The United States of America, 1919 – 1941 – Sources Question

(a) (i) President Hoover thought that the causes of the Depression of the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½29 weren't because of the USA lending money to Germany, or because of the Daweà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s Plan, or any other reason that might blame the USA. He thought that all the other countries had the fault or were to be blamed because of the Depression of the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½29. I think that he thought that way because as he was President from the USA, he was obviously going to defend his country and say that his country had been a victim of all the other countries and problems of other parts of the world. (ii) In source B, the historian who wrote that thinks almost completely different than President Hoover. You can clearly notice the different opinions, as in source B, it says that the Wall Street Crash was the main cause of the economic Depression of 1929, the historian seems to be sure about it. And in source A, Hoover says that, as I have already mentioned before, the USA had absolutely no fault at all of the Depression. Because of these reasons, I can compare both sources and get to the conclusion that the historian of source B did not agree at all with the opinions expressed in source A. (iii) In my opinion, source B is much more reliable and trustworthy, because the historian who wrote that did it in 1984, and it had been a long time since the war finished, and he could analyze all the sources and evidence together. I think that is easier to analyze everything in â€Å"cold†, rather than in â€Å"hot†. I mean that is better to do it after it had happened, than meanwhile it is happening. Also, one thing that is very important is that the historian was, probably, more objective that the President. Because Hoover had so much pressure that he couldn't say that the USA had the fault of the Depression even though he thought that it really did. So, I think that source B is more useful than the other as evidence of the causes of the Depression. (b) (i) One reason why agriculture did not share in the 1920sà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ boom was because of the loss of the European market. During the war America had shipped millions of tons of grain to Europe. Europe ha become the main market for American farm exports. But the First World War had so bankrupted Europe that few Europeans could afford to buy American farm produce any longer. Also, the tariff barriers put up by the Republicans to protect American industries made Europe poorer still so it could not afford American produce. Another reason is that American farmers were also struggling against competition from the highly efficient Canadian wheat producers. All of this came at a time when the population of the USA was actually falling and there were fewer mouths to feed. (ii) The Wall Street Crash began as a stock market and financial crisis, especially with the crisis of the New York stock exchange. In October 1929 the Wall Street stock market crashed, the American economy collapsed, and the USA entered a long depression which destroyed much of the prosperity of the 1920sà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½. The depression passed from finance to industry and from USA to the whole world. Export of American capital came to an end. (iii) The Wall Street Crash lead to a collapse of the US economy because Americans, with their incomes low, couldn't buy foreign goods. People couldn't collect the money they were owed or the money they thought they had in the bank. People could not buy so factories could not sell. Unemployment grew rapidly: skills of older people grew rusty and young people had no opportunity to learn. This made the people feel discouraged and frustrated, so they turned to new and disturbing political ideas. Optimists, including Hoover, thought that the depression was only a low point in the business cycle, and that â€Å"Prosperity was just around the corner†. But others believed that the depression meant the breakdown of the whole system of capitalism. (iv) Hoover was regarded as a â€Å"do nothing† President. He tried to encourage the US export trade although without much success. Even more damaging to Hoover's reputation, was how little he tried to help those who were suffering because of the Depression. He believed that social security was not the responsibility of the Government. Hoover appeared to be heartless and indifferent to the suffering of the American people. There could not be a greater contrast to Hoover than his opponent, the Democrat candidate, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed strongly in â€Å"active government† trying to improve the lives of ordinary people; had plans to spend public money on getting people back to work. As Governor of New York he had already started doing this on his own state. He was not afraid to ask on advice on important issues from a wide range of experts such as factory, union leaders or economists.

Exploring the theme of guilt in the fifth business and macbeth

This paper will explore the theme of guilt in the stories of â€Å"Macbeth† by William Shakespeare and the â€Å"Fifth Business† by Robertson Davies. More specifically, this paper claims the guilt is a powerful emotion that can destroy a person. Basically, guilt in the context of the two stories led to devastations and up to some extent the ultimate downfall of a person. Moreover, guilt is confronted by people in different ways. Some would have a difficult time getting over it while others would easily get rid of it. And finally, it is the guilt of a person that serves as a catalyst to his suffering which is most of the time, on the emotional aspect On the story of Macbeth, guilt is found on the act of killing. The protagonist of the story, Macbeth, was persuaded to kill King Duncan of Scotland as well as his guard due to the persuasion of the three witches and his wife. But after the deed was done, Macbeth was guilt stricken. This is evident on the absent-mindedness nature of Macbeth after committing murder. In fact, after immediately killing the King, Macbeth is still carrying the bloodied daggers which are supposed to be planted on the guards of the King. Because of this, Lady Macbeth has to return into the King’s chamber to plant the daggers and even smear blood on the guards. It was noted that Macbeth has told her wife that he could not bring himself to return at the room anymore. In addition, even before the act of killing the King, Macbeth already feels guilty to what he will do. This is depicted on Act II, Scene II, Line 42 and 43 of the novel. It was declared in these lines that he heard of a voice saying that he has â€Å"murdered sleep† and that he â€Å"shall sleep no more†. Even after Macbeth became a King, the guilt feeling still lingered. It has even aggravated by his hallucinations with his order of killing Banquo. Furthermore, even Lady Macbeth has suddenly felt remorse with their deed. As a matter of fact, Lady Macbeth’s conscience has been irrelevant on their earlier part of the story. Eventually, she was also guilt-stricken thus having hallucinations and other vivid forms of imagination. At the end of the story, both of the Macbeths suffered a painful death which is a result of their deed in killing King Duncan. Meanwhile, the story of the Fifth Business tells about the guilt felt by Dunstable Ramsay towards a woman named Mary Dempster. Basically, when Ramsay and his friend, Percy Boyd Staunton, are snow fighting, they accidentally hit Mrs. Dempster who is pregnant at this time. Because of this, the act resulted to the very problematic as well as premature labor of Mrs. Dempster to his child, Paul Dempster. Unlike his friend Staunton, Ramsay was very guilty to what happened because he was the one who is supposedly hit by the snowball. This is evident in his lines, â€Å"I was contrite and guilty, for I knew the snowball had been meant for me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Davies, p. 3). From then on, everything had changed especially on the family of Mrs. Dempster. These changes had greatly affected Ramsay which caused him great emotional suffering. Although Ramsay was not directly affected by the changes in the family of Mrs. Dempster, he was nonetheless indirectly hit hard by these changes. More specifically, after the premature labor of Paul Dempster, Mrs. Dempster has become what they call a ‘simple-minded fool’ or a plagued with ‘madness’. This condition was perceived by Ramsay to be a lifelong responsibility to take care for Mrs. Dempster, thus offering some help in the chores of the Dempster household. Furthermore, Paul Dempster ran away from home even before he reached the age of ten (10). This is because of the Mr. Dempster blames him for the things that happened to his wife after giving birth to him. Specifically, he blames him for his mother’s madness. In fact, this blaming is complicated by the cruel jokes of people to Mrs. Dempster who thinks there is something funny about her. All throughout his life, Ramsay felt guilty to the many things that happened after the untimely labor of Mrs. Dempster. This is proclaimed in his lines delivered to Staunton that, â€Å"[This] is the stone you put in the snowball you threw at Mrs. Dempster†¦ I've kept it because I couldn't part with it.† (Davies, p. 270) In other words, up to the end of the story, Ramsay was not able to get rid of the guilt he felt toward the incident that happened during his snow fighting. Indeed, the theme of guilt is relevant on the two stories. On Macbeth, the protagonist of the story, Macbeth, was guilt stricken for killing the King in order to get his throne. In the long run, he was not able to get rid of this guilt thus contributing to his downfall. The same is true with the fate of her wife, Lady Macbeth, who committed suicide because of her guilt, which she was not able to contain. On the story of the Fifth Business, the protagonist, Ramsay, was also unsuccessful in getting rid of his guilt despite the efforts he had done in order to reconcile with it. In a nutshell, guilt can be concluded as a strong emotional force which can significantly shape the lives of every man. This is especially true in the case of people who are guilt-stricken. All their lives, they will be haunted by their conscience because of what they have done. And most of the time, it is their guilt that dictates the tempo of their life. As such, they become forever bound with the power of guilt. REFERENCES Davies, Robertson. (2001). Fifth Business.   New York: Gail Godwin Shakespeare, William. (1992). Macbeth. Ed. by Barabara Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Press.

