Natural Disaster and Economic Growth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Natural Disaster and Economic Growth - Essay Example This essay provides an comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of earthquakes on the performance of the country`s economy, both in the long and in the short run. Natural disasters are detrimental to the economic growth of the countries that face the disaster. The extent and severity of the effect of natural disasters vary across countries, but, the basic impact is not heterogeneous. The great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake hit Japan and it had brought tremendous damage to the country in terms of economic growth of the economy and the social structure. The city of Kobe was the worst sufferer in this disaster. Japan was already a developed nation when the disaster had stricken the country. Research by scholars acknowledges that the disaster had caused â€Å"devastating damage to the economic landscape of southern-central Japan† But, at the same time the results of investigation show that the earthquake made people realize the fact that capital formation is an important element of economic growth in the country. In the long run, level of well being of the survivors of the disaster depends on the rate at which capital is accumulated in the economy. Research results show that the impact of the disaster fades with time and the rate of development of the economy plays a major role in the standard of living of its people Although natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequency and are creating potentially devastating impact on the economies that face it, the economic cause of the disaster has not yet been accurately deciphered. ... Victims show the tendency to adapt with the new circumstances with the passage of time. A subsequent research shows the result of investigation into â€Å"the extent to which the earthquake enhanced the investment in social capital through participation in community activity† (Yamamura, 2013, p. 1). After facing the huge loss to life and property as a result of the earthquake, the people of Japan expressed greater consciousness regarding the importance of social capital. Comparing the data collected between the years 1991 and 1996, it has been found that people were more inclined to make investment in social capital in 1996 than they were in 1991 (Skidmore and Toya, 2002). This significantly increased the rate of investment in social capital by the residents of Kobe. However, rate of investment by the people living in the cities near Kobe did not show any noteworthy change. From this phenomenon the author has inferred that the impact of the disaster decreases with distance; th e effect of the disaster is lesser in the minds of the people that stay far away from the origin of disaster (Yamamura, 2010). Although natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequency and are creating potentially devastating impact on the economies that face it, the economic cause of the disaster has not yet been accurately deciphered. There have been several studies on the medium and long term impact of the disasters on the prospects of development of the countries. According to the works by Cavallo, Powell and Becerra (2010) long term effects of natural disasters from the economic point of view are not understood well. In general, literature existing in this sphere of research shows lack of theory and empirical evaluation of the mechanisms that

Working Impression Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Working Impression - Case Study Example If the working impression holds after confirmatory test/s, then it will hold to be the diagnosis, and the future steps will be dedicated onto eradicating the sources and treating the symptoms accordingly. However, if the PWI turns out not to be the diagnosis, then the differentials will then be tested, so that the primary root of the chief complaint be identified. Treatment will thus be planned based on the definitive diagnosis. Working Impression In coming up with our primary impression, we should look into the information we have for any pertinent data. In summary, we have four female employees of a food distribution warehouse facility who complain of dizziness. They conduct blister packing in an area with a 40Â °F temperature, and two railroad car lines and gas-powered forklifts nearby. The facility also has a special seal that insulates in the cold temperature needed for storage. There was no noticeable odor, nor there mention of a ventilating system for the area. Because multip le cases (four) have been reported in the facility, we consider this as an occupational health issue. Because of the nature of their work, the only possible factors that might have caused dizziness are inhalation of toxic fumes, exposure to chemicals from the food products, and the cold temperature (40Â °F). Because there are no reports of food poisoning caused by the products of the facility, then we can rule out the second factor. In considering the presence of toxic fumes, we must take note that the suspected inhalant must be odorless and colorless. In addition, the special insulating system in the warehouse might have been contributing in keeping the toxic fumes in the facility. A possible source of such fumes must be established, and the symptoms observed in our case should be explained by its presence. With these qualifications, we take carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as our primary working impression. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that may come from the incomplete burning of organic substances such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane coal or wood (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 2008; WorkSafe Victoria, 2008). In our case, CO may have been emitted by the car and forklift exhaust and possibly, a kerosene-powered heater, although the presence of such equipment must first be verified. CO gas interferes with the oxygenation of red blood cells and subsequently of tissues such as the brain, causing dizziness. Other symptoms include chest pains, headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness or nausea. Prolonged exposure may result to weakness, vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, coma, and death (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 2008). Differential Diagnoses It is important to consider other causes of the incidents, as the PWI might not be the root cause, or there are environmental conditions that may cause harm to the employees. Low oxygen levels In preserving food products, it is important to have a room wherein ox ygen levels can be kept at a low level (1% to 2%) to prevent the growth of aerobic microorganisms that compromise the quality of food products. This room is referred to as a controlled atmosphere (CA) room. Inhalation of this highly deoxygenated atmosphere from CA room has detrimental consequences to employees, who need oxygen levels of 19.5% to 23.5% to survive. In fact, inhaling a single breath of this highly deoxygenated atmosphere will result to instantaneous loss of consciousness, with consequent brain and health injuries. Employees who work near a CA room are thus susceptible to health risks (WorkSafe Victoria, 2008). If a CA room is present in the warehouse, then this diagnosis is highly likely. Ammonia The cooling condition exposes the employees to many factors. One of

