Saturday, May 23, 2020

The Road By Cormac Mccarthy - 1367 Words

Within the book The Road by Cormac McCarthy, a main topic is the subject of isolation. Isolation is the act of remaining apart or separated from others. This typically refers to lack of social ties or lack of contact with people.On their journey to the coast the man and the boy experience some of the effects of isolation. They do come in contact with a few people, however for the majority the book the are on their own. Typically isolation refers to not coming in contact with people for a long period of time. In more modern society this commonly occurs in the elderly, those who aren t elderly can still experience isolation, too. Aside from commonly being separated from people, some believe that could be partly due to a third factor so to†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å" According to researcher John Cacioppo at the University of Chicago, 20 percent of all people are unhappy because of social isolation at any given moment† This shows that a good percentage of people are unha ppy due to isolation. To show effects of how isolation could affect the body and its health, the university of chicago medical center has gathered information that the isolation of mice causes increased tumor growth in mammary glands. This test was conducted in order to see if environment can affect a person s likeliness to get breast cancer of other chronic diseases. Two groups of mice were tested, one being exposed to ther mice, while others lived in individual isolation. Those that were isolated had an increased tumor growth in their mammary glands. It is shown that the social environment they lived in and the stress of living alone for the isolated mice is what caused this to happen. Being exposed to isolation can lead to it being a risk factor in your life, leading to possible diseases and habits such as obesity and smoking. Exposure to isolation can also lead to other effects such as stress, which carries many effects of the health such as developing diseases and habits related to stress. Isolation, even for a brief period, can lead to feeling what is called social chills. Of those surveyed on the temperature of a room, after recalling a time when they were away from friends or snubbed socially, they reported colder temperatures. Whereas those who recalledShow MoreRelatedThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy1531 Words   |  7 Pagesof punishment that anyone could be faced with. Cormac McCarthy shows the reaction isolation had on the characters in The Road. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy, follows an unnamed father and son as they travel towards the coast in search of safety after the world has been destroyed by a catastrophe. As they travel the road, the father has to pro tect his son from the threat of strangers, starvation, exposure and harsh weather. In The Road, Cormac McCarthy shows how humans react to isolation by when theRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy1009 Words   |  5 PagesL’Heureux II, John Lang and Lit Year 2 2/10/2017 Written Task 2 Title of the text for analysis: The Road by Cormac McCarthy,2006 Part of the course to which the task refers: Part 4- Literature, a critical study Prescribed question: How does the text conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of a particular genre, and for what purpose? My critical response will: ââ€"  Show how the text conforms to the post-apocalyptic genre. ââ€"  Show how resources, including basics such as food and water, are a scarcityRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy1584 Words   |  7 Pagestime can be unbearable if one is stripped of the most basic necessities. Such an event can greatly affect the behaviour of a person, as well as the ability to distinguish right from wrong. But like the boy and his father in the novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy they stuck to their morals to overcome the hardships they face. The novels recurring themes such as companionship, survival, and good versus evil, prove that a persons moral standards could change in a time of need. Companionship plays anRead MoreThe Road by Cormac McCarthy1708 Words   |  7 PagesThe Road by Cormac McCarthy is set in an apocalyptic world filled with hopelessness, mental fatigue, and few instances of happiness. Throughout the story, the man and the boy are looking for hope in anything and everything. Unfortunately every turn they take they continue to fall further into despair until they find a Coca-Cola. This soda has a unique meaning to the boy and the man. The Coca-Cola in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road symbolizes the world’s regression and gives hope to the man and boy byRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy2405 Words   |  10 PagesNovember 26, 2016 The Road by Cormac McCarthy and its View of Parental Love and Hope in a Post-Apocalyptic World The boy s father tells him My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God. I will kill anyone who touches you. Do you understand? (McCarthy The Road) this sends such a powerful message about instinct, hope, and paternal love. These words so passionately from the lips of the father perfectly describes Cormac McCarthy s story of The Road and the power a father sRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy968 Words   |  4 Pagescompassion in the toughest of situations, and leads us toward paths of peace. In this essay, examples will be drawn from Zak Ibrahim s keynote presentation, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Beautiful Boy; a film directed by Shawn Ku, and Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut. The loss of a loved one can help us find compassion. In The Road by Cormac McCarthy, the boy is the most compassionate person in the whole novel. At the end of the novel, when the boy s father dies, the boy is not thinking about hisselfRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy1310 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å" The Road† written by Cormac McCarthy is a novel which uses a large variety of different language features to shape the reader s reaction and leading the readers into thinking the idea that our current world really is fallible.â€Å"The road† is about a strong loving relationship between the father and son. Which is shown on every page of the novel. They are fighting for survival in this apocalyptic world of humanity which is heading to an end. For anyone realising that our world is fallible is quiteRead MoreThe Road by Cormac McCarthy1281 Words   |  5 PagesTitle of the Work: The Road Author: Cormac McCarthy Date of Publication: September 26, 2006 (September 26, 2006) Genre: Novel Historical information about the Setting: The novel takes place in the Southeastern part of United States. The characters take a journey, passing Texas, the post-apocalyptic landscape. During this time the novel is taken place, the country was experiencing depression and poverty. When McCarthy was writing this book, he was thinking about the future environment ofRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy2062 Words   |  9 PagesReid Norberg Period 3 3/18/16 2016 AP Lodestar 1. Title: The Road Author: Cormac McCarthy Date of Publication: 2006 Genre: Post- apocalyptic fiction 2. The Road is a novel written by American author Cormac McCarthy. Although born in the North East, McCarthy was driven to the South West later in his life where he has since based most of his novels, including The Road. The Road tells a story of a man and his son in post apocalyptic America where the weather is winter-like and the ground isRead MoreThe Road By Cormac Mccarthy1205 Words   |  5 PagesThe Road by Cormac McCarthy a recurring theme in the story is gaining or losing hope. Throughout this story there are numerous instances and events that occur in which all seems lost at a dead end, but in those moment hope carries through and thrives. In this dystopian post apocalyptic world the man and boy are fighting to stay alive while keeping their humanity as well as searching for what humanity is left in this kill or be killed cannibalistic planet. As their time journeying down the road increases

Monday, May 18, 2020

Gender Discrimination And The Wage Gap Essay - 962 Words

