College application essay examples: August 2019

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Pressures Faced by Media Organizations During War Essay

While wars kill people, destroy lives and economies and create lasting hatreds, they often bring great benefits to a minority of people. Wars are great for the national cohesion of a country, wars allow unpopular rulers to gather support for themselves and rally the masses behind them. Wars may also benefit the manufacturers of arms and ammunition and military equipment, mercenary forces or other industries. Wartimes are often periods of great emotional upheaval and peoplesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ patriotic and nationalistic feelings rise to a great intensity. During wars people are inclined to be less suspicious of government motives and more complaint to government commands and recommendations. However, generally wars cause much more harm than good and a section of the public often opposes war. During war times governments often rely on the national media to back their military policy and answer and refute the critics of war in their behalf. Media organizations face pressure from the government, the masses, the corporations and the military to conceal or distort facts or to report the war in a certain way. In a democratic country, the citizens depend on the media to inform them objectively whether a certain governmental policy is in their best interests or not. Often the rulers of a country decide to go to war, while the people are reluctant. In such situations the government may pressurize media organizations to convince the public of the need for war. This situation occurred in the United States at the start of the World War I. The American public saw no reason to enter war against Germany at the behalf of Britain. The President Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand pledged to enter war in the aid of Britain. In April 1917 as the US entered the war, Wilson formed the Committee on Public Information (CPI) to convince the American intellectuals to support US entry into the war. The committee flooded the country with speakers and propaganda posters. Newspapers were flooded with news releases denouncing the Germans and leveling true and false accusations at them (Ponder). While at war governments often wish that the war be seen as a moral cause, wars that are fought for mercenary reasons or out of a misguided or extreme conception of patriotism are portrayed as morally sanctioned campaign to bring about a noble goal. Members of the media are expected to use this narrative in their reporting. Those who question the righteousness of the cause may face punitive actions of various types. During the Vietnam War, the media was employed by the American government as a tool against the anti-war movement. Anti-war protesters were portrayed as traitors, giving aid and comfort to the Vietcong and North Vietnamese enemy. It was not until a large number of elected officials had declared their opposition to the ongoing war, that it became acceptable for the media to discuss the motives and assumptions behind the conflict and the righteousness of AmericaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s cause. However the general tone of the war coverage was highly Ã¢â‚¬ËœpatrioticÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ as if the presence of the US forces in Vietnam were most natural and it were the Vietcong who were foreign invaders (Hallin). Compared to previous administrations, the Nixon administration had to face a lot more public skepticism and widespread anti-war sentiments. The television networks too, started showing a lot more criticism of the administrations war policies. The administrations response was to appeal to the affiliate TV channels, which were mostly owned by rich, white, conservatives, to bear pressure upon the news networks to reduce the extent of their criticism (Hallin). The success of the establishmentÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s efforts to present the war as a moral goal is heavily dependant upon the publicÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s perception of the enemy as the epitome of evil. Therefore the establishment may try to suppress any discussion in the media that portrays the enemy as having any positive quality whatsoever. Soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, comedian Bill Maher, on his TV show Ã¢â‚¬ËœPolitically IncorrectÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ questioned President BushÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s comment that the attackers were cowardly. One of the guests on the show, political analyst Dinesh DÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Souza replied that the word was inaccurate when applied to the attackers, they were not cowards but warriors, agreeing with him Maher said, Ã¢â‚¬Å"We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not cowardly. Ã¢â‚¬ (Jones) This comment provoked a storm of fury in the public, in the media and the government. The comment was condemned by President BushÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s spokesman Ari Fleischer who said, Ã¢â‚¬Å"There are reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do and this is not a time for remarks like that; there never is. Ã¢â‚¬ (Jones). As a result of the controversy generated by the comment, the show Ã¢â‚¬ËœPolitically IncorrectÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ was deprived of advertising revenue and was cancelled a few months later (Jones). One of the most common themes employed in pro-war propaganda is the identification of the military campaign as a campaign for the human rights of ordinary people. This propaganda is severely threatened by the news of civilian causalities. Therefore governments at war wish may wish to suppress or minimize the impact of news mentioning civilian casualties caused as a result of their soldiersÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ actions. In order to portray the conflict with the enemy as a struggle between good and evil it is necessary to minimize any wrong doings or atrocities committed by the national and allied armed forces. Often reporters learning of a story involving atrocities by their own side feel pressured to hide these atrocities altogether. Reporters may also fear that if they report anything negative about the military, their access to the frontlines will be curtailed. In addition for reporters who are embedded within a military unit, within a few days of facing the same dangers as the troops, their identification with the unit may make it extremely difficult for them to make an objective assessment of a situation. During the Korean War, in the summer of 1950, the United States forces gunned down hundreds of South Korean refugees at No Gun Ri, believing them to be North Korean infiltrators. This massacre and other lesser ones were covered up by the American reporters because they believed that publishing the story might harm the war effort. It was not until 1999 that the No Gun Ri massacre was reported in the American Media (Penri). In Vietnam, the journalist Morley Safer, who revealed a number of atrocities on the part of the American military was especially the target of government wrath. Military officials attempted to have him barred from the war zone and recalled by his news agency (Hammond). In order to keep public support behind the war, the government may wish to give the impression that the war effort is succeeding very well even when the facts are to the contrary. The government may try to restrict the broadcast of certain types of information such as causality figures. During the Vietnam War, the American forces were fighting a smaller, clandestine war in Laos. In order to prevent the news of this clandestine war becoming public, the casualty figures for the Vietnam war were expanded to include the casualties in Laos under the heading Ã¢â‚¬Å"Casualties incurred by the US . military personnel in connection with the conflict in VietnamÃ¢â‚¬ (Hammond). During the present day Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the Bush government forbade the media from publishing photographs of flag draped coffins of American soldiers shipped back from Afghanistan and Iraq, on the basis that it would undermine the morale of the public. The government may also fear that news of military setbacks received by the national forces may turn public opinion against the war. In World War II, news of setbacks suffered by the US forces in the South Pacific were severely censored. If it became clear that there was no way to hide the news from being broadcasted, media sources would be instructed to wait until a victory had been achieved, the news of the setback in one area would then be paired up with the news of victory in another area to lessen the impact of the bad news (Carpenter). On occasion members of international media organizations may be regarded as a hostile force by a side in a conflict due to their refusal to ascribe to a code of self-censorship or due to perceived bias in their news reports. These media organizations may then face violence at the hands of military forces. The Qatari television channel Al-Jazeera may have been the object of this treatment in the present day Afghanistan and Iraq wars. In November 2001, a bomb dropped from a US warplane destroyed the Al-Jazeera office in Kabul. Al-Jazeera executives alleged that the US military had been informed of the coordinates of their office beforehand and that the bombing was deliberate (Wells). Al-Jazeera was again the alleged target of US attack in Iraq. Al-Jazeera interviewed Allied military personnel captured by Iraqi forces as well as the massive civilian losses caused by the allied bombing. Neoconservative intellectuals close to the Bush administration, such as Frank Gaffney advocated the use of the US military against Al-Jazeera, alleging that it was the mouthpiece of Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. In November 2005, the British publication The Daily Mirror alleged the existence of a memo from the British Prime Ministers office that claimed that President Bush considered bombing al-Jazeera offices in Qatar in discussions with the Prime Minister Tony Blair and that Blair talked him out of it (Mcguire and Lines). The conduct of war often becomes a point of contention between rival groups in a government, this may lead to politically motivated intentional Ã¢â‚¬ËœleaksÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ of sensitive information to the media. These Ã¢â‚¬ËœleaksÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ may consist of partial, distorted or fabricated information, giving people a distorted view of the reality of issues. Since news media organizations are always looking to gain an advantage over their competitors they may decide to publish this unverified information thereby becoming unwitting tools in the hands of a faction in the government. During the Iraq War, the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame was leaked to the press, the leak was seen as a reprisal against PlameÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s husband Joseph C.Ã‚ Wilson IV who had refuted President BushÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s assertion that President Hussein of Iraq was seeking to build nuclear weapons in a column in Ã¢â‚¬ËœTimesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ (Werther). Modern news media attempts to serve several masters at once. In order to get to cover a war a make a profit they have to keep the military, the people, the administration and the affiliates happy. The professional responsibility of a journalist to report only the truth often takes a b ackseat to these considerations.

