More Evidence Needed to Support George Ritzers McDonaldization Thesis :: George Ritzer McDonaldization Thesis

More Evidence Needed to Support George Ritzer's McDonaldization Thesis The McDonaldization Thesis presupposes some familiarity with Ritzer's earlier work, The McDonaldization of Society (1993), in which he defines McDonaldization as "the process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world" (1). These principles include efficiency, predictability, calculability (or an emphasis on quantification), and control (especially via non-human technologies). Taken together, they constitute the formal (functional or instrumental) rationality that undergirds McDonaldization. In the present work, Ritzer continues to sound the alarm by depicting McDonaldization as "a largely one-way process in which a series of American innovations are being aggressively exported to much of the rest of the world" (8). Although the author acknowledges that the McDonaldization thesis is rooted in Weber's reflections on rationality, specifically the notion of the "iron cage of rationality," he prefers the "simplicity" of Mannheim's thinking on the subject. The latter, for example, locates the fundamental irrationality of highly rationalized systems, such as McDonaldized ones, in threats to the ability to think; whereas, the former emphasizes threats to human values, an area the author deems unnecessarily messy for the purposes of his theoretical analysis. The author further justifies this position by noting the cognitive demands of the present post-industrial system in which human beings live. Indeed, it is the dehumanization resulting from the simultaneous increase in functional rationality and decrease in substantive rationality, which rationalized systems demand and perpetuate, that animates the author. The author introduces the concept of the "new means of consumption" to illustrate the ways in which not only business, but cultural, practices are threatened by McDonaldization. Defined as "those things owned by capitalists and rendered by them as necessary to customers in order for them to consume" (91), examples of the new means of consumption include fast-food restaurants, credit cards, mega-malls, home shopping television networks, and cybermalls. The critical point for the author is that each changes the ways individuals consume. For example, the exportation of fast-food restaurants and American eating habits, with their emphasis on food as something to be consumed as quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively as possible, alters the way people eat and, thereby, "poses a profound threat to the entire cultural complex of many societies" (8). There is a distinct normative dimension to the concept of the new means of consumption, which is evident in the author's insistence that they "constrain" individuals "to buy more than they need" and "to spend more than they should" (119).

How to Study Effectively Essay

lace where you can work regularly. This place should be dedicated to study, free of potential distractions from friends or family — yes folks, even your cat. Regular work in such an environment helps form good, effective study habits, and improves concentration and focus. Distractions waste precious time and cause tension. Get rid of clutter. Keep things simple — keep things tidy. Get a study timetable organized and prioritize. Prepare a list or timetable for tasks for that day, and for the week and number them according to which ones need to be done first. These get the priority and will not necessarily be the easiest. Mark and label all your work folders and content and place them in separate piles so that you can clearly see how much work you need to do and what has already been revised. Tick off the tasks as they are completed. Make sure that the area for your study is well lit and has an ambient temperature where you can focus. The quality of focus determines the quality of understanding. You cannot apply what you learn without understanding and exams test your ability to apply what you have learnt. The Motivation for Learning should be clear — top grades will mean higher earnings and a better quality life. Learn to work for them†¦ Food: What you eat affects your thinking. The Rule is Eat Little — but often. Eat healthy meals such as fish, fruits, and sandwiches that provide the vitamins and minerals that you need and do not make heavy demands on your digestive system. Know when You are ‘Switched On’. Try to be aware of your bio clock and what time of the day you work best. Optimise by revising when you work best but keep an eye on the exam date and time. You will need to get used to working at that hour. Do The Challenging Revision First — when you are fresh. Trying to focus on difficult problems when you are tired can be difficult. Look after your physical health. Take regular breaks, get plenty of fresh air and do some walking or stretching. Study in small chunks lasting 25 to 35 minutes. Your memory and concentration will work better if you study in short bursts but often†¦

