Entrepreneurial Audit Report on an existing business

History, founding and ownership In today’s business environment it is very important that companies operate with a clear strategic path. It is this clear strategic path that will enable a company continuously search for new entrepreneurial opportunities and seize them with much effectiveness. Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Entrepreneurial Audit Report on an existing business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is the result of this strategic process combined with the human workforce together with other resources that will determine which corporation crosses the finish line in first place or closes shop. This is therefore why management audits are carried out within department to bring out a clear picture of what is going on. BHP Billiton came into existence in 2001 when to companies namely the Australian broken hill proprietary company (BHP) and the Anglo-Dutch Billiton plc decided to merge. Broken hill is an Australian company that was an Australian company that was incorporated back in 1885 and concentrated its business in steel manufacturing. Later oil, copper it was later caught by global inefficiencies and closed down its steel production in the late 1990’s.On the other Hand Billiton was formed back in the 1860’s and concentrated on minerals like iron, titanium, nickel and coal before the two companies merged in June 29 2001 to form BHP BILLITON. BHP BILLITON is currently the largest mining company which deals with a large variety of minerals. BHP Billiton which has its dual head quarters in Melbourne Australia and London England and presence in London and corporate centers in Johannesburg and Huston Texas.BHP Billiton is the world’s top mining company in terms of market capitalization, with capitalization of approximately 191 billion dollars. According to BHP website (www.bhpbilliton.com) BHP Billiton is listed in the Australian securities exchange and London stock exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Meaning it is owned by numerous shareholders who purchase their shares in the form of nominees, institutional investors and individuals. The company operates hundreds of mines across the world and has a workforce of about 41,000 employees from about 25 different countries it is therefore evident and clear that there is large diversity among the employees that BHP Billiton has employed. Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Furthermore the company made a profit of about US$ 6.3 billion in 2009 from the sale of its main products and services which fall under the mining industry. Some of these services and products include Iron ore, Diamonds, Coal, Gold, Petroleum, Aluminum, Copper, Nickel, Uranium, and Silver. Company Name And Origin BPH Billiton Country Australia Formation and Existence BHP Billiton has exist ed since 2001 after Australian broken hill proprietary companies (BHP) and the Anglo-Dutch Billiton plc decided to merge. Company overview BPH Billiton is a mining company dealing in Diamonds, Coal, Gold, Petroleum, Aluminum, Copper, Nickel, Uranium, Silver and iron ore Organizational structure Company’s structure is divided into CSG’S (Customer Sector Groups) which concentrate on key products having the customers desire in mind and work together with the functional groups of finance ,Marketing, transport and logistics to run efficiently and deliver quality. Appendix A: summary of BHP Billiton history (source www.bhpbilliton.com) Innovation, risk taking and pro-activeness of BHP Billiton BHP Billiton is a very large company and it has vast resources it therefore has a fairly complicated organizational structure. The company faces a lot of risk in its entrepreneurial ventures.BHP Billiton is innovative because it searches for mines across the world that offers op portunities to their business. BHP Billiton had the first oil and gas production in deep water Gulf of Mexico; it also had the first production from the angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. Its innovation often involves being a dominant first mover and forming alliances with other companies to enter certain business areas. BHP Billiton, often sales of its strategic business units at the right time and moves on to areas which offer more business potential. Of course this is with the help of its extremely talented research and development department that works on coming up with better mining techniques that will not destroy the environment. BHP Billiton faces a lot of risks in its which include workforce strikes, natural disasters such as typhoons and stiff competition other big mining companies together with changing economic times. Consumer needs are continuously changing and therefore the company must adhere to this by sending out the best individuals within the organization to gath er relevant research data that will help the company adapt to its environment. BHP Billiton also faces resistance from, activists and environmental groups whom have led governments to set tight laws that govern the business of mining in various countries. This has potential effect on the market dominance and expansion plans and strategies that BHP Billiton have put in place. Therefore this affects its entrepreneurial spirit of finding new opportunities of business and making profits.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Entrepreneurial Audit Report on an existing business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More An organizational structure is a systematic arrangement of job and job groups within an organization. Therefore BHP uses CSG’S (Customer Sector Groups) which mean its organizational structure job groups are arranged by grouping the leadership and staff according to the various customer groups into various se ctors which are Diamonds and specialty products, base metals, energy and coal, metallurgical coal, manganese, stainless steel and steel products and petroleum. Therefore BHP Billiton has flat structure which allows for fewer managers a wider span of control to the managers which leads to a faster flow of communication better team spirit of employees and less bureaucracy therefore easier decision making. The fewer levels of management means that the company will save costs. The disadvantage is that the function of each department may get blurred and roles may end up being duplicated, workers in different departments may report to one boss thus overloading his duties and at the same time this may hinder growth. It is this Customer Sector Groups that work together with the finance, research and development, legal