HUMAN RESOURCES(MANAGEMENT) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

HUMAN RESOURCES(MANAGEMENT) - Essay Example After World War II, it indicates that many governments adopt a more active role in regard to employment relations (Bamber et al. 2004 p 12). Bain and Clegg (1974) as well as Clegg (1976) state that dissimilarity in the dimensions of collective bargaining in various countries is the most important element in the shaping of union behaviour. This might represent a theory of trade union behaviour regarding collective bargaining however Clegg does not consider it a complete theory of trade unionism, because theory does not clarify the political actions of trade union. Even if the theory was comprehensive enough, it would not still not be considered as of theory of industrial relations. The dimensions of collective bargaining for Clegg are mostly affected by the structure as well as attitudes of employers' relations and management. State involvement through legislation might also be a dominant influence if it takes place at an amply early stage during the development of collective bargaining. If it was a comprehensive theory of industrial relations it would take these factors into consideration as well. Hyman (1994) supports Clegg's analysis of union behaviour, mainly due to the fact that the theory fails to describe the changes that take place in the trade union density and strike behaviour in the following years. He emphasizes on impact of factors of political-economic like global competition that is intensified, the capital and employment restructuring, as well as the fall of Keynesianism in a country. He states that, as national institutional arrangements surely assist in shaping the effect of these forces on industrial relations, he supports Shalev (1980) notion that 'the organization of industrial relations ought to still occupy no more than the position of variables that are dominant in theories which are comparative in nature. A strong theory must emphasize on political economy. However we are left with no comprehensive account of national differences. Institutions can be known as symptoms , and not as causes, with differentiation in institutions among countries being mainly manifestation of the power distribution as well as the results of conflicts among different parties when these institutions start functioning (Shalev 1998 p.248).Institutions also replicate party's collective strategic choices, as well as the choice of unions along with labour movements to follow a path which is political in nature. According to Poole (1984; 1986; 1993) the differences that are found in industrial relations institutions as well as practice in diverse countries have a strong foundation in the strategic choices of different parties to that of the employment relationship (Kochan, Katz and McKersie, 1984 p16). These parties are basically social 'actors' who form the arrangements of the institutions in which they function. The

Exploitation of Workers in Developing Countries

Exploitation of Workers in Developing Countries Since the time, plans were being made to implement free trade we were guaranteed it would be a win/win situation.This was one of the very important step for the pioneering of Globalization. First world consumers, manufacturers,industrialists, farmers, laborers everyone would benefit. Not only the first world countries, the whole world would benefit. It would pull the developing world up because there would be plenty of good, well-paid jobs that would be created . When borders opened to the free flow of goods and services, consumers would have more variety, and at cheper prices. Even agricultural goods could move around the world to new markets, sluggish farm prices would also rise. The farmers in developing countries would now have new markets for their goods, and they would bow out of piteous poverty.It seems like the perfect idea and sounds great too, doesnt it? But like most things that sounded too good to be true, it quiet was. The American/British/European workers who had jobs that paid pretty well in the scheme of things found that their employers could clear up the factories and move to a country where the workers werent so well paid. A country where there are no tariffs, so goods could be shipped back into the First world countries and sold, often cheaper than when they were made in the rich countries. Not only was labor cheaper, but environmental laws were generally more lenient in, say, Mexico, India or China. The companies could use child labor too and there were no laws forcing a 40-hour workweek.Drive your workers to the point of exhaustion and pay them as little as possible. If they complain, replace them-This is the formula adopted by all the third world factory bosses for success. All the consumers care for is low prices from their favorite clothing stores and supermarkets. So is this what Globalization called for ? To exploit the labour in third would countries all for the benefit of the rich countries like America , Europe,etc.Consumers in th e first world countries found goods were economical when they were made overseas. The foreign workers did not have the high-paying jobs as promised. They had poverty-wage jobs and the sweatshop was back. They were under paid and working in poor conditions with masses of eager workers waiting in line for them to quit. My argument in the essay is How Globalization has resulted in Labour Exploitation and Child Labour in many third world countries. An International Confederation of Free Trade Unions report said, MULTINATIONAL corporations remained the main beneficiaries of globalisation as more than 1,3-billion people around the world lived on less than $1 a day.(Globalisation: the plight of billions stressed ,By Reneà © Grawitzky, Business Day, 30 March 2000) The widening inequalities should be addressed as part of a broader strategy by unions in dealing with the effects of globalisation. What does globalization mean to working people? Ask a member of UNITE and shell talk about the thousands of good paying jobs that were taken overseas. Talk to the young woman in Bangladesh who gets 20 cents for making a shirt that sells for $30 at The Gap. Ask the 14- to 16-year-old women in Central America who are forced to swallow birth control pills in front of their bosses so the company can keep them on the job, since it doesnt pay for health care. Ask the laid-off steelworker about the foreign imports, made by U.S. corporations abroad and exported to the U.S. because they make more profits. Or ask Iqbal Masih, the 12-year-old rug maker from Pakistan who was enslaved from age 4 and forced to learn a trade. (What globalization means to working people, John Gallo, Peoples Weekly World, 20 April 2002) .What is the reason for all this wretchedness ? Everywhere, the lives of working people are degenerating. If theyre not working from dawn to dusk,Slogging all day, for not enough to live on, they are made dispossessed and being bombed. Is it due to globalization, or greed, or laziness? Or is there something more fundamental, something less obvious, behind the worlds current problems.(What globalization means to working people, John Gallo, Peoples Weekly World, 20 April 2002). In the name of competition, employers try to produce cheaply in bulk and sell larger volumes. One way to put together cheaper labour and still make greater profits is by keeping salaries as low as possible -by any means necessary. Since all wealth is produced by human labor, the fruits of that labor, or value, go either to the workers or the owners. The less workers get, the more the owners get. That accounts for the long, brutal history workers have faced when trying to form unions or improve their livelihood. (What globalization means to working people, John Gallo, Peoples Weekly World, 20 April 2002) The third world Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Brazil have become more capitalized. The small farmers in these countries now work in factories and mills. They have become workers and in a number of ways find themselves similar to U.S. workers 70 years ago. As poor as they had been, these new workers now have less. They are concerned in trying to form unions to fight to improve their wages and working conditions.They are no more cut off in their country and continue to making ties of solidarity with their fellowmen all over the world. They are the workers who will change the face and the power of the working p eople in the world. Globalization has impulsed a number of interrelated concerns with respect to its social repercussions. The impact on labour employment, income distribution and labour standards are some of the issues included. Global competition has led to job losses or flexible job arrangements in many countries. Compared to the regular jobs these are often less secure and provide fewer social benefits. Economies all across the globe are more volatile now because of short term capital movements. This has resulted in severe economic and financial crises that further leads to unemployment and poverty. All these have created a sense of diffidence among workers and created resistance to globalization from various quarters. A well designed system for social protection is critical for long term growth prospects in open economies. The extent of social protection remains low in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In terms of social protection, there are increasingly unpredictable and fragmented employment relat ionships that lead to more and more workers not being covered by cash sickness benefits. There has been establishment of global labour standards by organizations like International Labour Organization (ILO) which work to promote rights at work, enhance social protection and encourage decent employment opportunities. But can these regulations actually improve lives of workers in LDCs? Will the anti sweatshop campaigns raise labour standards ? Will WTOs imposing trade sanctions on countries that violate standards actually help ? With economic globalization accelerating in the past few decades these questions have just got more complex and controversial. Trade and investments may not be the best way to pull up and help workers in poor countries. Labour standards and free trade are interdependent rather than competing ways to improve welfare. Unions based in first world countries play a eminent role in the dispute over globalization and labour standards whereas workers in LDCs are rarely heard from. The cause for this gap is that these poor countries, mainly those with non d emocratic governments, do not provide the necessary freedom of association or the legal protections for collective bargaining. If the workers from poor countries had been given little opportunities to protect their own interests and voice their concerns, there would be less need for activists from advanced countries to intercede on their behalf. International labour mobility has also increased due to globalization and the growing economic interdependence of states. This has also resulted in the deregulation and exploitation of labour migration. Even the migrant workmen are devoid of legal protection in the foreign countries. Even though many states have put down strict barriers on the legal entry of labour migrants, there are still a large number of irregular and illegal migrants working in low paid sectors lacking the benefits of a national worker. Most of todays migration presents characteristics that converge with concerns for labor migration policy. In short, most permanent immigrants and refugees as well as migrant workers seek remunerative activity, participate in the labor force, and face discrimination and xenophobia directed at foreigners in host countries. (Globalization, Labor and Migration :Protection is paramount, Patrick Taran Eduardo Geronimi , 22 november 2002) The LDCs face serious social and economic dislo cation associated with persistent poverty, growing unemployment, loss of traditional trading patterns, and what has been termed a growing crisis of economic security. (Globalization,Labor and Migration :Protection is paramount, Patrick Taran Eduardo Geronimi , 22 november 2002) The concerns will only increase because since 1975 the figures have only been doubling, from a 75 million in 1975 to 150 million in 2000, these figures represent the migrants living outside their home countries. The other issue in this article that needs to be focussed on is Child labour in light of Globalization. Apart from labour exploitation, Child labour is a serious concern for the consequence of Globalization. It is a grave and extensive problem in LDCs today. It was revealed in a very recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report (ILO, 2006) that approximately 166 million children in the age group of 5 14 years were classified as child laborers in 2004. That accounts for 14% of all children in that age group. These children are engaged in precarious work which adversely affects their growth, moral development and health. They are concentrated mainly in the developing countries. More than half of these children were from the Asian pacific region . The others being from Latin America and Sub saharan Africa.They work in the carpet marking factories, pornography, glass blowing, fireworks, prostitution,etc. Child labour came under the limelight in the 1990s when the campaigns were started by industrialized worlds on why such large number of children were working when they should be gaining knowledge. In November of 2000, ten children earning around $11 per month burned to death in a garment factory in Bangladesh. The exits from the factory were chained shut. Images of children chained into factories, sold as slaves, or forced into prostitution stain the popular imagination about child labor. Fortunately, while many children work in the developing world, relatively few experience such atrocities.(Globalization and the Economics of Child Labor, Eric V. Edmonds,n.d) Of course the world organizations like UNICEF, ILO and governments initiated policies to check child labour globally. But did it help enough is the big question ? Globalization increases employment opportunities specially in developing countries due to the rapid increase in foreign investment. This therefore surges the demand for local labour and higher wages. These changes in the developing economies springing from globalization could further lead to child labour due to earning opportunities. To illustrate how trade policy and globalization can have an affect on child labour, I would like to take Vietnam as an example on how its increase in the price of rice led to a decline in child labour. Vietnam restricted its exports of rice starting in 1989. These quotas suppressed the domestic price of rice. Between 1993 and 1997, Vietnam gradually relaxed this export quota so that by 1998, Vietnam was completely exposed to the international price of rice. During this period of liberalization, the price of rice increased by 30% relative to the rise in the consumer price index. Rice is an important commodity in Vietnam. It is the primary staple in the V ietnamese diet, the largest single component of household expenditure, and 70% of households produce rice. Moreover, in 1993, before the liberalization of rice prices in Vietnam, 26% of children between 6 and 15 worked in rice production in Vietnam, and rice production was far and away the largest employer of adults. Thus, rice price increases should affect both children and adults.The study finds that rice price increases can account for 45% of the overall decline in child labor that Vietnam experienced in the 1990s. This corresponds to approximately 1 million fewer working children in Vietnam. (Globalization and the Economics of Child Labor, Eric V. Edmonds ,n.d) In India child labour has become an accepted practice. It is believed to be a necessity to overcome poverty. The carpet industry, for example pays these children extremely low wages since adults refuse to do these jobs. Even MNCs exploit child labour in poor countries. Nike is accused of using child labour in countries like pakistan, india, bangladesh, china, etc. These children were all in the age group of 4-5 years. More than 200 children were involved in each production processes. The Nike soccer balls in Pakistan are accused to be stained with the harsh truth of child labour. More than half of the soccer ball production is done in Pakistan and every step of its production has child labour involved. So is a reputed company like Nike helping or exploiting these developing countries? In china, the members of a chinese minority group mainly young girls aged 15-18 were employed in the Longfa Shoe factory in the Guangdong province. Longfa Shoe factory supplies Nike , Inc. These compani es get down to the extent of illegally swapping IDs, making fake birth certificates, illegal migration, etc. Even the chocolate industry is accused of using child labour. In Cà ´te dIvoire,West Africa thousands of children are forced to labour in the production of cocoa. Even the well established companies like Puma, Wal-Mart, Hanes are believed to use child labour. Allegations were made against Harvest Rich factory in Bangladesh, which is a contract supplier to these US and European companies. Young children were found sewing clothes for these companies. There were at least 200 children involved, some as young as 11 years. These children work upto almost 12 hours a day. They were reported to be beaten, slapped and forced to work for 19-20 hours sometimes. They get horribly low wages which could be as low as 6.5 cents per hour. The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is operating the worlds largest rubber plantation in Harbel, Liberia for the last 80 years. They exploit labour and al so use child labour. The rubber tappers are forced to bring their wives and children, they use toxic pesticides without protection. The children are forced to carry about 70-80 pound buckets of rubber on their shoulders for miles. These laborers live in shacks which exist since 1920s. All these cases, which are just a few to illustrate, include big companies from the developed countries who use child labour only to their benefits. Is this what globalization has called for?

