History Of The File Management System Information Technology Essay

History Of The File Management System Information Technology Essay Its the first management system introduced in 1960s. This was actually the proof of concept, in which the feasibility of storing large amount of data was shown. Its the management system in which all data is stored on a single large file as indicated from its name. It just contains data in which there are no relationships and no links between data and records. Its main drawback is searching a record or data takes a lot of time. Also these systems had a lot of drawbacks like for updating or to modify the data we have to do a lot of efforts as searching took time. Sorting the records was one of time taking process. Courtesy of http://en.kioskea.net/contents/bdd/bddtypes.php3Hierarchical Database System: 1970s 1990s In order to take account of the disadvantages in the previous file management system, this data base system was introduces a new concept of parent-child relationship between the flat files (like trees concept). The origin of data is called root have several branches coming out of it at different levels and the last level is called leaf. For example a parent can have many children but a child can only have a parent (1: M relation). This model uses pointers for navigation between stored data. For accessing the data we have to follow the hierarchy from top to bottom. Its main drawback is that if we need to modify or wants to add something in the data we have to alter all the structure thats again a very tedious task. Some times our data can best model if we have multiple parents/owners, so hierarchical Database system restricts ourselves in doing so. Network Database System: 1970s 1990s Courtesy of http://en.kioskea.net/contents/bdd/bddtypes.php3Some database can be best modeled by having multiple parents per child. So many-to-many relations were introduced in which a record can have multiple owners (M: M). Examples are DMS and IDMS. Its the more flexible than hierarchical database system as it reduces redundancy. Its drawbacks are:    ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maintainability (for changing the relationships we may require physical reformation of data),  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lack of strength. Any failure in the system leaves the dangling reference to the data which can somehow be recovered   As there is no limit on relationships so our system becomes more complex. Courtesy of http://en.kioskea.net/contents/bdd/bddtypes.php3 Relational Database System: 1980s present (second generation DBMS) In order to overcome the drawbacks in the previous systems, this Database system was introduced in which data is organized in tables as shown (each record shown in a row and attributes shown in the columns). Its structure, i.e., a table, is easily understood and the design and standardization process is well defined. So the relationships formed between the tables. Its the flexible, well-established system. Due to its sound theoretical base this database system is used from many years. Standard data access language through SQL( SQL is limited when accessing complex data) SQL considered the fourth generation language. This system dont support for complex data types. Courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object_databaseObject-Oriented Database Management System: 1990s present (third generation database system) During 1990s unstructured data become more common so in order to handle these increasing complex data, object-oriented database system were introduced. Its a model in which information is represented in the form of objects as used in object-oriented programming. Object databases should not be used when there would be few join tables and there are large volumes of data. Object-oriented data base management system gives high performance to manage objects and give ease to the complex connection of objects. This makes it so much reliable than any other data base management systems. This is one of the database management systems that supports the creation of data as objects. This includes some kind of support for classes of objects and the inheritance of class properties and methods by subclasses and their objects. Today, object oriented databases plays important role in enterprises develop systems and infrastructure to deal with more complex data requirements. OBJECT-RELATIONAL (1990s-present): Its the same as relational data base but using the concepts of object-oriented data bases that are classes, inheritance and concept of objects. It can be described as mid-way between relational data base and object-oriented