East Asian literature Essay Example for Free

East Asian literature EssayBased on Yasutaka Tsutsuis The Standing Wo reality, the power of the collective everyplace that of the individual is positive. This can be surmised based on three points of argumentation which are the main characters thoughts at the beginning of the story, the old mans revelation in his conversation with the main character, and the main characters discussion with his wife. At the beginning of the story, we find the main character who is a writer thinking about the story that he finished. He mentions that the story is capable of neither harm nor good. Since he had spoken this to himself then it must be true.Later on it would be revealed in the story that his wife who he loves so much has been turned to a manpillar by the government. Yet instead of being angry and seeking vengeance, the man even at the start of the story already seems defeated by the very lodge that persecuted his wife. At the place of the story, the writer converses with an old man who reveals that he had also been a writer but is now too afraid of persecution to write anything at all. The conversation shows that society has also broken the old man without even needing to arrest him and turn him into a mantree.The old mans fear of getting exposed to the human beings and being ridiculed had already overpowered him and these fears came from society because it is the collective society that has the greatest power to ridicule. The last proof comes from the writers discussion with his wife. His wife who had once been so proud and strong has been reduced to a yielding subject to societys whims to a point of not even protesting injustices done to her by drunks. In conclusion, the power of a collective society truly does overwhelm the resolve of any particular member.

The Relation Between L1 and L2 Proficiency Essay Example for Free

The Relation Between L1 and L2 Proficiency EssayInvestigations of the relationships between L1 and L2 contextualized and decontextualized dustup skills among immigrant students will be reviewed according to the background of the students involved. The three study categories are Finnish students in Sweden, Hispanic students in the United States, and Asian students in the United States and Canada. The some additional evidence from bilingual programs involving both volume and minority students will be reviewed and finally we will examine studies involving adult L2 learners.According to some researchers, the defining difference between a first language (L1) and a present moment language (L2) is the age the person learned the language. For example, linguist Eric Lenneberg used second language to mean a language consciously acquired or used by its speaker after puberty. In most cases, people never achieve the same level of fluency and comprehension in their second languages as in their first language. These views are closely associated with the Critical Period Hypothesis.In acquiring an L2, Hyltenstam (1992) found that around the age of six or 7 appeared to be a cut-off point for bilinguals to achieve native-like proficiency. After that age, L2 learners could get near-native-like-ness but their language would, while consisting of few actual errors, have enough errors to set them apart from the L1 group. The in expertness of some subjects to achieve native-like proficiency must be seen in relation to the age of onset (AO). The age of 6 or 8 does seem to be an important period in distinguishing between near-native and native-like ultimate attainment More specifically, it may be suggested that AO interacts with frequency and intensity of language use (Hyltenstam, 1992, p. 364).Later, Hyltenstam Abrahamsson (2003) change their age cut-offs to argue that after childhood, in general, it becomes more and more difficult to acquire native-like-ness, but that the re is no cut-off point in particular. Furthermore, they discuss a number of cases where a native-like L2 was acquired during adulthood.As we are learning more and more about the brain, there is a hypothesis that when a child is going finished puberty, that is the time that accents start. Before a child goes through puberty, the chemical processes in the brain are more geared towards language and social communication. Whereas after puberty, the ability for learning a language without an accent has been rerouted to function in another area of the brainmost likely in the frontal lobe area promoting cognitive functions, or in the neural system of hormone allocated for reproduction and sexual organ growth.

Migrants Push Pull

Migrants Push PullThis report is a summary of the presentation given in tutorial class on 2 November 2009 (Appendix 4). The Push Pull factors upon migratorys have occurred throughout history in all nations. Recent events including World War 2, the establishment of the European Union (EU), economical boom in Dubai, and the growth constancy of the external student in Australia. Theorists, such as Klaus Zimmermann, Michael Vogler and Ralph Rotte have helped define the push and pull forces on migration, which in turn, allows governments to identify opportunities to better manage immigration policy. Historical Population Flows UK and Australia.England is what it is today, due to several waves of immigrants. Romans in 43AD, who in any casek three attempts before settling in the land, then 700 to 1100AD Norwegian, danish pastry and Swedish immigrants, arrived as a group called the Vikings. When King Edward died in 1066, William arrived from Normandy, killing his half-brother Harold (B attle of Hastings), and became King, also, William the Conqueror (Ouedraogo, 2009). During the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, as England and other countries were expanding their colonies and building on world trade routes, Australia was re-discovered and settled by Arthur Phillip in 1788. Australias gold rush in the 1850s saw Chinese immigrants arrive in Australia. As the gold started to go by racial tensions grew among the miners. The bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese in 1942, was the precursor for Australian politicians to increase the population by opening the doors to immigration Populate or pass on (Time, 1952).Current Events Europe, Dubai (UAE), and AustraliaThere argon migrants, refugees and mental collection plate seekers, currently living in camps in Calais, France, awaiting an opportunity to enter the UK (Lescure, 2009). Reasons for their current position include the living and work opportunities in their home countries and what they can achieve in the UK. Immigration minister, Phil Woolas, is quoted as saying that the Calais people must be illegal immigrants otherwise they would have claimed asylum in France or the first EU country they come to (Travis, 2009). Cross-border immigration is non just a French problem, but a European