and marketing transport and logistics functions to achieve the mission, vision and objectives of the organization and come up with new products. In such an organizational st ructure various divisions that handle special projects aiming to satisfy a particular group of customers work hand in hand with the various functional areas within the organization. BHP Billiton has set a number of strategic, management and operational controls which are tight for example each and every employee is accountable for his duty or functional area and failure to which an employee or manager is punished, This Is Why Brian Gilbertson stepped down only after six months as the C.E.O back in 2003 because his leadership style seemed not to be in line with the strategic focus of BHP Billiton that the board had set. Therefore failure is not tolerated /taken well among the top management. (Kaye, 2005 52). Entrepreneurial overview Today’s business environment is full of challenges that may hinder corporations from achieving its main objective of high returns and profitability It is due to this that entrepreneurial quality of employees, management and investors that decide if businesses will thrive or die. The porter’s model can be very useful in conducting such analysis because it looks at various industry factors comprehensively to create a reliable report. Porter’s model is a model that looks at five forces which shape any industry it is this forces that will determine how well a company can operate in a give n environment and be able to satisfy its customers and realize a profit. The forces in porter’s model includeAdvertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Threat of new entrants– Barriers are placed by existing companies and regulatory authorities to prevent new entrants from causing abnormal profit flows for existing companies some of the threats including government policies, exploiting cost advantages, access to distribution, capital requirements. In this case the mining industry is known to be very capital-intensive since acquisition of mines and mining equipment is quite expensive. Making this venture of BHP Billiton a good one since the higher the capital structure of an industry the more harder is it for new entrants therefore existing companies such as BHP can earn returns to their investments. Intensity of competitive rivalry among existing firms– firms within the same industry always compete for the available market this can be trough powerful competitive strategies, innovation, structure of industry costs, switching costs, degree of product differentiation and so on Which BHP Billiton is known to apply by scan ning for mines in far regions like DRC Congo, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and Canada. Threat of substitute products or services-consumers can opt to go for substitute products if quality is better, price is relatively better, or the cost of switching is favorable. There are relatively few substitutes to the kind of minerals and products that BHP Billiton offers for example Iron is iron and it has no substitute the same goes for silver and minerals such as oil. This therefore means that the mining industry which is the core business BHP Billiton is highly entrepreneurial and profitable because some of the minerals they mine do not have close substitutes. The bargaining power of customers-the bargaining power of buyers depends on number of buyers within the industry who purchase from the available suppliers, differentiation of products, the profit margin of buyers especially if they are resellers, switching costs that are associated with switching brands and the importance quality and service to the buyers. BY providing high quality and highly differentiated products and the large number of customers demanding their products as compared to its competitors BHP Billiton is able to increase its bargaining power and reduce that of customers. The bargaining power of suppliers-Suppliers who provide raw material can determine the profitability and viability of an industry by setting prices of implements which in turn affect the profit margins. â€Å"The concentration and number of suppliers affect their bargaining power, the importance of the industry to them, the ability of suppliers to integrate forward and the role of quality and service in the industry.† (Casson, 1982 45) According to IBIS Australia’s largest provider of Industry Based research the Australian Mining industry occupies a vital place in the nation’s economy. The Mining division is anticipated to make AN income of approximately $179 billion in 2010-11, A hoist from $120 billio n in 2005-06. Revenue is anticipated to spike by about 20% in 2010-11, having fallen by over 15% in 2009-10 in response to the global economic meltdown. Regardless of that fall, revenue is projected to go up by an average yearly rate of about 7.9% over the five years ending in 2010-11. The division is expected to contribute over 7.1% of Australia’s GDP in 2010-11. According to the linker mining report (Q2 2010) â€Å"an industry forecast following the 2009 recession suggests that the Business Monitor International is highly optimistic on Australia’s mining trade over the newly-extended forecast period to 2014. It is believed that expansion can average just above 6% over the coming five years†. It is expected that mining’s role to GDP rising from 6.79% in 2009 to some 8.17% by 2013, although it may drop slightly in 2014. Competition is also very tight with BHP Billiton having almost over 25 competitors who include heavyweights such as Mobil Exxon, Xstrata, Anglo American and Rio-Tinto. The rise of china also poses a big threat to big corporations such as BHP Billiton. It is therefore right to say the industry presents opportunities and threats threat could either mean do or die for a BHP Billiton but in this case it is vital that the best of the best human resource should be acquired. It is these people who will set strategy and policies that will primarily seize the advantages arising from porter’s model and minimize the shortcomings that arise out of this model. Strategy is a set of long term goals and plans formulated, implemented, evaluated and corrected to achieve positive results that are directly linked to mission, vision, goals and objectives of BPH Billiton. A firms corporate strategy can be of three type these are either growth (dominance), stability, or retrenchment (Bryson 2004 89) in BHP Billiton it is quite clear that it pursues a Growth Corporate directional strategy that insists on diversification of it diffe rent products which all fall under the same