The International Dispute in the Spratly Islands Essay

The International Dispute in the Spratly Islands - Essay Example The dispute seems to have no signs of abating. In fact, each of the country involved is trying to increase the capabilities of its armed forces. The states involved in the dispute are the People’s Republic of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Brunei is also laying claim to some islands in the area but unlike the rest, it has occupied those that it considered as part of its territory. Resolving the issue has become very difficult due to the insistence of the states in different bases of ownership. China, Vietnam and Taiwan are asserting their respective claims on the bases of historical rights. The Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, on the other hand, claim that they have rights over the territory because of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, especially that which refer to the continental shelves as bases for ownership. A legalistic approach would naturally grant favors to the claims of the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. However, in reality, international law simply cannot be made the basis for the claims while ignoring the historical reasons presented by the other claimants. For China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, â€Å"the notion of historical entitlement sits at the foundation of their claims to the Spratly archipelago and is unlikely to dissipate simply because analysts choose to ignore them† (Furtado 386). With different frameworks for asserting claims, resolution of the Spratly Islands dispute has become more difficult. At a glance, it would indeed be surprising why these states risk warm diplomatic relations with each other over tiny islands, some of them uninhabitable, when these are not fit for human activity. The strategic importance of the area, however, does not lie on the islands or the waters but what lies beneath these. While the area may serve as a rich fishing ground and a commercial shipping route, its most vital assets are the rich reserve supply of oil and natural gas . As China sheds most of its socialist economic principles in favor of capitalism, it naturally feels the need to boost its energy capabilities. It sees the Spratly Islands as the solution. Its ambition to be the world’s foremost economic power has prompted it to be the most assertive among the claimants. Vietnam’s market-oriented reforms have also compelled the nation to seek energy resources that it can control. In fact, the only oil well in the area that it owns had started production in 1991. This encouraged it to further hasten oil exploration in the area. The Philippines, which is heavily dependent on oil imports, have also stakes in the Spratly Islands for the same oil and gas interest. According the Oil and Gas Journal article Territorial Disputes Simmer in Areas of South China Sea, â€Å"joint exploration with Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Alcorn International near Palawan Island will raise the Philippines annual oil production from the 3,000 b/d produced in 19 91 from 7 wells in the South China Sea† (1992). The country is claiming a total of 60 islands in the South China Sea. Both Brunei and Malaysia, although these are oil-producing countries, are also interested in the islands for the same reason. Taiwan, on the other hand, has not stated explicitly any interest in gas or oil, but it considers the area as a strategic

Real Resonance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Real Resonance - Essay Example I did not have any concerns about the procedure of snorkeling since I had gone many times before. However, I wondered how the not-so experienced tourists could focus on the instructors while the other guy was so busy trying to distract people with his crazy display of water maneuvers. I mentioned this to my friend and she shrugged it off as she is a former lifeguard, current swim instructor, and very experienced in the water. The boat took us out to sea and I grabbed a lifejacket to hold on to just in case I got tired. No one else had a lifejacket with them. I noticed that the only other boat in the water was quite a ways from us. There were several people who had never snorkeled before and I mentioned to my friend that the instructors weren't very helpful. One guy was sitting in the boat having a drink and the other was breaking off chunks of coral as he performed flips and turns to impress the tourists who were trying to enjoy the underwater world through the glass bottom boat; instead they got to view him. The sea life was amazing and I do not remember how long it took until I looked up and noticed that our boat was gone! There we were ten of us stranded at sea with one lifejacket, no "Diver Down" flag or anything to allow other boats to see us and to keep from hitting us, and the boat in the distance had disappeared! No one else seemed to mind but my friend and I were getting a little nervous.

ECL Operations in the Chinese Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ECL Operations in the Chinese Markets - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that ECL failed to resist the temptation of believing in the universality of its global management policies and instead of adapting its policies to the Chinese cultural norms and practices, decided in favor of implementing its standardized policies in its Chinese ventures and subsidiaries. The net result is that though the systems and policies put in place looked suitable and methodical, it is finding it challenging to motivate and retain its Chinese employees. A saner solution in this context requires ECL to inculcate a strong Chinese cultural aspect in its otherwise standardized and effective global management policies. The origins of the problems being faced by ECL could be conveniently located in the ‘Basic Values and Objectives’ segment of this case study. So far as the key goals and initiatives of ECL in China are concerned, they are fairly reasonable and acceptable in the sense that they adhere to universal business aspira tions like the achievement of overall excellence, financial success, and effective leadership. However, when one takes a cursory look at the belief system of the company, it is then that the real problem pops out. The key beliefs of the company that had a direct bearing on the human resource management policies of ECL in China are discernibly affiliated to the Golden Rule that is â€Å"Do unto others as you have them do unto you.† The company seems to have totally overlooked the fact that the notions of effective and ethical behavior and communication are always relative and could mean different things to people adhering to different cultures. The net result is that the systems, management policies, institutions, and philosophies introduced by ECL in China are disproportionately Americanized and unsuitable. The company is intuitively aware of this discrepancy and is finding it difficult to recruit and retain the competent employees in China.

