Dbq: the Black Plague

AP European History August 31, 2012 DBQ: The Black Plague From the late medieval era to the enlightenment a series of plagues devastated European society, economy, and social/political structure. Reaction toward the calamity ranged from rational and proactive to irrational, egoistic, and even criminal. Over all, the human devastation revealed a growth over time in government role and the role of the educated class in serving society, while uncovering a persistent criticism of the upper classes and the common people. The plague illiated a growing rational and proactive response, by the state and educated class.In 1512 Erasmus, a Christian humanist who prepared a new edition of the Latin and Greek testament, he was also known for his techniques using humanism to write his texts, proposed a scientific explanation blaming uncleanliness for the plague (Doc 2). The plague was carried around by rats which contributed to the dispersion of the bacillus. The areas that were the most susceptibl e to the plague where those with the most famine. In 1571 Heinrich von Staden, count of the Palestine, observed some of the cardinal consequences of the plague such as roads being guarded so that infected people didn’t move from the infected area (Doc 5).The closing of roads led to a disruption in trade throughout Europe. This had a major impact on economy. Only upper class people were able to afford the expenses required if they got infected. In 1576 Motto of Giovan Filippo, physician who is believed to be the first person to have described chicken pox, concluded that diseased had to be in quarantine, citizens who violated health regulations had to be punished and all infected items had to be burned (Doc 6). Not everyone could afford to pay quarantine and the ones who could pay for it were those who didn’t need it.The people who were the most affected were the peasants and they couldn’t afford it. By the 15th and 16th centuries the educated class started findin g new techniques to treat the diseased. In 1630 Father Dragoni, priest, helped by assisting the needed and providing economic supplies (Doc 9). This auxiliary movement was useful to many and made of him an example to others. In 1647 H. de Rochas, French physician, believed that hanging toads around the patient necks would draw out the poison (Doc 10). Many physicists such as Rochas were trying to find a cure.The plague also brought irrational and egoistic responses by different levels of society. In 1484 a schoolmaster at Deventer, when asked how his school was doing he responded by saying that only 20 of his students were killed (Doc 1). During this period in time only upper class citizens were capable of affording private schools. The rich didn’t have the necessity to go out of their houses. For this reason students wouldn’t go to school anymore and that way less upper class people were getting infected.In 1523 Nicholas Versoris, author, pointed out how rich people c ould fly away of the infected area leaving behind the poor (Doc 3). This type of people didn’t care about the rest, they egoistically thought and worried only about themselves. The people left behind were the most susceptible ones to getting infected. During the 15th and 16th centuries the upper class society was still blinded acknowledging reality. In 1656 Sir John Reresby, traveler, decided to travel to Italy knowing about the plague and religiously trusting his god that he wouldn’t get infected (Doc 12).Many upper class people didn’t care or didn’t take serious the severity of the plague. Most would travel all over Europe without caring if the disease was being expanded by them. In 1624 Lisabetta Centenni, common housewife, proposed that supernatural forces had cures his husband (Doc 7). During this era there were many people that were blinded by the church making them believe in forces out of the human sight and understanding. This kind of reasoning l et to people avoiding medical treatment because of religion. Such reasoning was introduced to the population by the church and its over leading power.In 1635 Nehemiah Wallington, English puritan, gave sight to his egoistic reasoning by listing the way he thought the plaque would take his family and by leaving him at last (Doc 8). In 1720 M. Bertrand, physician at Marseilles, is proposing that the plague has been caused by an angry god rather than natural causes (Doc 16). During this era there were many pagan people left that believed that everything was caused by the gods. This way of reasoning that led many to die praying to a god instead of looking for real remedies. People had really strong beliefs towards pagan gods.To those people the gods were the ones that directed every single part of their life. If some natural disaster occurred this kind of people wouldn’t think irrationally and would say their gods were angry at them. Criminal and social collapse was another major cause of the plagues caused by common people and the educated class. In 1583 Johann Weyer, German physician who was one of the first to be against witch persecution , said that people were getting paid to spread the plague so that the heirs of the dead and diseased obtained their inheritances (Doc 4). Such criminal acts were common and many people died from it.In 1651 Miguel Parets, Barcelona tanner, published that nurses were abundant during the time of the plagues so they would kill their patients in order to get their payment (Doc 11). Criminal levels were rising and people didn’t know who to trust anymore. Most people from the low classes were growing corrupt or with the necessity of having to steal or kill for food. In 1665 Samuel Pepys, English bureaucrat, said that people weren’t buying wigs anymore because they were afraid to get infected (Doc 13). Economy was going down because of the plague. People were afraid to buy and many weren’t even aloud in the roads.In 1722 Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year, said that all trade stopped between them and other trading nations of Europe because they were all afraid of getting infected (Doc 14). Trade had officially collapsed for the infected area. No other nation wanted to risk their citizen’s health by buying goods from this area. In 1696 Emperor Leopold commissioned the â€Å"Plague Column† in gratitude for the end of the plague (Doc 15). The image shows a man knelt on the right side illustration praying and looking towards the sky were angels and saints are flying. On the left side of the image is a bible.

Literary Analysis

Langston Hughes’ â€Å"Theme for English B† is an interesting piece of perspective from an author who is obviously struggling to come up with an answer to what a teacher had thought to be a fairly straight forward question. When Hughes’ instructor asks him to go home and simply put down truth on a single page, it opens his eyes up to all of the things that he has done in his life. In addition to that, it opens his eyes to who he really is, what things drive and motivate him, and how other people have helped to shape him. He touches on certain racially charged issues, though he never really gets into them in detail. For the most part, his writing is a compilation of that several aspects that have made up his life and turned him into the relatively young man that he is. Hughes begins his writing by simply wondering out loud to himself. His first words serve as something of a critique of the assignment itself. The teacher has indicated that this would be something that should not take long and it should be relatively simple for the students to complete. Hughes realizes right away that it is not that easy, at all, to come up with a real picture of the things that make a person who they are. At the beginning, the majority of Hughes’ doubts have to do with the fact that he was brought up in some different places and that he has always been something of an outlier when compared to his contemporaries. Hughes writes, â€Å"I wonder if it's that simple? I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem. I went to school there, then Durham, then here to this college on the hill above Harlem. I am the only colored student in my class.† (Hughes). In this, the reader gets a clear picture of the road that has led Hughes to the university and how those things have had a seemingly profound impact on his life. Hughes also takes the time to touch on some racially charged themes in his life in the later part of his opening dialogue. He does not look like a lot of the students around him, which obviously presents some problems for him and it also makes him appreciate his background. He learns to appreciate the reasons why he was able to come as far as he has come. Jane Alice of American Studies had some interesting thoughts on the main themes behind this particularly piece of poetry. In her analysis, she writes, â€Å"The instructor of his class is then implying that everyone here in his college class has something in common or has some what of the same life† (Alice). This serves to address the big problem of perception that can often time separate people in academia. For the teacher, everything was simple and everyone in the class had a similar upbringing. After all, they were there in a good college, so they had to come from the same type of background. Little does she know that it was much more of a struggle for some people than it was for other people. For the poet, getting to college was no simple task. Instead, it was something that required the ability to overcome many hurdles along the way. Hughes is an interesting case when it comes to his perspective. He is no small player in the African American community, having ascended to the position of poet laureate and having produced some of the most well recognized work of his time. It is absolutely essential to understand these things if one is going to understand what he is trying to say in â€Å"Theme for English B†. According to Mark Maier of AssociatedContent.com, this is the primary piece that readers have to grasp. Maier writes, â€Å"Hughes was a staple in the Harlem community, and a major player in the Harlem Renaissance—a coming-of-age for African American creativity in the throughout the 1920’s and ‘30’s. He is 47 by the time he writes this poem (not actually for the assignment’s due date) and it serves as both an educational and reflective vehicle—a voice that tells the how and why of not only what was happening during the time of his class but what was happening during the time he penned the piece† (Maier). This was a reflective piece, one that Maier had to think long and hard about before he put it down onto paper. Not everything is racially charged in the poem, though. Hughes spends a lot of time thinking about what it means to be an American and life in America is life. He comes to the conclusion that being American is all about having different people as a part of your life, regardless of their background and their upbringing. Hughes writes in the poem, â€Å"But it will be a part of you, instructor. You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That's American† (Hughes). This is something that Chris Semansky speaks to, as well. There, he writes, â€Å"As ‘Theme for English B’ indicates, Hughes, from the beginning of his career, consistently explored the idea of an American voice, and he repeatedly insisted that what we define as â€Å"American† must include the experiences, language, and visions of both its black and white citizens† (Semansky). All in all, many themes are addressed in Langston Hughes’ poem. From the obvious racial issues to the idea of an educational gap, he uses the idea of a simple assignment to address some things that are very important to him. Tina Mazzula speaks to this on more than one occasion in her analysis of the poem. She writes, â€Å"Langston Hughes, in writing â€Å"Theme for English B,† creates a poem that addresses the â€Å"white† concern for traditional English syntax, while at the same time, acknowledges the distance between the â€Å"white† culture and his â€Å"colored† self† (Mazzula). One cannot truly understand what Hughes was trying to get across without addressing each of these things individually and as a whole. Though some have tried to suggest that one thing was more important than another to the poet, it is clear from his many writings that he took many different aspects of the educational process very seriously. Not only did he appreciate and understand the struggle that he and many other African American students had to go through, but he also understood how difficult it was for his white teacher to relate to him on that level. In a way, it was this understanding that helped Hughes become as successful as he was during the entirety of his career. Works Cited Alice, Jane. Critics and Builders: American Studies. Analysis: A Theme for English B. ;http://criticsandbuilders.typepad.com/amstudiesblog/2008/03/anaylsis-a-them.html; Hughes, Langston. Theme for English B. ;http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~keith/poems/English_B.html; Maier, Mark. Deconstructing Langston B. Hughes’ Theme for English B. 21 October 2005. ;http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/11600/deconstructing_langston_b_hughes.html; Mazzulla, Tina. ‘It will be true’:   A Look into the Voice of Langston Hughes. ; http://titan.iwu.edu/~wchapman/americanpoetryweb/hughthem.html; Semansky, Chris. Poetry for Students, The Gale Group, 1999. ;http://www.answers.com/topic/theme-for-english-b-poem-6; ; ; ; ; Literary Analysis Langston Hughes’ â€Å"Theme for English B† is an interesting piece of perspective from an author who is obviously struggling to come up with an answer to what a teacher had thought to be a fairly straight forward question. When Hughes’ instructor asks him to go home and simply put down truth on a single page, it opens his eyes up to all of the things that he has done in his life. In addition to that, it opens his eyes to who he really is, what things drive and motivate him, and how other people have helped to shape him. He touches on certain racially charged issues, though he never really gets into them in detail. For the most part, his writing is a compilation of that several aspects that have made up his life and turned him into the relatively young man that he is. Hughes begins his writing by simply wondering out loud to himself. His first words serve as something of a critique of the assignment itself. The teacher has indicated that this would be something that should not take long and it should be relatively simple for the students to complete. Hughes realizes right away that it is not that easy, at all, to come up with a real picture of the things that make a person who they are. At the beginning, the majority of Hughes’ doubts have to do with the fact that he was brought up in some different places and that he has always been something of an outlier when compared to his contemporaries. Hughes writes, â€Å"I wonder if it's that simple? I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem. I went to school there, then Durham, then here to this college on the hill above Harlem. I am the only colored student in my class.† (Hughes). In this, the reader gets a clear picture of the road that has led Hughes to the university and how those things have had a seemingly profound impact on his life. Hughes also takes the time to touch on some racially charged themes in his life in the later part of his opening dialogue. He does not look like a lot of the students around him, which obviously presents some problems for him and it also makes him appreciate his background. He learns to appreciate the reasons why he was able to come as far as he has come. Jane Alice of American Studies had some interesting thoughts on the main themes behind this particularly piece of poetry. In her analysis, she writes, â€Å"The instructor of his class is then implying that everyone here in his college class has something in common or has some what of the same life† (Alice). This serves to address the big problem of perception that can often time separate people in academia. For the teacher, everything was simple and everyone in the class had a similar upbringing. After all, they were there in a good college, so they had to come from the same type of background. Little does she know that it was much more of a struggle for some people than it was for other people. For the poet, getting to college was no simple task. Instead, it was something that required the ability to overcome many hurdles along the way. Hughes is an interesting case when it comes to his perspective. He is no small player in the African American community, having ascended to the position of poet laureate and having produced some of the most well recognized work of his time. It is absolutely essential to understand these things if one is going to understand what he is trying to say in â€Å"Theme for English B†. According to Mark Maier of AssociatedContent.com, this is the primary piece that readers have to grasp. Maier writes, â€Å"Hughes was a staple in the Harlem community, and a major player in the Harlem Renaissance—a coming-of-age for African American creativity in the throughout the 1920’s and ‘30’s. He is 47 by the time he writes this poem (not actually for the assignment’s due date) and it serves as both an educational and reflective vehicle—a voice that tells the how and why of not only what was happening during the time of his class but what was happening during the time he penned the piece† (Maier). This was a reflective piece, one that Maier had to think long and hard about before he put it down onto paper. Not everything is racially charged in the poem, though. Hughes spends a lot of time thinking about what it means to be an American and life in America is life. He comes to the conclusion that being American is all about having different people as a part of your life, regardless of their background and their upbringing. Hughes writes in the poem, â€Å"But it will be a part of you, instructor. You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That's American† (Hughes). This is something that Chris Semansky speaks to, as well. There, he writes, â€Å"As ‘Theme for English B’ indicates, Hughes, from the beginning of his career, consistently explored the idea of an American voice, and he repeatedly insisted that what we define as â€Å"American† must include the experiences, language, and visions of both its black and white citizens† (Semansky). All in all, many themes are addressed in Langston Hughes’ poem. From the obvious racial issues to the idea of an educational gap, he uses the idea of a simple assignment to address some things that are very important to him. Tina Mazzula speaks to this on more than one occasion in her analysis of the poem. She writes, â€Å"Langston Hughes, in writing â€Å"Theme for English B,† creates a poem that addresses the â€Å"white† concern for traditional English syntax, while at the same time, acknowledges the distance between the â€Å"white† culture and his â€Å"colored† self† (Mazzula). One cannot truly understand what Hughes was trying to get across without addressing each of these things individually and as a whole. Though some have tried to suggest that one thing was more important than another to the poet, it is clear from his many writings that he took many different aspects of the educational process very seriously. Not only did he appreciate and understand the struggle that he and many other African American students had to go through, but he also understood how difficult it was for his white teacher to relate to him on that level. In a way, it was this understanding that helped Hughes become as successful as he was during the entirety of his career. Works Cited Alice, Jane. Critics and Builders: American Studies. Analysis: A Theme for English B. ;http://criticsandbuilders.typepad.com/amstudiesblog/2008/03/anaylsis-a-them.html; Hughes, Langston. Theme for English B. ;http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~keith/poems/English_B.html; Maier, Mark. Deconstructing Langston B. Hughes’ Theme for English B. 21 October 2005. ;http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/11600/deconstructing_langston_b_hughes.html; Mazzulla, Tina. ‘It will be true’:   A Look into the Voice of Langston Hughes. ; http://titan.iwu.edu/~wchapman/americanpoetryweb/hughthem.html; Semansky, Chris. Poetry for Students, The Gale Group, 1999. ;http://www.answers.com/topic/theme-for-english-b-poem-6; ; ; ; ;

