The Deepwater Horizon Drilling Platforms - 1651 Words

Over one hundred million gallons of crude oil saturated the Gulf of Mexico after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling prospect on April 10th, 2010. The explosion killed eleven people, resulting in one the worst local oil spills in U.S. history. For the next eighty seven days, sunken barrels continued to release oil into the Atlantic Ocean. The oil spread from the coast of Louisiana to about one hundred and forty miles into the gulf. The U.S. is trying to reduce the use of foreign oil by drilling within its own borders. As a result, the country is responsible for a large scale cleanup of the Atlantic Ocean. Demand for oil in the United States continues to rise, as petroleum oil is used to produce electricity, heating, and fuel†¦show more content†¦Shock waves can be created using explosives, thumper trucks, or compressed air guns. The returning waves are measured by hydrophones that can record the waves underwater. Results are then analyzed for signs of oil. Promis ing signs of oil traps are marked on a map. Once oil has been located, drilling wells are constructed around the oil deposit. When the well is complete, extraction begins. Acid is pumped into the wells and out the perforators, which are vein-like channels that branch into the layers of rock. The acid dissolves the limestone, then oil flows through the perforators and into the well. If there is sandstone surrounding the oil instead of limestone, a fluid containing proppants (sand particles) is pumped through the perforators. This fluid creates pressure that fractures the sandstone and allows oil to flow into the well without the perforator closing back up. Sometimes, the oil is too heavy to flow into the well. Hot steam is introduced to the perforators to thin the oil, and create more pressure to push the oil through the perforator. This process is called enhanced oil recovery (Freudenrich, Strickland, n.d.). Offshore oil drilling is very risky, because if an oil well is leaks, thous ands of gallons of oil will flood the surrounding water. Oil spills are notorious environmental hazards. Spills are costly to clean up, and they impact hundreds ofShow MoreRelatedOffshore Oil Drilling and the Deepwater Horizon Spill of the Gulf of Mexico1591 Words   |  7 Pagesfossil fuel, oil drilling is used. Land-based oil drilling became less productive and as the global stipulation for energy increased, technology, law, and geology impacts stepped in and pushed the exploration of oil away from shores (CITE). With its historical background, offshore oil drilling is one of the most important aspects of today’s economy although we are faced with its risks and consequences, such as the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion of the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore oil drilling is known asRead More The Oil Spill is Affecting Animals, but What About the Government?1204 Words   |  5 Pagesdistances to reach markets throughout the world. With seemingly increasing frequency, these journeys sometimes end in accidents that result in oil being spilled into the ocean. The most devastating oil spill, The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occurred on April twentieth of this year. Deepwater Horizon is an oilrig located in the Gulf of Mexico and it is owned by B.P. Everything seemed to be running efficiently on the rig until April twentieth, when methane gas leaked through the rig. The gas was under highRead MoreThe Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill2022 Words   |  9 PagesDeepwater Horizon Oil Spill The Context Before the occurrence of the Deepwater Horizon event, BP had already been labelled as having a horrible safety record. A 2009 report by the United States Department of Labour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Todd Petterson , 2009), indicated that BP had 270 existing fines of a ‘failure to abate’ and 439 ‘wilful violations’ of various safety protocols. At the time of the disaster the regulators of the oil industry in the United States was theRead MoreThe Bp Deepwater Horizon Disaster1006 Words   |  5 Pagesimplementing the necessary controls in place to ensure compliance to them. The BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster On April 20, 2010, the British Petroleum (BP) leased Deepwater Horizon drilling rig took an unexpected kick of gas pressure from an oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. The release ignited, and through the failure of the blowout preventers progressed into a firestorm. The fire consumed the drilling rig platform, sinking it, causing 11 casualties, and the subsequent release of 4.9 million barrelsRead MoreOil And Gas Reservoir And Traps1706 Words   |  7 Pagesstrata. [8] The Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest salt domes oil reservoir area in the world, where over 500 salt domes have been discovered so far both onshore and under the seafloor. In 1900, the first salt dome oil reservoir was discovered by drilling a exploratory well on Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas [9], and one year later, the well was completely built and constructed. With the depth about 1000 feet below the ground, a pressurized oil reservoir produced over 100,000 barrels of crudeRead MoreDeepwater Horizon Was An Offshore Drilling Rig966 Words   |  4 PagesDeepwater Horizon was an offshore drilling rig built in 2001 in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries. In September 2009, the rig drilled the deepest oil well in history with a vertical depth of 35,050 feet. An unplanned flow of well fluids into the wellbore can be dangerous as it could cause a blowout which would then cause a fire. In order to prevent this, driller’s pump a drilling mud into the well, creating a barrier between the undersea oil and gas and the rig. The safety of the drillingRead MoreEconomic Concerns Of Deepwater Completions And Workover Essay1444 Words   |  6 PagesEconomic Concerns of Deepwater Completions and Workover. Benefits: Offshore completions and workover have some environmental benefits specially during the development phase. It offers less time over the hole, needs fewer resources, requires less capital equipment to develop a field. Subsea completions also is often associated with continuing availability during the production and disposal of equipment such as platforms, manifolds etc. Risks: Introduction: The environmental risks associated with offshoreRead MorePollution : Why Is It Important?1288 Words   |  6 PagesOffshore drilling and production operations and spills from ships or tankers typically contribute less than 8 percent of the total that enter the ocean each year. The majority of the oil entering the ocean comes from routine maintenance of ships at 20 percent, hydrocarbon particles from onshore air pollution is about 13 percent, and natural seepage from the seafloor is a little over 8 percent. Of the approximately 706 million gallons of oil that enter the ocean each year, offshore drilling operationsRead MoreBp Csr3693 Words   |  15 PagesStrategic Corporate Social Responsibilities and Law Contents BP Company Info 3 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Event 4 Summary of the Deepwater Horizon Event 5 Stock price before and after Deepwater Horizon 7 Impact on Stakeholders 8 BP’s Oil Spills and Corporate Social Responsibility 9 Inadequate disclosure on the oil spill event 11 Recommendations for BP to get reputation back 13 Conclusion 14 BP Company Info BP is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, UnitedRead MoreIp Essay1198 Words   |  5 PagesExperimental Investigation of Gas Kick Effects on Dynamic Drilling Parameters Introduction Early kick detection (EKD) is a vital component of well control system. The prevention or management of kicks and/or fluid loss occurrence during drilling operations is crucial, particularly in deepwater drilling activities due to the complexity of equipment and operations. Normally well control failure occurrences could cost the oil and gas industry billions of dollars in a year due to non-productive time

The Argument Against The Existence Of God - 1827 Words

HJ McCloskey in 1968 wrote a paper that tried to argue against different Christian philosophy theories. He tried to argue against the existence of God, specifically in the Cosmological Argument and Teleological arguments. He also tries to use the existence of evil as an argument against the existence a God. His arguments ultimately show a lack of understanding. A lack of understanding of these basic christian arguments and basic Christian theology. The issue at the very beginning of this article is that of differing definitions. McCloskey comes out with talking about Christians not having proofs, and how he will refute them. He is continually using this language throughout the article. The problem is that a Christian would not define the arguments as proofs. A proof, when defined, has the idea that you are 100 percent certain that you are right about your thesis. It is really more of a scientific or mathematical term. The Christian would argue that you can never completely know if Go d is real. There is an element of faith involved. Instead of saying we are going to use â€Å"proofs† to â€Å"prove† God, it is probably more accurate to believe to use the word argument. Instead of proofs, a Christian is coming up with the best possible answers to the questions of the universe. On one hand this may upset the atheist. The atheist may wonder why you would believe in something that you cannot one hundred percent prove. This is faulty thinking, in that there many things that we do notShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Evil : An Argument Against The Existence Of God1922 Words   |  8 Pagesof suffering) is an argument against the existence of God †¢ The argument against the existence of God is incompatible with the existence of an all-loving, all-powerful God. Greek Philosopher Epicurus The Epicurean Paradox †¢ Is God willing, but not able to prevent evil? †¢ Answer: Then he is not omnipotent †¢ Is God able but not willing? †¢ Then he is malevolent †¢ Is he both able and willing? †¢ Then whence cometh evil? †¢ Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him god? J.L Mackie TheRead MoreOntological Argument For The Existence Of God1083 Words   |  5 Pagesthis paper I will discuss the argument of Anselms ontological argument for the existence of god. His basis of his argument being an analytical breakdown for the reason fot gods exsistence. While also establishing that Anselms inferences found with his use of deduction and logical means to prove the existence of a higher being are indeed true. In addition I will defend Anselms argument by depicting other people’s objections against his argument. Specifically the argument made by Gaunilo, who disagreedRead MoreDoes God Exist1417 Words   |  6 PagesDoes God exist? Does God exist? This seemingly simple question is in fact loaded with a myriad of twists and turns that scientists and theologians have debated for years without reaching an accepted conclusion. Part of the problem lies in the many definitions of God. Traditionally it is accepted that God is a supreme being, infallible, perfect, and existing outside of the material world of humanity. It is this definition that is generally used when debating Gods existence. There have been severalRead MoreDoes God Exist?1074 Words   |  5 PagesDoes God Exist ? 1. What role do arguments play in answering this question? I think arguments have played an important role in analyzing and understanding the depth of this question, for mankind. Although the question itself seems factual (either it does or it doesn t), yet no arguments have been able to answer this question conclusively, despite many debates going on for centuries. One possible reason for that inconclusiveness may lie in our intuition and the way, humans define God and existenceRead MoreEssay on The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God1545 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ontological Argument for the Existence of God The ontological argument is an a priori argument. The arguments attempt to prove Gods existence from the meaning of the word God. The ontological argument was introduced by Anselm of Canterbury in his book Proslogion. Anselms classical argument was based on two principals and the two most involved in this is St Anselm of Canterbury as previously mentioned and Rene Descartes. The ontological argument argues that ifRead MoreAnselm s Argument On The Ontological Argument1614 Words   |  7 PagesAnselm argues that God exists, otherwise known as the ontological argument. Anselm believes that â€Å"there is no doubt that something than which a greater cannot be thought exists both in the understanding and in reality (Anselm, Proslogion, 7).† In other words, we cannot imagine something that is able to be greater than God; it would be a contradiction to think being greater than the greatest possible being that can be thought of. A number of philosophers do not agree with Anselm’s argument, such as GauniloRead MoreEssay on The Ontological Argument1589 Words   |  7 PagesOntological Argument The Ontological argument is a group of different philosophers arguments for the existence of God. Ontological literally means talking about being and so in this case, that being is the existence or being of God. The main component of the Ontological argument can be found in the Anselm’s Proslogion which is a short work that tries to demonstrate both the existence and the nature of God. His main aim in writing the Proslogion is not to directly prove the existence of God but toRead MoreMccloskey Responses1660 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction H. J. McCloskey gets most of his strong statements against the belief by asking the atheist to provide sufficient proof that God exists. However, McCloskey is not the only person who is unsure and asks questions God’s existence based on personal beliefs or influence. From the beginning many people have had questions about God and his existence. He wrote numerous books on atheism between 1960 and 1980 including the famous book, God and Evil. This paper evaluates the credibility of McCloskey’sRead MoreA Logical Argument For God s Existence Or Nonexistence1471 Words   |  6 PagesA logical argument for God’s existence or nonexistence is the cosmological argument. William Craig says in his book that there are three statements that give the cosmological argument form. Craig concluded that whatever begins to exist has a cause. The Universe began to exist therefore the Universe had a cause. What that cause was, is widely challenged. The argument against the existenc e of God includes the Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang Model is a broadly accepted theory for the beginning and evolutionRead MoreIs There Good Evidence for or Against the Existence of God?1557 Words   |  7 Pagesevidence for or against the existence of God? Throughout the ages, the topic of religion has always been discussed and argued over. Some people will always argue that God does exist, whilst others will argue that he doesn’t. Firstly I would like to start my argument with the famous 13th century philosopher, Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas’ argument is known as the cosmological argument. This is the idea of: the unmoved mover, the uncaused causer and idea of contingency, these three arguments are all a posteriori

