International Human Resource Management in Japanese Firms Essay

During the 1980s, commentators and researchers of almost every stripe witnessed what was invariably seen as a miracle: the juggernaut Japanese economy. It seemed a perfect system, with all cylinders-from the political coordination of the economy through industrial structure and interfirm interactions to human resources management practices and cooperative relationships on the shop floor–clicking at high, flawless speed. In the mindset of the time, one question quickly followed: How could the American economic system, with all its contrasting warts and imperfections, hope to compete against this titan? Now, little more than a decade later, that sighting of a miracle has been downgraded rather substantially. In the words of a Fortune analyst (Powell, 2002), â€Å"Being compared to Japan these days, economically speaking, is about as low as it gets† (p. 91). The reasons for this decline are varied but include many of the same factors that supposedly accounted for its ascendance. Now, Keeley pulls back the curtain even more, exposing a system seemingly trapped in neutral. Keeley, a Westerner fluent in Japanese and professor in international management at Sangyo University in Japan, is well positioned to reveal the inner workings of the Japanese corporation, particularly its international human resources management (IHRM) practices, without the infatuation that marked many of the earlier reports. The inescapable conclusion from this volume: These practices create almost insurmountable competitive disadvantages. In addition, Keeley provides a deep look at the tenets of Japanese culture, the management and personnel practices tied to that culture, and the resulting business practices and organizational dynamics that characterize the modern Japanese corporation. In the process, he also offers up a compelling argument for diversity, not simply as an affirmative action accounting of staffing, but rather as a mindset of inclusion and involvement. For all those who read about the Japanese miracle of the 1980s, this book is an important corrective and should go on your reading list. It can also be recommended to anyone interested in the cross-cultural application or transfer of management or human resources practices, or organizational behavior in a global environment. Keeley launches his analysis with the observation that â€Å"the greatest challenge Japanese companies face in expanding their foreign direct investment is how to integrate host country national (HCN) managers into the management process of their oversees subsidiaries as well as that of the parent companies themselves† (p. ). The reasons why such integration is important are clear and simple: competitive advantage in a global economy requires that a multinational company (MNC) be able to tap the talents of local HCN managers; to do this, the MNC must be able attract, retain, and develop talented HCN managers. Absent this, the MNC will forfeit local expertise as well as violate host country antidiscrimination laws, something for which Japanese MNCs have a certain notoriety. More specifically, Keeley argues, the IHRM practices of Japanese MNCs are their Achilles heel, and this is due to the fact that â€Å"the Japanese system of management is so culture dependent that it is difficult to incorporate nonJapanese into the system, making internationalization of their organizations problematic. † (p. 9) This theme is examined more fully in Chapter 2, looking at the issues of cross-culture management and the importance of national culture on organizational dynamics. For example, using Hofstede’s (1991) national cultures variables, it is the work group-not the individual-that is the foundation of the Japanese organization. Japanese management techniques, such as lifetime employment, consensual decision making, and rewarding group members equally, are built upon the group. In Chapter 3, Keeley examines the three HRM practices that characterize the larger, global Japanese MNC: lifetime employment, a senioritybased wage system, and company-dominated unions. He also discusses the unique leadership role played by the personnel department. It is in this context that he reviews other distinctive features, like the long work hours of Japanese managers and the after-hours workgroup socializing that follows. Contending that this practice is essential to Japanese management, it is not common elsewhere, and Japanese managers find it difficult to manage without it. In this chapter, Keeley also does a good job reviewing the key traits of Japanese culture that so affect their HRM practices, including: strong ethnocentrism; an emphasis on the responsibilities of a (corporate) â€Å"household† (like paternalistic familism); harmony and loyalty in the context of vertically defined relationships; and the rigid separation of public face from private, personal feelings. Keeley also discusses how educational institutions are used as recruiting sources for corporate staffing. Although aspects of his review of Japanese culture, history, and institutions may be familiar to some, the coverage of Japanese IHRM practices in Chapter 4 is probably not. According to Keeley, Japanese firms were slow to move into investing in foreign sites and facilities, and it was not until the 1990s that Japan became a major foreign investor. Even so, only 8% of its manufacturing capacity was moved off shore, relatively small compared to the 17% for U. S. and 20% for German firms. On a continuum of IHRM practices, ranging from ethnocentric operations at one end to fully open and integrated global operations at the other, most Japanese firms would be classified as ethnocentric. Further, management positions in Japanese subsidiaries are invariably filled by native Japanese. Over the last 30 years or so, Japanese firms have consistently employed three to four times as many parent country nationals (PCNs) in manager jobs as have U. S. or European subsidiaries. Ethnocentric IHRM practices are also found in such other conditions as lack of local decision-making autonomy, demands for selecting and training PCN managers, substantial communication problems between PCN and HCN managers in Japanese subsidiaries, and even the pariah treatment that repatriating PCN managers experience when returned to Japan. In Chapter 5, Keeley continues his close and critical look at the interactions between culture and organizational behavior by examining communication and decision-making practices. This analysis is supported by the findings of his survey of Japanese subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia in 1994 and 1996, as presented in Chapter 6. In the final chapter, Keeley draws out the implications of his analysis. HCN managers play a limited role in the management of local subsidiaries, with most decisions made at headquarters in Japan and communicated directly to the Japanese managers on site without local HCN manager involvement. These conditions make working for a Japanese subsidiary unattractive to many ambitious HCN managers, putting Japanese firms at a relative competitive disadvantage in the labor market. More generally, Japanese management practices are difficult to transfer to foreign operations and indeed may actually impede efficient and effective local operations. Both Japanese culture and their business operations create formidable barriers to effective integration. In short, Japanese MNCs seem tuck in an ethnocentric mode of operation that virtually dooms them to long-term mediocrity in the global economy. Keeley concludes that in order for them to succeed in a global economy, Japanese companies must transcend their ethnocentric attitudes and IHRM policies and practices and look at diversity, not as a defeat, but as a strength. Although some firms have recently begun to acknowledge this, most show little interest. International Human Resource Management offers an abundance of information and insight into the global HR operations of Japanese firms. In addition, it also provides an intriguing, more general assessment of the challenges involved in managing cross-culturally and the importance of effective diversity management. The book is well written. The frequent use of acronyms, like HCN and PCN, eventually becomes easy to follow. Though I found Chapter 6 on the author’s own research somewhat anticlimatic, all in all this is a fascinating tour book and is recommended without hesitation.

Human Essay

I find it is amazing how human is the only being ( by means of being able to be observed by common senses ) as the only independent object by which is not subjected , or bounded to , any limiting factors (except by the factor of capability of human itself ). If we are to study , why human are able to think independently , we go to the brain. Now, when you study the brain and view it from a philosophy spectrum, you will see that the brain is simply a bunch of chemicals ( in fact, everything is chemicals ) that collaborates together and form a very sophisticated and complicated active mechanism of maneuvering and solving variables of countless many ( think of it like this , you mix in a mixture of chemicals ( such as H(2)O,CO(2) and all kinds of other chemical component of the brain) , and find that the mixed chemicals are capable of thinking! ). As quoted from Oliver Sachs from the TED Talk ( forgive me if I’m mistaken),†Information in the form of energy , streams in simultaneously through all of our sensory systems , and then it explodes into this collaborative collage ( the collage here are used to signified the greatness of our brain , being each of the brain cell ability to think )†. Now , our brain has two very opposing parts , the passive and the active group. This two groups are very different in a manner such that it can even contradicts itself , although it being in a single organ in our body which is weird. That is the power of decision. We make decision in our daily life and in fact , every things make decision , even in the atomic level ( the attracting and discharge of electron itself by atoms is decision). But what makes us different from other things are that we are able to make decision even beyond the passive limitation ). For example , when you are running you will eventually gets tired. When you are tired , your passive group of brain make decisions to increase heartbeat and increase breathing process rate , and provide your active group of brain a decision to stop running (since running is an active process). You have now 2 options, firstly you agreed with the passive brain to stop running and get a rest. Secondly , you could countinue running and eventually dies. Now here’s the thing , the main objective of living thing is to , survive and dying is not a very good choice if you want to survive , but you , as a living thing , an independant living things has actually broke the very purpose of being a living thing (the fact that very aim of living things is to survive also intrigues me , how can a bunch of collaborative chemicals wants to live , to survive ). Unlike plants for example , they are subjected to boundaries or laws. For example , when they require sunlight and water , it will grow shoot and root respectively. They are unable to overcome this limitation of â€Å"thinking† because they are not independant , unlike we human. More amazingly, with this power of decision we are able to compute a very complicated mathemical problems , mechanical problems , and overcome flaws. Although that was a very bad example of decision but the point here is that we have the power to actually do something beyond the horizon and boundaries of passiveness. We human has this miracelous gift of being able to think actively. With this capability , we can do something good, or something bad. And it is for us to decide. Is it with this capability , that divide humans into levels of intelectuality and quality, it is this capability that can shape a single human capable of transforming and nourishing the whole entity of universe and when ignored , the most simpleton of blockhead, bonehead, dumbass, dunce, dunderhead, hammerhead, knucklehead, loggerhead, lunkhead, muttonhead, numskull kind of human.

