Hofstedes Cultural Theory Business Essay

Hofstedes Cultural Theory Business Essay Multinational companies are faced with the challenge of developing their operations in a constantly changing environment. In this way they are placed in the necessity of expanding their businesses in foreign countries which brings several implications. In organizational terms this means that the companies, in order to be successful, will have to go through a deep analysis to determine what their capabilities and weak areas are. But not only this provide the outcome on whether to expand their business or not, this will be just the first stage of a very long journey of understanding the processes that create value and how the company integrates these processes in order to succeed in a foreign market. The main motive of multinational companies to expand in the foreign markets is to avoid the saturation point or to increase the product life cycle. Any company which tends to globalize or internationalize, has to move into a foreign market and make a set up in that country. Today when the world is getting smaller and all the nations are getting close to each other it is very important for every growing organization to eye the foreign markets and increase its exporting and importing capabilities. But problems occur when these multinational firms start operating in different countries and are surrounded by number of issues which create obstacles in their progress. Then let it be the government rules and regulations, the culture of that country or the working environment. Different countries have different approaches towards the business world and companies should study intensively about the infrastructure of a country before entering that market. Especially some nations like India or Pakistan are highly culturally influenced, so there has to be a wise policy before making a move. Different markets have different demand in terms of rules, culture and environment. When companies go global, the governing personals have to be very adaptable in order to cooperate well with the native people or the native market. Mostly multinational companies consider it to be the most crucial step which leads them to study the culture of the country so that they deploy suitable products and well trained personals. Companies set up research and development offices in these markets initially before entering those countries or markets to study the market and the demand and most important the culture of the culture of the people there. Example: Wal-Mart, the giant retailer wants to enter the emerging countries; India is one of the biggest consumer based emerging markets of the world, Wal-Mart has set up research and development offices in Bangalore, India. So they are studying the working environment and the culture of the market in India so as to make a perfect entry strategy. IKEA, a giant furniture retailer has a keen eye on entering the Indian market but has failed as the there is a restriction on the foreign direct investment in India, it only allows a 51% ownership but IKEA wants a 100% ownership, so there are hindrances for IKEA. Different markets and countries have different approaches. When companies intend to expand their operations into a broader scale many difficulties arise, not only because this can be caused by a badly planned entry strategy but also in terms of integration of their internal systems that the company has in order to function adequately and moreover to get well with all together a different culture, people and their taste and demands. The complexities of the issues faced by the companies need to be addressed so that the impact within the organisation is minimised. However the organisations need to be sensitive with their environment in a way that their strategic behaviour finds a harmonizing point between the local and the international environment and the organisation itself. The particular issues between the cross cultural management and personal administration is that is has been building up on its importance since multinational companies are bound to face different issues as they operate in foreign markets. LITERATURE REVIEW: Organizations function diversely in different countries. They prepare policies for every country in which they plan to expand their business. IHRM (international human resource management) should be strong enough in order to help organization in achieving success on alien land. IHRM have to gather and understand cultural information on broader perspective because foreign norm are different from ones own. In terms of cultural analysis, there are two main studies that can be referred as relevant in knowing culture environment of other country. First is Hofstede (2001) tells about the cultural differences through a deep evaluation of social and cultural dimensions. The focus on the social aspects considers valuable information on various topics, such as Collectivism and Individualism considering the data collected from all countries. In the same way this study is also oriented in an international dimension to evaluate the cultural aspects that might have an impact on the organization an d its well-functioning. On the other hand the study of Trompenaars et al (1997) focuses not only on a much descriptive analysis of what are the cultural elements in societies but also links these cultural aspects to the business environments providing awareness on how to deal with inter cultural communication in business relation. HOFSTEDES CULTURAL THEORY: Undoubtedly, the most significant cross-cultural study of work -related values is the one carried out by Hofstedes- Bhagat and Mcquaid (1982). 