A Look into the Use of Social Media in Healthcare Essay

In the world today, smartphones are becoming the â€Å"norm†, with basic phones becoming nearly obsolete in recent years. Pairing the overwhelming presence of social media with the rise in usage of smartphones brings to light an entirely new set of problems and challenges regarding patient privacy. According to a 2010 study conducted regarding various boards of nursing, 67% of executive officers surveyed reported receiving complaints about nurses misusing social media (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Incidentally, social media use in healthcare has garnered many positive results as well. One study found that 67% of doctors use social media for professional use, and of their followers, 60% of social media users trust posts by their doctors and 55% of users trust posts by hospitals (Skram, n.d.). However, the question remains, with social media does the good outweigh the bad, and how do hospitals foster the good while impeding the bad? HIPAA Regulations Due to the sensitive nature of the information kept by healthcare providers about their patients, principles were put in place to reduce the risk of breeching patient privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) set national standards and regulations regarding the protection of patients’ privacy and personal health information (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], n.d.). Under The Privacy Rule enacted by HIPAA, protection is governed over all,  Ã¢â‚¬ËœIndividually identifiable health information’ [which] is information, including demographic data, that relates to: the individual’s past, present or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care to the individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the  provision of health care to the individual, and that identifies the individual or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify the individual. (HHS, n.d., p. 2). There are instances outlined in HIPAA that permit a healthcare provider to disclose a patient’s personal health information which include disclosing information to the individual receiving treatment, information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, and information for uses and disclosures with opportunity to agree or object, such as in cases in which a patient is incapacitated in the emergency department (HHS, n.d.). Also, disclosure is permitted for incidental use and disclosure and in a limited data set in which all personal identifiers have been removed (HHS, n.d.). Furthermore, personal health information may be disclosed for public interest and benefit activities such as those required by law, those to ensure safety of victims of abuse, information for decedents, information for tissue donation, information for research studies, if there is a serious threat to health or society, and in cases of workers’ compensation (HHS, n.d.). If health information is released in discordance with the rules and regulations set forth by HIPAA, legal action, both civilly and criminally, can be taken against the individual responsible as well as the healthcare organization with which the individual is involved. Advantages of Smartphones and Social Media in Healthcare Smartphones in the healthcare setting can be very useful both for patients and providers. One advantage of smartphones in the healthcare setting is the overwhelming presence of medical applications that can be accessed and downloaded on smartphones (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). Nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals can quickly access a host of medical reference material straight from their smartphones. Several applications are also available that are useful for patients, giving information about chronic conditions, health and wellness, and fitness (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). Many applications such as MyFitnessPal and iFitnessâ„ ¢ are tailored to help individuals keep track of nutritional intake and exercise habits (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). This can be extremely useful for people wanting to make lifestyle changes regarding nutrition and fitness, especially those aiming to lose weight and become healthier overall. Moreover, social media can be very beneficial to patients suffering from chronic conditions as well as their family and friends (Norton & Strauss, 2013). For rare diseases local community support groups may not be available. Social media steps in to fill this void by offering users a variety of different online support groups, blogs, newsletters, and networks. Individuals can use such resources to reach out to others with similar issues, find much needed support during difficult times, and become aware of treatments and medications that worked for others with their same illness that may prompt them to contact their doctor about other possibilities in treatment options. When used properly, smartphones and social media can be very beneficial to healthcare providers and patients. Disadvantages of Smartphones and Social Media in Healthcare Unfortunately, along with the good must come the bad. For every positive aspect of smartphones and social media in healthcare related settings, there is an equally negative aspect. One pitfall of smartphones in healthcare is directly related to one of the positive aspects of smartphones: the availability of medical applications. While the majority of medical applications are produced by reliable sources with accurate, researched information, there are still medical applications in existence that supply untrustworthy and erroneous information. Gagglioi (2012) observes that, â€Å"[medical] apps have not been subject to rigorous testing† (p. 512) the reason for which being, â€Å"that most of these apps reach consumers/patients directly, without passing through the traditional medical gatekeepers† (p. 512). When patients base future interventions on these erroneous applications, such as seeking treatment or using home remedies, there can result harmful and even fatal cons equences. Another undesirable characteristic of smartphone usage in healthcare settings is the tendency of smartphones to be distracting (Gill, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). Smartphone usage can cause a disruption in workflow which can lead to medical errors and negligence. A study in Australia found that of 439 perfusionists surveyed, 49.2% admitted that they had sent text messages while performing a cardiopulmonary bypass (Gill, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). The interference in diligent attention to patient care caused by smartphones can present contamination, infection, and hygiene risks as well as impeding the