Conflict in Sudan Essay Example for Free

Conflict in Sudan Essay There have been many conflicts in different regions of the world, causing a lot of effects to the humanity and the natural environment, which has always remained a silent victim. Many people have been killed because of these conflicts, while causing lot of devastating effects to the environment. During the war, a lot of pollutants are released to the environment which ends up affecting human beings and the natural resources. Other resources are depleted in the ensuing conflicts. The major concerns on the current issues about conflicts, both internal and regional are found in the developing countries. These countries do not have the economic capacity to deal with the conflict situation, hence making the problems even worse (IRIN, 2007). Africa has had along time history of civil war from the colonial times, and many are still evidenced today. Â  Most of the African nations fight over borders, which were mostly demarcated by the colonialists. These are regional conflicts, while internal conflicts arises due to the people fighting for scarce natural resources, for instance fertile farming land, and water. The Sudanese president is a wanted man on the list of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in the conflict that has been taking place in the country for almost 20 years, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead (Goldberg, 2009). Causes and Effects of War in Sudan There has been a long civil war in Southern Sudan that has led to the international community through the United Nations and the African union to try and broker peace. The war witnessed in the region is considered as a fight between the different ethnic and tribal groups (IRIN, 2007). The mostly known conflicting groups are the government side and the Janjaweed rebel group. There is however other smaller rebel groups that have complicated the matter further. The major cause of the war in Sudan has been attributed to fighting for water between the Baggara nomads who moved to the South (an area occupied by the farming community), in search of water. This conflict has led to many deaths in the region, despite the presence of the peace forces. There are other reasons that have been cited as having contributed to the conflict, although the major reason has been the increase in population which the natural resources are not able to hold, hence making the groups to fight over the scarce resources. On the other hand, there have been claims that the Arab dominants, who are Muslims, have been fighting the Black Africans, who are mostly Christians to wipe them from the region. This is what has led to the US declaring this to be a form of genocide, which has taken place under the watch of President Al Bashir who the ICC wants arrested for the crimes (Goldberg, 2009). As already mentioned, the war was triggered by fighting for scarce resources, which was water. However, considering the continued fights, the environment is even endangered more, making it more impossible to support the population. This on the other hand aggravates the situation when the natural resources are not able to support them. The conflict over resources in Sudan started at a local level in Darfur region, but developed into becoming a national issue whereby economic and political marginalization has been heightened. The situation has been made worse because of ethnicity differences. Therefore, despite economic and political and religious factors contributing to the conflict in Darfur Sudan, the major problem has surrounded the environment. The Sudanese Arabs who are nomads moved southwards in search of greener pastures and water for their animals and entered the territory of the Black farmers, leading to the two groups to conflict. The Black farmers complained to the Khartoum government, but on realizing that the government was not keen on solving the problem, the Black farmers rebelled against the government. This rebellion led to fighting between the people, destroying a lot of property, both manmade and naturally (Borger, 2007). The two groups fighting each other have distinct life styles, hence through their fights; each tries to destroy the strategic areas that the other depends on, as a way of weakening them. For instance, the nomads usually would graze their animals on the crops of the farmers, destroying their source of livelihood. On the other hand, the farmers set the grazing land for the nomads on fire so that they lack animal feeds. Furthermore, as the nomads are known of moving from one region o another in search of greener pastures, the farmers have blocked their migration paths, forcing them to overgraze in one region, hence also affecting their source of livelihood. Such actions from both camps have made the situation to be worse as the conflict continues. Many of the refugees from Sudan have fled to the neighboring countries like Chad. The asylums in the neighboring countries have not made the refugees completely safe, but have even put the lives of the residents of the host country in danger. This is because the Janjaweed rebels have been following the refugees to their camps, and attacking them from there. This has made the residents in the host country who live near the refugee camps to move away from them to areas that are more secure. In essence, the citizens have been made insecure in their own land. This on the other hand might thus cause conflict between the refugees and the citizens of the host country, which again might rise to the national level (Gouroukoun, 2006). Conclusion The major effect of the Sudan’s conflict has been on the number of the people who have been killed. This is basically a major concern to everybody, including the humanitarian groups that are mostly found in Sudan, and the international community. However, it has to be understood that since the Sudan conflict is directly linked to the natural resources, which is an environmental, issue, the conflict has continued to affect the environment even to higher magnitude. The Arab Sudanese have always been cutting trees which the farmers have planted in their farms, as well as grazing on the farmers’ crops. On the other hand, the farmers have been burning the grazing land for the nomads. All these actions have got detrimental effects to the environment. The nomads moved southwards in search of greener pastures, yet they are cutting the trees that are important in rain formation, then it is obvious that a dry spell would be in the region for a long time. On the other hand, as the Black farmers burn the grazing ground, this also affects their farming activities since important macro organisms are killed. Therefore, all these environmental impacts would make the conflict to remain for a long time as long the involved bodies are only concerned with solving the immediate humanitarian crisis, rather than looking at the root cause of the problem, and how to avert it occurring in future. Reference: Borger, Julian (2007). Darfur conflict heralds era of wars triggered by climate change, UN report warns. Retrieved on March 24, 2009 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jun/23/sudan.climatechange. Goldberg, M. L. (2009). The President of Sudan to be a Wanted War Criminal, retrieved on March 24, 2009 from http://www.undispatch.com/node/7698. Gouroukoun (2006). Chadians Increasingly Feel Impact of Darfur Conflict, Retrieved on March 24, 2009, from http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-04/2006-04-21-voa44.cfm. IRIN. (2007). Sudan: Climate change only one cause among many for Darfur conflict, retrieved on March 24, 2009 from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/06/mil-070628-irin03.htm.

