Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Considering the Consequences and the Importance of Character Research Paper

Considering the Consequences and the Importance of Character - Research Paper Example The right of seeing an attorney tops the list since the connection between law and justice abound (Banks, 2011). The consequences of missing out on this basic right, or its violation, leads to missing out on the basic process of arrest. This violation of basic rights, in most cases, lead to release of criminals as a consequence of skipping basic steps in making arrests leading to severe injustices to the affected. In the case of neglecting the reading of Miranda rights to the arrested persons, society queries the ability of the police force to protect society. The skipping of this basic ritual puts pressure on the police force since their capacity comes under scrutiny. As an alternative channel, citizen review presents a better option for society to tackle the situation (Banks, 2011). Citizen review processes promote accountability in the police force. They enhance the basic entry level requirements into the force, thereby affecting the recruitment process. Through engagements, the citizens give feedback to the police force. As such, they affect the training procedures by giving out information required to modify training procedures (Gross, 2007). As such, the citizenry take responsibility in ensuring that they get the qualified police force they deserve. The engagement of citizens in review meetings promotes the raising of awareness of the force on the needs of the society (Gross, 2007). Further, the proactive processes involved in the identification of issues arising from the community, as far as criminal activities get concerned, prepares the police force to prepare adequately in the task of tackling arising issues. In the event of issues arising on the ability of officers to carry out their duties in proper fashion, citizen reviews need to participate in making necessary rectifications. In these instances, both the affected and innocent, officers develop caution in carrying out their prescribed duties. This limits the carrying

Monday, October 28, 2019

How to make pottery Essay Example for Free

How to make pottery Essay Not all clays are suitable for molding and firing. The clay must not have the kind of impurities that would cause the body to wrap or crack under heat. It must be moldable, and must retain the shape when it is dry. An area where suitable clay is found often becomes the site of a pottery. By the traditional method, after the clay is dug up it is left exposed to the weather for at least a year, to permit it to disintegrate. Then it is turned over and left another year. In modern commercial practice clay is disintegrate by machine, without aging. It is then sifted and dried. This essay scrutinizes on how to make pottery. Forming the Object. There are six method of forming dishes and containers from clay of the right consistency to be modeled. They are known commercially as soft-mud processes. These are the pinching, slab construction, coiling, throwing, pressing, and jiggering. Figurines or sculptures made in the round must be hollow, because a very thick piece of clay is apt to blow up in the kiln. Pinching, slab construction, and coiling methods may be used for forming all or part of a sculpture. If the piece is modeled by building it up out of solid clay, it must be hollowed out. If the cavity is then closed with a clay wall, one or more tiny air holes are needed to accommodate air expansion on the inside of the piece when it is fired. When a clay piece has dried until the body is stiff but still most (a state called â€Å"leather hard† or â€Å"cheese hard†), some final shaping may be done by turning, another mechanical process such as of turning. Firing. During firing the clay body changes in its physical properties. Each body mixture reacts differently to heat, so temperatures may vary widely from those given here. During the early part of firing, water, carbon, and organic matter burn out of the body, leaves pores in the structure of the clay. At about 1, 7500 F vitrification begins; that is, the flux in the clay starts melting and gradually mixing with the silicates, filling the pores with glass. Glazing. The degree of heat required to melt the glaze and fuse it to the body depends on the relationship of the components. The biscuit firing of fine wares is generally at low heat, and the glost (glaze) firing is at a temperature required for final vitrification of the ware as well as fusion of the glaze. It is possible, however, to fire the biscuit ware to its highest required temperature and to apply a glaze that will fuse at a much lower heat. Decorating. A clay piece may be decorated by adding molded clay to the surface in a relief treatment; by pressing or cutting incised designs into it; or by painting the design with enamel (opaque glaze0, slip, or special pigments. Moreover, decoration is sometimes applied before the piece is glazed. Such underglaze color, however, is confined to pigments that can withstand the relatively high heat of the glost firing. As a conclusion, pottery is an object made of clay and hardened by heat. The object may range from building brick and drainage tile to fine dinnerware, vases, and figurines. In the broadest sense, pottery may mean all these clay products.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Bitter Stereotypes :: Essays

Bitter Stereotypes From the writer: When I was in high school, I was very involved with Amnesty International. Ever since then, the concern about basic human rights has been a vital part of my outlook on life. I chose Elisabeth Rosenthal's article because I liked the challenge of analyzing the complicated and sensitive issue of human rights in China. The realization that most people couldn't care less about the topic pushed me. I hope that by choosing Rosenthal's article, I have made at least one person more aware of the need to protect human rights. From the teacher: The writer's sense of justice and humanity comes across clearly in this essay. This transitional studio assignment asked students to examine a mass media article for its hidden motives and subtle uses of rhetorical devices. Angie reaches beyond the assignment with her suggestion that the setting (a Western publication) may limit even the potential validity of such a story, due primarily to what constitutes proof in this setting, and that proof's disconnection from the reality of the issue. From the editors: What drew us to this piece was how passionately Haupt critiques the validity of a strictly Western explanation for the problem of suicide among women in rural China. She points out that such stories may best be told by those closest to the issue. We agree. The prevailing Western stereotype of Chinese society is that it is cold, harsh, and backward. Our whole image of China is tainted. We associate China with the ridiculousness of Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, with the brutality of the Tiananmen Square massacre, with the horrors of human rights abuses in Tibet and in mainland China, with the fortune cookie, and with the phrase "Confucius says" (even though only a handful of us could explain who Confucius was and what he said). Therefore, it is not surprising that the media tends to over-simplify Chinese issues, so that they can fit with our (mis)understanding of Chinese society. I believe that Elisabeth Rosenthal's article, "Suicide Reveals Bitter Roots of China's Rural Life," (New York Times 24 January 1999: early ed. Sec. 1: 1+) fell into the stereotype trap. Rosenthal's article is about the unusually high rate of suicides among China's rural female population. The title promises to explain the phenomena: "Reveal Bitter Roots." And yet, only six short paragraphs (in a five-page story) address the possible causes (roots) of the problem. Bitter Stereotypes :: Essays Bitter Stereotypes From the writer: When I was in high school, I was very involved with Amnesty International. Ever since then, the concern about basic human rights has been a vital part of my outlook on life. I chose Elisabeth Rosenthal's article because I liked the challenge of analyzing the complicated and sensitive issue of human rights in China. The realization that most people couldn't care less about the topic pushed me. I hope that by choosing Rosenthal's article, I have made at least one person more aware of the need to protect human rights. From the teacher: The writer's sense of justice and humanity comes across clearly in this essay. This transitional studio assignment asked students to examine a mass media article for its hidden motives and subtle uses of rhetorical devices. Angie reaches beyond the assignment with her suggestion that the setting (a Western publication) may limit even the potential validity of such a story, due primarily to what constitutes proof in this setting, and that proof's disconnection from the reality of the issue. From the editors: What drew us to this piece was how passionately Haupt critiques the validity of a strictly Western explanation for the problem of suicide among women in rural China. She points out that such stories may best be told by those closest to the issue. We agree. The prevailing Western stereotype of Chinese society is that it is cold, harsh, and backward. Our whole image of China is tainted. We associate China with the ridiculousness of Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, with the brutality of the Tiananmen Square massacre, with the horrors of human rights abuses in Tibet and in mainland China, with the fortune cookie, and with the phrase "Confucius says" (even though only a handful of us could explain who Confucius was and what he said). Therefore, it is not surprising that the media tends to over-simplify Chinese issues, so that they can fit with our (mis)understanding of Chinese society. I believe that Elisabeth Rosenthal's article, "Suicide Reveals Bitter Roots of China's Rural Life," (New York Times 24 January 1999: early ed. Sec. 1: 1+) fell into the stereotype trap. Rosenthal's article is about the unusually high rate of suicides among China's rural female population. The title promises to explain the phenomena: "Reveal Bitter Roots." And yet, only six short paragraphs (in a five-page story) address the possible causes (roots) of the problem.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Electronic Voting and What Should be Done Essay -- essays research pap

There’s been a lot of talk about this new computer system that casts election votes. Ideally, using electronic equipment has many advantages but there are disadvantages hiding in the cave ready to attack. We’ve all seen electronic equipment often work as expected but more importantly, it’s not uncommon for electronic equipment to fail and when this sort of concept is applied to voting, miscounting is simply unacceptable. I think the best way to solve this type problem is to try to make the voting machines work without fail but to never assume it won’t fail. As we’ve seen from the arrogance of the engineers of the Titanic or from the 2004 New York Yankees, just because it looks and sounds workable, we should never assume these machines will do what it should. By this, I don’t mean the system should fail completely but we should design the system to constantly self-check itself to insure no errors have been made. In addition, the system should friendly so that at least at the user point-of-view, there should not be problems with confusion or misinterpretation. Overall, making an e-voting system work requires the engineer to consider the logical, defensive (security against hacking) and personal standpoint of design and do so in a sensitive, introspective manner. First and foremost, the system should be ethical. What this means is the system should be created to an acceptable and mainstream protocol. Ethics means different things to different people but we can’t satisfy all of these morals that people have all on one system since some might contradict one another so we need to decide on what the majority would find acceptable. Right off the bat, it’s important to prevent hacker attacks because people want a fair election and not a tailored one. We go to vote to voice our opinion and not that of someone else. Secondly, it’s important to let the public know what these voting machines do and how they’re secured, letting the public know that the e-voting companies care about their security and that these voting machines are engineered with exhaustive research on how to keep it secure. Lastly, the user interface, the user interface should be unbiased (it shouldn’t look like the one candidate is better than the ot her). Another thing about the user interface is that it should be easy to understand as to not intimidate voters. I think there also should be the option t... ...oting systems should use tickets, or signatures that identify each voter uniquely and each vote should be logged with user token in memory so that the voter can’t vote twice. Although, any security measure isn’t entirely secure from clever hackers, keeping security very strict would prevent many attempts. Once you’ve voted from an e-voting machine and somehow passed all the security that was involved I think it would be appropriate to give the user a receipt showing exactly what was stored in memory because like I said early, we should never assume everything will work and if the voter can verify by eye what was stored then this would allow corrections if needed. In addition this type of system could be used for hand recounts or to check user errors which would probably be 90% of all the complaints given that the programming was planned properly. Yes, it may be possible for deceiving information to be printed out, making the vote look correct but if all the aforementioned methods of checking, security, and logging and provided that everything was executed well, an electronic problem to this point should be very rare. Comparatively, this should be no more secure than paper ballots.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

