PESTEL and Trend Analysis for the Hotel Industry in Spain

Hotel industry comprises one of the biggest areas of touristic business in Spain. PESTEL and trend analysis for the hotel industry in Spain reveals that though the severe financial crisis caused a temporary decline in this sector, hotel business quickly recovered from the crisis and is currently on the way to a new period of prosperity. Spanish political, economic, and legal conditions are rather advantageous for both employers and employees in the hotel industry and should encourage its extensive development in the nearest future.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on PESTEL and Trend Analysis for the Hotel Industry in Spain specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Spain Political Analysis Government Stability According to the data collected by The World Bank (2013), the index for political stability in Spain is currently growing, though it was significantly under 0.00 index during 2006-2011 (par. 2). Therefore, the risks o f destabilization of the government are higher than in other Western European countries but are not as critical as it was during the previous years (A. M. Best Company Inc., 2015, p. 3). The lowered rates of government stability experienced by Spain during the recent years Spain influenced hotel industry by making the country less attractive to foreign investors. However, current government stability is favorable for foreign investors. Taxation Policy The Value Added Tax in Spain is due for any services sold in the country, including hotels and cultural events. 2013: The Spanish government increased hotel tax from eight to ten percent (Berman, 2012, par. 2). The taxation policy significantly affects the hotel industry, as high hotel taxes decrease the rates of tourism. The two percent hike in hotel tax in Spain has not caused significant changes in the hotel industry, but further tax hike is not desirable. Hotel Industry Specific Regulations In Spain, hotels are obliged to commu nicate the rates they apply to the Local Tourism Authority and to place them in a visible place (CMS guide, 2008, p. 58). Detailed regulations approved by the Ministry of Industry govern health and safety issues in the hotels, including the size of the room, disabled access, fire and escape plans, etc. (CMS guide, 2008, p. 59). A hotel license from the Regional Tourism Authorities is required to commence trading. The hotel industry regulations in Spain are highly effective in ensuring the safety of the customers and the fairness of charged fees. Social Welfare Policy Spain has a smaller welfare state than most central and Northern European countries. The social services provided by the Spanish social security include protection in case of maternity, illness, unemployment, retirement, etc. Healthcare and education are universal (Aguilar, Escobedo, Montagut, 2013, p. 5). The social welfare policy in Spain protects the employees and should promote the development of hotel industry b y attracting new employees to this sector. Employment Laws 40-hour working week. Vacation of 21 business days. Fifteen days (including weekends) for marriage. Four months for maternity leave. Employment laws in Spain are mostly similar to the laws of other Western Europe countries. However, the salaries in Spain are lower than in northern Europe, and, therefore, the Spanish hotel industry is not very competitive in terms of attracting expatriates and other foreign employees, though is competitive in attracting foreign investors. Competitive Regulations Fair competition is supposed to be ensured and controlled by the country’s antitrust authority – the Comisià ³n Nacional de la Competencia (CNC) (Spain: Anniversary of the Spanish Competition Act, 2013, p. 1). The competition law is enforced by the Competition Service (Servicio de Defensa de la Competencia) and the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal de Defensa de la Competencia) (Spain: Anniversary of the Spanish Compet ition Act, 2013, p. 1). The competitive regulations in Spain create a fair environment for the competitors in the hotel industry and should promote its further development. Spain Economic Analysis Business Cycles The severe economic crisis recently experienced by Spain has dramatically influenced the business cycles in the country. The great recession of 2008 has caused a significant decrease in the business activities. The business cycle trough in the summer of 2013 was followed by the recovery period continuing till now (Global business cycle map, 2015, par. 1). Though Spain experiences business cycle trough, the business in the country is supposed to witness the successful recovery and expansion during the nearest 10-20 years. Interest Rates The interest rate in Spain started declining in 2008. After a dramatic decrease, it continued a gradual falling up to 2015. Spain’s benchmark interest rate is set by the European Central Bank and is currently at 0.05. Spain Long Te rm Interest Rate is at 1.78% (European Central Bank, 2015, par. 1). The decreased interest rate in Spain reflects its economic instability and presents a serious threat to all industries, as weak economic is not likely to attract investors. Money Supply Money supply in Spain continues to grow. Money Supply M1 in Spain is 663777 EUR Million while Money Supply M2 is 1032192 EUR Million (IEconomics, 2015, par. 1). The increased money supply affects interest rates of the country. The expansionary monetary policy in Spain can lead to further decrease in interest rates. Inflation Hotels and restaurants comprise 11.5 percent of the consumer price index in Spain (Ernst Young, 2013, p. 239). After a drastic decrease in inflation in 2008-2009, it experienced a period of growth interrupted by repeated decrease starting in 2012. Currently, consumer prices index in Spain continues to fall nearly 0.5 percent on a monthly basis (National Statistics Institute, 2015, par. 1). The hotel industry significantly impacts the consumer price index in Spain, as hospitality is one of the main contributors to the wider economy. Therefore, the development of hotel industry should be one of the main priorities of the government. Unemployment Unemployment is one of the most vital problems in Spain. From 2008, the unemployment rates were growing and reached the all-time high of 27 percent. Currently, positive tendencies are witnessed, as the jobless rate is 21 percent now. Spain’s hospitality sector supports a significant number of jobs equivalent to 12.4% of the total workforce (Ernst Young, 2014, p. 239). Therefore, the government is likely to put much effort in promoting the development of hotel industry as it plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities. Disposable Income Disposable Personal Income in Spain increased to â€Å"215100 EUR Million† this year and Spain Real Household Personal Disposable Income is at a current level of 98.80 (Federal Res erve Bank of Dallas, 2015, par. 1). There is a significant difference in the disposable income of the top and the bottom of the population of Spain Spain’s lowered disposable income rates are likely to make the country attractive to foreign investors