Civilizations arose Essay Example for Free

Civilizations arose Essay In letter from Birmingham Jail, King considers the question, How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others? what is his answer? what do you think of the distinctions he makes? be sure to support your position with evidence taken from your reading, your own experiences and/or your observation of others. By definition, laws must be followed. They are created as guidelines such that there would be peace and order. However, there are those people who do not support the laws; some because they do not know what they are, others because they are just naturally stubborn but there are also those who do not advocate them because they do not believe in what those laws stand for. One classic example of the last reason for disobedience to law can be manifested in Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Here the question How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others? was asked, to this, he raised the idea of just and unjust laws. Genius as he was, he was able to present a clear explanation of what he meant by such concepts and I am more than impressed with his qualification, which made me agree about his interpretation of this delineation of laws. Indeed, it is justified not to advocate â€Å"unjust† laws because they are not completely binding, thus, are discriminatory over the minority. In the question asked above, King answered â€Å"The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that an unjust law is no law at all. †Ã¢â‚¬  For someone to accept King’s argument, his idea of â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust† laws must first be cleared out. In the said letter, He says â€Å"An unjust law is a code that numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself. By the same token, a just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself† (160). This was corollary to his arrest while doing protest against racial segregation. The protests and Kings confinement ask us about unjust laws, public morality, and ethical behaviors in the society. King talks about the blindness of clergymen and governors and how they do not see African American as a part of the society and their refusal to accept them when in fact, African Americans have taken their parts in the society ever since they came to America. The author questions the churchs authenticity and loyalty over their religious responsibility to guide everyone to the eternal will of God which is peace and love. He also points out how we naturally know what is right and what is wrong because we have moral consciousness. Yet, the American society has not changed a bit. Further distinction between â€Å"just† and â€Å"unjust† laws as presented by King lies on their relationship with the moral law, or that which is according to the law of God. Just laws made by men must be in harmony with eternal and natural laws and that they should be able to uplift human personality, otherwise, they are unjust. Thus, men are to uphold the earlier and by virtue of morality should denounce the latter. He then stressed that segregation statutes are unjust because the practice distorts the human soul and also causes damage to one’s personality. This is because it makes the segregator develop an idea of superiority over the segregated and oftentimes make the latter feel inferior. It creates a separation between â€Å"we† or the majority and â€Å"they† the minority and they usually make the second group feel less about their selves and are actually not treated as equals. This was the scenario that was taking place during that period, there were discriminations against the Negros, and such was strongly opposed by king. Taking all that has been said in the Letter, I am able to derive my own understanding of the just and unjust laws that King was talking about. In my comprehension, he considers a law unjust if it is selectively applicable. This means that a certain law can be bestowed to one but will rule out the other. In simple comparison, it is like politics inside the classroom. There is always this â€Å"in† (i. e. cheerleaders, athletes) group and the â€Å"outcast† (i. e. geeks, nerds, physically challenged, etc) and there are instances that the earlier will come up with something (like parties, games, etc) and they would allow everyone to join except for the â€Å"outcast† group basically because they are outcast and the status quo embraces such tradition thus will not see anything wrong about it. This may seem to be an oversimplification of the idea but that would somehow present the gist of it. The presence of what could be considered as unjust laws can actually still be seen at present. In Islam practicing countries, they have this culture of having certain rules to follow and distance to be maintained when interacting with Na-Mahram or those people other than the members of their family. Thus, if they reacted rudely to the Na-Mahram, their actions would be justified by this certain law or rule. They will be punished if they did wrong to people other than the Na-Mahram otherwise, their action is generally called for. In this scenario, the law or rule only applies to the favor of the Islam practitioner and excludes the Na-Mahram, thus if examined under King’s concept, it is unjust. Moreover, I have read about this country in Asia wherein the President has been ousted out of power and was convicted of a crime of plunder. Unjust application of the law can be seen here because that President did not serve his sentence in prison, rather in one of his mansions claiming to be sick; they called it house arrest. Then, after several years, he was granted absolute pardon by the new President. The worst thing about this is that the deposed President was again given the chance to run for the same government post came Election Day. There is an apparent double standard in the application of the law because of all the favors that this person got as if compared to the common people who had to serve their sentences in the scanty and stinky prison cells, convicted or otherwise. Civilizations arose as early as the practice of socialization began and as early as those times, men are already suffering from unfair treatments. There were different people in different places, but majority of them rather lived under the rules than by the rules because the rules were unethical and inequitable. The history of slavery in America is a good example of unethical conduct. There were rules and laws, but they were for superiors because enslaved people had no rights at all. Moreover, these rules, regulations, and laws were unfair and one-sided. The fight for the right of suffrage is yet another example because although it is a sign of independence, initially, only males of the upper class are allowed to participate. Blacks and women are disregarded; they were exemptions to the rule. Given the understanding of unjust laws, Martin Luther King Jr indeed cannot be blamed for being selective of the laws to follow because certain laws are also selective of their application. Why would one advocate a law that would disadvantage or would undermine him? Laws should be created to provide order and peace so that people will leave in harmony and not to perpetuate the power or dominance of the majority over the minority. All people have rights, thus all people must be equal in front of the law. No man shall be superior over the other and if one errs he shall have the same punishment as the others who committed the same crime. There should be no exemption to this no matter who they are or where they came from. Therefore, if one country, state or nation would want their laws to be advocated by all of their citizens, they must ensure that they create one body of law that would cater to everyone; no exemptions, special treatments or discrimination. Laws are virtuous if they are created and are applied as such; otherwise, disobedience by the marginalized groups could not be prevented nor could be questioned.

