The Harvard Community Health Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Harvard Community Health Plan - Essay Example In order to deliver high-quality healthcare services to the patients, Harvard Vanguard is focused on establishing a partnering relationship with its patients and community members (Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, 2012c). As part of delivering complete healthcare services to the patients, Harvard Vanguard’s physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and the rest of the medical teams are required to work closely with other specialties such as internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics among others (Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, 2012d). This is also the main reason why healthcare professionals at Harvard Vanguard are continuously collaborating with other Atrius health affiliates (i.e. Dedham Medical Associates, Granite Medical Group, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Reliant Medical Group, South Shore Medical Center, and Southboro Medical Group) (Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, 2012e). As part of the Harvard Vanguard ‘s human resource people plan, this report will explore the effectiveness of its organization's commitment to equality and diversity, individual and organizational learning, compensation, pay-for-performance and incentives, employee benefits, and employee rights. After the conclusion, some recommendations will be provided to ensure that the HR manager of Harvard Vanguard will be able to continuously support and implement necessary changes that aim to improve its current HR practices. Equality and Diversity ‘Equality’ means that work-related discrimination should be removed in order to guarantee that each worker within a business organization is given equal work-related opportunities whereas ‘diversity’ is all about the need to value the differences between two or more different people (Skills for Business, 2012). Basically, the human resource of Harvard Vanguard is committed to promoting workforce diversity and Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) (Employee Guide Book, 2012, p. 7). Without any forms of work discrimination (i.e. race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and handicap or disability veteran status), each and everyone who is currently employed at Harvard Vanguard will be given the equal opportunity for employment (Employee Guide Book, 2012, p. 7). Individual and Organizational Learning Healthcare management is subject to change because of the presence of external socioeconomic factors that could directly affect the way healthcare services are being managed. According to Aspin and Chapman (2001, pp. 39 – 40), some of the reasons why HR managers should provide opportunities for individual lifelong learning includes the need to continuously improve one’s own knowledge and skills for â€Å"economic progress and development†, for â€Å"personal development and fulfilment†, and for â€Å"social inclusiveness and democratic understanding and activity†. Basically, in dividual lifelong learning is a new perspective wherein the modern society is being strongly influenced. In response to the continuous improvements on science and information and communication technology, a lot of educational institutions around the world started promoting the importance of individual lifelong learning (Demirel, 2009).  

Strategy and the Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Strategy and the Strategic Management - Essay Example Knowing the firm’s external environment is important in the strategic management process because it affects how value is generated and how activities could be carried out under the influence of technological change, demographic trends, cultural trends, the economic climate, legal and political conditions, and other global events. Using the structure-conduct-performance (S-C-P) model allows a systematic analysis of the firm and its environment. This model: (1) helps a firm identify the attributes of its industry’s structure that constrains the firm’s strategic alternatives and performance, (2) helps it decide how to conduct itself by crafting the most appropriate strategies, and (3) take into account the performance of the firm, the industry, or the economy. The S-C-P model helps a firm develop the tools it can use to analyze threats in its competitive environment. The â€Å"five forces framework† is a tool that looks at five threats to the firm.These threats affect the firm, its performance, and how its competitors would react, thereby helping the firm determine what strategies it needs to develop and execute to overcome problems arising from each of these forces. Complementors are another important force that a firm has to contend with because these firms add value to the firm’s products. A firm can use compliments as a means of gaining an advantage over other competitors, e.g. Microsoft encouraging software companies to develop games for its X-box game player instead of developing games for its competitors. The S-C-P model can also help firms analyze strategic opportunities by identifying generic industry structures and available strategic opport

Fast Food Transforming American Society Essay Example for Free

Fast Food Transforming American Society Essay Fast food has grown to be a big part of American Society. According to Eric Schlosser, â€Å"Over the past few decades, fast food has infiltrated every nook and cranny of American Society† (3). In a sense, his statement about fast food is not too exaggerated. Today, we see fast food all over America, whether it is through television advertisements, billboards, and magazines. America has grown to be the number one fast food country in the world. The increase of fast food has resulted in good business for the fast food industry: â€Å"In 2000 Americans spent about $110 billion on fast food compared to $6 billion in 1970† (Schlosser). Why are Americans spending huge amounts of money on fast food? How has the fast food industry grown to become a huge influence on American society? Seyhan Sipahi states, â€Å"Recent global economical crisis†¦had a crippling effect on almost all financial sectors in many countries. Surprisingly, the fast food industry had not be adversely affected†¦Ã¢â‚¬  What is keeping the fast food industry alive? Could it be that more families are turning to fast food because recent economic crisis? The fast food industry has grown to be more efficient than when it first started. Making food selling more convenient, fast and for a cheap price has attracted customers. There are multiple ways the fast food industry has transformed American society and what it is to live in America. In this generation, more mothers are in the workforce than there were in the past. Since â€Å"Womens labor force participation is significantly higher today than it was in the 1970s, particularly among women with children† (Labor Force Participation of Women and Mothers, 2008, The Editors Desk) ever since then the rate has been going up. Now that both parents are away from home working it makes it harder for them to make home cooked meals. Due to the lack of home cooked meals, many Americans families have turned to fast food. According to Schlosser, â€Å"three generations ago more money was being spent on food in the United States to make meals at home† (3). Fast food has taken over the diet of many American families. It is more convenient to buy something that is near by, prepared fast, and is reasonably priced for its proportion. Another reason why people choose fast food is because frankly it is delicious. Nothing that is made at home can compare to something made at a fast food restaurant. It is hard to get sick of fast food because there are so many restaurants to choose from that each have their own tastes in foods. The largest class in America is the middle class. Since middle class makes up the majority of the American population it is reasonable to say these families with lower income tend to buy fast food more often. Fast food restaurants have grown to be more efficient in the way that they produce their meals. On â€Å"Dec. 12, 1948, when Richard and Maurice transformed their barbecue joint into the first McDonalds restaurant, focusing on speed, value and high volume. † (Hill). This helped build a kind of assembly line of workers, each worker in charge of one job. For example, in order to make a hamburger, one would be in charge of getting the buns, another in charge of putting the patty, another in charge of putting the lettuce and tomato, and on. In doing this, production of the food becomes much faster. Food being frozen before preparing it is another way that fast food restaurants have grown more efficiently. Schlosser gives an example with guacamole that is made in Mexico, frozen, and shipped to the restaurant (40). Many fast food restaurants do this with the products they serve, although their advertisements may say fresh. Drive-throughs and computerized cash registers have also helped fast food restaurants speed up time for their consumers. An example of how drive throughs are so successful is Victoria’s experience: Theres just one place that Victoria Vollaire stops every day. Its not the supermarket. Its not the ATM. Its the drive-thru. This costs her $400 a month right out the drive-thru window. I dont like getting out of the car, explains Vollaire, who lives in Ontario, Calif. , and works as a hotel guest service aide. More than half the money spent on fast food rolls in through the drive-thru lane. (Horovitz) Drive-throughs give restaurants the ability to take multiple orders and give convenience for customers that are in a hurry. People like the conscience of not even having to get out of there cars to get their food. Computerized cash registers with buttons for every order possible help to make orders quick and precise. These days it is not surprising to see a fast food restaurant almost at every corner in America. A study was made on how fast food restaurants cluster around schools in America. Steven Gortmaker, in charge of this study, states, â€Å"78% of schools had at least one fast food restaurant within 800 meters. Fast food restaurants tend to cluster near schools and offices because it is more convenient, with the idea to gain more business. Many fast food restaurants are close to places where children and adolescent are close by. They do this because these two age groups are the most targeted by the fast food industry (Fast Food Targeted Marketing). Another study, on a high school that sold fast food products concludes that fast food is 70% of all food sold at the school (Calderon. ) As the expansion of fast food companies continues to increase, more restaurants are seen closer together. Before, companies use to stay away from competition, but now they are clustered all over the place. It seems as though fast food restaurant expansion has forced them to cluster even to the extent of having fast food shopping centers. Fast food has greatly transformed popular culture in America. By looking at McDonalds as an example, McDonalds has far surpassed any other fast food chain in America and possibly the world. McDonalds has grown very close to many children: â€Å"A survey for American schoolchildren found that 96 percent could identify Ronald McDonald† (Schlosser). What makes fast food so popular in America? Many people appraise fast food industries for their products because they are delicious and affordable. Did affordability of fast food make it so popular? Fast food transforms popular culture in America mainly through advertising. Whether it is on television, sponsoring professional athletes, or even promoting events like the Olympics or the World Cup. It is said that â€Å"In 2009, teens saw 5 fast food ads each day† (Fast Food Targeted Marketing). The majority of the commercial on TV are based on fast food companies. Fast food has become a trend in American society, eating it is in the norms of society today. Fast food advertisement has a monkey, see monkey do effect on people. If people see famous celebrities on TV eating or promoting the fast food company, it encourages them to go. The constant selling of fast food causes higher demands in agricultural resources. According to Schlosser, â€Å"The fast food chains now stand atop a huge food-industrial complex, taking control of American Agriculture† (59). It is getting harder for farmers outside of this â€Å"food industrial complex† to find business. Many times farmers and cattle ranchers become hired hands for the agribusiness giants† (Schlosser). Although the giant agriculture business may seem powerful, it is still on the bottom of the fast food companies because they are what make their business. â€Å"The fast-food industry changed the nations retail economy, eliminating small businesses, encouraging the spread of chai ns and uniformity, fast food has transformed American agriculture† (Schlosser). Apart from agriculture fast food, companies have also influenced how cattle should be raised, killed, and made into ground beef. The influence of the fast food companies on slaughterhouses has made the work environment a dangerous place. These slaughterhouses sound dangerous for the workers as well as for those consuming the meat. Meatpacking as grown to be one of the most dangerous jobs in America (Gardner). There is a lot of equipment that is dangerous and can cause severe injuries to workers. According to Gardner, â€Å"at least 29. 