data base. In this DBMS the approach is same as that of relational DBMS. There are some features of an object-relational data base management system that includes SQL that can be used to create both relational and objects. It also supports to different functions of object-oriented. DATA-WAREHOUSING (1980s-present): Its the collection of data which helps management in decision making. . Its basic concept is to provide architectural model for the flow of data. In large organizations there are multiple tasks assign to different groups of persons each having their records. The warehouse includes development of systems to extract data from their operating systems plus provides managers flexible access to the data. It focuses on modeling and analysis of data for decision makers. Excludes data not useful in decision support process. Data once recorded cannot be updated. Data warehouse requires two operations in data accessing i.e. initial loading of data, access of data. The benefit of the data ware house is that it gives same data regardless of the source that is easier to analyze information. Another benefit is that if the source system data is washed out the information in the data ware house which is under control can be stored safely. WEB-ENABLED (1990s-present): The dramatically effect on database environment is the ascendance of the internet thats why its called web-enabled data base system. Web-enabled data base is simply a data base which is web-based interface. The main purpose of web-enabled allows users to access data from central warehouse. The application of web-enabled data base is ticketing of an airline or buying computer direct from manufacturer through internet. All of this needs data base and easy connection if multiple users are through internet. Example of web-enabled data baseIn 2000s the most common change in data base environment is addition of XML defined web services. It is found everywhere for business purposes. Summary of Database Application: Courtesy of Modern Database Management 8th edition by JEFFREY A. HOFFER

Does Intercollegiate Athletics Equal Knowledge? :: Argumentative Persuasive College sports Essays

Does Intercollegiate Athletics Equal Knowledge? We live in an age where economic gain at the easiest means possible is desired. For many this want of economic status depends heavily on their completion of college. A degree can lead to higher wages and greater job opportunities. But, there is another class that is in a boat all their own: student-athletes, males in particular. Many male athletes leave college in hopes of joining the professional field. But, many times leaving school before graduation can have negative effects. Ironically, many athletes that complete their education do not come out with the knowledge necessary. Thus, we need to ask the question, can collegiate athletes benefit from finishing their education before pursuing professional careers. For college athletes, the opportunity for a university education is as important as playing intercollegiate sports. False. According to Murray Sperver, author of College Sports Inc., â€Å"formal and informal studies indicate that most college athletes in big-time programs hope to play their sport at the professional or Olympic level, and they regard college as their path to the pros or the national team.† Many athletes devote countless hours to their sports, thus resulting in an inability to obtain a serious means for academics. For many high school athletes the academic quality of a university does not hold near as much precedence over the quality of a universities athletic program. Although professional athletes make up only three percent of the entire population, this seems to be irrelevant to those athletes choosing colleges. A dream may have more power than reality. The NCAA stands behind there motto that athletics are also students and that their primary purpose in education is to receive an education, which results in obtaining a degree. Yet, according to College Sports Inc., â€Å"at a third of American colleges and universities with major men’s basketball programs, fewer than one in five players ever graduate.† The NCAA blames these low graduation rates as the result of athletes dropping out of school because of professional contracts. Many institutions, like UNLV have been accused of giving their athletes questionable degrees. In other words, many institutions â€Å"graduate† these athletes before they actually earn their degrees. As stated in The Los Angeles Times, â€Å"UNLV graduation ceremonies showed [men’s basketball coach] Tarkanian with all five of the six seniors from this years team, all in caps and gowns.

