Marketing Concept and Marketing Segmentation in Practice Essay

INTRODUCTION Haagen-Dazs were the pioneers in the market for creating distinctive and indulgent taste experiences by marketing to an untapped segment – the adult ice cream lovers. The Haagen-Dazs brand quickly developed a loyal following. Its early success was created by word of mouth and praise. Without the benefit of advertising the story of an incredibly rich and creamy confection spread rapidly. At first, it was only available at gourmet shops but soon distribution expanded In 1983 Haagen-Dazs was sold to The Pillsbury Company , which remained committed to the tradition of superior quality and innovation on which Haagen-Dazs was founded. Since then, it has become a global phenomenon. Ice Cream lovers the world over now recognize the unique Haagen-Dazs logo as synonymous with the ultimate super-premium ice cream. However, for the company to reach where it is today, a sincere marketing effort was undertaken from its early days to understand customers and their needs. Since the beginning, Haagen-Dazs has kept a keen focus on developing an internal & external marketing orientation. They obtained their current competitive strengths to establish premium pricing from: *Developing the brand with an attached history of perfection and luxury *Using the finest ingredients to deliver product excellence *Invested in consumer research to understand tastes and preferences of customers *Used selective distribution and did not mass market until the minimum critical mass of opinion leaders were established *Did not change their objectives in between *Used creativity and innovativeness to support brand identity This report will discuss in detail the evidence that Haagen-Dazs does, indeed, practise the marketing concept of keeping customers needs as a priority for the rest of the business to follow. COMPETITOR ANALYSIS Year by year, new products and their competing items have entered into the field and have successfully created a slot for themselves. This phenomenon is greatly supported by the open down policy of the local government to the people coming from other lands for settlement and tourism. Ice creams are a product that has not seen their prime in the U.A.E. Its potential is tapped in a meagre form. Not that the commodity is in short supply. There is ample ice-cream available even at the moment. But, there is great scope of habitualizing the inhabitants of this place to consume more of the product, by exploiting the U.A.E. climate to its best potential. The United Arab Emirates has an ice cream market of Dh140 million, yet it has one of the lowest consumption (6.00 per capita/ pints) of ice-cream when compared to Australia which consumes 36.87 per capita / pints and USA 30.04 pints . In spite of these low figures, Haagen-Dazs began its Middle East venture by opening its outlet in Al Diyafa Street in Satwa and from then on rapidly opened up cafes in Deira City Centre, Rigga Street, Palm Strip Shopping Mall and Thunderbowl. However, prior to their entry into this market, a proper industry analysis was undertaken, similar to the one described below using the Porter’s Industry Analysis. Rivalry in the Industry – Medium Rivalry is strong due to a number of factors. Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs dominate the global super-premium ice cream market. Each of these competitors has approximately 42% of the market, with the remaining 15% being divided up between a number of smaller firms that compete on either a local or national basis . However, within the U.A.E., Haagen-Dazs made its entry while Ben & Jerry’s was still concentrating on Europe. Globally, Haagen-Dazs was competing for a larger slice of what was a shrinking pie. The ice-cream sector has been stagnating in the recent years. In addition to this, new government labelling regulations, a rise in consumer price sensitivity, and other factors have led to further slow growth. In the U.A.E. however, the major competitor at the time was the highest priced ice-cream at that stage, namely Baskin Robbins. Baskin Robbins ice-cream parlours are still not considered direct competitors because they do not portray the image and class associated with a Haagen-Dazs cafà ©. Further, industry lead times for copying a new flavour are lowering, making it harder to maintain a competitive advantage in this area. Haagen-Dazs has been facing intense competition from a relatively similar priced entrant ‘London Dairy’ which has positioned itself as a premium ice-cream but still made itself accessible at every petrol station and convenience store in town. Haagen-Dazs quite readily imitated them and are now available in select petrol pumps and supermarkets. Threat of new entrants – Weak Though there are a significant number of competitors in the market, the largest firms still have such large market shares that they are somewhat â€Å"insulated† against smaller competition. Barriers to entry into this market are relatively low, especially since a firm that already competes in the premium or standard ice cream market could easily convert to the super-premium market (though not with guaranteed success). There is not a significant threat for a new firm to enter the market and establish itself as a rival to the main competitors though brands like Unikai, Kwality and London Dairy have been introducing ice creams to attract this market. Substitute Products – Weak This is not a significant force, even though there are a number of substitute products for this market. Because this is the super-premium ice cream and yogurt market, and the products have prices that reflect this super-premium  standard, the buyer who is interested in this type of product is probably going to be an ice cream lover that is willing to pay the extra price to receive the higher level of quality . One of the driving forces in this industry is the ability to produce a range of flavours, and to keep introducing new ones. Many sales could be attributed to the buyer attempting to satisfy a craving for some unconventional flavour of ice cream. Such a buyer would probably not be satisfied with a substitute product. Though there is sure to be some competition from products such as high quality cakes and cheesecakes, other frozen dessert products, and other snack products such as chips and dips, these products are not a significant factor to this super-premium ice cream market . Power of Suppliers – Weak This force is also weak since, in some cases, Haagen-Dazs is paying well above market prices in an effort to stay true to their mission of producing super-premium quality ice-cream and exotic flavours. Should the need arise, it would be quite easy for them to find a new supplier for any of its products. The advantage the Haagen-Dazs and Baskin Robbins have over the smaller producers are that since they purchase on a global scale, being such a large buyer, gives them more power in the supplier/buyer relationship. Power of Buyers – Strong This is obviously not a product that is necessary to the consumer. There is a declining level of the price elasticity of demand. This puts more of the power in the relationship into the hands of the consumer. Producers in this market must respect this and be sensitive to consumer attitudes concerning their products or face declining sales. Most of this revolves around flavours that they produce and for this reason, Haagen-Dazs is continuously innovating on newer and more exotic flavours to keep their customers continuously attracted to them. FOCUS ON CUSTOMER NEEDS Haagen-Dazs continuously researches its market because this is exactly what got them into the business in the first place. Effective marketing is based on three key elements, the marketing philosophy, market segmentation and consumer behaviour. Haagen-Dazs has been noted to practise the consumer-driven philosophy whereby they rely on research to discover consumer preferences, desires and needs before production actually begins. This philosophy stresses the need for marketing research to be conducted in order to better understand where or who a market is and to develop a strategy targeted toward that group . The core business they are in is production of ice-cream. This industry primarily focuses on consumer tastes and preferences and only research can help identify these. However, it is not enough that research is conducted only prior to production of a particular flavour. They need to constantly research the movement of this flavour in the market and get feedback from customers about this. Market research has given Haagen-Dazs many advantages, such as, *Unique environmental insight, which they used to spot opportunities others overlooked – Reuben Mattus found a segment in the market he believed to be un-served, namely, the adult ice-cream lover segment. While other companies focussed on enticing kids with ice cream, Mattus decided to tap the older, mature segment that had the disposable income to ‘indulge’ themselves. *Are proactive to competitor moves by following them closely – Haagen-Dazs quite readily met all of competitors’ Ben & Jerry’s moves by continuously introducing new flavours focussing on their niche while others lost focus and were mass marketing heir ice creams. This helps makes them fiercely competitive constantly striving to defend their turf. *Identify customer wants thus focussing energies on giving them exactly what they want – research helped them realise that Japanese love tea and hence introduced the Green Tea flavour which was an instant success in that market . They are not the only ones undertaking market research. The UK Super Premium  ice cream market had a retail value of  £56 million in the UK in February 2000. Ben & Jerry’s accounted for fully 83 per cent of the overall growth in the UK Super Premium market in 2000. Multiple grocers account for 70 per cent of all Super Premium ice cream sold in the UK, and in September 2000 Ben & Jerry’s secured parity with Haagen Dazs in terms of sales through this channel, with Ben & Jerry’s securing a 52 per cent share of the market as against 48 per cent for Haagen Dazs . In the U.A.E. though, despite being of reasonably higher price, the brand established itself quite comfortably as a ‘must try’ product among the elite and middle-class. This is exactly what Haagen-Dazs had hoped to achieve when it first came here. The management were counting on the expat population of the U.A.E. who were already familiar with the brand to spread word of mouth about its high quality, unique flavours and prestige associated. MARKET SEGMENTATION As simple as it looks, every little detail of the ice cream is meticulously planned for the final consumer to buy the product. Of the money that goes into paying for the ice cream, nearly 80% is returned into marketing costs for the company. The rest of the 20% represents the actual production costs. Consumers are an integral part of the industry and the market research helps identify the core market segments that Haagen-Dazs caters to. Market segmentation is the process of identifying a specific set of characteristics that differentiate one group of consumers from the rest. In respect to ice creams, although many people eat them, the market can quite easily be segmented on bases of taste and price. Some individuals prefer high-quality ice cream made with real sugar and cream because of its taste while others cannot tell the difference in quality and would buy primarily based on price and availability. Lower-priced competitors are into mass marketing while premium priced ice creams makers have followed a niche strategy to target that one single segment consisting of affluent upper-middle to upper class segment. Haagen-Dazs uses a few main segmentation bases for dividing their market,  namely, demographic, socio-cultural and psychographic. Under demographic segmentation, they focus on the income bracket of consumers. Their products are mainly aimed at the affluent with higher disposable income to spend on frivolous luxuries like super-premium ice cream. Although they do not segregate flavours by gender they do tend to highlight he romantic and sensuous image of ice-cream by featuring couples in all their international adverts. They tend to link their ice creams directly to sex in order to highlight that the indulgence and pleasure felt is similar in both cases and just as fulfilling for inner desires. This leverage gives it extreme importance among the adult population as they can understand this feeling and hence relate consumption of this product directly to this feeling. The socio-cultural segmentation looks at various cultures and nationalities and their preferences. Certain cultural groups tend to have similar needs especially when it comes to food, confectionery and drinks. For this, Haagen-Dazs has taken into account various national tastes and preferences in their innovative product line by introducing flavours like Cheesecake ice cream for the UK, Green Tea ice cream for Japan, Belgian chocolate for those in East Europe, and so on . Finally, probably the most important type of segmentation bases in this case is the psychographic segmentation. To be attracted to eating super-premium ice cream, people need to be part of a particular lifestyle segment. They should technically be among those that enjoy the luxury and indulgence associated with the brand. Haagen-Dazs has been portrayed to be a reflection of pleasure and for this reason, the brand creates an ambience behind its cafes too by ensuring that furniture is cozy and in deep shades of browns, burgundy and red to add a feeling of cocooning and intimacy . Using these segmentation means, Haagen-Dazs has narrowed down its business to cater to specifically two main target markets, namely, *Affluent, pleasure seeking adults who are generally brand conscious, innovators & trend followers *Health conscious, young adults who are interested in desserts but prefer natural ingredients and low fat substitutes By identifying only two target segments and focussing on a small but profitable segment of the market, Haagen-Dazs is practising a niche market strategy. They have been fairly successful in identifying and catering to this segment and this can be determined by their growth from gourmet stores in New York City to its global presence now in over 54 countries. Identification which segments are profitable to market to is not enough. Companies need to design a marketing mix to cater to each of these segments. The next section discusses Haagen-Dazs current marketing mix for the mentioned segments. MARKETING MIX INDULGENT & AFFLUENT ADULTSHEALTH CONSCIOUS ADULTS PRODUCT – All products made with exotic ingredients to add to the luxury and fine taste by sourcing nuts from Hawaii, vanilla from Madagascar, and chocolate from Belgium, etc. – Ice cream flavours ranging from Bailey’s Irish Cream and Blueberry Cheesecake to Cherry Vanilla and Chocolate Caramel, etc. Velvety Gelato in flavours from Cappuccino to Raspberry. Ice cream, sorbet, gelato bars for the adult palate in all flavours of the tubs – Frozen yoghurts where the fat content is derived directly from fresh cream and fresh egg-yolk. Sorbets are sweetened only with ‘pectin’ which is derived from fruit sugar thus ensuring no extra artificial sweeteners – All low-fat bars & tubs are marked with accurate calorie counts and fat content on the packaging to ensure that this segment knows exactly what it’s eating PRICE – premium priced at AED 7-10 a scoop while regular ice-creams are only priced at a maximum of AED 5 per scoop – no price discounts or special offers to keep in line with the luxury and prestige associated with the brand – for the health conscious, Haagen-Dazs have not reduced price to try and attract them simply because this segment already exists and they are willing to pay the same amount and purchase the product PROMOTION – although initially advertising was only through word of mouth, today Haagen-Dazs uses its print adverts to entice customers worldwide. Due to regulations in the Middle East region, they have refrained from linking their product attributes to sex, intimacy, alcohol, etc. and have focussed on highlighting the pleasure of eating ice cream made from the finest ingredients in the world – advertising for this segment has focussed on the fact that you can still maintain a great body and still treat yourself to an occasional ice-cream and not add on pounds for it – in store displays of the actual number of calories in each scoop and endorsements from fitness conscious stars are evidence enough of how Haagen-Dazs is continuously trying to attract people from this segment. PLACE – cafes with comfortable seating for couples, bar stools, dim lighting, rich colours all help to create an ambience of intimacy & love – all cafes are located on prime streets or malls where young adults tend to hang out or socialise thus enabling maximum accessibility for the elite – focus for this segment has moved away from actual cafes where they may be tempted by the non-low fat products and towards supermarkets, petrol pumps and other convenient areas where they can pick a scoop while their on go. The current marketing mix does quite effectively meet the needs of the target segment and my only recommendation to Haagen-Dazs would be to start targeting emerging segments such as the affluent teenage segment that would have more time to spend in cafes an who would be more easily convinced to experiment with flavours. Haagen-Dazs major success factor was the way it positioned itself in the minds of the consumer. It took a strategic marketing outlook to achieve this positioning. All said and done, Haagen-Dazs core business is still in the production of ice cream. However, differentiation using the finest products and developing of a premium ice cream brand was the positioning they portrayed. The next section will look into how they achieved this. POSITIONING Superior flavour and texture are principal to Haagen-Dazs and their definition of quality extends much further. From the ingredients they choose to the recipes they develop, from the packaging materials they select to the care with which they deliver the ice creams, from the ambience of each Haagen-Dazs cafà © to the attention with which they serve, the Haagen-Dazs brand quite obviously signifies its commitment to perfection. However, it is not enough that they believe they have done this. At the end of the day, the customers would base their decision on the tangible aspects of the brand such as the taste of the products, the quality of service offered at the cafes and so on. Product-wise, Haagen-Dazs ensures to maintain the high quality and luxurious taste associated with the brand by using best-selected ingredients from  around the world and ensuring that fresh cream is used for a rich creamy flavour, fresh skimmed milk for body and texture and fresh egg yolk for delicate flavour As a matter of differentiation, they advertise that their ice cream is ALL ICE CREAM by ensuring that the ice cream is perfectly rich because it contains no excess air. Further, unlike mass marketed brands, no artificial flavourings or colours are used. Haagen-Dazs prefers to find better natural alternatives and make sure that their customers know about this. Although most companies limit their product quality testing only within their manufacturing process, Haagen-Dazs takes it a step further to ensure that quality tests take place at every stage of production by visiting and testing ingredients suppliers, checking manufacturing processes and equipment daily, tasting ice cream in-store on a regular basis for temperature and taste. From this we can see how Haagen-Dazs positioning is based primarily on product & image differentiation. For this to be understood by customers, Haagen-Dazs has tried to convey this through every available communication vehicle such as the deep maroon & gold logo, to the Scandinavian name and lettering, and the seductive adverts mentioning the various exotic flavours. The only possible aspect that they need to modify with regards to their positioning would be to start co-branding the product in the U.A.E. with luxury events, shows, etc. Although currently premium ice creams like Godiva and Haagen-Dazs are served at all the major five-star hotels in town, they have not really ventured into sponsoring or conducting events. Locally held international-level fashion shows, horse races and golf tournaments are splendid opportunities to link the brand with the ‘best of the best’. Being primarily based on an actual product and its augmented offerings, Haagen-Dazs has not been very successful in differentiating its products from its services. The next section will look at this in further detail. SERVICE VS. PRODUCT ASPECTS Haagen-Dazs product aspects have already been discussed and this section will now concentrate on the services that they offer that acts as evidence of their marketing orientation. Haagen-Dazs has a global website that offers customer information on all the newest flavours, special recipes, current promotions, events, links to other Haagen-Dazs international websites and even access to their loyalty programme called REWARDS . This is a free membership to all their loyal customers who like to enjoy the uncompromising quality and indulgent taste of their products. This gives customers VIP access to all Haagen-Dazs sponsored events, fashion and art shows, early announcement of all new products, trial coupons and free gift vouchers. An excellent means to keep their customers coming back to them time and time again. The website also gives investors information on how to open a franchise outlet and company highlights which gives a better understanding of the company’s early beginnings. The primary mode of service at Haagen-Dazs was through their numerous high-street cafes. The website is a feature that was established of late but to actually receive the welcoming, customer-friendly service, one must visit a cafà ©. All Haagen-Dazs cafes are staffed with well-trained staff whose primary concern is to keep their customers feel relaxed in the cozy ambience of the outlet. The staff are always impeccably dressed in fine uniforms and are sure to be there at every customer’s beck and call whether asked for or not. The feeling is almost as if being served in a five star hotel. Even within the various cafes, club memberships are offered for all regular customers . These customers get free privileges like attending flavour launches, sample testing and focus group meetings. All these features help Haagen-Dazs continuously cater to its niche affluent segment who are willing to pay that extra premium for this high grade of service. Extra services offered at the cafes are the free ‘love’ postcards and mugs that are given as giveaways to promote the feeling of love, intimacy, sensuousness and passion that the brand is directly linked to. CONCLUSION Haagen-Dazs’ main challenges will be faced from the growing media effect on consumer preferences and tastes. New segments are emerging constantly and they need to continuously innovate and broaden their target market to incorporate these. In the 1980s, the premium brands were faced with intense competition from consumers changing preferences to low-fat, fat free and light ice-creams . Now, the media is actually convincing people that they deserve to indulge and this has resulted in many ice cream marketers to come up with products that are both indulgent, yet not high in calories. Currently, Haagen-Dazs just has frozen yoghurts and sorbets to cater to this segment, but they need to come up with newer recipes and ideas for getting this segment to eat more of their ice-cream. Haagen-Dazs need to realize that the world is moving to a general economic trend of higher earnings, more disposable income and leisure time and they need to understand that its not just the affluent that are eating their ice-creams but also those of the lower and upper middle-income segments. They have focussed on capturing the innovators in the market but need to start developing their marketing strategies to include the early and late majorities into this segment because they pose as a larger market. The brand has repositioned itself from being exclusive to being accessible yet high-class and quality. This needs to be further capitalised on by convincing the market move it from being something to be eaten at the cafà © to something in all family fridges to indulge in when important guests come for dinner. Their clear marketing orientation has given them an established brand. They managed to educate their customers on how they should indulge themselves occasionally even if it means buying a relatively more expensive ice-cream. Now they need to change focus to monitor international tastes and trends to better predict changing customer tastes and preferences. BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Lancaster, G., and Massingham, L., 1993, Essentials of Marketing, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill Book Company Dickinson, P., 1994, Marketing Management, The Dryden Press ARTICLES Business News Publishing Group, September 2001, Sales Flat, Prices up for Top 12 Ice Cream brands, Dairy Foods Liebman, B., May 2002, Frozen Desserts Fatten Up, Nutrition Action Healthletter Reyes, S., 7th February 2000, Haagen-Dazs Extends Dulce’s Reach, Brandweek Wallace, K., 4th July 2002, Consumer Reports has the Scoop on the Best Ice Cream, Consumers Union of U.S. WEBSITES www.haagendazs.com www.finadarticles.com/cf_0/m0BDW/6_41/59779529 www.finadarticles.com/cf_0/m0813/4_29/85915465 www.finadarticles.com/cf_0/m3301/9_102/79007885 www.hauserbeiten.de/faecher/hausarbeit/bwu/5732.html www.wral.com/money/1544486/detail.html

