Beer in Pastel Essay

1. PESTEL analysis for Western European brewing industry. Political factors: * Government is restricting consumption of beer and alcohol products by imposing special laws. * Government initiating social events emphasizing the harmful effects of beer on the human health. * Higher penalty for being influenced by alcohol when doing crimes. Economic factors: * Many European countries are controlling the amount of beer sold in bars, clubs and bars. * Governmental acts and restrictions increased the amount of beer sold through supermarket chains. * Acquisitions, mergers and products with new brands – these are popular measures and strategies in the brewing market these days. * Packaging is responsible for a considerable amount of costs included in the total costs of production. * Super markets are offering cut price offers. Socio culture factors: * Binge drinkers are met with aggression and censure, blame for antisocial behavior. * Consumers pay more attention to their health and harm that drinking beer can bring thanks to governmental effective policies to prevent high beer consumptions. * Drinking in the pubs and bars has been reduced and wine drinking is also increased in Western Europe. Technological factors: * To achieve efficiency in production and cost reduction, companies utilize the latest technologies in order to achieve supreme quality with fewer costs. * In order to increase the cost effectiveness of the production, centralization is introduced to the organization of the production process. * Media adverts are used to commercialize established brands and promote new brands. Environmental factor: * Germany and United Kingdom markets are in a decreasing phase whereas the annual sales are growing, especially Chinese market. * German retailer’s sales are increasing from local private brands rather than†¦

Structure V Agency Essays

Structure V Agency Essays Structure V Agency Essay Structure V Agency Essay Which of the key debates covered in weeks 1-4 is the most significant for sociology? Explain your answer with reference to at least one sociological topic. The Structure v Agency debate has been one of the most contentious within the sociological world. The argument comprises of whether structure (social systems) or Agency (our own individualistic nature) determine our paths in quotidian life. Giddens takes the following stance Society only has form, and that form only has effects on people, in so far as structure is produced and reproduced in what people do. This essay critically evaluates this controversial dualistic argument, in an attempt to establish why it is so significant for sociology. Giddens is also in favour of Agency coining the theory of ‘structuration’ claiming that â€Å"our activities both structure our social world and at the same time are structured by them† (Giddens, 2006:8). This means that people living within a societal structure are partly predisposed to oblige with its various cultural norms, values and rules. However, our individualistic nature shapes and defines this very structure. The structure’s rules are by no means permanent and evolve with time. This doesnt sound unreasonable until you consider just how detrimental little or no agency can be on a person. Restrictions are placed upon us from birth by parents hoping to mould their child into one that conforms to cultural norms and values. These are imposed on us through various actions and behaviors such as gender specific toys and the way both genders are treated. Boys are more likely to be told to hide pain while girls are considered more delicate. Society dictates that there is a cultural life path that you must follow in order to be accepted. Certain aspects of life are pre-planned by those in authority such as your parents or government institutions. Wright-Mills (1959) observes the institution of marriage, stating that â€Å"inside a marriage a man and a woman may experience personal troubles, but when the divorce rate during the first four years of marriage is 250 out of every 1,000 attempts, this is an indication of a structural issue having to do with the institutions of marriage and the family and other institutions that bear upon them. This observation is a strong indicator that suggests the reasons people get married is due to cultural pressures forcing a long term commitment to a partner that some individuals may not be prepared for. Another issue that can be derived from structure is suicide which is often regarded as a personal choice and anti-social. Statistical studies have concluded that suicide rates correlate annually, particularly at christmas. It can be argued that some people may feel alienated and segregated from the rest of society during festive periods. Durkhiem describes suicide as; â€Å"If voluntary deaths increase from January to July, it is not because heat disturbs the organism, but because social life is more intense. The latter depends on social conditions. † Durkhiem claims that suicide rates are higher in certain religious countries; for example catholicism is regarded as a more family orientated religion when compared with protestantism and the suicide rates reflect this. Suicide rates are lower when people are more integrated within the family structure. Being part of a loving happy family is deemed an important positive aspiration that is considered paramount within society. Religious beliefs are a transparent product of structure. Children are born into religious families whereby the process of indoctrination is immediately exercised through primary and secondary socialisation. It can be argued that as children move into adolescence they grow a deeper sense of agency and often start to reject or change the ideals bestowed upon them as a child through other doctrines such as atheism and agnosticism or branch towards different religious reformations such as Calvinism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. There have been an estimated 2000 deities spanning many religions over the course of humanity which suggests that although children are indoctrinated early through societal structure their own modalities provide leverage that enables them to reshape their pre-existing ideologies through agency. Indoctrination is a serious issue in todays societies as over the course of history children that have been raised under this guise have gone onto commit acts of martyrdom through such causes as the crusades and in more recent times extremists sects of society particularly in the middle east. een in the 9/11 plane hijacks and 7/7 bombings. Hitchens (date) provides the following thoughts on religious upbringing â€Å"mass indoctrination of uneducated young men with such ideas is in itself a lethal danger to society and to international order. † Many sociologists query as to why religion seems to have dominated society over the past 4000 years. Marxist views may explain why structure has had such a persistent influence within capitalist societies as it can be argued that it provides the bourgeoisie with a dominant tool of mass exploitation of the proletariat both culturally and materially. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed culture, the heart of a heartless world just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people† (Marx). The proletariat put up with suffering on earth through various hardships such as work and poverty because of the promise of eternal reward in the afterlife. Understanding this debate is crucial for sociology because it’s members are so heavily integrated within society that they often cannot see these social barriers blocking their mobility. The working classes continue under a facade of agency while rendering the upper classes invisible and unquestioned. In conclusion, this essay has evaluated key points between structure and agency giving examples through such topics as religion, marriage, gender and suicide. It can be argued that Structure and Agency exist interdependently and that two ideologies are so delicately interconnected that to say one of them purely determines how people live their lives is one of much contention. It is important to agree however that in our society many inherent rules and restrictions have become archaic and are inimical to our interests if we want to progress towards a more desirable society. This is why the debate is so important for sociology as it allows us to further understand the inner workings of society and provide us with the tools to eventually build, reform and improve on existing foundations. Reference List: Giddens, A. , Pierson, C. 1998:77. ‘Giddens, Modernity and Self-Identity’ in Gauntlett, D. Media Gender and Identity, 2nd edition (London: Routledge) Giddens, A. 1973. Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An Analysis of the Writings of Marx, Durkheim and Max Weber. Cambridge University Press. Hitchens, C. 2011. The Enemy. Amazon. [e-book] available at www. amazon. com. Wright Mills, C. 1959. The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press Durkhiem, E. (1997) [1951]. Suicide  : A Study In Sociology. The Free Press. Marx, K. 1943 [1970]. Critique of Hegels Philosophy of Right. Edited by Joseph O’Malley. Cambridge University Press.

