Short Cases - 19708 Words

MM21c short cases:MM21c-front matter 12/23/08 12:59 PM Page 1 MANAGING MARKETING IN THE 2 1S T C E N T U R Y : SHORT CASES www.mm21c.com MM21c short cases:MM21c-front matter 12/23/08 12:59 PM Page 2 2 MANAGING MARKETING IN THE 21ST CENTURY TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SONIK CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. ICI FIBRES LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3. THE ARDEN COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4. UNIPRO INC. . . . . . . . .†¦show more content†¦On average, subscribers purchased 19.9 CDs annually, mostly through Sonik’s website. Annual subscriber retention rate was 90 percent. Sonik accumulated CDs from various suppliers and fulfilled its own orders. Annual fixed costs of fulfillment were $400,000; shipments averaged 3.7 CDs per package. Annual marketing expenses were $230,000; Sonik spent 90 percent on acquiring new subscribers and 5 percent on subscriber retention. Sonik’s cost of capital was 12 percent. It was considering three grow th options: a. Continue the Niche Strategy: Sonik believed it could acquire 20,000-30,000 new customers per annum for the next several years without major new investment. Sonik also believed that spending $0.5 million per annum would increase customer retention to 95 percent. b. Mass-Market Strategy: Abandon the subscription model, add many other music genres, and build a mass-market brand. Sonik estimated it would need an initial investment of $1-2 million to build brand awareness, plus an additional $0.5 million per annum for distribution and warehousing. Sonik believed it could add 40,000-50,000 new subscribers per quarter at a subscriber acquisition cost of $12.50; annual margin, $15; and 60 percent customer retention rate. c. Distribution Strategy: In addition to CDs, Sonik distributed products for other online retailers. AmeriNet Radio operated 43 radio stations in the southeast U.S. and sold CDsShow MoreRelated Pauls Case The Movie Vs. Pauls Case The Short Story by Willa Cather920 Words   |  4 PagesPauls Case The Movie Vs. Pauls Case The Short Story by Willa Cather Sometimes in movie production a film is developed from a piece of literature. Directors will use the plot of a book either to create a unique movie, or to give the audience a chance to see what their favorite book is like when acted out on the screen. Willa Cathers Pauls Case is a good example of a work adapted to video. 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ADHD Diagnosis, Treatment, Etiology, and Treatment...

ADHD: Diagnosis, Treatment, Etiology, and Treatment Outlook Attention Deficit with hyper activity Disorder commonly known as ADHD is classified as a disruptive behavior disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder of childhood. It appears to be more common in boys than it is girls. This Disorder is more common in boys than in girls and approximately five in one hundred children are affected (Busing). There are three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (most children have the combined type of ADHD)(nimh.nih.gov).The age of onset of ADHD is usually in preschool to early elementary school years.†¦show more content†¦Some possible triggers or contributing factors are: brain injury, environmental factors, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy. There have also been a number of â€Å"mythical causes† that have been ruled out. Some of these are: bad parenting (although a dysfunctional home can exac erbate symptoms), too much or too little sugar, artificial sweeteners, allergies and lack of vitamins. Scientific research does not currently support any of these indicated potential causal factors (nimh.nih.gov) According to the Surgeon General website, â€Å"Because the symptoms of ADHD respond well to treatment with stimulants, and because stimulants increase the availability of the neurotransmitter dopamine, the â€Å"dopamine hypothesis† has gained a wide following. The dopamine hypothesis posits that ADHD is due to inadequate availability of dopamine in the central nervous system. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a key role in initiating purposive movement, increasing motivation and alertness, reducing appetite, and inducing insomnia, effects that are often seen when a child responds well to methylphenidate. The dopamine hypothesis has thus driven much of the recent research into the causes of ADHD.† (Surgeon General website). It does make sense that neurotransmitters are involved, since the mechanism of medications that seem to effectively reduce the symptoms of ADHD impacts the neurotransmitters. This may explain why these medications are effective for many peopleShow MoreRelatedBipolar Disorder Essay3292 Words   |  14 PagesMania, Depression, Hypomania and Mixed Episodes are the predominant moods that can be identified in the different forms of Bipolar Disorder (GlaxoSmithKlein, 2007). The etiology, symptomology, and treatment for each mood and form of Bipolar Disorder vary as well. Moods can be identified by a person’s level of happiness, sadness, outlook on life and how he may physically feel (Mondimore, 2006). Patients struggling with Bipolar Disorder have difficulty regulating the euphoric highs of mania, the â€Å"blackRead MoreAbnormal Psychology Chapter Mood Disorders5762 Words   |  24 Pagesaccount and purchased thousands of jars of vitamins and small boxes in which to put them. When he appeared at a hospital emergency room loudly demanding names of patients with AIDS, he himself was hospitalized for psychiatric observation. What is your diagnosis of Manny? A. major depressive episode B. hypomanic episode C. manic episode D. postpartum psychosis 11. Dysphoric mania refers to a type of mood disorder in which manic episodes are: A. extremely severe B. very mild C. accompanied by depression