The Americanisation of Global Media free essay sample

Americanization defines the Unites States of Americas cultural dominance and Influence on the culture of other countries, In many cases culture that suppresses that of other nations; examples of Americanization can be seen in anything from their popular culture, cuisine, business practices, and technology to political techniques (Osborn, 2006).Since the 20th Century the growth and influence of American popular culture has become a worldwide phenomenon, through technological advances and the growth of media such as television, satellites and computers, especially since the Incorporation of the Internet, more messages are eyeing conveyed from the united States to the rest of the world on a regular basis (Osborn, 2006) For example Hollywood dominates the worlds film and media markets and as such is the chief medium in-which populations around the globe are exposed to American popular culture, such as fashion, customs and way of life, commonly known as the American Dream.Furthermore Amer ican television programmer are broadcast globally, many of-which are broadcast by American broadcasters such as HOBO and CNN, or through alliances and mergers with other global broadcasters and media distributes (Stokes et al. We will write a custom essay sample on The Americanisation of Global Media or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 2004).Furthermore the music industry is another media outlet dominated by the united States of America, with all three major record labels being American companies with several American subsidiaries, this in addition to American artist continue to dominate the popular (pop) music circuit, with uniquely American genres such as hip-hop, bubble gum pop and RB dominating music charts both In the united States and worldwide, following on In the same vein as Michael Jackson. Elvis Presley and Madonna who make up three of the top four highest selling and grossing artists of all time.Americas Influence on Popular Music: America undoubtedly dominates the global music empire with the vast majority of todays popular musical genres having their roots firmly set In the united States of America. Everything from punk to rock n roll to hip-hop and RB were either born wealth the united states or found a foothold to flourish within the country; indeed rock n roll took life in the united States during the sass and sass, evolving from uniquely American genres such as blues and country, which themselves spawned from the southern states during the sass and sass.Punk spawned from Americas garage rock scene of the 1 sass and Hip-Hop found mass mainstream popularity In sass, remaining popular today, bringing African-American youth culture and fashion to mass global consciousness. This Influence has led to the global success and worldwide fame of many American artists, artist such as Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley becoming just two major American stars to achieve global fame and success, achieving worldwide sales of 600 and 400 Million respectively. Furthermore as aforementioned, the markedly American genre of hip-hop has provided some of musics most popular and prolific artists, with musicians such as Mine, Dry. Drew and Jay-Z achieving unrequited global fame, bringing the culture he United States but worldwide, with youth culture in nations like the United Kingdom, France and Australia embracing hip-hop culture.The United States influence in popular music can also be seen in the artists of other nations; in the United Kingdom for example The Rolling Stones, one of the highest grossing rock bands of all time sound, relied heavily on American influences to achieve the customary and unmistakable sound, in addition to taking their name from a song by popular American blues artist Muddy Waters. Even The Beetles, the most revered and popular band of all time, saw their early sound derive from sass and sass American danceable music.Another clear indication of the United States global dominance of the music industry can be seen within the decline of several major record labels, subsequently leading to only three major labels surviving today, following several mergers, acquisitions and buyouts within the industry. All three of the surviving major labels today Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and the Warner Music Group are American owned, with the buyout of British and last non-American record label MME, by Universal and Sony asserting the United States global dominance on the record label industry.As clarified, the United States influence on music is undeniable; however whether it has lasting mass global appeal, at least in an artistic sense, is questionable. Today the influx of bubble gum American pop and mainstream hip-hop, although achieving worldwide success and in some instances acclaim, is often viewed as unimportant and invaluable, with artistic creativity often devoid within these uniquely American exports.Furthermore it can also be argued that this Americanization of the music industry and the way it has shaped and evolved popular culture has in some instances been damaging to he United States global image. For example hip-hop, once a genre which openly celebrated freedom of expression has been highly critiqued by the media in recent years, seen as creating a damaging sub-culture popular in not only the United States but globally, related to gang violence, drugs and the degradation of women, in-turn demising African-American culture and how western youth are viewed globally.In addition it can be claimed that despite Americas unrivalled influence in the birth of many musical genres, that the genres themselves only found popularit y and reached ass mainstream appeal and consciousness once penetrating other global markers. For example punk rock, spawning from the American garage rock scene of the sass, only achieved mainstream success and notoriety once marketed within the United Kingdom, Loons Sex Pistols achieving success both sides of the Atlantic becoming the band most synonymous with punk culture, from the music to the imagery and clothing.Hollywood Abroad: Hollywood is the dominate force within both film and global media, dominating cinematic playing time both at home and abroad, even amongst nations who market and produce their own paleography. For example the five leading markets after Hollywood are dominated by the United States of America, with Hollywood playing time shares of United Kingdom 82%, Japan 73%, Germany 88%, Italy 55% and France 63%. All far outweighing cinema produced within these nations. Within the United suppressing that of independent American cinema (Silva, 2007). And a valuable advert in promotion for the United States of America. Indeed it has been said that Hollywood soon after its inception become the single greatest factor in the rapid Americanization of not only global media but also the world, as such becoming the cost important and significant of the United States global exploits.Hollywood in essence promotes the United States ideals, politics, accomplishments and opportunities on a global scale, leading to a global desire to imitate, which has seen many cultures worldwide suppressed (Stokes et al, 2004). In some ways Hollywood is seen as untouchable such is its global dominance within the film industry, this despite suppressing other cultures whilst aggressively asserting the United States own, in an often propaganda like manner, promoting the country not as a geographical territory but as an imagi native one, a fantasy world of opportunity and aspiration.This has led to intermittent periods of revulsion amongst other cultures and nations globally; for example during the sass Europe opposed much of what Hollywood was portraying seeing the industry as over-sexed, over-paid and having a potentially damaging affect upon the customs and societies found on the continent, quotes such as poisoning the souls of our children and turning them into slaves of American millionaires were attributed to opponent during this era. However it must be said, that despite Hollywood often overbearing demeanor at the time, this negativity and revulsionNas born out of fears by Rupees cultural elite, who feared Hollywood lack of social obligation and radical challenges towards hierarchies of discrimination, taste and the class system. This saw the influence and transformation power of Hollywood and in- turn American culture grossly exaggerated to manifest how threatening it was. Furthermore anti-Americanism in the Middle East today is often fuelled by the United States depiction within Hollywood paleography, carrying a similar objection and revulsion as seen in Europe during the 1920 and the infant years of Hollywood inception (Stokes et al, 2004).