Charles Augustin de Coulomb :: biographies bio

Charles Augustin Coulomb was born on June 14th, 1736 in Angoulà ªme, France. Henry Coulomb, Charles' father, had a military career, but left that for the government. His mother, Catherine Bajet, was related to a very wealthy family, the de Sà ©nac's. Many say that Henry Coulomb got caught up in some financial mishaps which led to him losing most all of his money. During Coulomb's younger years his family moved from Angoulà ªme on to Paris. Here, Charles attended many lectures at the College Mazarin and also the College de France. His mom wanted him to be a medical doctor, but on the contrary, Charles wanted to go on and study mathematics. Since Charles disobeyed his mother, he was disowned and was forced to stay with his father over in Montpellier. During his stay he joined the second royal scientific society in France known as the scientific circle. Here he read many papers on mathematics and astronomy. It was a shame that he had no money to purchase a home of his own and continu e his scientific studies, but eventually he came to be a military engineer. He joined the military school at Mà ©zià ¨res in 1760. Here he formed many friendships which would later be important for his scientific work. Charles Bossut, his teacher at Mà ©zià ¨res and Jean Charles Borda where among them. After spending nearly nine years in Martinique as an engineer of the military Charles returned to France mostly due to ill health. In 1781 he entered the French Academy of Sciences where he was a part of the administration of waters and fountains, the reform of hospitals and the system of weights and measures. He was able to publish his paper in 1787 where he proved his famous Coulombs Law. Soon came the outbreak of the French Revolution and Charles decided to retire to a small cottage in Blois. Here he was able to devote his time to

AtlantiCare and the “Voice of the Customer” Essay

Introduction Located in southeastern New Jersey, AtlantiCare is a nonprofit organization that provides acute and chronic health care services in the following areas: cancer, trauma, cardiac care, stroke, behavioral health, urgent care, hospice, home care, family medicine, occupational medicine, child care, early learning, and mission care for the homeless. Because of the nature of the services it provides quality is essential at AtlantiCare, and the organization delivers it. In fact, AtlantiCare applies the principles of total quality so comprehensively and consistently that the organization has received the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. At the core of AtlantiCare’s quality program is a process the organization calls the â€Å"Voice of the Customer.† This is a five-phase process used to make the organization’s patients partners in its continual-improvement efforts. Voice of the Customer identifies patient requirements and then makes sure that AtlantiCare’s services satisfy these requirements. The company’s customer focus does not stop with external customers. It also includes internal customers-employees (Goetsh & Davis, 2011). Total quality is not a concept anymore in day to day operations at AtlantiCare. It is part of the management team work ethic and philosophy, and the rest of the nonprofit company staff. AtlantiCare applies the principles of total quality in such a way that not only takes care of its customers, but also its internal customers. By doing so, the company has achieved organizational excellence. The case that follows is about the steps taken by the administration at AtlantiCare and also the lessons learned by the executives and the staff to become a world-class health care provider. Questions AtlantiCare has learned how to apply the principles of effective communication in a Total Quality setting. If total quality is the engine, communication is the oil that keeps it running. Much of what total quality is all about depends on effective communication. Without it, total quality breaks down. Some of the key elements of the total quality concept are customer focus (internal and external), total employee involvement and empowerment, leadership, teamwork, decision making, problem prevention, problem solving, and conflict resolution (Goetsh & Davis, 2011). The core of the AtlantiCare’s Total Quality system is a process called the â€Å"Voice of the Customer.† This is a five-phase process used to make the organization’s patients partners in its continual-improvement efforts. Voice of the Customer identifies patient requirements and then makes sure that AtlantiCare’s services satisfy these requirements. The part that AtlantiCare applies perfectly well i s the focus in its internal and external customers. This approach has giving the nonprofit company the information necessary to fix its mistakes and to reengineer its process, so AtlantiCare keeps its customers satisfied. Basically, what AtlantiCare does is to listen to all the stakeholders, following the principles of effective communication: message received, message understood. To listen responsively, managers and employees must learn to simultaneously use their ears, eyes, brains, and hearts. Responsive listening can pay substantial dividends for managers in a total quality setting (Goetsh & Davis, 2011). PepsiCo and IKEA are among the top companies were