Essentials of business in 2012 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Essentials of business in 2012 - Essay Example Our reputation for quality products, unique baked products, eclectic atmosphere, and excellent, friendly service will be the basis for continued growth. Long-term vision (beyond next year): Building on a foundation of community presence, referral business, quality and excellence, we will continue to expand our market and become the preferred choice in the Salthill area for consumers seeking a quiet place to visit while enjoying a hot beverage and freshly baked cakes. While we will offer high quality and a variety of coffee blends, along with other hot and cold beverages, our unique selling point will be our fresh baked cakes and other baked goods. We will offer a large variety and unique flavors to highlight local taste favorites and respond to customer demand. Since we are not a chain, we will have the freedom to experiment with flavors and adjust to accommodate customer needs quickly and efficiently. Our success will rely on our flexibility to changing customer needs, our service excellence, and our fantastic products. These elements, packaged in an inviting environment, with careful attention to costs and profit, will create a sustainable business model. To market the shop we will periodically place advertisements in The Galway City Tribune, create a website, and launch a Facebook page. The costs incurred will be predominately with the newspaper articles, though depending on the service selected, there may be a minimal on-going web hosting fee that we will need to maintain to keep the website live. We will rely on samples, hand-bills, and word-of-mouth for a portion of our marketing strategy. These options offer a low-cost option that will help us create a presence in the community and quickly install The Caked Bean as an everyday destination for the local clientele. While the shop will offer cake slices and single serving baked goods, we will also take orders for whole cakes for special occasions to supplement the normal

Neo-classical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Neo-classical Theories - Essay Example Direct application of the social control theory would involve the prescription of a punishment as a threat to wrongful social behavior. Offenders like the drunk drivers would be most likely deterred from offending through application of a cover legal implication in the commitment of a crime. In the application of the social theory as a deterrence of drunk drivers, a severe punishment like a five-year imprisonment, without bailing on bond, would be demotivating towards drunk driving (Chui, 2003). Social theory of deterrence equally closely borrows from rational choice theory as a means of deterring a drunk driver from committing an offence. Human beings are rational individuals who can be motivated or demotivated by a punishment, therefore a formal arrest and imprisonment would send a message to those being punished and the potential offenders that the implication for action is constant. Social theory, in deterring an offender from committing an offence, stipulates that the punishment mode and procedure should be uniform and applicable to everyone who commits the offence that is being deterred (O’Malley,