Beauty and the Beast

We have discussed before a question whether art necessarily has to improve us morally and concluded that not all art has moral impact, or is morally relevant. But think about the following questions, please explain each in detail: 1) Is a work with a moral message a better work because of this, than the work without any moral relevance?I believe that on general terms a work is better with a moral message than without one, meaning that its having a moral message is not the only measure of a work of art but that it is better because it reflects a consciousness, a responsibility on the part of the artist, of trying to make a statement, of sharing his stand to all the eyes that will look at the art work. An artist will eventually die, a work of art has more chances of surviving through the years, and it will be his testament.If it will survive then it would be better if it can show the coming generations a grain of truth on the human condition. 2) Could an immoral work be praised as arti stically successful? Personally I do not believe that an immoral work could be praised as artistically successful. Should art have no meaning but simply satisfy aesthetic taste? Could we look past the effect of a work of art and just choose to look at aspects of it and not its wholeness including the statement it makes?An immoral work goes against the goodness that we recognize as beautiful – and in this it seems that human nature is innately good, as we associate what is good with what is beautiful. It is only when we disassociate with what our emotions and our instinct tells us that we take a calculating look and examine a work based on rigid standards. 3) Are goodness and beauty in any way related in real life? I believe that in goodness we see beauty, but not all things beautiful truly have goodness.We know of beautiful faces but have evil hearts, but we also know of good hearts but may not come in what society brands as beautiful. However, when there is goodness in heart and spirit, we feel safe and good about ourselves and others as well, and we see the beauty in things. After all, all things have beauty and goodness in the – as long as we look for it – and what is good is the beautiful in them.

Reflective Pieces Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Reflective Pieces - Essay Example The personal requirements as a leader that effective delegation will help me meet are well articulated in the first reflective piece. The second reflective piece entails if I am a transactional/transformational leader with an exposition of the various ways my leadership skills and behaviors makes me believe I am a transformational leader. The part provides the characteristics I possess regarding leadership and relates them to transformational leadership styles to back the belief that I am a transformational leader. The third reflective piece is an exposition of my problem-solving abilities where I provide a step by step review of the manner in which I solve problems. Information gathering for decision-making is one of the challenges in my problem-solving since I tend to seek complete information to solve problems that in reality may not be possible and time-consuming to make fast, reliable, intuitive decisions.According to Magee (2015, 150), delegation is an art and science that has to be developed to be effective, and leaders should aim at achieving efficient delegation. The leadership skill I would like to develop is the ability to delegate effectively since I realized the many benefits that can be accrued by a leader and the organization from the effective delegation of duties. According to Prive (December 19, 2012. Par. 4), delegation allows a leader to develop trust and share the vision with the team offering the chance for achievement and progress, which I believe will be beneficial to me achieving success and progress as a leader

Motivative hot topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Motivative hot topic - Essay Example Therefore, in the next few years, how managers recognize and meet the needs of their staff is going to be essential in talent retention. A challenge rises from if there is no money to improve their salaries and wages. However, money is not always the most effective motivator and, although it may provide a boost for workers in the short-term, there are other influencers that are more powerful in the long term, such as career advancement, recognition, and praise. Indeed, the chance to lead projects, attention from management, and praise from management are potentially more effective than a pay rise or cash bonuses. SMEs have a big opportunity to involve their staff in business development, for example by sharing how the enterprise is progressing with their employees and seeking for their input in business decision making. Appreciation and recognition are also vital, although this is dependent on the personality of employees. Thus, management will have to ensure that they know their employees personally since some employees may not like being in the spotlight, while others like public appreciation. The internet company Cloud Reach faced a similar issue during their initial years of operation, at which point they decided to motivate their employees by making the company a fun place to work. With some 60 staff, the company was voted as one of the best companies to work for in 2013. This shows that staffs work for a company where they are fulfilled, happy, and where they can be part of an exciting project. In this case, the team of workers are involved in developing the core values of their firm with promotion of personal growth, respect for individual workers, and the ability to share opinions. Therefore, for a company seeking to motivate its employees in the absence of cash for a pay raise, there are two major strategies that can be used; The first solution would be to involve the staff in decision making by

Money and Banking Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Money and Banking Assignment - Essay Example This is due to the fact that banks are involved in risky investments without fear or concern about the repercussions nations may face in the advent of losses. Risky investments are aggravated by the fact that banks will be bailed out in case of losses by central banks. This can facilitate organized losses and economic failures by rogue individuals with the aim of channelling all the banks’ financial assets into their possession and then request for central banks’ intervention. This burden, through the central banks is channelled back to taxpayers. The reverse is also true. If financial institutions were unable to solicit funds from central banks, then chances of them indulging in risky investments would be very minimal. (Hughkitt13 2012) III. Compare the use of open-market-operations, central bank lending facilities (rediscounting), and changes in reserve requirements to control the money supply on the following criteria: flexibility, reversibility, effectiveness, and speed of implementation. The best monetary policy should implement the following criteria to be considered effective: flexibility, reversibility, effectiveness and higher speed of implementation. On the issue of flexibility, the best method to use would be to change the reserve requirements. Depending on prevailing market conditions, reserve requirements can be easily adjusted to either reduce the money supply or increase it. The process is done on a daily basis, making it the most effective and also the fastest method to implement. Central bank rediscounting is a faster method to implement than open-market-operations since they can be obtained easily under short notice. They are also more flexible owing to the fact that they require fewer channels to get them. OMOs are more rigid and are only implemented once financial dignitaries meet and agree on the way forward. However, when we consider

Pierre Trudean Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pierre Trudean - Essay Example Therefore, the Charter of Freedom and Rights was enacted and it aimed to keep the individual rights of the Canadians protected, irrespective of their race, caste, creed or religion. The charter would enable the individuals their fundamental rights without any bias or discrimination and it would give importance to the rights of the individuals rather than the laws of the state. Therefore, Trudeau, through the charter, provided the basic rights to every single Canadian, thus influencing their lives to a great extent. Trudeau became a charismatic leader once he started working as the Minister of Justice, in Montreal and he contributed to the passing of bills regarding social welfare measures such as making the gun and arms law stricter and also bringing various reforms in laws that relate to homosexuality as well as abortion. His followers were inspired by Trudeaumania, the nickname given to Trudeau for the outstanding role he played in the Liberty Party, by inspiring each member to str ive towards serving for the country and its people. He drove political factors in the country and encouraged as well as brought to the fore various beneficial reforms starting from the 1960s to the mid 1980s, which included patriation that would increase the federal economic power in the country and also led to institutional changes like the forming of supreme court. He also contributed to the country gaining independence from Britain, as Queen Elizabeth II announced Canada to be exempted from the rule of the British Parliament when Trudeau was in power. Trudeau further increased the economic stability of the country by extending its trade relationships with other countries and he also envisioned peace through various international disarmament discussions he encouraged and attended. The increased economic stability in the country would in turn lead to increase in the purchasing power of the citizens, thus influencing and improving their lifestyle to a large extent. Trudeau had a lot of admirers and followers who praised him for his brilliant intellect and also saluted his political shrewdness in safeguarding the interests of the nation and also unifying it as one. According to Laforest, Trudeau became increasingly â€Å"reconciled with Canadian nationalism† (125) and he did all in his power to inflict feelings of nationalism and patriotism in the people of Canada by strengthening â€Å"the charter to mobilize public opinion† (147). He was also greatly responsible for the Quebec autonomy movement, which restrained an aggressive rebellion on part of the people. Therefore, the presence of Trudeau proved to be a golden era for the people in the country. Analysis Trudeau introduced the landmark Criminal Law Amendment Act in 1968-69. He won his presidency with the majority of votes. He formulated some important laws including Official Languages Act, which guaranteed bilingualism in the civil service. â€Å"If there is any crisis, it is fundamentally b ecause Mr. Trudeau was victorious in his battle against the dualist ideas of Quebec politicians and intellectuals† (Laforest 4). Trudeau Et la Fin D'un Re?ve Canadien In 1970, there was a severe threat for the national security, due to the attack from the terrorist group, Front de liberation du Quebec. Trudeau stood his ground against the terrorist gro

Sarbanes Oaxley Act And Reporting Of Employee Compensation Essay

Sarbanes Oaxley Act And Reporting Of Employee Compensation - Essay Example The reason of the new law is to defend depositors by developing the accurateness and consistency of company revelations. The law formed a sovereign Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to supervise the inspection of public companies to shield the interest of investors and additionally the public interest in offering functional and correct information. Further sections of the act comprise but are not inadequate to Corporate Responsibility, Auditor Independence, and Enhanced Financial Disclosures. The law also deals with company and illegal scam, and it gives illicit punishments for defrauding shareholders of publicly dealt companies. Since the SEC has oversight and enforcement influence over the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, it is expected that the SEC will have input into auditing and corporate authority concerns after the establishment of the board in 2003 and as its rules come into existence. The Act forbids companies from expanding, openly or not directly, acclaim in the shape of private loans to its executive officers and directors. Accessible loans (as of July 30, 2002) are grand fathered as long as the terms of such loans are not customized. This ban influence ordinary performance like cashless exercises of stock options, advances and loans to help with home purchases, and might influence certain slit dollar arrangements and 401(k) plan loans. The Act a Closedown Limitations Notice Necessities The Act atonement the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") to need that plan administrators of distinct payment plans offer advance notice to plan members of an imminent "blackout period." For this reason, a blackout phase is described as a period of three (3) or more successive business days through which members' aptitude to direct or branch out possessions in their accounts, or to attain loans or to division from a plan, is restricted or limited. A blackout period does not embrace any postponements, limits or boundaries that (1) happen by cause of request of the securities laws, (2) pertain to simply one member, or (3) are alterations to the plan that offer for a frequently programmed deferral, restriction or constraint, provided such alterations are revealed to members. Plan members usually should obtain notice of the blackout period at least 30 days earlier than the beginning of the blackout period. The notice must offer: Causes for the blackout period; Pretentious investments; Duration of the blackout period; A declaration that members and recipients should assess the suitability of their present investments in light of the limitations forced throughout the blackout period. Any other matter required under system. The Department of Labor is authorized under the Act, to accumulate a civil fine of up to $100 a day per member for collapse to offer the notice. The Department in addition, is aimed at issuing a replica notice no

