Human resources ( american expatriate in paris) package proposal Research Paper

Human resources ( american expatriate in paris) package proposal assignment - Research Paper Example lz, 2007). Sarip international is not an exception of the above requirements. The company must conduct a survey of all the factors that will affect movement of Jim and his family. Jim will realize a pool of incentives due to the diplomatic links between France and America. The essay looks at the factors that will affect Jim’s decision given his preferences and constraints. These factors include obtaining visas and permits, relocation allowance and housing, language and cultural training among others. Visas and Permits Jim and his family must have a valid European Union passport while moving to Paris. The country requires all immigrants willing to work in the country have EU passports. The company is responsible for helping Jim and his family in obtaining these passports. The company should also incur all the costs of obtaining the passports. If Jim wishes to obtain a residential passport, the company should take care of the whole process. To obtain a residence passport, Jim mu st visit the nearest police station with the required documents within a period of one week after arrival (EasyExpat Ltd, 2012). Sarip international through the appropriate department must help Jim in this process. Language and cultural training Paris has several organizations that teach foreigners the French language and culture. ... Jim can decide on whether to take classes at home, after he has arrived in Paris or the combination of the two. Housing and Relocation Allowance The company should consider Jim’s cost of relocating and the risks involved. He should receive compensation for the risks involved during the relocation in the form of relocation allowance. This includes taking care of his mortgage even after he relocates. Jim should be able to experience the luxury of his house in Paris. Paris offers a number of alternatives in respect to housing and accommodation. The options range from rental houses to buying apartments. However, all the alternatives require the household to have a household insurance policy (Expatica.com, 2012). The best house for Jim is the one that is affordable, but also meets his needs. It should also be strategically located for ease of transport and access to other infrastructural needs like schools. Spousal employment Betty’s job is a constraint facing the relocation of Jim. In most cases, taking a leave of over two years acts as a threat to job security. Betty might lose her job after they relocate to Paris. However, the company is capable of dealing with this constraint. It can approach her employer to guarantee her job security even after she to Paris. Different agencies advertise various job opportunities in Paris, which would suit Betty. However, the only limitation is that Betty does not know how to speak French, which is a requirement for her to work in Paris. She needs to understand the language before relocating. These among other factors will ensure that Jim maintains his American lifestyle while in France. Education for the children The three children should be able to access

Swot of Starbucks and Coffee Bean Essay Example for Free

Swot of Starbucks and Coffee Bean Essay Coffee Bean as compared, do not have that much franchise stores like Starbucks because they are not that profitable. 2) The Starbucks organization has strong ethical values and an ethical mission statement as follows,  Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facets of our business. They wish to change the lifestyle of the peoples and they have succeeded in doing so, once people wish to drink coffee the first brand that comes into the mind is â€Å"Starbucks† 3) Compared to Starbucks, Coffee Bean is involved in more community responsibilities and through this activity they have attracted more customers. ) Starbucks and Coffee Bean both face the same weaknesses because no matter how they innovate the new flavor, people’s taste might change in time, they can’t make much different changes on coffee, which is the weakness of this business. 5) Coffee Bean faces the problem of â€Å"franchise policy†, they do not construct it perfectly and we can’t get the Coffee Bean shop anywhere just like Starbucks. 6) Starbucks is very good at taking advantage of opportunities. In 2004 the company created a CD-burning service in their Santa Monica (California USA) cafe with Hewlett Packard, where customers create their own music CD. Moreover, new products and services that can be retailed in their cafes, such as Fair Trade products. 7) Starbucks has the opportunity to expand its global operations. New markets for coffee such as India and the Pacific Rim nations are beginning to emerge. 8) Starbucks gained the opportunity because they have co-branding with other manufacturers of food and drinks, and brand franchising to manufacturers of other goods and services. Both have potential while Coffee Bean does not have it. 9) However, Coffee Bean still has a market potential because their taste is slightly different from Starbucks. Their prices are also cheaper than Starbucks, which makes their product more affordable to middle or lower class people. 10) Actually both companies face similar threats. Who knows if the market for coffee will grow and stay in favour with customers, or whether another type of beverage or leisure activity will replace coffee in the future? People will start to consider their health problems, some people are sensitive with caffeine so will these people change to drinking other beverages instead of coffee?

17th Century Seduction Poems Are Relevant In The 21st Century Essay exa

During the 17th century, certain poets wrote poems with the specific purpose of persuading a woman to have sexual intercourse with them. Three of these seduction poems utilize several strategies to do this: Andrew Marvell’s â€Å"To His Coy Mistress,† and Donne’s â€Å"A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning† and â€Å"The Flea.† Some of the reasoning used by both poets is similar to the reasoning used today by men to convince women to have sexual intercourse with them. These gimmicks vary from poem to poem but coincide with modern day rationalization. The tactics used in 17th century seduction poems are relevant and similar to the seduction tactics used in the 21st century. Through his writing, Andrew Marvell uses several strategies to get a woman to sleep with him. In his seduction poem, â€Å"To His Coy Mistress,† Marvell first presents a problem and then offers his solution to the problem. Marvell sets up a situation in which he and his lover are on opposite sides of the world: â€Å"Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side/ Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide/ Of Humber would complain†¦.† (5-7). He has set up a circumstance in which his lover is in India and he is in England; however, this situation can be interpreted as a metaphor for sexual distance. Marvell then goes on to profess his love for this woman, telling her that he will always love her, saying â€Å"...I would/ Love you ten years before the flood† (7-8) and saying that his â€Å"vegetable love should grow/ Vaster than empires and more slow† (11). This suggests that he is promising permanence in their relationship. In doing so, Marvell is also trying to pac ify his lady’s fears of sexual relations. He wants his lover to feel secure and confident about having intercourse with him. In the second stanza, Marvell turns his attention to another â€Å"problem† that his lover might pose by not sleeping with him. He writes, â€Å"But at my back I always hear/ Times winged chariot hurrying near† (21-22). Marvell is concerned about death in this situation. He is now pleading to his woman because he feels threatened by time. He tells her that time is running out and that they had better sleep together before it is too late. Marvell solidifies this argument a few lines later by presenting the idea of death and the fact that they can not have sexual intercourse once they are dead. He writes, â€Å"The grave’s a fine and private place/ But none, I think, do there embra... ...l love, like Marvell in â€Å"His Coy Mistress,† is still used to get women in bed. It makes them feel secure in a relationship, which in turn makes them more likely to have sex with their partner. Building up the relationship, like Donne in â€Å"A Valediction: forbidden Mourning,† will also make a woman feel secure in a relationship in modern times by establishing dependability; it also romanticizes the relationship. If a woman feels she is being swept off her feet by Prince Charming, she will be more likely to get in bed. Allaying a woman’s fears will also convince her to consent to sex, much like in Donne’s first stanza of â€Å"The Flea.† He reassures his woman that sex is not a big deal. These days sex really has become quite inconsequential and men do not have difficulty pointing that out to a woman they are trying to sleep with. Generally, many of the basic ideas expressed in 17th century poetry are similar to those presented today in re lationships. Making excuses, finding arguments, allaying fears, and professing true love are all still utilized to speed along the occurrence of sexual relations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Emersons Friendship Essays -- essays papers

Emersons Friendship I believe that in his essay, â€Å"Friendship†, Emerson’s main point is that people should not be afraid to expand their friendly horizons. They should more try to open up and be honest with people. The essay investigates simply how to be more open with others and gives tips on differentiating between true friends and those whom we just refer to as friends. There are many people whom we speak to and meet on an everyday basis. In everyday conversations we show others that they are favored â€Å"from the highest degree of passionate love, to the lowest degree of good-will, they make the sweetness of life.† It is believed by many that our intellectual powers increase accordingly with our affection. In order for someone to take on another person as their friend there are certain things that one can search for. Suppose a stranger comes up to you and you are beginning a marvelous conversation, one in which you begin to suspect that he may be your new best friend, during this conversation or meeting you must think and observe him carefully. Once he b...

