Obesity Im Lovin It - 1292 Words

Obesity-Im Lovin’ It One of the biggest issues that Americans face today is the issue of obesity. With widespread availability of harmful junk foods and cheap fast foods, it is only becoming easier and easier for Americans to hurt their health. With over sixty million people affected by obesity, the numbers are only growing larger by the second. By definition, to be obese is to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) that is over thirty. And with many people, both young and old, eating out of control and rarely exercising, individuals are contracting harmful diseases and health problems such as diabetes II, fatal heart conditions, and high blood pressure. Due to the wide array of genetically modified, hormone injected, cheap synthetic foods, it is†¦show more content†¦At almost every corner, a person encounters a fast food establishment with its bright LED lights and posters of mouth-watering burgers and desserts. Major companies such as McDonalds and Burger King are luring in millions of people everyday i nto consuming their goods by means of mass advertising and cheap menus such as the dollar menu and the BK Deal. Usually, people blame themselves for being obese and not being able to control their eating habits, but the truth of the matter is, the problem lies in the carelessness of fast food institutions because they are the ones that offer unhealthy foods at cheap prices. Holding the golden trophy as the most successful fast-food chain, McDonalds is known by people of all ages as a delicious establishment. According to the McDonalds website, â€Å"McDonalds successfully operates more than thirty one thousand worldwide locations across one hundred and nineteen countries on six continents.† They boldly claim â€Å"We happily serve almost 47 million consumers a day and employ 1.5 million people.† The mentioned statistical data clearly shows the success of McDonalds as an institution and how big of a user base it has, but what makes McDonalds so special? What makes it so desirable by so many people that it is able to make so much revenue? The answer lies in how McDonalds moves, presents, and

Essay on Zara Fast Fashion Case Study Solution - 4745 Words

1. With which of the international competitors listed in the case is it most interesting to compare Inditex’s financial results? What do comparisons indicate about Inditex’s relative operating economics? Its relative capital efficiency? Even though Hamp;M follows a strategy which differs significantly from Inditex’s approach it is the closest competitor from the financial point of view. Hamp;M differs from Zara because it outsources all of the production, it is more price oriented and spends more money on advertising. But both companies are based in Europe, are fashion forward at lower price retailers, and have a strong international expansion strategy. Exhibit 6 indicates that the financial results of Inditex and Hamp;M seem to†¦show more content†¦One Year Change in Market Value Inditex: 47% Hamp;M: 8% Another factor which is interesting to examine is the One Year Change in Market Value. Inditex is on top position compared to all competitors with an impressive growth rate of 47%. Hamp;M has the closest result and is the only company besides Inditex whose market value has been growing in 2001. Inditex’s efficiency is the result of a more profitable investment strategy. By owning all the stores and manufacturing sites it is able to achieve control over all production processes and costs. The high number of stores may be also traced back to the increasing value of the property because Zara only buys stores in strategic areas (shopping malls, shopping arcades, pedestrian districts etc.) where competition boosts rents. Therefore total assets of Zara increase as well. To sum up from the given information Inditex is more efficient in managing its finances. Its strategy of investing into high quality equipment such as a just-in-time manufacturing system, a huge warehouse close to its headquarter and an highly advanced communication system has lead to a Return on Investment rate of almostShow MoreRelatedZara Fast Fashion Case Study - Solutions1210 Words   |  5 PagesZara – Solutions: Zara is a world famous Retail Chain based in Spain and is extremely successful in their supply chain. Questions: 1. What is Zara’s Business Model and its unique Supply Chain strategy? Zara’s business model can be broken down into three basic components: concept, capabilities, and value drivers. Concept is to maintain design, production, and distribution processes that will enable Zara to respond quickly to shifts in consumer demands. 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What types of systems are the most essential for this company in its current environment? In this new era of globalization, the using of technology has been very common and can be conclude as part of human’s life. In order to survive in today’s challenging business world, every organization has to be confronted with highly competitive pressure to bring out more effectiveness and efficiency when running a business. This case study is about Zara, large international

Human Resource Management for Employees- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theHuman Resource Management for Employees. Answer: Introduction The report talks about the key challenges for recruiting the workforce in an organization. Wesfarmers Company has been selected to explain and address these key challenges and issues. It also explains some effective strategies to overcome these challenges. Wesfarmers Limited is an Australian company was founded in 1914. Its headquarter is located in Perth, Western Australia. The company deals in chemicals, coal mining, fertilizers and safety and industrial products. It is one of the biggest companies by revenue and currently, approx 205,000 employees are employed in this company. In 1984, it was listed in Australian security exchange and expanded its business as a major retail corporation in Australia. It provides various products and services to the farmers of the Western Australia. The revenue of the company is approx $65.98 billion(2016) and profit of the company is around $2.35 billion(2016). The total assets and total equity of the company are approx $40.78 billion(2016) and $22.95 billion(2016). The main objective of the company is to expand its business worldwide and achieve the long-term goals and objectives. In 2001, the company becomes a free traded public listed company with excellent open ownership. The organization is acqu iring other business also, after becoming a public company (Jones, Willness Madey, 2014). Thesis statement Wesfarmers is facing key challenges in regards to recruiting the workforce which requires the company to form effective strategies so that it could achieve its goals and objectives. Recruitment and selection Recruitment is the process of analyzing and identifying the organizational needs and requirements to employ the candidate in an organization. The selection is the process of choosing and appointing a suitable and potential candidate for doing the job. Recruitment and selection are the primary functions of human resource management (Jiang, Lepak, Hu, Baer, 2012). The Wesfarmers uses effective recruitment and selection process to select the applicants in the organization. The human resource department plays a significant role in an organization. An organization cannot survive its business and operations without effective human resource management. Sometimes, it becomes a series challenge for the company. The Wesfarmers is facing the various key challenges for recruiting the workforce within the organization. The key challenges which are faced by the company during the recruitment of labor force which have been discussed below (Cook, 2016). Compliance and conformity with laws and regulations: It is the major key challenge for recruiting the labor force in an organization. It is very serious key challenges for the firm. Sometimes, Wesfarmers ignores the various employment laws, regulations, faith and belief which are not applied by the organization (Salas, Tannenbaum, Kraiger, Smith-Jentsch, 2012). Measurement changes: It is another issue in the organization which affects the productivity and efficiency of the firm. Further, it searches the potential and competent people for doing task effectively, some workers take a lot of time to cope with these challenges and obstacles. In this way, it is reducing the morale and productivity of the firm (Majumder Hossain, 2012). Leadership development: After various researches, it has been analyzed that leadership development and programs play a significant role in order to meet the organizational challenges of the firm. But now a days the company is facing various challenges while implementing the leadership development and other programs. The company is not being able to implement the leadership development programs (Bratton Gold, 2012). Workforce training and development: Wesfarmers invests the huge amount in the training and development of inappropriate and lower level of workers for doing the task. It is the biggest key challenge for recruiting the employees at the workplace. Thus, the company finds many troubles and key challenges for the appointment of employees. Further, the company may take a lot of works and resources within the organization. Wesfarmers does not provide the training and development programs to employees. Thus, the employees are not able to understand the culture and environment of the company (Shaffer, Kraimer, Chen Bolino, 2012). Adapting to innovation: Training and development are continuously changing process. Therefore, the company uses innovation and new technology but it is not able to provide training to the new Hence, many challenges are faced by the organization. Compensation: Many companies are thinking that how to make the best structure for employees compensation. Sometimes, the company is not being able to make effective compensation and remuneration policies for the employees. Thus, it faces many difficulties during recruiting the labor force at the workplace (Howe-Walsh Schyns, 2010). Recruiting the talented employees: Talent is very important for the employees but it takes a lot of time and money. Talented candidates join the company at higher package; they demand higher salary and wages. But the company is not able to afford the extra salary. It is very difficult to know whether an applicant will really fit and talented with good communication skills or not. In this way, it is a major issue in recruitment and selection. Retaining talented employees: There is high competition exists in the market for talented employees. Employee turnover is also very expensive and it affects negatively the business success and growth. Therefore, the company cannot retain the talented employees due to high competition (Stone Deadrick, 2015). Workplace diversity: It is another issue in Wesfarmers Company. The cross-cultural differences exist in the organization thus; the company cannot diversify its business due to the cultural On the other hand, generation differences also influence the recruitment of labor force in an organization. Currently, the company is appointing only freshers for doing the job, therefore, it affects the business activities and operations of the company. The company cannot gain the experience and knowledge from the adolescent candidate. The organization does not give the negotiated package to employees. Organizational image: The organizational image is the major key challenge for the recruiting the workforce in the organization. Wesfarmers is one of the biggest companies in Australia. But the goodwill of the company is not good in the market due to its competitors. It influences the recruitment and selection at the workplace (Nilsson Ellstrm, 2012). Labor supply/demand: The labor supply/ demand are also important factors which influence the operations and activities of the company. Sometimes it happens that the company demands large labor force for doing activities and operations but it offers fewer packages to candidates thus, the applicants do not join the company. It shows the shortage of labor force and it is another key challenge for the organization. All these key challenges influence the operations of the company. So the company should control all these recruitment key challenges to gain the growth and success in the future (Baum, 2015). Strategies to address these challenges There are some strategies to address and reduce the key challenges of recruitment, they are discussed below. The company should follow all the federal laws and regulations. All these laws and regulations are important to wage payment, hiring practices and workplace safety. It can reduce the key issues of recruitment at the workplace. The company should focus on the leaders and team players to maintain collaboration and cooperation in the company. The organization should provide more opportunities to candidates for enhancing and increasing the motivation. The training and development do not take a lot of time or money. Thus, the company should provide the training and coaching to employees. The organization should also provide the online training and development programs to candidates. If the company provides training to employees then it will enhance the loyalty and increase the productivity and efficiency of employees (Pereira Anderson, 2012). The communication is a major problem in Wesfarmers, therefore, the top management, managers, and supervisors should maintain proper communication with candidates. In this way, the employees will feel comfortable and give full contributions in success and growth of the company. Compensation is an important factor for the candidates. The company should create effective rewards system to compensate the candidates for their marvelous performance. Further, the organization should offer the incentive programs like a bonus, medical benefits, and other extra benefits to enhance the morale of the employees. Staffing is another good strategy to address and reduce the key challenges of recruitment at the workplace. It is the best way to find the right candidate for the business activities and operations. It will save the time and money and provide the potential candidates for future (Thite, Wilkinson Shah, 2012). The company should create a culture of teamwork and collaboration; it will help to reduce the diversity issue. It also provides the positive and favorable working environment to the company. The company should also provide the diversity training programs to employees for reducing the cross-cultural differences across the world. Further, the company should eliminate and reduce the risk and uncertainty of the employees (Kaufman, 2012). The company should adopt the excellent advertisement and brand strategies to gain the competitive advantages in the market. The company must use effective branding and advertisement strategies then it can reduce the key challenges of recruitment. In this way, Wesfarmers can improve the recruitment process and it can reduce the key challenges of the recruitment at the workplace. In this way, the company can also build the sustainable human resource department in the company. It will help to attract the potential and competent candidates for doing the job (Sparrow Cooper, 2012). Conclusion Wesfarmers is one of the biggest companies in coal mining industry. The report is based on the recruitment strategies of the company. The report presents the key challenges of recruiting the labor force at the workplace. Thus, the company is making the effective strategies to overcome these challenges. But it should improve its strategies and policies to improve the key challenges and obstacles. It will help to improve the efficiency and productivity of the employees as well as organization. The company should focus on the skills and abilities of the employees. In this way, the company can build the sustainable human resource department in the organization. The organization should also promote and encourage the motivation of employees. References Baum, T. (2015). Human resources in tourism: Still waiting for change?A 2015 reprise.Tourism Management,50, 204-212. Bratton, J., Gold, J. (2012).Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan. Cook, M. (2016).Personnel Selection: Adding Value Through People-a Changing Picture. John Wiley Sons. Howe-Walsh, L., Schyns, B. (2010). Self-initiated expatriation: implications for HRM.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,21(2), 260-273. Jiang, K., Lepak, D. P., Hu, J., Baer, J. C. (2012). How does human resource management influence organizational outcomes? A meta-analytic investigation of mediating mechanisms.Academy of management Journal,55(6), 1264-1294. Jones, D. A., Willness, C. R., Madey, S. (2014). Why are job seekers attracted by corporate social performance? Experimental and field tests of three signal-based mechanisms.Academy of Management Journal,57(2), 383-404. Kaufman, B. E. (2012). Strategic human resource management research in the United States: A failing grade after 30 years?.The Academy of Management Perspectives,26(2), 12-36. Majumder, M., Hossain, T. (2012). Human resource management practices and employees satisfaction towards private banking sector in Bangladesh. Nilsson, S., Ellstrm, P. E. (2012). Employability and talent management: challenges for HRD practices.European Journal of Training and Development,36(1), 26-45. Papay, J. P., Kraft, M. A. (2015). Productivity returns to experience in the teacher labor market: Methodological challenges and new evidence on long-term career improvement.Journal of Public Economics,130, 105-119. Pereira, V., Anderson, V. (2012). A longitudinal examination of HRM in a human resources offshoring (HRO) organization operating from India.Journal of World Business,47(2), 223-231. Salas, E., Tannenbaum, S. I., Kraiger, K., Smith-Jentsch, K. A. (2012). The science of training and development in organizations: What matters in practice.Psychological science in the public interest,13(2), 74-101. Shaffer, M. A., Kraimer, M. L., Chen, Y. P., Bolino, M. C. (2012). Choices, challenges, and career consequences of global work experiences: A review and future agenda.Journal of Management,38(4), 1282-1327. Sparrow, P., Cooper, C. L. (2012).The employment relationship: Key challenges for HR. Routledge. Stone, D. L., Deadrick, D. L. (2015). Challenges and opportunities affecting the future of human resource management.Human Resource Management Review,25(2), 139-145. Thite, M., Wilkinson, A., Shah, D. (2012). Internationalization and HRM strategies across subsidiaries in multinational corporations from emerging economiesA conceptual framework.Journal of World Business,47(2), 251-258.

