Holocaust

When did the Holocaust begin? I. January 1933- Hitler sworn in as the chancellor of Germany A. Whereas before it was only a plan (one which people though Hitler would forgo when actually in office) was now set into motion. B. April of the same year would see the beginning of Hitler’s implementation of such anti- Semitic legislation, starting with the prohibition of Jews from the Civil Service. II. November 1935- Nuremberg Laws enacted A. Jews are now subject to a myriad of prohibitions, aimed at their disemancipation. B. Anti-Semitism takes on a legislative form III.November 1938- Kristallnacht A. 7500 Jewish businesses destroyed B. 267 shuls burned C. 91 Jews killed D. 25000 arrests E. Much legislation is made against Jews. They are now banned from public schools, cinemas, etc. F. The Anti- Semitism is brought out from the parliament and into the streets and homes of the Jews. IV. September 1939- Germany invades Poland A. Aditionally, there is the outline by Heydrich of Jewis h policy. 1. Einzatzgruppen 2. Complete census of Jews in Poland 3. Judenrats 4. General Gouvernment 5. A-B Aktion B. Forceful, violent anti-Semitism is made into official policy. V.June 1941- Germany invades Russia A. Slaughter intensifies. 1. Babi Yar 2. Mass ghettoization VI. January 1942-Wannsee Conference A. Defined and outlined the â€Å"Final Solution† 1. Mass murder is employed-institutional murder. VII. These changes both reflect a pre-determined policy which was being implemented in steps, but situations- both military and social- which were presented to the Nazis forced them to reexamine or restructure policy based on need or opportunity. A. Though much legislation was pre-planned, Wannsee, for example was a response to Nazi failure to fully implement Holocaust goals.This meeting was not necessarily planned before the war, but necessity brought about such an increase in the mass murder. VIII. It is impossible to designate a single moment as it is more like a snowba ll, building up from ages of anti-Semitism and slowly becoming the Holocaust. Question 2- Emigration I. Jews decided to remain in Germany prior to 1938 for three main reasons: A. They and their families have been Germans fro generations and they were not prepared to leave their homes and businesses. B. They were nationalistic and felt pride and connection to Germany. 1.Central Union of Germans of Hebrew Faith -â€Å"No one can rob us of our home and our fatherland. † 2. Rabbi J. Layman, reform rabbi- political change had not affected their commitment to Germany as Germans of the Hebrew faith. Most Jews should stay in Germany because this is their homeland. C. They thought this was only temporary an that the storm would pass. D. Additionally, they really had no where to go. As many hundreds of thousands of Jews did emigrate, the Evian Conference in Evian, France saw many Western European and American countries basically close their doors to Jewish emigration. II. Nazi stance o n Jewish emigrationA. In 1934, Hitler was advised that emigration would be the answer. 1. Adolf Eichmann bought land in Equator to send the Jews there. B. But in 1937, Nazis changed their minds and emigration wasn’t the answer. C. Nov 1940- Polish Jewish emigration is prohibited. D. October 1941- All Jewish emigration is prohibited out of German occupied territory E. However, Transfer Agreement was enacted in which Jews could buy German products, ship them to Palestine and sell them through the Jewish Agency there. 1. Through this agreement, over 50,000 Jews immigrated to Palestine. Question 3- Jewish Responses to Nazi Law I.Stages of Anti- Jewish Laws A. There were three stages: 1. Removal from Public Life a. Removal from entertainment and press (1933) 2. Anti-Semitism as Policy of State a. Expelling Jewish Immigrants (1934) b. Nuremberg Laws (1935) 3. Deemancipation a. Out of Economic Life (1938) b. Ousted from Public Schools (1938) II. Jewish Reactions- as the needs arose due to various legislation, the Jews responded in various ways. A. April 1933 the Central Committee for Help and Reconstruction- coordinated welfare activities B. September 17, 1933, the National Representation of the German Jews- political representation C.Jewish organizations focused on social work and aid to the needy. D. They established a Jewish educational system for children who had been ousted from the German educational system E. Disseminated information about various countries of destination, and they offered language and vocational classes. Question 4- Raul Hilberg’s Schemes I. Stage One- Identification, Marking, and Concentration A. Nuremberg Laws of 1935 identified someone with three or more Jewish grandparents as a ‘full Jew'- these laws were applied to Poland basically as soon as it was taken over. B.September 21, 1939- Conference led by Heydrich, Chief of the Reich Central Security Office in Berlin discussing long-term future of Polish Jewry. States that there is an â€Å"final aim. † Calls for concentration of Jews in cities, and the formation of ghettos. C. November 23, 1939 Jews were required to be in public with external markings, a white band with the Star of David D. Laws 1. Jews can not relocate without Nazi permission 2. Spatial separation from Poles 3. Other racial Laws E. Concentration of Jews into the General Government and into Ghettos. 4. Most famous ghettos were in Warsaw and Lodz II.Stage Two- Mass Murder A. 1941- Einzatsgruppen employed to kill Jews B. December 1941- Chelmno- first use of gas C. 1941- Babi Yar D. January 1942- Wannsee Conference established â€Å"Final Solution. † E. Use of Concentration Camps and industrialized murder (Auschwitz, etc. ) Question 5- Jewish Resistance I. There was definitely more Jewish resistance than is popularly mentioned. A. Western Europe- fought in mainstream resistance movements B. Eastern Europe- formed their own partisan units C. April- May 1943- Warsaw Ghetto Uprising 1. ZOB, ZZW- Warsaw Jewish fighting units D.There were many other small uprisings in other ghettos. E. Some concentration camps had uprisings. 1. Auschwitz (1944) 2. Sobibor (1943) 3. Treblinka (1943) II. Additionally, there was unarmed resistance A. In Warsaw, leaflets were distributed urging people to avoid deportations, as they were in fact trains to death camps. B. Yehuda Bauer also defines resistance as any activity that gave the Jewish people dignity and humanity in the most humiliating and inhumane conditions. Hence, most of such acts of ‘resistance† went undocumented. Bauer comments how much resistance there really was, despite the conditions they had to endure. stt Holocaust When did the Holocaust begin? I. January 1933- Hitler sworn in as the chancellor of Germany A. Whereas before it was only a plan (one which people though Hitler would forgo when actually in office) was now set into motion. B. April of the same year would see the beginning of Hitler’s implementation of such anti- Semitic legislation, starting with the prohibition of Jews from the Civil Service. II. November 1935- Nuremberg Laws enacted A. Jews are now subject to a myriad of prohibitions, aimed at their disemancipation. B. Anti-Semitism takes on a legislative form III.November 1938- Kristallnacht A. 7500 Jewish businesses destroyed B. 267 shuls burned C. 91 Jews killed D. 25000 arrests E. Much legislation is made against Jews. They are now banned from public schools, cinemas, etc. F. The Anti- Semitism is brought out from the parliament and into the streets and homes of the Jews. IV. September 1939- Germany invades Poland A. Aditionally, there is the outline by Heydrich of Jewis h policy. 1. Einzatzgruppen 2. Complete census of Jews in Poland 3. Judenrats 4. General Gouvernment 5. A-B Aktion B. Forceful, violent anti-Semitism is made into official policy. V.June 1941- Germany invades Russia A. Slaughter intensifies. 1. Babi Yar 2. Mass ghettoization VI. January 1942-Wannsee Conference A. Defined and outlined the â€Å"Final Solution† 1. Mass murder is employed-institutional murder. VII. These changes both reflect a pre-determined policy which was being implemented in steps, but situations- both military and social- which were presented to the Nazis forced them to reexamine or restructure policy based on need or opportunity. A. Though much legislation was pre-planned, Wannsee, for example was a response to Nazi failure to fully implement Holocaust goals.This meeting was not necessarily planned before the war, but necessity brought about such an increase in the mass murder. VIII. It is impossible to designate a single moment as it is more like a snowba ll, building up from ages of anti-Semitism and slowly becoming the Holocaust. Question 2- Emigration I. Jews decided to remain in Germany prior to 1938 for three main reasons: A. They and their families have been Germans fro generations and they were not prepared to leave their homes and businesses. B. They were nationalistic and felt pride and connection to Germany. 1.Central Union of Germans of Hebrew Faith -â€Å"No one can rob us of our home and our fatherland. † 2. Rabbi J. Layman, reform rabbi- political change had not affected their commitment to Germany as Germans of the Hebrew faith. Most Jews should stay in Germany because this is their homeland. C. They thought this was only temporary an that the storm would pass. D. Additionally, they really had no where to go. As many hundreds of thousands of Jews did emigrate, the Evian Conference in Evian, France saw many Western European and American countries basically close their doors to Jewish emigration. II. Nazi stance o n Jewish emigrationA. In 1934, Hitler was advised that emigration would be the answer. 1. Adolf Eichmann bought land in Equator to send the Jews there. B. But in 1937, Nazis changed their minds and emigration wasn’t the answer. C. Nov 1940- Polish Jewish emigration is prohibited. D. October 1941- All Jewish emigration is prohibited out of German occupied territory E. However, Transfer Agreement was enacted in which Jews could buy German products, ship them to Palestine and sell them through the Jewish Agency there. 1. Through this agreement, over 50,000 Jews immigrated to Palestine. Question 3- Jewish Responses to Nazi Law I.Stages of Anti- Jewish Laws A. There were three stages: 1. Removal from Public Life a. Removal from entertainment and press (1933) 2. Anti-Semitism as Policy of State a. Expelling Jewish Immigrants (1934) b. Nuremberg Laws (1935) 3. Deemancipation a. Out of Economic Life (1938) b. Ousted from Public Schools (1938) II. Jewish Reactions- as the needs arose due to various legislation, the Jews responded in various ways. A. April 1933 the Central Committee for Help and Reconstruction- coordinated welfare activities B. September 17, 1933, the National Representation of the German Jews- political representation C.Jewish organizations focused on social work and aid to the needy. D. They established a Jewish educational system for children who had been ousted from the German educational system E. Disseminated information about various countries of destination, and they offered language and vocational classes. Question 4- Raul Hilberg’s Schemes I. Stage One- Identification, Marking, and Concentration A. Nuremberg Laws of 1935 identified someone with three or more Jewish grandparents as a ‘full Jew'- these laws were applied to Poland basically as soon as it was taken over. B.September 21, 1939- Conference led by Heydrich, Chief of the Reich Central Security Office in Berlin discussing long-term future of Polish Jewry. States that there is an â€Å"final aim. † Calls for concentration of Jews in cities, and the formation of ghettos. C. November 23, 1939 Jews were required to be in public with external markings, a white band with the Star of David D. Laws 1. Jews can not relocate without Nazi permission 2. Spatial separation from Poles 3. Other racial Laws E. Concentration of Jews into the General Government and into Ghettos. 4. Most famous ghettos were in Warsaw and Lodz II.Stage Two- Mass Murder A. 1941- Einzatsgruppen employed to kill Jews B. December 1941- Chelmno- first use of gas C. 1941- Babi Yar D. January 1942- Wannsee Conference established â€Å"Final Solution. † E. Use of Concentration Camps and industrialized murder (Auschwitz, etc. ) Question 5- Jewish Resistance I. There was definitely more Jewish resistance than is popularly mentioned. A. Western Europe- fought in mainstream resistance movements B. Eastern Europe- formed their own partisan units C. April- May 1943- Warsaw Ghetto Uprising 1. ZOB, ZZW- Warsaw Jewish fighting units D.There were many other small uprisings in other ghettos. E. Some concentration camps had uprisings. 1. Auschwitz (1944) 2. Sobibor (1943) 3. Treblinka (1943) II. Additionally, there was unarmed resistance A. In Warsaw, leaflets were distributed urging people to avoid deportations, as they were in fact trains to death camps. B. Yehuda Bauer also defines resistance as any activity that gave the Jewish people dignity and humanity in the most humiliating and inhumane conditions. Hence, most of such acts of ‘resistance† went undocumented. Bauer comments how much resistance there really was, despite the conditions they had to endure. stt