Microsoft strategic alliance with Nokia

Abstract Nokia is a very big telecommunications company that has experienced serious brand and financial issues in the recent years, and lately forged an alliance with Microsoft to try and save the situation. This paper is going to examine the strategic alliance between the two giant companies by evaluating their external and internal environments. It will also examine three different growth strategies and then select the most appropriate one. From the evaluation of the growth strategies in the paper, product development has been selected and it is the only way that the company can attempt to come closer to its competitors or even beat them in the market. Introduction and Company Background Nokia, which is a Finish Company that manufactures mobile phones, has been in existence since the creation of the earliest mobile devices, and the corporation has managed to take the world by storm by domination of the mobile industry (Roy, 2011, p. 23). The company has a large market and has been producing the best mobile phones over the years. However, things have not been smooth for the company in the North American market where penetration has been an uphill task. This is particularly bad news for the company because it is a region where smartphones have become a necessary commodity for every individual, regardless of their standards of living. The smartphones market went up by as much as 50 percent in the year 2011 and Google has been in the lead in the industry with their Android, a young operating system. The company is well aware of their problem all over the world, and the United States of America in particular. This forced them to hire Stephen Elop, who became the first person from outside Finland to head the company. This new chief executive officer joined the company from a high-ranking position at the Microsoft Corporation in the year 2010. He had a primary task of increasing company’s market share cap on the Asian and North American markets. Being the first person from outside Finland to head the company, he became under a lot of pressure to ensure that the share losses of the market of the company are reversed. Nokia found it difficult to perform in the market for smartphones and that is why they decided to have an alliance with the Microsoft Corporation to try to save the situation (Saylor, 2012, p39). This was the first major step that the new CEO took. The unexpected cooperation with the Microsoft Corporation elicited several debates regarding Nokia as well as about the general smartphones market (Schwarzinger, 2012, p.53). The IDC (International Data Corporation), which is a company for market analysis, and monitors the smartphones market, predicted that the Windows Phones would become the second largest provider of software for smartphones globally (Grant, R 2010, p. 31). The analysis and prediction is based on the strategic alliance between Nokia and Microsoft Corporation. Combined with the projected growth in the sales of smartphones and the predictions given by the ICD, then why is it that there was negative action by the financial market when he news of the two giant companies collaborating came outThis is one of the questions that many financial analysts have been asking themselves. This paper examines the strategic alliance between the two giant companies by evaluating their external and internal environments. It will also examine three different growth strategies and then select the most appropriate one. External AnalysisThe Five Forces Framework of NokiaThe present competition that Nokia is facing in the phone industry has greatly affected its market share. However, it still holds a considerable share of the market in the industry that is ever changing. The microenvironment is the internal factors that affect the customers, staff, competitors and the shareholders (Henry, 2008, p.24). The five forces model is the most appropriate for the evaluation of the microenvironment of Nokia as it takes into consideration the clients, suppliers, competitors as well as the new entrants.The power of suppliers: moderateAlthough the company relies on its suppliers to provide equipment, there are numerous large manufacturers of equipment that they can turn to (Baron, 2008, p53). Currently, Microsoft is the supplier of software for the company and they have a high bargaining power together. In addition, the company is in a good position to bargain as well as negotiate with any mobile phone hardware p roducer because there are a large number of the suppliers of equipment, which are readily and easily accessible should their current suppliers attempt to ask for more money with them. Moreover, the alliance with the Microsoft Corporation is regarded as a coup for Nokia and not Microsoft. The Microsoft Corporation may have more power in the negotiation of price along with the share as the pact is of more significance to Nokia that the Microsoft Corporation.The power of buyers: highThe customers have an increasing power because of increasing variety of alternatives available in the sector of mobile telecommunication. Majority of Nokia’s competitors also offer the same packages and the sector is very sensitive to matters like the prices with clients seeking the best value for their money. Majority of the customers are also tied into the long-lasting contracts and thus having to change from one mobile phone to another is hard and costly for consumers. The sector has a very compet itive market that has a variety of choices, which makes the customers to have much power as they can choose to go to the various competitors of Nokia if they are not contented with what the company is providing.The threat of new entrants: lowThe market of mobile phone is well-established and a lucrative one, and there is a relatively low threat of new entrants, as the technology that is needed to rival the devices that are already existing is very advanced. This is something that cannot be achieved easily by any company. The barriers to entry into the market are very high, as any potential new entrants need a lot of investment in marketing and technology so that they can be in a position of challenging the companied that are already established (Hill, et al, 2009, p.53). The threat of any potential new entrants is not probable as the initial cost that is required to enter the industry is very high and requires a lot of investment in time to be in a position of competing against the organizations that are already established. Currently, Nokia has a 29 percent of the entire global mobile telecommunications market and for any new entrant to get a little bit of their market needs a long-term scheming or even products that are highly innovative as compared to any other seen in the market (McGuigan, et al 2010, p. 41). For this to be possible, the new competitor needs very high investment for marketing and R&D, in order to get positive result.The threat of substitutes: Very lowIt is beyond reasonable doubt that mobile phones are an everyday essential in human being’s lives presently and they would not find it easy to replace, as consumers will not be in a position of having constant contact when they are not near their houses, family members or even friends (Baron, 2008, p.53). Nonetheless, the consumers may make contacts with individuals through other forms of media like email address, home telephones and social networks. However, it will not be easy for peo ple to keep in contact in their daily lives, as the forms of communication are not convenient. Contrary, smart phones come with several functions and specifications, meaning there are many substitutes offered that focus on just a single function. Presently, mobile phones are an everyday requirement in the lives of human beings because of the fundamental functions they are capable of performing and can all be found in a single handset. Only smart phones have the ability to make phone calls, send messages, and browse the internet in a single device. Another thing that makes them an extremely critical device to human beings is the fact that it enables them to communicate constantly and at any place. Thus, the threat of alternatives is very low because a mobile phone is not only for making calls or for sending messages but many some other functions. Without the mobile phones, people will find it very difficult to have a replacement, since it can provide a lot to them all in one device. People also rely on the mobile phones greatly and might not easily find an alternative that has the whole functions of a mobile handset.Competitive rivalry: lowThe competitors of Nokia turned to smartphones and androids early enough while Nokia delayed in releasing their first smart phones, and hence lagging behind competitors like Apple and HTC (Hahn, and Kibora, 2008, p. 12). Their strategic alliance with Microsoft, though offers some lifeline, still needs some time before catching up with the rest. There is high competition from big corporations like Blackberry, LG and Sony Erickson. The industry of mobile phone has very high rivalry and needs huge amounts of investment in marketing and the R&B to be able to compete with the established companies (Stonehouse, et al, 2007, p.43). Nokia had a slow shift into the market of smartphone, and this has left them trailing their competitors. Therefore, there is extremely high competitive rivalry and the company needs to be alert of their r ivals’ threat on their business especially with the Apple iPhone and RIM Blackberry’s rising popularity. Competitive rivalry in the industry is the principal threat to the Nokia Company because they are seriously behind in the market of Smartphone and it really needs a lot of efforts to raise their market share. Internal AnalysisSWOT AnalysisSWOT analysis is the most appropriate tool for the strategic planning analysis by companies’ management. It is a critical tool to the improvement of business because it embraced or followed the concept that success in the digital economy is the deployment of an incorporated value chain that extends beyond and across the business Saylor (McGuigan, et al 2010, p. 17). Nokia is a leading company in the mobile phones industry and its strategic alliance with Microsoft is expected to be a game changer. It is therefore important to look at the company’s internal environment.StrengthsGrant (2010, p.55) says that Nokia currently enjoying more that 32 percent market share in the mobile phone industry, and this is expected to even increase following the new pact with Microsoft as they will be provided with operating system affordably and sufficiently. Both Nokia and Microsoft are well respected and trusted brands as they have been there since the star t of the mobile phones and have been able to retain the trust of customers. Now in their association with Microsoft, they have regained strength in the market of smartphone, as it is a pact that has brought together two giants in their respective sectors. Having a strong brand name is an advantage since it enhances consistency; however, it is no secret that their brand name has had some wavering and now considered promotion of brand (Grant, 2010, p.43). The alliance between the two companies also means that Nokia has a secure and steady supplier market in Microsoft, where there will be enough time to concentrate on innovation, production and marketing. The company has a strong internal R+D. Nokia became one of the first companies to the market despite not dominating the market of Smartphone, the company became one of the because of their exceptional R+D program. The new chief executive officer has brought some new ideas to the organization and influenced its entire image.WeaknessesN okia has had its market share drop from the end of the last year in the industry of Smartphone. They have not been able to realize that Smartphones are a way of life amongst the users currently, with support software for the mobile phones that are very low. These are in the forms of applications, contrary to Blackberry and Apple that both have their individual App World. Nokia has an insight of only building phones that are brick shaped, which gives them lack of prestige in the present market of (Smartphonen, 2011, p.35). There are weak subdivisions in the company; they own as well as manage the Symbian but have abandoned it and instead gone for the windows 7, meaning than Symbian is now making losses (Saylor, 2012, p.54).OpportunitiesThe corporation has the chance of developing their own version of the App store OVI, since their new mobile phones are being launched and hopefully accepted in the market. The company also has an opportunity of developing more products with the Microso ft Corporation and explores more opportunities that might come up from the deal. Diverse self-sufficient and valuable portfolio; Microsoft could also do diversification of their immense portfolio and dispose parts of it that is not profitable in the probable future.ThreatsIf further loss of the share of market for Nokia continues being lost to the other big producers of Smartphones, they would actually consider withdrawal from the industry of Smartphones. The industry of mobile phones is not different from that of fashion with a quite quick turnaround. Nokia are investing lots of funds in trying to have a successful penetration into the market. By the time they succeed in doing so, the market could possibly have again shifted and had another serious breakthrough into another kind of mobile phone (Saylor, 2012, p.57). With the mobile phones software in the present day industry being as critical as the hardware, it is important