Fashion Merchandising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Fashion Merchandising - Essay Example The paper "Fashion Merchandising" analyzes The Ethics of Counterfeiting in the Fashion Industry. According to (Hilton, Chong Ju and Chen 345-354), the ethical issues of counterfeiting in fashion merchandizing are rooted among the fashion industry itself. This global issue can be analyzed by the statistical analysis which shows that the counterfeit market is worth $350 billion (Turner). This problem is comparatively increased in Western countries because of the non-involvement of legal system in designing sector of fashion. According to Skov, counterfeit is also a legal and economic issue which results into â€Å"misleading the consumer into believing that the goods that are presented are the real thing. Counterfeiting is done on the basis of â€Å"credence goods† which are defined as: â€Å"Goods whose quality is difï ¬ cult to assess before or after purchase and use. According to (Turner), â€Å"Credence goods are what are most copied because their value can only be dete rmined by the credence or faith given to them by others, therefore they are easily exploitable. These items are usually of medium quality that has a high-perceived value, which can be easily copied. In order to elaborate the importance of credence in fashion industry, let’s consider the nature of fashion world. According to (Hilton, Chong Ju and Chen 345-354), â€Å"credibility† is the main entity which lay the basis of fashion industry. This credibility is gained through buyer and manufacturer. This credibility is majorly gained through fashion â€Å"indicators†.

Cultural Differences and Employee Selection Assignment

Cultural Differences and Employee Selection - Assignment Example Sometimes it is so urgent that a position be filled, that a person may win the job by default, or sloppy selection criteria may be applied. A quick fix may ease workload for a while, but it might prove lethal for the business viability itself in the long run. Therefore, a larger attention in the selection process can provide the business with employees who will finally produce the desired results. Processing an applicant for a job normally entails a series of steps, which are determined by the size of the organization, the types of jobs to be filled or the number of people to be hired. The selection stage should be backed up by an effective recruitment process, which greatly depends on job analysis and job description. Job analysis is a process to identify and determine in detail the particular job duties and requirements and the relative importance of these duties for a given job. Common American work styles are used everywhere. Work and the ways to succeed vary tremendously from culture to culture. Mainstream Americans value speed but some Native Americans value thoughtful analysis so much that they hold back the answer so as not to appear rash. Manual work is looked down upon in India; so many office jobs are created to satisfy the need for status. Japanese workers cooperate within their han (work unit), but the hans compete with each other. Different selection procedures are needed for the different work styles. Cultural patterns significantly influence both individual behaviour and the organizational environment. Culture can be defined as the value systems or modes of behaviour to which people in a given geographical area subscribe. Thus, by definition, country boundaries would offer the clearest example of cultural differentiation. The individual behavioural patterns and the organizational environment found in Japan are quite different than in the United States. The Japanese system, which is an outgrowth of feudalism that characterized Japan in the early 1900s, supports the welfare concept and yields a paternalistic type of management that has proved to be successful among Japanese firms. The depression of the early 1930s in the United States reduced employee perceptions of identity of interests between non-managers and managers, and made paternalistic management practices suspect. Additionally the competitive education system and the values traditionally taught American children by their parents for achievement and recognition have made it difficult for paternalistic patterns of management to work well in the United States. This fact is particularly true in professional work environments because the employees who staff these types of organizations are an outgrowth of systems where competitiveness, recognition, and individuality have been commonplace. Sub-cultural differences within any given set of country boundaries

Violent Crime Victims: Social Work Practices

Violent Crime Victims: Social Work Practices Chanchez M. Smith Abstract In this paper, I will discuss generalist social work practice with victims of a violent crime. The following elements will be included: a clearly defined victim population of my choice; the nature of the crime; ethical issues that may affect social work practice or that could impact practice with the population that I chose, or value conflicts that a social worker may experience (such as conflicts between professional and personal values, personal and client values, or professional values and client values). Policy issues that may influence social work practice will also be included. Violent crime is defined as an action or deed that results to causation of bodily harm and physical injury to another person. Violence has been a part of human history (Garland, 2012). Since the onslaught of evolution when early men settled their scores by means of brawl to the present day when the vice