In the Mood for Love Essay Example for Free

In the Mood for Love Essay The quote by the author Drucker is a prime example of how non-verbal communication is most of the time more important than the actual answer itself. Body language is an essential element of everyday interaction amongst people. Based on simple hand gestures or a flicker of a smile, one can instantly change the syntax or structural meaning of a sentence. This change could turn a negative sentence into a positive outcome. Throughout the history of cinema body language is a tool that is applied to every movie. Movies by their very nature started of as any elaborate ploy on body language. The silent film era relies on nonverbal communication that is accompanied by visual elements and implanting a specific score in order to suspend disbelief that the audience is sitting an in a dark room watching various shades of light and color onto a screen. The movie In the Mood for Love directed by Kar Wai Wong is a prime example of how the characterization and plot of a movie doesn’t need to revolve around the construction of dialogue between the protagonist and other characters in the movie. To start off I would like to say the cinematographer Christopher Doyle and Pin Bing Lee did a great job in presenting a somewhat stale plot line into a visual masterpiece. There are many examples, of how the cinematography of this movie enables the audience to visualize the budding of a love that happened out of pain, spite, and loneliness. I would like to analyze the cinematography of a scene in order to bring more clarity to how body language is more important. The first scene I would like to examine is in the first act of the movie. Keep in mind during this scene there is no dialogue just a musical score. The faces of the two adulteresses remain obscured throughout the scene. Fade from black no picture in your minds eye the wife Su Li-Zhen is in her apartment with her husband while everyone is playing Mahjong. She takes the chair behind her husband and sits there. When she leaves for a brief instance to let another woman by which is the wife of Mr. Chow. Chow then proceeds to take his queue and exit the room looking troubled and deep in thought walks by and slightly grazes Mrs. Li-Zhen. Li-Zhen then goes to sit down next to her husband and puts her arm on his shoulder. This scene is jam-packed full of visual elements that make this scene very compelling and drives the movie forward with such palpable tension. First, the wife of Mr. Chow is dressed in a vibrant red dress that really pops out from all the dull whites and browns that are present in on the screen. This vibrancy of color and by the nature of all the skin that is revealed above her neck alludes to a characterization that is more sexual, more â€Å"desirable† in comparison to Mrs. Li-Zhen. She is wearing a dull white dressed that is cut in a more traditional and plain way. By the nature of the fabric and patterns on the dress it looks like she is blending in more than standing out. This direct comparison is between the mise en scene of the costuming foreshadows that the wife Mrs. Li-Zhen will become less desirable over time and this will present the problem of some kind of cheating. Also during this scene the very body language present between the two women towards Mr. Li-Zhen is very different. The wife of this man is sitting behind her husband she seems reluctant in showing her affections towards him. She doesn’t really act like they are together she only looks over his shoulder. The camera movement at this scene is very important when the wife walks into the room the camera pans out back to the doorway. Then, The adulteress wife walks from off the screen through the doorway. At this point the camera pans in. The woman in red then proceeds to walk in between the married couple sitting down, and drapes her arms across Mr. Chows back. Mrs. Li-Zhen gets up puts on an insincere smile and backs against the wall. The woman in red seems to push the faithful wife away. This scene is a metaphor down to a tee of what is happening to the Li-Zhen and Chows relationship. The initial distance between the first married couple shows that there is some discontent or rift between them. This body language is very subtle but its possible to see that they aren’t not entirely happy with each other. It’s not until she has her back against a wall and sees the discontent on Mr. Chow’s face do you really see the wife really warm up to her husband. The camera movement during this scene further supports my points on the relationship between the two couples. When the camera pans out it is signifying that even though Mrs. Li-Zhen is getting closer in reality she is quite distant from her husband. This distance is growing and impossible to reverse in this instance. This distance created by turning the shot from a medium, shot to a wide angle. Which sets up the next camera movement where Mrs. Chow comes from off the screen and the camera moves in and follows her as she makes her way towards MR. Li-Zhen. This shows that the there is a shift of desire going from the faithful wife to the new fling. This sexual shift is subtle but very evident once the adulteress pushes the faithful wife. The score during this scene is also very prominent during the entire movie. It is present every time we she a slight shift of the relationship status between the two couples. At first the music indicates that the physical, mental, and sexual attraction between the original couple is shifts towards a more negative outcome. During this scene the music is indicating that the once happy couples are now beginning to shift towards separation. The music cues as Mrs. Li-Zhen walks into the shot from off the screen. The tone and tempo of this piece directly correlates to the overall plot line of the film, and is key to this scene as well. The tone of the piece is a somber one; very little percussion is used in the score. There is a very prominent violin that is playing over other various strings. The tempo of this particular piece starts with slow staccato or â€Å"plucky strings† they start slow and there is able time between the notes to hears brief instance of silent. Then piece revs up to have a very mellow violin playing on top. The use of the tone in the piece reflects on the mood of the entire film and distress of the two that are faithful initially. The tempo of this piece shows that at first everything stress there is some kind of hidden element going on and then it quickens. The heartbreak comes, and now they have to live with it. As the movie progresses however the music becomes an indicator that new found couple having difficultly letting go, but they are making progress towards becoming whole again. When talking about this scene in particular the use of this music directly correlates to the action of what is going on in the scene. At the beginning of the piece the wife is walking into the room. This plucky string part signifies that there will be tension going on between Mrs. Li-Zhen and her husband. The violin is cued in as the camera movement stops and the adulteress wife walks onto the screen. The music is indicating that this woman spells trouble and she is bringing to the movie. Also, as the violin is playing the husband walks out of the room right after a brief pause between the violins solo. You hear a few plucks and silence of the violin at this instance. The silence of the violin signifies that he is not a problem but instead also in trouble from what is happening around him. He exits and the film cuts to the Li-Zhens being more affectionate, yet the sad music is still playing. This foreshadows that no matter what the relationship between these two couples is doomed even though the wife either remains ignorant or refuses to let go. At, which we find out later in the movie she tries to resist letting go the man she married because she cares so deeply for him. For example the original faithful protagonists are eating at a restaurant and both are trying to emulate the other’s old significant other. This movie very eloquently uses subtle metaphor through body language. The visual elements and the musical score help to strengthen the lack of dialogue in order to tell this story in a more compelling way. Body language is a necessary tool to understand in order to have a more in depth understanding of the characterization of the actors in well done films. Without strong body language is possible to sends confusing signals to everyone around you whether it be in the movies or in real life.