Vietnam Banking Industry: Customer Satisfaction Analysis

Vietnam Banking Industry: Customer Satisfaction Analysis It can be said that Vietnam is on the way of dramatic development and integration in global economic. Since Vietnam has officially become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), besides the advantages and opportunities, there have been still many challenges that Vietnam has to overcome. In recent years, Vietnameses banks have achieved many important achievements in innovation have grown larger and stronger than previous time. However, compared to the world, Vietnam banking industry is still small, modest, and inadequate. Undoubtedly, compared to 10 years ago, Vietnam banking industry has really been a remarkable growth. Firstly, banking system has mobilized and provided a large amount of capital to the economy, estimated about 16-18% of annual GDP (Vietnam Head Department Statistic 2008), nearly 50% of social capital. Credit growth has been increased during the year and in 2008 which was estimate to be approximate 24% that is 19% higher than in 2007. The banking system has also contributed to growth, the development, and economic stability in recent years. Secondly, Vietnams banking system had a comprehensive renovation. Many legal documents have been issued comprehensively, the policies about banking activities has been completed and consistent with international practice. Moreover, the discrimination between types of domestic credit institutions and the foreign ones has been gradually eliminated. Banks as well as credit institution have been autonomous and self-responsible. Competitiveness of credi t institutions has been enhanced therefore banking market has been developing safely and effectively. Thirdly, monetary policies have been renovated and operating under market principles with international practice. The indirect operating tools that manage monetary policies have been formed and developed. Interest rate policy and exchange rate flexibility have been adopted by the market mechanism. Credit policies have been expanded and made innovation in the direction of fairness and equality for all economic sectors, business, and all residents. 1.2 Customer satisfaction management in Vietnam Banking Industry Competitive trends in quality of banking product and services on financial and monetary markets increasingly urged Vietnameses banks to renew and continue to have effective customer policies and strategies in order to compete fairly with foreign banks. Thus, Vietnameses banks have ability to overcome the challenges that have been forecasted to be very fierce in coming time. Customer satisfaction management can be considered as an important point in cultural enterprise and cultural care, implementation of banks strategies towards customers in the context of globalization. Undoubtedly, currently when the difference in quality, design of banking services as well as the competitiveness of the products itself is no longer critical among banks, the determined factor is the quality of customer service. Aware of the important of increase customer satisfaction, Vietnameses banks have established customer satisfaction management in order to evaluate customer satisfaction on their products and services. Therefore, banks can improve their operations as well as consolidate their images in customers eyes, and banks can increase sales, market share, and position in the market. 2. Bank management studies on BIDV, Hochiminh City branch (HCMC) 2.1 Performance of BIDV, HCMC branch Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam has a short name is BIDV, was established under the Conference No.177/TTg dated on 26/04/1957 of Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. HCMC branch which is one of the largest scale branches in BIDV system, has estimated assets VND 10,000 billion (BIDV annual reports). HCMC branch has high business performance with ROA ratio always above 1%. There are 313 staffs classified into 4 blocks these are credit, customer services, block of units, and internal management. Founded in 1977, HCMC branch is always pioneer branch and dynamic in BIDV system in development new products and services based on applying modern technology and customer-oriented. Recently, BIDV HCMC branch has been successful in the role of focal bank in arrangement of syndicated loans, co-financed investor in large scale projects. HCMC branchs activities in recent years have been customer-oriented, creating the best conditions for customers to access and use bankin g services more effectively. BIDV is one of four state-owned commercial banks so it is quite easy to understand why customers have high level of trust for bank. Based on the result of survey and research done recently to measure customer satisfaction, reveal that generally bank has been successful in bringing satisfaction to customers through the provision of products and services. The level of customer satisfaction varies from agree to fully agree. The measurement of customer satisfaction is based on the quality of services, number of products and services, and the continuity of using the services. The quality of services brings satisfaction to customers, they use the most services provide to them and they seem to be happier to use more BIDVs services. This result confirms the criteria activities cooperate and succeed that BIDV has done for years. Thus, the bank has been successful in bringing satisfaction to customers through the provision of products and services. However, this is also pressure for the bank f or better improvement what they have achieved. Therefore, the bank should promote further efforts to preserve and bring the highest satisfaction to customers. 2.2 Purpose of the study Nowadays, in the competitive environment, customers are crucial survival of the bank. The banks which are paid attention, interest as well as loyalty of customers, will capture market shares and develop faster. Business strategic direction to customers is becoming the most important strategies of banks. How to give customers the best satisfaction is always the problem that banks try their best to fulfill. Therefore, research customer satisfaction in the bank is an important work that has to be done regularly and continuously in order to meet their needs. Since then, they can serve customers better and make customers always be satisfied when using banks products and services. This study is not out of this purpose which aims to enhance customer satisfactions for BIDV as well as increase the quality of products and services supplied by BIDV. 2.3 Significant of the study The study presents the evaluation of customer satisfactions on products and services provided by BIDV HCMC branch. Thus, bank has a comprehensive glance on the products and services they are supplying to customers. Bank should focuses on business development strategies as well as the quality of products and services. Obviously, if the service quality does not meet customers demand, the customers will no longer to use it. From the evaluation of customer satisfactions, bank can realize clearly their strengths and weaknesses. From there, they continue to promote strengths and overcome weaknesses in order to improve the quality of services, increase customer satisfaction. 