The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin Essay Example For Students

The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin Essay The Cherry Orchard: Critical AnalysisThe Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov is about a Russian family that is unable to prevent its beloved estate from being sold in an auction due to financial problems. The play has been dubbed a tragedy by many of its latter producers. However, Chekhov labeled his play a farce, or more of a comedy. Although this play has a very tragic backdrop of Russia’s casualty-ridden involvement in both World Wars and the Communist Revolution, the characters and their situations suggest a light-hearted tone, even though they struggle against the upcoming loss of the orchard. Apathy and passivity plague the characters and contribute often to the comic side of things. Sometimes, however, the passivity erupts the tragic flaws of the characters as they fail to save the estate. Another theme of The Cherry Orchard is the thin line between reality and outer appearance between which the characters cannot distinguish. Although indirect, this confusion provides the p lay yet again with comedy. On the contrary, the confusion is also seen as another tragic flaw of the characters contributing to the downfall of the estate and its orchard. Another theme Chekhov portrays is the effect of choice and free will. In some surcumstances this is the ultimate form of tragedy, depending on the outcome. With this, Chekhov succeeds in confusing tragedy and comedy in his final play The Cherry Orchard. We will write a custom essay on The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Chekhov’s characters in The Cherry Orchard contribute greatly to the comedy. The action takes place on a Russian estate belonging to Mrs. Ranevsky. There is a debate over finances and a wealthy businessman named Lopakhin, whose father was a serf on the estate, thinks of a way to solve the financial problems. The family, however, seems to ignore the problem of losing the estate. This is the first instance of comedy in that the family chooses to ignore the problems while a wealthy businessman pleads with them to take action. The family continues to ignore the future for the estate as personalities are developed in each of the characters. A very comical character is the clerk Yepikhodov, also known as â€Å"Twenty-two Calamities.† In his entrance he stumbles over a chair while babbling at whatever comes to his mind. Firs, a senile manservant, is the next to add comic elements as he hobbles across the stage also talking to himself. As if the characters themselves werenâ₠¬â„¢t funny enough, their interaction and dialogue between each other is just as comical. Gayev, Mrs. Ranevsky’s brother, continues to spit out billiard shots as the conversation continues, after which he weeps over the nursery’s bookcase. Pishchik, a neighbor who is also in financial struggle, grabs Mrs. Ranevsky’s pills out of her hand and swallows them all for no apparent reason. Again in this scene Firs mutters to himself as he trails off of the conversation taking place. The characters, it seems, are being warmed up for some sort of comic routine. Yet through this dialogue, unpleasant truths spring forth. The mortgage has not been paid in a while due to Mrs. Ranevsky being broke. And while Mrs. Ranevsky was in Paris, Varya has not been paying the mortgage. This is somewhat tragic because the estate is now going to be lost because of Mrs. Ranevsky and Varya not being able to pay off the estate’s debts. When Lopakhin proposes his idea the family finds it impractical and Gayev even calls the idea â€Å"utter nonsense† (Chekhov 226-296). Pishchik also reveals that he too is going to be losing his estate due to an unpaid mortgage. Looking for a loan from Mrs. Ranevsky, he is denied. This is the first instance of tragedy. .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .postImageUrl , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:hover , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:visited , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:active { border:0!important; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:active , .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9 .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u86f44fd6010c26e9f89ec2714641b3b9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Case Analysis Insubordination EssayThe character’s actions, moreover, are the comical focus in the play. It seems as though Chekhov gives the characters an awareness of their faults, and their actions reinforce these faults, as though the characters had forgotten them. For example, Mrs. Ranevsky pities herself for her carelessness with money, then immediately bestows one of her last gold coins to a beggar. Another example of a character’s inability to suppress foolishness is Yepikhodov’s role of the â€Å"unfortunate clod† (Galens 21-39). He continues to stumble over furniture in each of his appearances. He is immediately

Harvard University Class of 2022 Early Admission Results Are In!

On Tuesday, Harvard University released its early admissions decisions for the Class of 2022 and accepted 14.5% of early applicants. This year 6,630 students applied for admission under the Early Action program, and 964 applicants were accepted into Harvards Class of 2022, The Harvard Crimson reported. The early admission rate held flat at 14.5% even though Harvard had a 2.42% increase in the number of early applications. This increase in number of early applications, not just at Harvard but at universities across the board, appears to be a continuing trend, making early admissions applications a new normal. The early admits of the Class of 2022 is increasingly diverse. Of the 964 admitted students, 1.8% are Native Americans/Native Hawaiians, 9.8% are Latinas, 13.9% are African-Americans, and 24.2% are Asian-Americans. The largest increase for a racial or ethnic group year over year was for Asian-Americans, who comprised of 21.7% of last year’s early admitted students. With Harvard’s strong financial aid program, economic diversity also rose for early admits in the Class of 2022. 10.6% of early admitted students are first-generation college students, and close to 58% of students have applied for financial aid so far. Harvard’s Early Action program is not binding, which means admitted students have until May to decide whether they wish to enroll. Accepted students will be invited to attend Visitas, a weekend visiting program that allows students to experience life on campus to help them make an informed decision about where to enroll. This Year’s Visitas will be held on the weekend of April 21st. In an interview with Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, William R. Fitzsimmons, earlier this fall, he said Harvard College will accept fewer students into the Class of 2022 in hopes of admitting more students off the waitlist. Harvard admitted an unusually large class last year, as an unexpected number of accepted students matriculated into the university this fall. Harvards early admission program accepted 26 more students this year, so we might be expecting an even lower regular decision acceptance rate this coming spring. Of the 6,630 early applicants, 4,882 were deferred and 611 were denied. The deadline for regular admissions is on January 1st, 2018 and regular admissions decisions will come out on March 28th, 2018. Congratulations to all students who were admitted to Harvard’s Class of 2022! Create a profile and upload your successful college application materials to inspire and help future applicants. Plus, earn some extra money while you’re at it! Got deferred or rejected? Reset and focus on your regular decision applications.Ourpremium plansoffer different levels of profile access and data insights that can help you get into your dream school. Unlock any of ourpackagesor search ourundergraduate profile databaseto find specific profiles that can help you make an informed choice about where to apply! We have 60,000+ successfulcollege application filesuploaded by college students. See how they got in, and how you can too!

Best Private Schools in Texas

Best Private Schools in Texas Looking for the best private school in Texas for your child? Check out some of these top institutions in around the Dallas/Fort Worth area of the Lone Star State. Presented in alphabetical order, this list of college prep schools has been generated by considering several key assessment factors, including student and parent reviews on multiple sites, class sizes, college graduation and placement, as well as testing scores. Please contact each school directly for the most updated information about each institution listed. Cistercian Preparatory School Founded in 1962 by monks escaping communist Hungary,  Cistercian Preparatory School  is a Catholic school for boys in grades 5-12.   349 students enrolled6:1 student teacher ratio66% of faculty hold masters degrees and 13% hold doctoral degrees24% students of color20% of families receive financial aid The Episcopal School of Dallas Educating students from different faiths, The Episcopal School of Dallas is a strong co-ed college-prep school with students in pre-school through 12th grade. 1,150 students enrolled20% students of color28% Episcopalian students52% boys 48% girls$3.5 million awarded to students for financial aid20% of students receive financial assistance7:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 16 Greenhill School In Addison,  Greenhill School  is an independent co-ed PK-12 school whose mission is to encourage excellence and openness in learning. 1,292 students enrolledAverage class size of 16 (Preschool is 15)44% students of color61% of faculty hold advanced degrees15% of students receive financial aidMore than $5 million in financial aid available to qualified families The Hockaday School The Hockaday School  for girls in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and sends 100% of its graduates on to college. With a 9:1 student to teacher ratio, this school provides an educational experience that promotes success.   486 students enrolled74 boarding school students enrolled36% students of color16% of students receive financial aid Parish Episcopal School Parish Episcopal School is a pre-K through 12th co-ed school for students of all faiths. Parish graduated its first class of seniors in 2007. 1,100 students enrolled8:1 student teacher ratio in PK-K, 14:1 in grades 1 and 2, 17:1 in all other grades22% diversity23 faith backgrounds100% of graduates are accepted at four-year colleges and/or universities St. Marks School of Texas Dallas, Texas boasts a number of single-sex schools, including St. Marks School of Texas, a non-sectarian, college-preparatory independent day school for boys in grades 1-12. 865 students enrolled8:1 Student Teacher RatioAverage Class Size: 1571% of faculty with advanced degrees100% of seniors attend a 4-year college or universityAdmits 22% of applicants annually46% students of color$2,400,000 budget for financial aid awards to qualified families Trinity Valley School Trinity Valley School is a K-12, independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school that has remained committed to a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences, culminating in the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to enable our students to excel at an appropriate college or university.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   970 students enrolled10:1 student to teacher ratioApproximately 20 students per class Ursuline Academy Ursuline Academy is a Catholic college-prep high school for girls in grades 9-12. The alma mater of philanthropist Melinda French Gates (who has given millions of dollars to the school to build a state-of-the-art science, math, and technology center), Ursuline Academy is also the oldest Dallas school in continuous operation. More than 800 girls enrolled30% students of colorMore than $1.2 million in financial assistance and merit scholarship awards given26% of students receive some form of financial assistance Yavneh Academy Founded in 1993 for Jewish students of all affiliations, Yavneh Academy is a modern Orthodox high school for girls and boys. 120 students enrolled3:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 10Less than 10% students of color Click here for a full list of​ Private Schools in Texas Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

