health care levels that are directly associated with a person’s income (Rodwin, 2003). This is a targeted policy that seeks to make insurance as affordable as possible in order to ensure that that each person has access. Further, this limits opportunities for the insurance industry to adjust rates unfairly or at a disadvantage to certain conditions or participants (Rodwin, 2003). This element of control takes away much of the ability for companies to overly profit from the insurance market. With the French system taking on the burden of the majority of medical expenses through a system of reimbursement, the average citizen’s ability to sustain health insurance is higher (Rodwin, 2003). This protection is enhanced and extended to the people who need healthcare the most, making the issue of major illness much more manageable on the economic and social front. Due to the quality of universal healthcare in France, there are very low levels of private insurance, a further indication of the capacity for this system to not only manage cost but provide efficient and dependable care (Marmot et al, 2012). With a public system in place,the need for private insurance in significantly reduced, further ensuring less expense for the average citizen. France possesses a well-developed system of independent and public hospitals (Rodwin, 2003). This wide ranging access to care has been credited with further enhancing the overall rate of health and effectiveness in the nation. Yet, the diverse manner of health care oversight has been cited as an issue (Marmot et al, 2012). With nearly fifty different regulatory agencies to contend with, each faculty has to negotiate an ever-changing environment, which provides a serious challenge to many institutions. A further problem is the rising influence of the pharmaceutical industry, intent on generating profit rather than being concerned with benefiting the people of France (Clarke and Bidgood, 2013). With prescription charges payable, there is anarea of concern Regarding affordability of medicine. In summary Universal health care in France is a nationally subsidized system that reimburses out of pocket patient expenses, based on that person’s rate of income. With a convergent form of policy that seeks to make the French system a global model, the high quality of care denotes a degree of success. However, the high rate of regulation serves to diminish many of the positive elements of the policy. The French system has offered other nations a model of healthcare promising to reduce sickness, thereby decreasing underlying societal cost. In France, there is evidence that health policy supports citizens during times of sickness or injury.2.1.2 Health Care Policy United StatesThe healthcare system in the United States has long been an area of contention within the nation, commonly resulting in politically partisan fighting that diminishes the ability for any system to function (Hoffman, 2008). With the ascension of a liberal regime in the United States, the recent past has wit nessed a shift away from the individual, less regulated, insurance market to a form of universal health care with far more federal regulation. The private market controls the health care insurance market, making the need for supplementary services high in order to meet every expectation (Hoffman, 2008). With the rising cost of health care and a general lack of productive policy, the shift away from the strictly private system has been a rough evolution for many in the United States. With a standing of 50th in the world foro effective health care policy as rated by the OECD there seems to be a suggestion thathe US system has begun to change to match other models, actively incorporating the convergent theory and seeking to emulate the positive health trends Found elsewhere. (Palmer, 2014), There are multiple levels of regulatory oversight in the US system of health care (Gulliford and Morgan, 2010). This is a reflection of the national and state level authorities that commonly find themselves at odds with one another. With this abundance of regulation there is substantial paperwork (Hoffman, 2008). Evidence suggests that there is a potential for politics to play a role in the policy making efforts of healthcare. This opportunity for gain at the expense of the national system is often attributed to the wellbeing of the very people that need it most, the lower earners and single mothers. US federal oversight is conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, which ensures that the appropriate compliance guidelines are followed by states (Gulliford et al, 2010). This section of governement oversees procedures from county/state level to the national level. In this manner the integration of State and Federal concerns can serve to aid in the implementation of healt h care policy throughout the nation. Yet, it also seems to be the case that there is a potential for conflict among policy makers, leading to a poorer service Medical professionals in the US are licensed under the American Medical Association, with an aim of ensuring a high quality of care and adherence to ethical guidelines (Kominski, 2011). . It has been suggested that the US private system is commonly influenced by the presence of rich or well to do patients or donors (Palmer, 2014). This perception seems justified, as the best performing doctors are often unavailable to the average US citizen, thereby creating an unintentional division of care which is reflected in the life expectancy numbers. Yet, this is a demonstration of the convergent theory at work in the functionalist US society, as the recognition of expanded need becomes apparent; public policy was created to address the issue. In summary The health care policies found in the United States have been shown to be rated as moderate by the international community. Before the shift to the universal care subsidized by the nation, the gap between rich and poor in terms of healthcare had widened. Many people lacked health insurance. In order to address this, recent liberal policies found in the US were formulated but have been much debated. It can be suggested that new policies have succeeded in lowering the rate of people without healthcare insurance, thereby beginning the effort of increasing the health of the population in general. Yet, the regulatory environment found in the healthcare system in the US is often counter-productive. Further, this every area of contention has led to a gap of states that have accepted the new universal care and those that have not, decreasing the impact that they policies have on a considerable number of citizens.2.3 ComparisonThe health care policies found in France in the United States share many similarities as well as considerable differences. For example, the French tradition of seeking social remedies to health issues is sharply differed from the American approach of ‘goes it alone’ fundamentalism (Flynn, 2010). In many cases the expectation that everyone must take care of themselves has led the US health care system to sharply different levels of care in regions, largely based on the underlying income factors of the residents. Conversely, France has long sought to provide a balanced method that seeks to present a useable model to the rest of the world (Fisher et al, 2010). This is best illustrated by the life expectancy rates found in the US of 78.4 and 81.3 in France (Fisher et al, 2010). With numbers supporting the success factors in France over the prior efforts in the US, the American shift to the more universal system is considered a convergence with modern examples such as France leading the way. A factor that both systems share is the high quality of physicians and practitioners that are involved in health care (Palmer, 2014). While the French system is primarily publicly owned and supported, the US policy dictated that many of their institutions are privately owned and operated, presenting further considerations during the transition to universal health care in this nation. This same issue presents itself as a difference between the social policies as the French doctors are paid substantially less than their American counterparts (Palmer, 2014). Yet, the French approach to this issue was to make subsequent education and associated services free to those in the medical profession, thereby reducing the need for the extravagant wages that many experience in the West (Guilliford et al, 2010). This same measure of policy support is yet absent in the American system, which makes a considerable difference as to where and how a student can learn and practice. This literature sugges ts that there is a need to make expenses of the medical learning process reduced in order to present a method of paying fair wage thereby allowing the entirety of the population to receive the same quality of care, regardless of financial position or social standing. The spending levels for medical needs in the United States far outweigh those experienced in French system, demonstrating effective policy (Palmer, 2014). In part due to the rapidly rising cost of health care, the American system was forced to shift to a universal policy in order to slow the impact that this substantial cost on the overall economic outlook for the nation. With both nations providing a social policy of immediate emergency care, there was a widespread perception in the US that this would alleviate much of the lower class medical issues, yet, conversely, this phenomena of utilizing emergency care for routine care served to drastically increase the need for funding from the national level, thereby prompting new policy modelled on systems including the UK and Canada (Palmer, 2014). This is in contrast to the French model, which involves more spending per citizen, but has shown positive performance in response to spending levels. The United States policy of health care has a compulsory insurance mandate this is designed to ensure that each citizen has insurance (Palmer, 2014). Conversely, the French system utilizes a series of reimbursements based on wages in order to supply the same medical services. In some ways, the perception of the US system has been cited as a form of increased taxation on the healthy, with these views stating that they are supporting the poor of the nation. Despite the strength of health care available in the United States, until recently there was a marked increase in the value, with many of the citizens putting off routine care in favour of waiting for emergency, which in turn inflated health costs of every level (Palmer, 2014). However, France overcame this issue by establishing oversight panels that ensure that fair access is assured and that the population has access to the same general level of care. A common component of both nations health care policy is the multiple layers of bureaucrats and agencies that dictate policy (Flynn, 2010). Both nations cite the need to reduce the layers of oversight in order to streamline the process, which would in theory reduce administration costs and aid the both nation and industry. In a very real manner, this evidence suggests that the long term capacity to develop a working system will be found by taking the best of the existing structures and using these as a foundation for growth. 3. Conclusion This essay has examined the social policies of France and the United States in the field of health care in order to evaluate and compare their offerings. The evidence presented illustrates a position of French strength through communal action. With proven records supporting the reduction in health issues, rise in life expectancy and overall positive implementation there is a model for progress. Alternately, the private system once favored in the United States has evolved to a more UK or Canadian style system that requires consumer participation. This recognition and development on the part of the American nation is deemed an example of the convergence/functionalist theory with the country seeking to alleviate many of the social health issues by implementing a system similar to other nations. An area of weakness demonstrated in both societies that have the potential to raise issues in the future is the presence of an over regulated system. With so many different agencies responsible f or the oversight and regulation of the same industry, there is a need to coordinate and simplify the process in order to aid both the consumer and the provider. Further, this area is prone to political partisanship or bias, which in turn has a direct impact on the quality of care and policy that develops. In the end, the social policy of health care has been deemed of critical import for both France and the United States. Yet, just as the nations are culturally unique yet share traits, so too will the health care issue, with both nations seeking to address the same issue though slightly differing means. Only time will judge which has been the better approach. 4. References Baldock, J., 2013. Social policy. 1st ed. Cambridge, UK: Polity. Dutton, P., 2007. Differential diagnoses. 1st ed. Ithaca: ILR Press/Cornell University Press. Feldstein, P., 2012. Health care economics. 1st ed. New York: Wiley. Fisher, K. and Collins, J., 2010. Homelessness, health care, and welfare provision. 1st ed. London: Routledge. Flynn, N., 2010 Social Policy, fiscal problems & economic performance in France, United Kingdom & Germany. London, 1(1). pp. 65-100. Gulliford, M. and Morgan, M., 2010. Expanding access to health care. 1st ed. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. Hantrais, L., 2010. French social policy in the European context. Modern & Contemporary France, 3(4), pp.381–390. Hoffman, B., 2008. Health care reform and social movements in the United States. American journal of public health, 98. Kominski, G., 2011. Changing the U.S. health care system. 1st ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Marmot, M., Allen, J., Bell, R. and Goldblatt, P., 2012. Building of the global movement for health equity: from Santiago to Rio and beyond. The Lancet, 379(9811), pp.181–188. others, 2012. Health, United States, 2011: with special feature on socioeconomic status and health. National Center for Health Statistics (US). Palmer, K., 2014. A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US | Physicians for a National Health Program. [online] Pnhp.org. Available at: [Accessed 19 Apr. 2014]. Rodwin, V., 2003. The health care system under French national health insurance: lessons for health reform in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1), pp.31–37. Sauret, J., 1997. Information systems in healthcare Situation in France. Health Cards’ 97, 49, p.27.

