Cross-Cultural Management Issues Recommend Solutions Essay

In today’s ever-changing and highly integrated world, corporations have a growing need to hire and maintain an exceedingly diverse and multicultural workforce. With globalization, multinational corporations have a great opportunity to work with people from different cultures and with a diverse pool of skills. However, there is a major cost of working in a foreign culture. Several problems arise when managing a culturally diverse workforce; management needs to solve them. Understanding different cultures improves employees’ efficiency and productivity. However, many issues in cross-cultural analysis arise because of the lack of understanding of other cultures and at times about that very culture we live in. This can result in confusion.†¦show more content†¦Cross-cultural issues can range from simple stereotypes to complex paradoxes. Cross-cultural management is a growing field. CULTURAL PARADOX Cross-cultural training poses many problems, which need to be rectified before they become more serious. One of the major problems in cross-cultural training is the cultural paradox: a person growing in a one society has a specific perception about other societies. For example a person who was raised in the U.S. might assume that Singaporeans are poor but if or she goes to Singapore and theses that most of them appear to be wealthy, this is a cultural paradox. As mentioned earlier, context is an essential element of cultural understanding and if we ignore context, cultural paradox is a result. Schemas are mental shortcuts. To understand societies, we rely on our schemas about other people. For example, Japan is a collectivistic society where married sons live in their parents’ house. However, not all sons live with their families. Therefore, we should not miss on cultural context. Sophisticated stereotyping is a form of schema, which associates good attributes with a certain population. For example, the world regards Chinese as a very hard working, collectivistic group of people with high uncertainty avoidance, and a lot of emphasis on group work. These stereotypes help in understanding the culture; however, stereotypes are consciously held and are not based on direct interaction with theShow MoreRelatedThe Case Of The Floundering Expatriate1364 Words   |  6 Pagesto recommend solutions to those problems. We see three major issues lying at the heart of the problems of the multicultural business organization according to The Case of Floundering Expatriate article. These are culture, communication, and leadership and motivation. Bert Donaldson’s resume is impressive: he was a professor of American studies in Cairo, Egypt for 5 years and while in the Unites States, Bert made major improvements to the organizational structure by implementing cross-functionalRead MoreWhat Is Meant by Lifelong Learning?796 Words   |  3 Pagescorporation, the organization as a whole becomes better. Personnel can become more efficient with their thought process and decision making skills. In addition through the use of cross functional training, personnel can gain skills in completing different fields such as human resources and public relations. This learning through cross functional teams is beneficial for two primary reasons. First, through learning other aspects of the corporation, personnel have a better idea of how their respective contributionsRead MoreInternational Hrm Case Study By Fiona Robson936 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction In today’s highly globalized world multinational management gained significant momentum, especially the HRM industry. This assignment is focused on solving issues indicated in a case study for expatriate – ethnocentric staff solutions. A - International HRM Case Study by Fiona Robson Based on the information you have at the end of Part 1, what do you think the key priorities should be? 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To turnaround an unprofitable company, Ghosn imposed new management ideas despite deeply anchored Japanese business practices and culture. With his leadership, Ghosn lead and motivated Nissan’s employees, and the company became profitable. However, Renault planned for Ghosn to leave Nissan and return as its ChiefRead MoreA Research Study On Pennypure Labs Essay2259 Words   |  10 PagesPennyPure Labs is a highly renowned organization, which has enjoyed a high degree of success due to it advancements in the research and development of new and improved antibiotics. However, currently it is suffering from organizational behavi oral issues at the hands of a highly qualified manager, who is having difficulty in adapting to his new role, culturally and emotionally. He is disengaged from three of his employees, who have attained tremendous success at the company, but are not being givenRead MoreEssay on Final Project1728 Words   |  7 Pages Final Project Option 1 center850008549640October 26, 2014 BMGT 365 1000000October 26, 2014 BMGT 365 To turnaround an unprofitable company, Joan imposed new management ideas despite her father’s business practices and culture. With her leadership, Joan will lead and motivate Invitations Inc. employees, and the company will become more profitable. This leadership void threatens Invitation’s Inc â€Å"sustainable pattern of customer focus and profitable growth† (Millikin 9). InvitationsRead MoreOrganizational Development And Employee Engagement1176 Words   |  5 Pagestoward a solution. The amount of commitment is a conjecture of whether personnel are productive and want to stay engaging with the organization for an extended period. Many managers today don t understand why their ROI and delivery of a product is not productive efficiency. It all points back to organizational development and employee engagement. How do we stop what was happening and get the department moving toward organizational success? We need some innovation to address the issues. A strategic Read MoreJamie Turner at Mli1667 Words   |  7 Pagesroot cause(s) can best be summarized as: The denigration of their relationship; which can be traced to two main issues. A) Ineffective communication between Cardullo and Turner. B) The cultural differences between MLI, Inc. and the management style(s) that Turner was accustomed to with the previous companies for which he worked. Cardullo has embraced an outdated style of management, he’s obdurate and refuses to adapt or be persuaded by his new Vice President –Turner. Not only is there is ineffective