Why are there many homeless people in big cities like LA Essay

Why are there many homeless people in big cities like LA - Essay Example 47). This essay will cover the reasons why there are many homeless people living in big cities for example Los Angeles and suggest solutions to the problems. There are various causes of homeless people moving into big cities for example LA. The homeless move into the large cities due to existence of programs and shelters. The large population of the large cities attracts more programs and more shelters to help the needy. The homeless need as much aid as they can get to get back on their feet hence the preference to live in large cities. Also there are state and federal programs which help the needy but are only accessible in large cities only and also privately run programs that are not available in small cities or rural areas. Other programs include discounted medical programs, large churches which have programs to help the needy and soup kitchens. A big city makes it easy for one to move around from one place to another looking for basic necessities (Haymes, pp. 58). A person can go to one church and get breakfast and then go to a different shelter and eat again. Another reason for homeless people living in large cities is because of t he existence of mass transit. This includes buses, subways, trains or even ferries. These things are necessary and vital to homeless people in order for them to move from one place to another and be able to get out of homelessness. Large cities usually offer free bus passes to the homeless through registration with them. The homeless persons after registration must show up twice a week for job workshop classes and to register for employment (Dubuis, pp. 82). Many homeless people also live in big cities like LA due to the availability of nearby social amenities. In big cities there are many restaurants with bathrooms where people can wash their faces when it is hot or clean up. During hot days, one can also walk into shopping malls to use the air conditioning to cool off. When it is raining there are a variety of

Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 11

Reflection Paper - Essay Example He compares the softness of the moving ship over the water surface to a soft and beautiful skin. However, other characters such as Ahab consider the ocean as deceptive because, under the smooth waters, there lain death in waiting. Ahab acknowledges the fact that the sea in reality is a tiger under the surface. The ocean is, therefore, more dangerous than the land. According to Ahab, the sea is a mirror of God, and it represents Him as hidden and terrible, whose nature is deadly. Starbuck looks at the ocean and God as a bride at her wedding. The professor got me thinking of the reason for Christmas was a new beginning, yet inverted. For instance, Ahab thinks of the sea as a revenge because that is what he was up to during the journey for religious quest. The sea is therefore a revenge, not healing as quoted in line 536 (Melville 450). â€Å"†¦..Loveliness unfathomable, as ever lover saw in his young bride’s eye!—Tell me not of thy teeth tiered sharks, and thy kidnapping cannibal ways. Let faith oust fact; let fancy oust memory; I look deep down and do believe.†(Melville 451). Ahab asserts that the sea is too ambiguous and vicious for coherent faith, with our attraction to it infinite and unexplored. There are two things I noted out of these words, first the fact that God is inexplicable and second that religion is a faithful expression. For this case, the people at sea are trading a religious journey in which everything is a duality. Death lingers in lives of individuals, which kept me thinking about the whiteness of the whale. After a reflection on the readings, I discovered that such a question would be a distinction between good and evil according to our perception. Why were the whales both white and black? Why use the sea and not land? The answer lies in the nature of duality of religion. Sometime before birth, in the beginning, there is always the light that is the blinding light representing the

Circadian Rhythms and Their Importance to Humanise and other Animals Essay

Circadian Rhythms and Their Importance to Humanise and other Animals - Essay Example 649). It was significant to note that in this study 25% of the subjects presented arrhythmic Circadian Rhythm patterns and had a shorter life span by 50% compared to the animal subjects with normal circadian cycles. Kumar, Mohan and Kumar-Sharma (2005) in their study further found that the arrhythmic patterns found in the test group also had a correlation to the reproductive success of the mature species with 40% less than their rhythmic counterparts successfully producing viable offspring. The authors noted that although the study did not investigate the causal effects of this it does indicate that further study is necessary. It does, however, demonstrate that the circadian rhythm plays an integral, if not fully understood, role in the viability of the species - not only on an individual basis but also species wide. Doljansky, Kannety and Dagan (2005) note that circadian rhythm typically produced by period s of day and night are manifested in mammals in many of the physiological functions including "appetite, core body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and various endocrine and metabolic variables" (p. 598). Much of the cycle is based upon the natural timing of daylight and night. As our study encompassed a full day, examples of the circadian cycle will be demonstrated readily thought each phase of the study with visible, predictable cyclic patterns emerging. Results of the study conducted confirm the findings of researchers that the blood pressure and pulse rate follow a Circadian Cycle. As seen in Appendix A which is the class study findings there is a distinct circadian cycle demonstrated for the pulse rate of the subjects with the peak pulse rate period falling in the 1800 reading systematically reducing to the low pulse rate period at 0600 before again gradually rising. These findings are supported by a study conducted by Moroni, et al (1998) which evaluated both severe cardiac impaired subjects and healthy control subjects. Results of their study found no significant difference in the blood pressure or pulse rate of either group. Rather, both groups exhibited a normal circadian cycle of both pulse rate and blood pressure which was contrary to their hypothesis. The second portion of the class study measured the cognitive functioning at two hour intervals during the day. As surmised in the hypothesis there should have been a distinct circadian cycle manifested. However, this was not the case with distinct functional differences noted by individuals across distinct time periods. What the findings did demonstrate are supported by Pardee, et al (2005) which examined the cognitive functioning to determine whether a universal circadian cycle was noted. Their findings showed that cognitive functioning ability is not solely evidenced by a universal circadian rhythm. Rather cognitive functioning ability is based on a combination of the circadian rhythm, personal preference (simply put day or night people) and the ability to compensate for 'down-time' periods in the circadian cycle through cognitive reserve. The motor skill portion of the study consisted of an eye hand coordination test. As hypothesized there were be a general pattern emerge indicative of a circadian cycle. Mean results showed that with only minimal variation the