has taken up a widespread and more encompassing concept, it seems that violence will remain a part of human history for the foreseeable future. Previously, violence was used as means of indicating displeasure at a second party’s sayings or deeds. It was also used as a way of marking territory and making conquests. In some communities and groups, violence was used in induction and initiation into certain levels of the society. Today, apart from the factors mentioned above, violence has taken up a different form and is a target of both the defenceless and otherwise. There are different types of violent crime. These include assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, homicide (for instanc e murder) and sexual assault crimes among a host of others. People from virtually all walks of life can fall victim to these types of crimes. In particular, violence against women and children has become common in today’s society. Women have been on the receiving end of violent crimes of various types, most commonly rape and sexual assault (Stith, McCollum, Amanorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Boadu, Smith, 2012). Children on the other hand are more commonly the victims of kidnap and assault. The role of the society with regard to occurrence of violent crimes is of immense importance when trying to establish the causative factors and means and measures of countering the vice. As social beings, our interactions, thoughts, actions and sayings are largely determined by our environment and upbringing. Thus, the society is largely involved in the making of violent people. Research reveals that most people who exhibit elements of violent behaviour have an underlying problem attributable to the society. This could be due to a troubled childhood in which the parents divorced when the offender was young, or lack of parental care (due to other causes such as being raised up in a children’s home), drug and substance abuse, mental problems or even poverty. Poverty is strongly linked to a number of violent crimes, most commonly robbery, kidnappings and gun violence. The society is also involved in the punishment accorded to such people and the way forward in terms of correction and rehabilitation. Through legislation of laws and making of rules that govern a people, the repercussions of violent crimes are and should be spelt out. In that way, those tempted to engage in such crimes are deterred. This aspect should be two sided such that the correctional aspect should also be factored in. The role of the society in rehabilitation of offenders with regard to violent crimes is immensely important. A system that allows the offender to realize the mistakes he/she made and work towards amending them will serve a greater purpose than that which only highlights the faults made without a clear means of overcoming and changing the violent nature. Victim Population This paper highlights women and children as the victim population that bears the brunt of the most commonly committed and the most heinous violent crimes. In the case of children, those aged between five and twelve years have a higher predisposition while in the case of women, all age groups are generally susceptible (Barner Carney, 2011). Notwithstanding the country or region, violence against women and children is becoming increasingly common. Further, the rate at which such offences are being carried out is alarming with research revealing that in spite of this, most cases go unreported altogether. Take an example of Australia, a country largely considered to be peaceful and exemplary with regard to crime management. A research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics with regard to Personal Safety revealed what was becoming a disturbing trend. The research was carried out in 2005 to measure domestic violence and sexual assault directed towards women. According to the fin dings, about 5 percent (363,000) of the women in the country experienced some form of violence, either by people known to them or unknown offenders in that year alone. Among the people known to the victims, most cases involved husbands, particularly with regard to domestic violence. Findings from the study also revealed that 1.6 per cent (126,100) of the female population had experienced sexual violence. Further, 33 per cent (2.56 million) of women in the country have experienced physical violence since they were fifteen years old. 19 per cent (1.47 million) have experienced sexual violence since they were 15. From the results, one can draw that one out of every five women has experienced sexual assault since they were fifteen while one out of three has experienced some form of violence (Daly, 2012). As regards children, kidnapping is arguably the most common type of violence faced by most countries around the world although there are a significant number of cases involving child battery and assault too. A country synonymous with child kidnappings is Mexico. In Mexico, drug cartels have formed a formidable force and combining this with connections in the justice system and money to burn, are causing all sorts of trouble to authorities. However, the people with the greatest headache are parents, particularly rich folks. In Mexico, child abduction is often carried out with the intention of demanding ransom. The money is then used to service and propagate other criminal activities. On the other hand, killing of children is carried out for a more disturbing purpose; to prove to the world their ruthlessness and to exert their authority! Human rights groups in Mexico estimate that between 2006 and 2010, 994 youngsters (below 18 years) had