Gender Discrimination and the Wage Gap Definitions Gender discrimination has been a controversial topic since the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923. Gender discrimination is defined in the Encyclopedia of Small Business as any action that specifically denies opportunities, privileges, or rewards to a person (or a group) because of gender (Burton, 2011, p.617). While women are often the subject of gender discrimination, men may also find themselves being discriminated against. Cases where men have claimed that they have been discriminated against on the basis of gender are usually referred to as â€Å"reverse discrimination† (Burton, 2011, p. 617). History In 1923, Alice Paul, a women’s rights activist whose suffragist campaign culminated in passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, wrote the Equal Rights Amendment, â€Å"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The National War Labor Board first advocated equal pay for equal work in 1942, and an equal pay act was proposed in 1945. (Cho, n.d.a). 18 years later, on June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law. It was enacted as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which regulates minimum wages, overtime and child labor. (Fugiero, n.d.). In 1982, it came closest to being ratified when thirty-five of the thirty-eight states required for inclusion in the Constitution passed it (Cho, n.d.a). In 1963,Show MoreRelatedWage Discrimination And The Gender Wage Gap1987 Words   |  8 PagesWage Discrimination and the Gender Wage Gap â€Å"They† say, â€Å"We’ve come a long way baby!† â€Å"They† are both correct and incorrect at the same time. While it is true that women have come a long way from June Cleaver and the typical 50’s housewife to the modern two parent working household, statistically, it would take women approximately one extra day of work per week to earn the same as their male counterpart. So, while women have begun to work in higher paying professional and managerial jobs thatRead MoreGender Wage Gap : Discrimination Or Misinformation1699 Words   |  7 PagesGender Wage Gap: Discrimination or Misinformation In 2014, female full-time workers made only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 21% according to IWPR Org or Institute for Women’s Policy Research. There is no debate that in the past women have been discriminated against when it came to compensation and wages in the workforce which led to the enactment of the Equal Pay Act of 1963. This a federal law signed by John F Kennedy attempting to amend wage disparity based on sexRead MoreDiscrimination, Policies, And The Gender Wage Gap1088 Words   |  5 Pages Discrimination, Policies, and The Gender Wage-Gap   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For decades, the gender wage-gap has been an ongoing issue in Canada. Since then, women’s rights have changed and allowed them to obtain career positions much like men. Although women have successfully fought for their rights, the issues of the gender wage gap, and sexist stereotypes continue in Canada. The Canadian Government needs to strengthen its discrimination policies so it can rectify and allow for equal opportunity, support parentalRead MoreGender Discrimination : Gender Equality And Wage Gap1822 Words   |  8 PagesGender Discrimination – Gender Equality and Wage Gap Do women earn less than men? In today’s society, money is one of the most important sources of livelihood; therefore, it is surprising to know that some women are paid less than men for doing the same job. One of the reasons that there is a wage gap is often linked to traditions and stereotypes. Some of the stereotypes include: women experience difficulty balancing work and family life, they are not vigorous, they are too emotional, and that theyRead MoreThe Gender Wage Gap And Focus On The Discrimination Against Working Women1350 Words   |  6 Pagesurpose: The purpose is to highlight the gender wage gap and focus on the discrimination against working women Thesis: I intend to assert that women deserve to be paid as much as men for the same job by the same employer. Introduction For the same employer and for the same job in the US, on an average, women get 79 cents for every dollar earned by their male colleagues. This indeed is an alarming figure noting that women haveRead MoreGender Wage Gap And Focus On The Discrimination Against Working Women1792 Words   |  8 PagesTitle: Equal Pay for Women Purpose: The purpose is to highlight the gender wage gap and focus on the discrimination against working women Thesis: I intend to assert that women deserve to be paid as much as men for the same job by the same employer. Introduction: l. Working for the same employer and in the same kind of job in the US, if we look at averages, women get paid merely 79 cents against every single dollar paid to their male coworkers. A. This indeed is an alarming figure noting that womenRead MoreThe Wage Gap Between Men And Women1337 Words   |  6 PagesMen and women. Even the name of the female gender is derived from the male species. For years, women have been discriminated against in an array of areas such as politics, at home, and in the workplace. The most debated area of gender discrimination is the wage gap between men and women. After reviewing the following facts, it is obvious women are essentially just as valuable as men, and therefore should be treated equally in the workplace. The pay gap between males and females has been a topic thatRead MoreThe Wage Gap Within The United States1687 Words   |  7 Pagesright to equal wages; gender and ethnic inequality has been an on-going issue in the United States for a very long time. This inequality has been the reason for the Wage Gap which is a violation of everyone’s human rights. Some people believe that the wage gap is just a gender problem but it is not, it is unequal opportunities for racial and gender minorities; in fact some women that are of a certain race are paid significantly less than someone who is only of one minority. The wage gap relates to humanRead MoreThe Role Of Women During The Civil War1595 Words   |  7 Pagessuch as Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993. However, women are still being undermined in the work force with the wage gap between women and men. Many argue that a wage gap does exist where women are working hard but getting payed less leading to poverty. On the other hand, others argue that the wage gap is merle a myth and is impractical in today s society. Contributing factors like education, family and job choice is what causing a wage gap. The opposingRead MoreGender And Gender Within The American Workforce1306 Words   |  6 Pagesyears. Whether it is equality for races, religion, gender or sexual orientation, people just desire for life to be equal and fair. Although much has changed and is continuously changing, women still struggle to be seen as equivalent to men in the American workforce. Bound by a wage gap that is bias towards the female species, women have to battle different factors which lead to inequivalent compensation. There are wage gaps stimulating from gender within the American workforce due to caregiving duties;

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Importance of the Wise Use of Genetic Engineering

Human species has been suffering at the hands of disease since their genesis. Our relation with each other is such that if one suffers in pain, his suffering and pain touches rest of the humanity. It is now in our domain to use this new technology called Genetic Engineering to ameliorate human suffering and pain. We should make sure that this technology is only used for the betterment of human species and not selectively. It is indeed horrifying to know that someone wants to use this as a tool for eugenics or to alter the human race altogether. I totally agree with the specter mentioned in the book Babies by Design by Ronald M. Green (2007), that in case a human weakness has been eliminated through genetic engineering, and the few parents who opt for a natural conception run the risk of producing low quality invalids----who become members of a despised under-class. I am against selective genetic manipulation that will produce several classes of human species, which will be classified as good, better, best. I tend to disagree with Bill Mckibben on â€Å"If I am a world class runner, but my parents inserted the sweatworks2010genepack in my genome, can I really feel pride in my accomplishments† (ENOUGH 2003). Yes sir I can, because my gene carried an imperfection. It has been tweaked a bit to enhance my performance and that’s all there is to it. No qualms about it whatsoever. Humans have far more genetic defects than animals. We need to fix these defects once and for allShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Maintaining The Race944 Words   |  4 Pages On the importance of maintaining the race, George quotes Dr. James G. Needham, a professor of entomology, stating, â€Å"The road to social deterioration runs by way of continued breeding from inferior stock. . . . Devastated cities may be rebuilt again by renewed labor and lost fortunes may be reestablished. . . . But the powers of mind and character eliminated by bad breeding may hardly be restored† (p. 46). Next George offers recommendations for social justice and national greatness (pp. 47-48)Read MoreThe Genetic Modification Of Humans993 Words   |  4 Pages Remedial Genetic Modification When discussing the topic genetic modification of humans, some people readily agree that modification of humans is an unsound procedure. Where their agreement typically ends, however, is on the question of how much people generally understand about genetic modification, considering, not only its unfamilirarity, but its broad diversity. Where as some are convinced this bio ingenuity course of action is unnatural and should not be practiced, others maintainRead MoreGenetically Modified Crops : Hope For Developing Countries?1543 Words   |  7 Pagesbiotechnology, which sacrifices humans and the environment for the sake of revenues and shareholder value.