Volkswagen India Strategy Essay Example for Free

Volkswagen India Strategy EssayFor totally the talk about companies coming to an emerging market like India and setting up shop, no one has been more passive aggressive then the Volkswagen separate. VW is most famously known for its Beetle one of the best selling cars of all cartridge holder at over 21 million units. In a bid to move beyond the Beetle, VW in the 90s started to acquire many brands and their shade portfolio is quite impressive Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda and VW. The VW Group also owns 49.9% of Porsche and set to take 100% ownership in the near future. The linkage between VW and Porsche goes way back, VW was founded by Ferdinand Porsche. indeed Ferdinand went on to start Porsche where his son created the iconic 911. Even today the bonds are strong, the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg share the homogeneous chassis (platform in car speak).Long circumstance CommitmentEnough of the history lesson, back to VWs big bet on India. VWs foray into India started in 2001 when it launched the Skoda brand and started selling the Octavia. Around 2007, the VW Group also added Audi, Bentley and VW to their Indian product line. These cars were available by importing them individually, however servicing was always an issue since they didnt have official dealers on the primer in India. In another sign that VW is here for the long haul it opened a massive manufacturing facility in Chakan (near Pune) in 2009 and spent USD $ five hundred million in the process. Towards the end of 2011, VW will add the high-performance brand Lamborghini to the mix. They will most likely unveil the first Lamborghini showrooms when they ship the highly anticipate fire breathing 691hpAventador to India.Breakout HitIn the 4 door mid-luxury segment, the market leader for years has been the Honda City. The break out hit for VW has been the Vento which was introduced in 2010 and already has beaten the Honda City as the number 1 selling car in that segment. The Ventos success is a combination of Honda lagging and VW bringing the ripe(p) product to the market, namely a diesel engine. With petrol prices only going up VW was right to tap into the Indian psyche of affordability. The Honda City has been around since 1998 and all the brand loyalty it built up went down the drain once the Vento was launched and petrol prices started to rise. Honda hit back in early June 2011 with pricecuts by attributing it to embody reduction efforts in the supply chain which sounded like public relations speak then reality. But it didnt matter, by then the damage was through and the Vento took the top spot.Audis RiseAround the world Audi has always been number 3 when compared to the more well known German brands of Mercedes and BMW. However, that is changing in India part because Audi was able to capitalize on the new designs featuring the LED eyelids that are now copied by every other car company. In addition, the Japanese strategy of not bringing their lux ury brands of Acura, Lexus and Infiniti to India was a missed opportunity that Audi utilise towards its advantage. Toyota which has been in India since 1997 has built a large distribution channel and could have easily used that existing network to seamlessly introduce the Lexus brand but failed to do so. Lastly, Audi got some great mileage with their feel good advertising campaign featuring cricketer Ravi Shastri. Ravi was shown sitting on an Audi 100 on the cricket field when India won the World Championship of Cricket in 1985 where he was selected as the man of the match (most valuable player). apparently it was unplanned and Audi capitalized on the imagery.Market SegmentationPossibly the only issue with the VW Groups arrival into India is their market segmentation for their brands. When Skoda first came to India, its personality in the Western European countries was not very high and thought of as a sub-standard product. However, under the VW umbrella it slowly upgraded its pe rception and in India its often thought of as a premium brand. Many consumers gravitate towards the Skoda Superb who want luxury but want to fly under the microwave radar and not appear to flashy. With the arrival of Audi and VW the lines of market segmentation have started to blur. The Audi A4, Skoda Superb and VW Passat are all very similar and in fact share the same chassis. And therein lies the problem, if a consumer wants to spend Rs. 30 lakhs on a car which one A4, Superb or Passat?SummaryOverall, the timing of VWs entry into India couldnt have been more perfectas other competitors have been busy with their own problems. The American automotive giants are dealing with their domestic demand issues. The Japanese automakers are taking a very slow approach to India when it comes to their luxury brands Acura, Lexus and Infiniti. Lastly, the German automakers Mercedes and BMW have been battling for the top spot for number of cars sold in India. BMW took the elevation with over 6 ,200 cars sold in 2010, which is a very small piece of the overall Indian car market. Since the VW Group has many brands and able to target a much wider audience it will most likely lead overall sales in the years to come.

