Analysis Of Veronica Roth s The Big Five Model

Throughout the history of human psychology, the development of personality and the factors that contribute to its variations have been widely scrutinised and theorized. According to some of psychologies most acclaimed and experienced psychologists, personality can be stagnant, morphed, molded, developed and uncovered through a range of processes we experience before we are born, after birth and during our lifetime. (Eyesenck, 2004) Veronica Roth’s Divergent exhibits aspects of both Gordon Allports Trait Theory and McCrae and Costa’s Five Factor Model, also known as the Big Five Model. (Eyesenck, 2004) These theories are applicable to the Divergent film in the features of its pot line and within characterization. There accuracies as†¦show more content†¦(Allport, 1937) cardinal traits were constant and consistent through life; they had overwhelming influence on a person’s total being. Central traits guided aspects of behavior, reactions and social interac tion, and finally, secondary traits were more unsettled aspects of the personality and affected casual opinions and habitual behaviors. (Wade Tavris, 2000) Finalizing his theory, Allport stated that while we all share common traits, and we all live in this â€Å"world† together, (Allport, 1961) people still differ, as for â€Å"some the world is a hostile place†¦ for others it is a sage for fun and frolic†. (Wade et al., 2000) Allport suggests that cardinal, secondary and central traits become apparent in people at different rates within the growth cycle. (Schopper, 1994) This element of Allports theory is directly applicable to the initial portrayal of Divergent’s protagonist, Beatrice Prior. Beatrice assumes the mannerisms of her faction Abnegation and emulates the required habitual behaviors, reactions and interactions. She dresses in grey clothing, she habitually washes up after her parents, and she routinely deems it unnecessary to look in the mirror. These are all examples of secondary traits that affect casual opinion and habits. (Wade et al., 2000) After her move to Dauntless, these mannerisms and aspects of her personality change, further supporting Allports theory that secondary traits are unsettled and ever changing. She now wears black, promiscuous clothing, she

Online learning versus traditional classroom learning Free Essays

DistanceA learningA – is a set ofA technologiesA that provideA pupils withA the basic deliveryA ofA survey stuff, A synergistic communicating betweenA studentsA andA teachersA in larning procedure, A providingA pupils withA the possibilityA of independent workA on development ofA survey stuff, asA good asA in theA acquisition procedure. Now the term distance acquisition has become synonymous with e-learning or on-line acquisition, significance, in fact, non merely larning via the Internet.A Prerequisite for the outgrowth and subsequent development of distance acquisition was the enlargement of the Internet engineerings use in all domains of life and activities, including in education. We will write a custom essay sample on Online learning versus traditional classroom learning or any similar topic only for you Order Now A Study of Internet engineerings and package for the Internet is an indispensable portion of any high school ( and sometimes school ) plan. Over clip, the Internet has become non merely an object of survey, but besides turned into an environment where you can bask full preparation applicants.A Harmonizing to The Differences Between Online and Traditional Classroom Educations ( 2010 ) , modern computing machine telecommunications are able to supply cognition transportation and entree to a assortment of educational information on a par, and sometimes much more effectual than traditional learning tools.A Experiments have confirmed that the quality and construction of preparation classs, every bit good as the quality of learning in distance instruction is frequently much better than traditional signifiers of education.A New electronic engineerings such as synergistic Cadmiums CD-ROM, electronic bulletin boards, multimedia hypertext, accessible via the Internet, can non merely guarantee the active engagement of pupils in the acquisition procedure, but besides let you to pull off this procedure in contrastA from most traditional acquisition environments.A The integrating of sound, motion, image and text creates a new remarkably rich in its capablenesss larning environment with t he development of which will increase and the grade of pupils ‘ engagement in the acquisition procedure. Synergistic characteristics used in the LMS plans and bringing systems allow the information to set and even excite feedback, duologue, and supply ongoing support, which is impossible in most traditional systems of instruction. Harmonizing to E-learning vs Traditional Classroom Instruction ( 2010 ) , distance acquisition allows work out several jobs built-in in traditional instruction methods.A Its chief advantage is in work outing the job of entree to instruction, which means general handiness of educational resources irrespective of geographic location.A In add-on to the advantages of geographical freedom in taking the topographic point of survey, will work out the job of handiness, distant engineering has many other virtuousnesss. Pedagogical characteristics of this engineering include chiefly independent work pupil at a convenient clip for him.A Thus, self-management preparation agenda makes it attractive for busy people who wish to obtain a 2nd grade, or better their skills.A It should be mentioned that the same advantage is besides a â€Å" trap † for those who believe that by analyzing distantly, you can work on educational stuff on occasion, from clip to clip. Typically, larning is constructed in such a manner: the pupil sporadically receives from the instructor ‘s assignment for the reappraisal of the theoretical stuff, go throughing the concluding trial, based on the theory and besides, possibly, practical tasks.A If the assignments and trials will non be delivered on clip, the following phase lessons will non be sent to student.A Besides that there are a figure of distance acquisition advantages among them: Flexible agenda for pupil, it can even alter the pupil himself, uniting instruction with work and other activities, salvaging clip on the route to the school or university. Typically, pupils are given the chance to pass on with an single instructor or the writer of the curriculum.A Illustrations, diagrams, charts, presentations, online trials to increase the visibleness of information, doing larning fun.A Often the cost of Internet instruction is much lower compared to full-time.A There is besides a alone proposition.A Thus, the Internet University of Computer Science gives everyone a free instruction ( pick of classs is besides rather wide – more than 180 ) .A Many establishments that provide services to distance instruction, after school has issued the relevant document.A Harmonizing to Somer Flaherty ( 2010 ) , distance instruction ( as, possibly, any other ) have its disadvantages: The pick of fortes every bit long as sufficiency is extended – most of them are related to computing machine engineering or commercialism. If you are more receptive to hearing information, distance acquisition, you may happen it deadening and hard. If you can non alter unrecorded communicating with the instructor and other pupils to match via electronic mail, on-line instruction is barely accommodating you. Due to the fact that distance instruction is deriving impulse, it is non ever vie with the traditional. In the distance larning pupil merely uses Internet engineering in all types of preparation activities.A A user to login, acquire entree to larning stuffs ( sometimes after the payment of class ) .A Modern engineerings allow topographic point non merely textual information but besides pictures, picture and audio.A All of this is provided with convenient pilotage system on subdivisions of the course.A There is typically in distance acquisition when pupil receives non merely the layout of educational stuffs, and proving, but besides communicating with the instructor and other students.A Harmonizing to Somer Flaherty ( 2010 ) , distance acquisition can be group or individual.A There is non wholly right position that distance acquisition pupils are non available techniques and learning methods of group larning that, state, the pupils, being off from each other, can non to the full pass on and prosecute in collaborative work.A In fact, modern system to the proposed figure of communicating: the same forums and confab suites have become an built-in portion of the methodology.A Another of import point in the organisation larning procedure is a manner pupil and teacher pass oning each other.A Such interaction is organized synchronously or asynchronously.A The first method provides for communicating of pupils and instructors in existent time.A Basically, this uses the internal confab systems of distance acquisition. Sometimes, the system besides contains tools for picture conferencing.A Asynchronous acquisition is carried out when the pupil and the instructor can non pass on in existent clip, and so up to the organized, chiefly through e-mail correspondence. It should be noted that instructor ‘s audiences ( both synchronal and asynchronous ) – is a requirement of successful distance larning class, and without it larning will non be complete. In my sentiment distance larning system give equal chances to students, pupils, civil and military professionals, the unemployed in all parts of the state and abroad to recognize their human right to instruction and information.A This system can be most adequately and flexibly react to the demands of society and guarantee the execution of the constitutional right to instruction of every citizen.A I am really sympathetic to the fact that in the bosom of distance acquisition is the student.A Considering my experience I can state that most information is remembered by a pupil with self-learning, independently. I strongly believe that distant larning – is the hereafter of instruction system. How to cite Online learning versus traditional classroom learning, Essay examples

