Objectification of Women in The House of Mirth Essay -- House Mirth Es

Objectification of Women in The House of Mirth      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth is an affront to the false social values of fashionable New York society.   The heroine is Lily Bart, a woman who is destroyed by the very society that produces her.   Lily is well-born but poor.   The story traces the decline of Lily as she moves through a series of living residences, from houses to hotel lodgings.   Lily lives in a New York society where appearances are all.   Women have a decorative function in such an environment, and even her name, Lily, suggests she is a flower of femininity, i.e. an object of decoration as well as of desirability to the male element.   We see this is very true once Lily's bloom fades, as it were, a time when she is cast aside by her peers no longer being useful as something to admire on the surface.   The theme of the novel in this aspect is that identity based on mere appearance is not enough to sustain the human soul physically or metaphysically.   Once she is no longer able to keep the "eye" of her peers, Lily finds herself with no identity and dies.   This analysis will discuss the theme of the objectification of women in a male dominated society inherent throughout the novel.    Lily Bart and her mother have been socially "ruined" in a sense because of the economic failures of their father and husband respectfully.   However, Lily's mother teaches her that she can still maintain a high social status if she marries well, i.e. a rich man. In fact, Lily's mother is known for making the most out of the least as she is "famous for the unlimited effect she produced on limited means" (Wharton 48).   In a society where women are considered valuable only for the appearance they present, it is impossible f... ...vel could possibly be that women are commodified from the cradle to the grave and that never in a male dominated society will they ever be fully appreciated as separate entities with whole identities equal and separate from males.      WORKS   CITED       Restuccia, F. L.   "The Name of the Lily:   Edith Wharton's Feminism(s)." The House of Mirth:   Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism.   Benstock, S. (ed.).   New York, Bedford Books, 1994, 404-418.    Robinson, L. S.   "The Traffic in Women:   A Cultural Critique of The House of Mirth."   The House of Mirth:   Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism.   Benstock, S. (ed.).   New York, Bedford Books, 1994, 340-58.    Wharton, E.   The House of Mirth.   New York, Bedford Books, 1994.    2                                                      

Global Communications

For many companies, how they should survive in a changing market is very important to them and often results in many difficult decisions being made. These decisions can include whether to lay off employees, outsourcing some work to other countries, pay and benefit cuts, and many other concerns. Since this is the case, companies such as Global Communications have very serious issues that must be resolved in the best interest of the future of the company while still ensuring that the employees and others that have some stake in the company are treated fairly and in the best way possible. In order to understand some of the problems that Global Communications is facing, it is important to understand the issues of globalization and outsourcing, which is the act of sending work to other countries because of less expensive labor costs in those countries. There will be three main topics that will be addressed in the paper. These include outsourcing and globalization and their effects on a company, leadership concerns when it comes to IT, and the problems that are faced between companies and unions when they have difficulties in resolving issues based on contracts and other concerns. Many of the new technologies that are created and implemented today are often promoted by the suppliers and are only through channels that actually reach fellow technologists such as managers that specifically deal with management information systems (Connolly, 2004). This does not help those that are designed to lead organizations do their job effectively. These individuals learn about the new technology but quite often they do not know about the problems and challenges that are faced by middle management and other end users, such as front-desk employees (Connolly, 2004). Not only are they not aware of the challenges and problems that are being faced and should be handled but they do not know how to present the various capabilities of these new technological products to the individuals that will be using them (Connolly, 2004). The role of the leader should be much more than what it is in many companies, and therefore it is important to look at the problems that leaders face when it comes to information technology. Most of these problems come about from what was mentioned above – individuals that are too technology-minded and do not take the time to explain things to leaders and others that might not understand some of the technical terminology, but would certainly understand what is needed and what they should have. A system can then be designed around that, but many individuals that work with and understand technology do not look at this type of issue. Leadership, however, is not the only issue. The outsourcing of many companies to other countries is also one of the main problems for many companies that feel that they need to expand and need cheaper labor to do so. The plight of the American worker is something that has been lamented throughout history for various reasons. Some of these reasons were really more significant than others, and