The Wireless Internet Technology Computer Science Essay

The Wireless Internet Technology Computer Science Essay Wireless Internet gives us a permission to access World Wide Web or Internet email via wireless network. Without using any telephone line or any cable network wireless internet can be used. Not only in a particular place we can use the Internet through wireless Internet even if we are out of the office or home. People have tended to use wireless Internet not only it dont use wire but also it has easy using for their activities. When we consider about the wireless technologies, Wi-Fi, Wi-max, Blootooth, 3G and Satellite are examples. When we use these technologies to access Internet these technologies will help us in different ways, and difference technologies embedded in different devices. Some technologies are available in devices in default. And some can be connected. With recent advances in wireless Internet technology , high speed wireless connection are now available on laptops, cell phones ,and other mobile computing devices. paragraph{} Wireless Internet is become most important in today. In education, business, exploration, and govern like all this field use the facility of wireless Internet. The world has been become global. Then the information not limited to a particular place, in this situation wireless internet is the tool to link this all things together. Therefore people should not limited for a place like home or office. They must be able to access the internet at any place where they want. Therefore wireless Internet is very important to todays world. Internet is the most important and valuable topic in today. People use Internet to do their lots of activities. section{History of Wireless Internet.} begin{itemize} item German physicist Heinrich Hertz in his lab designed the primary electromagnetic radio waves in the year 1888. item In the year 1894 using radio waves in Oxford, England was sent by British physicist Sir Oliver Lodge as the first message. item Italian inventor Guglielmo Marcon delivered radio waves diagonally the English Channel in the year 1899. end{itemize} section{New features of the Wireless ISPs} However, modern wireless ISPs are able to provide connection speeds ranging anywhere from 384 Kbps to 2.0 Mbps. That is up to 35 times faster than dialup! One new wireless technology in development as of early 2009 is poised to increase the download speeds of wireless even further. WiMax promises to deliver maximum speeds of up to 7 Mbps to your laptop, your car, your cell phone, and your home. WiMax is only just now becoming available in some U.S. cities, but expect to see it in more locations by the end of the year and throughout 2010. Internet is a wide range of subject. Through the internet what we can do is not limited to the send emails and message activities through your mobiles phones. There are number of operations we can do by using the internet. But the technologies we that we use to access the internet is limit the those activities. To download avideo, share a large file, download streaming media, upload some large amount of data, it is better to having a high speed wireless Internet service Provider. In the present most mobile computers such as laptops comes with the facility to access the internet. It means the devices already have a wireless adapter installed in it. Not only that there are number of computer related devices which can be used to inernet remotely. Those devices have been set up to access the internet in any where the wireless ISP facility have been established. By today there are so many places they provide the facility to access the internet. And most of ISPs give the chance to their customers providing the internet access facility such as 3G, wi-fi in public areas. section{Requirements for a Wireless Internet Connection:} When we need to connect a device to the internet wirelessly, there are need some different equipments and facilities than when connecting using wired connection. To access the internet wirelessly it is good to have following things: begin{itemize} item Some type of mobile computing device, such as an iPhone, PDA, mini-computer, cell phone, or similar item or a laptop computer . item An internal wireless adapter or a USB port for connecting an external adapter. the adapter that you use must be compatible with the specific wireless provider you sign up for and the protocols they use. For example, a Wi-Fi 802.11 adapter. item A high speed, wireless Internet access plan from a provider in your area. item Free sniffer software for locating access at various Hot Spot locations (this software is typically supplied by your wireless Internet service provider). end{itemize} It is important to note that wireless home networking and wireless Internet access outside the home or office are two rather different things. Setting up a wireless LAN in your home should not involve a separate service beyond your current DSL or cable provider. They will typically provide you with all the equipment that you need, such as a wireless router, to establish a wireless LAN in your home at no extra cost. section{WISP Wireless Internet Service Provider} Wireless Internet Service Providers provide the public wireless services. There are number of WISPs available in today. In airports, hotels , computer schools and other public business places are covered with the networks using the wireless internet service providers. WISPs are mostly used to create the Local area networks(LAN). When you use a WISP, you must have the permissions to access it. But some WISPs give the access free. When you use it you must have the clear idea about the security of that WISP. Because there can spread the viruses through that networks. Therefore it will be harmful to your computers. Some WISPs give their service having some contracts, and some time they charge for their service. chapter{wireless Networks} section{What is a Wreless Network?} A wireless network is a kind of network which has interconnections between nodes without using a wire. In this methodology the network is established with the help of electromagnetic waves such as radio waves, LAN connections etc. wireless network is normal same as other network but use the wireless technology to transmit data through the network. There are some advantages uses the wireless network, because the devices within the network can be access within that area at any time anywhere. section{Types of Wireless Networks} subsection{Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)} Wireless lan is a wireless local area network which uses radio waves for data transmission between computers of the same network. WLANS allow users in local area such as in a university library get the access to the internet. subsection{Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN)} Bluetooth and Infra Red technologies are used for wireless personal Network. These technologies will allow the connectivity of personal devices within an area of 30 feet. Infra Red requires a direct line and the range is less as compared to Bluetooth technology. subsection{Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN)} Wireless man is a Metropolitan area network that connects the computerof various local area networks. It could be within a building in the company. section{Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN)} WWANs or Wireless Area Networks can be maintained over large areas such as in different cities or between different countries, via multiple satellite systems or antenna sites. The types of system are called 2G systems. chapter{3G Internet} Access the internet using the 3G mobile network is meant by 3G Internet. 3G mobile network can be accessed through a mobile device which can be a mobile phone or PDA. Third generation technology is used by 3G internet, which allows users to access larger amount of data with a higher speeds. When comparing the other technologies which are used to access the internet, 3G technology is in a higher position. There are number of devices which provide the facilities to use 3G technology. section{3G internet vs. regular internet} To access the 3G internet there are some specific devices that are smaller and more compact than regular desktop and laptop computers. Mostly 3G internet is accessed by the mobile phones. Therefore the accessing internet is depend on the mobile phones size and the model. Because the mobile phone has more facilities it is easy to access the web pages to see in their normal sizes. Otherwise the applications interfaces view in smaller size. Mobile networks handle those data, therefore the accessing the internet through the 3G internet is simpler than the regular internet. There are limited download in 3G internet and it depend on the mobile service provider which is selected by you. When we use the wired network to access the internet we can use it within a limited area, but when weuse the 3G internet there has facility to access the intrenet within a wide area which is coverd by the mobile service provider. To acess the 3G internet there only need a mobile phone and the facility to 3G by the service provider. begin{itemize} item Speed of 10Mbps at 10 kilometers with line-of-sight with high throughput. item Easy installation and much faster installation compare to wired networks. item Full support for WMAN services. item Single station can serve hundreds of users. item It is standardized, and same frequency equipments work together. item Lower consumer premises equipment cost. item WiMAX is enabling for number of applications in customer and business because of its quality of service. end{itemize} section{Is the 3G internet right for you?} The main thing with the accessing internet through the mobile is the size of the viewing the web pages. Accessing 3G internet is some time not practical with the size of viewing to fulfil our needs through the 3G internet. There are some advantages as well as disadvantages. Some time the web pages which are viewed in the mobile phones or PDA are simple pages and they contain only the valuable details. At that time users dont need the vaste their time and they can get the information about what they are searched directly and fast. But they can be only less detailed. To watch some video, upload pictures, design tasks they are difficult to do with the 3G internet. But the very important fact is use the 3G internet is available in anywhere the signals available on the selected service providers. Nowadays it is not difficult because the every place covered by the service providers. section{So who will use 3G internet?