Review of the corporate social responsibility for Siemens Company

Table of Contents Introduction The case against Siemens The case for Siemens Conclusion Recommendation Reference List Introduction â€Å"Corporate social responsibility or CSR in short is also referred to as sustainable business relationship and is an integral integration into a business model to function as a self-regulation mechanism where the business monitors and ensures that it complies with the laws, standards of ethics and norms – both national and international.† (D Wood, Younger).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Review of the corporate social responsibility for Siemens Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For a multi-national corporation like Siemens, the approach of corporate social responsibility is a very important part of their business philosophy. Siemens always has an active participation approach to all their corporate social responsibility activities. Their employees are alw ays willing to give a helping and caring hand to those people who are in one way or another disadvantaged apart from the mere action of giving a fat cheque to cover expenses and serve as funding to the projects. Foote 1999 says â€Å"For Siemens, devoting their time and expertise to assist the needy – children, the youth and the elderly is a part of their identity.† It is what differentiates them from other corporate. Ranging from giving hope to the challenged or caring for the environment, Siemens has always participated in initiatives that require responsibility to be served to the society. Siemens always makes sure to satisfy all their stakeholders. The following are termed as the stakeholders: employees, suppliers, customers, investors, policy makers and the society at large. Brown, Dillard and Russer, Marshall say that, â€Å"To employees, the company â€Å"invests considerable resources in training them, upgrading their professional qualifications, safeguarding their health and assuring their welfare.† To supplier, the company aims to â€Å"promote sustainability by generating long-term value with the help of excellent and innovative suppliers – with a strong focus on economic, ecological and socially responsible operation.† â€Å"To customers, Siemens aims at aligning their business strategies, goals and objectives with the demands of customers as well as with what the customers expect,†(Correst, Nathan Bedford). To investors, the company aims at giving the best return on investments that pleases the investors as well as to maintain a good corporate image. To policy makers, Siemens makes their business decisions based on political decisions and public policy debates. â€Å"In addition to maintaining business relationships with government institutions and agencies which are customers for our products, solutions and services, we also openly contribute to the shaping of public opinion through various means in our capacity as a corporate citizen,† (Davis, Kirk Blomstrom and Dawart, Crowther).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The case against Siemens Despite Siemens terming themselves as being a â€Å"global powerhouse in the electronics and electrical engineering†, Siemens AG has been curbed by some corruption cases. The company was fined 1.6 billion US dollars. This was the largest fine for corruption in the history of the Anti-corruption cases and also in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) history. Evidence was sought signifying that the company was involved in bribing all over the world in several different business sectors. â€Å"The company (Siemens AG) and its subsidiaries in Venezuela, Argentina and Bangladesh were fined $450 million for allegations concerning corruption as per the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).† Dawart (20). Foote adds. Siemens which is listed in the New York Stock Exchange is regulated by the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) despite it being a German company. Siemens further agreed to top up with $350 million to cover charges incurred by SEC. Wills a renown researcher says that, â€Å"The company (Siemens AG) also paid $569 million to Munich Office of the Prosecutor General to whom the company had in October 2007 paid $285 in fines.† The evidence against Siemens revealed that the company bribed public officials in many business sectors and in many countries in order to be awarded large public contracts. Corruption within the company was so rampant and despite the company’s senior officials having this knowledge, they turned blind eye to the corrupt deals and did not do anything to attempt to stop them. Bribery almost became a part of the checklist in all of Siemens’ operations across the world. The agreement also made it that Sie mens had to be checked for a period of four years by an independent compliance monitory and also agreed to co-operate with the Department of Justice in further investigations of corruption within the company by agent and employees. If we examine Siemens’ corporate social responsibility in this case, the company did not stick to their own code of ethics and business conduct. The company also broke one of its core values which are to be responsible. Their value of responsibility states that â€Å"We are determined to meet – and wherever possible, exceed – all legal and ethical requirements. â€Å"Our responsibility is to conduct all business according to the highest professional and ethical standards and practices: There must be no tolerance for non-compliant behavior† (Habisch, Andre and Jan, Jonker. Schmidpeter), †This principle of responsibility is meant to act as a crucial guideline to the making of business decisions so by breaking this value an d encouraging corruption by not stopping it despite being aware of it, Siemens did not meet its ethical obligations here.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Review of the corporate social responsibility for Siemens Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is no doubt on this. By breaking this principle, the stakeholders were negatively impacted.† The case for Siemens Despite the court cases and fines concerning Siemens and alleging corruption, the company has however learnt its lesson and there have not been any reports of corruption in its operations. At least by correcting where they had gone wrong, the company still showed that they were willing to be responsible by both handling the situation to curb corruption and agreeing to be accountable and responsible and paying fines. Siemens AG also launched a $100 million Integrity Initiative. This initiative has been argued by many to be as a result of the court cases concerning corruption since the initiative was started in 2009 after the huge fines that the company had to pay for corrupt deals. According to Wills, â€Å"The Siemens Integrity Initiative aims to fight corruption and fraud through activities such as education and training.† The company also has a large corporate social responsibility portfolio from all over the globe. They have some corporate citizenship programs in several countries. In South Africa, the company is well known for its AIDS program known as REACH. Siemens collaborates with several partners to support HIV victims by providing cheap health care and providing support to HIV positive employees. The patients receive their medications and/or vaccines and are given counseling and ongoing personal and group support. Grace, Darmoth and Habisch, Andre says that in Egypt, as part of the Siemens Generation 21 education program, the company supports university education with several projects. Some of the pro jects include contest to design energy saving systems and idea workshops on energy conservation and reducing carbon footprints. In Brazil, the company built a high-voltage line round the Brazilian rainforest. The line is 14km long with the aim of keeping to a minimum the project’s footprint and to reduce to the most possible minimum, the impact that the project would have on one of the world’s richest fauna and flora habitats. The project did not involve any heavy machine work. â€Å"Rather, they used laborers to excavate, pneumatic jack hammers and installed cables by hand or if needed, by helicopter.† Wills says. All waste was cleverly handled and no waste was left unprocessed or unmoved.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Donations, employee volunteer work and partnerships 2008, â€Å"Siemens is an equal opportunity employer for the ‘different label’, when it comes to employment. Siemens has always given the challenged people a level playing ground in conjunction with the Ability Foundation, the physically challenged or those with other disabilities to interviews† (Jastram, Sarah and Paluszek, John). These interviewees are given aptitude tests like the others and are not given any special attention or consideration. The development of corporate social responsibility programs demonstrates that Siemens is fulfilling their obligation to the society and to the environment by developing sustainable development. Conclusion Siemens as a company has been involved in both the positive and negative influences in relation to their stakeholders that is the employees, society, suppliers, customers, investors, policy makers and the society at large. On the positive side, Siemens ha d engaged in positive environmental impacts and corporate citizenship roles that have empowered the stakeholders and made Siemens a company that all are ready and willing to be associated with. On the negative side, Siemens showed a lack of care for their core values and their delayed response in finding and handling the situation had a great negative impact to the stakeholders and in the way our society is wired, despite how much the company attempts to make up for the wrongs, it will be the most difficult thing that the company has done since people will always focus on the negatives more than the positives. In terms of its core business, through the rampant corruption within the organization, Siemens demonstrated that in order to please their stakeholders, they were willing to do this by any means be they clean or dirty. This is not a good business approach since it usually destroys businesses especially as seen in the huge fines paid to the courts. Recommendation I would recomme nd that Siemens AG stick to its core value of â€Å"exceeding all legal and ethical requirements and conducting business in the highest professional and ethical standards and having no tolerance for non-compliant behavior† (Habisch, Andre and Jan, Jonker Schmidpeter). In this way, Siemens will be able to give full value to all stakeholders in an honest way without jeopardizing anything. I would also recommend that Siemens AG should continue in its corporate citizenship and in the other good corporate social responsibility initiatives that it has in the past been involved with. Reference List Brown, Dillard and Russer, Marshall. Triple Bottom Line: A business metaphor for a social construct. Portland State University, School of Business Administration. Correst, Nathan Bedford. Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Careers. University of Edinburgh Careers Service. 2008. Davis, Kirk Blomstrom Business and Society: Environment and Responsibility. New York: McGraw-Hill. 19 75. Dawart, Crowther, Social and Environmental Accounting. London: Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2000, p. 20. Donations, employee volunteer work and partnerships. 2008 Web. D Wood, Younger. Corporate Social Performance Revisited. (1991) 16(4) The Academy of Management: Review 2005. Foote, Shelby. The Civil War in Corperate Accounting, a Narrative: Red River to Appomattox. New York: Vintage, 1986. Grace, Darmoth and Sorroni, Cohen. Business Ethics: Australian Problems and Cases. Oxford University Press. 2005. Habisch, Andre and Jan, Jonker. Schmidpeter (eds.) Corporate Social Responsibility across the Europe. Heidelberg: Springer. 2005. Jastram, Sarah. The Link between Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management. CIS Papers No.17. Centre of International Studies, Hamburg. 2007. Paluszek, John. Ethics and Brand Value: Strategic Differentiation. (PowerPoint). Business and Organizational Ethics Partnership Meeting. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University . April 6–7, 2005. Web. R Freeman, Strategic management  :a stakeholder approach. Pitman ISBN: 780273019138. 1984. Rowe, James. Corporate Social Responsibility as Business Strategy. CGIRS-Reprint-2005-08. Center for Global, International, and Regional Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz. 2005. Web. Saether, Kim and Ruth, Aguilera. Corporate Social Responsibility in a Comparative Perspective. In Crane, A., et al. (PDF). The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN  0199211590. Wheeler, David and Maria, Sillanpaa. The Stakeholder Corporation: a blueprint for maximizing stakeholder value. London: Pitman 1997. Wills, Brian Steel. A Battle from the Start: The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest. New York: HarperCollins, 1992. This essay on Review of the corporate social responsibility for Siemens Company was written and submitted by user Travis Bennett to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Cadbury Beverages Incorporation