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The Personality Trait Theory ( Jung, Eysenck, And Allport

Introduction Introversion was defined as â€Å"withdrawn and often shy, and they tend to focus on themselves, on their own thoughts and feelings† (Jung, 1923) Therefore focusing on this personality trait can help to better understand why people tend to be reserved and withdrawn from everyday life. Carl Jung was the creator of the neopsychoanalytical approach, which focused on psychic energy. While Gordon Allport and Hans Eysenck contributor to the trait theory, focused on biology and individualized traits. Jung, Eysenck and Allport focused on extrovert vs. introvert, yet had completely different ideas of how introversion is seen in everyday life. Personally believeing this trait is one I carry, focusing on completely different approaches will bring light to many explanations of why people act the way they do, including myself. By using both case studies and personal work from the works of Jung, Eysenck, and Allport researching introversion should not be a an issue. Although there is a lot of work to do with introversion, through this research one can get a better overview. Trait Definition Carl Jung has defined introversion as â€Å"withdrawn and often shy, and tend to focus on themselves along with their own thoughts and/or feelings.† Jung also found that everyone starts off with introversion and extroversion, but with time and life experience only the dominant one is the one that shows Therefore, for example two young children going through different life experience can both endShow MoreRelatedCarl Jung s Influence On Life Experience1839 Words   |  8 PagesCarl Jung has defined introversion as â€Å"withdrawn and often shy, and tend to focus on themselves along with their own thoughts and/or feelings.† Jung also found that everyone starts off with introversion and extroversion, but with time and life experience only the dominant one is the one that shows Therefore, for example two young children going through different life experience can both end up being either extroverts or introvert. 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Dictionary definition (1) Personality Ââ€" the sum of all the behavioral and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognised as being unique. What is meant by personality? It is the inner quality of a person, the sum of their life experiences, the way the environment affects a persons outlook and a conscious choice. Personality is not better or worse than any other personsRead MoreEssay on Nature vs Nurture: Genetics vs Environment710 Words   |  3 Pagesmuch your personality is the result of your genetic makeup, and how much is the result of the environment? The nature-nurture question is one of the oldest issues in psychology. This question is applicable to identical twins. They are the same age, same-sex, have the same genes, live in the same house, share same stuff, given identical presents, so in other words, they share the same environment from birth. The researcher tends to know if identical twins really share the same personality. In IndividualRead MoreThe Phenomenology And Humanistic Approach1157 Words   |  5 PagesAfter taking this course, I now have a better understanding of who I am as a person. Personality is the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual s distinctive character. To help define behavior we used five approaches. The five approaches include the phenomenology/humanistic approach, biological approach, psychoanalytic approach, trait approach, and the cognitive approach. The first approach is called the phenomenology/humanistic approach. Phenomenology is one’s experienceRead MorePersonality Theories5586 Words   |  23 PagesPersonality Theories Almost everyday we describe and assess the personalities of the people around us. Whether we realize it or not, these daily musings on how and why people behave as they do are similar to what personality psychologists do. Personality psychology looks at the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that make a person unique. Some of the best known theories in psychology are devoted to the subject of personality. Almost everyday we describe and assess the personalities ofRead Moreallport Essay5287 Words   |  22 PagesAllport’s theory of traits 1 Allport’s Theory of Traits – A Critical Review of the Theory and Two Studies Louise Barkhuus ID: 4187741 Concordia University PSYC 326/4 Patricia Csank Date: April 19, 1999 Allport’s theory of traits 2 Abstract This paper reviews Gordon Allport’s theory of traits as well as two of his studies, â€Å"Personality Traits†, 1921 and â€Å"Letters from Jenny†, 1966. His theory, which is based more on his view of human nature than on research, distinguishes betweenRead MoreThe Nomothetic Approach in Personality Testing1573 Words   |  7 PagesThe Nomothetic approach is an approach to personality assessment. The term comes from the Greek word nomos which means law. In an online dictionary homothetic is defined as giving or establishing laws. Look for universal laws of behaviour. It is based on traditional, classical science. In psychology the nomothetic approach focuses on people in general, trying to find regularities or laws between people. The approach was proposed by a German philosopher Wilhelm Windelband in the 19th century.Read More Abraham Maslow on Self-Actualization, Motivation and Humanistic Theory2428 Words   |  10 Pagesself-actualisation or transcendence. However, no one theory will fully explain human motivation, there are