Transition Metals

Transition Metals 1a) The d-orbitals of a free transition metal atom or ion are degenerate (all have the same energy. ) However, when  transition metals  form  coordination complexes, the d-orbitals of the metal interact with the electron cloud of the ligands  in such a manner that the d-orbitals become non-degenerate (not all having the same energy. ) The way in which the orbitals are split into different energy levels is dependent on the geometry of the complex. Crystal field theory  can be used to predict the energies of the different d-orbitals, and how the  d-electrons  of a transition metal are distributed among them.When the d-level is not completely filled, it is possible to promote and electron from a lower energy d-orbital to a higher energy d-orbital by absorption of a photon of electromagnetic radiation having an appropriate energy. Electromagnetic radiations in the visible region of the spectrum often possess the appropriate energy for such transitions. The magnitude of the splitting of the d-orbitals in a transition metal complex depends on three things: * the geometry of the complex * the oxidation state of the metal * the nature of the ligands(Kotz, J.C 1987) Kotz, J. C. ; Purcell, K. F. Chemical and Chemical ReactivitySaunders: New York, 1987, Chapter 25. Rodgers, G. E. Introduction to Coordination, Solid State, and Descriptive Inorganic ChemistryMcGraw -Hill: New York, 1994, Chapter 4. b. The origin of colour in complex ions containing transition metals Complex ions containing transition metals are usually coloured, whereas the similar ions from non-transition metals aren't. That suggests that the partly filled d orbitals must be involved in generating the colour in some way.Remember that transition metals are defined as having partly filled d orbitals. Octahedral complexes For simplicity we are going to look at the octahedral complexes which have six simple ligands arranged around the central metal ion. The argument isn't really any different if you have multidentate ligands – it's just slightly more difficult to imagine! | When the ligands bond with the transition metal ion, there is repulsion between the electrons in the ligands and the electrons in the d orbitals of the metal ion.That raises the energy of the d orbitals. However, because of the way the d orbitals are arranged in space, it doesn't raise all their energies by the same amount. Instead, it splits them into two groups. The diagram shows the arrangement of the d electrons in a Cu2+ion before and after six water molecules bond with it. Whenever 6 ligands are arranged around a transition metal ion, the d orbitals are always split into 2 groups in this way – 2 with a higher energy than the other 3.The size of the energy gap between them (shown by the blue arrows on the diagram) varies with the nature of the transition metal ion, its oxidation state (whether it is 3+ or 2+, for example), and the nature of the ligands. When white lig ht is passed through a solution of this ion, some of the energy in the light is used to promote an electron from the lower set of orbitals into a space in the upper set. Each wavelength of light has a particular energy associated with it. Red light has the lowest energy in the visible region.Violet light has the greatest energy. Suppose that the energy gap in the d orbitals of the complex ion corresponded to the energy of yellow light. The yellow light would be absorbed because its energy would be used in promoting the electron. That leaves the other colours. Your eye would see the light passing through as a dark blue, because blue is the complementary colour of yellow. | | | Examples: http://www. chemguide. co. uk/inorganic/complexions/colour. html#top 2. Transition metal compounds are  paramagnetic  when they have one or more unpaired  d  electrons. 15]  In octahedral complexes with between four and seven  d  electrons both  high spin  and  low spin  states a re possible. Tetrahedral transition metal complexes such as  [FeCl4]2? are  high spin  because the crystal field splitting is small so that the energy to be gained by virtue of the electrons being in lower energy orbitals is always less than the energy needed to pair up the spins. Some compounds are  diamagnetic. These include octahedral, low-spin,  d6  and square-planar  d8  complexes. In these cases,crystal field  splitting is such that all the electrons are paired up.Ferromagnetism  occurs when individual atoms are paramagnetic and the spin vectors are aligned parallel to each other in a crystalline material. Metallic iron and the alloy  alnico  are examples of ferromagnetic materials involving transition metals. Anti-ferromagnetism  is another example of a magnetic property arising from a particular alignment of individual spins in the solid state (. adapted from ‘’Transition Metalsa,’’ 2012, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wik i/Transition_metal#Coloured_compounds) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Transition_metal#Coloured_compounds) 3.Catalytic properties The transition metals and their compounds are known for their homogeneous and heterogeneous  catalytic  activity. This activity is ascribed to their ability to adopt multiple oxidation states and to form complexes. Vanadium(V) oxide (in the  contact process), finely divided  iron  (in the  Haber process), and  nickel  (in  Catalytic hydrogenation) are some of the examples. Catalysts at a solid surface involve the formation of bonds between reactant molecules and atoms of the surface of the catalyst (first row transition metals utilize 3d and 4s electrons for bonding).This has the effect of increasing the concentration of the reactants at the catalyst surface and also weakening of the bonds in the reacting molecules (the activation energy is lowering). (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Transition_metal#Coloured_compounds). The d orbitals ar e what give transition metals their special properties. In transition metal ions the outermost d orbitals are incompletely filled with electrons so they can easily give and take electrons. This makes transition metals prime candidates for catalysis.Transition metal catalysts can be very useful for oxidation/reduction reactions because their outer electrons are especially susceptible to oxidation and reduction. If an oxidized transition metal runs into a molecule it can take electrons from that molecule, thereby oxidizing the molecule. If a reduced transition metal runs into a molecule it can give the molecule electrons and reduce it. Because transition metals are easier to oxidize and reduce than other elements, this process goes faster!Transition metals can both lend electrons to and take electrons from other molecules. By giving and taking electrons so easily, transition metal catalysts speed up reactions. (http://www. chemeddl. org/resources/TSTS/Stahl/Stahl9-12/Transitionorbital s9to12. html) Transition metals as catalysts Iron in the Haber Process The Haber Process combines hydrogen and nitrogen to make ammonia using an iron catalyst. Nickel in the hydrogenation of C=C bonds This reaction is at the heart of the manufacture of margarine from vegetable oils.However, the simplest example is the reaction between ethene and hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst. Transition metal compounds as catalysts Vanadium(V) oxide in the Contact Process At the heart of the Contact Process is a reaction which converts sulphur dioxide into sulphur trioxide. Sulphur dioxide gas is passed together with air (as a source of oxygen) over a solid vanadium(V) oxide catalyst. Iron ions in the reaction between persulphate ions and iodide ions Persulphate ions (peroxodisulphate ions), S2O82-, are very powerful oxidising agents.Iodide ions are very easily oxidised to iodine. And yet the reaction between them in solution in water is very slow. The reaction is catalysed by the pr esence of either iron(II) or iron(III) ions. * http://www. chemguide. co. uk/inorganic/transition/features. html#top 4. Test For Gases & Ions : http://www. pearsonschoolsandfecolleges. co. uk/Secondary/Science/14-16forEdexcel/EdexcelIGCSEBiologyChemistryPhysics/Samples/ChemistryRevisionGuide/ChemistryRevisionGuideChapter16. pdf Also Refer to Slide !

