Globalization Essay Example

Globalization Essay An Economic Education Newsletter from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate Lesson PLan Inside the Vault—spring 2008 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate As published in Inside the Vault, Volume 13, Issue 1, Spring 08 lobalization can be defined as a phenomenon of increased economic integration among nations, characterized by the movement of people, ideas, social customs and products across borders. This phenomenon has a long history, dating back to the trade routes developed during the Roman Empire, as well as those pioneered by Marco Polo or ocean voyagers like Columbus and Magellan.Globalization has been crucial for economic growth over time. In his influential study â€Å"The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective,† the noted economic historian Angus Maddison argued that economic advancement across time was sustained by three interactive processes: t †¢ heconquestorsettlementofrelativelyemptyareasthat had fertil e land, new biological resources or a potential to accommodate transfers of population, crops and livestock; †¢ internationaltradeandcapitalmovements;and †¢ technologicalandinstitutionalinnovations.As Maddison and others have noted, technological innovations have played a key role in spurring previous globalization episodes. Transfers of technology from Asia and Egypt—such as silk, spices, textiles, glass blowing and rice—helped Venice and its colonies play a key role in the development of Europe. As economic integration spread across continents, political and financial institutions evolved to enhance and regulate the global marketplace. The current globalization period, which more or less began in the late 1960s, contains many of the same aspects of earlier episodes.Reduced transportation costs, the opening of new International Trade Exposure: United States and the Rest of the World World except U. S. % of GDP G U. S. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 1975 1980 1985 1 990 1995 2000 2005 markets (such as Asia, Eastern Europe and South America), and the general lowering of tariffs worldwide have helped boost international trade as a share of domestic economic activity. A key development behind the current globalization wave is the revolution in information and communication technologies (ICT).Although shipping merchandise goods is still the dominant form of trade between countries, trade in services that takes place across transoceanic cables or by satellite is of increasing importance. The increased openness of the United States and the rest of the world to international trade can be seen in the figure on this page, which shows the sum of imports and exports of goods and services as a share of all goods and services produced annually in the United States—a figure known as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Whereas the U. S. hare of trade is a littlemorethanaquarterofGDP,therestoftheworld’sexposure to international trade is much larger: 70 percent. The Benefits of Globalization The benefits of globalization are essentially based on the benefits of free trade. International trade is beneficial because 2 Continued on Page 3 NOTE: Trade is the sum of merchandise and commercial services imports and exports. SOURCES: World Bank World Development Indicators and author’s calculations Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education Inside the Vault—spring 2008 of the principle of comparative advantage, which allows a country to specialize in the activities that it does best, given its labor, natural resources and technology. The estimated net benefits that flow from free trade are substantial. According to a study by economists Bradford, Grieco and Hufbauer, international trade has increased real household income by between $7,000 and $13,000. Removing all existing b arriers to trade, they argue, would produce an additional real income gain of between $4,000 and $12,000.In addition to the fact that people and nations can produce more goods and services when they specialize, thereby increasing the total amount of goods and services produced worldwide, free trade also increases the variety of goods and services available to consumers. Without trade, coffee drinkers in the United States would pay much higher prices becausethenation’ssupplywoulddependsolelyonHawaiian or Puerto Rican sources. Scarce resources would need to be redirected to produce more coffee, leaving fewer resources to produce other goods and services.Similarly, Honda or BMW drivers would be forced to drive Chevrolets or Fords. Given that technological innovation in the automotive industry, as well as other industries, often arisefromcompetition,thequalityofcarsmightalsobe much lower for all car manufacturers. The competitive forces of globalization have also been important f actors in boosting U. S. labor productivity growth in recent years. This growth can occur in a couple of ways. First, increased competition spurs domestic firms to invest in equipmentandsoftwareembodiedwiththelatesttechnology.Second, moving less-skilled labor to low-wage countries increases the relative demand for higher-skilled, higherproductivity labor. Proponents of globalization argue that increased economic integration benefits workers in relatively poor countries by providing them access to new ideas and new technologies; this exposure increases their productivity and real wages. According to Harvard professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, this has helped toreduceworldincomeinequalityoverthepast20years. that can be done much cheaper overseas, such as making products like T-shirts or baseballs or reading service manuals at call centers.Since high-skilled workers are paid a premium for their labor, moving lower-skilled work offshore increases the domestic demand for higher-skilled worke rs relative to lower-skilled workers. Only one-third of the current U. S. labor force has graduated from college, however, and increasing that percentage will take time. At the end of WWII, the college-educated share of the labor force was 6 percent. At that rate, economists predict