abstract Essays (1332 words) - Cross-cultural Psychology

Abstract This collection of articles was originally inspired by several presentations at CATaC'041 and subsequent critical discussion of their use of the frameworks for cultural analyses developed by Edward T. Hall (1966, 1976) and Gert Hofstede (e.g., 1980, 1991). In response to these presentations and discussion, we developed this special thematic section for the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Introduction The thematic questions that guided this collection are: 1.To what extent are the now widely used?but also seriously criticized?frameworks for cultural analysis provided by Hall and Hofstede fruitful for cross-cultural and intercultural communication in CMC environments? and 2.How have CMC scholars and researchers developed, modified, and/or created alternative frameworks for analyzing cultural dimensions of online communication? While each of the articles collected here can stand on its own, together they build a coherent response to these questions. In particular, they help to define more clearly those domains of online intercultural communication research that are well served by Hall's and Hofstede's frameworks, and those that are more fruitfully examined using alternative frameworks. Corresponding roughly to the two questions above, the articles in this collection are organized into two sections. The articles included in Section I?Hall, Hofstede, and CMC: Applications and Contemporary Research?both individually and collectively build an extensive literature review of the significance of Hall's and Hofstede's frameworks for cultural analysis in the research and findings of several disciplines, including marketing and various foci of CMC, such as HCI and organizational studies. This review highlights the most important critical limitations of these frameworks, including the limitations of Hofstede's original research database (i.e., to IBM employees) as a basis for generalizations regarding national culture, and questions surrounding the apparent assumptions regarding culture as fixed, essential, and synonymous with national cultures. Given these limitations, however, each of the authors then demonstrates in compelling ways that Hall and Hofstede still function wel l for at least certain kinds of online research. Perhaps the most notable such research is that related to the graphic elements of advertising websites, e.g., for universities (Hermeking) and multinational corporations (W?rtz), that are localized in ways clearly consistent with Hall's and Hofstede's cultural analyses. At the same time, three of the studies show that the correlations found between culture and media use?as predicted on the basis of Hofstede's axes of individualism and uncertainty avoidance (Callahan; Barnett & Sung) and Hall's distinction between monochrons and polychrons (Lee)?do show up, but in ways that are statistically weak. These results both confirm and identify the critical limits of Hall's and Hofstede's work. They also make clear that, as any number of critics points out, cultural analyses resting on such relatively simple dichotomies may be too simple for dealing with the real-world complexities of culture. Hence, in section II?Critical Turns, Alternative Frameworks?we turn to research and reflection that point beyond Hall and Hofstede. These articles develop first alternatives that may prove more useful for researchers attempting to come to grips with the complexities of culture online, including in specific contexts such as online classrooms and collaborative workgroups. Hall, Hofstede, and CMC?Applications and Contemporary Research The collection opens with five articles that provide helpful overviews of the now extensive literature on Hall, Hofstede, and CMC, and demonstrate in their analyses how far Hofstede and Hall succeed as frameworks for fruitful and insightful analysis. Marc Hermeking begins by reviewing the importance of Hofstede's dimensions in marketing literature and research. In particular, he shows striking correlations between two of Hofstede's dimensions?individualsm (vs. collectivism) and uncertainty avoidance?and Internet use both globally and within the European Union and Scandinavian countries. There appears to be a strong positive correlation between Individualism and Internet usage, and a strong negative correlation between high Uncertainty Avoidance and Internet usage. These correlations have been noted in numerous earlier studies conducted on a global scale (e.g., Maitland & Bauer 2001) and are further supported in this issue by the statistical analyses of Barnett and Sung (see below). As Hermeking goes on to note, however, a first series of critiques of Hall and Hofstede's work rests on the basic notion of 'culture' presumed in their work, a concept rooted specifically in the Functionalist theories of culture initially developed by Clyde Kluckhohn (e.g., 1949). A central critique of Hofstede's work is that it relies on

Overview of the Russian Revolution essays

