The Theory Of Evolution Of Creationism - 977 Words

The theory of evolution is at odds with the views of many religions, and many people want to allow a religious view of creationism to be taught in the public school system. The foundation of evolution is based upon the belief that the origin of all ordered complex systems, including living creatures, can be explained by natural laws without the initiation or intervention of God. A person who believes in the biblical model of creation is viewed by some non- believers as a naive, narrow-minded religious fanatic who is not willing to look at the observable evidence with an open mind. Because the evolutionary idea of origins has been so widely accepted by the scientific community, many people have reasoned that the creation model should be completely rejected without fairly examining its claims. Even many Christians who have deep trust and faith in the Bible have never really understood the claims of the creation account (McLean 11). Over the past several years, a great deal of controversy surrounding the creation-evolution issue has been generated by scientists who have based their claims on the creation model and have been willing to let their reputations stand. Creationists have openly requested that when the discussion of origins occurs in the public school system, both the model of creation and evolution be presented side by side. Initially, scientists and educators who have accepted the theory of evolution without question were reluctant to pay any serious attention toShow MoreRelated Creationism - The Theory of Evolution is not Logical Essay507 Words   |  3 PagesCreationism - The Theory of Evolution is not Logical Genesis 1:1â€Å"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.† This quote, taken from the Hebrew Bible describes the belief that religious Jews and Christians follow. These two religions think that man, the earth, and the rest of the universe were originally created instead of the theory of evolution. This view on the origin of the earth is unique, because it was the first religion to practice monotheism (belief in one God), and thatRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution and Creationism Debate The subject on what goes into public school1700 Words   |  7 Pages The Theory of Evolution and Creationism Debate The subject on what goes into public school textbooks have always been an intense debate. Recently Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ken Ham held a debate on this topic on February 4, 2014 which gain over two million views. Which raised the question is creationism a viable model of origin in today’s modern scientific era (Ken Ham)? In order for one to answer this question accurately first one would need to know why this question is significant. Then theyRead MoreShould Religious Education Be Public Schools?1719 Words   |  7 Pagesbackgrounds. Creationism is thought to be a great asset to the education curriculum. Creationism is composed of parts equally religious and science (evolution). It is disadvantageous to exclude this based on its involvement with religion. Additionally, to not include the idea of a creator in our idea of the world’s conception is deemed unconstitutional and senseless. According to the First amendment, no law should prohibit the practice of religion nor should it affect freedom of speech. Creationism shouldRead MoreCreationism: The Center of Our Universe and Life Essay examples1605 Words   |  7 Pagesbelieve that through the theory of evolution life began. However the world’s most popular book is the Bible. The Bible is also on almost every critics top ten list of books that should be read. So how can the world’s most popular book be wrong? Many who have read the Bible believe that only through the power of God life began upon the Earth. There are many people who do not believe in the theory of evolution and instead believe in the power of divine creationism. Creationism is a belief that DeityRead MoreEssay on Intelligent Design: The Best of Both Theories1112 Words   |  5 PagesThe argument has been going on for years and years. Should schools be allowed to teach evolution without teaching creationism? The courts have ruled, the answer is no, the theory of creationism cannot be included in a public school’s academic curriculum. With the court’s decision, it has been made clear there is no place for faith based theories to be taught in our public schools. What if there was a different approach that took God out of the equation? Public high schools should allow a courseRead MoreCreationism Isnt Science but Belongs in Schools Essay849 Words   |  4 PagesCreationism Isnt Science but Belongs in Schools The origin of life has been a point of discussion for as long as history has been documented. Ancient Egyptians believed that the sun god Ra took another form, created land from a watery abyss and created everything, including gods and humans. The Iroquois, a tribe of Native Americans, told a story of god to human lineage that resulted in twins, one being evil and one being good. The good twin creates a picture perfectRead MoreCreationism vs. Evolutionism in Public Schools1538 Words   |  7 PagesDebate: Creationism vs. Evolution in Schools: 1st Affirmative Constructive Speech Creationism and Evolutionism by definition are very different topics. Currently, evolutionary naturalism is the most widely taught view of origins in America. In schools in the modern day, only evolutionism is taught and condoned. But before the 1920s, only creationism was taught, and evolution was forbidden. Then, on February 20, 2008, the Florida State Board of Education voted to revise the public school guidelinesRead More Do Creationism and Intelligent Design Have a Place in the Classroom?1280 Words   |  6 PagesSurveys show that fifty percent of adults in Turkey, forty percent in the USA and fifteen percent in the UK reject the theory of evolution and believe that life on Earth came into existence as described in the religious texts (Jones and Reiss, 2007; Miller; Scott and Okamoto, 2006; Lawes, 2009). President G. W. Bush commented as follow: Both sides ought to be taught properly...so people can understand what the debate is about....Part of education is to expose people to different schools of thoughtsRead MoreEvolution Of Creationism And Creationism907 Words   |  4 Pages Evolution and creationism The debate about whether evolution and creationism be taught in schools has existed for years. Some parents are allowing their religious beliefs hinder the education of their children. According to Phy-Olsen, â€Å"American students have lower scores in mathematics and the sciences than comparable students in other industrialized nations.†(9). Many people feel that science goes against religion and they don t want this taught in the schools. If you teach justRead More Creationism and the Classroom Essay922 Words   |  4 Pages Creationism and the Classroom nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The American classroom is suffering from a major deficiency. The science curriculum supports one theory of evolution and no other theory as to how the existence of the universe has come to be. This narrow-minded approach has kept many young minds from seeing a very broad picture of this world. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Scientific creationism should be included in our public school curriculum because it is paramount to the progress of

Analysis Of Susan Bordo s Globalization Of Eating...

Demi Lovato once said, â€Å"I’m not going to sacrifice my mental health to have the perfect body.† However, today we find that many individuals are doing the completely opposite. In Susan Bordo’s, â€Å"Globalization of Eating Disorders† essay, they fall into the media trap, the self-image trap, where they are concerned of what people may think about them. Americans nowadays have pageants, modeling, and media to thank for this absurd notion. Fit women, along with strong men give this motivation to others to want to be like them. Most people should be comfortable with their own bodies. Americans are mesmerized with media and enthralled by one’s body image, and ,as a result, face ramifications like eating disorders and anorexia. Why are Americans so†¦show more content†¦Consequences arise with obsession of body image. Once one begins their expedition of trying to be skinnier, more fit, beautiful, and it builds up until it becomes a severe phobia. One begins to slack on eating, differing their diets and what not. In â€Å"The Globalization of Eating Disorders†, Bordo implies that one generation â€Å"becomes the menswear manufacturers, the diet industries, and the plastic surgeons â€Å"discovered† the male body.†(). Males tend to be fond of the strength aspect, strong and tough-minded. Drugs such steroids and others help themselves, because they achieve their goals, or so they think. Instead they deplete themselves, they lose the real journey of trying to become strong and robust. Drugs have side effects, so of course it tends to play with your mental and physical states. According to drugabuse.gov, the use of anabolic steroids increases irritability and aggression in a person.( NIH). Women, however tend to be focused on the â€Å"beauty† aspect. Women want others, to believe and see in them the true beauty of a woman. Females always tend to think their beauty is on the outside, proclaiming their self-image as their â€Å"true beauty.† However, they do not look inside themselves to find it. Inside one person lies the true beauty, not on the outside. It seems to be that way, people judge based off women’s looks and their makeup. Women still, however, want to be beautiful. It messes with their mental state, they become completely

A Contemporary Leader Free Essays

What characterizes a good leader? Should he be understanding, considerate, and open-minded? Or should he be imposing, forceful, and coercive in order to get things done? Different people have different perceptions of what a good contemporary leader should be. Despite all these differences, one thing remain certain – good leaders possesses a great deal of power in order for him to properly lead. This is not necessarily the physical power, but a conglomeration of different types of power. We will write a custom essay sample on A Contemporary Leader or any similar topic only for you Order Now If a leader has these, then there is a great possibility of him being a good leader. Why do we need Power? But why is it necessary for a leader to have power? Power is basically the ability to get what you want, regardless of who is benefitted – you or the greater many. With the proper use of power, a good leader can propel his country or the group of people he represents, towards development. Power could bring about change, including success in various aspects wherein power is truly applicable. It could lead to economic growth, social development, improvement of the living conditions of the people, and more. Power could also be used to influence what others think, again for the benefit of the leader or the group he leads. Power is said to be at the heart of all techniques of changing minds. Power use, or abuse? However, the use of this power could also be misappropriated. Power abuse is common for the leaders who are given the chance to hold so much power. This is when they use these powers to influence other people and use it for their benefit. This is also true when they haphazardly use their powers without thinking of the consequences, like the damages it would do to other people. Their only concern is to exercise the power that they possess, and they will yield to nothing but their own destruction. The powers of a United States President. One of the most controversial leader that we know of today is the United States President George W. Bush. He is a concrete example of a leader in power, where he derives that power, and how he uses it (Kristol Schmitt, 2005). Controversies surfaced when he waged his war against terrorism, wherein he forcefully intervened in various affairs in the Middle East. His calls for war against the terrorist were dubbed by others as an expression of his hunger for power. Many people disagree with his decisions to further continue the war despite many lives being lost and many innocent people being involved. In order to fully understand his capacity as a leader, it is important to analyze the power that he has now. We have to look at the source of his power and afterwards classify it according French and Raven’s description of power. This is the most common description of power, and is further divided into five different forms. These are coercive power, reward power, legitimate power, referent power, and expert power (Changingminds.org, 2007). The power of Coercion The President’s power is vested to him as defined by the Constitution of the United States of America. George W. Bush, being the forty third President of the United States of America, holds his Office as the country’s leader during the Term of four years (Durland, 1996). One of the primary powers of an elected president is his command over the country’s fire power. George W. Bush is given the title of being the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, as well as the Militia of the several States, if they’re called into actual Service of the U.S. government (Milbank, 2001). This is one of the main aspects which raised the concern of many Americans. George W. Bush is abusing his power as the Commander in Chief of the country’s military powers. It is as if George W. Bush is using the military as pawns in his own war against terrorism or the Middle East. How to cite A Contemporary Leader, Papers