some of the reasons were simply complaints that the workers felt that they could get away with. However, outsourcing is somewhat different than just a workers' complaint. The reason behind this is that outsourcing affects so many different people for various reasons. From the poorly-skilled immigrant that is desperate for a job to the corporate executive that loses his job because there is no longer anyone for him to supervise, outsourcing can affect almost everyone. Those that use outsourcing companies do not have to pay these temporary individuals the same type of salaries that they would pay to keep their full-time workers, nor do they have to pay them any type of benefits. Many people are concerned that outsourcing might cost them their jobs that others wonder if outsourcing is simply a trend that is passing through. Many business owners are also asking themselves whether outsourcing actually works and whether the company that they own should offer services that are outsourced or contract out some of their departments for outsourcing. This is especially true of many companies when it comes to the aforementioned information technology (Clark, 2004). Individuals that work in the telecom services dealing with information technology, call centers, and other similar issues are becoming more interested in outsourcing, or what is sometimes known as offshoring (Clark, 2004). Those that work as agents in call centers and those that work as engineers in information technology are becoming very concerned about this issue as well because many of the jobs that they hold or want to hold in the future are being sent to other countries (Clark, 2004). The issue came up recently in the last presidential election debate because the idea of keeping jobs here is very important to the American public but there are also good reasons to outsource specific jobs. Most people believe that outsourcing is a relatively new concept but this is simply not the case. Starting as far back as the 1950s the United States contracted many manufacturing programs with various Asian countries (Clark, 2004). The outsourcing area that is often called offshore has generally become synonymous with the idea of losing many American jobs to India (Clark, 2004). A survey that was recently taken by a human resources consulting firm found that information technology is the largest area for outsourcing. Over 67 percent of the companies that outsource utilize this for information technology, 49 percent of them utilize outsourcing for customer relations, 41 percent of them for the processes in the supply chain, and 42 percent of them for manufacturing (Clark, 2004). The survey, which looked at 500 corporations, found that approximately 45 percent were utilizing some type of outsourcing model that dealt with a global level or they planned to introduce this type of sourcing model within the next three years (Clark, 2004). There are risks to human capital that also come along with outsourcing jobs. Typically, saving money in a business by outsourcing jobs generally means that American employees must be laid off. As this trend continues and grows stronger labor unions and other employee groups are paying much more attention to what type of relationship is seen between unemployment and outsourcing (Pagach, 2004). There are many cases of employee groups becoming much more vocal on the issue and taking the concerns that they have to federal and state politicians hoping to encourage initiatives in the Legislature that would stop or reduce the outsourcing arrangements that can be made with companies offshore (Pagach, 2004). Naturally, there is also an information technology risk, once again because there is a great deal of expense that often takes place with the infrastructure and because the use of information technology makes keeping the secret and confidential items confidential somewhat more difficult (Pagach, 2004). The specifications for much of the technology that is needed may be very strict and some developing countries might not have everything they need in order to ensure that the technology that they are using is up-to-date enough to handle what they will be doing for a particular company (Pagach, 2004). Even though there are many concerns, however, there are also opportunities that can be seen from these issues. In regards to outsourcing, many other countries (in this case Ireland and India) can do certain activities or create certain goods less expensively than the United States can. Because of this, sending some work to these countries can help the profitability of the company that does so, and can also help that same company hire other workers that have more technical jobs and higher salaries. Some of these individuals can be hired from the money that is saved when the company outsources other jobs. For leadership, there are many ways that individuals can better themselves as leaders, and dealing with outsourcing and other IT issues can help leaders grow and change. This can be very significant, not only for the leaders, but for those that follow them and look up to them. Problems with labor unions are also significant, as they can also be very difficult and cause many problems. For those that must work with labor unions, there are opportunities to renegotiate issues and problems, and to come to a better understanding of what each party to the transaction actually needs from the other party, which is sometimes difficult to understand. The opportunities that are presented by the challenges that are faced by Global Communications are very significant, but in addition to these opportunities, one must also be aware of the stakeholders that are involved. Not only do the leaders of the company have a stake in what is happening