3% of meat workers suffered injury or illness compared to 9. 7% for the rest of manufacturing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Working Conditions in American Slaughterhouses: Worse than You Thought). Carl Karcher started his fast food business by buying one hot dog cart and then from there he bought another three hot dog carts in Los Angeles. Not too much time past before Karcher had some competition. Recently moved from New Hampshire, the McDonald brothers came to California to find jobs. They opened up a hamburger shop and became famous for their delicious hamburgers. The brothers strived in coming up with new ways to make more money until finally one day they closed down their shop. A few months later the McDonald brothers reopened their shop, with a bigger grill, and a whole new process to make hamburgers. They would divide the food preparations into tasks. This is what started the whole assembly line style to preparing fast food and has been implemented by many fast food restaurants ever since. Two groups that fast food companies look to for hiring are teenagers and illegal immigrants. Having these two types of groups as a workforce allows fast food companies to spend less money on hired hands and more on advertising and expanding (Schlosser. ) Having workers that are not looking for a long-term job lets fast food companies have fewer benefits for their workers. The wages for fast food employees is far too little in ratio to the work that is expected. Fast food companies hire teenagers because they can survive with low pay and most are dependent on their parents. The statistics from the ages, 16-20, alone makes up 25% of the fast food workforce (Food Services and Drinking Places). Immigrants, on the other hand, cannot complain if they get paid so little because they are illegal and will work under most circumstances. The expansion of fast food companies has created many jobs over the years. Out of all food services and drinking places, fast food companies make up 47% (Food Services and Drinking Places). In the past few decades, food-related illness has increased (Schlosser). The way food is processed has affected its quality. Many of the livestock used to produce that typical hamburger patty are mistreated. The most common sickness that the livestock catch is E Coli. In December 2006 â€Å"71 people became sick with E. coli after eating at Taco Bell restaurants in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware† (OShea). It is hard to know for sure what is in fast food because most of the time this side of the story is covered up. Aside from meats getting pathogens, artificial flavoring is another key aspect of many fast food products. Many fast food companies injected their products with artificial flavoring. McDonalds for example â€Å"infuses its fries and chicken sandwiches with essences that mimic beef tallow† (Tamminen). Does the food taste that bad that places like McDonalds has turn to artificial flavoring? Can the chemicals being put in fast food be harmful to humans? Although there maybe some companies using artificial flavors, there many other companies that live up to natural flavors. What is the future of fast food industry in America? Will the fast food industry just keep growing until one day it not only becomes a big part of American life but also other places around the world? Fast food companies are expanding at an increasing rate causing high demands for more food. At this rate, could it be possible that someday the fast food industry will control all of the food distribution in America? They practically do already because they are the greatest contributors in meats, corn, potatoes and more. What will be the future for fast food in America? At its grown rate, the fast food industry seems to be taking over many Americans highways. Having many fast food chains by highways makes it all most impossible to not run into a fast food restaurant. Will the constant expansion of fast food restaurants bring down the big grocery stores and replace them? America has grown accustom to convenience when it comes to food. What do other countries think when they see America? Should America be proud because it is the number one fast food country in the world? It is hard to say where fast food will take America in the future, but one thing is certain: fast food and America can never be separated.

Global Cosmopolitan Homogenization And Hetrogenization Cultural Studies Essay

Global Cosmopolitan Homogenization And Hetrogenization Cultural Studies Essay The rhetoric of shrinking spaces and the rise of mass consumer culture are the often cited characteristics of the globalization. The outcome of which is a global cosmopolitan world that is deeply interconnected, interdependent and where speed of flows (goods, services, people, capital etc) have increased thanks to the technological and scientific innovation in the era of globalization. Before making such a statement, definitional clarification becomes a must between globalization and globalism. Taking Keohane and Nye (2000) definition, globalisation is a condition of increase whereas globalism is a condition that could both increase or decrease. Globalism is a state of the world involving networks of interdependence at multicontinental distances (ibid: 105). It is a state of world that involves networks of connection and muticontinental distances for such connection to be considered global. Globalization thus refers to the increase of globalism. The increasing flows have taken place at all level economic, environmental as well as socio cultural. Major arguments surrounding globalization has been concerning whether it is a new or an old phenomena or just old wine in a new bottle; or concerning the homogenization, heterogenization, hybridization of the world due to the increased influence and interaction of global processes at all levels. The following paper reviews the major discussion surrounding the latter argument of creation global cosmopolitan culture or whether such flows have created heterogenization and at what levels. Social globalization discussed here is in context to culture. The major thrust of the paper will be the impact of globalization on local cultures and its consequences. What is Culture? Culture has been defined by anthropologists as shared customs and artefacts that bring about a sense of togetherness. Ethnologists describe culture as transmission of intellectual, emotional and behavioural features through learning and interaction. Sociologists emphasis on identity based on habits and thoughts that is required for membership. (Scruton, Roger, 2007:1). Despite definitional confusions one can safely say that culture produces an identity for individuals that are constructed by their language, history, religion and environment. As a result of which internal and external boundaries are created that in way assign distinctiveness to a culture. Religion is an important aspect of culture when one speaks of cultural authenticity (Murden, Simon, 2008:420) it usually refers to religious totems and religious heads who preach them. Speaking in the globalization context, culture in its various forms has become an important agent of globalization process. According to Arjun Appudarai there have been five kinds of flows (in Beynon, John and Dunkerley, David (2000), Globalization the Reader) Ethnoscapes: referring to the movement of people whether (migrants, refugees, exiles, tourists, workers). Technoscapes: increased and faster movement of messages across the globe. This has resulted in a complex relationship between money, political possibilities and availability of both high and low skilled labour. Financescapes: this mainly refers to the flow of capital across borders on a massive scale carried out in split seconds. With such an increase the vulnerability of economies to volatile capital also increases. Mediascapes: The inescapable influence of media through images and narratives. It can have both positive and negative impact. It could be highly informative and progressive providing a medium for the subaltern voices. But at the same time it could be used to promote fundamentalist ideas by fanatics, construct and mould choices and preferences of consumers by the Multinational corporations. Ideoscapes: this mainly refers to flow of ideas and ideologies. Notions of citizenship, democracy, freedom, representation; welfare, human rights, equality of opportunity, Privacy of persons and property, sovereignty and patriotism, individual and collective responsibility, the value of rationality and the rational mind. Waters introduces another dimension that is sacrispaces that refers mainly to the flow of religious ideas and associated values. The cultural traffic is both ways north to south and a vice a versa. However the content of traffic varies. The flow of traffic from north to south has been in gigantic proportions mainly comprising of corporate traffic. Trade liberalisation has facilitated cross border trade, consumptions abroad, commercial presence and presence of natural persons (Hodge.J, 2001: 221). The flow from South to north is more diffused carried mostly by migration. The north to south flow is much more dense and wide; in the case from south to north it is more diffused and gets acclimatised easily. This two way flow carry symbols of globalization which carry with them whole bunch of socio cultural premises. Culture as a carrier of globalization has become an important arena of contestation for national, religious and ethnic identity. Although reactions to contemporary globalization are seen in developed world like Japan, Europe where modern values prevail, however in Muslim countries that are characterised to be traditional and radical harbour different values of identity and society. In such a scenario Lieber and Weisberg (2002) point out to intense reactions redirected at external targets through forms of transference and scape goating. The major debate of the impact of globalization on culture seems to be between those who consider globalization as enriching and aiding a cultural community in development on one hand and the pessimist view that considers it as an evil that corrupts so called authentic culture. Samuel Huntington in his writings on the Clash of civilizations states that with the end of the cold war and its contest of ideologies and as a result of disruptions brought by modernization, urbanization and mass communication, the fundamental source of international conflict will not be primarily ideological but cultural.