English Contract Law situational question Essay

English Contract Law situational question - Essay Example Lastly, this paper will establish whether is a liability on the part of A.com owed to University of Warwick on promissory estoppels. According to the agreement the contract was to be performed by 1 September, 2013. However, A.com created a software that served only five functions but could not manage to create task V. Through the concept promissory estoppels a non-contractual promise that lacks consideration can be rendered executable to prevent an injustice2. The University made an ultimatum of four weeks for the remaining task to be accomplished failure to which the contract would be terminated but A.com wanted more time. A.com had a duty to make sure that the software was complete in four weeks through the non-contractual promise made by the institution that the contract will be terminated if the software is not delivered. Therefore, the University has a right to claim to claim for expense wastage in hiring A.com to develop the software because the company spent 1.5 Million pounds to buy an alternative software after the system that was created backfired. This decision can be similar to the case in CCC Films ( London) Ltd v Impact Quadrant Films Ltd3 the judge allowed the petitioner to abandon its petition for loss of profits at the last phase of the trial and to replace the petition for a claim for expenditure wasted. The interpretation of the judge was that the case as allowing the defendant to provide proof, the burden rested on the case. It was reasoned that part of the expenses would have been consumed in any occurrence since the bargain was often going to be a loss event. The loss in this case was the cost incurred by the University to buy the alternate software and the cost incurred in the compensation of the students for exposure of their confidential information. Besides in this scenario, A.com has a burden to prove that their contract was terminated prematurely and hence amounted to wrongful termination. In spite of

Report of a car manufacturer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Report of a car manufacturer - Essay Example However, the main market is automotive industry which is globally expanding as demand for all types of vehicles is increasing. Keeping this view in mind, it is highly essential that more cars should be sold through using the support of information technology and information needs of potential cars buyers. The financial performance requires more improvement. For example, the figure 01 clearly highlights that Ford made $20,213m and $5,665m and ,155m net income in 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively; this reflects that the company has made the highest income in 2011 and the smallest in 2012 and the average net income in 2013. Based on this information, it can be deduced that the company has potential to earn more income. For this purpose, the company’s strategic management requires additional information for consideration and making effective decisions for improving the financial performance of the company. Also, this can be only done through improving and increasing the sale of cars as this business segment has the highest potential for the company. And there are valid and strong reasons to support this point. First, personal or family cars have become an important part of today life as every middle class family always prefers to have a car for satisfying the family requiremen ts, such as travel, school pick and drop and other emergency services. Keeping this view in mind, it is highly essential that the company should primarily focus on manufacturing and selling cars by considering the family need. Ford must focus in Asia. Currently, both China and India are two fastest growing economies where the middle class is increasing along with growing purchasing power. This market should be focused as it has a very attractive market potential for the company. Based on the different requirements of both markets, following information should be obtained which can be further processed for supporting and improving decision-making and

Method of the Ancient Essay Example for Free

Method of the Ancient Essay In the excerpt, Claude Perrault begins mundanely by recalling the Ancients’ belief in that the utilization of proportioning systems based on the human body would give aesthetic qualities and beauty to a building. Without a doubt, this topic of beauty, which resides from mathematical proportions, is readily discussed both visually and verbally through examples in all history and theory of architecture classes including Buildings, Texts and Contexts. However, what makes the text compelling to me is how Perrault brings into light the discrepancy in these proportioning systems that exists throughout history from the antiquity through to the renaissance. It is said that although the building orders may conform to certain proportions as a whole, the constituent parts of buildings, such as the precise dimensions of the members and its profiles, does not pertain to any strict rules or to a consensus of opinions amongst architects such that the building’s ultimate beauty does not lie only in proportions. Perrault’s juxtaposition of the beauty of buildings with the beauty of a human face clearly give weights to his argument: â€Å"a face can be both ugly and beautiful without any change in proportions; the contraction of the eyes and the enlargement of the mouth can be the same when one laughs as one weeps†. Perrault also points out that even though there is no single absolute proportioning rules for beauty, there are certain limitations to which one can deviate before a building loses its elegance. Through these flexibility and variability of indefinite rules, Perrault points out that by no means is the proportions preserved in architecture, of which is perceived by our eyes, are akin to the ones that govern musical harmonies, gained through our ears, as they are of immutable precision. These two sensory faculties, the eyes and the ears, work in processing data in different ways according to Perrault: the ear processes data without intervention of the intellect whilst the eyes work through the mediation of knowledge. Perrault then argues that since the proportions of edifice are usually oblivious to our eyes there must exists two different types of beauty: positive beauty and arbitrary beauty. Positive beauty as define by Perrault is for me quite the oppositive of Kant’s aesthetics judgement for that Perrault’s positive beauty are based on convincing reasons rather being disinterested and being ‘purposive without a purpose’. They are convincing reasons based on value and quality such as its rich materiality or even its precise execution. Arbitrary beauty, unlike positive beauty, is to me more like Kant’s aesthetics judgement in that it is universal, at least to a certain extent. Arbitrary beauty, as defined by Perrault, is the beauty where people have customarily come to agreement without any intrinsic qualities to justify such judgement.

