Susan Glaspell’s 1916 play ‘Trifles’ – Review

Susan Glaspell's 1916 play ‘Trifles' demonstrates how gender can affect a reader's response. Gender describes the physical and social condition of being male or female. When viewing the Wrights kitchen as a text and the characters as the reader, it becomes clear how gender is an integral feature of the theory of reading. The reader response theory consists of multiple elements; it looks at how a reader interprets a text and what contributes to that interpretation. Raman Seldon et al states ‘we differ about interpretations only because our ways of reading differ'. The way we read a text will also depend on personal experience. Wolfgang Iser argues that a piece of literature contains ‘blanks',2 these are spaces in the text that only the reader can fill. If these blanks exist within an unfamiliar area, the reader is unlikely to fill them. This affects the readers' construal of the text in this case the Wrights kitchen. In the early 20th century the kitchen was a place rarely occupied by men and the County Attorney is quick to observe ‘nothing important here, nothing that would point to any motive'. The men in this scene are typical of the ‘implied reader' described by Raman Seldon et al as ‘the reader whom the text creates for itself and amounts to a network of response-inviting structures'. The theory looks at how a text projects itself to the reader, Umberto Eco's ‘the role of the reader' argues that some texts are open while others are closed, the former invites reader collaboration in the development of meaning, the latter has its meaning already determined and has anticipated the readers response. 5 Trifles' is an open text, it invites the readers, in this case the men and women to find the meaning/evidence. The men's inability to fill the blanks signifies gender issue and contributes to their ultimate failure. Another aspect of reader-orientated criticism is the ‘reception theory', Hans R Jauss, a German supporter of this theory uses the term ‘Horizon of expectation'6 to describe the criteria readers use to judge literary texts in any given period. The men of law enter the scene with a predetermined ‘horizon of expectation'. Their historical experience of similar crimes means they look for a particular set of codes in this case signs of evidence, because this case does not fit into that experience they fail to discover the evidence. They are restricted by their gender role and unable to read the text as anything other than masculine. Alongside the men, the ‘implied reader' is Mrs. Hale. According to Raman Seldon et al we can categorise her as the ‘actual reader' she ‘receives certain mental images in the process of reading',7 but the images also depend on her ‘existing stock of experience', in this case her understanding of what it is to be a woman in her time. Referring to Judith Fetterley's notion of the resisting reader, Sara Mills argues that ‘although texts may address us as males, we as females can construct a space of reading which resists the dominant reading'. 8 Mrs. Hale resists the dominant reading and participates in a feminine reading of the text; this enables her to read the scene from a female perspective. Mrs. Peters reads the text both as a man and as a woman, although she only appears to do this at a subconscious level. She is the sheriffs' wife; therefore, she has a stricter gender role to adhere to, her role of wife has almost obscured her natural femininity. Sara Mills describes the gendered reading of a text as ‘one whereby the reader comes to the process of reading with a framework of expectations which are determined by her gender, and she interacts with elements in a text in a gendered way'. 9 Mrs. Hale defines her gender role in comparison with Mrs. Wright when talking about Minnie she says ‘she didn't even belong to ladies aid'10 she accepts that they are both farmers' wives and that Minnie never fully embraced that gender role. Minnie did not get involved with other women or with organisations that would have given her freedom. The quote implies that it was the least she could have done, Mrs. Hale does however empathise with Minnie influencing Mrs. Peters to do the same. Raman Seldon et al state ‘the act of interpretation is possible because the text allows the reader access to the author's consciousness,'11 this allows the reader to think and feel what the author does. This is a significant point, the men in the play try to interpret Mrs. Wright's manner but are unable to come to any conclusions, when the women discover the untidy sewing they are able make assumptions about her mood and state of mind, they can identify with her as a woman and as a wife. Sara Mills states that ‘the reader is subject to many discursive pressures which lead her to read in particular ways. ‘. 12 Mrs. Peters avoids answering direct questions with her own opinion when asked by Mrs. Hale ‘do you think she did it? ‘ She replies with the opinions of her husband and his colleagues. She does sympathise, but what follows is an abrupt recall of her masculine implied reader response, e. . ‘I know what stillness is, but the law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale'. 14 A reader always takes to a text a framework into which they fit the text, this explains why the men read the scene the way they do. The men interpret the text from a masculine point of view, they only know the facts, Mr. Wright is dead and Mrs. Wright was the only other person present. It would be natural for them, taking into consideration there historical viewpoint, implied reader response and gender role, to look for obvious signs of an argument or struggle. The notion of a gendered difference is critical when analysing reader positioning. The kitchen plays an integral part in signifying the gender roles. Gainor states in her essay, ‘if the kitchen is coded as the woman's sphere, then surely the bedroom must be thought of as the male arena,'15 this is where the men spend most of their time and of course where John Wright died. Mrs. Hale and the men in the play have a contradictory view of John Wright's character. When Mrs. Peters states, ‘they say he was a good man,' she is again referring to the men's opinion. While Mrs. Hale admits that he ‘didn't drink', ‘kept his word' and ‘paid his bills', she also refers to her own impression of him as a ‘hard man'. Mrs. Hales sees beyond the masculine observations and trusts her own instincts; she describes talking to him as ‘like a raw wind that gets to the bone'. 16 The men in the play do not discuss John Wright's life or personality. The women do discuss Minnie Wright, Mrs. Hale describes her before her marriage, ‘she used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was Minnie Foster'. 17 Mrs. Hale builds up an image of Mrs. Wright that Mrs. Peters can relate to and identify with, she later describes her as ‘like a bird herself',18 this coupled with the cold character of Mr. Wright and the discovery of the birdcage create an image of Minnie being caged herself. The discovery of the bird with its broken neck is an important moment of realisation for the two women. The extent of the sadness in Minnie Wright's life has become abundantly clear and the recognition of what this grim discovery signifies seems to set Mrs. Hales mind racing. Again, referring back to her own personal experience of Mr. Wright, Mrs. Hale states ‘No, Wright wouldn't like the bird-a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too'. 19 This statement is sufficient to make Mrs. Peters obviously uncomfortable with how the situation is unfolding. Mrs. Hale reproaches herself for not calling on Mrs. Wright occasionally; she declares ‘that was a crime, who's going to punish that? '20 This questioning adds to the inference that the murder was not the only crime that took place in the farmhouse. Ultimately, both women read the text from a gendered perspective enabling them to justify why they hide the evidence. The two women show compassion for Minnie Wright, they understand the hardships of being a woman in their time, and Mrs. Hale says ‘we all go through the same things – it's all just a different kind of the same thing'. 21 It is here the women seem united, in defense of one they feel has done wrong and been wronged, in a final act of female solidarity they hide the evidence they have found and protect Mrs. Wright. Susan Glaspell's ‘Trifles' is a play in one act that demonstrates the significance of gendered theories of reading. It achieves this by showing how the woman make their observations and unknowingly build up the circumstances surrounding the crime. They notice small details that are significant to them as women; these details enable them to identify with the text. The men in this play overlook these details because they only view the scene from a masculine perspective. They read the text within a rigid framework of ideals that do not apply in this case, to be able to interpret a variety of texts is to be able to read from a gendered point of view.

Dansk Minox Case Study Essay

Problem: A/S Dansk Minox is a company based in Copenhagen, which specializes in branded vacuum-packed meat and other food products. Through consumer survey, the company found that there was a large untapped market for a ‘Complete meal’ product which included sliced pork along with a vacuum-sealed bag of red cabbage salad. After long discussions among the marketing and finance departments, the complete meal pack was introduced at a price of $ 8.20 per pack of 1 kg. It sold only 30 tons as against the budgeted sales of 85 tons. The problem facing the company is that whether it has to stop further production of the ‘complete meal’ product or establish a new consumer price of $ 6.85 per pack, in order to boost sales. Considerations and Analysis: In order to decide the course of action we may look at the following facts and considerations. Consumer Price 8.20 6.85 Retailer Price 5.72 4.78 Variable Cost 3.49 3.41 Volume Sales (in kgs) 30000 85000 Advertising Costs 0.3 0.3 Impact on Profit 41,400 90,950 As we can see, impact on profit is higher when 85000 kgs of complete meal is sold at $6.85/kg, rather than selling 30000 kgs at $ 8.20/kg. Now, another point to note is if production expenses are to be revised to $ 1.20/kg, then on a full cost basis, the complete meal would cost. Total unit cost (new) = Total unit cost (old) – Production expenses (old) + Production expenses (revised) Total unit cost (new) = 4.64 – 0.54 + 1.20 = $ 5.30 And Profit per unit would be = Retailer price – Total unit cost (new) = 4.78 – 5.30 = (-0.52) (i.e) there would be a loss of $ 0.52/kg, on a full cost basis, when the ‘complete meal is sold at $ 6.85. Conclusion and Recommendations: The point to be focused here is that though the new product might sell 85Â  tons at a revised price of $ 6.85 per pack, it will incur losses on a full cost basis. Also it is not feasible to lower the production costs anymore because, the resources of A/S Dansk Minox which were specialized for meat processing were now processing Vegetables. This is not their core competency and hence they would incur more costs in performing activities that they do not specialize in. Furthermore, the need for a single package containing sliced pork and red cabbage salad is itself questionable because the same packs are also individually available and these individual packs are of better quality because slice pork is Dansk Minox’s speciality and red cabbage salad is its competitior’s specialty. Hence, it is recommended that Dansk Minox stop further production of ‘complete meal (because red salad is not its core competency) and concentrate on selling its ‘standard packs, which are in fact having a significant boost in their sales or the management can look to collaborate with the best ‘red cabbage salad making company and together give the customers the best quality of ‘complete meal at the best price. The final decision would however be dependent upon managerial discretion and organizational guidelines/objectives.