Application Questions Essay Example for Free

Application Questions Essay 1. The first stage is Bodily Self. In this stage, infants become aware of their own existence and distinguish their own bodies from objects in the environment (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Monica has a sense of humor. She often feels frustrated as she takes care of her children and loses her temper. She is able to joke about her fatigue later. The next stage is Self-identity. Children realize that their identity remains intact despite the many changes that are taking place. Monica is 38 years old stay at home mother of four children. The third stage is Self-esteem. Children learn to take pride in their accomplishments (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Monica is insecure about not having attended college. She doesn’t think of herself as unintelligent, but sees herself as uneducated and defers to others with a better education. The fourth stage is Extension of self. In this stage, children come to recognize the object and people that are part of their own world. Monica is a good mother and a mother of fourth. She takes care of her children’s physical and emotional needs. The fifth stage is Self-image. Children develop actual and idealized images of themselves and their behavior and become aware of satisfying parental expectations (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Monica is aware of the fact that she looks intimidating and angry. She is self-conscious of her frown lines. The sixth stage is Self as rational coper. Children begin to apply reason and logic to the solution of everyday problems (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Clutter and messiness bothers her. She cleans the two bathrooms every day, vacuums, dusts, picks up toys, and so forth. The final stage is Propriate striving. In this stage young people begin to formulate long-range goals and plans (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Monica is considering going back to school to earn an associate’s degree in Legal Business Studies and becoming a legal assistant. 2. Cardinal traits are the most perverse and powerful human trait (Schultz & Schultz 2009). These traits dominate a person’s behavior and ruling passion. Central traits are the handful of outstanding traits that describe a person’s behavior (Schultz & Schultz 2009). These traits describe our behavior. The secondary traits are the least important traits which a person may display inconspicuously and inconsistently (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Only a close friend may recognize these traits. Monica’s has a large amount  of central traits. Her friends describe her as being fiercely loyal, supportive, and talkative. She is also a perfectionist and neurotic about cleaning. 3. The functional autonomy propose that the motive of a mature, emotionally health adults are not functionally connected to the prior experiences in which they initially appeared (Schultz & Schultz 2009). An addictive behavior that Monica has is that she tries to keep her house spotless. She cleans the two bathrooms every day, vacuums, dusts, picks up toys, and so forth. She is neurotic about cleaning. 4. Prorim is a term for the ego or self (Schultz & Schultz 2009). It seems as if Monica understands who she is as a unique individual. Monica’s cleaning, need for order, and ability to laugh at herself helps aid in her individuality. 5. Propriate striving is when young people begin to formulate long-range goals and plans (Schultz & Schultz 2009).Her goals is to go back to school to get an associate’s degree in Legal Business Studies and become a legal assistant after all her children are in middle school. She is also able to accept her feelings of frustration as she takes care of her kids and her forgetfulness. 1. Allport criteria for mental health, is that he believed that mature adults have a unifying philosophy or a set of values. These values help give a purpose to their life. They apply propriate self-extension to their friends, family, hobbies, and work. A healthy personality is made up of compassionate and loving relationships. The compassionate and loving relationship has to be free of possessiveness and jealousy. Emotional security and self acceptance is another criteria. Mature individuals can sustain all the frustrations of life that can’t be avoided without losing their position and giving into to self-pity. Mature individuals have a realistic orientation towards themselves and others. They can economic survive without becoming defensive. The final thing is that they have  developed an accurate self insight their desirable and disagreeable qualities. 2. Allport’s propriate striving is believed to be the core problem for adolescents. The adolescent selects goals that they want to obtain for an occupation or any other life goal. They realize that their future must entail them following a plan and they lose their childhood. Jung believed that self-realization is the balance between various opposing forces of personality. It is list of opposites such as introverted and extraverted, rational and irrational, conscious and unconscious , and past events and future expectations. Maslow self-actualization is the fullest development of the self (Schultz & Schultz 2009). A person is able to able to grow towards achieving their highest needs in life. Self-actualization depends on the maximum realization and fulfillment of our potentials, talents, and abilities. If the person is not self-actualizing, he or she will be restless frustrated, and discontent (Schultz & Schultz 2009). Rogers believe that individuals can accomplish their goals, wishes and desires. If this is done this is self realization. Rogers wanted to integrate the real self and the ideal self. When these two combine, the fully functioning person emerges. 3. The proprium is a term developed for the self or ego. This includes the aspects of the personality that are distinctive and thus appropriate to our emotional state. Before he proprium begins to emerge, the infant experiences no self consciousness, and no awareness of self. The proprium will develop gradually and steadily, and the child will achieve positive psychological growth. Rogers believe that the self develops through interaction with others. Rogers believes that the concept of self is present when the child is born. Reference Ashcraft, D. M. (2012). Personality theories workbook (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2009). Theories of personality (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Application Questions. (2016, Aug 16).

International human resource management Case Study

International human resource management - Case Study Example There are several different strategies that can be used to ensure efficiency of the human resource management process. These strategies are adopted by organizations depending on their human resource needs and requirements. However, for effective functioning of the department, especially for international or global companies, it ought to be effectively coordinated. Adoption of the human resource strategies are influenced by several factors. Nature of the business and goals and or objectives of an organization may also influence adoption of strategies by different organizations. This is because these strategies also have to relate with the long-term and operational strategies of the respective organization. The report has been designed to analyze the best strategies that can be implemented in order to refine the HR functions for the International Committee of Red Cross in order to meet the international standards of HR practice. ICRC is a global non-profit organization working for the revival of humanity from both natural and human made catastrophes. The paper has been sub divided into mainly three categories. The first part deals problem identification and analysis while the second part is concerned with a critical evaluation of the alternative solutions that can be implemented by ICRC in order to refine its HR functions in order to meet the international standards. The last part sums up the main points discussed in the paper. The research has been designed on the method of utilizing different HR theories to analyze the problems related to human resources functions raised in the given case study of ICRC. The main findings of the paper indicate that this particular organization is... The paper has been sub divided into mainly three categories. The first part deals problem identification and analysis while the second part is concerned with a critical evaluation of the alternative solutions that can be implemented by ICRC in order to refine its HR functions in order to meet the international standards. The last part sums up the main points discussed in the paper. The research has been designed on the method of utilizing different HR theories to analyze the problems related to human resources functions raised in the given case study of ICRC. The main findings of the paper indicate that this particular organization is confronted with problems such as weaknesses in organizational culture which is not accommodative to the values of the expatriates in particular. The organization is also faced with problems such as managing training and development as well as managing diversity. This is seen through the male dominance it terms of the workforce at its head offices. There are very few women employed by this organization compared to their male counterparts. As such, it has been recommended that it must put measures in place that are meant to ensure that its culture is accommodative to the interests of a diverse workforce. It has been recommended that it should implement training and development strategies as these can help to improve the overall performance of the employees. It has also been recommended that performance appraisal should be carried out in order to motivate the employees so that they can stay longer in the organization since they can identify with it.

Swanson's Theory of Caring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Swanson's Theory of Caring - Essay Example Clinical observations include temperature, blood pressure and pulses are normal. The model used in this context involves evaluating the caregiver’s attitude. They include being competent, meeting individual needs of the women and respecting their dignity. If proper care is given after a woman miscarries then she has the power to improve on her own. The scenario involves women who had early miscarries and those who had a late miscarriage. Nurses and midwives who care for these women are also considered in this situation. Swanson’s caring categories apply in this scenario that includes â€Å"Maintaining belief†, â€Å"knowing†, â€Å"being with†, â€Å"doing for† and â€Å"enabling† (Brier, 2008). The middle range caring theory The theory is built on the basic Swanson’s fundamental principles. These elements are the usual five that the doctor developed in her theory. The first developed by the doctor in 1991 element is referred to as â€Å"knowing† (Jansson & Adolfsson, 2011). It strives to understand an event in the way it has a meaning in another person’s life. It does not assume that one can know what the other feels or they way he or she is affected by the situation. Instead, it tries to understand and endeavor to take care of the person. The lives of the patients are important and the nurse is obliged to fully understand it. When a nurse embraces ‘knowing’, he or she develops empathy that is important for the care receiver. It encompasses observations, systematic research and prolonged clinical experience. The second process is ‘being with’ and it implies being available or with the woman. It implies stepping into her shoes, providing psychological, emotional and physical support (Krippendorff, 2004). It also involves effective communication and good listening skills. The midwife must display assertiveness, advocacy and competence to protect her interests. ‘ Doing for’ process requires maintenance of both knowledge and skills (Adolfsson et al., 2004). It entails doing what the other person would do to themselves and is a practical side and art of the midwife profession. It can be described as comforting, being protective, anticipatory. Nurses should practice it with competency and use all the available skills. The other process is ‘enabling’. This model describes it as facilitation of an individual’s passage through transitions from unfamiliar events (Jansson & Adolfsson, 2011). It is also referred to as empowerment. To empower the women, nurses must give them choices and be fully informed of them. This enables them to control their decisions regarding pregnancy resulting to equal partnership when giving care. For the midwives to give informed choices, they must be aware of all evidence-based guidelines that are relevant to them (Brier, 2008). Finally yet importantly, ‘maintaining belief’ is the f ifth process and entails fulfilling expectations using realities. However, it is only achieved if the expectations are real. Maintaining belief enables midwives â€Å"to know, be with and do for† (Kvale & Brinkmann, 2009). This final process brings all other processes together thereby forming one whole process. Brier (2008) describes it as holding individuals in esteem; believing in the person’s ability to realize set goals. The goal is to have a normal birth that includes a healthy infant and a well-being mother. In the real world, great emotions are always achieved with the importance of birth. The