Japanese School System Facts

Japanese School System Facts The Japanese educational system was reformed after World War II. The old 6-5-3-3 system was changed to a 6-3-3-4 system (6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of senior high school and 4 years of University) with reference to the American system. The gimukyoiku ç ¾ ©Ã¥â€¹â„¢Ã¦â€¢â„¢Ã¨â€š ² (compulsory education) time period is 9 years, 6 in shougakkou Ã¥ ° Ã¥ ­ ¦Ã¦   ¡ (elementary school) and 3 in chuugakkou ä ¸ ­Ã¥ ­ ¦Ã¦   ¡ (junior high school). Japan has one of the worlds best-educated populations, with 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy. While not compulsory, high school (koukou é «ËœÃ¦   ¡) enrollment is over 96% nationwide and nearly 100% in the cities. The high school drop out rate is about 2% and has been increasing. About 46% of all high school graduates go on to university or junior college. The Ministry of Education closely supervises curriculum, textbooks, and classes and maintains a uniform level of education throughout the country. As a result, a high standard of education is possible. Student Life Most schools operate on a three-term system with the new year starting in April. The modern educational system started in 1872 and is modeled after the French school system, which begins in April. The fiscal year in Japan also begins in April and ends in March of the following year, which is more convenient in many aspects. April is the height of spring when cherry blossoms  (the most loved flower of the Japanese!) bloom and the most suitable time for a new start in Japan. This difference in the school-year system causes some inconvenience to students who wish to study abroad in the U.S. A half-year is wasted waiting to get in and often another year is wasted when coming back to the Japanese university system and having to repeat a year. Except for the lower grades of elementary school, the average school day on weekdays is 6 hours, which makes it one of the longest school days in the world. Even after school lets out, the children have drills and other homework to keep them busy. Vacations are 6 weeks in the summer and about 2 weeks each for winter and spring breaks. There is often homework over these vacations.   Every class has its own fixed classroom where its students take all the courses, except for practical training and laboratory work. During elementary education, in most cases, one teacher teaches all the subjects in each class. As a result of the rapid population growth after World War II, the numbers of students in a typical elementary or junior high school class once exceeded 50 students, but now it is kept under 40. At public elementary and junior high school, school lunch (kyuushoku ç µ ¦Ã© £Å¸) is provided on a standardized menu, and it is eaten in the classroom. Nearly all junior high schools require their students to wear a school uniform (seifuku åˆ ¶Ã¦Å" ). A big difference between the Japanese school system and the American School system is that Americans respect individuality while the Japanese control the individual by observing group rules. This helps to explain the Japanese characteristic of group behavior. Translation Exercise Because of the rapid population growth after World War II, the number of students in a typical elementary or junior high school once exceeded 50.  Dainiji sekai taisen no ato no kyuugekina jinkou zouka no tame, tenkeitekina shou-chuu gakkou no seitosu wa katsute go-juu nin o koemashita.ç ¬ ¬Ã¤ ºÅ'æ ¬ ¡Ã¤ ¸â€"ç•Å'Ã¥ ¤ §Ã¦Ë† ¦Ã£  ®Ã£ â€šÃ£  ¨Ã£  ®Ã¦â‚¬ ¥Ã¦ ¿â‚¬Ã£  ªÃ¤ º ºÃ¥  £Ã¥ ¢â€"åŠ  Ã£  ®Ã£ Å¸Ã£â€š Ã£â‚¬ Ã¥â€¦ ¸Ã¥Å¾â€¹Ã§Å¡â€žÃ£  ªÃ¥ ° Ã¤ ¸ ­Ã¥ ­ ¦Ã¦   ¡Ã£  ®Ã§â€Å¸Ã¥ ¾â€™Ã¦â€¢ °Ã£  ¯Ã£ â€¹Ã£  ¤Ã£  ¦Ã¤ º ºÃ£â€šâ€™Ã¨ ¶â€¦Ã£ Ë†Ã£  ¾Ã£ â€"㠁Ÿã€‚ Grammar ~no tame means because of ~. I didnt go to work because of a cold.Kaze no tame, shigoto ni ikimasen deshita.é ¢ ¨Ã©â€š ªÃ£  ®Ã£ Å¸Ã£â€š Ã£â‚¬ Ã¤ »â€¢Ã¤ ºâ€¹Ã£  «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â€ºÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â€"㠁Ÿã€‚ Vocabulary dainiji sekai taisen ç ¬ ¬Ã¤ ºÅ'æ ¬ ¡Ã¤ ¸â€"ç•Å'Ã¥ ¤ §Ã¦Ë† ¦ World War II ato 㠁‚㠁 ¨ after kyuugekina æ€ ¥Ã¦ ¿â‚¬Ã£  ª rapid jinkou zouka ä º ºÃ¥  £Ã¥ ¢â€"åŠ   population growth tenkeitekina å… ¸Ã¥Å¾â€¹Ã§Å¡â€žÃ£  ª typical shou chuu gakkou Ã¥ ° Ã¤ ¸ ­Ã¥ ­ ¦Ã¦   ¡ elementary and junior high schools seitosuu 生å ¾â€™Ã¦â€¢ ° the numbers of students katsute 㠁‹ã  ¤Ã£  ¦ once go-juu ä ºâ€Ã¥   fifty koeru è ¶â€¦Ã£ Ë†Ã£â€šâ€¹ to exceed