Maggi noodles swot analysis free essay sample

The SWOT analysis of Maggi brand clearly indicates the strengths of Maggi as a Brand in Indian market. The Brand was found to be a leader in its category of Noodles, with strong customer loyalty. Intensive distribution of Maggi as a Brand was seen in urban areas of the country. The major threats of the brand as shown in the figure below indicates that Maggi has made several attempts to revamp itself as a â€Å"Healthy Product† but till date its perseverance towards the tag line is low by the consumers. The brand is in the growth stage of product life cycle with a strong inclination towards the maturity stage. Strengths Maggi have now become the Market leader Brand loyalty is at the highest point of the consumers.. Innovative flavors for Indian taste buds are being introduced regularly. Advertising strategy is very effective. Market Leader in Their Segment. It enjoys Strong Brand Loyal Consumer Base. We will write a custom essay sample on Maggi noodles swot analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Wide Range Of Distribution Channel Product is being launched According To the Need of Indian Consumer. The Product is also innovative in nature. Established Family Brand Strong Global Corporate Brand ( Nil ) Specialization In Food Processing Category Marketing And Distribution In Urban Market Presence Of Other Product Segments Of Food Category : Dairy Products, Chocolate, Infant Foods Pioneer and Leader So 1st Mover Advantage in Noodles, Sauce, Ketchups And Soup Market. Symbolization of Warm, Family Shelter. Weakness Generic Brand to Noodles in India  · Low rural market presence constraints  · Uniform Brand for all food category  · Brand Proliferation Product are dependent on each other Not so much presence in rural market Heavily dependent on one flavor Minor distribute problems Health related issues Opportunities Growing package and canned food market in India by 15% annually.  · High brand awareness of Indian consumer. other product category like Biscuits, Chips and Ready to Eat Market still unexplored.. Opportunity to be substitute to other snacks category of food products. Unexploited rural markets Increasing no. of working youth Affinity of Indians to Chinese food Increasing number of working youth Product has been acceptable in youth category Shift to rural market Changing preference of consumer towards Chinese food and fast food. Can foray into other food markets with its strong Brand name. Threats Competitors with long history in product category Internationally like, Heinz Sauce and ketchups of Heinz Indian, Top Ramen in Noodle and  · Knorr Soups.  · Single product focused competitors like Heinz sauce and Wai Wai Noodles.  · Less Entry Barriers in the Market segment for product category  · ITC‘s strong base in Indian Market.  · Substitute Product to Product Segment. Price war with competitors. Strong presence of regional competitors Consumers don‘t perceive it as a â€Å"Healthy Product†. So from the above SWOT analysis, we can come to conclusion that the Maggi has a many strength compared to its weaknesses and has many opportunities against the threats. 4. 2 PEST Analysis: ?Political Factors Political factors include government regulations and legal issues and define both formal and informal rules under which the firm must operate. Some examples include: tax policy employment laws environmental regulations trade restrictions and tariffs political stability Economic Factors Economic factors affect the purchasing power of potential customers and the firms cost of capital. The following are examples of factors in the macro economy: economic growth interest rates exchange rates inflation rate Social Factors Social factors include the demographic and cultural aspects of the external macro environment. These factors affect customer needs and the size of potential markets. Some social factors include: health consciousness population growth rate age distribution Technological Factors Technological factors can lower barriers to entry, reduce minimum efficient production levels, and influence outsourcing decisions. Some technological factors include: RD activity automation technology incentives rate of technological change. 1. 3 STP ANALYSIS OF MAGGI BRAND: ?Segmentation: Market Segmentation divides the heterogenous market into homogenous groups of customers who share a similar set of needs/wants and could be satisfied by specific products. Maggi Brand has segmented the market on the basis of lifestyle and habits of URBAN FAMILIES. Segmentation-Based on Lifestyle and Habits of Urban Families. Target: Market Targeting refers to evaluating and deciding from amongst the various alternatives, which segment can be satisfied best by the company. The Maggi Brand have mainly targeted the Kids, Youth, Office Goers Working Woman which falls into the category of â€Å"convenience-savvy time misers† who would like to get something instant and be over with it quickly. Initially Maggi was targeted at the working woman and later the upper middle class kids. Maggi was a sponsor for Hum Log, a popular television show on Doordarshan, India‘s sole channel in 1984. Maggi is now targeting its products at the entire family and not only kids. Maggi has recently launched â€Å"MAIN AUR MERI MAGGI† campaign in commensuration of 25 years of Maggi in India. ?Positioning: Market Positioning is the act of designing the company’s offerings and image to occupy a distinctive place in the minds of the target market. The goal of positioning is to locate the brand in the minds of consumers to maximise the potential benefit to the firm. Maggi has positioned itself in the SNACKS category and not in the meal category since Indians do not consider noodles as a proper food item. Therefore Maggi have developed its brand image of instant food products with positioning statements such as â€Å"2 minutes noodles† and â€Å"Easy to cook, good to eat†. 4. 4 Product Life Cycle: A new product progresses through a sequence of stages from introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. This sequence is known as the product life cycle and is associated with changes in the marketing situation, thus impacting the marketing strategy and the marketing mix. 1. Introductory stage: [Full-scale Launch of New products] Product branding and quality level is established and intellectual property protection such as patents and trademarks are obtained. Pricing may be low penetration pricing to build market share rapidly, or high skim pricing to recover development costs. Distribution is selective until consumers show acceptance of the product. Promotion is aimed at innovators and early adopters. Marketing communications seeks to build product awareness and to educate potential consumers about the product. High failure rates. No competition. Frequent product modification. Limited distribution. High marketing and production cost. Promotion focuses on awareness and information. Nestle India Limited (NIL), the Indian subsidiary of the global FMCG major, Nestle SA, introduced the Maggi brand in India in 1982, and with its launch of Maggi 2 minutes noodles, an instant noodles product. With the launch of Maggi noodles, NIL created an entirely new food category-instant noodles-in the Indian packaged food market. Because of its first-mover advantage, NIL successfully managed to retain its leadership in the instant noodles category. 2. Growth stage: [Offered in more sizes and flavours] Product quality is maintained and additional features and support services may be added. Pricing is maintained as the firm enjoys increasing demand with little competition. Distribution channels are added as demand increases and customers accept the product. Promotion is aimed at a broader audience. Increasing rate of sales. Entrance of competitors. Initial healthy profits. Promotion emphasizes brand ads. Prices normally fall. Development costs are recovered. 10 yrs back it enjoyed around 50% market share in this segment which was valued at around 250 crores. During 1990s, the sales of Maggi noodles declined, due to growing popularity of Top Ramen and other instant noodles product. In order to improve sales, NIL changed the formulation of Maggi noodles in 1997. However, it proved to be a mistake, as consumer did not like the change of the noodles. In March 1999, NIL reintroduced the old formulation of noodles, after which the sales revived. Over the years, NIL also introduced the other products like soups and other cooking aids under the Maggi. 1. Maturity stage: [many consumer products are in Maturity Stage] Product features may be enhanced to differentiate the product from that of competitors. Pricing may be lower because of the new competition. Distribution becomes more intensive and incentives may be offered to encourage preference over competing products. Promotion emphasizes product differentiation. Declining sales growth. Saturated markets. Extending product line. Stylistic product changes. Heavy promotion to dealers and consumers. Prices and profits fall. In 2003 Hindustan Lever Ltd was all set to take on Nestle‘s best selling Maggi 2-minutes noodles by launching a new category of liquid snacks under its food brand, Knorr Annapurna. The new product, called Knorr Annapurna Soupy Snaxx, was priced aggressively at Rs 5 and had 4 variants: 2 chicken option and 2 vegetarian. Like Maggi, soupy snaxx will be an in-between-meals snack and will be targeted at all age groups, particularly office-goers. 2. Decline stage if no product innovation is brought: [Rate of decline depends on change in taste or adoption of substitute products] Maintain the product, possibly rejuvenating it by adding new features and finding new uses. Harvest the product reduce costs and continue to offer it, possibly to a loyal niche segment. Discontinue the product, liquidating remaining inventory or selling it to another firm that is willing to continue the product. Long run drop in sales. Large inventories of unsold items. Elimination of all non essential marketing expenses.

