World Regional Geography Arab World and Islamic World

World Regional Geography Arab World and Islamic World Definition of the realm The realm can be described as a dry world containing the expansive Sahara and Arabian deserts. The inhabitants of the region are known to live near water sources. They live along the Mediterranean coastal strip of north-west Africa, eastern Asia and north eastern shores of Mediterranean sea, Nile Delta,Tigris-Euphraites basin, oases and along the mountain slopes of Iran(south of the Caspian sea) and northeast of Turkestan. The people in this region lead a nomadic lifestyle and some carryout sedentary farming along the oases and trade.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on World Regional Geography: â€Å"Arab World† and â€Å"Islamic World† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Generally the realm covers North Africa and Southwest Asia regions. It is believed to be a center of the ancient civilization that thrived from its river valleys and basins. Out of the â€Å"realms culture, he arths diffused ideas, innovations, technologies that changed the world and also resulted into three world religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam† (Schaefer 289). The natural â€Å"environment of the realm is majorly comprised of drought and unreliable precipitation† (Schaefer 290). Population settlement is â€Å"characterized by clusters around where water supply is adequate to marginal† (Schaefer 290). Some of the countries in this realm have enormous oil reserves that have created wealth for some and on the other hand doing little to raise the living standards for the majority. The boundaries of North Africa and Southwest Asia realm is composed of volatile transition zones with conflicts over the scarce resources. Religious, â€Å"ethnic and cultural differences cause disharmony in the region and especially in the Middle East region where Israel lies at the center of the conflict within the region† (Schaefer 291). An â€Å"Arab world† This ref ers to North Africa and south west Asia regions. This term is used to refer to a uniformity that is not in existence. The name Arab is used to refer to the people who speak Arabic and other related languages though some ethnologists associate it to the Arabian Peninsula. The Turks are not Arabs in any case and are neither Iranians nor Israelis. It is a fact that Arabic is spoken across Mauritania in North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, Syria and Iraq but not spoken some parts of the realm. For instance, in Turkey, Turkish is the language and has Ural-Altaic other than Arabic, Semitic or Hermitic roots. On the other hand, the Iranian languages belong to the Indo-European linguistic family. The Tuareg, the Jews. Berbers and the people living in the transition zone between the North and South Africa speak different languages though they all belong in the Arab world (MacLeod and Jones 705). An â€Å"Islamic world† The realm is also called the World of Islam. This is mainly attr ibuted to the expansive spread of Islam into Africa, Asia and Europe during the Arab conquest and expansion age after the death of Prophet Mohammed in 632. However, it is worth to note that today Islam as a faith extends beyond this realm. Moreover other faiths such as Christianity (Egypt and Lebanon), Judaism and others exist in this region.Advertising Looking for assessment on geography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Middle-East This is the commonly used name to refer to the realm. It is a name that might sound strange to someone in India who would rather go for Middle West. The Western world which was the source of the name was extremely biased because to them it was a Near East in Turkey, Middle East in Egypt, Arabia and Iraq and finally a Far East in China and Japan. In realty, the name can only be applicable in one region of this expansive realm and not the entire region covered by the realm (Kimble 614). Ki mble, Hebert. â€Å"The Inadequacy of the Regional Concept.† London Essays in Geography 2.17 (1951): 601-617. Print. MacLeod, George and Jones Mother. â€Å"Renewing The Geography of Regions.† Environment and Planning 16.9 (2001): 669-800. Print. Schaefer, Frankline. â€Å"Exceptionalism in Geography: A Methodological Examination.† Annals of the Association of American Geographers 43.3 (1953): 298-305. Print.

The Story Behind Words for Hair Color

The Story Behind Words for Hair Color The Story Behind Words for Hair Color The Story Behind Words for Hair Color By Mark Nichol The conventions for referring to hair color are tousled. Why is it that we refer to someone with light-colored hair as a blonde (and, rarely, a blond) but we call someone with red hair a redhead? Why are blonde and brunette spelled two ways? Blond and its feminine form blonde, both from the Latin word blundus (â€Å"yellow†) by way of French, may have in turn come from a Frankish word that could be related to Old English blondan, â€Å"to mix,† which shares its origins with blend. Blond is usually employed as an adjective, the term as a noun for a man with blond hair, by contrast, is rare. Because blonds and blondes are more likely to be fair-skinned as well as fair-haired, the term is also associated with light complexion. The presence of both masculine and feminine forms for blond/blonde and brunet/brunette is due to their French (and ultimately Latin) roots, as it were, as opposed to the Germanic origins of black and red, the words for the other major hair colors, which have a neutral form. Normally, English might have jettisoned one gendered form for blond/blonde. However, the venerable theme in popular culture of the blonde-haired woman as more sexually attractive and available (as well as flighty, shallow, and dimwitted), as compared to females with hair of another color, has caused the noun form blonde and brunette to endure. The numerous terms for variations in blond hair, not necessarily in order of darkness, include sandy, strawberry, and dirty. Towhead (the first syllable refers to its resemblance to tow, flax or hemp fibers used for twine or yarn) describes a person with yellowish and often unruly hair. Brunet and brunette, from the gender-specific diminutives of the French brun (â€Å"brown†), mean â€Å"brown haired.† (Brun and its diminutives originally also referred to a dark complexion.) As with blond and blonde, the male form is rarely used on its own as a noun, though the masculine and feminine variations persist probably because of the same double standard in association of hair color with female sexuality and with personality characteristics as mentioned in reference to blondes above. (Dark-haired women are stereotyped as serious, sophisticated, and capable.) Words for shades of brown hair, from darkest to lightest, are brunet/brunette, chestnut, walnut (the last two as compared to colors of the respective nuts), golden, and ash. Redhead is yet another term for hair color used as a noun; in contrast to the colors mentioned above, it is not gender specific, though as blonde and brunette are much more common in usage than blond and brunet, it is more likely to refer to a woman than a man. Variations in red hair, listed in alphabetical order rather than according to depth of color, include auburn, copper, ginger, and orange. (Auburn derives ultimately from the Latin word albus, meaning â€Å"white,† but thanks to the influence of brun, the French spelling auborne changed, as did the meaning, to â€Å"reddish brown.†) The prevailing and long-standing cultural stereotype about redheads is that they are hot tempered; the hair color has also been associated with a high libido. Alone among descriptions of people with general hair tones, a black-haired person is never referred to by the word black alone. Hair-color categories are arbitrary strawberry blond is sometimes considered a type of red hair, and auburn might be classified as a type of brown hair though a system called the Fischer-Saller scale, devised for anthropological and medical classification, assigns alphabetical letters and roman numerals to various grades of hair color. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:30 Religious Terms You Should KnowDawned vs. Donnedâ€Å"Least,† â€Å"Less,† â€Å"More,† and â€Å"Most†

Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Employment Relations - Essay Example References are also given about different stages of employment relations starting from the beginning of the industrial revolution which resulted in mass production and mass employment. It is also why labour pressed for living wages and why labour movements at different times are connected to the living wage (Blanchflower et al., 2007). Literature review for the paper was written by taking into consideration both hypothetical and practical aspects of the manner in which living wage is connected to the labour movement and why labour started the movement to be paid a living wage. Research for a living wage is quite a debatable area, and there are many different theories regarding the inception and implementation for a living wage. The review examines a few theoretical aspects and then reviews empirical evidence of some contemporary findings. Analysis of the literature suggests that the issue raised is pragmatic which must consider the framework of negative or positive domestic local factors that contribute to the overall analysis of current and past relationships between employers and employees. Conceptual issues involved were reviews which included the progression of employment relations since labour started demanding a living wage. Nevertheless, the purpose of the review is to evaluate the available evidence to reach a coherent conclusion about relevant viewpoints of employment relations. The demand for minimum wages depends upon different factors such as the overall demand for labour, skill required for the job and the cost incurred by the employer for the product. The most difficult aspect of this is calculating wages considering outside influences. Literature for the different aspects of individual and collective bargaining, including various steps taken to improve the relationship have been discussed in this paper (Coats,

The Implications of the Human Genome Project Essay

The Implications of the Human Genome Project - Essay Example The only current instrument in effect that discusses both the human genome and international human rights is the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights (Declaration)† (Tauer, 2001). This declaration looks at the rights of people in the project, the duties of nations to cooperate, and the protection of genetic information revealed by the project itself. People want to protect their privacy on the one hand, but on the other hand the HGP can lead to a new future in which there is more implementation. As with many bioethics issues, there is a degree of controversy to the human genome projet. On the potentially positive side, the HGP can help doctors and scientists to better predict and avoid genetic disorders. It is the assumption that in the future genetic disorders from cerebral palsy to bipolar disorder will be able to be seen through genetic through genetics research such as the HGP. This involves complex and interwoven factors of psychiatric and physical genetic disorders, genetic susceptibility, research ethics, and other points to consider. â€Å"The growth in knowledge resulting from the mapping of the human genome sequence has enabled life science researchers to better understand the function of genes and discover the genetic basis for health and disease, ultimately resulting in th development of new and highly effective drug therapies and treatments† (Human, 2004). However, there is also a shadowy side that have many worried about the future. It is important when looking at the HGP to link the concept of genetic disorders and genetic susceptibility to research ethics by highlighting the ethical problems that may come up in presenting data to family members and patients regarding their susceptibility to genetically predisposed problems. It may be suggested that in the future researchers will have to address these issues more concretely. In the future as susceptibility genes are