} paragraph{} There are limited facilities have provided in 3G mobile internet. But it is easy way to access the internet than access the internet through the DSl or cable network. In business, students can use the 3G internet mostly. It would be useful to anyone who has the facility to access the internet anywhere. chapter{WiMAX } section{WiMAX: Broadband Wireless Access} paragraph{} WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMAX is the IEEE 802.16 standards-based wireless technology that provides MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) broadband connectivity to access the internet. In a WiMAX is an Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems, also known as the IEEE WirelessMAN air interface. As far as 30 miles of area can be covered using the WiMAX-based system by transmitting data. So far, WiMAX can be used for homes and offices communication . section{Wireless Standards} There are some wireless standards have been established by the IEEE. begin{itemize} item IEEE 802.15, also known as Bluetooth, for the Personal Area Network (PAN); item IEEE 802.11, also known as WiFi, for the Local Area Network (LAN); item IEEE 802.16 for the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), item IEEE 802.20 for the Wide Area Network (WAN). end{itemize} paragraph{} Normally miles are used to measure the WiMAX range and feet are used for the Wifi range. The main thing is that WiFi is focused on a local-area networking (LAN) technology and that WiMAX is a MAN technology. paragraph{} The 802.16d standard of extending 802.16 supports three physical layers . The mandatory PHY mode is 256-point FFT Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). The other two PHY modes are Single Carrier (SC) and 2048 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) modes. By the way, the corresponding European standard-the ETSI HiperMAN standard-defines a single PHY mode identical to the 256 OFDM modes in the 802.16d standard. paragraph{} A WiMAX system consists of two parts: begin{itemize} item A WiMAX tower, similar in concept to a cell-phone tower A single WiMAX tower can provide coverage to a very large area as big as 3,000 square miles (~8,000 square km). item A WiMAX receiver The receiver and antenna could be a small box or PCMCIA card, or they could be built into a laptop the way WiFi access is today. end{itemize} paragraph{} There are namy advantages included in WiMAX-based solutions, robust security features, good Quality of Service, and mesh and smart antenna technology that will alow better utilization of the resources. WiMAX-based voice service can work on either traditional Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) voice or IP-based Voice, also known as Voice over IP (VoIP). paragraph{} WiMAX is similer to WiFi but the WiMAX have higher speed than Wi-Fi and would cover a large area by spreading in a long distance than covering from WI-Fi. Therefore using WiMAX large number of users can access the internet. Use the WiMAX than Wi-Fi is better to get more works. chapter{Wi-Fi Wireless Internet} paragraph{} WiFi stands for wireless fidelity and is a popular technology being used by homes, workplaces, mobiles and computer systems world-wide. paragraph{} Using radio waves produce the high speed internet services and network connection can be described in the Wi-Fi internet. This technology mostly used in the business places, universities, and offices. Wi-Fi technology can be used in a limited area. Within that area any can access the internet through a device like laptop which has a wireless adapter. paragraph{} Wi-Fi works using radio frequency, without using any wired connection between sender and the receiver. When we use the Wi-Fi to a network, automatically create a wireless local area network (WLAN). Wi-Fi provide Fast data transfer rate. With transfer speeds up to 54mb. paragraph{} Within the Wi-Fi established area users can move with their computers from one access point to another. The cost for the wired network is can be saved using wireless networks. paragraph{} begin{itemize} item Normally open or un-encrypted as a default setting comes with the WiFi (wireless fidelity) networks. item In order to secure a WiFi, network, connection must distribute with password protected and the device must be configured using a Graphical User Interface or GUI. item Un-encrypted networks are freely accessible and any data can be accessed through these. Therefore the spreading of viruses can be happen. end{itemize} chapter{Other Technologies} section{Bluetooth} subsection{What is Bluetooth?} paragraph{} Bluetooth is one of wireless technology most used in today in the digital devices. That technology is used to access the internet too. Bluetooth technology is use o communicate between various electronics and that technology has been expanding every day. Mostly used in mobiles phones, personal computers, PDA, Laptops, digital camera, MP3 players and other Bluetooth enabled devices. paragraph{} The Bluetooth technology was invented by Ericson in 1994, and after in 1998 that the major mobile phone companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Intel and Toshiba gathered to promote this technology. Using Bluetooth there can be connected eight devices at a time. Communication can be established hopping channels up to 1600 times per second. Bluetooth wireless technology works by allowing the transmission of signals over short distances between these devices and there by abridge communication and synchronization between these devices. subsection{How it Works} paragraph{} The Bluetooth chip can operate between the frequency band of 2400-2483.5Mhz. Bluetooth is designed to use in area where the wireless communication such as infrared are not working. Between the devices which are use to connect to using the Bluetooth there doesnt need to have a clear path between them for connecting the devices. paragraph{} Bluetooth wireless technology works by allowing the transmission of signals over short distances between these devices and there by abridge communication and synchronization between these devices. section{GPRS} GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service, and is a protocol for passing data over a mobile phone network. And GPRS use to access the internet through the mobile phones. Even though there is no 3G facility, you can access the internet with having the GPRS facility in your phone. Heres what you need to know about GPRS: begin{itemize} item GPRS replaced dial-up mobile phone Internet access, offering faster browsing of Internet content and email. Its an always on service. item GPRS on a mobile phone doesnt use a phone number to connect; it uses something called an APN (Access Point Name). item For GPRS usage, have to pay for the amount of data you transferred, and not need to pay for your online time per minute. item GPRS has now been largely superseded by faster data network services known as 3G end{itemize} chapter{Conclusion} To access the internet it is easy to use the wireless technology because it can be used in everywhere the signal are available in internet service providers. When we select the technology to access the internet we must consider about the speed, cost, availability of signals, suitability of the needs. According to the tasks we wants to fulfil the technology can be different. When you use the 3G Internet through the mobile phones it is better to consider about the size of viewing. Bluetooth is mostly use to connect phones with the computers than connecting computer to a computer. There are various networks in wireless technology which are related to the different places. begin{thebibliography}{100} bibitem {}Unknown Author. (2002). textit{Wireless Internet Service}. Available: http://www.high-speed-internet-access-guide.com/wireless/. Last accessed 10 June 2010. bibitem {}Unknown . (2008). textit{3G Intrenet}. Available: http://www.broadband-expert.co.uk/3g-internet/. Last accessed 10 June 2010. bibitem {}unknown. (2002). textit{GPRS in the UK}. Available: http://www.filesaveas.com/gprs.html. \ Last accessed 11 June 2010. bibitem {}unknown. (2007). textit{Wireless Network Types}. \ {Available: http://www.networktutorials.info/wireless_networking.html}. 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(2005). textit{Different Types of Wireless Network}. \ {Available:http://www.greyfriars.net/gcg/greyweb.nsf/miam/article01}. Last accessed 11 June 2010. bibitem {}unknown. (2010). textit{Introduction to Network Types}. \ {Available:http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/a/network types.htm}. \Last accessed 07 June 2010. bibitem {}unknown. (2010). textit{Wireless Networks}. {Available:http://www.topbits.com/wireless-networks}. Last accessed 07 June 2010. bibitem {}unknown. (2010). textit{WISP Wireless Internet Service Provider}. {Available:http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessterms/g/bldef wisp.htm}. \ Last accessed 07 June 2010. bibitem {}Jeff Tyson. (2008). textit{How WAP Works}. \ {Available:http://compnetworking.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/YazTi=1sdn=compnetworkingcdn=computetm=552f=internet.htmv}. \Last accessed 24 May 2010. end{thebibliography} end{document} end{document}

Re-branding and Repositioning of the Republic Bank Group

Re-branding and Repositioning of the Republic Bank Group Practicum:â€Å"The Re-branding and Repositioning of the Republic Bank Group: The Case of Republic Bank DR S.A.† Executive Summary A brand is the sum of the customers experiences with the products or company how the customer thinks and feels about what the business does. The brand is transmitted in every interaction with the customer over the lifetime of the relationship and is therefore built from the customers entire experience with the company, not just through the companys communicated identity. It therefore plays a critical role in building trust and loyalty. According to the 4-D Branding model devised by Thomas Gad (refer Appendix 1) the brand operates at four different levels in the mind of the customer. These four levels include the functional (the perception of benefit of the product or service associated with the brand), the social (the ability to create identification with a group), the spiritual (the perception of global or local responsibility) and the mental (the ability to support the individual mentally). These four dimensions are derived from the customers experiences at the brand touch-points and combine to form the customers overall perception of the brand. The challenges facing brands today however are numerous, and in financial services the challenges are even more acute because of the intangibility of the facilities being provided. In the case of banks that operate in diverse territories, the major challenge lies in the ability to balance global or regional brand integrity with local cultural authenticity. These brands must be viable on a global or regional scale, but remain relevant at the local level. The Republic Bank Group faced this dilemma as it expanded its operations to embrace several Caribbean territories with different cultures, preferences, languages and modes of behaviour. The branding challenge in such an environment can become quite complex, with the level of complexity multiplying across subsidiaries and divisions of the bank, product lines, markets and even advertising agencies. Controlling brand identity in such an environment can be exigent. The case of Banco Mercantil, Republic Banks subsidiary in the Dominican Republic, however posed a different challenge. The viability of that brand was undermined by a combination of internal (mismanagement) and environmental (economic decline and near crash of the financial system) factors that led to the complete erosion of its brand equity in a relatively short space of time. The brand ceased to engender trust and confidence among its customers and while it still existed at the functional level from the point of view of providing banking services, it was devoid of credibility at the social, spiritual and mental levels. Following qualitative research involving a population of 1200 households spanning the banks three major market segments (mass, private and corporate/commercial), the bank faced the decision of rebuilding the existing brand; re-branding with a completely new identity or adopting the identity and brand of the new shareholder. Subsequent to SWOT and force field analyses being conducted, the decision was taken to re-brand Banco Mercantil by adopting the parent or heritage brand i.e. Republic Bank Limited through the introduction of the name Republic Bank DR S.A. and reposition the operations to focus primarily on the private banking and corporate and commercial market niches in the Dominican Republic. The re-branding exercise spanned two geographic locations and several stakeholder groups, from employees to customers and regulators in the Dominican Republic, as well as the shareholder in Trinidad and Tobago. May 5, 2005 was a historic day in Republic Banks history as it signalled the start of a re-branding process that should embrace the entire banking group. Such an exercise is critical at this time, as the Bank continues to broaden its footprint within the Caribbean, prepare itself for increased competition in the markets in which it currently operates, and positions itself to win the minds and hearts of regional customers. Several considerations were apparent in the change of name of the Dominican subsidiary to Republic Bank DR, foremost among them being the cultural implications of adopting the new name and the values that were imbedded in the brand. While the values themselves were not alien to the Dominican society, there were some differences in their interpretation stemming from cultural and social indoctrination. The rigorous systems and procedures for example, which are inherent in the