Communication Basics Answers Essay

1.3 Communication Basics learning objectives Describe how the communication principles and misconceptions in Chapter 1 are evident in a specific situation. Assess the needs (physical, identity, social, and practical) that communicators are attempting to satisfy in a given situation or relationship. Apply the transactional communication model to a specific situation. Instructions Use the case below and the discussion questions that follow to discuss the variety of communication issues involved in effective communication. Make notes on this page, add other pages on your own, or prepare a group report/analysis based on your discussion. Add your own experiences to individualize the analysis. Case Kristie and Jacob have been dating one another exclusively for four months. They both have part-time jobs and hope to complete their college studies within two years. Jacob thinks they should move in together. Kristie is reluctant to agree until she has more commitment from Jacob. Jacob doesn’t want to make promises he can’t keep. Kristie thinks that if they just communicate more they will be able to solve the problem, but Jacob thinks that talking about it more won’t help. 1. What needs (physical, identity, social, and/or practical) do Kristie and Jacob seem to have? It seems that both need each others presence but Kristie wants more of a committed relationship than Jacob, she wants him to be all in but Jacob feels its unnecessary to communicate with Kristie & get and understanding he rather just make things happen than to talk about making them happen. 2. Identify one element of the communication model that might help explain some of the communication problems they are having and help them communicate more effectively. A part of Kristie & Jacobs problem could be their separate environments  channeling their miscommunication creating a window of bad noise. So maybe if they were in a positive environment together they’d have a better understanding of each others wants. 3. What communication principles and/or misconceptions described in Chapter 1 may be operating in this situation? Kristie seems to have a content dimension while Jacob is relational because Kristie wants to talk about things and have better communication to move forward while Jacob rather act first and discuss later. 4. What likely role will mediated communication play in the scenario? Mediated communication is playing a likely role in this situation due to the fact both Kristie & Jacob are still in school and working that could be the leading cause of their communication. 5. How would you advise Jacob and Kristie to proceed with their communication practices? My advice to Jacob & Kristie moving forward would be to make time for them to find a common ground to understand each other & find a way around their separation if they feel the relationship is worth it and compromise for each other.

