Putting a Stop to Film Piracy Essay

Film piracy is one of the most lucrative forms of intellectual property theft in the United States and in the rest of the world. Movies are illegally copied, reproduced, and mass distributed in different ways such as in replicated DVDs or through the Internet for financial gains. Piracy is an act of stealing and it â€Å"includes the unauthorized copying, distribution, performance or other use of copyrighted materials† such as movies and television shows (Motion Picture Association of America). These practices result to negative impacts on consumers, the film industry, and to the whole economy. No matter how enticing are the reasons why people support pirated movies, film piracy remains to be a punishable crime for it is equal to stealing the properties and hard work of other people. Therefore, people who produce and distribute pirated movies for illegal purposes should face the consequences of their actions. Reasons Why People Engage in this Crime There are several ways how to pirate films. These movies are produced either by recording inside the theater, post-production leaks or leaks from an awards screener, stealing film print, stealing legitimate DVD prior to official date of release, or by ripping a legitimate DVD of any protective code (Treverton 37). These stolen copies of the movies are then burned or replicated in more DVDs or uploaded in the Internet without the consent of their original owners and then sold at cheaper prices or distributed for free. Despite being prohibited by law, film piracy is hard to control because many people instantly benefit from it. The people behind the business earn a lot from pirated movies because they do not have to buy the copyrights of the movies or pay royalties. Despite having lower qualities at times, buying pirated movies appeals to consumers because they can get films for free or for a very cheap price. â€Å"The low prices of pirated films compared with the legal ones make the former very attractive to buyers† (Treverton 31). Consumers who have limited budgets would prefer to buy pirated movies or download illegally from the Internet than to spend the money in cinemas. But these are only temporary benefits and in the bigger picture, film piracy causes more harm than good results. How Film Piracy Harms Pirated movies gain support from those who see them as answers to financial burdens. But many people remain unaware of the how movie piracy actually contributes to the sufferings of the whole country’s economy and film industry. These people do not recognize the importance of not supporting the products of piracy. The economy loses a lot of money annually because of the organized crime of intellectual property theft. Each year, â€Å"motion picture piracy costs the U. S. economy more than $20 billion† and because of the illegal reproduction of films, lesser income is earned by the movies and lesser money is contributed by the movie industry to the country’s economy (Grover and Shields). Piracy is also one of the biggest threats to film and music industry. The whole entertainment industry suffers from this crime. â€Å"The global film industry creates more jobs, more entertainment choices and more opportunities for the creative professions† and because of piracy, lesser opportunities are given to film production because budgets for discovering new talents, artists, directors, and production staffs are limited and restrained by the lack of budget (MPAA). There is a big possibility for the value of film making to decline and maybe even completely crash. Consumers will also suffer then because, aside from getting little for the money they invest in illegal products, they are also contributing to the wealth of people who have not really worked hard for the film. When the movie industry loses money to piracy, the costs produce quality and meaningful films and shows also become more expensive. Punishments and Consequences Piracy equals theft. Therefore, it is important to have laws created to protect the copyrights of films and television shows. â€Å"These laws help safeguard the creative works that support the livelihoods of the 2. 4 million Americans who work† together to create quality films for the entertainment of consumers (MPAA). The enforcement of laws makes copyrighted movies valuable and pirating these products makes them known as stolen properties. Many critics of the anti-piracy law and other laws related to copyright violations believe that the anti-piracy bill has harsh repercussions. Critics of anti-piracy laws believe that the punishments for acts related to piracy are too severe at times because lengthy prison terms and huge fines await those who will be caught involved in movie piracy. â€Å"First-time violators can be sentenced to up to five years in prison if the camcording was committed for financial gain or commercial advantage and fined up to $250,000† (MPAA). Critics say that there should be a limitation for the consequences of reproducing materials such as films. But for the industries that are affected by this crime, they need greater enforcement of laws because their lost sales continue increasing as consumers retain access to free music and movies on the Internet (Grover and Shields). Conclusion Reproducing copyrighted materials such as films are prohibited by laws. Piracy is a form of theft and many people profit a lot from stolen works. It has become a problematic dent in the film industry because movie outfits are hurt by this illegal act. Apprehenders are not easily caught and are not always given their rightful punishments. Purchasing pirated movies or getting them illegally from the Internet may seem like a mild offense for an ordinary person. But if this crime is done in volume, the negative consequences of movie piracy are proven to be detrimental to those who are part of the industry of film making because the act already translates into theft and a violation of another person’s rights. Works Cited Grover, Ronald and Shields, Todd. â€Å"Movie-Piracy Websites Shut Down by Raids. † 30 June 2010. Web. 23. Aug. 2010. Retrieved from < http://www. bloomberg. com/news/2010-06-30/movie-piracy-web-sites-shut-down-in-coordinated-raids-by-u-s-officials. html>. Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Frequently Asked Questions. 2010. Web. 23 Aug. 2010. Retrieved from < http://www. mpaa. org/contentprotection/faq>. Treverton, Gregory F. â€Å"Chapter Three: The Shape of Counterfeiting and the Example of Film Piracy. † Film Piracy, Organized Crime, and Terrorism. California: RAND Corporation, 2009. Print. Pp. 27- 38.

