Information vs Knowledge Essay

1. The community chosen is the community of economists. Some sources they rely on include academic journals, the news (on print, online, television, radio, and others), country reports, economic data, and financial market analyses. 2. One of the sources that could be taken as pure information is the economic data. Economic data sets of data that describe a single economy or the international economy. These data sets are gathered through quantitative information that are collected and computed statistically to give an accurate picture of the economy being studied. Economic data, in their raw form, is not analyzed, and even the analysis that accompany them are usually there to interpret the numbers to make them more understandable to the reader. This is information because it is the basis of knowledge that people create since they are considered facts from which knowledge can be gained. Economists use economic data to gather information about the topic that they are exploring and connect them with other data and past knowledge to form ideas, theories, recommendations, etc. hat would be helpful to their colleagues, policymakers, businesses, economics students, and even the common person. While some economic data agree with one another, there are those that don’t, depending on which organization does the statistic. The differences could confuse the readers as much as those that agree help them in gaining more knowledge about the particular economy they are studying. 3. Among these, the source that is actually knowledge is the academic journal.  Academic journals are works by experts on the field of focus of the journal (in this case, economics), and are peer reviewed by other experts on the field. These sources often become forums for academicians and experts since the authors of the articles in the journal introduce and present new research that critique existing research. Experts, then scrutinize the writings of authors who churn out their original research, review articles and even book reviews and it becomes a hub of theories, ideas, debate, etc. It then becomes easy to see why this is knowledge. Based on Lanier’s understanding of knowledge, that it is â€Å"created through a person’s interaction with her environment, her community, her social class, her history, her job, etc. Knowledge cannot be created in a neutral or objective way that exists outside of our real life situations. † Journals reflect a person’s ideas and experiences in relation to the information they have and are often opinions based on facts.vThe correlation between a person’s worldview and understanding in explaining and the information that they have printed in a journal makes the medium a hub of knowledge from different economists. 4. I believe that the community of economists, especially those in the upper echelons of the field, are already aware of the difference between knowledge and information in their field since information for them is usually hard quantitative data. But if they have not considered the difference, the problem that they can overcome in delineating one from the other is that they would be able to think more critically. Knowing that what they have is knowledge, they could accept it and draw their own conclusions. Upon the knowledge that the source that they have is knowledge, they could add such sources in their own minds and create their own conclusions based on different perspectives and could either accept one and reject the other and just not let what they read overwhelm them.

Platonic Love Essay

In the Symposium, which is normally dated at the beginning of the middle period, Plato introduces his theory of love. First thing to note is that in Plato’s theory, love is given and its existence is not questioned. The word love leaves the matter ambiguous as to whether we are discussing love in the normal, human, sense of the word, or if we are discussing desire in a much broader sense, but in this discussion we are only considering only love of type eros, love as a kind of desire that exists between two human beings. Symposium, is a dialogue by Plato, about a dinner party in honor of the tragedian Agathon, after they have finished eating Phaedrus suggests that each person in turn should make a speech about the praise of god of love. Symposium not only gives us theory of Forms in Diotima’s discussion of the Form of Beauty, but it also gives us a number of varying perspectives on love. One more important thing to consider is that Diotima is not known to be a historical figure, and the way in which she is introduced suggests that she is almost certainly just a literary device developed by Plato to express his own ideas. In this theory, we see Plato rejecting the romanticization of sexual love, valuing above all an asexual and all-consuming passion for wisdom and beauty. Plato clearly regards actual physical or sexual contact between lovers as degraded and wasteful forms of erotic expression. Because the true goal of eros is real beauty and real beauty is the Form of Beauty, what Plato calls Beauty Itself, eros finds its fulfillment only in Platonic philosophy. Unless it channels its power of love into â€Å"higher pursuits,† which culminate in the knowledge of the Form of Beauty, eros is doomed to frustration. For this reason, Plato thinks that most people sadly squander the real power of love by limiting themselves to the mere pleasures of physical beauty. For understanding of Plato’s description of love it is very important to firstly understand his notions, about structure of knowledge and his ideas on appearance and reality . Plato has given allegory of the cave and the line to explain the difference between reality and appearance, through which Plato means to depict four ways of thinking, and he has defined the structure of knowledge by giving specific order to these four ways and knowledge according to Plato is to rise along this structure. He puts images of the objects on the lowest level, above which he puts objects. Above the object is the concept of the object developed from the object, which lead to the highest and purest form of thinking, ‘pure concept’, concept which is independent of the object. Here the first two levels of knowledge differ significantly from the last two. Plato argues that one can only have opinions about the first two levels (objects and images), because there is no certainty about them. They exist in the reality, so they are subject to change, and this certainty is achieved in the later of the two levels. According to Plato from the pure concept we can derive the â€Å"form†, which gives us the essence. Here one more important thing to realize is that for Plato, we are born with knowledge, it is just that we have forgotten it, so going through this ladder to achieve the form is merely a way of recollection. Love is one of the form of desire, where desire implies the lack of something. Love as a word can be used in two ways noun or verb, thus it can mean objects of love or acts of love, and while formulating a theory of love it is very important to know which one precedes the other. In Plato’s theory of love, it is very evident that for Plato love is an object and the acts of the love are derived from the objects of love. These acts should be directed towards achieving of objects of love. After having an idea about the structure of knowledge for Plato, it is easier to understand the methods he adopts to derive the parameters for objects of love and how to achieve the form of love. In Symposium, Socrates is just restating the account of love given to him by a woman named Diotima. In this dialogue Socrates derives various parameters of love through a series of questions, which he asks to Agathon. As mentioned earlier, love is a form of desire one of the parameter of objects of love is that it should be desirable. Also from the arguments between Agthon and Socrates, one can deduce that being beautiful is also one of the parameter to become an object of love. Here one important thing to note is that whether something is beautiful or not is objective not subjective. Further by the example of wealth, health and strength, Socrates argues that not only desiring the object once, but also the continuance of the desirability, is a parameter for the object of love. After which Socrates asks Agathon whether good is beautiful or not, to which Agathon replies that he can not refute Socrates, But Socrates replies by arguing that Agathon can not refute the truth that is why he can not refute him. Thus we can derive that for Socrates , being good is also one of the parameter for becoming the object of love. After discussing the nature of the objects of love and also the structure of knowledge, it is easier to understand how to achieve the form of love. To achieve the true love, first step is to love worldly images and objects, from which one can derive the concept of good beauty through the encounters with beautiful particulars. From the concept of beauty one can derive the form of beauty or the eternal beauty, according to Plato true and pure love is nothing but the form of beauty. According to him, the person who has achieved the form of beauty will suddenly perceive a nature of wondrous beauty. Thus for Plato love is ascending from the particulars to form of beauty, which indicates that Plato believes that love for objects of love can not be true love, they are just means to achieve the form of beauty. One can also deduce from here, that Platonic love operates through a standard. Thus the true order of going is to begin from the beauties of the worldly images or objects and mount upwards for the sake of other beauties, using these as steps only to go to all fair forms and from fair forms to fair practices and from fair practices to fair notions, until from fair notion we arrive at the concept of the absolute beauty and at last know what is the essence of beauty.

