Computer Assisted Career Guidance Systems and Career Choice Assignment

Computer Assisted Career Guidance Systems and Career Choice - Assignment Example This essay discusses that  the speedy hi-tech modernization, rumble in ease of understanding and use of internet, use of CACGS has considerably increased in most countries most especially the United States of America. Different forms of CACGS are extensively being used in various universities, colleges and other institutions in the US. The far-reaching use of CACGS for career guidance has made it essential to study the efficient uses of CACGS in the prerequisite of occupation direction.As the research finds cartels of research have been carried out on CACGS concerning client contentment. Unfortunately, very little has been done on the effectiveness of CACGS systems. It has also been proven that the CACGS can used to support planning through internet. Additional career scheduling tools such as online educational planners, scholarship search line, resume builders and links to state national banks have been provided for by the CACGS. The CACGS have had a significant influence on the s tudents' alleged career choice standing, career barricade, dealing with self worth, and withholding.  When choosing careers, according to the Kuder report, individuals should focus on all the four aspects: realistic, investigative, social, artistic, and enterprising careers.  There is not any accurate method of determining careers; hence, all the four pillars must be considered basing on one's interests.

Either women's rights or body image Research Paper

Either women's rights or body image - Research Paper Example 74)†; some children seem to simply live with the television on, whether as entertainment or for background noise. The question that does exist is in regard to just how harmful all of this television viewing is to children and there are a few ways in which this question can be considered, all of which point to the damage that too much television can cause, and they are physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically, it has been proven that too much television viewing is harmful to children’s eyesight, regardless of how close a child actually sits to the television screen (Comstock, pg. 38). Even though television has proven to not have lasting negative effects on the eyes, there are some implications that can cause temporary blindness or spots before the eyes, or longer lasting issues that need medical correction such as vision distortion or near or farsightedness. Most children tend to watch television in the dark, which causes the eyes to strain, which then often causes eye fatigue. This can be easily fixed by cutting down viewing times, by not watching television as often in the dark, and by sitting a safe distance away from the screen, but over time children can develop issues with their eyesight that might need fixing with glasses or else cause problems as they get older (Comstock, pg. 42). Another physical consequence of too much television viewing is the possibility of obesity. When children spend more time in front of the television, they are spending less time playing and getting exercise. Zimmerman et al (pg. 338) stated that â€Å"eating is a common activity in front of the television; the more that a child watches television, the more they eat, and the more they risk developing obesity†. They do not spend enough time exercising and ridding themselves of the fat that they take in while they are watching television. The fat builds up, causing obesity. When children watch television, they become more concerned with their entertainment

Literature Changes During the Civil War Essay Example for Free

Literature Changes During the Civil War Essay When the country was still quite young and change was ever-imminent, our great America wasn’t always so great. This budding country lacked its own culture, and every single work produced by its inhabitants was rooted to an earlier version from its mother Britain. Much of our nation was devoid of literary culture and education. We were often looked down upon by other countries flourishing with their own trademark foods, goods, and customs. Very few prominent writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson were able to create a base example of what an American literature might actually look like. Prior to the Civil War, there were almost no published American authors, as the United States was more inclined toward English texts, which were less expensive. Reading and writing had just begun to trickle down to the middle class, making literature much more popular among the common man, as rates of literacy rose tremendously. The multitude of uses for literature once the Civil War began caused an even larger development. During a time of great change and conflict, America began a period of immense literary thirst. Before the Civil War started, literature had only recently become a more regular piece of daily life. At first only the wealthiest could be expected to know how to read and write. However, as the nation approached the time of the Civil War, the lower classes were also expanding their education by becoming literate. The common man started to take more of an interest and a stand in the goings on of the country- for the most part, learning how to read allowed them to keep up with the happenings from around the nation. Literature was also serving a more entertaining purpose. Fiction grew in popularity, but infamy too. â€Å"American statesmen and leaders were fearful of fiction. They accurately understood its subversive power: fiction empowered individuals; it catered to peoples passions, fancies, and whims, which threatened republican ideas of order and rationality,† (Stauffer 237). As this quote explains, many politicians believed that fiction would lead to chaos and revolution. Literature has always had the power to plant a seed in our minds, and this was no different during the time of the Civil War. Still, these opinions did not keep novels from finding a place in most households. Mostly middle- and upper-class women were the audience for this type of reading material. Fiction, spreading rapidly, became one of the most popular types of literature in this era. Literature before the Civil War was mainly centered on functionality. Literacy had just begun to grow, so the people who learned to read had to have a reason for it. The most common reading material of the time included religious reading, instructive reading, newspapers and magazines, and â€Å"reading for escape† (Salisbury). The best method of escaping for bored housewives or even the common man was a novel. As previously stated, these fictional stories had just begun to boom in popularity. Religious reading mostly included bible study, common for the average Christian household. Newspapers and magazines were crucial for spreading news, and when the nation found an efficient way to broadcast information, people snatched them up. During a time when you couldn’t turn on your flat screen television or pull out your iPad for news updates, newspapers were essential to society. Finally, guides were another usual form of reading