Direct Selling Investment Valuation

Question: Describe about the Direct Selling for Investment Valuation. Answer: Part A: Internal and External Factors affecting the Pricing Strategy Internal Factors: Return on investments- the marketing objectives need to focus on the percentage return on the expenditures associated with the products. Cash Flow- The sales price will be structured at a rate that will ensure the return of the production charges (Danziger, Hadar and Morwitz 2014). Market Share- The pricing decision is important for ensuring the new market retaining purposes. External Factors: Customers Expectations: The expectation of the customers and the channel distributors is the major obstacle for setting the price of the product. Elasticity of the Demands: Understanding the changes of the prices as per the market preferences. Direct Competitor Pricing- The direct competition prices of the rivalries affect the pricing structure more significantly. Techniques for determining the prices There are two types of techniques that can be used for setting the price. First, the effective product packaging system would be beneficial for making the products attractive to the customers (Li, Xu and Li 2013). On the other hand, the unique value added features of the products are effective enough to attract the customers. It will suggest the competition with the other rivalries in the market. Short Term Pricing Strategy One of the beneficial short time pricing strategies is the pricing penetration strategy. This strategy refers that the price of the products will be set lower at the initial stage (Phillips and Gully 2015). It will be helpful in attracting the customers with lower prices of the products. Once the product demands get higher, the reasonable price will be implemented. Payment Term Option If concentrated on the payment term option, it is noted that the early payment discounts would be much beneficial. The early payment discounts allows the customers to pay on time, which creates the less impact on the profits of thin-margin products. For instance, the customer can receive the 60 days credit by considering 5% of discount amount. It is a fruitful payment option to attract more customers towards the products. Achieving the selling purpose There should be the media channel, which will connect the customers with the customer care executives (Damodaran 2012). After purchasing the products, the customers need to provide their feedback or the customer care executives need to communicate with the customers to understand whether they are satisfied or not. The after sale service will determine the re-purchasing behaviour of the customers. Responses to the Queries Following up the customers responses is essential to derive the idea about their concerns. Hence, the customer care executives send the mail to the customers for replying to their responses. The customer care executives need to encourage the customers to present their concerns regarding any of the issues that they have been facing while banking with them. In fact, if any of the customers requires discussing over any critical matter, the face-to-face meeting can be arranged accordingly. Accessibility of the Customers a) The customers can access the accurate information by communicating with the customer case executives over the phone call. In case of any other specific queries or confidential matter, the face-to-face dealing will also be beneficial for providing the accurate information to the customers (Ragland, Widmier and Brouthers 2015). b) The online transaction pages are available in the internet. However, in order to maintain the higher security, the direct transaction or card transaction will also be available for the customers. Assessment 2: Part B Skills required for the staffs The efficient and clear communication with the customers is necessary for making the customers aware of the product specifications. Therefore, the staffs need to improve the interpersonal communication skills for communicating with the customers. It helps in building the effective relationship with the customers and generates the sense of reliability. Customer feedback The continuous feedbacks and following up the customers would be helpful for understanding whether they are happy with the products or services. The quality of the products will be determined while setting the pricing strategy. Recognising such aspects would be much beneficial for determining the fair dealings with the customers. Assistance of the Staffs The customer executives can provide the feedback form to the customers where the customers will provide their responses regarding their experiences of using the products. This form is needed to be dropped in the drop boxes set for gathering the feedbacks. Moreover, the customers can provide their feedbacks to the websites of the respective company. If the customers need to discuss any of the critical matter, the service executives will call them up and discuss the matter over the phone call. In case of extreme consequences, the customer care manager may arrange the face-to-face conversation meeting with the customers. References Damodaran, A., 2012.Investment valuation: Tools and techniques for determining the value of any asset(Vol. 666). John Wiley Sons. Danziger, S., Hadar, L. and Morwitz, V.G., 2014. Retailer pricing strategy and consumer choice under price uncertainty.Journal of Consumer Research,41(3), pp.761-774. Ellickson, P.B., Misra, S. and Nair, H.S., 2012. Repositioning dynamics and pricing strategy.Journal of Marketing Research,49(6), pp.750-772. Li, Y., Xu, L. and Li, D., 2013. Examining relationships between the return policy, product quality, and pricing strategy in online direct selling.International Journal of Production Economics,144(2), pp.451-460. Phillips, J.M. and Gully, S.M., 2015.Strategic staffing. Pearson. Ragland, C.B., Widmier, S. and Brouthers, L.E., 2015. A Factor Endowment Approach to International Market Selection for Direct Selling. InIdeas in Marketing: Finding the New and Polishing the Old(pp. 474-474). Springer International Publishing.

Review for Religion Final (Part 2) Flashcard

Review for Religion Final (Part 2)

spelling pronunciation - definition and examples

spelling pronunciation - definition and examples Definition The use of a pronunciation that is based on spelling rather than in accordance with a words conventional pronunciation, such as the increasingly common pronunciation of the once-silent letters t and d in often and Wednesday, respectively. Also called over-enunciation.D.W. Cummings notes that spelling pronunciations are more typical of American English than British English, perhaps because of the national predisposition among Americans to follow the written word more than the spoken (American English Spelling, 1988). The converse of spelling pronunciation is pronunciation spelling: the creation of a new spelling form on the basis of pronunciation. See Examples and Observations below. Also see: Allegro SpeechDivergent SpellingSlurvianWanna Construction Examples and Observations Words borrowed from French such as hour, honour, and honest came into English without an initial [h] as did hospital, habit, and heretic, but the latter have acquired an [h] from the spelling. The word herb is pronounced with an [h] and without one (the latter mainly in the US), and though hotel has an initial [h], one still sometimes hears an (h)otel. . . .The traditional pronunciation of forehead is forrid, but it is common nowadays to hear fore-head, particularly in the US. This is an example of reversing a sound change on the basis of spelling. . . .Many people believe that the spelling is a guide to the correct pronunciation and argue, for instance, that it is wrong to include an intrusive r in the idea of it or I saw him, because there is no r in the spelling.(Barry J. Blake, All About Language. Oxford University Press, 2008) Spelling Pronunciation and Language ChangeSpelling pronunciations are one symptom of the shift from the aural to the visual bias. . . . A sampling of spel ling pronunciations provided by [Fred] Householder includes the following, all of which have modern pronunciations that are closer to their spelling than were their older, traditional pronunciations: yesterday, Wednesday, diphtheria, diphthong, harass, kiln, victuals, conch, draught, certain, author, yes, housewife, gold, bomb, jaunt, laundry, sewer (1971, 252-53).Though underestimated, spelling pronunciation is an important and respectable factor in language change. . . . It seems likely that something like spelling pronunciation was part of the process that led to the leveling of dialect differences in late Middle and Early Modern English. Michael Samuels says that the evolution and spread of standard English in the 15th and 16th centuries was primarily through the agency of writing, not speech (1963, 87).(D.W. Cummings,  American English Spelling: An Informal Description. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1988) Middle English Spellings and Contemporary PronunciationsSome words have not yet been accorded spelling-pronunciation, the words choler, debt, doubt, receipt, salmon, sceptre, victuals retaining the pronunciation better suggested by the Middle English spellings colere, dette, doute, receite, samon, ceptre, and vitailes. Words of a more literary flavour, e.g. victuals, are now occasionally heard with a spelling-pronunciation, and condemnation of such pronunciations as ignorant will probably not prevent their ultimate universal acceptance.(D. G. Scragg, A History of English Spelling. Manchester University Press, 1974) Pronunciation SpellingA pronunciation spelling is a spelling that more closely reflects the pronunciation of a given word than the words traditional spelling does. Over time the new spelling may become as acceptable as the original spelling, as is the case with the pronunciation spelling bosun for boatswain. Many writers use pronunciation spellings, as wanna for want to o r talkin for talking, to convey speech.(The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style. Houghton Mifflin, 2005)

Slavery and the Making of America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Slavery and the Making of America - Essay Example Slave owners could sell their own children by proving they were illegitimate. Slave owners often slept with female slaves (Luminary_Aurora 2013). In the process, some of them conceived and depending on whether the owner was open about these relations, they could sell these children. Often considered an investment, slave owners could even intentionally impregnate their female slaves to place a sort of dividend. Slave owners considered the slave status something acquired from the mother only (Luminary_Aurora 2013). As a result, selling their children was not considered immoral or cruel. In effect, slave owners could either sell such children or keep them as their own slaves in hopes to make profits off of them.Frances Driggus went back to slavery after county Gaol found her guilty of theft in February 1699. Before this incident, Driggus allegedly stole meat from Charles Trelfo several years after being granted freedom (Luminary_Aurora 2013).