Nationalism in Europe Essay Example For Students

Nationalism in Europe Essay Nineteenth century Europe, exploding with Nationalism, shows us how powerful a nation can be when united for a common cause. Nationalism is the love and devotion to ones country, where devotion stands for the spirit to protect the needs and ideals of the nation. Nationalism acted as a unifying force in Europe for much of the nineteenth century when unification movements were frequent. The unification of Italy and Germany, are prime examples of nationalism at work. By the end of the French revolution and Napoleanic wars, nationalism was growing rampant among the neighboring countries of France leading to an increasing amount of unification motions. The extraordinary unification of these two divided areas proves how a strong sense of nationalism truly is a unifying force. The early eighteen hundreds was a time of separation for the Geographic Expression which we call Italy is today. All that held back Italy from its unification (1859-1919) was the power complexs of a few greedy officials such as the Pope and Local rulers who feared losing land and power; Most of all however was the Austrian power overhead who wished to maintain a weaker neighbor to the south. Fed up with disunity, an Italian nationalist named Guisseppe Messini founded a secret society called Young Italy. It was the duty of this society to overthrow foreign tyrants such as Austria and establish an Italian republic for which the leader is voted upon. Messini, also known as the Soul, was the true benefactor who excited the people of Italy to unite. As made evident in Document 1, the people united and prepared to defend there needs as a uniting country. This excerpt from the French Leve en Masse dating back as far as 1793, during the French revolution. Though thousands of miles away and m ore than thirty years before any of Italys own reformation acts, the idea behind this excerpt is the same. The only way to defeat a common enemy, whether it be foreign tyrants of your own corrupt monarch, is to come together and work as a whole to take the nation into your own hands. The Brains of the Italian unification is said to be a man by the name of Count Camillo Cavour. Cavour, a well-educated politician, is the contributor of the main plan to the unification. Appointed by King Victor Emanuel of Sardinia, Count Cavour became the new Prime Minister there. As Prime Minister of Sardinia, the economy was improved, the military power increased (for the upcoming unification), and most importantly, he overthrow Austria with the help of Napoleon III, winning back North Italian land. As in document 2, the only objective that Cavour was concerned with was the expelling of foreigners to elevate the Italian people in intelligence and moral development. With the foreign threat eliminated, Italy could also become a very powerful and glorious nation. Even after the drastic changes made by Count Camillo Cavour, the Italian unification was still incomplete. With the threat of Austrias wrath out of the picture, a nationalist general named Giuseppe Garibaldi also known as th e sword of the unification, led an army of 1,000 volunteers known as red-shirts for the scarlet shirts they wore. Garibaldi and the red-shirts, overflowing with nationalism successfully revolted against the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Also in 1860, Sardinian soldiers overran the Popes land (Papal States), nearly uniting the entire peninsula of Italy. With nationalism so strong in the hearts of the Italians, the church was stripped of all its land excluding Rome, which would eventually be taken too during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. O noble Thousand!I love to remember you! (Doc. 3) were the words of Giuseppe Garibaldi when addressing his troops and praising them for the fantastic efforts they put forth to unite Italy. At the same time however, Garibaldi also proves to the citizens of Italy how the only way to be a true nationalist is to act upon your beliefs rather than speak them. Nevertheless, those who were true nationalists in the unification applied a force great enough to take down a power full foreign tyrant and the Pope himself. .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .postImageUrl , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:hover , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:visited , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:active { border:0!important; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:active , .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u83d9c8fcc9f87e27cc02d2d0772a7acd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Jane Eyres Self-Discovery EssayBy 1815, the Holy Roman Empire was permanently made up of thirty-eight German states in contrast to the previous three hundred states of 1789. The people of Germany could easily see that something had to be done about the division of their homeland. As with all Nationalist movements, there must be some sort of common bond between the people of the country; In Germany, this common bond was language and history. Nationalism was also spurred in Germany by the combined hatred of Austria and a common economy. In document 5, the castle represents the building blocks of German Unification. Directly above the basis of Nationalism, is the Zollverein. The Zollverein was a customs (tariff) union formed in 1819 that did not include Austria. By excluding Austria, the German states could increase their economic status by removing taxes on exported/imported goods for members and continuing taxes for Austria and non-members. With a growing economy, an attempt to make a democratic form of government was made but flopped when King Fredrick William IV cowardly refused the crown in fear of Austria; Germany remained to be an Absolute Monarchy. In 1861, Otto van Bismarck was appointed Prime Minister of Prussia, the most powerful German State. Bismarcks Policy of uniting Germany, though rash, was effective in gaining back the states lost by previous campaigns. A policy of Blood and Iron was set forth for German Armies; This militaristic view point sent the ununited German states into several continuous wars, thus leading to the final unification of Germany in 1871. Not able to avoid serious contest with Austriacan only be settled by blood and iron were some of Otto Van Bismarcks words in document 4. Bismarcks form of nationalism shows that there are multiple ways to unify a country, based on his radical policies. Unfortunately, in later years, Bismarcks harsh militaristic pollicies brought about the First World War. As displayed by the Italian and German unifications of the 18th and 19th centuries, nationalism of any form is most definitely a unifying force. Italy and Germany are but examples of this force, and a part of a long list of countries whom have experienced overflowing nationalism in their own historical background. Even in America nationalism had taken the people of the original colonies by storm and gave them the motivation and force to remove themselves from the oppression of the English Mother Country in 1776, nearly the same time as the many European Nationalist movements. However, it does not take a rebellion or unification for people of the world to feel a sense of Nationalism. Nationalism should be felt every time we recite the pledge, remember our veterans, or even when we are just walking down the street it is acceptable to feel proud of our country and all for which it stands. Bibliography:

Telecommuting The Evolution Of A New Work Environment Essays

Telecommuting: The Evolution of a New Work Environment David Hess The days of reporting to the office at 8:00 am, taking lunch at noon, and driving home at 5:00, have eroded over the past few decades. People today are faced with different situations that make this type of routine unfeasible if they want to have a career. Women are no longer the stay-at-home moms that they use to be. Many families are force into having a dual career household to make ends meet or single parenting has not left that as an option. Businesses have had to make changes too if they want to keep the employees that they have and also to get the employees they want. Until the dawning of the age of computers and connectivity that allowed users/employees to work outside of the office a concept of ?Flex-Time' was introduced. This allowed the employee to match their work hours to their needs. Technology has advanced now to the point though where business can employ full-time individuals and have them work from nearly any location they want. This has brought us into the age of ?Te lecommuting'. Telecommuting has many pros and con's still attached to it, but as technology continues to improve in this area the cons are fading away, especially in regards to the speed data is traveling at. This is not to say that there will be a point that there are not any drawbacks to telecommuting, because there are many. The loss of personal contact and face-to-face conversations, security, and being able to discipline yourself to this type of work environment are just a few of the problems that can present themselves. Telecommuting with a certain amount of investment and time can prove to be a very profitable way of life for many corporations and for employees. Telecommuting has really become a feasible idea only in the past decade. The ability to be able to communicate through a computer at home with the network at work at speeds that make it functional are really just now falling into place. Modems have been used for several years but have the drawback of being incredibly slow in their transfer rate. Currently using a 56k analog modem, which means that the data can transfer at a rate of 56 kilobytes per second, is a far cry from the 100 megabytes per second used on internal networks. Work cannot fully function in any real time way using an analog modem. It just does not provide the user with a quick enough transfer rate to make doing business work at home a time saving idea. What has made telecommuting work is the creation of DSL. DSL stands for Digital Service Line, which is able to transfer data at from 1.5 Mbps up to 8 Mbps. The DSL uses the same copper wire that phones do but they do it at different bandwidths that allow both data and voice communication to occur simultaneously and at much greater speed. This is nearly 20 times faster than an analog modem, which by the way is unable to share with both voice and data simultaneously, and makes doing work from home via a computer a realistic idea. Companies are now able to create VPN, Virtual Private Networks, through these DSL channels which makes the user at home appear virtually as if they were at work (Communications News, Dec 2000 v 37 il2 p24, Where's the voice in remote access? (Industry Trend or Event) Sanjay Khatri). With the major hurdle of providing a stable, fast enough link achieved what benefits are corporations finding by using telecommuting in their business. The company Putnam Investments found that during the 80's and early 90's job fairs were packed with people. It was not hard to find good qualified people to fill vacancies within the organization. Today, however, that situation is much different. Companies have had to restructure their recruiting process to acquire the people that they want. Another aspect Putnam investments found was that they were running out of office space. The company is located in Boston and Boston's real estate market has experienced a sharp increase. With companies trying to cut costs while still supply the services and products that create the

75 Synonyms for Angry

75 Synonyms for Angry 75 Synonyms for â€Å"Angry† 75 Synonyms for â€Å"Angry† By Mark Nichol Are you angry? At the risk of infuriating you, or making you apoplectic or exasperated, here are dozens of words to use to describe your choleric condition more precisely: 1. Acrid: extremely harsh (also refers to an unpleasant taste or smell) 2. Acrimonious: harshly unpleasant 3. Aggravated: angrily agitated 4. Angered: made angry 5. Annoyed: angry about being disturbed or harassed 6. Antagonistic: angrily opposed 7. Antipathetic: expressing antipathy, or aggression or aversion 8. Apoplectic: violently angry, from the adjectival form of apoplexy, the former word for stroke 9. Ballistic: explosively angry, from the adjective describing projectile flight 10. Bellicose: aggressively angry, from the synonym for warlike 11. Belligerent: see bellicose 12. Bitter: harshly upset due to resentment 13. Blue in the face: see frustrated, from the idea of facial discoloration caused by extreme emotion 14. Boiling: extremely angry, with the figurative sense of being agitated like heated water 15. Bristling: defensively angry, suggestive of an animal’s hair bristling as it responds to a threat 16. Burning: extremely angry, from the notion of the body overheating because of the intensity of feeling 17. Caustic: cruelly angry, or sarcastic 18. Cheesed off: see frustrated (can also mean â€Å"bored† or â€Å"disgusted†) 19. Choleric: easily angered 20. Churlish: disrespectfully angry 21. Cold: angry in an emotionally remote manner 22. Contrary: uncooperatively angry 23. Cool: angry but with emotions are held in check 24. Embittered: made upset 25. Enraged: violently angry 26. Exasperated: see frustrated 27. Fired up: see hot 28. Fit to be tied: extremely angry, suggesting that the person angered should be restrained 29. Foaming: so angry as to suggest insanity caused by hydrophobia (rabies), from the idea that foaming at the mouth is symptomatic of the disease 30. Frustrated: angry or upset because of obstacles or challenges 31. Fuming: extremely angry, from the association of the person with a volcano or other heated natural phenomenon 32. Furious: intensely angry 33. Going crook: losing one’s temper 34. Hopping: so angry as to suggest that the person might jump up and down to express or assuage anger 35. Hopping mad: see hopping 36. Horn-mad: extremely angry 37. Hostile: actively intimidating, unfriendly, or resistant 38. Hot: angry, with the sense of physical discomfort caused by emotion 39. Hot under the collar: see hot 40. Icy: see cold 41. Incensed: see indignant 42. Indignant: angry because of a real or perceived slight or unjust attack 43. Inflamed: see hot 44. Infuriated: see furious 45. Irate: see furious 46. Ireful: see irate 47. Livid: intensely angry to the point of being unable to control oneself (livid, however, can also mean â€Å"bruised,† â€Å"pale,† or â€Å"colorful,† with the second sense associated with pain, shock, or fear) 48. Mad: angry; this term has so many other senses and is so easily replaced by any of its many synonyms that it is all but useless except in a statement starting with â€Å"I’m so mad I could . . .† 49. Outraged: angry about an offense 50: Perturbed: upset (also means â€Å"confused†) 51. Pissed off: angry 52. Rabid: see foaming 53: Raging: see furious 54. Rancorous: malevolently angry 55. Rankled: angry or resentful 56. Ranting: irrationally angry 57. Raving: see ranting 58. Riled: upset 59. Roiled: see riled 60: Seeing red: so angry that one’s vision is blurred, or one is stimulated as a bull in a bullfight 61. Seething: repressing violent anger 62. Shirty: angry 63. Smoldering: see seething 64. Sore: see indignant 65. Soreheaded: see indignant 66. Steamed: see hot 67. Steaming: see hot 68: Storming: having a temper or an anger suggestive of stormy weather 69. Stormy: see storming 70. Ticked: angry; also â€Å"ticked off† 71. Vitriolic: see caustic 72. Worked up: upset 73. Wrathful: see furious 74. Wroth: see furious 75. Wrought up: see â€Å"worked up† (This list deliberately omits annoyed and its synonyms, which are numerous enough to merit their own list.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Great Opening Lines to Inspire the Start of Your StoryHyper and HypoEducational vs. Educative