The Cause Effect Of Green Electronic Products Marketing Essay

The Cause Effect Of Green Electronic Products Marketing Essay Today there is growing concern for environmental friendly product because of the environmental issues faced by the world. Industries, factories, fume emitting tall chimneys, vehicles, household appliances; heaps of garbage and extreme pollution have altered the environmental conditions and disturbed our biome. Chloroforo carbons from refrigerators, air conditioners, deodorants, etc are responsible for depletion of ozone layer; Green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, etc are contributing to the global warming. Government, companies, industries are taking initiative to reduce this pollution for our healthy living and also for our future generations. Owing to this fact companies are producing environmental friendly products which in turn help in reducing pollution and help in saving environment. The most important reason why one should use Eco-friendly products is because of the devastating effect of harmful gases, non-biodegradable plastics, dangerous gases which not only pollutes the environment but also causes respiratory problems, skin diseases, etc in human beings. Due to this polluted water and air there is a danger of complete extinction of various rare species of animals and birds. There are lots and lots of harmful effects of plastics, chemicals, non biodegradable items, which is the main reason to start using Eco friendly products as soon as possible. And not only that we should also start changing our lifestyle like usage of air coolers only when there is at most need of it, using jute bags or paper bags instead of plastics covers, taking up drinking waters in safe utensils rather than plastic bottles, making the pollution check regularly in our vehicles . Eco-friendly products have slowly and slowly entered every market considering cosmetics, medicines, electronics, paints, automobiles, manufacturing machines, smart city concept and more. Companies not only produce eco-friendly products but they also have eco-friendly packaging, eco-marks on packages. Measures have been taken by government, companies to produce eco-friendly products which in turn slowly and slowly reduce the impact of pollution on our environment. Eco-friendly has several meanings. There was a time when you were eco friendly if you just stopped using paper. But the definition of eco friendly products changed over the times. In more recent times, if you used predominantly natural products, or their derivatives, you were using eco friendly products. However, today, the definition has broadened more. Today, you are eco friendly not just by using eco friendly products, but also by taking care that the environment is not harmed in any way by the way you are using these pro ducts. Although the meaning has changed but the essence is same as before, one has to be friendly to the environment. The domain of eco-friendly product is very wide so I have restricted my research to the household electronic products which are used by consumer on daily basis. This include television, washing machine, microwave, CFLs, AC, refrigerators, etc. People deal with these products daily and hence they can easily tell about these products. What are the factors they prefer before buying these products? The project conceptualizes the recent market trend of green electronic products and consumer buying characteristics. To understand the meaning of eco-friendly electronic and what people think eco-friendly electronics are. Eco-friendly electronics are expensive, and then also companies are manufacturing them, what are the various factors why companies manufacture eco-friendly electronics. What makes todays customer to go for eco-friendly electronics, is it only to save the planet or some other reason. All such questions will be answered in this paper. Explain in 4-5 sentence the approach adopted by you and results/findings A distinct approach and questionnaire would be helpful for the evaluation of electronic consumer products, even though some usability questionnaires claim to be relevant to products other than computer software. Current usability questionnaires also seem to measure various usability dimensions, but the dimensions are not necessarily identical across questionnaires. Thus, the exploration of the available questionnaires provides a sound background to the development of the questionnaire items for this study. LITERATURE REVIEW While green marketing came into prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was first discussed much earlier. The American Marketing Association (AMA) held the first workshop on Ecological Marketing in 1975. The proceedings of this workshop resulted in one of the first books on green marketing entitled Ecological Marketing (Henion and Kinnear 1976a). Since that time a number of other books on the topic have been published (Coddington 1993, and Ottman 1993). Green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising. (Polonsky, 1994) World-wide evidence indicates people are concerned about the environment and are changing their behavior accordingly. As a result there is a growing market for sustainable and socially responsible products and services. (Environmental protection agency -2000) Green consumerism is often discussed as a form of pro-social consumer behavi or (Wiener and Doesher, 1991). It may be viewed as a specific type of socially conscious (Anderson, 1988) or socially responsible (Antil, 1984) consumer behavior that involves an environmentalist (Schlossberg, 1991) perspective and may thus be called environmentally concerned consumption (Henion, 1976). A