While Having Regular Mammograms Every Two Years Does Not

While having regular mammograms every two years does not guarantee you will not get cancer, it may however detect the disease early. Cancer screening makes sense; identify and treat cancer before you know it’s there. The theory behind this is to catch cancer in the initial stages and it will be more curable. This in turn, reduces deaths due to the disease. Nurse Practitioner Veneta Masson, author of â€Å"Why I don’t Get Mammograms† argues the topic of how routine mammograms don’t save lives. Masson being a health care professional has been well educated on maintaining optimum health and preventing disease. Though she may have the knowledge and awareness, she however uses faulty generalizations as to why she does not receive annual mammogram†¦show more content†¦Masson devotes a more emotional appeal throughout the article, rather than offering confirmation to display that mammograms are not beneficial. She expresses reflection to show the reader her perspective and even contradicts herself in one aspect stating â€Å"If I should happen to discover a lump in my breast, I’ll have it evaluated. I’m not opposed to having a diagnostic mammogram† (Masson, 2010). This statement shows weakness within her argument and recognizes that there is potential in mammogram screening. Although relying on mammography is not the only primary diagnostic tool, it can however assist in the initial diagnostic process. Opposing View Masson conducts a point in her article explaining that some women experience false positive mammograms and treated unnecessarily. She references from the Nordic Cochrane Centre information pamphlet that states â€Å"These women will have either a part of their breast or the whole breast removed, and they will often receive radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy† (Masson, 2010). This can harvest a psychological strain on many women and cause increased distress and anxiety. Along with the emotional strain, direct financial costs to health services will be applied due to unnecessary procedures. The argument that early detection does not guarantee successful treatment or extend life is interpreted within theShow MoreRelatedIs Mammography A Type Of Radiologic Imaging Used For Early Detection And Diagnosis Of Breast Disease?1567 Words   |  7 Pagesmore women seem to be consuming radiologic poison. There are two viewpoints on the issue of mammography. While critics question if m ammograms are true deterrent of breast disease, supporters encourage yearly mammograms to prevent health risks. There is controversy about how to effectively screen the important women in our lives. â€Å"This year already, about 40,290 lives have been lost to breast cancer† (American Cancer Society). The disease does not only affect the woman, it affects the whole family. TheseRead MoreBreast Cancer : The Most Common Type Of Cancer Among Women1592 Words   |  7 Pages Every minute a woman dies of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Every year, invasive breast cancer is diagnosed in 180,000 women alone. Doctors have not been able to find the cure yet, but they are not giving up. Thanks to nonprofit charities, such as the Susan G. Komen, researchers are receiving enough money that is donated to breast cancer to look deeper and try to find ways to cure and to help prevent such a fatal disease. It’s really important forRead MoreWhat is Breast Cancer? What is the Cause of it?1328 Words   |  6 PagesGenetics are also a risk factor. Canc er.org says, About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are caused by mutations. Having a family history of cancer increases someones chances of getting it, although most of the time, people who have it, had no family history. Having being exposed to radiation, being obese, starting your menstrual cycle before the age of 12, beginning menopause late, having a child when you’re older, never have being pregnant, taking postmenopausal hormone therapy medication, and drinkingRead