Evolution of aviation during World War II Essay Example for Free

Evolution of aviation during World War II EssayThe year between the two great Wars saw the continuation and involution of aviation technology. By now, European nations knew the uses of airplanes in war times. even though disarmament was commanded by the treaty of Versailles, many nations (mostly Europeans) continued to advance their aircraft technology in a lesser or higher degree (Pavelic, 2007, p. 2).Unlike the First World War, there was greater interest in research and advance studies on material science, aerodynamics, engine thermodynamics and fuel technology that favored the extensive use of monoplane and the use of new high power weapons in fighter planes like rumpnons and rockets (Mathews, 2001, p. 9). Even though Germany was denied to build an air force by the Treaty of Versailles, nevertheless, they continued to conduct covert aeronautical research for secret rearmament plans during the interwar years.Secretly they also bought aircrafts from opposite countries. It ca n be said therefore that in spite of being banned to build military aircrafts, Germany was up-to-date in aircraft development. In fact by the time the Pact of Paris (1926) relaxed their restriction on German aviation development, Germany built some of the most advanced aircraft in the world (Pavelic, 2007, p. 2). Increasing the recreate and rising at high altitudes had remained the preoccupation of aircraft development in the interwar and consequence World War.Altitude was very important to the military because of their mission to intercept and flak invading bombers (Matthews, 2001, p. 9). For conventional type of airplanes, development was geared toward increasing speed and altitude through engine development, particularly the piston engine and turbo jet engine. Britain had pattern one of the best liquid-cooled aircraft engines, the Rolls Royce Merlin, used in World War II for two heavy bombers, the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricanes (Pavelec, 2007, p.7). However, the a lternative to piston engine, the turbojet engine (engine without propeller) can be considered the greatest achievement in the history of aviation in terms of speed development and solved the problem of jet propulsion during the interwar and the Second World War. It was Germany who led in this development in the person of Dr. Hans von Ohain who completed a flight-worthy turbojet engine for aircraft, commencing the jet age on August 27, 1939. passim the war, the race for jet speed was dominated by the Germans and they were the ones who initiated to produce jet aircraft for combat operations. Other countries soon followed suit (although they have their own jet inventions at the same time that the Germans develop it but with less support) in producing turbojet engine. In Britain, it was Frank Whittle who developed a turbojet engine that powered the Gloster Pioneer on May 15, 1941 and the only Allied combat jet aircraft ,Meteor.By the end of the war, airplanes of the Second World War tr avel in accelerated speeds than their predecessors, with a record of 606 miles per hour by the British Gloster Meteor IV powered by a turbojet engine (Matthews, 2001, p. 6). Radar was also an vicissitude in aviation during the Second World War. When the First World War had ended, nations had realized that airplanes, especially those carrying bombs, will pose a threat to their safety.Therefore, radar systems were developed and in the Second World War, they were installed in airplanes to detect enemy aircrafts or ships, or to help in navigation or to accurately locate assail targets ( Perry, 1988, p. 703). IV. Conclusion It is very obvious that due to the pressing need of the First and Second World War, the history of aviation took a rapid turn. It is at this stream that aircrafts changed its role from transport and reconnaissance vehicle to destructive weapons of war when fighter and bomber planes were developed.Airplanes also undergone rapid change in physical appearance from bi planes to monoplanes and from victimisation fabric to full-metal body. During the interwar periods, as aircrafts were already seen as an integral part in war victory, in-depth researches in aerodynamics and thermodynamics and other engineering technology related to ready was undertaken well into the Second World War. Moreover, the quest for greater speed and high altitudes was improved in the Second World War upon the invention of turbo jet engines as an alternative to the piston engines of the First World War.

Biodiversity Impact Of Invasive Plants In Tropical Biodiversity Biology Essay

Biodiversity Impact Of Invasive Plants In equatorialal Biodiversity Biology Essay equatorialal zone is the biodiversity hot spot (Briggs, 1996) about three-quarters of the worlds species be curb to the tropic of the world (Wilson, 1992). Though tropic timberland ecosystems ar more resistant to invasion by alien lay outs than other biome (Edward, 2009), they are exceedingly wakeless by invasive species (Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, biotropica, 2010). Invasive species are creating significant challenges to the management and conservation of the indigenous biodiversity. The distribution of invasive nominate species occurred at ecosystem take, association take and at the species level (Meyer et al., 2004). At least one exotic species is present in almost all tropical areas (Usher 1991).Invasive nominates alter the local anesthetic environment more favourable to them but less favourable to the infixed species (Hoffmann et al., 2004) and thus modified lo cal ecosystem. Biological invasion has become a coarse economic, social, and particularly ecological problem of global impact (Cavalcante and Major, 2006). The important ecological impacts identified include reduction in native plant species richness, abundance and alternation in ecological function (Vitousek Walker, 1989 Adair Groves, 1998 Levine et al., 2003 Ogle, Reiners Gerow, 2003 Vila et al., 2006 Hejda, Pysek Jarosik, 2009 cited in Martin and Murray, 2010). Invasive plant species can covert the large area tropical vegetation to an exotic monoculture and greatly subdue the biodiversity, for example, the number of birds, mammals, tree seedlings were greatly reduced in Australia after(prenominal) the invasion of the area by alien plant species (Braithwaite et al. 1989) and Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) forms large, mo nonypic expanses, with Asia reporting over 35 million acres affected (Garrity et al. 1997).Invasive species are posing a serious threat to biodiversity ( IUCN, 2000). The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) has pointed that the impacts of invasive species on the tropical ecosystems are increasing rapidly. Similarly, recognizing the increasing issue of impact of invasive species, Convention on Biological Diversity, call on contracting parties to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate invasive species that threaten ecosystems, habitats and species Article 8 (h).This systematic recapitulation attempt to summarises, appraise and communicate the resultsof the available studies to address the impact of invasive plants on tropical biodiversity. This protocol volition provide a priori guide and allow scientific communities to comment on methodology and other relevant issues. Diverse studies are available related to impact of invasive plant species on tropical biodiversity. Some studies suggest that invasion of native vegetation by the non native plants does not always lead to decline in native biodiversity (e.g. Sax Gaines, 2003 Sax, Kinlan Smith, 2005). Biological invasions have been the subject of intensive ecological research during the last two decades (Fine 2001). world-wide studied have been done for many tropical forests e.g. the Hawaiian Islands (Fine, 2002) but some authors argues that the biological invasion research has generally ignored tropical forests ( Drake et al. 1989, Groves Burdon 1986, Williamson 1996 cited in Fine, 2002).In such contentious situation, it seems quite reasonable to syntheses these studies to improve the efficiency of the conservation efforts in preserving biodiversity of the tropics and develop a concrete evidence anchor on the impact of invasive species which will provide unbiased scientific evidence base to help decision-makers to decide and implement necessary policy