Angels Demons Chapter 109-112

109 Meanwhile, in St. Peter's Square, the wall of Swiss Guards yelled orders and fanned outward, trying to push the crowds back to a safer distance. It was no use. The crowd was too dense and seemed far more interested in the Vatican's impending doom than in their own safety. The towering media screens in the square were now transmitting a live countdown of the antimatter canister – a direct feed from the Swiss Guard security monitor – compliments of the camerlegno. Unfortunately, the image of the canister counting down was doing nothing to repel the crowds. The people in the square apparently looked at the tiny droplet of liquid suspended in the canister and decided it was not as menacing as they had thought. They could also see the countdown clock now – a little under forty-five minutes until detonation. Plenty of time to stay and watch. Nonetheless, the Swiss Guards unanimously agreed that the camerlegno's bold decision to address the world with the truth and then provide the media with actual visuals of Illuminati treachery had been a savvy maneuver. The Illuminati had no doubt expected the Vatican to be their usual reticent selves in the face of adversity. Not tonight. Camerlegno Carlo Ventresca had proven himself a commanding foe. Inside the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Mortati was getting restless. It was past 11:15 P.M. Many of the cardinals were continuing to pray, but others had clustered around the exit, clearly unsettled by the hour. Some of the cardinals began pounding on the door with their fists. Outside the door Lieutenant Chartrand heard the pounding and didn't know what to do. He checked his watch. It was time. Captain Rocher had given strict orders that the cardinals were not to be let out until he gave the word. The pounding on the door became more intense, and Chartrand felt uneasy. He wondered if the captain had simply forgotten. The captain had been acting very erratic since his mysterious phone call. Chartrand pulled out his walkie-talkie. â€Å"Captain? Chartrand here. It is past time. Should I open the Sistine?† â€Å"That door stays shut. I believe I already gave you that order.† â€Å"Yes, sir, I just – â€Å" â€Å"Our guest is arriving shortly. Take a few men upstairs, and guard the door of the Pope's office. The camerlegno is not to go anywhere.† â€Å"I'm sorry, sir?† â€Å"What is it that you don't understand, Lieutenant?† â€Å"Nothing, sir. I am on my way.† Upstairs in the Office of the Pope, the camerlegno stared in quiet meditation at the fire. Give me strength, God. Bring us a miracle. He poked at the coals, wondering if he would survive the night. 110 Eleven-twenty-three P.M. Vittoria stood trembling on the balcony of Castle St. Angelo, staring out across Rome, her eyes moist with tears. She wanted badly to embrace Robert Langdon, but she could not. Her body felt anesthetized. Readjusting. Taking stock. The man who had killed her father lay far below, dead, and she had almost been a victim as well. When Langdon's hand touched her shoulder, the infusion of warmth seemed to magically shatter the ice. Her body shuddered back to life. The fog lifted, and she turned. Robert looked like hell – wet and matted – he had obviously been through purgatory to come rescue her. â€Å"Thank you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered. Langdon gave an exhausted smile and reminded her that it was she who deserved thanks – her ability to practically dislocate her shoulders had just saved them both. Vittoria wiped her eyes. She could have stood there forever with him, but the reprieve was short-lived. â€Å"We need to get out of here,† Langdon said. Vittoria's mind was elsewhere. She was staring out toward the Vatican. The world's smallest country looked unsettlingly close, glowing white under a barrage of media lights. To her shock, much of St. Peter's Square was still packed with people! The Swiss Guard had apparently been able to clear only about a hundred and fifty feet back – the area directly in front of the basilica – less than one-third of the square. The shell of congestion encompassing the square was compacted now, those at the safer distances pressing for a closer look, trapping the others inside. They are too close! Vittoria thought. Much too close! â€Å"I'm going back in,† Langdon said flatly. Vittoria turned, incredulous. â€Å"Into the Vatican?† Langdon told her about the Samaritan, and how it was a ploy. The Illuminati leader, a man named Janus, was actually coming himself to brand the camerlegno. A final Illuminati act of domination. â€Å"Nobody in Vatican City knows,† Langdon said. â€Å"I have no way to contact them, and this guy is arriving any minute. I have to warn the guards before they let him in.† â€Å"But you'll never get through the crowd!† Langdon's voice was confident. â€Å"There's a way. Trust me.† Vittoria sensed once again that the historian knew something she did not. â€Å"I'm coming.† â€Å"No. Why risk both – â€Å" â€Å"I have to find a way to get those people out of there! They're in incredible dange – â€Å" Just then, the balcony they were standing on began to shake. A deafening rumble shook the whole castle. Then a white light from the direction of St. Peter's blinded them. Vittoria had only one thought. Oh my God! The antimatter annihilated early! But instead of an explosion, a huge cheer went up from the crowd. Vittoria squinted into the light. It was a barrage of media lights from the square, now trained, it seemed, on them! Everyone was turned their way, hollering and pointing. The rumble grew louder. The air in the square seemed suddenly joyous. Langdon looked baffled. â€Å"What the devil – â€Å" The sky overhead roared. Emerging from behind the tower, without warning, came the papal helicopter. It thundered fifty feet above them, on a beeline for Vatican City. As it passed overhead, radiant in the media lights, the castle trembled. The lights followed the helicopter as it passed by, and Langdon and Vittoria were suddenly again in the dark. Vittoria had the uneasy feeling they were too late as they watched the mammoth machine slow to a stop over St. Peter's Square. Kicking up a cloud of dust, the chopper dropped onto the open portion of the square between the crowd and the basilica, touching down at the bottom of the basilica's staircase. â€Å"Talk about an entrance,† Vittoria said. Against the white marble, she could see a tiny speck of a person emerge from the Vatican and move toward the chopper. She would never have recognized the figure except for the bright red beret on his head. â€Å"Red carpet greeting. That's Rocher.† Langdon pounded his fist on the banister. â€Å"Somebody's got to warn them!† He turned to go. Vittoria caught his arm. â€Å"Wait!† She had just seen something else, something her eyes refused to believe. Fingers trembling, she pointed toward the chopper. Even from this distance, there was no mistaking. Descending the gangplank was another figure†¦ a figure who moved so uniquely that it could only be one man. Although the figure was seated, he accelerated across the open square with effortless control and startling speed. A king on an electric throne. It was Maximilian Kohler. 111 Kohler was sickened by the opulence of the Hallway of the Belvedere. The gold leaf in the ceiling alone probably could have funded a year's worth of cancer research. Rocher led Kohler up a handicapped ramp on a circuitous route into the Apostolic Palace. â€Å"No elevator?† Kohler demanded. â€Å"No power.† Rocher motioned to the candles burning around them in the darkened building. â€Å"Part of our search tactic.† â€Å"Tactics which no doubt failed.† Rocher nodded. Kohler broke into another coughing fit and knew it might be one of his last. It was not an entirely unwelcome thought. When they reached the top floor and started down the hallway toward the Pope's office, four Swiss Guards ran toward them, looking troubled. â€Å"Captain, what are you doing up here? I thought this man had information that – â€Å" â€Å"He will only speak to the camerlegno.† The guards recoiled, looking suspicious. â€Å"Tell the camerlegno,† Rocher said forcefully, â€Å"that the director of CERN, Maximilian Kohler, is here to see him. Immediately.† â€Å"Yes, sir!† One of the guards ran off in the direction of the camerlegno's office. The others stood their ground. They studied Rocher, looking uneasy. â€Å"Just one moment, captain. We will announce your guest.† Kohler, however, did not stop. He turned sharply and maneuvered his chair around the sentinels. The guards spun and broke into a jog beside him. â€Å"Fermati! Sir! Stop!† Kohler felt repugnance for them. Not even the most elite security force in the world was immune to the pity everyone felt for cripples. Had Kohler been a healthy man, the guards would have tackled him. Cripples are powerless, Kohler thought. Or so the world believes. Kohler knew he had very little time to accomplish what he had come for. He also knew he might die here tonight. He was surprised how little he cared. Death was a price he was ready to pay. He had endured too much in his life to have his work destroyed by someone like Camerlegno Ventresca. â€Å"Signore!† the guards shouted, running ahead and forming a line across the hallway. â€Å"You must stop!† One of them pulled a sidearm and aimed it at Kohler. Kohler stopped. Rocher stepped in, looking contrite. â€Å"Mr. Kohler, please. It will only be a moment. No one enters the Office of the Pope unannounced.† Kohler could see in Rocher's eyes that he had no choice but to wait. Fine, Kohler thought. We wait. The guards, cruelly it seemed, had stopped Kohler next to a full-length gilded mirror. The sight of his own twisted form repulsed Kohler. The ancient rage brimmed yet again to the surface. It empowered him. He was among the enemy now. These were the people who had robbed him of his dignity. These were the people. Because of them he had never felt the touch of a woman†¦ had never stood tall to accept an award. What truth do these people possess? What proof, damn it! A book of ancient fables? Promises of miracles to come? Science creates miracles every day! Kohler stared a moment into his own stony eyes. Tonight I may die at the hands of religion, he thought. But it will not be the first time. For a moment, he was eleven years old again, lying in his bed in his parents' Frankfurt mansion. The sheets beneath him were Europe's finest linen, but they were soaked with sweat. Young Max felt like he was on fire, the pain wracking his body unimaginable. Kneeling beside his bed, where they had been for two days, were his mother and father. They were praying. In the shadows stood three of Frankfurt's best doctors. â€Å"I urge you to reconsider!† one of the doctors said. â€Å"Look at the boy! His fever is increasing. He is in terrible pain. And danger!† But Max knew his mother's reply before she even said it. â€Å"Gott wird ihn beschuetzen.† Yes, Max thought. God will protect me. The conviction in his mother's voice gave him strength. God will protect me. An hour later, Max felt like his whole body was being crushed beneath a car. He could not even breathe to cry. â€Å"Your son is in great suffering,† another doctor said. â€Å"Let me at least ease his pain. I have in my bag a simple injection of – † â€Å"Ruhe, bitte!† Max's father silenced the doctor without ever opening his eyes. He simply kept praying. â€Å"Father, please!† Max wanted to scream. â€Å"Let them stop the pain!† But his words were lost in a spasm of coughing. An hour later, the pain had worsened. â€Å"Your son could become paralyzed,† one of the doctors scolded. â€Å"Or even die! We have medicines that will help!† Frau and Herr Kohler would not allow it. They did not believe in medicine. Who were they to interfere with God's master plan? They prayed harder. After all, God had blessed them with this boy, why would God take the child away? His mother whispered to Max to be strong. She explained that God was testing him†¦ like the Bible story of Abraham†¦ a test of his faith. Max tried to have faith, but the pain was excruciating. â€Å"I cannot watch this!† one of the doctors finally said, running from the room. By dawn, Max was barely conscious. Every muscle in his body spasmed in agony. Where is Jesus? he wondered. Doesn't he love me? Max felt the life slipping from his body. His mother had fallen asleep at the bedside, her hands still clasped over him. Max's father stood across the room at the window staring out at the dawn. He seemed to be in a trance. Max could hear the low mumble of his ceaseless prayers for mercy. It was then that Max sensed the figure hovering over him. An angel? Max could barely see. His eyes were swollen shut. The figure whispered in his ear, but it was not the voice of an angel. Max recognized it as one of the doctors†¦ the one who had sat in the corner for two days, never leaving, begging Max's parents to let him administer some new drug from England. â€Å"I will never forgive myself,† the doctor whispered, â€Å"if I do not do this.† Then the doctor gently took Max's frail arm. â€Å"I wish I had done it sooner.† Max felt a tiny prick in his arm – barely discernible through the pain. Then the doctor quietly packed his things. Before he left, he put a hand on Max's forehead. â€Å"This will save your life. I have great faith in the power of medicine.† Within minutes, Max felt as if some sort of magic spirit were flowing through his veins. The warmth spread through his body numbing his pain. Finally, for the first time in days, Max slept. When the fever broke, his mother and father proclaimed a miracle of God. But when it became evident that their son was crippled, they became despondent. They wheeled their son into the church and begged the priest for counseling. â€Å"It was only by the grace of God,† the priest told them, â€Å"that this boy survived.† Max listened, saying nothing. â€Å"But our son cannot walk!† Frau Kohler was weeping. The priest nodded sadly. â€Å"Yes. It seems God has punished him for not having enough faith.† â€Å"Mr. Kohler?† It was the Swiss Guard who had run ahead. â€Å"The camerlegno says he will grant you audience.† Kohler grunted, accelerating again down the hall. â€Å"He is surprised by your visit,† the guard said. â€Å"I'm sure.† Kohler rolled on. â€Å"I would like to see him alone.† â€Å"Impossible,† the guard said. â€Å"No one – â€Å" â€Å"Lieutenant,† Rocher barked. â€Å"The meeting will be as Mr. Kohler wishes.† The guard stared in obvious disbelief. Outside the door to the Pope's office, Rocher allowed his guards to take standard precautions before letting Kohler in. Their handheld metal detector was rendered worthless by the myriad of electronic devices on Kohler's wheelchair. The guards frisked him but were obviously too ashamed of his disability to do it properly. They never found the revolver affixed beneath his chair. Nor did they relieve him of the other object†¦ the one that Kohler knew would bring unforgettable closure to this evening's chain of events. When Kohler entered the Pope's office, Camerlegno Ventresca was alone, kneeling in prayer beside a dying fire. He did not open his eyes. â€Å"Mr. Kohler,† the camerlegno said. â€Å"Have you come to make me a martyr?† 112 All the while, the narrow tunnel called Il Passetto stretched out before Langdon and Vittoria as they dashed toward Vatican City. The torch in Langdon's hand threw only enough light to see a few yards ahead. The walls were close on either side, and the ceiling low. The air smelled dank. Langdon raced on into the darkness with Vittoria close at his heels. The tunnel inclined steeply as it left the Castle St. Angelo, proceeding upward into the underside of a stone bastion that looked like a Roman aqueduct. There, the tunnel leveled out and began its secret course toward Vatican City. As Langdon ran, his thoughts turned over and over in a kaleidoscope of confounding images – Kohler, Janus, the Hassassin, Rocher†¦ a sixth brand? I'm sure you've heard about the sixth brand, the killer had said. The most brilliant of all. Langdon was quite certain he had not. Even in conspiracy theory lore, Langdon could think of no references to any sixth brand. Real or imagined. There were rumors of a gold bullion and a flawless Illuminati Diamond but never any mention of a sixth brand. â€Å"Kohler can't be Janus!† Vittoria declared as they ran down the interior of the dike. â€Å"It's impossible!† Impossible was one word Langdon had stopped using tonight. â€Å"I don't know,† Langdon yelled as they ran. â€Å"Kohler has a serious grudge, and he also has some serious influence.† â€Å"This crisis has made CERN look like monsters! Max would never do anything to damage CERN's reputation!† On one count, Langdon knew CERN had taken a public beating tonight, all because of the Illuminati's insistence on making this a public spectacle. And yet, he wondered how much CERN had really been damaged. Criticism from the church was nothing new for CERN. In fact, the more Langdon thought about it, the more he wondered if this crisis might actually benefit CERN. If publicity were the game, then antimatter was the jackpot winner tonight. The entire planet was talking about it. â€Å"You know what promoter P. T. Barnum said,† Langdon called over his shoulder. â€Å"‘I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name right!' I bet people are already secretly lining up to license antimatter technology. And after they see its true power at midnight tonight†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Illogical,† Vittoria said. â€Å"Publicizing scientific breakthroughs is not about showing destructive power! This is terrible for antimatter, trust me!† Langdon's torch was fading now. â€Å"Then maybe it's all much simpler than that. Maybe Kohler gambled that the Vatican would keep the antimatter a secret – refusing to empower the Illuminati by confirming the weapon's existence. Kohler expected the Vatican to be their usual tight-lipped selves about the threat, but the camerlegno changed the rules.† Vittoria was silent as they dashed down the tunnel. Suddenly the scenario was making more sense to Langdon. â€Å"Yes! Kohler never counted on the camerlegno's reaction. The camerlegno broke the Vatican tradition of secrecy and went public about the crisis. He was dead honest. He put the antimatter on TV, for God's sake. It was a brilliant response, and Kohler never expected it. And the irony of the whole thing is that the Illuminati attack backfired. It inadvertently produced a new church leader in the camerlegno. And now Kohler is coming to kill him!† â€Å"Max is a bastard,† Vittoria declared, â€Å"but he is not a murderer. And he would never have been involved in my father's assassination.† In Langdon's mind, it was Kohler's voice that answered. Leonardo was considered dangerous by many purists at CERN. Fusing science and God is the ultimate scientific blasphemy. â€Å"Maybe Kohler found out about the antimatter project weeks ago and didn't like the religious implications.† â€Å"So he killed my father over it? Ridiculous! Besides, Max Kohler would never have known the project existed.† â€Å"While you were gone, maybe your father broke down and consulted Kohler, asking for guidance. You yourself said your father was concerned about the moral implications of creating such a deadly substance.† â€Å"Asking moral guidance from Maximilian Kohler?† Vittoria snorted. â€Å"I don't think so!† The tunnel banked slightly westward. The faster they ran, the dimmer Langdon's torch became. He began to fear what the place would look like if the light went out. Black. â€Å"Besides,† Vittoria argued, â€Å"why would Kohler have bothered to call you in this morning and ask for help if he is behind the whole thing?† Langdon had already considered it. â€Å"By calling me, Kohler covered his bases. He made sure no one would accuse him of nonaction in the face of crisis. He probably never expected us to get this far.† The thought of being used by Kohler incensed Langdon. Langdon's involvement had given the Illuminati a level of credibility. His credentials and publications had been quoted all night by the media, and as ridiculous as it was, the presence of a Harvard professor in Vatican City had somehow raised the whole emergency beyond the scope of paranoid delusion and convinced skeptics around the world that the Illuminati brotherhood was not only a historical fact, but a force to be reckoned with. â€Å"That BBC reporter,† Langdon said, â€Å"thinks CERN is the new Illuminati lair.† â€Å"What!† Vittoria stumbled behind him. She pulled herself up and ran on. â€Å"He said that!?† â€Å"On air. He likened CERN to the Masonic lodges – an innocent organization unknowingly harboring the Illuminati brotherhood within.† â€Å"My God, this is going to destroy CERN.† Langdon was not so sure. Either way, the theory suddenly seemed less far-fetched. CERN was the ultimate scientific haven. It was home to scientists from over a dozen countries. They seemed to have endless private funding. And Maximilian Kohler was their director. Kohler is Janus. â€Å"If Kohler's not involved,† Langdon challenged, â€Å"then what is he doing here?† â€Å"Probably trying to stop this madness. Show support. Maybe he really is acting as the Samaritan! He could have found out who knew about the antimatter project and has come to share information.† â€Å"The killer said he was coming to brand the camerlegno.† â€Å"Listen to yourself! It would be a suicide mission. Max would never get out alive.† Langdon considered it. Maybe that was the point. The outline of a steel gate loomed ahead, blocking their progress down the tunnel. Langdon's heart almost stopped. When they approached, however, they found the ancient lock hanging open. The gate swung freely. Langdon breathed a sigh of relief, realizing as he had suspected, that the ancient tunnel was in use. Recently. As in today. He now had little doubt that four terrified cardinals had been secreted through here earlier. They ran on. Langdon could now hear the sounds of chaos to his left. It was St. Peter's Square. They were getting close. They hit another gate, this one heavier. It too was unlocked. The sound of St. Peter's Square faded behind them now, and Langdon sensed they had passed through the outer wall of Vatican City. He wondered where inside the Vatican this ancient passage would conclude. In the gardens? In the basilica? In the papal residence? Then, without warning, the tunnel ended. The cumbrous door blocking their way was a thick wall of riveted iron. Even by the last flickers of his torch, Langdon could see that the portal was perfectly smooth – no handles, no knobs, no keyholes, no hinges. No entry. He felt a surge of panic. In architect-speak, this rare kind of door was called a senza chiave – a one-way portal, used for security, and only operable from one side – the other side. Langdon's hope dimmed to black†¦ along with the torch in his hand. He looked at his watch. Mickey glowed. 11:29 P.M. With a scream of frustration, Langdon swung the torch and started pounding on the door.