that the Microsoft Corporation do not have excessive powe r as if the novel devices are a great success. It would not be good for the Nokia Company if Microsoft chose to raise their price on the pact or even walk out of it all together. Issues and challenges facing the company The challenges for Microsoft and Nokia alliance are overwhelming. Microsoft has still not been able to rise above the minuscule share of the market in the United States or even globally, even despite joining forces with Nokia. The Blackberry’s implosion was actually the best chance for Microsoft to get hold of its market share, but that did not happen. The company has to put in a lot of effort to carve out its niche in a world that has been dominated by the Android and iOS (Saylor, 2012, p.59).Missing appsThe Windows Phone still has the same old problem despite now being with more Nokia; that is the lack of a sufficient app ecosystem (Donner, and Steenson, 2008, p.35). Microsoft is not getting anything from Nokia in terms of software that was not already in th e Windows Phone. This is because the strongest mobile software asset of Nokia, which is its maps business, was not part of the agreement. After more than three years into the deal, Windows Phone still does not have table stakes apps as such like the native customers of Instgram and YouTube. The stance in the tablets is excessively bleaker. The Windows RT, which is the version designed for tablets specifically, is a very big flop and the Window 8 applied on tablets has not done any better in the market. The iPhone has successfully turned mobile phones, together with business mobile phones into a wholly consumer business (Saylor, 2012, p.70). This has an implication that the acquisition of Nokia has dragged the Microsoft Corporation into a sector that it should have avoided as much as possible. In other words, Microsoft is not a good consumer organization. Still it is not easy to see what the new CEO who has a good record of accomplishment in the companies he worked before has brought into the Nokia Company.The Xbox ProblemThe Xbox is a one consumer bright spot of Microsoft. Even without taking into account, the Xbox’s sunk cost and the fumbled Xbox One’s release, the segment of Devices and Entertainment is too small, particularly in the profit share that cannot make any significant difference (Goggin, 2011, p.23). With very little expectation for immense growth in the game console and set top box industry, the Xbox is going to make no difference for the company.Reinforce successEvery business requires reinforcement and mobile phone industry is no exception. Another area of power or strength is the web services, especially those serving business and not the ones that are consumer-facing. Although Microsoft is behind Google in several aspects, it is much ahead of Apple, which usually appears as having very little idea about the web services as it is much into the devices (Saylor, 2012, p.73). This is something the two companies have not taken advant age of, and they might realize it a little bit late if the other companies have realized their shortcomings and countered them accordingly.Brand imageFor any business to be successful in the market, brand image must be at its best because it is what consumers will be looking for. This is because everyone wants to consume a product they are well familiar with. For the Nokia Company, its brand image has dwindles constantly to a great deal such that people are no longer comfortable buying and using its products. This is something that might make it difficult for them to regain their initial status as the leading mobile phone maker, despite alliance with Microsoft (Saylor, 2012, p.79). They might pump in a lot of money in an attempt to save the situation but may as well flop if proper marketing and investment in technology is not done to win back its customers. If things do not work out for the company as expected, then it will be a big loss for Microsoft as it entered into a partnershi p with a company that was already going down.Generation of Strategic growth optionsEvery section of an organization is affected by a marketing strategy. It is all about the use of everything at the business’ disposal in creation of value for others. Customers are also included in this but workers as well as shareholders benefit. The marketing strategy’s major purpose is setting out the means by which the marketing objectives that are agreed are to be accomplished. One of the most appropriate ways to analyze the different strategies that can be used by an organization in growing the business is with the ANSOFF Matrix (Schwarzinger, 2012, p. 42). The model takes into account the opportunities of providing available and new products and services within the present and new markets together with the levels of risk that come with them. Below are possible three strategic options that can be employed by the company:Market penetrationThe aim of this strategy is selling products to a market that already exists. This has been proposed because Nokia has an already existing market even though it seems to be losing it at a higher rate. Market development This strategy refers to the completion of market development successfully (Hahn and Kibora, 2008). The method has been proposed because the Nokia Company appears to have lost touch with the huge client base that it enjoyed when it was performing still well. 5.3. Product development This section of the Ansoff matrix aims at being updated as regards the latest technology in the industry. The strategy has been proposed because the company appears to be lagging behind in terms of innovation, and this is where their competitors have fully taken advantage of to win the game (Kovvali, 2011, p.73). Evaluation of strategic growth optionsMarket penetrationThe aim of this strategy is selling products to a market that already exists. Nokia has an already existing market even though it seems to be losing it at a higher rate. For the company to be able to achieve this, there are several things that needs to be done such as: changing the pricing plan; this should be done in a manner such that it is competitor or penetration based. Changing the pricing plan means that they will be reducing prices of their products in an attempt to attract more customers or even maintaining the existing ones. However, in doing so, the quality of the products must also be high as consumers do not only go for the price but they want to enjoy the value for their money. For the prices to be reduced as much as possible and to ensure sustainability, a lot of resources needs to be pumped in, which the company may also not be having, considering the financial crisis that it faced (Kovvali, 2011, p.63). Introduc e discounting; the company can also introduce discounting services whereby customers pay certain amount of money in buying a particular product or quantity. Starting up a different promotion campaign or considering changes on the present one; shifting from one campaign strategy to another or improving on the available one may also help the company in getting the message home, thus attracting more customers. 6.2. Market development This strategy refers to the completion of market development successfully. Nokia Company appears to have lost touch with the huge client base that it enjoyed when it was performing still well. The company has an option of penetrating or developing new markets that its products has not reached. This can be done through targeting a completely new client base and carrying out vigorous product promotions in order to attract them. Some other means through which this can be achieved is researching and selling the products to a different market segment in instances of poor market share and saturation (Kovvali, 2011, p.79). They can also change the periods that adverts are run on television and change the places in which the display of print adverts happen. This is the best way of ensuring that the products appeal to a completely new market. The company can also reduce the present prices of its products to help in attracting a wider range of clients. 6.3. Product development This section of the Ansoff matrix aims at being updated as regards the latest technology in the industry (Bull, 2007). The company appears to be lagging behind in terms of innovation, and this is where their competitors have fully taken advantage of to win the game. The mobile phone industry is just like fashion where trends come up each day and players in the market try to beat each other by being creative and innovation in an attempt to win the customers as much as possible. Companies like Samsung have rose to great heights due to their technological inventions and they are really doing well in the Smartphone market. They have been coming up with new applications that have been appealing to customers and that are why they are really selling (Kovvali, 2011, p. 34) Nokia should pump in a lot of cash and invest heavily in technology because it is the only way to succeed in the business. Description of selected strategyProduct developmentThe selected strategy for at Nokia is product development. Nearly everyone knows that this has been the biggest undoing of the company as they have not been able to keep up with the pace at which technology is growing. Just as said earlier, the mobile phone industry is just like fashion where trends come up each day and players in the market try to beat each other by being creative and innovation in an attempt to win the customers as much as possible. Therefore, the company has no option but to invest in technology if at all they are serious about regaining the lost market share. They should produce some high-tech products with a lot of features that fit specific market segment. With the strategic alliance with Microsoft, the company stands a good chance of recovering as this is an opportunity to get a source of finances that they require to keep up with the new technological development (Saylor, 2012, p.89). Microsoft is also known for its creativity and this alliance puts Nokia in a good position because they will be able to get the best operation systems that are updated to meet the current market requirements. Moreover, the alliance will enable the company to have a pool of new ideas as together two giants that have been leaders in their respective industries for several years. Conclusion It is no doubt that the alliance between Nokia and Microsoft is the best decision ever made by the management because it is a chance of recovering from the fall to try to catch up with the current industry leaders. Pundits see it as a major coup for Nokia, but Microsoft also stands to gain from the pact. Nokia should use this opportunity to venture fully into the Smartphone market by doing product development. They should invest heavily in technology and even employ more staff that can bring meaningful changes. The company has been doing well in the other growth strategies such as market penetration and market development, but has not been doing product development. From the evaluation of the growth strategies above, product development is the only one that has remained and it is the only way that the company can attempt so as to come closer to its competitors or even beat them in the market. The Smartphones market is still growing and there are several opportunities that are yet to be exploited and with Microsoft on board, it only needs proper strategies to conquer the market. However, if proper measures and strategies are not in place then the highly hyped alliance might as well be a waste of time and resources as other companies will continue steadily while Nokia continue to fall steadily. References Baron, N 2008, ‘Adjusting the Volume: Technology and Multitasking in Discourse Control’, in Katz, J. (Ed.) Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp.177-94 Baron, N 2008, Always on: Language in an Online and Mobile World, Oxford University Press, New York. Batson-Savage, T 2007, ‘†Hol Awn Mek a Answer Mi Cellular†: Sex, Sexuality and the Cellular Phone in Urban Jamaica’, Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, Vol.21, No.2, June, pp.239-52. Bull, M 2007, Sound Moves: Ipod Culture and Urban Experience, Routledge, London. Donner, J, and Steenson, M 2008, â€Å"Beyond the Personal and Private: Modes of Mobile Phone Sharing in Urban India.† In The Reconstruction of Space and Time: Mobile Communication Practices, edited by Scott Campbell and Rich Ling, 231–250. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers. Goggin, G 2011, Global Mobile Media, New York: Routledge. Grant, R 2010, Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Text Only. John Wiley and Sons. Hahn, H and Kibora, L 2008, â€Å"The Domestication of the Mobile Phone: Oral Society and New ICT in Burkina Faso†. Journal of Modern African Studes 46. Henry, A 2008, Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford University Press. Hill C. et al 2009, Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach. Cengage Learning. Kovvali, G 2011, â€Å"Cell phones are as carcinogenic as coffee†. Journal of Carcinogenesis 10 (1): 18. McGuigan, J. et al 2010, Managerial Economics. Cengage Learning. Roy, D, 2011, Strategic Foresight and Porter’s Five Forces: Towards a Synthesis. GRIN Verlag. Saylor, M 2012, The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. Perseus Books/Vanguard Press. Schwarzinger, A 2012, Porter’s Five Forces Framework – An Analysis of the Swiss TV-Broadcasting Industry. GRIN Verlag. Stonehouse, G. et al 2007, Global and Transnational Business: Strategy and Management. John Wiley and Sons.

Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

Argument - Essay Example cross these censorship laws face a serious threat of judicial persecutionand could be jailed for their actions by the governments who impose these laws. Thomas David argues that practices such as military censorship should not be present in any democratic country and a public has the right to know the truth regarding the wars they are involved in (Thomas 342). Though his advocating for the truth is admirable, scenarios in war are not always black and white and the multiple grey areas raise questions on whether an inhibited source of information is really practical in times of war. The public plays a large role in the support that is offered to the government and the military during times of war and the maintenance of this support plays a crucial role in the success of the sides that are involved (Lankford 108). The media on the other hand is mainly interested in the passing on of information whether negative or positive and in this manner, are not directly concerned with the overall repercussions that the stories they publish may bring about. As unfair as it may seem, a close look on the issues involved in war and public relations reveals that a certain level of censorship will in fact be required for the sake of national security (Thomas 341) This is an argument that has been used by the government and dismissed by those opposed to the practice as a petty excuse. However, it can be argued that the media is not capable of censoring themselves and as such an external body needs to take over the task (Kekla 81). The uninhibited flow of information could be a dangerous tool in today’s society where public society has a major influence on government matters through public opinion. It should also be noted that the public will not always be privy to all the information available regarding ones and thus could hold a one sided view of matters that rely on the information afforded to them by the media. The government censors the information available to the public in a

Whole Foods Financial Recommendation Research Paper

Whole Foods Financial Recommendation - Research Paper Example However, since then whole foods have been on the rise by achieving a margin of 4.9% by the end of 2010. Net profit margins have shown a similar trend as well as operating profits. In 2006, the industry performed well and recorded 3.63% of net profit margin. However, since then it dropped significantly and reached a low point in 2008 where it recorded a net profit margin of only 1.43%. Whole foods has since then performed well to reach up to 2.7% in 2010. All profitability ratios show a similar trend with a downward moving slope till 2008 and a positive flow from there on. Return on equity is a measure of profitability for contributors of equity capital. ROE helps in determining the firm’s rate of growth of earnings (Besley and Brigham, 2000).  Basically, ROE can be computed by dividing the net income by the shareholders equity.  ROE dropped from 13.5% in 2006 to 7.6% in 2008. From there on, Whole foods issues preferred stock to invest in the business to recover from the du ll patch. ROE for 2009 was 9.77% and it further grew to 10.12% in 2010. Like other profitability indicators, earning per share has been consistent throughout. The year 2006, being a highly profitable for the investors, showed EPS of $1.46. It dipped all the way to $0.82 in 2008 and then it steadily grew to record $1.45 EPS in 2010. When liquidity is taken into consideration, Whole foods has been parabolic in nature. In 2006, the company had $1.46 to pay off each dollar of current obligations. Current ratio dropped to 0.85 in 2007 but since then it has shown an upward trend. In 2009, it recorded 0.85 and in the last year it stated $1.45 of current asset to pay off current liabilities. Debt to asset ratio measures the amount of debt financing done to get a dollar of asset (Levinson 2006). It has shown a consistent rise since 2006 till 2008. In 2006, debt to asset ratio was 31.27% which climbed to 55.54% in 2008. In 2009, when equity was issued, the ratio dropped to 46% and further dow n to 40% in 2010. Similar trend was witnessed in Debt to equity. Company initially preferred leverage over equity till 2008 where a huge shift to equity took place. Company paid back $748 million of long-term debt in 2009 which could be seen in its improving ratios in 2009-2010. Asset management has been steady for Whole foods. Inventory turnover rate measures the rate at which your inventory circles in a year (Ehrhardt& Brigham 2004). It is an indicator of whether the company holds large amount of inventory or not. The turnover rate has oscillated between 22 times in a year to 27.5 times since 2006. In 2007 the inventory turned over 22.88 times in a year. The rate dropped to 24.89 in 2008 but since then it has increased to 25.86 times in 2009 and 27.84 times in 2010 which shows controlled sales and less excess inventory. TREND For whole foods, the past 5 years have shown a parabolic trend. Since sales fluctuate greatly with consumer buying habits and state of the economy, Whole foo ds has struggled in this regard. Recession and certain acquisitions have taken whole foods to bite the dust till 2008. But since then it has started to prosper all over again. Sales grew by 17.5% from 2006 to 2007; however, the increase did not show up as profitable as expected in the earnings. High interest payments nullified all penny earned in 2007. In the year 2008, the sales grew but eventually yielding lower profit margins due to high discounted sales caused by recession. Food industry works on low margins and it was struck immensely by recession. In the year 2009, when Whole foods paid back majority of their long term debt, it was time to show better results at year end. The earnings grew parallel to the sales. Year 2010, was marked highly lucrative for the company with growth

Real Sex and Pornography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Real Sex and Pornography - Essay Example The decision of being social or anti-social as to the choice of sexually explicit materials is being guided by their lifetime experience as to what is acceptable and what is not. There were studies supporting the fact that viewing pornography and practicing internet sex has become addictive to majority of the population. Kimberly S. Young (2008) of The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery said that "Internet sex addiction typically involves viewing, downloading, and trading online pornography or engagement in adult fantasy role-play rooms". According to the author, adult web sites have become now the biggest segment of electronic commerce offering wide choices of sexual interests. Due to the readily available sexually explicit material online, internet sex addiction has become a major problem among users. Internet sex addiction is now being considered as a form of infidelity and has caused numerous family break-ups and marital problems (Millner, 2008). There were reported instances that an internet sex addicted husband prefer cybersex over real sex with their wives (Craine 2008). This paper aims to support the position that internet sex addiction should be avoided and the practice should be done devoid of emotional attachment. Causes of Internet Sex Addiction Young (2008) reported that Internet sex addiction start with discovery that sex sites do exist. 2 The author reported that normally, the new user discover the existence of such sites by accident. Due to the overwhelming number of internet sex sites, there will always be a chance that a surfer will discover its existence. Young reported that according to Internet Filter Review of Pornography Industry Statistics, There were about 4.2 million pornographic websites in existence today; the size of the industry is $57 billion worldwide and $12 billion of that is in the US. The daily hits on these websites total 372 million with additional 68 million pornographic search engine requests (Caroll et al, 2008). This represents about 25% of total search engine requests (Ropelato, 2006). For the first time user, surfing the internet with a press of a button is so exciting, much so if one accidentally press a button and enter a cybersex chat room. With complete unanimity through username and handle, one can rewind after a hard work or simply relieve stress and personal problems.The next phase according to Young is experimentation. Due to the fact that one can access the internet at the privacy of one's own room or office plus the convenience of being anonymous and without the danger of being recognized or the truth be divulged, one can effectively pose according to ones fantasy (Barak & Fisher, 2005). In short, all the inhibitions and shame that an action may result in real life can all be prevented under the internet scenario. It was for this reason that according to Young (2001), more than 60% of on line users developed sex addiction exclusively on the internet. The third stage of addiction development according to You

Mid term Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Mid term Questions - Assignment Example The barrage of rumors in March, 2012 of an impending coup d’etat which flooded China’s blogosphere and convincingly reported gunshots and tanks in the streets of Beijing aptly exemplifies the extent of this cyber threat. According to Batchelor, Bobrowicz, Mackenzie and Milne (2012), the development can be dangerous and panic-inspiring when such information is created and disseminated by an individual of high social standing. In like manner, the extent of this danger is underscored by the fact that social networks are the very tools which were used for coordinating the Arab Spring. It is clear that some of the organizers of the Arab Spring may have been stationed outside target countries, but instead used the cyberspace to manipulate the conscience of the masses. Q. 2: The Future of P2P From a casual glance, the future of P2P file sharing program appears bleak, considering the fact that it is receiving tremendous levels of resistance from governments, international trade agreements and lobby groups. This resistance may call for the need to annul the use of P2P file sharing program and replace it with another one (Pankaj, Hyde and Rodger, 2012). However, P2P file sharing program may be compelled to exist in another format, without being faced out as a whole. There is veracity to the standpoint above because, totally facing out of P2P file sharing calls for the introduction of more and stronger restriction laws which may further bring constitutional problems (such as the contravention of the First Amendment to the US Constitution) which exceed piracy. Abdul-Rahman, Weiss and Santoro (2010) are poignant that it is inappropriate to use Napster’s failure to forecast P2P’s. This is because, unlike P2P file sharing system, Napster failed because of it had a centralized system which bundled unfiltered search engines with software which uploaded and downloaded data. Q. 3: Reasons for Facebook’s large User Base According to Robert Metcal f (born April 7, 1946), the value of a telecommunication network is proportional to the square of the number of users who are connected into that network. This is known as the Metcalf’s Law. DeJong (2012) links the widespread use of Facebook and the notoriety which Facebook enjoys, to Metcalf’s law. Herein, DeJong (2012) is categorical that the number of Facebook users increases, just as the value of a fax machine increases with the total number of machines in a network. Thus, Facebook enjoys an increasingly large and expansive population, simply because it has a greater number of users in the world of online social networks. Q. 4: On Second Life Being the Future It is clear that the future of Internet use and connections hold nothing promising for Second Life, due to a number of reasons. According to Mayer-Schonberger and Crowley (2006), some of these reasons include poor quality assurance, congestion and moral problems. As for quality assurance, it is known that Lind en Lab focused too much on the introduction of newer features to the production environment, in lieu of fixing long-term bugs which cause financial losses for Second Life users. It is against this backdrop that on April 30th, 2007, 700 frustrated Second Life users sent an open letter of protest to Linden Lab, highlighting their concerns over Second Life’s quality assurance. In another wavelength, it is widely known that Second Life has had serious setbacks stemming from congestion. This is because a single region hosted on a single CPU accommodates a limited