Paris 36 Essay

Paris 36 starts with confession by the protagonist Pigoil(Gerard Jugnot) to a police officer, accused of murder. It turns to a flashback to the year 1936 depicting the unstable district in a Paris faubourg, suffered from depression and the rising pool of involuntary unemployment. Pigoil has lost his lifetime job in a liquidated musical hall and his wife runs off with another man. More miserably, Pigoil cannot keep the custody of his beloved son- JoJo(Maxence Perrin) because of his financial inability. Struggling to hold on, the trio of experienced stagehands- Pigoil, with Milou (Clovis Cornillac) and Jacky (Kad Merad) decide to take over the vacant musical hall, named as Faubourg 36, and produce some sorts of hit musicals. With the arrival of a young talented actress, Douce (Nora Arnezeder), the musical hall is a huge success and Pigoil can share the happiness with JoJo again. During the time, the hostile landowner Galapiat (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu) ,who is fascinated with Douce, always wants to clutch her. When he later discovers that Douce is in love with Milou, he sends the gang to have Milou killed but they are in a mistaken notion and wrongly kill Jacky. Shortly thereafter, Milou argue with Galapiat face-to-face and Pigoil finally shoots Galapiat to save Milou. That is the confession and Pigoil is hauled off to 10-year jail. The film ends with a cheerless scene of Pigoil’s returning to the town after 10 years, yet a delightful projection for JoJo’s success as a professional accordionist performing in Faubourg 36.

Greggs plc Essay

1.0 Executive Summary Greggs plc intend to expand their operations into international markets in order to satisfy their overriding objective: ‘to be Europe’s No. 1 Bakery’. Germany has been selected as the host country and justification for this decision has been discussed. Moreover, Greggs will enter the German Bakery market through the employment of a ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ method, more specifically a ‘Sales and Production Subsidiary’. This report outlines the blend of marketing mix components used to position the offering; the implementation method adopted to ensure effective product and service delivery; and the control mechanisms utilised to make sure that objectives are achieved. 2.0 Introduction Greggs is the currently the leading UK retailer in the bakery market having experienced high levels of growth in 2002. The company achieved revenues of  £422.6 million, an increase of 11.9% on the previous fiscal. Its operating profit also witnessed an increase of 11.8% to  £35.3 million in 2002. Their popularity has rapidly increased as consumers are seeking quick, convenient and indulgent foods to complement their fast-paced lifestyles . Greggs is actively expanding their operations and have over 1,200 retail outlets under the Greggs and Bakers Oven brands . They entered into the international arena in 2003 with the opening of two outlets in Belgium. This strategy was pursued in order to fulfil the company’s long-term objective of becoming a leader in the European market place. Further international expansion will therefore satisfy their current objectives and enhance their presence in the European bakery market. 2.1 Report Objectives To justify market choice To undertake internal and environmental analysis for the home and host country To identify the most appropriate foreign entry strategy To tailor a services marketing mix to requirements of the host market To suggest methods of implementation to allow successful market penetration To monitor the progress of this venture through the employment of control mechanisms 3.0 Mission statement â€Å"We intend to be Europe’s finest bakery-related retailer, achieving our ambitious growth targets by attaining world-class standards in everything we do. Our purpose is the growth and development of a thriving business for the benefit and enjoyment of employees, customers and shareholders alike. 3.1 Values Greggs is a customer-focused business, seeking to provide excellent products and services that deliver enjoyment and value-for-money. We are committed to people development, within a considerate culture that combines autonomy and accountability and maintains a strong focus on profitability. In all our activities, we aim to achieve excellence through continuous improvement†. 4.0 – Market Choice Cannon and Willis propose a method of â€Å"simple elimination † to identify a potential host market. This method of market choice ensures that the remaining country satisfies all main criteria highlighted by the  organisation. The diagram below shows a systematic approach to finding a suitable market for Gregg’s expansion. Industrial, economic and cultural factors will be integrated into the selection process as these are central to Greggs’ operations in addition to their main aim: ‘To be the no.1 bakery retailer in Europe.’ Parallel to their objectives, all non-EU countries will be excluded from the selection process. Greggs’ second priority is to enter markets which display fast growth in bakery markets. The countries with the highest levels of category growth are shown below: Figure A Country Cakes and Pastries Market – % Category Growth 1995 – 1999 Portugal 4.60% Germany 3.70% France 3.60% Spain 1.80% Denmark 1.80% Using this table, Greggs may eliminate Denmark and Spain from their market choice selection process. Psychological distance between the home and host country can also determine the success of international activities and thus have been incorporated into the process. The French have a wide selection of elaborate, exquisite and gourmet dishes. This contradicts the typical product proposition offered by Greggs. Although Greggs could consider a focused differentiation strategy targeting niche  markets, the abundance of specialist bakery retailers would suggestively make the French bakery market difficult to penetrate effectively and therefore exclude it from further scrutiny. Portuguese market trends highlight an increasing demand for â€Å"wholesome, family products â€Å". In contrast to the latter, Greggs offer an ‘on the move’ food proposition which is typically consumed individually rather than in a family environment. Suggestively the Portuguese are reluctant to embrace new food offerings as research illustrates a strong preference for traditional cuisine served in traditional restaurant settings . Moreover the market is dominated by both high street retailers such as Podaria Popular and industrial manufacturers thus implying high barriers to entry are high. Having adopted this process of elimination, Germany appears to be the prevailing market choice. Despite the high labour costs, long vacation time and slow economic growth , Germany’s overall economic performance is the 3rd largest in Europe and consequently presents itself as an attractive market choice for Greggs. â€Å"Products with a convenience character are continuing to prove popular in the German bakery market, ranging from ready to eat and impulse products to in store bakery products â€Å". Furthermore, â€Å"across the bakery market, international bakery specialties such as croissants, ciabattas and baguettes are rising in popularity, a reflection of higher consumer demand for more non-traditional or novel products â€Å". This market therefore presents itself as an ideal location for Greggs to expand their international operations. Greggs will pursue a ‘concentration’ technique with regard to country and customer target group. â€Å"A company may concentrate its efforts by entering countries that are highly similar in terms of market characteristics and infrastructure to the domestic market â€Å". This will enable Greggs to minimise risk and benefit from cultural fit. Moreover, as in the UK they will concentrate efforts on a focused target audience. 5.0 – Internal and Environmental Analysis 5.1 – Internal Analysis 5.1.1 Strengths Internal strengths need to be assessed to identify assets, capabilities and core competencies that are transferable to the host country. Greggs is a well recognised bakery retailing brand in the UK which aims to â€Å"create a single and cohesive Greggs brand nationwide â€Å". This is being executed using a coherent and consistent promotion of the company’s proposition and brand across the country. Greggs have sustained a strong cash flow which allows them to invest money in maintaining in their retail outlets, bakeries and brand. Key investments include significant funds spent on production facilities to support the growth of retail operations. Greggs actively seek to position their stores in prominent locations relative to distribution channels and customer access. Greggs stores are typically located in busy and heavily populated towns where their fast and convenient proposition is ideal. In response to the 6.4% increase in demand for takeaway foods , Greggs is adapting their servicescape to cater for these growing needs. 5.1.2 Corporate Culture Greggs operates in a risk taking corporate culture which allows them to be innovative and responsive to market changes. They believe in providing high customer service aiming to retain customers by inducing loyalty and trust. They place great emphasis on motivating and empowering employees as they believe that continued growth of the business is a reflection of the workforce . These competencies are transferable and of equal value to the  German marketplace. Greggs are actively expanding their operations internationally in order to spread risk, increase international brand awareness of their product portfolio and exploit fast growing new markets. 