“No Sugar” by Jack Davis Essay

The stage drama No Sugar, by Jack Davis explores the bad treatment of minority groups and their responses to this treatment. The performance set in the 1930’s presents the Milimurra family who are the minority group fighting against the injustices inflicted on them by white authorities. No Sugar provides a voice for the aboriginal people, confronts European Australians with the past, restores Aboriginal culture and pride and explored the value of equality. All these ideas are used as a way to convey its message to the audience. It appears that the stage performance of No Sugar provides the Aboriginal people with the voice they have lived without for decades. The Milimurra family are used in the play to represent the voice of the Aboriginal people who stand up against white authority. Milly and Gran who refuse to give in without a fight, go to the Sergeant and confront him about the reasons why their rations have been cut, and push for him to provide them with blankets. Characters such as Topsy and Billy are representations of those Aborigines who did not fight for their rights. These characters bowed down to white authority, Billy who does not speak his own language, but broken English is happy to work for the white authorities tracking down members of his own race who escape their clutches. Milly’s response to the Sergeant when he tells her that her problem is she has three grown men budging off her, who are too lazy to work, is by asking him â€Å"Where they gonna get work?† she asks the Sergeant â€Å"Do you want em to work for nothing?† and Gran backs her up by saying â€Å"Their not slaves you know Chargent!† The staging is also used as an added technique to provide the aboriginal people with a voice, the white colonies are positioned on the outskirts of the stage and the Aborigines are given center stage, as a means to respond to their mistreatment in Australian society so many years ago. No Sugar also confronts the European Australians with the past, the truth about the treatment of Aborigines and the injustices committed against them. Mary Dargaru exposes the treatment of Aboriginal women to the audience, through her conversations with Joe and her fears of working for Mr. Neal at the hospital. She tells Joe that when Mr. Neal asks a girl to work at the hospital it means he wants that girl for himself. The audience also learns  through Mary that this is a common tragedy faced by Aboriginal girls at the time. After the birth of her child Mary is fearful that Matron will take her child away and provide it with the same fate as her friend Lillian’s baby, who was buried in the pine plantation. In order to escape these injustices Joe and Mary run away to Northam, when caught and returned to the Moore River Settlement, Mary responds by refusing to work at the hospital. Mary’s response gives her the desired outcome she wanted, but at a cost, Mr. Neal beats h er, but not before Mary tells him â€Å"Go to hell.† The stage performance restores the Aboriginal people with their pride and culture which were stolen from them so many years ago. Jimmy in Act one reveals the resentment the aboriginal people feel towards the whites. When Joe reads the newspaper article about the Australia Day celebration, Jimmy responds by saying â€Å"them bastards took our country and them blackfellas dancing for em bastards.† Later in the play the males of the Milimurra family engage in a Carobaree, this shows that they are not prepared to give in to the white authorities and allow them to take their culture and identity without a fight. The aboriginal people also use their own language throughout the play, indication to the audience their perseverance and determination not to give in. The stage performance of No Sugar greatly explores the value of equality, presenting a contrast to the ideal equal world, and conveying the injustices and inequalities faced by the aboriginal people. It shows how the unemployment allowance for aboriginals was 2 shillings, whilst everyone else received 6 shillings. Use of props is also an affective medium in portraying certain inequalities, for example the sign for the Aboriginal department reads â€Å"The department of fisheries, wildlife and Aborigines†, this department also has two separate entrances, one for Aboriginals and one for Europeans. The Aboriginal people are not even allowed to consume alcohol. Jimmy responds to these inequalities, by ignoring the signs and goes to talk to Neville when told to wait around the back he refuses to budge and waits until they give the train ticket he wants. Jimmy also chooses to ignore the alcohol restrictions. In doing so he is put on trial which arouses another injustice. His trial is not a fair one and the Justice of the Peace conveys  the attitude that he would rather be somewhere else. Jimmy does not stop, he responds to further injustices in the courtroom by talking out of turn and attempting to defend himself, he also turns up late to the trial showing that he is not intimidated by white authority. The stage performance of No Sugar presents the Aboriginal people as they were treated in the 1930’s they are presented as being an inferior race and this is an accurate representation of their treatment during this time period. The performance conveys the groups responses to their poor treatment and is used as a means to finally give these people their much deserved voice, confronting Australian with the horrible truth of the past, restoring culture and pride to the Aboriginal people and exploring the value of equality.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Similarities Between “The Cask Of Amontillado“ And “A Good Man Is Hard To Find“

Similarities Between â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† and â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† Both Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† and Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† are short horror stories, but some may consider them to be dark comedies. Since both of these stories contain some comical scenes and strange characters, they end with some very ironic twists. Irony is not the only similarity between these two stories. Evil is another underlying plot in these two stories. Pride is also another characteristic shared between some of the characters in these stories, which can lead to some very bad things if either too much is there, or if there is not enough. The most ironic thing about these two dark comedies is that the main characters are being led to their deaths throughout the entire stories. â€Å"The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre.† â€Å"Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado!† (P764). Fortunato continues his journey towards death by his own will. Another ironic twist in the story is when Montresor responds to Fortunato saying, â€Å"I will not die of a cough.† Then Montresor responds, â€Å"True- true†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There is talk about death, and Fortunato has no idea that he is actually leading himself into his own death. Fortunato’s own name is ironic, because it means fortunate and he is not very fortunate at the end. The characters in â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† are also leading themselves into their own deaths. Instead of going on vacation to Florida where they believe the Misfit is, they head to Tennessee, where they actually lead themselves into the path of the Misfit. It is also ironic how the grandmother prepares herself for death, but she does not know that she is really going to die. â€Å"Her collar and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace and at her neckline she had pinned a purple spray of cloth violets containing a sachet. I... Free Essays on Similarities Between â€Å"The Cask Of Amontilladoâ€Å" And â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Findâ€Å" Free Essays on Similarities Between â€Å"The Cask Of Amontilladoâ€Å" And â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard To Findâ€Å" Similarities Between â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† and â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† Both Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† and Flannery O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† are short horror stories, but some may consider them to be dark comedies. Since both of these stories contain some comical scenes and strange characters, they end with some very ironic twists. Irony is not the only similarity between these two stories. Evil is another underlying plot in these two stories. Pride is also another characteristic shared between some of the characters in these stories, which can lead to some very bad things if either too much is there, or if there is not enough. The most ironic thing about these two dark comedies is that the main characters are being led to their deaths throughout the entire stories. â€Å"The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre.† â€Å"Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado!† (P764). Fortunato continues his journey towards death by his own will. Another ironic twist in the story is when Montresor responds to Fortunato saying, â€Å"I will not die of a cough.† Then Montresor responds, â€Å"True- true†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There is talk about death, and Fortunato has no idea that he is actually leading himself into his own death. Fortunato’s own name is ironic, because it means fortunate and he is not very fortunate at the end. The characters in â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† are also leading themselves into their own deaths. Instead of going on vacation to Florida where they believe the Misfit is, they head to Tennessee, where they actually lead themselves into the path of the Misfit. It is also ironic how the grandmother prepares herself for death, but she does not know that she is really going to die. â€Å"Her collar and cuffs were white organdy trimmed with lace and at her neckline she had pinned a purple spray of cloth violets containing a sachet. I...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Nivea Visage Young Case