New Approaches to Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

New Approaches to Advertising - Essay Example To be sure, consumers and businesses are using other forms of communication to gain the information that was once formally provided by advertising. Furthermore, globalization in the marketplace has not only altered the way the world does business, but effectively altered the way in which business communicate with their more globally aware consumers. To understand these shifts in the paradigm for advertising, one must first understand how advertising works in the first place, and apply this understanding of the industry to the shift in the way that it is working today.Advertising is unlike the direct communication between two people which involves a give and take experience.It is a one way exchange that is impersonal in format. People can selectively notice or avoid, accept or reject, remember or forget the experience and therefore confuse and bewilder the best of advertising plans. Advertising has always been a seemingly inescapable part of western life. It is the ultimate tool that corporations use to communicate to consumers.Through television, radio, newspapers, billboards, and the internet, corporations have benefited from advertising through increased sales.The effects of advertising have appreciably increased the quality of life of consumers.Finally, the communication potential of advertising has made it essential to the function and well-being of today's market. Advertising is an effective function of the economy that is an asset to both corporations and consumers. Corporations have made every effort to submerge consumers in their advertising since the beginning of modern civilization. They money that corporations are willing to spend delivering ads has doubled since 1976, and continues to grow by over 50% every ten years (Olson & Reynolds, 2001). Corporations and businesses are willing to devote such an enormous investment of money simply due to the fact that if done properly, advertising will more than pay for itself. Although most market experts agree that advertising is an exercise in communication and not sales generation, it is without a doubt that the ultimate goal of producing the ad is to increases sales and profits, either directly or otherwise. Throughout the years, advertising has proven effective in attracting consumers and increasing sales directly. This is achieved is two main ways. First, advertising allows businesses a chance to communicate to the consumer in order to persuade and offer reasons as to why their product would be desirable. This raises consumer interest in the product and can eventually result in increased sales. Next, advertising can be used to raise consumer awareness about special events, promotions, or discounts available or to simply remind prospective customers that the business is open and ready to offer goods and services. Advertising effects businesses by helping to build consumer confidence in an advertiser's product. People have been known to buy brands that they know of and in which they have confidence. Advertising helps to achieve this by connecting corporations and their products to consumers. This process is called "branding". Ads can help the corporation make their product known, and to create an image or reputation for the product through the content of the ad. "At Volvic 10 per cent of the buyersof the buyers of this brand of mineral water are regular and loyal and represent 50 per cent of the sales. The reputation of the brand is a source of demand and lasting attractiveness, the image of superior quality and added value justifies a premium price," (Kapferer, 1997). Advertising of this sort

B2B Exchanges and Supply Chain Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

B2B Exchanges and Supply Chain - Assignment Example Supply webs (or vortals) serve industry sectors by integrating the supply chain systems of various buyers and sellers creating virtual trading communities (Turban et al, 2006). An example of how B2B exchanges might operate is shown in fFigure 4. E-marketplace operators hoped to create a true value-added experience for their customers (marketplace participants) and to reach the aspired scale (Schneider, 2000). [I do not understand what the previous phrase means] Currently, B2B exchange platforms can support whole trading networks from the planningprocurement of the raw materials upthrough to to the sellingsale to the final customer, supporting new structures and relationships in the supply chain (Hayes, 2005). [You should use an example of these structures/relationships to make your meaning more clear] Thus, the value proposition of B2B exchanges can move away from price minimization towards cost optimization through improved efficiencies and tightened coordination between buyers and sellers. According to Lejmi (2005) researchdefines, supply chain management (SCM) involves as the coordination of both online and traditional delivery channels. This includes the settlement phase of each transaction on e-marketplaces, which must be taken into consideration when planning demand and supply in a given network. On the other hand, e-marketplaces can be used as supplementary channels to the efforts to get rid ofto ameliorate inefficiencies in the supply chain in order to remove excess inventory. B2B exchanges, which are centralized systems, can build the basis for SCM. Moreover they allow solving two of the major problems faced by SCM systems: discontinuities in the information flow and the lack of trust among the different partners (Knolmayer et al, 1999). Figure 5 describes different types of B2B exchanges offering different advantages for the participating companies and can support specific SCM functionalities in different ways. The private exchange1 could be the most useful type for introducing the supply chain optimization between member companies. This type of e-marketplaces enables a companyan organization with dominant position in the supply chain to strengthen the collaboration and synchronization with its trading partners. The mostA knownwell known example among of a private exchanges would beis Dell's eHub accessible from Valuechain.dell.com from Dell. Figure 5: B2B exchanges support for SCM functionality Source: Lejmi, 2005 B2B applications are offered online so they can serve as supply chain enablers that offer distinct competitive advantages. Hoffman et al (2002) argues that various B2B types have different effect on supply chain relationships. B2B prA ivateprivate B2B e-marketplace provideprovidess a companyan organization with high supply chain power and high capabilities for online interactions. This is basically how much bargaining and control power a companyan organization has. On the other hand, joining a public e-marketplace, provides a businessan organization with high buying and selling capabilities, but will result in low supply chain power. Companies that choose an intermediary to do their buying and selling