5.1.3 Value Chain Greggs UK have produced a ‘Value Chain Analysis’ which is â€Å"an analytical tool that describes all activities that make up the economic performance and capabilities of the firm .† This can be used by Greggs to exhibit core competences that can be exploited in the host market . 5.2 – Environmental Analysis The environmental analysis aims to identify the current situation of the German bakery market using relevant tools of analysis and international research methods. A PEST analysis has been used to identify influential factors for Greggs in Germany as discussed. 5.2.1 International Marketing Research â€Å"Marketing research refers to gathering, analysing and presenting information â€Å". It is the lack of knowledge on foreign markets that is one of the major barriers an international marketing manager must overcome . It is therefore imperative that Greggs formulate an effective market research strategy as the first step in overcoming this barrier. In this case, international marketing research was carried out for the purpose of reducing potential risk and providing us with a final systematic and objective approach for our proposition. Primary research has not been undertaken due to the limitations of this report. However, if Greggs were to implement this internationalisation  proposal, primary research would be an imperative tool when considering market choice. These could include qualitative methods such as interviews and observation. Secondary forms of research carried out have included Government reports, Internet sources and textbook literature, and further strengthened by journal articles. This variety of data collection methods helps to provide a rich analysis from numerous sources as a foundation for decision-making. From this research the following factors have been taken into consideration when considering Germany. 5.2.2 Social & Economic Environment Social factors, as outlined in the PEST analysis outline the increasing trend towards ‘on the go’ consumption. This reflects the busy lifestyle of the working population in Berlin hence the choice of location. The economic factor of high disposable income also provides an attractive reason for Germany as consumer spending is high. 5.2.3 Prospective Country Culture Greggs may use the Hofstede model to â€Å"identify persuasive fundamental differences of national cultures † and thereby assess their cultural fit. â€Å"According to Hofstede, the way people in different countries perceive and interpret their world varies along four dimensions: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism and masculinity .† The German culture is a low context and explicit, perhaps ever more so than the British. Moreover, â€Å"the German national mentality is of a relatively high level of uncertainty avoidance. The Germans do not like a sense of insecurity which makes them feel uneasy in business. (Germans work with) hard facts, and sound arguments â€Å". There are therefore slight cultural differences that the UK management team will have to consider upon entering the German market. 5.2.4 Market Competition Competition in the German market is a key variable of Greggs’ success. Figure B- Competitor Analysis Germany cakes and pastries market share (% value) by company Manufacturer 2000 2001 Bahlsen 11.2 9.1 Lady Cake-Feine Kuchen 8.0 6.9 Dahli Kuchen 7.4 7.2 Grossbà ¤ckerei Wendeln 7.0 7.0 Dan Cake 3.2 3.4 Kuchenmeister 7.8 11.3 ABK 9.0 8.6 Private Label 15.1 16.5 Other 31.3 30.0 Total 100 100 It is therefore important to identify, analyse and monitor competitive movement. Figure B illustrates the potential competition in the German bakery market in accordance to market share 5.2.5 Geographical Climate Greggs’ sales are affected only by climatic extremes – very hot weather can depress demand for bakery products, and prolonged rain or snow can make people reluctant to go out and make their usual daily purchases . This pattern is mirrored in Germany and therefore fluctuations in sales must be accounted for. 5.2.6 The German Market The use of the Porters 5 Forces model has recognized the attractiveness of the German bakery market through the identification of barriers to entry and potential substitutes . 