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

Negotiation - Essay Example The avoiding style is uncooperative and unassertive, which might take the form of rescheduling an issue until a better period or withdrawing from it. The main conflict is never resolved or addressed. This model may be appropriate when a manager encounters a trivial issue. He might use this style to postpone the decision until a better time or withdraw from it. The potential ramification of overusing this model is that the main conflict may never be solved or addressed. When used reasonably, it might be appropriate, especially when there is no likelihood of winning. The competing style (also referred to as the win-lose approach) is uncooperative, assertive, and power-oriented model. An individual pursues his concerns at the expense of the other person to win position. A manager utilizing this style seeks establishing outcomes that would enrich him at the expense of the parties involved. This mode may be appropriate when there is a need of decisive action and hasty answers such as duri ng emergencies cases. It is applicable when confronting an unpopular action like cost cutting that demands crucial answers. When used too often, it may be unsuitable as one uses whatever means to defend his position without regarding other people’s feedback. ... However, it is not applicable when there is a conflict demanding a solving approach. Lastly, the collaborating style has high cooperativeness and assertiveness, often summarized as win-win scenario, and in this case, parties work towards accomplishing their desired goals and outcomes. This style is appropriate when there is a complex conflict and a high demand of having creative ideas of both parties. Nevertheless, this resolution style requires a lot of time in making the final decision. 2. What three (and only three) points of advice would you give to your best friend facing a negotiation? Or, stated differently, set forth how you would describe to your best friend the Getting To Yes model of negotiations knowing that he or she has not and will not read the book. In any event, be as specific as possible. (30 points) The Getting To Yes model of negotiations is applicable to collaborative negotiations established by William Ury and Roger Fisher. This model is helpful in negotiations as it detaches people from a conflict or a problem, separates positions from different interests, augments options for mutual gain, and looks for suitable standards. The first point to bear in mind is that the model is significant as it looks for multiple interests of others by asking various questions such as why in negotiation. Individual interest should go along with specific details and invite other parties to improve if they are not precise. The second point to keep in mind is that the model looks for appropriate standards by avoiding judgment. The criterion is based on fair procedures and standards without assumption and fixed policy. The third point: this mode enlarges creative problem solving as it evaluates possible options without evaluating personal ideas

The Value of a University Education Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Value of a University Education - Assignment Example Studies consistently demonstrate that graduates have higher levels of earnings than high school graduates. According to the US Census Bureau, the median earnings of bachelor’s degree recipients working full-time year-round in 2008 were $55,700 - $21,900 more than the median earnings of high school graduates. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to have earnings and more likely to work full-time year round. Eighty percent of college graduates ages 25 or older had earnings in 2008 and 60% worked full-time year-round. In comparison, only sixty-three percent of high school graduates ages 25 or older had earnings, and only 44% worked full-time year-round. When lifetime earnings are computed, the typical bachelor’s degree recipient can expect to earn about 66% more during a 40-year working life than the typical high school graduate earns over the same period. After the fall in employment rates at the start of the economic recession in early 2008, it was four-year college graduates whose employment levels first recovered in 2010, with a 2% increase. Individuals with higher levels of education report greater job satisfaction and derive a sense of fulfillment from their work. Finally, the unemployment rate for university graduates â€Å"is consistently about half the unemployment rate for high school graduates† (Baum, Ma and Payea, 2010). Higher education also confers non-monetary benefits to individuals. These include health benefits and an improved sense of self-esteem. As the medical consensus on the adverse health effects of smoking became more emphatic, the smoking rates for college graduates showed a much more rapid rate of decline than that for high school graduates. By 2008, only 9% of college graduates smoked,... This paper comes to the conclusion that it is clear that university education imparts value to the individual, the local community and society at large. Individual benefits are both monetary and non-monetary. Monetary benefits include increased income and consistently high employment rates. Non-monetary advantages range from to better health and healthy lifestyles to a greater sense of well-being and better care of children. In the context of the local community, universities develop the skills of the local community by enlisting and training local students, generate employment opportunities on the campus, participate in community activities, give local community access to university facilities, address the issue of social disadvantage in the locality and raise the prestige and visibility of the region. Society at large benefits in several ways from higher education, with graduates showing greater political participation, decreased crime and incarceration rates, more racial and relig ious tolerance and less dependence on public welfare programs. This paper approves that the higher wages of college graduates obviously translates into a higher national income, which leads to a healthier population and a better functioning society. The benefits of a university education are indisputable. As it is evident that the benefits of higher education are not confined to the individual alone, but also spill over into the local community and society at large, public investment in higher education is a step in the right direction. University education is the best way to ensure that the well-being of all citizens is enhanced and that the nation retains its competitiveness in the knowledge economy of the contemporary world.

Writer's Choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Writer's Choice - Essay Example o’s small-lived reign as the archbishop and the journey of transforming from a moderate theologian into a forefront hero of human rights is brilliantly chronicled in the film, Romero. In this movie, Church is portrayed as a weapon of the wealthy to maintain status quo against the rebellious peasants and laborers. Back in those days, Salvador was characterized by assassinations, kidnappings, barbaric militarism, and executions. In order to curb the growing discontent amongst the populace, the Vatican promotes conservation Romero to the position of the Archbishop. In the beginning, Romero conforms to their vision of Church as he preaches ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Duigan). However, after seeing militants thwart voters, open fire on crowds, torment insurgents, murder a dedicated priest, Romero awakens from the slumber. He expresses his condemnation on radio, rebukes quisling bishops, and heads a peasant march into a Church occupied by the soldiers. His gallantry reached apex when he rebels and insults against the president, in fact a militant general, Harold Cannan. One of the most noteworthy developments of Romero’s tenure as pastor of the archdiocese is the way in which the institutional Church integrated with the prophetic aspect of the Church. Romero endeavored Church to serve as an institution of service to its real mission, instead of the mission in which Romero and his pastoral workers found themselves trapped in. This mission was based on Church playing an integral institutional role in the political turmoil and military persecution though abject poverty, height of injustice, and socio-economic disparities. Oscar Romero’s abhorrence for the institutional Church is shown when he tried to stack back in the jeep while other priests persuade Salvadorans to go to the polls. Thus, ay the very beginning, the Church is depicted as apolitical institution, refraining from politics (Duigan). Similarly, the Church serves as an institute to accentuate the

How can insurance be used to decrease healthcare costs and increase Essay

How can insurance be used to decrease healthcare costs and increase quality of care - Essay Example The quality of the treatment is another problem that needs consideration. Most of the uninsured and low-income groups are not in a position to get good quality healthcare. The present essay is intended to study a brief history of healthcare industry and to analyze problems and reasons for the high costs associated. The proposals that are put forward for the reformation of current state of healthcare system also would be analyzed so as to reach a conclusion on the best strategy to be adopted so as to decrease the costs of healthcare and to increase the quality of the healthcare. The health insurance plans began in United States of America during the civil war that took place during 1861 to 1865 (Murray, 2007). At that time only accidents that was caused during transport and that too through either rail or steamboat had any coverage for insurance. Since then more and more plans, which provided coverage for most of the illness were added and in the year 1847, Massachusetts Health Insurance of Boston offered the first group policy with a lot of benefits. Individual disability and illness policies were issued by 1890. Arguments or cry for modern group health insurance plan was started in United States only in 1920s and by that time it was far behind many of the European countries. But there was no political pressure for such a law. Reformers started to ask the cost of medical care instead of wages lost due to sickness mainly because the former was much higher than the latter in as early as 1920s. During this period itself the health care available to poor people in the country was quite inadequate. The first company to offer health insurance coverage for all its employees was General Motors (Murray, 2007). The depression that gulped the country in 1930's resulted in more insurance coverage for unemployed and aged people. There was no priority for healthcare insurance at that time. Blue cross, which is a non-profit organization, began to offer health insurance in a number of states during this period. In Blues every one irrespective of age or sex or their disease conditions were charged the same premium. Since the Blues were created by hospitals, potential patients were encouraged to sign up (Noah, 2007). It was in 1940's that the present practice of employer-based system of health insurance was first offered (Noah, 2007). This was in an effort to combat the wage and price controls during the Second World War. The labor unions urged for better benefits and tax-free employer sponsored health insurance. The employers had to attract their employees and so they offered whatever that was asked for. Prepaid group healthcare was started at this time. President Truman was a proponent of national health program plan in which the government would be the payer of the whole of the American society. At that time it was opposed by American Medical Association and the law or bill could

The existence of high commitment management in unionized workplaces Essay Example for Free