Ethical Perspectives

In the workplace, people at all levels of the organization are likely to encounter ethical dilemmas. An ethical dilemma is a situation where decisions have to be made that may be in conflict with one’s deeply held beliefs. Oftentimes acting in the best interest of the company requires considering the needs of others, not just one’s personal feelings. Understanding that personal beliefs cannot rule all workplace decision making, and in speaking of potential ethical issues, most people will state emphatically that they will assess each situation fully and only act when all the data has been gathered and a thorough investigation has been performed. However, the reality is that people make quick decisions that do not always take into account all affected parties, referred to as stakeholders.Tools have been developed to help people prepare for actual workplace dilemmas. One such tool is the virtual EthicsGame Dilemmas. The simulation consists of two problematic workplace sit uations. The Case of the Mysterious Roses revolved around a woman, Gayle Dornier, receiving anonymous roses at work and how it made her feel as though she was being stalked, which in turn made her feel unsafe in the office (University of Phoenix, 2013).The other scenario, the Case of the Cold Feet, involved a researcher, Dr. Waters, who wanted his superior to assist him in presenting the best data possible for a medical journal article (University of Phoenix, 2013). This would ordinarily seem to be a legitimate request; however, the supervisor was privy to information which indicated the results from the research were not as favorable as the article described. The purpose of the games are to help people determine who are the stakeholders and the possible outcomes using different perspectives, or lens, such as the rights/responsibilities lens, results lens, relationship lens, and reputation lens.The ProcessIn both situations, the steps used involved being attentive, which is when the issue is defined. In the Mysterious Roses case, the issue was ensuring that Gayle would be able to discuss what happened with her manager, while the manager maintained his/her responsibility to treat all employees fairly during the investigation. In the Cold Feet case, the issue was determining how to find the balance between dealing with the false data and preserving the reputation of the organization.The second steps involves being intelligent, which is the point at which the stakeholders are identified. Making decisions without first understanding which parties will be affected by the outcome would be irresponsible. There are two sets of stakeholders, primary and secondary. The primary stakeholders are anybody directly involved in the situation and the secondary stakeholders are those who are likely not to be affected directly, but if they are, it will be a blip in their life, whereas the primary stakeholders may suffer a loss of reputation, employment, or investment. The third step involves applying reason and using one of the lens techniques to determine which type of action will yield the best result.In the Mysterious Roses, the lens that worked best was the Rights/Responsibilities Lens, which is to tell Gayle that her issue can be kept confidential, but that it may have to be reported if it is a work-related problem. She should also be encouraged to review the Company Handbook before meeting with her manager to discuss the issue. This is a good decision from a risk to the company perspective as it ranks zero on a scale of zero to five. With the Cold Feet case, the best lens was the Reputation Lens, which was for the supervisor to inform the researcher, Dr. Waters, of his/her concerns regarding the data without alerting him to the fact that the information regarding the data had come from the junior researcher.This will give Dr. Waters time to admit what he did and possibly explain why. If he does not come clean, the supervisor should then make the gene ral counsel aware of Dr. Waters’ actions. This approach is somewhat risky as this could be elevated to a legal matter which would have to be shared with the public; therefore, it has a risk value of one on a scale of zero to five. These ethical perspectives were right in line with my views. As I was going through the simulation, there was an instance where my stance waivered, however, it was only when I was asked to make the decision that had the greatest good for  the greatest amount of people. When I went back to my true feelings on the matters, my decisions were always in line with what was considered the best option.Applying these Concepts to the WorkplaceBecause my true feelings regarding these situations were in line with what the simulation offered as the best possible solutions, I feel strongly that I will be able to effectively apply these concepts in my workplace. Successfully dealing with ethical dilemmas involves keeping a level head, determining the true issue, and then applying reason to identify stakeholders and work through the investigation process. These are skills I possess already and which will only improve over time with each ethical dilemma encountered.

Article Critique Essay Example for Free (#2)

Article Critique Essay The author of this article is a Canadian who has raised the alarm on the increasing number poverty stricken people hence springing up of ghettos in big cities. The author rhetorically is asking a question whether there are ghettos in Canadian cities. The author is coming up with many ghetto synonyms but yet they are of not the same meaning. The name like enclave sound more ethnical and it has been described as a grouping of people from the same ethnic group living in a low income earning or a poor neighbourhood. The article pinpoints that in the year 2001 families residing in high poverty levels doubled the year 1981. The message in the article is directed to the authorities in these cities to get warned of a looming crisis and look for ways to alter the trend. The message is not has to any group that it mentions that is the people from the enclaves and the ghettos. The article has outlined many causes of ghettos in Canadian cities. Poverty has been rated as the number one cause and this article gives figures from the research to substantiate its claim. The exact time is given when immigration policy of Canada was changed and the change swung Canada into a cultural and social crisis or socio cultural crisis. According to the authorities and the research that has been carried out immigration puts Canadian cities on spotlight of having many poor neighbourhoods. The author also makes a comparison between Canadian and American cities whereby Canadian cities are going more enclave than ghettos in America. In American cities the traditional definition of a ghetto is a residential district that concentrates racial Enclave tends to collect people of the same ethnic background together while ghettos collect poor people from various ethnic backgrounds. In both cases, people involved are affected by poverty and low income level. From one of the researches that have been done, the article reveals that an alarm was raised about the growth of neighbourhood poverty in Canada. The article pinpoints groups of people who make up the population who end up to the ghettos. Their background is partly covered by poverty and the article further expose that these are immigrants from Asia, Africa, West Indies and Latin America. The research that was conducted showed that between 1971 and 2001 is the period when the majority of the Canadian population was born in the back mentioned countries. Nevertheless, some cities like London there are no ghettos and this is due to the efforts of the councils. However, I take the article head to mention that it does not clearly outline and show the consequences of the increasing population in ghettos and mushrooming of ghettos and enclaves. In many a times these nighbourhoods have been associated with crime and drugs. Does is it mean the researches that were conducted didn’t capture these common phenomenon that is associated with ghettos? Furthermore, the article does not highlight any ways that have been adopted to combat the expanding ghettos and enclaves without necessarily disrupting the social cultural set of these people in the ghettos. Walks, A. R. Bourney, L. S. (2006). The Canadian Geographer Publication: Article Critique. (2016, Dec 14).

Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Technology - Essay Example Video calling and text messaging have now become the most integral modes of communication. The flexibility, ease and plainness of text messaging have made communication feasible beyond comprehension. It has been reported that text messaging has facilitated the rescue of people stuck in remote areas and earthquake struck regions (Alexander and Amber). However, despite the merits of this blissful technology there is a dull aspect as well. On the flip side of things where text messages has saved lives it has also taken some. In fact the statistics points us towards the covert reality that it has taken more lives than it has ever saved. Use of text messaging while driving has been the root of most of the cases in this regard. According to a survey it has been stated that texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than intoxicated driving (Car accident cell phone statistics). It has also been reported that texting is the most distracting of all the activities while driving as for every 6 seconds of driving while texting a driver spends more than 4.6 seconds of those seconds looking off the road (Car accident cell phone statistics). In recent years with substantial decrease in the costs of text messages this risk has been augmented by a very large factor. Although it can be argued that it is the drivers fault if he is not complying by the safety measures it is also true that these lives were not in danger when text messaging was not invented. While texting involves typing out messages and has well replaced the use letters and telegraphs, it has also on the contrary affected the communication skills of the populace in a very unconstructive manner (Bushnell and Kemp). The use of text messaging has become so casual that people have forgiven the art of letter writing and have started concentrating more on abbreviations and short forms than on good diction. With the increasing use of emoticons there is no longer a need felt to express emotions using words. The art of writing aside, text messaging has also incurred its misery on the art of speech. With text messaging now there are more and more people who successfully avoid verbal interaction and opt for text messaging instead. The advent of text messaging where on one hand has simplified communication on the other has also at the same time degraded the â€Å"art† of communication. Texting is intoxicating. Yes, it is. No matter how illogical it sounds but it is actually true. The similarities between texting and intoxication are almost uncanny. It has even forced the surveyors to draw comparisons between the affects of intoxication and texting while driving. And surprisingly enough for some while not for others texting has had the upper hand. How is texting intoxicating? The question arises. In the happening world of the 21st century where family values are given up for personal success I have seen people still taking time out of their hectic lives to gaze into their cel l phones and either read or write a text message. I have seen people not getting out of their bed before reading and replying to all the texts. This intoxicating nature of text messaging has made people lazy and wasted a considerable amount of their time by indulging them into a merely unproductive activity. Not to mention has also wasted their otherwise valuable talent and potential. In conclusion, the much documented nature of the merits of texting has driven us away from its evident drawbacks. Without the

