Wednesday, May 6, 2020

A Personal Philosophy of Music Education Essay - 1036 Words

A Personal Philosophy of Music Education Few would argue against the idea that we educate ourselves and our society so that we have adequate means with which to understand and interact with elements of the world around us. Subjects such as mathematics, language, history, and the hard sciences are granted immediate and unquestioned legitimacy in our schools, and with good reason. We encounter each of these elements of our lives on a daily basis. We need to have an understanding of these disciplines in order to interact with them, otherwise they are meaningless to us. I submit that the same can be said for the fundamental concepts of music. Music is something that we encounter in our society every day. It surrounds us. Indeed†¦show more content†¦This connection is both quantitative and qualitative in that quality of life increasingly benefits from both the amount of education we receive and the quality of that education. To a great extent we define our quality of life based on economic status. Education has been ver y clearly shown to allow us access to employment, and to make us more informed consumers. Thus, an educated society is one that is capable of developing individuals who can both specialize, and who can make informed decisions about goods and services outside their area of specialization. This is a central need to both industries and citizens in a capitalist society. This is one reason why music is such an important thing for every member of society to learn, even if they are not music specialists such as performers or composers. As I stated earlier, virtually every member of our society encounters music every day. There are many objective elements of music that we need to be familiar with in order to successfully interact with it. These include basic understanding of concepts such as beat, pitch, and texture. Furthermore, as music is a form of expression, if one wants to understand what is being expressed, one needs to speak the language in which it is expressed. Just like there is literacy of words and numbers, there is literacy of music. This is not a position held solely by educators orShow MoreRelated My Personal Philosophy of Education Essay1081 Words   |  5 PagesMy Personal Philosophy of Education Some people make things happen, some watch while things happen, and some wonder ‘what happened?’ Which type of person are you? author unknown. There have been times in my life in which I have sat back and watched things happen. I often wondered why they happened. I now realize that it is important to be a leader. Effective teachers need to take charge and make things happen. 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Through his philosophy of silence and chance operations, John Cage distinguished the difference between sound and music; sounds possess the ability to stand independently while the creation of music depends on sounds andRead MoreThe Performance Of The Spring Concert1675 Words   |  7 PagesOrzolek, a music education expert in the state of Minnesota, attended a state school board conference and asked a group of volunteers how they assessed their school music programs. The answers he received included, â€Å"No complaints or letters from parents or students, ‘good’ concerts, ‘good’ trips, a strong pep band for games, trophies and awards, and good numbers† (Orzolek, 2006 para. 6). Although music has been taught in public schools as a curricular subject since the 1930s, music education has struggledRead MoreSteve Jobs, An American Engineer And Entrepreneur853 Words   |  4 Pagesstudent Joanne Carole Schieble – let to adopt the newborn baby. 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When the public was speaking on behalf of the music program at the school,

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Mughal Painting Essay Example For Students

Mughal Painting Essay The McHugh paintings of India revolved around themes, like battles, court scenes, receptions, legendary stories, hunting scenes, Wildlife, portraits, etc. The Victoria and Albert Museums of London house a large and impressive collection of McHugh paintings. Mogul miniature Indo. Lilacs miniature painting of court life or the natural world, produced in northern India in the ateliers (workshops) of the Mogul emperors Kafka, Changer, and Shah Johan (1 6th-17th centuries). Persian Safaris artists introduced the traditions of miniature painting from Persian art, but the atelier then developed its own unique style, combining Persian and European techniques as well as Hindu and Islamic traditions, Exquisite and meticulously detailed miniatures were painted with great realism n glowing, jewel-like colors. Many paintings were worked on by more than one artist, often both Hindu and Muslim perhaps one doing the outline, while the other colored. Islam arrived in India in the late 10th century, and subsequent waves of zealous and increasingly strong Muslim armies destroyed all Hindu and Buddhist temples between the 11th and 13th centuries. Little remains of Indians original Hindu and Buddhist art, although Persian painters employed in the Muslim courts adopted some of the characteristics of Hindu art. The first atelier was set up by the third Mogul emperor under Safaris printers. However, the emperors atelier soon became more celebrated for its miniatures. Realistic royal portraits were produced, and albums of birds, animals, and flowers were painted for Exchange, Who took over Sabas atelier when he died. Mogul miniatures remained popular during Exchangers reign, but began to decline under Shah Johan (reigned 1628-1666), as many Of the artists began to move to different courts in Ragout and Decant. Baber, the first emperor of Mussels used to identify him with the Tumid family tradition and this family was ardently devoted to the arts of the book. The paintings of early period of Mussels can be seen in a specialist organization of a palace studio or scriptorium, which was managed then by Abyssinia. This scriptorium was headed by the legendary painter Bighead of McHugh period. But unfortunately, the scriptorium broke up at the end of Hussar Bazaar s reign and Bighead was brought to Tabors by the Saving Shah Small to organize the palace studio there, Some other painters were taken to Babushka by the Zebu conqueror, Muhammad Shabbily. But the tame this scriptorium was not spoiled and it served as a model for the later built scriptorium by Human and Kafka, The McHugh emperor, Baber himself was an expert of painting and inherited the taste of his Tumid predecessors. He had to abandon his entire baggage sometimes to include a whole library of illustrated books having paintings. Baber had never a stable residence, which was needed for keeping those expensive illustrated paintings, as those were very expensive. But When became the ruler of Samaritan, he became able to stock them properly. Both Baber and Kafka were intensely attached With painting and Kafka s great-grandson Changer was popular for his naturalistic representation and also for natural history. The Persian painting in drawings and studies in albums made for the Tumid rulers of Heart and the Turncoat rulers of Shirrs and Tabors reflect their interest in naturalism. Their interest in naturalism was been motivated by Chinese drawings, paintings and textiles. This inclination towards naturalism brought a gradual revolution in the attitude of Muslim authors to painting as such. There is a common belief that Islam proscribes figural art but an attitude of conditional tolerance towards figural representation was illuminated in few South Asian Muslim paintings, In the mid-sixteenth-century, a writer officials rout librarian Dust Muhammad and the Aqua (Judge) Mad was inspired by Baber 5 style of painting. He therefore wrote a treatise on painting saying life like things should be the criteria of the paintings. Baber s interest in natural history, with which his memoirs are instilled, was even more original. One of the accounts of Mussels unfurls the tact that