Architecture in Context: Urban Design of Kuala Lumpur City

ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEXTChapter 1: Introduction 002.jpg" alt="424469" /> Figure 1a: Urban design of Kuala Lumpur metropolis Urban design shows both the functional and aesthetic facets of the City’s built environment. Urban design ( Figure 1a ) , developed harmonizing to policy model and guidelines, creates a desirable life environment every bit good as giving a metropolis an appropriate image and individuality. Like most metropoliss in the underdeveloped universe, Kuala Lumpur has grown quickly and changed a batch from 1960s until now. Kuala Lumpur becomes one of the strongest Asiatic metropoliss in universe economic system during 21Thursdaycentury. The alterations are non merely in footings of edifice building and besides the ‘growing’ of the city’s skyline. Figure 1b: Location of Kampung Baru Some of high-rise edifices appear bit by bit in the metropolis and turn vertically from the skyline of metropolis. However, in Kampung Baru country ( Figure 1b ) , it creates a most contrast phenomenon which is high rise edifices and old houses appear together in the aureate trigon of the metropolis. High-rise edifice prototype of modern, high engineering and comfortable edifice while old houses conjure images of old, conservative and disintegrating houses. High rise edifice has its commercial value and makes a part to the economic system of our state however old houses contain its historical value and stand for the beginning characteristics of metropolis development. There are some contradiction and struggle against to do think of pulverizing the old houses in the metropolis to do manner for more future development. The aim of composing this essay is to measure and analyze the skyline of KL country and the urban developed schemes from the past until presents. Besides that, to look into and understand the cultural contexts, societal and faith which influence a batch to the people who lives in that country are besides parts of the aims. Identify the demands, perceptual experiences and values of specific cultural communities make a clear apprehension of the architecture issue. Chapter 2: History BACKGROUND Chapter 2.1: History background of the alterations of KL city’s development Figure 2.1: Natural characteristic of KL in 1960Figure 2.2: The development of KL in 80s Kuala Lumpur was established in 1857 and the KL’s skyline has changed over the old ages. In around 1960, Kuala Lumpur was a simply light-green piece of land ( Figure 2.1 ) with a few of edifices. Towards 80’s ( Figure 2.2 ) , it was the period when the Malayan economic system truly raised up upon. The city’s skyline started to alter quickly until the terminal of 90’s. Harmonizing to the information, this period was Malayan economic system grew more than 8 % per twelvemonth for more than a decennary. Figure 2.3: Significant development of KL in 1991Figure 2.4: Skyline of KL in presents The 1990 was a important decennary to the state due to the economic system down bend in the twelvemonth 1997. Not merely did Malaysia manage to prolong unbelievable growing, the other state did besides travel into the Great Financial Crisis. This fiscal crisis caused most of Malaysia’s important developments ( Figure 2.3 ) were made. There are many building undertakings that are being built include the building of the KL Tower and the Petronas Towers. The development of Kuala Lumpur was easy being expanded from the get downing twelvemonth of 2000. In a short period, the skyline of Kuala Lumpur ( Figure 2.4 ) has grown a batch in order to provide the demand of population presents. This resulted in the outgrowth of big capacity of high rise edifices in the metropolis. Not merely it brings an economic system consequence to our state, and besides received a batch of investing from foreign state. It boosts up a batch of concern and employment chance around the metropolis. Chapter 2.2: History background of Kampung Baru country Figure 2.5: Kampung Baru country at the bosom of metropolis Even so, there is a portion of traditional houses country turns up meanwhile at the bosom of metropolis ( Figure2.5 ) . The being of traditional houses which called Kampung Baru creates a strong contrast between modern architecture edifices and traditional houses. Kampung Baru has been established since 1899 by the British authorities under the name of â€Å"Malay Agricultural Settlement† ( M.A.S ) as a particular country reserved specifically for the Malays in Kuala Lumpur. It has 35,000 populations and an country mensurating 153.35 kilometer2. Figure 2.6: Traditional Malay houses of Kampung Baru The Kampung Baru is characterized by comparative tranquility and neat layout of traditional Malay houses ( Figure 2.6 ) , has comparatively been retarded in its development with hapless roads and sanitation even though the remainder of metropolitan of Kuala Lumpur is basking a roar in economic growing and prosperity. Up to the 1930s, Kampung Baru was strictly a residential small town colony with houses built of wood and supported by pile, with a little gallery, large life room ( normally with no more than three sleeping rooms ) surrounded by garden harvests ( such as chili, banana, tapioca ) and widespread raising of domestic fowl. In this urban small town merely north of the metropolis centre the houses are largely one or two floors. Kampung Baru was ab initio a residential colony in Kuala Lumpur for Malay lower income group. [ 1 ] In the 1970s, there was a little group of Kampung Baru people who earned RM1000 per month and occupied higher place in the public and private sectors. The state of affairs has really much changed in the 1990s in which the socio-economic position of the dwellers of Kampung Baru had increased. There was rather a important figure of Malay in-between category, such as enterprisers, professionals and executives, who lived in the colony. This can be proven through the building of new luxury residential houses such as cottages and modern flat beside the old traditional Malay hosieries. Thus it can be said that Kampung Baru is a topographic point where tradition and modernness meet. Kampung Baru located in the Centre of metropolis and the belongings valued at around Rm2000 per square pess. This favorable geographical location attracts a batch of investors and developers intend to develop it and do a better planning. Nevertheless, the devastation of the traditional Malay houses has created contention. Chapter 2.3:Research method of survey The nature of this survey makes it suited for me to use site visit, observation, appraising and secondary analysis as my research methodological analysiss. Site visit in survey involves detecting, look intoing, comparing and analyzing. Besides that, research worker makes a questionnaire study signifier for public to acquire cognize about their sentiment of Kampung Baru. It is indispensable for research worker to understand deeply of about the chance development of Kampung Baru. In order to make so, historical informations have been assembled by library and internet research. This research to be done is to turn out my study composing in line with strong grounds. Chapter 3: Analysis Chapter 3.1: Percepts of occupant to the renovation of Kampung Baru Figure 3.1: Malay-Muslim civilization Despite being disputed, Kampung Baru is the last fastness against tower block development in the Kuala Lumpur metropolis. The occupants, born and bred in Kampung Baru from coevals to coevals, are chiefly consisted of Malay. Most of them have no purpose of go forthing Kampung Baru. The nucleus ground is for the inveterate love for the community specifically refering on the distinguishable Malay-Muslim civilization ( Figure 3.1 ) and its colorful history. For illustration, some of the senior still recalled their functions in WWII and cherished childhood memories that wanted to prize. They will convey these histories to their kids and grandchildren. Other than that, there is another state of affairs caused Kampung Baru can’t be developed. If the original Kampung Baru landholders have died, his land rubrics will be shared by tonss of relations. Therefore, it can be more than 100 people portion the rights to some secret plans of land sometimes. This status becomes a strong resistance to the sort of renovation the authorities has in head. The authorities and the developers have been legion meetings and treatment with local landholders about the development programs of Kampung Baru for more than twenty old ages, nevertheless, none of which has proved feasible. With no execution and development, the physical constructions of Kampung Baru are haphazard and degraded. The unplanned betterment caused resident bit by bit eliminated from their original small town and were replaced by transient and homesteaders. In malice of the recession of Kampung Baru, there are still have many people understood exhaustively its possible commercial value and concern market. In this aureate country with environing high rise edifice, it wholly shows an iconic individuality and image of capital metropolis of Malaysia. Suppose that Kampung Baru transformed into a modern and advanced country, it will heighten the consistent of betterment of Kuala Lumpur towards as a developed metropolis. The modern design, construction and stuff of high rise edifices give an impact of the ocular to stand for an image of the metropolis. Chapter 3.2: Advantages and disadvantages one time Kampung Baru to be redeveloped Residents of Kampung Baru have to consider of the advantages and disadvantages one time Kampung Baru to be redeveloped. One of the important effects of the alterations to Kampung Baru is maximize the value of land. In term of merely being dual floor houses, it can be developed vertically. For case, high rise commercial edifices, office, five star hotel or flat. Not merely cut down the land usage, and besides fulfil the demands of big population in the metropolis. Besides that, concern market besides have a batch of possible among this commercial country. The people who live in this country have a high degree of ingestion and quality of life. They would pass a batch for epicurean disbursals. In add-on, while working the bigger commercial market, it besides increases the employment chance every bit good. It helps to work out the job of extra unemployment which happened in our state. Ample employee can heighten the productiveness expeditiously. Furthermore, owing to this country is tourist attractive force, so that it brings economic system consequence to the metropolis. Figure 3.2: Alone character of traditional houses On the contrary, continuing Kampung Baru has its unmeasurable bing value. It is difficult to conceive of that an country with such a rich heritage and alone character ( Figure 3.2 ) if razed to the land. Many of the traditional houses of Kampung Baru are dated back to the early 1900s. The peculiar and original features can’t be replaced by any unreal engineering presents. If Kampung Baru is turned into a concrete jungle, it will lose all its attractive force as a Centre for Malay heritage. Furthermore, the cultural component in Kampung Baru has influenced, straight or indirectly, among the community. They hold profound feelings toward their civilization and relationship with vicinity. Woman love to portion their delightful dishes with their neighbors while kids chum uping around the kampung. This sort of sentiment dramas as an of import function in the development of Kampung Baru. There is no uncertainty that the people of Kampung Baru want development, but at the same clip the individuality of Kampung Baru as a Malay community must be maintained. Chapter 3.3: Comparison with the Singapore urban planning Figure 3.3: Singapore urban planning By detecting and look intoing Singapore urban planning ( Figure 3.3 ) , they wholly did a good occupation in this little state. Singapore originally is merely a little and lag behind state. After the World War II, Centre of Singapore faced really terrible urban troubles which are overcrowding, lodging deficit and insanitary life conditions. It caused a batch of unemployment job, infective disease and societal offense. In 1958s, the authorities comes out with a construct program [ 2 ] that makes full usage of land by reapportioning the countries severally. In the beginning of urban development, it appears two distinguishable countries which are greenwaies and new town country. First measure is to construct more public lodging in new town country. The decentralised policy leads the population and industry in the metropolis Centre displacement to other topographic point. It creates a balance and mean distribution of population and solved the lacking of lodging jobs. In the cardinal country, a big sum of stores, office, shopping Centre and epicurean flat occurred. Thoroughly downtown metropolis revived bit by bit, Singapore becomes an international finance, commercial centre and touristry attractive force. It speeds up the economic system growing of Singapore. The authorities of Singapore plans their scheme, from construct, counsel, urban planning to commanding, measure by measure implements it. The attitude of listening to the demands of occupant is the cardinal rule to be succeeded. Chapter 4: Decision In decision, Kuala Lumpur as a developing metropolis was improved a batch along the times. Even though Kuala Lumpur is still missing behind in footings of skyline quality compared to bigger metropoliss like Hong Kong, New York, Shanghai or Chicago, but it provides an iconic for its multi-cultural architecture found in traditional and modern edifices in the metropolis. Located within the bosom of aggressive metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Baru has struggled to maintain up with monolithic urban development while continuing its traditional heritage. The singularity of this country could non be replaced by any types of trading. The thought of destruction the traditional Malay houses should be taken off. Old structures uncover its historical border and do a contrast with high rise edifice to show the betterment every bit good as development of engineering presents. Attempt to hold a better urban planning and direction in Malaysia, authorities should do an in-depth survey on the scheme of urban planning in Singapore. Mentions Website hypertext transfer protocol: //vincentloy.wordpress.com/tag/city/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/ ? file= % 2F2012 % 2F4 % 2F16 % 2Fcentral % 2F11111102 hypertext transfer protocol: //www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php? t=167496 hypertext transfer protocol: //www.dbkl.gov.my/pskl2020/english/urban_design_and_landscape/index.htm hypertext transfer protocol: //time2transcend.wordpress.com/tag/kampung-baru/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.theedgemalaysia.com/commentary/167862-my-say-kampung-baru-redevelopment-lets-go-for-it.html hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ hypertext transfer protocol: //travel.cnn.com/explorations/escape/kampung-baru-131599 hypertext transfer protocol: //infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1564_2009-09-08.html hypertext transfer protocol: //lib.iium.edu.my/mom2/cm/content/view/view.jsp? key=mrB8mYjSDrUDQUS5Lamnms8K3SJ42lFB20100225154009406 E-journal hypertext transfer protocol: //e-journal.um.edu.my/filebank/published_article/3295/Vol % 209-4.pdf hypertext transfer protocol: //repo.uum.edu.my/3179/1/S15.pdf Books Dale, O. J. ( 1999 ) . Urban planning in Singapore: The transmutation of a metropolis. Shah Alam, Malaysia: Oxford University Press. Suleiman Mohamed and Lokman Mohd. Zen ( 2000 ) ,Sejarah Kampung Baru: Di Sini Awal Segalanya Bermula Handss, J. ( 1941 ) .The History Of The Malay Agricultural Settlement Kuala Lumpur,From January 1899 to October 1941, Kuala Lumpur. Video hypertext transfer protocol: //fatbidin.com/category/kampung-baru-alaf-baru-aka-new-age-new-village/ Bibliography Website hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php? t=246455 hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_planning_in_Singapore hypertext transfer protocol: //infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1564_2009-09-08.html hypertext transfer protocol: //timesofmylife.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/big-pore-and-small-pore-of-singapore/ Picture credits Figure 1.1: hypertext transfer protocol: //wpwide.com/petronas-twin-towers-kuala-lumpur-malaysia-city-wide-hd-wallpaper/ Figure 1.2: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.malaysiapropertynews.com/2010/08/redeveloping-kampung-baru.html Figure 2.1: hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ Figure 2.2: hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ Figure 2.3: hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ Figure 2.4: hypertext transfer protocol: //tendtotravel.com/2012/03/kuala-lumpurs-skyline-1960s/ Figure 2.5: hypertext transfer protocol: //time2transcend.wordpress.com/tag/kampung-baru/ Figure 2.6: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ouche.org/DesignEcologies/659/ Figure 3.1: hypertext transfer protocol: //time2transcend.wordpress.com/tag/kampung-baru/ Figure 3.2: hypertext transfer protocol: //time2transcend.wordpress.com/tag/kampung-baru/ Figure 3.3: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.singaporetales.co.uk/2013/09/city-gallery.html 1

Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management - Assignment Example We have to sufficiently agile to adapt as the road winds and be foresightful about what might be ahead.† (Gratton, 1998 14). Therefore the role of HR functions in today’s organizations can not be limited to a few traditional aspects of management of people. The overall role of HR functions with respect to managing people is to ensure that the organization achieves all its short term and long term objectives. In order to do so the HR functions must take steps, guide and support the organization on all matters related to the workforce of the organization. One of the primary roles of HR functions is to act as a change agent. HR function is vital in delivering cultural change and organizational transformation. Therefore the role of HR in facilitating and managing change with respect to employees is crucial for an organization. The various other aspects of managing people that HR function will play a role is in training and development, performance evaluation and appraisals, developing healthy relation among the employees and, between the employees and management, designing and development of HR strategies, policies and practices (Armstrong, 2006). First line supervisors or managers play an important role in managing people with an organization. First line managers and supervisors are the gateway of communication between the management and the employees at the grass root level. It is the first line managers who have first hand experience of the day to conditions at the work place. There are in the best position to sense and discover changes or routines in the employee attitude. Also it is the first line managers with whom the employees communicate about any issues at the workplace (Tyson & York, 2000). The employees relate to the first line managers and their experiences with the first line manager primarily formulate their experience with the organization. Therefore, the cooperation and involvement of first line mangers in the designing HRM strategies, policies and practices is important. Also they are vital for the implementation of the HRM strategies and policies. The management of the employees on a day to day basis is carried out by the first line mangers and not the HR executives. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the first line mangers to ensure the effective implementation of the various HR strategies and polices (Gratton, 1999). The HR Director and the executives of the HR team are responsible for insuring that all the HR policies and practices are implemented within the organization. It is their responsibility to design the HR policies and practices as well as ensure that it is implemented. But it is not possible to implement these policies and practices themselves. They need to take the assistance of various managers and supervisors down the line to ensure that these policies and practices are understood by everyone in the organization and at the same time implemented effectively to achieve the organizational goals and objectives. The immediate responsibility of the performance of employees will be that of the line managers and supervisors. But the responsibility of the overall performance of the employees of an organization is that of the HR teams. One of the main purposes of HR teams is to ensure the full potential of the employees is extracted. It is the responsib

HW9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HW9 - Essay Example Extended Matrix 3: Once firm B enters and exits the market, the profitability chances collapse at the same time as the company loses $1,000,000. The only sound approached is considering paths NP and PN (this combination considers neutral risk taking) as it considers the N =Neutral path in both cases. c. By choosing to take 7500 and 50% gamble chances of winning between 5000 and 10000, the CEO is considered a risk taker as the cash amount and the expected outcome range only add up to $7500 + 0 = $7500 or $7500 + either $5000 or $10000 = either $12500 or $17500. d. From the utility function, the extended matrix show that the CEO has better changes of accepting $10,000 in cash and 50% gamble of winning between $7500 and $12500. This would make her returns 10,000 without risks and 50% chance of losing the opportunity to win 7500 or 12500. However, an ideal path from 1 on the above extended matrix show that accepting $10000 and taking the 50% gamble chance increases her chances of having 22500 if the gamble paid of. Either way, the taking of chances with decisions whose outcome can result to benefits or no benefits shows that the CEO is a risk

Terrorism and International Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Terrorism and International Response - Essay Example In an Israeli Newspaper Ha'aretz, Nissan Horowitz wrote: "Terrorism - it's all in the eyes of the beholder." He argues over the fact that if the attack on the twin towers can be regarded as terrorism, then why the bombing in a Kabul's hospital can't be considered as one According to a truism, it is believed that, terrorist, in the eyes of one, is a freedom fighter in the eyes of another. Or considering the Israeli/Palestine case, those, whom the Israelis consider as terrorists, are for the Palestinians, martyrs. One might wonder if to call rebels, insurrectionists, mercenaries, activists, guerillas, militants, dissenters, freedom fighters, etc, all these as terrorists Or perhaps the very concept holds an absolute slot. (Terrorism guide, n.p., 2008) Whatever reasons that lie behind this enigma, are indeed not inexplicable. From a particular group, 'a terrorist takes birth when he senses unfairness or discrimination perceived by the very group he belongs to, therefore he becomes the hero for that entire group, be it a small anarchist cell, or a whole tribe, or class, nation, religion etc. For his struggle, he is applauded by those in solidarity with him, but highly condemned as terrorists by those unsympathetic to the strong aims of that struggle.' (Weiss, pp. 11+, 2002) The U.N. has certainly strived to give terrorism a proper definition, and so have all the international lawyers. Nonetheless, it has, "in all its forms and manifestations", been, by far, condemned no matter whosoever commits it, where they do, and for what purpose. (Secretary General, n.p., 2006) The diction for terrorism which confines to a particular method of conducting violence can be censured irrespective of the circumstances. 'This nonexistence of a proper agreed definition carries weight for a number of reasons, which involve its blocking the prospect of bringing up terrorist acts, that of genocide or other war crimes, to an international court; and leaving individual countries unbound to outlaw actions which, maybe for their own political expediency, they choose to categorize as terrorism. Therefore, it is crucial to define the problem.' (Terrorism guide, n.p., 2008) Official Definitions Various views have been recognized on the definition and interpretation of terrorism, for which the definition of 'aggression' may also be considered. (Crozier, pp.28, 1986) The definitions of terrorism are particularly acutely perceptive, indeed because they tend to set limits over the range of legitimate responses to them. (Norgren, pp. 4, 2003) A broad definition, accepted by the US State Department, was put forward by the US Central Intelligence Agency. They were of the view that some individuals and groups intimidate or use violence for political purposes, whether favoring or opposing the establishment of governmental authority. When these actions are aimed at shocking, stunning, or threatening a "target group wider than the immediate victims", (Ramos, n.p., 2007) it comes under terrorism. James Adams, in his composition 'financing of terror', has put forward another definition that defines a terrorist as an individual, follower or supporter of a group that intends to attain "po litical ends using violent means". These violent means are often at the expense of casualties to harmless, nave

Cause and Effect essay on The MIsfit in A good Man is Hard To FInd

Cause and Effect on The MIsfit in A good Man is Hard To FInd - Essay Example The views expressed by The Misfit are not simple, though, and there are many factors in his life that have lead him to become the person that he is. To begin examining The Misfits views, we should start with the remote causes of the Misfits agnosticism. Growing up in the South, he would have grown up with a strong religious background. He even states that his parents were good people: â€Å"God never made a finer woman than my mother and my daddy’s heart was pure gold† (456). While it may be possible that The Misfit is being sarcastic or overly-patronizing, his brutal honesty throughout would seem to contradict this. At one point he states that he â€Å"was a gospel singer for a while† (457), furthering to depict The Misfit as a man with a strong religious background. Without a religious background in which The Misfit would have learned the religious views of Christianity, he wouldn’t have seen any contradictions inherent and would have no reason to be agnostic. As far as remote causes expressed, the first time that The Misfit makes a statement showing his less than believing nature can also be viewed as a remote cause. When the grandmother asks why he doesn’t pray, the Misfit replies â€Å"I don’t need no hep†¦I’m doing all right by myself† (458). If The Misfit has no need for God, then there isn’t any need for him to try to make himself believe in something that he sees as contradictory, and this serves as an additional reason as to why The Misfit is agnostic. To move closer to the causes and effects of The Misfits agnosticism, we will need to discuss the contributory causes. These can be summed up by saying that The Misfit feels as though he has been wronged and life in general doesn’t seem to be fair or have a sense of justice. To illustrate this, The Misfit states that he â€Å"never was a bad boy that I remember of†¦but somewhere along the line I done something wrong and got sent to the penitentiary. I was buried alive† (457).