Implementation plan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Implementation plan - Case Study Example In an effort to ensure efficiency, effective project planning is a critical step in the implementation of any project. This involves the definition of tasks for the market, planning, and development teams (Pfeiffer, 2008). Market research was the first main task, which sought to outline the opportunities and the potential challenges in the Qatar market. This is a critical step because businesses need to understand a foreign market well before venturing into its opportunities. After successful market research, the definition of the specifications, which involves the identification of target customers as well as the distribution channels followed. These two tasks are the responsibilities of the marketing team, and marked the first milestone after five weeks. The next steps involved the design of a website and extensive project planning. Project planning in this case involved budget and export planning. The completion of these tasks marked the achievement of the second milestone, which happened in four weeks. The development team was involved in the launching of the product. In the first two weeks, the initial launching was conducted, which was accompanied by rigorous promotional activities. After the in itial launch, the VOSS premium product was then fully launched into different distribution channels that targeted top hotels and restaurants. This marked the third and most important milestone in launching the VOSS brand in Qatar, and took about five weeks. After the full launch, the teams indulged in assessment of the product performance within different distribution channels. Moreover, the product was actively monitored and customer feedback sought by the marketing team (Lodato, 2008). The last three weeks of the project involved analysis of the customer feedback to gain information that would be used in improving the product distribution in Qatar. Pfeiffer, E. (2008). VOSS Water and Retail Expansion:Implications for a

Create a financial information system on pricing costing funding which Essay

Create a financial information system on pricing costing funding which is being implemented into the railway tickets and makes the prices dynamic - Essay Example was a technical support element to accomplish desktop data entry in the late 1990s has evolved into a strategic element for increasing the revenue through identifying new business development opportunities as well as providing efficient quality of service to the customers a company is serving. Public transportation in the UK serves more than 75% of the total commuters’ transportation in the UK as argued by Simon Taylor (2003)iii. Railways in the public transportation especially accounts for over 50% of the total market share in the public transport as identified by Simon Taylor (2003). This makes it clear that the rail transport market in the UK public transport industry not only forms an integral part of the public transportation but also contributes to the Gross Domestic Product. Alongside, the railway industry is also facing stiff competition from other forms of public transport like the road and air transport that is increasingly cost effective in the UK as argued by Simon Taylor (2003). From the aforementioned it is clear that the railway industry in the UK not only needs to address the competition through the effective use of information technology and managing the information for strategic advantage but also accomplish financial operational excellence ass argued by Helen Knight (2005)iv. The fact that the finance especially the billing and ticketing section of the railway industry is the gateway of income to the industry’s overall operations as argued by Helen Knight (2005) makes it clear that the efficient information management in the form of financial information management system is essential. In this report a critical analysis on the implementation of a Financial Information System in the Railway ticketing system from an information strategy perspective is presented to the reader. The essay presents a critical analysis on the macro and micro business environment for the railway business in the UK through PEST and SWOT Analyses respectively. This

Attempts to Repeal the Laws of Supply and Demand - The Market Strikes Assignment

Attempts to Repeal the Laws of Supply and Demand - The Market Strikes Back - Assignment Example Ultimately, the demand-supply coordinates are violated, hence shifting the curve principles outside the principle factors. The free market prices are fixed by the demand-supply laws; however when the law is not adhered to then this leads to what is known as cost distortion. While governments would impose price controls or create policies that would create crushing relationship between supply and demand, this would artificially distract the market mechanism. Hence, the cost dilemma would alter the relevance of the commodities and may lead to specific losses and out- of-the- market experiences. The market’s response to this would be termed in a balanced experience. The price in such instance would not fall below a specific level, known as â€Å"Price Floor’ and an attempt to repeal this would constitute to ‘product vacuum’ and would create scarcity and eventually imbalances in demand-supply

Pre-modernism and visuals from Harry Potter Research Paper

Pre-modernism and visuals from Harry Potter - Research Paper Example The essay "Premodernism - Epic Harry Potter Tribute" analyzes video "Epic Harry Potter Tribute" in the context of postmodernism. The video is created by Barney Barnicle. It starts with the depiction of the Diagon Alley with all its magic – plenty of wizards, owls and all the atmosphere. Then all fades out to show the Great Hall just after. There are many candles in the air that shed light on the multitude of magicians sitting; it is the first time Harry and his friends are in Hogwarts. Then other locations, the corridor and the Gringotts bank inside – its hidden hall, located deeply under the ground with its great poster and famous statues. Transformed heroes meet bad people, including Dolores Ambridge. The next shot show the joint photo of the members of Order of Phoenix; it provides closer view to show Harry’s parents and his godfather Sirius Blake, Remus Lupin and the betrayer Peter Pettigrew. Further the viewer may see the gathering of the Dumbledore’s Army – which is a kind of direct consequence from the Order of Phoenix. First we see the leaders, Harry is in the middle, of course. Then there are other people shown; Cho Chang is in the focus of attention – she was the first love of Harry Potter. Then we see Tom Riddle’s appearance – and his Voldemort attraction. The diary, bright artifact of the second film about the Chamber of Secrets is shown with the first message from Tom Riddle to Harry Potter. After that we see horcruxes and the voice speaks about their importance.

Alternative Forms In Theatre Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Alternative Forms In Theatre - Case Study Example The theatre provides an exciting opportunity to watch stories and situations as if they were real life, showing us the truth of our nature. For as long as humankind exists, theatre will always take on an important function within its cultures (Frazier 89). Through theatre, a culture expresses itself, reflects its society, and displays its individuality. It invites people to experience other cultures (Brown 192). Nevertheless, the question at hand is whether theatre will have a role in the society of the future, where cinema, digital television, and computers will continue to expand and grow. The answer to this question is yes. Theatre will only be a fraction in a solid media industry. Theatre on the other hand, and its contents may take on a larger dimension, but we receive it directly in flesh and blood - one to one. The magical atmosphere between an actor and spectator who are constantly aware of each other and the theatre's level of engagement is fundamentally more human and far more intimate. Theatre will survive because of its greatness, it is not just a performance. It is the mixture of the courage of its creators and the hopes and expectations of the audience. Theatre draws its reason for existence from its strength and diversion, its human contact, its passion, its energy and its excitement. This "flesh and blood" experience of the theatre contributes to the concept of "performed id entities" within the actual theoretical performance (Flannery 86). In A Streetcar Named Desire the audience experiences the performed identities of males and females in the culture of the time. In The Emperor Jones, the audience is brought into the performed identity of the emperor as a man who is corrupted by power, and thus corrupts himself. By taking a close look at the theatrical performances, we can see how the personal identities are demonstrated in each of the main characters; Blanche and the emperor.Good drama is built on conflict of some kind -- an opposition of forces or desires that must be resolved by the end of the story. When developing "performed identities" this is certainly true. A Streetcar Named Desire employs exactly that. An opposition of forces, and desire, all of which must come to some sort of resolution or conclusion at the end spurns on the performed identies of the characters. The way the theatre presents this drama enlightens the audience regarding the pe rformed identities of the main character, Blanche. The recent production of this play did a fantastic job of introducing the audience to the conflicts and performed identities at the start of the play. The first scene had the actors presenting, with very realistic emotion, elements of which add to the drama of the play through the performed identities of the characters. The acting helped to enforce the concepts of the performed identities through the theatrical presentation of things as Stella being pregnant, Blanche moving in with Stanley & Stella, and Stanley's distrust for Blanche.The performed identities are further presented through the production and presentation of the actors as the items in the play continually progress. The actors and actresses do a fantastic job of enforcing the emotional concepts behind the play, and focusing the performed identity concept mostly on Blanche as the struggling female. The emotional presentation of

Free Movement Of Person in EU ( EU LAW ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Free Movement Of Person in EU ( EU LAW ) - Essay Example cle 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) deals with free movement of workers this freedom of movement and residence is also available to the nationals of third countries as envisaged by the Treaty establishing European Community. It is the fundamental right of any one who is legally present in a State to move within the State and the right of residence in that State is but a logical extension of right of movement. The issue sought to be reviewed in this paper is whether the current liberal trend of right of freedom of movement can be reversed in the near future. The EU law on free movement of persons and allied rights which had been scattered on the various treaty provisions, secondary legislations was only recently consolidated into one Act. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) had always felt that rules regarding the free movement of persons in the EU had been narrowly drafted giving no room for the increasing demands of the enlarging Union. The ECJ in its judicial activism reflecting the EU’s objective of ensuring full mobility of persons has at times given decisions contradicting the treaty provisions. Originally, the ECJ had been concentrating on the narrow area of right of workers in regard to freedom of movement. After the introduction citizenship rights in the Union, the court is broadening its approach in safeguarding the rights of free movement of citizens thus resulting in land mark decisions relating to students’ rights, job-seekers and non-union family members. This culminated into the promulgation of Community dir ective 2004/381 which incorporated some of the important decisions of the ECJ in this area. To predict the trend of continuation of these rights, historical background and legal framework in this regards have to be reviewed. Article 2 of the EC envisages that the community should promote economic activities, a high level of employment and social protection, enhancing the standard of living and quality of