British banking system that Republic Bank inherited from its predecessor Barclays Bank, were not as stringently applied in the Dominican Bank. The non-application was less a display of deviant behaviour and more a response to cultural norms and values consistent with the Latin culture. A thorough understanding and appreciation of the divergence in the cultures of the Caribbean were critical to the formulation and execution of an effective communications programme during the change process from Banco Mercantil to R epublic Bank DR, in order to ensure understanding and acceptance of the change. The primary drivers for change in the case of Banco Mercantil were the absence of equity associated with the proprietary brand, arising from the loss of trust and confidence in the bank, the disillusionment of the banks employees which impacted performance and hence business viability in the short, medium and long term, and the strong desire to turn the banks fortunes around. These driving forces strongly outweighed any restraining forces that might have existed, including the loss of corporate identity and national pride. The force field analysis performed in the course of the study clearly revealed the need for change. The change of name from Banco Mercantil to Republic Bank DR S.A. is historic in the Republic Bank context, as it is the first of Republic Banks acquired subsidiaries to undergo a retirement of its proprietary brand and the adoption of the overarching heritage brand. The Banks customary approach of maintaining the proprietary brands of acquisitions has resulted in the Republic Bank Group carrying a diverse portfolio of corporate brands in the Caribbean, culminating in a somewhat complicated brand landscape, and under-leverage of its heritage brand outside of its principal market, Trinidad and Tobago. The re-branding of Banco Mercantil therefore provides the catalyst for, and the foundation upon which the re-branding of the Republic Bank Group may be undertaken. The major hindrance to the achievement of this objective however is the strength of emotion and national pride that still surround the brands of the acquired subsidiaries in Grenada, Guyana and Barbados in particular. From a Republic Bank Group perspective there are also several important drivers advocating re-branding of the entire banking group. These include the increasing globalisation of business, the imminent introduction of the CSME and eventually the FTAA or other similar trade agreement; the Banks need to broaden its regional footprint to be in a position to take advantage of opportunities that would arise from increased globalisation, and the equity that would be derived from a significantly stronger and more cohesive brand. Whether approached as a big bang or on a phased basis spanning weeks, months or years, a re-branding of the entire banking group would derive significant benefits in the long term from financial, identity, cost and control perspectives. In the final analysis, the eventual success would not only be measured by the presence of physical artifacts such as Republic Bank signage on branches and offices in all of the islands. It would also be measured by the Banks ability to leverage financially from its corporate brand in several areas of business, and to provide a consistently high quality of service in all markets. The long-term objective however would be the achievement of the vision of being the bank of choice for customers, staff and shareholders and in so doing capturing the minds and hearts of the Caribbean people. Declaration Form for the reproduction of the document Given the highly competitive nature of the banking industry in the Caribbean and hence the confidential nature of the information contained in this study, reproduction or sharing of any information contained herein is strictly prohibited without expressed and written consent from the author and Republic Bank Limited. 1. Introduction Origins and Purpose The Republic Bank Group is one of the largest and most profitable financial services groups in the Caribbean. Originating from Barclays Bank and its predecessor Colonial Bank, Republic Bank has served the people of the Caribbean, specifically Trinidad and Tobago for 168 years. This study seeks to reposition and re-brand the Republic Bank Group, as the Bank moves closer to its vision of being the â€Å"Bank of Choice in the Caribbean†. Re-branding of the Group is particularly critical at this time, as the Bank continues to prepare itself for increased competition in the markets in which it currently operates, as well as for further expansion within and outside of the Caribbean. 1.2 The Case of Banco Mercantil In establishing a framework for the re-branding exercise, the study looks specifically at the case of Banco Mercantil S.A., Republic Banks subsidiary in the Dominican Republic, which was recently re-branded and repositioned in that market (May 5, 2005). The new bank, Republic Bank DR S.A. will focus primarily on the private banking and corporate and commercial market niches in the Dominican Republic, as it charts a path to profitability. In conducting the study, attention was paid to the process that was required in the execution of the re-branding and the benefits to be derived by the brand arising from the change of name and identity. In discussing the re-branding of Banco Mercantil, the study analyses the corporate identities of Republic Bank and Banco Mercantil to ascertain their status and the existence of any disconnects that might exist. It also identifies the reasons for the Banks earlier hesitation at re-branding its Caribbean acquisitions, the cultural shifts that are required at both the parent and subsidiary levels, the move to commence the process in the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic and the foundation that is laid for an escalation of the re-branding process throughout the Caribbean. The framework established for the re-branding of Banco Mercantil, and detailed in this study, may be used with appropriate adjustments to cater to cultural, social and political differences, to the re-branding and repositioning of Republic Banks other Caribbean acquisitions, namely the National Commercial Bank of Grenada Limited (NCB), The National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited (NBIC) in Guyana and the Barbados National Bank (BNB). 1.3 Historic Step The change of name of Banco Mercantil to Republic Bank DR S.A. is historic in the Republic Bank context, as it is the first of Republic Banks acquired subsidiaries to undergo an identity change, and would as suggested above, provide the catalyst for, and the foundation upon which the re-branding of Republic Banks Caribbean empire might be undertaken. 1.4 Approach The study adopts an analytical approach to the re-branding exercise and draws upon the results of two surveys conducted in the Dominican Republic and Grenadian markets to test the corporate image of Republic Banks subsidiaries in those countries. It also employs several change management and corporate identity management models in its analysis of the current situations in the Dominican Republic and the Southern and Eastern Caribbean, and in devising recommendations for the Groups re-branding. The historic background of the Republic Bank Group is described, the environmental landscape in the Dominican Republic examined and the mood for change in that country discussed, to put into context the decision to re-brand Banco Mercantil. The study also employs Kurt Lewins model for change specifically in the execution of the re-branding of Banco Mercantil, and in so doing provides a framework for executing similar changes in other subsidiaries in the future. Fundamental marketing concepts articulated by Kotler and Jeannet and Hennessey were combined with more recent models related to branding by communications and branding experts such as John M.T. Balmer and Stephen Greyser as well as the use of the robust strategic models from experts such as Lewin, Mintzberg and Kammerer. The mood for change in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean and the macro environmental drivers that have impacted the Banks hesitation at re-branding its subsidiaries thus far were also diagnosed and analysed, using Force Field Analyses. These examined the driving forces pushing for change of the brand, as well as those restraining forces working against a change and advocating maintenance of the status quo. Comparative SWOT Analyses were also conducted to determine the most significant areas of weakness and opportunity, and to devise strategies aimed at maximising the strengths of both the Dominican subsidiary and the Group. An integral part of the change process involved in the re-branding of Banco Mercantil, was the analysis of that banks corporate identity, the corporate identity of Republic Bank Limited and a comparison of the results of both tests. This analysis was undertaken using the AC ²ID Test model devised by Harvard Business School professor John Balmer. The test threw up some interesting, albeit not surprising facts, which influenced the decision to change the banks name, as well as the choice of name itself. 1.5Benefits Republic Banks post-acquisition strategy previously advocated retention of the proprietary brand of the acquired subsidiary, rather than retirement of the weaker brand following analysis, or even retirement of the acquired brand in favour of the acquirer brand. This has resulted in the Bank carrying a diverse portfolio of corporate brands in the Caribbean, culminating in a somewhat confusing brand landscape, and little or no physical presence of its heritage or overarching brand outside of Trinidad and Tobago. While Republic Bank enjoys a strong corporate identity, high top of mind recall, strong citizenship recognition and a positive corporate image in its primary market, Trinidad and Tobago, its diverse portfolio of brands causes its corporate brand to be lowly leveraged in the other Caribbean territories in which it operates. Its vision of being the bank of choice in the Caribbean could therefore be stymied by its brands low leverage and physical absence in the non-Trinidad and Tobago territories in which it operates. In those countries the heritage brand (Republic Bank) provides an endorsing role at best, and is essentially represented by the brands of its acquired subsidiaries. The brand proposition of each of the subsidiary banks also varies. The re-branding of the Group to achieve a strong, unified and consistent brand identity is of particular importance to Republic Bank at this time, as the Group seeks to buy a place in the minds and hearts of regional and global customers. This study therefore produces the framework required for such a mammoth re-branding and repositioning exercise and in so doing provides a model that may be customised and employed in future corporate marketing exercises. 