Reaction to Hills Like White Elephants

Throughout this school year, we analyzed and discussed several awesome poems, novels and stories. One that I particularly liked would have to be â€Å"Hill Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway. The first thing about it that caught my attention would have to be its title, â€Å"Hills like White Elephants'. To be honest, I really thought that it'll be about some elephants in Africa or something but I was wrong. There were no elephants! The story is about an American man and woman having some beers as they wait for the train to Barcelona. So, just through the title, I guess you could say that this is an ambiguous text. To decipher it, you need to read it again and again! The text of Hemingway appears to be simple but then again his works are ambiguous, so his text may be further from the truth. The story makes use of sparse dialogue some even say that the way Hemingway's characters speak is sometimes more important than what they say so when reading his text you really have to take in the dialogue and decode it. At first, when I just went through the story, I really didn't get what the couple were talking about and then after several readings I found out that it was about abortion. It's really beautiful how Hemingway could subtly bring about a message without even having it written directly. The powerful writing of Hemingway definitely has made a huge impact in me. Aside from me discovering a beautiful story, I learned not to take everything too literally and to have patience in order to understand.

Certainty and Insanity: Hamlet Essay

With no way to be absolutely certain about anything in life, it makes it hard to deliver the justice some may need. In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Hamlet never allows himself to come to an absolute certainty that Claudius killed his father. Whether it was his insanity or his morals, he is unable to take retribution for the murder of his father, which helps drive him insane. By not taking justice into his own hands, Hamlet’s indecision, and his insanity, ultimately leads him to his own death. When Hamlet first meets with the ghost of his father and hears the story of his death, he doesn’t want to believe the ghost outright. Upon finding out that Claudius has killed his father, Hamlet could have simply went to the Kings’ bedroom and slit his throat while he slept. He ignored this opportunity, which allowed his mind to begin questioning his actions. This is the first time Hamlet will delay the killing of Claudius. He begins to slip into insanity, which paralyzes his actions. Hamlet explains that the time for action isn’t right when he is speaking with Horatio the night he first saw the ghost. â€Å"The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, / That ever I was born to set it right† (I. v. 88-89). Hamlet explains that he understands that the situation of seeing the ghost or even the story may not be right, but he feels like he is the person to fix it. This puts a great deal of pressure on Hamlet, which starts the downward spiral of his insanity. Hamlet faces many dilemmas during the course of the play. He has the dilemma of having to come to terms with losing his father. He then has to deal with the anger he has towards his mother for her quick remarriage. Then when Hamlet finds out that his mother’s new husband, his uncle, was the murderer, he isn’t able to deal with any more. With dilemmas keep piling on top of one another, Hamlet has a psychotic break. As Ophelia explains it to her father, My Lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; With a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors, he comes before me. (II, i, 77-84) In this explanation, one begins to understand that Hamlet has been unable to deal with the death of his father, much less the fact that he was murdered by his uncle. The behaviors exhibited by Hamlet are not the actions a normal person would have, especially one of royalty. As Edward Foster explains, â€Å"That Hamlet loses his mental stability is arguable from his behavior toward Ophelia †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Foster, par 17). A person not suffering from some form of psychosis would have been more put together and rational. Hamlet’s insanity allows him to sink into a reality that isn’t real, â€Å"†¦.results in the development if a sense of unreality in the affected individual† (â€Å"Hamlet†, par 2) While the ghosts’ story shouldn’t have left any doubt in Hamlet’s mind, he is still uncertain that Claudius did commit the act, fearing that the ghost could be the devil in disguise, just trying to make him a murderer. So in a poorly devised plan, Hamlet thinks he knows a way to get absolute certainty that Claudius killed his father. Hamlet’s plan is, â€Å"There is a play tonight before the king. / One scene of it comes near the circumstance / Which I have told thee of my father’s death† (III, ii. 68-70). This plan is used to gauge Claudius’s reaction, so as to tell if he has a guilty conscious or not. This is where Hamlet’s sanity is furthered questioned. If Claudius’s realizes this is Hamlet’s actions, then he can assume Hamlet knows about his terrible deed, and may send for him to be executed. John Alvis agrees by stating, â€Å"†¦Hamlet’s deeds appear ill considered and politically feeble† (par 9). While that does happen later, Hamlet gets the proof he needs, when Claudius stands during the play and exclaims, â€Å"Give me some light, away!† (III, ii, 252) The next time that Hamlet delays in killing Claudius, it is because he finds Claudius kneeling in prayer after the play. Hamlet assumes Claudius is asking repentance for the killing of his father, thus would still get to walk through Heaven’s gate with a pure and clean soul. Hamlet knows that his father wasn’t afforded this luxury by his words in Act 1 when the ghost said, â€Å"†¦ Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, / †¦/ No reckoning made, but sent to my account / With all my imperfections on my head† (I, v. 76-79). While King Hamlet was robbed of his chance to repent his sins,  young Hamlet would not be so easy to allow Claudius to die after being forgiven of his. â€Å"†¦ he believes that Claudius, killed at prayer, would not be damned to hell.† (â€Å"Hamlet† par 2) Hamlet believes that allowing Claudius to go to heaven would be just as bad as if he murdered his father. Although Claudius’s reaction is enough certainty for almost anyone, the freak out by Claudius still doesn’t satisfy Hamlet. If Hamlet was clear minded, he would be able to see the truth and complete his promise to his father. Hamlet continues to allow doubt to dictate his actions. â€Å"Contagion to this world. Now I could drink hot blood / And do such bitter business as the bitter day / Would quake to look on †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (III, ii, 365-367) The words Hamlet uses do not show the stability that he thinks he has. Hamlet’s insanity plays such a vital role in his delay of justice against Claudius. He is so wound up in his own mind that he has a hard time accepting that he is the reason of his delay. He spends so much time plotting and planning, he can never really convince himself to do the act. He is also stuck in a realm of pity. Poor, poor Hamlet. He shows this in his soliloquy: †¦ Am I a coward? Who calls me â€Å"villain†? Breaks my pate across? Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face? Tweaks me by the nose? Gives me the lie i’ th’ throat? As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this? Ha! ‘Swounds, I should take it, for it cannot be But I am pigeon-livered and lack gall To make the oppression bitter, or ere this I should have fatted all the region kites With this slave’s offal. Bloody, bawdy villain! (II, ii, 547-557) His self-pity blinds him to his task, and allows the pressures of that task to take over, and allows him to sink into insanity a little more. He knows that he should have already taken Claudius’s life, but because his cowardliness, he has failed to do it, and in turn, sinks further in his self-pity. As Hamlet’s madness continues, his delay makes him responsible for the  deaths of so many others. Had he killed Claudius sooner, the life of his mother, Polonius and Ophelia could have been saved. As Alvis explains, â€Å"By his delay Hamlet has contributed to his mother’s death, and by his own imprudent decisions he has made himself responsible for the murder of Polonius, the consequent madness and death of Ophelia†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (par 12). With that weighing on Hamlet’s mind, he would not have been able to return to a state of sanity anyway, as he had such a guilty conscious anyway. Through all of Hamlet’s delay, he finally makes good on his promise of revenge in the final acts of the play. As Foster explains, â€Å"†¦ he strikes his uncle only after he has discovered Claudius’s final scheme to kill him† (Foster, par 17). While Hamlet has delayed his killing of Claudius throughout the entire play, it wasn’t until the very end of the play that he asserts his authority and locks the door upon his mother dying, â€Å"O villainy! Ho, let the door be locked. / Treachery! Seek it out† (V, ii, 313-314). Laertes then explains the plot of Claudius to kill Hamlet, and he forces Claudius to drink his own poison. This is a certain type of justice in its own. Karma, let’s say. In the play Hamlet, many things take place that alert the audience to the instability of Hamlet. Upon losing his father, his mother quickly remarried her late husband’s brother. Hamlet’s father came back as a ghost to tell Hamlet that he was damned to hell because his brother had killed him. He promised his father that he would seek revenge for his death. All of these things mount together and place a heavy burden on Hamlet. As he progressively gets worse, he begins to alienate everyone in his life, feeding them stories and dancing around questions. He denies things he has given to Ophelia, and denies he had ever loved her. The one person who he trusts the most and the only person he allows to be a part of his plan is Horatio. Horatio is the balance for Hamlet. When it appears Hamlet has gone a little too far, Horatio is able to center him and bring him back to this realm of reality. Hamlet has delayed the death of Claudius because of insanity, but also because of his sanity. Wavering between the two, Hamlet never allows himself the chance to accept his duties. He never actually commits the revenge as promised, but the job does get done in the end.