due to the lowered expenses needed for paying the local employees. Exchange Rates Spain’s Currency is Euro. The exchange rate for Euro is nearly â‚ ¬0.77= $1. The exchange rates in Spain totally depend on the general tendencies faced by Euro, as the country does not use its country-specific currency. Such situation leads to the high interest of the population of the European Union using the same currency to the tourism in Spain, which directly influences the hotel industry. Spain Socio-Cultural Analysis Demographics As of July 1014, Spain had a total population of nearly 48 million (CIA, 2015, par. 1). Nearly half of the population is aged 25-54 years, and the median age is 41 years (CIA, 2015, par. 2). Urban popula tion comprises nearly 77 percent of total population. Roman Catholicism is the prevailing religion (94%) (CIA, 2015, par. 1). Lifestyle Changes Spain is known for a wide range of sports and leisure activities. The country has a reputation for its delicious food being known as a representative of the Mediterranean diet. The highly diverse landscape offers both beautiful beaches for summer holidays and amazing mountains for winter holidays. The experienced financial crisis in Spain has influenced certain aspects of the Spanish lifestyle, but the country remains highly attractive for tourists willing to experience the famous advantages of the Spanish lifestyle. Education Level Nearly 99 percent of the population aged above 15 can read and write (CIA, 2015, par. 26). The quality of education in Spain is considered lower than in other Western European countries. Fifty-five percent of adult population has upper secondary education. This index is lower than the average percent for most of European Union countries. Lowered level of education in Spain contributes to lowered wages, which can be an attractive factor for foreign investors. Income Distribution Spanish wealth gap is considered one of the biggest in the European region, as it the most unequal in Europe. Top twenty percent of the society is approximately eight times richer than the bottom of the population. The unequal income distribution in Spain affects the hotel industry, as it should create a high demand for low-paid jobs in the hospitality sector. Social Mobility Spain, along with other Southern European countries, appears to be rather social immobile. In Spain, the influence of parental background on person’s educational and job opportunities is rather high (OECD, 2010, p. 185). Attitudes to Work and Leisure Work-life balance is one of the primary priorities of the Spanish population. Spaniards are less likely to consider career the most important thing of their life than the population of Northern European countries. Spanish people value leisure relatively high, which creates a great demand for hotels among the population of the country. Consumerism The level of satisfaction from purchasing for family and self in Spain is medium and is similar to other Western European countries. The importance of other’s admiration of possessions is low while willingness to try new technologies is medium. Most Spaniards tend to give much value to leisure time and consider gaining more time for family life as one of the biggest goals. Such situation is likely to promote the high demand for services provided by hospitality sector, including the hotel industry. Spain Technological Analysis New Inventions Spain is known for its rich history of inventions, both in the old times and during the last centuries. Spain occupies the ninth place in the rankings of world science, but the budget cuts caused by Spanish financial crisis significantly decreased the rates of new scient ific discoveries Rates of Obsolescence Obsolescence rates in most industries in Spain are relatively low. The low level of obsolescence in Spain attracts foreign tourists interested in using services based on the state-of-the-art technologies. Government Spending on Research Spanish system for science and technology heavily depends on the public sector, which makes it highly susceptible to any changes in the economic status of the country. Though the government tends to spend much money for research, the Spanish financial crisis caused the deep budget cuts that significantly decreased the rates of new scientific discoveries. Technology Transfers The institutions working on improving existing and creating new technologies in Spain collaborate with industry representatives and transfer new technologies to the potential customers. Spain Environmental Analysis Geographical Location Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the M editerranean Sea. Such location gives to the country numerous stretches of coastline that are attractive sites for tourists. Spain possesses the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, which are popular touristic destinations. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe. The country’s unique advantageous geographical location is one of the most influential factors positively influencing the hotel industry. Climate and Weather The country’s big territory causes big variations in climate and weather across it. The climate is mostly mild, which is a great advantage for tourism-related industries, including hotel industry. The coastal regions in the South and Eastern parts of Spain have the Mediterranean climate, which is highly beneficial for the tourism. These territories are perfect for visiting during the whole year. The mild climate is likely to remain one of the primary benefits promoting the development of touristic services and the hotel industry. Spain Leg al Analysis Competition Laws 1963: The first special Act in Spain prohibited anti-competitive practices. 1989: The second competition Act that introduced a modern system of competition law enforcement in the country as a result of Spain’s accession to the European Economic Community. This act provided SDC and TDC with bigger resources and more efficacious tools to carry out their duties (Spain: Anniversary of the Spanish Competition Act, 2013, p. 1). 2007: The third competition Act, which created the Comisià ³n Nacional de la Competencia (CNC). The competition laws in Spain are likely to be favorable for investors and positively influence the hotel industry. Employment Law The government has launched a package of incentives aimed at promoting job creation and private business The minimum is set by the Government each year (currently nearly 650 Euros). All employment contracts in Spain are registered at the employment offices though written contract of employment is not ne cessary. The employment laws in Spain are aimed at protecting and being favorable to the employees. Health and Safety Occupational safety and health are ensured by the Ministry of Employment. The Ministry governs the National Institute of Safety and Hygiene at Work and the Labour Inspectorate, which are the bodies responsible for enforcing appropriate laws. The regulatory framework of the main elements of occupational safety and health legislation in Spain is advantageous for the workers and strictly governs the employers in the hotel industry. Product and Service Safety 1978: the enactment of the Spanish Constitution, which guides the defense of consumers. 