classic definition (Henion, 1976) describes environmentally concerned consumers. Business organizations tend to concern about environments issues due to several reasons such as environmental pressure, governmental pressure, competitive pressure, cost or profit issues (Environmental protection agency -2000) Unfortunately, a majority of people believe that green marketing refers solely to the promotion or advertising of products with environmental characteristics. (Polonsky,1994) and terms like Phosphate Free, Recyclable, Refillable, Ozone Friendly, and Environmentally Friendly are some of the things consumers most often associate with green marketing. . (Polonsky, 1994) While these terms are green marketing claims, in general green marketing is a much broader concept, one that can be applied to consumer goods, industrial goods and even services (Roberts and Bacon, 1997). Hopes for green products also have been hurt by the perception that such products are of lower quality or dont really deliver on their environmental promises. And yet the news isnt all bad, as the growing number of people willing to pay a premium for green products from organic foods to energy-efficient appliances attests. (DSouza et al. 2004)Green or Environmental Marketing consists of all activities designed to generate and facilitate any exchanges intended to satisfy human needs or wants, such that the satisfaction of these needs and wants occurs, with minimal detrimental impact on the natural environment. [Polonsky 1994b, 2] Green marketing has not lived up to the hopes and dreams of many managers and activists. Although public opinion polls consistently show that consumers would prefer to choose a green product over one that is less friendly to the environment when all other things are equal, those other things are rarely equal in the minds of consumers. (Hackett, 2000) They must always keep in mind that consumers are unlikely to compromise on traditional product attributes, such as convenience, availability, price, quality and performance. Its even more important to realize, however, that there is no single green-marketing strategy that is right for every company. (Prothero,, and McDonagh, 1992) Despite the increasing eco-awareness in contemporary market economies, it is generally recognized that there are still considerable barriers to the diffusion of more ecologically oriented consumption styles. In lay discourse as well as in much of consumer research, these barriers are usually attributed to the motivational and practical complexity of green consumption (Hackett, 2000). Increased use of Green Marketing is depending on five possible reasons. (Polonsky 1994b) Organizations perceive environmental marketing to be an opportunity that can be used to achieve its objectives [Keller 1987, Shearer 1990] Organizations believe they have a moral obligation to be more socially responsible [Davis 1992, Keller 1987,] Governmental bodies are forcing firms to become more responsible [Davis 1992]; Competitors environmental activities pressure firms to change their environmental marketing activities [Davis 1992] Cost factors associated with waste disposal, or reductions in material usage forces firms to modify their behavior [Keller, K.L. (1993] Moreover, environmentally responsible behavior usually involves difficult motivational conflicts, arising from the fundamental incompatibility of environmental protection-related collective goals and individual consumers personal or self-interested benefits and the resulting free-rider problem (Wiener and Doesher, 1991) Public policymakers will continue to develop more efficient ways to regulate waste and pollution, and scientists will continue to gather information about the environmental risks from various substances or practices. As they do, pricing structures will evolve that communicate even more accurate information to manufacturers and entrepreneurs about the true cost of commercial activities and the potential rewards from innovative solutions to environmental problems. This definition incorporates much of the traditional components of the marketing definition that is All activities designed to generate and facilitate any exchanges intended to satisfy human needs or wants (Sc hlegelmilch et al,1996). There are usually severe external constraints to green consumerism, arising from the cultural, infrastructural, political and economic circumstances in the markets and society (McIntosh, A. 1991). Both individual and industrial are becoming more concerned and aware about the natural environment. In a 1992 study of 16 countries, more than 50% of consumers in each country, other than Singapore, indicated they were concerned about the environment (Ottman 1993). A 1994 study in Australia found that 84.6% of the sample believed all individuals had a responsibility to care for the environment. A further 80% of this sample indicated that they had modified their behavior, including their purchasing behavior, due to environmental reasons (EPA-NSW 1994). Owing to the conceptual and moral complexity of ecologically responsible consumer behavior and to the perplexity of ecological information, different consumers have different conceptions of ecologically oriented consumer behavior and, thus, myriad ways of acting out their primary motivation for being green consumers (Antil, 1984). These innovations arent being pursued simply to reduce package waste. (Prothero, 1990) Food manufacturers also want to improve food preservation to enhance the taste and freshness of their products. The cost of the foods would be lower; consumers could enjoy the convenience of pre-sliced ingredients, and waste peelings (Prothero, 1990). It can be assumed that firms marketing goods with environmental characteristics will have a competitive advantage over firms marketing non-environmentally responsible alternatives. There are numerous examples of firms who have strived to become more environmentally responsible, in an attempt to better satisfy their consumer needs. (Schwepker, and Cornwell, 1991) While governmental regulation is designed to give consumers the opportunity to make better decisions or to motivate them to be more environmentally responsible, there is difficulty in establishing policies that will address all environmental issues. (Schwepker, and Cornwell, 1991). Hence, environment-friendly consumption may be characterized as highly a complex form of consumer behavior, both intellectually and morally as well as in practice. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research is to investigate the cause effect of green electronic products consumption in India. What are the factors responsible for the manufacturing of eco-friendly electronics? What makes companies to for green marketing? What are the factors that make customers buy such eco-friendly electronics. How aware consumers are about the green electronics? Also understand the meaning of eco-friendly electronics. Do these green electronics really are green? The OBJECTIVES of the research are: To explore analyze the driving force behind green marketing in Electronic products This objective states the reason why companies are going for green marketing although it is very expensive. Today in the market we can see many products which have the eco-friendly constituent, electronics, cosmetics, automobiles, manufacturing machines, paints, etc all have some eco-friendly component. What are the factors which have forced the companies to go for such strategy? This is studied through the secondary research from magazines, newspaper, brochures, pamphlets, articles, case studies. To study the consumer buying behavior towards green electronic products The consumer buying behavior for electronic product is studied and objective is to find the impact of environmental friendliness, consumer awareness for green electronics and what are the parameters which consumer prefer before buying the electronics. Also study the impact of eco-friendly electronics on consumer buying behavior. This is studied through the survey of consumers. Major Hypothesis (s): H0: Current trends indicate the inclination of customers towards environmental friendly electronic products H1: Current trends does not indicate the inclination of customers towards environmental friendly electronic products RESEARCH METHODLOGY The project work includes the collection of data about the electronics companies, their various products including eco-friendly, environmental policies, eco-labels used by companies. Also customers are survey through a questionnaire, to know the consumer buying behavior towards green electronics and also check their awareness towards eco-friendly products. Methodology Used TYPE OF RESEARCH: Exploratory Research, Descriptive Research I have collected Secondary Data from Internet, magazines, newspapers, articles, brochures, and company websites. GREEN MARKETING Green marketing is a concept which uses the environmental benefits of a product or service to promote companys sales. Todays consumers choose products that do not damage the environment over less environmentally friendly products, even if they cost more. With green marketing, advertisers focus has shifted on environmental benefits to sell products such as biodegradable diapers, energy-efficient light bulbs, and environmentally safe detergents. People spend billions of dollars worth to buy goods and services every year-many of them harm the environment in how they are harvested, made, or used. Environmentalists are supporting green marketing to encourage people to use environmental alternatives, and also offer incentives to manufacturers that develop more environmentally beneficial products. Without environmental labeling standards, consumers can not tell which products or services are truly beneficial. Consumers end up paying extra for misrepresented products so called green product or service. Then new term greenwashing came into existence which describes such cases where organizations misrepresented themselves as environmentally responsible. Environmentally preferable products as products and services which have lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment around them when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose. The label environmentally preferable or environmental friendly considers various scenarios like how raw materials are acquired, produced, manufactured, packaged, distributed, reused, operated, maintained, and this also include how the product or service is disposed. Today, special labels are there which help the public identify legitimate environmentally preferable products and services. Several environmental groups or committees are there to evaluate and certify products and services. According to the American Marketing Association, green marketing term is defined as the marketing of products that are presumed to be environmentally friendly and safe. As a result, green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, which includes product modification, production process changes, changes in packaging, as well as modifying advertising. Defining green marketing is not a simple task as several meanings intersect and contradict each other; Environmental Marketing and Ecological Marketing can also be used and are synonyms for green marketing. Green marketing is considered as a golden goose. As per