material. Stay-at-home wives collected cookbooks and mothering manuals by the shelf-full. All these types of reading provided some function to those who read them, which displays how the country used literature in a very confined manner. The Civil War had a big impact on literature, but literature also had a large impact on the Civil War. For example, the movement against slavery was intensified by passionate works of literature such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. These novels helped to spark an interest in the subject for many more people, particularly those of a higher class, who then began to encourage the movement. Literature needed to change in numerous ways. When the war began, letters would be used to keep families in touch with soldiers. News would become more biased and exaggerated depending on its origin (North vs. South). Many children created care packages and wrote letters to soldiers, which gave the men at war some hope and knowledge of the outside world. In 1864, Harper’s Weekly published a story about a young girl named Lula who wished to write a letter to a soldier. That letter wound up in the hands of Daniel P. Fleming- a man who had no family to write to. â€Å"Lula’s letter came when he felt forsaken—desperate—and saved him† (Diffley). Their correspondence created a magnificent bond that carried Fleming throughout the war, and impacted both he and Lula for the remainder of their lives. Literature served a great purpose in the Civil War, and its growth did not stop there. When literature grew in popularity, it had a plethora of effects. It both helped and hurt our country. On one hand, it led to the letters that kept the spirits of our soldiers high. On the other, it produced media that exaggerated truths and spread lies. Since the North and South had greatly varying opinions at the time, their news sources also greatly varied. Each would produce its own version of the truth, and neither would be completely honest. This sensationalism only continued to spread, which became its worst in the 20th century. Not all of the effects of literature’s changes were completely bad, though. Novels allowed people to escape the awful experiences they were going through, if only for a little while. Writers became more successful and American authors had more of a chance as American writing took over the aforementioned British literature. Essays and stories meant to rally the nation during war kept each side unified, even as the country itself split in half. Literature was, perhaps, a great factor in keeping the United States from permanently disbanding. Literature impacts a lot in our lives today: it is a tell-tale sign of the amount of education one receives, it determines a lot of our viewpoints on many issues, and it can even affect the choices you make. This was true during the Civil War era as well, but this took off mostly at the time of the Civil War itself. Before the war, literature had only just begun to spread. It was quite obviously linked to social class as well, as the upper classes were known to have a much higher percentage of literacy than the lower classes. Also, British works became less popular, while American authors prospered. With novels on the rise with the common woman, literature asserted itself as an everyday piece of life. This was reinforced by the use of newspapers, magazines, and books that provided instruction and recipes. Literature took off right before the start of the Civil War, in part causing it. Certain literary works had a strong impact on society, creating controversy and drawing the boundary between the North and the South. Literature also played a huge role in the lives of many soldiers during the war itself. It not only kept the soldiers motivated by giving them something to look forward too, but it also connected them to the outside world and reminded them of all the people they were fighting for. Literature helped to both keep this country together and tear it apart. While the printed media was not always as honest as it should’ve been, and the letters did not always keep the soldiers motivated, it is impossible to argue that literature went through an incredible change during the Civil War. Literature will always be a part of our lives, and this rang especially true during this time of struggle, which unlocked an appetite for literature that our country had never known before.

Making Jaun Proud :: essays research papers

The Company is organized into a number of business units. The Company’s North American retail business sells coffee beverages, whole bean coffees and related hardware and equipment through company-operated retail stores in the United States and Canada. The Company’s international retail business consists of entities that own and operate retail stores abroad. These two retail segments are managed by different presidents within the company and are measured and evaluated separately by senior management. The Company operates other business units as well and each is managed and evaluated independently. These other business units are organized around the strategic relationships that govern the distribution of products to the customer. These relationships include retail store licensing agreements, grocery channel licensing agreements, wholesale accounts, and joint ventures. Starbucks Corporation and its subsidiaries buy and roast high quality whole coffee beans. To insure high quality of the product, Starbucks built three roasting plants of it’s own, where highly trained and experienced personnel monitor roasting of beans. Quality standards are so high that entire batches are thrown away after testing if qualifications differ from acceptable standards. Later, beans are sold in primarily company-operated stores along with fresh, rich-brewed coffee, Italian-style espresso beverages, decaffeinated beverages, cold blended beverages, a variety of pastries and confections, coffee-related accessories and equipment, and a line of premium teas. Starbucks sees its success in constant development of its products to bring new experiences and ideas to loyal customers of their coffee-empire. High quality of a product that will appeal to coffee lovers around the world is Starbucks main consideration. Starbucks sells a lifestyle, to customers and employees alike. It has learned from the experience of Pepsi and others to link its brand to new trends. Starbucks' success could be attributed to an objective to meet their customer’s needs, and innovative new product offerings. Selecting a marketing strategy based on a product mix is a key to Starbucks success. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (McMahon, 2001), and as a result, Starbucks was forced to adopt a high product differentiation strategy. This strategy differentiates the company from the competition, making its product unique, by targeting quality, service, and the price conscious customer. Starbucks retail stores are usually located in high-traffic locations and high visibility areas. To reduce risk of failure and economic fluctuations, properties for the stores are leased. Brand name recognition of Starbucks therefore comes from people being frequently exposed to it.