Ikea Paper Free Essays

string(37) " stated that IKEA is a price setter\." IKEA Business Analysis Industrial Organization – Essay I March 17, 2013 Word count: 3397 Introduction IKEA is a privately held, Swedish multinational company that is one of the world’s largest furnishings retailers. This international home products company designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds, chairs, and desks, appliances, and home accessories. The company is the world’s largest furniture retailer. We will write a custom essay sample on Ikea Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now IKEA was founded in 1943 in the South of Sweden, and its name is an acronym of the initials of the founder’s name, Ingvar Kamprad and of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where Kamprad grew up. The company is known for its modern architectural designs on various types of appliances and furniture, often associated with a simplified eco-friendly interior design. In addition, the firm is known for the attention it gives to cost control, operational details and continuous product development, allowing it to lower its prices by an average of two to three percent over the decade to 2010, while continuing its global expansion. As of October 2011, IKEA has 332 stores in 38 countries. Most of these stores are directly owned but some are managed under franchise by owners outside the company. By doing this, IKEA faces a higher chance of success than in a sole proprietorship. In fiscal year 2010, it sold $23. 1 billion worth of goods, a 7. 7 percent increase over 2009. In recent years, IKEA purchases from developing countries have grown from 32% in 1998 to 48% in 2003; 29% of its output comes from Asia, 67% from Europe and 4% from the USA (Arrigo, 2005). For a long time, Poland was the second supplier of raw materials after Sweden, but there was recently a giddy increase in China which, in 2004, accounted for 14% of total output, followed by Poland with 12%, Sweden with 8%, Italy with 7%, and Germany with 6% (IKEA. com). To achieve its goal of boosting efficiency while cutting costs and prices to the end consumer, IKEA is constantly looking for convenient new locations. This paper will focus on strategic investments decisions with regard to innovation and advertising and strategic product feature decisions. IKEA Supply IKEA’s vision is â€Å"To create a better everyday life for the many people. † To meet its vision IKEA provides many well-designed, functional products for the home. It prices its products low so that as many people as possible can afford to buy them. However, in creating low prices IKEA is not willing to sacrifice its principles. Low price but not at any price† is what IKEA says. This means it wants its business to be sustainable. IKEA supplies goods and services to individuals in a way that has an overall beneficial effect on people and the environment. Customers all over the world have responded positively to IKEA’s approach. This is evident in its increa sing sales. Supply chain IKEA has an extremely efficient supply chain and its management was the key source in IKEA in cost management which gave it a cutting edge among its competitors as it products where charged 30% lower than the cost of its rivals. With regard to the supply chain, the flow of production and processes go through three industrial sectors before the end product reaches the customer. Firstly, it starts with the primary sector concerning raw materials. Natural resources such as timber are extracted and developed. IKEA buys products from more than 1,300 suppliers in 50 countries (The Times 100). It uses a number of trading service offices across the world. They negotiate prices with suppliers, check the quality of materials and analyze the environmental impacts that occur through the supply chain. IKEA aims that all the products and materials it takes from the primary sector do not harm the environment. They also keep an eye on social and working conditions at suppliers. The second step is manufacturing where primary materials are used to build, manufactured and developed to finished goods. A key part of IKEA’s success is due to its communications with materials’ suppliers and manufacturers. During manufacturing IKEA specifies to its producers that waste should be avoided. Where waste does occur the firm encourages suppliers to try to use it in the manufacture of other products. IKEA has a code of conduct called the IKEA Way of Purchasing Home Furnishing Products, the IWAY (The Times 100). This contains minimum rules and guidelines that help manufacturers to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment. IKEA aims that all there products are manufactured in a responsible way. The tertiary sector provides services needed to meet the needs of the end users such as retailing, distribution, insurance, and customer services. IKEA’s retail stores add value to manufactured goods by providing a form of shopping different to the usual high-street experience. They meet the needs of the consumers in a number of different ways. Each IKEA store is large and holds more than 9,500 products giving lots of choice. Within each store, there are a number of realistic room settings that enable customers to see what the products would look like in their own homes. In addition, the IKEA store is built on a concept of â€Å"you do half, we do half; together we save money†. This refers to, for example, the customer assembling furniture at home. Customers handpick products themselves using trolleys. Also, IKEA provides catalogues and home delivery to save customers’ time. IKEA stores also have restaurants that provide Swedish dishes alongside local food choices. IKEA Competition To define the relevant market, IKEA operates in a perfectly competitive market. IKEA is a furniture store and there are many other furniture stores owned by various different entities (so there are many suppliers in this market). Normally the firms in a perfectly competitive market would be price takers. However, IKEA has a lot of market power as it is able to raise its prices above the perfectly competitive level without losing many consumers. Therefore it can be stated that IKEA is a price setter. You read "Ikea Paper" in category "Papers" There are off course competitors, however it seems that IKEA does not really take competitor’s decisions into account as they are not really relevant to their own decisions. IKEA sets its prices very low because they face low production costs as a result of strong relationships with its suppliers. Competitors are predictable but even if they were unpredictable, IKEA would not be affected by their decisions as the firm is already at the bottom end of the market. IKEA makes use of their concept in a global strategy that designed furniture for a lower price than other competitors offer that can be sold everywhere for the targeted market segment. Sometimes regional differences appear that arise form national habits, lifestyles and culture. What gives IKEA a huge advantage in selling its products at a lower price springs from their â€Å"young† concept is that the customers have to bring home the products and assemble it themselves. No other firm manufactures as much furniture as IKEA. The firm can and will eliminate any local competition by using their global position. It is a fact that they have no competitors on the global market. IKEA’s success was recognized to its vast experience in the furniture retail market, its product differentiation and cost leadership. Across markets where it presently has a presence, products are sold at prices that are 30 to 50 percent lower than competing products. This penetration pricing enables IKEA to gain significant market share. Low prices are a result of large-quantity purchasing, low-cost logistics, and store location in housing areas. In addition, IKEA also benefits from economies of scale and healthy supplier-firm relationships. IKEA enters into long-term contracts, provides leased equipment and technical support in exchange for exclusive, low-cost manufacturing from suppliers. For new markets, IKEA should retain its price-image to maintain the brand’s positioning. IKEA strives for cost leadership, and for this reason it negotiates the most cheap conditions with a very large number of suppliers, a large part of whom live in eastern Europe and Asia, where the cost of raw materials, manpower and warehouse rentals is lower than elsewhere. IKEA always tries to acquire raw materials at the best price, choosing the suppliers with the cheapest price but it is equally focused on maintaining good relationships with them to avoid late deliveries or poor workmanship. IKEA’s low cost policy is based on several factors. Firstly, and previously already mentioned, it is based on economies of scale where large volumes reduce the unit cost of production. Secondly, the low cost policy is based on economies of transport where large orders of products permit to IKEA to transfer transport costs to suppliers. Low running costs inside the stores is also a factor. For example, the group uses buildings that are easy to build and inexpensive to manage, and it also has a ‘dressdown policy’, with all employees wearing the same uniforms, which are very simple and ractical. A last factor with regard to low cost policy is the purchases of unassembled products from suppliers with a consequent reduction of costs (taxes are lower for components than for finished products). IKEA Demand With regard to the number of buyers, this market faces a great number of buyers as IKEA wishes to reach everyone who needs a new piece of furniture or accessory. IKEA provides its products to end consumers as it only supplies their final products. These consumers can be households, other companies, or governments for example. On the demand side, the active participation of its customers, who are seen as genuine partners, is a source of economic saving for IKEA. Most of its products are packed in flat packs and the customer has to take them home and assemble them, paying the cost of transport and assembly, and thus reducing storage costs for IKEA. Wherever consumers go to IKEA stores, products are always the same. Consumers therefore know what they can expect and for what price. This is a very strong characteristic of IKEA because familiarity with a brand makes consumers come back. The 9,500 products that IKEA supplies is available in all IKEA stores and customers can order much of the range online through IKEA’s website. By doing this, IKEA makes products easier accessible, reducing the distance a consumers has to travel when choosing to purchase IKEA products, and bundles its good together with home deliveries of the orders. An IKEA market strategy in terms of service providence to their customers is always a unique one. The stores and services of IKEA are very much different from the other furniture vendors. The stores are very much spacious and divided into cheerful model rooms. This provides wide range of services to its customers to choose the furniture according to the measurements of their house along with the prices and variety of designs that are showed in kiosks. In addition, IKEA also provides childcare centers and include restaurants and cafes serving typical Swedish food. They also have small food shops selling Swedish groceries, everything from the famous meatballs to jam. Stores are located worldwide. It welcomed a total of 565 million visitors to the stores during the year 2008 and a further 450 million visits were made to the IKEA website. Low prices are one of the cornerstones of the IKEA concept and help to make customers want to buy from IKEA. IKEA’s products cater for every lifestyle and life stage of its customers, who come from all age groups and types of households. This is vital in times when the retail sector is depressed, as it increases IKEA’s potential market. The wide range of products that IKEA offers are of most value for consumers. Consumers prefer to have a lot of choice for good quality and low prices. IKEA’s product based market strategy drew many customers to their store and kept it the top position in the global market of the furniture companies. As previously mentioned, IKEA issued variant catalogs of their products in different native languages so as to reach all sections of their customers. IKEA also adopted some of the experimental marketing strategies for the publicity of their products. In earlier years it has taken decision to decorate a chain hotel with their furniture that has become a beneficial market strategy for both the parties. Its main aim is to target the customers of that hotel and market their products. Even the chain hotel gets benefit to decorate their hotels with lavishing furniture at low cost. Furthermore, the most important strategy of IKEA is not providing the exit for the customers who had entered in to their stores without having seen all the furniture in store. In this phenomenon there is scope that the customers may go for the more furniture that is not actually needed (Kotelnikov, 2005). Since it was founded IKEA has always had concern for people and the environment. The IKEA vision â€Å"to create a better everyday life for the many people† puts this concern at the heart of the business. IKEA has responded to the public’s rising concern for sustainability in its choice of product range, suppliers, stores and communication. It has also spotted business potential in providing sustainable solutions. IKEA’s concern for people and the environment encourages it to make better use of both raw materials and energy. This keeps costs down and helps the company to reach its green targets and have an overall positive impact on the environment. IKEA aims to be a responsible organization and believes that a strong environmental stance is good business practice, as it also has shown as the current trend of more â€Å"green† and environmental friendly preferences of consumers when choosing their products. Demand Supply Function Demand Function There are a couple of variables that are relevant to the quantity (Qd) of IKEA goods and services that consumers are willing and able to purchase, in other words demand. First of all the price of the goods (P) IKEA sets affects the demand. Next to P, prices of related goods and services (PR) are also important as those are goods from which inputs are derived to be used in the production of the primary good. The prices of related goods and services are therefore taken into account when IKEA sets its price (P). The expected future price of products (Pe) might also influence demand because if a consumer believes that the price of the good will be higher in the future, he or she is more likely to purchase the good now. In addition, prices of all other companies’ products (P1†¦Pn-1) have an influence on the demand function of IKEA. If their prices are much lower than IKEA prices, consumers will buy from other firms. However, as already mentioned, this is not the case for IKEA as they offer products for low prices. Also, if the consumer expects that his income will be higher in the future, the consumer may buy the good now. Therefore, expected future income (Ye) also affects demand. Thirdly, the incomes of consumers (Y) are also relevant to demand because this influences the ability to purchase the IKEA goods. Demand is also affected by the number of consumers in the market (N), the more consumers in the market, the higher the demand for the IKEA products. Moreover, advertising expenditure (A) affects demand as well. The more advertising, the more consumers are informed or persuaded to come and buy at IKEA. IKEA shows to be very efficient at this with providing their catalogs. Lastly, consumer tastes and preferences (T) also affect demand. It seems that consumers prefer IKEA products over other products because of its low prices and quality of the products. However, consumers incur transportation costs (t) that have an effect on preferring to buy from IKEA (which is often located just outside the city center) or to buy from a shop closer to their homes. Consumers know that IKEA provides very high quality products no matter in which shop they will buy the products and consumers could therefore prefer IKEA products over other. The general demand function for IKEA would therefore be: Qd = f (P, PR, Pe, Y, Ye, N, A, T(t)) or, Qd = a + bP + cPR + dPe + e(P1†¦Pn-1) + fM + gYe + hN + iA + jT(t) Where b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j are slope parameters that measure the effect on Qd of changing one of the variables while holding the others constant. We assume that, all in the short run, there is no change in taste and preference, that the income of the consumer is constant, that there is no change in customs, habit and quality of goods, no change in substitute products, related products and the price of the product, and finally, that there are no complementary goods. Supply Function There are a couple of factors that affect supply, the amount of products IKEA is willing and able to sell at a given price all other factors being held constant. Firstly, the price of IKEA’s products (P) influences the supply function. Ikea can be seen as a leader in this market and therefore it might be the case that the firm cuts its price, possibly as an attempt to keep the number of entrants low. Secondly, the price of related goods (PR) influences the supply function. If the PR increases, the cost of production will increase and therefore supply would decrease. Thirdly, technology (T) with regard to production affects supply in a way that whenever there is a technological advancement or technology used making production very efficient, the supply increases as production costs decrease. In addition, the price of inputs (PI) such as labor, energy, raw materials, influence supply. When PI increases, sellers are likely to raise P for each unit of output. For IKEA it is known that they have access to relatively cheap raw materials and an increase in PI would not quickly lead to an increase in P because IKEA aims to keep its prices low. Moreover, the number of suppliers (N) in this market might have a small effect on the supply function of IKEA. There are already many suppliers in this market and an increase in N would not lead to a significant decrease in P of IKEA. As stated previously, in creating low prices IKEA is not willing to sacrifice its principles (â€Å"low price but not at any price†). Expectations (Em) concerning the future market condition can directly affect IKEA’s supply in that whenever IKEA believes that the demand for its product will increase in the foreseeable future, IKEA will immediately increase production in anticipation of this increasing demand and therefore future price increases. Lastly, government policies (G) and regulations can have a significant effect on IKEA’s supply. For example environmental regulations could influence decisions IKEA has to take in consideration when switching to a new supplier of raw materials. The general supply function for IKEA would therefore be: Qs = f (P, PR, T, PI, N, Em, G) Assuming that all consumers know all things, about all products, at all times (including knowing the probabilistic outcome of all future events), and therefore always make the best decision regarding purchase. In addition, assuming that Ikea is the leader in a market with a large and endogenous number of firms. Decisions As IKEA is already at the bottom end of the market and operating very efficiently and profitably, the only decisions that they will face would be concerning future investments, advertising, and product features. One of the things that IKEA is now able to do is expanding more to new markets. So far, IKEA has limited its store locations to some of the most heavily populated markets in the countries in which it competes. To continue its growth trends, IKEA may have to begin investigating other (smaller) communities. IKEA has to consider how it will respond if and when a lower priced competitor enters its market. Also, IKEA may want to consider that its product assortment and promotions may not appeal to all cultures. However, for new markets, IKEA should retain its price-image to maintain the brand’s positioning. New cultures mean also that branding has to adapt to popularity in those particular new countries. For IKEA, despite the history of success the company has enjoyed thus far, there are no guarantees for the future. If IKEA does not keep on innovating and making the right expansion decisions, the company will become increasingly vulnerable to new competitors. Word count: 3397 References Arrigo, E. (2005). Corporate Responsibility and Hypercompetition. The IKEA Case. Symphonya, 2, pp. 37-57 Facts and figures, www. IKEA. com. Kotelnikov, V. (2005) Experimental Marketing. Retrieved from: http://www. 1000ventures. com/business_guide/marketing_experiential. html Building a sustainable supply chain: An IKEA case study. The Times 100. How to cite Ikea Paper, Papers