3 October 1928, Gerard Hendrik Hofstede was born. He was a student of national and organizational cultures. He was an author of many cultural books. Hofstede effort commenced in 1980 ,which was a great success because his research introduced when there was less internationalization among nations due to problem of understanding culture differences. His research had 116,000 questionnaires taken by 60,000 people around 50 nations. From his research he provided four dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism/Collectivism, Uncertainty Avoidance and Masculinity/Femininity) .Fifth dimension (Long/Short term orientation) was added after a strong study by Hofstede and Bond (Hofstede 1991b; Hofstede and Bond 1984; Hofstede and Bond 1988). HOFSTEDES FIVE CULTURAL DIMENSIONS: a) POWER DISTANCE INDEX (PDI): PD can be defined as a difference between nations on the bases of hierarchy and relationships. Nations who are falling high on power distance scale follow hierarchy way in there organization. Staff has to wait for a green signal from their officials. Parity is not found in hierarchical countries. There is a large distance between the poor and the wealthy people. Inequality of power distribution leads to exploitation at times in these nations. Students give respect to teachers even after school hours. While, nations with low power distance believes in equality .Relationships and working in a team is significant for them. Powerful people try to be friendly with others .They dont misuse there power. High Power Distance Low MAL ARA MEX IND FRA ITA JPN SPA ARG US GER UK DEN ISR AUT b) INDIVIDUALISM (IDV): In this dimension individualism is opposite to collectivism. Nations having individualistic traits look after their immediate family. They believe in I have done this. On the collectivist said people maintain relationship with extended family as well. We have done this is their trait. In collectivist people give importance to group achievements and group rights. Unlike collectivist, in individualistic countries people need privacy and time is precious to them. Collectivist love to work in a harmony. Individualism Collectivism AUL US UK CAN FRA GER SPA JPN MEX ITA KOR SIN c) MASCULINITY (MAS): Countries that are more masculine are task oriented and they look for result. While countries with low masculine are more affectionate and male/female is at par level .Discrimination is nil in these countries while in masculine, male dominates all over. MAS countries are more competitive in comparison to countries with low MAS. Unlike femininity (small and slow), masculine countries look for fast and big achievements. Masculine traits are success, individual achievement, competition, material love and power. Masculinity Femininity JPN MEX GER UK US ARA FRA KOR POR CHC DEN SWE d) UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE INDEX (UAI): In this dimensions countries differ on the basis of facing threat or avoidance of facing threats. Countries falling strongly on uncertainty avoidance are threatened to face unexpected situations, so they try to avoid it by applying certain rules and regulations. To them surprising situation is dangerous .They adopt formal rules and simple procedures. Countries falling in this dimension are countries with an old history .New innovative suggestion and principals are difficult to be applied in this group. Low uncertainty avoidance nations welcome different (ambiguous) situations because they love to take risky steps .Unwanted situations is exciting for them. Informal rules are adopted all over. Basically countries in these dimensions are young and ready to face risk and innovations are looked by them. High Uncertainty Avoidance Low GRE JPN FRA KOR ARA GER AUL CAN US UK IND DEN SIN e) LONG / SHORT TERM ORIENTATION (LTO): Nations with long orientation look for their future goal. Success of tomorrow is important to them. You are never a loser until you quit trying, is their trait. They believe in vigorous growth and hard work. A Respect for the status is duly given and they have a sense of shame. While, short term nations have a respect to traditions and national pride. Stabilization is their trait. They aim for quick outcome (result). Future is not kept in mind. Status doesnt carry any value in their group. They keep their reputation good, avoid being disapproved. Long Term Orientation Short Term CHI HK JPN TAI VIE BRA IND US CAN UK E/W AFR TROMPENAARS AND HAMPDEN TURNERS CULTURAL THEORY: History: Fons Trompenaar is an author of cross cultural communication and he is a Dutch. His writing includes many books on culture while Charles Hampden turner is a British philosopher in management field. Along with Trompenaar, Hampden created a dimension which shed light on people of different environments and how they behave and interact in their daily life. TROMPENAARS AND HAMPDEN SEVEN CULTURAL DIMENSIONS: a) UNIVERSALISM vs. PARTICULARISM: This dimension emphasize on rules and relationships. In universalism, rules given significance and they applied on everyone. Every individual follow rules and contracts. Rules are meant to tell the truth. While particularism is give importance to relationships .Deals are made on friendships .They believe in flexibility on agreements. And they closely examine the situation to know the truth. PARTICULARISTIC UNIVERSALISTIC PARTICULARISTIC 1. Singapore 2. Spain 3. Japan 4. France UNIVERSALISTIC 1. US 2. Germany 3. Sweden 4. UK Figure: Shows countries falling in universalistic and particularistic dimension Application: In universal society people follow rules and regulations like in US every personnel follow traffic lights to make them feel people are at par level while in particularistic, people break traffic signal as well due to brotherhood. b) INDIVIDUALISM vs. COLLECTIVISM: Individualistic nations love being recognised single. They believe in word I. Group doesnt matter them .Privacy is what they need .They love to work independently .Self benefit is what they look for. Their relationship with others is negligible. While collectivism, believes in teamwork. They believe in we. They are attached to their colleagues, family members and friends. Interdependence is found in them. Benefit of group they practice. INDIVIDUALISM COLLECTIVISM COLLECTIVISM 1. Japan 2. Italy 3. Mexico 4. INDIVIDUALISM 1. US 2. UK 3. Australia 4. Canada Figure: Shows countries falling in individualism and collectivism dimensions. c) NEUTRAL vs. AFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS: Neutral groups keep their emotions inside and they dont reveal what they thinking. Revelation of their emotions leads to tension on their face. They remain reserved and cool .Sometimes their emotions explode out. Affective people on the other hand are very much emotional. They reveal their emotions by verbal and non-verbal way. They remain transparent. Anger, happiness is clear visible. They react to the situation there