interjection to stop further invasion of the tropical biodiversity and identify areas where evidence is lacking to pick out research and funding on more crucial agendas.Objective of the reviewPr imary doubtWhat are the effects of invasive plants on biodiversity of the tropical zone?Table 1 Definition of components of the primary systematic review questionSubject hitchComparatorOutcomesBiodiversityin the tropical zoneInvasion by invasive plant species in tropical zoneBiodiversity in forest, savannas or grassland in the beginning the invasion or any relevant or any relevantAny reported change in tropical biodiversity e.g.Species richness, abundance of native plant species, tree densityMethods3.1. Search StrategyRelevant published and unpublished literature and selective training will be collated by following strategy. Due to the preference constraints only English language literatures will be taken into consideration.3.1.1 Scope of searchI will use the following database search to retrieve the literatures and dataISI Web of Knowledge wisdom DirectWiley InterScienceCambridge JournalCab DirectCSA Biological Sciences developmentbase (CSA/CIG)BIOTROPICAIn addition to grizz ly literatures are searched in the website of relevant presidential term as listed in section 3.1.5 which helps to reveal important information about the tropical forestry and invasive species interaction. First searches are conducted on title, keyword and abstract basis and followed by full text searches. Hits are then checked for the relevance.3.1.2 Search termsEffective and comprehensive list of related key words as exposit in the table -2 will be used to retrieve the literatures from the database specified above.Table 2 Search terms for reviewSubject termIntervention termcombine with ORANDcombine with ORTropic* biodiversitySpecies richnessInvas* plantnon native plantexotic plantalien plantintroduced plantSearch term combinationsTable 3 Search term combinations and no of hitsKey word 1Key word 2Total hits(Topic search) lissom hits inWeb of learningTropic* biodiversityANDInvas* plant54Tropic* biodiversityANDNon native plant32Tropic* biodiversityANDexotic plant74Tropic* biodiver sityANDalien plant63Tropic* biodiversityANDnon-indigenous plant07Tropic* Species richnessANDInvas* plant38Tropic* Species richnessANDNon native plant30Tropic* Species richnessANDexotic plant60Tropic* Species richnessANDalien plant34Tropic* Species richnessANDnon-indigenous plant04tropical biodiversityAND(exotic plant) OR (invasive plant) OR(non native plant) OR (non indigenous plant)7,109425No of hits and the retrieval of relevant literature varies between the data base searches, in the above table hits obtained by web of science is mentioned as an example. The same search tem combination give quite different hit in another database search, for example, for the first search term tropic*biodiversity AND invas*plant Cab direct retrieved 56 articles.In addition to the web of science the search databases mentioned in section 3.1.1 have been used in the preparation of this protocol and will to a fault be used in final systematic review.3.1.3 Specialist web sources will be conductedwww.co nservationevidence.comwww.conserveOnline.orgwww.conservationevidence.orgwww.invasivespeciesinfo.gov3.1.4. Internet SearchThe internet will be searched victimisation the search engines. The first70 hits for each search will be recorded and examined for relevance.www.google.comwww.scholar.google.comwww.scirus.comwww.scientific.thomsonwebplus.com3.1.5 Specialist agencies and organization data searchAt global levelFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)IUCN/Invasive species specials groupCABI- invasive species compendiumConvention on biological diversity (CBD)International mint Science Society (IWSS)UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN)Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)In addition to this regional level agencies and organization in tropical countries will also consulted.AsiaAssociation of entropyeast Asian Nations , Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC)Invasive Alien Flora of Ind iaWeed Science Society of JapanWeed Science Society of ChinaAsia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISNAsia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN)AustraliaInvasive Species CouncilSouth AmericaInter-American Biodiversity Information Network IABN Invasive Information Network3.2. champaign Inclusion criteriaThe relevant studies (articles, literatures, book sections) to be included in meta-analysis will be based in hierarchical judgment by first scanning the article titles followed by key words, abstracts and full text. The relevancy is determined by criteria as described below. If the data presented in the studies are not clear and needed to take more detailed description original authors and their respective organization will be contracted. Kappa analysis will be carried out for repeatability. Disputes between two reviewers will be solved by third independent reviewer.Geographical statusStudy area of the relevant studies should be within the tropics (23.438S to 1 37 23.438N).3.2.1. Relevant subjectsAny studies related to biodiversity changes in the tropical zone because of invasive plant species.3.2.2. Types of interventionInvasion of the tropical zone (forest land, agriculture land, grass land or savannas) by invasive plant species3.2.3. Types of comparatorsAny relevant studies and studies comparing the biodiversity of the tropical zone assessing before and after the effect of invasive plant species3.2.4. Types of outcomesAny guinea pig which shows biodiversity change (indicators like relative species richness or abundance)3.2.5. Types of studiesAny study which describes qualitatively or quantitatively the effect of invasive plant species in the biodiversity (species richness, abundance) in forest land, grassland. Range land, agriculture land, savannas. Those studies which present comparison of before and after the invasion or the comparison of the proportion of exotic species to native species will be included. Studies can be articles in peer reviewed journals, book chapters or grey literatures3.3. Potential effect modifier and reasons for heterogeneityDifferent edaphic, biotic, topographic and climatic condition which governs the vegetation type of the tropics such as soil quality, altitude, aspects, forest types and intensity of human disturbances which may respond to plant invasions in different ways affect the study outcomes. Furthermore, the biological characteristics of the invasive species also affect the study.3.4. Study quality assessmentThe searched articles, grey literatures and documents will be assesses according to the previously designed study inclusion criteria. These are then checked independently for validity, dependableness and applicability. A Quality assessment checklist is developed as shown below with the consultation of the review team and will be amended after stakeholders feedbacks. Internal and outer validity will be checked using a set of criteria.Table 4 Quality assessment checklist fo r checking validity, reliability and applicabilityVariablesYesNo1Target population and intervention defined2Sample representative3Experimental design/randomization4Base line information5Valid data collection6Description of confounding factors7Applicability of the research8Any biasesSource Adapted from enlighten notes, 2010 and literature review3.5. Data extraction strategyQualitative and quantities information will be extracted from the studies included for the review. Information on invasive species, their effects on tropical biodiversity (species richness, abundance and competition) will be extracted in to a specially designed extraction form as shown in annex-1. Where data are available, data will be extracted as before and after data and other data will be extracted as appropriate.3.6. Data synthesis and presentationData synthesis method will be determined by the availability of the data and data type. The studies will be grouped according to the type of information available e .g. review article, original research. If sufficient quantitative information is available meta-analysis will be conducted to know the significance of the effect of invasive plant species to the tropical biodiversity. If in sufficient quantitative information is available qualitative analysis of evidence will be undertaken.