6.0 – International Marketing Objectives In light of the organisations resources and competencies, the following objectives have been established: 6.1 Short Term Objectives Utilise promotional mechanisms to encourage trial and to inspire customer loyalty to the brand By fulfilling this objective, Greggs will be working toward securing a loyal customer base thereby defending themselves, to a large extent, from competitors. Conduct quarterly pricing reviews to ensure that prices remain competitive with rivals By ensuring competitive prices, Greggs’ reinforce their commitment to offering ‘value for money’ as highlighted in their mission statement. To ensure all employees receive high standards of training that is reflected in high quality service to the consumer Greggs corporate strategy highlights the importance of a fun and supportive working environment. They promote themselves as being a â€Å"great place to work † and encourage personal development. This in turn reflects on their high quality service offered to the end consumer. 6.2 Long Term Objectives To continually monitor, anticipate and challenge competitor movements in the bakery market. This will allow Greggs to remain innovative and develop new and adapted recipes in response to market changes and consumer needs. To strengthen and build upon our place market to achieve 4% position by 2010. This will be achieved through â€Å"core growth and introduction of new outlets â€Å". It will enable Greggs to be a proficient player in the German Bakery market (see Figure B) To broaden the Greggs product portfolio by 5% year on year. This will permit Greggs to expand their operations, in line with their growth ideals, and additionally offer a larger product range to ever-evolving consumer needs. To launch a further 6 stores in Germany by 2010 thus expanding scope and influence. This will facilitate Greggs strive towards achieving their main aim: ‘To be Europe’s finest bakery-related retailer.’ Increase awareness of the Greggs brand in the German bakery market By attaining brand awareness, Greggs will able to insulate themselves, to an  extent, from the wrath of competition. The German bakery market is largely fragmented thus making it an attractive market for potential new entrants. 7.0 Foreign Market Entry Strategy â€Å"Firms deciding to enter a foreign market face a critical decision in choosing the best market entry mode to service the market. This decision is crucial because it can have an ongoing impact on a firm’s international business performance .† Root (1994) suggests three different rules ‘Naà ¯ve rules’, ‘Pragmatic rules’ and ‘Strategy rules’. However as a result of the increasingly heterogeneous nature of the international market, it is important that Greggs do not generalise their approach, but adapt each entry mode according to the host market. The mode selected in Belgium therefore, may not be entirely applicable to Germany. Based on this rationale, Greggs will be employing ‘Strategy rules’ which is when all entry modes are compared and evaluated before a choice is made . Moreover, according to Hollensen (2001) â€Å"some firms have discovered that an ill judged market entry selection in the initial stages in the firms internationalisation can threaten the firms future market entry and expansion activities â€Å", hence illustrating its importance to Greggs plc. Greggs will need to consider the main groups of entry mode influencers prior to choice in order to identify the most appropriate and profitable mode. 1) Internal Factors According to the Company’s Act (1985), firms with over  £5.75 million in turnover and over 250 employee are classified as large. Greggs more than qualifies this with a turnover of  £422.6 million and employment of 17600 people in 2003. This provides them with an adequate resource capability to open up a sales and production subsidiary in Germany. Moreover, in developing their theory of internationalization, Johanson and Vahlne 1977 assert that â€Å"uncertainty in international markets is reduced through actual operations in foreign markets (experiential knowledge) rather than through the acquisition of objective knowledge .† Greggs have already ventured into Antwerp and Leuven in Belgium hence increasing their experiential knowledge and expertise. Greggs produce is fresh and baked goods. In order to maintain this stance, the only feasible option would be to produce, as well as sell in the host country. Additionally, because Greggs will promote themselves as a British company, they will be communicating a clear differential and competitive advantage. 2) External Factors Both the UK and Germany are members of the European community thereby reducing their Socio-Cultural distance. This proximity between countries will therefore favour hierarchical modes of entry. Due to the proximity between countries perceived risk is reduced. Companies are therefore less reluctant to pursue more involving modes of entry. It has been stated that â€Å"the size of the host country is an important attraction to foreign direct investment † as large and growing markets will make management more likely to commit resources to the development of a wholly owned subsidiary . With a population in excess of 825 Million people in 2002 Germany is evidently a large and growing market making it an ideally suited to a FDI mode of entry. Moreover, the German bakery market is highly fragmented which reduces barriers to entry in the form of dominant competitors. All other variables being equal, the higher the intensity of competition, the more likely a firm is to select an export mode of entry. The German cakes and pastries market is made up of several small players each of which occupy small proportions of the marketplace . This presents itself as an ideal  proposition to Greggs who will be able to establish themselves without dominant opposition. 