Mr. J. Polonsky, green marketing can be defined as, All activities designed to generate and facilitate any exchange intended to satisfy human needs or wants such that satisfying of these needs and wants occur with minimal detrimental input on the national environment. Environmental issues the product intends to address Consumer is the king in todays market and its important that he should understand environmental issues prevailing. Today the focus is on global warming and resource consumption. Issues related to pollution and contamination of air, water, and soil, are serious issues in developing economies. Waste disposal is also a major issue. Global warming prevention Helps reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. This initiative includes the direct reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy saving and the reduction of deforestation. Air/water/soil pollution prevention Helps reduce emissions of substances contained in the air, water, and soil, such as photochemical oxidants (e.g., nitrogen oxides) and suspended particulate matter (e.g., sulfur oxides), which are substances restricted by environmental standards including air pollution control laws. This includes products that contribute to preventing ozone depletion and product oxidization. The clean-up of air/water/soil pollutants is also included. Chemical substance reduction Helps reduce and clean up eco-toxic chemical substances harmful to humans and the environment. These chemicals include substances specified by laws that identify the environmental impact created by emissions of specific chemical substances and that promote better management of such substances. This includes the reduction and purification of hazardous substances by recycling and reuse as well as products containing low levels of or no hazardous substances. Waste reduction Helps reduce the final disposal volumes by changing products, manufacturing processes, and packaging. This includes waste weight/volume reduction within the circulation system. Resource saving Helps reduce the consumption of resources, such as mineral, forest, and water resources. This includes resource saving by reuse and recycling as well as resource saving in products and the manufacturing process. Biodiversity The product contributes to the conservation of biological diversity, through a sustainable use of the components in the eco-system and promotes the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. How does the product address environmental issues? This explains how the products support environmental impact reduction. The category is subdivided to provide comprehensive support for various environmental measures widely exercised at present. This clarifies whether resource saving is achieved through enhanced product performance, longer product life, or improved product recyclability. Recyclability/reusability/refill-ability Raw materials can be recovered, processed, and recycled for reuse. Alternatively, they can be recycled efficiently by using designs that are easily disassembled. Reusable and refillable designs may be used in packaging and products. Long life With long-life designs, enhanced durability, and continued performance with repairs and maintenance, product life can be prolonged, leading to the reduction of raw materials and waste. Degradability/compost-ability Products, packaging, and their components are biodegradable and produce substances that are relatively homogeneous and stable. They can also be degraded to a degree under certain conditions within a predetermined period of time. High quality/performance Product quality and performance improvements enable environmental impact reduction, subsequently leading to material and waste reduction. Energy saving Efficient process designs and product weight reduction enable energy saving. This initiative includes the use of energy recovered instead of disposal. Environmental clean-up products The use of hazardous chemical substances in product manufacturing is reduced through the development of alternative materials, etc.; or the use of the product helps clean up hazardous substances. Using recycled materials Recyclable materials (pre- and postconsumer) are recovered and recycled materials are used in the manufacturing process, either entirely or in high volumes. Eco Labels Many products and services come with environmental labels that state product features to inform and appeal to consumers. They certify that items are environmentally friendly according to standards independently set by countries, regions, organizations, and providers. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) classifies environmental labels into Type I, Type II, and Type III and environmental labels are then given based on compliance certification, producers self-declaration of commitment to environmental preservation, and the verification and disclosure of quantitative environmental impact data. Additional environmental labels are awarded under standards and criteria of other bodies. In addition to environmental labels, other initiatives are intended to raise consumers environmental awareness, including the creation of databases where self-assessed products may be registered. Type I (ISO14020, ISO14024): Seal of approval-compliance approval. Description: Type I labels are managed in accordance with the standards and principles of the ISO. This system ensures that the use of the label is accepted by a third party based on an independent, multifaceted standard. The standard covers the entire product life (resource extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, disposal, recycling). The submitted products are assessed for approval and if