Issues and Risks of the Performance a Management System in the Merged Coursework

Issues and Risks of the Performance a Management System in the Merged Organization - Coursework Example Implementing a single performance management system would not be appropriate to measure the performance of all employees due to the differences in their competencies and skills. Since the performance management system would have its own rating parameters, there are chances that it could be fair for some individuals and unfair with some. This is because staffs perceive fairness with regards to comparisons. Employees compare inputs with one another, such as their efforts and expertise, their job performances and compensations with other employees. Due to the disparity in skill levels and the varying levels of inputs, efforts or expertise among employees, the performance evaluating parameters would be improper indicators of actual performance levels and productivity. Some employees are likely to get overrated while some of them would remain underrated. This would appear to be unfair for staffs which would eventually render the system ineffective. It is important that the performance man agement system measures the different activities accurately. If they do not, then the system results would differ from the actual results which would give its managers an inaccurate picture of the conditions of the firm and results of their decisions. All members from the two organizations might not be equally educated and updated about the use of the system. All managers might not be adept in a single technology which can cause differences in the ways they use or operate the system. This could also arouse differences they interpret results or outcomes of measurements. Improper and inaccurate ratings can generate out of difference in assessments methods and techniques which can yield inaccurate results in the system (Markus, 2004, p.6-10). Mitigating risks of the performance management system in the merged organization Firstly, it must be ensured that parameters for measuring performance must be based on fairness and equality. The different skills, expertise and competencies of staf fs must be measured through different parameters in order to yield unbiased and accurate results. Aspects like extent of criticality of tasks, difficulty of work activities, time taken for performing a particular work activity must be considered while measuring task performances. It is essential to train staffs and employees on the new system of performance management. The first step must be to educate staffs with regards to the importance of the system and make them understand the key concepts, terminology and best practices. It is crucial to clearly set out environmental and personal factors required for delivering top performance and the importance of supervisors to facilitate a high performing work environment in the organization. One method to eliminate discrepancies in use of parameters is to include a structured and quantitative approach. This is particularly effective in cases where the performance management is likely to be used as an input to a pay for performance scheme. Ideally, it is crucial to associate a certain weight to the job accountability and accountability in proportion to its importance and also each relevant competencies and skills if the organization wishes to reward certain behaviors. It is important to align the system with the organizational objectives and goals. Skills which are critical for the attainment of those

Marketing exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Marketing exam - Essay Example When organizations test themselves internally, they create the environment of discovering opportunities. Internal marketing helps in building team spirit. It empowers the employees to take a view of the organization from the perspective of an owner. When employees are more engaged to the organization, their care and concern for the organization rises. Nowadays, most of the companies believe in satisfying internal customer (employees) first and after that they choose to satisfy their external customers (customers). The concept behind this idea is that when internal customer will be satisfied, then the external customers will eventually get satisfied by the quality of service provided by internal customers to them. Internal Marketing helps in keeping employees happier. Happier employees will keep their customers happy. Internal marketing makes employees consider themselves as an integral part of organization which motivates them. Apart from the media communication, customer service is all about building long-term relationships, connection and trust. Internal marketing enhances employee recognition which ultimately helps in improved and better customer service. (Thomspon, 2010) For planning internal marketing, the management of the organization, the employees and the customers must be in harmony. Only by this way, an organization can become customer oriented organization. Other important elements to be included in marketing plan include; target perception, internal marketing objectives, program measurement, communications strategy etc. (CBS News, 2007) According to Varey (p.80, 2000), there are some important barriers in implementing internal marketing. Organizations face a lot of resistance in the acceptance of internal marketing organization-wide. Resistance to change from the side of employees is the major obstacle in the implementation of internal marketing. Apart