Baber was immensely inclined towards painting. Baber s inclination towards natural painting can be imagined from few of his lines uttered when he was approaching a sheet of water near Kabul. He said, we saw a wonderful thing something as red as the rose of the dawn kept wowing and vanishing between the sky and the water When we got quite close we learned that the cause was flocks of geese, geese innumerable which, when the mass of birds flapped their wings in flight, sometimes showed red feathers, sometimes not. According to the history, Human was not a worthy successor of rich McHugh painting. It is said so because in the early sass the Saving Shah Thomas, Whose painting studio in Tabors was the finest and the most highly specialized in the Islamic world, doubted the authenticity of commissioning so many beautifully illustrated manuscripts, at least to the extent of releasing room his service some of the finest painters of his studio. But Human s stay in Persia was good for the history of McHugh painting. During his visit he brought Mir Stayed All and bad al-Samara reputed calligrapher) to India and they established the Imperial McHugh painting studio. He continued to keep these painters even when he was still in exile and it was a considerable investment for the future painting. Mir Stayed All is said to have implemented a scene from a polo match on a gram of rice, with goal posts at each end and horsemen, two in the centre tot the field, one galloping in from a corner and a tour-the being ended a polo stick by an attendant, He had drawn some of his figure paintings in unfavorable conditions. The calligraphic skill of Bad al-Assam was displayed in the last chapter of the Koran, the Shirt al-lasts_ In that particular art work, he wrote on one side of a grain of rice, with a commentary to it on the other. Another McHugh painter of that time called Mullah Pasha was praised for his skill in drilling poppy seeds with minute holes. But, there was hardly anyone in Human s court, who was able to look for the details of such a wonderful art work. The portraits of painters in McHugh and Saving art show them wearing spectacles quite frequently and the best work of these painters were done mainly at there early young age. This is probably due to these miniature paintings done by them. It was during the reign of McHugh Emperor Human that India saw a new addition to its heritage Of miniature earl When the Emperor Human was in Safaris court of Shah Thomas l, he got introduced to Persian paintings. On his return to India, he began patronizing the Persian paintings With the help Of two proficient artists Stayed All and Abdul Assam. Their discrete style along with the integration of the local fashion of painting gave rise to distinct style of art, which became renowned as McHugh painting. During the reigns of Kafka, Changer and Shah Johan the McHugh painting refurbished and blossomed further. Temperament was a famous painter of Baber s period, whose successor at Heart and Samaritan and the Savvied painted various miniature paintings in the public rooms tot the Mussels emperors. Temperament himself is said by later historians to have ordered illustrations of his victories and feasts in various palaces built for him at Samaritan. One more painter called Shah Thomas as even reported to have decorated the Chill Stun palace at Gavin himself, with scenes including the appearance of Joseph before Photograph s wife (Kulak)_ His personal initiative might have been flatteringly exaggerated and he might not even have sketched the sort of thing he wanted but he merely specified it in detail. Kafka got decorated the walls of his private apartments at Fattener sir by the painters of his studio, but these have very little traces to hue a proper idea of them. Most Of these paintings were small in scale and not monumental. The British Museum now contains the paintings of arioso later McHugh figures, including Kafka, Changer and Prince Korma (who ruled as Shah Johan). In these paintings, the central figure is labeled as Temperament and is often said to be Human. But, there is no authenticity Of the persons in these paintings. If it was the genealogical scene of the Mussels then Baber must be the centre figure of the painting. The landscape and figures are very much in the style of court painting at Tabors in the early sass and looked so different from any McHugh painting of the later sixteenth century. When the second McHugh emperor, Human (reigned 1530-1540 and 1555-1556) as in Tabors in the Safaris court of Shah Thomas l, he was exposed to Persian miniature painting. When Human returned to India, he brought with him vivo accomplished Persian artists, Stayed All and Abdul Assam. Their works, and the assimilation of local styles during succeeding decades, gave shape to a distinct style, which became known as McHugh painting. The Titanium (literal meaning wrasses of a parrot), now in the Cleveland Museum of Art, is among the earliest examples of McHugh painting. The manuscript was made in the reign of Huntsmans son, Kafka (r, 1556-1 ASS), Another manuscript the Humanism, also dad early in Sabas reign, is said to have contained about 1400 large paintings on cotton (only a fraction have survived) and took about IS years to complete. As per the historical record, it is said that the first painting off portrait of Kafka was done by Bad al-Assam in 1551. In the Berlin album of Kafka, there is a painting of him with Hinder Mira. A later period painting of Kafka s court depicts Human in a tent. The painters recruited by Human had to change their individual style as per Kafka s taste. During Kafka s time, the Persian style Of painting disappeared gradually. Kafka is regarded as the actual patron f McHugh painting even though he was reported to be illiterate and even dyslexic. The paintings Of Sabas court included the album leaves and a bizarrely dressed, blue-eyed, wandering dervish somewhat figure. Kafka s first and greatest project was said to be the copying and illustration Of a romance already popular in India, the Ham-name, the heroic developments of the Emir Ham, a kinsman of the Prophet. Art Review: Forgotten Fence by Carolyn Rosenberger EssayIn the art Of portrait miniature Sangrias paintings work miracles. His passion for nature was unrestricted, keen observer of flowers, grass, plants, animals and birds and had fondness Of music, poetry, traveling like his ancestors, especially grandfather Baber. He had artistic and aesthetic background from his childhood had been in contact with paintings. Thats why had great involvement in that art form and patronized personally the royal atelier. Popular subject matters were court scenes, flora, fauna and birds. The choice of material reflects Sangrias own taste, The Imperial albums paintings depict Sangrias interest in Cuffs, Muslim rulers, Princess visiting ascetics. Having great affection for his pets cheetah, carrier pigeons and his consideration for the royal stud elephant was famous. He shifted Imperial Library to Lahore tromp Agar. Lahore became the enter of artistic activity. When visited Lahore found his palace decorated with many paintings. His master artists painted beautiful, refined and high quality art and McHugh miniatures reached its highest peak. His wife Nor Johan had strong personality with complete control over her husband. Due to her influence female portraits began to appear, Under Changer the fusion of style India, Persian and European gave force and individuality to McHugh painting. When Emperor Kafka was in power, the political, economic and cultural landscape had begun changing. The McHugh paintings encouraged innumerable painters ho further brought more rudiments of precision and practicality into these paintings. These renewed paintings also depicted the events from the epics of Inhabited and the Ramadan. The animal fables, Which are famous in India by the name Panchromatic, were also depicted in McHugh paintings. The portfolio of McHugh paintings is large and diverse involving the comprehensive countryside backgrounds and rudiments of individual