2003: Royal Decree Number 1801/2003, which defines the health and personal safety standards applicable to any product or service (Gutierrez Buigas, n.d., p. 5). 2007: The General Law on the Protection of Consumers and Users Hotel industry provides services and products that are eligible to the mentioned regulations and shoul d conform to the accepted standards of safety. The Analysis of the Major Trends Attracting Tourism in Spain After the Spanish financial crisis and subsequent decline in tourism in Spain, the positive tendencies started developing in 2014. There are several main tendencies contributing to the stabilization of tourism sector and attracting the visitors from all over the world to Spain. One of the current positive trends in the Spanish tourism sector is the returning flow of investors, both local and foreign, eager to invest in the hotel business in Spain. The affordable assets and renewed trust in the Spanish economy encourage investors to consider hotel sector in Spain an attractive area of business. Barcelona and Madrid are the main investment destinations, as Barcelona is one of the most popular recreational and cultural sights in Europe while Madrid is a destination for a large amount of business travel. Gulf companies comprise the largest group of foreign investors though Europe an investors are also active. Such trends result in better services offered by Spanish hotels, and, therefore, contribute to higher numbers of international visitors. The orientation to low-cost services is one of the evolving features of the touristic companies working in Spain. Such trend positively influences the number of visitors, as more people can afford a vacation in Spain nowadays than it was before the financial crisis. Many companies, including those operating within the hotel industry, modify their policies and services toward this growing trend to remain competitive and attract more customers (Euromonitor International, 2014, par. 3). The Analysis of the Major Trends Attracting Holiday Tourism Holiday travel is one of the main types of tourism in Europe, as many people are willing to spend the holidays in an unusual destination. Spain offers a wide variety of holiday travel services due to the warm climate and abundance of natural and cultural attractions. Several trend s developing in touristic business in Spain attract tourists and contribute to the Spanish economy. The popularization of Sun-and-Beach tourism in Mallorca is one of the most influential trends benefiting Spanish holiday tourism. The island has an abundance of historical and cultural sights. The largest group of holiday makers, who are attracted by picturesque beaches, warm climate, and exceptional touristic amenities, comes from Germany and the United Kingdom. The economy of the island is highly dependable on the tourism industry.Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The quick expansion of the Internet services contributed to the popularization of Sun-and-Beach tourism in Mallorca, as World Wide Web enabled a large group of potential customers discover the opportunities of having a holiday in Mallorca. Online applications and sources provide the information about the holiday resort and give an opportunity to choose between numerous variants of housing options (Yusta, Monge, Vega, 2008, p. 485). The PESTEL and trend analysis for the hotel industry in Spain reveals that the industry has managed to recover from the decline caused by the Spanish financial crisis quickly. The country’s political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal framework is favorable for further development of hotel industry and promotes positive trends attracting tourists to Spain. References Aguilar, M., Escobedo, A., Montagut, T. (2013). Local welfare policies in Spain: Employment, housing and child care. Retrieved from http://www.wilcoproject.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/WILCO_WP2_Report_06_ES1.pdf A. M. Best Company Inc. (2015). AMB country risk report. Retrieved from http://www3.ambest.com/ratings/cr/reports/Spain.pdf Berman, C. (2012). Spanish hotel tax rises to 10%. Retrieved from http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2012/07/11/41058/sp anish-hotel-tax-rises-to-10.html CIA. (2015). Spain demographics profile 2014. Retrieved from http://www.indexmundi.com/spain/demographics_profile.html CMS guide to principal hotel-specific laws in Europe and China. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.cmslegal.com/Hubbard.FileSystem/files/Publication/88240935-6e27-462f-8ab7-00ccaec5ecb6/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/d792919c-5e74-4f22-a302-03512eecae39/CMSLS_0908L5_Hotel%20Law%20Guide_0917_yp.pdfAdvertising We will write a custom report sample on PESTEL and Trend Analysis for the Hotel Industry in Spain specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Ernst Young. (2013). The hospitality sector in Europe. Retrieved from http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/The_Hospitality_Sector_in_Europe/$FILE/EY_The_Hospitality_Sector_in_Europe.pdf Euromonitor International. (2014). Travel in Spain. Retrieved from http://www.euromonitor.com/travel-in-spain/report European Central Bank. (2015). Long-ter m interest rate. Retrieved from https://ycharts.com/indicators/spain_long_term_interest_rates Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. (2015). Spain real household personal disposable income. Retrieved from https://ycharts.com/indicators/spain_real_household_personal_disposable_income Global business cycle map. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.economy.com/dismal/tools/global-business-cycle-map Gutierrez, J., Buigas, B. (n.d.). Consumer protection in Spain. Retrieved from http://www.buigas.com/panell/public/adjunts/articulos_107_Consumer_Protection_in_Spain.pdf IEconomics. (2015). Spain – Money supply M2. Retrieved from http://ieconomics.com/spain-money-supply-m2Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More National Statistics Institute. (2015). Spain inflation rate. Retrieved from http://www.tradingeconomics.com/spain/inflation-cpi OECD. (2010). A family affair: Intergenerational social mobility across OECD countries. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/tax/public-finance/chapter%205%20gfg%202010.pdf Spain: Anniversary of the Spanish Competition Act. (2013). Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/competition/ecn/brief/01_2013/es_anniv.pdf The World Bank. (2013). Spain political stability. Retrieved from http://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Spain/wb_political_stability/ Yusta, A., Monge, E., Vega, A. (2008). The adoption of the Internet as a new distribution channel for holiday tourism in Spain: The challenge of consumer perceived risk and consumer attitudes. Retrieved from http://www.computer.org.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/csdl/proceedings/dexa/2008/3299/00/3299a485.pdf This report on PESTEL and Trend Analysis for the Hotel Industry in Spain was written and submitted by user Danny Garrett 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.

