The Need To Provide Quality Education African Children Education Essay

For bulk of African kids, instruction represents the lone solution of a life of frozen poorness. Across the continent, a big figure of kids presently survive on less than one dollar a twenty-four hours. Children who can read, compose and make some arithmetic can trust to acquire better paid occupation in future. But school is much more than merely occupation accomplishments. It plays an progressively of import function assisting kids protect themselves against the diseases which can destruct hapless communities. Simple information on daily hygiene and bar saves lives and keeps the households together. Finally, A school physiques coherence, community and assurance. Educated kids are less opportunity to go victims of force and maltreatment. They are more likely to put in bettering their community when they are grown. And the follow-on effects of even basic instruction rapidly multiply, as kids who have benefited from schooling themselves strive to procure even better chances for their ain households. In Africa, it ‘s common for schools be shut down because of wars and political convulsion. Genocide in Darfur, civil war in Liberia, war in Cote d'Ivoire and economic discord in Zimbabwe have all shut down schools and deprived pupils. Schools in many states in Africa are plagued with corruptness, cheating and force. Schools are besides short on instructors and supplies. Even though instruction is free, compulsory until age 15 and schools besides provide a nutrition and HIV/AIDS consciousness plan still instruction is interrupted by force in many African countries.A In order to better the instruction systems throughout Africa, attempts have to be made to halt the force and wars by implementing economic countenances and weaponries embargos. The fiscal crisis had halted betterments in instruction for kids in destitute states. If education budgets are non protected from the depredations of the fiscal crisis all the advancement could be jeopardized and coevalss will be condemned to poverty. A More than $ 4 billion yearly would be lost from instruction budgets in sub-Saharan Africa due to the impact of the planetary economic crisis which accounts to around 15 % bead in resources for each primary school pupil. Every 3.6 seconds one individual dies of famishment in Africa. Usually it is a kid under the age of 5. Poverty hits kids the hardest. While a terrible deficiency of goods and services hurts every homo, it is most baleful to kids ‘s rights: endurance, wellness and nutrition, instruction, engagement, and protection from injury and development. It creates an environment that is damaging to kids ‘s development in every manner – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.A More than 1 billion kids are deprived of at least one of the indispensable goods and services they require to last, turn and develop. They have no entree to sanitation installations and non even safe H2O which causes about 4000 deceases per twenty-four hours. Attempts should be made to supply safe H2O and helps displaced communities replace or happen new H2O resources and construct latrines. There should be awareness and monitoring of the issues likeA hazard of abduction, sexual force and development o f kids, battle for shelter, instruction etc. and tougher Torahs for kid users. Population Explosion is another factor which compels to supply more emphasis on instruction in Africa. The implicit in cause for predominating jobs such as population addition, poorness and high mortality rates is low or no instruction for adult females in Africa. There would be no development promotion unless adult females received instruction. In destitute countries of Africa, it is still a pattern to put precedence on male child ‘s schooling, while misss are expected to assist with housekeeping or agriculture. Womans who have no or small opportunity of having an instruction are normally forced to get married at a immature age, which frequently leads to multiple childbearings in unsure conditions and frequently stop up with no cognition of how to salvage themselves from the hazard of infection or HIV. So finally it makes more hard for female parents to give due consideration to the nutrition, wellness and hygiene of their babes. Family be aftering to command the population de tonation and betterment in wellness systems installations are needed in those destitute countries. Educated Womans are likely to get married tardily and have healthy babes. They would be more fruitful to household in financially and wellness wise. All these challenges emphasize the demand to supply quality instruction which will be cost effectual and will embrace all multitudes. Use of latest technological inventions can do this possible. Use of engineerings like Distance instruction and linguistic communication interlingual rendition can supply pupils with instruction in their linguistic communication and at their ain gait. Making usage of Unified Software engine utilizing Software Stability Model will assist in planing and constructing systems that are stable, scalable and long lasting. Besides utilizing these engineerings the demand for big substructures is mostly reduced thereby cut downing their cost. As leaving instruction utilizing advanced engineerings does non necessitate the presence of teacher on the site, pupils can avail seamless instruction at their ain convenience. This will cut down their dependence on presence of a trained facilitator. Using graphical and ocular tools the quality of instruction received by the se deprived multitudes can be greatly enhanced. As rapid growing in technological development, more and more tools and inventions can be utilized to better quality of instruction distribution. To cover with the challenges faced by pupils in Africa we need to follow few steps to get the better of them which are as follows:1. Distance EducationDistance instruction is a engineering that aims to present instruction to pupils who are physically non present at the educational site. It helps pupils to derive entree to larning stuff even if the pedagogue or larning stuff and the scholar are separated by clip or distance or both. This engineering is being widely used across the universe by many universities and educational establishments. It provides pupils the freedom to analyze from place and survey at their ain convenient clip. Surveies prove that due to prevailing economic crisis in many states in the African continent there is a significant lessening in budget devoted to development of educational systems. These states have to pull off their scarce budgets to supply quality instruction to pupils. This emphasizes the demand to develop educational systems that require less cost to develop and keep but at the same clip make non compromise on the quality of instruction. Use of engineerings like Distance instruction which require less cost and still supply good quality of instruction are the key. Distance instruction engineering will assist in making the disadvantaged pupils in Africa who either can non go to schools due to poverty or they are populating really far off from school or educational centre. Schools that have significant financess can put in supplying installations required for distance acquisition like computing machines and internet connexion. Distance instruction makes usage of stuff reuse and the stuff can be stored for long continuance so distance instruction does non necessitate much substructure to keep and cut down the cost of the whole educational system. Different categories of adult females who are otherwise deprived of any signifier of formal instruction can profit mostly from distance instruction installations. Womans who are homemakers are required to be at place all the clip can sit at place and survey without doing any perturbation in their matrimony and maintain on taking attention of their kids while analyzing. Another group of adult females who are denied instruction because it requires face to confront interaction with facilitators will greatly profit from distance instruction as they can prosecute instruction by maintaining safe distance from the teachers and still entree quality instruction. Womans who are uneducated but working to supply for their household can profit from larning at their ain convenience and clip. It will increase their self- regard and besides assist them to heighten their calling through instruction. This undertaking will supply pupils with a web site accessing which pupils can register and make user histories.They can log in to these histories and registry for classs they are interested in. They can entree the stuff that they require online and besides log in to go to on-line categories provided on the site. The University Of South Africa ( UNISA ) is one such establishment that provides encouragement to higher instruction. It is one of the largest establishments in the universe that boasts over 120,000 registered pupils analyzing for makings, through the doctorial degree.2. Language TranslationLanguages play an of import function in larning procedure. Many of the African states that are multilingual are unable to entree engineering because of the linguistic communication barrier. The linguistic communication of extension of engineering is different from their native linguistic communication. Hence they can non utilize the services provided by these engineerings. Language interl ingual rendition tools are tools that can be used to change over learning stuffs, paperss and besides web pages from English linguistic communication into some other linguistic communication of involvement. If the educational and other of import content available on the cyberspace is non provided in local linguistic communication so it is of no usage of this information. Extensive usage of any peculiar linguistic communication in importance correspondences like authorities notices, stamps, and official invitations can do ignorance about their rights among people. Language here is non merely a agency of communicating but besides has societal impact. Use of linguistic communication interlingual rendition tools to change over larning stuff into native linguistic communications can take the demand for pupils to analyze a figure of foreign linguistic communications. Advancement of pupils will besides be faster as the stuff in their native linguistic communication will be easy to understand than any foreign linguistic communication. Therefore hapless people who have really less chances for deriving instruction can do most of it. This will rush up their acquisition procedure and increase their opportunities of availing higher instruction and accordingly earn better life. Uneducated population of adult females is one of the causes taking to population detonation in Africa. When a adult female is educated she can take attention of whole household and herself. Womans need to be educated about daily hygiene demands and wellness concerns. They should be able to understand the demand for proper attention of babes which will assist diminish infant mortality rate. Education installations are made available to adult females in their native linguistic communications through usage of Language Translation tools. Learning about of import issues through their ain female parent lingua can hold permanent consequence on these adult females even if they are non really educated. This undertaking will supply installation to interpret available stuff in selected linguistic communications. Registered users can subject the papers that they wish to acquire translated in any of the linguistic communication available. They can so entree the stuff in the linguistic communication they are comfy with. Among a figure of organisations that provide linguistic communication interlingual rendition, ‘web-lingo ‘ is one such organisation based in South Africa. This organisation offers both proficient every bit good as untechnical interlingual rendition solutions to net development and package companies to interpret their content into and from about 85 linguistic communications. One of their undertakings includes a plan that runs on top of standard Microsoft Office Software.3. Seamless Education:Seamless Education system as one that represents an incorporate construct of instruction that stretches from early childhood through a four-year college grade.It breaks do wn between high school and college, faculty members and career/technical instruction and public instruction and the workplace. The intent of seamless instruction is to fix â€Å" capable citizens, † whether or non they attend school or college. So instructors align classs and make interdisciplinary undertakings. It is an attempt to increase high school completion rates, trial tonss, school/college registration, occupation arrangements, economic conditions, household support. The key to economic development is an educated work force. If Africans have to take a better life they must fit their kids and grandchildren with the accomplishments needed to be educated and employed. A seamless system of instruction will guarantee that we have an educated and prepared work force to get the better of all the challenges impeding their growing and development. Education is cardinal to all issues. If our following coevals is educated they can be employed and will work at well-paid occupations. If finance is there economic conditions, wellness conditions, sanitation, poorness all will surely better. The major challenge is to do instruction easy accessible to everyone in the continent. This can be really good accomplished with seamless instruction system. Teachers from all over universe should be invited to map out which constructs should be taught and when will those be taught. The basic categories such as English linguistic communication humanistic disciplines, mathematics, scientific discipline and societal surveies should be must. To get down with kindergartners should be encouraged. Womans Education should be encouraged. Educational governments envision a seamless instruction system get downing with early childhood come oning through general instruction and preparation, higher and big instruction. Another issue is that a big figure of pupils enroll in Fieldss of commercialism and wellness scientific discipline. This creates a major instability between humanistic disciplines and humanistic disciplines on one manus and engineering and scientific discipline on the other manus. The end product of alumnuss in Fieldss of scientific discipline and engineering should increase to equilibrate the ratio between proficient and university pupils. It is believed that seamless instruction will assist in bettering the balance to a important extent. Health Conditions can besides better by supplying instruction in Fieldss of medical specialty. Access to quality medical specialties are needed to better wellness conditions. So entree to acquire choice intervention should be in scope of affordability, acceptableness and physical handiness. Proper preparation to workforce is needed to organize medical specialties direction from physician degree to patient degree. Unfortunately druggists and pharmaceutics support forces are really few in Africa. Trainings are besides provided but at deficient graduated table. So the cardinal solution to scale up wellness conditions is to increase figure of qualified druggists via higher instruction via seamless instruction system. Some of the major ends of a Seamless System can be as: Smoothing pupil passages from one degree of larning to the following. Closing the accomplishment spread between white and minority pupils. Balancing the ratio of proficient and human scientific discipline pupils. Strengthening relationships between households and schools. Making a wider scope of larning experiences and chances for pupils in the concluding two old ages of high school. Bettering institute ‘s preparedness and success.4. Animations and Visual images:The challenge to supply instruction to pupils is how to educate them to hold a solid impact in their acquisition. In layperson footings, Animations, a type of optical semblance, are graphical shows that evolve overtime. A It could be pulling, objects, or people in assorted places of linear motion. However, when played, it produces a watercourse of unbroken gesture of images. Dwelling of a series of drawings or exposure on paper, life can be viewed with a mechanical device or tossing through handheld sequence of images. Animations could be seen on movies, picture, or computing machines. Visual images on other manus include inactive show of graphical images. Visual images can absorb a batch of information and show in a mode so that it memorizes. A AnimationA has a topographic point in acquisition and instructional applications.Programs that usage lifes or visual images attract student involvement and offer feedback that can heighten different acquisition manners. Animation is a great schoolroom activity, leting instructors and pupils to research and develop a more originative clip tabular array in Math, Science, English and many subject countries. Bing merriment, originative and hands-on acquisition, life encourages both instructors and pupils as they use simple IT pattern, and is unambiguously suited to all schoolrooms. The online centres website will be been designed to portion illustrations, resources, thoughts and attacks to life in instruction. All the life movies featured will be available to pupils and instructors to heighten the acquisition procedure. Animation can used to supply excess aid where it is needed. Content – related artworks ( both inactive and life ) and picture can assist better pupil attitudes and motive in certain topics, chiefly mathematics and scientific discipline.Technical Feasibility of the undertaking:All the above engineerings proposed that will be used in the edifice of the undertaking are available in the market. Labor demands for the undertaking: The undertaking will necessitate Senior flat direction including Project director and Professional staff including Software developers and Analysts. Office staff is required to pull off the centres. Physical location of the undertaking: It will necessitate a centre where pupils can see. The centre must be located in Africa. Technology Requirements: Computer Hardware and Software: The undertaking will necessitate computing machine systems with latest constellations and package. A database waiter and networking engineering to link client and waiter machines is required. Besides some basic systems that can be used by pupils to entree the stuff and information is needed. Internet connexion: High velocity cyberspace connexion is required.Commercial feasibleness:Fundss will be acquired from Education commissions that work towards development of instruction in Africa every bit good as from other developed states that allot financess in their budgets to assist educational systems in Africa.Technical Challenges:Choosing location of the instruction centre in Africa. If no cyberspace installation is available in distant countries, so towers will be needed for supplying internet connexion.Commercial Potential:The investing done in the undertaking will assist to supply quality instruction to pupils in Africa. Although there will be no touchable net income the return on our investing will be obtained by accomplishing development of African states through spread of instruction