Public Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public Law - Essay Example This Act covers Great Britain matters on equality powers and has continued to fight for legislation anti-discrimination instead of a single act. This is because of power-sharing disagreements in the government. The equality law has failed since it has only produced a collision between competing equality strands. However, there must be better ways of resolving conflicts between faith-based and sexuality- based equality rights. In this regard, this essay will expound on equality law failure having produced collision between competing equality strands and better ways of resolving conflicts between-faith based and sexuality-based equality rights, in reference to the British case-law and wider international academic debate. British case law and wider international debate The British case law adopts an integrated and unitary perspective of equality law which in enforced by the commission. It also clarifies various definitions of victimization, discrimination and harassment which it applies as well as expands positive duties on public authority in terms of authority. Therefore, equality law having in reference to the new single equality Act in Britain. It will also base on the struggles outcome between competing ideologies and different interest groups. The first generation of British was under formal equality, where it demanded â€Å"that likes must be treated alike†. ... Additionally, the increase of equality and diversity is significant in the sense that it raises questions of conflicts with human rights commission. In this subtopic, the essay will set out general principles, as well as an approach to policy and equality law conflicts. Evidence to be used will be Equality Act 2006 and recent Equality Act 2010 which has established a less or more cross-ground legislative comprehensive framework which forbids discrimination on basis of protected characteristics. This will also include some of the grounds that are covered under the European Law. Power sharing disagreements Power sharing disagreements have evolved quickly within a short episode of time. This subtopic will argue on the ground that power should be shared on both sexes. This issue has imposed a huge debate on courts in regard to British case law and wider international debate which does not contain any direct protection against power sharing agreements. However, it aims at achieving modern ization, harmonization and simplification on equality law. This is in relation to several principles that declare the right to equality in all sexes and equal protection in terms of discrimination regardless of sex. The state gives a full effect on the right to equality in all its activities. Additionally, there must be no hierarchy of equality. The law does not expect women and disabled people to be treated the same way as men. Evidence will be from Discrimination Act of 2008 , British Act. Discrimination challenges Every individual has a right to treated equally and fairly. This sub-topic will explain some of the challenges that indiscrimination offers in reference to the right of individuals to fight for compensation in case of unlawful discrimination in tribunal and industrial

Fog of war Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Fog of war - Movie Review Example r, but also delves into his youth, schooling, and participation in the Air Force during the Second World War and his posterior years as he took on the role as the fifth president of the World Bank Group from 1968 to 1981. Documentarian Errol Morris particularizes momentous moments during the time McNamara was under President Lyndon B. Johnson and President Kennedy as the Secretary of Defense. This comprises his decisions regarding the bombarding of Tokyo in 1945 and the Cuban Missile Crisis to name a few. Through the movie, McNamara illustrates and explains his viewpoints on transnational clash and warfare, and expresses his compunction for the mistakes he has made in his career. However, at the same time, he also shows his pride and joy at the things he has accomplished. In the film which consisted of interviews with McNamara who was at the time already eighty five years old and taped footage of the bombings and attacks during World War II, Morris selected eleven lessons out of McNamara’s series of explanatory notes regarding the true nature of war and peace. In my opinion, the lessons that The Fog of War provides elicit imperative issues and questions and expresses answers that are very controversial and questionable. At one point, he says that, â€Å"In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil.† He says, â€Å"‘War is cruel. War is cruelty.’ That was the way LeMay felt. He was trying to save the country. He was trying to save our nation. And in the process, he was prepared to do whatever killing was necessary. Its a very, very difficult position for sensitive human beings to be in. Morrison was one of those. I think I was.† The idea is considerably disputable in the situation of the Second World War and the indubitably iniquitous and unjust actions that the Allies decided upon. In my personal opinion, much more problems and negative effects came out from the American involvement in the Vietnam War than any ‘good.’ Nonetheless, McNamara