and international one. Ca engage for migration, as identified by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) include fleeing violence, persecution, economic and family reasons (Lescure, 2009). In addition, Zimmermann (1994, p. 321) identifies an EU treaty stating that four freedoms be observed the free impetus of people, capital, goods and services.Economic boom conditions not only require financial capital but also human capital. Cheap workers from India and Pakistan have been allowed in to the United Arab Emirates (in particular(a) Dubai under strict conditions) to work as building labourers to help meet this regions growth. Workers seek better pay then be possible at home and are willing to travel to seek employment. Despite the human factors (living conditions, wages and separation from family) associated for such migration, remittances back to the workers home country can be real valuable with Indians return US$27 billion (updated remittances table see World depone 2008 Appendix 1).Current immigration policy in Australia is to use international students as a means of increasing the population. With an estimated 70,000 Indian students, the economic benefit to the host community is valued at AUD$14.35 billion. This makes International students the third largest industry in Australia (Bryant, 2009). Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, confirmed the importance of international students, in particular the Indian student, by saying that our Indian community has been such a vital contributor to our culture, to our life, to our food, to our music (Bryant, 2009). Reasons behind the increasing student numbers include high quality education, affordability, i nternationally recognised degrees, higher job opportunities, and aspect (Maps of India.com, 2009). Push Pull Effects on MigrationOne of the recognised pioneers in migration theory is that of Ernest George Ravenstein in his paper titled Laws of Migration (Corbett, 2009). Although immigration appeared to go on without whatsoever definite law (Op. Cit., p.1) Ravenstein attempted to explain and predict movement between and within nations. The issue of migration had become more than important during the nineteenth century as industrialisation was growing (Ravensteins Laws Appendix 2).From Ravensteins theory, the push pull concept was developed. Adverse conditions in their home or source country push people out, and palmy conditions in the host country pull people in (Jrank, n.d.). Factors that stimulate these conditions include political ( accomplishment requirement of nation, asylum seeking), economic (employment, living standards), and cultural (education, acceptance).A more econ omic approach to immigration push-pull theory has been illustrated by Klaus Zimmermann (1994). He defines native factors affecting aggregate demand that cause migration to be pull migration (Op. Cit., p. 314). Furthermore, internal and external factors that affect the aggregate supply are considered push migration (Op. Cit., p. 315). Where substitutability exists between foreign and domestic labour, thither will be less tweet on wage inflation. Zimmermann describes migrants as complements to native workers leading to higher native productivity and that immigrants provide a positive multiplier effect within the providence (Op. Cit., p. 327).Research by Vogler and Rotte (2000) consider the large income differentials between loess developed nations to industrialised nations, and why there has not been more migration. Despite the socio-economic factors driving push migration, there is overwhelming migration impeding factors (Op. Cit., p. 487) that counteracts the demand pull factors . Vogel Rotte conclude that there is an inverse u-shaped relationship between growth of lower developed countries and migration (Op. Cit., p. 507).Impact of immigration motivation for workers for low-skilled jobs has been met partly through migration (OECD, 2008a). This area of migration draws into consideration the effects on brain drain, remittances, as discussed above, and treatment of lesser skilled workers in the host country. A migrant who returns to their home country will also take home acquired knowledge. This leaves the host country seeking to replace this knowledge. If these jobs are not filled by natives, kick upstairs opportunity exists for migrants. Remittances greatly improve the welfare of associates in the home country. This spread of benefits allows greater transfer among more people than if immigration had not occurred (OECD 2008a, and Appendix 3).In addition to the points based system (UK exhibit Agency, 2009), Migration Advisory Board (MAC) and the Migration Impacts Forum (MIF), are two UK Government departments that have been created to steer the issue of satisfying skill level requirements and migration policies are the. MAC identifies labour market shortage areas where immigration might ease skill gaps. MIF assesses the wider, more qualitative, social implications of immigration (Byrne, 2007) (Appendix 3). The impact on immigration during this economic crisis is likely to reverse the recent increase in labour migration. Previous years of growth and prosperity saw labour migration address labour shortages from the aging population issues and skill shortages. In the near future, unemployment rates are expected to reach double-digit levels and the argument is that government policy needs to be able to respond efficiently to labour market needs. Migration is not a tap that be turned on and off at will (OECD, 2009). Governments are being asked to keep their ports of entry open and not use this issue for electoral ends (ONeil, 2009).Con clusionImmigration fluctuations are related to political, economic and cultural factors that create a pull or push effect. With greater understanding of a nations own capabilities, migration patterns should be more predictable and more correlated to their own economies and imply immigrants as an important factor of production (OECD 2008b). Globalisation affects everyone, and correct government policies will provide solutions to not only todays conditions, but also tomorrows (OECD 2008b). Migration is not a tap to be turned on and off at will. The creation of MAC and MIF will go a long way to promote a freer and fairer movement of people throughout the world.Word Count 1178ReferencesBryant, N. (2009), Australia foreign student abuse proves expensive, BBC news online, accessed 1 November 2009, http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8242739.stmByrne, L., (2007), How the Migration Impacts Forum fits with Wider decision-making on immigration, UK Border Agency, accessed online 1 1 December 2009, http//www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/mif/papersandagendas/21june2007/decisionmaking.pdf?view=BinaryCorbett, J. (2001), Earnest George Ravenstein The Laws of Migration, 