(pp ibid: 3). Cultural resistance to globalization has been mainly in context to rational and scientific notions western modernity. Two types of impacts come into view economic impact of modernity. The most commonly referred is the consumer culture spread by the MNC through media and entertainment industry. The second impact mainly refers to the western values of reasoning, secularism, religious tolerance, democracy, liberty, rule of law, gender equality, human rights etc. Thus there is resistance to such western ideas that challenge religious unscientific traditions that many communities consider as important identity marker of culture. The Islamic revival of 1970s, Hindu revivalist RSS, VHP that challenge secular foundation of India. In China the rise of Falun Gong movement inspired by Chinese guru in U.S.A post relaxation of communist totalitarianism. In Russia and Eastern Europe, the revival of orthodox and other christen sects. Murden.Simon: 420. Destabilizing Effect: Modernity = Westernization? Octavio Paz outlines that socioeconomic modernity is the fate of all cultures in that they are integrated at a structural level in the orders of the nation-state system and the global capitalist market but this integration which is structural fait accompli, not a cultural option- alters the terms of culture irrevocably, since it entails a one way agents journey from tradition to modernity. Cultures are condemned to modernity not simply by the structural process of economic development but by the process of self development. The enlightenment project has not resulted in emancipation as seen in the alienation, anomie, and iron cage of instrumental reason. (Tomlinson, John 1991:142). Such a critique of modernity could appear as a critique of homogenization or equating modernity to capitalist society. Tomlinson rightly argues the importance of capitalism in making of modern societies but it is a certain inflection of modernity and not vice versa. He calls for a critical approach that pro bes the embeddedness of modernitys discontent in a political economic system which simultaneously offers attraction over traditional societies. Amratya Sen refutes the very argument that considers liberalism and reasoning as exclusively western .According to him such ideas did exist in the past in non western worlds. The usage of the term western may create anti western sentiments in some societies which are seen in the way of glorifying Asian values and Islamic ideals. For him part of the reason lies in the anticolonial sentiments and the alienation faced that have lingered on for generations. He underlies the humiliation faced in the form of racialism, slave trade, physical abuse that harboured such antiwest sentiments. This gives rise to a colonized mind where there is both admiration and resentment of west. However where the latter dominates it gives rise to: needless hostility to many global ideas under the mistaken impression of western ideas, distorted the intellectual and scientific history if the world, the support it has given to rise of fundamentalism and terrorism. (Sen.A 2006:84-89). Alvin Edgall points defines culture as values, attitudes, beliefs, mindsets, central tendencies, worldwide views and orientations that are prevalent in a given society. Giving emphasis on the importance of culture as guide to institutions, as underlying principle of economic activity and as social capital, he cites Tu Wie Ming who discusses alternative forms of modernities owing to its success to Asian values. This suggests that imported institutions and ideas are filtered and modified by culture of the native place. Thus questioning the idea of equating modernization and westernization. It becomes important to emphasis here that different communities may identify culture differently and the importance they give to different aspects of cultures as well. In parts of Middle east, South Asia and Africa have resentment against west is due to their problems with modernity of the west that impinges on their identity. In East Asia and Latin America it is cultural alienation generated by pro liferation of American culture that creates a sense of unease. But often it concerns the intellectual elites than general public. (Wieser and Lieberg, 2002) Mendes and Soares (1996) while discussing cultural pluralism, identity in globalization highlight the inappropriateness of communal emphasis as a reactive to globalization, it was also a way of establishing a sense of identity within the globalization arena. From the above arguments it is clear that none refute the claim of central importance of culture and its fluidity to reshape by both internal as well as external factors. Cultural Homogenization Globalization of culture entails two opposite views, it could either be progressive or it could erode local cultures and threatens its existence. When one talks in terms of globalization of culture it mainly refers to the spread of consumer culture fed through technologies and global media houses to the public. David Held (2003) points out to pop music, television, cinema and tourism as principal agents of globalization. A major addition to this category would be the cyber space where blogging has helped create a sphere of public reasoning and discursion. Benyon and Dunkerley point two way dynamism between the global and local, the global impacting the local and vice versa. Riesar and Davis invented the term globalize that was tantamount to universalization. This has further reinstated neoliberals and hyperglobalists. This has given rise to what is called cultural convergence characterised by global markets, mass media and cyber space that have created homogenised world. The creation of Bretton woods institutions and the United nations have further provided impetus to this project that seek to promote global governance with convergence of ethical and moral principles. Another major shift has been the change in the role of the state with increasing role of capital forces that have given rise to consumerism. The optimist argument of such homogenization talk interms of cosmopolitan global culture. Held argues that there is nothing new about globalization but the current stream of globalization has given rise to a highly networked and organised links in the form of global economy where markets rule the roost but at the same time new regulatory forms of governance have also come into place. In consequence has given rise to a host of global problems concerning issues on environment, economy to sovereignty that has reshaped global politics that today is not only anchored in traditional geopolitical concerns of power, security and trade but larger social and ecological questions(ibid: 467). The rising cosmopolitanism of belonging to a single order. In a world where nationalistic feelings are subsiding while cultural identity is emphasized it is important to accommodate four principles of cosmopolitanism Individual egalitarianism or individualistic moral egalitarianism where all human beings belong to a single realm where each individual is to be treated equally. The principle of reciprocal recognition that seeks tolerance from all individuals belonging to that single ethical realm. The principle of consent that calls an uncoerced political process where free interaction of individuals is possible. Principle of inclusiveness and subsidiarity which calls for giving voice to those who are more affected by public decision making. Although he does recognise the pessimism against globalization but he also seems to firmly believe in a cosmopolitan accommodative world based on the above mentioned principles. The common overlapping issues over divergent interests help create cosmopolitan governance and social justice. J.AScholte (1996) discusses an intercultural community that transcends the debate between communitarianism and cosmopolitanism. That is based on seven Rs Relaxation, Recognition, Respect, reciprocity, restraint and resistance. All this reveals a very optimist an accommodative view about global cosmopolitanism. The pessimistic view of homogenisation stresses on the devouring of local cultures in the wake of global consumerism; and that authenticity resides today only in museums and theatres. Domination of homogenised culture through transnational forces will be the reality. The coca-lization and Americanisation are terms that describe broadly the homogenizing effects of capitalist consumerism. Another major criticism against consumerism is the attack on authentic culturethrough creation of false consciousness among people. A notable example in this regard is the commodification of culture through tourism where the local is packaged to suit the taste and preferences of western elites. This in a way thwarts indigenous culture. Global Impact on the Local: Rise of Consumer Culture the sum of the processes by which a society is brought into the modern world system and how its dominating system is attracted, pressured and forced and sometimes bribed into shaping social institutions to correspond to or even promote, the values, structures of the dominating centre of the system. (Tomlinson, John 1996: 103) The irony that globalization creates is quite astounding where water may not be able for far off distances in rural India but Coke, Pepsi and packaged food would be readily available at tiny shops. The rise of consumer culture is often linked to spread of capitalism establishing cultural imperialism. This gets further elaborated into, first culture in service of capitalism and secondly cultural critique of capitalism producing a globalised consumer culture by commodifying action and experience. Baudillard argues that the media is not a means of communication as there is no feedback per say. He discusses medias potential in creating a hyper real world such that it absorbs the real within it. It is not true there is no response after the media reception but the nature of output is quite debatable. The problematic area actually lies in construction and moulding of preferences by the media through its various channels. Media monopoly in this context can be quite dangerous as only six media houses control almost 20-30% of what is globally televised. eg News Corp, Time Warner, Disney, Burtelsmann, Viacom and Vivendi Universal most of which are based in OECD countries. As a result of which there is a limited band of choices and choices are imposed. There is no doubt regarding the extent of media influence but it must also be noted that when alternative viewpoints are not allowed a voice media very often becomes a device for such voices to be heard. Tomlinson in his arguments of cultural imperialism argues that there needs to be a distinction made between creating conditions for spread of capitalism and viewing it as a socio economic system (as a product of capitalist spread). This reductionist critique suffers from economic explanation rather than explaining cultural experiences. Secondly it falsely assumes that people are ideologically manipuable and capitalism relies on ideological manipulation of people. Furthering the critical theory argument suggests consumerism to be treated as a part of a wider structural context of capitalist modernity. Structural differentiation referring to the separation of domestic and work sphere. This inturn creates structurally imposed needs (ibid: 132). These needs may not be real needs but imposed on them by the conditions in which they live. They also create clash of interest between differentiated roles and interest. In such conditions recognition of autonomous individual needs and desires be comes difficult. Moreover the depth and extent of impact of consumer capitalism