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

Art History Video - Essay Example It appears dark, but this is not due to its lack of maintenance but since it is made out of porous sandstone. Stained glass windows are also a prominent feature in the video. The bells of the cathedral are also evident in the video, and some appear very heavy yet fascinating. Tower stairs of the cathedral have been portrayed to be extremely steep, but still they leave a very great impression on the writer. Generally, the view of this huge Church is very breathtaking; its large size, well painted windows on the outside, deep stairs and the general breathtaking. This cathedral has also has beautiful mosaic patterns and an overall grandeur. Built at around the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral is one of German’s greatest architectural constructions. This masterpiece is situated at the heart of Cologne, and it is the third tallest cathedral all over the world. Its construction began in 1248 and then it took a total of 600 years for the cathedral to be completed. It was completed in 1880. The building was constructed so remarkably in such a way that, even in the Second World War when German cities were flattened by bombings, the cathedral still remained, standing tall. The cathedral has many treasures but the four principle treasures are the shrine of the three holy kings, Gero Cross, Modern Mosaic Glass Window and Milan Madonna. What is striking about this cathedral is its gigantic size that it has occupied in the center of the city of Cologne. This has given it aesthetic value, but the windows have been decorated amazingly which has added to the aesthetic value of the building. Building projects nowadays and in the Middle Ages are very different. In the present world, housing projects are a very common occurrence and it takes a few years to complete the construction. However, Cologne Cathedral took a total of about 600 years which implies that considerable amounts of energy and hard labor were used in ensuring

The BP gulf oil spill Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The BP gulf oil spill - Assignment Example The BP gulf oil spill As a result of the explosion, 4.9 millions barrels of crude oil were released into the surrounding water before the wells were capped in July. The spilt oil caused considerable damage to the wildlife and marine animals. Similarly, on July 6th 2011, it was reported that ExxonMobil had spill around a 1000 barrels of oil into the Yellowstone River on the coast of Montana as an underground pipeline under the river bed ruptured. While ExxonMobil has taken on the responsibility of cleaning the river and all damage caused, the question arises whether the government has done enough to protect the environment from further such disasters. Surely after the BP oil spill, such a disaster should not have occurred, especially barely a year after the last one. What did the government do in light of the first disaster, and what will they be doing after this one? If these companies are drilling for oil, they are naturally doing it with the consent of the government, who are in turn doing it for the betterment of the citizens. But if they are doing so, do they not have a responsibility to ensure that all risk of the cost of doing so is reduced and minimal? And if it is indeed their responsibility to do so, in the light of the fact that failure to do so has occurred time and again, what is the government doing to prevent further such mistakes. More importantly, why do these mistakes occur, time and again. When investigatio n was carried out into the causes behind the BP oil spill it was found that had overlooked several factors, that had they been correctly addressed might have prevented the accident2. For the sake of cutting back on costs, BP, Halliburton and Transocean had worked on a lower budget, thereby compromising on quality control. For example. BP had overlooked the strength of the cement being used in the walls of the pipes, as well as incorrectly cementing the walls of the pipes34. Furthermore, the failed result of several pressure tests were also ignored, which had they been properly addressed, might have prevented the ultimate bursting of the well. But while BP was considerably criticized for their faults in preventing the oil spill, the fact was that the US government also missed considerable chances to prevent the attack and then later on further responses in light of the attack5. For one thing, officials initially underestimated the threat of a leak, taking on the word of BP officials when they were asked about it a year earlier6. Once the leak occurred, they underestimated the extent of the leak. They was assumed that oil on the surface of the water was merely that: on the surface. It was not understood that it was spilling from an underground source, and thereby spread not only on the surface but rather throughout the water. As a result of this underestimation, the government disregarded the need for critical action, trusting the word of the company that said would take care of it. Oil critics say that government officials rely on oil companies to manage the oil spills, meaning they do not go into the investigation personally by going on site or into an in-depth investigation, thereby making their response to the spill inadequate. Critics also say that the government should not trust that companies have enough resources to judge in advance whether a risk exists and then once it occurs, whether they have the resources to take care of it. In the light that it doe sn't, the government sh

The Problem Of Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Problem Of Planning - Essay Example In statistical terms, random sample means the set of items that are drawn from a large set of items (population) and it is the subset of the population. The method of sample satisfies the criterion of randomness, that is, each item has equal chance to be drawn or selected. The only factor an item to be selected is mere chance. But in order to ensure the equal chance to all items, once an item is selected, it should be replaced by the population. If the population consists of heterogeneous subgroups or different strata, it would be advisable to sample each subpopulation (stratum) separately. Stratification is the process of grouping members into relatively homogenous groups. The random sampling is applied within each stratum. This method of random sampling from different strata improves the representative nature of the sample by reducing the sampling error. The sample size is the number of observations that constitute the sample and it is normally represented by an integer (positive number). The sample size is determined by a number of factors like convenience, time, money and the purpose of the study. But in many cases, the decision of sample size becomes confusing. Though the published literature on this issue is not very much rich in comparison to its importance, there are articles and books which are concerning the sample size determination. Some of them are Kraemer and Thiemann (1987), Cohen (1988), Lipsey (1990), Shuster (1990), and Odeh and Fox (1991). Determining Sample Size is such an important issue that the reliability of the results mainly depends on this. The decision of how large would be a sample is so important that it enables the statistical judgments would be accurate and reliable. For this, the sample size should not be too small or too large.

Analysis on Team Dynamics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analysis on Team Dynamics - Essay Example Self managed teams are known to operate in a much effective and efficient manner and their productivity levels are even quite high. This is because when trust is bestowed upon employees, they end up learning at a higher rate and they tend to correct their mistakes and face issues on their own instead of depending on a manager to correct them in their operations. One of the major benefits that self managed team is that such teams are able to identify new ways of performing or attaining targets. Since, these teams are not being lead or are not being provided with the objective of attaining targets, members of these teams tend to come up with their own ideas of performing a particular job which can result in methods that are much effective as well as efficient. A major issue with these teams is that they may end up applying methods to work that may result in heavy losses since they implement trial and error method to figure out new ways to perform tasks. A major disadvantage of a manager controlled team is that in such teams decisions are mostly made by the managers and a manager who is directing such teams may not get the time to work on other important tasks. Mistakes and costs in manager lead teams are quite infrequent as they tend to use methods of operations that have already been tries and tested. Different members in a team are awarded with different roles and these roles contribute to the successful operations of a team. According to Belbin’s Team Role Theory, a team requires a Monitor Evaluator in order make contributions that are unbiased in nature and to analyze different solutions available to a team with a neutral mindset (Utley 284). Another role identified is that of an implementer, an implementer is necessary in a self directed team in order to identify a way to implement the strategy that was created by the team. The role of a shaper is even quite necessary in a particular team to ensure that all team members are focused on the target at hand

