Literature as Knowledge for Living Essay

According to Vera M. Kutzinski in his introduction, Ottmar Ette was sent to the east of Germany after the reunification of Germany to strengthen academic institutions. There, universities were going to receive the so-called â€Å"Initiative for Excellence†, which would make German universities more competitive. But, when it came to application, a little percentage of humanities institutions were selected, because the focus was actually on science and technology. This fact was what fueled Ette to take a turn on his work and started to work on not trying to convince why literary studies were better or worth more attention or research, but to make skeptical see why society cannot do without literary studies. Ette’s official work on this matter is titled Lendemains, where he focuses on literary studies as something that society needs to survive and the relations established between human beings in literary terms. Below is presented a short review on his evaluation on this matter. Ette argues that literature and language do not seem to deal with language about life any longer. Instead, scientific and technological academic fields have taken over. So what has to be done for the humanities to deal with life again would be, according to him, reorientating the idea of life, which should be based on making society see how the humanities can improve how human beings live with one another, and this should be done together with the biosciences, creating an easily understandable language which allowed scientific and literary discourses to work together as equals. Ette also discusses how biotechnology and natural-scientific fields of study have become the â€Å"sciences of life† because it has been socially accepted, since their subjects of study have to do with life. And also how literary scholars do not pay attention to the humanities losing ground on this respect. So, according to the author, the concept of life should be changed from a bio-chemical, biophysical, and biotechnological and medical, to a cultural-literature-oriented one, as other scholars also maintained before (Leo Spitzer and his ideal of literature being the science that seeks to comprehend the human being to the extent to which he expresses himself in words and linguistic creations). Then, the author introduces the concept knowledge for living as the kind of knowledge inherent to literature, this is, literature having knowledge about or of life. But then, it comes the following question: how to acquire this knowledge for living? This could be answered (according also to Wolfgang Iser’s work) by the act of reading, this is: reading fictional literary pieces and having experiences through it that make the reader gain a kind of knowledge that he/she would not experience in their own life otherwise. This introduces the concepts of intratextuallity (the knowledge of living that characters of novels possess) and extratextuallity (the ways of acquiring certain cultural and sociohistorical knowledge for living), both of which influence the reader culturally, in their behavior, their life, etc. depending on what they read. These two dimensions of the knowledge for living constitute, at the same time, the knowledge for living together, which is acquired by the readers through literature as the conditions for people to live together which have been shaped all throughout history. In these terms, the author mentions Roland Basthers’ work Comment vivre ensemble, and how literary analysis could connect literature and life. This is, for example, how to live (in the novel), how certain people have lived (in biography), etc. In addition, these knowledges should take into account different contexts and cultures, gender and social differences, in order to be universal and valid. The conclusion of the author is that the humanities first need to realize the potential that they possess concerning knowledge for living which, in conjunction with the natural and social sciences, would give new perspectives for the exploration of art and literature as knowledge for living.

Traditional Education vs. Online Education

Now days, with technology generously available, schools are opting to implement online classes into their traditional teaching curriculum. As a result of this our society is divided in two different ways of thinking on the education. Some believe the modern method is better than the traditional method of teaching but yet these two methods are both successful. Personally, I believe both methods should balance one another instead of attempting to substitute one another; this way their purpose of educating will be far more successful. Online education, also called long distant learning, can be defined as a new method of learning through a computer network. This modern way of teaching gives students an opportunity to take classes online. Bill Gates recently predicted that in five years most colleges will be providing online education. â€Å"The self-motivated learner will be on the Web,† Mr. Gates said, speaking at the Techonomy conference in Lake Tahoe. â€Å"College needs to be less place-based. †(Steve) Online courses allow students to access course content, including reading lists and library materials, at any time. This flexibility of online courses is primarily important for students who have young children, who are caring for ailing or elderly family members, who have full-time jobs, or who live too far from campus. Flexible hours are also beneficial because it allow students to work at their own speed; taking courses either part time or on an accelerated schedule. According to the article in the New York Times, titled â€Å"Study Finds That Online Education Beats Classroom,† the SRI International for the Department of Education, conducted a research on online versus traditional classroom teaching from 1996 to 2008. Most of the studies were conducted in colleges and adult continuing-education programs. Over the twelve year span, the Department of Education found that, on average students doing some or all of the course online would rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, compared with the average classroom student scoring in the 50th percentile (Lohr). According to Barbara Means, the study’s lead author and an educational psychologist at SRI International, online education ultimate goal, is to provide learning experiences that are more tailored to individual students than is possible in classrooms. That enables more â€Å"learning by doing,† which many students find more engaging and useful. However, advocates of classroom learning believe the online method isolates the students from one another as well as their professor minimizing the overall value of taking the course. They also claim that students learn better when working together with their instructor and their fellow classmates. Students learn better when they are given the opportunity to ask questions, join in class discussions, and they move the process of learning forward through their participation. Face-to-face advocates firmly believe that this kind of interaction is not possible over the Internet; and for many types of education, e-learning will never meet the potential of live human interaction in the classroom. An article in the New York Times titled, â€Å"Second Thoughts on Online Education,† backs up the points made above. A recent research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, comes to the conclusion; â€Å"A rush to online education may come at more of a cost than educators may suspect. A research funded by the National Science Foundation and the Education Department, consisted on comparing the grades of one group online, and one in classroom lectures. The 312 students were undergraduates at a major state university. The data concluded that certain groups did notably worse online. Such as, Hispanic students who took classes’ online fell nearly a full grade lower than Hispanic students that took the course in class. Male students did abou t a half-grade worse online, as did low-achievers, which had college grade-point averages below the mean for the university. David Figlio, an economist at Northwestern University and co-author of the paper, has a few conclusions as to what accounts for the differences in outcomes. The poorer performance of males and lower-achievers, he says the time-shifting convenience of the Web made it easier for students to put off viewing the lectures and cram just before the test, a tactic unlikely to produce the best possible results. The lower performance by Hispanic students online, Mr. Figlio said, might be due to missing the body language of the teacher and other classroom cues, which could be more important to a student whose first language is not English. The truth of the matter is that there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of learning environment. It is best to use the advantages that each method offers to their fullest extent. It appears from the initial studies, that a combination of online and classroom learning will be the best teaching method for educating a person for the better future of everyone. According to Judy Willis, â€Å"The more regions of the brain that store data about a subject, the more interconnection there is. This redundancy means students will have more opportunities to pull up all of those related bits of data from their multiple storage areas in response to a single cue. This cross-referencing of data means we have learned, rather than just memorized. † However, it is important to accentuate that learning highly depends on the students’ motivation to learn. So it still comes down to the effort that the students put into their education that ultimately decides how beneficial the overall experience was to their future career. Traditional Education vs. Online Education Now days, with technology generously available, schools are opting to implement online classes into their traditional teaching curriculum. As a result of this our society is divided in two different ways of thinking on the education. Some believe the modern method is better than the traditional method of teaching but yet these two methods are both successful. Personally, I believe both methods should balance one another instead of attempting to substitute one another; this way their purpose of educating will be far more successful. Online education, also called long distant learning, can be defined as a new method of learning through a computer network. This modern way of teaching gives students an opportunity to take classes online. Bill Gates recently predicted that in five years most colleges will be providing online education. â€Å"The self-motivated learner will be on the Web,† Mr. Gates said, speaking at the Techonomy conference in Lake Tahoe. â€Å"College needs to be less place-based. †(Steve) Online courses allow students to access course content, including reading lists and library materials, at any time. This flexibility of online courses is primarily important for students who have young children, who are caring for ailing or elderly family members, who have full-time jobs, or who live too far from campus. Flexible hours are also beneficial because it allow students to work at their own speed; taking courses either part time or on an accelerated schedule. According to the article in the New York Times, titled â€Å"Study Finds That Online Education Beats Classroom,† the SRI International for the Department of Education, conducted a research on online versus traditional classroom teaching from 1996 to 2008. Most of the studies were conducted in colleges and adult continuing-education programs. Over the twelve year span, the Department of Education found that, on average students doing some or all of the course online would rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, compared with the average classroom student scoring in the 50th percentile (Lohr). According to Barbara Means, the study’s lead author and an educational psychologist at SRI International, online education ultimate goal, is to provide learning experiences that are more tailored to individual students than is possible in classrooms. That enables more â€Å"learning by doing,† which many students find more engaging and useful. However, advocates of classroom learning believe the online method isolates the students from one another as well as their professor minimizing the overall value of taking the course. They also claim that students learn better when working together with their instructor and their fellow classmates. Students learn better when they are given the opportunity to ask questions, join in class discussions, and they move the process of learning forward through their participation. Face-to-face advocates firmly believe that this kind of interaction is not possible over the Internet; and for many types of education, e-learning will never meet the potential of live human interaction in the classroom. An article in the New York Times titled, â€Å"Second Thoughts on Online Education,† backs up the points made above. A recent research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, comes to the conclusion; â€Å"A rush to online education may come at more of a cost than educators may suspect. A research funded by the National Science Foundation and the Education Department, consisted on comparing the grades of one group online, and one in classroom lectures. The 312 students were undergraduates at a major state university. The data concluded that certain groups did notably worse online. Such as, Hispanic students who took classes’ online fell nearly a full grade lower than Hispanic students that took the course in class. Male students did abou t a half-grade worse online, as did low-achievers, which had college grade-point averages below the mean for the university. David Figlio, an economist at Northwestern University and co-author of the paper, has a few conclusions as to what accounts for the differences in outcomes. The poorer performance of males and lower-achievers, he says the time-shifting convenience of the Web made it easier for students to put off viewing the lectures and cram just before the test, a tactic unlikely to produce the best possible results. The lower performance by Hispanic students online, Mr. Figlio said, might be due to missing the body language of the teacher and other classroom cues, which could be more important to a student whose first language is not English. The truth of the matter is that there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of learning environment. It is best to use the advantages that each method offers to their fullest extent. It appears from the initial studies, that a combination of online and classroom learning will be the best teaching method for educating a person for the better future of everyone. According to Judy Willis, â€Å"The more regions of the brain that store data about a subject, the more interconnection there is. This redundancy means students will have more opportunities to pull up all of those related bits of data from their multiple storage areas in response to a single cue. This cross-referencing of data means we have learned, rather than just memorized. † However, it is important to accentuate that learning highly depends on the students’ motivation to learn. So it still comes down to the effort that the students put into their education that ultimately decides how beneficial the overall experience was to their future career.