† They extend into how the debate has essentially boiled down to die-hard activists against any sort of agricultural innovation dealing with genetic alterations versus the scientific minds behind the technology, â€Å" †¦ where important facts are largely ignored and where relatively few new ideas are introduced in or der to find ways for using this technology in the safest possible manner.† FollowingRead MoreCsr And Product Lifecycle And Its Components Essay1425 Words   |  6 Pagesand reputation. Some consumer might be swayed by product certification logos as they represent corporate CSR and can instill brand trust to certain consumers. As today’s consumer and marketplace is demanding and knowledgeable; an organization is wise to listen as they speak with their wallets and step up its CSR program. Product Lifecycle and Lifecycle Pricing Pricing is an important aspect in examining the stages of the product lifecycle: raw materials extraction, materials processing, productRead MoreControversial Issues Across The United States1383 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversy since before the 1980 court case between genetic engineers and the U.S. Patent Office in which the court ruled in favor of the genetic engineers claiming Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title (Burger, caselaw). Chief Justice Warren Burger’s wise word proved to be true over the decades to comeRead MoreScience1384 Words   |  6 PagesVenter, despite having scientific intentions, is normally affiliated with business influenced science. Although each group works rigorously towards the discovery of impactful knowledge, this distinction in motivation significantly impacts society’s use of their science. Science without the influence of financial interest is superior because it is accessible to the public, faces minimal distractions, and lacks the level of corruption within the private sector. The open release of information withinRead MoreMonsanto : Economic Factors For Trade Restrictions And Criticisms Affect The Operation Of Monsanto Seed Company2869 Words   |  12 Pagescountries have made their complaints official about the negligence on the part of Monsanto not labeling their products. Close to 15000 consumers from various parts of the US, majorly Texas have complained to the largest seed producing company on the importance of labeling the products to distinguish them from GMOs. This is due to the negative effects shown by the victims complaining the products have a number of negative effects on their health. In this paper, there is an outline of the strategies thatRead MoreWe Are On The Precipice Of Great And Drastic Change Essay2486 Words   |  10 Pagesto enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capabilities† (Jiang, 2015). Technological advancements play an ever-increasing part in our lives, more so now than any other time in mankind s history. With advances in the fields of engineering, science, robotics, and neuroscience, I believe we are on the precipice of great and drastic change. This could equally lead to an ethical and social meltdown in our society. I think this fundamentally is a wrong idea because it goes against GodsRead MoreA Research Study On Patenting Genes Of Organism1819 Words   |  8 Pagesorganism in a particular way. It may help farmers with crop cultivation and reduce crop infestation. It may also help farmers to be able to cultivated crops or keep animals that are prawn to drought resistance. Before, I go in details explain the importanc e of why businesses that develop modified organisms should be able to preserve their property rights by patenting such organisms or why such organism should not be patentable. I would like to briefly explain the history of patenting. For over twoRead MoreA Study On Patenting Genes Of Organism1871 Words   |  8 Pagesorganism in a particular way. It may help farmers with crop cultivation and reduce crop infestation. It may also help farmers to be able to cultivated crops or keep animals that are prawn to drought resistance. Before, I go in details explain the importance of why businesses that develop modified organisms should be able to preserve their property rights by patenting such organisms or why such organism should not be patentable. I would like to briefly explain the history of patenting. For over two

The Lost Symbol Chapter 58-61 Free Essays

string(113) " the playing field was tipped so heavily in his favor that he would not even need his goggles to track his prey\." CHAPTER 58 The coyly nicknamed explosive Key4 had been developed by Special Forces specifically for opening locked doors with minimal collateral damage. Consisting primarily of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine with a diethylhexyl plasticizer, it was essentially a piece of C-4 rolled into paper-thin sheets for insertion into doorjambs. In the case of the library’s reading room, the explosive had worked perfectly. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 58-61 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Operation leader Agent Turner Simkins stepped over the wreckage of the doors and scanned the massive octagonal room for any signs of movement. Nothing. â€Å"Kill the lights,† Simkins said. A second agent found the wall panel, threw the switches, and plunged the room into darkness. In unison, all four men reached up and yanked down their night-vision headgear, adjusting the goggles over their eyes. They stood motionless, surveying the reading room, which now materialized in shades of luminescent green inside their goggles. The scene remained unchanged. Nobody made a dash for it in the dark. The fugitives were probably unarmed, and yet the field team entered the room with weapons raised. In the darkness, their firearms projected four menacing rods of laser light. The men washed the beams in all directions, across the floor, up the far walls, into the balconies, probing the darkness. Oftentimes, a mere glimpse of a laser-sighted weapon in a darkened room was enough to induce instant surrender. Apparently not tonight. Still no movement. Agent Simkins raised his hand, motioning his team into the space. Silently, the men fanned out. Moving cautiously up the center aisle, Simkins reached up and flipped a switch on his goggles, activating the newest addition to the CIA’s arsenal. Thermal imaging had been around for years, but recent advances in miniaturization, differential sensitivity, and dual-source integration had facilitated a new generation of vision enhancing equipment that gave field agents eyesight that bordered on superhuman. We see in the dark. We see through walls. And now . . . we see back in time. Thermal-imaging equipment had become so sensitive to heat differentials that it could detect not only a person’s location . . . but their previous locations. The ability to see into the past often proved the most valuable asset of all. And tonight, once again, it proved its worth. Agent Simkins now spied a thermal signature at one of the reading desks. The two wooden chairs luminesced in his goggles, registering a reddish-purple color, indicating those chairs were warmer than the other chairs in the room. The desk lamp’s bulb glowed orange. Obviously the two men had been sitting at the desk, but the question now was in which direction they had gone. He found his answer on the central counter that surrounded the large wooden console in the middle of the room. A ghostly handprint, glowing crimson. Weapon raised, Simkins moved toward the octagonal cabinet, training his laser sight across the surface. He circled until he saw an opening in the side of the console. Did they really corner themselves in a cabinet? The agent scanned the trim around the opening and saw another glowing handprint on it. Clearly someone had grabbed the doorjamb as he ducked inside the console. The time for silence was over. â€Å"Thermal signature!† Simkins shouted, pointing at the opening. â€Å"Flanks converge!† His two flanks moved in from opposite sides, effectively surrounding the octagonal console. Simkins moved toward the opening. Still ten feet away, he could see a light source within. â€Å"Light inside the console!† he shouted, hoping the sound of his voice might convince Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Langdon to exit the cabinet with their hands up. Nothing happened. Fine, we’ll do this the other way. As Simkins drew closer to the opening, he could hear an unexpected hum rumbling from within. It sounded like machinery. He paused, trying to imagine what could be making such a noise in such a small space. He inched closer, now hearing voices over the sound of machinery. Then, just as he arrived at the opening, the lights inside went out. Thank you, he thought, adjusting his night vision. Advantage, us. Standing at the threshold, he peered through the opening. What lay beyond was unexpected. The console was less of a cabinet than a raised ceiling over a steep set of stairs that descended into a room below. The agent aimed his weapon down the stairs and began descending. The hum of machinery grew louder with every step. What the hell is this place? The room beneath the reading room was a small, industrial-looking space. The hum he heard was indeed machinery, although he was not sure whether it was running because Bellamy and Langdon had activated it, or because it ran around the clock. Either way, it clearly made no difference. The fugitives had left their telltale heat signatures on the room’s lone exit–a heavy steel door whose keypad showed four clear fingerprints glowing on the numbers. Around the door, slivers of glowing orange shone beneath the doorjamb, indicating that lights were illuminated on the other side. â€Å"Blow the door,† Simkins said. â€Å"This was their escape route.