Timber frame construction

IntroductionModern building comes in many signifiers, from traditional masonry, to precast concrete, to steel, and in recent times timber frame building. Timber frame and masonry building are really similar looking edifices. Over the last 30 old ages in Ireland the chief type used in domestic home was masonry building which consists of block inner foliage, pit, insularity and a block outer foliage, externally finished usually with a brick or plaster rendered block. Over the last 12 old ages timber frame building has grown to account for about 40 per centum of the market. Timber frame building consists of an off site engineered edifice which arrives to site and the pieces are assembled to finish the unit. The external coating is likewise to masonry with brick or plaster rendered block. The ground for chosen this subject is to happen why this alteration occurred. The intent of this thesis is to analyze the Irish lodging market over the last figure of old ages, besides to happen out the grounds for lumber frame building going more popular.PurposeTo happen out why the tendency of edifice domestic lodging in Ireland has changed from masonr y building to timber frame building.AimsTo look into the Irish lodging market and happen grounds for the tendency alteration from masonry building to timber frame building.To analyze the grounds why lumber frame building has grown to the degree it has over masonry building.To analyze the positions of householders and belongings developers towards lumber frame building.Literature ReviewThe primary informations will be sourced from RGU database, Internet sites, RGU books and diaries. Relevant Irish authorities studies and web sites will besides be looked at to derive an indifferent position. Besides the positions of the building bureaus in Ireland will be explored.Research and methodological analysisThe writer programs on making a comparing of the two building types in order to accomplish grounds for the displacement in tendency. The brief comparing instance surveies will include cost, clip, heat and energy of both types of building.QuestionnairesQuestionnaires provided the primary re search for this thesis. The writer shall make up one and give it out to relevant householders and belongings developers to derive an penetration into their positions. By making this the writer will happen out the market potency of lumber frame building.Structure of DissertationChapter OneThis chapter explains the rubric of the thesis, introduces the motives and gives a background for the grounds for taking this subject. The writer explains to the reader the purpose and aims of the thesis and how they are traveling to be achieved.Chapter TwoThe literature reappraisal will look into in tendency in Irish building. Current building bureaus studies will be looked to seek and derive an penetration to the alteration in tendency. The writer feels that this will accomplish the first expostulation of this thesis.Chapter ThreeThis chapter will look into the two edifice options with respect to be, clip, heat and energy. This will be done by a figure of interviews and instance surveies. Areas lo oked at will be building cost and life rhythm costs. Besides will include a instance survey of both types of building where U-Values and Building Energy Rating will be achieved and assessed to derive an penetration into why the tendency shifted. The writer feels that this will accomplish the 2nd expostulation of this thesis.Chapter FourThis chapter the sentiments and positions of householders and belongings developers towards lumber frame building and masonry building are explored by agencies of a questionnaire. The writer feels this will accomplish the 3rd expostulation of the thesis.Chapter FiveIn this eventually chapter the decision provides a brief sum-up of the determination of the predating chapters.Literature ReviewBackgroundOver 70 % of place in the developed universe are timber frame places. 60 % of Scots new home are timber frame and over all in the United Kingdom timber frame histories for 15 % of new places. Ireland is easy following our neighbors. Over the last 10 twelv emonth Ireland had been sing a building roar. Housing units been completed in 2000 being 49,812 units turning to 62,686 in 2003, top outing in 2006 with 82,980 unit completed. After 2006 the lodging market in Ireland started to fall, Numberss of units being built in 2007 being 71,356 go oning to fall in 2008 as 48,151 units and go oning to fall in 2009. ( Cardinal Statistics Office Ireland 2008 ) Many lodging estates and flat blocks had been starting up in every metropolis, town and small town chiefly around the computing machine belt around the capital metropolis of Ireland Dublin. Then easy the remainder of the state following. In 1992 lumber frame building history for merely 5 % of the new brooding market. Since so it has grown to tremendous degrees to account for 30 % of entire lodging building nationally ( Construction Industry Federation 2009 ) . Typical these edifice were constructed by masonry building, this consisted of a 300mm pit wall with block inner foliage, insularity, pit and a brick/block outer foliage finished with a plaster render. Over the last 17 old ages timber frame building has shown steady growing. Timber frame building consists of an off site engineered edifice which arrives to site and the pieces are assembled to finish the unit. The external coating is likewise to masonry with brick or plaster rendered block. Some industry experts predict that by 2012 it will account for 50 % of the new brooding market. â€Å" The lumber frame industry in Ireland has shown strength and resiliency, despite these hard economic times. When the upturn comes, timber frame building will be presented with legion chances. † ( Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI – National Standards Authority of Ireland. )Reasons for this occurrence?EnergyIn Ireland over the last figure of old ages at that place has been a bend in attitude sing the environment, which has in some portion resulted in alterations been implemented by the building industry with respect to energy preservation. The chief subject that has come to the bow on an Irish domestic degree is the preservation of fuel and energy ingestion. The building industry has been identified as a considerable portion of the national energy measure. Attitudes of developers and householder are altering to environmentally friendly edifices. Due to this lumber frame building has seen a steady growing. Timber frame is renewable constructing option, for every tree cut d own two more are planted. The cost of turning the natural merchandise into a edifice stuff is conceivably less than traditional methods. â€Å" Timber is the lone sustainable renewable commercially feasible constructing stuff. The production of concrete green goodss huge sums of Carbon Dioxide ( C02 ) , which has a negative impact on the environment and contributes significantly to planetary heating. † ( Irish Timber Frame Manufacturing Association 2009 )SpeedAs the building roar grow so did the demand for lodging and more significantly fast lodging. One of the chief factors for this bend towards timber frame is speed of building. The frame of the edifice can be erected in a figure of yearss which compared to typical masonry edifice is improbably faster. This is due to the lumber frame been constructed off site in a mill and delivered to site as a planned procedure of assembly. Masonry on the other manus takes a figure of hebdomads to make roof degree where as lumber frame is erected in a figure of yearss. Even in moisture conditions work can still go on as a staging system is in topographic point around the fo undation, where as blocks for masonry building can merely be laid in dry conditions. Besides with lumber frame building the edifice is weather proof much faster so internal plants can get down much quicker. Besides a batch of the slower work for pipe fitters and linemans such as first repair is much easy done in a lumber frame house. â€Å" Timber frame has 30 % shorter, more predictable building clip than brick and block † ( UK Timber Frame Association 2009 ) . In masonry building the usage of moisture trades in the physique causes excess clip needed for drying out. Because lumber frame is a dry signifier of building there is no drying out clip which is a economy of a figure of hebdomads. Besides because of this there is less lightly a hazard of checking looking on walls and ceilings for shriveling which can happen in masonry often.CostThe cost of a lumber frame house is similar to masonry built. Unlike masonry, costs of a lumber frame physique can be fixed long before the foundations are poured. This is due to most timber frame providers besides fix the construction. So a fix monetary value for a fixed solution. No rain yearss for wet trades or no extra costs. â€Å" This ensures that the extra disbursals that spiral as a edifice advancement can be eliminated. † ( Irish Timber Frame Manufacturing Association 2009 ) . The figure of individuals need to repair the construction is lower than a masonry physique, besides with respect to clip, clip is money so the faster the physique the cheaper for the developer and home-builder. Besides the manus over clip for a complete home is must faster so this will profit developer ‘s hard currency flow and profitableness. Due to the velocity of building on site security cost or greatly reduced.Flexibility of LayoutBecause timber frames internal walls being building out of light weigh divider walls the internal infinite of a lumber frame physique is really flexible. Any errors in layout of internal walls is easy rectified, where as masonry internal wall would be peculiarly more hard to rectify.Case StudiesIntroductionTo acquire existent grounds for the tendency mover towards timber frame building and to acquire a true indicant of the cost difference in both timber frame and traditional masonry domestic building the writer looked at two cardinal countries, b uilding costs and life rhythm costs. In relation to building costs the countries of preliminary costs ; works and equipment costs and site labor costs are looked at in greater item.Construction CostssPreliminary CostssEvery building undertaking incurs preliminary costs. Preliminary costs are defined as, â€Å" Costss which are straight involved with the overall completion of a building undertaking † ( Roy Chudley 2002 ) These costs include points such as site direction, insurance for the undertaking, drivers and secret agents. On larger sites where site cabins, offices, storage rooms, lavatories and canteens are required the costs incurred are besides referred to as preliminary costs. For each undertaking there is an allowance set aside for preliminary costs. However in relation to timber frame building these costs are included in the overall lumber frame bundle. This is a consequence of the bulk of the work required for lumber frame building being carried out off site, which in bend makes the budget costs a batch cheaper than traditional masonry. Derek Moore a manager with Timberline edifice contractors Ltd Dublin provinces, â€Å" by pre-manufacturing the lumber frame off-site, houses are constructed more cost efficaciously † . ( Pick a Pro 2009 ) To endorse up this point the Irish Timber frame manufactures association provinces â€Å" this method of building is non cheaper peculiarly if the builder has n't thought his patterns through but because mill fiction means much greater predictability, better controls and of class, a faster gait † ( Irish Timber Frame Manufacturing Association 2009 ) . This is non the instance for its traditional masonry opposite number as preliminary costs are required as a separate budget, this is due to the fact that all of the work required for traditional masonry is carried out on site. A bulk of the preliminary budget for the traditional masonry method includes hire of works and proviso for skips and concrete silos on site etc. Another factor to be taken into consideration is the clip period taken to build a lumber frame house, which is significantly lower than that of traditional masonry opposite number. Costss such as site supervising and the demand for applied scientists and the similar on site are greatly reduced.Plant and Equipment CostssPlant and equipment costs should be taken in to consideration when covering with building costs. Every undertaking requires certain types of equipment and works to transport out work to a decision. Harmonizing to Colm Kilroy a measure surveyor with Michael Higgins and associates in Galway, â€Å" works and equipment costs are a major portion of all building undertakings, the use of such equipment is critical as a batch of money can be wasted due to bad direction and planning on site † . He continued to state â€Å" if works is required on site for a certain occupation it is critical that the site is ready for that equipment as once it arrives on site it has to be paid for. † ( Colm Kilroy 2009 ) The conditions can besides plays a portion in works and equipment costs, inauspicious conditions conditions can take to a batch of equipment being left idle while the cost for holding it on the site is still being charged. Obviously the conditions conditions can non be controlled by the undertaking squad but in periods of forecasted inclement weather the ordination of works and stuffs should be avoided if possible.Site Labour CostssThis country of site labor costs greatly differs with both methods of building. A batch of the factors in relation to be for the lumber frame method of building are all inclusive of the over lumber frame bundle, the bulk of the work to be carried out by specialized labor is completed in the mill and one time the lumber frame unit leaves for the site their work is finished. This in bend reduces any call back costs, to complement this, the Irish lumber frame manufactures association provinces that, â€Å" There are lower call back costs ; any jobs encountered can be eliminated instantly by the lumber frame specializers before go forthing the mill. † ( Irish Timber Frame Manufacturing Association 2009 ) The cost for the labor to rectify these jobs is still inclusive of the lumber frame bundle. Traditional masonry building is in comparing carried out otherwise with all the building work associated with traditional masonry been carried out on site and with each single trade necessitating labors to transport out the work.Cost Case StudyThe writer compiled a cost comparing from a building contractor ‘s point of position for the development of a lumber frame and masonry domestic home. The house programs used to transport out this comparing were based on a individual house within a development of five similar houses, merely the major elements of the constructions were included in the pricing. for the comparing were obtained from Barry Doyle a measure surveyor with a Co Carlow company and John O Connell a building contractor in Co Galway. The lumber frame house is more expensive to build than its masonry opposite number. There is a cost difference of about a‚ ¬9,000 between both methods to build a individual house taking the chief structural elements in to consideration. For the development consisting of five houses where this house is located the entire monetary value difference in the building of the five houses utilizing both methods of building can be up to a‚ ¬45,000 to a‚ ¬50,000. The undermentioned information shows the logical thinking behind the monetary value differences for the of import elements of the building.Timber frame kitThis component looks to be really expensive but the bulk of stuffs needed to finish the lumber frame house including the labor needed for the building are included.Concrete raft foundationThe monetary value of the raft foundation differs as there is less steel required in the raft for the lumber frame house in comparing to the masonry built house, this leads t o nest eggs for both the labor and stuffs.Block workThe difference in the monetary value of the block work is due to the interior foliage and the internal walls of the lumber frame house been constructed of lumber.RoofThe lumber frame kit incorporates a bulk of the roof in the over all bundle which leads is a monolithic monetary value difference from the standard roof for the masonry home.InsulationDue to the demand for more insularity in the lumber frame house there is a difference in monetary value over its masonry opposite number.SlabbingAs with the insularity due to the sum of timber stud internal dividers and timber interior foliage walls the lumber frame brooding requires more plaster board than the masonry method which increases both the sum of stuff and labor.PlasteringThe daubing component differs entirely because of the decreased measure of abrasion coat required in the lumber frame house.CarpentryThe monetary value difference in relation to woodworking is a consequence of a batch of the lumber work coming pre fabricated as portion of the lumber frame kit, an illustration being the doors coming pre hung with ironmongery fitted and architrave already attached.Main contractors ProfitThe chief contractors net income has been calculated on the standard per centum being 5 % .Life Cycle CostssIntroductionLife rhythm costs are normally interpreted as, † The operating costs of edifices over the prognosis utile life attributed to them † ( Bruceshaw 2009 ) These costs include initial capital costs, business costs and operating costs. In relation to the edifice industry and in peculiar to the traditional masonry and lumber frame methods of building, life rhythm costs are indispensable in make up one's minding which is the overall cost effectual method of building is. In this chapter the writer discusses countries such as the running costs and other costs that are involved with both signifiers of building.Design Differences and ChangesFrom an aesthetic point of position lumber frame and traditional masonry constructed homes when constructed look really similar, nevertheless lumber frame houses, â€Å" Let for more versatile designs than block built houses † ( Pick a Pro 2009 ) The inquiry is one time the house