As I have used special colours and finishes for th Essays

As I have used special colours and finishes for the examples stated here, the cost is a lot higher than it would be if I was using one basic colour design. Although the more I produce of a graphic product, the price goes up, the price for each individual unit is cheaper with the more I produce.Cost and availability of materialsWhen designing a graphic product, there are many different sizes, colours, weights of paper and inks for the graphic designer to choose from. Paper is the most versatile of all printing materials as s it is available in a great range of thicknesses, colours, types, textures and sizes. Paper is sold in weights, gram per square (gsm). An expensive publication would use about 150 gsm for the front cover and 85 gsm for the inside pages. This would have a more glossy appearance to attract customers, where as newspapers are cheaper in value and the quality of the paper is much poorer, absorbent, off white colour. The most common sized paper is A4 this is usually found in most offices and schools. Cost in paper rises with size, thickness, texture and size. Coloured papers are useful for backgrounds and are available in an extensive range of colours and textures. It is possible to find an exact match of colours similar to those of the printer, designers can produce visuals for the client with confidence that the finished colour will be identical. Systems and controlSystemA system is central to the management and operation of many industrial and commercial organisations, it is important to identify their structure and the changes that take place when one or more of the parts are altered. Designing a system is useful to ensure the process will operate successfully as the processes of the system change. All systems have inputs and outputs; the main purpose of a system is to change or transform the inputs into outputs. For different products the outputs and inputs will usually differ too. Most processes (or transformations) are used to maintain the balance of the system, or to improve the quality and quantity of the outputs.Feedback and ControlWhen working with systems in a graphic project you might discover that the quantity and quality of the outputs are unsatisfactory, for example, lack of profit or a printing fault. If this occurs it is possible to change the inputs of processes of the original system, this is known as feedback. Control is the way which the inputs or processes are changed. To judge how well a system has performed you can see how well it transforms the inputs and outputs and how successful the final product is judging from the outputs.Examples of systemsIn the printing process of a system, these are the 4 colours used:Optical mixing is using little dots of colour to create different shades and varieties. For example, the more black dots you add the darker the colour gets and if you put yellow and red dots together the result will be a orange colour. Some of the students from my year at school went to a printing factory and brought back these samples of optical mixing. Lithography was introduced in the 17th century but only dominated the trade in late 20th century.The diagram on this page shows off set litho, a term referring to the method of transferring ink from the plate to a rubber blanket and then onto paper. This process is designed so there is no contact between paper and plate and this prolongs the working life of the plate while preventing paper from getting damp from the water used in the offset litho process. The process relies on the fact that the oil and grease do not mix with the water. This method is ideal for use of newspapers, magazines, books, posters, letterheads and packaging and is a widely used process, which provides good quality printing. It is also ideal for mass-producing up to a million copies of a graphic product. The process can be expensive for short runs, but ideal for long runs and either single or multiple colour products. One way to check the quality of my finished graphic product is to inspect it/them and ensure they are all satisfactory. The alternative is a more

Biological Influences-U2-IP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biological Influences-U2-IP - Essay Example So the mind received the maximum effect of coarseness and sent stimuli to feel that. After a minute or two (not for a long time) if again rubbed, the time is not sufficiently large enough to forget the coarseness of the sand paper. This time the sand paper was rubbed with index finger having a perception about its coarseness. This type of adaptation of the mind to the situation decreases its extent of stimuli and as a result the perception of coarseness is up to less extent when the sand paper was rubbed for 2nd time. Here the adaptation was evident by touch.Take two cups of water.The first one will be sugar mixed water and the second with fresh water. Now the sip of the sugar mixed water was taken and swished around in the mouth for some time.This action made the water to mix with saliva in the mouth.As a result the sweetness of it was decreased. Another factor also may contribute to the decrease of sweetness of the sugar water. (When swished (liquid) or chewed (solid) the sugars in the substance will be disintegrated to smaller molecules of sugar and the carbohydrates also to the level of smaller molecules of sugar.This makes the sweet food to taste less sweet and the carbohydrate food a little bit sweeter after chewing it for some time.)By the time the sugar water tastes less sweet than its real taste the taste buds were adapted to its sweet taste.

Human Communication Interface Comparison Assignment Essay

Human Communication Interface Comparison Assignment - Essay Example The physical user interactive display enhances the richness of the media content being displayed, making it more motivating for a customer to search through such content with much ease. This paper will compare the physical interactive user interface in Netflix.com and Hulu.com in determining which interface presents better user interactivity in movie watching and streaming. A good interactive physical user interface makes it easy to use for audience with different abilities. Fitt’s law and Hick’s law of interactive user design will be used in comparing between the two websites. Interface Description Netflix.com and Hulu.com are two movie streaming and TV content streaming sites respectively, used by movies lovers and those who like streaming digital content directly. In this paper the desktop interactive interface presented by Netflix.com and Hulu.com will be compared in investigating the system that has been designed according o the principles of interactive design, an d according to Hicks and Fits design laws of interactive design. ... Interaction Description Both Hulu.com and Netflix.com require member subscription where in order to access the content, one has to sign into a private account. This implies that they both charge varying subscription fees to their members and are considered cheaper alternatives by many movie lovers and in TV content streaming. Both Netflix.com and Hulu.com are accessed over the internet and use a broadband to stream digital content. Therefore, the display of the film graphics, online TV shows, documentaries among many digital contents that are stored and streamed from the two sites either through a free service for Hulu.com, or through subscribed services for both Hulu and Netflix. The main difference is that Hulu Plus is mainly dedicated to TV shows, with its user interface display being made of a wide collection of TV shows and documentaries, while Netflix mainly focuses on movies, with its user interface portraying the numerous movies that can be obtained from the service, all in a n interactive graphic (Kanouse, 110). Hulu.com will thus attract more TV and documentary lovers while Netflix has its audience across both TV lovers and movie lovers. The main interaction in the two websites takes place as viewers access the sites, log into to private accounts, and search for the required contents to watch. The desktop before logging into private accounts is thus critical in guiding and assisting the viewer through the available contents to make searching easy , speedy with the least number of non-repetitive actions required to access such content being critical in determining the ease of use in each website. Users are required to use a few tools in

The Political Economy of Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Political Economy of Communication - Essay Example By adopting Mosco’s process of commodification, it is evident that Google’s value addition outcomes from its advertising ventures can be directly linked to its commodification of the users of Google on an extensive level. Due to Google’s online platform popularity and accessibility, a lot of firms use this venue as an advertising forum. The number of Google users are so many such that it makes the company an efficient advertising avenue for companies and in so doing, commodifies its users at a level above that of conventional advertising media. In addition, Google employs a valorization process that enhances its ability to reap more profits and revenue than conventional media platforms. Its commodification of the users is also identified via its ability to calculate the advertising costs accurately and personalizing strategies for advertisements, which are largely due to its unlimited access to consumer behavior data. Also, the company’s vague differentiation between serviced content and advertisements for goods and services on its platform, clearly results in the intense commodification of its users and their online activities. However, the most intense commodification identified with the activities of Google has to be those related with its sale of keywords to advertisement companies. The advertisers then link the advertisements to the output of search data and are valued with regards to their popularity on the Google online platform. This behavior of intense corporate capitalism at the expense of the rights of consumers (privacy) has been termed as commodification of user behavior at its worst, and highlights the importance and relevance of PEC/M in modern times. Besides advertisements, Google maps and its application constitutes part of the company’s main activities and revenue sources. In accordance with Mosco’s definition of spatialization, it is mainly concerned

Kentucky v. King, 563 U.S. ___ (2011) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Kentucky v. King, 563 U.S. ___ (2011) - Essay Example Acker & Malatesta (2013) highlights that the Fourth Amendment grants each person’s right to security at home in contradiction of irrational searches and seizures with no violations. The State Court’s ruling intended at eliminating instances where police created exigent conditions to avoid obtaining a warrant. The respondent appealed his sentence for possessing drugs as stated in a police search of his apartment (Doyle, 2011). The unwarranted search to Mr. King’s home was the belief by the police that there were drugs in his apartment. Then, the police had knocked on the respondent’s door and revealed their presence upon which the respondent’s room smelt burning drugs as detected from the door. According to the police, the situation called for urgent measures that prompted entry into the apartment to avoid further evidence demolition. Consequently, the Kentucky Supreme Court held to the illegality of the police search as founded on the Fourth Amendment and that the police developed the urgency. However, the U.S Supreme Court approved certiorari to investigate this decision. In November 21, 2005 at Fayette County Circuit Court, a bench accused Mr. King with trafficking marijuana, first-degree precise substance handling, and second-degree tenacious crime. The grand jury’s decision held that marijuana smoke prompting further investigations but did not vindicate warrantless search. Consequently, the respondent was granted the right to appeal. At the Kentucky Court of Appeals, Mr. King’s appeal occurred on March 14, 2008 maintaining that the police created the exigent conditions and that there was no exception to possessing a search warrant. However, the court supported the need for immediate action to prevent evidence demolition. The Kentucky Supreme Court granted Mr. King’s discretionary review on January 21, 2010 reversing the decision