Global Financing and Rate

Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms Veronica L. Powell University of Phoenix MGT/448 Donald Joseph March 31, 2009 Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms Currency is unreliable. In some countries the United States dollar is worth more than that countries currency, while in other countries the U. S. dollar is worth less. The exchange rate fluctuates on a continuous base which makes the term â€Å"funny money† more realistic each day. The purpose of this paper is to discuss hard and soft currency, the South African rand, Cuban pesos, and why the exchange rates fluctuate.Hard currency is a currency, usually from a highly industrialized country, that is largely accepted globally as a form of payment for goods and services (Investopedia, 2010). Hard currency is presumed to remain fairly stable through a short period of time, and to be considerably liquid in foreign exchange markets. Soft currency is another name for â€Å"weak currency. † The values of soft c urrencies fluctuate often, and other countries do not want to hold these currencies due to political or economic uncertainty within the country with the soft currency (Investopedia, 2010).Hard currency comes from a country that is politically and economically stable. The United States dollar and the British pound are examples of hard currencies. Soft currencies tend to be prevalent in developing countries. Often, governments from developing countries set unreasonably high exchange rates, pegging the currency of that country to a currency such as the United States dollar. South Africa had a fixed exchange rate for its currency until the latter part of the 1960s; afterward, the South African rand was pegged against major foreign currency.The value of the rand followed changes in the balance of payments and moved roughly with sterling and other weaker currencies until 1985 (Country Data, 1996). The foreign debt crisis of 1985 prompted the rand to depreciate at a bewildering rate, thus it fell to a value that was less than US$0. 40. In 1987 the rand began to recover reaching US$0. 43; however the rand continued to decrease steadily, with minor differences, until declining to US$0. 26 in the latter part of 1995. The rand is a parallel currency that was exclusively used for nonresident capital movements during the 1980s and 1990s.The financial rand was available to foreigners for investment only in South Africa was formulated by the sale of nonresidents’ assets in the country (Country Data, 1996). The two-tiered currency system insulated the country’s foreign reserves from politically stimulated capital flight, because all divestment by nonresidents were automatically met by new investment, and the price of the financial rand varied independently of the commercial rand (Country Data, 1996). Ultimately, South Africa’s economic growth depends upon increasing gold profits and foreign investments.The Cuban Pesos (CUP) is the official currency in Cub a. The American dollar is not accepted on government business in Cuba since November 2004. All of the stores that sold goods in American currency changed to the Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). Pesos convertibles cost the equivalent of $1. 18 United States Dollars (USD). In Cuba, currency is exchanged every day, and it is a known fact that the pesos are unstable. The Cuban Pesos is equivalent to 100 cents (centavos). The notes can be of the following denominations: 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; coins can be of 1, 5, and 20 centavos (Cuba Currency, 2005).The exchange to the Pesos convertible into United States Dollars are fixed, one to one equivalent of the $1 USD that was established by the Central Bank of Cuba. National currencies are important to the way modern day economies function. The national currencies allow businesses to logically express the value of a good, service, or product globally. Exchange rates are needed because one countries currency is not always accepted in another country. An exchange rate is simply the cost of one form of currency in another form of currency (Grabianowski, 2004).For example, if 1 South African rand is exchanged for 80 Japanese yen, the consumer purchased a different form of currency to use in while in Japan. Many centuries ago, currencies of the world were covered by gold. A piece of paper currency was issued by any world government agency that represented a real amount of gold being held in a vault by that government agency (Grabianowski, 2004). In the 1930s, the U. S. set the value of the dollar at a single, unchanging level: 1 ounce of gold was worth $35 (Grabianowski, 2004). Other countries based the value of their currencies on the U.S. dollar after World War II. Since everyone knew how much gold a U. S. dollar was worth, then the value of any other currency against the dollar could be based on its value in gold (Grabianowski, 2004). Currency worth twice as much gold as the U. S dollar was, subsequently, also w orth two U. S. dollars (Grabianowski, 2004). The two main systems used to determine a currency’s exchange rate are: floating currency and pegged currency. The market determines a floating exchange rate. For instance, a currency is worth whatever buyers are willing to pay for it.This is determined by supply and demand, which is in turn driven by foreign investment, import/export ratios, inflation, and a host of other economic factors (Grabianowski, 2004). Primarily, countries with stable and mature economic markets use a floating system. Floating exchange rates are considered efficient because the