people wants to work at. It is not only because these companies have a recognized name or they are multinational companies. It is basically because these two companies also apply Total Quality programs where listening the suggestions and concerns of its employees and customers is a very big component. According to IKEA Welcome Inside 2012 report they in many markets we are the employer of choice, and latest results from our co-worker satisfaction survey, VOICE, show a very high level of satisfaction among our co-workers. The VOICE result also identifies areas where we can improve. IKEA is listening actively. They paid attention to their employees. They are sensitive to the information they receive, and also they act in consequence. They are being creative by developing programs to help their employees to grow and develop. In 2012, PepsiCo was listed among the Top 25 ‘World’s Best Multinational Workplaces’ by the Great Place to Work Institute  (PepsiCo, 2012). PepsiCo is always looking for talent and sustainability for them it means to invest in their associates to help them succeed; providing a safe and inclusive workplace globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where they operate. In all of their markets, they are developing the talent of associates, preparing them to lead PepsiCo into the future. Through PepsiCo University and online courses offered by their global functions, more than 8,000 of their associates completed more than 11,500 courses in 2012. The professional development they offer to their associates enables them to develop the skills, capabilities and mindsets needed to drive sustainable financial performance and value creation. PepsiCo is combating the inhibitors of listening by providing to its employees with opportunities of professional development. Conclusion In order to have a Total Quality program that works effectively it is important to put at the core of the program the communication piece. Especially the information that is brought and communicated by the customers is the piece that has to have a mechanism that assures that it is inputted in to the Total Quality program. In the case of AtlantiCare, the nonprofit company has a system in place that voices the suggestions, complains, and demands of both customers: external and internal. The core of the AtlantiCare’s Total Quality system is a process called the â€Å"Voice of the Customer.† This is a five-phase process used to make the organization’s patients partners in its continual-improvement efforts. Voice of the Customer identifies patient requirements and then makes sure that AtlantiCare’s services satisfy these requirements. The part that AtlantiCare applies perfectly well is the focus in its internal and external customers. In the case of IKEA, the company has its own program called the â€Å"VOICE.† The VOICE result also identifies areas where we can improve. IKEA is listening actively. They paid attention to their employees. They are sensitive to the information they receive, and also they act in consequence. The area where this program could improve is in the external customer. According to this program they are only surveying the employees, but they are not taking in consideration the important information that the external customers have and can be used in the company’s advantage. On the other hand, in 2012, PepsiCo  was listed among the Top 25 ‘World’s Best Multinational Workplaces’ by the Great Place to Work Institute (PepsiCo, 2012), which means PepsiCo takes care of its internal customers. In all of their markets, they are developing the talent of associates, preparing them to lead PepsiCo into the future. Through PepsiCo University and online courses offered by their global functions, more than 8,000 of their associates completed more than 11,500 courses in 2012. PepsiCo provides for its employees professional developing opportunities and career growth, but they do not have a program in place that assures that its employees are providing information that could help the company. Less say they are not putting communication at the core of its Total Quality program. Finally, both companies could learn something from AtlantiCare by implementing Total Quality programs that included their external customers. Especially in the case of IKEA that sells directly to the final consumer. References David L. Goetsch, Stanley B. Davis. (2011) Quality Management for Organizational Excellence: Introduction to Total Quality, (7th Ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education IKEA Group (2012). Welcome inside 2012. Retrieved from http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/yearly_summary/ys_welcome_inside_2012.pdf PepsiCo (2012). Annual Report. Retrieved from http://www.pepsico.com/download/PEP_Annual_Report_2012.pdf

What the Bible Says About Gambling