Restoration & Recovery Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Restoration & Recovery Plan - Essay Example These directives and orders are part of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning is required for Federal Government Agencies. PDD 63 or the Critical Infrastructure Protection directive and FPC 65 summarize the requirements for COOP information system infrastructure and emergency measures. FPC 65 stipulates that federal agencies are required to get back into operations within 12 hours from any kind of service collapse. OMB CircularA-130 prescribes continuity of operations planning which includes emergency procedures and policies for immediate operations recovery and restoration as well as long-term mitigation of potential services interruption of critical operations (EMC Corporation, 2006). In any kind or emergency, police and emergency services are the most essential. Therefore, the integrity, restoration and recovery of information systems in these branches of government should be the utmost priority. Florida is one of the states that have had to be vigilant regarding these concerns since the 1990's (Mittler, 1995). The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is no exception to these circumstances. Palm Beach's experience with Hurricane Katrina emphasized not only the need to be prepared for the disasters and the essential role that police and emergency services have to play in recovery (Kam & Gomez, 2005). Restoration and Recovery of Information Systems and Data Breakdowns of information systems and data loss are not limited to the event of disasters. Natural disasters may impact systems extremely and can impair critical functions when they are needed the most but system attacks, hacking and other related crimes that is becoming the most urgent. Restoration of Information System Operations According to the National Security Agency (NSA), through the Information Assurance Directorate (IAD), information assurance refers to procedures designed to safeguard and secure information and information systems against failure, collapse or attacks. Part of this program is the re-establishment of information systems by the development of security, response and resolution competencies into the system (2006). These standards govern feral information systems and have been adopted by industry as well. These measures include providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities. Public sector agencies and departments must comply within the prescribed recovery period and point service levels depending on the significance of their operations and information. They have to take into account considerable quantities of paper and electronic data, data storage distribution, necessity for nonstop operations and high data security and integrity measures (EMC Corporation, 2006) Recovery of Data Data backup and replication are the underlying concern in restoration and recovery. The primary factors considered are cost, management, reliability and security Effective back up strategies limit the need to reinstall programs and regenerate data in the events of data loss. However, data loss over a long period of time either by malicious acts or because of inadequate systems is more difficult to salvage and may go unnoticed (Ginty, 2005).

Mechanical orientation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mechanical orientation - Essay Example III (2009), he averred that â€Å"according to HomeDoctor.net, a roofing nail has a diamond-shaped sharp tip to help it nail through decking without splitting it. That is why it is important to use roofing nails when doing a roofing job. Roofing nails are made of galvanized steel to protect them from the elements. When installing roofing nails always make sure the nail is flush to the shingle. A countersunk nail will rip the shingle, and a nail that is not completely nailed down will eventually work its way out† (par. 6). There are different lengths of nails to use depending on the roofing materials one is working on. For asphalt shingles, Root III indicated that â€Å"when installing asphalt shingles on felt only to any grade decking you should use 1-inch long roofing nails. When installing dimensional shingles to felt only, Roofhelp.com recommends you use 1 1/4-inch nails. If you are putting a layer of asphalt shingles over an existing layer of asphalt shingles on to a 3/4-inch deck or a plank deck then you should be using 1 1/2-inch nails. If your decking is less than 3/4 inch then a 1 1/2-inch nail will suffice. For dimensional shingles being installed over a layer of existing dimensional shingles you should always use a 1 1/2-inch roofing nail† (Root III, pars. 4 & 5). A rubber mallet is â€Å"a hammerlike tool with a head commonly of wood but occasionally of rawhide, plastic, etc., used for driving any tool with a wooden handle, as a chisel, or for striking a surface† (Dictionary.com, par. 1). Wallender identified the following uses of a rubber mallet, to wit: â€Å"for ceramic tile, it helps gently tap tile into place; laminate flooring: great for this brittle material; tap carpeting onto tacking strips; a â€Å"sounding device† if you need to hear what is behind a wall or in a pipe; PVC pipe work; and two tight-fitting sections of drywall† (Wallender, par.1), among others. According to needs, the rubber mallet come in different types and prices, such as the

Strategy Report of Tesco Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Strategy Report of Tesco Case Study - Essay Example Although Tesco concentrated on the core growth of the company during the 50s and 60s, apart from organic growth, they also grew through acquisitions. They increased their market share at low cost as they concentrated in opening stores in and around London. The organic growth represents the long-term strategy of the company and also its core strength and vitality. The number of stores grew and they acquired cost leadership but cost leadership comes with disadvantages (Porter, 1979). Very low cost may take loyal customers away and it may also start losing revenues, which is what happened to Tesco. It then changed its strategy to increase its market share – price reduction and centralized buying. Thereafter Tesco concentrated on growth based on four factors. While UK was their core market, they also expanded internationally. Apart from market development, they also focused on product development as they became as strong in non-food products as in food. Besides, they also introduced new retailing services. So their strategy was both market and product development. This is how they penetrated into the market and increased their market share. In their overseas expansion, they adopted a localized approach where they took into account the local culture, local suppliers and ways of working. They also recognized that each individual was different and hence adopted the multi-format strategy. They focused on a few markets which helped them gain competitive advantage and then find the direction for growth and development. During the 1990s Tesco concentrated on national market development through product innovation. They attracted and retained customers through different innovative strategies. To retain loyal customers they introduced loyalty cards; to attract a new segment they started online shopping and thereby created differentiation in their service offerings. It was the same market but with the help of technology they could