Listening Barriers in Communication Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Listening Barriers in Communication - Assignment Example The mentor that was to orient the course stood before us to elaborate the course content and what one may do in order to ensure success in the course (Zhang, 2012). There were many people attending the orientation program and different ideas were brought on board with regard to the course. The course was a simple one and anyone could predict the requirement that would be needed in order to handle the course contents. This situation was among the relevant areas that I have found significant listening barriers due to some self-concept factors (Zhang, 2012). There are two central factors that I regard were of essentiality to promoting the listening barriers in the situation. The fact that I was able to predict or know the answer to what the speaker had to say next is a major barrier to the situation I had during the mentorship program. This barrier involves the self-thinking that one has already known with certainty what the speaker wants to say or elaborate (Zhang, 2012). This element in communication implies a judgment in the ways one relays ideas in verbal form. This factor is a barrier because it makes the listener eager to complete the sentences that the speaker intends to make. This fact of impatience can make an individual to cut short the message that the speaker intends to relay to the audience (Zhang, 2012). The listeners can also disagree with the speaker even before he or she completes the intended message that was to be transmitted. This is against the receptive mind that is expected of a good listener in everyday situations . Another listening barrier that was in connection with the situation involved in course mentorship relates to desire to impress or influence the speaker. As aforementioned, the course was a simple one and anybody could predict the inherent activities. This fact made me has an attitude of intending to impress or influence the actions of the speaker (Zhang, 2012).  