A Midsummer Night's Dream Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Essay Example As these two characters appear in the daylight, including as the sun is rising in the final act, it can be said that they symbolism order and light, in contrast to the instability and darkness that the rest of the play is shrouded in. They are used to begin the play and to end it, again bringing with themselves a sense of order and direction. The love potion is yet another symbol in the play. The fairies become reckless with the love potion, causing many of the characters to become crazy and infatuated with each other. Titania falls for Bottom, while Demetrius and Lysander cannot seem to make up their minds about whether they are in love with Hermia or Helena. Therefore, the love potion symbolizes the erratic, powerful nature of love. Even though the crazy love seen throughout this portion of the play is due to a potion, there really is no difference that can be seen with love that comes naturally. Love causes everyone to act in peculiar, humiliating ways. Nature, though a smaller symbol than others in the play, is still a symbol. It symbolizes the fantasy that the play encompasses. Most fantasy tales, especially those dealing with fairies and the like, take place in a natural setting as this increases the visual appeal of this fantasy world and the situations within it. The nature within this play simply symbolizes the fantastical aspects of the story. The moon is perhaps one of the greatest symbols found within the play. However, the moon is a different symbol to each character of the play, enhancing its purpose to the plot and overall story. At night, when the moon is out, is when the craziness of the play is in full swing. Once the sun rises and the rooster shrills his good mornings, things calm down again. It is in this that the moon symbolizes the erratic changes of human behavior - something that can easily be seen, and has been proven, in real life. When the moon is evident in the play, the characters usually are acting up and in ways that are

Strategic Alliance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Strategic Alliance - Assignment Example In strategic alliance, there is less involvement and it is temporary in nature which is unlike joint venture, for example, the strategic alliance between United Airlines and British airlines in 1988. This was done for regaining the lost market share and within a year the focus of the market shifter and the agreement of strategic alliance terminated. In alliances, two companies pool in their resources for creating their separate business entity. The companies are able to gain new opportunity though; they still hold and maintain their autonomy. This alliance will help the company in developing a more effective process, expanding in the new market and also gain competitive advantage in the market (Dumela 2004). In strategic alliances the company do not form their separate entity rather collaborate their actions even though they remain apart and distinct. In the following paper, the main focus has been on explaining the major problems that are encountered by the companies at time off the ir alliance. Along with this, it will also highlight the importance of selecting effective partner in alliance. The paper will give in-depth information about the problems of alliances with the aid of examples. Reasons for Alliance The major reason, for which the companies sought to enter strategic alliance is for enhancing their organisational capabilities and gain a competitively advantageous position in the market. For this purpose, the companies are continuously undertaking actions for gaining access in the new markets. The companies also aim at maximising their profit levels by using the modern technologies and optimally utilising the available resources. The major reason why the companies make attempts for developing strategic alliance is when the companies do not find it feasible to create the potential resource internally (Glover and Wasserman 2003). Strategic alliances are used for entering into new markets, reducing the manufacturing costs, developing and diffusing new tec hnology, accelerate product introduction and overcome legal and trade barriers. Types of alliances While undertaking strategic alliance it is important that the companies take into account the level of interactions they want with their strategic alliance partners. Further it is also important that the potential for conflict that arise out of being competitors in the market is also paid due attention (Hitt, Ireland, and Hoskisson 2008). As per the values of dimensions whether high or low there are four types of strategic alliances that are formed. Following are the four types of strategic alliance: Precompetitive alliance: This type of strategic alliances takes place in inter-industries and such companies which have vertical value relations. These alliances are formed for benefitting the providing benefits to the vertical members of the supply chain. In such alliance supplier and buyer enter into long term contracts for smoother functioning of the companies (Hill and Jones 2009). Non -competitive alliances: These alliances are formed between intra-industry and such forms are non competitive in nature. By entering into alliances these companies help the firms in permitting them to operate in the same industry but should not consider each other as rivals (Hill and Jones 2009). Competitive alliances: Under this partnership, two rival firm aim at working together in a cooperative arrangement. In such situations, intense interactions

Author's description of The Constitutional Convention 0f 1787 Essay

Author's description of The Constitutional Convention 0f 1787 - Essay Example On cannot say whether the members of the Constitution drafting committee function as per their free will or under duress. What did the framers of the American Constitution hope for? The Constitution evolved beyond the expected lines of the individuals who drafted it. They believed that the Office of the President would be the ceremonial one; but the President has emerged as the â€Å"all-powerful† individual, and the centre around which the important policies are made and unmade. They discredited then political parties, but that observation also has proved without any merit. Both Republicans and Democrats have served the Nation well by carrying out their constitutional responsibilities. After the Revolution, the newly independent United States, raveled in that newfound political arena, at the same time, it was the trying and testing time for the country. The birth pangs of the newly born Nation were not unexpected, but facing problems and finding solutions to the grim issues w as a tough option. Freedom brought forth to the surface an avalanche of issues. Firstly, a strong federal structure to bind all the states was not there. In the period 1776-1787, interstate conflicts of a severe dimension surfaced forth, besides the usual weakness of the armed forces and economic ills. The country’s unity was in peril. ... The issues that rattled the minds of the delegates before they reached Philadelphia: Independence is the most welcome development in the life of an individual and the nation to which one belongs. America too readied to bask in the glorious sunshine of the newfound freedom but had to tackle the thickening dark clouds over its horizon. The issues before the Nation in 1786 were without a parallel in the history of America. The withdrawal of protection by the British Navy crippled America’s foreign trade avenues. The defense forces withdrew support to the settlers and this endangered their life and property as the native population would not let go the opportunity to attack the white settlements and reclaim which was theirs not very long ago. Once the military campaigns were over, they left the trial of devastation and the population in those areas was without any means of survival. Their homes stood destroyed and they had no financial means to reconstruct them. A pall of gloom en veloped everywhere. Government treasuries were empty with no immediate scope to replenish it; no authority was willing to take the responsibility of rebuilding the finances in such a grim situation. Elucidating it further Berkin writes to remind, â€Å"Thus if an uprising such as Shays’s Rebellion happened again, or if a slave rebellion began, no state would be left to handle it alone.†(p.155) The problems with the framers of the American Constitution, according to Carol Berkin, were i) the deep distrust of the states and their sharply differing views as for demarcation of power sharing between individual states and the national government. ii) Strong pessimism as for the intrinsic capacity of the constitutional provisions to forestall tyranny; the states feared that they may have to