U.S.-China Trade

The reemergence of China as a great power is arguably the single most important development in the post-Cold War world. The rapid economic growth of the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the past decade, coupled with its high level of defense spending, have stimulated much interest as well as trepidation among policy-makers and analysts across the world. Although the continued augmentation of Chinese power is not predetermined, the profound effects of China's growing process cannot be underestimated.When analyzing a state's trade expectations one must also take into account the effects of diplomacy and bargaining, as Copeland suggests. A state can make some economic, political and military concessions to induce its trading partners to relax trade restrictions, thus raising its expectations for future trade. If the price for a higher level of trade is seen to be reasonable, the state would be willing to pay it, but if the price is unacceptable because it would undermine the state' s `internal stability or its external power position', there would be very little that the state could do to improve its trade expectations.If Chinese decision-makers' expectations for future trade are high, they will be less likely to use force to deal with unresolved disputes with neighboring countries. If, however, they have a negative view of their future trading environment, they will be likely to take measures, including military actions, to remove any obstacles that might forestall the pursuit of great-power status (Segal, 70). For the moment, China's expectations of future trade are by and large optimistic, but there is evidence of growing Chinese suspicion of a Western `conspiracy' to contain China which may alter Beijing's future perceptions.To ensure that the rise of China will not cause regional and global instability, the outside world should seek to integrate China into the international community by pursuing policies that will have a positive influence on China's expe cted value of trade. Since the late 1970s China has gradually emerged as a major trading nation in the world, and its economic and trade relations with most countries have broadened considerably. Indeed, China has been actively involved in global economic activities, and is fully integrated into the Asia-Pacific economy.The PRC is now a member of most major international and regional economic organizations, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, and APEC. (Segal, 70) From 1980 to 1997 the Chinese government approved 162 foreign financial institutions to develop business in China. (Segal, 70) Over 200 of the world's top 500 companies have now invested in the country. (Segal, 70) As a result, there has been a huge growth in China's foreign trade over the past two decades. From 1978 to 1997 China's export grew from US$9. 8 billion to US$182. 7 billion, and its imports grew from US$10.9 billion to US$142. 4 billion. Between 1983 and 1997 a ctual foreign direct investment in China increased from US$916 million to US$45. 3 billion(Segal, 70) In 1997, according to the World Trade Organization, China became one of the top 10 trading countries in the world. (Segal, 70) China has also benefited from its involvement in a regional division of labor and economic cooperation in East Asia. It is integrated into a number of sub-regional economic groupings or ‘growth triangles' such as the Hong Kong-Guangdong-Shenzhen triangle and the Northeast China-Korea-Japan triangle.In addition, China is closely involved in the development of two new sub-regional groupings: the Yellow Sea Economic Zone that includes Liaoning and Shandong provinces, Japan and South Korea; and the Tumen River project that seeks to promote economic cooperation between China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia and Russia. (Rachman, 129) No doubt, China's integration into the world economy has brought about much benefit to the country, but it has also increased Chinese vulnerability in a world of growing interdependence. Indeed, foreign direct investment has become the single most important source of foreign capital for the PRC.(Rachman, 132)It is estimated that ‘foreign investment may now account for one-quarter of all Chinese exports'. (Rachman, 132)In 1996 the total value of foreign-funded firms' import and export trade reached US$137. 1 billion accounting for 47% of the national total of foreign trade. (Rachman, 136)According to a Beijing Review report, 18 million people, about 10% of China's non-farming population, are employed by foreign-funded firms. The investment by these firms covers a whole range of areas that are vital to Chinese economic modernization, including infrastructure, energy, communication and high-tech projects.(Rachman, 143)The Chinese government has also relied heavily on foreign investment to develop the central and western regions of China that are still very poor. In 1996, for example, a total amount of USS 1. 34 billion of foreign government loans was utilized for 69 projects in these underdeveloped regions. In addition, 125 key projects in the PRC are supported by foreign government loans that include the construction of metropolitan underground railways, power plants, airports, telephone networks, and other large-scale development plans. (Rachman, 171)In the past decade China has increased its foreign borrowings substantially. Its total external debt is believed to have risen from US$24,000 million in 1987 to US$116,280 million in 1996. (Rachman, 183)Besides, many of China's reform projects, such as enterprise restructuring, infrastructure improvement, financial reform, poverty reduction, human development and environmental protection, are currently supported by the World Bank. (Lieberthal, 36) Of all the major sectors of the Chinese economy, energy is probably the most critical one in terms of sustaining the PRC's modernization program.In this sector the role of forei gn capital is becoming more significant. For example, a joint venture has been established at the Pingshao coal mine, and the construction of a power station in Guangxi Zhuang is financed entirely by foreign investment. In the areas of petroleum and natural gas, a greater effort has also been made to attract foreign capital. By 1997, China had signed 126 contracts with 65 foreign oil companies. (Lieberthal, 36) Moreover, the progress of Chinese reform is dependent on the availability of advanced foreign technology and equipment.The contract value of Chinese technology imports amounted to US$159. 23 million in 1997. Indeed, imported technologies play an important part in major Chinese industries ranging from energy, electronics, computer software to telecommunications, information and other high-tech industries. (Lieberthal, 36) Clearly, Chinese leaders are aware that the success of China's economic modernization rests ultimately with its access to the global market and with inflows of external funding.If, for political or security reasons, the world were to reduce the level of economic interactions with or apply trade sanctions against China, it would have a devastating effect on Chinese economic development. For the moment, China's expectations of future trade with both its Asian neighbors and Western nations are by and large positive. In a speech to an academic symposium in Beijing, Chen Jian, a senior official of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that ‘the international situation has moved at a speed faster than expected in a direction favorable to China †¦.The ongoing reform and opening up policies and the economic development in China†¦ are based on the judgement that world peace can be maintained and a new world war will not erupt for the near future'. (Yahuda, 22) Similarly, Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, has noted: ‘We are immersed in the irreversible general trend toward worldwide economic integration†¦ economic cooperation with various countries makes it easier than any time in the past to reach a common view, and can be carded out in a wider area and at a higher starting point.This in turn portends that possibility for successful cooperation is much greater in the future'. (Yahuda, 22) This type of optimistic assessment of the future trading environment is echoed by many Chinese leaders, officials and scholars. (Yahuda, 56) Despite the recent financial turmoil in East and South East Asia, they believe that the economic dynamism in the Asia-Pacific will continue into the twenty-first century and that China will benefit from further economic growth and cooperation in the region.â€Å"For example, citing the view of a Chicago professor and Nobel Prize winner, a Chinese commentator maintains that ‘the prospects of most rapidly growing economic entities of East Asia are still bright. † ‘Even if the economy of these countries stops growing in the c oming five years', it is argued, ‘their average speed of economic increase in the next 25 years will surpass that of the world'. (Yahuda, 101) In any case, Chinese leaders know that the potential market and business opportunities that the PRC can offer to the outside world are so attractive that no country would like to miss them.(Yahuda, 193) It is therefore unlikely that any countries would want to sever trade relations with China in the near future. To raise its expectations for future trade China has been and will be willing to make economic and political concessions when negotiating contracts and trade agreements with its trading partners. Thus, the outside world will have some leverage to steer China in a certain direction, and it should take the opportunity to encourage further economic reform, openness and trade liberalization in the country.As liberals rightly argue, economic liberalization will gradually lead to greater political liberalization and democratization in China that will, in turn, help preserve peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the international community must be patient with the pace of change in China and more sensitive to Chinese security perceptions. This is not to say that the outside world should accede to any Chinese demands or policies.On the contrary, it should be prepared to raise its concern over particular Chinese policies, debate with China on issues of fundamental disagreement, and stand firm on matters of principle. For example, the outside world must not ignore human rights issues in China for the sake of short-term commercial benefits. Western countries should try to persuade the Chinese government to improve its human rights record through dialogue and diplomatic channels rather than by economic coercion.They must recognize that the process of democratization in China will be a lengthy and thorny one, given the lack of democratic tradition in Chinese history. An evolutionary path toward democ racy is preferable to a violent change of regime in China that will be likely to produce an unstable and ineffective government which would be incapable of handling the crises and upheavals associated with rapid political transformation in such a vast country. A chaotic China could not possibly pursue a rational and coherent policy toward other countries.In this regard, the warning of some liberal scholars of the linkages between democratic transition and war should be heeded. Whether the reemergence of China as a great power in the post-Cold War international system is caused by structural factors (as the realist argues) or by unit-level decisions (as the liberal suggests), the challenge that China presents to the rest of world is formidable. The best way of abating the likelihood of military conflict between the great powers, as Copeland suggests, is to `alter leaders' perceptions of the future trading environment in which they operate'.(Harris, 151) China's current expectations o f future trade are, on the whole, positive, but there are growing suspicions among Chinese leaders and intellectuals of external forces seeking to `contain' China. Such a fear could magnify at a time when nationalistic sentiment is rising in Chinese society (Harris, 151) that might lead to low expectations of future trade. To ensure that China's rise will not cause regional and global instability, the outside world should pursue policies that would enhance Chinese decision-makers' confidence in their future trading environment.This will not be a simple task due to China's innate distrust of other great powers as a result of its unpleasant encounters with Japan and Western powers in the nineteenth century. Given the complexity of Chinese domestic politics and enormous ideological and institutional constraints, China may not always respond to external efforts positively, (Harris, 151) but if China's trading partners hope to integrate the country into the international community peacef ully, they must do what they can to raise PRC leaders' expectations for future trade.In the case of China, it has made some economic and political concessions to induce the outside world to trade with and invest in China. On most issues, Chinese leaders find the price of higher trade level reasonable and are willing to make compromise. The concept of `one country, two systems', for example, was basically formulated to assure the Western world that China's priority was economic development. In order to retain the confidence of foreign investors in Hong Kong, Chinese leaders have promised that the territory's capitalist system will remain unchanged for at least 50 years from 1997.(Harris, 151) China's decision to shelve temporarily the issue of sovereignty in the South China Sea also reflects its desire to maintain harmonious relations with the United States of America that are propitious for China's trading environment. Works Cited Gerald Segal, `Tying China into the international sy stem', Survival 37(2), (Summer 2004), p. 70. Gideon Rachman, `Containing China', The Washington Quarterly 19(1), (Winter 1995), p. 132. Hans J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, revised 5th edition (New York: Alfred A.Knopf, 1978), p. 29. Kenneth Lieberthal, `A new China strategy', Foreign Affairs 74(6), (November/December 1995), p. 36. Michael Yahuda, ‘How much has China learned about interdependence? ‘, in David S. G. Goodman and Gerald Segal, eds. , China Rising: Nationalism and Interdependence (London: Routledge, 1997), p. 22. `Stay back, China', The Economist, (16 March 1996), p. 15. Stuart Harris, ‘China's role in the WTO and APEC', in Goodman and Segal, eds. , China Rising, p. 151.