The Erotic in Joyces A Painful Case Essay -- Painful

The Erotic in Joyce's A Painful Case      Ã‚  Ã‚   The characters whom inhabit Joyce's world in "Dubliners," often have, as Harvard Literature Professor Fischer stated in lecture, a "limited way" of thinking about and understanding themselves and the world around them. Such "determinism," however, operates not on a broad cultural scale, but works in smaller, more local, more interior and more idiosyncratic ways. That is, the forces which govern Joyce's characters are not necessarily cultural or socioeconomic in nature, but rather, as Prof. Fischer stated, are "tiny," and work on a more intimate level. In any case, as a result of such "forces", these stories often tend to be about something, as Prof. Fischer said, that doesn't happen, about the "romance of yearning and self-disappointment." Joyce's story "A Painful Case" is a perfect example of a story about something that doesn't happen, and more specifically, about "the romance of yearning." It is through such yearning, however, and the various "erotic" for ms that such yearning takes, that Joyce's characters are able to transcend the "forces" which govern their lives. In "A Painful Case" the erotic takes on three separate forms: mental, physical, and what I call, "auditory." Although all three play a role in the story, it is only through "auditory" eroticism that Joyce's protagonist, Mr. Duffy, comes to experience a moment of "self-transcendence."    While "auditory" eroticism may serve, in the end, as the conduit for Duffy's self-transformation, initially it is "mental" eroticism that brings together Mr. Duffy and Mrs. Sinico. Joyce writes, "Little by little he (Duffy) entangled his thoughts with hers. He lent her books, provided her with ideas, shared... ...llowed to shine in full poetic fervor and "reality," although Joyce attempts to escape it, seeps back in through his words and metaphors.    Works Cited and Consulted Bidwell, Bruce and Linda Heffer. The Joycean Way: A Topographic Guide to Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Johns Hopkins: Baltimore, 1981. Gifford, Don. Joyce Annotated: Notes for Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. University of California: Berkeley, 1982. Joyce, James. Dubliners. Penguin Books: New York, 1975. Peake, C.H. James Joyce: The Citizen and the Artist. Stanford University: Stanford, 1977. Tindall, William York. A Reader's Guide to James Joyce. Noonday Press: New York, 1959. Walzl, Florence L. "Dubliners." A Companion Study to James Joyce. Ed. Zack Bowen and James F. Carens. Greenwood Press: London, 1984   

History of Sport Essay

The effect of sports on today’s world, particularly in the United States, is indeed profound. The history of sport has the potential to teach us a great deal about social changes and the nature of sport itself. Over the past twenty-five years or so, the field of history has expanded, embracing a broader view of historical topics and going far beyond political and military history in refiguring the historical paths of this and other nations (Nelson). Throughout the many years during the Pre-Colonial era, Colonial era, Industrial Revolution, Post Civil War, and the Twentieth Century, the sports industry was created with several factors affecting its formation. The Pre-Colonial era consisted of the time prior to 1500’s. During this time in North America, the land had been consumed by the Native Americans and their culture. Population was spreading widely across the continent. The people of this era were found to be genuine and quiet. Daily activities such as hunting, farming, running, and warfare slowly turned into more of physical activity and competitive games for leisure. Recreational play was seen as an outlet. Physical activity and games, more often than not, were linked to spiritual beliefs. Staying â€Å"fit† was essential. Common sports known during pre-colonial time were lacrosse, archery, and running. Colonial America started with the Puritans bombarding America during 1600-1800 A. D. to break away from the churches, religions, and beliefs. The Puritans were found to be extremely hard working which was a result from the motivation of staying alive. The Puritans were also widely known (and still to this day) of being very religiously involved. Games were considered to be â€Å"wicked† or sinful; such as gambling and drinking. Aside from the Puritans, sport marketing started to make an appearance during the Colonial era, leading to the growth of interest and participation in sports. Tavern owners were the first known sport marketers on record. Taverns would announce games and sport through posters and word of mouth. During this time the common sports were found to fit the lifestyle and culture; such as horse racing, running, arm wrestling, rifle, cockfighting, and boxing. Colonial America was the start to our sporting industry. The Technological & Industrial Revolution occurred along with the Post Civil War era during 1800-1900. Throughout these one hundred years the sport industry was growing rapidly along with technology, factories, immigration, companies, and educational systems. Due to the growth in technology and factories, citizens had more time and more money; therefore recreation was used to fill downtime causing our sport industry to grow further. Faster modes of travel started to develop and be more convenient, helping organized sports form. Immigrants added to the industry by introducing their sports to America as well. Modern spectator sports were on a rise such as boxing, running, and horse racing. However, the Civil War era negatively affected sports by slowing sport activities due to the lack of men and overall population in society. Once men started leaving for war more and more women took jobs that had once belonged to men, which was a huge impact on society as this was the first sign of equality between men and women (Nelson). The working structure was seen as â€Å"feminizing† society, sports helped to â€Å"masculine† society. Wealth was on the rise after the war forcing sports to become very class specific, and the upper class tried to exclude lower classes; Class and race were a deciding factor for accepted participation in sports. The first known organized sports team; New York Knickerbockers’ were a baseball club created in the 1840’s and Intercollegiate Athletics first event occurred in 1852, Harvard and Yale competed in a rowing contest. Society was soon hooked on sports. The era of Twentieth Century made the most dramatic century of growth yet for the sports industry. Sports became part of our educational system as organizations formed to work together creating codifications for different sports, improving equipment, and increasing social involvement. Sports were taken to a very serious level in the early 1900’s. In 1904 the NCAA was founded to hold conferences, regulate rules along with player eligibility, and made coaches from educators. Competitive sports led to changes in our educational system when it established physical education positions. These positions forced research into sports because of the need for better and newer physical education curriculum. At first, Females were allowed to be involved in sports at a noncompetitive level or to promote health. The participation of women in sports grew over time however, with society being the critical factor. Upper-class and middle-class women were absolutely restricted from playing sports as it was thought to not be â€Å"proper. † The National Football League was created in 1911 which turned out to be a major step in the development of sports as entertainment. In 1941 society’s values of class, sex, and race was evident when Joe Namath signed a contract for $400,000 while Curt Flood, a slave had a salary of nothing. In 1972, Title Nine was put into act guaranteeing no discrimination regarding sex for sport institutions. Transportation was even more advanced helping organized sports teams compete against one another. Television and newspapers impacted sports by airing sporting events, criticizing and critiquing each play, as well as displaying the opinion of the program broadcasters. The most popular, known, and leading sports network ESPN aired its first national NFL broadcast in 1987 (Giordano). ESPN started offering magazines, national sports radio, and satellite radio in 1992 in attempt to curve the educational desire of the sporting society. ESPN changed the culture of sports. The history of sport is most likely as old as the existence of man. Physical activity, games, and daily activities contributed to the creation of organized sports with codification. Throughout the many years during the Pre-Colonial era, Colonial era, Industrial Revolution, Post Civil War, and the Twentieth Century, the sports industry has proved several, very different, and unexpected factors affecting its formation. The sports industry is continuing to grow rapidly year after year, changing with society’s values and lifestyle. Works Citied Giordano , Peter. â€Å"The Evolution of ESPN. † SOP: News, Interviews, & More.. (2007): n. page. Web. 14 Sep. 2011. . Kindred. â€Å"Century is over†¦ get the lights. † Sporting News 224. 1 (2000): 63. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. McClung, Lisa R. , and Nancy E. Spencer. â€Å"Women and Sport in the 1990s: Reflections on ‘Embracing Stars, Ignoring Players. ‘. † Journal of Sport Management 15. 4 (2001): 318. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. Nelson, Murry. â€Å"Sports History as a Vehicle for Social and Cultural Understanding in American History. † Social Studies 96. 3 (2005): 118-125. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 13 Sept. 2011.