Treasury Management Essay

Section 3 Treasury Management 3.01 Introduction How is the foreign exchange exposure on individual transactions being managed by the head of finance? 3.03 Banking Facilities / Funding Is the approval of the regional finance director sought before opening a new account (either an account in a new bank or a new account in the existing bank) or for any new source of finance such as new loan, new credit facility, renewal or increase in existing credit facilities? Is any approval from the regional finance director and or regional managing director sought before pledging of assets to bank? 3.04 Cash Management What is the limit of the maximum cash and or cash equivalents? Is this more than average sales ratio of 5 days? i.e. average sales ratio of 5 days = budgeted sales for the year x 5 260 days (52 weeks x 5 days) 3.05 Cash Flow Does the head of finance prepare a cash flow forecast for the following two months to determine whether the loan can be settled within two month or not? Does he send a cash flow statement to DIC AP on monthly basis? 3.06 Foreign Exchange Movement Are the inflows and outflows in each non local currency greater than JPY 10,000,000 covered with forward foreign exchange contracts? Is the quantum of all future inflows and outflows and the status of hedging currency exposure communicated to the regional finance director? In case, exposure is not being hedged, is the decision not to hedge communicated to the regional finance director along with proper justifications? Are all the outstanding current assets and liabilities in non local currencies reported to the regional finance director on monthly basis? 3.07 Foreign Currency Cash Flow Forecast Is a foreign currency cash flow forecast prepared? If yes, is it communicated to the regional finance director along with the status of hedging for the following 3 months?

Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Epilogue

Once I stopped drinking human blood, I became even better at hearing a heartbeat, knowing in an instant, from the speed of a pulse, whether a human was sad or annoyed or in love. Not that I was around humans very much. After I left New Orleans, I truly was a creature of the night, sleeping during the day and venturing into the outside world only when humans were safe in their beds, fast asleep. But occasionally I'd hear a quickening heartbeat and know that someone was climbing from a window or sneaking out a door to meet a lover, stealing a few moments of intimacy. That was the hardest sound to hear. Whenever I did hear it, I was reminded of Callie, of her fluttering heart and quick smile. Of how alive she was, and how she was not afraid to be in love with me despite my true nature. Now, when I think of our plan to escape, I can't help but laugh bitterly at myself for ever thinking it could have been a possibility. It had been the same foolish mistake I'd made when I'd fallen in love with Katherine, believing that humans and vampires could love each other, that our differences were just a minor detail that could be easily solved. But I wouldn't fall into that trap a third time. Whenever vampires and humans dared to love each other, death and destruction were sure to follow. And I had enough blood on my hands to last an eternity. I would never know the extent of the harm Damon was causing in the world. Sometimes I'd see a newspaper article or hear snatches of conversation about a mysterious death, and my mind would instantly jump to my brother. I'd listen for him, too, always waiting to hear him call â€Å"Brother† in his exaggerated drawl. But mostly I listened to myself. The longer I subsisted on animal blood, killing the odd squirrel or fox in a forest, the more my Power ebbed, until it was simply a faded thrum in the background of my being. Without Power, I lost the electric sense of feeling alive, but the guilt I would carry for the rest of my existence had dulled around the edges. It was a trade-off, one of many I'd learned to make, and one of many more I'd have to make in the eternity that stretched in front of me. So I made the vow to always keep moving, to never stay in one place too long or grow too close to anyone. That is the only way I'll do no harm. Because God help us all if I ever fall in love with another human

Latin Christian and Russian Orthodox Traditions Term Paper

Latin Christian and Russian Orthodox Traditions - Term Paper Example Rivalry between the Roman popes and the patriarchs of Constantinople for leadership in the Christian world initiated the split of the Christian Church.  Ã‚  The Latin Christian church was formed finally in 1054. Historically, Orthodoxy presents the eastern branch of Christianity.  It is distributed mainly in Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Balkans.  First, the name "Orthodox" (from Greek) appeared in II century.  Ã‚  The Orthodox Christianity did not have a single church center. Ecclesiastical power was concentrated in the hands of four patriarchs.  With the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, each of the patriarchs headed an independent (autocephalous) Orthodox Church. Prince of Kiev, Vladimir Svyatoslavovych, established Orthodoxy as a state religion in Russia.  On his orders, Byzantine clergy baptized people in the capital of Ancient Russia, Kiev, in 988. Both Christian communities accept the basic Christian doctrine and sacramental. Religious life includes magnifice nt church services, the worship of many saints and holy relics.  The confession of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the worship of Christ, the Savior, who suffered, died, resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven is the gospel truth for any believer of the Christian communities. It is the same regarding the acceptance of the doctrines, such as: Mary is the Mother of God  as Christ is God incarnate; the Bible is the inspired word of God; the Holy Spirit dwells in the Church and guides it through the ages; Mary, being Mother of God, is the greatest of the saints. Both Churches profess seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation/ Chrismation, Eucharist, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick. Nevertheless, along with similarities, there are some differences in the main creeds, cults, and organization of the Latin and the Orthodox Christian Churches. The most significant differences are that the Latin Christians  accept the Bishop of Rome as the spiritual leader of the Church, while the  Orthodox  look to the Patriarch of Constantinople, but only as "First Among Equals" rather than as a pope. The Latin Church  holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both Father and Son whilst  Orthodoxy teaches that the Spirit proceeds only from the Father.  Latin Christians  state that Mary was full of grace (sinless) from conception whilst  Orthodox Church  would tend to say that she entered this state only after accepting God's wish that she become Theotokos (Mother of God). Latin Christianity  tends to be prescriptive whilst  Orthodoxy  is mystical, however, both believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Married men may be ordained as  Orthodox priests (but not bishops) whilst in  Latin Christianity  only single men may be ordained. The style of worship in Orthodoxy is more elaborate. Regardless of the existing theological and non-theological differences, both Christian confessions consider sacramental rituals, the cult of saints, icons and relics a priority. Moreover, the concept of  saints  is common to all branches of Christianity. The Apostle's Creed affirmed by all Christian denominations, states belief in the "communion of saints." In Christian doctrine, the term "saints" refers to all deceased persons who are now in heaven. Saints are special group of holy people, who are