mining industry be it gold, silver, oil, manganese or iron. A company may be run by its overall corporate strategy but it is its business strategies that can bring business strategy into reality. There are overall two types of business strategies which are either cooperative or competitive in this case BHP has used both of them. In 2001 June BHP Billiton was formed from a merger this is a business strategy that is cooperative. Currently the company either acquires other companies via negotiations or hostile takeovers this is a good example of a competitive business strategy. Without such business level strategies the top management won’t achieve their goals and the company will not grow and survive in such a competitive industry. Casson (1982 78) notes â€Å"in this hierarchy of strategy the lowest level of strategy is the functional strategy that is formulated and implemented in every functional area to achieve corporate and bus iness unit objectives by maximizing resource productivity.† BHP ensures that all its employees and lowest levels of management deliver unique high quality innovative products. BHP Billiton performs better than its rivals when it comes to delivering products and services thus making it one of the largest and top mining companies. Functional business strategy ensures that functional areas of finance, mining, transport and procurement, marketing, Human resource work smoothly and efficiently. An entrepreneurial audit is an all-inclusive assessment of a firm’s entrepreneurial and innovative distinctiveness. It takes a glance at the ability to recognize and seize when opportunities arise, crafting and sustaining an entrepreneurial environment, analyze the utilization of resources, and comprehend organizational efficiency to maximize time-to-profits. In order for an internal audit to be conducted a critical look of the Internal Environment, Entrepreneurial Culture, Innovatio n practices, Team Dynamics, and Resource distribution (Campbell 2002 88) Competencies of BHP Billiton BHP Billiton key competencies include a large operating capital, its product quality, a large number of rich mines scattered across the world together with a tough human resource team fostering innovative products. The acquisition of Athabasca Potash in Canada this year and the eight year supply contract to deliver over 20 million tons of iron ore to Hyundai motors from 2009 is some of the latest entrepreneurial ventures that BHP Billiton has achieved. Currently BHP Billiton is among the most profitable mining companies with the highest return rates. It is therefore right to say that BHP Billiton is a profitable entrepreneurial venture that jumps ahead of other mining companies to be a fast mover and seize opportunities better. A large capital base enables BHP Billiton be able to operate huge mines that offer huge business potential to them. (Campbell ,2002 48) Current human resou rce systems in BHP Billiton The human resource purpose is to focus on recruitment, administration, and providing direction for the human resource who work in the organization. Such a department handles a wide array of tasks which include hiring, firing, performance management, handling of benefits, employee motivation, and training. The presence of a good human resource system ensures that health and safety in workplace is there, no harassment occurs, and that gain sharing is individualized to reward the ones responsible for success.BHP Billiton has a good human resource system that many multinational companies desire to acquire. BHP has systems and policies that are put in place to ensure equal employment opportunities and the same goes for promotion. â€Å"The management style of BHP Billiton aims to ensure safety among its workforce, integrity, high performance, win-win relationship together with respect for each other.† (Appelbaum, et al 1998 79). BHP Billiton has both i nternal and external systems of recruiting employees. Graduates once a year have a chance to join the organization, these also applies to other first time employees. But in order to encourage employee participation and motivation BHP Billiton also gives a lot consideration to internal employees while giving promotions. It is by use of software that the company ensures equal opportunities in employment, and management of its diverse workforce and be able to manage its vast talents to achieve its impeccable status to date. BHP Billiton has put in place superior human resource management practices which include software HR SAP and other human resource information systems (HRIS) that aim to Manage Personnel, Administer Recruitment, manage Time, manage Payroll Compensation, Planning Budget for human resource Development Training. Individual personal information of every employee including their key competencies is stored to assist in implementing the human resource strategies, and alloc ating them to places where they are best needed. The should be picture The biggest challenge to date is the inability of BHP Billiton to successfully handle the problems related to its workforce diversity. It seems mine workers in regions liked Africa and South America have complained that the gain sharing structures do not favor them, and therefore they see some in equality. (Porter, 2004 89).A company an efficient Human resource system should therefore be able to manage its workforce diversity faultlessly. Recommendations and implementation issues The should be picture contains the following recommendations, for a manager to successfully handle workplace diversity, Camillus, (1986, 89) suggests that a HR Manager needs to alter from an ethnocentric managerial style (â€Å"our way is the best way†) to a multi-ethnocentric perspective of (â€Å"let’s take the best of a variety of ways†). In addition, the human resource managers must guarantee the local professio nals that these foreign talents pose no risk to their career advancements Kourdi, (2009, 26).The entrepreneurial culture is a culture of working hard and moving resources from an area of low utility to an area of high utility to realize profits. BHP Billiton should strive to create a good gain sharing technique that aims to reward the best of their employees no matter what their cultural diversity. Gains are calculated and distributions are made regularly through a prearranged formula. Because organizations create programs that reward employees only when gains are realized by the company thus creating a win- win situation therefore adversely affect company costs. (Worthington Britton, 2009 90) Therefore a mentorship program should be put in place to mentor employees