is constructed how easy is it to transport out alterations to the design. In relation to these changes Kingspan Century province, â€Å" Due to the fact the interior foliage of your lumber frame house is constructed of solid wood and gypsum board, and non concrete blocks and plaster, extensions and changes by and large have significantly reduced impact on the bing edifice † . ( Kingspan Century 2007 ) To further this statement MBS Timber frame Ltd province, â€Å" Because the inside of a lumber frame house is made of wooden panels and gypsum board, changes and extensions will non affect the muss and terrible break of strike harding down solid block walls, and all the other tests and trials that accompany this type of work † . ( MBC Timber Frame 2009 ) Alternatively the block work internal foliage of a masonry house has distinguishable advantages over is timber frame opposite number. Undertakings such as repairing a shelf or drape rail can be a slippery with the lumber frame method, â€Å" There is no job making this in a masonry physique place as all the walls are capable of keeping shelves, drape tracks etc. it would be a simple affair of boring the holes in the right topographic point and sleep togethering your shelf into topographic point † ( Irish Concrete Federation 2009 ) . In comparing, with a lumber frame house, harmonizing to John Meehan a carpenter with a Co Galway Company, â€Å" If you are put ining a new kitchen or telecasting unit, you may happen that there are no evidences in the wall where you need a repair. If in this state of affairs if your repair is put in topographic point without happening a he-man, the unit is certain to fall down under force per unit area † . ( David Treacy 2009 )Property Market and Selling ValueInfluencing factors in relation to domestic building include resale value and easiness of sale. The traditional masonry constructed procedure has built up a repute of been a good marketer and a front-runner with the Irish populace, Galway auctioneer John Gilmore provinces, â€Å" Block built houses are easier to sell as people by and large go for the sure method, a batch of people asking about lumber frame houses are wary and are non easy convinced as to its benefits † ( Liam Gordon 2009 ) .The position of an Irish lumber frame company is that,â€Å" Auctioneers and estate agents are by and large of the sentiment that non merely is timber frame non an obstruction in selling a place, but on the contrary, is going more and more a major merchandising point. The energy efficiency of lumber frame houses is going an progressively valued characteristic † . ( Kingspan Century 2008 ) To repeat this, â€Å" For mortgage intents and insurance, most loaners and insurance companies rank lumber frame every bit with block work. Equally far as resale value is concerned, there appears to be no difference at all between the two systems. However some persons have their ain penchants, built up from their ain experience or things they have heard about either system † . ( Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine 2005 )Runing CostssThe lumber frame method of domestic building brushs big nest eggs over its traditional masonry opposite number. These nest eggs result from the lumber frame house holding an allowance for insularity on both the external and internal walls ; this differs well from the traditional masonry method where in most instances merely the external walls contain insularity. â€Å" Because lumber frame constructions are highly good insulated and have less mass than more traditional signifiers of building, important nest eggs can be made in warming costs † . ( Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine 2005 ) A taking Irish lumber frame company states, â€Å" Savingss of between 30 % and 40 % on warming measures are reasonably typical † . ( Devsan Timber Frame Homes 2009 ) In relation to farther nest eggs in the hereafter with lumber frame, â€Å" It is estimated that the warming cost of a lumber frame place can be 30 % lower than that of a masonry home, and the rapid rise in energy costs these costs look set to increase † . Sunday Business Post Newspaper 2007 ) In decision the nest eggs to be made with the lumber frame method of domestic building in relation to warming and energy usage are extended over its masonry opposite number.Time of ConstructionIntroductionFrom a clip to build perspective the length of clip it takes to construct and complete both signifiers of building differs. The building of a traditional masonry home has a longer clip programme than its lumber frame opposite number. The chief factors lending to the difference in building times include.Programme of plantsThe programme of plants for both methods has a clip difference of about seven hebdomads from foundation phase to decorating and traveling in phase. Derek Moore of Timberline edifice contractors provinces, â€Å" In footings of physique velocity, timber frame can present a important 30 % decrease on traditional building times, which affect hard currency flow and reduces local perturbation † . ( Pick a Pro 2009 ) The position of another Irish lumber frame provider is the building clip of both methods of building is even larger depending on the edifice, â€Å" Construction clip is cut by about 40 % as your lumber frame construction is erected on site within yearss depending on size and complexness of edifice † . ( Clark Group 2008 )Building CoatingsDuring the phase whereby the lumber frame unit is erected the internal first repairing work can get down. This work can continue inside the house as the masonry tegument is being built, in comparing no internal work can get down on the masonry house while the block work component is being constructed. The long drying out period associated with traditional masonry building is besides a disadvantage in comparing to the lumber frame method. â€Å" Apart from the obvious labor economy, lumber frame does n't necessitate any drying-out clip, unlike a standard masonry building, which needs up to 1,500 gallons of H2O to vaporize before it is dry † . ( Sunday Tribune 2001 ) To repeat this a prima Irish lumber frame provider provinces, â€Å" Timber frame AIDSs internal coatings, all walls are consecutive and plumb, corners are square and true. With lumber frame there are less of the â€Å" wet † trades, gypsum board needs merely to be skimmed and pigment, cosmetic stuffs and floor coverings can be applied sooner to dried surfaces † .( Castle Timber Frame Homes 2009 )Heat Loss in BuildingsIntroductionFor the intent of this thesis the writer compared the U Value of the external walls of both a lumber frame and masonry constructed home, the writer besides decided to obtain the Building Energy Rating ( BER ) for both methods of building so as to do an accurate comparing. Both the U Value computation and the Building Energy Rating are based on the house programs. With the expertness of Michael Sweeney of Sweeney Energy the U Value and BER computations were compiled and the consequences are as follows.U-Value CalculationA U-value is the term given to the step of heat loss through subdivisions of a edifice. It measures the rate that heat transmits through a constituent or construction when there is a difference in air temperature at both sides. â€Å" Uracil Valuess are expressed in Watts per meter Kelvin which is the rate of heat transportation in Watts through 1m2 of the construction for one unit of temperature difference between the air on the two sides of the construction † .( Roy Chudley 2002 )U-Value FootingsThe following are footings associated with the computation of the U-Value.Thermal Conductivityâ€Å" It is the step of a stuffs ability to convey heat and is expressed as the energy flow in watts per square meter of surface country †. ( Roy Chudley 2002 )Thermal Resistanceâ€Å" This is symbolized by the missive R, as representative of a stuffs thermic opposition achieved by spliting its thickness in meters by its thermic conduction †. ( Roy Chudley 2002 )Timber Frame U-Value CalculationThe above computations show that a traditional masonry external pit wall has a U-Value of 0.35 W/m2K in comparing to the lumber frame outer wall, which has a U-Value of 0.25 W/m2K. The findings for this peculia r computation show that the lumber frame domestic building has a better U-Value than its masonry constructed opposite number.Building Energy Rating ( BER ) CalculationThe writer decided to compare the Building Energy Rating of both methods of building. To accomplish this the writer availed of the expertness of a qualified BAR assessor who calculated both BER values utilizing the same house programs as used for the U Value Calculations. For the intent of the reader the writer explains some of the footings associated in the Building energy evaluation process.Building Energy Rating FootingsThe process is based on ciphering the energy balance for a home, â€Å" this is the energy required by the brooding plus any losingss, so less the energy additions this is equal to the energy delivered in to the home †( Cheveron Training 2009 ) Delivered Energy, expressed as kWh/year. This corresponds to the energy ingestion that would usually look on the energy measures of the home for the false standardization tenancy and terminal users considered.( Cheveron Training 2009 ) Primary Energy, expressed as kWh/year. This includes delivered energy, plus an allowance for energy â€Å" overhead † incurred in pull outing, processing and transporting a fuel or other energy bearer to the home. For illustration, in the instance of electricity it takes history of coevals efficiency at power Stationss.( Cheveron Training 2009 ) The consequences show that both timber frame and traditional masonry domestic building have an energy evaluation of B2 for this house. The B2 evaluation is acceptable for a edifice, which incorporates a natural airing design. The primary energy value for the lumber frame method of building is lower than it ‘s masonry opposite number and indicates that the operating expense incurred in pull outing, processing and transporting of energy to the home is lower for lumber frame method. The comparing of the Co2 emanations consequences in the lumber frame method holding lower emanations end product and as antecedently discussed the lower the Co2 emanation the better it is for the environment. Finally the lumber frame method had a lower delivered energy evaluation. This shows that the energy ingestion on the energy measures of the home are once more lower than its masonry opposite number. Developers positions sing the alteration from masonry to timber frame: To accomplish a true indicant on the positions of the building industry in respect to both methods of building and why the tendency has moved towards timber frame it was necessary to obtain the positions of developers who really carry out the edifice works. As portion of the writer research, many building bureaus were contacted. Philip Mahoney of timber frame industries association was contacted and helped with the writer ‘s inquiries. Philip Mahoney of the Timber Frame Manufacturing Association said when asked why the tendency has moved from masonry to timber frame. â€Å" From a developers point of position velocity of building was really of import, because a lumber frame house can be up and roofed in a affair of yearss and ready for the follow on trades to travel in. for the developer this was a great advantage as they were in and out much quicker and hence turn hard currency over. Timber frame would hold besides have got popular with the ego physique sector because of the fact that a ) rather an instruction procedure was carried out by the association and its members, B ) the green card besides began to come into drama every bit good as lumber frame is seen as environmentally friendly which the industry has been advancing. † Tom McHugh, Director of Kilcloghans Ltd Galway who have been outstanding traditional masonry builders for a figure of old ages said in respects to ease of build â€Å" we are masonry builders and we build timber frame, we find that it is particularly simple to construct the lumber frame method † he went on to state in relation to building costs â€Å" timber frame is every bit economical to construct as traditional masonry † sing building costs in relation to the downswing in the building industry he stated â€Å" yes the building cost for both methods had dropped but both methods still work out in and around the same monetary value † . He besides stated that they found the chief advantages of lumber frame to be â€Å" a dry signifier of building every bit good as the obvious advantages of velocity to construct and economical to run † . From a merchandising point of position he found lumber frame, â€Å" easier for the ground that they are more economical in footings of energy usage † . Francis Geraghty Director of Frame to complete edifice contractors Co Galway stated in footings of easiness of building,â€Å" the lumber frame method depends mostly on the type of house the client wants to construct every bit good as the quality of site readying before the lumber frame edifice reaches the site †. He sees the chief advantages of the lumber frame method for him areâ€Å" the U-Values that can be achieved †and besidesâ€Å" the whole lumber frame construction is up and ready for internal work in a affair of yearss †. Colm Kilroy a Quantity Surveyor with Michael Higgins and Associates Galway saidâ€Å" from a cost of stuffs point of position certain stuffs have dropped in monetary value, but the existent bead in monetary value has come from the shopkeepers themselves more so for traditional masonry instead than the lumber frame method. With such competition for work cost of labor has decreased quickly † . He went on to state, â€Å" this bead in labor costs could be a key to the pick of the populace in the coming old ages with traditional masonry acquiring so inexpensive to construct †. John O ‘ Connell, a builder, based in Co. Galway stated that he sees the chief disadvantages of Timber Frame building asâ€Å" the inclement conditions conditions in this state, have people concerned that lumber may decompose over clip. Peoples besides feel more unafraid with bricks and howitzer †. Sean O Donnell a chief with a edifice contractor in Co Galway who specialises with both signifiers of building sees the chief advantages of lumber frame over traditional masonry in relation to be to beâ€Å" less labour intensifier, less wastage of stuffs on site, and when lived in less cost in running † . In relation to clip to build he said, â€Å" less clip lost due to adverse conditions, you get to see the finished merchandise quicker and easier and timber frame leads to quicker installing of electrical wiring † . Sing insularity he states, â€Å" with a lumber frame house you are closer to the life country and so non heating the outside wall before making insularity value, it takes really small to heat up house and the quality of insularity is cardinal to better acoustic public presentation †.Questionnaire ConsequencesIntroductionTo acquire a true and realistic position on both methods of domestic building the writer decided to obtain the positions of the oc cupants who live in lumber frame places. To accomplish this, a questionnaire was compiled and distributed around the Galway country. A transcript of the questionnaire is included in the appendix at the terminal of the thesis and the consequences are as follows. As can be seen from the pie chart decidedly shows that 100 % of the surveyed occupants notice the lumber frame method of building to be cheaper to heat than its traditional masonry opposite number. The remarks received included, â€Å" Traditional block was more expensive ; I used solid fuel scope with a back boiler and oil cardinal warming. It was necessary to hold heat invariably from back boiler toped up by oil, in comparing the oil warming in the lumber frame runs for 4 hours per twenty-four hours from November until March to the downstairs radiators merely. We have 2 unfastened fires that we ne'er use as it would be excessively hot. Our oil measure is reduced by 2/3 and we do n't necessitate solid fuel †. A farther remark stated, â€Å" Timber frame is cheaper every bit non as cold during the twenty-four hours so no demand for much heat during the winter months † clearly shows that the occupants find their lumber frame homes to be warmer than the traditional masonry opposite number with 84 % happening it a batch heater and 14 % of occupants saying it to be somewhat warmer shows how good people rate the acoustic public presentation of their lumber frame house in relation to external noises. 55 % of the occupants find there to be no noise while 45 % of the occupants find there to be a small noise. One of the occupants stated, â€Å" The lone noise to be heard is that of the rain H2O running to the gully † . A farther occupant stated, â€Å" External noises are non an issue, but my house is located on a spot of an elevated site and on a really blowy twenty-four hours the air current can be an issue † . Other illustrations of external noises to be heard included traffic from a nearby chief route and Canis familiariss barking, but no extra noises than would besides be heard in a traditional masonry home. shows what the occupant ‘s ideas are on the acoustic public presentation of their homes in relation to upstairs noise. 22 % of the occupants province that there is a batch of noise to be heard from floor to floor, a bulk of the noise is a consequence of hapless sound insularity being used. One occupant stated, â€Å" Floor sound proofing between floors is a job, we did non take this in to account during building † . 44 % of the occupant ‘s province there is a small noise to be heard from upstairs with motion on floors and doors shuting being the chief subscribers. Finally 34 % of the occupants province there is no noise to be heard, a figure of them said that during building phase they had the builders put in excess sound proofing between floors, which acted most beneficially in cutting down the noise. Other occupants who found there to be no upstairs noise lived entirely and in a consequence had no upstairs motion while in the house.