Effects of Alcoholism Essay Example for Free

Effects of Alcoholism Essay I never thought drinking alcohol could destroy all I had worked for. Sure, I have had my share of hangovers. However, to think I was hurting myself or others never came to mind. I had a great job and really liked the people I worked with. I worked hard and played harder. Going out with my friends and drinking was a major part of my social life. The thought of calling a cab or getting a ride was not a congenital thought. It would take a head on car crash with another vehicle to change my life forever. When I was about seven years old, my dad had a few of his friends over to watch a football game. I took one of the beers when no one was looking and went into the garage. I opened it and took a big gulp. I spit it out and thought, â€Å"This stuff tastes terrible, how can anyone drink this and like it†? It took until I was in my teens to try beer again. I was with my two best friends and one of them had stolen a six-pack of beer from his dad. We each took a can and opened it. I remember taking my first sip and thinking it was warm. I did not like it, but I was not going to let my friends know that. Therefore, we each drank the first can. I could feel a warm glow permeate my body. When we drank the second can, I felt high and became intoxicated. From that moment on, I drank for the effect not the taste. After I got my driver’s license, my friends and I would go to the bars and drink. When it was time to go I would get in my car and drive home. This went on for years. I always thought I could handle my liquor. When my friends would be pulled over and get a D.  U. I. , I thought they were lightweights and could not hold their liquor. As I grew older, I began to work in the hospitality industry of nightclubs and restaurants. I really enjoyed what I did and was good at it. During this time, I would always have a drink or two at closing time. After we closed, I would get a cocktail for the road. This went on for years. As the years progressed so did my consumption of alcohol. I grew tired of the hospitality industry and changed jobs. I started work in the heavy construction industry. I became close friends with a group of people I worked with. We would meet after work at a bar or restaurant and have some drinks. When it was time to go, I would get a drink for the road. This habit continued until one day I was going to my best friend and his wife’s log home they were building on some land in Northeast Missouri. They were having a house warming and Fourth of July party. They were going to have a huge barbeque with all their neighbors and some friends followed by a giant fireworks display. I began my day to leave for the party by going to work. I had a very strenuous day without any breaks. When I got home, a friend shows up and we have a couple of drinks. I pack my car and said goodbye to my friend. I made a drink for the road and headed out. I do not remember a thing after that. I came to in a hospital. The nurse said I was in an accident and I was hurt very bad. She said I had been in a car accident and that I had a head on collision with another vehicle. She explained that I was in a coma for fifteen days. That I had a broken pelvis, hip, ribs, knee cap and collapsed lung. When the doctor came by to see me, he informed me I had some brain damage and that I would probably not walk again. My brother was there and explained to me what the police had told him. He said that I had crossed the centerline of the highway and hit a car head on. The other car had a mother with her four young children. Thank God they were not seriously injured and did not require a hospital stay. Once the hospital lowered my condition to stable, the Missouri Highway Patrol came and took me to jail. I was charged with five counts of second-degree assault and one count of possession of a firearm while intoxicated. All of these charges are felonies. I was tried, convicted, and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. I served four months in a prison treatment facility and I was released on parole with five years probation. I lost my job. I lost my life’s savings. I lost my car. I am crippled and cannot work. What drinking and driving has cost me is being paid with every step I take and the thought of what I could have done to that family.