† It took eight seconds to insert and detonate a sheet of Key4. When the smoke cleared, the field- team agents found themselves peering into a strange underground world known here as â€Å"the stacks.† The Library of Congress had miles and miles of bookshelves, most of them underground. The endless rows of shelves looked like some kind of â€Å"infinity† optical illusion created with mirrors. A sign announced TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT Keep this door closed at all times. Simkins pushed through the mangled doors and felt cool air beyond. He couldn’t help but smile. Could this get any easier? Heat signatures in controlled environments showed up like solar flares, and already his goggles revealed a glowing red smear on a banister up ahead, which Bellamy or Langdon had grabbed on to while running past. â€Å"You can run,† he whispered to himself, â€Å"but you can’t hide.† As Simkins and his team advanced into the maze of stacks, he realized the playing field was tipped so heavily in his favor that he would not even need his goggles to track his prey. You read "The Lost Symbol Chapter 58-61" in category "Essay examples" Under normal circumstances, this maze of stacks would have been a respectable hiding place, but the Library of Congress used motion-activated lights to save energy, and the fugitives’ escape route was now lit up like a runway. A narrow strip of illumination stretched into the distance, dodging and weaving as it went. All the men ripped off their goggles. Surging ahead on well-trained legs, the field team followed the trail of lights, zigging and zagging through a seemingly endless labyrinth of books. Soon Simkins began seeing lights flickering on in the darkness up ahead. We’re gaining. He pushed harder, faster, until he heard footsteps and labored breathing ahead. Then he saw a target. â€Å"I’ve got visual!† he yelled. The lanky form of Warren Bellamy was apparently bringing up the rear. The primly dressed African American staggered through the stacks, obviously out of breath. It’s no use, old man. â€Å"Stop right there, Mr. Bellamy!† Simkins yelled. Bellamy kept running, turning sharp corners, weaving through the rows of books. At every turn, the lights kept coming on over his head. As the team drew within twenty yards, they shouted again to stop, but Bellamy ran on. â€Å"Take him down!† Simkins commanded. The agent carrying the team’s nonlethal rifle raised it and fired. The projectile that launched down the aisle and wrapped itself around Bellamy’s legs was nicknamed Silly String, but there was nothing silly about it. A military technology invented at Sandia National Laboratories, this nonlethal â€Å"incapacitant† was a thread of gooey polyurethane that turned rock hard on contact, creating a rigid web of plastic across the back of the fugitive’s knees. The effect on a running target was that of jamming a stick into the spokes of a moving bike. The man’s legs seized midstride, and he pitched forward, crashing to the floor. Bellamy slid another ten feet down a darkened aisle before coming to a stop, the lights above him flickering unceremoniously to life. â€Å"I’ll deal with Bellamy,† Simkins shouted. â€Å"You keep going after Langdon! He must be up ahead some–† The team leader stopped, now seeing that the library stacks ahead of Bellamy were all pitch-black. Obviously, there was no one else running in front of Bellamy. He’s alone? Bellamy was still on his chest, breathing heavily, his legs and ankles all tangled with hardened plastic. The agent walked over and used his foot to roll the old man over onto his back. â€Å"Where is he?!† the agent demanded. Bellamy’s lip was bleeding from the fall. â€Å"Where is who?† Agent Simkins lifted his foot and placed his boot squarely on Bellamy’s pristine silk tie. Then he leaned in, applying some pressure. â€Å"Believe me, Mr. Bellamy, you do not want to play this game with me.† CHAPTER 59 Robert Langdon felt like a corpse. He lay supine, hands folded on his chest, in total darkness, trapped in the most confined of spaces. Although Katherine lay nearby in a similar position near his head, Langdon could not see her. He had his eyes closed to prevent himself from catching even a fleeting glimpse of his frightening predicament. The space around him was small. Very small. Sixty seconds ago, with the double doors of the reading room crashing down, he and Katherine had followed Bellamy into the octagonal console, down a steep set of stairs, and into the unexpected space below. Langdon had realized at once where they were. The heart of the library’s circulation system. Resembling a small airport baggage distribution center, the circulation room had numerous conveyor belts that angled off in different directions. Because the Library of Congress was housed in three separate buildings, books requested in the reading room often had to be transported great distances by a system of conveyors through a web of underground tunnels. Bellamy immediately crossed the room to a steel door, where he inserted his key card, typed a sequence of buttons, and pushed open the door. The space beyond was dark, but as the door opened, a span of motion-sensor lights flickered to life. When Langdon saw what lay beyond, he realized he was looking at something few people ever saw. The Library of Congress stacks. He felt encouraged by Bellamy’s plan. What better place to hide than in a giant labyrinth? Bellamy did not guide them into the stacks, however. Instead, he propped the door open with a book and turned back to face them. â€Å"I had hoped to be able to explain a lot more to you, but we have no time.† He gave Langdon his key card. â€Å"You’ll need this.† â€Å"You’re not coming with us?† Langdon asked. Bellamy shook his head. â€Å"You’ll never make it unless we split up. The most important thing is to keep that pyramid and capstone in safe hands.† Langdon saw no other way out except the stairs back up to the reading room. â€Å"And where are you going?† â€Å"I’ll coax them into the stacks away from you,† Bellamy said. â€Å"It’s all I can do to help you escape.† Before Langdon could ask where he and Katherine were supposed to go, Bellamy was heaving a large crate of books off one of the conveyors. â€Å"Lie on the belt,† Bellamy said. â€Å"Keep your hands in.† Langdon stared. You cannot be serious! The conveyor belt extended a short distance then disappeared into a dark hole in the wall. The opening looked large enough to permit passage of a crate of books, but not much more. Langdon glanced back longingly at the stacks. â€Å"Forget it,† Bellamy said. â€Å"The motion-sensor lights will make it impossible to hide.† â€Å"Thermal signature!† a voice upstairs shouted. â€Å"Flanks converge!† Katherine apparently had heard all she needed to hear. She climbed onto the conveyor belt with her head only a few feet from the opening in the wall. She crossed her hands over her chest like a mummy in a sarcophagus. Langdon stood frozen. â€Å"Robert,† Bellamy urged, â€Å"if you won’t do this for me, do it for Peter.† The voices upstairs sounded closer now. As if in a dream, Langdon moved to the conveyor. He slung his daybag onto the belt and then climbed on, placing his head at Katherine’s feet. The hard rubber conveyor felt cold against his back. He stared at the ceiling and felt like a hospital patient preparing for insertion headfirst into an MRI machine. â€Å"Keep your phone on,† Bellamy said. â€Å"Someone will call soon . . . and offer help. Trust him.† Someone will call? Langdon knew that Bellamy had been trying to reach someone with no luck and had left a message earlier. And only moments ago, as they hurried down the spiral staircase, Bellamy had tried one last time and gotten through, speaking very briefly in hushed tones and then hanging up. â€Å"Follow the conveyor to the end,† Bellamy said. â€Å"And jump off quickly before you circle back. Use my key card to get out.† â€Å"Get out of where?!† Langdon demanded. But Bellamy was already pulling levers. All the different conveyors in the room hummed to life. Langdon felt himself jolt into motion, and the ceiling began moving overhead. God save me. As Langdon approached the opening in the wall, he looked back and saw Warren Bellamy race through the doorway into the stacks, closing the door behind him. An instant later, Langdon slid into the darkness, swallowed up by the library . . . just as a glowing red laser dot came dancing down the stairs. CHAPTER 60 The underpaid female security guard from Preferred Security double-checked the Kalorama Heights address on her call sheet. This is it? The gated driveway before her belonged to one of the neighborhood’s largest and quietest estates, and so it seemed odd that 911 had just received an urgent call about it. As usual with unconfirmed call-ins, 911 had contacted the local alarm company before bothering the police. The guard often thought the alarm company’s motto–â€Å"Your first line of defense†Ã¢â‚¬â€œ could just as easily have been â€Å"False alarms, pranks, lost pets, and complaints from wacky neighbors.