ability of the healthcare provider to recognize potential complications or downward trends in their patients (Gill, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). In healthcare, even momentary distraction can lead to fatal consequences. Lastly, a huge problem concerning smartphones in healthcare related settings involves the usage of cameras and social media. As seen in the scenario presented, the nurse on duty abused her smartphone and violated HIPAA by sending pictures of her patient to her friend via text message. Privacy is extremely important in healthcare because patients are less apt to share important information with the provider if they fear that the information could be disclosed or disseminated without permission (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Sharing pictures of a patient or any information regarding a patient without express written permission is a direct violation of HIPAA regulations and is therefore subject to the consequences set forth. Since the nurse on duty knowingly violated HIPAA by sending photos to her friend via text message, she should be investigated and penalized. As mentioned above, in a study conducted of boards of nursing, 67% of executives have encountered complaints about nurses regarding social media (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Of those surveyed, all 67% who had complaints took disciplinary action against the responsible party (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Based on the precedent set in the previous study, the hospital should discipline the nurse in the scenario for her inappropriate behavior. Furthermore, the hospital has a legal obligation set forth by national law demanding that disciplinary action be taken when the administration becomes aware of a staff member violating HIPAA policy. Conclusion and Recommendations Based on the information presented about HIPAA rules and regulations, the fourth conclusion is the only choice able to be deemed as ethically and legally appropriate. The fourth conclusion involves an extensive investigation into the HIPAA violation by the hospital, and the implication of legal action being pursued against the responsible party and the hospital. For her unsuitable behavior, the nurse at the very least should  incur a formal investigation and write-up as well as suspension from her duties. The nurse violated HIPAA by sharing individually identifiable health information (HHS, n.d.). Legally, in the case of a violation in which the perpetrator was unknowing and would not have known even by exercising reasonable diligence, the consequence ranges from a $100 to $50,000 fine for each violation, with a maximum fine of $1.5 million for identical provisions within a calendar year (â€Å"Penalties for violating HIPAA†, 2014). However, in the case of the nurse in the scenario, supposed to have extensively learned the encompassment of HIPAA violations previously, the nurse likely would not be considered to be unknowing which would therefore result in more severe consequences. Furthermore, the nurse violated the Code of Ethics for Nurses by violating her patient’s right to privacy. The nurse violated Provision 1 set forth by the Code stating, â€Å"The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and the respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual† (Fowler, 2010). More specifically, she violated Section 1 of Provision 1 regarding respect for human dignity (Fowler, 2010). The nurse also violated Provision 3 of the Code of Ethics which states, â€Å"The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient† (Fowler, 2010). Section 1 of Provision 3 regards privacy and Section 2 of Provision 3 regards confidentiality, both of which the nurse dishonored by sending a picture of her patient without his knowledge (Fowler, 2010). The nurse in the scenario not on violated the law regarding HIPAA, she also violated the Code of Ethics for Nurses set forth by the American Nurses Association. In all respects, what the nurse did was ethically, morally, and legally wrong. A lot can be learned from this assignment. It is clear that the use of smartphones and social media needs to be monitored carefully by nurses and other healthcare professionals. Any impropriety in patient privacy with smartphones or social media can become widespread and far-reaching in a matter of minutes. What seems small at the moment can turn into a huge ordeal involving investigations, legal implications, fines, and civil lawsuits. For that reason it is of the utmost importance to be diligent in  considering patient privacy and HIPAA before any post made to social media or any text message sent. References Fowler, M. D. (2010). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses: interpretation and application. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association. Gaggioli, A. (2012). CyberSightings. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 15(9), 512-513. doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.1555 Gill P.S., Kamath A., & Gill T.S. (2012). Distraction: an assessment of smartphone usage in health care work settings. Risk Manage Healthcare Policy 5(9), 105–114. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S34813 Norton, A., & Strauss, L. J. (2013). Social media and health care – The pros and the cons. Journal Of Health Care Compliance, 15(1), 49-51. Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.devry.edu/ehost/detail/detail?sid=b614377483634d2d-b65e946988e5d7ea%40sessionmgr114&vid=36&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=heh&AN=85287334 Perkins, N.L., & Theis, A.R. (2011). HIPAA and social networking sites: A legal minefield for employers. Retrieved from: http://www.aao.org/yo/newsletter/201201/article02.cfm Skram, T. (n.d.) 11 health care social media stats to turn heads. Retrieved from: http://whprms.org/11-health-care-social-media-stats-to-turn-heads/ Spector, N., & Kappel D. M. (2012). Guidelines for using electronic and social media: The regulatory perspective. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No3-Sept-2012/Guidelines-for-Electronic-and-Social-Media.html U.S Departments of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Retrieved from: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/index.html What are the penalties for violating HIPAA? (2014). Retrieved from: https://kb.iu.edu/d/ayzf Wyatt, T. & Krauskopf, P. (2012). E-health and nursing: Using smartphones to enhance nursing practice. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 16(2), 10-14. Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.devry.edu/ehost/detail/detail?sid=b6143774-8363-4d2db65e946988e5d7ea%40sessionmgr11 4&vid=23&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=rzh&AN=2011651618