What Is Beauty Essay Example for Free

What Is Beauty Essay She is so beautiful, the girl said as she gazed in awe- and with a slight trace of jealousy- at the woman walking down the street. Beautiful. What does it mean? Is beauty a synonym for pretty or does it connote something else entirely? Who defines what is beautiful? The definition of beauty has been contended with for centuries and across many continents. Many have concluded that, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Although this saying does contain truth, the definition of beauty is more specifically influenced by history, by cultural norms, and by universal standards. Each classification has contributed to the overall definition of beauty. The definition of beauty has been manipulated by history within many different countries. This definition has evolved over time. During the European Renaissance between the 14th and 17th centuries, certain traits such as high foreheads, voluptuous figures, and pale skin were considered beautiful (Sherrow). These traits were considered high class and characteristics of royalty. Mary Queen of Scots doesnt look beautiful to us Beaky nose, beady eyes, small, pursed mouth. Yet in many letter and accounts of the time, she was described as the most beautiful princess in Europe, with glowing details of her amber-colored hair, milky white complexion and so on (Shulman) In distinct contrast to the descriptions defining beauty during the European Renaissance, modern day culture in America dictates beauty defined through slender bodies (Burnell and Gold), tan skin (Donohoe), and youthfulness (Newman). The definition of beauty has continuously developed, and has been directed by evolving history. Beauty during the European Renaissance is a far from the way beauty is defined today. As times change, so does the definition of beauty. Not only has the definition of beauty been persuaded by evolved history, history has influenced the development of modern beauty practices that contribute to the description of beauty. Beauty products and practices have always been used; they have simply progressed in order to fulfill current standards of beauty. The article in Elle Magazine discusses LOreals new book series, which accounts the history of many beauty products and practices. One beauty product that has been developed through the guidance of history, and has influenced the definition of beauty, is foundation. Foundation has been used for centuries. In 200 B. C. Greek and Roman women would apply a powdered white lead to their skin. Although this lead makeup was toxic, it was commonly used until the 1800s. During the Elizabethan-era (1558-1603), women used a cosmetic known as ceruse (composed of white lead and vinegar) to create the ideal of creamy-white looking skin. From the 1920s to the present, foundation has evolved. By 2010, makeup was often enhanced with sunscreen protection and proteins. (Long) For a long period of time, pale looking skin was considered beautiful. As modern society began to recognize the deadly toxins in the lead used in the makeup to achieve this look, new forms of foundation were developed. As history progressed, and society became more aware of health concerns, the definition of beauty was influenced as well. Another example of a beauty practice been influenced by history is hair-dye. The Greco- Roman women first introduced hair-dye in 100 B. C. They would bleach their hair using carbonized beechwood and goat fat. Women with darker hair would use fermented wine to hide their gray hairs. During the 1500s, a strawberry shade known as Venetian blonde was popular in Renaissance Italy. This color was prepared by combining twigs, barley, licorice bark and lemons. In 1909, Eugene Schueller, the founder of LOreal, produced the first commercial synthetic hair dye. This presented a more easily accessible and practical way to dye hair. (Long) History influenced the development of modern beauty practices. As changing historical times influenced the definition of beauty, products and practices that form beauty further developed to resolve modern ideals. The definition of beauty is also influenced by the current events of that specific era. To begin with, historical events influenced the definition of beauty. Depending on what was occurring at that particular point in history influenced the way women interpreted beauty, and functionally described beauty. For instance, during the Colonial Period late 16th century, many Europeans settled in America. When arriving in colonial America, European settlers changed their mode of appearance due to the new way of life. To be specific, many men and women stopped wearing wigs and certain cosmetics that symbolized the despised British Monarchy. The settlers dressed in simpler styles of hair and clothing that reflected the changing attitudes towards a more democratic society (and less class-conscious based). These clothing also enabled them to work more easily. (Sherrow) As times changed, the practical (and sometimes political) definition of beauty was influenced by the events of that time period. Another point in history that had a tremendous influence on the definition of beauty was the 1920s to the early 1930s in Harlem, NY. The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American beauty in comparison to the constricted European standards. During this movement in the 1920s, black authors praised the African American beauty by comparing their skin colors to cinnamon, honey, ginger and other appealing things (Sherrow). The Black Pride of the 1960s reinforced these ideals in contrast to European ideals that segregated beauty from others cultures. Sherrow) This time period introduced the beauty of other ethnicities and influenced society by widening the definition of beauty. The history of the fashion industry also influences the definition of beauty. Throughout the decades, the fashion industry has had a strong opinion that has impacted societies definition of beauty. As the outlook of the fashion industry transforms, the attitude of society fluctuates as well. To illustrate, Marilyn Monroe famously became the sex symbol of the 1950s. She was a singer, model and dancer who epitomized the definition of beauty at the time (Sherrow). It is amusing that if Marilyn Monroe would walk into Weight Watchers today, no one would bat an eye- theyd sign her up (Newman). During this period in time, an hourglass figure was admired. Later, the 1990s ushered in a whole new beauty aesthetic. Kate Moss was a rule breaking waif and the face of a new age of fashion(Shulman). She was famous for her size zero- an influence to the rest of society. This contrasted to the 1980s when supermodels like Naomi Campbell had the bodies and polished stance that had been so fashionable (Shulman). The change in fashion forcefully influenced the definition of beauty. Each decade had been assigned a unique personality by the fashion world. The standards the fashion world set throughout history have had a tremendous influence on the definition of beauty. In addition to history, another classification that plays an immense role in defining beauty is cultural norms. What is considered beautiful is partly unique to specific cultures. On the reality TV show, The Price of Beauty, Jessica Simpson travels to different countries around the globe to investigate the definition of beauty defined by each culture (Albers). In these cultures there are specific standards of beauty. While in Paris, France, she spoke to women struggling with anorexia. She also interviewed women within the fashion industry about the pressures to maintain a thin silhouette (Albers). The culture pressure in Paris, one of the worldwide capitals of fashion, is one that influences beauty to be defined and dictated by the fashion community. On the other hand, while traveling in Uganda, Simpson noticed that women face a complete opposite issue. In Uganda, not only is a fuller figure more beautiful, it is a symbol of status and a source of pride for men(Albers). Before women get married there are sent to the fattening hut where they are required to consume large quantitates of food in order to gain a sufficient amount of weight. The bride they interviewed drank several jugs of milk (around 5,000 calories) a day, which led who to gain 80 pounds over the course of a couple months. (Albers) The juxtaposition between the culture in France and the culture in Uganda serves as clear evidence that cultural standards have a significant impact on the definition of beauty. What is categorized as beautiful is also defined through specific practices within individual culture. For instance, the Surma and Mursi women of Ethiopia wear large lip plates in order to stretch out their lips (Saad). The size of the plates indicates levels of status. Another example is the Kareni and Padaung women of Myanmar who use metal rings to elongate their neck and raise their chin. The elongated neck resulting of this practice is viewed as the ideal beauty. (Saad) While each one of these practices would be considered foreign and outlandish to many societies, they are a precise definition of what is considered beautiful in these unique cultures. Cultural practices clearly contribute to the overall definition of beauty. Furthermore, within a specific culture, there are distinctive descriptions of beauty. The fashion industry and the media promote very definite standards of beauty. For me, beauty demands a kind of originality that makes you stop and look again. Francis Bacon, the 16th century philosopher, put it this way: There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. (Shulman) This quote describes the basic philosophy of the high fashion industry. The fashion industry does not define beauty through proportional, standard features- this world is interested in