Nucor Steel and Partner's Healthcare Term Paper

Nucor Steel and Partner's Healthcare - Term Paper Example As a function of this, the following analysis will consider and review the means by which Nucor Steel and Partner Health have attempted to leverage increasing returns within their organization as a means to make them more competitive and ultimately more profitable within the markets that they compete. Although it is oftentimes not easy to determine what aspects of a firm are primed for increasing rates of return, the instances that will be discussed in this case study and analysis have been determined from prior research which has been performed with the sole intent of labeling these increasing return mechanisms and seeking to implement them as a way to boost the profitability of the industry in question. Q1) Nucor challenge and principles of increasing returns working to help the firm achieve its strategic goals. Analyze the cases in terms of network effect, standardization, high switching cost, and learning effect. With regards to Nucor Steel, the case study in question presented a situation in which lower levels of company leadership outright refused to communicate and or learn from the experience of one another. As a function of this compartmentalized approach to management and information sharing, the firm itself was suffering from a lack of free flow of knowledge systems and intelligence transfer. As a result of this, the profitability and overall level to which the firm could hope to grow was necessarily constrained. As a means of outgrowing this constraint and leveraging increasing returns of the human capital inputs that the process entailed, the authors of the piece detail how they sought to implement a type of incentive system for information sharing within the firm and among leadership positions (Anderson 2009). Naturally, such an approach necessarily sought to change an aspect of the company’s culture. However, what was particularly intelligent about the means by which this was affected was the fact that rather than merely forcing this chang e upon the shareholders, it was presented to them by means of an incentive mechanism (Nucor 2012). In this way, the switching cost was alleviated, the network affect (by which shareholders sought to implement the change) was also assisted, and the learning effect was shortened. Such an approach was highly useful and insightful as it helped the firm to rapidly yet methodically implement the new structure and achieve the ultimate affect which was sought after without disrupting the otherwise solid performance that the firm exhibited within the market. The second article that has been analyzed dealt with the case of Partner Health and their desire to implement a type of EBM (Evidence Based Medicine) into their field of practice. Recognizing that the prime impediment to a higher quality of care and helping the firm to evolve to the next level was the fact that their current system of healthcare provision meant that there was little to no evolution and growth within the body of knowledge that medical practitioners disseminated on a daily basis, the top leadership sought to engage a system of EBM as a means of seeking to provide these affected shareholders with an ever expanding body of clinical knowledge which could help to inform them as to the decision that they should make. Likewise, with relation to the ultimate implementation of

United States Vs. India Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

United States Vs. India - Essay Example The rate of unemployment according to the CIA Factbook was 9.5% in 2009 and 9.1% in 2008 in India. When compared to the USA, the unemployment rate is very similar for the year 2009 as the country had 9.4% unemployment but in 2008, the rate was 5.8%. The rise in unemployment in the recent years in US has been caused by the economic conditions and the sub-prime crisis. General Motors filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and many other companies which employed a large proportion of the population also closed down. Many companies made lay-offs to reduce costs as their products were not being sold in the market. Many economists say that the unemployment that the US faces is seasonal and will improve with time. The inflation rate in the US for consumer prices was -0.7% in 2009 and 3.8% in 2008 (CIA, 2010). In contrast, India had an inflation rate of 9.8% in 2009 and 8.3% in 2008 (CIA, 2010). The rate of inflation is very high in India as compared to the USA which was negative for the last year. This high inflation rate in India accounts for the high demand of products in the country and the low rate in US accounts for the low demand and higher production in the economy. The US is the largest hub of technology in the world with per capita GDP of US$ 46,900 where as the Indian economy has per capita GDP of US$ 3,100 as of 2009 (CIA, 2010). Both these countries derive most of the GDP from the services sector and have economic liberalization policies. India has become a well known exporter of software products and has an edge of low labor cost. Although more than half of the labor force is self-employed in the agricultural industry in India, but the sector only accounts for 17% of the net income of the country. The US only derives 1.2% of its total revenue from agricultural sector and 71 % of the revenue from the services sector (CIA, 2010). USA has been struck hard by the worldwide economic downturn and the country itself

The course called organizational behavioral Essay

The course called organizational behavioral - Essay Example Every organization has its own culture that acts a code of conduct and shapes the behavior of all the people that are part of the organization. All the attitudes including office etiquette, social life, interaction with bosses and colleagues including the way of greeting comes under organizational culture. Organizational culture is different not only in different organizations but also in different geographical locations. Hence this sometimes causes employees to alter their behavior considering the different organizational culture in order to fit into the new culture and thereby avoiding any action that is considered inappropriate. A form of greeting in most workplaces is a common gesture used in communications that are occurring face to face and it varies from culture to culture. It is a common business communication behavior in the United States to shake hands while people first meet which is used as a form of greeting. This goes for all business situations as well as some social s ituations and is regardless of the gender of both hand shakers. However, in countries like Saudi Arabia, it is prohibited for male employees to shake hands with female employees or vice versa due to religious reasons. Hand shake or for that matter, any act involving physical touching between men and women is considered a taboo and therefore is prohibited. Having been employed in an organization in the United States, where interaction between male and female coworkers is very common, and then later moving on to an organization in Saudi Arabia, there is the need to change behavior in order to ‘adapt’ in to the new organization. Since hand shake is common in the US and prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the personal comfort zone is quite different from the zone of appropriateness in the new workplace. This situation results in no or minimal overlap between the personal comfort zone and the Saudi Arabian zone of appropriateness leading to authenticity challenges regarding being co mfortable with the new setting and environment. There is difficulty in connecting with other coworkers along with feelings of low self promotion. Of course this gap between the two zones can be overcome thereby creating a zone of optimal performance (Molinsky ch. 4, para. 11). One way this might be done is to try to customize your own behavior by adopting the new culture by taking on its code of behavior. Having an experience in working at particular Saudi Arabian workplaces could have also helped in adapting to the new environment. Another similar situation involving negotiation styles is considered where there are different negotiation approaches in different cultures even though negotiation styles may vary within cultures as well. Every person may negotiate differently even though they belong to the same culture depending upon the sector, time, setting and so on. Hence there might be generalizations while considering cross cultural negotiation styles. Cultural negotiation styles take into account the time orientation, space orientation, non verbal communication, hierachical structure, and so on (LeBaron "Culture-Based Negotiation Styles"). For an effective negotiation, it is important to understand the negotiation approach of the other party and adjust accordingly for mutual benefit. Negotiators in the United States have a greater sense of independence as they see themselves as self governing, that is, they use the individualist approach of communication. They do consult others but they

Price Analysis for the Navigation System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Price Analysis for the Navigation System - Essay Example For a cost to be said to be allowable, it has to be reasonable, allocable and comply with the terms of contract. The cost has to be reasonable in the sense that, the government buyers do not feel like they are being over-charged for the goods or services being offered by the company. The cost has also to lie within what the government would wish its citizens charged for the same (CCH Incorporated, 2007). Another type of cost to be determined is the variable cost which is a contrast of fixed cost. With the former, any variation in the expenses incurred will result in a corresponding increase in the output. However, with the former, the variation resulting from the incurred expenses does not affect the output. In the determination of the variable cost; that is after the completion of the start-up phase of a company, one has to bear in mind the costs relating to packaging, raw materials and the labour that is directly involved in the manufacturing process of the company. The total variable cost can be determined by getting the product of total cost per unit of output and total quantity of output. The semi-variable cost, which is also referred to as mixed cost, include both the variable and fixed rates. Electricity is considered to be the most common variable cost especially in the manufacturing companies. Cost analysis is very important to help one determine how to price a given commodity from a particular supplier. Before performing price analysis, there is need to compare competitive bids. This can be achieved through comparing several suppliers of a given similar commodity then at the end of the day, the average of the costs one has obtained can be very useful in helping him/her determine the price of a given good. Despite the fact that the above method is regarded as the best one when it comes to price analysis, there other methods which include prices set by law and regulation, comparison of a published price list,

UCC and Common Law Case Scenarios - Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

UCC and Common Law Case Scenarios - - Essay Example Due to floods, Cereal Inc warehouse is flooded and cereals destroyed that result in the inability to supply as stated in the contract. However, soggy flakes is not damaged and supplies 10 bags to grocery Inc. Besides, before the delivery was made, Grocery Inc had requested to be supplied with a variety of cereals at its different stores. Due to the inconvenience Grocery Inc wants to turn down the supply and terminate the contract. Even though it is within their rights to be supplied with the cereals they had specified at different stores, a complication will arise if they cancel the supply and the contract. The supplier will protect themselves by using the gap-filling rule. In the contract, it is not specified what type of cereals to be supplied or where to be supplied. The gap can be used in the defense that Cereal Inc had the right to choose what to supply and where to deliver it. The gap-filling rule gives a party of the contract the possibility of concluding some aspects of the contract that are not specific. In this case, it was not articulate on the type of cereals to be supplied or the store they were to be delivered. Cereal Inc can use this as its defense as the cause of the damages was not deliberate and the fact that inability to make the supplies was not the intention at the time of signing the contract. The amicable way of dealing with this case is for both parties to have a consensus. Grocery Inc should not be in a hurry to terminate the contract and cancel the supplies. They should give Cereal Inc time to recover from the loss. Alternatively, the contract can be amended such that it is specific on the type of supplies and the destination. Tom had promised to sell his model trains to Harry once he retired. Harry prepared by building a house to store them and borrowed money to pay for them. However, when the time came Tom did not honor his promise. Tom was sued by Harry for breach of

Holistic approach to health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Holistic approach to health - Essay Example The use of complementary therapies and CAM widely based in specific disease entities such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and asthma, in clinical settings such as obstetrical care and paediatric oncology and by international geographic locations (Yeh et al. 2000; 56). The concept of holism, which is an appreciation of the inter-relationship between body, mind and spirit, and recognition of the socio-cultural factors are fundamental to complementary therapies and medicine (Tiran 2006; 341). A number of definitions for complementary therapies and medicine have been proposed by different researchers. One of the definitions given is a broad domain of healing resource that encompasses health systems, modalities and practices and their accompany theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period (Snyder and Lindquist 2001; 6). According to Uzun and Tan (2004; 239), complementary therapy is defined as therapy used in conjunction with conventional therapy. Existing studies on complementary therapies and medicine focus mainly on two things. One is the focus on the specific mechanisms of actions such as particular herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines and essential oils, often with regard to assessing their safety and efficacy; the other one is focusing on specific therapies and medicine modalities such as herbal medicine, homeopathy and aromatherapy, as if they are stable or not, uniform and constant forms of health care practice (Williams 2000; 163). There is a steady increase in the use of complementary therapies and CAM by the general public in the last two decades (Ernst and White 2000: 32). This is parallel to their increased used in health care settings, including the UK NHS (Richardson 2001). In 1998, only 10% from 22 million visits to