only. AFFECTIVE NEUTRAL NEUTRAL 1. Japan 2. UK 3. Germany 4. Sweden AFFECTIVE 1. China 2. Italy 3. Spain 4. France Figure: Shows countries with neutral and affective cultures d) SPECIFIC vs. DIFFUSE RELATIONSHIPS: People falling in specific dimensions keep their personal and work life away .Their private life is private and when socials then they are open. They look for direct communication. In diffuse, people private lives have number of people in it. There is no difference between private and work life. Common person is needed In between stranger and manager for an introduction in order to do a business. SPECIFIC DIFFUSE SPECIFIC 1. France 2. US 3. UK 4. DIFFUSE 1. China 2. Russia 3. Spain 4. Japan Figure: Shows countries of specific and diffuse traits e) ACHIEVEMENT vs. ASCRIPTION: In achievement, accomplishments are made in order to gain status. Seniors head in office are given respect throughout due to the knowledge and experience they have. Status change according to time as person accomplish more and more. In a culture with ascribed status, people given title based on their gender, birth and wealth. They have not given according to their accomplishment. ASCRIPTION ACHIEVEMENT ASCRIPTION 1. China 2. Russia 3. Spain 4. Japan ACHIEVEMENT 1. US 2. Germany 3. Mexico 4. Figure: Shows countries having achievement and ascription culture. f) TIME ORIENTATION (PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE): In past culture nations, people give value to their traditions or history. They talk about their family tree, its origin, and talk about history. People of the nations are asked to recreate golden age .In present culture, people believe in present moment. Enjoyment and activities are planned for the moment. Present relationship is important. Contemporary impact and style is what they practice. Future culture nations look for future goal. People plan for future achievements and aspirations. They have an interest in youth and in future. PAST PRESENT FUTURE PAST FUTURE PRESENT Figure: Shows countries of past, present and future culture g) INNER DIRECTED vs. OUTER DIRECTED: In inner directed nations people believe that nature can be controlled by humans. If rightly worked and made an effort then humans can dominate nature. In contrast to inner directed, people in outer directed culture believes that nature is above everything and humans are one force of nature ,so they should live in harmony and adapt to the external environment. OUTER INNER OUTER INNER Figure: Shows countries falling in inner and outer cultural traits. PROS AND CONS OF THE THEORIES: HOFSTEDE: PROS: Hofstedes model helped people in day to day life. Making them understand about different culture. Hofstedes model helped organisation, to expand their business on an international level without facing any cultural hindrances. Example: examines difference in attitudes and behaviour (Alden, Hoyer, and Lee 1993), used in advertising (McCarty and hattwick 1992; Gregory and Munch 1997; Zandpour et al .1994), international brand strategies (Roth 1995).While for some Hofstedes model is rigorous and relevant because the time it was made there was little approach in culture and businesses on international was very low (Sondergaard 1994, 448,449) .Hofstedes model triggered people to globalise. CONS: In spite of being successful, Hofstede also faced numerous criticisms from all over. Some finger out over relevance of the model. Researchers said this it is not accurate. While most says that Hofstedes model did not paid attention on community .According to Hofstede all domestic nations have homogenous society. But some countries are group of ethnic units (Nasif et al 1991, 82; Redpath 1997, 336).While as per McSweeney, 2000, says, Analysing through nations is not proper because it is not necessary bounded by border .Some says it is out dated while other says four dimensions did not give sufficient information. TROMPENAAR: PROS: Trompenaars and hampden-turners model gave a tool to staff who works on international assignments and projects .Easy to understand culture of the other country is made easy by them which led others to understand cross-cultures. Their research showed that way of doing business is different among all the countries. CONS: Their research failed to recognise the personal characteristics on behaviour and forget to provide recommendations. As per other authors, the border is diminishing and world should be seen as a single unit . HOFSTEDE AND TROMPENAAR-HAMPDEN TURNERS THEORY: CORRELATION Hofstedes and Trompenaars -Hampdens individualism and collectivism are identical in orientation. In Trompenaars model, how and where status is given importance and where people look for team work shows link to Hofstedes power distance dimension but not wholly because Hofstedes power distance cover other issues as well .Trompenaars universalism /particularism can be taken as Hofstedes uncertainty avoidance and collectivist/individualistic dimension because in these dimension they discussed about how nations differ in giving preference to rules than relationships. Even researches done with the help of Hofstedes and Trompenaars-Hampdens model showed similarity in their result .Example: Japan and India is collectivist they lie low in individualism index while UK, US are entirely individualistic countries. CONTRARY Contrast between Hofstedes and Trompenaars can be seen in there result of research. Example: Unlike in Hofstedes model, Mexico and Spain are individualistic according to Trompenaars model. Germany has hierarchical culture according to Trompenaars dimension while Hofstedes says its low in power distance. Hofstedes has four dimensions to explain culture differences, while Trompenaars and Hampden have extra dimensions. Hofstedes results becoming out of date.1960s -1970s results are not the same for today because culture change over time. According to James Cambridge, Hofstedes reach is more on analysis, but restricted as well while Trompenaars and Hampden Turner are broader in their approach. Hofstedes measures on the variables of cultures, while Trompenaars involved in a method for cultural creation. Trompenaars and Hampden Turner (1997),all cultures face the similar problems but they are contrary in there solutions which led to excel the opposites.