How to Make a Lichtenberg Figure

How to Make a Lichtenberg Figure Lichtenberg figures are branching structures formed by an electrical discharge on or inside of an insulator. The structures take their name from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, the physicist who discovered and studied them. Although you can  make your own Lichtenberg figure using polyethylene sheets and talcum powder, there is an easier method you may wish to try. Lichtenberg Figure Materials Sharp metal object (e.g., awl)Insulator (e.g., sheet of acrylic)Photocopier toner Make a Lichtenberg Figure Position the metal object so that only its tip is touching the surface of the insulator.If you have a Wimshurst machine or Van de Graaff generator handy, discharge it through the metal point into the acrylic. (Gray Matter has a cool video of what happens if you use a particle accelerator to create the Lichtenberg figure. Note that the hammer is insulated, thus preventing that persons skin from displaying a Lichtenberg figure. Be careful!)If you dont have a machine, youll have to generate static electricity another way, like by dragging your feet through a shag carpet and zapping yourself on the metal object... fun!In either case, you will create a Lichtenberg figure across the surface of the acrylic, radiating outward from the metal point. However, you probably wont be able to see it. If you (carefully) blow toner powder across the surface of the acrylic, the Lichtenberg figure will be revealed.

Free Essays on Sartres Hell

describe a philosophy called existentialism. This term comes from a French philosopher called Jean Paul Sartre. Existentialism has been described as a philosophical movement especially of the 20th century. A true existentialist will create their own beliefs, take responsibility for his or her own actions, and is very honest. If they were to do something wrong, they would take responsibility for their actions and not make any excuses. Furthermore, a true existentialist believes there is no God and thus man becomes alone with only ourselves as a guide to making the decisions that defines our existence. Sartre wrote â€Å"No Exit† where he portrayed his philosophy negatively. The author attempts to describe his version of what hell is, a subject that many have pondered, but non really know. Sartre voiced his thoughts through the characters of his play, Garcin, Inez, and Estelle. The three main characters in this play create the hell they where banished to by hurting each other in a disturbed form of love triangle, where the love isn’t really there. In this triangle Inez is attracted to Estelle, who in turn needs a man such as Garcin to desire and notice her. This Garcin can hurt Inez by pretending to desire Estelle, or hurt Estelle by not caring. Garcin however, will never be at rest until Inez recognizes that he is not a coward. Garcin needs that reassurance. When Garcin remarks that, â€Å"Hell is other people† Sartre is having Garcin restate his own view on humanity. Sartre believes that the fate of humankind is to torment and be tormented by others with whom we live. Sartre’s hell is merely a system of exploitation as Inez observes it as â€Å"an economy of manpower† (p. 17). His hell is the same as society, where it exploits those who exist in it and fill their lives with suffering and meaninglessness. The fact that Garcin can look down to earth is furthermore torture. It is ... Free Essays on Sartres Hell Free Essays on Sartres Hell â€Å"Existence precedes essence†. These words describe a philosophy called existentialism. This term comes from a French philosopher called Jean Paul Sartre. Existentialism has been described as a philosophical movement especially of the 20th century. A true existentialist will create their own beliefs, take responsibility for his or her own actions, and is very honest. If they were to do something wrong, they would take responsibility for their actions and not make any excuses. Furthermore, a true existentialist believes there is no God and thus man becomes alone with only ourselves as a guide to making the decisions that defines our existence. Sartre wrote â€Å"No Exit† where he portrayed his philosophy negatively. The author attempts to describe his version of what hell is, a subject that many have pondered, but non really know. Sartre voiced his thoughts through the characters of his play, Garcin, Inez, and Estelle. The three main characters in this play create the hell they where banished to by hurting each other in a disturbed form of love triangle, where the love isn’t really there. In this triangle Inez is attracted to Estelle, who in turn needs a man such as Garcin to desire and notice her. This Garcin can hurt Inez by pretending to desire Estelle, or hurt Estelle by not caring. Garcin however, will never be at rest until Inez recognizes that he is not a coward. Garcin needs that reassurance. When Garcin remarks that, â€Å"Hell is other people† Sartre is having Garcin restate his own view on humanity. Sartre believes that the fate of humankind is to torment and be tormented by others with whom we live. Sartre’s hell is merely a system of exploitation as Inez observes it as â€Å"an economy of manpower† (p. 17). His hell is the same as society, where it exploits those who exist in it and fill their lives with suffering and meaninglessness. The fact that Garcin can look down to earth is furthermore torture. It is ...