different, exotic and unique features that stand out. Along with the trends in the fashion industry, the media also tends to promote a specific definition of beauty. The media tends to focus on defining beauty as thin and fat free, leading to many problems revolving around negative body image. The National Eating Disorders Association states that 81% of 10-yr-olds are afraid of being fat (Brunell and Gold). The fashion industry and the media represent one portion of a culture. They are businesses and industries that dictate very specific opinions that will benefit their purpose. In comparison to the fashion industry and media, the definition of beauty amongst the average population within America differs. Contrary to the fashion worlds opinion, the average American public has an entirely different approach to beauty. Judith Langlois, professor of psychology at the University of Texas composed a study to determine facial attractiveness. College students rated a collection of photographs of faces that would be used in this study as attractive or unattractive. The factor that determined attractiveness was the symmetry and proportions of the face. The more average and positional the facial features were, the more attractive the photo was rated. (Newman) In comparison to the criteria of beauty in the high fashion industry, this is completely hypocritical. Within the population of a culture, the definition of beauty may vary. Similarly, the image the media projects are not considered beautiful across the board. The average American women is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds, according to the National eating Disorders Association. That adds to a body mass index (BMI), the standard measurement of doctors and nutritionists or assessing healthy body size, of approximately 24 when calculated using CDC standards. A normal BMI falls between 18. 5 and 24. 9, according to the CDC. (Brunell and Gold) At 5 foot 4 inches, weighing 140 pounds, many women would consider themselves beautiful. Compared to Angelina Jolie- the epitome what the media presents as beautiful- these numbers are very high. She measures at 5 feet inches tall and weighs approximately 105 pounds: Jolies BMI would be at about 16, and she would be considered underweight. Michael Cunningham, a professor and psychologist at the University of Louisville comments: Now the average voluptuous five-foot-four women may feel inadequate, especially when she compares herself to the celebrities on screen and in beauty magazines. (Brunell and Gold) What is considered average, and no less beautiful, in one part of Americas culture is vastly incongruent with another percentage of the society. Not only is the definition of beauty influenced by history, and by cultural norms, it is also influenced by universal standards. One of the universal standards is the biological influence that serves as contribution to the definition of beauty. To be specific, in all cultures, symmetric faces are interpreted as more beautiful than asymmetric faces. You can visit the Bedouins in the Middle East, the Yanomamo in the Amazon, and the Inuits in the Canadian north, and the will all agree who is beautiful based on facial features(Saad). In Langlois study, she tested babies by showing them the photos selected by college students, and then timed how long the baby would gaze at each picture. At the end of the study, she concluded that the baby was more likely to stare longer at the attractive people in the photos. What is attractive? It is a symmetrical face. People with symmetrical and averaged proportions are more pleasant to look at (Newman). Gad Saad, an evolutionary behavioral scientist, explains that due to the insufficient cognitive development of the baby, and therefore the inability to be socially influenced, this reaction is biologically programmed. People are universally, biologically inclined towards symmetrical faces. Don Symons, an anthropologist at University of California at Santa Barbara concurs: Beauty is not whimsical. Beauty has meaning. Beauty is functional. He argues that beauty is not only in the eyes of the beholder, but also in the brain circuitry of the beholder. (Newman) The definition of beauty is universally distinguished through biological instinct. Studies by psychologists Victor Johnson of New Mexico State University, and David Perrett of St. Andrews University in Scotland, show that men consistently show preference for women with larger eyes, fuller lips and a smaller nose and chin. Symons explains that all these traits symbolize youth, fertility and good health. (Newman) This form of beauty is universal due to the biological implications. Across the globe, men will biologically gravitate towards specific traits that symbolize the ability to reproduce. Beauty is health. Its a buildboard saying: I am healthy and I can pass on your genes, a psychologist says (Newman). Although biology is not everything, it does play a significant role in determining what is categorized as universally beautiful. There are also non-physical definitions of beauty that are universal throughout. The emphasis on specific forms of beauty transcends acquiring a certain look. Cleise Gomes is a native of Brazil and founder and owner of Cleise Brazilian Day Spa in Chicago. Gomes remarks, In Brazil our concept of beauty is relative to the whole body and mind. There need to be a balance. We all see people who are striking on the outside, but as they reveal themselves, our perception changes. In the long run, the inner beauty wins out since outer beauty will fade. (Brunell and Gold) Jaclyn Siegel, a girl who struggles with body image agrees: Beauty is not a surface thing. Its not physical. It is definitely more inside than out. A beautiful person is someone who is caring, kind, thinks of others and has a positive outlook on life (Brunell and Gold). Through her individual struggle with body image, and her road to recovery from bulimia, she was able to come to the conclusion that beauty is more than skin deep. Personality traits affect the way one is perceived. A perfect physiognomy can be ugly if a person exhibits arrogance Conversely, physically unattractive individuals with warm and outgoing personalities can appear beautiful (Donohoe). Gomes and Seigel both describe the importance of this form of beauty. Just as the definition of beauty is influenced by universal standards, the quest to obtain beauty is universal. The amount of money spent on beauty, beauty products and more serves as indisputable proof that the pursuit to attain beauty is universal. In the United States last year, people spent six billion on fragrances and another six billion on make-up. Hair and skin-care products drew eight million dollars each, which fingernail items alone accounted for a billion. In the mania to loose weight 20 billion was spent on diet products and services- in addition to the billions that were spent on health clubs and plastic surgery. (Newman) Around the globe, a tremendous amount of time and money is spent to achieve the desired form of beauty. Throughout the world, women search to obtain beauty. Depending on the specific culture, there might be a different focus of what is considered worthy of achieving, but the quest to obtain that beauty is universal. A world famous plastic surgeon, Dr. Ivo Pitanguy says that in Brazil, women get liposuction at 18 and breast reduction at 16-22 years old. Brazilian women prefer smaller breasts and bigger derrieres, whereas in America a breast augmentation in more common (Newman). Though the specific standard of what is considered beautiful is different between the two countries, the demand to attain the desired beauty is universal. Not only will people around the world do almost anything to obtain beauty, the cost of obtaining beauty globally has gone far beyond financial concerns. One specific example is the rise in eating disorders worldwide. Because societies around the world today, mostly influenced by the media and the fashion industry, have promoted thin as beautiful, many women feel a pressure reach a certain number on the scale in order to be classified as beautiful. In Japan anorexia was first documented in the 1960s. It now affects an estimated one in one hundred Japanese women and has spread to parts of Asia including Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In the U. S. , according to Menniger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, the proportion of females affected by eating disorders is around 5 to 10 percent. (Newman) People will harm their bodies and themselves i n order to achieve the ideal form of beauty. Another example of the acts that are committed to obtain beauty is the use of hazardous beauty products. The search for beauty could be deadly. Vermilion rouge used in the 18th century was made of a sulfur and mercury compound. Men and women used at the peril of lost teeth and inflamed gums. They sickened, sometimes died, from the lead in the white powder they dusted on their faces. In the 19th century women wore whalebone and steel corsets that made it difficult to breathe, a precursor of the stomach-smooshing Playtex Living Girdle. (Newman) Throughout history, people took part in beauty practices that would cause disease, illness and suffering in order to conform to a desired fashion of beauty. Throughout history, and across the world, there is an intense desire to be beautiful. The ultimate description of beauty is highly intricate and immensely complicated to describe. This definition has been in the making for hundreds of years and is influenced by history, by cultural norms and by universal standards that each has a unique affect on the definition. One person, one thing, or one place does not define beauty. As she watched the women disappear around the corner, she realized that she too was beautiful.