1885, CSISS, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//www.csiss.org/classics/content/90Granite5, Creative websites and emarketing solutions, 2009, logo for company used on cover page, accessed online 8 December 2009 http//www.granite5.com/index.php?pageid=2J grade n.d., Migration Theories of Migration, Marriage and Family Encyclopaedia, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//family.jrank.org/pages/1170/Migration-Theories-Migration.htmlLescure, M (2009), UNHCR returns to Calais to provide migrants, refugees with information, accessed online from the UNHCR on 1 November 2009, http//www.unhcr.org/4a3914c86.htmlMaps of India.com (2009), Higher Education in Australia for Indian Students, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//business.mapsofindia.com/trade-relations/indi a-australia/higher-education-in-australia-for-indian-students.htmlOECD (2008a), Temporary push Migration An Illusory Promise?, International Migration watch 2008, editorial, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//oecd.org/document/3/0,3343,en_2649_33931_41241219_1_1_1_37415,00.htmOECD (2008b), Tailor Immigration policies to future needs, says OECD, accessed online 30 October 2009, http//www.oecd.org/document/61/0,3343,en_2649_37415_41288829_1_1_1_1,00.htmlOECD (2009), Addressing the Present, Preparing the Future, International Migration Outlook 2009, editorial, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//oecd.org/document/3/0,3343,en_2649_33931_43009971_1_1_1_37415,00.htmSTATISTICSONeil, P. (2009), Dont let economic crisis disrupt immigration OECD, TIREC (Toronto Region Immigration employment Council), accessed online 30 October 2009, http//www.triec.ca/news/story/226Ouedraogo, D. (2009), Immigration to UK A Brief History of Migrants Migrants to Britain of Romans, Irish, Italians, Jew s to EU visitors, suite101 online article 13 October 2009, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//ukirishhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/immigration_to_uk_a_brief_history_of_migrantsSimon, J Sala-i-Martin, X. (1995), Comment on European Migration Push And Pull by Zimmermann, World Bank conference 1995, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027piPK=64187937theSitePK=523679menuPK=64187510searchMenuPK=64187283theSitePK=523679entityID=000009265_3970716143912searchMenuPK=64187283theSitePK=523679Time Magazine, (1952), Australia Populate or Perish, accessed online 11 December 2009, http//www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,857312,00.htmlTravis, A. (2009), The Calais camps will not go away, The Guardian.co.uk, online article Tuesday 22 September 2009, accessed online 30 October 2009, http//www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/22/calais-camps-willnot-go-awayUK Border Agency, How the points-base system works, Home Office UK Governm ent, accessed 1 November 2009, http//www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/managingborders/managingmigration/apointsbasedsystem/howitworksVogler, M., Rotte, R., (2000), The effects of development on migration Theoretical issues and new empirical evidence, Journal of Population Economics, Vol. 13 (Sep., 2000), pp. 485-508, accessed online 10 December 2009, http//www.jstor.org/stable/20007729World Bank 2008, Migration and Remittances Factbook, Development Prospect assembly World Bank, accessed online, http//econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTDECPROSPECTS/0,,contentMDK21352016pagePK64165401piPK64165026theSitePK476883isCURLY,00.htmlZimmermann, K.F. republished by World Bank (1995), European Migration Push and Pull, accessed online 1 November 2009, http//www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/1995/03/01/000009265_3970716143908/Rendered/PDF/multi0page.pdfAppendix 1 Top Remittance-Receiving Countries Top Remittance-Receiving Countries, 2006RankTotal remittances (U S$ billions)Total remittances (as % of GDP)1India*27Tajikistan*362China*25.7Moldova*363Mexico*25Tonga*324Philippines*17Kyrgyz Republic*275France*12.5Honduras*266Spain*8.9Lesotho*247Belgium*7.2Guyana*248Germany*7Lebanon*239U.K.*7Haiti*2210Romania*6.8Jordan*2011Bangladesh6.4Jamaica1812Pakistan6.1Armenia1813Indonesia6El Salvador1814Egypt5.9Nepal1815Morocco5.7Bosnia Herzegovina1716Lebanon5.5Albania1517Poland5West Bank Gaza1418Vietnam5Serbia d Montenegro1319Serbia Montenegro4.9Philippines1320Colombia4.6Gambia, The1221Brazil4.5Nicaragua1222Guatemala4.1Cape Verde1023Russia4Guatemala1024Portugal3.8Dominican Republic1025El Salvador3.6Kiribati1026Austria3.5Morocco1027Nigeria3.3Guinea-Bissau928Dominican Republic3.2Bangladesh929Ecuador3.2Uganda930Australia3.1Sri Lank9Source World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008 (March 2008)Appendix 2 Ernest George Ravensteins laws on migrationMost migrants only proceed a short distance, and toward centres of absorptionAs migrants move toward a bsorption centres, they leave, gaps that are filled up by migrants from more remote districts, creating migration flows that reach to the most remote corner of the Kingdom.The process of dispersion is inverse to that of absorptionEach main current of migration produces a compensating counter-currentMigrants proceeding long distances generally go by preference to one of the great centres of commerce or industryThe natives of towns are less migratory than those of the rural arts of the country andFemales are more migratory than males.Source John Corbett, 2009, for CSISS (Centre for Spatially Integrated Social Science), online article.Appendix 3 Migrants Economic Contribution and Public Perception sanitary Economics Migration has always been a source of labour and skills in the UK, and brings substantial benefits. HMT Immigrants also tend to be younger, better educated and work longer hours than those born(p) in the United Kingdom. Bank of England If it was not for immigrant labour, especially in leisure, in tourism, in agriculture, in construction, then frankly many of our businesses would not have the workers we need. Digby Jones and Labour-market restrictions are imposing a much larger burden on the global economy than are trade restrictions. World Bank, GEP 2006 Reasons for low public confidence Perceptions (rightly or wrongly) of pressure on jobs and services Lack of clarity about legal and illegal migration Hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers and A view that there are too many immigrants.Source UK Border Agency

An Analysis Of Global Alliances