Role of Government in Industrial Clusters Essays

Role of Government in Industrial Clusters Essays Role of Government in Industrial Clusters Essay Role of Government in Industrial Clusters Essay The first major issue is that Australian government policy development has largely been focused on descriptive information gathering rather than on achieving either business participation in, or greater understanding of the complex industrial clustering process 5 (Davies, 2001). In many of the failed or under-performing ICC developments, searchers noted that the associated government policy ignored the local and interregional industrial linkages and/or the channels of technology and knowledge transfer that existed, instead relying on relatively simple measures (such as industry size) to detect potential industry clusters. These simplistic measures are a common feature of Australian industrial cluster policy, and formed the basis upon which expensive and complex resource allocations were made (Gordon McCann, 2000). The second major issue surrounds an assumption by Australian policy-makers that he facts explaining the existence of industry clusters around the globe are readily generalist to the Australian context (Soddy, 2000). Of particular concern has been the assumption of Australian policy makers that simply replicating the policy choices of governments associated with successful clusters (such as Silicon Valley) will be successful despite the lack of evidence to support this contention. Body (2000) suggests that there are clear dangers in attempting to reproduce significant policy direction from a relatively small number of specific cases, especially those whose economic performance is inherently atypical. One of the major dangers of incorporating a carbon copy approach to policy development is that of misunderstanding the specific origins and competencies inherent to a regions networks between firms and industry is created and maintained, government policy directed at merely locating firms together appears to omit and/or ignore the most important and dynamic aspects of the industrial clustering process. The third issue concerns the record of Australian governments resource allocation as it pertains the development of industry cluster formation. Fuser and Bergman (2000) note that, at least at the regional level, the approach frequently adopted by policymakers involves little more than the identification of current regional specializations as targets for traditional development initiatives. In such cases, a cluster strategy serves more often as a meaner of allocating scarce resources than as a way to build the linkages and future inter-industry synergies documented so frequently in successful industrial districts (Fuser Bergman, 2000). For example, in Europe, the US and Australia, many planned clusters have failed to materialism spite heavy investments by government into the required infrastructure. The implication is that although setting up the infrastructure may be paramount to the diffusion of industrial clusters, it is not sufficient in of itself to ensure a clusters formation and development. Underpinning these issues is the observed difficulty of Australian policy-makers to conceptualize their role within Porters UDF (Brown 2000; Enriching Roberts, 2001). Indeed, Brown (2000) suggests Australias poor ICC performance is almost entirely predicated on the confused role of government and TTS policy makers, a statement echoed by Porter when he stated that: In Australia, what is less understood is that the government has some positive roles, like innovation and training, infrastructure, and things like that. I think that the real frontier is [understanding] the positive roles to be played by government whilst avoiding the distortion or intervention in competition (in Trains, 2002:39). In order to understand the positive roles that a government can play in the support of entrepreneurial activity and the development of innovative industrial clusters, this paper reports upon an examination of the 25-year history of one of Australias most innovative and internationally successful industry clusters, that of the Tasmania Light Shipbuilding Industry (TLS) cluster. Since its inception, the TLS cluster has grown substantially in terms of its sales volume, innovative output, and impact on the industry overall development as a world-class maritime producer (Industry Audit, 1998). At its peak between 1996 and 1998, the TLS cluster generated an annual turnover of ADD$400 million (accounting for 25 percent of the states merchandise sports), and was fundamental in the development of an industry council that represented and coordinated the majority of the states maritime industry (Industry Audit, 1998). Given its demonstrable importance to the regional Tasmania economy, an examination of the TLS clusters development provides an opportunity to observe the role that government played in the development of an innovative and internationally competitive industry cluster. This research comprised a series of semi-structured interviews with all of the key informants within the TLS cluster and the state government during the period 1977 to 2002. In particular, interviews were conducted with each of the state Premiers during the TLS clusters formation, the managing directors of the TLS cluster firms, and the heads of government departments and agencies with which the TLS cluster had significant interactions. In total 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted, each lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. The interview questions posed to the participants were derived from an extensive collection and analysis of historical data pertaining to the TLS clusters development. As such, the interviews contained both standardized interview questions (I. . Common to all informants) and specific interview questions (I. E. Aimed at the key informants specific involvement in the TLS clusters history), and were formulated to elicit the primary data required to answer the research questions posed in this inquiry. Both the standardized and specific interview questions were formulated to facilitate the aggregation, analysis, and validation of information, and enabled the researcher to interrogate the evidence gathered from other sources. These questions were designed to cover the necessary issues, but were framed in an open-ended manner, o allow the interviewees sufficient latitude for introspection and open reporting of their own perspectives. As a result, the informants were free to pursue those matters that they considered important. This collection of primary data using a semi-structured interview method allowed the informants to tell their own story in their own way, thereby allowing the researcher direct access to the experience of the case (Clinician Connelly, 1994). These individualized recollections aid to strengthen the inquiry by counteracting the bias that may exist in the secondary documents (Burgess, 1982), by adding matters of fact r detail that may only be recorded in individual memory (Samuel, 1982), and by giving voice to those not usually heard (Fontana Frey, 1994). The semi-structured interviews assisted this inquiry in each of these areas, as they enabled the researcher to 7 access facets of the case that would not have been available by any other data gathering technique. The interpretation of the data, and the verification of the conclusions, were facilitated by the use of the USSR NUDE*SIT software package. The interview transcripts were imported into the NUDE*SIT software database, following which the categories (I. E. He coding of the data) were established as a series of nodes. These nodes were initially generated from the themes highlighted in literature review process, formed part of an index system that allowed the researcher to categories respondent data in terms of extant theory. Each node was then reviewed in order to identify common themes necessary for the researchers second- round coding that underpins the discussion and conclusions in this paper. One of the most prevalent concerns surrounding the reporting of longitudinal cycle. Peters and Hood (2000) discuss how the industrial life cycle notion can influence the effectiveness of a governments industrial cluster policy platform. A growing literature base suggests that Who innovates and how much innovative activity is undertaken by an industry cluster is closely linked to the phase of the industry life cycle, and is of vital importance to effective policy implementation (Sleeper, 1996; Leigh, 2003). It is therefore necessary for this research to report on the longitudinal variation in government policy development, and link them to the needs of the TLS cluster over its life cycle. Results. The role of government during introductory stage of the TLS clusters life cycle. During the introductory stage of its life cycle, three key government roles positively influenced the TLS clusters development. The first was the state governments initial non-committal stance towards the specific development of the states burgeoning shipbuilding industry. The second role surrounded the enhancement of the states reputation within the domestic market as a centre for maritime research. The third role was the governments support for the entrepreneurial activities undertaken by Incant, when it became apparent that the company was a potential source of significant economic growth for the regional economy. The state governments initial non-committal stance towards the states burgeoning industry was not a deliberate one, as its policy focus at the time was on the macroeconomic restructuring of the states economy away from its dependence on hydroindustrialisation. Due to this focus on the macro-economic restructuring process, the Tasmania government did not at any stage pre-empty the growth requirements of the potential industry cluster. As such, the Tasmania government avoided the issues surrounding many of Australias industrial cluster failures of the sass in which governments built up the infrastructural support to potential industries in the hope that this would attract firms, as for example, the federal and South Australian government did with the failed multi-function polis planned for Adelaide. Consequently, the development of the innovative technologies (I. E. The development of elements of Porters firm strategy, structure and rivalry) remained the sole responsibility of the private sector firms that existed during the industrial clusters initial formation (I. E. Clifford and his maritime friendship network). 8 The second key role was the state governments development of the regions petition within the broader domestic maritime market as a national centre for maritime research. The Tasmania government implemented a series of lobbying initiatives that resulted in the federal government providing additional funding to the Australian Maritime College and relocating its national maritime research institute (the CAIRO) to Hobart. These state government lobbying efforts were largely aimed at the federal government rather than the private sector, but their success had implications for the regions Factor Conditions, Related and Supporting Industry, and y developing the regions supply of human capital through both the generation of specialized employment and education within the broader industry. The regional economys related and supporting industry factor was advanced by the increase in the sophistication of supply of inputs to the private sector firms (in terms of products and world standard maritime research). The Tasmania governments enhancement of the regions reputation helped to develop the demand conditions faced by the private sector shipbuilding firms, most significantly in the from of customers ready to import their products from interstate. It was only after the domestic exporting success of Incests innovative semi-aluminum catamarans in the early sass were realized that the Tasmania government undertook its third key role, that of accommodating the growth requirements of the innovative cluster firm. Although the Tasmania government did provide its first direct support for Incests innovative management in the introductory stage of the TLS clusters life cycle, it did so only after the firm was able to demonstrate the potential in the domestic Australian market for fast-ferry transportation. The Tasmania governments support for Incests innovative capacity was provided only when the firm could demonstrate that it did not possess the resources required for its continued expansion. The Tasmania government also required evidence that their support of Incests expansion would result in additional Jobs being created within the firm. This initial government support is consistent with the recommendation of Porters CT, as it allows for the challenges facing the burgeoning industry to be overcome whilst avoiding the inefficiencies associated with the governments direct involvement in private sector enterprise. The role of government during the growth stage of the TLS clusters life cycle. During the growth stage of its life cycle, three key government roles positively influenced the development of the TLS cluster. The first was the Tasmania governments continued effort to enhance the reputation of the regional economy, although the focus of these efforts changed from a focus on the domestic maritime market to one that encompassed the international market for Incests fast-ferries. The second was the Tasmania governments direct involvement in Incests sales and negotiation processes with their international customers. The third was the Tasmania governments policy initiatives that served to maximize the synergistic relationship that existed between Incant and its supplier firms. The first of the state government policies that positively influenced the development of the TLS cluster was the continued enhancement of the regions reputation as a centre 9 for maritime excellence, although the policy focus changed markedly to encompass the international marketplace. This change in focus was driven by the continued Through the use of government sponsored trade missions and the associated agitation activities, the Tasmania government used the success of Incant to illustrate the regions maritime competency to international buyers of these products, in turn facilitating an increase in the international demand conditions for Incests production. The Tasmania government also applied pressure on the remainder of the TLS cluster firms, and indeed the regions maritime industry as a whole, to similarly increase the quality of their production in line with the growing international reputation of the region. The Tasmania government helped the regions shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing firms to achieve high quality reduction by maintaining its existing lobbying efforts for additional infrastructural funding for the industry. Specifically, the Tasmania government undertook political action to secure additional funding for the educational and RD requirements of the industry. As with its direct support for Incests needs, however, the Tasmania government only lobbied for additional federal government funding after its need was recognized by the private sector, and where the private sector firms could demonstrate that these needs were necessary for their future growth. The Tasmania governments reputation enhancement strategy served to increase the Demand Conditions enjoyed by the states shipbuilding industry, and in particular, for the output of the regional industry innovative firm, Incant. It also served to apply a degree of pressure upon the Incests suppliers to similarly improve their production output in line with the growing prestige of the region. The second role undertaken by the Tasmania government was that of direct support during Incests sales negotiations with their potential international customers. This was directed by the incumbent state Premier at the time, through his department of economic development, most notably in the form of funding for international customer visits to Incests factory, but also by having the Premier accompany the potential customer during their visit. As a result of the state governments policy initiative to become involved in Incests sales negotiation process, it provided a level of prestige, moral support and sales expertise that was otherwise beyond the ability of the hub-firm to provide. Indirectly, this policy also served to highlight the supplier firms within the TLS cluster, as their inputs into Incests final product were also purported by the state governments involvement in the sale. In terms of advancing the Diamond Factors, the Tasmania governments second policy initiative served to develop the regional industry firm strategy, structure and rivalry by state Premiers personal endorsement of the TLS clusters output. It also served to align the TLS cluster firms goals with that of the state government by pressuring all of the individual firms to innovate their products in line with the requirements of the innovative Incant. In terms of advancing the Demand Conditions enjoyed by the regional industry, the Tasmania governments involvement served to enhance the legitimacy of Incests product to potential international customers. The third key role undertaken by the Tasmania state government was to undertake measures to deliberately maximize the synergistic relationship that existed between Incant and its supplier firms. Inherent in Porters CIT is the notion that within a clustered network of firms, some forms of scale or scope economies exist through which the industrial cluster develops an internationally competitive advantage. Through its development of marine parks and industrial councils (in which firms implementers to Incests operations can more easily interact) the Tasmania government deliberately enabled the realization of the synergies of both scale and scope inherent to the regions natural industry. The third state government role served to advance the diamond factors by developing the firm strategy, structure and rivalry and the Factor Conditions enjoyed by the TLS cluster firms in residence at the Prince of Wales Bay marine park in Hobart. With the TLS cluster firms in close geographic proximity, the individual firms were better able to communicate and ordinate their interrelated production and training activities, as well as allowing them to access the advanced and specialized (and expensive) infrastructure developed for the marine park. The role of government during the maturity stage of the TLS clusters life cycle. During the maturity stage of its life cycle, three key government roles positively influenced the development of the TLS cluster. The first key role was the continued enhancement of the regional economys reputation as a world centre for maritime manufacturing excellence, although the focus of its efforts hanged from the singular promotion of Incests success to incorporate the production of the entire set of industry members, be they cluster firms or otherwise. The second role was to formalism the relationships that existed within the regional shipbuilding and marine manufacturing industries. The third role was the governments deliberate strategy to dilute Incests importance and impact upon the regional economy. The first key government role was its continued enhancement of the regional economys reputation as a world centre for maritime manufacturing excellence. During the maturity stage however, the focus of the Tasmania governments petition strategy in the world shipping vessel market changed from the singular promotion of Incests success to incorporate the output of the entire industry, be they TLS cluster firms or otherwise. The functional strategies incorporated by the Tasmania government included trade missions, direct involvement in the international sales negotiations process, and the provision of marketing assistance to the industry. The marketing assistance provided to the industry was specifically targeted at generating a consistent message for all of Tasmania firms in the international marketplace. The policy to incorporate the entire set of cluster firms developed the demand conditions for the regional industry, with the region now marketed as a one-stop- shop for a wide variety of innovative and high-quality maritime production, not simply fast catamaran production. The state government could afford to undertake this marketing strategy given the success that the TLS cluster firms had enjoyed both the growth stage of the TLS clusters development, each of the supplier firms had secured their own export sales independent of those associated with their alliance with Incant. Further to this, two additional TLS cluster firms, Lifeboat Systems and Richardson Divine, emerged within the industry and enjoyed immediate export success, largely due to their association with Incant and the innovative and valuable nature of their output. 11 The second key role was to formalism the relationship between the regions entire set of shipbuilders and maritime manufacturers (TLS cluster firms or otherwise) and the state government. After the Prince of Wales Bay maritime park was established by the Tasmania government, the private sector firms, along with the Aluminum Welding School, formed the Tasmania Maritime Network (TEN) within which the TLS cluster could better develop its communications and lobbying efforts. After the Bacon Labor governments industry audit program of 1998 was completed, the TEN was restructured to form an Industry Council that represented approximately 85 percent of the regions shipbuilding and marine manufacturing firms. The Industry Council program sought to provide the regions shipbuilding industry with a direct communication and lobbying channel between the industry as a whole and the Tasmania government. The Industry Council arrangement also helped to ensure hat that the set of firms within the industry could better incorporate the success factors of the TLS cluster into their operations, and therefore become involved in the process of further developing the regional industry Firm Strategy Structure and Rivalry to comply with world-best standards. The third key role was the Tasmania governments strategy to dilute Incests importance and impact within the regional economy. The policy was implemented through the attraction of additional innovative shipbuilding firms to the region (producing vessels unlike those of Incant) in the hope that the TLS clusters supplier rims would have alternate sources of sales opportunities incremental to that of Incant. The Tasmania government was able to attract additional innovative firms through marketing the regions advanced infrastructure, support that was initially provided solely for the benefit of Incant. Where needed, the Tasmania government also provided the option to undertake an equity arrangement with the new hub- firms, an arrangement that involved funding of the new firms relocation and start-up costs, but did not involve the state government intervening in the innovative process of the firm. This policy initiative had a direct impact on the diamond factors enjoyed by the TLS cluster (and indeed the entire industry) by effectively driving incremental demand from the international marketplace for regions maritime production. In addition, it allowed the TLS clusters supplier firms to develop exponentially greater linkages within the industry, and more importantly, with firms of similar importance as the original huffier in terms of their innovative ability and supply requirements. The travel and trading needs of the isolated Tasmania community necessitated the