Colonization of Brazil Essay Example for Free

Colonization of Brazil Essay In 1549, the Captaincy Colonies of Brazil were united into the Governorate General of Brazil, where they were provincial captaincies of Brazil; Luà ­s Teixeira, 1574. Main article: Colonial Brazil Explorer Pedro à lvares Cabral landed on April 22, 1500 in what is today Porto Seguro, Brazil. Permanent habitation did not begin until Sà £o Vicente was founded in 1532, although temporary trading posts were established earlier to collect brazilwood, used as a dye. From 1534 to 1536, 15 Captaincy colonies were created in Portuguese America. The captaincies were autonomous, and mostly private, colonies of the Portuguese Empire, each owned and run by a Captain-major. In 1549, due to their failure and limited success, the Captaincy Colonies of Brazil were united into the Governorate General of Brazil. The captaincy colonies were reorganized as provincial districts to the Governorate. The captaincies continued to be ruled by their hereditary captain-majors but they now reported to the Governor-General of Brazil. The new system was implemented so that Portuguese America could be managed correctly and provide a steady and wealthy income for the Portuguese Empire. The capital of the new governorate established its capital at Sà £o Salvador and the first Jesuits arrived the same year. With permanent settlement came the establishment of the sugar cane industry and its intensive labor demands which were met with Native and later African slaves. From 1565 through 1567, Mem de Sà ¡, the third Governor General of Brazil, successfully destroyed a ten year-old French colony called France Antarctique, at Guanabara Bay. He and his nephew, Està ¡cio de Sà ¡, then founded the city of Rio de Janeiro on March 1567. In 1621, Philip II of Portugal divided the Governorate General of Brazil into two separate and autonomous colonies, the State of Maranhà £o and the State of Brazil. Regarding this period it is preferable to refer to Portuguese America rather than Portuguese Brazil or Colonial Brazil, as the states were two separate colonies, each with their own governor general and government. Between 1630 and 1654, the Netherlands came to control part of Brazils Northeast region, with their capital in Recife. The Portuguese won a significant victory in the Second Battle of Guararapes in 1649. By 1654, the Netherlands had surrendered and returned control of all Brazilian land to the Portuguese. In 1751, the State of Maranhà £o was restructured into State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Maranhà £o, with a new capital and government. In 1772, the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Maranhà £o was split into two new states, the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Rio Negro and the State of Maranhà £o and Piauà ­. The new states would fair poorly and only last 3 years. In 1775, the three colonies of Portuguese America (the State of Brazil, the State of Maranhà £o and Piauà ­, and the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Rio Negro) were united into a singular colony, under the State of Brazil. This arrangement would last until the end of Colonial Brazil. As a result, Brazil did not split into several countries, as happened to its Spanish-speaking neighbors.

Computer Fraud And Crimes :: essays research papers fc

Computer Fraud and Crimes In the world of computers, computer fraud and computer crime are very prevalent issues facing every computer user. This ranges from system administrators to personal computer users who do work in the office or at home. Computers without any means of security are vulnerable to attacks from viruses, worms, and illegal computer hackers. If the proper steps are not taken, safe computing may become a thing of the past. Many security measures are being implemented to protect against illegalities. Companies are becoming more aware and threatened by the fact that their computers are prone to attack. Virus scanners are becoming necessities on all machines. Installing and monitoring these virus scanners takes many man hours and a lot of money for site licenses. Many server programs are coming equipped with a program called "netlog." This is a program that monitors the computer use of the employees in a company on the network. The program monitors memory and file usage. A qualified system administrator should be able to tell by the amounts of memory being used and the file usage if something is going on that should not be. If a virus is found, system administrators can pinpoint the user who put the virus into the network and investigate whether or not there was any malice intended. One computer application that is becoming more widely used and, therefore, more widely abused, is the use of electronic mail or email. In the present day, illegal hackers can read email going through a server fairly easily. Email consists of not only personal transactions, but business and financial transactions. There are not many encryption procedures out for email yet. As Gates describes, soon email encryption will become a regular addition to email just as a hard disk drive has become a regular addition to a computer (Gates p.97-98). Encrypting email can be done with two prime numbers used as keys. The public key will be listed on the Internet or in an email message. The second key will be private, which only the user will have. The sender will encrypt the message with the public key, send it to the recipient, who will then decipher it again with his or her private key. This method is not foolproof, but it is not easy to unlock either. The numbers being used will probably be over 60 digits in length (Gates p.98-99). The Internet also poses more problems to users. This problem faces the home user more than the business user. When a person logs onto the Internet, he or she may download a file corrupted with a virus.

Integration versus generic approach Essay

Integration versus Generic Approach Author Note This paper is being submitted on November 17, 2013, HS/100 Introduction to Human services course. Integration versus Generic Approach The integration concept is that which emphasis’s on the integrating of the various human services systems under one organizational or administrative system. In the most basic terms, an integrated service delivery approach serves people better, more efficiently and effectively. Integration calls for people within agencies to be involved and invested in the process of sustainable change. To achieve truly integrated services, organizations must overcome their own interests and look at clients’ needs. (Friedman and Pagan, 2011). Today technology allows human service agencies to have a comprehensive view of client need, giving caseworkers the best information to look at services across programs and to allocate available resources to assist customers. This enables agencies to deploy necessary services quickly in a well-coordinated fashion (Freidman and Pagen, 2011). The generic approach to human services, in part, has integration, but it is generally believed that the existing human services structure is most accurately described as an array of potentially related programs that deliver distinct benefits or services to narrowly defined target populations. These programs are usually separate and distinct, through which money, regulations, and professional norms, and expectations flow. While some overlapping across programs has always existed, each usually operates in a relatively self-contained manner (Corbett and Noyes, 2008). I believe that the integration approach serves our publics best interest. To have all systems and programs come together to see the big picture, to focus on all the problems together, instead of having to go place to place to work on separate issues Unfortunately, a  ready-made definition of service integration does not exist. We have not been able to find a magic threshold that marks the separation of unintegrated service systems from those we would characterize as integrated (Corbett and Noyes, 2008). (Ragan, 2003) states, â€Å"There is no single answer. Based on observations†¦service integration is a combination of strategies that simplifies and facilitates clients’ access to benefits and services. Each site has implemented a distinctive mix of strategies, processes, and partner agencies†.