The PR Function Video Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The PR Function Video - Essay Example PR exists in effective communications and is most importantly under control of the media (Smith & Place, 2013). Business enterprises use the media to promote brands and images. Such undertakings continuously engage the public to identify with the respective companies. There exist numerous PR strategies. Notably, reputation of an organization is always at a stake whenever it or its stakeholders engage in activities that activities that might compromise public image. Therefore, every company must engage relevant agencies in building self-image and restoring public trust. Publicizing a business is only effective if the consumer response is positive and the target audience take no offense for the nature of brand display (Smith & Navarro, 2014). PR differs from advertising concerning the control of marketing media. For instance, a company has full control over what is put forward for the audience in advertising. Whether in television of newspaper columns, business dictates the kind of images to use for brand or service promotion. On the contrary, there are regulatory mechanisms for PR that restricts businesses. Such limitations mostly focus on protecting the audience (Bernays, 2013).The image of a company is highly significant than promoting products. Believability is the most important aspect of PR. Papasolomou, I., Thrassou, A., Vrontis, D., & Sabova, M. (2014). Marketing public relations: A consumer-focused strategic perspective. Journal of Customer Behaviour, 13 (1), 5-24. doi:10.1362/147539214X14024779343631 Smith, B. G., & Place, K. R. (2013). Integrating Power? Evaluating Public Relations Influence in an Integrated Communication Structure. Journal of Public Relations Research, 25(2), 168-187.

Advertising PowerPoint Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Advertising - PowerPoint Presentation Example Total investment in advertising media has been forecasted to be USD 558.4 billion by the year 2016 (Neoadvertising, 2011). There are several challenges that the advertisers face when marketing their products. Advertising is a costly affair and thus it increases the cost of the product. It at times misleads the public and also creates dissatisfaction among them (The Guardian, 2012). Junk food can be referred as an informal expression that is used for food. It does not have much nutritional values. It has been observed that junk foods have negative impacts upon the health of the people (Nawathe & et. al., 2007). Government has stated that the junk food marketers must not advertise their products to the kids because such advertisements may attract the kids and may create harm to their health. Although several efforts are being made to reduce such marketing towards the children, there has been rise in the fast food advertisement aimed towards 2-to-18 years’ old children (Noguchi, 2012). The main marketers that tend to advertise their products to the teens are McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Domino’s, Taco Bell, Burger King and Dunkin’s Donut. These companies target the teens because they are heavy users of social networking sites, cell phone messages as well as games. Therefore, targeting them becomes easier (Melnick, 2010). The main objective of the advertising done by the fast food marketers is to stimulate brand affinity that begins at early age. Most of the marketers advertise targeting at parents as well with the perception that greater exposure held by parents will lead to more routine fast food dining (Melnick, 2010) It has been noted that in the year 2002, a group of over-weight children filed a complaint against McDonald’s from New York. They stated that certain food products of the company lead to several diseases such as over-weight,

Nutrition - Obesity Essay Example for Free

Nutrition Obesity Essay According to Lin, Guthrie and Frazao, childrens calorie consumptions from fast food and soft drinks increased dramatically. Weight is always a problem in our society. Now a day, we are forgetting about healthy food just to save our time and money. We have adopted fast food to reach a level of obesity. Fast foods have a biggest contribution on obesity because of easy access on food restaurant; contain less amount of nutrition, and food advertisements.. Now it seems like fast foods fat and sugar are the main problem but if we don’t take an immediate action, towards the situation, it might be a genetic problem. A fast growth of fast food restaurants are the main cause of people becoming obese. They are also being victim of diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol, heart attack, etc. People prefer taste food but don’t pay attention to the price as the result comes with huge amount of fat and sugar resulting diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Abundance amounts of fast food restaurants are promoting peoples interests eating outside home rather than home. Today more than a third of Americans are considered as obese. Type 2 diabetes is a common sickness carried out by these fatty peoples. â€Å"Receptivity to Television Fast-Food Restaurant Marketing and Obesity among U. S. Youth† (McClure 568). We might be able to reduce or balance the amount of obesity using insulin. Fast food restaurants distribute lots of cookies and toy candies to children. Which may be a major contribution on childhood obesity? Epidemically, fast food is a major contributor to the obesity. It is also reducing their home activity such as cooking at home kitchens. Some of these food restaurants are illustrated as McDonald, Jack in the Box, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. Price and quality always need to balance. Proper exercise is necessary to maintain our body fat and to stay healthy. According to ADA (American Diabetes Association), refined carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels too high these can spikes you’re Fast Food Bad Health Side Effects† blood sugar, damage your heart and might makes you gloomy. Even we pay full amount of money hamburger, Neupaney 2 in these restaurants, only contain 20% of meat; rest is just flour. We see some issue everyday about a milk containing fat on it at fast food restaurants. Fast food is increasing the number of kids with food allergies and asthma. Places like hospitals where they were supposed to cure disease are serving fast food in their cafeteria and adding the rate of being ill. Food with less nutrition fulfill theirs hunger faster and is increasing their eating tendency. 1,000 are the average amounts of calorie that fast food meal contains As you use it for long time, fast food can negatively affect you physically and emotionally. Because of efficient service, peoples are eating food with low crab. Grab and go are the main reason of us eating food with nutrition less foods. Schools have made significantly greater progress on sugar-sweetened beverages, comparing to lower- sugar beverages by replacing juice with sodas. â€Å"Solid Fat and Added Sugar Intake Among U. S. Children: The Role of Stores, Schools, and Fast Food† (Poti 559). According to the survey King a habit of eating Examples is burger, chicken tenders, pizza, and hot dog, etc. â€Å"Buy one chicken bacon burger, French fries, and coke; and get another chicken free; and even with a zero figure girl eating that burger. This are the kind of advertisements which encourage people buy their product. Children are easily attracted by the way advertisements are presented on television and these Ads are playing vital role in child obesity. Fast food restaurants are one of the most trending businesses in social media. Even celebrities are being a part to trend its business. For instance, Michelle Obama is promoting fast food for children. Social networking is taking negative impact in our society. Repeating food advertisements they see on those media might empty their parent’s pockets upon their influential requests. According to Nielsen Media Research Korea, in year 2004-2010, people with low income saw more fast food advertisements than those with higher income. â€Å"How Television Fast Food Marketing Aimed At Children Compares With Adult Advertisements† (Bernhardt 6). Deals and discounts are robbing people in a middle of a sunny day. Lavish fast food packaging, burger-adorned egg advertisements, pizza box branding are some evidence of this television world. It will amaze you by just looking how much money you could save by making a habit of eating outside home. In another prospective lots of people are holding job through these fast food restaurants. Food takes huge amount of our annual budget. You can eat for a week at fast food restaurant for the money which you use in a day at home. Peoples around the world are ordering food online now a day instead of cooking at home. Immigrants and refugees are addicted to these Neupaney 3 items because it’s easy to afford and can be found everywhere. Even in hospitals cafeteria fast foods are the means patients save their money. Mostly, high school students and college students are paying their tuition fee through their job at these places. Annually, 30 million unemployed peoples are earning their lives through these restaurants. Deals and discounts are also a great way to save money through these restaurants. According to my personal research, on my community, vast majority of people said, â€Å"I would rather eat outside home because I get various healthy food options in fast food restaurants for cheap price. Beings having weight loss problems are also balancing their diet supplements through this fast food. People’s weight status depends upon different components and ingredients used by restaurants. â€Å"Elsevier† Almost 20% of these Americans have succeeded in increasing weight in this past decade. We have to be careful and have to take action towards these fast food companies. We have to demand nutritional information on their food boxes, warning from government and funds program towards fast food addiction. . It’s ok for them to eat such foods once or twice per week. But if it exceed its amount, people will get obese. Even the apple and orange pie provided by McDonald and Burger Kings are unhealthful as eating cheese burger. Children affected by fast food are undocumented and are not filed. Parents need to be cautious with those problems. We owe them and have to motivate our community it pressurize them to bring healthier foods option for the same low prize they charge us for fatty foods. In different way, we could all be a victim of fast food. In future, we might grow a disease like stroke, high-blood pressure etc. In different ways, we could all be a victim of fast food. In future, we might grow a disease like stroke, high-blood pressure etc. to prevent this we have to stand up for what’s right. To prevent this we have to stand up for whats right. It’s time for us to take action and make impact in our own lives. Works Cited Bernhardt, Amy M. , et al. Bernhardt, Amy M. , et al. How Television Fast Food Marketing Aimed At Children Compares With Adult Advertisements. Plos ONE 8. 8 (2013): 1-6. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. Elsevier Health Sciences. Eating Out Can Have Both Positive And Negative Impact On Obesity. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 Apr. 2014. Fast Food, Cause Effect Essay by Elianapa. N. p. , n. d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. Neupaney 4 Mathe, Kimberly, and Sheila Scott-Halsell. The Effects Of Perceived External Prestige On Positive Psychological States In Quick Service Restaurants. Journal Of Human Resources In Hospitality Tourism 11. 4 (2012): 354-372. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. Morgan, Craig. â€Å"Unhealthful Fast Food Wont be an Option for My Kids. Arizona Republic. Web. 24 Apr.2014 Fast Food TIME News, Pictures, Quotes, Archive. TIME. com. N. p. , n. d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. McClure, Auden C. , et al. Receptivity To Television Fast-Food Restaurant Marketing And Obesity Among U. S. Youth. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 45. 5 (2013): 560-568. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. Poti, Jennifer M. , Meghan M. Slining, and Barry M. Popkin. Solid Fat And Added Sugar Intake Among U. S. Children: The Role Of Stores, Schools, And Fast Food, 1994–2010. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 45. 5 (2013): 551-559. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. V.