Music of the Spheres The Analysis of the Concept and its Application to Modern Days

Music of the Spheres The Analysis of the Concept and its Application to Modern Days Introduction The variety of philosophical concepts is impressive indeed, and the approach that unites philosophy and music usually attracts the attention of many people due to its extraordinary nature. The Music of the Spheres is considered to be one of such concepts, the essence of which lies in the unity of proportions between celestial bodies and planets. This kind of music is not audible but sensing; this is why mathematical, religious, and harmonic concepts need to be taken into consideration.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Music of the Spheres: The Analysis of the Concept and its Application to Modern Days specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Pythagoras was one of the first philosophers, who introduced that ethereal type of music and proved the possibility of connection geometry, philosophy, and music. â€Å"Impressed by the harmonious scale of sounds from the beating hammers, Pythagoras went into the iron-worker ’s shop to discover how this untutored hammering could produce harmoniously related sounds.†[1] The idea of the Music of the Spheres was developed through many centuries; within a certain period of time, it was discovered that all stars, planets, and even galaxies were able to resonate in accordance with rather appealing mystical symphony and create a celestial harmony, a new type of music, the Music of the Spheres that can be heard by people from time to time. Historical Background of the Music of the Spheres Pythagoras and his impact on the Music of the Spheres development. Pythagoras was one of the philosophers whose attempts to discover the connection of number and harmony were successful. He spent much time with hammers and studied thoroughly the ways these hammers produced the sounds. His first finding was that all hammers produced sounds in certain proportions in accordance with their weights: by means of changing weight, Pythagoras created new sounds. â€Å"Pyt hagoreans’ religious reverence for numbers was overstimulated, and the belief that numbers each posses an encrypted meaning remained strongly associated with the study of musical harmony for nearly two thousand years† (Barrow 238). It was not very difficult to believe that more extreme forms may produce sounds, considering own weights. Pythagoras was the first one, who offered the idea of moving celestial bodies and their possibility to produce tones with different speed. With time, it was discovered that those musical tones could present definite musical sounds and a harmony that became known as the Music of the Spheres. The concept of the Music of the Spheres becomes important. Many sophisticate philosophers try to present a clear explanation of why the concept of the Music of the Spheres should be considered seriously and respectfully. William Gray’s words may be used as a powerful ground to start with:Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Living under the shade of trees by day and under the stars at night, with a roof over one’s head only when it rains or when asleep, it is natural that one should gaze at the stars, see many splendid meteors, and take much note of the coming and going of the moon, and the rising and setting of the constellations.[2] People are able to enjoy the nature around with its gifts, mysteries, and views. If people use their skills and awareness to observe, they should be able to use the same abilities to hear everything around. This celestial music is everywhere and nowhere; it is the music of movements between the planets, the members of our solar system. If mathematicians can define numbers, musicians create melodies, and philosophers introduce concepts, it should be possible to unite their actions and present something that touches upon every sphere. Kepler and the Music of the Spheres. Johannes Ke pler also tried to define this concept with the help of his own investigations. He discovered that â€Å"the pitch of the note emitted by each planet had to related to the orbital period. Orbits could not be random, then, but had to follow precise numerical principles, the same as those governing the laws of musical harmony† (Balbi 81). If Pythagoras offered a philosophical approach to comprehend the essence of a new concept of the Music of the Spheres and defined it as a kind of music, the ideas of Kepler were more scientific by nature. He wanted to unite music and numbers and present the necessary order for each movement and sound. Current State of Affairs that May Help to Comprehend the Idea of the Music of the Spheres Nowadays, people forget about the significance of philosophical concepts and their unbelievable power. Some people may think that the Music of the Spheres is the idea that is inherent to some crazy person, who has nothing to do but try to listen to the celes tial sounds with its harmony and technique. However, if we analyze the essence of the Music of the Spheres deeper, we may clear up that any music is a unity of vibrations, which create certain sounds in a meaningful way. Music takes place even if a person cannot hear it from the very beginning, this is why it is possible to believe that people may forget about some philosophical concepts and forget about the ideas of Pythagoras. This is why they cannot hear this music, but still, it is not the reason to think about this music impossibility. Conclusion In spite of the fact that the Music of the Spheres is one of the oldest philosophical concepts, its necessity is noticeable nowadays. Every person gets a chance to enjoy the gifts of our nature, and this celestial harmony is one of these gifts. Thought it is not literally audible, it should be regarded as religious, mathematical, and of course philosophical concept that makes people look at their lives in a different way and manner.Adv ertising We will write a custom essay sample on Music of the Spheres: The Analysis of the Concept and its Application to Modern Days specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Balbi, Amedeo. The Music of the Big Bang: The Cosmic Microwave Background and the New Cosmology. New York: Springer, 2008. Barrow, John, D. The Artful Universe Expanded. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. Gray, William, C. Musings by Camp-Fire and Wayside. Chicago: BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2009. Footnotes Barrow, John, D. The Artful Universe Expanded. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, 237 Gray, William, C. Musings by Camp-Fire and Wayside. Chicago: BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2009, 81.