been killed in drug related violence. Adding th e number of those abducted and exposed to other forms of violent crime results to the figures multiplying more than 100 fold. Interestingly, when it comes to international abductions, Mexico and the United States have a lot in common. This is highlighted by the fact that most children abducted in the US find their way to Mexico where they can be used as bait to demand ransom or sold to childless couples. In the same way, a good number of kidnapped children in Mexico are moved to the US where they find new families. Nature of Sexual Assault and Child Abduction Sexual assault and domestic violence against women is not only demeaning and degrading but also comes with a great deal of emotional turmoil to the victims. There have been cases of women committing suicide after falling victim to sexual assault. In other cases reported, the victims become withdrawn and may develop a negative attitude towards men. It is also common to find women suffering from mental problems such as stress and depression after incidents of sexual assault and violence. In some communities and regions, the blame is usually placed on the woman’s head (Daly, 2012). This makes the recovery process even more difficult as the victim is made to feel like she brought the misfortune upon herself. Child abduction usually culminates to a whole lot of problems, not only to the victim but also to the society. Many abducted children are used as a bargaining chip for demanding ransom. However, in other cases, child abduction is carried out with a different intention, one of which is child pornography. This has been an emerging issue in which children are kidnapped and forced into engaging into sexual acts. These are then taped, recorded and sold. The business of sexual exploitation of children is becoming common. This is attributable to the high levels of profits made by the people engaging in such outlawed activities. For instance, in Atlanta, children as young as eleven years of age have fallen victim to the activities of unscrupulous people in the name of pimps. To the child victim, the introduction to a corrupted world at such a tender age may change the outlook of their lives and the nature of their future. Such children usually end up becoming drug addicts posing a new challe nge to governments and the society. They may become social misfits, who end up engaging in outlawed activities as a way of ‘paying back’ for what they went through. The victims may also become withdrawn and develop psychological problems as a result. Ethical Issues involved Most studies reveal that a significant number of cases of violence go unreported. In particular, cases of domestic violence against women are usually hushed up within the confines of the house. Domestic violence and even sexual assault are usually regarded as private incidences that need not be shared with the rest of the world. In some communities and regions in the world, a woman suffering physical violence in the hands of their husbands is quite normal. In others women who fall victim to sexual assault are largely viewed as the orchestrators of their own downfall; they are often believed to be the reason for the assault in the first place. This could be through their way of dressing, mannerisms or other factors. As a result, women in such communities suffer in silence knowing that the community would judge them harshly if they reveal the goings-on. What victims who fail to report cases of violence do not realize is that keeping quiet instead of reporting or talking about it does m ore harm than good (Garland, 2012). Failure to report the crimes may pose a challenge with regard to development of strategies and solutions for overcoming the vices. To begin with, it is difficult to point out victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Even if they could be pointed out, without their willingness and cooperation it would be difficult to come up with a solution. Failure to report the ordeal in the first place amounts to lack of cooperation. In addition, by failing to report the crime, the victims directly and indirectly contribute to the continuation of the crime. For example, in the case of sexual assault, failure to report rules out the chance of tracking and nabbing the offender. This means that any other woman out there is a potential victim. In the case of domestic violence, failure to report denies other victims the courage to speak out and potential victims are also denied justice as they come into a society where the status quo is already predetermined. A social worker is also likely to come against values that challenge his/her own beliefs. For instance, coming from a more free and liberal society to interact with a community in which violence against women is considered part and parcel of life, the social worker may find it hard to adjust to the new set up. What he/she consistently views as wrong and unacceptable is, on the contrary tolerated. In Mexico, reporting of crimes is almost certain not to occur. The ruthlessness with which the drug cartels handle their victims is beyond imagination. Reporting such crimes only earn the persons involved a ticket for graver repercussions. Research reveals that even the media, including newspapers are forbidden by the cartels not to report incidences of crime; they have no choice but to abide. More specifically, child abduction is a common occurrence but which occurs right under the noses of the authorities and the society but the cases are hardly reported. In the same way, the activities that the children are made to undertake (such as child pornography) are