Operations management (see assignment requirements) Essay

Operations management (see assignment requirements) - Essay Example 2. The Range of Technologies in the Modern Retail Industry An efficient supply chain involves better inventory management and reducing the time from the procurement to the final delivery. For these purposes both supply chain strategies and supply chain technologies are integrated into supply chain management to result in an efficient network of logistics. These technologies include transportation, management and communication technologies which work hand in hand to lead to an evolution of the supply chain. Information technology and decision support system are some of the common technologies being used in today's supply chain management. IT is implemented in the supply chain for strategic planning, virtual enterprise and knowledge management. Another reason why IT is frequently used is the E-Commerce factor of businesses these days(Ngai, 2004).These technologies ensure that a sophisticated analysis of the abundant available data is made possible and the results are used to obtain a c ompetitive edge in the market(Simchi-Levi, 2003). Business redesigning and the implementation of technology in business are often considered to be complimentary with each other. Therefore the integration of technology is bound to change the face of retailing operations. IT is a design tool used for knowledge and business management to produce tangible results such as time reduction, cost reduction and an improvement in the output quality. (Michael Lewis, p. 103) These innovations in Information Technology include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Electronic data Interchange (EDI), Pints of sales (POS) and other Data Mining (DM) technologies. These have radically changed the way retailers do their business and brought about efficiency by reducing labour costs, improving inventory accuracy, reducing lead time and increasing the rate of order fill. Points of sales (POS) POS has been in use since the 1980's and it facilitates the sale of products by entry and access of products in stores. POS allows for automatic and dynamic updates of inventory and sales data when sales occur. Thus this system is frequently used for store transactions, refunds, cash authorizations, exchanging issues and inventory tracking. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) RFID is a generic name for technologies which use radio waves to identify and track objects. It identifies the items by reading a tag and a considerable amount of information is transmitted by just reading of the tag by the reader. This technology can capture product information which can be up to 40 times more than the typical barcode technology. RFID works as an information facilitator which can directly help in developing and aiding decision making in the supply chain. The main features of RFID are real and automatic data capture, enhanced information quality and support for business transactions. Data Mining (DM) Data mining is a process of extracting knowledge from a large database to build predictive models for b usiness decision making. It is used to make strategic and tactical decisions such as sales forecasting, customer acquisition and retention. From the supply chain point of view, they can also be used to make operational decisions like supplier

Policy Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Policy Making - Essay Example They will also help in assisting the staffs and the lawmakers in drafting legislation. Lobbying group will interpreted the impact of the proposed rules and legislation. They will organize demonstrations and protest, talking to the media, running advertisement, hosting potential candidates and engaging in litigation. Most of these groups are not shy of offering campaign to the law makers (Rosati & Scott 2014). Other indirect techniques that can be used are, working through third parties. These will help in influencing legislators and public policy. This can be done by making phone call, writing of emails to the members of an organization to communicate their concerns. By use of these techniques, policies will be influenced by the communicated group by offering support. Lobbing groups is more effective than this technique. In a well-funded interest, groups try to gain public support by mass emailing, media advertisement, and publication. The main reason for using these techniques is because they are effective and will create the intended pressure to the public to influence our policies1. Given the current political climate, some of the challenges we intend to face are both economic and political. Politically, providing evidence of or intended policy will be a problem. This because our policies are experimental with no grantee of our intended purpose; Without the evidence, we might fall back on ideology and conventional wisdom. Policies are not made in a vacuum but rather typically emerge from a maelstrom of political energy. Some of the factors that will influence how good the evidence is include the methodology. A good methodology will allow proper consideration of the problem. Another factor is research skills; Good skills will enable excellent research of a problem. Another challenge is that, gathering evidence might take a lot of time. This can