Ethnic Identity Essay Example for Free

Ethnic Identity Essay Introduction Many studies on the academic achievements of Mangyans prove to be so beneficial to many enthusiasts concerned with indigenous people’s development. A critical look on the levels of school attitudes and self–esteem of Buhid Mangyan pupils in Mirayan, Buong Lupa and Pakpaklawin Elementary Schools serves as a springboard in drawing deeper implication how these potential variables actually impact on their academic performance as priority learners in the school. Based on the actual observation of the researcher, the increasing number of Buhid Mangyan enrollees in the schools for the last five years positively indicates their improved appreciation of formal education and trainings as a capital means to enrich their social, economic and cultural conditions. Given all the opportunities to develop their innate potentials, the Buhid Mangyan pupils are able to cope with the learning environment they are in; however, a set of many obvious problems as regards to how they will effectively learn and perform are seen. Because most of the pupils in Mirayan, Buong Lupa and Pakpaklawin Elementary Schools reside in far-flung communities, most of them usually report to class late, others cannot simply present themselves in the entire whole day of classes, sometimes they prefer to be absent in the afternoon to help out their parents do some house chores for girls. The male Buhid Mangyans on the other hand, go out to the field to plant, take care and feed their animals and perform other labor intensive household activities like cutting wood for cooking, fetching water to drink and others. These economic factors are potential hindrances why the Buhid Mangyan pupils remain left behind compared with their counterparts among Hanunuo and Alangan groups. The same factors seemingly bear direct impact on the level of attitude of the Buhid Mangyan pupils which they most usually manifest in their behavior towards learning, study habits, preparation of projects readiness to learn and participation in classroom activities. Although they are interested to learn, their ability to respond to the teachers’ instruction appears to be at a dismal level due to hunger, uneasy behavior and timidity. The result indicates that the Buhid Mangyan pupils cannot perform on time their assignments and prepare projects because most of their time is spent for earning a living as their form of support to their parents. The lingering effects of these patterns of behavior results in the low-level esteem they feel at the midst of frustration and discomfort, which in the process, results in the lack of quality time for sensible socialization with various groups of people, thus, a feeling of isolation from the mainstream community leads to dwindling individual morale, and failure to sustainably exhibit respect, pride, indigenization and love of cultural beliefs and traditions they ought to keep up deeply rooted in themselves. In the same manner, the most obvious effect of the state to which they are in is the relatively low extent of academic achievement of the Buhid Mangyan pupils. The foregoing statement implies that the experiences of Buhid Mangyan pupils are certainly unique to themselves being in an environment that induces their patterns of actions and behavior. According to Llyod (2007), whatever ethnic affiliation a certain person belongs to, he has a certain set of value system and behavioral patterns being practiced and adopted. The value system of the family and constituent members plays a big factor in the importance given to education, the value of child labor, gender discrimination that prevent girls from attending school to work and discrimination in pay based on sex or type of work of children. For Connolly (2009), the idea of ethnicity relates to the actual condition of Buhid Mangyan pupils from Mirayan, Buong Lupa and Pakpaklawin Elementary Schools in Gloria District. Ethnicity plays a major role in many people’s lives which sometimes have a positive influence. It helps people identify and understand their needs, while the negative influence includes can be prejudice and discrimination. The valid connection between academic achievements and level of attitude and esteem of Buhid learners can still be best assessed with the application of creativity, genuine understanding by the 1 / 17 teachers of the holistic identity of the learners. As diversely unique individuals with special traits and experiences, there may also be some good things about them the teachers can value so much as every individual has his own giftedness endowed to him. Problems underlying the mismatch between positive attitude and high esteem and the high level academic achievement of these learners can also be stopped from lingering when teachers continue to perform their sworn in function in the name of long-term development aspired for by the national government. By discovering and exploring the hidden talents of Buhid Mangyan learners, chances are that their concept of education can improve. In support to this, the Philippines, as a geographically and ethno- linguistically diverse country, has long undertaken initiatives in identifying and educating gifted individuals. The preponderance of psychometric assessments in identifying gifted individuals, however, research investigating indigenous conceptions of giftedness has been scanty (Orosa amp; Fernandez, 2008). Given all these scenarios, the researcher derived inspiration from the current situation in which Buhid Mangyans are in, because this study provided hard data on the level of attitude and esteem of the respondents and how these significantly relate to their academic achievements. This undertaking would also shed light to the fact that a needed improvement in treating the Buhid Mangyan is just a necessity to make them feel they are as important as other cultural groups inhabiting the province in general and the Municipality of Gloria in particular. Theoretical Framework This study is strengthened by concepts from educational and psychological theories that relate to learners’ attitude, esteem and academic achievements. Classical Conditioning Theory Berliner (2007) espoused that Ivan Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning Theory describes how stimuli that occur together may come to evoke similar responses. It also describes how rewards shape and maintain behavior. This supports the idea that the Buhid Mangyan pupils can be inspired or motivated to interact with the mainstream community without thinking of their ethnicity. This can be done by school managers and teachers as well when Buhid Mangyan pupils get the equal amount of recognition from these people, which will insulate them to exhibit positive traits and behavior towards learning and achieving academically. Capitalizing on their good attitude and esteem as individuals, Buhid Mangyan pupils can be given a chance to discover their strengths and contribution to individual development through showing responsibility, independence and love of work. Attribution and Psychosocial Theories Lilienfeld et al. (2010) state that the Attribution Theory proposed by Fritz Heider, describes the role of motivation in a persons success or failure in school situations. Success on a test, for instance, could be attributed to luck or hard work; the theory predicts the behavior of students depending on their responses. The theory of the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget that intellectual ability is qualitatively different at different ages and that children need interaction with the environment to gain intellectual competency has influenced all of education and psychology. This new concept of intelligence affected the design of learning environments for young children and the development of mathematics and science programs. The various concepts discussed in the theories mentioned above relate to the present study because dealing with the behavior of the Buhid Mangyan pupils may require a strict consideration of their attributes based on their cultural integration with the same or other groups of Mangyan who find comfort and convenience without inhibitions due to their commonalities and mutual understanding. However, teachers from the selected elementary school at Gloria District with Buhid Mangyan pupils can help themselves predict what patterns of behavior or attitude may be manifested by the pupils depending on how their unique attributes are regarded with a humanistic touch. The amount of extraordinary concern and care shown by school officials and teachers towards Buhid Mangyans can spur an increased level of esteem among them. This will eventually 2 / 17 result in the development of trust among pupils and a sense of fulfillment despite their cultural orientation. Theory of Behaviorism As cited by Kohlberg (2010), the Theory of Behaviorism developed by B. F. Skinner in 1958 is anchored on three assumptions of learning. First, learning is manifested by a change in behavior. Second, the environment shapes behavior. And third, the principles of contiguity (how close in time two events must be for a bond to be formed) and reinforcement (any means of increasing the likelihood that an event will be repeated) are central to explaining the learning. For behaviorism, learning is the acquisition of new behavior through conditioning. The first conditioning is classical conditioning which describes that the behavior becomes a reflex response to stimulus while the other is the operant conditioning where there is reinforcement of the behavior by a reward or a punishment. The precepts of the theory have binding principles in the current study’s inclusion of attitude and esteem of Buhid Mangyans in relation to their academic achievements. This implies that there is an expected positive change in the behavior of Buhid Mangyan pupils once they feel they are motivated and highly esteemed leading to quality learning, which can be manifested by their high academic achievements. Because of the stimulating environment created collegially by the school community including their parents and themselves, they are also able to the positive effects of their environment to productive learning. In essence, the principles of contiguity (how close in time two events must be for a bond to be formed) and reinforcement (any means of increasing the likelihood that an event will be repeated) are central to explaining the learning, the Buhid Mangyan pupils can likewise appreciate that interconnected ideas they learn can lead to the fulfillment of their individual learning goals to get higher grades in the subject areas discussed. All the discussed theories are helpful sources of theoretical precepts which may help the researcher justify the probable relationships between the paired independent and dependent variables under study. Conceptual Framework Independent VariablesDependent Variable School Attitude Attachment Involvement Commitment Beliefs in School Rules Ethnic Identity Cultural Identity Involvement in Traditional Activities Involvement in traditional Spirituality Self-Esteem Output Proposed Program/Activities to Improve Ethnic Identity, Self-Esteem and School Attitude of Grade V Buhid Mangyan Pupils in Gloria District 3 / 17 Figure1. Conceptual Framework of the Study Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study. The independent variables are ethnic identity expressed in terms of cultural identification, involvement in traditional Buhid activities, traditional spirituality; and self-esteem; the dependent variable is the school attitude of students in terms of attachment, involvement, commitment, and beliefs in school rules. The lines with the arrow from the two independent variables going to the dependent variable show the hypothesized relationship between the these variables. The two-tailed arrow connecting the independent variables, ethnic identity and self-esteem shows the perceived relationship between these variables. Whereas, the two broken lines from the independent and dependent variables pointing downward lead to the proposed plan that may strengthen or sustain the ethnic identity, self-esteem, and school attitude of Buhid Mangyans. Statement of the Problem This study focused on ethnic identity, self-esteem and school attitudes of Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: What aspects of ethnic identity are practiced by the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro? What is the level of self-esteem of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro? What is the level of school attitude of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District Gloria, Oriental Mindoro? Is there a significant relationship between ethnic identity and school attitude of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro? Is there a significant relationship between self-esteem and school attitude of Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro? Is there a significant relationship between ethnic identity and self-esteem of the Buhid Mangyan Pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District? What programs/activities can be undertaken by the schools to sustain/strengthen ethnic identity and self-esteem to improve the school attitudes of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro? Hypotheses The study proposes the following hypotheses: There is a significant relationship between ethnic identity and school attitudes of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro. There is a significant relationship between self-esteem and school attitudes of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro. There is a significant relationship between ethnic identity and self-esteem of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in the selected elementary schools at Gloria District, Oriental Mindoro. Significance of the Study This study may be of great contribution to different groups of people who are openly engaged in the educative development of pupils in the Department of Education (DepEd) and its stakeholders. Buhid Mangyan pupils may be able to appreciate this study as a source of credible information on how their school attitude, self-esteem and school attachment help them feel as proud members of a Mangyan ethnic group. The information to be gathered may also enable them to relate these factors to their academic achievement. Thus, this study may serve as an eye-opener to them insofar as their cultural authenticity, self-esteem as individual member of a Mangyan community would be given just consideration through an academic and professional study. Being the principal beneficiaries of this study, they may likewise be given the means to analyze how their personal attributes determine their academic standing, from which they could identify their most liked and 4 / 17 least liked subject area/s as herein enumerated. Buhid Mangyan parents may come across with assessment results pertaining to the effects of their children’s attitude and self-esteem on their academic performance. As the children’s immediate environment at home, they may assess the intensity of the need for their children to be provided with parental support, particularly moral and spiritual guidance to make them obedient, compliant and value-laden members of society. The parents may be able to increase the amount and quality of time necessary for the pupils to learn to an optimum level. Teachers of the Buhid Mangyan pupils may be given sound reference to reinforce the psycho-social and analytical competence in instruction to make their classrooms for the pupils conducive, welcoming and adhere to the principle of cultural diversity and ethnicity. The findings of this study may encourage them to undertake necessary measures to further increase the potential of Buhid Mangyan pupils to show positive attitude relative to learning behavior, study habits, preparation of projects, readiness to learn and participation in classroom activities. The idea of quality