Saint Paul the Apostle free essay sample

Saint Paul is very significant for numerous reasons and in various ways. He was very essential for the faith of Christianity. One way he was important (later on in life) was his upbringing as a Jew, and his miraculous conversion to Christianity. In addition to that Saint Paul was important for his campaign work, spreading Christianity to new lands. And most importantly he is essential for all of his writings that contributed to a majority of the New Testament. All of Saint Paul’s experiences throughout his lifetime are what molded him into what he was. Every stage in his life was crucial in how (later on in life) he defined Christianity to many people. He risked his life trying to share the belief Christianity all over the world. Saint Paul is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the history of the Western world. â€Å"Paul was probably born sometime between the years 3 and 15 A. D. † (Buckmaster 1) Paul was born on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in a Provence named Tarsus. Tarsus was a very large and important trade center under the rule of Rome. Over a quarter of a million people resided there due to the abundance of work and the excellent quality of life. Tarsus was a lodestar for merchants, philosophers, and the footloose rich who traveled tirelessly in pursuit of the sights† (Buckmaster 1) Tarsus was a very wealthy place mainly because of its trade. Also Tarsus was also known for being a center of well-educated and well-skilled people. His family worked as tent-makers and he also acquired the skill at a young age. Tarsus did not grant Roman citizenship for every citizen that resided there. If a citizen of Tarsus was from a family of social standing of four generations or more, they were generally granted citizenship status. Tarsus was a fusion of civilizations at peace under the rule of Rome† (Pollock 4) â€Å"Saul was a freeborn Roman citizen, and a Jew. † (Buckmaster 2) Being a Roman citizen Paul had two names. One name would show heritage apart from Rome, and the other name would show the Roman heritage. Pauls Roman name was Saul Paulus; Saul was Hebrew and Paulus was Roman. Saul meant, â€Å"desired for† and Paulus meant â€Å"small. † He was born into his Jewish heritage because his family converted to Judaism well before he was born. There were three main sections to Judaism, it included Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes. The Essenes were very generous and virtuous. They would work hard and take care of the less fortunate. The Sadducees were strictest of the three in the sense that the most elite, rich and powerful fell in this category. The Pharisees was the largest and most popular. Paul and his family were of Pharisees. Pharisees believed in following the laws of Moses precisely. â€Å"Phariseeism cooled and ordered the spirit. The Pharisees laid great stress on the ritual and forms of pious law. In defense of Judaism they evolved a great body of precepts which went beyond the law of Moses. † (Buckmaster 6) At a young age Paul went to and lived in Jerusalem, to attend the Pharisaic school. He was a student of the Rabbi Gamaliel, who was one of the greatest teachers of the first century. â€Å"During the next five or six years he sat at the feet of Gamaliel†¦ Paul learned to dissect a text until scores of possible meaning were disclosed according to the considered opinion of the generations of rabbis, who had obscured the original sense by layers of tradition to protect an Israelite from the least possible infringement of the law; and illogically, to help him avoid its inconveniences. Paul learned to debate in the question-and-answer style know to the ancient world as the â€Å"diatribe,† and to expound, for a rabbi was part lawyer who prosecuted or defended those who broke the sacred Law, and part teacher. † (Pollock 6, 7) He studied the Hebrew bible and also was educated in ethics, Greek writings and philosophy. Paul did not become a rabbi after he completed his education; instead, he became a member of the temple police. His goal was to go after and persecute the followers of Jesus Christ and/or Christianity. â€Å"With his sworn followers Paul now instituted a reign of terror among the Hellenistic Nazarenes of Jerusalem. (Kraeling 45) Paul would even go into synagogues and arrest their members. He attempted to do whatever he could to destroy the church of God. The high priest instructed Saul to travel to Damascus and arrest the important members of the Jerusalem Church. â€Å"The High Priest gave him [Saul] letters of authority to seize the Naza renes who had escaped to Damascus. † (Buckmaster 20) On his way to Damascus, â€Å"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, â€Å"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? â€Å"Who are you, Lord? † Saul asked. â€Å"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,† he replied. â€Å"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. † The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. † (Acts 9:4-8) In Damascus there was a man named Ananias. Ananias was a follower of Jesus, he placed his hands on Paul and took away the blindness. That is when Paul was baptized into the faith. From that moment on he was a follower of Christ and began his journey. After his vision on the way to Damascus, Paul was fully converted. He was no longer a terror and persecutor to the followers of Jesus. It was a calling for Paul, it was his new life, and he would pursue it with more passion than he did Judaism. From that moment on Paul went on numerous missionary journeys spreading the name of his Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul traveled throughout the Mediterranean preaching the gospel. He used Rome’s advanced road systems and the sea to voyage around. Paul was documented taking at least 3 major missionary journeys. Paul’s missionary journey began in the year C. E. 44. He traveled to Cypress and converted their governor. From that moment on he was known as Saint Paul. â€Å"In little more than ten years St. Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Empire, Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before A. D. 47 there were no Churches in these provinces; in A. D 57 St. Paul could speak as if his work there was done. † (Bruce 18) Along his travels he built churches and he debated. Paul also fought against a Jewish-Christianity. That is Christianity that had to follow the laws of the Jews. For example like their dietary laws (no shellfish or pork) and circumcision. â€Å"This transition from a pure mission to the Jews to a mission to the Gentiles conducted by Hellenists should be understood not as a one-time event, but rather as a process. † (Riesner 109) Paul was also known for writing many letters, they â€Å"provide an authoritative interpretation of the Gospel. † (Selby 235) He wrote in his letters that Christians were freed from the law. So he built a Christian faith apart from Jewish traditions and made it much more accessible to Greeks. He also wrote letters to churches and church leaders. These letters intention was to teach the new churches Christian doctrines, correct any problems that might have occurred and to inspire the followers. â€Å"Whatever the Church’s needs, his letters have helped to find an answer. Moral instruction, courageous example, hope, exhortations to true piety profound theological ideas—they are all there. † (Selby 10) In total Paul wrote 13 letters, which were in turn the writings of the New Testament. Throughout his life Paul was in and out of various prisons all around the world. This was because many Jews hated the fact that the Apostles were on their conquest. Unfortunately it ultimately catches up with Paul and leads to his death. All in all Paul was arrested 4 times and spent around 6 years in prison. He was beaten and tortured numerous times throughout his life. â€Å"Paul was arrested for the last time probably in the summer of A. D 66. †(Pollock 234) He was arrested in Rome and was held there until A. D. 68. â€Å"Of Paul’s final trial nothing is known beyond a tradition that he was condemned by resolution of the Senate on the charge of treason against the divine Emperor. (Pollock 237) Eventually the Romans beheaded him in the year A. D. 68. Saint Pauls life was simply amazing and he singlehandedly changed the course of Christianity. In a way he set the tone for Christianity. Paul made a large impact for Christianity as an Apostle, writer and interpreter. He had expanded the church while traveling tens of thousands of miles to distant pl aces. He was crucial in moving Christianity from a Jewish-based belief in practices and in location to entire Mediterranean. Every voyage he put his life on the line to spread the name of Jesus Christ. He was detained a total of 6 times and was beaten and tortured numerous times. Saint Paul wouldn’t be as influential as he was if he didn’t experience what he did in his early life. Growing up he was a faithful Jew and even was educated for 6 years to essentially hate all forms of Christianity. On his way to Damascus when he saw Jesus and he spoke to him it changed everything for him. He transformed from a passionate Christianity hater to a passionate Christianity advocate. In my opinion that drastic leap of faith gave him the best view of both worlds. With that being said I think that’s the reason why he was such a great advocate. He knew what he was exactly preaching for, and he knew what he was preaching against in precise detail. He knew because he experienced it. That’s one reason why he was so popular and successful. His letters created most of the New Testament and it gave people an understanding of the faith itself. Saint Paul was a very learned kid growing up, even spending multiple years studying under one of the top Rabbi’s in history at an elite school. He meticulously studied the Hebrew bible, ethics, Greek writings and philosophy.