A New Miss America: Nina Davuluri

Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in Oklahoma and Michigan, it is hard to pick a more American story than that of Davuluri. The daughter of Indian doctors who immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, Miss America embodies all ideas of the great American Dream. But an uneducated public is trying to crush that dream with their negativity. Misidentifying Davuluri as Muslim, Arab, Egyptian, and Indonesian, among other ethnicities, Twitter users did not Just stop at proclaiming hat, essentially, non-white participants of the pageant should be disqualified.They also linked her to terrorist organizations, such as A1 Qaeda. Some took it even further, outraged that she should be crowned in the same week as September 1 1 . Those who correctly acknowledged her Indian heritage made racist Jokes, playing on the stereotype that Indian-Americans often work in the grocery and food industries. It is ironic that the 24-year-old New Yorker is bullied about her race after her answer in t he question round of this weekend's pageant. Asked by Miss America udge Carla Hall about TV host Julie Chen's plastic surgery to appear â€Å"less Asian,† Davuluri responded, â€Å"I've always viewed Miss America as the girl next door.And the girl next door is evolving as the diversity in America evolves†¦ Definitely be confident in who you are. † One has to question if Davuluri is staying confident after her crowning considering the negative feedback from the public, although she is putting on a brave face. â€Å"I'm so happy this organization has embraced diversity,† she told The Associated Press. â€Å"There are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America. Addressing her â€Å"non-American† haters, she said, â€Å"l always viewed myself as first and foremost American. † Davuluri was not the only contestant rebuffed for her race.Fellow Top 5 runners- up Miss California Crystal Lee and Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh go t backlash for their Asian roots. Exactly thirty years after Vanessa Williams was crowned as the first black Miss America, it was refreshing to see the racial diversity at this year's pageant, with 13 non-white contestants. It showed a forward-thinking Miss America, focused more on intelligence, drive, talent, and poise and an attempt to move the pageant into the 1st century. Yet the American people were not yet ready for the group of diverse, educated young women who are the face of the future America. According to Census Bureau reports, America will be much less white than it is today, with the percentage of blacks, Asians, and Hispanics increasing in our population. ) These women are independent and strong, they represent many ditterent backgrounds, they are accessible, they are role models, they are real. They do not fit the stereotypical 1950s pageant queen archetype. They are more than that. The Judges could see that, choosing to focus on inner beauty and accomplishments. Some of those who verbally fought Miss America's title were firmly set on who they believed should be queen bee: Miss Kansas Theresa Vail.The 22-year-old blonde beauty is only the second military woman to participate in the pageant. As a sergeant in the U. S. Army and the first Miss America contestant to bear tattoos, Vail was a fan favorite long before the cameras starting rolling at the Atlantic City show. A humorous and highly talented young woman, Vail made it to the Top 10 but was cut from the competition after the talent round. Online, she was well-like because she mbodied the â€Å"real† American woman: she can sing, she has tattoos, she likes to hunt, she is poised but goofy and self-deprecating.She represents middle America. But on closer inspection, she does not embody America as it is today. She embodies what an ideal America used to be: middle class, white, Christian, rural, the picture- perfect WASP woman. So for all the progress the pageant made to depict a well- ro unded, diverse America, the public still gravitated, predictably, to the â€Å"All American Beauty. † â€Å"l swear I'm not racist but this is America. † How has this come to define America, a ountry renown for its opportunities, for its freedoms, and for being the greatest melting pot in the world?How dare you deny Miss America, a talented and intelligent woman, her shot at the American dream? Why are we stuck in archaic mindsets of who deserves to be praised for their accomplishments and then rewarded with scholarship funds to pursue their passions? Who are we to Judge? To Twitter user @JAyres15 and to all of those ganging up on Nina Davuluri: you may swear you are not a racist, but I swear that you are. You hide behind prejudice and bigotry, you are close-minded, and you are the non-American.

ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism

ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism Introduction There are a number of definitions that exist to describe what the word tourism refers to. In simple terms, tourism can be described as the act of leaving one’s usual place of residence to visit a non-resident location. People will engage in tourism for a variety of reasons and these are in most cases unique to every individual traveler. Motivations for touring places include; education, seeking health services, to undertake work related tasks or for the purpose of relaxation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In their work, Swarbrooke Horner (2007) define tourism as that short term movement of people to places some distances away from their usual residences with the inte3ntion of indulging in pleasurable activities. At times, one may travel to attend to official business matters. Closely connected to tourism is the hospitality industry which involves taking care of people by providing them with relevant services to ensure their comfort. The world over, tourism is now considered a major source of income and for many countries, incomes received from the tourism and hospitality industries form a major part of the domestic spending. With this realization, countries are now doing their best to promote the growth of the tourism industry. Though the developed nations are greatly profiting from tourism activities, there is still so much to be done in the developing nations to get there. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations have considerably revolutionized the way people interact and perhaps, one of the greatest effects of technological advancements has been the change in the way business operations are handled in different sectors of the economy; tourism being one of them. In the recent past, the Internet has experienced substantial growth and the fact that is available glob ally has contributed to the increase in the number of service providers who have now turned to the use of the Internet as a key marketing tool for their products and services (Vich-I-Martorell, 2002). The many hurdles that originally created a barrier between consumers and providers are now a thing of the past. Suppliers are now presented with alternative ways of marketing and distributing tourist services and products. Though this has come with plenty of benefits for the suppliers it has tremendously affected the operations of others, denying them their means of livelihoods. A majority of consumers and providers are now able to communicate directly with each other without having to depend on intermediaries. Great technological discoveries are seen to provide a working solution for the challenges of growing the tourism industry. Providers are able to cut down on operating expenses allowing them to render their services much cheaply especially by bypassing middlemen. It is also possi ble for providers to reach a wider audience with very minimal costs.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sadly though, many developing nations are still lagging behind and have not fully embraced the use of ICT though they are well placed just like the developed nations to improve their economies through this vibrant industry. According to Mills Law (2004), the rapid expansion in the travel industry has led to a quest for superior quality information services that are necessary to help meet the demands of a growing number of tourists while at the same time, guaranteeing clients quality tourism services. There is no doubt that a lot of good has been achieved through the use ICT. This paper mainly discusses the impact of technology on the tourism with some mention of other industries. Also addressed is consumer behaviour when it comes to making decisions on choosing tou rist products. The paper also talks about the negative impacts that ICT has had in the tourist industry. Tourist Consumer Behaviour Processes The consumer behaviour process can be described as the procedure taken by a consumer when making a choice of what tourist product or service to purchase or use. A study by Swarbrooke Horner (2007) point out that the purchase decisions can be made either by individuals or in groups. Consumer behaviour has a big effect on an organization’s marketing of its products and is definitely an important consideration for any organization seeking to benefit from marketing. If thoroughly understood, knowledge of consumer behaviour can help an organization to profit considerably from its marketing activities. In the work of Pizam Mansfeld (1999), research on how tourists consume tourist products is central to the success of the tourist industry. The noticeable changes in the tourism industry coupled with strong competition in the market place and the desire to remain competitive, service providers are becoming more and more attentive and want to understand what influences the traveler’s purchase of tourism products. To capture the customers’ attention, it is critical that tourist products are designed such that they are able to address the many expectations and wishes of the potential tourists. Before making a tourist destination choice, the mode of travel and where to stay, consumers have been found to undergo various decision making processes that eventually influence the choice of tourist products and services.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The choice for a travel destination is influenced by among other things, environmental, cultural and socioeconomic factors and these present the consumer with such a complex issue that requires enough time to ponder about. According to Swarbrooke Horner (2007), efficiency in tourism marketing can only be realized when one to understands the way consumers make decisions regarding the purchase and use of products and services. They further argue that when a service provider is equipped with proper information on the behaviour of consumers, it is possible to understand how best to sell the tourist products and obtain the expected output. Besides learning the art of persuading clients to purchase a product, one also gets to know who to target, at what time and with what type of product. Pizam Mansfeld (1999), observed that a number of authors consider motivation to be one major determinant of the tourist behaviour. According to Swarbrooke Horner (2007), consumers’ decision making processes are greatly influenced by internal and external motivators determinants when making product and service choices. The effects, however, vary depending on the type of product or service a potential touri st wishes to purchase. A considerable amount of time, for example, is required to make a decision regarding the purchase of a holiday than when deciding on what type of outfit to wear to work on any given day. Effect of Motivation in Tourism Behaviour Pizam Mansfeld (1999) observed that a great number of authors are of the opinion that one thing that is central to the behaviour exhibited by tourists when choosing products and services, is motivation. A number of theories exist to try and explain how tourist behaviour or actions are influenced by the motivation. Popular theories include; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Murray’s Classification Scheme, Dann’s Tourism Motivator, and Crompton’s Nine Motives. Central to all these theories though, is the concept of consumer need which is seen as the main driving force behind the stimulation of motivation in individuals.