Day After Tomorrow Reaction Paper Essay

My first day of school in my first year was so memorable but I felt a little bit nervous also because I was afraid, because I met my new classmates new teachers and new schoolmates. My first friend I met in our classroom was Edwin. Edwin and I, we always teased Charisa Suan that she was a fatty girl, and â€Å"WALAY LIGO’’ and Charisa got angry with us. And next was Roi, and Christian, we’ve been friends because of the dota, every our lunch break we went Internet Cafà © without taking our lunch because our attention was focus on the game and we don’t mind our lunch. Our adviser Ms.Flordelyn Magallanes before but now she is Mrs.Flordelyn Funtanar, she got angry with us during her period because we always came her subject late, and Mam Flordelyn Funtanar began irritate with us and she scolded with me and my classmates. The day I will not forget, when Mam Flordelyn, locked the door of our room, because we came late during her subject, and there we just listened in windows while he discussed our lessons. Sometimes during lunch break when we don’t have money we played â€Å"Takyan† on playground inside the campus together with my boys classmates. After we played and the bell rang, our clothes was so dirty and we smell sweat. And Mam Flordelyn again got irritated with us, because she said â€Å"Mura daw mi ug mga bata’’ Our school have a many activities. In a month of July, we celebrated Nutrition Month. In August,Buwan ng Wika. During our Buwan Ng Wika we ate together with my classmates in our room and we enjoyed it. In September, we have an Intramurals, everybody was so busy because of preparations. In our Intrams, we have Litmus Night, every Department has a participant to show their talents. We have also a fieldtrip in the month of January. Fieldtrip was my favorite activity in school. We have 4 Destination in our fieldtrip in Carmelite, Rehab In Sta Isabel and Polanco and last was in Cogon Eco Park, that was so tiring but we enjoyed it the most. In Carmelite when we arrived that placed I saw many children that all of them was have no parents  and I thanks God because I have my parents they never leave me, regardless of my bad attitude sometimes, they love for me was so unconditionally. In Rehab also I saw many young people inside the Rehab. In Cogon Eco Park was the most I enjoyed so much because I saw a few animals there. We took many pictures with my classmates there. In December we have also a Christmas Party, I enjoyed that time, we have also an exchange gift, parlor games, and we ate together our food during our lunch with my classmates and teachers. In the month of February we have two activities that we celebrate, and that was the Valentines Day and High School Night. In during Valentines Day I saw many couple, dating. They have also a booth. Like Marriage Booth, Blind Date and etc. and that was so enjoyed also because I saw many students running because maybe they afraid to put a handcuffs in their hands and brought on stage and to have their fake wedding in front of many people inside the campus. In our High School Night, was so memorable because it was my first time to attend that kind of activity. I and my classmates performed ‘’Handmime’’ in titled with ‘’Who Am I’’. All my classmates and I wearing all black and white gloves on our hands. And that was teached by our Mathematics teacher before Mr. Asisclo Salaveria. My Second Year was so exciting because, I’m with my Sophomore life. I went school very early because I’m so excited to see my classmates and specially my new classmates. I want to met with them and to know also with them who are they. When I arrived at school I saw my classmates since in Elementary they are Edwin Romero and Wilromer Ponte we’ve known each other because we’ve came from the same school during our elementary days. When my classmates has not yet came, we have a little chit-chat with my classmates about our Summer Vacation, what happened about their summer vacation and where did they spent their vacation. When my all classmates was came we started our class by giving our teachers scheduled to our subject. As usual, during lunch break we went to Internet Cafà © to played Dota, but sometimes when we went school we do not late because we’ve early to finish our game. During our last period in afternoon and that was Araling  Panlipunan, Mam Alonso always discussing a lessons eventhough it’s time for dismissal to went home but she continue what she doing. And all of us was late afternnon when we went home. During June we have a parade in Plaza Magsaysay up to Boulevard, that Parade was for Independence Day. In July, Nutrition Month, we make a booth to display ourvegetables and fruits to sell. In August, Buwan Ng Wika we celebrate that also, we have Program, there was also an Competition. In September, was the Intramurals Day, and again everybody was busy because of the preparations for our Intrams, eventhough the teachers also was busy, when the day of Intrams came, the opening was full of people inside the campus to watch specially during the Litmus Night. But before that we have a parade in the morning and mass in Catholic Church and the venue of parade was in Plaza Magsaysay uo to Minaog it was so tiring but it was enjoy also. I attend a cheerdance with my classmates and schoolmates to compete in every Department and we got a Champion of that Competition. In December, was our Christmas Party, we brought food and our adviser that time was Mam Teresa Acaylar, we have also an Parlor Ga mes. In February, Valentines Day and also a High School Night. During Valentines Day, I’ve saw again a different booth conducted by SSG officers. There was again a Marriage Booth on stage, a dark room for Blind Date. And after that day was our High School Night, I wear a long sleeve and Amercana. And after I arrived in the venue, the top Plaza Hotel. I saw my boys classmates, and we went to the CR, borrow the Digital of April Grace and we took so many pictures with my classmates. And when the program started everybody was so happy. And we have an also a Disco. During my third year days, was so happy because finally I’m in my Junior Life. Third Year was so difficult for me because there was so many reporting in every subject by the helped of my classmates I can do it. Like in first Year and Second Year, in every month we have activity we celebrated. During June 12 that was a Parade for Independence Day the venue was in Plaza Magsaysay up to Boulevard. In July, that the time again for celebrating Nutrition Month, we made again a booth to display our vegetables and fruits that we bring and to compete also who had a booth has beautiful  and clean. And there was also a Program on stage contest for Poster-Making. And in August that was a Buwan Ng Wika, there was also an activity on stage, contest for a folk dance and how to harana the girl properly in their house. In September, the Intrams. I attend cheerdance. And in December is our Christmas Party, I gave Rejane P. Bularon a gift to her because I’ve got a chrush on her. And in January was a Valentines Day and High School. In January was fieldtrip in Oklahoma Island and it was a very long trip. And I enjoyed swim in Oklahoma with my classmates. To get the starfish. And I enjoyed also inside t he van we laugh with my classmates and having a foodtrip inside the van.

1. The colonization of the Americas (Read the whole question below) Essay

1. The colonization of the Americas (Read the whole question below) - Essay Example As other European countries realized these possibilities, they  too  went in search for  land  to explore and slaves to do their manual labor bringing about collisions between their cultures (Cobs and Blum, 2). These facts can be well established in the interpretation of the various exchanged items and practices and the various impacts that they had on the items and cultural practices of the different worlds. Though considered as a particularly significant aspect of the American history and culture, the American history itself such as the Columbian exchange began as a disaster. The  collision  and interaction among the new world and the old  world  have been towards the  outcome  for many years before  hand  of the Columbian exchange though along remarkably different  line  patterns from each other.  The West Africans, Indians, and Europeans, differed from each other not only in terms of  language  and physical looks, but also in terms of other social cultural standings such as the roles of women and men in the society, religious beliefs and  government  structures.  While some of the new arrivals in the others lands took this opportunity to observe,  explore  and  learn  others took this  opportunity  as  ground  to justify collisions, wars and savagery behaviors in line with  cultural  and developmental  discrimination  (Cobs and Blum, 2) Collisions during wars and invasions also in turn made cultural exchange able to occur during the earlier times.  Various wars and invasions of  various  com munities by the  different  world was a common issue during these times and such invasions brought the different  world’s  cultured  peoples into contact with each other’s worlds and cultures. The occurrence of wars and invasions was a common occurrence during these time periods and until the times that diplomatic relations  were obtained  between the two worlds. As a community was

Bloodstain pattern analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bloodstain pattern analysis - Essay Example This was to prevent the destruction of the valuable and fragile evidence such as shoe prints, concealed weapons and bloodstains. We began to scrutinize and examine the crime scene by taking a walk into the trail of the crime scene. We preferred to use a video recording in documenting the events in the crime scene because these recordings provide a detail perspective that could not be easily perceived in sketches and photographs (Labe, Terry and Barton, 1983). The recordings was mostly focused on the victims surroundings such as the murder weapon, the orientation of the bed that he was murdered on, the blood stains on the victim and the surrounding environment. We did not made the assumption that the blood belonged to the same victim. In this case, it was possible that some of the blood stains gathered at the scene could have been that of the suspect which might have been caused by self-wounding. We documented some classic patterns at the scene to help with the investigation. This pattern included; cast-off Blood stains, the swipe marks on the victim, pattern transfer and the drip patterns (Labe, Terry and Barton, 1983). We also used photograph to document the events at the scene. This was accomplished before anything could be moved or touched at the scene. The photographs that were taken depicted the overall scene which was then followed by close-up and medium range views of the pattern. We included the scale of measure with the close-up photographs. Similarly, we employed sketches and diagram to indicate the position of the bed in relation to the significant and fixed object in the crime scene. During sketching we did not just focus on the immediate environment from where the impact was identified, but we also sketched the larger surrounding in order to shoot the shooting scene in its proper context. We photographed the blood stains, bullet fragments, bullets and the trigger cases in their place and had

