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Abstract

An earthquake can be described as natural phenomena that cause shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface. Earthquakes cause lots of damage to property and even result in deaths. The destruction caused by an earthquake depends on the magnitude and the depth at which it occurs. Earthquakes have been experienced in various parts of the world including Haiti, Japan and New Zealand among others. An earthquake cannot be prevented from happening as it is a natural occurrence; however, its damages can be reduced by taking inhibition measures. This paper seeks to deal with how earthquakes can be mitigated and the obstacles facing measures mitigation.

Introduction

Most of the disasters faced by man in today’s world are attributed to the rapid growth in population especially in the cities. Normally, the cities expansion is unplanned which makes it prone to natural and manmade risk disasters like earthquakes and landslides. Most of the natural disasters may not be avoided but its consequences can be minimized. Urban sprawl can be avoided; early warning systems developed and planned disaster management strategies put in place (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Impediments for disaster prevention in megacities

One of the obstacles to disasters prevention in megacities is implementation of policies. Implementation of disaster management measures in megacities have not been put in place due to political, social and economic obstacles. Prevention is seen as costly and does not go hand in hand with economic development goals. In addition, where there are already scarce economic resources to meet human needs, risk mitigation become the least national priority (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Rapid population growth is another hindrance to disaster mitigation measures in megacities. The available social amenities in the city are strained, thus unplanned construction projects take place in order to accommodate the ever rising population. Normally, these project developers do not consider environmental constraints and as a result new hazards may be caused and existing ones triggered (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Also, poverty increases disaster occurrence and the reverse is also true. In most developing countries, urban sprawl is attributed to poor development policies unlike the developed countries where such is because of industrialization. The slum areas are the most populated in such cities with use of poor technology in construction. This renders the city vulnerable to disasters as the carrying capacity of the natural environment cannot support the urban growth (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Strategies for addressing barriers to disaster prevention

Disaster preparedness: this involves the early warning systems being put in place so as to predict and allow the people to avoid the disaster before it strikes. It is normally done prior to a foreseen disaster. Regions like Japan that have been hit by earthquake have put these measures in place (Mitchell, 1999).

Sustainable urban planning: this is the adoption of high technology in building codes as seen in Haiti where constructions of buildings that can resist earthquake have been built. By adopting quality building codes, the local planning authorities have the opportunity of curbing the future natural disasters (Mitchell, 1999).

Adopting sustainable development in disaster prevention: non-technological alternatives provide the best opportunities in mitigation of natural hazards thus alternatives should be provided (Mitchell, 1999).

Conclusion

Lives of many people are disrupted by natural catastrophes such as earthquakes through displacement, livelihood and property damage, injuries and even death. Prevention is a responsibility to all citizens of a regions affected by earthquakes. In order to attain sustainable prevention strategies, it is necessary to devote all efforts to prevention measures such as prevention education and disaster preparedness. The government policies and programs that prevent natural disasters from recurring should be made and implemented.

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Many baseball players have been tested for use of prohibited or rather burned steroids. Research has revealed that most professional players indulge in this act in order to boost their performance during the game; these steroids are meant to increase the protein synthesis level, resulting to large body mass and extraordinary strength. It is obvious that the above features enable athletes to perform very well especially in field and track events, bearing in mind that sports athletes require explosive energy during this activities.

However, there are speculations that baseball players don’t find it necessary to use steroid for performance enhancement as the way the game is played, since the presumption of explosive strength a hitter could be used to bat the ball with extreme force and also the hitter must make contact with the ball first and the increase in body mass may hinder this actions (Schmotzer, Kilgo and Switchenko,  22).

Steroids are just a single type of drug that an athlete may use; there are divided into classes, high performance popularly known as performance enhancing drugs (PED);

These drugs incorporate the growth hormones in human beings and are responsible for building muscle and general body mass. A report dabbed ‘Mitchell Report’ written by former Senator George Mitchell submitted to the commissioner of Major league baseball, showing the magnitude to which (PED) and steroids had been abused in the larger fraternity of baseball. The summarized report involved top league baseball players and touched on the season that is rampantly used and the type of PED used by the accused.

Steroids were first tested in 1991, but major testing for the baseball players started in 2003. A series of injuries and changes in nature resulted in rapid increase of steroids being used among the players. Furthermore these injuries transformed to other ailments due to large muscle moving away from the bones that cannot support them. Harsh penalties were put in place for the players who tested positive in 2003 and they range from counseling for the first test failure to a suspension of one at maximum for a fifth offence. Majority of this test were conducted on random basis to keep players steroid free at all times, stricter penalties were imposed to victims in 2005 and included ten days unpaid for the period of suspension in first offence and a life burn for the fifth offence (Assael 2005).

Dr. Harrison Pope of McLean hospital in Belmont agrees that steroids work effectively to users, but it shortens their life span by a significant duration although specific time is still not known, since the life expectancy of a major baseball player cannot be perfectly predicted (Baily 2003). Steroid brings a form of elusion that while a player’s performance increases in the pitch the gains are not achieved through the required process like more hours of practice, less intake in alcohol and other dangerous effects that can result from luxuries.  Steroid users’ posses a notion that they can get richer within a shorter time and less cost is incurred as compared to achieving the success without steroids (Osborne 2005).  Children in the society should be educated and protected from viewing these players as their role models, since they can easily fall into using steroids when they grow up.

Athletes also purchase over the counter drugs, example of creatine; a supplement that most manufacturers claim that they don’t come with side effects and boosts body strength within a short period of time, although some nutritional supplements may not be harmful when consumed in small doses, but when mixed with other components like alcohol and aspirin they can affect the normal functioning of the body. Creatine has been linked to muscle injuries and kidney complications, also it has been associated with diarrhea and cramping.

When anabolic steroid is not correctly used it can really cause dangerous complications from high blood pressure, liver damage, cancer, heart disease and even blood clots. There are various side effects that are associated with steroid and have these symptoms; risk of ligaments, nausea, severe body ache and vomiting among others.

Performance enhancing drugs should have zero tolerance in Major league baseball players, since it tarnishes the picture of the beautiful sport especially in the Latin America. Nevertheless, these drugs destroy our young stars and even rip them of their careers forever; Countries should practice very strict policy measures to help curb these drug malpractices within the society. Pharmaceuticals should not be allowed to sell drug s over the counter and those who are found committing these offences should be punished.

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The world is meant to be a liberalized place; nevertheless, the harm principle provides sufficient proof for the need for the curtailment of the free speech. Ideally, very few speeches are meant to be restricted (Lucas, E, p 29). In essence, the restriction is only aimed at ensuring that the speaker and the perceived audience both remain content with the message.  It is also worthy hastening to add that the contention does not necessarily imply agreement with the speech, however  provided the speaker does not, in any way, infringe on the rights of others, freedom of expression should be given.

In a liberal society, the whole issue of free speech is very contentious. In retrospect, speech does not necessarily cause harm but it does become very offensive. Whether the speech is offensive or harmful, curtailment based on democratic reasons is relatively protracted and acceptable. The analysis of the entire concept of freedom of speech therefore presents a very multifaceted idea, traversing bounds of paternity, offensiveness, morality and the idea of pornography. The analysis of the issue therefore imperatively looks at these inalienable concepts.