limitations associated with each theory. Accordingly, in this essay, for a comparative and critical analysis, I will explore the Motivation theory of Maslow and the theory of Gordon Allport. Allport was considered to be the founding fathers of personality psychology, his works focusing on the human being who is identified by a series of traits, cardinal traits, central and secondary. Accordingly, forRead MorePersonality Theories And Trait Theories2232 Words   |  9 PagesThe entire notion of Personality rests upon a number of assumptions: 1) that traits and types exist 2) that traits and types are stable over time 3) that these traits and types are consistent across different situations. At least two of these assumptions are so problematic that they challenge the very existence of Personality. Critically evaluate this statement. Personality, a word first coined in the C14th, has so broad a meaning that its definition varies significantly depending on which theoretical

The Secret Circle The Captive Chapter Fourteen Free Essays

string(28) " from a disdainful Melanie\." There was silence under the silver disk of moon. â€Å"Cassie,† Melanie said again. Now everyone was looking at her. We will write a custom essay sample on The Secret Circle: The Captive Chapter Fourteen or any similar topic only for you Order Now Cassie could feel the heat of Faye’s golden eyes on her, and she knew why Sean had squirmed. They were hotter than the pillar of fire Diana had summoned up to protect them at Halloween. As if compelled, Cassie glanced the other way. Diana was looking at her too. Diana’s eyes were like a pool adrift with green leaves. Cassie couldn’t seem to look away from them. â€Å"Cassie?† Melanie said for the third time. Her voice was tinged with the slightest note of doubt. Still unable to look away from Diana’s eyes, Cassie whispered, â€Å"Faye.† â€Å"What? â€Å"cried Laurel. â€Å"Faye,† Cassie said, too loudly. She was clutching the piece of hematite in her pocket. Coldness from it seemed to seep through her body. â€Å"I said Faye, all right?† she said to Melanie, but she was still looking at Diana. Those clear green eyes were bewildered. Then, all at once, understanding came into them, as if a stone had been tossed into the tranquil pool. And when Cassie saw that, saw Diana really understand what had just happened, something inside her died forever. Cassie didn’t know any longer why she was voting for Faye. She couldn’t remember now how all this had started, how she’d gotten on this path in the first place. All she knew was that the coldness from her hand and arm was trickling through her entire body, and that from here on, there was no turning back. Melanie was sitting motionless, stunned, not touching the pile of red and white stones. She seemed to have forgotten about them. It was Deborah who leaned forward and picked up the sixth red stone, adding it to Faye’s pile. And somehow that act, and the sight of the six red stones beside the five white ones, made it real. Electricity crackled in the air as everyone sat forward. Slowly, Melanie said, â€Å"Faye is the new leader of the coven.† Faye stood up. She had never seemed so tall before, or so beautiful. Silently, she held out a hand to Diana. But it wasn’t a gesture of friendship. Faye’s open hand with the long crimson nails was demanding. And in response to it, very slowly, Diana got to her feet as well. She unclasped the silver bracelet from her upper arm. Adam had been staring, thunderstruck. Now he jumped to his feet. â€Å"Wait a minute-â€Å" â€Å"It’s no use, Adam,† Melanie said, in a deadened voice. â€Å"The vote was fair. Nothing can change it now.† Faye took the silver bracelet with the mysterious, runic inscriptions, and clasped it about her own bare, rounded arm. It shone there against the honey-pale skin. Diana’s fingers trembled as she undid the garter. Laurel, muttering something and brushing tears out of her eyes with an angry gesture, moved forward to help her, kneeling before Diana and tugging at the circle of green leather and blue silk. It came free and Laurel stood up, looking as if she wanted to throw it at Faye. But Diana took it and placed it in Faye’s hand. Faye was wearing the shimmering black shift that she’d worn to the Halloween dance, the one slit up both sides to the hip. She buckled the garter around her left thigh. Then Diana put both hands to her hair and lifted off the diadem. Fine strands of hair the color of sunlight and moonlight woven together clung to the silver crown as she removed it. Faye reached out and almost snatched it from her. Faye held the circlet up high, as if showing it to the coven, to the four elements, to the world. Then she settled it on her own head. The crescent moon in its center gleamed against her wild black mane of hair. There was a collective release of breath from the Circle. Cassie didn’t know how she’d gotten to her feet, but suddenly she was running. She bolted out of the circle and ran beside the ocean, her feet sinking into wet sand. She ran until something caught her from behind and stopped her. â€Å"Cassie!† Adam said. His eyes looked straight into hers, as if he was searching for her soul. Cassie hit out at him. â€Å"Cassie, I know you didn’t want to do it! She made you, somehow, didn’t she? Cassie, tell me!† Cassie tried to shake him off again. Why was he bothering her? She was furious, suddenly, with Adam and Diana and their everlasting faith in her. â€Å"I know she made you,† Adam said forcefully. â€Å"Nobody made me!† Cassie almost shouted. Then she stopped fighting him and they stood and stared at each other, both breathing hard. â€Å"You’d better get back there,† Cassie said. â€Å"We’re not supposed to be alone-remember? Remember our oath? Not that I guess you need to think about it much anymore. It’s pretty easy to keep these days, isn’t it?† â€Å"Cassie, what’s going on?