Mexico economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Mexico economy - Essay Example Though the authorities and citizens believed these new changes would eliminate graft, instead they fuelled and provided new avenues for corrupt activities. Democracy gave rise to selfish and power hungry individuals that hold powerful political positions. Ironically, economic reforms such as privatization of the companies enhanced graft instead of improving the economy. Furthermore, the massive trading activities in the country in the early millennium resulted in huge embezzlement of public funds. The corruption index currently shows that 27.2 percent of Mexicans are corrupt. Analysis: No sector of the Mexican economy is untouched by corrupt activities. Consequently, a fifth of wealthy businessmen claim corruption is the primary obstacle that hinder their investment activities in the country. Additionally, the poverty level is high since Mexicans have a tendency of paying bribes even for essential services such as water supply. As a result, a quarter of the country’s total income is spent on corrupt activities. The Economist. "Corruption in Latin America." The Economist. 14 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2015. The Economist. "Corruption in Latin America." The Economist. 14 Mar. 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

Sustainability Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Sustainability - Assignment Example Wood is a natural resource which can exist freely or by the influence of human activities. In Italy, there is a greater increasing demand for wood, which has seen the resource being sort for from other countries. Basically, wood is used in Italy for various purposes including electrical power generation, co-fire with coal, and heating in homes, commercial enterprises and institution. This project is aimed at ensuring that wood becomes a sustainable resource in Italy through good and ethical uses and business practices. It will also look at some of the corporate social responsibilities that the businesses and companies of Italy can involve in, in-order to make wood a sustainable resource for the future generations. The project will also touch on the effects of wood to the environment and how such can be controlled to enable the achievement of a sustainable wood condition in Italy. Wood is a natural resource that grows naturally, but can also be domesticated. Wood grows to make a forest, where the forest is now formed by a group of wood. The natural resource is used for various purposes including the use as fuel as well as the use as a building material, electricity generation, heating up rooms and so many other uses. In Italy, wood has always been used for such purposes as mentioned above. The use of wood has been seen to be on a higher increase, beginning from the traditional uses of wood in Italy. Traditionally, wood was used to make furniture, construct structures such as houses and to make sculptors (Bob, 2011: pg. 1-4). During this period, there were a lot of trees that would provide the particular types of wood that were needed for such purposes. People never used to scramble for the resource due to its sufficient availability and occurrence in the land. Considering that the population was not so high and there was plenty of

Integration Efforts in Latin America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Integration Efforts in Latin America - Essay Example Considerably, several Latin American countries were successful after the World War and established scientific, industrial and technical infrastructures, in generating organizational and managerial capacities, training workers and in developing multinational industrial structures. The Latin American countries’ economies grew spontaneously and soon they were competing with the strong economies in the world (Balasa et al. 1986, p. 34). Regional integration has had a momentous responsibility in the design of global and prolific policies in Latin American states. Balasa et al (1986, p. 36) notes that the conception of unity and integration among the Latin countries has existed since the wave of independence movements that swept the continent in the early 19th century. Spanish Empire Leader, Simon Bolivar, had dreamt of a united Latin America. Today, notable advances have been made towards regional integration. The success of the European integration prompted the Latin American coun tries to merge to form a regional block. This move was faced with development challenges (Iglesias, 2000, p. 24). The discussion on integration is a deep process delineated by efforts to harmonize policies between countries and yield dominion to a supranational body. Integration is described as an incessant learning and approximation process susceptible to crisis. Capannelli et al (2009, p. 10) notes that integration is typified by more integrated political, economic and social policies. Because of the colonial rule, dependency and underdevelopment, Latin American countries have been economically susceptible. Reliance on the exports of primary export products and the importation of manufactured goods resulted to competition to the domestic industries which prevented their development. The integration efforts made emerged to curtail the impacts of the unequal global economy relationship. In spite of the momentum for integration, diverse objectives among countries, vulnerability to in ternational crisis and lack unity and trust among the member states have inhibited the integration process (Tiefenbrun, 2012). The Latin American Integration emerged after the great depression after the World War. These countries wanted to liberate themselves from the world superpower countries. With industrial subsidies and lofty tariffs, the Latin American countries believed that domestic companies and industries would have an opportunity to develop and reduce the over dependence on manufactured imported items (Hughes & Singh, 1991, p.78). To some extent, Latin American integration succeeded and failed. This paper outlines the failures and successes of the Latin American integration and the factors that caused them. Failures of Latin American Integration and the causes Because of the pressures of the first evolving world, Latin American countries have come up with many sub-regional integration organizations (Balasa et al 1986, p. 34), fundamentally to promote economic integration and trade liberalization. Unfortunately, most of them could not go beyond rhetorical political statements. For this reason, most of the regional integration processes failed. The primary argument is that the different goals and political systems by different Latin American countries brought about economic failure (Fishlow, 1991, p. 36). This is attributed to domestic causes other than international economic forces.

