Critical thinking Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Critical thinking - Case Study Example The bid is recorded as â€Å"one of the shock and exasperation† that could only bring jubilation among the small bid team from the tiny Gulf state that had travelled to Switzerland.    The success of the bid brought with it a mired of questions from the potential counterparts who could not make it. First was the manner in which it could have succeeded with the vast representation of big countries in the committee. The capacity to host an event of such magnitude and their inexistence in the football arena was questionable. The country itself has very hash temperatures, which could not favor any tournament of this kind. It was evident that high profile and highly influential figures like The UEFA president Michel Platini had voiced their opposition to the notion. He said, â€Å"You cannot possibly play football in Qatar.† (YANKS ABROAD 2013) One of the executive committee members Mr. Franz Beckenbauer stated, â€Å"One should think about a different solution.† It was more evident that there were some hidden tactics behind the bid when a number of senior FIFA officials with the inclusion of Qatar head of the Asian Football Confederation, Mr. Mohammed bin Hammam were suspended as a result of questioning the legitimacy of Qatar wining the bid. There are also concerns raised on the country’s commitment to Sharia law, which does not support homosexuality and the questionable human rights records. The case has been viewed as a possible reaction from the looser of the bid that controls the huge numbers of football fans in the aim to water down the tournament and get a revote. This is possible because they have millions on internet users. The temperatures were viewed to be attainable through control but would cost the country billions of cash higher that the expenses used in the South African tournament. On the bribery case, FIFA President exclaimed, â€Å"we are anxiously

Health Article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Health Article - Essay Example Recently in 2011, Normann Stadler, winner of Triathlon underwent a surgery for aortic aneurysm. Cardiac Elctrophysiologist, John Mandrola says that it is only obvious that there is a link between CVD and over exercising since the heart is being constantly inflamed and not being given the time to heal at all. Benjamin Levine, director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is of the opinion that moderate levels of exercising lends protection from CVD’s but there is no upper limit to this exercising. Since recent studies find that marathon runners suffer from greater instances of coronary plaque and therefore the myth that running bestows a 100% protection must be debunked. Paul Williams, director of project called the National Runners Health Study studied 2377 runners and walkers and found that in 10 years 526 of them died and 71.5% of the death were from CVD’s. The most important conclusion of William’s study is that even though walking or running daily lend protection to the heart, if the distance of walking exceeded a daily limit of 10.7 km or that of running exceeded 7.1 km the person might suffer from CVD’s in the future. There is more than one example of endurance athletes falling prey to cardiovascular diseases in spite of training on a daily basis. Thus, the article clearly vindicates the statement that more exercise does not necessarily mean greater health and over-dose of daily exercises can potentially increase