Characterization of Women in The Yellow Wallpaper and Desirees Baby

Characterization of Women in The Yellow Wallpaper and Desiree's Baby  Ã‚   There was a time (not so long ago) when a man's superiority and authority wasn't a question, but an accepted truth. In the two short stories, "Desiree's Baby", and "The Yellow Wallpaper", women are portrayed as weak creatures of vanity with shallow or absent personalities, who are dependent on men for their livelihood, and even their sanity. Without men, these women were absolutely helpless and useless. Their very existence hinged on absolute and unquestioning submission†¦alone, a woman is nothing. The setting of both stories reinforces the notion of women's dependence on men. The late 1800's were a turbulent time for women's roles. The turn of the century brought about revolution, fueled by the energy and freedom of a new horizon†¦but it was still just around the bend. In this era, during which both short stories were published, members of the weaker sex were blatantly disregarded as individuals, who had minds that could think, and reason, and form valid opinions. Also, in both tales, the characters are removed from society. In "Desiree's Baby", the plantation is bordered by a field and a bayou, isolating its inhabitants from the world. The narrator of "The Yellow Wallpaper" tells us, "Out of one window I can see a garden†¦out of another I get a lovely view of the bay and a little private wharf" (161). They are out in the country, where the modern city can't touch them, or begin to mold their sexist ways and old fashioned ideals into contemporary mindsets. This seclusion also ensures that no outside forces threaten the men's absolute and total control of their weak, defenseless charges. In addition to their surroundings, the homes themselves... ...no worth. It's very sad to think that a woman and a man could have ever thought this way. However, it's even sadder to think that some still do. Women everywhere suffer abuse, mental or otherwise, at the hands or their (pri)mates every day. They must find the strength in themselves and the confidence to know that THEY are the ones who determine their own fate†¦and to realize that no one has the right to put them down. Our foremothers worked hard to make sure that we had choices-- not obligations. And when we let someone else take those choices from us, they are really taking our freedom, and our life. Works Cited: Chopin, Kate. â€Å"Dà ©sirà ©e’s Baby.† 1893. 8 Apr. 2003 Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. "The Yellow Wallpaper." 1892. The New England Magazine. Reprinted in "Lives & Moments - An Introduction to Short Fiction" by Hans Ostrom. Hold, Orlando, FL 1991.

Alcoholism Essay -- Alcohol Addiction Dependence

Alcoholism Alcohol Dependence is a disease characterized by: a strong need or compulsion to drink, the frequent inability to stop drinking once a person has begun, the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shakiness) when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel an affect. Most experts agree that alcoholism is a disease just as high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis are diseases. Like these other diseases, alcoholism tends to run in the family. Drinking alcohol is not the only factor that leads to alcoholism, it is a chronic disease that leaves an everlasting effect on the person's life and his family. The basic difference between the social drinker and the alcoholic is the way he drinks and the effect alcohol has on him. How much a person consumes is not the determining factor. An alcoholic might not have drink for a month, but when he does, he cannot stop. A social drinker could have a drink a number of times per week. That does not make him alcoholic. A problem drinker drinks to escape from unpleasant realities whereas the social drinker drinks to complement an event. The alcoholic becomes both physically and psychologically addicted to alcohol. The social drinker does not. Therefore, I have been researching to gather the facts that distinguish a social drinkers and an alcoholic and what divides people into these two categories. In other words, why do people belonging to these two categories have different effects on them? Alcoholism 2 is a disease and that is why alcohol has different effects o... ...ted Hanna, Eleanor & Grant, Bridget. Alcoholism. Clinical and Experimental Research 1999: p513-22. Lieb, J. & Young, P. TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM AS A CHRONIC DISORDER. EXS 1994: 349-59 Martin, Don & Martin, Betty. The Ultimate Wine Book. California: Pine Cone Press, 1993. Miller, K. A Case-Specific Approach to the Treatment of Alcoholism. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 1994: 35-44. Niemela, O. Oral Nalmefence HCL for Alcohol Dependence. Alcoholism, Clinical & Experimental Research 2006: 1162-7. Parker, Frederick. A Comparison of the Sex Temperament of Alcoholics and Moderate Drinkers. American Sociological Review, Vol. 24 January, 1959: 366-374. Ries, Janet. Public Acceptance of the Disease Concept of Alcoholism. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Vol. 18, No. 3 Sep., 1977: 338-344. Alcoholism Essay -- Alcohol Addiction Dependence Alcoholism Alcohol Dependence is a disease characterized by: a strong need or compulsion to drink, the frequent inability to stop drinking once a person has begun, the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shakiness) when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel an affect. Most experts agree that alcoholism is a disease just as high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis are diseases. Like these other diseases, alcoholism tends to run in the family. Drinking alcohol is not the only factor that leads to alcoholism, it is a chronic disease that leaves an everlasting effect on the person's life and his family. The basic difference between the social drinker and the alcoholic is the way he drinks and the effect alcohol has on him. How much a person consumes is not the determining factor. An alcoholic might not have drink for a month, but when he does, he cannot stop. A social drinker could have a drink a number of times per week. That does not make him alcoholic. A problem drinker drinks to escape from unpleasant realities whereas the social drinker drinks to complement an event. The alcoholic becomes both physically and psychologically addicted to alcohol. The social drinker does not. Therefore, I have been researching to gather the facts that distinguish a social drinkers and an alcoholic and what divides people into these two categories. In other words, why do people belonging to these two categories have different effects on them? Alcoholism 2 is a disease and that is why alcohol has different effects o... ...ted Hanna, Eleanor & Grant, Bridget. Alcoholism. Clinical and Experimental Research 1999: p513-22. Lieb, J. & Young, P. TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM AS A CHRONIC DISORDER. EXS 1994: 349-59 Martin, Don & Martin, Betty. The Ultimate Wine Book. California: Pine Cone Press, 1993. Miller, K. A Case-Specific Approach to the Treatment of Alcoholism. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 1994: 35-44. Niemela, O. Oral Nalmefence HCL for Alcohol Dependence. Alcoholism, Clinical & Experimental Research 2006: 1162-7. Parker, Frederick. A Comparison of the Sex Temperament of Alcoholics and Moderate Drinkers. American Sociological Review, Vol. 24 January, 1959: 366-374. Ries, Janet. Public Acceptance of the Disease Concept of Alcoholism. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Vol. 18, No. 3 Sep., 1977: 338-344.