According to Fish, there is no freedom of speech. For him, speech is neither independent nor is it free, but it is short and of political returns. Presumably, there is no society that does not attach limitations to speech. Virtually every society has some hidden but extensive curtailment on the speech. Further, Stuart (Petley, J., p 203) cements the entire contention by arguing that there is always inherent competition between authority and liberty. Ultimate, one carries the day and both of them would not coexists without conflicting interests.

                        In the light of Stuart’s argument, it is myopic to argue for unlimited speech domain. In addition, it is quite unrealistic arguing for such a course. The central components of speech that should be emphasized should be the value placed on the speech and the speech should be given in some ideal and good setting. Nonetheless, extensive speech limit slips one into a tyrannical and censorship world. The contrary presents an equal challenge that tends more towards social anarchy.

            Appreciably, the freedom of speech is available; however the shear fact that one does not exist in isolation does imply that our actions will always be contained by the actions of those whom we live or interact with. Ideally, blanket acceptance of speech of whatever standards goes as far as implying that the there should be no prohibition of libelous speeches, release of state secrets and child pornography (Petley, J., p 197). If we consider these actions that would have far reaching ramifications, then we can accept that there is need to place a limit on the freedom of speech.

Stuart argues that if man had the same opinion over, then there could be no need to curtail the freedom of speech. According to Stuart, (Peonidis, F., p 609) one can only push his argument through if they are allowed to have freedom of speech. Through free speech, one can always push his argument to the preferred logical end. In the light of Stuart, (Eisenach E J., p 67) the act of speech curtailment is simply meant to regulate the actions of the political class. It doing this, Stuart asserts that one adheres to the harm principle. Contextually, the principle implies that the any speech given should not invade on the rights of any other person. Coincidently, the extent of the harm caused by speech is undefined. For the liberals free speech is utterly unconceivable and it was evidenced when at some occasion, the free speeches invaded on individuals’ rights.

Stuart argues (Cohen-Eliya, M., Hammer, Y p 172) that some harm may be caused by speech indirectly. For example, if one does make a statement implicating another person then such could be harmful to the individual who is implicated. Ideally, the speech tends to imply that the implicated person was up to some mischief, ultimate; harm is caused (Knight, A., p 83). Essentially, the whole speech amounts to libel.

There are speeches that would simply lead to blackmail.  Where the speech puts blame on someone who is not responsible for the actions placed upon him. In addition, if speech is given blanket green light, then advertisements would take advantage of this state and give the wrong information to consumers.

This may ultimately translate to harm. Besides, the blatant lies told to the market would end up causing losses in society or to the individuals who happen to fall prey (Lucas, E, p 32). Under such circumstances, one will argue that one has committed some harm and that subsequently the rights of an individual have been violated.

In accordance to Feinberg’s offensive principle, rather than curtailment of speech in total, some expression could be legitimately prohibited particularly those that were very offensive. For Feinberg, offending someone was less offensive that harming someone (O’Rourke K C., p 67). Yet the whole act or feeling of offense is utterly undefined. Feinberg argues that because many people tend to take offense simply because of overly sensitive dispositions. In extreme cases, he argues, individuals get offended because of bigotry and unnecessary prejudice.

Despite the difficulties in applying these standards, the offense principle is commonly and expeditiously applied in liberal democracies (Bracken H M., p 23). In these democracies, citizens are penalized for varied activities including speech. Feinberg postulates that various factors are supposed to be taken into account when deciding whether speech can be limited by the offense principle (Newman, C.G., p 192). This is inclusive of the extent, duration and social value of the speech, the ease with which it can be avoided, the motives of the speaker, the number of people offended the intensity of the offense, and the general interest of the community at large.

Pornography, for instance is very offensive given its violent or degrading content. The offense here is quite profound (Eileen B, p 316). By any standards the simple knowledge that the film of the movies does exist is in itself very offending. The challenge is that the shear knowledge elicits such offense. However, allowing the films to be banned because some individuals get offended because of the existence of the film even without watching them is quite illogical; logical (Mahoney K., p 25) consistency does demand that allowance is given for prohibiting numerous forms of expression.

Though Stuart appears fully opposed to the whole idea of speech limitation, he accepts that there are instances where some interventions are warranted. Fish looks at the whole concept differently any how. He argues that in certain cases it is the speaker who needs protection and not those listening. Ideally for Stuart, the speaker may just be perceived wrongly and therefore there is the dire need for the speaker’s protection.

In addition, Fish (Loury G C, p 29) argues that the speaker would not be aware of the dire consequences of the speech. In the realm of paternalistic intervention, the state is supposed to know what is right and wrong for its citizens. Fish therefore argues that the state should regulate the freedom of speech and should evaluate thereof the speeches.

It is evidently clear that liberal have a tendency to unite in opposing paternalistic and moralistic justifications for limiting free expression. Liberals have a presumption that favors individual liberty. This, it’s argued, is the sole method through which the autonomy of any person would be respected.  Prohibiting speech for some reason besides the discussed implies that one has to content with the fact that it is permissible to put some limit particular as a result of the nasty content (Loury G C, p 21). According to Feinberg, it is morally legitimate for any government, through law, to prohibit certain action.

Fervently, actions would be deemed evil if they appear or pose some danger to the traditional mode of life (Ripstein A., p 31). Take pornography for example, the materials are termed wrong because of the moral harm they pose to the customer. For liberals, it is not the responsibility f the state to mold the moral character of its citizens and therefore by entering into such matters means overstepping.

In conclusion, freedom of speech is most welcome. However, the speech should not infringe in other people rights. Subsequent, given that there is some likelihood of speech infringing into other people’s rights, the state should prohibit legitimately some types of speech that it so feels may deprive some of the citizens their rights.

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Host Organization

The organization where I gained practicum experience is called VNS CHOICE. It is a long-term care program that is managed by MEDICAID. The patients should be sixty five years or older; they have MEDICAID for insurance and have medical conditions or co morbidity that require care management by a registered nurse. Most of the patients have chronic medical conditions and decreased functional conditions that would qualify them for long term care in a nursing home. These patients can however remain safely in the community thus saving costs of having them put in a nursing home. Most of the patients are dually eligible which means that they also have insurance by Medicare.

 

VNS CHOICE is under the direct oversight of a Chief Executive Officer who is also President of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. VNC CHOICE contributes to an estimated forty one per cent of the total revenue for VNSNY. There is an executive management group that is responsible for various functional domains of the organization’s health plan. The domains are administrative operations, clinical operations, medical leadership and finance. The Chief Medical Officer oversees the administration of medical policy and medical services for the health plan products that VNS CHOICE offers. He also oversees the medical utilization, quality management, grievances and appeals and evaluation of physician reimbursement models.

 

VNS Choice has several strengths; VNS Choice offers a varying range of home health care services which include management of chronic conditions, medical and nursing services. The Hospice Care program provides compassionate and skilled care for people who are at the end of their lives. The hospice services are available to patients who live at their homes, nursing homes or in the residence of VNS Choice. The organization is also home to a national research center where practical problems are solved and research is generated for the purpose of increasing knowledge that helps patients recover from illnesses that are short-term, to manage the challenging chronic conditions and to prepare effectively for advanced illnesses. Innovative research from the Center has enabled the center and attracted large amounts of grants from government and philanthropists. The people who reap these benefits are the VNS CHOICE patients and families.