Subsidiary Perspective of a Mobile Phone Service Company

Subsidiary Perspective of a Mobile Phone Service Company Global Integration Background The literature review looks into the various resources related to the study on the subsidiary perspective of a mobile phone service company towards MNC global integration. This would justify the significance of the study in terms of the clarification and application of concepts as well as contribution to knowledge or research gaps. The literature review is structured to start with a clarification of the research issue for purposes of determining linkages to available literature before moving on with the identification of the parent, intermediate and immediate literature. Afterwards, debates or differences in perspectives based on various literatures, together with the gaps or unresolved questions follows. The literature review ends with a summary of developments in literature pertinent to the research topic. The Research Issue Investigating the subsidiary perspective of a mobile phone service company on MNC global integration has a number of research implications. One, the subsidiary perspective of firms on global integration determines the success of the global business operations through value chain configuration and marketing standardization. Another, the subsidiary perspective of a mobile phone service company on global integration also provides a contextual basis of the issues and problems experienced by the subsidiary and the mother company in achieving value chain integration and marketing standardization for its entire global operations. Integration and standardization are important to successful international business operations. Concurrently, it becomes important to clarify the concepts of global integration and subsidiary relations together with the sub-concepts under these general principles to provide a sufficient framework for the study. Categorization of literature covering these concepts an d sub-concepts fall under parent, intermediate or immediate literature with most of the literature constituting parent and intermediate literatures. This implies the need for empirical research investigating the application of these concepts and sub-concepts to actual business contexts, which the present study attempts to fulfill. The Parent and Intermediate Literature This section covers the parent literature, specifically those explaining the basic concepts involved in the study especially global integration and organizational structures of multinational corporations involving subsidiaries. Existing literature sufficiently covers the definition of global integration as well as the organizational structure that involve business operations in various markets through subsidiaries. Definition of Global Integration Existing literature on global integration have not been able to arrive at a consensus on the definition of global integration. Haspeslagh and Jemison (1991) explained that global integration actually carries a different meaning for various parties involved in different situations. This means the possibility that a subsidiary, operating on a distinct market environment, can develop a different perspective and understanding of global integration relative to the mother company or other subsidiaries operating in different markets. Although, there is no clear consensus on the definition of global integration, Schweiger and Goulet (2000) stated that the different perspectives commonly revolve around the combination of the assets and human resources of the target and the buyer or the subsidiary and the mother company. The concept of coordination has found close links to global integration. Mintzberg (1983a; 1983b) stated that coordination constitutes a fundamental element of management and since the management of global operations involves coordination, then integrating the operation of subsidiaries with the operations of the mother company necessitates coordination. However, even with the close links between global integration and coordination, there are distinctions between these two concepts, with the extent of difference covered by various perspectives. On one hand, Martinez and Jarillo (1989) described the close links between the global integration and coordination by using these two concepts as synonyms describing the same situation. The authors also defined coordinative mechanisms as administrative tools used in developing integration of the various business units of a business organization. On the other hand, Kobrin (1991) provided a clear variance between global integration and coordinati on. Global integration also meant transnational integration that involves the processes of product standardization, technology development centralization, and manufacturing linkages that is either horizontal or vertical. As such, global integration was characterized as a change process involving centralization, combination, concentration, and standardization. Coordination also meant cross-border coordination that pertains to the business efforts directed towards the alignment of the operations of various business units to ensure the completion of the tasks of these units in contributing to aggregate productivity. Global integration has also found links to value creating activities at the level of the business headquarters. Goold, Campbell and Alexander (1994) and Burgelman and Doz (1996) stated that global integration pertains to the manner that headquarters creates value encompassing its international operations. This definition of global integration provides a limit to the scope of the concept to cover only business units forming part of a multinational corporation. This means that global integration does not involve business units considered as external to the firm. In addition, existing literature also discussed the definition of global integration by looking at its opposite or contrast concepts. Through the process of contrasting, these resources have been able to determine the areas not covered by global integration (Hambrick Finkelstein, 1987). Bartlett (1986) considered local autonomy as the opposite of global integration with local autonomy referring to the independent management of the operations of different business units under a single multinational corporation so that decision-making in the local level is made without need of consulting the other business units or headquarters. Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989) identified local responsiveness as another opposite of global integration. This is similar to independent decision-making exclusively based on the particular context of the local market without need to consult decision with other business units or the corporate headquarters. However, Prahalad and Doz (1987) explained that business f irms could achieve high levels of responsiveness and integration. As such, the more rational opposite of global integration is local autonomy. Based on existing literature covering the definition of global integration, the definition used in the dissertation is cross-border integration, encompassing value-creating activities and marketing standardization, arising between business units operating in different markets but falling under a single multinational corporation. This definition limits the scope to business units forming part of a multinational corporation but operating in particular markets. This definition fits the requirements of the study in investigating the perspectives of subsidiaries on global integration that involves a subsidiary and headquarters as the units of data collection and analysis. Elements of Global Integration Based on the definition of global integration, this has two specific elements, which are the configuration and coordination of the multinational corporation’s value change and the standardization of marketing strategies. Existing literature have differentiated the configuration and coordination. Porter (1985) explained that configuration of the value chain pertains to the spatial decisions of the multinational corporation covering the location or site of business units together with the number of business units within the multinational corporation and in the different sites. Lim, Acito and Rusetki (2006) developed the concentration-dispersion perspective to encompass decision-making on spatial issues. Porter (1985) stated explained that coordination refers to the manner and extent that the activities of the different business units are combined as opposed to being autonomous. Lim et al. (2006) introduced integration-independence perspective as the concept that covers the combination of activities of various business units forming part of a single multinational corporation. The configuration and coordination of value chain processes of business units belonging to a single multinational firm includes t he sourcing of raw materials and basic service components, production processes and linkages, marketing strategies, distribution networks, and support activities encompassing the operations of business units located in different countries but comprising the sub-units of the multinational firm. Available literature also covered marketing standardization, which Jain (1989) describes as the extent of the uniformity in the experiences of customers of the different business units operating in various countries. Here, classification of literature depends on internal and external focus. Literature on strategies focus on business activity as the core basis of analysis so that these looks into the manner that business units apply uniform policies given specific business contexts. Literature on international marketing carries an external focus by considering the uniformity in the marketing mix applied across the business units. (Yip, 1997) The extent of uniformity in the aspects of price, product, place and promotion determines the level of uniformity in the experiences of the firm’s customers in different countries. Rationale for Global Integration After identifying the definition of global integration as limited to cross-border decisions encompassing business units belonging to the same multinational firm and covering the areas of value chain configuration and marketing standardization, the next area that involves clarification is the rationale for engaging in global integration. Available literature provided two distinct perspectives, which are environmental contingency and strategic choice, explaining the rationale for global integration. While the distinctions between these two perspectives is theoretical, these determines the driving factors for global integration as either industry forces and other factors in the external environment or firm-specific capabilities and other factors within the internal environment of the multinational firm. The distinctions reflect similar characteristics as the debates on environmental determinism as against strategic choice (Astley Van de Ven, 1983; Hrebiniak Joyce, 1985). In addition, the distinctions between the two perspectives are parallel to debates involving the positioning-oriented view (Porter, 1985) as opposed to the resource-based view (Barney, 1991) or the dynamic capabilities view (Eisenhardt Martin, 2000). These perspectives highlight one aspect or more reasons for engaging in global integration so that focusing on only one perspective would provide the study with a limited theoretical foundation (Morgan, 1997). As such, these perspectives require consideration to allow the study to gain insight on the multi-dimensional reasons of justifications for global integration. Advocates of the environmental contingency perspective propound the basic assumption that industries hold different potential for globalization. As such, firm strategists play the important role of identifying the trends and influencing factors affecting the industry as bases for the determination of the appropriate strategy addressing the needs and demands of the industry (Bartlett Ghoshal, 1989). In application, a number of best practices have emerged as generic strategies for various industry trends found to lead to positive performance (Prahalad Doz, 1987). This implies that the environmental contingency view favors the development of contingencies (Galbraith, 1973) that considers the alignment or congruence of the structure of the firm and the strategies implemented by the organization with the environment within which the business firm operates. These contingencies find expression in the different types and levels of structures and corresponding strategies that have evolved. A simplistic typology is the description of global firms as evolving from ethnocentric to polycentric before finally becoming geocentric (Perlmutter, 1969). This means that the structure of multinational firms evolves according to this evolutionary process and the strategy of multinational firms depend on the best practices determined for the different evolutionary stages. Another simplistic structure and strategy is one determined by technological drivers (Levitt, 1983) so that the organizational structure revolves around the enhancement of technological capabilities and the strategies involve the standardization of products through a uniform technological capability in order to enhance the homogeneity of customer experiences. However, the simplistic perspectives received criticisms for not being able to cover other important business factors. An alternative perspective involves mixed strategies (Douglas Wind, 1987) so that standardization occurs for some products and product components become while differentiation occurs for others. In application, the mixed strategy involves standardization marketing mix aspects in a given region, market or market segments and differentiation for one or more of the marketing mix components for different regions or markets. The rationale for the mixed perspective is that achieving a universal strategy is not possible since some strategies receive rational support in some market context but not in others even if the same products, brand and company is involved but operating as different business units (Ohmae, 1989). This implies that the purpose of global integration is not really to derive a universal structure and strategy but to provide a way for the multinational corp oration to rationalize its mixed strategies across regions or markets and tie these efforts to address common goals. Most of the typologies that emerged later on found basis on mixed strategies. One manner of classifying multinational firms is through worldwide integration, national responsiveness, and administrative coordination (Doz, 1980). This developed the concept of transnational firms and propounded the important role of administrative coordination to facilitate administrative and structural shifts directed towards the achievement of the benefits of integration on a global scale and responsiveness on a national level. This manner of classification revolves around firm level analysis. Another typology, which considered the industry perspective, distinguished industries as either multidomestic or global (Hout, Porter Rudden, 1982). This means that the structure and strategy selection of business firms depend on the characteristics of the industry within which the firm belongs, which is either multidomestic or global. Another typology that considered the industry level perspective distinguishes strategy selection based on whether the firm falls under multinational or transnational industry (Bartlett, 1986). The author explicitly developed the transnational concept. This means that integration and responsiveness act as the forces that pressure firms to move towards the transnational model. Hedlund (1986) further expanded this typology by introducing the concept of heterarchy to describe the business units of international firms organized into non-hierarchical networks moving toward the goals of integration and responsiveness. The characterization of international fi rms as networks was carried by other literature through the development of the concept of independent network (Bartlett Ghoshal, 1990) and differentiated network (Nohria Ghoshal, 1997). Another typology emerged as the alternative by combining the firm and industry level perspectives to come up with four distinctive strategies of multinational firms, which are purest global, export-based, high foreign investments together with extensive subsidiary coordination, and country-centered (Porter, 1986). Purest global and export-based strategies are variants of global strategy; country-centered strategies are similar to the multinational concept; and high foreign investment with extensive subsidiary coordination is similar to the transnational concept. Another alternative emanates from the integration and responsiveness factors to influence the introduction of the types of strategies into global, multifocal and locally responsive. Integration on a global level considers multinational customers, multinational competitors, intensity of investment, intensity of technology, cost reduction pressures, universal needs, and raw materials and energy access. Local responsiveness pres sures the firm to consider variations in customer needs, variances in the distribution channels, existence of substitutes and adaptations, market structure, and regulatory demands. These pressures then comprise the areas of strategy determination for international business firms. In addition, another strategic area that considers the factors of integration and responsiveness revolves around knowledge and capabilities sharing between corporate headquarters and the various business units (Bartlett Ghoshal, 1989). Based on the development of various typologies, three general structural and strategic distinctions emerge, which are the multinational, transnational and global configurations. These types involve different integration strategies. The global configuration involves the strategy of tight integration of the value chain processes of the different business units resulting to a high level of centralized strategic resources including knowledge and research and development (Bartlett Ghoshal, 1987a; 1987b). This means that the activities of the business units are likely to revolve around the utilization of raw materials and application of service policies instead of focusing on activities that promote the independence of the business units. Moreover, the business units under the global configuration are unable to function without consulting company headquarters. As such, the high level of centralized control leads to the importance of a strong centralized leadership and decision-making. This would likely involve limited development and innovation from the business units operating in the peripheral markets. The network flows between corporate headquarters and the business units revolve around products. Thus, firms adhe ring to the global configuration tend to achieve high levels of integration because of centralization but low levels of responsiveness on a national level because of the lack of development and innovation coming from the business units operating in various national contexts. The multinational or multidomestic configuration pertains to the fostering of high levels of autonomy on the part of the subsidiary units because of the corresponding high degrees of decentralization in decision-making (Roth Morisson, 1990; Harzing, 1998; 2000). This means that the business units or subsidiaries are self-sufficient in their operations on a national level. As such, the subsidiaries enforce value chains that can stand alone in their country of operations (Leong Tan, 1993). Corporate headquarters manage this situation by considering the business units as independent firms but manages the productivity of the subsidiaries through output controls, especially financial measures. The output controls comprise the integrating factor for the different subsidiaries since this measures their adherence to overall firm goals (Muralidharan Hamilton, 1999). Moreover, an informal network exists between the top managers assigned in the corporate headquarters and the expatriates serv ing as representatives of the headquarters in the subsidiaries (Gupta Govindarajan, 2001). Multinational business units exercise relatively high levels of independence because of the minimal intervention and interference from the corporate headquarters except only the application of output controls. The derivation and enhancement of knowledge occurs locally instead of coming from headquarters for dispersion in the different business units. Concurrently, the flow that involves corporate headquarters and the business units encompasses financial resources. Thus, the application of the multinational configuration leads to a high level of responsiveness on a national or local level but resulting to limited integration. The transnational configuration involves the creation of international business firms with the simultaneous capability for responsiveness on a local level, integration on a global level, and learning on a worldwide level. This configuration involves the ability to consider various areas of responsiveness or ambidexterity, which refers to the ability to target conflicting demands at one time (Birkinshaw Gibson, 2004). Nohria and Ghoshal (1997) described the transnational configuration as both differentiated and interdependent. As such, the transnational configuration involves greater integration relative to the multinational configuration but involves greater responsiveness relative to the global configuration. This means that the activities of the business units covering aspects of the value chain becomes integrated physically and coordinated strategically. The subsidiaries the play pre-determined roles within the context of the multinational goals instead of just focusing on the ma ximization of opportunities in the local level. Creation of knowledge involves a higher level of dispersion compared to the global configuration because the objectives are sharing of knowledge derived on level of the peripheral units. The manner of integration then involves mechanisms of socialization instead of output measures as in the multinational configuration. This means the development of standardized norms across the business units (Mintzberg, 1983a). Flow of resources is also expanded to encompass resources, products as well as knowledge across the various business units. Overall, the rationale for global integration based on the environmental contingency perspectives depends on the typology of the operations of business firms. The different typologies carry corresponding structural frameworks and strategic activities directed towards the achievement of the one or both objectives of integration and responsiveness. Proponents of the strategic choice perspective focus on internal factors and pressures in determining structure and strategy for international business firms constituting the rationale for engagement in integration. As such, the focal areas of the strategy choice view include resources, capabilities and processes (Ghoshal, 1987). Concurrently, available literature focused on the two concepts of strategic integration together with corporate parenting that provide distinct multinational firm capabilities. Strategic integration covers the manner that management develops value that encompasses value creation of the different business units forming part of the international firm. Moreover, strategic integration has links to the combination and cultivation of the different resources of the international firm such as the intangible assets together with capabilities in the long-term through the process of coordinated deployment from the corporate headquarters to the business units. However, the subsidiaries have room to enhance further assets and capabilities to respond to their particular business contexts. (Burgelman Doz, 1996) Another view of strategic integration is as pertaining to dynamic capability that is based on particular strategic and structural routine activities (Eisenhardt Martin, 2000). This means that integrating factors comprise the routine activities common in all the business units. Capabilities for strategic integration receives importance in the case when managers intend to shift from one configuration to another but there are variances in the levels of resource needs, strategic requirements, and structural frameworks involved in the configurations. Strategic integration as a capability is also important in situations involving the shift from a weak to a stronger implementation of a given configuration. (Teece et al., 1997; Eisenhardt Martin, 2000) This means that the international business firm employs various combinations of value chain integration and marketing standardization for particular configurations. To ensure integration and standardization, coordination mechanisms comprise important means of unifying processes and outputs across the different business units. Parenting theory evolved to apply to multi-business contexts, specifically the manner that corporate parents influence the operations of subsidiaries in order to add value to the operations of the business units (Goold, 1996a; 1996b; Goold Campbell, 1991; 2002; Goold, Campbell Alexander, 1998). The parenting theory does not particularly focus on integration. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the parenting strategies capture the situation of multinational firms and the manner that corporate headquarters affect the dynamics or workings of the subsidiaries. Since integration involves limitation on the freedom of operation of the business units, the role of the parent company becomes important in achieving effective integration. This means that according to the parenting theory, the rationale of engaging in integration lies in the significance of the role of the parent company in providing effective integrative factors intended to enhance the output and process outcomes across the diff erent business units. Parent firms can create value for the company in four ways. First, the parent company can apply a stand-alone policy, which means that the strategy and performance of the business units are affected minimally by the parent company. Integration at a minimal level of influence occurs through output standardization (Mintzberg, 1983a), which is implemented through financial rations serving as the targets of the subsidiaries. Second, the parent company can increase its influence on the subsidiaries by implementing synergistic practices and transfer of knowledge and best practices to the business units (Mintzberg, 1983a), specifically activities such as standard work systems, standard norms of practice, and training of workers. Third, parent companies can further enhance its influence on the business units by extending the reach of its central functions to the business units. This extent of influence is nearer integration as strategic change instead of coordination. Fourth, an even greater influence on the business units can be made with the parent company altering the corporate portfolio through the acquisition or removal of operations to facilitate restructuring. This also involves greater parallelism with integration as strategic change instead of a coordinative process. Fifth, parent companies can extend their influence to an extent that covers the influence of purchasing firms during post-mergers (Schweiger, 2002). These different extents of influence applied by the parent company translate into different rationales for integration given different multination firm contexts. Regardless of the extent of influence employed by the parent company, it is necessary that the parent company that constitutes the corporate center constitutes a resource in itself through varying levels of influence or provide alternative processes that derive resources for the business units in order for the level of integration to achieve value to the subsidiaries and justify the engagemen t in integration. In addition, there are also parenting styles (Goold, Campbell Alexander, 1994) that describe the manner that the parent company relates to its subsidiaries. First is the financial control style that involves decentralized decision-making of the business units that usually apply in small business firms (Hout et al., 1982). Second is the strategic planning style that involves an influential staff involved in a wide range of areas of operation in the business units (Hout et al., 1982). Third is the strategic control style involving top-down planning but bottom-up implementation that is achieved through the balanced consideration of financial objectives and strategic milestones. These parenting styles provide the factors that have to be present for parent companies to create value for the business units and provide a reason for the type of integration. Integration Challenges After discussing the definition and rationale for integration, the succeeding discussions look into the integration challenges experienced by the multinational firms. Existing literature classify these challenges into those experienced by corporate headquarters and those felt by the subsidiaries. Corporate headquarters experience a number of integration challenges. First is ensuring the creation of value to support the extent of integration. This means that the integration should create greater value compared to the previous status of the firm (Goold, 1996b). Second is preventing any misguided intervention that depend on the context of business units since excessive guidance can thwart much needed innovative action on the subsidiary level (Goold Campbell, 2002). Third is enhancing the quality of execution and support staff services of the company headquarters (Goold Campbell, 2002). Fourth is avoidance of multiple levels of parenting that could lead to redundancy and contradictions (Goold Campbell, 2002). Fifth is the management of various kinds of intra-firm reporting so that the type of reporting should match the simplicity or complexity of the multinational firm (Prahalad Doz, 1987). Sixth is the avoidance of the building of empires at headquarters by clearly establish ing the roles of top management in maintaining corporate entity and adding value to the subsidiaries (Goold Campbell, 2002). Subsidiaries also experience problems in integration. First is achieving structural and strategic fit (Jemison Sitkin, 1986a; 1986b; Olie, 1994; Carleton, 1997) given variances in administrative heritage (Bartlett Ghoshal, 1989) that requires the development of a common administrative infrastructure. Second is managing opportunism among the subsidiary managers within the context of agency relations (Jensen Meckling, 1976; Eisenhardt, 1989a; 1989b) through risk management and agency clarification. Third is ensuring the commitment of the subsidiary managers since commitment determines the success of the integration process (Kim Mauborgne (1991; 1995) by developing a perception of fairness of the integration (Greenberg, 1993). Available literature on the problems experienced by the subsidiaries provide significant foundational information for the study by providing concepts that relate to the study on the perceptions of subsidiaries, particularly the managers of the subsidiaries regarding the integration. The factors of attitudes, commitment and cooperative behavior are the problem areas of integration on the subsidiary side but these also comprise determinants of the perceptions of subsidiaries towards integration. Immediate Literature This section covers immediate literature since the integration capabilities and the modes of managing the subsidiary provide the determinants of the perspectives of subsidiaries towards integration, similar to the part on the problems experienced by the subsidiaries discussed in the previous section. Integration Capabilities A number of integration capabilities are important in the integration initiative. Since integration involves actions and responses not only from the company headquarters