of the west is questionable. Howes also argues that treating human beings as passive recipients is highly problematic. Although there is no denial that local cultures are subject to western influences, however this westerness may be modified to suit their own needs. The use of term globalization as westernization and universalization have become redundant (Scholte.J, 2000) and that globalization should be understood more interms of deterritorialization or rise of supraterritorial linkages that are continuously influencing social space. This does not imply an end to territoriality, however there is move from three dimensional geography (latitude, longitude and altitude to four dimensional spaces to include globality that increasingly changes the map of social relations. (ibid). This brings us to the argument of heterogenization and hybridization. Heterogenization and Hybridisation Cultural globalization must be understood as faster movement of both tangible and intangible in a deeply interconnected and interdependent world. Although one cannot deny the increasing presence and spread of homogenizing symbols, there has been also resurgence in protecting and maintaining distinctiveness on one hand at the same time cross cultural interaction has resulted in what is commonly used as hybridisation of cultures and reproduction of new cultures. Tomlinson argues that the mere presence of western commodities does not imply that the local cultures and national cultural identities will be eroded. Instead there might be a reassertion of such forces. Indeed there is no contention on the global presence of such consumerist cultural symbols (that are considered as agents of homogenization) but these symbols are being increasingly being modified to suit the native needs.Peter Jackson argues that globalization is a site of contestation than an established fact. By drawing examples from China and South Africa, he emphasizes that producers are more and more modifying their products to suit native taste and preferences. In China post the Open Door Policy of 1970s Cadbury had to adopt Chinese way of doing business and products were given local names with decreased quantities of sugar and increased quantities of cocoa content. In the presence of Indianized version of Pizza-paneer salsa and chiken tikka as well as introduction of Chilli an d Garlic sauce to Mc Donald. All these examples are evidence of resilience of local cultures to the transnational products. From the above it is clear that it is not only the global but local that impacts. It can be said that the local coexists with the global resulting in hybridisation or heterogeneous voices of dissent. In a way globalization has encouraged reassertion of indigenous identities and what is also called new social movements. Eg global tourism has intensified Hawaiian sensibilities, global deforestation has triggered indigenous activism in Amazonia, the activation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) resulted in armed rebellion in Mexicos Chiapas State (Scholte,Jan Aart 1996 :578). In India the increasing social unrest against development induced displacements triggered by the proliferation of Multinational projects in the tribal belts. Expanding supraterritoriality has also been linked to increasing secessionist movements in the form of ethnic revivals by communities who were previously under a larger nation state. Eg the case of former Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. This reveals that such collective identities are becoming more and more conscious of their distinction. Reactions of ethnic identities against globalization world mainly spread of global capitalism, biased global governance agendas and on global environmental issues has also emerged. Apart from this detteritorialization has also resulted in assertion of identities that may not be connected to a particular place and a common issue that cuts across borders binds them. For example women movements, movements against racism, gays and lesbian movements, against human rights atrocities. Scholte gives an excellent classification of supraterritorial identities based on race, gender, class and youth. There has been loosening of nationalist identity as a product of modern territorial states on one hand and rise of supraterritorial nationalism. Globalization and the technological diffusion accompanied have resulted in strengthening ties between dispersed immigrants. The nationality principle may be reasserted on a global platform through use of media, efforts are being made to revitalize native la nguages etc. At a more individual level Scholte talks about fragmentation of the self and the production of multiple identities and often get lost in a multiple categorizations of gender, class, race, orientation, religion etc that have become even more sharper. Kinvall (2004) borrowing from Anthony Giddensattempts to give psychological explanations to the phenomena of supraterritorial nationalism or voices of decent in an alien nation. Ontological security referring to persons fundamental sense of safety in the world and includes a basic trust of other people and existential anxiety that is Protection against future threat and dangers which allows individuals to sustain hope and courage in the face of whatever debilitating circumstances she or he might later confront.(ibid: 746). In this sense migration is viewed as a sense of psychological process where the migrant may feel insecure and feel a sense of homelessness. Social constructivist theories emphasize on the linguistic and na rrative construction of identity which has been criticised by Kinvall as being unable to explain meaning of fluid identities. There is also mention of the thick signifier approach that probes how individuals define themselves in relation to others according to their structural axis of power(ibid) thus there in advent of heightened ontological insecurity people seek a stable identity. This can be seen in the increased efforts to create a home like environment in a place that one may not belong natively. Eg establishment of religious places of worship where the community gathering can take place and recreate rituals of home country in foreign land by celebrating of cultural festivals. Self categorization and other social identity theories attempt to explain own groups in relation to others as well as understanding self at different levels (individual, intergroup and inter species). Despite limitations a common thread running through all these theories is an attempt to explain how people form associations, try to replicate their native conditions to feel a sense of belongingness in an environment of heightened insecurity. In such conditions nationalism and religion become influential in offering save havens against such insecurities. Both national and religious identity make claims to a monolithic and abstract identity that is, one stable identity that answers to the need of securitized subjectivity Kinvall There needs to be a distinction made between religion as a cultural experience and religion as a fundamentalist expression. It is the latter form that reveals the uglier side of cultural preservation where violence becomes a defence mechanism. What we appear to be witnessing is a deprivation of religion, global desecularization of the world with an increase in anti-secular movements and discourses disenchanted with the project of modernity and insistence on the political potential and public role religious beliefs and practices.(Karner and Alridge, 2004). Revival of protestant Christianity in Latin America and parts of Sub Saharan Africa. There have been studies conducted to show that participation in religious fundamentalism and spread of religion is quite substantial among downtrodden and unemployed youth. Fundamentalist edge of religion is further sharpened when politics enters. Eg the Islamic revolution in Iran, rise of hindutva in Indian politics. The homogenising effect of cons umerism is proved wrong by the reaffirmation of religion based identities where religion becomes a potent weapon that threatens to deststabilize tolerance. The global chaos theorist argues the same stating that convergence of values and imposition that are unwelcomed that results might take the form of violence. (Dutceac, Anamaria, 2004: 3) Leiser and Weidberg talk about culture as an arena of contestation within three overlapping popular, folk and high culture. Popular culture dominated by the so called American music, movies, fashion, music. Folk culture being destroyed to suit the foreign needs and preferences and high culture (culture associated with elites) with expression found in museums, international festivals, internet etc. (ibid: 283). Each of these become sights of contestations between different cultures. This cultural backlash varies from place to place. In developed societies reactions to Americanisation is seen more interms of policy responses. Eg France, Italy and Spain have tried to control the amount of American imports in films by imposition of tariffs. China and North Korea on western images and goods. The reaction is worse in Muslim countries where backlash takes violent forms intrusion of western influences and crisis of traditional societies in the wake of socio-ecomic changes. The terrorist atta cks are examples in this regard. The west inturn defends itself by blaming inherent trouble within such societies. It has become too useful a smokescreen for Muslim nations many deficits? Their corruption, their incompetence, their oppression of their citizens, their economic, scientific and cultural stagnation. America-hating has become a badge of identity, making it possible a chest beating, flag burning rhetoric of word and deed that makes men feel good. It contains a strong streak of hypocrisy, hating most what it desires most, and elements of self loathing. (We hate America because it has made of identity disregard and self what we cannot make of our selves). What America is accused of? Close mindedness, stereotyping, ignorance? Is also what its accusers would see if they looked into a mirror? -Salman Rushdie A .Sen. (2006) explains the distinction between multiculturalism and plural monoculturalism. Multiculturalism implies coexistence with interaction whereas plural monoculturalism implies coexistence without interaction. It is the latter that may fan hostilities between communities. However multiculturalism must encourage diversity and at the same time provide freedom of choice and decision making, it must not be coerced. Conclusion There has indeed been an increase interaction and deepening of networks that characterizes contemporary form of globalization however that should not be mistaken for increased homogenization or westernization or Americanisation! There is no contention on the flow of goods and availability of western goods and services in foreign lands but that does not imply moving in the direction of sameness. Local cultures develop resilience mechanism however crude in form they may be. The very fact that western goods are marketed keeping in mind the taste and preference of natives is a proof that homogenisation is not a norm. Escobar rightly exclaims that when a border is eliminated it reappears somewhere else. (Culture sits in its place. He further two subaltern strategies place based that are attached to territory and culture and glocal strategies that utilises global networks. In sum a case can be made for hybridisation of culture or what is termed as creolization where new meanings are assign ed to imported culture. A straight jacketed theory of placing individuals into one category or assuming them to be self interested individuals would be too reductionist view. Individuals have multiple roles to play and it is important therefore to examine ways by which communities try to hang on to their cultures even when they are part of translocal networks.