The Status of Women in Islam Essay Example

The Status of Women in Islam Essay The interpretation of original Islamic texts paints a far liberal and feminist picture than what is made of it in the centuries to follow. What we see in today’s Islamic world is a lot of injustice to women. Women are oppressed under the false pretense of upholding Islamic virtue. The present system â€Å"keeps people locked in roles that stunt their growth and unjustly penalizes women who would exercise their rights†. Indeed, if true Islam were to be implemented many injustices against women could be prevented – rapists won’t go free, victims won’t be jailed, women would be educated and fundamentalist thugs like the Taliban would not have thrived. Some primitive traditional practices that we see in Islamic societies today is more a cultural norm than a religious one. A few extreme examples are female genital mutilation and forced marriages. More mundane practices include the prohibition of women from driving cars, etc. These rules cannot be traced to Islamic literature. The edicts in Koran are equally applicable to both men and women. According to Islam, on the moral scale, both men and women are deemed equal. Islam does not discriminate between the status of men or women. The dynamic of a marital relationship requires that man has authority in certain matters. It is incorrect to assume that this implies a lower status for women. It says, â€Å"Man and Woman were created of a single soul and are moral equals in the sight of God. The rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man but they are not necessarily identical with them. Equality and sameness are two quite different things. This difference is understandable because man and woman are not identical but they are created equals. This is especially true as it is almost impossible to find even two identical men or women.† (Jafar) We will write a custom essay sample on The Status of Women in Islam specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Status of Women in Islam specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Status of Women in Islam specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer According to the Koran, men and women are units of a pair. When both are taken independent of each other, there are certain obvious vacuums in the emotional, physical and psychological personalities of each. The Koran further goes on to say that God has created the two in such a way that they are complementary to each other in different ways, so that these vacuums are generally removed to a great extent. For this very purpose, God gave different mental, physical and emotional qualities to the male and the female of the species. These different mental, physical and psychological qualities, on the one hand complement man and woman, and on the other establishes for them different facets of activity in their personal and intimate relationships. Though women are regarded equal to men, it is important to note that they are not the same. This difference in their dispositions is an essential and desirable aspect of society. Keeping in mind this distinction, their rights are also different. Thus taking Koran by its word, women are not inferior to men. Women are given equal, but not identical rights, in recognition of their unique personality. The Koran provides clear-cut evidence that woman is completely equated with man in the sight of God in terms of her rights and responsibilities. However, considering the differences in physiology the woman is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her menstrual periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby if there is any threat to either’s health. The right to choose one’s husband is another measure of empowerment. The importance of a woman’s consent to marry a particular man is stated in no unclear terms. However, the prevailing practices in some Islamic countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh is incongruent with this edict. The concept of dowry is much misunderstood. It is not the price to buy a bride, but rather, a gift of love by the groom. This is a practice of prudence as it provides her with financial security for unforeseen developments. Koran’s endorsement of polygamy is another misused custom. At the time the Koran was revealed, most Arabic nations were involved in warfare, which resulted in a number of widows with children.. Taking this into account, a man was allowed to take as many as four wives, not to gratify him but to share the societal responsibility. The precondition for such additional marriages is the man’s ability to cater and support his wives. As a matter of fact, the widows were not sexy young women, â€Å"but usually mothers of up to six children, who came as part of the deal†. It is a good sign that polygamy is not so common today. The Islamic law pertaining to divorce takes due consideration of women’s needs and treats her fairly. Also, in any marital dispute all options for reconciliation are tried before the decision to grant divorce is arrived. Muslim women’s dressing is portrayed in the western media as anachronistic and oppressive. There is some rationale behind these dress codes. The emphasis is on modesty and prevention of unwanted sexual advances. It is perfectly alright to wear attractive and graceful dresses, while avoiding being provocative. Given the context of our times, when sexual abuse of women is in ascendancy, the Islamic dress code helps maintain moral integrity. However, taken to the extreme, the veiling can have a repressive effect. Islamic Law is just and fair with respect to a woman’s property rights. In addition, Islam restored to woman the right of inheritance, after she herself was an object of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is wholly hers and none can make any claim on it, including her brother, husband and father. Irrespective of whether she is single or married, she can â€Å"buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties†. Women’s employment is not encouraged, for it is regarded that her primary role in society is as a mother and care giver. It is reasoned that this noble responsibility helps shape mentally and physically sound children. The scriptures grant women appropriate rights of inheriting wealth based on the context. â€Å"Whether she is a wife or mother, a sister or daughter, she receives a certain share of the deceased kin’s property, a share which depends on her degree of relationship to the deceased and the number of heirs. This share is hers, and no one can take it away or disinherit her. In the case of inheritance, the question of quality and sameness is fully applicable.† (Jafar) Also, a woman has no financial responsibilities whatsoever except for her personal expense, the high luxurious things that she likes to have. She is financially secure and provided for. If she is a wife, her husband is the provider; if she is a mother, it is the son; if she is a daughter, it is the father; if she is a sister; it is the brother, and so on. If she has no relatives on whom she can depend, then the question of inheritance does not arise because there is nothing to inherit and there is no one to bequeath anything to her. However, she will not be left to starve, maintenance of such a woman is the collective responsibility of the society. She may be given financial aid or a job to earn her living, and whatever money she makes will all be hers The proportion of inheritance between men and women though may vary. This is in recognition of the additional financial responsibilities that lay on a man’s shoulder and not a statement of supremacy of one over the other. An inquiry into the history of Islamic scripture will present clear evidence for women’s political rights. Women were allowed to be nominated to political offices. However, their participation in public affairs today is highly disproportionate. The Koran expresses some reservations about women’s leadership abilities as they are emotional by nature. This is not to slight women, but to acknowledge their psychological makeup. â€Å"She is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is. Her sound opinions are taken into consideration and cannot be disregarded just because she happen to belong to the female sex. It is reported in the Koran and history that woman not only expressed her opinion freely but also argued and participated in serious discussions with the Prophet himself as well as with other Muslim leaders.† (Wollaston) Historical documents prove this elevated life-style of women during the early days of Islamic tradition. Women nursed wounded soldiers, prepared supplies and provided vital support during times of war. Such public participation was much appreciated and welcomed. For bearing witnesses in civil disputes and agreements, two women are treated as equal to a man. This is so because women are generally not experienced with affairs of commerce and is likely to make errors of judgement. In this case, two women are better to only one. How far this holds true in the contemporary world is another debate. Nevertheless, this law is a precautionary measure and not an instrument of derogation to women. Another way of looking at this law is that, it gives women a great opportunity to participate in public affairs. The two primary scriptures of Islam, the Koran and the Hadeeth, guarantee women the rights they deserve. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, women are given special privileges to attend Mosques at night. That women are required to stand behind men in mosques is not because they are discriminated against. The prayers offered in such places involve assuming various bodily postures. It is conceivable that some of the routines will disturb a woman’s clothing and expose her skin. Such distractions are least wanted in a place of worship. So the practice was introduced as a means to aid concentration on God. The holy books of Islam emphasize the importance of education to all muslims, irrespective of their sex. â€Å"She is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge. When Islam enjoins the seeking of knowledge upon Muslims, it makes no distinction between man and woman. Almost fourteen centuries ago, Muhammad declared that the pursuit of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim male and female. This declaration was very clear and was implemented by Muslims throughout its early history. It is a sad fact that much transgression is manifest today.† (Gruver) There is no decree in Islam which prohibits woman from seeking appropriate employment whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in positions which fit her nature and in which society needs her most. Examples of such professions are nursing, and teaching, especially for children. Moreover, there is no restriction on benefiting from woman’s extraordinary talent in any walk of life. Early muslim scholars even held that there is nothing wrong in appointing a woman to the position of a judge, though there may be a inclination to doubt the woman’s fitness for the post due to her more emotional nature. Thus it is clear that the status of woman in Islam is quite high and realistically suitable to her nature. Her rights and duties are comparable to those of man but not necessarily or absolutely the same with them. If she is deprived of one thing in some aspect, she is fully compensated for it with more things in many other aspects. The fact that she belongs to the female sex has no bearing on her human status or independent personality, and it is no ground for justification of prejudice against her or injustice to her person. Islam gives her as much as is required of her. Her rights match beautifully with her duties. The rights are balanced by her duties and no side overweighs the other. Works Cited: Gruver, Kathleen E.; Jones, Trevelyn E.; Toth, Luann; Charnizon, Marlene; Grabarek, Daryl; Raben, Dale. Women in Islam. School Library Journal, Jun2005, Vol. 51 Issue 6, p187-187. Jafar, Afshan. Women, Islam, and the State in Pakistan, Gender Issues, Winter2005, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p35-55. Quoc-Benjamin, Nguyen Tang Le Huy. Women, Democracy and Islam, UN Chronicle, Dec2004-Feb2005, Vol. 41 Issue 1, p38-39. Wollaston, Isabel. Women in Islam. Reviews in Religion Theology, Sep2000, Vol. 7 Issue 4, p438. Sirriyeh, Elizabeth. The Rights of Women in Islam, Journal of Beliefs Values: Studies in Religion Education, Oct99, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p261. The interpretation of original Islamic texts paints a far liberal and feminist picture than what is made of it in the centuries to follow. What we see in today’s Islamic world is a lot of injustice to women. Women are oppressed under the false pretense of upholding Islamic virtue. The present system â€Å"keeps people locked in roles that stunt their growth and unjustly penalizes women who would exercise their rights†. Indeed, if true Islam were to be implemented many injustices against women could be prevented – rapists won’t go free, victims .