An Analysis Of Global AlliancesAs a matter of survival, airlines within the current environment argon constantly reviewing and altering their strategies. An classical component of whatsoever airlines strategy to remain viable and maintain competitive advantage in todays setting is to pool imagings and share risk, know as an every(prenominal)iance. A broad definition of an in alliance that occurs in the aviation industry is the collaboration between two or more firms that retain their autonomy during the course of their family (Kleymann Serist, 2004). To that end, thither are certain variations of airline alliance in vogue today, in particular the Global communicateline Alliance. Starting with a synopsis and acknowledgement of these alliance companys, the discussion will move to a selection and analysis of benefits and shortcomings that can be associated with global alliances from a business and consumer perspective. From here, an appreciation will be gained of the major air line alliances and typical rationale of alliance strategies.Currently, the most popular forms of coalition in the airline business are the non-equity trade alliances known as Airline Alliance Groups (Kleymann Serist, 2004) or Global Multicarrier Alliances (Cools Roos, 2005). At the present time, the main global multicarrier alliance networks are Star Alliance, One World, and Skyteam (UBM, 2010). These alliances are pre predominately a massive global network of multilateral codesharing and joint resource Air Service Agreements (ASAs) between carriers. This allows a central point of contact for the passenger to insure a convenient, smooth and efficient worldwide travel experience (Star Alliance, 1997). Although individual airlines are aligned under the umbrella of a single corporate entity, discrete airline brand identities and cultures are retained. These alliances have set out to revolutionise seamless air travel for the international passenger from hub to hub and beyond. Additi onally, the synergies created were only possible payable to astute governance of previously implausible collaboration. To that end, airline conglomerates now understand The best way to generate real business growth and expansion is by forging the appropriate strategic partnerships (Borovich Yeheskel, 2001).From an airline business perspective, membership in a global alliance has one distinct, instantaneous and strategic advantage. Almost overnight, all member airlines geographic route structures will have expanded without bellly capital investment in infrastructure and assets. This allows airlines to service routes that were previously deemed non-profitable or inaccessible, albeit on other alliance members aircraft. This complementary alliance (Oum Park, 1997, as cited in Chen Ross, 2000, p. 328) has the flow on effect of generating untapped markets within the domestic environment and resignation higher load factors for all alliance members aircraft operations. Henceforth, thi s produces larger revenues which in turn diminishes overhead costs and maintains more efficient airlines by lowering unit cost base (Doganis 2001, p. 76). While this contributes to diversification and larger profit margins for collaborating airlines, the traveller can be confident airfare cost will remain relatively reasonable expect competition remains viable on any given route. This is a beneficial outcome for all involved, both airline businesses and the consumer.A comparable utilization where alliances between two airlines operating on the same route is however, considered anti-competitive (Chen Ross, 2000, p 328). Here the competing airlines could strike a codeshare accord, typically after a tenuously broad and protracted battle attempting to gain market share. This is routinely known as a parallel alliance (Oum Park 1996, p. 190), however this is unfortunately likely to end in cartel type price fixing. This form of alliance generally benefits the airlines as it narrows c ompetition and has a propensity to create a higher assume for a particular service, hence higher airfares (Chen Ross, 2000, p 328). Conversely, the pre-alliance scenario utilising capacity dumping (NZ Parliament, 2006), where supply exceeds demand, only profits the consumer with ridiculously low and unsustainable airfares. This invariably serves to strengthen the dominant market leaders position by financially eliminating the competition in the long term. These types of alliance are inherent of predatory behaviour with very bittie consumer benefit and require antitrust immunity (Bilotkach, 2005, p. 168). An example of this type of arrangement within the global alliance networks does exist, although on the exceedingly competitive North Atlantic route between Lufthansa and United Airlines (Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 23).While codesharing is one weapon with which to sign on costs, create better margins and maintain a reasonably priced service, it is not the only resource available to benefit allying partners and the consumer. One only needs to visit any of the global airline networks websites to see a large scale joint marketing experience. Consequently, Extensive market presence plays an essential role in major airlines plans for survival and prosperity (Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 113), and this influence is an effective tool when multiple powerful brands are combined. For the smaller airlines within the alliance groups, association with some of the mega-carriers alone is a sufficient marketing device to increase recognition and augment passenger numbers. This is patently a case of if passengers do not find you, they will not fly you (Bammer, 2000, as cited in Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 121). For the bigger carriers in the group, enhanced economies of scale (Doganis, 2001, p. 76), stove and density (Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 39) beckon, to provide growth quickly while mitigating a host of regulatory and economic barriers. This coincides with the global al liance concept To contribute to the long-term positiveness of its members beyond their individual capabilities (Star Alliance, 2010, p. 6). Another advantage of such extensive market sway is the collective consumable and asset purchasing power. Doganis states, the Star Alliance group is estimated to save between five to seven percent each year with this strategy (2001, p. 78). In contrast, these combined marketing regimens can be inflexible and coerce a loss of individual brand identity. As the global alliance brand builds its own characteristics, it will be perceived by the node to put up a certain expectation, and if not all of the alliance members fit the model, they may be forced to compromise their own identities to conform, or risk being extricated. This is known as the domino effect (Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 17).The airlines are not the sole profiteer from this vast marketing onslaught. Customer satisfaction, retention and relationship quality is the target of any marke ting strategy, and with immensely large global brands and reputations at risk, standards will always be under scrutiny. The consumer perception of these alliance groups is that of a seal of quality (Kleymann Serist, 2004, p. 39), and