Aspergers Syndrome Essay -- Disease/Disorders

Hans Asperger, a pediatrician from Austria, began to study a group of children at his clinic in 1944. He noticed that the young boys he was studying were clumsy, lacked social skills, and did not understand nonverbal communication. Asperger’s syndrome (AS), named after Doctor Hans Asperger, is a developmental disorder. Research by Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar (2009), claim that AS was originally thought of as a less severe form of Autism, in which the individual has higher linguistic ability but still lacks social skills. Many researches now consider AS an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, it is disputed amongst researchers as to whether it is explicit from High Functioning Autism (HFA). Many characteristics of AS and HFA are overlapped, making it difficult to distinguish between one and the other (Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar, 20089, p. 2). In this paper, Asperger’s syndrome, as depicted in the film, â€Å"Adam†, will be evaluated. Asperger’s syndrome is defined as an ever-present neurodevelopmental disorder, in which social communication is affected and discernment and attentiveness may be bounded (Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar, 2009, p. 2). According to Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Robinson, & Woodbury-Smith (2005), Asperger’s syndrome can be characterized by various behavioral and social symptoms: lacking the ability to understand social cues; preoccupation with one or few interests; disliking change in routines; repetitive behavior; failure to understand emotional tones in speech; and a seeming lack of empathy. The title character in the film â€Å"Adam†, Adam Raki, is a 29-year-old man who has AS. At the beginning of the film, Adam is left alone for the first time after the death of his father. When Adam meets his new upstairs neig... ...Cited Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Robinson, J., & Woodbury-Smith, M. (2005). The Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA): A Diagnostic Method. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 35(6), 807-819. Hurlbutt, K., & Chalmers, L. (2004). Employment and Adults with Asperger Syndrome. Focus On Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(4), 215-222. O'Connor, K. (2007). Brief Report: Impaired Identification of Discrepancies Between Expressive Faces and Voices in Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 2008-2013. Rogers, K., Dziobek, I., Hassenstab, J., Wolf, O. T., & Convit, A. (2007). Who Cares? Revisiting Empathy in Asperger Syndrome. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(4), 709-715. Woodbury-Smith, M. R., & Volkmar, F. R. (2009). Asperger syndrome. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,18(1), 2-11.

Sociology Essay -- Sociology Essays

Sociology is a field which developed over a millennia ago, but it was not until the nineteenth century that it came into the fore as a bona fide social science, in need of its own classification apart from other social sciences. Sociology, 'the study of the process of companionship';(pg.396, Ambercrombie,Hill,Turner), is a discipline, which is not exclusively independent in and of its self, yet borrows from many other disciplines such as: history, geography, and anthropology. 'American sociology is fundamentally analytical and empirical; it proposes to examine the way of life of individuals in the societies … prefers to explain institutions and structures in terms of the behavior of individuals and the goals, mental states, and motives which determine the behavior of members of various social groups (pg.5,Aron).'; A specialization within Sociology is social stratification. This segment of sociology attempts to deal with the structures of any given society and ones' relationship with the institution. 'Social stratification means that inequality has been hardened or institutionalized, and there is a system of social relationships that determines who gets what, and why (pg.11, Kerbo).'; Through various paradigms, and theories we are able to come to a better understanding of social stratification. The paradigm that is most rational to my understanding of social stratification is the critical-conflict. In this paradigm the state embodies the interests of the "common citizen," and mediates between primitive human desires and the rational need for freedom and well being. Conflict theorists view that definitions of norms and values are also a source of conflict over who has the right to create laws and justice. As a consequence, not only behavior but also power relationships become important topics to study. Unlike the structural-functionalist view of society, which views harmony as the basis of order, conflict theorists see conflict as the natural state of social existence. Despite their critical examination of power relations, conflict theorists tend to accept the fundamental existing social arrangements, and instead of arguing for new social systems tend to argue for rearrangement of existing relations. 'This paradigm (critical-conflict) shares with the uncritical-conflict paradigm an image or model of society that considers conflict and... ...ack the essential tools such as: family name, wealth, and networking opportunities. These tools are utilized to gain access to the training necessary to achieve in a meritocracy like the United States. As the Upper Class and the Corporate Class wonder why those on the bottom are not able to 'pull themselves up by their boot straps'; and find solutions to their social, political, and economic predicament. The people on the bottom are screaming the solutions yet the Upper Class and Corporate Class are turning a deaf ear. Bibliography 1.) Abercrombie, Nicholas; Hill, Stephen; and Turner, Bryan S. The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology. Penguin Books.London: 1984 2.) Aron, Raymond, Main Currents In Sociological Thought. Anchor Books: 1968. 3.) Campbell, Ken. Http://cst.colorado.edu/psn/Marx/bio/Marx-karl/Granat/z.Html March 1,1999. 4.) Kerbo, Harold R., Social Stratification and Inequality: Class Conflict in Historical and Comparative Perspective. McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc. New York: 1996. 5.) McLellan, David., Karl Marx: Selected Writings. Oxford University Press: 1979. 6.) Tumin, M.,'; Some principles of stratification: A critical analysis.'; American Sociological Review, New York:1954

Improving The Design Of Buildings After 9 11 Environmental Sciences Essay

Following the terrorist onslaught on the New York World Trade Center in 2001, this paper seeks to look into the design features that would heighten the safety of tall edifices. Design/methodology/approach – Using a questionnaire, informations have been collected via electronic mails and by station from designers and civil applied scientists ( AEs ) in Singapore. Structured interviews were conducted with public governments. Findingss – The consequences show that AEs perceive tall edifices to be by and large safe in footings of structural design, fire safety characteristics and agencies of flight. The consequences besides show that AEs confirm the demand to better the safety of tall edifices further, are doing an attempt to turn to the heightened safety concern, will give full support to enterprises to turn to heightened safety concerns, will hold to carry on hazard appraisal during the design stage and will welcome a performance-based design codification. AEs do non hold that edifices should be designed to defy hydrocarbon fires or aircraft onslaughts. The study consequences further reveal that the four most effectual methods to better the safety of tall edifices are supplying issue marks with illuming at floor degrees, a separate design codification for super tall edifices, supplying fire safety and deliverance floors, and the decentalisation of fire systems. Originality/value – The importance of this paper is that it investigates the safety characteristics and steps that can cast some visible radiation on heightening the safety of tall edifices. The findings may be used by constructing governments to explicate future steps and codifications to better heighten the safety of tall edifices. Based on the findings, farther research on each executable method of bettering the safety of tall edifices may be undertaken. The unprecedented devastation of the New York World Trade Center ( WTC ) by terrorists on September 11, 2001 ( 9/11 ) signified new menaces to tall icon edifices and has led to heightened concerns over the safety facets of tall edifices. Present safety characteristics in tall edifices might be unequal in get bying with such hazards, particularly when current edifice design and building have concentrated on the more normal types of accidents and catastrophes that can bechance constructions and their residents. There may be a demand to do edifices more robust and to guarantee better protection for a edifice ‘s residents. After 9/11, some issues need to be addressed. For illustration, is it necessary to guarantee that edifices are capable of defying the sort of impact suffered by the WTC? In reevaluating the hazards to the built environment, should edifices be designed to defy aircraft onslaughts, or simply to guarantee that there is sufficient clip for the residents to evacuate before the edifice prostrations? The aims of this survey are: to look into how safe tall edifices are/should be ; and to analyze the feasibleness of assorted methods to better the design of tall edifices to do them safer. The positions of designers and civil applied scientists ( AEs ) and relevant edifice governments in Singapore were obtained through a questionnaire study and interviews. Singapore is a relevant state for this survey to be conducted because it is a little city state, where land is scarce, and tower block, high-density life is the norm. Singapore besides likely has one of the highest concentrations of tall edifices per hectare of land in the universe. The importance of this paper is that it investigates the safety characteristics and steps that can cast some visible radiation on heightening the safety of tall edifices. The findings may be used by constructing governments to explicate future steps and codifications to better heighten the safety of tall edifices. Based on the findings, farther research on each executable method of bettering the safety of tall edifices may be undertaken. Proposed methods to better safety of tall edifices To measure the deductions of 9/11, the USA and the UK edifice governments and other related authorities bureaus have established groups and undertaking forces consisting edifice experts around the universe. These groups and undertaking forces seek to place life-safety issues and suggest new