3) Desired Mode Characteristics The choice of mode of entry will also depend on the attitudes of the decision maker. Although it is difficult to determine how pro-risk or risk averse Greggs Managing Director Sir Mike Darrington is, one may assume from their hierarchical entrance into Belgium that a high risk, expansionist strategy has been adopted and will be pursued. The degree of control that management desire over operations will help establish which mode of entry to employ. Hierarchical modes allow high levels of control over operations ensuring that the latter are carried out to Greggs specification. All else being equal, the greater the resource investment, the lower the flexibility of the business. Consequently, if Greggs pursue a hierarchical mode of entry, they will have to consider their potential limited flexibility. The above suggests that Greggs’ would benefit from a hierarchical mode of entry as it satisfies all criteria for the latter. This is where the firm completely owns and controls the foreign entry mode. However, regardless of the apparent control over operations specified by this mode, the degree of control that head office can exert over the subsidiary depends on how many and which value chain functions can be transferred to the market. Having reviewed all alternatives, its was decided that a Sales and Production subsidiary will be introduced in Germany leaving the Research and Development and Marketing activities to be conducted at home in the UK. According to Hollensen (2001) , having selected this mode of entry, Greggs  will benefit from having full control over the whole operation. Moreover, Greggs has long term market potential in Germany and therefore the ownership of a sales and production subsidiary will enable Greggs to build a strong international presence over a long period of time. This method also eliminates the possibility that a national partner gets a ‘free ride’ and allows Greggs to gain market knowledge directly. A sales and production subsidiary will facilitate rapid entry to the German market allowing quick access to its distribution channels. Plus, no transportation costs will be incurred as raw materials will be purchased in the host country. In addition to those proposed by Hollensen, Greggs may benefit from being able to adapt the ingredients used to German tastes. They can additionally tailor the servicescape to German preferences. Greggs produce is non-durable and therefore it would be inappropriate to needs to be produced and sold quickly as it is predominantly sell fresh food. Retaining R&D and Marketing operations at home will reduce costs and risk. Having established themselves in the German market, Greggs may consider transferring these operations over in the future. Moreover, employing a hierarchical mode will enable Greggs to exploit new market opportunities as soon as they arrive with minimal delay. In line with the latter, Abell (1978) concept of a strategic window states that there are only limited periods during which the fit between the requirements of the market and capabilities of the firm are at an optimum . Investment should therefore be timed accordingly. Although, this method will require a great deal of investment in terms of time, money and commitment, research has shown that â€Å"the profit returns generated by foreign direct investment modes are usually greater than those generated by exporting â€Å". According to the Uppsala Internationalisation Model, companies begin their internationalisation process a) by moving into relatively close markets  first then more distant ones and b) companies entered new markets through exporting. Although at face value it appears that Greggs’ strategy contradicts the assumptions of model, it does however highlight the following exception: Firms that have larger resources can take larger steps with fewer consequences. Arguably Greggs fall under this category. This model also suggests that firms start by entering markets which are nearer in terms of psychic distance hence reducing uncertainty. Germany is considered relatively near and despite language barriers, the German culture is similar to that of the UK as highlighted in the ‘Environmental Analysis’ section of this report.