Cadbury Beverages Incorporation Strategic Problem and Issue Identification Cadbury Beverages has been a successful marketer of different carbonated drinks. The company wanted to â€Å"re-launch its brands acquired from Procter Gamble† (Kerin and Peterson 316). The Senior Marketing Executives (SMEs) focused on the Crush brand in order to emerge successful.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Cadbury Beverages Incorporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To begin with, it was mandatory to rejuvenate the brand’s bottling network. The company also analyzed the facts associated with its leading brands. It was also mandatory for the firm to establish a powerful advertising program for its Crush brand. This advertising program â€Å"required the best strategies, objectives, and preliminary budgets† (Kerin and Peterson 316). From 1985 to 1989, the Crush orange flavor had become less competitive. The company was using ineffective ad vertising strategies thus affecting its goals. In 1989, most of â€Å"the competitors were using a wider spectrum of avenues to advertise their superior brands† (Kerin and Peterson 324). Many players in the industry were using similar promotional strategies for their products. It is agreeable that many consumers admired the Crush brand. However, new strategies were required in order to re-launch the product in the targeted markets. This approach would make it easier for Cadbury Beverages Incorporation to achieve its potentials. Analysis and Evaluation The problems affecting Cadbury Beverages forced the Marketing Executives (MEs) to make new changes in 1990. To begin with, the MEs decided to focus on the Crush brand. The marketers wanted to make the brand successful. This approach was critical because the flavor accounted for two-thirds of the total sales. A new bottling network for the brand was also established (Kerin and Peterson 319). The positioning strategy only focused on the existing customer base. New bottling agreements â€Å"were created in order to make the orange flavor available to more consumers† (Kerin and Peterson 320).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The level of competition also affected the performance of the Crush brand. However, the above positioning strategy presented numerous threats to the other brands such as Sunkist. The strategy was also ineffective because the company was making little profits. The â€Å"existing competitors were also attracting more customers using their diet segments† (Kerin and Peterson 324). There was also the need to establish new positions in order to make the brand successful. That being the case, it was appropriate to have a powerful advertising program that could make the brand successful. Recommendations It is notable that â€Å"the Crush brand boasted of high-a wareness in different regions such as Boston, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Miami† (Kerin and Peterson 329). However, it was appropriate to create a powerful promotion program for the brand. Cadbury Beverages Incorporation should therefore have a proper budget for every promotional strategy. That being the case, the firm should use its resources to support the Crush brand. The firm should use appropriate marketing strategies in order to emerge successful because more customers are aware of this brand. A proper knowledge of the existing market conditions will produce the best strategies. The firm should also identify new distribution channels. It should also collaborate with different restaurants and Gas Stations (GSs) in order to increase its market share. The use of modern technologies such as social media networks will inform more people about the targeted brand. The firm should also use a powerful marketing mix. This approach will â€Å"ensure the firm uses competitive prices, strategic positions, and effective promotional practices† (Kerin and Peterson 18). The strategy will ensure the firm achieves its marketing goals. Kerin, Roger, and Robert Peterson. Strategic Marketing Problems: Cases and Comments. Upper-Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Cadbury Beverages Incorporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Aid Should Help, Not Hurt