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the needs hierarchy theory, Maslow made an attempt to explain how motivation affects the behaviour of a tourist (Pizam Mansfeld, 1999). Maslow’s theory lists the needs hierarchical depending on the level of importance. Originally, Maslow designed the theory for his clinical psychology work but over the years, its importance has grown and it is now commonly referenced in many other industries, tourism being one of them. Its simplicity in comparison with other existing theories is considered go be the main reason why its usage has increased among tourism researchers. According to this theory, if the needs specified are not met then the lowest ranked needs will take centre stage in determining the tourist’s behaviour. On the other hand, incase satisfaction was realized at any particular level, then the individual will have to move on to the check whether the other needs were met and so on. This process continues with the consumer moving up the hierarchy as the needs o f each level get satisfied until they are all satisfied. Some of Maslow’s propositions have been rejected while others have received doubtful support. Critics have argued that Maslow’s theory does not provide a complete list of consumer needs that could influence human behaviour. Murray’s theory on the other hand, lists a total of fourteen physiological and thirteen psychology needs and from these, one can identify factors that could influence a potential tourist’s preference for a holiday. Supporters of this theory believe that it is a better model compared to Maslow’s since it gives a detailed list of the human needs that are likely to determine a consumer’s travel behaviour. Because of its complexity, however, this theory is not that popular with tourism researchers who prefer to use Maslow’s theory. Dann’s tourism motivator’s are very closely linked to Maslow’s list of needs. The theory singles out two factors that influence a traveler’s decision to purchase tourism products and services. Push factors are those that make one want to travel while pull factors are those that affect where one travels. The theory proposes seven categorizations of travel motivation. Crampton’s theory is in agreement with Dann’s regarding the push and pull motives. Nine motives are identified in this theory with seven of them being classified as push motives and two as cultural or pull motives. The study further shows that people may sometimes be reluctant to make known their real reasons for travel if these reasons are personal or intimate. The Influence of ICT on Tourist Behaviour The above discussion on consumer behaviour theories provides a very good base for appreciating the part played by motivation in determining the consumer’s actions. As mentioned elsewhere in this paper, the growth in ICT has had a great impact on the way tourism is carried out. Looking at the physiologica l, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization needs highlighted in Maslow’s theory, one can immediately see the relationship that exists between the use of ICT and the tourist’s behaviour. In the work of Vich-I-Martorell (2002), technological advancements have driven consumers to shift to the use of the Internet and other technology related services to access the required travel information. On their own and at a convenient time, tourists can visit different Web sites that interest whether commercial or non commercial to research, plan and if necessary, purchase tourist products and services. This radical change in consumer behaviour has left providers with no option but to turn to the use of technology in their work so as to answer to the increasing tourist demands and to remain relevant in the travel and hospitality business. Any other remedy short of this will only lead to loss of a provider’s market share. Being such a powerful tool for sourcing timely and accurate information that is appropriate to the needs of the consumers, ICT is now a must use for everyone. From the comfort of wherever they are, and at the click of a button, consumers can easily access a great deal of reliable information about just any tourist topic of interest. Going back to Maslow’s theory, a potential tourist who is already satisfied that all other needs have been met but still has a concern about the security of the destination has no reason to worry as this information is readily available as long as they have access to an Internet connection. With increased terrorism attacks and civil wars all over, security is certainly a threat to many potential tourists. Using ICT, governments are doing all they can to assure the travelers that all is well. The use of radars to monitor airport operations, and surveillance systems in hotels and other major places are just but some of the technological solutions being used to create a secure environment. Incase of any doubts, however, and one is not satisfied with the information obtained through the Web; there is the option of directly get in touch with service providers at the intended destinations to and request further information as needed. Among other services, the use of email systems, and mobile technology is critical here. Another example is where one wants to travel to receive treatment away from home. It would be a disaster for anyone to just show up in a foreign place without prior information of what to expect or even what to do. The traveler can tap into the huge pool of information available on the Internet to get their facts right before embarking on the journey. Impact of ICT on the Tourism Industry Even though the role played by ICT in allowing organizations to be competitive and stay above the rest was identified many years back, it is only in the recent past that the potential provide by ICT received acknowledge in the tourism and hospitality industries (Nadkarni, 2003) . Sigala (2002) also observed that very little is known regarding the impact of using ICT on employment trends despite the fact that ICT use has widely been adopted in the tourism and hospitality industries. The use of ICT has presented the tourism industry with amazing capabilities that have to a very great extent transformed business operations in so many ways. Some of these capabilities include; speedy data processing, compact storage, and accuracy. Online storage of information has made it easy for anyone needing information, to access it from wherever they are. The existence of communication links or networks is distinct advantage of ICT development. The presence of services such as video conferencing has minimized the need to have face to face meetings with consumers or suppliers as the case may be. In a nutshell, technology has really changed the way people live, travel and do work. With the introduction of technology, consumers are now better placed to demand quality services from service providers and to ensure that they receive vale for money paid. For success to be realized in the tourism industry therefore, it is essential that the service providers are well prepared to meet the consumer demands. For this reason, providers have no option but to take advantage of the numerous opportunities made available by ICT to enable them meet the consumer requirements and further their business operations. Embracing the use of ICT will certainly make it possible for any company or organization in the tourism sector, to stand out by offering competitive products and services to its customers. The use of the Internet for the purposes of planning, making reservations, booking, and payment of travel products accounts for the highest number of sales in the tourist industry when compared with any other online industries (Govers Go, 2003). Apart from the many advantages that have resulted from the use of ICT in the tourism and hospitality industries, there are associa ted negative impacts that one has to be aware of. The application of ICT in business operations has contributed to loss of employment depending on where and how the technology is being used (Sigala, 2002). One negative impact that is apparently obvious to everyone is the huge reduction in employment caused by automating routine tasks. In their work, Govers Go (2003) argued that there has been substantial increase in the amount of information available on the subject of tourism due to radical technological changes as well as globalization. Though this might look like a positive development, it poses a major challenge to both consumers and service providers. There is therefore, a need for one to be really careful when sourcing information lest they end up dealing with rogue providers. The use of technology and the existence of a direct communication channel between the consumers and suppliers have led to reduced business for middlemen and tour operators who have ended up being sideli ned in a number of occasions. This is an act that has not been received well by tour operators contributing to the existence of numerous conflicts between tour operators and service providers (Vich-i-Martorell, 2002). To survive, tour operators have had to invent tricks of dealing with the service providers such as hotel owners and airline operators. Time and again, they will exert pressure on the service providers to reduce prices. A major effect of the low pricing has been the depletion of local resources in most tourist destinations, with very few initiatives being undertaken to sustain the invaluable