SWOT analysis Essay Example for Free

SWOT analysis Essay Pizza Hut, the most popular and prominent brand in the fast food industry is the largest chain food shop in the world. Starting from 1958, it has emerged as the market leader of the industry. The franchise has its own Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats but it is clearly enjoying competitive advantages over its competitors. The franchise has a strong marketing tool, large market share and a group of loyal customers. Based on these, if the company goes for a better and stronger marketing approach in the future, they will keep enjoying the edge over its competitors in the future as well. Marketing Plan for Pizza Hut (Part 1). Pizza Hut is the world’s biggest restaurant company and international franchise which has the origin in Texas, America. It has almost 34,000 restaurants across the world and is currently operating in 100 countries. Pizza Hut offers different types of pizza along with some other dishes like pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread. It has started its journey back in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in their hometown, Kansas. Since then it has emerged as one of the most popular restaurants not only in America but also in the entire world. (Pizza Hut Corporation, 2012) Internal Environment. The mission statement of Pizza Hut is: â€Å"We take pride in making a perfect pizza and providing courteous and helpful service on time all the time. Every customer says, Ill be back! We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth, advancement, and rewarding careers in a fun, safe working environment. We are accountable for profitability in everything we do, providing our shareholders with value growth. † (Pizza Hut Website, Hawaii) So from the mission statement it is clear that the franchise wants to serve pizza of great taste and wants to retain its customer so that everybody gets the ultimate joy. They also want to be accountable to its shareholders along with quality team members and workplace. Over the years, Pizza Hut is working hard to establish the above goals and objectives through their dedication, sincerity and honest team members. That’s the reason today Pizza Hut has become the worldwide leader and a trustworthy name among the food lovers. Though today’s world is fast and mechanical people are still looking for the better quality of the food, service and also great taste. As a result, the goals and objectives of Pizza Hut is still very much correct with the peoples perspective. The present performance of Pizza Hut is very admirable as it has captured the largest market share in the industry and also has a loyal customer base. Because of their effective promotion, pricing. Food quality, distribution channel and most importantly unparallel taste, Pizza Hut has achieved a great success in the industry. The recent sale volume of Pizza Hut is also noticeable. In the year 2011, Pizza Hut had a turnover of $5. 5 billion (Financial Statement, Pizza Hut, 2012) where Dominos Pizza had $530. 6 million. (Financial Statement, Dominos Pizza, 2012) So, Pizza Hut is enjoying the edge over its competitors. Though the trend of the industry is downward because of the socioeconomic crisis hasn’t recovered still. The overall performance of the firm hasn’t declined much (only in 2007 it had a turnover of $6 billion) (Financial Statement, Pizza Hut, 2012). And the little decline is the result of the recession of 2008 as discussed earlier. In spite of those little drawbacks, Pizza Hut is trying their best to keep the pace with their mission statement and if they are unable to do that just because of external facts they will meet up with that with their honesty, service quality etc. Customer Environment. In a nutshell, everybody around the world is the potential customer of Pizza Hut. As people of all ages like foods like pizzas, they can enjoy the ultimate and different taste of Pizza Hut. The current customers of Pizza Hut have great variety. As they provide a wide range of pizzas, people from different ages can enjoy their foods. People of young age have a great attraction towards the Pizza Hut and they are a great portion of customers for Pizza Hut. In the process a few other players can be added as the young people may take money from their parents and can be influenced by their friends. The product is used only in one way and that is for eating. The great taste of the pizzas can amaze everybody and they can be the admirers of that. Customers can buy pizzas directly from the outlets and can hang around there. They can even order the food online and home delivery will be available. In the festival time with some special offers the consumption may be increased and customers may be attracted to consume more to get benefits. Because of taste, quality and service, the purchasers of Pizza Hut purchase the foods of Pizza Hut. There are other players in the market and they have a loyal customer base as well though that is not as significant as Pizza Hut. As a result, Pizza Hut are not getting those customers and they aren’t buying the pizzas of Pizza Hut. External Environment The competitors are quite a lot in the market for Pizza Hut. Some big names like McDonalds, Dominos Pizza etc. are strong contenders for taking away the crown from Pizza Hut. As it discussed earlier, Dominos pizza isn’t far away from Pizza Hut in sales volume and trying hard to get there. McDonalds also with their innovative products are looking to do the same. As it told, the recession of 2008 made a strong impact on the Pizza Hut as well as on the industry. It has experienced downward pressure in the sales volume. So, if the economy gets stabilized, the performance of the industry as well as Pizza hut is expected to be improved. Computerization is a must for the current world. Pizza Hut is computerized and centralized. As a result, the customers are enjoying digitized facilities like online ordering, home delivery etc. The sociocultural situation of the target customers are also very important factor which is needed to be considered. The target customers’ demography, economic and social condition all these things make impact on Pizza Hut as they are expanded their businesses in almost every corner of the globe. So, before going to open an outlet, they need to consider those factors and their probable profitability from that. The profitability shouldn’t be only factor for Pizza Hut. They must consider their ethical and social responsibility towards people and they have a close eye on those as well. They try to ensure the best quality and service of their food s before presenting them to their customers which made them unique in the industry. SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis of Pizza Hut is like below: Strengths †¢ Largest chain restaurant of the world (Griffiths, 2009) 1. As the restaurant spreads in many countries of the world, it can reach a significant number of people in the entire world. As a result, the franchise can serve their products to many nationalities and because of that they have become e trustworthy name among the customers. People of the different parts of the world have different tastes and preferences. Pizza Hut by having so many outlets in different countries is doing that purpose quite successfully. 2. Pizza Hut enjoys the most branches around the globe (100) which the competitors of Pizza Hut aren’t able to do. As a result, the other restaurants can’t reach to people like Pizza Hut does which clearly makes a difference between Pizza Hut and its competitors and Pizza Hut is having the edge. †¢ Has large varieties and types of pizzas and known for its innovative range of pizzas under one roof (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. Because of having range of pizzas, Pizza Hut has become successful to meet up with the demands of various customers. Even the people from different countries are enjoying the different tastes of pizzas from Pizza Hut. So, the innovations from Pizza Hut are helping the franchise to be more reliable and popular to its customers across the world. 2. The other competitors like Dominos Pizza can’t offer such a variety of pizzas to its customers. As a result, they are lagging behind Pizza Hut on this regard. †¢ Strong marketing tools (Griffiths, 2009) 1. Pizza Hut has many media partners and uses television as a very strong advertising tool. That’s why their advertisements in television become so popular and has a strong impact on the people from the various parts of the world as Pizza Hut keeps the regional differences on their mind. 2. As Pizza Hut uses better marketing and advertisement tools than its competitors, the other companies of same type aren’t matching with Pizza Hut in the same way. †¢ Large market share and loyal customer base (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. As the market leader Pizza Hut enjoys the most of the profit of the industry and loyal customers encourage them to increase the number of their outlets in the 100 countries they are operating. 2. The competitors are not having as large market share as Pizza Hut has. So, they are lagging in regard of profit. They don’t have as large loyal customers as Pizza Hut as well. Weaknesses †¢ Loyal customers are feeling that the satisfactory level of the pizzas are not like before and it is in the declining process as other franchises are offering something better than that of Pizza Hut (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. If the trend of the above feeling among the loyal customers continue then the large market share that Pizza Hut is enjoying at present, will be reduced at some point which will lead the loss of market leadership for them. 2. The other players of the industry are coming strongly with new innovative ideas so that they can satisfy the customers in a better way than Pizza Hut which is be the minus point for Pizza Hut. †¢ Internal conflicts within the company regarding the computerization and centralization of processes (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. Whatever happens the customers seek the ultimate satisfaction and service from a company but because of this problem, they are not getting the desired services they expect from Pizza Hut. This will lead a bad spoken of mouth problem for the company. 2. The whole processes in Pizza Hut is centralized and computerized but those are causing internal conflicts among the franchises in different regions but the other organizations are not reported to have any problem like this. So, this problem will have an adverse effect on the image of the Pizza Hut. Opportunities †¢ Introduction of new fresh pizzas with innovation (The World’s Largest Online Library, 2009) 1. People are now more health conscious than ever. So, introducing the fresh pizzas will be great idea for attracting new customers and to meet their needs. Besides that, innovative pizzas like new flavors and sizes may create appeal to the customers especially to the young customers. 2. The needed time for innovation can be long as there is no time bindings for that but the fresh pizzas can be introduced immediately as it won’t take a lot of time. †¢ Opening new branches in the regions where the demand is increasing (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. Young generation in the countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan is probably the one big opportunity for Pizza Hut to explore. As the popularity of Pizza and other fast foods among these people is increasing day by day, Pizza Hut can use that for their market expansion. 2. As Pizza Hut already having outlets in those countries, the new branch opening won’t take too much time and will increase the profit for the company Threats †¢ Increasing cost of cheese (Griffiths, 2009). 1. The cost increase of cheese will increase of the price of the pizzas. As Pizza Hut tries to give the best taste of pizzas to its customers, it will face problems in doing that. As a result, attracting new customers and retaining the existing customers will be a big challenge for them. 2. As the price is increasing in a slow manner, at present Pizza Hut may not face the problem but in the long run with the increase of price of pizzas, they will feel the pressure. †¢ Threat from other companies and also from the local brands (Free SWOT Analysis, 2010) 1. McDonald already introduced McPizza and Dominos Pizza becoming more and more competitive. So, the competition is getting tougher and tougher day by day. So, customers who seek variety may tend to shift from Pizza Hut and in the process Pizza Hut may loss a significant portion of the existing customers. Also some local brands are trying to provide pizzas of different tastes to the customers in different countries which are alarming for Pizza Hut. 2. The threat of losing customers because of the above reason may arise very quickly. So, Pizza Hut should be aware of the fact. SWOT Matrix. |Strengths: |Opportunities: | | | | |Largest chain restaurant of the world |Loyal customers feel that the satisfactory level of the pizzas | |Large varieties and types of pizzas and known for its innovative |declining | |range of pizzas under one roof |Internal conflicts within the company | |Strong marketing tools | | |Large market share and loyal customer base | | | | | | | | |Weaknesses: |Threats: | | | | |Introduction of new fresh pizzas with innovation |Increasing cost of cheese | |Opening new branches |Threat from other companies | | | | Developing Competitive Advantages. From the SWOT analysis, it is quite clear that in spite of having some weaknesses, Pizza Hut is clearly enjoying some competitive advantages over its competitors. The three stronger points are discussed in the next section: Largest chain restaurant of the world As the restaurant spreads in many countries of the world, it can reach a significant number of people in the entire world. People of the different parts of the world have different tastes and preferences. Pizza Hut by having so many outlets in different countries is doing that purpose quite successfully. Strong marketing tools. Pizza Hut has many media partners and uses television as a very strong advertising tool. That’s why their advertisements in television become so popular and has a strong impact on the people from the various parts of the world. Large market share and loyal customer base As the market leader Pizza Hut enjoys the most of the profit of the industry and loyal customers encourage them to increase the number of their outlets in the 100 countries they are operating. Developing a Strategic Focus Focusing on marketing Among the three competitive advantages, Pizza Hut has the most prominent opportunity to develop a strategic focus on marketing. As the advertising tool of Pizza Hut is very strong they should focus more on this sector. As countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are probable opportunities for Pizza Hut and they are looking to expand their business in these countries, a strong advertisement in the television and other media can be very fruitful for Pizza Hut. (Your file library, 2010). References Free SWOT Analysis. (2010, June 02). Free Online Providerof Quality SWOT Analysis. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from Free SWOT Analysis website: http://www. freeswotanalysis. com Griffiths, M. (2009, December 23). Documents Resources for Small Businesse Professionals. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from Docstoc website: http://www. docstoc. com Pizza Hut Corporation. (2012). About Us: Pizza Hut. Retrieved January 20, 2013, from Piza Hut Web site: http://www. pizzahut. co. uk The World’s Largest Online Library. (2009, March 03). Retrieved January 20, 2013, from Scribd website: http://www. scribd. com Your file library. (2010, May 21). Retrieved January 20, 2013, from Fliiby: http://fliiby. com Pizza Hut Website, Hawaii http://www. pizzahuthawaii. com Financial Statement, Pizza Hut, 2012 http://www. yum. com Financial Statement, Dominos Pizza, 2012 http://www. ft. com.