Overview of the Russian Revolution essays There were two revolutions in Russia in 1917. One was in February in which the czarist regime was overthrown, and a republic was established led by the Duma. The communists overthrew the Duma and held elections. Lenin did not win the election but seized power anyway. This caused the civil in October. In the October revolution, the Bolsheviks (reds) fought and defeated the Mensheviks ( the whites ). The Russian Revolution changed the course of Russia causing them to become a superpower which gave Russia the ability to change the world. The first Leader of the U.S.S.R. was Lenin. Lenin was a strong, influential, and charismatic leader. He rallied the people of Russia around him and promised them more equality. The people of Russia loved Lenin even though he ruled for a very short time. Lenin died in 1924, but before his death, he warned of future leader Stalin's brutal strategies and tactics. Russia became a communist country because of Lenin and many other people, but Lenin set the course for Russian greatness and power over the next seventy years. Under Stalin, Russia became a superpower and the second most industrialized country in the world, however at a heavy price. Throughout Stalin's period of rule, he introduced multiple five-year plans that caused Russia to put everything into the industry and did greatly industrialize the country. However, due to Stalin's great focus on industry Russia had shortages in other areas. There were not enough farms, farmers, or food to feed and provide for the people of Russi a. Many Russian died of starvation and other things during Stalin's period of rule, but Stalin did not care about these deaths. Stalin kept putting more into the industry and as a result of this Russian people kept dying. Stalin's main goal was to make Russia more industrialized and powerful which he accomplished at the expense of many Russian lives. After the Russian Revolution the world reconsidered the emphasis given to...

FIIN 501 MoD 1 SLP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FIIN 501 MoD 1 SLP - Essay Example Its future performance will depend upon the possibility of oil discovery and potential reserves in the proven oil fields. Some of the important financials of the company are tabulated as per the following. Annual year ended data all numbers in thousands Financials Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011 Dec 31, 2010 Sales/Revenue Nil Nil Nil Net Income (282,999) (133,637) (136,476) Total Assets 4,011,459 2,527,944 1,746,443 Total Liabilities 1,322,241 449,030 27,409 Owner’s equity 2,689,218 2,078,914 1,719,034 Change in Cash 1,133,269 (10,174) (790,380) Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=CIE+Income+Statement&annual http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=CIE+Balance+Sheet&annual The reason for choosing the company is to show that the company's shares can trade in the stock market even when the company has neither made any sales nor any profit so far. The company continues to make operating expenses necessary for oil exploration activiities for last several years. This also shows that investors continue to demand shares of Cobalt because they are quite optimistic on its oil finds and once, the company is successful in oil discovery; its stock price may flare up exponentially. Initial Public Offering Going public is a significant decision for any company. The advantage is that it opens up a new avenue for the company to garner funds for its expansion requirements. The process is certainly time-consuming and the company needs to be cautious in meeting several statutory requirements. While going ahead for a public issue, the important thing is to be noted that as per the US securities laws, it is incumbent upon issuer to disclose all material information accurately and completely so that investor can make an appropriate decision. Misstatement or any omission of a fact can lead to a huge liability to the issuer, underwriters, board of directors and controlling persons. IPO in the US market necessitates that the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has taken due care in establishing the effective internal control over financing reporting to the general public. The company who is planning to go public needs to take a series of steps that can be described as per the following (Going Public in the US, 2008). The Company Board Resolution First of all, Cobalt's board needs to pass a resolution giving their consent to make an Initial Public offering by the company (A Guide to going public, 2013). Independent Auditors The company needs to appoint independent auditors as approved by the SEC. The company and its auditors need to prepare all financial statements as per the US GAAP or IFRS (A Guide to going public, 2013). SEC Registration The company needs to complete registration with the SEC and take approval for an IPO by submitting all relevant information in the prescribed format (A Guide to going public, 2013). Appointment of Counselor This is required so that counselor begins preparing prospectus related to the IPO offering. Subseque ntly, the company needs to prepare presentation material for the "Road Show" for institutional investors (A Guide to going public, 2013). Appointment of Underwriters In order to take the company public, Cobalt needs to appoint underwriters or the investment banks as they will