Mental Health Well-being of Dementia Carers

Mental Health Well-being of Dementia Carers Introduction Research is undertaken and applied across many different professions and disciplines, as it offers a basis for increasing knowledge, informed decision making and action (Minichiello, Sullivan, Greenwood Axford, 2004; DePoy Gitlin, 2011). Within the nursing profession research is the link between theory and practice and has influenced many changes to the way that nurses practice (Schneider, Elliot, LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2003). Research has brought about improvements in the delivery of care which in turn contributes to improved patient outcomes (Loiselle, Profetto-McGrath, Poilt, Beck, 2007). Nursing research has made available the best evidence to support and underpin nursing practice as it is currently: this is essential to the achievement of optimum biopsychosocial results for the patient, their family members and their wider community. Furthermore research guides legislation and regulations at a government organisation level (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010; DePoy Gitlin, 2011; Da vies Logan, 2012). Health research topic This assignment will explore how research is designed, conducted and applied to investigate and inform the improvement of mental health wellbeing of those who care for people with dementia. In an international study on the global prevalence of dementia published in 2006, experts estimated that there were 24.3 million people with dementia, with 4.6 million new cases of dementia every year, one new case every 7 seconds (Ferri, Prince, Brayne, Brodaty, Fratiglioni, Ganguli Scazufca, 2006). It is estimated that there are 50,000 New Zealanders currently diagnosed with dementia and by 2026 it is estimated to be close to 78,000 (Ministry of Health, 2013). The prevalence of this cognitive disease necessitates research to better understand the effects and implications dementia has on people and society and how society can be better equipped to face the psychosocial challenges dementia presents for those in caregiver roles. Research Paradigms Depoy and Gitlin (2011) define research as â€Å"multiple, systematic strategies to generate knowledge about human behaviour, human experience, and human environments in which the thinking and action processes of the research are clearly specified so that they are logical, understandable, confirmable, and useful† (Depoy Gitlin, 2011, pg. 6). There are two major research paradigms that underpin these systematic strategies, determining how a researcher will ‘think and act’. They are positivist and the naturalistic. A positivist paradigm is most closely allied with quantitative research and naturalistic paradigm is most often associated with qualitative research (Christensen Johnson, 2012, Loiselle et al. 2011). Each paradigm or approach is a perspective on research based on a set of shared assumptions, concepts, values, and practices (Christensen and Johnson, 2012). These two paradigms have two very distinct ontological, epistemological and methodological foundati ons. Quantitative research views the nature of the knowable and the nature of reality as being objective, material and structural. This worldview or perspective is that there is a reality ‘out there’ that is separable and independent from individual. That this reality can be verified and discovered through the scientific method is the fundamental assumption of positivism or the positivist paradigm (DePoy Gitlin, 2011; Loiselle et al. 2011; Christensen Johnson, 2012). The positivist or experimental-type perspective employed by quantitative research primarily follows the confirmatory scientific method because it focuses on hypothesis testing and theory testing (Christensen Johnson, 2012). Logical positivists believe that there is a single reality that can be discovered by reducing it into parts, and discovering the relationships among them. In other words, the logical, structural principles that guide some component of reality can be known. This concept is known as reductionism (DePoy Gitlin, 2011). Quantitative researchers typically use deductive reasoning to identify a single reality and generate predictions or hypotheses. They then use a systematic approach, progressing logically through a series of steps, according to a prespecified plan. The researchers use various â€Å"controls† to minimise biases and maximise precision and validity (DePoy Gitlin, 2011; Loiselle et al. 2011). Empirical evidence is rigorously and systematically gathered (directly or indirectly through the senses rather than personal hunches) using tested means. Quantitative information, being numeric information, is gathered then subsequently analyzed and measured through statistical procedures to deduce if a hypothesis is true or false (Loiselle et al, 2011). The hypothesis is confirmed or rejected on the basis of these empirical results. Qualitative research, on the other hand, take the view that as nature of the knowable and reality are mentally constructed by individual, they are multiple, subjective and personal. This worldview claims that reality is not a fixed entity but rather a construction of individuals participating in the research. That reality exists within a context, and many constructions are possible is the fundamental assumption of a naturalistic paradigm (Loiselle et al. 2011; Christensen and Johnson, 2012). Naturalistic inquiry theorists believe that ideas and individual interpretations are the lenses through which each individual knows and comes to understand and define the world. â€Å"Knowledge is based on how the individual perceives their experiences and how he or she understands his or her world† (Depoy Gitlin, p. 26). Naturalistic methods of enquiry attempt to capture these dynamic, holistic and individual aspects of phenomena in their entirety, within the context of those who are experiencing them. Therefore, naturalistic investigators emphasize understanding the human experience as it is lived, usually through the collection and analysis of qualitative materials that are narrative and subjective (Loiselle et al. 2011). Qualitative methods differ from that of quantitative in that procedures are flexible and can be modified to capitalize on findings that emerge during the course of study. Qualitative studies take place locally, in a natural setting, in the field, frequently over extended periods of time. Data collection and data analysis typically progress simultaneously . Consequently, naturalistic studies yield rich, in-depth information that can potentially clarify the multiple dimensions of a complicated phenomenon (Loiselle et al. 2011).t The scope of this assignment is to further examine and analyse quantitative research design and methodology and how it relates to the research of dementia†¦ Quantitative Experimental Design In experimental-type research, DePoy and Gitlin (p. 84) describe design as the plan or blueprint that specifies the procedures used to obtain empirical evidence to determine the relationship among variables of the study. In other words, the design is structured in such a way as to enable an examination of a hypothesized relationship among variables. Generally in quantitative research, hypotheses are constructed from general principles prior to data collection and then tested during the study. Experimental design is therefore well suited to answering questions about cause and effect or causation (Minichiello et al, 2004). The specific procedures actioned to obtain empirical evidence depend on the study and the design method used, but generally quantitative experimental designs involve sampling, data collection, data analysis and reporting. Investigators employ sampling techniques to select a subgroup that can accurately represent a population, defined as a group of persons, elements or both that share a set of common characteristics as predefined by the investigator. The intent is to be able to draw accurate conclusions about the population by studying a smaller group of elements (sample) (Minichiello et al, 2004, DePoy Gitlin, 2011). In quantitative research the collecting of data, quantifying information or measurement is a primary concern. Therefore the researcher must ensure the data instrument used is reliable and valid (DePoy Gitlin, 2011). Reliability refers to the degree of consistency with which an instrument measures an attribute and validity addresses the critical issue of the relationshi p between a concept and its measurement. It asks if whether what is being measured is a reflection of the underlying concept (Minichiello et al, 2004, DePoy Gitlin, 2011). The instrument can be one that the researcher designed themself, modified from another study, or an intact instrument that has been used by another researcher (Creswell, 1994). When experimental-type research is conducted, the researcher’s first preference is the selection of instruments that have demonstrated reliability and validity for the specific populations or phenomena the investigator wants to study. As is the case in the quantitative research articles explored later in this assignment. Statistical analysis is an important action process in experimental-type research that occurs at the conclusion of data collection and data preparation. It is at this juncture that data become meaningful, and lead to knowledge building that is descriptive, inferential or associational. From this analysis investigato rs can interpret and summarize data, generalise findings to the population from which the sample is drawn, and make causal statements and predictions (DePoy Gitlin, 2011). That part done. now how to tie this one to the next one below. True experimental design has three distinguishing properties namely; a randomised population sample, an intervention otherwise known as a manipulation and a control group for comparison (Nieswiadomy, 2008; Davis Logan, 2012). By randomly assigning subjects to an experimental group and a control group, the investigator attempts to develop equivalence, or eliminate subject bias, caused by inherent differences that may occur in the two groups (DePoy Gitlin, 2011). Investigators then manipulate an independent variable (IV) so that the effect of its presence, absence, or degree on the dependent variable (DV) can be observed. Manipulation is the action process of manoeuvring the independent variable for example the (IV) could be medication, a teaching plan or treatment etc. (Minichiello et al. 2004; LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010; DePoy Gitlin, 2011). The dependent variable is the variable that has changed due to the result of the manipulation e.g. the measured end result (Dempsey Dempsey , 2000; Minichiello et al, 2004). This enables researchers to study ‘cause and effect’ relationships (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010; Hedges Williams, 2014). Within the health arena the ‘causes’ are often the interventions or treatments and the ‘effects’ are the final outcomes (Minichiello et al, 2004; Moule Hek, 2011). The control group is the comparison group that receives the usual treatment or care, compared to the experimental one under scrutiny. This ‘true’ experimental design is referred to as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010). RCT’s are considered the ‘superior’ design when investigating cause and effect relationships (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010; Loiselle et al. 2011). This control of variance and over extraneous influences inherent in experimental design allows the researcher to state with a degree of statistical assuredness that the study outcomes are a consequence of either the manipulation of the independent variable or the consequence of that which was observed and analysed. In other words, the design provides a degree of certainty that an investigators observations are not haphazard or random but reflect what is considered to be a true and objective reality. Quantitative experimental designs therefore eliminate bias and the intrusion of unwanted factors that could confound findings and make them less credible (Depoy Gitlin, 2011). Although the true-experiment design is continually upheld as the best design to use to predict causal relationships, being the most ‘objective’ and ‘true’ scientific approach, it may be inappropriate for other forms of inquiry in health and human services. This is because not all research questions seek to predict causal relationships between independent and dependent variables. Moreover, in some cases, using a true-experimental design may present critical ethical concerns such that other design strategies may be more appropriate. this part doesnt quite fit yet. According to DePoy Gitlin (2011) quantitative or experimental type research define four categories namely non-experimental, quasi-experimental, pre-experimental and true experimental. In relation to the chosen articles, experimental design will be discussed as both articles are randomized controlled trials. Should we delete this paragraph? dunno. what does part 2 say about experimental and non-experimental. Depoy Gitlin (2011) suggest that a design in the experimental-type tradition should be chosen purposively because it fits the question, level of theory development, and setting or environment in which the research will be conducted. The next part of this assignment will examine two such pieces of research demonstrating purposeful use of experimental design in the specific research of curtailing psychosocial effects such as depression and mental health wellbeing of caregivers caring for someone with dementia. Experimental Research Examples The research articles chosen to critique are both RCT’s. Both are trials investigating the wellbeing of family caregivers of people with dementia. The objective of one study was to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention of a home based training programme supporting family caregivers with a family member who have dementia. The study used the â€Å"Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey† to collect data on physical well-being and the Chinese adaptation â€Å"Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale† to measure depressive symptoms (Kao, Huang, Huang, Lian, Chiu, Chen, Kwok, Hsu Shy, 2012). Results from the design showed positive statistical measurements for each category of physical health outcomes and a decreased rate in risk of depression for those in the experimental group compared with the control group. This study concluded that the home based caregiver training programme significantly improved the quality of life relating to heal th and decreased the risk for depressive symptoms (Kao, Huang, Huang, Lian, Chiu, Chen, Kwok, Hsu Shy, 2012) . The other RCT was investigating the effectiveness of an internet intervention â€Å"Mastery over Dementia† supporting family caregivers of people with dementia. Results from the regression analyses showed caregivers of the experimental group had decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Concluding that the internet course was an effective treatment (Blom, Zarit, GrootZwaaftink, Culjipers Pot, 2015). Experimental research design has strengths and weaknesses. The main strength of experimental research design is that they are the most effective for measuring cause and effect relationships (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010). Due to the data obtained from experimental research designs knowledge has been applied and changes have been integrated in to action (Carr, 1994). The strength of random sampling is that it increases the possibility of being generalizable in the finding, however random selection is very time-consuming (Carr, 1994). With experimental type design the researcher remains detached from the subjects, the strength of this approach is prevention of researcher involvement guarding against any bias within the study (Carr, 1994). However they are often complex and unrealistic to measure in clinical environments and can be disruptive to peoples routine when implemented (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010) . Other variables that can impact on findings is that when an intervention is bei ng administered by different people e.g. it is impossible to ensure different nurses deliver the intervention in the same way with each person (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010). A further weakness is that many interventions required for studies are not agreeable to ethical consent e.g. doing an experimental design on people who smoke to measure adverse side effects (LoBiondo-Wood Harber, 2010). Due to these weaknesses many researchers resort to quazi-experimental design (Rewrite in own words)There is nothing inherently good or bad about a design. Every research study design has its particular strengths and weaknesses. The adequacy of a design is based on how well the design answers the research question that is posed. That is the most important criteria for evaluating a design. If it does not answer the research question then the design, regardless how rigorous it may appear, is not appropriate. It is also important to identify and understand the relative strength and weakness of each design element (DePoy Gitlin, 2011).