Jeffrey Skilling Essay Example for Free

Jeffrey Skilling Essay In 1975 Jeffrey Skilling received his B. S. from Southern Methodist University in applied science, and in 1979 received his M. B. A. from Harvard. He was hired by McKinsey Company as a consultant and in 1987 began working with Enron to help create a forward market in natural gas (wikipedia. org). Ken Lay hired Skilling in 1990 as chairman and chief executive officer of Enron Finance Corp. and in 1991 he became the Chairman of Enron Gas Services Co. Also, he was appointed CEO/managing director of Enron Capital Trade Resources. Skilling was promoted to second highest position in the company, president and chief operating officer in 1979. By pushing an aggressive investment strategy, Skilling helped Enron to become the biggest wholesaler of gas and electricity (biography. com). On February 12, 2001 he was named the new CEO of Enron, replacing Ken Lay. Later in 2001, during the energy crisis in California; Skilling resigned on August 14 and shortly after he sold off large blocks of his shares of Enron. Enron declared bankruptcy in December 2001. The Federal Bureau of Investigations indicted Skilling on 35 charges, which he pleaded not guilty on February 19, 2004(wikipedia. org). His trial began on January 30, 2006 and lasted four months. On May 25, 2006 he was found guilty on one count of conspiracy, one count of insider trading, five counts of making false statements to auditors, and twelve counts of securities fraud; and not guilty on nine counts of insider trading(wikipedia. org). October 23, 2006 Skilling was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in a federal prison and was fined 45 million dollars. Skilling began serving his prison term on December 13, 2006 at a low security federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. His release date is scheduled for February 21, 2028 according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Intro To Philosophy 1030-202 Essay Example for Free

Intro To Philosophy 1030-202 Essay Socrates was not a Sophist; he never took money for his teaching, and rejected sophistical arguments.For one thing, the sophists taught for money. Socrates did not. For another, the sophists used language to win arguments and to sway peoples opinion regardless of the truth. Socrates used language to attain the truth. Socrates lived as an independent man. he did not want to go under any category. He was not paid for his irony and maieutics. Therefore he was not a sophist, as being a sophist was having a profession. Socrates was genuinely worried about why the young men were so disappointing. Socrates young students had been a particular disappointment to him. If Socrates could figure out exactly how the fathers had failed to properly educate their sons, he could save the city and restore Athens to its former glory. Socrates’ interesting idea was that human excellence was really a kind of knowledge. Sophists were skilled in elaborate argumentation; were they would try and make the argument they were focusing on the stronger side, even if it was wrong or weaker. This often made them seem devious as they were working only for the benefit of themselves and their students, who were aiming to become high profile speakers or politicians. Socrates was unlike this in that his main focus was not on argumentation or speaking, he rather focused on questioning virtues to understand morals and ethics. He believed that all opinions were valid which also opposed the views of the Sophists who assumed that the wisest of people were genuinely correct and only they had the ability to teach. The main goal of socrates was unlike that of the sophists. The aim of the Sophists was varied around material possession and desire. They believed knowledge is a means to power and is to be used for political or material gain. Socrates believed his questions would encourage personal growth and create a better society as a whole who would understand philosophy and ethics. Him only questionig rather than focusing on teaching separates him from the Sophists. This is due to the fact that questioning isn’t a real method of teaching and Socrates himself stated â€Å"I know one thing, that I know nothing†. This puts him on the same level as his interlocutor and gives him an insight to other opinions. In Ancient Greece, the sophists were a group of teachers of philosophy and rhetoric. This group of Greek philosophers and teachers in the 5th century BC, who speculated on a wide range of subjects flawed arguments superficially correct in its reasoning, which deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone. There was a difference between the two, sophists showed that equally good arguments could be advanced on either side of any issue; they were skeptics who doubted that there could be any certain or reliable knowledge. On the other hand, socrates was committed to the pursuit of truth and considered it his mission to seek out certain knowledge. Unlike philosophers before them, Sophists claimed to be wise enough to teach whatever you might want to know as long as you. Socrates said he was a citizen of the world. Whether in Athens or elsewhere he was meditating, and he was helping others finding their true selves. Furthermore, Socrates did not travel from city to city seeking new students to teach. He was the opposite in that he remained loyal to his home town of Athens. This is evident as he started becoming popular amongst the people who would often regard him as ‘annoying’. His popularity therefore proves that he wasn’t a travel like the sophists. Socrates has some attributes of the Sophists, such as having students, his overall method and aim was contrary to theirs. Socrates himself states in his apology â€Å"I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. But in how different a way from theirs!† which reinforces the fact that he may be good in rhetoric but his goal is not to teach argumentation and political skills. As a result it is clear that Socrates wanted to simply question people on ethics and morals and not teach for material or prolific gains.

