Li & Fung

A critique of the case â€Å"Li & Fung (A): Internet issues† is presented below in light of the following two key methodologies: SWOT analysis Porter's five forces model A SWOT analysis of Li and Fung: Strengths of the firm Reputable name and branding. Well informed and educated management Tightly integrated supply chain management with client base. Established decentralized management style Ability to operate in both hard and soft markets. Existing internal capital Successful acquisition strategy (bought suppliers and competitors). Flexible and interactive design process. No inventories to manage. Weaknesses Lack of initial knowledge on developing an e-commerce B2B profile. Lack of qualified personnel and subject matter experts to implement such a large undertaking. Poor information gathering and research prior to adopting the B2B portal strategy Insufficient knowledge about the behavior of SMEs in similar portals The initial plan of developing a B2B portal was based on the old economy model, change was not sufficiently accounted for. Opportunities The internet is a true enabler to incorporate a more streamlined supply chain management system. Allow customers to be able to be an intricate part of the design process up to the point of product manufacture. Allow SMEs to participate in product procurement while enjoying a smaller commission rate. Ability to establish a business plan to develop markets in which surplus products could be sold (Electronic Stock Offer – eSO) Threats Phasing the â€Å"middle man† out of the trading scheme is a risky strategy and an attempt to alter an existing market mechanism. Possible loss of key employees to other Internet companies through the promise of greater wage compensation for newly acquired skills. Fear that an online company would acquire or partner with an old economy trading company, becoming an overnight competitor. If the technology was outsourced, then the company could become dependent on that outside company for their IT needs especially when an upgrade was needed. The possibility of outside companies being able to access proprietary information, strategy, or the complete Li & Fung business model. Exposing the business to a new business environment with insufficiently prepared change strategies Service quality issues in an area where the firm has never operated before could tarnish its reputation and result in loss of value The new e-commerce endeavor made some of their larger customers nervous in that they were afraid that Li & Fung would be compromising their business by working with their direct competitors. Porter's five forces model: Traditional Rivalry – most of Li & Fung’s rivals have been acquired. Bargaining power of suppliers – sold raw materials to suppliers at a premium. Bargaining power of buyers – efficient and considered high value. Threat of new entrants – low threat of entry. Threat of substitute products- possibilities of threat in this area. Business Concept Li & Fung is a long standing Hong Kong based company that that has evolved from an export trading company to a coordinator of value-added services across the entire supply chain in a global, open manufacturing environment. They assess the clients’ product and delivery needs and orchestrate supply, manufacture and delivery in a very tailored and specialized way. Capabilities Li & Fung achieve their high level of service through an executive relationship of two close brothers who form a unique synergy of strategy and execution. In addition, they give senior managers sufficient autonomy to respond to needs of specific customers. They are aided by a centralized IT as well as financial and administrative support in Hong Kong. Managers have their own compensation package, and bonuses are based on profits with no ceiling. There is great incentive to achieve goals. Li & Fung use a three year planning approach in which a goal is established and a gap analysis aids in identifing steps to get there. Each three year plan had a short name or slogan for the ultimate goal. Through strategic acquisitions to expand reach of service into new markets such as Europe and India, Li & Fung had grown to nearly five times that of its closest competitor by 2000. Value The value Li & Fung provided its clients is the view and reach into a global range of choices for performing tasks. Through their knowledge of the various raw materials suppliers, manufacturers and shippers, Li & Fung could provide a high degree of quality and reliability in all aspects of order fulfillment. This knowledge coupled with sophisticated centralized information management made its services quick and reliable. Threat of Competitors The threat of e-commerce over the Internet was not as direct as expected. The brothers were concerned about disintermediation but found that most Internet businesses were not well conceived. Instead they learned that the threat came from the hype of Internet businesses capturing more investment capital thus enabling those companies to invest greatly in their companies and hire away talent from Li & Fung, for example. Continuing Threats In the next three year plan, Li & Fung will need to assess the possibility and cost/benefit of end-to-end supply chain communications based on improved technology in developing countries. Li & Fung maintain their own staff, on the ground, with each supplier, thus ensuring valid business data in their system. From a market assesment viewpoint they will have to prove the value of that cost versus other entrants into this field that may assess suppliers differently. Channel conflict would continue to be a threat with each increasing IT improvement. They will also need to attend to the legacy clients and how they fare against the B2B portal. Li & Fung 1. What has been the historic strength and strategy for Li and Fung? Since Li and Fung was founded in 1906, the company has more than 100 years of history and it is the main historic strength of Li and Fung. It accumulated lots of information and experience, which other competitors couldn’t have owned without such a strong historic background. Li and Fung is a publicly traded family company. Speed, Solidarity, authenticity, trust, and control are the benefits to running a family business.For example, in a family business, people can think something in the morning and begin working on it in the afternoon; after all, the family is a natural team. Trust is essential in all business and family businesses get a high level of trust among family members. In the early 1970s, Fung brothers who were both educated at Harvard Business School returned from the United States. Fung brothers’ returned heralded Li and Fung’s transition from a family- owned business to a professio nally managed firm, with a planning and budgeting system in place for the first time.As more source of supply emerged in the rapidly industrializing Asian economies, Li and Fung expanded its regional network of offices throughout the Asia-Pacific region and this can be contributed to the fact that Li and Fung was Hong Kong based. By 2000, Li and Fung became a $2 billion global export trading company sourcing and managing the global supply chain for high-volume, time-sensitive consumer goods. 69% of Li and Fung’s sales were in the United States and 27% in Europe.With 48 offices in 32 countries, the company provided value-added services across the entire supply chain in a so-called â€Å"borderless† manufacturing environment. Therefore, Li and Fung clients benefited in several ways: supply-chain customization could shorten order fulfillment from three months to five weeks, and this faster turnaround allowed clients to reduce inventory costs. Moreover, in its role as a mi ddleman, Li and Fung reduced matching and credit risks, and also offered quality assurance to its customers.Furthermore, with a global sourcing network and economies of scales. Li and Fung could offer lower cost and more flexible sourcing than its competitors. Li and Fung even started offering clients virtual manufacturing, or product design services. Li and Fung was entrepreneurial, allowing senior managers to run 90 small, worldwide management teams as separate and individual companies. These dedicated teams of product specialists focused on the needs of specific customers and were grouped under a Li and Fung corporate mbrella that provided centralized IT, financial and administrative support form Hong Kong. This decentralized corporate structure allowed for adaptability and rapid reaction to seasonal shifts. In Li and Fung, performance-based promotion and compensation were cardinal principles. Each Li and Fung’s top executives negotiated individual compensation packages. L i and Fung bonuses were based on profits without ceiling.