2.4 Limitation of the study The study has a positive contribution to the bank in understanding customers and identifying their position in the market, however the study still has some certain limitations as follows: The study focuses on group business customers therefore it cannot be the overview of the entire customers transactions in BIDV HCMC branch. The study only considers about the time used and the number of banks transactions, it does not find out all customer satisfaction in the connection with trading enterprises, financial potential and cultural factors. The study only focuses on evaluation of customer satisfaction of HCMC branchs services so it cannot assess on customers in the city and other locations as well as potential customers who are not using banking services. Based on these findings, this study can be improved with variety customer group, larger number of samples, wider research scale. 3. Model relevant to study 3.1 Introduction of Servqual model Managers in banking industry are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that their services are customer focused and that continuous performance improvement is being delivered. Given the financial and resources constrains under which banks must manage it is essential that customer satisfaction are properly met and measured and that from the customer satisfactions, any gaps in services quality are indentified. This information the assists a manager in identified cost effective ways of closing services quality gaps and of prioritizing which gaps to focus on a critical decision given scare resources. This study involves the use of Servqual model (Parasuraman, 1988) which is a popular model of quality research of services and the most common application in the marketing research. According to Parasuraman, the quality of services cannot be determined vaguely but it depends on sense of belonging to customers for such services and this perception is considered by many factors. Servqual model is built based on the evaluation of quality of services, which is the comparison between the expected value, expectation, and the value customers perceived. Servqual model considers two main aspects of services quality as a result services and the process of services which are studied through 5 criteria reliability, responsiveness, tangibles, assurance, and the empathy. Figure 3.1 SERVQUAL MODEL Reliability Responsiveness Customer satisfaction Services quality Tangibles Assurance Sympathy Sources: International Journal of Business and Management 3.2 Elements of Servqual Model 3.2.1 Reliability Reliability shows the ability to provide services accurately, on time, and credibly. This requires consistency in the implementation of services and respects commitments as well as keeps promises to customers. In the banking sector, this criterion is measured by customers through the following elements. The bank performs the services right from the first time. Banking services are implemented at the time they promise. Banking transactions are done correctly. Banks staffs are always ready to serve customers. There are always banks counselors at the table to help the customers. Banks statements are submitted regularly and promptly. 3.2.2 Responsiveness This criterion measures the ability to solve the problem fast, deal with customers complaint effectively and the willing to help customers as well as meet the customers requirements. In other words, responsiveness is the feedback from banks to what customers want. Banks staffs are available to assist customers. Bank provides services rapid, on time. Bank responses positively to customers requirements. Banks hotline for customer services is 24/24. Bank tries to solve problems for customers. 3.2.3 Tangibles Tangibles are the images of the facilities, equipment, machines, attitude of staffs, materials, manuals, and information systems of the bank. General speaking, anything that customers can see by eyes and feel by senses can impact on tangible. The bank has adequate facilities. Bank has modern equipment and machinery. Banks staffs look professional and dressed. Bank arranges the transaction counters, tables, and shelves scientifically and conveniently for customers. 3.2.4 Assurance This element creates credibility and trust for customers, which is considered through professional services, excellent technical knowledge, attitude courtesy, and good communication skills, so that customers can believe in the quality of banks services. Banks staffs serve customers politely, and courteously. Transaction documents are clear and understandable. Banks staffs always provide necessary services information for customers. Banks staffs answer customers questions clearly and accurately. 3.2.5. Sympathy Sympathy is the caring, consideration, and the best preparation for customers, so that they can feel as guests of the bank and are always welcome at any times, anywhere. Human factors are the core of this success and the more caring the bank gives to customers, the more customer understanding increases. The sympathy of banks staffs for their customers are expressed as follows: Banks staffs notices the needs of each customer. Customers do not have to queue for a long time to be served. The bank has convenience location for customers to have transactions. Banks ATM systems are modern and ease to use. Banks staffs treat customers kindly. 3.3 Summary and limitation of previous research and findings Through journals I have examined, research issues about customer satisfaction can be classified into 3 main categories including factors influence on customer satisfaction, the measurement of customer satisfaction, and the impact of customer satisfaction on business 3.3.1 Research about factors influence on customer satisfaction The research investigates the relationship between services quality, overall customer satisfaction, and behavioral intention across public and banks. The findings indicate that services quality is significant determinant of customer satisfaction in banking industry (Monica Bedi, 2010; M.Jun and S.Cai, 2010). However, different dimensions of services quality were found to be statistical significant across public and banks. The study helps banks to redefine their corporate image to one that is customer-oriented and driven by service quality. Research limitation concern the potential for the data inaccuracies due to item misinterpretation or predisposition to certain responses on the part of the participant does exist (Bedi, 2010). Similarly, the sampled data is one limitation which was collected from one organization (M.Jun and S.Cai 2010). Although, the purchasing department serves a wide range of internal customers and is involved in various purchasing activities, the dataset is limited by the potential lack of generalisability. 3.3.2 Research about the measurement of customer satisfaction The research provides method to measure customer satisfaction based on assessing customer perception of services quality in services and retailing organization. One of the most popular model is Servqual (Parasuraman, 1988) is based on the perception gap between the received quality and the expected services quality, and has been adopted for explaining consumer perception of services quality. In addition, the availability of customer satisfaction data from national indices has also facilitated the examination of the factors associated with aggregate level customer satisfaction (M.Ogikubo et al, 2009). Besides, the research points out the limitation of the Servqual is that the evaluation of services quality evaluated based on the expectation performance gap derived from Parasuraman 1988 is insufficient because much of the empirical research supported performance based measures of services quality (K.Ravichandran, 2010). 