Success and wealth Essays - The Great Gatsby, English-language Films

Success and wealth Essays - The Great Gatsby, English-language Films Success and wealth 1st period English 1/7/13 Mrs. Whelm Success and wealth can always lead to an American dream for example, working hard setting yourself some goals that would lead you to something big in your life, something that you would have to struggle and face hard times to reach that dream that you always wanted. Wealth will come in handy as you work hard and fight for what you want as you push yourself to reach that goal like how Gatsby did for example, he was a brave man that went through difficult times. He was also poor but work hard and became a very wealthy person. Doesnt matter if your rich and An American dream can be anything like how Gatsby was in love with daisy for example, Gatsby dream was to have daisy by him side. He look at her as a beautiful person. Daisy meant a lot to Gatsby for example, at the end of the chapters Gatsby hid the car that daisy hit when she hit Myrtle with it and Gatsby didnt say a word to anybody. This approve that Gatsby show his love for daisy that if its a good or a bad thing he going to be there for her. All what Gatsby wants is daisy he wants to be with her and be happy like how it shows in the book when they first see each other and how they react. After all those years that they been separate. Love can be a dream too for those who want it in there lives. A dream can be anything big or small doesnt Wealthy is what everybody works for and maybe imagen about it or maybe money is what people have in mind dont think about something else besides money but dont have goals and dont work for it but they just get what they want for example, Daisy may or may not have an American dream but she a person that likes riches and maybe have money on her mind. We all want to be wealthy and buy expensive things. Things that we never had in our lives. That why we got to work for it and be successful in life willing to move forward taking a few steps to that The great Gatsby is like the American dream where a poor person becomes wealthy and falls in love which that symbolize to him for example, in the book of The Great Gatsby Gatsby father said he knew he had a big future in front of him..(pg.181). this meant for Gatsby how he struggle with his life being poor but he work hard and knew that he was going to have a bright future. The American dream can also have a symbol not just a dream but a meaning of a symbol for example; daisy is the symbol because Tom and Gatsby wore fighting over her love of who she loved and who she didnt. The American dream is full of meanings, achievement, and other Great things come to those who wait patiently for example; Gatsby started off by have nothing by having a little bit of things of what he had being poor. He struggle like when he went to war but later he became wealthy men because of his hard working person that he was. When you do the right choices in your life and you have a bright future in front of you great things will come to you but that takes courage and strength to get to that spot that you want to be. You got to believe in yourself that you will have that dream in your hands and great things will come.

World View Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

World View - Essay Example Likewise, we see things to associate figures with their definitions in our minds. One can not actually know what sun is unless one sees it. We get to know only the much we see. When we know more than what we have seen, the knowledge essentially comes from others that have seen more than us. Humans use the senses they are naturally blessed with to know the world. In addition to this, religious knowledge comes from Holy books. What is really real, or the ultimate reality? In spiritual terms, really real is some thing that would never change and would never end, like the world hereafter. Life after death would never come to an end. It will continue forever. Therefore, that world would be really real. In fact, it is more rational to call that world the ultimate real. In worldly terms, really real is some thing that never changes. For example, a mother’s love for her baby is really real and remains as such throughout the life of their relationship. It is so real that one can not ex pect a mother to be unloving towards her children. Motherhood shows its reality not only in humans, but in every species of living creatures. Birds are possessive about their babies.

To Assess or Not to Assess, That is the Question Essay

To Assess or Not to Assess, That is the Question - Essay Example I am horrified by science fiction futuristic movies with a plot of enforced conformity and predictability. So when I researched the controversy about the use of personality tests to predict who should or should not be hired, who will or will not behave appropriately on the job, I found myself having some strong feelings. A careful reading of quite a few articles eventually helped me to sort out my particular stance on this matter, however. The controversy itself rests on the foundation argument as to whether human behavior can, or cannot, be predicted through personality tests. Psychologists, especially those in organizational behavior and human resources, want an easy way to predict who will or will not be likely to be successfully integrated into a company, be easily supervised, and perform their duties in a non-violent manner (Baglione, Arnold, & Zimmerer, 2009). It costs a lot of money to recruit, train and build skills in an employee, and mistakes are costly for the company. Com panies naturally want to avoid preventable waste of resources (Baglione, Arnold, & Zimmerer, 2009). On one side of this argument are those who vigorously argue that personality tests can indeed predict this with reasonable accuracy (Boutelle, 2011), especially when focused on Big-Five Model factors and understood clearly, and therefore they should definitely be used (Hogan, Hogan, & Roberts, 1996). They are ethical and legal, if specifically job-related (Griggs v. Duke Power Co., 1971), and they are thought to increase productivity. Within that side of the argument are those who favor normative tests and those who favor ipsative tests (Bartram, 1996). Among the 22% of companies using personality testing for personnel selction, there is also a faction (9.3%) which favor online tests, either normative or ipsative (Piotrowski & Terry Ar, 2006). On the other side are those who say that personality tests are not good indicators. The reasons given include the tendency of people to fake th eir answers or cheat by obtaining the answers from a central source; the fuzzy legality and ethics of sorting out people in ways that might reflect mental disorder or other impairment, ethnicity, sexual preference, and other discrimination-protected characteristics forbidden to be used in hiring choices (Morgeson, M.A, Dipboye, J.R, Murphey, & Schmitt, 2007); and various arguments about whether to use normative or ipsative tests. Ipsative tests are considered to be less reliable because you cannot reasonably use factor analysis on them without having artificial results, and the results apply only within a single person and not across a range of people, therefore invalidating them as being useful for determining whether they are a better or worse choice than another employment candidate (Paul, 2010). Furthermore, apparently up until 2010, the only real defense of ipsative testing came from a company with vested interest in selling ipsative tests for personnel selection, or came from people using that company’s data (Paul, 2010). However, this year a doctoral candidate in Spain, Dr. Anna Brown, won a â€Å"Best Doctoral Dissertation Prize† from the Psychometric Society for her breakthrough methodology that applies Item Response Theory Modeling to Ipsative test data, and thereby overcomes the psychometric limitations of this type of personality testing (The Psychometrics Society, 2011). Brown concludes that the limitations of ipsative data are overcome in that the

Reflaction paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflaction paper - Essay Example The thesis is persuasive and makes me inspired about the need to monitor multinational businesses. The new idea is that local irrespective of the social class has a voice that needs to be listened to when making critical decisions in the organization. I got sick by inhaling poisonous gasses that were being emitted by a certain manufacturing company. This experience makes me understand the article. Environmental policies have a direct impact on our lives. The main point is that the environments that people are living in have a direct impact on their health and their sustainable future. For instance people who are not educated and living in poor areas are likely to be affected by diseases. I think the thesis has expounded effectively on the need to live in a healthy environment and seek more education in order to live a sustainable life. The thesis is persuasive because it highlights the major aspects that affect the current population. The new idea to me in this article is that women’s education has an impact on the number of children they conceive. Having dealt with children from lower social class makes me understand the article better. Physical environment has a major impact on women lives. Women living in better environment have access to information, an aspect that makes them live a better and healthy life. I think the success of women in the society depends largely on their place of residence. The main point is persuasive and provides information on the current disparity among women in the society. This is not a new idea because women who are brought in well up families have access to basic education, health care, and exposure, an aspect that makes their future to be brighter. Having friends from higher and lower social class makes me understand the article better. The identity of a mother defines that of a child. The main point is that the character of the children is nurtured by their mothers. This thesis is not persuasive.

Barriers of Care for Young Parents

Barriers of Care for Young Parents Young Parents’ Perceptions of Barriers to Antenatal and Postnatal Care Eileen Bates, Scott Atwood Pregnancy in the young adult population is lacking education, and supportive services. Young parents are faced with difficulties in returning to employment, and education or training. â€Å"In addition, young parents face an increased risk of social exclusion and postnatal depression† (Berrington et al, 2005). There was no research questions stated in this article. Currently, there is a scarce amount of literature on support for pregnancy in young adults. Ley’s (1982) cognitive model of adherence has three aspects: satisfaction, compliance, and communication; all three of which were applied to this study. For protection of the participants’ rights, the ethical approval for the adolescent parents over the age of sixteen to be recruited was obtained by Kingston University, London, United Kingdom. For the research design in this study, mixed-methods were used. There was a questionnaire, and there were two focus groups. The sample and setting for this study was done with adolescent parents whom lived in London near a PCT. A PCT is similar to a Health Department. The adolescent parents in this study were defined as: a young person, or their partner whom conceived under the age of twenty-two. As an incentive, the participants were given supermarket vouchers. This study was done with predominantly white British young parents. Their ages ranged from 15-25 years old at the participants’ age of conception. For data collection, the questionnaire contained five sections, with both open and closed-ended questions. The sections were as followed: a self-esteem measure, participant characteristics, future plans, antenatal needs and support, and postnatal needs and support. The procedure for the questionnaire was to pass out 58 questionnaires to divide the group into parents with high self-esteem, and low self-esteem. The focus groups were designed to add detail, and information provided in the questionnaire. The procedure for the focus group was to divide the participants into two groups; antenatal and postnatal parents. Of the 58 participants used for the questionnaire, ten participants were chosen for the focus groups; three mothers and two fathers were in the antenatal group, and five mothers were in the postnatal group. The questionnaires’ findings concluded that there was a trend among self-esteem, and the adolescent parents’ reaction to society’s treatment of them. â€Å"’I feel that society tends to make you feel like everyone is better than me, and that I am a disgrace’ (mother, age 18)† (Smith and Roberts, 2009). 37 of 58 participants attended antenatal support classes. Attendance positively correlated with self-esteem. More parents with high self-esteem attended the antenatal support classes than parents with low self-esteem. When asked the reason for not attending postnatal support classes, the main reason given was they did not know such classes were available. The antenatal focus group’s findings concluded that, â€Å"All the young parents indicated that they would like to attend postnatal classes, but felt they were not given sufficient information about these classes to attend† (Smith and Roberts, 2009). The postnatal focus group’s findings concluded that relatives and friends were portrayed as the most helpful resource of postnatal support. All the young mothers perceived society to have a negative view of adolescent parents. â€Å"’They think you’re just a dirty little slag basically’ (mother, age 19)† (Smith and Roberts, 2009). The study yields results that expand discussion on several different areas that may influence desire or ability to seek treatment. The one quality presented by test subjects universally was the desire to be a good parent (Smith Roberts, 2009). Outside of this, influencing variables were labeled as self-esteem, age, and gender. The results of the study conclude that varying levels of self-esteem influence attendance. Low self-esteem may be acting as a barrier to attendance while those with higher self-esteem seemed to be more likely to attend. The unknown aspect of self-esteem is that the study is unable to conclude if the increased levels of self-esteem were present prior to attendance or if attendance of support groups increased self-esteem (Smith Roberts, 2009). Secondly, age was an obstacle to attendance. Younger parents seemed to have a difficult time when mingling with older parents. Due to differences in financial situations, younger parents were discouraged when drawing comparisons between themselves and older parents and experienced feelings of insignificance (Runciman, 1966). Younger parents also reported less-than satisfactory experiences with health care professionals. These unsatisfactory experiences are thought to be related to the health teams lack of training, knowledge, and communication skills related to young parents (Smith Roberts, 2009). Lastly, gender had an effect on young parents seeking care. The issue was mostly related to the necessity of different education for each gender. Societal norms dictated roles for the mother and father which led to the father being left out of education regarding infant care (Warin, 1999). Smith and Roberts believe there is a need to include revisions to current teachings to better include young fathers. The main revisions recommended to achieve improvement in the delivery of care for the population of this study is varying education and support systems. By extending time constraints to over 19, this would allow new young mothers more time to become mothers. Education delivery must also be changed, according to the study, so information can be better received by young parents. Lastly, the way information about programs that are already available is delivered to the target population must be changed due to the degree of isolation of the subjects (Smith and Roberts, 2009). While the study is not perfect, it does open the door for improvement. The system of delivery must be made more targeted and precise. If education can be changed for healthcare professionals and the young parents, it may improve the outcomes of providing treatment to this under-treated population (Smith and Roberts, 2009). References Berrington A, Hernandez IC, Ingham R, Stevenson J (2005) Antecedents and outcomes of young fatherhood: Longitudinal evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort study. Final Report University of Southampton,Southampton Ley P (1982) Satisfaction, compliance and communication. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 21: 241–54 Runciman WG (1966) Relative deprivation and social justice: A study of attitudes to social inequality in 20th Century England Routledge, London Smith, D., Roberts, R. (2009). Young parents perceptions of barriers to antenatal and postnatal care.British Journal Of Midwifery,17(10), 620. Warin J, Solomon Y, Lewis C, Langford W (1999) Fathers, work and family life Family Policy Studies Centre, London