methods to better the public presentation of future tall edifices and guarantee sufficient emptying clip for edifice residents. In planing edifices against menace, Mr Robert Prieto, of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. , highlighted the three Rs of menace design: â€Å" Design to defy the menace. Design to react to the menace. Design to retrieve from the menace † ( Post, 2001a ) . From a literature reappraisal, some of the methods that have been suggested by applied scientists and practicians in an attempt to better the safety public presentation of tall edifices are summarized in Table I. Column 2 of Table I shows that there are 23 possible ways to better the safety of tall edifices. These are categorized into five chief headers: structural design ; fire technology ; agencies of flight ; stuffs engineering ; and codifications and ordinances. How executable these methods will be is still unknown and remains to be determined. Therefore, this paper aims to happen out the suitableness of these methods by proving them in the field. Methodology The survey comprised a sample study and structured interviews to garner the positions of AEs and edifice governments, severally. The intent of the study was to happen out AEs ‘ perceptual experiences of the safety of tall edifices in Singapore and the feasibleness of steps that could be adopted to better the safety degrees of tall edifices. The intent of the interviews was to analyze the edifice governments ‘ attempts in turn toing the safety of tall edifices after 9/11. A questionnaire was designed for the study. The first subdivision of the questionnaire sought to find the profile and demographic inside informations of the respondents. In the 2nd subdivision, respondents were asked to rate the safety degree of tall edifices in Singapore ( V1 to V4 ) on a ten-point Likert graduated table, where 1 denotes â€Å" really insecure † , 5 denotes â€Å" satisfactory † and 10 denotes â€Å" really safe † . They were besides asked to rate the ability of these edifices to defy accidents and onslaughts ( V5 to V6 ) on a five-point Likert graduated table, where 1 denotes â€Å" strongly disagree † , 3 denotes â€Å" neither agree nor disagree † and 5 denotes â€Å" strongly agree † . The respondents ‘ positions on the heightened safety concern and the critical issues related to 9/11 ( V7 to V16 ) were besides obtained utilizing the same five-point Likert graduated table. The 3rd subdivision sought to find the fea sibleness and pertinence of the methods uncovered from the literature reappraisal. Respondents were asked to bespeak whether they thought the proposed method should be adopted, non adopted, or were diffident. They were besides encouraged to notice and give grounds for their responses. The complete mail study bundle comprised a screen missive, the questionnaire and a stamped, self-addressed and envelope. Data for the study were collected via electronic mail, surface mail and telephone. AEs were targeted for the study because the work that they do is straight relevant to constructing safety. Eighty and 160 questionnaires were sent to randomly selected AEs in the public and private sectors, severally. Public-sector AEs were identified through the Singapore Government ‘s published directory. Private-sector AEs were obtained from Internet Yellow Pages ( 2002a, B, degree Celsius ) . Besides the study, structured interviews were conducted with authorities functionaries from the Building and Construction Authority ( BCA ) and the Fire Safety and Shelter Bureau ( FSSB ) . The intent of the interviews was to happen out their attempts in turn toing the safety of tall edifices. The BCA was selected because it is the chief regulator of Singapore ‘s building industry ( Building and Construction Authority, 2002a, B ) . The FSSB is the local authorization in fire safety and bomb shelter ordinances ( Singapore Civil Defence Force, 2002 ) . E-mails explicating the intent of the research were sent to the governments to bespeak permission to carry on the interviews. Agreements for the interview Sessionss were so made with interviewees who were involved in the reappraisal of edifice safety after 9/11. Survey consequences and informations analysis Thirty-four questionnaires were received, giving an overall response rate of 14 per centum. The public sector response rate ( 28 per centum ) was higher than the private sector response rate ( 8 per centum ) . The good response rate from public-sector respondents may be because the several Human Resource Departments agreed to administer the questionnaires. The low response rate from the private sector respondents may be because these AEs felt that their chief duty is to follow the design codifications, and it is up to the authorities to alter the codifications. To increase the response rate, phone calls were made to the AEs to bespeak their engagement. Unfortunately, some of the mark respondents were normally busy or administrative staff were loath to set the calls through. The profile of the respondents is summarized in Table II. It can be seen that the bulk of the respondents held senior places in their organisations. The bulk of the respondents were applied scientists, and many of them were from the public-sector lodging authorization. Furthermore, the bulk of the respondents ( 79 per centum ) had worked in the building industry for more than five old ages. This would do their feedback more accurate and dependable. Almost all the respondents ( 88 per centum ) had been involved in the building of tall residential edifices. The public-sector respondents focused more on residential edifices, while the private-sector respondents were more involved in tall commercial edifices. We now describe the profile of the interviewees. The interviewee from the BCA was a senior director who had a civil technology grade. Prior to fall ining the BCA, he had worked in the building industry for 25 old ages and was involved in the building of major substructure and edifice undertakings. The FSSB interviewee held a sheepskin in stuffs and measures in add-on to his civil technology grade. He had worked in the FSSB for more than 15 old ages and was involved in reexamining the Fire Code. The positions of these capable affair experts ( SMExperts ) were incorporated in the relevant treatment subdivisions. Datas were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences ( SPSS ) package for analysis. Average evaluations for all the variables were calculated ( Table III, column 3 ) . A one-sample t-test of the mean was carried out to look into whether the population would hold with the variables surveyed. For variables V1 to V4, the void hypothesis ( H 0 ) that tall edifices are regarded as insecure and the alternate hypothesis ( H 1 ) that tall edifices are regarded as safe are set out as: H 0. I?a†°Ã‚ ¤5. H 1. I? & gt ; 5. I? is the population mean, and is taken as 5 on a ten-point evaluation graduated table. For variables V5 to V16, the void hypothesis that respondents disagree with the variable and the alternate hypothesis that respondents agree with the variable are set out as: H 0. I?a†°Ã‚ ¤3. H 1. I? & gt ; 3. The degree of significance ( I ± ) was set at 0.05. If the deliberate p-value is greater than or equal to 0.05, H 0 is non rejected and the consequence is non important. If the p-value is less than 0.05, H 0 is rejected and the consequence is important beyond the 5 per centum degree. The consequences are shown in Table III ( columns 4 and 5 ) . An independent samples t-test was carried out to find whether the public and private sector respondents shared the same positions on the variables surveyed or otherwise. The degree of significance ( I ± ) was besides set at 0.05. The nothing and alternate hypotheses are: H 0. I? public=I? private. H 1. I? publica†° I? private. When H 0 is non rejected, it is concluded that there is no difference in the average evaluations by both sectors. The rejection of H 0 agencies that both sectors of the building industry have differing positions with regard to the variable being tested. Levene ‘s Test was used to look into for equality of discrepancies between the two groups of respondents ( Gray and Kinnear, 1997 ) . It was found that there was no important difference, and hence a pooled estimation of the population discrepancy was used. The consequences of the t-test of the difference between agencies are given in Table III ( columns 6-9 ) . The consequences show that there is no important difference between the positions of public and private sector respondents except for point V16. In point V16, both public and private sector professionals disagreed that tall edifices should be designed to defy aeroplane onslaughts, but private sector professionals disagreed to a greater extent. In the 3rd subdivision of the questionnaire, the respondents indicated whether a suggested step should be implemented ( agree ) , non implemented ( disagree ) or they are diffident about its pertinence in bettering the safety of tall edifices. The consequences are shown in Table I ( columns 4-7 ) . The four most popular methods are: supply issue marks with illuming at floor degrees ; supply a separate design codification for ace high-rise edifices ; supply fire safety and deliverance floors ; and supply a decentralized fire system. These consequences are now discussed. How safe tall edifices are/should be The one-sample t-test consequences ( Table III ) show that in general, the respondents are of the sentiment that tall edifices in Singapore are safe ( V1 ) . They besides have more than equal structural design ( V2 ) , fire safety ( V3 ) and means of flight ( V4 ) . Among the four safety appraisal of tall edifices, the average safety evaluation for structural design is highest at 7.88. Respondents felt that this facet of the edifice is the most earnestly considered in guaranting the safety of edifices. In add-on, tall edifices will be able to defy normal accidents ( V5 ) , but will fall in upon an aircraft onslaught ( V6 ) . The above consequences may be biased towards the sentiments and perceptual experiences of the respondents. This is because the population surveyed is likely to react that edifices are safe because they are involved in the design procedure, and stating that a edifice is insecure brings into inquiry their design patterns. In add-on, a big per centum of public functionaries responded to this study. These public functionaries can non be seen to hold no assurance in the safety of tall edifices when they have a responsibility of attention to normal citizens. Of the 10 steps proposed ( V7-V16 ) , six ( V7, V9, V10, V11, V13, V14 ) are significantly of import ( p & lt ; 0.05 ) . Respondents felt that there is a important demand to better the safety of tall edifices ( V7 ) . Consistent with this response, the respondents disagreed