Business research method and skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business research method and skills - Essay Example In present scenario there are wide array of retailers who gives more importance to their retail store environment. This is because maintaining appropriate ambient conditions enable a firm to attract maximum customers and initiate high revenue margins. At times this form of approach is also regarded as a tool utilized for market differentiation. In this study different journal articles shall be included and reviewed like Journal of International Business and Management, Journal of Services Marketing, Journal of Business Ethics and Association for Consumer Research. There has been various research studies conducted on effect of store atmospherics on consumer behaviour. However limited analysis is performed on mixture on retail store environmental conditions. This would be the key area of focus in this research study. It is a highly relevant study since retail industry is growing at a rapid pace and marketers invest lump sum amount on store environment conditions. The major aim of this research study is to – â€Å"analyze the impact of ambient conditions of a retail store on consumer purchasing decision†. Objectives of the study are- This study would be feasible since sales volume at retail stores is largely dependent on purchasing behaviour of customers. On the other hand, impact of ambient conditions can be effectively measured through customer satisfaction level and increase in revenue margins. Researcher Hosseini and Jayashree, (2014) have outlined in their study that the decoration and the ambience of the store is regarded as an important element in the overall outlook of the stores that is designed for enhancing the satisfaction of the customers. The atmospheric design of the environment of the retail store includes the lighting, music, communications that stimulates the emotional responses and the perception of the consumers that mainly affect the purchasing behaviour of the customers.

Personal Development and Careers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Personal Development and Careers - Essay Example This is the reason why it is advised to appreciate whatever good things that a child has made in order to reinforce good behavior out from them. Parents therefore are advised to learn more about their children especially in their growing up days. On the other hand, unfavorable consequences of certain actions are also learned which resulted to doing things that will end up positive results. Children only learn a little about the world and most of their learning can be acquired from their daily experiences with adults. Parents are continuously feeding their children with the right or even wrong information. However, children can also acquire their knowledge from media or even other people aside from their parents or closer relatives at home. Children learn about their immediate surrounding out from their experiences. Whatever they feel, hear, smell or see on a day to day basis is considered part of their experience. In the same way, adults have the same mechanism as they continue to su rvive and make the most out of their lives in this world. Adults have to learn different things everyday but most of the time; their learning does not require more about theoretical aspects. They appreciate the most essential and practical part which is experience. In this manner, adults behave in a way that what makes sense to them are only those things they learned importantly out from their experience. Most of them based their choices in life on their learned things out from their experiences. In IQ tests and even in other behavioral tests, it is found that experiences have significant impact on the corresponding results. For instance, a person who is exposed to a certain environment for quite a long time may have been influenced by what he perceives in his surrounding. Thus, when this person changes his environment, a new set of perspective may eventually change his previously perceived things in life. Thus, a person living in other country for quite a long time and returns to h is mother land may possess different behavior. As mostly noticed, personality may change and this is feed by the acquired behavior at a particular experience at certain time. This is the reason why personality changes over time and the way an individual behaves. The acquired learning or knowledge from a certain experiences has something to do with the necessary changes of someone else’s personality and eventually behavior or perspective in life. This is the reason that in most firms, especially in hiring supervisory and managerial