Exporting Toys from Belgium to the People’s Republic of China

[pic] ________________ KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN Faculty of business and economics International Marketing Toys: Exporting toys from Belgium to the People’s Republic of China [pic] Julie Mertens 1 Master TEW Prof. Pierre FrancoisAcademic year 2008-2009 1. Table of contents2 2. Introduction3 3. Consumption culture in the People’s Republic of China 4 1. China and its economic growth 1. Export5 2. Open economy 3. Middle class people’s consumption culture 2. Culture 1. One child policy 2. Filiarchy6 3. Six pocket syndrome 4. Parental education 5. Children’s personal expenditures . Mian zi7 7. Mien-tsu & Lien 8. Guanxi 9. Fake products 10. Cheaper before better8 11. Religion 12. Astrology & superstition 13. Language 14. Emotions9 15. Business culture 16. Research studies 17. Hofstede10 4. Proposed Marketing adaptations 11 1. Segmentation 2. Targeting 3. Positioning 4. Price adaptations 12 5. Product adaptations 1. Product specifications 2. Assortment chang e13 3. Brand name 4. Image 5. Packaging 6. Service level 6. Distribution Strategy14 7. Communication15 1. Media and the message 2. Advertisement and promotion 5. General conclusion16 6. References17 7. Apendices18 . Introduction Nowadays, in this time of economic depression, some people believe the era of globalization is over. Others consider globalization as a necessity in these times of integration into one worldculture. In this paper, I will try to indicate if and to which extent the marketing-mix should be adapted when exporting Belgian toys to the People’s Republic of China. First, a little company introduction is given. Secondly, some relevant facts and numbers about the People’s Republic of China are discussed. Then, some cultural differences between Belgium and PRC are considered. Finally, the proposed marketing adaptations will be under consideration. Lilliputiens: a company introduction Lilliputiens is a Belgian company that specialises in the production of fabric-based toys. What sets them apart is the extremely high product quality. Their aim is to ensure that all of their toys combine their three core values: provide quality toys at reasonable prices, which are fun to play with, great to look at and have an educational value. [pic][pic] In order to properly stimulate their little customers, namely boys and girls in the zero to five age range, they have created gentle toys made of soft fabric. Their senses are stimulated thanks to the use of a diverse range of textures, sounds, shapes and colours. The toys are designed with the knowledge that toys enable children to imagine, touch, create and think. Those provide a key role in children’s development. Another special feature of the toys is that they evolve in a way that accompanies the baby throughout his or her passage into early infancy. As the child grows, the new play elements are revealed, making new activities and games possible. As a consequence, these toys no longer need to be put back in the box after just three months! Not only dolls but also a play mat, a food pyramid, a table set and a ruler are amongst the Lilliputiens’ product line. [pic] [pic] [pic] 3. Consumption culture in the People’s Republic of China China and its economic growth China is the greatest and most challenging new frontier that international marketers are facing today. China is the most populated country in the world. With one fifth of the world population and the largest population of children in the world, it is an enormous potential market. China’s economic growth has risen 11% during 2007 and keeps developing. There is new money to spend by the 200 million acquisitive people in the middle class. But numbers are not everything; you have to win people’s hearths to be and stay in business. Let that be the issue of this paper. [pic] Figure 1: China’s estimated per capita income per province in 2003 As shown in figure 2 and 3, China’s economic growth passes unequally. Eastern regions have known a faster growth that has given rise to an enormous gap between Eastern and Western China. Eastern China has become more occidental with different needs as a result. In this paper, only China’s Eastern, urban regions will be discussed since China’s ten largest cities, which contain only four percent of China’s population, account for approximately 22 percent of its earning power and 19 percent of its spending power. The urban children’s market contains around 100 million children. Figure 2Figure 3 Export The Chinese market is a paradise for both internal and foreign investors. In 2006, Belgium has exported for almost 3 billion euro to China. This makes China Belgium’s thirteenth trading partner with 1. 1% of our GDP. However compared to India, Belgium’s eighth business partner, the export ratio is lower. To further improve export, good connections will be needed. Open economy According to Eugene Wang, China is relatively open to foreign investments. China has the largest supply of foreign direct investments. Compared to India, China’s tariff protection is more modest and keeps declining. This has resulted in a rapid increase in the volume of imports. In 2003, China’s imports rated 30% of its gross domestic product, which is twice the import ratio of the U. S. Foreign firms with facilities within China account for 25% of all manufactured goods. These goods can be exported or could serve China’s internal market. Middle class people’s consumption culture The present middle class or â€Å"new rich† have made money and acquired standing in only one generation. China has an ambiguous relationship towards foreign culture; Chinese both worship and avert it. Imported goods represent purchasing power, status and good taste. Chinese start to adore Western culture and lifestyle. Although the Western consumption culture conflicts with their traditional consumption culture of thrift and spending in proportion to income, the middle class have become a part of the consumerism culture, especially in the fashion consumption. Albeit their norms and values tend to incline towards the Western culture, imitation is gradually transferring into their own consumption culture. â€Å"I consume so I exist† is the new attitude. The new rich surpass actual needs and as a result become more qualified for merchandising and advertisement. They spend a lot of money on consumer goods, like toys. A potential market is definitely there! Culture Cultures are learned by parenting as well as social interactions and therefore they can change. Despite the impact of current globalization, cultural differences will stay. One-child policy The biggest cultural difference between the rest of the world and China is the â€Å"one-child policy†. Since 1979, due to China’s history and more specifically the population control, law states a maximum of one child per household. Observational data shows that there are 18% more boys than girls. Compared to the world average, this percentage lays 15% higher! In China, men stand for responsibility for the family and are raised to become the head of the household. Therefore, people prefer to have a baby boy rather than a baby girl. However, in the urban regions this is gradually changing. More and more parents cherish the same ambitions for their girl. In fact, in the big cities girls are preferred because parents will not have to worry about being able to provide enough hope chest. [pic] Figure 4: Advertisement to promote the one child policy: carry out family planning – implement the basis national policy Filiarchy Whether a child is born as a boy or a girl, it is born with much more responsibility on his shoulders than in the rest of the world. When it comes to education, health or money, parents will do whatever it takes to contribute to the success of live of their children. For that reason, the one child determines the household. According to Mc Neal and Yeh, Chinese children influence the consumption pattern in such a significant way, namely by 68%, that outsiders look upon him or her as a â€Å"spoiled brat† or â€Å"little emperor†. In the case of toys, the influence on the parents’ purchases mounts up to 93% for children in the zero to five age range. On an annual basis, Chinese children exert a direct influence on play item purchases of three billion dollar per year. It can be said that China has shifted from a patriarchy to a filiarchy; kids have become the centre of the universe! Six pocket syndrome Chinese parents spend much more time, money and effort on their only child’s development. Chinese children are not only raised by their parents but by the whole family. This second source of money, the grandparents, lives in the same household due to other standards of living. This results in six adults indulging one child. This effect is better known as the â€Å"4-2-1 indulgence† or the â€Å"six pocket syndrome†. Parental education In China, society is much more collective than in Belgium. This is reflected in the Chinese family and kinship system. It is not unusual that grandparents live under the same roof. Not surprisingly, family has a tremendous impact on a child education. From birth, Chinese children are learned to respect and obey their elders. Unlike in Belgium, Chinese adults keep seeking for parental approval. Children’s personal expenditures In the first place, children learn about new products from other children, followed by advertisement and store visits. Research has shown that there is a difference in requests between boys and girls. Beyond expectations, girls ask significantly more for toys than boys! But who pays for their expenditures? For children under the age of four, it are the parents and other relatives who buy and pay for the toys. Unexpected but true, according to Chan children start to spend their own money on their own wants and needs from the age of four, mostly toys and food! Mian zi Chinese children do not spend all of their money. A four year old saves around 75% of his pocket money. Their regular income can be spent but special incomes given on birthdays or Chinese New Year are expected to be saved. Learn how to manage money is a second but just as important reason why Chinese parents give their children money. China derives from a socialist economy and has a culture that emphasizes on saving money because they believe this contributes to the development of one’s prestige, which is called â€Å"mian zi†. Mien-tsu & Lien Mien-tsu stands for a reputation through drive, ostentation and success –often expressed by personal wealth-. The more mien-tsu a person has, the higher his social status is and the more influence a person has on others and important decisions. A person’s mien-tsu is dynamic; it can change over time by someone’s success or failure. Lien represents the confidence of society in a person’s sincerity and can only be lost by misconduct. Together, they determine the importance of a person in his interpersonal relations among Chinese. In China, this is extremely important when doing business, because contracts are defined by trust and connections. Guanxi If a Chinese wants to be successful in business, he needs more than just brains. Guanxi is a personal network of influence and social relationships that is used to obtain a service or favor for ‘reasonable purposes’. Guanxi can be compared to social capital and so it is not an act of bribery. The line between guanxi and corruption is rather thin. Chinese have a different view on corruption and crime. Corruption is very big issue in China, even within the Chinese government, which censors certain information. As a result, statistics should always be used with cautiousness. Fake products In China, counterfeiting is a national sport. 