 

The information generated from the Center’s research is shared with other clinical staff through national initiaves such as the CHAMP Program (Collaboration for Homecare Advances in Management and Practice). The CHAMP Program shares information on geriatric expertise with several home care agencies all over the US in order to promote quality home health care for the older generation. VNS Choice also shares results of research by publishing in professional and peer-reviewed journals, making presentations to students, professionals, the public and policy makers and also to the media to enhance coverage. The current strategy of the organization is to monitor research developments and changes in healthcare as well as changes in the demographics of patients such that patients receive the proper treatment in the setting that the patients prefer.

Working at VNC CHOICE

While working at VNS Choice, I was in the VNS CHOICE Community Care department, where I was reporting to the team manager. The purpose of the position was to provide care management through a process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocating for options and services that can meet a patient’s health needs. The aim of the position was to maintain the members in the most independent living situation possible while ensuring that health care remains consistent throughout the health care continuum. The position also required close communication and collaboration with the primary care practitioners, family members and the interdisciplinary team.  In the position of nurse consultant, the responsibilities included assessing, planning and providing intensive and continuous management across various settings ranging from home, acute and long-term care settings. It involved developing and negotiating care plans with patients, physicians and families. The nurse consultant assessed the patient’s living conditions, cultural influences and functioning. Other responsibilities included planning for the patient’s care, coordinating this care, assisting patients with daily living activities, providing nursing care, documenting services given, and evaluating  the effectiveness of the plan of care formulated.

 

The work had several tasks associated with it. One of the major tasks was that of direct patient care which involved clinical assessment, administering medications and providing assistance with activities of daily living. This last task involved helping patients to position themselves, to move and lifting or transferring patients with different physical conditions sometimes with assistance and sometimes with out. The assistance could come from family members or paraprofessionals.  Another task related to the health care of the members was transporting the medical equipment and supplies that would be required in delivery of nursing care from and to homes or care facilities and VNS Offices.

 

Participation in outreach activities that are aimed at promoting knowledge of the Program and its services is another task that was carried out by the nurse consultant. Some of the outreach activities included community health screening and in services and coordination of Program activities with those agencies outside the community and with health care providers. Closely related to this task is the development of programs that meet the specific needs of the selected patient population.

 

The major outputs of the position include nursing care plans that contain the nursing needs for the members and the objectives and goals of care. A budget of expected expenditure to indicate responsible fiscal spending that ensures all the necessary services are covered. Documentation of services rendered to the patient and their family is another of the outputs for the position. The documentation is done as per the standards of VNC CHOICE and the regulations of Managed Long Term Care and Licensed Home Care Services. A final output is the development of a program that meets the specialized needs of the patient population.

 

One of the major management actions that were required of the position was reduction of repeat hospital admissions for the patients. Return to hospital following discharge indicates a setback in the recovery of a patient (Ebersole, 2006). It also adds to the cost of healthcare (Boyce et al, 2007). To reduce this, the nurse consultant was required to plan for home care improvement initiatives, plan for a smooth transition from home to the hospital and to note the high-risk patients and manage them with the appropriate resources. Part of coordinating and ensuring a consistent continuum of health care is through having adequate home health aides, therapists and nurses to meet the needs of the patient population.

 

To meet the needs of the patients receiving home health care, I tried to assist the LVNS and health care aides who would be working with the patients who have dementia. The aim of the learning program was to assist the target group to develop competencies for care in dementia by using online teaching methods. The LVNs were chosen as they were the largest number of people dealing with the patients who required long term care. The health care aides were added to the group to ensure that there was a smooth transition for those patients who went back home and required the services of a health care aide from time. Because of the increase in the number of patients requiring geriatric care, the program was developed in such a way that the LVNs developed some kind of entrepreneurial bent. The point of this is to assist the spousal caregivers and other family caregivers to navigate through the complicated maze of multiproblem management. The program also had an aspect of soul-feeding and creativity that is still present in the brain of the elderly patient (Cohen, 2005). With this in mind, the nurse or healthcare aide delivers care with the knowledge that the elders can raise above loneliness, pain and chronic disorders to experience various phases of later life (Ebersole, 2006). These phases as described by Dr Cohen include midlife reevaluation, liberation, summing up and the encore phase (Cohen, 2005). The liberation phase includes a desire to innovate and experiment while the phase of summing up includes instances of life review, identification of legacies and resolution of conflicts (Cohen, 2005). The program was developed along Dolores Alford‘s model which gives a framework for the development of practice nurses who have some advanced training (Ebersole, 2006). The program thus while aiming at creating competencies for dementia care was also holistic as it tried to incorporate ways of meeting these needs for the elderly people. Geriatric nursing specialists explained the need for having nurses who are dispatched from nurse managed clinics and senior centers into the community to give guidance and counseling to caregivers.

 

Some difficulties were encountered in trying to implement this program. The budgetary appropriation for it was somewhat limited and not all the LVNs could benefit from the program. In addition, the normal resistance to change was there and the perception that learning the material would increase the nurses’ work was prevalent as a restraining force towards the adoption of the program. The time period in which to implement the program and measure its impact was short. To manage the difficulties above, the nurse manager in my department advised that I should have first conducted a needs assessment before launching the program as well as a force field analysis for change (Lewin, 1951). The aim of the analysis for change would have been to identify possible driving forces and restraining forces towards the change that I wanted to implement. Alternatively I could have applied the principles of adult learning more in the program, where the major principles that would have formed the basis for formulation of the program. The team manager also felt that Prochaska and Diclemente’s change theory would have served as a useful framework for introducing the learning program and ensuring its successful adoption by the nurses (Prochaska and Diclemente, 1985; Thomas, 1985). These would have ensured that the program dealt with the issues that the nurses felt were actually a problem in the department and that the solutions provided were solutions that could be practically implemented.

 

The program was not entirely thrown out but the team manager suggested that it could be fine tuned to the needs of the organization and the nurses. Additionally, the program would then be introduced to LVNs and the healthcare aides following a learning needs assessment that would be followed by a sensitization process that would make the nurses and health aides less resistant to change.

 

The financing for the program was also a problem so the team manager suggested that perhaps the LVNs and healthcare aides could not all be included in the program. Medicare could not finance the program as it finances long term care and services provided by nurses and health care aides (Geyer and Nayum, 1989). Medicare however does not cover care given at home. The deficit in funding arose because the program itself was not a service that affected the elderly directly. Medicaid would also not fund for the program as it funds long term care for those patients who are poor or may become poor from spending on long term care or medical care.  Thus the team manager suggested that the program could start as a pilot program. The success of the pilot program will be crucial in increasing the buy-in for the program among the members of the executive team who can then authorize increases in spending towards the program. Medicaid has the provision for covering personal care given to members in their homes (Geyer and Nayum, 1989). However it still would not have covered the costs of implementation of the program.

 

VNS CHOICE gets its funding from Medicare, Medicaid and philanthropists. The grants from other sources make the out of pocket expenditure for VNS CHOICE. The teaching program would thus be funded from this hence the need to convince the executive team of the program’s positive effect and potential for increasing quality of care.

 

Curriculum connections

The practicum position was very relevant to the academic program I am currently undertaking. In delivery of long term health care, the use of the nursing process is very evident and cuts across the delivery of direct nursing care and the implementation of programs to increase awareness on long-term care and care for the elderly. This is evident from the need to assess and identify patient needs and manage them in a holistic manner with reference to the living conditions of the patient, their family support and the illnesses they may have.