Linguistics and literature Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Linguistics and literature - Research Proposal Example 11 ]. Moreover, CALL has come to be an umbrella for research that covers both 'learning' and 'teaching' while at the outset the focus was more on the practical applications of learning. Now, CALL incorporates or envelopes a number of different platforms or mediums for delivery [Cole, 2000, 4]. In particular, expansion has been made particularly in the area of multi media [Bickerton, 1999] such as interactive whiteboards, multi-media podcasts, various social networking applications, wiki-group pages, In many regards, the wider range of tools used in CALL make the original definition of it difficult. The relative complexity of tools incorporated in contemporary terms, are far more expansive than what was utilized at the outset or back to the 1980's. For advanced language learning, CALL is but one component of a wider array or nexus of computer based applications which analyze discourse and compare and establish things like lexical indexes, and comparative analysis for terminology, and common patterns of language usage. Aside from the technologies themselves that are employed, CALL is an integration or a network that includes students, instructors and researchers. One cannot really separate or isolate the actual technologies from this dynamic or relationship. For present purposes of the proposal, the focus of the analysis will be on the research side CALL [Jager, et al, 1999, 34]. Research requires a â€Å"perspective on CALL which provides appropriate empirical research methods for investigating the critical questions about how CALL can be used to improve instructed Second Language Acquisition† [Chappelle, 1997, 21] and also, asks how â€Å"good is the language experience† [Chappelle, 1997, 22]. Research also involves a solid understanding of the teaching process involved with computer assisted learning. Thus, it is proposed that the analysis and research will focus on the applications that are used within CALL that can best serve as tools for evalu ating texts – and in turn, student interaction with texts [see: Warschauer and Kern, 1999, pp. 12ff]. This analysis will use two examples of post-modern fiction as a test-case for CALL. What will be examined in this study, is whether or not the notion of 'self attainment' from a post-modern perspective can be taught. To this end, the analysis will develop a theoretical perspective on two characters in separate works of fiction and in turn, a working definition of what post modern is, given that there is no single definition of it [Greer, 2003, 18] and what 'self attainment' means within this context. These individuals will be analyzed and presented such that a framework will be established for teaching this theory through some form of CALL. As this will involve the triad mentioned above regarding students, instructors and researchers, the study will focus on how each of these can contribute to the overall outcomes. Measured or evaluated in this regard, will be the learner out comes which will be examined from a number of different paradigms for language acquisition outcomes [Lynch, 1996, pp. 44-8; 61ff.]. Also, how this reflects the actual psychology of learning or how it is that we actually process language acquisition in cognitive terms [see: Driscoll, 2000, pp. 69-71]. In short, without some form of measure or comprehensive methodology of evaluation, this project would

Project Management Strategic Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Project Management Strategic Issues - Essay Example The project officially began on October 2000. Demolition of the old structure was scheduled on December 2000 and the new stadium was expected to open in 2003. However, the project was delayed to 9th March 2007. This was because of delays caused by various factors chief among them financial and disputes related issues. Upon completion, the one kilometre circumference Wembley Stadium was supposed to have a bowl volume of 1,139,100m3 and 90,000 sitting capacity with demountable seats. The most spectacular thing is the 1750 tonne and 133-metre tall arch that became the symbol of the stadium. Wembley Stadium has 2618 toilets, state of art conferencing and banqueting facilities as well as 103,000m2 foot print. There were 3500 workers on site who constructed 90,000m3 concrete and 23,000 tons structural steel. There were 444km main cables, 80 km speaker cables, 87 km security cable, 38 km CCTV cables, 71 km cable tray and 14 kilometre fibre optic within the stadium. Other workings were 15000 steel reinforcements, 21,000 sprinkler heads and 1720 km small power and lighting. However, it was not possible to develop retractable new roof of the stadium and fans became disappointed. The work was quite satisfactory as most specification in the contract was met despite the delay occasioned by factors beyond the construction Company. Multiplex Construction Company made  £70 million over budget. The planned cost of the total project was  £798 million. However, Multiplex was later paid a total of  £834 million indicating project variance cost of  £36million. There are many reasons that explain the delays and increase in the project cost of Wembley Stadium. The delays caused millions of losses in pounds to the Wembley National Stadium Limited, Multiplex and other outsourcing companies such as Cleveland Bridge (steel contractor) and PC Harrington (concrete contractor). Wembley National Stadium Limited paid additional  £36m to the Multiplex (WNSL 2010). In addition, the

Draft Report 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Draft Report 1 - Essay Example Notably, Valentine’s day also marks a remarkable consumption rate of chocolate and candy. This is because of the gift-culture in the United States, whereby many people prefer buying chocolates for those they love and treasure ("Hot Chocolates" 182). Many of those buying gifts are usually consumers themselves. Without doubt, chocolate and candy have a ready market more than in any other country across the globe. As highlighted above, the United States registers the highest consumption of chocolate and candy. However, it is worth noting that some brands of chocolate consumed by many Americans have lasted for the last 50 years. They are established chocolate and candy brands with a unique taste and quality (Research and Markets). They are given reverence as premium chocolates because of their outstanding taste and quality over the years. Companies such as Hershey and Mars have the leading percentage of the market share and are the main suppliers of chocolate and candy in the United States. Although chocolate is a preferred snack in the United States, this does not mean that businesses operating in this industry do not have to indulge in rigorous research. Notably, the American consumer is very specific with taste when it comes to snacks and chocolate (Kim, Lopetcharat, and Drake 4850). Moreover, there is a varied preference for either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. These are some of the factors that companies with the leading market share have often considered in a bid to maintain their market position. There is evidence that the packing of the chocolate has the potential to evoke different feelings to the consumer. This gives manufacturers of candy and chocolates a new task of ensuring that the packaging of the chocolate evokes emotions such as desire, satisfied, joy, and pride. Chocolate packs evoking such emotions are likely to have a higher chance compared to others in the market (Johnson). Moreover, the health

Memo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Memo - Essay Example You expressed interest in using our expertise to provide the information. I have come up with a few ideas for viable solutions that make use of our extensive intranet. The ideas include overviews of our security information for clients who access their account information as well. We want them to know that we value their information and work hard to keep it safe. The first idea is to provide links within our intranet, which divide specific information security issues into different categories, such as password protection, encryption, security questions and other. Each link provides specific information regarding the specified security topic. Each topic is designed to appear on the user screen in a â€Å"frames page† using a light colored background that is different from the main user screen. This frame, as a smaller portion of the main screen, will discuss the selected security issue using a common font, in a dark, yet easy to read color. For instance, our intranet main screen is a light blue background with navy blue, aerial font. The new frame selected from the screen might use a tan background with dark brown aerial or other easy to read font. My second idea is to provide an audio/video link, which, when selected, provides written and voice explanation simultaneously. News agencies use such methods to present stories online. Many retailers and corporations use video demos or video clips to describe products and processes. The multimedia method serves to keep viewer’s attention, while reinforcing the written explanation. Video can easily be adapted for use in conjunction with a power point style written presentation. As many of our newest employees are very multimedia savvy, I believe this method to be the most effective. We could even provide employees with a choice of the frames pages or audio/video presentation. I hope you see my suggestions

Taino Construction Supplies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Taino Construction Supplies - Case Study Example Besides the company is environment protection and social oriented. This is reflected in green building and social projects participation, using alternative ways of the extraction of sand. Secondly, Rivera analyses the company’s competitors, customers and market situation. It appears that though Taino does not have direct local competitors there are competitors on the global level and the main of them is Cementos de Mexico which is Tainos partner and client at the same time. Another big customer is House Depot (retail) and some big construction companies. The market analysis shows that the construction market in San Felipe is in time of crisis. However, some segments for example â€Å"do-it-yourself† are stable. Besides the company have faced with other challenges, such as government, environmental groups and partners difficult relations. At the same there are emerging possibilities on the market to raise sales of some products in home market and exporting to other count ries in particular into some states in the USA affected by hurricanes. Consequently, Mario Rivers searches for the ways of turning all the innovation investments in competitive edge of the company.