The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton - Essay Example The cat massacre served as a clever and afflictive attack on the print master and his wife. By killing the cats, the laborers get back at the master of the shop. The workers hated the cats because their masters love those animals and nurture them more than the workers. By first killing the mistress' beloved cat "la grise," the workers emblematically raped the bourgeoisie. It is a clear display of insult and threat as the workers assured her that no one would be capable of such a crime because they have too much respect for the house. Simultaneously, they caused the sovereign insult to their master-his wife being his most precious possession just as her cat was hers. The workers amused themselves with Lveill skillfully reenacting the horrible scene over and over during the following days. The mime was an atrocious and humiliating attack at the expense of the master's entire household. It provided entertainment for the men. It must be taken into account the unity of the workers against the masters. By executing the cats with such elaborate ceremony, they condemned master guilty-guilty of the unjust management of the shop towards apprentices. The cats were a representation of the masters, who were declared guilty of poor labor practices. In trying, confessing, and hanging a collection of half-dead cats, the workers meant to ridicule their master.

University of Wisconsin Admissions Essay Personal Statement

University of Wisconsin Admissions Essay - Personal Statement Example All skills that are necessary for one who ambitions to become a leader and not a follower in the future. These are skills and abilities that I did not realize I had until I became a member of the BBYO and found myself being asked to think about the kind of young leader that I could become. They called upon its members to strive towards becoming a national leader through the grassroots training that they offered. I dove into the challenge with excitement. I organized recruitment events in order to show the positive effect that our organization can have in their lives. All my hard work paid off as I was elected to the post of Regional Vice President for Communication (Northbrook chapter) , then programming (Overall, Illinois Chapter). Having been a ranking member of the BBYO for a number of years, I learned that life is not one person or race. It is about helping people reach their full potential in order to insure a steady flow of successful people in the future. We live in the land of opportunity. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to get the best out of the possibilities presented to them. I know how to do that and I willing to share what I know with my fellow students. I plan to do this by working with the student government in mounting student mixers and career introduction seminars whenever it is possible. I am currently the youngest staff employee of Special Gifts, a Chicago based theater group that helps children with disabilities see that their handicap is not a hindrance but a gift that makes them special. I am truly saddened that I will be unable to continue working with them because theirs is a Chicago based group. But, I have plans of further spreading the good works of the group by founding a Madison community chapter. I hope, that once I am in a well placed position within the student population of UW, I will be able to find some students who would want to help further the cause of my theater

How Important Is Energy Sustainability Environmental Sciences Essay

How Important Is Energy Sustainability Environmental Sciences Essay Thesis statement: With non renewable resources of energy being consumed at a very rapid rate, sustainability of energy has become the need of the hour. In the current context of meeting the global energy demands nuclear energy meets every reasonable criterion for sustainability. The increase in the concerns about the harmful side-effects of global warming, coupled with a faster dwindling of the conventional sources of energy, have led to a renewed interest in nuclear energy. After the Cold War, nuclear energy development was largely forgotten for many years until this renewed desire among developed nations for the availability of alternative energy sources to meet their ever increasing energy demands. With the prices of oil and global warming concerns rising steadily, the clean-burning properties of nuclear power are becoming much more attractive. Nuclear energy is viewed as an ideal replacement for the non renewable sources of energy for the four following main reasons. Firstly Nuclear energy produces the most energy than any non-renewable resource. Secondly high reserves of uranium are found on earth which is the raw material for nuclear reactors. Thirdly there is no release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons du ring a nuclear reaction. Finally the amount of waste produced is the least of any major energy production process. Although there are various risks involved when using nuclear energy, I will argue that nuclear energy is the best source of energy to replace oil and also I will argue that nuclear energy wastes are treatable, can be recycled and possess no threat to mankind.   Of the various advantages of nuclear energy, its efficiency is by far the most important. One of the major criterions that determine an efficient source of energy is the amount of energy it produces and how it impacts the environment. It is a basic energy fact that the fission of an atom of uranium produces 10 million times the energy from an atom of carbon than does coal. Nuclear energy extracts by far more energy from the natural resource Uranium than does the exploitation of oil or any other natural resource. In 1950s Dr. M. Hubbard, Geologist at Shell, said that US Oil would peak in 10 to 15 years. He was laughed at and in the 1970s we ran out of Oil. His statement was based on a Discovery Bell Curve which said oil production continues to go up even after the oil discoverys drop off and that the rate that we run out of oil can be measured on the lack of new discoveries. Heres a quote from NEIs website: Nuclear plants are the lowest-cost producer of baseload electricity. The avera ge production cost of 1.87 cents per kilowatt-hour includes the costs of operating and maintaining the plant, purchasing fuel and paying for the management of used fuel. These facts prove nuclear energy as the most efficient form of energy over its competitors, including oil, coal, wind, hydroelectric, and near-term solar power.   Many people are of the opinion that uranium is a rare metal, but its about as common as copper or tin and 40 times more common than silver. Uranium, the chief source of nuclear fuel, is vastly abundant, which makes this resource similar to other renewable resources. As per the NEAs (Nuclear Energy Agency) findings, uranium resources of total 5.5 million metric tons and an additional 10.5 million metric tons remain undiscovered-a roughly 230-year supply at todays consumption rate in total. Bernard Cohens, Professor of Physics at Pittsburgh University, 5 billion year estimate is based on extracting uranium from seawater, which the Japanese have already shown to work. Cohen calculated that we could take 16,000 tons per year of uranium from seawater, which would supply 25 times the worlds present electricity usage and twice the worlds present total energy consumption. He argued that given the geological cycles of erosion, subduction and uplift, the supply would last for 5 billion years w ith a withdrawal rate of 6,500 ton per year. His comments support the fact that uranium is a renewable resource of energy.   Among the many benefits of nuclear power, the main advantage of nuclear power over other methods is that it is a clean way to produce energy as it does not result in the emission of any of the poisonous gases like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide. With the pollution levels in the atmosphere greatly affecting the general climatic conditions, nuclear energy is definitely a preferable option when compared to burning of fossil fuels (Dujardin 2007). Production of nuclear energy doesnt contribute to emission of green house gases as it does in the case of fossil fuels. Also, going by the alarming rate at which the fossil fuels are burned, it is predicted that, the coal and oil deposits across the world are expected to deplete by end of this century. Uranium deposits, on the other hand are here to remain for a long time, and even if they get depleted, alternative sources in form of plutonium and thorium also exist.   Nuclear energy is also considered to be renewable depending on the type of reactor that is being used. A special type of reactor design called a breeder reactor can create or refine radioactive elements as a part of its functioning (Young, 1998). There are breeder designs that, once operating, can refine uranium, turning even natural uranium into fuel-grade uranium that can be used by other standard reactors. Some breeder designs create plutonium as a byproduct, which can be used for either power generation or in nuclear weapons. Currently, there are 442 reactors operating in the world, 130 of which are in the United States. Another 12 are being built in foreign countries. With the current technology, only 1% of the energy available in uranium is able to be captured by thermal reactors. This energy makes up between 11% and 18% of the total energy available in the world. Developing technologies that would allow us to capture more of this available energy is at least 15 years away, but with incentives, these advances could be a realistic part of our future. The potential is not the only part of the advantages of nuclear energy.   Nuclear energy has another advantage in that it is relatively inexpensive to produce when compared to conventional methods of energy production. Uranium is reasonably cheap to mine, and easy to transport to reactors around the globe, making nuclear energy. While the cost of producing other forms of energy has risen steadily over the last 26 years, the cost of producing nuclear energy has dropped, over the same period of time, with an average finished cost between 3 and 5 cents per kilowatt (Makhijani Saleska, 1999). The potential is not the only part of the advantages of nuclear energy. Regardless of the various definitions of renewable, nuclear power therefore meets every reasonable criterion for sustainability, which is the prime concern.   Both, the disadvantages and advantages of nuclear power plants have to be taken into consideration when determining whether this source of energy is efficient for development of power or not. While the critics of nuclear energy have been citing the various nuclear power plant disasters that have occurred in the past as one of the main reason for refraining from use of nuclear energy, its proponents are confident that it has the ability to sustain the energy requirements of the entire world, in a safe manner. Overall, however, I believe that the use of nuclear energy greatly outweighs any other sources of energy.  

An Internet for Everyone :: Internet Web Cyberspace Essays

An Internet for Everyone Web Sight by Arati Bechtel an article in the Camarillo Star, explains how the Internet claim that Everyone can use the internet is wrong in many ways. For people who are mentally or physically disabled, it is much more difficult to get the same access and effectiveness out of the internet as for someone who is completely healthy. The internet is about 99% visual and for someone who is visually impaired, it would be extremely difficult to use the internet. Arati Bechtel explains in her article about some of the research done on accessibility to the internet for the visually impaired and says that there is some new software for the blind that has been make with a better design to help them use the internet as apposed to the old way of using brail. An example of these programs is called Jaws Screen Reader, it is a program that takes the text and reads it out loud to the user. This allows a blind person to log on and listen to their email or listen to some information that they could pos sibly be looking for. But theses programs are not nearly enough and not nearly developed enough to be effectively used by the disabled. Bechtel states that more needs to be done for the internet to be used by everyone. Howard Rheingolds theory about the internet in his article The Heart of the WELL is that by logging on to the WELL, everyone can find there place for support or use it as a parenting community. Whichever way you choose to go, everyone will always find a place to feel comfortable in a community and find support from other people. (Rheingold 154) He describes how he and others in a community had an ongoing conversation with the father of a girl that had an illness, and with the support of the WELL, the woman was able to recover from her illness Figueroa 2 and come to a full recovery. He also described how a parent could have a question about the health of their infant child, and acquire the information quicker by logging on to the WELL and asking the users, then by call ing a doctor directly. (Rheingold 151) Another use of the WELL was to help each other on different parenting techniques assisting parents to become better mothers and fathers all around the world.