North American River Otter Facts

North American River Otter Facts The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family. While it may simply be called the river otter in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Fast Facts: North American River Otter Scientific Name: Lontra canadensisCommon Names: North American river otter, northern river otter, common otterBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 26-42 inches plus a 12-20 inch tailWeight: 11-31 poundsLifespan: 8-9 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Watersheds of North AmericaPopulation: AbundantConservation Status: Least Concern Description The North American river otters body is built for streamlined swimming. It has a stocky body, short legs, webbed feet, and a long tail. In contrast to the European otter, the North American river otter has a longer neck and narrower face. The otter closes its nostrils and small ears when submerged. It uses its long vibrissae (whiskers) to find prey in murky water. North American river otters weigh 11 to 31 pounds and range from 26 to 42 inches long plus a 12 to 20 inch tail. Otters are sexually dimorphic, with males about 5% larger than females. Otter fur is short and ranges in color from light brown to black. White-tipped hairs are common in older otters. River otters use their tails as rudder while swimming. Hailshadow / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution North American river otters live near permanent watersheds throughout North America, from Alaska and northern Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico. Typical habitats include lakes, rivers, marshes, and coastal shorelines. Although largely exterminated in the Midwest, reintroduction programs are helping river otters reclaim part of their original range. Diet River otters are carnivores that hunt fish, crustaceans, frogs, salamanders, waterfowl and their eggs, aquatic insects, reptiles, mollusks, and small mammals. They sometimes eat fruit, but avoid carrion. During winter, otters are active during the daytime. In warmer months, they are most active between dusk and dawn. Behavior North American river otters are social animals. Their basic social unit consists of an adult female and her offspring. Males also group together. Otters communicate by vocalization and scent marking. Young otters play to learn survival skills. River otters are excellent swimmers. On land they walk, run, or slide across surfaces. They may travel as much as 26 miles in a single day. Reproduction and Offspring North American river otters breed between December and April. Embryo implantation is delayed. Gestation lasts 61 to 63 days, but young are born 10 to 12 months after mating, between February and April. Females seek dens made by other animals for giving birth and raising young. Females give birth and raise their pups without aid from their mates. A typical litter ranges from one to three pups, but as many as five pups may be born. Otter pups are born with fur, but are blind and toothless. Each pup weighs about 5 ounces. Weaning occurs at 12 weeks. Offspring venture out on their own before their mother gives birth to her next litter. North American river otters reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Wild otters typically live 8 or 9 years, but may live 13 years. River otters live 21 to 25 years in captivity. Baby river otter. ArendTrent / Getty Images Conservation Status The IUCN classifies North American river otter conservation status as least concern. For the most part, the species population is stable and otters are being reintroduced into areas from which they vanished. However, river otters are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) because the species may become endangered if trade is not closely regulated. Threats River otters are subject to predators and disease, but human activities are their greatest threat. Otters are highly susceptible to water pollution, including oil spills. Other important threats include habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting, vehicle accidents, trapping, and entanglement in fishnets and lines. River Otters and Humans River otters are hunted and trapped for their fur. Otters pose no threat to humans, but in rare cases they have been known to attack dogs. Sources Kruuk, Hans. Otters: ecology, behaviour and conservation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-19-856586-0.Reid, D.G.; T.E. Code; A.C.H. Reid; S.M. Herrero  Food habits of the river otter in a boreal ecosystem. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 72 (7): 1306–1313, 1994. doi:10.1139/z94-174Serfass, T., Evans, S.S. Polechla, P. Lontra canadensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T12302A21936349. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12302A21936349.enToweill, D.E. and J.E. Tabor. The Northern River Otter Lutra canadensis (Schreber). Wild mammals of North America (J.A. Chapman and G.A. Feldhamer ed.). Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982.Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.

The Reaction of Faculty Staff to Resident`s Feedback on Their Teaching Essay

The Reaction of Faculty Staff to Resident`s Feedback on Their Teaching Performance - Essay Example The abstract is well drafted, and it has outlined the methods used and the main findings. The research would have more information present the research problem clearly. It is not clear from the abstract where the research problem. It has stated the aim of the research paper which is to increase understanding on how the reaction of faculty staff to resident`s feedback on their teaching performance. It would be in helping to include a recommendation in this paper in order to know the next step of action. The paper presents two research objectives that are later structured into research questions. The research objectives that were structured by research questions are: how the faculty staff proceeds on receiving feedback and the factors that influence on their progression (Van der Leeuw 2011, p.2). The objectives seem to look at the progress after the feedback. The aim was to increase understanding in the reaction to feedback. The objectives should be in line with the objective of the study. The inclusion of an objective that explores more on how the nature of the feedback makes the faculty react would help create more insight. The research questions give the direction to be followed during the research process. The research problem is clearly stated, and it gives the rationale for the study, then there is a reliable system in place that provides feedback. The issue is responsiveness of the faculty staff to the feedback. This agrees with the work of Steinert et al. (2006, p. 498) that stated that the change in teaching behaviors after feedback was not frequently researched on. The literature is up to date as most of the references were recently giving information of the recent advances.

Logistics and Operations Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Logistics and Operations Management - Assignment Example Operational input includes staff cost, material, equipment, no. of rooms in the hotel while operational output includes number of rooms rented by patrons, no. of service availed by customers, increase in brand awareness among tourists etc. Choy and Chu (2001) defined customer satisfaction as the intention of the customer to repurchase/recommend services of the hotel after availing it first time. Hotels can be classified as Budget, Mid-Scale, First Class and Luxury on the basis of their revenue and size of operation (. In this report, the discussion will only be concentrated on Budget and Luxury hotel (PKF Consulting, 2010). It is evident from the above theoretical argument that operation management plays vital role in hotel industry. Hence, this report will try to indicate the difference between Budget and Luxury hotel in terms of various facets of operation management. A real life case study will also be used in this report in order to validate the argument of the researcher. Budget Hotel versus Luxury Hotel From the consumer viewpoint, budget hotels are perceived as the low cost accommodation place for tourist while customers ready to spend extra money on luxury are attracted to luxury hotels which have more to offer rather than offering only accommodation facility to customers. However, the demarcation between luxury and budget hotel is decided on the basis of different factors such as total cost of the project, price of the rooms, availability of services, no. of rooms, additional amenities, augmented facilities etc. TRI Hospitality Consulting (2007) defined budget hotel as the conjunction of ‘limited-service hotel’ and ‘select-service hotel’. For example, City Hotel located in central London can be classified as the budget hotel with room rent in the range of ?30 to ?50 (Hostel Bookers, 2013). TRI Hospitality Consulting (2007) defined luxury hotels as the accommodation place which offers additional facilities such as sports, leisu re, travel etc along with accommodation service and charges high price in order to reflect its service quality. Luxury hotels emphasize heavily on creation of customer touch points such as infrastructure, design and aesthetics of the building etc which can reflect the premium service quality to customers. For example, Bellagio located in Las Vegas can be classified as luxury hotel which charges minimum hotel room rent of ?200 to ?250 per day. It is clear from the above discussion that there is significant amount of difference exist between operations of a budget hotel as against operation of a luxury hotel. Gronroos (2007) stated that service driven business organizations need to focus more on creating customer touch points and customer service in order to deliver quality service to tourists and patrons in hotel. Mongiello and Harris (2006) found that traditional management concepts known as Fayol’s five elements of management can be successfully implemented by hotel managers in order to achieve business success. These 5 elements are defined as Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling. Each of these elements can be used in order to contrast and compare the differences and