Comparison of Privacy and Communication on Social Networking

Comparison of Privacy and Communication on favorable NetworkingI propose to conduct a query on the topic- A cross-cultural comparison of privacy and converse on friendly Networking Sites between India and join land.AbstractMy research will resolve to examine the cross cultural differences in the context of sharing personal entropy on Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and the various aspects of online privacy between the college students in India and the United Kingdom. To begin with, the research will require the students to complete a paper based survey with a variety of questions regarding their attitudes towards sharing personal information on tender meshings and privacy. It will also seek to better understand the behavioural issues by filming their converse pattern. The emphasis of this research will remain on identifying the commonalities and differences in the conversation patterns and attitudes towards privacy between the Indian and UK students by conducting an empir ical research.Literature FrameworkWe define favorable network sites as web-based services that lay off individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of separate uptakers with whom they sh ar a connection, and (3) linear perspective and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The character and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site.While we habit the bourne social network site to describe this phenomenon, the term social networking sites also appears in public discourse, and the two terms atomic number 18 often used interchangeably. We chose not to employ the term networking for two reasons emphasis and scope. Networking emphasizes relationship initiation, often between strangers. While networking is possible on these sites, it is not the primary practice on many of them, nor is it what differentiates them from other forms of computer-mediated communicati on (CMC).What makes social network sites unique is not that they allow individuals to meet strangers, but rather that they enable users to articulate and make visible their social networks. This can allow for in connections between individuals that would not otherwise be made, but that is often not the goal, and these meetings argon frequently between latent ties (Haythornthwaite, 2005) who address some offline connection. On many of the large SNSs, participants are not necessarily networking or looking to meet new people instead, they are primarily communicating with people who are already a part of their extended social network. To emphasize this articulated social network as a critical organizing feature of these sites, we label them social network sites.Social Networking Sites (SNS) have achieved phenomenal success since the launch of sixdegrees.com in 1997. Original sites such as Friendster, Lunarstorm and MiGente, are now all dwarfed by the phenomenally successful Myspace1, and Facebook2. A useful historical record of the development of Social Networking sites was made by Boyd and Ellison in 20073, although more work is needed to understand the gratifications delivered how users make a sense of identity and the cross cultural implications to users. The goal of this short paper is to weave digitization, identity and community into an analysis that is both historically miserly and conscious of contemporary innovations.Launch Dates of Major Social Networking Sites (SNSs)Source Social Media GraphicsAmong undergraduate college students, the three virtually visited social networking websites are Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster, with one study reporting Facebook use as the most popular at 90% (Stutzman, 2006) while another(prenominal) study reports Facebook use as most popular with 78.8% who sometimes or often use Facebook (Hargittai, 2007). Undergraduate students using Facebook averaged 1030 min daily use for the time categories and averaged 150200 frie nds for the friend categories (Ellison, Steinfield, Lampe, 2006). Students and alumni use Facebook to communicate, connect and remain in contact with others (Acquisti Gross, 2006 Charnigo Barnett-Ellis, 2007 Ellison et al., 2006). There are conflicting reports whether Facebook is used for dating with one study that reports such use (Charnigo Barnett-Ellis, 2007), while another study reports that students do not use Facebook for that purpose (Acquisti Gross, 2006). Also, undergraduate students typically use Facebook for fun and killing time rather than gathering information (Ellison et al., 2006). Although Facebook is very(prenominal) popular among students, others have profiles on it too.Over the past decade, the communication uses of the Internet have become a very important part of young peoples lives (e.g., Gemmill Peterson, 2006 Jones, 2002 Lenhart Madden, 2007 Subrahmanyam Greenfield, 2008). Social networking sites are the latest online communication tool that allows u sers to create a public or semi-public profile, create and view their own as well as other users online social networks (Boyd Ellison, 2007a), and interact with people in their networks. Sites such as MySpace and Facebook have over 100 million users between them, many of them adolescents and emerging adults. Although research on young peoples use of social networking sites is emerging (e.g., Boyd Ellison, 2007b Ellison, Steinfield, Lampe, 2007 Valkenburg, Peter, Schouten, 2006), questions remain regarding exactly what young people do on these sites, whom they interact with on them, and how their social networking site use relates to their other online (such as instant messaging) and offline activities. Furthermore, because of the potential to interact with known others as well as meet and befriend strangers on these sites, it is important to study the nature of their online social networks in order to get an understanding of how such online communication relates to young peoples development. The goals of the present study were to explore emerging adults use of social networking sites for communication and examine the relation between their online and offline social networks.Given the vast array of information that can be shared and the number of users, concerns regarding security and privacy issues are a recurring issue (Acoca, 2008). Some concerns involve potential threats to personal safety from the abundance of information that is assumed to be available and accessible closely an individual on their online profile. Specifically, in that location are concerns regarding identity theft if users return too much information (e.g., birth date, address, phone, full name etc.). In addition, there are concerns for personal safety for vulnerable users