What Does the Bible Say About Gambling? Surprisingly, the Bible contains no specific command to avoid gambling. However, the Bible does contain timeless principles for living a life pleasing to God and is filled with wisdom to deal with every situation, including gambling. Answer: Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we read about people casting lots when a decision had to be made. In most instances, this was simply a way of determining something impartially: Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions. Joshua 18:10, NIV) Casting lots was common among many ancient cultures. Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments at his crucifixion: â€Å"Let's not tear it,† they said to one another. â€Å"Let's decide by lot who will get it. † This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, â€Å"They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. † So this is what the soldiers did. (John 19:24, NIV) Does the Bible Mention Gambling? Although the words â€Å"gambling† and â€Å"gamble† do not appear in the Bible, we cannot assume that an activity is not a sin simply because it is not mentioned.Looking at pornography on the Internet and using illegal drugs are not mentioned either, but both violate God's laws. While casinos and lotteries promise thrills and excitement, obviously people gamble to try to win money. Scripture gives very specific instructions about what our attitude should be toward money: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV) â€Å"No servant can serve two masters. [Jesus said. ] Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money. † (Luke 16:13, NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV) Gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4, NIV) One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure.Gamblers may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lord’s work or to save it for an emergency, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player. Gamblers covet more money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive j ewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment: â€Å"You shall not covet your neighbor's house.You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. † (Exodus 20:17, NIV) Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million U. S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million are problem gamblers. This addiction can destroy the stability of the family, lead to job loss, and cause a person to lose control of their life: †¦for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 2 Peter 2:19) Some argue that gambling is nothing more than entertainment, no more immoral than going to a movie or concert. People who attend movies or concerts expect only entertainment in return, however, not money. They are not tempted to keep spending until they â€Å"break even. † Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope. Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we are constantly reminded that our hope is in God alone, not money, power, or position: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5, NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV) Some Christians believe that church raffles, bingos and the like to raise funds for Christian education and ministries are harmless fun, a form of donation involving a game.Their logic is that, as with alcohol, an adult should act respon sibly. In those circumstances, it seems unlikely someone would lose a large amount of money. God's Word is No Gamble Every leisure activity is not a sin, but all sin is not clearly listed in the Bible. Added to that, God doesn't just want us not to sin, but he gives us an even higher goal. The Bible encourages us to consider our activities in this way: â€Å"Everything is permissible for me†Ã¢â‚¬â€but not everything is beneficial. â€Å"Everything is permissible for me†Ã¢â‚¬â€but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV) This verse appears again in 1 Corinthians 10:23, with the addition of this idea: â€Å"Everything is permissible†Ã¢â‚¬â€but not everything is constructive. † When an activity is not distinctly described as sin in the Bible, we can ask ourselves these questions: â€Å"Is this activity beneficial for me or will it become my master? Will participation in this activity be constructive or destructive to my Christian life and witness? † The Bible does not explicitly say, â€Å"Thou shalt not play blackjack. † Yet by gaining a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures we have a trustworthy guide for determining what pleases and displeases God.

Developed Countries Have a Responsibility to Give Aid

Developed countries have a responsibility to give aid to developing countries because immigration issues can be reduced by educational and healthcare assistanceEssay Developed countries have a responsibility to give aid to developing countries because immigration issues can be reduced by educational and healthcare assistance Have you ever wondered whether developed countries have a responsibility to assist developing countries or not, and what is the negative impact for developed countries if they do not help other developing countries? People in developing countries suffer from financial, economical, educational and healthcare problems.Consequently, these problems make their life more difficult and reduce standards of living such as lack of education and poor level of healthcare. As a result, those difficulties are leading them to emigrate by legal or illegal methods to other countries especially to developed countries where they can find a better life. For example, Canada is one of the most developed countries which many immigrants and refugees are trying to enter and reside. In addition, it welcomed approximately 12,098 refugees in 