2.Background 2.1The Republic Bank Group Republic Bank Limited is one of the oldest and most successful indigenous financial services groups in the English-speaking Caribbean. Republic Bank evolved from the British bank, Barclays Bank Dominion Colonial and Overseas (DCO) and its predecessor Colonial Bank that was established in 1868 to provide banking services to the British expatriates involved in the islands sugar cane industry, and later to the freed slaves and indentured labourers. Today Republic Banks ownership is widely dispersed embracing over 10,000 individual and institutional shareholders. Republic Bank currently operates in eight Caribbean territories through 14 subsidiaries and offices in Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago, and employs over 4,700 persons in the Caribbean. With an asset base of US$5 billion (TT$28.6 billion) Republic Bank recorded after tax profits of US$105.4 million (TT$664 million) in its last financial year (2003/2004). The Banks earnings per share in that year was TT$4.17 with return on average assets of 2.44% and return on shareholders equity of 18.93%. The Republic Bank Vision Republic Bank has identified the following vision: â€Å"Republic Bank, The Bank of Choice in the Caribbean for Customers, Staff and Shareholders. We set the Standard of Excellence in Customer Satisfaction, Employee Satisfaction and Shareholder Value† 2.3Expansion through Organic Growth and Acquisition Republic Bank has employed a strategy combining organic growth and strategic acquisition to facilitate its regional expansion goals over the past 13 years, as it sought to grow its asset base, increase market share and increase profitability. Its first such venture was the establishment of a joint venture merchant bank, Acedo Mendoza Fincor, with the Mendoza family of Venezuela. This operation soon extended to include an office in Panama but the Banks shareholding was eventually sold to the Mendoza family at the start of Venezuelas economic decline in the mid 1990s. That first move at overseas expansion was closely followed by the acquisition of the majority shareholding in the National Commercial Bank of Grenada Limited in 1992. This was followed shortly thereafter by the establishment of an offshore banking operation in the Cayman Islands, the acquisitions of the Bank of Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago and the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited in Guyana, the establishment of an office in Havana, Cuba, and the acquisitions of Barbados National Bank in Barbados and Banco Mercantil in the Dominican Republic. Republic Banks largest and most profitable operation at this time is in the country of its home base, Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidad and Tobago bank alone operates 44 banking branches in the twin island republic and employs 2,790 persons, over half of the total number of persons employed by the Group. The strongest economies in which Republic Bank currently operates continue to be Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. The weakest economy at this time is the Dominican Republic in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, though it is showing signs of recovery, followed by Guyana in South America. 2.4The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts Republic Banks organically grown subsidiaries all bear the same corporate identity, which is Republic Bank. The acquired subsidiaries of NCB (Grenada), NBIC (Guyana), BNB (Barbados) and Banco Mercantil (Dominican Republic) all bear their separate names and corporate identities, having retained their original brand names following acquisition. The first three banks, namely NCB in Grenada, NBIC in Guyana and BNB in Barbados, were all â€Å"national† banks in their respective countries, with Republic Bank purchasing all or part of the governments shareholdings. As the â€Å"national† banks, they catered largely to the grassroots and middle-income population and in some cases emerged from the era of nationalism and political struggle in the Caribbean during the 1970s. In the case of each acquisition there was some negative reaction from those nationals who viewed the transaction as a sale of the countrys national heritage to an â€Å"outsider†. This sentiment was strongly expressed during the initial stages of the BNB purchase, where the sale of the Barbados governments shareholding in BNB threatened to become a political issue, in spite of the significant premium that was paid for the shares. That furore has since quelled, as the Barbadian public has been able to witness and experience the positive value that Republic Bank has brought to both BNB and to the financial sector in that country in the last year and a half. Given the history therefore, it is understandable that there would be strong feelings of national pride and patriotism attached to the identities i.e. proprietary brands of NCB, NBIC and BNB, particularly among the grassroots and the middle-income earners in the respective markets. It was for this principal reason strength of national pride and patriotism, and the resultant possibility of customer migration and loss of business that Republic Bank demonstrated its initial reluctance to initiate name changes in the territories, post acquisition. Its post acquisition strategy had been to retain the existing management and employees, once competent, and to preserve the name and corporate identity of the bank, as a means of maintaining the goodwill and equity that were attached to the brand, and so prevent business loss. The Bank focused instead on aligning the systems and procedures of the acquired bank to those of Republic Bank, and providing the infrastructural, technological and intellectual support that would enable the growth and development of the acquired subsidiary, and, by extension the economy of the respective country. Little attention was placed on alignment of the corporate identities or of the introduction or promotion of the corporate identity of the parent company, Republic Bank Limited. This approach of working alongside the subsidiary, rather than implementing drastic changes, triggered little outward disruption to the external environment, particularly customer relationships, and allowed the employees to focus gradually on the cultural shifts that were required to facilitate partial integration into the Republic Bank Group, while at the same time allowing them to retain their original identities. The impact of Republic Bank on those overseas subsidiaries has however been felt over time by customers, the general public and competitors in those markets, as the subsidiaries adopted a more aggressive and energetic stance in their operations, marketing and customer service, growing market share by as much as 10% in one year in the case of BNB. Customers were aware that these changes were the result of the new ownership of the bank and the deepening of the relationship with the parent company, Republic Bank, even though this link was seldom emphasised in external communication. The majority of customers appreciated the changes, since they impacted positively on the levels of efficiency evident in the banks, manifest in the quality of the service that they received, and the broadening array of product offers to which they were exposed. The subsidiaries themselves clearly recognised the value that their association with Republic Bank brought to bear on their banks success and customer interactions, particularly in the area of business facilitation. There is also a growing gratification in the association with a large, successful and powerful Caribbean bank, particularly at this time, when the business emphasis appears to be shifting increasingly toward integration and the benefits of larger size to cope with increased globalisation. 2.5The Mood for Change-The Dominican Republic There is a positive mood for change in the Dominican Republic in relation to the re-branding of Banco Mercantil S.A., fuelled primarily by the countrys desperate economic situation and the virtual collapse of the financial system. The government and many Dominicans viewed as a welcome move, Republic Banks entry into the Dominican financial sector through its acquisition of Banco Mercantil in 2003. It must be remembered that in the midst of Republic Banks entry, was the failure of several other commercial banks, principally due to rampant fraud and mismanagement facilitated by closed ownership the majority of businesses in the Dominican Republic, including the major banks are owned by a few wealthy families and a culture that appears to embrace less stringent ethical standards than those embraced by many countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Latin culture in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, is not as supportive of intense structures and systems as is the English culture. Hence the presence of strong systems to support business and demand strong ethical practice was almost absent in the Dominican Republic. Corruption was therefore rife. Additionally, the Latin cultures focus on external appearances as an indicator of success and well-being, also belies the true financial status of organisations and little attempt is made to delve sufficiently deep t o ascertain the reality. A thorough understanding of the divergence in the cultures of the Caribbean was therefore critical to the formulation and execution of an effective communications programme during the change process i.e. movement from Banco Mercantil to Republic Bank DR. Given the negative experiences of the immediate past, the employees and customers of Banco Mercantil were anxious for the presence of a professional organization with wide and diffused ownership, that would introduce systems and procedures to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, high levels of professionalism and business continuity. The regulators and employees alike were also determined to prevent a run on the bank and the consequential loss of jobs, while retaining and growing their existing customer base. Republic Banks good reputation as a sound and professional financial services provider in Trinidad and Tobago preceded it, and the Bank was well respected by the regulators, the small cadre of business and financial officials in the DR who knew of it, as well as by the employees who did their personal research on the Bank and its history and reputation. 2.6The Mood for Change -The Southern Eastern Caribbean The mood for change in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean is less enthusiastic than it is in the Dominican Republic. A survey conducted by NCB Grenada early in 2005 to test the banks corporate image revealed positive sentiments toward Republic Banks influence on the efficiency and general good performance of NCB, and mixed reactions to the possibility of a re-branding of the subsidiary. The underlying reason for this reluctance was the strong feeling of national pride and patriotism that continues to exist in the islands, for the reasons indicated earlier in this section. The reasons are more emotional than logical, and therefore more challenging to overcome, as branding is built to a greater extent on emotion and feelings, than it is on logic and reason. In spite of the strength of these sentiments however, there appears to be a listening to the possibility of change, as the Grenada survey indicated. A listening that Republic Bank should encourage as it contemplates a regional re-br anding of the group. 2.7The Environmental Landscape in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country in the Northern Caribbean bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean and Haiti. With a population of 8.8 million people, the Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade. The country enjoyed growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than 7% pre annum between 1998-2000. Growth subsequently plummeted as part of the global economic slowdown. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economys largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The Dominican Republic suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. Growth turned negative in 2003 with reduced tourism, a major bank fraud and limited growth in the US economy, the source of 87% of export revenues. The inflation rate based on 2003 national statistics is 27.5%, with unemployment being 16.5% and 25% of the population living below the poverty line. Predominantly Roman Catholic, the ethnic composition of the Dominican Republic differs from that of Trinidad and Tobago, with persons of mixed ethnicity comprising 73% of the population, whites 16% and blacks 11%. This ethnic composition was considered when formulating communication material related to advertising on the re-branding of Banco Mercantil. It will also be considered in the future in the production of standard external communication material such as mass media advertising for the Group. 3.Statement of Opportunity Given Republic Banks stated vision of being the â€Å"Bank of Choice in the Caribbean†, the onset of globalisation which has opened up hitherto inaccessible markets, the imminent commencement of the CSME and FTAA which would open up the Caribbean to large, powerful and influential business competitors, coupled with the aggressive stance of competitive forces within the Caribbean itself, there is an opportunity at this time for Republic Bank to reposition and re-brand its regional subsidiaries, beginning with Banco Mercantil, its subsidiary in the Dominican Republic. 