Aid Should Help, Not Hurt Aid Should Help, Not Hurt. Sending aid to other countries is called Foreign aid. Foreign aid is the transfer and loaning of funds, goods or services from one country to another. It is moved from one country to another country. (1) The main purpose of aid, mainly in poor countries, is to improve poverty, give support to the people who can’t reach their needs to survive, rebuild important buildings such as School, Hospitals, and Police Departments and restore a great economy to pick up the country once again. However, the usefulness of foreign aid for poverty relief in Africa has lost its objective. Since the 1950s, the idea that huge amounts of donations can cure poverty has led economic development discourses. More than half of the sub-Saharan Africa are now much poorer than in the 1960s. (2) I don’t deny that the fact that many factors that have contributed to poverty in Africa which include natural disasters such as famine, draught, and wars. But what about the huge excess of aid they have been guiding to this developing country? What did they use it for? According to statistics, while advancement has been made in other rising regions of the world, particularly East Asia in the last six decades, the percentage of those living in life- threatening poverty increased in sub-Saharan Africa. (3) Such statistics can be both terrible and at the same time crushing. There are several reasons to why foreign aid is unsuccessful for poverty relief in Africa. The first reason is that poverty in African countries is not a cruel circle waiting to be broken by foreign help. Instead, poverty is created by economic institutions that thoroughly block the incentives and chances of poor people to mak e their lives better by themselves and their country. Let us for instance the system of apartheid in South Africa which Nelson Mandela fought against. In this situation, apartheid was a set of economic institutions which was planned to work against the black South Africans. It contained rules that governed and dictated to people what they should do and what they should not do, including the motivations and openings they are entitled to. (4) In 1913, the South African government announced that 93 percent of South Africa was for the white economy, while 7 per cent was for blacks (who constituted about 70 percent of the population). Blacks had to have a pass, almost as a national passport, to travel to the cities for job opportunities in the white-controlled mines and industries. They could not own property or start a business there. Such economic organizations, avoid the people that need help and opportunities of the massive population of black South Africans and largely kept them in poverty. While the country was rich during this period , the wealth was in few hands and the common were poor. As such, foreign aid would not remove such institutional strength that disadvantaged the majority to access to the national resources. It should be noted that people in underprivileged countries have the same drives as those in rich countries. Just like those from developed nations, people from humble nations also need freedom of accessibility to economic reserves, to have the same chances to good health care, unpolluted portable water in their homes and value education for their children. The reason to why the poor remain poor is because their basic ability with their talents have been disallowed the opportunity to grow by their various establishments in those countries. In Sub-Sahara African states, it is important to note that once you are wealthy, you are advantaged because you are entitled to much more power while the poor on the other hand, are less fortunate and at the pity of those in power. By way of conclusion, the evidence from examples above and analysis have shown that poor people are trapped within economic institutions and until these institutions feel a major change, foreign aid and any growth it seeks to achieve will only be an illusion, not only in Sub-Sahara Africa, but across all developing countries o f the world.

Public University Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Public University Analysis - Essay Example The Commonwealth, and not the University, has the full duty of contributing to the plan. Significantly, the entire full-time faculty, particular managing staff, and the health care personnel involve themselves in the Faculty Discretional Retirement Plans. These are set-contribution strategies in which the retirement gains got are linked to the employer and employee aids (of which most of them are paid by the University), and the dividends and interest. Personal contracts provided the strategies for full-time faculty and given managing personnel provide for complete and instant entrusting of both the participant’s and University’s contributions (Sigo, 2014). The health care personnel’s employer aids completely entrust after a single year of employment. Full pension costs under the plans were about $36.3 million. Contributions to the Discretional Retirement Plans were aggregated by use of the base salaries of about $337.6. The input value amounted to 9.9%. Considering the Retirement Plans, it is definite that each and every stable full-time employee, as a rule of work, is an affiliate of both the State and Teachers’ Employees ‘Retirement Structure or the Discretionary Retirement Program. Fit workers can choose to participate in the Discretionary Retirement Program at the time of work, or else they get enrolled in the State and Teachers’ Employees’ Retirement Structure. The State and Teachers’ Employees’ Retirement Structure (TSERS) at the Virginia University comprise of a cost-sharing multiple-worker described benefit pension plan that is recognized by the State to give pension gains for workers of State, local boards of education and its component sections (Sigo, 2014). The TSERS is managed by around 14 members of Board of Trustees, with the Chairman of the Board being the State Treasurer. GASB proposed changes that were to affect the financial statements of institutions and

