WEEK 4 INTL 6000 - RESEARCH PART 4 Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

WEEK 4 INTL 6000 - PART 4 - Research Paper Example KCNA, the North’s official news agency, announced it had no option, but to renege on the armistice, due to persistent war maneuvers by the US (Grinker 45). The current tensions re-started when KCNA declared that their military would invalidate the agreement, referring to the puppet forces in the South and the US imperialist’s violation of the armistice, citing the joint exercises as a declaration of war. This latest flare up, according to the author, comes from tough sanctions that were passed by the Security Council in the UN in response to continued nuclear tests, which North Korea carried out in spite of global condemnation (Grinker 46). This cold war era conflict continues to affect international political dynamics. To find the exact reason for the 2013 flare up of rhetoric from the North and the military deterrent drills by the South, it is important, therefore to trace the beginning of the conflict. This is because the rhetoric used by the North is reminiscent of the Cold War-era tactics that the country used. Therefore, it is certain that North Korea still views the South the same way it did then and that the conflict, for the North Koreans never ended (Armitage 32). Continued isolation by the North Koreans has seen them perfect their Cold War-era tactics that included the creation of a crisis, escalation of tensions, and extractions of concessions and payments to re-affirm their status. The current tensions are no different, as seen by the North’s reluctance to follow through on their rhetoric. This strategy has always worked for the North and it seems to be working this time, as seen by China’s and the US’s exhortation to go back to dialogue and the increased aid prese nted by the Chinese. The Chinese, who took over from the Soviets as the North’s main benefactor, continue to support their Socialist model and would not want to see the North fall to the American-backed South. For this reason,

The Effects Of Globalisation On Burger King

The Effects Of Globalisation On Burger King 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Reason for choosing project topic and organisation This Research and Analysis Project is based on topic 5: The effects of globalisation on Burger King Holdings Inc (referred as Burger King, the company or BK from now onwards). Among the reasons for choosing the topic include: Globalisation is neither a very elegant word nor a very clear concept, but the term has been accepted very quickly on a global scale (Wesseling, 2009). Globalisation reflects business orientation based on the belief that the world is becoming more homogeneous and that the distinctions between national markets are not only fading but for some products, will eventually disappear (Czinkota et al., 2004). Its fast growing impact on the world certainly attracts my attention. The ACCA course I am currently pursuing has provided me with some theoretical knowledge of this topic to analyze a real life company. This assignment will certainly allow me to put my theoretical knowledge into practical experience. By conducting research on an organisation, where BK will be my subject of research it will certainly widen my horizon of knowledge on this topic. Taking into account the information gathering analytical skills like computation, extrapolation and communication for the research which will help in my future career as an accountant, I will certainly benefit from my research on this topic. In any research project, ease of obtaining information is of main concern furthermore with most time and budget constraints. BK was chosen because its annual financial report, press release and other relevant information on the company are easily accessible online at its website www.bk.com. Further updates and company activities are also available by just a click away from academic databases and the internet. Another reason for choosing the company because BK is among the most well known fast food restaurants. BK is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world. Every day, over 11 million guests visit a BK somewhere in the world (Burger King Holdings Inc., 2010).The tremendous market reach along with various achievements as listed in Appendix 1 as well as the fact that I am a fan of its offerings all compelled me to choose this company. Note: Only financial statement till June 2009 is used in this research as that was the latest annual financial statement published at the point of doing my research. 1.2 Project Objective and Research Question This research project involves the evaluation of the effects of globalisation on an organisation. After much research on this topic, I realised that different people around the people have different views and perception concerning globalisation. From quantitative point of view, globalisation is defined as the intensification of economic, political, social and cultural relations across borders whereas from qualitative point of view, globalisation is defined as a process comprising a number of qualitative transformation, which are represented by technological transformation, the financial transformation, the geographical reallocation of production, the process of commodification, the polarisation of wealth, the subordination of politics to economics and the related decline of the nation state (Talani, 2004). Globalisation process, driven by rapid and largely unrestricted flows of information, ideas, cultural values, capital, goods and services and people lead to a shift towards a more integrated world economy. These processes, promoted by converging market preferences, falling trade barriers, and the integration of national economies is emerging as the norm in a growing range of economic activities, changing economic theory and practices (Jutaliaviciene et al., 2006). Globalisation has resulted in both opportunities and threats in terms of all parties involved such as suppliers, customers and competitors (Burgers et al., 1993; Courtney et al., 2001; Oxelheim et al., 1991). Thus even though there are many ways to examine the effects of globalisation but I believe Michael Porters Five Forces Model ( Barriers to Entry, Supplier Power, Customer Power, Rivalry, and Threat of Substitutes) can give a clearer picture of the industry the company operates in and steps taken by the company to stand out among all the other competitors worldwide. Therefore, the research question can be structured as What is the impact of globalisation on BK in terms of barriers to entry, supplier power, customer power, rivalry, and threat to substitutes using Porters Five Forces Model? 1.3 Overall research approach Porters five forces is a framework for the industry analysis and business strategy development developed by Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School in 1979 (Porter, 1979). It uses a basic five forces framework that determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. Attractiveness of a market is based on overall industry profitability whereas an unattractive industry is where overall profitability is driven down by the combination of forces. An industry approaching pure competition would be a very unattractive industry (Porter, 1979; 1980). Porters Five Forces Model consists of 5 fundamental competitive forces: Threat of new entrants contribute to the capacity levels, affect prices and possibly reduce the profitability of existing competitors (Williams et el., 1996). Threat of substitutes exist if there are alternative products with lower prices of better performance parameters for the same purpose (Reklies, 2001). Bargaining power of customer is determined by the size and concentration of customers. Other factors are the extent to which buyers are informed and the concentration or differentiation of the competitors ( Karagiannopoulos, 2005). Bargaining power of supplier attempts to capture pressures that suppliers to the industry can exert on industry profitability. A powerful supplier can raise the companys cost through demanding higher prices for its input or delivering lower quality inputs (Rothaermel, 2008). Rivalry among existing competitors describes how intense could the competition be between existing firm in an industry. Lower returns earned by highly competitive industries due to the higher cost of competition (RapidBI., 2008). Appendix 2 gives more details on the forces and circumstances affecting the strength of each forces. The diagram below should give a better view of how the 5 forces interacts with each other. Rivalry among existing competitor Threat of new entrants Bargaining power of customer Bargaining power of supplier Threat of substitutes Diagram 1: The Five Competitive Forces that shapes strategy (Porter,1979) The effects of globalisation on BK as done with the five forces framework will help me to understand the competitive situation of the company and how competitive advantages might be achieved using the concepts and analytical techniques. As a final note, this model also promotes clear strategic thinking since Porter (1979) argues that business with no clear strategy will have no basis on which to integrate its activities and achieve consistency between its various function and units (The Antidote, 1998). In the end, could lead to reduced profitability and even failure.