instruction, anchored on indigenization may be developed in the teachers because this study may enable them to gain deeper understanding of how the level of esteem of the Buhid Mangyan pupils contributes to socialization, exhibition of respect, pride, practice of indigenization and love of cultural beliefs and traditions. The results on the assessed academic achievement of pupils measured by the grade they obtain in different subjects may help them determine how well their instruction and the Buhid pupils’ attitude and esteem serve as determinants of performance. The school principals of the selected public elementary schools with indigenous people-pupils may be able to use the recommendations of the researcher to improve the state of instruction among Buhid Mangyan pupils at all levels. This is because the information of the respondents’ attitude and esteem may be used as his/her basis in preparing a more indigenized and inclusive academic programs designed to enrich their overall potentials as learners. The usefulness of class observation may also be justified by the results of this study because as school administrators they could provide their teachers with inputs on how to deal effectively with the learning needs of Buhid learners. Mangyan historians and writers may make use of the entire study as supplemental data to be included in write-ups on Buhid pupils’ behavior, esteem and their appreciation of formal educational trainings to enhance their socio-economic status. The findings, conclusions and recommendations of this study may be considered as documents for their deeper treatment of the cultural background on Buhid Mangyans who now experience development through education, which can be compared with other ethnic groups of Mangyans. Officials of the Office for the Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) and other private non- government organizations like the Mangyan Mission, National Indigenous People’s Coalition (NIPC) may regard this study very useful. They may be supplied with factual information on the financial, material and other relevant educational needs of the tribal group, which they could consider as instrumental in the fulfillment of national government’s thrust to improve the plight of indigenous peoples in the province of Oriental Mindoro. Future researchers may also put prime value on this study as their back up local study should they perform a professional study dealing on Mangyan attitudes, esteem and academic performance. The whole study may support their claim that educational development among Mangyans continues to be observable, thus deeper analysis and interpretation of related variables and indicators can be delved. Scope and Delimitation of the Study. The pupils’ ethnic identity, self-esteem and school attitude as an expression of cultural identity and their school attachment as independent and dependent variables in this study were assessed by the researcher. These were inter-paired to determine each significantly related to one another. After the analysis and interpretation of the variables and their indicators, the researcher came up with a plan to improve the school attitude and self-esteem of the Buhid Mangyan pupils for their cultural 5 / 17 development. This study is limited to the Buhid Mangyan pupils from Mirayan, Buong Lupa and Pakpaklawin. Elementary Schools. The Buhid Mangyan pupils will be chosen base on the fact that the selected elementary schools has the biggest population of Buhid Mangyan pupils. Definition of Terms The researcher defined all the terms used in this study to enable its readers to gain deeper understanding of what this study is all about. Attachment refers to the developed intimacy of Buhid pupils with the school officials, teachers and all members of the school organization which enable them to grow as individuals. Belief in school rules are the assessed perceptions of the Buhid Mangyan on the applicability of school policies, how these are implemented and how pupils comply with. Buhid Mangyans refer to one of the eight recognized ethnic groups of Mangyans, mostly residing in the upland communities of Gloria in Oriental Mindoro. Commitment determines the school attachment of Buhid Mangyan pupils in which they show their willingness to perform their academic tasks. Cultural identification refers to the common cultural practices recognized by Hanunuo Mangyans that make them distinct from the other ethnic groups in Mindoro. Ethnic identity pertains to how individuals interpret and understand their ethnicity and, specifically, the degree to which they identify with their ethnic group (Phinney, 1996). Involvement means the active participation of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in classroom, academic and non- academic activities of the school for their holistic development. School Attitude and Self-Esteem Plan refer to the output of the researcher which guides the implementation of relevant cultural development programs anchored on school attitude, self-esteem and school attachment. School attachment of Grade V Buhid Mangyan Pupils describes the respondents as to their commitment, attachment, involvement and belief in school rules. School attitude refers to the statement of cultural identity of the Buhid Mangyan pupils in Gloria District. Self-esteem of the Buhid Mangyan pupils pertains to the level of morale and pride felt by the Buhid Mangyan pupils as member of the said ethnic group. Traditional activities refer to social activities reflecting aspects of culture in which Buhid Mangyans involved themselves in. Traditional spirituality refers to the practice of religious activities of the Buhid Mangyans. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE. This chapter presents all the related literature and studies which support the discussion of the researcher on ethnic identity, level of self-esteem and school attitude of Buhid Mangyan pupis in Mirayan, Buong Lupa and Pakpaklawin Elementary Schools in Gloria District. Ethnic Identity Identity development is critical for individuals because it is during this process that they discover who they are and who they hope to become. A fundamental social environment that influences the development of a self-identity is ethnic group membership (Markstrom-Adams, 1992). Ethnic identity pertains to how individuals interpret and understand their ethnicity and, specifically, the degree to which they identify with their ethnic group (Phinney, 1996). The impact of ethnic identity is especially relevant in heterogeneous societies, such as the United States, where minority groups and a dominant social group coexist (Rosenthal, 1987). From the above cited literature, it was found out that ethnic identity has relationships with psychological well-being, and it has effects on the contextual factors in adolescents’ lives that may influence or interact with their ethnic identity development. Contextual factors such as family, school, and community are linked with ethnic identity because it is within these contexts that adolescents’ lives are embedded (Bronfenbrenner, 1989; Garcia Coll et al. , 1996). According to Erikson’s (1968) identity formation perspective, it is through exploration of options (sometimes experienced through 6 / 17 crises) and firm commitments to ideologies and an occupation that individuals come to achieve a secure identity. Marcia (1980) furthered Erikson’s ideas by developing four identity statuses with which to operationalize   Erikson’s theoretical notions. Individuals are classified into the statuses based on the presence or absence of a decision-making period (i. e. , exploration) and the extent of their commitment in the domains of occupation, ideologies, and interpersonal values (Marcia, 1994). Phinney further extended these ideas by examining Marcia’s statuses in relation to ethnic identity development. According to Phinney (1990), ethnic identity development is a process that takes place. The above-mentioned reviews on the concepts of ethnic identity find fitness in this study because they stress the idea that ethnic identity development is linked with factors such as family, school, and community because it is within these contexts that adolescents’ lives are embedded. Self-Esteem Self-Esteem is literally defined by how much value people place on themselves. It is the evaluative component of self-knowledge. High self-esteem refers to a highly favorable global evaluation of the self. Low self-esteem, by definition, refers to unfavorable definition of the self. Self –esteem does not carry any definitional requirement of accuracy whatsoever. Thus, high self-esteem may refer to an accurate, justified, balanced appreciation of ones’ worth and one’s successes and competencies, but it can also refers to an inflated, arrogant, grandiose, unwarranted sense of conceited superiority over others. By the same token, low self-esteem can be either an accurate, well-founded understanding of one’s shortcoming as a person or a distorted, even pathological sense of insecurity and inferiority. School Attitude One aspect of school attitude that has been identified is school spirit. A component of school spirit which has particular relevance to adolescence is the belief that one’s school is an adequate reflection of who they are (Coker amp; Borders, 1996). Another way to understand the adolescence strong need to identify with school is through Finn’s (1989) identification participation model. Finn argues that that being able to identify with school is critical for adolescents’ school attitude and well-being. Jenkins’s (1997) work with the school bond demonstrates measures of involvement in extracurricular activities including sports, clubs, and special school events is a strong predictor of school attitude. In keeping with Finn’s (1989) Identification-Participation model, school bonds represents involvement and engagement that also includes non-academic, school related activities. Involvement in Traditional Activities and SpiritualityPow-wows are community social gatherings that include traditional activities such as dance and song. It is also a celebration of tribal custom and cultural connectedness. Pow-wows begin by way of a grand entry with all dancers participating in honor of the event. A master of ceremony is the voice of the pow-wow to the singers, dancers, drums rotation, and informs the public in general. Different styles of dancing with traditional regalia are accompanied by drums and native songs. Traditional and contemporary foods are provided or sold along with the event. (Wright et al. 2001). The sweat lodge ceremony is traditional purification ceremony that incorporates traditional singing, prayer, counseling, and sharing similar to a talking circle. It takes place in an enclosed space (lodge) with heated rocks, heat, and steam (Mails, 1978). Tribes may vary to integrate their own customs, philosophies and traditional use of medicines during facilitation of the ceremony (Wright et al. 2011). Drumming groups are accompanied by native singing of traditional songs and intertwined with dancers at pow-wows of other cultural based tribal event. Roundhouse is a large ceremonial house where America Indian people gather together for ceremonial dances, singing and prayer (Bibby, 1993). The Buhid Mangyans The Philippines has its vowed responsibility to provide accessible and quality education to all children. Here, all types of learners, regardless of their cultural groups and orientations are 7 / 17 included, even the Buhid Mangyans. Perpertua (2009) stated that schools do not use Moro languages as mediums of instruction to any significant extent nor do most of the civil service and governmental positions require fluency in one of these languages, though they do demand fluency in Filipino. This creates a very real obstacle to the full participation of the Moro Muslims in the countrys public and political life, and they remain vastly under-represented in categories of educational attainment and in civil service employment and political representation. Not only ordinary Filipinos should be provided by the state with opportunities to develop, but also and most important, those who belong to the marginalized sectors of society which include the indigenous peoples (IPs) whose condition seems so irreparable. Postma (1967), retrieved from http://www. mangyan.org/content/buhid on December 22, 2013, states that the Buhids are known as pot makers. Other Mangyan tribes, like the Alangan and Hanunuo, used to buy their cooking pots from the Buhids. The word Buhid literally means mountain dwellers. As stated by Litis (1989), retrieved from Mangyan website on December 22,2013, Buhid women wear woven black and white brassiers called linagmon and a black and white skirt called abol. Unmarried women wear body ornaments such as a braided nito belt (lufas), blue thread earrings, beaded headband (sangbaw), beaded bracelet (uksong), and beaded long necklace (siwayang or ugot). The men wear g-strings. To enhance body beauty, the men wear ornaments like a long beaded necklace, tight choker (ugot) and beaded bracelet (uksong). Both sexes use an accessory bag called bay-ong for personal things like comb and knife. Together with the Hanunuo, the Buhids in some areas possess a pre-Spanish syllabic writing system. The Buhid Mangyans live in the municipalities of Roxas, Bansud, Bongabong and some parts of Gloria and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municipalities of San Jose and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro. Mahusay (2008) said that financing educational and scholarship programs for Mangyan pupils as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda improves their quality of life. The firm’s CSR program not only involves education but also includes other social development projects such as nutrition, health and sanitation, livelihood, infrastructure and other community- oriented programs. Pestano (2008) said that community relations activities which normally involve many poor Mangyans included in educational grants that help them pursue their dream, enhance behavior and value their culture and heritage. Felipe (2007) defined the ethnography and culture of the Alangan Mangyans in order to determine the extent of peace process and their level of indigenous sustainable development. The indigenous culture of the Mangyan Alangan was focused on the social, economic, political, and religious practices. The social practices were confined within the family in the â€Å"esoken† of the â€Å"balaylakoy†. The Mangyan also developed peace- making attitude in order to appease the spirit hovering over them. Failure to do so would mean disaster. They highly agreed on building structured democracy, interdependence, respect for the integrity of culture, respect for human rights and sharing of responsibilities as manifestation of peace process. Mallari (2007) asserted that Mangyans and other poor but deserving students in Oriental Mindoro receive educational support and take a step toward a brighter future, thanks to the efforts of a mining company that has made it a policy to extend assistance to the impoverished communities where it operates. Not far from the experiences of the Philippines, other countries worldwide recognize the socio-economic significance of formal education and trainings to achieve total human development. Indigenous Knowledge (IK). Cotter (2011) asserted that indigenous knowledge (IK) is the local knowledge people unique to a culture or society passed from generation to generation through a wide range of other activities that sustain societies in many parts of the world, particularly in formal education. Harper (2011) stated that indigenous peoples have a broad knowledge of how to live sustainably. However, formal education systems disrupt the practical everyday life aspects of indigenous knowledge and ways of learning, replacing them with abstract knowledge and academic ways of 8 / 17 learning. Today, there is a grave risk that much indigenous.