Water Crisis

Every day, the sun rises, and each night the sun sets. Ripples of the ocean turn into waves, rolling in and back out into the vast sea. Trees grow, creating crisp air to replenish aching lungs, and life, both human and beast, continue on throughout time. Mankind knows that the sun will rise. People are dependent on the rising and setting of this huge, flaming star; but with pollution, littering, and soaking up all of the natural resources, the world will cease to turn. In that event, can anyone still depend on the sun to rise? Imagine a world in which there was a shortage of water.Although lakes, oceans, rivers, and bays are natural resources, they are not everlasting. This world would become dry and cracked. Trees wouldn’t be able to grow; therefor oxygen would become scarce and rare. Imagine this horrifying land where eventually, the world runs out of water. That is the world we live in today. The scary part is, not everyone knows about it. According to http://www. concernus a. org, a website dedicated to the current water crises, â€Å"A child dies every 15 seconds from diseases caused by a lack of safe water and sanitation. Every year 1. million children dye from preventable diseases such as diarrhea, cholera and typhoid. † As the author’s illustrated, all of these diseases are due to unclean water. Blue Gold: World Water Wars is an intellectual documentary about the sanitation of water. As stated in this film, â€Å"Today, one in eight people still do not have access to safe drinking water and more than half of the diseases in the world are caused by unclean H2O. † The speaker claims that one out of every eight people will be diagnosed with a preventable disease because of the water crises.The video demonstrates that the cause of unsafe water is a direct result of humans mistreating natural resources. Oil spills, toxic fumes, and smoke billowing out of mills have contributed to infecting the sources of water. Richer nations such as the U. S use an insane amount of the world’s resources. For example, According to Flow, a documentary about abusing water, â€Å"Exploitation of natural resources like H20 -the majority of which is caused by wealthier nations-has caused an alarming devastation to the environment.The global water and sanitation crisis is mainly rooted in poverty, lack of education, and inequality, meaning the crisis is an issue of access. † This film conveys that poorer nations do not have adequate access to water. As a result, millions of women and children in developing countries walk several hours a day to collect water that is safe to drink, yet very often what they retrieve is still contaminated. In the United States, many people do not feel the urge to care or be concerned, because it does not directly harm them. Although sob stories from third world countries are tragedies, many citizens of rich nations do not feel the effects.If the world stays on its current path, it is only a matter of time before water as a whole runs out. When that time comes, everyone will embrace the end of days. There are ways in which people can help to save the planet. Over population, lack of hygiene, and no sanitation education all contribute to unclean water. A great way to begin rescuing the word’s water is to get educated about it. A huge part of the problem is that many people have no idea that the world has a limited supply of resources. Children who work to collect water for their families are sometimes denied an education, which, in turn, contributes to the cycle of poverty. www. concernusa. org). In developing countries, agriculture is by far the most important economic sector in the production of food. However, according to the UN, â€Å"an increasing number of regions are suffering from chronic water shortages. Severe, frequent droughts and limited water resources have a drastic impact on a population's means of earning a living and producing food. † A ccess to clean drinking water is what enables a nation to thrive. For instance, according to Running Dry, â€Å"Human Development is more closely linked to access to water and sanitation than any other sector, including health, education, or access to energy. The author details that water is the gateway to human development, and the lack of water in third world countries is what is slowing down their production. The world needs to make a change. As individuals, people can take shorter showers, lessen the time they leave the garden hose running, or do dishes in a more efficient way. Corporations can agree to decrease pollution, and as a result the water can become clean again. Although this will take a long time to reverse the effects, the time to act is now. Because of water, whether it is a clear brook or a foamy ocean spray, life is able to exist.Trees grow, oxygen is plentiful, people are able to harvest food, and surviving goes from possible to likely. The world wasn’t m eant to become dry and cracked. It needs water to thrive just like everyone else. If humans can limit their usage of water, then they can still depend on the spinning of the earth; and as time goes on, so will human existence. Sources Blue Gold: World Water Wars. 11/20/2011 Documentary www. concernusa. org. 11/15/2011. Website Flow 11/15/2011. Documentary Running Dry. 11/21/2011. Film/book