Should the NHS be Privatised?

Should the NHS be Privatised? Would it be in the UKs best interest for health care to go private? Abbreviations NHS: National Health Service A&E: Accident and Emergency DOH: Department Of Health GP: General Practitioners TCF: The commonwealth fund IEA: The Institute of Economic Affairs WHO: World health organisation BUPA: British United Provident Association HSP: Hospital service plan 1.0 Abstract and Methodology Objective I firstly research and outline what the healthcare was like before the NHS was created and if it was successful in treating people. My next aim was to find out how health care changed after NHS was created and how successful it was in treating people. Thirdly, I looked to see if patients were treated better in the private sector or in the open sector and if the service it’s self is based upon how much the workers earn per year. Fourthly, I assessed the state of the current healthcare and what the governments thoughts were on it. Abstract This is dissertation is focusing on the question ‘would it be in the UK’S best interest for healthcare to go private’ and will be addressing the current state of the NHS and the health care available. I shall talk about what the NHS is and what state it is currently. Next, I will talk about the private sector, how it works and basic facts about it that willgive a better picture if healthcare did go private. Then, I will go into the main arguments where I will talk about the arguments for and against before talking about the view of the three big political parties;the conservatives, labour and democrats. 2.0 Introduction 2.1 What is the NHS? The NHS stands for the National Health service which was first launched in 1948 after World War Two as a way to give free healthcare to everyone who needs it. The services of the NHS are free to all citizens in the UK and the only expectations would be for prescriptions, dental services and optical services. The NHS offers a wide range of services that people all across the UK used constantly from A&E to end-of-life care. Every 36 hours, 1 million patients are dealt with by the NHS showing that having free non-privatized health is something that benefits every resident in the UK which need a certain service (GOV.UK, 2016) 2.2 What is the state of the NHS currently? Currently, the NHS is non- privatized. This means that it is free to anyone UK citizen. The NHS has been public now since after WW2 where the labour government brought it in after the devastation of the second world war. During the aftermath of WW2, hardly anyone had money and the UK needed to be rebuilt after the damage caused. The NHS was brought in as a way to help the going rate of lower income class. By bringing the NHS, more and more people were able to get the medical help they desperately needed whenever they wanted without having to worrying about how much they would need to pay. Since the 20th century, people have been more than happy to have a public healthcare. Figure 1 (Smith, 2017), shows a poll taken in May 17th to 18th of the year 2017 and whether the public whished for health care to go private. This figure had indicated which service believes that health care should be public, which ones say it should be private and those who don’t know or are undecided. The survey shows that most of these services have more supports that say health care should be in the public sector. There are only 3 services which have more supporters who want health care to be run by the private sector. These services are, Telephone and Internet providers (53%), Banks (53%) and Airlines (68%). Figure 2 (The Kings Fund, 2016) shows the increase in how much the department of health has spent every year and some predications on what it is expected to be spend until 2021. There is a steady increase in the amount of money used which confirmations that the NHS will be needed more money in the years to come but the problem is, there is only so much the government can give the NHS and health care which has led to there being cut backs within the NHS and has caused many arguments from the hospital staff and the UK’s citizens. The reason why the NHS is in constant need of money and extra funding is due to the fact that the population within the UK is constantly growing which means that more people are needed to go to hospitals for different reasons. The rise of the population could be due the increase in immigrates arriving in the UK who are in need of health care. This means that more money is needed on different drugs, different hospital equipment and staff, furthermore an increase in population will mean that more babies will be born, therefore making the maternity wards in constant use. Secondly, the fact that in the 21st century, people are living longer which means that they are more likely to go to a hospital more times in there lives for many different reasons. Thirdly the rising health problems that are starting to occur in people of diseases such cancer, heart problems and multiple long-term conditions means that more treatment will be needed will need to be available and most if the time, that t reatment isn’t cheap (The Kings Fund, 2017). The Telegraph Online news articles showed that the NHS in in crisis and that there had been a new record in the waiting times of A&E wards. The end 2016 to the beginning (Scott, 2017) 2.3 What would it mean for the health care to be PRIVATISED? There are already private clinics and hospitals that are also available as well as the NHS which means that there is a variety of places that people may go to. Private clinics are typically often used for the wealthier people and this is because they simply have the money to pay for such treatment. The lower and working class however, rely on the NHS to be able to get healthcare that if free as they simply cannot afford to be private and pay for treatment, whilst the middle class and the rich class are able to pay for such things. Already within the healthcare sector, there are some private sectors that people turn to as an alternative to the public sector. It is a choice that people sometimes make when they need treatment that the public sector cannot provide. In some NHS run hospitals, have brought in private wings or clinics in which people can use and this might also include in the patient getting that private care for a cheaper price, depending on the hospitals (Freedom health insurance, 2017). The private sector also, already provides services for the NHS and in turn, the NHS provides the private sectors with beds for their patients. The is a sort of collaboration at this point and to change the healthcare sector completely to private might throw the balance that the healthcare sector has already established. The services that the private sector has provides for the NHS includes: long term residential care for people who need it, care of the elderly, termination of a pregnancy psychiatric care  (US National Libary of Medicine, 2002). Privatized healthcare would mean that the criticizes on the UK would have to pay for treatment that is originally paid for by the government under the NHS. This means that hospital visits, GP visits, optician visits, dentist visits will all have to be aid for the person doing this. Already, the Guardian has stated that there is a growing trend where patients from England are now paying for surgery to avoid long waiting times and this is showing that this problem that are occurring in the NHS are having a big impact on the number of people using this service (The Guardian, 2017). 3. The Private sector  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Private healthcare is a sector that includes clinics and hospitals which are run by companies, charities organisations. Private healthcare is run usually separate from the NHS. When using the private sector, the fees must be paid since the NHS does not cover the cost of any type of private care available. When using the private sector, the patient is usually able to choose which hospital or clinic that they can treat for and depending on how much they pay, the time spent in the hospital can be longer than if the patient had undergone treatment through the NHS. The private sector is a place where many people often go to for a second opinion if they need it (Freedom health insurance, 2017). 3.1 How does it work? Until 1948, before WWII, the healthcare within the UK was private. The NHS didn’t exist which meant that healthcare was set up by private medical facilities, medical services which charged a lot of money for their services. There were also charities and voluntary hospitals for those who couldn’t pay the medical fees that came from the other companies. The health insurance sector was first developed between 1940 and 1947 based on HSP/PPP Healthcare and several schemed into BUPA (US National Libary of Medicine, 2002). In 1997, in the UK, there were 12 million people who were covered for private care and the medical expenses that came with it. This is only about 75% of the type of care that is done in the private sector. Commonly, private medical insurance occurs more among older people who start to become in need to more need to go to visit a GP or go to hospital. And of those more older people, they are usually are in a better social class as they usually are able to pay for it without too much risk of getting in dept. (US National Libary of Medicine, 2002). 3. Arguments for the Privatization of Healthcare In this section, I will be arguing why it would be in the UK’s best interest for healthcare to go private. That would mean changing it from what it is now and bellow, there are a few reasons to why it should be done: 3.1 The wait is over The having private health care in the UK, it could firstly reduce the waiting times for patients in the UK. Currently, on a daily basis, when arriving in a hospital there is a wait before a person gets seen by a doctor. This wait to a highly danger to a person who had a serious illness or injury could mean the difference between life saving treatment or serious problems (The Medic Portal, 2018). Currently, the waiting time in A&E should be 4 hours per patient. However, Holly Dorning, a resear4ch analyst and report author has stated that hospitals are finding it harder each day to keep to that 4 hours before a patient has become breeched. The our hour A&E target had declined from the national expectation since 2010. Even the top 10% hospitals had not beaten this target and breached it. (The Nuffield Trust, 2015) Co-author Holly Droning, Research analyst at the Nuffield Trust said: â€Å"The vast majority of patients are still receiving care within the target times, but our analysis shows that deteriorating access to services is starting to affect patients attending even the best-performing hospitals†¦ We’ve known that hospitals have been struggling to meet the four-hour A&E target for a while. But the fact that we are starting to see problems in other areas, like access to planned treatment, is a real concern. As this study makes clear, warning lights are now starting to flash across the wider hospital system†. This shows that this problem of waiting had been pointed out as a problem. This is worrying as the difference between even 5 minutes could mean the different between saving a patient’s life (The Nuffield Trust, 2015). However, with private care, this problem is likely to decrease as it would lessen the pressure on the NHS and it will means that patients get treatment and attention needed and this might lead to problems being discovered a lot quicker. 3.2 Comparing to other countries Reports from the IEA showed a very concerning different between the cancer treatment in the UK and other countries in the EU. It was stated that if the UK’S lung, bowel, breast and prostate cancer were treated in the Netherlands instead of being treated in the UK, more than 9,000 lives would be saved every year. This is a huge amount of people and that shows that there is clearly a flaw in the UK’s healthcare for cancer However, this is not the end, if those patients were treated in Germany, more than 12,000 lives would be saved. If those cancer patients had been treated in Belgium, more than 14,000 patients would have been saved. Theses number are too big of a difference. Theses suggesting that having public health care, whilst it might have a good idea in the respect that it means that everyone in the UK has equal opportunity and the freedom of choice in what healthcare sector they wish to choose from, this isn’t important if patients who are critically ill are dying just being there isn’t a private health care. Those lives that could have been saved could be prevented  (Coppin, 2017) According the WHO, OECD and TCF have done research other healthcare in the UK in comparison to other EU countries. It was found out that the NHS now, ranks in the bottom third of developed countries. In the heath outcome category, it is ranked as second to last. This research clearly shows the poor record that UK had in keeping people alive. This shows that the reputation the auk had of having a good healthcare system is clearly unjustified and changes are need to be made (Coppin, 2017). 3.3 People who need it get help Another positive for the privatization of healthcare is that by having obligatory private healthcare, it would reduce the amount of ‘time wasting’ patients that hospital get. This is because people are less likely to go to the doctors and hospitals for no actual reasons as they wouldn’t want to be a hospital bill if they didn’t need to visit the hospital. With there being less encouragement to just go to the doctors, it will stop there being hospital blockages and it will mean that patients in need of actual care can get it a lot faster than it used to (The Medic Portal, 2018) Also, by having less reason to just visit the hospital, it could mean that people will try and take better care of their health more so that when they do need to visit the doctors, go to GP’s they are well aware that they are need of help and aren’t spending money of something unimportant. 