King Lear: A Tragedy Essay

In Shakespeare’s, â€Å"King Lear† the structure and elements of tragedy help develop the theme of greed throughout the play. In the first act of the play the reader is introduced to a proble, King Lear is getting old and when he passes away he doesn’t want his three daughters fighting for his kingdom. King Lear decided to play a game with them asking them â€Å"Tell me, my daughters, which of you loves us most, that we may place. Our largest bounty with the largest merit.† The King is playing a very selfish game with his daughters he wants them to tell him how much they love him. Goneril and Regan go along with his game because they both are power hungry and want the biggest part of the kingdom. They even lie to Lear and tell him that they love him more than anything, even more than their husbands. Both sisters are power hungry and selfish willing to put power before the truth. Unlike their youngest sister Cordelia, she refused to lie to her father and to ld him she loved him how any child should love their father. King Lear was angered by this and disowned her vanishing her from the kingdom. Lears actions showed how greedy he was with his daughters love and he wanted to make sure that they spoke his love for him out loud. An element of tragedy that appears in the play is peripeteia. This is shown when King Lear goes from being a powerful king to not being wanted by either of his daughters. Lear first arrived at Goneril place with his 100 man, although Goneril says†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Is most unseemly: hourly they break out In quarrels, bred by their unbounded riots..† Goneril doesn’t want Lear to have that many servants because she is afraid that she they will take over and over real her and she doesn’t’ want that because she wants to keep her power. Later King Lear goes to Regan’s palace but she doesn’t want him either. Both sisters have made up a plan to overrule Lear and make sure he doesn’t go back to ruling again. Goneril and Regan both are power hungry and are willing to pick power over family. Lear went from having all the love of his two daughters to being rejected by them in a series of tragic events. In the last act of the play the reader experiences catharsis, Goneril poisons Regan and later feels the guilt so she kills herself. Cornelia is hung and King Lear dies from the news, The deaths of the family show how throughout the book they every member of the Lear family was driven by greed, except for Cornelia. The audience sees what happened to a family full of greed and that was power driven. In the end no one wins the tragedy takes over. The last act (V) is the closing of the play it shows the results of the events that had occur.

Free Essays on Philosophical And Religous Influences Of The Constitution

Part One – The Legal Framework What were the philosophical and religious influences on American Constitutional Government? In framing the Constitution, the forefathers derived many of the foundations of constitutional government from philosophical and religious ideas. American Constitutional government was not perfect but a result of trial and error of almost two centuries of colonial existence. The origins of Constitutional Government stem from the Judeo Christian principles of covenant, justice, and inalienable rights. This idea was a reflection of the protestant influences and upbringings of the framers and that of the American people. The framers read extensively on the writings of Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke and Montesquieu, applying their ideas into the constitution. John Locke’s â€Å"Second Treatise† and his idea of the â€Å"social contract† was a major influence upon the construction of the constitution. According to Locke, the original state of nature was happy and characterized by reason and tolerance; all human beings were equal and free to pursue "life, hea lth, liberty, and possessions." Thus such rights could not be delegated or withheld from any individual in a state of society. The framers applied Locke’s social contract, which guaranteed a human’s inalienable rights to formation of the constitution. Also, Locke argued that revolution was not only a choice but in some cases an obligation when faced with tyranny. Baron Montesquieu’s, an influential French philosopher believed that in order to protect the liberty of the people, the government should be divided into three branches: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Montesquieu argued in his essay â€Å"Spirit of the Laws† that this was necessary to prevent the abuse of power, which he felt was the nature of humans. What was the process by which our constitution was adopted? The compromises required and the mistakes made. ... Free Essays on Philosophical And Religous Influences Of The Constitution Free Essays on Philosophical And Religous Influences Of The Constitution Part One – The Legal Framework What were the philosophical and religious influences on American Constitutional Government? In framing the Constitution, the forefathers derived many of the foundations of constitutional government from philosophical and religious ideas. American Constitutional government was not perfect but a result of trial and error of almost two centuries of colonial existence. The origins of Constitutional Government stem from the Judeo Christian principles of covenant, justice, and inalienable rights. This idea was a reflection of the protestant influences and upbringings of the framers and that of the American people. The framers read extensively on the writings of Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke and Montesquieu, applying their ideas into the constitution. John Locke’s â€Å"Second Treatise† and his idea of the â€Å"social contract† was a major influence upon the construction of the constitution. According to Locke, the original state of nature was happy and characterized by reason and tolerance; all human beings were equal and free to pursue "life, hea lth, liberty, and possessions." Thus such rights could not be delegated or withheld from any individual in a state of society. The framers applied Locke’s social contract, which guaranteed a human’s inalienable rights to formation of the constitution. Also, Locke argued that revolution was not only a choice but in some cases an obligation when faced with tyranny. Baron Montesquieu’s, an influential French philosopher believed that in order to protect the liberty of the people, the government should be divided into three branches: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Montesquieu argued in his essay â€Å"Spirit of the Laws† that this was necessary to prevent the abuse of power, which he felt was the nature of humans. What was the process by which our constitution was adopted? The compromises required and the mistakes made. ...