E-Commerce Infrastructure Essay Example for Free

E-Commerce Infrastructure Essay EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Globalization has primarily made it possible for international trade and business connection between neighboring countries as a trend of the present society exist. Certainly, the aim of the human society to remain within the scope of economic progress and continue aiming for better results for the sake of profitable advancements in the society, the emergence of different types of businesses has been much possible to occur. Business enthusiasts became braver than they usually are in facing the challenges of establishing new wave business entities, which they believe, would bring change to the human society and how they view the modern living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hence, business organizations who are particularly trying to make it within the industry of the global trade must be able to realize that the idea of globalization is affecting the major companies worldwide. To be able to implement the changes needed by a certain organization with regards the implementation of the new progressive procedures towards a more technologically-coping organization; the company wanting the change needs to attend to several areas of consideration. As for this matter, it is first important to discuss several elemental factors that could actually affect a certain organization’s capability of facing the changes that it ought to engage with within the global scene.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The growing developments that technology and communications have taken so far have been an essential part of the growing system of technological applications. Along with the technological advancements, the social living of humans also is further enhanced. Both economic and social lifestyles were advancing but there was no rest in incurring the best possible progress that the developers of technological systems wanted. With the introduction of computers to the society, the easier way of living and completing everyday tasks has become a trend for many industrial workers. (Deitel, et al, 2004, 15)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, as mentioned earlier, the development in the eyes of the ones who are in charge of the enhancement of the operating systems is never ending. Hence, although there were already some great achievements in terms of the developed operating systems, things got better each time there are new innovations introduced (Warford, 2005, 41). Most of the sectors of the entire society actually depended on technology ever since the time it was first introduced to the human civilization. It could not be denied then that among the said sectors are business entities.    The internet and World Wide Web: E-commerce infrastructure Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The e-marketing system is practically an approach that is developed using the present technological advancement particularly in the information technology field. This strategy utilizes primarily the communication elements of the information technology such as through interactive advertising, search engine marketing, blog marketing, display advertising, viral marketing, web postings, and others to promote the products, services and image of the business organization towards the public. In analyzing the e-marketing strategy of an online organization, it is important to intricately study the primarily the website of the said organization and the marketing principles embedded on it. By looking into their main website, one can critically know the structure, goals, operational approach, and other relevant facts of the organization, which are relevant facts for the development of the personal perception and image of the business for the public awareness. This website offers vast informations about the organization from their ideal goals, organizational nature, and even their business conditions, which can be derived from their downloadable annual and social responsibility report. In addition, the e-marketing approach of this website not only caters to the sale nature but also to the information campaign and human capital sourcing of the organization as offered by their options of fact sheets, employment opportunity awareness, and other services. In general, this website primarily becomes an effective marketing tool for the organization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The e-marketing approach of the different organizations range from various strategies such as through their main website which promotes display advertising of their products, interactive marketing where the consumers can contact the organization for significant sales and business concerns, search engine marketing which offer the service of easing the browsing activity of the viewing public. As such, the website becomes both a promotional approach and a business related interactive medium for the business organizations wherein the latter can relate further to the needs and concerns of their target consumers. With regards the issue being noted herein, the questions that could be considered are as follows: How important is e-marketing and online shopping when it comes to the convenience of the consumers today? How effective are the approaches of the current e-marketing systems to the people of the current society? Are there possible ways to further the comfort of the people being serviced through online shopping? BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Everything starts with a vision. From a vision comes plans, and from plans come fulfillment of the vision. Vision and plans are the primary elements for starting any business. An entrepreneur must posses the vision and determination needed for an individual to become successful within the business industry; however, these elements are not solely the needed requirements. Vision and plans are the abstract elements that contribute to business proceedings hence empowering the entrepreneur to continue whatever it is that he has started. The other elements include capital, land [place of business headquarters] and the people force.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The elements that were mentioned primarily give essence to the business itself. The capital is more on the monetary resource needed to start the business. At times, this particular resource comes from a group of entrepreneurs who decide to work together for a certain organization, or on the other hand, it is sourced out from loaning or from the pocket of the entrepreneur himself. At some point, the capital actually determines the scale of the business. Land or the area intended for the business headquarters is depending on what type of business is planned to be established. If the business is supposed to cater to several clients, there should be a place intended for them that would be much convenient for business transactions. However, if the business is online [which is at trend right now] or other home based businesses, the area of business branch would not be much of a problem since the transactions are to be done at any convenient place possible. The people force also depends on the scale of business that is being established.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whatever type of business is being established, it is necessary that the entrepreneurs see to it that the different sections of the business, especially that of the people force are well taken care of. The success of the business naturally depends on the ability of the entrepreneurs to balance the idealistic mission as well as the activities of the organization as a business entity. This as well includes the legalities of the organization and its close connection with the existing laws for business organizations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It could be noted that opening or establishing a business organization is not that easy to deal with. The first months of operation towards the first year usually deals with the different challenges of effective strategies created to put the organization within the existing competition. Entering a certain business organization and trying to make it within the business industry is a great challenge to everyone wanting to create a considerable reputation in the society. However, once these particular challenges have been successfully met by the new entrepreneurs, the continuous progress of the said new established organization could be assured. This though does not mean that developments are already to stop once the business has been established. As for a fact, the establishment should simply mark the beginning of the progressive developments intended to help the whole organization remain within competition as long as it exists within the business industry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From this particular section of the study, it could be observed that the primary reasons for establishing a business should not only be lead by the need or the want of the entrepreneurs in gaining profitable results form the business. It should be clear to the business entrepreneurs that the said operational act needs to receive ample time for planning and attention on the pros and cons of the situation. From this particular assessment of business opportunities, the possibility of creating a successful source of profit could be identified in a positive point of view.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It has been certainly stressed out that the different elements of business should be given careful attention within the planning procedures. Carefully giving the said elements ample time of observation shall give the entrepreneurs to make amends on the possible weak links that could cause the failure of the business in the future. Identifying the Marketing Approach to be Used Marketing is one particular branch of business that deals with all the promotional aspects of a certain business organization. At some point, this particular sector of the organization is perceived to have a certain group of experts attending to the said needs of the organization with regards promotion and advertising. Every kind of organization have their own marketing branch. This is specifically because of the fact that the incoming profit that the company expects from its clients is particularly empowered by the marketing strategies created by the marketing group.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whatever it is that the Marketing group plans shall determine the organization’s success in the industry. The ability of the said in-charged group in making amends for the organization’s ability to make it within the industrial competition in the business world shall make it possible for the business to make a considerable reputation that could attract the clients who are being targeted by the said organization. This is particularly the reason why business organizations both large-scale and small-scale make it a point that the marketing procedures that they carry on for the sake of business progression is given careful attention and as well as an ample amount of investment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Particularly, marketing is a business branch that sets the path for the organization as to how they are supposed to trod the journey of success in the industry that they are dealing with. The intensity of the procedures taken by marketing experts particularly pertains to the quality of the advertising procedures that the organization ought to take into consideration for actual operational purposes. It is in this particular sector of the organization that the fast release or distribution of the services or the products offered by the organization towards the clients could be determined.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today, the level of competition that each business organization deals with in the human society is clearly identified by the progressive procedures taken by the marketing team of each business company. According to Website Marketing: â€Å"Marketing is a broad topic that covers a range of aspects, including advertising, public relations, sales, and promotions. People often confuse sales with marketing, when in fact the two are very different. The former involves getting a product or service into the market, promoting it, influencing behavior, and encouraging sales. Sales are the actual transaction of getting a product or service into the hands of your customers.† (http://tools.devshed.com/c/a/Website-Marketing/Importance-of-Marketing/). The strategies of marketing that each organization adapts into is primarily defined by the financial capabilities of the said business entity t o provide the services need by the clients that pertain to promotional operations. The strong impact of the marketing strategies also usually brings about the thought that the main target of the promotional presentations is the group of people in the society who are assumed by the organization to be the primary clients of the organization. It is their interest that should be the focus of the promotional interpretations and presentations. The strategies are indeed strongly differed through the identification of the target consumers or clients of the organization. The Website Marketing also adds: â€Å"Strategies in marketing have changed enormously since Jay Conrad Levinson introduced the guerrilla concept over 20 years ago. Tactics that were considered radical then are almost main stream now. With so many messages bombarding the consumer in the marketplace today, it is now more difficult than ever to get your product noticed, so marketers have learned to be creative.