Strategy in the World Package Delivery Business Essay

Strategy in the World Package Delivery Business - Essay Example The essay "Strategy in the World Package Delivery Business" discusses the relationship between the planning and strategy in the world package delivery business. There is a direct relationship between planning and strategy since plans are made to identify goals (organizational or functional) and strategies are designed to achieve these identified goals. In this case scenario (Jones & George, 2007), FedEx planned to address competition from UPS by identifying an opportunity in the overnight delivery niche even by charging a premium price. As emphasized in Operations Strategy and Competitiveness, â€Å"the business strategy of FedEx, the world’s largest provider of expedited delivery services, is to compete on time and dependability of deliveries. The operations strategy of FedEx developed a plan for resources to support its business strategy. To provide the speed of delivery, FedEx acquired its own fleet of airplanes. To provide dependability of deliveries, FedEx invested in a sophisticated bar code technology to track all packages†. To compete with FedEx and DHL, UPS must review and evaluate the strategies of both organizations to gauge their strengths and weaknesses. Using this information as inputs, UPS must then identify opportunities and threats in the world package delivery business to enable them to tap the opportunities and address the threats or risks, as required. Using their core competencies in using their tracking and information system; as well as in logistics, specifically in meeting delivery schedules faster.

Team Work Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Team Work - Research Paper Example This paper discusses some of the most common types of behavior within a team, namely, quietness, talkativeness, cynicism, formalism, fence-straddling, idealism, dominance, and structuralism. These behaviors could either be helpful or detrimental to the team. The ultimate outcome of these behaviors for the team depends upon the leadership and the members themselves. Knowing the Behaviors of Team Members The silent individual in the team could be performing peaceful, thoughtful listening, which can be positive, or indifference, which can be detrimental because it takes out from the team the ability to acquire the insights and gain the respect and participation of the members. So the question is how to identify whether the person is engaging in thoughtful listening or indifferent behavior? The assessment has to be derived both from the signals given by the individual and on the reactions of the other team members (Longo, 2010). Nonverbal cues of participation and reflective listening mu st be focused on. The same types of signals in the other direction must also be taken into consideration. The phase of group development, the nature of the tasks and objectives, and the circumstances within the team all contribute to the evaluation of the silent member. If listening is positive, then an individual who is listening is not much of an issue. Silent individuals are usually keen observer. If it is vital to encourage involvement from a silent member, there are a number of techniques to accomplish this (Longo, 2010). A particular technique is to ask the member open-ended questions or those requiring an opinion or details. Another technique is to provide cues of expectations to the silent member about his/her involvement in discussion of topics to which s/he appears largely interested in. On the other hand, talkative individuals could be classified into two: the talkative ones who have little to say and the talkative people who have much to say. Usually, the team leader sho uld make an attempt to determine how the other members of the team perceive the talkative member. If the belief of the team is that the chattiness is helpful, then the team leader may have to address his/her reactions and ask the rest of the group whether these reactions are suitable (Xiao, Parker, & Manser, 2013). If the team seems obviously irritated or disturbed by the talkativeness, then the leader should consider dealing with the behavior. The team’s role in provoking talkativeness has to be looked at. Chatterboxes are helpful to teams because they bridge gaps and help advance activities; they become unhelpful when they unproductively dominate energy and time and discourage other members from taking part. There may be times wherein talkative members obviously have to be interrupted or stopped. This must be carried out with much care and sensitivity. It is possible to say to a talkative person that silence is needed with a positive gesture and with consideration for his/h er feelings. Likewise, critics can be categorized into two. The first kind truly takes pleasure in challenging or questioning everything, asking for clarifications. This is a highly valuable position, particularly in a team that tends to finalize all issues hastily or too early. The second kind of critic merely acts to serve his/her own needs instead of the team (Chuang, Jackson, & Jiang, 2013). In certain instances, a

The social and political films of the 1930s Essay

The social and political films of the 1930s - Essay Example Even though equipment was new, but American public was poor at the time, as a result by 1933 movie attendance fell by 40 percent. To survive, the industry trimmed salaries and production costs and also shut down one third of the US theatres. The depression 1gave rise also to such movies that were more propaganda in nature. For example due to influx of refugees from Germany, a lot of Germans were even working in the movie industry led to the Anti-Nazi themes. It was under this feeling that by the end of decade, fronts were formed against Anti-Nazism, such as Holy Wood Anti Nazi League that explicitly made Anti-Nazi movies, a move far from away from entertainment. The rise of communism also made its presence in Hollywood. In 1930s Hollywood had its own Communist party under the leadership of screenwriter John Howard Lawson, who championed the cause of intellectual rights. Our Daily bread (1934) is a movie based on Communism in the backdrop of Depression, which portrays that communal spirit could enable a community to overcome the economic problems. The Great Depression 2increased poverty; while Prohibition shifted ideologies, which were clearly reflected in the movies. The Depression broke the promise of American Dream; many thought of a revolution to bring change in the White House. In 1932 the American Legion mentioned that the reason for chaos was American political system that needs to be changed. The response it was believed is revolution, as capitalism failed; Stalin seemed the rescuer for new setup. This provided dictatorship craze 3in Hollywood, a series of films that have strong tyrannical personalities, who with all their flaws had the power to steer the nation. The Power and Glory (1931) is made around such character, the railroad tycoon Tom Garner, who in the wake of railroad crisis brings workers to heel through his haughty personality. A times comes, when Garners happens to kill 400 workers to suppress strike, again shows that cruelty is acceptable, if it can bail out the people. Employee's Entrance (1933) shows the ruthless world of the business. The film depicts establishment of business since 1878 throughout the roaring twenties with a tone, that in business there is no room for sympathy, again is depiction of blind power from Hollywood. The rise of Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany and political corruption also produced characters for the movies. Colombia pictures presented an alternative to American inefficient democracy of the time, Mussolini Speaks (1933), where the pre-credit inscription mentions " This picture is dedicated to a man of the people whose deeds for his people will ever be an inspiration to all mankind." The narrator of the movie praises in the preface and mentions that, "Whether we agree with a man's policy or not doesn't matter. We're interested in a man if he marks himself a leader", depicts American society loss of faith on its leadership. This yearning for strong leadership is based on the assumption that even if leadership is flawed and tyrannical, if it knows, how things are done is better than democracy. Similarly in Gabriel over the White House (1932) again the need for a strong leadership is repeated, when newly elected president Judson Hammond is shown to be a lackey of his party willing to follow the party line

Opera Report-Carmen(Bizet) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Opera Report-Carmen(Bizet) - Essay Example The hall size was medium to large and has a capacity of holding 2,967 people plus has room for the orchestra pit and main stage. The theater had chandeliers and a set of fine arts accents making the event seem more formal. The audience followed through with the formal occasion and the atmosphere that was noted from the dresses worn included fancier and wealthy looking clothing. These combined aspects made the atmosphere serious and created a different setting for the event. The name of the liberettist was Nino Surguladze and plays the role of Carmen from the 1875 opera written by Bizette. The opera is set in Spain where Surguldaze plays a gypsy that smuggles items. The opposing voice is Richard Leech, who plays the tenor in the opera as Don Jose. There is also the part of Micaela, a soprano played by Talise Trevigne and which acts as the fiance of Don Jose. Wayne Tigges, the second tenor, plays the man in which Carmen falls in love with and which leads to her final tragedy. The perfo rmance forces that are associated with this include an orchestra. The opera program follows the main names of those who are in the opera as well as in the orchestra. The program is also inclusive of the main plot line and the concepts related to the performance. There is also a section for sponsors, donations and affiliations that are a part of the opera and which provided support for the presentation. ... However, the details of the performance and the various understandings of each of the musical pieces, despite translations being available, were difficult to follow because of the language differences and atmosphere of the theater. Before going to the performance, I didn’t read about the work or other information from an approved source. Most of the performance aspects were unfamiliar to me, such as what to expect, how the opera would be, what the setting would be and the approach which would be taken. The performance conventions which surprised me were based on my unfamiliarity with the opera and the plot of Carmen. I didn’t know that it would be in French or would have the amount of work which went into the various pieces. I also had assumed that opera was based more on the singing; however, this particular style used a large amount of acting and movement on the stage. This was refreshing; however, it was also unexpected. The musical and dramatic elements that were in the opera were based on the characteristics of being in Spain and belonging to the Gypsy race. This is heard from the beginning overture and leads throughout the various works. The first example of this is â€Å"Habanera,† in which Carmen announces her love to the village. The main element is the rhythm, which keeps a Spanish dance beat of 1, 3, 4 with a slight accent on the â€Å"and† between the 3 and 4. This is combined with the simplistic melody which follows over this and which is led by Carmen. During this point, the lighting is strong and depicts happiness with the dancing and announcement which Carmen makes. The second example of music which follows this characteristic is â€Å"Toreador Song† also known as the drinking song. When hearing the orchestra, there is a

Article Rebuttal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Article Rebuttal - Essay Example as Anthony Watts have found flaws in the Muller study because his theory does not add any value to the controversy since he does not focus on finding out whether humans are critical variable causing global warming. Global warming is a hot business topic because the governmental environmental regulators are getting stricter as time passes and are imposing new regulations that increase the costs of the company in order to implement the EPA mandates. During the 1990s when the topic of global warming became mainstreamed it was discussed as a threat to society and the government propaganda focused on blaming pollution from cars and industrial activity as the main cause of this phenomenon. Since then society has also realized that deforestation is a major contributor to global warming. The world is using too much paper and they a cutting down trees at an alarming rate. There are technological solutions on the way to lower the dependence of wood to create paper. An innovative company called Papyrus Australia invented a patented technology to produce paper out of the trucks of banana trees. Banana plants are a renewable source. The article lacked substance and critical solutions to the problem of global warming. The author’s arguments were irrational and they failed to bring any relevant new information to the table. The effect of the problem on humanity was not clearly identified. In my opinion the author should have focus more on finding solutions to the problem and stating the types of behavioral changes that have to occur from humanity to lower the effect of global warming and possibly eradicate the problem in the near future. Despite my criticism of the article there was some information that added some value to the discussion of the global warming topic. The author used some historical perspective on the topic which is always a good writing technique. I learned about the existence of a little Ice Age that occurred between 1300 A.D. and 1900 A.D. There were also

Health Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Information Systems - Essay Example Medical informatics started in the US when the computers and microchips were introduced in the 1950s. In 1949, the first professional informatics organization was founded by Gustav Wager in Germany. Programs that trained individuals on informatics systems began in France in the 1960s which became common in the United States and Europe by the 1970s. Initially, health informatics systems were used for purposes like billing and patient admissions/discharges. (Neujahr). The technological advances made in the field of computers contributed to the rapid spread of health informatics systems. The relationship between doctors and people has also drastically changed with the introduction of medical informatics, since people are not ignorant of the health issues they are likely to face. Information regarding symptoms, causes and diagnosis is made available to all individuals, enabling them to identify their problem. People are usually aware of the health issue before they approach a doctor for diagnosis. Health informatics on the internet has made professionals more equitable since they have the advantage of learning of medical and clinical procedures immediately, without having to search for books on the particular technique or to consult other professionals. The physician is expected to have wide knowledge of all disciplines of medicine as all information is made available to the client or the patient. Internet forms the site of a new struggle over expertise in health that will transform the relationship between the health professions and their clients. (Hardey, 2009). A number of health informatics organizations have been developed by the government to provide reliable information on all kinds of health issues. For instance, the United States Federal Government has developed a health informatics site, healthfinder.gov. It provides guidelines to healthy living and personalized health advice by professionals to enable the