2010 (â€Å"Citizenship and immigration Canada media†, 2011).The case of Canada is an example of how refugees can cause a strain on developed countries. To reduce the number of refugees, developed countries must provide educational and healthcare assistance for developing countries which suffer from low standards of living, poor education and low quality health care. Education and healthcare are the most important factors which contribute to the development process for developing countries. Education become a necessity because it helps people to develop their life, society and country by improving their learning and practicing skills (The Center for Global Development, 2006).Low quality of education is a common problem in developing countries (Kremer M. & Holla A. , 2008, P. 2). It refers to fewer numbers of schools, teache rs and textbooks which reduce people's chances to be educated, especially in large population countries (Kremer M. ; Holla A. , 2008, P. 14). Moreover, the weakness of educational policies and evaluations leads to weak educational programs and contexts which result in low students' achievement (Bonuti S. , 2012, P. 5). Healthcare is another essential factor of developing for underdeveloped countries to have a healthy society through limiting different disease as much as possible.Healthcare problems create other difficulties for developing nations. One difficulty is weakness of healthcare system such as referral system leads to have a low quantity of providing health for people (Chudi I. P. , 2010, P. 11). Also, low quality of healthcare may result from poor planning for health programs which need more appropriate policies (Thomas V. , 2009, P. 2). Limitations of health education programs and small number of healthcare centers and specialists are other problems which cause a poor hea lthcare (Thomas V. , 2009, P. 2).Those complications make life more difficult and many of them are trying to immigrate by legal or illegal methods to urban nations which have better facilities. These difficulties can be reduced by developed countries which can provide educational aid to enhance the standards of living for underdeveloped populations. Developed countries can increase the quality of education of underdeveloped nations by increasing the number of schools and inputs, improving teaching methods through training courses and enhancing teachers motivations (Kremer M. amp; Holla A. , 2008, P. 14). In addition, strengthening programs can be done by refining and creating developed educational policies which are needed for higher learning and increasing student's participation and research (Bonuti S. , 2012, P. 8). Moreover, educational process can be enhanced by increasing the number of organizations and foundations such as the Hewlett Foundation, which has many programs and go als to solve global educational problems for developing countries (Hewlett Foundation, 2011).Healthcare services also can be improved through increasing the number of medical centers and specialists and raising awareness about the importance of health for people (Chudi I. P. , 2010, P. 11). Additionally, Chudi suggests that â€Å"developed countries should provide necessary technological and financial assistance to the developing countries, conduct more research on public health problems of developing countries and improve their public health service capacity† (Chudi I. P. , 2010, P. 11). Those methods may raise the quality and quantity of healthcare, resulting in having healthy communities.Therefore, definition of aid should be expanded to include items such as improving policies, and not only concentrate on giving financial aid, such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) to underdeveloped nations. (Schmitz G. , Pistor M. and Furi M. , 2003). These two main issues  œ education and healthcare – if provided, can influence a major problem for both developing and developed countries. These essential issues for developed nations are to avoid and reduce immigration issues which cause serious problems. For example, Vermaat states that† Each year, more than 240,000 illegal African immigrants are entering Europe. (Vermaat E. , 2010, P. 3). This excessive and unexpected number of immigrants causes security, stability and political problems for urban nations such as raising the rate of crimes in the society (Vermaat E. , 2010, P. 13). Additionally, Vermaat shows that† the mass movement of people around the world had brought new levels of organized crime, with drug dealing, gun offenses, prostitution and kidnapping† (Vermaat E. , 2010, P. 21). Furthermore, illegal immigrants and refugees can transfer some cultural traditions such as female genital mutilation and polygamy that cause social problems in civilized cities (Vermaat E. 2 010, P. 21). In addition, some dangerous infectious diseases such as HIV infection can be transmitted by some refugees who immigrate from less healthy areas to developed areas which mean the number of diseases will increase (Vermaat E. , 2010, P. 21). So, those problems oblige developed nations to help other underdeveloped countries to minimize and avoid those risks as much as possible. To conclude, developed nations can decrease the number of immigrants and refugees by giving essential aid such as education and healthcare for underdeveloped