Abortion Essay -- Research Papers Pregnancy Papers

Abortion â€Å"Abortion is a procedure, either surgical or medical, to end a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the uterus.† This definition (A.D.A.M., 2003) is a dry medical definition that lacks meaning. This paper attempts to apply meaning to this dry definition, and in doing so, will show the less known and less published side of abortion; the human side. A Brief History Archaeologists have recently uncovered Roman ruins that contain the evidence of aborted children, abandoned children, and children that were destroyed just after birth (infanticide); all of these bodies were recovered from a brothel. Fast forwarding a few hundred years, Thomas Aquinas wrote on the evils of abortion, and the moral implications of such a practice in a civilized society. These two examples of â€Å"ancient† history show that abortion has been around a long, long time, and has been used as a means of birth control, to end unwanted pregnancies, for some time now; it is not a recent development. The act of destroying the young before birth has been present in the world for a while, however, but it has been only in the last century that this problem has reached an epidemic proportion. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the first abortion legislation in the United States was proposed, mainly concerned with the application of penalties for illegal a bortions; outlines what abortions would be considered legal. It should be noted, that these early proposals wanted to legalize abortion for reasons including the mental or physical health of the mother, pregnancy due to rape and incest, and fetal deformity (NRLC, 2003). In the late 1960’s forms of the earlier abortion legislation was passed in a few states; the number of states... ... of people out there that are able to think for themselves, based on the given facts and evidence. I would like to commend everyone in the class for giving me an opportunity to enjoy their views on life, for it helped me to better understand my own views. Bibliography The Boycott List. Life Decisions International. Washington. 2002 â€Å"Life and death before birth.† Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life 2003 Pro-life Resource Book. MCCL. Minneapolis. 2002 Heritage House 76. 2003. Arguments of Abortion. [Online]. http://www.abortionfacts.com/parsing_the_arguments/parsing_the_arguments.asp [Dec 14, 2003] Heritage House 76. 2003. History of Abortion. [Online]. http://www.abortionfacts.com/history/history.asp [Dec 14, 2003] NRLC. 2003. Abortion: Some Medical Facts. [Online]. http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/ASMF/asmf.html [Dec 02, 2003] Abortion Essay -- Research Papers Pregnancy Papers Abortion â€Å"Abortion is a procedure, either surgical or medical, to end a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the uterus.† This definition (A.D.A.M., 2003) is a dry medical definition that lacks meaning. This paper attempts to apply meaning to this dry definition, and in doing so, will show the less known and less published side of abortion; the human side. A Brief History Archaeologists have recently uncovered Roman ruins that contain the evidence of aborted children, abandoned children, and children that were destroyed just after birth (infanticide); all of these bodies were recovered from a brothel. Fast forwarding a few hundred years, Thomas Aquinas wrote on the evils of abortion, and the moral implications of such a practice in a civilized society. These two examples of â€Å"ancient† history show that abortion has been around a long, long time, and has been used as a means of birth control, to end unwanted pregnancies, for some time now; it is not a recent development. The act of destroying the young before birth has been present in the world for a while, however, but it has been only in the last century that this problem has reached an epidemic proportion. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the first abortion legislation in the United States was proposed, mainly concerned with the application of penalties for illegal a bortions; outlines what abortions would be considered legal. It should be noted, that these early proposals wanted to legalize abortion for reasons including the mental or physical health of the mother, pregnancy due to rape and incest, and fetal deformity (NRLC, 2003). In the late 1960’s forms of the earlier abortion legislation was passed in a few states; the number of states... ... of people out there that are able to think for themselves, based on the given facts and evidence. I would like to commend everyone in the class for giving me an opportunity to enjoy their views on life, for it helped me to better understand my own views. Bibliography The Boycott List. Life Decisions International. Washington. 2002 â€Å"Life and death before birth.† Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life 2003 Pro-life Resource Book. MCCL. Minneapolis. 2002 Heritage House 76. 2003. Arguments of Abortion. [Online]. http://www.abortionfacts.com/parsing_the_arguments/parsing_the_arguments.asp [Dec 14, 2003] Heritage House 76. 2003. History of Abortion. [Online]. http://www.abortionfacts.com/history/history.asp [Dec 14, 2003] NRLC. 2003. Abortion: Some Medical Facts. [Online]. http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/ASMF/asmf.html [Dec 02, 2003]