Mgmt 404 Project

Friday, August 30, 2019

Mandatory Testing

The Best Job It is hard to choose where you want to work when you start applying for Jobs. The first place I started working at was a hospital named Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. After that I moved to another hospital named Alexia Brothers where I worked and remained the rest of the time till I finished high school. I started working in a hospital because my future Job is to be a surgeon. Working in a hospital gave me firsthand experience on being a surgeon.My Job at Alexia Brothers was better than my Job at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital because of the positive atmosphere, their appearance, and the people who worked there. When I worked at Alexia Brothers the atmosphere there was so positive and refreshing. It was so welcoming and family oriented whenever you came there. The appearance of the place was always organized and professional. Even if it was a specific holiday, they would decorate the whole building with that theme.They always kept the whole building clean and up to date daily. The people that worked there with me were so helpful and welcoming. When you come In they make you feel so welcomed, it is like a big family there. Even the customers who came In were really nice and made you feel welcomed as well. Whenever I needed help everyone was there and willing to help with whatever. My boss and employees was Just like family to me. While working at Alexia Brothers I grew a close bond with my employees and joss.Working at Alexia Brothers was such a wonderful, fun filled opportunity for Mandatory Testing By Hale-Beets there with me were so helpful and welcoming. When you come in they make you feel so welcomed, it is like a big family there. Even the customers who came in were really to me.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

The Problem of Evil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Problem of Evil - Essay Example However, this world is filled with things beyond evil and people do feel pain and suffering, which contradicts the claims of orthodox theist that God is perfectly good. This conflict is called problem of evil. Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is He impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then is He malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil? (Hume) In an attempt to unravel the complexities of this predicament, few queries must be made. Evil goes beyond what we do not want other people to do to us. According to Hick, there are two classifications of evil. First, the moral evil which includes those acts an individual or group may be responsible of such as the seven deadly sins and more. Second type is the natural evil. Pain and suffering brought by natural calamities which people has no control over. Although the line which separates the two is still blurry, since some natural evil are consequences of human actions or lack of action. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the fact that there are things beyond our control ----- accidents and natural disasters. Evil is often associated with suffering which highlights an individualÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s sense of pain or loss that focuses on a particular kind of evil: one which is considered as a consequence of an act rather than a more abstract concept. Thus arise another confusion which is the existence of hell ----- a place where God put those who have failed Him to rot and suffer; because this very notion contradicts the idea of a loving God. Augustinian theodicy argues that God is wholly good, thus HeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not responsible for the existence of evil in the world. It claims that evil is not the opposite; rather it is the absence of good. According to this theodicy, evil happens as a result of peopleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s misuse of their free will, therefore exonerating God and putting the blame of all evil and suffering to people who abuse their free will. This particular claim of Augustinian theodicy makes the subject more baffling, for it puts all the blame to the Ã¢â‚¬Ëœfinitely perfectÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ being, that is us humans, who fails to choose perfection, hence shifting the blame back to the Creator. Moreover, the term Ã¢â‚¬ËœprivationÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ is inadequate justification for the apparent effects of evil in its truest sense. Then comes the knowledge of evolution ---- a process by which humans, being the most complex creatures, learn to adapt and grow in accordance with its environment. This is the claim of Irenaean theodicy which is restated by John Hick on his Soul-making theodicy. Hick defines soul-making as the existence of evil and suffering which allows flawed creatures to outgrow their imperfections and develop to a more perfect state. It emphasizes on the development by practicing free will, people are able to overcome temptations and suffering hence bringing them closer to perfection and to God. Unlike that of the Augustinians which give much stress on the negativity of the existence of evil, Irenaean theodicy puts God in an epistemic distance from us. It explains that this distance is meant for us to learn to love God on our own free-will by prevailing over all the difficulties He places on our path as we journey through life. Evil is created by God to hone the inner values we have, for some ideals need to go through some difficulties to develop like that of courage and forgiveness amidst suffering. This theodicy believes that individuals evolve towards a higher state by

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Russian Foreign Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Russian Foreign Policy - Essay Example Beside the policy, the paper also presents a degree of predictability and non-cooperation in the Russian foreign policy towards the west. The annexation of Crimea in March 2014 which entailed threatening of the UkraineÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s sovereignty and the alarming of a myriad of policy makers across the west has of late brought the politics behavior of Russia back into debate amongst foreign policy experts. Despite the fact that the action was viewed as a violation of the law, Russian officials, perceived this as acting within the law. To a number of people, it did not come as surprise especially when looked from the point of quantitative analysis and social science theory. The Peninsula of Crimea and Ukraine serve the RussianÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s energy interest. Besides the predictability and the non-cooperation debate, the paper will also analyze Russians use of coercive energy power during the 21st century. The main engine of the power for the country is its energy which is one of the main drivers of the economic growth globally. The coercive energy power policy is delineated as the process of providing economic rewards in the post soviet state through the reduction of natural gas prices, high purchasing power by Russia if the nation is exporting the same, ensuring there is the pipeline transit fees when affected country politically subordinates Russia., withdrawal of economic benefits and advantages through the natural gas prices or reduction of the purchasing prices if the nations are exporters, competitive pipeline projects, pipeline transit fees in order to make other actors within the post soviet space conduct something that they wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t otherwise do through the use of Russians political and economic powerful instruments. The geographical location of the country makes its resources available to the existing demand e.g Europe, China, East and Southern areas of Asia. However, the transfer of natural gas can only

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) - Essay Example As a result of this, many corporations resolved to embark on the programs of CSR in an attempt to offset their effects on the society along with improving their corporate practices in general. Companies that decide to implement a CSR program start out by discussing the program in their codes of ethics and mission statements so that the interested parties and stockholders become aware of the program. Many companies presently have a separate CSR department that not only ensures that the companyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s CSR program is noticed by the public but also manages the social programs of the company. Companies generally vary in the scope of their CSR program. A vast majority of the companies start implementing the CSR program at home by offering more health benefits and higher wages to their employees. Addressing the corporate suppliers is usually the step that follows that tends to create a constant supply chain with practices that are ethically justifiable. The advantages of having a CSR program mainly include good reputation in the market and in the eyes of the consumers, increased brand loyalty on the part of the consumers, and a competitive advantage for the companies particularly when they bid for contracts. The disadvantages of having a CSR program include incurring extra cost to do the operations that can otherwise be done in a cost-effective manner, though the latter would be more unfriendly toward the environment or the society at large. Many companies these days have a trend of adding a charitable aspect to their CSR programs. An example of this can be sponsor initiatives directed at the development of the community in the regions where coffee is produced by a company that produces and sells coffee. Likewise, a company that produces oil might take measures for the restoration of habitat in a region that has historically been used for the extraction of oil. In addition to that, many companies add this charitable aspect by donating funds to the charities of their own

Monday, August 26, 2019

Investigating Japanese Banking Sector Competition - A panel data Dissertation

Investigating Japanese Banking Sector Competition - A panel data approach - Dissertation Example Introduction Albeit the Japanese economy has been long hailed as the model of success in Asia, the transition towards a market oriented economy has not been smooth. Despite of the ravages left in the aftermath of the 2nd world war, the 1960Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and 1970Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s saw Japan attain enormously high rates of economic growth (Johnson, 1982). The regulated financial sector working in tandem with the government and business corporations led to a stable and steady integrated economic system which allowed the economy to flourish. The Japanese banking system had a critical role to play in this phase. Not only did the banks act as corporate governing bodies, they also played roles or rescuers when enterprises where in financial difficulties. By providing loans to enterprises that were investing in sectors with strong growth potential these banks shared the risks in similar vein to venture capitalists (Wade, 1999). But in the decades of the 1970Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and 1980Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s the fast growing ec onomy compelled by the global environment of market integration had to modify its structure and attempt to adjust to the new environment. Growing domestic businesses gradually had a lower requirement to borrow from the domestic banking system. Circumvention of financing from external sources coupled with developing asset markets through the accumulation over the earlier decades led to alterations in the capital flows and liberalization of the financial sector followed (Noguchi, 1998). In the latter half of the 1980Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s decade such liberalization resulted in a lack of adequate tightness in monetary conditions which in turn led to an asset oriented initial upturn and economic boom but finally the asset bubble got burst and this opened the floodgates for JapanÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s economic woes. Due to the depressed market conditions the 1990Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s have been famously coined as the Ã¢â‚¬Å"lost decadeÃ¢â‚¬ (Takahashi, 2011). Since the early 2000Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s the Japanese economy has been in th e process of trying to recover through market oriented reforms but no remedy to the ailment which continued to make the economy weaker and the recent global financial crisis has only worsened the situation (see figures 1 to 3). Figure 1 Figure 1 above shows the path of real GDP over time. Evidently the climb is steeper and more steady until 1990 since when evidence of volatility is observed and the slope is flatter as well. A substantial dip is also visible in the mid 2000Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s. Figure 2 Figure 2 reveals that the percentage of annual GDP growth has actually been quite volatile. However, more noticeably there is a downward trend in the series and the growth rate has decelerated to negative values over the last few years. Figure 3 Finally figure 3 shows the average growth rate for the four decades since 1970. Evidently the performance was substantially lower in the decade of the 1990Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and to add to the woes of the economy, the growth rate has been even lower in the 1st dec ade of the 2000Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s. The economy is still in quest for attaining a system that has the advantage of institutional complementarities as it once had in its golden era of growth. Substantial amounts of research has established that the degree of competitiveness has important bearing on economic growth and