3.3.3 Research about the impact of customer satisfaction on business The research presents that customer satisfaction has an important impact on business which is determined factor in customer loyalty as well as customer retention (Harkiranpal S., 2006). Moreover, the research provides an examination of satisfaction-retention relationship, and the development of more comprehensive view of the customers quality perception (Hennig Thurau and Klee, 1997). Customer satisfaction positively affects an organizations profitability. Satisfied customers form the foundation of any successful business as customer satisfaction leads to repeat purchase, brand loyalty as well as positive word of mouth (Hoyer and MacInnis, 2001). 4. Methodology for study 4.1 Research design These terms quantitative and qualitative are used widely to differentiate both data collection techniques and data analysis procedures. Quantitative is predominantly used as a synonym for any data collection techniques or data analysis procedures that generates or uses numerical data. In contrast, qualitative is used predominantly as a synonym for any data collection techniques or data analysis procedures that generates or uses non numerical data. Three types of quantitative studies these include experimental approach, cross-sectional designs, and survey method. Because of limited time to complete collecting primary data, survey is an optimal method to collect research information. When using survey will give more control over the research process and sampling is used it is possible to generate findings that are representative of the whole population at a lower cost than collecting the data for the whole population. 4.2 Data collection Data can be obtained from primary or secondary sources. Data can be collected in a variety of ways, in different settings and from different sources. Data collection methods include interviews, questionnaires, observation, and variety of other motivational techniques. Questionnaire is the best way to collect the data about customer satisfaction because making an appointment for personal interviews or telephone interviews is difficult, even though impossible. Beside the personal information and customer characteristic (open questions), questionnaire is designed including 33 properties (closed questions) that build up the characteristic of banking services. It is presented on scale from 1 to 7 points (from lowest satisfaction to highest satisfaction about the components of banking service). It will help quantify the opinion of customers who were invested and use the questionnaire to verify and analyze the multivariable date in the valuable the satisfaction of customers later. The custo mers are also suggested to evaluate their own overall satisfaction in last question by giving the scores. 4.3 Data analysis After collecting all the data, the process of analysis begins. To summarize and rearrange the data, several interrelated procedure are performed during the data analysis stage. For quantitative data analysis, statistical tools of Microsoft excel and analytical software SPSS are used for data input and analysis. The statistic results were presented by graphical form with detail description. 5. Conclusion Customer satisfaction is not only vital factor but also the target that all banks want to achieve. Along with the increasingly strong competitiveness in banking industry, learning about customer needs as well as the factors affecting customer satisfaction has become essential. Therefore, this study is useful in proposed policies, development strategies of banks. In the service sector in general and banking sector in particular, the role of the meeting customer needs has an important implication that derives from the interaction between banks and customers as well as the positive impact that banks have. More specifically, if banks bring their customers the high customer satisfaction, customers will continue to use their services, support new banks products or services, introduce the bank to other partners, and become loyal customers. From there, they are contributing to increase sales, market share, and position in the market that are the targets any bank wants to achieve. This study researches customer satisfaction with the products and services that banks provide to customers. This thesis is presented through the survey of customer satisfaction. Survey results are reliable input source to marketing strategies and opportunities to help banks better understand customer needs, customers evaluation of quality of banks services. Therefore, banks can improve their operations and enhance customer satisfaction more effectively.

Betrayed by Constanin Costa-Gavras :: Movie, Film

The opening lyrics to America the Beautiful, ï ¿ ½O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,ï ¿ ½ demonstrate how agriculture and wheat farming have been ingrained, to almost mythical proportions, as quintessentially ï ¿ ½Americanï ¿ ½ amongst citizens in the United States. As the Great Plains of the Midwest helped establish the U.S. as a major economic superpower throughout the twentieth century, the nation grew by distributing vast amounts of grain across the globe, providing those farming in the region both a secure and profitable existence. But with the proliferation of farming technologies enabling foreign nations to establish a foothold in a new global economy, the U.S. and its farmers faced increased competition, and their stranglehold on grain exportation waned. ï ¿ ½You just canï ¿ ½t make a living growing wheat anymore,ï ¿ ½ says Greg Grenz, a farmer in Eureka South Dakota, as many ï ¿ ½U.S. farmers are increasingly under pressure as Americaï ¿ ½s ru n as a wheat powerhouse, and the dominant player in global agriculture, is under attack from a crop of newly emboldened, low-cost international rivals who are striking at one of the main pillars of American economic might: food exportsï ¿ ½ (Roger Thurow, 2004). Security and prosperity it seems are dwindling in the nationï ¿ ½s fertile plains. In most cases, with little recourse available, todayï ¿ ½s farmers are faced with a frightening decision: change their farming practices, via planting new crops or utilizing new techniques, or quit farming outright, forfeiting lands that may have been in families for generations and, more importantly, losing an identity that many consider to be most ï ¿ ½American.ï ¿ ½ ï ¿ ½Constanin Costa-Gavras, in his film Betrayed (1988), uses this framework of economic hardships caused by a declining farming industry to present his audience with some farmers who have decided on another option, lashing out violently at people who they believe are responsible for their plight. The film about ï ¿ ½star-crossed love [and] death and danger in white-picket-fence Americaï ¿ ½ (Kemply, 1988), involves a fictional community that employs white supremacist ideology to spread hate and intolerance as they blame Jews, non-whites, and the government for the economic conditions which they endure. The film also demonstrates the early use of the computer to branch out and connect these hate mongers, forecasting the use and proliferation of the internet to recruit new white supremacists around the country. As Randy Blazack, sociologist from Portland State University, elaborates in American Skinheads (2007), ï ¿ ½whether youï ¿ ½re recruiting people to be suicide bombers or recruiting foot soldiers in the racial holy war, youï ¿ ½re going after the same set of people, youï ¿ ½re going after people who feel like theyï ¿ ½re at the end of their rope, and the only recourse left is one of violenceï ¿ ½ (Geographic, 2007).