positions, experience is very important deciding point. Experience is equated to substantial knowledge and understanding of the specific job function. Based on this assumption, an individual who has more experience is considered to have more meaningful behavior about his or her job. For instance, managers are expected to lead and anticipated to act as someone to be on top of his or her subordinates. Those subordinates are mostly not expected to beha ve in the same way as managers do. It is true that the mind cannot be seen or observed but its actual function can be critically considered through observing specific behavior or actions of a person. It is hard to identify the mind and the actual thought. Usually, it can only be understood in detail once behavior or specific actions of a person are observed. In the same way, whatever is learned cannot be exactly

Causes of Prion Diseases

Causes of Prion Diseases Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathys can be inheritable or transmissible, a common feature of the prion disease involves the change of the prion protein (PrPc) to the isoform PrPsc (Hu et al, 2007). Prion propagation involves a mechanism that changes PrPc to PrPsc in an autocatalytic way (Harris and True, 2006). PrPc is said to be the normal prion protein and PrPsc the scrapie isoform which is the mutagenic Prion protein said to be the un-normal form. Prion diseases can occur in both humans and animals, an though in humans they are particularly rare (Hur et al, 2002). They are known to be fatal neurodegenerative diseases (Hur et al, 2002). Hur et al (2002) said that the reason that there has become an increased interest in Prion diseases in science and health is because they are biologically different in their features compared with other known neurodegenerative diseases and that there are many gaps in the knowledge of prion diseases, for example the pathogenesi s, what causes the mutagenic prion protein and where prion diseases first arose from . The PrPsc isoform which is known to be the most common feature of the prion disease is dominated by a beta sheet containing strong hydrogen bonds and this structure is twisted, many researchers have found that the strong hydrogen bonds make this isoform resistant to digestion protein kinase k meaning that this protein can build up particularly in the brain tissue causing neuronal damage and therefore possibly leading to prion diseases. (Harris and true, 2006). Hu et al (2007) said that because the PrPsc isoform is protein kinase k resistant it isnt broken down and therefore increasingly accumulates in the brain tissue of patients with prion diseases and causes further neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases commence from the build up and the wrong conformational folding of a protein, the biological activity of a protein depends on its correct folding in the native conformation (Soto et al, 2002). Strong evidence has been shown that protein misfolding plays a major role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy pathogenesis (Soto et al, 2002). There are many different types of prion diseases that have been found in both humans and animals one example includes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and another example is Kuru (Hu et al, 2007). Examples of prion diseases concerned with animals include scrapie. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is also an animal prion disease which is also referred to as mad cow disease (Hu et al, 2002). Different forms of prion diseases both human and animal forms are associated with different forms of PrPsc (Soto et al, 2002). Many mutations in the PrPsc protein in prion disease have been found and linked to the different forms of Prion disease. The polymorphism at codon 129 has been found to play a major role in the phenotypic expression of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which is the most frequent type of Prion disease (Mikol, 1999). Mutations and insertions have been found to be involved in another from of human prion disease known as familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (Mikol 1999). A common mutation at cod on 178 had been found in the first case. Kuru is an acquired from of the prion disease, this can be characterised by kuru plaques which have been found in seventy percent of cases (Mikol, 1999). There has become recent interest in the kuru disease because of an increased resistance to this diseases. Kuru has the characteristic of quickly degenerating the central nervous system and it is fatal (Goldfarb, 2002). There was an outbreak of kuru which killed many people in new guinea most of these people were from a small area populated by a culture known as fore people (Goldfarb, 2002). It is not widely known how Prion diseases first developed in humans and animals but it is thought that kuru became transmitted to humans via cannibalism (Goldfarb, 2002). It was pursued in this culture to eat relatives who had died , therefore resulting in human to human transmission (Mead et al, 2009). By