Influenza on the Western Front :: Journalism Media Studies Health Essays

Influenza on the Western Front NEW YORK--Reports have come in from London that the grippe has now closed his claws upon German troops. Although influenza has spread onto our side, leading doctors believe that the disease will not be so prevalent because the disease spreads [most readily in unhealthy conditions.] With the ever increasing proportion of German troops being reported to hospitals for influenza, the Kaiser is finding it difficult for them to mount a proper offensive against our hearty men. Confiscated letters of German soldiers describe just how widespread this epidemic is. "I feel so ill that I should like to report sick. Fever is rampant among us and already a whole lot of men are in the hospital. Every day more go in. As I have not yet had leave and am expecting to go any day, I shall not report sick yet anyway."1 People who have been reported to suffer from influenza are immobilized in hospital beds for 7 to 10 days. Symptoms suffered include body aches, muscle and joint pain, headache, a sore throat and an unproductive cough with occasionally harsh breathing, fevers raging from 100 to 104 F, sudden dizziness, weakness, and pain.2 It is most likely that influenza spreads so rapidly amongst German troops because they live in filthy trenches and small portions of rations. Such poor living conditions and weakened health provide an opportune chance for the Influenza to strike. Sergeant Bader boasts: "Those Germans do not have a prayer in this world to win. They have so many people falling down due to the grippe that it is making our job easier. The rest are so worn out that they do not have the strength to put up a fight. Most of my men are fine. The government keeps us well fed and clothed. My superiors tell me that staying clean and healthy is the best way to fight this disease. If this continues, we will win by winter." Weather will not hinder the spread among the German troops. For a while it has continued to rain and it seems likely to stay wet.3 Continual rainfall might dampen our troops' moral, but our hopes are high that our enemy will be removed. The origin and spread of the flu This new Spanish type flu has been reported to have originated in Berlin and other German cities and is being transferred into the trenches by men reporting back from their leave.