and let them know that their cultural diversity is aligned to the entrepreneurial spirit to the company but talent is all that counts therefore controlling and measuring performance should be at the backbone of BHP Bill iton’s policies. Human resource management systems should strive to organize talents and locate them where needed accurately and lead from the front by preaching water and drinking water. (Carsrud, et al 2007, 26). Handling resistance to change To overcome resistance to change managers may often involve the people who will be affected by the change. Communicate a good reason that has lead to the change people will always resist change that lacks a good reason. Choose a champion for the change, (It is vital to have a respected person in charge of the process) who will therefore marshal other employees to accept change for its good. Create a transition management team. (No one personality is compelling or talented enough to execute an organizational change). Provide training in new values, skills, and behaviors. (Change normally involves new competencies) and by training employees you increase their moral and the faith they have in themselves therefore making them accept chan ge. Bring in outside help if necessary. (Most superior managers are not trained in facilitating organizational change and therefore outsourcing may be necessary). Reward people in a way that is proportionate to the gain they are expected to bring to the organization as soon as they embrace the change (This is because reward systems motivate people towards changing). References Appelbaum, A. 1998. Strategic organizational change: the role of leadership, learning, motivation and productivity. Management Decision Vol. 36, no. 5 pp. 289–301. Bryson, J., 2004 Creating and implementing your strategic plan: a workbook for public and nonprofit organizations, 2nd edition. Hoboken,NJ: Wiley and Sons. Camillus, J., 1986. Strategic planning and management control: systems for survival and Success Lexington, KY: Lexington Books. Campbell , D. 2002. Business Strategy An Introduction, New York: A Butterworth-Heinemann . Casson, M. 1982. The entrepreneur: an economic theory, Illustrated edit ion, Manhattan: Rowman Littlefield. Carsrud, A., Malin E. 2007. Entrepreneurship,Illustrated edition, Melbourne: Greenwood Publishing Group. Kaye, J., 2005. Simplified strategic planning, a no-nonsense guide for busy people who want results fast. Worcester, MA: Chandler House Press. Kourdi, J., 2009. Business Strategy: A Guide to Effective Decision Making, 2 editions, New York: Economist books. Porter, M., 2004. Competitive advantage, Northampton, MA: Free press. Worthington, I., Britton, C., 2009. Business environment, 6th edition, Vancouver, Canada: Pearson Education This report on Entrepreneurial Audit Report on an existing business was written and submitted by user Adr1el to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants Carnivorous plants are plants that capture, kill, and digest animal organisms. Like all plants, carnivorous plants are capable of photosynthesis. Since they usually live in areas where the soil quality is poor, they must supplement their diet with nutrients gained from digesting animals. Like other flowering plants, carnivorous plants use tricks to entice insects. These plants have developed specialized leaves that work to lure and then trap unsuspecting insects. Key Takeaways Carnivorous plants are plants that have the ability to eat animal organisms. These highly specialized plants are able to both lure and trap insects.The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is the most well known of the carnivorous plants. They live in wet areas such as bogs and swamps.Sundews are covered in tentacles. Their tentacles make a sticky dew-like substance that attracts insects.Bladderworts are plants that dont have roots and are often found in aquatic areas and in areas with wet soil. They capture insects via a trapdoor.Other examples of carnivorous plants include tropical pitcher plants and North American pitcher plants. There are several genera of carnivorous plants and hundreds of carnivorous plant species. Here are some of my favorite genera of carnivorous plants: Flytraps - Dionaea muscipula Dionaea muscipula, also known as the Venus flytrap, is probably the most well known of the carnivorous plants. Insects are lured into the mouth-like leaves by nectar. Once an insect enters the trap it touches tiny hairs on the leaves. This sends impulses through the plant triggering the leaves to close. Glands located in the leaves release enzymes that digest the prey and the nutrients are absorbed by the leaves. Flies, ants, and other bugs are not the only animals that the flytrap may snare. Frogs and other small vertebrates may sometimes become trapped by the plant as well. Venus flytraps live in wet, nutrient-poor environments, such as bogs, wet savannas, and swamps. Sundews - Drosera Sundew feeding on a green lacewing. Reinhard Dirscherl/WaterFrame/Getty Images Plus Species of plants from the genus Drosera are called Sundews. These plants live in wet biomes, including marshes, bogs, and swamps. Sundews are covered with tentacles that produce a sticky dew-like substance that glitters in the sunlight. Insects and other small creatures are attracted to the dew and become stuck when they land on the leaves. The tentacles then close around the insects and digestive enzymes break down the prey. Sundews typically capture flies, mosquitoes, moths, and spiders. Tropical Pitchers - Nepenthes Plant species from the genus Nepenthes are known as Tropical Pitcher plants or Monkey Cups. These plants are typically found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The leaves of pitcher plants are brightly colored and shaped like pitchers. Insects are lured to the plant by the bright colors and nectar. The inside walls of the leaves are covered with waxy scales that make them very slippery. Insects may slip and fall to the bottom of the pitcher where the plant secretes digestive fluids. Large pitcher plants have been known to trap small frogs, snakes, and even birds. North American Pitchers - Sarracenia Species from the genus Sarracenia are called North American Pitcher plants. These plants inhabit grassy marshes, swamps, and other wetlands. The leaves of Sarracenia plants are also shaped like pitchers. Insects are lured to the plant by nectar and may slip from the edge of the leaves and fall to the bottom of the pitcher. In some species, the insects die when they drown in water that has accumulated at the bottom of the pitcher. They are then digested by enzymes