Analysis of Human rights Act 1998 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of Human rights Act 1998 - Essay Example To abide the above said aims and to appease the people who are hankering for unity and unanimity, the Act incorporates some provisions which extends some rights to the people to enjoy these unity .These provisions give the so called conventional rights to the people from the all area includes offenders, suspects etc. But the question is how far these rights enjoyable to these offenders particularly for suspects whose status is neither in the culprit's nor in the normal persons. The question is whether their rights are being protected aptly or not is a crucial question before the Law. As said above the suspects also enjoy the benefits of the different provisions which meant for the well being of the society. Article 2 of the Act provides everyone present in UK has the right of life and no one can de be deprived of their life, including those such as suspected terrorists or violent criminals. Moreover Article 3 gives the suspects a right to freedom from torturing, inhumane or degrading treatment. It further says that even in times of war or other public emergency, a person has the right not to be treated in these ways .It is a also applicable to the suspects. By sticking to the individual fre... As said above the suspects also enjoy the benefits of the different provisions which meant for the well being of the society. Article 2 of the Act provides everyone present in UK has the right of life and no one can de be deprived of their life, including those such as suspected terrorists or violent criminals. Moreover Article 3 gives the suspects a right to freedom from torturing, inhumane or degrading treatment. It further says that even in times of war or other public emergency, a person has the right not to be treated in these ways .It is a also applicable to the suspects. By sticking to the individual freedom of living own life ,the Act empowers the persons to live in personal privacy taking into the account of rights and freedom of the others and also limits on the extent to which a public authority can do thing which invade your privacy about your body without your permission. The point is well explained in Law Vs R (2) and it was held that the principal purpose of s 8 of the charter was to protect an accused's privacy interests against unreasonable intrusion by the state. In the instant case, the mere fact that the police recovered the stolen property was insufficient to support an inference that the owners voluntarily relinquished their expectation of privacy in the item and the Court confirmed that the officer's conduct constituted an unreasonable search. It followed that there was a violation of s 8 of the charter. Moreover referring the principle 21 of the Body of the principles on detention, which envisages the well being of the suspects who is in detention by prohibiting undue advantage

Medical law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Medical law - Essay Example Therefore a breach of duty has also occurred and what this means is that the expressed or implied contract between this doctor and patient has been violated (Brooten 1987, p. 1). For example when Dr. Evil failed to read any of the instructions about the medication that he prescribed to the patient he violated the contract of duty between himself and the patient. This shows extreme negligence on his part and the tort law that covers this area would define this as being valid and providing burden of proof. Due to the fact that negligence has become such a profound problem within the field of medicine in the UK in the past decade the tort laws have become very strict on the specific care of patients as well. Therefore, in today’s society, it is found that the GP’s duty is fundamentally suppose to provide reasonable and dignified care, skill and judgement in the basic practice of his or her profession and when negligence does appear then they are suppose to take full responsibility for the adverse outcomes placed onto the patient in their care. Dr. Evil will thereby have to answer for wrongfully not following the guidelines that were implied in the drug combination he gave to his patient. This case is somewhat similar to Adderly v. Bremner which defined the GP in this case as being negligent in not having changed syringes to vaccinate 38 patients. What occurred instead was the GP used one main needle for every two patients which promoted the idea of liability onto this GP. This is due to the fact that some of the patients were infected with septicaemia (blood poisoning) due to this judgemental error by the attending GP. It also defines the fact that the GP did not provide the required standard of care that was expected of him by the patients. In retrospect it would seem that any reasonable GP would have in fact changed the syringes after each patient to avoid the adverse consequences which

Are We Born Good or Evil Essay Example for Free

Are We Born Good or Evil Essay The age old question when discussing man has always been: Is man naturally good or evil? There are many arguments that say that man is naturally evil. There are many counter arguments that say that man is naturally good. Which one is it? Is man naturally good or evil? Thats why Im here. I will present arguments from both sides, and maybe some that share an entirely different argument, and then share my opinion about which I think. This papers purpose is not to tell you which is right, which is wrong, but to get you to think about man and his nature. I must first define the terms good and evil before I am able to discuss which medium man is. I went to dictionary.com to find what the definitions of both terms. Evil produced five definitions, while good produced 41 definitions. I will discuss why this is weird later, but for now, just the definitions. Evil is basically something that is morally wrong. Its something thats intent is to hurt others. Good is basically something that is right, and its intent is to help others or do something for someone else. Now that Ive basically defined the terms, we can now discuss what man is. I conducted a survey on an internet forum asking people what they thought man naturally was. 33% think man is naturally both good and evil, 28% think man is naturally neither good nor evil, 28% think man is naturally evil, and 11% think man is naturally good. When I proposed the question, I was thinking that people would just say good or evil. It was not my intention for them to also say neither or both. What surprised me the most was that good was so low, while evil was so high. Is man naturally evil? Possibly. Many believe that humankind is entirely selfish, only looking out for oneself. Its our animal instinct they say. We do what we must to survive. If that means hurting someone else to get ahead, then thats the way it is. Me, me, me; its always about what I want, and not what anyone else wants. There are wars in our world simply because one side thinks the other is evil and must be destroyed and vice versa. This usually involves religion. Man is evil because Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to eat from the forbidden tree. They wanted to be like God, so they ate the fruit. Thats where sin came into play. So because of their act, all mankind is born into sin, which makes man naturally evil. Is man naturally good? Possibly. Even though many people do not think man is good, there are some people that do. They think that love is a natural instinct, and love is good. Man does not have the instinct to hurt or kill simply because they choose to. Man is compassionate. Man wants to be happy. Man wants to love and to be loved. Man cares about whom they love. Humankind tries to help one another in times of need. Man believes in the humanistic perspective, in that mans mind is inherently good, constantly striving to learn more and reach its full potential. Anything that happens along the way is subject interpretation. Once again, religion can come into play. God created man in His image. God is good, which makes man good. Even though sin came upon humankind, man is still created in Gods image, so man must naturally be good. Perhaps man is neither good nor bad. Perhaps when we are born we simply are there, we are neutral. 28% of people say this. They say that man is neutral, and is influenced by their culture on what is good and what is evil. Good and evil are just terms created by man; opinions. Wars are never a battle between good and evil, but rather a battle between differing opinions of what goodness and evil constitute. Good and evil change based on the morals that you learn. There is only the perception of humanity which attempts to give itself some fundamental depth where there is inherently none. Evolution didnt design us to be civilized and polite. We are hunters and gatherers. In the end we are carbon based life forms evolved from single celled organisms. Good and evil are objective constructs. They dont exist without people to perceive them; they are not a priority. For example a soldier can be seen as a hero from one side and a terrorist from another. Its all about perspective. Religion can come into play here as well. Is atheism considered a religion? Is believing in nothing but what you see considered a religion? A belief in God creates a religion, so a belief in something else (in this case, nothing) should create a religion, right? Ill just say belief and leave it like that. The atheistic belief is that the terms good and evil are nothing more than terms, created from religion. They believe that what we see is what we get. Man is born and is influenced into doing things (good or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"evil things). Evil is perspective, as is good. One side of the world may see themselves as good, while another side of the world might see those same people as evil. The terms are simply opinions, nothing more. Maybe man is naturally both good and evil. 33% of people seem to think so. Man always has a choice. Man can either do good, or do evil; their choice. They can choose to hurt or to help. Its easier to go down the dark side and act on greed and other negative impulses, but we have the ability to choose the person we want to be and choose the light side instead. That is what makes man special, instead of a common animal that runs purely on instinct. Man can love and man can hate. Man can kill and man can create life. Man is compassionate. Man is vengeful. Humanity can choose to do good, and choose to do evil. It 50/50; heads or tails. Where do I fall into this? Is man evil, good, both, or neither? I dont believe man is neither good nor bad. I dont believe man is here simply because of chance. I dont believe good and evil are just terms created by man to help ourselves feel better about our choices. Humanity isnt here because of an accident, or because of an explosion. Were too perfect to be. Im not saying man is the perfect being, because we all make mistakes, but were just made up so well I just dont see how we are just an accident. Do I think man is influenced in his decisions from family, culture, or even the media? Yes. But I believe man has this natural instinct to be good or evil. I do believe that man is both good and evil. Man can do great, wonderful, terrible, and horrifying things. Tony Soprano from the television series The Sopranos is a good example. He is a loving husband and father, but hes also a mobster who kills people and puts hits on people. Benjamin Franklin had many ideas for America and even invented electricity, but he was also an adulterous and a very sleazy man. If the perception of man being both good and evil is true, then each decision that humanity makes must be struggle, since good tells you to do one thing, while evil tells you to do something else. Its like youre mind is split in two. I realize thats a stretch, but Im trying to deduce all ideas around this belief. And if man can be both, can they be one or the other? I guess well find out. I do not believe man is naturally evil. Do we have evil tendencies? Sure, but that doesnt mean that the first thing I think of when I see someone is that I want to kill them. I dont wake up every day thinking Oh goody, I get to hurt someone today! because thats just stupid. Do I think that people think this? Unfortunately, yes. I dont think there are many people that do think this, but I believe there are some. People can be selfish, sure, but peoples intentions usually arent to hurt others. There is the exception though, like the popular kids in high school who make fun of the geeks just because they think its funny. Luckily, life isnt like high school at all. Evil is very real in my opinion, but we always have a choice to do evil, and I do my best to avoid it. I do believe that man is naturally good. We as humans strive to be happy. Thats what were all searching for in my opinion. We want to love and to be loved. Plus, man has this wonderful thing called a conscience. Its this little voice inside ones head that tells you when youre doing something wrong. We try to have a good day each day, even if we know that day is going to suck. Humanity tries to help each other out in times of need. Some people give to charities; others become counselors or doctors. Many people when they are children want to become policemen or firemen because, not only do they have cool uniforms, but because they help people. Its very hard to talk about good when all people usually think about is the bad. Even I think more about the bad rather than the good. Is that because I feel bad for thinking about the evil? I think so. The evil might be affecting us in one way or another. We try to do good, but sometimes the evil simply takes over and theres not much to stop it. We simply give in because its easier. Theres a quote in the bible that says The road to hell is straight and wide, and its filled with people, but the road to heaven is shallow and is filled with many turns. There arent many people on this road. I know the quote isnt exactly that, but thats not the point. The point is, doing evil is easy, while doing good is hard. But how can one truly live their lives if all they ever did was the easy thing? Itd be very hard to do. Whats really sad is that at dictionary.com, there are 41 definitions for evil and only five definitions for good. Why is this sad? Because it seems like we as humans always are trying to do good, but for one reason or another, it turns into evil, and so people get hurt. So there are 41 definitions because people get hurt. People usually think about the bad times rather than the good times. We dont really think about good things because we dont think they come in our lives very often, so there are five definitions of good because they seem so far away to attain, even if theyre not. My choice is that naturally, man is good. Sure, we all make mistakes, but when we do we try to learn from those mistakes. I believe that we are not born and are here just because. How can one truly live their life knowing that they are an accident? I dont see how thats possible. Humanity can do terrible, horrible things, but humanity can also do very good, even great things. Finding a cure for cancer, donating to a charity, helping someone paint their house just because they asked with nothing in return, the March of Dimes, Walk for Life, donating to Hurricane Katrina victims, or whatever else. We do a lot of good things yet we never really think about it. Maybe we give someone a quarter to help pay for something just because we have the change, or buying a friend dinner because they dont have any mother. Moving a shopping cart out of the road at Wal-Mart because someone might hit it or letting someone in front of you because they have one item while you have 25. Humanity does more g ood than what they think. We arent evil. We arent here just because. Were just naturally good, and it cant get better than that.