Case Assignment Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Assignment - Case Study Example Some of the forms of violence take place due to the influence of drugs which may drive the worker to attack his work mates. A worker may feel that some of the policies introduced in the work place threaten his career. Down sizing the organization or a pay decrease may result in a violent attack by a worker. Some workers may result to violence after prolonged dissatisfaction in the workplace. Identification of violent behaviour in the workplace is crucial to the operations of the organization. The workers and management have the obligation to identify potential threats in the workplace. Conducive working environment will improve productivity and enable the organization to save on cost related to violent incidences in the workplace (DeCenzo, Robbins & Verhulst, 2010). The health and safety Act gives the employers the duty to identify and eliminate all the treats to the organization. Violent behaviour among the workers poses a significant threat to the organization thus the management should identify and eliminate any source of violent behavior in the workplace. The employee has the duty to ensure that his own safety in the workplace. The workers are constantly interacting thus identified violent behaviour should be reported to the management for immediate action. The workers and employer are equally responsible for violence in the workplace. Workers have the right to report any incidences that may result to violence. The management’s duty is to act responsibly to ensure that the violence does not affect the operations of the organization. The case study reports that some of the workers identified McDermott when they heard the news of the incident at Edgewater Technology. McDermott had planned his assault to destroy the company’s image (Waring & Glendon, 2001). McDermott’s anger was due to the pay decrease the company was about to

Ethical Dilemma Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Ethical Dilemma - Assignment Example These individuals normally suggest that it is easy to make decisions without considering ethical issues, and then analyzing the action afterwards (Paele & Blanchard, 1988). The existence of the â€Å"grey region† between wrong and right does not act as an excuse for ignoring ethics. The â€Å"grayness† aspect can be removed from the ethical dilemmas through taking time to analyze and understand a decision. The ethics check has been formulated to analyze three questions that arise out of a given ethical situation. Ethical decisions should be similar if the answer to any one of the questions is contrary or negative. The first question is: is the issue legal? Legal decisions adhere to government and organization regulations and laws. The second question is: is the decision balanced? Ethical decisions should always result in win-win situations. This ensures fairness to all parties concerned. The third question is: what feelings are derived by the decision maker? The feeling of ethical decision is positive, rewarding and fulfilling. This makes the concerned parties proud of the outcome (Paele & Blanchard, 1988). Ethical mentoring concept illustrates that illegal or unethical actions in society or organizations rarely occurs because people intend to do wrong. Instead it begins with insignificant breaches which gradually increase in scope and scale. This makes the poor action be considered the norm or acceptable. Ethical mentors assist people to effectively handle situations involving potential conflict in values and ethical lapses. The ethical mentors also assist people increase their ethical awareness, to enable them avoid ethical dilemmas. They also provide resources to ethical leaders to create an ethically conscious organizational culture (Paele & Blanchard, 1988). Effective ethical mentors include the professional

Two high school teachers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Two high school teachers - Essay Example gh school teachers is the same that is guiding and educating the students; despite of this, their way of teaching, giving instructions and their relationship with the students is very different. Both the teachers are excellent at their job but their methodologies of teaching differ from each other. My Maths teacher places greater emphasis on class work and ensures that all students complete the work taught in class there and then. She does not burden the students with homework. Instead, her stress is more on regularly testing the students and she conducts class tests every week. This is a method used by her to make sure that the students study at home and practice for the tests. She does not overburden the students by giving them too much of homework and conducting tests at the same time. On the other hand, my English teacher tries to spend greater time in class to explain and teach the students and answer their queries. He does not provide much work in class. But he ensures that the students are given regular homework. He does not conduct regular class tests but rather he takes monthly tests. He follows this pattern so that the students gain the maximum in class and revise the subject while doing the homework. Both the teachers try that their students gain the maximal knowledge, but their instructional goals are different; such as the student’s grade, what they would like their students to learn, and what a successful future is for the students. It is the goal of every teacher to make their students learn new things and to enhance their knowledge but their approaches vary. My English teacher focuses on helping the students improve in their weak points rather than only focusing on their strengths. He wants us to improve ourselves not just in a particular sector but to be all-rounders. According to him, our successful future depends on not just being book-worms or getting high grades but also being intellectual and smart. He expects us to have clear concepts

Paper on Jim dine ( wheat filds ) art work Essay

Paper on Jim dine ( wheat filds ) art work - Essay Example This is evident through the use of three dimensional objects in creating the artwork. Examples of the three dimensional objects that are evident include the 14 feet long axle complete with two wheels, an ‘illusionary’ wooden skull, an oar, a rake, sculptures of a bird, a egg, an axe, twigs, 24 inch headless sculpture of the sacred heart of Jesus, as well as a sculptured lion. The astonishing and illusionary rubber feet create a dimensionality of triploid painting. This is whereby the eyes do not perceive the flat wall; but fools the eyes into seeing a street disappear in the distance. Degree of Representation Jim Dine employs this aspect of presentation in order to leave the viewer confused as to what is real and what is not real. The multi coloured parrot and the bright red oars appear as if they are real but upon a closer scrutiny and subjecting them to the sense of touch, the reality of the cold, bronze material in the construction is evident. The choice of bronze mat erial evokes a brutish, nostalgic reality that Dine employed in the still life artwork. ... They symbolic objects also appear to have their own life and variety. However, they are all just illusion that have been conjured in bronze and paint by an apparent cynical artist in the persona of Jim Dine. Elements of Design The still life artwork has largely used bronze as the basic material in designing all the objects presents. The most standing out image is the skull like sculpture whose design has employed very unique elements of design. Foremost, the skull sculpture appears to have a brownish and wood-like texture. This illusionary effect has been achieved by the painting a brownish colour all over skull sculpture. This has consequently created the illusion that the skull has been curved from wood while in reality it is a bronze sculpture. Furthermore, the skulls forehead appears have cracks that give an impression that it is old. However, this has been achieved through dark line designs across the skull’s forehead. In addition, the skulls eyes appear hollow. This has been achieved by applying a dark painting into the engorged eye sockets. The elements of design employed in the wheel tyres of the tractor axle have also employed an element of design that gives it a realistic impression. Foremost, the tire treads have been intricately carved out from bronze. In addition, they have been painted black and glossed over in order to give them a bright shiny look and further give it a realistic impression of tractor tires. It should also be noted that the boat oars have been painted in a bright red colour. This clearly makes them stand out among the array of objects. As far as spacing is concerned, all the objects have been evenly spaced along the axle rod. Furthermore,

Marketing Audit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Audit - Essay Example This paper will look at three components of the marketing audit namely marketing environment, marketing strategy and SWOT analysis. The marketing environment of a business organization can be classified into the macroenvironment and task environment. While the macroenvironment deals with the larger external environment of the company, the task environment looks at the direct stakeholders. The company's macroenvironment is comprised of the demographic, economic, environmental, technological, political, and cultural factors which directly affects its operation. Business organizations need to know the major demographic trends and developments which pose threats and opportunities to them as well as their specific response to these factors. The effects of economic variables such as price, income, savings and credit in the operation of business organizations should also be ascertained. ... Lastly, cultural factors like lifestyle and values must be evaluated to create products and services which are more preferred by customers (Kotler 2003). The task environment is comprised of the companies' stakeholders like suppliers, distribution channels, customers, competitors, customers, facilitators and marketing firms, markets, and publics. An evaluation of the task environment gives the business organization an idea of its position in the market (Kotler 2003). Marketing Strategy The evaluation of the company's marketing strategy start with the identification of the broader business mission and marketing objectives and goals. The main focus of this analysis is to determine whether the strategy is in line with where the company wants to be and what it wants to achieve. In evaluating the company's business mission, managers ascertain whether their stated mission is market-oriented. Market orientation is now imperative due to the evolving hypercompetitive marketing environment which gives higher buying leverage to customers. Next, the company also needs to verify that the company's stated business mission is feasible, that is, the company has the adequate and appropriate resources to achieve this position (Kotler 2003). Next, the company reviews its specific marketing objectives and goals making sure that they are smart-specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Managers also ensure that the marketing objectives are appropriate given the company's position, resources, and opportunities. Lastly, the company turns to its marketing strategy taking note if it is really effective in achieving the stated goals and objectives. The company's marketing strategy is often relayed through its marketing