Preparing Salts- IB Lab Essay Example for Free

Preparing Salts- IB Lab Essay Calcium chloride (CaCl2) has been manufactured for over 100 years. The salt is used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, and is supplied as flakes, pebbles, pellets, powders and solutions with varying concentrations. Calcium chloride dissociates easily in water to form Ca and Cl ions. Calcium is essential for the formation of skeletons, neural transmission, and muscle contraction, coagulation of the blood, and algae and higher plant growth. Chloride ions are also required for normal cellular operations in animals and humans, and serve as a micronutrient for plants, playing important roles in photosynthesis and osmoregulation. Calcium chloride is considered to be practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms and bioaccumulation is unlikely. Calcium chloride does not burn and is not flammable. Calcium chloride is corrosive to some metals. Calcium chloride is completely soluble in water. Because calcium chloride is hygroscopic, it should be stored in a dry place and be protected from atmospheric moisture. Heat is produced when calcium chloride is dissolved in water and spattering and boiling can occur. (Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, 4, 12-14) Salts are prepared by five methods. A metal can combine directly with a nonmetal to form a salt. A metal can react with acid to form a salt and release hydrogen gas. A base can react with an acid to form a salt and water. An acid can react with a carbonate and form a salt, carbon dioxide and water. And finally two salts can react to form two other salts. AIM (PURPOSE) Our aim was to create 0,124 grams of calcium chloride. In order to prepare the salt, we used a base and an acid. The reason why we chose this method was first, we had the chemicals and second, using two salts was dangerous. So we have decided to use neutralization method. HYPOTHESIS We predict that we will obtain 0.124 grams of CaCl2, because we used the correct stoichiometric amounts of the reactants HCl and Ca(OH)2 , according to the mole ratio for their reaction. VARIABLES To prepare the right amount of salt, we had to keep the temperature stable. We used room temperature. Although we heated the beaker, we let it cool down before measuring its mass. Another constant variable was concentration. We had to keep it still so that there wouldnt be a change in the reaction. Everybody in the class prepared different salt so everybody had different kinds of ions and since the salts were different, their solubility was different too. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT Beaker 100 ml 0.0815 grams of HCl 0.0828 grams of Ca(OH)2 Plastik dropper Scale Heater Spatula PROCEDURE 1) First of all, we decided which acid and base we should use. Since we had HCl and Ca(OH)2 in chemistry lab, we decided to use this acid and base. 2) We wrote the chemical equation of the reaction. 2HCl + Ca(OH)2 2H2O + CaCl2 We used HCl acid and Ca(OH)2 base. When an acid and a base react, they form water and a salt. After writing down the products and reactants, we balanced the equation. 3) In order to make 0.124 grams of salt, we needed to know the amount of reactants we should use. To find out, we used stoichiometry. 2HCl + Ca(OH)2 2H2O + CaCl2 2 moles 1 mole 2 moles 1 mole H:1.01 Ca:40.08 H2:2.02 Ca:40.08 Cl:35.45 O2: 32.00 O:16.00 Cl2:70.9 (35.45+1.01)à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2 H2: 2.02 (2.02+16.00)à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½2 Mr: 72.92 grams Mr: 74.1 grams Mr: 36.04 grams Mr: 110.98 grams 72.92à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.124à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½110.98= 0.0815 grams of HCl (which is 20 drops) 36.04à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0.124à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½110.98= 0.0828 grams of Ca(OH)2 4) We measured exactly 0.0828 grams of Ca(OH)2 . 5) We added 20 drops of HCl into the Ca(OH)2. 6) To have only salt as a product, we needed to heat the beaker so that the water would evaporate. After we heated the beaker for several minutes, we let it cool. 7) When the beaker was cool enough, we measured the salt and the beakers mass. It was 32,5097 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 grams. To make sure that there was no water, we decided to heat and measure it again. 8) The second time we heat and cooled and measured it, we found 32, 4896 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 grams. 9) Then we washed the beaker and measured it when its empty. We found 32.3551à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 grams. 10) We subtracted the beaker and the salts mass from the empty beakers mass to find salts mass. The salts mass is 0,1345à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0,0005 grams. Our aim was to prepare 0.124 grams of CaCl2 salt. RAW DATA PROCESSED DATA 1st Measurement (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,00005 g) 2nd Measurement (à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,00005 g) Beaker+Salt Salt Beaker+Salt Salt 32,5097 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 g 0.1546 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 g 32, 4896 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 g 0,1345 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 g CONCLUSION Our aim was to create 0,124 grams of calcium chloride. In order to prepare the salt, we used a base and an acid. To achieve our aim, first we decided which method we should use to prepare this salt. We had two options because we didnt have other materials. We could have used either two salts or a base and an acid. After deciding to use a base and an acid, we used stoichiometry, which is a quantitative branch of chemistry. Stoichiometry is the science of measuring the quantitative proportions or mass ratios in which chemical elements stand to one another(Jeremias Benjaim Richter, 1762-1807). We calculated the amount of chemicals we should use. Then we started preparing our salt and reacted base with the acid. After heating the beaker to eliminate water, we get our salt. We measured it and found out that we prepared 0,1345 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½0,0005 grams of CaCl2 salt. The reason why we get water and a salt when we react bases and acids is simple. Everything started with Swedish chemist Jons Berzelius, who said that acids and bases have opposite charges. After that the Arrhenius Theory explained that an acid is a compound which produces hydrogen ions and a base is the one that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. Then as the Bronsted-Lowry Theory indicated, when an acid behaves like a donor (an acid as an H+ ion), it means that the hydrogen ion is separating from the acidic compound and when a base behaves like an acceptor (a base as an H+ ion), the hydrogen ion is bonding with the basic compound. Because water molecules are polar, the negative charges tend to congregate on one end of the molecule with the oxygen atom, while the positive charges remain on the other end with the hydrogen atoms. The Brà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½nsted-Lowry model emphasizes the role played by water, which pulls the proton from the acid, resulting in the creation of the hydronium ion (Zumdahl, Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation). Then finally with the Lewis Theory, which extends Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry theories, it was discovered that bases gives electrons and acids accepts them. So, an acid and a base react, since they attract each other. And when they react, the base generates OH+ and the acid generates H+ which forms water. And the other ions react to form a salt. With this experiment we not only used what we have learned about preparing salts but we also used stoichiometry, which is a very important topic in chemistry. We did all the calculations and the experiment ourselves and we get to apply our knowledge. EVALUATION Although the result we get was really close, we didnt exactly find 0.124 grams of CaCl2. The percentage error of the experiment is %9. We found 0.1345 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0,0005 grams. To make this experiment better, first of all we could have research our salt and learn more about it. We didnt know that Ca(OH)2 is hygroscopic in the first time we measured its mass. Thats why its mass may have been measured more than it should be. But the second time we measured the beaker, we were more careful however still when we let the beaker to cool, its mass might have increased. After we heated the beaker, we waited for several minutes and waited it to cool but the beaker and the salt within might have been still warm. If we measured salts mass when it was still hot, that means we found the mass more than it should be. If we had more time, maybe we could be sure that it was in the room temperature and then measure it. Although we cleaned the beaker after the experiment, we might have left salt in it and when we measured empty beakers mass, we might have found something wrong. We could have cleaned it more neatly. REFERENCES Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 4, 12-14. Zumdahl, Steven S. Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. www.answer.com www.wikipedia.com

Disadvantages of Unclean Environment

Disadvantages of Unclean Environment Air polluted by many ways such that chemical gases, traffic, factories and global warming etc. Mostly air is polluted by chemicals uses. Usage of poison sprays on crops makes the air polluted. Such gases cause the pollution of air. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic gasses, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine and fluorine. They are use manufactured of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials as solvents, and as refrigerants. CFCs are classified as halocarbons, a class of compounds that contain atoms of carbon and halogen atoms. Individual CFC molecules are labeled with a unique numbering system. For example, the CFC number of11 indicates the number of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine (e.g. CCl3F as CFC-11). The best way to remember the system is the rule of 90 or adds 90 to the CFC number where the first digit is the number of carbon atom(C), the second digit is the number of hydrogen atoms (H), and the third digit is number of the fluorine atoms(F). The total number of chlorine is calculated by the expression: Chlorine=2(C+ 1)-H-F. In the example cfc-11 has one carbon, no hydrogen, one fluorine, and therefore 3 chlorine atoms. Whereas CFCs are safe to use in most application and inert in lower atmosphere, they do undergo significant reaction in the upper atmosphere or stratosphere. In 1947, two University of California chemists, Professor F. Sherwood Rowland and Dr. Mario Molina, showed that the CFCs could be a major source of inorganic chlorine in the stratosphere following their photolytic decomposition by UV radiation. In addition, some of the released chlorine would become active in destroying ozone in the stratosphere. Ozone is a trace gas located primarily in the stratosphere. Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation in the wavelengths between 280 and 320 nm of the UV-B radiation reaching the Earths surface. Chlorine released from CFCs destroys ozone in catalytic reactions where 100,000 molecules of ozone can be destroyed per chlorine atom.In Antarctica a whole depletion is produce due to destroy of ozone layer. Ozone in lower sphere creates the pollution but on the top sphere it prevents the UV r ays and radiation to the earth from sun. These rays are also producing the air pollution. Carbon monoxide is highly poisoned gas. With cigars and cigarettes the CO produced is inhaled by the smoker and combines with the smokers blood to form car boxy hemoglobin.. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned without enough oxygen. It is very dangerous for life. It does about 0.5% quantity can be causes of death. It is very danger for environment. Carbon monoxide is produce by burning. It produces 75.7% from transport, 10.6% from burning of (vegetation, wood), and 2.4%from iron steel mill and other from domestic. Its more quantity produce from traffic. It produces most from by burning of things. CO is a main factor of air pollution. Vehicles are a big source of CO. CO2 has great effect on air pollution. CO2 is a byproduct of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned in the presence of oxygen. It is badly effect on the environment. It is collect and makes thick layers which cause the heating. CO2 is also effect on the human life. Smog is p olluted the air. Smog is the mixture of some gasses with S gas. This is a dangerous for environment. It produces the dangerous disuses. Transport is unique whish spread maximum air pollution. Smoke evolved from cars polluted the air 75.7%. About three quarter parts air pollution produce by smoke of car. This smoke creates many problems. Maine reason of air pollution is transport. Effect on environment: Pollution has badly effect on environment. For living the good life need clean environment. For clean environment it must be that pollutions should be minimize. For human life it must be that air should be pure. Due to air pollution other pollutions are create. Air pollution is badly effect on everything. Air pollution disturbs the life of all species. Air pollution creates the much disuse and other problems. Such problems are so difficult. Disadvantages: Disuses; Air pollution effects on human life so bad. Much disuse is produce by air pollution. Due to air pollution ozone layer effect which protect the ultraviolet rays from sun. Ultraviolet rays are coming from sun to the earth from hole of ozone layer. These rays are very harmful. From these rays produces serious disuse. Cancer is a horrible disuse. It is a serious problem for human. Its treatment is so expensive that a poor cannot bear its expensive. It reached the person to the valley of death. At the end stage a person dying. Such rays can also produce the eyes and skin disuses. Eyes disuses are horrible disuses. Smoke is produce breathing disuses. It also effect on the lungs. By this pollution human lives become difficult. A sick man nothing perform then that of healthy person. Disuses make the person lazy. Acid rain: Acid rain is very harmful for the environment. Acid rains produce by air pollution. Most dangerous chemicals already present in air. When it is raining then many gasses are in air mixed with rain water. In the air N2O, Chlorine, Nitrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are already present. After their reaction with rain water they get form of acid. This rain is called acid rain. Such chemicals mixed and appeared in the form of acid. Acid is affected badly on the environment. It produces the skin disuses. It damaged the buildings material. It is effect on the plants. One tree produces the oxygen for 36 children. It is very effect on the environment. Plants reduced the pollution but it effect on the plants. It makes the soil acidic which effect on the crops, planting and trees. Growth of craps reduces. Acidic soil cannot produce a good quantity of wheat. It affects the buildings color and other material. Acid rain is the source of other pollution. This acidic water mixed with river it effect on the sea creature. So that from acid rain water pollution takes place. Water is necessary for human life this water can also absorbed by land. Overcome on the air pollution: For healthy and a good life environment should be must clean. Garbage should be disposed of properly. Surrounding should be clean. Pure air is necessary for the good health. Forests are very important. For pure air should be more plantings. Without air life is nothing. Planting is unique source to overcome the air pollution. Much is planting. Plants absorbed the CO2 and many other gasses. It rains mostly due to plants. Fore clean environment pure air is must be required. Air pureed by plants. Forbid to cuts the trees and forest. A government should be band on cutting the plants. Government should support the scheme of planting. Trees where control the pollution they are also much useful. Traffic should use the low for the traveling. Use the good quality of engines that evolved the minimize smoke. Overcome the smoke. It has poisoned gas like CO and CO2. These gasses has main rule to pollute the air. People should travel on local transport. They should act upon the traffic rules. Smoking is the main source of pollution. Factories use the electricity instead of burning thing. There smoke is highly toxic. So factories use properly. Trains are derived by electricity instead of engines. They do something for improvement the environment. Overall reduce the using of those things which causes the serious problem.