successful are awarded the Type I label. Examples: Type II (ISO14021): Single attribute-producers self-declaration of commitment to the environment Description: Product providers independently incorporate environment-related improvements in their products. There is no intervention by any third party. Examples: Type III (ISO14025): Report card-verification and disclosure of quantitative environmental impact data Description: Type III labels are managed in accordance with ISO14025 (environmental declarations). They use the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to show environmental information on products quantitatively from resource extraction to manufacturing/assembly, distribution, use, and discarding/recycling. Only the reliability of disclosed data is verified and product evaluation is left to consumers. Examples: Other environmental labels There are other environmental labels apart from those of the ISO. Various environmental labels have been created in many areas including the consumer electronics industry and automotive industry. Driving forces for organizations to go for green marketing Organizations perceive environmental marketing to be an opportunity that can be used to achieve its objectives. Organizations believe they have a moral obligation to be more socially responsible. Governmental bodies are forcing firms to become more responsible. Competitors environmental activities pressure firms to change their environmental marketing activities. Cost factors associated with waste disposal, or reductions in material usage forces firms to modify their behavior. OPPORTUNITIES All types of consumers, both individual and industrial are becoming more concerned and aware about the natural environment. In a 1992 study of 16 countries, more than 50% of consumers in each country, other than Singapore, indicated they were concerned about the environment. A 1994 study in Australia found that 84.6% of the sample believed all individuals had a responsibility to care for the environment. A further 80% of this sample indicated that they had modified their behavior, including their purchasing behavior, due to environmental reasons. As demands change, many firms see these changes as an opportunity to be exploited. It can be assumed that firms marketing goods with environmental characteristics will have a competitive advantage over firms marketing non-environmentally responsible alternatives. There are numerous examples of firms who have strived to become more environmentally responsible, in an attempt to better satisfy their consumer need. McDonalds replaced its clam sh ell packaging with waxed paper because of increased consumer concern relating to polystyrene production and Ozone depletion. Xerox introduced a high quality recycled photocopier paper in an attempt to satisfy the demands of firms for less environmentally harmful products. This is not to imply that all firms who have undertaken environmental marketing activities actually improve their behavior. In some cases firms have misled consumers in an attempt to gain market share. In other cases firms have jumped on the green bandwagon without considering the accuracy of their behavior, their claims, or the effectiveness of their products. This lack of consideration of the true greenness of activities may result in firms making false or misleading green marketing claims. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY GREEN MARKETING Many firms are beginning to realize that they are members of the wider community and therefore must behave in an environmentally responsible fashion. This translates into firms that believe they must achieve environmental objectives as well as profit related objectives. This results in environmental issues being integrated into the firms corporate culture. Firms in this situation can take two perspectives: They can use the fact that they are environmentally responsible as a marketing tool; or They can become responsible without promoting this fact. There are examples of firms adopting both strategies. Organizations like the Panasonic heavily promote the fact that they are environmentally responsible. While this behavior is a competitive advantage, the firm was established specifically to offer consumers environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional electronic products. This philosophy is directly tied to the overall corporate culture, rather than simply being a competitive tool. An example of a firm that does not promote its environmental initiatives is Voltas. They have invested large sums of money in various recycling activities, as well as having modified their packaging to minimize its environmental impact. While being concerned about the environment, Voltas has not used this concern as a marketing tool. GOVERNMENTALPRESSURE As with all marketing related activities, governments want to protect consumers and society; this protection has significant green marketing implications. Governmental regulations relating to environmental marketing are designed to protect consumers in several ways, Reduce production of harmful goods or by-products; Modify consumer and industrys use and/or consumption of harmful goods; or Ensure that all types of consumers have the ability to evaluate the environmental composition of goods. Governments establish regulations designed to control the amount of hazardous wastes produced by firms. Many by-products of production are controlled through the issuing of various environmental licenses, thus modifying organizational behavior. In some cases governments try to induce final consumers to become more responsible. For example, some governments have introduced voluntary