4.Theoretical Perspectives This study embraces several theoretic concepts in bringing about the re-branding and repositioning of the Republic Bank Group and more specifically the re-branding of its Dominican Republic subsidiary, Banco Mercantil. The study utilises a number of theories in change management, strategic business planning and corporate identity analysis in orchestrating the required change. 4.1AC ²ID Test In analysing the corporate identities of Republic Bank Limited and Banco Mercantil the AC ²ID Test devised by Harvard Business School Professor, John Balmer was used extensively. The AC ²ID Test is a model used to assist companies in evaluating and understanding their corporate identities, to identify deficiencies and misalignments often arising from, but not limited to mergers and acquisitions, and to form the basis for realignment or correction of the misaligned corporate identities. †¢The Acid test is a model used to assist companies in evaluating and understanding identify deficiencies The test acknowledges that every organisation has more than one identity, and categorises these into five specific areas that help to shape the overall identity and eventually the image of the organisation. These identities are: ACTUAL IDENTITY this comprises the current, distinct attributes of the company i.e. what it does. COMMUNICATED IDENTITY what does the company communicate via Advertising, Public Relations, and Sponsorships? CONCEIVED IDENTITY Stakeholder Perceptions corporate image reputation how does the company appear to stakeholders? IDEAL IDENTITY Optimum Positioning based on current knowledge of the companys capabilities. DESIRED IDENTITY -Corporate vision from the perspective of the CEO and the Board of Directors. The AC ²ID Test was employed to evaluate and analyse the corporate identities of Republic Bank and Banco Mercantil in consolidating and guiding the process of changing the Banco Mercantil name and the adoption of the overarching brand, Republic Bank. 4.2Structures Influence on Corporate Identity In identifying a link or relationship between organisational structure/hierarchy and corporate identity, the work of Olins, Ind and Kammerer were explored and applied. Olins identified three basic types of visual architecture used by organisations namely, the monol

Should the United States Make English the Official language? Essay exam

According to the 2011 census, over 20.8 percent of the United States population spoke another language other than English (www.us-english.org). Language barriers, cultural differences, and immigration have been a part of life in the United States for decades. Language is considered a vital tool in the construction of someone’s identity and an expression of culture. In the last 200 years immigrants have chosen to make the United States their home, but some proceeded with caution by slowly adapting to the English language and culture. If a country doesn’t have an official language is usually due to distinct historical or cultural reasons. As I began reading articles on this topic, I was amazed that the great country I live in doesn’t have an official language. I begin to wonder why this is the case. Many countries have an official language in which all the official business, daily activities and other formal activities are conducted. There are even thirty (30) states that have succeeded through their own statutes to declare English as an official language of their particular state (www.us-english.org). It seems that this topic has been a heated debate for the past couple of decades, which has caused some division over the issue. I learned that there are a variety of pros and cons that you can argue about this issue. I chose to be a part of the pro English side for three reasons: I believe that making English our official language (1) would allow the education system to focus on English as the primary language, (2) it would unite our country in regards to racial discrimination, and (3) our government and business operations would be a little more streamlined. The United States is often called the melting pot because of th... ... immersed society through our businesses, education systems, and government sectors. I definitely support Congress in their attempts to continue fighting this battle to make English the national language. Works Cited Baron, Dennis. â€Å"Don’t Make English Official.† Pbs.org. 1996. Web. 11 October 2014 Crawford, James. â€Å"A nation divided by one language.† Guardian.co.uk. 8 Mar 2001. Web. 11 October 2014 Inhofe, James M. and Cecilia Munoz. "Should English be declared America’s national language? A nation of immigrants considers the pros and cons of giving English official status." New York Times Upfront 23 Oct. 2006: 3. Bnet. Web. 6 Dec. 2014. â€Å"Habla Espanol? Does Spanish Threaten American English?† Pbs.org. Web. 11 October 2014. â€Å"Official English.† US English, Inc. 2010. Web. 6 December 2014. â€Å"US Summary.† Census.gov. 2000. Web. 6 December 2014

24 Hour Society :: Economics

24 Hour Society Objective 2 Â · What is the 24 hour society? Â · Describe the growing 24 hour society? Â · In special detail explain the reason for the growing number of E-commerce and 24 hour supermarkets and specialised stores? Analysis of main elements of the system. These days extended working hours are not uncommon. The 24 Hour Society is one in which certain activities are performed around the clock. The old saying "there is a time and a place for everything" no longer holds true. This trend is partly driven by the levels of convenience demanded by consumers, but also enabled by changes in legislation and the increasing opportunities provided by technological innovation. GRAPH When using the library I will look in books with the most relevancies to my objectives, for instance I would want to look up why shops decided to become E-commerce and not just lists of E-commerce shops although this could also be partly relevant. Using the Internet will be very difficult for this case study, the reason for this is because if you search using the keyword 'E-commerce', '24 hour' or '24 hour society' many of the results will be just online shops with out information of the reasons they become E-commerce, however some other reports published on the 24 hour society might be useful. Interviews will also be quite hard but not impossible. It is not easy to find someone who has an active role in E-commerce businesses this is because of the 'junk' on the Internet. Detailed research plan. Visit County Library Using Library search engine input "24 hour society" and other variables Note down the placement number of the section Go to that section and collect books that seem most relevant Scan through books and look for information on the 24 hour society Mark places in books with bookmarks Check out the books and take them home for heavier research Find a computer with Internet access Go to a search engine such as http://www.google.com / http://www.yahoo.com / http://www.ask.co.uk Type in the key work '24 hour society' Scan through search results for relevant sites If sites are too general try using bouillon commands such as '+', 'AND' or 'NOT' From results copy relevant information in to a word processing program such as Microsoft Word and edit it down in to useful points Save and print Find a person with information you would like to here from him/her Ask if you could record the conversation to write the report Ask the person the questions and push for a detailed response

A Business Case for an ISO 14001 Essay

Abstract The ISO 14000 series takes the international standards system to the field of environmental concerns. ISO 14001 focuses on the development and maintenance of an Environmental Management System, within the ISO 14000 series. The ISO 14000 series is of relatively recent origin, having been instituted in 1991. However, it has emerged as a significant force within a short time. The ISO 14000 series is relevant for the world of business, for governments and regulators, for organizations that work not-for-profit and for entities of all types and sizes, wherever they may be. Its universal nature makes it a unique and dominant system for all people who are concerned with pollution, waste and about the consumption of resources that are limited and which cannot be renewed. ISO 14000 promotes professional conduct. Training people and involving them in key processes lie at the heart of the ISO 14000 system. The rigors of certification serve to develop human resources. It can serve to motivate people at all levels of the hierarchy, and to foster team spirit. The ISO 14000 system is not limited to altruism and to noble intentions. It is worth hard cash. ISO 14001 puts great pressure to bear on achieving productivity improvements that translate to valuable cost savings. Major international corporations enjoy impressive profit growth through the ISO 14000 series. All ISO certifications carry the benefits of independent and international recognition. ISO extension in to the field of environmental concerns through the 14000 series brings desirable pressure on companies that produce hazardous substances and which generate enormous amounts of waste. Customers everywhere have the choice to insist on ISO 14000 certifications. Companies may find themselves excluded from significant market segments if they continue to ignore or to avoid ISO 14000. Some organizations may find themselves out of business if they do not secure ISO 14000 certification. Apple leads a galaxy of the world’s most respected enterprises in using ISO 14001 certification as a cornerstone of competitive strategy. Lithium ion battery technology is an example of innovation that a commitment to environmental conservation can present. Solutions inspired by ISO 14001 can have welcome economic benefits, apart from noble achievements in terms of environmental conservation. Reduction in energy consumption is an outstanding example, since power generation can be both expensive as well as polluting. ISO 14000 calls for abiding commitment on the part of all entities that seek certification. The system consumes major portions of employee time. ISO 14000 becomes a major element of cost, though it does produce handsome returns. The ISO 14000 series follows a highly structured implementation procedure. There is comprehensive documentation widely available that any organization can use to enter the system. Most organizations find it expedient to use consultants to guide them through the process. Independent auditors are inevitable. External auditors must be knowledgeable, experienced and accredited. ISO 14000 has important weaknesses. Loss of proprietary information is the most serious risk. Certified companies may find that their defenses have been compromised in the event of litigation. This arises from the documentation and management reviews that are integral to ISO 14000. ISO 14000 leaves organizations free to choose their own goals, priorities and standards. It therefore lends itself to potential abuse by organizations that may push important social concerns to the background, or to prevaricate about deleterious aspects of environmental degradation. Some organizations may not be able to fund the investments in time and money that ISO 14000 requires. The benefits may therefore evade small enterprises. ISO 14000 documentation needs can also duplicate documentation that other systems and some regulations require. Training and audit infrastructure is inadequate for widespread and global application of ISO 14000. Some organizations, especially in remote regions can find themselves excluded though they may wish to enlist. ISO 14000 confines itself to the environment. It does not consider issues of human wellness. There are many community concerns that ISO 14000 does not address. It is not a guarantee of ethical performance of an organization on all fronts. Business interests may be served best if companies were to use ISO 14000 for internal review, without going in for certification or even registration. It would then be an effective tool of risk management without opening the firm to unwelcome public scrutiny. Purpose of the Study There are a number of excellent consulting services and other resources available at a cost, to help companies through the process of