Critically document a game design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Critically document a game design - Essay Example When the activity is set to be a competition where rules are set, then biking will not just be another play but becomes a game. Another essential to consider in games is the goal. There should be an objective for the player to achieve in order to make the game more entertaining and educational at the same time. Instructions & Pretense Crazy Cabbie (mindjolt.com 2010) is the computer game which this paper will be looking into, critiquing the essential elements of a game, whether it met all the requirements or not and what would make it to be a good computer game. It is an interesting game where the pretense is for the player to be a crazy cab driver whose goal is to finish a set distance within the set time. The instruction is given just below the title of the game which makes it easily seen, giving the player the important information before even starting with the game. Somehow, it also serves as a factor attracting players to notice the game. The instruction is clearly stated and ea sily understood even by first time computer game players. Though it is short, it covered all the important things needed for the player/s to know. This is a sign of a good game design. Challenges of the Game Crazy Cabbie is interesting to players because of the challenges it presents and the goal that has been set for the player to succeed in doing. Since the objective of the game is to overcome all the obstacles, which would be the other cabs the cab driver meets on the road in thirty seconds, the player is thrilled to get to the finish line on time and can even make it his personal goal to outrun all the other cabbies in a shorter time than was set. The arrow keys on the keyboard are used to move the cab with the upward arrow key used to accelerate the car and the downward arrow key to decelerate it. The right and left arrow keys on the other hand are used to move the cab to the right or left lane, respectively to avoid other cars that block the player’s car. When all the l anes are blocked, the player’s cab can jump over them through the use of the space bar. Thrill and Technique As the game progresses, more cars blocking the road are presented as obstacles, making it more difficult for the player to reach the finish line on time. The time for each level also is lessened by two seconds every after one level up which keeps the player to be more attentive and creative in maneuvering the car’s moves. The game is said to create an artificial intelligence (Adams 2010) by allowing the player to discover strategies in order to overcome all the obstacles set in the game with the use of all the available moves for the player. For instance, in cases where the three lanes are blocked by three cars on the same level, the player has no other option but to jump over them. The challenge comes when the cars are aligned side by side and in a consecutive fashion. Moreover, the circumstance becomes more challenging when the distance between the cars become s shorter, making it difficult for the player to overtake them when he misses to jump over one of the aligned cars. When the player’s car gets very near the obstacles before jumping, he is not able to have the maneuver succeed because the car needs some space for it not to bump on the other car, causing it to fall back to its original place. The trick then