Policies and politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Policies and politics - Essay Example United States of America has developed the policy of social security in the year 1935 right after the Social Security Act was passed. (Rushefsky, 2002, p.100). It was the part of New Deal program initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Previously this act included two social insurance programs including the unemployed people and the retired individuals. (â€Å"Social security in USA†, N.d). The policy at the beginning also included providing federal grants to the organization who worked for child welfare, public health services, vocational rehabilitation etc. But with time the situation changed and the welfare policy now concentrates on few specific social sectors. The policy of Social Security was one of the largest federal programs in the year 1999 and the Social Security Administration had spent over US $ 387 billion that year. (Rushefsky, 2002, p.100) Though that year the spending proportion was huge depending on the social benefits the program actually generates the issue remains debatable. The basic suggestion of this report is to extend the branches of Social Security developments to many social sectors, rather than concentrating on few particular ones. Ascertaining the current financial condition of the country it would be advisable for the United States Government to address the basic social needs of the several deprived sections of the society. It is quite evident that the credit crunch, followed by the financial turmoil had affected the population and many people have lost their home as well as their job. The current social security program includes the retired individuals, disabled ones , survivors of the workers who have died and also the dependents of the beneficiaries. (Understanding the benefits, 2005). This report in particular gives emphasis on the inclusion of the homeless people and the people who have lost their job into the

CJ350 International Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CJ350 International Terrorism - Essay Example He is generally regarded as the founder of the modern Irish state, but the Fine Gael (political party) people look upon him as the father of their movement. Neil Jordans movie on Michael Collins (1996) depicts the controversy of life and death of the political activists and places itself at the core of Irish political independence. The movie begins with the Easter Uprising (number of Irish men against British troops) at Dublin in 1916. The rebellion is halted by shooting down the Irish leaders and some taken to jail (Michael Collins was one of them). After release, he promises himself to avenge this event by using guerilla techniques instead of availing traditional warfare. Collins set out by starting to kill the British informants and thus destroying the Intelligence network. After the murder of a group of elite British Intelligence people on a Sunday, the Britishers set out for vengeance as well. Eamon de Valera, the Irish President was against this and ordered a traditional war against British. This resulted in a massacre of Irish troops. Michael Collins was sent to England to create a free Irish state and a loyal British colony in I reland. This being unaccepted by the president resulted in a civil war and consequent death of Collins. Michael Collins has been known as the father of modern terrorism and invented some techniques, which are alike to urban guerilla tactics of today. During world war I Ireland was under the British rule and the rebellion was essentially to free Ireland from British control. The idea of guerilla tactics was due to the fact that the big super powers (Britain and America) with large troops and greater availability of war resources believed in conventional war and to face them terrorists’ methods would be more appropriate in order to cover up the lack in numbers. Besides setting up the intelligence agency,

Basic Concepts of Criminal Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Basic Concepts of Criminal Law - Essay Example The Penal Code puts a duty to a persons holding or having in his care such a weapon not to endanger the live so the members of the public. It states that " it is the duty of every person who has within his charge or under his control anything, whether living or inanimate and weather moving or stationary, of such a nature that, in the absence of care or precaution in its use or management , the life, safety or health of any person maybe endangered , to use reasonable care and take reasonable precautions to avoid the danger; and he shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of any persons by reason of any omission to perform that duty. Further, and read together with the same provisions aforementioned, the same act provides that, "Any person, who with intent to maim, disfigure or disable any person, or to do some grievous harm to any person unlawfully wounds or does any grievous harm to any person by any means whatever is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life, with or without corporal punishment. The same sentiments are captured by the provisions of sections 234 of the same Act. In this regard, it would be prudent for the client to obtain all the relevant legal requirements if only to escape the imposed sanctions for breach of the same. Factoring the foregoing, it is evident that, in as much as self defence may be a good defence in criminal proceedings, reasonable care ought to be observed in the use of such a weapon and one must not be negligent or reckless in its use. In this regard when it comes to causing another's physical injury, there are at least three ways that our behaviour could lead not only to financial liability, but also criminal liability for example: A person is guilty of assault when: 1. With intent to cause physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person; or 2. He recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or 3. With criminal negligence, he causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument. A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offence when he fails to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such result will occur or that such circumstance exists. The risk must be of such nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would observe in the situation. Negligence is the failure to act reasonably. But we all fail to act reasonably at times. And in unfortunate cases, it could lead to harm. Should we go to prison in such cases If every time we acted unreasonably we went to prison, we would all spend time behind bars. Even if we

Critical Evaluation of the 3 School of Thought on Innovation and Essay

Critical Evaluation of the 3 School of Thought on Innovation and Services - Essay Example Furthermore, the manufacturing sectors have been vital for several economists as it has been the foundation stone for the understanding of the process of innovation and its economic implications (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 141-142, 2008). The learning and understanding of service innovation, on the other hand, have now become an opportunity for scholars where they can widen and enlarge their knowledge of an incorporated account of innovation and its entire process that applies to services as well as manufacturing. However, several prime issues and debates have been a significant part of the research for different schools of thoughts that have erupted and fumed in the literature of the service innovation over the past couple of years. According to one school of thought, the discussion and argument revolved around the subject matter that portrayed the potentials of innovation in services in contrast to the manufacturing along with its implication in the growth of the economy and employment (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 141-142, 2008). According to the viewpoint of few scholars, the subject matter of innovation in the service sector is a concern that has gained significant importance over the period of instance. Moreover, the empirical and theoretical studies have contributed to great deal in determining the substance of innovation that plays a prominent role in the service activities in productive systems. In addition, these scholars also exhibit the piece if information that building or defining a definition of innovation on a general basis is fundamental and essential as it would create the perceptive and awareness of the concepts and dynamics of innovation in both sectors comprising service and manufacturing (Gallouj & Weinstein, pp. 537-538, 1997). The research has proved that the concept of innovation in services dates back to several centuries that have come under rematerializing few times. In fact, the arguments and discussions then focused around the alleged assimi lation, demarcation, and synthesis discussion. According to the assimilation standpoint, the service activities and manufacturing activities possess the similar functions on whole, and thus the theories and experimental or observed indicators are applicable to the services in the same way that have primarily and initially come under development for the manufacturing. According to some beliefs, it has also come under view that services in innovation are just the consequence of change that occurs due to dispersion of innovation (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 142-143, 2008). However, the demarcation perspective is the antipode or reversal of assimilation, which states that service-specific forms of innovation exist. Furthermore, the organizational importance has been the key point of prominence with product and process innovation in services. Indeed according to the scholars who believe in this view strongly argues that various forms of innovations are service specific, therefore, it is criti cal and crucial to have exclusively new theories of innovation that must be service specific in order to have a clear understanding of the nature and motion of innovation in services (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 143-144, 2008). Lastly, the synthesis viewpoint â€Å"seeks to take the recent insights of demarcation writers and to integrate these within insights gained in manufacturing