† â€Å"Nothing is going on! Just go, Adam. Just-† Before Cassie could stop herself she had grabbed Adam’s arms and pulled him forward. And then she kissed him. It was a hard, angry kiss, and the next moment when she released him she was as stunned as he was. They stared at each other speechlessly. â€Å"Go back,† Cassie said, hardly able to hear her own voice through the pounding in her ears. It was over, it was all over. She was so cold†¦ not just her skin, but inside her, deep in her core, she was freezing. Freezing over like black ice. Everything was black around her. She pushed Adam away and made for the distant glow of the bonfire. â€Å"Cassie!† â€Å"I’m going back. To congratulate our new leader.† It was chaos back at the circle. Laurel was crying, Deborah was shouting, Chris and Doug were glaring like a couple of tomcats about to fight and calling each other names. Sean was hovering behind Faye to keep his distance from a disdainful Melanie. You read "The Secret Circle: The Captive Chapter Fourteen" in category "Essay examples" Suzan was telling Chris and Doug to grow up, while Faye laughed. Of all of them, only Nick and Diana were utterly still. Nick was smoking silently, away from the rest of the group, watching them with narrowed eyes. Diana was just standing there, exactly where she’d been when Cassie left. She didn’t seem to see or hear any of the disturbance around her. â€Å"Will you all just shut up?† Deborah was yelling when Cassie reached them. â€Å"Faye’s the one in charge now.† â€Å"That’s right,† Suzan said. Chris and Doug were shoving each other now. Suzan saw Cassie and said appealingly, â€Å"Isn’t that right, Cassie?* It was strange, how quickly the silence descended. Everyone was looking at Cassie again. â€Å"That’s right,† Cassie said, in a voice hard as stone. Chris and Doug stopped shoving. Laurel stopped crying. No one moved as Cassie walked over behind Faye. From that position she might have been supporting Faye-or she might have been about to stab her in the back. If Faye was afraid, she didn’t show it. â€Å"Okay,† she said to the others. â€Å"You heard it. I’m leader. And now I’m going to give my first order.† She turned her head slightly to address Cassie. â€Å"I want you to get the skull. As for the rest of you-we’re going to the cemetery.† â€Å"What?† Laurel screamed. â€Å"I’m leader and I’m going to do something with my power instead of just sitting on it. There’s energy trapped in that skull, energy that we can use. Cassie, go get it.† Everyone was talking now, arguing, bellowing at each other. Things had never been like this when Diana was leader. Adam was yelling at Faye, demanding to know if she had gone crazy. Only Nick and Diana remained still, Nick watching, Diana staring at something only she could see. Melanie was trying to restore calm, but it was doing no good. Some distant, clinical part of Cassie’s mind noted that if Diana were to interfere now, if Diana would come forward and take over, the coven would listen to her. But Diana did nothing. And the shouting just got louder. â€Å"Get it, Cassie,† Faye was snarling between clenched teeth. â€Å"Or I’ll get it myself.† Cassie could feel Power building around her. The sky overhead was stretched tight as a drum, tight as a harp string waiting to be plucked. The ocean behind her throbbed with pent-up force. She could feel it in the sand under her feet, and see it in the leaping flames of the bonfire. She remembered what she’d done to the Doberman in the pumpkin patch. Some power had burst out from her, focused like a laser beam. Cassie felt as if something like that was concentrating in her now. She was connected to everything and it was all waiting for her to unleash it. â€Å"Black John will let us have his power-he’ll give it to us if we just ask the right way,† Faye was shouting. â€Å"I know, I’ve communicated with him. But we have to go and ask him.† Communicated with him-when? Cassie thought. When she, Cassie, had let Faye take the skull the first time? Or at some point later? â€Å"But why the cemetery?† Melanie was crying. â€Å"Why there?† â€Å"Because that’s what he says† Faye snapped back impatiently. â€Å"Cassie, for the last time! Get the skull!† The elements were ranged behind her†¦ Cassie stared at the back of Faye’s neck. But then she remembered something. The look in Diana’s eyes when Cassie had voted against her†¦ oh, what good would it do to kill Faye now? Everything was over. Cassie spun around and headed for the place where the skull was buried. â€Å"How does she even know–?† Melanie was beginning, and Faye’s laughter cut her off. So that was over, too, the secret about Cassie stealing the skull was out. Diana hadn’t told anyone exactly where the skull was buried, not even Adam. Cassie ran so she wouldn’t have to hear more. She dug in the center of the blackened stones until her fingernails scraped the cloth that wrapped the skull. Then she dug around it and pulled it out of the sand, surprised, as always, by how heavy it was. Cassie staggered as she picked the skull up and started back to Faye. Deborah ran to meet her. â€Å"This way,† she said, diverting Cassie before she could reach the group. â€Å"Come on!† They climbed the bluff and Cassie saw Deborah’s motorcycle. â€Å"Faye planned this,† Cassie said. She looked at Deborah, her voice rising slightly. â€Å"Faye had this planned!† â€Å"Yeah. So what?† Deborah looked perplexed; a good lieutenant used to taking orders from her superior. What did Cassie care if Faye had it planned? â€Å"She figured she would have a hard time getting all the others to come, but she wanted to make sure we got there,† Deborah explained. â€Å"I don’t see how she’s going to get any of the others to come,† Cassie said, looking down at the group below. But a strange madness seemed to have taken hold of some of them; whatever Faye was saying was whipping them into a frenzy. Suzan was heading for the bluff, and Doug was half dragging Chris. Faye was pushing Sean. â€Å"That’s seven; Faye said that’s all we need,† Deborah said, turning from the bluff. â€Å"Come on!