Role of the UN in Peace-Support Operations

Role of the UN in Peace-Support Operations THE ROLE OF THE UN IN PEACE-SUPPORT OPERATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF MALI INTRODUCTION: Since the transformation of evolution of modern state system following the treaty of west phalli in 1648, the international system has witnessed so many challenges ranging from conflicts, under-development, authoritarian, bad governance etc. This is due it the anarchy nature of the global system. Since the creation of the united nation after world war II in t 1945 the organization has been saddled with the responsibility of maintain global peace and security and to prevent the outbreak of another world war. Peace support operations has been one area the united nations has actually carried out in various states that have witnessed long protracted conflicts which includes Africa, Latin America, middle-east and Europe. It is in this light that this research paper will try to look at the role of the United Nations in peace support operations using the conflict in Mali as its thrust at analysis. METHODOLOGY: This study will look at secondary method of data analysis In order to understand the nature and dynamics of peace support operations. Sources include books and internet. UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPTS: In order to look at the subject of discourse, it is important to understand certain concepts which I belief will help me in presenting my analysis. What is Conflict? According to the oxford learner’s dictionary, conflict is defined as a situation in which people, groups, countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument or violent situation or period of fighting between two countries. Conflict can also be seen as a situation in which there are opposing ideas, opinions, feeling or wishes. Wallensteen, (2002), said â€Å"A conflict requires a disputed comp actability; two parties strive to acquire at the same time an available set of scarce resources, which can be either material or in material†. What is Peace Support Operation? The purpose and principle of the united nation charter is to restore and maintain peace. Peace support operation is the operation that makes use of diplomatic, civil, and military to bring about peace and stability in the states. Since the end of the cold war, peace support operation has been utilized by international countries to respond to crisis and promote peace in countries undergoing challenges of war, violence etc. Overview of the Conflict in Mali There have been ongoing uprisings of conflicts in Mali since the early 1960’s till date .the first tuareg conflict started in 1963 but the not last a year because it was crushed by the military forces under the command of captain Diby sillas diarra.in June 1990 another tuareg rebellion broke out when the leader Ag Ghali of the popular movement of the liberation of azawad (MPLA) attacked a police post with a small group of solders who has just returned from an army camp in Libya. This conflict later was dissolved in a peace treaty of the Algerian brokered and a national pact of 1992. The resent conflict in Mali began on the 16th of January 2012 between the government forces and Tuareg rebels which resulted to the death of more than 200,000 people according to the report by the united nation. These group of rebels where fighting for the independence or greater autonomy for northern Mali in an area known as azawad. The rebels formed a group known as movement for the liberation of azawad (MNLA).The group is aimed at fighting to make azward an independent homeland for the tuareg people and this organization was formed in 2011. However the African union, U.S.A, E.U failed to recognize their independence, also the Security Council stated the need to uphold and respect the sovergnity unity and regional integrity of Mali and rejected any deceleration of independence in Mali. By late May 2012 the Malian government rejected the north independence also. The rebels lost control over the new state which northern Mali, which led to the takeover of the north by the Islamism militant. This caused ethnic tension in Mali since the north was taken over by the Islamic groups. The people of Mali feared the intent of sharia law in the region and a possibility of establishing terrorist activities. The Role of UN in Conflict Mediation in the Malian conflict The United Nations was formed on the 24th of October 1945, soon after the end of the Second World War. It was a successor of the League of Nations. This organization was formed to prevent the outbreak of another war since the League of Nations failed to prevent the Second World War. In 1945, 51 members met at San Francisco and signed the United Nations charter and the UN came into existence. There are currently 192 member of the United Nations, the headquarters which is at New York City USA. The United Nations has 6 recognized languages which are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russia and Spanish. There are 6 organs in the UN these are; the general assembly, Security Council, economic and social council, secretariat, the international court of justice and the trusteeship council. Under the Security Council we have 15 members which 5 is the permanent (France, USA, UK, china and Soviet Union). The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security and a lso determines the existence of a treat of peace or acts of aggression from a state to another. The Security Council doesn’t just act on crisis, it takes time to debate and negotiated on the best possible way to handle a problem. Following the written report of the former secretary general Boutros –Boutros Ghali in 1992 â€Å"an agenda for peace†, it is the responsibility of the un security council to recognize the limitation of peace keeping and also the abstainace of war doesn’t ensure peace and security. The UN Security Council should put heads together to give the best solution for the problems at hand in matters to conflict and war. In the case of the Mali crisis the Malian government sent letters to the UN requesting the use of international force. Since the security general doesn’t just carry out orders like that they have to debate and negotiate about it, while they were doing so the French felt compelled to act immediately in other to stop the crisis from escalating and causing increasing damage. Although the French was invited by the government of Mali people still question their use of force, France defended itself saying that they have the right to collective self-defense authorized by the un secretary general in the resolution 2085 (ordered in 20th December 2012). Since the United Nations Security Council couldn’t launch military interventions under its own command, it gave the use of force and planning to the ECOWAS, AU and other states. CHALLENCES FACING UNITED NATION PEACE KEEPING MISSIONS:- Even though the United Nations has been able to achieve remarkable success iits is faced with some challenges. The Following are some of the challenges facing the United Nations Missions: 1 FINANCIAL CHALLENGE: Unlike sovereign- states whose financial capabilities are usually gotten from diverse channel, the United Nations rely solely on contributions from members – state to be able to carry out its duties effectively. Mediating in conflict and peace resolution is an expensive project which requires mobilization of resources in order to facilitate and also ensuring the degree of success in the operation. 2 Absence of a UN –Permanent Army: Another challenge facing peace-keeping operation and mission is the absence of a UN permanent Armed –forces for carrying such missions. Most times the organization rely on member states to send her own troops to the organization so as to carry out this mission in which the countries do not really want to there army. 3 Geographical and Social –Cultural challenge:- One of the success of any combatant involved in any peaceful resolution of conflicts is their degree of adaptability to the social –cultural and geographical location of the country it used in. most times the UN troops are taken to regions and areas they have little or no background knowledge on. 4 The Challenge of Clarity of the Mandate: Another challenge facing the success of peace keeping operations is the lack of a clear-cut mandate and objective the mission. The absence of a clear-cut objective of the mission is also another challenge facing the United Nations peace keeping missions. CONCLUSION:- In conclusion, the paper tries to look at the role of the united nation in the Mali conflict and the challenges they face. If the organization can be able to see other streams of getting revenue or funds it will also go a long way in reducing some of the financial mishaps it is facing particularly as it relates to Peace-Keeping operations and other humanitarian aid it offers. The United Nations should try and have Its own permanent stand –by army without relying solely on member states to help them when it want to mediate in any conflict resolution The study was able to look at concepts such as the United Nations, and the Malian conflict. REFERENCES: Conflict prevention: available at; www.bmlv.gv.at/pdf-pool/pubikationen/konfliktpraev_02_concept-challenges_e_melander-c-pigache-10.pdf accessed 20/12/2013. A/RES/47/120. An agenda for peace at; www.un.org/document/ga/res/47/a478/20.htm accessed 20/12/2013. Mali current conflict: www.geneva-academy.ch/RULAC/current=conflict.php?id_state=137 accessed 21/12/2013. United Nations Official Website: www.un.org accessed 27/12/2013. International relations and security network; www.isn.ethz.ch/digital-libary/publications/detail/?id=348 1

The Criminal Is Not Solely Responsible for His Crime Essay -- Exposito

Clarence Darrow in his "Address Delivered to the Prisoners in the Chicago County Jail," presents a convincing argument for the complicity of society with the criminal. In essence, Darrow believes that when one man steals from another, the community is as culpable as the criminal, since no man who "already had plenty of money in his own pocket" (82) would risk his life and liberty to rob or steal from another. According to Darrow, the root of the problem lies in poverty and the hoarding of wealth by a handful of people who become rich by exploiting the poor through cheap labor, or by appealing to their vices. It is interesting to note that during hard times crime increases. Particularly, periods of high inflation, or unusually cold winters. That’s when people cannot afford to pay high heating bills. Faced with no choices and an adverse situation, criminals literally "break into jail" (82) because it is better than being on the outside. Case in point: homeless people. I saw a homeless man in downtown LA, with a hospital band on his arm, deliberately provoke a security guard into calling the police. After the police arrived, the homeless man calmed down and quietly entered the squad car, cordially waving at the security guard. It was a cold rainy day. Clearly the homeless guy found L. A. County Jail preferable to the streets. Another example involves habitual criminals who become "institutionalized." This point was poignantly dramatized in the movie "Shawshank Redemption." The character played by Morgan Freeman contemplated suicide after release from prison because he had been institutionalized for so long that he no longer had coping skills for the outside world. That is, until offered a real "chance to live" (83) by his fello... ...would understand justice, how shall you unless you look upon all deeds in the fullness of light? Only then shall you know that the erect and the fallen are but one man standing in twilight between the night of his pigmy-self and the day of his god-self. And that the corner-stone of the temple is not higher than the lowest stone in its foundation" (46-47). The criminal is not solely responsible for his crime. There is much truth in the maxim "No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man is my brother. Each man is my friend." Â   Â   WORKS CITED Bland, Bobby "Blue" "Poverty" Epic Records, 1967 Burr, John R. and Milton Goldinger, "Philosophy and Contemporary Issues (Prentice Hall) 1995. Gibran, Kahlil "The Prophet" (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.) 1997. Pages 42-47. Hugo, Victor "Les Miserables" Miller, Alice "For Your Own Good" (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux) 1990.

The Importance of Memory Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

The Importance of Memory I remember lying in my bed one night when I was six years old, staring at the ceiling in the darkness, covers pulled up to my chin, thinking, â€Å"Someday, I’ll wake up and I’ll be twenty years old. And someday I’ll wake up and be forty. What will I look like? What will I be doing? Will I be happy? Will I remember what it was like to be six?† Memory has always been a concern of mine – mainly, is mine deficient somehow? Everyone else seems able to remember the minutiae of their childhoods, while mine seems mostly fuzzy at best. Sometimes I’ll get little snatches of an image or a feeling, summoned by something I’ve seen or smelled or heard, or sometimes a memory will just float to the surface, unasked for. And other times, I’ll consciously try to conjure up a particular scene or moment, but my efforts are unsuccessful more often than not. I’m twenty-one. I’m probably a foot and a half taller and twice as heavy as my six-year-old self. I’m in school, reading and writing a lot, trying to figure out my life, wondering (still) what forty will be like. Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m not. I aim for contentment now, mostly. This is what I remember. I’m in first grade. My teacher is Ms. Schultz. She would make the perfect grandmother: a bit chubby, short silvery-blonde hair, smiling blue eyes that crinkle in the corners, and a wardrobe consisting primarily of pink and purple sweatshirts, all cute-fluffy-animal-themed. Her face is so soft-looking I want to reach up and touch it. She likes blue eyeshadow. I’m good at first grade. The other kids like my drawings. I know not to color the sky as a one-inch blue strip at the top of my paper. I like drawing horses and unicorns and Pegas... ... and whites. I race raindrops as we coast along the highway. I guess I remember more than I thought. People tell me it’s a terrible tendency I have sometimes of focusing on the past. They say, â€Å"You should live in the now.† They insist, â€Å"You should enjoy the present.† I feel guilty at first, but I smile to see through the eyes of a six-year-old again. The guilt slides away easily because I know not to let a cloud of memories obscure the present, to freight the moment with past regrets. Instead, I use my memories to elevate my experiences now, to see everything around me with greater clarity. The past gives every moment a little more meaning. To me, it seems critical to know where and whence I came from, how I came to be like this, to think the way I do or act the way I do. Memory offers a claim of permanence, a means of positioning myself in time and in space.