Japan :: essays research papers

In 1868, Japan underwent radical changes in social aspects as well as economic matters. A ministry of education was soon created in 1872, and in the same year, a strict education code was formulated. The government greatly wanted to industrialize in order to prevent foreign rule. The government sent students to Europe and America in order to learn Western ways. In 1877 the first college, the University of Tokyo was created. Japan quickly became more Western like. Japan in order to increase its industry needed raw materials something in, which the mainland lacked. The only way to gain these was by buying from larger countries or conquering new territory, which had the needed raw materials. Japan wished to gain footholds in Korea, China, and Manchuria but at the time, Russia had already gained footholds in these areas. Japan’s greatly modern military easily defeated the Chinese army and navy over the matter of Korea in the Sino-Japanese war. (Encarta Japan)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1894, Nicholas the 2nd ascended to the throne of Russia. Although he was a good man he was a weak ruler easily dominated by others. With revolutionary trouble at home and the disagreement over Manchuria with Japan, turmoil soon broke out in Russia. Afterward, a compromise with Japan on the Manchuria issue was unsuccessful. Diplomatic ties were broken in early 1904, which prompted a surprise attack, by the Japanese navy on Port Author. The attack was hugely successful. Many of the Russian ships were damaged or destroyed in the attack. News of this brought great civil strife in Russia with a revolutionary fever in the air the people called for reform but the Czar declined the warning. (Encarta Russia)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In March 1904 the Japanese 1st Army landed at Chemulp’o. It faced Russian forces on the Yalu river by late April. The Russian commander, General Aleksey Kuropatkin decided to hold defensive position until reinforcements arrived. The Japanese commander however built up a 6 to 1 troop advantage and a breech of the Yalu river was forced on May 1st. During May the Japanese 2nd army landed on the Liaodong peninsula. It quickly severed communications between Port Author and the Russian forces in Manchuria. It then captured Kinchow and won the battle of Nanshan on May 30th. Soon the 2nd army besieged Port Author. The Russian commander Kuropatkin was personally ordered by Nicolas the 2nd to hold Port Author. Kuropatkin decided to move his main forces to Liaoyang.

Managing Remote Employees

After four years with Outlook Marketing Services Inc, Jeff Rappaport, in January 2001,emailed his entire staff at Northbrook, 111, announcing Suzette sexton’s promotion.  It would have been too long a walk for Suzette, no wonder she opted to work from home. She was not at all disturbed as none of her colleague at the twenty-man business stopped by her office to congratulate her, rather the commendations came in great quantities in form of emails-she was embarrassed.Rappaport said â€Å"all her hard work was recognized and rewarded†.This in-turn affected him positively. He has been able to overcome the one of the most troublesome work any employer is likely to encounter in the workforce of today-he manage remote employees by simply keeping them excited and engaged with developing a firm. This is a sure task every leader must face for as long as the quest for success remains.The choice of working from home with computer and internet access has become a welcome lifestyle for employees. Increasingly small business owners accommodate this method of work for they tend to benefit a lot when their employees work from the comfort of their homes. The author of Managing Telework:† Strategies for managing the virtual workforce† Jack. M. Nilles (John Wiley and sons, 1998), said ‘productivity increases for most companies with remote workers’. Again, he said ‘the higher the salary, the more the productivity gain’Their some inner barriers in work –from-home relationship between the two parties- the employer and the employees. These business owners themselves are often the biggest barriers to a productive relationship. A telecommunicating and virtual office consultant, Gil Gordon, in Monmouth Junction, N.J, once said that ‘the hardest thing is learning to manage with your brain instead of your eyeballs’. The most important thing for employees to do is to have aims and meet them, not just work alone.The fo under of the twelve employee, Rye Brook, N.Y based Acappella software, David Bromberg, oversees his three programmers who works from home by measuring /checking their ability to complete jobs. Most experienced managers of remote workers have succeeded in making a change and thereby improved the pattern to imitate the existing ones.An online time clock added by Mike Birdsall and his wife Maureen to run their company ; Birdsall InteractiveInc,has helped them to checkmate the on   time the sixteen employees of Oakland,California,web design firm   if they are working from home. What he actually does is – punch in his hour just as if he is in his office.Lack of corresponding ways of measuring productivity in the office makes the employers frequent discovery on productivity for their remote employees futile. On the other hand smaller companies with the remote workers are often more productive for they seems more focused –managers frequently rely on wise looking ideas in giving out and measuring work progress. These are clues that are not evident as one works from the comfort of his or her home.The president of Manufacturing Consultant DKM Inc, Murat Sehidoglu, for instance, assigns projects regularly to his seventeen employees. Most of these employees seldom visit the office in Los Angeles. Sehidoglu admits that lack of face time makes him experience a continual difficulty in making such assignments. He does not even know if the employees understand the job whether they are really willing to continue in it.The ability to assign task to an employee and checkmate him or her progress, is what Gordon calls ‘Hallway Management’. Another way is by asking questions based on the field of job assigned to the employee involved as you come across him/ them at any spot throughout the day. This rather becomes difficult to do when the employee works from home. Employees and manager can be kept coordinated by electronic mailing system.Technology and smart management has tremendously helped in overcoming communication difficulties. To keep tabs on her seven workers scattered throughout the country Louise Guryan, The principal of Media Connection LLC in Seattle, uses the electronic mailing system (email). Sometimes she will deliberately plan an email, which every employee had to copy as they work with one another and at the same time maintaining the customers relation through direct-mail projects.By using regular conference calls Rappaport was able to stay in –touch with her remote employees. This is one vital role the telephone plays in managing remote employees. ‘We have weekly teleconference with everybody and while a project is going on, there are almost daily teleconferences between the people involved’ she says.Remote workers are often difficult to get on phone, not even a prompt email response. Managers new to work-at-home sometimes may have a wrong impression at this and may just conclude, they have go ne out for pleasure, whereas these remote workers may be doing something else or even trying to get a project done. So he certainly does not need any distractions!For an employee to be available during a particular hour, there must be a discussion in advance of agreeing to their working from the comfort of their homes, says Nilles.Top employees need not payphone bills for Birdsall always foot it. He believes he can always reach them during business hours for as long as their phones are on. This is discretion and management strategy. It is also worthy of note that nothing discourages clients like when they cannot reach someone. For this reason, Guryan established a single toll-free number that easily connects client with her employees.By screening and forwarding incoming business calls, firms can easily reach an employee’s home. Therefore, balance is required to get in touch with a work-from-home employee. A New York consultant, Caryn Furst, who manage remote workers by traini ng businesses said ‘you have to stay out of people’s way. I don’t respond to every messages going back and forth’. By email a fast progress observation might come in handy. For this Gordon said that for every circumstance, the right form of communication should be selected. On the other hand, dialoging the difficulties with a client might fail.Somebody working from home cannot be easily made angry. Though quarrels sometimes arises but one need to learn how to detect it from a distance.It is well agreed that an employee cannot do the work of an employer for he know virtually nothing about it. Take for instance an employee calling Bromberg to talk to an intending client about a project- He could not communicate well with the client. In communication with remote workers of today, it is either by phone or email for they are faster than the posted mail. Managers may find opposition if their emails are copied between two parties thereby making a rubbish of the m essages. This may cause a lot of unrest if one is not sensitive enough.Quarrels may arise between the remote workers and the office employees. the in-office employees should be addressed properly –letting them know why things are the way they are or it may arouse a high level of resentment. There should be a sensation to the fear among remote employees being sidelined.To this end Rappaport fights the problem and makes sure that his entire employees understood that teleworker are part and parcel of the company. Building on success while working with remote employees requires special training. Again, for this teleworkers not to get stranded later on, a comprehensive policy handbook should be given from inception by the company. By simply detailing what an employee should do, the avenue for confrontation will not occur.Rappaport did it and it worked for him. He ensured that by the 7th of each month, expenses reports are ready.  Every employer should endeavor to train their rem ote workers whenever any new technology is added to the company’s system. An example of such modern technology is the instant messaging (IM). The office friendliness that remote employees may lack could be increased by the use of IM, if properly introduced. Instant messaging provides an outlet for his programmers, says Bromberg. He also added that ‘it’s a source for our humor’.Even though remote workers chose to work from home sometimes they may feel isolated. to this recognition, Guryan encourages teleworkers to join organizations and socialize.  Employers like Furst and Rappaport deemed it necessary for clients to organize lunches and recreations after off-meetings so that office and remote workers can harmonize with one another-building a team spirit. Looking at the case of this employer called Sehidoglu, it was from the survey he had with the remote staff that gave him the eye-opener that he has not been communicating the vision of the company to his staff properly. He thus opted to spending a part of every eyeball-to-eyeball meeting to relate an up to date running of the business to his remote staff.According to Rappaport; ‘There should never be any surprises’. This is a description that best suit a successful relationship with remote employees.SummaryAs a remote employee one may hardly be recognized since one is not visibly seen in the office .Sometimes the dirty and difficult job may even be done by that unknown worker. Wise business owners had developed a way in getting these remote workers excited as they in turn work for the company’s growth. With the presence of computer and internet access, most employees have taken a new lifestyle working from home.Some companies benefits if their employee’s works from the comfort of their homes, especially the small business owner’s .They believe that productivity increases wit the remote workers.What mostly attracts them is the salary. According to N illes ‘the higher the salary, the more the productivity gain. In this challenge of managing remote employees, it can easily be seen that business owners are themselves the obstacle to a productive remote working relationship. Most of them believe in the presence of the workers around them and the activities in the company instead of results.It is how well not how far! Some of them use devices in checkmating the activities with and without the company’s premises- how their employees are faring, whether they are doing their job or not. Anyway, keeping an eye on an employee is not the only reasons managers like having them around. They may also need their idea as in the progress of work. These ideas are missing when an employee works from the comfort of his or her home.Sometimes employers could be very confused not seeing their employees around them what they often do is-assign projects to them.The introduction of email technology can help any smart management overcome the se difficulties .It helps in keeping the employer and employees connected. Telephone is another device that has helped a lot in connecting people. With this device a teleconference may be held between the people involved in a project so as to stay in touch –employer and the remote employees.To get a remote worker a discussion prior to the date and hour of schedule should be settled. No wonder most of the managers new to remote work will complain that remote workers are difficult people-you hardly get them when you need them. In fact, balance is needed to communicate with a remote worker. In communicating with a remote employee, one should not rely on only one method.Every employee should endeavor to train their remote staff as regards any new technology introduced in the company’s system. An example is the Instant Messaging (IM). With proper introduction of this IM, an employer may create a friendly relation that remote workers may lack. ‘It is a source for humor ’ says Bromberg.Every employer should try to carry their staff along, be it in-office or remote staff.BibliographyThese are excerpt from the article written by Sandlund C.Retrieved March 22,2007,From Google search database.Books Used. Managing Telework; ‘Strategies for Managing the virtual workforce’ by Jack M. Nilles (John Wiley & Sons; $34.95; 1998).‘An Organizational guide to telecommuting’ by George. M.Puskurich (American Society for Training & Development: $29.95; 1998).Website & Organisations.International Telework Association & council (http://www.telcoa.org/)-member organization in telework.These are excerpt from the article written by Chris Sandlund.Online Services Schedule online (http://www.scheduleonline.com/) is an online scheduling tool that can help coordinate meeting & event between in-office & remote staff.