MoreEssay about The Pros and Cons of Health Screening 2091 Words   |  9 Pages1992). Screening is different to diagnosis as it is performed on people without symptoms; it does not provide a diagnosis but rather identifies individuals at increased risk for follow-up diagnostic testing (Trevena2009). There are a number of benefits expected from health screening and much research has shown the benefits that health screening provides to the health sector. However, in recent years research is emerging with the agenda of opportunity cost of health screening. As result manyRead MoreHealth Promotion Programme On Breast Cancer Screening Program1866 Words   |  8 Pages Health is an important aspect of human life. The significance of health has dramatically increased in the recent years. If a person is not healthy, he/she cannot contribute to the wellbeing of the society. Following of unhealthy lifestyles, changing and unhealthy food habits, unhygienic practices, hectic workloads and lack of exercises are considered to be the common causes of a person becoming unhealthy. Here is the importance of health promotion programmes. According to WHO, â€Å"health promotionRead MoreCancer Is A Common Type Of Invasive Breast Cancer2160 Words   |  9 Pagessame area from which they formed in the body. Malignant masses on the other hand are cancerous and tend to spread and multiply to more than one area in the body. Due to the reason that cancer may affect nearly every part of the body, the types of different cancers are countless. Cancers are commonly distinguished by where they originate. Breast cancer, cancer in the breast, is the most common type of cancer affecting women inRead MoreA Study On Cell Physiology And Biostatistics2433 Words   |  10 PagesUniversity where I got my PHD in cell physiology and biostatistics. Several years of studies and hard work has put me where I am today. Tonight, we will hear a few of the highly educated doctors and experts in the field of breast cancer talk about their knowledge and experiences studying this deadly disease. In the United States, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is estimated that each year over 220,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and is the secondRead MoreBreast Cancer : A Widespread Condition And A Genuine Wellbeing Issue1767 Words   |  8 Pagesamong women than men(2). Figure 1 (showing the most cancer incident and type diagnosed in the year of 2010) (2) As figure 1 showing that the most widely recognized cancer in females is breast cancer(3). The number of cases of female breast cancer for year 2010 were 1473. breast cancer positioned first between females representing 27.4% of all recently analyzed female malignancies (5,378) in year 2010(2). The ASR was 24.9/100,000 of female populace. Riyadh was one of the uppermost ASR at 30.6/100Read MoreEssay on Breast Cancer4172 Words   |  17 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Breast cancer will strike one in every eight American women. This makes it the most common cancer in woman. Approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Of that number, 40,000 will die from breast cancer each year. (Journal of Environmental Health 2003)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Breast cancer is just one type of cancer. Cancerous cells are cells that grow without the normal system of controls placed upon them. Breast cancer develops from the mammary ducts 80% of the time. The other 20%Read MoreTwentieth Century is the Cancer Century1801 Words   |  7 Pageshave been made to fight all kinds of cancer throughout the world. In the early decades of the twentieth century, cancer was considered to be a fatal disease. Although some cancers are still fatal, medical therapy has developed significantly over the years so that most cancers can be treated and cured. After decades of struggling to treat various cancers, doctors are now becoming more aware of the causes of these diseases, how they can be treated, and what can be done to prevent them. Cancer is

An Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - 2123 Words

The Giving Children a Mulligan in Life Not all children are born into the perfect situation, some children are born into a drug oriented and gang related family. â€Å"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.† This a powerful quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. how we can benefit a student’s life. The Giving Children a Mulligan in Life interest group would be a locally funded group in Atlanta which would teach life lessons through the game of golf in a fun and interactive way. â€Å"Giving Children a Mulligan in Life† would help with the record high levels of dropouts in this city. Certainly with Atlanta having one of the highest dropout rates in not just Georgia, but in United States at 59.1% with an 8% rise in the last two years reported by the Georgia’s Department of Education (2014) is more than enough of a reason for this group to e xist. Our goal will be to impact children by providing an instructive program that builds character, introduces core values and supports healthy choices through the game of golf. The policy goals of this program is to increase the amount of high school students that will graduate. To do this, the program will give children better study habits to make learning easier and less stressful. This program will also help children with their communication skills, which in the long run will help them with real world situations andShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.769 Words   |  4 Pagesactivists in the nation such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After his assassination, people took their grief to the public and called for acts of violence to deal with the sudden loss. As their anger continued to rise, Cesar Chavez published an article, in which he urged people to come to their senses and take a less violent approach to the situation. Chavez states that only through nonviolence will people continue to strive towards the peace that they and Dr. King have so long looked forward to.Read MoreRhetorical Analysis of the I Have a Dream Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1219 Words   |  5 Pagesechoed throughout Washington D.C. August 28, 1963 as Martin Luther King Jr. paved the path to freedom for those suffering from racial segregation. It was the day of the March on Washington, which promoted Civil Rights and economic equality for African Americans. In order to share his feelings and dreams with the rest of the nation, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech encouraging all to overcome racial segregation. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech was very effective due to theRead MoreAnalysis of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s I Have A Dream Speech619 Words   |  3 Pages28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most famous speeches of all time to an audience of more than 200,000 civil rights supporters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In his, â€Å"I have a dream† speech, King addressed his encouragement of white and black people working together to achieve racial peace and harmony. He especially wanted to teach the young blacks that equality could be gained through the use of non-violence. The main reason King used nonviolenceRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. s I Have A Dream 1448 Words   |  6 Pageswords have been spoken than those uttered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s, â€Å"I have a dream,† speech. Perhaps one of the most famous and paradigm shifting speeches in all of history, Dr. King’s was spoken with candor, authenticity, fervor, and an enormous amount of tact. With his incredible intelligence and eloquence as a doctorate in Theological Studies, his establishment as such a respected leader, and his fervor and charisma in delivering the speech, Dr. King effectively established Logos, Ethos andRead MoreRhetorical Analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s I Have A Dream Speech915 Words   |  4 Pages Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his I Have a Dream speech to the thousands of African Americans who had marched on Washington, D.C. at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The date of the speech was August 28, 1963, but it is one that will live for generations. Of course his purpose was to convince his audience on several fronts: he sought to persuade the black community to stand up for the rights afforded them under the Constitution, and he also sought to Read MoreDr. Martin Luther King Research Paper1430 Words   |  6 PagesCommunications Essay DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SPEECH â€Å"I HAVE A DREAM† Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15 , 1929 and died on April 4, 1968. He was born Michael Luther King Jr. but decided to change his name to Martin. Both Martin Luther’s grandfather and father were pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Martin Luther carried on the tradition and served as pastor from 1960-1968 (Nobel Prize, 1). He was a big part of the civil rights movement for his raceRead More Dr. Martin Luther King’s Funeral and Assassination Essay1605 Words   |  7 PagesDr. Martin Luther King’s Funeral and Assassination Word spread like wildfire when the news of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination hit the public. As the leading civil rights activist in the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. preached words of peace and understanding among races. A well known name throughout the North and South, King gained extreme popularity within the African American community. When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated a wave of sorrow spread across the nation. WithRead MoreLetter From A Birmingham Jail972 Words   |  4 PagesRhetorical Analysis: Letter from a Birmingham Jail Racism is part of America’s history. Historical leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. brought the Injustice problems to the light. King, Jr. â€Å"Letters from a Birmingham Jail confronts racism in the United States of America through his response letter to the clergymen criticism, while he is in jail due to holding a protest in Birmingham, Alabama. King, Jr. wrote â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail† to defend the non-violent protest. He claims that the protestRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther Kings I Have A Dream1140 Words   |  5 PagesBrito â€Å"I Have a Dream† Rhetorical Analysis African American Baptist minister and activist, Martin Luther King, Jr., in his â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, addresses racism against Negros and demands equal rights and freedoms. King’s purpose is to motivate his audience to join him in fighting for what they deserve. He shifts from an urgent, demanding tone at the beginning of the speech to a more hopeful and patriotic tone towards the end. Throughout the speech, Dr. King appeals to the audience’s desire toRead MoreBayard Rustin And The Civil Rights Movement1338 Words   |  6 Pagesthe gay community in the United States. Mostly working behind the scenes, he was able to mold the movement into a symbol of non-violent resistance in the United States and even the world over. He was also an influential figure who sculpted Martin Luther King Jr, who previously had bodyguards for his family and also carried a personal hand gun, to a fundamental understanding of non-violence (Kates and Singer). Throughout his career in the civil rights movement, Bayard Rustin had to act as a silent