nations which suffer from low standards of living.The weakness of education and healthcare programs in developing countries cause many difficulties for people which results in thinking to move out of the country toward urban nations to find a better life. Furthermore, assistance from developed countries should concentrate on improving main policies, programs and methods of education and healthcare not only on providing financial aid. Also, incre asing and creating more national and international organizations and foundations will facilitate the development process for developing countries and reduce the rate of immigration problems.So, developed nations should provide these assistance to avoid and reduce political, security and health problems which result from illegal immigrants and refugees. References Bonuti S. (2012). The Quality of Higher Education in Developing Countries Needs Professional Support. (1 – 10). Retrieved from http://www. intconfhighered. org/FINAL%20Sarah%20Bunoti. pdf Chudi I. P. (2010). Healthcare problems in developing countries. Medical Practice and Reviews. Vol. 1(1), pp. 9-11. Retrieved from http://www. academicjournals. org/mpr Citizenship and Immigration Canada Media. (2011, February 13).Canada welcomes highest number of legal immigrants in 50 years while taking action to maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. Retrieved from http://www. cic. gc. ca/english/department /media/releases/2011/2011-02-13. asp Hewlett Foundation (2011). Quality Education in Developing Countries. Retrieved from http://www. hewlett. org/programs/global-development-program/quality-education-in-developing-countries Kremer M. and Holla A. (2008). Improving Education in the Developing World: What Have We Learned From Randomized Evaluations? World Bank’s Commission on Growth and Development (1 – 49). Retrieved from http://www. conomics. harvard. edu/faculty/kremer/files/Annual_Review_081110%20-%20NO%20TRACK%20CHANGES. pdf Schmitz G. , Pistor M. & Furi M. (2003). Aid to developing countries. Political and Social Affairs Division. Retrieved from http://publications. gc. ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/CIR/7916-e. htm The Center for Global Development. (2006). Education and the developing world. Independent research and practical ideas for global prosperity. Retrieved from http://www. cgdev. org/files/2844_file_EDUCATON1. pdf Thomas V. (2009). Health care in developing coun tries- Need for finance, education or both? Calicut Medical Journal; 7(1): l. Retrieved from

Blood Bananas: Chiquita in Colombia Essay

For Chiquita Brands International, a pioneer in the globalization of the banana industry, bananas are not only serious business, they represent an array of economic, social, environmental, political, and legal hassles. Since its founding more than a hundred years ago as United Fruit Company, Chiquita has been involved in paying bribes to Latin American government officials in exchange for preferential treatment, encouraging or supporting U.S. coups against smaller nations, putting in place dictatorships in Central America’s â€Å"banana republics,† exploiting local workers, creating an abusive monopoly, and now doing business with terrorists.1 For American multinationals, the rewards of doing business abroad are enormous, but so are the risks. Over the past decades, no place has been more hazardous than Colombia, a country that is just emerging from a deadly civil war and the effects of wide-ranging narco-terrorism. Chiquita found out the hard way. It made tens of millions in profit growing bananas in Colombia, only to emerge with its reputation splattered in blood.2 In 2004, Chiquita voluntarily admitted criminal responsibility to the U.S. Justice Department that one of its Colombian banana subsidiaries had made protection payments from 1997 through 2004 to terrorist groups. Consequently, a high-profile investigation and legal trial followed. In 2007, Chiquita entered into a plea agreement to resolve the criminal prosecution. The interactions between the Justice Department and Chiquita were very contentious, but with the settlement, Chiquita expected that it could put the past behind and refocus on developing its business. However, in 2010, the victims’ families filed a separate lawsuit against Chiquita in an American court, demanding compensation. At the same time, investigators in Bogota and on Capitol Hill were looking at other U.S. companies that may have engaged in similar practices, dealing with terrorists as part of the conduct of business. With this in mind, Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita’s CEO since 2004, reflected on how the company had arrived at this point, and what had been done to correct the course so far. He faced major challenges to the company’s competitive position in this dynamic industry. What would it take to position the company on a more positive competitive trajectory? Would this even be possible in this industry and in the business climate Chiquita faced? Chiquita Brands International: Defendant The atmosphere in the Washington D.C. courtroom on September 17, 2007, was testy, with the lawyers on both sides pointing fingers at each other. The defendant, Chiquita Brands International Inc., had already signed a plea agreement that included a US$25 million fine and a five-year probation period. In addition, Chiquita was required to hire a permanent compliance officer. The plea did not stop Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Malis from taking a shot at Chiquita. He accused the company of making millions in profits while paying off Colombian right-wing terrorist groups, including the AUC (United Self Defense Forces of Colombia), for almost seven years. He said the almost US$2 million in payments made by Chiquita â€Å"fueled violence† and â€Å"paid for weapons and ammunition to kill innocent people.