that reaching 50 percent of the labor force will not come about until 2047. Onepotentialconsequenceofthisisrisingincome inequalitybetweenlow-skilledandhigh-skilledworkers.According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment(OECD),increasesinincomeinequality have been most pronounced in the United States, the United Kingdom and some smaller European countries. Increases in the demand for skilled labor are clear market-based incentives for workers to boost their education levels and, perhaps, for firms to increase their workforce training. The demand for high-skilled workers over the long run can also be boosted by research and development, which is often the genesis of new ideas that boos t economic growth and living standards over time.A key difference between the current globalization episode and those from the past is the sheer magnitude of the number of workers who have entered the labor pool. The rise of China and India as important exporters of goods and services means that many of their workers are now directly competing with workers in countries like the United States, Japan or Mexico. Economically, an increase in the supply of labor puts downward pressure on wages assuming no change in labor demand. ConclusionAs global competition has increased, so have the voices of protectionism. Ultimately, policymakers must decide whether the costs of maintaining relatively free trade—by expanding public programs to compensate the losers of trade, or those who perceive themselves as losers—is a small price to pay for maintaining a global economic system that has produced large benefits for most parts of the world. This article was adapted from Trading Barbs : A Primer on Globalization, which was written by Kevin Kliesen, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis, and was published in the October 2007 issue of The Regional Economist, a St. Louis Fed publication. The Downside of Globalization Although free trade benefits society because it increases the world output of goods and services, it also creates losers in certain industries which cannot compete with foreign manufacturers. The biggest losers are both the workers and the owners (shareholders) in these industries, such as the U. S. television manufacturing industry which could not compete with foreign competition.If producers can substitute a cheaper foreign source of labor relative to the domestic wage rate, many will choose to move their production overseas, creating increased unemployment. The largest unemployment effects are probably among lessskilled workers employed in ordinary production processes Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its en tirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education. 3 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson PlanLesson Description Students will consider both sides of the globalization debate—the benefits and the costs—by reading and discussing the article â€Å"Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate† from the Spring 2008 issue of Inside the Vault. Working in groups, students will analyze statements regarding the benefits and costs of globalization, categorize the statements and discuss them. Concepts Benefits Costs Globalization objectives Students will:  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Define the terms globalization, benefits and costs. Identify the benefits of globalization. Identify the costs of globalization.Content standards national standards in economics  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Standard 2: Effective decision-making requires comparing the additional costs of alternati ves with the additional benefits. Most choices involve doing a little more or a little less of something; few choices are all-or-nothing decisions. Time Required 60 minutes Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 4 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson PlanMaterials Required  ¦Ã‚ ¦ A copy of Visuals 1, 2, and 3, with each visual taped on a different wall around the classroom Copies of Handout 1, cut apart and shuffled to provide one card per pair of students A copy of Handout 1 that is not cut apart to serve as the answer guide for student discussion Copies of Handout 2 and 3 for each student One copy of the Handout 2 answer key for the teacher Copies for each student of the article â€Å"Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate† from the Spring 2008 issue of Inside the Vault Tape Scissors  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦ Procedures 1.Define globalization as a phenomenon of increased economic integration among nations, characterized by the movement of people, ideas, social customs and products across borders. Discuss the following: †¢ What does the term â€Å"integration† mean? (Answers will vary but may include the bringing together of diverse individuals or groups, a blending into a functioning or unified whole, a uniting) †¢ Economic integration is a blending of economies in production processes, inputs, outputs and trade across borders. †¢ There is a long history of globalization going back to historic Roman trade routes. Globalization has been crucial for economic growth over time. 2. Divide students into two groups—a benefits group and a costs group. Define a benefit as something that is favorable to a decision-maker. Define a cost as something unfavorable to a decision-maker. Tell students to read the article â€Å"Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate† from the Spring 2008 issue of Inside the Vault. Direct the benefits group to highlight or underline arguments identifying the benefits of globalization mentioned in the article, and direct the costs group to highlight or underline arguments identifying the costs of globalization.After students have read the article, ask the following: Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 5 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan †¢ Have you ever traded part of your lunch for some of your friend’s lunch? Why? (Answers may include: â€Å"I got something I liked better. †) †¢ Conclude that an individual traded because it benefited him/her. 