40% of all counterfeit toys have China as its country of origin. Although China has signed international agreements on patents and production rights, there are two reasons why they do not hold on to them. First, it is a result of historical factors. Most Chinese do not consider copying someone else’s work as a crime. Secondly, Chinese believe the Western companies are already rich enough, so counterfeiting does not harm the genuine producers. This way, China stays the epicentre of the fake industry. [pic] [pic] Cheaper before better The question: â€Å"Are Chinese genuine and counterfeit products are worse than Western products† has no unilateral answer. On the one hand, China stands for â€Å"cheaper -and therefore often dangerous- instead of better†. Think of the Mattel incident, where Chinese toys had to be taken back because the paint had too much lead in it. The â€Å"Made in China† is rather a warning than a quality label. On the other hand, a difference between â€Å"made in China† and â€Å"Made by China† has to be made. European companies who produce in China generally correspond to the Western criteria, so â€Å"Made in China† does not always indicate risks. According to Holslag, a researcher at the Brussels Institute for Contemporary China Studies, China will catch up to the Western norms concerning quality within the foreseeable future. Also a shift from knickknacks to high-tech products is taking place. Religion China is a country full of traditions. One of them is Confucianism, which was the state doctrine until 1912. Confucianism is not really a religion but more a philosophy or guideline for everyday life and determines what to eat, how to behave, what to wear, ect. According to Confucius, laws are not a good basis of the State. He believes imbueing people with rituals is more effective to reach State stability. Confucius’ society is very hierarchic; everyone knows his position and should act like it. Though society is not static. His idea was that talented people should be able to move up in society, which has had a great impact on the Chinese vision of life. Later, Buddhism, Christian and mainly Taoism influences mingled with Confucianism into neo-Confucianism. So, it is not strange to find a Chinese who is a Confucian, Buddhist as well as a Taoist. [pic] Nature & Astrology & superstition Chinese culture stands in function of nature. Chinese consider themselves part of nature and try to live in harmony with it. In Chinese astrology, the zodiac of twelve animal signs represents twelve different types of personality. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the rat, followed by the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, ect. This year, Chinese New Year falls on 26th of January and stands in the sign of the ox. Superstition plays an important role in Chinese culture. Although fortune-telling is forbidden, people go to fortune-tellers to ask whether their child will be a boy or a girl. Language Mandarin is the most spoken language in China. If you speak Mandarin, you have 915 million native speaking conversation partners! Next to the official language, there are numerous dialects. Besides the different spoken languages, there are also two written languages. [pic] Emotions You will not often see a Chinese crying! Chinese often get blame for not saying what they really think or feel. Westerners find that Chinese behave in a cold manner. A possible explanation is the fact that people were hanged in the past for taking a different view on certain matters. Another explanation is that defending one’s opinion is a Western way of dealing with a situation when there are opposing thoughts. Chinese are learnt at school to accept what is told. Business culture A difference between Belgian and Chinese culture is that Chinese do not work by a model as much as Belgians do. In Belgium, people set up a plan and execute it. In China, people are much more flexible. They anticipate and react on the situation. A possible explanation can be found in their education. Chinese children come in contact with much more opinions during their family education. Laws, contracts and rules are less significant. Chinese have a different calendar, namely the Moon calendar. Fortunately, for business they also use the Gregorian calendar. Research studies Culture is defined by what we buy and why we buy it. National culture determines consumer behaviour, not income. (De Mooij) At first sight, culture does not seem relevant when it comes to toys. Toys are used for children’s entertainment. However, there certainly is a difference in usage between Belgium and China. As mentioned before, Chinese parents find it extremely important that their child stands out from the mass. Therefore, Chinese parents buy toys to stimulate their children to learn as soon as possible rather than for entertainment. So, marketing, branding and advertising strategies should be adapted when exporting toys to China. Hofstede But how different are the Belgian and Chinese culture? According to Hofstede, one can define cultural difference on the basis of five dimensions on a 0 to 100-range scale. The degree of power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation determines a national culture. The higher the score, the more dimension determines the culture. Belgium belongs to the more developed Latin countries cluster and China falls under the less developed Asian countries. [pic] Figure 5: Cultural difference between China and Belgium Power distance More than Belgian culture, the Chinese culture knows a larger power distance. In China, the acceptance of hierarchy and authority is higher. Since all people are treated fairly, they do not resist and respect higher ranked and elder people because these stand for wisdom. As mentioned before, Chinese rely much more on human relationships (guanxi) than on contracts. Individualism Esomar research shows that China is a collectivist culture, in which loyalty and social network (Mien-stu, Lien & Guanxi) are important. In China, the group where you belong to defines your identity. In Belgium, people and society are more individualistic, which has enabled capitalism. Masculinity Concerning the masculinity/femininity, there is not much distinction between Belgium and China. Both countries have some features of both characteristics. Uncertainty avoidance In Belgium, people believe they have faith in their own hands. In China, people depend much more on fate and believe their destiny is determined for them. In this fatalistic country, failure is unevitable. Belgians are more threatened by risk and uncertainty than the Chinese. As a result, the Chinese are much more open to change. This confirms the Confucianism influence on China. Long-term orientation Like other Southeast Asian countries, China is long term oriented. This has the similar effect as the Confucian values, which are acceptance of change, perseverance, thrift and pursuit of peace of mind. Belgium, on the other hand, strives for immediate results like other Western countries. According to Hofstede, these cultural differences will remain over time, how much globilization even takes place. Now that the Chinese culture has no mysteries anymore, let’s take a look at which adaptations are to be made. 4. Proposed Marketing adaptations Cross-cultural awareness – the understanding that what is normal in one culture can be offending in another one – starts to gain credit. People start to recognize that to be successful in foreign business, the company should adapt the marketing mix to the country’s values and culture. However, adaptation is very costly and time-consuming. Although China is becoming more Occidental, the marketing mix should be adapted only until the profits do not make up for the costs anymore. Segmentation There is no such thing as an average consumer! Therefore, there is no use -or value- in making an average product. First, the company has to distinguish the different market segments based on similar product needs for consumers. For the Chinese toy market, a distinction between the urban and rural households can be made. The question â€Å"whether a market segment is specific enough to make it a segment on its own† depends on four P’s. The first P stands for product. Children in urban China play with different and more qualitative toys than children in rural China. The second P stands for price. Since urban China is much wealthier, they are less price sensitive than rural China. Also the service level, the third P, differs. The more cultivated East demands a higher servicelevel. The final P, promotion, varies from TV advertisement and word of mouth in urban China to only word of mouth in rural China. | |Size |Product |Price |Service |Promotion | |Urban |36 % |High quality |High |High |TV + word of mouth | |Rural |64 % |Different toys |Low |Low |Word of mouth | Table 1: Segmentation: the four P’s Targeting In a next phase, the company has to make a strategic choice. This hard-to-reverse decision, namely the decision which specific market segment will be targeted, depends on the value that can be offered to customers. Although the final consumers are children between zero and five years old, most of the time it will be the parents who will buy the toys. Since the most profitable segment is China’s urban household segment, this market segment will be targeted. For the reason that this target group lives highly concentrated in the cities, they are easy to reach customers. Positioning Brand positioning is the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for a certain product. The question is whether a brand should be global or not. In this case, a global image of the brand is not important. It would be better to distinguish the positioning since in China the focus would be on learning during playing compared to recreation and entertainment in Belgium. Although it is costly, the company will benefit from this investment because of the positive effect on buying behaviour. Two company images will not confuse customers since there is a language and character barrier between both countries. Price adaptations A price can be determined on the basis of costs, by looking at competitors’ prices or in proportion to the value created towards the end-consumer. I would suggest the company to go for the third option. Although the company’s first goal should be market penetration – resulting in low prices –, still a skimming pricing strategy seems best. The dolls are of a superior quality and luxury products demand a high price. I believe 50 euro or 465 Chinese Yuan would be an appropriate price for a 25 by 15 centimetre doll. This high price can be justified because the toy cannot only be used for entertainment but also for educational purposes. Since the income of the middle class is only rising, according to my market research (see apendix) at this price there will be enough potential buyers. Another reason that justifies a high price is the high level of pre and after sales service Chinese demand, which will be discussed further. Product adaptations †¢ Product specifications Nowadays, toy manufacturers do not adapt the features of the dolls! But research has shown that it hurts the childern’s self-esteem. Therefore, the company should customize the skin colour, hair, eyes, height, ect. as shown in figure 6. [pic] Figure 6: A Chinese Lilliputien doll with yellow skin, dark hair and dark slit-eyed eyes. One of Lilliputiens’ toys is the food pyramid by which children can learn how to put together well-balanced meals. Since people in China eat other vegetables, other meat and noodles and rice instead of potatoes, this pyramid should be adapted. Another Lilliputien toy, the table set also should be modified since Chinese eat with chopsticks instead of fork and knife. [pic] [pic] Figure 7: Food pyramidFigure 8: Table set †¢ Assortment change Children like choice; therefore the product line should be expanded. The current themes like the circus, the Indians, the Pirates, the nativity of Jesus Christ could be supplemented with the twelve zodiac animals of the Chinese astrology. A doll of the child’s animal sign can be given as a gift at the child’s birth. A less perfect acquisition for the assortment would be a Buddhist doll, Chinese would find it inappropriate and rude. †¢ Brand name Due to a different language and moreover a different alphabet, it is crucial to change the company name and product names. â€Å"Lilliputiens† would be unpronounceable. My