with the company and where it is going in the future, but the workers in that company also have a stake in what is going on and what will happen later. Those that work with the company from other companies that exchange goods and services are also stakeholders, because what one company does might affect other companies that it works with. Those that lose their jobs because of the outsourcing often feel rejected and as though they lost everything. Those that end up ‘taking' those jobs in another country then become stakeholders as well, interested in hanging onto the jobs that they have acquired and hopeful that the company will continue to prosper so that they can keep their jobs. Others may become stakeholders in the future, if the company expands and brings more people in to work for it. All of the stakeholders and worthwhile individuals, and all of them have rights that the company must be careful not to tamper with as it goes about the changes that it chooses to make. As for the actual statement of the problem, it must address many issues, since there are three significant concerns that were discussed above. However, that must also be condensed into one statement so that it is easier to define. Knowing this, the statement of the problem is as follows: The issues of outsourcing and globalization, labor union concerns, and proper IT leadership are all significant concerns that must be addressed by Global Communications if the company is to continue to expand, keep its employees content, and ensure that the transitions that it makes goes as smoothly as possible. This type of problem statement is very open-ended and allows for a future that has many different ways of providing multiple opportunities for the company in the future. There are a significant number of different things that Global Communications can do to implement the changes that they wish to make in the future, and the goal for them is to ensure that they implement these changes in such a way that they are the least harmful to the largest number of individuals. As for end-state goals for Global Communications, these are somewhat more specific than the problem statement. The goals for this company are to: expand their business by outsourcing some of their work to India and Ireland; move as many people as possible to other jobs so that they will not be laid off; and work with the union to provide a satisfactory answer to the problems that are being faced. In order to do these things, Global Communications must work very hard and be willing to listen to and discuss new ideas and opinions. If the company is not willing to do this, it is quite likely that they will fail in at least one of their goals. Since leadership, outsourcing, and labor union difficulties are all concerns for Global Communications, and it has been seen how significant these issues can be, the company has no real choice but to work with others in such a way that as many people as possible can benefit from the changes. This will not be an easy road for the company, but it appears as though the labor union struggle will be the most difficult. If the outsourcing is done well and carefully and the leadership of the company is strong, it is likely that the labor union can actually reach an agreement with the company that everyone can live with. Clark, R. 2004. The real cost of outsourcing: turning over IT operations, call centers and network maintenance often involves more than service providers bargained for. America's Network. Clark, R. 2004. The real cost of outsourcing: turning over IT operations, call centers and network maintenance often involves more than service providers bargained for. America's Network.

Benjamin Franklin Essay

Founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, â€Å"The way to see faith is to shut the eye of reason. † Theists for thousands of years have shut their eyes to reason and blindly followed the word of those who would have them believe in false gods. Reason demonstrates, through outlets such as Occam’s Razor, the lack of a need for the existence of those gods and the shortcomings of theists in attempts to prove their faith. Such shortcomings most prominently come in the failure to provide empirical data for the existence of gods, in fact, experimentation and observation show otherwise. To accompany a lack of need and a lack of evidence, because faith causes one to turn a blind eye to reason, arguments for theism are often weak, personal, and circumstantial at best, and can be easily negated. Reason, a lack of evidence, and weak arguments leave mankind only one option in regards to belief in the supernatural; no god or gods actually exist. Occam’s Razor not only establishes the falsehood of a requirement for gods, but also shifts the burden of proving the existence of gods unto the theorists. In blunt terms, the Razor states that, â€Å"All other things being equal, a simpler explanation is preferred over a complex one† (Krauss). Therefore, entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily, so the simplest of theories should be chosen before the most complex and that the unknown should first be measured in known quantities (Krauss). A deity, while providing a simple metaphysical escape for the absence of evidence, adds a plethora of unneeded layers of complexity to the creation of the universe. The addition of a supreme being to the equation not only dismantles established laws of physics, but creates a type of pyramidal scheme to the universal hierarchy, with the deity at the top, as its influence can â€Å"butterfly out† to touch everything in existence and possibly altering its physical properties. The metaphysical effect of a deity on the physical world would have unimaginable effect on known forces and