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Example for Free

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Discuss the authors theme of the duality of man and the techniques he employs to convey this to the reader. Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most pioneering authors of his time, and is seen in the modern literary world as an author of extraordinary human understanding and an author who wrote way ahead of his time. His knowledge of the era in which he lived is now seen as praiseworthy, as his themes were often underwritten with the tones of the era that he wished to address. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has such clarity in theme and message that it is, upon reflection, an effective insight into human nature. The novella begins with the introduction of the character who becomes the narrator of the story Mr Utterson. His friend, Mr Enfield, tells him a story about a mysterious man who trampled a small girl by night. This intrigues Mr Utterson, and soon links between this man, named Hyde, and a respectable doctor (and a friend of Utterson) named Jekyll. Utterson immediately believes Hyde is blackmailing Jekyll, but as the story unravels, we discover Jekyll and Hyde is actually the same person. Jekyll eventually realises he will succumb to the power of his alter-ego, and debates what Hyde will do after his potion runs out it is revealed midway through the novella that he takes his own life. Stevensons use of the theme of duality of man is one of the most effectively hidden, but most profound, studies into human character in Victorian literature, and the author uses the intelligent character of Jekyll to self-chronicle the change that take place. This becomes apparent in the early stages of the novella, when Jekyll asserts that the human soul could be seen as a battleground between an angel and fiend. This shows Jekylls self-awareness and, despite this, Jekyll still succumbs to the evil will of Hyde. This could be explained by another section of his own narrative, in which he sees no repugnance as he sees himself as Hyde for the first time, and even that it is rather of a leap of welcome. This is the polar opposite of the feelings of the others in the story who witness Hyde physically, all of whom describe Hyde as offensively ugly and deformed. This highlights that every man harbours a secret willingness to commit these crimes and see themselves without the morals and civil attitude we abide by. One of the most clear hints at the authors main theme comes with the final chapter in the novella, and once again Jekylls narrative. He insists, repeatedly, that man is not one, but two, and he then goes to describe how he has always had an inner darkness that he has repressed. The importance of Jekyll as the one of the main ambassadors of Stevensons theme in the story is obvious and it can even be said that Jekyll personifies the thoughts of Stevenson and his ideas. Stevensons effective use of setting and contrasts in this setting is another key method he utilises to illustrate the split personality of Jekyll and Hyde. London is frequently described very fully and with a lot of detail in the novella, however the descriptions are not consistent and reflect the mood of the main character. In the middle of the novel, when Hyde murders Sir Danvers Carew in cold blood at night, London is full of a glow of rich, lurid brown through the eyes of Mr Utterson, suggesting that the darkness and evil of Hyde is beginning to taint Londons very atmosphere, much like Jekylls steady tainting of his own body. As the narrative progresses, a thick fog begins to descend upon the city, which progresses as Hydes reign of senseless murder, and Jekylls crisis of control over his alter-ego, deepens. At the beginning of the story, though, London is described as bustling centre of commerce. Clearly, the author uses the setting as another means of allowing the reader subtle access to the changes between Jekyll and Hyde. Often throughout the novel, the characters who are speaking or narrating, or even the third-person narrator, refuse to communicate their fears or disgust at what is occurring. Such failure of articulation is present even from the start, as Utterson and Enfield refuse to discuss the nature of Hydes personal appearance and characteristics. Whilst this could be easily be attributed to natural disgust at Hydes physicalities, further similar events cannot be explained so easily. The most apparent example of this rejection of language comes when Hydes sordid behaviour and his life vices are not described. This could be due to the period in which it is written Victorian society was one of ignorance and self-promotion as opposed to truth although this explanation doesnt cover it completely. More likely is that Stevenson wanted to expose this nuance of his era that he had a dislike for, and wanted to allow the majority of the horror of Hyde to be personal to the reader, to allow them to decide just how far the duality of man could be applied to them placing a definite article on Hydes most appalling aspects would allow the reader to convince themselves that this split personality does not affect them, whereas leaving it open does not give them this comfort barrier. Amorality is one way of interpreting Jekylls split personality, as Hyde seems to represent Jekyll without his moral barrier and reputation to uphold; however, this could also be interpreted as immorality the crucial difference is the knowledge that the moral boundaries exist in the first place. It is never quite clear if Hyde realises what he is doing is wrong, suggesting amorality, however the fact he takes great pleasure in killing suggests much the opposite immorality. Even though Hyde is often referred to as being animalistic in appearance and nature Utterson even describes him as a troglodyte, a very primitive creature his pent-up anger and frustration that is always released in a shocking way is immediately applicable to most urban readers leading to the shocking revelation that Stevenson not only hints at mans duality, but as civilisation as a whole on the outside, it is amicable and genial, but inside it harbours fury and madness. This is another effective method of demonstrating the stark contrasts in human nature and the duality of our very being. The ambiguity of Stevensons overall message actually becomes another method of enhancing its effectiveness. The actual duality of man could be described as being a complete contrast that is, we are all Jekylls with a Hyde waiting below our civilised faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade. Clearly, this would show that the interrelation between the characters is the most affecting and thought-provoking part of the novel. However, the other interpretation of the theme, equally backed up with evidence, is that we are all, in essence, one hundred percent Hyde with a veneer of civilisation in Jekyll. The fact that, in the text, Jekyll eventually loses all control of his transformation into Hyde and, eventually, any semblance of his old self altogether, is proof of this. This is the much more shocking of the two possibilities, suggesting that our very world is a cover and humans left to their most immoral and animalistic devices are akin to the revolting Hyde. The combination of possibilities left unsolved at the end of the novella makes the theme much more compelling and intriguing as the hints left question the society in which people live, as well as challenging them strongly and directly. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a perfect example of a well thought-out, universally applicable and well-written story. Stevenson has set out from the beginning to make a story that will not just live long in the memory of the reader like so many other themes, but rather it will challenge the reader to search themselves for the personality traits that make Hyde such a revolting, but strangely fascinating, character to study. The duality of man is a theme that could be covered with an indirect and abstract plotline but Stevensons choice of making the thriller so personal and penetrating has changed the way the authors of today relate to the reader and communicate their themes.