Nivea Visage Young Case Free Online Research Papers Introduction This case answer contains an analysis of the marketing mix in the product launch of Nivea Visage Young. The marketing mix is the combination of elements used by an organization to market their product and to meet the customers’ needs. We can also refer to the marketing mix as the four P’s: Product, Place, Price and Promotion, which in the right balance to each other work together to attain the aims and objectives of the organization. In order analysis this case properly, we have looked at how Nivea balance the four P’s trying to determine the strengths and weaknesses of this combination and consider potential threats. Finally, we have tried to come up with ways or possible solutions to strengthen the Nivea Visage Young brand, better satisfy the consumers and deal with competitors. Firstly we will start by understanding the origin of the Nivea Visage Brand, then analyzing the 4’Ps in the marketing mix and finally present some solutions for possible problems in the case and conclude it. Introducing the origin of the Nivea Visage Young brand Beiersdorf is a German company founded in 1882 with headquarters situated in Hamburg. It is manufacturing and selling international consumer goods worldwide and specializes in the evolution of personal health and beauty care. Nivea is the core brand of Beiersdorf and in 2008 the Nivea products contributed to approximately 86% of Beiersdorf Group’s total sales. It is one of the leading skin beauty care brands on the international market.The brand was launched in 1911 and was given the name NIVEA, that evolved from the Latin word â€Å"niveum or niveus† meaning snow, his imagination in association to the cream’s pure-white appearance. Nivea Visage Young is the most recent edition to the series of Facial care by Nivea. It includes several separate products making up a specialized skincare regime for young girls aged from 13-19 years old. The Nivea Visage Young range is mild and gentle and its objective is to leave the skin clean, fresh and without a shiny look. Product A product is anything that can be offered to the market to satisfy needs and wants. Product is the first and most important element of the marketing mix. Here, the name of the product is â€Å"Nivea Visage Young†. This has been re-launched in 2007 as Nivea visage Young and this product, aims to stimulate their target market to develop a proper skin care routine. This will help to keep their skin look healthy and beautiful since their early age. It is the most competitive advantage over competitors because is no other product in the market for this purpose. This products target market is not only the above teenage girls, but also mums who buy for their daughter. It is very essential to make a product that meets its target consumers needs and desires if not the product will be a failure. Consequently, the company may be at a greater risk and loose considerable amount of money in the investment, leading to a bad reputation for their brand. Beiersdorf used few approaches to ensure its Nivea Visage Young meet the expectations of their target segment of the market. It kept the parent brand as NIVEA, and used brand extending strategy to this new improved product range which is called â€Å"Nivea Visage Young†. Besides it had an advantage over competitors, as all the competitors were producing only medical products rather than beauty care products. They used market research to find a gap in the market, and then developed a product to fill it. It is very essential to take this type of market oriented approach in order to satisfy its target consumers need and desires. Besides it’s better to focus the product on the customers than offering customers a produce. It is important to have certain characteristics in the product to ensure that it meets the expectations of the target consumer group. Nivea Visage Young showed its concern about the consumer friendliness of this product by removing alcohol in some of the products and using natural ingredients such as sea shells and minerals. Furthermore, it has created a product in a social responsible way, by not testing it on animals. They show its concern about their target market and environment by changing some of the product elements such as reducing packaging and waste by using larger pack sizes and also recyclable plastic containers. All these ensure that Nivea Visage Young is in line with their corporate social responsibility. Pack design is a very important part in the product, because appearance is where customers get their first impression of a product, it is capable of turning the buyers wish to buy on or off. Nivea Visage Young has focus on this by introducing new modern pack design with flowers pattern and softer feminine colors to appeal their target market. It indicates that they are more focused on its market segment, who loves style and fashion. This product provides a unique bridge between teenage and adult market. We will introduce some possible solutions to use that advantage in order to optimize even more Nivea Visage Young brands name in the teenager market segment. Those recommendations can be found in a topic specifically elaborated for this matter, after further analyzing the 4 P’s. Place The Place in the product mix is known as distribution channels or sales points and can be defined as being an organized network of agencies and institution that together and of course through a business deal. It executes all the functions necessary to link the manufacturers to the final users in order to carry on their marketing strategies. Distribution in marketing also means make the product or service available to the customer in the most convenient form it can be acquired. The desired product, with a just price, must be accessible to the customer, it means, in a place where the customer can buy it at the desired moment. The company’s decision about the distributions channels directly affect other decisions in the company and also involve commitments in the long run. This would seem to indicate that choosing the right distributions channels can result in a greater differentiated advantage against the competitors, in its present and future situation in the market. Beiersdof is successfully achieving their goal to have its products as close as possible to consumers. It is happening due to their present decision in choosing the biggest retailers on the high street market. In addition they are also being cost effective, when they choose not to sell directly to smaller accounts, instead the wholesaler who buys their products in bulk is providing these services. Despite the Internet nowadays be a very effective method of purchasing a product, especially within the young costumers, Nivea has chosen to sell their products online only trough their retailers’ website in order to cut costs. A really important consideration is, avoiding high distributions costs and also choosing trusted and well established retailers from the high street market, is a very wise choice. A central question is whether it could also mean that, Nivea reliance on having its products only distributed through those big trusted retailers’ brands, could lead Nivea to a threatening situation. Although it is true that Nivea is a well known brand for its quality skincare products, especially Nivea Visage young leading the teenager marketing, the customers are getting more loyal to the retailers brands than the brands that are sold by them. Also retailers such Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and ASDA have high growing bargain power and are responsible altogether for 100% of Nivea sales in UK. Kotler highlight in his book that, when switching cost are low and exist potential substitutes for the product in the market and when buyers become more concentrated and organized, business can be under threat. In order to avoid those competitive forces the company must always develop superior offers that stronger buyers cannot refuse. Interestingly enough, the switching cost of a skincare product to another with similar quality such as Nutrics Garnier (L’Oreal Paris) or Clear Clean (Johnson Johnson ) is very small because the retailer just need the shelf space to display it to the costumers. Moreover retailers such as Boots and Superdrug’s is increasily competing with its suppliers; creating, developing and promoting its own brands of skincare, toiletry products and offering it with very competitive prices. A good example of what we are trying to explain is the â€Å"Brand issue† between Nivea and Boots published 2 weeks ago by the newspaper Marketing Magazine in UK. Nivea got very angry when they discovered that a Fashion program they are sponsoring on Channel 4, has as one of its task to create a new range of skincare for Boots named Boots â€Å"Gorgeous†. They expect to launch the product on Christmas where purchases are very high. It seems fairly clear that Nivea need to have more options of making its products available to their customers, than through the big high street retailers in order to avoid those threatening situation. We will also introduce some ideas about this matter soon, however, now we will keep analyzing the other P’s. Promotion Promotion means various aspects of marketing communication. This is used by an organization in order to inform the customers about their product and persuade them to buy it. There are two types of promotions. Which are described belo. Above the line are the promotions carried out by companies using mass media, such as TV and newspaper advertisements. These are directly paid for and can reach a large number of potential customers and usually are expensive. In the other hand, below the line promotion focuses on communicating its product message directly to the market, using all the unconventional marketing tools adopted by the firm. This can vary from events, trade fairs, branding, public relations and direct mail. Nivea Visage Young has decided not to use the above the line promotions. In fact, it uses only below the line promotional methods, because it believes that talking directly to its target segment of consumers is more effective than the â€Å"one way† communication using TV and press. It can be further explained when looking at the Nivea Visage Young event promotions around the world, where it tied-up with the affiliated NGO Rock Challenge 2007. This event was to promote awareness of healthier lifestyle choices among students. It was a professional staged event with three hundred and fifty pupils’s aged between 13 to 18 years from five different high schools in Dubi. Rock Challenge is a performing art event incorporating dance, drama and design which provides Dubai school students with an opportunity to express their creativity, talent and art. The challenge is about having fun and making healthy lifestyle choices. This enabled the company to get directly involved in their target teenage segment and work closer to them. Moreover, a company can get information and feedback from its target market while promoting their brand. This is a win-win situation with two way message communication and is a good example for consumer led promotional method adopted by the Nivea Visage young. They are a consumer-led company, meaning, its promotions are carried out by centralizing the customer. Nivea Visage Young promotional strategies are chosen to â€Å"reflect the life style of its audience† and the range of medias available. The market promotions are done in a more interactive and customer friendly manner. It communicates directly with its target teen and mums segment. This method is more market oriented than product oriented. Following are some Nivea Visage Young consumer led promotional routes. Product Samples This is its key part of their strategy, give free samples to customers. Thereby customers have the opportunity to try and experience the product without purchasing the product. These samples are available in websites, samples in stores or in goody bags given out at Visage road shows up and down the country. Nivea Visage Young interactive magazine -â€Å"FY1†. Their brand is promoted across the UK through a campaign based on an interactive online magazine FY1 (.FY1. means fun, young and independent). It focuses on first time experiences relating to Nivea Visage Young being there first skin care routine. It will give useful information for teens such as expert relationship advice, latest music, entertainment news and fashion. All of these will give the girls confidence and support they need to face for the new life experiences in the 21st century. By doing this Bierersdof attempts to develop a deeper connection between Nivea Visage Young and the target teenage girls segment. Once again Nivea takes its opportunity to build the personality of their brand. In addition Nivea Visage Young also recognizes the power of modern social networks sites for young teenager and also has pages on Myspace, Facebook and Bebo. It has promoted a Hit4UK chat show and the TMF digital TV chat show and the TMF digital TV all connected with their target market. Consequently we can say that consumer led promotion aims to make repeat purchases and keep customer loyal to the company in the long run. A survey carried out by the Readers Digest quotes that NIVEA which has been voted as one of the most trusted brand in 15 countries. However by not using above the line channels such as TV, Nivea may face a threat from its competitors. For example L’Oreal caters to their audience by advertising through TV commercials famous and influent celebrities. Despite Nivea Visage young has a differentiated product than their competitors, consumers tend to remember their competitors such as (L’Oreal), rather than Nivea because they advertise heavily in mass media. Further, this will affect the brand image of Nivea Visage Young. Furthermore Nivea also target mums who purchase the product for their daughters. Using only below the line promotions it’s slows down the process of gaining marketing share. In order to cater the mass audience and to generate sales profit they should consider in above the line promotions as well. It is important not only to identify the right promotional method but also to communicate it correctly to customer .If the firm gives wrong product information, then this would result in creating its own graveyard. This happened to the Nivea Visages anti aging cream. Advertising standard authority criticized and banned the advertisement for Nivea DNage Cell Renewal Day Cream because it was misleading. Nevertheless one of Nivea Visages sister brand, Nivea Visage Essentials began screening an advertising campaign on cinema screens countrywide for a six week period recently. Nivea Visage Young could also follow this promotional method as teenagers are more interested in cinema than adults. This will help to bring the brand across in fun and youthful way. Price Price is the amount of money, goods or service that should be given for a product or service in order to obtain it, when consumers buy a product they pay a price and expect to receive the benefits of it. The price is the only component of the marketing mix that generates revenue and is one of the key elements in determining the market share of a company and its profitability. Factors such as the cost of production, target market, company’s objective should be taken in to account when determining the price. Establishing the price of a product or service is not always a simple task. One must consider that, when properly placed, the price of a product can be a key factor to successful a marketing plan. Nivea Visage young probably had to look at many important considerations when decided the pricing strategy of this brand. The price suppose to be higher enough to provide profit to them, but also suppose not be so high in order to not discourage the purchase unless that the product was connected with status. Moreover it could not be too low to not generating in the costumer a felling that is something wrong with the product and depreciate the brands image. Nivea visage young target marketing purchase their products from high street shops or supermarkets while doing their groceries shopping. Consequently, we can say that charging a high price would mean loose marketing share to the competitor. Nivea Visage Young is the price leader in the segment of skincare beautifying needs for young age. A reason for this is that they were the ones that identified the lack of beautifying products for teens and created a product for it. This led the competitors to follow their prices or sometimes even lower it trying to gain marketing share. In order to Nivea maintain their share of marketing they need to adopt a flexible pricing strategy. A skimming price strategy was used in the last launch of â€Å"Nivea Visage Young†, when the price was slightly higher than the first launch in 2005. However, to not lose their market share to competitors that enter in the market at the â€Å"market growth† it means a launch of new competitor’s products, Nivea need a constant review of their price strategy. Interestingly enough to the retailers are given the freedom to use their own sales promotions such as loss leader where they will sell a product bellow the cost, just to gain market share from its competitors. In addition they give discounts and special offer for example. This would seem to indicate that customers would became being more loyal to the retailer, rather than to the Nivea Visage young and also if they keep lowering the price very often it could depreciate the brand image. Possible solutions to improve Nivea Visage Young brand and business. All the product characteristics mentioned that Beiersdorf that Nivea Visage young product met the expectations of its targeted teenage. However, by using its continuous market research, they should consider the necessary changes needed for the product, if teenage needs trends and demands changes often. Additionally, in order to grow Nivea Visage Young brand, it can consider entering to a new segment such as same age group teenage boys segment as they have not entered so far. The reliance of Beiersdorf on the high street shops and big retailers with high bargain power can also be a big treat to their business, to avoid it they should try also sell his products to low bargain power buyers such us beauty centers. Despite in a short term view it would mean increase of costs, in a long term view it would benefit both sides buyer and manufacturer. In one hand it would optimize even more Nivea brand in the skin care product market. Because the opinion of people specialized in skincare recommending the Nivea products would increase the loyalty to the brand. As a matter of fact most of the Nivea Visage Young purchase is made by the mothers when doing groceries shop, however those same mothers also go to beauty center and trust in the opinion of the professionals working there. Moreover that small account would also benefit of having a worldwide trusted skincare brand and Beiersdorf would have more power of bargain in the prices. The decision of Nivea Visage Young of going only in below-the-line promotion is a potential treat and we would suggest using young trusted celebrities in the actual media or even advertising in cinemas that is a common interest place between the young people and so Beiersdorf Nivea image brand would be thoroughly spread to their target market . A fifth P of People should also be added as a extra topping in the market mix cake given that all people that are directly or indirectly involved in the consumption of a service are important part of the marketing mix knowledge ,workers , employees, management and consumers often add a significant value to the total product . Conclusion On the whole we can say that balance is essential when trying to apply marketing mix to the launch of a product, if the company focus more and some P’s than others holes will start to show up in the business doesn’t matter how well they are doing at the present moment. Moreover they need to think outside of the box, because sometimes one more variable is need to balance and give the desired harmony to their aims and objective adding value to the firm in a long term perspective. We have learned that some decisions such as cutting costs, that may seem to be the best for the company interests at that present moment and also seeing as an opportunity for the management view, can become a future threat. Research Papers on Nivea Visage Young CaseMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaDefinition of Export QuotasRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemThe Fifth HorsemanHip-Hop is Art