Food Safety Contamination Types and Causes

Food Safety Contamination Types and Causes Introduction Food safety refers to the guarantee that must be given to consumers that the food is safe for consumption. If this is not the case then the food is contaminated. Food can be contaminated in different ways. Some food may already contain bacteria or foreign body but on the other hand food may also be contaminated if it is not handled properly. Food contamination can be in different ways namely: Biological contamination Physical contamination Chemical contamination In order to prevent food contamination the food must be handled and store properly. This can be done by using and apply proper conditions and measures. In this report we’ll be seeing 3 cases of food contamination, the measures and solution that need to be taken in order to prevent them. Case study 1 Question 1: Analyze and discuss the type of contamination and provide examples. According to the information provided in case study one; it’s a case of physical contamination. Physical contamination can be any foreign body found in food. Foreign objects can include hair, plastics, wood or even jewelry. This case is a typical physical contamination due to foreign body found, that is the beetle’s wings (dark color fragments). The drugstore beetle lives in warmer and dry climate. It feeds on dry products such as dried herbs, cereal products, bread, etc. The factory is an excellent place for the beetle to live and feed. The beetle’s wings were identified by a light microscope and concluded that it’s the Biscuit beetle or the Drugstore beetle. The record of inspection also shows that the insects were present earlier in the premises of the industry. This means that there had not been an effective pest control and those insects were not eradicated. The phosphatase test shows that the insects were exposed to high temperature during the baking of the biscuits, this result shows two possibilities: The insects were already in the premises of the building and fell into the product during baking or, The raw products used to make the biscuits (such as flour, herbs for flavoring, etc.) already contain the insects and were used without examined properly. Concerning physical contamination, the contaminated food can contain any foreign object even condoms! August 2010, Philip Hodousek, a California man says he ordered a French soup and found a condom in it which he thought was melted cheese. He has settled a lawsuit against the restaurant: Claim Jumper. At first the restaurant denied that incident but after the condom was sent for a DNA test and revealed that the DNA present was neither for the plaintiff nor for his wife. According to City News Service, his lawyer rejected an offer of $30,000 because he was proved innocent and was accused of putting the condom in the soup to scam and to destroy the reputation of the restaurant. (Dennis Romero 2010) By an early morning, walking alone in a subway you can get stabbed by a 7 inch knife but now the problem is you can get stabbed by eating one! According to CBS News, John Agnesini, 27 years old, found a 7-inch knife while eating his sandwich that he bought at a subway in New York. Luckily he noticed it at time and hasn’t got any physical damage but he fell ill with severe stomach issues for hours after eating it. He settled a lawsuit against the subway and the case seeks for about $1 million indemnity. (CBS News 2008) Here are some examples of foreign body found in food which make them a physical contamination: A man found hair in his steak at West Bend restaurant.(Dan Benson,2008) A woman found a metal bolt in her hamburger at Applebee’s restaurant in Albuquerque.(KOB News, Danielle Todesco,2014) A â€Å"nose ring† was found in a children’s breakfast at McDonald. (Taylor Berman,2012) As we have seen, there a lot of foreign objects that was found in many restaurants or fast foods. This has negative effects on the reputation on the restaurants or on the consumer itself. Many precautions and control measures should be taken to ensure safety in consumable products. Question 2(a): Effects of physical contamination. Physical contamination can lead to many hazardous effects. One of the many is physical injury. As we have seen, the metal bolt found can lead to serious dental injury. There are also broken glasses found in food which can cause gum bleeding and injure the lining of the gut. Some foreign body can even cause suffocation as they block the respiratory system. Foreign objects can bring along harmful microorganisms in foods. This can result in food poisoning. Objects such as hair, needle or condom can bring many diseases, in some cases: incurable. Another adverse effect is for the establishment itself. The reputation of the institution can be ruined; even it can cause the organization to be closed forever at some level depending on the case. The establishment can make great loss because of legal actions and lawsuits. There is great loss of food as the food become spoiled and cannot be used. Question 2(b): Controls to prevent physical contamination. Physical contamination occurs by accident. Therefore, there are certain controls and measures to prevent it. First of all, the most common physical contamination is hair found in food. So, first of all we need to be sure that employees are following the policy of the institution. They must wear appropriate protective clothes. A human being loses 50-75 hairs a day; food handlers should wear a hairnet or a hat. Staff should not wear any jewelry and cuts covered with plasters should be waterproof and need to be tie properly as it may fall during handling of food. Staff should also be responsible as they must have good personal hygiene. For example: nails need to be cut neatly as it can break and fall into the food. The establishment should have a good maintenance program to ensure durability in machine equipment. Broken equipment or machine in repairs should not be kept near preparation of food, this increases the risk of food contamination. The building also should be renewed as to prevent paint or other objects to detach and fall into the food. To protect the establishment from nuisance, pest control should be made appropriately. Also, all the cooked and uncooked food should be covered to prevent dust particles or other foreign objects to fall in. In spite of all the measures and security being followed, customer complaints keep increasing. But, controls and measures should be sustainable and to be followed all the time. Managers should ensure that all the security measures are being followed not only for the employees but also for the suppliers. Case study 2 Question 1: Analyze and discuss the type of contamination and provide examples. According to the information provided in case study two, it’s a chemical contamination. Chemical contamination is the presence of chemical substances produce naturally by plants and animals or introduced accidentally, which make the food unfit for consumption. This can be hazardous depending on the substance introduced or chemicals present in high concentrations. As per the case study, Susumber berries are listed noxious weed in U.S. The berries may contain toxic substances but we don’t know exactly at what stage it’s the most toxic. As the berries were cooked and then frozen, we can conclude that heat don’t have an effect on the berries but the consumption number has an effect on the consumer, that is the third person consume a smaller amount of the berries and hence experienced another effects compared to the other two. These conclusions are based on clinical symptoms and also the toxicity of the berries is not well known, so we can say that another substance have caused these effects. For example, chaconine poisoning was suspected and chaconine is found when potatoes turn green. As we have seen, chemical contaminations could be due to: Naturally occurring toxins. For example, the red kidney bean produces a toxic agent (kidney bean lectin). The beans need to be cooked at high temperature for a long time to be out of danger. Other examples are: shellfish, certain fish such as the fugu (puffer fish), rhubarb and potatoes. Reactions during food processing At high temperature cooking such as grilling and irradiation. Environmental contamination It can be from residues from agricultural or other processes such as insecticides, herbicides, pesticides. In japan, mostly all the villages in the village of Minamata were found to be contaminated by consuming fish. Industries throw their waste products containing mercury into the river. Fish were contaminated with these product and so the villages by fishery. (Douglas Allchin n.d) In 2008, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid were mix with wine to dilute it. (Reuters 2008) In 2003, veterinary antibiotic nitrofurans (which are banned) were found in chicken. This chemical can cause cancer over long term consumption. (FSA News Item 2003) Question 2(a): Effects of chemical contamination. The effects of chemical contamination can be determined by chemical introduced in the food and also the dose. For example, lack of iron in the body causes anemia but too much iron can cause death. In some cases, effects can be both physical and mental. Substances such as mercury can cause handicap and even death. Other substances can cause damage to our nervous systems. But in light cases chemical can cause: Abdominal pain Nausea Headaches Dizziness Also it causes loss to the organization as the spoiled food should be discarded and it must face legal actions. Question 2(b): Controls to prevent chemical contamination. Establishment involve in the production of food should: Separate chemical equipment from the production of food Chemical equipment such as cleaners and sanitizers should be clearly labeled Ensure that raw materials entering the production line should be checked and labeled Ensure that suppliers are correct, that is, they are using legal substances and in right amount Inspect and control stock regularly Proper waste management. Food handlers should be trained and supervise so as they follow the rules and regulation of dosing or diluting any substances. They must know the purpose and function of the chemical before using it. Chemicals must be stored in designated storage areas or cupboard. Case study 3 Question (a): Discuss the type of food borne illness. Biological contamination refers to biological substances (living organisms) such as bacteria, fungus, parasites, molds and yeast that cause health problems when introduced in the body. Biological contamination exists in two forms: food intoxication or food infection. Food infection is the consumption of food containing bacteria whereas food intoxication is the consumption of food containing both bacteria and toxins (from biological source). Toxins are poisonous substances produced by a living organism which can make harm to human or animals. According to the evidences provided in case study three, this is a case of biological contamination, more precisely it’s a case of food intoxication. This is because the bacteria clostridium botulinum and B toxin was found. Question (b): Discuss the symptoms, sources and effects caused by C. Botulinum The bacteria and the toxin were found in the in yoghurt. The hazelnut yoghurt can be considered as high risk food because of its protein content. The decrease concentration of sugar so as to decrease calorie in yoghurt can be a factor that contributed to the growth of the bacteria. The reason for this outbreak is the bacteria found in cans of hazelnut puree. As it’s an anaerobic bacterium, it grows best in places with less oxygen. Usually this bacterium is associated with can food as inadequate processing of the hazelnut puree can decrease the pH of the food sufficiently to permit the growth of the bacteria. Due to the new formulation, decrease in temperature cannot kill all the bacteria. The rest of the bacteria that survive multiplied in the yoghurt. Toxins produce by clostridium botulinum causes botulism. The symptoms appear after 18-36 hours after consumption. But the time can vary from individuals. If the person infected is not treated rapidly, it can result in death. The early symptoms experienced by infected persons are: Difficulty in swallowing Fatigue Vomiting Nausea Dizziness Double vision The toxins produce by the bacteria can cause severe paralysis as it acts on our nervous systems. At first the patient will experience weakness in arms and neck. If this continues to the chest, the later will have difficulties in breathing as the respiratory muscles will be affected and later on, death may occur. The most serious effect cause by the bacteria is obviously death. But that’s not all that the bacteria will do to a patient. The paralysis cause by the later can be forever. Recovery from this disease can take weeks or even month, some people never recover fully. (WHO 2013) Question (c): Describe and discuss with examples two other bacteria, mentioning the symptoms, sources and effects, which cause food borne illness. Listeria Listeria is the bacterium that is responsible for the disease listeriosis. It is mainly found in soil and water and some animals such as cattle and poultry. It can also be present in food made from raw milk. Unlike other bacteria, listeria can grow in both in oxygenated conditions (aerobic) and conditions where there is no oxygen (anaerobic). It can also grow and multiply in refrigerated conditions which make it very dangerous. Therefore refrigerated pà ¢tà ©s or meat spreads is not advisable to eat. But this bacterium is destroyed by high temperature and pasteurized milk. The incubation period of this bacterium can be about 3-70 days. The infected person will feel weakness, vomiting, stiff neck and fever and sometimes diarrhea. Although it is treated with antibiotics certain measures should be taken to avoid it. A proper sanitation must be done to prevent not only listeriosis but other bacteria. A good sanitizer for listeria is alcohol. Kitchen materials such as knife, chopping board and the raw product itself should be washed properly. Ready-to-eat foods and leftovers should be heated to high temperature and consumed rapidly. Refrigerated food should be kept below 4o C to prevent growth of the bacteria. (Kenneth Todar n.d) Campylobacter Campylobacter is responsible for the disease campylobacteriosis. It is recognize as the main cause of bacterial foodborne disease in many countries. It causes mainly intestinal infection. It is mainly found in raw or undercooked poultry, contaminated water and unpasteurized milk. Contaminated water is also a source of contamination. Many cases were reported because of contaminated water during recreational activities. But most cases it’s by animal or animal products. The major contributor to this disease is believed to be undercooked poultry which is contaminated. Infected persons can experience cramping and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody). This can be after 2-5 days after exposure to the bacteria. Although campylobacteriosis is not a fatal disease but 76 people die every year. This is due to severe diarrhea which makes the body lose a lot of water. Beside those effects, there are preventive methods to limit the proliferation of the bacteria. First of all we must start at the base of the food chain. Farm animals such as poultry should be fed with uncontaminated water. There must be good water systems and also a good waste management because campylobacter can survive in its feces. Animals should be slaughtered according to the rules. Meat, especially poultry should be cooked at significant temperature to destroy the bacteria and raw milk should be pasteurized. (NCEZID 2013) Question (d): Discuss the impact of food borne illness. Food borne illness can have an impact not only for the infected people but its worldwide. It can have an impact on our social life. Some of the infected persons which have not recovered completely must stay in bed for the rest of their life and the medical care must go on. This can be costly. Cases of trauma can erect from individuals suffering from a long time. In another hand, some people are paralyzed for the rest of their life. It can also have an impact socially. If the outbreak is not controlled many people and animals can lose their life. Another impact of food borne illness can be at economical level. Contaminated food and animal should be destroyed. If cases of contamination are reported in poultry, most of the animals should be killed and this results in great loss of money. Money should be invested to have a good water system in order to provide the animals with uncontaminated water. The farm should have a good waste management so that feces are discarded safely. Infected persons won’t be able to go to work and the level of absenteeism will increase. This will decrease the income -in terms of money- of our country. Question (e): Discuss how foodborne illness can be controlled Although cases of foodborne illness keep increasing, preventive measure must be taken to diminish those outbreaks. First of all, the organization must have a good food safety management as well as pest control system and good wastage system. Most of the cases occur by accident or due to inappropriate conservation method or mistake while processing food. As a precaution method, food handlers should be educated in types of foodborne disease, causes and preventive methods. Often we say that people are the key to prevent or to reduce foodborne diseases. That’s why staffs should have a good personal hygiene such as nails must be cut to prevent it from breaking off while handling food or the use of gloves where it’s necessary. Sanitation practices can decrease cases of foodborne illness. For example, if a knife and chopping board is used to cut a chicken, it must be washed thoroughly and sanitized before cutting other ingredients. Chemical sanitizers must be used to kill bact eria as it contains acidic solution; bacteria cannot survive in acidic conditions. Storage areas must be kept clean and controlled regularly. Food items must be well preserved to prevent access to insects and rodents. Insects like cockroaches carry a lot of harmful bacteria. All materials used or food contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitize before and after work. Cross contamination should be avoided as it may carry bacteria from one item to another. Food must be used before the perishable date. Industries using food in masse must get their raw products from a trusted supplier as bacteria such as campylobacter and salmonella is transmitted by infected water and feces. If the supplier or the farm proprietor does not have a good water system, all the animals can get infected. Food must be stored in such temperature to avoid the ‘danger zone’. The danger is a range of temperature where the bacteria multiply rapidly. Food must be stored below 4oC and cooked food must be served above 63oC to be sure that most the bacteria are dead. Low temperature (below 4oC) make the bacteria inactive, after defrosting the food it must be cook rapidly in order to prevent the bacteria from multiplying. Pre-prepared food and leftovers must be consumed within 4 days and if in doubt, it must be discarded.