 

The functions of management such as planning, organizing and controlling have also been very present during the practicum. Budgeting is an important component of nursing management. This has been made even clearer by the practicum experience. The experience provided an opportunity to see the nurse manager’s financial responsibility for maintaining fiscal health. The amount and quality of services delivered by nurses depends to a very large extent on budgetary plans (Swansburg, 1997). This makes it very necessary for nurse managers to be proficient at availing the necessary resources such that there is efficient use of resources that will facilitate delivery of effective and efficient care. Though the cost of nursing has always been recognized the income obtained from these services is usually included in bed and board in the budgeting process (Swansburg, 1997). Thus while basing nursing practice on the various functions of a nursing manager; I also identified an area that nurse managers would do well to explore with regard to the budgeting process. Achieving reimbursement for services provided by nurses by changing certain policies may lead to nurses being paid directly for services they have rendered depending on the skill of the person giving the care and the amount of care given (Geyer and Nyman, 1989). This may have the advantage of increasing the amount of money that can be redirected to meeting nurses learning needs and thus solving the problem of financing for education programs for nurses.

 

Other theories learnt that have been applicable to the practicum experience include the change theories which describe the process by which humans adopt change or respond to change. These theories have become more relevant and practical as their application has become apparent in efforts to get the LVNs and the health aides to participate in an educational program and apply the teachings of the education program to their practice.

 

Personal development and career choices

With regard to personal development, the practicum experience provided an opportunity for professional development. Some of the problems identified in trying to work in the department led to the development of better problem solving skills as well as organizational skills. The need to adhere to a budget also led to a better understanding of the role of the nurse manager in organizing and planning for resources within a healthcare unit setting. Additionally the practicum period provided for more opportunity to develop behavioral competencies such as proper documentation, patient teaching and the nursing process. In observing the nurse manager make corrections to my proposed program, I learnt several things about leadership such as constructive criticism, motivation and the role of leaders in building on the basic knowledge that those out of school have.

 

The practicum strengthened my decision to be involved in the delivery of health care in the community as opposed to an acute care hospital setting. I found the experience of working in the community to be more fulfilling as it made the concept of holistic care more applicable. Nursing care in the community cannot be complete without giving consideration to other components that affect health.

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Refers to giving them the right not to disclose their sources of information. Incase of a case hearing they are exempted from giving out any information based on their sources. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages of journalist’s privilege.

Press freedom facilitates for quality and standard works, in that the journalist is able to get detailed information from various sources without having the fear that they will be forced to disclose sources of their information. If journalists are to fully play their role in government they must rely on confidential information as stipulated by Riddler. (1) Failing to disclose sources helps to protect the lives and social welfare of the informants in that they are protected from being recognized as the ones who disclosed such information.

Among the negatives, information given without having anyone responsible may lead to lies, which may simply be used to defame the person in question. This has a negative effect on that person’s life as it may cost him his freedom, fame, job or even life. This is so because one freely gives information bearing in mind that he will not be identified.

Another issue is that sometimes very important information may be nullified incase there is urgent need for concrete evidence and the source refuses to be disclosed whatsoever. Sometimes such information will be rejected despite it being very important and relevant information otherwise it is acceptable on given circumstances especially those that concern matters of national security, to have the reporters testify (Riddler 1). The government has all the same tried to balance the conflicting aspects of it by implementing subpoena protection for reporters.

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Global stratification can be defined broadly as the existence of a particular social order in a setting that defines the positions of individuals on basis of class, gender, income group or even race. (Newmann 2009). Looking at global stratification from a national point of view; it is quite easy to categorize people into particular groupings based on facts about them. Clear differences exist between the classes. Taking a case study between the rich and the poor, there exists great variations in way of life that range from mode of dressing, schools attended, diet end even the mode of transport. For the rich;

flamboyant clothing, exclusive schools and top of the range family cars.

On the other hand for the poor;

cheap clothing, public schools and mostly use public transport. Globally stratification is evident in every statement made that categorizes nations as either developed or developing.

Stratification, more often than not sets limits for those that are undermined by setting their standards so low that it diminishes their chances of success in their ventures to a great extent. Taking the case of racial stratification whites are considered superior over blacks. Though without any scientific basis to this perception, there are clear differences in their way of life.

Gender stratification refers to the degree to which social and economic resources are awarded to individual s on the basis of their gender. (Carl, 2009). In most societies men are always considered first in allocation of opportunities while women are just options. This contrasts comparative research that shows that women are almost as productive as men in societies that have a gender perspective in their policies. African societies have the most extreme cases of gender stratification where women’s position has always been defined as the household chores. The woman is not viewed as an individual who can contribute to nation building in any way.  Looking at the above cases it is evident that global stratification creates an uneven ground for healthy living where the conditions and opportunities available to a person are not as a result of an individual’s abilities but a product of stratification and nature. Global stratification causes a scenario of extremes; for the extremely rich there are extremely poor and for a society full of opportunities there is always another that is does not have any.

The world systems theory approaches the global setup as an integration of smaller sub-units that operate. It does not focus on social classes as it is not constrained by socio-political boundaries. The World Systems Approach unearths the unequal exchange relationships between geographical regions. (The globalization website). It goes ahead to claim that the world operates as a capitalist system that is not as competitive as it appears to be. The world has two divisions of nations; the core and the periphery. The core is made up of a few nations wielding excess economic and production power. On the other hand the peripheries are the developing nations that have massive labor force and endowed with natural resources. The core nations exploit the labor force and the resources possessed by the periphery nations. There is an unfair balance of trade where the peripheries are oppressed; all the economic policies in the world revolve around the suppression of the peripheries and the uplifting of the core nations.

Fareed Zakaria discredits the world systems theory. He notes that the Core nations have to undergo a change in order to survive in the new era of globalization. To redefine their roles since the sudden rise of nations such as Brazil and China is countering America’s dominance over the global economy, science and culture.(2008).He asserts that America will not be losing its powers but it’s the other countries that will be rising significantly. It explores the enormous possibilities that have arisen as a result of decentralization of the economic powers and an increase in freedom of trade. (Annabelle 2005).

Just as an economic gap exists between the rich and the poor individuals, so does it exist between the rich and the poor nations of the world? Newmann observes that the average per capita yearly income for Western Europe, Canada and Japan is $28000 while in the less developed countries is $5000, almost six times the figure ( 2009).

One of the biggest differences between rich and poor nations is the rich and poor nations are in their populations. Poor countries comprise about 3 billion people, close to half the world’s population. In developed nations women on average have 1.2 children in a lifetime while in developing nations a woman has an average of 5 children. Clearly the developing nations do not have the capacity to cater for these rapidly growing

Populations and consequently there is a very high death rate and low life expectancy. Quality of life is low and also more than half the population does not have a supply of safe drinking water. Among the developing countries there is high dependency on the developed countries, a lack of self belief in the nation that they can empower themselves economically without aid and a reluctance to take up opportunities. This is followed by a general hopelessness among the citizens which leads to crimes and vices. It is worth noting that globally, the nations with the highest crime rates are the most underdeveloped and that among the developing nations the rate of crime is higher within the nations that are most internally stratified.  According to Wes

Globalization means different things to different people. However, most    commentators would identify two fundamental elements: An ever accelerating pace of international economic integration combined with rapid population       growth and improved education levels in developing countries.