portraiture. The artistic scenario excelled during sovereignty of Changer (1605-27). The paintings emerging during his reign illustrated scenes and events from his life. A biographical portrayal of Changer known as the Jinrikisha , which was written during his lifetime has numerous pictorial idiosyncrasies paintings. The colors used in these paintings were lighter and the brush strokes were more intricate. Human figures, flowers, animals and birds formed the various themes on which the McHugh paintings emerged during Changer reign, ABA al- Has was a painter during the McHugh period in India. Changer was the McHugh ruler during that time, ABA al-Has originally belonged to Afghanistan. It was considered the city with an artistic tradition . He was the son of Aqua Raze of Hear, Emperor Changer took the initiative to train ABA al-Has in his spacious studios and workshops. Soon he excelled his father and his employer. As an acknowledgement to his talent, Changer conferred him the title Nadir-Uzi-Shaman (Wonder of the Age). Thus ABA al-Has became the royal painter at the Durbar of Changer, He was bestowed the task of documenting events of the imperial court. This documentation resulted in striking portraits. Not many of ABA al-Has s paintings lasted, but those that distinguish him as the artist, shows that he had also worked on a varied subjects, comprising some day-to- ay scenes. Squirrels in a Plane Tree is the most famous painting created by him. Today he is unanimously associated with this painting. The painting adorns the British Library. It is regarded as masterful depiction Of animal posture and movement Such a painting as it was, could only have been deduced from direct observation. The picture portrays European squirrels, unknown in India during that time. His work indicates that Changer s zoo may have held a few of those animals. As an alternative to the fact it is also believed that on one of his travels ABA al-Has may have accompanied Changer. But the signature on the painting is perplexing, as it is signed as Nadir al-Cars (Miracle of the Age), which is the title of status Mansard. But the style of the painting decidedly does not match with Status Mansard s style. Taut there remains a possibility that both painters collaborated on this painting. The development of McHugh kingdom was drooped when Shah Johan took up the throne, The financial condition also became very severe. Therefore, as a sensible ruler he also neglected the Imperial studio of painting and concentrated more on other more important things. Most of the paintings of Shaman s time ere concentrated on the first decade of his reign. Only major manuscript done by Shah Johan was a journal, which was all about praising his reigning period. This journal covered twenty years and in it the paintings veer executed simultaneously with the texts. Despite of the financial problems, he did not cut the financial support to the painters working under his patronage. Shah Johan s painting studio tried to follow the rich culture of Changer to a considerable extent. Shah Johan s painting albums were well known for their floral margins, Which were extraordinary as well as botanically accurate but their subject matter as narrower in range. Most of the paintings were formal single portraits. For this, some Of the portraits had a misleading family likeness. For example, that identified as the ambassador of the Safaris Shah Safe, Muhammad All Beg, painted by Hashish looked similar to another portrait of a Safaris official in the British Museum who might not be the same person at all. It was evident from the paintings of State occasions like Shah Johan s accession to the throne in 1628 that his painters also readily seized any opportunity to depict figures in large groups. The naturalism of Sangrias paintings started becoming a secondary consideration during the time of Shah Johan. The individualism of the European, Muslim and Hindu elements, religious, cultural and stylistic pattern of paintings made under Kafka and Changer were missing remarkably. This reflects Shah Johan s greater commitment to Muslim orthodoxy and the rejection of the Hindu element in the McHugh state. V-or this reason, probably, Shah Johan handed over some of the painters of his studio to his much- pampered favorite son, Dare Oshkosh, who was killed in 1658. But still, the paintings of his period maintained the brilliance and gloss, the elimination of raring features, which represented in a sense a zenith of the McHugh style. During the reign of Shah Johan (1628-58), McHugh paintings continued to develop, but they gradually became cold and rigid. Themes including musical parties; lovers, sometimes in intimate positions, on terraces and gardens; and ascetics gathered around a fire, abound in the McHugh paintings of this period. Governed avgas a noted painter during the reigns of Kafka, Changer and Shah Johan. Musical events, lovers and ascetics formed the main themes Of the McHugh paintings during the reign of Shah Johan (1628-58). Shah Johan is most distinguished for his architectural feat, the Tax Mall that took 16 years for its come lotion. Style of painting, confined mainly to book illustrations and miniatures, that evolved in India during the McHugh Dynasty. McHugh paintings developed from the 16th to 18th centuries during the reign of the McHugh emperors and had a distinctive blend of Indian, Islamic and Persian styles. The close study of nature, the royal life and the aristocratic tastes, all formed the prominent hallmarks of the McHugh painting. Emperor Rearrange did not actively patronize the McHugh paintings but some f the renowned paintings were seen during his reign, Again during the rule of Muhammad Shah (1719-48), the McHugh paintings saw a short upsurge but slowly the art had begun to downfall. An endowed artist of the Delhi-based court of the McHugh emperor Muhammad Shah, India Mall kept alive the saga McHugh art by painting in illustrious Delhi style after moving to Locknutbuy I-Has, Bishop Dads, Governed and Adulate are some of the celebrated artists of the McHugh period. Rearrange (1658-1707) did not actively encourage McHugh paintings, but as this art form had gathered momentum and had a number of patrons, McHugh paintings intended to survive, but the decline had set in. Some sources however note that a few Of the best McHugh paintings were made for Rearrange, speculating that the painters may have realized that he was about to close the workshops and thus exceeded themselves in his behalf. A brief revival was noticed during the reign of Muhammad Shah Rearrange (1719-48), but by the time of Shah Lam II (1759-1806), the art of McHugh painting had lost its glory. By that time, other schools of Indian painting had developed, including, in the royal courts of the Ragout kingdoms of Restaurant, Ragout painting and in the cities ruled by he British East India Company, the Company style under Western influence, The McHugh paintings depicted events from the various aspects of the erstwhile McHugh Empire, These paintings portrayed the scenes from the battlefields, hunting sports, the wild elite and animals and also the court scenes. One of the McHugh paintings illustrate a prince and his companions smoking a Hausa , in the presence tot beautiful ladies in the lovely environs of a walled fort gardens. The hunting scene in the McHugh paintings corresponded to a classic genre that depicted royal hunts and the general portray of the royal life. McHugh Painting that emerged during the reign of McHugh Empire around 16-19th centuries was limited to the images on the books and albums filled with paintings, calligraphic prints and ornamental borders. These splendid albums full of McHugh paintings were enveloped in leather, which was gilded, embossed and painted. In the initial phases the technique often involved a team of artists, one determined the composition a second did the actual coloring and a specialist in portraiture worked on individual faces. Probably the earliest example of McHugh painting is the illustrated folktale Tutu-name (Tale of a Parrot).