Event Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Event Management - Essay Example The industry has also experienced numerous world fairs visibility and major sports events, during the recent century as Goldbatt (2000) asserts. Moreover, the events industry is developing and transitioning from a growth into maturity. The economic effects of an event may differ because developed event type and the market appealed to that particular event. A scale of event has a direct correlation with the impact level. Events fixed length encourages visitors to attend. The extra experience acts as a form of indirect marketing for a region altogether. This provides a chance to grasp a market that was previously untapped. The incoming guests bring with them money, further expanding the market. Subsequently, both real and potential generation of revenue is increased. These events are an attraction that has both the power of drawing and holding. This means that they not only marshal in new tourists, but also assist to keep them in a region longer. It shows the significance of gauging the economic effects of events of tourists who specifically came to the event and those that did not stay longer because of the event. This means that they are not only ushering in new guests, but they also assist in keeping them in the region longer. Consequently, this portrays the significance of gauging the economic effect of those that come to the event and those that did not and extended their stay because of the event (Janeczko, Mules & Ritchie 2002). In addition, even though, they may have numerous other objectives, events in regional destinations aid the growth of tourism and the subsequent economic development. Traditionally, economic impact of the event industry has centered on spending of visitors and multipliers that extended this spending to other segments of the economy. They may be linked to job creation or income. Nonetheless, because of variation in formulas, the event industry has faced hitches in paralleling how they

Management Responsibilites with regards to Forensic Accounting Research Paper

Management Responsibilites with regards to Forensic Accounting - Research Paper Example Moreover, they offer litigation assistance to attorneys and agencies of regulations enforcement investigating financial crimes (Abdolmohammadi, pp 13). The management responsibilities can, therefore, be done in regard to forensic accounting. One key management responsibility involves the strategic planning for the business. For the business to succeed, the management should guarantee that they embark on the strategic planning of the affairs of the business. Strategic planning enables a business to formulate the objectives of the business (Emerald Journal). In strategic planning forensic accounting is also included so that the capital invested in the business is correctly used. In case of a mismanagement of the capital then it is noticed at an earlier stage before it creates a severe problem to the management and business. The supervising and evaluation of the overall performance of the business is also a chief management responsibility. The operation of a business includes many performances, which are carried out by different departments of a business. The management does the evaluation of the activities of each branch and management through the supervisors does the monitoring of the operations of the each department. This is to ensure that the operations of the business are done in accordance to the strategic plans. The management further ensures that evaluation is effective through using forensic accounting to make sure that no fund from each department is embezzled. The forensic accounting is majorly used in evaluation at the financial department because this department is responsible for all the assets of the business (Arokiasamy, Koh and Suat, pp 146). The management responsibility is also to ensure that all the employees uphold high conduct standards. The conduct of the employees determines the image that the public has about a business. It is, therefore, significant for the administration to

Ireland Tradition and Dissent Essay Example for Free

Ireland Tradition and Dissent Essay The two concepts of â€Å"tradition† and â€Å"dissent† are extremely useful in understanding the built heritage of Ireland. To understand the differing attitudes to the built heritage of Ireland is to contemplate the historical accounts, stories and legends that fabricate traditions and incite dissent. The concept of tradition is associated with the passing down through generations, beliefs, thoughts and actions (â€Å"tradition†, n. d) and dissent derives from a desire to publicly protest against the traditions and against those holding the authority (â€Å"dissent†, n. ). Ireland, ‘the land of saints and scholars’ (Burke, Watson, and Laurence, 2008), is a country coming to terms with its past by acknowledging the wealth it possesses within its built heritage. A past fabricated with tradition and dissent which resulted in the creation of The Irish Free State in 1922, known today as The Republic of Ireland (Hachey, 1996, p. 167). Attitudes to Irish built heritage have been fashioned through the experiences of a people caught in the tides of both tradition and dissent. From the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century to the creation of the Irish Republic, in 1922, Ireland had been battling with an apparent drive by Britain to ‘anglicise’ the isle. Celtic traditions encounter British dissent. Eventually, The Reformation of the 16th century secured a British dominance and thus, new colonial traditions were formed. Oliver Cromwell ensured his ‘plantation’ policies were implemented, whereby, the Irish- Catholics were ‘expelled’ from their lands and the British now landlord over the real estate and its subservient, Irish -Catholic tenants (â€Å"Cromwellian-Conquests, n. ). Irelands ‘lost her music, she lost her games, she lost her language and popular literature, and with language she lost her intellectuality† (Hyde, as cited in Laurence, 2008, p. 161). The Irish traditions, by way of religion and culture, now became the dissent (Hachey, 1996, p. 16). Built heritage is a way to visualise the changes that endure tradition and dissent within society. Architectural structures shaping a landscape by reflecting function, wealth, culture or just personal tastes and fashion. Monuments, churches, houses, ring forts are examples of built heritage in Ireland. Nationalists were able to use the power of the most historic and revered sites to remember the days of a common Gaelic past to restore a sense of nationalism (Laurence, 2008, p. 164). One of the most recognised sacred sites by the Irish people is Newgrange, built 5200 years ago, the oldest known astronomically aligned structure in the world (Burke, Watson, and Laurence 2008). Tradition was questioned when Newgrange was restored in 1960’s by Professor Michael Kelly. He used his own controversial interpretation of how the structure would have appeared by the use of stone on the frontage and its overall appearance. The structure now appears as a 1960’s view of a sacred and traditional site (Burke et al. 2008). In the middle of the 20th century, it is intriguing to see the emphasis place on the sites of â€Å"ancient places and sacred spaces† (Murphy, as cited in Burke et al. 2008) rather than other structures built whilst under British rule. The Hill of Tara, located in County Meath, is the symbolic capital of Ireland and the seat of ancient high kings. The site became an Irish nationalist symbol when Daniel O’Connell, a nationalist leader, assembled over 500,000 people at the site to protest against the lack of civil rights for Catholics and the oppressive interests of Anglo-Irish landlords (Laurence, 2008, p. 159). This protest resulted in the Catholic Relief Act 1829, whereby, for example, Catholics were now able to sit as members of parliament in Westminster. However, as the majority of Catholics were unable to afford a political career due to the position being unsalaried and parliamentary sessions were held at Westminster, London; the opportunities in politics were very unlikely (McCaffrey, 1996, p. 27). This small step to independence by a group of dissenters was able to use the built heritage site of Tara to invoke within the Irish people a sense of their lost traditionalism and new found fervor for nationalism (Laurence, 2008, p. 159). Nevertheless, the continual dominance of British rule saw no substantial social and economic changes for Catholics as they were still†steeped in habitual misery† (Finn Lynch, 1995, p. 24). At Daniel O’Connell’s burial site, his supporters erected the tallest round tower in Ireland. The round tower is a historical symbol of Irish Christianity. This enabled dissenters to create new traditions to speak to future generations through the visual power of a symbolic monument. At his request, O ’Connell’s heart was buried in Rome, the home of the Catholic Church (Burke et al. 008) By the beginning of the 19th century, the Cromwellian policies of plantation and land confiscation were evident on the landscapes of country estates. Landownership was the domain of the privileged minority. In 1804, up to 10,000 landlords, within a population of 5. 4 million, were almost exclusively Protestant; only 5% of land in Catholic hands (â€Å"History of Landed Estates in Ireland, n. d). This leads to another asset to the built heritage of Ireland, known as â€Å"The Big House†. The Big House is the country residence of the landlord. At the beginning of the century, over 4,000 Big Houses glorified the landscape. Today, the number is less than 100. These grand houses, many built during the 18th century ‘golden age’ produced the most ornate and sophisticated architecture, together with highly crafted workmanship. The presence of these houses reflected the social and economic dominance over the generations of ‘landed’ Anglo-Irish families (â€Å"History of Landed Estates in Ireland, n. d). On creation of the Republic, the Big House was deemed a domineering symbol of Anglo-Irish oppression. The civil war 1916-1923 had resulted in approximately 300 houses being burned for political or military reasons (Burke et al. 2008). Social chaos stirred on by agrarian agitators may also have lead to the abandonment of other houses and the perception of â€Å"reversing Cromwellian policy†(Dooley as cited in Burke et al. 2008) resulted in the destruction of The Big Houses as justification of British oppression (Burke et al. 2008). Various Land Acts after the civil war caused the power of the Anglo-Irish landlord to diminish (â€Å"History of Landed Estates in Ireland, n. ). As a consequence of civil war, the collateral damage of war-torn buildings scarred the streets in Dublin. The Office of Public Works undertook a rebuilding program for some integral, functional buildings, for example, the General Post Office and the Customs House (Burke et al. 2008). These traditional buildings, built under the control of British authority were to become iconic within the new Republic. The General Post Office was an emotive building which served as the base for nationalists during the Easter Rising 1916 and thus, out of an act of issent against the ruling British , nationalists were to see the formation of new traditions; a new republic rise out of the rubble. At the time of reconstruction after civil war, the National Monuments Bill ensured the protection of heritage sites built after 1700 and only Irish materials would be used in restoration work. This creation of new tradition, written in law, is evident on The Customs House. The rebuilding of the prominent dome, atop The Customs House, with dark Irish limestone appears to overpower the white English Portland stone. The image evokes a feeling of nationalism over colonialism dissent over tradition (Burke et al. 2008). On the other hand, other buildings were left abandoned for emotive as well as economic reasons, due to their connections with British rule. Examples of this neglect were Dublin Castle, the seat of British power and The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, a former military hospital and a home for retired British soldiers until 1927 (Burke et al. 2008). The two abandoned buildings, along with the Big Houses, were the symbols of colonial rule and colonial traditions. The oppressive conditions the Irish had to contend with for so many generations were witnessed through these buildings. Colonial traditions of built heritage, seen as scars on the landscape, seem to have eroded with time as a synergy is formed between the perils of the past and the creation of a country’s identity, to be worn as a sense of pride (Burke et al. 2008). A turning point for the built heritage of Ireland, being appreciated as a valuable asset of the past, occurred at the time of inauguration into the European Community in 1973 (Burke et al. 2008). Acceptance of the Republic’s own identity and worth on the world stage seems to have empowered Irish society to value its rich past alongside its built heritage. Within the past twenty years, the Irish Republic’s economic and social confidence has resulted in the proliferation of restoration works on many historic landmarks of the city. The attitudes invoke a feeling of ‘moving on’ from a difficult, complicated past and this reverberates through the stone (Burke et al. 2008). The once abandoned Dublin Castle is now a majestic place where the inauguration of the President occurs and state functions are held. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, now the site of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, a historic building utilised as a creative space to represent the future (Burke et al. 2008). The past dissent is used as a platform to reinvent the city and to showcase the wonders of its traditional craftsmanship and local materials. The architecture and craftsmanship of the Big Houses are today being recognised also as highly valued from cultural, historical and educational viewpoints (O’Brien and Guinness, 1993, p. 11). Today, restoration of the houses shows an appreciation of the ‘golden age’. Support from the Irish Georgian Society and The Heritage Council enables the homes to be opened to the public and for the owners to be educated in proper restorative practices (â€Å"Irish Georgian Society†, 2010; â€Å"The Heritage Council†, n. d). Today, Ireland’s built heritage from Newgrange to the Museum of Modern Art is being seen by the rest of the world for its architectural glory and historic significance as well as contributing to contemporary society. Moreover, to understand the attitudes to the built heritage of Ireland is to accept that the concepts of tradition and dissent are very useful. The views of a traditionalist or the views of a dissenter cite opposing attitudes to their built heritage. The visual nature of built heritage enables the attitudes of the people to be reflected in the way they revere or revile the society in which they live. Irish dissent rising from the dominance of British tradition has developed through time the sense of pride and the nationalism of a Republic. This vision of nationalism now empowers the people to be trusting caretakers to their own built heritage.