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Lying is Universal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lying is Universal - Essay Example For our elders who have already passed most parts of their lives such as our grandparents lying is such a trivial phenomenon that they hardly realize when they are undergoing it. Virtually they make themselves believe that whatever they are thinking is right and is based on nothing but facts! It has often been noticed that their thoughts about any matter in particular are based over a series of continuous lies that they have made themselves believe as facts rather than otherwise! Even if it is pointed out to them that what they are sayin is incorrect they claim to have never lied about anything ever before. Below is a narration of such a happening in which an elderly person lies about certain things without realizing what she is doing. A few weeks ago on a sunny afternoon I was lazily reclining on my armchair engrossed in the servitude of my summer vacations. Ã¢â‚¬Å"I cannot find my Ring! I have looked every where!Ã¢â‚¬ exclaimed my grandmother. There was nothing else that could ha ve taken my attention off from the suspense novel that I was reading other than my grandmotherÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s remarks. What was so special about them was that she was talking about the so very famous ring that had a myth behind it. It was our familyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ancestral ring. ... But today, when she had come back into her room after her morning chores she had suddenly realized that she was not wearing her ancestral ring. She could not recall when she had taken it off and where she had put it. The only thing she knew was that she had looked up all the possible places where the ring could supposedly have been but in-vain. She could find it nowhere. I and my siblings offered our services to her and each one of us took up a separate room to conduct the Ã¢â‚¬Å"Ring-HuntÃ¢â‚¬ in it. Under the sofa, over the cabinet, beside the refrigerator and below the room carpet, after about 3 hours of continuous search there was no place left on our ground floor that we hadnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t looked up. In the meantime when we were busy searching we could continuously hear grandmother complaining to each and everyone of her children and friends over the phone that she had lost the ring and that she suspected the cleaning lady of having stolen her centuriesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ old ring. She was so very convincingly telling everyone that the maid had taken her ring that the listener would get the idea that grandmother was cent percent sure in her saying and that it was not just an imaginary assumption that she was making. Is she not lying? I thought to myself while looking up the ring in her closet. But she was talking as if she had seen the maid take the ring with her own eyes whereas only a few hours earlier had she mentioned that she did not recall where it that she had last seen the ring was. The next thing I heard was that she had extended her Pretend-Story of Stolen Ring Even more. She had linked it with every time the maid had ever mentioned to grandma that she really appreciated the antique jewels that she possessed. She quickly

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Valourec Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Valourec Case Analysis - Essay Example The adoption of better technology in the production process yield stunning result in its outcome. If the company chooses most feasible and comfortable method of production in its operation, they can come up with unique feature to the market with modest feature.However its implementation process requires high cost and it cannot affordable to the small and medium scale enterprise due to heavy initial investment. Vallourec was a well motivated a strong personality who aimed to upgrade his production in to world class.The present world is considered as the era of science and technology. Hence due to his well wish, his company could reach countries top most metal tubing manufacturer within a short time. The chemical and gas field requires a huge investment, Technology, Skilled labor and mechanism. If the company follows modern technology and unique production method, they can come up with most efficient low cost product in to the market. The quickest process called by the injunction moldi ng process, which is a highly developed technology adopted by the Vallourec under its steel production process. So here the company was highly interested in developing the quickset process to reduce the production process and to increase the efficiency in the production process. Yet it is a unique production method and it is a adoptable to the metals due to its microscopic layer. The development of technology may incur several time with different stages throughout the process. However the strong desire of the management helped the company to become one of the major manufacturers of metal tubes in the country. However this case study is an attempt to give information on the adoption of modern technology and unique production method than the traditional method of production. Hence this case study reveals the truth, which is involved in the production process by the application of best practice in its operation. Identification of key issues, problems, and opportunities and Evaluation of alternative strategic approaches to deal with the identified problems Vellore's Venture case is one of the most successful cases in the Metal melting process industry. The ultimate aim of every business magnate is to maximize their wealth with a limited risk and prospects. So they require higher return to their heavy investment with in a limited period. Hence the business would modify according to its area of business and the best available methods to operate. Similarly in this case they corporation applied several techniques and methods to get higher return and outcome with a limited effort than the market competitor. The technological innovation gives most suitable and feasible solution to the conventional method of production, where the company can avoid the traditional method of production and come up with unique product to the market. Due to its operation it may suffer several internal as well as the external problems. Let us evaluate the main problems and how it helped to the Vellore's venture to become no one metal producer in the country. Similar to the other metal melting industry the Vellore's has its own issues and problems in the business mater. Yet the company could manage the problem with its effective future plans and strategies. The first and foremost issues related to the process are raising cost. The cost problem is common to almost all business enterprise in the world. However the cost is the major problem and it caused to rise in its price. The rising in the general price of Gas and its material would be a great burden to the Vellore's industry. The slumping sales in the major market hit a heavy burden to the company due to constant increase in the operational cost. So it leads the company in to the situation, where it couldn't estimate the operational cost of its north steel process. Yet on the ultimate stage it could recover its cost in to profitable on due to fell in the oil price in 1979. However it is generally reflecting the issues that the company had been following the conventional

Friday, August 23, 2019

Information Technology for Business - Scenario analysis Essay

Information Technology for Business - Scenario analysis - Essay Example Podcasting has risen in terms of popularity and is still in the stages of infancy. This early stage in which the technology is currently places provides a lucrative opportunity for innovative firms to capitalize upon and develop devices as well as tools that may make it easier for consumers to use and allow companies to consider as a credible medium to enhance their businesses. One of the most important benefits of podcasting is that it allows information to be dissipated across in an effort to educate and influence audiences on a global scale. The possibility to download content allows users to be able to access the content whenever deemed necessary in addition to the advantage to be able to play any part of the content as required. Podcasting is an ideal avenue to generate revenue through sponsorship and advertising (Michael Woodland Geoghegan, Dan Klass, 2005). Companies recognize that marketing forms a vital tool of modern businesses and firms spend billions of dollars worth revenue just to promote the product within its customer base. Marketing experts such as Paul Campbell of Effective Podcasting acknowledges that Podcasting is being perceived by the industry as a new and encouraging opportunity for businesses and forecasts the podcast related market to grow by as much as 1000% over the coming 4 years. Podcasts are advantageous for businesses given the versatility and variety with which they can be developed as also the fact that podcasts can represent any kind of business or market segment with different and exclusive content. The latest technology in the development of Podcasts has helped companies advance from merely spamming their customers with unwanted advertisements and newsletters, thereby invoking the ire and lack of concern among customers for any such style of promotion. Podcasts provide a workaround from this Ã¢â‚¬Ëœpush promotionÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ by enabling users to be able to listen to podcasts depending on their