Macro & Micro economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Macro & Micro economics - Essay Example The phase which started from 1929 lasted for more than a decade and its effect was faced by most of the nations around the globe. The Great Recession of 2008 on the other hand took place due to a host of reasons including the subprime lending crisis, the burst of the US housing bubble, the drastic increase in the price of oil in the country and the devaluation of dollar. This report looks into the various aspects of the setbacks in the international trade caused by the collapse in US financial markets. The focus of this report is the main areas of the UK and EU which are in trade relations with the country of United States. Finally the changes in the trade policies in the post financial crisis period have been analysed. Causes and Mechanisms of the collapse of the world trade As during the time of the Great Depression when the phase saw increase in the rate of unemployment, lack of liquidity in the economy and various situations of bankruptcy, the great recession also witnessed the s imilar trouble. The economy faced a decline in the import and exports which in turn affected those countries which depended mostly on foreign trade during the 1930s (Bernard, Jensen, Redding and Schott, 2009, p. 491). Similar thing happened at the time of the US recession in 2008. The entire economy experienced a plunge in the global trade which accounted for about 30% decline compared to the GDP of the country. The trade figures for the country have been shown with the help of the export import trends of the country. Figure 1: Export of US Source: www.tradingeconomics.com It is clear that the exports of the country had been increasing from before 2004. However, trade faced a jolt in 2009 at the outset of the period of recession. The trade of US recovered from 2010 and it is exhibiting an upward trend at the present day. Similar situations can be noticed in the European Union. The export situation for this region also faced the similar consequences as that of the US (Velde, 2011, pp 1–28). Figure 2: Exports in European Union Source: www.tradingeconomics.com Economists have provided a host of reasons that would justify the trade collapse. First of all the supply chain linkages have caused a drop in the trade figures. The vertical linkage hypothesis believes that with a decrease in the demand for the final goods, the demands for the intermediate goods that add value to the final product are also at stake. With the advent of liberalisation, division of labour has taken place across countries and a lot of specialisation has occurred in the production process (Yi, 2003, p. 65). Thus if the aggregate demand in one country reduced it has an effect on the balance of trade of all the related countries. The compositional effect is a second reason why the international trade dropped during 2009. Trade of a country may take place in various sectors but there is a definite proportion in which it should take place. If inconsistent trade takes place in the sectors wit h the worse affected level of domestic absorption, then the trade to GDP ratio would be most adversely affected (Erceg, Guerrieri and Gust, 2008, p. 2637). The US data on industrial production would be able to support this hypothesis. It has been empirically tested that the drop in trade took place more in the sectors that reported decline in the domestic output the most. Figure 3: Trade across product categories Source: www.wto.org Finally the shortage of credit was the reason why trade could not take place at its full capacity. Any firm in order to carry on with the

How Restorative Justice is used in the UK Essay

How Restorative Justice is used in the UK - Essay Example Restorative justice provides victims with such an opportunity. They are able to encounter the offender through arrangements made by the police or restorative justice officers. The main purpose of restorative justice is ensuring that both the victim and the offender cooperate in repairing the harm resulting from the crime. All the stakeholders must be willing to participate actively if restorative justice is to be effective. The United Kingdom embraces restorative justice to ensure the restoration of justice. Restorative justice highlights that serving justice requires the victims to undergo a restoration process that helps them get over the incident. In addition, the offenders need to embrace responsibility for their crimes recognizing the emotional harm they cause to their victims. In the community, restorative justice serves to maintain public order. There are different programs designed to make restorative justice effective, as this paper will highlight. More specifically, the pap er will discuss how restorative justice is in use in the Youth Justice Board in prisons and in the issuing of dispersal orders. The paper will consider the use of the restorative justice in Northern Ireland. In the United Kingdom, restorative justice relies on programs such as victim-offender mediation, conferencing, victim assistance, community service, ex-offender assistance, and restitution. The different restorative programs ensure that offenders, victims, and members of the community can have an encounter that allows them to discuss the process of the crime and its impacts. In addition, the different programs present the offenders with an opportunity to play a critical role in repairing the harms caused by the crime. The restorative programs facilitate the integration of offenders into the society. Restorative justice programs also promote inclusion of ex-offenders in community projects. Restorative justice can take place during any stage of the justice system. In some

Read the case, and answer the question Case Study

Read the , and answer the question - Case Study Example The good point showcasing about being socially responsible in the given case is the idea that Vermont Teddy Bear was trying to consider their customers as partners, which is tantamount to the the actual formation of relationship with its customers. In doing so, they only are not going to earn long-standing trust, but above all, the ability on the part of the customers to distinguish the kind of service they provide. Vermont Teddy Bear therefore knew the key to a long-lasting penetration and operation in the market and that is to create a meaningful relationship with their customers, an act that one could potentially consider as socially responsible. Here is another important point how Vermont Teddy Bear has become socially responsible. It was able to support charitable causes (LHMVTB Case). Supporting charitable causes is an indication that the company is trying to involve and consider itself as integral part of the community. It does not stand alone by itself, but has considerable o bligations for the people and the community as a whole. In addition, Vermont Teddy Bear strongly adhered to understanding customers’ needs. Criticism concerning its insensitivity was not directly coming from the customers, but from a national agency trying to be closely critical about its products. Vermont Teddy Bear has remarkable point not to listen to this criticism because for them there was a positive approval and response from the customers concerning their product offerings (LHMVTB Case). It is clear that through this incident, Vermont Teddy Bear must be a customer-centric organization that would be willing to understand customers’ needs and create decisions based on these requirements. The case therefore has remarkably shown the level of Vermont Teddy Bear’s socially receptive response by highlighting their ability to directly listen to the customers’ needs and build their critical decision on these patterns. 2. Discuss the external environmental factors that impact VTB overall. Additionally, discuss the external environmental factors that impacted this particular situation/controversy. Explain specifically how the external environmental factor(s) impacts VTB overall and this particular situation. In general, Vermont Teddy Bear’s actual business growth were influenced by seasons of the year and technological advancement associated with sharing marketing information such as the presence of internet and other relevant media (LHMVTB Case). In fact, the remarkable controversy against Vermont Teddy Bear occurred in February which is the month of the year noted for the celebration of Valentines day. Moreover, the ability of the company to generate sales and income was due to the easy implementation of direct marketing via phone calls and its website. In other words, social activities and advancement of communication technology have evidently paved a way for Vermont Teddy Bear to spread its influence to its market industry. However, the socio-political response could have a significant impact on Vermont Teddy Bear as its criticism against the company’s product offerings could create a negative marketing advantage over the actual product involved in the controversy. The national agency was reacting badly against the very controversial one product of Vermont Teddy Bear which is an indication that there is a great deal of issue that needs settlement on the part of the company. In addition, this issue or controversy could also be a damaging factor

Piaget's theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Piaget's theory - Essay Example ntelligence was active; and that children are not passive recipients of information, rather that they actively construct and reconstruct their knowledge of the world. Cognitive disequilibrium and the child’s action and interaction with the physical environment fuel the development of the cognitive system towards more advanced psychological structures (Fisher & Lerner, 2004). This paper will evaluate Piaget’s theory of the four stages of cognitive evolution in child development. Further, similarities and differences will be identified between Erikson’s theory and Piaget’s theory of child development, with respect to the development of identity. According to Piaget’s theory, the development of intelligence and cognitive functioning in children progresses through a series of four stages based on age and concurrent biological changes and maturation. This leads to the child demonstrating a higher level of functioning at each successive stage, as compared to the previous stage (Videbeck, 2007). The stages of development are not universal, since cultural differences exist. However, the mechanisms that underlie cognitive development are considered to be universal (Pressley & McCormick, 2007). 1. The sensorimotor stage: This extends from birth to two years. The child develops a sense of self, differentiated from the environment, and develops the concept of object permanence. That is, a perception of the existence of tangible objects even when they are out of sight, that they do 3. The concrete operations stage: Between six to twelve years the child begins to apply logic to thinking, understands spatiality and reversibility, is increasingly social and able to apply rules; however, thinking is still concrete. 4. The formal operations stage: From twelve to fifteen years and beyond, the child learns to think and reason in abstract terms. Further, there is development of logical thinking and reasoning, and the achievement of cognitive maturity in the child

Sickle Cell-Advocacy Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sickle Cell-Advocacy Paper - Assignment Example United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC (2014) shows that it costs $11,702 to treat those children with SCD under Medicaid cover and $14,772 for those children under the employer-sponsored insurance. Combined, both groups had no less than one hospital stay. Furthermore, a research by Kauf, Coates, Huazhi, Mody-Patel and Hartzema (2009) estimates the median lifetime costs for people with SCD at $186,406 when discounted and $392,940 when undiscounted. Thus, the economic cost of SCD is a critical public health concern which makes paediatric SCD inaccessible. As such, this memo appeals to the Department of Health and Human Services to subsidise on the costs and take regulatory action that would promote paediatric SCD care initiatives that seek to increase access of the much needed paediatric SCD healthcare services. The sickle cell disease would normally cause the red blood cells to harden and become sticky, adopting a C shape, thus its name from a similarly looking farm tool. With the sickle cells dying early, there would constantly be a shortage of red blood cells, causing severe pains, infections, organ damage or anaemia (MCHB, 2014). These complications make patients constantly seek for medical services. Even though the exact number of people living with the disease remains unknown, CDC (2014) estimates between 90,000 and 100,000 Americans to be affected. Of these, African-Americans are worst hit with 1 in every 500 newborns diagnosed with SCD. These are significant numbers going by the costs already associated with caring for patients with SCD. As noted by Kauf et al. (2009), the components of cost of care for SCD patients include the inpatient and emergency department, ED hospitalisation, having found out from their study that patients with SCD incur averagely one ED visit per patient yea r, 3.7 inpatient hospitalisations and about 24.1 hospital days. According to Raphael et al. (2013), placing children under high-acuity services such as