Changing Trends Of Hospitality Industry In India Tourism Essay

Changing Trends Of Hospitality Industry In India Tourism Essay As the Hospitality industry is a very vast topic, therefore, in order to make my dissertation proposal probable, I had to narrow down the hospitality industry to hotels and bars only for some part of the project like the change in the viewpoints of consumers, and for certain hotels which have their locations all around the world. My key focus would be mainly the top Players in the Industry owing hotels and lounge. In the recent past years, India has witnessed a tremendous boom in the hospitality industry, just like many other segments. The fact that the Indias economy had been growing rapidly and India as a whole had been facing a huge challenge of being under roomed gave a juncture to the hospitality industry. In order to leverage this opportunity a lot of real estate developers have also been investing into this business. (http://www.iloveindia.com/economy-of-india/hotel-industry.html, viewed on 28-dec-2010) However, with an increase in the tourism industry, IT, BPO segments, foreign travelers, affordable airline fares, etc, there has been a growth in the hospitality industry. Many other factors such as Commonwealth Games in Delhi have been fueling the need further. The middle class is becoming more opulent and the native Indian tourist travel has been growing rapidly, particularly in places such as Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan.( http://www.iloveindia.com/economy-of-india/hotel-industry.html ,viewed on 28-dec-2010) It was often said that a hotel must have a beautiful location and a succulent food in order to succeed. However, in todays competitive world, even an inconsequential mistake can prove to be jeopardous. The contribution in the information technology segment has also strengthened and so the growing hospitality industries have started looking for new areas to improve their work and efficiencies. The IT first came into start at an upfront desk where the receptionist would look for the names of the customer and then provide them with a room. In order to improve the operations, big hotels started setting accounting system and softwares for their back offices. As the chain of hotels started progressing in their process across the country, it was much required to look after their assets. This gave rise to the demand for a system to manage the property, which allowed hospitality groups to keep a track of their assets across different states. It was during the same period of time, that the big hospitality chains also felt the need for centralizing the system. This period saw chain of hotels being networked and then connected to a central server. Just like the Taj Group of Hotels have linked a WAN thats named Taj Net, which connects the groups of 55 properties across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are many advantages in having a centralized system. As the Hotel industries has been dependant on Travel and Tourism industry to a great extent, the combination of this travel and tourism has also helped in building up hospitality industry. (www.expresshospitality.com viewed on 03-Jan -2011) RECIPIENT FOR THE RESEARCH WORK The recipient for this research work would be: The key recipient Myself My research adviser Top Hotels/ Resto- Bars in India and their Managers The Customers of Hotels RESEARCH SUITABILITY The topic that I have chosen for research relates to me very well. In the present day scenario, the global market trend sights that the survival of the fittest companies are competing with each other and the quality and service that these companies provide are the key concept for any companies growth. My research is focused much towards the support and service that is provided after occupying the hotel room and for any organization it would be a basic foundation concept to satisfy their customers and understand the need of their customers. As we can see many of the leading MNCs are paving their path to countries, which could provide them with services with better quality. LITERATURE REVIEW The hospitality industry is one of the largest employers in most of the countries with being geographically dispersed in different sectors. The globalization of the industry has advanced under the influence of the advances in technology, transportation and communication, deregulation and elimination of political barriers as well as thriving competition in the global economy (Clarke and Chen, International Hospitality Management ,w. 2007). The hotel as a whole is basically a mix of five characteristics: its location, its mix of facilities, its image, the services that it provides and the price it charges (Holloway and Neil Taylor, 2006, Pg. 2003). As said by Amadeus, the global hotel industry is driven by globalization, new Technology and a new breed of customers. The hospitality industry, which has been with unparalleled opportunity, is undergoing a period of extraordinary transformation. A report accredited by the Amadeus group to learn about the hotel industry, recommended that the hospitality industry stand to face major difficulties from the emerging new technologies such as bookings through tele or mobile phones and from the online social networking sites. Guests can now easily exchange views about what they think of the hotels through social networking. Quality is now given more priority than before. Hotels are under threat to deliver the highest standards of excellence as the knowledge and level of exposure of travelers has increased. The hotels have been awaiting to modify their technology and communication systems as mobile booking has expected to become a very common practice.(HayHurst,2008). In recent years, the organizations in the hospitality industry are undergoing a great deal of distract as due to the pressure of globalization, the competitive forces within their businesses have been modified. Therefore, in order to survive, most companies have realized that they must frame a competitive advantage by relying on their employees to improve the quality of delivery (George Bohlander, Scott Snell, 2009 Business Economics) Hoteliers are now able to identify the value of risk taking, novelty, and the intense search for opportunities as primary drivers of growth and value creation (Jogaratnam G., Vol. 18 No. 6, 2006). In addition, there has been an increase in the usage of technology as a mode of making online reservations through several distribution channels. These channels can be interpreted as an organized and serviced system that is paid for, out of the marketing budget and is used to provide an access to the customers, who are away from the location of production and consumption (Middleton and Clark, Marketing in Travel and Tourism, 2001). Usually in India, customers would make a reservation by either directly approaching the hotel or by booking through a travel agent. However, now the electronic distribution channels like the Global Distribution System (GDS) and the internet have been steadily gaining popularity. (Dabas and Manakt., Vol. 19 No. 5, 2007). Because of the perishable nature of the inventories, its very crucial for the hotel to have an economical distribution. (OConnor ,Vol. 4. pg 1-15, 2002). RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Every research methodology includes a research design which may be defined as the set of conditions organized hypothetically for the collection and analysis of data that aims to integrate relevance to the research process with economy in procedure Research Problem: Understanding the development in hospitality industry along with the current trends and, how the companies have been affected the need for their consumers as well as their perception. Research Question: The changing trends of the Hospitality Industry in India Research Objectives: 1. The performance of Hospitality industry in India. 2. How has the trend transformed in the past few years. 3. Analysing the demand and supply of accommodation and growing prices in different Indian hospitality industry? 4. How has the perception about the restaurants/hotels and bars changed in the minds of consumers? 5. Who are the chief players in the Indian market as well as the ones that have branched outside India? Approach: Since there is no relationship between the Hospitality Industry and the conclusion, the research would be fully prelusive so that the conclusion, which is being analysed using different methods of survey and study, would support the research. Strategy: The strategy that will be followed for the research work will be Surveys. Surveys will be taken from either the Hotels or Resto-Bars in India and also from the customers of different hospitality segments. DATA COLLECTION My data collection processes for this research would consist of series of procedures, which would be further branched into primary and secondary data collection. PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION The main processes that I would be relying on while using my primary data collection would be through questionnaire based on the information, that will be done by personally meeting the customers and by sending them posts and by meeting the staff of the hotel in person. The questionnaire I would be working on, would be divided in a way that would be most efficient in handling them and by keeping the time factor into consideration, the most applicable system would be applied to the best suitable group. While applying a wrong process in gathering information would result in delaying the whole operation. The research topic requires a Qualitative method to evaluate the findings aimed for. A well framed questionnaire will be given in person. The appropriate tool for my research proposal would be a type of a survey, because the best way to obtain the required data , in order to find answers for my research questions ,would be asking a set of questions. Every methods of data collection have its own advantages as well as disadvantages. For example: Internet survey: Survey done through e-mails and file sharing. The advantages of Internet as a mode of survey are: 1. Survey can be set up faster. 2. Survey results are faster. 3. Response can be administered by allowing pre and post questions. 4. The skip-pattern questions can be used to eliminate interviewer error. 5. Respondent can answer at their own convenience. 6. Cost of interview in minimal. Although, Internet survey has many advantages, it might not be the most appropriate method of surveying for this dissertation. The reason behind this is the anonymity of the web, which makes any type of affirmation difficult, if not impossible. Postal Questionnaire is yet another type of survey which has the following advantages and disadvantages : Advantages Their costs are relatively low. Data can be obtained from large sample areas. Can avoid interview bias. Privacy settings can be enhanced for the respondents. Rating scales can be flexible. Disadvantages Poor response rates. Respondents may misinterpret questions. The intended person may not be the one who completed questionnaire. The relative nature of the questions to be posted is supposed to have confidential information, has made me to decide that postal questionnaire might be the most appropriate form for collecting information. The methods for data collection range from the simple use of postal questionnaire to face-to-face interviews, where an interviewer uses tape recorder and note taking as their tools for collecting information. Few of the methods are expensive but they surely guarantee a good response rate, while others being cheap to administer but are most likely to produce a poor response (Les Oakshott, 2001) SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION: The secondary data are the type of data that are made by others for their own purposes. The secondary data for my research proposal would be gathered from the companies own data archives and from their annual financial reports. In addition, the findings of former research studies on outsourcing an accounting process would give an ample amount of historical data or decision-making patterns. I would also be using Internet to get some more information about the industry and use journals for getting instruction from the past researches on this topic. TOOLS FOR DATA ANALYSIS The data collected from the questionnaire would be analyzed through the SPSS text analysis. Different mode of SPSS analysis will be used in analyzing the data from the questionnaire. RESEARCH : NEW AND RELEVANT? Lately this topic has been quiet popular , with a boom in the hospitality industry there have been a lot of researcher working on this topic in order to understand the needs and behaviour of the people, so that they could suggest steps to improve and help grow the industry. The topic for this research is also a hot subject as the tourism industry is also connected with the hospitality industry and the tourism industry has progressed alot.