Effects Of Offenders And The Community Criminology Essay

Effects Of Offenders And The Community Criminology Essay The use of incarceration as a punitive and rehabilitative approach to crime has been around for centuries. The use of penitentiaries began in the 18th century in England. The British society started a move away from corporal punishment and more towards imprisonment with the hope that it would reform the mind and body (Jackson, 1997). These changes eventually paved the way for the establishment of penitentiaries throughout Europe and onto the United States. Historically, imprisonment was based on the concept of punishing those who wronged society, by inflicting suffering on the body. Today its strives to achieve its basic tenets consisting of punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation. In focusing on the United States, over the past thirty years the country has experienced an unprecedented rise in the use of incarceration. In 1972 there were 330,000 people residing in prisons and jails, today there are 2.1 million (King, Mauer Young, 2005). During this time span, the population rose b y less than 40 percent yet the number of people in prison and jail rose by more than 500 percent. To explain this dramatic change, we must look to factors such as changing crime rates, demographics, cultural shits and politics (King et. al., 2005). Today, there are many conservative, steadfast politicians who bank on getting tough on crime. In this light, we must evaluate whether institutionalization is the best method for diminishing crime and whether those offenders being imprisoned, are being set up for success or for failure, especially in their ability to reintegrate back into society once their time has been served. We must address the fact that these offenders, once imprisoned, encounter serious psychological changes and stigmatizations. The incarceration of an individual affects more than just the individual, but also family, peers and the community. The release of an offender back into society leaves one vulnerable and scared by an ex-con label. Their reintegration back int o society is a critical stage that is dependant on certain vital factors, which contribute to whether one will inevitably lead a continued life of crime or a life of desistance. Is incarceration really a remedy to crime, a so-called deterrent for future criminal activity, or merely a mechanism for labeling someone as a deviant member of society? It is important to assess what is actually known about the impact of imprisonment on crime control and with that in mind we must examine how incarceration rates have increased. The use of incarceration has significantly grown over time and the United States has become by its own creation, an extremely punitive system. The enactment of tougher sentencing rules, restrictive release patterns and the abolition of parole in some states have supported a system based on this concept. Many advocates of the system, including the Department of Justice, support this approach and have stated that tough sentencing means less crime (King et. al., 2005). However, an overview of changes in incarceration and crime in all fifty states revealed that there is no consistent relationship between the two. Crime did not decrease merely because incarceration was increasing (King et. al., 2005). Therefore, incarceration may not be the most effective way to achieve results in crime control. Advocates believe t hat by locking someone up, they can physically no longer commit crime. This concept may very well uphold to be true, but what about after their release from prison? Will they be more susceptible to or away from crime? Introducing someone to a life of incarceration inevitably leads to institutionalization and the effects of prisonization, which can seriously hinder ones adaptation and reintegration process. Institutionalization is a term used to describe the process by which inmates are shaped and transformed by the institutional environment in which they dwell. Sociologist, Irving Goffman described in his book Asylums, that institutions were a place of residence and work where a large number of like-situated individuals, cut off from the wider society for an appreciable period of time, together lead an enclosed, formally administered round of life (King, 2000, p. 2). By this account, we can claim prisons to be a form of institution. Later, the term was also coined prisonization when it occurred in correctional settings (Haney, 2001). The term, often thought pejoratively, expresses the negative psychological effects of imprisonment. Goffman identified five modes for adapting to an institutional life. The first step involved a situational withdrawal, where prisoners begin to minimize their interaction with others. Next, prisoners form antagonistic behavior and refuse to cooperate with staff members and begin to show hostility towards the institution itself. This type of behavior will often result in prisoners being sentenced to the conditions of solitary confinement. Colonization is a step in which involves the prisoner making a transformation to which he or she becomes institutionalized. In this step, prisoners begin to feel that life in prison is more desirable than life outside the prison. Next is the conversion step, which leads prisoners to adopt to the behavior that the guards and facility regard them to be like. The last step in the adaptation mode is the so-called playing it cool segment. In this stage, prisoners stay out of trouble and conform to their surroundings so that when they are released, they ca n have a maximum chance, in the particular circumstances of eventually getting out of prison physically and psychologically undamaged (Haralambos Holborn, 1995 p. 306). Once an offender is confined to an incarcerated life, the prisoner often is forced to undergo a unique set of psychological changes in order to survive the prison experience. Prisoners must undergo serious adaptations and recognize the deprivations and frustrations that come along with a prison life. This is commonly referred to as the pains of imprisonment and most certainly carries certain psychological effects (Haney, 2001). Such psychological symptoms can include dependence on the institutional structure, hyper vigilance, interpersonal distrust, suspicion, emotional over-control, alienation, psychological distancing, social withdrawal, isolation, incorporation of exploitative norms of prison culture, diminished sense of self-worth and personal value and post-traumatic stress reactions to the pains of imprisonment (Haney, 2001). With the rate of incarceration increasing, it also brings about the changes in prison populations. As a result, the size of the U.S. prison population has led to widespread issues in overcrowding. Penologists have described this dilemma by claiming that the U.S. prisons are in crisis and have characterized each new level of overcrowding as unprecedented (Haney, 2001). The United States incarcerates more persons per capita than any other nation in the world. The U.S. rates have consistently been between four and eight times more than those for other nations such as Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Australia (Haney, 2001). This combination of both overcrowding and rapid expansion of prison systems adversely affects the living conditions in these prisons. Overcrowding leads to jeopardized prisoner safety, compromised prison management, and limited prisoner access to meaningful programming. The rehabilitative process is in effect significantly hindered. Many sociologists, psychologists and psychiatrists, have studied the process of prisonization extensively and all agree that the process involves a unique set of psychological adaptations that often occur in varying degrees in response to the extraordinary demands of prison life (Haney, 2001). A prisoner must incorporate the norms of prison life into their habits of thinking, feeling, and acting. However, given todays expansion and overcrowding of prisons, this is a demanding and dangerous process. The prison environment is not a friendly one and many soft criminals leave prison as hardened criminals. Prison life can consist of many negative attributes, which affect a prisoners ability to rehabilitate. The more overcrowding in prisons, the less access to rehabilitation, which therefore leads to higher reconvictions rates (Hanks, 2008). The presence of gangs and violence within prisons, along with the feelings of anger, depression, rage and sadness all accompany incarcerated individua ls. Prisons are often the scenes of brutality, violence and stress to the point where many prisoners are concerned for their own safety. The increase in sentence lengths for prisoners also results in prisoners experiencing higher levels of psychological strains of imprisonment due to the longer periods of incarceration time. The psychological isolation of prison from ones community, the lack of prison visitation programs and the already scarce resources that have been used to maintain ties between prisoners and their families and the outside world, seriously affect the prisoners chances for survival and rehabilitation (Haney, 2001). Juveniles are especially more prone to the effects of prisonization. An example of such transformation is the case of Boston Billy. Billy spent half his life in prisons and jails and claimed that these institutions were horrible places that toughened up people up to a point that you dont care (Bhati Piquero, 2008). Once the institutionalization phase has been completed, the prisoner must eventually undergo their reintegration back into society. Facilitating the transition from prison back to the free world is a very delicate and critical stage. There are many stigmatizing aspects of incarceration, which may result in a prisoners inability to successfully make the transition. Prisons are aimed to essentially cure criminals of crime so they can be fit to reenter society, however, this concept may not be so encouraging. Studies show that whether a prison releasee will reoffend once back in society depends on their life trajectory and life course post prison life. Certain factors contribute to the indication of whether they will have a successful readjustment. However, the stigma of a deviant past and life in prison never leaves their mind. We live in a society that unfortunately judges those for doing time and often society is the culprit to the basis of their reoffending and self-fulfilling proph ecy to remain deviant. PRISON ISSUES Prisons have traditionally been coined schools of crime. The prison experience helps to build up resentment, expose prisoners to many skilled offenders who help to teach them many tricks of the trade. Many inmates will often go into prison as petty, nonviolent offenders who are released back into society as now serious, violent offenders. It is customary to state that two-thirds of all released prisoners will be back in prison again within three years of their release (Stevens, 2004). Since prison life is comprised of its own structure and institutional rules, a form of governing amongst this institution will exist. There are at least four sets of codes, or rules, that govern prison life: (1) the official administrative rules and regulations; (2) the convict code; (3) the color line; and (4) gang membership rules (Stevens, 2004). The official rules are the basic tenets of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors and rules. The convict code is an idealized description of how the perfect convict should behave. The color line is rather an invisible code, which one instantly becomes aware of when certain racial groups appear to be dominating or in control. Race tends to be a factor in many prison issues such as the determination of friendships, cell assignments and cell locations. This process is sometimes referred to as balkanization (Stevens, 2004). Gang codes also dominate some prison lives and tend to be underground outlines for criminal enterprises. Similar to Goffmans theory on institutionalization, Wheeler (1961), found that inmate commitment to prison society followed a U-shaped curve. When an inmate first enters the prison, they enter so still being committed to the rules of conventional society, however as time passes, their misbehavior increases. This misbehavior begins to reflect a commitment to inmate codes. As their release from prison is encroaching, they begin to renew a commitment to the values of the outside world. This can be viewed in a positive light because it signifies that most inmates orient themselves for law-abiding behavior shortly before they are released (Stevens, 2004). However, there remains no assurance in knowing that a released prisoner will avoid continuing a life of crime. LABELING THEORY IN CORRELATION TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION Labeling theorists argue that the state is to blame for anchoring people in their criminal careers. Prisons are not the answers to solving our crime problems and they are in fact, dangerously criminogenic. There is a significant societal reaction towards offenders and when they are treated like such, there lies the unanticipated consequence of creating the very behavior we seek to prevent. Society makes assumptions about offenders and sees them as people with poor character who will most likely recidivate. This public scrutiny can either shame the offender into conformity or push them into crime because they see no other means to overcoming their label. Chiricos, Barrick, Bales and Bontrager (2007) conducted a study on the fate of convicted felons facing probation. In support of labeling theory, Chiricos et. al. concluded that, being adjudicated a felon significantly and substantially increases the likelihood of recidivism in comparison with those who have had adjudication withheld ( Cullen, Lilly Ball, 2011, p. 151). Further research on the effects of imprisonment has been conducted by criminologists in which have also supported labeling theory. Three general conclusions have been resulted which claim that a custodial sanction has either a null effect or criminogenic effect, the longer the time spent in prison leads to a higher likelihood of recidivism and lastly, the harsher the prisoner living conditions, the higher the likelihood of reoffending (Cullen et. al., 2011). A meta analysis of 50 studies analyzed the effect of prison sentences on recidivism and found that longer prison sentences were associated with higher recidivism rates for both high and low risk offenders. It was also reported that lengthy exposure to the harsh conditions of prison life and the institutionalization resulting from that living, has both short and long term effects on an individuals ability to readjust to life outside prison (Visher Travis, 2003). It is important to realize that there are collateral effects of incarceration and the reentry process is fundamentally a dynamic, social process. The public stigma attached to an ex-convict status seriously affects the reintegration process. We can deduce that prisons may in fact be doing more harm than good. REINTERGRATION AND POSTRELEASE Recidivism is directly affected by post prison reintegration and adjustment. This is in turn, dependent upon four sets of factors: personal and situational characteristics, social environment of peers, family, community and state-level policies (Visher et. al., 2003). Understanding an individuals pathway to reintegration and the various support systems necessary, both privately and governmentally are crucial to a successful integration. Reconnecting with the institutions of society is a goal and a process in which a released offender must consistently work through and one to which policymakers need to take attention to. In 1994, the Bureau of Justice Statistics conducted the largest study of its kind