Globalization seems to reduce the divide that has been caused by years of stratification. This will eventually lead to a situation of relative equality amongst nations. In developing nations; “Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have clearly benefited from globalization-the most positive effects being on growth, capacity utilization and continuity”. (OECD. 1997). This has been occasioned by the opening up of markets, renewed trade policies and better international relations across the globe.

“The labor market is one of the channels through which globalization can affect developing countries. Increased import penetration, export sales, competition in services, foreign direct investment and exchange rate fluctuations prompted by international capital movements could all in principle, have an impact and labor earnings. A common concern is that ‘cheap labor’ and a ‘race to the bottom’ may be the flipside of globalization.” (Rama 2003). In his work he further asserts that it is imperative for countries to lift any existing trade barriers, to minimize the numbers of persons employed by the state as well as discourage or do away with enterprises that monopolize their activities in order to be on the competitive edge. He further adds that if countries privatized the firms owned by the state, they would be better placed with other countries in terms of competition. The fact that nature has distributed resources irregularly across the globe poses a challenge for humanity. This challenge is far much greater when it comes to the poor countries. As is common knowledge, adversity is the main cause of conflict and therefore in conditions of little or total absence of a needed resource conflicts are bound to arise. Unequal distribution of resources and population pressure common poor nations triggers competition for scarce resources. These are mostly land and water. This fierce competition leads to social breakdown as individuals compete for the best and continued use of the resource leads to its depletion. Deepened poverty is always a cause of conflict due to desperation especially due to food insecurity. needs. A hungry man is an angry man. (FAO, 2002)

Gender roles are a product of socialization and culture and are in no way a reflection of person’s capacities. There are societal expectations of what a person can or can not do baser on one’s gender. All world over the women are not expected to be vocal on issues and only partake in less critical issues. They are mainly relegated to the menial jobs. In the workplace women mostly work as secretaries. It is often hard for a woman to rise to senior administrative positions. The gender wage gap is sufficient evidence that the number of working women is significantly smaller than that of the working men. The salary scales differences also point to that even the few working women occupy very junior positions in institutions.

The society views the roles of men and women in various settings in a gendered lens. This way it has pre-conceived expectations. For a woman in the family is supposed to be involved in all activities and oversee that children and husband are well taken care of. She should be subjective and reserve her opinions. The man plays a peripheral role of providing and decision making, period. Women are not for politics, this is the notion held allover the world and no wonder when a woman takes a high elective position, everyone is surprised. Clearly attending a women’s college opens up the reality that one is not limited by gender and the possibilities are endless if one takes up the challenge.

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Religion is a set of fundamental ideals concepts and beliefs that guide the direction of an individual and also helps him to demystify abstract thoughts and answer questions such as how the world began? What is life? Religion is associated with culture as it contains practices and rituals. Religions are as many as the different communities that exist on earth, the main ones being Christian, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism and Judaism.

Each religion is characterized by the varying opinions on different subjects, rituals and ceremonies and beliefs. As at now there are over 750 million distinguishable religions all over the world. Of course most of these are derivatives of the main religious doctrines in the world. Judaism has over 30,000 sub groups attached with it while Christianity is divided into two main branches; Catholic and protestant. The protestant branch is fragmented into very many churches.

The question as to whether religion causes war is as controversial as the comparison of religions themselves. Religion being a matter of dogma and in most cases a blind following of doctrines puts the various religions in a collision path due to the differences in opinions and also the availability of information. There is not a universal standard for religion and this has opened up a channel for development of the various religions. The government’s hands are tied in the regulation of the upcoming new religious doctrines; this is because the right to worship and so is the freedom of association.

Religion has evolved and transformed in great degree since the 18^th century. A historical discourse on religion reveals that it was developed as a human inclination towards order.Initially religion was an attempt to instill order in communities, an identification element that differentiated one community with the other. It was meant to foster cohesiveness among the members of the communities as it united them in beliefs and the constant gathering of members. Religion in those days gravitated towards fostering socially acceptable behavior and offer guidance on major issues affecting the community.

From the 18^th century to the 21^st century has seen religion undergo radical changes. It has moved from an epitome of order and respect in the society to an economic venture. This has seen the exponential rise of many religious institutions and consequently a significant reduction in degree of moral standing. Anyone who has the capacity to influence, ability to lead and possesses excellent oratory skills starts their own religious doctrine and in a matter of time gathers a following. The religious institutions have overemphasized the importance of material contributions to foster their development and financial integrity lacks among the leadership. In light of the above it is evident that religion has outgrown its initial objectives.

In relation to war, comparative study on wars that the world has engaged in reveals that religion has contributed to a small almost negligible degree. World war one and world war two were not as a result of religious conflicts. The Sierra-Leone war was a result of western manipulation in a scramble for diamonds. The Rwandan genocide was brought about by ethnic rivalry. The US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq were an attempt at the restoration of democratic rule and an attempt to kick out terrorists in the respective nations. Though these wars can be argued to have a religious aspect to them. The attack by US on Afghanistan began on October 2001, approximatey a month after the September 9/11 attack on the world trade center which was bombed. The war was a retaliation on the Taliban who admitted responsibility of the attack under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden.

The war in Philippines is a clear case of inter-religious conflict. This is between the two most successful religions: Christianity and Islam. The northern region is mainly Muslim, the only region in the whole of Philippines .Muslim was brought to the region at around 13^th century by Arab traders. In that area Muslim Christian conflicts has been a continual issue that has been persistent over all the years. Though this may appear as a clear cut religion caused war, we must also note that religion also has been used to achieve political ends. Therefore one must realizes that though the war may rage ,it might after all be  seen  as a political war too.

The implication of politicizing religion is that it becomes so easy to associate a particular region to a religion; this has adverse effects that have an effect on individual relations. This goes further goes ahead to create room for stereotyping. The common generalization that people have upon an area starts bringing out the differences in the open. Normally a war does not start like that, aggression especially if the religion has extremists in the area. A strict discipleship manifested by the area religious leader may incite one religion against the other. This has been the case in Philistines. Funding from warlords who stand to benefit from the war and armed conflicts ensue as the weapons are availed.

There are other countries that also had the same problem of inter-religious groups fighting each other. Nigeria, in Africa has seen Christians and Muslims in conflict with each other in the Niger delta region. Though this cannot be directly attributed to religious differences since there is also a significant contribution into the war by the desire to take control of the oil rich region

Examination of the history of the wars of the world reveals that a great number of wars that have ever taken place are a result of other causes. Other than religion being used as an excuse for war by the war inclined communities the presence of political forces influencing the course of wars, religion is a vita aspect of society

Despite the fact that religion is being misused nowadays its importance to the society is of a great contribution. There are many uses of religion and the first and major one being to inculcate morals to the followers. This has been a moral thread that has been observed to run across the various religious disciplines. This helps to reduce the cases of social misfits in the societies such as: thieves, rapists and liars.

Wars are almost always begun on the grounds of political and economic showdown and also as a show of might and superiority in powerful nations. The reasons could also be the discovery of a valuable mineral as has been the case in a number of states in Africa. Religion though is used in the attempt to justify wars in most areas has a little contribution in it. It could be as small as the difference in number of churches and mosques between two areas.