Nash Equilibrium Theory

Nash Equilibrium Theory Introduction Nash equilibrium is a challenge that has acquired many increasing applications in both the internet and economics. It is evident from the internet that it is hard to count all the Nash equilibrium of a two player game. This is so even if the entry of the matrix is 0 or even 1.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nash Equilibrium Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, the complexity which is involved in finding the Nash equilibrium is open and has been actually opposed as one of the most significant wide open problems in the complexity theory today. There is a new polynomial reduction given in finding the Nash equilibrium in the general bi-matrix games in finding Nash equilibrium in the games where all the playoffs are either 1 or 0 (Kim, 2004). Once a given problem is shown intractable in the in complexity theory, the research for the same shifts towards the directions of polynomial algorithms for approximation or modest goals and the exponential bounds which are lower for the restricted algorithm classes. We however conclude that Nash algorithm is a concept of solution of a game that involves two or more players in it, where by assumption has been made that every player understands the strategies of the equilibrium for the players and that not even one player has a thing to gain by altering his own strategies unilaterally (Kim, 2000). Algorithm for the Nash equilibrium In calculating the Algorithm for Nash equilibrium, we give out a common algorithm for calculating the Nash equilibrium of the bi-matrix game within an exponential time. The calculation relies on the proposition that; given the existence of a Nash equilibrium with the supports S1 = Supp (x) and S2 = Supp (y), there will be a polynomial time of the algorithm in order to compute a Nash equilibrium with the definite supports stated. In the question, we will calculate the Nash equilibrium as follows: Let Si1 b e the ith row of S1, and Sj2 be the jth column of S2Advertising Looking for essay on math statistics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More We then solve the linear program based on the 2n + 3 variables: The variables: a, b ≠¥ 0, U, V, á µÅ¸ The solution is then shown to the given conditions in a Nash equilibrium having the supports (S1, S2). The set of the constraints demands that the probabilities ai be non-negative and add up to one. They should also be 0 outside the required support with at least á µÅ¸ within the desired support (Freund, 2006). The following charts show the Nash Equilibrium tables. The steps I used in calculating the Nash equilibrium.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nash Equilibrium Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More I examined the payoff matrix and determine what payoffs belong to whom I determined each player’s best response in all other actions of the other players, this process is done to all other players The Nash equilibrium hence exists where each player’s best response is similar to the other player’s best response For instance Step one Cooperate Non cooperate Cooperate 2000(B) 1500(A) 4000(B) 50(A) Non Cooperate 100(B) 2000(A) 101(B) 60(A) Step two Cooperate Non cooperate Cooperate 2000(B) 1500(A) 4000(B) 50(A) Non Cooperate 100(B) (2000) 101(B) (60) Step three Cooperate Non cooperate Cooperate 2000(B) 1500(A) 4000(B) 50(A) Non Cooperate 100(B) 2000(A) (101) 60(A) Proof of equilibrium The algorithm is simple and enumerates all the pairs (S1, S2) where by S1 is the sub set of the pure strategies of the row player while S2 is the pure strategies for the column player. For every pair, the equilibrium is used to find the Nash equilibrium in case one exists with the specified supports. In case no Nash equilibrium exists with the supports, the algorithm terminates within the polynomial time and either asserts that there is no solution existing or for one with a á µÅ¸ = 0. In the case latter case described, the solution to the problem will be a valid Nash equilibrium therefore the algorithm will find necessarily Nash equilibrium whenever it uses the initial algorithm on the support of the described Nash equilibrium. Hence, there exist at most the following in the solution: The 2m Ãâ€" 2n kind of pairs of the sets, therefore we get a total of (n + m) 0(1) 2(m + n) total time (Kim, 2000).Advertising Looking for essay on math statistics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Proof of negotiation algorithm The original proof of the existence of the Nash equilibrium is the Brouwer’s fixed point theorem. The proof is as follows: we can have the best of all correspondence for all other players with the relation from the set of the probability distributions over the profile of the opponent players to the set strategies as given in the supports, the profile of the mixed strategy of all the players except for player Si1. Analysis of negotiation algorithm Nash algorithm is a concept of solution of a game that involves two or more players in it, where by an assumption has been made that every player understands the strategies of the equilibrium for the players and that not even one player has a thing to gain by altering his own strategies unilaterally (Freund, 2006). Nash algorithm is a concept of solution of a game that involves two or more players in it, where by assumption has been made that every player understands the strategies of the equilibrium fo r the players and that not even one player has a thing to gain by altering his own strategies unilaterally. In calculating the Algorithm for Nash equilibrium, we give out a common algorithm for calculating the Nash equilibrium of the bi equation The path-order AR (AR(p)) Random Process is given by x(n) = −a(1)x(n − 1) − a(2)x(n − 2) − ãÆ' » ãÆ' » ãÆ' » − a(p)x(n − p) + w(n) (1) where by; w(n) is white noise having variance ÏÆ'w2 (k), k = 1, , p are the AR parameters. We assume that x(n) is real. The autocorrelation function of the AR process, rx(k), also satisfies the autoregressive property, this leads to the well-known Yule-Walker equations for the AR parameters rx(k)=- (k-i), k- 1 Suppose the measurements used to estimate the AR parameters can be modeled as ËÅ"x(n) = x(n) + v(n) where v(n) is white noise having variance  ¾2v, then the parameter estimates derived from the Yule-Walker equations will be biased since, rËÅ"x(k) = rx (k) +  ±(k) ¾2v where  ±(k) is the Dirac delta function. It has been shown that the biased AR parameters produce a â€Å"flatter† AR spectrum since the estimated poles of the AR process are biased toward the center of the unit circle [1]. A number of methods have been described for estimating the AR parameters using noisy measurements, some of these methods are surveyed in [1, 5] (Freund, 2006). The Noise-Compensated Yule-Walker (NCYW) equations are defined as (RËÅ"x −  ¸B) u = 0p+q (3), Where the dimensions of RËÅ"x,B, and u are (p + q) Ãâ€" (p + 1) , (p + q) Ãâ€" (p + 1), and (p + 1) Ãâ€" 1, respectively. The unknowns in (3) are u and  ¸, so clearly, equality holds when  ¸ =  ¾2v and u =  · 1 a(1) a(2) a(p)  ¸T. We observe that the first p equations are nonlinear in the AR parameters, u, and the measurement noise variance, The next q equations however are linear in u. In general there exist p distinct ( ¸, u) solving (3), the solution is taken to be that which corresponds to the minimum real value of  ¸ solving (3). A number of authors have observed that solving the p nonlinear equations, in addition to the q linear equations can improve the parameter estimates [2, 3, 4]. In [5], a matrix pencil method based on the Noise-Compensated Yule-Walker (NCYW) equations was presented which was found to out-perform several other methods for AR-in noise parameter estimation. None of these papers have established the minimum number of linear equations that are required for the solution of the NCYW equations to be the unique, correct solution. It is clear that q ≠¥ p linear equations are sufficient to insure that the solution is unique, in this case, all other ( ¸, u) solving (3) are complex. However, the minimum value of q needed to insure a unique solution has not been established. This is an important consideration because using a large value of q, which would guarantee a unique solution, also implies computing more high- order autocorrelation lag estimates which can reduce the solution accuracy since these tend to have a larger estimation variance. Hence one would like to choose the smallest value of q that still guarantees a unique solution (Friedman, 2001). One might expect that since there are a total of p + q equations in p + 1 unknowns, fewer then q = p linear equations are needed. In other words, if only one linear equation were used, q = 1, this would still give p + 1equations in p + 1 unknowns, hence a unique solution could still exist. In this correspondence, we show that this is not the case and q ≠¥ p is also a necessary condition for there to exist a unique solution (Friedman, 2001). Conclusion The coalition proof of the Nash equilibrium concept applies to specify non cooperative surroundings where by players can freely share and discuss their game strategies but cannot make any changes or even binding commitments. The concept emphasizes the self enforcing immunization to deviations . The best response in the game in Nash equilibrium is therefore necessary for self-enforceability. This is not sufficient generally when players can deviate jointly in a way that is beneficial mutually. The proof Nash equilibrium refines the concept via a stronger conception of the self-enforceability that gives room for the multilateral deviations (Freund, 2006). Nash algorithm is a concept of solution of a game that involves two or more players in it, where by assumption has been made that every player understands the strategies of the equilibrium for the players and that not even one player has a thing to gain by altering his own strategies unilaterally. To describe a standard ARMA equation we will use the example below which further breaks down the equations used in the autoregressive models. The calculation relies on the proposition that; given the existence of a Nash equilibrium with the supports S1 = Supp (x) and S2 = Supp (y), there will be a polynomial time of the algorith m in order to compute a Nash equilibrium with the definite supports stated (Freund, 2006). A number of authors have observed that solving the p nonlinear equations, in addition to the q linear equations can improve the parameter estimates [2, 3, 4]. In [5], a matrix pencil method based on the Noise-Compensated Yule-Walker (NCYW) equations was presented which was found to out-perform several other methods for AR-in noise parameter estimation. None of these papers have established the minimum number of linear equations that are required for the solution of the NCYW equations to be the unique, correct solution. It is clear that q ≠¥ p linear equations are sufficient to insure that the solution is unique, in this case, all other ( ¸, u) solving (3) are complex. In summary, Nash equilibrium is challenge that has acquired many increasing applications in both the internet and economics. It is evident from the internet that is hard to count all the Nash equilibrium of a two player ga me. This is so even if the entry of the matrix is 0 or even 1. Nevertheless, the complexity involved in finding the Nash equilibrium is open and has been actually opposed as one of the most significant wide open problems in the complexity theory today. There is a new polynomial reduction given in finding the Nash equilibrium in the general bi-matrix games in finding Nash equilibrium in the games where all the playoffs are either 1 or 0. In complexity theory, once a given problem is shown intractable, the research for the same shifts towards the directions of polynomial algorithms for approximation or modest goals, exponential bounds which are lower for the restricted algorithm classes (Friedman, 2001). References Freund, S. (2006). Adaptive game playing using multiplicative weights. New York: Prentice Hall. Friedman, S.(2001). Learning and implementation on the Internet. London: Springer. Kim, C. (2000). Fixed Point Theorems with Applications to Economics and Game  Theory. London: Cambridge University Press. Kim, C. (2004). Infinite Dimensional Analysis: London, Springer

Deaf History and Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Deaf History and Culture - Essay Example At the age of nineteen months, Helen Keller was diagnosed as a case of â€Å"acute congestion of the stomach and the brain†. This short term attack of illness left her deaf and blind. Helen proved to be a quite an intelligent child. By the age of seven, she had invented sixty different signs to communicate with her family. Helen’s education career began when her mother took her to a specialist doctor for advice. Actually she was inspired by hearing about another child who was deaf but completed her education successfully. The doctor referred her to the local expert, Alexander Graham Bell. Bell was working for the deaf children at that time. Alexander Graham Bell told Helen’s parents about the institute where that child had got education. It was called the Perkins Institute for the Blind, located in South Boston. Helen was brought there. One of the former students of the school, named Anne Sullivan was designated as Helen’s teacher. She was blind herself an d had got education from the same institute. Anne proved to be a very hard working teacher. After a good effort of about three years, Helen learnt the names of many familiar things. The next step was to speak. Anne taught her to speak using the Tadoma method (touching the lips and throat of others as they speak). Helen continued her education starting from Perkins Institute, then Wright-Humason School for the Deaf, Horace Mann School for the Deaf, The Cambridge School for Young Ladies and finally, the Rad Cliffe College in 1900 becoming the first deaf and blind person to graduate from the college.

Geomorphology Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Geomorphology - Lab Report Example (5 pts) The critical angle for determining whether the boulder would move, or not is 45.840 degrees. At this point, the boulder would assume a stationery motion. The value is arrived by observing the point of intersection between the curves of shear and normal stress. 4. A local business informs you they have a 1 m-thick rock slab with a density of 1000 kg m-3 lying in their backyard that slopes at 25 degrees. Given normal weather conditions and unsaturated soils, will this rock slide and potentially destroy their business? Justify your answer in terms of angle, Driving and Resisting forces. (5 pts) At 25 degrees, the sheer force on the rock will be 984.807753 while the normal stress will be 173.6481777 (in the opposite direction). This means that the forces propelling the rock slab downwards are greater than the resisting forces. Assuming that the weather conditions remain at normal levels it is highly likely that the rock in question will inflict a considerable damage to the surrounding property. Lemke, Karen A. â€Å"Slope Stability & Mass Wasting.† University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, December 1, 2013. Web. January 26, 2015 < http://www4.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/

Actively Engage in Evaluation of Own Performance Essay - 1

Actively Engage in Evaluation of Own Performance - Essay Example The reporter declares that "the overall experience, according to me, was good as I realized my mistakes and got a chance to overcome my weaknesses. It is nice to have a person who was there to guide me about the shortcomings and show me the path to improvement. The path that my teacher suggested was free writing classes at Humber. The information about your weaknesses helps you improve and eliminate them. I have experienced it when my teacher my teacher gave me feedback that my writing skills need improvements and I took immediate steps to improve my writing skills. I also actively engage in evaluation of my own performance and it helps me in the identification of personal strengths and areas of growth and development. According to the article Thematic analysis of written assignment feedback: Implications for nurse education ,†Feedback is now accepted as a key factor affecting learning and, in educational settings, the term feedback is used in the context of assessments, where its main function is to provide information about students current performance as well as constructive comments that enhances future earning†. So, it is very important to measure your performance and evaluate the areas that require improvement. Description: In this week’s group meeting we created a project named logic model for community outreach project. In the Project logic model, we discussed all the steps that are part of our final project."