Events in Czechoslovakia in 1938-1939 Essay

Ultimately, the events in Czechoslovakia in 1938-1939 played a major role in contributing to the outbreak of world war 2 as it ended the appeasement policy and led to Britain’s realization that war was the only solution. However, the nazi soviet pact is also a factor as it gave germany the confidence to invade Poland, a move that guaranteed war. After the anschluss, Czechoslovakia was next on hitler’s list of expansion. The Czech government felt threatened, and sought support from Britain and france should Hitler invade Czechoslovakia, and both Britain and france felt bound to help them. On 15 september 1938, Hitler told chamberlain that he would risk war to bring the Sudeten germans into germany. Chamberlain found his demands reasonable, and decided that areas in which more than half the population was germans should be handed over to Hitler. However on 22 sep Hitler stepped his demands and asked for the whole of Sudetenland. Originally, chamberlain rejected his demands. Eventually, in an attempt to avoid war, he, along with Mussolini and the prime minister of france decided that Sudetenland would be given to germany. This was known as the munich agreement (29 sep). Czechoslovakia was not consulted, and it had felt betrayed. Following that, Hitler then assured chamberlain that he had no further claims in Europe. However, in march 1939, Hitler took over the rest of Czechoslovakia, showing that he could not be trusted. Following that, Britain and france both abandoned the appeasement policy and announced that it would declare war on germany in event that Hitler invaded Poland. However, the nazi soviet pact was also an extremely important factor as it enabled Hitler to avoid a two frontwar, and allowed him to continue to provoke the western countries as stalin now secured his eastern border. Hence, Hitler could now channel all his resources to fighting the western front. Hitler learnt 2 important lessons from the First World War. Firstly, the importance of the involvement of Russia if a Slavic nation was attacked and next the strain of having to fight a war on two fronts. Therefore, the nazi soviet pact was signed on 23 august 1939 where communist Russia agreed to remain neutral if Poland was attacked. It also contained a secret protocol whereby germany and Russia agreed to carve up Poland between them, with germany getting the western parts and Russia getting the eastern parts along with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. With this, Hitler felt assured and proceeded to attack Poland, which unleashed the second world war. In analysis, the events in Czechoslovakia played an extremely significant role in contributing to the outbreak of war in 1939 as compared to the signing of the nazi soviet pact. The events in Czechoslovakia had laid the foundation for the outbreak of war, and it was after the invasion of Czech that led to Britain’s realization that hitler’s aims went way further than merely just redressing the wrongs of the Treaty of Versailles. It showed that Hitler aimed to dominate central Eastern Europe and British knew that war was the only solution in stopping him. Furthermore, the invasion of Czechoslovakia was so unjust that it gave Britain the high moral ground to â€Å"defend the right† without regard to self-interest. This was the point when Britain and France announced that they would declare war on Hitler were he to invade Poland. Although the nazi soviet pact did play a small role, it merely acted as the trigger for the invasion of Poland. Hitler’s invasion of Poland was inevitable, and the pact merely sped up the process. Rather, the decision of Britain and france to abandon appeasement and to defend Poland was made after the events in Czechoslovakia is 1938-1939, thus making it more crucial.