Kelly Flinn :: essays research papers

Kelly Flinn, author of Proud to Be: My Life, The Air Force, The Controversy, was born on December 23, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri. When she was 12, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from high school in 1989. On June 29, 1989, she entered the United States Air Force Academy and began her active-duty career in the U.S. Air Force. She graduated form the Academy on June 2, 1993, and then went on the Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base. In September 1995 she was the Distinguished Graduate in her B-52 formal Training Unit. She was then stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. On May 28, 1997, Kelly J. Flinn resigned from active duty instead of facing a court martial. Growing up wasn’t always easy for Kelly. She was the baby of the family, with four older brothers and sisters. Sitting in Catholic school, she tried to be the cute little girl she was supposed to be but on the playground, she was a terror. At the age of 5, she joined her first soccer league, which happened to be a boys’ team. Things stayed the same way until she got to high school. She began to notice boys and began to date. No one in her family had ever talked to her about the â€Å"birds and the bees,† or even about dating. Instead, independence, self-reliance, and strength were the most important things. If they had problems, they worked it out on their own. This served her poorly when she found herself in trouble with the Air Force years later. (pg. 9) When Kelly was 15, she went to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. She found out how much she loved space and the challenge and the control she experienced. After Space Camp, she knew what she had to do and how to do it. She was going to go to the Air Force Academy and learn how to fly. She spent the next years in high school studying, joining clubs, and filling out applications. In late spring of her senior year, she finally got her acceptance letter. Then, a few weeks later, she received a letter from the Academy that she wasn’t qualified to be a pilot because of her poor vision. â€Å"I felt as if I had be sent to hell after a quick taste of paradise† (pg.14) was how she described her rejection.

BofA Mobile Banking case Essay

Introduction Bank of America (BofA) is the largest bank holding company in the United States, by assets, and the second largest bank by market capitalization. As a global Finance Service Institution, BofA serves clients in more than 150 countries and has a relationship with 99% of the U.S. The bank’s 2008 acquisition of Merrill Lynch made Bank of America the world’s largest wealth manager and a major player in the investment banking industry. BofA launched mobile banking in May 2007. Mobile Banking lets customers easily and securely access balance information, pay bills with optional Bill Pay service, transfer funds, and find nearby ATMs and banking centers through a mobile application on their smartphones, and through mobile web on their phone browser. Douglas, SVP of Mobile Product Development was quoted, â€Å"In less than 3 years we have four million mobile banking customers. That’s an adoption rate almost five to eight times that of our online banking several years ago.† Line-of-business managers are looking for leveraged mobile platforms with functionalities that can meet different needs and the different target groups such as: Merrill Lynch brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, consumer payments, etc†¦ The capabilities of mobile banking through the use of smartphones or mobile web have become popular with today’s bank customers. There are increasing overall growth in mobile banking in the financial services industry. In addition, the transaction cost1 of mobile banking and internet banking is much lower than the traditional channel (e.g. Branch, Call Center, ATMS and IVR). Due to the economic downturn, banks are looking for extend the service channels and aim to increase the profit via tradition core banking service, such as transaction fees. The system automation can reduce the operation cost; increase the transaction turnaround time and accuracy. With the popularity of smartphones and mobile data services, mobile banking can be the booming tools for banking industry profit engine. However, investing in the enhancement of the mobile banking is costly and will directly affecting the bank’s revenue and brand images. The worse scenarios, may encounter customer complain and regulatory comments and punishments. Therefore, the management of BofA have to decide how can they effectively utilize this technology as a new media to make banking services easier, faster and more convenient for customer, at the same time, how can the app can help for BofA marketing the banks new products, service and increase the customer loyalty. In the short run, what do BofA tell the line-of-business managers – should the app increase functionality, build new app or refuses to add complexity to the current app? In the long run, how do BofA position the bank in this fast changing industry? Analysis Mobile banking (app) is not a mandatory product (or say channel) for bank’s customer. It’s just an optional channel, based on the product itself, let’s analysis base on Porter’s 5 forces analysis. 1. New entrants are HIGH. There will not be any new large mass-market players or niche players bursting on the scene, but there will be new independent players like PayPal that will provide some similar functions app in the market. 2. Power of suppliers are from MEDIUM to LOW. The majority of the suppliers of mobile banking should be those technologies partners, technology consultants, outsource software house and marketing partners as alliance in some promotion campaigns. Bank has stronger power than those outsource software house in most situations. 3. Bargaining power of buyers is HIGH. Given the mobile banking is only an optional channel for customer. Customers still have other options to complete their transaction thru the bank and able to say NO to mobile banking. The switching cost of changing the channel is low but the switching cost of BANK may from LOW to MEDIUM. 4. Threat of substitution is HIGH. Currently customers still can utilize other channels to fulfill their needs via Branches, Call Center, ATMS, Internet banking and IVR. 5. Intensity of rivalry is HIGH. Many banks like Well Fargo, Citibank, JP Morgan are working on the mobile banking and each of these app have the same majority functions and include some differentiate functions. BofA Mobile Banking App functionalities To install the app and apply the mobile banking is free. As the mobile banking include 3 major segments of core function: Mobile Website, Text Banking and Mobile App2 . The BofA’s new app include below functions: †¢Check account balances for accounts and facilities lines held with BofA. †¢Pay bills. †¢Transfer funds between BofA accounts. †¢View transaction details for all BofA accounts or facilities lines, including posted, pending and scheduled transactions. BofA Mobile Banking App include the majority functions that customer requires and let’s talk about the Brand of BofA in the following section. The Brand of BofA & Competitors Bank of America ($30.6B) is the most valuable banking brand in the USA. Its brand value has increased by 18% and it has a brand rating of AAA-. Despite concerns of further mortgage-related write-downs, Bank of America was also the #1 most valuable banking brand in the world at 2011. The Designs The Bank and the Mobile Banking App Logo Given the icon of BofA can be shown in the Bank and the mobile banking logo, it can help the customers to connect the mobile banking app to BofA. The color use of the Bank is Red and Blue and the Mobile banking is single using Red only. Red color is a powerful color, symbolizing energy, passion or even danger. It works best for action-oriented products or brands, products associated with speed or power, or dominant or iconic brands. The mobile banking icon didn’t use the Red and Blue color which only using Red to show the passion and commitment of the bank to customer via mobile banking. Bank of America and Mobile Banking Slogans Bank Bank of America. Higher Standards Embracing ingenuity Think what we can do for you Mobile Banking Life is mobile, so is your bank The Slogan of Mobile Banking can directly identify the availability and accessibility of the apps that can provide the mobility banking services everywhere. However, it can’t strongly connect to the Bank’s core Slogans. Recommendations Given the increment of additional functions will slow down the performance of the mobile banking app; it does not recommend incorporating the additional business functions to the current app. From technologies risk and regulatory prospective, it will be too risky if pulling all business applications in one single platform. If on module down, it will totally affect the bank normal day to day operations. In short run, suggest developing new apps for extending the advance mortgages, credit cards service or investments service for different business functions. To leverage different branding to differentiate the different category of services that offered. Apart from leverage different brands3 own by the group, BofA can also cooperate with Smartphone and Telecom Services Providers to ingredient branding to provide the end to end mobile service. Bank customer can encounter discount on purchase latest smartphones, discount on data service plan and possible to issue mobile credit cards by offering promotions. BofA can consider consolidating all apps in one single platform when there are needs in future. In long run, BofA can cooperate with the Telecom Services Providers and sizeable Merchants, to provide addition information for customer when customer arriving the merchants and let them know what kinds of promotions or discounts are offer. This can uplift the service from singling banking service to mobile living yellow pages. This can help to increase the customer loyalty and build strong connections with bank customers. It can also attract more alliance (other merchants) to share the promotion and marketing cost to developing a new banking and living experience. Of cause, it is necessary to maintain the balance of utilizing the mobile banking app, customers segments for marketing promotion events, if over sell which may obtain opposite result. To differentiate BofA from other competitors, it is necessary to ensure the Bank can position the Bank with Stronger Branding and Images extend the services from â€Å"Banking† only to diversify the service to other related informational services in daily life and provide incredible services and experience for customers. This can help the bank to reposition the bank as a full around bank which can fulfill customer day to day activities that require of any payment or transactions. This can help to identify stronger alliance for the long term development. In conclusion, BofA must keep on investing in mobile banking apps, as it is a trend that smartphone or more innovative device (e.g. Google device) will become more popular, bank must utilize these new technologies by re-design the current channels to increase the bank traditional income (e.g. Transaction fees) and other new incomes (e.g. investments service, financial consultation service, etc.) and extend the service with alliance to promoting the daily service tools. This can help the bank to enlarge the customer groups, define new customer groups segments or sub-segments for better marketing and promotion campaigns and maintain the brand in the leading positions. Exhibit 1 Costs per Transaction by different channels The Pricing, when the apps developed to more advance, and able to customize and fully integrate full around service for customer, at that time, BofA can consider of charging customer for service charges after trial. If customers are satisfying with the full around services after the trial, the bank can also extend the income by promotion the comprehensive mobile banking and service apps. Exhibit 2 Mobile website Customers can pay bills whenever they want with optional online Bill Pay. Check balances on checking accounts, savings accounts and credit cards. Transfer funds immediately to any other Bank of America account. Locate banking centers or ATMs, along with maps and directions. Text banking Use text message banking to request information about self-own checking, savings and credit card accounts. Getting the answers you need is simple when it’s received within seconds on your phone. Mobile app Mobile Banking App, designed specifically for iPhone ®, iPad ®, Windows ® Phone, BlackBerry ®, HP ® webOSâ„ ¢ and Androidâ„ ¢ devices. Wherever you are, you’ll have easy access to your Bank of America accounts with their quick and convenient Mobile Banking App Exhibit 3 – BofA’s branding