China One Child Policy Facts

China One Child Policy Facts For more than 35 years, Chinas one-child policy  limited the countrys population growth. It ended after 2015, as Chinas demographics had been skewed due to the policy. China does not have enough  young people to support the aging demographics, and due to a preference for boys, men of marrying age outnumber women. In all, there were more than 33 million men than women in China in 2016, making it difficult for men of lower socioeconomic status to marry at all. After 2024, India is expected to become the worlds most populous, when both countries populations are expected to reach about 1.4 billion. Chinas population is forecast to be stable and then decline slightly after 2030, and India will keep growing. The Background Chinas one-child rule was created in 1979 by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to temporarily limit communist Chinas population growth. It was in place until January 1, 2016.  When the  one-child  policy was adopted in 1979, Chinas population was about 972 million people.  China was expected to achieve  zero population growth  by 2000, but it actually achieved that seven years earlier.   Whom It Affected Chinas one-child policy most strictly applied to Han Chinese living in urban areas of the country. It did not apply to ethnic minorities throughout the country. Han Chinese represented more than 91 percent  of the Chinese population. Just over 51 percent of Chinas population lived in urban areas. In rural areas, Han Chinese families could apply to have a second child if the first child was a girl. For families who observed the  one-child  rule, there were rewards: higher wages, better schooling and employment, and preferential treatment in obtaining governmental assistance (such as health care) and loans. For families who violated the  one-child  policy, there were sanctions: fines, wage cuts, employment termination, and difficulty in obtaining governmental assistance. Families who  were permitted to have a second child usually had to wait from three to four years after the birth of the first child before conceiving their second child. The Exception to the Rule One major exception to the one-child rule  allowed two singleton children (the only offspring of their parents) to marry and have two children. Additionally, if a first child was born with birth defects or major health problems, the couple was usually permitted to have a second child. The Long-Term Fallout   In 2015 China had an estimated 150 million single-child families with an estimated two-thirds of those thought to be a direct result of the policy. Chinas sex ratio at birth is more imbalanced than the global average. There are about 113 boys born in China for every 100 girls. While some of this ratio might be biological (the global population ratio is currently about 107 boys born for every 100 girls), there is evidence of sex-selective abortion, neglect, abandonment, and even infanticide of infant females. The recent peak total fertility rate for Chinese women was in the late 1960s, when it was 5.91 in 1966 and 1967. When the one-child rule was first imposed, the total fertility rate of Chinese women was 2.91 in 1978. In 2015, the total fertility rate had dropped to 1.6 children per woman, well below the replacement value of 2.1. (Immigration accounts for the remainder of the Chinese population growth rate.)

Voltage Definition in Physics

Voltage Definition in Physics Voltage is a representation of the electric potential energy per unit charge. If a unit of electrical charge were placed in a location, the voltage indicates the potential energy of it at that point. In other words, it is a measurement of the energy contained within an electric field, or an electric circuit, at a given point. It is equal to the work that would have to be done per unit charge against the electric field to move the charge from one point to another. Voltage is a scalar quantity; it does not have direction. Ohms Law says voltage equals current times resistance. Units of Voltage The SI unit of voltage is the volt, such that 1 volt 1 joule/coulomb. It is represented by V. The volt is named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta who invented a chemical battery. This means that one coulomb of charge will gain one joule of potential energy when it is moved between two locations where the electric potential difference is one volt. For a voltage of 12 between two locations, one coulomb of charge will gain 12 joules of potential energy. A six-volt battery has a potential for one coulomb of charge to gain six joules of potential energy between two locations. A nine-volt battery has a potential for one coulomb of charge to gain nine joules of potential energy. How Voltage Works A more concrete example of voltage from real life is a water tank with a hose extending from the bottom. Water in the tank represents stored charge. It takes work to fill the tank with water. This creates a store of water, as separating charge does in a battery. The more water in the tank, the more pressure there is and the water can exit through the hose with more energy. If there were less water in the tank, it would exit with less energy. This pressure potential is equivalent to voltage. The more water in the tank, the more pressure. The more charge stored in a battery, the more voltage. When you open the hose, the current of water then flows. The pressure in the tank determines how fast it flows out of the hose. Electrical current is measured in Amperes or Amps. The more volts you have, the more amps for the current, same as the more water pressure you have, the faster the water will flow out of the tank. However, the current is also affected by resistance. In the case of the hose, it is how wide the hose is. A wide hose allows more water to pass in less time, while a narrow hose resists the water flow. With an electrical current, there can also be resistance, measured in ohms. Ohms Law says voltage equals current times resistance. V I * R. If you have a 12-volt battery but your resistance is two ohms, your current will be six amps. If the resistance were one ohm, your current would be 12 amps.