Christianity and Narnia Essay

Christianity is a religion that more than half of our world believes in. It is the belief that Jesus was the Son of God who saved humanity from sin. That Mary the redeemer said yes to God. Christianity is made up of many different parts. The Paschal Mystery which means the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God is what sets Christianity apart from other religions. Christianity has many denominations, for example Mormons, Anglicans, Presbyterian. Christians believe that Jesus lived for humanity, died for humanity, and resurrected for humanity. Christ is percepted in many different ways; he is depicted as the Son of God who died for humans on the cross. Over one third of the world is Christians, but nearly 75% of the world celebrates traditions which only Christians believe in. An example of this would be Easter. Easter is when Jesus died for humans on the cross, but nowadays non-believers celebrate it and is treated as a public holiday. This shows how important Christianity is to humans, and also to the world. In the Bible, Jesus was first mentioned in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. He was depicted as the son of God. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,  and will call him Immanuel. ’Jesus’s name was not mentioned. Isaiah’s prophecy was then fulfilled in the gospel of Luke. ‘Was born of a virgin named Mary’ (Luke 1:26-31). Also Jesus had performed many great miracles. Jesus performed the changing of the water to win at the wedding at Cana. ‘7  Jesus said to the servants  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Fill the jars with water†; so they filled them to the brim. 8  then he told them,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. † This is the gospel of John 2:7-8. Christians believe Jesus was fully divine and human. Which was why when Jesus was nailed to the cross, the pain he felt was the pain humans would have felt as well. Jesus was crucified on the cross because it was the common way to die. Christians pray and sing hymns praising the Lord. They commonly sing the song ‘I say Yes’ This has the meaning of Mary saying yes to the angel Gabriel to be the mother of Jesus Christ. In the song it has the phrase ‘To the God who cannot die’. This is interpreted in the meaning that God will always be there. He is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. During church, before epiclesis when transubstantion has not yet occurred. The Memorial Acclamation is read to show what Jesus had given up before he was crucified and to show how important the epiclesis is. ‘To do this in the memory of him’. Every year in the month of May, Christians read the Angelus because it is the month of Mary. In the angelus, the Hail Mary is read. A verse in that passage is ‘Pray for us’. That Mary, our redeemer will continue to look over us as she had once done with Jesus. A perfect example of how Christians have continued to spread the word of God and believed is C.S Lewis. He had written a series of books which relate to the belief of Jesus. A quote he had once said was ‘I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. ’This is a very strong quote because he had continued to live and carry out God’s mission. In the Catechism, CCC 600 it states ‘Lamb of God takes away the Sin of the world’ this is how the Roman Church interpreted Jesus and his teachings. The Lamb of God is Jesus because Jesus is commonly interpreted and depicted as a lamb. Through this Christians carry out acts which follow these teachings. This helps people understand how important Christianity is to the world. It shows what Christians believe and how they show this through their actions. There are many stories and movies which have been written to portray the life of Jesus and the belief of Christianity. One of the many is Narnia by C. S Lewis. This movie and book series stands out because it has many subtle and prominent links between Christianity and Narnia. C. S Lewis was inspired to write the Narnia book series after his ‘mental religious wars’. He converted from a protestant to an atheist then to a Christian (catholic) and is now known as one of the most inspirational theologists. C. S Lewis slipped in and added many subtle symbols. For example, during the scene when Susan and Peter went into the Professor’s study, the notebook on his table was in the shape of an apple. This symbolises Original Sin. The apple shows the relationship between God and Humanity. How evil had come into the world. Narnia is a story with 4 main characters Edmund, Susan, Lily and Peter. C. S Lewis used the characters of Susan and Lily as Eve, and Edmund and Peter as the Sons of Adam. When the children had first gone into the Land of Narnia, we are first introduced to them being as the sons and daughters of Eve and Adam. There are three types of sins in the world, Original Sin, Social Sin and Personal Sin. Social Sin is depicted in Narnia through the White Witch. Narnia is set in a land where it is winter. It is depicted as the season of winter because it symbolises dark and evil. Because of the White Which. In the shots where Aslan is present, the land of Narnia is spring. It is as if Narnia Is released and freed from evil. Personal Sin is depicted in Narnia through Edmund. Aslan, the lion performed many miracles in the series of Narnia. When the White Witch had frozen the thorns and people to stone, Aslan blew on them to unfreeze them. This is a very big miracle of him. Jesus had also performed many miracles in his lifetime. ,  6  After saying this, he spit  on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Go,†Ã‚  he told him,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"wash in the Pool of Siloam†. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. This is the gospel of John 9:6-7. Jesus too also performed strange and powerful miracles to help others. In the book Narnia, C.S Lewis quotes from Aslan as King ‘Aslan as everywhere’ to ‘He will be back’. C. S Lewis had many inspirations to write the book. One of the many was when his wife was cured of cancer but then later died. Despite her dying, he had continued on the write the books. In the book of Catechism, CCC 977, it says that Christ who died for our sin and rose for us so we may walk in the fullness of life. This is what the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church believes what Christ is and what human life is about. In CCC 1708, ‘by his Passion, Christ delivered us from Satan and from sin. He merited for us the new life in the Holy Spirit. His grace restores what sin had damaged in us. ’ These are what they Catholics believe what Christ did and how it affected humanity as a whole and how sin had damaged us. Christians can follow and learn about the life and times of Jesus Christ and the origins of Christianity through reading the books and watching the movies of Narnia. This is relevant to the religion Christianity because the book and film Narnia had incorporated many symbols to show Catholicism. This helps Christians understand their religion and how it had started.