Desalination Solution To The Freshwater Crisis Environmental Sciences Essay

The chief ground for drinkable H2O deficit in Singapore is the fact that it is surrounded by sea H2O, unsuitable for imbibing. At present, the state has created sustainable H2O supply from its ‘Four National Taps ‘ , which consists of rainwater reservoirs, imported H2O, reclaimed H2O ( NEWater ) and desalinated H2O. ( â€Å" Water Supply † ) The detonating population is besides increasing the strength of drinkable H2O demand, doing deficits.Problems Associated with Drinkable Water ShortagesThe chief cause of hungriness, disease and poorness is the deficiency of clean, safe imbibing H2O. ( â€Å" Why Water? † ) Crops would be unable to turn doing hungriness. Consumption of contaminated H2O is the chief cause of diseases. Regions missing in safe, imbibing H2O have a higher rate of decease and diseases. Peoples are ill more frequently, and are unable to work. This prevents the part from promotion. Regional struggles over scarce H2O resources may ensue in warfar e. ( â€Å" Water Scarcity † ) Figure 2 shows the H2O deficit around the universe. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hydrogenambassadors.com/background/images/background/water-shortage.gif Figure 2 – Water Deficit ( Hydrogen Ambassador )Desalination – How does it turn to drinkable H2O deficits?The bulk of H2O on the Earth is seawater and Singapore is surrounded by it excessively. If this H2O was converted into safe, drinking H2O, the job of drinkable H2O deficits would be easy solved. This is where desalinization plays its function. The procedure of taking salt from saltwater to make fresh water is called desalinization. ( Aintablian, † Water Desalination † ) A turning figure of desalinization workss are being built around the universe to turn to the job of fresh water deficits. The two chief methods of desalinization are distillment and the membrane procedure. In the procedure of distillment, a scope of method are used to vaporize saltwater, them condense the vapour, to obtain non-saline H2O. The membrane procedure has two types, viz. rearward osmosis and forward osmosis. Rearward osmosis is the procedure where pre-treated saltwater is pumped through a partly permeable membrane at high force per unit area, which separates dissolved splines from the H2O. Forward osmosis involves the natural procedure of osmosis ; H2O traveling from a extremely concentrated part to a part of low concentration. This procedure allows it to of course happen, alternatively of coercing it through a force per unit area gradient. In this procedure, the saltwater passes through a partly permeable membrane to a concentrated solution of ammonium hydroxide salts, go forthing salt atoms behind. The ammonium hydroxide salts are evaporated and can be reused. ( â€Å" Tuas Seawater Desalination Plant † ) The procedure is shown in Figure 3. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.nrdc.org/onearth/04sum/images/saline_diagram.jpg Figure 3 – Seawater Distillation Process ( Glowac )Positive Impacts of DesalinationSupplying fresh water to countries with limited resources is the chief intent of desalinization. Communities get provided with a safe and dependable supply of fresh water. Singapore itself has no direct beginnings of fresh water except rainwater. The state has to import around 2500 gallons of H2O from Malaysia every twelvemonth. To drop the rate of import, it makes usage of the saltwater it is surrounded by. Desalination helps increase the sum of safe drinkable H2O available and saves lessenings import of H2O from states with big sums of fresh water available. This is helps diminish the general cost, since H2O conveyance is an expensive matter. It provides a dependable and readily available beginning of H2O in instances of terrible drouth. It becomes a necessity in the present clime in increasing temperatures, spread outing population and unsustainable groundwater. ( â€Å" The Advantages of De salination † )Negative Impacts of DesalinationEven though desalinization is a utile procedure, it has its general reverses. Disposing of the waste salt solution will increase the concentration of salt in the H2O. This will do the procedure harder and may harm the animals under the sea. The desalinization procedure is an expensive one and requires a batch of energy. Since most energy is derived from fossil fuels, it is said to be a affair of taking one environmental issue over the other. The costs are even higher if parts off from the seashore or at high heights, seek utilizing desalinated H2O. Many resources would be required to transport H2O from the ocean or a organic structure of salty H2O to far distances and high heights. ( Aintablian. â€Å" Water Desalination † )Factors affected by DesalinationEconomic Factor For – Desalination helps states with limited beginnings of fresh water to hold entree to drinkable H2O, without holding to bear conveyance costs. Wealth can be created by desalinization, as it increases the opportunities for development of agribusiness, industry and touristry in states with a scarce H2O supply. These alterations are bound to raise the overall income of a part. Some direct occupations and income can be expected from desalinization workss. Seawater desalinization is a feasible option is coastal parts which find desalinization more cost-efficient so transporting H2O from other parts. ( What is Desalination? – Benefits ) Against – Desalination is an expensive procedure. It becomes more expensive when the salt H2O needs to be transported to regions off from the seashore or those at high heights. Economically stable states like Singapore can afford to construct desalinization workss and change over big measures of saltwater, but other 3rd universe states confronting the fresh water crisis may fight to pay for desalinization workss to be opened and for big measures of H2O to be transported and converted. The ground the costs for desalinization are so high is because heavy-duty machinery and equipment is required to change over salt H2O into fresh water expeditiously. Not all states have the budget or land to construct mills with such expensive equipment. So, even though the desalinization procedure is a great solution to the fresh water crisis, we have yet to get the better of the costs required to run it. Figure 4 shows how engineering is progressing to do the procedure of desalinization less de arly-won. hypertext transfer protocol: //kanat.jsc.vsc.edu/student/glowact/body.h1.jpg Figure 4 – Decline in Seawater Desalination Costs Represents Evolution in Technology ( Hayes ) Environmental Factor For – More than 97 % of the H2O in the universe is seawater, which means there is small H2O for the universe ‘s turning H2O demand. The underdeveloped universe can non trust on a individual beginning of H2O anymore, and holding a dependable solution to the fresh water crisis helps alleviate emphasis on the fresh water available ( What is Desalination? – Benefits. ) The H2O conveyance systems use a great trade of energy and do air pollution. Desalination workss placed strategically helps decrease the environmental impact. Water made available during drouths would protect against H2O deficits. More fresh water would be available for usage in agribusiness. ( Dorward. â€Å" The Benefits of Desalination Plants ) Against – The procedure of desalinization requires a batch of energy. Since most power beginnings are soon derived from fossil fuels, desalinization has a manus in planetary heating. The constructing procedure would be time-consuming. Therefore, it would upset the environment. The waste salt solution is released back into the sea. This increases the concentration of salt in the saltwater and this may harm the animals under the ocean. Since more salt demands to be removed, more energy has to be used and it leads to a higher wastage of fossil fuels. Figure 5 shows the minerals being discharged into the sea and this is what makes the procedure harder and it requires more energy. This discharge may besides incorporate low concentrations of chemicals used in the procedure, which could harm environment-sensitive countries ( Younos, Tamim 11. ) Even though desalinization is the best solution to the universe ‘s fresh water crisis, it has environmental issues have to be solved be fore it can be used around the universe on a big graduated table. hypertext transfer protocol: //t1.gstatic.com/images? q=tbn: ANd9GcSHEXi_HxYsF0cbcqyC6gRNp2i18V0j4QXFTCcwIXO0RrVCFL1bCA Figure 5 – Minerals are discharged into the sea, and the desalinization procedure requires more energy ( MEWR | Desalination ) Word Count – 1, 256

Attributes of the ideal leader in higher or K-12 education Essay

Introduction The educational institution exists and cooperates in a network of dedicated, goal-oriented peers, in an environment of high expectations and immense collaboration. Communicating daily with adult education professionals and with students, a substantial background and specific competencies must be gained in this kind of practice. Faculty members are confronted with a fresh generation of students that live and study in a digital environment. They are challenged to convey persuasive learning milieus that are both instructionally evocative and thoroughly appealing to these digital students. Their job involves directing, guiding, or teaching adults. The online curriculum the knowledge and skills you need for working more effectively with adult learners and is designed for busy, working professionals. As the select few of these days’ higher educational institutions create and enhance their vision to meet the needs of the changing student population into the twenty-first century, the skills and attributes required are also changing. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the skills and attributes perceived as important in this changing environment. It is essential that the leaders and managers of our higher educational institutions welcome all their roles, contribute to the responsibility with the environment, and be acquainted with and incorporate change (Kincheloe, 1991). What makes a leader ideal? What specific qualities make an individual suited to handling responsibilities, various roles and demands that are expected in an institutional setting catered to adults and the like? What training development model should be used to train those seeking such positions in institutions of higher learning? Every now and then a decision maker in an establishment pre-determines a need for training but savoir-faire trainers constantly evaluate the analysis data before jumping on to settle on the training objectives. Why? This is because intuition-based training interventions frequently detect symptoms rather than root sources. On top of that training is never the key to all performance problems. Around 80% of performance obstacles are environment-connected. Developing occupation aptitudes will not advance these institutional issues (Yukl, 2002). Considerations should also include the personality type of the individual, the hopes and aspirations the person have within him/herself; and the type of institution that the individual is placed into-the subculture prevalent that influences the decision-making processes of all the people or constituents involve. All of which and more, are indispensable factors for consideration. Training, as most people assume about it, is concerned about developing particular skills. The function and relationship of preparation to the place of work is implied. Training dubbed as performance improvement has been the focus in instructional professional which includes solving performance problems to attain business results. Performance improvement covers skills training and considers other issues as well, such as does the organizational structure (decision making, supervision, feedback) sustain the workflow and are the environmental working situations (equipment, light, interruptions) suitable. The notion of â€Å"performance improvement† is frequently an easier sell to management and trainees than â€Å"training† for the reason that the emphasis moves from the person to overall performance of the organization. The ISD model, occasionally alternatively called Instructional Systems Development Model, consists of five phases, usually illustrated as analysis, objectives, design, delivery and evaluation. This training model is a methodical approach to managing human resources. Those who study and make use of that data in exclusive contexts are rightly described as professionals; in them lies the heart and soul of the profession. Abstract professional learning, on the other hand, can be infuriatingly difficult to classify. It expands past distinct responsibilities to embrace the combination of practice and insight. It requires rudiments of art as well as science. Transmitting abstract learning by means of instruction has parallel distinctiveness. Teaching in the professional education organization entails more than delivering subject matter. Good instruction is an art form in its own right. A first-class teacher can prevail over a poor curriculum, while a great curriculum will not replace with for a poor instructor. Industrial-age institutions look for routine and habit accomplished through standardized measures. Complex responsibilities are split into simple steps that are assigned to organizational positions to guarantee that employees are both interchangeable and effortlessly replaced. Bureaucratic hierarchies are likely to esteem proven evaluation of specific aspects of complex managerial tasks. In view of this, the picture of leadership is in reality changing as the image of organizations changes. Analysis ascertains those who require training and what skills or performance improvements are designated. Aims and goals set the restriction for the instructional outline and help attain the appropriate learning outcomes (Kincheloe, 1991). At the heart of any profession is a body of expertise and abstract knowledge that its members are expected to apply within its granted jurisdiction. Those who discover and utilize that knowledge in unique contexts are rightly described as professionals; in them lies the heart and soul of the profession. A good teacher can overcome a poor curriculum, while a great curriculum will not substitute for a poor teacher. In the industrial-age organizations seek routine and habit achieved through standardized procedures. Complex tasks are broken into simple steps that are assigned to organizational positions to ensure that employees are both interchangeable and easily replaced. Here are aspects of the systems analysis approach to education that are useful. There is nothing inherently harmful in developing competency lists, provided they are kept general in nature and viewed with the appropriate level of circumspection. Competency maps take on a wide variety of forms. The competencies might be called knowledge areas, skills, attributes, attitudes, components, tasks, traits, or simply competencies. Once identified, numbered, and listed, they are usually broken down into sub-components, which are also numbered, so they might be associated with the broader competency area or cluster of competencies. The mapping aspect comes into play when the competency areas are charted to training and educational objectives and events, and then ultimately to desired leadership behaviors. Competency mapping is chiefly appealing to analytically oriented decision makers. Advocates for aptitude and competency mapping stress that one can utilize a metric to determine the relative accomplishment of an individual competency that will predict success in associated leadership behaviors. Advocates refer to competency mapping as adaptive because the list and the educational experiences that match the competencies can continually be revised. Advocacy of competency mapping seems to be spreading. Its aim is to advance a blueprint, map, or matrix of desired skills, knowledge, attributes, and attitudes at various levels of the organization. The map is then used to direct recruiting, hiring, and training assessment. Competency mapping has gained a following in the human resources community and fashioned a cottage industry of business consultants and sellers who profess expertise in its application At the heart of list-based methods like competency mapping is a supposition that specific qualities such as motives, values, and skills can be acknowledged and reproduced through training and education, resulting in effectively led organizations. The roots of this approach lies in trait theories of leadership that correspond with Taylorism. Education scholars Joe F. Donaldson and Paul Jay Edelson have noted that â€Å"trait theory was developed in the first part of the twentieth century and took a psychological approach to specifying the personality traits of effective leaders. Although research has shown no relationship between individual traits and effectiveness, this approach still finds modern expression† (Donaldson & Edelson, 2000). The trait approach has largely been supplanted by more sophisticated frameworks, yet leader competency mapping is proof positive that despite its dubious foundation the approach endures. Noted leadership author and scholar Gary Yukl has observed: â€Å"Early leadership theories attributed managerial success to extraordinary abilities such as tireless energy, penetrating intuition, uncanny foresight, and irresistible persuasive powers. Hundreds of studies were conducted during the 1930s and 1940s to discover these elusive qualities, but this massive research effort failed to find any traits that would guarantee leadership success. One reason for the failure was a lack of attention to intervening variables in the causal chain that could explain how traits could affect a delayed outcome such as group performance or leader advancement† (Yukl, 2004). Peter Northouse, author of Leadership: Theory and Practice observed the revival of an all-encompassing skills-based model of leadership distinguished by a map for how to reach efficient leadership in organizations (Porthouse, 2004). He recommended that the classification of specific skills which can be improved by training has an intuitive appeal: â€Å"When leadership is framed as a set of skills, it becomes a process that people can study and practice to become better at their jobs† (Northouse, 2004). He also suggests that although the skills-based approach claims not to be a trait model, it includes individual attributes that look a great deal like traits. The act of leadership is also an exercise of moral reasoning. In their book Unmasking Administrative Evil, Guy Adams and Danny Balfour caution against elevating the scientific-analytical mindset higher than all other forms of rationality. Even as the rise of â€Å"technical rationality led inevitably to specialized, expert knowledge, the very life blood of the professional,† it also â€Å"spawned unintended consequences in the areas of morals and ethics as the science-based technical rationality undermined normative judgments and relegated ethical considerations to afterthoughts† (Balfour, 2004). Distinguished scholar Ronald Heifetz on the other hand, developed a definition of leadership that takes values into account. He maintains that we should look at leadership as more than a means to organizational effectiveness. Efficiency means getting achievable decisions that execute the goals of the organization. â€Å"This definition has the benefit of being generally applicable, but it provides no real guide to determine the nature or formation of those goals. † (Heifetz, 1994). Heifetz went on to say that values such as â€Å"liberty, equality, human welfare, justice, and community† are inculcated with first-rate leaders (Heifetz, 1994). It is a necessity then, the infusion of these principles into the leader and from the leader into the organization. Reference: 1. Joe L. Kincheloe, Teachers as Researchers: Qualitative Inquiry as a Path to Empowerment (New York: Falmer Press, 1991), p. 77. 2. Draft US Army HR System Project Plan, Fort Leavenworth, Kans. , 21 January 2004. 3. Joe F.Donaldson and Paul Jay Edelson, â€Å"From Functionalism to Postmodernism in Adult Education Leadership,† in Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education, ed. Arthur L. Wilson and Elisabeth R. Hayes (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000), p. 193. 4. Gary Yukl, Leadership in Organization (5th ed. ; Upper Saddle River, N. J. : Prentice Hall, 2002). 5. Peter G. Northouse, Leadership Theory and Practice (Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage, 2004), pp. 35-52. 8. Guy B. Adams and Danny L. Balfour, Unmasking Administrative Evil (Armonk, N.Y. : M. E. Sharpe, 2004), pp. 31-36. 9. Ronald A. Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers (Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard Univ. Press, 1994), pp. 21-22. 10. R. L. Shaw and Dennis N. T. Perkins, in Tara J. Fenwick, â€Å"Putting Meaning into Workplace Learning,† in Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education, ed. Arthur L. Wilson and Elisabeth R. Hayes (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000), p. 296. 11. James G. March, A Primer on Decision Making, How Decisions Happen (New York: The Free Press, 1994), pp. 96-97.