The Chemical Composition of Wood Smoke

The Chemical Composition of Wood Smoke Smoke is something that we will deal with all throughout our lives, in everyday situations as well as in emergencies. But not all smoke is the same in fact, the smoke will vary depending upon what is being burned. So then what, exactly, is smoke made of? Smoke consists of gasses and airborne particles produced as a result of combustion or burning. The specific chemicals depend on the fuel used to produce the fire. Here is a look as some of the principal chemicals produced from wood smoke. Keep in mind, there are thousands of chemicals in smoke so the chemical composition of smoke is extremely complex. Chemicals in Smoke In addition to the chemicals listed in the table, wood smoke also contains a large amount of unreacted air, carbon dioxide, and water. It contains a variable amount of mold spores. VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Aldehydes found in wood smoke include formaldehyde, acrolein, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, acetaldehyde, and furfural. Alkyl benzenes found in wood smoke include toluene. Oxygenated monoaromatics include guaiacol, phenol, syringol and catechol. Numerous PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are found in smoke. Many trace elements are released. Reference: 1993 EPA Report, A Summary of the Emissions Characterization and Noncancer Respiratory Effects of Wood Smoke, EPA-453/R-93-036 Chemical Composition of Wood Smoke Chemical g/kg Wood carbon monoxide 80-370 methane 14-25 VOCs* (C2-C7) 7-27 aldehydes 0.6-5.4 substituted furans 0.15-1.7 benzene 0.6-4.0 alkyl benzenes 1-6 acetic acid 1.8-2.4 formic acid 0.06-0.08 nitrogen oxides 0.2-0.9 sulfur dioxide 0.16-0.24 methyl chloride 0.01-0.04 napthalene 0.24-1.6 substituted napthalenes 0.3-2.1 oxygenated monoaromatics 1-7 total particle mass 7-30 particulate organic carbon 2-20 oxygenated PAHs 0.15-1 Individual PAHs 10-5-10-2 chlorinated dioxins 1x10-5-4x10-5 normal alkanes (C24-C30) 1x10-3-6x10-3 sodium 3x10-3-2.8x10-2 magnesium 2x10-4-3x10-3 aluminum 1x10-4-2.4x10-2 silicon 3x10-4-3.1x10-2 sulfur 1x10-3-2.9x10-2 chlorine 7x10-4-2.1x10-2 potassium 3x10-3-8.6x10-2 calcium 9x10-4-1.8x10-2 titanium 4x10-5-3x10-3 vanadium 2x10-5-4x10-3 chromium 2x10-5-3x10-3 manganese 7x10-5-4x10-3 iron 3x10-4-5x10-3 nickel 1x10-6-1x10-3 copper 2x10-4-9x10-4 zinc 7x10-4-8x10-3 bromine 7x10-5-9x10-4 lead 1x10-4-3x10-3

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass Essay

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass - Essay Example It was Douglas’ firm belief in his abilities that empowered him to act as a revolutionary activist, who then played a key role in the abolitionist movement. The hard earned self-education also enabled Douglass to write his remarkable autobiography ‘Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave’, which details various aspects of his life as a slave and immorality of slavery itself. His escape from slavery was a major event narrated in his book that further determined the course of his life. In order to understand Douglas fight against slavery, it is important to identify the key motivations behind his struggle that will probably address how the slave became a citizen. Earlier in the story, Douglas describes a series of events in which he witnessed some acts of cruel brutality against fellow slaves in his early age. His mother passed away when he was seven but felt nothing difficult due to their forced separation a lot earlier. He saw Aunt Hesterâ₠¬â„¢s being cruelly whipped by his master till she was covered with blood. This event introduced him to the real and horrible character of slavery. In his own words, "it was the first of a long series of such outrages, of which I was doomed to be a witness and a participant. It struck me with awful force. It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle" (Douglas, 1996). Douglas later describes of himself as being deeply affected by the singing of slaves in detail. He also narrates several events that left him with an immense hatred of slavery, including the brutal murder of Demby at the hands of Gore. Such brutal and inhumane occurrences motivated in him the utmost desire to escape from slavery. The prime event that helped him to determine his pathway and provoked in him the desire to gain knowledge occurred after he was removed from Colonel Lloyd's plantation to Baltimore, for serving the son of Hugh and Sophia Auld. It was here that he discovered the joy of learning when Sophia Auld taught him how to read a word using alphabets. However, Hugh Auld disliked his wife's efforts and forbade her by saying that, "If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master - to do as he is told to do. Learning will spoil the best nigger in the world. Now if you teach that nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him" (Douglas, 1996). These words deeply convinced Douglas that learning was the pathway leading to ultimate freedom of a slave. After being sent back to the country from Baltimore, Douglas was eventually lent to Edward Covey for a year. Mr. Covey fed him enough food to eat but often whipped him for his awkwardness. Covey was known to be a slave-breaker and his cruel treatment crushed his strong spirit. One day, when Covey tried to tie him up, he strongly resisted and fought back. Douglas regards his fight with Covey and hi s surprising cowardly response as one of the major turning points in his slave career. According to him, "it rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived within me a sense of my own manhood. It recalled the departed self-confidence, and inspired me again with a determination to be free" (Douglas, 1996). He became confident in his belief that no matter how long he remains a slave, he will get freedom eventually. He also planned to escape with some fellow

Training Needs Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Training Needs Analysis - Research Paper Example The rapid economic changes, globalization and advancement of technology have generated various types of training needs in organizations. However, it has been increasingly realized that effective training can only be possible through accurate analysis of the training needs and requirements. Conducting training needs assessment is particularly important for protecting the assets of the organization and also assuring that resources are set aside for addressing the training issues and reserved and used for that particular purpose only (Barbazette, 2006, p.6). The paper tries to present a critical analysis of the aspect of training needs assessments in organizations by presenting the various arguments of authors for or against the topic. The arguments would primarily aim at determining whether training is the appropriate solution for a performance deficiency. If increasing the employee’s skills and knowledge does not help to resolve a crisis then training would not prove to be help ful. This calls for the need for assessing the training needs and requirements in order to ensure that the resources are put to appropriate use and are not wasted. The paper would also present the suggestions for removing possibilities of training deficiencies in organizations. Review of the Literature Training theorists and academicians have realized the analysis of training needs as a function which is integral to the training programs in organizations. In order to utilize the resources effectively it is crucial to determine the exact location, scope and magnitude of the needs for training. The researchers have put forth the fact that there is no justification for investing in the training programs if they do not result in improving or enhancing the efficiency of the workforce (Moore & Dutton, 1978). Training needs analysis is considered to be the first step in the cyclical process contributing to the overall educational and training strategy of the staff in organizations. The pro cess begins with the systematic consultation for identifying the learning needs of the staff followed by the program planning, delivery and evaluation. Research conducted on micro level and macro level training needs revealed that despite their small scale and limited scope training needs initiatives at the micro level demonstrated more methodological vigour and laid greater emphasis on the perspectives of shareholders in order to generate such findings which would be able to influence the remaining part of the training cycle positively (Gould, Kelly & White & Chidgey, 2003). In 1952, Mahler and Monroe made a study of the determination of the needs for training in the industry and showed that most of the methods of analysing training needs were informal. Only about one out of every ten companies reported to be using systematic approaches for determining the training needs. Observations, management requests, and discussion with superiors were among the most commonly used techniques f or determining the needs. Wood, (1939) noted that that questionnaire could be considered as an effective way of determining training needs but was of the conclusion that there was very little evidence which showed application of the research methods for need determination. A BNA survey conducted