Glass Industry in Turkey

When glass industry in Turkey is analyzed, it is observed that there are middle and small sized firms, work places at workshop levels in very limited numbers and a dominant producer, Tà ¼rkiye ÅžiÅŸe ve Cam FabrikalarÄ ± TopluluÄŸu. More than 90% of the annual production of market is met by ÅžiÅŸecam. Although there are no law and arbitration barriers to enter to the glass market, firms hesitate to enter since glass industry requires continuous production with high capacity and continuous investment and raw materials in Turkey are not in high quality and the amount of their reserves in Turkey are declining day by day, namely the industry is becoming more costly and risky. Furthermore, diminishing returns in the short-run increase marginal cost of glass production as the necessity of innovation and continuous production makes producer buy more technological and faster machines and equipment but the staff cannot use them efficiently for a definite period, which increase total cost and marginal cost but not brings about same increase in output levels. Decline in quality of raw materials also explains the diminishing returns and rising marginal costs. The buyer range of glass market is extensive as glass is not only used for decoration purposes and used as kitchen utensils but also it is used as an input in construction, food, furniture, white goods, medicine, soft drinks, automotive and electrical-electronics industries. In addition, glass plays an important role in these industries as the producers of these industries cannot substitute any other input for glass in some parts of their production processes. The representative of glass market in Turkey, ÅžiÅŸecam can determine the price or quantity of its products. As ÅžiÅŸecam is a price maker, not a price taker it is more likely that it will try set a price resulting in profit maximization which is not too high or too low and makes marginal revenue equals to marginal cost. It worths mentioning that ÅžiÅŸecam can determine either price or quantity, not both of them. When one of them is set, the other will be determined by demand curve. However, price and quantity are not the sole components that ÅžiÅŸecam can play with. ÅžiÅŸecam tries to catch the trend in technology in abroad by establishing joint-ventures with foreign firms in order to innovate itself, improve the product design and product diversity. In addition, as a result of its marketing strategy, ÅžiÅŸecam sells its trifles and kitchen utensils in PaÅŸabahà §e Stores which are located in strategic places of Ä °stanbul, Ankara, Ä °zmir, Adana, Antalya, Bursa, Mersin, Denizli, Bodrum, and Marmaris. ÅžiÅŸecam also seeks an expansionary policy in abroad. It has two firms in Bulgaria and Georgia and representative offices in Germany, Russia, China, Hong Kong and Austria. Though ÅžiÅŸecam states its strategic goal as ‘keeping the leading position in the country, increasing foreign sales, climbing the ranks of glass production statistics and producing in an environmentally friendly way’, it is clear that the primary objective of a firm is to maximize its profits as the theory of firm implies and the objective of ÅžiÅŸecam is to maximize its profit in the short-run by trying to equate its marginal revenue and marginal cost. ÅžiÅŸecam is not afraid of possibility of sharing its short run economic profits with the other firms since it is the sole firm in glass industry in Turkey. All in all, when we analyze glass industry in Turkey on the basis of number of sellers, cost conditions, number of buyers, demand conditions, strategic variables, objective function and expectation of rivals’ reactions, we can conclude that the market structure of glass industry is monopoly. ÅžiÅŸecam is the monopolist of glass industry since it is the sole producer in the marker except for a few enterprises but there are many buyers of its products, its marginal costs increase due to diminishing returns in the short-run, it can use price, quantity, product design, distribution channels as strategic variables, the objective of the firm is profit maximization in the short-run and it has no expectation of rivals’ reaction as there is no rival in the industry.

A Dolls House

You have, perhaps, never heard a discussion or symposium on the subject, â€Å"Men-their role in the society. The discussion is always about women. Men have, perhaps, no role!Men can as well do, some of the jobs normally done by women. Even today, the best chefs are men! The never-ending talk to give equal rights to women has been going on since time immemorial. But all the Acts of Parliaments all over the world will not bring equality to the female gender.he change has to be achieved within-both men and women! How can equal rights to women be given? God has created her, given her the status of more-equal. Nobody can take that right away.It is the mother, who gives protection during the initial nine months to the divine creative force of the future-male or female! A female child is victimized at every step of life, from the moment of birth, and she sacrifices at every stage.   Women need to be the legal and spiritual equals of men!The three Act play by Henrik Ibsen is dominated by the main character Nora. The Doll’s House is symbolic—how Nora has been living within the specified rules applicable to housewife-submission, submission and more submission to the wishes of her husband! Before marriage, she submitted to her parents (mostly to the wishes of her father); now the place of submission is changed, but the procedure of male-dominance is the same-God bless her!With no scope to develop her own personality she is obliged to live under the ‘protective’ umbrella of her husband but not for long! Nora turns to be a dynamic rebel, gives up the structure that is considered sacred by the society and seeks the path of total transformation and rehabilitation of her own personality. What is marriage?Two distinct individuals, two separate personalities, born, bred and brought up in two different set of circumstance, try to come together from the day of marriage( if not courting earlier!) to find a common identity, a common goal and to be prec ise a common all! But soon the affected one finds out that idealism and the reality are poles apart!Why the scale of social justice tilts heavily against the womenfolk and their individual liberties are at a discount? Why one finds Nora in every family in one form or the other even during the 21st century? How long need the woman contain her suppressed emotions and move forward   to establish her own identity?It is the same old story through the Ages—it is between Him and Her! The family is run as per the dictates of Torvald, though his commands are honey-tongued. An attitude of ‘I know everything’ and ‘you know nothing’ is evident in his relationship with Nora.The sweet nothings he addresses to his wife like, â€Å"Is my little lark twittering there?†(Ibsen, 2007, p. 6) â€Å"Is it my little squirrel bustling about?†(p. 6) â€Å"Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?†(p. 6) â€Å"You extravagant little personâ₠¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p.8) â€Å"Hasn’t Miss Sweet-Tooth been breaking rules in town today?†(p.10) are all indicators of his superiority complex. And Torvald very clearly issues his edict as for planning the family budget. He says, â€Å"That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing.There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle.† (p.7) Ibsen has tackled several themes, mixed them very well, like a woman’s illusion in marriage, wealth, feminism, betrayal, etc.How A Doll’s House has been created within the house, how the woman functions inside the demarcated boundaries—such issues are dealt with intelligently. In the later part of the play Nora walks away from her family. Her undoing and the reason for falling from the à ¢â‚¬Ëœgrace’ of her husband is– she forged a bank note to save her husband’s life when no one else could. How she is compelled to tell a series of lies, and it looks as though such behavior is part of her personality. She does not feel guilty about it but for Torvald it is a major and fundamental issue.â€Å"It is better to have the world united than the world divided; but it is better to have the world divided than the world destroyed,† said Mr. Winston Churchill at the time of II World War. Similarly instead of destroying the family and the psyche of children, by endless misunderstandings, honorable separation is better!Amin Maalouf in his book, â€Å"Leo the African†, describes a poignant situation of the woman in the medieval society   thus: â€Å"Gaudy Sarah   came to see me†¦to sell amulets, bracelets, perfumes made from lemon, ambergris, jasmine and water lilies, and to tell fortunes†¦.without lifting her eyes, she said these words, which I remember to this day.‘For us, the women of Granada, freedom is a deceitful form of bondage, and slavery a subtle from of freedom. Then saying no more, she took out a tiny greenish stopper bottle from her wicker basket.‘Tonight, you must pour three drops of this elixir in to a glass of orgeat syrup, and offer it to your husband with your own hand. He will come to you like a butterfly towards the light. Do it again after three nights, and again after seven.†(Maalouf, 1994, p.6) For the sake of getting the attention of her husband, what abnormal steps the woman is compelled to take!Conclusion:Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828. The play was written in 1879. It was performed in London in 1889.Nearly thirteen decades after the play is written, the issues touched upon and discussed in the play are like the counseling sessions for the female gender, in today’s materialistic civilization, highly impacted by the industrial and internet revolutions.Women have taken great strides and have already caught up with men in several important areas. This need not be construed as the race between the male and female genders—rather it is the reality! Equality is the birthright of one and all.

Barbie Nation essays

Barbie Nation essays Susan Sterns film Barbie Nation: An Unauthorized Tour provides an in depth look at the world of Barbie that most people would never know about. The audience is taken on a tour of the country and different Barbie collectors that are found all over the world. The film opens with an out of focus, very colorful shot that is difficult to figure out what it is. As the camera moves back it is revealed that they are Barbie shoes in an aquarium. From this bizarre opening image the film shows shots of some of the early Barbie commercials, Barbie auctions where some dolls are sold for more than four thousand dollars, and shots of gay pride marches. In these marches they show men dressed up like Barbie dolls while they march. All of these shots, along with the music in the background give the viewer an impression that the film will be an odd view on Barbie. The film uses voiceover narration to help give the audience more information. It is very well done in the film. While using narration to provide the viewer with information that they wouldnt be able to get from the movie alone, the filmmakers are able to keep the voiceover from getting in the way of the action in the film. One of the main sequences in the film showed the Barbie art gallery. This scene helped to add to the overall bizarre feeling of the film. The art show was used to give a more in depth look at some of the more strange areas of Barbie. The filmmakers kept the shots of each individual Barbie art piece moving fast enough to keep the viewer interested. Mixed in with the shots of the Barbie art were interview segments getting the reactions of people in the museum to each piece. The main focus was on the Barbie on the crucifix and one ladies reaction to it. Between shots of other Barbies, such as homicide Barbie, homeless Barbie, hooker Barbie, and sweatshop Barbie, the focus was always bought back to the crucifix Barbie. With the musi...

Free Essays on Critical Thinking And Decision Making

To Be or Not To Be (A Novice’s Examination of The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Decision Making) â€Å"To be, or not to be: that is the question:† (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) Not unlike Hamlet, we face difficult decisions everyday. I spent eight years as a police officer and my decisions affected many people and permanently changed their lives and their futures. Each decision required the use of the critical thinking process to make the right decisions and to uncover the truth. Each decision was an end to a case, an investigation, a radio call or process and critical thinking was the means to the end. Critical Thinking There are many different views and definitions of critical thinking. In my research I discovered the following two definitions of critical thinking by experts in the field. "Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. Critical thinking also involves evaluating the thinking process - the reasoning that went into the conclusion we've arrived at the kinds of factors considered in making a decision. Critical thinking is sometimes called directed thinking because it focuses on a desired outcome." Halpern (1996). "Broadly speaking, critical thinking is concerned with reason, intellectual honesty, and open-mindedness, as opposed too emotionalism, intellectual laziness, and closed-mindedness. Thus, critical thinking involves: following evidence where it leads; considering all possibilities; relying on reason rather than emotion; being precise; considering a variety of possible viewpoints and explanations... Free Essays on Critical Thinking And Decision Making Free Essays on Critical Thinking And Decision Making To Be or Not To Be (A Novice’s Examination of The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Decision Making) â€Å"To be, or not to be: that is the question:† (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) Not unlike Hamlet, we face difficult decisions everyday. I spent eight years as a police officer and my decisions affected many people and permanently changed their lives and their futures. Each decision required the use of the critical thinking process to make the right decisions and to uncover the truth. Each decision was an end to a case, an investigation, a radio call or process and critical thinking was the means to the end. Critical Thinking There are many different views and definitions of critical thinking. In my research I discovered the following two definitions of critical thinking by experts in the field. "Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. Critical thinking also involves evaluating the thinking process - the reasoning that went into the conclusion we've arrived at the kinds of factors considered in making a decision. Critical thinking is sometimes called directed thinking because it focuses on a desired outcome." Halpern (1996). "Broadly speaking, critical thinking is concerned with reason, intellectual honesty, and open-mindedness, as opposed too emotionalism, intellectual laziness, and closed-mindedness. Thus, critical thinking involves: following evidence where it leads; considering all possibilities; relying on reason rather than emotion; being precise; considering a variety of possible viewpoints and explanations...