Were German Citizens Aware of the Holocaust?

Were German Citizens Aware of the Holocaust? Jason Jimenez To what extent was the average individual of Germany during WWII aware of the atrocities committed within the Holocaust? Table of Contents A. Plan of Investigation2 B. Summary of Evidence2 C. Evaluation of Sources3 D. Analysis.3-4 E. Conclusion.4 F. Bibliography.5 A.  Plan of Investigation This investigation assesses the extent of how much the average German knew of the Holocaust during WWII. In order to evaluate this, the investigation examines the situation of Germany at this point in time. First, the cause and effect of the force of extreme anti-Semitism on the people by Hitler will be explored. Also, this investigation will delve into the extensive spread of knowledge between the groups of people that were aware of the genocide with the others that did not. Lastly, the seemingly enormous task of the Final Solution will be considered, as well as challenged in a manner that would suggest awareness in the general German population. These three major factors are the primary focus of this investigation; they will be analyzed by evaluating several essay sources, as well as other internet articles, for their origins, purposes, values, and limitations. B. Summary of Evidence Prior to WWII, Hitler already possessed hatred for the Jews. He states in his book that he first became an anti-Semite in Vienna, where he attained extreme German nationalism. He strongly believed in a union with the Germans and a violent expulsion of the â€Å"inferior† races. During his time as the leader of the Nazi Party, as well as Fuhrer, Hitler delivered many speeches to the masses regarding the Jews as the enemy. In one of his speeches, he declared, â€Å"The struggle for world domination will be fought entirely between us, between Germans and Jews. All else is facade and illusion. Behind England stands Israel, and behind France, and behind the United States. Even when we have driven the Jew out of Germany, he remains our world enemy.†[1] This statement suggests that Hitler saw that Jews as the ultimate enemy, and disregards the rest of the world as even mildly relevant. Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Propaganda Minister responsible for the Night of Broken Glass, in which hundreds of Jews were murdered, was also an essential component in the spread of anti-Semitism at that time.[2] The general German population knew of their government’s extreme hatred toward the Jews, and it was only a matter of time until they figured out what was going to happen next. Furthermore, from the huge size of the army, as well as the thousands of camps located in and around Germany, it was inevitable for information not to spread between the populations. For example, German soldiers would, at the very least, have brought home numerous stories of what was going on in Russia (where the atrocities were well known) or the east.[3] The stories that the soldiers would have told their loved ones back home would have spread swiftly, and therefore soon after, knowledge of rumours would be instilled into the general population. The many camps that existed then were located inside Germany itself, but there were many more outside the country. A large number of these camps were located near several highly-populated areas, such as Dachau, outside of Munich.[4] However, the major extermination camps, such as Auschwitz and Treblinka, were not set up inside Germany, so it certainly was possible that the average German in the home front had no knowledge of them. Although, it is logical to assume that most people knew that being sent to a concentration was, without a doubt, a death sentence; even if they did not know the details, they had to have noticed that barely anyone ever returned from the camps. Overall, it all boils down to the issue of whether or not the Germans wanted to know more about what was going on, for perha ps they just wanted to turn a blind eye because it did not affect them in any way. Lastly, the monstrous project of the Final Solution (Nazi Germany’s plan to systematically kill off the entire Jewish population in Nazi-occupied Europe) seemed all too massive of a project to have been undertaken only by the Nazis. Konnilyn Feig, a well-respected Holocaust author, suspects that most people did, in fact, know about much of what was going on. In her book, Hitler’s death camps: the sanity of madness, she states that â€Å"Hitler exterminated the Jews of Europe. But he did not do so alone. The task was so enormous, complex, time-consuming, and mentally and economically demanding that it took the best efforts of millions of Germans†¦ All spheres of life in Germany actively participated†[5] As the case may be, therefore, it is not futile to rule out this very possibility. C. Evaluation of Sources Note: Because there were seemingly no readily available traditional resources regarding this investigation’s rather specific question, two significant internet articles will be evaluated in lieu. One article is written by Will Coleman, and is an extended response to the same question this investigation is attempting to answer. The other source is an essay article written by Theresa Art, named â€Å"What Did Most Germans Know about the Nazi Concentration Camp System?† As a response to a similar question posed in the website, www.quora.com, Will Coleman writes an in-depth â€Å"report† on the truth that he believes, in which he states that â€Å"the large majority of the German public, knew and collaborated willingly with the deportation and extermination of the Jews†¦Ã¢â‚¬ [6] This article was written with the obvious purpose of attempting to answer the question in the website, but to also do so using methodical reasoning. The article’s value lies in the fact that it provides a systematic explanation of Coleman’s perspective on the matter, and this allows the reader to easily interpret and understand the logic behind his bold statement that à ¢â‚¬Å"all of Germany was responsible†. Coleman does this by ordering his points from least to most significant; first he starts off with basic arguments that reinforce the fact that communication within Germany must have defeated any sort of secrecy about the mass murders simply because of how many people there were, and he ends with an intricate â€Å"collective guilt† argument, wherein he explains that the German people felt guilt for the atrocities committed by their fellow countrymen, and could only have done so because they either participated or turned a blind eye to it. There was a minor limitation in this article, in which it would sometimes confuse awareness of the holocaust with direct participation. In Theresa Ast’s article, she aims to focus not on the â€Å"culpability or degree of culpability of different segments of the German population†[7], but on general German knowledge of concentration camps. Much like Coleman, Ast suggests that many Ge rmans were aware of the mass killings; she states that â€Å"most concentration camp inmates were German or Austrian citizens and many of them served limited sentences before being released. It begs believability to think that these individuals did not discuss their experience with family and close friends.† The value in Ast’s article, as opposed to Coleman’s, is that she took into account several WWII veterans’ first-hand opinions and experiences in her findings. This allowed her to develop a well-formulated conclusion stating that â€Å"the typical German response was to deny knowledge of, and disclaim any responsibility for, the concentration camps.† A limitation in this article lies in the fact that it is mostly comprised of evidence, and has a minor lack of detail in its arguments. D. Analysis The importance of this investigation in its historical context is immense, as the question poses the issue of whether or not the Germans should feel guilty for having taken part in the most documented, systematic, industrial slaughter of human beings in all of recorded civilized history. From one perspective, based on the sources, it can be argued that the average German had a rough idea as to what was going on, but did not know the details; this is either because he genuinely did not know, or perhaps because he did not want to know more of his own country’s monstrosities. From another perspective, it can be argued that the average German knew a great deal of what was going on, as Coleman states, â€Å"How can a country on total war footing continue to move, house, manage and exterminate millions of people while at the same time, use those sparing resources on war production? They cant, not without a lot of help. Where was this help? The German nation of course.†[8] Fro m these arguments also arises the question that if the Germans did help undertake the Final Solution, did they do it willingly? Or were they forced to do it by the Nazis? With Adolf Hitler’s entrance into Germany’s politics, so did his theories of racial struggle and the â€Å"intent† of the Jews to survive and expand at the expense of the Germans. From 1933-1938, the Nazis staged book burnings, ordered anti-Jewish boycotts, and enabled anti-Jewish legislation.[9] The Jews were defined by race and was totally separated from the Germans by the Nuremberg Laws in 1935. These measures focused on total segregation of Jews from Germans and Austrians, both legally and socially. These new statutes, added with the extremely anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda imposed on the country must have, at the very least, implied something utterly terrible to come for the Jews. Although hundreds of thousands had already been killed by death squads and in mass pogroms[10] (riots aimed at m assacre of Jews), the large-scale deportation of the Jews must have spelled disaster for them in the eyes of the Germans. The communication that must have travelled back and forth, from the people that knew to the ones that did not, suggests that even though the full details of the holocaust were not leaked, a general idea of it must have formed within the people. The SS would routinely mix labour battalions, which consisted of thousands of starving Jews, with German nationals who were producing war goods. Without a doubt, these nationals must have shared stories of horribly treated Jews back home. The average Nazi soldier who had seen the atrocities committed in both concentration and death camps most likely would have wrote home letters describing what he had seen. Overall, there was very little chance that a German did not know anything as to what was going on around him, as all signs, including the mass deportation of Jews by train and the mass murders in pogroms, point to the u ltimatum that the Jews were being thoroughly purged out of Germany. The amount of work that the Final Solution must have required was much greater than that which the Nazis could hope to accomplish. As Will Coleman mentioned in his article, Germany could not have afforded to be on total war as well as systematically exterminate millions of people simultaneously without extra help, and this, in all likelihood, came from the general population of Germany itself. German police units, namely the Reserve Police Battalion 101, shot 38,000 Jews and deported 45,000 more to the camps.[11] Bankers often volunteered the names of their Jewish employees to Nazi authorities, most of which ended up in death camps.[12] What all of this is suggesting is that such a massive task could not have been done solely by the Nazis, but with the collective help and cooperation of everyone in the country. E. Conclusion Each and every subtopic that this investigation evaluates all point to the same conclusion. First, the extreme anti-Semitic ideas that had been forced on the people, coupled with the initial attacks on the Jews, implied the beginning of the end for them. Nobody knew exactly what the future h eld for the Jews, but they just knew it would be disastrous. Second, the substantial network of communication that had been utilized must have at least given the average German a clue as to what the Jews were going through at the time. Whether the information was passed through a letter, orally, or first-hand, the population must have received a basic idea for what was happening, and also, what was about to happen. Lastly, the Final Solution could not have been finished by the Nazis without further help from outside sources. Like Konnilyn Feig stated, â€Å"The task was so complex that it took the best efforts of millions of Germans†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Most, if not all Germans were aware of the Holocaust, let alone the ones that participated too. There is no doubt that everyone had the idea, and this alone reinforces the fact that yes, almost everyone was aware of what was happening. Total word count: 1,971 F. Bibliography Internet Sources: Coleman, Will, â€Å"To what extent were average German citizens aware of or involved in the Holocaust†. n.d., Quora. 30 March 2014. http://www.quora.com/Nazi-Germany/To-what-extent-were-average-German-citizens-aware-of-or-involved-in-the-Holocaust Ast, Theresa, â€Å"What Did Most Germans Know About The Nazi Concentration Camp System?†. n.d., HubPages. 30 March 2014. http://phdast7.hubpages.com/hub/What-Did-Average-germans-Know-Concentration-Camps Museum, â€Å"ANTISEMITISM IN HISTORY: NAZI ANTISEMITISM†. 10 June 2013. Holocaust Encyclopedia. 30 March 2014. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007167 Connolly, Kate, â€Å"Letter proves Speer knew of Holocaust plan†. n.d. The Guardian. 30 March 2014. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/mar/13/secondworldwar.kateconnolly Douglas, Davis â€Å"British bank implicated in Nazi dealings†. 2 April 1999. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. 30 March 2014. http://www.webcitation.org/5wQnrMwcy Book Sources: Rauschning, Hermann. Hitler Speaks (Munich, Germany: Kessinger Publishing, 2006) Feig, Konnilyn. Hitler’s Death Camps: The Sanity of Madness (California, United States: Holmes Meier Pub, 1981) Niewyk, Donald. The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust (New York, United States: Harper Collins, 1992) Gilbert, Martin. Kristallnacht (Oxford, England: Harper Perennial, 2007) [1] Hermann Rauschning. Hitler Speaks (Munich, Germany: Kessinger Publishing, 2006) p.234 [2] Gilbert Martin. Kristallnacht (Oxford, England: Harper Perennial, 2007) p.29 [3] Will Coleman, â€Å"To what extent were average German citizens aware of or involved in the Holocaust†. n.d., Quora. 30 March 2014 http://www.quora.com/Nazi-Germany/To-what-extent-were-average-German-citizens-aware-of-or-involved-in-the-Holocaust [4] Will Coleman, â€Å"To what extent were average German citizens aware of or involved in the Holocaust†. n.d., Quora. 30 March 2014 http://www.quora.com/Nazi-Germany/To-what-extent-were-average-German-citizens-aware-of-or-involved-in-the-Holocaust [5] Konnilyn Feig. Hitler’s Death Camps: The Sanity of Madness (California, United States: Holmes Meier Pub, 1981) p.84 [6] Will Coleman, â€Å"To what extent were average German citizens aware of or involved in the Holocaust†. n.d., Quora. 30 March 2014 http://www.quora.com/Nazi-Germany/To-what-extent-were-average-German-citizens-aware-of-or-involved-in-the-Holocaust [7] Theresa Ast, â€Å"What Did Most Germans Know About The Nazi Concentration Camp System?†. n.d., HubPages. 30 March 2014 http://phdast7.hubpages.com/hub/What-Did-Average-germans-Know-Concentration-Camps [8] Will Coleman, â€Å"To what extent were average German citizens aware of or involved in the Holocaust†. n.d., Quora. 30 March 2014 http://www.quora.com/Nazi-Germany/To-what-extent-were-average-German-citizens-aware-of-or-involved-in-the-Holocaust [9] Museum, â€Å"Antisemitism in History: Nazi Antisemitism†. 10 June 2013. Holocaust Encyclopedia. 30 March 2014 http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007167 [10] Kate Connolly, â€Å"Letter proves Speer knew of Holocaust plan†. n.d. The Guardian. 30 March 2014. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/mar/13/secondworldwar.kateconnolly [11] Donald Niewyk. The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust (New York, United States: Harper Collins, 1992) p.83-87 [12] Davis Douglas, â€Å"British bank implicated in Nazi dealings†. 2 April 1999. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. 30 March 2014 http://www.webcitation.org/5wQnrMwcy