The existence of high commitment management in unionized workplaces Essay The existence of high commitment management in unionized workplaces suggests that such management is compatible with trade unionism. Discuss The relationship between workers and management has historically been an adversarial one. In the process of fighting for employee right and benefits, unions have traditionally created a them and us atmosphere between employees and managers. On the other hand, high commitment management tries to eliminate the them and us atmosphere and instead attempts to replace it with one of partnership where both employees and management work together for the benefit of the firm. Thus, the respective natures of high commitment establishments and unions would imply incompatibility. It is due to this belief that some high commitment firms devote enormous resources to strategies aimed to keep unions away from their firms such as hiring lawyers who specialize in union avoidance and implementing high commitment work practices such as grievance systems and work teams. However, there is a paradox to this belief as studies show that as compared with non-unionized firms, unionized firms in high commitment establishments provide more rights and benefits to workers, give more opportunities to employees to give and receive information, and give a greater voice to employees to voice either constructive suggestion or dissent (WERS 1992). Furthermore, union presence is increasingly popular in HRM organizations, as union density is 47% in organizations which employ at least half of the identified high commitment management practices. In this paper, I will use evidence from various studies to show why high commitment firms and unions are indeed compatible. High commitment management is based on the theory that firms who give more High commitment management is based on the theory that firms who give more to their workforce get back more from it in return. This requires a cooperative relationship based on trust and reciprocity between labor and management. Unions can help in solidifying a high commitment environment by policing management to ensure that certain high commitment goals are met. Unions in high commitment work environments fight to give employees a collective voice in decision making as well as enhancing distributive and procedural justice while in return improving workforce solidarity and aiding in legitimizing change. Thus, the compatibility between management and unions can increase the payoffs of both management and labor while allowing the firm to firm to be driven forward. In the fast pace, ever changing corporate world, responsiveness to change and flexibility within firms are oftentimes required so that firm can readily adapt to ever-changing times. Recent times have seen an increasing amount of firms moving away from traditional authoritarian ways of management towards that of high commitment human resource management. Such drastic changes in work practicess however, are not always easily implemented because a lack of communication between the workforce and managers makes it hard to change the character of employment relationships. Unions however, can aid in making such changes by allowing firms to communicate to the entire workforce quickly and efficiently while giving the workforce the opportunity to respond with input or inquiries. This increases the workforces knowledge and understanding of the new direction that their firm is taking and improves the probability that they will facilitate rather than resist future changes. Such was the case with Tesco, who realized that its inflexible employee involvement structure, as well as its high turnover, relatively low pay and a hands on directive management style were inconsistent with achieving enhanced levels of service to advance in competitive strategy. 1 Tesco wanted their employees to identify with and commit themselves to the company, and it saw the union Usdaw as the means for cultivating and realizing this goal. As a result a partnership between Tesco and Usdaw was formed where Usdaw gave up their strike threat in return for a greater union input to secure improved policy implementations. As a result, employee wages rose, terms and working conditions were improved and staff turnover dropped significantly.2 . Thus, this partnership took a step away from an us and them environment and took one towards unions working with management as team for the benefit of the entire firm. High commitment management is greatly dependent on a partnership between employees and management. This assumes that there arent agency problems because it is expected that employees have a deep understanding of the firms interests and that they go about their job as if those interests were their own. In order for the partnership between employees and management to flourish however, a workforce must have a collective voice in decision-making. Firms encounter many problems when trying to give individual workers decision-making authority. For instance, there is always the fear that a worker will abuse his decision-making authority by using it to further his own ends rather than to help the entire firm advance. Another problem is that it is extremely difficult to have a partnership between management and a fragmented workforce. Unions however facilitate a partnership by providing a channel of communication between management and the entire workforce. 3 This enhanced communication is made possible by unions because just as management speaks with single voice, having a union allows the employees it represents to speak to management with a unified voice. Thus unions give their members decision making authority by taking into account the needs of the workforce and communicating it to managers. As a result, there is an improved match between what employees want and what they get from management and this is an important ingredient in high commitment environments. Allowing workers to have a say in how their firm is managed increases their job satisfaction and is a major reason why on average, turnover is lower in union settings.4 In addition, unions tend to fight more for the benefits of employees with longer tenures in firms. This gives union members an increased incentive to commit themselves to their firm in the long term and also may be a factor contributing to lower turnover. This is compatible with high commitment management strategy in many occupations such as teaching and nursing where goals such as low turnover and worker longevity are important. However, any high commitment based partnership can break down if there is a lack of trust and accountability. Unions though can be trusted by management to act cooperatively because managers know that union officials want to protect their unions reputation with a particular firm and oftentimes this concern for its reputation can be the guarantee that management needs of good, constructive behavior5. In addition, a long-term partnership between unions and management can permit a greater degree of trust and objectivity than can the partnership between management and individual workers. This is because there is a greater frequency of interactions between management and a union. The partnerships experience in collectively dealing with past disputes makes it possible for future disputes to be settled in a promptly in a way that doesnt disturb work practices. This partnership also presents a checks and balance system to ensure that both parties act cooperatively. Just as a union is a party that can be held accountable for the actions of its members6, management can also be held responsible for bad behavior of any single manager. For instance, if a manager is engaging in an activity that the workforce views unfavorably, a union representative can give notice to management to put an end it before it goes too far. One of the biggest obstacles not permitting employees from fully committing themselves to a high commitment firm is if they perceive there to be unjustified unequal treatment. This can decrease employee performance incentives as well as hurt the morale of a high commitment firm. Unions however, have a sword of justice effect and are successful in eliminating many of the adverse affects that occur because of unequal employment opportunities. A major reason for this is that unionized can better monitor firm practices to ensure fairness because they are much more likely to have managers and supervisors who are trained in people management skills and in addition, managers in unionized firms put a greater emphasis on ensuring that there is equal treatment among their employees. Studies indicate that when taking into account workplaces where all the supervisors are required to have training in people management skills, 20% of those in unionized environments, [as] compared with only 12% of those in non-unionized places, have responsibility for equal opportunities.7 Two of the most common and documented forms of unequal opportunities are employee promotions and employee selection. When compared to non-unionized firms, firms with a union presence are four times as likely to monitor promotions by gender and three times as likely to review selection procedures to identify indirect discrimination.8. There is also evidence that the increased monitoring in unionized firms has helped reduce sexual discrimination as it regards to promotions and this has thus helped women advance up firms hierarchy. Studies indicate that about one in seven managers in the union sector reported that the proportion of women in the managerial post had risen markedly in the last 5 years; [while] only one in ten managers in the non-union sector reported this. 9 Furthermore, unions have also traditionally been seen as defenders of an egalitarian pay structure. High commitment work environments value and oftentimes even require worker solidarity. However, when some workers are paid more than others for essentially the same job, the existence of this solidarity is difficult to maintain. A union presence in a high commitment work environments facilitates the presence of solidarity as they prefer to pay each occupational group a single rate. This takes the wages out of competition among co-workers, and ensures that the high-commitment working environment wont be harmed due to ruthless competition practices such as undercutting between co-workers. Thus unionized workers have less wage inequality than their non-unionized counterparts. Studies indicate that the standard deviation is .457 in unionized setting [while it is] .592 in a non-union setting.10 Furthermore, unions help decrease wage inequality by 2.6% between males and females, 1.4% between blacks and whites, .6% between the healthy and those with health problems, and 3.1% between non-manual and manual employees.11. Thus by ensuring that firms pay equal wages for equal work, unions help maintain workforce solidarity which aids firms in maintaining high commitment work environments. In recent years, it had become apparent that the relationship between firms and unions doesnt necessarily have to be an adversarial one. In fact, the popularity of partnerships in high commitment firms indicates that the two institutions are indeed compatible. The evidence stated above indicates that when this partnership is properly utilized, unions can be a great asset to a high commitment management work design. This is because unions facilitate the existence of many of the necessary ingredients that go into high commitment work environments such as flexibility, increased employee voice in decision making, distributive justice, and worker solidarity. Major firms such as Tesco have recently taken advantage of this compatibility and are now realizing the formerly untapped benefits that a partnership between unions and high commitment management schemes can bring about. 1 Industrial Relations Services Partnership delivers the goods at Tesco, IRS Employment Review, August 1999, No. 662 2 Industrial Relations Services Partnership delivers the goods at Tesco, IRS Employment Review, August 1999, No. 662 3 Fernie, Sue. HRM Lecture on 29/01/02 : London: London School of Economics, 2001 4 Baron, James N. , Kreps David M. Strategic Human Resources: Frameworks for General Managers. (New York: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 1999), 127 5 Baron, James N. , Kreps David M. Strategic Human Resources: Frameworks for General Managers. (New York: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 1999), 134 6 Baron, James N. , Kreps David M. Strategic Human Resources: Frameworks for General Managers. (New York: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 1999), 134 7 Fernie, Sue Gray, Helen Women what unions can do for you CentrePiece Summer 2000 8 Fernie, Sue Gray, Helen Women what unions can do for you CentrePiece Summer 2000 9 Fernie, Sue Gray, Helen Women what unions can do for you CentrePiece Summer 2000 10 Metcalf, David Fighting for equality CentrePiece Summer 2000 11 Metcalf, David Fighting for equality CentrePiece Summer 2000