Web Services Technology and Information Systems Essay

Web Services Technology and Information Systems - Essay Example The paper offer comprehensive analyses of a profit-making web services software development scheme within the services sector to explain this issue. By means of premise study, an explanatory hypothetical outline of the structure development procedure, facilitated by web services is originated. Its major discovery is the recognition of the primary enabling function of the â€Å"Web services technology on system development†. Actually, Web services technology, being supported by XML, is confirmed to be differentiated by extensible series, which is consecutively proven the basic facilitator of innovative practices within systems study. In addition, results have shown it to be facilitator within systems realization as well about the part of related components, for instance, the target business along with its atmosphere, the project group as well as application software customs. The web services system development practices examined here appear within the possible capacity to assem ble intricate systems during a smaller, economical as well as additionally flexible method as compared to conventional system development ways.Apart from organizational development along with infrastructural development, a ‘third-order’ of motives could chip in to modify traditional practices for information systems development: the accessibility of innovative software technologies as well as structural designs, and mainly the rising Web services principles and implements. This study explains how the accessibility of Web services principles and tools is revealing fresh techniques of creating information systems.... The web services system development practices examined here appear within the possible capacity to assemble intricate systems during a smaller, economical as well as additionally flexible method as compared to conventional system development ways (Cordiero and Filpe, 2010, p. 55). Apart from organizational development along with infrastructural development, a ‘third-order’ of motives could chip in to modify traditional practices for information systems development: the accessibility of innovative software technologies as well as structural designs, and mainly the rising Web services principles and implements. This study explains how the accessibility of Web services principles and tools is revealing fresh techniques of creating information systems. This sort of argument may appear relatively old-fashioned and somehow immature. Specially, it may seem to look a lot like the ‘technically vital’ view of the primary pragmatic efforts within the field. However, th e explanatory hypothetical agenda formed here, supports the basic facilitating part of technology itself within software improvement practices. In fact, the underlying link is neither simple nor exclusive: Web services technology is an essential, although not adequate fundamental aspect of alteration in practices for information services development (Alkhatib and Rine, 2008, p. 87). This study explains how, apart from technology, additional elementary aspects are engaged, together with software venture market’s atmosphere, civilizing aspects, and achievement pace, software value as well as associated risk factors. ‘Web services’ is a component-supported software

Critical Evaluation of the 3 School of Thought on Innovation and Essay

Critical Evaluation of the 3 School of Thought on Innovation and Services - Essay Example Furthermore, the manufacturing sectors have been vital for several economists as it has been the foundation stone for the understanding of the process of innovation and its economic implications (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 141-142, 2008). The learning and understanding of service innovation, on the other hand, have now become an opportunity for scholars where they can widen and enlarge their knowledge of an incorporated account of innovation and its entire process that applies to services as well as manufacturing. However, several prime issues and debates have been a significant part of the research for different schools of thoughts that have erupted and fumed in the literature of the service innovation over the past couple of years. According to one school of thought, the discussion and argument revolved around the subject matter that portrayed the potentials of innovation in services in contrast to the manufacturing along with its implication in the growth of the economy and employment (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 141-142, 2008). According to the viewpoint of few scholars, the subject matter of innovation in the service sector is a concern that has gained significant importance over the period of instance. Moreover, the empirical and theoretical studies have contributed to great deal in determining the substance of innovation that plays a prominent role in the service activities in productive systems. In addition, these scholars also exhibit the piece if information that building or defining a definition of innovation on a general basis is fundamental and essential as it would create the perceptive and awareness of the concepts and dynamics of innovation in both sectors comprising service and manufacturing (Gallouj & Weinstein, pp. 537-538, 1997). The research has proved that the concept of innovation in services dates back to several centuries that have come under rematerializing few times. In fact, the arguments and discussions then focused around the alleged assimi lation, demarcation, and synthesis discussion. According to the assimilation standpoint, the service activities and manufacturing activities possess the similar functions on whole, and thus the theories and experimental or observed indicators are applicable to the services in the same way that have primarily and initially come under development for the manufacturing. According to some beliefs, it has also come under view that services in innovation are just the consequence of change that occurs due to dispersion of innovation (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 142-143, 2008). However, the demarcation perspective is the antipode or reversal of assimilation, which states that service-specific forms of innovation exist. Furthermore, the organizational importance has been the key point of prominence with product and process innovation in services. Indeed according to the scholars who believe in this view strongly argues that various forms of innovations are service specific, therefore, it is criti cal and crucial to have exclusively new theories of innovation that must be service specific in order to have a clear understanding of the nature and motion of innovation in services (Gallouj & Windrum, pp. 143-144, 2008). Lastly, the synthesis viewpoint â€Å"seeks to take the recent insights of demarcation writers and to integrate these within insights gained in manufacturing

Was the Post-1967 Settler Movement a Continuation of the Founding Essay

Was the Post-1967 Settler Movement a Continuation of the Founding Zionist project, or an Independent Development - Essay Example With Israel emerging as the victor from the war, territories expanded in areas such as Gaza, west bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan heights. This was in contrary to Arab predictions before the war that Israel would face extinction. The country was now stable to attack its enemies as well as protect its territories from attacks. The win was not taken easily by the religious Zion’s who termed the win as mere miraculous attempt by Israel. Instead of giving credit where it is due, Zionists used divine proof in their favor and praised themselves from the historical achievements in the past occurrences. In the process of trying to confer the new terms of Israel, the religions Zion got transformed into a system, which incorporated nationalism. At the same time, they got the limelight in the center stage showing their power through the secular enterprises. After same war settler, movement arose a move, which got incorporated to fight for the displaced in the society. They used makesh ift tents same as those used by the Zionists in the 1930s in a bid to escape from mandatory and forceful power of the Palestinian nationalism1. Many questions, therefore, have arisen as to the source of the settler movement due to the many things that the movement shares with the Zionists. Consequently, the patrons and leaders of the settler movements got identified as leaders from the Zion society, a factor that leaves beyond doubt that settler movement was a product of the Zionists. It is from this perspective that I tend to defend the fact that all the basic similarities found between the settler and Zionists was not coincidental2. Settler movement is, therefore, a product of the Zionists as proven by the following subsidiary points. To start, the settler movement main agenda was, to provide settlement for displaced persons from the war. In addition, it engrossed the nationalists’ impulse, which included mixing religious ideologies such as biblical â€Å"Eretz Israel† rhythm. This was a perquisite of the religious redemption of the Christians by the time a move, which aimed at providing sustainable housing as well as settlement for the displaced persons from the six-day strenuous war. From a close analysis of its agendas, settler movement show sighs of shared ideas. This is because some of the settlement ideologies can be traced back to Zionists thinkers like Abraham Isaac Kook who was the first chief of the rabbi pre-state period3. From this perspective settler, movement formulated after the 1967 war gets viewed as a product of the Zionists, as they could not formulate their own ideologies, but took the ideologies from the Zionists movements. Subsequently, it leaves certainty beyond any doubt that the religious legitimacy that prevailed in the settler movement was a product of the Zionists. This, therefore, proves that fact that settler movement erupted from the Zionists. The Zionists made use of secular elements and instruments in the proces s of reestablishing the land of Israel and motivation of Jewish renaissance. According to Kook, one of the founders of Zionist movements, the move aimed at restoring the civilization match in the people of Israel. Consequently, it geared towards ensuring moral progress and in turn creating a modal society where everybody had transformation. Notably the dream of the Zionists was to transform the whole Israel community and create a barrier from the past in terms of development and emergence. A close observation of the settler mo

True Educations Begins at Home Essay Example for Free

True Educations Begins at Home Essay People learn everything they know from some sort of influence. Religious groups are influenced by preachers to believe what they want. Students are influenced by teachers on what to learn. North Koreans are influenced by Kim Jong Il to do exactly as he wants. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s only book, Scout, a main female character has to be taught the hard way. She sees a man prosecuted and killed because of his skin color for something he clearly could not have done. She learns that prejudice is abused every day, even past times of slavery. Scout’s main motivation for not being prejudice is her father, Atticus, who defends the black man, Tom Robinson, in a clearly biased trial. Although influenced to think that she should hate black people, her true education comes from home. When one first learns to speak, who are their words learned from? They, typically, learn from their parents. If someone acts poorly, they are usually punished at home. Outer influences can affect someone’s decision to do something wrong, and, if brought up well, this person will not make these poor decisions. Scout is enticed to hate black people, but Atticus teaches her why humans are all equal. Jem, Scout’s older brother, learns as he matures that one should accept people for who they are. After Tom gets accused of being guilty, Jem even cries. In essence, Jem and Scout are both taught from home how to act throughout life. When Scout begins talking to Miss Maudie and Dill, she hears wild stories of the man who is locked inside his house for fifteen years, and once he is in his thirties, he attacks his father with a pair of scissors. This man is Arthur â€Å"Boo† Radley. Atticus catches his children and Dill trying to lure him out of the house and teaches them that not everything they hear is true (although, this rumor is true. The children quit provoking Boo for a while, but near the end of the book, they meet him on person after he saves their lives from a drunken man. They learn that Atticus was right in saying that not everything that one hears is true. I have learned nearly all I know from my mother and father. They have taught me basic skills, as well as proper etiquette. I have had many mentors in my life, and I believe that my parents are the best ones I have and will have. They have taught me all I need to know in my life from home.