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Example Essay Example

Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Example Paper Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Introduction 1. Economies of scale are characterized by decreases in the average cost of production with increases in the levels of production. These are especially enjoyed by firms that are expanding their operations in terms of managerial activities, purchases, financial borrowing and marketing operations (Economies 2007). Small firms usually can play a crucial role in equitable development and economic growth, especially in the developing countries, and mainly through poverty reduction, employment creation, and broad distribution of opportunities and wealth (Elliethy, A 1992). Just the same these firms’ great potential is not usually realized because of the problems of isolation and size. In most cases, small firms do not achieve economies of scale in purchasing the inputs, and are therefore unable to avail the market advantages in terms of regular supply, high levels of production and those of homogeneous products. Isolation is a big limit for these firms since it affects factors such as training, logistics, market intelligence, as well as innovations. Small firms normally maintain a small profit margin since they cannot afford to invent new processes and products most of the time as the larger firms with their special Research Development units. Rather, small firms may only gain a competitive position in the markets through networking. Evidence from both developed in addition to developing countries shows that networking is only possible if small firms have common interests such as similar products and challenges (Landstrà ¶m, H 2005). There are two kinds of economies of scale: internal economies of scale and external economies of scale. Internal economies of scale can be enjoyed when the output of a small firm increases, perhaps due to governmental subsidies that lower the unit cost of production. Because fixed costs are shared by the number of units produced by a firm, a small firm that increases its production capacity will enjoy internal economies of scale . Furthermore, a small firm that increases its production capacity may enjoy discounts from its suppliers, referred to as bulk-buying or purchasing economies. This firm may also take loans at lower interest rates from the banks – referred to as financial economies. Additionally, a small firm that increases its production capacity may enjoy managerial economies as it hires more people and avails the advantages of division of labor. Another advantage of increasing production capacity – referred to as indivisibility – may be availed when a small firm changes its machinery and/or processes to replace the older ones and thereby accommodate the larger production capacity (Rodda, C 2004). Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Body Paragraphs While larger firms are understood to be more economical than smaller firms, a small firm may enjoy external economies of scale when the output of the industry is increased. As the production capacity of the industry increases, the number of trained workers also increases. In point of fact, the government may provide special training to the labor force in this situation. A trained labor force is definitely more economical than untrained workers. Moreover, a small firm may enjoy external economies of scale when the production capacity of the industry increases and there emerge other businesses to support the growing industry. Such firms may have their own competitors, and they too may enjoy economies of scale. Most importantly, the industries that these supporting businesses form tend to reduce the unit cost of production for the small firm. Lastly, small firms may enjoy external economies of scale when they cooperate with each other, for instance, to publish shared advertising materia l (Rodda, C). 2. Market fragmentation entails a division of the market in more ways than one. It commonly occurs that a given product may have the same quality and brand name but different prices in separate locations; this may arise due to the variance in the transportation costs and storage costs among other variable costs. A product may similarly have the same brand name but varied qualities of it may be produced, thereby leading to a difference in prices. All of these factors could lead to the market fragmentation. This economic principle is closely related to market differentiation. When the markets are fragmented, each supplier of a given product may enjoy limited economies of scale because the suppliers cannot collectively possess a common bargaining force. This is because each of them is independent, but usually very keen to watch the actions of the other players in the market. However, the uncertainties existing in this type of market do not increase external economies of s cale. The desire to produce a strong product typically involves making a product different from that of the fellow competitors, and this leads to fragmentation of the markets to boot. Nevertheless, strong product differentiation is a key factor towards achieving a competitive advantage. Product differentiation may include offering a product similar to that of the competitors, but of better packaging or quality. This also enables the market to be fragmented, as the products in the market are similar to each other but differentiated or diverse. Hence, consumers at different market niches are charged different prices. Creative content and image is another key factor that may lead to market differentiation. Creative content is related to innovation as it enables the seller to improve his products to allow them to attain a bigger market share (Sutcliff, M, Sloman, J 2004). 3. It is of vital importance to SME’s to evaluate the external environmental factors in the process of strat egic analysis (Dubinas, V, Stonkuviene, R 2005). Systematic competitiveness involves viewing industrial competitiveness as an interaction of both macro and micro factors. In systematic competitiveness, there are the meta and meso factors to be contemplated. These factors may have a huge impact on the daily operation of the SME. As a matter of fact, such factors also affect other businesses, and may include political forces, economic environment, and the legal environment. The internal factors are also included for consideration in the systematic competitiveness model. These may include the quality, efficiency and flexibility among other things (Sutcliff, M, Sloman, J). In short, a small or medium-sized enterprise must be aware of the competitive advantages of firms that produce goods that are similar to its own. 4. Innovation is one of the tools used against the negative impacts of market fragmentation in the small firms; this is because innovation enables them to come up with bet ter products that are equally competitive at all level in the market. Innovation entails coming up with better products or with more efficient technology that could enable small firms to produce more efficiently. Strong cost control is another tool against the negative effects of market fragmentation; this is because once the costs are carefully monitored, all the decisions made would be cost effective and production would always be efficient. Cost benefit analysis could be of paramount importance to these firms, as it allows them to easily achieve price competitiveness. Specialization similarly enables these firms to produce better products in a more efficient way. Moreover, specialization allows small firms to do away with the products that are inefficient. This enables them to continue on a certain line of production and improve as they become more experienced with time (Sutcliff, M, Sloman, J). 5. Heterogeneous oligopolies are market forms dominated by a small number of firms t hat know the likely activity of one another and usually deal with various types of products. Heterogeneous oligopolists may produce different products which are similar in function but diverse in terms of quality. Furthermore, a heterogeneous oligopoly may consist of both larger and smaller firms. Interactivity is the main characteristic of the oligopolistic markets since there are a few sellers. The decision likely to be made by one firm is influenced by the likely decisions of other firms. Heterogeneous oligopolists may also influence the prices of the products of their competitors. Strategic planning is crucial in heterogeneous oligopolies due to the high risk of collusion among the participants in the industry. 6. There were 4,423, 500 firms in the United Kingdom in the year 2005. Forty one percent of the working labor force was employed in micro firms. In the small firms, 46.8 percent of the working labor force was employed. In the small and medium-sized enterprises, 58.7 perce nt of the working labor force was employed (Small Business Analytical 2007). 