SNC Lavalin Reaction Paper

The investigation found senior SYNC executives guilty of breaching the firms' code of ethics and charged them with bribery, money laundering and fraud amounting to over $56 million. More specifically, Mr.. Pierre Daytime, Zinc's president, and Mr.. Riyadh Ben Sass, a former executive vice president, were accused of secretly funneling company money to Labia's Gadding family in order to secure projects in Libya and subsequently strengthen Zinc's presence in North Africa. Ethical Model: The primary ethical question that is to be addressed is: â€Å"Is it acceptable forCanadian companies to engage in facilitation payments to gain business in developing nations? † The active agents are Zinc's senior management, who knowingly participated in blatant acts of bribery and fraud, as well as the Libyan facilitation agents. I will analyze SYNC Lapin's actions using the utilitarianism model. The theory of Utilitarianism states that people should act in a manner that maximizes the total, co llective utility of their actions. Zinc's senior management would argue that they had to maximize shareholder value in order to maximize the total collective utility. Sing this OIC, the senior management felt it was important that they sourced work in all possible regions, in order to beef up their portfolio of projects. The senior management then expected this to directly translate into improved profits and higher share prices that would make shareholders and the board of directors happy. However, the senior management was also aware that certain nations, such as Libya, demanded facilitation payments for awarding projects in their countries. The management also knew that these payments were considered to be bribes and that they are deemed illegal in Scandal.While these measures resulted in an 87% appreciation in share price in the short run, (share price grew from $31. 92/share in April 2009 to $59. 8/share in January 201 1) Zinc's stock then proceeded to nose dive to a low of $35 once news of the bribery broke out [1]. This dramatic fall in share price was almost completely attributable to the negative emotion towards and loss Of reputation suffered by SYNC Laving as a direct result of their decision to engage in bribery. These executives did not account for the significance of upholding their firms' reputation before providing facilitation payments.Moreover, as a result of their fraudulent behavior, SYNC is now also prohibited from undertaking projects funded by the World Bank for 10 years Consequently, contrary to senior managements' intentions, SYNC suffered a reduction in share price combined with a loss in reputation. The above facts prove that Zinc's management did not maximize the collective utility of their shareholders but rather proceeded to ruin their reputation by partaking in actions of bribery. The above analysis clearly shows that SYNC failed to do good by its shareholders by engaging in facilitation payments.It is also important to consider a nd evaluate Syncs alternatives to bribery in this case. Bribes tend to have different definitions depending on the part of the world you are dealing with. While these bribes (aka facilitation payments) are considered a part of doing business in developing nations, such as Libya, they are illegal in Canada. An interesting perspective was raised in class defending Zinc's actions. What if Syncs facilitation payments were being used to build basic infrastructure and provide basic amenities such as schools and hospitals in the developing nation?This now raises the question as to whether facilitation payments are acceptable based on the activities being funded by these bribes. A number of valuable points were raised in class both defending and abhorring SYNC Lapin's actions. I am of the perspective that companies must always adhere to the stricter of their country or the country where they are doing business' rules as a guide for making ethical decisions. Consequently, I believe that firm s should not elect to work in regions where they are forced to bribe local officials to gain projects.Moreover, having irked as a project engineer at a competing engineering and construction firm, know that my company refused to do business in countries, such as Libya, where bribery was a requirement to gain projects. Our senior management and C-level executives were sticklers for winning and executing projects based on a fair and competitive bidding process that ensured the best candidate was awarded the contract.. While this approach to decision making might cause companies to lose out on certain projects, It will ensure that the firm's reputation is never tarnished.In the long run, company reputation, while being a â€Å"soft† measure, is one of the key factors in ensuring sustainability. Many world renowned companies have refused to pay bribes in foreign countries and have still managed to attain burgeoning profits while maintain a sterling reputation. For example, Shell refused to pay Venezuelan officials $35 million to maintain their license over a nickel mine It is interesting to note that Shell still owns and operates this mine in Venezuela and have never been threatened with any such facilitation payments since.

Luncheon Analysis

â€Å"The Luncheon† Jeffrey Archer She waved at me across a crowded room at the St. Regis Hotel in New York. I waved back, realizing I knew the face but unable to place it. She squeezed past waiters and guests and had reached me before I had the chance to ask anyone who she was. I racked that section of my brain that is meant to store people, but it transmitted no reply. I realized I would have to resort to the old party trick of carefully worded questions until her answers jogged my memory. â€Å"How are you, darling? she cried, and threw her arms around me, an opening that didn’t help, since we were at a Literary Guild cocktail party, and anyone will throw their arms around you on such occasions, even the directors of the Book-of-the-Month Club. From her accent she was clearly American, and she looked to be approaching forty but thanks to the genius of modern make-up may even have overtaken it. She wore a long white cocktail dress and her blonde hair was done up in o ne of those buns that looks like a brioche. The overall effect made her appear somewhat like a chess queen.Not that the cottage loaf helped, because she might have had dark hair flowing to her shoulders when we last met. I do wish women would realize that when they change their hairstyle they often achieve exactly what they set out to do: look completely different to any unsuspecting male. â€Å"I’m well, thank you,† I said to the white queen. â€Å"And you? † I inquired as my opening gambit. â€Å"I’m just fine, darling,† she replied, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. â€Å"And how’s the family,† I asked, not sure if she even had one. â€Å"They’re all well,† she replied.No help there. â€Å"And how is Louise? † she inquired. â€Å"Blooming,† I said. So she knew my wife. But then, not necessarily, I thought. Most American women are experts at remembering men’s wives. They have to be , when on the New York circuit they change so often it becomes a greater challenge than the Times crossword. â€Å"Have you been to London lately? † I roared above the babble. A brave question, as she may never have been to Europe. â€Å"Only once since we had lunch together. † She looked at me quizzically. â€Å"You don’t remember who I am, do you? she asked as she devoured a cocktail sausage. I smiled. â€Å"Don’t be silly, Susan,† I said. â€Å"How could I ever forget? † She smiled. I confess that I remembered the white queen’s name in the nick of time. Although I still only had vague recollections of the lady, I certainly would never forget the lunch. I had just had my first book published, and the critics on both sides of the Atlantic had been complimentary, even if the checks from my publishers were less so. My agent had told me on several occasions that I shouldn’t write if I wanted to make money.This created a dilemma, because I couldn’t see how to make money if I didn’t write. It was around this time that the lady who was now facing me and chattering on, oblivious to my silence, telephoned from New York to heap lavish praise on my novel. There is no writer who does enjoy receiving such calls, although I confess to having been less captivated by an eleven-year-old girl who called me collect from California to say she had found a spelling mistake on page 47 and warned that she would call again if she found another.However, this particular lady might have ended her transatlantic congratulations with nothing more than good-bye if she had not dropped her own name. It was one of those names that can, on the spur of the moment, always book a table at a chic restaurant or a seat at the opera, which mere mortals like myself would have found impossible to attain given a months notice. To be fair, it was her husband’s name that had achieved the reputation, as one of the world’s most distinguished film producers. â€Å"When I’m next in London you must have lunch with me,† came crackling down the phone. No,† said I gallantly, â€Å"you must have lunch with me. † â€Å"How perfectly charming you English always are,† she said. I have often wondered how much American women get away with when they say those few words to an Englishman. Nevertheless, the wife of an Oscar-winning producer does not phone one everyday. â€Å"I promise to call you when I’m next in London,† she said. And indeed she did, for almost six months to the day she telephoned again, this time from the Connaught Hotel, to declare how much she was looking forward to our meeting. Where would you like to have lunch? † I said, realizing a second too late, when she replied with the name of one of the most exclusive restaurants in town, that I should have made sure it was I who chose the venue. I was glad she