Religion and So-called German Christians Essay Example for Free

Religion and So-called German Christians Essay Religion continues to be one of the most influential forces in the world. It has been seen to provide great peace and harmony to believers, but it has also been the cause if not an actual reason for some of historys greatest wars. It can be used as justification from leaders of war, can it also serve as an instrument of resolution as well? Religion has come to be a much stronger force than any material incentives. It is far better at directing positive behaviour towards social betterment than any laws or physical force. For instance, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr conducted non-violent protests based upon religious beliefs. Religion can also be used to help bring people together as they are more willing to work together. By contrast, places that reject religion, such as Revolutionary France, communist Russia and China, or Nazi Germany are often very brutally oppressive. However, it is not always the case. For example, Iran: a country where religion is so prevalent is equally as oppressive as these countries. Incidentally, religion can be very dangerous because it can and has been used to justify horrific acts. Crusaders not only killed many Muslims, they also massacred many Jews and Eastern Christians in the process of attempting to win control of the Holy Land. Adolf Hitlers followers among them the so-called German Christians were believers in their Fuhrer. The Inquisition carried out its torture in the name of God. Religion should never be involved in politics because it can then be used as an instrument of control. However, in places where religion develops freely and people have free access to places of worship, it provides people with a sense of hope, praying serves as therapy and members of a congregation feel a sense of community and friendship. Some of the greatest works of art were created in the name of God. Furthermore, Woodrow Wilson suggested that a strong affinity exists between religious commitment and patriotism. Love of country, just like the love of God certainly inspires good deeds but not always. Furthermore, religion may have led to the creation of the worlds finest art, but it has also caused its destruction. Religion can be a source of extreme nationalism. In Christianity, Islam and Judaism, God is described as mighty warrior, just king and righteous judge. He apparently punished the unjust, the unrighteous and the disobedient. The idea that a nation is the instrument of Gods will has led to war and the subjugation of people viewed as ungodly. Fundamentalism clouds everything. There is a need to be right and superior, which develops an ego and once we fall foul to it, we are lost. Conversely, biblical commandments are the basis of Western ethical and legal systems. It has seen to teach us tolerance for people with other beliefs and opinions. Usually believers are more peaceful, law-abiding and tolerant than the non-believers in the world. Some people need it psychologically and without it may step to extremism such as suicide or anarchy. However, some live in a delusion and in a constant state of intellectual dishonesty. Some people, who are so far devout in their own beliefs, use them to beat other beliefs and religious groups into submission. Religions like Islam justify holy wars against the unfaithful, meaning those of other religions. This can also be seen in the violence of the crusades launched by Christians in the medieval period and by later wars between Protestant and Catholic. Religious conviction like the extremist Hindu groups against Christians and Muslims in India has paved the way for the terrorist attacks in New York City on September eleventh 2001. Religious clashes have led to some of the most heinous human behaviour in recorded history. Western states grew as a result of religion and religious philosophy. Western European and North American societies are still based on Protestant ideals of diligence, thrift and moderation. The very existence of theocratic state, proves that governments in these states are much more stable than regimes in secular countries because leaders are viewed as appointed by God. Political stability, in turn, leads to economic welfare. Despite this, Theocratic states become totalitarian regimes because they are based upon obedience to a ruler who is seen as Gods representative rather than a democratic constitution. They may be stable but they are not essentially concerned with their peoples welfare. By prioritising religious imperatives over economic development and by their intolerance of the questionable types who drive economic process states like Iran have become corrupt, authoritarian and poor. In conclusion, I believe that religion provides many opportunities and hope for those who have nothing else to turn to, it helps bring unity and sometimes peace into communities. However, I also believe that it has become a perversion of the redemptive message of Jesus, by so-called devout humans using their beliefs to ruin and destroy the lives of many others. I myself am agnostic and am very open-minded.