Cultural Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Communications - Essay Example Business communication in the United States has distinct features that differentiate it from communication in other cultures. Communication style in the United States focuses on the message as opposed to development of long-term relationships during a communication process. Interactions are therefore short-term based and are limited the tasks to be performed. Another feature of the United States communication protocol is individualism culture. People put their self-interest before others, operate independently, and are identified with the culture of â€Å"self promotion† (Nafsa, n.d., p. 1). The American business communication protocol is further informal and disregards social class. Individuals prefer interacting with peers to underscore rank recognitions and even communications with people at higher social classes or ranks are informally conducted without consideration to the ranks (Nafsa, n.d.). Nature of interpersonal relationships is another characteristic behavior in Ame rican business communication. The individualistic approach undermines development of strong interpersonal relationship. Consequently, the culture reports loosely formed relationships that only last for short periods. The loose interpersonal bonds together with the culture of independence also identify lack of long-term obligations in business communications because interactions are limited to tasks. American business communication culture is also direct, involving confrontations. An emerging issue is directly criticized, and people are not afraid to â€Å"discuss controversial topics† (Nafsa, n.d., p. 1). Further, individuals in American culture always feel free to communicate their thoughts (Nafsa, n.d.). Business communication in the culture is also proactive and aligned to applicable rules of law. An American manager would for example comfortably initiate communications to discuss issues and similarly observe legal constraints and consequences of elements of the communicat ions, and agreements made thereof (Li, 2012). A direct approach to communicating feedback also characterizes the culture’s business communication protocol (Hrmagazine, 2008). How the protocols would create challenges The identified protocols in U.S. business communication create challenges by inducing culture based communication barriers in communication with individuals from a different culture. The Americans individualistic approach to communication may not be acceptable to a person from a collective culture, and may lead to suspicions. Similarly, an individualistic approach to communication with a party from a collective culture would communicate selfishness against the communist morals, a factor that would identify ethical concerns and lead to withdrawal from communication as the collectivist seeks to maintain his or her expected moral standards. The United States culture that disregards social hierarchy and cultural practices is also likely to raise ethical concerns and negatively influence communication with a person from a different culture. A person from a culture in which people regard social hierarchy and integrate culture in communication would for example lose interest in a communication in which a young American manager fails to recognize the party’s seniority while negotiating. Failure, by Americans, who do not

Themes Remade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Themes Remade - Essay Example Just like any other normal human being, Raymond has his fears and phobias. For instance, in an airport when Charlie and Raymond were boarding a plane, Raymond made clear his flying phobia by letting out a huge cry that Charlie took as a childish and annoying behavior. Even with ordinary human beings, some have much deeper phobias and they would not dare entertain the thought of flying, which Raymond courageously faced. After all, people do not welcome changes in their lives and would go an extra mile to resist, why not Raymond? Largely, Raymond was being fed up with Charlie; he viewed him as a dependent person who could not make his decisions. The fact that Charlie constantly gets annoyed with Raymond for acting weirdly would attest to the fact that Raymond was being defensive and fed up with the over-controlling behavior of Charlie, his brother. Moreover, Raymonds mental perfection that even an average person could not realize was in memorizing phonebook contacts at a glance with excellent achievement. Besides, Raymond was quick and perfect in memorizing and undertaking mental calculations with much ease, a test that his brother Charlie could hardly achieve. Certainly, most people have certain traumas that they developed in childhood, and which do affect how they operate and view occasions as adults. With these respect, the traumatized persons would react with fear to anything that triggers the memories of such traumatizing situations. Similarly, as children, Charlie had tried to give a birth to Raymond using hot water that scolded Raymond significantly. As a result, Considering Raymonds condition, any sight of hot water could be expected to trigger the childhood memories upon which Raymond would be expected to react to such memories. As such, when Charlie turns to hot water, Raymond could not help it but get frightened due to these childhood memories. This reaction could be expected from any normal human

Sample Annotated Bibliography Essay Example for Free

Sample Annotated Bibliography Essay 1. Trossman, Susan RN (2006). Rx for Medical Marijuana? : Promoting research on and acceptance of this treatment option for patient. [Miscellaneous Article] Vol. 106 Issue 4 Page 77. AJN American Journal of Nursing. Susan promotes and publicize advances in clinical research. Her opinion and thoughts does not conflict medical science not to put her practice away but to be the face of the campaign in process improvement for legalizing marijuana use. 2. Twombly, Renee (2006). Despite Research, FDA says Marijuana has no benefit. Article Vol 98 Issue 13 Page. 888 JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute Twombly compilation of article basically explaining that certain medical authorities such FDA (Food and Drug Administrations) has not made justification that medical marijuana can fully benefited anyone that will utilize this drugs for treatment. 3. Nadelmann, Ethan (1989). Drug Prohibition in the United States: Cost, Consequences, and Alternatives. New Series, Vol. 245 No.4921 Page 939-947. Nadelmann cited serious consideration as both analytical model and a policy option for addressing the â€Å"drug problem†. Drug legalization protocol that are extremely applied can lessen the risks of legalization, drastically decrease the costs of current policies, and directly address the issues of substance abuse. 4. Herried, C., DeRei, K. (2007) intimate Debate Technique: Medicinal Use of Marijuana. Journal of College Science Teaching, 36. (4), 10-13. The authors of this paper present an outline of the debate process and how students can effectively present their sides of a controversial subject. Personal accounts in favor of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes are given, as well as data as to why it should not be legalized. This reference will benefit the paper because it provides real accounts from people and not just statistics. 5. Marwick, C. (1994) Change of Heart Prehaps, but Not of Legislation. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 27. (21), p 1635. The author of this article details an account made in 1993 at The National Press Club by The Surgeon General of the United States Joycelyn Elders, MD, about how â€Å"legalization of illicit drugs could lead to a significant decrease of crime†. This comment caused a stir in the political world, mainly on the con side, and shows that that this issue is not new and the government remains staunchly against fully legalizing any drug, including marijuana. This article will benefit the paper in that it provides a political account from the Surgeon General who is looked upon as someone that by all accounts should be against the legalizing of illicit drugs.

Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay -- The Great Gatsby F.

Symbolism in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is filled with symbols and symbolism, which try to convey Fitzgerald's ideas to the reader. The symbols are uniquely involved in the plot of the story, which makes their implications more real. There are three major symbols that serve very important significance in the symbolism of the novel. They are "the valley of the ashes," the reality that represents the corruption in the world, the green light of Daisy's lap that Gatsby sees across the bay and lastly, the symbolism of the East Egg and West Egg or more important the east and the west of the country. The "Valley of the Ashes" is located next to the river, where railroad and highway intersect. It is a dumpster between West Egg and New York. The "valley of ashes" poisons the American landscape with waste produced in the manufacture of the rich. It represents the spiritual desolation of modern society. Also, the "valley of ashes" plays a symbolic factor in portraying the destruction of Gatsby's dream just like the industry plays the most important role in the destruction of ...

Malczewski and the ideas of Young Polnd

According to Satanists Stopcock. The break of the 19th and 20th centuries in Poland was a time well known for the problem that many artists who represented that period had: they were constantly looking for their own truth(s), they own way(s), their own style. They developed into two main categories, those who made work for â€Å"today', that fulfilled itself during the lives of the artists and those who tried to develop a new style (Art Novel to be precise) and regime for creating aesthetic forms and applied art.It's appropriate to add that the latter, that was created with the intention of a style was crushed by steel constructions and/or lost it's truth on the production line, leaving It simply a historical phenomenon. I however will concentrate on the former. The Young Poland art movement, that was centered In Kara?w and took place in the years 1891-1918 and is widely accepted as the Polish version of modernism. (1) I shall start with a bit of cultural and historical context.The last decades of the XIX century and the first 1 5 years of the Sixth, were said to be the worst time for post- partition Poland, but also a period full of hope and a slow gathering of collective activism after an opaque of complete hopelessness. Various factors led to Pollard's politics not being taken into account in the scheme of European politics, but rather left to be resolved internally by the Probationers ( ).These factors included the fall of the January Uprising, the creation of the victorious and united Bismarck Reich the French-Russian alliance and the military and political failures of Austria, which led the Austrian partition to be more and more jumbles and dependent on Germany. This turn of events In combination with a respiratory atmosphere and the loss of hope for a better future, due to the Inability to accept defeat, led to the overall loss of patriotic morale and the formation of so called â€Å"tribalism†. The Polish people tried to form a policy of agreeme nt.They tried to work with the probationers, patiently focusing on social, economical and cultural development of Poland rather than trying any risquà ©, bold actions toward autonomy, which was In the consciousness and hopes of most, but accepted to be a distant dream rather than Immediate possibility. This Is the synthesis of what the philosophy f positivism in Poland meant. Cultural and rustication proved the policy of agreement not that effective. (4) Galatia (which is where Maleness's was born and raised) had the best conditions for the development of â€Å"Polish national life†.The status-Hungarian monarchy had quickly changed to a democratic-liberal state after a series of political failures and guaranteed the many nations that It Incorporated much political freedom. Calla had it's own government, the administrative language was Polish, it had two Universities, in Kara ¶w and Law ¶w as well as many schools. In return for loyalty to the Viennese government they had freedom to manifest their patriotism.. (3) The social situation in Poland was getting worse and worse for the middle class: the cheap labor and was the reason for massive migration from the country to cities and their rapid growth.The proletariat was exploited, and they were becoming unhappy. They were turning into a massive socio-political force, that could demand change. Industrialization was taking it's toll, the market was being flooded with factory-made consumables and was creating an atmosphere of depressing, Lourdes uniforms. The young characterized the â€Å"midyear† (which translates into soap-maker), the townsman, owner of a small business or property, whose sole philosophy was common materialism, his only values were money, his only goal was gathering goods and only norm and rule of conduct opportunism and looking for the easy way out.Modernism all around Europe, was a broad avian-grade movement that started as a result of rapid cultural changes and transformations in the modern world. All modernism shared the feeling that the modern world was substantially different and hat â€Å"art needed to renew itself by confronting and exploring it's own modernity' (2). In Poland specifically it was triggered by feeling of being shut off in a hopeless situation. It started with a crisis of values, when positivism which was perhaps the most prevalent and representative world-view had become materialistic and lay, modernism found the metaphysical and transcendental.Artists started going back to Christian ideas (this started in France, one might say as a defensive reaction after the division between church and state in 1871). Christian ideas linked them back to a renewed interest in the Middle Ages. The middle ages led to exploring black and white magic, secret sects and cults, demons and Satanism. Chariot made sensational discoveries in the etiology of madness, and scientists made connections between ideas from the middle ages and modern discoveries tha t led to the creation of parapsychology – the psychology of abnormal, transcendental phenomena.Life and it's tendencies was represented in artwork in a personal fashion, filtered through the artists feelings and thoughts. Modernism, symbolism, nonromantic, decadence, was all encompassed in one particular movement, under the banner of Ewing young: Young Germany, Young Belgium, Young Vienna, Young Scandinavia and of course Young Poland. The first painting I shall discuss is the 1894 â€Å"Melancholia† which translates to â€Å"melancholy'. The painting shows an artists studio, a painter's studio to be precise.On the left side, at the top we can see the infinitesimal figure of the painter, concentrated on the task in front of him on the easel. A cacophony of figures pours out of the canvas the artist is currently working on. They are all allegorical fugues, personifying the tragically history of Poland in the XIX century. You can tell by their loathing and attributes tha t they are representations of various layers of society. Upraises, women in tears of despair, convicts in handcuffs and peasant soldiers.It seems that the figures are arranged in chronological order, starting with youngsters on the brighter left side, near the artists, ending with old men on the contrasting right. The young seem to be looking forward with faces full of conferment and pain. Of the painting we see a dynamic, chaotic mass of writhing figures. Most are looking angrily towards the window. At the bottom of the artwork they seem to be floating above the ground focusing on fighting one another rather than looking toward the main focus of the painting which is the lady shrouded in black, who is on the windowsill, looking outside into the sunny garden.I think that this lady is Melancholy. She is guarding the window, the gate to freedom. There is an old man on the windowsill looking at her with despair, another in the middle facing her with his hands holding his shirt back as if to say â€Å"stab me! Kill me! â€Å". It's quite obvious that the Polish viewer will interpret this painting as a representation of Polish history that had oaken place in the last century, but this painting is actually said to be one of the first examples of Symbolism in the Visual Arts in Young Poland (1).It shows patriotic historical content but not directly but rather through a metaphor. Maleness's didn't try to find or manifest universal truths but rather showed his own subjective view on the situation in his country. My interpretation is that he was showing the futility of the national uprisings, the armed excursions, the suffering and the hopes of revolt, through the woman blocking the passage to freedom.