How Drones Challenge Our Political System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How Drones Challenge Our Political System - Essay Example The writer mainly focuses on the negative impact posed by the drones. He acknowledges that drones have been a significant improvement from the B52s that were earlier used. He provides an example whereby B52s were used in World War 2. This resulted in major civilian casualties. However, the American public did not raise a finger to this. The writer goes on to explain how the smart bombs came into play. He directs the reader to consider the fact that these bombs were purported to be highly accurate. This, however, was not the case. These bombs resulted in unavoidable Ã¢â‚¬Å"collateral damageÃ¢â‚¬ . He continues to give the example of the attempt on Saddam Hussein. The reader may be inclined to think that the writer is either against technology or the use of drones precisely. Drones are, as have been proved, more accurate than the B52s that were earlier used. Therefore, why is the writer so against them? The writer is not concerned with the technology or the drones themselves, he is co ncerned with the moral impact that its use posses. He paints a picture of the future whereby drones will be available even to the terrorists. In this article, Allen proposes that the use of the drone technology should be regulated. Otherwise, the repercussions in the future will be unfathomable. The use drones pose an ethical and moral dilemma. In order to make his point clear, Allen views the targeting of individuals as synonymous to assassination. He introduces a comic relief to the article by claiming that the infamous Borgia would have been pleased by the new and effective way of murdering people. (Allen 5). Aside from the moral aspect associated with drones, the writer raises the issue of drone regulation. The writer wishes the readers to understand that the government of US has not monopolized the technology used in drones. This technology is fast spreading to other countries (Allen 5). There is a great possibility that, with time, this technology may find its way in the hands of the terrorists. Compared to the conventional means used by terrorists currently, the use of drone technology will be a big boost to them. Any persons who are considered to be enemies of the terrorists will have a cause to worry. The writer reiterates that drones employ artificial intelligence. Thus, they can be used to adapt to situations that humans may find difficult. The size of the drones is also decreasing significantly (Allen 5). It is expected that in the future drones will be the size of insects, thus, allowing them to penetrate into areas that humans cannot penetrate stealthily. Finally, Allen concludes that drones, given their technological impact, undermine the US political system. He points out that private firms, may venture into the business of drone technology. This will make it even difficult to institute a ban on this technology. The article hopes to inform the public of the ramifications of the use of drone technology. The moral questions posed by the targeting of individuals and its regulation. The writer appeals to the readers to understand the political decay caused by potential profits in the use of drone

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Management Under Uncertainly Essay Example for Free

Management Under Uncertainly Essay I had been in Target as a temporary worker and one decision made by the manager left a deep impression on me. As one of the largest retail stores in Australia, Target can be found in the shopping centre of most area. The store I had worked is located in Leichhardt which had the expectancy was achieving a sales budget of $ 50,000 per day, and then the net profit would reach $6000. In order to make the expectation into reality, the manager of Target Leichhardt store from the point of view of cost savings decided to cut the shifts of employees. Originally, one shift had four cashiers, but now reduced to two cashiers. In addition, the manger made a decision to no longer use customer greeters. In Target store, the duty of greeter is not only greet customers into the store, but also check the bags of customers to avoid theft when they leave. The manager decided to reduce shift because he found this is a kind of waste when the store is not busy. On the other hand, he thought the customer greeter looks like a decoration because the phenomenon of pilferage was rarely. Although the manager made the adjustments, the result was still not satisfied and the outcome was the store has not achieved the budget. These decisions caused complaint from a lot of customers about the long queue when they went to the checkout. I had seen some customers drop off the commodities which they had selected because they do not like to wait for a long time. Beyond that, the two operators always feel tired and unfair when the store is very busy. Once they feel bored, they will not have enough energy and passion to serve customers. Furthermore, no longer use greeter also caused some negative effects. For example, tally clerk found that small and precious items had been lost regularly. Obviously, there were customers in the store for stealing and the action of theft reduced the budget seriously. Analysis of the Decision Teale, Dispenza, Flynn, Currie (2003) pointed out that the bounded rational decision making is refer to there are many options, but the decision maker only consider some of these, or from the long term, that is not a best decision but the most suitable for the current situation. Here is an example, a lady fell down along the road and break her stiletto heel, and then she quickly goes into a cheap shoe store and bought a pair of lip-flops that she had never worn before. If it is in normal circumstances, the lady will buy a pair of shoes that she likes at ordinary times, but now she is in a hurry and can not wear the shoes with broken heels. So, buy a pair of shoes that does not like usually become an appropriate choice. This can be called Ã¢â‚¬Å"satisfyingÃ¢â‚¬ . People in most cases do decision like this, because sometimes we do not consider all the possibilities in order to save time (Campling, Poole, Wiesner, Ang, Chan, Tan Schermerhorn, 2008). Decision-makers always pick up the most useful one. In the Target Leichhardt store, because the manager chose the solution to reduce the costs in a short time, the decision can be defined as Satisfying. The decision of this store manager made just embodies the peopleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s bounded rationality in decision making process. The managers thought the store can increase budget by cutting costs. However, queuing for a long time can make customers have bad impression on the store. Finally, people thought for long lines when they mention this store, then they refuse to go to the store shopping instinctively. People should consider three processes that bounded rationality usually involve in. hey are simple search, simple stopping and simple decision rules. These three rules are also referred to as Ã¢â‚¬Å"heuristicsÃ¢â‚¬ , it is used to describe Ã¢â‚¬Å"how normal people make decisions without calculating utilities and probabilitiesÃ¢â‚¬ (Gigerenzer Todd, 2012). In this case, the manager made decision without calculating the chance of various results by using the optimal and maximizing outcome. . In this situation, the manager didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t use the optimal or maximizing outcome to calculate the probability of outcome occurring, he didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t use the utility to calculate the expected happiness. There are many factors that can cause bounded rationality, such as emotion, knowledge and culture. According to Teale et al (2003), bounded rationality can also be interpreted as non-rational decisions. This is because people have limited knowledge level and lack of training. The lack of knowledge and training make people with narrow horizons, and then can not take a panoramic view of the situation and do not have a long-term view. In this Target store, the manager did not investigate and understand the situation of the store from all aspects carefully; it also can say he was lack of practical experience in management of decision making. His decision can only satisfy the short-term interest if it goes well. However, it turns out he did not achieve the short-term goals. In terms of the long time interest, invoice for a long time and occasionally steal phenomenon caused bad effect on the companyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s image. On the other hand, decision-maker do not communicate smoothly and actively with others can also affect the decision making (McKee, 2010). According to my observation, the manager lack basic understanding of the store and he seldom communicated with employees and customers. Sometimes, he just organized the regular meeting, and the aim of meeting is to decorate task without exchange views with others. When someone makes decision by himself without communicate with others, bounded rationality can get a higher frequency of occurrence. Lacks of communication not only lead to make decision unwise, because the decision maker is likely to be emotional to make a decision, but also make the decision maker overconfidence. In real life, we meet some people who always think they are right (Hanson, Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2011). Beyond that, environment can cause bounded rationality. TodayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s general environment is complicated and changefully, people can obtain information from various channels and ways. Not all information is appropriate, sometimes wrong information mislead decision maker to make an irrational decision. In this case, the general environment is the customers and sales performance are different and the manager eager to prove his ability. So he made a non rational decision and this decision does not have any benefit for a long term operation. Reflection Mckee (2010) show us The Eight Stage Decision Making Process Model. If I were the manager in this case, I would use the above mentioned model to help me to make a rational decision. First of all, I would collect all possible information about the sale budget and net profit for five years before. For example, check the financial annual report, the daily turnover and the net profit report. Form these reports, I could analyze and assess which part of work we need to adjust and improve. Our goal is to increase earnings; we can start this goal from attracting more customers rather than reduce shifts and layoff greeters. There are many ways to attract potential customers and make them become returned customers at the same time. One effective way is issue voucher; we can offer a five dollar voucher when the customers purchase more than 50 dollars. By that analogy, we can give ten dollar voucher when the customers purchase more than 100 dollars. In this way, we can ensure customers keep coming. Another way to attract customers is to do some promotions, such as buy three same items for two items price. When I use The Eight Stage Decision Making Process Model to make a decision, I would consider more on one of the elements that is to list alternatives (Mckee, 2010). In this case, arrange employees to the most suitable area according to their own ability and personality is an alternative decision. For instance, a employee with personality of patience and enthusiasm, I would arrange he to be a customer assistance. Put myself in customerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s position, I hope to get a better shopping guide and help. Moreover, Tolbert and Hall (2008) pointed out that the more person involve the decision process, the decision is more rational. Due to the feasibility of this theory, I would be honest to analyze the whole store operating condition and the goals to other managers and employees. Then, I will encourage them to actively participate in discussion and give advices. If I were the manager I would continue to use customer greeters. In order to make them not as decoration, I will arrange them some to do things to attract customers. For example, greeters can pass flyers to passers so that they have a better concept about what product will have a discount in which day. The following step we need to carry out decision, along with this step there may have some obstacles impede our progress. But, these are not serious problems, as long as we step by step; we are able to make sensible decisions (Kramar, Bartram, De Cieri, Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart Wright, 2011). This style of decision making can be described as the rational model. Only managers like a link, fasten all the employees together to make the decision, this decision can be good for long-term development of an organization.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Social Networking our Young Generation Essay