The Debate on what caused Rome to fall the most Essay

The Debate on what caused Rome to fall the most - Essay Example Could it have been too big of an empire to handle? Were the people in charge just not fit to govern it properly? It transpires that there are many different reasons that can be attributed for the fall of the Roman Empire. One major contributory factor to the fall of Roman Empire is the decline of morals and values in the country. It has been documented that there was nearly 32,000 prostitutes in Rome, both men and women. During the reigns of rulers such as Pax Romana, Caligula and Nero the reigning royalty held infamous parties, wasting huge sums of money, where guests drank and ate to their fill and prostitutes were hired for orgies for the upper class à ©lite. Among the lower class, the most popular amusement was watching the gladiatorial combats in the Colosseum. This encouraged gambling, fighting, and acts of murder. On the other hand, many people claimed that such practices were a part of the Roman culture, but they made the common men lazy.   Ã‚      Although there were many aqueducts and other attempts at sanitation, the public health and environmental problems were severe. The wealthy elite had their water brought to their homes through lead pipes. The aqueducts had a system o purify the water near the source but at the end, the lead pipes were problematic. This caused the death of many wealthy citizens and on the flip side the lack of potable water brought the doom on the peasantry. The mass gathering of people at the Colosseum and the waste they caused, as well as the blood and corpses had entailed the generation of disease that spread across the nation. Those who lived on the streets remained exposed to the diseases, which speeded up the process of spreading. To make things worse, the use of alcohol increased, thus eroding the public health system in Rome.   Ã‚      During the latter years of the empire, most of the farming was done on large estates called latifundia that were owned by rich men who used slaves. The farmers who had to

Analysing Financial Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysing Financial Information - Essay Example External reporting of accounts through various financial statements is regulated and must comply with various legal requirements as well. Accounts must be regulated in order to provide a true and fair view of the affairs of any business concern. Compliance being the most important issue, every financial accounts prepared by any domestic company in UK must comply with the Company Act. Regulation of accounts and accounting procedures helps the stakeholders of the company like the investors, consumers, etc. to gather information about various financial aspects of the company which can help them in various decision making process. Not only this, regulated accounts can help in detecting various anti-competitive behaviour like unfair cross-subsidisation etc. Moreover it helps in comparative competition. Also the financial health of a company can be monitored using regulated accounts. (Chief executive of Ofgem et. al, 2001, p.3) Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, a compilation of accou nting practices that help in guiding the company accounts in UK, entails how to prepare company accounts in UK. Accounting Standards Board (ASB) is the primary source of Accounting Standards out of many and it can be said to be the standard-setter in this case. ASB is also in charge for setting the Financial Reporting Standards (FRS). ASB is once again a part of Financial Reporting Council (FRC) which has replaced the Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) in 1990. Urgent Issues Task Force (UITF) assists the ASB in dealing with matters which requires clarifications or changes in practice of accounting due to non-compliance with existing legislation or standards. Financial Reporting Review Panel (FRRP) is the other part of FRC which has the responsibility of enquiring about the company accounts where there is a sign or indication of violating the Companies Act requirements. (Bebbington & Song, n.d, p.74) The principle legislation that governs the reporting of company accounts in UK has been stated clearly in the Companies Act 2006. Companies Act 2006 also incorporates the requirements of the law in Europe. Initially Companies Act set out the reporting requirement for companies in UK which were limited by extent. In 2005 however, certain changes were incorporated in the European law. It stated that all listed companies in Europe would report as per the guidelines of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) while the non listed ones were given the option of reporting either under IFRS or as per the norms of GAAP. Domestic companies of UK whose shares and other securities are listed on the London Stock Exchange, are required to comply with the regulations issued by UK Listing Authorities (UKLA) along with UK GAAP. Additional requirements for domestic companies are included in the Listing Rules, such as additional disclosures about directors and corporate governance. International Accounting Standards (IAS) can now become law in the European Union (EU) with the process set up by the regulation. The regulation only