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

Organization Development - Essay Example Referring to the overall impact that individuals, groups and structures have on the behavior of the organizations, Organization behavior is what will eventually determine the direction that any organization takes in terms of ‘development’. There are various schools of thought that revolve around the terminology of OD, but a single comprehensive definition by for Organization Development can only be achieved if we incorporate the behavior, people and processes of an organization through one expression. OD can be defined as â€Å"The manner in which a company would grow over a certain period of time, as influenced by the individual and group culture within the body of the organization, and the interactions between different members. This growth pattern has to be adopted at all levels and it shows the extent to which an Organization can readily adapt to change and simultaneously, gain maximum advantage to meet its objectives†. Through this definition we can understand the end objective of OD as well as the tools and resources which will impact the process. More analysis of the expression tell the reader what will be the benefits for an organization which can make the most effective use of OD in a the most efficient manner. Companies with a robust OD framework in place will be better equipped to manage change and turn external opportunities into advantages for growth. The definitions and the field of OD have been discussed by experts with the help of suitable techniques and theories from applied behavioral sciences and related field. However, the definitions given initially have evolved and changed with the times to meet the requirements of changing nature of organizations. Once considered to be static, structured entities, organizations are now seen as being dynamic, flexible and able to rapidly adapt to changing environments. The explanations given for OD reflect

Discuss genocide as it was experienced in the Balkans (Sarajevo, Essay

Discuss genocide as it was experienced in the Balkans (Sarajevo, Bosnia, Kosovo), drawing on the readings in Jones Drakulics S A Novel About the Balkans the - Essay Example According to Carl K. Slavic, there are other external factors that fuelled the genocide in Bosnia. These are; public relations firms, the US media, &the US state department. Slavic points out that the ethnic, political and religious conflicts in Bosnia were caused by exclusive national and political agendas of different Bosnia factions: Bosnia Serbs, Bosnia Muslim and Bosnia Croats; all speaking the same language but divided by religion, culture and national visions. (Sells, 1996.) The Bosnia Muslims sought to be detached from Yugoslavia but maintain borders and political structures as it existed in the Yugoslavia federation. Bosnia Serbs on the other hand saw the destruction of the Yugoslav federation would necessarily result to destruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The US and Germany advocated for unilateral and unconditional recognition of the internal borders of Yugoslavia. These different views were the major causes of the conflict and crisis. (Propadovic, 2003) Lack of diplomacy and political agreement resulted to," politics by other means" war. The US and Germany did nothing to prevent the war. This led to a very protracted hatred between the Serbs and the Bosnians Muslims. Drakulic in her novel refers to Seida's parents being a Muslim father and Serbian mother. This was as a result of a propaganda that was making rounds, insisting there were no Bosnians only Serbs and people of Islamic faith. (Askin, 1997) Even before the war, Bosnian Muslims had hired prominent American public relations firms as well as members of the congress and senate. So had the Kosovo Albanians and the Croats. An American P.R firm initiated the 'atrocities stories'. This was later to become very common in the war. Propaganda rent the air during the whole conflict. This fueled violence among the warring factions. A US PR firm actually admits having been retained by the Bosnia Muslims, Kosovo Albanians and Croats to wage a public relations war against the Serbs. This was referred to as info war. (Sells, 1996.) In fact it is reported that the three factions paid a total of $320,000 for six months of work, between June and September 1992, Rudder Finn firm organized various activities on behalf of the Bosnian Muslims . For example, 30 press group meetings were organized and 37 last minute faxes sent. It also organized meetings between various high ranking people on the government of the US including the then vice president and Bosnian Muslim representatives. Rudder Finn considered its greatest success in propaganda as having succeeded in moving the American Jewish opinion in favor of the Bosnian Muslims, Croats and Kosovo Albanians. Osama bin laden Mujahideen forces were also involved and were part of a Bosnian army. (Askin, 1997) The US state department, who were the overseers of the fall of the Soviet Union, wanted Yugoslavia to go the same way. The new Balkan states such as Bosnia and Herzegovina were equated with batalic states, though erroneously. By going this divide and rule way, the US would be able to state its command on the political, military and commercial interest in the Balkans. The state department's goal was to create a weak Bosnia Muslim ruled state. A Bosnia dependent on the US for security, development and political viability. A State that would represent America's interests in the region. This was to be achieved by

Organizational Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Organizational Ethics - Essay Example External social pressures have both positive as well as negative impact on the ethics of an organization. The social expectations are meant to be given more importance by the company as this leads to better performance or downfall of the company. These social pressures are such that it bounds a company to give special consideration to the expectations of the society in terms of involvement in general community or performing responsibility towards the environment. The positive impact of this social pressure is that it enables a firm to work for a cause and deliver the best of services to its customers. As in the case of 21st Century Insurance where the main focus of the management is to meet the demands of their customers so that they work for the well being of their customers. On the other hand the negative impact of such external social pressures is that it greatly affects the decision making process and enforces the management to take decisions or take certain factors into account which currently was not being planned by the organization. This negative impact has been observed in the case of 21st Century Insurance where it had to implement strategies so as to meet the social expectations. ` The concept of ethical approach is essential in organizational or personal context as it helps to resolve many issues. The major factor of its importance is that it helps to design a framework within which an organization can operate. It even facilitates decision making process through its proper guidance in terms of analyzing what is wrong and what is right. The external social pressures help an organization to understand the expectations of the society and the responsibilities that they have towards the society so as to enhance the overall societal improvement. The decision making process gets simpler through these issues as it enables an individual to understand the