market will automatically correct the rate to reflect inflation and other economic forces (Grabianowski, 2004). The floating system is not perfect, if a country’ economy suffers from instability; a floating system will discourage investment (Grabianowski, 2004).To sum up, this paper discussed hard and soft currency, the South African rand, Cuban pesos, and why the exchange rat es fluctuate. Hard and soft currencies are both affected by the exchange rate which fluctuates on a daily basis. Though the notion of the USD not being accepted in Cuba seems unreasonable, it is the choice of Fidel Castro and is honored by American citizens. As countries continue to develop more currencies will become available and will also have the affects of the fluctuating exchange rate. References Country Data. (1996, May).South africa currency. Retrieved from http://www. country-data. com/cgi-bin/query/r-12162. html Cuba Currency. (2005). Cuban pesos. Retrieved from http://www. cubacurrency. com Grabianowski, E. (2004, February 06). How Exchange rates work. Retrieved from http://money. howstuffworks. com/exchange-rate. htm Investopedia. (2010). What does Soft currency mean? Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/s/softcurrency. asp Investopedia. (2010). What does Hard currency mean?. Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/h/hardcurrency. asp

Empress Dowager Cixi - Chinese History

Few people in history have been as thoroughly vilified as the Empress Dowager Cixi (sometimes spelled Tzu Hsi), one of the last empresses of Chinas Qing Dynasty. Depicted in writings by English contemporaries in the foreign service as cunning, treacherous and sex-crazed, Cixi was painted as a caricature of a woman, and a symbol of Europeans beliefs about the Orient in general. She is not the only female ruler to suffer this indignity. Scurrilous rumors abound about women from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great. Still, Cixi received some of the worst press in history. After a century of defamation, her life and reputation finally are being re-examined. Cixis Early Life The Empress Dowagers early life is shrouded in mystery. We do know that she was born November 29, 1835, to a noble Manchu family in China, but even her birth-name is not recorded. Her fathers name was Kuei Hsiang of the Yehenara clan; her mothers name is not known. A number of other stories - that the girl was a beggar who sang in the streets for money, that her father was addicted to opium and gambling, and that the child was sold to the emperor as a sex-slave - seem to be pure European embroidery. In truth, Qing imperial policy forbade the publication of personal details, so foreign observers simply made up stories to fill in the gaps. Cixi the Concubine In 1849, when the girl was fourteen, she was one of 60 nominees for the position of an imperial concubine. She was probably eager to be chosen, since she once said, I have had a very hard life ever since I was a young girl. I was not a bit happy when with my parents... My sisters had everything they wanted, while I was, to a great extent, ignored altogether. (Seagrave, 25) Fortunately, after a two-year preparation period, the then-Empress Dowager selected her as an imperial concubine from among the large pool of Manchu and Mongol girls. Qing emperors were forbidden from taking Han Chinese wives or concubines. She would serve Emperor Xianfeng as a fourth-rank concubine. Her name was recorded simply as Lady Yehenara after her fathers clan. A Birth and a Death Xianfeng had one empress (Niuhuru), two consorts, and eleven concubines. This was a small assortment, relative to earlier emperors; as the budget was tight. His favorite was a consort, who bore him a daughter, but while she was pregnant, he spent time with Cixi. Cixi also soon became pregnant  and gave birth to a boy on April 27, 1856. Little Zaichun was Xianfengs only son, so his birth greatly improved his mothers standing in court. During the Second Opium War (1856-1860), Western troops looted and burned the lovely Summer Palace. On top of existing health problems, this shock is said to have killed the 30-year-old Xianfeng. Co-Empresses Dowager On his death-bed, Xianfeng made contradictory statements about the succession, which was not guaranteed to Zaichun. He did not formally name an heir before he died on August 22, 1861. Still, Cixi made sure that her 5-year-old son became the Tongzhi Emperor. A regency council of four ministers and four nobles assisted the child emperor, while the Empress Niuhuru and Cixi were named co-Empresses Dowager. The Empresses each controlled a royal seal, meant to be a mere formality, but which could be used as a form of veto. When the ladies opposed a decree they refused to stamp it, converting the protocol into real power. The Xinyou Palace Coup One of the ministers on the regency council, Su Shun, was intent on becoming the sole power behind the throne or perhaps even wresting the crown away from the child emperor. Though Emperor Xianfeng had named both Empresses Dowager as regents, Su Shun tried to cut out Cixi and take her imperial seal. Cixi publicly denounced Su Shun and allied herself with Empress Niuhuru and three imperial princes against him. Su Shun, who controlled the treasury, cut off food and other household items for the Empresses, but they would not give in. When the royal household returned to Beijing for the funeral, Su Shun was arrested and charged with subversion. Despite his high post, he was beheaded in the public vegetable market. Two princely co-conspirators were allowed to die by suicide. Two Young Emperors