Environment Industry Marketing

Environment Industry Marketing The report is about the analysis of the environment of automobile industry and the marketing strategy for Ford Motor Company. It initiates with examining of external environment of automobile industry by using PEST analysis and Porters five forces analysis. After the internal analyses that focus on the resource audit on brand, products, markets, technology, people and son on, the value chain analysis of the company will be conduct. Then the generic competitive strategies would be discussed through SWOT analysis, Ansoff Matrix and BCG Matrix in order to identify the general business strategy taken by the Ford Company. After specifying the company strategy by those analysis tools, the strategic evaluations would be drawn together with the strategy control methods. Finally, a suggested recommendation for the company future development will be mentioned at the end of the report. I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Aim of The Report This report aim to identify the external environmental of the global automobile industry, measure and evaluate viable and sustainable marketing strategies using by the Ford Motor Company. Through appropriate theoretical concepts and models, together with appropriate methodologies, the organization within its contextual setting will be carefully examined, and justify recommendation will be mentioned. Though the report, how a successful corporation is operated and how its business strategy is implemented and controlled will be understood. 1.2 Company Background Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation and one of the worlds largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. It has manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents and has about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide[1]. Ford now encompasses many global brands, including Lincoln and Mercury of the US, Jaguar and Land Rover of the UK, and Volvo of Sweden and one-third controlling interest in Mazda as well[1]. Ford introduced methods for large-scale manufacturing of cars under different brands and large-scale management of an industrial workforce and its combination of highly efficient factories and low prices revolutionized manufacturing had made the company successfully become a world leading auto manufacture. 1.3 Rational of Company Selection Automobile industry is a consistant developing industry in the global in the 21st century. Ford Company is a world leading automobile manufacture, which has its business all over the world. To analysis the global automobile industry environment and the development strategy for such a world famous company would be a greate help to understand how business strategies are generated, implementated and controlled and meanwhile to see how would the company do to keep its business perform well when facing a complicated environment and a decline market. 1.4 Company Vision, Mission and Value The companys vision is to become the worlds leading company for automotive products and services. And the companys mission is to become a global, diverse family with a proud heritage, passionately committed to providing outstanding products and services. And together with a company value that do the right thing for our people, our environment and our society, but above all for our customers[2]. Based on its vision, mission and company value, the Ford Company is endeavor to keep its leading position in the global, and make effort to provide excellent products and services that satisfied its customers. Approaches that be taken to fulfill it goals and objectives with considering the harmony of business environment and modern society. II.EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 2.1Environmental Analysis 2.1.1 Industry Background The world automobile industry has well developed for many decades and stable progress was made during recent years. Now the automotive manufacturing sector produce over 60 million vehicles every year[3] and contribute about 2.45 trillion Euro annual revenues[4]. There are numerous world famous carmakers all round the global, and although the competition in automobile industry becomes more and more fierce, it is still one of the biggest markets in global industry. 2.1.2 PEST Analysis Finlay[5] point out that remote environment affect businesses by an indirect way and would cause changes in a companys operation. The automobile industry touches on a wide range of aspects, such as manufacture, supply chain, retailing and so on. As a result, many factors such as government policies, local regulations, and social culture differences would influence this industry. By modeling the remote environment with PEST analysis (see appendix I), factors that would affect the global automobile industry would be examined. 2.1.2.1 Political and Legal .Competition Policy Anti-monopoly policies such as the EU competition policy tack several barriers to competition to make sure firms operate under a certain legal framework[6]. This policy has force a perfect competition in automobile industry and will absolutely affect auto manufactures marketing strategy to some extend through preventing firms from colluding by price-fixing and as well controlling the size of firms. . Environment Legislations Nowadays, much attention has been devoted to the environmental issues. Organization such as European Environmental Liability Directive has formulated many laws and regulations for environment protection[7]. Those legislations force manufactures to think over the environmental damage their operations may bring along, so that manufactures have to take action to protect the environment. . Automobile Industry Legislations and Policies First, regulations in many regions have introduced different emission limits for diesel and gasoline vehicles. Since 2005, all automobiles have to reach the Euro 4 emission standard in European countries[8]. And in America, stricter emission standard is set since 2005[9]. Besides, some governments are encouraging automakers to produce environmental friendly vehicles. For example, UK government had asked automobile manufactures to design new ultra low carbon family car in 2003[10], which says can be the step stone of the new generation fuel efficiency cars. .Taxation With the imposition of a fuel tax, consumers will have to think more carefully about their purchasing decisions. In the global, many countries has very high fuel tax, such as in the UK, it has took tax higher up to 81.5% of the total price of fuel[11]. And in Europe, EU has imposed a minimum taxation of 0.287 Euro per liter on gasoline[12]. As a result of such a high fuel tax, the usage of cars would be reduced to a great extent for many people. 2.1.2.2 Economic .Economic Growth and Inflation For these years, the global economy is growing steady. Predictors say that the average world growth rate of 4.9 percent in the period 2003-2006 will continue at least for the next two years[13]. In terms of inflation, there is a survey shows that an increasing global inflation with the annual rate of consumer price inflation in the U.S. went up to 4.2 percent in May,2007; 2.2 percent in Great Britain and 2.5 percent in the Euro zone[14]. As a result of the increasing inflation, people may prefer to spend their money right now instead of saving money in the bank and it would encourage people to consume products such as automobiles. .Trade Globalisation has removed many barriers to cross-border activities and international trade can create great opportunities for local businesses to expanding their business into new areas overseas to meet a whole new set of potential customers[15]. The ever-closer international business relationship would provide the manufacture more cost-effective resources and meanwhile provide customers the opportunities of wider choices. .Labour Force The unemployment number in the global is increasing every year. It is said that no matter in the developed countries like United States and the United Kingdom or in the developing countries in China, and India, they are generating less employment than it has in the past even though economic growth is strong[16]. So, in many places all around the world, the speed of job creation cannot catch up with the pace of population growth. This large number of unemployment indicates that many people may have not have steady income to afford a car. .Personal Income and Distribution of Wealth Despite a high and growing global average income[17], global distribution of wealth, consumption, and opportunity still remain severely unbalanced. The wealthiest 20 percent of the population consumes 80 percent of the resources[18]. As a result, people who could afford an upper class product only account for a small proportion of the total population and most people only has the average income. 2.1.2.3 Social-cultural .Demographics population Although recent long-term demographic projections suggest a fast deceleration of global population growth, evidence shows that the number of elderly people is growing fast[19]. As a result, manufactures should consider product that oriented to the elderly. household Some experts claim that there was a decline in the average size of household in the 21st century[20]. Due to the increasing number of elder people and the smaller size of household, I think the small car may become the main stream for its practicality. .Private and Public Transportation Though the public transportation may not be the first choice of some people, it is still the best substitute of private transportation such as private cars. This is especially true when increasing automobile usage generates some negative impacts such as congestion, traffic accidents and additional vehicle emissions. So some government is tending to shift people away from private transportation to public transportation with the effort that improving the performance[21]. .Environment Issues Environmental problems that touch us all has now has drawn the attention of public. People become more awareness about environment issues such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emission. For example, Public are informed by many channels about the impacts of transport can bring, such as the climate change, human health affections and loss of biodiversity [22]. As a result, consumers may become more cautious when purchasing cars. Meanwhile it is obviously the usage of environmental friendly products would turn up an increasing trend. .Other Social Concerns car parking Parking can be a big problem for many drivers. It is always hard to find a place for parking and the price charged for parking is sometimes goes very high [23]. As a result, some people would rather to use public transportation instead of using their private cars. road safety Road accident is always a big issue for drivers. Take UK for example, according to the 2005 annual report of UK department of transportation[24], there is a total number of casualties in 2005 were 271,017 with a number of 3,201 people killed and 28,954 injured. The high risk of driving would influence consumers decision on purchasing. public health Recent years some diseases such as SARS had challenged social stability[25]. This had effect peoples customs and their behavior to some extend. For example, there is a sharp decrease of public transportation usage rate during the period of SARS in 2003. These public health issues more or less have influenced the global automobile market. 2.1.2.4 Technology .New Energy Since increasing attention has paid to environmental issues, researchers are searching actively for new exploitable resources that can instead of petrol and diesel. Bio-fuels are one of the most favorite substitutes at current, which says made from renewable resources such as agricultural crops or waste. They are more environmental friendly and can be refined as conventional petrol that used in todays engines[26]. Another substitute is natural gas that is relatively cleaner compare with other alternatives. Besides, it is claimed that natural gas is not only a cheap energy, but also can well suited to motoring uses[27]. In addition, Lewin[28] believe hydrogen fuel cell cars that will hit the market in near future and many automakers are planning to launch this kind of product. Besides, solar power is also a feasible substitute for carmakers. It is claimed that the very first solar power deal for reviving car batteries had made by a Canadian manufacturer of solar panels with the VW[29]. .Computer Aided Design Program Wernle and Bolduc[30] point out that vehicles design in the new century must be distinctive and alluring so that it would win a ideal market share. It is always a hard and time consuming process for car designer to design a car that not only combine with great comfort and safety performance, but also has unique style. Now, with the help of some computer programs such as Alias it would save much time for automakers to get cars to market quicker by reducing the number of clay models and prototypes[30]. . GPS and Car Navigation System It is report that Garmin Ltd., the largest GPS device maker in the world had sold around 5 million units in 2006 for personal navigation equipment[31]. Nowadays, GPS becomes more and more important to car drivers in every day life. With the help of GPS system information associated by odometers, gyroscopes[32], a car navigation systems can get drivers wherever they want to go. Information is transmitted by autonomous navigation systems without the participation of an external server by the use of a two-way communication between navigation center and the onboard vehicle sensors. The system can calculate the optimal route automatically and then give necessary guides and some programmes even can provide users with additional information such as hotels and shopping malls showing on its digital maps. As GPS and car navigation system has widely accepted by many people, it will become an important factor when people making their consideration. 2.2 The Structural Analysis of Industries Competition between firms is crucial to modern economies[33]. In competitive environment, there is a set of external influences which is able to affect organisations action[34]. Organisations have to fully understand that environment in order to make effort to create competitive advantage so that to achieve success. In the following part, Porters five-forces (see appendix II) approach will be used to examining the competitive environment. 2.2.1 The Threat of Entry Johnson[34] suggest that the barriers to entry determine the threat of entry. If the barriers are high then the threat of entry would be relatively low[35]. The entrance barriers in global car industry can be proposed as following: . Economies of Scale Since the ever falling car price[36], in order to reduce cost, many carmakers keep increasing their output volume. For example, Toyota Motor Manufacturing had increased from 220,000 to 285,000 on Toyota Corolla and Avensis models in UK 2004 annual production capacity and Mazdas domestic production capacity has increased by 14 percent in the same year[37]. Thus, new entrants who want to come in this industry have to come in with either at a large scale and risk strong reaction from existing companies or they have to come in at a small scale and accept a cost disadvantage[35]. . Production Differentiation For carmakers, it is always hard to create distinctive products, as the basic techniques of car manufacturing are no longer a secret for few manufactures. Now the focus is gradually turning to safety[38], style, comfort and new technology for example a computer control panel such as providing the driver with telematics, GPS[39] because of the quality gap among the different manufacture become narrower. As a result, it would obviously more time consuming and would spend more money for those carmakers to design a new model that is different from the competitors. .Capital requirement of Entry To entry the automotive industry requires not only advanced technological but also enormous capital[40]. It costs a lot on designing a new model, production, distribution and so on. And the larger the scale the company has the more capital would be spent. So entrants who want to come into this industry should first make sure if they have enough money. . Cost Disadvantages Independent of Scale Porter[35] state that established companies may have cost advantages such as proprietary product technology, favorable locations, favorable access to raw materials. Many famous carmakers have already established their cost advantages. Take the example of Ford, it spend around 450 million on automotive research and development in Britain to keep advanced technology every year. As a result, it is difficult for a competitor who does not have cost advantages to break into the industry. To sum up, the entry barriers in world automobile industry is relative high, so it is not an easy work for new entrants to come in to this field. 2.2.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers may have strong power over the industry if the industry is dominated by few suppliers or the switching costs is high to change one from another [34]. When considering the components segment of automobile industry, it is now facing a globalization trend. Rivals not only exist in the domestic market, but also rise from abroad, which means that the components segment is full of competition and the bargaining power of suppliers would be reduced. Beside, car companies are now seeking component makers and original equipment manufacturers in some developing countries such as India, China and Far East in order to save money[41]. Honda, which used to source major part of its components from UK suppliers, for example, is now reducing its UK vendor base. As a result, this worldwide sourcing trend has become a threat that limited the power of suppliers. In addition, in auto industry there is a trend of allying with other manufacturers to share design and development costs recently. It is said that vehicle manufactures are working together much closer with their partners and try to develop vehicle platforms jointly. Most of large car manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Volkswagen have cut down their number of platforms[42] and some models will use the same platform in order to reduce cost. Manufacturers can not only reduce their manufacturing cost to some extend by this way, but also would become more powerful when bargaining with components suppliers because increasing volumes of components may need. And meanwhile it may help manufacturers reduce raw material costs. In a word, the bargaining power of suppliers in global automobile industry is low. It is an opportunity for many car manufacturers that provide a chance of planning their purchasing strategy better and more profitable. 2.2.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers According to Porters[35] theory, buyers have the power of forcing down prices, bargaining for higher quality and more service, and playing competitors against each other. In the following part, the bargaining power of buyer in global industry will be discussed from several different aspects. .Products Differentiation As in global car market the product differentiation is not very obvious due to the auto manufacture acknowledge is no longer a secret. There are lots of carmakers in this market, and the basic functions of their products are almost the same and the only differences would be the design and some other additional functions. So customers can always find alternative supplier who offers a cheaper price, gives the most satisfied product, and provides the best customer service. . Importance of Purchasing If the product is very important for the buyers, the bargaining power of buyers may relative high[35]. In automobile market, the importance of purchasing seems rather low. Statistic shows that in developed countries, the average ownership of cars is quite high, take Britain as an example, statistic shows that 3 in 4 households have access to a car and over half (52%) of all rural households had two or more cars in 2005[43]. So in those countries to purchasing a new car may not be so necessary for most of the families. . Information Searching If buyers have full information about product, demand, market price, their bargaining power would be greater than those with less information[35]. We are now entering a great new era of information. People can seek product information through various methods, such as friends, sales assistant and different medias. And it is said that individuals especially those who are highly involved with the purchase of a product are thought to be more active on information searching[44]. Todays mass media, no matter the newspapers, magazines, radio, or television, all contain a large amount of information. Besides, the entering of Internet era has simplified the process of information searching process to a great extend. All these factors mentioned above have provided consumers with more information. What it comes down to me is that in automobile industry, the car manufacturers marketing strategy would be effected by the relative high customer bargaining power. 2.2.4 Pressure From Substitute Products Substitutes play a limitation role in industry[35], it provide the same function as the product of the industry to restrains industry making profit. There are several means would be the substitute products of automobile. . Public Transportation Public transportation would come first to most of people when thinking about the substitute of private cars. More and more people are willing to give up cars and use public transportation especially when the service of public transportation is better. Besides, since there are increasing number of SOHO workers, many people choose to work at home by Internet. So they do not need a car to drive to work, thus the significance of owning a car is decreased. . Car renting and Car Sharing Today, the ever-rising petrol price becomes another factor that forces many people reduce the usage rate of their cars. Many people choose to rent a car for travel or share one car between friends instead of driving alone. As a result, demand of purchasing a car would be decreased and there is increasing demand for car rental especially now some rental firms have provided more complete and customerizedservices[45]. To summarize, public transportation, car renting and car sharing could be some of the substitute methods of owning private cars. All of these means have pressed threaten on the world auto industry. 2.2.5 Intensity of Rivalry Among Existing Competitions Porter[35] point out that rivalry occurs for the reason that one or more competitors feels pressure or sees the opportunity to improve position. In global automobile industry, rivalry among the competitors is very strong and the major competitors are closely balanced so that the rivalry is increasing intense. Besides old rivals such as General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, those Japanese carmaker like Toyota and Honda now are gaining stronger power in this industry. Because there is little differentiation among the products, when deciding purchasing, one rival is always compared to another constantly in price, quality, durability, and many other aspects. As a result, in order to gain market share in the automobile industry, company should provide better product as well as better service so that it could take the market share from their competitors. 2.3 Strategic Group Analysis To identify strategic groups which has similar strategic characteristics, following similar strategies or competing on similar bases can help to understand the most direct competitors and of any given organization and also can help identify potential opportunities and threats[34]. Strategic groups in automobile industry can be identified according to the products class and status such as those upper class manufactures such as BMW, Mercedes Benz, and up medium, medium and lower medium manufactures such as Honda, Ford and other market segment such as racing car and so on. In different regions, each groups power are vary. It is essential to Ford Company to identify different situation in different places all over the world, so that the business strategy can be chosen properly. III. INTERNAL ANALYSIS 3.1 Resource Audit Resource audit is useful in understanding strategic capability according to Johnson[34]. To identify the availability of resource that can be used is important for a business. In the following, the resource of Ford Company would be examined. 3.1.1 Brand The Ford Motor Company controls the many car marques wouldwide, such as Jaguar, , Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, and Volvo[1]. Through acquisition, Ford Company got control of some famous brands such as Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo. Based on the customer knowledge and trust of those upper class brands, the sales of other segments and brands of Ford car had been promoted[46]. By building the image of Combining solid refined design and the best new technologies available[2], the company becomes a powerful rival in the market, and the brand has widely accepted by many people. 3.1.2 Products and Market Ford has numerous locations where Ford vehicles are developed, manufactured, sold or distributed[47]. These plant and office locations work to provide a basis of the companys leading position in car market for many years, which take responsibility in manufacturing vehicles and power products, technological developing, purchasing and distribution its products all around the world. Although with high cost-effective Ford models such as Transit, Fiesta and Focus that have become the best seller for many years[82], there would be a problem of shrinking of market and declining in profitability recent years. 3.1.3 Finance According to Ford Company 2006 annual report[48], although the company is at loss during the year for the unsatisfied performance in North American market, the situation in Europe market is still profitable with the sales of vehicles that generated the major income and cash of the companys automotive sectors revenue. In addition, the interest on finance receivables generated the primary income of the companys financial services sectors revenue. Based on its vehicles and financial service sales, the company has the ability to support some technology development or have some further investment such as diesel engineering[49]. 3.1.4 Technology Ford invests heavily in new technology. In Britain only, it spends around 450 million on automotive research and development annually. In Dunton Technical Centre, it has the largest automotive design and engineering facility in the UK and one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe[47]. The emphasis on technology enables the company have a solid basis of product development. As a result, competitive advantage through new technique, programmes such as digital in-vehicle system called Sync created with Microsoft[50] that is turning out this summer is a good example. 3.1.5 People In order to equip its employees with stronger capability, Ford offers well equipped learning resource centers and training programmes for all employees. These human resource management actions has not only trained sufficient qualified employees for the company, but also provided a base for producing conversations of companys strategic change[51]. On the other hand, recent bad performance forced Ford Company to shear its employees. It is said that a downsized Ford would shed up to 30,000 jobs and 14 factories by 2012 in order to be more innovative[86]. 3.2 Value Chain Analysis Value chain (see appendix III) analysis has been widely adopted as a way of understanding the relationship between strategic capability and organisations resources. As to Ford Company, in its very early years, the company has controlled the entire value chain[52], now it endeavors to integrate its multi-tiered value chain which include chief elements such as real-time quality feedback from the market to tier, inventory reduction, transaction reduction, collaborative visual design studios, rapid customer feedback, accelerated time to market[53]. Through those actions, the resource utilization is enhanced so there would be less resource is wasted during the production and transaction. Besides, the cost efficiency has increased by building the economies of scale, reducing supply cost and effective communications between suppliers and buyers. In addition, a carefully planned marketing mix and a better service would promote effectiveness, such as the efforts that the Ford Company put on CarsDirect and online selling[54]. IV. GENERIC COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES 4.1 SWOT Analysis 4.1.1 Strengthens Companys Large Scale Ford Company is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world. It manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents[1]. The large size has brought the company economies of scale as well as name recognition and customer trust. Product Diversity Through acquisition, Ford Company now has owned many world famous brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo[1]. The companys products has penetrated into every segments of auto industry and each brands has its own strengthens in different segment, such as Land Rover is famous of its 4X4 vehicle and Lincoln is a well know luxury car. Profitable Financial Services Division The financial services division, Ford Motor Credit, plays a key role in keeping the company afloat. Even the automotive division are reported at loss[48], there is evidence that the financial services still remain profit. As a result, the revenue made by financial services division would be a great help when its automotive sector is not performing well. Strategic Alliance By cooperating with some strategic alliance, the company can benefit a lot from the advantages of their partners. Ford has announced to start offering Sony-branded audio systems in Ford and Mercury automobiles[55] and Microsoft software will be used for the Ford Sync radios[56]. Besides, Ford Company also support racing teams such as NASCAR[57]