Politics of the Network Society :: What is Politics?

In End of Millennium (2nd. ed., Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2000), Manuel Castells makes much of the change from Industrialism (which he defines as a mode of development in which the main sources of productivity are the quantitative increases of factors of production and the use of new sources of energy) to Informationism (defined as the mode of development in which the main source of productivity is the qualitative capacity to optimize the combination and use of the factors of production on the basis of knowledge and information). This transformation of economics, he says, is inseperable from the rise of a new social structure, the NETWORK SOCIETY. Here, he says, the primary shift is located in the material foundations of our existence: that is, space and time. We have gone from a conception of space as "place" to a conception of space as "flows." Similarly, we have gone from a conception of time as "clock time" to a conception of time as "timeless time." Additionally, he makes much of t he shift from the POLITICS of space/time to the politics of information: that is, a politics enacted by symbol manipulation rather than material manipulation. This "symbol manipulation," he says, occurs in the abstract space of the media in the form of representation, etc. Basically, he takes this idea and applies it to current conflicts in the world today. He makes a huge, complicated argument that the USSR fell because of statism/communism's inability to adapt to this system; and he also argues that China, etc. have surged economically in recent years precisely because they were able to incorporate their old political ideologies with this very real change that has ocurred in the world market. More importantly for our project, he brings in the notion (based on what seems to me like neoMarxism) of SOCIAL EXCLUSION: that is, the new form of cultural imperialism in which the "First World" systemmatically excludes what he calls the "New Fourth World" by keeping them from the mainstream technology and markets which are the driving forces behind informational capitalism. In doing so, the fourth world are forced into a position of "uselessness" compared with the rest of the world; and they are quickly forced into a devastating pattern of exporting only their raw materials (the only resources left after exclusion) to the first world. This, of course, leads to intense nationalism, hatred, and anything other tactic that allows the new fourth world to hold on to anything resembling an identity.

Nursing Models :: Health Care, The RTL Model

A model is a simplified representation of the structure and content of a phenomenon or system that describes or explains the complex relationships between concepts within the system and integrates elements of theory and practice (Creek et al 1993). A nursing model is a collection of ideas and knowledge that represents nursing from the writers’ perspective, presenting different ways of looking at and understanding nursing (Aggleton & Chalmers, 2000; Hogston & Simpson, 2002). Thus, nursing model is a concept of what nursing is and are used as a tool to assess patient's needs/problems. Nursing model differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities in that it serves the purpose of describing, explaining, predicting and controlling desired outcomes of nursing practices. Models can be tested, changed, or used to guide research or to provide a base for evaluation(Blais,2002). There are many models available including Roper Logan Tierney (RLT) (1996).The RLT model, which my portfolio is based, offers a framework for nurses to be able to ensure that individuality is taken into account when undertaking nursing care. In order to ensure that all aspects of an individual's life are integrated into an effective plan of care, Roper at al (1996) uses a problem solving approach and the nursing process in conjunction with their model for nursing. The RLT model is holistic, as it identifies five components, including the activities of Daily living (ADL), life span, dependence/independence, factors influencing AL and individuality in living, which are interrelated (Healy & Timmins, 2003; Holland et al, 2004; Roper et al, 1996). Roper et al (2000) view the patient as an individual that lives through the life span, with changing levels of dependence and independence, depending on age, circumstances and the environment (Healy & Timmins, 2003). The twelve ADL are influenced by five factors, namely; biological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental and politico economic (Healy & Timmins, 2003; Holland et al, 2004; Roper et al, 1996). The RLT model individualises care using the nursing process. The model guides the nursing process, as it informs the nurse to assess the ADL (Holland et al, 2003; Roper et al, 2000; Tierney, 1998). Nursing models are flexible and can be altered to achieve individualised care, meaning the needs of an individual patient are met at a particular point in time (Radwin & Alster, 2002). However, it is not always achieved in practice (Waters & Easton, 1999).

Letter home nurse

My dearest Mother, I am missing you dearly and I hope everything is well. I am getting very home sick, life here is different than over there. I can hear sounds of the battlefield and it's very frightening. We also get very little sleep and It is so cold here. The food is so plain; we rarely eat meat. We eat mostly beans, potatoes and soup. I'm getting so tired of it. Many of the things I see are very disturbing but it feels good to help these men.Some of them have talked to me about their families or what they plan to do after the war. like to hear them being positive. I've started keeping a diary and I've even started writing poems. This helps me take all my emotions out. It feels really good, but you know what doesn't? Feeling to dirty all the time. I feel Ilke I feel this way most of the time. We have to take sponge baths with cold water, which doesnt help at all. Many girls have not been able to handle all of this and have gone home but that ont happen to me.Everything here move s so fast and the men come and go or we have to move and some are left behind. I get very sad when I think about those men and if they had families or not. Maybe that's why some girls are leaving, I don't blame them. I hope to see you and Father and sister soon, I hope this Is all over really soon. I miss you all so much It hurts. I've made some friends but I wish I was at home in my own bed, or having dinner with all of you. Ill be home soon! Love, Leslie