environmental and cultural wealth that makes tourism attractions. The following discussion on the Balearic Islands should help to shed some light on this. Balearic Islands, is a tourist destination in the Mediterranean area, controlled by non-local tour operators. These operators will usually contract hotel rooms a year in advance and then go on to market them together with a travel ticket in the tourist’s home country. As a consequence, suppliers have been forced to heavily depend on the deals made with the tour operators. This situation, together with threats to deviate tourists to other destinations within the Mediterranean area, is used by tour operators as a means to force hotels to bring down their prices. The absence of a local tour operator to market this destination abroad, combined with the fact that most hotel companies in the Balearics have neither the resources to market themselves abroad nor the means to sell their product together with a plane ticket, make the foreign tour operators the only feasible way to commercialize and sell the Balearics as a complete tourist package. Using the Internet, however, this trend can be reversed and the extortion is bound to completely disappear eventually. By using ICT, information can be made readily available to whoever is in needs it leading to the empowerment of the suppliers. Having the correct info rmation will certainly be a source of strength and this can put service providers at a competitive position in the market place. This can later become a source of strength when negotiating business deals with other players in the field. The Internet can be also be used by service providers in Balearic Islands to get an easier way to sell out their products and services to the final consumer at very reasonable prices without necessarily having to open up offices, shops, or points of sale in each country and city where the potential tourists live. This is seen an alternative channel that will let companies market and distribute products, and eventually it could lead to a situation where the bargaining power of foreign tour operators could be reduced tremendously to the advantage of local service providers. A research done in the Balearic Islands on the use of the Internet among suppliers in the tourist sector demonstrated that on average, the Internet is highly regarded as a tool that could improve the way tourist business is done. Another negative effect of the adoption of ICT in the tourism industry is the promotion of illegal activities in the society. Criminals can get exposed to that could promote negative activities in the society. Such information will include the selling drugs, terrorist activities and sex tourism among others. With this information now widely available everywhere, thanks to Internet availability, it is possible for one to quickly get to know target locations where the activities can be undertaken in disguise. A case in point is Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya, where sex tourism and drug abuse is the order of the day and is a real threat to the existence of the healthy growth of young generation. Efforts by the Kenya government to curb these illegal activities perpetrated by domestic as well as international tourists are yet to bear fruit. According to Litvin Crotts (2003), technology and particularly the use of Internet, has had a hug e impact on the traditional approach to the sell of hospitality and tourism services globally. Despite the existence of the above challenges that associated with the use of ICT, further integration of ICT in tourism and other industries is a reality and consumers and service providers alike, are willing to live with the negative consequences. For many players, technology offers a great foundation for growth in the tourist and hospitality sectors and it is almost practically impossible to imagine the present world without technology. Conclusion The use of ICT is considered a key enabler in the transformation of business processes and transactions. Rapid developments that have characterized the technological field have resulted in radical transformations that have taken place in various industries with the greatest changes occurring in the tourism and hospitality industries. Beyond any reasonable doubt, the use of technology is here to stay and it is up to the service providers to get acquainted with the use of ICT to manage their work. Emerging market trends are now forcing suppliers to adopt the use of ICT so as to excel. The high number of players present in the tourism sector has created a very competitive environment whereby only those determined to succeed can do so. Therefore, ICT usage cannot be over looked if service providers are to survive. One of the greatest rewards of implementing the use of ICT in the tourist sector is the power to handle competition calmly without any fears. It boosts the confidence of service providers when it comes to dealing the existing market struggles. In view of all these, many have argued that the negative effects related to the introduction and subsequent uses of technology are necessary evils that only carry a negligible impact that can be managed. These effects are seen as nothing when compared to the huge proceeds derived from ensuring that technology is at the centre of core business operations. As no one is about to let go of the use of technology, system developers have a challenge to create robust systems with little or no damage to consumers and that cannot be easily compromised. Though a very tricky task, another solution could be creating systems that can help to mitigate the negative impact that the use of technology is having or is bound to have on the society. Reference List Govers, R. Go, F. M., 2003. Deconstructing Destination Image in the Information Age. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 13–29. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_1_Govers_Go.pdf . Litvin, S. W. Crotts, J. C., 2003. A Framework for Online Sales Negotiations of Hospitality and Tourism Services. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 91–97. Available from: from http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_2_Litvin_Crotts.pdf . Mills, J.E. Law R., 2004. Handbook of Consumer Behavior, Tourism, and the Internet. New York: The Haworth Hospitality Press. Available from: h ttps://books.google.com/books?id=yoMYTtp82YkCpg=PA115lpg=PA115dq=Doolin,+B.,+Burgess,+P.+Cooper,+J.+Evaluating+the+use+of+web+for+tourism+marketing+:+a+case+study+from+New+Zealandsource=blots=aFevucaPussig=osKVeqW5SFDRYLfxDPR6YOS88U0hl=enei=svQZTdfFJI3PrQfP-eC4Cwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEgQ6AEwBw#v=onepageq=Doolin%2C%20B.%2C%20Burgess%2C%20P.%20Cooper%2C%20J.%20Evaluating%20the%20use%20of%20web%20for%20tourism%20marketing%20%3A%20a%20case%20study%20from%20New%20Zealandf=false . Nadkarni, S., 2003. Information Technology Competencies in Tourism Management Education. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 47–54. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_1_Nadkarni.pdf . Pizam, A. Mansfeld, Y., 1999. Consumer behavior in travel and tourism. New York: The Haworth Hospitality Press. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4iAl2CpQpQCpg=PA18lpg=PA18dq=Tourist+Consumer+Behaviour+Processessource=blots=lbT-afB06bsig=CpAFTxeAMLCwpaB6WUf DtkYk-dwhl=enei=UlgaTfXqI8a08QPy1I3EBwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=7ved=0CEMQ6AEwBg#v=onepageqf=false . Sigala, M., 2002. The Impact of Multimedia on Employment: Evidence from Small and Medium Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises in the UK. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 4 pp. 175–189. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_4_34_Sigala.pdf . Swarbrooke, J. Horner, S., 2007. Consumer Behaviour in Tourism. Amsterdam: Elsevier Ltd. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=O_FwjoSEGPgCpg=PA6lpg=PA6dq=Tourist+Consumer+Behaviour+Processessource=blots=nbrUMgPTsKsig=pwnVXk9HOw1O_cLIqKGKRIeS43Uhl=enei=UlgaTfXqI8a08QPy1I3EBwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=1ved=0CBoQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=Tourist%20Consumer%20Behaviour%20Processesf=false . Vich-i-Martorell, G. A., 2002. The Internet as a Marketing Tool for Tourism in the Balearic Islands. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 5 pp. 91–104. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT _5_2_Vich-i-Martorell.pdf .