Nanospheres of Agâ€coated Fe3O4 Synthesis

Nanospheres of Ag–coated Fe3O4 Synthesis Nanospheres of Ag–coated Fe3O4 were successfully synthesized and characterized. Photocatalytic properties of Fe3O4@Ag composites have been investigated using steady state studies and laser pulse excitations. Accumulation of the electrons in the Ag shell was detected from the shift in the surface plasmon band from 430 to 405 nm, which was discharged when an electron acceptor such as O2, Thionine (TH), or C60 was introduced into the system. Charge equilibration with redox couple such as C60à ¢- Ã¢â‚¬â€œ/C60 indicated the ability of these core–shell structures to carry out photocatalytic reduction reactions. As well, outer Ag layer could boost charge separation in magnetic core through dual effects of Schottky junction and localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR)–powered band gap breaking effect under sunlight irradiation; resulted in higher photocatalytic degradation of diphenylamine (DPA). The maximum photocatalytic degradation rate was achieved at optimum amount of Ag–NP loading to products. Adsorption studies confirmed that degradation of DPA dominantly occurred in solution. Moderately renewability of the nanocatalysts under sunlight was due to oxidation and dissolution of the outer Ag layer. KEYWORDS: Core–shell Fe3O4@Ag; Plasmonic photocatalysis; Laser pulse excitations; Charge equilibration; Schottky junction; Diphenyl amine Introduction Core–shell nanocomposites combine the profitable properties of both the core and the shell materials (1). Various types of core–shell materials have been technically synthesized owing to their unique physicochemical properties and great potential applications (2,3). Among them, superparamagnetic core–shell nanocomposites do not retain any magnetization in the absence of a magnetic field (4). Hence, they have been broadly used in magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermia, separation and purification of biomolecules, drug delivery, and catalysis (4,5). The combination of nanocatalysts together with magnetic carriers has attracted increasing attention due to their recoverable nature from the mother solutions in presence of an appropriate magnetic field (6). Recently, to prevent the agglomeration and to further improve the durability of the nanocatalysts, various core–shell like magnetic chemcatalytic and photocatalytic nanomaterials have been developed (7–9). Due to weighty role of Ag based magnetic nanocatalysts in fine and specialty chemistry, different kinds of this bi–functional nanostructures such as Fe3O4–Ag core–shell like NPs, heterodimers, and core–satellite particles have been prepared (11,12). The Ag component in most of the above products was located on the surface of the magnetic carrier whereas structures with an Ag core and Fe3O4 shell are rare. This article aims primarily to unravel the major mechanisms in magnetic core–shell plasmonic photocatalysis. It is important to elucidate the influence of the metal shell layer on the photoinduced charge separation in inner magnetic carrier and reveal the occurrence of charge equilibration between the metal and magnetic semiconductor. Therefore, we have prepared Fe3O4, Ag–coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@Ag) in ethanol medium and their behavior under UV–excitation were compared. The factors that control the charge separation and photocatalytic properties of coated nanostructures are also presented in this paper. Besides, we selected diphenylamine (DPA) as a model contamination (13–17) to present powerful and cost–effective photocatalysts. The European Union has listed DPA as a prior pollutant (14). According to the best of our knowledge, the photocatalytic degradation of DPA using Fe3O4@Ag nanospheres has not been reported, previously. The operational conditions in photocatalytic removal of DPA were optimized. The effect of Ag–NPs loading on photocatalytic activity of core–shell nanoparticles was also investigated. Further studies were designed to answer the questions of whether DPA adsorbed on the Ag surface is an important step in its photocatalytic degradation rate or not? Eventually, tentatively reviews on the efficiency and durability of core–shell photocatalysts under sunlight irradiation were checked up. Experimental section Materials and Measurements Powders of DPA, D(+)–glucose anhydrous, thionin acetate salt (C12H9N3S.C2H4O2), AgNO3 (99%), FeCl2.4H2O (>98%), FeCl3.6H2O (>99%), NH3.H2O (25–28%) and HPLC grade acetonitrile (purity 99%) were purchased from Sigma–Aldrich. The hexahydra salt CoCl2 was purchased from Riedel–de Haen Germany. DPA was purified by simple preparative chromatography on a silica gel column (3:1 n–hexane/acetonitrile as a mobile phase) and followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) monitoring. All other materials were of highest purity commercially available and were applied without further purification. The Britton–Robinson buffer solutions were prepared in 0.04 M concentration. The DPA stock solution was set up by dissolving 10.0 mg of the powders in 100 mL of 60/40 v/v buffer solution/acetonitrile and then stored in a refrigerator. High purity water purified with the Milli–Q system was used in all experiments. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study was carried out using a Hitachi S–4300 (Japan) instrument. The crystalline structure of the powders was studied by X–ray diffraction (XRD) with a PHILIPS PW–1840 diffractometer. The UV–vis spectra were recorded on a Biotech Diode–Array spectrophotometer. The IR spectra of the synthesized magnetic NPs were obtained using a Shimadzu FT–IR 8300 spectrophotometer. Magnetic measurements were made with a Quantum Design PPMS Model 6000 magnetometer at 25  °C. The pH values of all solutions were assessed by a model 744 Metrohm pH meter (Switzerland). An external magnet bar of 5 cmÃâ€"5 cmÃâ€"3 cm and power of 1.46 T was used for the accumulation of magnetic NPs. The photodegradation of DPA has been monitored using UV–vis spectrophotometer (Biotech) and a HPLC (KNAUER). The HPLC system used throughout this study consisted of a HPLC pump (KNAUER, K–1001, USA), a sample injector with a 100 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­L loop and a UV detector (KNAUER, K–2600). The column used was a reversed–phase Spherisorb C18 column (250 mm Ãâ€" 4.6 mm i.d., 5 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­m). The mobile phase was acetonitrile–water (65:35 v/v) with a flow–rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 25  °C. The effluent was monitored at 254 nm. Preparation of Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles Fe3O4–NPs were prepared using the most conventional reported co–precipitation method first (18), followed by the slow reducing of the Ag+ ions to form a metal shell around the core. Calculated amount of freeze dried magnetic NPs were well–dispersed in 10 mL deionized water. A 10.0 mL portion of 1.0 mM AgNO3 solution was then added into suspension. Glucose was used as a mild reducing agent for the reduction of Ag+ ions (19). Increasing the amount of glucose increases the reduction rate of Ag+ ions. We have found that the experimental conditions that employ molar ratio of metal ions to glucose of 2:1 yields stable suspension of core–shell particles. The condensation deposition of metal particles slowly progresses to yield ~2–3 nm metal shell. With continued stirring of the solution at room temperature, the color slowly changed from black to brownish. Optimized reaction time of ~25 min was achieved based on maximum photocatalytic activity of core/shell clusters. Ag–NPs were also produced in a separate batch using the same experimental conditions. Laser Flash Photolysis Experiment of nano–second laser flash photolysis was performed with 337 nm laser pulses from N2 laser system (Laser pulse width 800 ps, intensity 5 mJ/pulse). Unless otherwise specified, all the experiments were performed under N2 purging condition. Steady–state photolysis experiments were conducted by photolyzing N2–purged solution with UV light (two high–pressure 15 W mercury lamps). Analytical Methods The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of DPA was carried out in a home–made cylindrical Pyrex reactor (50 mL) with a double–walled cooling–water jacket. UV illumination was conducted utilizing two UV lamps housed over the photocatalytic reactor. In all the experiments, the reactor was fixed 15 cm distant from the light sources. Prior to illumination, equal volumes of DPA and photocatalyst suspension (50 mL volumes) were stirred in the dark for 15 min to achieve the adsorption–desorption equilibrium. Then, UV–irradiated samples (3 mL) were obtained at fixed time intervals and exposed to an external magnetic field for separation of photocatalysts from the reaction mixture. Sample analysis was done by recording the UV–vis absorbance spectra and, simultaneously, injecting of 10 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­L of solution into the HPLC column. The kinetic data are presented as means of triplicate experiments. Results and discussion Characterization of the prepared nanoparticles The studies of size, morphology and composition of the NPs were performed by means of TEM images, FTIR spectra, XRD patterns, UV–vis absorption spectra and magnetization tests. The TEM images of the core–shell clusters demonstrate that these particles have spherical shape with average size of 9.0 ±2.0 and 12.0 ±2.0 nm, respectively (Figure 1A and 1B). Figure 1B shows that a pale shell was coated on the surface of the black core and the interface between the core and shell is sharp and clear. The surface of the core–shell particle is rather rough. The particle size analysis illustrates that the Fe3O4 particles are coated with silver (Figure 1C and 1D). The change of absorption peaks in the FTIR spectra indicate that the Ag–NPs are coated on the surface of Fe3O4–NPs (Figure S-1A) (20). The absence of characteristic diffraction peaks of Fe3O4 reflection in the XRD pattern manifests complete coating of the Fe3O4 seeds by Ag metal (Figure S-1B) (21). After reduction of Ag ions, a new strong absorption band in the UV–vis absorption spectra is observed at 420 nm, which is assigned to the surface plasmon resonance peak of Ag–NPs (Figure S-1C) (22). The large decrease in the magnetic moment of the Fe3O4–NPs after coating with Ag–NPs is attributed to the presence of nonmagnetic Ag metal in the prepared composites (Figure S-1D) (19). Steady–State Photolysis Figure 2A shows the changes in the absorption spectrum following the UV–irradiation of Fe3O4@Ag colloids suspended in de–aerated ethanol as a steady–state photolysis. Before subjecting to UV–irradiation, the plasmon absorption peak of suspension is seen at 430 nm. It should be noted that the small Ag particles prepared using glucose reduction represent absorbance peak at around 420 nm (19,22). The red shift in the plasmon absorption of the core–shell particles is dependent on the type of the oxide contact layer, refractive index of the surrounding medium, the volume fraction of shell layer (23), scattering effects and adsorbed chemical species (24). For 15 min UV–irradiated sample, the absorption shift attains a plateau with a surface plasmon absorption peak at 405 nm (25). For comparison, no spectral shift was observed during the UV–irradiation of bare Ag–NPs suspension in ethanol (Figure 2B). Transient absorption studies were probed using nanosecond laser flash photolysis (Figure S-2A). Notably, the spectral feature of the transient spectrum (Figure S-2A) closely matches with the difference spectrum recorded in steady–state photolysis as shown in the inset of Figure 2A. We can also repeat the photoinduced charging and dark discharge cycles repeatedly and reproduce the plasmon absorption response to separated electrons (Figure S-3) (24). Estimation of the amount of Electrons accelerated into Ag shell layer Known amounts of concentrated thionine solution (degassed) as a redox couple was injected in small increments into the UV–irradiated Fe3O4@Ag suspension (24). The absorption spectrum was recorded after each addition of thionine (Figure 3A). The presence of any unreduced thionine as the endpoint of titration is marked by the appearance of 600 nm absorption band. The plasmon shift can thus be related to the concentration of thionine added (inset of Figure 3A). From the slope of this linear plot until endpoint and the net shift observed in the plasmon band, we expect a maximum access of about ~35 electrons per Fe3O4@Ag core–shell particle (24). The dependence of the plasmon shift and the number of electrons versus the UV–irradiation time is also shown in Figure 3B. We also selected C60 as an excellent probe to investigate interfacial electron transfer in colloidal core–shell magnetic systems (24). The absorption maximum at 1075 nm manifests formation of C60 anion (C60à ¢- Ã¢â‚¬â€œ) (Figure 4) (24). The electron transfer yield increased initially with increasing concentration of C60 (inset of Figure 4). Photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4@Ag particles The UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and HPLC experiments were performed to follow the photodegradation reaction progress. Figure 5A exhibits the changes in the absorbance spectra of DPA after black–light irradiation in the absence and presence of the nanocatalysts. Photographs from the solution of DPA before and after its photocatalytic degradation are shown in the inset of this Figure. Figure 5B displays the photodegradation monitoring of DPA by HPLC. The separation method of DPA, intermediates, and products was very similar to those reported in literature (26). By irradiation of DPA with UV light for 40 min, a reduction in the chromatogram at 10.5 min in accompanying with the appearance of a new peak at a retention time of 9.3 min is observed. The obtained chromatograms suggest higher photodegradation rate of DPA in the presence of the Fe3O4@Ag clusters (Figure 5B). The photocatalytic degradation kinetic results of DPA are shown in Figure 5C which can be well described by Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) model (27). The rate constant, the linear plots of −ln(C/C0) vs. time was calculated as 0.041 min−1 for the coated particles (Figure 5D). After maintaining DPA–NPs suspension in dark no new peak was appeared in the chromatogram (plots (a) and (b) in Figure 5C). Using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing, Du and Jing showed that oxidation of the aromatic compounds containing a free electron pair on the nitrogen atom is increased using a modified Fe3O4@Ag magnetic NPs probe (28). Figure S-4A exhibits a Langmuir type adsorption isotherm of DPA (29). The effect of initial concentration of pollutant, pH, catalyst concentration, and shell coating time on the photodegradation rate of DPA were also investigated (30,31). Photocatalytic degradation rate constant of DPA is inversely proportional to its initial concentration which implies that the reaction dominantly occurred in solution rather than in the catalyst surface (inset of Figure S-4A) (30). The L–H equation also was successfully used to describe that DPA adsorbed on the Ag surface is not an important step (32). Capping of Ag shell on the Fe3O4 core was confirmed by checking the stability in an acidic solution (HNO3). At pH 3O4–NPs surface (33). Significant shifting (~2nm) in spectra for DPA was detected at different pH values. Figure S-4B shows that the adsorption of DPA on Ag surface decreases, but the removal of DPA increases with the increasing pH. At sufficiently higher pH values, the formation of oxidizing species such as the oxide radical anion (à ¢- O–) could also be responsible for the enhancement (34). The observed results are consistent with the proposed mechanism for the photolysis of DPA in literature (35). Figure S-4C shows the time–dependent degradation of DPA at different concentrations of nanocatalysts (36). At excess concentrations of nanocatalysts, considerable decreasing in the photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the low probability of provoking all photocatalysts in solution together with their self–absorption effects. The photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4@Ag clusters initially increases to a peak and then decreases with increasing coating thickness (Figure S-4D), most possibly due to shading (37–39), strong scattering and light filtering effect (40) of denser coating. Varying the Ag shell thickness and the refractive index of the solvent allows control over the optical properties of the dispersions (inset of Figure S-4D) (41). After 40 min photocatalytic reaction, core–shell nanocatalysts were collected by using a small magnet followed by twice washing with deionized water for reusing (Figure 6). In the first cycle of sunlight irradiation, ~95% degradation of DPA was achieved. However, after 3 recycling reactions, photocatalytic activity of the coated particles greatly reduced to the activity level of bare Fe3O4–NPs. Corrosion (38,42,43), oxidation (42,44) or dissolution of the noble metal coating are likely to limit the use of noble metals (Figure S-5A and S-5B). Moreover, the absence of holes in the outer layer of the core–shell particles was investigated. After each addition of known amounts of concentrated Co2+ solution into the UV–irradiated Fe3O4@Ag suspension no color change was observed (Figure S-5C and S-5D). A series of ROSs, such as à ¢- OH, à ¢- O2−, à ¢- HO2 and H2O2, are subsequently produced from primary active photogenerated holes and electrons (30). 0.1 M isopropanol or sodium azide (NaN3) was added in the reaction solution as scavengers of à ¢- OH radicals (45). I− ions was selected to scavenge the photoholes and resulted à ¢- OH radicals by forming relatively inert iodine radicals (30,46). The obtained pseudo–first–order rate constants with or without the addition of various scavengers are all presented in Table 1. In the presence of isopropanol and NaN3, the pseudo–first–order rate constants decreased from 0.041 min−1 to 0.014 and 0.017 min−1, respectively. The degradation rate of DPA with ~65.0% yield is contributed by the à ¢- OH radicals. Comparatively, the rate constants also decreased very closely to 0.018 min−1 after addition of KI scavengers in the reaction solution. Thus, the contribution percentage of photoholes in the degradation rate was deduced as ~0%. Photocatalytic degradation rate constant of deaerated DPA solution with N2 was roughly stopped, since moved electrons toward the outer layer dont receive oxygen. Therefore, only 35.0%, of the degradation rates were from other ROSs or direct photolysis of DPA. CONCLUSIONS We have scrutinized the photoinduced charging and dark discharging of electrons in a magnetic core–silver shell structure. The shift in surface plasmon band serves as a measure to determine the number of electrons accelerated into the metal shell. The charge equilibration between the metal and magnetic semiconductor plays a significant role in dictating the overall energetic of the composite. These magnetic core–metal shell composites are photocatalytically active and are practical to promote light induced electron–transfer reactions. The enhanced sunlight photocatalytic activity of nanocomposite could be attributed to a synergistic effect between LSPR–powered bandgap breaking effect and bandgap–excitation effect modes (38,47–52). In this photocatalytic system, presence of oxygen for starting the degradation of pollutants is imperative. Exploring the catalytic activity of such composite structures could pave the way for designing novel light harvesting systems.