all members are logically required to exact some consistency over the service spectrum. To that end, the global alliance groups have combined value adding resources to meet or exceed the expectations of the high value international traveller (Star Alliance, 2010, p. 6). Some pertinent examples are priority check-in, lounge access, additional baggage allowances, priority boarding, global ticketing, honey oil terminals and priority baggage handling. As aforementioned, the consistency and variation with which these additional benefits are delivered can provide a potential drawback. Products vary from brand to brand, for example Air New Zealand has a premium economy seat (Star Alliance, 1997), of which not all airlines utilise. A customer that purchases t his seat flying from New Zealand to Germany with alliance codeshare partner Lufthansa (McCaw, 2010), would in all likelihood be downgraded to an economy seat from England or the United States. Furthermore, differing cultures can also play a role with service delivery. Once again, the customer flying from New Zealand to Germany may enjoy the relaxed Kiwi attitude, but may be overwhelmed by the clinical and formal German approach, or vice versa. Henceforth, Kleymann and Serist notify successful brand image and customer fulfilment is particularly relevant to quality and consistency of service (2004, p. 121).Global alliances offer many joint benefits to consumers from airlines favourable within their own niche, which could not be possible without reliance on international partners. While the phenomenon of globalisation is a reality and people seek to condense and simplify work, time and travel experiences, global airline alliances fit the mould as a reaction to seek balance. At presen t, the rules of international aviation proceed sovereignty and do not endorse a truly competitive environment. While grandfathering provisions of landing rights at major airports and governmental influence in survivability of flag carriers ensues, the only room for growth from independents is to collude. At this point in time, global alliances serve the needs of both consumers and airline businesses. As with every decision, there are good and bad consequences and not all choices will gratify everyone. Global alliances endeavour to satisfy the majority, while sustaining the future of the alliance members to provide a useful service. Until all nations relax rules around freedoms of the air and airline foreign ownership, so as to furnish a genuine open skies policy, these mega-conglomerates will flourish. name Count 1343

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental heed SystemsWill Environmental Management Systems and associates Environmental account initiatives aid the conceit of sustainable training in application?The Inter field of study Organization forStandardization (ISO) is a federation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)created to elaborate and improve international standards. The ISO initiallycreated general management standards (the ISO 9000 Series) for organizationsand industries that acknowledged the value of a clayatic burn up tomanagement. However, as economic growth and the environment pretend often been inconflict with one and other(a) (and industries today face many political, fondand economic impels to improve their environmental action Gale, 1996)the ISO further developed the 14000 Series, which applied the same managementsystem as the 9000 Series to companies environmental issues (The LexingtonGroup, 2005 5).The principles behind the ISO 14000 Series apply to any organization, public or privat e, whose activities, products or services interact directly or indirectly with the environment (The Lexington Group, 2005). The ISO 14000 Series quickly became the environmental policy standard for companies to follow, and since its establishment in 1996 thousands of organizations confine espouse the Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). EMSs ar used in the public and private arenas, at all scales, from national to local government, and from large multi-national corporations to small privately own businesses.This essay will discuss if, and towhat extent, EMSs (and specifically the Environmental Reporting subsidiary)will aid the concept of sustainable development in application. This essay isstructured as follows head start, it discusses the most in-chief(postnominal) of the ISO 14000standards, the EMS second, it considers a nonher ISO 14000 component,Environmental Reporting third, it analyses and considers the variables andapplication of sustainable development fourth, it t urns to a few case studiesto flesh out how EMSs work in practice and finally, it draws some conclusionsabout how effective these standards are in aiding the concept of sustainabledevelopment.Environmental Management SystemsAs discussed in the Introduction,the ISO 14000 Series was developed to apply the ISOs widely recognizedmanagement systems to a companys environmental issues (The Lexington Group,2005). The EMS, or ISO standard 14001, quickly became the internationallyrecognized framework for environmental management, measurement, evaluation andauditing (GreenBiz, 2005 1). To list a few examples, the responsibilities ofthe EMS include creating a detailed environmental policy for an organization,examining the environmental impact of its products, activities and services,establishing environmental objectives, assisting the organization in meetingits legal and regulatory requirements, providing training to employees, andoverseeing the companys auditing procedure.The EMS meets intern ational standards, but is tailored to specific operations, allowing companies to control the environmental impact of their activities, products, and services (GreenBiz, 2005 1).Though an organization could, ofcourse, establish these rattling guidelines and parameters themselves, companiesoften find that ISO 14001 adherencehelps to meet the ever-increasingenvironmental standards and concerns of the global marketplace (GreenBiz,20051). Other probably benefits for a company effectively implementing an EMSare numerous and include, among others.a much effective and systematic approach to managing itsinteractions with the environment (The Lexington Group, 2005).improving cost-effectiveness (by saving the money and staff timenecessary to manage environmental affairs independently The Lexington Group,2005, as rise up as by improving faculty and in turn reducing the be ofenergy, materials, fine and penalties Morrow and Rondinelli, 2002162).allowing companies to convey their environme ntal policies moreeffectively to neighbouring communities and other stakeholders (The LexingtonGroup, 2005).and improving their image and attracting customers through theestablishment of a strong image of collective duty (Morrow andRondinelli, 2002 163).All of these benefits, of