Disappearance of its Soviet

In less than two decades, Beijing has taken advantage of the disappearance of its Soviet neighbor to launch its program of development of the â€Å"Great West† and open up Gaining to border actions, while the states of Central Asia, seeking new partners, have sought to benefit from China's dynamism by integrating themselves into the Asia-Pacific zone of prosperity.While the Chinese authorities may make a point of honor in establishing cordial relations with the five states of the region, Astrakhan partnership with China is termed â€Å"strategic, confirming Stand as a major political ally of Beijing in a post-Soviet climate in which the Khaki government is displaying balanced and diversified policies in the face of Moscow heavy- handed presence. This privileged China-Astrakhan partnership is based on a alliterated economic reality. These days, China-Astrakhan trade represents more than two-thirds (about 70 percent) of all China-Central Asia trade.Unlike the other historical p ower in the region, Islam Karamazov Uzbekistan, Astrakhan, under the leadership of President Nursling Nazarene since 1989, has undertaken important economic liberalizing reforms that, despite their limitations, are now succeeding in attracting foreign investment. Astrakhan has thus become the second richest country in the post-Soviet space: with a GAP estimated at $9,400 per capita in 2006, it sits Just behind Russia (with approximately $12,000) but ahead of the other Central Asian countries (between $8,500 and $1,300).In 15 years, it has succeeded in dramatically halving the portion of its population living below the poverty line (now less than 25 percent), whereas in the other four states of the region, more than half of the population is still considered â€Å"poor. † In addition, the country has seen the emergence of a middle class, a guarantee of longer-term stability. The exponential growth in economic relations with China since the beginning of the sass has not once be en challenged.Astrakhan even opened a consulate in Hong Kong in 2003 and one in Shanghai in 2005 to facilitate contact. Nevertheless, economic relations between the two countries reveal multiple imbalances that are increasingly raising questions within Astrakhan's political class and among local experts. While the official Chinese position extols the complementarily of the two economies and the mutual benefit of trade, this optimistic view is largely disputed on the ground. Khaki concerns over possible Chinese domination are based not only on economic arguments .They need o be situated in a social context in which fear of China remains very real: the general lack of knowledge about China, and fear of too great a difference in demographic power, might well be important factors influencing Khaki reactions to China's growing presence. With the increasing integration with the global world, Chinese trade along with world trade as a whole is dominated by trade between major trading blocs, such as East Asia, the North American Free Trade Area (NONFAT) and the European Union (ELI) each of which includes economically advanced market economies.Of these partners Chinese trade with the EX. has increased significantly in importance . In 2008, the EX. imported IIS$378 billion of commodities from China (IIS$ 293. 1 billion reported by China), making China the largest supplier of EX. merchandise imports. These imports included merchandise from EX. companies that had relocated parts of their global production systems in China. The SEIZE exported IIS$ 113 billion of goods to China (IIS$ 132. 8 billion reported by China) making the EX. China's second largest source of imports (after Japan).The result was a IIS$ 265 billion trade deficit for the SEIZE. This deficit is a major source of contention between these two major riding partner. The last 20 years of china economy has been dramatic. World exports from China are growing dramatically to industrial country markets . This proce ss could continue for some time because of huge youth population. However, by some indicators, China's experience is less dramatic than that of Japan and Korea during their period of industrialization and integration with the global economy.Generally speaking trade between developed and developing economies involves a vertical division of labor in which developed economies produce high value-added goods and services and exchange them for low value-added goods and services from economically less-developed countries. When China embarked on a path of export-led growth, it accordingly specialized in sectors producing relatively simple, labor-intensive and mass-produced goods and services.To maintain sustainable economic growth, China's ambition is however to upgrade its industrial structure moving into more advanced sectors and functional roles including in its trade with economically advanced countries . The Chinese-Astrakhan regional economic cooperation, according to national interes ts of the Republic of Astrakhan, has good conditions for institutional semantics. Astrakhan is rich with oil: the proved stocks of oil of 24 billion tons on a land, and stocks of continental seas of 70 million tons.Astrakhan though has a stable and safe outlet to the sea and access to the international markets according to national interests practically it can't provide. To construction Chinese-Astrakhan the oil pipeline and the gas pipeline, practically export by Astrakhan of crude oil, gas and oil products depended on Russia. The Chinese-Astrakhan regional economic cooperation promotes distribution of Astrakhan structures of radioactivity and optimization of distribution of available resources . 1. 2 Astrakhan Trade Research Status Astrakhan for 21 years was deeply integrated into world economy, actively involved in globalization process.Now the republic does business practically all countries of the world. His trade partners are 212 states and territories on all continents. The v olume of the foreign trade commodity turnover for 1994-2010 grew from bal. Dollars to 90,1 billion. The highest volumes in 109,1 bal. Dollars were reached in 2008. In the history of the foreign trade relations of the country positive lance in 39,8 bal. Dollars, received for January – Seep. 2011, it is reached for the first time. It is expected that following the results of 2011 the volume of external commodity turnover will be the highest in the history of the country and will make about 115 bal. Lars. It should be noted that excess of export over import remains same as 1995 so far. In foreign trade of Astrakhan for years of Independence there were changes. Character and the maintenance of the external economic relations led to shifts in a geographical orientation of commodity streams . Two groups of partners were rated. With one steady growth is observed, with others recession was outlined. So, for 1995-2011 in a foreign trade turnover of the country the share of Europe grew from 26% to 31,6%, Asia from to 24%, including China from 4% to 21%, America from 1% to 5, Africa from to 0,22.Growth of deliveries of fuel and energy resources, mineral raw materials to these regions and growing volumes of purchases of the latest cars and the equipment from the developed countries became defining. From Africa, especially from Kenya, import of tea, Ghana cocoa increased, Tunisia and Egypt got wheat, Morocco sulfur. In export structure the greatest share is the share of EX. countries (48,5%), despite its decrease in comparison with 2010 for 3%. The main products of export are energy carriers and oil.The share of export to the Countries in a total amount of export for the last year decreased from 9,4% to 8,6%. Export to China, other countries of the world and other CICS countries for the last year, on the contrary, increased, having made 18,5%, 18,5% and 5,9% respectively. Geography of Astrakhan's exports In structure of import of ARK the greatest share is the share of the Customs union countries – 445% or 16,9 billion USED. This indicator is times more, than import volumes from EX. countries, it is 3,4 times more than a volume of import from China and in 5,7 times more import volume from other CICS countries.The share of deliveries from China, the countries of the Customs union and other CICS countries grows in import of ARK whereas from the others the direction decreases. As a whole volumes of export and ARK import in mutual trade increase, however it is difficult to give an unambiguous assessment of influence of the Customs Union on foreign trade of Astrakhan as process of administrative settlement of functioning of he Customs Union, harmonistic and unification of various procedures at implementation still proceeds mutual trade between participant countries.Further the analysis of structure of export and import in a section of raw and processed production will be carried out, and also specification of processed production on intermedi ate, consumer and means of production is presented. Export of the processed goods of ARK grows, having outstripped in 2011 volumes of 2008 for 10,6% or for 2,1 billion USED. At the same time, the specific weight of the processed export decreases. It is connected by that cost the volume of raw export rows quicker in connection with a rise in prices for energy resources.In 2011 the ratio of processed and raw production in import made 89% and 11% respectively, and the gain of import of processed production (24,4%) is more, than the gain raw that can promote a competition aggravation between foreign and domestic producers who and so are in rather vulnerable situation . Export grew so quickly mainly thanks to increase in physical volumes of deliveries and prices of oil, oil products, natural gas and radioactive elements uranium. The main buyers of these goods are EX. and China therefore their shares in the total amount of export increased.Volumes of export of other important export goods (ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including gold, and also grain and wheat flour) too increased, but in less than export of energy carriers that led to decrease in a share of these goods in a total amount of export in 2010 in comparison with 2000. It also led to decrease in shares of Russia and Switzerland which are large import-shooting galleries of metals from Astrakhan. During 2000-2010 Astrakhan practically stopped supply of oil and oil products to offshore zones (The Bermuda and British Virgin Islands).Astrakhan exports very few other goods besides energy resources, metals and grain; the share of such goods in the total amount of export decreased from 14% in 2000 to 6% in 2010; if to measure in absolute expression in the prices and at an exchange rate of 2010, this export decreased by 21%. 