constants, creating a faucet that streams unknown quantities. Fortunately, Occam’s Razor demands that without empirical data solving some of those unknowns, there is no need to add a god to the equation and the deity can be dismissed (Krauss). To stack on the allowance of a dismissal of gods by the Razor, Occam also requires that the burden of proof of gods falls to theists. Without a need for a god, one must not assume without evidence that a deity exists, just as one would not assume a Minnie Mouse teapot floats between the Earth and Mars without empirical proof of its existence (Krauss). Therefore, if there is no need for a god, then theists must provide tangible confirmation demonstrating the existence of such a being in order for a reasonable person to feel the need to believe in it (Myers). If the theists, on the other hand are unable to provide tangible confirmation, then the majority are essentially asking the world to follow their religion without a need for god, without proof, and on the terms that the church understands all there is to know of the universe. In the end, thanks to Occam’s Razor, in order for the thesis to stand atheists need not disprove the idea of gods, as one cannot prove a negative. They need only to disprove (or prove the absence of) the evidence supporting theism. The religious throughout history have failed to provide empirical data for the existence of gods; in fact, experimentation and observation shows otherwise. Theism ultimately provides no factual evidence indicating the existence of a god or multiple gods. The so-called strongest proof for the presence of the supernatural lies almost entirely in the realm of unreliable personal experiences (Faust 72). Theists will often claim that they know of their gods through personal communication or through the feeling of their presence in the world. This idea inspires quite the opposite of the confidence in God the religious are trying to demonstrate by sharing that information. What the concept of â€Å"feeling† gods or having them speak to a person is not only condoned as ludicrous by those who do not partake in the lie, but if true indicates something that drifts very nearly toward borderline mental illness. Those who believe their gods speak to them should not be granted any immunity other schizophrenics are not and need to be admitted into a psychiatric ward. The thought that personal experience that cannot and has not been processed through a reasonable scientific experimental procedure can take the place of real evidence is one shared solely by theists. The world does not so lightheartedly admit untested and inconstant variables such as personal experiences because no one who logically assesses the facts could morally do so. The nonreligious portion of the Earth’s population does not recognize personal experience as a viable form of evidence for anyone besides theists (Faust 72). This arises from the notion that these experiences claimed by the religious are not comparable to witness accounts r recollection of victims in the court of law. Unlike in the case of witness accounts and recollections, theists demand that the supernatural feelings they have be classified as stand-alone evidence without empirical data or essentially a case to back it up (Faust 74). This form of proof cannot stand by itself, especially when one takes into consideration the fact that these experiences happen so little and with so little correlation to any direct event or circumstance that when compared with the rest they produce an insignificant number (Faust 75). Not to mention of course, that any witness account in a case must be taken with a grain of salt, as one can never be certain they are telling the truth without the backing of empirical data. In a vain attempt to denounce alternatives to supernatural creation theists often cling to the proud notion that if they can find a single flaw in an important scientific theory, such as natural selection or evolution, then the entire case of the nonexistence of god collapses (Dawkins 51). First, as proved earlier in the paper, the burden of proof is on the theists, so even if theists can disprove every scientific theory they must still prove theirs (Dawkins 53). Second, a scientific theory must be show to be fundamentally flawed in order for it to collapse. A few issues in the theory simply shows that there is a small amount of data missing or that a certain aspect must be corrected, both of which existences would serve to further the theory (Dawkins 53). The distinct difference between science and religion is that the scientific method of proposing a theory allows for the theory to change and adapt according to what is observed, meaning the core of the idea is what needs to collapse for it to be incorrect, not the random outliers and exceptions picked on by theists. Conclusively, unlike religious arguments, scientific theory is based on observation and change and therefore need to be proven fundamentally wrong to be publically denounced. Atheists have all heard it before, â€Å"Complexity, complexity, complexity, complexity, complexity. Did you know that a cell is really complex? Complexity, complexity, complexity, and you are just going to be blown away by the Trilobites. It crazy, they’re like little machines. Complexity. Therefore, design. † The argument of complexity through intelligent design is another tidbit of supposed empirical data theists put forth in an effort to provide â€Å"physical† evidence for the existence of gods (Myers). This contention is one of the main, and essentially their only, religious attempts to put forth empirical data which scientists can measure. The entire idea of complexity indicating design is in every sense ridiculous. The notion can be