Abortion in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Abortion in America - Essay Example The first instance was of Connecticut which criminalized abortion in the year 1821. Even in the cases of rape and incest, filing a police first investigation report was a prerequisite. However a woman with the name of Norma L. Mcorvay filed a petition against the abortion laws which fueled up the great debate of pro-life vs. pro-choice In June 1969, Mcorvay found out that she was pregnant with her third child and immediately decided to have an abortion. However due to its criminalization she could not get it done at any hospital. She was advised to register as a rape victim, however it did not happen there was no police report about the alleged incident. In 1970, two lawyers by the name of Coffee and Weddington filed a petition against the laws criminalizing abortion. The lawyers represented Mccorvay under the alias of Jane Roe while the Texas state was represented by Henry Wade (Mohr). Before the start of the legal proceedings, Roe conceded that she had not been raped and that case was actually meant as a plea to grant freedom to women regarding their personal choices. After multiple hearings a decision was finally announced on January 22, 1973. The court made abortion one of the fundamental rights under the US constitution, marking the beginning of a new era (Hoffer and Hoffer). There were many proposals including the proposal of viability which said that a woman can only have abortion until the fetus in her womb is not viable. By viable, it meant that the fetus could survive outside the mother’s body. However much of the freedom was granted to women and she could have an abortion after consulting a physician. . The case raised a fiery debate not only in the judicial circles but also among political and social groups. On one hand, the decision was heralded as a victory for women rights while on the other hand it came out as a blow to the believers of pro-life. The decision was controversial and still a large population of the country believes that it s hould be reverted. Perhaps the biggest shock to the whole pro-life vs. pro-choice debate was dealt by Mcorvay herself when she revealed in 1995 that she had become a proponent of pro-life (Bergel). Since then she has spoken openly against abortion and even filed petitions to overturn the decision, which did not yield any conclusive result. In the light of the above arguments, it can fairly easily be said that the matter is a very complicated one because abortion does not only affect the physical well-being of women but also psychological and emotional well-being. Therefore there needs to be a thorough study of the statistical data about people’s opinions as well as a sound scientific study before any further decision in this regard is taken. Although both sides of the debate has very strong points, I believe that abortion should not be legalized unless in the most extremes of cases. There are many forms of contraception available including, early morning pill and condoms; the refore unwanted pregnancies can easily be avoided if these contraceptive measures are taken. Legalization of abortion actually demeans the reproductive function of sex and projects it only as a means of having pleasure. This encourages unprotected sexual intercourse since unwanted conception can easily be aborted causing a greater number of people to be at a risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. Since legalization of abortion poses more of a threat rather than relief to the general well-being of women, it should only is legal in extreme cases. For example, in a situation like rape where the conception actually reminds the women of the trauma and puts a negative impact on her psychological well-being, abortion should be legalized. Also in some pregnancies, some extreme

Labor markets Essay Example for Free

Labor markets Essay Low wages in developing countries has prompted textile-manufacturers to migrate their operations from high wage countries. High wage countries who are also often more developed have also benefited by better product prices and the development of their labor markets to become specialized and technical. However, this has also severely reduced the number of jobs available particularly for skilled labor markets. Palley (2006) reflects that an amplification of such a scenario results in high wage markets to lose buying power and labor surplus will shift power from workers to the extent of overwhelm workers’ welfare. Another issue that has gained concern is the issue of labor exploitation. Seyoum (2007) believes that in the rush to establish transnational operations by companies in low wage developing countries and the eagerness of the se countries for businesses to boost the economy, the issue of welfare, working conditions and labor issues was not fully addressed. The inclusion of labor regulations in international trade agreements can address the issues effectively but there are significant challenges in enforcing and monitoring work standards within and across trade agreements. The liberalization of trade has allowed for greater opportunities in importing and exporting. It has increased product options, supply and distribution channels as well as skills that can be utilized to create and market products. However, this has also created greater challenges for retailers since more products are available creating the possibility of price wars and shifting power to buyers. Therefore, retail marketers have to devote greater effort in establishing product differentiation and loyalty. Despite the gravity of the issue, Palley (2006) points out that the general public has no significant opinion regarding where their clothes are manufactured that influences their buying habits. However, this does not mean that they have no awareness of the issues that involve transnational manufacturing, importing, exporting and labor issues. A survey of opinions suggested that a significant number of people have concerns about the impact to labor markets rather on the clothing product itself: price remains to a primary motivation. Many suggest that existing trends and issues are part of the adjustments necessary in establishing globalization. References Seyoum, Belay (2007). Trade liberalization and patterns of strategic adjustment in the US textiles and clothing industry. International Business Review, Volume 16, Issue 1, February. pp 109-135 Palley, Thomas I. (2006). Thinking Outside the Box about Trade, Development, and Poverty Reduction. Economics For Democratic And Open Societies, Project, Policy Paper #1. Washington DC: Economics for Democratic and Open Societies Project.

Abortion is Unethical Essay -- The Right to Life, Pro-Life Essays

Over 46 million abortions are performed worldwide each year. Today, 11,000 frozen human embryos are stored in Australia alone. Human embryos are being killed in experiments and tossed out into the trash like moldy food in your refrigerator. Euthanasia has become legal and practiced in many countries, as well as the death penalty where there have even been cases of innocent people put to death. Taking birth control pills is becoming as common as popping in some Tylenol for a headache and handing out condoms in school is like handing out candy. One out of every ten U.S. teenaged girls becomes pregnant every year and fourteen thousand of those girls are under the age of fourteen (National Research Council, Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy and Childbearing, p. 507). Divorce, aggression, abuse and unhappiness are on the rise. We are turning our society into a culture of death, where human life is being disregarded and disrespected. The superior natur al right that each human being possesses, the right to life, is so often being violated. How do we keep ourselves from falling totally down the slope of death and destruction? How far will we go before we speak out to put an end to it? Will we go as far as human cloning as a normal practice, because the path we are heading on now is definitely leaning in that direction? This is an intricate and complicated problem that we find ourselves in, but I think, as for every problem, we need to seek its roots in order to fix it. I believe that one of the roots of this culture of death is the common use and acceptance of artificial contraception. I would not only like to argue its immorality from a religious standpoint but also from a purely ethical view a... ...gainst the use of artificial contraceptives I feel are convincing enough to condemn artificial contraception as morally and intrinsically wrong. The Catholic Church teaches that because it is abortive in some cases, unnatural, and takes God out of the act of love, it is a sin. From an ethical standpoint, because it goes against nature and disrupts the two purposes of sex, intimacy and procreation, artificial contraception is morally wrong. To view artificial contraception this way would be a huge step in respecting human life and above all, the right to life of all human beings no matter what stage in development that human being might be in. Let us put an end to murdering our future generation and start taking responsibility for our actions. Works Cited National Research Council, Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy and Childbearing, p. 507