couldn’t see my forlorn face as she added airly, â€Å"Monday, one o’clock. Leave the booking to me—I’m known there. † On the day in question I donned my one respectable suit, a new shirt I had been saving for a special occasion since Christmas, and the only tie that looked as if it hadn’t been previously used to hold up my trousers.I then strolled over to my bank and asked for statement of my current account. The teller handed me a long piece of paper unworthy of its amount. I studied the figure as one who has to make a major financial decision. The bottom stating in black lettering that I was in credit to the sum of thirty-seven pounds and sixty-three pence. I wrote out a check for thirty-seven pounds. I feel that the gentleman should always leave his account in credit, and I might add it was a belief my bank manager shared with me. I then walked up to Mayfair for my luncheon date.As I entered the restaurant I noticed too many waiters and plush seats for my liking. You can†™t eat either, but you can be charged for them. At a corner table sat for two sat a woman who, although not young, was elegant. She wore a blouse of powder blue crepe-de-chine, and her blond hair was rolled away from her face in style that reminded me of the war years and had once again become fashionable. It was clearly my transatlantic admirer, and she greeted me in the same â€Å"I’ve known you all my life† as she was to do at the Literary Guild cocktail party years later.Although she had a drink in front of her, I didn’t order an aperitif, explaining that I never drank before lunch—and I would have liked to add, â€Å"but as soon as your husband makes a film of my novel, I will. † She launched immediately into the latest Hollywood gossip, not so much dropping names as reciting them, while I ate my way through the potato chips from the bowl in front of me. A few minutes later a waiter materialized by the table and presented us with two large e mbossed leather menus, considerably better bound than my novel.The place positively reeked of unnecessary expense. I opened the menu and studied the first chapter with horror; it was eminently put-downable. I had no idea that simple food obtained from Covent Garden could cost quite so much by merely being transported to Mayfair. I could have bought her the same dishes for a quarter of the price at my favorite bistro, a mere one hundred yards away, and to add to my discomfort I observed that it was one of those restaurants where the guest menu made no mention of the prices.I settled down to study the long list of French dishes, which only served to remind me that I hadn’t eaten well for more than a month, a state of affairs that was about to be prolonged by a further day. I remembered my bank balance morosely reflected that I would probably have to wait until my agent sold the Icelandic rights of my novel before I could afford a square meal again. â€Å"What would you like? à ¢â‚¬  I said gallantly. â€Å"I always enjoy a light lunch,† she volunteered. I sighed with premature relief, only to find that â€Å"light† did not necessarily mean inexpensive.She smiled sweetly up at the waiter, who looked as though he wouldn’t be wondering where his next meal might be coming from, and ordered just a sliver of smoked salmon, followed by two tiny tender lamb cutlets. Then she hesitated, but only for a moment, before adding â€Å"and a side salad. † I studied the menu with some caution, running my finger down the prices, not the dishes. â€Å"I also eat light lunch,† I said mendaciously. â€Å"The chef’s salad will be quite enough for me. † The waiter was obviously affronted but left peaceably. She chatted of Coppola and Preminger, of Pacino and Redford, and of Garbo as if she saw her all the time.She was kind enough to stop for a moment and ask what I was working on at present. I would have liked to have replied, à ¢â‚¬Å"On how I’m going to explain to my wife that I have only sixty-three pence left in the bank,† but I actually discussed my ideas for another novel. She seemed impressed but still made no reference to her husband. Should I mention him? No. Mustn’t sound pushy, or as though I needed the money. The food arrived, or that is to say her smoked salmon did, and I sat silently watching her eat my bank account while I nibbled on a roll. I looked up only to discover a wine waiter by my side. Would you care for some wine? † said I, recklessly. â€Å"No, I don’t think so,† she said. I smiled a little too soon: â€Å"Well, perhaps a little something white and dry. † The wine waiter handed down a second leather-bound book, this time with golden grapes embossed on the cover. I searched down the pages for half-bottles, explaining to my guest that I never drank at lunch. I chose the cheapest. The wine waiter appeared a moment later with a large silve r bucket full of ice in which the half bottle looked drowned, and, like me, completely out of its depth.A junior waiter cleared away the empty plate while another wheeled a large trolley to the side of our table and served the lamb cutlets and the chef’s salad. At the same time a third waiter made up an exquisite side salad for my guest that ended up bigger than my complete order. I didn’t feel I could ask her to swap. To be fair, the chef’s salad was superb—although I confess it was hard to appreciate such food fully while trying to work out a plot that would be convincing if I found the bill to over thirty-seven pounds. How silly of me to ask for white wine with lamb,† she said, having nearly finished the half bottle. I ordered a half bottle of the house red without calling for the wine list. She finished the white wine and then launched into the theater, music, and other authors. All those who were still alive she seemed to know, and those who we re dead she hadn’t read. I might have enjoyed the performance if it hadn’t been for the fear of wondering if I would be able to afford it when the curtain came down.When the waiter cleared away the empty dishes he asked my guest if she would care for anything else. â€Å"No, thank you,† she said—I nearly applauded. â€Å"Unless you have one of your famous apple surprises. † â€Å"I fear the last one may have gone, madam, but I’ll go and see. † â€Å"Don’t hurry,† I wanted to say, but instead I just smiled as the rope tightened around my neck. A few minutes later the waiter strode back in triumph, weaving between the tables holding the apple surprise in the palm of his hand, high above his head.I prayed to Newton that the apple would obey his law. It didn’t. â€Å"The last one, madam† â€Å"Oh, what luck,† she declared. â€Å"Oh, what luck,† I repeated, unable to face the menu and discover the price. I was now attempting some mental arithmetic as I realized it was going to be a close-run thing. â€Å"Anything else, madam? † the ingratiating waiter inquired. I took a deep breath. â€Å"Just coffee,† she said. â€Å"And for you, sir? † â€Å"No, no, not for me. † He left us. I couldn’t think of an explanation for why I didn’t drink coffee.Then she produced the large Gucci bag by her side and a copy of my novel, which I signed with a flourish, hoping the head waiter would see, and feel I was the sort of man who should be allowed to sign the bill as well, but he resolutely remained at the far end of the room while I wrote the words â€Å"An unforgettable meeting† and appended my signature. While the dear lady was drinking her coffee I picked at another roll and called for the bill, not because I was in any particular hurry, but like a guilty defendant at the Old Bailey, I preferred to wait no longer than the judge’s sent ence.A man in a smart green uniform whom I had never seen before appeared carrying a silver tray with a folded piece of paper on it, looking not unlike my bank statement. I pushed back the edge of the bill slowly and read the figure: thirty-six pounds and forty pence. I casually put my hand into my inside pocket and withdrew my life’s possessions, then placed the crisp new notes on the silver tray. They were whisked away. The man in the green uniform appeared a few minutes later with my sixty pence change, which I pocketed, since it was the only way I was going to get a bus home.The waiter gave me a look that would have undoubtedly won him a character part in any film produced by the lady’s distinguished husband. My guest rose and walked across the restaurant, waving at, and occasionally kissing, people I had previously seen only in glossy magazines. When she reached the door she stopped to receive her coat, a mink. I helped her on with the fur, again failing to leave a tip. As we stood on the Curzon Street sidewalk, a dark blue Rolls-Royce drew up beside us and a liveried chauffeur leaped out and opened the door.She climbed in. â€Å"Goodbye, darling,† she said as the electric window slid down. â€Å"Thank you for such a lovely lunch. † â€Å"Goodbye,† I said and, summoning up my courage, added: â€Å"I do hope when you are next in town I shall have the opportunity of meeting your distinguished husband. † â€Å"Oh, darling, didn’t you know? † she said. â€Å"Know what? † â€Å"We were divorced ages ago. † â€Å"Divorced? † said I. â€Å"Oh, yes,† she said gaily, â€Å"I haven’t spoken to him for years. † I just stood there looking helpless. â€Å"Oh, don’t worry yourself on my account,† she said. â€Å"He’s no loss.In any case, I recently married again† –another film producer, I prayed—â€Å"in fact, I quite expected to bump into my husband today—you see, he owns the restaurant. † Without another word the electric window purred up and the Rolls-Royce glided effortlessly out of sight, leaving me to walk to the nearest bus stop. As I stood surrounded by Literary Guild guests, staring at the white queen with the Brioche bun, I could still see her drifting away in that blue Rolls-Royce. I tried to concentrate on her words. â€Å"I knew you wouldn’t forget me, darling,† she was saying. â€Å"After all, I did take you to lunch, didn’t I? †