achieving certification. The key is the element of cost. In order to receive funds for consulting services or any other resources, you may have to justify your endeavor financially prior receiving any funding. Even if your company is capable of going through the process without any outside resources there are still direct and indirect costs associated with the process, prior to hiring a certification company to conduct an audit. You will have to buy materials, pull people in full time and part time, audit and update records. Training will be required for employees and management. The purpose is to show that the costs associated with obtaining and maintaining an ISO 14000 certification as part of an Environmental Management System, can be exceeded by the benefits of doing so. The benefits are not just monetary, but also how the company is viewed in the public eye as well, which is increasingly important in today’s global economy. Importance of the study Several industries are trying very hard to change their public image as environmentally â€Å"unfriendly†. The oil industry with its need to seek more sources, often in wilderness areas, chemical companies which have in the past legally dumped toxic waste, the timber industries and the automotive industry which continues to produce large gas guzzling SUV’s and trucks are all very sensitive to public perception. Perception is very powerful and a company does not want to be perceived as harmful to the environment or not environmentally friendly. The ISO 14000 certification system can be used as a tool to not just say we are concerned about the environment, but to show what you have been doing, are doing and will be doing to improve your performance. In doing so you should be able to add to your bottom line, both direct and indirect. As more and more of these companies and seek and obtain the ISO 14000 certification they require suppliers to do so as well. It is very likely that both public and private demand for environmental responsibility will continue to fuel the shift towards certification as proof of doing so. In the global economy today an ISO 14000 certification could become as important, to show a company’s environmental responsibility, as ISO or QS 9000 is to show a commitment to quality. It may become a prerequisite to doing business with some companies and in more industries as it has in the automotive industry. This study seeks to contribute to the on-going debate within some sections of industry about the economics of ISO 14001. We know that large corporations invest in registrations, often under duress from social activists. But is there money to be gained by following the system? Can there be purely business reasons for seeking ISO 14001 certification? Can smaller enterprises participate? These are some of the questions that this study seeks to answer. Scope of the Study The majority of the top 100 companies in the United States have already achieved ISO 14000 certification. The same trend exists in the European Union. The research will look at what is driving the movement towards certification. It will also look at what is required to become certified and to maintain that certification. This will be done through case studies of companies that have already achieved certification, how it has affected their companies and in what ways. The main focus being that it makes good business sense, and the justification thereof. The study concentrates on the business and profit reasons for ISO 14000 registrations, with tertiary scans of ethical issues and applicability of not-for-profit organizations. The study includes brief descriptions of all phases of the ISO 14001 process, with outlines of the various sections of the manual that is an integral part of the process. Rationale of the Study While a lot companies have already achieved ISO 14000 certification many more have not. One of the biggest factors in failure to achieve or to get the company to attempt certification, especially in small and medium size companies, is that often the appointed SME (subject matter expert) has little knowledge as to what is required. It is a task that is added to their current â€Å"to do† list and they are not given the proper resources or time to conduct a thorough study as to what needs to be done, the resources it will require and what is most important in some cases, R.O. I. (Return On Investment). This study will help to explain what is required, where to look for information and through case studies show that a positive R. O. I. can be achieved through ISO 14000 certification and the maintenance of the certification. Overview of the Study The study will consider the attributes of ISO 14000 as an Environmental Management System. In this paper the main focus will be to define the quantitative as well as qualitative benefits for employing an EMS, in our case ISO 14000. While ISO 14000 will be the primary focus, other EMS systems will also be discusses as alternatives and for relative comparisons. The procedures for and the costs of implementation will also be looked at as part of the study. In the process case studies will be studied and discussed through the use of Internet searches, relevant case studies and publications as well as personal experience and interviews with others in the field. This study will attempt to provide methods for justification of perusing certification. We will also try to give an overview of the process for obtaining certification from the planning stage, through implementation, certification as well as the follow up and continuous improvement required to maintain certification. The Ethical Rationale for Environmental Management Standards Concern for the environment is one of the hallmarks of social concerns during our times. Awareness has been growing since the last quarter of the 20th century. It has snowballed in to a major force. There are signs that countries and people will become increasingly demanding of all organizations with which to deal, in this respect. Though the first world is more influenced by concern for the environment, developing economies are also dragged in to the vortex of global opinion, as electronic media and desire for market access drive even poorer people to conform to conservation standards. Pollution, use of hazardous substances, non-degradable waste and consumption of limited natural resources are the four principal corners of environmental concerns. Pollution of air and water are most perceptible for lay people, but the effects of land fills can be equally devastating. Pesticides and organic solvents lead a series of chemicals with both acute and chronic effects. Mesothelioma is an example of a consequence of exposure to a hazardous substance, the fatal implications of which can surface after decades. Organochlorine pesticides persist in nature almost indefinitely. People at large have become very concerned about such residues and threats that surround them. Women and children are especially vulnerable. The concept of supply chains has spurred thoughts about life cycle analysis. Exhaustive labeling requirements have made people more generally aware that an innocuous finished product may involve the use of hazardous substances. Processed foods are common examples of convenience products that may contain harmful ingredients and sources of infection and contamination. This matter also leads to consideration of packaging materials that we have traditionally taken for granted. Consumers are now aware that products made from paper can involve the destruction of forest cover, while plastic has acquired a notorious image for its persistence. This applies to tin and other metals as well. Mercury and other heavy metals in batteries and electronic products are also causes of concern. Clean water has been in acute shortage in many parts of the third world for some time now, but even developed economies have begun to worry about large-scale use of this precious resource, Ground water contamination and depletion of the ozone layer are other matters that engage much popular attention. Large corporations that generate profits are prime targets for pressures to develop environmental management standards. Companies, whose operations transcend national boundaries, have to be especially careful of their environmental footprints. However, government, social service organizations and small business may all affect the environment in serious and indelible ways. Hence it is possible that environmental management programs may become increasingly universal with the passage of time. We may conclude that there is a strong ethical foundation for environmental concerns. All organizations regardless of their size, nature and location, will be subject to pressures to monitor their environmental impacts, and to find ways of reducing or even eliminating all harmful implications of their transactions. The ethical rationale has a firm linkage with business reasons for ISO 14000 certifications, as there are societal trends that it soon become a pre-requisite for continuing to be in business. The Sustainability Imperative for Environmental Management Mature sectors of national economies, and ones that grow rapidly, are in danger of extinction if they do not address environmental concerns. Electronic waste generated by computers and emissions from heavy industries are examples of enterprises and activities that may have a natural end if they do not address the irreversible effects that they can have on the environment. Depletion of the ozone layer is the sort of contentious issue that spreads across sectors and across countries as well. Closely held companies and ones whose stocks are actively traded on markets are most vulnerable to sustainability pressures. The effects of litigation on tobacco and pharmaceutical companies does influence market capitalization significantly, while major industrial accidents can cause companies to cease operations altogether. Government authorities responsible for solid waste disposal, drainage and water supply, may also face bottlenecks if they do not institute timely procedures for environmental management. Food safety is an issue that can affect even a small hot-dog stand. All entities are subject to irreversible degradation if they cause continuing pollution and wasteful consumption. Viral pandemics amongst poor communities are proof that the effects of a deteriorating environment are ultimately universal. We may conclude that there are survival compulsions for all sections of society, in terms of using environmental management systems. Damage and depletion have cumulative effects, some of which manifest themselves many years later. Changes in the macro-environment, such as ozone depletion have serious consequences for innocent communities. Stakeholders of all hues need the umbrella of environmental management systems for their own survival. There are indications that the only companies that will survive and prosper as the 21st century unfolds will be the ones with sound environmental management systems in place. The ones that consume too much of energy and that are relatively wasteful of materials, will be forced out of business by more efficient competitors. Companies that consume vast quantities of non-renewable resources will begin to reach deep in to irreversible crevasses. Society will become increasingly impatient with waste that cannot degrade, and even more so with air and water emissions that threaten human wellness. Companies may escape accountability for environmental degradation in the third world for awhile yet, but apocalypse for them is visible on the horizon! Recent concern for the environment in China marks a watershed, for industries and individuals in this enormous market have operated without such cares until now. The new trend in China spells a change for all corporations that sell their goods and services there, and also for those which source inputs from that vast land. India, being a democracy and a land of education, will follow suit in due course. The days for those without environmental management programs in place are numbered, and there is advantage in jumping on to the learning curve of ISO 14001 as soon as possible. The system has a business rationale, shorn of any altruistic motives.