dispelled by observing the known world and watching nature, or even humans, create complex structures by chance or accident. Take for example, a young boy who tires of playing with a stick and throws it into a nearby creek. The stick floats downstream until it gets caught between two rocks at a narrow, and begins to catch other debris floating by. Eventually a variety of different types of objects will form a natural dam in the creek, creating a small pond, which in turn can develop its own ecosystem filled with life giving the illusion of design, but being completely natural (Myers). As shown in the example, the complexity of the world derived not from design, but from the wonder of chance, evolution, and natural selection. Over hundreds of millions of years life has slowly developed and pieced itself together much like the dam, changing and adapting to conditions and lifestyles on Earth (Myers). The extreme complexity through which the systems of life today work is derived from the natural selection aspect of evolution, if a system does not work, or fails to quickly adapt, then the system is eliminated time and time again until a system that operates survives (Myers). The argument of complexity solely resides in world of fantasy, has no scientific basis, and should be disregarded as viable physical evidence. Full well knowing how pitiful the points of the argument of intelligent design are, theists look to one final, very childish, measure to save their drowning plight, questioning the validity of science and the scientists who propose it (Mathew 1). Worshippers have long tried to poke holes in important theories such as natural selection and evolution or convince people to dismiss them as simple â€Å"guesses by scientists† (Mathew 1). On the receiving end of most of this ill-informed ridicule rests a creationist’s worst enemy, the theory of evolution. According to many theists, evolution cannot be as there are, so pompously pointed out, several gaps in the evolutionary chain (Dawkins 52). Not only does this not affect the validity of a theory as proved earlier, but is entirely untrue. Fortunately in this world there stands a concept known as a universal constant, a constant essentially keeps humans from testing if the floor will hold them every time they leave bed, or if the stove is hot when the on light is on, or allowing them to understand if they ump from a building they will die. These constants allow mankind to make a series of assumptions that make up nearly every decision in an average day. These assumptions permit humans to deduce situations such as that if a malicious looking; blood-soaked man leaves a room with a knife in hand and a body is found that the man was the murderer. The same idea transfers to the concept of evolution in the regard that scientists, with proper reasoning and motive, can guide the theory across gaps in the chain and still hold a fair evidence base. This utilization of basic skills as assumptions paired with evidence to substantiate them, along with earlier points of scientific theories’ abilities to withstand isolated flaws discredits theist attempts to put science to the question. Not only do the religious weakly attempt to discredit scientific theory and method, but they often will question the religious background of scientists in an effort to win people over to their side (Mathew 4). Perhaps the two most famous cases of the abuse of character are that of Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin. For ages now religious fanatics such as Ray Comfort have bastardized their work by releasing edited copies of their books and mining for quotes that will purposely mislead the common citizen into believing the scientists were theist. For example, Ray Comfort puts forth this quote about Einstein, â€Å"I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Comfort removed the quote completely from context in order to misconstrue its true meaning (Mathew 4). Spinoza’s God is not a god at all, but a term used to sum up the forces of the universe into a word. Einstein in that very paragraph went on to describe how he does not believe in a god who concerns himself with the fates and actions of humans (Mathew 4). Einstein even addressed this kind of misleading material in his own day writing statements denouncing those who claimed him as a believer in God, â€Å"It was of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which has been systematically repeated (Mathew 4). Zealots like Comfort also release carefully crafted versions of great works like Darwin’s Origin of Species in which Darwin claims that he finds it hard to believe that something as astounding as the human eye could have developed through chance, neglecting to add the parts right in which Darwin continues to say that despite this, reason suggests that its true (Mathew 5). The attempt to discredit science and scientists by theists is disgraceful and such a ersonal attack in an impersonal topic alone should be grounds to dismiss the claim. Overall, theists have repeated neglected to present any actual empirical data, therefore have no proof of the existence of gods, and must resort to metaphysical or personal claims. Not only do Occam’s Rule and the absolute lack of empirical evidence disprove the idea of gods, but what arguments theists do rely on are weak, individual, and circumstantial at best, and can all be easily negated. One of these arguments for theism is the existence of morality and the correlation of morals throughout the world and history (Hauser et al 1). This can be easily negated as, put simply, atheists are the perfect example of how this cannot be true. Without guidance and belief in gods they are just as morally good as any religious person (Hauser et al 2).