3.Point out that globalization has been occurring for many cen turies, and benefits to society have come about because of globalization. Remind students that a benefit is something that is favorable to a decision-maker. Write the following on the board: faster ships, new trade routes, new goods, new products, new tools, new technology. Ask the following: †¢ Based on the article â€Å"Crossing Borders,† what do the phrases on the board have in common? (Answers may vary but may include the fact that all of these changes resulted in new and better goods and services that society would not have had were it not for trade, a better standard of living, etc. 5. Remind students that a cost is something that is unfavorable to the decision-maker. Ask students what some of the costs of trading their lunch were—e. g. , what they had to give up. (Answers may include the part of the student’s lunch that he had to give up for the trade, the time and effort involved in making the trade, the risk that the student would not like the lunc h he traded for more than what he brought, etc. ) Point out that there were also societal costs when globalization occurred. Discuss the following: †¢ What might be some costs that society incurred as a result of globalization? Answers may vary but might include spread of disease, exposure to new religions and cultures, increase in the gap between more educated/higher-income people and less educated/lower-income people, loss of jobs to those who can’t compete with foreign labor and the risk that a foreign competitor will â€Å"build a better mousetrap. †) 6. Pair each student from the original benefits group with one student from the original costs group. Assign one student to be the reader and the other to be the reporter for the pair. Give each pair a card from Handout 1: Benefits and Costs of Globalization Statements.Point out that there are three signs on different walls in the classroom—â€Å"Benefits,† â€Å"Costs† and â€Å"Undecided. † Tell the student pairs to read their cards, discuss the information on the cards and, using their highlighted article as a reference, decide if the information the card describes is a cost or a benefit of globalization. Once they have decided as a pair, the students should take their card and stand by the sign 4. Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 6 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan that they think is the best representation of their statement. If they aren’t certain whether their card describes a benefit or a cost, they should stand by the â€Å"Undecided† sign. (Note: If you have more cards than pairs of students, give some pairs two cards. ) 7. Beginning with a pair standing in the â€Å"Benefits† group, have the reader for the pair read the c ard and the reporter explain why the card describes a benefit.Ask the rest of the class if they agree with the pair’s decision. Refer to a copy of Handout 1 to check student responses. After all pairs in the â€Å"Benefits† group have participated, move to a pair standing in the â€Å"Costs† group and repeat the process. Continue until all pairs in the â€Å"Costs† groups have participated. Conduct the same process with students in the â€Å"Undecided† group. Have the class decide whether the pair should move to the â€Å"Benefits† group, move to the â€Å"Costs† group or remain in the â€Å"Undecided† group (if the class agrees that the statement might be a cost to some and a benefit to others).Note: Although a statement may be listed on Handout 1 as a benefit or a cost, students may correctly explain the statement is a cost to some and a benefit to others. For example, the statement, â€Å"Services such as voice mail or data entry can be moved offshore to countries where the average wage is much lower† may be interpreted as a cost to those individuals who lose jobs to the foreign provider and to consumers who perceive the service to be of lower quality due to language barriers. On the other hand, the statement may be interpreted as a benefit to those service companies and their shareholders because their costs of production are reduced. . Closure 9. Review the definitions of globalization, benefits and costs: †¢ Globalization is a phenomenon of increased economic integration among nations, characterized by the movement of people, ideas, social customs and products across borders. †¢ A benefit is something favorable to a decision-maker. †¢ A cost is something that is unfavorable to a decision-maker. 10. Remind students that the article pointed out benefits such as innovations and technologies that have come about because of globalization. Ask students to identify some benefits of gl obalization today. Answers may include that there are more goods and services available to society due to globalization, that there is a greater variety of goods and services available, that global competition may have enhanced the quality of goods and services or that globalization creates economic integration, which may lead to better international relations. ) Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 7Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan 11. Remind students that the article described how navigation technology fostered globalization in historical times. Ask students to identify how current technology such as the computer, the internet and instant messaging fosters globalization in the same way that navigation technology fostered globalization in historical times. (Answers may vary but may include the fact that these technologies increase communication and provide relatively inexpensive ways to transport information. Ask students to identify some costs of globalization today. (Answers may include increased environmental concerns such as pollution or global warming, dependence on foreign producers, or the risk that a foreign competitor can replace a domestic supplier of goods or services. ) 12. assessment: 13. Distribute a copy of Handout 2: Benefits and Costs of Globalization—Assessment . Allow time for students to work individually or in their original pairs. Review their answers by using Handout 2: Answer Key. Distribute a copy of Handout 3: Joseph Conrad vs. John Donne.Direct students to follow the instructions on the handout. 14. Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 8 Crossing Borders: The Gl obalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Handout 1: Benefits and Costs of Globalization statements Benefit statements International trade is beneficial because it allows a country to specialize in activities it does best, given its endowments of labor, natural resources and technology.International trade has increased real household income by between $7,000 and $13,000 since the end of WWII. Innovations in software and the development of the internet have allowed firms to more easily import services that they used to produce themselves. Trade increases the variety of goods and services available to consumers. The quality of today’s automobiles is the result of technological advances due to competition in the international marketplace. Services such as voice mail or data entry can be moved offshore to countries where the average wage is much lower.Economic efficiency is increased when resources are allowed to flow to their most productive uses. Globalizati on helps workers in relatively poor countries by providing them access to new ideas and technologies, which increases their productivity and real wages. Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 12 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Handout 1: Benefits and Costs of Globalization statements—Continued Cost statementsLosers in globalization can be owners of capital (shareholders) in industries that cannot compete with foreign manufacturers. Faced with unemployment, workers in declining industries will need temporary assistance (unemployment benefits) and longer-term assistance (education)— additional costs that the worker and society may bear. Increased economic uncertainty among workers may spur legislation to limit the import of goods and services (rising protectionism ). A rise in the domestic wage rate will cause a much larger decline in the quantity of domestic labor demanded because firms can now substitute a cheaper foreign source of labor.One potential consequence of the development of high-skilled labor is the rising income inequality between low-skilled and high-skilled workers. Sometimes achieving an efficient outcome requires the winners of free trade to compensate the losers. Because many public policymakers and workers evidently associate rising inequality with globalization, some economists argue that additional steps are needed to prevent further erosion in the public’s support for international trade. Traditional responses to economic dislocation caused by international trade are job retraining, wage insurance or temporary income assistance.Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/ed ucation 13 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Handout 2: Benefits and Costs of Globalization—assessment For each statement below, identify whether a benefit or a cost is being described and circle the appropriate term. An example is below. Example: Most economists have stressed the long-term reward of increased education, which seems to be a necessary ingredient for the creation of new ideas.Benefit Cost 1. Low-skilled workers may face rising income inequality compared with high-skilled workers. Benefit Cost 2. Moving less-skilled labor to low-wage countries increases the relative demand for higher-skilled, higher-productivity labor. Benefit Cost 3. Without competition from international trade, automobile quality would probably not be as good as it is today. Benefit Cost 4. Increases in the demand for skilled labor are clear market-based incentives to workers to boost their education levels. Benefit Cost 5.The quality of toda y’s computers is due to technological advances caused by competition in the international marketplace. Benefit Cost 6. Chief among the losers of globalization are owners of capital (shareholders) in industries that cannot compete with foreign manufacturers. Benefit Cost Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 14 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan 7.Faced with unemployment, workers in declining industries will need temporary assistance (unemployment benefits) and longer-term assistance (education)—additional costs that the worker and society must bear. Benefit Cost 8. Relaxing restrictions on the mobility of labor across borders would produce an additional real income gain of between $4,000 and $12,000 per household. Benefit Cost 9. Traditional responses to economic dislocation caused by international trade include job retraining, wage insurance or temporary income assistance, such as that offered through the Trade Adjustment Act.Benefit Cost 10. People and nations can produce more goods and services when they specialize. Benefit Cost Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 15 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Handout 2: Benefits and Costs of Globalization—assessment—answer Key The correct answers are circled. 1. Low-skilled workers may face rising income inequality compared with high-skilled workers.Benefit Cost 2. Moving less-skilled labor to low-wage countries increases the relative demand for higher-skilled, higher-productivity labor. Benefit Cost 3. Without competition from international trade, automobile quality would pr obably not be as good as it is today. Benefit Cost 4. Increases in the demand for skilled labor are clear market-based incentives to workers to boost their education levels. Benefit Cost 5. The quality of today’s computers is due to technological advances caused by competition in the international marketplace. Benefit Cost 6.Chief among the losers of globalization are owners of capital (shareholders) in industries that cannot compete with foreign manufacturers. Benefit Cost 7. Faced with unemployment, workers in declining industries will need temporary assistance (unemployment benefits) and longer-term assistance (education)—additional costs that the worker and society must bear. Benefit Cost Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 6 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Pl