Risk Management Is An Integral Part Of The Business Decisions

Risk is a gamble each organization must face when dealing with information assets. Risk management is the centerpiece to how an organization must discipline itself when it comes to the trade-off of cost for additional security or the importance of losing information. Whitman (2015) explains the there are three elements that make up the identity of risk management. These three are risk control, risk identification and risk assessment. Risk is identified and assessed based on probability and likely impact. Along with documenting risk, there are methodologies used when using risk assessment (Whitman, 2015, p. 231). To an organization, risk management is the process of identifying risk, assessing its relative magnitude, and taking steps to reduce it to an acceptable level (Whitman, 2015, p. 231). Whitman (2015) goes on to stress that in order for an IT-system to remain viable, the discipline of risk management must become an integral part of the business decisions. Starting with risk identification, which is the enumeration and documentation of risks to an organization’s information assets, it is used to identify and understand risks that a business may face to information assets. This leads to risk control where the application of controls that reduce the risk to an acceptable level is used for organizations information assets (Whitman, 2015, p. 231). The strategy used in risk management requires information security professionals to identify risk and assess it (Whitman, 2015,Show MoreRelatedGeneral Guidelines And Rules On Risk Management1550 Words   |  7 PagesISO 31000:2009 explains the general guidelines and rules on risk management. These guidelines are used by associations, companies, organisations, private, communities, public and groups or individuals. Hence, ISO 31000:2009 does not limit to any particular industry. ISO 31000:2009 can be brought in application for the whole life span of an organization, and to a broad area of activities, which covers plans and strategies, decision making processes, specific functions, product and services etc. ThisRead MoreGeneral Guidelines And Rules On Risk Management1620 Words   |  7 PagesSO 31000:2009 explains the general guidelines and rules on risk management. These guidelines are used by associations, companies, organisations, private, communities, public and groups or individuals. Hence, ISO 31000:2009 does not limit to any particular industry. ISO 31000:2009 can be brought in application for the whole life span of an organization, and to a broad area of activities, which covers plans and strategies, decision making processes, specific functions, product and services etc. ThisRead MoreHuman Resource Management And Risk Management1415 Words   |  6 PagesThe Human Resource Management/Risk Management Interface Like risk, human resources are pervasive in the business. Human resource management is most effective when integrated with decision making throughout the business. This leads to recognition that each production, financial, and marketing decision has a human component or influence. Which choice is made, how the decision is carried out, the follow-up and monitoring depend on people. Isolating management team and employee issues from productionRead MoreEnterprise Risk Management1609 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract This paper discusses how a company can successfully implement the Enterprise Risk Management based on COSO guidelines. This paper discusses a step by step process of the implementation plan at Dell Inc, the responsibilities of the workforce and management, the risk mitigation approach and how to monitor the activities successfully. Enterprise Risk Management In the wake of all the financial scandals, a variety of laws and regulations have been passed which makes the board of directorsRead MorePerformance Management System1694 Words   |  7 PagesContents 1. Performance management on the benefits of a company or organization. 2. Examples and behavior of Performance management. 3. Performance Management Systems 4. Human Capital and Strategic Planning 5. Recommendations Performance management on the benefits of a company or organization. Successful organizations know that to win in today’s competitive marketplace they must attract, develop, and retain a talented and productive staff. Winning organizations get theirRead MoreCase Study 2 (Chapter 6)691 Words   |  3 Pagesinformation includes records about customer interaction patens, customer purchasing history or trends and current customer records. The information in a data warehouse is used for management analysis and decision making. REI needs data warehouse for the following benefits †¢ It will help REI’s management in decision making. Drawing trends about past and current customer buying patens will indicate as to which products are making the most profit and which ones require improvements. †¢ REI willRead MoreInformation Security Awareness Programs : An Integral Part Of Security Management871 Words   |  4 PagesOne of the greatest risks to a company’s information security is not a shortcoming in the technical control environment, rather it is their employees’ inaction or action that leads to security incidents (PCI, 2014). 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Using the MBO methodology of collaborative planning GTPLS Gippsland operation has developed an activity-based strategic plan that focuses on our efforts towards the delivery of specific outcomes. These outcomes will in turn, lead to the achievement of our goals and reaching the company’s vision. The success of this plan / strategy relies on a commitment to implementation and regular monitoring of our progress no matter what we strive to achieveRead MoreApplication Of A Risk Assessment1068 Words   |  5 Pagesof a risk assessment Developing a secure ICS architecture based on the principles introduced in Module 4 – ICS Cyber Security Architecture will not in itself be sufficient to ensure ongoing protection. As time goes by, new vulnerabilities will be discovered in various ICS components, and new risks may be introduced through changes to work practices, to the infrastructure itself, or to the environment in which the ICS operates. For this reason, it is critical to have in place a corporate risk management