Spain and the New Laws of 1542

Spain and the New Laws of 1542 The â€Å"New Laws† of 1542 were a series of laws and regulations approved by the King of Spain in November of 1542 to regulate the Spaniards who were enslaving the natives in the Americas, particularly in Peru. The laws were extremely unpopular in the New World and directly led to a civil war in Peru. The furor was so great that eventually King Charles, fearing that he would lose his new colonies entirely, was forced to suspend many of the more unpopular aspects of the new legislation. Conquest of the New World The Americas had been discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus: a papal bull in 1493 divided the newly-discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. Settlers, explorers, and conquistadors of all sorts immediately began heading to the colonies, where they tortured and killed the natives by the thousands to take their lands and wealth. In 1519, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico: about fifteen years later Francisco Pizarro defeated the Inca Empire in Peru. These native empires had much gold and silver and the men who participated became very wealthy. This, in turn, inspired more and more adventurers to come to the Americas in the hopes of joining the next expedition that would conquer and loot a native kingdom. The Encomienda System With the major native empires in Mexico and Peru in ruins, the Spanish had to put a new system of government in place. The successful conquistadors and colonial officials used the encomienda system. Under the system, an individual or family was given lands, which generally had natives living on them already. A sort of deal was implied: the new owner was responsible for the natives: he would see to their instruction in Christianity, their education and their safety. In return, the natives would supply food, gold, minerals, wood or whatever valuable commodity could be extracted from the land. The encomienda lands would pass from one generation to the next, allowing the families of the conquistadors to set themselves up like local nobility. In reality, the encomienda system was little more than slavery by another name: the natives were forced to work in fields and mines, often until they literally dropped dead. Las Casas and the Reformers Some opposed the ghastly abuses of the native population. As early as 1511 in Santo Domingo, a friar named Antonio de Montesinos asked the Spanish by what right had they invaded, enslaved, raped and robbed a people who had done them no harm. Bartolomà © de Las Casas, a Dominican priest, began asking the same questions. Las Casas, an influential man, had the ear of the king, and he told of the needless deaths of millions of Indians- who were, after all, Spanish subjects. Las Casas was quite persuasive and King Charles of Spain finally decided to do something about the murders and torture being carried out in his name. The New Laws The â€Å"New Laws,† as the legislation came to be known, provided for sweeping changes in Spain’s colonies. The natives were to be considered free, and the owners of the encomiendas could no longer demand free labor or services from them. They did need to pay a certain amount of tribute, but any extra work was to be paid for. Natives were to be treated fairly and given expanded rights. Encomiendas granted to members of the colonial bureaucracy or the clergy were to be returned to the crown immediately. The clauses of the New Laws most disturbing to the Spanish colonists were the ones that declared forfeiture of encomiendas or native laborers by those who had participated in civil wars (which was nearly all of the Spaniards in Peru) and a provision that made encomiendas not hereditary: all encomiendas would revert to the crown upon the death of the current holder. Revolt and Repeal Reaction to the New Laws was swift and drastic: all over the Spanish Americas, conquistadors and settlers were enraged. Blasco Nuà ±ez Vela, the Spanish Viceroy, arrived in the New World in early 1544 and announced that he intended to enforce the New Laws. In Peru, where the former conquistadors had the most to lose, the settlers rallied behind Gonzalo Pizarro, last of the Pizarro brothers (Hernando Pizarro was still alive but in prison in Spain). Pizarro raised an army, declaring that he would defend the rights that he and so many others had fought so hard for. At the battle of Aà ±aquito in January of 1546, Pizarro defeated Viceroy Nà ºÃƒ ±ez Vela, who died in battle. Later, an army under Pedro de la Gasca defeated Pizarro in April of 1548: Pizarro was executed. Pizarro’s revolution was put down, but the revolt had shown the King of Spain that the Spaniards in the New World (and Peru in particular) were serious about protecting their interests. Although the king felt that morally, the New Laws were the right thing to do, he feared that Peru would declare itself an independent kingdom (many of Pizarro’s followers had urged him to do just that). Charles listened to his advisors, who told him that he had better seriously tone down the New Laws or he risked losing parts of his new empire. The New Laws were suspended and a watered-down version was passed in 1552. Legacy The Spanish had a mixed record in the Americas as a colonial power. The most horrendous abuses occurred in the colonies: natives were enslaved, murdered, tortured and raped in the conquest and early part of the colonial period and later they were disenfranchised and excluded from power. Individual acts of cruelty are too numerous and dreadful to list here. Conquistadors like Pedro de Alvarado and Ambrosius Ehinger reached levels of cruelty that are nearly inconceivable to modern sentiments. As horrible as the Spanish were, there were a few enlightened souls among them, such as Bartolomà © de Las Casas and Antonio de Montesinos. These men fought diligently for native rights in Spain. Las Casas produced books on the subjects of Spanish abuses and was not shy about denouncing powerful men in the colonies. King Charles I of Spain, like Ferdinand and Isabela before him and Philip II after him, had his heart in the right place: all of these Spanish rulers demanded that the natives be treated fairly. In practice, however, the goodwill of the king was difficult to enforce. There was also an inherent conflict: the King wanted his native subjects to be happy, but the Spanish crown grew ever more dependent on the steady flow of gold and silver from the colonies, much of which was produced by slave labor in the mines. As for the New Laws, they marked an important shift in Spanish policy. The age of conquest was over: bureaucrats, not conquistadors, would hold power in the Americas. Stripping the conquistadors of their encomiendas meant nipping the burgeoning noble class in the bud. Although King Charles suspended the New Laws, he had other means of weakening the powerful New World elite and within a generation or two most of the encomiendas had reverted to the crown anyway.

Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Autobiography - Essay Example Out came a baby girl and my father who was finally relieved, burst laughing; and as immediately possible, cuddled me to his loving arms. Yes that baby girl is me. I am Ola from Saudi Arabia; I was born in May 1984. I grew up in a world of love and care among great parents and six siblings. I was fortunate to live in a large house with a large family. My brothers’ names were Ahmed, Waleed and Bader. My two sisters: one who is older than me and the other is younger, are named Noof and Razan. My father was a teacher and my mother is a full time home-keeper who takes care of me and my siblings. My early childhood experience was filled with memories of remembering my parents as my first teachers and my siblings were my classmates. I did not have any idea about schools, then; but the holistic support and warmth provided by my family was sufficient to fill my early immersion to the world. I remember my father was very strict with me but my mother was flexible and accommodating. At a very young age, my focus was only to play as I spend all my time playing with my oldest sister. My world evolved around my family as the most crucial people in my life. This nuclear family embodied the influence that I plan to share with my children; as it was instrumental in identifying my personal and professional goals. My family have provided the impetus that have driven me to want to excel in all that I do and try to be a good role model for my children along with others I come into contact with. My life, so far, is comprised of a wonderful family, great friends, a small circle of colleagues from a successful classic car restoration business which I envision to assist in supporting and sustaining a bright and productive future. My Personality I am a flexible person, exemplifying a different personality depending on the people I interact with, and the situation. I have assumed different roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, student, proprietor, and an active citizen of our local community. I value virtues such as adherence to integrity and respect; and the need to maintain universal peace. When I came to America, I recognized that I have to adapt to the culture and interact through communication patterns and behavior that are commonly expected. I was surprised by the sincere attempt to deal with diverse kinds of people but apparently, majority seemed to be indifferent and inflexible. Despite their reaction, I still like to interrelate with people and respect them for their beliefs, behavior and preferences. I thereby realized that I am more timid with guys than girls because my religion and my culture precluded frequent interaction with the opposite gender. I like meeting new people and I like to learn more on new cultures and ways of life. I am friendly with everyone; have a great humor; am sensitive with tendencies to be intermittently serious. I am a good listener, and I do give good advices. School Life in Saudi Arabia In 1992, in Saudi Arabia, we start the week on Saturdays, not on Mondays, as what people in the United States are accustomed of. I started the first grade in an elementary school by exemplifying mixed feelings of boredom, anxiety, and fear from being parted from my mother. I seemed to be pessimistic at attending academic classes that I remembered crying the whole day. I asked my mother to stay beside me to keep me safe and secure. She went with me to my classes for just two days because this is all the