Defining Affirmative Action

Affirmative action, by definition, is a program designed to favor minorities and remedy past discrimination (Cummings, p. 192). It started in 1961 with President John F. Kennedy, by instructing the federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that all people are treated equally regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Ever since it started, for more than thirty years now, it has been a controversial issue regarding employment practices (Anniston). This research paper will discuss the history of affirmative action, the pro's and con's of affirmative action in the workplace and in the educational system, and proposition 209. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy was the first to use affirmative action. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 barred discrimination by universities or others that received federal assistance (Cummings, p. 192). After it came the Voting Act of 1965, Immigration Act of 1965, The Fair Housing Act of 1968 (Nieli, p. ). In 1978, President Carter created the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) to ensure compliance with the affirmative action policies by the department of labor (Brown). Also in 1978 was the Bakke v. Reagents of the University of California, where Supreme Court upheld that use of race as one factor in choosing among qualified applicants for admission and reserving certain seats in each entering class of students for disadvantaged minorities were unlawful. Affirmative action began to go downhill and fading away during the presidency of Ronald Reagan and later George Bush. The republicans in the White House and in congress ignored the affirmative action. Finally to the presidency of Bill Clinton, the republicans were attempting to scare people into changing their party lines by saying that affirmative action is nothing more than a quota or reverse discrimination (Brown). Just by watching the history of this issue, one can come to a conclusion that we've come a long way in regards to racial and gender discrimination. Affirmative action programs offer individuals such as women and minorities a chance at equal employment opportunities and representation through positive, results-oriented practices that purposely take race and gender into account (Anniston). In the work force, minorities and women are source of cheap labor. The employers higher them to work with very little pay and little or no benefits. Higher paying jobs were always filled with white males. Even when women wanted to be as successful as that of men, they had a limit hanging over their head called the â€Å"glass-ceiling†. But through affirmative action, women and minorities were able to get higher paying jobs and even promotions and some even going up to the professional jobs. For example, women have made significant progress in recent year; in 1963, women earned fifty-nine cents for every dollar earned by men. Today, women earn on average seventy-one cents for every dollar earned by men (Curry, p. 179). Affirmative action may reduce racial tension forcing people to interact together and work as a unit in a professional and intellectual level across racial lines (Lewis). This program gives the minorities the opportunity to join the competition in the â€Å"white† American society and to defy the stigmas and stereotypes cast upon them by others. Some people believe that affirmative action is wrong because it discriminates. For example, and employer hires anyone because he/she is a minority, even if someone else is more qualified for the job. In this case, the employer is not discriminating against the minorities but against the majorities. Some also argue that affirmative action programs incite racial tension (Lewis). Since employers are very sensitive about affirmative action programs and if a white male is more qualified for the job than the minority, it may stir up some tension between those people involved. And because of the tension, the employers are more likely to higher a minority, who is less qualified for the job. By doing so, the employers may have a feeling that they are left with the short end of the stick and a lesser quality worker (Wit). If a workplace made decisions on hiring and promoting on the basis of ethnicity, such a workplace would go under. Decisions make in workplace should be merit-base; the eligibility and quality of the employee, not race-base. The outcome of the case of Allen Bakke v. Reagents of the University of California in 1974, helped many minorities to go into college. Allan Bakke had applied for medical school in University of California at Davis in 1973 and in 1974 and was rejected because they only set aside 16 seats for minorities each year. He sued contending that he had been excluded on the basis of his race in violation of the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Cummings, p. 193). The California Supreme Court called the act of the university unconstitutional and Bakke won along with other minorities who could not get into college. In the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that although the physical factors and tangible factors may be equal in public school systems, the children of the minority group were deprived of the equal education. Therefore they are deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment (Cummings, p. 182). Even though the compliance of this law was very slow, eventually all states complied with the law and made public school available to the minorities. By 1969, all the public schools in the country were trying to comply with the law. The history of the campaign against racial injustice since 1954, when the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education, is a history in a large part of failure (Nieli p. 79). The law may have said to put an end to segregation and racism in public schools, but even now, the racism and the segregation still live in the hearts of American people. In 1979, the case was reopened because even twenty-five years later, schools were still segregated. Affirmative action is supposed to treat everyone as equals. But actually and in reality, it does not treat everyone with equality. When admitting a person to a college, in the registration form, it asks what race the person is. If it were to treat everyone equally, it wouldn't ask that question. And because of the affirmative action law and trying to comply with it, the colleges will pick a minority, who may not be as qualified, to attend the school, therefore lowering the standard of the school to match that person's standard. The standards for all the people should be the same no matter what. Proposition 209 was proposed by Californians that wanted to outlaw programs based on affirmative action. It was passed by a narrow margin in the November 5,1996. Proposition abolished all public sector affirmative action programs in the state in employment, education and contracting. It also permits gender discrimination that is reasonably necessary to the normal operation of public education, employment and contracting. This proposition means that people should not have special privileges on the basis of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in any kind of public services where it's funded by the government. In regards to the affirmative action issue, this proposition makes it hard for people to get hired just because they are a minority. The proposition tries to bring balance between all the people not on the basis of their minority or majority but on their merits. When I first started this research, I only did it because the subject was well known and easy to find. After finishing the research, my opinion towards affirmative action was swayed a little. I first thought that affirmative action was an absolute good that helps the minorities of the community to have the equal opportunity as that of others. But now, I feel that affirmative action itself was contributing to discrimination. It was discrimination against those who were more qualified in a job or in a college who couldn†t' get in because there was a minority and the rule had to be bent a little to accept those minorities. I believe that the standards should be the same for all people and the law shouldn't be bent just because a minority couldn't keep u with the standards of the society. If the person is not qualified for the field, then they shouldn't be hired, because if they were, they're robbing another wee qualified person their job and the opportunity to achieve their goal and do their best. It may be the case that a minority, picked over the more qualified person, might quit or get fired because they were way in over their heads. Affirmative action should not be something that the society would have to abide to. It should be a reference to when there are conflicts among controversial issues that is related to discrimination on workplace or in educational system. I believe that in the society that we live in, discrimination should be something that of the past. To believe in racism and discrimination against minorities, just wouldn†t be America.