Dan Marino and Joe Montana Essay Example for Free

Dan Marino and Joe Montana Essay There I was, a three-year-old little girl watching a football game on TV with my grandfather. The game on TV was the 1985 super bowl, and the teams playing are the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. My grandfather was a big 49ers fan and Joe Montana was the big time star quarterback at the time. My grandfather asked me, â€Å"Well little girl, what team do you want to win? † The response he got was not expected, â€Å"The Dolphins, Papa! † His response was, â€Å"why? † I said, â€Å"They have pretty colors and dolphins on their helmets. My love for the Dolphins grew from that day more than anyone in my family could have expected. As the years passed my love for the game and Dan Marino grew deep. Growing up in the era of big time quarterbacks with Joe Montana considered the king with four super bowl rings, being a Marino fan was hard. At the time Marino entered the league in 1983, Montana had already played for four years, and Marino was a rookie in this game. Marino entered the super bowl in 1985, his second year in the NFL to take on Montana who had already won a super bowl. Marino had a lack of rings and a loss in the super bowl to Montana. Even though Marino lost this super bowl, the battle of who the better quarterback was began because Marino’s talent could not be ignored. Dan Marino was the better quarterback on and off the field than Joe Montana, despite the fact that Montana won more super bowls. Sure, Joe Montana had the super bowl rings but, Dan Marino held the record for touchdown passes, completions and yards. Marino is classified to me as the better quarter back because he held more records in his career than Montana did as an individual. Marino held 49 team records with the Miami Dolphins, and broke 24 NFL records (2). Marino also won the NFL MVP once before retiring in 1999 (2). To Marino’s credit he held this title and had never won a super bowl. Montana did win the NFL MVP three times and also won four super bowls in his career, but he only broke a handful of records as an individual (1). While researching Montana, the only supporting information given is pertaining to his career in super bowl wins. Out of all four of his super bowl wins he was crowned MVP three times which is a huge accomplishment. Montana also held 14 team records with the 49ers, which he left in 1992 to play for the Chiefs, but only held 2 NFL records (1). Now, if Marino had a chance at 4 super bowls instead of one, in my opinion he would have broken more records than Montana ever did in the super bowls he played in. A major question asked by NFL experts is, if Marino had played for a better team would he have won a super bowl? Montana had a record breaking and fellow hall of famer Jerry Rice on his team as his wide receiver, and a superior defense. Montana was a part of a great team and organization. Montana also was a great clutch winner and could win a game in the last two minutes of a game. It took the coach of the 49ers at the time to put faith in to his capabilities for him to shine. The Dolphins’ organization failed to supply Marino with the teammates he needed to win the big game. Marino had a great wide receiver, Mark Clayton, at his side to help assist him with achieving his records, and Don Shula as a coach. The Dolphins’ organization lacked a strong defense and this was ultimately the weakness on why they could not clinch the big wins in the playoffs. In the midst of Marino’s career, the Dolphins’ organization changed coaches, and the Dolphins as a team struggled toward the end of his career. If Marino had played with the 49ers, there is no doubt he would have gone to the super bowl multiple times and achieved his individual greatness as well. Marino’s greatness not only reflected on the field but also off-the-field as well. Off-the-field, Marino and Montana always have been family men first but Marino and his family are very supportive of charity. Marino is married to his wife, Claire, and they have six children. Three of these children, all boys, are biological and the other three children are adopted girls (2). Montana is married to his wife, Jennifer, and they have four children three girls and one boy (1). Montana’s son currently is playing college football as a quarter back (1). Since retiring in 1994, Montana and his family live in northern California wine country and are raising horses (1). Marino, on the other hand since retiring is working as a sports analysis for the show â€Å"Inside NFL. † Marino and his wife also created The Dan Marino Foundation prior to retirement, after their son Michael was diagnosed with autism (2). Even after Dan retired, they are still actively involved with their charity. The charity has donated more than 22 million to research (2). Both men are great role models for people to look up to, but Marino, in my eye’s, has the edge. Dan Marino and Joe Montana were both great athletes and accomplished a great amount of goals as athletes. There were records broken, trophies won and titles given, but as an individual quarterback, Marino is the best. Marino broke more records and even without winning the big game, took his team into the playoffs 10 times in his career (2). Montana as a team player went to the playoffs 16 times and won the super bowl four times (1). This in people’s eyes classifies him as the best quarter back in history. Montana did lead his team into victory four times but this makes him a great team player and a great leader. When it comes to being better than Marino at the quarterback position he is not. When concerning life after football it depends on how you view it but Marino is more successful as well. Marino is still involved with the sport and leads a charity in his own name. While Montana leads a life of solitude with his family out of the spot light which is a respectable life. Like I have stated before, both men are great role models and were both among the greats in football but Marino is still the better quarter back, both on and off the field.

Marxs Theory of Money and the Theory of Value Essay -- Karl Marx Mone

Marx's Theory of Money and the Theory of Value The most important point to emerge from Marx's theory of money is the idea that money is a form of value. The difficulty with this idea is that we are more familiar with money itself than with value in other forms. But value does appear in forms other than money. For example, the balance sheet of a capitalist firm estimates the value of goods in process and of fixed capital which has not yet been depreciated, as well as the value of inventories of finished commodities awaiting sale. Each of these aggregations of commodities has a value, usually expressed as the equivalent of a certain amount of money, but it is clear that neither goods in process nor fixed capital is money. Marx views the value of commodities in this sense as analytically prior to money; money can be explained according to Marx only on the basis of an understanding of the value of commodities. Marx follows Smith in regarding value as the property of exchangeability of commodities. In a society where exchange is common, products come to have a dual character as use values and as values. They have two powers: first, to satisfy particular human needs and wants; and second, to exchange for other products. This second power can be thought of quantitatively, as an amount of exchangeability or command over other commodities. The classical economists viewed value as a real, though socially determined, entity, with its own laws of conservation and motion. Value in this sense bears the same relation to commodities as mass bears to physical objects. It is not surprising that in societies where exchange is widespread value takes on an independent form as money, as an expression of general exchangeability. Value is a central social reality for people; they constantly think and talk about it directly or indirectly; they want some way to transfer it directly among themselves, separate from particular commodities. This is, I think, what we mean by "money." It is the social expression of value separated from the concrete particularity of any use value. With this emergence of money as the social expression of value, money stands, in opposition to commodities, as the abstract always stands in opposition to the particular. We will see value in two forms: as particular commodities, and as money. It is crucial to recognize that this development is latent... ...ever, for the theory that currency is nothing more than the representative of a certain quantity of gold. There were always some limits within which the "dollar" or the "pound" could fluctuate in value relative to gold. What laws governed these movements? The general equivalent theory in the form Marx presents it does not explicitly answer this question. A second group of questions which troubled early- nineteenth- century monetary theorists concerns the laws which govern the depreciation, usually in times of war. of inconvertible paper money issued by the state. Examples of this phenomenon Include the depreciations of the greenback dollar in the United States during the Civil War, and of the paper pound issued by the British during the Napoleonic wars. Ricardo and later quantity theorists used this phenomenon of depreciation as a strong argument for their thesis that the value of money depends on its quantity. For these writers the depreciation of paper money was just a particular example of the tendency for any form of money to depreciate when its quantity becomes larger relative to the needs of circulation. Marx's discussion of this question is very clear and convincing.