4. Arguments against the privatization of healthcare The argument against the privatization of health care is the argument which is staying that making healthcare in the UK private wouldn’t be un the UK’s best interest. Bellow, there are a few reasons to why that is: 4.1 The moral case An argument against the privatization of health care is the moral case. It is called the moral case as it would not be morally right for the government to send the UK back to how it used to be and hinder the development of the UK itself. It wouldn’t be morally right for the lower and working lass who struggle to pay for their daily living, to be made to pay for healthcare which they need. Being able to go to the doctors when needed is the best thing that they could be given and to have that taken away from them will only cause them to stop going it things like GP for much need annual check-ups. Missing check-up’s just to save money my cost someone’s life in the end Well know scientist Stephen Hawkins has said that the privatization of the healthcare is not the best way forwards for the UK. By following the American healthcare of the insurance systems and private companies running healthcare, we would not be able to help the nation as the working class who do not have the means for that sort of healthcare. The NHS was originally made so that everyone could be entitled to having free healthcare when they needed it and this was part of a reform to make the UK great. By privatizing healthcare, all the government would b doing is sending us back in the past where the death rate was high and the average expectance was lower than it is now (The Week Ltd, 2017). Hawkins himself wrote in the guardian, he believed that the NHS is â€Å"the fairest wat to deliver healthcare†, and by this, he meant that it is the best way for the government to look after UK citizens from afar and is a system which doesn’t judge on the wealth or status of a person, but on their health. (The Week Ltd, 2017). Figure 4 (ONS Digital, 2015) shows a table of life expectances from 1841 to 2001. This data was taken from ONS and it clearly shows an increase in life expectancy and this figure could continue to increase of the UK continues to do this. Although there are other factors which has contributed to ther life expectancy increasing, having public healthcare that people don’t need pay for means that people can go to hospital anytime instead of worrying about spending money in case there is something wrong. These hospital visits based on whims are also the ones who help find diseases, illnesses and conditions early enough to prevent any further damage. That could save a person’s life. However, if there was private care, then things life high blood pressure might exist more due to the stress of having to pay the fees just to get the medical attention needed. Furthermore, the graph on figure 4 might change if healthcare is privatized. From 1841 to 2011, the life expectancy rate had doubled for both male and female and this graph is only an average up to 2011. That figure had probably increased since due to many different ideas that can be done on people for free under the NHS. 4.2 The public health is more efficient than private care Hawking also told the Royal Society of Medicine that â€Å"International comparisons indicate that the most efficient way to provide good health care is for the service to be publicly funded and publicly run†. This suggests that other countries who run on private healthcare might not be doing as well as what we are lead to think (The Week Ltd, 2017). The evidence for this is the 2012 study which was led by a US-Bosnian team who looked at the healthcare system of different countries. America, Germany and Canada. Data from OECD in 2000 showed that America – which runs on a privatized healthcare – had spent the most money out of the three. Whilst Germany was second and Canada was last. Germany and Canada both run off public health care and the figures show that clearly despite the fact that America is running on private healthcare, meaning that the citizens pay, they end up still paying a of money. (AVICENA, 2012) 4.3 Choices for patients By having not only a public healthcare systm and a private sector, this allows for the UK’s citizens to be given a choice. The choices to go to the public healthcare is a decision that most working class must choose, some of them simply do not have the money to be able to choose where to go. The fact that they are even able to call an ambulance or walk into a hospital without having to worry about to pay is something that stops a lot of stress and is health for them. Stress is never good for people and the added stress of having to worry about how they will pay for the treatment might only cause more problems than solve it. Whilst some, prefer to stick to public health care, other do not and often choose to go to the private sector. This is due to the fact that the private sector is more likely to explore was difficult procedures and more experimental procedures than normal hospitals and patients have better choice to where they are being treated. For those who can afford to go private, it is a good alternative (The Week Ltd, 2017). To be able to have a choice in where you go is a privilege that not many people around the world get to have and with this sort of power, the best thing to do would be too keep being able to choose, keeping this privilege would help many people within the UK. 5. The governments on the privatization of health care This debate of whether health care being private is the best things for the UK all lies in the hands of the government. Whilst the public can have their say through the democratic voting system, it is the government who mostly have the power and that is dangerous Doctors claim that the government is deliberately creating health crisis to privatize the NHS (Bodkin, 2017) Dr Chaand Nagpaul – BMA chairman – said â€Å"As doctors we strive to provide safe, quality care to our patients. Yet we appear set up to fail. We trail European nations. With significantly fewer doctors and hospitals beds per head and spends  £10 billion less per year on out health service† which suggests that the government are clearly not trying to help the current crisis that is beginning to arise as a result of not enough spaces in hospitals to accommodate the need of the public (Bodkin, 2017) DOH spokeswomen said: â€Å"This motion sadly has no relationship with reality – while of course there are pressures on the frontline, the government is now spending more that aby in history on the NHS, has left themselves to decide on use of the private sector, and public satisfaction is not the highest it has been in all but three of the last 30 years†. This statement contradicts that one Dr Nagpaul has said, but this still doesn’t disprove the fact that there may be major shortages within the NHS government are purposefully not trying to solve (Bodkin, 2017). 5.1 The Conservatives Currently, it is the conservatives who are in power with Theresa May being prime minister. This argument had been occurring even before May was put in power, but now that she is in power her and the government already have ideas to what the future holds. Recent election and polls have shown that there is a large percentage of the public who wish to have public healthcare. However, the conservatives had said that the NHS and its free healthcare is too expensive to run and that it fails to work in the interest patients. May is said to have been convinced that the benefits of this change will outweigh the risks. The cutting of running costs and joining up the sectors if the best move for the UK (Vize, 2017). The conservatives and their constant rivals are at opposite ends of the argument, however, with the conservatives being current in power, this might mean that they have a slight advantage over the labour, but this of course isn’t necessarily true. But what is true, is that both parties will face many problems as their solution both have flaws that might be hard to fix (Vize, 2017). 5.2 Labour It was the labour party who created the NHS all those years ago and the have stated that it was their â€Å"proudest achievement, providing universal healthcare for all on the basis of need, free at the point of use†. In this argument over whether the healthcare would be better being private, the labour party have stuck to their old policy and say that healthcare would be better if it was public. Labour have said that they plan on investing to the NS to give the citizens of the UK a modern and well-resourced service that is available whenever it is needed. The labour party wish to make the NHS into world-class quality and for all patient to receive the best care from the staff (Labour, 2018).   Ã¢â‚¬Å"By guaranteeing access to treatment within 18 weeks, we will take one million people off NHS waiting lists by the end of the next Parliament†¦We will ensure all NHS patients get fast access to the most effective new drugs and treatments, and insist on value-for-money agreements with pharmaceutical companies† (Labour, 2018) They have made a lot of promises that the nation hopes to see be done and if they do, it would be one step into moving healthcare in the UK into the future. Currently, the NHS is seen to be in crisis ad many people, government and normal citizens wish to see the crisis end and for the NHS to move on and improve. Labour say that they will guarantee too meet the 4-hour A&E target, something that even the top hospitals have been struggling to do. 5.3 Liberal Democrates The Liberal Democrats are the 3rd biggest political party and in this debate, they don’t want healthcare to turn private, however, for that to be prevented, they have said that some sacrificed must be made. The Lib Dems leader Tim Farron had told his party that conference takes would be raised to pay for healthcare in a bid to rebrand the NHS. It will become a fully â€Å"taxpayer-funded service† (Elgot, 2016) â€Å"If the only way to fund a health service that meets the needs of everyone is to raise taxes, Liberal Democrats will raise taxes† he said, promising to campaign to transform the NHS into the National Health and Care Service. Farron believed that over the years, the government has trying to hide this problem of the NHS failing before by putting in small term solutions and not really actually solving problems, and the government haven’t really been looking at what it will take to not only keep the NHS and its free healthcare, but also to give people the best care and treatment, which they deserve. He says that the best way to go forward is by having a National Health and Care service (Elgot, 2016). 5.4 In conclusion In conclusion, the Conservatives wish to have a privatized healthcare. The labour party wish to have the NHS stay and for healthcare to continue to be public. And finally, the Liberal Democrats wish to have a National Health add care system. All three government want to different things and have different yet similar plans for the future of healthcare. 6.0 Conclusion In this dissertation, the chosen title was ‘would it in be in the UK’s best interest for healthcare to go private?’. Within the dissertation, there have been arguments for and against that campaign, what the different political parties say and what it would mean to turn the public sector into a private sector The arguments for the privatization of healthcare had shown that having private healthcare would solve many problems that the NHS currently had. The first argument was that waiting times would decrease. Secondly, people who need it will get the medical help needed and thirdly, when comparing it to other countries in general, it was shown that the UK’s pubic healthcare is clearly one of the worst healthcare’s in developed countries. This then showed that there was obvious need for change in order for lives to be saved. The arguments against the privatization of healthcare have shown that there would moral implications if it was done. The in fact, the public sector is actually more efficient than the private sector. Thirdly, the citizens of the UK will be able to get a choice to where they go for medical care. All these reasons are important as these are things that would be affected if healthcare was privatized. The NHS is a big part of the UK and the change will might cause a backlash that the government cannot deal with. In conclusion, after analyzing both sides of the argument and looking at what the people in power – the government – believe and the promised that they wish to make, the advice I would give is that, healthcare, shouldn’t be privatized. This is due to the fact that, despite there being many valid reasons for there being a privatized sector, the fact is, it would be dangerous for something so big that will cause a huge impact on a whole country. This change could cause mass chaos and that and the points outlined in the arguments against, are the reasons why I advise that health care is not privatized. Bibliography AVICENA, 2012. Empirical Evidence and International Comparisons.. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633404/table/T1/[Accessed 1 January 2018]. Bodkin, H., 2017. Government is deliberately creating a health crisis to privatise the NHS, doctors claim. [Online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/27/government-deliberately-creating-health-crisis-privatise-nhs/[Accessed 7 December 2017]. Coppin, F., 2017. The big debate: we need to privatise the NHS. [Online] Available at: http://thebadgeronline.com/2017/03/big-debate-need-privatise-nhs/[Accessed 6 November 2017]. Elgot, J., 2016. Lib Dems will turn NHS into National Health and Care Service, says Farron. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/20/lib-dems-will-turn-nhs-into-national-health-and-care-service-says-farron[Accessed 7 December 2017]. Freedom health insurance, 2017. About Private Healthcare. [Online] Available at: https://www.freedomhealthinsurance.co.uk/about-private-healthcare[Accessed 27 December 2017]. GOV.UK, 2016. The NHS in England. [Online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/overview.aspx[Accessed 6 October 2017]. Labour, 2018. Healthcare for all. [Online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/manifesto/healthcare-for-all/[Accessed 27 December 2017]. ONS Digital, 2015. How has life expectancy changed over time?. [Online] Available at: https://visual.ons.gov.uk/how-has-life-expectancy-changed-over-time/ [Accessed 7 December 2017]. Scott, P., 2017. NHS in crisis? The charts that show how health service performance hit record lows in December. [Online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/09/nhs-crisis-charts-show-health-service-performance-hit-record/[Accessed 1 January 2018]. Smith, M., 2017. Nationalisation vs privatisation: the public view. [Online] Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/news/2017/05/19/nationalisation-vs-privatisation-public-view/ [Accessed 27 December 2017]. The Guardian, 2017. The Guardian view on the NHS crisis: private treatment is not the answer. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/11/the-guardian-view-on-the-nhs-crisis-private-treatment-is-not-the-answer[Accessed 6 October 2017]. The Kings Fund, 2014. Commission on the future of Health and Social Care in England.  [Online] Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/commission-appendix-uk-private-health-market.pdf[Accessed 23 January 2018]. The Kings Fund, 2016. The NHS budget and how it has changed. [Online] Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/nhs-budget[Accessed 6 October 2017]. The Kings Fund, 2017. Does the NHS need more money?. [Online] Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/articles/does-nhs-need-more-money[Accessed 1 January 2018]. The Medic Portal, 2018. What are the arguments for private healthcare in the UK?. [Online] Available at: https://www.themedicportal.com/nhs-hot-topics-private-healthcare-and-privatisation/[Accessed 1 January 2018]. The Nuffield Trust, 2015. No quick fixes for growing hospital waiting times, the Nuffield Trust warns. [Online] Available at: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/no-quick-fixes-for-growing-hospital-waiting-times-the-nuffield-trust-warns?gclid=CjwKCAiAqbvTBRAPEiwANEkyCLjCqzE-C3odDoC-RR22ol3Uyvv9o9n0hH01bHVd0VcJMX3DHlB6gBoCt3EQAvD_BwE[Accessed 6 November 2017]. The Week Ltd, 2017. Pros and cons of privatising the NHS. [Online] Available at: http://www.theweek.co.uk/nhs/63360/pros-and-cons-of-privatising-the-nhs[Accessed 10 October 2017]. US National Libary of Medicine, 2002. Role of private sector in United Kingdom healthcare system. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1118448/[Accessed 7 December 2017]. Vize, R., 2017. What do the party manifestos mean for the NHS?. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2017/may/19/party-manifestos-nhs-general-election[Accessed 7 December 2017].