Google Monopoly Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Google Monopoly - Term Paper Example It delivers the world’s top search engine, the most popular mobile operating system and the best advertising platform in the world† (Reisinger 2010). As the company’s popularity continued to spread, Google was able to acquire other companies, which only served to continue its explosive growth. As it has been reported, Google acquired several small companies to develop products for itself. In 2007, YouTube, an online video site, was acquired†¦ Several other acquired companies include Keyhole Inc. (Earth Viewer, later developed into Google Earth), Adaptive Path (weblog statistics application), JotSpot (wiki developer technology for collaborative websites), DoubleClick, and Postini (enterprise message security and compliance). (Gudimallan, 2009). Google is very popular indeed. Any company who desires to overthrow the reign of Google will have a hard time succeeding. For this reason it is easy to assume at first glance that Google is a monopoly. It is likely that when most people think of searching for something online, they think of Google first. The company has become somewhat of a gateway to the rest of the internet. Businesses that want to be successful online work hard to improve their ranking in Google’s search results. However, in order to determine with accuracy rather or not Google is indeed a monopoly the company must be viewed from the perspective of the law. The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) was enacted to protect trade from those who would dominate it. Having a monopoly can be a bad thing for society. Laws were established to make them illegal. There are instances in which having a monopoly can be legal, however, the focus of this paper is not to call for condemnation of Google Inc. The company has clearly done a lot of good for society. Yet, the company is a very powerful one and the possibility that it holds a monopoly, at least in some area, is

The Magnificent World of Coffee Essay Example for Free

The Magnificent World of Coffee Essay When you wake up in the morning and you do NOT feel like P. Diddy sometimes all you need is a big ole cup of coffee to jump-start your day. Coffee has gone by many different names, wakey juice, mud, plasma, go juice, jo, cuppa, the daily grind and brewtus. However, unlike the many names over the years, the feeling of the warm and welcoming liquids filling every inch of your body will always stand the test of time. Waking up can be the ultimate struggle. Just imagine a normal morning, lying in bed, dreading having to get up from the toasty little nest of pillows and blankets, eyes starting to close again†¦ drifting in and out of sleep: and then, the sweet aroma of fresh coffee beans being ground up make their way around the house, leaving neither room nor corner untouched by its delicious essence. Coffee can drive even the sleepiest bear out of slumber purely by its intoxicating scent. But nothing can compare to that first sip. How the hot liquid tickles the tongue, and slides down the throat, making sure to send shock waves everywhere, finally exploding throughout the body. Squinting through barely opened eyes, the sight of the richly dark contents pouring from the pot to the mug sends shocks throughout your body. Raising the mug up, eyes tightly closed, the smell travels up the nose. The strong scent immediately opens the senses and gets the blood running. The first sip does not disappoint. As expected, the hot liquid tickles the tongue, slides down the throat, making sure to send shock waves everywhere, and finally explodes throughout the body. The world has come alive. Most coffee beans come from Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa and South Asia. With only seventy countries in total harvesting coffee beans around the world, it has become the most traded good, agriculturally speaking. This just goes to show how necessary coffee is in daily life. In fact, coffee is the most-consumed beverage worldwide. Just in America alone there are 100 million people who have had a cup of coffee this morning, 68% having their first cup within the first hour of being awake. Whether the coffee is homemade or bought from Starbucks, all coffee enthusiasts agree that they need that jump-start in the morning. Now imagine waking up, lying in bed all cozied up in a little nest of pillows and blankets, but something is†¦ off. Crawling out of bed, feet dragging, lumbering like a zombie towards the kitchen: but wait, where is the delicious aroma of that highly anticipated and routinely drunk morning coffee? Where is the divine sound of the coffee beans being ground up as the pot fills to the brim with that hot liquid that tickles the tongue, and slides down the throat, making sure to send shock waves everywhere, where it finally explodes throughout the body? The day, officially ruined, creates the tragic world that is without coffee. To the hundreds of millions of coffee drinkers, it is not just a drink that wakes them up: but a tradition, a way of life, a gateway into adulthood. No matter what the first cup of coffee was, no matter what it was called, no matter where it was from, no matter whether it was enjoyed or not, everyone will always remember what the first sip was like.

Fluid Dynamics In Gas Oil Industry Engineering Essay

Fluid Dynamics In Gas Oil Industry Engineering Essay Now days, many oil and gas companies are utilizing the predictive capabilities of the fluid flow-modeling software. CFD also called computational fluid dynamics is that branch of fluid mechanics which uses the algorithms and numerical methods for solving the real-life problems involve in fluid flow. Computational fluid dynamics gives engineers and researchers a powerful simulation tool, which helps them in understanding the performance and design of the petroleum reservoir. The application of CFD ranges from designing of reservoir injector to drilling and production of petroleum. CFD currently finds its applications in onshore, offshore and in sub-sea areas. This computer software helps the engineer to perform the numerical experiments, and thus reduces the cost and time involved in making prototype design programs. The Fluent, a CFD software package helps in stimulating the flows involve in single and multiple phases, either use with or without transfer of heat and mass (Das, 2010). This report is based on role of Fluid Mechanics in the Gas-Oil Industries. Fluid mechanics is an important field of mechanics, theories and principals of fluid mechanics play an impressive role on industrial level. In this report industrial application of fluid mechanics are brought in light. This report discusses the concept of fluid mechanics also called computational fluid dynamics that has varied applications in oil gas industry. Various principals, theories and laws are discussed with the area and industrial processes, where these laws and theories are used. It is a well-known fact that technology and industry works together, industries cannot sustain without the technology. This report plays a great role in bringing the concept of technological dependence of the industry by studying the application of fluid mechanics in the oil gas industry. Almost all the companies in the oil gas industry bring computational fluid mechanics and its simulation techniques in use for their effect ive and efficient operation. Fluid mechanics aids these companies not only for effective production techniques but also in risk management and maintenance. On the industrial level the simulation software for fluid mechanics are introduced which are much popular. This software provides the virtual environment to work, through which the computations and various decisions can be taken efficiently which saves time of testing. Fluid mechanics is also a research area in which the research is going in order to find new knowledge. As this knowledge has great industrial application and use, companies are also seemed to invest in research and development of this field. These companies mostly belong to oil gas industry. Oil gas companies are engaged in the operation on raw oil or gas petroleum products as raw material after processing this as raw material it produces more refined form. Oil and gas are fluid material therefore fluid mechanics is most important part of operation in this industry . This report is divided into three sections, first section gives introduction about the fluid mechanics and computational fluid dynamics, second section is literature review which explains the theories of fluid dynamics and also the application of CFD in petroleum industry, the and third section concludes the overall report. Literature Review Fluid mechanics treats gases as fluid; according to mechanics anything that can flow physically from one place to another in medium is called fluid. In oil gas industry the fluid mechanics is used in the operations like measurement, flow control, pressure control and flow speed detection etc. On the same time at the places where the operations which involves heating of gases also fluid mechanics is used because on heating the gases expands and hence the pressure increases, at this time this pressure is compare against the pressure tolerance of the container in order to avoid accidents. Here various studies and results are discussed in group (Menon, 2005). Properties Properties of the fluid are most basic concept of the fluid mechanics used in the oil gas industry. These theories are not used alone but for any application it is used on basic level. It helps in measuring the amount of oil and gases. Also helps by characterizing gases by which the identification of the oil and gas becomes easy and comfortable. And the properties which are discussed here deals with storing the oil and gas. At the time of storing oil and gases measures like pressure at which the Mass Volume Density Mass, volume and density are the three most basic and fundamental properties of fluid. On the behalf of which the quantity and amount of matter contained in the specific volume is measured, on the same time unique set of values, these properties at given temperature characterizes fluid. Temperature term is used because the fluids are shrinks and expands with the volume; hence the set of values of these properties varies with time. The relationship among these properties is defined as: Eq. 1 Density = Mass / Volume Viscosity There are some more properties of the fluid like viscosity; viscosity is the friction force (which one surface offers to another surface in contact with it in order to resist its motion) offered by one layer of fluid on another during the flow. It is related to fluid flow. Ideal Gas It is the concept which is not practical but theoretical forms the model for any kind of gas. It is defined in terms of an equation known as ideal equation. It is for the ideal gas but we know that concept of ideal gas is hypothetical and no gas is ideal. The ideal gas equation is used with some correction for real gases called real gas equation. Eq. 2 P * V = n * R * T (ideal gas equation) Eq. 3 P * V = K* n * R * T (real gas equation) Where: P = pressure, V = volume, n = number of moles of gas, R = ideal gas constant, T = temperature and K = real gas constant (it varies according to gas) Flow control Flow is fundamental property of the fluid, in oil gas industry it is important due to some reasons like both oil and gas flows, other than storing the oil and gas the transportation of oil and gas is also the challenge for this industry sometimes for the transportation of the oil pipeline is considered economical in this situation oil and gases are transported through pipelines. In this scenario the speed and viscosity plays an important role. The amount of oil and gases are measured during the flow also. For the flow pressure is also required because in order to make the liquid flow from one place to another potential difference is also required, many times this potential difference is provided by the gravity but it is the best and ideal case. In real world it is not possible so this potential difference is introduced using pressure difference, at this time this pressure is need to be managed in order to prevent damage to the pipeline in this mode of oil gas transportation the risk of damage to pipeline is high and hazardous. For the flow of fluid there are several principles and theories which have wide variety of application in oil gas industry. These flow control and management theories are not only used in transportation of the fluid but there are some more operations where these theories are implemented. Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Gas Oil Industry Computational Fluid dynamics is used in wide variety of industries and disciplines which includes automotive, aerospace, power generation, medical research, petroleum exploration, chemical manufacturing etc. Use of Computational Fluid dynamics let to reduction in the cost of process development and production. Computational Fluid dynamics also led to optimization of processes and activities of these industries by reducing down time. In these industries requirements of physical needs are decreased, increased yields and conversions, time to market is shortened and resolution of environment is facilitated due to Computational Fluid Dynamics. Computational Fluid dynamics also have very large potential impact on oil and gas industries because the equation of motion used by Computational fluid dynamics provides everything which is meaningful to understand the domain completely. In oil gas industries, chemical engineers usually use Computational fluid dynamics to make assumption in the pip ing and process units. These assumptions lead to great simplification of complex equation of motion. With the help of Fluid dynamics, Gas oil industries make assumption for the material that is going to be used in the chemical reactors (Sweden, 2005). The computer software called Fluent, which helps the engineer to perform the numerical experiments, and thus reduces the cost and time involved in making prototype design programs. It is based on the concepts of Computational Fluid Dynamics, helps in stimulating the flows involve in single and multiple phases, either use with or without transfer of heat and mass Conclusion Technology and industry works parallel, industries depends on the technology up to a large extent for its functioning. The engineering products like researches, theories, principals and instruments play a vital role in smooth functioning of this industry. Due to these tools provided by the technical field the operations of an industry becomes effective and efficient. Any industry depends up on these tools for its growth and speeding up its production on the technology. If specific parts of the technology are considered each part plays its own role in industry depending upon the type of industry. Mechanical engineering has its own place in all the industries, mechanics is further divided into various categories, and fluid mechanics which is part of mechanics plays an important role in oil and gas industry. Because this industry deals with fluid as both oil and gas are fluids. Various principals of fluid mechanics are used by the companies of this industry. These theories and principal s are used for carrying out large calculation, making strategy and designing setups. The capacity of containers and machines are guessed on the basis of various laws of fluid mechanics. From measurement of amount of oil and gas to its transportation form one place to another fluid mechanics is involved in this industry. The storing of the oil is comparatively easy task but storage of gas is difficult task, here the fluid mechanics plays the real role. Other than storage transportation of the oil and gas through the pipeline which is most popular and economical way of transportation, makes use of many flow related fluid mechanics principals. In case of pipeline the speed of the flow matters which is measured using variety of laws in which Bernoullià ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s equation and theorem is more popular than other. Using the speed and the density of the oil flowing volume and its amount can be easily calculated. In this pipeline method the pressure difference is creat ed between source and destination. This pressure difference is required in order to make the oil flow because in long distance transportation one cannot rely upon the gravitational potential difference. This pressure sometimes creates challenges and in order to overcome these challenges the fluid mechanics again comes in role. In oil and gas industry speed of flow which is dependent on the viscous nature of oil and gas which is considered as friction force between the layers of liquid plays important role as due to this force energy is released. In this way the role of fluid mechanics which is very important in the oil and gas industry is clear. The oil and gas industry of which the raw and finish product, both are fluid in nature fluid mechanics is an essential tool. In order to improve productivity the industry needs to develop more knowledge in this field. For this purpose the research is required in this field.