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 23

The CPFV meeting didn't get nearly as much press as a hot lesbian affair did, but it still drew a reporter from the Seattle Times, as well as some other media attention. Jody had delivered the speech of a lifetime at the meeting. She'd outlined a fully detailed vision for the CPFV, one that involved dropping the group's current attack on homosexuality. Her plan encouraged outreach to those in need, the same teen mothers and runaways she'd spoken to me about before. Since the CPFV had a national presence, she also wanted the chapters to address local needs in order to have a more meaningful impact and foster a sense of community. Her presentation had been brilliantly thought out and inspiring. The meeting had ended with cheers and applause, as well as a vote that made her the organization's new head. I suspected that, post-ambrosia, she might be a little terrified by what she'd wrought. After all the creative and interesting things she'd done in her life so far, though, I felt confident she could manage. Plus, I had a feeling she'd be happier being involved in some meaningful vocation again after her days in the doldrums as a housebound wife. It occurred to me also that although we might be hellish superstars for our Dana-related actions, Bastien and I hadn't really helped the greater diabolical cause in the end. Really, Dana had been spreading evil and intolerance. Ousting her for Jody had actually brought more good into the world than before. I hoped Jerome never made that connection. He was pretty pleased with me at the moment. The CPFV article was a few days old now, but I kept it on my desk at work because it made me happy during what had otherwise been an unsettling week. Seth hadn't shown at the store at all. â€Å"Did you see that on the Internet?† Doug asked me, noticing the paper. I gave him a blank look. â€Å"Why would I watch something like that?† â€Å"Because it's hot. You're totally missing out.† He sat on the edge of the desk and played with a pen, flipping it in the air. Neither of us were doing the work we should have been. It was just like old times. â€Å"How are you feeling?† I asked. â€Å"Pretty good, I guess.† He knew that I knew about the ambrosia, but he wasn't aware of my role in what had happened. All he knew was that Alec was gone. â€Å"The band's sort of plateaued now. I guess that had to happen. Not having a drummer really doesn't help either.† â€Å"Well, you'll fix that, won't you?† â€Å"Yeah. Just a pain. Gotta have auditions.† He stopped playing with the pen and sighed. â€Å"We were so close, Kincaid. A little bit farther, and we'd have made it.† â€Å"You still will. It'll just take longer. Everything you guys did – that was still you. â€Å" â€Å"Yeah,† he said, not sounding convinced. â€Å"Besides, I'm still your groupie. That's got to count for something, right?† His easy grin returned. â€Å"You bet it does. I think Maddie might be joining your ranks. She won't get out of my apartment.† I laughed. â€Å"Doesn't she have to go back to her job?† â€Å"Womanspeakis run out of Berkeley. She was already telecommuting, so she's just doing more of the same. She says she wants to keep an eye on me.† â€Å"That's sweet.† â€Å"Dude.† Doug gave me a droll look. â€Å"I'm trying to be a rock star, and my sister lives with me. That's not sweet. â€Å" â€Å"Working hard as always, I see,† a smooth voice said. We both looked up from our banter. â€Å"Paige!† I exclaimed delightedly. I would have hugged her, but we'd never exactly had a touchy-feely relationship. Our long-absent manager stood in the doorway. She almost looked casual in loose black slacks and an empire-cut pink maternity blouse. Her stomach had grown even more in the last month, and seeing it made a little fuzzy spot tickle in my chest. I'd been unable to conceive a child while mortal and could not now as an immortal. That knowledge still stung on a personal level, but I never held it against those I knew. I loved pregnant women and babies. I was happy for Paige, happier to see her back and looking well. A smile played on her glossed lips as she took in the two of us. â€Å"Georgina, could you come to Warren's office? We want to talk to you. It won't take long.† â€Å"Sure,† I said standing up. Doug quietly hummed the Jaws theme. Paige, Warren, and I sat down in his office with the door closed. I didn't really think I was in trouble, but being with them like this felt kind of intimidating. Especially since both seemed to be watching me expectantly. â€Å"So,† began Paige, â€Å"we've been looking over all the accounts of what happened while we were gone. We've talked to some people too.† She paused purposefully. â€Å"You've been busy.† I smiled, relaxing. â€Å"It's always busy here. If I wanted a slow store, I'd go down to Foster's.† Warren laughed. â€Å"I heard he offered you a job.† â€Å"Yeah, but don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.† â€Å"That's good,† Paige said crisply, â€Å"because I understand we now have some sort of annual event you've got to plan. Lorelei Biljan sent me e-mail asking to be invited back to next year's Emerald Lit Gala.† â€Å"Fest,† I corrected. â€Å"It's a fest.† â€Å"Whatever. The point is, what you did was remarkable†¦if a little unorthodox. To pull that together so quickly and then turn over such amazing sales stats.† She shook her head. â€Å"It was superhuman.† I squirmed at the adjective. â€Å"It needed to be done.† â€Å"And you did it. Just like you've been doing a number of other remarkable things around here. Things that we're very impressed with.† â€Å"Hey, now,† I said, suddenly uncomfortable with the way they both watched me, â€Å"don't think that was an ordinary day. It was kind of an exception. I can't do that kind of stuff all the time. I was just having a good day, that's all.† â€Å"You've had a lot of good days, Georgina,† Warren spoke up. â€Å"You haven't had a full staff here in weeks. You've come in on your days off. You've run this place when no one else was around to do it. You've handled crisis after crisis – and not just the Fest thing. I'm talking about the whole situation with Doug too.† I sat up straighten â€Å"What are you going to do? You aren't going to fire him, are you? Because it wasn't all him†¦I mean, there were extenuating circumstances. He's better now. He's the best employee you've got.† â€Å"We've spoken to him,† said Paige calmly. â€Å"And he'll stay on for now, although he understands he'll sort of be on probation.† Relief coursed through me. â€Å"Good. That's really good.† â€Å"I'm glad you think so because you'll be the one who's supervising him.† â€Å"I – what?† My train of thought derailed horrifically, and I looked back and forth between their faces, waiting for the punch line. â€Å"This pregnancy is proving more difficult than expected, as you've probably guessed. The baby's healthy, and I'm still on track for a normal delivery, but I need to eliminate certain risk factors. One of them, unfortunately, is working.† I stared. Paige had hired me. She couldn't leave. â€Å"What are you saying?† â€Å"I'm saying that I can't keep working here.† â€Å"But†¦after the baby†¦you could come back, right?† â€Å"I don't know, but I'm not going to put the store on hold while I figure that out. I'm resigning, and we want you to take my place.† â€Å"As manager,† added Warren, like that wasn't perfectly obvious. â€Å"I†¦I don't know what to say.† â€Å"You'd get a salary increase, of course,† she said. â€Å"And then we'd hire someone to fill your old position. You'd take over all of my duties.† I nodded. I knew what her duties were – especially since I'd done them for the last few weeks. They involved more paperwork than sociability, but certainly Paige had worked the floor plenty and interacted with others. The job still involved people, but in a different way. I'd have no peers and no one above me save Warren. It could potentially put a damper on how much I hung out with the staff after work – particularly my goofing off with Doug. The position would entail a whole new set of complications and difficulties. On the other hand, I'd have a lot more freedom and power. Paige planned all of our signings and promotional events, much as I had the Fest. It had been fun. I could do that all the time now. I could experiment with new things. That had appeal – a lot of it. And really, the challenging aspect of it also had its appeal. It would be new and different. I'd lived for centuries, and I knew the dangers of a static lifestyle. I had enough experience and education to take on very prestigious occupations – and I had done so in the past. This time around, I'd chosen a more laid-back job; was I ready to move on now? My decision was made, but when I saw how anxious my silence had made them, I couldn't resist a little teasing. â€Å"Would I get my own office?† They nodded as one, still tense, thinking that was what held me back. â€Å"Oh. Okay. Sold.† I went home that night heady with the knowledge of my new job. I would miss Paige, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I grew about being store manager. Celebration was definitely in order, so I called Hugh and the vampires, and we went out on the town. I had fun with them, but honestly, I wished I could celebrate with someone else. The late night of drinking made me sleep in considerably the next morning. I awoke to Aubrey sprawled across my neck, dangerously close to cutting off my air, in a position only a cat could find comfortable. My clock read noon, and I lay there, warm in the blankets and wondering what I was going to do with myself. The store wasn't open. It was Thanksgiving. My phone rang. I rolled over and grappled for it, just barely avoiding getting Aubrey's claws in my jugular. I stared at Seth's name on the caller ID as if it had magical powers. Taking a deep breath, I answered. â€Å"Happy birthday,† I said, trying to sound cheerful and not utterly petrified. There was a pause and then a small, surprised chuckle. I hadn't known what to expect when he and I finally resumed contact after last week's drama, but his laughter hadn't been a contender. Unless it was bitter laughter while my heart bled onto the floor and I begged for forgiveness. â€Å"Thanks,† he said, his voice sobering a little. â€Å"But, uh, I don't believe you.† â€Å"Believe me what?† â€Å"That you want me to have a happy birthday.† â€Å"I just said I did.† There was a long silence. My anxiety grew with every passing second. â€Å"If you wanted me to have a happy birthday, you'd come over to my party. â€Å" â€Å"Your party,† I repeated flatly. â€Å"Yeah, remember? Andrea invited you?† I remembered. I'd been thinking about it every day this week. â€Å"I didn't think I was still invited.† I hesitated, heart aching. â€Å"I didn't think you'd want me there.† â€Å"Well, I do. So hurry up. You're late.† We hung up, and I just sat there. Seth had called at last. And he wanted to see me. Now. What was going to happen? What should I do? I looked at Aubrey and sighed. â€Å"Guess I should have kept that last pack of ambrosia, huh?†

English Track Paper

Even as an early age, I was always hypnotized whenever I watched any sport. It was as if I were starring at a wizard’s enchanted globe. I remember being fascinated with the skills demonstrated by athletes in their particular arena of sports. Whether it was good dribbling skills of a basketball player, great footwork of a boxer, or incredible running power of a running back, any athlete with a good amount of skill was able to enslave my attention. My dad first encouraged my passion for sports at the age of 5. I remember watching basketball, football, boxing, track, tennis, and other sports in the living room with him. On the weekends, my dad would always spend a couple of hours throwing the football, shooting a few hoops, and racing to see who was the fastest with me. This not only fueled the flame of my sports passion, but it sowed the seeds of growth in my young physical and mental well-being. To me, my dad is like a great scientist or teacher when he introduced me to the concept that good physical and mental fitness go hand-in-hand. Even though I am an avid fan of many sports, the one I actively participated in was track. I ran track during my middle and high school years. During my middle school years, I was a decent track runner as most middle school students are. When I reached high school, I was an ok runner at first, nothing exceptional. Then my parents made the decision that would bring my running game to the next level and I didn’t even know it. During the summer after my sophomore year, my parents decided to enroll me in K-Y track club. It was basically a summer league track team that competed with other local and regional teams. When they first told me, I wanted to stage violent protests and start a bloody revolution. I was thinking, I don’t want to run in the summertime you idiots! If you think it’s such a good idea why don’t you get out there and run! † I thought to myself, wishing I had the guts to say it to my parents. Despite my protests, I was forced to go. Little did I know I was going to meet another one of my great teacher of sports; Coach Willie. Coach Willie is a well known and respected track coach in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. He has been coaching track for several years, and has coached several local, regional, and national champions. He was one of the greatest and most knowledgeable athletic teachers and trainers I have ever met. He re-programmed my running game to give it maximum efficiency and output, as he has done for several kids. The road to improvement was not easy; I had no clue of what I was in for during the first day of practice. The first practice took place by memorial stadium in Baton Rouge. After running many laps around the stadium, running up and down the hills the surround it, and numerous other sprints and exercises, I threw up which was usually a sign that I had a good practice, learned something, and was ready to go home. I asked one of the other kids a seasoned veteran of Coach Willie was it time to go home. He looked and laughed and said, â€Å"Practice just started that was just warm-up exercises. † I think I was too shocked to faint at first. â€Å"Just a warm-up! School track practice wasn’t this hard! † Now I really hated my parents, what kind of death-camp had they signed me up for?! I could have just gotten a job! This is pretty much how the first half of the summer went. I would wake-up thinking of a lie that could get me out of practice for the day. Try the lie on a parent, have lie fail and have to go to practice anyway. While at practice, would engage in what Coach Willie termed â€Å"up-grading† and â€Å"re-building†. Up-grading ourselves from the laziness we had acquired in his absence and re-building ourselves from the current level of garbage we were at, to the machines we should be. â€Å"I’m actually saving your lives. † Coach Willie would say as he walked watching us practicing and training with sweat-drenched bodies. â€Å"You should be paying me a hundred thousand, no a million dollars for even being out here looking at y’all. Not to mention getting you right† He would shout as he watched us from behind his aviator shades, barking commands as he watched us get in training formations like an army of well-muscled children soldiers. We were trained to be the most lethal competitors that stepped on the track at any meet we went to, to kill and dismember competition with no remorse. â€Å"Training and attitude separates winners and losers ladies and gentlemen. † Coach Willie would preach while bearing down us from beneath those shades, his silver-whistles hanging from his neck, reminding me of a slave-master’s whip. Every time he blew it, the mass of us would change exercises, or slow down or speed-up while running, mostly speed-up. For me the first half of the summer was brutal, not to mention the track meets. Whereas the competition in my school district had been kind of good the completion in summer league track was next level. I mean fourteen, fifteen and sixteen year olds were walking around reminding me of Nazi experimental super-soldiers. Every race I ran in I was pretty much punished and embarrassed. By the time the fifth or sixth meet came, Coach Willie had begun to give me a few pointers during practice and he began to gradually bring the dog in me out. I was a sprinter so he helped with getting a good start or â€Å"getting out of the starting blocks good† in track-talk. â€Å"A good start can win the first 40 yards of the 400 meter dash. So being able to get out the blocks smoothly is important† Coach Willie told me, he trained me on that and maintaining explosiveness of my speed during the race. I also begin to push myself and train a little harder during practice. It was difficult at first, but I began to notice the pointers Coach Willie was giving me would always shave a second or mille-second off my running time. I went from being last in the races, to being second-to-last, to being third-to-last, and so on. I knew I had truly made improvement when I placed third at a meet. Yes, I was actually in the top three and not last for once! I was ecstatic! Right about that time the summer track season was ending and school was re-starting. I was surprised to see myself actually feeling regret that summer-league season was over. When school track season started back I had forgotten that the competition in our school district was not on the same level as the competition in summer league track. I had gotten used to competing against some seriously good runners. The first day of track practice bore a hint of what was to come. When I emerged on the football field, which was where we practiced, something was different about me. My eyes had keen and dark look of wolf, my walk was well-coordinated like a boxer. My face bore a mean frown. My teammates watched as I stripped out of my tracksuit to warm-up. Eyes widened, jaws dropped, where there had been a skinny wimp now stood a finely-muscled, well-trained, running-assassin. I began to institute my new world order in our school track district. I quickly began decapitating the competition in track meets. I went from being a joke to being feared on the track, every meet I left opponents disemboweled on the track, showing no remorse or mercy. My teammates began to do better also; it was like we fed off each other’s dark energy. An energy which I was the first to bring to the team. It was like I was the leader of a ruthless band of mercenary and we fulfilled only the highest contracts. I remember wishing I could make a belt or necklace with the heads of fallen opponents. At the peak of my track career I was third in our school-district among sprinters. This was pretty good to me seeing as how far I had come and that the other two guys on top were very good. All of this change I owed to Coach Willie. This taught to fight and leave it all on the field in life and sports. To never give less than 100%. I owe Coach Willie much thanks, I’m glad he put that competitive attitude in me. To always be willing to out-fight, out-think, out-train, and out-work my opponent. Always try harder. Lock on it like a pit-bull terrier. This is one of the many reasons I love sports, I love when it comes down to the wire, when athletes give it their all and it is pound-for-pound, blow-for-blow, that is where training and attitude come into play, which is what sports and life is all about.