† Tonight, as usual, the guard had arrived with no details about the specific concern. Above my pay grade. Her job was simply to show up with her yellow bubble light spinning, assess the property, and report anything unusual. Normally, something innocuous had tripped the house alarm, and she would use her override keys to reset it. This house, however, was silent. No alarm. From the road, everything looked dark and peaceful. The guard buzzed the intercom at the gate, but got no answer. She typed her override code to open the gate and pulled into the driveway. Leaving her engine running and her bubble light spinning, she walked up to the front door and rang the bell. No answer. She saw no lights and no movement. Reluctantly following procedure, she flicked on her flashlight to begin her trek around the house to check the doors and windows for signs of break-in. As she rounded the corner, a black stretch limousine drove past the house, slowing for a moment before continuing on. Rubbernecking neighbors. Bit by bit, she made her way around the house, but saw nothing out of place. The house was bigger than she had imagined, and by the time she reached the backyard, she was shivering from the cold. Obviously there was nobody home. â€Å"Dispatch?† she called in on her radio. â€Å"I’m on the Kalorama Heights call? Owners aren’t home. No signs of trouble. Finished the perimeter check. No indication of an intruder. False alarm.† â€Å"Roger that,† the dispatcher replied. â€Å"Have a good night.† The guard put her radio back on her belt and began retracing her steps, eager to get back to the warmth of her vehicle. As she did so, however, she spotted something she had missed earlier–a tiny speck of bluish light on the back of the house. Puzzled, she walked over to it, now seeing the source–a low transom window, apparently to the home’s basement. The glass of the window had been blacked out, coated on the inside with an opaque paint. Some kind of darkroom maybe? The bluish glow she had seen was emanating through a tiny spot on the window where the black paint had started to peel. She crouched down, trying to peer through, but she couldn’t see much through the tiny opening. She tapped on the glass, wondering if maybe someone was working down there. â€Å"Hello?† she shouted. There was no answer, but as she knocked on the window, the paint chip suddenly detached and fell off, affording her a more complete view. She leaned in, nearly pressing her face to the window as she scanned the basement. Instantly, she wished she hadn’t. What in the name of God?! Transfixed, she remained crouched there for a moment, staring in abject horror at the scene before her. Finally, trembling, the guard groped for the radio on her belt. She never found it. A sizzling pair of Taser prongs slammed into the back of her neck, and a searing pain shot through her body. Her muscles seized, and she pitched forward, unable even to close her eyes before her face hit the cold ground. CHAPTER 61 Tonight was not the first time Warren Bellamy had been blindfolded. Like all of his Masonic brothers, he had worn the ritual â€Å"hoodwink† during his ascent to the upper echelons of Masonry. That, however, had taken place among trusted friends. Tonight was different. These rough- handed men had bound him, placed a bag on his head, and were now marching him through the library stacks. The agents had physically threatened Bellamy and demanded to know the whereabouts of Robert Langdon. Knowing his aging body couldn’t take much punishment, Bellamy had told his lie quickly. â€Å"Langdon never came down here with me!† he had said, gasping for air. â€Å"I told him to go up to the balcony and hide behind the Moses statue, but I don’t know where he is now!† The story apparently had been convincing, because two of the agents had run off in pursuit. Now the remaining two agents were marching him in silence through the stacks. Bellamy’s only solace was in knowing Langdon and Katherine were whisking the pyramid off to safety. Soon Langdon would be contacted by a man who could offer sanctuary. Trust him. The man Bellamy had called knew a great deal about the Masonic Pyramid and the secret it held–the location of a hidden spiral staircase that led down into the earth to the hiding place of potent ancient wisdom buried long ago. Bellamy had finally gotten through to the man as they were escaping the reading room, and he felt confident that his short message would be understood perfectly. Now, as he moved in total darkness, Bellamy pictured the stone pyramid and golden capstone in Langdon’s bag. It has been many years since those two pieces were in the same room. Bellamy would never forget that painful night. The first of many for Peter. Bellamy had been asked to come to the Solomon estate in Potomac for Zachary Solomon’s eighteenth birthday. Zachary, despite being a rebellious child, was a Solomon, which meant tonight, following family tradition, he would receive his inheritance. Bellamy was one of Peter’s dearest friends and a trusted Masonic brother, and therefore was asked to attend as a witness. But it was not only the transference of money that Bellamy had been asked to witness. There was far more than money at stake tonight. Bellamy had arrived early and waited, as requested, in Peter’s private study. The wonderful old room smelled of leather, wood fires, and loose-leaf tea. Warren was seated when Peter led his son, Zachary, into the room. When the scrawny eighteen-year-old saw Bellamy, he frowned. â€Å"What are you doing here?† â€Å"Bearing witness,† Bellamy offered. â€Å"Happy birthday, Zachary.† The boy mumbled and looked away. â€Å"Sit down, Zach,† Peter said. Zachary sat in the solitary chair facing his father’s huge wooden desk. Solomon bolted the study door. Bellamy took a seat off to one side. Solomon addressed Zachary in a serious tone. â€Å"Do you know why you’re here?† â€Å"I think so,† Zachary said. Solomon sighed deeply. â€Å"I know you and I have not seen eye to eye for quite some time, Zach. I’ve done my best to be a good father and to prepare you for this moment.† Zachary said nothing. â€Å"As you know, every Solomon child, upon reaching adulthood, is presented with his or her birthright–a share of the Solomon fortune–which is intended to be a seed . . . a seed for you to nurture, make grow, and use to help nourish mankind.† Solomon walked to a vault in the wall, unlocked it, and removed a large black folder. â€Å"Son, this portfolio contains everything you need to legally transfer your financial inheritance into your own name.† He laid it on the desk. â€Å"The aim is that you use this money to build a life of productivity, prosperity, and philanthropy.† Zachary reached for the folder. â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"Hold on,† his father said, putting his hand on the portfolio. â€Å"There’s something else I need to explain.† Zachary shot his father a contemptuous look and slumped back down. â€Å"There are aspects of the Solomon inheritance of which you are not yet aware.† His father was staring straight into Zachary’s eyes now. â€Å"You are my firstborn, Zachary, which means you are entitled to a choice.† The teenager sat up, looking intrigued. â€Å"It is a choice that may well determine the direction of your future, and so I urge you to ponder it carefully.† â€Å"What choice?† His father took a deep breath. â€Å"It is the choice . . . between wealth or wisdom.† Zachary gave him a blank stare. â€Å"Wealth or wisdom? I don’t get it.† Solomon stood, walking again to the vault, where he pulled out a heavy stone pyramid with Masonic symbols carved into it. Peter heaved the stone onto the desk beside the portfolio. â€Å"This pyramid was created long ago and has been entrusted to our family for generations.† â€Å"A pyramid?† Zachary didn’t look very excited. â€Å"Son, this pyramid is a map . . . a map that reveals the location of one of humankind’s greatest lost treasures. This map was created so that the treasure could one day be rediscovered.† Peter’s voice swelled now with pride. â€Å"And tonight, following tradition, I am able to offer it to you . . . under certain conditions.† Zachary eyed the pyramid suspiciously. â€Å"What’s the treasure?† Bellamy could tell that this coarse question was not what Peter had hoped for. Nonetheless, his demeanor remained steady. â€Å"Zachary, it’s hard to explain without a lot of background. But this treasure . . . in essence . . . is something we call the Ancient Mysteries.† Zachary laughed, apparently thinking his father was joking. Bellamy could see the melancholy growing now in Peter’s eyes. â€Å"This is very difficult for me to describe, Zach. Traditionally, by the time a Solomon is eighteen years of age, he is about to embark on his years of higher education in–â€Å" â€Å"I told you!