The Concept of Efficiency Essay -- Efficiency Philosophy Essays

The Concept of Efficiency This article aims to give an analysis of the concept of efficiency. The importance of such an analysis lies in the fact that the role which efficiency plays in different sectors of our society leads to opposite evaluations resulting in a clash of opinions concerning this role. In order to clarify this situation, I first trace the historical roots of the concept. This brief historical reconnaissance shows that ‘efficiency’ is not a unitary concept. Moreover, I also argue that our use of the concept of efficiency presupposes the decisions which we make with regard to the kinds of costs we recognize. Such decisions do not come out of the blue; they relate to the opposite evaluations of efficiency mentioned above. The decisions concerning what we consider to be costly determine in part the actual content of the concept of efficiency. I argue that this content must be in harmony with the meaning of the different practices in which we are engaged, otherwise this concept can ea sily lead us astray. Therefore, a proper use of the concept of efficiency demands a clear and reliable view of these meanings. 1. Introduction Efficiency is a concept widely used by economists, engineers, organization theorists, consultants, politicians, managers and others. It figures large in the many vocabularies that abound in the world today and it seems that 'efficiency' is one of the focuses of Western culture. Efficiency has met with enthousiasm as well as critique. An early advocate of efficiency is Frederick Taylor (1911). (1) Shortly after, John Dewey made critical remarks on scientific management but considered efficiency to be a "servant of freedom" (Middle Works, Vol. 10, p. 119). Kotarbinsky (1968) defended e... ...8 R.Heilbroner An Inquiry into the Human Prospect. New York 1974. ———Business Civilization in Decline. New York 1977. ———Behind the Veil of Economics. New York 1988. T.Hobbes The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, Vol.3. Aalen 1962, repr.London 1839-1845. F.Klemm A History of Western Technology. New York 1959. T.Kotarbinsky Praxiology. An Introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action. Oxford 1968. G.W.Leibniz SÃ ¤mtliche Schriften und Briefe. Erste Reihe. Berlin 1950. J.St.Mill Complete Works, Vol. II, III. London 1968. H.Mintzberg Mintzberg on Management. New York 1990. H.Simon Administrative Behavior. New York 19763. Reason in Human Affairs. New York 1983. R.C.Solomon Ethics and Excellence. Oxford 1993. F.W. Taylor The Principles of Scientific Management.19111, New York 1967. Xenophon Memorabilia and Oeconomicus. London 1923.