suggestion would be to render the company’s name by transliteration, so that is sounds the closest to its original name. Pu-Tien means â€Å"all over the world†, which fits with the company philosophy, to give all children over the world the chance to play. †¢ Image The new rich people love to show off their wealth. A good idea would be to create a good recognizable logo to put on each doll so that others can recognize the brand and they can brag about expensive purchase. The advertisement campaigns should be identifiable by showing rich and fortunate people. †¢ Packaging Since the packaging has to sell the product, it is essential to make it as colourful and vibrant as possible. The company certainly has to use the colour red on the packaging, since in China, red has a positive connotation and stands for success, honour, fertility, happiness and love. Qualitative information, about the fact that this toy is educational as well as entertaining, must be provided to the Chinese parents. A good idea could be to use a combination of Chinese and English language in the toys manual. Due to internalization, the Chinese middle and upper class have become familiar with English. Toys are often given as a gift. The packaging has to look nice, because gifts are used to build up and strengthen relationships. The dolls are very soft and have different textures, therefore the company could use an open packaging so potential customers can feel and see the product before purchasing. Service level When a child has a need, it wants the need to be gratified as soon as possible. Since fast delivery is thus very important, there has to be enough inventory at any time. Because the Pu-Tien toys are more than just toys, this educational plaything stimulates senses and development of a child, there is need for pre sales service. Although China pays a lot of attention to pre-sales service as well as post sales service, they do not expect a guarantee on toys. Given that the dolls are made for children between zero and five years old, avoiding small parts and implementing warnings can prevent danger to children. Safety regulations are less strict in China. Nevertheless, the company should keep their high level of quality. Since the dolls are made in Belgium, the company should exploit their country of origin effect and explicitly mention â€Å"Made in Belgium†. Distribution strategy †¢ Business culture In China, paper means nothing. So if contracts do not work, what will? You need to band with local people and win their trust. This is where the Guanxi comes in. To obtain a certain service or favour, a personal network of influence and social relationships are a must. According to Li Qinfu, contact with the Chinese government also plays a very important role. When Westerners want to do business they contact their lawyers, when Chinese do business they contact government officials. †¢ Parallel import I would not set a lower price in the Chinese market than in the home market because due to relative low trade barriers, the risk and impact of grey export from China to Belgium would be too big. †¢ Mode of entry At first instance, due to low costs and a high control level, I would recommend the company to set up a website. But on further consideration, children want their needs to be gratified as soon as possible. In addition, if the toys are reachable (merchandising), they will also nag more, which helps children to get what they want if they have shut-up parents. Shipment costs for a prior delivery would be too large in proportion to the retail price. Another reason why a website would not be a good mode of entry is the level of pre and after sales service a Chinese consumer demands. The target segment, namely middle and upper class people with high requirements, searches for qualitative, pedagogical responsible and save toys. Therefore, these luxury toys should be sold in fancy local retail stores, not in ordinary supermarkets. The trade-off of using retail stores goes between the fact that the products are reachable, ready for delivery, a high service level and less control, more risk and higher investments. Since toy dealers are not motivated to deliver good sales support, a good way to check the service is ghost shopping. This market research technique of sending fake customers will tell if sales men give the right information and service to potential buyers and customers. Since feedback from distributors does not come easily because they are independent, a good idea is to improve relationships with local parties by means of guanxi. Communication A good strategy is nothing if it is not well executed. Advertisement is the most culturally sensitive element of the marketing mix. Therefore, it is wise to decide well how to say what you want to say. †¢ Media and the message When announcing the product launch to the potential customers by the media, the message strategy is of crucial importance. According to Hofstede, the communication style depends on the five dimensions of local culture. China is a developing, high context and collectivistic country. The best communication style is a less informative and more persuasive and emotional approach. When advertising on TV, a good idea would be to use the least words as possible. Optimally, only utilize non-verbal language. Not only because collectivistic cultures are more visually orientated (De Mooij), but also because children between zero and five cannot read and have a very small vocabulary. Toddlers have very well developed visual capabilities and are sensitive to emotions. For that reason, a visual advertisement would do better. In combination with a lot of colour, children’s attention will be monopolized. Although Hofstede suggests a less informative approach, I believe that the message towards the (grand)parents should be informative (information on age, warnings†¦) and focus on the educational value of the product. Pu-Tien toys provide a key role in a child’s development: its senses are stimulated thanks to the use of a diverse range of textures, sounds, shapes and colours. As slogan I would recommend: â€Å"Pu-tien tested, child & educational approved! † As mentioned before, Chinese culture has shifted from a patriarchy to a filiarchy. As a result, advertisement will focus on children and their needs. †¢ Advertisement and promotion Not only the message, also the medium by which potential consumers are informed matters. In a first phase of promoting the product, children need to get to know the product. To gain product awareness, the company should adopt sampling. By offering certain pre-school kindergartens and day nursery centres some free samples, children will come in contact with the Pu-Tien product range. This is a win-win situation. Schools will be thankful to receive teaching aids nd our company will benefit from other children’s word of mouth, which is the best marketing tool. If our product line appeals to the children, children will nag to their parents to get the product. Sampling has as advantage that it is the most effective promotion strategy but unfortunately it is extremely expensive. Advertising on TV will be a second step of the company’s promotion strategy. Due to hypersegmenta tion, there are almost 3000 TV stations in China. With the given marketing budget, it would be too expensive to advertise on all of them. I would suggest advertising on one children’s channel as well as on one adult channel. Although the company’s target group is children between zero and five years old and their personal expenditures start from the age of four, mostly adults will buy the product for them. Since grandparents live in the same household, also raise their grandchildren and are happy to spend their money on their grandchildren’s formation, the commercial should consist of not only the child’s parents but of the whole family. Also some traditional symbols or Chinese icons should be put in because it will help to make the connection between the Western and their own consumption culture. As marketing manager, I think it is best not to invest money in global advertisement. I have computed the extent of standardization and found that toys are a cultural product. Therefore, the message and medium should change. It is not necessary to have one corporate brand image because the children in Belgium and China will not come in contact with each other, so it will not be confusing. Conclusion SWOT-analysis Strengths The major strength of the company’s product is the educational value that comes with the product. Chinese find education extremely important. Weaknesses A relative high price is chosen due to the risk and impact of parallel import. But a small segment with a high price can be more profitable than large volumes of low profit margin products. Opportunities Learning more about China, its culture, rules and laws and setting up a social network, with the government as well, will be extremely important. This will take some time, effort and money but it will enlarge the company’s chance to succeed tremendously. Threats I believe the biggest challenge will be the fierce competition from less qualitative and counterfeit dolls that are much cheaper. To conclude, as a marketing manager, I must say China stays a black box. When you have done all research that is possible; business in China still is risky. At least with the suggested adaptations the risk will be minimized and the success is multiplied. 6. References Interview Interview with my neighbour Yan Lu, a Chinese middle class woman living in Belgium since then years Books Kotler, P. et all (2005). Principles of Marketing. Prentice Hall Harlow. pp XVIII, 788. Chan, K. & McNeal, J. (2004). Advertising to children in China. The Chinese University Press of Hong Kong. pp. I, 1-21, II, 23-42. Latham, K. & Thompson, S. & Klein, J. (2006). Consuming China. Routledge. Yau, O. H. M. (1994). Consumer behaviour in China. Routledge. pp III, 63-83. Usunier, J. -C. (2000). Marketing across cultures. Prentice Hall Harlow. pp V Articles Mooij, M. (2005). Mapping cultural values for global marketing and advertising. Dobbelaere, B. & Reynebeau, M. (2008). Bijlage China: de rode boekjes: middelpunt van de wereld, 1,3 miljard sporters, een exploderende economie, paradijs voor investeerders, kleine vrouwen, een wereldmacht, de nieuwe rijken, een milieuramp, de diaspora, traditionele cultuur, culinair. De Standaard Reportage Marketing to children. Een, Koppen, 23/12/2008 Internet pages http://www. lilliputiens. be/EN/philosophy_nobel. htm 28/10/2008 http://www. allcountries. org/china_statistics/4_4_basic_statistics_on_national_population. html 25/11/2008 http://www. namingnewsletter. com/article. asp? id=42 25/11/2008 http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m2294/is_9-10_53/ai_n16084036 23/12/2008 http://benmuse. typepad. com/ben_muse/china/index. html 25/11/2008 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Positioning_(marketing) 23/12/2008 http://simonworld. mu. nu/archives/105889. hp 24/12/2008 http://smallswordsmagazine. com/articles/life/chinesesarcasm. html 3/01/2009 http://www. wing-international. com/ 03/01/2009 7. Apendices [pic] Market research: Questionnaire: What is an appropriate price for the Pu-Tien doll? 1) Are you a male/female? 2) How old are you? 3) What is your highest level of education you have achieved? 4) What is your marital status? 5) How much do you earn each month? 6) Do you live in one of China’s big cities? 7) What is your housing type? 8) Do you have (grand)children? 9) How many (grand)children do you have? 0) Is it a boy or a girl? 11) Do you believe your (grand)child’s development is important? 12) Do you like to spend money on your (grand)childrens (birthday)presents? 13) How much would you normally spend on your (grand)child’s birthday? 14) Have you ever bought a Pu-Tien doll for your (grand)child? 15) Where you pleased with your purchase? 16) What was the occasion you bought the doll for? 17) How much did it cost you? 18) Did you found it a reasonable price? 19) What would have been the highest/lowest price at which you would buy a Pu-Tien doll?