Banyan Tree

Competitive strategy From the outset, the objective of Banyan Tree brand-building was to create a sustainable platform upon which to grow – even if cheaper competitors and similar concepts stepped into their space. However, after owner, Ho Kwon Ping did his survey on corporate landscape before the success of Banyan Tree, harsh conclusion that his businesses were not sustainable. Banyan Tree needed a proprietary advantage to counter cost pressures. It could be a patented invention, but they were not technologically inclined.So the alternative Banyan Tree came up with, was to build a consumer brand which had to be not only sustainable, not only in Asia, but in a globalised marketplace. If Banyan Tree is to survive in a global marketplace – and hospitality is perhaps one of the most global, because high-end tourists can easily choose between say, Portugal or Phuket, Greenland or Greece – they must be able to be among the best of breed, not only in their own backyard but in whatever markets their customers will go to.Their strategy was the only way they could be a price-maker and not a price-taker. Any enterprise, even with innovations, can only set its own price until cheaper competitors emerge. In Banyan Tree’s case, innovative features – such as pool villas and tropical spa pavilions – are no longer a monopoly for them. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, they can take solace in being flattered.But, with competitors emerging, the only way they can remain above price wars is to leverage the brand to generate a price premium and customer loyalty. Branding makes a tremendous difference in creating competitive advantage. Much of their decision-making regarding a new venture is determined by its impact on their branding. This imperative for survival, rather than vision for success, is the fundamental driving force behind Banyan Tree, against their competitors.

Agoraphobia essays

Agoraphobia essays Grocery Store Disease Agoraphobia is a widely misunderstood disease. Agoraphobia has a couple of definitions because it is very complicated and difficult to understand. It is the fear of open spaces. It is also the fear of being in situation where a person can experience anxiety and begin to panic. People with agoraphobia may also have panic attacks if they are in a situation they consider to be difficult or embarrassing. Agoraphobia begins to develop when people start to avoid situations that are related to anxiety. People sometimes become housebound because they are always so nervous and paranoid and are scared to get out and possibly be stuck in a situation that they relate to anxiety. Some people with agoraphobia try to go out and have a normal life but it can be very difficult because they are so busy trying to hide their discomfort. Agoraphobia is an extremely severe anxiety condition that leads to avoidant behavior. Agoraphobia was commonly known as the Supermarket Disease before people began to learn more about it (Sharon Matt). The reasoning for that was because many women were having these unusual panic attacks in the middle of grocery stores. There are many typical situations where people have theses attacks. Shopping, driving, traveling, leaving town, and social gatherings are a few of the situations that bother those people with agoraphobia. They also fear large places like malls, theaters, parks, and grocery stores. Visiting the doctor and being on a bridge can make a person feel trapped (Sharon Matt). People with agoraphobia will worry that they will not be able to get to a place that they consider to be safe. Some people experience nervous feelings so regularly that it is more a feeling of discomfort rather than a feeling of panic. They fear going anywhere or doing anything where they have had panicky feelings before. They avoid these situations and places and they sometimes get depr e...

Experts and Editors

Experts and Editors Experts and Editors Experts and Editors By Colin In a previous article we looked at generalisation as opposed to specialising in specific subject matter. We looked at the pros and cons of each, and it provoked a lot of feedback from our readers. One question that popped up involved the amount of knowledge one should attain in order to be considered a qualified expert on a topic. There are several routes that may be considered here. Academic Qualifications The first is via education, and the attainment of a recognised qualification. If you, as a freelance writer, followed the route of further education, whether straight from school or as a mature student, you may consider yourself knowledgeable in the theory of your subject. I say knowledgeable because in most cases what you have learned from the books hasn’t been put into practice in any real shape or form. For example, a student who went to university to learn about accounting may gain a Degree from their studies, but as most students find out when they start employment, it is not until they have to apply what they have learnt that they discover much of it wass only needed to pass the exams and get you in the door; the real stuff is learnt on the job. And it is here the term â€Å"expertly qualified† is truly gained. Being awarded a qualification is one thing, but having ten years hands on experience in the industry will truly make you an expert. Vocational Qualifications If your field happens to be in something more vocational, fly fishing for instance, gaining expert status is not as clear cut as it is in the academic world. Expert status could be claimed after many years of reading, studying, and absorbing the sport in every way possible; learning how to tie flies, the mechanics of casting, or the biology of fish. This is something that requires real devotion and a real love for the subject. In this respect, expert status is less arguable because it has been done willingly outside of a person’s need to survive. An editor who has someone like this on their books will do well. One thing all experts must have in common is the ability to write about their topics well, and write about them regularly. So it’s one thing being able to talk about your subject over and over, but writing new and unique articles every week or month requires a different set of abilities. Research In the life of the freelance writer though, nothing is as clear-cut as academic qualifications or vocational activities. In order to survive, the ability to turn your hand to new topics confidently and accurately is a valuable skill that most editors crave. One day you may be writing reviews on some books you have recently read, the next you may be asked to write about something you know nothing about. By the time you have researched the article through interviews, phone calls, gaining real-life experience of your own, cross-checked your information, written the first draft, researched it some more, and handed in the finished article, you may well find you can easily consider yourself an expert in that particular field. Carrying out solid research will not only gain you expert status, but it is also the route to longevity, well-paying writing gigs, and fruitful long term relationships with editors. Working with Editors Another question that popped up involved the question of the relationship between editors and writers, that is, who takes the credit for a book that has been heavily edited, and how much of the editor’s work finds its way into the text? Under normal circumstances the person who writes a book will be credited with the work, and have the copyright and moral rights assigned to them. An editor would not normally get any credit, unless for example, the book was an anthology or an auto-biography in which the editor helped to ghost write the book or play a large part in its writing. How much of an editor’s work finds its way into a book or article would depend on the individual editor’s style, and how much input is required. If a book or article requires a lot of editing, though, a writer should expect to be dropped from the payroll forthwith. It is up to the writer to create the work in the manner in which the editor has specified at the outset; major reworks at the editorial stage are not generally acceptable. There is a long standing argument in publishing about where the best books come from; a good editor or a good writer? The answer lies somewhere between, because a good editor should be able to get the best out of a writer without displacing their style. They should bond together and hit the same wavelength from concept to production. If a change of editor between book number one and the sequel occurs, one may end up with an entirely different book in style and format that may not sell as much as the first, assuming of course, that it did. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Idioms About Legs, Feet, and Toes15 Great Word GamesUses of the Past Participle

Health care sector Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health care sector - Research Paper Example Health care is provided by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers. It denotes the activity done in rendering primary care, secondary care and tertiary care, besides public health (Premier Occupational Health Care, 2009). The availability of services to doctors differs from country to country, groups and individuals, greatly affected by cultural and financial conditions as well as the health policies in that region. States and dominions have diverse policies and programs with respect to the health care targets of their societies in terms of population growth. In any country, the system of healthcare is established in order to fulfill the health needs and requirements of the target population and thus, the exact configuration of this system varies from one country to another (Kaplan & Esther, 2003). Every organization possesses its own professional and occupational differences which are based on the culture of the country, organization, or on the nature of the job description. In the health care department also, there exist certain factors which are responsible for creating the occupational disparities within the jobs. Some of those factors are discussed below: One of the factors of great importance, which usually creates occupational differences these days, includes gender. Many countries, and their business organizations, tend to differentiate between male and female worker in term of the jobs assigned to them. Besides this, the element of job segregation is also one of the major contributors on the differences between genders which have been observed in the exposure to hazards at workplace. Both the genders have a strong separation at the place of work and they are also exhibited to be holding dissimilar positions in the hierarchal ladder of the organization. Not only this, but both the genders are subject to pay differences