Introduction To Contextual Study Of Nestle Marketing Essay

Introduction To Contextual Study Of Nestle Marketing Essay Nestlà © Company had started off from a single mans idea, and developed into a giant corporation. In 1866 Henri Nestlà ©, a pharmacist, developed a milk food formula for infants who were unable to tolerate their mother milk (Nestle.com). His product became a success, and it created a demand throughout Europe. As Nestlà ©s popularity grew more businesses wanted to merge and become partners with Henri Nestlà ©s business. From 1866 to 1947 the Nestlà © Company had gone through several name changes. In 1905, Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co. and Farine Lactee Henri Nestlà © merged, and the companys name became Nestlà © Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co. Then in 1929, Peter-Cailler-Kohler Chocolats Suisses S.A. merged with the company. The name was then changed to Nestlà © Anglo-Swiss Holding Co. Ltd, on November 27, 1936. In December 1947, Co. acquired all the shares capital of the Alimentana S.A. company in exchange for fifteen Nestlà © shares and fifteen Unilac shares for each of Alimentana S.A. share, so this point the name was at Nestlà © Alimentana S.A. And then finally, the last name change that the company would endure was in 1977, where it adopted the name Nestlà © SA (Mergent Online). The dairy products at Nestlà © are a big driving force for the growth of the companys sales. With the health kick of the many individuals around the world, it pushes the innovator and renovators of Nestlà © to reach new height in finding better and healthier products for their consumers. In 1998, the dairy business had accounted for 5% of the companys sales revenue (Rodgers, 2000). More recent, in the first half of 2004, Nestlà © milk-based products, nutrition, and ice cream accounted for 60% of Nestlà © revenue growth (Nutraingredients.com). The amount of 60% is a big portion of the companys earnings, so it would be best for Nestlà © to focus a big portion of their core competencies and resources on the fast growing dairy division. Which leads us into the most recent yogurt produced by Nestlà ©s, which is the LC1. Nestlà © strives on being innovator and renovators. So their research team in Switzerland discovered a culture called Lactobacillus acidophilus, or La-1. This particular product was chosen because it contains a probiotic agent, which is living microbial feeding supplements that allow the lower intestine to function better (Rodgers, 2000). La-1 helps the small intestine function by improving the bodys immune system, and in turn helping the body in preventing diseases. Nestlà © has now found a solution for their health conscious consumers, but now they need to find away to implement it into one of their products. That when the researchers at Nestlà © discovered that if they replace one of the mixes in their yogurt with the La-1 the same texture would be maintained. Now with the combination of Nestlà © yogurt mix and the La-1; Nestlà © has given their yogurt the name of LC1. Decentralization Switzerland is home to Nestles Swiss subsidiary, its international headquarters and the registered office of Nestles holding company, but Nestle does not regard its Swiss headquarters as the center of the universe. Decentralization is a basic principle of Nestle. Their policy is to adapt as much as possible to regional circumstances, mentalities and situations. By decentralizing operational responsibility, they create strength and flexibility and are able to make decisions that are better attuned to specific situations in a given country. Policies and decisions concerning personnel, marketing and products are largely determined locally. This policy creates stronger motivation for Nestles executives and employees and a greater sense of identification with Nestles business. It is not Nestles policy to generate most of its sales in Switzerland, supplemented by a few satellite subsidiaries abroad. Nestle strives to be an insider in every country in which it operates, not an outsider. ` Research and development Nestle is probably unique in the food industry in having an integrated research and development program that engages in applied and basic research in the fields of human physiology, health, nutrition and raw materials. Their research and development program gives them the capacity to create new types of products that they cannot even imagine today, especially in the critical area where preventive medicine and food products overlap. In addition, as concern for the environment grows, research will play an important role in overcoming environmental problems. For Nestle this is particularly important in packaging. While Nestlà © Corporate Business Principles  will continue to evolve and adapt to a changing world, their basic foundation is unchanged from the time of the origins of Company, and reflects the basic ideas of fairness, honesty, and a general concern for people. Nestlà © is committed to the following Business Principles in all countries, taking into account local legislation, cultural and religious practices: Nestlà ©s business objective is to manufacture and market the Companys products in such a way as to create value that can be sustained over the long term for shareholders, employees, consumers, and business partners. Nestlà © does not favor short-term profit at the expense of successful long-term business development. Nestlà © recognizes that its consumers have a sincere and legitimate interest in the behavior, beliefs and actions of the Company behind brands in which they place their trust, and that without its consumers the Company would not exist. Nestlà © believes that, as a general rule, legislation is the most effective safeguard of responsible conduct, although in certain areas, additional guidance to staff in the form of voluntary business principles is beneficial in order to ensure that the highest standards are met throughout the organization. Nestlà © is conscious of the fact that the success of a corporation is a reflection of the professionalism, conduct and the responsible attitude of its management and employees. Therefore recruitment of the right people and ongoing training and development are crucial. Nestlà © continues to maintain its commitment to follow and respect all applicable local laws in each of its markets. In Nestlà ©s view, it must be fully integrated in the social, cultural and economic fabric of the countries in which it operates. Thus no matter which country it operates in, it is committed to strengthening local communities. VISION AND STRATEGY The Nestlà © global vision is to be the leading health, wellness, and nutrition company in the world. Nestlà © Pakistan subscribes fully to this vision. In particular, we envision to: Lead a dynamic motivated and professional workforce proud of its heritage and bullish about the future. Meet the nutritional needs of consumers of all age groups from infancy to old age, from nutrition to pleasure, through an innovative portfolio of branded food and beverage products of the highest quality. Deliver shareholder value through profitable long-term growth, while continuing to play a significant and responsible role in the social, economic and environmental sectors of the country. Our brands are the preferred choice in their categories. Consumer insight drives all aspects of our marketing and communication efforts. Our communications to the consumer are relevant, cutting-edge, and adhere to the highest standards of responsible communication. Our company is seen as the No. 1 career destination for talented, motivated and ambitious professionals. Our result-oriented organizational structure ensures effective communication and empowered self-management. Our milk collection and agri services will continue to play the primary role in development of the dairy sector in rural Pakistan. Our proactive innovation and renovation culture is the key to our success in the marketplace. Fully integrated systems (Nestlà © Pakistan, suppliers, customers) ensure efficient business processes. Non-strategic activities and products are outsourced or discontinued. Headquarters: Greenwich, CT, USA Brands: 14 Related to: Nestlà © Waters, Paris, France, a subsidiary of Nestlà ©, S.A., Vevey, Switzerland Products Nestlà © has a wide range of products across a number of markets including coffee (Nescafà ©), bottled water, other beverages, chocolate, ice cream, infant foods, performance and healthcare nutrition, seasonings, frozen and refrigerated foods, confectionery and pet food. Business segments Beverages Milk Products, Nutritional, and Ice Cream Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aides Confectionery Other Food Beverages Pet Care Pharmaceutical Products Nestle Pakistan Milestone In 1912 Nestle begins its long relationship with South Asia when the nestle Anglo-Swiss condensed Milk company starts importing and selling finished products in the Indian market. Nestle makes clear a distinction between strategy and tactics. It gives priority to the long-range view. Long-term thinking defuses many of the conflicts and contentions among groups this applies to employment conditions and relations with employees as well as to the conflicts and opposing interests of the trade and the industry. Of course, ability to focus on long-term considerations is only possible if the company is successful in the struggle for short-term survival. This is why Nestle strives to maintain a satisfactory level of profits every year. Nestlà © describes itself as a food, nutrition, health, and wellness company. Recently they created Nestlà © Nutrition, a global business organization designed to strengthen the focus on their core nutrition business. They believe strengthening their leadership in this market is the key element of their corporate strategy. This market is characterized as one in which the consumers primary motivation