that are released into the water. Bladderworts - Utricularia Utricularia australis (bladderwort). Paul Starosta/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images Plus Species of Utricularia are known as Bladderworts. The name comes from the tiny sacs, which resemble bladders, that are located on the stems and leaves. Bladderworts are rootless plants found in aquatic areas and in wet soil. These plants have a trapdoor mechanism for capturing prey. The sacs have a small membrane cover that acts as a door. Their oval shape creates a vacuum that sucks in tiny insects when they trigger hairs that are located around the door. Digestive enzymes are then released inside the sacs to digest the prey. Bladderworts consume aquatic invertebrates, water fleas, insect larvae, and even small fish. More About Carnivorous Plants For more information about carnivorous plants, take a look at the Carnivorous Plant Database and The Carnivorous Plant FAQ. Sources Reece, Jane B., and Neil A. Campbell. Campbell Biology. Benjamin Cummings, 2011.

Scenario of judgement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Scenario of judgement - Essay Example Emotional management is a self-explanatory term, however very difficult for a teen to understand. The emotions mixed with hormones create a nearly impossible to control mix of impulsivity and emotional uproar. This makes it much more likely for a teen to act on a whim, particularly when it comes to sex. The stigma attached to sex is overwhelming, and the teen in this situation cannot contain them, as their ability to manage these feelings is underdeveloped. Emotional perception and expression is the capacity to understand and recognize one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, whether they are positive or negative. Teens in general have great difficulty in controlling their emotions. In this scenario, the girl thinks that she is â€Å"in love† with her boyfriend, but the most probable emotions that she is feeling are lust, as these physical and mental feelings are new and exciting. Also within this teen’s immaturity, she likely will not have a very h igh level of emotional understanding. This complex ability involves being capable of labeling emotions with words, comprehend the source and consequence of these new emotions and distinguish the connections in them. Teens’ emotions are highly volatile, often experiencing feelings WISE JUDGMENT SCENARIO 2 that they do not understand, or have a feasible explanation as to why these emotions are occurring in them. In this scenario, the teen girl believes she is â€Å"in love†, and is thus considering having sex without a firm grasp on the consequences of this sensation. This young teen girl’s emotional facilitation of thought can be used to contain these emotions, to allow her to make a better, decision that is more thoughtful. However, in all likelihood, she is simply too immature emotionally to be able to use this emotional facilitation. A very important characteristic of emotional intelligence is the ability for the teen to understand her diverse and often contra dictory feelings. These changes over the course of time in every individual, and it is doubtful that she will have a solid grasp of this concept until she is older and more emotionally mature. Within the realm of successful intelligence, Robert Sternberg (1996) believes that to be successful, you must think well creatively, practically, and analytically. Creative thinking is an inborn trait, in my opinion, that varies by individual. While some are creative in an abstract way, others’ creativity is more tangible. For many teens faced with the aspect of having sex, their creative thought often steers them to find a way to get away with it. The scenario of teens having sex is not a sign of practical thought processes. Given that their emotions and hormones are erratic, they are generally irrational thinkers, only giving cause for thought to the act of sex, not about the consequences of following through with it. In addition, on a practical level, most teens do not give much thou ght to the potential outcomes of having sex, such as a sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy. Analytical thinking is a difficult task for many teens, as it involves taking an in-depth WISE JUDGMENT SCENARIO 3 look at the situation, then making a decision. Given that teens are overall impulsive and irrational, analytical thought probably will not come to fruition in their minds until it is too late. Wisdom is a trait that comes with maturity, as being wise allows the

Issues impeding the reconciliation of South Korea and Japan Research Paper

Issues impeding the reconciliation of South Korea and Japan - Research Paper Example For Hideyoshi’s army to mobilize easily to China, he had to pass through Korea. Hideyoshi deciced to claim Korea by conquest, but with the sole purpose of merely passing through and making the Kingdom of Korea serve under his rule. That expectation did not go as planned as the initially weak Korean defense stiffened as they became more organized and relentless. It is also noted that the Chinese Ming sent an army to support the Koreans in their defense when it was apparent that the Japanese really intended to make a push for China. This bogged down the Japanese’ first invasion attempt. The second attempt to invade Korea was far more brutal as it is noted here: His second invasion of  Korea  was more about saving face than conquest: he wanted to demonstrate to the Chinese that he did not fear them or feel subservient in any way. He also wanted to punish the Koreans for resisting him. In the first invasion he had hopes of winning them over, and thus had ordered his troops to treat civilians well so long as they were compliant. There would be none of this in the second invasion. Hideyoshi wanted the Koreans killed, soldiers and civilians alike, and evidence of the slaughter sent back to him in  Japan. (Hawley, â€Å"The Imjin War: Part 2†) Though the Japanese pushed further in their second invasion attempt, the combined force of the Korean and Ming soldiers halted them, and much of Japan’s defeat was due to the skillful and daring capability of the Korean navy. When Hideyoshi finally died due to illness, the invasion was called off. Centuries after, there was the Japanese imperial expansion prior and during World War II. When Japanese Imperial Forces marched through Korea, they pillaged cities and committed murder on civilian populations. Many Japanese soldiers, out of cruel whim, took many Korean girls and women for their own pleasure. As such, the euphemism "comfort women" (ianfu) was coined by