an 8. Relaxing restrictions on the mobility of labor across borders would produce an additional real income gain of between $4,000 and $12,000 per household. Benefit Cost 9. Traditional responses to economic dislocation caused by international trade include job retraining, wage insurance or temporary income assistance, such as that offered through the Trade Adjustment Act. Benefit Cost 10. People and nations can produce more goods and services when they specialize. Benefit CostPermission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 17 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Handout 3: Joseph Conrad vs. John Donne Instructions: Choose the quotation below which best describes your opinion of globalization. Write one paragraph that includes:  ¦Ã‚ ¦  ¦Ã‚ ¦ the quotation you chose, your position regar ding whether the effect of globalization is a benefit or a cost to society and reasons for your position.  ¦ You may include direct quotes from the article â€Å"Crossing Borders. † If you do, be sure to use quotation marks. This quote from Joseph Conrad opens The Human Factor, by Graham Greene: â€Å"I only know that he who forms a tie is lost. The germ of corruption has entered into his soul. † This quote from John Donne (1572-1631) appears in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII: â€Å"No man is an island, entire of itself †¦ every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main †¦ †Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 18 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Visual 1: Benefits Benefits Permission is granted to reprint or phot ocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 9 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson PlanVisual 2: Costs Costs Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 10 Crossing Borders: The Globalization Debate | Spring 2008 Inside the Vault Lesson Plan Visual 3: Undecided Undecided Permission is granted to reprint or photocopy this lesson in its entirety for educational purposes, provided the user credits the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, www. stlouisfed. org/education 11

Anorexia Nervosa Essays - Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Diagnosis

Anorexia Nervosa Essays - Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Diagnosis Anorexia Nervosa Many people suffer from the condition known as anorexia nervosa. Often the victims go through a number of symptoms that can lead to a serious amount of problems concerning a persons weight, happiness, and personality. People should keep a close eye out for anyone who shows signs of certain symptoms that become present later on in the future. What is Anorexia Nervosa? In medicine, Anorexia Nervosa is a condition characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, along with a distorted body image, which leads to excessive weight loss from restricting food intake and exercising excessively. It is essentially self-starvation leading to a loss of body weight 15% below normal, accompanied with hyperactivity, hypothermia, and amenorrhea. Between 5 and 18 percent of known anorexia nervosa victims die of starvation, and the condition may also lead to abnormalities in the menstrual cycle and increased susceptibility to infection. (Bruch, 53) Anorexia is an illness of several causes. The weight loss that triggers the illness is often the result of either a normal diet (the sort that is typical of many normal adolescent girls) or unhappiness or illness. The personalities of those with the illness tend to be conformist, compliant, and hard working. These traits are usually accentuated by the disorder. The families of anorexics are mainly high achieving with high expectations of their children. They often seem to discourage individual growth and encourage conformity. There is frequently a failure to express emotional issues. There are often a lot of pressures such as exams when the illness starts and stresses arising from difficulties in relationships with friends are also common. (Claude-Pierre, 102) How does it develop? Perfectionist parents drive their children to be the best and the brightest. These parents fixate on order, prestige, power and/or perfect appearances. Depriving parents withhold attention and encouragement from their children. They love conditionally, giving affection when a child pleases them and withdrawing it when displeased. What are some signs? Anorexia may not be noticed in the early stages because it often starts as an innocent diet. In the later and more dangerous stages, family members may not notice the disease because the anorexic usually wears layered and baggy clothes (Costin, 138). However, there are many warning signs that a person is developing anorexia. An obsession with diet and exercise are two early signs that a person is becoming anorexic. This can include difficulty eating in public places or in front of others, secrecy about eating patterns and food intake, and excessive exercise despite visible weight loss. A pre- occupation with weight and body image develops, and the anorexic will frequently check their weight on a scale or examine their body in a mirror. Other warning signs include disturbed sleep, hyperactivity, irritability, social withdrawal, depression, sensitivity to cold temperature, and fainting spells. (Claude-Pierre, 202) What problems arise from it? The human body copes with periods of semi-starvation and weight loss fairly well. However, rapid weight loss, the use of vomiting or laxatives to promote weight loss, and the loss of more than 35% of normal body weight are all associated with danger. Prolonged weight loss during adolescence may eventually lead to permanent failure of normal growth and an increased risk of osteoporosis in later life. In extreme cases anorexia can lead to cardiac arrest and death, and it is estimated that up to 10% of known anorexics die from complications due to the illness. (Bruch, 147) Other physical problems associated with anorexia are dehydration, stomach pain, constipation, dry skin, decreased heart and metabolic rates, lowered body temperature, dizziness, fatigue, sleeping problems, headaches, cold hands and feet, and abnormalities of the menstruation cycle. (Costin, 167) What kinds of treatment are there? No generally recognized treatment or therapy for anorexia nervosa exists. Regaining normal weight with a normal eating pattern is the first step of treatment and when the illness is severe this may require admission to hospital. Psychotherapy, regular medical monitoring, and nutritional guidance should be part of any treatment program for anorexia. The goals are to restore weight to correct the effects of malnutrition, to control abnormal eating behavior and to prevent recurrence by addressing the associated psychological and family issues. Close cooperation among all medical, nutritional and psychological health professionals involved is important.