for a purchase is the claims made by the product based on nutritional content. In order to reinforce their competitive advantage in this area, Nestlà © created Nestlà © Nutrition as an autonomous global business unit within the organization, and charged it with the operational and profit and loss responsibility for the claim-based business of Infant Nutrition, HealthCare Nutrition, and Performance Nutrition. This unit aims to deliver superior business performance by offering consumers trusted, science based nutrition products and services. The Corporate Wellness Unit was designed to integrate nutritional value-added in their food and beverage businesses. This unit will drive the nutrition, health and wellness organization across all their food and beverage businesses. It encompasses a major communication effort, both internally and externally, and strives to closely align Nestlà ©s scientific and RD expertise with consumer benefits. This unit is responsible for coordinating horizontal, cross-business projects that address current customer concerns as well as anticipating future consumer trends. Nestlà © is a global organization. Knowing this, it is not surprising that international strategy is at the heart of their competitive focus. Nestlà ©s competitive strategies are associated mainly with foreign direct investment in dairy and other food businesses. Nestlà © aims to balance sales between low risk but low growth countries of the developed world and high risk and potentially high growth markets of Africa and Latin America. Nestlà © recognizes the profitability possibilities in these high-risk countries, but pledges not to take unnecessary risks for the sake of growth. This process of hedging keeps growth steady and shareholders happy. When operating in a developed market, Nestlà © strives to grow and gain economies of scale through foreign direct investment in big companies. Recently, Nestlà © licensed the LC1 brand to Mà ¼ller (a large German dairy producer) in Germany and Austria. In the developing markets, Nestlà © grows by manipulating ingredients or processing technology for local conditions, and employ the appropriate brand. For example, in many European countries most chilled dairy products contain sometimes two to three times the fat content of American Nestlà © products and are released under the Sveltesse brand name. Another strategy that has been successful for Nestlà © involves striking strategic partnerships with other large companies. In the early 1990s, Nestlà © entered into an alliance with Coca Cola in ready-to-drink teas and coffees in order to benefit from Coca Colas worldwide bottling system and expertise in prepared beverages. European and American food markets are seen by Nestlà © to be flat and fiercely competitive. Therefore, Nestlà © is setting is sights on new markets and new business for growth. In Asia, Nestlà ©s strategy has been to acquire local companies in order to form a group of autonomous regional managers who know more about the culture of the local markets than Americans or Europeans. Nestlà ©s strong cash flow and comfortable debt-equity ratio leave it with ample muscle for takeovers. Recently, Nestlà © acquired Indofood, Indonesias largest noodle producer. Their focus will be primarily on expanding sales in the Indonesian market, and in time will look to export Indonesian food products to other countries. Nestlà © has employed a wide-area strategy for Asia that involves producing different products in each country to supply the region with a given product from one country. For example, Nestlà © produces soy milk in Indonesia, coffee creamers in Thailand, soybean flour in Singapore, candy in Malaysia, and cereal in the Philippines, all for regional distribution. As a matter of fact a good strategy is not the only necessary prerequisite for operating successfully in foreign markets. In markets of transitory nations or even less developed nations there could be a risk in terms of political instability harming the political economy such as the security of property rights, macroeconomic and cultural uncertainties are as well an issue. To a certain extent environmental changes occur with the notion of endangering the basic strategy. In order to avoid these influences and to counter react on these a company needs the ability of gaining steady learning process which needs ultimately to be implemented with a cross-functional attitude among all functional levels. Flexibility is another distinctive competencies a company must be able to achieve to react as quickly as possible to changing environments. As a consequence, the company must implement mechanisms allowing it to respond to changes in local demand, cultural barriers and political fluctuation. Ethnocentric behaviour must be avoided in any circumstances in order to approach the market in the appropriated way. A company must as well learn to consider decisions under the long-run perspective, because markets can be conquered within short period, but the successful implementation of a strategy needs more time than that. Entering a new market requires some pre-math. The company must estimate the perspectives it has in that new market with regards to threats and opportunities formulating the profile of that country. Basing on this profile the company is able to figure out the strategical approach. One important part of the strategy must be the cultural awareness, which means a company should employ locals in order lower cultural barriers and resentments established by the foreigner. Hence, this results in a better insight and handling of local demand conditions and knowledge about the customer. In order to guarantee flexibility the functional level units must have their own responsibility and must have freedom in decision making, which allows a quick response towards market fluctuations. To relate these statements to this case Nestles business process in Nigeria gives a good example. An entirely new marketing approach, distribution channel and network had to be set up due to changing demands, lacking infrastructure and a lack of security. Nestle managed these threats successfully by understanding the culture and the being aware of the lack of essentials. Joint ventures Nestlà © holds 26.4% of the shares of LOrà ©al, the worlds largest company in cosmetics and beauty. The Laboratoires Inneov is a joint venture in nutritional cosmetics between Nestlà © and LOrà ©al, and Galderma a joint venture in dermatology with LOrà ©al. Others include Cereal Partners Worldwide with General Mills, Beverage Partners Worldwide with Coca-Cola, and Dairy Partners Americas with Fonterra. SWOT analysis Strengths: Nestles LC1 division has many strengths. Their first is that they have a great CEO, Peter Brabeck. Brabeck emphasizes internal growth, meaning he wants to achieve higher volumes by renovating existing products, and innovating new products. Another strength that Nestle has is that they are low cost operators. This allows them to not only beat the competition by producing low cost products, but by also edging ahead with low operating costs. Weaknesses: The main weakness of the LC-1 division of Nestle is that they were not as successful as they thought they would be in France. The launch in France was in 1994, but since the late 1980s, Danone had already entered the market with a health-based yogurt. The second weakness is that LC-1 was positioned as too scientific, and consumers didnt quite understand that LC-1 was a food and not a drug Nestle also has multiple critical resources. They have a great research and development team. Opportunities: An opportunity that Nestle has is that health-based products are becoming more popular in the world, including in the United States. Nestle also has an opportunity of being even a larger market leader in Germany with LC-1. Within two years of launching the product in Germany, they had captured 60% of the market. This was due to the fact that they differentiated the product, and Germans simply preferred the taste. Another opportunity of LC1 is that, because they are a market leader, they can introduce more health-based products in Germany. Threats: A threat to Nestle is the fact that some markets they are entering are already mature. Danone had an established leadership position in the yogurt market in France. Since Danone was the first to arrive in the market, they have always been the market leader there. Also consumers in France liked the taste of LC-1, but researchers believe they did not repurchase the yogurt because they preferred the taste of Danone products better. Another threat to Nestle is that there is intense competition in the United States yogurt market. General Mills Yoplait division is the leader in the yogurt market in the United States. Yoplait has been the leader for years and is constantly innovating new health products. Competitors General Mills has been a strong competitor of Nestle Unilever NV (UN) A Dutch company that produces packaged foods and products for the home and personal care markets. Unilever is one of Nestles largest international competitors. Kraft Foods (KFT) A U.S. company that produces packaged foods products. Kraft is one of Nestles largest U.S. based competitors. On January 19, 2010, Kraft bought Cadbury Schweppes (CSG) for $19.5 billion, creating the largest candy company in the world and strengthening Krafts international presence. Cadbury Schweppes (CSG) is a U.K. company that produces products for the confectionery and non-alcoholic beverages markets; they compete with Nestles beverage and confectionery products internationally and in the U.S. GROUPE DANONE (DA) A French company that produces packaged foods and beverages. Groupe Danone competes with Nestle internationally and in the U.S. Hershey Foods (HSY) A U.S. company that produces chocolate and sugar confectionery products. Hershey Foods competes with Nestles confectionery brands mostly in North America.