Empire of the Sun Essay

Empire of the Sun In this essay will be talking about how Ballard shows Jim changing over the course of the book The Empire of the Sun. I am splitting the essay into 5 paragraphs: What Jim is like at the start of the novel, Jim’s first upheaval, the prison camps, the way Dr Ransong and Bassie treat Jim and the contrast, finally what Jim is like at the end of the novel. At the start of this book, Ballard shows us a typical English schoolboy living in Shanghai. This boy Jim and his family are very wealthy, so you can imagine what sort of lifestyle Jim was living in: Big house, servants that he can call on 24/7, a bike, many toys including aeroplanes. Then there are his clothes: A school blazer and cap. He is also is taught Latin. This shows us that he is very much surrounded by money and anything he could ever wish for. This creates an impression that he leads a very sheltered life and that he does understand reality. Jim has a very normal life. Everything is working well for him. Until one day before he starts school, the Chinese fleet attack the â€Å"Petrol† (a Japanese gun boat. ) This is the first big upheaval in Jim’s life. This is totally unexpected to Jim. Nothing like this has ever happened before in Jim’s life, so it comes as a surprise to him. Ballard gives us the sense that Jim is a very ignorant boy because he thought that he started the war when he was flash his light at the opposite Chinese gun boat, and after the bombs had gone he still thought that he would go to school. This shows a lack of maturity and common sense. This gives us a very bad picture of what Jim is like as a person. He thinks that he will still be able to go to school even though there is a war going on. Most people would think that he would be mad to think that. Ballard makes us see Jim as a very naive person. During the book, Jim spends a lot of the time in a prison camp. When he gets to the first camp, he befriends an American called Bassie. He persuades Bassie to help him find his parents in return for a reward. This gives Bassie an opportunity to use Jim for any errands that he has for Jim, and for this Jim gets a little something in return. This is a complete change of lifestyle for Jim. He normally gets people to do his work for him, but now Bassie is making him do work for him. During his stay at the detention centre, Jim experiences hunger, disease and hallucinations. This again is another new experience for Jim. If he had the slightest illness when he was with his parents, he would get the best treatment for the illness, but now he has lost his parents, he has to fend for himself. I think he copes with it very well. He manages to survives and moves on with his life When Jim and Bassie to another camp called Lunghua, Dr Ransong starts teaching him Latin. I think the reason he does is to try and keep Jim as a child. This is because he is losing his childhood because of the war. It is just trying to keep Jim safe until he matures fully. The way Dr Ransong and Bassie treat Jim are very different. Dr Ransong tries to keep Jim as a child to try and protect him from any dangers that occur. Bassie on the other hand, he treats Jim as a young adult. This is because Bassie want Jim’s trust so that he can do more for him. Bassie tries to keep Jim alive by telling him the way to survive is to steal the metal food bowls in the detention centre from the dead people. So Jim is split two ways, Dr Ransong is trying to maintain Jim’s ignorance of the world by keeping his childhood to keep him safe, and Bassie is trying to make Jim look at the world very broadly so that Jim can survive and so Jim can keep doing jobs for Bassie. At the end of the novel, Jim is a transformed child. He has gone from being a nai ve 10 year old, to being a mentally scarred 14 year old with a certain understanding of war and life in general. He has lost his childhood completely because of the death and war that he has experienced.

HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

HRM - Essay Example Focusing on this aspect, the essay discusses about the role of stakeholders in the Indigenous employment program implemented by Rio Tinto. The essay further considers contribution of human resource functions to the implementation of the program along with the witnessed strategic challenges. Stakeholders Involved and Their Roles in Indigenous Employment Program of Rio Tinto Since its establishment, Rio Tinto has strived to increase the number of indigenous employment opportunities in the business operations. It is the vision of Rio Tinto to establish strong regional economies where local communities and the organisation itself perform cooperatively. Indigenous employment program provides several advantages to the business of Rio Tinto as well as the entire community. This program permits native people to involve in the progress of mainstream economy and to get benefited from wealth generation (Rio Tinto plc 2011). For Rio Tinto, the major stakeholders of Indigenous employment program comprise local employees, communities, traditional owners & local government and other organisations such as banks and educational institutions. These stakeholders play a vital part in the Indigenous employment program of Rio Tinto (Rio Tinto plc 2011). Employees are considered as the major stakeholder in the Indigenous employment program. Employing local indigenous people in the business operation is a method of Rio Tinto to distribute the wealth created through its operations. Therefore, involvement of employees helps to provide sustainable economic as well as commercial benefits to the organisation. Rio Tinto also aims to establish mutually beneficial relationship with the traditional owners and the government. Their involvement in the program helps to set forth a shared vision for regional economic growth. The indigenous employment program summarises an opinion for the future and states a mutual acknowledgement of tasks of traditional owners which are related with mining fields. On the other hand, the business of Rio Tinto is related with several agreements and Acts with respect to mine improvements, land accesses and land uses among others. Therefore involvement of the government helps to uplift these agreements and Acts and as a result, provide support to the Indigenous employment program. Furthermore, government and traditional owners also support for the involvement of native people in the workforce of Rio Tinto (Rio Tinto Limited n.d.). Banks and educational institutions also play a vital role in the indigenous employment program. Banks help to provide funding support for the employment program in order to develop the capabilities of indigenous people. Furthermore, in regional areas, the employees require preparation for performing their tasks in the factory. Therefore, involvement of educational institutions helps to establish a beneficial platform by school tutoring and support arrangements. Rio Tinto focuses on an all-inclusive method in order to e nsure that possible indigenous employees are prepared to perform. Contextually, mining operations can be unfamiliar and overpowering for new

Personal Reflection on the Religious Orders Assignment

Personal Reflection on the Religious Orders - Assignment Example It was not easy for me to leave behind my former community to search for my new contemplative vocation because I was comfortable with the life and love the sisters. Also, the reason I left Terre Haute Carmel was my body system could not tolerate the heat over there. Therefore, after 11 months, I asked to leave the community. I was a briefly professed for five years with Lover of the Holy Cross of Los Angeles. I entered Alhambra Carmel on August 06, 2010, as a postulant and I left on November 5, 2010. I entered Terre Haute Carmel in December 2010 as a postulant and I received Holy habit in June 2011. I left the Terre Haute Carmel in February 2012. I applied to a religious community and my application was declined when I joined Alhambra Carmel. It was declined because they thought that my health was deteriorating, thus I could no longer work with them. Currently, I am employed as a preschool teacher, which I began in January 2014. Furthermore, I do not repulse any other type of employment. If asked whether I am willing to accept any manual labor or duty in the service of the community, then I will gladly do it, even though I have my own preferences. My hobbies and interest include nature, spiritual reading, as well as craft activities. My professional training was in church leadership training, as well as a nursing assistant. The social quality, which I deem suits me for community life is how I share my deeper self, as well as my love and affection for others. Also, to live a life of faithfulness and allegiance to Jesus Christ and to serve him devotedly with a clear conscience and a clean heart. Apart from this, community life is an incitement to move from self-centeredness to bigger awareness for others and unification with Christ.  Ã‚  

Citing references Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Citing references - Outline Example ents who prefer the traditional format (face-to-face) do so for several reasons, but they most commonly cite a preference for the instructor presence and the learning advantage of face-to-face interactions. There are various disadvantages of face-to-face learning despite the fact that it is still the most popular mode of learning. Some of these disadvantages stem from the need for there to be an instructor present in order for lectures to take place and this added to the cost of transport imposed on the students may limit their access to education. Although it is emphasized by many that face-to-face learning is preferable, it is still quite limited: For example, the learning outcomes of students in a traditional face-to-face system may be considered to be better than those of students learning in a distance learning system but the latter has the advantage of permitting greater access to education. The distance learning system has an advantage over the face-to-face system because it enables many people to have access to education at their own convenience. This system is currently used by adults who, because of their busy schedules, cannot attend lectures frequently and their best and fastest option is to do so online. It is to the advantage of these students for them to have distance learning that is easier for them to cope with: Factors that predispose undergraduates towards taking online classes were examined and it was found that the risk factors for non-completion of their degree prefer distance education courses since distance educations courses provide students with more convenient and flexible class schedules. The distance learning system also has some disadvantages which face-to-face learning does not. Distance learning does not require the presence of a professor or instructor and this leads to less interaction between them. Furthermore, it is very difficult for a student to gain a full understanding of what the instructor is saying because responses