Discovering Las Vegas’ Vibrance and Orlando’s Magic

Life can be so dreary if you just wallow in work all the time. For all you know, you might be burnt out and this has caused you to be irritable and looking stressed because of the drudgeries of daily routine. Being burned out is more than just a feeling; it is a condition. Being burned out implies that one is totally exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and that rest, recuperation, or vacation can be a key to ease you out of it. Actually, we need not to go far to have a vacation. Las Vegas and Orlando are two of the most visited cities to have a vacation. Thus, we will try to evaluate the ups and downs of having a vacation in Las Vegas and Orlando by browsing through articles that feature these cities. Anyone might have known Las Vegas because it is constantly represented in movies as a site for gambling and shotgun weddings. In addition to what Las Vegas is known for, it is also city renowned for its desert resort getaways. When a visitor wants get into the city’s hub, â€Å"The Strip† is the answer. â€Å"The Strip† is lined with dazzling luxury hotels, casinos, and nightclubs that offer not just gambling, but also exotic entertainment. In fact, when anyone visits â€Å"The Strip†, it would summon memories of movie scenes as it stretches along part of Las Vegas Boulevard South, where buildings are known for its dazzling neon signs, psychedelic electronic billboards and spectacular interiors (Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online, 2007). Sanchez (1999) shared that there are two parts to the state and Las Vegas. There’s the Old West, with its morals and values: you shoot a burglar. If he falls inside your home, you’re okay; if he falls on your lawn, you’re in trouble. The other part is the casinos. Las Vegas is totally about money. The streets are truly paved with gold. They [the usual â€Å"they†, the people who run things] only want people to know about the Strip. Off the Strip, there’s nothing to do. They want people to drop ten thousand dollars and come back later trying to win it back. Casino profits go up and up. They showed us the records at school. There's never a dip. But it’s a camouflage. Without casinos, Las Vegas will be like Austin, Texas. We’d be lame, but a town, a community. We’d be a little town in the desert. But the Las Vegas mentality is â€Å"We’re the whole state†. Clark County became our state, and we let the casinos take care of us (Sanchez, 1999, p. 92). But there’s more to casinos and weddings in Las Vegas, according to Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005) in Shape magazine, one can visit an oasis in the luxurious Green Valley Ranch Resort, Casino ; Spa. They suggested that the stay there is â€Å"all about understated elegance†. The resort is a â€Å"full-fledged Las Vegas-style casino hotel without the over-the-top theme-park decor, it’s an easy 10-minute cab or shuttle ride to action on The Strip†. However, Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005) assured travelers that they will be tempted to â€Å"stay put and enjoy the array of restaurants, gaming action and luxury treatments and activities at the spa and fitness center†. For health buffs, Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005) warned that although self-control can be challenging amidst the flashing neon signs that are tempting you toward â€Å"all-you-can-eat buffets and free drinks†, both authors suggested that they could visit the Little Buddha at the Palms Casino Resort, located at 4321 W. Flamingo Road. According to Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005), â€Å"the restaurant is done up in sexy shades of red†, and â€Å"the dà ©cor is opulent, with massive Buddha statues and velvet stools lining the restaurant’s glowing bar†. On weekends, visitors can â€Å"feast upon light yet flavorful sushi and other pan-Asian treats while a DJ spins world music†. Another place that Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005) recommended is the Red Rock Canyon. Situated accessibly in a 25-minute drive west of the neon glares of â€Å"The Strip†, they described Red Rock Canyon as a â€Å"Mojave Desert conservation area where petrified dunes, arches and cliffs come in a stunning palette of colors†. According to Rosenthal and Renaud (October 2005), â€Å"there are more than 30 miles of hiking trails† and they recommended to trek the â€Å"moderate six-mile White Rock loop past trickling springs and rock formations†. They also advised that to watch out for some desert tortoises, wild burros and red-tailed hawks that could be encountered in the trail. Of course, visitors are advised to bring ample amount of water when visitors decide to choose this kind of adventure. On the other hand, the mention of Orlando invites us to think of one word: Disney. Anyone might not be surprised that the Disney complex alone covers 47 square miles (122 square km). Several large resorts are not the only exciting attractions that Disney offers, any visitor would marvel at â€Å"the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom†. Also in the greater Orlando area are â€Å"Universal Orlando (with the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks), Sea World of Florida (a marine-animal park), and Wet ‘n Wild (a large water park)†. In addition, Lack Haven Park contains art, science, and history museums. Gatorland, just to the south, is home to alligators and crocodiles (Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online, 2007). In Hagaman’s article (1998) about Orlando in the PSA Journal, she suggested that aside from Disney, any visitor can also experience the glamor of Hollywood while staying at the doorstep near Universal Studios, Florida, where they could stand at awe with the likes of Jaws, King Kong, Woody and Winny Woodpecker and other characters â€Å"just waiting to give you a thrill and photo opportunities†. Hagaman (1998) also recommended having fun beneath â€Å"swaying palm trees in the heart of America’s vacation fantasy land† because â€Å"visitors always enjoy Orlando’s splendid weather and natural beauty†. Hagaman (1998) cited that the opening of Cypress Gardens in 1936 marked the beginning of a new era in Central Florida, where any visitor can marvel at the new Birdwalk Aviary, composed of five new animal habitats. The list goes on as Hagaman (1998) cited other places of interest like the Butterfly Conservatory, European acrobatic acts, floral festivals, and a new fast-paced and thrilling water ski show†. The Cypress Gardens is situated 22 miles south of I-4 be tween Orlando and Tampa. Hagaman (1998) also prided that Orlando has treats for history lovers. She assured visitors will bask in a â€Å"magical evening in a medieval castle at King Henry’s Feast†. King Henry’s Feast features a banquet and show that compose of â€Å"a bountiful four-course dinner while special royal entertainment and amazing death-defying feats are performed right before your eyes. Tankards of beer, wine and soft drinks are included with dinner†. Hagaman (1998) informed that King Henry’s Feast is in Orlando.   