7. The following is a line graph showing the share of SME’s in total employment from 1994-2005: The graph shows a tremendous increase in the employment of the small and medium-sized enterprises between 1994 and 2005. This may have been due to an increase in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom, especially between 1999 and 2000. The increase may have been due to a more conducive environment created by the UK government especially for SME’s, with the introduction of new regulations that help SME’s to lower their costs of production. Such support from the government may specifically have included the offering of expert advice, training of the labour force, financial support or subsidies, and regulation of the markets such that small and medium-sized enterprises could easily enter and leave the markets at their own will, therefore resulting in an increase in SME’s, which in turn lead to an increase in the total employment of UK. It is also possible that the small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom expanded their operations substantially between 1999 and 2000, and employed more people to accommodate the expanded scales of production because of subsidies introduced by the government especially for SME’s. Of course, governmental support could have arrived for SME’s in other forms as well, e.g. regulations that made it easy for them to enter the industry and exist. 8. Business, enterprise regulatory reform is one of the major policies aimed at offering the best support to the SME’s in the United Kingdom. This offers all the necessary support to SME’s at the local, national and regional level; more so, it ensures that the government would continuously support the SME’s with expertise. A good business environment is provided so that all entrepreneurs can utilize their opportunities. This ensures that the SME’s will grow with the full support of the regulatory authorities (Small Business 2007). 9. The SME’s in Venezuela are likely to be revived. The economic indicators of the country generally show a positive forward move. The government has introduced measures to revive the SME’s through the offering of necessary information as well as better technology to enhance their production capacities. Unfortunately, however, political and social tensions in the country are hindering the process. These crises have also lead to increased inflation in the country, in addition to rising unemployment rates and decrease in the Gross Domestic Product (Mulhern, A, Stewart, C 1999; Venezuela 2007). 10. Explanatory variables are also called independent variables or controlled variables. These variables manipulate the SME situation in Venezuela. From 1961 to 1990, the following were the explanatory variables that had an influence on small and medium-sized en terprises in the country: the manufacturing share and the error correlation, barriers to entry, modernization of enterprises, the factor mix, GDP and the exogenous proxy variables (Mulhern, A, Stewart, C). We will write a custom essay sample on Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Small and Medium-Sized Firms Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Sunday, March 8, 2020

How to Complete a 1000-Word Essay

How to Complete a 1000-Word Essay How to Complete a 1000-Word Essay For some students, the number 1000 may seem quite frightening and impressive, and the assignment of a 1000-word essay can sound impossible to complete. However, we can assure you that there is nothing difficult and you can easily master the task simply by following a few rules. If you want to know more about such an essay, you should first know how much time you will need. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clear answer, as every topic and subject differs, and you may need a different amount of time and energy depending on your mood and aspirations. You may be so inspired that it will only take you a day to write a 1000-word essay on a topic you are interested in or you may require a month just to find necessary information. The main advice here is to always make one step further. Even if you feel like you are not in the mood or don’t know where to start, just keep going. You may need a bit more time to get started or to find necessary sources to start writing your essay. If you feel like you are about to drop everything, take a break, meet friends or grab a coffee to brighten your day and get fresh ideas. Useful tips on writing a 1000-word essay Select a proper topic. Most of the times, students should select a topic on their own and it is a big plus, as you can find the most suitable subject to discuss. However, you may find it challenging if you don’t know what your interests are. In such a case, you can select a topic, which has a lot of free materials and credible sources online. This will help you to collect the material and back your thoughts on academic data. However, try to choose a topic without an emotional involvement and subjectivity; Create an outline. Every paper should have a sort of a skeleton, which will make it much easier to write a 1000-word or any other essay. There are many websites and articles, which provide samples and outlines of such essays to give you a general idea about how to build your paper. Just follow their recommendations and you will find it very easy to complete a great essay; Don’t forget about the structure. As almost any other written assignment, your 1000-word essay should consist of such parts, as introduction, body and conclusions. The first section gives general information on the topic, catching interest of the audience and engaging the reader. The body paragraph is the biggest part of the whole paper and it states all your thoughts on the subject, backed with various arguments and facts. In conclusions you need to sum everything up, concentrating on the obtained results and making predictions for the future. Of course, this structure may differ depending on your topic, so you can search ‘100-word essay samples’ online and choose the one, which is similar to yours; Write an original essay. It may sound obvious but too many students neglect this simple rule, trying to download ready papers. On one hand, it may be a simple way out but it won’t contribute to your grades and definitely won’t help the future of the topic. Who knows, maybe your generated ideas will be so brilliant that they will change the industry? Believe in yourself and try to work on the subject on your own, avoiding temptation of downloading a ready paper. Once you have followed all these rules and created a proper structure, you will find it very simple to complete a 1000-word essay. The only question will be how to limit your original and fresh ideas to 1000 words.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Coffee Production on the International Markets Term Paper

Coffee Production on the International Markets - Term Paper Example Unfortunately, FLO has faced a number of challenges in rolling out its â€Å"sustainability criteria.† This has especially been attributed to overreliance on supply chain relations in the administration and management of this endeavour (Jaffee 12). While Fairtrade has sought to offer solutions for economic sustainability at the producer level, it fails to provide a solution to macroeconomic variations which dictate price and credit behaviour. This has triggered massive campaigns within the consumer markets in favour of fair-trade labelled coffees. The global supply of coffee is approximated to have been 8 percent above the demand as per 2003 world’s depressed prices. This, in turn, led to world’s coffee prices hitting its all-time lowest in 30 years, has declined by about 50 percent in a span of three years. Governments eager to boost their export earnings contributed heavily to this scenario as they encouraged their farmers to grow more coffee. All this was done oblivious of the catastrophic impact on the world market. East African countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya are among the coffee producers that were heavily hit by this price slump. The low coffee prices in the global market had rippling effect as small farmers who contribute significantly to the total production started feeling exploited. Fairtrade was thus adopted to restore some sanity in within the coffee industry. The specific objective was to protect small farmers in the developing world from exploitation by the developed world. Fairtrade thus guarantees $1.26/pound (a living wage) in addition to access to credit facilities from cooperatives (Ruben, Ruerd, and Simone 23). The creation and consequent demand for Fair-trade labelled coffee has forced the likes of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to rise up to the occasion and address social responsibilities as demanded by the developing countries.  