English essay on Of Mice and Men Essay

Steinbeck uses an example of symbolism in the form of Candy’s dog. Re-read pages 70-76, what qualities/ values does this dog represent? Which human characteristics could be represented by these qualities/ values? Candy is the oldest man on the ranch. As he is the oldest, he has more things to worry about than the others. He has only one hand and a women’s name, and through Steinbeck’s writing, we know why this is, because he has lost his masculinity and pride. He also has a pet extremely old pet dog, which he loves and everyone loathes, as they think it is useless and suffering, Candy thinks otherwise and doesn’t want it shot. Candy’s dog, which doesn’t have a name and is incredibly old in the story, represents the fact that things that are unimportant are unknown to other people. This represents Candy as an old undervalued character that is slowly loosing value like his dog. It establishes that if you’re an old animal, then you’re in trouble. This is why Candy is so reluctant to have his dog shot because he knows what its like to be old and unwanted, but because he and his dog share the same qualities, he feels like they are close friends that rely on each other. In the book, he says ‘I’m so used to him,’ he said softly. ‘I had him as a pup.’ This shows the closeness between the two. Candy can’t bear to imagine loosing something he has been so close to for most of his life on the ranch. And has he and the dog don’t have anyone but themselves, Candy feels that he will be completely alone after the dog dies. Because Candy doesn’t want the dog to die before him, he wants to savour what he has got left. Candy and the dog are both living on borrowed time, which means as soon as the boss finds out Candy is too old to work, he’ll throw him, and Candy won’t have anywhere to go. When Candy’s dog does get shot he feels instant regret. This is because he felt he should have shot the dog, and not Carlson. Candy feels that by not doing this, he has betrayed his dog and let him down. If anyone is supposed to take responsibility over anyone, it should be their best or closest friend. He wasn’t there to comfort the dog too, he feels guilt and is let down by his actions. Some one else that is in the same position as Candy and his dog are Lennie and George. George being the strongest to the two is very protective over Lennie. He makes a point of always telling what to do, but for his own good. People at the ranch criticize George on his choice of friendship, but this is because no one else seems to have a close companionship except them and Candy and his dog. They are jealous they don’t have the privilege to have someone to rely on. George and Lennie really do count on each other, as they are planning to get some money together and buy and farm so they can grow their own food and have animals. At the end of the book, when George kills Curley’s wife, he runs away just like George told him to and hides. When George finally finds him, he knows Lennie is going to be killed by an angry mob, so he takes the matter into his own hands. He speaks to Lennie about how they’re going to live, and about rabbits, as Lennie loves them so. This way he can kill Lennie without a sore consciousness and with Lennie truly happy. The only other couple in the story are Curley and his wife, who has no name in the book. This shows that women weren’t the same status like men, and also like Candy’s dog, she doesn’t really have any value to anyone’s life in the book, so she dies along with Lennie and the dog. Though she and Curley didn’t have a good relationship, he obviously cared for her, and went crazy when she was killed. Because it was Lennie who killed her, Curley felt like it was his responsibility to kill Lennie. Curley new what his wife’s nature was like, flirtatious and open. This would make the reader think that Curley was maybe jealous that it wasn’t him that killed her, but Lennie, who is seen as the ‘village idiot’. In this novel, I think Steinbeck was trying to tell us that if you have companionship throughout the toughest times of your life, don’t count on it, because one day the other person will let you down. He also wanted to show that whoever you take companionship with; you will have to take responsibility of their death. He wanted to show the readers that in a tough time, you can’t have someone to reply on all the time you have to be independent and strong.