difficult to report even by those who are not directly involved in the crimes due to ethical concerns. For example, it may appear ethically inappropriate to report cases of sexual molestation and exploitation of children in light of the unspoken taboos that revolve around sex. Even to a social worker, sometimes it may come with a level of discomfort when talking about sexual issues with children as the centre stage. This may directly contradict the values of a social worker who does not believe in premarital sex or any other kind of sex apart from that between married people. Policy Issues that may Influence practice Violence directed towards children and women can only be successfully managed with input from all stakeholders. This includes the victims, the society and governments. In particular, governments have a major role to play as they determine much to do with policies and legislations (Garland, 2012). If the government supports and encourages a free and liberal society, it will advocate for measures that provide a platform for reporting and subsequently dealing with offenders. This will serve to give the victims a voice and an assurance that their plight is taken into account. Provision of such an avenue should also be accompanied with measures that help the victims recover from the ordeal. This may include providing counselling programs and keeping the victims under watch to observe their progress and recovery In addition, policies that promote the role of the society and social workers in aiding victims of violence go a long way in aiding the management of the vice. Social Work Practice with Victims of Violent Crime The role of social work with regard to helping victims of violent crime cope is vital for their recovery and healing. In most cases, social workers engage victims in talks that though may seem and sound simple yet actually achieve a lot. The experience of sharing alone is enough to take a whole load of burden off the victim’s shoulder (Gitterman, 2013). In the process of sharing, the social worker gets the chance to interact with the victim at a personal level and to empathize. This is very important for the recovery of the victim. He/she needs to feel that someone understands the ordeal they went through, the predicament they are in and that the person is willing to listen and even offer pieces of advice. Social work may also act as an eye-opener to the goings-on in the society. Through knowledge, skills and experience, the social worker may be able to unearth facts about the community that were previously unknown. Facts to do with their beliefs, values and culture may offer insight into their way of life (Gitterman, 2013). Conclusion Violence against women and children is not a problem restricted to particular countries or regions. Rather it is a global menace (Barner Carney, 2011). According a 2013 global review of data, 35 per cent of women all around the world have experienced some form of violence. In some countries, the findings are even more alarming with reports of up to 70 percent of women having fallen victim to violence. Research also reveals that of all women who were killed in 2012, about half died in the hands family members or better halves. With this information in mind, it is important that communities and countries around the world demand for more from their governments and from themselves in the fight against violence directed towards women and children. The causes and the outcomes of violence against women and children stem from and affect the society at the end of the day. Therefore, the solution should come from the society in the first place. References Barner, J. R., Carney, M. M. (2011). Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence:  A Historical Review. Journal of Family Violence, 26(3), 235-244. Daly, K. (2012). Conferences and Gendered Violence: Practices, Politics, and Evidence.  Conferencing and restorative justice: International Practices and Perspectives, 117-135. Garland, D. (2012). The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary  Society. University of Chicago Press. Gitterman, A. (Ed.). (2013). Handbook of Social Work Practice with Vulnerable and  Resilient Populations. Columbia University Press. Stith, S. M., McCollum, E. E., Amanorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Boadu, Y., Smith, D. (2012). Systemic  Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence Treatment. Journal of Marital and Family  Therapy, 38(1), 220-240.

Airport Observation Essay -- Descriptive Essay, Description

The heart begins racing the moment the car pulls into the airport parking lot. The smell of jet fuel, automobile exhaust, and hot tarmac combine to assault the senses with images of exotic escapes and the kind of freedom that can only come from airports. I feel the thrum of the engines at takeoff and the vibration of the plane during the flight in my skin. I see people listening to MP3s and playing video games. I hear the couple behind me chatting about the weather in Florida and the possibility of rain. I recognize the smell of fading perfume that women are wearing. Chanel, Windsong and White Diamonds clash with the smell of popcorn and Quizno sandwiches. The whir of wheels on marble and concrete mixed with the mechanical, yet pleasant, voice on the public address system calling for someone to go to the nearest courtesy phone, or announcing that flight 896 is now boarding at gate 11. Underneath the functional surface is an undercurrent of excitement, anticipation, impatience, and boredom. I hear snippets of conversation from people passing me on their way to the next gate...