Another recommended attraction by Hagaman (1998) is located near Kissimmee, where visitors would have the feel of traveling back to the days of yore at Medieval Times. Hagaman (1998) revealed that this is Central Florida’s number one 1 dinner attraction located on Highway 92 near Disney. Visitors will definitely have fun feasting on a â€Å"regal banquet inside the 11th-century European style castle and cheer for knights on horseback jousting and sword fighting†. Hagaman (1998) also included in her list of attractions the Pointe Orlando, which is â€Å"a 450,000 square foot Lifestyle Entertainment Center located across from the Convention Center, featuring FAO Schwartz, multi-screen cinema, and a 3-D IMAX theater†. In this entertainment center, nightclubs, outstanding restaurants, and the finest collection of 60 unique retailers will surely make visitors busy while in Orlando. Moreover, visitors should also delight the Oriental magic of Splendid China. Hagaman (1998) described it as â€Å"a 76-acre attraction featuring 5,000 years of authentic Chinese culture†. In here, Hagaman (1998) described that visitors will see a replica of China’s historical sites and landmarks, like the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Leshan Budda and many others. Hagaman (1998)   also mentioned â€Å"The Mysterious Kingdom of the Orient†, which is â€Å"a pulsating and visually majestic presentation of 70 talented acrobats, dancers and actors†. Lastly, Hagaman (1998) invited visitors to discover Chinatown for its â€Å"excellent dining and unique shopping†. Both locations have their unique features, the casinos and desert resorts in Las Vegas and the theme parks in Orlando. What’s best is that both cities offer different features and landmarks for different interests. Las Vegas discovered that shopping, dining, and entertainment could attract non-gamblers and also serve as secondary activities for all but the most dedicated gamblers. The Forum shopping mall at Caesars in Las Vegas provides continuous entertainment and a great variety of restaurants, making the retail sales areas some of the most costly and desirable to rent in North America. Today, the top attraction in Las Vegas is shopping, not gambling. However, I feel that there are more things to do in Orlando than in Las Vegas. I believe that tourist markets should be dynamic and a marketing information system should come in important. Destinations need to closely monitor the relative popularity of their various attractions by determining the number and type of tourists attracted to each and I think Orlando is more publicized in this arena. References Hagaman, C. L. (1998, February). Orlando: Never Outgrow the Magic. PSA Journal, 64, 16-18. Las Vegas. (2007). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica.   Retrieved February 14, 2007, from Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online: http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article-9047243. Orlando. (2007). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica.   Retrieved February 14, 2007, from Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online: http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article-9057392. Rosenthal, J. and Renaud, L. (2005, October). Sin-City Shapeovers. Shape, 25(2): 38. Sanchez, M. (1999). Growing Up in Las Vegas. In The Real Las Vegas: Life beyond the Strip, Littlejohn, D. (Ed.) (pp. 75-96). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Supply chain management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Supply chain management - Essay Example Experts defined SCM as a blend of a variety of procedures that begin from the preliminary stage of the product till the completed utilization of the same creation by the customer. It is a procedure which entail the development, execution, of these plans, and scheming of the product construct with the purpose of providing absolute fulfillment to the customer with regards to the quality of the product, (Wixon, Jim 2000). No innovation retains the fancy of the industry for long. SCM also, like many other new techniques before it, has gone out of fashion with many of the industries, (Davis,1993). This is evident from their inability to verify data pertaining to disruptions or irregularities in supply chains, Failure of Executives to pin point unfavorable actions and reasonably predict their consequences to the business push them into hasty decisions with undesirable consequences, (Gosling, 2003). Needless to say, such actions can be disastrous to the company operating in a competitive en vironment, (Lee, and Billington, 1992). Manufacturing and product delivery costs can mount, inventory may pile up, further adding to the cost, and actual delivery to the consumer get delayed, each of these individually and together can burden the company, (Christy, 1994). Non-availability of relevant SCM data may deny to the organization the ability to respond promptly and successfully to emerging opportunities. 2.0 SCOR – OVERVIEW AND UTILITY TO BUSINESS OPERATIONS Supply Chain Operations reference (SCOR) model has been evolved, tested and certified by the Supply Chain Council, a Non-Profit Organization. The industry has received it well and adopted extensively as a reliable tool for analyzing Supply Chain operations and managing them, (SCC, 1999). It enables its users to compare the various SCM activities and evaluate their performance and relevance to the management objectives. It is hierarchical and structural in nature. As end result it provides the optimal processes and solutions for the organization’s SCM requirements, (Brocke, 2007). SCOR analyses all the elements on the Product Development and Delivery network and keeping the focus on optimum satisfaction of the customer, identifies and brings to light complicated as well as simple supply chains which have specific impacts on the over all outcome of the operations, (Supply-Chain Council, 2005). This ease of analysis helps in interconnecting and showing as sequels the chain of events/operations that hinder production or delivery, and their over-all impact, (VRM 3.0, 2004). Thus it serves as a foundation on which Supply chains can be developed for simple local operations as much as it can serve to build large scale world-wide Projects, (Fox, Chionglo, and Barbuceanu, 1993). SCOR has become handy for enhancing the flexibility of interaction among trading partners and customers, which, in turn has radically impacted the operational economics of the entire Industry. The combination of the adv anced capabilities of I.T. with SCOR has produced very good results, (BEA,2003). Far from the mere connectivity of Supply Chain events, SCOR has now achieved a system of extracting real time data at various levels,