An Analysis Of The Sony Corporation

An Analysis Of The Sony Corporation Current Activities Today, the Sony Corporation is a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Toyko, Japan. The company is one of the worlds largest media conglomerates and is one of the leading manufacturers of electronics, video, communication, video games consoles and IT products for the consumer and profession markets. However, Sony is better known for its high quality consumer electronics, which account for 61% of total revenues. In 2008, the company had revenues exceeding  ¥7.730.00 Trillion or $78.88. (Rugman, 2009) Products Modern day Sony is known for its innovative products such as; the Triniton colour television; Bravia High Definition television; Playstation video console; VAIO laptop; Music mobile phones; Walkman and Discman personal stereos. (See Appendix B. For a list of Sonys product) Modern Strategy Culture Industry and Media Synergy Sony is recognised as a total entertainment company. This means it is no longer simply a manufacturer of technological hardware but is an integral part of a culture industry. Sony likes to adopt a media synergy. This term was employed to refer to a strategy, adopted by many hardware and software producing companies of attempting to synchronize and actively forge connections between directly related technologies and areas of entertainment. (du Gay, 1997) Products For its audio-visual products Sonys strategy boils down to producing audio, visual and electronic gadgets and controlling the content that goes through them. For example, Sonys successful Playstation 2 games console allows the company to provide the hardware necessary for the firm to capture the games market. (Rugman, 2009) The strategy reflects Sonys media synergy which came partly from an acknowledgment that Sonys Walkman1 was useless without the cassette that was inserted to it, which was in turn useless without the musical recording artists and the companys Betamax videocassette2 recorder was useless without video-cassettes of films and music. (du Gay, 1997) Moreover, the outright ownership of CBS (music), MGM (movies) and Sony BMG (Music) allows the company access the film and movie industry and music artists. These are forms of entertainment which are viewed and listened to via Sonys products. Market To support the companys commitment to succeeding globally and understanding how business is performed elsewhere, the company seeks to fit into host country communities. Therefore Sony seeks to: Hire locally Strike a balance between the home culture and local culture Participate in the local community. In addition, Sony prefers to list the company on the local stock exchange; appoint well respected local executives to the Board of Directors; and create a local product distribution system. (du Gay, 1997) Internationalisation History Sonys entry into foreign markets appears to have followed the typical internationalization process. (See Figure 1.1) The company initially obtained a license from a US company, Bell Lab, in order to recreate the transistor technology in its radio. These products were produced with success and first introduced to the local Japanese market. The products were then exported to markets of similar consuming habits. Export of these goods occurred via a distributors and then some time later through the companys own subsidiaries. Factories were then established in different markets, where products could be produced closer to the export market and at a cost discount. The final stage of the FDI process occurred when Sony embarked upon opening its own RD and marketing facilities, enabling lasting market presence and understanding of foreign markets. The growth of Sony as a company and its technologies occurred within a process of interaction between the US and Japan. As the company grew, Sony executives gained knowledge from constant visits to the US, acquired the rights to produce transistors from the US and found that North America provided a major market for its audio-visual products. The adoption of the name Sony and the standardization of products such as the Walkman were adopted with the aim of being a global brand (du Gay, 1997) Sony first embarked upon FDI via a wholly owned subsidiary in the US in 1960. However, over the last 60 years it has engaged in Joint Ventures (JVs), Mergers and Acquisitions (MA) and Strategic Alliances. (E.G. Sony-Ericsson, Sony-Microsoft and Sony-Sharpe) Throughout the 1980s two important developments indicate how Sony began actively extending its presence as a global corporation. First, the company aimed to operate in all markets across the world, to reach as many potential consumers as possible. Second, the company aimed to reorganize processes of production in such a way so that they would not be limited to the constraints of the nation state. In such a case, a particular concern was how the effectiveness and international competitiveness of Japanese companies were constrained by the value of the Japanese YEN. This meant that goods produced in Japan were more expensive when exported and in competition with those in other parts of the world. (du Gay, 1997) To pursue these aims, Sony adopted a strategy of globalisation that involved moving their manufacturing and marketing operations to different locations around the world and setting up local operations in different locations around the world. (du Gay, 1997) One of Sonys motives for moving its manufacturing operations was a straight-forward attempt to follow its competitors and reduce labour costs. For example, the first Walkmans were manufactured and assembled in Japan so that the companys management could be close to operations and make any necessary modifications, once up and running and not requiring so many modifications, additional assembly factories were established in Malaysia and Taiwan. (du Gay, 1997) The gradual move came to move operations so that they could respond directly to local conditions. For example, Teletext was developed onsite in the UK and Triniton TV was developed locally in France. (du Gay, 1997) An additional practical consideration was that by establishing and presenting themselves as a local company, Sony could use various national and pan regional rules and regulations to gain the most appropriate and cost effective environment to manufacture and produce its products. The company could exploit cheap labour in Malaysia, take advantage of grants there were available to attract new electronic industries in the UK. (du Gay, 1997) In the 1980s 1990s, Sony began to rapidly expand into Europe. (See Appendix A- history timeline). Sony was vigorous in its international expansion. The company chose to expand into similar markets, such as US and Europe. These markets had large populations, high incomes per capita and a consumer culture. Therefore, the other two TRIAD regions were good markets to promote and sell Sony products. The companys strategy is to be present in its market of distribution and therefore it established a number of factories to develop and distribute its products. The objective is to understand the local market and consumer demands. Sony has a strategy of introducing its products first to its local market (Japan), testing consumer preferences and then introduces these products to its international markets. The adoption of the name Sony (in 1957) was also an attempt to communicate the brand and its products to the market. Sony was able to do this over a significant period of time. Sony learnt significantly from technological, productivity and efficiency improvements this was a stimulant for its international trade and the international product life cycle. (Vernon, 1966) Today, Sony has developed a strategy to not only create technology but to control the content that goes into them. Therefore Sony has embarked upon a number of MAs. First with a 50/50 JV with CBS, which Sony eventually bought outright and also a venture with Columbia Tristar Pictures, MGM, BMI and a number of media companies. Sony has also embarked upon JVs with software companies such as Microsoft. The companys strategy is to be present across all levels of the entertainment industry. CASE STUDIES SONY WALKMAN Walkman is a trademark of Sony Corporation, used originally to market its range of portable audio players. In July, 1979, the original Sony Walkman portable music player the TPS L2 was introduced. Sony promoted the concept of enjoying music, anywhere, anytime using industry advertisements featuring celebrities with the product. The first Walkman was marketed under the Walkman brand in Japan, but in other markets it was originally sold under various names including Soundabout (USA), Stowaway (UK) and Freestyle in Australia. Walkman players become very popular in Japan and foreign tourists visiting Japan who bought them as souvenirs, this prompted Sony to standardise the name to Walkman worldwide (Uggla and Verick, 2008) SONY-ERICSSON Sony Ericcson was established as a 50/50 Joint Venture in 2001 by Sony and Ericsson (a mobile communications infrastructure and systems business based in Sweden) Sony Ericsson functions as a separate entity designing, producing and marketing cellular phones and accessories. It had revenues of 13 billion euros in 2007, from the scale of 100 million units which is a global market share of 9%. (Uggla and Verick, 2008) Sony Ericsson had recognised a segment for dedicated music phones various MP-3 enabled handsets were on the market but there was little differentiation among them. Sony Ericsson decided to investigate and launch a music phone. The company decided to incorporate Walkman into the music phone branding. Sony established that Walkman branding encouraged around 67% of people to buy the phone by adding credibility to the music player. (Uggla and Verick, 2008) Internationalisation Theories The following trade theories are applicable to Sonys process when entering new markets: Dunnings Eclectic Paradigm of Internationalisation Sony was able to successfully expand abroad due to its firm specific and intellectual competitive advantages. Furthermore, the company had successfully established itself in its home market and generating sufficient expertise to export its high-tech consumer electronics abroad. FSA Sony possesses FSAs through the development of intellectual capital. In addition, the Sony brand names (e.g. Walkman, Playstation, Triniton, Bravia) carry significant worldwide consumer value Due to superior FSAs over both domestic and international rivals Sony was able to engage in FDI. Amongst other things Sonys first FSA was it transistor technology. Through this, Sony was able to differentiate itself from its rivals. It was able to provide high tech, desirable products. Sonys FSA also came from its personnel. The companys co-owners (a Physicist and an Engineer), managers and other employees were of high quality, possessed a high degree of technical know-how and desire to improve the companys industry position. Internalisation Sony possesses know-how and competitive advantage through the development of its products first at home and then applying this knowledge to foreign markets such as the USA and the Europe. As previously mentioned Sony was able to acquire foreign technology. The technology licence provided access to the transistor and allowed Sony to gain foreign technological know-how. According to Dunnings Eclectic paradigm Sonys strategy allowed the firm to acquire an intangible asset (transistor technology) apply this technology to its products, and then create a firm specific advantage. The intangible asset provided Sony with an exclusive piece of know-how that was specific to the firm. CSA Sony embarked upon FDI through the sale of its products not only in its home market but also in the US, Europe and eventually the rest of the world. For example, once the transistor had been applied to its radio, Sony sold this item in markets with similar tastes and income per capita. For example, after introducing the TR-55 radio to Japan in 1955, Sony then exported and sold its radios in the US and next Europe in 1957. This could not have occurred without the existence of consumer demand. Sony also took advantage of favourable industry subsidies and national legislation, which encouraged the presence of high tech industries for example, the opening of Bridgend Factory in Wales. According to the eclectic paradigm, all three of the conditions necessary for FDI were present when Sony started its internationalisation process. Sony sought to increase its internalisation advantages and reduce transaction costs, through the purchase and development of new technology and reduce transaction costs through the establishment of its own subsidiary and factory. Sonys actions increased its firm-specific advantages, through know-how and innovation. The company internalised and possessed an advantage over its rivals by retaining the technological know-how, rather than licence it to its competitors. Sony reduced the risk and threats from competitors by retaining its knowledge. Distribution Sonys Initial decision to export its products via a distributor illustrates that company saw value in having a presence within the US market, but the company lacked significant knowledge of the market to justify distributing the products itself. Moreover, it was profitable to export products to the US as there was an abundance of wealth, the US consumer culture, and retail distribution networks. However, trade barriers, import taxes and unfavourable distribution contracts eventually led Sony to establish a subsidiary within the US market. Overseas Production Malaysia Furthermore, Sony eventually located part of its production