Health Care Communication Technology

Health care communication technology is rapidly advancing. New modes of communication in the health care arena are making it easier for the patient and the physician to communicate in a more effective manner. With the technological advancements that have taken place over the past decade, communication has evolved from handwritten charts to completely paperless electronic communication. Whereas before, correspondence could have taken days or weeks, information can now be transmitted in a matter of seconds.The implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) has allowed patients to be involved in their health care, the system enables physicians to record patient histories, enter orders, display test results, write prescriptions, and print patient instructions and educational materials (Makoul, G. , Curry, R. , & Tang, P. 2001). The electronic medical record is much more efficient to the patient; the patient no longer has to wait until the report is filed in chart to obtain results.It allows the patients information to be securely accessed by the physician and shared with a specialist for consultation. With access to vital information such as diagnosis, allergies, medications, treatments, and other medical information the patient is able to participate and be accountable for their health care needs. In 1996, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) were created to ensure privacy and confidentiality of patient’s medical information.The Administrative Simplification provisions of HIPAA were designed to improve the quality of health care and simplify the management of health information. Because the potential for identity theft is increasing with web-based programs, the importance of maintaining confidentiality is critical. One aspect relating to the values and importance of maintaining patient confidentiality when using EMR is trust.Despite concerns regarding breaches of confidentiality and computer systems,  patient feel that if th ey can trust their physician, then they would trust the provider with their medical information, as well as its storage and use in a computer network (Whetten-Goldstein, Nguyen, and Sugarman, 2001). Although there are many different modes of communication between the patient and the physician, such as email, texting, web based forums or electronic medical records all have the same thing in common, that is interaction between the patient and the physician. EMR is unique in that it offers features that lead to increased patient safety.Many of the other forms of communication do not have a continuous safety feature that EMR has. The overall safety of patients through reduced medical mistakes, built in reminders and alerts, the detection of potential drug interactions, it makes errors more difficult for physicians to commit (Spratt, A. D. and Dickson, K. E. 2008). Media and social networking has changed communication in health care. Information is accessed and shared in a matter of seco nds from all over the world. â€Å"The internet providesmarketers and consumers with opportunities for much greater interaction and individualization† (Kotler, Shalowitz, & Stevens, 2008, p. 463). Social networking holds considerable potential value for how patients research their health care issues. If a patient is looking for others with the same medical condition, they can find support and share their findings with anyone around the world. Many organizations are creating Facebook pages to market services they provide, introduce new staff, give news updates, or advertise new products.This type of social networking caters to the younger generation that prefers searching the web over reading an ad in a newspaper or magazine. As technology becomes accessible to most people, printed advertisement will be seen as a nuisance rather than a form of communication. Advancing technologies in health care are increasing, allowing information to be accessed in a matter of seconds. The me dia and social networking that allows organizations to communicate with consumer has become individualized to their needs.Organizations must use these tools to encourage communication by inviting suggestions, questions or even complaints via the website from consumers. Communication in health care has benefited from this technology; it has improved the interaction between the patient and the physician. Communication modes used in health care are reducing the risk of errors and increasing workflow. Electronic medical records offers features that lead to increased patient safety, including fewer medical mistakes, the detection of potential drug interactions, and improved maintenance of chronic conditions.

Banana

The time and temperature change of the reaction are graphed to identify the hanged in enthalpy and entropy that took place as the melted substance solidifies. Using the data we can then predict the change in free energy, GAG . Keyword's: Entropy, Enthalpy, Free energy, naphthalene II. Introduction Enthalpy, H, is a thermodynamic property of a system. It is defined as the sum of internal energy U of a system and the product of the pressure and volume of the system: H = IS+UP The UP term represents the mechanical work done on or by the system.Since we are usually more interested in changes than in absolute values, we could write H = + up Entropy, S, is an another thermodynamic property. Which we can consider as a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system. An ordered system has low entropy. A disordered system has high entropy AS equals the heat transferred between the system and Its surroundings divided by T: AS = Q/T = H/T Enthalpy and entropy are different quantities. Entropy has the units of heat, Joules. Entropy has the units of heat divided by temperature, Joules per Kelvin.In this experiment, the group would Like to compare the entropy, AS and enthalpy, AH by monitoring the temperature & time during phase change of a melted naphthalene to reeking point. And using the data to predict LEG. Ill. Experimental Section Prepare 250 ml of half full tap water In a beaker to be placed In a ring stand, light the Bunsen burner to begin heating of water. In a large test tube fill half full of thread at the end of the test tube to let it hang in an iron clamp. Place the test tube into the beaker of hot water .Notice the melting of solid crystals. Carefully remove the water bath apparatus and burner from beneath the test tube and begin recording the temperature every after 30 sec, until the naphthalene passes the reeking point of molecules. IV. Results and Discussion Initial Room Temp: 34 c Temperature vs.. Time Based from the results the naphthalene freezes at 84 0 seconds in 77. 8 degrees Celsius. Freezing reaction is an exothermic process; energy is lost from the water and dissipated to the surroundings.Therefore, as the surroundings get hotter, they are gaining more energy and thus the entropy of the surroundings is increasing. During the process of melting naphthalene, the reaction is said to be endothermic because the system absorbs the energy from its surroundings. The relationship between the mime and temperature is inversely proportional as the time increase the temperature decreases. The Gibbs Free Energy of reaction (G) is an indicator of reaction spontaneity.Obeying the Entropy change and enthalpy change together influence the spontaneity of a chemical reaction. A spontaneous process is capable of proceeding in a given direction without needing to be driven by an outside source of energy. In Second law of thermodynamics, the naturally occurring reactions always move toward a state of lower potential energy. Thus, a reaction with a negative delta applied during the reaction. A reaction that is spontaneous is always accompanied by the net release of free energy (energy available to do useful work).However, some spontaneous reactions require added energy to get started. The energy they finally release includes both this added energy and the calculated free energy of the reaction. V. Conclusion The cooling the reaction is said to be spontaneous because there is no heat applied during the process and enthalpy seemed to be the dominating factor in fingernails. The spontaneity of the process appears to be associated with a highly ordered yester going to a less-ordered, uniform state.