course,increase the likelihood that companies will help contribute to sustainabledevelopment. However, the cost and benefits of an EMS (and in turn, theprobability that the EMS will play a role in sustainable development) fluctuateconsiderably depending on a range of criteria. These might include the type oforganization, its existing eco-efficiency,the organizations potential environmental impacts or risks, the extent towhich a company previously implemented brasss of environmental sustainability,and the premium placed on sustainability by the organizations stakeholders andcustomers (The Lexington Group, 2005).Whilst this section has outlined EMSs and their potential beneifts, the following section will di scuss Environmental Reporting, its association and influence on EMS, and its contribution to the sustainable development of organizations.Environmental ReportingCorporate inform is an inbredcomponent of business management. It is defined as the voluntary publicpresentation of nurture about an organizations non-financial slaying -environmental, social and economic over a specified period, usually afinancial year (Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005 1). These squirt bemade public in a variety of ways, including as a complete document, on a companywebsite, or as a component of an Annual Report (Department of Environment andHeritage, 2005).An Environmental Report is a key component of the ISO 14000 Series, and an essential step to increasing transparency and, as a result, accountability in a companys environmental practices (Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005). The practice of Environmental Reporting is becoming more common because of pressure from stakeholders , as hearty as a general public demand for increased openness on environmental issues (Kolk, 1999). Further, some countries have now begun to impose legal obligations on firms to produce Environmental Reports (Kolk, 1999).A Corporate Environmental Report(CER) is, in essence, a means to imparting a companys environmental performance.Arguably, the most important function of the CER is to allow the organizationto evaluate its observance of the environmental policies, goals and objectives rigid out in its EMS (United Nations Environment Programme, 2005). It is alsoused to exhibit a companys EMS and corporate responsibility demonstrate tokey stakeholders, as well as to customers, that it is complying with theirdemands help a company track its own progress and identify internal strengthand weaknesses (United Nations Environment Programme, 2005) and evaluate itscurrent performance and set further future goals.The general societal demand for increased transparency on environmental issues, and in turn environmental reporting, is exemplified by the position that the most complete reports are published by industries with poor or controversial public images, i.e., the chemical or timber industries (Davis-Walling and Bat namean, 1997).In so farsighted as there is objectivityand honesty, environmental reporting can be conducted either internally orexternally (Rice, 2005). Undeniably, for environmental reporting to beworthwhile, it must be credible, and there is increasing pressure from twospecific directions to verify environmental reports first, there is asignificant move from environmental statements and intentions to quantified,comparable, verifiable, and even verified information (Kolk, 1999 225) andsecond, the requirement of independent, third-party verification andcertification as an almost expected element of all(prenominal) worthwhile effort(Rice, 2005 1).Though Environmental Reporting hasa big role to play in aiding the long-term sustainability of an organizati on,it is nonetheless a process plagued with problems. Research seems to indicatethat environmental reporting is typically deficient and not of a standard tosatisfy the information necessarily of various classes of report readers (Deegan andRankin, 1999). An independent study of the environmental reports of the Fortune50 firms found that none provided information that was sufficient forcomprehensive or comparative analyses of environmental performance(Davis-Walling and Batterman, 1997 1432). Research suggests that one of thebiggest problems is that a company can begin its environmental reportingwhenever it wants, and that this often leads to disappointing results.Environmental Reporting, then,typically comes onwards the EMS, and could therefore only act as a statement ofobjectives, and not the researched and analysed report on the achievement ofenvironmental objectives under an EMS that its meant to be. To be practicaland effectual (and not but a statement of environmental policie s)environmental reporting should really be developed further along theimplementation of the ISO 14000 Series. Additionally, it should be a continuousprocess, and referred back to again and again in an attempt to consolidate theEMS and effectively analyse the companies progress.This chronology supports the ISOspecification that organizations seek continuous improvement bycontinually reporting, as opposed to providing a one-off initial report,organizations can repeatedly evaluate and conciliate their EMS. In essence, it isimportant to underline that the CER is a means to environmental improvement andgreater accountability, not an end in itself (United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, 2005 1).Consideration of the variables and application of sustainable DevelopmentThe term Sustainable Developmentwas first used in 1987 in Our Common Future, also known as theBrundtland Report of the United Nations Commission on Environment andDevelopment (WCED). The comment offered by the Brundtland Repor t is stillthe most commonly used today, and describes Sustainable Development simply, andarguably vaguely, as development that meets the needs of the present withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (WCED, 198743).Sustainability is often regarded as the buzz-word of development policy in the 21st Century. Indeed, as The Economist aptly stated No one in their right wit is against sustainable development. Everyone thinks it would be terrific if there were less poverty, less pollution, less disease, less war, less corruption (2002). As an umbrella-term, its WCED definition has been instrumental in creating a consensus, but less helpful in creating and outlining a framework for its achievement.Currently, there are in the region of 70 different definitions for Sustainable Development, and each allows organizations to realise the term in whatever way they see fit. For that reason, EMS and Environmental Reporting are especially important for giving public and private organisations alike, from a national to a local train, the standardised framework necessary not just for demonstrating their commitment to the practice of sustainability, but for making