Staffing and Training Essay Example for Free

Staffing and Training Essay As multinational firms globalise they must learn to co-ordinate efforts among an increasingly culturally diverse workforce and environment. Nowadays people tend to be very defensive of their cultural identity and caution by others has to be taken so that insult is not caused. Through the years success of Japanese organisations global strategies has encouraged American firms. Although many point out the advantages, cultural diversity may leads to conflict, misunderstanding and lack of cohesion. (Tung, [1993]) states that cross cultural training process, helps in the development of building relations between individuals or groups, especially individuals/groups with diverse cultural backgrounds. (Welch [1998]) defines cultural training as any form of guided experience helping people to live and work more contentedly in another culture. Such training encourages understanding about differences and acceptance of the multicultural work environment and helps create and retain effective work teams and expertise in dealing with multicultural management (Hartenian, [2000]) describes the multi-cultural workforce as a workforce that excludes no one, from top-level management to low-level employees. He sees the multi-cultural workforce has one of the main opportunities for an organisation. Although multi-cultural workforces are beneficial to organisations in relation to performance and profitability, they can be very hard to manage. According to (Hill, [92]) the key to managing multi-cultural workforces is the realisation that majority and minority cultures do not always share experiences. To solve this managers can adapt different strategies such as: developing programmes that promote awareness of different cultures, recognise common links among different ethnic groups and express concerns and confusions. (Hill [1992]) believes that if organisations use these strategies, economic benefits will be reaped. This may be easier said than done, (Harisis Kleiner, [1993]) argue that the implementation of such workforces are extremely difficult. They say that not only within American society and businesses but on a world wide scale there are widespread barriers. Such barriers include unwritten rules and double standards for success which are often unknown to women and minorities, stereotypes and their associated assumptions and lack of communication about differences. In global organisations it is essential that effective cross cultural training occurs in order to help individuals obtain both the knowledge and the tools needed to reduce misunderstandings and improper actions (Black Mendenhall [1990]) suggest that multi-cultural training provides individuals with greater self confidence and decreased narrow-mindedness about people from diverse cultures. In addition (Barlett and Ghoshal [1990]) also pointed out that establishing a multicultural training programme improved the companys ability to operate more efficiently in different cultural environments. Although many multicultural training programmes are undertaken to enhance cultural diversity they are not always successful. According to (Woods [1992]) a systematic approach should be taken towards training. (Woods [1992]) established a four step cycle: Firstly was to specify certain job task of individuals and assess the needs of the corporate culture. Secondly is the identification of training objectives. Thirdly was the establishment of the proper training content in which the following was used; sensitivity training, cultural awareness and orientation programs. In addition (Cox, [1993]; Gamio Sneed, [1992]; Tung, [1993]) introduced the communication competency program. In the final stage (Milkovich Boudreau [1991]) stated that training programs need to verify whether the training is successful in junior members of staffs performances at work. The cycle used was concerned with the effectiveness of the training, however, (Mendenhall Oddou [1986[ Tung [1981]) found factors that deterred individuals. These included lack of specialised trainers, cost and perceived lack of usefulness. Research carried out by (Gamio Sneed [1992]) found that the deterrence factors are of major importance. Take for instance the catering industry. Mangers in restaurants may blame high staff turnover rates on lack of multi-cultural training, therefore using these rates as the reason to ignore the need for training programs. (Jackson [1991]) believes that heterogeneity among team members contributes to high turnover rates within organisations. Researchers may find that the re lationship between cultural diversity and staff turnover is of major importance to all organisations. Hospitality researchers Results of this study have provided useful directions for future research in the area of multicultural training. Respondents in this study perceived more success in improving interpersonal skills than dealing with culturally diverse people because those skills are probably more easily observable and acquirable. A more rigorous research design is recommended before definitive conclusions about the efficiency of the training can be reached (Black and Mendenhall, 1990). Without identifying a baseline of knowledge and skills before starting the program, it becomes difficult to measure training effectiveness. Researchers can solve this problem by utilizing a pretest-posttest design with a control group, identifying two separate groups during pretest. One group would be tested before and after receiving the training. The other group would simply be tested twice once before and once after the program but they would not receive the training. By measuring both groups, training managers could fully assess the impact of the training program. Furthermore, the measurement of the training effectiveness needs to incorporate the trainees estimation about the program in addition to perceptions from directors of human resources. Alliger and Janak (1989) advocated that training needs to integrate two evaluation criteria: 1 Internal. For assessing how trainees feel about the training experience. 2 External. For estimating the changes in job behavior and organizational effectiveness (Milkovich and Boudreau, 1991). . Such training encourages understanding about differences and acceptance of the multicultural work environment and helps create and retain effective work teams and expertise in dealing with multicultural management. Full Text (2411 words) Copyright InfoWorld Publications, Inc. Apr 24, 2000 [Headnote] As the IT workforce grows more diverse, managers must improve awareness without creating inconsistency Diversity will have a significant impact on the hospitality industry. On one hand, diversity may cause problems, particularly in older, traditional organizations with a homogeneous workforce, including communication difficulties with supervisors and co-workers as well as with customers. Thus, group cohesiveness may be reduced by an increased cultural diversity among group members (Cox, 1993). The lack of understanding of different cultures may lead to ineffective management techniques in directing, motivating, and rewarding culturally diverse employees. On the other hand, diversity enriches a hospitality organization by adding new cultures, ideas, and alternative methods for solving problems.). What is not understood is what effects, if any, these changes will have on an organization and how it can respond in a proactive way to them. Recognizing the significance of managing diversity in the hospitality organization, Welch et al. (1988) suggest that developing cultural awareness in a company helps employees become familiar with different values, interpersonal interactions, and communication systems which must be understood for an effective multicultural working environment. Christensen (1993) emphasizes that organizations failing to acknowledge the full range of variety inherent in their employees and customer populations will have difficulty surviving . Restaurants need to have more thorough multicultural training programs, focusing on training goals which are practical and job-specific. Job result-oriented training goals, including increasing employee teamwork among culturally diverse employees and improving cross-cultural skills, must be a part of the training goals to encourage employee participation and eventually help in facilitating job performance in dealing with multicultural work environments. In addition, training methods should be more comprehensive rather than limited. As case 3 reported, minority mentor and advisory programs could be utilized to encourage full participation of ethnic minorities. These involvement efforts, with full support from upper management, would help change employees attitudes and lower barriers between diverse workers and promote ethnic minorities, and hopefully lead to less turnover generated from the feeling of isolation and difference. Furthermore, human resource directors may consider utilizing employees with multicultural experience. For instance, the company can hire managers who have hands-on experience with different cultures or language skills for efficient interaction with diverse employees and for multicultural training. These comprehensive training approaches can eventually generate productive training results and increase better understanding among employees from diverse cultural backgrounds. Hospitality researchers Results of this study have provided useful directions for future research in the area of multicultural training. Respondents in this study perceived more success in improving interpersonal skills than dealing with culturally diverse people because those skills are probably more easily observable and acquirable. A more rigorous research design is recommended before definitive conclusions about the efficiency of the training can be reached (Black and Mendenhall, 1990). Without identifying a baseline of knowledge and skills before starting the program, it becomes difficult to measure training effectiveness. Researchers can solve this problem by utilizing a pretest-posttest design with a control group, identifying two separate groups during pretest. One group would be tested before and after receiving the training. The other group would simply be tested twice once before and once after the program but they would not receive the training. By measuring both groups, training managers could fully assess the impact of the training program. Furthermore, the measurement of the training effectiveness needs to incorporate the trainees estimation about the program in addition to perceptions from directors of human resources. Alliger and Janak (1989) advocated that training needs to integrate two evaluation criteria: 1 Internal. For assessing how trainees feel about the training experience. 