Increasing Productivity in SMEs Essay

Introduction The literature indicates that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute a significantly to a country’s GDP. In addition, they employ large numbers of people. According to the Bank of England Quarterly Report on Small Business Statistics (2001), almost 99.8% of businesses in the UK, one for every 10 workers, are SMEs, employing less than 250 people. This means that one out of eight workers is self-employed. Similarly, according to Cole (n.d.), the World Bank believes that one significant difference between high and low income countries is the percentage of SMEs in each. In a typical high-income country about 57% of employment comes from the SME sector, while in a typical low-income country only 18% of employment comes from the same sector. An example of a high-income country is the US, with 85% of companies designated at SMEs, contributing 50% of the GDP and employing 50% of the labor force (Cabello, 2010). Another example of a high-income country is Japan with 99.5% of bu sinesses designated as SMEs employing fully two-thirds of the entire labor force (Cabello, 2010). Given the sizeable contributions SMEs make in terms of employment and adding to a country’s GDP, it is tremendously important they increase their competitiveness in a globalized economic environment. Unfortunately, there is significant evidence that SMEs lag in productivity—the reasons vary based on what line of business the SME is in. For example, in a small factory, low worker output may be due to problems with the machines or low morale because of bad worker-manager relations (Calzado, 2003). However, another reason that SMEs are unproductive is their inability to effectively utilize Information and Communication Technology (ICT), sometimes simply referred to as Information Technology (IT) (Calzado, 2003). According to Qureshi and York (2008), Ho, Kauffman, and Liang (2008), and Bharadwaj (2000), there is a large consensus among scholars and policymakers that the adequate use of ICT increases the competitiveness of employees and strengthens the position of companies in the global economy (as cited in Millis, 2008). This literature clearly shows that companies who integrate ICT in a proper way score significantly better than their competitors in the field of cost control and profit. In fact, a high level of computerization and networking is perceived as a crucial factor to enhance the efficiency of employees and thus to remain competitive, which is one reason that governments around the world have responded to these finding by launching initiatives to encourage companies to adapt ICT more aggressively (Millis, 2008). However, while there is agreement that SME productivity must be increased and that this can be achieved by the successful integration and use of ICT, the literature also indicates that SMEs are not successful at acquiring, utilizing or integrating ICT. Therefore, while large corporations have successfully integrated ICT so as to generate more output with fewer resources, SMEs have been left behind (Wielicki & Arendt, 2007). Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate the reasons why SMEs do not utilize technology effectively and possibly provide some recommendations for dealing with this situation. The Problem with Technology Integration and Utilization in SMEs Why Government Initiatives Fail In an analysis of policy measures designed to advance the computerization levels of SMEs, Millis (2008) indicates that governments around the world have launched initiatives to encourage companies to adapt ICT more aggressively. However, while this has met with success in larger companies, adaptation of ICT in SMEs has not yielded the same return on investment. He found the following reasons for this lack of success: Inadequate standards. Generally, hardware expenses are used as a benchmark standard to measure level of computerization in companies. However, this does not work well in SMEs because some companies rent rather than own hardware, and ownership does not equate with effective usage. This has resulted in a lack of empirical data by which to assess the effectiveness of government initiatives (Millis, 2008). Oversimplified assumptions and underestimation of SME diversity. All initiatives to encourage the adaptation of ICT are based on a model that assumes a structured sequential process for optimal use of new technology. The model oversimplifies the complexity of the process and overlooks the individual differences between SMEs. For example, some SMEs with an export component are better positioned to computerize faster than companies that do not have an export component. As a result of the diversity of SMEs, government initiatives are too bureaucratic to be effective. Moreover, they lack in SME engagement. This results in many initiatives missing their goals (Millis, 2008). Mismatched expectations. It is ultimately the SME manager’s decision to adapt ICT. This means that each manager must be well informed about the opportunities and threats of the market that they are operating in. In addition, they need to have some knowledge of how to integrate the technology effectively. Oftentimes SME management is suspicious of government initiatives. That, coupled with the lack of engagement between government agencies and SMEs, results in mismatched expectations between managers and government bodies (Millis, 2008). Integration of IT Alone does not Guarantee Increased Performance Francalanci and Morabito (2008) took an in-depth look at the literature regarding the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and business performance. They concluded that integrating IT does not automatically guarantee increased business performance, unless the organization completes the learning curve associated with the integration of data and applications, also known as Information Systems (IS). The authors, labeled this integration of IS as the organization’s â€Å"absorptive capacity† and claimed that it plays an intermediary role between IS integration and business performance, where IS integration is the degree to which data and applications have become routine in the day to day activities of an organization. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that â€Å"IS integration leads to greater business performance through absorptive capacity, that is, that absorptive capacity has a mediation role [in how a business performs]† (Francalanci & Morabito, 2008, p. 298). The hypothesis was tested on 466 Italian SMEs who lacked economies of scale in the business setting; exhibited a general lack of IT literacy; and were led by management that was rarely IT-oriented. Absorptive capacity defined. Cohen and Levinthal (1990) and Zahra and George (2002a) defined â€Å"absorptive capacity† as an SME’s ability to first identify/recognize knowledge from external sources, then to assimilate this knowledge in relation to its needs, and finally to exploit this knowledge to its advantage (as cited in Francalanci & Morabito, 2008). This might include the ability to imitate competitors’ products or processes, or to exploit less commercially focused knowledge (e.g., scientific research or IT solutions). Integrating anything external requires a learning curve on the part of the entity attempting its integration. Since IT is a complex technology, it too requires a learning curve so that data and applications may be effectively integrated with the company’s day to day functioning. If this is achieved, IT will have a positive impact on business performance. However, if this is not achieved, then the company not only does not perform better, but also fails to achieve a return on its investment in the IT. Francalanci and Morabito (2008) found that in order for IT to be successfully absorbed, the company first needed to align its processes with the new IT in order for it to result in the desired increase in efficiency. Next, the company needed to make sure that all IT users were sufficiently trained in its uses and applications. In addition, management must ensure that the organization is ready to embrace the change that IT integration and use will bring. And finally, the organization needs to display flexibility in adapting to the new IT integration so that there is little loss of time and cost. However, if a company has management that is not IT oriented or that is unwilling to train its employees in IT use, then the absorptive capacity of the company is low resulting in little or no increase in business performance even after an investment in IT. The Digital Divide Wielicki and Arendt (2007), agree with Francalanci and Morabito (2008) in their findings as to what barriers prevent the successful integration of IT. According to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), these barriers include a lack of elementary digital experience caused by lack of interest; computer anxiety and unattractiveness of the new technology; lack of computers and network connections; lack of digital skills caused by insufficient user friendliness and inadequate education or social support; lack of significant usage opportunities. These barriers are not dissimilar from the characteristics of the 466 SMEs chosen by Francalanci and Morabito (2008)—lack of economies of scale in the business setting; lack of IT literacy and management that was not IT-oriented. It is these barriers that, according to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), constitute the â€Å"digital divide† between SMEs and larger companies that have successfully and willingly adopted and absorbed IT to increase their competitive advantages. According to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), it is the failure to understand the digital divide which may have a profound impact on operations of business in this information-driven century. In other words, far from being a luxury, IT has become a necessity in this globalized economic environment. Without successful integration of IT, that is, moving beyond the basic use of the Internet and e-mail for basic communication purposes, a company might find itself unable to take advantage of e-commerce ventures due to the limited level of computer literacy of both employees and broad market participants. In particular, in developed and emerging markets, a company may find that the presence of the digital divide may prevent it from appreciating the benefits of technology-driven opportunities. As a result, the dynamic growth of the e-commerce economy could turn out to be somewhat deceiving unless we can move more businesses and more of society onto the right side of the divide. Implications and Recommendations Across the literature there is no doubt that integration of ICT has become a necessity for business success for SMEs. However, the literature also agrees that there are many barriers in the way of successful absorption and implementation of ICT in SMEs. In addition to the widespread agreement on these two points, the literature also provides proposals and recommendations for overcoming the barriers. One important factor in creating solutions is government involvement due to the lack of financial resources on the part of individual SMEs. However, one size does not fit all, and Millis (2008) provides the following suggestions about how government should proceed: * Creation of a proper standard for measuring the progression of ICT and e-technology adaptation * Taking into account the complexity of the reality and circumstances in SMEs that prevent computerization proceeding as a structured, sequential process. * Taking into account that a holistic approach to IT integration cannot work because of the large diversity between SMEs * Avoidance of high-level approaches and over-bureaucratized project structures * Avoidance of overestimating the impact of government initiatives on the behavior of participating SMEs * Provision of direct and specific support to SMEs designed to elicit concrete results * Creation of realistic and measurable goals and models that support the choices of the company rather than something generic that is imposed on the company be the government Another recommendation comes from Wielicki and Arendt (2007). Since the US is the most advanced country with regard to IT use and integration, they suggest that it be used as a model of study to determine how the barriers to successful IT integration be overcome in other countries. In addition, they counsel continued research to track the progress of SMEs in crossing the business digital divide, tracking the level of implementation of ICT-based solutions at the business process level and the role of ICT training in SMEs or of ICT in integrating business processes of SMEs. In an effort to successfully define these research objectives, Thurasamy, Mohamad, Omar, and Marimuthu (2009), have proposed an empirical study across 1500 Malaysian SMEs in order to determine the following: 1. To profile the type of technologies adopted by SMEs. 2. To profile the extent of usage of each of those technologies. 3. To develop an index for performance and technological adoption tracking of SMEs. 4. To investigate factors that encourage, as well as those that remain barriers to technology adoption. 5. To establish the extent of technology adoption and performance (financial and non-financial) plus Internationalization. As we can see, the objectives of this study mirror the suggestions of Wielicki and Arendt (2007) as to the nature of further research into IT integration in SMEs. Another reason cited for the unsuccessful adaptation of IT was lack of employee training. Therefore, government initiatives like the ones featured in a report released by the Directorate-General for Education and Culture in Belgium (2003), could be utilized towards increasing the effectiveness of employees in relation to the use and adaptation of IT. The report profiles 10 European employee training programs ranging from Worldwide web-based information and communication technologies training for manufacturing SMEs to a CD-Rom based program to help SMEs define their training needs. Conclusion As can be seen from the above discussion, there is a definite need to foster the integration of IT/ICT in SMEs in both developed and developing economies. While this need has been documented by the literature, it is also clear that there are many obstacles that stand in the way of the successful implementation of the technology. It would seem, therefore, that the stage is set for further investigation into the technological and educational needs of SMEs around the world. It would also seem that there are employment and business opportunities for those with the necessary know-how and skills to offer their services as consultants and trainers to SMEs desiring to integrate IT/ICT into their day to day activities. References Bank of England Quarterly Report on Small Business Statistics. (2001, January). Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:JvJUI7yMYv8J:www.accaglobal.com/pdfs/smallbusiness/EESME.doc+SME+percentage+of+GDP&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Cabello, N. (2010, March 1). Looking at some SME successes in developed countries. Manila Bulleting Publishing Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.mb.com.ph/node/245735/looking- Calzado, M. M. (2003). Productivity Management Guide for SMEs, 1, 25-28. Retrieved from http://www.ilofip.org/Documents/Module3-Causesforlowproductivity.pdf Cole, K. (n.d.). Technoserve and the Google Foundation spark Ghanaian economy through needed Small and Medium Enterprise development. Believe, Begin, Become. Retrieved from http://www.believe-begin-become.com/Ghana/morenews.asp?NewsID=23 Directorate-General for Education and Culture in Belgium (2003). Building Skills and Qualifications among SME employees. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Millis, K. (2008). Critical analysis of policy measures for the advancement of the level of computerization of SMEs. Information Technology for Development, 14(3), 253-258. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Thurasamy, R., Mohamad, O., Omar, A., & Marimuthu, M. (2009). Technology adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s): A research agenda. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 53. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Wielicki, T. & Arendt, L. (2007). ICT Training—Key to closing digital divide among businesses: Case of SMEs in central California. International Journal of Learning,organizational absorptive capacity in SMEs. Journal of Information Technology, 14(6), 181-186. Retrieved from EBSCO Host database.