CPC Portfolio Templates Essays

CPC Portfolio Templates Essays CPC Portfolio Templates Essay CPC Portfolio Templates Essay Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare providers to understand the key elements of PC. This article assess the implementation a concept analysis of PC (definition, concepts and theoretical perspectives). What data or evidence do the authors use to support the hypothesis or quantitative data etc. Figures, summary boxes, case notes to support the articles Patient centered care (PC) consider patients at the centre of health care system Patient is considered as a whole person with physical, psychological and social needs. A critical role of health care professionals is to provide a supportive environment that promotes recovery for patients and it is important for them to learn skills to provide supportive, holistic care. Adequate and appropriate education on PC are required to carry out PC, WI a planned and coordinated approach. Patient centered care (PC) should be understood to be a heather system here patients are considered as a whole person with biological, psychological and social needs. Basic elements such as respect, compassion, concern, shared decision- making and communication are seen very important points. Health professionals need to have a good knowledge Of clinical practice, as well as skills in data gathering, clinical reporting/ documentation, procedures, communication, relationship development to implement PC It is necessary to have a planned and coordinated approach with good staff, teamwork and adequate education healthcare providers to carry out PC. Rationale for choosing this article. Why is this relevant to your literature review in Part B of the portfolio assessment task? This article mentions very clear about definition, models, advantages of patient- centered care (PC) as well as knowledge and skills required in PC which are essential for my review of literature about the concept of person centered care. The content of this article is very clear and was presented in some important points such as data gathering, patient assessment skills, procedures skills, communication skills, relationships skills and so on. And I think they will help or the part analysis of a delegation situation in the case of Ms Beaten. The artificial might also help how to communicate with patients during placement and do the discharge plan for patients Journal article or book chapter summary (3) Recent journal article (2008-2013) or book chapter relevant to person-centered care that will contribute to the literature review in part B Of the portfolio assessment task in this subject. This should NOT be one of the articles used in the enquiry guide. (350 words) Article/book chapter citation: Type of article or book chapter: (Quantitative research/Qualitative research/ Literature review/case study etc. Type of publication: (Journal impact factor, peer review etc. For a book chapter it is part of a book with a specific focus or within a professional issues type book, how authoritative is the book? ) What is the purpose of the article/book chapter? (What question/problem are the authors trying to address? Hypotheses if relevant) quantitative data etc. ) Outline the key points identified in the article/book chapter. Rat ionale for choosing this article/book chapter. Why is this relevant to your literature review in Part B of the portfolio assessment task? NOGGINS Assessment Rubric Criteria Excellent (>80%) very Good (70 79%) Good (60 69%) Fair (50 59%) poor 50%) Mark Journal article review (1) (350 words) 7 marks Part A *peer-reviewed, professionally oriented, within past six years 6 7 marks Journal article appropriate*and relevant to the topic for the literature review (part B). Correct PAP 6 style for citation. Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the purpose, key points and conclusions related to the chosen article. Correct information given for all items. Clear rationale for choice of theatrical with an appropriate depth. Writing was coherent with logical development of key ideas. Arks Demonstrates a very good understanding of the purpose, key points and Rationale for choice Of the article mostly clear and with an appropriate depth. Writing was predominantly coherent with logical development of key ideas. 4 . 5 marks Demonstrates a good understanding of the purpose, key points and conclusions related to the chosen article. Mostly correct informa tion given. Rationale for choice of the article lacks depth and clarity. Writing was mostly coherent with logical development of key ideas. 3. 5 -4. Marks Journal article not be appropriate*or relevant to the topic for the iterate review (part B). Partially correct PAP 6 style for citation. Demonstrates a limited understanding of the purpose, key points and conclusions related to the chosen article. Some correct information given. Rationale for choice of the artillery superficial. Writing had limited coherence and development of key ideas.

Marijuanna a question essays

Marijuanna a question essays Fewer Coloradans have signed up for the state's medical-marijuana program than expected but officials say the pace may increase in coming months. Ninety-nine Coloradans are legally smoking marijuana with their doctor's approval under the state's 7-month-old Medical Marijuana Registry program. The figure is well behind its projected pace of 700 applicants in the first 12 months, but registry administrator Gail Kelsey said a similar program in Oregon picked up steam after six months. Posted by FoM on January 02, 2002 at 16:54:12 PT Like any war, the War on Drugs has its good soldiers a varied bunch, coming from all walks of life and filling all ranks. They include eager volunteers, from the drug czars at the top of the command chain to the beat cops, Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs Service agents out in the field. The war also has reluctant conscripts, such as state and federal judges compelled by mandatory minimum sentencing rules to enforce laws that many see as counterproductive and unjust. Posted by FoM on January 02, 2002 at 16:12:25 PT Last spring, the Chicago City Council decided "to crack down on wild rave parties that lure youngsters into environments loaded with dangerous club drugs, underage drinking and sometimes predatory sexual behavior," as the Chicago Tribune put it. The newspaper described raves as "one-night-only parties often held in warehouses or secret locations where people pay to dance, do drugs, play loud music, and engage in random sex acts." Taking a dim view of such goings-on, the city council passed an ordinance threatening to jail building owners or managers who allowed raves to be held on their property. Posted by FoM on January 02, 2002 at 15:33:45 PT ...

How To Use The Psychology Of Habit Formation To Be A Better Marketer

How To Use The Psychology Of Habit Formation To Be A Better Marketer Has your smartphone ever beeped or vibrated to let you know that something, some piece of information or message, is waiting, just for you? Without even thinking, you read, listen to, or watch, and become completely absorbed in it. How have these pieces gained so much power over our behavior and attention? How do software companies hook us, and what can marketers learn from this phenomenon? Today’s guest is Nir Eyal, who says today’s smartest companies have melded psychology, business, and technology into habit-forming products. Nir is the best-selling author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products. He’s an angel investor and expert in behavioral design. He unveils some psychological principles behind some of today’s biggest and most valuable companies. Skill of the century is the ability to cultivate focus Behavioral Design: Products that are most engaging and habit forming were built with consumer psychology in mind People use the Hooked model to engage with a product or service Step 1: Internal trigger (reason why you use a product to modulate your mood, to feel something different; products and services cater to emotional discomfort) What’s the user’s itch? What’s their pain point that occurs frequently enough to build a habit around? Step 2: Action (the simplest behavior done in anticipation of a reward and relief from discomfort; technology shortens the distance between the need and reward) Lewin’s Equation: â€Å"People act in accordance to their personality and their environment,† which means the easier something is, the more likely people are to do it Step 3: Reward Phase (the itch gets scratched, the customer’s need is satiated, and their problems are solved) Element of Variability: Something of mystery, something of uncertainty Three types of variable rewards are: Rewards of the tribe, rewards of the hunt, and rewards of the self If you can form a habit, you can engage people with your brand through a community/content habit, and monetization is the result of engagement Step 4: Investment Phase (increases likelihood of the next pass through the hook by loading the next trigger and storing value) Content, data, followers, and reputation are ways to get users to invest in your product Companies should make a deliberate effort to understand consumers better; what makes people click and tick, so you can build services that they want Links: NirandFar.com Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Habit Summit Stack Overflow If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Marketing Podcast. The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Nir: â€Å"Where we always start is what’s the user’s itch? What’s their pain point that occurs frequently enough to build a habit around?† â€Å"The easier something is, the more likely people are to do it. † â€Å"Monetization is a result of engagement.†

Isetan Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Isetan Company - Essay Example Isetan Company I did my internship for 3 months at the buying office of Isetan in New York branch. It is located in the 40th street of Madison Avenue. I did the position of manager’s assistant and my main responsibilities were to research new American brands for Japanese buyers and to organize all schedule for fashion collections. This paper is written as the strategic analysis of Isetan, based on both internal and external business environments (SWOT and PEST analysis) The major strength of Isetan is its wide product range. Products like ladies wear, ladies accessories, bags and shoes, ladies cosmetics, and fragrances, watch, jewellery, babies/children wear, household/ interior goods, mean’s wear, men’s accessories, shoes, Men’s grooming, sports accessories etc are some of the products of Isetan. Isetan has products which can satisfy all the people irrespective of their age or gender and hence a family can depend Isetan for its complete purchasing needs. Another strength of Isetan is the research and development department. This department constantly monitoring the fashion trends all over the world and they were able to produce high quality fashion goods based on the changing needs of the customers. In other words, Isetan was able to foresee the trends in fashion and they were able to adapt themselves based on that. They never rely entirely on one kind of product for their business. Children, adults and old people, all are dealt with equal importance and hence all the customers who visit Isetan department stores will return with utmost satisfaction.

