Microeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 16

Microeconomics - Essay Example Macroeconomics is similar to this except that it deals with a country’s GDP, trade figures, and unemployment rates (â€Å"What’s†). These two economic principles go hand-in-hand because they each compliment each other. For example, the purchasing decision of an individual consumer would have an effect on the greater country as a whole, no matter how big or small. Looking at it from the other perspective, a macroeconomic decision taken by a government will have an effect on the spending habits of a single consumer. Microeconomics is largely to do with the prices of regular goods and services and how they affect a market. If a market is not doing so well, maybe the prices of goods and services need to be lowered. On the other hand, if the economy is doing above average, maybe the prices of goods and services need to be raised. This is largely due to the need to control inflation, which has more to do with macroeconomic decisions (Fox). Macroeconomics is concerned w ith economic growth and the discrepancies in national income, or GDP (â€Å"Difference†). An example of an economic decision that I could make would be the purchase of some new running shoes. If the price is too high, then I will put off my decision to purchase a new pair. Alternatively, I could look for another pair that is cheaper and more in my price range. Before making the final purchasing choice, I would find a selection of running shoes and evaluate of pair based on its pros and cons. Factors that I would consider in making my choice would obviously be price, followed by quality. Ultimately, my final choice would come down to the best pair of running shoes that I could buy in terms of durability and how comfortable the shoes are. An example of a macroeconomic decision that has affected me has been the raising of the minimum wage level. When a government chooses to raise the minimum wage, a consequence of

Evaluate the relevance of cross-cultural theories in explaining how to Assignment

Evaluate the relevance of cross-cultural theories in explaining how to manage companies in different countries - Assignment Example This, in itself, puts the workforce and the management in a multicultural stance. Universalism as a general theory might help ‘blend the culture’ and improve performance, while on the other hand it does not take into account the essential differences in cultures and particularism has to be followed (Alexandria, VA, 2008). It is pertinent to understand that while setting up a global mind set is productive, not all human resource strategies will fit every culture and situation, hence the need for adaptability (HRMagazine, 2008). Sensitive factors like religion and gender often define whether the host culture is neutral or emotional. Recognizing this has significant advantage in terms of control over the business and workforce itself. For example, ignoring a religious taboo might result in a strong setback for the company if the relevance of cultural differences is ignored (Himmelberg, Michele, 1998). Language barrier, the most common issue, is crucial and requires new communication skills to be dealt with (Carter, L, 2005). When a lingua franca does not already exist, it might be useful to train the local workforce in an international language (Feingold, Jean, 2006) but training the management in the vernacular has its key advantages including elimination of redundancy, direct management and easy understanding of the culture (Carter, L, 2005). These key theories are relevant most of the time even in the internet age, but when companies approach different cultures not only to utilize the workforce but also for marketing, the cultural dimensions take a more significant role. Cultural dimensions such as perceptions of justice, power distance and individualism define the employee behavior resulting in direct influence on turnover and other outcomes directly affecting the company’s ability in the competitive market (Kim et al, 2007, p. 104, 83-95). According to opposing studies, the cultural

Into Thin Air Paper Essay Example for Free

Into Thin Air Paper Essay Trusting others is a very difficult thing to do. It is important to trust others because humans cannot do everything by themselves. For example, Krakauers group had to rely on each other, so if one member is in trouble, another person had to help as soon as they could. If they do not trust each other, everyone would not make it up to the top of the mountain alive. Krakauer was afraid to be able to trust others because he felt very uncomfortable relying on inexperienced climbers, but he had to learn to trust them because he needs to survive the climb up the mountain. To climb a mountain, all climbers must have a group and a guide. Loyalty/respect of others on the mountain is essential because one can help another survive the journey. One must be willing to risk their own life and save another. The climbers lives are in the guides hands. Loyalty/respect is required for the guide because they give important information on how to climb properly and how to survive. An example from the book is how the guide, Rob Hall, helped an injured climber get down safely. At this point, it does not matter whom acts like what because the most important thing is for the people to survive the climb on Mount Everest. Climbing a mountain involves hard work, trust, and loyalty/trust. If one was not working hard or listening to the guide, his or her life is in danger. For example, one person did not listen to the guide when he was ill, so he was on the verge of dying because of his careless decision. This books highlights an important lesson: always trust and respect the people around you because they can always help you. People can make very poor decisions, and those who can help, help others to survive.