† (http://tools.devshed.com/c/a/Website-Marketing/Importance-of-Marketing/). Overall, marketing could then be noted as a source of established foundation for every business organization. The impact that it has on every established business group is a primary concern that brings about possible profitable sources to the different business organizations. Indeed, marketing and the operations that are made under this particular sector of the organization assure the whole business entity of the competitive standing of the entire organization within the business industries.   This is particularly the reason why it has been commented that: â€Å"Companies without a marketing mindset are at a disadvantage in todays business world. Those who are still centered around their products, rather than their customers, are doomed to fail.† The clients are the main target of marketing procedures, companies who are still starting and those who are already established who give lesser care in this aspect of business operations are indeed assured to have a hard time coping up with the existing competition within the industry. Getting through with all the RISKS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Planning the business and setting the marketing strategy to be used by the organization are simply the basic elements needed to create an organization that is intended to set sail in the journey towards global business engagements. TO be able to completely scale the capability of the organization to face the different challenges of dealing with the international market, it is necessary that the business entrepreneurs become aware of the impending issues needed to be dealt with during international business operations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the risks being referred to herein? According to Fredrick Wilcox â€Å"Progress always involves risk; you cannot steal second base and keep your foot on the first base†. This primarily implies the fact that there are several elements of success in business, especially concerning international relations that could not be met unless the entrepreneur meets the risks that come along with the primary developments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The elements of risks could be discussed as follows: Business Risks: Cost of Structure- The establishment of a certain business entity especially one that is made to face international transactions should and must be based on the financial capabilities of the owner. This particularly pertains to the available capital that is supposed to be the basis of how large or how small the scale of the business would be. It could be observed that through several organizations’ ability of identifying the costs that may affect their operations in the new venture of business that they would want to engage with would naturally identify the possible progress that they are hoping to meet in the future. Competition- Being ready for the already existing companies within the country that goes with the same industry is necessary for an international entrepreneur to be prepared about. In the internet technology, it could not be denied that there are already companies who are able to meet the challenges that are needed to have the needed and expected success on the said business venture. It is indeed necessary that several business organizations face the said competition with ample reputation and business strength that would allow them to undergo the challenges of the new business venture that they aim to engage with. Product Liability- the procedures of getting through with the laws in placing the products within the boarders of the other country should be one of the primary concerns of business entrepreneurs. Human Resource Management- Since the business would involve international engagements; it is simply reasonable to expect that the employees would be coming form international races as well. Managing this type of human resource group should then be carefully given attention by the organizational authorities. Clients or Customers- The demographics of the consumers, their interests and their product preferences should be among the main concerns of the business organization. Their culture and their wants basing on their traditions should be carefully noted by entrepreneurs to ensure their products of the market appreciation that it needs to be able to remain in business. Environmental Risks Economic- The economic situation of the neighboring country where a branch or a trade engagement is prepared to be conducted should be set in balance with the economic status of the original branch of the business. The balance shall help the business operators to set some standard procedures in dealing with the finances of the organization. Weather- The weather that is currently controlling the activities of the civilians of a certain country should be carefully given attention. This shall also determine the activities that are supposed to be taken in consideration by the business organization. Legalities and the Government- this particular element should be closely given clear attention as it is among the most important factors as well as the most crucial one as it primarily determines if the organization is to remain in a certain country or not, based on the ability of the organization to become connected with the laws of the said neighboring country. Considering all these elements of risk and being able to understand on how each one affects the business engagements of a certain organization in an International picture shall then help the entrepreneurs create the possibilities and the probabilities of the organization’s success in the multicultural market of consumers. The Internet Service Provision’s Business ABC’s   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company that is to be observed at this point is the organization of Info Inc. which is a start up company wanting to venture in providing its major clients with internet based services that could be used as a source of informative materials in terms of accounting procedures, medical assistance and budget-wise programs that both business enthusiasts and the general public could use in their daily business and household needs and activities. As a company that is still starting in venturing within the said field, it is necessary for Info Inc to carry on the informations that were further discussed in this paper earlier. It could be noticed that the discussions point out the fact that establishing a new business operation for a certain existing business organization is indeed challenging especially when the business is supposed to handle a global market.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the organization aims to venture in a new business operation that they have not been used to in engaging, it is much beneficial to take notice of the fact that the organization needs to take into consideration several factors that would involve the adjustments of the whole body of employee of the said company. The shifting of the priority and the opening of the new arena of service that the company would provide its clients should then be identified as a primary factor that should be carried in constant addressing during the whole procedure of adjusting the organization’s focus. First to consider then is the type of internet servicing that the company should be involved into. This shall be discussed within the paragraphs that follow. Choosing the Type of Service   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To be able to reach the widest scope of market, Info Inc should invest in creating internet networked branches from different areas of the world. The company may not be required in creating an actual physical branch in the different parts of the world, but it is required to subscribe at a certain internet website host such as Google or yahoo, that would make their company much more accessible by the target market that they ought to serve. Choosing the right type of server or website support is very important. This is the reason why ample research on this matter should be carefully considered by the ones who are to establish the company’s website. The scope of the network should also be closely attended to as this would indicate the expected scope of audience or market that the company could reach out to. As mentioned earlier, marketing is an important way of regenerating a prospect market to get involved within a certain business company; however, lacking the needed access to reach the said clients may make this particular procedure of business operation impossible. Hence, being able to scale on which type of website support could give the best services to the company basing from its mission in connection with the market that it targets is very important to take into consideration. By doing so, the creators of the said business service-provision branch does not only introduces the company to a wider scope of market, but it also gives it a chance in gaining the peak rate of revenue that it could reach in an annual calculation. Creating the Website   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since the organization aims to attract business enthusiasts and household members, the presentation of the website should cater to what they are actually interested in. This is where the art of marketing begins o enter the scene. Moat likely, it could be observed that the more attractive and interesting the website looks like, the more it is being viewed by Internet surfers. This is [particularly the reason why the website of the company should highlight the strength of the company and the idealisms that it has that may attract the concerns of the market. Constant attendance to what the target market wants to know about the company and about their services shall help the creators and programmers of the website have an idea on what they should actually set as features to the said website.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It must also occur among the creators that the insistence of the website’s becoming a user-friendly system is an important part of the feature of the said internet address. This would certainly allow the users, whether they are computer literate or not to have an easy access on what is actually being offered by the organization through their online network. Counting the Benefits   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Having a company’s own website in the internet is like having a legitimate virtual address that would cater to mostly different people from around the world. As globalization opens its doorways to major new waves of business engagements, it could be observed that there are different benefits that the Internet operations bring the different business organizations that use the services provided by the said virtual community. Most of the company’s which do not even have physical establishments are already known because o their internet-based operations. This fact shall help Info Inc in realizing the fact that opening their doors to a more liberated procedure of operating within the business transactions that they want to offer their clients is an important part of their company’s growth as a major business entity. Counting the Costs   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To be able to understand the plan further, it is important to lay the finances and budgeting procedures needed to support that project that is being proposed for Info Inc to take into consideration. What are the particular elements of financing that needs to be considered? Creating the Website   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is a need to hire an expert to at least program the website. The fact that there are different features of presentations that are planned to be embedded within the presentation of the website primarily to attract the clients, there needs to be the existence of professional help for this matter. This then requires a minimal yet reasonable payment for labor. Funding the Website   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Usually, the fees for website maintenance are paid annually. The company should then prepare itself in facing responsibilities such as this. Advertising through Search Engines   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The more exposure the site gets, the more surfers it could invite. From this particular fact, it could be noted that funding the site’s fees is indeed worthwhile, as that particular fee shall allow the link to the website to appear several times with the utilization of several key words encoded by the internet surfers when they are seeking the help of major search engines in the internet. Training the Operators of the Web   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There should always be a standing support specialist that is ready to assist customers in their issues about the services offered by the company. Once the company ventures to this particular type of business operation, it should then occur to them that the importance of placing expert support technicians as well as product or service specialists should constantly be available incase interested client needs assistance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the values of the cost-causing elements mentioned herein shall be examined, it could be observed that the fees are all reasonable enough of paying on the part of the company’s financing group. Most likely, this is because of the much reasonable returns that the said fees are expected to return to the entire company’s business system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Handling such responsibilities in a much more positive outlook shall indeed help the administration of the organization realize of their importance as major player within the worldwide economy. The operations that they are expected to handle through inline communications shall not only increase their capabilities of handling challenges but could also help them grow as a business entity that is able to face the challenges of the globalization era. CLIENTS AND ONLINE CONSUMERISM Online consumerism is one of today’s major innovative leaps in terms of commercialism. The use of the Internet as a major medium for trading