Ancient Advances In Mathematics :: essays research papers fc

Ancient Advances in Mathematics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ancient knowledge of the sciences was often wrong and wholly unsatisfactory by modern standards. However not all of the knowledge of the more learned peoples of the past was false. In fact without people like Euclid or Plato we may not have been as advanced in this age as we are. Mathematics is an adventure in ideas. Within the history of mathematics, one finds the ideas and lives of some of the most brilliant people in the history of mankind's' populace upon Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First man created a number system of base 10. Certainly, it is not just coincidence that man just so happens to have ten fingers or ten toes, for when our primitive ancestors first discovered the need to count they definitely would have used their fingers to help them along just like a child today. When primitive man learned to count up to ten he somehow differentiated himself from other animals. As an object of a higher thinking, man invented ten number- sounds. The needs and possessions of primitive man were not many. When the need to count over ten aroused, he simply combined the number-sounds related with his fingers. So, if he wished to define one more than ten, he simply said one-ten. Thus our word eleven is simply a modern form of the Teutonic ein-lifon. Since those first sounds were created, man has only added five new basic number-sounds to the ten primary ones. They are â€Å"hundred,† â€Å"thousand,† â€Å" million,† â€Å"billion† (a thousand millions in America, a million millions in England), â€Å"trillion† (a million millions in America, a million-million millions in England). Because primitive man invented the same number of number-sounds as he had fingers, our number system is a decimal one, or a scale based on ten, consisting of limitless repetitions of the first ten number sounds.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Undoubtedly, if nature had given man thirteen fingers instead of ten, our number system would be much changed. For instance, with a base thirteen number system we would call fifteen, two-thirteen's. While some intelligent and well-schooled scholars might argue whether or not base ten is the most adequate number system, base ten is the irreversible favorite among all the nations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of course, primitive man most certainly did not realize the concept of the number system he had just created. Man simply used the number-sounds loosely as adjectives. So an amount of ten fish was ten fish, whereas ten is an adjective describing the noun fish.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Soon the need to keep tally on one's counting raised. The simple solution was to make a vertical mark. Thus, on many caves we see a number of Ancient Advances In Mathematics :: essays research papers fc Ancient Advances in Mathematics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ancient knowledge of the sciences was often wrong and wholly unsatisfactory by modern standards. However not all of the knowledge of the more learned peoples of the past was false. In fact without people like Euclid or Plato we may not have been as advanced in this age as we are. Mathematics is an adventure in ideas. Within the history of mathematics, one finds the ideas and lives of some of the most brilliant people in the history of mankind's' populace upon Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First man created a number system of base 10. Certainly, it is not just coincidence that man just so happens to have ten fingers or ten toes, for when our primitive ancestors first discovered the need to count they definitely would have used their fingers to help them along just like a child today. When primitive man learned to count up to ten he somehow differentiated himself from other animals. As an object of a higher thinking, man invented ten number- sounds. The needs and possessions of primitive man were not many. When the need to count over ten aroused, he simply combined the number-sounds related with his fingers. So, if he wished to define one more than ten, he simply said one-ten. Thus our word eleven is simply a modern form of the Teutonic ein-lifon. Since those first sounds were created, man has only added five new basic number-sounds to the ten primary ones. They are â€Å"hundred,† â€Å"thousand,† â€Å" million,† â€Å"billion† (a thousand millions in America, a million millions in England), â€Å"trillion† (a million millions in America, a million-million millions in England). Because primitive man invented the same number of number-sounds as he had fingers, our number system is a decimal one, or a scale based on ten, consisting of limitless repetitions of the first ten number sounds.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Undoubtedly, if nature had given man thirteen fingers instead of ten, our number system would be much changed. For instance, with a base thirteen number system we would call fifteen, two-thirteen's. While some intelligent and well-schooled scholars might argue whether or not base ten is the most adequate number system, base ten is the irreversible favorite among all the nations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of course, primitive man most certainly did not realize the concept of the number system he had just created. Man simply used the number-sounds loosely as adjectives. So an amount of ten fish was ten fish, whereas ten is an adjective describing the noun fish.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Soon the need to keep tally on one's counting raised. The simple solution was to make a vertical mark. Thus, on many caves we see a number of

us history :: essays research papers

The Declaration of Independence contains words all Americans take for granted: â€Å"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The founders of the country that would become the United States had to put these words into a written declaration because those ruling them at the time did not recognize those rights. Democracy as we know it today was just beginning to take shape prior to the American Revolutionary War.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often, the events are presented to students in overly simplistic ways: the colonists simply got mad because they had no parliamentary procedures for influencing the laws that governed them, a concept explained as â€Å"taxation without representation.† England imposed more and more taxes on the colonists, and they had no way to stop the King from doing this to them, so they rebelled. However, the idea that they should have the right to overthrow a government that denied them what we now think of as basic rights was a relatively new one, and not one embraced by all political leaders in Europe at the time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These ideas began with discoveries in science that revealed that our physical world was governed by predictable rules, by cause and effect (Mills, 1996). At the time, science was viewed as a branch of philosophy, and scientific thinking was gradually applied to philosophy, leading to a new school of thought that came to be known as â€Å"The Enlightenment.† (The Economist, 1999) The idea of democracy wasn’t new. Ancient   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rights page 2 Greece had been ruled by a modified form of democracy that gave the right to vote to the upper echelons of male citizens.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The development of modern democracy also had roots in developing economic practice. John Locke, one of prominent thinkers in the Enlightenment movement, put great emphasis on the right to own property. Systems of law that were respected by members of many different countries were necessary so commerce could develop. Without laws regarding ownership and property, those engaging in trade could not be certain that transaction agreements would be honored (The Economist, 1999).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In reports of the events leading up to the American Revolution, the King of England is often depicted as a dictator who pronounced law as he saw fit based on his absolute power. However, the notion of a monarch with absolute power was not the standard for most of European history.