Las Meninas Essay Example for Free

Las Meninas Essay The aim of this paper is to analyze Diego Velazquez’s painting â€Å"Las Meninas†, one of the most impressive and controversial art pieces in history. The content and the message of the painting â€Å"Las Meninas† provides much food for thought. On the picture we can see the artist himself as he works at a canvas, but we can’t see what exactly he is painting; he is not alone in the studio. A group of seven is situated in the front part of the studio. Infanta Margarita is in the centre of the group. Infanta is accompanied by two maids of honour; one is serving her a refreshing drink. We also see Margarita’s playmates – a male and female dwarfs; one of them is teasing a sleepy dog. Two grave adults stand slightly farther than Infanta. The interior of the studio is also rendered with great attention and mastery. Velazquez is an unsurpassed master in light and shadow and delicate harmony of colours. There exists a variety of possible interpretations of this brilliant picture. The enigma of â€Å"Las Meninas† is connected with the following question: what painting is Velazquez working at? One of the possible interpretations suggests that the royal couple sits for the portrait, because we see them in the mirror on the opposite wall. But such an explanation contradicts some important facts. From history, King Philip IV and her second wife Marianna do not have any portrait where they would be portrayed together done by Velazquez. Therefore we may consider the hypothesis that Infanta Margarita herself sits for the painting. Velazquez caught the moment when the King and the Queen were entering the room as the mirror restores visibility to that which resides outside our view. Some personages have already noticed them – Infanta Margarita, the maid of honour standing to the right from Infanta and also the painter who interrupted his work to greet the royal couple. The symbolism of the painting is complex. The figures on the painting form a circle which is traditionally considered a symbol of the devotion and service. Scholars believe that a horoscope is concealed in â€Å"Las Meninas† (Vasilakis, 1997). French philosopher and historian Michel Foucault, one of the most influential public figures of the 20th century in European and American intellectual circles, has always been fascinated by the painting. His interest in Velazquez’s â€Å"Las Meninas† is associated with the painting’s preoccupation with exploring two philosophical concepts Foucault explored extensively in his works, namely the concept of the gaze and the concept of representation. The fact that the painter (a self-portrait of Velazquez) is looking at something that is supposed to be invisible to the spectator invites those regarding the painting to apprehend themselves. Thus, spectators are prescribed an active rather than passive role in observing the painting: â€Å"We are observing ourselves being observed by the painter, and made visible to his eyes by the same light that enables us to see him. And just as we are about to apprehend ourselves, transcribed by his hand as though in a mirror, we find that we can in fact apprehend nothing of that mirror but its lustreless back. Foucault’s exploration of the process of observation is based on the interactionist approach to knowledge creation. As OFarrell (2008) informs, â€Å"Foucault uses the word [gaze] to refer to the fact that it is not just the object of knowledge which is constructed but also the knower. † The painting represents spectacle-as-observation, given that the painter and other figures look at the painter’s models that should remain invisible to the spectator. Yet the spectator can see the painter’s models, King Philip IV and his wife, in the mirror that is placed at the wall in the back the room. While spectators can see the figures in the mirror, the painter himself or anyone of his posse are not looking at the mirror, so it remain invisible for them. Foucault (1994) notes that â€Å"[t]here are, it is true, some heads turned away from us in profile: but not one of them is turned far enough to see, at the back of the room, that solitary mirror, that tiny glowing rectangle which is nothing other than visibility, yet without any gaze able to grasp it, to render it actual, and to enjoy the suddenly ripe fruit of the spectacle it offers. † This phrase calls into the question the foundations of solipsism – whether objects actually exist if not regarded, observed, gazed at by a living being. Foucault’s statement that the mirror is not rendered actual by anyone looking at it suggests that the painting implicitly probes the concept of solipsism. The notion of gaze, central to the analysis of the painting, is linked to a variety of other, more substantial philosophical issues. For example, Foucault’s interest in the problem of representation stems from his conviction that representation is inherently linked to knowledge. Las Meninas,† by virtue of its spatial organization, allows application of deconstructive techniques to analyzing the painting itself and critically reflecting on concepts that are employed in this analysis. As Denzin (2007) notes, â€Å"a deconstructive reading engages four paired terms: (1) the real and its representations in a text; (2) text and author; (3) presence and lived experience; (4) subjects and their intentional meanings† (p. 69). The painting offers an opportunity to reflect on all these relationship in order to arrive at the correct judgment about the nature of representation. Foucault believes that Classical representation as defined in pre-Renaissance period based on equating thought and representation (i. e. the process of thinking was defined as using ideas to represent objects) was limited in its inability to explore the real meaning of representation. The problem of the relation between reality and its representations is solved differently under different epistemological regimes. Classical representation implies that the relation between reality and its representations is not the one of resemblance, since there are no characteristics of the idea that are themselves the representation of the object. Classical representation suggests that knowledge means having ideas that represent what a person knows. Descartes in his exploration of representation uses the concept of objective and formal reality for counterpositioning the object in the real world and the idea of that object in human thought. He discusses the sun as an example of interrelation between the two realities: the representation of the sun in human thought is a small two-dimensional circle in the sky, while the formal, or real sun is huge and spherical (Berreitter, 2000). Foucault poses a question of how can humans verify whether representations of objects are adequate. It is an impossible task since for the reason it will require comparing idea with the object independently of its representation. However, humans do not know object – only their representations. As Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2008) informs, â€Å"[t]he only possibility is that the idea itself must make it apparent that it is a representation. The idea represents the very fact that it is a representation. † This is precisely why Foucault (1994) believes in the exceptionality of â€Å"Las Meninas. † Due to the spatial organization of the painting, â€Å"the necessary disappearance of that which is its foundation of the person it resembles and the person in whose eyes it is only a resemblance. This very subject which is the same has been elided. And representation, freed finally from the relation that was im ¬peding it, can offer itself as representation in its pure form. † Therefore, â€Å"Las Meninas† is a unique painting that is able to provoke an in-depth exploration of core philosophical concepts. The fact that the painter is gazing at something that is visible to spectators in the mirror which the figures at the painting do not observe implies that the painting goes beyond the limits of Classical representation and calls for a deconstructive reading of the artwork.