that tall edifices do non necessitate extra safety steps ( V12 ) . This shows that there is room for betterment and supports the demand to heighten edifice safety. Respondents felt that they have the expertness to better the safety of tall edifices ( V9 ) . The findings are promoting. It shows that AEs have the proficient capableness to do tall edifices even safer. The respondents besides agreed that they have made an attempt to turn to the heightened safety concern ( V10 ) . In add-on, they will give fullest support to the building industry to turn to the safety of edifices ( V11 ) . However, this issue is non their chief concern ( V8 ) , possibly because the tall edifices are already structurally safe ( V2 ) . Respondents agreed that there is a demand for hazard appraisals to be conducted on tall edifices during the design stage ( V13 ) . These hazard appraisals will help edifice interior decorators in placing the likely menaces faced by edifices ( Broughton, 2002 ; Linn, 2002 ) . Buildings are so designed to turn to the menaces to heighten their safety public presentation. Respondents besides agreed that a performance-based codification might supply better safety counsel than the normative codification for tall edifices ( V14 ) . The SMExperts revealed that the governments have already recognized the demand for a performance-based codification because it offers more flexibleness to interior decorators. For alone edifices such as airdromes and large-sized indoor bowls, interior decorators may non be able to use the conventional normative codifications straight. The findings show that respondents are opposed to planing edifices to defy hydrocarbon fires ( V15 ) and aircraft onslaughts ( V16 ) . This may be because it will be excessively expensive to construct such constructions, when the menace is improbable and unpredictable. SMExperts confirmed that edifices are designed based on possible burden events and believable jeopardies. Aircraft onslaught is non a sufficiently believable jeopardy to be considered in the design of edifices, and therefore edifice codifications do non necessitate that such events be considered for edifices in Singapore. The deduction is that edifices may non defy such utmost impact, particularly in the presence of the resulting fires because these constructions have non been designed for such menaces. SMExperts emphasized that it is more executable to concentrate on other signifiers of menaces such as truck and handheld bombs, which are physically transported by human existences. Resources should be directed towards air power and other security steps instead than to beef uping edifices against aircraft impact. Fire in edifices is a believable jeopardy which has been addressed in most edifice design. Harmonizing to the SMExperts, if edifices are improbable to see any menace posed by jet fuel, edifices need non be designed to defy hydrocarbon fires. How to plan safer tall edifices A ranking of the feasibleness of the proposed methods, based on the per centum of respondents who agreed with the method, is shown in Table I ( column 7 ) . For the intent of this survey, a proposed method is considered executable to do tall edifices safer when more than 50 per centum of the respondents agreed with it. Twelve methods are found to be executable and are discussed in the undermentioned subdivisions. Structural design Four possible methods to better the safety of tall edifices through structural design were proposed. One of these was found to be acceptable by more than 50 per centum of the respondents ( see Table I ) . The bulk of the respondents agreed with hardening of stairwells ( point 1.3 ) against blast impact. Strong stairwells are of import because flight stairwaies are the chief agencies by which edifice residents evacuate from edifices in an exigency. Existing codifications normally permit the usage of dryboards and masonry for stairwell enclosures, and these are susceptible and more prone to damage. This will do flight stairwaies to be blocked by fallen stuffs from stairwell walls. Reinforced concrete walls will hold higher opportunities of lasting a blast onslaught. It is recommended that codifications be changed to indurate stairwells. The bulk of the respondents did non hold with supplying prostration floors ( point 1.1 ) , which would be provided between, say every 10 floors, to transport the weight of the dust of the floors that prostration above it, and act as a arrest to progressive prostration ( Lane and Clark, 2001 ) . Some respondents felt that prostration floors impose significant structural demands ; for illustration, closely separated columns of larger sizes may be necessary. The bulk of the respondents did non hold with the proviso of a sacrificial facade ( item 1.2 ) . In this system, there is an exterior wall, a perpendicular air pocket behind it and another structural wall indoors. The exterior wall is designed to absorb blast impact and contain harm, and act as a first line of defense mechanism for the edifice ‘s structural unity ( Nadel, 2002 ) . Some respondents felt that this system may give architectural the look of edifices and blockade the positions of the residents. Furthermore, the facade may necessitate to be spaced far apart from the internal wall for effectivity, and this would take up valuable infinite. Respondents besides did non hold that heavy tonss should non be allowed on roofs ( point 1.4 ) . In the WTC towers, heavy tonss were placed on the roofs to stabilise the edifices ‘ wind-induced sway, but these could be a conducive factor to the prostration ( Building, 2001b ) . Some respondents felt that it is the norm to use rooftop infinite to house works and equipment such as lift motor suites and H2O armored combat vehicles, and interior decorators may confront the job of re-siting edifice services if rooftop infinite is non utilised. Furthermore, for practical grounds, some M & A ; E systems rely on gravitative force per unit area to work. Fire technology Four possible methods to better the safety of tall edifices through fire technology were proposed. Three of these were found to be acceptable by more than 50 per centum of the respondents ( see Table I ) . Astaneh-Asl ‘s ( 2002 ) probe of the WTC prostration revealed that the firefighting systems were centralized at the stairway nucleus. This bunching together of the services meant that when that location was hit, the whole firefighting system may hold failed. He hence recommended that sprinkler pipes, moisture and dry risers should be decentralized, and placed at different locations of the edifice. Respondents agreed with the method ( item 2.3 ) , but some cautioned that this would take to increase in cost. A sum of 61 per centum of the respondents agreed that supplying burden detectors ( point 2.4 ) is executable, and may increase the safety of tall edifices. Load detectors can be used to understand and supervise edifice behaviour. Prompt action could be taken and exigency forces alerted one time information is fed to the monitoring system. Furthermore, burden detectors, if decently developed, are utile tools in supplying warning signals to determine whether edifices are safe for entry during an exigency event. This would supply better protection to firemans and exigency forces, as they are able to measure the hazard of partial or entire prostration of a edifice under menace. A sum of 53 per centum of the respondents agreed that supplying a separate firemans ‘ stairway is executable ( item 2.1 ) . In the WTC incident, firemans running up the stairwells rushed headfirst into office workers who were hotfooting down on the same steps ( Post et al. , 2001 ) . Respondents who objected to a separate firemans ‘ stairway argued that the current fire codification already has a dedicated lift for usage by firemans. The infinite required for a firemans ‘ stairway might be indefensible as this reduces salable infinite and may imply excess building and care costs. One respondent questioned how edifice residents could be prevented from utilizing this stairway during an exigency. Respondents did non hold to planing redundancy in fire systems ( item 2.2 ) . This may be because excess standpipes for firefighting, separate fire pump suites, excess sprinkler systems, excess fire dismay systems, and double fire bid Centres will necessarily take to be addition. Some respondents weighed the pertinence of this method against cost effectivity, long-run care, cost and clip of installing and other options. Meanss of flight Nine possible methods to better the safety of tall edifices through agencies of flight were proposed. Six of these were accepted by more than 50 per centum of the respondents ( see Table I ) . A sum of 63 per centum of the respondents agreed that wider stairwaies might be necessary for tall edifices ( item 3.3 ) because these could suit more people to rush up emptying. Unfortunately, wider stairwaies would increase cost and cut down gross due to reduced salable floor infinite. There is besides debate sing cut downing the standard breadths of stairwaies because there is rarely a demand to evacuate the whole edifice at one clip, as normally merely occupants on stray floors in the affected country demand to be evacuated ( Post and Angelo, 2001 ) . Supplying issue marks with illuming at floor degree ( item 3.4 ) received the most support from the respondents. Well-marked and lit marks are cardinal constructing design characteristics that facilitated the emptying of many edifice residents at the WTC Towers ( Federal Emergency Management Agency/American Society of Civil Engineers, 2002 ) . Such a safety characteristic would hold the extra advantage of assisting residents in following flight paths if they have to creep on the floor. However, certain issues need to be addressed, such as the care of issue marks near floor degree, which are capable to more wear and tear and hooliganism. The construct of fire safety and deliverance floors is appealing to the respondents ( point 3.5 ) . Fireproof refuge countries can harbor people in the center of an emptying and service as deliverance points ( Post, 2001a ) . These countries should non incorporate furniture, and are designed to be wholly fireproof. Some respondents commented that proprietors may non hold to supply these countries as they can non bring forth gross but alternatively incur care costs. A sum of 58 per centum of the respondents agreed to the proviso of extra stairwaies in tall edifices ( item 3.6 ) . Similarly, some respondents are concerned about infinite and cost. Some suggested that the figure of stairwaies be increased merely at lower floors to provide to the big Numberss of falling residents from upper floors. This could forestall congestion and easiness emptying, peculiarly in exigency instances affecting mass emptying of residents. This