progress towards its actual achievement.As mentioned in the Introduction,economic growth and the environment are often regarded as being at odds, andthe ISO 14000 Standards are particularly important for helping organizationsand industry to reach their desired level of sustainability, and to incorporatethe environment into their general framework. Determining an EMS is anorganizations first, and most vital step in establishing what itsenvironmental aspects are, and how it is going to deal with them. That said,any organization can develop an EMS, and though it is an important startingpoint, it proves weensy about an organizations sustainability in and ofitself.Environmental Reporting is therefore essential not just to act as the companys own environmental audit, but to demonstrate to st akeholders and rules of order that they are indeed conducting themselves in a sustainable manner. Moreover, achieving sustainability is a complicated and long-term (if not permanent) process Environmental Reporting allows a company not only to evaluate its accomplishments, but also the opportunity to re-evaluate its target. The following section outlines some case studies of how organizations have used EMS and Environmental Reporting to minimize their environmental impact.Case StudiesThis section will present a fewcase studies to illustrate the value of EMSs and Environmental Reporting. Eachcase study has been selected to show range in the applicability of thestandards as well as to demonstrate their use in both the public and privatesectors.Solid Waste Management Division, Department of Public Works. Berkeley,California, USA.DescriptionThe Solid Waste Management Divisionis Berkeleys municipal waste collection and disposal facility. It collectsplant debris, refuse and recycling fro m approximately 40,000 residential andcommercial properties, as well as operating a transfer station, anoil-recycling depot, and a drop-off and buy-back recycling centre. The SolidWaste Management System decided to implement an EMS (involving about 25 percent of their 102 employees) for a variety of reasons, including improving thefacilitys environmental performance, as well as employees participation inthis improvement making the particular division consistent with the Citysoverall environmental principles the EMS value as a marketing/publicrelations tool the reduction of costs and finally, an increased competitiveadvantage.ConclusionsThrough implementing an EMS, theSolid Waste Management Division was able to jointly determine whatenvironmental impacts the facility had, or might have in the future. These werethen ranked and goals set to lessen the environmental impact of the facility.These included eliminating 98 per cent of dust particles, reducing theelectricity used by 250Kwh an nually, improving the control of hazardousmaterials brought into the site by 75 per cent, adding three mailings per yearto enhance consumer participation in recycling collection, reducing waterconsumption by 25 per cent, and reducing number of pickups scheduled to reducefuel consumption and emissions.Some of the direct benefits andcontributions to Sustainable Development have been a reduction in airpollution for the entire City of Berkeley gaining respect and bettercooperation from the Department of Public Works, including budget changes andconsultation by other City of Berkeley Departments and other Solid Wastepractices all over the United States. Additionally, conducting an EnvironmentalReport to determine the effects of the EMS allowed the facility not only to seethe improvements that it had already made, but to analyse them and set newtargets such(prenominal) as revising the job descriptions, rerouting to reduce the numberof miles covered each day, and implementing a new dust su ppression system. lighthouse Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, United Kingdom.DescriptionOne aspect of the Beacon CouncilsEnvironmental Reporting System is a fully computerised monitoring andtargeting (MT) system for evaluating performance at all 600 of theirbuildings. Data from all utility providers (including electricity, gas, coal,oil, biomass, and water) are put down in the specialist system. These are thenmonitored and benchmarked against national performance, and create the abilityto instigate corrective action to improve performance.ConclusionsAs reported by the Beacon Council,the MT system carries out the following functions sets energy targets andmonitors performance sets energy budgets and controls expenditure validatesand verifies bills and recovers overcharges and monitors and reduces CO2emissions. The continual reporting of the MT system has been vital in itsconstant monitoring and improving of the Beacon Councils environmentalsustainability.Gillepsie Decals, In c. Wilsonville, Oregon, USA.DescriptionGillepsie Decals, Inc. is a40-employee screen-printing company in Oregon. To develop an EMS, the companytook the following steps first, it developed its environmental policy second,it identified the companys environmental aspects and then ranked them in orderof sizeableness and third, it set out environmental goals and developed programsto achieve them.ConclusionsThe company made a number ofimprovements and took significant steps towards achieving environmentalsustainability. Two noteworthy examples are one, they trim the amount ofwaste ink by developing standards for ink mixing, and a computer record ofcolours and mixes for repeat jobs and two, they reduced their water usage by requestinginformation from other companies on their water recycling systems, bypurchasing bottled drinking water for employees (and thereby improving employeespirits) and by installing low-flush toilet models.Gillespies have stated their commitment to continuous envir onmental improvement, and have decided to develop other environmental aspects in the future. It is unclear whether Gillespies carried out Environmental Reporting, but it is apparent that this process would be useful for both cocksure the environmental improvements already made, and determining what remains to be done to achieve the desired level of sustainability.ConclusionEMS and Environmental Reportingwill indeed aid in the concept of Sustainable Development in application. TheCase Studies in the previous section demonstrated some of the positive resultsof an organizations implementation of an EMS. All three examples illustratedhow an EMS, and Environmental Reporting, contribute to the improvedenvironmental performance of the institutions in question. The Gillespie CaseStudy was a very small-scale example of EMS that demonstrated how the systemcould work even for a small company.Furthermore, the first two case studies certainly are a demonstration of how the EMS and Environmental Reporting can contribute to more than just their institutions environmental performance. In the Berkeley example, it