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights In the United States, the Bill of Rights refers to the first ten constitutional amendments. The constitution was amended to safeguard the natural rights of liberty and material goods.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bill of Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through the bill of rights, an individual is assured of a number of personal freedoms, including the right to own property, the right to life, right of protection from the law, freedom of movement, freedom of association and the freedom of speech. Moreover, the bill o rights limit the power of the central government regarding the independence of the judiciary. Subsequent amendments allowed states and the public to have some rights and freedoms that could not be denied. The amendments originally applied to the federal government only, but the Fourteenth Amendment allowed various states to apply the bill of rights (Davies, 750). The bill of rights plays a crit ical role in the United States because they define the relationship between the government and the populace. The governor is expected to behave in a certain manner while the governed has various rights and responsibilities (Brinkley 12). Based on the ideas of John Locke, the civil society should be created to protect the private property meaning that the bill of rights plays an important role of safeguarding the wealth of various individuals. In the state of nature, Locke was of the view that each person is free and equal implying that natural rights cannot be separated from an individual. For instance, the right to life cannot be denied because it defines an individual. The state should always make sure that the right of each is protected. This would not have been achieved without a constitutional order. Therefore, the bill of rights was drafted to safeguard the interests of individuals. The populace should always be the ultimate authority because it elects leaders. The government of the day has the legal responsibility of protecting the rights of individuals. These rights are mainly found in the bill of rights. Any government that fails to protect the fundamental right of an individual should cease to exist. The main reason why the bill of rights was written was to prevent it from the powers of the central government. The bill of rights could be scrapped in case it remained unwritten because the power of the central government was growing. The way the constitution was drafted would open the way for to totalitarianism meaning that the president would have adequate powers over the ruled. He would easily order the arrest of individuals and seizure of property (Brinkley 88). The English bill of rights differed in a number of ways with the American version. The American version aimed at addressing the rights of individuals as represented by the legislature against the crown. In this regard, it had to be written, unlike the English version, which was unwritten.Adv ertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Drafters of the constitution based their argument on the violation of civil rights during and after the Revolution since the British unleashed terror to citizens even though unwritten constitutional order preventing the government from using force existed (Levy 26). The bill of rights was viewed as one of the national unifying factor hence it had to be written. The English bill of rights contained clauses on the right to petition, independent judiciary and, freedom of speech. Americans needed something different regarding the right to petition because a number of individuals were not allowed to participate in a democratic process. The Fourth Amendment, which states that the state security agencies should not infringe the rights of an individual through unreasonable search and seizure, is the most important. The law requires that an individual be g iven an arrest warrant before being searched. Moreover, the arrest warrant must be supported by probable cause meaning that the state security forces must provide adequate evidence showing that an individual indeed committed a crime before being arrested. The law was formulated specifically to contain the behaviour of the colonial government, which would conduct a search without an adequate reason. In this process, an individual would be injured while his or her property would be destroyed. The court should conduct a critical review of evidence before issuing an arrest warrant meaning that the state security agencies have no permission to enter private premises. In the Fourth Amendment, the meaning of search is outlined. In this regard, the right to privacy should always be considered when searching a premise or frisking an individual. Regarding seizure, the security agencies are prohibited from taking away private property to be used as evidence. Arresting an individual and holding him or her in a police custody amounts to seizure. However, ordinary police checks, such as traffic inspection, do not result to arrest. Whenever security forces conduct search the premises of an individual, it is expected that they should uncover a criminal activity (Schultz 74). This is referred to as the probable cause meaning that the search and subsequent seizure should bear fruits. If the search were unsuccessful, the rights of individual would have been violated. The individual would have the right to demand compensation for any injury or damage caused. Brinkley, Alan. American History: A survey. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1999. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bill of Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Davies, Thomas. Recovering the Original Fourth Amendment. Michigan Law Review, 98.3 (1999), 547–750. Print. Levy, Williams. Seasoned Judgments: The American Constitution, Rights, and History. New York: Transaction Publishers, 1995. Print. Schultz, David. Encyclopaedia of the United States Constitution. New York: InfoBase Publishing, 2009. Print.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Interests Rates Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Interests Rates - Coursework Example Akerlof’s experience during his writings on Lemons problem and its effect on the proficient functioning of a market is best summarized by stating that markets are characterized by asymmetric information, and thus there is a need for adjusting the markets interests rates for individual market participants, which necessitates the better-informed participants to take costly actions in an effort to develop market outcome by transmitting credible information to the poorly informed. According to Akerlof, most sellers are likely to lower the quality of a product in situations where the buyer cannot exactly determine or observe the product quality. He adds prices are likely to decline because of the unwillingness of the buyers to pay because of skimped quality. This leads a much lower quality because sellers maximize every opportunity to make more prices at the lower prices offered by buyers. This leads to market failure because sellers would sell a high-quality product at high prices despite the fact that buyers are willing to pay for the high prices.Akerlof uses examples of second-hand cars to enhance his theory of market equilibrium. The categories the cars into two; Lemons and Plums. The lemon represents a bad car, a car that is of poor quality and buyers should avoid buying lemons in the market according to Akerlof. He uses plum to mean a good quality car and most buyers would prefer to buy a plum. This situation occurs because people will not easily verify the quality of a product.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Fast food nation summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fast food nation summary - Essay Example There were many orange farms. Local farmers also kept animals such as cattle and chicken. Later in the chapter, people started relying on fast foods instead of foods obtained directly from agricultural farms. It seems that the author wants the audience to see how fast foods started being part of American culture. According to article, people started relying on fast foods especially in Los Angeles because of automobiles. By the year 1940 Los Angeles had about 1 million vehicles (Schlosser 14). Many people wanted to own cars because they believed it was cheaper to use personal vehicles compared to public transport. The cars made people lazy. As a result, the new types of eating places such as the derive-in restaurants were introduced. The first drive in-restaurant was owned by Jesse Kirby. He later sold his restaurants to Carl. In order to attract more people in the drive-ins, the buildings were painted in bright colors and waitresses dressed in short skirts. They became very popular p laces in towns. Some popular fast food places like McDonald were founded during this time. In this chapter, the author blames automobiles for negatively affecting the culture of America (Schlosser 6). The initial part of the second chapter talks about people’s loyalty to McDonalds. The title of the second chapter seems ironical. Many people have trusted the fast food companies. However, they fail to notice the negative impacts of the fast food restaurants and their culture in the modern society. Many people take a two week course just to learn the culture of McDonald. The author criticizes the growing number of restaurants for making children the world’s most targeted consumers by larger corporations. For instance, most McDonald’s commercials target children. The company also sponsored my children TV Programs in order to attract more children. Disney started targeting children with its