Surface engineering technology used in industry for surface Essay

Surface engineering technology used in industry for surface modification( i.e surface treatment-surface thermo-chemical tratment - Essay Example This has been made feasible because steel is strong, flexible, and durable, thus, making it a suitable material for construction. However, there are instances where some modifications have to be made to the metal to make it suitable for some types of construction. The resolve to have steel that is strong, tough, wear, and shock resistant leads engineers to manipulate the surface of the metal, leaving its inner core intact (Davis, 2003). This process is called surface hardening of steel, and it can be done in many ways. Surface hardening techniques can be grouped into two main categories; local thermal treatment and thermochemical processes. The choice of treatment to be used depends on engineering requirement s as well as commercial competition. In this section, this article presents an overview of the procedures used to harden the surface of steel. Each describes the procedures involved in the two categories. 1.1 Thermo-Chemical Processes Engineers modify the local chemical composit ion of steel at the surfaces by induction of nitrogen, carbon or both. Sometimes they may also use boron. The techniques used in this category depend on the method of heat treatment applied and can further be broken down into four subcategories: i. Pack processes such as metalizing and pack carburizing ii. Salt-bath processes such as carbonitriding (cyanide hardening) iii. Gaseous processes such as gas nitriding and gas carburizing iv. Vacuum based processes including ion nitriding, carburizing, and plasma nitriding The most salient features of these processes are the processing temperature, mechanical properties and depth of the case, as well as the service behavior of the case’s core composite. Temperature is particularly significant because it affects the level of distortion directly. 1.1.1 Nitriding This can only be done on materials that have already been hardened and tempered. It produces better results when used with a range of alloys of steel that form stable nitrides such as vanadium, aluminium, tungsten, chromium, and molybdenum. The resultant nitrides are dispersed evenly throughout the surface of steel. Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a nitriding process. The process occurs at around 540 degrees Celsius where distortion does not take place. The nitride layer on the surface of the metal makes it expand, thus creating large, compressive stresses that in turn increase surface hardness and improve fatigue strength. In addition, the process also results in steel that has a reduced friction coefficient. Nitriding is, therefore, the best method to use when developing surfaces that are intended to minimize friction such as crank shafts and ball bearings. Advantages of Nitriding 1. It is easy to control the nitrogen

Coursework for global market Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Coursework for global market - Assignment Example Interest rates were pushed down through conventional and non-conventional measures. Conventional measure is a state where the central bank of a given state is not directly involved in lending funds to the government or other financial institutions; neither does it directly buy any type of debt instruments in the market. They are able to manage the level of interest rates, thus managing liquidity and in long run; prices are stabilized in the market. Unconventional measures refer to policies that aim at the cost and accessibility of outside finance to other stakeholders like households and non-financial companies. With rates significantly brought down, investors had sufficient funds and they had to look for elsewhere to invest. These trends later occurred to cause problems as this was supposed to happen when inflation is at lowest level possible under a depressed economy. Economic shock was strong such that it affected the economy and further cutting down of interest was not possible leading to firms resulting in unconventional policy which even when transmission process of monetary is impaired, it may be warranted In 1997-1998, investors lost confidence in the Asian market since the resulting returns were very low and had brought them server loss. This caused financial crisis in potential market, investors could no longer join the market as it was initially which it later affected the world economy. Secondly, in Asian countries and other new markets, many firms had huge debts in dollars, when their currency failed; it became a major problem as debts rose significantly. It has been an on-going challenge in international business though currently is not serious like it was during that time. Yes, this is because for business to go on smoothly there is need to understand the market you are entering. Potential crisis is therefore of paramount importance for any firm to understand before venturing to the

Coping, Maintaining Health and Preventing Illness Assignment

Coping, Maintaining Health and Preventing Illness - Assignment Example People with Type A personalities have low self-esteem, low patience, and distrust towards fellow humans. These qualities result in irritation, anger, anxiety and lack of sympathy; these symptoms indicate anxiety disorders. Experiencing anxiety disorders indicates or are associated with some form of cardiac issues. Psychology of individuals has a significant impact on their health. Association of psychological distress and chronic heart failure was established by Lesman-Leegte et al.’s (2006) study that indicated most of the patients with chronic heart failure were suffering from psychological distress, either in the form of depression or anxiety disorder. Sogaard et al.’s (2008) research carried out with a purpose of investigating relationships between type A behavior pattern and psychological distress measured in middle aged men participating in two surveys 28 years apart clearly indicated that Type A individuals had high risk of developing psychological distress. Psychological distress needs to be managed through counselling and psychotherapy that can strengthen Type A individuals’ psychosocial characteristics towards more positive outcomes. Aquarius et al. (2006) proved that younger people require higher social support in order to recover from treatment of peripheral arterial disease (a type of heart disease). This social support is to enhance their psychosocial impressions of the self and

Ethical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ethical Theories - Essay Example The researcher will analyse this case using Consequentialist (Utilitarian) and Deontological theories of business ethics; also I would provide a discussion over possible decisions that could be taken in the light of arguments raised by proponents about the importance of these two ethical theories. The key stakeholders in the above mentioned case Star Alpha Medicines, a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in the UK and a leading supplier of insulin for diabetics, are the organisational customers, top management and employees, shareholders, government authorities of country X (southern-European country), industry analysts and governments of all nations where Star Alpha Medicines is operational other than country X. In addition, there are two main ethical issues as revealed in this case. The first issue is whether Star Alpha Medicines should withdraw its easy-to-use insulin pen injection product from country X to avoid financial losses and put lives of diabetes patients at stake. The second main ethical issue is whether governments of other nations (other than southern-European country) would use 25% price cut as a basis for setting drug prices and force Star Alpha to reduce the prices in all nations as well to provide relief to customers. It is worthwhile to point out that Utilitarian theory is actually developed by Consequential school of thought. This theory, in fact, talks the consequences / outcomes of various solutions and alternatives developed by organisations, individuals, governtments etc. to resolve the ethical dilemmas and scenarios. For instance, Utilitarian principle endorses the idea of providing greater welfare to greatest number in society by conducting a cost – benefit analysis. Consequentialists also use point system to analyse viability of different alternatives and to conclude which choice may lead to greatest good for society (Faculty Washington, n.d). As far as the implementation of Utilitarian ethical

Video games Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Video games - Essay Example Video games can include profanity, criminal behavior, drug use, sexual themes, and graphic violence. Under U.S. law video games containing profanity, criminal behavior, drug use, sexual themes, and graphic violence are marked under the game rating label as MA, along with a V for violence and other appropriate warning labels. Specific games, like Grand Theft Auto, Doom, EverQuest, Need for Speed, and other popular titles promote the adverse behavior mentioned above. All of these titles are rated MA. Despite the mature rating children, teenagers, and adults make these titles best sellers. This can lead to the conclusion that video games including profanity, criminal behavior, drug use, sexual themes, and graphic violence are preferred by the public. The first example of video violence influencing real violence is the Columbine Massacre. On 20 April 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold arrived at Columbine High School, outside of Denver (Larkin, 1). Armed with an elaborate plan, bombs, and guns, the two shooters entered the school. In forty-five minutes, Harris and Klebold killed twelve students and one teacher. Twenty-four more students were wounded. After the forty-five minute rampage, Harris and Klebold committed suicide (Larkin, 8). The Columbine Massacre was one of the bloodiest school shootings in U.S. history. Before the Columbine Massacre, Harris and Klebold both played an online game called Doom (Larkin, 129). Doom is a first person shooting game for the computer platform. Doom can also be played online against other gamers. Harris even wrote levels of Doom. Manipulating Doom characters into violent scenarios was one of Harris’ hobbies (Larking, 130). The two boys bonded while playing this violent game. Harris even invented a Doom level that resembled Columbine High School. Many were quick to blame the Doom game for the violent attack. The violent video game,

Ethical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ethical Theories - Essay Example The researcher will analyse this case using Consequentialist (Utilitarian) and Deontological theories of business ethics; also I would provide a discussion over possible decisions that could be taken in the light of arguments raised by proponents about the importance of these two ethical theories. The key stakeholders in the above mentioned case Star Alpha Medicines, a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in the UK and a leading supplier of insulin for diabetics, are the organisational customers, top management and employees, shareholders, government authorities of country X (southern-European country), industry analysts and governments of all nations where Star Alpha Medicines is operational other than country X. In addition, there are two main ethical issues as revealed in this case. The first issue is whether Star Alpha Medicines should withdraw its easy-to-use insulin pen injection product from country X to avoid financial losses and put lives of diabetes patients at stake. The second main ethical issue is whether governments of other nations (other than southern-European country) would use 25% price cut as a basis for setting drug prices and force Star Alpha to reduce the prices in all nations as well to provide relief to customers. It is worthwhile to point out that Utilitarian theory is actually developed by Consequential school of thought. This theory, in fact, talks the consequences / outcomes of various solutions and alternatives developed by organisations, individuals, governtments etc. to resolve the ethical dilemmas and scenarios. For instance, Utilitarian principle endorses the idea of providing greater welfare to greatest number in society by conducting a cost – benefit analysis. Consequentialists also use point system to analyse viability of different alternatives and to conclude which choice may lead to greatest good for society (Faculty Washington, n.d). As far as the implementation of Utilitarian ethical

[Paul's case] Essay with little research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

[Paul's case] with little research - Essay Example 14). The name "Faust" comes from a charlatan alchemist (some claim astrologer and necromancer) whose pride and vanity lead to his doom. (elconnery.blogspot.com, also, en.Wikipedia.org) In the past, it was assumed that the comic scenes were additions by other writers. However, most scholars today consider the comedy an integral part of the play, as its tone shows the change in Faust’s ambitions. (Anon) With greater recognition, Faust became a Grand Opera, ending tragically in death. Paul’s death in Cather’s short story, prompting the comparison, transmogrifies a youth’s confused vision of Utopia into a destination attainable only after renouncing life. The story is one extensive allusion, interspersed with multiple cross references to images or symbols, some of which are complex and require background knowledge of literature from Shakespeare’s era. Faust or Faustus, is noted for his pact with the devil, in the form of Mephistopheles, a servant of Lucifer, the Devil incarnate. He also finds place in other works dealing with the netherworld. (Soldati, 1980 also Leslie Kay Swigart, 2004). Kennedy’s Faust (p 537) curses life –â€Å"would that I were never born† he says. The similarity to Paul’s bent of mind is striking. Cordelia was one of three daughters of King Lear, from Shakespeare’s play of the same name. The only unmarried Princess, she fell out of favor with her father and was disowned by him, ultimately dying a horrific death. (JSTOR) The loss of paternal love affected her in its own way, as it did with Paul. Cordelia is, therefore, an allusion. There is a dichotomy here, because if she was a person who Paul identified himself with, in the story she symbolizes all that he had grown to despise. This symbol was the embodiment of a dreary street, stretching monotonously with identical houses lining it on both sides. It