Problems Tourists Faced Arriving In Malaysia Tourism Essay

Problems Tourists Faced Arriving In Malaysia Tourism Essay Malaysia is a tourist-driven economy, besides manufacturing sector such as the auto industry and other important sectors that are driving the Malaysias economy. Tourism sector is Malaysias second largest revenue earner, after manufacturing. Tourism involves many players including tourists, businesses, tourism managers, host communities and society. All players need to derive benefits from tourism for tourism to be truly successful. The aspirations of these players are partially competing tourists seek to maximise consumer surplus, i.e. get the best experience possible for the least cost, while businesses seek to maximise (short-term) profits and host communities are interested in long-term income and employment as well as net benefits. Usually tourism success is measured by the number of tourists entering the country. This measure is useful when assessing tourism at a national scale since economic activity generated can be assumed to be dependable to tourist numbers. Thus, from a national or even state perspective it is useful to pursue an increase in tourist numbers, both international as well as inter- and intra-state. 2. Problems Tourists Faced Arriving in Malaysia There several problems tourists may faced when arriving in Malaysia. 2.1 Inadequate Infrastructural Facilities. Some states have experiencing inadequate infrastructural facilities and related services particularly in relation to accommodation and transportation. The immediate problem in several regions in Malaysia, for example, is the shortage of resort-type hotels. The deficiency also extends to suitable accommodation facilities for budget class tourists. This is more apparent that some islands with tourist potential off mainland Borneo have not been provided with accommodation facilities. In relation to transportation, public transports are too frequently not available to tourist destinations away from the main city or towns. Tourists have to hire taxis which are expensive to reach their destinations. 2.1.1 Possible Solutions Investment Incentive and Allocation for Development The government, through the relevant authorities, is urged to offer financial and enhanced investment incentive for investment in tourism related infrastructural facilities. A more direct role is to increase the allocation for development of infrastructure in potential but undeveloped tourist site. Public transport shall also be made available to remote tourist destinations. 2.2 Increase in Crime Instances where there are increases of crime due to the increasing of tourist numbers include the following: (i) Tourists as Victims of Thefts and Robbery Despite friendly warning from hotel staff, taxi drivers, and locals, the tourists are less likely to observe the normal safety precautions they would do at home. So valuables are left in clear view in locked or unlocked motor vehicles or unattended on a beach. In addition, hotel rooms or apartment are not properly secured, and cameras, money, jewelry are left lying around. Incident as per Appendix I highlights how a Britons holiday was ruined by snatch thieves. (ii) Hot Spots Location Foreign tourists use to frequenting places such as bars, nightclubs and strip joints catering to tourists and providing ancillary services such as prostitution and drugs. These places are prone to criminal activities. 2.2.1 Possible Solutions Round the Clock Patrol by Tourist Policemen Strengthening tourist police and the plainclothes special strike force personnel on round-the-clock patrol may help reduce petty crimes like pick pocketing. In Kuching, Sarawak, there are now more than 30 tourist policemen and 20 special strike force personnel on regular patrols along the waterfront and nearby areas frequented by tourists. 2.2.2 Safety and Security at Tourist Areas Patrolling of tourist areas by Malaysian Navy especially those around popular islands will reduce the instances of piracy, thus, convincing the tourists that they are in secured area.. 2.3 Language Barrier and Communication Skills. The country in general and Sarawak in particular is experiencing the shortages of tour guides who can speak foreign languages such as Japanese and Korean. The Ministry of Tourism has acknowledged that Japanese and Korean-speaking tourist guides are in demand to cater the increasing number of these two groups of tourists. Tourists seek assistance in order to achieve their goals. What some times occur is a degree of intercultural miscommunication. At tourist offices, information kiosks, reservation desks and the like, a tourist may expect a simple smile, some small talk, asked how he is enjoying himself, where he is from, how else he could be further assisted. Yet another tourist may expect to be offered assistance before he has to request it. However, some of the elements of good communication skills have been lacking among the tourist front liners. 2.3.1 Possible Solutions Attending Classes It is of paramount importance for the relevant authority to initiate special classes or courses for the tourist front liners to master the relevant languages and improve their communication skills. 3. Recommendations on How to make Malaysia Attractive to Tourists. 3.1 Programme for Tourists. Supports a programme of events (e.g. dragon boat festival), arts (e.g. presentation of local artist collections), sports (e.g. Formula One, F1,) and other culture (e.g. cultural villages). The Malaysia populations must support all these events so that the local crowds from all ways of life and cultures will attract foreign tourists. Malaysia has been organising programme of events that have attracted tourist to visit the country. Examples of such events are: Le Tour De Langkawi Petronas Malaysian F! Grandprix Malaysian Water Festival Labuan International Sea Challenge Dragon Boat Festival Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon Sarawak Regatta 3.1.1 Le Tour de Langkawi This is a sports tourism highlight in Malaysia. It was first held in 1996, and have been successfully organized annually. Le Tour De Langkawi is all about cycling, competing among the best cyclist from other part of the world. It is said that the Le Tour De Langkawi is equivalent to the prestigious status of several major races in Europe. The race attracts many international journalists leading to reports and images published world wide. Travel features are also written illustrating the beautiful country and what it has to offer the tourist. The race is named after the original starting point of the race, Langkawi in Kedah, but has since shifted away, sometimes avoiding it altogether. Nowadays, the Tour de Langkawi kicks off at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur or at the administrative capital of Putrajaya. 3.1.2 Malaysia Water Festival Attractive events at the festival are dragon boat race, boat race as well as kayak and raft competitions. There are also family-oriented programmes such as beach sepak takraw, beach football, beach volleyball and sand castle building. This festival is to further promote Langkawi as a tourism destination and Pulau Chenang as a tourist spot, he told reporters here. 3.2 Development and Enhancement of Historical Places. Historic buildings and historical areas can be developed and promoted as tourism products to attract foreign as well as domestic tourist and directly will generate revenue from foreign exchange. Historic buildings being restored and converted into museums, art galleries, restaurants and tourist centres are common phenomena in many European countries. In Malaysia, examples of heritage cities include Georgetown, Malacca, Kota Bharu, Taiping, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. Many tourists visit heritage cities to encounter and experience their architecture, historic sites and local cultures. Conservation activities help develops the preservation of such historic characters and traditional flavours for the benefit of tourism. Moreover, the conservation of heritage cities could bring economic returns to many sectors including travel agents, tour operators and owners of historic premises. 3.3 Attractions of Islands, Beaches and Shopping Destinations. Many of Malaysian islands are famous worldwide. More than one island has been called a tropical paradise. Pulau Perhentian (Terengganu), which consists of two islands Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil have beautiful coral gardens within its waters. Pulau Langkawi, which is famous for the Mahsuri legend, is also a duty-free shopping haven. This paradise also offers several attractions besides its beaches. Theres Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake Of the Pregnant Maiden), wildlife sanctuary Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Payar Marine Park, to name a few. As far as shopping destinations are concerned Kuala Lumpur (KL), which is also known as the Garden City of Lights, has much to offer the traveller. Shopping havens can be found in Chinatown, Little India, Central Market, local bazaars and the many luxurious shopping malls.