How The Media Influences Social Policy

How The Media Influences Social Policy Free Online Research Papers Social policy is in place to enable the state to determine and manage the needs of society as a whole. Social policy deals with the distribution of practical and financial resources and the range of responses to social need. The public’s general understanding of social policy is usually that the government decides which policies need to be changed, implemented and abolished. In this essay I will show that social policy is not just a straightforward matter of government and I will look at the effects and implications of media and pressure groups on social policy. Political parties influence how welfare is approached and therefore how policies are formed. They develop policies which voters expect implemented if they are elected into office. Those political parties do not operate in isolation and in a pluralist society where power is distributed throughout different groups [Bochel et al, 2005 p18], if a person is unable to vote through a political party for issues they are concerned about, they can join a pressure group to influence policy making. Pressure groups generally aim to achieve influence over particular policies rather than to achieve control of government. Bill Coxall et al. defines pressure groups as, ‘Any organisation which normally working through lobbying rather than standing for office, seeks to influence public policy†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, so making the point that pressure groups are wanting to influence and possibly change a particular social policy (in Czerniawski, 2005 p22) Some Sociologists, however do not support the existence of pressure groups. Marxists make the points that often they are just sounding boards for political parties and their influence depends on their connections [Czerniawski, 2005 p22]. However pressure groups are now usually involved in campaigning around one issue, for example, homelessness and they need the participation of the general public to make their views heard. Pressure groups fall into two categories, either ‘protecting’ or ‘promoting’. The promoting groups such as Shelter aim to promote their values and beliefs and the protecting groups such as Northern Ireland Social Care Council aim to protect the rights and interests of all the Social Care Workers in Northern Ireland. These would both be ‘insider pressure groups’, able to sit alongside the government and have direct involvement in policy making. ‘Outsider pressure groups’ cannot sit directly with the government, either because they do not have, or do not wish to have a close relationship with officials. An example of this is the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Group (CNDuk.org) in the 1980’s. Despite having 250,000 members and staging protest marches through London with much media attention, the Conservative government at the time did not agree with their aims and concerns. CND were concerned due to the Conservative Govern ment’s close links with the US and the new threats of more nuclear weapons in Europe. This led to CND being excluded from any arms decisions made by the government [Trueman, 2000, history learning site : CNDuk.org], but still they staged marches to rally public support to indirectly put pressure on the government and change social policy. Amnesty international is an extremely powerful promotional pressure group, [Foley, Society and Culture Association] with 1.8 million members in over 150 countries. Amnesty International is non-political, but involves itself in asking for donations, staging peaceful protests, campaigning relentlessly and emailing foreign ministers regarding arms supplies. Amnesty International has so much power now that countries cited by them as there being human rights concerns such as China and the United States have received extremely negative publicity due to this. Between 1990 and 2005, Amnesty International recorded 19 executions in the United States for crime committed by a juvenile [Amnesty.org]. An Amnesty International recent campaign for justice resulted in a change in policy disallowing the execution of juvenile offenders in certain US states [Wikipedia.org]. A former torturer from El Salvador said, ‘if theres lots of pressure – like from Amnesty International or some fo reign countries – we might pass them on to a judge. But if theres no pressure, then theyre dead’ [Amnesty.org]. This example therefore shows that this particular pressure group is effective in getting their message across. Amnesty do have a strong support group, but there are many counties such as China who although not directly opposing Amnesty International, will criticise reports by Amnesty regarding China’s state of human rights [bbc.co.uk, 2000]. When compared to the government pressure groups resources are minimal but when many small groups come together around an issue, the resources grow tremendously and can have considerable impact, thereby enabling changes in social policy. Any confrontations will multiply any impact a pressure group can have on an issue. Since public opinion is the ultimate source of the groups social power, the media plays an important role by focusing public attention on their actions. The media is all around us, providing us with news stories in many different mediums. Bochel et el make the point that ‘the public also make distinctions, with the evidence suggesting that they are generally much more ready to say that they believe that TV News reporting is truthful than newspaper coverage’, but they also say that the perceptive that the public will believe whatever they are told by the media is not true [Bochel et el, 2005, p21]. Broadsheets such as the Times and the Guardian often contrast widely with tabloid reporting such as the News of the World and the Sun Newspapers. In the Times Newspaper on 7 November 2006 the main story on the front page was ‘forty years for bomb plotter’ and on the same date on t he front page of the Sun Newspaper, their main story was â€Å"I’ll blow up Thames†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢plan to kill hundreds†¦ if not thousands’† [Fresco, 2006 : The Sun online, 2006]. Both reporting the same story, but the Sun Newspaper framed it and interpreted it differently so it becomes more personal to the reader. Bochel et al. support this by discussing reinforcing pre-existing opinions amongst the public and how the mass media can frame a story focusing on bad news, violence and conflict as this sells newspapers [Bochel et al, 2005, p22]. The media appeared to be particularly successful in highlighting cases such as the policy of community care for people with mental illnesses, influencing public opinion and inspiring policy responses. For example the policy of community care for people with mental illness came under intense scrutiny after the 1992 incident when Christopher Clunis, who had a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and had been discharged from hospital, killed a stranger at a London tube station [Court, 1994. Emotive, headline-catching language was used to describe the predicament of Christopher Clunis creating a moral panic amongst readers by linking this to other community care stories with a similar outcome. Mental Health organization ‘Mind’ did a survey of 500 people within their network who voted the Sun Newspaper as being the newspaper with the worst coverage of mental health issues [Ferriman, bmj journals, 2000]. This moral panic not only relates to who is released onto the streets but also th e state of Social Services and specifically the Mental Health Service [Swale, 2004, p15]. Measures put in place after this incident and the resulting media coverage have arguably served to impose additional constraints on people with mental health problems including a national supervision register, supervised discharge order, specialist housing, thereby also putting responsibility and pressure on the already stretched Mental Health Services. Steve Hewlett, director of programmes at Carlton Television, explained that newspapers often made substantial mileage out of mental health incidents, such as the Christopher Clunis case because they knew it awakened fear in their readers. He explained It is always easier to reinforce your readers views than challenge them [Ferriman, bmj journals, 2000]. Durkheim (1895) observed that a limited amount of crime is beneficial and Jill Swale (2004) uses this theory to illustrate that people unite in horror when very shocking and horrific crimes are committed [in Swale, 2004, p16]. A group called Media Forum on Mental Health has been set up by mental health organizations such as Mind in order to influence the media to report on mental health more responsibly. This is because they are so concerned that the public are being led to believe by the media that people with mental health issues are a threat to society. I think the media has a substantial influence over how they report a crime and therefore how the public sees this crime and chooses to react. The Media run a money orientated business and want to sell as many copies or get as many people to watch their broadcast as possible and the tabloids especially are often sensationalist and will report the stories their public want to hear about. Regarding Durkheim’s (1895) theory of boundary setting, Jill Swale (2004) remarks that people will demand a change in legislation when a crime receives media attention and the punishment is inadequate, but if people see the crime as shocking, they can often push for changes in the law [in Swale, 2004, p16]. This is very dangerous as we have seen by the community care issue, it can result in the public getting an unfair picture of mental health patients, and thereby has effects on social policy which could have been better thought out and planned rather that hysteria becoming an integral part of ensuring the public are protected. I do however think that a positive tool for the government is that they can use pressure groups to their advantage as for each group holding a position on an issue there is generally another group holding the opposite position. This illustrates that we live in a pluralist society which therefore means the government can gage from the media and public reaction where the public stand according to issues that pressure groups are lobbying for and therefore the government can react accordingly. Research Papers on How The Media Influences Social PolicyRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseBringing Democracy to AfricaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesQuebec and CanadaAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 219 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraStandardized TestingAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe

Red Hen Case Study Essays

Red Hen Case Study Essays Red Hen Case Study Paper Red Hen Case Study Paper Red Hen Baking Company Red Hen Baking Company Case Study Company profile Randy George established Red Hen Baking Company in 1999. Red Hen Baking Company specializes in artisan bread and their mission is â€Å"to produce premium quality breads and pastries with traditional methods and carefully selected high quality ingredients. To do this while striving to minimize our impact on the environment, to support the growers and producers of our ingredients, and to provide the finest baked goods and service to our customers† (Our Mission). Red Hen Baking Company is able to achieve their mission by marketing their baked goods within 100 miles of the bakery and by delivering every day to stores and restaurants in the delivery area. Problem Opportunities Red Hen Baking Company is currently located in a building that is not suited for a bakery and the space is very limited. The building has low ceilings and it is too small to design an efficient production process. The current bakery only has a capacity limit of 2200 loaves of bread a day. In 2006 Randy George began to realize that he would soon need a larger location in order to keep up with the demand of his current customers. RHB’s business is seasonal. Holiday weekends see increased sales, often reaching their daily limit of 2200 loaves. The sales in the first half of 2007 are already 35% higher than sales during this same period in 2006 and days where production cannot meet demand are expected to increase in number. George would like to house the bakery in a new location that has high ceilings and is about twice the size of the Duxbury location. He would then be able to install a more efficient oven and design a more efficient production process. He would also be able to produce 3300 loaves on a daily basis, giving him ample room for growth. George also wants a location where he can sell breads and pastries directly to retail customers. If he adds pastries to his menu, George knows that he will have to hire a baker with pastry experience. George also knew that the ingredient cost will rise due to the cost of ingredients used in organic pastries. What has been a 15% cost could now be 25%. The problem George is facing involves the substantial costs involved with a move like this. Altogether, the build-out, the oven, and other moving expenses would cost about $300,000. The rent will also be about four times as much as the current rent expense at the Duxbury location, which comes to an additional $58,000 annually. He wonders whether the opportunity for growth is worth the financial strain. Relevant Credible Information Since the case is somewhat incomplete with no inclusion of a balance sheet to aid in decision making, we will instead base our proposed course of action on the information provided by the income statement. We are also taking into account the additional assumptions provided by the professor. Our analysis is based on financial ideas and information discussed in class, found in the text, and learned in previous classes. Assumptions * Assuming the current debt carries an interest rate of 12. 0% with current payments of $2,212 per month with an outstanding balance as of 06/30/2007 is $34,360. * The attached spreadsheet shows an amortization table which breaks down interest and principal for current debt. We found remaining months for the table by performing a present value calculation for the outstanding balance of $34,360. * Red Hen can take on additional debt as long as the EBITDA/Loan Payments is 3. 5x or greater. Assume any new loan will be at 9% and will be a 10-year amortizing loan. From our calculations, we assume that George is able to take on the new debt. * An amortization table was created for this new debt. We wanted to find an amount for the loan payment that could be plugged into the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (EBITDA/Loan Principal + Interest Expense). From the Income Statement on the spreadsheet, we have EBITD for January through June of 2007. Red Hen’s ratio before taking on the expansion is 5. 20, which is much higher than the required minimum of 3. 5. Analysis Our analysis attempts to answer the question, â€Å"What are the things a company must consider when analyzing a new investment or project? † According to the text, a firm’s first object ive when deciding to take on new debt should be that its return on net assets (RONA) should be greater than its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Since we are working with an income statement only and do not have an amount for net assets, we will instead use return on invested capital (ROIC), which measures how well a company is using its money to generate returns. Comparing a companys return on capital (ROIC)  with its cost of capital (WACC) reveals whether invested capital was used effectively. From our spreadsheet calculations we see that using our estimated operating profit provides us with a 19. 9% return on invested capital with only a 7. 2% weighted average cost for that same capital. If these numbers are even close to correct, George should definitely make the move. The actual numbers will differ from what has been estimated here, of course. Not all of the expenses will increase by 30% in response to 30% growth. Many of the expenses listed are fixed and do not change in relation to changes in production levels. Expenses that do change in this way would most likely be in the cost of goods sold section of the income statement. Depreciation will markedly increase with expansion. This has been accounted for on the income statement. As a tool for analysis, however, I have chosen to add a 30% markup to all other expenses that are specifically mentioned in the case study. Rent expense, interest expense, and depreciation have each been increased in accordance with information found in this article. What we see here is that the opportunity for expansion should be taken. George seems to be in good shape to make the move and should excel at the new location. Alternative Courses of Action An alternative decision George could make would be to not move from his current location. If George decided to stay in his cramped and inefficient facility, growth of RHB would not be able to support the demand of the customers. According to the analysis, RHB would increase sales at a consistent 30% annual rate. Staying in the same location, George would not experience the rapid growth in profit. In the long run, George would continue to have a steady base line of sales staying in the current location. Our Mission. (2011). Retrieved from redhenbaking. com/ Preve, Lorenzo and Virginia Sarria-Allende. Working Capital Management. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Return on Invested Capital. Retrieved November 3, 2011 from http://news. morningstar. com/classroom2/course. asp? docId=145095;page=9;CN=COM [ 1 ]. See spreadsheet and note cell formula in formula bar. Oven is estimated to last seven years and building twenty. For simplicity, no salvage value was considered. [ 2 ]. Rent expense was expected to increase by $58,000 a year. Half of that amount has been added to the $12,000 they would have paid at the Duxbury location. Interest expense came from amortization tables.