1. 3 China and Astrakhan on trade Development For Astrakhan, the future of economic relations with China is bilateral. The China-Astrakhan relationship will be strengthened even further by ac cession to the World Trade Organization (WTFO), which will enable Chinese companies to invest more in the Khaki market.Economic relations are also developing to a certain degree in a multilateral context through the Shanghai Cooperation (SOC), even if China's presence by way of the SOC is considerably greater in Gyrations and Atkinson. Thus, the $900 million of credit proposed by in 2004 – and implemented from 2006 onwards -was destined primarily for the region's poorest states, not for Astrakhan. Nevertheless, the Organization has instigated projects involving all the Central Asian states, such as the Caspian Sea-China highway that starts in Russia and crosses Astrakhan, rail connections, and the construction of hydroelectric power stations.However, despite the measures adopted by the SOC Business Council to strengthen linkages between the Central Asian states, government-to-government disagreements often delay their implementation. Several Khaki specialists also complain of the Co's inability to promote its economic strategies in business circles; some of its decisions are said to remain declarations of intent due to a lack of information among business leaders.. It is difficult to obtain a precise assessment of China-Astrakhan trade figures.The official statistics consider a little extent of cross-border trade, and cannot measure he amount of illegal trade, particularly in metals, or contraband, such as acetic anhydride, the chemical required to turn opium into heroin. Some local specialists point out significant differences between the Chinese and Khaki statistics. Thus, when Astrakhan claimed $550 million of trade with China in 1999, Beijing was already confirming more than $1 billion. In 2005, the discrepancy grew wider: Astrakhan, according to Stand, apparently achieved imports from China with a total value of $1. Billion, compared to almost $4 billion according to Beijing, and Stand reported exports to China worth nearly $2. Billion, exceeding t he Chinese figures by more than $500 million. The discrepancy can be attributed partly to political reasons: Stand seeks to overvalue its exports and undervalue Chinese imports in order to reduce a trade balance skewed too greatly in China's favor. In 2006, Astrakhan's trade deficit in relation to its neighbor was at least $1. 14 billion, 15 percent more than in 2005.On the other hand, the discrepancy can be explained by differences in accounting; Khaki businessmen have every reason to undervalue their trade flows in order to avoid taxes, unlike their Chinese counterparts, who receive tax concessions on exports. China's progress is so great that Beijing will soon catch up to Astrakhan's main trade partner, Russia. In 1992, China-Central Asia trade, two-thirds of which is China-Astrakhan trade, was barely $422 million, reaching $512 million in 1993. It plummeted in 1994 as a result of stricter visa processes, then rapidly climbed again, reaching $699 million 1997.It experienced a dec rease ($588 million) again as a result of the Russian economic crisis of the summer of 1998, which similarly affected Central Asia, then began to grow at a rate that seems unstoppable now. Trade passed $1 billion in 2000 before rising tenfold to more than $10 billion in 2006. The volume of trade tripled between 2002 and 2005, but continued to largely favor Chinese exports, which represented two thirds compared to Central Sais's one third. Thus, in 2006, China represented 15. 5 percent of Astrakhan's foreign trade (almost $9 billion), nearing Russian's 18. Percent (almost $11 billion). China's Trade Ministry quoted a figure of $10. 8 billion, which would put Moscow and Beijing on an equal footing, while Vladimir Paramount and Aliases Strokes add another $2 billion or more in illegal read, which would give China trade supremacy over Russia. According to Khaki experts, the bilateral trade figure is expected to reach $15 billion in 2008. The imbalance of power between China and Astrakha n remains glaringly obvious. In 2006, Astrakhan represented only 0. 49 percent of China's foreign trade (the whole of Central Asia representing 0. 60 percent).This imbalance is shifting to foreign investment: in 2005, China injected $1. 2 billion into the Khaki economy (82 percent in the hydrocarbon sector and 14 percent in the construction sector), whereas Astrakhan invested only $7. Million in China. The Chinese and Khaki economies are, however, proving to be complementary to a large degree. More than 80 percent of China's exports to Astrakhan are finished consumer items (textiles, shoes, appliances, toys, electronics, spare parts, pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs), while 85 percent of Astrakhan's exports to China consist of raw materials (petroleum, ferrous and non-ferrous metals).In some sectors such as aluminum, the unidirectional nature of trade flows is impressive: more than 95 percent of Astrakhan. 1. 4 Research Purpose and Science Contribution . 4. 1 Purpose This thesis aims to bring some conclusion like how the Bilateral relations between the countries have proved to be mutually beneficial to both for strategic reasons. The two economies are highly complementary. This thesis has tried to figure out how China can help Astrakhan in many areas since it has a lot of experience in how to develop.And to successfully overcome the negative aftermath of the global financial crisis, also managed to significantly increase the volume of trade and economic cooperation. At the same time the thesis has tried to figure out the active aspects and threat that has arisen in Astrakhan side because of heavily depended on consuming Chinese products and not developing the self-sustainable producing and manufacturing culture. 1. 4. 2 Science contribution With these research questions in mind, the purpose of this dissertation is to investigate how China and Astrakhan will make a business in the future.Keywords: export, import, GAP, Trade, development, bilateral relation. 2 Content and methodology 2. 1 Main content In the research we will analyze the main problems in Trade between China and Astrakhan and how to solve it. Despite stability of trade and economic, more detailed analysis of the Astrakhan-Chinese cooperation revealed a number of the main problems in system of the bilateral economic relations. First, prevalence of a raw orientation in structure of commodity turnover of Astrakhan with China.The analysis of export-import streams shows that about 98% of the Astrakhan export to China are made by strategically important raw materials. The special attention in March, 2008 in Beijing a business forum â€Å"Astrakhan -? China was paid to discussion of this problem: partnership for success†. In speech of the Prime minister of Astrakhan Karri Misaims it was noted that â€Å"the structure of the Astrakhan export to the People's Republic of China keeps a pronounced survey orientation† .The main articles of the Astrakhan export to China - ? goods of survey group: hire of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, scrap metal, oil, and also raw leather, cotton raw, wool. Astrakhan imports from China finished goods, first of all, goods of routinely demand, mechanisms, electric equipment, production of transport mechanical engineering, etc. And the Chinese import to Astrakhan is hardhearted in most cases by goods of not high quality which competes with domestic producer owing to the low price and quantity.During the research we will prove or disprove all our assumption. The thesis will be divided into three parts: 1) The remainder of part I contains a review of the relevant literature, an introduction to the theories used to answer the research questions and a detailed description of the method. These sections focus on the research area and research approach, providing an overall context for the thesis. 2) Part II includes the main analysis of the research subject. ) Part Ill contains a conclusion and recommendations. It summarize s the key findings from the dissertation.It also includes a further scenarios and suggestions for future. 2. 2 Methodology and data The researcher approaches the object subjectively based on their prior understanding of the object. Therefore the authors have chosen the descriptive approach. The descriptive approach does not mean that the authors will find an absolute truth, but rather form an understanding of the investigated subject. This study does not aim to measure the exact phenomena; in contrast we aim to receive a greater understanding of bilateral trade.Since the purpose of this paper was not to find any absolute truths, this approach will give us more freedom to interpret the information we have collected based on the frames of references. We have chosen a qualitative approach in order to be able to collect detailed information from the secondary data regarding the topic. This is of great importance in order to sustain answer to our purpose. This will lead to a greater unde rstanding for their choices regarding our questions and enables us to discuss among those.According to Holmes and Solving (1997) a qualitative approach will help the authors to research the problem more closely and also provides opportunities to ensure validity and reliability of the study . The authors need to interpret and understand the usage of how the area of interest works and how it can be used. It is an advantage if those who will implemental research of qualitative approach have knowledge about the area (Patella & Davidson 2003). According to Barman and Bell (2007), there are researchers who are critical to the qualitative approach due to subjectivity. However, we have tried to be as objective as possible in our study .