Absorption Costing versus Variable Costing Essay

Absorption Costing versus Variable Costing - Essay Example Adopting absorption costing and variable costing by a firm is not considered mandatory however. They are essentially tools for the management to assess profitability. Absorption costing broadly refers to the manufacturing costs which get absorbed by a unit of product that is manufactured (Garrison, Noreen and Brewer, 2003). Absorption costs include raw material costs, labour costs, fixed and variable manufacturing expenses. The absorption costing system includes taking into consideration all types of fixed and variable costs and allocating the same under different heads and accordingly estimating the overall costs of the product (Garrison, Noreen and Brewer, 2003). A product, in the course of its manufacturing may absorb a number of different types of costs. As per the regulations of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Priniciples), it is essential that the firm recognizes the value of its inventory on the basis of absorption costing (Garrison, Noreen and Brewer, 2003). However these costs are not recognized till the firm sells the goods and revenues are earned. They are not recognized when an entity makes payment for the same and therefore remai ns in the inventory cost as an asset (Garrison, Noreen and Brewer, 2003). Variable costing is considered to be suitable a management tool for assessing efficiency. It is often used as an alternative for absorption costing. GAAP does not allow the usage of variable costing for estimating the cost of production. However, managers are seen to use the same for assessing internal operations affectivity. The variable costing technique includes only the variable production costs. Fixed manufacturing expenses under this method are treated as period cost and are deducted from the income earned during the period (Hilton, 1994). Absorption costing is seen to be useful when all manufactured

Personal reflexion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal reflexion - Essay Example He told me that laboratory findings should not be mentioned in the history which should rather focus on what the patient tells us. He guided me that dehydration in children was checked on the abdomen rather than forehead. The teacher was very helpful and encouraged me along with telling me never to hesitate. He motivated me to work on patients alone and not to hesitate. I would definitely teach as a doctor if I come across a group of students who are new and find it difficult to work alone on patients. I learned from my experience that new students should never be criticized especially in front of the patients because it makes them loose confidence and they then find it difficult to go up to patients alone and learn. Q.2.Describe one example from your medical training when you received feedback on an aspect of your performance. Explain how that feedback altered your subsequent practice. How will you use this experience to develop a specific aspect of your foundation training? Answer: When our clinical training in the surgery ward started we were taught how to perform examination on patients suffering from hernia and in the next training session I was called forward to conduct the examination on the other patient. I performed all the steps required and checked the hernia and I presented the diagnosis that it was a case of direct inguinal hernia. The teacher approved of my confidence but he told me that I had missed on a few examination points including the ring occlusion test and I had actually confused an indirect inguinal hernia with a direct one. From this experience I learned that being doctors we should be very careful while presenting our diagnosis. All tests and examinations should always be performed before reaching to a conclusion. I will always be very careful during my foundation training not to repeat any such mistake and be careful enough to perform