Social Networking our Young Generation Essay Social networking sites are web-based services, with a large online community. Websites like Facebook, MySpace or Twitter provide social networking services which bring people together all over the world by allowing them to get to know each other in an online environment. This interaction is likely to include families, friendship and romantic and group relation. With the help of networking, it can help people make friends and to search to find some personal relationship and families can stay in touch more easily. Nowadays, huge number of people connects to networking sites and it also increases the number of relationship. The websites combine many internet features into one: personal profile, blogs, places for photos and videos, the latest news about music groups, user groups, and more. People use social networking sites to developing business contacts and maintaining contact with them. Websites like LinkedIn can be convenient place for professionals to meet and talk about business. Developing business contacts on the internet is most of the time easier and faster than offline. Aims The aim of the study is explain the Importance of participating in internet groups and interactive with others and one-on-one from the individual self concept and social relationship. This research also tell how the knowledge is to be explored and social action is to be taken which shall be carried out in the field so this research aims at understanding transformation reconstructing and striving for an understanding of the whole. So approach which suites my question is qualitative research and the primary aim of this investigation is to study the people interaction on internet as we all know the now days people have been curious about how the powerful new information and communication media known as internet interaction is going on in the society. Objectives Promote your business using social networking sites. Effects of social networking websites on the young generation. Safety sites of young generation. Advantages and Disadvantages of Social networking sites. Literature review Internet is first and foremost communication technology with the potential to change people social interaction. Internet adoption in homes has grown rapidly since the early 1990s. For Example by 2003 63% of American had used the internet. In 1990s, Information technology experts expected the internet to be consigned to the trash heap of history. Internet has become an essential part of our lives; many websites have facility ways for people to keep in touch in the form of social networking. Social networking sites are the way for interact with new people and to make connections as well as share photos, videos, and activities with each other (Red Sox Nation, Northern California).. In the past 5 years, such sites have rocketed and millions of people use networking sites. According to Amanda Lenhart and Mary Madden indicates that 55% of online teenagers have created a personal profile online, and 55% have used networking sites like MySpace and Face book. A social networking site includes both the exchange of information among individuals and group online. Expression also represents a view perspective, reflection, or quality of the individual or groups. Social networking is more focussed on individual relations and goals than is city and community involvement and networking with specific others whom one either knows initially or eventually comes to know. This interaction is likely to include families, friendship and romantic and group relationship. Video-sharing site is an also place where humans can make connection with one another. YouTube also allows a user to add another user as his or her friend. Expressions refer to the material that is created by individual or groups to reflect their views, interests or talents. Mainly internet based on social networking sites to build the personal and relationship and give the meaning to peoples lives. This sites help to people allow creating social relationship and it also used to find new friends in new locate. There are many ways the internet can be used for social relationship as follows are:- Online chatting Online dating Finding life partners Online friendship Many more Online chatting By using online chatting on internet many friends and relatives have come closer and to know very well to each other. Calling is very expensive and people cant afford to call. With the help of networking sites, people can connect to their relatives and get to talk each other very easily and they can see each other and chat through internet. Online dating Social networking websites are a great way of meeting people new people all over the world. Now days, people are meeting and dating on the internet. People can chat to somebody anytime, anyplace and anywhere. They are having huge relationship with others, so they will ask they will not go out with them because they are dating to someone. Finding Life partners Social sites focus on many different aspects of life, which makes it easier to find and make connections with other people who share common goals and interests, including love. By using traditional forms of marriage creation mainly of arranged marriages, internet has slowly being modified to the arrange marriage because it can serve the strength of tradition especially when modern condition of technologies seen to in decide tradition. Friendship Circle By using these sites instant messaging it allows cheap chatting between people and among group of friend or family. It also offers a good way of communicating with friends nearby or far away, without worrying about time or cost. This activity leads to vast expression of contact and interactivity many people enjoy ready for outcomes relationship. I just like keeping up to chat with somebody and it makes me feel very great to know somebody and to make new connection. So in this research the evidence strongly suggest that the internet has already been used to powerful enhance the social relationship. The importance is social and is creating both individual level and collective level social capital. Networking sites also used for developing business contacts and to make connections with them. Websites like LINKEDIN can be suitable place for professionals to meet and talk about business. Developing business on the internet is the most of the time easier and faster than offline. Social networking sites are also promoting a business to a wider audience and global marketing .Nowadays, the majority of business at least one kind of online presence. All the above reason involve that the easy and rewarding interaction with other people, as well as the personal or professional gain that people obtain from joining social networking sites. These sites succeed at making everyone part of global society. In our research, social networking sites can effects on the young generations. As a result, social networking websites have extensive attraction for youngsters with the number of users growing daily. In 2007, Pew Internet and American life Project report that 55% of online teens have a personal profile (facebook, twitter, orkut) on this kind of website. Today, youngsters attract these sites just because of this websites combine many features into one like personal profile, blogs, videos and photos sharing, and many more. Along with these benefits come some risks. As conclude that there are number of cases for harassment or sexual advances. Most of these sites are open to all, especially MySpace or face book which means that teenagers could be exposed our personal information and our identity to someone. Cyber-bulling and harassment are more often commit by other youngsters and mostly tend to happen most to older girls and either gender who have a strong online presence. There so many several forms like posting threatening messages, publishing private messages, e-mails or text messages, posting embarrassment photos and many more. Another risk is identifying theft, which means somebody can enter your personal profile they can know about everything like, your name, birthdates and your location. So today, its very rare for harassment to all over the world but it can still be a cause of emotional distress for youngsters. As a result, most social networking sites have privacy controls in place, but youngsters hardly ever use them. If you can do active monitoring of profiles and behaviours catches some hackers, but not all of them. Here some tips of safety sites for young generation as well as child also when they created our profile it make sure they understand not to post personal information like home address, birthdates, email address, mobile number etc because this information is private to them and not for sharing. And also explain that what gets put on the inte rnet can live forever its means if you remove your picture later it may have been copied by someone else and misuse of your picture also. The main safety tips are that you should use for password for your profile and make sure their password cannot be easily guessed. Survey results show that percentage for adults with profile on social networking sites September 2009 data. In this graph shows that adults in all age group favour for face book by a wide margin, with older adults preferring it slightly more. In 73% of all adults 18 and older have use face book as well as adults 30 and older has 75% and young adults 18-29 has 71% who use social networking sites have a face book account. C:UsersHarmeet SinghDesktopuntitled.png In contrast, 48% of all adult social network users have a MySpace account. Young generation is much more using MySpace with 66% but only 36% of the 30 and older bracket. In other rates for professional networking sites LinkedIn are the reverse of MySpace. 14% of all adults 18 social networking sites users have LinkedIn account, which breaks down to 7% of adult 18-29 and 19% of adults 30 and older. In conclude that the highest percentage of internet users have use face book in social networking sites the second sites used is MySpace and other LinkedIn sites. http://thepowerofinfluence.typepad.com/the_power_of_influence/2010/02/social-networking-rises-especially-among-younger-set.html Advantages of social networking sites The most common advantages of social networking sites, it is the good way for communicate with new people and to make connections as well as share photos, videos ,blogs, services and activities with each other. Its also build the personal relationship and give the meaning to peoples lives. Social networking sites are also promoting a business to a wider audience and global marketing. By joining different communities, now people can easily know about the latest news related to that community. And the best parts of this that advice is free u dont need to pay any euro. Experts and your friends always ready to give you advice and share information with you. Here some most common positive things that has to make social networking really popular among people and spread smiles. Disadvantages of social networking sites There are some major disadvantages of networking sites that Security is the topmost matter of social networking sites which we used more. There are some people who always search for fake identity, which means somebody can enter your personal profile they can know about everything like, your name, birth date, email address and your location. So today, its very rare for harassment to all over the world. It is always advisable to dont provide your entire identity information online otherwise it makes our life spoil. Methods of Research: Philosophy of research There are many different types of research philosophies used by researchers like positivism, realism, interpretive, objectivism, subjectivism, pragmatism, functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist and radical structuralism. There are two types of realism direct and critical and the meaning of direct is what you see is what you get. Critical realism is the real world images of things and theory suggests data which specify technique at back observables. It means before data collection selection the selection of theory is must and then collection of data according to requirement (Saunders et al, 2007). Types of Research There are two main type of research approaches qualitative and quantitative research. Quantitative research, by definition deals with quantity and relationships between attributes; it involves the collection and analysis of highly structured data in the positivist tradition (Bowling 1997) .This method of research is appropriate in situations in which there is pre-existing knowledge which will permit the use of standardized data collection methods like survey, questionnaires.(Bowling 1997). Qualitative is an empirical research in which data is in text form rather than in number form. Qualitative method as opposed to quantitative used to collect and analyze the information in as many shapes, mostly non numeric. Main focus of this technique is to explore as feasible in detail, idea is to attain deepness instead of breadth (Blaxter ET at, 2007). I will use qualitative method of research here. The strength of this approach is the capability to study people in the field. Qualitative research describes words rather than numbers, the equality of social phenomena through observation. I am using in depth interviews and questionnaire and discussion group at the same time for collecting my research data. Methodology The methodology shall be illustrative qualitative using a case study methodology. This method offers an opportunity to study a particular subject and this can be used to express theories. Case study is a strategy for doing research method which involves an empirical investigation of a specific occurrence within its real life context using multiple source of indication.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Case of Chilli Pepper Value Chain