The Sugar Industry of India

The Sugar Industry of India INTRODUCTION Sugar industry is one of the most important agro-based industries in India and is highly responsible for creating significant impact on rural economy in particular and countrys economy in general. Sugar industry ranks second amongst major agro-based industries in India. As per the Government of Indias recent liberalised policy announced on 12th December, 1986 for licensing of additional capacity for sugar industries during 7th five-year plan, there will be only one sugar mill in a circular area of 40 sq km. Also the new sugar mill is allowed with an installation capacity of 2500 TCD (Tonne Sugar Cane crushed per day) as against the earlier capacity norms of 1250 TCD. Similarly, the existing sugar mills with sugar cane capacity of about 3500 TCD can crush sugar cane tothe tune of 5000 TCD with a condition imposed that additional requirement of sugar cane be acquired through increased productivity and not by expansion of area for growing sugar cane. Cane sugar is the name given to sucr ose, a disaccharide produced from thesugarcane plant and from the sugar beet.   The refined sugars from the two sources are practically indistinguishable and command the same price in competitive markets. However, since they come from different plants, the trace constituents are different andcan be used to distinguish the two sugars. One effect of the difference is the odor in thepackage head space, from which experienced sugar workers can identify the source. In the production scheme for cane sugar, the cane cannot be stored for more thana few hours after it is cut because microbiological action immediately begins to degrade the sucrose. This means that the sugar mills must be located in the cane fields. The raw sugar produced in the mills is item of international commerce. Able to be stored for years, it is handled as raw material shipped at the lowest rates directly in the holds ofships or in dump trucks or railroad cars and pushed around by bulldozers. Because it is not intended to be eaten directly, it is not handled as food. The raw sugar is shipped to th e sugar refineries, which are located in population centers. There it is refined to a food product, packaged, and shipped a short distance to the market. In a few places, there is arefinery near or even within a raw-sugar mill. However, the sugar still goes through rawstage. The principle by-product of cane sugar production is molasses. About 10 15% of the sugar in the cane ends up in molasses. Molasses is produced both in the raw-sugarmanufacture and also in refining. The blackstrap or final molasses is about 35 40% sucrose and slightly more than 50% total sugars. In the United States, blackstrap is used almost entirely for cattle feed.   In some areas, it is fermented and distilled to rum or industrial alcohol. The molasses used for human consumption is of a much higher grade, and contains much more sucrose. Sugarcane characteristics: Sugarcane contains not only sucrose but also numerous other dissolved substances, as well as cellulose or woody fibre. The percentage of sugar in the canevaries from 8 to 16% and depends to a great extent on the variety of the cane, its maturity, condition of the soil, climate and agricultural practices followed. The constituents of ripe cane vary widely in different countries and regions but fall generally within the following limits: Constituent Percentage range Water 69.0 75.0Sucrose 8.0 16.0 Reducing sugars 0.5 2.0 Organic matter other than sugar 0.5 1.0 Inorganic compounds 0.2 0.6 Nitrogenous bodies 0.5 1.0 Ash 0.3 0.8 Fibre 10.0 16.0 Organic matters other than sugar include proteins, organic acids, pentosan,  colouring matter and wax. Organic acids present in cane are glycolic acid, malic acid,  succinic acid and small quantity of tannic acid, butyric acid and aconitic acid. SUGAR INDUSTRY OF INDIA Introduction Sugar is extracted from two raw materials beet root and sugarcane, both produce identical refined sugar. Sugar cane accounts for two-third of the raw material used for sugar production in the world and beet root one third balance of the world production. India is the second largest producer of sugar in the world with 10 to 12% production of the world.( Brazil is the first) In India sugarcane accounts for the key raw material for production of sugar. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh account for majority of produce of sugar in India. Sugar industry is the 2nd largest agro-processing industry in India accounting for 1 % of India s GDP for fy2005. Indias cultivation area of 4-4.5 million hectare accounts for Indias 2.7% cropped area. The production of sugar has always been in deficit over the demand with production of only 17.5 million tonne over the 19 million tonne consumption for the year 2005-06 a factor leading to industry attractiveness. Key Characteristics of Sugar industry: Capital intensive Government regulated Seasonal fluctuation in the industry(demand increases during festive season) Raw materials constitute major cost No proper substitutes Key success factors (key performance indicators) Capital utilization Optimum utilization of by-products for additional revenue Captive power generation Sugar is one of the oldest commodities in the world and traces its origin in 4th century AD in India and China. In those days sugar was manufactured only from sugarcane. But both countries lost their initiatives to the European, American and Oceanic countries, as the eighteenth century witnessed the development of new technology to manufacture sugar from sugar beet. However, India is presently a dominant player in the global sugar industry along with Brazil in terms of production. Given the growing sugar production and the structural changes witnessed in Indian sugar industry, India is all set continue its domination at the global level. The report provides a comprehensive picture of the Indian sugar market. The status of Indian sugar industry has been compared with the rest of the world in terms of raw material availability, crushing period, size of the sugar mill, production cost and prices in the report. The advantages that Indian sugar mills have over others in cost terms have been emphasized too. Indian sugar industry is highly fragmented with organized and unorganized players. The unorganized players mainly produce Gur and Khandari, the less refined forms of sugar. The government had a controlling grip over the industry, which has slowly yet steadily given way to liberalization. The report provides comprehensive analysis about the structure of Indian sugar industry by explaining the above facets. Besides the classification of sugar products and by- products like molasses, their uses too have been extensively covered. The production sugarcane is cyclical in nature. Hence the sugar production is also cyclical as it depends on the sugarcane production in the country. The report provides extensive information on the production of sugarcane, sugar and other sweeteners in the country in the recent years along with trends and analysis. This also includes a discussion about existing capacities in the country, trends in capacity additions, imports and production of by-products of sugar (molasses and cogeneration of power). The report features a detailed demand analysis discussing the actual demand for sugar and other sweeteners, gur and khandari and their per capita consumption in India. This includes a trend analysis in demand in various regions of the country. The role of exports in the sugar industry has also been discussed. The report gives an exhaustive cost analysis along with the pricing practices. Dual Pricing System is adopted in the Indian sugar industry, which includes sugar price in Public distribution system and the free sale sugar price. An analysis has been provided on the relationship between Indian and international sugar prices. As the industry is a fragmented one, even leading players do not control more than 4 percent market in India. However, the situation is changing and players offlate are striving to increase their market share either by acquiring smaller mills or by going for green field capacity additions. Another notable trend is the shift from Gur and Khandsari to sugar in the rural areas. This should further increase the per capita consumption of sugar in India (currently around 15.6 kg). Besides the Indian urban market is slowly moving towards branded sugar. The potential in this segment seems to be very high. These trends along with the other trends like increase in the production of by-products have been captured in detail. The market shares of the leading players and financials of following players are given in the report. Balrampur chini mills ltd, Bajaj Hindustan Ltd, Andhra sugars ltd, Thiru Arooran Sugars Ltd and Dhampur sugar ltd The major revenue drivers like change in the governments policies and increasing per capita consumption have been comprehensively pictured in the report. The reports ends with outlook for the sugar industry both at the Indian and POLITICAL IMPACT ON SUGAR INDUSTRY Sugar row accentuates Indias political fragility Sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh are yet to begin crushing for this season, which typically begins in November, due to non-availability of raw materials. Reports suggest that sugar mill owners have agreed to pay Rs 180 per quintal for sugarcane, which is Rs 50 higher than the fair and renumerative price fixed at Rs 129.84 per quintal. Farmers are demanding Rs 280 per quintal and have stopped supplies in anticipation of a higher price. Meanwhile, Parliament was adjourned on the first day of its winter session due to protests by opposition parties against the Centres sugarcane price move that discourages states from fixing higher prices. Thousands of farmers protested inDelhiagainst the low, state-controlled sugarcane price. The protests highlights the rural discontent over the governments sugar ordinance. Raw-sugar prices have almost doubled this year, with future contracts recording a 28-year high in September. Sugar stocks tumbled on news of a delay in the crushing season and protest by farmers outside Parliament. Bajaj Hindusthan, Balrampur Chini, Dhampur Sugar, Dharani Sugars, Dwarikesh Sugar, Shree Renuka, and Triveni Engineering fell 5-8%. Andhra Sugar, EID Parry, KCP Sugar, Oudh Sugar Mill, Ponni Sugars (E), Simbhaoli Sugar, Upper Ganges Sugar, and Uttam Sugar were down 2-4%. Ambareesh Baliga  of Karvy Stock Broking says the risk-reward ratio is not in favour of sugar stocks. If you assume that the sugar prices will move up 10-15% from here, Balrampur Chini or Bajaj Hindusthan could possibly move another 10-15% more from here. But if you see the sugar prices coming down 20% over the next 4-5 months, these stocks will crash by more than 30-40% because the good news is already there in stock prices. Sugar prices move in cycles and this is clearly a cyclical industry. We have seen a good part of that over the last 6-8 months. Going ahead, whatever adverse news comes, it will actually batter these stocks. The routine reopening of the parliament has suddenly emerged as an awkward test for the Congress-led governments ability to push reforms such as price deregulation in the face of opposition from its rural base. Tens of thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh protesting against low state sugarcane prices forced the postponement of the winter session of parliament on Thursday in a major political headache for the government, re-elected in May. Now, a once-divided opposition seemingly unable to recover from election loss have vowed to disrupt parliament until the government reverses a policy aimed at bringing in more market forces to the sugar industry, one of Indias biggest cash crops. On Friday, the opposition forced an adjournment for a second day, with lawmakers running into the house shouting slogans. The massive street protest that brought much of central Delhi to a standstill also reflected the fragility of political stability in India, with its myriad caste, class and ethnic issues always simmering among its 1.2 billion people. Such a display of opposition unity, has rarely been seen outside parliament, The Economic Times commented on Friday. The UPA government has only itself to blame for giving an issue to the opposition on a platter. The ruling  United Progressive Alliance  coalition has given states greater autonomy in fixing sugarcane prices to help lift restrictions on the heavily regulated sugar sector and stop sugar mills bearing the fiscal brunt of subsidised prices. But a backlash has played into hands of the opposition, including the Hindu nationalist  Bharatiya Janata Party. Bye-bye global politics Only a week ago, domestic politics appeared to be playing second fiddle to international issues, such as global climate change negotiations and Prime Minister Manmohans Singhs visit to Washington D.C. next week. That mood has changed. Buoyant from the closure, protesters say the ball is now in the governments court. The government may hold an all-party meeting on Monday over the issue. We have now adopted the policy of wait and watch for next two to three days, Anil Singh, national secretary of the National Alliance of Farmers Associations. The response to Thursdays rally was satisfying. Now the government has come to its knees. It signals the reform in India will not be plain sailing, despite a large majority for the Congress-led coalition. Singh has promised economic reforms such as the deregulation of state-run sectors, introducing more foreign investment into areas like insurance, and boosting spending on infrastructure to allow India to compete with the likes of China. But some reforms face endangering the Congress partys pro-poor inclusive growth manifesto and dashing hopes of a major revival in Uttar Pradesh, where Gandhi scion  Rahul Gandhi  has reached out to the poor in high-profile campaigns. Any reforms face the stark fact that two-thirds of Indias population lives in villages. One reform, bringing in foreign investment in retail, has already floundered because of opposition in rural areas. Indeed, Gandhi was reported to have phoned Singh over worries that the sugarcane issue could derail Congress inroads into Indias most populous and politically important state. The protest does not mean all of the Congress partys reforms will be in trouble. It still has a clear majority in parliament. For example, most analysts expect the government to raise limits of foreign investment in the insurance sector, a policy aimed at allowing Indias near 40 percent savings rate to be recycled into investment and sustain higher growth rates. Disinvestment, etc, will go on, even though there will be protests as usual, political analyst Amulya Ganguli said. The opposition is delighted to have got an issue. In the evening, the Prime Minister finally gave into political pressure saying that he would amend the sugarcane pricing ordinance in farmer interest. In a latest development it has been learnt that both the houses of the Parliament have againbeen adjourned on sugarcane price issue. Is it the death of FRP or is it just a temporary stalling? How will sugar companies do with or without FRP next year? While Narendra Murukumbi Managing Director at  Shree Renuka Sugars  hails the FRP concept, Investment Advisor  SP Tulsian  considers it to be an ill-conceived move and says that the farmers should be happy with Rs 210 per quintal. However, Murukumbi says, â€Å"We are currently paying Rs 230 per quintal in Karnataka.† Cane prices need to be resolved bilaterally—two-third share to farmers would be fair, he adds. Sugar deficit is a global phenomenon.â€Å"Last year there was a deficit of about nine million tonne. However, this years deficit is probably five-six million tonne and prices have reacted accordingly,† says Kingsman Sas Managing Director Jonathan Kingsman. Though the situation is expected to remain tight, there is a possibility that we move to a surplus from a deficit in 2010-11, according to Kingsman. He expects prices to be maintained in the next few months. On the global footing, Kingsman says the industry knows it has to work together. So in most countries like Thailand and Brazil, there is now a revenue sharing system in place, where in roughly about two-thirds of the revenue go to the cane growth and about one-third to the millers. †That has taken a lot of the politics and a lot of the conflict out of the situation.† Sugar stocks were seeing huge selling pressure on news of sugar companies yet to begin crushing for the season. There were reports that sugar mill owners have agreed to pay Rs 180 per quintal for sugarcane. The farmers were demanding Rs 200 plus for the same. The crushing could not start as farmers have stopped supplies in anticipation of higher price. Bajaj Hindusthan,  Balrampur Chini,  Dhampur Sugar,Dharani Sugars,Dwarikesh Sugar,  Shree Renuka  and  Triveni Engg  fell 5-8%. Andhra Sugar, EID Parry, KCP Sugar, Oudh Sugar Mill, Ponni Sugars (E), Simbhaoli Sugar, Upper Ganges Sugar and Uttam Sugar were down 2-4% Q: What should one expect from our neck of the woods? A: On day one and probably through first few days this entire battle of sugarcane prices will dominate the Parliaments Winter Session. Sugarcane farmers have picketed the Parliament and the entire opposition  Mulayam Singh Yadav  to  Ajit Singh  to Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)is also united on this one issue. I think this will be a precursor to wider debate that is likely to take place on Parliament on rising prices per se. However, this opposition unity, which is critical, is unlikely to hold because of the Pension Bill. The one economic legislation that, perhaps, could be at least debated in this session of the parliament, at least the government says it is determined to put it before parliament is the Pension Bill. So when that bill comes across will this unity within the Parliament stay, particularly, in the Rajya Sabha led by the Left and prevent legislation from going through? That is the space we will have to see, but at the moment, it seems that rising prices will create some element of opposition unity in the first few days of Parliament. Q: Was it a surprise that insurance did not make it this time or was is expected that it wouldnt get taken up for discussion in the Winter Session? A: What is happening is that the government is going step by step.  Pranab Mukherjees strategy is to try and get legislation through in an incremental manner. The fact is that the Insurance Bill is still before a Standing Committee and there is still discussion going on. So rather than bring it in the Winter Session, when it seems unlikely that it will go through, it will probably come up in the next sessionthe budget sessionin February. However, it seems at the moment that governments focus as far as economic legislation is primarily on the Pension Bill, can it get that bill through? I think that will be a test of the governments attempt to build some kind of consensus on critical economic reforms. Q: There has been a fairly clearly laid out divestment policy as we step into the Winter Session, might that come up for discussion or is that a done deal and the government will go about its business? A:  Pranab Mukherjees strategy is to do this by stealth, which means you dont necessarily have to bring any legislation when it concerns disinvestment before Parliament. There could be a debate on it; but the government is now determined to use the Cabinet route rather than the Parliament route to pass contentious economic legislations. I expect in the next couple of months many more PSUs to be on the chopping block. The government is very clear, before the next budget in February at least three-four more PSUs will be part of the disinvestment roadmap that the Finance Minister has drawn for himself. Q: So from our part of the world do you expect a likely dull session or exciting? A: The good news is that politics seem to mater less and less. The fact is that you have got a government which has a remarkable victory in the general elections and then again inMaharashtra, it has led to some element of complacency and the opposition is still to get its act together. In that situation, I dont see many political contentious issuesbeing raised in the Parliament ona regular basis. It will be a relatively dull session barring the fact that you have got all the sugarcane farmers picketing the Parliament on day one and there by providing  Ajit Singh  his 15 seconds of glory. Q: That is important though because there are fairly liquid well-tracked sugar stocks in the equity market. Will the government have to blink on this one? A: They might have to because Uttar Pradesh is the one state which is being looked at very seriously by the government in terms of the congresss future prospect there. Already we are told today there could be an Rs 7,000 crore package for Bundelkhand in the Cabinet meeting later today. The sugarcane farmers issue is one which even Congressmen are saying that farmers need to be provided higher price for sugarcane and then this ordinance which this government is planning to bring is not acceptable.Sharad Pawarhimself leads a powerful sugar lobby inMaharashtraand he will have to a do a balancing act between the demands that the sugarcane farmers are placing on him. So you will perhaps see the government bending on the issue of sugarcane pricing. Thousands of farmers protesting low state-controlled sugarcane prices forced the postponement of the first day of the parliamentary winter session on Thursday, highlighting rural discontent over government policy. Some 5,000 farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Indias biggest cane producing state, marched to the opening of the parliament to demand higher state-set prices for sugarcane. Parts of the capital was disrupted by the protests, that were backed by opposition parties. The Congress-led coalition won re-election with a stronger mandate in May, raising hopes of quick reforms, but it has moved slowly and is still answerable to a reform-shy rural base. It faces political opposition to rapid change and deregulation as protests on Thursday highlighted. The government has given the states greater autonomy in fixing sugarcane prices, one of Indias biggest cash crops, in order to lift restrictions on a heavily-regulated sugar sector. But many farmers are unhappy with those state-set prices, saying they benefit sugar firms. The government has set a series of reforms ranging from the financial sector to law and order and gender equality as priorities for the winter parliament session. Investors are following whether Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh  will follow up on his pledge to push ahead with difficult financial reforms, particularly in the insurance and pension sectors. The state government has fixed the price the mills must pay to farmers at Rs 165-170 (USD 3.55-USD 3.66) per 100 kg, and farmers have been seeking a higher price that corresponds more to the rise in retail prices. We demand at least Rs 215 as the cane price, Anil Singh, national secretary of the National Alliance of Farmers Associations, told Reuters. Sugar output in Uttar Pradesh is likely to fall below estimates as the weakest monsoon in more than three decades has hit sucrose content in cane. As Pakistanis face an acute shortage of sugar, some families have found an easily available alternative to sweeten their tea: instead of a spoonful of sugar, they dissolve sweets in their tea. Shaikh Kashif, an embroiderer for a boutique in Karachi, said his favourite was a  Cadbury  Eclair. We cant live without tea so we had to do something, said Kashif, 27, from his small workshop in an upmarket city neighbourhood. It just costs a rupee (Pakistan rupee) per candy and is easier to get these days than sugar, he said. Pakistan is facing a shortage of more than 1 million tonnes of sugar largely because of a poor crop of sugarcane. Supplies have been particularly scarce since last month when surging prices led to a Supreme Court order to millers to sell sugar at Rs 40/kg (48 U.S. cents), compared with the then-market price of about Rs 46/kg. Government attempts to implement the court decision have led to confusion, sparking even higher market prices. Authorities are trying to get cheap supplies out to shoppers but sugar has almost disappeared at main retail markets in Karachi. Where it is available, it sells for as much as Rs 70 a kg. Thats not a problem for Kashif who said the sweets he put in his tea gave it a chocolaty taste. Some in my family didnt like that so theyre using a local candy which melts easily when you put it in a hot cup of tea, he said. We had to think of something to replace sugar and its worked for us. SOCIAL IMPACT ON SUGAR INDUSTRY Sugar Industry in India Indian sugar industry is the 2nd largest agro-industry with approximately 50 million sugarcane farmers and a large number of agricultural laborers (7.5% of the rural population) involved in sugarcane cultivation and ancillary activities. Though consumption of sugar in India has been growing at a steady rate of 3%, and is currently at 23.1 million tones, per capita consumption at 18 Kg (lower than world average of 22 Kg) indicates potential upside from a demand standpoint. Raw Material (Sugarcane) n India, sugarcane is the key raw material, planted once a year during January to March. It is the major cost driver for the production of sugar. It being an agricultural crop is subject to the unpredictable vagaries of nature, yielding either a bumper crop or a massive shortfall in its cultivation from year to year Industry Structure About 50% of the sugar capacity is controlled by Cooperatives Public sector mills. There are 566 sugar mills installed in the country, of which about 100 (mostly cooperatives) are not in operation. Almost half of the operational sugar cooperatives are in Maharashtra alone. Though most private players have been moving towards larger and integrated complexes, most cooperatives are still much smaller in capacity, and are standalone sugar mills. This has resulted in their becoming uncompetitive as compared to private mills. Government Policies Sugar has historically been classified as an essential commodity and has been regulated across the value chain. The heavy regulations in the sector artificially impact the demand-supply forces resulting in market imbalance Sensing this problem, since 1993 the regulations have been progressively eased. The key regulatory milestones include de-licensing of the industry in 1998 and the removal of control on storage and distribution in 2002. Value drivers Economical impact UP sugar mills agree to pay Rs 205-210 a quintal for cane  Sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh have offered to pay Rs 205-210 a quintal of cane for the ongoing 2009-10 crushing season. This is against the state advised price (SAP) of Rs 165-170 a quintal. The UP Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA) had on November 14 agreed to pay Rs 180 a quintal for regular cane and Rs 185 for early varieties. When this failed to enthuse growers, the mills announced an additional Rs 10 as incentive, taking the effective cane price to Rs 190-195. On Sunday last (November 29), they offered a further increase of Rs 10, translating into a price of Rs 200-205 a quintal. But these sweet offers failed to placate the growers, particularly in the western UP belt and the stir by farmers of the region culminated in a hugely attended sit-in at Shamli in Muzaffarnagar. On Tuesday (December 1), all the mills in western UP have accepted a new rate of Rs 205-210 per quintal. Following this offer, the farmers have also called off their stir and the industry hopes crushing will resume in full swing. The state has a total of 132 running sugar mills, out of which 90 are private mills. Last year mills in UP paid a SAP of Rs 140-145 a quintal. However, with more than 100 per cent jump in sugar prices due to a 43% drop in production in the year ended September 2009, farmers have been pressing for a higher price of Rs 280 per quintal. Sugar output in India, the worlds second largest producer, may fall short of the earlier estimate of 16 million tonnes in 2009-10 season. Sugar prices have touched Rs 40 a kg in the cities and with the hike in sugarcane prices, retail prices of sugar is bound to go up further. UP sugar mills enter price war to procure cane Low availability of cane and higher price realisation force mills to pay more. Low availability of sugarcane and high price realisation have forced a majority of sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to enter into a price war quite early in the 2009-10 season (October-September). The mills are paying Rs 10 a quintal higher than the price of Rs 190-195 a quintal agreed unanimously by the private millers last week. UP is the second-largest sugar producing state after Maharashtra and top producers such as Bajaj Hindusthan and Balrampur Chini have all their operations in the state. A majority of sugar mills in western UP districts such as Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur are now paying a price of Rs 200-205 a quintal for sugarcane. The state government had announced a state advised price (SAP) of Rs 165-170 a quintal. However, farmers association in the state led by the likes of Mahendra Singh Tikait and V M Singh have been protesting and seeking a price of Rs 280 a quintal since sugar realisation has moved to a record of Rs 33-34 a kg. Last year mills had paid a SAP of Rs 140-145 a quintal. However, with more than a 100 per cent jump in sugar prices due to a 43 per cent