† Zachary fired back. â€Å"I’m not interested in college!† â€Å"I don’t mean college,† his father said, his voice still calm and quiet. â€Å"I’m talking about the brotherhood of Freemasonry. I’m talking about an education in the enduring mysteries of human science. If you had plans to join me within their ranks, you would be on the verge of receiving the education necessary to understand the importance of your decision tonight.† Zachary rolled his eyes. â€Å"Spare me the Masonic lecture again. I know I’m the first Solomon who doesn’t want to join. But so what? Don’t you get it? I have no interest in playing dress-up with a bunch of old men!† His father was silent for a long time, and Bellamy noticed the fine age lines that had started to appear around Peter’s still-youthful eyes. â€Å"Yes, I get it,† Peter finally said. â€Å"Times are different now. I understand that Masonry probably appears strange to you, or maybe even boring. But I want you to know, that doorway will always be open for you should you change your mind.† â€Å"Don’t hold your breath,† Zach grumbled. â€Å"That’s enough!† Peter snapped, standing up. â€Å"I realize life has been a struggle for you, Zachary, but I am not your only guidepost. There are good men waiting for you, men who will welcome you within the Masonic fold and show you your true potential.† Zachary chuckled and glanced over at Bellamy. â€Å"Is that why you’re here, Mr. Bellamy? So you Masons can gang up on me?† Bellamy said nothing, instead directing a respectful gaze back at Peter Solomon–a reminder to Zachary of who held the power in this room. Zachary turned back to his father. â€Å"Zach,† Peter said, â€Å"we’re getting nowhere . . . so let me just tell you this. Whether or not you comprehend the responsibility being offered to you tonight, it is my family obligation to present it.† He motioned to the pyramid. â€Å"It is a rare privilege to guard this pyramid. I urge you to consider this opportunity for a few days before making your decision.† â€Å"Opportunity?† Zachary said. â€Å"Babysitting a rock?† â€Å"There are great mysteries in this world, Zach,† Peter said with a sigh. â€Å"Secrets that transcend your wildest imagination. This pyramid protects those secrets. And even more important, there will come a time, probably within your lifetime, when this pyramid will at last be deciphered and its secrets unearthed. It will be a moment of great human transformation . . . and you have a chance to play a role in that moment. I want you to consider it very carefully. Wealth is commonplace, but wisdom is rare.† He motioned to the portfolio and then to the pyramid. â€Å"I beg you to remember that wealth without wisdom can often end in disaster.† Zachary looked like he thought his father was insane. â€Å"Whatever you say, Dad, but there’s no way I’m giving up my inheritance for this.† He gestured to the pyramid. Peter folded his hands before him. â€Å"If you choose to accept the responsibility, I will hold your money and the pyramid for you until you have successfully completed your education within the Masons. This will take years, but you will emerge with the maturity to receive both your money and this pyramid. Wealth and wisdom. A potent combination.† Zachary shot up. â€Å"Jesus, Dad! You don’t give up, do you? Can’t you see that I don’t give a damn about the Masons or stone pyramids and ancient mysteries?† He reached down and scooped up the black portfolio, waving it in front of his father’s face. â€Å"This is my birthright! The same birthright of the Solomons who came before me! I can’t believe you’d try to trick me out of my inheritance with lame stories about ancient treasure maps!† He tucked the portfolio under his arm and marched past Bellamy to the study’s patio door. â€Å"Zachary, wait!† His father rushed after him as Zachary stalked out into the night. â€Å"Whatever you do, you can never speak of the pyramid you have seen!† Peter Solomon’s voice cracked. â€Å"Not to anyone! Ever!† But Zachary ignored him, disappearing into the night. Peter Solomon’s gray eyes were filled with pain as he returned to his desk and sat heavily in his leather chair. After a long silence, he looked up at Bellamy and forced a sad smile. â€Å"That went well.† Bellamy sighed, sharing in Solomon’s pain. â€Å"Peter, I don’t mean to sound insensitive . . . but . . . do you trust him?† Solomon stared blankly into space. â€Å"I mean . . .† Bellamy pressed, â€Å"not to say anything about the pyramid?† Solomon’s face was blank. â€Å"I really don’t know what to say, Warren. I’m not sure I even know him anymore.† Bellamy rose and walked slowly back and forth before the large desk. â€Å"Peter, you have followed your family duty, but now, considering what just happened, I think we need to take precautions. I should return the capstone to you so you can find a new home for it. Someone else should watch over it.† â€Å"Why?† Solomon asked. â€Å"If Zachary tells anyone about the pyramid . . . and mentions my being present tonight . . .† â€Å"He knows nothing of the capstone, and he’s too immature to know the pyramid has any significance. We don’t need a new home for it. I’ll keep the pyramid in my vault. And you will keep the capstone wherever you keep it. As we always have.† It was six years later, on Christmas Day, with the family still healing from Zachary’s death, that the enormous man claiming to have killed him in prison broke into the Solomon estate. The intruder had come for the pyramid, but he had taken with him only Isabel Solomon’s life. Days later, Peter summoned Bellamy to his office. He locked the door and took the pyramid out of his vault, setting it on the desk between them. â€Å"I should have listened to you.† Bellamy knew Peter was racked with guilt over this. â€Å"It wouldn’t have mattered.† Solomon drew a tired breath. â€Å"Did you bring the capstone?† Bellamy pulled a small cube-shaped package from his pocket. The faded brown paper was tied with twine and bore a wax seal of Solomon’s ring. Bellamy laid the package on the desk, knowing the two halves of the Masonic Pyramid were closer together tonight than they should be. â€Å"Find someone else to watch this. Don’t tell me who it is.† Solomon nodded. â€Å"And I know where you can hide the pyramid,† Bellamy said. He told Solomon about the Capitol Building subbasement. â€Å"There’s no place in Washington more secure.† Bellamy recalled Solomon liking the idea right away because it felt symbolically apt to hide the pyramid in the symbolic heart of our nation. Typical Solomon, Bellamy had thought. The idealist even in a crisis. Now, ten years later, as Bellamy was being shoved blindly through the Library of Congress, he knew the crisis tonight was far from over. He also now knew whom Solomon had chosen to guard the capstone . . . and he prayed to God that Robert Langdon was up to the job. How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 58-61, Essay examples

Concept of Distance in International Management

Question: Discuss about the Concept of Distance in International Management. Answer: Introduction The case study provided for the analysis revealed a lot of information regarding the cultural differences between the Indonesian markets and the markets in Australia and New Zealand. The case study described the irony of the countries to be geographically close to each other and still being miles apart in terms of their cultures, in a clear and effective way. The major intention of the case study was to describe the challenges present in the process of an organization from Australia or New Zealand expanding its operation into the Indonesian markets. This report takes the analysis further by analyzing the cultural difference between the countries, role of women in the target markets and the possible entry strategies of various businesses into the Indonesian markets (Griffin, 2012). Cultural differences The cultural differences between the countries are a significant factor affecting the effectiveness and performance of the organization. This section of the report analyzes the differences between the cultures of Indonesia and Australia. Trompenaars cultural dimensions There are a number of tools and models available to allow the organization to tackle the issue of the differences between the culture of the target market and the home county. Trompenaars cultural dimensions are such a culture model developed by Fons Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner, which defines the cultural differences between two countries based on the below dimensions (Raj, 2015). Universalism versus Particularism This dimension defines the differences between the culture of Australia and Indonesia based on the relative importance provided to the rules, obligations, values, standards and laws over personal relations and circumstance. The culture in Australia contains high value of universalism, which allows a set of rules, laws or standards to be applied in any practical scenarios irrespective of the circumstances. But in case of the culture in Indonesia, the value of particularism is high, which allows more values to be provided to the circumstance along with the personal relations than the rules and regulations (Kohler, 2014). Neutral versus emotional This dimension defines the way