Latin Plural Endings

Latin Plural Endings Latin Plural Endings Latin Plural Endings By Mark Nichol Pluralization of Latin-based nouns is a complicated field. Preference for Latin or English plural endings is inconsistent in similarly constructed words, as is the presence of alternative forms at all. Here’s a guide to plural forms for Latin words, identifying, for more than a hundred nouns of Latin origin and a few similarly constructed terms from other languages, which ending among two or three alternatives is preferred for particular words or in which contexts various alternative forms are employed. When two or more alternatives are listed, the first is the more (or most) common. Words ending in a, plural -s or -ae alga: algae or algas antenna: antennas or antennae (only antennae is correct for the sensory organs on animals; antennas in more common in other contexts) formula: formulas or formulae larva: larvae or larvas nebula: nebulae or nebulas: the former ending is employed in astronomy, and the latter applies in medical contexts vertebra: vertebrae or vertebras (vertebrae is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to a single vertebra) Words ending in ex, plural -exes or -ices apex: apexes or apices index: indexes or indices vortex: vortices or vortexes Words ending in eau, plural -eaus or -eaux bureau: bureaus or bureaux (the latter form is rare for this word and the other two in this category) chà ¢teau: chà ¢teaus or chà ¢teaux plateau: plateaus or plateaux Words ending in ion, plural -ia criterion: criteria ganglion: ganglia or ganglions Words ending in is, plural -es analysis: analyses axis: axes basis: bases crisis: crises diagnosis: diagnoses ellipsis: ellipses hypothesis: hypotheses oasis: oases paralysis: paralyses parenthesis: parentheses synopsis: synopses synthesis: syntheses thesis: theses Words ending in ix appendix: appendixes or appendices matrix: matrices or matrixes Words ending in o, plural -os or -i graffito: graffiti (the plural form is almost invariable used in place of the singular form) libretto: librettos or libretti virtuoso: virtuosos or virtuosi Words ending in o, plural -os or -oes armadillo: armadillos avocado: avocados or avocadoes banjo: banjos or banjoes bistro: bistros calypso: calypsos or calypsoes (the former spelling pertains to either the flower or the music style, and the latter form applies only to the music form) cargo: cargoes or cargos casino: casinos contralto: contraltos dingo: dingoes domino: dominoes or dominos dynamo: dynamos echo: echoes or echos ego: egos embargo: embargoes flamingo: flamingos or flamingoes folio: folios grotto: grottoes or grottos hero: heroes hippo: hippos innuendo: innuendos or innuendoes lasso: lassos or lassoes mango: mangoes or mangos motto: mottoes paparazzo: paparazzi pistachio: pistachios portfolio: portfolios potato: potatoes radio: radios ratio: ratios rhino: rhinos or rhino stiletto: stilettos or stilettoes studio: studios tornado: tornadoes or tornados torpedo: torpedoes veto: vetoes volcano: volcanoes or volcanos weirdo: weirdos Words ending in oo, plural -oos cockatoo: cockatoos kangaroo: kangaroos zoo: zoos Words ending in um, plural -a or -ums addendum: addenda or addendums agendum: agenda or agendums (agenda is almost invariably used in place of the singular form, and agendums is rare) aquarium: aquariums or aquaria atrium: atria or atriums bacterium: bacteria candelabrum: candelabra or candelabrums corrigendum: corrigenda curriculum: curricula or curriculums datum: data or datums (data is often used as a mass noun, taking a singular verb and being substituted by a singular pronoun) erratum: errata gymnasium: gymnasiums or gymnasia maximum: maxima or maximums medium: mediums or media (media is the correct alternative to refer to forms of expression or information or in biological contexts) memorandum: memorandums or memoranda millennium: millennia or millenniums minimum: minima or minimums moratorium: moratoriums or moratoria podium: podiums or podia referendum: referenda or referendums spectrum: spectra or spectrums stratum: strata symposium: symposiums or symposia Words ending in us, plural -uses or -i alumnus/alumna: alumni or alumnae (alumnus refers to a man and alumna to a woman, alumni pertains to men or to men and women and alumnae to women; alumni is often employed in the singular, and alum/alums are used informally as gender-neutral singular and plural forms) bacillus: bacilli cactus: cacti or cactuses focus: foci or focuses fungus: fungi or funguses hippopotamus: hippopotamuses or hippopotami locus: loci narcissus: narcissi or narcissuses or narcissus platypus: platypuses or platypi radius: radii or radiuses stimulus: stimuli syllabus: syllabi or syllabuses terminus: termini or terminuses Words ending in on, plural -a or -ons automaton: automotons or automata phenomenon: phenomena or phenomenons Assorted cherub: cherubim or cherubs (the former alternative applies to angels and the latter pertains to depictions of winged children or to cherubic-looking people) rhinoceros: rhinoceroses or rhinoceros or rhinoceri seraph: seraphim or seraphs Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Royal Order of Adjectives 50 Synonyms for "Assistant"Wood vs. Wooden