Paramount vs. Tantamount

Paramount vs. Tantamount Paramount vs. Tantamount Paramount vs. Tantamount By Mark Nichol What’s the difference between paramount and tantamount? The distinction is of paramount importance; it’s tantamount to being right or wrong. Paramount, from the Anglo-French word paramont, derived from the Latin phrase per ad montem, literally translated as â€Å"up the mountain,† means â€Å"supreme.† It’s also used (rarely) as a noun to refer to a supreme ruler. Tantamount was originally a noun, translated into English from the Anglo-French phrase tant amunter, meaning â€Å"to amount to as much,† and means â€Å"equivalent.† It is seldom used more’s the pity, because it is such a grand word in such phrases as â€Å"tantamount to treason.† This grandiloquence, and the word’s resemblance to paramount, may mislead writers into assuming it has a lofty sense like its counterpart. As you might have guessed, the noun amount, meaning â€Å"sum,† also derives from the Latin word for mountain. Another word with the element -amount is catamount, a nearly obsolete synonym for cougar or lynx that is a compression of the term cat-a-mountain. Closed-compound verbs with the root word mount include dismount (â€Å"remove oneself from a high position, as a horse or a piece of gymnastic equipment,† or â€Å"take apart†) demount is a rarely used variant remount (â€Å"get up on again,† or â€Å"revert†), and surmount (â€Å"climb,† â€Å"excel,† or â€Å"overcome,† or â€Å"be at the top of†). Seamount is a noun referring to an underwater mountain whose summit does not reach sea level. (If it did, it would be called an island.) Dismount and remount also have noun forms; the former refers to the concluding movement in a gymnastics routine, and the latter denotes a horse that replaces a rider’s previous one. An interesting side note: In archery, â€Å"lord paramount† and â€Å"lady paramount† are terms for an official in charge of an archery tournament, or for a ceremonial leader of such an event, equivalent to a parade grand marshal. The terms originated in the feudal era, when a lord paramount, one not subordinate to a member of the nobility of greater rank, was required to provide trained longbowmen in the event of war, and officiated at archery tournaments. (The title â€Å"lord paramount† is known to fans of the television series A Game of Thrones and the series of novels on which it is based.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 Idioms with Heart"Replacement for" and "replacement of"Wood vs. Wooden