The new regents faced a difficult period in Chinas history. The country struggled to pay indemnities for the Second Opium War, and the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) was in full swing in the south. Breaking with Manchu tradition, the Empresses Dowager appointed competent Han Chinese generals and officials to high office in order to deal with these problems. In 1872, the 17-year-old Tongzhi Emperor married Lady Alute. The following year he was made emperor regnant, although some historians charge that he was functionally illiterate and often neglecting matters of state. On January 13, 1875, he died of smallpox at just 18. The Tongzhi Emperor did not leave an heir, so the Empresses Dowager had to select an appropriate replacement. By Manchu custom, the new emperor should have been from the next generation after Tongzhi, but no such boy existed. They settled instead on Cixis sisters 4-year-old son, Zaitian, who became the Guangxu Emperor. At this time, Cixi was often bed-ridden with a liver ailment. In April of 1881, Empress Dowager Niuhuru suddenly died at the age of 44, possibly of a stroke. Naturally, rumors quickly spread through the foreign legations that Cixi had poisoned her, although Cixi was herself probably too ill to have had any part in a plot. She would not recover her own health until 1883. Guangxu Emperors Reign In 1887, the timid Emperor Guaungxu came of age at 16, but the court postponed his accession ceremony. Two years later, he married Cixis niece Jingfen (although he reportedly did not find her long face very attractive). At that time, a fire broke out in the Forbidden City, which caused some observers to worry that the Emperor and Cixi had lost the Mandate of Heaven. When he took power in his own name at 19, Guangxu wanted to modernize the army and bureaucracy, but Cixi was wary of his reforms. She moved to the new Summer Palace to be out of his way, nonetheless. In 1898, Guangxus reformers in court were tricked into agreeing to cede sovereignty to Ito Hirobumi, Japans former Prime Minister. Just as the Emperor was about to formalize the move, troops controlled by Cixi stopped the ceremony. Guangxu was disgraced and retired to an island in the Forbidden City. The Boxer Rebellion In 1900, Chinese discontent with foreign demands and aggression erupted into the anti-foreign Boxer Rebellion, also called the Righteous Harmony Society Movement. Initially, the Boxers included the Manchu Qing rulers among the foreigners they opposed, but in June 1900, Cixi threw her support behind them, and they became allies. The Boxers executed Christian missionaries and converts all over the country, tore down churches, and laid siege to the foreign trade legations in Peking for 55 days. Inside the Legation Quarter, men, women and children from the UK, Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Russia and Japan were huddled, along with Chinese Christian refugees. In the fall of 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance (the European powers plus the US and Japan) sent an expeditionary force of 20,000 to raise the siege on the Legations. The force went up-river and captured Beijing. The final death toll from the rebellion is estimated at almost 19,000 civilians, 2,500 foreign troops and about 20,000 Boxers and Qing troops. Flight from Peking With the foreign forces approaching Peking, on August 15, 1900, Cixi dressed in peasant garb and fled from the Forbidden City in an ox cart, along with Emperor Guangxu and their retainers. The Imperial Party made its way far to the west, to the ancient capital of Xian (formerly Changan). The Empress Dowager called their flight a tour of inspection, and in fact, she did become more aware of the conditions for ordinary Chinese people during their travels. After some time, the Allied Powers sent a conciliatory message to Cixi in Xian, offering to make peace. The Allies would allow Cixi to continue her rule, and would not demand any land from the Qing. Cixi agreed to their terms, and she and the Emperor returned to Peking in January of 1902. The End of Cixis Life After her return to the Forbidden City, Cixi set out to learn all she could from the foreigners. She invited Legation wives to tea  and instituted reforms modeled on those in Meiji Japan. She also distributed prize Pekingese dogs (previously kept only in the Forbidden City) to her European and American guests. On November 14, 1908, the Guangxu Emperor died of acute arsenic poisoning. Although she was quite ill herself, Cixi installed the late Emperors nephew, the 2-year-old Puyi, as the new Xuantong Emperor. Cixi died the following day. The Empress Dowager in History For decades, the Empress Dowager Cixi was described as a devious and depraved tyrant, based largely on the writings of people who did not even know her, including J.O.P. Bland and Edmund Backhouse. However, contemporary accounts by Der Ling and Katherine Carl, as well as later scholarship by Hugh Trevor-Roper and Sterling Seagrave, paint a very different picture. Rather than a power-mad harridan with a harem of faux eunuchs, or a woman who poisoned most of her own family, Cixi comes across as an intelligent survivor who learned to navigate Qing politics  and rode the wave of very troubled times for 50 years. Sources: Seagrave, Sterling. Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China, New York: Knopf, 1992. Trevor-Roper, Hugh. Hermit of Peking: The Hidden Life of Sir Edmund Backhouse, New York: Knopf, 1977. Warner, Marina. The Dragon Empress: The Life and Times of Tzu-Hsi, Empress Dowager of China 1835-1908, New York: Macmillan, 1972.