An Overview of the Twelve Tables Essay Example for Free

An Overview of the Twelve Tables Essay If anything, The Twelve Tables of the Roman Empire provide for the disposing of a common, stereotypical image of Roman society that it was a lawless, militaristic totalitarian state where the Emperor executed thousands of citizens with no care for the rule of law. While it is true that certain Emperors such as Caligula and Nero were hardly known for their excellent records for human rights, the reality is that Roman Society was a civilization that placed great emphasis on the legal structures and due process, albeit these laws also displayed a wanton cruelty designed to impose the Roman concept of order on the populace. Per Cicero, â€Å"Though all the world exclaim against me, I will say what I think: that single little book of the Twelve Tables, if anyone look to the fountains and sources of laws, seems to me, assuredly, to surpass the libraries of all the philosophers, both in weight of authority, and in plenitude of utility.† (Halsall) That is, the authority of The Twelve Tables is absolute. As an imperialist and occupying power, Rome was merciless. Its humanitarian goals were non-existent and it enslaved thousands. Domestically, Rome, while not as wanton, still remained harsh. While it did impose a series of harmless laws, usually centering on economic issues that provided a sense of order within the civilization, other rules were incredibly cruel. While there were statutes dealing with such benign issues as dealing with the paving of roads and civil litigation, there are a number of laws that also promote slavery, infanticide, torture, women’s subjugation and public executions, all of which promoted the state and the ruling class as the center of all moral authority. In comparison to the Code of Hannurabi and the Code of Assura, there is a great deal of â€Å"overlap† in terms of how an established, orderly system had been designed in order to establish property rights that extended to including women and subjugated slaves as property. In this regard, The Twelve Tables are highly derivative of these two codes as all three exist to impose the rule of a dominant, male ruling class where the state rules with an iron fist in order to maintain its control. Instead of an disorderly society where anarchy rules over all else, there is an established society with a code of laws, albeit unfair laws that can also wield the iron fist of cruelty where the moral relativism of the state is responsible for the brutality that it has sanctioned as legitimate. In regards to the Covenants found in Hebrew society, while there is present the subjugation of women and capital punishment of crimes, the ultimate moral authority is God.   â€Å"A covenant is more personal than a contract — it involves loyalty and allegiance, not just a financial exchange. God has made several agreements or covenants with humans. He gives commands and makes promises.† (Morrison) That is, the existing Covenants are between God and his people as opposed to the people and the state as evidenced in the other three societies. Furthermore, Hebrew laws derived an authority from God that eliminated the moral ambiguity that allowed for the more violent laws of the secular societies used to crush decent and control the population. This is not to say that Hebrew Society was free of injustice, but it did not co-opt the wanton cruelty that existed in the other civilizations. Roman society was not a society of disorganized laws that imposed cruelty. On the contrary, the cruelty imposed upon the populace in the Roman Empire were based on an orderly set of laws that while legal, were immoral, which begs that question as to whether or not the laws were ultimately legitimate. Works Cited Paul Halsall, 01 June 1998, Ancient History Sourcebook: The Twelve Tables 04 November 2006 URL http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/12tables.html Paul Halsall, 01 June 1998, Ancient History Sourcebook: The Code of the Assura, 04 November 2006 URL http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/1075assyriancode.html Michael Morrison, 1995, Covenants in the Bible, 04 November 2006 URL http://www.wcg.org/lit/law/covenants.htm

Cognitive Traditions and Communities in Technological Change :: Technology Essays

Cognitive Traditions and Communities in Technological Change ABSTRACT: Many efforts have been made to discover some paradigm-like changes in mathematics, the social sciences, arts, history, etc. Gary Gutting forcefully criticizes the tendency of over-constraining the original conception that mostly led to insignificant analogies. But some applications may fall between correct isomorphic utilization and insignificant analogizing. The paradigm conception of technological change emerged in the early 1980's. This paper shows how fruitful the analogy has been for developing the idea of technological 'paradigms.' But a technological paradigm shows decisive differences which concern the values (which are not only cognitive ones) of technologies, the hierarchical systemic communities, the partly different nature of crises (through 'presumptive anomalies,' by Constant), and the necessarily integrated nature of technological knowledge leading to successful artifacts linked to goal-oriented research. Technological-paradigms-thinking became an established part of evolutionary economics also. According to this, paradigms rival conceptions that show further changes in comparison to the original Kuhnian approach. I conclude by discussing the nature of scientific change from the viewpoint of technological paradigms. Following Kuhn's seminal work paradigms were claimed to be discovered in many scientific fields including sociology, economics, psychology, mathematics, even literature, arts and history. It is well known that Kuhn himself was astonished to see that, for him unexpected, escalation. Garry Gutting rightly emphasized 198O that most of the applications of the paradigm conception led to nowhere but to insignificant, relatively trivial analogies, to assertions that "supertheories" exist. (1) But some application may have overcome trivial analogies. The story of technological "paradigms" is one case for this. The trial to apply the paradigm conception to technological change came 1O-15 years later then the applications to other fields. (2) In an important case study for history of technology (published 198O), E. W. Constant II set up a general model for technological change. (3) In this model technological change is represented by knowledge change and put into an evolutionary epistemology perspective, overtaken from D. Campbell. Constant exploits philosophy of science, mainly Kuhn's paradigm conception. He finds a community structure in technological practice, traditions of practice, normal technology with its puzzle solving character and technological changes initiated by recognizing two types of failure. He claims that, from time to time, technological changes are technological revolutions. "We define a technological paradigm as an accepted mode of technical operation. . . . It is the conventional system as defined and accepted by a relevant community of technological practitioners.