showed not just how an EMS can contribute to Sustainable Development for the single institution, but also how this affects the city as a whole, and can influence similar institutions nation- (or even world-) wide. The Beacon Council Case Study is a useful example of how EMS can make not just environmental sense, but financial sense as well.The first two examples also servedto illustrate what a vital component Environmental Reporting really is. Theyvalidated Rices line of reasoning that for an EMS to be effective, theEnvironmental Reporting not only has to occur, but occur continuously.Environmental Reporting needs to be pushed further down the time-line of theISO 14000 Series, and be something that occurs after the EMS has beenimplemented (so it acts not just as a statement of objectives but as an actualreport), and on a continual basis because sustainability it not a one-off andsimple achievement.The Gillespie example is therefore a useful illustration of how EMS can be effective, but without consistent re-evaluation and continuous reporting, the first set of changes are unlikely to be followed by another set. If this is the case, an organizations environmental performance will at best remain stagnant, but more likely decline, instead of continuously improving. This will certainly not aid the concept of Sustainable Development in application.EMS and Environmental Reporting arenot, however, the panacea for Sustainable Development. Critiques of thestandards that are proffered simply because they do not guarantee SustainableDevelopment are contrary, and risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater,or rejecting the essential with the inessential. EMS and EnvironmentalReporting are rather two single parts of a possible solution with an infinitenumber of components. They should be seen, and valued, as such.Works CitedBerkeley,City of (2005) Solid W aste Management Division, Department of Public WorksCase Study, available from Eco-efficiency is the primary way in which businesses can contribute to theconcept of sustainable developmentThe vision of eco-efficiency is simply toproduce more from less. Reducing waste and pollution, and using fewer energyand raw materials is obviously good for the environment. It is alsoself-evidently good for business because it cuts companies costs, excerptsfrom the Bulleting of the adult male Business Council for Sustainable Development(The Lexington Group, 2005 6).

Christopher Columbus :: Christopher Columbus Essays

My name is Christopher Columbus. I was born in the Italian city of Genoa in the year 1451. My father was a wool weaver and merchant who sold cloth. Genoa was famous for its traders, map-makers, and explorers and many manpower became sailers. I went to sea at the age of fourteen. In 1476, the ship on which I was aboard was attacked off the coast of Portugal. I managed to swim six miles to Lisbon. There I joined my companion Bartholomew, who was a chart maker. I also became a chart maker for a short period of time. I worked as a sugar buyer in the Lusitanian islands off of Africa. From 1477-1482, I made merchant pilots as far as Iceland and Guinea. During this time I met pilots and navigators who believed in the existence of islands farther west. I settled in Lisbon and married the daughter of a Portuguese nobleman. By the time I was 32, I had become a master mariner in the Portuguese merchant service.Influenced by my brother and Alonso Pinzon, I believed that I could reach land by sailing farther west. I began seeking support for a voyage to the west. After being turned down several times, I finally gained the support of Ferdinand and Isabella after they conquered Granada. On August 3, 1492, I left Palos, Spain for my trip to the refreshed world. I left with three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, which I commanded. I first stopped in the Canary Islands and then sailed west until October 7th, when I change my course to Southwest. On October 12, I landed on a small island in the Bahamas. I found Cuba on October 27 and reached Hispaniola on December 5. Leaving some men to found a colony, I returned to Spain on the Nina. In October 1493, I set out on a second expedition and discovered Puerto Rico before arriving at Hispaniola to find the colony destroyed by Native Americans. I left in 1494 to explore the southern coast of Cuba. I left my brother in charge of the colony and returned to Spain in 1496.

Wired verus Wireless Networks :: essays research papers

Wired VS Wireless NetworksIn todays world networking is becoming a very common thing with businesss and substructures. Some of the main reasons are because you can share files, printing machines, and other resources. The big networking way style is to use cables connecting all the equipment on a network. Today however, what has a market place of its own and is competing with the wired networks is now the wireless network. Many companies have jumped into home networking now, and there is now a big selection of products on the market being wired or wireless. The wired system will provide the highest performance and would make a good choice for home offices, where its speed and kickoff cost would outweigh any cable clutter and a more difficult installation. Wired Home Networks is the least expensive and the fastest by a long shot. Its speed is 10 megabits per consequence/100 megabits per second Ethernet network. All you need is a couple of plug N Play NIC cards, a hub, or so cabl es, some minimal softwareTraditional wired networks may be the fastest way of moving data between computers, but this products dependence on a cable (which is a bit thicker than a standard telephone wire) that can clutter and be a problem. You have to be able to pull it where people wont trip over it and unless you can hide it, it will add little to your decor. Also, you need to find a location for the hub thats central to the networked PCs and has available AC power. Depending on the distance between your networked PCs, you might also need longer cables. Fortunately, Ethernet cabling is widely available. Now if you want a simple and easy to install home network, wireless is for you. With wireless theres no need to open your PC. The antennas can plug into a phone jack, modem, or tally ports on your pcs. With most wireless kits they make sure the network setup process is easy, no matter what your level of experience. The installation software mechanically sets up everything without making you deal with network setup screens. The downside to wireless is its speed is only about 1-2 megabits per second. As you can see, its considerably slower than the 100 megabits per second wired network. Wireless is definitely not optimum for network game playing or exchanging huge files. But 1-2 megabits per second is fast enough for printer sharing and shared Internet access over a conventional modem.