† This motorcycle ride was like the last, in that the speed was as great, the moon even brighter. But this time Cassie wasn’t afraid, even though she could only hold on to Deborah with one arm. The other was hugging the skull to her lap. They reached the cemetery and a minute later heard engines. The Samurai was arriving with Chris and Doug and Suzan. Behind it was Faye’s Corvette. Faye got out of the driver’s side and Sean tumbled out of the passenger door. â€Å"Follow me,† Faye said. Long hair switching behind her, she made for the northeast corner. With every step she took, her bare, shapely legs flashed pale, showing the garter on her thigh and a black-handled dagger tucked in the garter. When the ground began to rise, she stopped. Cassie stopped, too, clutching the skull to her chest with both arms, frighteningly aware of where they were standing. In a row here, broken only by a mound in the earth, were the graves of Faye’s father, Sean’s mother, and all the other dead parents from Crowhaven Road. Sean was sniveling now, and only Deborah’s grip on him was keeping him from running away. Faye turned to face them. Even in the worst of times, the tall, dramatically beautiful girl had a natural authority, an ability to intimidate people. Now that seemed enhanced by the symbols of the Queen of the Witches: the diadem, the bracelet, the garter. An aura of power and glamour surrounded her. â€Å"It’s time,† Faye said, â€Å"to take back the energy that belonged to the original coven, and that Black John stored in the skull. Black John wants us to have that power, to use against our enemies. And we can get it back-now.† Taking the black-handled dagger out of her garter, Faye unsheathed it and drew a quick, imperfect circle in the dried-up grass. â€Å"Get in,† she said, and the others took their places. She’s got them moving so fast they’re not thinking about what they’re doing, Cassie thought. No one questioned Faye; everyone seemed caught up in the driving urgency Faye was creating. Even Sean had stopped whining and was staring, rapt. And Faye made a stunning sight as she held the knife up and rapidly called on the elements for protection. Too fast, Cassie was thinking- such slight protection when all their efforts on Halloween hadn’t been enough. But she couldn’t speak either; they were all caught on a roller-coaster ride and nobody could stop it. Least of all Cassie, who was so numb and cold†¦ â€Å"Put the skull in the center, Cassie,† Faye said. Her voice was breathless and her chest was rising and falling quickly. She looked more excited than she had ever looked about Jeffrey, or Nick, or that guy from the pizza place she’d taken upstairs. Cassie knelt and placed the cloth-wrapped thing in the middle of Faye’s flawed circle. â€Å"And now,† Faye said, in that queer, exultant voice, staring down at the sandy lump between her feet, â€Å"we can reclaim the power that should have been ours all along. I call on all the elements to witness-â€Å" â€Å"Faye, stop!† Adam shouted, appearing running between the gravestones. The rest of the coven was behind him, including Diana, who still looked as if she were moving in her sleep. Even Nick, silent and watchful as always, was in the rear. Faye snatched up the covered skull and held it cradled in her two hands. â€Å"You had your chance,† she said. â€Å"Now it’s my turn.† â€Å"Faye, just stop a minute and think,† Adam said. â€Å"Black John isn’t your friend. If he’s really communicated with you, whatever he’s told you is lies-â€Å" â€Å"You’re the liar!† Faye shot back. â€Å"Chris, Doug-that skull killed Kori. If you let that dark energy loose again-â€Å" â€Å"Don’t listen to him!† Faye shouted. She looked like some barbarian queen as she stood there, long legs apart, silver glinting against the black of her shift and the darker black of her hair. Cassie realized that while Adam was talking to her, Laurel and Melanie were circling, one on either side. Faye realized it, too. â€Å"I won’t let you stop me! This is the beginning of a new Circle!† â€Å"Please, Faye-† Diana cried, desperately, seeming to wake up at last. â€Å"By Earth, by Air, by Fire, by Water!† Faye shouted, and she jerked the cloth off the skull and held it in both hands over her head. Silver. The full moon shone down on the crystal and seemed to blaze there, and it was as if another face were suspended above Faye’s; a livid, unnatural, skeletal face. And then- darkness began to pour forth from it. Something blacker than the sky between the stars was streaming out of the skull’s eyesockets, out of its gaping nose-hole and between its grinning teeth. Snakes, thought Cassie, staring hypnotized at what was happening. Snakes and worms and the old kind of dragons, the kind whose heavy scales scrape the ground and who spit poison when they breathe. Everything bad, everything black, everything loathsome and crawling and evil seemed to be flooding out of that skull, although none of it was real. It was only darkness, only black light. There was a sound like the humming of bees, only higher, more deadly. It was growing. Faye was standing under that dreadful cascade of darkness, and the sound was like two ice picks driving into Cassie’s ears, and somewhere a dog was barking†¦ Someone has to stop this, Cassie realized. No-I have to stop this. Now. She was getting to her feet when the skull exploded. Everything was quiet and dark. Cassie wanted it to stay that way. Somebody groaned beside her. Cassie sat up slowly, looking around, trying to piece together what had happened. The cemetery looked like a killing field. Bodies were strewn all over. There was Adam, stretched out with one arm reaching toward the circle and Raj beside him. There was Diana with her shining hair in the leaves and dirt. There was Nick, getting to his hands and knees, shaking his head. Faye was lying in a pool of black silk, her dark hair covering her face. Her hands with their long red nails were cupped, open-but empty. There was no sign of the skull. Someone groaned again, and Cassie looked to see Deborah sitting up, rubbing her face with one hand. â€Å"Are they dead?