the late 1950s there was a stop to cannibalism and correlating with this the umber of people dying w ith kuru decreased also no person after the `1950,s had developed Kuru (Goldfarb, 2002). However how kuru first appeared in the fore people is still unclear, but a conclusion has been made that the kuru epidemic must have started with a single person who died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and then was eaten by traditional cannibalism . Many studies have aimed to find the mutations involved in Kuru. The methionine/valine variation encoded by the 129 codon in the PRNP gene has been recorded in many Kuru patients, a recent study has shown that the 129 genotype is associated with an increased vunerability to Kuru (Goldfarb, 2002). Goldfarb 2002 found that in the fore culture the 129 genotype methionine/methionine was the most common in patients suffering from Kuru at an early age and that a change to methionine/valine showed that Kuru developed at a later age. Methionine/valine, valine/valine carriers survived the Kuru epidemic, codon 129 heterogeneity is thought to therefore be a resi stance factor for Kuru disease (Mead et al, 2009). Mead et al also studied another polymorphism which was thought to be linked to kuru, the G127V polymorphism. They concluded that this G127V gene is an agent gained that provides resistance to Kuru in a heterogeneous state and isnt a mutation which could have caused the Kuru epidemic (Mead et al, 2009). Many hypothesise have been developed in order to try and explain prion diseases, however none have been fully accepted. The most common hypothesis is the Prion hypothesis which suggests that the agent causing neurodegeneration is the prion protein but the mutagenic form which escapes protein kinas k digestion and remains in brain tissue causing neuronal damage (Yull et al, 2008).The Prion hypothesis states that the infectious agent of prion diseases is an abnormally folded isoform of the prion protein (PrPsc) that replicates its abnormal conformation (Baskakov and Breydo, 2006). Strong evidence has been shown that protein misfolding has a major role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy pathogenesis (Soto et al, 2002). A number of hypotheses have been made in order to try and explain the pathogenesis of prion diseases, they all correlate to the prion protein hypothesis indicating that the mutated prion protein PrPsc is involved in the pathogenesis. One hypothesis links the pathogenesis to oxidative stress and suggests that PrPc is involved in making sure that cells dont become damaged by oxidative stress (Westergard, 2007). The change in the function of PrPc for example by a mutation/ misfolding may therefore be linked to the role in disease (Westergard, 2007). Oxidants are produced as the result of another action in respiration usually via abnormal anaerobic respiration in many people with neurodegenerative diseases (Hur et al, 2002). Levels of MDA can indicate oxidative stress, this is a reactive aldehyde which causes toxic stress in cells and as a result generates the production of free radicals, levels, levels of MDA have been found a higher levels in scrapie infected mice showing an involvement of oxidative stress (Hur et al, 2002).. It has therefore been suggested that the normal prion protein PrPc protects cells from oxidative stress and therefore an abnormal form of this protein will allow oxidative stress and therefore cause damage to neurones and therefore leading to prion diseases (Westergard, 2007). Evidence has also been found that the PrPc protein has SOD (Superoxide dimutase) activity and that the PrPc uses detoxification to remove any reactive oxygen species that could cause oxidative damage in cells, however other studies have found evidence against this therefore further work needs to be done to confirm this. One way that the PrPc protein has been found to stop oxidative damage is indirectly by increasing the cell components such as proteins, for example a combination of copper-zinc SOD that can remove and damage and circulating reactive oxidative species, therefore a mutated from of the prion protein would ail to do this meaning that oxidative species remain in brain tissue causing neuronal damage (Westergard et al, 2007). However Westergard et al (2007) said that these results had failed to become repetitive in other scientific research. Copper may also be involved in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Copper is a substance necessary to the function of many enzymes (Westergard et al, 2007). Abnormal metabolisms in the body have been linked with many neurodegenerative diseases, it is thought that copper ions can change the properties of the normal prion protein (Westergard, 2007). Hur et al (2002) have reported that iron is involved in neurodegenerative diseases, scientists have shown that the amount of fe3+ is much higher in the brains of scrapie infected people, fe3+ is needed for free radical formation , concluding that there is a link to oxidative stress and neuronal damage