Christian Faith Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Christian Faith - Essay Example In order to understand the faith of Christians, it is very important to identify and discuss some of the major components of Christianity that are followed and practiced by Christians around the globe. Nowadays, the world is suffering from tormented sufferings due to the different wars, poverty, unemployment, fraud, and a number of other factors that have anguished this globe at a very greater extent. Still, a huge number of inhabitants are strong in their faith on the Jesus Christ and other imperative components of the Christianity. Christianity Jesus of Nazareth has centered His teachings on life according to the New Testament, and a monotheistic religion was formed that is referred as Christianity. Old Testament has prophesied the Jesus as the Son of God, as well as, the Messiah for the world. According to the consensus of the year 2005, there were estimated 2.2 billion adherents, which made the Christianity as the largest religion with the highest number of followers around the world. (McGrath, 2006) Europe, America, Australia, and the Philippine Islands are some of the locations, where the religion is predominant as compared with the other locations. In addition, New Zealand, and Sub-Saharan Africa have also major number of the Christian believers in their region. Nowadays, Africa and Asia are also predominating in this religion rapidly. China and South Korea are the particular ones in this regard. A significant diversity of belief has always been observed within the Christianity. Certain core doctrines have been considered as the essential one by mainstream of the Christianity.

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Ethics - Essay Example A virtue encourages the maintenance of the world as well as meeting one’s needs and the need of others. Virtue ethics is a principle that encourages moral character. It encourages one to do to others, as he / she  would wish it done unto (Cuillla 17). These moral principles, however, do not apply. People have turned unto unrestricted profit seeking and immorality, thus breaching the business ethics and moral principles. This discussed in the industrial food system, consumer culture (story of the stuff), and in global warming (an inconvenient truth) (Cuillla 117). Q1. Unrestrained profit seeking and immortality The industrial food system has turned out to be the county’s food supply. Fast foods have taken the central parts of the highly consumed foods. Fast foods have gone a step ahead to alter the way chicken raised and their living conditions breaching the rights of animals. The various forms in which corn processed into, the various products of eggs and other fast f ood s as hamburger all constitute fast foods. In fact, a child reported of dying from Escherichia coli after eating hamburger as 325,000 Americans hospitalized where 5000 from food-borne illness. The food currently produced directly or indirectly affects the personal or community health, the natural resources, the environmental quality, and natural and human-induced hazards (Cuillla 341). It goes further to affecting science and technology locally, nationally and globally. The unrestricted profit seeking and immortality have lead to the breach of all moral principles and virtues. The consumer culture in the story of stuff shows the process goods undergo extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposa

Automatic Speech Recognition Systems Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Automatic Speech Recognition Systems - Coursework Example The first software is the Dragon Naturally Speaking Premium. This software costs two hundred dollars and can be found in online markets. It is speaker independent software and supports continuous speech recognition. It is meant for Windows XP, Windows 7, and windows vista operating systems. The second software is the Dragon Naturally Speaking Home. It is available in the market for a value of one hundred dollars. It is speaker independent software and supports continuous voice recognition services. Dragon Software Company develops it. It is also developed for the Windows XP, Windows 7, and windows vista operating system. The third software is called Talking Desktop Software, which is also speaker dependent software and supports continuous voice recognition services. Its value on the modern market is ninety dollars and can be got from online markets. This software also functions on the Windows 7, Windows XP, and windows vista operating system. The fourth software available in the market is the Be Vocal Software. This software mostly supports mobile phone users. It is mostly used in the development of maps in a feature known as mapquest in the mobile phone industry. It is speaker independent software and supports continuous voice recognition services. It costs two hundred dollars in the market and works on the personal computers. The fifth software available is the Dragon Dictate Two Software. This software is meant for Mac operating systems. It costs two hundred dollars on the market. It is speaker independent software and supports continuous voice recognition service. The sixth speech-recognition service software is the 888-Telsurf (beta). This software is free in the market and supports operations on the computer. It is speaker independent software and supports continuous voice recognition service.  Ã‚   The seventh software available in the market for speech recognition service is the Word Q v3. T

Civil Liberties, Habeas Corpus, and the War on Terror Essay Example for Free

Civil Liberties, Habeas Corpus, and the War on Terror Essay Civil liberties, Habeas Corpus, and the War on Terror have been the forefront of Congress since 2001 with the terrorist attack against The United States. Although there have been many attacks before, none have hit the American people in such a manner to question whether our civil liberties are at stake. As a member of the Armed Forces I swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic at all cost. A sense of pride, loyalty and commitment engulfs me when I hear the words for equal justice and liberty for all when it comes to erving my country that practices and honors American citizen’s civil liberties. Unfortunately, the liberties that most Americans take for granted; are the same liberties that other people from different realms of the world come to obtain. The War on Terror would impact lives deeply from this point on and the civil liberties of every American citizen and noncitizen would change the history of what we were founded on. Former President George W. Bush and his administration set out to capture those thought to be responsible for the terrorist attacks on American soil. In addition Former President Bush and his administration went to great lengths to go beyond the reach of the judicial system which enforces the writ of Habeas Corpus. These actions have been highly debated across the nation. Habeas Corpus original meaning can be best defined as a demand by the courts to which a government agency produces a prisoner and demonstrates that they have the proper grounds in which to hold them. â€Å"It is the process by which Common Law countries ensure the second freedom mentioned in the U. S. Declaration of Independence Liberty and the right not to be imprisoned arbitrarily in its most fundamental form† (MacMillan, K, 2010). Habeas Corpus was written into the first article of the constitution reading as such: The privilege of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. (Article 1, Section 9, U. S. Constitution). Furthermore, the Habeas Corpus in the U. S. Constitution guarantees the people the right to require the government to justify detaining or imprisoning, the right not to be outlawed without fair trial, freedom from laws passed after fact. So the questions to ponder about re: Did the tragedy of September 11th, justify the actions of the Former President? Is it fair that prisoners were and still are locked away, and stripped of their basic rights under the writ of Habeas Corpus? And is the â€Å"Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave† such a great nation, that is so powerful that the laws that were put in place to protect civil freedoms and liberties, do not apply to us? Jonathan Turley, professor of constitutional law at George Washington University stated, What, really, a time of shame this is for the American system. What the Congress did and what he president signed today essentially revokes over 200 years of American principles and values. I agree whole heartedly about this comment. The President’s decision to deny the detainees Prisoner of War (POW) status remains a point of conflict, especially overseas with some arguing that it is based on an inaccurate interpretation of the Geneva Convention for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which the assert requires that all combatants captured on the battlefield are entitled to be treated as POWs until an independent tribunal has determined otherwise. One notable date in military history is on October 17, 2006, when President Bush igned a law suspending the right of habeas corpus to persons determined by the United States to be an enemy combatant in the Global War on Terror. President Bushs action drew severe criticism, mainly for the laws failure to specifically designate who in the United States will determine who is and who is not an enemy combatant. This however was not the first time in the history of the U. S. Constitution that it’s guaranteed right to Habeas Corpus has been suspended by an action of the President of the United States. In earlier years of the U. S. Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln suspended writs of habeas corpus. Both presidents based their action on the dangers of war, and both presidents faced sharp criticism for carrying out what many believed to be an attack on the Constitution. President Bush suspended writs of habeas corpus through his support and signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This bill granted the President of the United States almost unlimited authority in establishing and conducting military commissions to try persons held by the U. S. in the Global War on Terrorism. In addition, the Act suspends the right of unlawful enemy combatants to present, or to have presented in heir behalf, writs of habeas corpus. â€Å"Members of volunteer corps, militias, and organized resistance forces that are not part of the Armed Forces are entitled to POW status if they meet the criteria specified in the treaty. Groups that do not meet the standards are not entitled to POW status, and their members who commit aggressive acts may be treated as civilians under the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War†( Terrorism, the Laws of War, and the Constitution Policy Archive ). These â€Å"unlawful combatants† are not afforded immunity for their ostile acts. [A petitioner must be treated as a prisoner of war until a competent tribunal has decided otherwise, and that a military commission may not proceed with their trial. Although 250 detainees (including three children under the age of 16), 13 have been released from the detention facilities at the U. S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and some detainees are being rewarded for cooperation with better living conditions while the status and treatment of detainees who remain in custody continue to be a source of contention] (â€Å"Enemy Combatants† Journal, Wuerth). Although the President has inherent power under the Commander-in-Chief Clause Article II to take measures he deems appropriate during wartime, he uses The law of war principle. President Bush as well as past presidents having been using this to detain, convict or, â€Å"(We understand Congress grant of authority for the use of necessary and appropriate force to include the authority to detain for the duration of the relevant conflict, and our understanding is based on longstanding law of war principles. ); id. at 548-49 (Souter, J. ) Combat Status Review Tribunals (CSRT), which were established by the Defense Department, were put into place for the sole purpose of hearing the cases of the detainees. However, there are many flaws in having such a system determine the legality of one’s detention. The Supreme Court recognizes that the CSRT process for hearing cases puts many â€Å"constraints upon the detainee’s ability to rebut the factual basis for the Government’s assertion that he is an enemy combatant† (Boumediene v. Bush). Some flaws the court points out is that the CSRT assumes that the detainees are guilty before the trial has even started and it is all up to the detainee to prove that they are in fact, not enemy combatants. This goes against the typical US court proceedings when all suspects are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The bias shown by the members of the CSRT puts the detainees at a disadvantage. Furthermore, while many of the detainees have a limited knowledge of English, they are not given the specifics as to what crimes they are being charged with because the information may be classified. Additionally, with no textual evidence, the detainees often go into the CSRT board empty handed and without legal representation. Not only do the proceedings of the CSRT seem nfair, it also seems to be designed to intentionally make it difficult for detainees to secure their freedom. In closing, the Founding Fathers placed the Suspension Clause in Article 1, Section 9 in the Constitution. This is important because if the founding fathers specifically intended to apply the Suspension Clause to US citizens only, then they would have placed it in the Bill of Rights which are specifically reserved for the people to protect them against the government. Furthermore, the rest of the clauses in Article 1, Section 9 specifically state what types of activities that the Legislative Branch cannot do. Hence, the Suspension Clause, because of its placement, was intended to be a limitation upon the abuse of power by the Legislative Branch. Lastly, the principle of separation of powers came from the idea that each branch would be able to check one another (Checks and Balances). The Military Commissions Act (MCA) of 2006 was an amendment to the Detainee Treatment Act (DTA) which did not allow the Federal Courts to hear writs of habeas corpus from the detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The US Supreme Court decided that because the DTA was an inadequate substitution for habeas corpus, then the MCA annot strip away Federal courts jurisdiction to hear habeas corpus cases. The Military Commission Act of 2006 effectively stops the Judiciary Branch from doing its job therefore making the act or Bill unconstitutional. . So as I read and watch videos to acquire information I ask myself, Are not constitutionally correct? Detainees, Enemy Combatants, or POW should have the same fair and equal treatment whether it is on our soil or their soil. Presidential power, Congress and the Supreme Court should not rule on emotions, but on the principles that guide us as the â€Å"Greatest and most Powerful Nation in the world.