† Deborah said hoarsely, staring around. â€Å"I don’t know,† Cassie whispered. Her own throat hurt. All those bodies, and the only movement was the fluttering of Diana’s hair in the wind. And Nick, who was stumbling toward the circle. But then there was a stirring-people were starting to sit up. Sean was whimpering. Suzan was, too. Deborah crawled over to Faye and pushed Faye’s hair back. â€Å"She’s breathing.† Cassie nodded; she didn’t know what to say. Adam was bending over Diana-she looked quickly away from that. Melanie and Laurel were up, and so were Chris and Doug, looking like punch-drunk fighters. Everyone seemed to be alive. Then Cassie saw Laurel gasp and point. â€Å"Oh, my God. The mound. Look at the mound.† Cassie turned-and froze. Her eyes went back and forth over the scene without believing it. The mound her grandmother had told her was for storing artillery was broken open. The rusty padlock was gone, and the iron door was jammed against the piece of concrete. But that wasn’t all. The top of the mound, where the sparse cemetery grass had grown, was cracked like an overripe plum. Like the cocoon of an insect that had burst free. And all up and down the line of graves by the fence, tombstones were tilting crazily. The ones nearest the mound, the ones with the names of the parents of Crowhaven Road, were split and shattered. Riven, Cassie thought, the old-fashioned word coming from nowhere, singularly appropriate. Something from inside the mound smelled bad. â€Å"I’ve got to see,† Deborah muttered. Cassie had never admired anyone so much as she did Deborah just then, making her staggering way toward the open mound. Deborah had more physical courage than anyone Cassie had ever known. Dizzily, Cassie got up and lurched beside her, and they both fell to their knees at the edge of the evil-smelling fissure. The moon shining inside showed that it was empty. But there was a coating like slime on the raw earth down there. Then light and motion caught Cassie’s eye. It was in the sky, the sky to the northeast. It was something like the aurora borealis, except that it flickered intermittently, and it was entirely red. â€Å"That’s above Crowhaven Road,† Nick said. â€Å"Oh, God, what’s happening?† Laurel cried. â€Å"Looks like fire,† Deborah muttered, still hoarse. â€Å"Whatever it is, we’d better get there,† Nick said. Adam was holding Diana, trying to revive her. Suzan and Sean were huddled, and Chris and Doug still looked punchy. But Melanie and Laurel were on their feet, if shaken. â€Å"Nick’s right,† Melanie said. â€Å"Let Adam take care of things here. Something’s happening.† Cassie glanced at Faye, her fallen leader, lying on the ground. Then she turned and followed Melanie without a word. It didn’t matter that the five who started unsteadily toward the road had just recently been on opposite sides of a fight. There was no time to think about anything that petty now. Cassie got on the back of Deborah’s motorcycle, and Melanie and Laurel jumped into Nick’s car. The others would have to follow when they could-and if they wanted to. Wind roared in Cassie’s ears like the sound of the sea. But the feeling of power she’d had earlier, the connection with the elements, was broken. She couldn’t think-her mind was fuzzy and cloudy as if she had a bad cold. All she knew was that she had to get to Crowhaven Road. â€Å"It’s not fire,† Deborah shouted as they approached. â€Å"No smoke.† Dark houses flew by-Diana’s, Deborah’s. The empty Georgian at Number Three. Melanie’s, Laurel’s, Faye’s. The vacant Victorian. The Hendersons’, Adam’s, Suzan’s, Sean’s†¦ â€Å"It’s at your house, Cassie,† Deborah shouted. Yes. Cassie knew it would be. Something inside her had known even before they started out. A maple tree showed up like a black skeleton against the red light that engulfed the house at Number Twelve. But the red wasn’t fire. It was some witch-light, a crimson aura of evil. Cassie remembered how much she had hated this house when she’d first seen it. She’d hated it for being huge and ugly, with its peeling gray clapboards and its sagging eaves and unwashed windows. But now she cared about it. It was her family’s ancient home; it belonged to her. And more important than anything, her mother and grandmother were inside. How to cite The Secret Circle: The Captive Chapter Fourteen, Essay examples

None Provided5 Essay Thesis Example For Students

None Provided5 Essay Thesis The Causes Of The Great DepressionThe Great Depression was the worst economic slump ever in U.S. history, and one which spread to virtually all of the industrialized world. The depression began in late 1929 and lasted for about a decade. Many factors played a role in bringing about the depression; however, the main cause for the Great Depression was the combination of the greatly unequal distribution of wealth throughout the 1920s, and the extensive stock market speculation that took place during the latter part that same decade. The maldistribution of wealth in the 1920s existed on many levels. Money was distributed disparately between the rich and the middle-class, between industry and agriculture within the United States, and between the U.S. and Europe. This imbalance of wealth created an unstable economy. The excessive speculation in the late 1920s kept the stock market artificially high, but eventually lead to large market crashes. These market crashes, combined with the maldis tribution of wealth, caused the The roaring twenties was an era when our country prospered tremendously. The nations total realized income rose from $74.3 billion in 1923 to $89 billion in 1929. However, the rewards of the Coolidge Prosperity of the 1920s were not shared evenly among all Americans. According to a study done by the Brookings Institute, in 1929 the top 0.1% of Americans had a combined income equal to the bottom 42%. That same top 0.1% of Americans in 1929 controlled 34% of all savings, while 80% of Americans had no savings at all. Automotive industry mogul Henry Ford provides a striking example of the unequal distribution of wealth between the rich and the middle-class. Henry Ford reported a personal income of $14 million in the same year that the average personal income was $750. By present day