Virtual and Social Media Report 2-4-3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Virtual and Social Media Report 2-4-3 - Essay Example One of the main aims behind using this software is for people to create synergistic websites that promote discussion on the subject matter at hand. Hosted by third parties, Wikis are very popular amongst browsers who prefer to leave their input on various issues and/or who like to simply share information they have on the topic. Generally, web users who like to interact with others regarding any particular topic use wikis. Thus, wikis enable an increased virtual and social media communication. However, the main purpose of wikis is to augment people’s knowledge about any given topic – though they do give the netizens a chance to remove off-topic material from the page or website. Wikis enable interaction via information sharing, as well as input of comments and suggestions. Not only do they increase knowledge of netizens, but, as stated earlier, they enable them to enhance their interactional skills, thereby increasing an exchange of ideas and interaction on an individual level. On a corporate level, wikis help companies in forming networks that augment efficiency by simplifying tasks. Not only do companies get their message across to targeted groups, but they also receive input from them at the same time, thus, enabling them to promote their merchandise, services and/or proposals more ably. Wikis also aid companies in working together with their clients as well as managing various projects. The strengths of wikis include its appealing nature, whereby whatever the target audience of the wikis is, participation is always obtained. Since wikis are not daunting or controlled strictly, the users find them easy to use, thereby enhancing communication. Moreover, wikis help promote the idea of data exchange or information sharing. Another strength lies in the flexibility of the wikis; they can be altered to meet the needs of the users. The weaknesses of the wikis lie in their strengths as well. As

Thursday, October 17, 2019

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS Assignment

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS - Assignment Example When producing a new product (a conventional breakfast product) in the affluent market in Saudi Arabia, it is important to note that this market is composed on individuals who have breakfast like in the western world. The affluent markets are in Jeddah, the Western parts of the country and Riyadh. It should also be noted that the Saudis main meal is lunch and thus they may not be willing to spend more on breakfast. I would introduce banana flavored oat flakes in the market which already contains honey and dried milk into the market. What the consumer only needs to add is hot or cold water to make it ready for consumption. A perception position I would like to draw of the existing Cereals is that there is a good variety of cereals to satisfy the clients in terms of nutritional and monetary value. First perspective is that there could be a product that is manufactured to have a high nutritional value and at the same time be cost friendly with a new sense of flavor and finesse (Hoyer, 2 008).. A lot has been done to target consumers by different brands but believe that there is still room for improvement. Second perspective, is that on the Saudi Arabians and their liking for having more than one meal during breakfast is time consuming when preparing the breakfast meals. Thirdly, the distribution in terms of breakfast cereals and products in the area was fairly done. The region still needs a boost to ensure adequate supply of cereal and breakfast products. Producing a breakfast cereal that is nutritious and incorporates all the foods will go a long way in reducing the number of foods that are prepared for breakfast. Production distribution to ensure availability of the goods in the market is one of the positioning strategies I will use to make a breakthrough in the cereals market. Perception Graph of the Nutritional Value over Time of 5 Cereals. Saudi Arabians are strongly guided by the traditional Muslim foods from many cultures therefore acceptance of the Western ways of having breakfast is not wholly practiced by their majority population. Therefore there is a gap in the cereals market due to the fact that the market is not adequately served. The Positioning strategy that I would adopt is Customer benefit strategy. I would basically lure the consumers by giving them the health benefits of oats over corn. Pricing as a positioning strategy will also be used by further marketing the product as pocket friendly in the sense that it does not require one to buy milk separately and this would separate my brand from the rest (Kardes, 2011). I would also adopt my positioning strategy based on use, in the sense that my oat flakes can be used as breakfast cereals by just adding water or they can also be used as an everyday snack because oats have a really soft crunchiness and the combination of the banana, honey and skimmed milk make a great tasty snack, even without the addition of water. Another positioning strategy I would employ is based on product class i.e. fortify my cereals, I would advertise my product as having vitamins, calcium, iron and folic acid but majorly I would concentrate on the fact that it has a distinctive taste and that it has been carefully produced so that the end result is a taste that cannot be compared to any other cereal. The market strategy of introducing my product in the market basically involves

Disparities related to ethinic and cultural groups rsalted to low Assignment

Disparities related to ethinic and cultural groups rsalted to low birth weight - Assignment Example The involved health complications include cerebral palsy, hyperactive complications and chronic lung disorders (Goepfert, 2012). A discussion on the related disparities exhibit health complications for the minority communities of the world. In America, the affected minority communities include the Hispanic, Black American and the Hispanic white. The arising complication of low infant weight poses a great threat to the world health and survival of the infants. In America, the complication poses danger to the existing minority population due to the challenge health care structure. The resultant effects of prolonged disparities include prolonged complications for maternal health among the existing racial groups and the ethnic populace (Whitehead & Vincenzo, 2012). The realization of the impact of the current situation is evidenced by increased death rates. Material genetic contagion is a key contributor to the preterm birth among the minority communities in the United States of America. Other major causes of the preterm birth include maternal age gap, prolonged smoking addiction and general substance abuse. Hypertension is also a major concern for the increased preterm birth complications in the minority communities. There are family centered services that are community founded to help families with this issue and this sees to it that the family is abetted in this transition for better outcomes for their

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS Assignment

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS - Assignment Example When producing a new product (a conventional breakfast product) in the affluent market in Saudi Arabia, it is important to note that this market is composed on individuals who have breakfast like in the western world. The affluent markets are in Jeddah, the Western parts of the country and Riyadh. It should also be noted that the Saudis main meal is lunch and thus they may not be willing to spend more on breakfast. I would introduce banana flavored oat flakes in the market which already contains honey and dried milk into the market. What the consumer only needs to add is hot or cold water to make it ready for consumption. A perception position I would like to draw of the existing Cereals is that there is a good variety of cereals to satisfy the clients in terms of nutritional and monetary value. First perspective is that there could be a product that is manufactured to have a high nutritional value and at the same time be cost friendly with a new sense of flavor and finesse (Hoyer, 2 008).. A lot has been done to target consumers by different brands but believe that there is still room for improvement. Second perspective, is that on the Saudi Arabians and their liking for having more than one meal during breakfast is time consuming when preparing the breakfast meals. Thirdly, the distribution in terms of breakfast cereals and products in the area was fairly done. The region still needs a boost to ensure adequate supply of cereal and breakfast products. Producing a breakfast cereal that is nutritious and incorporates all the foods will go a long way in reducing the number of foods that are prepared for breakfast. Production distribution to ensure availability of the goods in the market is one of the positioning strategies I will use to make a breakthrough in the cereals market. Perception Graph of the Nutritional Value over Time of 5 Cereals. Saudi Arabians are strongly guided by the traditional Muslim foods from many cultures therefore acceptance of the Western ways of having breakfast is not wholly practiced by their majority population. Therefore there is a gap in the cereals market due to the fact that the market is not adequately served. The Positioning strategy that I would adopt is Customer benefit strategy. I would basically lure the consumers by giving them the health benefits of oats over corn. Pricing as a positioning strategy will also be used by further marketing the product as pocket friendly in the sense that it does not require one to buy milk separately and this would separate my brand from the rest (Kardes, 2011). I would also adopt my positioning strategy based on use, in the sense that my oat flakes can be used as breakfast cereals by just adding water or they can also be used as an everyday snack because oats have a really soft crunchiness and the combination of the banana, honey and skimmed milk make a great tasty snack, even without the addition of water. Another positioning strategy I would employ is based on product class i.e. fortify my cereals, I would advertise my product as having vitamins, calcium, iron and folic acid but majorly I would concentrate on the fact that it has a distinctive taste and that it has been carefully produced so that the end result is a taste that cannot be compared to any other cereal. The market strategy of introducing my product in the market basically involves

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

C-V-P equation.Contribution margin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

C-V-P equation.Contribution margin - Essay Example The C-V-P equation or the Cost Volume Profit Analysis is a major step in major decisions. It is the model which defines a relationship between the sales price, cost or production, sales volume and other costs of any product. The major purpose of this model and its application is the predictability of future profits and its change based on changes in either volume or any of the components of costs that it takes into account.It is important for managers to decide if their materials costs and other direct variable costs are too high given the revenue from the product. Keeping aside the fixed costs which have to be borne irrespective of the sales revenue, the remaining costs which are directly proportional to units sold can be minimized to manage cash flows in a better way. They can cut on their variable costs by having a look at the contribution margins of their company and their products.The contribution of sales to before tax profits, or gross profits, over and above the break even is exactly the contribution margin as there are no fixed costs any more. The amount after the deduction of variable costs from the revenues will be added to the profits.CVP graphs help the manager and the reader to have a better figure of the relationship between the profits, sales and volume of sales. CVP graphs also helps in viewing the breakeven points on the graph and provides a better insight into the profit-impact of increased sales or costs.When we have a increase in the fixed costs, the breakeven point changes. ... 13. When other factors are constant, what is the effect on profits of an increase in fixed costs Of a decrease in variable costs When we have a increase in the fixed costs, the breakeven point changes. The breakeven point is the point where the profits are zero or the total contribution margin is equal to the fixed costs. It's a no-profit and no-loss position. When the fixed costs increase in the [(Fixed costs) / (contribution margin)] calculation of break-even point, the number of units to break even increases. If there is a decrease in variable costs, the contribution margin increases, given the same price. Due to this, the break even units decrease as the denominator is increasing. 14. What are the limiting assumptions of C-V-P analysis The CVP model assumes that the prices of the units will remain constant and do not change in the entire process. Variable and fixed components can be easily and accurately calculated for units. The determination of fixed and variable costs, in actual conditions, is very difficult. Inventories are available at all times to make sales and that there is no shortage of supply of products to sell. The sales mix remains constant for multi product companies too. Practice 16-3 Linearity of Variable Costs within the Relevant Range The company has assembled the following data about its variable costs: Level of Activity Total Variable Cost 1,000 units $ 25,000 2,000 units 46,000 3,000 units 69,000 4,000 units 92,000 5,000 units 100,000 The company is currently producing 3,300 units. According to these data, what is the relevant range over which the company can assume that the variable cost per unit is constant In this case, the