Biomedical And Biopsychosocial Models

Biomedical And Biopsychosocial Models Health may be defined as the absence of disease and infirmary (Stroebe, 2000) or alternatively not merely an absence of disease or infirmary but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being (World Health Organisation, 1948). One definition more elaborate than the other, the latter suggesting health is effected by other factors that cannot be physically measured. Since the start of evolution people have looked back to try to explain and understand the factors that influence human functions in relation to health and illness. Many theorists developed perspectives and models of health in order to show health professionals how to promote and improve health in society (Wade Halligan, 2004). Two varying models of health, illness and disease will be discussed in this essay and how they could be applied to Dietetics. These models are the biomedical model and the biopsychosocial model. The use of one model over another in healthcare will be reflected on and the one most suitable for use in Dietetics will be highlighted. The biomedical model of illness concentrates on the physical and biological traits of disease, and to cure these traits will cure disease (Engel, 1977). Biomedical theorists have a dualist belief in that the body is a machine only understandable subjectively by its compartments, separate from the mind (Morrisson Bennet, 2006). Much science today stemmed from knowledge of physical diseases from years ago that were treated quickly and efficiently using rules and rationales for treatment, with the resulting consequence being cure, control or death. This biomedical model of health dominated healthcare in the past century as all disease was thought to stem from cellular abnormalities (Wade Halligan, 2004). It was exclusionist in its form in that those who suffered from various social deviation disorders, social adjustments reactions, character disorders, and dependency syndromes would be excluded from mental illness as these disorders arise in those with intact neurophysiological functioning (Engel, 1977). So what were the consequences of those who did not fit into this category? Unfortunately many were forgotten and ignored, or more extremely in the 1700s shock tactics were used to bring them back to being normal (Bernstein Nash, 2008). Alternatively following in a similar framework of the WHOs definition of health, the biopsycholsocial model of health incorporates biological, psychological and sociocultural factors that contribute to someones health. It was Sigmund Freud who first looked at a persons behaviour in the 1920s and investigated how it may reflect their health status; although evidence was limited it built the ground work for interesting studies that would link personality to disease (Morrisson Bennett, 2006). Convincingly, today, it is thought two-thirds of our behaviour can be linked to our health (Morrisson Bennet, 2006). The biopsychosocial model is both objective and subjective in its application. With this, a humanistic approach can be taken and it is thought that behaviour disorders appear when self-actualisation is blocked. The dietitian using this model would look at a persons lifestyle, and social and cultural factors that affect the individuals health behaviour. Reasons behind this behaviour can be established and methods for changing it to improve health can be established. Dietetic assessment encourages the dietitian to identify with the patient potential and actual health problems. While some problems will be linked to specific medical conditions e.g. Chrons Disease, others will be specific to individuals, their psychology and their social and cultural status e.g. obesity (Aggelton Chalmers, 2000). In doing this the patient is more likely to comprehend and accept the advice and therefore comply with treatment. If a biomedical model of assessment was used, a dietitian would be more interested in what is medically wrong with the patient, focus on signs and symptoms, and problems that arise from illness that can be solved. The dietitian would give a general list of rules for the obese patient to comply with to reduce their weight in a general hierarchical manner. Important questions such as, does the patient understand? Can they afford a healthier diet? and what resources do they need to help control further implications of their disease? would ultimately be neglected. As one can see, the patient would have little or no responsibility of the cause of illness and therefore is classed as a victim of circumstance who becomes a passive recipient of treatment by using a biomedical model in consultations (Wade Halligan, 2004). Engel (1977) supported the idea of using a biopsychosocial model in healthcare so as to give care and treatment holistically to patients. He suggests that by integrating an illness into someones life and showing them solutions to problems that may arise encourages a patient to see how they can cope with their illness or disease. In a hospital the function of a multidisciplinary team is to see a disease from every disciplines point of view and to show how each discipline can contribute to the patients individual care and symptom management when living with their illness. This collaboration of ideas will look at medical, social, psychological, cultural, and physical aspects of care. The patient is more likely to engage and comply with interventions if they are happy with their treatment and the practitioners involved (Stroebe, 2000). However when using the biomedical model and setting orders for the patient, a patient-dietitian relationship may be effected which will cause strain on the overall patient outcome, e.g. if a patients concerns are neglected by a dietitian they are less likely to comply with treatment and more likely to get stressed on seeing that dietitian (Engel, 1977). Increase in stress levels like this can increase blood sugar levels and blood pressure during a hospital stay thus affecting a pa tients length of stay in hospital. The evidence suggests that a persons emotional state always reflects their function and presentation of symptoms, hence using a biomedical model in assessment can lead to a practitioner ignoring potential route causes of a patients problem (Stroebe, 2000). A case in point is eating disorders. There are so many avenues that contribute to an eating disorder and no single cause or symptoms can lead to diagnosis but a complex string of symptoms that will lead to a summative diagnosis (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 2010). A