The Case of Chilli Pepper Value Chain With the emergence of globalization and internationalization of trade, development agencies in development cooperation increasingly aim at a sustainable, growth-oriented integration of developing countries into the world economy. Value chain development has received more emphasis especially in development projects and programmes. Improvements in the productivity of subsistent farmers are pre-requisites to the achievement of full contributions of agriculture to overall growth and development. Recent global policies propose that farmers can get out of poverty by being better linked to markets. Markets in recent times are changing fast and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. If businesses aspire to stay in the market, they need to make sure that their products and services meet continuously changing market requirements and demand conditions (Matthias et al. 2009). millions of subsistent farmers and rural communities especially in Africa are working to improve their livelihoods in an environment with low or little government support for producers, processing companies and supermarkets within agricultural markets (RenÃƒ ©, 2006; Martin, 2006). While access to markets remains an important medium for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there remain low levels of investment in agriculture, poor infrastructure, as well as limited access to technological innovation, Business Development Services (BDS), and market information and weak commodity value chains still inhibit smallholder farmers full access to markets (Aldonas, 2009). Ghana is currently running an agrarian economy and agriculture by no doubt the largest sector. The rate of the countrys economic growth seems to fall on the performance of the agricultural sector. The agriculture sector employs at least 50.6 percent of the working population, and most of them are small-scale farmers in developing countries. This rises to above 75 percent in the rural areas (Brempong 2003). More than 35 percent of Ghanas Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from agriculture (FASDEP 11, 2007). Market orientation among producers and processors still remains a stumbling block. For value chains and marketing systems in agriculture, there exist mutual benefits where farmers are hooked-up to the needs of consumers, working closely with suppliers and processors to produce the specific goods consumers demand (Roduner, 2007). Similarly, consumers are link-up to the needs of farmers via information flows. Development and promotion of value chains in agriculture is often about improving access to markets and ensuring a more efficient flow of products with the assurance that all actors in the chain benefit. Government and Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting value chain development have made it a core responsibility to supporting farmers to sell their products via value chains. But the question which needs deeper investigation is: do emphases on value chain development bring about an improvement in market access and income to farmers? The development of the value chain concept does not automatically result in benefits for smallholder farmers. The value chain concept is yet to assume its full potential in its intervention strategy among the chilli pepper farmers in the Tolon Kumbungu District. Value chains development can only overcome the cycle of poverty if they are deliberately designed to improve farmer livelihoods, so they need to be pro-poor (Gertan, 2009: p 2). As a new concept among development practioners, there is the tendency of selection of inappropriate value chain instruments that is not responsive to the needs of the smallholder farmers. Market in this context refers to the total supply and demand for a particular product farm products in both locally and internationally markets. The process of marketing must be customer oriented and provide profit for farmers, transporters, traders and processors otherwise they will not be able to stay in business. Value chains in this context refer to all the steps that a product takes, from its point of origin farm to the consumer. A value chain represents a specific type of supply chain where the chain actors actively seek to support each other so they can increase their efficiency and competitiveness. The actors invest in money, effort and time and build relationships with one another to reach a common goal of meeting and satisfying the needs of consumers hence, they can maximize their profits. Value chain development in agribusiness treats production as a chain of activities, each of which adds value and cost to the final product. As the product makes it way via the value chains, the value of the product increases. Actors are the specific players involved in producing, processing, trading or consuming a particular agricultural product. They include direct actors producers, traders, retailers and consumers which are commercially involved in the chain and indirect actors which provide financial or non-financial support services, such as; business service providers; bankers, credit agencies, researchers and government. The German Technical Cooperation of the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (GTZ/MOAP), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Savanna Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) are currently focusing on employment-oriented private sector development and agriculture. The value chain development concept has been adopted by these organizations as part of their core development strategies especially in the chilli pepper industry in the Tolon-Kumbungu District of the Northern region of Ghana since the year 2005. Their main aim of the intervention in the chilli pepper business is to reduce poverty and to stimulate the growth of the local economy by fostering sustainable relationships among actors, thereby bringing about their competitiveness in domestic, regional and export markets (MOAP, 2005). While these seem laudable, the problem of market access still exists. As a tropical crop, chilli pepper can survived in both tropical and temperate climates. In 2005 the global production amounted to 27.5 million tons (AVRDC, 2005). Considering developing countries in particular, chilli pepper is considered the most popular vegetable crop, being grown on an area of 0.73 million hectares in sub-Saharan Africa in 2005 (AVRDC, 2005). Chilli pepper is a common agricultural product produced and consumed in Ghana. The crop is used in nearly all Ghanaian dishes. The annual demand for chilli pepper is estimated at Ghc 27,000 and accounts for about 9.6% of total food expenditure in Ghana (GLSS IV, 2000), while consumption is expected to rise with increasing population. The crop is ranked the fifth most important crop in the Northern Region of Ghana. Quite a number of households and individuals are involved in its production in the region. It is estimated that about 41.3% of households in the Northern region engaged in chilli pepper production, making the region second only to the Brong-Ahafo as the region producing significant quantities of chilli pepper in the Northern sector of the country (Nsiah-Gyabaah, K. 2002). Therefore, any poverty alleviation program that includes the promotion of the crop as part of its strategies could have high potential for achieving greater impact, as chilli pepper has become an important cash crop for the majority of the people cultivating and trading in it. However, due to the effects of globalization, liberalization and increasing competition in agriculture markets, it is apparent that strategies aiming at reducing rural poverty need to move beyond a focus on increasing productivity. 1.1 Problem Statement Millions of subsistent farmers in developing countries and for that matter Ghana are working to improve their livelihoods with limited government support for producers, processing companies and supermarkets within agricultural markets (RenÃƒ ©, 2006; Martin, 2006). While access to markets remains an important medium for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there remain several factors including weak commodity value chains still hinders smallholder farmers to access markets (Aldonas, 2009). The main concern in development cooperation is how to reduce poverty. Many development organizations believe that agriculture value chain development is a strategic means of bringing about market access and income to farmers. Vibrant value chains are said to be more efficient in bringing products to all actors including small-scale producers and poor consumers should at least benefit from value chain development. Competitiveness in agribusiness in both local and international markets is noted to be one of the most commonly quoted objectives of value chain development. But this seems not to hit its full potential with the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. Chilli pepper farmers are still faced with an enormous marketing constraint of having to find credible buyers after harvest. They remain price takers and face the risk and uncertainties of fluctuating markets. The farmers feel highly vulnerable and unable to withstand the risks and achieve sufficient production to participate in value chain (Mitchell et al. 2009). Against this background, chilli pepper farmers in the study area still grapple with unassured markets for their raw materials and see themselves as price takers thinking that they have no control over prices and have to accept whatever is offered. Lack of economic equity among actors endangers the chilli pepper value chain intervention in the study district. Value chain development needs to priorities the constraints described above if they are to work for poorer farmers. As a contribution to understanding and solving these problems, an empirical research is needed to investigate into why chilli pepper farmers in the Tolon-Kumbungu district are not being paid sufficiently for their produce. 1.2 Research Questions 1.2.1 Main research question: What are the prospects and challenges of chilli pepper value chain development in the Tolon-Kumbungu District? . 1.2.2 Sub Questions 1. Does value chain development bring about an improvement in market access and income to farmers? 2 What are the entry barriers faced by farmers in the value chain marketing system? 