Omo Detergent In Nigeria

Omo Detergent In Nigeria Omo is manufactured and distributed by Unilever Nigeria Plc, which is a subsidiary of the multinational food and vitality company, Unilever whose corporate mission is to add vitality to life. They are manufacturers and suppliers of consumer goods in the foods, home care and personal care divisions. Unilever Nigeria Plc was incorporated on 11th April, 1923 as the Lever Brothers (West Africa) Ltd (OceanicPearl 2009). The company began as a trading organisation founded by Lord Leverhulme in Nigeria and West Africa. It started as a soap manufacturing organisation and has remained over the years to become one of Nigerias oldest surviving manufacturing organisations. The company has over the years diversified into the manufacture of foods, personal care products and non-soapy detergents. This was done through mergers and acquisitions, some of which include the acquisition of Lipton Nigeria Ltd in 1985 and Cheesebrough Pond Industries Ltd in 1988 (UnileverNigeria 2010a). In line with the ot her parts of the multinational group, the companys name was changed in 2001 to Unilever Nigeria Plc. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1973 and 49% of its equity are owned by Nigerians at the moment while 51% is held by Unilever Overseas Holdings BV (OceanicPearl 2009). KEY MARKET SEGMENTS AND SIZE OF MARKET Unilever Nigeria Plc is involved in three main market segments and they are: Foods The brands of Unilever in this segment are Blue Band margarine, Lipton tea, Knorr and Royco food seasonings. Blue band margarine dominates the margarine market with only few strong competitors. Lipton tea is also the dominant brand in the Nigerian tea market, with relatively little competition from local manufacturers. However, the Nigerian tea consumption is very small due to the hot climate and the fact that consumers prefer chocolate drinks to tea. Knorr and Royco are different brands of a glutamate-based food seasoning. Although they possess a considerable market share, they have very stiff competition from the Maggi brand of Nestlà © Nigeria which is the dominant seasoning brand in the market. Home care This segment of the fast moving consumer goods market is dominated by multinational companies like Unilever, Procter and Gamble and PZ Cussons although there is competition from other local manufacturers. This dominance is due to the large amount of capital assigned to marketing by the multinationals, which most local manufacturers ignore either due to lack of capital or ignorance. The key Unilever brands in this segment are Omo and Key. Omo comes in a powder form while Key is a green bar soap. The Omo detergent comes in various pack sizes while the bar soap come in two sizes. These products are mainly produced for hand washing although Omo may be used for machine wash. Personal care division Currently, Nigerian households spend US $5 billion annually in the personal care category (Tura 2010). It is a very competitive segment of the Nigerian market and boasts a lot of local manufacturers. Investors are drawn into this segment because of the low barriers to entry and exit. Also, government policies favour the establishment of small-scale factories in this segment with tax incentives granted the organisations. However, multinational organisations such as Unilever and PZ Cussons still control large portion of the segment. Unilevers brands in this segment include Lux, Pears and Sunsilk. Pears is a petroleum jelly brand while Lux and Sunsilk are brands that cover body and hair care products although Sunsilk is cheaper and was created to cater for the low income segment of the Nigerian society. Size of market Because food, home care and personal care are essential to all humans, the market for most of Unilever Nigerias products including Omo can be seen as the entire population of the country. The household consumer goods segment has been growing steadily due to the increased marketing by companies, stimulated by growing demand. Detergents for hand washing have not been left out. The unsteady power situation in Nigeria favour hand washing rather than machine washing and so most of the washing detergents produced in the country are made for hand-wash applications. With a population of over 140million people and an annual population growth rate of 1.999% according to the 2009 estimates (Indexmundi 2009), Nigeria presents a large market for powder detergents. With an urban population percentage of 48% (2008 census) and 97% of the population below 65years (Indexmundi 2009), the market potentials are huge. The Nigerian population is made up of an upper wealthy class that only constitutes about 10% of the population. The middle and lower class make up the remaining 90% with the lower class having the lion share. The chart below shows the Living Standard Measure (LSM) of the adult population in 2008. The Living Standard Measure is a wealth proxy calculated based on the ownership of certain goods and degree of urbanization and ranges from 1 (indigent and rural) to 10 (affluent and urban) (Ladipo 2008). PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND KEY DATA Omo is a white detergent powder that is used for washing clothes. It is produced specifically for hand washing although it can be used for machine washing as well. Omo is a chemical-based detergent with excellent stain removal properties. It comes in 35 and 50grams sachets and also in 200, 400 and 900grams packs. Because of the relatively low income level of the average Nigerian family, the small product sachets have been favoured over the years. Omos brand colours are white, blue and red, with the word Omo written in blue and as uppercase characters on the packaging, which carries the brands colours. Omo is one of the oldest brand names in the household care category in Nigeria. For a long time, Omo was the generic name for non-soap detergents, in most parts of Nigeria. However, increased competition has changed this. MARKETING DATA OF OMO The turnover for the powder detergents segment and Omos market share are given in the table below. NGN represents the currency of Nigeria, the Nigerian naira. The overall sales volume/turnover decrease from 2008 to 2009 was due to fall in demand caused by a high inflation rate. The increase in sales value is as a result of higher product prices rather than an increase in sales volume. However, though there was a decrease in sales volume of powder detergents in 2009, turnover has increased greatly over figures from the early 90s due to the introduction of the more affordable economy-sized sachets of product and improvements in road network across the country which made rural markets more accessible. The turnover for Omo has experienced a gradual decline over the years as consumers now see it as an old and ineffective product and hence prefer the competitions products. The volume and value share of Omo also decreased over the year due to the wrong perception of the product by the consumers and very stiff competition in the segment with several players like Eko Resources Ltd., introducing cheaper alternatives into the market. Main competitors The ability to constantly innovate and make exciting offers to customers is a very important attribute needed to survive and excel in a competitive market (Jobber 1998) like the Nigerian detergent market. Detergents purchase has a low level of involvement and so consumers are quick to try something they perceive better. There are several products that compete in this market segment, their large numbers being due to the low barriers to entry and exit for this market segment. Of the many brands that exist, the three main competitors of Omo are: So Klin washing powder This is a leader in the mass market category of the powder detergents market. It is manufactured by Eko Supreme Resources Ltd., jointly owned by Nigerian and Asian investors and was introduced into the market in 1995. The manufacturers spotted a gap in the market since prior to this time, Omo and the other detergents did not come in economy packs (products came in packs of at least 200grams) and were beyond the reach of the greater populace. They introduced sachets of 15grams and 30grams to cater for the low income earners. This caused them to take over much of the competitors market share. Also, on entry, the white colour of the powder strengthened its claim to provide superior cleaning with just small amounts, at a time when the other players including Omo still came as blue powders. After gaining grounds with its economy-sized products, it also ventured into the realm of the existing main players of the industry by introducing products in 200g, 400g and 900g packs to cater for hig h-end customers. At the end of the 2008 retail year, So Klin emerged second in the powder detergent category mainly the 13 to 35kg segments but still undisputedly remain the first in the sachet (15 and 30grams) segment, which accounts for 50% of the powder detergent business in Nigeria (The Nation 2009). Ariel washing powder This product is manufactured by Procter Gamble Nigeria, which started operations in Nigeria in 1992. It also comes in the form of a white powder and occupies a sizeable share of the detergent market although it is a sort of premium detergent. It was introduced in comparatively large sized packs and cost on the average more than its other competitors for same-sized products. This greater price premium was perceived by most of the AB and C1 groups (using British social classification as given by White (2000)) as a sign of higher quality and became popular especially among Nigerians who knew of their operations outside the country. Procter Gamble Nigeria undertakes aggressive advertising and has over time gradually increased its market share. With the introduction of their economy sized products (15 and 30grams), their customer base increased making them the second major competitor of Omo. Elephant detergent This detergent is manufactured by PZ Cussons Nigeria, a company that commenced business in Nigeria as a West African merchant. Elephant detergent is the third major competitor of Omo in the detergents category. Prior to the entry of the Procter Gamble brand Ariel, it was the main competitor of Omo and together with Omo, occupied more than 40% of the detergents category. Elephant detergent over the years has grown into an umbrella brand that has several detergent products under it such as the Elephant Gold and Elephant colour. It started out as a blue detergent packaged in 200g packs but has transformed into a white detergent following the change in the Nigerian consumer preference. On the wake of the So Klin revolution, brands like Omo tried to quickly reposition while Elephant dawdled resulting in a severe loss of market share. It now comes in economy packs although its strongholds lie in the large sized packs (200grams and above). LIFECYCLE OF OMO WASHING POWDER Omo detergent powder is in its mature phase at the moment. It was introduced over 40 years ago and its early stage was marked with great acceptance as the market had very few players predominantly Elephant detergent. This established the brand and led to a very rapid growth phase through the 80s and early 90s. By the late 90s, the product entered its mature phase. Its market share has since been fairly constant with slight increases or decreases yearly depending on marketing activities. This is evidenced by the gradual fall in market share (from 17.4percent in 2008 to 16.3percent in 2009) as seen in Table 1. Unilever Nigeria constantly undertakes several activities to extend the life of the product. These include repackaging, resizing of packs, introduction of improved formulas and constant advertising. SWOT ANALYSIS FOR OMO DETERGENT Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Strong customer awareness of the brand Crowded and very competitive market Government vision 20/20 developmental policies Entrance of cheaper substitutes like Bonux (by Procter Gamble Nigeria) and Good Mama detergent (by Eko Supreme Resources Nigeria Ltd.) into the market. Large skilled marketing force Price sensitivity of product Improved road network in rural areas Re-launch of Ariel Enzymax as Ariel Prozim by Procter Gamble Nigeria Plc (M2weekly 2010) Access to home companys resources/technology Small brand product range offering specific advantages to different customer segments Increasing income of middle class Difficulty in accessing credit from local banks in the light the restructuring of the banking sector and global financial crisis. A large number of loyal nationwide distributors Improved electricity supply reducing production costs. Fall in local raw materials production Large local production capacity Growing population and market Increase in import duties on imported raw materials Wide product packaging size range High inflation rate(12 per cent in December 2009) (FreshPlaza 2010) Clear brand positioning Low entry barriers into business FUTURE TRENDS IN THE MARKET Nigerian consumers increasingly want more variety, freedom, quality and want to remove the hassle from washing and save time. With an annual population growth rate of 1.999% from 2009 estimates (Indexmundi 2009), the market for household care products is growing. In 2008, the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector in Nigeria of which detergents are a large share grew by over 15% to a market size of around 130 billionNGN ( £552 million) (TradeInvestNigeria 2009). Also, with the increase in the income of the middle class and the percentage of the population that constitute this class, the average disposable income per family is increasing at a steady pace. Therefore, over the next few decades, there will be a shift of demand from economy sized goods (15 and 30grams) to family sized goods (200grams and above) as the younger, more educated portion of the population, which form a greater part of the population, with a median age of 19years (Indexmundi 2009) grow older and establish families. Although infrastructural development (especially power supply) is slow on the average, it is quite faster in urban areas like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. These cities make up a large portion of the entire market. In addition, a larger proportion of married women now take up jobs in the private and public sectors, leaving very little time for activities like hand washing. For these reasons, there is a gradual growth in the market for machine wash powders and this is expected to continue over the next two decades. Finally, with government rigorously executing various projects and making policies in line with its plan for Nigeria to be among the first 20 economies in the world by the year 2020, a rapid growth in the infrastructural development especially rural roads is opening up the rural market thereby adding to market growth. ADVERTISING PHILOSOPHY Omo is advertised with a catch phrase Dirt is good, built around the belief that allowing children explore their environments ensures they grow and develop properly. The advertising of Omo is focused on the mother as the target considering she is the main decision maker for the purchase of household care products like detergents. From personal communication with Unilever Nigeria (February 2010), the primary target consumer description is given below. She is a mother in LSM 5 8, aged 23 45yrs. Her children are central to her world and she wants them to develop and explore the world. Laundry is an important part of her life she takes great pride in seeing her family looking good and wearing clean clothes. She cares about great laundry results and her childs development She lives in the urban and semi-urban parts of the country. Unilever Nigeria employs the television, posters and radio advertising to market Omo, each media used to a different degree. Television Omos main advertising is done on television since their target audience always watch television especially in the evenings. The adverts are run during a soap opera and a family breakfast show which run on Thursday (8-10pm) and Saturday mornings (9-10am) respectively weekly. These shows are almost religiously watched by most families and so have a great impact rate for the target audience. Posters These are the other most used media for advertising Omo. Posters are placed on billboards in markets and major roads all over the country. Since the target audience is the woman, and women are the ones who go to markets to do the family shopping, this is a highly effective method. Markets tend to be centralised and most women go shopping at least weekly and so are always exposed to the advert each time they go there. Using posters offers three main advantages for the marketing of this product. Firstly, since power is not constant in the country, posters present an ever visible advert, always present unlike television adverts that will not be seen if there is no power supply during the time when the advert is supposed to run. Secondly, posters also allow the message of the product to be passed to consumers who do not own television sets considering this is the case in certain parts of the country. Thirdly, posters are also made in the major languages of the different states in the cou ntry as Nigeria has over 200 indigenous languages. This is a very big advantage of using posters, as it reduces the cost of advertising which would be ridiculously high if TV commercials of the different languages were to be made. It ensures that the message of the advertising is effectively communicated to the consumers even if they are not very good in English language. Radio Local radio is also employed in the advertisement of Omo. However, it is used to a much lower extent than television and posters. It is mainly employed in the semi-urban and rural areas where most consumers do not watch much television but own radio sets. The adverts are made in either English language, Pidgin English or the major language of the region. The print media is normally not employed in the advertisement of Omo because very few of the women who are the target audience regularly read the dailies and magazines. ADVERTISING PLAN Current consumer perception of brand Most consumers see Omo as an old school (outdated and ineffective) product. believe detergents powders degrade the colours of clothes. Advertising objectives To alter perceptions about Omo. To reassure customers of product quality. To raise impulsive brand awareness from 75 percent to 85 percent. To raise the proportion of consumers describing the brand as effective and value for money to 75 percent. Selected media: Posters (on billboards because of its high perception-altering potential via repetition). Poster advert description The poster will carry a picture of a smiling woman (30-35years old) in brightly coloured Nigerian attire (attire will be changed to match the cultural and religious attire of women in different regions so as to cause the consumers in the region to identify with the advert) on a white background, carrying the brand colours (red, blue and white) on the left portion of the picture. Brand colours will be bold on poster to enable easy identification of the brand even before seeing its name. The right side of the poster will contain a picture of a large amount of colourful clean clothing folded in a stack (wide range of bright colours to be chosen to emphasize colour caring and preserving qualities of Omo). The woman in the picture will be holding an Omo 15grams sachet in her right hand next to the stack of folded clothing (to emphasize that a small amount can clean many clothes) while the products in their different sized packs are displayed at the bottom left of the poster (to show the c ustomer the range of choices available). The brand name Omo will be placed in the poster in large print, second in size only to the phrase Brilliant results always (to highlight the excellent cleaning and colour-preserving ability of Omo)which will run across the centre of a major part of the poster (but does not overlap the clothes). Response/what we want them to believe: Omo has super stain removing ability, A small amount washes a large quantity of clothes Omo does not deteriorate colours Languages to be used in adverts English, Pidgin English and the three main national languages (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo). Where adverts will be displayed State capital city centres, major markets and roads in the cities and select towns. Timing Six months. Media scheduling Periodic over six months. Results expected Brand to come first in their mind when they think washing To establish the brand and position it in the market as the best for washing Criteria by which success will be judged Change in market share and turnover. Budget A budget of 250millionNGN ( £1.07million) is proposed for this advert. This is justified by the increase in revenue the advert will generate. A 10% increase in revenue (which is 969.2millionNGN from Table 1) will cover the advert and marketing costs and give a reasonable profit. CONCLUSION Omos strong brand presence has kept it over the years. However, a selling concept rather than a marketing concept has been employed for Omo over the years resulting in loss of market share. Constant research should be carried out to keep up with changes in consumer needs. With new emphasis on what consumers want from the product, effective marketing and product promotion, a turnaround can be expected.