who could be stalked, or otherwise threatened. A less commonly considered threat is the possibility of social risk as a function of self-identification with minority or stigmatized groups. Although some of these concerns have surfaced in the popular media (e.g., news.cnet.com), there is little empirical investigation documenting how much and what kind of information is present in personal FACEBOOK profiles to determine the potential for threats of any type, nor is there any information regarding how users differ in the information disclosed in their profiles to provide clues as to who is most likely to be at risk.India is ranked fourth in the world in terms of the Internet users. It had a total commonwealth of 1,147,995,898 people by the year 2008, out of which 81,000,000 people were using the Internet which makes 7.1% of the total population of Internet users (Internet World Stats, 2009). Social networking is catching on fast. astir(predicate) 56 percent users do both social and professional networking on the Web, while 29 percent do only social networking (Madhavan, 2007). There are about 10 million people who are on social networking sites. What started with the popularity of Orkut in India has now become a cultural revolution. Even most of the schools going away teens have an account on some social networking site (Java, 2007). Out of the total social networking users in India, only 1 mn to 2 mn (only 10% to 20%) are on Indian social networking sites. According to a recent report by comScore, Inc. (Mishra, 2009), visits to the social networking sites have increased by 51 percent from the last year. The study also found that global social networking brands continued to gain prominence in India during the last year, with Orkut, Facebook, hi5, LinkedIn and MySpace each witnessing momentous increases in visitation. Orkut reigned as the most visited social networking site in December 2008 with more than 12.8 million visitors, an increase of 81 percent from the previous year. Facebook, the second most popular social networking site, had 4 million visitors, up by 150 percent since last year. To make its position strong in the Indian social networking market, Facebook has launched an Indian interface which helps local users to connect with their friends in 6 different languages e Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Bengali. This move allows users to choose any of the six languages and use it as per their whatchamacallum by selecting the language tab. MySpace also promotes a lot of India specific content like promoting musical talent and even taking their talent abroad thereby uplifting the Indian culture. It is followed by local social networking site Bharatstudent.com with 3.3 million visitors (up 88 percent) and hi5.com with 2 million visitors (up 182 percent). Other popular networking sites in India featured in the list in descending order are ibibo, MySpace, LinkedIn, BigAdda and Fropper.Top Social Networking Sites in India by Unique Visitors December 2008 vs. December 2007 Total India e season 15+, Home/Work Locations (excluding visits from cyber cafes, mobile phones and PDAs)Source comScore World MetrixUsers Demography for the U nited KingdomSource Socialbakers (2010)User age distribution on Facebook in United KingdomSource Socialbakers (2010)Male/Female User Ratio on Facebook in United KingdomSource Socialbakers (2010)Age Growth on Facebook in United KingdomSource Socialbakers (2010)Top 10 Countries on FacebookSource Socialbakers (2010) seek StrategyThe process will be initiated by the accruement of social network data through a survey of Indian and UK college students. The population sample chosen for this research purpose will be a specific number of college going students in India and UK (to be decided at a later time).The sample will be restricted to a a few(prenominal) hundred students from each country so as to make it easier to do a survey research. The student will be encouraged to participate and share their views on the subject of content sharing and privacy. The information provided by them will solely be used for the educational research purpose.The survey employed in this study will be based on a popular survey used previously by Pew Internet and American sustenance Project among American teenagers. The survey used in this research may differ in some ways to adjust the variations from previous similar researches.A copy of the superior survey questions is available to consult on the Pew Internet and American Life Project website. The responses in the original survey were categorical, hence quantitative analysis will require performing chi-square (2) test.Collection of dataThe primary data for this research will be collected by conducting a survey based on numerous questions that will seek to answer the questions based on information sharing and the degree of privacy maintained by students in their social profiles. The type of information sought is presented in the next section in the form of tables. However the level of information has been limited and the original research is expected to be more comprehensive in nature and may include more variables and situations. O ther secondary data presented in the research will be collected from various social networking sites, social networking research services, network usage statistics, sharing and privacy reports published by various organizations.Research MethodologyThe purpose of this research determines its methodology. It will be a comparative study of Indian and UK college students attitudes and behaviour towards communication patterns and controlling privacy on Social Networking Sites (SNSs).Research QuestionsHow do the students in India and UK differ in reference to privacy on Social Networking Sites?How do the students in India and UK differ in reference to communication patterns on Social Networking Sites?The college students in India and UK will be contacted through friend lists of my own friends on prominent SNSs. I will encourage my friends to persuade their friends on SNSs. Later on I will segregate the lists of Indian and UK college students for the purpose of comparison. I am expecting a response rate of nearly 60-70 percent. The results will be formatted according to the following tables.Table 1. Public Nature of Social Network Site ProfileDegree to which your online social profile is publicIndiaN= XUnited KingdomN= YVisible to everyoneVisible to friends of friendsVisible only to friendsTable 2 Attitude towards sharing personal information on SNSsIs it alright to share the following information on social sites?IndiaUnited Kingdom2NdfpState in which you livemetropolis in which you liveCollege nameIM Screen NamesBirth dateFamily members namesRelationship (s)Email address (es)Links to other personal blogs or websitesMobile NumberTable 3 Types of information shared on SNSsWould you share the following detail on your social profile?IndiaUnited Kingdom2NdfpSurnamePhotos of yourselfPhotos of your friendsPhotos of family membersCity nameHigh School nameEmail addressesMP3 filesVideo contentEvents listBirthdaysTable 4 Response to contacting by strangersHow would you normall y respond to a strangers friend bay?IndiaUnited KingdomCompletely ignoreRespond positivelyDecline the requestBlock the userBlock and report the user to avoid further contactTable 5 Communication patterns on SNSsDo you usually do the following?IndiaUnited Kingdom2NdfpPost messages on friends wall or comment on their postsSend private messages to soul on your friend listSend private messages to someone not on your friend listPoke your friendsPoke your friends friends