Ida B. Wells Essay -- essays research papers

Ida B. Wells was a woman dedicated to a cause, a cause to prevent hundreds of thousands of people from being murdered by lynching. Lynching is defined as to take the law into its own hands and kill someone in punishment for a crime or a presumed crime. Ida B. Wells’ back round made her a logical spokesperson against lynching. She drew on many experiences throughout her life to aid in her crusade. Her position as a black woman, however, affected her credibility both in and out of America in a few different ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Her parents nurtured the background of this crusader to make her a great spokesperson. She also held positions throughout her life that allowed her to learn a lot about lynching. She was fueled by her natural drive to search for the truth. Wells was born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Her father, James Wells, was a carpenter and her mother was a cook. After the Civil War her parents became politically active. Her father was known as “race'; man, a term given to African Americans involved in the leadership of the community. He was a local businessman, a mason, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Shaw University. Both parents provided Ida with strong role models. They worked hard and held places of respect in the community as forward-looking people. James and Elizabeth (mother) Wells instilled their daughter a keen sense of duty to God, family, and community. Ida’s background was strengthene...

Macbeth: Verdict Not Guilty! :: essays research papers

Macbeth, the Innocent Good day. Today I will prove to you that Macbeth, the king of Scotland, is innocent. It is outrageous that anyone in this courtroom should think otherwise. There are three key factors to consider before it is possible to make any judgment concerning the murderer of Duncan. First of all, before fingers are pointed at Macbeth, I ask you to consider if he is the only suspicious person? A murderer must have a motive and an opportunity. Obviously, there are several candidates that fit this category. Also, before you can reach a final decision, you must consider the character of the individual. Macbeth is a man of the finest character; he does not have the nature of a cold-blooded killer. I am sure you will agree with me long before you go into the jury room. Finally, the will of the gods must be taken into consideration. It is not within the powers of mortals, even important mortals like Macbeth, to change the future as determined by the stars. I am confident that you, dear jury, will con sider the three factors I will shortly describe and realize that Macbeth is a most unlikely suspect. First of all, Macbeth is not the only suspicious person. After all, where were the sons of Duncan just minutes after their father’s brutal murder? You would think that sons who really care about their father would want to discover the truth. What kind of son just runs off and vanishes when he learns of the horrific death of his own father? Where were Malcolm and Donalbain? If anyone here in this court lost a loved one, no one would turn his back, especially to a father. But these young men, next in line to the throne, decided it would be a better idea to wait for the heat to go down. The only possible explanation is that they, themselves, felt guilty. Sadly, I fear, we must also look at Lady Macbeth. Although it is unpleasant to speak ill of the dead, I ask you, why is the Lady dead? We all know that in the period of time before her death she was crazy and possessed. She walked around the castle rubbing her hands and trying to remove the stains of blood that she thought she saw there. Does this sound like an innocent woman? She believed that Macbeth was weak and not driven.