3. What support do farmers need to function as active players of the value chain? 4. What strategies can be adopted to upgrade value chains in terms of product, process, and functions? 1.3 Research Objectives 1.3.1 Main Objective The general objective is to assess the prospects and challenges of the chilli pepper value chain development in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. 1.3.2 Sub Objectives 1. To find-out ways by which value chain development can lead to market access and income 2. To identify the entry barriers faced by farmers in the value chain marketing system. 3. To identify the requisite support required by farmers to function as active players of the value chain. 4. To identify strategies for upgrading of value chains in terms of product, process and functions. 1.4 Significance of the Study Pro-poor growth approach in recent times has become one of the key concerns of development organizations especially in developing countries. The matter with this approach lies in the promotion of economic potentials of the smallholder farmer and the disadvantaged (Altenburg, 2007). Nearly 35% of Ghanaians fall below the poverty line and a majority of these people reside in deprive communities where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. The introduction of the value chain as a development intervention tool is not only timely, but it is also appropriate. The value chain concept has gained more and more recognition in development projects and programmes with the primary aim of reduction in economic inequality by improvement in market access and income of all actors along the chain. Well functioning value chains should create a platform for efficient and mutual benefits of all actors including small scale producers and poor consumers, should benefit from value chain development. However, as a new concept among development practioners, it is likely to be engulfed with many critical operationalization problems. Hence, efforts should be stemmed up to facilitate the efficiency of the value chain development concept to aid in the attainment of the UN number one Millennium Development Goal eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. One surest way of doing this is to unearth the challenges and prospects of the value chain development concept as an intervention tool in agribusiness development among smallholder farmers, hence the study. The study is also expected to bring to bear the challenges and prospects of the chilli pepper value chain and how it can be improved to make it more pro-poor. The findings will also be useful to value chain practioners. Last but not the least, the result of the research could also serve as a basis for further research on the chilli pepper industry in the Northern Region of Ghana. 1.5 Scope of the Study The study will be organized into five chapters. Chapter one will cover the background of the study, problem statement, the research questions, the objectives of carrying out the study and significance of the study. Chapter two will explore the pertinent conceptual and empirical literature on the topic under consideration. Also, chapter three will consider the research methodology with regard to the study design, sampling method, data sources, study instruments and analytical tools and techniques. Chapter five will present the study results. Chapter five will present the discussions of the research findings while chapter six will offer the summary, the conclusion and recommendation thereof. Figure 1.1 Conceptual Frame Work Tolon-Kumbungu Chilli Pepper Value Chain Analysis 1. PRODUCERS Grow Harvest Dry 3. WHOLESALERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powdered Chilli pepper 4. TRADERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powder chilli pepper CHALLENGES PROSPECTS OF CHILLI PEPPER VALUE CHAIN IN THE TOLON-KUMBUNGU DISTRICT 2. INPUT PROVIDERS Availability of Equipment Seed Fertilizers Value chain Supporters: research extension, financial service providers, government, regulatory bodies, trust and power relations etc 6. CONSUMERS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper Powdered pepper 5. PROCESSORS Fresh chilli pepper Dried chilli pepper 1.4.1 Conceptual Frame Work The conceptual framework portrays linkages of the main actors of the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu District that may influence the efficiency of the chain. The framework demonstrates that for chilli pepper value chain to maintain a functional level that will make it efficient and sustainable, input providers, producers, transporters, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers must work and coordinate effectively. Producers of chilli pepper are the most essential actors of the chain but face the most constraints and need preferential treatment though the entire actors involved in the chain must equally function well which among others include: input providers, transporters, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Value chain supporters service providers (research and extension, rural banks, regional etc), National, district, community administrations, regulatory bodies, legislations, infrastructure and Socio-cultural factors influencing business attitudes, trust and power relations all influence the efficiency and sustainability of the chain. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This chapter is essentially a review of past works that have been done in the field of value chain with special emphasis on value chains in agribusiness. To this extent, both published and unpublished literatures will be reviewed. Gaps in some theories and concepts will be identified, amendments done and acknowledgement made. Value addition processes Value addition consists of activities that tend to improve products with the intension to increase returns for operators in the value chain. Cramer and Jensen (1994) consider value addition in commodity marketing to consist of those efforts that affect transfer of ownership and create time, place and form utility to commodities. Time utility is created through storage, to make commodity available over time. Place satisfaction is through transportation services, making the commodity available to those wanting it. Finally, form utility is added to a commodity through the processing function. Will (2006) on the other hand identified two possibilities for Value addition: (1) Value Capturing and (2) Value Creation. Value capture is described as the process of improving current production, processing and trading structures/processes. Value creation is however seen as the process of innovation in a new product. To create value, it is necessary to identify the promising market opportunities and assess production and marketing risk. What these fails to capture is to whether smallholder farmers can position themselves to be able to meet consumer demands and be able to at least have assured markets. Value addition as preached by development organizations stresses the need for its application at every stage of the production line. No efforts is been made to find-out the possibility of participation by low income and disadvantage farmers to actual stand-up to the task. Also, development organizations operationalizing value chain intervention models need to be questioned on the successes and the way-forward regarding their methods of intervention especially among smallholder farmers. This study is geared towards addressing these gabs, and will propose strategies for value chain intervention in agribusiness among smallholder farmers. Five value addition processes have identified for horticulture especially chilli pepper (Figure 1.0 below). Chilli pepper traders, through marketing activities create, time, space and forming utilities, by buying, and/or sorting before selling fresh to capture value or create value by drying before sales (Schipmann, 2006). Indeed, the transformation processes that take places in the chilli pepper value chain include grinding of fresh pepper into a hot pepper paste, or drying to obtain a dried chilli pepper which is also the intermediary product for powdered chilli pepper when milled. The powdered chilli pepper is also used for producing Shito, a local pepper source, when cooked with other ingredients. All the transformational activities of the chilli pepper crop were rudimentarily carried-out before the introduction of the value chain intervention and even in recent times. Output from functional process by smallholders may probably not meet EuroGAP and GlobalGAP requirements hence, lacks the competitiveness for both local and international markets. Mainstreaming smallholder farmers in value chains implies the preparedness to play a facilitating and linkage roles by development organizations through the provision and maintenances of equipments for the low income farmers. Even though, the transformational change is mainly carry-out by traders and processors in and outside the district, helping the farmers to add value through minimal processing (functional upgrading) has the possibility of increasing their profit margins. What level of processing should be prescribed for producers to make them competitive and increase their profit margins? The study will unearth the possible avenues for increasing in the profit margins of the chilli pepper farmers. Figure 1.0: Value Addition Processes in the chilli pepper Chain. PRODUCTION PROCESSING PRODUCT Fresh Chilli pepper None/Sorting Fresh Chilli Pepper Chilli pepper paste Grinding Dried Chilli Pepper Drying Powdered Chilli pepper Milling Shitto Cooking Adapted from Schipmann, 2006 Smallholders all over the world are faced with increasing imperative to integrate themselves into the market to generate cash income in other to improve their livelihoods. The development of the chilli pepper value chain in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of the Northern region of Ghana is therefore seen as a means to improve the crops potential for improving the livelihoods of the population who depend on it for their livelihoods. Improving agricultural productivity through the promotion of market oriented agricultural development program is seen as a catalyst for growth and development in rural communities. For, the integration of rural population into the national and