people behave in the corresponding country according to their inner feelings. Australia is a country with an emotional culture, where people show their inner feelings on their faces, may it be anger, sadness or happiness. Indonesia is a country which is known to have a culture of keeping the inner feelings in a check. So people in the Indonesian culture dont show anger or sadness on their face, but try to maintain a joyful smile on their faces (DellApa, 2014). Specific versus diffuse This dimension defines the way people perceive the connection between work and personal relations. Australia has a specific culture which allows the people to keep their work and personal lives separate. Although good relationships in the workplace are recommended, Australians believe the role of personal relationships arent very high for the achievement of business objectives. Whereas the Indonesian culture provides personal relationship a lot of value in the workplace as well. Achievement versus ascription The Australian culture is more focused on the achievements of an individual to define who he or she is. But in case of the Indonesian culture, the value of ascription weighs more than achievement, where an individual in society or workplace is defined by who he or she is, not on the basis of his or her achievements (McFarlin, 2014). Sequential versus synchronous time This dimension of the culture of a country defines how people in the corresponding country manage time. People in Australian culture prefer to do things sequentially in the scheduled plan, which in turn causes the people to be punctual and time-bound in professional life. But the culture of Indonesia allows the people to be lenient towards the schedule and timeline (Chhokar, 2013). Internal direction versus outer direction The internal direction culture allows the people to be more confident on their capabilities to change their nature and environment to achieve their goals, which is commonly the belief of the Australians. But in case of the Indonesian culture, people are directed outward and believe that they have to compromise with their surrounding and environment to survive in the world (Ferraro, 2015). GLOBE leadership style The GLOBE project for the leadership styles defines a number of dimensions, which can describe the leadership style generally implemented in various geographical locations or clusters. Performance orientation Generally, the leadership in Australian culture focuses on the performance of the individuals. But in case of the Indonesian culture, the leadership is more lenient towards performance of the individuals and put more values in the personal relationships. Assertiveness orientation The leadership practices in Australia are more confrontational and aggressive in terms of showing the emotions in the workplace. But in case of the Indonesian culture, the leadership in the workplace is more oriented towards assertive behavior, which allows leaders to avoid confrontation and conflicts (Dahles, 2013). Future orientation The Australian work culture is much more future oriented in comparison to the work culture of Indonesia. The leaders in Australian workplaces put a lot of effort and resources into planning and developing strategies along with delaying the sense of satisfaction. But in case of Indonesian work culture, the leaders put more value to early gratification with lenient mentality towards planning and strategizing (Tietze, 2013). Human orientation The work culture in Australian is oriented more towards the business objectives and professional goals than the human relationships. The aim to achieve the professional goals are given much more values to the development of personal relationships in Australian work culture. But in case of Indonesian work culture, the value of human relations are much more than achievements and business objectives (Chhokar, 2013). Gender egalitarianism The presence of gender equality is higher in the Australian work culture in comparison to the Indonesian work culture. Women take equal positions and roles in various Australian workplaces and there is virtually to inequalities between different genders in the Australian markets. The Indonesian work culture has grown a lot in the past few decades to decrease the gender inequalities. Currently the educated women in the urban regions take equal rights in the workplaces across various countries (Ambos, 2014). Australian beef industry exporting to Indonesia The Australian beef industry can expand its operations into the Indonesian markets by exporting livestock to the corresponding markets. This section of the report focuses on the entry strategies for the corresponding industry for the Indonesian markets along with the possible challenges for the same. Entry strategy The entry strategy of the Australian beef industry should focus on the quality, delivery time and costs of the livestock exported into the Indonesia. The Australian beef industry should put extra effort to market the high quality of the livestock being exported into Indonesia. An Indonesian law enforces the import of the livestock only from the countries having the disease-free status from the World Organization for Animal Health. Australia currently holds the corresponding status and can market the same to increase the value of the livestock being exported to Indonesia. Another factor to be focused in the entry strategy of the Australian beef industry is the delivery time of the livestock. The livestock can be delivered to the Indonesian markets within hours and days, instead of weeks required by other exporters. This should be marketed by the Australian beef industry to attract more customers. The Australian beef industry can ensure that the costs for the livestock to be exported t o the Indonesian markets are fair enough to attract more number of orders. The competitive pricing strategy of the Australian beef industry will allow significant increase of the livestock export to the Indonesian markets due to the optimum balance of price and high quality of the products being exported (Kahn, 2014). Challenges There are a number of challenges for the expansion of the Australian beef industry into the Indonesian markets, some of which are mentioned in this section of the report. Recent changes to the Indonesian law restricting import of various livestock from the countries having different areas with the diseased animals, allows the Indonesian markets to import the animals from disease-free zones of a country not having the disease-free status for the entire country. This in turn allows a number of competitors of the Australian beef industry, like India to be introduced in the mix, which in turn increase the competition for achieving the organizational objectives (Gleeson, 2012). The low costs of the livestock from other countries like India is another challenge for the Australian beef industry expanding into the Indonesian markets. The livestock being exported from Australia are generally priced higher due to the high quality, which in turn allows the Indonesian markets to find other cheaper options (Sun, 2012). The differences in the culture of Australia and Indonesia is another challenge for the expansion of the Australian beef industry into the Indonesian markets. The cultural differences between the two countries affect the business communications and operations negatively, which could lead to the failure of the expansion of the Australian beef industry (Kitley, 2014). These challenges can be managed by the Australian beef industry in an efficient manner by proper analysis and monitoring, which in turn leads to the effective expansion of the industry into the Indonesian markets. Role of women This section of the report focuses on the role of women in the Indonesian societies and their effects on the international human resource management of the organizations expanding to the Indonesian markets. Role of women in the Indonesian societies Indonesia is a country which has recently developed a lot in the recent decades in terms of women empowerment. The gender differences in the educational system has gone down a lot in the urban Indonesian regions and have decreased quite in the other regions of the country. The presence of women in the workplace of various industries has also gone up both in terms of the numbers and the equality in the rights, responsibilities and positions. More than 85% of the tertiary-educated women in the urban Indonesian regions have work as their primary activity. The work culture in the country has changed significantly to consider the women of the country to be reliable for bestowing the business responsibilities. The average age of marriage in the urban Indonesian regions has also gone up, which suggests the changes in the preference of the women to work instead of getting married at an early age. This in turn allows the women to have high aspirations and objectives in their professional live s. This allows the women in the workplaces of various industries in Indonesia to be more motivated to achieve their aims and objectives. The gender gap in the tertiary education system in the country has also decreased significantly in the recent past, which has