Religion in its unadulterated form emphasizes the value of peaceful coexistence, the virtues of honor, integrity and honesty for there to be a cohesive society. The consistent lowering of principle in religion has allowed for its violation to form even cultic organizations. Therefore religion has no direct link in wars; it should be the way to healing of the wars.

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Federal Bureau of investigation is a police department that plays a major role in protection and security matters. Law is effectively enforced through this department and response to any cases of insecurity. Amongst their major duties is response to any acts of criminal nature or terrorist attacks on the citizens. Those who work for the FBI deal with criminal investigation, intelligence divisions, counter terrorism and cyber crimes amongst others. This is done through roving patrols, identification of checks and internal patrols. Electronic intrusion and communication is monitored by the FBI. Given the heavy duties that they are expected to perform there are set qualifications (Gatewood, Fellid, Barrik, 2008 pp 234).

A series of assessment questions are used to hire special agents. A combination of multiple hurdles is used to qualify/ disqualify candidates at each stage. One has to fill a preliminary application form so as to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications which are,  be a US citizen or from the common wealth Northern Mariana,

• be 23-37 years of age,
• have professional work experience for three years,
• apply through the FBI field covering your area of residence,
• have a valid driving license, pass a standardized physical fitness test,
• pass a background information consisting polygraph tests and drug test
• Possess a high school diploma (Paul, Karen, Terry, & Frances, 2008).

After this process one fills a questionnaire which states the applicant’s background information. Once you successfully complete the second hurdle you are given three tests which are bio data inventory, cognitive and situational tests. The fourth step is application for the job and only those who passed phase I proceed to phase ii which is the fifth process. The final screening process entails drug tests, polygraph, background investigation, personnel security and physical fitness exam. Successful candidates are recruited immediately.

Strategic human resource

            A strategic plan of hiring the human resource is used to lay out steps that are crucial for any organization. It is a plan that ensures organizations have the right skills, right number of employees to carry out tasks at the right time. Human resource managers are assigned the heavy duty of looking into the company’s vision, mission and objectives. The strategy used to achieve the mentioned points is therefore important so as to achieve all the goals and hit set targets. The manager alone cannot make it and he requires cooperation from employees as well as the clients. Several characters are needed when one seeks to recruit employees for instance passion, creativity, motivation, ability to work with team members and potential. These factors are backed up by set qualifications so as to meet job specifications (Jackson, Schuller, & Werner, 2009).

For the manager to develop a human resource he has to be well knowledgeable about what the organization needs so as to perform the job satisfactorily. Factors like job analysis, task identification, skills required and ability to perform the task have to be considered. Managers use job description to outline duties that applicants will be expected to perform. Job specification on the other hand is used to specify details of qualifications that are necessary so as to perform the job for instance skills, abilities and level of qualification.

The multiple hurdle approach if taken to appoint and select special agents is faced by advantages as well as disadvantages. It is a compelling and challenging career at the same time is of great importance to citizens as their security is vital for survival. To some people being an FBI is an exceptionally rewarding career.

Advantages and disadvantages of using the multiple hurdles approach

Requirement cut off

Multiple hurdles as an approach requires test takers to pass each test procedure by scoring more than the cut off scores. Each applicant is therefore expected to meet the hurdle for the cut off set then go to another predictor. For one to remain a viable applicant you must sequentially pass each predictor. This thus makes selection of the best easy and ensures that all who are selected have met a set requirement.

Failure to successfully pass a cutoff in any stage means that you automatically lose the opportunity. No further consideration is given, meaning that second chances do not exist in the multiple hurdles approach. This becomes a disadvantage as many factors contribute to not meeting the cutoff score. Potential should not be confined to a set cut off point as it limits ability to further careers (Gatewood, Fellid, Barrik, 2008 pp 234).

 

Is rated as the best

The fact that it uses a double strategy to select the suitable applicants has had it rated amongst the best strategies of selection. In a variation of this approach those whose scores fall above c2 are automatically accepted while those with c1 are rejected. Those who fall in between c1 and c2 are accepted and further subjected to an additional test which determines who will be selected. The approach thus is said to be equal and superior to all other strategies. When compared to the multiple cutoff approach which uses a similar cut off procedure it is less costly as it narrows down the applicant in each stage saving the assessment cost. More expensive selection devices are used toward the end of the procedure when the applicants are assured of getting the job. It is used as an approach that helps reduce assessment cost by administering available screening devices to everyone then having those who succeed above the score take more expensive tests.

One disadvantage of this procedure however is that validity of predictors cannot be established. At each stage the selection process is normally reducing the applicant pool, restriction of range and ability distribution is an error likely to occur.

 

Time factor

A careful procedure of selecting and using variation methods to reach cut off points is used in the multiple hurdles approach. The need to successfully recruit qualified applicants is normally the target of every organization. However, when looking for employees there has to be a demand for workers who will put the organization back to its feet as fast as possible. When too much time is wasted in the recruitment process organizations suffer loses. Time consumed in an effort to recruit the best may never be recovered.

It is disadvantaged in that there’s a lengthy period required to complete the cycle of selection at each stage. Time is a risky factor bearing in mind that some institutions need to recruit members who will start working immediately, selection decisions may be delayed. In situations where there is a high demand for service to citizens like the FBI department this may not be a viable method. Other institutions like software programming which require immediate intervention of applicants may be disadvantaged due to long delays. Time taken to administer and score requires patience yet an applicant targets getting a job as soon as possible. Some organizations indirectly lose eligible applicants who give up before getting to the final stage (Gatewood, Fellid, Barrik, 2008 pp 235).

 

Precise

It is an approach that is appropriate in situations where training is complex and long. When a certain job performance is required testing a certain skill or knowledge becomes useful by use of multiple hurdle approach. This approach leaves no room for recruitment through corrupt means.

The process becomes appropriate when hiring the FBI where test takers are expected to pass several tests so as to be licensed or certified. It is an approach that requires those being recruited to pass a safety test for in stance in the FBI or organizations in nuclear power plants.

Being too precise limits creating opportunity for diversity meaning that one only concentrates on a specific point (Jackson, Schuller, Werner, 2009 pp264).

Applicant’s perspective

The perspective of a job applicant is crucial and multiple hurdle approach makes it possible to identify that fact. If the process of selection is flawed or unfair the applicant has a right to withdraw their application. Candidates who are highly qualified for the job are also given the opportunity to withdraw if they no longer want to the job offer.

It may be challenging to the organization if the chosen applicant suddenly withdraws. Finding the qualities needed may be cumbersome after a successful applicant goes through the whole process then quits.

 

Does the selection process appeal or turn off to work as an FBI?

The lengthy selection process of the FBI would appeals to some extent as the job involves protection of citizens and their rights. Guarding lives is requires utmost professionalism and only the best qualified. The security of all citizens is left to the FBI and merit should be the only criteria if we are to feel safe. The use of multiple hurdle approach involves a long process for the best to be selected.

This process has a strategic importance in that only the best will be fixed to fill the job vacancies. Those applicants who have a passion for such careers have to persist and give the best to attain personal objectives in their career. Careful selection of applicants displays factors like preference, technical competencies, personality traits that are crucial for the organization. When the procedure is completed one is assured that the applicants selected have attained all requirements for the job. It gets better if the applicant walks into the career with passion and optimism as they will build a successful and fulfilled career.