when it examined criminal recidivism using a sample of 300,000 prisoners released in 15 states. The study found that 67.5 percent of prisoners were arrested for a new offense within three years and 51.8 percent were back in prison for committing a new offense or violating their parole. T hese percentages demand for progress in the reintegration process. In 2002, the federal government awarded $100 million dollars to the states in order to help develop more effective reentry programs for those released from prisons (Visher et. al., 2003). Similar to the social bond theory, the process of reintegration is dependant upon a prisoners attachment and bonds to society. Strong ties between prisoners and their families have the strongest positive impact on their post release success. A commitment to family roles is imperative to avoiding a life of crime. Rejoining the labor market and ensuring stable and consistent employment is also crucial in the process and often this element is diminished for prisoners who have dismal job prospects given that they have learned few marketable job skills while institutionalized. These offenders will often find difficulty in finding a job while being labeled as an ex-convict (Cullen et. al., 2011). The stigma of a criminal record is a significant barrier in the search for employment. Watts Nightingale (1996) reported that as many as 60% of ex-offenders are not employed within one year after their release and this figure is partly due to the limited availability of felon-friendly employers ( Counsel on Crime and Justice, 2006). Laub and Sampson found that incarceration as a juvenile had a negative effect on later job stability, which was also negatively related to ones continued involvement in crime over the course of their life (Bahr, Armstrong, Gibbs, Harris Fisher, 2005). Many offenders will leave jail feeling unprepared for their release and face obstacles in their way towards becoming a healthy and productive member of their communities. In a focus group study of women and men, researchers found that substance abuse, employment, and housing were the most significant factors that facilitated or blocked successful reintegration into communities (Weiss, Hawkins, Despinos, 2010). Leaving a highly structured environment like a prison for an unstructured society leaves many decisions and responsibility for an individual to consider. Post release is a highly vulnerable time for ex-convicts and their susceptibility to negativity is very probable. COLLATERAL EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT Recently, the effects of imprisonment on families and communities have been becoming a focus of research for some. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners return to their communities annually and therefore, the reentry process has become an increasing interest. The extents of the consequences that result from mass incarceration often go beyond just the individual offender but also onto their families and their communities. Research has indicated that due to the rise in incarceration rates, there has also been an increase in broken homes and disenfranchised communities (Counsel on Crime and Justice, 2006). The Counsel on Crime and Justice introduced the existence of the concept of collateral effects which refers to the unintended negative consequences that result from an offenders conviction and incarceration. Incarceration effects more than just the one being locked away and the costs of imprisonment are paid both directly and indirectly on many levels. Imprisonment can directly negatively affect the offenders family and children and can include personal, social, financial, emotional, psychological, and physical concerns. Social and economic structures of communities are also affected. Researchers will also argue that the removal of offenders from communities does harm, especially in communities of color (Counsel on Crime and Justice, 2006). Incarceration can also be conceptualized as a form of coerced mobility. Coerced mobility is a practice that takes large numbers of males out of inner-city communities for prolonged absences (Cullen et. al., 2011). While it would be appropriate to suggest that offenders are liabilities in their communities, theorists also suggest that they are also assets to the community in the sense that they are members of their own social networks as well as income providers. Therefore, the elimination of these offenders from communities will also result in social disorganization and weak economic development. THE CREATION OF AN AT-RISK POPULATION Many people tend to forget the fact that imprisonment affects more than just the individual being imprisoned. Incapacitation can be contagious and unintentionally creates an at-risk population for some. For example, today there are an increasing number of children with incarcerated parents. It is estimated that 1.5 to 2 million children are affected nationwide by incarcerated parents (Miller, 2006). There is evidence to suggest that these children are responding negatively to being separated from their parent. A child with an incarcerated parent is often left feeling depressed and sad which leads to externalizing behaviors that may include aggression and delinquent activity. Approximately 50% of youths in the correctional system have a parent in the adult correctional system. Children with parents in prison are 5 to 6 times more at-risk to become involved in the criminal justice system, however the short and long-term effects of this phenomenon are difficult to accurately quantify (M iller, 2006). We can therefore observe that in this aspect, prisons are causing more harm than good by creating a repercussion factor. More crimes are essentially being committed or going to be committed as a result of someone being taken out of the community, especially in the case of a person who had family bonds tying them to the community. Children and youth are impressionable and vulnerable beings who are learning by example. The reality of incarceration in their home life is a life-altering experience, which can often set the course or direction for their own path towards criminal behavior. LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVE VERSUS DETERRENT THEORY There is much research on why people commit crime, but much less research about why people who have committed criminal acts choose to desist from crime. In reviewing the post release life of offenders, the theory to focus on is life course perspective. Refraining from crime depends on ones local life circumstances. There are certain transitions that can help to increase social bonds and may help to alter a criminal trajectory. Bahr et. al (2005) explored the entry process by interviewing 51 parolees three times, over a period of three months from their release from prison. Of the 51 parolees, 10 were reincarcerated within six months after their release from crime. The findings suggest that overall, a network of family relationships is important in making the transition from prison life to community life. The extent of ones family bonds helps to change the criminal trajectories of parolees. The quality of the parent-child bond also significantly influenced the likelihood of a parolee returning to prison. While there have been established links between incapacitation and crime on a negative standpoint, there are also findings that support incarceration as a deterrent. Incarceration can influence criminal careers based on two strands of criminological theory, those that focus on the role of punishment and that which focuses on the relationship between past and future criminal activity (Bhati et. al., 2008). A key policy question in criminology is whether incarceration serves as a deterrent, criminogenic or null effect on subsequent criminal activity. Given that a lack of research exists in this area, Bhati et. al. (2008) conducted a study on this topic by developing micro-trajectories using information from past arrest patterns. The date used in this research came from a larger study on recidivism of prisoners released in 1994, which was collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. A total sample of 32,628 persons was studied across 15 states. The findings reported that 96 percent of the releasees were either deterred from future offending or merely incapacitated by their incarceration. A small percentage consisting of 4 percent of the releasees exhibited a criminogenic effect. This study is not consistent with the labeling theory hypothesis but instead is more in favor of deterrence-based theories. However, this data also raised the question of generalizibility as it only consists of data on 15 states in a country of 50. DISCUSSION In review of the literature on institutionalization, incarceration and its effect on crime, we can conclude that there is significant evidence linking incarceration with crime. While researchers have struggled to accurately quantify the degree to which crime reduction is attributable to imprisonment, the truth remains that prisons may actually be doing more harm than good. The effect of incarceration on subsequent criminal activity at the individual level is still far from being recognized and further research on the area is needed. However, we can recognize that the incarceration experience as a form of punishment tends to have varied effects on offenders. For some it may operate as a deterrent, others as a criminogenic factor and for some irrelevant either way. It is sad to realize that in our society, one single deviant event can be enough to stigmatize a person indefinitely as an offender or as a deviant person. Some offenders leave prison and make the case that they have permane ntly changed and are reformed, new people. Unfortunately, there is a negative bias with this, and labeling theorists will agree that regardless of whatever reformation is claimed, the deviant stigma will continue to exist. For some, ones past behavior is the best predictor of their future behavior. Researchers can support this by finding that well over half of ex-prisoners are returned to prison within 3 years of their release. In todays world it is much easier to establish oneself as deviant, than it is to establish ones credentials as a reformed person. As a result of labeling theory, many members of society are unwilling to take a chance on a once incarcerated individual who appears to be trying to make positive steps forward. These obstacles only hinder an offenders chance for effective survival and reintegration into society. Incapacitation strategies seek to reduce crime and do so in some ways. It is true that incarcerated offenders are prevented by incapacitation from committing further crimes, but at what cost to themselves and to society. Incapacitation strategies take a slice out of an individuals career, but whos to tell that that career will cease once they are back in the free world. The United States currently has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world with over two million people under the jurisdiction of correctional authorities (Weiss et al., 2010). The majority of this rate can be blamed on the get tough on crime movement and the nations continued war on drugs. In comparison to other industrialized nations, these rates are five to eight times higher and have risen significantly over the last thirty years (Weiss et al., 2010). The criminal justice systems use of correctional facilities to punish those members of society who violate laws and commit crimes is a method based on the concept of deterrence. The idea of becoming institutionalized and taken out of society for a period of time is suppose to make an individual recognize his/her bad behavior to the point to where he/she will no longer behave in such a way for fear of becoming institutionalized again. At the same time, society can be at peace knowing that that person is no longer a current threat to society. However, the stages involved in this transition involve many negative aspects, which question its intended function. The process of institutionalization and becoming prisonized is a traumatic event filled with psychological changes that in some cases never heal or reshape themselves. Institutionalization desensitizes offenders and creates hardened criminals, the very thing it seeks to prevent. During prisonization, physical and psychological trans formations occur which negatively changes an individual, but are however, necessary in order for an individual to survive the entirety of the experience. During the time in which an offender is incarcerated, those close to him such as his family and community may be suffering as a result of this imprisonment. An offender with children loses the ability to bond with their child and as a result, the child faces the risk of becoming scared from the experience. This detachment from a parent can result in negative forms of behavior and delinquency and as research has demonstrated, children with incarcerated parents have a much higher risk for getting involved in correctional settings themselves. In this respect, imprisonment promotes crime. The community also suffers greatly when those are taken out of it. People are assets to a community in the sense that they are members of the social networks and everyone, a possible income provider. The elimination of offenders from communities results in social disorganization and weak economic development. When there is a weak economic and social disorganization, a breeding place for crime will persi st. Prison life is another world, one that often does not make ease for a smooth transition back to reality. Research has shown that the stage of reintegration back into society once being institutionalized, is a very critical stage and to which is dependant on several factors. The life course perspective focuses on the steps necessary in ones life to avoid a criminal trajectory. A combination of life course theory and social bond theory creates a medium to which explains the elements necessary for a successful reintegrated life, void of crime. Family bonds, especially that of child-parent bonds, are extremely important in the reintegration process. Socialization with positive peers and consistent and steady employment are also crucial to the process. A lack of one or more of these bonds creates an opportunity to allow for crime to justify means. In this process, an offender is also combating stigmatization. In accordance with labeling theory, ex-convicts have a difficult time in their r eintegration period due to the stigma that is placed upon them. For some, this presents a hardship that is often impossible to defeat and some offenders will often give into their label and become self-fulfilling prophecies. Labeling theory appears to be a valid effect of institutionalization as research has shown that as many as half of the offenders released from prison will return within three years of their release. This evidence can support labeling theory as an obstacle in the way of successful reintegration and deterrence from recidivism. As we move towards an era highly focused on a punitive system of justice versus a rehabilitative approach, policy makers need to assess whether prison systems are really the answer to obtaining intended objectives. Incarceration is increasing at an all time record yet crime is not decreasing at an all time record. There are too many strings attached with the process of incarceration, and many of these strings lead to the realization that in the overall scheme of things, prison does more harm than good. Research accurately quantifying this finding needs to further be evaluated and discussed, but there is a consistent finding within this review, which significantly addresses the issues associated with the effects of institutionalization and its negative impact on the offender and society as a whole.