led to the increase of the gender equality in the service industry. Women are not considered to only be inside the homes anymore and the lifestyle of having two earnings in a household is getting more demand in the current societies across the country (Ball, 2012). Effects on Australian companies IHRM The international human resource management process of an organization can be defined as the set of business processes which ensure optimal usage and effective management of the human resources available to the organization in the international locations. The Australian organizations planning to expand their business into Indonesian markets should analyze various effects on the international human resource management process before the business expansion (Koning, 2013). One of the factors that can potentially affect the international human resource management process of the Australian organizations in the Indonesian markets is the presence of female employees in the workplace and the role of women in the Indonesian societies (Harris, 2012). As mentioned earlier, Indonesian societies have developed a significant amount in terms of women empowerment in the last few decades. This in turn has allowed a revolution of women empowerment and engagement to be started across the urban locations of the country. Women have started getting equal rights, positions and responsibilities in the workplaces and educational systems. This in turn has allowed the women in the societies across the country to have more opportunities to achieve their goals and objectives. But a number of rural or less developed regions across the regions havent seen a lot of changes in terms of women empowerment. This in turn affects the international human resource management processes of the Australian organizations in Indonesia, who employs women in various positions in the workplace. Some of these changes or effects on the IHRM processes are mentioned in this section of the report (Nasir, 2016). The Australian organizations should ensure to have specific business guidelines to support the women empowerment revolution going in the country. So the management of the organization should give close monitoring and high amount of effort into ensuring the presence of gender inequalities in the workplace. The Australian organizations operating in the Indonesian markets should also ensure to provide attractive employment options to the women present in the corresponding societies to achieve both their organization objectives and corporate social responsibilities (Riany, 2016). The IHRM processes should also ensure the presence of stricter grievance and complaints facilities available for any kind of discrimination done to the female employees in the workplace based on gender. This allows the management of the Australian organizations to enforce gender inequalities in their workplaces in Indonesia (Munandar, 2014). These changes in the international human resource management processes of the Australian organization operating in the Indonesian markets allow the organization to have successful HRM strategy and successful international business expansion. The changes in the IHRM processes also allows the Australian organizations to get support from the regulations and government of Indonesia in terms of maintaining gender inequality in the workplace. References Ambos, B. and Hkanson, L., 2014. The concept of distance in international management research. Journal of International Management, 20(1), pp.1-7. Ball, D., Geringer, M., Minor, M. and McNett, J., 2012. International business. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Chhokar, J.S., Brodbeck, F.C. and House, R.J. eds., 2013. Culture and leadership across the world: The GLOBE book of in-depth studies of 25 societies. Routledge. Dahles, H., 2013. Tourism, heritage and national culture in Java: Dilemmas of a local community. Routledge. DellApa, A., Smith, M.C. and Kaneshiro-Pineiro, M.Y., 2014. The influence of culture on the international management of shark finning. Environmental management, 54(2), pp.151-161. Ferraro, G. and Brody, E.K., 2015. Cultural Dimension of Global Business. Routledge. Gleeson, T., Martin, P. and Mifsud, C., 2012, May. Northern Australian beef industry: assessment of risks and opportunities. In ABARES report to client prepared for the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum, Canberra. Griffin, R.W. and Pustay, M.W., 2012. International business. Pearson Higher Ed. Harris, M.M. ed., 2012. Handbook of research in international human resource management. Psychology Press. Kahn, L., 2014. Beef Cattle Production and Trade. CSIRO Publishing. Kitley, P., 2014. Television, nation, and culture in Indonesia. Ohio University Press. Kohler, M., 2014. Indonesian in the Australian Curriculum. Babel (00053503), 48. Koning, J., Nolten, M., Rodenburg, J. and Saptari, R., 2013. Women and households in Indonesia: cultural notions and social practices. Routledge. McFarlin, D. and Sweeney, P.D., 2014. International Management: Strategic Opportunities Cultural Challenges. Routledge. Nasir, R., Al-Rasyid, H. and Jumiati, S.S., 2016. Education based cultural in globalization era: case the Indonesian context. The Contribution of Education Institution to ASEAN Economic Community, p.121. Munandar, A.S., 2014. 5 Culture and management in Indonesia. Culture and Management in Asia, p.82. Raj, R. and Griffin, K.A. eds., 2015. Religious tourism and pilgrimage management: An international perspective. CABI. Riany, Y.E., Meredith, P. and Cuskelly, M., 2016. Understanding the Influence of Traditional Cultural Values on Indonesian Parenting. Marriage Family Review, pp.1-20. Sun, D., 2012. Systems approaches towards enhancing continuous improvement and innovation in the Australian beef industry. Tietze, S., 2013. International management and language. Routledge.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Confucianism and Chinese families

Question: Describe about the Report on Confucianism and Chinese families? Answer: I have chosen the topic of Confucianism for my assignment because it somewhat is based on religion. I am a very religious person and choose the said topic so that I can highlight my views and ideas about the said topic and acquire the knowledge that others contain in the said matter. According to me, Confucianism is another term for ideas and philosophies that are based on religion. It is a study of ethics, principles and ideas taught by Confucius who was an Chinese Philosopher who suggested that love, humanity and compassion are the core ingredients which need to be present in an individuals thoughts. I received knowledge and interest in Confucianism when my friends father who worked in China for several years and acquired great knowledge and help from following Confucianism introduced the theory to me. He told me how this theory has helped him survive very critical years of his life in China and the benefits of following the ideology in ones life (Huang, Grace Hui-Chen and Mary Gov e). After my encounter with his suggested idea of Confucianism, I experience that my idea about many aspects in life have changed when I applied my mind in applying the said theory which suggested a simple thing to have love and companion in ones thoughts. I felt more at peace and everyone around me started appreciating the fact that I have become a calmer and a more sorted individual who led to many academic successes and one primary reason for this success was that I looked at everyone from the same outlook. I realized after following the said ideology for several months that my idea for success, peace and justice has changed radically making me a more honest, peaceful and a calmer individual. As I decided to further research about Confucius, the only question I have is that what must have made the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius come with such a simple and relaxed ideology which have multiple advantages and its a planned success road to prosperity. I would love to extend my research to many of this other ideologies, which will have similar results in my opinion. Another question I have in mind, which is unanswered, is about the life of this Chinese philosophy, which is unknown to all. I would love to find out how the said philosophy developed the theory and what was the reason that inspired the introduction of Confucianism in the world (Li Chenyang). My friends father has helped me a lot in my research work, as he was the one who introduced me to the ideology of Confucianism in the first place. His stay in China, where the said ideology is followed primarily has helped me develop my own personal ideas and reviews, which were very different before I was introduced to the said ideology. As this ideology is based from Asia, my few Asian friends have also guided me about the same and their knowledge about Confucianism has benefited me in my research work to a great extend. Reference List Huang, Grace Hui-Chen, and Mary Gove. "Confucianism and Chinese families: Values and practices in education."International Journal of Humanities and Social Science2.3 (2012): 10-14. Li, Chenyang. "Equality and inequality in Confucianism."Dao11.3 (2012): 295-313.