†3 Copyright  © 2010 Thunderbird School of Global Management. All rights reserved. This case was prepared by Professors Andreas Schotter and Mary Teagarden, with the assistance of Monika Stoeffl, for the purpose of classroom discussion only, and not to indicate either effective or ineffective management. This document is authorized for use only in Estrategia 2013-I Preg. Montes by Juan Carlos Montes at UNIVERSITY DE LOS ANDES COLUMBIA from January 2013 to May 2013. Chiquita’s lead defense attorney, Eric Holder Jr., snapped back, accusing Malis of shading the facts, of â€Å"being a little too cute and a little too crafty,† as well as â€Å"a little deceptive.† Holder told the judge that the government was partly to blame for the company’s predicament. In 2001, the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, added Colombia’s AUC to the list of â€Å"specially designated foreign terrorist organizations† in company with mostly Middle East-based groups like Al Qaeda and Hamas. Holder argued that in 2003 Chiquita asked the U.S. Department of Justice if it should stop the payments to the terrorists. Holder said, â€Å"All the government had to do was, ‘yes, stop the payments,’ just say yes, but they never did.† Bananas are Serious Business As one of the first tropical fruits to be internationally traded, bananas are a cheap way to bring â€Å"the tropics† to North America and Europe. Over the years, bananas have become such a common, inexpensive grocery item that we often forget where they come from and how they get to us. Bananas flourish in tropical regions, such as the Caribbean and Central America, where the average temperature is 80 °F (27 °C), and the yearly rainfall is 78-98 inches (198-249 centimeters). In fact, most bananas are grown within 10 degrees north or south of the equator. Iceland is an exception, where banana plants grow in soil heated by geysers.4 Bananas do not grow on trees; instead, they are perennial plants, which grow repeatedly from the same root system. They are related to the orchid, lily, and palm families. Bananas are harvested green and ripened during the transportation process, and as soon as the banana stem is cut from the plant, ripening starts. Within 36 hours, the fruit is packed in boxes and loaded onto refrigerated ships, where the cool temperatures slow down the ripening process. The whole trip, from plantation to grocery store, takes about two weeks. The earliest recorded writings about the banana date from around 600 BC or earlier in India. There were several different varieties growing in the wild, all of which were inedible due to taste, and some varieties even made people ill. The Indian agriculturalists experimented with crossbreeding wild varieties of bananas, but while some of the resulting hybrids were edible, they were also sterile, which meant that the original plants needed to be crossbred each time someone wanted a new edible banana crop. Eventually, they came up with a hybrid that produced offshoots (suckers) that could be planted to grow into new plants full of sweet bananas. Between 400-300 BC, bananas found their way eastward with Alexander the Great and his armies. The banana appeared in Chinese literature around 200 AD and then migrated westward to Africa. From there, it likely hitched a ride in the ships of Spanish explorers to the Canary Islands, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and other parts of the western hemisphere. Along the way, other hybrid breeds were created. New varieties were also developed in China. Somehow, a Chinese banana made its way to Great Britain and became famous as the â€Å"Cavendish Banana,† named after an important English family. The Cavendish became the great granddaddy of all commercial bananas sold in the 21st century. In 2010, there were 300 different varieties of bananas worldwide, of which about 20 varieties are being grown commercially, mainly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In 2010, bananas were ranked third on the list of staple crops in the world after wheat and coffee, making them critical for economic and global food stability. Bananas are one of the biggest profitmakers in supermarkets. The average American eats 27 pounds of them every year. Europeans also love bananas. For example, in Sweden the per-capita consumption was 35 pounds. In Eastern Europe, consumption was growing strongly and had already reached 20 pounds per capita per annum. While bananas may simply be a humble fruit with a long history, the banana business creates serious environmental, economic, social, and political problems. Historically, the banana trade symbolized economic imperialism, injustices in the global trade market, and the exploitation of agriculture-dependent third-world countries.