biopsychosocial model of health would help the practitioner to look beyond the patient sitting in front of them into the various factors in that patients life and how this may affect their eating habits and patterns. By delving further into this patients life the practitioner could get a wider picture of behavioural, psychological, cultural and environmental influences on these patients eating habits. It is recommended in this situation, being very complex, a practitioner would need a variety of motivational interviewing skills and have knowledge of cognitive behavioural therapy (American Dietetic Association, 2001). Alternatively, if a dietitian was to use a biomedical model of health many issues would be left untreated as only the problem of weight loss and malnutrition would be managed, when it is scientifically proven that many other emotional complexities play a pivotal role in eating disorders (ADA, 2001). It could then be summarised then, that from a traditional point of view, using a biomedical model does not allow one to look to reduce mortality rates but rather partially contributes to improvements in healthcare together with other factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, emotions and sanitation. On the other hand by using a biopsychosocial model one can look at health promotion and primary prevention of illnesses and disease (Stroebe, 2000). The WHO (2005) offer ten major lifestyle contributors to over half of the worlds deaths these include, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, alcohol and obesity. Consequently by using a biopsychosocial model of health a dietitian can highlight contributors of ill-health for a patient at high risk of developing complications or disease. The Dietitian is in a position to help the patient reduce this risk and gain control of their own health, i.e. self-efficacy, through behaviour change techniques. From the literature it is evident to see that using a biopsychosocial model of healthcare incorporates the philosophies of a biomedical model however, the former has wider appeal in that it examines more than biological factors associated with illness and disease. By using a biopsychosocial model one would expect to, highlight areas in healthcare that need to improve, identify places where health promotion needs to be established, and establish the best patient care possible. Although it is not possible to completely neglect the biomedical model, after all, it did lead theorists to further studies and help our healthcare system find cures for specific diseases in the early centuries. However as time goes by research improves and with that healthcare should improve. As a result of all these findings, one can then conclude that a biopsychosocial model of health would be better suited to Dietetic practice. This approach allows one to reflect on individual patients and their needs, and also emphasises Dietitians responsibilities as healthcare professionals to provide holistic evidence based care.

Grapes of Wrath Essay -- essays research papers

Because of the devastating disaster of the dust bowl, the Joad family was forced to leave their long-time home and find work and a new life elsewhere. They, like many other families, moved to California. "The land of milk and honey". The people in the dust bowl imagined California as a haven of jobs where they would have a nice little white house and as much fruit as they could eat. This dream was far from the reality the migrant farmers faced once in California. The dreams, hopes, and expectations the Joads had of California were crushed by the reality of the actual situation in this land of hate and prejudice. The Joads dream of owning a nice white house and being overwhelmed with fruit was quickly put to end after their first night in California. Ma says, "But I like to think how nice it's gonna be, maybe, in California. Never cold. An' fruite ever'place, an' people just bein' in the nicest places, little white houses in among the orange trees." They had been lied to by the handbills and other propaganda that was circulating in the dust bowl region. The growers in California knew that the people of the dust bowl would have to leave their houses because of the crisis. They also knew the more pickers they had the lower they could make their prices. The number of handbills sent out far out numbered the number of jobs available. Many people in the dust bowl were constructing a view of California that was devastatingly false. However most of the people had to go somewhere, and all they knew was agriculture, so the natural thing was to go to the only place in the country at that time that was in peak agricultural condition. This was all true in the case of the Joads. They had no experience with any other kind of lifestyle. They were farmers and they thought that was what they would remain. What they became was job hunters, starving and hungry people, and homeless vagrants. California was no dream land, but the exact opposite. A promised heaven that was revealed to be a very real hell. During the long journey to California the Joads, and other migrant travelers, encountered many warnings of what California was going to be like from migrants who were returning home, mostly destroyed by the true reality of California. They got a warning in the camp they stayed at on the side of the road while Tom, Al, and Casey were fixing the car. There was... ...t at the end of the tunnel because if they stayed where they were they would surely have not survived. The Joads couldn't stay where they were and without a goal to reach, something to look forward to, one just wanders around life aimlessly and hopelessly. They kept the dream alive throughout the journey. Even through the harsh rumors they heard along the road. They still kept that fragment of hope in the back of their heads that California would be everything they hoped it would be. Even in their worst times in California they would still look forward to earning enough money and getting a little white house to live in. Their lives really were destroyed when the dust bowl hit but no one can except those facts so they must tell themselves it will be all right. We will go to California and everything will be even better there than it was here. Unfortunately that wasn't the reality of the situation and the Joads were forced to deal with that harsh reality once in California and on t he hard long journey there. California was no dream land, but rather a sealed fate to a life of fighting for food and watching loved ones die. California was the pain of the migrants summed up in one word.