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Collaboration Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Collaboration - Assignment Example However, this mission would never be achieved owing to the situation in the agency. Similarly, some internal factors are influencing the operations of the agency making it underperform in meeting its goals. EHSA is facing many challenges, which is emanating from the conducts of its employees. The challenges may hinder the agency from realizing the positive results which it wants to deliver to the people since employees are the agents. One of the issues affecting the organization is the lack of commitments among its staffs to serve the people. Customer care services are very poor making some clients to go back unattended. This is very dangerous for the existence of the agency. Secondly, the organizational staffs are breaching confidentiality of client information. In many cases, the workers have openly compared clients information; a practice that is unlawful and punishable. Therefore, the current stage of the agency is below in the inter-organizational process. Hence, there are much more that the agency management needs to do in order to rescue the situation. Many methods and strategies that the agency can use to improve its services and to realize success in all that it does exist and can be put to use. One of the methods is improving customer care service to the level of clients needs and expectations (Woodside & McClam, 2014). Currently, the agency frustrates clients, and most of them go back without being given the attention they demand. Hence, there is a need to restructure personnel who frustrate clients and inform them of the expectation. This may be done by offering training services in areas related to customer service and advising them on the importance of clients to the agency (Rosenthal, 2012). Secondly, the agency can develop a privacy policy aimed at cautioning its employees and giving guidelines in relation to privacy (Rosenthal, 2012). There are many laws that

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

A Case Study of Change Management from External Forces: Dell Computers

A Case Study of Change Management from External Forces: Dell Computers Two things characterize the business environment today; they are competition and change. Therefore, todays environment puts a premium on effective leadership. In fast- changing, team- oriented environment, managers need effective leadership skills so they can motivate knowledge workers, build self-managing teams, and lead transformation. In 1994, Dell was a struggling, the company ordered its components in advance and manufactured to inventory. Change was needed and was triggered by factors outside the company. The new business model that Dell implemented converted its operations to a build-to-order process, eliminated its inventories through a just-in-time system, and sold its products directly to consumers putting these new supply chain capabilities at the core of its strategy. Dell developed a supply chain mastery that went far beyond the simple pursuit of efficiency and asset productivity. However, the company had to make a series of very difficult strategic tradeoffs to bring its functional activities into alignment with its new business model. (Copacino, 1999). James Burns who wrote a book about called Leadership says changes like these require the guidance of transformational leaders who bring out change, innovation, and entrepreneurship. They are responsible for leading a corporate transformation that recognizes the need for revitalization, creates a new vision, and institutionalizes change. Transformational leaders inspire their followers to want to make the change and attempt to raise the needs of followers by promoting dramatic change in individuals, groups and organizations. Such leaders also encourage and obtain performance beyond expectation by formulating visions and then inspiring subordinates to pursue them. They focus on accomplishing the task at hand and maintaining good working relationship. It is common for the transformational leader to passionately communicate a future idealistic organization that can be shared. He or she uses visionary explanations to illustrate what the employee work group can accomplish in order to motiv ate the employees to achieve these organizational aims. Therefore, a transformational leader could make the company more successful by valuing its associates. One such example is Dell CEO Michael Dell who did it installing one of the worlds most sophisticated direct- sales operations; eliminating resellers markups and the need for large inventories, and keeping a viselike grip on cost. Dells mission statement is be the most successful computer company in the world at delivering the customer service experience in markets we serve. With their markets changing so fast Chairman Michael Dell had to constantly focus his companys and employees attention on the companys mission. He has been quoted saying that looking for value shifts in the companys mission companys customer base is the most important leadership responsibility. In other words, Michael Dell had to constantly monitor what Dells customers want in terms of value. He had to stay in close contact with customers, and make sure that everything Dell does, Dell is addressing the customer needs. How do you build such a company? For Dell computers, the answer meant using technology and information to blur the traditional boundaries in the value chain among suppliers, manufacturers, and the end users; it basically meant that there are no intermediaries like wholesalers or retailers to come between Dell and its customers and suppliers; thus, Dell can be much faster-moving company that it might otherwise be. For most computer companies, the manufacturing process is like a relay race; components come in from suppliers, these components are assembled into computers, and the computers are then handed off to be distributed through wholesalers and retailers to the ultimate customers. Dells system changed all that. Dell interacts with and sells to customers directly, so it eliminates the activities of the wholesalers and retailers in the traditional distribution chain. The current economical crises are having a tremendous impact on how companies do business. Even one of the worlds biggest computer companies, like Dell has experienced this recession and had to make critical and dangerous decisions of lowering down the cost of expenses and tightening their belts. Today, Dell Inc. is cutting costs to weather a soft PC sales market, and even founder and CEO Michael Dell is feeling the pinch. The company disclosed proxy information that showed his total compensation declined by more than $200,000 in the latest fiscal year, to $2.1 million. The decline came mainly in the value of option awards, which were higher the previous year. Michael Dell received $931,731 in salary, stock options the company valued at $16,766 and personal security services valued at $1.1 million. Because Dell Inc.s bonuses for senior executives are tied to company performance, Michael Dell did not receive a bonus in the latest year, just as he has not the past three years. (Ladendo rf, 2009). Meanwhile, to cut operational costs and to save funds, the company has shut down factories and outsourced hardware manufacturing. Also, the company has laid off 1,900 employees and shifted its European PC manufacturing operation from Ireland to Poland. Like many companies, Dell has also been looking down the road and plans on spending $70 billion on computer parts from China between 2007-2009. Thats a lot of cash, but this could also save the company in a recession when people do not have much money and want much cheaper computers. Dell also cut 10% in global jobs last year, and announced further job cuts at its Ireland sites earlier this year. But what I found most interesting is the acquisition of David Johnson the former top IBM Corp. in early June. Although IBM still is pursuing a lawsuit against Johnson, saying his move to Dell Inc. violated a noncompet agreement; recent court rulings have freed him to take an active role guiding Dells acquisition strategies. Johnsons hiring cou ld be a signal that Dell intends to buy other companies, a growth strategy it has used less often than many of its industry peers. CEO Michael Dell also is expected to talk about the companys growth prospects, both from existing operations and from any companies that it might buy. Analysts are split on whether