Fitbit Marketing Plan free essay sample

FitBit is dedicated to helping people live healthier and more active lives. The company aims to create innovative, inspiring products and online services that combine the power of new technologies to make people more aware of their diets, daily activities and motivate them to do more exercises. FitBit is a wireless health and sleep tracker. The company’s goal is to provide a unique product, rich features at a highly competitive price. Target segmentation includes athletes, students, professionals and other groups in Australia. The product will be distributed to most of the electronic specialty stores and online. The tiny device will help people taking advantage of their lives by offering different functions. The primary marketing objective is to increase the brand awareness in the Australian pedometer market and achieve an impressive sales performance. Contents Executive Summary15 Offer description1 External environment factors analysis2 Macro- environment2 Political2 Economical2 Social changes2 Technology3 Legal requirements3 Environmental3 Micro environment analysis4 Threat of new competition4 Threat of substitute products or services4 Bargaining power of customers4 Bargaining power of suppliers4 Intensity of competitive rivalry4 Analysis of competition5 SWOT Analysis5 Value Chain Analysis5 Analysis of target market7 Customer’s needs analysis7 Target segmentation9 Perceptual Map of Positioning11 Marketing Objectives12 Marketing Strategies12 Product Strategy12 Positioning12 Pricing Strategy12 Place/ Distribution13 Offer description The FitBit Ultra is a wireless track device that records people’s daily activity including steps walked and floors climbed. We will write a custom essay sample on Fitbit Marketing Plan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is well designed which is almost the same size as a flash disk and it can be comfortably clips onto a belt, clothes or keep in the pocket. It is so light and small that it can be barely noticed when you wear all day. The FitBit Ultra offers the following fantastic features: * Only one button, easy to operate * Pedometer records steps taken, distances traveled and stairs climbed * The device can calculate the calories consumed * Sleep mode can analyze the length of actual sleeping time * All the data recorded can be synched with the computer automatically within 15 feet * The software supports both Mac and PC Data can be uploaded to the online account and visualized clearly in the format of diagrams * Intake calories can be uploaded manually for a more accurate analyze * Performance can be shared with friends through social network * Long life battery can last for over one week without charging * Sell for only $99 each External environment factors analysis Macro- environment Political Australia is a member of APEC and WTO and also has free trade agreements with United States, ASEAN countries, New Zealand and some European countries. It has positive trading policies with different countries and the trades between countries are in favorable conditions. Therefore, bringing FitBit into Australia would be feasible and there will be a large amount of prospects in the market. FitBit as an innovative product which is designed to improve the health quality of local people shall be warmly welcomed by the Australian government. Economical The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Australia increased 0. 4% in the last quarter of 2011, with typical inflation of 2-3% in 2010 and unemployment rate increased to 5. 2% in February of 2012. In Australia, sales tax rate is 10% and Corporate Tax rate is 30%. The tax rates of Australia seem to be feasible for the FitBit to operate in this market. Because of low unemployment rate in Australia which is approximate to 5. 2%, it would be a barrier for the FitBit to employ some skilled staff. Therefore, it is crucial for the human resource department to take different strategies to recruit skilled and experienced employees. Social changes There is an increasingly demand for health products and services in as Australian government spending on healthcare is projected to rise from 4. % of GDP in 2009-10 to 7. 1% in 2049-50. Expected technological advancements in health products are likely to contribute to greater spending on health. The FitBit as a technological health device shall greatly meet local consumer’s needs. Technology The number of Australian households using computers and accessing the internet has significantly increased during past a few years. In 2008-09, nearly six million Australian households (72%) had internet access. There are nearly 10 million Facebook users in Australia which takes almost half of the population. Latest information about products and services can be spread quickly through the social network, which means the FitBit can use it to increase the brand awareness. Legal requirements Australian’s international trade activities are regulated by TRIPS and WTO settlements. Intellectual property is an integral part of global trade which is paid enough attention by the Australian government. In 2009-10, value of intellectual property reached $170 billion. Therefore, FitBit as an innovative product and its crucial technology will be well protected by the local government. Environmental Australian government issued carbon tax aiming to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. The FitBit could indirectly contribute to the environment protection by encouraging people to walk instead of driving car to some short distance places. Micro environment analysis Threat of new competition There might be some barriers such as government policies, high costs of entry, promotion or hire skilled employees. Threat of substitute products or services Competitors within the industry could offer better designed devices with more functions. For example, IPod Nano can play radio and music. Bargaining power of customers FitBit buyer’s power is strong which they demand lower price and better service from the provider, knowing they can switch to another company. Bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers are most powerful when switching costs is high, especially when the products have few or no substitutes. Intensity of competitive rivalry FitBit has high competitive rivals in the retail industry such as Apple, Tech4O, Omron and so on. FitBit and its rivals compete among themselves on price, quality, product and place.