South Korea Market Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

South Korea Market - Assignment Example Through planning, direct or indirect ownership and control of enterprises and financial institutions, regulation of foreign exchange, and implementation of appropriate monetary and fiscal policies, the Government played a crucial role in making market adjustments and maximizing incentives. This was aimed at pursuing the fulfillment of its desired economic, social, political, and cultural objectives. However, economic success, the increase in complexity of the economy, the emergence of a more democratic and pluralistic society, and increasing international competitiveness were crucial factors in bringing about a decline in governments’ role in the South Korean economy. The reformist thrust of government economic policy, realized in the 1980s, was underlined by the renowned emphasis on the need for greater efficiency in the economy. In addition, it improved labor productivity and enhanced competitiveness in order to meet the demands of globalization. The admission of South Korea , in December 1996, to membership of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was another watershed, which heightened the importance of economic reform, which is a step away from negativity – the Asian financial crisis, which highlighted long-standing structural weaknesses in the South Korean economy (Paik 69). Demographic Information of South Korea South Korea is, in fact, regarded as one of the world’s most densely populated countries, with 440 people per square kilometer. However, most people are concentrated in the major cities (Lie 16). The principal cities in South Korea include Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, and Incheon. In these four cities, the population density is about two-thirds of the whole population of South Korea (Caselli 129). The country’s capital city is Seoul. It covers about 12% of the total country’s area. Like the other cities, it is home to approximately 45% of the country’s population; as such, the 3r d largest and populated urban center in the world. Current statistics show that more than 50% of the immigrants are moving to the capital city. Indeed, it has been speculated that about 55% of the national population will be living in the capital city. South Korea is officially recognized as the Republic of Korea with an area of 99,268 km2. According to information published by the World Bank, the total population is 48.747 million by 2009. Figure I. Republic of South Korea (Source: U.S. Department par. 1) The official language in the region is Korean, and it is closely related to Mongolian and Japanese. Although there is a clear difference in grammar with the Chinese language, a large number of the Chinese cognates still exist in the Korean language. Modern Korean articulates to hangul—a phonetic writing system—in their writings. The country borders North Korea on its Northern part. The country is also surrounded by a mass of water encompassing the Sea of Japan and th e Yellow Sea. It is separated from Japan by the Sea of Japan (Paik 77). Korea’s ethnical group has been regarded as the most linguistically homogenous in the whole world. The region is occupied by Koreans, however, about 20,000 people of Chinese descendants occupy some parts of the country. Indeed, all Koreans have a common linguistic and cultural heritage. The South Korean political system is based on the Republican form of governance. The President is the Head of State, and the Prime Minister acts as the Head of Government. The power is shared between the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Currently, the South Korean president is Lee Myung-bak, while the Prime Minister is Han Seung-soo.

Legalizing Marijuana Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Legalizing Marijuana - Research Paper Example It is also believed that India was one of the few countries which pioneered the consumption of this plant as a tool for recreation and relaxation. The Sadhus and the Gurus who practiced the art of spiritual elevation found this plant to be extremely useful for their purpose. They gained a lot from its usage whereby it was considered to be a holy drug. Earlier texts of Hinduism dictate that Marijuana was used by the Hindu Gods to evolve and to relax at the same time. (ElSohly, Mahmoud) Ancient Hindu text Soma Veda refers to Marijuana as the â€Å"food of the thinking mind.† Indians call it Ganja. It has served millions of people over a period of time and has been acclaimed as a life saving drug. However, there are side effects of this plant and if consumed by the innocent it may drive one to an extremely negative frame of mind. Marijuana comes from the plant known as Cannabis Sativa. The major psychoactive compound in the plant is known as THC, and this is the element which is responsible for the psychoactive effects in the human mind. The female plant of Cannabis Sativa is consumed by people as it is said to be more potent with THC than the male plant. (Rudgley, Richard) Marijuana has been used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. Marijuana influences the human body and mind in many different ways. It has the power of changing the mood to the perception of the human mind for a particular object. It enhances hunger when consumed and can lead to weight loss among those who consume it. It relaxes the muscles and also helps the mind calm down after the THC molecules hit the ‘cannabinoid’ receptors which are present in the human mind. The situation for the usage of Marijuana remains static as most of the countries have banned the recreational use of this drug, however, it is allowed in those countries to be used for medicinal purposes. (Gettman, Jon) For those who have tried and are not prejudiced towards it, it is

Dirty Water Bill Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Dirty Water Bill - Assignment Example This may lead to more damage downstream as these pollutants begin to accumulate. This policy as stated in the public outcry is literally similar to the notion of whatever happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas so this policy would fail quickly (Carter, National Wildlife Federation). H.R. 2018 bill was likely to threaten water quality in American rivers, streams, and lakes. The ability of federal and state governments would be limited in terms of ensuring that all American citizens can access clean water. The bill would limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s capability of revising an agreed water quality standard; this would happen only if the state agrees. It would prohibit the EPA from disallowing a water quality certification that is granted by a state. It would hinder the EPA from limiting federal financial aid for the state water quality program if a state does not comply with the water quality standards. Protected waters, aquatic waters would become degraded since the H.R. Bill 2018 renders EPA as somewhat meaningless. This includes weakening permit reviews that normally determine alternatives that do not harm the environment, do not go against laws, and do not degrade waters. H.R. Bill 2018 would lead to harm to the environment in the short ru n and long run. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Rules. Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2018) to Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Preserve the Authority of Each State to Make Determinations Relating to the States Water Quality Standards, and for Other Purposes: (to Accompany H. Res. 347). Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2011.

Compare the scandal involving President Clinton with Nixon's Research Paper

Compare the scandal involving President Clinton with Nixon's Watergate. What were the key similarities and differences - Research Paper Example In June 1995, a scandal began during the latter half of his second term involving Monica Lewinsky, 21, who came to the White House as an unpaid intern in the office of White House Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta. In November 1995, she got involved in a sexual relationship with President Clinton. Barely a month into the relationship, Lewinsky was moved to a paid position in the Office of Legislative Affairs, handling letters from members of Congress. She frequently ferried mail to the Oval Office. Around April, 1996, Lewinsky was transferred to a job as an assistant to Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon, by Evelyn Lieberman who was then the Deputy White House Chief of Staff. Lieberman told the New York Times later that the move was due to â€Å"inappropriate and immature behavior† and that Lewinsky demonstrated a lack of attention to work. At the Pentagon, Lewinsky met Linda Tripp, a career government employee. Around summer 1996, Lewinsky began telling Tripp during casual conversations about her relationship with President Clinton. Tripp reported these conversations to literary agent Lucianne Goldberg, who advised her to secretly record them. Tripp convinced Lewinsky to save the gifts she received from the President and the dress that got stained during one of her sexual encounters. About a year later, in the fall of 1997, when the relationship was over, Tripp secretly began taping the conversations with Lewinsky in which she explicitly talked about her alleged affair. Around October 1997, Tripp, with help from Lucianne Goldberg, met with Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff, Kucianne & Jonah Goldberg at Jonah’s apartment in Washington, where they listened to a tape with the Tripp/Lewinsky conversation. In October 1997, Lewinsky interviewed with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Bill Richardson for a low level public affairs position in New York. She was offered a job but she declined. In early December that year, Lewinsky left the Pentagon. Later that month, Bett ie Currie, President Clinton’s personal secretary, got in touch with Vernon Jordan, a friend of Clintons, to place Lewinsky in New York. Vernon Jordan obliged and introduced Lewinsky to several leads. Lewinsky allegedly had over 9 sexual encounters with the President in the Oval Office during the period between November 1995 and March 1997. On December 17, 1997, Lewinsky was subpoenaed by lawyers for Paula Jones, who was suing the President on sexual harassment charges. She submitted an affidavit in which she declared that she never had any sexual relationship with the President. She also, allegedly attempted to persuade Tripp to lie under oath in the Jones case. Tripp, instead, gave the tapes to Kenneth Starr, who was the Independent Counsel investigating the Whitewater & Paula Jones case. Lewinsky made her final visit to the White House on December 28, 1997, when she and the President had a private meeting. During this meeting, the President allegedly encouraged Lewinsky to be as evasive as possible in her responses to any of the questions in the Jones’ lawsuit. On January 16th 1998, Kenneth Starr contacted United States Attorney General, Janet Reno, seeking permission to expand his probe to investigate possible impropriety on the part of the President. The Attorney General gave her consent and submitted a request to a panel of three Federal judges. The judges agreed to allow Kenneth Starr to formally investigate the possibility of subornation of perjury and obstruction of justice

Introduce the two companies and explain the difference between a b2b Essay

Introduce the two companies and explain the difference between a b2b company and a b2c company - Essay Example is a B2B company since it provides manufactures and supplies microprocessors necessary for computer manufacturing companies such as Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony etc. On the other hand Dell is a B2C company since the products manufactured by this company is sold directly to the consumers. B2B and B2C companies differ in terms of marketing mix, product ranges, marketing communication, pricing and distribution Product, Price, Place and Promotion are considered as the four major elements of marketing mix (Ritcher, 2012). Intel is one of the major semiconductor chip manufacturers in the world. It supplies many types of semiconductor chips including microprocessors to prominent computer manufacturers as well as electronic devices manufacturers. Therefore, the company is targeting only the major manufacturers of electronic devices such as Dell, Sony, HP, Lenovo etc. Unlike B2C companies, B2B companies or Intel is operating through channel partners in different market. For example, LG, Lenovo, Dell and Zenith are some of the channel partners of Intel in different markets (Mody, 2007). Intel has a variable pricing strategy across the world. Since the company enjoys monopoly in some markets, it has the ability to fix the prices of its products in such markets. As in the case of B2C companies, Intel also use various promotion strategies to get more market share. â€Å"In 2006 Intel launched a fi ve-year campaign known as the ‘World Ahead Program’. This initiative is geared toward an increase in digital literacy, research, and development†(Flores, 2008). Dell on the other hand has a wide range of products such as workstations, desktops, desktops, tablets, etc. The company is marketing its products directly to the consumers with the help of advertising and promotion strategies. Promotion plays a big part in Dell’s marketing mix even though it plays less significant role in Intel’s marketing mix. Variable pricing mechanisms were implemented by dell in different markets based