Reflection Paper on Effective Listening Skills

Reflection Paper on Effective Listening SkillsListening is defined, the act of hearing attentively (Princeton, 2010). Restated, it takes to a greater extent than simply hearing communication listening is an active thought process. It is hearing and concentrating on the verbal as well as the non-verbal. I took the listening examine (Burley-Allen, 1982). My run into was 75. What does this mean? According to Burley-Allen (1982), a score of 75 is average. I appreciate effective listening skills ar analogous to the Gestalt style of psychoanalysis. According to Corey (2004), Gestalt therapy is ground on the assumption that we are best understood in the context of our environment. The prefatory goal of Gestalt therapy is to provide a context that go away enable individuals to ex operate their awareness of what they are experiencing and doing. Moment-to-moment awareness of ones experiencing, together with the al intimately immediate awareness of ones blocks to such experiencing, is seen as the goal of this therapy. As a physician, Gestalt therapy does not use the language of pathology, or normal and abnormal. Instead, individuals are viewed as having the capacity to self-regulate and to develop their dealings with the sundry(a) environments they encounter finishedout life (Corey, 2004).Listening is defined, the act of hearing attentively (Princeton, 2010). Restated, it takes more(prenominal) than simply hearing communication listening is an active thought process. It is hearing and concentrating on the verbal as well as the non-verbal. In addition, most of our communication is non-verbal, which includes listening.What did your score say about your listening skills? Were you surprised by the outcome?I took the listening quiz (Burley-Allen, 1982). My score was 75. What does this mean? According to Burley-Allen (1982), a score of 75 is average. What does this mean? I do not know because, unfortunately, Burley-Allen omitted the explanation of his four score ca tegories. He did not describe the strengths and weaknesses of each score category. Therefore, this paper will answer the remaining questions from my point of view, instead of Burley-Allens. In addition, I will focus the paper as pertaining to my profession of medicine. I rely this will help me become a more effective listener because I will be able to learn from my strengths and weaknesses and apply them accordingly.I think effective listening skills are analogous to the Gestalt style of psychoanalysis. According to Corey (2004), Gestalt therapy is based on the assumption that we are best understood in the context of our environment. The basic goal of Gestalt therapy is to provide a context that will enable individuals to increase their awareness of what they are experiencing and doing. Moment-to-moment awareness of ones experiencing, together with the almost immediate awareness of ones blocks to such experiencing, is seen as the goal of this therapy. As a physician, Gestalt therap y does not use the language of pathology, or normal and abnormal. Instead, individuals are viewed as having the capacity to self-regulate and todevelop their dealings with the various environments they encounter throughout life (Corey, 2004). I believe this is an invaluable instrument as a physician. Listening to patients explain their symptoms, being aware of their moment-to-moment experience, will allay the therapeutic process and even lead to more accurate diagnosis.What are your strengths and weaknesses when listening to others? How push aside you alter your listening skills to streng because your weaknesses? In addition, how can your strengths be utilized and applied to your profession?The listening quiz does not qualify if a listening habit is handed a strength or weakness. Some individuals will define certain listening strengths as weaknesses and vice versa. For example, habit eight states, Form a rebuttal in your head spot the speaker is public lecture? (Burley-Alle n, 1982). The score for this habit is one point for most of the time, two points for frequently, three points for occasionally, and four points for almost never. In order to score the maximum four points then the answer would be almost never. However, I disagree with Burley-Allens assumption. I think effective listening is to be engaged in the thought process while the speaker is communicating. This includes forming a rebuttal in your head while the speaker is talking. The listener can then adjust the rebuttal accordingly to the speakers suggestions. Forming a rebuttal includes concentrating on the communication (habit 5), learning from the speaker (habit 6), recognizing semantics (habit 7), accomplishing communication (habit 17), think about reactions (habit 19), and etcetera. According to Burley-Allen, some of these habits are considered strengths and some are considered weaknesses. Therefore, the listening quiz shows down(p) internal validity.The primary act that a physician doe s with a patient is listen. During the first encounter between a physician and patient, the physician will skip the communication process by asking, What brings you in today? This question is followed by active listening. During this process, the physician tries to earn the patient and assemble a diagnosis. If pieces of an analysis are missing, then the physician will paraphrase the data and ask additional questions in order to narrow the choices. I believe that active listening is the most important act that a physician can do.In relation to the topics covered thus far, identify at least three techniques that could help you improve your skills.The three techniques that can help improve my skills are (1) resist distractions, (2) restart in my own words, and (3) uphold an open mind. The first technique is resisting distractions. The