See instructions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

See instructions - Research Paper Example In licensing this technology to foreign firms, the licensing firm stands a chance to lose the technology to the competitor (Wuhan University of technology, Para. 2). This is in the form of the competitor developing the technology beyond the level that it was originally. Proprietary technology is known to give an edge to the owner by denying competitors of the benefits it has to offer. Proprietary technologies owners use them as a source of revenue by controlling the market prices of their products, as well as those of their competitors (Economides & Katsamakas, 2006, Para. 1058). In such cases, the technology is used as a benchmark for market prices, and licensing it would, therefore, be a demerit to the owner. At the same time, licensing would be a good opportunity for the owners to up their performance by increasing the level of competition. With competition, they can provide better products and services to consumers (Business Wire, Para. 3). The advantage is, therefore, not lost in any way. Instead, it throws the competitors off balance due to the possibility that the technology owners may have better deals. Licensing proprietary technology is an outright loss of competitive advantage to the owners as a result of creating an alternative source of technology to consumers. This is because; licensing makes the technology open source. According to studies, proprietary technology tends to dominate the market while open source is always a runners up thus it should be avoided at all cost (Economides & Katsamakas, 2006, p. 1059). Economides, N., & Katsamakas, E. (2006). Two-Sided Competition of Proprietary vs. Open Source Technology Platforms and the Implications for the Software Industry.  Management Science,  52(7),

Carrer alternatives analysis report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Carrer alternatives analysis report - Case Study Example Job prospects 11 Salary 12 Actuarial profession 13 Job responsibilities of an Actuary 13 Working Conditions 14 Educational qualification 14 Licenses and other qualifications 15 Job prospects 15 Salary 16 Recommendations and Conclusion 16 References 18 Executive Summary The role and scope of a finance professional in the present economic conditions includes pricing of new products, price classification, forecasting challenges and issues in the operating environment, planning strategic moves, estimating the size and extent of loss distribution, establishing loss reserves, monitoring solvency, calculating premium levels, and assessing the credibility of projects and transactions. The existing business environment has presented the organizations with numerous complexities that act as constraints in implementing new policies and strategies while at the same time presenting increased opportunities to expand and grow. The exposure to risk has increased manifolds that require efficient model s for rating and assessing the feasibility of operations (beanactuary.com, 2009). The report provides an in-depth assessment of two career alternatives – Finance Controller and Actuaries. Introduction A career in finance and accounting is gaining popularity. In any company or an organization the study of the numbers or finance is the most crucial and important decision. This is used to gauge what and where the company is heading to. This guides the management to take further actions pertaining to the interest of the company. The study of the market, investment plans, investment brokers etc are some of the arrear which a person can opt for in the field of finance. The increasing range of products and services offered by financial services today and the growing complexity of the operating... According to the research findings the role and demand of the financial controllers and the actuaries is a continuous process. The job seekers are likely to face competition in the field of accounting. For the financial controller, the knowledge of finance, a complex financial instrument etc is a mandate and for the Actuarial a strong foundation in mathematics is essential. Both the roles are of utmost importance to a company or an organization. The difference is the nature of work. A financial controller is expected to regulate, guide the financial condition of an organization. An Actuarial helps the companies to develop health and long term insurance policies by their calculations and predictions. A Finance Controller will help the company by calculating and evaluating the numbers obtained and by predicting the performance based on these measurements. An Actuarial helps both the company and the consumer as it keeps a check on the number of the occurrence of a disease and helps the companies by calculating the premium based on which the company itself can survive even in any odd situation. The emerging times that are characterized by tough economic conditions and financial challenges will witness an increasing demand for actuaries. Monetary and fiscal policies are highly instrumental in regulating the country’s economy and creating market stability. The impact of these changes on the Actuarial profession is visible in the increasing demand for individual practitioners and consultants who can provide adequate support to organizations and managers in the decision making process.