2 External. For estimating the changes in job behavior and organizational effectiveness (Milkovich and Boudreau, 1991). . In responding to the multicultural work environments and international scope of restaurant operations, the hospitality industry should provide proper training for line employees who require customer interactions during their routine jobs in addition to managers who deal with employee promotion and corporate culture. TRAINING Perlmutter identified three managerial attitudes toward international operations Managers with an ethnocentric attitude are home-country oriented. Home-country personnel, ideas, and practices are viewed as inherently superior to those from abroad and are used for evaluation purposes. A polycentric attitude is a host-country orientation based on the assumption that because cultures are so different, local managers know what is best for their operations. Managers with a geocentric attitude are world-oriented. Skill, not nationality, determines who gets promoted or transferred to key positions around the globe. This attitude attempts to maintain a balance between global standards and local discretion. A geocentric attitude can help management take a long step toward success in todays vigorously competitive global marketplace. complexity. Documentary programs. Culture assimilator. Language instruction. Sensitivity training. Field experience. TRAINING . . References 1. Alliger, G. and Janak, E. (1989), Kirkpatricks levels of training criteria: thirty years later, Personnel Psychology, Vol. 42 No. 4, pp. 331-42. 2. Andorka, F. (1997), Diversity task forces meet to set agenda, Hotel and Motel Management, Vol. 212 No. 4, pp. 32-6. 3. Barlett, C. and Ghoshal, S. (1990), Matrix management: not a structure, a frame of mind, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 68 No. 4, pp. 138-45. 4. Black, J. and Mendenhall, M. (1990), Cross-cultural training effectiveness: a review and a theoretical framework for future research, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 113-36. 5. Bochner, S. (1982), Cultures in Contact: Studies in Cross-cultural Interaction, Pergamon Press, New York, NY. 6. Bond, R. and Bond, J. (1993), The Sourcebook of Franchise Opportunities, Business One Irwin, Homewood, IL. 7. Christensen, J. (1993), The diversity dynamic: implications for organizations in 2005, Hospitality Research Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 69-86. 8. Clark, J. and Arbel, A. (1993), Producing global managers, The Cornell Hotel Restaurant Administration Quarterly, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 83-7. 9. Cox, T.H. (1991), The multicultural organization, Academy of Management Executive, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 34-47. 10. Cox, T.H. (1993), Cultural Diversity in Organizations, Berrett-Koehler, San Francisco, CA. 11. Franchise Directory (1992), 1st ed., Martin, S. (Ed.), Gale Research, Detroit, MI. 12. Fullerton, H. (1987), Labor force projections: 1986-2000, Monthly Labor Review, Vol. 110 No. 9, pp. 19-29. 13. Gamio, M. and Sneed, J. (1992), Cross-cultural training practices and needs in the hotel industry, Hospitality Research Journal, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 13-26. 14. Glick, W., Harber, H., Miller, D., Doty, H. and Sutcliffe, K. (1990), Studying changes in organizational design and effectiveness: retrospective event histories and periodic assessments, Organization Science, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 293-312. 15. Harris, K. and West, J. (1993), Using multimedia in hospitality training, The Cornell Hotel Restaurant Administration Quarterly, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 75-82. 16. Houten, B. (1997), Harvest time, Restaurant Business, Vol. 15 No. 8, pp. 71-80. 17. Jackson, S., Brett, J., Sessa, V., Cooper, D., Julin, J. and Peyronnin, K. (1991), Some differences make a difference: individual dissimilarity and group heterogeneity as correlates of recruitment, promotions, and turnover, Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 76 No. 5, pp. 675-89. 18. Jeffcoate, R. (1981), Why multicultural education?, Education 3-13, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 4-7. 19. Mejia, L. and Palich, L. (1997), Cultural diversity and the performance of multicultural firms, Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 309-35. 20. Mendenhall, M. and Oddou, G. (1986), Acculturation profiles of expatriate managers: implications for cross-cultural training programs, Columbia Journal of World Business, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 73-9. 21. Milkovich, G. and Boudreau, J. (1991), Selection and design of training programs, in Human Resource Management, 6th ed., Irwin, Homewood, IL. 22. National Restaurant Association (1988), Foodservice Industry 2000 (Current Issue Report), National Restaurant Association, Washington, DC. 23. Tung, R. (1981), Selection and training of personnel for overseas assignments, Columbia Journal of World Business, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 68-78. 24. Tung, R. (1993), Managing cross-national and intra-national diversity, Human Resource Management, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 461-77. 25. US Travel Service (1990), Annual Summary of International Travelers to the US, US Travel Service, Washington, DC. 26. Welch, T., Tanke, M. and Glover, G. (1988), Multicultural human resource management, Hospitality Research Journal, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 337-45. 27. Woods, R. (1992), Managing Hospitality Human Resources, Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Motel Association, East Lansing, MI. 28. Zikmund, W. (1991), Business Research Methods, 3rd ed., The Dryden Press, Orlando, FL, pp. 3 Despite their popularity, the risk of failure of such ventures is high. There is a wealth of academic research studying the factors which may lead to greater success. Some authors suggest that greater attention up front to structural and partner characteristic dimensions will arrest the high failure rate (Parkhe, 1993). Recent research effort has been directed towards forwarding general prescriptions for managing the relationship once the alliance is under way Parkhe, A. (1993), Strategic alliance structuring: a game theoretical and transaction cost examination of interfirm cooperation, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 794-829. The work of Hofstede (1980), in particular, is considered the most comprehensive effort, involving analysis of a large scale questionnaire based survey of one large American corporation in 40 of its subsidiaries. Hofstede found that differences in national culture varied substantially along the four dimensions of uncertainty avoidance, individuality, tolerance of power distance and masculinity-femininity. Hofstedes work has frequently been used as a starting point to identify and model cultural clusters (Kogut and Singh, 1988; Ronen and Shenkar, 1985). Although the methodological approach has been extended to explore the effect of culture on international cooperation (Johnson et al., 1993; Graham, 1988) the difficulties of measuring and monitoring exchange processes have been noted. Indonesian culture, particularly Javanese and Sundanese culture (the latter from the region of Bandung) is very different from modern Western European and North American culture. Particular aspects of these cultural differences can affect the trust-building process. The case provides key episodes which illuminate these cultural trait differences and suggests methods to work within this cultural diversity. The critical involvement of stakeholders A key cultural dimension in SE Asian culture is the collectivist approach to business. This manifests itself in our case study through the critical involvement of stakeholders in the formation phase of the JV. The role of stakeholders and management of their interests is a key theme running through the paper. In particular, the case study suggests a need to systematically identify the power and interest of potential stakeholders and plan for and subsequently negotiate their roles and influence in the venture. These factors have led many Western companies to look for help and expert local advice through collaborative arrangements with ASEAN country partners. Market entry strategies have favoured equity JVs, which several ASEAN countries prefer in order to protect their own interests and ensure long-term growth (Lasserre, 1995; Mann 1996). The JV formation process: an analytical framework Lorange and Roos (1993) proposed a formation process model for JVs and strategic alliances which consisted of two areas of consideration; political and analytical and two phases of development; the initial and the intensive phase. This model has been modified and extended to create an analytical framework which derives from the Indonesian JV experience. The marketing and economic benefits from such a JV were apparent to Lucas at the time. Essentially the JV would provide abundant and highly skilled low-cost labour (with future joint product development a realistic possibility), made up of a loyal, dedicated and, importantly, reliable workforce with excellent proven machine tool skills and capabilities. Good rail and air transport links with markets in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific made it an attractive proposition along with a burgeoning Western market for low-cost high quality aerospace standard precision machined parts and components Westerners, particularly from Northern Europe and North America are generally viewed as particularists (Trompenaars, 1993). They rely heavily on rules and legal agreements to structure and provide governance to cooperative ventures. Trompenaars, F. (1993), Riding the Waves of Culture, Nicholas Brealey, London The most commonly utilized starting point for organizational development work on managing diversity is some type of employee education program. Human Resource Planning, June 2001 v24 i2 p10 Workforce Diversity Training: From Anti-Discrimination Compliance to Organizational Development. Marc Bendick; Mary Lou Egan; Suzanne M. Lofhjelm. Diversity is not just race and gender. It has a lot to do with communication styles and work styles,