Life Time Prediction of Node-to-Node Communication Essay -- Informati

1 Introduction Now-a-days any time anywhere connectivity was needed, which can be achieved by Mobile Ad hoc networks (MANET). Infrastructure less, self-organizing networks was called MANET. Nodes in a MANET can act as routers, able to forward packets to other nodes, within its transmission region. Designing a routing protocol for such a dynamic networks was a challenging task, due to frequent link failure, limited battery power, and mobility. Huge number of routing protocols has been proposed for MANET [1], different Criteria were used to classify those protocols. Most important criteria’s are, 1. Route discovery 2. Number of routes that are computed between source and destination. Route discovery Establishing the path between source and destination was called route discovery, as per this idea, routing protocols are classified into 1. Proactive or Table driven 2. Reactive or On demand 3. Hybrid Routing Proactive protocols uses table to maintain the overview of the network topology, these table should be updated when ever there is a change in network topology (e.g. OLSR [2]). In reactive protocols route request is sent on demand i.e if a node want to sent data to another node, during that time route request was broadcast , once response came from destination data transfer will happen (e.g. Ad hoc On Demand Destination Vector Routing AODV [3], Dynamic Source Routing (DSR [4])). Hybrid protocols uses the advantage of both proactive and reactive protocols (e.g Zone Routing Protocols (ZRP [5]), Zone based Hierarchical Link state (ZHLS [6])). Number of routes Another important routing criterion was the number of routes that are computed between the source and destination. As per this criteria Routing Prot... ...etworks using multiple disjoint paths, in: 2nd International Conference on Broadband Networks, Boston, MA, USA, 2005. [17] H. Badis, K.A. Agha, Qolsr multi-path routing for mobile ad hoc networks based on multiple metrics: bandwidth and delay, in: IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2004, pp. 2181–2184. [18] J. Yi et al., Multipath optimized link state routing for mobile ad hoc networks, Ad Hoc Netw. (2010),doi:10.1016/j.adhoc.2010.04.007 [19] J. Vazifehdan et al., On the lifetime of node-to-node communication in wireless ad hoc networks, Com-put. Netw. (2012), doi:10.1016/j.comnet.2011.12.014 [20] Asokan, R., Natarajan, A.M., Nivetha, A.: ‘A swarm-based distance vector routing to support multiple quality of service (QoS) metrics in mobile ad hoc networks’, J. Comput. Sci. , 2010, 3 , pp. 700 – 707, doi: 10.3844/jcssp.2007.700.707