Paper on Intramuros

I entered through the gate along And Street and the first thing I noticed was the presence of security guards wearing nice blue uniforms with large hats. I only found out later that they were wearing Guardia Civil attire and it did add a Spanish touch, as well as added security in the district. I would see dozens of them during my trip. The first museum I visited was the Kiss Heritage Center as it was the one closest to where I entered. One officer was kind enough to direct to me to the museum and I found myself walking along And Street. It was not long before I saw a sales making TTS way through the old streets of Intramural.The streets did feel old and also most of the buildings along the road looked old and had a hint of Spanish influence. And as I was walking to the Kiss Heritage Center, I passed by the Placid del Asana, which was the first clear tribute to the Spanish influence I saw. It was painted in the unmistakable bright red and yellow colors of the Spanish flag. After my t our of the Heritage Center, my next stop was the Case Manila at the Plaza San Luis Complex. As I got closer, I noticed the concrete streets turn into cobblestone and the buildings had more of that Spanish tinge.The area around the Plaza San Luis Complex, which is situated Just across the San Austin Church and Museum, was clearly restored and maintained to recreate Intramural as it was during the colonization: a city for the privileged Spanish and messiest. The Case Manila Museum provided a closer look into lifestyle of the Messiest and the Spanish elite. They did a great re-creation of the interior of a Spanish home. I would have preferred to have a closer look at the rooms but they limited viewers to a red carpet path that goes around and throughout the museum.The display was very ell-thought out and even the tiniest of details, especially in the Cochin, were present. Some of the furniture and even some of the design looked familiar to me, and I realized I had seen similar wooden f urniture at my grandmother's ancestral home back in Zebu. The rooms were very huge, especially the salsa area, and it was very hot despite the many electric fans placed in the corners of the rooms. I can only imagine how hot it was for the Spanish residents, mores for those who came from Spain, where they had a more welcoming climate.Being sent to the Philippines could eave been the last thing any Spaniard would have wanted. However, at least they were better off than the people living outside the walls of Intramural. I exited the museum through an old, worn-down stone staircase and outside I could see a stone fountain and the Spanish-era architecture of the Complex. When I went down the hoping for memorabilia or at least replicas of any antiquities of the Spanish period. I could not help but laugh at all the odd trinkets they were selling, which had nothing to do with Spanish.Origami dragons and a Kim Possible action figure were Just a pair f things that seemed very out of place. I crossed the street over to the San Austin Church and it Just so happened that I visited in the middle of a wedding ceremony. The stone church walls were old and worn down but the interior was amazing. It is a great testament to how Spain brought about Christianity to the Philippines. The museum was huge and it would take you at least an hour to view everything on display. They showcased statues of the Holy Family, the saints, apostles and other Catholic figures.They had giant paintings of Augustine priests along the corridors and a rooms devoted to the efferent Augustine churches in the Philippines and even vestments of Catholic priests. What surprised me the most during my tour around the museum was the room they called the â€Å"Script. † It was a crypt built within the monastery that held the bodies of 141 prisoners of war and it also displayed a monument to honor those fallen dead. My last stop was Fort Santiago which was on the far end of Intramural. It was a long walk and I passed by the Shrine of Freedom, another monument dedicated to the victims of war.Then I passed by the Manila Cathedral, which was still under renovation. The great structure was more evidence of the importance of Christianity which was brought upon by the Spanish rule. When I arrived at Fort Santiago, I saw a large group of people, foreigners and even some Filipinos, gathered around a tour guide. However, I decided that I would explore the area on my own. At the entrance of the actual fortress, I got to see the bronze footsteps of Racial, the last steps he took. There was also an exhibit of Irrational furniture which displayed the tables, books, paintings and all that were related to Racial.I also got to view the dungeons where recliners were kept and where even some had died. There was also a monument that honored those who passed within the fortress. My experience during the trip to Intramural gave a pretty good picture of what life was like during the Spanish era. Although it may have been a very difficult time for our country, it played an important role in our history. I really support the whole idea of remembering and preserving at least some Spanish culture and some structures. It was easy to see that the people living within Intramural during the Spanish era were living good lives (I. . Spanish and Messiest). They were living relatively extravagant lives as compared to those outside of the walls. It also repeatedly showed the significance of Christianity back then, and we can see that persevere until today. However, we must also remember that it was a place of imprisonment and death; a burial ground for others. It gives us a pretty picture of how life was like for the average Spaniard, and a very common part of that picture is the death of thousands during those times. Even though the Spaniards built up those walls as barriers, they could not escape the reality of violence and death.