and monetary transactions has been among the major advancements of technology and real life in the human society. Each business organization relies on their respective aspects to promote their services and products in the market. Each marketing aspect range from various strategies and approaches to entice, promote and imply an ideal nature of their products and services to the consuming public to generate a business transaction between the two parties. Each business transaction in turn will generate the desire income by the organization, which is relevant for their operation development and profit generation. As such, each organization must create an effective and efficient marketing tool towards their target public, which will address the important communication and business elements in their economic transaction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most effective marketing approaches in the present are the strategies that address the key communication elements of the public. These strategies manifests to be reliable marketing medium that inform, relates and considers the consuming public to be significant part of the organizational structure and their subsequent operations. On the practical sense, these strategies are characterized to be publicly open for the society wherein they are easily and readily accessible for the interesting consumers. In part, these marketing strategies not only cater to the marketing nature but also to the other relevant part of the organizational structure such as human resources, customer service and public relations. On this field of effective marketing approaches, the e-marketing system manifests to be both an effective and efficient strategy for contemporary business organization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the analysis of the e-marketing strategies, it is strongly concluded that marketing and promotional activities utilizing the advancement of the field of information technology is an effective approach for contemporary business organization. Through the use of this significant medium, organization can promote further their products and services and developing their ideal business nature in the social aspect which in turn, has a significant impact upon the organization’s success. Indeed, marketing using online or internet technology relates further the business organization to the global audience for more effective and efficient business operation for the economic success of the organization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although the past have already placed a strong impact on how the people viewed business operations done through the Internet, several business enthusiasts never ceased finding ways by which they would be able to attain success within the said industry. Many among the business owners around the world still believe in the benefits that investing in online business ventures would naturally bring their organizations. As for a fact, the said situation is quickly becoming a trend both among organizations that are already established and the business and even those business entities that are just starting to join the said competitive industry. Most of the benefits that the said system of business transacting has mainly attracted investors as well as stockholders in making a great decision of joining in the process of industrial change though the innovative integration of technology within the system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To understand this claim further, a diagrammatic presentation shall be shown herein:    Diagram 1: Efects of Information Technology in the relationship between clients and business organizations Diagram Analysis:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the presentation made above, it could be observed that the reason behind the business entities joining the band wagon of taking advantage of the provisions of science and technology in the modern society is indeed worthwhile. As it could be seen, the five major effects that have been presented through the diagram actually directly affect the growth rate of the organizations in a modern society. This is indeed an attractive provision that IT could ever offer business entities.    Chapter 5:DISCUSSION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today many people once bewildered by the stock market are investing in stocks. Why? For one thing, the Internet has enabled investors to access in moment’s financial news, investment advice, and stockbrokers. Paul Farrell, editor in chief of Wall Street News, writes: â€Å"For [individual investors], cyberspace investing is the new frontier, the new gold rush, the freedom to be yourself, with the opportunity to become financially independent while working at home.† Along with the blooming of the Internet systems, commerce also took the chance to be a part of a very promising source of profit for many business firms. To do this, there existed a birth to the Dot.com business arena. Many people who would rather invest on a business than to be employed in a company took chances on investing in this kind of business. But as years passed, the hoped to be â€Å"tiger† market that would hit sky high revenues for the firms taking part on it fell apart. How is this possible? And how could this kind of market have been saved? The following paragraphs shall discuss the said topic further.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During the earlier times of the introduction of Internet, it was seen that this kind of communication could enable many people to connect to each other from far places in the world. The said idea on worldwide interconnection gave many businessmen the thought that using the worldwide web would help their companies and other business firms to reach their potential revenues and income at a very minimal time or better yet, even double or triple the income they have expected.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With this, the dot.com business arena was given birth. It is more likely that the investors who invested in this kind of economic environment were the ones who realized that new business models would soon arise based on the possibilities of Internet commerce or more popularly known as E-commerce. As a result of wanting to be the first ones to gain profit from the said provisions of this new technology, they risked thousands of dollars to invest in the said Internet market.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first years of the operation of the dot.com market paved way to many sellers of products and services to be connected to many consumers worldwide. Obviously though, among the three major gainers of profit in this kind of market are several internet-help companies. The said technology groups are the Internet and Network Infrastructure which hosts the construction of official websites posted through the net, the Internet Tools such as Netsacape which assists on the navigation process in the Internet, and the Internet-direct consumer websites such as Yahoo! which allows numerous ads to be posted through their website.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Between the years 1998-1999, the interest rates on putting up e-commerce firms were way affordable for many investors. This is the reason why many inexperienced businessmen chose to loin this market as a beginning of joining the business industry. Although many of the said investors had concrete and realistic plans regarding a business, most of them lacked administrative abilities. On the other hand, inviting investors to join the Internet market had been easier through the use of offering great promises and benefits that the web hosts post to attract the prospect businessmen (Warford, 2005, 45). True, this way of luring investors worked pretty well. As proved by the many growing e-commerce members during the years 1998-1999, the dot.com industry continued to flourish. To recognize the best Internet websites that are present in the e-commerce industry, there had been an annual awarding of the top websites of the year. It started on the year 1995, which was characterized by extravagant programs and undeniably expensive presentations. It was annually held in San Francisco California near the heart of the Silicon Valley. The said event has peaked during the year 2001 when thousands of attendance joined the lucrative awarding. When the year 2003 came in, the celebration became somber due to lower attendance not to mention that some of the nominees are not able to attend the event because of company belt-tightening and the fear of loosing their jobs. This is more likely because of the high interest rates that the Internet web hosts are already putting on the investors to continuously operate in the system (Silberschatz, 2004, 15). This event showed that the dot.com industry is not as productive as it was before anymore. As a fact, many of its members already lost on the investments they preempted to be bringing them great profits. Chapter 6: Conclusion and Summary Entering the arena of international business venture is indeed not an easy task for business entrepreneurs. However, because of the main focus of globalization in empowering dreamers of the said industry helps much in assisting entrepreneurs in seeing the possibilities of enlarging the scope of their territories of profitable areas through stretching their business activities towards the other countries around the globe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It could not be denied though that the procedure of international business looks much inviting, it should not be forgotten that the risks are highly challenging, hence encouraging the entrepreneurs to apply clear control of the situation through applying the needed skills to face the challenges of the international business transactions. Expanding the business in this procedure is indeed promising; however, careful consideration on the elements of risk should be given clear attention by the hopeful business entrepreneurs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the discussion and the presentations made in this paper, it could be observed that there is indeed a need for business entities to take the risks in making it within the industry of virtual business. Making their business services and products available through the Internet for the sake of advertising or even selling as it is would surely offer the organizations a progressive future in the fields that they are joined with. Certainly, the innovations brought about by information technology actually radically changed the economic trade of the entire global state of business industries. This is the reason why a particular entrepreneur trying to make the business scene in the current era of globalization needs to know the basic of computer applications and internet system operations for their business organization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Certainly, because of the more improved system of consumerism featured through online business operations, click businesses become highly effective in affecting the human society today. It could still not be denied though that there are still some satisfactions that brick or physically established systems of business today give its consumers. Through this conclusion, it should be understood that both brick and click businesses should exist in balance to allow consumer satisfaction all over the world in accordance with the different elements contributing to modern globalization. References: Internet Sources: BBC News. (2000). Dot.com to Dot.bomb.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2000/review/1069169.stm. (May 31, 2008) Bock, Wally. (2001). From Dot-Com to Dot-Bomb.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.mondaymemo.net/010409feature.htm. (May 31, 2008). Msdn. Microsoft Corporation. (2007). Technology Overview. http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa497336.aspx. (May 31, 2008). Nut, Gary. (2004). Operating Systems: A Modern Perspective, Third Edition. http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~nutt/osamp.html. (May 31, 2008). Website Marketing. (2001). Importance of Marketing. http://tools.devshed.com/c/a/Website-Marketing/Importance-of-Marketing/. (May 31, 2008) Books: Brown, Stephen (1993), „Postmodern Marketing?â€Å", European Journal of Marketing Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 19-34 Brown, Stephen (1998), „Post-Modern Marketing 2 – Telling Talesâ€Å", Thomson Business Press. Deitel, Harvey M.; Deitel, Paul; Choffnes, David (2004). Operating Systems. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-182827-4. Ensor, Jim . (2006). Future Net: The Essential Guide to Internet and Technology Megatrends. Trafford Publishing; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 1553957245. Folsom, Ralph H. . (2005). Principles of International Business Transactions (The Concise Hornbook Series). West Publishing. Fitzgerald, Peter L. . (2005). International Business Transactions: A Problem-oriented Coursebook. West Publishing. Harris, J. Archer. (2001).  Ã‚   Schaums Outline of Operating Systems. McGraw-Hill; 1 edition. ISBN-10: 0071364358. Hanson, Ward Kalyanam, Kirthi (2006). Internet Marketing and e-Commerce. South-Western College Publication. 1st Edition. ISBN-10: 0324074778. Rajagopal, Raj . (1999). Multi-Operating System Networking: Living with UNIX, NetWare, and NT. AUERBACH; 1 edition. ISBN-10: 0849398312. Silberschatz, Abraham . (2004). Operating System Concepts. John Wiley Sons; 7 edition. ISBN-10: 0471694665. Strauss, Judy El-Ansary, Adel Frost, Raymond (2005). E-Marketing.   Prentice Hall Publication. 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 0131485199. Tanenbaum, Andrew S.; Woodhull, Albert S. (2006). Operating Systems. Design and Implementation. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-142938-8. Warford, J. Stanley. (2005).  Ã‚   Computer Systems. Jones Bartlett Publishers; 3rd edition. ISBN-10: 0763732397.