Humor and Socialization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Humor and Socialization - Essay Example ..a 2005 study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine showed that laughter helps blood vessels function better" (BIOMED, 2006, p. 420). For academic integrity it should be noted, however, that not all experts agree on this point: Sahakian & Frishman find that that there are "many discrepancies and conflicts in the medical literature regarding laughter, humor, and their effects on the cardiovascular system" (2007, p. 57). Beyond the positive physiological effects, there is a social component to humor which sociologists and the psychological sciences have begun to explore. Van Wormer & Boes, in their study on the social perspective of humor in the emergency room setting, posit that "humor usually cannot be enjoyed alone, interaction and sharing are important components" but go on to conclude that "in the short term, humor can provide a healthy catharsis" (1997, pp. 89, 95). It is this aspect of humor which this study proposes to undertake. There is a case to made for the position taken by social scientist like Lauer, that "we find things funny because we are social beings, and laughter is just one form of communication" (2007, p. 22). That position, however, does not address nor allow for the solitary laugher.

Analysing Financial Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysing Financial Information - Essay Example External reporting of accounts through various financial statements is regulated and must comply with various legal requirements as well. Accounts must be regulated in order to provide a true and fair view of the affairs of any business concern. Compliance being the most important issue, every financial accounts prepared by any domestic company in UK must comply with the Company Act. Regulation of accounts and accounting procedures helps the stakeholders of the company like the investors, consumers, etc. to gather information about various financial aspects of the company which can help them in various decision making process. Not only this, regulated accounts can help in detecting various anti-competitive behaviour like unfair cross-subsidisation etc. Moreover it helps in comparative competition. Also the financial health of a company can be monitored using regulated accounts. (Chief executive of Ofgem et. al, 2001, p.3) Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, a compilation of accou nting practices that help in guiding the company accounts in UK, entails how to prepare company accounts in UK. Accounting Standards Board (ASB) is the primary source of Accounting Standards out of many and it can be said to be the standard-setter in this case. ASB is also in charge for setting the Financial Reporting Standards (FRS). ASB is once again a part of Financial Reporting Council (FRC) which has replaced the Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) in 1990. Urgent Issues Task Force (UITF) assists the ASB in dealing with matters which requires clarifications or changes in practice of accounting due to non-compliance with existing legislation or standards. Financial Reporting Review Panel (FRRP) is the other part of FRC which has the responsibility of enquiring about the company accounts where there is a sign or indication of violating the Companies Act requirements. (Bebbington & Song, n.d, p.74) The principle legislation that governs the reporting of company accounts in UK has been stated clearly in the Companies Act 2006. Companies Act 2006 also incorporates the requirements of the law in Europe. Initially Companies Act set out the reporting requirement for companies in UK which were limited by extent. In 2005 however, certain changes were incorporated in the European law. It stated that all listed companies in Europe would report as per the guidelines of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) while the non listed ones were given the option of reporting either under IFRS or as per the norms of GAAP. Domestic companies of UK whose shares and other securities are listed on the London Stock Exchange, are required to comply with the regulations issued by UK Listing Authorities (UKLA) along with UK GAAP. Additional requirements for domestic companies are included in the Listing Rules, such as additional disclosures about directors and corporate governance. International Accounting Standards (IAS) can now become law in the European Union (EU) with the process set up by the regulation. The regulation only

Measuring Team Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Measuring Team Performance - Essay Example Reaching the goals means identifying some of the strategies, formal or informal’ (McNamara, 2007b). Therefore, it is apparent that the four major management functions namely planning, leading organizing and controlling are interdependent with a failure/success in one determining the fate of the others. The performance standards that are to be met by the employees are set in the planning process. It is important for the management to understand that all the activities to be performed win the organization need to have their predefined standards (Erven, n.d). It is thus the role of the management to ensure that the employees are conforming to the laid down standards. McNamara (2007b) observed that the evaluation and review of performance ‘provides an opportunity for the supervisors and the employees to regularly communicate about goals’. The managers need to understand that ‘lowering the standards to what has been attained is not a solution to performance problems. On the other hand, a manager does need to the standards when they are fund to be unattainable due to resource limitation and factors external to the business’ (Erven, n.d). As such, the controlling process helps to identify the possible problems that may arise to deter the organization’s pr ogress. Since the controlling process is aimed at identifying how employees conform to the standards, the required steps are taken depending on the outcome. If the performance by the employees is established to be substandard, ‘then preventive action must be taken to ensure that the problem does not recur. If performance is greater than or equal to standards, [then] it is useful to reinforce behaviors that led to the acceptable standards’ (Erven, n.d). Thus, controlling, as a management function is analogous to quality control in a production company. As McNamara (2007b) described, quality control involves ‘specifying a performance standard, monitoring