Depression Anxiety in Older Adults: Gaps in the Knowledge

Depression Anxiety in Older Adults: Gaps in the Knowledge Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults:Â  Are there gaps in current knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment? Introduction Mental health problems in older adults can cause a massive social impact, often bringing about poor quality of life, isolation and exclusion. Depression is one of the most debilitating mental health disorders worldwide, affecting approximately 7% of the elderly population (Global Health Data Exchange, 2010). Despite this, it is also one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions in the primary care setting. Even with estimates of approximately 25% of over 65’s living in the community having depressive symptoms severe enough to warrant medical intervention, only one third discuss their symptoms with their GP. Of those that do, only 50% receive treatment as symptoms of depression within this population often coincide with other later life problems ( IAPT, 2009; World Health Organisation (WHO), 2004). Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1: Depression and Anxiety in older adults Many misconceptions surround ageing including the fact that depression is a normal part of the ageing process. Actual evidence indicates that other physical health issues often supersede the presentation of depressive symptoms in older adults which may suggest that the development of depression is highly influenced by deteriorating physical health (Baldwin, 2008; Baldwin et al, 2002). Depression may present differently in older adults in comparison to adolescents or even working age adults. Although the same disorder may be present throughout different stages of the lifespan, in older adults certain symptoms of depression may be accentuated, such as somatic or psychotic symptoms and memory complaints, or suppressed, such as the feelings of sadness, in comparison to younger people with the same disorder (Baldwin, 2008; Chiu, Tam Chiu, 2008). O’Connor et al (2001) carried out a study into ‘the influence of age on the response of major depression to electroconvulsive thera py’ and found that when confounding variables are controlled (age at the beginning of a study), there is no difference in the remission rates for depression in both younger and older adults, however, relapse rates remain higher for older adults. Backing this up, Brodaty et al (1993) conducted a qualitative naturalistic study into the prognosis of depression in older adults in comparison to younger adults and again confirmed that the prognosis and remission for depression in older adults is not significantly worse than for younger adults. However, the rigor of a qualitative naturalistic study is argued by proponents as being value-laden in nature, while criticisms of this study approach highlight it as being subjective, anecdotal and subject to researcher bias (Koch, 2006). In addition to depression, anxiety disorders are also common among older adults, often presenting as a comorbid condition. In 2007, 2.28 million people were diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder, with 13% of those individuals aged 65 and over. By 2026, the projected number of people diagnosed with an anxiety disorder is expected to rise by 12.7% to 2.56 million with the greatest increase expected to be seen in the older adult population (King’s Fund, 2008). Despite the prevalence rate, anxiety is poorly researched in comparison to other psychiatric disorders in older people (Wetherell et al, 2005). Of the anxiety disorders, phobic disorders and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) are the two most common in older people (Bryant et al, 2008). It wasn’t until 1980 that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 3rd Edition which introduced Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) into the psychiatric nome nclature, distinguishing it from other anxiety disorders for the first time (APA, 1980). MCManus et al (2009) estimate that in England alone, as many as 4.4% of people in England suffer with GAD with prevalence rates between 1.2 and 2.5 times higher for women than men (Prajapati, 2012). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has received more clinical interest lately, correlating with individuals from the Second World War, Holocaust and Vietnam Veterans reaching or being well into old age and increasing recognition of PTSD. Despite this, data relating to prevalence rates still remains limited with research tending to focus on specific populations as opposed to community figures, for example, with regards to UK war veterans, approximately 30% will develop PTSD (pickingupthepieces.org.au, 2014). Unfortunately, stigma tends to misrepresent PTSD statistics as sufferers tend not to seek diagnosis or researcher bias is present. Britt (2000) found that many service personal within the military stated that admitting to a mental health problem was not only more stigmatising that admitting to a physical health problem but they also believed it would have a more detrimental impact on their career prospects. Furthermore, Mueller (2009) conducted a study into disclosure attitudes in which it was concluded that these attitudes can strongly predict symptom severity. With this in mind, it is important to stress the importance of practicing within the limits of NMC (2008) code of conduct in which unconditional positive regards must be show by all nursing staff whilst incorporating a non-bias attitude in practice. Anxiety and depression comorbidity is well established. A longitudinal study, noted for its beneficial adaptability in enabling the researcher to look at changes over time, conducted by Balkom et al (2000) found that in a random community sample of adults (55 and older), who were diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder, 13% also met the criteria of major depressive disorder (MDD). Adding weight to the evidence of anxiety and depression comorbidity in older adults, Schaub (2000) who also conducted a longitudinal study, found that 29.4% of a sample of older adults in a German community met the criteria for a depressive disorder. Longitudinal studies are thought to vary in their validity due to the attrition of randomly assigned participants during the course of the study, thus producing a final sample that is not a true representation of the population sampled (Rivet-Amico, 2009). King-Kallimanis, Gum and Kohn (2009) examined current and lifetime comorbidity of anxiety with depression. Within a 12 month period they found 51.8% of older adults with MDD in the United States also met the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. There is evidence to suggest that the first presentation of anxiety symptoms in older adults suggests an underlying depressive disorder (Chiu et al, 2008). Unfortunately, comorbid anxiety and depression in older adults is associated with much higher risks of suicidal symptoms (Bartels et al, 2002; Lenze et al, 2000) in addition to increased reports of more severe psychiatric and somatic symptoms and poorer social functioning when compared to depression alone (Lenze et al, 2000; Schoevers et al, 2003). 2.2 Diagnosis and Screening Tools APP TO PRACTICE Dementia, along with depression and other priority mental disorders are included in the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). This programme aims to improve care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders through providing guidance and tools to develop health services in resource poor areas. Synthesis and utilization of empirical research is an important aspect of evidence-based care. Only within the context of the holistic assessment, can the highest quality of care be achieved. References: Baldwin, R., Chiu, E., Katona, C., and Graham, N. 2002. Guidelines on depression in older people: Practising the evidence. London: Martin Dunitz Ltd. Baldwin, R. 2008. Mood disorders: depressive disorders. In: Jacob R et al, Oxford Textbook of Older Age Psychiatry. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Balkom, V., Beekman , A., de Beurs, E., et al. Comorbidity of the anxiety disorders in a community-based older population in the Netherlands [Online]. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 101(-). Pp 37–45. Available at: https://www-swetswise-com.abc.cardiff.ac.uk/FullTextProxy/swproxy?url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.coc/resolve/doi/pdf?DOI=10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.101001037.xts=1409279416128cs=1533436201userName=0000884.ipdireciemCondId=884articleID=25446758yevoID=1585273titleID=2498remoteAddr=131.251.137.64hostType=PRO [Accessed: 29th August 2014]. Bartels, S., Coakley, E., Oxman, T., et al. 2002. Suicidal and death ideation in older primary care patients with depression, anxiety, and at-risk alcohol use. American Journal of Psychiatry.159(10) pp.417–427. Brodaty, H., Harris, L., Peters, K., Wilhelm, K., Hickie, I., Boyce, P., Mitchell, P., Parker, G., and Eyers, K. 1993. Prognosis of depression in the elderly. A comparison with younger patients [Online]. The British Journal of Psychiatry 163(-) pp589-596. Available at: http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/163/5/589#BIBL [Accessed 27th August 2014]. Chiu, H., Tam,W., and Chiu, E. 2008. WPA educational program on depressive disorders: Depressive disorders in older persons. World Psychiatric Association (WPA). King’s Fund. 2008. Paying the price: The cost of mental health care in England to 2026 [Online]. London: King’s Fund. Available at: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/Paying-the-Price-the-cost-of-mental-health-care-England-2026-McCrone-Dhanasiri-Patel-Knapp-Lawton-Smith-Kings-Fund-May-2008_0.pdf [Accessed: 17th August 2014]. Koch, T. 2006. Establishing rigour in qualitative research: the decision trail. Journal of Advanced Nursing 53(1) pp. 91-100 Lenze, E., Mulsant, B., Shear M, et al. 2000. Comorbid anxiety disorders in depressed elderly patients [Online]. American Journal of Psychiatry. 157(-): pp.722–728. Available at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org.abc.cardiff.ac.uk/data/Journals/AJP/3712/722.pdf?resultClick=3 [Accessed: 29th August 2014]. O’Connor, M., Knapp, R., Husain, M., et al. 2001. The influence of age on the response of major depression to electroconvulsive therapy: a CORE report. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 9(-): pp. 382–390 Rivet-Amico, K. 2009. Percent Total Attrition: A Poor Metric for Study Rigor in Hosted Intervention Designs [Online]. American Journal of Public Health 99(9): pp 1567-1575. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724469/ [Accessed 22nd August 2014]. Schaub, R., Linden, M. 2000. Anxiety and anxiety disorders in the old and very old—results from the Berlin Aging Study (BASE) [Online]. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 41(-) pp 48–54. Available at: http://ac.els-cdn.com.abc.cardiff.ac.uk/S0010440X00800085/1-s2.0-S0010440X00800085-main.pdf?_tid=25fb884e-2f25-11e4-ae4a-00000aab0f6bacdnat=1409279912_0012d28347b6791e31a8b5199f3daaa1 [Accessed: 29th August 2014]. Schoevers, R., Beekman, A., Deeg, D., et al. 2003. The natural history of late-life depression: results from the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL) [Online]. Journal of Affective Disorders.76(1): pp 5–14. Available at: http://ac.els-cdn.com.abc.cardiff.ac.uk/S0165032702000605/1-s2.0-S0165032702000605-main.pdf?_tid=1814aa80-2f34-11e4-a381-00000aab0f27acdnat=1409286331_4cb7efb58af9c004b37dc4825f8831d5 [Accessed 19th August 2014].