Construction Of Automatic Voltage Regulator

Construction Of Automatic Voltage Regulator 1. Introduction Automatic voltage regulation is a process of converting the alternating voltage into a steady voltage. The device that is used to perform this process is known as an automatic voltage regulator(UST,2007,p1). An automatic voltage regulator is an electronic equipment that is used and designed to maintain the constant voltage level. This device prevent malfunctioning and damaging of the electrical equipment . Automatic voltage regulator uses electromechanical and electronic components of various types and designs. Automatic voltage regulator may include negative feedback control loops. The feedback voltage regulator operates by making comparison between the output voltage and input voltage.Electromechanical mechanism or electronic components are used in automatic voltage regulations. It can be used to regulate one or more AC (alternating current ) to DC voltage (direct current ).There are vast varieties of automatic voltage regulators depending on their types and size. 2. Construction of automatic voltage regulator The electronic voltage regulator is made in two different combinations i.e shunt and series regulator. In the shunt regulator, resistor is attached in parallel. In series regulator, resistance is attached in series. The diagrams below illustrate examples of series and shunt regulators. 2.1. Shunt Regulator It is not highly used for various applications. The current is drawn through the series resistor in order to maintain the constant level of voltage.Some current is passed through the load while the remaining current is passed through the shunt voltage regulator. These regulators are inefficient and are not widely used (Radio electronics,n.d,p1). 2.2. Series regulator The series regulators operate by using a variable element in series with the load. Due to this mechanism, the series voltage regulator provides an extremely efficient form of voltage regulation with the linear power supply (Radio electronics,n.d,p1). 3. Device which use Automatic Voltage Regulator Automatic voltage regulator is mostly used in computer power supplies in which DC voltage is stabilized. It is also used in automobile alternators and in central power station generation plants where automatic voltage regulators controls the output of the plant .In case of electric power distribution systems voltage regulators are installed at substations or along distribution lines so that all the users can receive constant and steady voltage . These regulators are also used in kitchens and in refrigerators(Meiji,n.d,p1). 4. Types of regulation The regulation is commonly calculated as constant. However, the regulation has been specified by two measurements (Robinson,2012,p1). 4.1. Load regulation: Load regulation is defined as the change in output voltage of a voltage regulator for a given change in the load current. 4.2. Line Regulation Line regulation is the degree or amount to which an output voltage which changes with an input voltage. 5. Working of Automatic Voltage regulators 5.1. Basics An automatic voltage regulator is a device that is housed inside an electronic device. It is primarily used to maintain a consistent voltage level. It can regulate alternating as well as direct current. 5.2. How it works It works by estimating the output level of the voltage of the devices against the reference voltage inside the device. They normally take a specific range of the voltage levels and produce an output voltage of a narrow range. (ehow,2012,p1). The diagram below clearly illustrates this phenomenon. It shows a voltage regulator that takes an input voltage ranging from +10% to -25% and converts it into the regulated range of +3% to -3%. C:Documents and Settingskirmani babloDesktopnew.bmp Figure 🙠 Voltage Regulator) 6. Operations of Automatic Voltage Regulators Automatic voltage regulator is designed for both single and three phase alternating current applications. The phase and phase regulation has been classified into two types .The single phase voltage regulation is the best method as it provides balance phase to phase voltage level .In case of three phase regulation, large difference in voltage level causes failure of electronic and electric devices due to overheating and vibration. 6.1. Single Phase regulation The single phase regulators are used in units pole that are mounted outdoors .Single phase voltage regulators are combined together and they provide voltage regulation for three phase .The below mention figure is an example of single phase regulation. 6.2. Three Phase regulation Three phase regulator can regulate all three phases at once or it may regulate all the three phases independently .In three phase power, it has not been observed that one phase has very high voltage while other has low voltage .The below figure is an example of three phase regulation. 7. Different types of Automatic Voltage Regulator On the basis of size and design the automatic voltage regulator exists in different varieties some are mention below: The Ferroresonant Transformer (Type) Voltage Regulator The Mechanical (Type) Voltage Regulator The Electronic (Type) Voltage Regulator 8. The Ferro resonant Transformer (Type) Voltage Regulator This type of voltage regulator has been invented by Joseph Sola in the year of 1983.The change in design of ferroresonant is very minor .This type of regulators are extremely reliable in use. Presently, they are being replaced with the voltage regulators. 8.1 Operation of Ferro resonant transformer It operates on the principle of ferroresonance. It is based on the operation of transformer in the region of magnetic saturation. During this stage, high changes in the winding current leads to minor changes in magnetic flux. The winding current is proportional to the input voltage and magnetic flux is proportional to output voltage(UST,2007,p1). This shows that the purpose of automatic voltage regulator is being fulfilled by this method. The graph below exhibits the respective pattern. 8.1. Different types of Ferro resonant transformer The Ferro transformer voltage regulator is also known by various names. These names are Constant voltage transformer, Constant voltage regulator, Ferro resonant voltage regulator,Ferro resonant transformer,Ferro and CVT. 8.2. Properties of Ferro resonant Transformer (Type) Voltage Regulator Their sizes range from 30VA to 25KA. The input voltage in these regulators range from +10% to -20%. The voltage regulation in the output ranges from +1% to 3%. It has a single phase application only. It has the tendency of stepping up and down the level of voltage. The cooling media of such regulators is air. It is mostly located indoors and has as efficiency of almost 92%. 8.3. Discussion This type of regulator provides complete isolation of load equipment from line noise and surges. The output voltage regulation is very smooth .This type of regulators are very efficient and durable .The design of this type of regulator limits the amount of current to the load end. The electronic devices can be easily protected if ferroresonant voltage regulator is used in these devices. 9. The Mechanical (Type) Voltage Regulator The mechanical type voltage regulator has been used in the market since 50 years .This type of voltage regulator exits in different variety of design .The electronic devices which use this type of regulator have an outstanding ability of correcting voltage drop in distribution lines. Mechanical type voltage regulator uses two methods of operation. The first one is changing turns ratio and the second method is by changing the magnetic induction between primary and secondary coils of the transformer. 9.1 Operations of Mechanical Voltage Regulator There are various operations that occur inside mechanical voltage regulators. These processes include 9.2. Tap Changing Voltage Regulator Operation Tap changing is a process in which a transformer has equal number of the winding turns on the primary as well as the secondary side .The voltage at input side is equal to the voltage at output side. The changing of number of turns on the secondary side can result in changing the voltage. The ratio of the turns can be easily altered by changing the location of the physical connection as well (UST,2007,p1). The mechanical tap changing voltage regulator uses some kinds of motorized drive system to change the taps on the output of transformer . 9.3.Magnetic Induction Voltage Regulator Operation The output voltage in a transformer can be changed by making the physical change of primary turn and secondary turns relative to each other .The primary side of transformer generates a magnetic flux which induces current to flow in the secondary windings(UST,2007,p1) . Physically rearrangement of the turn of secondary within the flux field can change the amount of current induced and output voltage. This type of voltage regulator changes the orientation of the transformer secondary side with respect to the magnetic filed .The magnetic induction voltage regulator is similar to the motor which have the primary windings in a cylindrical stationary configuration just like stator and the output windings which are called as rotor . 9.4. Different names of mechanical voltage regulator The various names of mechanical voltage regulator are Mechanical tap changing regulator,Tap changer, Motorized variable transformer, Motor-driven variable autotransformer, Auto-boost regulator, Electromechanical voltage stabilizer, Step voltage regulator,On load tap changer, Motorized variac and Line drop compensator. 9.5. Mechanical Voltage Regulator Characteristics The power quality automatic voltage regulators are of tap switch or magnetic induction types. Their size varies from 1 to 1500 KVA. The nominal voltages are less than 600 volts. The input voltage range varies from +20% to _20%. The regulated output voltage is between 1% to 3%. It has single phase as well as three phase applications. They possess the ability of stepping up and down the voltage. They require air as the cooling media. They are located indoors as well as outdoors. Their efficiency is greater than 95%. The utility automatic voltage regulators are of tap switch type. Their size varies from 500 to 3500 KVA. They have nominal voltages up to 34.5 KV. The input voltage range is between +10% to _10%. The regulated output voltage is between the range of 0.6% to 2.5%. It can operate on single as well as three phases. They require oil as the cooling media. They are located outdoors. Their efficiency is greater than 95%. 9.6. Discussion It provides very accurate output voltage regulation. It provides wide choice of kVA rating, voltage and configuration. It can be easily applicable to outdoor applications. It has high tolerance to system faults and overload. It has high tolerance to power factor and frequency deviations. It has good line isolation. It is relatively inexpensive. The mechanical drive components, brushes and contactors needs regular maintenance and replacement (UST,2007,p1).The overloads can damage brushes. The speed of voltage correction might be not fast enough for electronic loads. 10. The Electronic (Type) Voltage Regulator Electronic voltage regulator has been used in industries and for various commercial applications because of its speed and extraordinary performance. The demand of electronic voltage regulator is greater as compare to mechanical voltage regulator. 10.1 Operations of electronic voltage regulator The operations of electronic voltage regulator are based on the principle of double conversion electronic voltage. 10.2. Double Conversion Electronic Voltage Regulator Operation The double conversion electronic voltage converts AC power supply to DC with the help of rectifier .The voltage regulation is done in two ways. The first method is to regulate DC voltage output from the rectifier. It is an economical method .The second method is to supply inverter with constant DC voltage and set the voltage level during converting back to alternating current in the inverter(UST,2007,p1) .The double conversion voltage regulators have a low tolerance to high load currents mostly above than normal rating of the unit. 10.3. Electronic Voltage Regulator Characteristics Electronic voltage regulators are basically design for indoor, low voltage applications . 10.4. Double Conversion Electronic Voltage Regulators Their sizes range from 3KVA to 400 KVA. The input voltage ranges from +10% to _25 % for the tap switchers and +10% to _15 % for UPS. The regulated output voltage is between the range of +/-1% to +/-5%. It can operate on single and three phase as well. It can easily regulate voltage up and down. The cooling media required for double conversion electronic voltage regulators is air. They are generally located indoors and have efficiency up to 95 percent. Size (kVA): 3 VA up to400 kVA Nominal Voltages: Common AC voltages 120, 208, 240 480 at 60 Hz Input Voltage Range: +10% to -25% for tap switchers and+10% to -15% for UPS (varies by manufacturer) Output Regulation: +/-1% to +/-5% Phase: Single and three phase Voltage Step Up/Down: Yes Cooling Media: Air Location: Indoor Efficiency: Up to 95 10.4. Discussion The output voltage regulation is very good. It possesses ultrafast voltage correction speed. It offers no restrictions on the number of correction cycles. It gives versatility in kVA rating, voltage and configuration. It needs very low or no regular maintenance. It has good line isolation. It has poor current overload capacity. It is more expensive than mechanical voltage regulators. 11. Conclusion The automatic voltage regulators are becoming of increase significance due to variety of reasons. They are extremely essential for maintaining the utility level of the voltage. They can drop the voltage due to their ability of voltage regulation. They are highly sensitive to voltage levels and they prevent any kind of fluctuations , thus help in ensuring that equipments do not suffer any kind of damage. The use of voltage regulators avoids and reduces the risks of overheating of equipments as well. The use of voltage regulators is constantly increasing with the passage of time.