The Effects of Economic Globalization on Cultures Around the World

This paper attempts to explain the possible effects of economic globalization on cultures around the world. It concludes that there is a possibility for American culture to be spread all over the world, and become the dominant culture of the globe. In doing so there is a possibility for the loss of culture in all nations and it being replaced with American culture. This paper also discusses the potential loss of national identity among nations, and especially among smaller, lesser known, and developing countries. It also discusses possible causes for this phenomenon as well as possible solutions. Although economic globalization is often thought of as an over-hyped fad of the 1990s (Naim, 2004) it has already begun on a large scale, and the consequences of which can be seen around the world. Economic Globalization can be defined in this case as the expansion of global financial markets, the growth of multi-national organizations, and the standardization of economies on a global scale (Tavin, & Hausman, 2004). This type of globalization has a profound effect on cultures around the world. Culture can be defined as the shared ideals, values, and beliefs that people use to interpret experience and generate behavior, and that are reflected by their behavior. In this case, the effect economic globalization has on the artistic facet of culture will be the focal point. As the phenomenon of economic globalization progresses it will become easier for corporations to become multi-national. The first corporations that are able to succeed in doing this will create monopolies or oligopolies in their respective markets, making it extremely difficult or impossible for smaller corporations to compete, thus driving them out of the market. With fewer companies leading the marketplace, there will be a smaller range of different products to choose from. If these corporations’ good or service is art, this will have a profound effect on culture. Varied art forms will decrease, and of the art forms that survive they will be homogenous around the world. This has already started. Because the United States is the sole remaining global superpower, it is almost always American corporations that have the means for their corporations to spread. In doing so they spread almost exclusively American culture. Thus the more homogenous culture becomes around the world, the more it will become like that of America. This phenomenon is often referred to as Americanization. Economic globalization has and continues to create a culturally homogenous world based on American culture, which has negative consequences to both foreign nations, as well as North America. Economic Globalization has already been implemented on a large scale. In the same way the introduction of the telegraph, and the steam engine was hailed for shrinking the world, the advent of the Internet and the jet engine have done so in a colossal way (Naim, 2004). These inventions have not only allowed economies to communicate and visit each other more rapidly than ever before, but they have allowed for the rapid movement of capital, information, and labour. Companies such as McDonalds, Starbucks, and Guinness Beer have expanded their markets to almost every country in the globe, and have maintained their stringent policies of quality control. So much so, that it is said to be difficult to tell the difference between a Guinness draft straight from the St. James Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, and one brewed and bought in North America. The movement of labour has also been rapidly increasing. Automotive companies such as Volkswagen have moved almost all production to their plants in Mexico from where they were originally built, in Wolfsburg, Germany. Goods also move much more freely between countries now due to advances in technology and transportation, but also due to the removal of international tariffs between countries. The North American Free Trade Agreement, for instance, has decreased, and in some cases completely removed the tariffs between Canada, the United States, and Mexico (Stiglitz, 2004). With the free movement of labour, capital, information, and goods comes a growing interdependence between nations. In the case of Volkswagen for instance the hundreds of employees working in the VW plants in Mexico are almost entirely dependant on the German economy. If Volkswagen were to for some reason go bankrupt, all of these employees would then lose their jobs. This interdependence among nations can lead to a complete loss of national identity, an extremely important part of a nation’s culture (Dougherty, 2004). As corporations expand their hold on the global markets experiences in almost every nation become standardized. Especially when it comes to the varied art forms around the world. Huge American corporations export American culture that in turn crushes developing culture in smaller countries. This is most definitely the case in the music as well as film industries. The four largest record companies account for nearly 80 percent of the industry, and are largely U. S. owned (Van Elteren, 2004). These music giants are Universal Music, BMG & SONY Music, EMI, and Warner Music. Because these four companies own such a large part of the market share, it is almost impossible to for local and regional music forms to compete and sustain themselves, mainly because they have no means of distribution. Also, because these companies are largely U. S. owned, and their largest market is the United States, they spend more time promoting and exporting American music than any other. On April 27th 2005 The Australian and U. S. top 40 shared 25. 7% of the same singles, and 6 out of the Australian top 10 were also listed on the American top 40 (Top 40 Charts, 2005). Even more shocking is that over 60% of the artists on the Australian top 40 were from North America. Of the Australian top 40, 3 listings were most notably significant in regard to the spread of North American Culture. Firstly at number 16, was Kelly Clarkson, the winner of a completely American competition, American Idol. Secondly, at number 17 was Simple Plan, a band from Montreal, Quebec. This is a practical example of how this trend has indeed reached home. Finally, at number 27 was Avril Lavigne. This is significant as it clearly illustrates just how successful the phenomenon of globalization has become. Avril Lavigne is from a very small town in Ontario called Nappanee, which has a population of 7760 (Med Hunters, 2005). Even though she is from such a small town, with the age of globalization the world is in, it has become possible for her, through these huge multi-national music companies, to export her music to the other side of the globe. These multi-national music corporations are taking advantage of their ability to distribute their music around the world, which in turn contributes to a musically and culturally homogenous world, one of American culture. The same phenomenon that is being seen in the music industry is also being seen in the global film industry. The American film industry is by far the largest in the world, with such companies Warner Brothers and Universal leading the market. 93. 1% of all the films in the United States are made by American companies. The same can be said however for many foreign countries as well. The U. S. controls 81. 4% of the United Kingdom’s film industry, 80. 6% of Australia’s, 67. 0% of Spain’s, 65. 4% of the European Union’s as a whole, 59. % of Italy’s, and 51% of France’s (Global Policy Forum, 2005). With the American film industry controlling such a large portion of the global industry, it becomes increasingly difficult for local and regional films to sustain themselves. The reason for which is that making films requires a significant amount of money; this money is usually procured from these large motion picture companies. The difference between t he film and music industry, or any other medium for that matter is that films have an inherent ability to pass on culture more efficiently than through any other means. Films can pass on and influence such aspects of culture such as dance, art, fashion, language (such as slang), and music all at the same time. This only further encourages a homogeneity of culture. American culture continues to be spread around the world through other media as well. American television stations such as MTV and CNN are being broadcast all over the world, as are American radio stations. More recently it has become even easier for American culture to be spread, through the Internet. American television shows can be watched and downloaded from anywhere on the planet, and almost every major radio station in the U. S. now has the ability to stream their broadcasts live worldwide through the internet. One reason the spread of American culture is a problem is because of the general lack of knowledge among U. S. citizens about other countries. Without much knowledge of foreign cultures Americans truly miss out on the many positive aspects other cultures can bring to a melting pot such as the U. S. There is however more statistics about the U. S. so it is easier to make this claim only about them, but the problem is most likely stemming from Canada as well. Because it is American culture that is being spread around the world, if American culture was more knowledgeable about foreign cultures, it would be spreading a more diversified culture. One reason there is this lack of knowledge could be because American citizens don’t travel to foreign nations to experience different cultures. Eighty-three percent of U. S. citizens do not have a passport, and of those that do fifty percent of them are over the age of 60 or under the age of 5 (Goodman, 2005). If no Americans are traveling one can conclude that they either have no interest to travel, or lack the knowledge to know where to travel. American students have extremely limited contact with the outside world and are becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the world (Goodman, 2005). Traveling or not however, the ignora nce of the American people extends further. Eighty-seven percent of adults with a college degree in the United States cannot find Iraq on a map of the world. This is a country that the U. S. is at war with, and the citizens still have no interest or clue about it. This may come from a sense of superiority. A sense that the U. S. is the only country worth knowing about because they control so much of the world’s political and economical markets. Seventy percent of American are unable to name the president of Russia, a former global superpower who was the US’s rival during the Cold War (Goodman, 2005). The same amount cannot name the position that Kofi Annan holds either (Goodman, 2005). Perhaps a sense of superiority comes from the fact that sixty percent of Americans believe that they have a fully functioning missile defense system protecting them from foreign nations, terrorists and rogue states (Goodman, 2005). Although the larger countries of the world, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia may be able to somewhat resist Americanization, this is only because they have a strong cultural background already established. The same cannot be said for all countries of the world however. For developing countries, to use a cliche, â€Å"Resistance is futile†. As American culture sweeps the globe the smaller, lesser known, and developing countries are devoured in its path. With no way for these countries to spread their culture to the rest of the world, and with the constant importation of American culture, there own national identity and culture is destroyed in the process (Dougherty, 2004). The problem lies also with politics. In smaller countries is it sometimes political-suicide to suggest not siding the United States, for fear of being shunned by the developed world, and thus perpetuating the un-developed status of their country (Worth, & Kuhling, 2004). Because of this, political leaders of these countries tend to side with U. S. on foreign policy, and only increase the effect of Americanization. Although in this age of globalization it may be impossible to stop Americanization or at least the standardization of experience around the world, one can change the type of experience, and one can change American Culture. Almost undoubtedly American culture will eventually take over as the leading force around the world. Instead of trying to stop this spread, one must consider the alternative, to change American culture. If American culture were more representative of the all the cultures around the world, the standardization of experience would cause much less of a problem, because all nations would benefit from the spreading of a variety of different cultures, and not just that of the U. S. There are a few ways in which the U. S. can accomplish this task. The U. S. must increase the education of varied international art forms within their schools. American schools must teach about foreign art and music, as well as to instruct students about global events, and current political and economic topics. Another way is for America to increase the importation of different cultures. They can achieve this through traditional media such as the television, and radio, or through non-traditional ways such as thro ugh foreign exchange students. The U. S. has more than 4,000 accredited institutions of higher learning, which accounts for about one-third of the world’s capacity (Goodman, 2005). If these institutions were to strive to bring only 100 foreign exchange students to their campuses, an immense difference would be made in the way American students view other cultures. American must also be made aware of the responsibility they have as the sole remaining global superpower. America has the opportunity, as well as responsibility, to make the world a much better place by diversifying their own culture and spreading it. In doing so they would be making the world more tolerant and understanding of other cultures, as well as spreading the positive aspects of each different culture. In this new era of globalization the potential for a loss of culture around the world is high. As the phenomenon of Americanization expands, the world stands to lose its cultural variation in regard to all art forms, such as music and film. There is also a possibility for the loss of national identity as well as the complete eradication of cultural and national identity among lesser known, smaller, and developing countries. Although the standardization of experience around the world may be impossible to avoid it is possible to counteract in some regards the negative aspects that come with this homogeneity of cultures. If the world, and especially America, becomes aware of their responsibility to spread a culture that represents those of all nations around the world, many positive things can be spread through Americanization.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Essays