Penguin Dictionary of psychology (2001) defines stereotype as, A set of relatively fixed, simplistic overgeneralizations about a group or class of p eople. Here, negative, unfavorable characteristics are emphasized, although some authorities compliments positive but biased and inaccurate beliefs as components of a stereotype. It is mild for my mind to become distracted while listening to a speaker. I tend to do this frequently. For example, if a patient comes in who looks underprivileged, then I tend to stereotype the patients background and struggles. This causes me to ignore important communication from the patient. (Note It is difficult to resist distractions when a patient has a foul odor and the physician is trying not to vomit.)The second technique I have identified is summarizing. This is a useful tool when applied correctly. However, I tend to assume to know what the patient means and not summarizein my own words. If I can learn to summarize a patients story in my own words, then there will be fewer miscommunications. This will lead to a more productive doctor-patient relationship.The ordinal technique is to keep an o pen mind. The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology (2001) defines ethnocentrism as, The tendency to view ones own ethnic group and its social standards the basis for evaluative judgment concerning the practices of others, with the discount that one views ones own standards as superior. Hence, ethnocentrism connotes a habitual disposition to look with disfavor on the practices of alien groups. I am very judgmental. I consider this habit a strength Burley-Allen scores it opposite as I do (habit 28). Being judgmental allows the listener to form personal thoughts from the speakers message a gestalt of the communication. Habit 28 did not specify if judging was considered positive or negative, so I give it a positive connotation. Our textbook states, Try to understand the emotions or interests that may lurk hidden beneath a given complaint or statement. Often the person youre talking with wont be richly aware of them themselves (Hattersley McJannet, 2008). In the context of ethnocentrism and judging negatively, this can be detrimental to effective listening. For me, this is similar to technique one resist distractions. I can be a more effective listener if I keep an open mind and not judge negatively about a patient. (Note It is difficult to keep an open mind if a patient does not have insurance, which is unethical by the physician.)Why is it important to possess strong listening skills in job and management?The Website for the California Society for Oriental Medicine reports, The February 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association published a report by the Agency forHealth Care Policy that studied the communication level between primary providers and patients. They found that physicians who listen to their patients and use a friendlier manner during visits force reduce the risk that they will be sued for malpractice. In the randomized controlled study they found that physicians that told their patients what procedure or technique they were doing, or going to do, who elicited opinions and questions from the patient, and were more likely to use humor and laugh, were more often in the group without any malpractice claims. Physicians who spent more time with their patients were also more likely to be in the no claims group (CSOM, 2003). This is invaluable including non-monetarily as a physician. The patient will feel more comfortable and allow the physician to perform examen procedures if the physician first explains the procedure and actively listens to a patients opinion and questions. In addition, I think it is essential to allow multicultural or multiethnic patients to do their own understandings of the therapeutic process and to engage in interpretation and other forms of higher-level functioning. This will further facilitate an active process of listening by the patients.I believe sacred and confidential communication between physician and patient contain specific phases that can maximize listening efficacy. First, du ring the initial interview, the physician can begin to establish a collaborative relationship with the patient. It is essential that the interview focus on the patients own wishes and goals. Second, the physician should honor the patients concerns. It can be easy to respond to the randy side of patients feelings the pain or need that motivates them to seek help and enter the hospital. The reactive emotions and resistance of patients disclosure may be helped through effective listening. Third, physicians need to respond to patients questions and suggestions that can only be accomplished through theactive listening process. Responding to the patients feelings, in an open-ended way, will usually catch the most information and intensify the doctor-patient communication. Finally, termination is an important and distinct phase of medicine that needs to be negotiated thoughtfully. Ending the relationship will almost always be of great significance to patients. It is necessary to listen to a patients closing remarks because this usually suggests the overall quality of care. I believe that all of these phases will go to a more effective listening and communicating relationship between doctor and patient.The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology (2001) defines countertransference as the analysts displacement of affect onto the client and the analysts emotional involvement in the therapeutic interaction. This means that all feelings, thoughts, or actions of the physician that involve or influence the doctor-patient communication process are countertransference. This definition suggests that countertransference is a destructive element in medicine however, not all countertransference issues are unconstructive. I believe that through maturity and growth, as a professional, combined with a thorough understanding of his/her ethnicity, values, and biases, can enable a physician to effectively identify and manage countertransference to make it productive. Countertransference i s a constant element in interpersonal processes, and I believe it is inevitable in the doctor-patient relationship.In conclusion, when a physician engages in effective listening, the physician, without sharing it with the patient, has an opportunity to learn something about him or herself and utilize it for his or her personal maturity and professional growth. The physician needs to be aware of his/her own personal assumptions, values, and biases, and understand the worldview of culturally diverse patients to develop get hold of interventions, strategies, and techniques.