Diversity in Gender and Governance

Diversity in Gender and Governance Tuan Pham   Anh Quynh Nguyen INTRODUCTION In the past, women could only be at home and do the household chores while the majority of men went to work. They did not have the rights to work. However, this orthodox view has been changed. In todays society, more and more women are going to work than ever before. The figures from Statistics Canada (2017) show that more than 9 million women in Canada have jobs at the end of 2016. As it can be seen, the number of females in the labor force increased substantially. Not only do women work as employees but they are also employers as well. They hold many important positions in companies such as chiefs, managers, members or the chairman of boards. In Canada, women hold 21.6% of board seats in the Financial Post 500 in 2016 (Catalyst, 2017). According to Catalysts research, it shows that the percentage of women directors in many developed countries has been increasing significantly. For example, in Australia, it represents 23.4% of women on boards in June 2016, which almost tripled than that of 2009. Growth in the number of women allows companies to grow faster and become more successful. As a business student, we are interested in the contributions of women to the economy. They play an important role in developing the firm values. Dr. Mijntje Lu ¨ckerath-Rovers (2011) has investigated that enterprises with female managers run better than those with men only. Moreover, women can bring their unique skills, which male counterparts cannot, to diversify a wide range of the boards expertise (Kim and Starks, 2016, p. 270). They suggest that diversity in gender enhance higher firm values. Even though society makes an endeavor to fight for gender equality, there is no sign that this controversial issue will disappear. In this paper, we provide more in-depth evidence that the presence of women on boards develops companies performance actively and effectively based on personal research and surveys. We will also answer one of the fundamental questions: Will gender dive rsity be encouraged in the future? How would it change: in a good way or bad way? DEFINITION The Dictionary of Business in 1996 (as cited in Walt and Ingley, 2003, p. 219) indicates that diversity in boards is a mix of human capital, where human capital is represented as the skills and knowledge absorbed by a person through the process of learning and experience. In the context of governance, diversity is described as the composition of the board and the combination of the different qualities, characteristics and expertise of the individual members in relation to decision-making and other processes within the board (Là ¼ckerath-Rovers, 2011, p. 493). Therefore, one of the aspects of diversity is gender on boards. This paper only focuses on gender diversity for several factors. First, gender diversity is one of the major topics which has been fiercely debated for a long time. Secondly, gender is the most easy distinguished demographic characteristic compared with age, nationality, education or cultural background (Là ¼ckerath-Rovers, 2011, p. 493). Eventually, our research aims to show that diversity in gender makes all the difference in firm performance. BACKGROUND According to a 2017 statistical analysis conducted by Statistics Canada, among women in the labour force, approximately 94% of them are employed (full-time and part-time). This proves that the labour force changed rapidly and there are more rights for women than ever before. European countries now appear to take the lead in the number of women directors (Catalyst, 2017). This survey also shows that many countries, such as Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden, are using quotas and setting targets to expanding the number of women on boards. However, in some Asian countries, there are only a tiny number of female directors. Catalysts research series, The Bottom Line, indicates that the more women on boards a company has, the better financial results they receive.   For example, Companies with the most women board directors had 16% higher Return on Sales (ROS) than those with the least, and 26% higher Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) (Catalyst, 2017). WOMENS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CORPORATE BOARDS According to the research in 2013 on gender diversity in SP 1500, which is a stock market index of US stocks made by Standard Poors, about a quarter of its firms still have no female directors. With data from the ISS RiskMetrics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, other smaller firms include SP 600 SmallCap, SP 400 MidCap, and SP 500 indices, the proportion of women on their boards just makes up by a small percentage (only 37%, 21% and 7% respectively have no women on their boards). However, surveys report that women are rated higher than men on the emerging leadership qualities of many aspects. As reported by the 2009 SEC Final Rule No. 33-9089 Proxy Disclosure Enhancements, there are in total 16 functional types recommended as critical skills: Financial, Mergers and Acquisitions, Accounting, International, Operations Technology, Marketing, Risk Management, Human Resources, Research and Development, Sustainability, Corporate Governance, Regulatory/Legal/Compliance, Political/Govern ment, Strategy and Leadership. Results show that adding women directors can enlarge diversity in corporate boards. Women are found to possess more uncommon expertise than men, which are four out of five least reported board skills (Research and Development, Human Resources, Risk Management, Sustainability, and Political Government). This shows that female directors can contribute both unique skills and expertise that are currently in distinction in the corporate boards, which can develop the heterogeneity of board skills. As a result, women directors can increase the value in corporate boards and enhance boards advisory effectiveness by adding these skills. Gender diversity is therefore related to higher firm value, and better director heterogeneity of expertise can increase the development in corporate boards.    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN AS DIRECTORS Although some studies have found that men and women as directors and leaders do not differ in the way of thinking, orienting tasks and other people, women actually learn how to be a leader more easily than men. The reason for which is that girls are likely to be raised with a more egalitarian way than boys, this could affect the way they participate in their life. Also, as stated above, women have more unique skills than men, which translates into their relatively greater use of participative leader style. Another reason could be that gender stereotypes have somewhat affect female leaders to be more competitive in firms. They would care more about follower expectations and be more interested in complying with it. There are differences between men and women as both board directors and top leaders. As top leaders, men and women tend to have no difference in ages and qualifications. Nevertheless, female directors are more independent due to their better multi-directorships. According to research in Norway, 45% of female directors and 37% of male directors are outsiders. While female directors with an average age of 47.16 years and an average of 1.63 qualifications, male directors hold only average 52.7 years have 1.18 qualifications (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 456). The result shows that women are not only younger but also more educated than their male colleagues. It also reports that one female director in firm has 10 qualifications in average, while that number of other directors is just 3. Men as directors do not have as many resources through serving multiple boards as women, and are less likely to be outsiders than women. Female directors are reported to be younger and have more qualification s than male directors, while there is no significant difference between male and female as CEOs in some specific aspects such as age, qualifications and experience within the boardrooms and the corporations. The gender gaps and the differences between female and male leaders and directors are also affected by gender quota. As stated in www.wikigender.org, gender quotas are used to create equal representation among gender within legislation contribute to the promotion of gender equality, and ease the access of women into positions of government. Gender quotas were first introduced in some public sector entities in the 1980s and were extended in 2003 under legislation requiring at least 40% of women on boards of public limited companies (known as ASA), inter-municipal and state-owned enterprises (Sorsa, 2016). The enactment of the mandatory gender quota became one of the researchers studies since its introduction in Norway in 2005 (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 451). According to Ahern and Dittmars report in 2011, even though the increasing number of women was found to boost the boards strategy and effectiveness, this has led to the surge in the number of inexperienced women in corporate boards , which could damage the firms performance. However, Matsa and Miller (2011) found that there are positive effects of gender quota on firms, especially on the reductions of workforce and the rise in relative labor costs, compared with a matched sample in Scandinavia countries without gender quotas. The outcome shows that the gender quota in Norway created only a few experienced women as top leaders on their boards based on a number of proxies for influence, such as leadership and multi directorships, though this country has been increasing a large number of women in their firms (Seierstad and Opsahl, 2011). Despite the fact that there are no specific differences between the way women and men lead, gender diversity is still an important factor on boards and it may influence female directors contributions to board decision-making processes (Nielsenand and Huse, 2010). At the same time while having a female leader in the boardroom can make female directors easier to feel comfortable about expressing their opinions, male leaders show respect and openness towards views raised by women (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 451). They also report that female leaders not only enhance the effectiveness of board decision making but also benefit the operation of the organization. Female board chairs had more qualifications than their male counterparts during the pre-quota period, but this difference vanished after the gender quota had been enacted. This shows that female and male board chairs have similar levels of interlocks and are equally like to be foreigners (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 451) during the post -quota period. However, compared the pre- with the post-quota period, female board chairs seem to be more likely to have independent qualifications, more experience and less board interlocks, while male board chairs are older and more experienced after the full compliance of the gender quota in 2008. The average tenure of female board chairs in the pre-quota period, which is 2.04, is significantly lower than the one in the post-quota period (2.98), and female board chairs are more likely to be foreigners in both periods (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 451). This shows that Norwegian firms have talented female top leaders locally, not importing them from other countries. Results shown in these tables indicate that female directors are likely to be more independent and younger and have more qualifications than their male counterparts. Differences in independence status, age and qualifications between men and women as directors did not change after the full compliance in Norway in 2008. Women in the post-quota period are more experienced, have more board interlocks and are more likely to be foreigners than those in the pre-quota period, while male directors seem to be more independent in the pre-quota period than in the post-quota period. The differences between male and female directors also result from gender quota. After the legislation for gender quota in Norway was enacted in December 2005, the Norwegian seemed to be under the pressure of hiring more female directors and therefore it resulted in the large number of inexperienced and low-educated female directors in corporate boards. Figures in Table 2 indicate that the average number of females qualifications decreased than that of male directors. This means that the female directors in sample firms need to have a wider range of qualifications to achieve the fixed gender quota. The effects of gender quota on characteristics of directors in Norwegian firms have reflected that there was no difference between male and female directors, with respect to independence, age and qualification in 2001 and in 2010 (which was 5 years before and after the enforcement of gender quota). However, the differences in age and qualifications seemed to have widened over the period fr om 2003 to 2005, while that in independence seemed to be narrowed over the same period. Firms may have recruited younger but less independent female directors with more qualifications when they had the choice of voluntarily increasing the number of female directors on their boards. Therefore, age and qualifications somewhat have contributed to help corporate governance because the newly nominated female directors would have lacked the experience and independence to monitor firm management well (Wang and Kelan, 2012, p. 460). CONCLUSION With gender equality, having females on boards is an indisputable fact. The heterogeneity among companies is related to higher firm value. The profits women can make for companies are much higher than those without women on boards. We can see that the relationship between gender diversity and governance are likely to be positive. There are several journals, articles and research that show the contributions of women to developing firm value. However, diversity in gender on boards has both positive and negative effects on governance. The question of the relationship between gender diverse boards and firm value has generated considerable debate as well as analyses with conflicting findings and conclusions (Kim and Starks, 2016, p. 270). For example, the impact on decision-making and financial performance related to gender diversity is complex because there are other factors that affect the firms conduct. Moreover, getting companies to commit and change their perceptions would be no easy task. In many countries, their thoughts have not changed since feudalism. For instance, it is difficult to put up with the presence of female directors in Asian companies. They think that having women on boards can waste their money, which leads to a reduction of their productivity because of several reasons: maternity leave, lower retirement age, etc. From our study, we emphasize the mechanism through which director heterogeneity improves firm performance. More female directors on boards can make female employees dedicate themselves to work and improve the performance of the firms (Là ¼ckerath-Rovers, 2011, p. 507). She also proves that companies are more successful in making use of the whole talent pool for competent directors instead of only half of the talent pool. As a consequence, the increase or decrease in the firm value depends on companies choices. REFERENCES Adams, R. B., Ferreira, D. 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