The Katrina response and relief efforts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Katrina response and relief efforts - Essay Example There are several cases illustrating failure to respond effectively to mitigate the damages to life and limb of Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans was poverty stricken and at least 120,000 people where without mobility. The mandatory evacuation issued on August 28 by the local officials also made no provisions for helping in evacuating the homeless, sick, carless, elderly, infirm and low-income residents. New Orleans disaster plan called for the mayor to make use of the city school buses to evacuate residents unable to leave on their own but the city never deployed the buses and was subsequently destroyed in the flooding. Amtrak also ran a special schedule to move equipment out of the city but the government declined to take the offer of this agency to take several hundred passengers instead of the scheduled equipment. Evacuees were sent to Louisiana Superdome but the large multitude of refugees was more than overwhelming to volunteers. There were not enough provisions for food, clothing and medicine. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency did indeed provide supplies, the unexpected number of evacuees rapidly depleted the provisions. (Nates & Moyer, 2005) There was visibly an ineffective mechanism in coordinating and managing the evacuation process as the governing agencies failed to respond and implement the provisions in the disaster plan that was available to them. 2)Discuss the reasons why the examples you cited above were or were not successful. Comment specifically on whether you believe that the organizational structure at the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, and the Federal government was adequate, including communications, command, and control. (Please refer to the Organization Structure for... Hurricane Camille which battered Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama already demonstrated the vulnerability as did the documentary made by the National Geographic in October 2004 and Scientific American in 2001. What is profound is that when we review other articles, we find one common thread and that is the fact that the disaster was expected though many people did not give enough attention to what mechanisms should be installedHurricane Katrina revealed several interesting individual and community behavior during and after the occurrence of disasters. While many articles were concerned on race and looting issues, it was found that social networks play an important role during the fight to survive the disaster. According to a combined study from the University of Alabama and University of California, it was found that decision-making processes are greatly influenced by social networking. In a survey of 116 evacuees, it was found that it was the social networks that greatly influenced the respondent’s evacuation and planning activities. The role of the media was found to be less important as what many people perceive. Interviewed evacuees state that they became more aware of the severity of the situation as word spread through their social circles. Friends, classmates, neighbors and other acquaintances who gave them information enabled them to prepare more than what they would have from the information they get from radio and television.

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Strategic Management - Essay Example Some of the local brands are also considered by the company that includes Aguila, Castle, Snow, Victoria Bitter, Miller Lite, and Tyskie. The company has been successful in creating its position in both the emerging as well as developed markets across the globe (Overview, 2012). The present study has been considered to make an environmental analysis of SABMiller. Environmental analysis involves identification of the environmental factors that can affect a company, and hence their nature and impact on the level of success of the company. Depending on such factors, if identified, a company would be able to consider measures accordingly such that any negative impact may be prevented. SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, application of Porter’s Five Forces are some of ways through which environmental analysis of a business can be done (Business Environment Analysis, n.d.) and these will be applied in the present study to have an understanding on SABMiller company. Position of SABMiller : SABMiller is older than the state of South Africa itself and has faced several challenges in determining the position that it currently holds. There were several business restrictions that SAB had to fight by ruling over the production of beer along with acquisitioning competitor companies and enhancing the facilities of production and distribution. The large brewing companies accounted for 17 percent of the market in the early period of the 1990s. However, by the year 2009, these companies have started accounting for around 45 percent of the market that reflects on the increasing competition. SABMiller has thus since 2010 considered strategizing more focusing in the impacts of the environmental factors (Johnson, 2010, pp.643-644). SABMiller’s operations in the present day may be represented through the following chart: Figure 1: Summary Scope of SABMiller Operation Today (Moulaeifar, 2009, p.2). SWOT Analysis: SABMiller: SWOT analysis is a technique that enables an underst anding on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a business organization thereby allowing the business to consider measures accordingly for the benefits and success of the company. However, this technique makes the strategic planning of the business highly formal (Jacob, 2009, p.9). From the case study and other readings, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the company could be learnt. The strengths of the company are reflected through its operations that are spread across the globe, and taking advantages of locations like India, China, Vietnam, and African markets. The worldwide knowledge of the company is good in terms of entering new markets creating its presence. The market dominance of the company being the second largest brewer too adds to its strengths. In terms of value addition, cost leadership, economies of scale and efficient distribution, the company has a competitive advantage over other brewers. Also the company has a strong presenc e in the US (Johnson, 2010; Moulaeifar, 2009, p.5). The company’s weaknesses include lack of assets in Western Europe that limits the company’s operations in the region. Moreover SABMiller does not have any assets in the markets where there could be major growth for the company. Thirdly, the income level of individuals largely determines the level of