Is a Fair Trade Policy Superior to a Free Trade Policy?

Graduate Business Ethics-Section 01 March 5, 2013 Is a Fair Trade Policy Superior to a Free Trade Policy? In the past 30 years the business world has changed tremendously because of globalization. It has allowed a trading relationship grow between the developed and developing countries. The United States has greatly profited from this relationship; American business have been able to cut their labor costs by moving majority of the low skilled jobs to countries such as China, India, and Mexico. In The Fair Play Debate, Joseph Stiglitz fights for fair trade.He believes fair trade policies are needed to protect the poor from the rich. On the other hand, Gary Hufbauer argues for free trade; stating that it is a superior policy because it can benefit everyone in the developed and developing world. I agree with Joseph Stiglitz in this matter, because I believe fair trade is the best policy for the business world today. When people speak of globalization they only speak of the â€Å"positi ves. † They say free trade has increased the American household income by lowering costs of products and this was possible because labor costs were cut.Joseph Stiglitz speaks of the other side of globalization. He states Americans who used to work these low skilled jobs have lost their jobs and are having a difficult time finding employment. Not only that, but the workers in these countries are also suffering because the work environment isn’t safe and they are underpaid. The unemployment rate in the United States has been increasing over the past 30 years. Factories have been closing and businesses have permanently shut down all over the U. S. Many Americans have packed up their belongings and moved to other areas to find work.In the article Can the Midwest Regain its Economic Clout, by Richard Longworth, it says places like Dayton, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis have seen a decrease in their population because many have left to find work. These areas have lost anyw here from 40-60% of their populations. I understand from a business point of view globalization is a good way to make profit by keeping the cost down and individuals in other countries have work, however, the environment isn’t always safe and they are getting paid next to nothing.Meanwhile, in the United States, so many people are struggling to find a job and keep their families financially afloat. I believe if companies want to send the work overseas, they have to make fair trade rules. The working conditions need to better and so does the pay. This way both the rich businessmen and the poor workers benefit. I also believe that maybe not all the work from one company should be sent overseas; send some work there and keep some here, this way more people will benefit I think fair trade is the morally just way to conduct business.Not only will Americans benefit, but so will the workers in developing countries. Most importantly this would keep the rich from getting richer and th e poor from struggling to keep afloat. I believe this could really help close the gap between the two. It would also help lower the unemployment rate in the United States and will hopefully bring up the average household income. Fair trade will build a strong foundation and a sense of camaraderie with developing countries.

Persuasive Essay: Gay Marriage Essay

â€Å"‘Kristin, you may kiss your bride, Kayla’† (qtd. in WCIV 1). These were the words that officially announced Kristin Anderson and Kayla Bennett the first same ­sex couple in South th​ Carolina on November 19​ , 2014 (WCIV 1). The historic day was filled with love and support from families around the country and the community in general. It was also a day where they found a peace of mind after the stress they received from the previous month where they had the marriage license and the wedding date set, but only to be taken away by the state’s Attorney General once he filed appeals against the marriages. â€Å"‘We were so excited to apply for the marriage license so when they took it away from us, it was like pulling the rug out from under our feet. Everything we were excited about just came crashing down’† (qtd. in WCIV 1). But then the wedding proceeded which allowed the couple to feel like they are truly married and finally allowed to have a family of their own (WCIV 1). Changes like these are happening all over the country, but the heated debate still goes on. One of the most common arguments is that people should not have their taxes going towards something they strictly believe is wrong (Marcellino et al. 1). Once gay marriages are legalized, benefits going to heterosexual couples would naturally go to same ­sex couples. Those benefits include claiming a tax exemption for a spouse, receiving social security payments from a deceased spouse, and coverage by a spouse’s health insurance policy. While this is true, the taxes the people will be spe nding legalizing same ­sex couples will eventually come back and help the state or country economically (Marcellino et al. 3 ­5). A decade long study by M.V. Lee Badgett and other economists concluded that planning marriages would make at least $1.5 billion dollars because of all the necessities of a wedding ceremony (Badgett 3). Legalizing same sex ­marriage should not be about believing what people think it is morally wrong or right, but factually based on the better of the economy and for the country as a whole. At UCLA School of Law, researchers studied the economics of those 11 states where same ­sex marriage is prohibited (Chokshi 1). The results were shocking and saw that the states would make more than $464 million in their first year of legalizing same ­sex marriages (Chokshi 1). Based off of real life situations, New York’s Marriage Equality Act brought $259 million to the city after only a year (Covert 3). Given these reasons, the South Carolina Supreme Court should legalize same ­sex marriage because it would bring financial gain to federal and state governments, allow same ­sex couples to receive the same insurance benefits as heterosexual couples, and make it easier for same ­sex couples to adopt, providing stable homes for children who would otherwise be left in foster care.

buy custom Career Research Project Paper Example

buy custom Career Research Project Paper Example Career Research Project on BMP and JDSU Introduction Finding a company that is most suitable for ones career aspirations plays a significant role in ensuring career success (WetFeet, Incorporated, 2014). In this regard, current report sets the primary objective of identifying an organization that suits my career aspirations in terms of geographical location, organizational culture, compensation packages, size of the organization and development opportunities at the organization. My major is in Accounting; as a result, I have an option of working in an accounting firm or any other organization having an accounting department. In current paper, I compared the suitability of BPM and JDSU with respect to my career aspirations. I used a number of sources to gather information relating to the companies including their websites, business articles, online sources and SJSU electronic database. After the analysis of the companies background, the product and services they offer, their organizational culture and their SWOT analysis, I settled on J DSU as my preferred company to work.