Ethical Decision Making in Supply Chain Management - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 3098 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Ethical Decision Making in Supply Chain Management Over the course of this year, I have learned much about supply chain management. I have learned tactics to use during negotiations, competitive bidding processes, and other business situations. My internship this summer allowed me to have a one on one experience with supply chain management. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Ethical Decision Making in Supply Chain Management" essay for you Create order This internship shed a brief light of what supply chain was and the situations that come with it. Ethics plays a role in your life every day. They shape the person you truly are, and even an honest person can make an unethical decision. In life we are all faced with decisions and I can guarantee that everyone in their lifetime will make an unethical decision. Before we move on we need to know what ethics means. Ethics is a hard word to explain. There is a variety of different definitions of ethics, and the view of ethics is different to every person. Some believe that ethics is described as what the law requires you to do. Others believe that ethics is what your religion preaches for you to do. Some people do not know what the word ethics means. An article from Santa Clara University summed up ethics correctly. Within this article it stated, â€Å"Ethics is two things. First, ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually i n terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues† (Velasquez, 2010). I completely agree with the following statement; ethics is a standard of right and wrong that usually benefits society and is fair. It further states, â€Å" ethics refers to the study and development of ones ethical standards† (Velasquez, 2010). The feelings and laws which we are supposed to follow as humans describe what is ethical. To remain ethical, we must continuously study and examine our ethical practices. Much like businesses, ethics seem to change regularly and adapt to our culture and needs. By studying our ethical practices we can continue to live up to the standards that we set for ourselves and our institutions. There is a vast amount of definitions of ethics, and there are also many different kinds of ethical approaches. The three types of ethical approaches that I believe pertain to supply chain management are virtue ethics, duty ethics, and conseque ntial ethics. According to a BBC article, virtue ethics is about a person rather than action-based: it looks at the moral character of the individual carrying out an action, rather than at ethical duty, or the consequences of those actions (â€Å"Virtue Ethics†, 2013). Virtue ethics deals with the perceptions of a person. It is human nature to assess a person on their character. Aristotle declared that a virtuous person is someone who has ideal character traits (Athanassoulis, 2014). These characteristics are usually natural and learned from your past experiences; they are generally stable and fixed throughout your life. Everyone is born with tendencies, some of these tendencies will dissipate, and others will grow. There are a number of factors that affect your virtues, such as your parents, teachers, and situations. An example of how companies can apply virtue ethics to their practice is by hiring a manager who strives to achieve moral excellence. In John Dobson article the y state, â€Å"Companies should hire a manager who virtues are honesty, fairness, prudence, and courage† (Dobson, 2007). A manager hired for a company should include all of the virtues above and should place personal virtues over any material considerations. This will allow employees to see ethical morals and practices being used in upper management. When it comes to duty based ethics, it is all about doing the right thing. In other words, duty based ethics is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, even if you do not agree with it. In the article â€Å"Workplace Example of Duty Based Ethics† they define a person who uses duty based ethics as, â€Å"a person who believes that the highest virtue comes from doing what you are supposed to do either because you have to, e.g., following the law, or because you agreed to, e.g., following an employers policies (Gillikin, 2012). Much like virtue ethics, duty based ethics does not take into account if th e action leads to a good or bad consequence. Obviously duty based ethics has its flaws. Humans have and will continue to break rules that are set for them. Many companies will require policies that their employees are to follow. Duty based ethics is seen throughout the supply chain. People have an obligation to do the right thing, even if that task produces a negative result. A good example of duty based ethics in the supply chain is a company’s code of conduct. Each employee must follow this code of conduct. Each employee follows this ethical code because they believe that the highest virtue comes from doing what you are supposed to do. This employee either follows this code of conduct because they have to, agreed to follow it, or it follows the law. There are obvious flaws in duty based ethics. Based on duty based ethics if you are an employee and your manager asks you to do something unethical in the supply chain, you must follow this request. Obviously duty based ethics i s needed in the supply chain, but there needs to be a common median between right and wrong. If an action will produce terrible outcomes for the common good, it must be weighed with your decision making. The last ethical approach I see in supply chain management is consequentialism or result based ethics. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines consequentialism ethics as, the action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable (Fieser, 2013). Results based ethics is seen throughout the supply chain. When companies make a decision they usually have different options, and they choose the option that is more favorable, often cutting down on cost and increasing profit. There are obvious flaws with results based ethics as well. For example, a company begins to employ children, an unethical decision, but by doing this they can drastically cut their cost and pay their U.S employees more money. Even though this sounds like an extreme cas e, this does happen in the supply chain. Although result based ethics seems like it can really work in a business’s favor, it usually doesn’t. It is true that you can see parts of virtue ethics, duty based ethics, and consequential based ethics in the supply chain. However, many of these approaches do not take into account human rights. No person is perfectly locked into one of these approaches, but some of these approaches can be seen in supply chain management. The results of following virtue ethics, duty based ethics, and consequential based ethics to a degree can lead to unethical decision making. Employees and companies must find a common median between virtue ethics, duty based ethics, and consequential based ethics and the role they play in the environment around them. Much like ethics, supply chain management is a very broad topic. A supply chain is a series of links that enable the movement of products from the producer to the customer (Sairamnath, 2014). I n other words, it is how a product moves from point A to point B. However, supply chain management encompasses the management of both relationships among intermediaries and logistics activities but also includes numerous businesses and various marketing functional areas, including product decisions, promotion, pricing, procurement, and strategic alignment among organizational members (Ferrell, 2013). As you can tell, supply chain and supply chain management are very broad topics that seem to cover every aspect of a business. Not only does supply chain management control the relationships among logistical activities it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners. An example of collaboration and channel partners would be suppliers, third-party service providers, and customers. Many companies use supply chain management activities to improve profitability, cut cost, and to create a competitive advantage compared to their competition. It is obvious that corporatio ns place a tremendous amount of trust in its employees, customers, and suppliers. However, we live in an extremely competitive market that seems to demand results. This will always put pressure on employees to succeed, whatever the cost. This is where many of us run into problems with ethical decision making. We may know that this is not right, but it would look good to our superiors. Building a sustainable supply chain is a must, but making an ethical and lasting supply chain is harder than it seems. For many companies profits often out way social responsibility and ethics. An article by Forbes.com summed up the marketplace perfectly. It stated, â€Å"Corporations strive to mitigate costs and reduce uncertainty. Nowhere is that drive for certainty and cost containment more compelling than in corporate supply chain (Guthrie, 2014). Globalization within the supply chain industry has created an opportunity for new suppliers overseas, but these global suppliers also can cause uneth ical practices. An example of a company that has been linked to unethical supply chain practices is Apple. While producing the iPhone 5, an Apple supplier recruited people for their factory assembly line. According to the article, the supplier hired brokers, who charged families high fees, often a year’s worth of wages with interest. It also stated that factory workers were reportedly obliged to surrender their passports as payment until they could repay their debt (Opam, 2013). Obviously Apple is against the abuse of migrant workers or any workers in general, but this example shows that even companies that claim to be against unethical practices still have trouble with eliminating them. The quest for a competitive advantage can have an impact on how and whom the products were made by. Human rights abuse has also been a hot topic in the use of global supply chains. It is no secret that companies employ illegal workers, often some are sold into slavery. The Thai seafood indust ry is known for having thousands of â€Å"slaves†. The Thai government and many of the suppliers understand this â€Å"slave† market and still continue to use the Thai seafood suppliers. In 2013, a report found that the country of Thailand has failed to make sufficient progress in tackling human trafficking (Trent, 2014). Although many of the companies audit these locations, they seem to miss this. These companies have the power to demand accountability from their suppliers. They should be monitoring who their suppliers hire, how the products are produced, and if they are using ethical practices. Ethical issues such as child labor have played an enormous role in supply chain management. The increasing global marketplace has made companies temporarily unaware of supplier practices. It has been widely known that shifting some of our production overseas would cut down on your firms cost and produce a higher profit. However, the result of this greater profit could poten tially be the use of child labor or another unethical practice. Recently chocolate companies such as Nestlà © and Cargill have come under fire from having suppliers who employ children. According to the article written by Rich Steeves, â€Å"the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that these companies tolerated child labor on cocoa farms in order to cut costs. Driven by the goal to reduce expenses in any way possible, the defendants allegedly supported the use of child slavery, the cheapest form of labor available† (Steeves, 2014). Although these companies do not own the cocoa farms, the supplier is still part of their supply chain. The global market has allowed companies to produce a tremendous amount of profit. However, is this profit worth the consequences that comes with it? This example brings me back to results based ethics. Obviously companies enjoy seeing their costs cut and a substantial amount of profit, but does this action help the greater good? With this rec ent scandal, Nestlà © has decided to take measures into their own hands. Nestlà © and its partners are now becoming increasingly involved in the communities in Cà ´te d’Ivoire. An action plan has been drawn up by Nestlà © to counteract the use of child labor. Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s executive vice president of operations stated, â€Å"The use of child labor in our cocoa supply chain goes against everything we stand for. As the FLA report makes clear, no company sourcing cocoa from Cà ´te d’Ivoire can guarantee that it doesn’t happen, but what we can say is that tackling child labor is a top priority for our company† (â€Å"Nestlà © Sets Out Actions†, 2014). Nestlà © will now work closely with its suppliers, partners, and other channels throughout its cocoa supply chain. Nestlà © will also collaborate closely with the Ivorian government to eradicate the use of child labor in their cocoa supply chain. This is the first step of many coming from the Nestlà © Corporation, and I believe that with these new programs and teaming up with the local government they can cut down on the unethical practice of employing children. Many companies are increasing their focus on ethical behavior more and more. The example above shows unethical practices that happen outside of the United States. However, there are a vast amount of unethical practices that occur in the states as well. When you are hired as an employee, you’re entrusted with the company’s secrets and relationships. However, personal relationships may seem to cloud your judgment when it comes to decision making for your firm. Conflicts of interests can occur in many areas of the supply chain, and it is important that you try to avoid or mediate the potential conflicts that come with them. An example which I ran into this summer in my internship was receiving gifts from suppliers. While working for a transportation brokerage company this summer we were sent gifts , such as pens, pencils, coupons, and clocks. This can obviously be seen as a conflict of interest. My boss made it specifically clear that if any of us were to receive any gifts that we should alert him immediately to assess the situation. Not only can giving or receiving gifts be seen as a conflict of interest, but family relationships, investments, and the use of company resources can also be viewed as conflicts of interests. Employees should not feel pressured to report any of these possible conflicts of interests, but many of them fear for the safety of their job. Companies have been providing a variety of means to counteract some of these unethical behaviors. One of the easiest ways to prevent unethical behavior in the supply chain is to lead by example. Now this may sound like it is a given, but many managers do not make ethical decisions. This brings be back to the three types of ethical approaches I discussed earlier in my paper. A manager should use all 3 ethical approa ches in his management style, and he must make an ethical decision that help the individual, company, and the environment. However, the power should not be in the hands of only one person in your company. An excellent way to cut down on unethical practices is to create a system of checks and balances within your company. This will allow multiple employees the opportunity to voice their opinions on a matter and to determine if the solution or situation is ethical. This can be very beneficial in the procurement, sourcing, and outsourcing business practices in a supply chain. In an article written by Rob Handfield, it states 3 methods that many companies have incorporated in their reporting procedures. The three methods used are self-reporting, internet/email, and an ethics hotline. The three methods are shown below: Self-reporting – Process relies on employees to report any potential conflicts of interest that they may face. Typically a verbal notification system between an employee and his supervisor (Handfield, 2004). Ethics hotline is a hotline that allow employees to anonymously report when they observe fellow employees or management engaging in unethical behavior† (Handfield, 2004). Internet/Email – many companies have developed an anonymous reporting system via email or internet submission. Employees have the ability to report conflicts of interest or any other ethical behaviors to an email account, which allows the reporter to be anonymous (Handfield, 2004). These potential programs are only a handful that companies could use. It is critical for a company to have programs to counteract unethical practices. A company’s image can be drastically affected by an unethical decision it has made. Although these programs may cost the company more in the short run, it could potentially save them millions in the future. Consumers, investors, business partners, and stakeholders expect a company and its entire supply chain line to be ethical. It is known that the longer a supply chain is, the larger amount of risk that usually comes with it. The product must go through multiple suppliers before getting to the end customer. Implementing only a couple of these programs and establishing a supply chain ethics team could be very beneficial. This team would only focus on the companies supply chain and the decisions that they make. They would closely monitor suppliers and establish an audit team that would show up unannounced. Effective auditing no t only sends a strong message to suppliers, it increases transparency and helps identify problems that need remedying. Whilst the cost of a thorough auditing process may seem prohibitive in the short-term, the long-term benefits of a well-designed process will almost always pay off (Seal, 2013). Combating unethical behaviors is a challenge and takes a considerable amount of time and effort. However, the reward of having a company that is known for being highly ethical in its practices can improve your profits, image, and supplier relationships. After researching the various types of ethical approaches, unethical practices used in the supply chain, and the potential programs to counteract unethical practices I believe that companies should begin to actually adopt the outlook of placing ethics over profits. An example of switching over to this perspective of putting ethics over profits is by using suppliers that are known for having safe and suitable products. This will allow consu mers to see the company as a trusted partner that prides themselves on raising the standards in their industry, while producing quality and safe product. Many companies are seeking to find the most efficient and lowest cost methods to build and deliver their products. However, many of these companies fail to take into account if the decisions are ethical or unethical. Thus, companies should begin to focus more on their overall supply chain and to place more emphasis on ethics over profits.