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Planning Process

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Planning Process CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is 20 year old tool for environmental management, not living up to its full potential. (Mudge, 1993). This chapter describes the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) planning process as conventionally depicted in subsequent EIA texts and guidelines. EIA characteristics and objectives are first presented because EIA planning process characterisations are interdependent with assumed EIA characteristics and objectives. Following the depictions of EIA characteristics, EIA objectives and the EIA planning process vary greatly from source to source. These variations are more the result of the varying perspectives of different authors than clearly defined schools of thought. Although, there has been a pro- process of evaluation over the past two decades, there also are many instances where elements suggested in earlier works have not been incorporated into most recent portrayals. This overview of the conventional EIA planning process is a point of departure for the modifications and refinements discussed in later chapters of this research. Also, the conventional portrayals of EIA characteristics, EIA objectives and the EIA planning process will be revisited in later chapters, taking account of combined implications. The following are EIA characteristics as commonly depicted in introductory EIA literature and guidelines; As a field of study EIA draws upon many social and natural science disciplines (Jain, Urban and Stacey, 1977). Drawing upon diverse disciplines is necessary to understand the significant aspects of the environment in order to predict how those environmental attributes may change over time with and without a proposed action; Boundaries between, and links to both traditional disciplines and to other transdisciplinary and transprofessional fields such as planning (Lawrence 1992). EIA must transcend individual disciplines if a holistic image of the environment with and without a proposed action(s), is to be presented. Hence, EIA should not be viewed as a transdisciplinary field. EIA consist of structural approaches and set of procedures in order to ensure that environmental factors are considered in planning and decision making (Clark1981a). In this regard EIA is a normative procedure that seeks to identify natural and social environmental norms or ethical standards and to infuse these into planning and decision making. In the definition of Environmental Impact Assessment, the impact element is often prefaced by one or more dimensional distinctions, such as; positive and negative (Mitchell and Takheim 1977; Rau and Wooten 1980); time ( short term, long term, frequency, duration); space (on-site, off-site); direct and indirect, quantitative and qualitative; individual and cumulative; and likelihood of occurrence (Rau and Wooten 1980). While the assessment component of EIA includes analysis synthesis and management- Analysis involves data collection and compilation, the identification of likely environmental conditions and interactions among environmental conditions and systems (Mm 1979; Munro et. al 1986; Amour 1990; Erickson 1994) und the description, measurement and prediction of likely effects and interactions among effects. Synthesis includes the interpretation of the significance of affects and interactions among them (Munn 1979; CEARC l988b) and the aggregation and evaluation of individual and cumulative effects (Cumulative Environmental Assessment CEA) both with and without mitigation (Westman 1985; Lang and Annour 1981; Armour 1990; Erickscm 1 994; Shoanaka 1994). Management includes mitigation (Jain, Urban and Stacey 1977) compensation and local benefits (Amour 1990), the management of residual impacts (CEARC 1988b), monitoring and contingency measures, and communications/ consultation activities (CEARC 1988b). In summary, EIA is a process that identifies, predicts, evaluates and manages the potential (or real) impacts of proposed (or existing) human activities on both the human and natural environment. The EIA planning process includes analysis, synthesis, management, communications and consultation activities. The consequences of such activities and their alternatives will result in specific impacts. Underlying EIA practice are usually implicating application assumptions. Formal or informal institutional mechanisms are, for example, anticipated to be in place to help to compel, or at least facilitate public or private proponents to initiate and complete an EIA planning process and the necessary documentation, as a perquisite to project approval. Along with perquisite methods it is expected that a systematic planning process can be devised or adapted for analysing and synthesizing the appropriate data and for involving relevant agencies and the public. Further assumed that: there is appropriate expertise to tackle the necessary technical work and to review whatever the outcomes of the planning process; there is a basis for choosing among alternative plans and for deciding if an undertaking should or should not proceed; the people who make the decision will rationally use the information provided to guide their actions; the requirements for approvals can be enforced and the impacts managed if unforeseen impacts occur; the contingency measures can be instituted. These application assumptions have been increasingly challenged in the EIA literature and in decision of courts and hearing panels and boards. The expectation that knowledge and expertise are sufficient may be especially dubious in situations characterised by emerging technologies, poorly understood environments and complex inter relationships within and among proposed actions and components of the environment. The extension of EIA from the conceptual to the applied pre-supposes that EIA must also be a transprofessional field of practice, EIA comprises of a core body of knowledge, skills and methods. Social and natural sciences provide the initial knowledge base- EIA seeks to integrate and, thereby transcend, the inputs and insights of a range of professions with expertise m the proposed action, the environment and their interactions, within a public policy setting. Frameworks, procedures and methods have been formulated and refined through practice, which over the years, has resulted in the emergence of EIA as a recognized area of expertise. EIA is a planning tool (Bisset 1983; Clark l9Ã »3a; Smith 1993). It is a form of applied policy analysis or more specifically, a form of resource management and environmental planning (Smith 1993). Consequently, the formulations and applications of environmental planning processes is one aspect of EIA. It, therefore, tends to be assumed that the EIA planning process should be anticipatory (prior to decision-making), systematic or orderly and rational. The results and conclusions from the EIA planning process should also be documented, generally in the form of an EIA report or statement. EIA is a generic planning process intended to contribute environmental information to decision-making. It provides a regulatory basis for forcing the explicit consideration of environment concerns by public and private decision makers. As such EIA forms a part of the institutional fabric through legislation, public policy or administrative procedures. Institutionalisation requires mechanisms to prepare, review and document the process, to coordinate inter-agency and private/public interactions, to adjudicate disputes and to monitor and enforce compliance. This dissertation therefore takes up this theme to investigate the effectiveness of EIA in the Skye Bridge project by considering the planning process and by using literature review as a means of analysis and research. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW On July 3, 1988, European Union (EU) Directive 85/337/EEC (Directive) came into force and as a result, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became a part of the EUs environmental protection plans. The Directive requires that before consent is given for the development of certain public and private projects that are likely to have significant effects on the environment, an assessment of those effects must be compiled and considered by the developer and the authority in charge of approving the projects. By asking decision-making authorities to ponder likely environmental harm before the harm occurs, the Directive promotes a policy of preventing environmental harm. The comprehensive effectiveness of mandating pre-consent environmental impact assessment is undercut, however, because the Directive textually exempts national defense projects from its process. This study suggests that the European Union could and should include national defense projects in its EIA law. Part I of this Chapt er will provide a summarized, chronological evolution of environmental policy in the European Union. Part II will give a description and history of EIA law, including that of the United States, so as to provide a comparative and contrasting point of reference. Part III will propose a way by which the European Union can more fully live up to the preventative approach that it has espoused for environmental protection by requiring environmental impact assessments for national defense projects. This Chapter concludes that the inclusion of national defense projects in the EUs EIA law would broaden the scope and effectiveness of EIA law and environmental protection generally. 2.1. HISTORICAL AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT LAW 2.1.1. The Evolution of Environmental Policy in the EU The 1957 Treaty of Rome (Treaty), which established the European Economic Community, focused on the creation of a common-trade zone. Accordingly, the Treaty failed to make any explicit statements regarding policies for environmental protection. In fact, until 1987, all EU environmental protection legislation was introduced via the general language of one or both of two Treaty articles that only implicitly recognized EU authority over environmental issues in Member States. Article 100 of the Treaty calls for the harmonization of laws affecting the common market in Member States. Article 235 authorizes measures that prove necessary to attain one of the objectives of the Community absent a specific delegation of authority by the Treaty. Although the Articles make no explicit reference to environmental issues, they have been used as authority for certain environmental regulations. For example, Article 100s allusion to issues affectin g the common market was used as the authority to develop legislation that regulated product and industry standards across the EU. On the heels of the increased environmental awareness that swept the globe in the late 1960s, the European Community initiated the European Community Action Programmes on the Environment. The first of these five-year programmes, covering the years from 1973 to 1977, established principles and priorities for future environmental policies. The second five-year programme (1977-1981) established a list of eleven principles and actions to be taken in order to move closer to the goal of environmental protection. The list included the decision-making tool of environmental impact assessment. The first two Action Programmes had a common theme of protecting human health and the environment by controlling pollution problems. The third five-year Programme (1982-1986) solidly shifted the emphasis of environmental policy from one of pollution control to one of prevention and integration of environmental issues into other European Community policies. Not surprisingly, it was during the era of the S econd and Third Action Programmes when Directive 85/337/EEC, an inherently preventative and integrating piece of legislation, was first proposed and then accepted. The Fourth Action Programme (1987-1992) continued the trend of prevention but proceeded further beyond its predecessors by stressing the importance of using stringent environmental standards in regulating the activities of Member States. The evolution of environmental policy in the EU took a crucial step on July 1, 1987 when, in conjunction with the adoption of the Fourth Action Programme, the Community adopted the Single European Act. The Act, which consisted of amendments to the Treaty of Rome, contained articles that specifically affected environmental policy. Article 100A recognized the relationship between promotion of the common market and protection of the environment by authorizing the EU to adopt environmental legislation on the basis that such issues affect the marketplace. Article 130R lays out the objectives of future Community action relating to the environment by formalizing the principles of prevention, subsidiarity, polluter pays, and most importantly, integration. Article 130T reconfirms that individual Member States may enact environmental legislation that is more stringent than, but is compatible with, that of the Community. The evolution of environmental policy in the EU from the 1957 Treaty of Rome through the various Action Programmes and to the Single European Act exemplifies the European Communitys commitment to a preventative approach to environmental protection. EIA law stands as a hallmark of that preventative approach. The EUs commitment to the comprehensive prevention of environmental degradation is tested, however, by the limitations of its own EIA law. 2.1.2. Environmental Impact Assessment Law: A Description and Comparative Study 2.1.2.1. EIA: A General Overview The essential structure of EIA law is common to all the nations that use it. Generally, EIA law is a process intended to minimize or prevent environmental damage that is usually associated with the construction and operation of certain development projects. Usually in the form of legislation, regulations and/or administrative processes, EIA law requires that certain development projects, while still in a planning stage, be analyzed in terms of their potential adverse impacts on the environment. Developers and/or governmental bodies, depending on the particularities of the EIA law in question, must conduct an analysis, or assessment, of the environmental effects of certain projects. The public authority responsible for granting or denying consent to the project is asked to take into account the results of the assessment. Again, depending on the particularities of the EIA law in question, provisions are made for public disclosure of the assessments, as well as for public involvement in the authoritys decision-making process. The EIA process plays four important roles in protecting the environment. First, EIA law gives concrete, practical effect to environmental policy language that is often broad, general and otherwise absent of specific mandates. The U.S. Congress, in formulating its declarations of environmental policy, included EIA so as to insure that the policies enunciated . . . are implemented. EIA helps to insure proper implementation of policies by requiring the formulation and submission of written assessment reports, demonstrating an affirmative compliance with the environmental concerns outlined in policy language. A second role for EIA is to provide an analytical decision-making tool that institutionalizes foresight. It asks the decision-making authority to look beyond the moment and to incorporate into its decision the possible irreversible future effects a project may have on the environment. Third, to the extent that EIA affirmatively asks developers and decision-makers to account for the social and economic costs resulting from their actions, EIA forces the internalization of those costs and consequences that might otherwise go unaccounted for. The final role that EIA plays is as a public-awareness measure. Most EIA processes allow for public disclosure of development plans, as well as for public participation in the decision-making process. In the words of Professor Nicholas