international markets is seen as one of the best options for successful poverty reduction (Stamm, 2004; OXFAM, 2002). Indeed, the development and realization of the value chain development strategy is expected to contribute to achieving a better competitiveness in the local, regional and international markets. By so doing smallholders will be empowered to be capable of managing and maintaining connections with diversified and growing markets. This, it is hoped, will also translate into increased income for all operators along the commodity chain, the creation of employment and consequently the improvement of the livelihood in rural and urban areas (Will, 2006). Although, recent economic growth in Ghana has had limited impact in reducing high poverty rates, particularly in rural areas, the emergence of value chain as a tool for development intervention in the chilli pepper sector will present a new prospects for promoting agriculture and rural development in Ghana, and expanding opportunities for inclusion of resource poor farmers in a dynamic and high value markets. The growth in chilli pepper production however poses new challenges for public policy, particularly if policy markers are concerned about integrating smallholder farmers into the export markets. Literature is currently being reviewed on the following thematic areas and would be incorporated in the final thesis document. They include but not limited to; Standardization in agribusiness in developing countries, Horticulture marketing in developing countries, FBO development, and contract farming. CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter is devoted to the study design, methods and tools of the research. 3.2 Study Design This study will be descriptive and cross sectional in the sense that, data will be systematically collected at a particular point in time, analysed and presented to give a clear picture about the state of the value chain intervention strategy in the Tolon-Kumbungu District. 3.3 Profile of the study area: 3.3.1 Location and size The Tolon-Kumbungu District is one of the 45 districts created by the erstwhile Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) Law 2007 in 1988 with Tolon as the capital. It lies between latitude 9Ã‚ ° 16 and 9Ã‚ ° 34 North and latitudes 0Ã‚ ° 36 and 0Ã‚ ° 57 West. It shares common boundaries with Savelugu/Nanton District to the North, Tamale Metropolis to the East and Central Gonja District to the South (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). The district covers an area of about 2, 741 square kilometers with a population of 132,338 (female, 66,269, male, 66,069) (PHC, 2000). The current (2006) population is estimated as 145, 876 with the growth rate of 3%. Population density is approximately around 50 inhabitants per Kilometer Square. The District lies between latitude 10-20 north and longitude 10-50 west, shares border with West Mamprusi District in the west and south and the east with Savelugu/Nanton District and the Tamale Municipal Assembly (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assemb ly, 2001). . The major vegetable crops grown in the area are chilli pepper, tomatoes, onion, okra and garden eggs. Chilli pepper actors are among the few people to have received support services from development agencies operating in the district and outside the district (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly, 2001). Source: Encyclopedia of the Earth 3.2.2 Topography and Drainage The District is located 180 meters above sea level and the topography is generally undulating with shallow valley that serves as stream courses and isolated hills. This District is among the few Districts in the Northern region on which the White Volta tress passes. Other major natural water systems in the metropolis include; Dalun, Bontanga, Golinga, Jaagbo dam and Tolon dams. However, many smaller dams are also dotted around (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). 3.2.3 Climate and Vegetation There is a unimodal rainfall pattern with a mean annual rainfall of 1100mm in the District between April/May to September/October. As a result staple crop farming is highly restricted by the short rainfall duration. The mean dry temperature range from 33Ã‚ ° C to 39Ã‚ ° C with mean night temperature ranging from 0Ã‚ ° C to 22Ã‚ ° C. The mean annual day sunshine is approximately 7.5 hours. The District exhibits both short and tall grass interspersed with drought resistant trees such as shea trees Neem, Dawadawa and Mahogany. During the rainy seasons the Distrct becomes green and making the vegetation more luxuriant. In the dry seasons, however water becomes scarce as a result of poor vegetation cover. The grasses dry up and the accompanying bushfires destroy the soil nutrients and expose the soils to serious erosion (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001). 3.2.4 Soil The types of soil that can be found in District include sandstone, mudstone and shale. These soil types are inadequately protected resulting in serious erosion during rain seasons. 3.2.5 Food security and environment The main crops cultivated per households are cereals 99.8 percent, legumes 88.3 percent, tubers 80.6 percent, vegetables 35.7 percent and 15.3 percent cultivates fruits. The major crops currently grown in the District are maize, groundnuts, yam, cassava, sorghum, rice, cowpea, millet, pegion pea, and soya-beans. Others are chilli pepper, tomatoes, onion, okra, and garden eggs. Industrial crops grown are cotton, tobacco (grown as cash crop but also for local consumption), groundnuts, cashew, sheanuts, and soya-beans (Tolon-Kumbungu District Assembly profile, 2001).. The main problem facing crop production is the hazardous environment for crop farming reflected in perennial flooding of farmlands. Unfavorable weather conditions (drought), erratic rainfall, perennial bush fires and declining soil fertility. Some of these problems are however due to poor environmental management relating to inefficient farming practices and hunting for fuel wood. 3.2.6 Agriculture potential in the District Despite the challenges facing agriculture production, the District is endowed with numerous potentials which when exploited will help transform agriculture in the district. Among these potentials are; Land potential resources which is readily available, Irrigation facilities-Bontanga and Golinga for all year cropping, Research Institutions SARI, ARI and UDS, Availability of farm labour, Research Extension Farmer Linkage- to create effective technology transfer and adoption. Others include; commercial production of legumes (soya-bean) and vegetables (chilli pepper), commercial production of roots and tubers (yam and cassava), small and large ruminant production and Industrial cash crop production. 3.2.5 Ethnicity and Cultural Values Apart from Nyankpala community in the District which is ethnic diversity, almost all people in the villages are Dagombas. Towns in the district are; Tolon, Kumbungu, Nyankpala, Dalun, Wantugu, Tali, Kasulyili, Yoggu, Gbulahagu, Kpendua, Tibung, Lungbunga, Gbullung, Grimani, Chirifoyilli, Zangbalung, Voggu, Yepeligu, Tingoli and Gundaa. 3.2.6 Religion According to the 2000 Population and Housing Census, Islam is the predominant religion in the District with 65% of the population affiliated to it. 3.2.7 Land Tenure System Land tenure systems in the District include free hold/inheritance and negotiations/temporary use. 3.2.9 Occupation The economy of the Tolon-District Assembly is dominated by agriculture, commerce and trade and services. Until the 1995s over 90% of all indigenous people in the District were farmers (PHC, 2000). 3. 4 Research Approach Research methodology is an important component of any study and provides the framework upon which the whole process is dependent (Brown, 1996). It is recommended that the methodology is conducted thoroughly to efficiently produce accurate and precise data in order to achieve the research goals and objectives. I intend to give an-in-depth explanation of the research approach and process, methods of data collection, sampling procedure, size and methods, background of study area and scope, and data analysis. The choice in using a particular research approach would depend on a number of factors: the purpose of the research, its sub-research objectives, practicability and validity, available financial resources, time, the skill of the researcher in data analysis and interpretation and social organization among others. 3.5 Sampling Method Two main sampling techniques prominently used in various research studies will be adopted and applied for the study. These are probability and non-probability sampling (Twumasi, 2001). Probability sampling gives every item in the universe an equal chance of inclusion in the sample. Under this method, the simple random sampling technique will be used to select respondents from the nine chilli pepper farmer groups in the study area. This is to make sure that each chilli pepper farmer within the nine farmer groups has an equal chance of being included. Non-probability sampling such as purposive sampling procedures will also be used (Bernard, 1998). According to Preston (2002), applying purposive sampling can yield insights and in-depth understanding rather than empirical generalizations In this sampling procedure, the researcher purposively choose the particular units of the universe to constitute the sample on the basis that the small mass that they so select out of a huge one will be typical of the whole (Yin, 1993). The judgment of the researcher plays an important part in this sampling technique. The importance of adopting this design is the relative advantage of time and money inherent in the sampling. In light of the above, the snowball or chain sampling strategy will be used, because I will be dealing with chilli pepper farmers who are beneficiaries of the value chain development concept and belong to the nine chilli pepper farmer groups and are in a best position to respond to questions. Group members will serve as linkages by recommending persons who are members of the group to be interviewed. Accordingly, it is useful for the researcher to use more than one method in data collection. The methods are selected to complement each other and to allow for triangulation. Triangulation r