Prominent Island Destinations In The World Tourism Essay

Prominent Island Destinations In The World Tourism Essay The word Island means pieces of any sub-continental land surrounded by water. Keys or cays are another word used for very small islands or islets. Eyot is the named referred to islands that are located in rivers and lakes. An archipelago is the name given for groups of geographically and geologically related islands. Island and continents differs in terms of their natural environments, natural resources, and biodiversity. It also differs in terms of the type of biological support system, response to environmental changes, and the ability to recover from natural or ecological disasters. As mentioned earlier, islands differ from mainland continents in terms of biodiversity. This can be seen from the odd collection of flora and fauna, which sometimes cannot be seen elsewhere. Islands are categorized into two types in terms of geological formation, namely Oceanic and Continental, Oceanic islands being the ones which arise from the surface of the ocean whether by volcanic activity or coralline accumulation of sand and debris, Continental Islands are in contrary a part of the continental shelf which is separated from the main continent by water, these types of islands Importance of islands as a tourism destination Many of the island destinations are economically underdeveloped, and rich from natural unspoiled attractions, therefore making it an important asset in the global tourism market. Due to their small size and limited resources, these destinations faces special challenges and obstacle in fulfilling economic benefit to the islands and its people. Sustainable management and appropriate development of these natural and environmental resources, in terms of tourism proves beneficial to the resident or host community. Tourism plays a dominant role in the economic well-being of islands. Tourism earnings account for a significant proportion in their GDP, and they have an overwhelming reliance on tourism as a source of exports. The fundamental aim of tourism development in Islands is to increase foreign exchange earnings to finance imports. The large proportion of what is being earned through tourism leaves the economy almost instantaneously. In Island, tourism facilities are mostly enclave developments, and their effects on the domestic economy can sometimes be limited. Tourism is an industry where careful planning is required so that it can be developed with the intention of sustaining it for the long term besides minimizing environmental damage. Tourism development has contributed to economic development in many of these Islands, but may not last forever. Island Mean (1980-2000) Pop. (mills) Mean 2000 Pop. (mills) Surface Area (km2) GDP per capita (000 US$) GDP per capita (000 US$) Bahamas 0.26 13.1 0.30 13.9 10,010 Cyprus 0.60 10.0 0.76 14.1 9,240 Dominican 0.07 3.4 0.07 3.4 750 Haiti 6.54 0.5 7.96 0.4 27,560 Jamaica 2.40 1.7 2.63 1.8 10,830 Malta 0.37 7.0 0.39 10.2 320 Prominent island destinations as per continental regions Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent after Asia, covering 6% of the Earths total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area. The population of Africa roughly accounts to a billion people in 61 territories; it is about 14.72% of the worlds human population. The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, both the Suez Canal and the Red Sea along the Sinai Peninsula to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The continent has 54 sovereign states Pemba, Tanzania Score: 67 Pemba is located in the Indian Ocean where it meets the eastern coast of Africa. It is an island forming part of the Zanzibar archipelago. It lies 50 kilometers east of mainland Tanzania. It is also known as Al Jazeera Al Khadra (the green island, in Arabic. Majority of the island consist of hills and are much more fertile compared to Zanzibar. Most of the land is dominated by small scale farming by the locals, and fewer large scale farming which produce huge revenue to the locals. The most abandoned cash producing crop is cloves; there are over 3 million clove trees in Pemba. Largest portion of export earnings also comes from cloves. Besides cloves the locals also produce rice, coconut, bananas ¸ cassava and red beans. Laidback, old- fashioned island and less developed compared to Zanzibar. Pemba is a magnificent Island with naturally unspoiled environment and culturally very intact. But it has limited beaches, and has a lot of mangrove vegetation. Fine reefs for diving, but lacks fish due to dynamiting. Pemba is also well-known for its rich fishing grounds, due to high marine biodiversity. Between the island and the mainland of Tanzania, there is the deep 20 miles wide Pemba channel, which is one of the most commercial fishing grounds for game fishing on the East African coast. Pemba is growing familiar as one of the leading island destinations in Africa due to its unique dive sites, with steep drop-offs, untouched coral and very abundant marine life. As mentioned earlier the strong cultural base also provides a sole experience of old and laid back town life. The population consists of Swahili Muslim society in mostly rural small towns. There are few tourist lodges located near the beaches, mostly high-end, and generally cut off from main roads and towns. For budget travelers there are other small guest houses/hotels of very low standard. Besides the outstanding beauty and unspoiled nature of Pemba, a concern arises about management of these attractions. There should be sustainable development to preserve the unspoiled beaches and diving spots. Sà £o Tomà © and Prà ­ncipe, Score: 66 Sao Tomeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡ and Principe, is officially known as Democratic Republic of Sao Tomeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡ and Principe. It is a Portuguese-speaking island nation located in western equator of the coast of Africa, alongside the Gulf of Guinea. Sao Tome and Principe consists of two islands which are called, Sao Tomeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡ and Principe, located about 140 kilometers apart and about 250 and 225 kilometers respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon. Due to the small population, Sao Tome and Principe is also known as the two smallest countries in African in term of population size. Both of the islands are a part of an extinct volcanic range, which is known as Cameroon Volcanic Mountain Range. The islands experience tropical climate at sea level, with an average yearly temperatures of about 27 degrees C and not more than 32 degrees C. With raising altitude the temperature decreased to average yearly temperature is 20 degree Celsius, with usually cooler night weather. Annual rainfall changes from southwestern slopes to in the northern lowlands of these two islands. It is recorded that the rainy season starts usually from October and continues up to May. Sao Tome and Principe has a very high-potential destination for both natural and cultural resources. They have astonishingly untouched natural environment; with a touch of interesting culture and history. Sao Tome and Principe do not have a huge array of native animals, besides the Sao Tomeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡ is known for a few endemic species such as Shrew and several bat species. The two islands are habitat to a variety of endemic flora and fauns. The two islands contain the worlds largest sunbird also known as the Giant Sunbird, Fiscal and also known for several giant species of Begonia. These flora and fauna cannot be found elsewhere making it uniquely different from other mainland continents. Nevertheless there are great threats including mass tourism developments, unsustainability and very weak o r corrupt management of government policies and environmental protection that will protect the endemic species and unspoiled natural environment. Mediterranean islands The Mediterranean Sea separates Europe and Africa. The land enclosed from east to west about 4000 km. Mediterranean Sea plays very important for trading and business hub back in history and today most of the neighboring countries are tourist attractions. Most of the countries had its own uniqueness and quality of history to share to the world. Many Civilizations starts here including Greek Empire, Roman Empire and also Turkey. The tourist industry in Mediterranean is one of the highly developed in the world. Most of the income generated from Tourism industry. Resorts, Hotels, Restaurant, tourist attraction and also historical places is one of the major reason tourist visited Mediterranean countries. In Mediterranean regions, Tourism brings huge economic benefits however; increasing the number of visitors can damage the environment. The sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean, although it is usually identified as completely separate body of water. Mediterranean covers area of 2.5 million Km (970 000 sq mi) but its connected to the Atlantic is only 14 km (8.7 mi) wide. The maximum depth of Mediterranean region is 5,267 m (17,280 ft, The Mediterranean sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar, and it is linked to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean (by the Suez Canal), and the Black Sea (at the Dardanelles and Sea of Marmara). The main subdivisions of the Mediterranean Sea are the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian seas which collectively form a coastline extending 46,000km, which runs through 22 countries, it is important to mention that this area is highly polluted. Countries neighboring Mediterranean, Turkey France Egypt Tunisia Spain Albania Italy Lebanon Greece Montenegro Libya Malta Monaco Syria Israel Croatia Morocco Algeria Slovenia Cyprus Bosnia Herzogovenia Ukraine Jordan Saudi Arabia Hydra Island, Greece Hydra Island is located between the Saronic and Argolis Gulf. It is in the center of town of the whole island, is built architecturally around the port. Hydra Island is a second smaller island sitting offshore on the east coast from the main island. Hydra Island is also known as cosmopolitan and magnificent island combined which offers tranquility and relaxation, in addition the island offers entertainment all day long and intensive night life. The fact that Hydra has a unique beauty in its architecture and its landscape, taken together with its proximity to Athens and its important historical interest, have gradually raised the island to the level of an international tourist center. The discovery of Hydra Island is by group of artists such as Leonard Cohen and Axel Jensen. Hydra Island also famous of its historical role during the Greek Revolution. Apart from the historical side, beach area is the most famous attraction with unique atmosphere. There is a lot of activity tourist can do in Hydra Island such as beaches activity, architecture, museums, villages shopping, churches, and festivals. A good example of a small island that preserves local heritage and fisherman activities. It appeals mainly to those who want to discover the traditional and authentic essence of the Greek way of life. Continually under the onslaught of tourists. It has weathered these pressures in a proactive manner and remains competitive. Hydra takes preservation seriously and has maintained a village scale and architectural forms that feel very authentic. Since no cars are allowed, the island has retained its original streetscape. Easy to access by ferry from Piraeus, so its tremendously popular and has a thriving nightlife. Most of the hotels are small, thankfully. South America South America is the southern continent of America. It is situated in the western hemisphere and mostly in the southern hemisphere with relatively small portion in the northern hemisphere. The geography of South America contains many diverse regions and climates. The South American continent also includes various islands, most of which belong to the countries on the continent. South America nations that border the Caribbean Sea including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Chiloe, Chile The Chiloà ©Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡ archipelago is surrounded by a pristine seascape, which is further enhanced by preserved and protected Valdivian forests and a number of historic towns and wooden churches, in which 16 of them are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, relatively rural and unspoiled, several historic fishing villages are also present. Accommodation are also available however, they are mostly small hotels or bed-and-breakfast properties. Architectural structure and style are rich with mythological animals and spirits. The design consists its own meaning and very pure back then. Most of the tourists enjoy visiting Chiloe because of its uniqueness. Chiloe is the second largest island in South America. Local markets produces are mackerel, sardines and anchovies used to feed farmed salmon are dangerously overdrawn. Last and foremost, the Chiloe Island is proud to be its own, historical, sandy beaches and received high number of tourist every year especially for honeymooners or couples. North and Western Europe islands Although unknown for tourism, these islands provide an excellent tourism retreat, however, falling under European constitution and supervision these islands had a chance to be sustainably developed so as to meet the tourists expectations as well as provide a development opportunity for the natives of these islands, as these islands are located above 38 longitudinal degrees north of the equator, providing an ice cold weather and lower number of tourists, thus preventing it from the problem of mass tourism, however, Cruise tourists growth in some of these islands might threaten the natural habitat from the mass tourism problem, below are too examples of these islands; Azores Islands, Portugal. Consisting of nine main islands and maintaining a rate of 84 according to the National Geographic islands rating, the Azores islands are located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, 600 KM from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, the islands history involves sporadic settling of over 200 years, as each of the nine islands provide a unique example of culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions considerably varying from island to another. The main industries of the islands are: agriculture, dairy farming (for cheese and butter products primarily), minor livestock ranching, fishing and tourism, which is becoming the major service activity in the region. Apart from that, the government of the Azores is responsible for employing a large percentage of population directly or indirectly in many aspects of the service and tertiary sectors. Being it a non- beach destination as opposed to most of the islands of the world, it is not susceptible to mass tourism, the temperate climate in this island hinders the flow of the tourists, however, it offer the visitor a wonderful scenery of green volcanic mountains and picturesque towns which remain unspoiled. Cultural richness, remoteness and Whale sighting can be considered the highlights for the islands to offer for the visitor. Iceland An island nation located in the North Atlantic, this island is rated at 80 according to National Geographic islands of the world rating. The island known for its vibrant and yet