Photovoltaic and passive solar design :: Essays Papers

Photovoltaic and passive solar design The sun is an infinite source of energy for our planet. In 1839 Edmund Becquerel, a French experimental physicist, discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes. His Discovery was never taken to a commercial level until 1950 when silicon was used in semiconductors. In 1973 there was a oil crises in the U.S. and it created huge public awareness about the limited resource of fossil fuels, and led to the emerging market of solar photovoltaic technologies. This awareness was heightened even more by nuclear accidents like Three Mile Island in 1979. There are many different kinds of PV cells but all cells are made from silicon and have no moving parts. They convert light photons into moving electrons, which creates electricity. There are three major types of PV cells that have been developed in Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States. Using an experiment called integrated spectral response (ISR), it is possible to determine the efficiency of each cell. In a laboratory solar cells have proven to be up to 26% efficient. In the real world, however, the efficiency can vary. The light spectrum is what determines the solar cells to be used in a certain area. In order to decide which solar cell is best, the light used must be filtered by using IRS. The cell must also be hooked up to a spectrophotometer. A spectrophotometer measures the wavelength that is used by the solar cell. In an experiment done in Cairo, Egypt the procedure above was followed. The conclusion was that the monocrystalline cell from the United States was the most efficient cell. However, due to the price of this cell it would be better to use more polycrystalline cells made in Germany. Also determined by the experiment was the fact that humidity changes the efficiency of the cells. In a desert climate the US cell was the most effective. In the presence of moisture the German cell was the most efficient (Shaltout, etc). Photovoltaic cells are a great template for current solar panels. However, solar panels take 15 years to get back the energy it took to make them. This is not a very sustainable design. So it is not the only technology being developed.

Artificial Intelligence Essay -- Technology, Computers

Of all the technological developments of the modern age, none is as complex as artificial intelligence. The idea that a non-human, manufactured entity could advance to a point of emulating human behavior is enough to make people shiver. The idea of something so advanced that we will not be able to tell the difference may be even worse. In 1961 Philip Dick wrote Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. It portrayed a world with these exact characteristics. Artificial Intelligence had advanced to a point of near-perfect human replication. In creating this world, Dick was echoing the speculations and fears of a.i. that had build up by that time. It would then continue to influence those opinions in the years after. It is necessary to look at the development of artificial intelligence in order to put this idea into context. The concept of intelligent and aware constructs began to emerge in the 1950s and 60s as several scientists in many fields came together to discuss the possibilities of advanced computer research. The first major step was a scientific conference at Dartmouth College in 1956. Here, the general concepts and possible paths of research for a.i. were fleshed out. As described in Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, this conference was â€Å"the birth of artificial intelligence.† This was mostly a theoretical stage yet attending experts predicted that with a huge investment, working technology could be available in a generation (16). After being officially established, a.i. research and discovery exploded. Computer programs, a brand new idea, were already conquering algebra problems and speech recognition. Some could even reproduce English (18). It was clear that arti ficial intelligence research was going to be at the fo... .... Each stage of development increases our reliance and this in turn promotes advancement. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep described a dark world where artificial intelligences and humanity came into a form of conflict. Its predictions and ramifications are not easily dismissed and hold true even today. We are already seeing a.i. surpass humans in some fields. IBM's WATSON has passed humanity in terms of intellect. It will be some time before it is self-aware of that fact, but it is a milestone nonetheless. We also have artificial â€Å"slaves† in some small sense of the word. Machines to much of the heavy labor previously done by man. Massive assembly plants now only employ a few technicians to watch overt the computers. While a far cry away from slavery, the process has begun. We are addicted too we usefulness of machines and the addiction is impossible to cure.

The Importance of Staff Development in Nursing

The purpose of this paper is to identify the educational need for and selection of an educational program. Specifically this paper will focus on defining the goals and outcomes for the educational program and describe the learning objectives as well as the design model and learner characteristics. The paper will also review the instructional methods to adopt for delivery and provide examples of resources to be used in the classroom. Lastly the paper will review methods for evaluating the learning of the audience. Based on the evaluations conducted during weeks two and three, there is a clear need for an educational program that focuses on communication training and relationship building within the critical care nursing force. Communication and collaboration are among the most essential work skills necessary for success in the healthcare arena. Without adequate communication, errors are likely to result and inefficient delivery of health care services are likely. More and more health care organizations are requiring members of their workforce to collaborate together to deliver patient care and function as a unit (Caspi & Reid, 2002). Thus it is vital that educational programs focus on enhancing incumbents skills in these areas to ensure problem solving, decision making and collaboration are effective and beneficial in the healthcare environment. As Gerber & McGuire (1999) noted it is vital that nurses learn the communications and collaborations skills necessary to enhance communication in the workplace, which will ultimately improve the efficacy of work functions and delivery of service in the health care setting. The educational program will also focus on enhancing nurses technology skills so they are more capable of working in the modern nursing or critical care unit where technological innovations are increasingly being used out of necessity (Zalumas, 1995). In a critical care nursing environment, without communication nurses cannot work efficiently with other critical care providers to ensure the best interests of the patient are carried out. The goals and outcomes of the educational intervention selected include: (1) enhancing communication within the critical care nursing unit (2) promoting greater collaboration among work teams by teaching the importance of relationship building and (3) improving critical care teams working knowledge of technological innovations including their understanding of the contributions technology makes to the nursing work environment. The educational intervention or program designed will work to improve staff members comfort level working in a team environment and encourage members of the team to problem solve together in an efficient and productive manner. Learning Objectives and Design Model For purposes of this curriculum a task oriented or centered design model will be adopted to facilitate learning among critical care nurses. This model offers steps and strategies for teaching incumbents â€Å"how to do† things within the work environment and outlines a series of activities and steps that can occur to enable individuals to attain learning and work objectives (Caspi & Reid, 2002). This model was originally developed to help promote educational supervision, but can be easily modified to accommodate the needs of critical care workers. The model assumes field instruction is vital to the success and ability of students to transfer skills from the classroom to the work environment, part of the reason this model makes sense for critical care workers (Caspi & Reid, 2002). The task orient model contains three distinct phases; the beginning phase where workers first meet and outline their goals and the tasks they will engage in, as well as negotiate â€Å"potential obstacles†; the middle phase and the end phases, where the incumbents review and prioritize goals, select tasks necessary to achieve them, and review the results (Caspi & Reid, 2002). During these latter stages students may adapt their goals and objectives or course of action to facilitate better progress or enhance their outcomes if necessary. The learning objectives for the educational model selected include enhancing students ability to interact and communicate effectively with diverse staff and patient populations, as well as improving students ability to work with technologically advanced programs. The educational program will also work to improve collaboration between work teams and reduce stress and anxiety among workers associated with using technologies that students may not be familiar with initially. Strategies for overcoming barriers to communication and collaboration within the work environment will also be discussed and highlighted as part of the learning objectives for this educational program. Learner characteristics that will be evaluated as part of the educational program are diverse and varied. They include personal characteristics including participants age, gender, experiences and educational goals as well as environmental characteristics. For the educational aims and objectives of this program to be met it is vital the teaching strategies adopted consider each student's learning characteristics individually. As pointed out previously, students in a nursing setting often look to teachers and instructors for direct guidance and support, viewing them as authority figures in an educational context. For this reason a direct learning approach is necessary as is one that promotes self direction among students. This will encourage students not only to adopt the methods and ideals suggested by instructors but also encourage students to rely more on their intrinsic ability to identify the programs and procedures most likely to facilitate higher learning and education in the classroom environment. It is likely that as students become more comfortable with the educational program developed and methods of collaboration proposed by the program, their learning characteristics may change. Thus it will be vital that instructors consider learner development at each stage of the learning process, adapting the educational program as necessary to meet student's evolving needs. The instructional methods adopted should include direct teaching approaches combined with career or work based education that facilitates a more multi dimensional â€Å"educational experiences† more intent on preparing incumbents for â€Å"career success in a full range of occupations† (Ciaccio et al. 2002, p. 300). The instructional model will also include teaching in a community based setting where critical care nurses are encouraged to interact with members of the community and communicate with community leaders and representatives (Lough, 1999). Lough (1999) supports the importance of establishing academic and community partnerships where educational institutions work with academic instructors to help identify gaps in service and help enhance the efficacy of learning programs. A work based education will involve teaching students on the job or providing on the job training. This will require evaluation of student's communication and collaboration building activities in the workplace. To facilitate this, a supervisor will be appointed or mentor that will routinely evaluate a student's communication efforts and technological ability on the job and off. The instructional model adopted will allow in house or classroom teachers to adapt their curriculum based on knowledge gathered from the work environment. Students will also be provided the opportunity to compare experiences they gain on the job with those they gain off the job and fill in the gaps in their education where necessary. No educational program is effective or complete without learner evaluation. Learner evaluation like educational instruction should be multi faceted to be effective and beneficial for all parties participating. At the end of instructional sessions, teachers should evaluate students to assess whether curriculum materials were delivered efficiently and in a manner that achieves the goals and objectives of the program. To achieve learner evaluation, teachers should survey students and ask them to self report on how well they perceive the design of the educational program to be. Students should also provide recommendations for adapting the educational curriculum in the future to better service their needs and help match their needs based on their independent learner characteristics. Learner evaluation will also come in the way of work performance reviews, which will help instructors identify whether students are achieving their goals from a work perspective.