Tackling Inactivity in Disabled Young People

Tackling Inactivity in Disabled Young People Introduction In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, disability requires an individual to have mental, physical, sensory impairment and chronic diseases to be classified disabled. Therefore, the individuals disability is considered to have long-standing influence on their ability to carry out the normal day-to-day activities (EA, 2010). Carlon et al. (2013) and Frey et al., (2008) both state that the challenges that disabled children face in everyday life can mean that they see sport and physical activity as something which is beyond their reach. Children with disability participate less in physical activity compared to their peers. Less than 2 in 10 disabled people (18 %) in England are taking part in sport once a week meaning that disabled people are more than half as likely to be active as non-disabled people (39%) (EFDS, 2014). This data is based on adults with disability, which reflects on young children with disability. The reasons for inferior levels of partaking in physical activity or sport for children with disability are diverse (Heah et al, 2007). The aim of this report is to identify and analyse the key barriers faced by disabled young people at each of the stages using the Behaviour Change Model, by recognising two barriers at each stage that are placed in the context of existing research or reports. As well as reviewing and justifying, the most effective actions to reduce or remove barriers faced by disabled young people at every stage, by drawing evidence based solutions to overcome those barriers from past pr ogrammes, research or reports. An individuals impairment influences on their ability to carry out the normal day-to-day activities, so it is generally not something that inspires them. However, their attitudes and motivations are more likely to be driven by one or more of the following key values of; Maintaining health, independence, having relationship, progressing in life, having fun and having a positive self-image (EFDS, 2014). For that reason, persuading and inspiring children with disability to participate, the opportunities provided to them needs to be connect with these values that are important to them rather than their impairment (EFDS, 2014). Pre-contemplation At this stage, sport is not even considered a possibility; a lack of awareness of other individuals with a disability taking part in sport can act as a barrier and may not be aware of others participating in sport. Where these individuals have had limited or no exposure to others taking part, it brings about the assumption that people with disability either cannot or do not do sports. As a result, sport is not seen as an option for them (Porter, 2001). Maloney et al., (1993) found that the key barrier to participation was an individuals impairment, those with several impairments were less likely to be involved compared to those with one impairment. Societal stereotypes negative attitudes, of disability and a lack of acceptance by others are also well recognised barriers to participation according to Jones, (2003) and Kang et al., (2007) as they inhibit interest in physical activity among children with a disability (Tsai and Fung, 2005) In addition, Sports and disability convey negative stereotypes that are often represented by the media, these generate social barriers for the disabled, in the extent of social perception (Barton, 2001). Those hurdles can be overcome with more positive exposure in the media, such as a similar campaign as This Girl Can but for those with a disability (Sport England, 2017) The 2012 Paralympics Games has provided inspiration and role models for people with disabilities to become involved in sport at all levels, as well as helping to change the perceptions of many amongst the non-disabled population regarding what people with disabilities are capable of (Ferrara et al, 2015) Contemplation At this stage, the individual is aware of possible benefits and start to consider the possibility of participating in sport. However, they have not made the decision to participate yet, they are still weighting the pros and cons of taking part (Porter, 2001). Attitudes of significant others is crucial at this stage, parents and families are key to whether a child with disability is physically active. Parents are a childs key supporter in their participation both practically and financially (Trost et al, 2003). in spite of this, they can act as a barrier if they share concern or lack of confidence about the individual with a disability participating in sport. According to Porter (2001) this is a problem for Dependants and Unconfidents; Dependants lack confidence and tend to be reliant upon others. Unconfidents are the middle ground of Dependants and Independents and are more willing to participate. Another barrier faced at this stage is lack of awareness of appropriate sporting environments. Arthur and Finch (1999) found that lack of information held by individuals with a disability prompted to low awareness of the possible appropriate sport facilities and sporting activities. Both barriers can be overcome by Effective Advertising that could inspire participation by including information on skill levels, instruction, program goals, transport and staffing (Anderson et al, 2005). As well as distributed locally where the target group can get hold of it, it should be inviting particularly for first time users (Anderson et al, 2005 and Hunter, 2009). Also, programmes such as the 5 Star Disability Challenge, they use sport to positively challenge negative attitudes and misconceptions about people with disabilities. 37,319 children from 256 schools and community organisations participated in the project since its been launched in 2009. The programme uses disabled sports people to deliver an awareness raising presentation to pupils in schools and parents, followed by a practical sport sessions that allows children the opportunity to complete a circuit of fun based challenges each based on a Paralympics sport (DSNI, 2014) Preparation At this stage of the behavioural change, they still have not started participating. However, they starting to value potential benefits and are considering what is available (Porter, 2001). A barrier at this stage is lack of appropriate activities. Paciorek and Jones (2001) state that access to facilities and the equipment required are the reason that the majority do not take part. Programmes such as Disability Sport Donegal set up in Ireland can overcome those barriers; this association intends to give kids a chance to take part in various activities that incorporate Boccia and martial arts. They build up the program for inclusion into physical activity for children with disability likewise form an association with nearby schools to incorporate youngsters in sport. With the inclusion inside schools, they can then create programmes outside of school and offer chances to impaired youngsters and grown-ups to participate in sport clubs that provide fun, safe environment and facilities that are required to provide a more extensive range of sporting activities for those with a disability (Sport Ireland, 2007). Action At this stage, individuals have started participating in sport for the first or first few times, a barrier could be the attitudes or behaviour of others. Adversities towards people with a disability include other facility users. DePauw and Gavron (1995) established that students held negative and stereotypical attitudes for people with a disability being included in sporting Activities. Arthur and Finch (1999) saw a relation concerning the negative attitudes of other facility users, which shaped the lack of motivation and confidence for those with a disability. This doesnt effect Independents as much, since they do not let their disability define them and do not allow it to limit their approach to life nor are they influenced by attitudes of others (Porter, 2001) Changing attitudes is difficult, however contact theory proposes that the experience of becoming more acquainted or working with somebody with a disability, can emphatically change dispositions (Shields et al, 2007). Another barrier as reported by Lockwood and Lockwood (1997) and Doll-Tepper (1999) the subsistence of inadequately trained service providers, inflexible programmes and unsuitable activities are of concern. As stated by Anderson et al. (2005) and Stuart et al., (2006) disability awareness and training programmes for staff and peers may limit misconstruing about the necessities and capacities of individuals with a disability. Moreover, it can help in developing knowledge and skills on how to facilitate sporting activities for those with a disability (Jones, 2003) and encourage peer interaction to create a welcoming environment. Positive interactions offer opportunities for friendship for children with disability such as building relationships, which is a key value for them (Hunter, 2009). Confirmation At this stage, the individual would be Active, regularly participating with the values and benefits of sport confirmed (Porter, 2001). A barrier at this stage is Withdrawal of Support or Discontinuation of Activity. DePauw and Gavron (2005) state the loss of physical and emotional support is a factor that can cause people with disability to withdraw from taking part in sport, one example being that the individual has no-one to go with to the sporting facility. According to Arthur and Finch (1999) this represents an issue for the Dependants and Unconfidents, as they require assistance and moral support. Whereas, Independents dont let their disability define them and do not allow it to limit their approach to life nor are they influenced by attitudes of others (Porter, 2001) Furthermore, lack of infrastructure to support development in sport is also a barrier at this stage, For those looking to participate at a higher level there is often a lack of awareness as to how to proceed to the next stage, a lack of support or encouragement from either significant others or official sporting bodies, as well as a lack of opportunities for identifying individual coaching or development needs. (Porter, 2001) These Barriers can be overcome by providing programmes such as Red Star Athletics club in Scotland. They provide coaching every week for your chosen sport to all types of people with disability by trained staff. They provide links to athletes into mainstream clubs; encouraging athletes to be involved in all aspects of the club such as players/athletes and coaching. Provide opportunities to gain coaching qualification and for those who want to develop further they provide elite sports development. Finally, they provide good role models in the wider community (Porter, 2001) Conclusion With the Programmes and initiatives already in place, more work needs to be done to make them successful, without those programmes people with disability would not be able to participate in sport or physical activity. More initiatives should be developed as well as making existing initiatives more accessible by improved promotion and information. Regular exercise and consideration for inclusion in physical activity for people with a disability is as vital as it is for their active peers. Experts working with individuals with disability ought to enthusiastically motivate participation in sports and physical activities. An improvement for individuals with disability in sport and physical activity is needed, as there is a considerably low level of participation in sport for reasons beyond their control. Therefore, more should be done to eradicate barriers that society has placed (Barton, 1989). According to Yuen et al., (2007) the development of initiatives can increase participation an d disability in sport can progress and offer opportunity to individuals where participation would be inaccessible. Reference Anderson, M., Bedini A., Moreland, L. (2005) Getting all girls into the game: physically active recreation for girls with disabilities. 23(4):78-103. Arthur, S. and Finch, H. (1999) Physical activity in our lives: qualitative research among disabled people. London, Health Education Authority Barton, L. (1989) Disability and Dependence, Falmer, Basingstoke Barton, L. (2001). Disability, Politics and the Struggle for Change. London, David Fulton Publishers Capel, S. and Whitehead, M. (2015) Learning to teach physical education in the secondary school. 4th edn. Oxon: Routledge. Carlon, S., Shields, N., Dodd, K., Taylor, N. (2013) Differences in habitual physical activity levels of young people with cerebral palsy and their typically developing peers. 35:647-55. DePauw, K. and Gavron, S. (1995) Disability and sport. Champaign-Illinois, Human Kinetics. Disability Sport Northern Ireland. (2014) Annual report http://dsni.co.uk/files/97174_Disability_Sports_NI_Annual_Report_14-15.pdf. Accessed on 06/03/17 Equality Act. (2010) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/body, (Accessed 04/03/16) Fitzgerald, H. (Ed.) (2008) Disability and Youth Sport. London: Routledge. French, D., Hainsworth, J. (2001) Obstacles and opportunities in the provision of sport for disabled people. Managing Leisure. 6:35-49. Frey, G., Stanish, I., Temple, A., Physical activity of youth with intellectual disability: review and research agenda. Adapt Physical Activity. 25:95-117. Heah, T., Case, T., McGuire, B., Law, M. (2007) Successful participation: The lived experience among children with disabilities. 74(1):38-47. Hunter, D., (2009) A phenomenological approach: The impact on families of sports participation for a child with a physical disability. United States, Texas Jones, B., (2003) Barriers to participation in community recreation programs encountered by children with disabilities in Maine: perspectives of parents. 28(2):49-69 Kang, M., Zhu, W., Ragan, G., Frogley, M. (2007) Exercise barrier severity and perseverance of active youth with physical disabilities. 52(2):170-6. Kate, F., Jan, B., and Hayley, M. (2015) Public Attitudes Toward People With Intellectual Disabilities After Viewing Olympic or Paralympic Performance: Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 32:19-33. Human Kinetics Paciorek, M. and Jones, J. (2001) Disability Sport and Recreation Resources 3rd edn. Cooper Publishing Group Porter, S. (2001) Sport and People with a Disability: Aiming at Social Inclusion. A report for Sportscotland. 77, Sportscotland Shields, N., Bruder, A., Taylor, N., Angelo, T. (2011) An alternative clinical experience can positively change physiotherapy student attitudes. 33:360-6. Shields, N., Synnot, A., Barr M. (2012) Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity for children with disability. 46:989-97 Stuart, E., Lieberman, L., Hand, E. (2006) Beliefs about physical activity among children who are visually impaired and their parents. 100(4):223-34. Trost, G., Sallis, J., Pate, R., Freedson, P., Taylor, W., Dowda, M. (2003) Evaluating a model of parental influence on youth physical activity. 25:277-82. Tsai, E., Fung, L. (2005) Perceived constraints to leisure time physical activity participation of students with hearing impairment. The Recreation Journal. 39(3):192-206.