Malaysian Attitudes Towards Counterfeits Of Luxury Brands

Malaysian Attitudes Towards Counterfeits Of Luxury Brands CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The first counterfeiting emerged in more than forty years ago, and it was only happened on highly priced and prestigious products like textiles, jewelry and accessories (Eisend M. Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P., 2006). This phenomenon considered insignificant and less attention has been paid to eliminate it. Nowadays, this phenomenon has widespread globally and has become a significant economic issue. According to Eisend M. and Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P. (2006) European Union has reported a 1000% rising of counterfeiting within six years, rising from 10million in year 1998 to 103million in year 2004. Meanwhile, United stated has reported that seizures of counterfeits have doubled since 2001. Many products have been counterfeited, ranging from CDs, VCDs, software, shirts, designer shoes, wallets, purses, handbags, watches, jewelry, perfume, sun glasses, accessories, apparel, books, pain relievers, auto parts, cameras, TV, toys, food and beverages, tobacco and personal care products also being counterfeit. Most all these products could be categorized under luxury goods which most consumers perceived as symbol of status. Among the counterfeit goods, luxury designer brands have become targets of counterfeit producers. Therefore, counterfeit of luxury goods is increasing in a dramatic growth rate. For counterfeit manufacturers, this market is very lucrative as it is low cost products that are easy to manufacture status symbol and easy to sell with no marketing effort required (Gentry et al., 2006). Counterfeiting has caused negative consequences to the economy. As estimated by The International Anti Counterfeiting has caused at least $200 billion per annum in lost job, taxes and sales. This is also an obstacle to the development of intellectual properties. Therefore, there is a need to look into the issue from different perspectives to prevent it from getting worse. 1.1 Problem Statement Counterfeit market is in growing rate although many countries have implemented anti counterfeiting strategies to curb and eliminate this illegal industry. However, studies were mainly focused on supply side, including discouraging counterfeit through trademark registration, regulatory action and protection strategies to reduce the availability of counterfeits (Wee et al, 1995). Unfortunately, all the efforts exerted seem ineffective as it failed to deter the consumers from purchasing counterfeit goods. By referring to previous studies, people from different country or cultural background seem to have different attitudes towards purchase intention of counterfeits. Therefore, to eradicate the problem, the factors that drive consumers in a specific nation favourable to counterfeit luxury products must be identified (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2007). Therefore, we must find out why consumer purchase counterfeit? but not where they buy (Wee et al, 1995). By far, there is limited research on consumers attitudes toward counterfeits goods in Malaysia has been published. In fact, Malaysia has been listed on the IIPAs Priority Watch List from year 2003 to 2006. In year 2010, IPPA has suggested to remain Malaysia in the watch List as the counterfeits issues getting worse. In order to regain a good reputation to attract more international investors from luxury goods industry, government are urged to curb the counterfeits problem in Malaysia. Therefore, there is necessary to gain an insight into the main causes of the phenomenon of counterfeits in Malaysia. Particularly, we must understand Malaysian attitudes towards purchase of counterfeits. Undoubtable, counterfeits priced at much cheaper than genuine, as lower production cost and lower quality. Consumers who unwillingly to pay high price for genuine products are enticed to purchase counterfeits. Thus financial motives will be neglected in the investigation. Other antecedent motives of consumers attitudes should be examined as the analysis data may facilitate the marketing activities of genuine luxury brands in determining their effective countermeasures against counterfeiting. Meanwhile, there is critical to identify the underlying mechanism of intent to purchase luxury counterfeits. 1.2 Objectives of the Study This study aims to study the motives influence consumers attitudes towards purchase of luxury counterfeits. Theory of planned behavior was used as basis for theoretical framework development. Therefore relationship between three main factors: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control towards purchase intention of counterfeit will be investigated as well. Seven motivations that influence consumers attitudes towards purchase of luxury brands counterfeit have been identified through review on previous studies. Motivation selected including status consumption, integrity, value consciousness, personal gratification, novelty seeking, materialism, brand conscious and product appearance. All these motivations will be investigated to identify the relationship between each of the motivation with the consumers attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands and the intention to purchase counterfeits of luxury brands. 1.3 Significance of the Study A review of previous research has indicated a need for further investigation on the determinants of counterfeits purchase intention. As according to Eisend M. and Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P.(2006), previous studies have failed so far to integrate their results consistently into a more general framework because of lack of profound theory. The study also stated that culture has been seen significantly influence the purchase intention and behavior. Malaysia that consists of three main ethnic groups is expected to give a different result. 1.4 Scope of the Study In this study, definition of counterfeiting is adopted from Eisend M. and Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P. (2006): Counterfeiting is mean that an original product with a remarkable brand value worth copying already exists on the market. Its characteristics are copied into another product, which is indistinguishable from the original, and is sold at a lower price as if it were the original. Nevertheless consumers are well aware of the difference between the two products. Meanwhile, luxury goods defined as products from four main categories: fashion, perfumes and cosmetics, wines and spirits, watches and jewellery (Jackson, 2000). CHAPTER 2 COUNTERFEIT MARKET Counterfeits were first found in luxury brands because of the high profit margin that provide attractive incentive to the manufacturing of counterfeit luxury brands. According to OECD (2008), a noticeable shift from luxury goods to common consumer goods was reported. Everything could be counterfeited, including household products, food and drinks, electronic devices, tobacco, books, toys, automobile parts, pesticides, cosmetics, tools, clothes and handbags to software and prescription drugs. Despite that other product categories are on the rise, the OECD (2008) has reported that luxury fashion items like accessories, clothing, jewellery and footwear still account for the largest part of counterfeit trade, which is up to 66,2% of all interventions by European Customs. 2.1 Luxury Goods Market As stated by Preiholt, H. Ha ¨gg, C. (2006) development of luxury goods market was believed contributed by three main factors: globalisation that helps more international designers to build up their worldwide reputation; the increase number of luxury conglomerates that are striving towards jewellery, accessories, wine, perfumes and cosmetics as complements to clothing. Last is the relational exchange was believed based on confidence and trust. Luxury goods market is in a dramatic growth rate. Luxury Institute had reported that luxury goods market has grown at a compounded two-digit rate in its 2008 luxury market report in past decade. According to the report, the phenomenon was attributed to three possibilities: wealthy are purchasing more luxuries, there are greater number of wealthy people and the middle and lower classes are purchasing luxury brands. Koehn (2002) stated more people aspiring to own luxuries will purchase luxuries more regularly than those economically affordable. This is due to consumers perceptions that luxury goods are symbol of status regardless of their economic situation (Vickers Renand, 2003). Some buyers are seems to be willing to pay a high price for a high-profile brand. 2.2 Counterfeit luxury brands Counterfeits are goods that similar or identical to genuine brands which like reproduction of trademarked brands (Cordell et al, 1996) but without the authorities of genuine brands owner. Staake et al (2009) defined counterfeit trade as trade in goods that, be it due to their design, trademark, logo, or company name, bear without authorization a reference to a brand, a manufacturer, or any organization that warrants for the quality or standard conformity of the goods in such a way that the counterfeit merchandise could, potentially, be confused with goods that rightfully use this reference. Staake et al (2009) also proposed to make a distinction with regard to consumers perception on counterfeits luxury brands. Research has identified two types of consumption of counterfeits. The first type is consumer that acquired without aware of the intellectual property infringement (deceptive counterfeiting) or unknowingly and unintentionally purchases the counterfeit that closely imitated the genuine brands (Staake et al 2009; Tom et al, 1998). Meanwhile another type is non-deceptive counterfeit, where consumer willingly to purchase the counterfeits (Prendergast et al, 2002; Staake et al 2009). It can also been defined as consumers recognises that the product is not authentic according to specific information cues such as price, purchase location or material used (Gentry et al, 2006). Consumers behaviour is different in these different cases. 2.3 Counterfeit in Malaysia In Malaysia, counterfeits market is active since decade ago. As reported by IIPA in 2006, counterfeiting of fashion, pharmaceuticals, batteries, computer accessories, tobacco, mobile phone batteries, food, electronics, petroleum products and toys was problematic in Malaysia. Among all products, entertainment software has constituted to 91% of the counterfeit trade in year 2004, resulting in a loss of US$74 million for local records and music industry (IIPA, 2005). The research has even reported that Malaysia was appeared as the most infamous optical disc entertainment software producer/ exporter in the world. Therefore Malaysia has remained on the Priority Watch List from year 2003 to 2006. In year 2008 and 2009, Malaysia has been removed from Watch-List but was suggested remain on Watch List in year 2010 as the issue remained problematic. Enforcement action was in declining since the removal of Malaysia from Watch-List. As a consequence, piracy goods like CD and DVD was re-emerged. Again, counterfeits were openly available in night markets that operating in different locations every night. Besides, counterfeits also available in fixed premises locations in Klang Valley, particularly in Bangsar, Sg Wang, Petaling Jaya, and Shah Alam; Perangin Mall in Penang; and Holiday Plaza in Johor Bahru (IIPA, 2010). Malaysian Government has collaborated with original vendor and local media in organising awareness campaign in attempt to make public aware of the severity of purchasing counterfeits. Unfortunately, all these efforts seem ineffective in deter consumers from purchase of counterfeits. Therefore, in order to develop an effective policy, there is a must to look into the problem from different perspective, especially demand side of counterfeit. CHAPTER 3 LITERATURE REVIEW Numbers of study has been conducted to examine the emergence of counterfeit trade, from both supply and demand side. However focus was on the supply dimension; in order to develop appropriate policy to restrain this illegal activity the factors that drive consumer demand for counterfeits should be identified (Kim, H Karpova, E., 2010). 3.1 Counterfeits Demand The dramatic increase of counterfeiting trade is driven by the high demand from consumers. Many consumers knowingly purchase counterfeits. OECD (2007) has grouped the factors that drive consumers towards knowingly demand for counterfeit and pirated goods into three principal categories: first, is the characteristic of product; second the individual consumer, and lastly the institutional environment in which the individual consumer operates. All these factors as listed in Table 1 influencing consumers behaviour towards counterfeit. Among these three categories, consumer characteristics, including consumer financial status and attitudes towards counterfeits, will be the main concern in this study. Besides, many studies have been conducting to evaluate consumers intention and willingness to purchase counterfeit products. Numbers of variables and determinants have been identified in previous research but results were differing for various products and brands, and also in different nation, as per listed in Table 2 which adopted and adapted from Eisend M. and Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P.