Robinson, EIA facilitates democratic decision making and consensus building regarding new development. For EIA to incorporate environmental norms into decision making, it must address both environmental ethics and values and human ethics, values, perceptions, beliefs and attitudes. It is an objective procedure for identifying, measuring and predicting environmental attributes and changes brought about by existing or proposed actions, but is subjective in the interpretation, aggregation and management of those changes. Although driven by an environmental ethic, the links between EIA and ethical theory in general and environmental ethics in particular, have been tenuous at best. The tendency has been to assume that concepts and methods developed to predict and explain environmental change provide a sufficient knowledge base. The practice of EIA involves, usually implicit assumptions regarding the known environment, environmental impacts and environmental norms. It is, for example, generally assumed that aspects of the environment and their inter- relationships can be identified, described or measured and monitored; changes, with or without a proposed action can be predicted to the extent that cause-effect relationships can be established; stakeholders values can be determined; measures of impact magnitude and importance can be combined; individual and cumulative environmental consequences can be interpreted, aggregated and managed; end issues of probability of uncertainty can be managed sufficiently to decide whether a proposed action should proceed and, if so, then, in what fashion. These knowledge assumptions are questionable, especially in the subjective realm of conflicting values, perceptions and human behaviour. The primary focus of EIA was initially on the physical and natural environment and, to a lesser extent, on the socio economic consequences of physical and natural environmental changes. The environmental aspect of EIA now generally embraces both natural (physical, biological and ecological) and human (human health and well being, social, cultural, economic built) environmental components and systems (Wiesner, 1995) and their inter relationships (Jain, Urban and Stacey, 1977; Estrin and Swaigen, 1978; CEARC, 1988b). There are many opinions regarding whether social impact assessment (SIA) or socio-economic impact assessment is or should be a sub-field of EIA (Morris and Therive1, 1995). A broad definition of the environmental EIA facilitates a more comprehensive approach to environmental management but it leaves open the possibility that certain elements of the environment will not receive pertinent attention. The question of how best to integrate social, ecological and economic data and perspectives remains unresolved. Human actions alter the environment (Jain, Urban and Stacey 1977; Mitchell and Turkheim 1977). In EIA, the term impact generally refers to the accepted environmental consequences (Meredith 1991) of a proposed action or set of actions (Rau and Wooten 1980) and less frequently to the actual consequences of an existing activity. Distinctions also are often drawn between changes or effects (measures of magnitude) and impacts (measures of magnitude in combination with measures of importance), between alternations of environmental conditions or the creation of a new set of environmental conditions, and between environmental conditions changes caused or ind uced by actions (Rau and Wooten 1980). Although the traditional focus of EIA has been capital projects, EIA requirements are increasingly applied to legislative proposals, policies, programs, technologies, regulations and operational procedures (Munn 1979; Estrin and Swaigen 1978; CEARC 1988b). The expectation that the conceptual basis for EIA largely developed at a project level can be readily extended and applied to policies, programs and technologies is questionable. At the policy and program level the range of inter related choices tends to multiply, impacts tend to be more generic and less amenable to precise prediction and EIA overlaps with policy and program evaluation, planning and environmental and resource management. A distinction is sometimes drawn between project level EIA und the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of policies, plans and programs (Sadler 1995). Risk assessment, technology assessment and environmental health impact assessment are viewed as either subfields within EIA (Sadler 1995) or as distinct fields that partially overlap with EIA in most cases EIA applies to the actions of both public and private proponents (Meredith 1991; Mitchell and Tuclcheh 1977). Alternative methods of achieving a proposed end and of managing the impacts associated with a partial choice are also usually considered in an EIA planning process. 2.1.2.2. A Comparative Study: The United States Experience with EIA The significant history of EIA law began with the passage in the United States of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA was brought about as an instrument of policy and planning (Roberts, 1984a). Among NEPAs eloquent but broad declarations of environmental policy is a brief section mandating EIA law for certain projects, thus providing a set of teeth with which to enforce the statutes policies. Section 102(2) of the Act requires all federal agencies to prepare and include an environmental impact statement (EIS) with every recommendation or proposal for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The importance and weight of this requirement, as well as the problems inherent in defining its triggering terms, are demonstrated by the fact that the EIS clause has spawned nearly all case law brought under NEPA. Much of NEPA case law has dealt with the issue of w hether projects involving national defense and national security are subject to compliance with Section 102(2), and judicial review of such compliance. The environmental, public-awareness and military interests at stake in these cases are reflected by two questions. First, will compliance and judicial review compromise the confidentiality of matters regarding national security? Second, will compliance and judicial review compromise the ability of the military to proceed with projects, which while detrimental to the environment, are crucial to the defense of the country? In answering these questions, it is important to note that NEPA calls for EISs from all agencies of the Federal Government; the statute does not provide a textual exception for national defense or security projects. Despite the clear language of the statute, however, U.S. courts have struggled with the issue and are currently responding in a manner that runs counter to the language and true intent of NEPA. Most court decisions find that NEPA-based claims against projects involving national defense interests are justifiable. Early cases, however, were ambiguous in answering questions of whether such projects must comply with NEPA requirements and whether EISs for such projects are subject to judicial review of their legal sufficiency. For instance, in the early case of McQueary v. Laird, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt with a NEPA challenge to a military project by claiming lack of jurisdiction. In another early case, Citizens for Reid State Park v. Laird, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Maine found that NEPA applies to all federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The Court in Citizens for Reid State Park refused to require an EIS for the Navy project in question, however, because it found that the plaintiff citizens group had failed to prove that the Navy plans constituted a major project significantly affecting the environment. Later court d ecisions often allowed national defense projects to proceed without an EIS or judicial review of an EIS, not because the courts believed that such projects did not have to comply with NEPA, but merely because the courts found that major federal action or significant effects on the environmentrequirements necessary to trigger NEPA were absent. In cases where major federal actions having significant effects on the environment were found to exist, compliance with NEPA was required despite national security interests. In Committee for Nuclear Responsibility, Inc. v. Schlesinger, for example, the Supreme Court refused to issue an injunction for violation of NEPA, but the Courts rushed decision upheld a Court of Appeals finding that the Atomic Energy Commission did have a judicially reviewable duty to comply with NEPA requirements in spite of national security considerations. In Progressive Animal Welfare Society v. Department of Navy, the Western District Court of Appeals of Washington found that the Navys plan to use dolphins in a military project was a major federal action with significant environmental impact; accordingly, a NEPA EIS was required for the project. Finally, in Concerned about Trident v. Rumsfeld, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found that the Navys plans for a submarine support facility requ ired compliance with NEPA to the fullest extent possible. The court found that the Navys own internal environmental impact statement was insufficient to fulfill the requirements of NEPA. In making its decision, the court, citing judicial precedent as well as NEPAs lack of a textual military exception, rejected the Navys argument that NEPA could not possibly apply to strategic military decisions. The court stated that the Navys plans were subject to NEPA requirements despite the projects serious national security implications. In 1981, the Supreme Court again addressed the issue of the militarys compliance with NEPAs EIA mandate. In Weinberger v. Catholic Action of Hawaii, the Court refused judicial review of the Department of Defenses compliance with NEPA in a matter of national security. The dispute began with the Navys plan to construct a weapons and ammunition holding facility capable of storing nuclear weapons in Ohau, Hawaii. The Navys internal assessment concluded that the fac ility would not have significant impact on the environment and as such, a NEPA EIS was unnecessary. The Navys assessment, however, failed to include an analysis of the facilitys impact on the environment should nuclear weapons actually be stored at the site. The district court that first reviewed the case found that the Navy had complied with NEPA to the fullest extent possible. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the district court, arguing that an EIS was necessary and feasible since it would not necessarily release confidential matters. Important to the court was the fact that the Navy had already made the nuclear capabilities of the facility public knowledge. The court went on to suggest a hypothetical approach to writing EISs that would protect national security, environmental concerns, and public disclosure interests. Judge Merrill wrote that under this hypothetical approach, the Navys EIS must evaluate the hypothetical consequences of storing nuclear weapons at the site but it need not imply that a decision to actually store nuclear weapons had been made. The court argued that since the public was already aware of the capability of the facility to store nuclear weapons, a hypothetical EIS that discussed the impact of such storage, but not whether it would actually occur, would not reveal anything the public did not already know . Further, it would allow the Navy and the decision-making authority to consider the true and potential costs and consequences of proceeding with the project. Finally, the Court stated that a hypothetical EIS would assure the public that the decision-making process had fully accounted for the projects externalities and consequences. On review, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals creative approach to balancing the interests at stake. The Court, discrediting the Ninth Circuits notion of a hypothetical EIS, refused to mandate a NEPA EIS because it believed that doing so would reveal confidential matters of national security. In the majority opinion, Justice Rehnquist outlined the current status of the law regarding military compliance with EIA law in the United States. He wrote that public policies favoring the protection of confidential information regarding national security ultimately forbids judicial scrutiny of whether or not the Navy has complied with NEPA to the fullest extent possible.' Justice Blackmun, who concurred with the judgment of the Court, was joined by Justice Brennan in stressing that although the Defense Department may disseminate EISs in a manner that protects confidential matters, it is still bound by the obligations of NEPA. 2.1.2.3. A Comparative Study: The European Unions Experience with EIA Sixteen years after NEPA took effect in the United States and after five years of consideration in the European Union, Environmental Impact Assessment law was officially incorporated into the statutory framework of the EU on June 27, 1985. Directive 85/337 mandates EIA for certain projects such as those involving crude-oil refineries, thermal and nuclear power stations, motorway construction and dangerous waste landfills. It also requires EIA to be performed in conjunction with those other projects that Member States find have a significant effect on the environment due to the projects particular characteristics. The specific legal authority for the Directive is derived from Articles 100 and 235 of the EEC Treaty. The Directive also cites to the first three Action Programmes for their policies of preventing environmental harms at the source rather then trying to counteract environmental degradation once it occurs. The procedure called for by the Directive identifies, describes and analyzes the effects a development project may have on humans, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climate, landscape, welfare and cultural heritage. The EIA must contain a description of the project in question, an outline of the main alternatives to the project, the reason for choosing the proposed plans, a description of the significant effects the project will have on the environment, and a description of the measures that must be taken to avoid, reduce or compensate for those effects. Because developers have the best knowledge of the nature of their proposal, they have the responsibility of gathering the information and compiling the EIA. The decision-making authorities who have the power of giving consent to the developers plans have the responsibility of setting standards for approval or disapproval and ensuring that the developers EIA complies with the law. Further, they are obligated, by statute, to incorporate the EIA into their decision-making process. Also, Article 10 of the Directive states that the authorities must respect existing regulations and practices regarding industrial and commercial secrecy. Finally, the Directive envisions an active role for the public. In addition to supplying the decision-makers with information regarding the impact a project will have on the local environment, the public may have an opportunity to suggest alternatives and to pursue judicial action in order to request a review of consent. Further particularities of public participation and involvement are to be determined by the individual Member States. 2.1.2.4. The National Defense Project Exception to Directive 85/337/EEC The effectiveness of the Directive in preventing environmental harms is undercut by the exception it gives to national defense projects. It is reasonable to infer that this exception reflects two assumptions. The first assumption, explicitly mentioned in the Directive, is that national legislative processes will ensure that defense projects comply with the Directive. No rationale is provided for this assumption except for the implied reasoning that national legislators share the concerns of the Directive and are able to guide national legislation accordingly. The second assumption appears to be that the confidentiality of Member States national security matters would be compro