Tobacco addiction case study

Tobacco addiction case study Nick is a thirty-year-old Caucasian male who recently enrolled in your patient panel. He comes in today because he desires to â€Å"kick the habit† of tobacco use. He had tried to quit before and succeeded twice, only to start up again. He denies any health problems but has a strong family history of COPD and lung cancer. His father died of lung cancer three months ago, and he has been dreaming of him since then. He does not want to end up the same way. Past medical history The patient denies medical problems. He had a vasectomy four years age at his ex-wife’s request, no other surgeries. He has noticed a recurrent morning cough and increased production of mucus over the past two months or so. Medications – none Allergies – none Stage of change – contemplation Diagnosis – tobacco abuse and addiction Patient education Through the use of tobacco, nicotine is one of the most heavily used addictive substances and the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking accounts for around one of every five deaths in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). When a person is addicted to a substance, they have a compulsive urge to seek out and use the substance, even when they understand the harmful effects it can have (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Tobacco products are addictive. With each inhalation of a cigarette the smoker pulls nicotine and other harmful substances into the lungs, where it is absorbed into the blood stream (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Nicotine is shaped like the natural brain chemical acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical called a neurotransmitter; this carries messages between the brain cells or neurons (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Theses brain cells or neurons have specialized proteins called receptors, into which specific neurotransmitters fit. Nicotine locks into acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine attaches to acetylcholine receptors that release a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is released normally when a person experiences something pleasurable. Smoking causes neurons (brain cells) to release excess dopamine, which is the cause of feelings of pleasure when smoking (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). This effect wears off quickly, causing the smoker to get the urge to light up another cigarette for another dose of the drug (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Nicotine is the primary addictive component in tobacco, but it is not the only important ingredient (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). People who smoke have a reduction in the level of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the brain and body. Lower levels of MAO in the brain may lead to higher dopamine levels and this leads to the reason people continue to smoke and continue to get the pleasurable effects from smoking (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Long-term use of nicotine products leads to addiction. The way nicotine is absorbed and metabolized by the body enhances its addictive potential (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Each inhalation brings rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain, but it quickly disappears along with the pleasurable feelings. This triggers the smoker to seek that same pleasurable sensation throughout the day (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Over the course of the day tolerance develops, requiring more frequent doses or higher doses to get the same effect. Nicotine, heroin, and cocaine have similar effects on the brain (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Many people who have a nicotine addiction are in denial. They may be social smokers, meaning they only smoke when out with friends, or they believe they can stop when they are ready (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Recognizing the signs of addiction is important for the getting over the addiction. Common signs of addiction include requiring increased use of tobacco to get the same satisfaction, experiencing withdrawal when nicotine levels are low, having the desire to quit but not being able to, experiencing cravings and urges to smoke, and continuing to smoke despite being aware of the health risks (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The physical symptoms of nicotine addiction are caused by withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs because the brain can no longer naturally produce adequate levels of dopamine. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, frustration, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, and weight gain (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Some of the health risks associated with nicotine use include chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), lung cancer, asthma, gum disease, mouth and esophageal cancer, heart disease, and stroke. The carcinogens in tobacco products cause abnormal cell growth that can develop into cancer (Brunton, Chabner, Knollman, 2011). Deciding to quit smoking is the first step toward becoming a non-smoker and better health (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). After quitting, the risk of stroke can be reduced to that of a non-smoker in as little as two years after quitting (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Heart rate and blood pressure return to the non-smoker levels after only two hours of not smoking. The rate of heart disease related to smoking is decreased to fifty percent and the rate of lung cancer is substantially reduced (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Steps to nicotine abuse and addiction recovery that may help are to set a date to quit; this allows the person to get in the mindset to stop (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Knowing the triggers that make the person want to smoke is another important factor. Some triggers commonly observed that increase the desire to smoke are after a meal, while driving, drinking alcohol, boredom, stress, coffee, and being around other people that smoke (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Having a strong support system is another important factor in quitting. Informing the people around the smoker of the decision to quit may help to support the decision as well as holding the smoker accountable for the goal of quitting. It is easier to stop smoking if the people around support the effort to stop smoking (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). If the smoker is thinking about quitting, or has made the decision to quit, there are several products to help in the process of quitting and prevent many of the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement is an alternative to stopping cold. Many people find it easier to use a replacement therapy such as the nicotine patch, inhaler, or nicotine gum. This may make the transition easier and more comfortable for the person trying to quit (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease that often requires repeated interventions and multiple attempts to quit. Effective treatments exist; however, that can significantly increase the rate of long-term abstinence. Counseling and medications are effective when used by themselves. The combination of counseling and medications, however, is more effective than either alone (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Products designed to help quit tobacco abuse and addiction Bupropion SR treatment should begin one to two weeks before the quit date. The starting dose for tobacco cessation is 150mg orally every morning for three days, then 150mg orally twice daily. This dosage should be continued for seven to twelve weeks. For long-term dosage, use of bupropion SR 150 mg for up to six months post-quit may be used (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Common side effects include insomnia and dry mouth. Insomnia may be addressed by taking the evening pill at least eight hours before bedtime, with at least eight hours between doses (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Nicotine gum is available in both regular and flavored forms. The gum dosage is available in two milligrams and four milligram doses. Smokers should use at least one piece every one to two hours for the first six weeks (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The gum should be used for up to twelve weeks with no more than twenty-four pieces to be used per day. Common side effects of the gum include mouth soreness, hiccups, dyspepsia, and jaw ache. These effects are generally mild and transient, often caused by the patient’s chewing technique (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). This can be alleviated by correct chewing techniques. The gum should be chewed slowly until taste emerges, then parked between the cheek and gum line to facilitate absorption. The gum should be slowly and intermittently chewed and parked for around thirty minutes or until taste dissipates from the gum (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Nicotine Inhalers- A dose from the nicotine inhaler consists of a puff or inhalation. Each cartridge delivers a total of one milligram of nicotine over eighty inhalations (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Recommended dosage is six to sixteen cartridges per day. Duration of the therapy is up to six months. Side effects include local irritation in the mouth and throat, coughing, and rhinitis. The severity of the irritation is mild and the frequency of symptoms decline with continuous use (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Nicotine lozenges are available in two milligrams and four milligram doses (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Generally, smokers should use at least nine per day in the first six months of therapy, and should be used for up to twelve weeks, with no more than twenty lozenges used per day (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The two milligram is recommended for smokers that have the first cigarette more than thirty minutes after waking. The four milligram is used for patients that have the first cigarette within thirty minutes of waking (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The most common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, hiccups, and heart burn. Use of the four milligram lozenges may also cause increased rates of headaches and coughing. The lozenge should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth rather than chewing or swallowing it (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Nasal spray- The nicotine nasal spray produces higher peak nicotine levels than other nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) and has the highest dependency potential (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). A dose of the nasal spray consists of one 0.5 mg dose delivered to each nostril (1mg total). Initial dosing should be one spray per hour, increasing as needed for symptom relief (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Minimum dosage is eight doses daily with a maximum of forty doses per day. Each bottle contains around one hundred doses. Recommended duration of therapy is three to six months (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Patients should not sniff, swallow or inhale through the nose while administering doses, as this increases irritation. The spray is best delivered with the head slightly tilted back. Users report moderate to severe nasal irritation in the first two days of use. Nasal congestion and transient changes to taste and smell are al so reported (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Nicotine patches treatment of eight weeks or less have been shown to be as effective as longer treatment periods (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Patches of different doses are available. Dosing regimens should be based on patient characteristics such as amount smoked and degree of dependence (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The step down dosage includes four weeks of twenty-one milligram per day patches, then two weeks of the fourteen milligram per day patches, then two weeks of the seven milligram per day patches (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). There is a single dose regimen available in twenty-two and eleven milligram per day patches for other step down regimens. Up to fifty percent of patients using the patch will experience a local skin reaction. These skin reactions are usually mild and self-limiting, but may be worsened during the course of therapy (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Local treatment with a o ne percent hydrocortisone cream or a five percent triamcinolone cream, and rotation of patch sites may ease the skin irritation. Other side effects of the patches include insomnia and vivid or strange dreams. At the start of each day the patient should place a patch in a relatively hairless area, typically between the neck and waist, rotating the site daily to reduce irritation (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The patch should be applied as soon as the patient wakes on the quit day. If insomnia is a problem, the patient should remove the patch prior to going to bed (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Varenicline is an approved non-nicotine agent for smoking cessation (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The FDA added a warning regarding the use of this agent. Depressed mood, agitation, changes in behavior, suicidal ideation, and suicide have been reported in patients attempting to quit smoking when using Varenicline (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Any history of psychiatric illness should be discussed before using this medication. Side effects of the medication include nausea, trouble sleeping, and abnormal or vivid dreams (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The patient should start Varenicline one week before the quit date, with a dose of 0.5 milligram daily for three days followed by 0.5 milligram twice daily for four days, followed by one milligram twice daily for three months. Varenicline is approved for maintenance therapy for up to six months (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The patient should quit smoking on day eight, when the dosage is increased to one milligram twice daily. To reduce the insomnia problem, the second dose should be taken at dinner time rather than bedtime. To reduce the nausea, the medication should be taken on a full stomach (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Varenicline is a non-nicotine medication. The mechanism of action is due to its partial nicotine receptor agonist and antagonistic effects (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Because Varenicline is eliminated almost entirely unchanged in the urine it should be used with caution in patients with severe renal dysfunction. It is not recommended to be used with other nicotine replacement therapies because of its nicotine antagonistic properties (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Plan of treatment Patient will be advised that the increased cough and mucus production is related to the use of tobacco products and that once he no longer smokes the frequency of cough and mucus production will decrease as this is related to irritation in the lungs caused by tobacco use. A smoker’s cough is a persistent cough that develops in long-term smokers. At first it may be dry, but over time it usually produces phlegm. The cough is usually worst upon awakening and improves throughout the day. The airways are lined with tiny hair like cells called cilia, which catch toxins in inhaled air and move them upward toward the mouth to be expelled. Smoking paralyzes these cells. Instead of toxins being caught in transit, toxins enter the lungs and create inflammation. This leads to coughing as the lungs attempt to clear these toxins. As the Celia begins to repair themselves during the night and attempt to remove the accumulated substances from the lungs, the result is coughing upon arising. Thi s cough will usually fade as the Celia is allowed to repair themselves from the abstinence of cigarette smoking. Treatment will consist of smoking cessation counseling and support, Varenicline 0.5 mg daily, starting immediately, orally once daily for three days, then 0.5 mg orally twice daily for four days, followed by one mg orally twice daily for three months. Follow up should be in three days to evaluate side effects and patient response. The next follow-up will be dependent on patient progress and response to medication. The patient will be instructed on the community resources for smoking cessation support groups and how to cope with the stress of not smoking and how to manage daily frustrations related to smoking cessation. Dietary counsel will be offered for possible nutrition advice and weight management. The patient will be encouraged to enroll in an exercise program or to increase physical activities during the initial phase of smoking cessation. A chest x-ray will be ordered, at the patient’s convenience, to rule out COPD or other lung issues. References Brunton, L., Chabner, B., Knollman, B. (2011). Goodman Gilmans: The pharmacological basis of therapeutics (12 ed.). McGraw-Hill. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Clinical practice guidelines: Treating tobacco use and dependency. Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/buckets/treatingtobacco.pdf Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Smoking and tobacco use. Retrieved from Center for disease control and prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/you_can_quit/nicotine