Managing a Creative Culture Essay -- essays research papers

Managing a Creative Culture: Do â€Å"Creatives† Fit into the Traditional Management System? The ability to reach the creative individual cannot be achieved through the traditional management organization. Creative people don't fit in very well in a hierarchical organization with traditional management techniques. To manage creatives, a new model must be developed. Organizations must take heed to the needs of creatives or be subject to losing these valuable resources. Summary Resources, freedom and challenge are the management keys necessary to develop and maintain a creative environment. These keys, along with encouraging and supporting â€Å"creatives,† will foster the growth and development of an organization’s employees, management and ultimately it’s culture. Many organizations have tremendous success in recognizing and cultivating the creative talent of its employees. Whether this talent is already in effect or brought out, managers must take the best approach to ensure a positive, creative impact on the organization. Organizations that do not change with the times will soon find themselves behind or more seriously—non-existent. Different things motivate them and money is no longer the top motivator for creatives. Looking at creatives from another view, this group, also referred to as the creative class, represents a powerful economic force. Not economic force in terms of ownership of property or the means of production but their creative capacity which is an intangible because it is literally in their heads. So what will draw the creative to a particular organization? Creative expression and the chance to present new ideas and deliver results in different ways is the top motivation, but does traditional management provide this opportunity? This paper will present a correlation between organizational management, culture, creative types and how understanding and fostering their integration produces successful organizations. Introduction Managing creatives is counter-intuitive. It goes against almost everything we are taught about managing a business. That's why managers rarely do a good job at managing these kinds of workers. Managing creative people is counter-intuitive for two reasons--the nature of the work is different and the nature of the worker is different. Creative people don't fit in very well in a hierarchical organization with traditional man... ...ir work to inspire them. They want to feel good about who they are through the work they do. When that happens, creativity flourishes. An organization must look within its employees and understand what they are passionate about. It is then that they will build systems to successfully nurture creatives. References Amabile, T. (1998). How to kill creativity. Harvard Business Review, 77-87 Beir, J. (1995). Managing Creatives, Vital Speeches of the Day, 61(16) Cummings, L. (1965). Organizational climates for creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 220-227 DeSalvo, T. (1999, June). Unleash the creativity in your organization. HR Magazine, 154-164. Florida, R. (2002). The rise of the creative class. New York: Basic Books. Myers, R. & Ray, M. (1986). Creativity in business. New Jersey: Doubleday & Company, Inc. Robinson, A. & Stern, S. (1997). Corporate creativity: How innovation and improvement actually happen. California: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. Smethurst, S. & Glover, C. (2003, March). Creative License. People Management, 30-34 Tan, G. (1998). Managing creativity in organizations: A total system approach. Managing Creativity in Organizations, 7(1): 23-31