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Economics - Essay Example Marshallian utility analysis is based on the assumption that utility is measurable and indifference curve analysis is based on the assumption that the consumer is able to tell his preferences among the various alternative combinations of the two commodities. These assumptions seem to be unrealistic and revealed preference theory is free from these unrealistic assumptions and it seeks to enunciate the demand from observed market behaviour of the consumer. The theory is based on the fact that ‘choice reveals preference’. 2. Critical Analysis of the Neo Classical consumption theories of Marshallian Utility analysis and Hicksian Indifference analysis 1) Unrealistic The Marshallian assumption of cardinal measurement of utility is very restrictive. It demands too much from the human mind. Utility is a mental phenomenon and the precision in the measurement of utility assumed by Marshall is unrealistic. It is criticised that new theory of indifference analysis only jumps from th e frying pan of the difficulty of measuring utility into the fire of the unreality of assuming consumer’s complete knowledge of all his scales of preferences or indifference map. The indifference curve technique envisages a consumer who thinks of innumerable possible combinations of goods and his relative preferences for them. 2) Absurd Indifference curves include even the most ridiculous combinations which may be far removed from a consumer’s habitual combinations. For example, while it may be perfectly sensible to compare whether three pairs of shoes and six shirts would give him as much satisfaction as two pairs of shoes and seven shirts. 3) Introspective Both the approaches of Marshallian Utility analysis and indiffence curve technique are based on the psychological or introspective method. The law of diminishing marginal utility, which is psychological in nature lies at the bottom of law of demand. Indifference curve too is based on introspection. This technique i s criticised as introspective and hence Samuelson introduced behaviourist method of devising demand theory. 4) Relation of Transitivity objected Armstrong has criticised the relation of transitivity involved in indifference curve technique. According to him, the consumer’s indifference arises from his inability to perceive the difference between alternative combinations of goods. This is due to the fact that the difference is too slight to be noticed. If that is true, the relation of indifference become non-trasitive. This knocks the bottom out of the whole system of indifference curve analysis. 5) Limited empirical Nature In Hicks-Allen theory, indifference curves are based on hypothetical experimentation. They are based on imaginary indifference curves, although attempts have been made recently to derive them experimentally. 4. Revealed Preference Theory The theory of Revealed Preference is associated with the name of Paul Samuelson and the theory is called the behaviourist ordinal utility theory. Instead of the unrealistic assumptions that the consumers operate with a complete and consistent scales of preferences set out in the form of indifference curves, most economists now prefer to analyse situations in which their hypothesis can be tested. Both

The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology Essay Example for Free

The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology Essay The use of technology has both positive and negative consequences. It is amazing how someone can find a long-lost friend through a social networking site, enabling them to reconnect. In a society where people have become quite mobile and family and friends are often geographically separated, it is convenient to keep in touch through technology. The positive side of technology is that you can use social networking to stay in touch with friends and family. Mobile phones are convenient for calling and texting those close to you as well as a useful tool for some online schools, playing games, taking and sharing pictures, searching the internet, accessing email and using your calendar to set appointments, reminders or events coming up. Some people believe that technology has a negative impact on others. One, social networking sites can be distracting, and could cause anxiety for the drama that is posted. Two, people use their mobile phones by texting others during working hours and get on the internet that is not related to their jobs and could be fired. Three, some parents and teachers think watching television can influence a child in a bad way which may cause their behavior to change. And finally, gaming presents linking to poor social skills and behavior.It is apparent that technology has the potential to harm or enhance your social skills and social life. In conclusion, technology today has come a long way. I believe, if used correctly, children and teens are monitored regularly, techonology can be very useful, entertaining and educational. The key is to analyze how technology affects you.