Hybrid Cars Essay -- Gasoline Electric Hybrid Automobiles

1 Introduction A healthy and prosperous society is based on a healthy and prosperous economy. And during the last century, following the economic growth, the social networks expansion and the geographic dispersion of economic activities, transport became the spinal column of commercial and industrial interaction. The capacity of individuals as well as firms to exchange goods and services became crucial not only for economic purposes but also for better life quality. Unfortunately, the drawback effects of transport have an important impact on the natural and human environments on one hand, and on the growing fuel consumption accompanying the current oil crisis on another hand. Fossil fuel combustion associated to urban transport conditions lead to serious damage to fragile ecosystems and human health as well as contributing to climatic changes and global warming. This leads to the call of the environmental protection agencies and market competition all over the world for significant improvement of fuel economy of all the different classes of vehicles. Meanwhile, studies have confirmed that in recent years, fuel consumption from heavy duty vehicles has grown at a much faster rate then that of passenger cars due to an increase in the demand for transportation of goods [2]. In addition, heavy trucks and buses are normally equipped with highly efficient diesel engines, which limit the opportunities for improvements in fuel economy through studies on the engines efficiency. Consequently, hybrid propulsion systems can be critical solutions to achieve future fuel economy goals for heavy duty vehicles [3]. 2 What is a Hybrid Car. A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses a combination of at least two different fuel sources for its prop... ...ice for Hybrid Powertrain Applications†, SAE paper 2005-01-0810, 2005 . [2] – Wu, Lin, Filipi, Peng, Assanis, â€Å"Optimization of power management strategies for a Hydraulic Hybrid Medium Truck†, the university of Michigan, Advanced vehicle control conference, Hiroshima, Japan, September 2002. [3] – Buchwald, Christensen, Larsen and Pedersen, â€Å"Improvement of City bus Fuel Economy Using a Hydraulic Hybrid Propulsion System – a Theoretical and Experimental Study†, SAE Paper 790305, Warrendale, 1979. [4] – Filipi, Louca, Daran, Lin, Yildir, Wu, Kokkolaras, Assanis, Szkubiel and Chapp, â€Å"Combined optimization of design and power management of the hydraulic hybrid propulsion system for the 6x6 medium truck† , Automotive research center, University of Michigan, National Automotive Center, US Army RDECOM, 2004. [5] – www.hybridcars.com [6] – www.consumerreports.org

Individual Learning Styles Essay -- Teaching Education School Essays

Individual Learning Styles The purpose of this research paper is to examine learning styles theories to determine if teaching students to use their own particular learning style can help ail them in increased educational success. The learning style aspect consists of six key areas including brain processing, sensory modalities, physical needs, environmental preferences, social aspects, and attitudes. Besides the way a person operates, there are two other important factors that play a key role in effecting a person?s learning style. These important factors include each individuals learning patterns and a theory known as multiple intelligences. Individual learning patterns are focused on four main types ES, IN, EN and the IS. The theory of multiple intelligences is based on eight types of intelligences, these include visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, Logical/mathematical, bodily/kinesthetic, Musical/rhythmic, interpersonal intelligence, and finally naturalist. It is very important to understand and explore each individuals learning style. Analyzing one?s own particular learning style can be very helpful and beneficial to the student by aiding them in becoming more focused and an attentive learner, which ultimately will increase educational success. (Fatt, Teng, 2000). Discovering this learning style will allow the student to determine his or her own personal strengths and weaknesses and learn from them. Aside from that, this process will improve one?s self esteem because now the student will feel more comfortable and prepared to take on the learning challenge, also gives student the confidence needed to achieve their goals (Creative Learning Company, 2001). Students will also benefit from the simple fact that now the... ... causes learning failure. Campbell, L., & Campbell, B. (1999). Teaching & learning through multiple intelligences. Boston, Mass: Allyn and Bacon. Explains how to make the best out of one?s own personal learning style not only through learning but through the teaching aspect as well. Silver, H.F., & Strong, R.W., & Perini, M.J. (2000). So each may learn: Integrating learning Styles and multiple intelligences. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Shows that when putting together one?s own particular learning style with the theory of multiple intelligences, the student will maximize their learning capability. Learning Styles and Your Child. (2001). Encarta. Microsoft Corporation Defines learning styles as a whole and explains how parents and teachers can best accommodate each child through their learning experience. Individual Learning Styles Essay -- Teaching Education School Essays Individual Learning Styles The purpose of this research paper is to examine learning styles theories to determine if teaching students to use their own particular learning style can help ail them in increased educational success. The learning style aspect consists of six key areas including brain processing, sensory modalities, physical needs, environmental preferences, social aspects, and attitudes. Besides the way a person operates, there are two other important factors that play a key role in effecting a person?s learning style. These important factors include each individuals learning patterns and a theory known as multiple intelligences. Individual learning patterns are focused on four main types ES, IN, EN and the IS. The theory of multiple intelligences is based on eight types of intelligences, these include visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, Logical/mathematical, bodily/kinesthetic, Musical/rhythmic, interpersonal intelligence, and finally naturalist. It is very important to understand and explore each individuals learning style. Analyzing one?s own particular learning style can be very helpful and beneficial to the student by aiding them in becoming more focused and an attentive learner, which ultimately will increase educational success. (Fatt, Teng, 2000). Discovering this learning style will allow the student to determine his or her own personal strengths and weaknesses and learn from them. Aside from that, this process will improve one?s self esteem because now the student will feel more comfortable and prepared to take on the learning challenge, also gives student the confidence needed to achieve their goals (Creative Learning Company, 2001). Students will also benefit from the simple fact that now the... ... causes learning failure. Campbell, L., & Campbell, B. (1999). Teaching & learning through multiple intelligences. Boston, Mass: Allyn and Bacon. Explains how to make the best out of one?s own personal learning style not only through learning but through the teaching aspect as well. Silver, H.F., & Strong, R.W., & Perini, M.J. (2000). So each may learn: Integrating learning Styles and multiple intelligences. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Shows that when putting together one?s own particular learning style with the theory of multiple intelligences, the student will maximize their learning capability. Learning Styles and Your Child. (2001). Encarta. Microsoft Corporation Defines learning styles as a whole and explains how parents and teachers can best accommodate each child through their learning experience.

Beauty and The Bluest Eye :: Bluest Eye Essays

Beauty and The Bluest Eye Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye contributes to the study of the American novel by bringing to light an unflattering side of American history. The story of a young black girl named Pecola, growing up in Lorain, Ohio in 1941 clearly illustrates the fact that the "American Dream" was not available to everyone. The world that Pecola inhabits adores blonde haired blue eyed girls and boys. Black children are invisible in this world, not special, less than nothing. The idea that the color of your skin somehow made you lesser was cultivated by both whites and blacks. White skin meant beauty and privilege and that idea was not questioned at this time in history. The idea that the color of your skin somehow made you less of a person contaminated black people's lives in many different ways. The taunts of schoolboys directed at Pecola clearly illustrate this fact; "It was their contempt for their own blackness that gave the first insult its teeth" (65). This self hatred also po ssessed an undercurrent of anger and injustice that eventually led to the civil rights movement. The characters in this book as well as the time period mark a time in American history that played an important role in the ideas of equality and freedom. All of the elements on which this country were founded upon were twisted so they no longer applied to blacks and other minorities in this country. The life led by Pecola as well as others like her good or bad is a part of history that was experienced by many Americans in all parts of the country. While it is questionable whether total equality has been reached in this country, many ideas have changed for the better. This book is significant because it shows a different side to American literature as well as life. Morrison points out what has changed and what has stayed the same. While people are generally equal, there are still prejudices in the idea of what is beautiful and who is worthy.