extreme natural conditions has constructed to its development towards benefiting from tourism at its best, although the main economy dependency of Iceland is fishing and agriculture, tourism is highly regarded as a source of economy, the increase in ecotourism concept and the abundance of natural resources has contributed to the growth of these practices, such as whale watching and glacier tours which can be found in a few countries worldwide. Iceland can be considered as a captive of bad luck economically, as it was hardly hit by the world economic crisis in 2008-2009, an unfortunate eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland happened in March 20th 2010, causing unprecedented ash clouds extending all over Europe and causing a total halt to the airline industry in the whole of Western Europe for a whole week. Although the Island is expected to take a slower pace to recover economically, the image of this country as an eco-friendly island has yet to be enhanced, as several acts supported by the government has angried several environmentalist, these practices include; the allowing of commercial whaling in 2006 and the erection of Aluminium smelters and hydropower systems. Iceland still remains the frame in which the natural phenomenons occur in, such as glaciers, aurora , volcanoes and whale sighting, these natural occurrences can simultaneously be observed by the tourists which in return provides the basic demand for the tourism sector in the country, this offers a historic modern approach of selling the island as a tourism destination. North American Islands Mostly concentrated in two countries namely; United States of America and Canada, most of them are considered as major domestic tourism attractions than international ones, these islands are dispersed on the east and the west side of the North American continent, making its proximity to the mainland America as the main contributor in the tourism numbers, the average rating of the North American islands are 61.1 on National Geographic islands rating, which categorizes it into an island of moderate trouble, as its advantages and disadvantages are almost equal, to give a clearer picture we have chosen the below two examples; 1. Mackinac Island,  Michigan, US. Located in mainland America, in Lake Huron, and Scoring an 80 points rank in National Geographic scale, the island can be described as a seasonal destination with an ecological basis for tourism development, the summer is known to be the highest season of tourists arrivals. The island which falls under the state of Michigan, USA, has been identified as a National Historic Landmark, as it is known for various events during the year, its ban on motor vehicles, and its status as a preserved state park, these elements offer a the visitor an authentic back in time journey, as the tourists can experience the zero motorized vehicles ban since 1898 and use bicycles or horse drawn carriages as the main mode of transportation. The preservation and containing of the historical aspects of the island has provided a unique and safe haven for tourism development, as the activities are purposely slow, so as to maintain and choose the benefits sought for the preservation of the island. Although Mackinac Island is sustainably developed, it is a fragile environment, as the mass tourists arriving in the summertime stress the transportation infrastructure and causes substantial changes to the historic fiber of the destination, these weaknesses can be regulated by issuing laws so as to preserve and protect the fragile island. Santa Catalina Island, California Score: 74 Located 35 Km from off the coast of California, Catalina is rated 74 in the National geographic islands rating, is a perfect example of a sustainably developed island. The island hosts a variety of tourism infrastructure, although 70% of the total area in the island is under conservation. The limited and controlled development of the island has led it to be sustainable, as the community there which consists of about 3696 people is heavily dependent on tourism. The famous endeavors of filming industry has left a mark on the island as 8 Bisons have been left on the island in 1924, this has produced a herd of almost 200 free roaming wildebeests. The scenic landscape of the island has been used over and over in several shootings, and the world class champion golfer Tiger Woods has also won his first competition on this island, this offers a historic modern approach of selling the island as a tourism destination. Eastern and Southeast Asia Knocking out every inch of the globe particularly in economy, politics and society and located in the Eastern and northern hemisphere, primary continent that 8.6% coated out the surface with roughly 60% of the human population, a distinct island, Asia is well known for 2 of the popular regions, Southeast and Eastern Asia (Wikipedia 2010). Giving the media exposure, Asia is steadily and rapidly growing to be one of the emerging tourist destinations that provide different geography features, climates, facilities and services from tourist native background. Nowadays, due to the climate changes and rapid development in chasing up the tourist needs and satisfaction level, the growth may have threatened not only the people, but the landscape and scenery as well, following are two islands examples: Bali, Indonesia Indonesia is recognized as one of the most densely inhabited country with comprising of an approximately 17,508 islands that has been one of significant exchange business in the last century. With the diversification of natural resources, culture, ethics, language, and religion, Indonesia become center of attraction for the worlds second highest level of biodiversity. One of the countrys 33 states, Bali, is one of Indonesia prominent island (besides Java Island) that is being recognized for its arts, dance, sculpture, painting, metalworking and music (Wikipedia, 2010). Situated at the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali or Heavens world is also known for its picturesque and magical scenery of natural resources in particular mountains, flora and fauna as well as beaches too. However, due to rampant commercialism, bali, mainly Kuta and Nusa Dua, is rapidly changes and develop to meet up and boosting up their countrys revenue which also lead to higher demand of labor. The island beautiful coral reefs and mangroves being destroyed and bleach by locals for profits. Besides that, branding of merchandize affected the lifestyle of the locals as a result, higher social ill occurs. Even though the country main attraction is being one of the sustainable tourism, the landscapes are being degraded by the mass growth. Nevertheless, the breathtaking and astonishing features and phenomena such as volcanoes, sightseeing, beaches and the culture will still mesmerized the tourist thus increasing the tourist arrival. Country such as Malaysia is supporting such event whereby the low cost airlines, Air Asia, has implemented budgeted fees to fly there. Jeju (Cheju), South Korea Korea is known for one of the region of Eastern Asia and was formally unified as one state until 1948, the nation divided into 2 region, namely South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea). With two different politic views and markets with South Korea review as free market and democratic while North Korea are more to industrial economy with limited intervention from outsider. Approximately 3000 islands in South Korea and some of the small and deserted islands located at the western and southern coasts (Wikipedia 2010). Made out from volcano eruptions million years ago and the largest island in Korea, Jeju is one of the attractive yet famous tourist destinations in Korea mostly to Asian country. Jeju Island went into a drastic transition from unfamiliar island to renowned due to the explosion of Korea famous drama Winter Sonata and Hallyu wave. Overwhelming setting and panoramic view of Jeju attracted the viewers thus increasing the arrivals i n Korea. In addition, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes has being listed as one of the World heritage Site in Korea (Wikipedia, 2010). Mountain Hallasan National Park natural features uniqueness were once unspoiled are now destroyed and tainted due to the heavy commercialization. Awareness being arose to rescue and preserve remaining species as it has been recorded a number of 1, 565 plant species spreading vastly throughout the mountain (Wikipedia, 2010). Furthermore, rampant development from the government in complementing with the tourism industry by offering well known facilities and attraction such as Spa, dining, clubs and so on are being perceived negatively and misleading the tourist real attention to know local cultural. Islands of the Indian Ocean The islands of the Indian Ocean are a varied collection, including many of the smallest territories and one of the largest island nations (Madagascar).With its unique wildlife and culture, is located just off the coast of Africa. Seychelles 115 islands spread over a contract Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago is more than 16000KM from the African cost. The Seychelles islands distance from the continent on the fact they are somewhat spread out have made them an isolated paradise, known as Sea of crystalline high purity, and soft white sand guarded by palm trees, overshadowed by the curved, to give the elegance and magnificence of this scene is rarely found in the world. These islands are organized in the south of the equator and is characterized by tropical climate warm all year round, making it a tourist attraction highly distinguished and all the islands of the Seychelles is a world in itself, and are distinguished from others, and left in your mind the memory of different and special flavor, but the common denominator among them, is that it offers you and invites you to experience it. The capital Victoria is located in the island of  «Mahe » the largest, it is the second largest island in terms of area and population of the Seychelles 80 000 people, and this number is less, compared with the number of turtles, which is about 150 thousand, and this country is safe and the rate of crime is almost non-existent . Mauritius The island of Mauritius Land of Smiles and sugar, known for its magical beaches and the most important tourist destination in the depth of the Indian Ocean with an area of 1865 square kilometers. First discovered the island is the Arabs in the tenth century AD, but did not settle. And then came to her Portuguese explorers in the fifteenth century, but also did not settle .And finally settled by the Dutch and opened under the name of Mauritius in the late sixteenth century .And then left for the Dutch Frenchmen in the early eighteenth century, and remained colony for 100 years and then France ceded the island to Britain in 1814.So that the island became a British colony that gained independence in 1968 Mauritius. Most of population of Indian origin came to them with the French and English for the cultivation of Indian cane. Tourism is the most important source parallel with agriculture, particularly sugar, which is famous for Mauritius. Mauritius is one of the most important tourist destinations of the World politicians, businessmen and celebrities because they provide privacy and a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by services integrated in addition to the awareness of the integrated tourism is also promoting Mauritius itself as a keen to provide maximum facilities to the visitors, in addition to the kindness of its inhabitants and their dealings with tourists, high moral character, and this helped in my opinion most of the resorts to promote their products and provide as much as he wishes tourist, and even higher in the fact that the inherent culture of tourism in this country. Caribbean region Caribbean is enclosed by many islands, islets and offshore reefs which are from Florida, United state America to Venezuela, South America. Caribbean region became more famous because of the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. This Caribbean region has been formerly known as the West Indies as Christopher Columbus believed that he had reached the Indies archipelago which is known today as South and Southeast Asia, , when he landed there in 1492. The climate of the Caribbean is tropical but rainfall caries with elevation, size and water currents. In addition, warm and moist trade winds blow consistently from the east creating rainforest division on mountainous islands Dominica Dominica, which is officially known as the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, and also called the nature isle of the Caribbean. Because Dominica is not changed much after Columbus explored at first time. Dominica is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of the worlds 2nd largest boiling lake, 265 rivers rushing to the sea, national parks and lush vegetation. The islands annual temperature averages at 27C. This temperature is perfect to enjoy the beautiful and natural country as it still has largely pristine forests and haven for ornithologist as well as great scuba diving spots. In addition, this island is famous for being the `Whale watching capital of the Caribbean. The chance of seeing a whale and other animals that belong to the Cetaceans order is absolutely great, in fact greater than elsewhere. Nevis Island This island located near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. Nevis is a small and unhurried also immensely fertile and wonderfully beautiful. In addition, Nevis island is volcanic island which is a sister island to St Kitts, however, it is still very difficult to access this island. Therefore, the island is consequently uncrowded and largely unspoiled by tourists. It is an advantage for tourist who wants to seek a quiet, laid back, picturesque vacation in a friendly islanders atmosphere. The uniqueness of this island is the culture and people of this island as they are very traditional in their way of life; this could be seen in the architecture of their building and housing. Ecotourism in particular attracts people to natural sites where the mountains and valleys are found. Moreover, outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, and biking and water sports are attracting more adventurous travelers. Pacific/ Australia/ New Zealand region These regions encompasses the ancient land mass Australia, the islands of New Zealand, and the scattering of thousands of small islands that stretch out into the Pacific Ocean. They have similar culture and life style but economic situation and main industry are different. Their tourism reputation is getting higher and many are increasingly relying on their beautiful scenery and tropical climates to attract tourists and give a valuable boost to their economies. Kangaroo island, South Australia Kangaroo Island is the 3rd largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island in Australia. This island is closest from Cape Jervis, South Australia and it is 122km southwest of Adelaide. This island attracts over 140,000 visitors each year because of interesting mix of agriculture, tourism, and wilderness. Especially, this Kangaroo Island has well preserved by Australia government. Beaches and wild animals are the most uniqueness in Kangaroo Island. The name of this island is from Matthew Flinders who is the English explorer. He explored and mapped the coa