Differing Perceptions Effecting Communication

How have differing perceptions affected your communication with others? What steps might you take to avoid misunderstandings created by perceptual differences? I believe that differing perceptions between people is the greatest cause of misunderstanding in communication. Our text defines perception as â€Å"awareness of the elements of the environment made possible through our senses† (Walker, R. , 2011, pp. 22). The perceptual process is very much like the use of mental models that determine not only how we make sense of the world, but how we take action.It can significantly influence our overall approach in how we communicate with another person. Although there are many different steps one can take to avoid misunderstandings created by perceptual differences, there are two that I believe have the greatest impact. The first step is through expanding your intrapersonal intelligence. Our text defines intrapersonal intelligence as â€Å"the ability to form an accurate model of oneself and to use this model effectively† (Walker, R. , 2011, pp. 26). Intrapersonal intelligence is developed through the process of reflexivity.Our text defines reflexivity as â€Å"reflecting on our thoughts and actions to understand what motivates those thoughts and actions† (Walker, R. , 2011, pp. 26). Slowing down to better understand what is motivating our thoughts and actions allows us to make adjustments in our perceptions prior to communicating. This helps in avoiding perceptual inferences such as negative stereotypes and attribution. The second step is through expanding your interpersonal intelligence. Our text defines interpersonal intelligence as â€Å"the ability to understand other people: what motivates them, how they work, and how to work cooperatively with them† (Walker, R. 2011, pp. 26). Utilizing the skill of inquiry will aid in growing your interpersonal intelligence and ultimately reduce the impact the perceptual process may have. The more educated you are about another person’s position the better prepared you will be understand them and communicate with them. The power really comes in combining both of these steps while communicating. I’ve been using the skills of reflection and inquiry since learning about them last semester. I use them successfully at home with my wife and children and on the job with co-workers.Although I believe I have developed greater intrapersonal intelligence, I believe the increase in interpersonal intelligence has helped me even more while communicating with these people. In the past I didn’t take the time to understand what their motives and positions were while communicating. Now I make sure I better understand their position, including the perceptions supporting them. This allows me to see the situation from more angles before developing a response. Reference Walker, R. (2011). Strategic Management Communication for Leaders (2nd Edition. ) Mason, Ohio: South-Western , Cengage Learning.

Coffea arabica Essay

I. A. About the Industry Coffee is a brewed beverage with a distinct aroma and flavor, prepared from the roasted seeds of the Coffea plant. A coffee plant is usually a bush or small tree that grows to 10-12 feet (although it can grow up to 32 feet) and can produce coffee beans for decades. It can live for between 60 and 70 years. It can take up to four years for a coffee tree to reach maturity and bear fruit. The English word coffee originates from the Arabic word ‘kaweh’ meaning strength or vigor. The seeds are found in coffee â€Å"cherries†, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa. Green (unroasted) coffee is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world. Coffee is slightly acidic (pH 5. 0–5. 1) and can have a stimulating effect on humans because of its caffeine content. Commercial coffee is grown in an area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn affectionately known as the â€Å"bean belt†. In order for the coffee plant to thrive, it needs moderate sunshine and rain, porous soil and constant temperatures between 65 and 75? F. Before the coffee bean can be used to make coffee, it has to be roasted. The roasting process changes the color of the green coffee beans. First they turn yellow and then brown. The longer they roast the darker they become. The strongest roasts result in black beans. At the same time, the heat causes changes in the taste and smell of the beans. Aromatic oils are released that bring out the flavor of coffee. In the nineteenth century, people roasted their coffee at home on their stoves or over open fires. Nowadays, the commercial coffee roasters use enormous ovens to roast the coffee. Temperature and time are carefully controlled, sometimes by computers, because just a few seconds can dramatically change the final flavor of the coffee. The roasting can be done in just a minute. In general, a light roast gives a mild taste, a medium roast produces a well–rounded, rich flavor and aroma and a high roast gives a strong, distinctive flavor. Coffee is one of the most consumed drinks after water. Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world after oil. Over 1400 million cups of coffee are drunk around the world each day. The majority of coffee is consumed at breakfast. Coffee berries, which contain the coffee seeds, are produced by several species of small evergreen bush of the genus Coffea. The two most commonly grown are also the most highly regarded Coffea arabica, and the â€Å"robusta† form of the hardier Coffea canephora. The latter is resistant to the devastating coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix). Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed, and dried. The seeds are then roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor, before being ground and brewed to create coffee. Coffee can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways. An important export commodity, coffee was the top agricultural export for twelve countries in 2004, and it was the world’s seventh-largest legal agricultural export by value in 2005. Some controversy is associated with coffee cultivation and its impact on the environment. Consequently, organic coffee is an expanding market. The top 10 coffee-producing countries are: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Guatemala , Vietnam, Cote d’Ivoire, Mexico and Uganda. The emotional and physical benefits of coffee are numerous. Not only does coffee taste good, it can stimulate, relax and refresh the body. Coffee stimulates the senses through its caffeine content which stimulates metabolism and supports mental alertness and concentration. The body absorbs it within 30 minutes, and its positive effects may last 2-5 hours. Coffee relaxes the body because it hydrates it. Because water is the main ingredient in a cup of coffee, it helps the body work towards its daily water needs and is practically free of calories. Coffee also refreshes the body with its wealth of polyphenols. Polyphenols are nutrients that help maintain the body in good health over time. They are also found in green tea, fruits and cocoa. B. Brief History of Coffee The history of coffee goes at least as far back as the thirteenth century. The story of Kaldi, the 9th-century Ethiopian goat herder who discovered coffee while searching for his goats, did not appear in writing until 1671 and is probably apocryphal. From Ethiopia, coffee was said to have spread to Egypt and Yemen. The earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree appears in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. By the 16th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and Northern Africa. Coffee then spread to Balkans, Italy, and to the rest of Europe, to Indonesia, Asia and then to America. Wild coffee’s energizing effect was likely first discovered in the northeast region of Ethiopia. Coffee cultivation first took place in southern Arabia; the earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking appears in the middle of the 15th century in the Sufi shrines of Yemen. In East Africa and Yemen, coffee was used in native religious ceremonies that were in competition with the Christian Church. As a result, the Ethiopian Church banned its secular consumption until the reign of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. The beverage was also banned in Ottoman Turkey during the 17th century for political reasons and was associated with rebellious political activities in Europe In the Philippines, coffee has a history as rich as its flavor,† says the National Coffee Development Board (NCDB), whose main objective is to develop and promote the Philippine coffee industry through technical assistance and credit programs for coffee farms and through marketing and promotions of coffee for domestic and export markets. History records show that the first coffee tree was introduced in Lipa, Batangas in 1740 by a Spanish Franciscan monk. From there, coffee growing spread to other parts of Batangas like Ibaan, Lemery, San Jose, Taal, and Tanauan. Batangas owed much of its wealth to the coffee plantations in these areas and Lipa eventually became the coffee capital of the Philippines. â€Å"By the 1860s, Batangas was exporting coffee to America through San Francisco,† the NCDB- records. â€Å"When the Suez Canal was opened, a new market started in Europe as well. Seeing the success of the Batangenos, Cavite followed suit by growing the first coffee seedlings in 1876 in Amadeo. In spite of this, Lipa still reigned as the center for coffee production in the Philippines and Batangas barako was commanding five times the price of other Asian coffee beans. † In 1880, the Philippines was the fourth largest exporter of coffee beans, and. when the coffee rust hit Brazil, Africa and Java (Indonesia), it became the only source of coffee beans around the world. The coffee rust disease almost wiped it out during the last quarter of the 19th century. Coffee registered a total production of 123, 934 metric tons valued at P6818, 18 million in 1995. Today, however, the Philippines produces only . 012% of the world’s coffee supply. Efforts are being undertaken to revive the industry however, with the majority of coffee produced in the mountain areas of Batangas, Bukidnon, Benguet, Cavite, Kalinga, Apayao, Davao, and Claveria.