Marijuana In Detail Essays - Neurochemistry, Medicine, Cannabis

Marijuana In Detail "Marijuana causes long-term changes in the brain similar to those seen with other drugs of abuse . . ." Back in the 1970s, animal experiments led to groundless fears that marijuana blew holes in brain tissue. The experiments organisations like NIDA now fund are more sophisticated but the controversy still rages. George Koob, an addiction researcher from The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, claims the new message from the animals is simple: "The more we discover about the neurobiology of addiction the more common elements we're seeing between THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main active ingredient in cannabis) and other drugs of abuse." And for Koob, one of these newly discovered "common elements" is marijauna's ability to trigger chemical changes in the brain that lead to strong withdrawal symptoms. In humans, some researchers claim to see clear evidence of insomnia, anxiety and even flu-like symptoms in heavy cannabis users who abstain. But if there's a consensus, it's that symptoms are mild and variable. By contrast, Koob's rats are shivering wrecks. Does this mean marijuana is more addictive than we think? Not a bit of it, says Roger Pertwee, a university pharmacologist and president of the Cannabinoid Research Society. That's because those symptoms aren't so much observed as manufactured. The animals are injected with high doses of THC, then injected with a second chemical to block cannabis receptors in the brain. Without the block, the sharp withdrawal symptoms can't be seen because cannabis clears so slowly that even heavily doped rats are likely to experience a gentle wind down. Another debate rages over animal studies into the short-term effects of marijuana on brain chemistry. Heroin, cocaine, alcohol and nicotine all trigger a surge in the chemical dopamine in a small midbrain structure called the nucleus accumbens. Many researchers regard this as a hallmark of an addictive substance. Last year, experiments showed that cannabis presses the same dopamine button in rats, leading to claims that the drug must be more addictive than previously thought. To critics, it is just another example of those old exaggerated fears. What nobody tells you, says John Morgan, a pharmacologist at City University of New York Medical School, is that rats don't like cannabis. It's easy for them to get hooked on heroin or cocaine -- but not marijuana. Nor, Morgan claims, are researchers exactly open about awkward observations, such as the fact that there are plenty of nonaddictive drugs that stimulate dopamine in the brain. It's easy to understand why biologists want to find simple chemical traits that are shared by all addictive drugs. Unfortunately, the differences are as important as the similarities when it comes to weighing the relative risks and pleasures involved in taking drugs. And subjectively at least, the intense rush of cocaine and orgasm-like high of heroin have little in common with dope's subtler effects. A compound related to the active ingredient in marijuana may be accumulating in the spinal fluid of people with schizophrenia. This might explain why many sufferers smoke pot. Many researchers blame schizophrenia on an overactive dopamine system in the brain. Daniele Piomelli and colleagues at the University of California at Irvine already knew that making rats? dopamine receptors hyperactive caused a surge in anandamide, a lipid that binds to the same receptors in the brain as marijuana. Now Piomelli?s group has examined cerebrospinal fluid from 10 schizophrenic patients, taken for diagnostic purposes at the Medical College of Hannover in Germany. They found that fluid from schizophrenic patients had on average twice as much anandamide as fluid from people who didn?t have schizophrenia (NeuroReport, vol 10, p 1665). One explanation for the higher levels in schizophrenics is that the brain is attempting to compensate for a hyperactive dopamine system. ?It?s the brain?s response to bring this dopamine activity down,? says Piomelli. But the brain cannot keep the amount of anandamide high enough to lower dopamine levels, he says. This might also explain why schizophrenics often smoke marijuana. The drug?s active agent, THC, and anandamide both bind to the same receptor, so patients might be treating themselves, he says. But because pot does not act selectively in the brain, Piomelli does not consider it a useful treatment for schizophrenia. ?I don?t think the patient wants to be high,? he says. ?I think the patient wants to feel better.? One weakness in the data so far is that five of the patients were taking medication for their symptoms and three others were using marijuana daily. The effects of these drugs on endogenous cannabinoid levels is not known. ?It is