therefore contributing to prion diseases (Hur et al, 2002). A role of the immune system in the propagation of prion diseases ahs been studied and suggests that inflammatory processors for example cytokines play a part in causing neuronal damage in prion diseases (Hur et al, 2002). The role of PrPc and the immune system still remains unknown(Hur et al, 2002). Although many hypotheses have been suggested many are still unclear. Other models for example the cells death model which links necrosis and apoptosis to the formation of a prion disease are still unclear further research needs to be done to support this model. To conclude many scientists have found that the PrPsc protein is the main cause of neuronal damage in patients. Mutations have been researched to find out the mutations linked to the disease. It is unclear of the pathogenesis of prion diseases as many hypotheses have been suggested. How prion diseases first arose is still unclear and how they are transmitted is still undergoing scientific research. References Baskakov I.V, Breydo L, 2007, Converting the prion protein: what makes the protein infectious. Cohen.F.E, 1999, Protein Misfolding and prion disease, Academic press. Goldfarb.L.G, 2002, Kuru; the old epidemic in a new mirror, Elsevier. Harris.D.A, True.H.L, 2006, New insights into prion structure and toxicity, Elsevier inc. Hur.K, Kim.J, Choir.S, Choir.E.K, Carp.R, Kim.Y.S, 2002, The pathogenic mechanisms of prion disease, Elsevier science. Hu.W, Kieseir.B, Frohman.E, Eagar.T.N, Rodger.N.R, Hartung.H.P, Stuve, 2007, Prion proteins: Physiological functions and role in neurological disorders, journal of neurological sciences. Mead.S, Whitfield.M.A, Poulter.M, Shah.P, Uphill J, Campbell, Al-Dujaily, Hummerich.H, Beck.J, Mein.C.A, Verzilli.C, Whittaker.J, Alpers.M.P, Collinge.J, 2009, A Novel Protective Prion Protein Variant that Colocalizes with Kuru Exposure, Massachusetts Medical Society. Mikol.J., 1999, Neuropathology of prion diseases, Elsevier science. Soto.C, Sabotio.G.P, Anderes.L, 2002, Cyclic amplification of protein misfolding: application to prion related disorders and beyond, Elsevier science. Westergard.L, Christensen H.M, Harris D.A, 2007, The cellular prion protein (PrPc):Its physiological function in disease, Elsevier. Yull.H.M, Ironside J.W, Head.M.W, 2009, Further characterisation of the prion protein molecular types detectable in the NIBSC Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease brain reference materials, Elsevier science.

Essay --

Nicholas Joseph 1/8/2014 Ethics in Business Prof. Mancini Diversity and Discrimination Regulations The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is one. A quote from HBO’s The Newsroom series couldn’t be truer regarding the situation at hand, Discrimination in the workplace. The further you go back in history; the more and more you see discrimination in the workplace. If you were a white male, you had it made. Everyone else was out to fend for themselves but today that’s no the case, at least we hope so. Discrimination in the workplace is a terrible thing, something that shouldn’t even be considered as a problem in this day in age, but unfortunately it is. Thankfully though, there are companies and laws that protect the rights of humans and give everyone a fair chance and do what they want most, live the American dream. Publicly traded companies such as Cisco, EBay, and Adidas, are just three examples of companies that engage in ethical business practices and realize the value and importance of diversity in the workplace. Without companies like this setting examples for others alike, there would be a bigger problem on our hands. Things like higher unemployment, poverty, and other disastrous outcomes would just be the beginning. Now obviously, those are all problems we face in today’s world but just imagine them if they were on a grander scale due to the lack of diversity in the workplace. Fortunately, there are regulations that promote diversity and rid of discrimination and these companies do business the right way. Let’s start with Cisco. According to the Cisco main website, â€Å"Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, that designs, manufactures, and sells... ...ng environment is created in order to produce diversity and variety within the workplace. The theory of inclusion provides a broader perspective of diversity. As the workforce continues to exemplify a broader base of minority groups, the dominant population begins to lessen and questions emerge. Based on the idea of inclusion, white men do fit into a diversity requirement because they themselves are a group that is included in the diverseness of a company. Taking the stats from above, 48.45 percent of employees in private industry were women, while 34.1 percent belonged to race/ethnic minority. With those being minorities themselves and adding the percentages together, that’s a combined 82.55 percent. That leaves 17.45 percent for white men, in turn, making them a minority, which is the entire reason for a diverse workplace.