Compare the scandal involving President Clinton with Nixon's Research Paper

Compare the scandal involving President Clinton with Nixon's Watergate. What were the key similarities and differences - Research Paper Example In June 1995, a scandal began during the latter half of his second term involving Monica Lewinsky, 21, who came to the White House as an unpaid intern in the office of White House Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta. In November 1995, she got involved in a sexual relationship with President Clinton. Barely a month into the relationship, Lewinsky was moved to a paid position in the Office of Legislative Affairs, handling letters from members of Congress. She frequently ferried mail to the Oval Office. Around April, 1996, Lewinsky was transferred to a job as an assistant to Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon, by Evelyn Lieberman who was then the Deputy White House Chief of Staff. Lieberman told the New York Times later that the move was due to â€Å"inappropriate and immature behavior† and that Lewinsky demonstrated a lack of attention to work. At the Pentagon, Lewinsky met Linda Tripp, a career government employee. Around summer 1996, Lewinsky began telling Tripp during casual conversations about her relationship with President Clinton. Tripp reported these conversations to literary agent Lucianne Goldberg, who advised her to secretly record them. Tripp convinced Lewinsky to save the gifts she received from the President and the dress that got stained during one of her sexual encounters. About a year later, in the fall of 1997, when the relationship was over, Tripp secretly began taping the conversations with Lewinsky in which she explicitly talked about her alleged affair. Around October 1997, Tripp, with help from Lucianne Goldberg, met with Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff, Kucianne & Jonah Goldberg at Jonah’s apartment in Washington, where they listened to a tape with the Tripp/Lewinsky conversation. In October 1997, Lewinsky interviewed with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Bill Richardson for a low level public affairs position in New York. She was offered a job but she declined. In early December that year, Lewinsky left the Pentagon. Later that month, Bett ie Currie, President Clinton’s personal secretary, got in touch with Vernon Jordan, a friend of Clintons, to place Lewinsky in New York. Vernon Jordan obliged and introduced Lewinsky to several leads. Lewinsky allegedly had over 9 sexual encounters with the President in the Oval Office during the period between November 1995 and March 1997. On December 17, 1997, Lewinsky was subpoenaed by lawyers for Paula Jones, who was suing the President on sexual harassment charges. She submitted an affidavit in which she declared that she never had any sexual relationship with the President. She also, allegedly attempted to persuade Tripp to lie under oath in the Jones case. Tripp, instead, gave the tapes to Kenneth Starr, who was the Independent Counsel investigating the Whitewater & Paula Jones case. Lewinsky made her final visit to the White House on December 28, 1997, when she and the President had a private meeting. During this meeting, the President allegedly encouraged Lewinsky to be as evasive as possible in her responses to any of the questions in the Jones’ lawsuit. On January 16th 1998, Kenneth Starr contacted United States Attorney General, Janet Reno, seeking permission to expand his probe to investigate possible impropriety on the part of the President. The Attorney General gave her consent and submitted a request to a panel of three Federal judges. The judges agreed to allow Kenneth Starr to formally investigate the possibility of subornation of perjury and obstruction of justice

The companys clothing and shoe designs typically feature Essay Example for Free

The companys clothing and shoe designs typically feature Essay Adidas was founded in 1948 by Adolf Dassler, following the split of Gebrà ¼der Dassler Schuhfabrik between him and his older brother Rudolf. Rudolf later established Puma, which was the early rival of Adidas. Registered in 1949, Adidas is currently based in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Puma is also based in Herzogenaurach. The companys clothing and shoe designs typically feature three parallel bars, and the same motif is incorporated into Adidass current official logo.The company revenue for 2012 was listed at â‚ ¬14.48 billion. History Gebrà ¼der Dassler Schuhfabrik Christoph Von Wilhelm Dassler was a worker in a shoe factory, while his wife Pauline ran a small laundry in the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, 20 km (12. 4 mi) from the city of Nuremberg. After leaving school, their son, Rudolf Rudi Dassler, joined his father at the shoe factory. When he returned from fighting in World War I, Rudolf received a management position at a porcelain factory, and later in a leather wholesale business in Nuremberg. Adolf Adi Dassler started to produce his own sports shoes in his mothers wash kitchen in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria after his return from World War I. In July 1924, his brother Rudolf returned to Herzogenaurach to join his younger brothers business, which became Gebrà ¼der Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) and prospered. The pair started the venture in their mothers laundry,[6]:5 but, at the time, electricity supplies in the town were unreliable, and the brothers sometimes had to use pedal power from a stationary bicycle to run their equipment. By the 1936 Summer Olympics, Adi Dassler drove from Bavaria on one of the worlds first motorways to the Olympic village with a suitcase full of spikes and persuaded U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens to use them, the first sponsorship for an African American. Following Owenss haul of four gold medals, his success cemented the good reputation of Dassler shoes among the worlds most famous sportsmen. Letters from around the world landed on the brothers desks, and the trainers of other national teams were all interested in their shoes. Business boomed and the Dasslers were selling 200,000 pairs of shoes each year before World War II. World War II and company split Both brothers joined the Nazi Party, but Rudolf was slightly closer to the party than Adolf. During the war, a growing rift between the pair reached a breaking point after an Allied bomb attack in 1943, when Adi and his wife climbed into a bomb shelter that Rudolf and his family were already in: The dirty bastards are back again, Adi said, referring to the Allied war planes, but Rudolf was convinced his brother meant him and his family.[9] After Rudolf was later picked up by American soldiers and accused of being a member of the Waffen SS, he was convinced that his brother had turned him in. The Dassler factory, used for production of anti-tank weapons during the war, was nearly destroyed by US forces in April 1945, but was spared when Adi Dasslers wife, Kà ¤the, convinced the GIs that the company and its employees were only interested in manufacturing sports shoes. American occupying forces subsequently became major buyers of the Dassler brothers shoes. The brothers split up in 1947, with Rudi forming a new firm that he called Ruda – from Rudolf Dassler, later rebranded Puma, and Adi forming a company formally registered as Adidas AG from Adi Dassler on 18 August 1949. Although it is popularly claimed that the name is an acronym for All Day I Dream About Soccer, that phrase is a backronym; the name is actually a portmanteau formed from Adi (a nickname for Adolf) and Das (from Dassler). Early years and rivalry with Puma Puma and Adidas entered a fierce and bitter rivalry after the split. The town of Herzogenaurach was divided on the issue, leading to the nickname the town of bent necks—people looked down to see which shoes strangers wore. Even the towns two football clubs were divided: ASV Herzogenaurach club supported Adidas, while 1 FC Herzogenaurach endorsed Rudolfs footwear. When handymen were called to Rudolfs home, they would deliberately wear Adidas shoes. Rudolf would tell them to go to the basement and pick out a pair of free Pumas.The two brothers never reconciled, and although both are buried in the same cemetery, they are spaced apart as far as possible.[citation needed] In 1948, the first football match after World War II, several members of the West German national football team wore Puma boots, including the scorer of West Germanys first post-war goal, Herbert Burdenski. Four years later, at the 1952 Summer Olympics, 1500 metres runner Josy Barthel of Luxembourg won Pumas first Olympic gold in Helsinki, Finland. The original Adidas logo until 1997, it is now used on Adidas Originals At the 1960 Summer Olympics Puma paid German sprinter Armin Hary to wear Pumas in the 100 metre sprint final. Hary had worn Adidas before and asked Adolf for payment, but Adidas rejected this request. The German won gold in Pumas, but then laced up Adidas for the medals ceremony, to the shock of the two Dassler brothers. Hary hoped to cash in from both, but Adi was so enraged he banned the Olympic champion.