Dell will try to do big, transformational deals that would change the makeup of the company, or smaller, less risky acquisitions. A.M. Toni Sacconaghi with Bernstein Research said he expects Dell to make smaller deals as it tries to bolster its corporate-oriented service and product offerings. He quoted Brian Gladden, Dells chief financial officer, as saying the company is unlikely to do big deals and that it viewed its $1.4 billion acquisition of EqualLogic last year as the sweet spot. EqualLogic, which sells data storage systems, is Dells largest acquisition to date. Sacconaghi concluded that for Dell, smaller deals make sense because no obvious transformational targets exist, the odds of successful integration of the acquired company are better with smaller deals, and large acquisitions could distract top executives from the their two-year campaign to turn the company around integration of the acquired company are better with smaller deals, and large acquisitions could distract top executives from the their two-year campaign to turn the company around. (Ladendorf, 2009). One Wall Street analysts who follows Dell Inc. say theyve been impressed by the companys ability to cut costs and generate cash flow in the face of a steep industry downturn. Forward-looking businesses are using IT to target unnecessary cost and complexity, Dell said. Dell Inc. will continue to tap into IT for innovation and efficiency, and doing so now Dell Inc. will set itself apart as the global economy inevitably improves Dell identified three keys to smart IT: Increased standardization and virtualization; Better resource management that reduces IT maintenance; Greener computing that not only reduces carbon emissions but saves on energy costs. Dell itself has reaped the benefits of such IT improvements: facility improvements and a global power-management initiative that switches off computers when not in use is saving the company about $3 million a year and reducing its carbon footprint by some 20,000 tones. (Greenbang, 2009). Today the Dell machine is firing on all cylinders. In addition to being a PC juggernaut, Dell is moving fast into the $10 billion network server business. In notebook PCs, Dell has become the sixth-largest seller in the $40 billion market. Now, Dell is working on ways to combine its PC knowhow with better networking service. Through a partnership with network equipment maker 3Com Corp., Dell is trying to slash the 60 to 90 days required to test computer and networking configurations to just two weeks. Instead of each running independent tests of the same gear, Dell will deliver to 3Com each new computer so that 3Com can test compatibility with its networking devices (Business week). Leading and organizational change can be treacherous; there are no silver bullets or single- shot method of changing organizations successfully. (Ashford University). Single shot rarely hit a challenging target. Usually, many issues need simultaneous attention and any single, small change will be absorbed by the prevailing culture and disappear the change may require the cooperation of dozens of managers and resistance may be considerable. However, whether the required change is simple or complex, technological or structural or the basic organizational change process remains basically the sameà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦executives must ask themselves three basic questions. What are the forces acting upon them? What should we change? And how should we change it? According to Hesselbein and Cohen (1999), organizations that take the time to teach leadership are far ahead of the competition. By becoming familiar with the transformational leadership approach and combining the four Is, (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration), managers should be able to handle the unforeseen change more effectively. Transformational leadership strategy must also make sense in terms of the business overall competitive strategy. Today, leaders have to be able to transform their company fast. Socio Economic Inequalities: Health Socio Economic Inequalities: Health Research on health inequalities is grounded in social epidemiology, which explains how peoples social circumstances affect their health (Graham, H 2007:5). Explanatory frameworks have been presented and theories proposed in order to explain the variations in health across social class (Asthana, S Halliday, J 2006:45). This essay will discuss and analyze the sociological theory necessary to understand social class inequalities in health within the UK. Implications for health policy and practice will also be discussed. Discussion: Socio-economic inequalities in health: demographic, mortality and morbidity information: Reports outlined since the 1980s the extent of which ill-health and death are unequally distributed among UK: The Black Report (1980), Health Divide (1988), The Acheson Report (1998), The Solid Facts, WHO (2003), The Marmot review (2010). These documents identified a social gradient in health: socio-economic status (SES) influences health, whereby higher position equates to better health (Caspi, A Poulton, R 2003). From here, sociology found a correlation between mortality against social position. Britton et al (1990), Rosato, M et al (1998), Reid, A Harding, S (2000a)(2000b) Asthana, S. et al (2004) Marmot Wilkinson, (2005) Barry Yuill, (2008) Health Survey for England (HSE) provide information on mortality and morbidity by social class: people in class I have longest life expectancy while people in Class IV have the shortest life span; mortality is greater in Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland and N. England than in S. England; same patterns appear for IHD, stroke and cancer mortality in between social classes, but is less evident for accidents and suicide; risk of developing chronic illness in adult life is high for people with low SES; childhood mortality is more prevalent in socially disadvantaged groups; Sociological theory: The cultural / behavioral explanation: In this argument primary responsibility for the differential between social position and health is placed within the individual, rather than the larger society {a culture of poverty approach}(Matcha, D.A 2003:90). Explanations focus on the way individuals from different social groups lead their lives (Clarke, A 2003:122). Smoking, alcohol, diet and exercise are chosen for detailed enquiry, as they are thought to be voluntary choices (Blaxter, M 1990:113). Social epidemiologists identified a hard and a soft version of cultural/behavioral explanation. Both versions start by observing that health-damaging behaviors are more prevalent among the poor than the socially disadvantaged (Asthana, S Halliday, J 2006). The hard version implies that behaviors are voluntary, the result of individual decisions (Blaxter, M 1990) thus, the fact that people adopt unhealthy behaviors is due to ignorance, recklessness or fatalism (Asthana, S Halliday, J 2006:26). The soft version suggests that rather that seeing health-related behaviors as a cause of health inequalities, they should be seen as outcome or consequences of differences in the material circumstances between socio-economic groups {behavior as a result of culture} (Asthana, S Halliday, J 2006:27). For example, in Britain smoking displays a clear class-gradient: the less advantage social class, the more likely is the individual will smoke (Bartley, M. 2004:65). Townsend, in 1995 shows that 70% of single parents on low income, social housing, manual occupations, with few educational qualifications, are regular smokers. Also, in 1998, The Office for National Statistics showed that levels of smoking for men were 12% for class I and 41% in class V. However, in sociological research focus exists on behavior rather than culture (Woodward et al, 1992; Lynch, Kaplan and Salonon, 1997b) because reckless behavior is not accepted as a definition of culture (Bartley, M. 2004:68). Bosma, Von Mheen and Mackenbach, (1999a) (cited in Bartley, M 2004:66) suggest a direct behavioral model in which people with low status and income are less endowed with intelligence and coping skills which make them unable to grasp the long-term health consequences of things that give them short-term pleasure (e.g. smoking, drinking, etc). Regarding education and behavior Blaxter, 1990; Gran, (1995), Hoeymans et al., 1996 (cited in Bartley, M. 2004) find that education is correlated with health behavior: educated people have a better understanding of health. They also make better use