standards, where the average yearly income in the U.S. is around $18,500, Mr. Ford would be earning over $345 million a year! This maldistribution of income between the rich a nd the middle class grew throughout the 1920s. While the disposable income per capita rose 9% from 1920 to 1929, those with income within the top 1% enjoyed astupendous 75% increase in per capita disposable income. A major reason for this large and growing gap between the rich and the working-class people was the increased manufacturing output throughout this period. From 1923-1929 the average output per workerincreased 32% in manufacturing. During that same period of time average wages for manufacturing jobs increased only 8%. Thus wages increased at a rate one fourth as fast as productivity increased. As production costs fell quickly, wages rose slowly, and prices remained constant, the bulk benefit of the increased productivity went into corporate profits. In fact, from 1923-1929 corporate profits rose 62% and dividends rose 65%. The federal government also contributed to the growing gap between the rich and middle-class. Calvin Coolidges administration (and the conservative-controlled government) favored business, and as a result the wealthy who invested in these businesses. An example of legislation to this purpose is the Revenue Act of 1926, signed by President Coolidge on February 26, 1926, which reduced federal income and inheritance taxes dramatically. Andrew Mellon, Coolidges Secretary of the Treasury, was the main force behind these and other tax cuts throughout the 1920s. In effect, he was able to lower federal taxes such that a man with a million-dollar annual income had his federal taxes reduced from $600,000 to $200,000. Even the Supreme Court played a role in expanding the gap between the socioeconomic classes. In the 1923 case Adkins v. Childrens Hospital, the Supreme Court ruled minimum-wage legislationThe large and growing disparity of wealth between the well-to-do and the middle-income citize ns made the U.S. economy unstable. For an economy to function properly, total demand must equal total supply. In an economy with such disparate distribution of income it is not assured that demand will always equal supply. Essentially what happened in the 1920s was that there was an oversupply of goods. It was not that the surplus products of industrialized society were not wanted, but rather that those whose needs were not satiated could not afford more, whereas the wealthy were satiated by spending only a small portion of their

Casestudy-Ecotourism-in-India free essay sample

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) defines ecotourism as: â€Å" environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations† (IUCN, 1996). The travel industry defines ecotourism as: â€Å"purposeful travel that creates an understanding of cultural and natural history, while safeguarding the integrity of the ecosystem and producing economic benefits that encourage conservation . . . The long-term survival of this special type of travel is inextricably linked to the existence of the natural resources that support it† (Bandy, 1996 quoting: Ryel and Grasse 1991:164). The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as: â€Å"responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people†. According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects [both of the past and the present] found in these areas is defined as ecotourism. An optimum number of environment friendly visitor activities, which do not have any serious impact on the ecosystem and the local community and the positive involvement of the local community in maintaining the ecological balance are some of its key elements (UNWTO, 2002i). With very little consensus between the industry, indigenous and local communities and other government and non-government organizations on the definition of ecotourism, it is being been touted by the industry as the wonderful antidote to the development problems of hitherto untouched areas in India. Ecotourism is today the unique selling proposition of the tourism industry and is being used to bring more and more tourists to fragile regions like the forests and coasts. With nature and culture being the prime attraction it is only logical that the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, state tourism departments and the tourism industry are selling India as an important ecotourism destination. 1. Hypothesis The hypothesis that was considered for the case study was: Newer biodiversity rich areas, under Protected Area status or otherwise, are being rapidly opened for ecotourism. In the absence of coherent policy, regulation and guidelines, current form of ecotourism has impacted biodiversity; lives and governance systems of communities. This has resulted in loss of rights and benefits arising from use of biological resources to communities. Women are particularly affected as they confront increasing problems of social evils, finding wherewithal from even distant locations and reduced say in matters that affect them. 2. Research questions Based on the hypothesis, the following research questions were formulated: a. What are the areas that have been opened up? b. What is the status of laws, policy and guidelines for ecotourism? c. What are the impacts of ecotourism on biodiversity and community governance? d. What are the impacts on women? For the purpose of this case study, the research questions that have been taken up pertain to areas that have been opened up for ecotourism, status of laws, policy and guidelines for ecotourism, and impacts of ecotourism on community governance only. 3. Methodology a. Geographical scope The states that were selected for the case study are: i. ii. Andaman Nicobar Islandsii Chhattisgarh 2 iii. iv. Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand (earlier Uttaranchal) These states were selected on the basis of being diverse ecosystems with predominantly indigenous populations, which are the selling propositions of ecotourism. The Andaman Islands are an archipelago situated in the Bay of Bengal and are the home for four primitive tribes that are almost on the verge of extinction the Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges and Sentinelese. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are located in Central India and comprise of forest ecosystems that contribute significantly to the forest cover and biological diversity of the country. Chhattisgarh is a tribal state and was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2001, both these states are home to indigenous groups like Baiga, Bhil, Gond, Birhor, Munda Korwa, Munda and many others. Uttarakhand is located in the mountain ecosystems of the Himalayas and the trans-Himalayan hill ranges of the Shivaliks, and forest ecosystems. Uttarakhand is also a tribal state which was created from Uttar Pradesh in 2001. The main indigenous peoples’ groups in Uttarakhand are Bhotia, Buksa, Jannsari, Raji, Tharu and Didihat. b. Research design i. Secondary data The main secondary sources of data that were inter alia examined were: †¢ †¢ Official websites of the respective state governments and Government of India Promotional material and information provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Government of India and tourism departments of the respective states ii. Primary data †¢ Interviews – This was the main method of data collection administered to the government and to local community representatives. An interview guideline was prepared containing a detailed list of questions and checklist for every department / official being interviewed. Data collected from interviews was documented through notes taken by the interviewers rather than through tape or video recordings as the latter would not have been appropriate with several government officials. Focus group discussions – In order to collective perspectives from local community members, focus group consultations were organised. A discussion guideline was prepared for the conducting the discussions. Data from the focus group discussions has been documented in writing and through audio visuals. 3 †¢ Field observation – Field observation has been another important instr ument for collecting qualitative data, especially for socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism activity. At each field site, a considerable amount of time was spent at different locations to observe tourist behaviour, interaction of tourists with local people and the impacts of such interaction. Data recorded through field observation was immediately documented. †¢ Participant observation – Here, members of the research team went as tourists to different sites to observe tourist behaviour, and to get first-hand experience of how local community members viewed and interacted with tourists. Observations were documented through field notes. iii. Ethical considerations The general principles followed in developing this case study are as follows: †¢ †¢ †¢ all subjects and respondents should take part freely and on the basis of informed consent; ensuring the confidentiality of information and anonymity of names wherever requested; ensuring that data is neither fake nor plagiarised and that results are not falsified. 4. Ecotourism as a Market Based Conservation Mechanism a. Areas that have been opened for ecotourism i. Andaman Nicobar Islands The Department of Environment Forests Andaman Nicobar Islands Administration has proposed to open up the following islands for ecotourism. The details of the ecotourism activities are mentioned in the divisional working plans approved by the Supreme Court. The various islands are: North Andamans 1. Saddle Peak 2. Ross Island 3. Kalipur Beach 4. Kalpong hydro power project 5. Ramnagar Beach 6. Karmatang Beach 7. Ray Hill 8. Curlew Island Middle Andamans 13. Long Island 14. Guitar Island 15. Cuthbert Bay 16. Merk Bay 17. Barren Island (live volcano) South Andamans 18. Rutland 19. Wandoor 20. Chidiyatapu 21. Mount Harriet 22. Shoal Bay 23. Constance Bay 4 9. Interview Island 10. Sound Island 11. Stewart Island 12. Nariyal Balu Apart from the above, the Ministry of Tourism – Government of India has announced an enhancement of private investment from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 100 crore (equivalent to US$ 1. 1 21. 8 million) in 2004 to build super resorts and luxurious hotels in both the island groups of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweepiii; ten islands were identified in Andamans including Havelock and North Passage. The Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism, the nodal agency for tourism in the Islands, has also proposed a new ecotourism circuit at Baratang in November 2004iv. The then Lt. Governor Dr. Kapse had earlier inaugurated eco-huts at Mount Harriet National Park for ‘ecotourists† in July 2004v. ii. Chhattisgarh The state of Chhattisgarh has several ‘virgin attractions’ in protected areas such as Kanger Valley National Park, Barnawapara, Sitanadi, Udanti and Achanakmar Sanctuaries. Mainpat (Surguja), Keshkal valley (Kanker), Chaiturgarh (Bilaspur), Bagicha (Jashpur), Kutumbsar caves, Kailash caves, Tirathgarh falls, Chitrakot falls (Bastar), which â€Å"are all exhilarating destinations being promoted for nature and wildlife tourism. Wildlife areas, camping grounds and trekking facilities would be few of the prime attractions†. vi The policy also states that the endangered Wild Buffalo (Bubalis bubalis) and the even more endangered Hill Myna (Graculis religiosa peninsularis), the state animal and state bird respectively will be protected by ecotourism. Hence ecotourism will help in preserving these and other species of biodiversity. iii. Madhya Pradesh Proposed ecotourism sitesvii 7. 8. 9. Amarkantak and Dindori Forests Dumna Ecotourism Centre, Jabalpur Kathotia Adventure Point The ecotourism sites in Madhya Pradesh are: Existing ecotourism sites 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Kanha National Park Bandhavgarh National Park Panna National Park Pachmari and Satpura Tiger Reserve Pench