process to Malaysia. This occurred once the company was satisfied with its local and international products. This also occurred in order to offset the rising costs in the home market, Japan. Sony was able to engage in FDI to Malaysia as the company had generating sufficient amounts of FSAs and ISAs. Uppsala Internationalisation Process Model Part of Sonys business strategy is known as localisation, which is the commitment to gaining market knowledge, cultural understanding and business expertise. Sony has initially licensed its transistor know-how from the US, it was decided that the company should also introduce its products to this market. The Uppsala model can therefore be applied to Sonys internationalisation process. When Sony first entered the US and Europe markets, the company knew little about local consumer demand. The attractions were solely the educated populations, high incomes per capita, government trade measures and distribution networks. In addition, Sony believed that consumers in these markets were similar to those in Japan. When Sony Executive visited the US and Europe, they collected data collection and studied local consumer demand, at this point it was decided to export products to these locations. Sony then committed itself to further to the US and then Europe, through the establishment of its foreign subsidiaries, Sony America and Sony Corporation S.A. in 1960. The establishment of these subsidiaries resulted in further FDI, through distribution systems, marketing campaigns and listing on the local Stock Exchange. Sony was able to overcome some of its foreign company disadvantage as its held a constant presence within the local markets. The company committed itself to understanding how consumers behave and their reactions to new products. Sony was eventually able to engage in FDI as it gained significant knowhow, from exporting, distributing and establishing its own subsidiary, reducing transaction costs. Sony also used its current operating model and consumer tastes to establish itself in markets which it believed to be similar its own. For example, when Sony introduced its VAIO laptop to the US, the price and high technical specifications unlike Japan, were not popular with US consumers. Sony eventually modified its laptops to US consumer tastes. This led to a reduction in price and operating features which US consumers preferred. Joint Ventures (JVs) and Partnerships Sonys JVs, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions can be understood through the application of the Uppsala business model The JV with Ericsson allows the company to gain a first mover advantage from standard setting in the mobile telecommunication industry. Also, the JV allows instant access to the European consumer markets. The company seeks to gain an understanding of these distinct markets but does not have the time and know how. The JV establishes instant knowledge, with reduced acquisition times, creating instant presence and expertise within these markets. Hymerian Theory Monopolistic Advantage Theory Sonys issuance of ADRs in the early 1960s can be understood through the Hymers theory of Monopolistic Advantage, Market Power approach and Product and Factor market imperfections. Sony was able to exploit market imperfections as it could overcome threats from local firms due its ownership advantages (superior technological know-how, economies of scale at home) and other internalised advantages (managerial experience, product developments, existing supply chains, cost advantages). This allowed Sony to obtain favourable political ties, market connections and social positioning; despite the fact Sony was a foreign firm. It was therefore advantageous for local Americans to take an equity position within such a rapidly emerging company. Moreover, Sony was operating in an oligopolistic market, according to Hymers theory of Monopolistic Advantage; FDI takes place in such markets or industries rather than markets or industries operating under near perfect competition. Markets imperfections, allowed Sony to obtain global competitive advantage. Companys which offer investors consistently high rates of return, due to good products and consumer confidence is attractive to investors. Further investment into Sony, allows it to maintain its position of technological superiority. In addition, Sonys technological expertise meant that its products were attractive not only in Japan but throughout the rest of the world. But, Sony initially lacked knowledge in marketing and distribution and so initially used a distributor partner to export its products. This eventually changed when Sony acquired its own distribution system. For example, when Sony first introduced the Walkman in 1979, it did so in its home market first and followed this by introducing it under different brand names, Soundabout (USA); Stowaway (UK); and Freestyle in Australia (Uggla and Verick, 200) The company eventually standardised the Walkman name in the early 1980s. The adoption of the name was to communicate the brand and its products to the market. Sony was able to do this over time and learnt from technology and efficiency improvement which its applied it each of its markets. Product and Factor Market Imperfections Sony embarked upon FDI as it understood it was able to overcome threats from local firms. Sonys strategy is to understand its consumers locally. The company therefore engages in RD and production in most of its subsidiary locations or within close proximity. This is so that it understands consumer tastes and local demand. This strategy can be explained using Caves, Product and factor imperfection. Sony is a market leader and so has superior technological experience and finance to establish local RD and production facilities to understand and satisfy consumer sensibilities. This provided an advantage as the company could combine its know-how, to create products that rival indigenous firms. Internalisation Theory This applies to Sony as the company chose to enter the US under its own brand name as opposed to developing the technology and then selling it on to another company. It retained the knowledge, applied it to its new markets and gained an understanding of consumers in these locations. The company also established subsidiaries as opposed to export via distributors. Market Power Approach This theory applies to Sony through the number of mergers and acquisition the company has engaged in over the last 30 years. Sony has embarked upon a number of mergers and acquisitions throughout its history. The companys strategy is to own not only the content of its technology but also the means by which this technology is used. This has encouraged Sony to acquire music, film, and gaming companies, in order to better understand its consumers but also dictate the market. For example, the company has increased its power by being dominant within consumer electronics both nationally and internationally. In 2001, the 50 /50 Joint venture with Ericsson (a mobile communicate infrastructure and systems business based in Sweden) created a separate entity whereby Sony designs, produces and markets cellular phones and accessories. In 2007, the company had revenues of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬13 billion, from the sale of 100 million units which is a global market share of 9%. (Uggla and Verick, 2007) The partnership between these two firms establishes the argument that international production is conducted between industrialized countries and their companies. Moreover, this partnership was established so that both companies could gain a competitive advantage over domestic and international rivals. The ability of both companies to exploit the know-how of the partner and move into new industries can be understood through the market power approach. Sony is now active in the global mobile telecommunications industry. This has allowed it to internalise its know how further, and provided instant market presence within a new industry and new international markets. Word Count 3,419 Figure 1.1 Internationalisation Process Figure 1.1 Entry into foreign markets: the internationalisation process (Source: Rugman, 2009) SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Sony is a large corporation, it is able to concentrate and dedicate manpower to product quality, RD, marketing, distribution, etc. The company has very few time and financial constraints. Brand names and company know how Internal management Key products e.g., Sony Playstation Sony designs, manufactures and sells its own products. Sonys return on investment has been low because of the large amount of capital dedicated to its factories. Sonys Return on Equity is typically around 5%, this could be higher. Large workforce OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Focus on BRIC and emerging economies Continue seeking diverse JVs with industry leading companies e.g., Sony Ericsson Continue to develop and improve key consumer electronics, TV, computers, MP3 and wireless technology New growth areas Mobile phone internet technology Outsourced manufacturing to increase Return on Equity Large Organisation Must remain streamline Economic slowdown Interest rate differentials Flat sales, falling profit margins Late comer to key electronic sectors, such as flat-screen TVs and digital videodisc recorders. Appendices Appendix A. Timeline In 1952 Totsuko (Sony) launched a successful tape-recorder business In 1955 Totsuko adopted the name Sony, it was believed that the name had not only universal appeal but also easy to pronounce. The company also launched its first Transistor Radio the TR-55 in this same year. In 1955, Sony enters into an agreement with Delmonico International to distribute it products within the US. In December, 1958 Sony launched its pocket sized radio the TR-63 to the US market. In January 1958, Sony is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 1959, Sony decides to distribute its own products. (To protect its brand name) The group established Sony America and Sony Overseas S.A. established near Zurich, Switzerland, in 1960. The group launched the worlds first direct-view portable TV, the TV8-301. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1961, the group was the first Japanese company to offer shares in the US, in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs) on the OTC market of the New York Stock Exchange. In the following year, the group launched the worlds smallest and lightest transistor TV, TV5-303. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1968, Sony (UK) Ltd. was established in the UK (later recognised as Sony UK Ltd., in 1993). The CBS/ SONY Records Inc. a 50 50 JV with CBS Inc of the US was also established this year. In 1970, Sonys shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1971, Sony launched 3/4 -inch u-matic colour video cassette recorder. (Datamonitor, 2008) A factory was established in San Diego, California, in 1972, followed by a factory in Bridgend, Wales in 1974, which served both the UK and Europe. The Betamax VCR, the SL-6300, the worlds first home -use video system was introduced in 1975. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1979, Sony Prudential Life insurance Co. Ltd, the 50-50 joint venture with Prudential Insurance Co. Of America, was established. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1979, Sony launched the Walkman, the 3.5 inch micro floppy disk drive in 1981; the worlds first CD player in 1982; the first consumer camcorder in 1983; 8mm video in 1988 and the first digital VTR in 1985. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1988, the group bought CBS Record to form Sony Music Entertainment, and in 1989, the company purchased Columbia pictures, forming Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., in 1991. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 1990, Sony acquires 12 business including CBS records INC and Columbia Tristar Pictures. In 1993, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, was established, during the same time Sony launched the VAIO a home-se PC series. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 2001, the group established Sony Bank in Japan and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 2001, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications established In 2002, Sony absorbs Aiwa (a form Japanese audio visual manufacturer) via merger In 2003, Sony launched the worlds first next generation high capacity optical Blu-ray Disc recorder BDZ-S77. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 2004, Sony established a music distribution company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 2005, Sony completed the acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of the worlds largest privately held, independent motion picture, television and home video companies. (Datamonitor, 2008) In 2009, the Sony decided to form a joint venture (JV) with Sharp Corporation. The JV which will be established in March 2010, will engage in the manufacturing and sales of liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal module. (Datamonitor, 2008) Appendix B. Sonys Main Brands Name Type of product Bravia Visual Cybershot Phone Discman Audio Playstation (23) Games Console Trinton Visual Walkman Audio Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Appendix C. Sonys Main Competitors Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Appendix D. Sonys Business Activities Sony operates through five segments; 1.Electronic, 2.Games, 3.Finance, 4.Pictures and 5. Others Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation Appendix E. Sony Products Source: Datamonitor Sony Corporation