Tradeblocks Case Essay Example for Free

Tradeblocks Case Essay Small business owners today are facing more hardship than ever before.   Internet commerce and regional trade blocs are the two main culprits.   Regional trade blocs combine company interests and are many time created by a nation, along with their neighboring nations, in order to compete more effectively in the global market.   Another reason for the formation of these blocs can also be so be to enable the involved nations in their efforts to impose more substantial sanctions against nations with whom they are at war or with which thy have political issues. There are many reasons for this trend and unless this trend is reversed, small businesses will continue to suffer and run the risk of no longer being viable. Robert Scott states in his speech, The U.S. Trade Deficit, Are We Trading Away Our Future?, that while U.S. workers have been hurt by globalization, multinational companies based in North America have prospered. Reversing this trend will require government help and support. He also states that these â€Å"informal coalitions† have successful undermined a great many trade initiatives during the last few years. The big question is, what steps can be taken to reverse this kind of trend and help small businesses to regain a more equitable footing the new global market?   Linda Schmid writes in her article, Identifying Business Interests in WTO Services Talks, that companies rising up in developing countries â€Å"can shape their trade future† by â€Å"knowing the market, spotting the barriers and voicing interests in the right channels.† Even though the landscape of small business positioning in the global market is bleak, the future can bring about profound change. Governments can easily assist their resident small business by joining with peer nations to help them to form coalitions of their own in order to have a louder voice with relevant venues such as the World Trade Organization. By doing this, small businesses can more effectively stand up to the new bullies on the block. BIBLIOGRAPHY Scmid, Linda   Identifying Business Interests in WTO Services Talks, International Trade Forum, issue 2/2005 Scott, Robert  Ã‚   The U.S. Trade Deficit, Are We Trading Away Our Future?   THIS TESTIMONY WAS GIVEN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY AND TRADE ON JULY 22,1999.

Impact of Advertising on American Society Essay -- BTEC Business Marke

Impact of Advertising on American Society American society has changed drastically over the past years and some people say advertisements reflect the society that we live in now. Advertising in our society encourages unhealthy habits, focuses in on our weaknesses and leads us to believe that we are materialistic. Advertisements can also change our vision of reality and makes us believe the impossible. Advertisements use sexual and racial stereotypes to help sell their products. People in our society encourage the commercials that demonstrate these things, like focus in on our weaknesses. A recent commercial I just saw advertising for Pizza Hut uses sex and famous people to promote their product. The ad was introducing their new Four for All pizza. Jessica Simpson, a young popular singer, was eating this new pizza (four separate squares, with four different toppings but considered one pizza) and Kermit the Frog was in the same room with all the Muppets. Jessica Simpson said to Kermit, "Kermmy, there is some for you, your favorite." Kermit then blushed and floating hearts appeared above his head. The next scene was Jessica Simpson sits on the couch next to Kermit, and Miss Piggy walked over to Jessica and pushed her off the couch because she was jealous. Then the slogan came on the screen, "Everyone Gets What They Want." Then, their famous slogan, "Gather ‘Round the Good Stuff." This commercial in a way does reflect our society. The producers put famous people or characters in this commercial, Jessica Simpson and the Muppets, to get more publicity so more people will actually watch it and pay attention to it. Or maybe the producers thought that people would think since Jessica Simpson or Kermit the Frog eat this new pizz... ...d it was very inappropriate for television. The whole point is, that commercial will stick in the head and this will give more publicity for Budweiser, even if it was unacceptable to a lot of people. I never actually saw it, but I read an article about it in the newspaper. So I prove my point, that it will stick in people’s heads since it was so controversial. It did for me at least! People will always remember commercials that were offending and debatable. Producers are only trying to please our society. So overall, I definitely believe advertising is based on our society. We live in a world where everything has to be easier and more convenient for us, that we need to get everything we can, and we strive to be perfect. Advertising does focus in on our weaknesses and does lead us to unhealthy habits. So we are the one’s that make advertisements the way are today.