Toyota

Company Objectives World domination with regard to car supply. Toyota seeks to achieve market leadership by delivering value to customers and providing high quality vehicles. Ill. Analysis Of Related Case Facts A. Porters Five Forces Analysis 1. Threat of New Entrants – Low New entrants can't enter the market easily as it requires huge capital investment, cutting-edge technology and the industry have already reached economics of scale. Brand loyalty among the buyers. They won't easily switched to new brand as purchasing a vehicle incurred high cost. 2.Bargaining Power of Supplier – Moderately Low Various types of suppliers in automobile industry such as cooling, electrical, fuel supply systems distributed across the globe. They own many interchangeable supplier and produced many components in the short time. Suppliers don't own the power to determine the price. 3. Bargaining Power of Buyer – High Can easily switch to other brands if they're cheaper and better spe cifications such as Hand's new Hybrid models which are more lucrative Toyota Pries. 4. Threat of Substitute – Moderately High There are a lot of substitutes in automobile industry.When the price or the specifications of the vehicle is lack of favor, the substitutes will emerge. Besides from vehicles, buyer can opt for other substitutes such as bicycle, bus, train or even walking to reach their destination with petrol price hiking. However, it depends greatly on the consumers geographical location. 5. Competitive Rivalry -? High Competition between existing players is high. There is not much differentiation between players and their products. Other automobile companies are moving aggressively with their strategy to own higher market share with Hybrid models.B. Soot Analysis Strengths Us period productivity and efficiency of Toyota Production System Toyota is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer by production and sales Global strong brand awareness Strong distribution and m arket efforts focused on high quality, sales and close involvement with customers It has initiated new technologies Weaknesses Recalls caused quite severe financial impact It is criticized as a foreign importer by Japanese local car producers In May 2009, they reported a record yearly net loss of $ 4. Billion In 2005 faced criticism because of a large scale recall and quality issues Opportunities Recovery of auto industries Positive growth trend in hybrid vehicle segment Growing demand from major emerging markets India and China Demand for fuel efficient, compact vehicles In 2009 Bank of India decreased the interests on automotive bank loans Product innovation The retreats Competition in the global automotive market Uncertainty in global economic condition Weakening demand, increasing cost Tightening emission standards C.PEST Analysis Political Factors Laws and regulations mandated by the government/state/local assembles may put in measures to ensure that safe and ethical practices are being allowed to promote fairness within the company. On the other hand, these laws, especially those foreign to Japanese customs create policies that imposes more profit loss for TM because it is a foreign car company. Economic and Social Factors The first that may impact Tm's profit is that the social status of the world economy as a whole.If the world market is suffering due to a world-wide recession. Customers may be forced to buy domestic cars due to their lower cost, rather than buying foreign cars. However, if consumers are earning a higher income, this may prove beneficial to Toyota thereby increasing many profit and accountability. Stability of the upcoming market is highly projected. Technological Factors Technological advancements may also be a factor in determining Tm's overall production. The world relies heavily on technology to plan out the details and executions of company plans and goals.It would be wise for TM to continue its research developments to improve th e company's value and reputation. IV. Relevant Strategic Management Lean Production System Lean Production System is the system designed and evolved in Toyota. It is modified form of Henry Ford's Mass Production System. In some areas its philosophy seem exactly opposite to the fundamental principles of Mass Production System. Mass Production System Mass production is a method of producing goods in large quantities at low cost per unit. This system of production is also known as Push System or Just- in-Case System .With precision equipment, large numbers of identical parts could be produced at low cost and with a small work force. Diversification At the time of establishment of Toyota Motor Company was in the business of making handloom. This can be seen as a Conglomerate Diversification as Toyota expanded its scope from Handloom Industry to Automobile Industry. Joint Venture ANNUM was established at the site Of a former GM Fremont Assembly site that had been closed two years earlier in 1982. GM and Toyota reopened the factory as a joint venture in 1 984 to manufacture vehicles to be sold under both brands.A joint venture was viewed as an approach that would lower the risk while providing help in overcoming difficult potential problems. Market Segmentation Toast's most significant business segment is its automotive operations. Toyota carries out its automotive operations as a global competitor in the relied automotive market. Toast's uses both differentiation and low cost as generic strategies to try and gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in the automotive industry. The market scope that Toyota uses is a broad one that encompasses nearly every type of customer that is in the market to purchase an automobile.Toyota is able to target such a large market because they have something for everyone. V. Alternative Courses and Action Toyota Motors Corporation, one of the largest automakers in the world. Due to growing number of recalls that it faced, s ales plummeted thereby effecting the company's position in the global automotive industry. The company recalled million of vehicles in 2009 that does not only hurt the company financially but significantly damaged the company's brand. Toyota must ensure that the cars produced are faultless and of good quality.Toyota must focus on differentiating the company by concentrating on the atmosphere and design of the vehicles . It must enhance customers service as full-service provider. Excellent customer service should be observed since it would be able to make the company boost their reputation and consistency in terms of customer satisfaction. There should be a unique offering of amenities and facilities which would give them a stand out compared to other competitors, something like a trademark item or facility in which it couldn't be copied or duplicated.Toyota has a reputation of manufacturing CEO friendly cars like the Pries based upon advanced technology developed by the organization . Toyota has also sold on its technology to other motor manufacturers. There is a big demand for CEO friendly and fuel efficient cars. Since Toyota already has a first mover advantage in making hybrid CEO friendly cars, it should capitalize n this opportunity and invest more on hybrid R and produce more environment friendly cars. VI. Analysis of Alternatives (Advantages and Disadvantages) VII.Conclusion Toyota has sources of strong competitive advantages in global automotive industry such as value chain, strong brand, wide product offering and hybrid vehicles. Major recalls, economic crisis and intense global competition have posed serious challenge for Toyota. Growing emerging markets and shifting customer demands offer Opportunities for Toyota to attain superior profitability and growth. Toyota must sustain its competitive advantages to attain its position and achieve future success. VIII. Recommendations Toyota motors are famous for their just in time manufacturing.The organizati on is doing well in this regard and competes with the world's top car manufacturing firms . However the quality of the car as compare to other car manufacturing companies is not satisfactory. They should focus on the quality and designs of the car. As compare to Honda, the intense competitor of Toyota in Asia and some other regions, they have elegant designs and quality cars. Apart from that the company should also focus on fuel efficient and hybrid cars to increase its production and to make people aware of these cars.T MAC needs to become more diverse, to allow the integration Of leadership in all sectors of leaderships to create a uniform leadership team. The way the system is set up is not going too well for the company's goal of being the number one manufacturer in the world. Also, Toyota needs to reanalyze its Research and Developmental Centers. It is through these centers that technologies are observed and tested to bring about the best possible and safe product for the consu mer to use. There needs to be a construction of the company as a whole. Toyota Company Objectives World domination with regard to car supply. Toyota seeks to achieve market leadership by delivering value to customers and providing high quality vehicles. Ill. Analysis Of Related Case Facts A. Porters Five Forces Analysis 1. Threat of New Entrants – Low New entrants can't enter the market easily as it requires huge capital investment, cutting-edge technology and the industry have already reached economics of scale. Brand loyalty among the buyers. They won't easily witched to new brand as purchasing a vehicle incurred high cost. 2.Bargaining Power of Supplier – Moderately Low Various types of suppliers in automobile industry such as cooling, electrical, fuel supply systems distributed across the globe. They own many interchangeable supplier and produced many components in the short time. Suppliers don't own the power to determine the price. 3. Bargaining Power of Buyer – High Can easily switch to other brands if they're cheaper and better spec ifications such as Hand's new Hybrid models which are more lucrative Toyota Pries. 4. Threat of Substitute – Moderately High There are a lot of substitutes in automobile industry.When the price or the specifications of the vehicle is lack of favor, the substitutes will emerge. Besides from vehicles, buyer can opt for other substitutes such as bicycle, bus, train or even walking to reach their destination with petrol price hiking. However, it depends greatly on the consumers geographical location. 5. Competitive Rivalry -? High Competition between existing players is high. There is not much differentiation between players and their products. Other automobile impasse are moving aggressively with their strategy to own higher market share with Hybrid models.B. Soot Analysis Strengths Superior productivity and efficiency of Toyota Production System Toyota is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer by production and sales Global strong brand awareness Strong distribution and marke t efforts focused on high quality, sales and close involvement with customers It has initiated new technologies Weaknesses Recalls caused quite severe financial impact It is criticized as a foreign importer by Japanese local car producers In May 009, they reported a record yearly net loss of $ 4. Billion In 2005 faced criticism because of a large scale recall and quality issues Opportunities Recovery of auto industries Positive growth trend in hybrid vehicle segment Growing demand from major emerging markets India and China Demand for fuel efficient, compact vehicles In 2009 Bank Of India decreased the interests on automotive bank loans Product innovation Threats Competition in the global automotive market Uncertainty in global economic condition Weakening demand, increasing cost Tightening emission standards C. PEST Analysis Political FactorsLaws and regulations mandated by the government/state/local assembles may put in measures to ensure that safe and ethical practices are being followed to promote fairness within the company. On the other hand, these laws, especially those foreign to Japanese customs create policies that imposes more profit loss for TM because it is a foreign car company. Economic and Social Factors The first that may impact Tm's profit is that the social status of the world economy as a whole. If the world market is suffering due to a world-wide recession.Customers may be forced to buy domestic cars due to their lower cost, rather than buying foreign cars. However, if consumers are earning a higher income, this may prove beneficial to Toyota thereby increasing company profit and accountability. Stability of the upcoming market is highly projected. Technological Factors Technological advancements may also be a factor in determining Tm's overall production. The world relies heavily on technology to plan out the details and executions of company plans and goals. It would be wise for T MAC to continue its research developments to improve the company's value and reputation.IV. Relevant Strategic Management Lean Production System Lean Production System is the system designed and evolved in Toyota. It is modified form of Henry Ford's Mass Production System. In some areas its philosophy seem exactly opposite to the fundamental principles of Mass Production System. Mass Production System Mass production is a method of producing goods in large quantities at low cost per unit. This system of production is also known as Push System or Just- in-Case System . With precision equipment, large numbers of identical parts could be produced at low cost and with a small work force.Diversification At the time of establishment of Toyota Motor Company was in the business of making handloom. This can be seen as a Conglomerate Diversification as Toyota expanded its scope from Handloom Industry to Automobile Industry. Joint Venture ANNUM was established at the site of a former GM Fremont Assembly site that had been closed two years earlier in 1982. GM and Toyota reopened the factory as a joint venture in 1984 to manufacture vehicles to be sold under both brands. A joint venture was viewed as an approach that would lower the risk while providing help in overcoming difficult potential problems.Market Segmentation Toast's most significant business segment is its automotive operations. Toyota carries out its automotive operations as a global competitor in the worldwide automotive market. Toast's uses both differentiation and low cost as generic strategies to try and gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in the automotive industry'. The market scope that Toyota uses is a broad one that encompasses nearly every type of customer that is in the market to purchase an automobile. Toyota is able to target such a large market because they have something for everyone.V. Alternative Courses and Action Toyota Motors Corporation, one of the largest automakers in the world. Due to growing number of recalls that it faced, s ales plummeted thereby affecting the company's position in the global automotive industry. The company recalled million of vehicles in 2009 that does not only hurt the company financially but significantly damaged the company's brand. Toyota must ensure that the cars produced are faultless and of good quality. Toyota must focus on differentiating the company by concentrating on the atmosphere and design of the vehicles .It must enhance customers service s full-service provider. Excellent customer service should be observed since it would be able to make the company boost their reputation and consistency in terms of customer satisfaction. There should be a unique offering of amenities and facilities which would give them a stand out compared to other competitors, something like a trademark item or facility in which it couldn't be copied or duplicated. Toyota has a reputation of manufacturing CEO friendly cars like the Pries based upon advanced technology developed by the organization .Toyota has also sold on its technology to other motor manufacturers. There is a big demand for CEO friendly and fuel efficient cars. Since Toyota already has a first mover advantage in making hybrid CEO friendly cars, it should capitalize on this opportunity and invest more on hybrid R&D and produce more environment friendly cars. VI. Analysis of Alternatives (Advantages and Disadvantages) VI'. Conclusion Toyota has sources of strong competitive advantages in global automotive industry such as value chain, strong brand, wide product offering and hybrid vehicles.Major recalls, economic crisis and intense global competition have used serious challenge for Toyota. Growing emerging markets and shifting Customer demands offer opportunities for Toyota to attain superior profitability and growth. Toyota must sustain its competitive advantages to retain its position and achieve future success. VIII. Recommendations Toyota motors are famous for their just in time manufacturing. The organiza tion is doing well in this regard and competes with the world's top car manufacturing firms -However the quality of the car as compare to other car manufacturing companies is not satisfactory.They should focus on the quality ND designs of the car. As compare to Honda, the intense competitor of Toyota in Asia and some other regions, they have elegant designs and quality cars. Apart from that the company should also focus on fuel efficient and hybrid cars to increase its production and to make people aware of these cars. TM needs to become more diverse, to allow the integration of leadership in all sectors of leaderships to create a uniform leadership team. The way the system is set up is not going too well for the company's goal of being the number one manufacturer in the world. Toyota Toyota, one of the most renowned auto company started having a problem around in 1998 when it failed o store its new brand product Lexus’s data’s ineffectively. Though all it did not happen on purpose, but accidentally the Lexus Company could