Research Proposal Writing

Research Proposal Writing What Is a Research Proposal? A research proposal is a request for support of sponsored research, instruction or extension projects. Typically, a research proposal can be referred to as a document that is commonly written by scientists or academicians describing the ideas for an investigation on a certain topic. The goal of a research proposal is to present and validate the reasons why there is a need to study a certain research problem while at the same time outlining practical ways in which this research will be carried out. The design elements and procedures for undertaking the research are governed by certain standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides. Therefore, the guidelines for a research proposal are more exact and less strict than those of a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews and therefore must provide convincing evidence that there is a need to conduct the proposed study. In addition to giving a rationale, a proposal outlines a detailed methodology for undertaking the research that is in line with requirements of the professional or academic field, as well as an anticipated outcome or benefits of the study’s completion. How to Write a Research Proposal? Similar to writing a traditional research paper, the research proposal is generally organized the same way mostly throughout social science disciplines. Their length ranges between 10 and 20 pages. However, before you begin on your proposal, read the assignment carefully and ask for any clarifications from your instructor just in case there are any special requirements to be met. Here is a guideline on writing a research proposal: 12 Steps to Writing a Research Proposal Questions to Answer When Writing a Research Proposal What do I study/research Why is the specific topic important? How does it relate with my coursework? What problems will it help solve in the end? How does it build upon research already done on the topic? What exactly should I plan to do?   Here is a great list of topics for masters dissertation research proposal: 50 Research Proposal Topics Research Proposal: the Logic and the Structure 1. Introduction.  This should be where you initially pitch your idea. Your readers should not only have a comprehension of what you want to do but should also be able to sense that you have a direction with which to take your study. The introduction should answer what is the central research problem, topic of study, methods to analyze the problem, and the importance of the research. 2. Background and Significance.  This is where you explain the context of your study and write at length why it is important. State the research problem and give an in-depth explanation about the purpose of the study, present the rationale of your proposed study and its worth, describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research, and how you plan to go out and do your research. 3. Literature Review.  This is a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies that are related to the research problem under investigation. Think about the questions that other researchers have asked on the subject, methods they have used, and your understanding of their findings. Ask yourself what is still missing, and how the previous scholars have failed to address the problem your study addresses. 4. Research Design and Methods.  The objective of this section is to convince the reader of your proposal and how your overall research design methods of analysis will effectively address the research problem. Be specific about the methodological approaches you will use to collect information, techniques for analyzing the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself. 5. Preliminary Suppositions and Implications.  The purpose of this section is to argue how you think your research will refine, revise and extend the existing knowledge in the subject area under investigation. Describe how your study is likely to impact future scholarly research, theory, practice, policy, or forms of intervention. 6. Conclusion.  This section emphasizes the necessity of your proposal and offers a short summary of the entire study. It can be one or two paragraphs reiterating why the research problem is worth investigating as well as why your study is unique. 7. Citations.  Here you will cite the various sources you used to garner information for your proposal. Mind that a research proposal must convince your reader of the importance of the theme you research. It should show your understanding of a subject so that you are ready to complete your research. But if you are having trouble with a research proposal writing place an order on our Order Page.

Ethics and International Politics - 'What, if any role ought scholars Essay

Ethics and International Politics - 'What, if any role ought scholars and practitioners of international politics envision for morality & justice in the international realm of the political - Essay Example This, therefore, creates a need for applying ethical theories that can ensure a clear line between practical and moral issues in the international relations scene. As a result, there have to be some individuals such as scholars and practitioners who determine the direction of morality and justice. In this paper, I will examine the roles scholars and practitioners of international politics envision for morality and justice in the international realm of the political. Morality and justice in the international realm is a responsibility that requires a sense of duty in all the key players. According to Kant (1988), everyone has an obligation to assume the introduction of justice in terms of the arrival of perpetual peace and the ethical commonwealth. Morality can only be ascertained on the grounds that endless development of the capacity of humans to do good is a fact under consideration. All in all, sense of responsibility and duty in all humans are what directs us to assume the development of the world, bearing the concept of justice in mind (Kant, 1988). As such, since justice can be some necessity, then moral actions can no longer be regarded as noble, but rather rational. This is because of the need to act according to the projected development of the world’s gradual just system (Rakic, 2010). There is a wide distribution of potential in units of the realm, some of which has more potential than others and thus determines the shape of the realm, as well as poses the problems that the not so capable ones have to handle. This position, in one way or the other, creates tragedy between international politics and oligopolistic sectors of a unit’s economy. This is because the major actors with immense potential control the actions of the others with no potential. According to Frost (2003) and Mayall (2003), scholars of politics and international relations need to consider tragedy on a more serious ground than they have