Effects Of Block Scheduling :: essays research papers

How Block Scheduling Effects In recent years many educators have voiced their concern about as losing our edge in the global marketplace as well as an apparent decline in American students' achievements. This has become a recurring belief for many teachers, parents, and school districts throughout the United States. As a result, many states have begun to increase the amount of units necessary to fulfill graduation requirements in hope to enhance education and make American students more globally competitive. As many districts have found, it is not feasible to add more subjects to the already demanding 6-or 7-period days. The problem in doing so is that there was little time for electives. At the same time they began to find that adding classes only took away time from other parts of the curriculum already established. While some districts fumbled with the idea of adding classes and minimizing losses in other areas, a large number of schools, more specifically 25-40 percent of U.S. high schools adopted block scheduling (American Federation of Teachers, 1999). It is apparent the block scheduling craze is thought to be a fix all solution to the problem, at least for those districts and individuals looking for anything to help increase the status quo. In a nutshell, block scheduling is the practice of breaking up school time into blocks or units of classroom time. More recently we have seen this practice redefined to stand for a restructuring movement for longer classroom periods. Typically average class periods ranged from 45-50 minutes long. Block scheduling has taken this traditional style of time management and have increases class periods anywhere from two to four times longer. As one might be amazed at the novelty of more time in the classroom, it is vital to understand that number of class periods are correspondingly decreased, thus the overall length of time is virtually the same. The majority of information gathered and the studies reviewed tend to overwhelmingly represent the results derived from the two we are describing. Hence from this point forward the term "block scheduling", as used in this paper shall consider the first two categories one and the same. It has been taken into consideration and concurred that there are many variations of block scheduling, however all research, testimonials, cases, and opinions taken into consideration are of the specific type of block scheduling mentioned above. It has also been taken into consideration that there may be many uncontrollable variables that directly and indirectly skew the results of some of the studies.

Informed Consent, Refusal, and Competence Essay -- the patients’ right

In the medical field today, whenever a procedure is going to be done on a patient, informed consent must be given to the doctor from the patient prior the procedure taking place. Informed consent is the approval given by the patient to the doctor for treatment. In the case being discussed today, an 80 year old patient, with a history of congestive heart failure, is in the doctor's office complaining of chest pains. After an examination, the doctor believes the best course of treatment would be to have a surgical procedure, in an attempt to save the patients life. During the examination however, the patient expresses the wish to just be able to die. There is no Living will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) on file. The patient’s wife is afraid of the surgery, while the daughter is for anything that could save her dads life. The first thing that needs to take place in this situation is the determination of the competency of the patient. By using the Understand-and-Appreciate method of determining competency, if the patient understands the situation and all the options that are available to him; but also appreciates the options and understand the side effect of treatment or lack there of treatment , the patient is deemed confident. On the flip side, if the patient’s requests fall too far outside the realm of what would be considered normal, that could help in determining whether or not to override the patient’s wishes due to no longer being considered competent. It is the belief that â€Å"it is ethically justified to overrule the seriously irrational decision of a competent patient.† (Fredrick Adolf Paola, 2010) Under the assumption that during the last five years of treating Patient X for congestive heart failure, he never men... ...rd battle to fight at times. The reasoning behind the refusal may not make sense to everyone, but as long as the patient has been deemed competent, the patients’ right to choose their own medical care becomes number one priority. If, on the other hand, circumstances have found the patient not competent, moving forward to acquire consent from the next of kin of the court appointed surrogate of care is a must to ensure the patient receives the best medical care possible and results in an improved quality care of life for the patient. Works Cited Competency to make medical decisons. (n.d.). Retrieved 07 03, 2011, from Stanford. Edu: http://www.stanford.edu/group/psylawseminar/Competency.htm Fredrick Adolf Paola, R. W. (2010). medical Ethics and Humanities. Juonesd and Bartlett Publiushers. Lecture notes for HLT-305. (2011, 07 03). State University .