The Value of Information :: Technology Information Essays Papers

The Value of Information In the world today, information is an important aspect in almost every part of our life. From what time the movie we want to see begins to whether we should buy stock in Dell or IBM, we depend on accurate information. Is this kind of information a commodity? The dictionary defines a commodity as something valuable or useful (Webster 1993). Presently, information is a commodity because people are willing to pay high prices for information in order to make better decisions. In this paper, I will give many examples of how information acts as a commodity. I will also show how information acts as a commodity in other areas than just technology and business. The kind of information I will explore is the knowledge of a specific news or event derived from study, experience or instruction(Webster 1993). This type of information is not something everyone can have access to. This information can separate the successful companies from the one ¹s struggling to survive. This information is valuable, and can be bought, sold traded and even stolen. It can be the most important asset a company owns. One aspect where information acts as something valuable is in the area of sports. The National Football League is a billion dollar business. The careers of coaches, players and general managers can rest on one play or one game. To minimize mistakes or to find any advantage, teams spend millions of dollars to pay scouts to provide useful information. One part of putting together a winning team is doing well on draft day. Teams do a tremendous amount of research on every player who is eligible to be drafted. The NFL has its own private investigation firm. It is called NFL Security, and it is rarely seen or discussed. Its job is to compile information about every possible draftee. If players smoke marijuana at Saturday-night parties, it's probably in their files. If players stay in bars past 2 A.M., it's probably in their files (Sports Illustrated p.34). The purpose of NFL Security is to prevent a team from investing millions of dollars in a player who might have drug or other problems that could prevent a player from performing up to a certain standard. "For the amount of money involved here, the employers would like to know good hard facts about their potential players. Employers deserve that. And we're going to give it to them," says Mike Ahlerich, an employee at NFL Securities (Sports Illustrated p.

Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf Beowulf was written during the Anglo-Saxon time period. Beowulf is a story about a young warrior and his quest through life. Some people consider Beowulf a tragic hero, and some people just consider him a hero period. Whether Beowulf is a tragic hero or not, he fights many great battles. The reason Beowulf fights stays basically the same but it changes a little. In the beginning of the book, Beowulf goes to help the Danes out by killing Grendel. Grendel is a ferocious monster that has been killing the Danes in the mead hall (115). During this time period, warriors will celebrate their victories and tell of their accomplishments by singing. This social gathering has started bothering Grendel because he can hear all the noise and happiness coming from the mead hall. This is making Grendel jealous because he is a descendant from Cain, and knows he will never feel happy (106). Grendel goes into the mead hall at night, and he begins killing everyone in there. News of how Grendel is murdering the Danes starts to spread all over. When Beowulf hears about Grendel, he feels that it is his obligation to stop Grendel from killing anymore. Beowulf leaves to go to Herot to kill Grendel. He is mostly being praised for his long journey to face this terrible monster. Beowulf says, "Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my s word; I shall not" (677). Beowulf feels that he can defeat Grendel even without a weapon. The first night, they have a celebration in the mead hall, and the warriors fall asleep in the hall. Grendel makes his usual nightly visit and finds many victims waiting to be killed (725). To his surprise, he meets his match, which happens to be Beowulf (748). After a brief confrontation, Beowulf rips Grendel’s arm off, and Grendel runs away to die (823). Beowulf is considered a hero now for risking his life to stop Grendel from killing anymore Danes (837). Not only does Beowulf protect all the Danes, he also receives many rewards. Beowulf is doing a good thing, but all his motives are not the most honorable motives. This shows the Pagan values of the time. Materialistic things meant a lot to people during this time. The next day, there is a celebration of Grendel’s death. Beowulf and his group of warriors leave the mead hall to go sleep in their beds (1300).