Iliad As A Dictate Of The Fath :: essays research papers

Iliad as a Dictate of the FatherThe Lion entry is gnarling overthrow at anyone trying to advance past its massive guard. Inside the fortress, mighty shields and glistening swords await the visitors arrival. Skillfully carved mail decorations outcry great battles and fierce hunts. The prevailing warrior ethos and his manly power are apparent in each Mycenaean artifact. It is this strong patriarchal culture that gave family to the de unless of the Iliad. The respect that the father receives as the head of the family is made obvious in the legendary epic. Not only is the father the primary concern in the Iliad, but the heroic code is based on paternal injunction. That way the father deter taps the values and behavior of the heroes in the Iliad.Throughout the Iliad the warriors are identified by their genealogy. The setoff line begins, Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus discussion Achilleus (1, 1). With the opening we see how important the fathers name is in describing the ident ity of the hero. The same occurs in the lines to follow, Atreus son the lord of men (1, 7). In this line the name Agamemnon is not even mentioned, even though it introduces the hero for the first time. The fact that he is the son of Atreus provides profuse teaching for the audience. Genealogy has the power to cease battle between enemies. Such is the case when Diomedes, challenged by Glaukos on the battlefield, questions him of his descent. After Glaukos has given the full story of his ancestry, Diomedes realizes that their grandfathers control been friends and proposes a truce. "See now, you are my guest friend from far in the time of our fathers./ Brilliant Oineus once was host to Bellerophontes/ the blameless, in his halls, and twenty days he detained him,/ and these twain gave to each other fine gifts in token of friendship. /Therefore I am your friend and host in the heart of Argos/ you are mine in Lykia, when I come to your country./ Let us avoid each others spears, e ven in the close fighting./ But let us central our armour, so that these others may know/ how we claim to be guests and friends from the days of our fathers" (6, 215-231).Glaukos and Diomedes must continue the ties of friendship their forefathers once had, if they are to adhere to the heroic code. The warrior comes subsequently the top executive in the Dumezil social structure.Iliad As A Dictate Of The Fath essays research papers Iliad as a Dictate of the FatherThe Lion Gate is gnarling down at anyone trying to advance past its massive guard. Inside the fortress, mighty shields and glistening swords await the visitors arrival. Skillfully carved armor decorations proclaim great battles and fierce hunts. The prevailing warrior ethos and his manly power are apparent in each Mycenaean artifact. It is this strong patriarchal culture that gave birth to the creation of the Iliad. The respect that the father receives as the head of the family is made obvious in the legendary epic. Not only is the father the primary concern in the Iliad, but the heroic code is based on paternal injunction. That way the father determines the values and behavior of the heroes in the Iliad.Throughout the Iliad the warriors are identified by their genealogy. The first line begins, Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus son Achilleus (1, 1). With the opening we see how important the fathers name is in describing the identity of the hero. The same occurs in the lines to follow, Atreus son the lord of men (1, 7). In this line the name Agamemnon is not even mentioned, even though it introduces the hero for the first time. The fact that he is the son of Atreus provides enough information for the audience. Genealogy has the power to cease battle between enemies. Such is the case when Diomedes, challenged by Glaukos on the battlefield, questions him of his descent. After Glaukos has given the full story of his ancestry, Diomedes realizes that their grandfathers have been friends and proposes a truce. "See now, you are my guest friend from far in the time of our fathers./ Brilliant Oineus once was host to Bellerophontes/ the blameless, in his halls, and twenty days he detained him,/ and these two gave to each other fine gifts in token of friendship. /Therefore I am your friend and host in the heart of Argos/ you are mine in Lykia, when I come to your country./ Let us avoid each others spears, even in the close fighting./ But let us exchange our armour, so that these others may know/ how we claim to be guests and friends from the days of our fathers" (6, 215-231).Glaukos and Diomedes must continue the ties of friendship their forefathers once had, if they are to adhere to the heroic code. The warrior comes after the king in the Dumezil social structure.

College Admissions Essay: Art Therapy and Animal Therapy :: College Admissions Essays

Art Therapy and Animal Therapy As another wave of excited, hopeful seniors pack their cars for college, the community that nurtured them watches them go with nostalgia and antepast at what these bright new adults will make with the talents bestowed on them and with the mountains of opportunity available to them. The students are brimming with anticipation also - what possibilities await them As I take my place with my fellow classmates, I watch my old community fade into the distance and wonder how I will contribute to my community in the future. My career choices have varied throughout the years with a colorful strand threading my love for animals, art and people. I intend to major in psychology with a minor in art. My dream is to help people through my compassion and creativity. Art therapy and animal therapy are exciting fields of work empty for new talent and well-educated, dedicated professionals. My love of these lines of work stems from having witnessed the wrinkled ha nd of an infirm, elderly woman stroke the soft fur of a dog, immediately brightening and starting line to communicate her first words in years. I have also understood the intense relief of parents of a sick, depressed child whose interest in her artwork sparks renewed interest in the world around her. My artistic ability, strength in science, love of animals and passion for bettering the lives around me give me daily reasons wherefore I know I am committed to this field. However, the reasons do not stop there. I want to extend my vision into the community, perhaps starting a program in my church community that involves participants taking small pets on their visits to nursing home residents. I could even involve surrounding youth groups in work on art projects with the youth at our local childrens home. Getting the community involved in such projects opens new outlets of creativity to flow into a cause I am so passionate about. Plus, the participation can be a healing, nurturing experience on both sides. With my sometimes-stubborn determination and enthusiasm for this endeavor, I will be able to involve my community in worthwhile efforts to improve the conditions of many of those who need most need assistance.