suggestion is a good via media between cost and safety. Fifty-six per centum of the respondents perceived sky Bridgess to be executable in edifices ( item 3.8 ) . Besides being an alternate flight path, sky Bridgess could function as normal entree between edifices. Twenty-six per centum of the respondents did non favor sky Bridgess in position of the possibility that the construction of the sky Bridgess might be affected when a edifice was under menace. Besides, sky Bridgess could be a agency to let the spread of fire to the other edifice. A sky span that is overloaded with escapees may fall in, doing more human deaths. Some respondents, peculiarly designers, were concerned about the aesthetics of edifices. Seventy per centum of the respondents agreed that rooftop helipads could increase the safety of tall edifices ( item 3.9 ) because residents trapped in the upper floors of tall edifices can be rescued. However, there is a bound to the figure of residents that can be rescued utilizing choppers. This construct may besides be impractical because the human inclination is to fall instead than go up to upper floors during exigency events. Furthermore, deliverance by choppers requires particular deliverance squads and accomplishments, which might non be readily available. The bulk of the respondents did non hold that fireproof lifts ( point 3.1 ) would heighten the safety of tall edifices. The chief concerns are the supply of electricity to power lifts, the demand to protect against power failure during fire, and agencies of flight if lifts fail. Some respondents pointed out that big crowds waiting at lift anterooms may do pandemonium during emptying. However, some respondents suggested that lifts are utile to evacuate the disableds, the aged and kids. Mr Jeremy Hodge, of Building Research Establishment Ltd, believed that another reply to get awaying to safety is the installing of flight chutes, which would non take up much room but would enable people to skid to the bottom really rapidly ( Lane, 2001a ) . In this survey, half the respondents felt that flight chutes were executable ( item 3.2 ) . Respondents suggested that the stuff used for the flight chutes must be fire-retardant and lasting, particularly if the system is deployed out in the unfastened. Escape chutes functioning single floors might be more efficient, and the issue points of the chutes must be decently controlled. Of the respondents that did non hold to this method, some felt that this flight means is non suited for the aged and kids. Skiding down from great highs entails high kinetic energy, and people may be injured when residents collide into one another during the sliding procedure. The bulk of the respondents besides did non hold with inward emptying ( item 3.7 ) . The chief ground for the expostulation is that residents might be trapped in the edifice. Furthermore, the human inclination would be to fly an onslaught site and people would be unwilling to wait inside a damaged edifice to be saved ( Post, 2001a ) . This expostulation by Singapore respondents is surprising because Singapore already has in topographic point an inward emptying system, in the signifier of bomb shelters being built in each high-rise flat. Behaviour of stuffs under utmost temperature Three possible methods to better the safety of tall edifices through improved stuffs engineering were proposed. None of them were considered executable by the bulk of the respondents ( see Table I ) . Blast-resistant glazing may cut down casualties originating from winging glass in the event of a blast ( Madine et al. , 2001 ) but less than 50 per centum of the respondents agreed with utilizing it to better the safety of tall edifices ( item 4.1 ) . Some respondents questioned the extent of protection, particularly in the event of an aircraft or bomb onslaught. One school of idea is to beef up window systems by cramping their corners, so that glass is more hard to interrupt ( Madine et al. , 2001 ) . However, the respondents in the present survey did non hold with this ( item 4.2 ) . One respondent warned of the possibility of over design with immense connexion inside informations, when the beef uping consequence may be limited. Madine et Al. ( 2001 ) suggested adhering the glass into window frames for greater strength as the blast burden could be transferred to the construction of the edifice. Again, respondents were non agreeable to this ( item 4.3 ) . Some respondents considered blast-resistant glazing more effectual than adhering the glazing into window frames to control blast impact, as the strength of glass panel itself is more important. There might be troubles in building and assembly of such Windowss, in position of factors such as thermic consequence and enlargement articulations. Codes and ordinances Three possible methods to better the safety of tall edifices through amendments of codifications and ordinances were proposed. Two of these were accepted by more than 50 per centum of the respondents ( see Table I ) . Respondents did non hold to the infliction of a height bound on edifices ( item 5.2 ) . This is consistent with old surveies ( Angelo, 2001 ; Forgey, 2001 ; Galloway, 2001 ) . In land-scarce metropoliss, holding rigorous height bounds does non let the optimum usage of land. A height bound imposed on a edifice may forestall developers from maximising returns on investing. The bulk of the respondents agreed that codifications may necessitate to be revised to supply for longer flight clip ( item 5.1 ) . Some respondents said that when stipulating the flight clip several factors have to be considered, such as flight waies and obstructors, occupant features ( aged, kid, handicapped, etc. ) and the location of the last individual to get away from the edifice, whether this individual is on the highest floor or at the remotest location in the edifice. It was suggested that the flight clip, if implemented, should bind in with the fire structural demands of edifices. Seventy-nine per centum of the respondents agreed that a really tall edifice should hold a separate design codification ( item 5.3 ) . The chief ground is its possible as a mark for terrorists and a long emptying clip ( Post et al. , 2001 ) . Having a separate design codification may be a good via media between safety and cost, since the codification allows a high appraisal attack to constructing design. The SMExpert from the FSSB said that his organisation has programs to revise the Fire Code every five old ages. Code demands will be refined and amended to take likely terrorist menaces into consideration. Any lacks in edifice demands that may allow terrorist Acts of the Apostless will be identified, and betterments made. The FSSB will besides implement a codification of behavior for firemans in measuring the fortunes for them to come in a edifice under menace. In the USA, security-related codifications and criterions are besides being reviewed ( Ichniowski, 2001 ; Lane, 2001b ; Maas, 2001 ; Pearson, 2001b ) . Decision In the wake of 9/11, the issue of safety in tall edifices was brought into greater focal point. In measuring the safety of tall edifices originating from the 9/11 incident, this survey sought the positions of AEs and edifice governments in the building industry in Singapore. While the respondents in this survey in general perceived tall edifices in Singapore to be safe, there may be sample prejudice because the respondents were involved in the design of edifices and many are public functionaries. Notwithstanding this, with rigorous authorities ordinances, all edifice designs reference functionality, lastingness and fit-for-purpose affairs. The governments interviewed attributed the good safety records of edifices to strict conformity with edifice codifications and an efficient firefighting squad. Notwithstanding this, AEs felt that it is of import to farther better edifice safety ( V7 ) . This survey besides found that edifices in Singapore can defy normal edifice accidents, but are likely to fall in upon aircraft onslaught. This paper found that AEs ( see Table III ) : have the necessary expertness to better edifice safety ( V9 ) ; are doing an attempt to turn to heightened safety concerns ( V10 ) ; will give full support to enterprises to turn to heightened safety concerns ( V11 ) ; agree to carry on hazard appraisal during the design stage ( V13 ) ; and will welcome a performance-based design codification ( V14 ) . These findings indicate that the attack to constructing design may hold to alter after 9/11. While bing designs are equal, respondents besides felt that extra safety steps are necessary ( V12 ) . However, there is no demand to overreact to the point of guaranting that all edifices can defy hydrocarbon fires ( V15 ) and aircraft onslaughts ( V16 ) . The paper contributes to knowledge by bring outing that the four most effectual methods to better the safety of tall edifices are supplying: issue marks with illuming at floor degrees ; a separate design codification for super tall edifices ; fire safety and deliverance floors ; and decentalisation of fire systems. Eight other steps were besides found to be executable ( see Table I ) . A height bound on edifices and limitation of burdens on roof are the most unwanted steps. Future surveies on bettering the design of tall edifices may do usage of these findings. It is recommended that farther surveies into the strength decrease of stuffs subjected to intense fires should be carried out. This is because constructions may be able to defy the impact of aircraft onslaught, but may finally neglect after a decrease in their stuff belongingss with lifting temperature. While many of the methods proposed may be able to better the safety of edifices, increased cost is a critical concern ( Leftly and Lane, 2001 ) . Before the alterations materialize in the codifications, it is necessary to find whether the building industry is able to absorb the new steps and whether AEC professionals and clients are convinced of the demand to beef up edifices further. Safety steps proposed must be practical without doing edifice proprietors bear unneeded costs. Besides seeking to do edifices stronger by supplying redundancy or more back-up beds, it is recommended that the relevant parties explore and detect new agencies to contend fire. Finally, it is of import to look at edifice safety as a whole system alternatively of supplying bit-by-bit back-up beds or increasing the border of safety. Ultimately, each edifice may hold a alone solution depending on factors such as cost, infinite, proficient, economical and political issues. A balance between realistic costs and highly improbable events should be maintained. Table IPossible methods to better the safety of tall edifices Table IIProfile of respondents Table IIIResults of study and statistical trials