How to have a relationship Essay

? A relationship is a way of connecting. The connection could be between people or objects. Listening to my grandmother talk about relationships helped me understand how things have completely changed over times. My grandmother stated that relationships where more valued back then and people stayed together for all the right reasons. She informed me that when you loved someone you loved them like no other. When it came to marriage they lasted longer than they do now. Having a relationship with someone was the thing to do. At one time relationships actually had meaning people were with each other because they loved them. This showed me the commitment part of relationships, when people actually stayed faithful to the person they were with. Nowadays men and woman say I love you just for the fun of it. But be honest everyone you know or knew either ant’s a relationship, has a relationship or has played a role in one either as the main lover or the sideline. Relationships are complicated, complex commitments that we take seriously or play around with like a rag doll. Serious relationships start from the mind knowing what it is that you want how you want it and how you’re going to get it is the first step in committing to a relationship. Yes commitment can be very hard to do. Especially when were accustomed to doing things our own way; without having to answer to someone else. Understanding the person you are trying to commit to is a good way to start a serious relationship. It is important to gather as much information as possible and take as much time as needed to ensure that you know the person that you are in a relationship with. Taking the steps and looking at past relationships can help you understand if the relationship might be what you are looking for in life. It is true that no matter how long you have known a person you may never truly know who that person really is. It is also important to know what we want before committing ourselves in. Whether that relationship is a marriage or just a boyfriend/ girlfriend committing to someone should begin with feelings being involved. Relationships become complicated when you have disagreements, other people etc. I feel that it takes two to make a relationship work and if both parties are not commented then it will never work. It’s like the eighty-twenty rule which explains that one person is giving there all and all and the other person only gives what is necessary at that time. How can a relationship work if both parties are not on the same level and are not committed to each other? Complicating in relationships come from problems that we cause ourselves, from not committing or giving our all to the relationship. As for myself I’ve had a few relationships in my day. Some good ones and then some that I would give anything to take back and wish that I had never committed myself to. Not saying that you would have the same outcome as I did but just make sure that the love is real. If we go into a relationship knowing that we are not there for a long time then it makes the relationship less complicated. In these type situations just make sure that you inform the person with how you feel before going into the relationship. It is important to have a clean understanding of what each party wants. Having false feelings in a relationship can be the most hurtful thing when you actually find out so therefore try to avoid coming into these situations. Communication is a huge part of a serious successful relationship. Communicating with your partner is a very good stress reliever and understanding method. Having communication builds trust and loyalty, which are two other things that are very important in a relationship. When a person is in a relationship they expect their partner to be understanding, have good listening skills and be there when they need you. Sometimes it’s just best to sit back and listen to what the other person had to say. You never know what you might learn about your partner if you just listen. Always remember to keep the lines of communication open throughout the relationship. For me, I think that one of my biggest downfalls in previous relationships is the lack of communication between my partner and me. I also have problems with my partner not being able to support himself and maybe even helping me every now and then, don’t get me wrong I’m not asking him to take care of me in no means what so ever but help every now and then would be good. As I did research on the topic of relationships, I learned that there are several steps that can be taken to have a successful relationship. First it is important to ensure that you trust your partner. Does your partner’s communication lift you just to bring you right back down? How do you and your partner deal with conflict in your relationship? Do you have compatible financial values? When you are thinking about starting a new relationship think about some of these questions. They might help you to understand the relationship better and if that’s what you really want. Maintaining a trusting and lasting relationship is going to require some work on both sides and especially in these times. As long as there is trust and communication between both parties then there is a good chance that the relationship will work. I plan to take my time and know the person that I intend to be in a serious relationship with. I don’t want to hurt anyone and I definitely don’t want to be hurt. I look forward to finding love one day that is meaningful and lasting but until then I will continue to inform my partner how I feel and what I am looking for in the beginning. I will ensure the line of communication stays open.