of preventive health measures such as contraception, screening services or immunization. For example, a survey published in 2007 by Health Survey for England (HSE) Healthy lifestyles: knowledge, attitudes and behavior 30% men and 24% women agreed with the statement I get confused over whats supposed to be healthy and what isnt(p. 108). Marmot et al (1981 ) that individuals from class V have high incidence of CHD due to diet being higher in sugar content than in fiber. National Food Survey (1985) shows that low-income groups purchase less vegetables, fruits or whole meal bred. Behavioral explanations view consumption patterns as a reflection of cultural differences in the way people live their lives. Lifestyles are thought to be shaped by traditional views and socially accepted patterns of behavior. The fact that low income may constrain food choice is ignored or rejected (Clarke, A 2001: 123) Critique and weaknesses of the cultural/ behavioral explanation The problem with this explanation is that it separates behavior from the social context in which it takes place and effectively blames the victim of health inequality for the poor health that they experience (Asthana, S Halliday, J 2006:26). Instead, individual decisionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Ëœmaking should be seen in the context of the social structure and of the constraints that impede the behaviors of people. In support to this, Dobson et al 1994(cited in Barry Yuill 2006) researched forty-eight households to observe food purchasing and attitudes toward eating. They found a pattern of life under constant economic restrictions. Also, in 1991, the national Childrens Homes survey on nutrition and poverty finds that 1 child in 10 and 1 adult in 5 skip meals because of costs. Thus, it is not people failing to practice good health habits but their choice is affected by limited funds (Barry Yuill 2006:108). Also, in an HSE survey (2007) 22% men and 20% women agree, it costs too much[to eat healthy] (p. 108). In 2010, The Marmot Review emphasized that insufficient funds to lead a healthy life is a significant cause of health inequalities (p. 29) Although health-damaging behaviors are more common among low groups, these groups also lack: adequate income, decent housing and secure employment. Therefore it is hard to separate behavioral explanation (Gatrell, C.A 2003: 113) from structural/material explanation (poor housing Ġº unhealthy life) and social selection explanation (poor health for low classĠº unhealthy life) Health policy response to inequalities in health linked to social class: Advocating healthy public policies is the most important strategy we can use to act on the determinants of health. (CPHA Action Statement on Health Promotion 1996) Up to date health policies include: The New NHS (1997); A First Class Service (1998); Choosing Health (2004); The Wanless Report (2004) Tackling Health Inequalities (2008); Darzi Report (2008); The Marmot Review (2010) The Marmot review: Policy objectives A-F:  · Give every child the best start in life  · Enable all children, young people and adults to maximize their capabilities and have control over their lives  · Create fair employment and good work for all  · Ensure a healthy standard living for all  · Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities  · Strengthen the role and impact of ill-health prevention. (UCL Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, 2010) Implications for health care practice: Important documents: Choosing health: making healthy choices easier (2004) and Health Challenge England (2006) people need convenience and choice in advice available to prevent ill health. Health care practice can contribute to reducing health inequalities through:  · Assessment / use of evidence: accurate assessment of peoples health promotion needs; linking evidence of practice outcomes to broader changes  · Strategy: population specific health care strategies; getting the promotion/prevention/treatment balance right  · Communication Collaboration: 1.collaboration with people: involving and engaging most excluded; 2.collaboration with MDT: assessing / implementing / evaluating / updating  · Training: improving training and professional development, particularly in relation to work with most disadvantaged  · Service development: being well informed about health inequality trends, impacts and intervention effectiveness  · Service access: reducing financial barriers to health care  · Resource allocation: making conscious, informed choices about priorities. (Wiseman, J 2007) (Choosing Health 2004) The time for action on health and health inequalities Health in the consumer society Children and young people starting on the right path Local communities leading for health Health as a way of life A health-promoting NHS Making it happen national and local delivery Consultation making it happen Assessment suitable assessment of local needs (collaborative therefore patient and public involvement / use of evidence) Strategy Communication appropriateness (methods and means) Service Needs (recruitment, training) Resources (access, materials, skills mix {MDT?, suitable tools and interventions) References: Asthana, S., Gibson, A., Moon, G., Brigham, P. and Dicker, J. (2004) The demographic and social class basis of inequality in self reported morbidity: an exploration using the Health Survey for England. Epidemiology and Community Health, 58, (4), 303-307 Blaxter, M. (1990) Health and Lifestyles, London: Tavistock Payne J, Coy J, Milner P, et al. Are deprivation indicators a proxy for morbidity? A comparison of the prevalence of arthritis, depression, dyspepsia, obesity and respiritory symptoms with unemployment rates and Jarman scores. J Public Health Med 1993;16:113-14. Dahlgren G Whitehead M (1991). Policies and Strategies to Promote Equity in Health. Stockholm: Institute for Future Studies.Davey Smith G, Hart C, Watt G, et al. Individual social class, area-based deprivation, cardiovascular disease risk factors and mortality: the Renfrew and Paisley study. J Epidemiol Community Health 1998;52:399-405. Drever F Whitehead M (1997). Health Inequalities. London: The Stationary Office. Graham, H (2007) Unequal lives: Health and Socioeconomic Inequalities, Open University Press, McGraw-Hill Education: England Graham H (2004a). Social determinants and their unequal distribution: clarifying policy understandings. Milbank Quarterly, 82, 101-24. Graham H (2004b). Closing the Gap: Strategies for Action to Tackle Health Inequalities. Presentation at the 1st Business Meeting of the EU Project Closing the Gap on 27/28 October 2004, Cologne. Lynch, J.W., G.A and Salonen, J.T (1997b) why do poor people behave poorly? Variations in adult health behaviors and psychosocial characteristics by stages of the socio-economic life course; Soc Sci Med 44, 809-19. Marmot M Wilkinson RG (2005). Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2nd edition). Williams, A. Cooke, H. May, C (1998) Sociology, Nursing and Health, Elsevier Health Sciences: London Woodward, M., Shewry, M.C., Smith, W.C.S and Tunstall-Pedoe, H. (1992), Social status and coronary heart disease, Preventive medicine 21, 136-48. Mackenbach JP Bakker M (2002). Reducing Health Inequalities: a European Perspective. London: Routledge. Williams, A. Cooke, H. May, C (1998) Sociology, Nursing and Health, Elsevier Health Sciences: London Caspi, A Poulton, R Personality and the socioeconomic-health gradient, Oxford Journalls online, International Journall Of Epidemiology, vol. 32, number 6, pp. 975-977, accessed online on February 27th 2009, http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/32/6/975 The Marmot Review( 2010) UCL Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, accessed online February 29th 2010 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gheg/marmotreview/FairSocietyHealthyLives Social Inequalities in Health. New Evidence and Policy Implications. J Siegrist and M Marmot (eds). Oxford University Press, 2006 Rickards L, Fox K and Roberts C (2004) Living in Britain: Results from the 2002 General Household Survey. London: The Stationery Office; Bambra C, Joyce K and Maryon-Davis A (2009) Task Group on priority public health conditions, final report. Submission to the Marmot Review http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gheg/marmotreview/consultation/Priority_public_health_conditions_summary Wiseman, J. Health Inequalities: Key Trends and Implications for Health Care, Presentation to Primary and Community Health, March 2n 2007