Airasia Xs Business Environment Tourism Essay

Airasia Xs Business Environment Tourism Essay X targeted the less disposable income travelers who overlooked by traditional airlines even by some low cost carriers. The low price of ticket and abundant of destination network provided travelers more opportunities to fly. Moreover, X explored the new technology to reduce transaction cost for travelers the cell phone sales of ticket. As Asias economic grew, people from Asia have higher spending power and they will select air transportation to travel more frequent than before. X should cater to a broader passengers segment across different needs categories. Back to a short time after the inception of X, the Malaysia Transport Ministry even refused to release the air route from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney for X in order to protect Malaysia Airlines which is the national airline. Afterward, X prepared for IPO but did not want to be list on the KLSE. Due to worry about the Malaysia government could slow down some of Xs expansion and continue to refuse some routes application. X put off the IPO till the end of 2011 and early of 2012. AirAsia Xs industry environment Although the entry barrier of airline industry is high such as huge capital requirement and governmental legal barriers, low cost long haul carriers are suffering strong competition. On one hand, most of low cost long haul carriers are launched by their parent company. For example, X is a sister company of AirAsia, Scoot Airline is a subsidiary of Singapore Airline. They can enter the industry because of the background of their parent company. On the other hand, the cost of aircraft, fuel and airport is the majority expense in airline company, the high bargain power of suppliers gave much pressure to them. Train and ship are the substitutes of airline, but they are hardly to take place of low cost long haul airline. Even though the price is more expensive than bus and ship, low cost long haul carriers provide variable, efficient and convenient transport service. Sometimes, low threat of substitutes indicates high competition in the industry. In Southeast Asia market, Jetstar from Australia and Scoot from Singapore are the main competitors of X. Jetstar is the earliest company to operated low cost model of them, it has much experience about low cost control. It has huge fleet and good quality service. Its fatal weakness is the highest ticket price provided among the three companies. Scoot is a new low cost long haul carrier in 2012. It has narrow route network and higher price than X. However, it has absolute cost advantages in route from Singapore to Australia currently. Compared to them, X has the lowest average ticket price and the largest passenger load. AirAsia Xs Strategy X successfully integrated low cost model in every organizational activities. It sharply griped the true needs of lower disposable income customers to attract new customer segments and created value to customers around low cost. Primary activities Activities Description Inbound logistics Although X formally separated from AirAsia, they still jointly purchase important resources such as aircraft and fuel. It will strengthen their bargaining power towards suppliers. X reduced costly investment in terminal or non-airplane related infrastructure help to decrease the cost of flight for passengers. Meanwhile, X pays much attention to flight safety. It has a high standard aircraft maintenance team. Operations Different from full service airlines, X should maximize its load in each flight to reach the break-even point because of the low enough price. Moreover, X arranges high efficient flight scheduling to increase the profit. Outbound logistics X is an airline company and responsible to long haul transportation. There is no more outbound logistics except the low cost long haul transportation. Marketing and sales In order to attract new customer segments, X was differentiated around low cost and building he global brand. To reduce cost, X utilized 100 per cent online sales before. To make further efforts, X was exploring the cell phone sales of ticket. In spite of the extra cost, X set sales point in at each airport and operated call centers throughout the world. X also had agreements with travel agencies. Service X made effort to keep the booking process and pricing model simple. The ticket price listed online including ticket fees and related tax charge. It is transparent to customers. X never charged any online, telephone or personal booking fees. In late of 2010, X launched BIG program to review more benefit to loyal customers. Support activities Activities Description Infrastructure X used flat organization structure in the company. The structure helped X to reduce the cost of administration and develop the efficiency among the employees. One of the most important activities is preparing for global IPO. This move is the foundation for Xs global expansion. Human resource management Low cost human resource of X absolutely has benefits from the low labor cost of Malaysia. Furthermore, X and AirAsia established their own training academy for new pilots, engineer and cabin crews. It saved a lot of money for X again. Technology development X explored cell phone sales of ticket to make up 100 per cent online sales. It provided more convenient to customers in booking system. Procurement X searched the lowest price with acceptable quality of merchandise or procured with AirAsia to obtain more price advantage. In the value chain of AirAsia X, every activity is around low cost to create value to customers. Some moves in value chain decide the AirAsia Xs cost per seat mile (US$0.02 per seat mile) less than one quarter of the cost of the average budget US s low budget airlines (US$0.09 per seat mile). From the inception of X, it operated as a simple organization structure. X used minimum staffs to complete flight tasks in safety and efficiency. Additionally, the cost of human resource saved a large sum of money for AirAsia X. Labor costs in Malaysia and the absence of unionization helped keep costs low. As wright said, passengers prefer to get off airplane directly onto the airport tarmac instead of added cost to the ticket price. To reduce costly investment in terminal or non-airplane related infrastructure help to decrease the cost of flight for passengers. It satisfied the real needs of Xs target market. Appraisal the strategies of AirAsia X Sustaining development cannot be created by operating business in external environment with high opportunity and low threat. It must depend on resource and capabilities and utilizes them to implement strategies in industry competition. In order to figure out these resource and capability, management must find out resource of value, rareness, imitability and non-substitute from internal environment. In the beginning of AirAsia X, it almost shared all resources from AirAsia to ensure the successful launch. As formally separated AirAsia X from AirAsia in 2010, AirAsia X already had its own value resources such as some suppliers. It provided infrastructure to administrate strategy and develop. Low cost control system but high safety aircraft and standard maintenance is the most valuable resource in AirAsia X. The flight time in AirAsia X changed from day to day is a very different schedule in airline industry. The purpose is to satisfy to break even through arrange aircrafts in the air as long as possible because the ticket price was too low. Low cost human resource in Malaysia is a kind of imperfectly imitable resources. Scoot Airline from Singapore and Jetstar Airline from Australia have no this resource. Low cost philosophy also is important imperfectly imitable resource. AirAsia X can achieve very low cost per seat mile as US$0.02 when the average budget airlines cost per seat mile is US$0.09. This is mission impossible to AirAsia Xs competitors. As an airline company, aircraft manufacturer is one of the core suppliers. Aircraft selection is very important to airline company; it must consider the size of aircraft depended on fly distance and maintenance cost. AirAsia X utilizes single type of aircraft to simplify maintenance, reduce staff training needs and gain better purchasing term in negotiation. Conclusion Integrated above Porters five forces analysis, value chain analysis and VRIN analysis, the current competitive advantage in AirAsia X is cost leadership. Because of low enough price, AirAsia X can grip opportunity to succeed when other low cost carriers failed. Meanwhile, the competitive advantage offsets some weaknesses such as less diversification of service and differentiation from competitors. With the development of AirAsia X, some current strengths maybe transfer to weaknesses. These will influence sustaining development of AirAsia X. Therefore, AirAsia X should build sustaining competitive advantages in the future. Sustaining competitive advantages Description Cost leadership Low cost philosophy must practices as the core competency throughout AirAsia X. Low distribution cost Currently, low distribution cost is still strength in AirAsia X, but it is heavily relied on online sales. Once information system interruption, AirAsia X will suffer heavy loss, besides, online sales are an easy kind of resource imitated by competitors. Thus, AirAsia X should explore new low cost distribution. High aircraft utilization and operation AirAsia X is good at safe and efficient flight schedule. It balances low ticket price and company revenue. This capability is sustainable and imperfectly imitable. Flat organization structure This capability helped AirAsia X to save a lot of money. However, it is short-term competitive advantage. As AirAsia X expands, flat organization structure will influence the quality of decision making. AirAsia X should maintain this capability to as sustainable competitive advantage. Strong branding and marketing Strong branding and marketing is one of important capability to against competitors expansion. AirAsia X must build its strong branding and marketing. As the completion of budget long haul airlines become sharp day by day. AirAsia X should maintain the capabilities which are easy imitated such as distribution channel or short-term competitive advantages such as flat organization structure.