Analysis on efficiency of Chinese commercial banks Research Proposal

Analysis on efficiency of Chinese commercial banks - Research Proposal Example A series of banking reforms have been implemented in China since 1979. These reforms aim to create a safe and sound system of banking within the country (Dong, 2009). The structural and institutional arrangements characterizing the banking sector in China as well as the banking reforms implemented in China in the past 20 years will provide the background and foundation of the study(Dong, 2009). The researcher felt that for efficiency to be discussed in-depth, it may be necessary for historical antecedents and facilitators of the same to be analyzed in order to provide the reader with a wealth of information. In the last 40 years, financial sectors across the globe have witnessed substantial developments(Dong, 2009). The change in the operating environment of banks has had significant implications for the business activities of banks as well as their economic role. Globalization, deregulation, technological progress and financial innovation to mention but a few have all gradually reduced the cost of processing and transmitting information which have been major forces impacting the performance of the international banking sector. Since the embarking of the open door policy in 1979, the Chinese banking sector has witnessed gradual yet notable reforms(Dong, 2009). A key objective of the said reforms implemented by the government was to build a competitive, effective and stable banking system to improve reliability and efficiency. The reforms aimed at moving the country from a planned economy supplemented with market elements to a socialist market economy. The Chinese government deregulated and liberalized operations in the Chinese banking sector as part of national reforms in the economy. The program applied includes among others the establishment of a double-tier system, separation of the lending policy form commercial

Managing change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing change - Essay Example Clearly, there is a separation of vision within the executive leadership group mandating an immediate necessity to unify this group by way of establishing a singular strategic goal for securing the banks continued growth and obtaining policies which enhance internal productivity. A common purpose derived of senior-level unity of vision is a missing element from the organizational climate and this level of division is having a profound trickle down effect on the banking staff which further creates a disorganized and uncertain culture. Further, the rigid top-down leadership hierarchy of command established within the bank prevents empowering staff to utilize their vast skills through self-managed contributions. The breakdown of communication in the Australian Regional Bank can best be defined in the organizations lack of development regarding customer relationship management and this collapse of communication is impacting productivity on all levels. Despite the banks history of substantial successes, radical change in terms of internal practice is proposed in order to move forward as a cohesive business entity. Developing a common purpose within the executive leadership group should be recognized as a primary objective in order to establish a clear path forward in terms of how the company intends to sustain growth in its industry. While some new executives continue to resist the direction proposed by the Chief General Manager, others are attempting to mimic opposing successes established in the executives previous career position. This division amongst leadership is substantially visible to the bank employees, creating a sense of confusion, doubt, and mistrust in terms of perceived manager/employee relationships. Lack of management visibility and support, especially for companies experiencing a transitional phase, will directly affect employees perceptions about whether or not the company is well-managed (Boles & Sunoo, 1998). Faith in

Research an aircraft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research an aircraft - Essay Example raft is a combination of advanced aeronautics, electronics, and is the pinnacle of maritime multirole fighter aircraft; which is why I have chosen the F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18 Hornet was developed by McDonald Douglas in order to fulfill the US Navy’s requirement of an advanced carrier borne multirole fighter. The ageing fleet of the US carrier aircraft consisted of the F-14 Tomcat, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair and the F-4 Phantom II; these aircrafts were unable to adapt to the fast paced developing world of maritime warfare.2 This was evident from the casualties that were suffered in the Vietnam War at the hands of the MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters. Furthermore, an aircraft with longer range, higher payload and better avionics was needed to complement and replace the ageing F-14 Tomcat.1 This is where the F/A-18 Hornet was introduced. The development of the F/A-18 was brought about as a result of pressure from the congress to attain carrier aircrafts to supplement the F-14 Tomcat. The US Navy initiated the experimental Naval Fighter-Attack (VFAX) program to seek the desperately required aircraft. However, in August 1973 the congress urged the Navy to pursue a low cost alternative to the F-14.2 The United States Navy consulted with the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation and McDonnell Douglas for proposals. Both proposed aircrafts that were as expensive as the F-14. Alongside these developments, the air force was filtering companies to design aircrafts for their Light Weight Fighter (LWF) program. The Air Force for its LWF program decided upon two companies; the Northop and General Dynamics. Both companies lead on to manufacture YF-17 and YF-16 respectively. The US Congress and Senate and House of Representatives of Armed Forces Committees insisted that the Navy chose the YF-16 from the Air Forces LWF program; just as the Air Force had done. However, the Navy was keener towards designing and manufacturing of their own aircraft, which would be tailored for their