Recruitment Strategy and Job Offer Process Essay Example for Free

Recruitment Strategy and Job Offer Process Essay Organizations such as education, business and engineering all use diverse recruitment techniques as their operations transform and the demand for employees vary, based on the direction in which the organization is headed. This paper will study in detail business establishments and how they use their recruitment strategy to fill job vacancies. In addition, the paper will select and/or suggest which would be the best recruitment strategy to achieve the goal of drawing qualified personnel from within this industry. Finally, this paper will detail the process to be used in offering a job to an applicant. The first phase of recruitment is deciding on the need for personnel to fill current or future job openings. In business establishments, it is essential for a company to recognize whether an open or targeted recruitment strategy is effective, and to understand which one will succeed in meeting the company’s requirements. If there is no urgency in finding suitable candidates for the position, then a better option would be an open recruitment policy (Mesmer, 1999). For instance, if a company has to fill more than 35 vacancies, the only real option for it is to choose an open recruitment policy. The open recruitment policy helps in attracting a number of applicants including an assorted group of people (Heinemann Judge, 2009). In this way, the organization can obtain pools of potential employees with differing standards of knowledge, skills, aptitudes other characteristics (KSAOs) from which they can select to fill vacancies. â€Å"If a business is required to recruit as many people as possible within a limited period, a sizeable applicant pool often supplies a company with a good number of personnel to fill vacancies† (â€Å"Recruiting practices,†1995). Hiring via newspaper, television, job fairs, radio and media channels will attract numerous candidates needed to fill several vacancies in businesses. The possibility of skimming a broad applicant pool reduces the company’s ability to appraise every application, resulting in triggering high future attrition rates (Soberg Bennington, 2009). Employing the open recruitment policy will not initiate a candidate pool with specific skills or experience levels as witnessed with the targeted recruitment policy. However, when organizational requirements demand specific skills, education, or experience levels, a business will adopt a targeted recruitment policy. Positive action also calls for a company to target a particular segment of the labor force like minority groups (Heneman Judge, 2006). After identifying a specific target, a business may take the help of a talent management team equipped to win over a predetermined sort of applicant (â€Å"CTS strengthens†, 2010). For instance, a company in need of a web designer may advertise available job positions online rather than via the radio or other media channels. With technological advances, the Internet is fast becoming a cost-effect means of hiring, with advertising targeted at specific group of candidates. For a company on the lookout for a certain type of applicant, the target recruitment policy is the best method to use. With the evolving of businesses, organizations should use ingenious recruitment strategies to surface from the conventional â€Å"talent pools† which as Kemsley states are approached with caution and suspicion for assistance (2009). Businesses are becoming very choosy in their hiring methods when recruiting in the present economic scenario. They are recruiting based on business requirements; for instance, an accounting firm which is considering future job vacancies, may approach local educational institutions and target college students who are enrolled currently as accounting majors. The accounting firm then can target specific sub-groups within that group by seeking students with a specific GPA grade point average, thus making certain that the company can hire new recruits with the requisite job qualifications. â€Å"In the same way, a business specializing in health care can adopt a recruitment strategy targeting personnel in the healthcare sector, thereby guaranteeing the solicitation of candidates with healthcare experience† (â€Å"Online health,† 2000). For some business establishments, limiting their options to a single recruitment strategy is bad. When a business does not have a recruitment deadline, the organization can gain from a good blend of open targeted recruitment policies. For most businesses, using an open recruitment policy enables the company to fill vacancies which are not key positions like support staff. When organizational needs demand a highly qualified, trained, or experienced person, then it’s advantageous to use t he target recruitment policy. The subsequent phase of recruitment after the interview selection process is the job offer. Developing and extending a job offer can either be a simple task or a risky endeavor. If the business demands that numerous vacancies should be filled without any delay, the employment offer process is quite simple and the company faces no real risks. With a sizeable applicant pool, a company can extend basic job offers with minimal emphasis on bonus payments or incentives. However, where a business needs specialized skills, the business should know what the competition is offering employees with similar skills set. The greater the demands a company places on applicant qualifications, the more specialized are the job qualifications and the greater the risk involved in the employment offer process. When trying to lure a competitor’s employee, the company should be willing to provide what best fits such an employee’s requirements with no promise of long-term gains for the organization. If the receiver is undecided about accepting the employment offer, the company should decide if it’s willing to significantly change the employment offer in such a way that the receiver cannot turn it down. Finalizing the employment offer demands seeing all aspects of incentives/benefits verbally offered are properly documented. Moreover, the business must make certain that the job offer is not in violation of any federal or state laws. In business industries, limiting recruiting options to a single strategy is not beneficial; however, if a business has no recruitment deadlines, it can benefit greatly from using a mix of open targeted recruitment policies. For most organizations, using an open recruitment policy enables them to fill job vacancies which are not key positions like support staff. Where an organization requires candidates with specialized skills or higher education or greater experience, then it’s profitable to use the target recruitment policy. Recognizing the differences in these two strategies enables a business to avail of the optimum recruitment strategy to meet the organizational requirements prevailing at that time. References CTS strengthen recruiting efforts with talent coordination teams. (2010, July 3). Health Wellness Resource Center Alternative Health Module. Kemsley, N. (2009). Employee-centric markets: A different direction. People and Strategy. New York: 2009. Vol. 32(3), p. 14. Heneman, G. H., Judge, A. T. (2006). Staffing Organizations (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Messmer, M. (1999, September). Developing a strategic staffing plan. National Public Accountant, 44(7), 20. Online health care recruiting company makes debut. (2000, July 3). The Enterprise, p. 7. Soberg, A., Bennington, A. (2009). Workforce planning: implications for healthcare in Canada and elsewhere. People and Strategy. New York: 2009, 32(3), 26. Recruiting practices changing. (1995, November). Physician Executive, 21(11), 4.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Theories Relating To Gender Inequality

Theories Relating To Gender Inequality There have been a number of theories put forward by various Institutions, Organizations, Authors, Scholars, Researchers, and Development practitioners, somehow to explain the problem why the issue of gender varies from region to region and why implementing gender equality, and female empowerment is lower than expected in SSA. Amongst these theories are the Inequality and the Modernization theory used in this project to explain the wide gender problems existing in SSA. Borrowing from the words of John Martenussen, most of these theories have been propounded by Western and North American authors and have been termed growth and development theories. (Martenussen, 1997; p.51) As far as this project is concern, I am going to use the parts of the theories that are relevant to the project. The Inequality Theory: The origin of gender inequality between men and women has been one of the most intellectual debates after the rise of modern feminism. Great thinkers in the history of ideas such as Aristotle and Thomas Quinas suggested speculative interpretation of gender differences. Continuously, nineteenth century evolutionary theorist such as Bachofen and Karl Marx consider various possible evolutionary sequences in organization kinship and gender relations. Some early efforts aimed at justifying existing institutions and others to question them sound like contemporary standard. The argument behind the origin of feminist analyses is the ideological implication of female subordination over the centuries. Also, there have been a high superior prevalence of male status across time, space and social circumstances that are beyond denial especially in SSA. Therefore the pervasiveness of male dominance is the absolute aim of analyzing gender differences. The question that arises is that how can the app arent universal subordination of female be reconciled with equality in SSA with it strong traditional background? (Robert Marx Johnson 2005 p; 30). Assumptions of the Inequality Theory: Firstly, Inequality theory explains the biological difference between men and women which is inescapable, amongst race, class, culture and tradition irrespective of being developed or underdeveloped. According to Linsey 2007, sex is the biological difference between men and women while gender is the social construction of sexes considering race, politics, social, economic, culture and traditional background. This cultures and traditions vary from place to place and from culture to culture. These cultures that are learned change with time within and between cultures. (Linsey 2007, P; 97) Following this sex distinction between male and female, some advanced societies (Western and North American societies) have tried to narrow down the gender gap by empowering females, by redefining laws and ignoring others to enhance development. That notwithstanding, the distinction still persists and would always be there because no matter all the feminist analyses on sex and gender, humans would never revert nature on this perspective. Research have proven that no amount of theorist thinking can subtle the simple fact of biological distinction, therefore inequality would persistently exist no matter what. The question that ponders my mind is, why Sub-Saharan Africa is still lacking behind to comprehend culture and tradition to reduce the wide gender gap, thereby empowering females to enhance development?. Secondly, content and expression of this biological difference is exaggerated in the situation in SSA. Tracing back from history until date, most of the hardest and most commanding jobs are carried out by men therefore inequality is bound to exist between sexes. The fact that men are a stronger sex to resist extreme hash conditions makes them dominant irrespective of sex division. Complex cultural societies are build up by institution that keeps men at a dominant position. This make the female sex constantly relegated at the background. The norms and values that govern these complex societies (SSA) procure men at the forefront. By respecting this norms and values women would be hardly seen in the public spheres. (Sushama Sahay, in king and Hill Anne. p; 89) Thirdly, Inequality theory try to make some kind of biological differences that are sufficient and necessary to persistently cause inequality between sexes and puts men at a commanding and dominant position. There are three imputed biological differences that have received much attention by the inequality view, such as reproduction by females, physical capacity and predisposition toward violence. Anthropologists largely agree that women have hardly occupied position of higher status or political power than men in any society anywhere, anytime (Buthler 2006) Some feminist theorist argue that, reproduction everywhere is done by females that subordinates their position to men, others say that men are physically dominant in their actions and activities and set rules that are of their own advantage. Some theorist argue that men are very aggressive than women, that put them at a dominant position thereby creating inequality between the both sexes. (Buthler 2006 P; 78) Lastly, apart from huge gender inequality and female empowerment sluggishness in SSA, inequality can also be traced amongst races and class. There have been and there are still traces of inequality amongst the white race and black race as well as amongst the upper and lower class group. There are two different kinds of historical inequality, example that can illustrate this point. First of all, I will want to look back at the history of colonialism and neocolonialism in SSA by the west that alone speak volumes of inequality and domination over a continent and makes a particular race dominant over the other. The history of racial inequality amongst the blacks and whites in the United States of America also illustrate an example of inequality amongst races. On the other hand, there have been inequalities within races and cultures. The upper and noble classes in SSA have been dominant over the lower and powerless group. This means that a superior culture is imposed and forced on to the weaker group that makes them not equal. Just like the history of European nobility over the commoners in Europe. Yet the nobility have remained a powerful and privileged class in most European nations. From biological and racial distinction on the inequality theory, inequality is a fact amongst genders, cultures, class and race, although times have changed and things must change, this pushes us to criticize the inequality theory with changing times. Critique of the Inequality Theory: There have been a lot of theorists to critique speculative accounts on gender differences and female empowerment in SSA which creates inequality, but very little progress have been made to prove one theory over the other in their speculative analyses on gender issues. To a large degree, inequality theories have not gained grounds because societies have distinctively evolved and disproved the speculative ideas of inequality theorist. In SSA today, traditional institutional arrangement have distinctively changed in respect of both genders not too much subordinating women like in the past. Looking at a typical traditional African society, where farming is the only source of income, the man do the clearing of the farm while the woman do the planting and if harvest is good the subsistent crops are sold to maintain the family and educate their kids, both live in complementary way without gender distinction. Although traditional institution still exist and persist today in SSA, but most if not all operate in the interest of both genders. Scholars argue that theories sometimes formulate persuasive speculative accounts which might fit what we already perceive or know. Therefore we must depend on the biological evidence provided by the inequality theory based on the reconstruction of inferences in well known societies to argue the inequality theory. Critics of Inequality theory also argue that, professional speculations of postmodern feminist by generalizing theories and with the political confusion by giving equal weight to every woman irrespective of race, class, sex orientation, culture and historical background makes origin of inequality theory to lost it attraction. The biological distinction of sex and gender roles as ascribed by the origin of the inequality theory is almost becoming baseless in SSA societies today. My argument is that inequality theory relies on female reproduction, the strength of men and the predisposition of men in violence situation as a prerequisite of being unequal. This was true to an extent tracing the origin of the theory, but today societies have evolved with changing times, no society in the history of mankind is static. Reproduction have just become a female experience and also a sex difference which has little impact on gender roles today. In the other hand, today in SSA men are only dominant in specific jobs as that they are specialized in, not that specific jobs are ascribed for men although the both sexes co-exist in a traditional way, but there is rational distribution of resources and labor so that girls and women can be empowered in this communities and families. The problems that arise sometimes are how to comprehend this inconsistent inequality that continues to persist with changing times. Theoretical efforts must be accepted to a certain degree and also the theory can only predict the future and to a larger extent crudely reconstruct the origin of inequality. There is evident that the system of inequality like any other social institution is becoming self sustainable today in most SSA societies. Individuals are born sexed but not gendered; they have to be taught to be masculine or feminine. One is not born; but rather becomes a womanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, it is civilization as a whole that produces this creatureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, which is described as feminine (Simone de Beauvoir 1952 p; 267) The idea of inequality between men and women is created in the gender process following the way cultural institutions are arranged. Therefore inequality in itself does not exist between sexes but created in the act or reaction in each society. Butler 1990, argues that gender as a process creates the social difference that defines man and woman in social interaction through their live, individuals learn what is expected, see what is expected, act and react in expected ways, thus simultaneously construct and maintain the gender order in each society (Butler 1990 p; 145) In a typical African society, though still primitive and traditional the inequality do not actually exist but it is the gender roles that differ from family to family and from community to community. Take for example within the Muslim religion or culture in SSA; women are actually distinctive in their socially constructed roles ascribed by the religious laws. This does not mean that they do not live in a complementally as opposed by the inequality differences basing on sex division. I therefore argue that the issue of gender is a matter of understanding within families and communities, who should do what at a given time irrespective of the sex backed by norms and laws of that community. West and Zimmermann, holds that in humans there is no essential femaleness or maleness, femininity or masculinity, womanhood or manhood, but once gender is ascribed, the social order constructs and holds individuals to strongly gender norms and expectations. (West and Zimmaman 1989, P; 146) The origin of the inequality theory have been attacked by it critics seriously in recent times. Recent studies also indicate that inequality would eventually lose it content as time evolves. The debate is centered on race and class subordination of inequality that existed in the past, but is currently loosing it value. It is clearly evident that racial inequality is gradually disappearing between and within races and class. I will like to illustrate this point on the colonial history of SSA. Africa have longed been colonized by Europeans to maintain a superior race and keep the African race subordinated under their control just like gender and sex. But because inequality is gradually loosing it originality in history, racial inequality have gradually faded away with changing times. Although some traces of racial inequality persistently exist between races. (Gramsci 1971, P; 165) Another example that has made inequality lose it originality have been between whites and black Americans as well as European nobility. Whites and blacks have faced a long history of racial segregation in the United States, but because of time factor and new institutional arrangement the racial differences have almost disappeared. In the other hand, European nobility class use to be a more armed, politically and economically powerful class to the commoners in Europe but with the coming of decentralization of leadership and democracy this superior class have gradually disappeared thereby melting away the idea of inequality and subordination of commoners since everybody have an equal opportunity. Well as much as SSA is concern there have been inequality in class division irrespective of the gender differences. Inequality have been gradually disapproved since the old traditional institutions are disappearing and new wants sees everybody the same. In SSA, apart from gender inequality, there have been upper and lower class inequality as well as people from the royal fondoms, are always seen differently with high esteem. The upper class have been people who generally enjoy high social amenities in the big cities of SSA, they have little or no gender differences between their families since almost everybody have a good education as compared to the rural poor who cannot even provide for a daily meal. They are not much educated so definitely they believe in traditional laws that puts the men at the forefront. But with changing times and the fight for global poverty reduction, development in these local areas in SSA is gradually improving making gender inequality to extensively disap pear. On the other hand, Fondomites in SSA have maintain an extensively unequal powers in every aspect in SSA, this is because most traditional laws do respect and give special consideration to everyone from the fondom. But with the coming of democracy and the respect for human right and dignity, this traditional superiority is extensively disappearing there by making the class values to loss it weight. Today whether from the fondom or not, everybody is the same because of democracy. Though there have been a mixture of traditional laws to democratic values to combat the aspect of inequality amongst fondomites and common citizen. (Foucault 1972, P; 223) Importance of the Inequality Theory to the project: To begin with, inequality theory is essential in this project because it explains the origin, history and persistent pre-domination and domination of males in almost all aspects of life in SSA. Through this theory, I understand that socialization, tradition and biology are interwoven to explain the persistent male domination in most SSA societies. To better understand the importance of the theory to this project, I will like to examine each role played by each of these concepts to understand the role of inequality theory to the project. Men and women yesterday and today think and act differently and achieve differently in the varying regions in SSA (Banque and Waren 1990, P; 90) Connecting inequality theory to socialization, it helps me to distinguish between the upper and lower class socialization in SSA. To understand the importance of socialization in this project, it has to be treated differently with divergent identities and expectations. Socialization has helped me to understand why there is little or no gender inequality and more female empowerment in the urban than rural families in SSA. I have used socialization to compare inequality in urban and rural areas, which further makes me to understand class division in the two areas. It is certain that gender equality and female empowerment is higher in urban than rural milieus, because in the urban areas, generally, individuals and families are exposed to high social amenities and high standard of living. Social interaction is generally more modern than in the local interior in SSA. The upper wealthy class is found in urban areas while the lower poor and primitive class is found in the local areas. There fore, as a result of this social division, inequality theory through socialization has helped me to distinguish and understand this phenomenon in details and further explains why there is persistent inequality in class and socialization in SSA. Connecting inequality theory through tradition, it has helped me to understand why there is still a wide gender gap and low female empowerment in typical traditional SSA societies today. People honor traditional established ideas and teach them to their children. But what is the source of the gender traditions by which women are made everywhere subordinate. (Drage 2003, P; 23) From the origin and history of inequality theory, men have established ideas and institutions that have always kept them dominant letting females at a subordinated position. The theory is therefore important in this project because it lets me understand why some primitive ideas are still led down from generation to generation in sub-Saharan Africa. Take for example, in most local communities in SSA, male inheritance have been a long established traditional belief and have been passed down to generations for centuries. These practices have become stronger so much so that even a male unborn child is celebrated be fore delivery. Women are regarded as properties and sold out for marriages, since bride price is been paid on them. Females have also been considered as products because they are forced into early marriages to reduce poverty since they are been bought by paying a bride price to their parents. Tradition is held at high esteem and has been a led down idea and still exists today in most of the local communities in SSA. By believing that only a male child can inherit property, has placed male sex dominant over females. This established idea have retarded development because resources are not rationally distributed by both sexes thereby making the female sex subordinated. As a result of this established believes, inequality persistently exists in this primitive areas that are reluctant to accept new changes because of illiteracy and poverty. Inequality theory is therefore important in this project because it has deepened my understanding of the continuous male domination because of these established ideas that have been passed down to generations. Inequality theory is also relevant because it explains these beliefs in such ideas and goes a long way to increase gender inequality and reduce female empowerment in SSA. Although there have been some changes in this traditional beliefs, but these changes mostly affects exposed families that is families that have acquired good education and have been exposed to more valuable cultures. Inheritance in these situations goes with responsibility and how you can manage the resources irrespective of being a male or female, though most often it ends up with problems from males since it has always been like that in most of the societies in SSA. Giving authority or property to a female is just like depriving a male from his traditional right. But with continuous realization on how these have been affecting the societal development, I personally think it is going to disappear with changing time. Thanks to the inequality theory that I am able to explain this primitive belief in most of SSA families and societies. Connecting inequality theory through biology, it is relevant in this project because it has made me understand male domination in biological distinction of both sexes. This is because women and men are physically different in ways that make men to feel dominant. Through biological distinction in inequality, I came to understand why there is inequality in labor division. This is so because the theory persistently insist on the physical strength of men to occupy certain jobs. That is why there has been persistent gender discrimination in organizations and job opportunities because men think that some jobs can be physically carried out by them. For instance in SSA, it is hard to hear that a woman is a military general, bus driver, engineer, carpenter, technicians and or family head. Biological explanation also emphasize on the predisposition of men in extreme dangerous situation so to speak. In SSA men have always been involved in warfare and critical traditional decisions that involves sacrifices are carried out by men. Therefore, as a result of this, inequality is bound to exist and that is why I have employed it in my project to understand this in greater details. However, with the advent of feminist theorist, and changing time, biological arguments for inequality in gender is gradually fading away. Technological improvement have made most jobs to be operated by machines and intellectual based not physical fitness. Therefore, both males and females can be trained to manipulate these machines to have a gender balance in job markets. However, since traditional African societies are still very backward and have not yet attained some level of technology, most jobs are still based on physical strength to acquire them. That is why biological explanation of the origin of inequality in gender is still very visible in SSA. Inequality theory is therefore useful to this project to understand the biological explanation of persistent inequality in physical strength, predisposition of men in dangerous situations and the reproduction of females that have made them subjugated and subordinated position since the beginning of time immemorial. The modernization Theory: According to (Deutsch 1961; Rostow 1960; Ruttan 1959), modernization theory evolved from two ideas about social change developed in the nineteenth century: the conception of traditional vs. modern societies, that viewed development as societal evolution in progressive stages of growth (Deutch 1961, Rostow 1960, Ruttan 1959) Following a modernization tradition, problems that have held back the development and empowerment of females in SSA have been irrational allocation of resources. Modernization theorist believe that for traditional African societies to become developed, there should be a rational distribution of resources for both sexes and the elimination of traditional, institutional and organizational roadblocks that have made Sub-Saharan African societies underdeveloped. Therefore, the society must pass through transformational stages to become modern. General Assumptions of the theory: Following Rostows modernization assumption, there have been five circular stages a society must pass through to become modern such as traditional society, precondition for take-off, take-off, the drive toward maturity and the age of high mass consumption (Rostow 1963, p; 127) The stage of traditional society is characterized by primitive technology, pre-Newtonian science and spiritual behaviors in the material world. There is traditional gender inequality and no idea of female empowerment since the society is too primitive and recognizes male superiority. The traditional economy depends soly on primitive methods of farming and limited productivity. There is limited mobility in the traditional society and most agricultural lands are owned by men limiting the female powerless and have absolutely no say in land ownership. That is why development is still imbalance today in SSA because resources are irrationally distributed and there is no female inheritance of property. Since it is a linear pattern, for a society to move to a pre-takeoff stage it has to do away with some ideas in the traditional stage so that there should be a regular growth. (Peet and Hartwick 1999, P; 81) The pre-take off society stage is characterized by development of modern technology and it application to agriculture and industry. Gender inequality is very high and there is little or no female empowerment because most machines were believed to be operated only by men. The idea of modernity was seen to develop sectors like educations, banking, commence, manufacturing and investment. This means that there was still very high gender discrimination in education and labor in SSA. Traditional African women could not own accounts according to traditional institutions and cannot be exposed to the public spheres. This was injected in a society that was still is primitive. (Ibid) The take-off stage as assumed by the modernization view as the stage for technological expansion, socio-political structures of society including gender rules in the distribution of labor in most urban areas in SSA. There is a little economic growth and a period to begin industrialization. In this stage, the discourse on gender and empowerment to modernize and enhance development increases in the urban and still very dormant in the rural sectors of SSA. (Ibid) The drive toward maturity stage is characterized by the spreading of technological expansion on economic activities and also there is sufficient entrepreneurship to practically fabricate heavy machines and equipment resulting from heavy industry. In this stage, the discourse on gender and participation have somehow gained grounds in most advanced societies and some prominent African cities. Women get more and more involved, the fight for economic growth and political dialogues and participation increases. (Ibid) The stage of mass consumption is characterized by the production of durable consumer goods and services. The rate of production of goods and services surpasses the need of consumption and employment is very high at the urban milieu in SSA. At this level there is little gender gap and female empowerment is high in most urban centers. This means that most families are exposed to western education and enjoy high standard of social amenities in the big cities. There is capability to invest in social welfare and social security on both genders, therefore cultural values comprehend modernity. (Ibid) Research have proven that most traditional African societies are at the take-off stage and at this level of development gender inequality is still very high at the rural sector and the society is very reluctant to any social and developmental changes. This means that the society is still very traditional, primitive and reluctant to social and development changes due to strong traditional and cultural beliefs. Also the theory explains why development has not made any significant progress in SSA especially in the rural communities where there is still a very wide gap between gender and female empowerment in SSA. Modernization theory can be seen as the legacy of the ideas of progress developed in Europe in the eighteen century. This means that progress and evolution was viewed as an irreversible, natural and systematic path toward modernity. The idea of traditional vs. modern society propped up in the different stages of growth and development in each society. This evolutionary progress of society was seen as a transformational stage from the simple to the complex. Therefore SSA being in the third stage according to the modernization vision, female empowerment and gender equality is very low, since the society is somehow very primitive and pre-occupied by male domination. Traditional beliefs which support female subordination is very high at this stage of development. (Latham 2000, p; 37) According to Nick Cullather, the idea of natural pattern of progress and development, as assumed by the modernization theory is a set of ideas and discourse used as a strategy by US to try to differentiate the US from former colonizers in their actions toward third world countries. (SSA). It was in the interest of the US as they also think that it was in the interest of the third world countries (SSA) to elevate third world countries to engage in the transformational steps toward modernity, this means that both sexes were to be involved in the stages of development thereby reducing the gender gap and empowering women in the process of development. The American idea could help assist third world countries avoid wasted steps in transition. This was seen as the Americanization and westernization of third world countries which was not more or less than the policy of assimilation by the French. (Black girls could eat and dress like French girls in French colonies to be assimilated and mod ern) (Nick Cullather, 1997; 94) The modernization theory advocates two fundamental concepts universalism and linear process. Both concept had and have huge impact on gender and female empowerment in SSA. This means that girls and women in Sub-Saharan Africa have the same cultural and identical background to move from a traditional stage to a modern stage in universal and linear order of development. (Redfield quoted in Cullarther) Supported by the same vision, all societies in SSA were seen as taking the same pattern toward modernity through recognizable stages, without considering other historical background, origin and geographical conditions. In the same light, following a modernization vision, all cultures were seen in a trajectory way. Therefore the theory never considered cultural institution, tradition, and customs and viewed as obstacles to female empowerment and gender equality. (Cullarther). By classifying the society in a one pattern way of development, the theory was therefore criticized by other promin ent development theories such as the dependency theory, power theory and the rise of feminist thinking in SSA. Critique of the theory: Modernization theory has received criticism in recent years from political scientists and political economists since it neglected cultural, historic, and socio-structural factors in it analysis (Chirot,1986; Black, 1991; Wallerstein, 1980) The modernization theory has witnessed a lot of critiques from varying development theories to scholars, researchers, institutions and other development practitioners. Most prominent development critique of the modernization theory hold that cultural values would still continue despite the shift from a traditional to a modern society. Therefore the argument is that despite the modern values of the modernization theory to transform traditional African societies to become modern by reducing the wide gender gap and encouraging female empowerment, African values still persist despite the values of modernity to enhance development in SSA. There is evidence that the broad cultural heritage of a society leaves imprints on values that endure despite the fo rces of modernization in other words cultural change depends on a society ´s cultural heritage. (Inglehart 2000c) Sub-Saharan Africa is made up of diverse cultural backgrounds, origin and history of migration. Though jointly colonized by the West, the fact that the society is culturally divided in origin and history, the values of modernization cannot hold at the same pace in the African societies respectively. This means that linear and universalism of the modernization theory could not work effectively in SSA and considering the fact that societies give different respects to their cultural heritage as considered by the modernization theory as an obstacle for development. Take for example the Islam religion, practices and beliefs is very strong in the Muslim society in SSA, therefore the issue of gender and empowerment of Muslim women can be a serious disorganization of religious rights since the later is very stiff in it traditional religious claims. The modernization theory had never taken traditional religious beliefs into consideration as ascertain by many of it critics.