(2006) ; Stake, T. et al. (2009). Description Albers-Miller 1999 Survey among 92 US students: selling price enhances willingness to buy a counterfeit above all for those who prefer counterfeits over stolen products; presence of friends who also buy an illicit good enhance willingness to buy, buying alone decreases the willingness to buy; perceived criminal risk has higher influence on buying stolen vs. counterfeit or genuine products. Ang et al. 2001 Survey on 3251 Singaporean consumers: positive correlation between attitude/ purchase intention; negative influence of normative susceptibility, integrity and personal income on attitude towards piracy; positive influence of value consciousness on attitude towards piracy. Bian and Veloutson 2007 Comparison of British and Chinese consumers who admit to have knowingly purchased counterfeit products. Demographic variables have not been found to significantly influence counterfeit demand. In both countries, consumers show a very low opinion on counterfeit products in general, but perceived their average quality as similar compared to non-logo products Bloch et al. 1993 A survey on 200 US adults at mall and flea market: demographic variables did not distinguish between the choice groups; less reliance on durability and brand image has a positive influence on the stated choice to purchase a counterfeit compared to purchasing a designer label or no logo; apart form good value, all evaluation items scored higher for the designer label compared to the counterfeit; self-image is partially significant, indicating that counterfeit consumers are less confident, successful, of lower status and less wealthy. Chang 1998 Comparison of the validity of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as applied to illegal copying of software. The results suggest that perceived behavioral control is a better predictor of behavioral intention than attitude Cheung and Prendergast 2006 Survey on 1152 adult consumers in Hong Kong, Shanghai Wuhan: middle and high income families, males, white collar workers, people with tertiary education, younger consumers and singles are more likely to be heavy buyers of pirated clothing and accessories. Cordell Wongtada and Kieschnick 1996 An experiment study on 221 business students in an Eastern metropolitan area: attitude towards lawfulness negatively related to willingness to purchase a known counterfeit only for knit shirts; expected performance positive related to willingness to purchase known counterfeit for knit shirts and 35-mm camera; branding and price concession positive related to willingness to purchase a known counterfeit for low investment-at-risk (knit shirts); retailer prestige positive related to willingness to purchase a known counterfeit for high investment-at-risk (camera). Gentry et al. 2001 Qualitative study on 102 international students, predominantly Chinese subculture from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia: counterfeits are purchase because of the brands; a a low-grade version with the intent to purchase the authentic product if trial is successful; counterfeits are an acceptable compromise and offer lesser value for lesser cost; counterfeits are purchased because they represent a brand (brand decision), not as a product decision; counterfeits provide novelty and symbolize ones travel experiences for tourist consumers. Hoe et al. 2003 Qualitative study on 20 UK consumes aged under 30: consumers use counterfeits as substitute for desired high value designer brands that help them to create their identities, to transfer the associated cultural meaning, and impress others but only as long as they can deceive the onlooker Jenner and Artun 2005 A survey on 202 German consumers in Turkey: the perceived quality difference between counterfeits and genuine brand reduces purchase intention for all product categories (textiles, leather accessories, CDs, sofrware, watches, perfume) Kwong et al. 2003 A survey on 306 consumers from Hong Kong: attitude towards piracy influence purchase intentions; female have lower purchase intentions, age is negatively related and past experience is positively related to intentions to buy pirated CDs. Parthasarathy and Mittelstaedt 1995 Survey among 205 US students: The willingness to engage in piracy to be strongly affected by the attitudes towards piracy, subjective norms, perceived utility of the software, and the willingness to seek help from others to reduce non-monetary cost. The opinion that the high prices of software are not justified did not appear to affect piracy behavior. Peace et al. 2003 Extension of the theory of reasoned action by a factor of perceived behavioral control as posited by the theory of reasoned action, and punishment certainty/severity. In a survey among 203 students, the model was able to explain 65% of variance in software piracy intention. Penz and Stà ¶ttinger 2005 A survey on 1040 Austrian consumers: attitude towards counterfeiting and self-identity have a positive effect on purchase intentions, particularly at low price levels; normative pressure and perceived behavioral control have a positive impact on purchase intentions at low and high price levels; personality traits influence attitude towards counterfeiting and subjective norm price consciousness has no impact, access to counterfeits has a positive impact on purchase intentions; purchase intentions predict purchase behavior Phau et al. 2001 Survey among 100 consumers in Hong Kong. Those who less often purchase counterfeit clothing are younger, have a lower disposable income, and are less well educated Prendergast et al. 2002 A survey on 200 consumers from Hong Kong: quality and large supply enhances purchase intentions for high spenders compared to low spenders in case of VCDs; quality, material and friends/ family opinion enhance purchase intentions for low spenders compared to high spenders in case of t-shirts; for t-shirts, quality, popularity, ethical and legal issues are more important than for VCDs; overall the importance of criteria do not differ for low and high spenders with price being the most important criteria. Swee et al. 2001 Survey among 3600 Asian consumers who buy counterfeit goods. Counterfeit consumers regard the purchase of fakes as less risky and less unethical, are more value conscious, and have a lower average income compared to those who do not purchase counterfeit articles. Tom et al. 1998 A survey on 435 US consumers: importance of style has a negative influence, importance of price a positive influence on the preference for the counterfeit version of software; importance of brand, function, durability has a negative influence, importance of price a positive influence on the preference for the counterfeit version of t-shirt; importance of durability has a negative influence on the preference counterfeit purses; age and income is negatively related, as is education with the preference for counterfeit versions of a product preference for counterfeit product leads to more positive attitudes towards counterfeiting and greater satisfaction with the price, but less satisfaction with durability and quality. Wang 2005 A survey on 456 students from Taiwan: cost benefit enhance the intention to purchase a pirated DVD/VCD while performance risk, ethical concerns, and social norms decrease it. Wang et al. 2005 A survey on 314 Chinese students: positive influences of attitude towards piracy on purchase intention; negative influence of normative susceptibility, positive influence of value consciousness, novelty seeking and collectivism on attitude towards piracy; buyers have more positive attitudes towards piracy than non-buyers. Wee at al. 1995 A survey on 949 students and working adults in South-East Asia: attitude towards piracy is related to purchase intention for all counterfeit products; brand status, materialism, novelty seeking, and risk-taking have no influence; purpose is related to purchase intentions for counterfeit literature and software; quality is related to purchase intention for all counterfeit products; perceived fashion content is related to purchase intention for counterfeit watches; physical appearance is related to purchase intention for leather wallets/ purses and watches; image and durability have no influence; education is negatively related to purchase intention for all counterfeit products; household income is negatively related to purchase intention for counterfeit leather wallets/ purses. Woolley and Veloutsou 2006 Analysis of purchasing frequencies and underlying antecedents of software piracy among US students. Results indicate that students understanding and knowledge of copyright laws have increased since 1991, but this knowledge has not influenced software piracy rates Source: Adopted and adapted from Eisend M. and Schuchert-Gà ¼ler, P.(2006) ; Stake, T. et al. (2009) 3.2 Theory of Planned behaviour According to the Theory of planned behaviour (Azjen, 1985), an individual behaviour is guided by three kinds of considerations: attitudes toward behaviour, subjective norm and perceive behavioural control. In combination, these three considerations lead to the formation of a behavioural intention. Generally, a person who favourable towards the attitude and subjective norm, and with high level of perceived control, the stronger of his/her intention towards the behaviour. When opportunity arises, people are expected to carry out their intention, thus intention is assumes as the immediate antecedent of behaviour. 3.2.1 Attitude toward purchase intention of Counterfeits As per explained in Theory of Planned Behavior, consumers attitudes will direct influence their purchase intention and finally drive them toward purchase behavior. Past research has examined various motivations that influence the consumer purchase intention of counterfeit, including economic, quality, personality, social and ethical factors (Amatulli, C. Guido, G., 2011; Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2011; Kim, J. E. et al., 2009; Norum, P. S. Cuno, A., 2010; Perez, M. E. et. al, 2010; Phau, I et al., 2010; Phau, I. Teah, M., 2009). a. Status consumption Consumers perceived luxury brands as symbol of status, where they purchase, use and consumed a goods which will display their distinctive status (Eastman et al., 1997). Status consumption has been investigated in many studies in different countries but showing different result (Amatulli, C. Guido, G., 2011; Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2009; Phau, I et al., 2010; Wee C. H. et. al., 1995). Status seeking consumers those with low affordability tend to purchase counterfeits of luxury brands to satisfy their status seeking needs (Phau, I. Teah, M., 2009; Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2009; OECD, 2007). Luxury brands are used to project socioeconomic status, even though it is a counterfeit, consumer are hoping to convey their high society status that associated with genuine brand. Thus, the following hypothesis developed: H1a: Status consumption has a positive influence on consumer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. b. Integrity Integrity represents individual ethical consideration, self-control, responsibility and honesty that related to lawfulness (Wang et al., 2005). Research has found that consumers that are more lawful-minded possess negative attitudes towards counterfeits and less willing toward purchase of counterfeits (Cordell et al., 1996, Phau, I et al., 2009). This lead to the developed of hypothesis that: H1b: Integrity has a negative influence on consumer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. c. Value consciousness Consumers would like to purchase a luxury brands that associated with value, prestige and benefits but they might not willing to pay a high price for it (Cordell et al, 1996). Consumers who are value conscious are different from consumers that are price consciousness that only concern for products price. They tend to maximize perceived utility or benefits to be acquired for their money. Consumers perceived that counterfeits have similar quality and function to genuine brands, thus they are more positive towards counterfeits which is much cheaper than genuine brands (Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2011; Phau, I. Teah, M., 2009). Therefore, this study propose that: H1c: Value consciousness has a positive influence on consumers attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. d. Personal Gratification Personal gratification could be defined as the desire for self-accomplishment, social recognition and to enjoy finer things in life (Wang et al., 2005). Hence, consumers possess high personal gratification are conscious on products quality, appearance and trendiness. According to Bloch et al. (1993) counterfeits buyers perceived themselves to be less successful, less confident and low perceived status. Thus those with high personal gratification might have low tendency towards goods of inferior quality (Amatulli, C. Guido, G., 2011; Phau, I. Teah, M., 2009). Thus, this study proposed that: H1d: Personal gratification has a negative influence on consumer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. e. Novelty Seeking Novelty seeking consumers tend to try new and different brands to satisfy their curiosity (Wang et al, 2005). Counterfeits those in lower price may become their choices (Phau, I. Teah, M., 2009; Wee C. H. et. al., 1995). H1e: Novelty seeking has a positive influence on consumer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. f. Materialism For consumers with high level of materialism or materialist, they view that happiness come from acquisition of possessions. They consume prefer consume status products than general products (Wong, 1997). As similar to status consumption, for those who would like to gain a special identity from others but without the financial capacity, counterfeits that perceived as lower-priced branded goods will become an alternative (Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2011; Phau, I et al., 2010; Wee C. H. et. al., 1995). Therefore, H1f: Materialism has a positive influence on consumer attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. g. Product Appearance Luxury brands always associate with fashion component thus product attributes play an important role in influencing consumer purchase intention. Consumers are willing to pay for physical attributes without paying for the associate quality (Cordell et al., 2006; Kim, H. Karpova, E., 2009). Physical will be one of the main concerns when consumers purchase a counterfeit (Wee C. H. et. al., 1995). Thus, H1g: Product appearance has positive influence towards purchase intention of counterfeit luxury brands. Most of the previous research has suggest that attitudes toward behavior are more accurate in predicting intention to purchase behaviour. Thus we hypothesize H2: Attitude towards counterfeit is positively influence the purchase intention of counterfeit luxury brands. 3.2.2 Subjective norms towards purchase intention of Counterfeits Subjective norms play an important role in influencing a behavior as people will share information, knowledge and experience with others. Consumer who has friends and family members who favourable in purchased counterfeits may influence them to have a tendency towards counterfeits. Thus, H3: Subjective norm is positively influence the purchase intention of counterfeit luxury brands. 3.3.3 Perceived Behavioural Control Perceived behavioral control reflects past experience, knowledge about products and expected obstacles. Consumers those think that their friends or family do not approve the possession of counterfeit goods may not carry out the behavior. Therefore, H4: Perceived behavioral control is positively influence the purchase intention of counterfeit luxury brands. CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4.1 Research Design Integration methodology will be utilized to investigate the research topics. Qualitative and quantitative survey will be conducted in two phases. First phase, in depth interview will be conducted as complementarity research to confirm the context for theoretical model. Second stage will be getting the conclusive data through quantitative survey. By far, most of the studies conducted are by quantitative research, limited qualitative research has been identified. Qualitative research is useful in exploring new elements and develops an initial understanding towards studied market (Amatulli, C Guido, G., 2010). 4.2 Phase One: In-depth Interview Integration methodology was used in many research with purpose of exploring viewpoints in early stage of research (McCracken, 1998) or to enhance the descendant quantitative research to be conducted (Greene et al, 1989: 259). Since there is limited research conducted in Malaysia, the main purpose is to gain initial understanding about consumers conceptualization of counterfeit luxury brands and to learn the language they used to describe it. Meanwhile, this research to be conducted to confirm the context for theoretical model developed based on previous studies. All finding hoped to support the motivations and factors that influencing purchase behaviour identified from literature review. 4.2.1 Target Group: In order to obtain the data to cover the whole population, 30 respondents from different age and sex categories will be selected. Selection criteria will be as listed in Table 4. 4.2.2 Questions Design: Research Question Interview Question Question 1: To what extend are the relationship between Malaysian consumers motivation and attitudes toward counterfeits brand? What brands do you consider as luxury brands? Have you ever purchase a counterfeit o