Affirmitive Action in California :: essays research papers

Affirmative Action in California   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Affirmative action has been the subject of increasing debate and tension in our society. Affirmative action has divided political parties, communities and campuses across the nation. The basis behind affirmative action is that because of past discrimination and oppression, such as the unequal treatment of women, and the enslavement of African Americans, minorities and women have difficulty competing with their white male counterparts. Tax breaks for home buyers may not be wrong but what is wrong are those who take advantage of all kinds of breaks for themselves while denying affirmative action for the most oppressed of society. The government runs many programs to increase opportunities for various groups including women, racial and ethnic minority groups. Affirmative action is necessary to ensure the recruitment and employment of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and Vietnam veterans. Affirmative action is a term, which refers to a variety of efforts u sed by employers and educational institutions to overcome past and continuing discrimination in order to allow qualified women and minorities to compete equally for jobs, education, and promotional opportunities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When talking about affirmative action, there is a common misconception between meeting quota and satisfying goals. A quota is a number that must be achieved. Consequently, if a company fails to show it has made an effort toward following this quota the company can be fined. This is every different from an affirmative action goal. A goal is a flexible percentage, which is established by the company to achieve a diverse workforce. The percentage is based on the availability of minorities and females in the area. One of the goals is to make sure that many people are made aware of job openings as possible to ensure that the applicant pool is reflective of the number of people, who are qualified. To accomplish this, employers place advertisements in different types of journals, including journals for women and minorities. Goals and timetables encourage the hiring of members of women and minority groups. Before affirmative action, companies did not post their jobs on bu lletin boards. Somebody just happened to know someone who needed a job and the job was filled. That person was not always the best-qualified person for the job. How can a company possibly tell if it is hiring the best people if they only consider a small portion of the population? One cannot assume that all the white males out there are naturally qualified and all the minorities and women are given breaks because they could not possibly be qualified.