Death Penalty :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The death penalty or as it is formally called capital punishment should be totally abolished for many reasons. First and foremost no one should have the right to take anyone else’s life, â€Å" neither individually nor as a society representative, has the right to take another man’s life, even apart from the seriousness of his guilt.† (Thinkquest,). Killing is a sin under God. â€Å"Thou shall not kill† is one of the ten commandments. Although not everyone in this country is Christian our constitution was founded on the principle that we are one country under God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout history there have been a number of arguments in favor of capital punishment. These arguments include the deterrent argument, the retribution argument and the protection of the public argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The deterrent argument claims that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to criminals because it instills fear sufficiently to stop criminals. However, statistically this has been found not to be true. â€Å"None of the many studies about the matter has been able to show the death penalty is more deterrent than other punishments.† (EZ,). Most people who commit the most serious crimes do so under unnatural circumstances. Fear is not even present. â€Å" Most serious crimes such as murders†¦are committed when the criminal is blinded with passion, when emotions prevail over reason.† (Collegain,). Even those who plan crimes such as murders do so thinking that they are not going to be discovered. â€Å"Criminologist assert that the best way to discourage murderers isn’t by increasing the severity of punishment but by increasing the possibility of discovering the crime and condemning the culprit.†(Thinkquest,).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Retribution as a reason for capital punishment assumes that the public wants revenge. Although victims of crimes and their relatives deserve to know that the criminal is being punished for their crime, our country beliefs in rehabilitation. Penalties do not â€Å"have to tend to the revenge or the mere punishment of the criminal, but must reeducate him and rehabilitate him morally and humanly; and what rehabilitation would be possible towards a dead man.†(EZ).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To protect the public from dangerous criminals it is not necessary to kill them. Again, the idea is that our penal system is supposed to rehabilitate people. In fact, in order to carry out justice and fearing the neglect of details â€Å"and legal means to which the sentenced can apply, protracts trials and postpones the execution, so the condemned its often changed from the man who committed the crime with the result of executing pe3ople different from the condemned ones.

War? :: essays research papers

Owen’’s poem serves to uncover the lie that "it is sweet and becoming to die for one’’s country." Owen's use of diction, vivid language, and graphic imagery emphasizes his point. The poem describes the fatigue, blindness, evil, obscenity, death, sufferings, and disgust of war. It shows the true life of a soldier, lying low, ill, endlessly trudging through mud with bloody feet, away from and into the pain of gas poisoning of comrades, and away from the injured and dead, but never away from the memories. It ends with a bitter attack on those who see glory in the death of others. The only beauty in this poem is an idea that rest will come. Unfortunately, it is pointed out that the only rest is an undignified death; for those who sleep, sleep restlessly. The ugliness of war is described as low "like old beggars under sacks", diseased "coughing like hags", "blood-shod. All went lame, all blind", exhausting "drunk wi th fatigue", pointless "flound’’ring . . . Dim . . As under a green sea . . . drowning", careless of living or dead "flung" aside, evil "like a devil’’s sick of sin", disgusting like "eyes writhing . . . blood gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs. . . vile, incurable sores", "bitter as the cud", and merciless "on innocent tongues." The comparisons of lines 1, 14, 20, and 23 through 24, describe the soldier as someone the reader can see and war as the disease Owen wants the inexperienced to understand. 1 Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, 14 As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. 20 His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; This places the reader in the soldier’’s place——drowning, stumbling, and fumbling--and shows the lack of glory in war. These lines tell the reader what a man becomes once he has been to war——less than an admirable human, drowned in evil deeds, and emotionless. Lines 23 and 24 give war a character. 23 Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud 24 Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- They create a tangible entity for the reader. They show the truth of the creature of war——cancerous, bitter, incurable——and its eternal, undignified effect on the innocent. Owen uses plural pronouns and the past tense to describe what cannot be undone. He uses "we" and "our" to include the reader as part of the ill-equipped troops——as tired marchers and witnesses to death and pain. War? :: essays research papers Owen’’s poem serves to uncover the lie that "it is sweet and becoming to die for one’’s country." Owen's use of diction, vivid language, and graphic imagery emphasizes his point. The poem describes the fatigue, blindness, evil, obscenity, death, sufferings, and disgust of war. It shows the true life of a soldier, lying low, ill, endlessly trudging through mud with bloody feet, away from and into the pain of gas poisoning of comrades, and away from the injured and dead, but never away from the memories. It ends with a bitter attack on those who see glory in the death of others. The only beauty in this poem is an idea that rest will come. Unfortunately, it is pointed out that the only rest is an undignified death; for those who sleep, sleep restlessly. The ugliness of war is described as low "like old beggars under sacks", diseased "coughing like hags", "blood-shod. All went lame, all blind", exhausting "drunk wi th fatigue", pointless "flound’’ring . . . Dim . . As under a green sea . . . drowning", careless of living or dead "flung" aside, evil "like a devil’’s sick of sin", disgusting like "eyes writhing . . . blood gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs. . . vile, incurable sores", "bitter as the cud", and merciless "on innocent tongues." The comparisons of lines 1, 14, 20, and 23 through 24, describe the soldier as someone the reader can see and war as the disease Owen wants the inexperienced to understand. 1 Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, 14 As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. 20 His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; This places the reader in the soldier’’s place——drowning, stumbling, and fumbling--and shows the lack of glory in war. These lines tell the reader what a man becomes once he has been to war——less than an admirable human, drowned in evil deeds, and emotionless. Lines 23 and 24 give war a character. 23 Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud 24 Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- They create a tangible entity for the reader. They show the truth of the creature of war——cancerous, bitter, incurable——and its eternal, undignified effect on the innocent. Owen uses plural pronouns and the past tense to describe what cannot be undone. He uses "we" and "our" to include the reader as part of the ill-equipped troops——as tired marchers and witnesses to death and pain.

Battle of Thermopylae

The rise of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC is shrouded in mist of antiquity. It sprang in the region encompassing present day southern Iran and Iraq. A disparate group of tribes of Indo-European origin serving as vassals to the Medes controlled the region east of Tigris from their capital Ecbatana (near Hamadan). Here, around 650 BC the religion of Zoroastrianism was founded uniting the populace as an enlightened people into a political force.In 559 BC a devout Zoroastrian, Cyrus became the head of an obscure tribe and he set about uniting the other into a fighting force and in five years he had defeated the Medes and conquered all Persia. Lydia in Asia Minor and Babylon soon followed and by the time he died, as Cyrus the Great in 529 BC had founded the Persian Empire. After his death, his son Cambyses conquered Egypt in 525 BC. Indeed, the growth had been so rapid that rebellions sprang up and it fell upon Cambyses’s son Darius (The Great) to quell these uprising s and institute satrapies or self-governing colonies across the empire.It was sheer administrative genius, military planning with a humanistic view that transformed disparate tribes into a formidable world power. By the 5th century Persian power extended from the river Indus to the shores of Mediterranean, North Africa, Thrace, Greece and Macedonia on the European continent. Following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization large numbers of Greeks moved to Asia Minor and significant among them were three tribal groups, Aeolians, Dorian and Ionians who settled around Lydia and Caria establishing twelve cities which made up Ionia.These were independent states but they all acknowledged a common heritage. They enjoyed this status till they were conquered by the Lydian King Croesus. The Ionians were invited by Cyrus the Great to rebel against Lydian rule which was turned down forcing Cyrus to conquer Ionia in 540 BC and thereafter to be ruled by local satraps. During the rule of Dariu s the Great in 499 BC the cities of Ionia were incited to rebellion against the tyrants representing Persian rule and in 498 BC the Ionians with support from Athens and Eretria destroyed Sardis provoking the Persians into decisively beating them at the battle of Ephesus.The Ionian Rebellion was the first major conflict between the Greeks and the Persian Empire. Asia Minor was subdued but Darius the Great saw the myriad Greek states as a threat to the stability of the Empire and was bent upon conquering the whole of Greece. In 492 BC as a consequence of this rebellion first steps were taken to secure land routes to Greece by re-taking Thrace and forcing Macedonia to become a client state of Persia. In 491 BC Darius sent emissaries to Greek cities seeking their submission.Most complied with the terms but Athens put the ambassadors to death and in Sparta they were thrown down a well. Thus both cities were now effectively at war with Persia. Darius next dispatched a force which besieged and destroyed Noxos and Eretria and then confronted a vastly outnumbered Athenian army at Marathon. The ensuing battle of Marathon was a remarkable victory for Athens resulting in the withdrawal of the force to Asia Minor. A major campaign against Greece was now in preparation when Darius died in 486 BC leaving son Xerxes I in command.A rebellion in Egypt delayed progress on this front and preparations resumed once the rebellion had been quelled. By early 480 BC Xerxes was ready and marched his army across the Hellespont to Europe using pontoon bridges. Spartans and Athenians were also preparing for war and in 481 BC the Congress of Corinth was held at which confederation of the city states was formed and they thought that the invader would have to traverse the narrow pass at Thermopylae on way to southern Greece, which could be blocked by a smaller force.Furthermore, to prevent Persians bypassing Thermopylae by sea a naval flotilla gathered to block strait of Artemisium. It was Au gust by the time the Persians arrived. This is a time of year when the Spartans celebrate the festival of Carneia and the Olympic games. A time of truce, during which war is forbidden but the urgency of the situation persuaded King Leonides I of Sparta to take 300 royal bodyguards and support troops as an advance expedition to block the pass and await the arrival of the main Spartan army.According to historian Herodotus the Spartans had consulted the Oracle of Delphi, (The high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pythia) was credited with powers of prophecy O ye men who dwell in the streets of broad Lacedaemon! Either your glorious town shall be sacked by the children of Perseus, Or, in exchange, must all through the whole Laconian country Mourn for the loss of a king, descendant of great Heracles (Rawlinson translation of Herodotus VII, 242) In keeping with this prophecy Leonides I was convinced he was going to certain death.Once the Persians were sighted the Allies decide d to make a stand at Thermopylae. The Persians offered surrender terms and asked the Greeks to lay down their weapons to which Leonides 1 is said to have responded â€Å"come and get them† (Holland, p269–270). The Persians had mustered an overwhelming force even though historians don’t seem to agree on a precise number. Modern scholars estimates vary from 25,000 (Hans Delbruck) to 100,000 -200,000 (Ulrich Wilcken and Tom Holland). There were 11,000 -12,000 Greeks in a combined force.Five days after arriving Xerxes launched a frontal attack. The Greeks formed a phalanx of overlapping shields and layered spear points across the width of the pass stopping the Persians from breaking through. This proved most effective as the wicker shields and shorter spears of the Persians prevented an effective engagement. On the second day too, the Persians fared no better but later that day the Persians got help from a traitor in locating a mountain path round the pass thereby o ut-flanking and encircling the Greeks.Some suggested withdrawal, but Leonides resolved to stay with the Spartans at the Pass forming a rear-guard to enable other allied contingents to withdraw. At dawn on the third day the Allies came forward to the wider part of the pass to engage the Persians. They fought with spears and short swords and Leonides 1 also perished in this assault. Thereafter the Persian surrounded the Greeks and rained down volley after volley of arrows opening up the pass to the Persians who proceeded to burn and sack cites which had not submitted. Xerxes then retreated back to Asia leaving a Satrap to complete the conquest.Thermopylae was undoubtedly a defeat for the Allies but is arguably the most famous battle of European ancient history. References Bradford, Ernle (2004). Thermopylae: The Battle for the West. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306813602. Cartledge, Paul (2006). Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press. ISBN 1585 675660. Green, Peter (1996). The Greco-Persian Wars. University of California Press. ISBN 0520203135. Pressfield, Steven (1998). Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae. Doubleday. ISBN 0385492910.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Large Populations