The Name of the Rose

The Name of the Rose The Name of the Rose The Name of the Rose By Maeve Maddox Spring is in the air so I feel like writing about flowers. One of my all-time favorites is the rose. Most people can quote Juliet’s comment about the name of the rose: Whats in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. And there’s Gertrude Stein’s â€Å"A rose is a rose is a rose.† Sometimes, however, a â€Å"rose† is not a rose. The rose family (Rosaceae) includes about 2,930 species in 95 genera. Among the 95 genera is the genus Rosa Linnaeus, which is divided into four subgenera, one of which is Rosa, the subgenus that Juliet and Gertrude had in mind. Roses have been shedding their fragrance on the air since before there were human beings to inhale it. The ancestors of the roses in modern gardens originated in the Tertiary Period, about 70 million years ago. Ancient Chinese and the Egyptian gardeners are believed to be the first to begin selective breeding of roses for color. Here’s a simplified example of the taxonomy of a rose, based on the USDA.gov site: Kingdom: Plantae (Plants) Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants) Family: Rosaceae (Rose family) Genus: Rosa L. (the L. is for Linnaeus.) Subgenus: Rosa Common name: Rose Rosa contains from 100 to 150 species and thousands of cultivars, with more being introduced all the time. A cultivar is a plant variety that has arisen from cultivation. English rosarian David Austin, for example, has developed more than 190 rose cultivars since 1961. When shopping for roses, it’s enough to know the name of the cultivar. Some popular cultivars are ‘Knockout,’ ‘Peace,’ ‘Abraham Darby,’ ‘Queen Elizabeth,’ ‘Don Juan,’ ‘William Shakespeare 2000,’ and ‘Mr. Lincoln.’ When plants are identified by genus, species, and cultivar, the genus name is capitalized, the species name written in lowercase, and the cultivar name is enclosed in single quotation marks. To illustrate how the three terms are used, here are five plants whose common names contain the word rose, but which are unrelated to the rose of poetry. I’ve included the Family name to show that they do not belong to Rosaceae. In each three-word description, the first word is the genus, the second is the species, and the third is the cultivar. moss rose Family: Portulacaceae (aka Purslane) Example: Portulaca grandiflora ‘Happy Hour’ rose of Sharon Family: Malvaceae Example: Hibiscus syriacus ‘White Chiffon’ Lenten rose Family: Ranunculaceae Example: Helleborus  orientalis ‘Kingston Cardinal’ Christmas rose Family Ranunculaceae Example: Helleborus niger ‘Eva’ primrose Family: Primulaceae Example: Primula vulgaris ‘Arctic Mix’ Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Addressing A Letter to Two People16 Misquoted Quotations90 Verbs Starting with â€Å"Ex-†

Discuss the differences and similiraties for the characters, content Essay

Discuss the differences and similiraties for the characters, content and writing style for the Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and - Essay Example The families are segregated and discriminated by the dominant society and pushed to take resort to isolation. It is the isolation that makes the parental characters violent, neglectful and careless to their children. In return, the children also are forced to isolate themselves from the family as well as from the society. The most haunting theme that both of the two novels contain is the association of whiteness with every sphere of a black’s life in a white dominated society. It is not a mere phenomenon of life; rather it is the prerequisite for love and romance; the standard of beauty, symbol of decency for Pecola. In the same manner, whiteness, especially, blond hair is the symbol of beauty. Since she is a fat black girl, she is in constant self-admonishment that she is ugly. Both of the two novels deal with the devastating impacts of color-based on the growth of teenage psychology as well as on the whole black community. The color-based racism misguides them to find their worth in color, that is, the beauty or whiteness of their skin. Whereas Pecola finds relief from this color-based beauty in her service a white woman’s home, Maya seeks relief and feels confidence in herself by learning to challenge the white dominance. Both of them feel that they are ugly and longs for beauty. But neither of the two can surpass the stern reality that they are black and therefore ugly by birth. Maya describes the unbearable pain of being segregated and humiliated by the whites in the following lines My race groaned. It was our people falling. It was another lynching, yet another Black man hanging on a tree. One more woman ambushed and raped. . . . This might be the end of the world. If Joe lost we were back in slavery and beyond help. It would all be true, the accusations that we were lower types of human beings. (Angelou 58) Indeed their tragic flaw lies in the fact that they taught by the society believe that beauty lies in whiteness. But when Maya learns a bout the insidious nature of racism and finds her worth in being able to revolt against this racism and learns that white beauty is nothing but the racial discrimination of the white society in which she lives, Pecola’s relief in working for the white woman dooms her further by deeply rooting the belief in her mind that she is cursed by birth and she can never have Caucasian blue eye and whiteness. Indeed Pecola blindfolded by her romantic notion of love that if she does not have the blue eye, she will not be loved, as the narrator says, â€Å"It had occurred to Pecola some time ago that if her eyes, those eyes that held the pictures, and knew the sights—if those eyes of hers were different, that is to say, beautiful, she herself would be different† (Morison 89). But she cannot perceive that the white definition of beauty and blue eye is essentially the result of racial discrimination. Therefore she further becomes vulnerable to an eternal depression. Indeed whe reas Maya gets vigorous support from her grandmother, Pecola is deprived of such familial support. In this regard, Pecola is in utter contrast with Claudia and Frieda who are mentally strong in the face of racial adversaries. They vigorously and actively take a stance against the discrimination as well as any adversaries of life. They continued to support Pecola