Death Penalty and Crime Rates :: Research Essays

Death Penalty and Crime Rates The question I chose for this survey was, "Do you think the death penalty deters crime or lowers the crime rate?" I chose this question because it was the most applicable question to my field of study and world of work, which is law. I think this was an interesting question to ask for two reasons. First, it has been an issue that has been hotly debated since capital punishment was incorporated into the United States' criminal justice system. Secondly, because of the two groups I focused on, I thought the answers would yield wild and controversial results. I chose to target two specific groups for my survey. The first group, made up predominantly of women, was my Monday night SNL class, Criminal Justice, Criminal Violence. I chose this group because the course content at the time dealt with the causes of criminal violence in America: poverty, lower IQ, drugs, race, broken families, etc. I felt that this group would be the more liberal of the two groups. I predicted that an overwhelming majority of the class would respond "no." The second group I targeted was a group at the company where I work which consisted primarily of men. I chose this group because my company is soundly conservative and I thought that the overall tenor of the company would accurately reflect the beliefs of individual employees. I predicted that this group would answer "yes." Further breaking down my predictions, regardless of which group the "questionee" fell into, I expected the overall response of the African-American respondents to be "no." I also expected the majority of Caucasian respondents to say "yes" with a few dissenters. Although I knew that most of the participants fell within the 25-35 year old range, I expected the few older participants (35 and above) to say "yes." I did not think marital status would have any effect on the answers. I expected the "yes" answers primarily to come from the men. Finding people to answer the survey was relatively simple. I first asked my Monday night instructor for permission to survey the class. He seemed reluctant at first, because his concern was that the class may not be educated enough on the subject matter to give accurate answers. After I explained what the paper was about and gave him a copy of our class handout, he agreed. The second group of people was at work.

Gender Roles in The Great Gatsby :: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Gender Roles: In some respects, Fitzgerald writes about gender roles in a quite conservative manner. In his novel, men work to earn money for the maintenance of the women. Men are dominant over women, especially in the case of Tom, who asserts his physical strength to subdue them. The only hint of a role reversal is in the pair of Nick and Jordan. Jordan's androgynous name and cool, collected style masculinize her more than any other female character. However, in the end, Nick does exert his dominance over her by ending the relationship. The women in the novel are an interesting group, because they do not divide into the traditional groups of Mary Magdalene and Madonna figures, instead, none of them are pure. Myrtle is the most obviously sensual, but the fact that Jordan and Daisy wear white dresses only highlights their corruption. ï‚ § What’s Fitzgerald’s implicit views of modern women in this novel? Daisy and Jordan dress the part of flappers, yet Daisy also plays the role of the Louisville rich girl debutante. A good question to ask is perhaps just how much Daisy realizes this is a â€Å"role,† and whether her recognition of that would in any sense make her a modern woman character. ï‚ § How significant is Nick’s final repudiation of Jordan Baker to the novel’s larger critique of modernity? ï‚ § Why is the novel so intrigued by Myrtle Wilson’s â€Å"immediately perceptible vitality† (30), on the one hand, yet almost viciously cruel in its mockery of her upper class pretension on the other hand? (see for example, pp.29-35 where Nick contrasts Myrtle’s â€Å"intense vitality† with her and her sister Catherine’s laughable attempts to posture themselves as modern society women. Indeed, Nick twice remarks Catherine’s plucked and redrawn eyebrows as affronts to her â€Å"nature† (see p.34, and again at the very end on pp.171-172). What’s up with that?) Even if they disagree about other issues, all feminists believe patriarchal ideology works to keep men and women confined to traditional gender roles so male dominance may be maintained. Utilizing the precepts of Feminist criticism, it could be argued â€Å"The Great Gatsby† promotes a thinly veiled patriarchal agenda. Through Fitzgerald’s treatment of the three women in â€Å"Gatsby†, as well as masking the possible homosexuality of a central character, the novel seems to promote only the traditional gender roles, swaying uncomfortably from any possible variance.

Essay examples --

The ancient islamic culture has made immense contributions to the whole world and all of its inhabitants.These contributions which are also achievements of the Muslim empire pertain to things such as advancements in science, Mathematics, astronomy, exquisite libraries,medicine, sophisticated encyclopedias, optics, and an extensive trade routes that stretched for thousands of miles. Luckily for the World the Muslims as a whole managed to achieve one thing after another, and didn't let anything get in there way, and ultimately this lead to the vast amount of contributions that the Muslims Bestowed upon to the world. Thanks to the Muslim culture, and achievements their ways have had a very profound impact on the way people go about their lives nowadays. If it wasn't for the Muslims hard work, will to succeed, and perseverance which led to contributions to the world, life as we know it now would be drastically rearranged, and many of the things that we classify as norms would cease to exist. In the area of math,and science the Muslims made many influential contributions to world. In Science, and in math the Muslims pursued in the topic of astronomy. The Muslims really pursued in this topic because for them the calculations for prayer times, pin point religious festivals, and the direction of Mecca were paramount, and in the area of astronomy all this can be efficiently be achieved. So the Muslims had the drive to succeed in order to archive what was nessessary. The most influential, and beneficial, of the Muslim astronomers were men by the name of "Al-Khwarizmi" "al-Khujandi", and "Omar Khayyam". With their hard work and ambitious dreams, these men became the driving force of the great astronomical research. Al-Khwarizmi, a... ...1th century. He compiled many astronomical tables, and more importantly reformed the calendar. His reformation was more accurate than the Julian calendaR and came close to the Gregorian. probably his most amazing feat was his calculation of the year which came out to be a near exact 365.24219858156 days long, which is accurate to the 6th decimal place! Omar Khayyam greatly effected the world with his doings, his year calculation to this day is exact, along with his upgrade of the calendar set the standards of calendar and provided a accurate dates throughout the year. contributions in astronomy range from the Arabic names of stars which we still use today to knowing the position of the planets.Such great ideas like these were those that set the foundations of the great Islamic empire that ultimately in the end were passed on to the world, and proved to be beneficial.

Communication and Ethical Issues Summary Essay

The first example of the SWAT Team raiding a suspected meth house showed no ethics at all. The officers probably assumed no one was home since they pulled over their suspect away from his home, When they see a man coming down the stairs they should have noticed a golf club un his hand not a gun. The use of their power in this case was not justified even if he resisted non of the officers would have been hurt by the helmet and body armor they wear. Their use of power was unjustified (Balko, 2013). The second example where a homeless man is carrying a knife and would not drop it was shot. It was legal for him to have and carry the knife and if a bystander has to ask a police officer why he shot him tells me that he was not doing anything threatening with the knife. He was shot because he did not drop it. This is the shortcomings of the officer culture of leadership in his department because the officer was cleared of any wrong doing. His use of power was unjustified (Balko, 2013). The third example is where the police raid a recording studio thinking there are a large quantity of drugs located there. They only find personal consumption quantity and they try to decide what equipment in the recording studio they will take on asset forfeiture grounds. The police conversations were recorded because the equipment was left on when they raided the home. This is clearly an ethical problem within their agency with the leadership and the culture they have developed. Their use of power was unjustified (Balko, 2013). When you see your own leadership in your own agency does things that are not quite by the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), it can give you the understanding that if you copy what they do or their wrong you would be justified. The author of this paper watched a correctional sergeant spray a can of pepper spray into a cell just to mess with the inmate that was inside, no other reason. An investigation  was held and the sergeant was given a verbal reprimand. The officers who worked directly for this sergeant also felt that if they broke the SOP, this sergeant would have their back and help in justifying their actions like not pulling inmates out of their cells for showers during their shower time, purposely dropping their food trays on the floor or spitting in their food. This action happens and in the report that is turned in it gets justified by that sergeant signing off on the action. Reference Balko, R. (2013, September 10). Radley Balko on the 3 Worst Cases of Police Abuse in 2011 [Video file]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix Media Library website: https://portal.phoenix.edu/medialibrary/videodetails.05V110608001512139.html