The meaning of CPI (Consumer Price Index) is a measure of how the price of goods and services changes over a period of time. Real GDP per capita means calculating the average income per person in a year. Cost of Living simply means the amount of money we use to live by everyday like, the money we paid for food, taxes, see doctor, and petrol for cars. While Standard of Living means the quality and how people are able to afford of housing, luxurious or non-luxurious living. Different levels of wealth and comfort ability.The advantages of having a large population are an increase in a country’s wealth, more demands hence, causes a growth in economy as well as, rising of income per household. Benefiting larger families, with more money to spend for example, travelling and ability to purchase more stuff. If there are larger population in a country, it also means more money will go into the country’s capital for example, paying of taxes and household bills to the governments. Having a large population doesn’t mean it is an advantage too.There are definitely disadvantages of having a large population in a country, like a shortage in properties, demanding of a rise in salaries and also shortage of resources. The real GDP for China in year 2011 was $7. 318 trillion USD, while the real GDP for Singapore was $239. 7 billion USD. Real GDP per capita for China was 8,500 USD while Singapore was 60,500 USD. There will be pros and cons of Cost of Living in China as China is a big country and difficult to maintain.China has a total population of 1,344,130,000. As mentioned above, that the advantages of having a large population in a country may increase the wealth of the country as well as the economy. Demanding for Standard of Living for example, asking for bigger houses or space if there’s a big family. However, Singapore is a very small country with a population of only 5,184,000. Cost of Living is so much higher as Singapore is the smallest count ries in the world and that makes it easier to maintain as compared to China.More will demand on Standard of Living because Singapore is small and if, there are going to be new members joining in the family they will probably need to have a much bigger space to live. Singapore is also known as one of the richest country in the world. Thus, Standard of Living is high. Consumers demanding for better clothing, food and living environment. It is because Singapore is a small country and the country does not have to spend more money on maintenance except for upgrading and that makes more Singaporeans to be rich hence, Standard of Living is high.

The Lord of the Flies Continues to Fly A Socio-Historical Look At Its Banning and Sustained Popularity

Henry Reichman, in his research titled Censorship and Selection, Issues and Answers for Schools. Censorship defines censorship as the â€Å"the removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic or educational materials †¦ on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in light of the standards applied by the censor† (Cromwell, 2005) . Often, the judging of the books as unfit for public or classroom consumption is done unilaterally by an authorized policymaking body tasked with oversight functions.This has adverse impact to the teachers’ exercise of academic and creative freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment that protects â€Å"the students’ right to know and the teachers’ right to academic freedom† (Shupe, 2004). Throughout the history of literature, censorship of literary texts and judging them as unfit for public consumption has always provoked social and political debates. The offensive advocates who pose themselves as guardians of morality and social order insist that the society needs protection from destructive elements that may damage its moral and social fibers.The defensive side, on the other hand, promotes the upholding of constitutional rights for free expression, criticizing censorship us a curtailment of this basic human right. Ironically, banning the books from public consumption has proven to have done the opposite. The public becomes even more curious, finds creative ways to get hold of these banned books and discover for themselves that the very reason of the banning should be the same reason why the public should read them in the first place.For instance, while Mark Twain’s â€Å"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† was challenged because of its racial slur, many in the academic circles believe that it should all the more be read by the public to learn about racism and its adverse social impact (Shupe, 2004). Restraining the public from reading a lit erary text that reflects this social reality does not and cannot shield itself from seeing this happening in real life. Unsurprisingly therefore, these banned books or literary texts whose subjects are deemed taboos by the authorities became all-time best sellers continually being â€Å"consumed† by the public.The public’s curiosity has been sustained by the authority’s persistent efforts to dictate what the public can and cannot read defying the provisions of the First Amendments that enshrines creative and academic freedom (Shupe, 2004). This has all the more invigorated the public’s tendency to rebel against repressive authorities. Banning the reading of what the public considered acclaimed literature seems not just illogical but unwarranted. This has made acclaimed banned books like the Lord of the Flies sustained its popularity generations after generations.I. The Lord of the Flies Restrained from Flying To understand the â€Å"restraint flight† of the novel, it may be deemed necessary to trace its roots from its conception to publication, illuminating the tumultuous routes it has taken before it reached the public eye. William Gerald Golding wrote the novel less than ten years after World War II after serving in the Royal Navy from 1940-1945 where he saw man’s unnerving capacity for atrocities. As it is commonly believed, war brings the worst and the best of man’s human nature.But expectedly so, Golding identified more on the evil side of man, owing to his background as a disillusioned advocate of rationalism, championed by his father Alec Golding, a school teacher and ardent believer of rationalism. In his writing about his wartime experience, he wrote: â€Å"Man produces evil as a bee produces honey† (Gyllensten, 1983). He felt that the atrocities committed by the Nazis in such magnitude could be committed just as well by any other nations owing to humankind’s innately evil nature.He wrote the book at a time of Cold War, fresh from the hostilities of the Holocaust, the widespread dehumanizing aftereffects of atomic bombs, and the threat of the so-called â€Å"Reds† behind the Iron Curtain. These conditions all found their way to the book, making it a good study of the political and ideological underpinnings of this milieu. From its pre-publication to its promotion to the public, the Lord of the Flies has undergone a turbulent path. Rejected by publishers a record of 21 times, the book was adjudged as â€Å"absurd and uninteresting†¦rubbish and dull† (Conrad, 2009).Conrad (2009) recalls that the book seemed to have reached a dead end, until a former lawyer hired as editor from the Faber publishing house, Charles Monteith, resurrected the book from its near oblivion and convinced his colleagues at Faber to publish the book at a measly sum of ? 60. As it turned out, Monteith’s business instinct earned Faber millions of pounds as the book sold mi llions of copies worldwide and continues to do so up to this time prompting the author of the book to retort that he considers the royalty income as â€Å"Monopoly money† (Conrad, 2009).The book’s huge commercial success can be attributed to two things: first, it has a good narrative filled with thrilling action and a theme that amplifies the endless battle between good and evil; and second, it has been continually challenged by certain school authorities making it all the more attractive to readers. The more it has become controversial, the more it has gathered cult following, assuming celebrity status as a literary text. The thesis of the book underscores the tendency of man for violence.In the novel, a group of British schoolboys are trapped in a tropical island after the plane that would take them to someplace safer from the nuclear war crashed. Initially acting in a more civilized way, these schoolboys form some sort of a social group with a leader and sets of rul es. As they discover the difficulties of such an arrangement within the uncertainty that surrounds them in that tropical island, they begin to question the existence of that social order and start to defy its conventions.The â€Å"good force† is led by Ralph who symbolizes man’s adherence to civilization and proper social decorum; while Jack leads the â€Å"evil forces† symbolizing man’s innate evil nature that manifests with proper environmental stimuli engendered by the harsh realities of life such as surviving in a jungle. As the story progresses and the uncertainty of being rescued become remote, Jack begins to reconfigure the composition of the social order initiated by Ralph. Within these contesting ideologies, Jack starts to emerge as the leader of choice by the majority of the group.Deciding that Jack’s aggressive stunts and hunting skills are the necessary skills of a leader in such a harsh environment, the majority of the boys shift their allegiance to him and leave the â€Å"orderly† and â€Å"civilized† leadership of Ralph. With Jack’s leadership, the boys undergo a downward spiral and turn to horrific violence to dismantle civilized social constructs in the name of survival. In so doing, two boys are killed and they would have continued to slide down to ultimate self-destruction had their eventual rescue failed to come just in time.Published in 1954 and written by Golding, the Lord of the Flies has been constantly challenged and banned from school curricula in the United States and other parts of the world. The Nettverksgruppa (1996) or NVG, an association of students and staff at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim recounts that the following academic institutions challenged this novel for its so-called â€Å"demoralizing effect that implies that man is little more than an animal†: