A Case Study as a Research Method Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

A as a Research Method - Case Study Example Case studies are usually held about some social issues or entities which are â€Å"†¦intricately connected to political, social, historical, and personal issues, providing wide-ranging possibilities for questions and adding complexity† It follows the same pattern as any other critical study, yet there are a few important steps that one has to take care of while designing and conducting one. These include the following: 1. Determination of the research question is the first and the foremost demand of any research endeavor. In this step, the researcher can focus on the complexity of the subject within consideration and tries to seek answers to a few questions starting with ‘how’ and ‘why’. 2. The second step is to determine the type of case-study. Whether it be intrinsic due to researcher’s personal interest, or instrumental for more than mere surface knowledge about the issue, or collective because of the consideration of a group of similar cases, or exploratory, or explanatory, or descriptive. 3. After the determination of the type of research type, the next is to select the data collection tools which are to ensure validity and reliability of the data. Cross-examination and within-examination are important tools in this regard. 4. To organize the huge amount of data to be gathered via different sources, the researcher needs to plan a â€Å"databases to assist with categorizing, sorting, storing, and retrieving data for analysis†. 5. Field study and notes are the most important in this regard as they and to the exemplariness of the issue.

What would happen in a market that is transformed from a perfectly Essay

What would happen in a market that is transformed from a perfectly competitve market to a pure monopoly - Essay Example Competition not only helps the customer but also the company itself. The constant challenge to outdo the rival helps companies to stretch an extra mile and work optimally. Barriers to entry keep the businesses constrained and discourage them to enter the market. In a perfectly competitive market a lot of suppliers of goods and service exist, a lot of buyers exist, the barriers to entry are non-existent and the market is characterised by non externalities. In a pure monopoly the demand curves of market and the firm are identical. However, in a pure competition the demand curves are different for both market and firm. The demand curve of the firm is perfectly elastic because it sells product or service at the equilibrium price. Natural monopolies exist without any regulation in place but due to the technological and cost advantages of the company. The prospective entrant can not afford to invest in the technology or share cost advantages of the initial firm in the same industry. For example, DeBeers has control over the natural resource of diamonds. Practically all diamonds in the world have come into the control of DeBeers in South Africa. IBM enjoyed monopoly for a long time because of copyrighting and patents rules. Gas, electric and bus companies are usually monopolies in their respective country because of the huge cost of capital and maintenance cost. Monopolies are often call price setters and many exploit their status to discriminate price for its consumers. In real world, pure monopolies have mostly been characterised as less efficient. Pure monopolies supply is hardly equal to the market’s demand. The consumer are constrained by making alternate choices as there is no other firm in the same industry. This has grave implications on the society we live in. The self interest battle between the pure monopoly and the society can cause loss of goodwill for the monopolies. However, natural pure monopolies do not exploit the

Barriers of Cross Communication

Barriers of Cross Communication Abstracts As the rapid growth of economic and social development, every organization extending their business outside countries. Therefore, every organization must comprehend the culturally diverse. That means to communicate with other people from different background. However, due to different culture or background, sometimes it becomes hard to implement to manage all issues related to cross communication. Nevertheless, every organisation should make practical way how to enhance the cross communication in their firms. Through this assignment I will address the barriers of the cross communication. How overcome to the barriers. After that I will discuss about two theories of cross communication. After deeply analysis will learn what barriers come to cross communication on works place. In addition. How various culture influence peoples thinking and behaving. How we can improve our capability to communicate with different background. What are the barriers to effective cross cultural communication? How these might be surmounted? Cross cultural communication is very essential for evolution and enhancement in globalization. The success key of various business firms is to be effective cross cultural communication. Therefore, this is imperative for any firms to perceive the culturally diverse in their working place. However there are many barriers to effective communication. Misunderstanding There is no doubt that misunderstanding is the preeminent barrier in business environment. People have vary in culture and language. As a result variations in different culture can conduct the high level of anxiety and uncertainty can end up into the misunderstanding. Therefore misunderstand raise due to anxiety and uncertainty. Value and beliefs Every person have different values and beliefs. Today era, every person believes depends on his region, culture and language. If organization firms do not understand their employees values and beliefs result must have barriers in cross communication at workplace.ÂÂ   In order to make communication channel effectively and efficiently, an organisation should be known the importance of values and beliefs to other cultures person. Languages Sometimes it seems common when misunderstanding create among people who speak same language. Therefore, it is not astounding that people who belong to the other region, culture and linguistic backgrounds can lead misunderstanding. Moreover, mispronunciation of a word to a lack of specificity can face communications barriers.ÂÂ   When people speak language intangibly in any organisation, receivers will take huge time to comprehend. Stereotypes- Stereotypes is extremely considerable barrier to effective communication. It is an assumptions when person make about others person based on their culture, race, gender, nationality, ethnicity. Basically stereotypes are raise due to lack of knowledge and fear about other person. Stereotypes occurs when a person does not communicate well due to feeling self-conscious or shy of his perceived minority and culture. For Example The common issues is Black and white in USA. Ethnocentrism- Generally it categorized the culture as us and them. The person who belong to same culture are classify in a group and other culture out of group. It always give the priority to in group. There is a misunderstanding that other culture out of group as junior or inferior. Therefore it judge the another persons culture based upon the standards and values. For instance a business owner may be exclaim to his foreigner client and might call him moron due to his different race, gender, culture and nationality. Presentation Style- Sometimes, it depends on culture influences, how people from different countries prefer to receive the information. For instance prepare your presentation according to the culture to which you present. Mostly, European opt their presentation like formal, highlighted with details and minor interruption, Moreover discussion at the end of the presentation.ÂÂ   Cultures like English speaking their presentation are interesting and interactive. In general Japaneses prefer more technical background presentation. Therefore, you cant rely upon your personal framework or presentation. Whenever you addressing the audiences for different background, work according to them or their culture. Overcoming Communication Barriers. Notwithstanding, we have pile of barriers. In order to avoid these barriers and make clear cross commination channel in various effective way. Cross Culture awareness. We need to have enhance the awareness of about different culture. To comprehend the foreign culture differences, values, custom and beliefs. After that, we will be able to perceive other cultures and overcoming barriers. Knowledge of international Language. We can enlarge our skills, in addition to learn international language. I personally, believe that culture and language is correlated with each other. For instance my friend form India, he has further plan to do higher studies form Germany. Therefore he is taking the classes for Germanys culture and language. As a result, no problem will be created for him to communicate with Germans people. Moreover the extra learning will allow to him, how to give respect to other cultures and language. Before communication, Clarifying Idea- It must be very clear that if you are sending the information to other background people in business. Your objective and purpose of the communication must be well known what you passing the information to the others and arranging whole the information in effective manner. Until and unless, youre main idea is not clear behind the whole conversation. The whole information will get into trouble Be a Good listener- It has duties for both like sender and receiver that must be a good listener. Sender and receiver, both should have patience, pay attention what they say to each other. Hereby be a good listener can prevent the barriers of cross communication. Avoid traditional thinking Though, you want you improve your thinking abilities you must condone traditional thinking. To allow yourself to get extra knowledge about various way of thinking and comprehend differences. Be a polite and straight forward in communication. This obstacles can avoid the misunderstanding in cross communication. At sum-up, Ill must say, deeper knowledge of any culture should be mandatory for everyone. Not only in business sector but also in personal life. Because if you are planning to move in other foreign country, it will help to earn extra bonus with you career. Try to learn, understand other culture no matter what person is or from where they belong. Express your word, message or information clearly in a polite way. Dont be rude with other cultures people and try to show you willingness that we want to know or understand about your culture. Hereby this willing, deeper knowledge can help us to negative impact on cross communication. Identify at least two theories of cross culture communication that can shed light on your own experiences of communicating across cultures. What do these theory explain?ÂÂ   What do they explain to fail? First theory of cross culture communication. Introduction Primarily I will discuss about Face negotiation theory which is formulated by S. Ting Toomey, professor of human communication at California state university. The theory described about to maintain a face in the society can be part of differences in handling conflicts. How culture differences in people influences to managing the conflicts. Culture differences respond to the conflicts in the society. Generally, it is an idea to maintain a face according to every individual culture. Because face is an identity that every individual keep up in the society as a self-image. Face represents as himself/herself in the society. Two types of people is there, first is Collectivistic and second is individualistic. There are few reason of Face negotiation. 1. Anxiety over self-image and other -image. The value of face for person is necessary to understand and how can be important to maintain a face which reflects to the others. 2. Those who belong to the collectivistic culture, generally they ignore and connect to the conflicts. On the other hand individualistic people, they dominant the conflicts as to maintain the independent image in the society. 3. Every individual has statues in the society. Collectivistic people are born into certain statues whereas individualistic people are less concerned. There are 5 type of conflicts styles. Domination Indivualistic people approach never bow down. Integrating work together and try to reach the solution, standpoint by individual people. Obliging- Collectivistic people approach giving up and do what other says. Avoiding- A collectivistic view, stay away from conflicts. Compromising to come to a solution as individualistic view. Examples for Face Negotiation theory According to S. Toomey, people face a conflict situations has different form indiualstic people and collectivistic people. Western people are individualistic in nature. On the other hand collectivistic in nature. Individualistic people try to solve in trouble situation and never bow down. Whereas collectivistic people try to avoid the trouble situation and keep away themselves. Different culture have different meaning for instance. A good eye contact as a good gesture of attention and respect in western countries. However in eastern or Asian countries, they take it as rudeness. Moreover, some what I am against this theory that according to S. Toomey words. Individualistic culture (Western people), never give and Collectivistic culture (Eastern Asian), compromise with the words. Drawbacks of face negotiating theory. Indivualisitic culture belongs to the the western countries, while eastern countries have collectivistic culture. In spite of culture difference doesnt explain properly the person behaviour. Many people form Eastern or Asian countries living in western countries as permanent residence. Sometimes they follow the same culture like individualistic culture or collective culture vice-versa. Due to globalization, the theory was less applicable For further search of theory. She found that collectivist culture can also be self-protective like Japaneses people. The theory was updated many times. The latest up gradation was in 2005 I admit, some what I am against this theory that according to S. Toomey words. Individualistic culture (Western people), never give and Collectivistic culture (Eastern Asian), compromise with the words. As an international student I am in Canada, I was making plan to come in Canada 2013. Due to financial issues I was not able. After completion my graduation. I joined company. I gathered my self-earning. In 2016 I applied and came here. What I have learnt to my situation that never bow down to any conflicts. As I belong to Asian countries. According to S. Toomey theory collectivistic culture people like to stay away to trouble situation. One More example, I have that I met two one person in Canada , one is from South Africa and other, he is from Surrey, BC, Canada. Both they are following SIKH religion. Therefore, it doesnt matter from where you are and sometimes culture differences dont explain properly about your personal behaviour. 2nd Theory The second theory I will discuss about culture diversity. Generally, we knows globalization is increasing more and more, here upon it requires more interaction with people from values, believes, background, language, culture diverse. Nowadays we are the part of every country economic. Therefore every company require diversity to exchange more ideas, innovation and become more creative.ÂÂ   The basic concept of these theory explain about two phases of effect. It has positive and negative impact on team output. The positive impact bring culture diversity and reflect on probable productivity. It brings different culture together to create a peace and brotherhood. Somewhat members of other groups share their beliefs, festive and culture expression. For Example. On Chinese and Indian Festival Occasion, Canadian university organize their festive like Chineses New Year, Diwali and Holy and so on. As a result they exchange their culture experience with each other. In contrast It has negative impact, so far as it brings complexity between each other culture and not easy to manage. Culture diversity can be double edge sword, if we will not managed on workplace. It is undoubted that Drawbacks of Culture Diversity. The first drawback of the theory is attitudinal problem which are dislike and mistrust. We cant ignore theses two issues even in cross communication. Because every society has own identity and culture. Sometimes we first meet with any other culture they express themselves own their culture way. For example. When person from western culture meet and greet to other person, they will kiss check. In Middle East countries People greet you to say, SALAAM. Every society has own culture style for greeting. Therefore some time we dont used to with these style. It feels like you strange. But some people dislike this way which is totally different from their culture. The second disadvantages of culture diversity theory is pronunciation problem. It includes misunderstanding, inefficiency and inaccuracy. For Example many people dont familiar with other cultures language. Sometime they dont understand, what other people say. For example as an international student I am here in Canada. I am not familiar with few English words or sometime I cant pronounce some words properly. I am working in gas station as part time. Once day customer came and demanding for one product MM peanut and I didnt get his words and thinking he wants Eminem peanut. Personally I realized my pronunciation was not good to comprehend the word MM. this issues can be common. This kind of issues can be create misunderstanding and misconception between two people from different background. What are the implications of your insights for cross-cultural communication in international? Personally I believe, cross communication is very important not only in business organization but also in personal life. It play a significant role to create a smooth bridge and link between the countries. Cross communication brings new ideas, creativity, exchanging, cooperation and innovation. Various strategies or ideas will make every firm more and more creative, productive. Moreover In a company has different employee from different culture. Different employee can be authorised for specific work. Person can be assigned to solve those problem which is related to his or her culture background. As a result business will run smoothly and effectively. Besides every organisation enhancing their business outside the home countries like Vodafone, Tata, Reliance, and Nokia and so on. To order to maintain or make successful business. Every company must to comprehend how to operate business in international level in effective way. For example Ernest and Young an Audit firm it has so many branches across the world. It hire different employee form different background. Nevertheless, cross culture communication in an organisation is not easy to handle. It could be obstacles for any business in international market First barriers is Language and second is various thinking pattern.ÂÂ   Sometime it become harder to manage, when people from different culture society and working together. Every person has own view and thoughts. An organisation should considering some ways to manage cross communication. First to set up the aims that every employee should make efforts to achieve it. That means everyone from different background has same goals and rewards. Therefore no conflicts of cross communication will come up. Second, every organisation start to give different language training that everyone will allow to go to international market for dealing and developing new markets with other cultures people to maintain a cross communication. To Sum up, although many research has been done to overcome the barriers of cross communication, How to resolve the problem of cross communication. Because a cross communication channel is a reflection to change world. Cross culture communication has enormous benefits and associated by creating impartial and secure atmosphere where everyone has equal prejudice to access the same opportunities and challenges. Cross Communication can be assets or liabilities for us what we opt. It is depend on us. In my opinion, try to learn and consider to other background people to make it effective and relationship.

Handling The Great Depression :: essays research papers

Handling the Great Depression Hoover and Roosevelt had very different ideas on how the Depression should be handled. This was almost entirely a result of two important differences in their schemas; Hoover was a Republican and considered conservative, and had basically worked his way through life, while Roosevelt was not only a Democrat, he had basically been born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. Roosevelt was considered a liberal. As one can easily see, in many ways these two are complete opposites; in fact, if one looks at both their upbringing and their political affiliation, it seems that Roosevelt's and Hoover's policies must have been different in a great many ways. Hoover was brought up in a poor family, and worked almost his entire life. When he was eight years old, his parents died so he went to live with his uncle. His uncle worked with him, and later became rich. Hoover had endured a great many hardships in his life, and knew what it was like to do without. In fact, Hoover was very poor as a child, although not necessarily living in poverty. This effect on his schema would be rather interesting, as it seems that he should have had a better understanding of how to handle problems with the poor than Roosevelt. As Hoover was born poor, one would think that he would know how to run the country like a business, so that it would stay afloat; however, when confronted with the Depression, he repeatedly cut taxes. Hoover was basically a hard working Republican, the quintessential self made man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Roosevelt, on the other hand, had been born into a very rich family; He grew up with education at Harvard, had his own pony and sailboat, and had everything basically taken care of for him in his childhood by his mother. This gave him a sense of security, of being able to do anything he wanted, most simply because he didn't fail early on. He had never lived through what the American public was going through, so his view of the world, his schema, did not necessarily include what it was like to live in poverty. He believed that the Depression could be solved merely by putting as many people to work for the government as possible. This could relate to how, growing up, he himself did not have to work in any way, shape, or form.

Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay

Referring to at least two extracts in detail, explain why A Midsummer Night’s Dream is still popular, 400 years after it was written. Comment on a production you have seen, or consider how you would like to produce the play. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is set in Athens in Greece. It is a journey into a mid-night forest, where fairies put spells on people. The story begins with Hippolyta and Theseus (Duke of Athens), getting married and the events that surround it. There are a group of workers who have decided to put on a play for the wedding. â€Å"Here is a scroll of every man’s name wish, is thought fit, through all Athens, to play in our interlude before the Duke and the Duchess on his wedding-day at night. † In the play, a carpenter, called Peter Quince, gives this speech. He is informing the workers about the play, they will be putting on. â€Å"The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe. † Bottom agrees with Peter Quince, that Pyramus and Thisbe is a great play to be putting on. Another main part of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is the quarrelling that has been going on between Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the fairies. They are arguing about a little Indian boy, who Titania has looked after, since he was a baby. Oberon wants the boy to be his henchman, but Titania totally disagrees. â€Å"Give me that boy and I will go with thee,† says Oberon. â€Å"Not for thy fairy kingdom. Fairies, away! We shall chide downright, if I longer stay. † By this comment, Titania has made it clear, that, there is no chance of her giving the boy to Oberon. Titania also says, she is going to go, otherwise things will become violent and out of control. In Athens there was a law, that stated daughters had to, marry, whoever their father wanted. Otherwise there were serious consequences, if the daughter refused. The father could have his daughter put to death. This was the exact situation for a young lady named Hermia. Hermia was in love with a young Athenian called Lysander, he was also besotted with her. But her father Egeus had chosen another young Athenian called Demetrius, (who was from a very noble family) to marry his daughter, Hermia. Hermia’s best friend, Helena was frantically in love with Demetrius, however, he did not have a care in the world for her. Egeus had gone to the Athenian court, to plead with Theseus (the Duke of Athens) to do something about Hermia. Theseus could only give Hermia, four days to agree to marry Demetrius; otherwise she would be put to death. â€Å"For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself, to fit your father’s will; or else the law of Athens yields you up to death, or to a vow of single life. † Hermia was in a huge dilemma, what was she going to do? Oberon decides to take the Indian boy off Titania. He told Puck, his attendant, to put a love juice on Titania’s eyes, while she was asleep. So that when Titania woke up, she would fall deeply in love with, the first thing that she sees, whether it is an animal or human. Oberon has seen Helena and Demetrius arguing in the forest. Oberon informs Puck to put, the love juice on Demetrius’ eyes, so he falls in love with Helena. But Puck accidentally, puts the love juice on Lysander’s eyes, so Lysander ends up falling out of love with Hermia and in love with Helena. â€Å"What has thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite and laid the love-juice on some true-love’s sight. † Puck had put the love juice in Lysander’s eyes but he was already in love with Hermia. The language and poetry used, is so effective, you can easily picture it in your mind. English has changed in the last four hundred years, so some little grammatical words are no longer used and there are also words for things, which are not used anymore. ‘Girdle means belt, vestal is a girl who is a virgin and a votaress means to a worshiper. ‘ These words no longer exist. ‘Ere meaning before and hither meaning here,’ are both little grammatical words, which are not used anymore. The second person singular, ‘thou, thee, thy, thyself,’ are not used in English. Although used in modern French and German. Pronunciation has also changed a great deal, instead of taking the first letter of a word and replacing it with an apostrophe. The third letter is taken out instead. ‘It is – tis’ – nowadays ‘it is – becomes it’s. ‘ Shakespeare’s language has a big impact, on his plays because the English now is very different. These are words in his plays, which mean something, totally different in modern English. ‘Civil – smooth, rude – rough, bolt – arrow, maiden – virginal. ‘ These words are called ‘false friends’, because we think we know them, but we do not. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the poetry is immense; you are able to imagine things, which cannot be seen. Oberon and Bottom’s poetry sticks out, because it is of high quality. In Shakespeare’s plays, there are many complex lines. The poetry’s quality has strength, to entertain and engage the audience. ‘The raging rocks, and shivering shocks, shall break the locks, of prison gates; and Phibbus’ car, shall shine from far, and make and mar, the foolish fates. ‘ This bit of the play was spoken by Bottom, it is almost like a limerick but it is a bit longer. The rhythm makes it gripping, ‘rocks, shocks, locks, car, far, mar. ‘ Rhythmic poems are good to listen to, as they are fairly easy to understand. Oberon’s poetry is more descriptive and the poetry is rhythmic. ‘My gentle Puck, come hither. Thou rememberest since once I sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back, uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, that the rude sea grew civil at her song and certain scars shot madly from their spheres, to hear the sea-maid’s music,’ Oberon’s poem was relaxing, because you could just close your eyes and imagine it. He creates a picture that can only be seen in your mind. Oberon gets love across by pictures, ‘loosed his love-shaft, Cupid’s fiery shaft, now purple with love’s wound. ‘ Cupid has let his arrow go and it has hit them right in the heart. On stage, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is really effective, especially when there are squabbles between characters. When Bottom wanted to play everybody’s part, it was as if he was a little spoilt child, who wanted everything. Theatre can do things that a film cannot; a film cannot interact with you. The actors on stage can really express their feelings and emotions. Like love, anger or sorrow. ‘O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent, to set against me for your merriment. ‘ Helena is very furious because she feels that; Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius, are trying to make a fool of her, and laugh about her behind her back. When Helena says â€Å"O spite! O hell! † I think it is really effective because when you are reading the play, you can really feel her anger. It would be quite hard to make the fairies look small and real on stage. I saw a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on video. I did not enjoy watching it because the play was too modern. The fairies were just like other actors; they were life size and just acted normal. The actors and actresses wore modern day clothes, like plain dresses, casual trousers and plain T-shirts. The film is based on a little boy’s dream. To get into the play you have to realise that fairies only exist if you believe in them. In Shakespeare’s theatre four hundred years ago, there were not women performers. Young boys used to play women’s parts because their voices had not yet broken, which meant they were quite high pitched. The theatre was almost like an arena. Most people stood up and watched the play, but there were seats in the balcony, for the richer people. The audience’s were usually, socially mixed. This meant that, Shakespeare’s plays had to appeal to lots of different people, whether they were illiterate, poor, rich or literate. This helped Shakespeare’s plays, to still be famous today because they are multi-faceted. The play has many archaic words, because the English language has changed, a great deal in the last, four hundred years. ‘Dulcet-sweet, votaress-virgin, and sirran – to address a boy or man servant or child. ‘The theme of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a love story, with lots of comedy. After all the downsides, there is a happy ending. But life is not always like that. Hermia gets to marry Lysander and Demetrius marries Helena. In real life in Athens 400 years ago, I doubt it would be a happy ending for someone in Hermia’s situation. The fairies put a spell on the lovers and Titania to sort the misunderstandings out, which the love potion caused. Oberon and Titania have both made up with each other, and as king and queen of the fairies they bless the house together.

Well Fargo

A. Brief abstract / overview of case study Abstract The purpose of this paper is to answer the following questions: How should Wells Fargo Position it self for the future? Should it strengthen its retail presence, grow internationally, or move into the void created by the disappearance of investment banks? Develop Projected Financial Statements that fully assess and evaluate the impact of the proposed strategy. How are the acquisitions / growth financed? Will debt be increased further, or ownership of WFC stock be diluted to raise the capital needed?The author will attempt to answer these questions using chart sand graphs as illustrations and supporting evidence Overview case The paper submitted will contain a proposed plan of action using primarily data from Morning start oshowa proposed acquisition for Wells Fargo. This acquisition will greatly increase the Wealth, Brokerage, & Retirement segment of Wells Fargo that has been underutilized and overlooked. This proposal will â€Å"m arry† the benefits of TDA meritrade with the Cross-selling strength of Wells Fargo.The primary purpose that TDA meritrade was selected was convenience. Although Charles Schwa band E *TRADE are competitors of TDA meritrade, but they were not selected for varying reasons. Charles Schwabhasa history of refusing overtures for take overs after his disappointing episode of being bought up by a large corporation many years ago. E*TRADE, whom some experts consider having a high erupt side than TDA meritrade, is not nearly as stable or financially sound.Given the current economic uncertainty and the authors’ penchant for avoiding risk, TDA meritrade is the best option available of the large independent retail brokerages. According to Zacks Equity Research, an interesting side note is â€Å"that Wells Capital Management, the wholly owned institutional asset management subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. , and part of Wells Fargo’s Asset Management Group† (Zacks Eq uity Research, 2011) already owns about 2. 58% of TDA meritrade. (Morningstar. com, 2012) How should Wells Fargo Position it self for the future?Wells Fargo can position it self for the future by capitalizing on its one-stop shopping format for all financial products. Already with one of the highest cross-selling ratios in the world at 5. 81 products per banking household†¦Ã¢â‚¬  this number can and should go higher in the not too distant future. (APAeditorial, 2009) B. Vision Statement To satisfy all of the customers’ financial needs, help them succeed financially, be known as one of America’s great companies and the number-one financial services provider in each market C.Mission Statement We want to satisfy all of our customers' financial needs, help them succeed financially, be the premier provider of financial services in every one of our markets, and be known as one of America's great companies. Wells Fargo is committed to strengthening the company and the c ommunities by proactively seeking minority, women, and disabled – owned suppliers, Wells Fargo strongly believe that Wells Fargo’s suppliers must reflect the diversity of team members, customers, and communities.Proactively seek to procure goods and services from minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses. Our Supplier Diversity team assists these businesses to access bid and contract opportunities through a combination of which is actively seek to establish relationships with diverse suppliers through business networking, electronic and print communications, and participation in supplier event nationwide. We encourage and assist suppliers to gain certification of their minority, women, or disabled- owned business status from independent local and national agencies.The Supplier Diversity team advises and guides diverse suppliers to prepare and position their businesses for maximum access to bid and contract opportunities. We actively communicate with minority, wome n, and disabled-owned suppliers, referring relevant Requests for Proposal and other potential business leads. Internally, the Supplier Diversity team works to ensure that diverse suppliers are represented and considered by Wells Fargo purchasing managers in all sourcing, contracting and procurement decisions. Wells Fargo SWOT * STRENGTH 1.Strong national presence and credible reputation (Strong brand) 2. Widely recognized as industry and market share leader (Industry leader) 3. Servicing for more than 25 million customers through over 6000 stores, the Internet, and other distribution channel across North America and elsewhere internationally (Worldwide service) 4. Values its people as its competitive advantage (Strong HR & management team) 5. Values and treats its customer as friends (Loyal customers) 6. Leading innovator in the use of internet and e-commerce (Online growth) 7.Strong balance sheet and the ability to steer through the pitfalls that plagued its competitors (Strong fin ancial position) * WEAKNESS 1. The Wachovia Bank subprime mortgage problems (Over leveraged financial position) 2. Overcommitted in credit swap (Over leveraged financial position) 3. The reduction of Wells Fargo’s debt rating two levels during January 2009 (Weak capital position) 4. Cut its dividend payment in a move to attempt to solidify its balance sheet (Diseconomies of scale) 5.Wells Fargo basically did no securities business after merger (Not diversified) 6. Too much focus on consumer/retail banking (Not diversified) 7. Weak International growth OPPORTUNITIES 1. Increasing its extensiveness through mergers and acquisitions with recently owned Wachovia or with other new bank (M&A opportunities) 2. Growth and success of combined Wachovia and Wells Fargo will be one of the great financial services company (National growth) 3. Move the large national bank with an international presence forward or expansion abroad (International growth) 4.The disappearance of investment bank ing and the Wells Fargo’s announcement to significantly expand its security business (Product & service diversification) 5. The use of internet banking and e-commerce (Online growth) Threats 1. Rising interest rates in US. 2. Basel II and compliance costs. 3. Consolidation in banking industry. 4. Competitive Matrix Profile. 5. Consolidation in the US banking industry. 6. Regulation on contingent commission. 7. Rising incident of online scam. 8. Meltdown in US Asset backed Securities market.

American Housing Market Crisis before 1990s and After 2000

American Housing Market Crisis before 1990s and After 2000 Housing crisis before 1990s and after 2000 The oil crisis The United States economy was hit hard by the oil crisis which occurred in 1973 as a result of Middle East countries curtailing their oil supply to the US. This led to oil shortages culminating into price hikes. The ultimate result was accelerated economic downturn. According to Fox (para. 10), the economic downturn affected the housing industry negatively.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on American Housing Market Crisis before 1990s and After 2000 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, decline in consumer purchasing power led to a decline in demand for homes. In addition, a large number of home buyers cancelled their home purchasing agreements. This led to a massive slump in the price of homes and hence a decline in home sales. Increase in consumer demand According to Wright (38), post war America was characterized by a large number of poor citi zens who were competing for affordable houses. The post war period was characterized by a significant number of Americans were living below poverty level. According to Wright (38), the rate was 13% during 1980s. On the other hand, the housing industry did not have sufficient number of units to cater for the rising demand. The rise in demand and the subsequent decline in housing unit led to a rise in the cost of housing as illustrated in the graph below. In 1970s the average price of a single unit was $23,000. As a result of rising demand, the price increased to $ 62,200 and $70, 300 in 1980 and 1983 respectively. The median monthly rent for a unit increased from $108 in 1970 to $ 243 in 1980 and $ 343 in 1983. This represents a significant rise in housing price within one decade. Subprime mortgages and increase in home supply In the 21st century, United States experienced a rampant growth of the housing industry. Until 2006, price in the housing industry was on an upward trend. The lucrative nature of the industry led to a large number of investors venturing the industry.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In an effort to increase their profit, financial institutions issued undertook financial engineering by incorporating adjusted rate mortgages (ARMS) to individuals whose credit worthiness was relatively low (Reinhart 1). This means that they increased their lending capacity making it possible for individuals with low creditworthiness to own homes. The ARMS had a relatively high rate of interest compared to conventional mortgages. This arises from the fact that the rate was fixed for certain duration. Upon adjusting the rate, the rate was increased making it costly for individuals to refinance their mortgages. As a measure to avert losses, financial institutions issued foreclosures to home owners who defaulted paying their mortgages. According to BBC (para. 19), the repossessions led to a dramatic decline in house prices similar to that witnessed in 1930s. This arose from an increase in unsold homes. It is estimated that there were approximately 4 million unsold homes in US by November 2007 which depressed prices. As a result of rise in home supply, firms in the real estate industry were forced to lower their prices in an effort to dispose unsold properties. According to Maximus (1), an increase in supply of a commodity leads to a decline in its price. By the third quarter of 2007, it was estimated that house prices were declining with a margin of 4.5% annually which was expected to increase to 10% in 2008. The chart below illustrated the trend in housing prices from 1998 to 2007. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7073131.stm Work Cited BBC. The downturn in facts and figures. BBC News. 21 Nov. 2007. 24 Jan. 2011. Web.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on American Housing Market Crisis before 1990s and After 2000 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Fox, Richard. Understanding the housing crisis. Washington: The Jewish Policy Center. 2008. Web. Maximus, Fabius. The housing crisis allows America to look in the mirror. What do we  see? Word Press. 9 March 2009. 24 Jan. 2011. Web. Reinhart, Carmen. Reflections on the international dimensions and policy lesions of the  US subprime crisis. VOX. 15 March 2008. 24 Jan. 2011. Web. Wright, James. Address unknown: the homeless in America. New York: Aldine Transaction, 2009. Print.

Free Essays on Urban Decay

Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c... Free Essays on Urban Decay Free Essays on Urban Decay Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c...

Hygrometer a Weather Instrument that Measure Humidity

Hygrometer a Weather Instrument that Measure Humidity A hygrometer is a weather instrument used to measure the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. There are two main types of hygrometers a dry and wet bulb psychrometer and a mechanical hygrometer. What is Humidity? Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere caused by condensation and evaporation. It can be measured as absolute humidity (the amount of water vapor in a unit volume of air), or a relative humidity (the ratio of moisture in the atmosphere to the maximum moisture the atmosphere can hold). It is what gives you that uncomfortable sticky feeling on a hot day and can cause heat stroke. We feel most comfortable with relative humidity between 30% and 60%. How do Hygrometers Work? Wet and dry bulb psychrometers are the most simple and common way of measuring humidity. This type of hygrometer uses two basic mercury thermometers, one with a wet bulb one with a dry bulb. Evaporation from the water on the wet bulb causes its temperature reading to drop, causing it to show a lower temperature than the dry bulb. Relative humidity is calculated by comparing the readings using a calculation table that compares the ambient temperature (the temperature given by the dry bulb) to the difference in temperatures between the two thermometers. A mechanical hygrometer uses a slightly more complex system, based on one of the first hygrometers designed in 1783 by Horace Bà ©nà ©dict de Saussure. This system uses an organic material (usually human hair) that expands and contracts as a result of the surrounding humidity (that also explains why you always seem to have a bad hair day when it’s hot and humid!). The organic material is held under slight tension by a spring, which is linked to a needle gauge that indicates the level of humidity based on how the hair has moved. How Does Humidity Affect Us? Humidity is important for our comfort and our health. Humidity has been linked to sleepiness, lethargy, lack of observations, lower observation skills, and irritability. Humidity also plays a factor in heat stroke and heat exhaustion. As well as affecting people, too much or too little humidity can affect your possessions. Too little humidity can dry out and damage furniture. In contrast, too much humidity can cause moisture stains, condensation, swelling, and mold. Getting the Best Results from a Hygrometer Hygrometers must be calibrated at least once a year to ensure they provide the most accurate results possible. Even the best, most expensive hygrometer’s accuracy is likely to alter over time. To calibrate, place your hygrometer in a sealed container alongside a cup of salt water, and place it in a room where the temperature stays relatively constant throughout the day (e.g. not by a fireplace or front door), then leave it to sit for 10 hours. At the end of the 10 hours, the hygrometer should display a relative humidity level of 75% (the standard) if not, you need to adjust the display.

Public Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Public Communication - Essay Example As a modern democratic society, the United States has seen enormous number of public communication campaigns. American presidential campaigns have their own distinct and influential position among them due to the sheer scope and range of such campaigns. Since American presidential campaigns are of long duration and watched by a large audience, they become the stage for the unfolding of most sophisticated communication strategies and tactics. Political rhetoric has profound influence in the making of the United States presidential election results. For a deep rhetorical analysis, a selected study in the context of American presidential elections would be an ideal choice. Michelle Obama, the American Lawyer and the wife of the 2008 Democratic nominee for the President of the United States of the America, Barack Obama. Michelle has been in a number of controversies since she sarted involving in the presidential campaigns as the prospective next first lady of the United States. In her famous August 2008 Democratic National Convention Speech gives a good portrayal of political rhetoric as a tool for disseminating a social construct, a built-up myth through a well crafted verbal image which is grounded on and legitimized by a prevalent, dominant ideology. In the speech, she presents a carefully constructed verbal image that sought to portray Barack Obama and her family as an embodiment of the American Dream, by forcefully putting forward the success story of her family. Theoretical Background Simply speaking, rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Rhetoric involves constructing ideas that could effectively symbolize what is advantageous to us. It implies that language is deployed in a particular way to achieve a determined response from a targeted group. Rhetoric is not only a real practice but also the theoretical study of discourse. It could be for leading them to a particular set of actions, to restrain them from something, to alter their beliefs or to inculcate new beliefs in them. Conventionally, rhetoric is considered as argumentation and persuasion. In the ancient world, it is important to note that rhetoric was major branch of academic learning along with grammar and logic. "In the Renaissance, rhetoric was regarded as a practical field of study for those interested in politics and law" (Edgar and Sedgwick, 2004, p.340). "Then in the 20 th century Kenneth Burke, Stephen Toulmin and Chaim Perelman with Lucie Olbrechts- Tyteca extended Aristotle's suggestion that: "Rhe toric is the counterpart of dialectic" (Mackery, 2005, p.2). There is a strong relationship between ones ability to influence the society and his/her ability to realize personal goals. Traditionally, Aristotle conceived rhetoric as an art of persuasion and its study as an effort to identify what is persuasive in a given situation. For Aristotle, messages become persuasive due to three proofs or appeals, namely Ethos, Pathos and Logos. The credibility of the speaker, referred as ethos, is an important factor in making a speech persuasive

Financial Case Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial Case Analysis - Assignment Example Japan Venture Partners provides the knowledge and relationships needed for foreign companies to establish local (Japan) subsidiaries. JVP manages negotiations and structuring of equity investments. JVP uses its relationships with local Japanese corporate and financial investors to help North American companies establish a foothold in the Japanese markets. JVP leans more toward investments from a small group of Japanese corporate and financial investors. Japan Venture Partners offer several financing options to its clients. This organization shares the financial risk while its clients maintain control of the subsidiary. Japan Venture Partners encourages forming, managing, and financing subsidiaries in Japan through the use of local equity or debt financing2. In certain situations IPO's (initial public offerings) are possible in the Japanese market. Local financing in Japan is important in establishing long-term relationships in markets as well as local financial results. Another important aspect of JVP's management of subsidiaries is its ability to keep foreign companies in compliance with local securities laws and ownership structures that are compliant with local laws. It is worthy to note here that an agreement between JVP and Omnicom would be a joint venture. Financing options would be those best suited to a joint venture agreement. 2.1 Identification Of Different Finance Options and Risk As stated earlier there are two main financing options available to Omnicom if they choose to use JVP's services to enter the Japanese market: issuing new equity and issuing new debt. These financing options are further broken down to internal financing and external financing. Internal financing consists of using funds from the parent company, from sister subsidiaries, and subsidiary borrowing with parent guarantee.3 External Financing consists of borrowing from sources in the parent country, borrowing from sources outside the parent country, and local currency debt. The internal choice should minimize worldwide taxes and political risk. The external choice should minimize the cost of funds (foreign exchange risk)4 2.1.1 Issuing New Equity Issuing new equity would raise funds to support Omnicom's entry into the Japanese market. Omnicom's choices are to issue domestic securities or foreign securities (or both). Both types of security's objectives are to maximize the rate of return and minimize risk. Investors in foreign securities face possible currency and political risk (addressed in section 2.4). The securities must appeal to both domestic and foreign portfolio investors to be successful in funding the joint venture. Equity calculations should be forward looking using historical performance records. By selling equities in the foreign markets the company is able to maintain some liquidity. 2.1.2 Issuing New Debt Omnicom also has the option of issuing debt securities to fund its larger presence in the Japanese market. These loans could come from domestic or international sources. Omnicom would enter into agreements (contracts) with the interest rates, interest payments

Reflection of Slingshot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Reflection of Slingshot - Essay Example All the elements to make faster cars were present including the know how to build one. It all begun in Southern California in the 1940s coming from depression with children coming out of age. In addition, United States just came from war where most of its youngsters came from the military who received education from the military on how to create hot rods. Through this education from the military, they were able to incorporate better techniques to make faster cars such as hot rods which eventually evolve to drag race cars. And of course given with a strong economy and know how about motors (cars were invented in the United States) these youths with plenty of energy, spare cash and ingenuity created fast cars which were known as slingshots. Of course, it was first built to be crude just like the Ford’s T-Model and others resembles a sedan only that they ran faster. The races were first done in the street (and therefore illegal) until it evolved to an activity in the 1950s. It further evolved where regulatory bodies were established as well the support of big companies that made the sport not only a successful spectator sport but also a successful commercial sport. The evolution of drag racing to become a spectator sport can be likened to any other endeavor be it in sport, organization or companies. It started as a hobby or a recreation and engaged by few enthusiasts. Over time and with energy and support, it eventually grew and embraced by everybody to become a successful sport. Reflecting on this development gives one an idea that anything really is possible given the talent, inclination, energy and resources. As a student, it inspires us that given the know-how, drive and resources, we can also achieve the same feat albeit at a lesser extent. The knowledge learned by those who started the sport came from the military in the same manner

Metaphysical Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Metaphysical Concepts - Essay Example As seen in the research conducted by Dodds, potency simply refers to a kind of non-existence displayed by individuals2. This explains that potency is a form of an imperfect act. Potency has also been described as a force that is inhibited in action3. Individuals can, therefore, display potency in a way that displays their restrained force. In line with this thought, it is arguable that potency is a form of reality that exits between absolute nothing and the being in existence. Aristotle explains that potency exists but can be manipulated, determined and even transformed into nothing4,5,6 .This explains that from nothing, nothing can also result. Since potency is determinable, it can be indicated to be in the process of transformation. Potency can then be indicated to an imperfect actuality that is in motion and is in the process of becoming. This thought advances that of St. Thomas who differentiated the concept of passive and active potency. Passive potency as St. Thomas writes is not a mere possibility while active potency is infinite and one that is an active force. Active potency is also one that is only produced by Supreme Beings7. On the other hand, act refers to the capacity to receive some form of perfection. It is of essence to note that act is constrained by potency that is the recipient of act. Nonetheless act can either be pure and unlimited. This depends on the manner in which the act is composed by potency. Aristotle explains that act can also determines potency and can even actualize potency8. St. Thomas is of the opinion that act is a form of perfection that can only be limited by perfection9. Simply put, the limitations of act can also emanate from within or by the forces that are produces the act. Nonetheless, it is of great importance to question whether if act can be limited by other forces or solely that produces act10. In addition, act is greatly by the subject in

Careers & Career Management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Careers & Career Management - Term Paper Example The purpose of career management is to support the people in achieving their aims and goals. Career management program involves a number of human resource management concepts which assist individuals in enhancing their performance through reviews and feedbacks. It enables individuals in identifying their skills and implementing them for their benefit along with the progression of the organization at large. This will assist them in developing a correct career path as per their capability and knowledge. The success of the individuals depends on the selection of the correct principles and guidelines which would enrich their skills. It is often observed that career success and career failure depends on certain decisive factors within the career path of an individual that ultimately create the difference (Public Service Commission, â€Å"Defining Career Management†). Correspondingly, the objective of the paper is to understand the reason behind the success and the failure of a pers on depending on the career management aspects. The importance of career management and the positive outcome are also evaluated in this paper. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUCCESS STORY OF ALAN MULALLY Alan Mulally is the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ford Motor Company. He is as an American engineer by education who has attained unparalleled success in his careers in Ford Motors and the Boeing Company. He became the CEO and the President of the Ford Motor Company in the year 2006. Before his career with Ford Motors, he was the President and CEO of Boeing from September 1998 to September 5, 2006. He was responsible for the working and service deliverance by Boeing (Bloomberg Business Week, â€Å"Alan R. Mulally†). Alan Mulally is a graduate from the University of Kansas. He had a degree in the aeronautical and astronautical engineering and is also a management degree holder which he completed in 1982. He started his professional career in Boeing just immediately after he was out from his college as an engineer. He contributed in the progress of the company through his ideas and hard work. He demonstrated his hard work through making designs which were benefiting the company. Through his dedication, attitude and thoughtfulness, he soon became the Vice President for his project work on 777. In a little while, he was promoted as the Senior Vice President as he displayed his skills and knowledge of engineering in his work. His interests, focus towards the company, along with depiction of knowledge and skills had been driving him towards success. Subsequently, through his entrepreneurship, values and communication skills, he became the CEO of the company. The objective of the company and his individual skills were allowing him to flourish as the key decision maker within the organization. Through his perception and a clear mind-set, he has always remained aware of the needs and wants from his professional life (Bloomberg Business Week, â€Å"Alan R. Mul ally†). The contribution of Alan Mulally in Boeing through his efficiency and storing vision acted as key factor in bestowing him with the role of CEO in Ford Motors in the year 2006. He was appointed as the CEO to save the company from the financial crunch it was facing. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contribution along with leadership style, and for which he has been awarded with the â€Å"

U.S. Intervention in Panama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

U.S. Intervention in Panama - Essay Example This of course is a tapestry of stories that was later on exposed, together with the hubris of a presidency that did not want to be humiliated. Manuel Noriega swiftly came to power after a series of effective endeavors that included among other things being a confidant of no less than the United States government. He had strong ties with the government by proving himself a worthy ally and asset during the tension between the US and the then equally powerful USSR. Throughout the feud, Noriega became a trusted source that his link to the country was directly through the Central Intelligence Agency that was headed by George H. W. Bush himself. Noriega came to power with his strong U.S. support after the death of Omar Torrijos which was just in time after he no longer has the superpower’s favour. Manuel Noriega remained included in the payroll of the agency and this very influence has led him to amass the confidence of many important people that apparently included drug dealers in lieu of their exportation transactions. He â€Å"was seen as a valuable "asset," as a ruthless man whose loyalty could be bought, who would do whatever was needed to serve U.S. interests† (Revcom.us). ... The Panama Canal serves as the gateway to a greater presence in South America and directly to Asia. Originally under the control of Colombia, the United States grabbed control in the early 1900s and established bases in it. After the Second World War the SOUTHCOM, responsible for intelligence and other schemes, created its epicenter there. Led by the tyrannical government of Noriega the suffering of the people Panama and especially of American residents was used to justify the need for his deposition. Among other things, â€Å"He was involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering, and the ruthless oppression of his people. He also systematically violated the American-Panamanian Canal treaties and harassed U.S. forces and institutions in Panama† (Gilboa, p.539). The media played an important role in the execution of Operation Just Cause as utilized advantageously by the Bush government and it was the same venue that candidly exposed the controversies of the issu e. It is by the very image of the president as a ‘wimp’ because of his inability to deal with the Panamanian dictator despite serious allegations of drug trafficking and other oppressions that further agitated George H.W. Bush’s presidency. The final thread that validated the Panama invasion and its popular acceptance was the death of a Marine Lieutenant which was depicted as a definitive demonstration of unprovoked oppression. But this claim was soon probed by the media such as the Los Angeles Times that exposed that the marine actually belonged to a rogue group whose primary function was to rouse trouble that will ultimately provoke the PDF. This group, called ‘Hard Chargers,’ systematically engaged in acts and stratagems that will agitate the Panama

Careers & Career Management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Careers & Career Management - Term Paper Example The purpose of career management is to support the people in achieving their aims and goals. Career management program involves a number of human resource management concepts which assist individuals in enhancing their performance through reviews and feedbacks. It enables individuals in identifying their skills and implementing them for their benefit along with the progression of the organization at large. This will assist them in developing a correct career path as per their capability and knowledge. The success of the individuals depends on the selection of the correct principles and guidelines which would enrich their skills. It is often observed that career success and career failure depends on certain decisive factors within the career path of an individual that ultimately create the difference (Public Service Commission, â€Å"Defining Career Management†). Correspondingly, the objective of the paper is to understand the reason behind the success and the failure of a pers on depending on the career management aspects. The importance of career management and the positive outcome are also evaluated in this paper. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUCCESS STORY OF ALAN MULALLY Alan Mulally is the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ford Motor Company. He is as an American engineer by education who has attained unparalleled success in his careers in Ford Motors and the Boeing Company. He became the CEO and the President of the Ford Motor Company in the year 2006. Before his career with Ford Motors, he was the President and CEO of Boeing from September 1998 to September 5, 2006. He was responsible for the working and service deliverance by Boeing (Bloomberg Business Week, â€Å"Alan R. Mulally†). Alan Mulally is a graduate from the University of Kansas. He had a degree in the aeronautical and astronautical engineering and is also a management degree holder which he completed in 1982. He started his professional career in Boeing just immediately after he was out from his college as an engineer. He contributed in the progress of the company through his ideas and hard work. He demonstrated his hard work through making designs which were benefiting the company. Through his dedication, attitude and thoughtfulness, he soon became the Vice President for his project work on 777. In a little while, he was promoted as the Senior Vice President as he displayed his skills and knowledge of engineering in his work. His interests, focus towards the company, along with depiction of knowledge and skills had been driving him towards success. Subsequently, through his entrepreneurship, values and communication skills, he became the CEO of the company. The objective of the company and his individual skills were allowing him to flourish as the key decision maker within the organization. Through his perception and a clear mind-set, he has always remained aware of the needs and wants from his professional life (Bloomberg Business Week, â€Å"Alan R. Mul ally†). The contribution of Alan Mulally in Boeing through his efficiency and storing vision acted as key factor in bestowing him with the role of CEO in Ford Motors in the year 2006. He was appointed as the CEO to save the company from the financial crunch it was facing. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contribution along with leadership style, and for which he has been awarded with the â€Å"

Covey Principles Essay Example for Free

Covey Principles Essay In a society where everything is quick-fix and modeled after the fast food restaurant it is no surprise that corporate America faces the current dilemma of failing management and disinformation. Covey reminds us we must be willing to get personally involved with our job, life, family, and so on. This essay will discuss four principles needed not only in business but everyday life as well; Security, Guidance, Wisdom, and Power. Security does not mean what it used to twenty years ago. In times past, a hand shake could seal a business deal. Now, there are multiple copies of signed pages holding each party to their word. Also, a man was as good as his word in years gone by. Today it is more difficult to establish some level of trust enough to do business on a long term basis. Identity and personal integrity are just a couple of the issues that have to be proven to potential business partners. Identity plays such an important role in every day life that if we are not yet established as a person who knows themselves others will take notice. Not only is it difficult to perform in the business world, but the lack of this character trait can significantly hurt any personal relationship we hope to gain. There are various degrees of security which are, for the most part, dictated to us by the circumstance in life. However, being human, we have the ability to control how our integrity is substantiated. If we are careful when approaching this aspect of our daily lives we will soon be known as a person others can trust. This is security. Not just security for business prospects, but in the day to day grind of every-man-for-himself it will be the defining factor of all of our relationships. We can gain a great deal of insight on life if we develop a secure lifestyle. This mode of living guides us to the next principle of the four I mentioned above. The direction we receive in life is also a choice we make and comes from all the different forms of information that we allow to infiltrate our minds. It is inevitably this that shapes who we become. Covey recognizes this and offers a lot of practical insights for those who are brave enough to live life to its fullest. A person can live either on the low, middle, or the high end of this continuum. The low ultimately causes an individual to focus on themselves and what’s in it for them. Self-centered people are an example of this end of the continuum. Those focusing on traditions or human institutions are the result of the middle continuum. Then there are people who are inspired and inspire others to reach their potential in life. We choose the type of guidance we follow. Some may think that circumstance dictates their guidance, but it is impossible for anyone to be on a certain level of the continuum without consciously choosing to do so. We may not want to accept that as a truth, but the proof is easily seen by the manner of our lives. People who try to control the information shaping their lives are the people Covey calls wise. To have balance in life is to be able to see things as they really are and not to allow the facade of humanistic attitudes to dictate our life responses. Everything from inaccurate life maps to fuzzy principles will make fools of us all, and will be the source of all our frustrations. Judgment and comprehension can add a level of success in life that is measured not by income alone, but also by friends and family relationships. Things that might bring temporary pleasure are fleeting and the wise seek pleasure that is true joy. Joy gives an ability to adjust to life and recognize any power that we might possess. Power is only a good thing if coupled with wisdom and can be described as the authority with which we act. The best way to see if the power you exercise is truly helpful is to hear others’ opinions of you. While it is not recommended that you live your life or change any aspect of it by the things you hear, it can bring satisfaction or warning if rightly interpreted. People with power are demonstrative, yet not in an offensive manner. The true character of man is best told when he is alone. This is where the true power an individual possesses is recognized. These four principles; security, guidance, wisdom, and power, have given many people a large number of satisfying days at work and at home. I like to think they have influenced my life to enable me to make logical, sensible and wise choices knowing that these choices will determine my lot in life. At this venture of my life, though, it is wisdom that dictates where I go intellectually and helps me choose those things that are wholesome and right for me. Even with all the mistakes I make in life, wisdom continues to grow in me and helps guide future actions. References Covey, Stephen R. (October 1, 1992). Principle Centered Leadership. 1st edition. New York, NY: Fireside, imprint of Simon Schuster.

Feminism In Elizabeth Barrett Browning English Literature Essay

Feminism In Elizabeth Barrett Browning English Literature Essay Through a detailed analysis of the writings of Victorian era female poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this essay exposes the underlying themes of feminism in the authors works. The essay makes specific reference to two of Barrett Brownings most noteworthy poems, Aurora Leigh, a directly biographical piece, and The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, not officially an autobiographical piece. The essay reveals the theme of feminism through an examination of key aspects of Barrett Browning, including: the inner conflict resulting from the struggle to choose between female identity and accomplished author, the comparisons made between the oppressive practice of slavery and the poor treatment of Victorian women, and the importance of female autonomy prevalent in the poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. All of these aspects come together together in the essay and Elizabeth Barrett Browning is successfully able to shed light on the oppressive treatment of women living in the Victorian period. Through her writings that often surround cruel female oppression, Victorian era poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning expresses feminist views in her works. Though often done subtly and indirectly, Barrett Browning uses her poems as a medium to express her aversion towards Victorian era female oppression that manifested itself in areas such as societal expectations and lack of independence. Despite the fact that few pieces by Barrett Browning are said to be truly biographical, one could suggest that numerous other poems by Barrett Browning depict her life as a woman living the Victorian period, as well as the lives of women in general living in the Victorian period. Through the analysis of two of Barrett Brownings works in particular, Aurora Leigh and The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, one can clearly see areas of Barrett Brownings own life being expressed in her writing. Aspects of Elizabeth Barrett Brownings life that are most visibly expressed in her writing include her inner turmoil between wanting to be a poet, and yet also wanting to maintain her femininity. Also visible is her condemning view of slavery, and how she likens the practice of slavery to the then treatment of women. And finally visible is her belief in the importance of women gaining independence from men. Through a detailed analysis of Barrett Brownings work with a particular focus on Aurora Leigh and The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, one can see how the works reflect Barrett Brownings own lifetime experiences and opinions regarding female rights. The works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning depict her aversion towards the misogynistic Victorian era society. Numerous works by Elizabeth Barrett Browning reflect the inner conflict that existed in her life. This inner turmoil is made very apparent in Aurora Leigh. Barrett Browning often depicts this conflict between wanting to become a poet and yet also wanting to possess femininity through a use of symbolism. As the scholar Dorothy Mermin observes, A woman who tried to be a poet within this structure would seem to be taking the part of a man (Mermin, 715). In saying this, Shires asserts the notion that Barrett Browning, and by transference Aurora, is torn between wanting to be a poet and still wanting to fulfill her role as the archetypical Victorian woman. The conflict between a woman wanting to assert herself in any male-dominated field while still maintaining a feminine identity would have been felt by many Victorian women, not just Elizabeth Barrett Browning as a poet. Barrett Browning uses figurative imagery to help convey this inner turmoil within both Aurora Leigh and also The Runaw ay Slave at Pilgrims Point. In the first book of Aurora Leigh, Barrett Browning writes of being sent to England to live at her aunts house, where she strives to lead the life of a proper lady that her aunt avidly advocates. However, when she describes the lifestyle of her aunt, she describes it as being caged: She had lived a sort of cage-bird life, born in a cage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I, alas, a wild bird scarcely fledged, was brought to her cage (p. 13). Cages, used to entrap animals, act as a universal symbol for oppression, entrapment, and control. In this way Barrett Browning suggests that the life that was regarded as being most fit for the Victorian era women was something she viewed as being oppressive and constricting. Furthermore, by using the word cage, Barrett Browning implies that the lives the women led were no better than an animals life. Through creating this image, Barrett Browning is making a statement about her rejection to conform and become, essentially, a domesticate d pet. The narrators rejection of her aunts lifestyle does not necessarily convey Barrett Brownings internal turmoil to the reader, but it does show her strong opinions against the expectations of Victorian women. As Barrett Brownings description of her upbringing with her aunt continues in book two of the poem, her inner conflict is again described through her use of symbolism. As the narrator celebrates her twentieth birthday, she makes the ultimate statement about her conflict between her identity as an artist and her femininity. She claims that she does not feel complete as either an artist or a woman, though the resources for her to achieve either one or the other are available to her. Woman and artist-either incomplete, both credulous of completion. There I held the whole creation in my little cup (p. 38). Clearly, Aurora feels she is incapable of becoming both a writer and a real woman in her Victorian society, and thus she feels she is forced to choose one or the other. By w riting that she held the whole creation in her teacup, a personal item, Barrett Browning implies that the personal decision was, literally, in her own hands. In this way, the teacup itself is symbolic of Auroras, and thus Barrett Brownings, inner conflict and moreover expresses just how ultimately personal the choice between artist and woman is. And as Zonana states, in the poem Aurora undergoes a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦transformation into a poet who reconciles being a woman with being an artist (Zonana, 242). Through these examples, it becomes visible to the reader that the use of figurative imagery in Aurora Leigh plays an important role in depicting the internal struggle within both Aurora Leigh and Elizabeth Barrett Browning with regards to personal identity. The theme of inner conflict is also visible in her poem The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point. Just as in Aurora Leigh, the conflicts present in the text can be related to Elizabeth Barrett Brownings own life and internal struggle. There are many parallels that can be drawn from the runaway slave within the text, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This provides reason to believe that the poem may purposely, yet indirectly, reflect some of the happenings that Barrett Browning experienced as a Victorian woman. This poem tells the story of a black female slave, a dichotomy to the proper white female discussed in Aurora Leigh, however The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point as well depicts Barrett Brownings struggle with her identity as an author and as a woman. In stanza eighteen of The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, the narrator observes the baby she bore her master. She cannot help but see her master when looking at her infant childs white face in contrast to her own: My own, own child! I co uld not bear to look in his face, it was so white. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ For the child wanted his liberty Ha, ha! He wanted the master-right (18, 1-7). The narrator continues: I saw a look that made me madà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The masters look, that used to fall on my soul like his lashà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦or worse! And so, to save it from my curse, I twisted it round in my shawl (21, 3-7). In a response to The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, Tricia Lootens states: Better, she suggests, to be whipped than to have ones soul (implicitly) stripped bare; better to kill ones child than to curse him. Even in violence, soul trumps flesh: classic EBB (Lootens, 497). Stated simply, Lootens asserts that in the work of Barrett Browning, the worth of ones soul is greater than ones flesh. Flesh is valueless without soul. Knowing the value that Barrett Browning places on the human spirit, these lines signify the authors turmoil. The narrator kills her own child children being a flesh embodiment of a womans femin inity to spare the childs spirit. In this way, the action of the runaway slave in Barrett Brownings writing represents the feelings of the author; the spirit, or the artistic desires of her spirit, is worth sacrificing the flesh, or her femininity, for. As the text progresses to stanza twenty-six, where the narrator describes the act of burying her child under nightfall: My little body, kerchiefed fast, I bore it on through the forest on: And when I felt it was tired at last, I scooped a hole beneath the moon. Through the forest-tops the angels far, With a white sharp finger from every star, Did point and mock at what was done. (26, 1-7) This passage exposes much more than just the notion that society will chastise the narrator for killing her own child, hence her burying under the cover of nightfall, but further that even the angels above with their white sharp fingers will blame or point and mock her for her act. Just as the angels in heaven harshly judge the narrator for killing her child, the Victorian society would judge Elizabeth Barrett Browning, or any Victorian woman, who shirked her stereotypical social responsibility as a woman. Another theme used by Elizabeth Barrett Browning to expose the ill treatment of Victorian era women is slavery. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was notoriously opposed to the slavery that existed during the Victorian period, and this is reflected in several of her works. Perhaps one of the factors that inspired this resentment towards the practice of slavery was a sense of understanding from Barrett Browning that developed from her experience with the oppression of Victorian women; the plight of slaves and women would have been felt similarly in the era. This may provide an explanation to Barrett Brownings focus on slavery she was able to sympathize. Within Aurora Leigh there are links made between the practice of slavery and female oppression. Dalley describes Aurora Leigh as being written with the purpose of denying Victorian era gender roles: EBB clearly conceived of Aurora Leigh as a challenge to the conventional tradition[s] governing womens behavior because it openly discusses the plight of women and calls for changes to existing laws governing marriage and property, and attitudes governing womens work for money (Dalley, 526). Within Aurora Leigh, the idea of slavery and its similarity to the oppression of women becomes most evident in book two. As Aurora describes to her cousin Romney why she denies the concept of marriage, the connection between slavery and female oppression becomes lucid: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Am I proved too weak to stand alone, yet strong enough to bear such leaners on my shoulder? Poor to think, yet rich enough to sympathise with thought? Incompetent to sing as blackbirds can? (p. 48). In this passage, Aurora appears to have some of the inferiorities that the oppressed blacks were thought to posses mental inferiority and weakness. By subtly making this correlation, Barrett Browning likens the oppressed woman to an oppressed slave. She suggests that a wife was to a husband as a slave was to a master. Both the woman and the slave required the s upposed superior man to compensate for their inherent shortcomings. This passage is important in that it depicts Barrett Brownings opinions towards slavery while also addressing her opinion of sexism, while effectively correlating the two. Later in the poem, again to Romney, Aurora states: We sew, sew, prick our fingers, dull our sight, Producing what? A pair of slippers, sir, To put on when youre weary-or a stoolTo tumble over and vex you . . curse that stool! Or else at best, a cushion where you lean (p. 206). Auroras statement directly draws a comparison between being a Victorian era woman and being a slave. Through Aurora, Barrett Browning suggests that a man does not desire a wife as an equal companion in life, but rather to act as an aid to him in his life, while the wife gains little from the marriage. This thankless job of assistance is also what was expected of slaves. Both act as a mere tool to facilitate a mans life. In this passage, Aurora recognizes that in her patriarchal society, women were little more than tools to convenience their husband. These words spoken by Elizabeth Barrett Browning show that women were capable of realizing that they were being wronged and taken advantage of, which meant that they were not as mentally incapable as they were portrayed and thought to be. And moreover, they liken the treatment that the Victorian era women faced to the unethical treatment of slaves. Through the fact that The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point centres on a female slave, there are many areas that display Barrett Brownings opinion towards the practice. However, in certain instances, Barrett Browning glorifies the choices made by the narrator which demonstrates her hatred for slavery, and further demonstrates that she desires to escape the slavery of her gender. In the final stanzas of the poem, the narrator describes that the men are hunting her, knowing they will soon capture her, she literally laughs at the thought of her own demise: My face is black, but it glares with a scorn which they dare not meet by day. Ha!-in their stead, their hunter sons! Ha, ha! They are on me-they hunt in a ring! Keep off! I brave you all at once (29-30, 6-3). In these lines, Barrett Browning conveys the absolute fearlessness and strength of the narrator. The tone of the passage, through its liberal use of punctuation and literal use of laughter, becomes excited and maniacal, and in a se nse seems to glorify the narrator and her defiance. Perhaps Barrett Browning created this effect of glorification of the narrator because she, as a woman, would want to see the narrator courageously defy and overcome her oppressors. By laughing in the face of her oppressors hunting her, the narrator can take control of the situation and remove any satisfaction that her killers may get from her death. After having killed her child, and now letting herself die, she will be reunited with her child in a place where racial or gender-based oppression does not exist. This implies the notion that by glorifying the narrator and her final actions in the closing of the poem, Barrett Browning suggests that the narrator, wronged as she may have been by the men, was not only able to overcome, but furthermore triumph over her lifes obstacles. This furthers the idea that Barrett Browning wishes to see the oppressed overcome their oppressors. Again, in the last stanza of the poem, Barrett Browning d epicts the narrator as bravely awaiting her death, I am floated along, as if I should die of libertys exquisite pain. In the name of the white child waiting for me in the death-dark where we may kiss and agree (36, 3-6). In writing these lines in such a way, Barrett Browning creates a seeming sense of duty in the narrator, suggesting that to defend ones position or gender should be honourable. By including the narrators jovial mood towards her demise, Barrett Browning makes the statement that the oppressed woman was able to take actions into her own hands, and by her dissatisfying reaction, rob her oppressors of any satisfaction. In this way, Barrett Browning glorifies the bold action of the narrator so as to glorify the action of opposing her oppressors. Through this poem, Barrett Browning not only demonstrates her opposition to slavery, she also demonstrates its relation to the treatment of women, suggesting that fighting against either is an honourable act. Finally, the theme of womens autonomy is prevalent in Elizabeth Barrett Brownings works. Womens independence is a central theme in Aurora Leigh and in fact, acts as a driving force in not only the actions of Aurora, but in Elizabeth Barrett Brownings own life. The desire for female autonomy is visible in Aurora Leigh when Aurora marks herself as a writer by crowning herself with ivy. As Aurora crowns herself, she discusses the need to prove herself worthy: The worthiest poets have remained uncrowned till death has bleached their foreheads to the bone; and so with me it must be unless I prove unworthy of the grand adversity, and certainly I would not fail so much. (p.38). Although there is not explicit mention of what the grand adversity is, it is very likely the mere fact that Aurora, and of course Barrett Browning herself, were females in a misogynistic period. As previously mentioned, women in the Victorian era would be little more than the chattels of their husbands. For a Victori an woman to become a prominent poet, she would need to break free of the constraints placed on her by a misogynistic society. It is evident that both Aurora and Elizabeth Barrett Browning felt that in order to achieve their desires, they had to overcome the domineering masculine influence in their lives. This theme of female independence is visible in Aurora Leigh as Aurora explains to her cousin, Romney, why she cannot marry him. You misconceive the question like a man, who sees a woman as the complement of his sex merely. You forget too much that every creature, female as the male, stands single in responsible act and thought (p. 51). In writing this passage, Barrett Browning states that women, just as much as men, possess individual thought and actions, despite the opposing opinion of Victorian men such as Romney who believe that women are simply extensions of their husbands. Barrett Browning suggests that if women are not granted even the most basic of liberties from their patriarchal society, then they will never achieve independence unless they boldly act out against their Victorian gender constraints. While the theme of female independence is slightly less conspicuous in The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, it is nevertheless alluded to in several instances. The mere fact that the poem centres on a female slave who yearns for freedom from her master instils in the piece an intrinsic theme of the need for female sovereignty. In many lines of the poem, the narrator discusses the oppression of the black slaves and especially black, female flaves, and through this description links to the oppression of Victorian period women can be drawn, as both are treated as chattels of their master. Despite the fact that the narrator is talking about black slaves in the following passage, parallels can be drawn to oppressed females: But we who are dark, we are dark! Ah, God, we have no stars! About our souls in care and cark our blackness shuts like prison bars. (6, 1-4). In this excerpt, the narrator explains that due to their blackness, or their skin colour, they are automatically regarded as be ing lesser than their white masters. Of course, not only did the black slaves have no control over their skin colour, but furthermore it is irrelevant to their mental and physical capabilities as a human. Just as the slaves were judged as being inferior because of their race, women were also assumed to be ultimately inferior to men based on their gender, an inherent and irrelevant feature of their identity. The femininity of women was falsely equated to, by men, frivolous unintelligence. Elizabeth Barrett Browning would have been familiar with this entrapment that she wrote about, not only from experiencing life as a Victorian woman, but also due to her chronic illness that often limited her actions. The concept of female independence becomes visible again as the poem nears the end: I am not mad: I am black. I see you staring in my face-I know you, staring, shrinking back, Ye are born of the Washington-race, and this is the free America: (32, 1-5). By mentioning George Washington an d the free America, Barrett Browning draws explicit attention to the point that America is a country founded on freedom, and it becomes emphasized just how horribly the slaves, and in a similar way women, were treated in the gloriously free country, and just how un-free their lives really were. In this passage, Barrett Browning insinuates that no nation can ever be free until all of its people are free. Within The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point, just as the slaves were oppressed by their masters in the free country of America, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was oppressed by her civilized yet patriarchal, Victorian society. Through indepth analysis of key themes in the poetic works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning with a particular focus on the autobiographical Aurora Leig and non-biographical The runaway slave at Pilgrims Point, it becomes lucid that Barrett Browning uses her writing to express her own experiences and opinions towards the unjust Victorian treatment of women. Firstly, these experiences and opinions are displayed through Barrett Brownings use of interal struggle between the identity of poet and woman. Also, she expresses herself through her fierce opposition to slavery visible in both poems. Finally she achieves this purpose through the importance of individual independence that is portrayed in her poems. When all of these elements of Elizabeth Barrett Brownings poetry are examined individually, it is clear that Barrett Browning uses her poetry as a medium to express her experiences and opinions towards the ill treatment of Victorian era women.

The Social Interaction of a Men’s Soccer Team Essay -- Anthropology Sp

The Social Interaction of a Men’s Soccer Team In the field of Anthropology, there have been numerous studies on soccer and the different social plays that the sport contains. Groundbreaking and controversial writings such as Marcelo Mario Suarez-Orozco’s, A Study of Argentine Soccer: The Dynamics of Its Fans and Their Folklore (1982) study the fans and symbolism that surround the game. However, a key element that is often disregarded by anthropologists is the players themselves. Dismissed as the realm of journalists, most studies seem to shy away from the social interaction and symbolism that occurs within the team, and instead focus on how the fans view the game and the games role and symbolism within society as a whole. As a senior soccer player on the Occidental College men’s soccer team, I have a unique insider’s viewpoint on the social world inside a soccer squad, and this perspective can add much to the current argument about the presence of latent homosexuality within the world of soccer. Soccer at Occidental is an intercollegiate NCAA division three sport. During the season, â€Å"the boys† practice together, eat together, hang out together, take road trips together, and many live together. As an example of this closeness, during the season I lived with the six other seniors on the soccer team in a small, cramped house. In the off-season, the team is not as tight, but teammates remain friends, hang out, party, and play soccer a couple of times a week. As a lifetime soccer player and fan, as well as a senior on the Occidental team, I can provide a unique insider’s perspective to the world of soccer. This insider’s view into the social lives and interactions of soccer players offers a contrastive view to some of ... ...ritique or response to Suarez-Orozco’s theories. I merely wanted to examine whether they existed in the lives of the players at Occidental. I found no evidence to support his theories that the goal symbolizes the anus of the opponent, but I did find considerable evidence to support his secondary theories on masculinity and femininity. Other than sharing the love for a sport, I do not see much connection between what he studied, the fans in Argentina, versus what I studied, college players at Oxy. I was merely interested to see how his theories existed here. Therefore, I am not saying that he was wrong in any way, just that in America, soccer is slightly different. Bibliography Suarez-Orozco, Marcelo Mario. 1982. A Study of Argentine Soccer: The Dynamics of its Fans and Their Folklore. The Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology 5 (1):8-28.