Issues and Risks of the Performance a Management System in the Merged Coursework

Issues and Risks of the Performance a Management System in the Merged Organization - Coursework Example Implementing a single performance management system would not be appropriate to measure the performance of all employees due to the differences in their competencies and skills. Since the performance management system would have its own rating parameters, there are chances that it could be fair for some individuals and unfair with some. This is because staffs perceive fairness with regards to comparisons. Employees compare inputs with one another, such as their efforts and expertise, their job performances and compensations with other employees. Due to the disparity in skill levels and the varying levels of inputs, efforts or expertise among employees, the performance evaluating parameters would be improper indicators of actual performance levels and productivity. Some employees are likely to get overrated while some of them would remain underrated. This would appear to be unfair for staffs which would eventually render the system ineffective. It is important that the performance man agement system measures the different activities accurately. If they do not, then the system results would differ from the actual results which would give its managers an inaccurate picture of the conditions of the firm and results of their decisions. All members from the two organizations might not be equally educated and updated about the use of the system. All managers might not be adept in a single technology which can cause differences in the ways they use or operate the system. This could also arouse differences they interpret results or outcomes of measurements. Improper and inaccurate ratings can generate out of difference in assessments methods and techniques which can yield inaccurate results in the system (Markus, 2004, p.6-10). Mitigating risks of the performance management system in the merged organization Firstly, it must be ensured that parameters for measuring performance must be based on fairness and equality. The different skills, expertise and competencies of staf fs must be measured through different parameters in order to yield unbiased and accurate results. Aspects like extent of criticality of tasks, difficulty of work activities, time taken for performing a particular work activity must be considered while measuring task performances. It is essential to train staffs and employees on the new system of performance management. The first step must be to educate staffs with regards to the importance of the system and make them understand the key concepts, terminology and best practices. It is crucial to clearly set out environmental and personal factors required for delivering top performance and the importance of supervisors to facilitate a high performing work environment in the organization. One method to eliminate discrepancies in use of parameters is to include a structured and quantitative approach. This is particularly effective in cases where the performance management is likely to be used as an input to a pay for performance scheme. Ideally, it is crucial to associate a certain weight to the job accountability and accountability in proportion to its importance and also each relevant competencies and skills if the organization wishes to reward certain behaviors. It is important to align the system with the organizational objectives and goals. Skills which are critical for the attainment of those

The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway Research Paper

The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway - Research Paper Example 191). In other words, Hemmingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro tells a story about writing and somehow links this story to human themes. To demonstrate the point, Becnel and Bloom (2009) draw attention to the following passage narrated by Harry and taken from The Snows of Kilimanjaro: We must all be cut out for what we do, he thought. However, you make your living is where your talent lies. He had sold vitality, in one form or another, all his life and when you affections are not too involved you give much better value for the money. He had found that out but he would never write that, now, either. No, he would not write that, although it was well worth writing (Hemmingway 2003, p. 12). Becnel and Bloom (2009) noted that from Harry’s perspective, he acknowledges that during his life as a soldier, writer and husband married into wealth he has been â€Å"selling vitality† his entire life (p. 191). Therefore Harry is able to connect the demands and passions in life via three seemingly unrelated factors: marriage, the military and writing. The connection begs inquiry in to how each of these factors relate to selling vitality. It is therefore first necessary to understand what Harry means by selling his vitality. Looking further into The Snows of Kilimanjaro some guidance can be found in the following excerpt: He had destroyed his talent himself – by not using it, by betrayals of himself and what he believed in, by drinking so much that he blunted the edge of his perceptions, by laziness, by sloth, by snobbery, by hook and by crook; selling vitality, trading it for security, for comfort (Hemmingway 2003, p. 11). This excerpt informs that selling vitality means sacrificing one’s own talents and ambitions in favour of security and at times in favour of other human frailties: laziness, greed and other exigencies of human weaknesses. In many ways these human exigencies are seductions and inevitably forced Harry to trade the vital elements of his life for greater comforts (Bush 1995, p. 26). Arguably, Harry was unable to succeed at or find complete satisfaction via marriage, soldiering and writing because he had sought comfort and security rather than the art of mastering each of these factors. The selling of vitality from Harry’s perspective thus informs that Harry sold or surrendered something of significance in his marriage, soldiering and writing. He therefore loses something of importance in each of these life roles. That something must be passion as, he suggests that a man must make his living where his talent lies and for Harry, his talent lies in trading vitality or sacrificing his real ambitions in favor of shortcuts to comfort and security. The suggestion is therefore that Harry’s life is disingenuous or at the very least the reader can form the opinion that Harry is only superficially happy as he has sacrificed what he really wants out of life for comfort and security. He has also allowed his pursuits to be compromised by the seductions that lead to or command shortcuts. His marriage into wealth may perhaps demonstrate the point best as he has obviously succumbed to a shortcut to material possessions or the seductions inherent in sloth. Soldiering would obviously provide Harry with material for his