African Americans and Politics Essay

For decades African Americans have faced struggles throughout history. Most notably, African Americans were involved in slavery, suffrage, and the civil rights movement. These struggles were very visible and everyone was aware of what was going on. However, now African Americans are involved in a struggle that it not visible and recognizable. This is a struggle that is used to capitalize on wealth and prevent African American families and individuals from living normal lives. They are involved in environmental racism. Environmental racism â€Å"refers to intentional or unintentional racial discrimination in the enforcement of environmental rules and regulations, the intentional or unintentional targeting of minority communities for the siting of polluting industries, or the exclusion of minority groups from public and private boards, commissions, and regulatory bodies. †[1] This form of racism has been plaguing African American communities for years and most people have not taken notice. There are many form of environmental racism; however, this paper will specifically address redlining, blockbusting, racial profiling, and housing segregation and how each has impacted the African American community. Redlining is the act of refusing or increasing the cost of services such as loans, insurance, banking, and access to healthcare to citizens based upon race. The practice involves taking a map and drawing a red line through neighborhoods where banks would not invest money. Redlining was used to segregate African Americans in the housing, workforce, and school market. Parents had to find work in other areas of the city because there were not any resources available in the community. Because of redlining, schools became over crowded with 50 students crammed into one classroom. With the schools overcrowded, teachers were not able to provide special attention to the needy students and other students became uncontrollable. Cathy Cohen would argue that African Americans were being marginalized in the school system. To be considered marginalized means, to have continuously been denied access to dominant resources, barred from full participation in dominant institutions, and defined as â€Å"others, â€Å" living outside the norm and values agreed upon by society (Cohen 1999). African American students were all forced to go to one school in the community to keep them out of the White schools. Along with marginalization, Blacks were, and still are, a part of a power struggle. Blacks were seen, and will always be seen, as an inferior race. Also, Blacks have been disempowered knowingly and unknowingly. African-Americans have been taken advantage of and used to make other races feel superior. Blockbusting was a practice used by real estate agents and developers in the United States to encourage white property owners to sell their homes by giving the impression that minority groups (such as African Americans) were moving into their previously racially segregated neighborhood. [2] When African Americans began to move into the inner city, fear arose that they were an economic threat. Blockbusting was also the cause of many White Americans moving into the suburbs. The practice of blockbusting involved an African American purchasing a home for very cheap in a predominately White neighborhood. The real estate broker would contact the White residents and offer to buy their houses for quick cash and resell the house to an African American family for much higher. Real estate agents claimed that African Americans moving into a predominately White neighborhood would cause property values to go down and urged White homeowners to sell as soon as possible. Real estate agents indicated that the property values would go down because African Americans would not keep up their property, avoid lawn care, and if would affect the entire neighborhood. This practice has caused major shifts in urban neighborhoods, especially Chicago, in recent decades. The Blockbusting methods were profitable and became common across the nation. For example, by 1962, when blockbusting had been in practice for fifteen years, Chicago had over 100 operators and the city had been changing an average of two to three blocks a week for several years. Blockbusting is the reason why cities such as Chicago are now predominately African American and the surrounding suburbs are predominately White. Blockbusting caused African Americans to be marginalized as well. They were denied fair participation in the housing market. Real estate agents inflated housing prices for African Americans to gain commission. White homeowners already had prejudices about African Americans and the real estate agents only made the situation worse. The stereotypes that Black families do not take care of their property was the main reason White homeowners sold their homes. Racial profiling is â€Å"the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a â€Å"predictable† manner. †[3] The practice of racial profiling is a huge problem in the United States. African Americans are usually the targeted victims in the act of racial profiling. It is believed that an African American driver will be more likely stopped than a White driver. Some police officers share the belief that Black drivers will most likely possess an illegal substance of committing an illegal act. However, policemen argue that they do not base their arrests on race but are greatening their probability of a successful search. Some policemen also argue that the probability of catching a Black offender is greater than catching a White offender. Whether the statement is true or not, it places a bias on African Americans and White Americans. The belief that African Americans men are more likely to commit crimes is unfair and not true. One cannot base the behavior of all African American men on the ones that have done wrong and been imprisoned. Another belief of racial profiling is it is the cause of the racial disparities in the American prison system. There are many more African American men in the jail system than there are White men. The previous statement is mostly likely to be true. Because some policemen hold biases and have prejudices against African Americans, it will cause more African Americans to be placed in the jail system. Another instance of racial profiling involved African Americans owning nice material possessions such as a car or a house and African Americans being in a predominately White neighborhood. For example, in an episode of Family Matters, Eddie was in his car travelling through a predominately White neighborhood and was pulled over by the police for â€Å"failure to signal. † However, the