not fulfil the requirement and satisfaction of its customer in its early trail of database maintenance. Lexus the Toyotas high end luxury system had implemented a Corporate Customer information System in which there were some problems seen regarding the recording of customer information and override of wrong information of the customer data. Though the company had best tried to save that customer information in a appropriate manner but due to the system deficiency the company was having a massive data quality problem. This problem aroused because the company failed to maintain and implement a central database system where all he customer information would be stored in a central database, which when required would display the multi branches customer information. The company had 15 different databases stored in 15 different parts of the company, where the individual company would only access their local data stored by the local branch. In words of Management we can correlate this problem as lack of centralised authority to data control, storing, maintenance and update of recent transactions. The world of Information Technology as compared to the Management is quite controversial. Controversial in a sense that, in proper management Decentralization and Delegation of authority is required to achieve the best results in efficient management performances while as in terms of Information Technology, it requires the access, storage, support and maintenance of centralised database system in order to keep the up to date records of every activities performed everyday to track down the right solution to the problem. An efficient Information System demands the availability of information and resources however and whenever demanded at any point of request. The database Toyota Lexus ha designed was to store all its customer info which would help when the system was asked to provide the customer details of the owner for organizational purpose. The objective LEXUS had established to serve its customer via maintaining a customer dataset could not be fulfilled as the purpose of developing a database could no be fulfilled as it resulted to various problems in miscommunication of information all around. The ownership of the vehicles ad been transferred to the people who did not even had the ownership license, the cheques were paid to the person who were even not entitled to receive and the legitimate information were passed where there had been frequent problems of fake customer identity. The customer details failed to validate the right owners of the vehicles which as a result led to a problem of data loss. Because of the problem, Toyota would return the owners car fixed, washed filled with fuel. Cheques were made payable to the people whom it did not even belonged to. CASE EXAMPLES Example: 1 http://www. internetautoguide. om/auto-recalls/09-int/1998/lexus/gs400/index. html APR 17, 1998 | Recall ID# 50473 Hide Details |Recall Reason |SUSPENSION:AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) | |Recall Date |APR 17, 1998 | |Model Affected |GS400 | |Potential Units Affected |14855 | Recall Summary | |VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY | |CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A | |CELLULAR PHONE. | |Consequence | |SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A | |VEHICLE CRASH. |Remedy | |DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. | |Notes | |TOYOTA MOTOR CO. , LTD. | Example 2: http://www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas Question I have a 1 998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Submitted: 11 days and 23 hours ago. Category:  Lexus Value:  ? 7 Status:  CLOSED + Read  More Optional Information Year: 1998 Make: Lexus Model: ES300 Already Tried: I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Accepted Answer Hi, Your particular vehicle uses a mechanical, cable connection from the gas pedal to the throttle body as opposed to the electrical servo type throttles involved in the numerous recall related problems. Because of that, there would be no directly correlation between the two vehicles. That being said, there are 3 typical causes for sticking throttle in your vehicle. Least likely, but easiest to check is the infamous â€Å"floor mat obstruction†. This is typically noticeable while driving if your floor mat is interfering with the cable, but worth checking regardless. Second, is a worn out throttle cable. This is the cable that connects the gas pedal to the throttle body. Vehicles in northern states that have more issues with rust/corrosion are more likely to see a problem here. The cable is a thin metal wire sheathed in a plastic coating. As the exposed area of metal wire corrodes from environmental elements, it widens the cable making it more difficult to travel inside the cable sheath, often sticking. You can check this condition by operating the throttle body by hand an monitoring the cable to see if there is any resistance going into the sheath or if it travels smoothly. Lastly, and most common, is buildup of carbon/oil elements in the throttle body. Because of the ventilation system required by law, the throttle body is exposed to oil vapor from inside the engine via breathing hoses in the intake. Over time this builds up into a layer of hardened, baked-on oil inside the throttle body, right where the throttle plate needs to move. Due to it being softer than the metal throttle plate, the throttle plate always wins when it gets stuck, but the oil buildup does create resistance that will intermittently stick the throttle in position. Having the throttle body cleaned to prevent this should be done every 15k miles on this car for full assurance, or 30k miles at minimum for normal operation. Typical cost for cleaning is 1/2 hour labor (normal â€Å"minimum charge† at many shops), about $45 depending on the shops labor rate. pic] |Expert:   |Doug Cleland | |Pos. Feedback:   |100. 0 % | |Accepts:   |12 | |Answered:   |2/16/2010 | ASE Certified Technician Toyota Factory training and worked for a heavily Lexus trafficked Toyota store Read more: http://www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas#ixzz0grgbynyy Example 3: http://www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html Featured 1998 Recalls [pic] | |1998 Lexus LX470 | |Before you purchase a used car, make sure you check our comprehensive auto recall information to see if there are any | |problems that have been reported by the NHTSA. You can get detailed information on how and where to fix the car defect. | |Recall:   EXTERIOR LIGHTING : HEADLIGHTS | | | | | | | | | | Read more: http://www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html#ixzz0grjp1yvD Take a noteworthy case in 1998. Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) responded to a recurring service problem with its Lexus vehicles by contacting owners, then picking up their vehicles, taking them in for repairs and leaving loaner cars as replacements. When done, the owners' cars were returned—fixed, washed and tanked up. That level of service was made possible by TMS's Corporate Customer Information System, an application used by the company's call center in Iowa to help handle warranty, roadside assistance, prepaid maintenance and other service requests. But 1998 didn't go altogether smoothly. Relying on data in that system, TMS began to mail checks to Lexus owners to replace troublesome tires. The checks, for more than $400 each, in some cases went to people who didn't even own a Lexus. One errant check even found its way to a Toyota auditor, for a vehicle he hadn't owned for a while. â€Å"You can imagine the repercussions of that,† says John Gonzales, data quality manager at TMS. â€Å"We can't afford to be giving money away to people who shouldn't be getting it. † The glitch was symptomatic of a bigger problem. The system depended on customer data stored in â€Å"roughly 15 databases in different parts of company,† says Gonzales. Just to get to all the data about a customer, call center employees would have to navigate through four or five mainframe applications, while customers waited. The glitch resulted in a mandate from Toyota's office of the president for a centralized, single customer database. And Gonzales was tagged to make it happen. â€Å"The main goal was to service customers' calls quicker,† he says. But also, â€Å"as the volume of calls went up, we didn't want to increase the number of people in the call center. † Finding a way to pull off the consolidation turned out to be no mean feat. Gonzales and his team looked at a procession of products purportedly offering business intelligence,† but none fit the bill. Then, a solution was nearly dropped into his lap. While attending a Toyota Toyota, one of the most renowned auto company started having a problem around in 1998 when it failed o store its new brand product Lexus’s data’s ineffectively. Though all it did not happen on purpose, but accidentally the Lexus Company could not fulfil the requirement and satisfaction of its customer in its early trail of database maintenance. Lexus the Toyotas high end luxury system had implemented a Corporate Customer information System in which there were some problems seen regarding the recording of customer information and override of wrong information of the customer data. Though the company had best tried to save that customer information in a appropriate manner but due to the system deficiency the company was having a massive data quality problem. This problem aroused because the company failed to maintain and implement a central database system where all he customer information would be stored in a central database, which when required would display the multi branches customer information. The company had 15 different databases stored in 15 different parts of the company, where the individual company would only access their local data stored by the local branch. In words of Management we can correlate this problem as lack of centralised authority to data control, storing, maintenance and update of recent transactions. The world of Information Technology as compared to the Management is quite controversial. Controversial in a sense that, in proper management Decentralization and Delegation of authority is required to achieve the best results in efficient management performances while as in terms of Information Technology, it requires the access, storage, support and maintenance of centralised database system in order to keep the up to date records of every activities performed everyday to track down the right solution to the problem. An efficient Information System demands the availability of information and resources however and whenever demanded at any point of request. The database Toyota Lexus ha designed was to store all its customer info which would help when the system was asked to provide the customer details of the owner for organizational purpose. The objective LEXUS had established to serve its customer via maintaining a customer dataset could not be fulfilled as the purpose of developing a database could no be fulfilled as it resulted to various problems in miscommunication of information all around. The ownership of the vehicles ad been transferred to the people who did not even had the ownership license, the cheques were paid to the person who were even not entitled to receive and the legitimate information were passed where there had been frequent problems of fake customer identity. The customer details failed to validate the right owners of the vehicles which as a result led to a problem of data loss. Because of the problem, Toyota would return the owners car fixed, washed filled with fuel. Cheques were made payable to the people whom it did not even belonged to. CASE EXAMPLES Example: 1 http://www. internetautoguide. om/auto-recalls/09-int/1998/lexus/gs400/index. html APR 17, 1998 | Recall ID# 50473 Hide Details |Recall Reason |SUSPENSION:AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) | |Recall Date |APR 17, 1998 | |Model Affected |GS400 | |Potential Units Affected |14855 | Recall Summary | |VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY | |CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A | |CELLULAR PHONE. | |Consequence | |SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A | |VEHICLE CRASH. |Remedy | |DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. | |Notes | |TOYOTA MOTOR CO. , LTD. | Example 2: http://www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas Question I have a 1 998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Submitted: 11 days and 23 hours ago. Category:  Lexus Value:  ? 7 Status:  CLOSED + Read  More Optional Information Year: 1998 Make: Lexus Model: ES300 Already Tried: I have a 1998 Lexus ES300, I Have had problems with the gas pedals sticking on three occasions but paid no attention to it until I read about this problem on new cars. Have there been other cases reported with this model? What should I do about it? Accepted Answer Hi, Your particular vehicle uses a mechanical, cable connection from the gas pedal to the throttle body as opposed to the electrical servo type throttles involved in the numerous recall related problems. Because of that, there would be no directly correlation between the two vehicles. That being said, there are 3 typical causes for sticking throttle in your vehicle. Least likely, but easiest to check is the infamous â€Å"floor mat obstruction†. This is typically noticeable while driving if your floor mat is interfering with the cable, but worth checking regardless. Second, is a worn out throttle cable. This is the cable that connects the gas pedal to the throttle body. Vehicles in northern states that have more issues with rust/corrosion are more likely to see a problem here. The cable is a thin metal wire sheathed in a plastic coating. As the exposed area of metal wire corrodes from environmental elements, it widens the cable making it more difficult to travel inside the cable sheath, often sticking. You can check this condition by operating the throttle body by hand an monitoring the cable to see if there is any resistance going into the sheath or if it travels smoothly. Lastly, and most common, is buildup of carbon/oil elements in the throttle body. Because of the ventilation system required by law, the throttle body is exposed to oil vapor from inside the engine via breathing hoses in the intake. Over time this builds up into a layer of hardened, baked-on oil inside the throttle body, right where the throttle plate needs to move. Due to it being softer than the metal throttle plate, the throttle plate always wins when it gets stuck, but the oil buildup does create resistance that will intermittently stick the throttle in position. Having the throttle body cleaned to prevent this should be done every 15k miles on this car for full assurance, or 30k miles at minimum for normal operation. Typical cost for cleaning is 1/2 hour labor (normal â€Å"minimum charge† at many shops), about $45 depending on the shops labor rate. pic] |Expert:   |Doug Cleland | |Pos. Feedback:   |100. 0 % | |Accepts:   |12 | |Answered:   |2/16/2010 | ASE Certified Technician Toyota Factory training and worked for a heavily Lexus trafficked Toyota store Read more: http://www. justanswer. com/questions/35ik7-i-have-a-1998-lexus-es300-i-have-had-problems-with-the-gas#ixzz0grgbynyy Example 3: http://www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html Featured 1998 Recalls [pic] | |1998 Lexus LX470 | |Before you purchase a used car, make sure you check our comprehensive auto recall information to see if there are any | |problems that have been reported by the NHTSA. You can get detailed information on how and where to fix the car defect. | |Recall:   EXTERIOR LIGHTING : HEADLIGHTS | | | | | | | | | | Read more: http://www. motortrend. com/used_cars/07/1998/lexus/recalls/index. html#ixzz0grjp1yvD Take a noteworthy case in 1998. Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) responded to a recurring service problem with its Lexus vehicles by contacting owners, then picking up their vehicles, taking them in for repairs and leaving loaner cars as replacements. When done, the owners' cars were returned—fixed, washed and tanked up. That level of service was made possible by TMS's Corporate Customer Information System, an application used by the company's call center in Iowa to help handle warranty, roadside assistance, prepaid maintenance and other service requests. But 1998 didn't go altogether smoothly. Relying on data in that system, TMS began to mail checks to Lexus owners to replace troublesome tires. The checks, for more than $400 each, in some cases went to people who didn't even own a Lexus. One errant check even found its way to a Toyota auditor, for a vehicle he hadn't owned for a while. â€Å"You can imagine the repercussions of that,† says John Gonzales, data quality manager at TMS. â€Å"We can't afford to be giving money away to people who shouldn't be getting it. † The glitch was symptomatic of a bigger problem. The system depended on customer data stored in â€Å"roughly 15 databases in different parts of company,† says Gonzales. Just to get to all the data about a customer, call center employees would have to navigate through four or five mainframe applications, while customers waited. The glitch resulted in a mandate from Toyota's office of the president for a centralized, single customer database. And Gonzales was tagged to make it happen. â€Å"The main goal was to service customers' calls quicker,† he says. But also, â€Å"as the volume of calls went up, we didn't want to increase the number of people in the call center. † Finding a way to pull off the consolidation turned out to be no mean feat. Gonzales and his team looked at a procession of products purportedly offering business intelligence,† but none fit the bill. Then, a solution was nearly dropped into his lap. While attending a