Human factors Essay

Introduction The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)’s invention of Research to practice (R2P) was a totally a new initiative, it is served with the purpose of transferring and translating the institute’s research findings, its technologies and information by using highly effective practices of prevention and most common and available products which can are easily adopted in the workplace. Its research is aimed at using the necessary methods of prevention to reduce work-related musculosketal disorders (WMSDs). The initiative encourages management commitment, the anticipation of workers, it also trains them the necessary safety practices procedures and these helps them to identify, evaluate and control risk factors that relate to WMSDs (American Meat Institute and Ergo Tech, 1990). The main objective of the initiative is to reduce illness and injury is achieved by ensuring there is effective use of its research findings at workplaces (ANSI, 1996). In ensuring that their findings are achieved effectively they work closely with other partners like center for disease control (CDC), this facilitates its product development, translating its research findings into practice, target its dissemination efforts, and in evaluating practice effectiveness (ANSI, 1986), and this is clearly demonstrated by their efforts which have improved workplace health and safety in many organizations (American Meat Institute and Ergo Tech, 1990). Their research initiative is accomplished by making use of the following techniques: (a) Prioritizing: – their researches are aimed at addressing the most important and pertinent issues occupational, safety, health and injuries. (b) Partnering: since it realizes that it cannot achieve its targets alone, it carries out its research and works closely with both international and domestic partners to encourage work place practices adoption and use of research findings. (c) Targeting: – Its research findings are channeled into information products, in different presentation reports which is tailored mainly towards meeting the targeted audience. (d) Translation: – It ensures that their research findings are transferred and translated by using appropriate tools of presentation by making use of latest technology, and all the necessary information that will ensure adoption of required prevention practices and procedures. (e) Dissemination: It uses the latest communication science in guiding the movement of its research into the workplace. (f) Evaluation: It builds data collection into each program to determine its effectiveness in preventing work place injury and illness (ANSI, 1996). In order to ensure that the above initiative objectives are met, they make use of a variety of control methods of intervention to contain workplace hazards, their methods include ergonomic hazards. The control methods are: (a) It builds strategies aimed at reducing the potential conditions for hazards by making use of engineering controls. (b) By making use of administrative controls to ensure easy transition of workplaces practices, and the general management policies. (c) they encourage the use of any necessary personal equipment Conclusion NIOSH’s practices and activities highlight hazards and prevention strategies from diverse settings of work places. Their materials of practice are flexible and can be used either as a stand-alone curriculum or they get it incorporated into the already safety programs in practice (Astrand, & Rodahl, 1986). Their practice even includes a dedicated curriculum aimed at reducing occupational injuries and illness in young people. In helping teens, its activities have been extensively involved in pilot-testing by making use of high school teachers, job trainers and work coordinators all over the country to teach the youth, the basic occupational safety and health (Astrand, & Rodahl,1986). There is need for inclusion of behavioral issues in their research as relates to corporate social responsibility, this will help greatly in office ethics. References American Meat Institute and Ergo Tech, Inc. (1990). Setting up an ergonomics program: meat industry. Arlington, VA: American Meat Institute. ANSI, (1986). American national standard: guide for the measurement and evaluation of human exposure to vibration transmitted to the hand. New York, NY: American National Standards Institute, S3. 34 1986. ANSI, (1996). American national standard: control of work-related cumulative trauma disorders. Part I: upper extremities. New York, NY: American National Standards Institute, Z-365-1996. Unpublished draft. Astrand, P. and Rodahl K. (1986). Textbook of work physiology. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.