Transmission of Pain Signals by the Brain at the Spinal Level Essay

Transmission of Pain Signals by the Brain at the Spinal Level Pain has been defined by Coates & Hindle as an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience which signals a potential or actual damage to tissues (2011, p. 213). Pain is a common human experience and can emanate from injury and illness. There are two main types of pain; acute pain is short-lived, lasting for minutes or several days and its onset often takes place rapidly. It results from the activation of pain nerve endings or nociceptors either by internal or external pain stimuli. On the other hand chronic pain is continuous and sometimes recurrent and can last for weeks, months or even years. Chronic pain is usually not located at or related to the tissue undergoing trauma (Draper & Knight, 2007, p. 104). Various theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism underlying the transmission and perception of pain. These include the specificity theory which maintains that specific fibers and pain receptors are activated by injury after which the pain signals are projected via the spinal pathway to an area in the brain that interprets the pain. In this regard, the specificity theory virtually equates the peripheral injury with the psychological experience caused by the pain (Anderson, 2004, p. 355). However, this theory has been found to harbor several limitations as research about pain has intensified with time. In light of this, the gate theory that was proposed by Melzack and Wall has had a major contribution to the understanding of pain transmission and perception (Pain Game Part 2, 2011). Research has demonstrated that pain is affected by psychological and physiological factors which helps to explain the mechanism underlying inhibition and/or facilitaion of pai... ...t has been noted that the gate control theory proposed by Melzack and Wall in 1965 formed the foundation of understanding the process of pain signal transmission. The dorsal horn of the spinal cord is the region of the CNS that controls the passage of pain signals by means of opening and/or closing the gate. Pain can only be perceived if reaches the brain. Events that cause excitation such pain signals and the release of excitatory or facilitatory chemicals cause the gate to open whereas inhibitory events such as competing nerve impulses caused by rubbing trigger closure of the gate. The gate can also be closed due to descending inhibition enhanced by relaxation or the use of pain-relieving medication such as morphine. The brain stem is responsible for controlling the transmission of pain signals via the ascending and descending pain pathways.

Project Metrics

â€Å"Metrics† is a term used to describe the measurement of a particular phenomenon. Project metrics therefore refers to the key indicators of what exactly has been done or achieved in a certain project. The objective of this is to be able to improve on the processes involved in the project performance. Project metrics thus is a system set in place to evaluate the project process employed in the attainment of results with an aim of improving such processes. They usually involve collecting and availing information regarding the status of the project.It is thus an important factor in project risk management as a review tool. One example of these metrics is the cost. Right before initiating a project, its financial aspect is normally catered for using budgetary control tools. Indeed, the economic viability of a project is a priority regardless of the final results expected of such a project. In this respect therefore, there are certain operations that should be conducted in the process of the project to monitor the cost element.The actual budget will thus be reviewed in light of the original budget. This yields certain variances whose magnitude can thus be reviewed to improve on the process. Quality is another key aspect in a project that would form the basis of metrics. Quality control is thus established to be able to measure the output of a particular process in light of a set standard. Defects in the system are identified and when adequately documented, these provide good grounds for review of the project process with an aim of improvement of the same.This is because in a business environment, quality compromise yields an adverse effect that translates to loss of economic gain which would otherwise be secured with the right standards of quality. In summary it can be said that in project management, the role of project metrics is extremely important and cannot be ignored. They constantly provide information, which when analyzed by the management is usef ul for decision making and the success of projects.