Sulas Wines Essay Example for Free

Sulas Wines Essay Question 1: The Indian wine industry presents some interesting characteristics that can be analysed using the Porter’s five forces framework to understand to what extent it is a profitable one, and why it is attractive or not. Let us get started with Rivalry: here it is important to differentiate between the Indian and the global market. In fact, at the time the case was written, the Indian market was expanding so rapidly (25/30% per year) that business opportunities were flourishing and all the existing participants could easily sell their products without the need to attack others’ customer base. However, if we broaden our point of view to the global industry, rivalry is way fiercer and exports are likely to be a less profitable business than the domestic one. Overall, LOW/MODERATE. Buyers’ power: in this industry, it is incredibly difficult to â€Å"lock in† a solid customer base made of individual consumers that face virtually zero switching costs and have different tastes for wine. Additionally, wholesalers and retailers can exert significant pressure on wine producers for what concerns shelf space and wine selection. Therefore, it seems that buyers’ power is HIGH compared to producers’, thus lowering profitability. Suppliers’ power: if we think in terms of the raw materials needed to produce wine, i. e. grapes and juice, we can state that, being them commodities, these are subject to the seasonal fluctuations in price, quantity and availability typical of agricultural products. In periods of excess supply, high quality grapes could be purchased for lower prices and vice versa. Also, regulatory changes in 2001 reduced both sales taxes and the costs of imported bottling items, thus increasing profitability. However, India has a major issue that turns out to be of crucial importance to farmers and producers, i. e.the lack of stable electricity supply; this could in principle give some bargaining power to suppliers of diesel and generators. Thus, suppliers’ power is LOW/MODERATE. Threat of substitutes: although the Indian government has recently granted several concessions and liberalizations for both sale and consumption of wine, the threat of substitutes is still HIGH, especially for cultural reasons whereby whiskey, for instance, is traditionally preferred by the majority of Indians to wine. However, given the rapid expansion of the industry, there seems to be more than a hope that this mind-set will change in the near future. Barriers to entry: wine is definitely no easy business to start. There are several reasons to justify this point; first of all, as Sula’s case clearly shows, it takes time to obtain the various licenses; also, the knowledge and know-how required are extremely sophisticated and specific; additionally, wineries are capital intensive businesses and the initial investment to set them up is substantial. However, as we can see from the case, the Indian wine industry has benefited from governmental liberalizations that have encouraged many new wineries to enter the business. We can conclude that BTE are MODERATE/HIGH. The Porter analysis provides us with a moderately profitable scenario, in which it is not easy to start a successful business unless the exact skills and capabilities needed are present. In the following answer, these resources will be analysed in the context of Sula’s activity. Question 2: The biggest challenge that Samant faced when he returned to India to produce wine was that of changing the â€Å"alcoholic tastes† of consumers. To do so, he had to rely upon a strategy that would leverage on the core resources and competencies he had brought back from California. Also helped by a specialized consultant friend, Samant meticulously configured his piece if land in order to exploit the good potential of its location; additionally, he successfully realized that an unconventional growing/harvesting schedule had to be adopted if they wanted to take advantage of the seasonal characteristics of the weather, such as monsoons. He managed to earn a solid and valuable reputation, refusing to bribe officers to obtain the necessary licenses and took care of promoting its products, through marketing campaigns and wine tasting events, in the attempt of changing Indians’ culture towards wine. For what concerns the type of wines to start production with, Samant successfully identified those that could best accompany the spicy flavours of the Indian cuisine and, subsequently, he diversified the firm’s portfolio by introducing more varieties of white and red wines. Finally, he has secured the unique and valuable expertise of some of the brightest players in the financial sector, who have enthusiastically joined him in the firm’s activities. This combination of factors have allowed Samant to put Sula’s. Vineyards in a very comfortable position to exploit the huge growth that everyone expects from the Indian wine market; right now, the firm seems to have a competitive advantage to further develop in the near future, if the right strategy will be pursued. Question 3: Looking at the numbers, Sula has been extremely profitable in 2007, with net profits that increased more than six fold since the year before; also, sticking to market forecasts, it seems that an explosive growth has just begun in India, an opportunity that should definitely be exploited. Now that the business is well established and generates a steady stream of revenues, Samant may consider to raise additional debt to finance the long-term challenge of producing premium red wines in a separate winery, something that, if successful, would give Sula’s business a major boost both in sales and in reputation. In the meantime, revenues from national sales would provide the capital necessary to feed the already existing business. Moreover, it could also be worth it to â€Å"attack† the global market with initially lower prices to gain some market share also in Europe and in the U. S.; at first, relationships with touristic targets such as hotels and restaurants would be established and, if this strategy worked out, then Sula would face an ever-growing demand for its products, at least for the next 10 years, that could be met by working together with other local producers of premium wine. The idea of a â€Å"consortium† of Maharashtra firms could be attractive for many reasons, among which a significant increase in bargaining power towards the government when it comes to requesting the necessary improvements of regional infrastructures, such as roads, electricity supplies, etc.