An Evaluation of the reasons why a multinational enterprise undertakes FDI

While it is often argued that MNCs ship capital to where it is scarce, transfer technology and management expertise from one country to another, and promote the efficient allocation of resources in the global economy, it is important to note that inspite of this, the ultimate goal of the corporation is to increase profit and improve share value for its owners and shareholders (Barris and Cabra, 2002). It is believed that while FDI helps the country at the receiving end it also benefits the organisation because FDI by their nature has multiple benefits and can offer quick growth for any organisation if carefully undertaken. According to the International Monetary Fund (2002) FDI refers to an investment made to acquire lasting or long-term interest in enterprises operating outside of the economy of the investor. It plays an important role in global business especially in an everly increasingly competitive world marked by competition and globalisation. FDI can also provide a firm with new opportunities, distribution channels, markets and cheaper production capacities including, skills, technology and financing (IMF, 2002). In the work of Zarsky (2002) he points out that MNCs who invests in other countries often tend to benefit from lower costs and higher productive efficiency amongst several other benefits, therefore for firms seeking to achieve better performance, FDI is always undertaken as a strategic decision to achieve such objective. The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of FDI to multinational organisations and evaluate some of the most important reasons why a MNC would undertake foreign direct investment abroad. The paper looks at the varying benefits of FDI and how it particularly benefits the firm undertaking such investment. Understanding FDI UNCTAD estimates that there are over 76,000 multinational corporations with affiliates and subsidiaries running to about 770,000 worldwide (UNCTAD, 2007). In 2005, FDI was estimated to have reached over $1.5 trillion with MNCs responsible for 12% of the world’s GDP while employing over 55 million people across the world (OECD, 2007). The OECD also estimates that 100 of the largest MNCs in the world account for over 15% of foreign assets with them accounting for 1/3 of global trade. In total over 70% of MNCs are based in advanced industrial countries with increasing stake in the developing world. The increasing surge of MNCs in emerging markets over the past decade especially attests to the fact they are increasingly undertaking FDI through market expansion to diversify their portfolios and increase their presence. Some of the few examples are: Vodaphone in India, Ford in Turkey, Microsoft in the UK and Coca cola in African countries. As is inherent in some of these examples, F DI can either take the form of merger, acquisition, the development of a new firm and or joint venture participation with existing firms (OECD, 2007). According to Thomsen (2000) FDI is important in so many ways for both the host country and the firm making the FDI because it holds various advantages in the long term for both. However, while its benefit for the firm is the focus of this paper, it is important to state that FDI can stimulate competition so long as there are proper policies in the host economy. Therefore FDI investment is not only important to the multinational firm but also the host economy for which it has so many spill over effects which is enjoyed in the long term. Generally, there is outward FDI and inward FDI. Outward FDI is the type of foreign direct investment which typically leaves a country while inward FDI is one which is received by a host country (Ekholm, 2004). MNCs participate in both forms of FDI and benefits from both at the same time through their activities. While outward FDI is generally not in favour of the host economy, it is said to benefit the MNC because it offers the opportunity for reinvest ment or as profits for the owners or shareholders. Inward FDI on the other hand benefits the host economy as it creates jobs and generates tax for the government while also benefiting the multinational company in several ways. Why MNCs undertake FDI In the old economics textbook, various reasons were adduced to the motive behind MNCs undertaking of FDI in other countries. One of the main explanations is that ‘Market disequilibrium and distortions’ give MNCs the impetus to undertake foreign investment (See e.g. Knickerbocker, 1973; p. 21). In a sense, it is believed that government imposed distortions as well as temporary disequilibria for example causes the need for firms to look outside their domestic market for opportunities in other countries (Ibid). Another explanation often put forward for MNCs motive for undertaking FDI is that market imperfection drives MNCs to look outward because imperfection in a market creates opportunities and economies of scale therefore it offers the MNC a perfect opportunity to increase its profits by investing its stake (See: Ekholm, 2004). While some of these explanations are still true to some extent as to why MNCs undertake FDI, the current and most important reasons indeed surpas es what is documented in the old textbooks of economics as explained earlier. Today, MNCs undertake foreign direct investment for various reasons and one of such is the increasing pressure wielded by competition through the forces of globalisation on the MNC making the rate of risk higher as to sustain long term operation in domestic markets (Nunnenkamp, 2002). Indeed through the modern process of globalisation, competition has taken a new dimension as forces outside a country can compete with a firm irrespective of its dominance in its local market, its brand awareness or strenghth, with the power of increasing competition therefore, survival today is about thinking ahead of the game, organisational thinking through innovation, collaboration, expansion and increased presence in other markets. This can be said to be one of the main impetus for MNCs motive for undertaking FDI abroad as such investment would enable the firm to achieve its objectives of improving profits and enhancing productivity theough cost cutting. Another motive behind MNCs undertaking of foreign direct investment is to diversify risks in their markets and portfolios. As noted by (Johnson, 2005) increasingly the macro business environment is becoming characterized with operational risks as the rate of unceratinty is increasing and markets are failing. The recent recession is an example of such risks existing in the external operating environment, since the recession which first started in 2007, several well known brands have collapsed while many are still suffering from the ruins of the recession. Indeed, many organisations operating in single markets and with limited product and market portfolios were exposed to market failures and increased risks in the last recession which consequently marked major decline in their share value and profit margin. Consequently, as a result of the threats associated with the risks of operating in one single market or product, MNCs are undetaking FDI abroad in other to diversify the risks in th eir primary market. Risk for a MNC can come in various faces. It could be operational risk, market risk, product risk, and several other. Undertaking FDI therefore offers the MNC the opportunity to mitigate such risks by diversifying into other markets or products through FDI. In the recent work of Davis (2009) he suggests that by undertaking foreign direct investment the MNC is able to lower production costs while also able to avoid trade restrictions. More so, the increasing labour cost and the cost of production in industrialised economies has given more impetus to MNCs to undertake FDI in a way that would allow them to lower production costs and enjoy cheaper labour costs (Barros and Cabral 2000). Ford motors is a typical example; Since the cost of production of Ford motors has increased in the UK, the company has decided to conduct its operations from other markets like Turkey for example where the cost of labour and production is relatively low. In addition to aiming to reduce labour and production costs, MNCs also undertake FDI to take up opportunity in profitable markets (Johnson, 2005) and this especially has to do with markets where there are better opportunities for the MNC to compete and make profit while at the same time increasing its brand v alue and identity (Ibid). Most of large oil and gas firms in the industrialised countries are typical examples of this development. Most big western oil firms such as Shell, Chevron, Mobil, BP, Texaco, etc have increased their presence in oil producing nations such as Russia, Angola, Brazil, Nigeria, Qatar, etc because the oil market in such countries require huge investment and infrastructure which they can undertake through FDI yet the market is such that there is little competition and therefore when they enter such markets they are able to use their market power and experience to increase their profit and become better at what they do. Shell like many other oil firms operating in the oil industry of many countries around the world have been able to avail itself of more opportunities in the general oil and gas market as well as other related industry through FDI than it can do in its primary and domestic markets. Similarly, the oil producing companies generally have been able to learn more about the intricacies of downstream and upstream operations as well as able to diversify into other related markets while at the same time able to contribute to the development of their host communities, although there are issues concerning corporate social responsibility and the environmental degradation caused by oil companies to their local communities, however the opportunistic and growth aspect of participating in other markets which FDI offers has been the main motive of MNCs. A similar development can be seen in other industries too, like the beverages industry for example where Coca cola is a prime example, Coca cola have been able to enter over 200 countries mainly to take advantage of the gaps and opportunities in those markets for the purpose of maximising its own profits while at the same time increasing its enhancing productivity and creating edge against its competition. The question to ask indeed is why MNCs are addicted to profit making and the taking up of opportunities everywhere there isIn response to such question: Kugler (2001) suggest that large firms over the past twenty years have been operating in a tougher and competitive world where their market power is challenged by small firms and the power of globalisation, it is this which gives them the motivation to invest abroad with the aim of challenging their competitors and taking to their advantage the benefit inherent in other markets to increase their profits and stay ahead of the game. Several MNCs also take opportunities abroad through FDI with the aim to vertically integrate their operations back and forward so as to sustain their operations and maintain healthy profits. It is at this juncture that the role of greed in their motive to undertake FDI can also be located. While little research exists in the literature on greed and why MNCs undertake FDI abroad, the 2007 global financial crisis has sparked academic debates about the role of greed in the operations and investment motives of MNCs abroad. In the work of Gultung (2009) for example looking at the case of some oil firms, financial institutions and industrialised apparel firms’, he talks about grievance, greed and opportunism in the way MNCs engage in FDI. The author explores the exploitation and the activities of many multinational corporations; How they exploit local firms, resources and labour in the foreign markets in which they operate. He cited the case of Shell in Nigeria and how the firm has over the year’s completely overtaken and forsaken local communities in which they exploit natural resources. As a consequence of such exploitation – Gultung suggests that many f armers have ceased operations while many fishermen are not able to feed their families and survive because their lands and firms have been taken over by oil activities and in many cases devastated and contaminated, yet Shell announce billions of dollars in its after profit tax every year. A similar example was cited of the apparel industry and the activities of company like Primark which has over the years undertaken foreign direct investment in India and many developing countries but to take advantage of labour and other local factors. Exploitation according to the author is defined as a â€Å"means through which one party gets much more out of a deal than the other-measured by the sum of internalities and externalities†. Sadly, most MNCs always get much more out the deals they strike than others. It is in this definition that it can be further argued that many MNCs as it is across many industries in the world mostly exploit other parties with whom they engage in FDI, theref ore it can be assumed that MNCs often undertake FDI in order to improve their profits with the motive to exploit others resources and take advantage of the opportunities in such markets. Finally, MNCs undertake FDI as a result of what Gorg and Strobl (2001) describe as the Product Life Cycle effect which occurs as a result of products reaching their maturity. For example a FDI takes place when product maturity hits and cost becomes an increasingly important consideration for the MNC. Conclusions This paper has explored the foreign investment activities of MNCs and the main reasons why they undertake FDI; it has presented various motives and factors underlying MNCs quest for investment abroad and as discussed above; one of such reasons is to increase profit, diversify risks and increase their competitiveness. The motive to undertake FDI to improve competitiveness has particularly become important for many MNCs given that in the current business environment, competition has become the order of the day and irrespective of size or location, small firms are able to compete in the same market with the multinationals. For the multinationals therefore, competitiveness has been the key and that includes aggressive expansion, constant innovation, acquisition and investing in markets abroad through various means. In view of the reasons mentioned in the paper, the reasons why MNCs undertake FDI can be said to be numerous and dependent on specific factors having to do with individual MNC s. For example some MNCs would make FDI decision to avail themselves of opportunities abroad, while other would take such decision to diversify risks, or vertically integrate their operations. References Barros. P.P. and L. Cabral (2000). Competing for Foreign Direct Investment., Review of International Economics, 8, 360-371. Ekholm, K. (2004). Multinational Enterprises and their Effect on Labour Markets, in Sodersten, B. (ed.), Globalization and the Welfare State, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. OECD (2007). Global Competition and the top ten investment destination, Paris: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Gorg, H. and E. Strobl (2001) .Multinational Companies, Technology Spillovers, and Plant Survival: Evidence from Irish Manufacturing., EIJS Working Paper 131, Stockholm School of Economics. Glass, A. and Saggi, K. (2002). Multinational Firms and Technology Transfer, Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 104(3), 495-514. Galtung, J. (2009) Peace by peaceful means peace and conflict, development and civilisation. London, Sage publications International Monetary Fund (2002). FDI statistics. Johnson, A. (2005). Host Country Effects of Foreign Direct Investment: The Case of Developing and Transition Economies, Jonkoping, Singapore: Jonkoping International Business School Dissertation Series No. 031 Knickerbocker, F. T. (1973) Oligopolistic Reaction and Multinational Enterprise. Division of Research Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University: Cambridge, MA Nunnenkamp, P. (2002). Determinants of FDI in Developing Countries: Has Globalization Changed the Rules of the GameKiel, Germany: Kiel Institute for World Economics working paper No. 1122 Thomsen, S. (2000). Investment Patterns in a Longer-Term Perspective, OECD Working Paper on International Development, Number 2000/2 UNCTAD (2009). FDI statistics for multinational and Transnational’s, Geneva: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Zarsky, L. (2002). Foreign Direct Investment: No Miracle Drug [online]. Ultimate Field Guide to the US Economy, Available: http://www.fguide.org/Bulletin/fdinodrug.htm An Evaluation of the reasons why a multinational enterprise undertakes FDI While it is often argued that MNCs ship capital to where it is scarce, transfer technology and management expertise from one country to another, and promote the efficient allocation of resources in the global economy, it is important to note that inspite of this, the ultimate goal of the corporation is to increase profit and improve share value for its owners and shareholders (Barris and Cabra, 2002). It is believed that while FDI helps the country at the receiving end it also benefits the organisation because FDI by their nature has multiple benefits and can offer quick growth for any organisation if carefully undertaken. According to the International Monetary Fund (2002) FDI refers to an investment made to acquire lasting or long-term interest in enterprises operating outside of the economy of the investor. It plays an important role in global business especially in an everly increasingly competitive world marked by competition and globalisation. FDI can also provide a firm with new opportunities, distribution channels, markets and cheaper production capacities including, skills, technology and financing (IMF, 2002). In the work of Zarsky (2002) he points out that MNCs who invests in other countries often tend to benefit from lower costs and higher productive efficiency amongst several other benefits, therefore for firms seeking to achieve better performance, FDI is always undertaken as a strategic decision to achieve such objective. The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of FDI to multinational organisations and evaluate some of the most important reasons why a MNC would undertake foreign direct investment abroad. The paper looks at the varying benefits of FDI and how it particularly benefits the firm undertaking such investment. Understanding FDI UNCTAD estimates that there are over 76,000 multinational corporations with affiliates and subsidiaries running to about 770,000 worldwide (UNCTAD, 2007). In 2005, FDI was estimated to have reached over $1.5 trillion with MNCs responsible for 12% of the world’s GDP while employing over 55 million people across the world (OECD, 2007). The OECD also estimates that 100 of the largest MNCs in the world account for over 15% of foreign assets with them accounting for 1/3 of global trade. In total over 70% of MNCs are based in advanced industrial countries with increasing stake in the developing world. The increasing surge of MNCs in emerging markets over the past decade especially attests to the fact they are increasingly undertaking FDI through market expansion to diversify their portfolios and increase their presence. Some of the few examples are: Vodaphone in India, Ford in Turkey, Microsoft in the UK and Coca cola in African countries. As is inherent in some of these examples, F DI can either take the form of merger, acquisition, the development of a new firm and or joint venture participation with existing firms (OECD, 2007). According to Thomsen (2000) FDI is important in so many ways for both the host country and the firm making the FDI because it holds various advantages in the long term for both. However, while its benefit for the firm is the focus of this paper, it is important to state that FDI can stimulate competition so long as there are proper policies in the host economy. Therefore FDI investment is not only important to the multinational firm but also the host economy for which it has so many spill over effects which is enjoyed in the long term. Generally, there is outward FDI and inward FDI. Outward FDI is the type of foreign direct investment which typically leaves a country while inward FDI is one which is received by a host country (Ekholm, 2004). MNCs participate in both forms of FDI and benefits from both at the same time through their activities. While outward FDI is generally not in favour of the host economy, it is said to benefit the MNC because it offers the opportunity for reinvest ment or as profits for the owners or shareholders. Inward FDI on the other hand benefits the host economy as it creates jobs and generates tax for the government while also benefiting the multinational company in several ways. Why MNCs undertake FDI In the old economics textbook, various reasons were adduced to the motive behind MNCs undertaking of FDI in other countries. One of the main explanations is that ‘Market disequilibrium and distortions’ give MNCs the impetus to undertake foreign investment (See e.g. Knickerbocker, 1973; p. 21). In a sense, it is believed that government imposed distortions as well as temporary disequilibria for example causes the need for firms to look outside their domestic market for opportunities in other countries (Ibid). Another explanation often put forward for MNCs motive for undertaking FDI is that market imperfection drives MNCs to look outward because imperfection in a market creates opportunities and economies of scale therefore it offers the MNC a perfect opportunity to increase its profits by investing its stake (See: Ekholm, 2004). While some of these explanations are still true to some extent as to why MNCs undertake FDI, the current and most important reasons indeed surpas es what is documented in the old textbooks of economics as explained earlier. Today, MNCs undertake foreign direct investment for various reasons and one of such is the increasing pressure wielded by competition through the forces of globalisation on the MNC making the rate of risk higher as to sustain long term operation in domestic markets (Nunnenkamp, 2002). Indeed through the modern process of globalisation, competition has taken a new dimension as forces outside a country can compete with a firm irrespective of its dominance in its local market, its brand awareness or strenghth, with the power of increasing competition therefore, survival today is about thinking ahead of the game, organisational thinking through innovation, collaboration, expansion and increased presence in other markets. This can be said to be one of the main impetus for MNCs motive for undertaking FDI abroad as such investment would enable the firm to achieve its objectives of improving profits and enhancing productivity theough cost cutting. Another motive behind MNCs undertaking of foreign direct investment is to diversify risks in their markets and portfolios. As noted by (Johnson, 2005) increasingly the macro business environment is becoming characterized with operational risks as the rate of unceratinty is increasing and markets are failing. The recent recession is an example of such risks existing in the external operating environment, since the recession which first started in 2007, several well known brands have collapsed while many are still suffering from the ruins of the recession. Indeed, many organisations operating in single markets and with limited product and market portfolios were exposed to market failures and increased risks in the last recession which consequently marked major decline in their share value and profit margin. Consequently, as a result of the threats associated with the risks of operating in one single market or product, MNCs are undetaking FDI abroad in other to diversify the risks in th eir primary market. Risk for a MNC can come in various faces. It could be operational risk, market risk, product risk, and several other. Undertaking FDI therefore offers the MNC the opportunity to mitigate such risks by diversifying into other markets or products through FDI. In the recent work of Davis (2009) he suggests that by undertaking foreign direct investment the MNC is able to lower production costs while also able to avoid trade restrictions. More so, the increasing labour cost and the cost of production in industrialised economies has given more impetus to MNCs to undertake FDI in a way that would allow them to lower production costs and enjoy cheaper labour costs (Barros and Cabral 2000). Ford motors is a typical example; Since the cost of production of Ford motors has increased in the UK, the company has decided to conduct its operations from other markets like Turkey for example where the cost of labour and production is relatively low. In addition to aiming to reduce labour and production costs, MNCs also undertake FDI to take up opportunity in profitable markets (Johnson, 2005) and this especially has to do with markets where there are better opportunities for the MNC to compete and make profit while at the same time increasing its brand v alue and identity (Ibid). Most of large oil and gas firms in the industrialised countries are typical examples of this development. Most big western oil firms such as Shell, Chevron, Mobil, BP, Texaco, etc have increased their presence in oil producing nations such as Russia, Angola, Brazil, Nigeria, Qatar, etc because the oil market in such countries require huge investment and infrastructure which they can undertake through FDI yet the market is such that there is little competition and therefore when they enter such markets they are able to use their market power and experience to increase their profit and become better at what they do. Shell like many other oil firms operating in the oil industry of many countries around the world have been able to avail itself of more opportunities in the general oil and gas market as well as other related industry through FDI than it can do in its primary and domestic markets. Similarly, the oil producing companies generally have been able to learn more about the intricacies of downstream and upstream operations as well as able to diversify into other related markets while at the same time able to contribute to the development of their host communities, although there are issues concerning corporate social responsibility and the environmental degradation caused by oil companies to their local communities, however the opportunistic and growth aspect of participating in other markets which FDI offers has been the main motive of MNCs. A similar development can be seen in other industries too, like the beverages industry for example where Coca cola is a prime example, Coca cola have been able to enter over 200 countries mainly to take advantage of the gaps and opportunities in those markets for the purpose of maximising its own profits while at the same time increasing its enhancing productivity and creating edge against its competition. The question to ask indeed is why MNCs are addicted to profit making and the taking up of opportunities everywhere there isIn response to such question: Kugler (2001) suggest that large firms over the past twenty years have been operating in a tougher and competitive world where their market power is challenged by small firms and the power of globalisation, it is this which gives them the motivation to invest abroad with the aim of challenging their competitors and taking to their advantage the benefit inherent in other markets to increase their profits and stay ahead of the game. Several MNCs also take opportunities abroad through FDI with the aim to vertically integrate their operations back and forward so as to sustain their operations and maintain healthy profits. It is at this juncture that the role of greed in their motive to undertake FDI can also be located. While little research exists in the literature on greed and why MNCs undertake FDI abroad, the 2007 global financial crisis has sparked academic debates about the role of greed in the operations and investment motives of MNCs abroad. In the work of Gultung (2009) for example looking at the case of some oil firms, financial institutions and industrialised apparel firms’, he talks about grievance, greed and opportunism in the way MNCs engage in FDI. The author explores the exploitation and the activities of many multinational corporations; How they exploit local firms, resources and labour in the foreign markets in which they operate. He cited the case of Shell in Nigeria and how the firm has over the year’s completely overtaken and forsaken local communities in which they exploit natural resources. As a consequence of such exploitation – Gultung suggests that many f armers have ceased operations while many fishermen are not able to feed their families and survive because their lands and firms have been taken over by oil activities and in many cases devastated and contaminated, yet Shell announce billions of dollars in its after profit tax every year. A similar example was cited of the apparel industry and the activities of company like Primark which has over the years undertaken foreign direct investment in India and many developing countries but to take advantage of labour and other local factors. Exploitation according to the author is defined as a â€Å"means through which one party gets much more out of a deal than the other-measured by the sum of internalities and externalities†. Sadly, most MNCs always get much more out the deals they strike than others. It is in this definition that it can be further argued that many MNCs as it is across many industries in the world mostly exploit other parties with whom they engage in FDI, theref ore it can be assumed that MNCs often undertake FDI in order to improve their profits with the motive to exploit others resources and take advantage of the opportunities in such markets. Finally, MNCs undertake FDI as a result of what Gorg and Strobl (2001) describe as the Product Life Cycle effect which occurs as a result of products reaching their maturity. For example a FDI takes place when product maturity hits and cost becomes an increasingly important consideration for the MNC. Conclusions This paper has explored the foreign investment activities of MNCs and the main reasons why they undertake FDI; it has presented various motives and factors underlying MNCs quest for investment abroad and as discussed above; one of such reasons is to increase profit, diversify risks and increase their competitiveness. The motive to undertake FDI to improve competitiveness has particularly become important for many MNCs given that in the current business environment, competition has become the order of the day and irrespective of size or location, small firms are able to compete in the same market with the multinationals. For the multinationals therefore, competitiveness has been the key and that includes aggressive expansion, constant innovation, acquisition and investing in markets abroad through various means. In view of the reasons mentioned in the paper, the reasons why MNCs undertake FDI can be said to be numerous and dependent on specific factors having to do with individual MNC s. For example some MNCs would make FDI decision to avail themselves of opportunities abroad, while other would take such decision to diversify risks, or vertically integrate their operations. References Barros. P.P. and L. Cabral (2000). Competing for Foreign Direct Investment., Review of International Economics, 8, 360-371. Ekholm, K. (2004). Multinational Enterprises and their Effect on Labour Markets, in Sodersten, B. (ed.), Globalization and the Welfare State, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. OECD (2007). Global Competition and the top ten investment destination, Paris: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Gorg, H. and E. Strobl (2001) .Multinational Companies, Technology Spillovers, and Plant Survival: Evidence from Irish Manufacturing., EIJS Working Paper 131, Stockholm School of Economics. 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