Designing such a selection process is very important when selecting the FBI as it helps achieve a match between the individual and job situation. It helps organizations to acquire information about the applicant which will be useful in future job relations. Sometimes lack of full job description and requirements limits the applicant from going through the process. Prior information on what the applicant is expected to do so as to qualify makes the process easier though lengthy. For instance when one has the information on the physical fitness test which sums to give the final result, they are able to start exercising and keeping the body fit.

Legal considerations in the US are imperative bearing in mind the fact that the FBI work closely with the government. Legal decisions and court orders are strictly followed to ensure that no mistakes will arise in the future. It has an advantage in that unfair judgments are avoided and work force is enhanced)

 

What the FBI can do to increase the chances of applicants accepting job offers

Many people wish to apply for job opportunities but have to meet set criteria’s to get the job. Applications for FBI jobs are normally made but they only are able to hire a few people following the limited vacancies.

Some qualifications given by the FBI may be lowered so as to give room for people who are passionate about this career. For instance the approach used may consider certain qualifications instead of cutting off applicants before they can go halfway through the interview. Talent and outstanding potential should be considered too as this lasts far beyond paper qualifications.

Since there are several categories under which one works those who desire to work for the institution should be fixed into other departments if they fail to meet the criteria for the special agents. Accounting, Law, Language, Forensics and IT departments which work closely with special agents for instance would be other programs for applicants (Jackson, Schuller, & Werner, 2009).

Expanding the FBI further would also create room for applicants to have job opportunities. The applicants will probably accept job offers if there seems to be vacant positions but if it seems crowded and full they are likely to overlook the opportunities. Applicants want job security and feeling as if the applications they send may be threatened makes them hopeless.

The advertisement matters a lot as it helps applicants to psychologically prepare for themselves for the task ahead. Proper prior preparation prevents poor performance and helps one to be fit for the test. In a case study to recruit police in New York, Fulton it was observed that a simple announcement on vacancies usually provided an adequate number of applicants. One problem cropped up in that despite passing the written civil service test for screening and hiring purposes they failed the physical agility test. A research into the cause of this problem was established as inadequate preparation which led to a decline in the number of applicants applying for the job. The shortage of applicants seriously affected the department and measures were immediately put up to rectify the trend. The physical agility test which involves flexibility and push ups within a given amount of time needs candidates to be fit having had plenty of time to exercise. The 1.5 mile run for instance which is also inclusive is not something that you wake up and do to earn a job. This is one stage that many candidates were laid off from leaving vacancies.

Eligible candidates lost at this stage troubled the department heavily. Of importance however is the fact that to increase the number of candidates applying for the job the police department modified and rectified administration of written tests as well as agility tests. Prior posting of job requirements also worked fabulously to prepare the candidates in advance especially for the agility test (Gatewood, Fellid, Barrik, 2008 pp 236).

The ultimate goal of any manager is to have the best employees work for the success of an organization. Success is highly dependent on human resource as they are the source of skills needed to accomplish the job. The process and criteria used to short list applicants is very fundamental because it determines what the future of the organization will be. Those who best qualify should be given the first priority as quality comes from the qualified.

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Abstract

 

‘Pearl motors’ is a hypothetical electric powered car company with a mission to create the newest and finest vehicles having zero pipe emissions that significantly reduces city pollution. Not only are this cars designed to luxuriously meet the passengers comfort but are less dependent on oil. Pearl Motors Company is optimistic about the future of this product and confident like any company that plans to introduce a product in the market. The success of pearl motors is almost certain referring to the brand title ‘pearl’ which suggests rare and very valuable. Potential for this new product surpasses any recent motor vehicle and its purpose is designed to suit the technologically advancing population. Its demand is already high and following research by motor researchers potential clients are positive about the product. Interest in investing in the electric powered cars has been evident by global powers. The U.S. for instance has pledged US$2.4 b in state grants for electric cars. China on the other hand has announced its provision ofUS$15 b to start an electric car industry (Leslie, 2009).

 

Market Segmentation and Product Positioning of a Marketing plan.

            Market segmentation refers to science of dividing a target market into segments or subsets that symbolizes the customers. It divides the similar needs and characteristics of targeted clients. It is a costly process that involves the significant market research to identify how the overall market is. Any development of a product means that marketing will at one time become useful. Market segmentation enables the company to focus its resources on a specific customer base and thus curve a market niche. A product that meets the needs of a customer is likely to sell as compared to a competitive one. Marketers who keenly segment their products and create products that suit the needs of clients in an overall market are likely to gain profits and reduced competition. The stage that follows is known as positioning which ensures that the product occupies market for business purposes (Leslie, 2009).

For the pearl motors company to make it marketing will play a major role and strategies they employ from the time they create the electric powered cars will determine the results. The market segment identified would be the male gender aged between 25-40 years of age. Gender is a factor that we cannot evade from especially when dealing with products such as cars. Men are more innovative especially in sciences as compared to women who are favored by arts. The preference for men in electric powered cars is perhaps due to the fact that past invented electric vehicles which include sports cars were used by men.

Another potential segment would be based on behavior specifically driving patterns. Use of vehicles to commute, deliver mail, run errands does appeal a certain need to the customer. Price friendly batteries and use of less oil costly products like the electric powered vehicles makes transport easily accessible suit customers who are daily running errands up and down for instance. They characterize potential segments (Wendy, 2010).

Other factors that may determine segmentation include the social status of consumers (can they afford the product) Geographic location of consumers (where one plans to market the product), demographic factors, lifestyle as well as personality traits.

The procedure used to arrive at market segmentation is important as discussed below.

Determining the market boundaries is the first step of market segmentation. After one has set an expected market a broad formal business definition is needed to define it. This will help

• state the objectives
• Identify possible direct and indirect competitors
• Identify the needs of consumers, why would they go for the electric powered cars and not the others.

The second step involves decision of variables to be used in segmenting. Diverse data collection on many variables does not always draw meaningful conclusions. The marketers should use their knowledge of market to select few relevant variables than attempting to sort out many variables. This becomes cheaper and will probably present more useful results.

The third step entails collection and analysis of data which includes applying market research tools. This helps to identify market segments that are internally homogeneous, yet distinctly heterogeneous as compared to other segments. The development of a detailed profile of each segment is in the fourth step. Variables that relate closely to consumers buying behavior are related.

The fifth step involves decision of the segments to be served. A marketer Seek to fulfill the unsatisfied needs of clients within the resources of an organization. The objectives, skills and technology of a company would make it possible to meet that segment needs better than its competitors.

The target market and why these customers;

Targeting involves making business choices concerning segments and resources to be focused on. Who, what, where, when and how are questions asked in the process of targeting. The male customers will be aimed extensively and extending into foreign market has to consider countries that have on average larger male population. Being based in the US the pearl company will make home (US) the first target market. After establishing market here it will move to trade with other countries like China, Germany, UK, and Japan who are open to the idea of electric powered cars.

Targeting is important because incorrect targeting leads to failure. The product may not do well if estimation of the market is either too high or too low. It becomes tricky to thus accurately guess what is correct targeting. Targeting a small market means that you will be unable to realize full profits. On the other hand a large segment requires a lot of resources something that many new companies lack.