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Essays Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Essay Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Essay Background This papers is a guideline set out by the Medicines and Healthcare merchandises Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) which is the authorities bureau which is responsible for doing certain medical specialties and medical devices are tolerably safe. The guideline is titled amp ; lsquo ; Managing Medical Devices it replaces the old MHRA guidelines published in DB 9801 A ; lsquo ; Medical Device and Equipment Management for Hospital and Community Based Organisations . These guidelines were formed due to the big sum of incident studies that the MHRA received affecting hurts due to inadequately maintained medical devices. The medical devices ordinance truly started in the mid 1990s when the section of wellness was set up, to better the safety of medical equipment. The Medicines and Healthcare merchandises Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) was set up in 2003 conveying together the Medicines Control Agency ( MCA ) and the Medical Devices Agency ( MDA ) . The MHRA is a good established, dependable and indifferent beginning and are acknowledged as experts in the safety of medical devices. It is indispensable that Trust s meet appropriate criterions of safety, quality and public presentation, following with all relevant directives set out by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , National Audit Office and the NHS Litigation Authority Risk Management Standards. It is the duty of Trust s and all their employees within the Trust to guarantee that medical devices are deployed, monitored and controlled in such a mode that all hazards associated with their acquisition and usage are minimized. Introduction In this Critical rating I am looking to place whether the MHRA s DB 2006 ( 05 ) is still a relevant and current papers. Some of the inquiries I will be looking at are. Make the guidelines go far plenty? Are they excessively demanding? What challenges have administrations faced implementing the recommendations? Do modern developments make the counsel obsolete in any manner? From this papers direction procedures should be improved by the greater handiness of information, which will increase the betterment of direction and monitoring of medical devices and in bend will, A ; middot ; Improve safety in the bringing of attention to patients ; A ; middot ; Improve safety for the staff utilizing the equipment ; A ; middot ; better control and use of valuable resources ; A ; middot ; Improve conformity with statute law and criterions ; and A ; middot ; reduced costs. This policy relates to all medical devices irrespective of whether purchased, leased, loaned on test or donated. Examples of medical devices as set out in MHRA counsel DB2006 ( 05 ) Table 1 The DB2006 ( 05 ) did travel far plenty in 2006 but as with all engineerings, medical engineering and processs are ever bettering and accommodating and due to this I think the certification to back up this besides needs to be reviewed and updated. Following this the MHRA provinces that, A ; lsquo ; As good as runing the current regulative system, the MHRA works to act upon the form of future ordinance. As new engineerings, such as tissue technology and genetic sciences start to offer new intervention possibilities, the Agency is assisting to plan and implement new precautions, normally through new EU statute law. ( MHRA, 2008 ) The DB2006 ( 05 ) was a good papers when it was foremost published as there was no other like it, it covered all the cardinal countries of medical devices support. This brought together best pattern in all countries to supply infirmaries and community based administrations counsel in how they should be supplying a service. Before the DB2006 ( 05 ) there was really small counsel to follow within this field. The DB2006 ( 05 ) talks a batch about bettering communicating and recordkeeping and about ownership and duty these are cardinal things that should be followed in all administrations and sections. Besides it mentions about audit and monitoring these are to do certain people are cognizant if they are non following the trust policies of processs right and how they can better in the hereafter besides it gives grounds that best pattern is being followed. The papers might be easier to follow by some larger trust but some of the smaller or less established trust might non hold the construction or resources to be able to implement the alterations to pattern. But all trusts can take something from the DB2006 ( 05 ) to enable them to better their service within their medical devices direction policies. Literature hunt I looked for any literature to back up Interviews I spoke to Decision From my findings I believe that the guidelines set out by the MHRA in DB2006 ( 05 ) are still relevant but are perchance due a alteration because, Plants Cited MHRA. ( November 2006 ) . DB2006 ( 05 ) . MHRA. Appendixs Legislation Duties Legislation which is relevant to the usage of medical devices includes: Consumer Protection Act 1987 ( Consumer Safety and Product Liability ) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Electrical Equipment ( Safety ) Regulations 1994 Employers Liability ( Compulsory Insurance ) Act 1969 General Product Safety Regulations 2005 Health and Safety at Work Act ( HASAWA ) 1974 In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulations Ionizing Radiation ( Medical Exposures ) Regulations 2000 Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1999 Raising Operationss and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Medical Devicess Regulations 2002 ( Amended 2003 ) Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 1999 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994 Trade Descriptions Act 1968 Unfair Contract Footings Act 1977 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations

Final Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Final Case Study - Essay Example In spite of the importance of organizational change for organizations in the contemporary day, few firms are able to come up with leadership and management styles as well as organizational cultures that will enable the organization to maximize on opportunities and minimize the threats it faces in the commercial realms. Waddell et al (2011, p. 34) posit, â€Å"Researchers have proposed that applying organizational development in different countries requires a ‘context-based’ approach to planned change. This involves fitting the change process to the organizations’ cultural context, including values held by members in the particular country or region. Thus, the traditional approaches to planned change may promote management practices that conflict with the values and assumptions of other societies†. This paper will investigate the truth of this statement by analyzing the process of change management in Coca Cola. This will be followed by a thorough analysis of the concepts of organizational development and change management in organizations. At the end of the paper will be a conclusive summary and a list of the references cited herein. Asa Candler established the Coca Cola Company- whose headquarters are at Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America in the year 1892. The Coca Cola Company is a global manufacturer, retailer and marketers of non-alcoholic beverages. The company is known internally particularly due to its soft drink known as Coca Cola (The Coca Cola Company Press Center, 2013). Currently Coca Cola Company has business operations in more than 200 different nations of the world and produces an estimated 500 brands of beverages and non-beverages. Coca Cola is comprised of business model with two different businesses-the Coca Cola Ltd and Coca Cola Bottling Company (The Coca Cola Company Press Center, 2013). The company has at least 139,600 employees

Stem Cell Therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Stem Cell Therapy - Essay Example Stem cells are capable of self regeneration and replicating itself, therefore giving birth to new generations with varying traits. The replication capabilities of these cells have the potential to replace the degraded areas of the body where diseases and injuries are located. The method of this new treatment is foreseen to be very effective due to the body’s tendencies to reject and experience side effects. One of the many forms of stem cell treatment is the Allogeneic Hematopietic Stem Cell Transplantation used as the main therapy practiced in hematologic malignancies. One of the more specific forms is the Myeloablative Hematopietic Stem Cell Transplantation found to be cure children with sickle cell disease. However, the same method proves to be disproportionately toxic to adults. (Naganska, 2009)2 Stem cell therapies are also used to treat myotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a neurodegenerative disease. The characteristics of this disease is the loss of motor neurons fou nd in the spinal column, motor cortex as well as the brain stem which results to the dramatic reduction of a patient’s life span. It usually leads to the death of the patient, caused ultimately by respiratory failure that can happen between two to five years into the disease. This is one of the major challenges in the field of medicine, despite the vast researches in neurobiological sciences, as well as molecular and genetic researches. The introduction of stem cell therapy was accepted with optimism to regenerate the cells of patients in order to not only prolong the lives of the patients, but also to cure the disease altogether. One of the most common diseases known to us as a leading cause of death all over the world is heart failure. Though medicinal methods have been able to sustain and prolong the lives of the patients, no actual cure has been introduced to totally remove the cause of the problem. Researchers are optimistic with the results of some laboratory experiment s together with some clinical tests that cellular intervention can possibly improve the cardiac functions, by regenerating the cardiac itself. (NIH, 2009)3 It has been found that progenitor cells derived from the bone marrow as well as other similar progenitor cells that may be found in various parts of the body can make the distinction into vascular types of cells that would result to restoration of the blood flows. Recent findings proved that local cardiac stem cells exhibited differentiation, transforming into multiple cell types that are found in the heart. This recent finding is indicative that the heart is not that different. Stems cells are unique from the other cell found in the body. They have three common characteristics, and the source as to where the stem cells were harvested will not affect thes characteristics. Stems cells are capable of self renewal and dividing for over long periods of time. Secondly, stem cells are not specialized and lastly, they are capable of yie lding specialized cells types. (Naganska, 2009)4 Initially, when researchers conceptualized the experiments, they tried it with an adult mouse by injecting stems cells into the muscle of the left ventricular wall of the mouse’ heart. They also tried injecting a human adult’s bone marrow stem cells into the tail vasculature of the mouse. They discovered that stem cells aid in the