Purification of 1,3-PD from Complex Fermentation Broth

Purification of 1,3-PD from Complex Fermentation Broth MTZ is calculated as Eq. 6[24], where H is adsorption bed height (cm). tb is the time (min) of breakthrough point, which defined as the time when Ct/C0=0.05. te is the time (min) of saturated point, which defined as the time when Ct/C0=0.95. As showed in Table 2, increasing the 1,3-PD concentration, tb and te decreased. The dynamic adsorption of 1,3-PD to resin usually fails to achieve adsorption equilibrium. When the concentration of 1,3-PD achieved a certain high value, the breakthrough point and saturated point came early. The adsorption process in a fixed bed for a single adsorbate can be classified into three zones: the saturated zone, mass transfer zone and fresh zone[24]. The smaller the mass transfer zone and fresh zone were, the higher efficiency of the adsorption process. When the concentration of 1,3-PD was 35.2 g L-1, the maximum value of mass transfer zone (MTZ) is 23.2 cm, which indicated that the saturated zone was small and the efficiency was low. On the contrary, when the concentration of 1,3-PD was 25.0 g L-1, the MTZ was minimum while the efficiency of adsorption was 63.5% as the highest point. However, the production efficiency was lower for saturated time delayed. The breakthrough curves of glycerol were showed in Fig. 3B with three concentrations of 1,3-PD. When 1,3-PD attained saturated point, glycerol did not saturate and the adsorption is 428, 388 and 266 mg/g, respectively, which indicated the decreasing of the fermentation broth concentration increased the adsorption of glycerol. Considering both adsorption rate and efficiency, fermentation broth with 30.0 g L-1 concentrations were used in the following experiments. Data was fitted based on Yoon-Nelson model, which was showed in Fig. 4. Simulated parameters were listed in Table 2. The results indicated that k increased with the 1,3-PD concentration, while xexp decreased, which indicated that increasing concentration shortened the saturated time in the adsorption bed. Furthermore, xexp was similar with x, which indicated that Yoon-Nelson model can be applied to simulate the adsorption process with different concentrations. 3.3 The effect of flow rate The effect of flow rate to the adsorption of 1,3-PD was showed in Fig. 5A. From Fig. 5A, increasing the flow rate lead to the increasing of curves slope, the breakthrough time was shortened and the changing of the concentration difference was quicker. The main reason was that with the increasing of flow rate, exchanging time of adsorbate and resin was shortened. Further analysis showed in Table 3. From Table 3, with the setting up of flow rate, the saturated point of 1,3-PD decreased quickly and MTZ increased. High flow rate would make it difficult for 1,3-PD to transfer into resin porosity, which went against for the mass transfer of 1,3-PD and the undisturbed 1,3-PD increased. When the flow rate was 0.800 mL min-1, the adsorption rate was 62.2%. However, low flow rate lead to the delay of 1,3-PD saturated point and low adsorption rate, which is not benefit for industrial production. Data fitting based on Yoon-Nelson kinetic model, the result of 1,3-PD breakthrough curves showed in Table 3 and Fig. 6. As showed in Fig. 6, k increased with the increasing flow rate and xexp shared a similarity with x, indicating that Yoon-Nelson kinetic model can imitate adsorption process at different flow rates. 3.4 The effect of temperature The effect of temperature in the adsorption of 1,3-PD showed in Fig. 7A. As showed in Fig. 7A, tb and te increased with temperature. The breakthrough point delayed, which was similar to the result of a steady state adsorption. Increasing temperature promotes the adsorption of 1,3-PD to resin. However, the effect of temperature on breakthrough curves is not obvious on the slope of three curves was almost equal. The breakthrough curves of glycerol were shown in Fig. 7B. When the adsorption of 1,3-PD achieved saturate point, glycerol did not saturate and the adsorption is 310, 388 and 433 mg/g, respectively. Additional analysis was showed in Table 4. Although increasing temperature is beneficial to adsorption, the value of A in 313 K did not remarkably increase (Table 4). It was due to that the migration velocity and the contact between glycerol molecules and resin also increased and influence the adsorption of 1,3-PD by occupying adsorption sites. The adsorption of 1,3-PD to the resin was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption kinetics was accurately represented by the shell progressive model and indicated that the particle diffusion was the rate-limiting step[19]. Considering decreasing operating cost and simplifying experiments, the temperature was fixed at 298 K. Data was fitted based on Yoon-Nelson kinetic model, the results of simulating parameters shows in Table 4 and Fig. 8. As showed in the Fig. 8, the value of k decreased with the increasing of temperature. The value of xexp by using model and x shared a similar result, indicated that Yoon-Nelson kinetic model can simulate the adsorption process under different temperatures. 3.4 The effect of stack height on adsorption The effect of stack height on adsorption was studied with 10.0, 15.0 and 30.0 cm respectively (Fig. 9A). Experiment condition: flow rate, 1.00 mL min-1, fermentation broth with 1,3-PD,30.0g L-1; stacking height, 10.0, 15.0, 30.0 cm; temperature, 298 K. As showed in Fig. 9A, the slope of the breakthrough curve gradually decreased with the increasing of stack height, indicated that high stack height promoted adsorption. Supplementary analysis shows in Table 5. As showed in Table 5, qtotal and A was low when H was 10.0 cm for the resin quantity and the active sites of fixed bed decreased. The MTZ (8.44 cm) was nearly as the whole bed height, showing that the relative low efficiency of the adsorption. The parameter was small owing to reasons above, placing competing adsorption between 1,3-PD and glycerol, also the shorter contact time between resin and solution for decreasing height. Comparably, the values of breakthrough parameters when H equaled to 30.0 cm were fine: the maximum of q total attained 2.13 g, which was significantly higher than other values and the value of A was also maximum. The main reason was the increasing stack height resulted in the increasing of contacting time between resin and adsorption sites for better adsorption. On the other hand, with the adding of resin in adsorption bed, improved the capability of adsorption to 1,3-PD (te increased, the slope of breakthrough curves, the adsorption of resin increased). The bre akthrough curves in three stack heights showed in Fig. 9B. The adsorption of glycerol is 117, 269 and 388 mg/mg, respectively. Moreover, the increasing of bed height increased the number of theoretical plates in separation degree. Considering the value of tb, te and A , 30.0 cm was chosen for the following experiments. Data fitting based on Yoon-Nelson kinetic model, the results of simulating parameters of the adsorption process in Table 5 and Fig. 10. The value of k decreased with the increasing of stack height and xexp was similar to x, indicating that Yoon-Nelson kinetic model can fit the adsorption in different stack height. M0 (g) is the elution quantity of 1,3-PD, M1 (g) is the quantity of glycerol The effect of ethanol concentration on elution curves was studied with three different ethanol volumes (30%, 50%, 75%), which were showed in Fig 11. As shown in Fig 11, 1,3-PD was the eluted out firstly. The retention time of 1.3-PD and glycerol enlarged in the column were due to the stack height of this fixed bed (30.0 cm). The overlapping of curves between components decreased obviously. It also prolonged the adsorption time between 1.3-PD and glycerol with resin. 1.3-PD and glycerol separated through continuous adsorption and desorption. Resin prefers the adsorption of glycerol to 1,3-PD. Glycerol replaced the 1,3-PD which adsorbed on the resin, caused the glycerol layer enlarged while 1,3-PD layer moved down. Furthermore, ethanol selectively eluted 1,3-PD. Therefore, the 1,3-PD was the firstly been eluted. With the elution of 1,3-PD, the percentage of 1,3-PD in eluent decreased. The ability of the eluent increased so glycerol been eluted down. Besides, when the volume percentage of ethanol increasing from 30% to 75%, both peaks of 1,3-PD and glycerol improved and concentrated, indicating that high concentration of ethanol was advantageous for the collection of components. The elution quantity of 1,3-PD (M0) and elution quantity of glycerol (M1), were calculated according to elution curves and showed in Table 6. As showed in Table 6, the elution rate of 1,3-PD improved from 64.3% to 95.3%, indicating that high concentration ethanol was helpful to the elution of relevant components. Meanwhile, both elution ratio of 1,3-PD and glycerol increased and attained a maximum when ethanol was 75%. The mass ratio of 1,3-PD and glycerol in eluent improved from 6:1 to 14.6:1 in broth, and the concentration of 1,3-PD increased from 85.7% to 93.6%, indicating that both of 1,3-PD and glycerol been divided efficiently. Moreover, with the increasing of ethanol volume percentage, the elution amount of both 1,3-PD and glycerol increased. However, the increasing of elution amount of glycerol was little, which mean the combination force between glycerol and resin was stronger that 75% ethanol could not eluted glycerol down. 100% ethanol was also used for elution and caused severe dehydration of resin. Therefore, 75% ethanol was used as eluent. 3.6 The effect of the elution flow rate The flow rate increasing from 1.00 to 2.00 mL min-1 to investigate the effect of elution flow rate on 1,3-PD and glycerol. The results showed in Fig. 12 and relevant parameters in Table 7. As showed in Fig. 12, increasing flow rate, the elution peak of both 1,3-PD and glycerol decreased. In Table 7, with the increasing of flow rate, the elution of 1,3-PD decreased while that of glycerol improved. Meanwhile, the mass ratio of 1.3-PD to glycerol decreased from 14.6 to 9.88, indicating that increasing elution rate was not favorable to the separation of 1,3-PD and glycerol. Therefore, the elution efficiency and 1,3-PD separation could be improved significantly if slow down elution rate and increasing contact time between eluent and 1,3-PD in the resin. As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, when the flow rate was 1.00 mL min-1 and the concentration of ethanol is 75%, 1,3-PD and glycerol showed a seemingly separation on the curve: the curve of glycerol appeared from 54 mL which means before that the system only contained 1,3-PD; after 98 mL 1,3-PD and glycerol coexist in the mixture. It is known by calculation that before 54 mL the quantity of 1,3-PD was 1.64 g as a percentage of 80.8%. Mixture collected could return to the fermentation broth for the next adsorption process. 1,3-PD could be acquired by first 54 mL eluent after vacuum distillation. Further resolution of the two substances with the flow rate as 0.500 mL min-1 were studied. The overlapping degree of 1,3-PD and glycerol curves reduced, but could not be completely separated. Meanwhile, the time increased remarkably as 304 min, indicating that although decreasing flow rate was helpful to improve separation efficiency, the production efficiency decreased. Therefore, 1.00 mL min-1 was selected as the best flow rate. 3.7 Purification of the 1,3-propanediol Vacuum distillation, which is energy saving due to the decline of boiling point, is preferred to traditional distillation. 324 ml eluent was collected after six times adsorption and elution separation. No glycerol has been tested by HPLC. The eluent was added into rotary evaporator (vacuum 0.093-0.097 MPa and temperature 60-65 oC) for ethanol recycling. After recycling, the remaining solution transferred to vacuum distillation under Vacuum degree at 0.093-0.097 MPa. Collecting impurity below 129 oC and 1,3-PD fraction between 129-149 oC. The purity of 1,3-PD has been tested by HPLC is 99.2% (sample has been sent to the independent third test institution for detection). 4 Conclusion Recovery and purification of 1,3-PD from complex fermentation broth represents a technological challenge and true bottleneck in the development of a commercially viable bioprocess of this promising bulk chemicals. The present work provides a novel technique for purification of 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol-based fermentation broth. Separation and purification of 1,3-propanediol was achieved by four simple steps: removal of cells and proteins by chitosan flocculation, decoloration by activated carbon, adsorption by fixed bed cation exchange resin, and vacuum distillation. Furthermore, in order to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column, Yoon-Nelson models were applied to the experimental data. Parameters as adsorption capacity at breakthrough time (tb) and saturation time (ts), length of the mass transfer zone (MTZ) were obtained for the different operation conditions used in the adsorption experiments. The characteristic colu mn parameters were calculated for process design. The overall yield of 1,3-propanediol recovery is calculated to be 80.8% with 99.2% of purity. This process, which is simple, fast, and efficient, will promote the commercialization of 1,3-propanediol production.