routine traffic stop turned into nothing more than a beating for young Eddie. The significance of the episode shows that racial profiling does exist in the United States and it takes place every day. The practice has impacted African Americans because hundreds of innocent people have been harassed and humiliated by police officers simply because of their race. The most recent national example of environmental racism occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. When New Orleans was flooded with tons of water, there were no relief efforts for days and almost a week. Many believed this was due to the fact that majority of the New Orleans population was African American. The population was basically ignored for days until the help decided to come. Citizens of New Orleans were faced with intentional racism and were denied help for several days. This has impacted African Americans because many people died because of the heat, starvation, and disease from the water. African-Americans have been marginalized for centuries. To be considered marginalized means, to have continuously been denied access to dominant resources, barred from full participation in dominant institutions, and defined as â€Å"others, â€Å" living outside the norm and values agreed upon by society (Cohen 1999). Most recently, African-Americans were marginalized in regards to the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. While HIV/AIDS was once considered to be the disease of white gay men, Blacks are now the center of the epidemic. With the turn of the new millennium, the outbreak of AIDS in the Black community has soared. Black men who consider themselves to be â€Å"down low† are the center of the rising epidemic. The men have intercourse with other men while continuing to have intercourse with their female partners thus spreading the AIDS virus. Even though the soaring rate is shocking, there has been limited response from the African-American community. One can argue that Blacks have been marginalized from the resources to treat the epidemic. However, the Black community seems to be ignoring the spreading AIDS virus and focusing more on electing a Black president and high blood pressure. While both electing a Black president and lowering high blood pressure are important issues, similar emphasis should be put on the rising AIDS epidemic. In a sense, African-Americans have marginalized themselves from dealing with AIDS. Continuing to turn a cold shoulder to the issue will not fix the problem. Although Blacks are being marginalized when it comes to AIDS, they are also marginalized when it comes to property and social relationships. For example, when it comes to receiving bank loans, African-Americans is marginalized heavily. Some bank loan officers practice redlining which causes Black residents, whether qualified or not, to be denied loans for property. By using the redlining technique, bank loan officers are marginalizing Blacks from being able to own their own property. Relating back to the AIDS epidemic, Black men were marginalized for having the virus. For instance, if a Black man was open about his homosexuality would be marginalized heavily. Homophobia could be a valid reason for the marginalization of Black men. With open homosexuality, an African-American could be left out from participating in activities and denied being recognized as a normal individual. Homophobia could damage an individual’s social life and leave him feeling disempowered. [4] Along with marginalization, Blacks were, and still are, a part of a power struggle. Blacks were seen, and will always be seen, as lower than Whites. Also, Blacks have been disempowered knowingly and unknowingly, which is the center of environmental racism. African-Americans have been taken advantage of and used to gain wealth and keep at the bottom of the ladder. In short, there are many types of power struggles. One does not have to see power to know that it is taking place. [5] For instance, being called an inferior race is a power struggle within itself. African-Americans that believe that they are actually inferior will begin to act that way. They will begin to doubt themselves and their abilities in life. Once they have it in their mindset that they are inferior, it will cause them to act that way. Housing Segregation is â€Å"the practice of denying African American or other minority groups equal access to housing through the process of misinformation, denial of realty and financing services, and racial steering. †[6] The act of housing discrimination involves real estate agents and landlords not providing African American families with an accurate account of available housing. Housing segregation happens when landlords and real estate agents lure White Americans to available housing only in white communities, and African Americans to Black or diverse and mixed communities. The realtor and landlord usually work together in the process and will agree not to tell the African Americans about the available units in the European American communities. This process goes back to the assumption that African Americans residents will bring down the property value of homes in the neighborhood because they will not take care of their own property. Housing segregation is intentional racism that excludes African Americans from participating fairly in the housing market. Black families should be able to live wherever they please without regardless of the demographics of the neighborhood. With all that African Americans have been through, environmental racism should not be ignored or taken lightly. People should take heed to the practice and fight for what is right. All of the above forms of environmental racism have plagued the African American community. It has caused a major shift in the urban cities such as Chicago. Real estate agents have inflated the costs of housing for Black families moving into predominantly White areas. African American families can fight the issues by becoming more aware of their surroundings and becoming familiar with the practices. They can hire good lawyers to defend them and fight for justice. With regards to the AIDS epidemic, African Americans have been marginalized when it comes to resources and thus leads to environmental racism. African American of the new generation, as a whole, should stand together and fight the justice that was promised to them in the United States Constitution. ———————– [1] Dictionary. com [2] Dictionary. com [3] Dictionary. com [4] Cathy J. Cohen, The Boundaries of Blackness (The University of Chicago Press) 47-48. [5] John Gaventa, Power and Powerlessness (The University of Illinois Press) 1-32. [6] Dictionary. com.