Choclate Happiness :: Happiness Essays

A smile, a laugh, a quick thought, starry nights, walking in warm rain storms, playing soccer, chocolate; these are all things that make me happy. It may be different for the person sitting next to me in my advanced composition class, but everyone feels it. Happiness is an emotion that is the product of an object or an event. It is something that makes a man in his years of aged wisdom stop, smile, and think of happy times. To me happiness is like a piece of chocolate, it is something that everyone wants, something that we sometimes have to work hard for, and something that is always worth the risk of acting in order to have it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone wants chocolate. The food of the gods! Chocolate covered cherries, chocolate cake, chocolate mints, white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. It is plain to see chocolate is a happiness for me. For those who don’t like chocolate it is the same concept. There is something out there that an individual person just can’t get enough of, just one of those little things that make them enormously happy. It doesn’t matter if that be chocolate, playing football, or holding the hand of a loved one, everyone has something out there that makes him or her happy, and everyone desires to have that feeling. Bear with me for a moment and participate in a little experiment. Think of something that makes you as an individual happier then anything else in the world. Think of the number one thing on that incredibly long list of nouns that describe happiness, and ponder it for a moment. what emotion are you feeling righ t now, and can it be called happiness? Now think of what it would be like to lose that number one item. No how do you feel? The fact is we all want to have that feeling, that emotion of happiness. â€Å"We all live with the objective of being happy, out lives our different and yet the same† Anne Frank. Everyone wants happiness, everyone wants chocolate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The best chocolate is the homemade kind; the best happiness is the kind that is worked for. The best kind of chocolate is ‘real’ chocolate. Something that I have often been told is that if you are going to do something then it is worth doing the best that you can.

An Ethical Evaluation of Peer-to-Peer File Swapping Essays -- File Sha

An Ethical Evaluation of Peer-to-Peer File Swapping Abstract The last few years has seen an explosion in the use of the Internet as a means for exchanging, free of charge, digital media by way of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing technologies. Initially, the practice was primarily limited to the swapping of music, in the form of MP3 files. The pervasiveness of broadband, the advent of newer file types, and the creation of more sophisticated technologies has subsequently made possible the exchange of other types as well – including movies, television shows and software. Again, for free. In this paper, we will explore the ethical considerations of this practice as it relates to Intellectual Property (IP) – whether protected by copyright law or not. We will concentrate primarily on music, but where appropriate, other media will be considered, as many of the issues are common across the different types. Taking a global perspective, one must keep in mind that the term â€Å"copyright† is not universally defined, accepted, or enforced. We must therefore use the term with the United State’s definition as a basis. However, absent U.S. law, we must also consider the creator’s intent as it relates to the distribution and use of his or her work. This exploration will lead us to a universal position – one that claims that the wide-scale, free exchange of Intellectual Property by means of P2P technology is unethical. The Technology The P2P model gained wide scale notoriety with the success of Napster in late 1999. Almost overnight, P2P and Napster became household words. There are essentially two variations of the P2P model – the Napster model and the Gnutella model. Both follow the fundamental principle of P2P sharing ... ... Article also available on the web at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030505-447204,00.html [10] Preston Carter – engineer at Hewlett-Packard – and a very insightful friend. References In addition to references cited above: Nolo Press, Nolo Law For All, Copyright Ownership: Who Owns What? http://nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/objectid/BABFA71E-97C9-479F-8A9D4C3DB2498663/catID/2EB060FE-5A4B-4D81-883B0E540CC4CB1E Nolo Press, Nolo Law For All, Copyrighting Your Software – Why Bother? http://nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/objectID/B09BB4E7-5744-4131-8B29ACD7CC408853/catID/2EB060FE-5A4B-4D81-883B0E540CC4CB1E Nolo Press, Nolo Law For All, Copyright Protection: What It Is, How It Works http://nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/objectid/6A6540E0-325F-4BBE-A9B64DB3BB7BAAF0/catID/2EB060FE-5A4B-4D81-883B0E540CC4CB1E

Kraft Food Essay

Kraft food is in more than 170 countries around the world, were Hansen’s is located in Corona California. Kraft foods and Hansen’s both have face book and tweeter page. The Kraft website has more users friendly you can go on there and click on the different products and on some of the products they offer coupons and pretty detail description of the product. There is so much on the Kraft website that it can be over whelming because there are so many options on the page. Hansen’s website is nice and pleasant to the eye it feels more homely. It makes you feel like you are not looking at a huge company website. Kraft has so many products that there are a lot of generic products out their trying to replicate Kraft’s product. Also with Kraft’s known overseas they have to deal with the competition their also because there are so many food companies out there. Kraft is able to keep up with their competition by doing more research that will appeal to their customers. For instance the latest thing is recycling so Kraft has developed new ways to package their products and using recycled products and making sure when they make this packaging they do not have any waste. These appeals to a lot of people because of the think green motto. Kraft also keeps coming up with new products so can stay ahead of their competitors. Hansen’s products are more originally with the organic sodas and energy drinks so there are not too many generic products that compare to their product. They also are doing something that is very popular, their products are free of preservatives and no artificial flavors which what a lot people are looking at because of all the other chemicals in food people are looking for things that are organic. I think that both of these companies are on good paths thru survival thru globalization because they now their places in the market.

Computerized Teachers Evaluation System

With the long history of Chinese civilization and education, formal teacher practice is quite new because for century’s teachers’ authority and power over their students cannot be challenged. Historically, learning was the major concern of education, but during the past decades, teaching quality has become an added concern of education. There are three reasons for evaluating teachers: to diagnose and help teacher improve teaching, to help students get better teaching quality and to provide a criteria for research on teaching itself. Efforts have been made by government and educators to improve teaching quality in theory and practice. Verities of book have introduced foreign evaluation theories and many articles have contributed to the theoretical and practical improvement of Chinese teacher evaluation system. However, there is no systematic record of the development of teacher evaluation process. Therefore, exploration into the development of teacher evaluation, its reform and problem become necessary and significant. In common, teachers are evaluated by students and administrators synthetically. The students’ evaluations are used as formation to help teachers improve their classroom training and activities, in–service students complete these evaluations at the end of their program, while pre-service students complete these evaluations each semester. With both single-choice and open-end questions, these evaluations are similar to all colleges. These evaluations by students are analyzed, and teachers are given a copy of the analysis, if several students make similar complaints about a teacher or about the way of course in taught, the teacher in question gets immediate feedback from his or her supervisor. The administrative evaluations are completed by the supervisor who is the training manager. These evaluations are done every semester. Statement of the Problem This study of the proposed â€Å"Computerized Teachers Evaluation System† (CTES) covers method, procedures and problems which correlate to the teacher’s evaluation. The main problem of this study is how to design, develop and implement a Computerized Teachers Evaluation System. The current system is not efficient to ensure its validity because these CTES are done manually. Specifically this study aims to answer the following common problems encountered during and after the evaluation: 1. Is there a need for computerized teachers evaluation system? 2. What are the common problems encountered during and after the evaluation? 3. What are the users expectation regarding computerized teachers evaluation? 4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computerized teachers evaluation system?

Acct Stuff Essay

CASE 5 – Evidence 1. For each of the following specific audit procedures, indicate the type of audit procedure it represents: (1) inspection of records or documents, (2) inspection of tangible assets, (3) observation, (4) inquiry, (5) confirmation, (6) recalculation, (7) reperformance, (8) analytical procedures, and (9) scanning. a. Sending a written request to the client’s customers requesting that they report the amount owed to the client. a. Confirmation i. Existence; trying to determine if A/R is overstated. b. Examining large sales invoices for a period of two days before and after year-end to determine if sales are recorded in the proper period. b. Inspection of document/records ii. Cutoff; make sure sales are recorded in proper period. c. Agreeing the total of the accounts receivable subsidiary ledger to the accounts receivable general ledger account. c. Reperformance-does total agree? iii. completeness d. Discussing the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts with the credit manager. d. Inquiry iv. Valuation and allocation e. Comparing the current-year gross profit percentage with the gross profit percentage for the last four years. e. Analytical procedures v. Valuation and allocation f. Examining a new plastic extrusion machine to ensure that this major acquisition was received. f. Inspection of tangible assets vi. existence g. Watching the client’s warehouse personnel count the raw materials inventory. g. Observation vii. Existence/completeness h. Performing test counts of the warehouse personnel’s count of the raw material. h. Reperformance viii. Valuation and allocation i. Obtaining a letter from the client’s attorney indicating that there were no lawsuits in progress against the client. i. Confirmation ix. Existence/valuation and allocation j. Tracing the prices used by the client’s billing program for pricing sales invoices to the client’s approved price list. j. Inspection of documents x. accuracy k. Reviewing the general ledger for unusual adjusting entries. k. Scanning xi. Valuation and allocation. 2. For each of the audit procedures listed in 1 above, identify the primary assertion being tested.