Mother and Daughter Relationships in Joy Luck Club and A Hundred Secret

Mother and Daughter Relationships in The Joy Luck Club and A Hundred Secret Senses   Ã‚  Ã‚   In life, many things can be taken for granted - especially the things that mean the most to you. You just might not realize it until you've lost it all. As I walk down the road finishing up my teenage days, I slowly have been finding a better understanding of my mother. The kind of bond that mothers and daughters have is beyond hard to describe. It's probably the biggest rollercoaster ride of emotions that I'll ever have the chance to live through in my lifetime. But, for those of us who are lucky enough to survive the ride in one piece, it's an amazing learning experience that will influence your entire future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In Amy Tan's novels, The Joy Luck Club, and A Hundred Secret Senses, she describes relationships between mothers and daughters reflecting on her own parents experiences in life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Four mothers, four daughters, four families... whose histories shift with the four winds depending on who's "telling" the stories. In 1949, four Chinese women, recent   immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to talk, eat dim sum, and play mahjong.. As June's mother said, "Idea was to have a gathering of   four women, one for each corner of the mahjong table" (Joy p.32) Being together in shared unspeakable loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy   Luck Club. Instead of sinking into tragedy, they choose to gather and raise their spirits. "To despair was to wish back for something already lost. Or to prolong what was already unbearable." (Joy p.134) In other words, why sit back and keep pondering the tragedy, it's better to let the past go, and move on.   Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In The Joy Luck Club, Tan examines the sometimes painful, often t... ...ring a closer relationship to their families.    Works Cited and Consulted "Biography of Amy Tan." DIScovering Authors Modules. 1998. GaleNet. "Criticism, Amy Tan" DIScovering Authors, Gale Research Inc, 1996. Buck, Claire. "Amy Tan." The Bloomsbury Guide to Womens Literature. Pg1065 Great Britian: Bloomsbury Publishing, 1992. Shear, Walter. "Generational Differences and the Diaspora in The Joy Luck Club." in <>Critique. Volume 34, No3, Spring 1993 pp 193-99.(on GaleNet Tan Amy. The Hundred Secret Senses, New York; Mass Market Paperback, 1996 Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York; Mass Market Paperback, 1994 Willard, Nancy. "Tiger Spirits." in The Women's Review of Books. Vol.6, Nos. 10-11, July 1989, pg12.(on GaleNet) *Amy Tan interview was conducted on the front cover of the hard cover copy addition of The Joy Luck Club.