Governments advance Essay

As man advances in his everyday life, the governments advance in warfare technology too1. New sophisticated weaponry changed warfare tactics and warfare became a vastly advanced art. The crude techniques were quickly replaced with refined ones. The increase in damage and death commensurate with the increase in technology leading to very high death counts, and leaving a myriad maimed for life. The technological inventions were self- defeating to man. Man staged war with himself. The very inventions he made became a thorn in his own flesh! WW1 saw the advent of tanks and gas as some of the new technologies. For instance the British mark 1 tank was first used in September 19162. The tanks had their limitations such as getting stuck in the mud and toppling over. They were mechanically unreliable. The tanks were not the war winning weapons as the generals hoped they would be3. The German on the other hand were the first to use chlorine gas at Ypress in 1915. The chlorine gas is a lung irritant. Symptom such as bright red lips and blue face denote gas poisoning. Chlorine gas poisoning killed its victims a slow death of suffocation. It caused long diseases such as emphysema. The civilians suffered from this too. In 1915 the Germans added phosgene, which was more suffocating. The effects of phosgene caused bleeding that corrupted the lungs. Mustard gas, which was also used, burnt the entire layer of skin from the face and body. This was dangerous as its effects were not noticed, burnt the skin and ripped out the lining of the lungs. Gas had a rippling effect like atomic bomb had in world war2. Their uniqueness was in the fact that they were air-borne, had the risk of causing mass destruction and there effects agonizing. We can have an overview of what the weapons looked like and the technologies they espoused. â€Å"New weapons revolutionized combat in war1†4. It gave the war an altogether new model. For instance, trench warfare. The factories of industrial Europe were held culprit for this new war technologies that were destructive and ruinous. We can divide the first war and weaponry in to a number of categories: Artillery: These were new and improved cannons. British soldiers fired approximately 170 millions but the German scientist did not accept to be left behind. They developed the biggest artillery ever known. It was called the Big Bertha. It was such a powerful weapon. New high-explosive shells were developed as well and made more efficient. Artillery fire killed thousands of men and made aiding more difficult as it blew the ground. 5 Communication: as we have indicated WW1 was a trench warfare radios and telephones were the main ways of communication and was very essential ways of communication and was very essential for the troops in trenches. Messengers gave dogs and other like pigeons were gradually being faced out. Machine guns: the effectiveness of machine guns reached frightening new levels in the WW1 they could fire 600 bullets a minute which was estimated t be equivalent of 250 men with rifles. With this kind of ability machine guns were deemed to be weapons of mass destructions. Gas grenades: we have looked at chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas. Which burned the lung of the inhaler leaving them to die in agony. Has masks that were issued to everyone in German were of so effective therefore leaving many people dead6 Tanks: also known as the chariots of god. As we have seen at first they were not very reliable but scientist kept making new improved tanks such that by 1918, the Anglo-American mark 8th could carry up to 8 men and fire 208 shells and up to 13,000 bullets. Another weapon of mass destruction! An armored car was developed and could travel up to 8 kilometers and had 8 machine guns. Transportation: transportation of troops in to battlefields became vital necessitating the increase in more efficient transportation needs. Trains, taxis and lorries were used to ferry soldiers to battlefields and other places. Planes: they epitomized the new types of weapons used in advanced technology warfare huge blimp-like bombers called zeppelins were used7. Their speed and efficiency killed thousand of people

Macbeth Eulogy Essay

Today, I stand forward a nation in mourning, grieve the passing of its King, Macbeth. He sh exclusively surely be remembered in history as a majestic and stouthearted soldier and draw who fought with a fierce fast(a)ty and touch sensation in Scotland. Although his reign was non trouble-free or lengthy, Macbeth inspired a crotchety and individual pride in his state of matter and made constantlyy decision with cautious thought, holding firmly to his ideals and principles to the very end. Scotland has garb take a distinctive and unrivalled attraction and those of us who knew him face-to-facely are instanter without a friend whose character shall incessantly be remembered. If there is one record quotable of Macbeth, it is courage. He was a shining light on the battlefield, seizing opportunities in the nakedest of times and setting an estimable example to his troops. The monarch before him, Duncan, recognised Macbeths skills and honoured him as a intrepid cousin (Mac beth, Act 1, scene 2) and worthy gentleman, deserving obedience and reward.Macbeth regularly led his nation into battle in Duncans stead, and it would be hard for each yield to forget his daring and fearless attitude, oddly not on the day he defeated Swenos Norwegian trespass and Macdonald, the rebellious Thane of Cawdor. I termed him Bellonas bridegroom for his ferocious and splendid skill, and when Duncan was informed of Cawdors treachery, he saw Macbeth as deserving a higher status, proclaiming that what the former Thane of Cawdor hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. All will acknowledge he deserved such a status, for he fought with a stubborn determination that would never surrender, and no matter how many invaders make full our shores, he never ceased to meet them with intransigent steel. He was a gun for hire to the frugal nation and his example shall be followed by thousands of soldiers to come.Macbeth carried over his admirable battle qualities to his personal life, exactly brought no(prenominal) of the violence. Indeed, Duncan observed that his fortress hath a pleasant seat, and Lady Macbeth remarked to me on several occasions that although her husband was seen by some as a warrior, he was nonetheless full o the draw of human kindness. I can exhibit to the truth in this statement as could many others seated here today, though it is with profoundregret that we can all see evidence of how this kind constitution was abused. Few are aware of the earthshaking influence his now deceased wife had upon him, and in his devotion, he would seek her presumption and advice when contemplating options and making decisions. Though this may take on led to fault, it also meant the Macbeths shared a strong bond based upon communication, a quality both of them treasured.Together, they were gracious hosts, illustrious amongst other noble families for their much-anticipated banquets. If ever there was an enjoyable social event, Macbeth was sure to be t he unparalleled host. His constitution was much deeper than dinner parties, however. Macbeth was a man who thought nigh decisions seriously and deeply, rarely acting upon a thought he had not full make outed. On numerous occasions as a guest of Macbeth, I would storm him pacing through his castle, lost in solemn musing, attempting to comprehend life and philosophical c at a timepts. This led him to recognise that life is imperfect and fleeting, labelling it a walking shadow, a measly p marker that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and therefore is heard no more. Despite this bleak outlook, he would everlastingly consider the consequences that lay before him, giving due respect to the Lord who had blessed him with his position.Although this virtue did not always lead him to the happiness he desired, Macbeth would always contemplate his actions, even in the most dire of circumstances. In his life, he faced many such situations, and once he made a decision, he stubbornl y held to it. Despite criticism or hardship, he believed in himself and his information, and he sought-after(a) to keep his dignity and strength heedless of what calamity he faced. At his death, he stood alone against an army of English who had go Birnam Wood, choosing not to meekly surrender but instead to bravely fight to the end. With a call of blow, wind come, wrack At least well die with harness on our back, he took up arms and fought as boldly as he ever had. He proclaimed that bear-like he would fight the course, and as was his manner, he made his word true, demise as a soldier and natty fighter.One thing is certain, and it is that Macbeth will never be forgotten by any assembled here or by the frugal nation as a whole. His courageous deeds as a hero of the nations military shone with flair and glory, never to dull with the passage of time, and none could honestly say that his time as national monarch was a jejune or typical reign. Although famed for his skillsas both a warrior and a host, his personality ran much deeper his deep thought and loyal devotion to his wife did not always result in prosperity or universal delight, but he moreover made much philosophical contemplation and was capable of recognising his own failings. God gave Scotland a king unlike any other, of a standard never to be seen again, and may he rest eternally in a peace he forsook in his earthly life. While we mourn Macbeths passing, we should take due time to consider his life and the actions and characteristics that typified it. Everyone, from fellow nobles to peasants eking a dungeon from distant land, could surely learn rich lessons.

Learning Assessment Essay

In classrooms where appreciatement for breeding is practiced, pupils manage at the outset of a social unit of call for what they are evaluate to learn. At the rootage of the unit, the teacher will work with the bookman to understand what she or he already knows about the topic as fountainhead as to identify any gaps or misconceptions (initial/diagnostic judging). As the unit make outes, the teacher and student work to engageher to assess the students knowledge, what she or he needs to learn to improve and adjoin this knowledge, and how the student abide best get to that point (formative sagaciousness).Assessment for accomplishment occurs at all stages of the learnedness process. In last(prenominal) decades, teachers would design a unit of field of operations that would typically include objectives, teaching strategies, and resources. An rating componentthe test or querymay or may non have been included as crash of this design (Cooper, 2006). The students discov er on this test or examen was taken as the indicator of his or her understanding of the topic.Assessment for learning comprises cardinal chassissinitial or diagnostic judging and formative assessment assessment can be based on a variety of information sources (e.g. , portfolios, works in progress, teacher observation, conversation) verbal or written feedback to the student is chiefly descriptive and emphasizes strengths, identifies challenges, and points to side by side(p) steps as teachers check on understanding they adjust their instruction to pass students on track no places or scores are given record-keeping is primarily anecdotal and descriptive occurs abrogate-to-end the learning process, from the outset of the course of adopt to the metre of summative assessment Assessment as learningbegins as students become assured of the goals of instruction and the criteria for doing involves goal-setting, monitoring progress, and reflecting on results implies student owner ship and responsibility for paltry his or her thinking forward (metacognition) occurs throughout the learning process Assessment of learning assessment that is accompanied by a number or letter grade (summative) compares one students acquirement with standards results can be communicated to the student and parents.occurs at the end of the learning unit military rating judgment do on the primer of a students performance Diagnostic assessment (now referred to more much as pre-assessment) assessment made to make up ones mind what a student does and does not know about a topic assessment made to take root a students learning style or preferences used to determine how well a student can perform a certain set of skills related to a particular subject or class of subjects occurs at the beginning of a unit of study.used to inform instructionmakes up the initial phase of assessment for learning Formative assessment assessment made to determine a students knowledge and skills, includin g learning gaps as they progress through a unit of study used to inform instruction and head for the hills learning occurs during the course of a unit of study makes up the subsequent phase of assessment for learning Summative assessment assessment that is made at the end of a unit of study to determine the level of understanding the student has achieved includes a mark or grade against an expected standard.