SWOT analysis of the Pearl motors (electric powered cars)

SWOT analysis is short phrased to mean (strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats). It is a basic and straightforward model that provides direction for progress of marketing plans.

Electric powered cars will change the vehicle market as they reduce pollution and tolerate zero pipe emission of CO2. Apart from that they consume fewer amounts of oil making them pocket friendly to the customer (Krebs, 1997).  Pearl motors company will introduce this new product into the market leaving no room for the old generation of cars. This car has no similarities to other cars meaning that competitors will not be a problem when it is marketed. Besides that it will be using hydrogen and runs with an electric motor that generates electricity to its fuel stack. It also will have a lithium ion battery that will serve as a supplemental power source. The lithium ion battery is expected to charge up when the car is braking and decelerating (Wendy, 2010).

Amongst the strengths of electric powered car is how it is a Zero emission vehicle (ZEV). Not only will it be conducive to the environment but will also be avoidant of pollution thereby helping conserve our ecosystem. Since the pearl motors have clarity they are expected to be energy efficient leading to certification by the Environmental Protection Agency for being the first vehicles that don’t pollute environment (Krebs, 1997). There are diverse opportunities for the pearl motor company as it is eco-friendly.  Bearing in mind that many countries want to invest in it means that market for the car will be welcoming. The have all it takes to go on and introduce the product.

One disadvantage that pearl motors may have to deal with is reintroduction of electric powered vehicles after many years. In the mid nineteenth century the electric cars enjoyed popularity but slowly faded out (Charlie, 2008). The pearl motors may have to deal with the factors that led to collapse of the former industry. However it has been many years and the pearl invention has been refined thanks to the fast advanced technology. Convincing people to buy it may not be easy as it is far more costly than the normal car. This car is for well off people, they have to be willing to go green and cash in big money. It may be available but inaccessible due to the average earnings of a normal citizen.

Basically the other models are a big threat. With some cheaper and new hybrids trying to imitate the pearl motors competition may emerge though it had not been earlier detected as a threat.  Targeting men alone is also disadvantageous as the vehicle would be designed to suit the preference of men in terms of its body, colour and use. The bottom line still is that no other vehicle out there reduces pollution and has zero emission of fumes making it a product that has a bright future.

The market position for your product and service

How customers perceive the product is important in determining the positioning of the product. The pearl motors company is expected to be received positively. The fact that electric powered cars are a product that global powers look forward to invest in, makes positioning easier as the demand already exists. Apart from the targeted customers we have to consider the environmental conservatives who are after preserving the environment and reducing pollution in the cities.

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US has been a dominant world economy for many years but following the rapidly advancing technology the probability of losing its supreme position is not a thought far from reality. After the global recession of 1960 which resulted due to oil crisis there was a marked rise in world prices and increased competition on world economies. This shook the strongest economies at the advantage of oil producing states. Investment, growth and consumption became consequences of the grave economic depression. Having been a dominant state economically and politically in the West, US would have never thought that it would be overthrown by another country as evident in the recent past (Mark, 2010).

Is US economic and political hegemony vulnerable?

            Watson in his works suggests that US economy and hegemony is vulnerable as other global powers are quickly taking up the lead positions. Perhaps the election of Obama may have raised hope for brighter economic days but that was just an illusion in the mind of hopeful citizens. As a new president expectations were high and the hope to fix loopholes in the US economy became elevated (Watson, 2010).

Some aspects that US may have overlooked can be highly attributed to the present financial crisis. The former president Bush for instance was well known for unilateralism unlike Obama who came up with multilateralism. Pursuing financial socialism to rescue private and public finance in was an unprecedented step taken in an attempt to save the US from recession by the former government. This has forced Obama to follow the steps though with a lot of difficulties. The past committed mistakes have led to crisis that may never be easily recovered especially when we talk about US as a supreme state. It is evident that American policies have more than what meets the eye leaving severe effects for the future of America. Foreign governments also hold millions and billions of debts squeezing the US economy. The potential rival of US hegemony China being the one holding a large debt only worsens the situation. The US can therefore not hope to keep China as a subordinate bearing in mind its economic situation (Haore, 2008).

The use of unilateral military power in Iraq led to distortion of its image making it to be labeled as a leading terrorist state. US hegemony is vulnerable as it has to deal with the negative image it has created making other nations view its culture with hostility. The display of violence by US has on the other hand been viewed as projection of its hegemony having brought intervention between Iraq and Afghanistan (Ikenberry 2008).

The economy and political hegemony of the US is vulnerable due to its isolation from European allies and international communities. For US to succeed there is need to employ good relations with other nations as setting itself apart only makes it harder to interact and trade. For it to establish new relations Obama may have to open a whole new chapter something that may need lost trust to be recovered. Relationship building however is something that Obama has openly aimed to achieve. It may not be easy for Obama to solve single handedly all the deep rooted problems so as to avoid US from being overthrown by the new emerging powers. He may try to recover the political and economic hegemony but nature will take course giving credit where best deserved (Watson, 2010).

China becoming a formidable global power

            Being the worlds most populace country only puts China in a position to be better than the other powers. At that rate that this country is technologically advancing US may have to join and if not beat them. Notable to the entire world is the accelerated speed of new invention and innovations taking place in China everyday. It is one of the dominant states manufacturing multibillion dollar electronics and heavy industrial plants. The fact that technical and managerial skills are more needed as compared to labour is to the advantage of this world power. Investment in public work and industrialization has opened many job opportunities for the young generation leading to a rapid growth of the economy.

China has steadily been growing at a rate of 9.5%annually. IT and access to internet is another factor that has made globalization prevalent having its origin in China. China has shown an interest in the middle east which the world s largest oil producing state and Africa. Its military will have an advantage when it comes to challenging US dominance in the pacific. The young population in China is literate, graduating around 60,000 engineers and scientists annually as compared to the US which graduates fewer students. There is also rise in consumer class having the biggest base of cell phone consumers and expecting to be the best in passenger car sales. Being a permanent member of the UN also puts China in which is central if one is to successfully build the universal body and a great power (Ikenberry 2008).

Historical uniqueness implies the ability to retain ones original roots and practice so as to base it for a greater future.

Contrast the different ideological positions regarding the US

Watson in his work seems uncertain about the US power winning the battle for supremacy ahead. He is also says that the fact that US has secluded itself from other nations and prefers to work unilaterally may be a threat to its future as a power. China may be advantaged being a permanent member of the UN as it is safely guarded and has the potential to relate and interact well with other states standing a greater chance. Ikensbury on the other hand is optimistic viewing every opportunity as a chance to make better what is not there.

The fact that US have been a world power for many years will not stop China from taking over. Of importance is the peaceful agreement between the two states as conflict has been used in the past by world powers. Accepting defeat and giving room for the incoming world power should be easier said then done. Viewing the success of another state as an advantage to the world economy is the ideology that should prevail especially as we plan to welcome the new economic world power. China on the other hand should play its game diligently and avoid any intentions that may provoke the US bearing in mind that they still own a lot of money which belongs to the US government (Harman, 2006).

Taking over from US to China should not be something that causes blame and views of inferiority. Obama for instance would have done little if anything to prevent this from taking place due to many internal and external factors that come tied to government’s policies. A change is as good as rest and we should be open for the new power so as to embrace the advantages tied to it.