curb-side recycling programs, making it easier for consumers to act responsibly. In other cases governments tax individuals who act in an irresponsible fashion. COMPETITIVE PRESSURE Another major force in the environmental marketing area has been firms desire to maintain their competitive position. In many cases firms observe competitors promoting their environmental behaviors and attempt to emulate this behavior. In some instances this competitive pressure has caused an entire industry to modify and thus reduce its detrimental environmental behavior. For example, it could be argued that Xeroxs Revive 100% Recycled paper was introduced a few years ago in an attempt to address the introduction of recycled photocopier paper by other manufacturers. In another example when one tuna manufacture stopped using driftnets the others followed suit. COST OR PROFIT ISSUES Firms may also use green marketing in an attempt to address cost or profit related issues. Disposing of environmentally harmful by-products are becoming increasingly costly and in some cases difficult. Therefore firms that can reduce harmful wastes may incur substantial cost savings. When attempting to minimize waste, firms are often forced to re-examine their production processes. In these cases they often develop more effective production processes that not only reduce waste, but reduce the need for some raw materials. This serves as a double cost savings, since both waste and raw material are reduced. In other cases firms attempt to find end-of-pipe solutions, instead of minimizing waste. In these situations firms try to find markets or uses for their waste materials, where one firms waste becomes another firms input of production.

Financial Accounting Standards Board Framework Analysis

Financial Accounting Standards Board Framework Analysis Introduction The accounting conceptual framework has been criticized for not providing an adequate basis for standard setting. This inadequacy is evidenced through the FASBs standards becoming more and more rule-based. Nevertheless, no empirical evidence has been gathered to support the criticisms of the conceptual framework. We analyzed the five qualitative characteristics of accounting information from the conceptual framework in conjunction with an individuals intention to use/rely on financial statements. Using structural equation modeling, we found that only one qualitative characteristic, reliability, affected a persons intention to use financial statements. Additionally, it appears that the greatest factor that influences whether an individual rely on financial statements is their familiarity with accounting. Based on our findings, it appears that not only does the conceptual framework need to be altered, but it also needs to be changed to help create principle-based accounting standards t hat are useful to all people, regardless of their background. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been criticized for not requiring firms to report information that is interpretable and useful for financial statements users (CICA, 1980). The FASBs conceptual framework is the core in which all accounting standards are derived. Therefore, the accounting conceptual framework must embody a set of qualitative characteristics that ensure financial reporting provides users of financial statements with adequate information for decision making. The U.S. financial accounting conceptual framework was established between late 1970s and early 1980s. Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) No. 2 (1980) indicates that there are five main qualitative characteristics of accounting information; understandability, relevance, reliability, comparability, and consistency. Nature and Purpose of the Conceptual Framework The conceptual framework was formed with the intention of providing the backbone for principle-based accounting standards (Nobes, 2005). However, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently criticized the accounting standards setting board for becoming overly rules-based, which paves the way for the structuring of transactions in the companys favor (SEC 108(d)). Critics of the framework have stressed that the move towards rule-based standards are a consequence of inadequacies in the accounting conceptual foundation. Nobes (2005) argues that the need for rule-based accounting standards is a direct result of the FASB trying to force a fit between standards and a conceptual framework that is not fully developed. A coherent and strong conceptual framework is vital for the development of principle-based accounting standards and the progression towards convergence in international accounting standards. However, researchers are unaware of any empirical evidence that supports the criticisms of the current conceptual framework. Additionally, none of the critics have looked at the conceptual framework from the most important viewpoint, the users perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the adequacy of the conceptual framework, from a users perspective, in relation to an individuals reliance on financial statements for decision making. We developed a survey instrument to analyze an individuals intention to rely on financial statements using Ajzens (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior. We found that the reliability characteristic of the conceptual framework represented the only significant dimension of a persons attitude affecting their intention to rely on financial statements. However, the understandability characteristic was approaching significance. Within the context of the theory of planned behavior, social pressures was not significant influence on the intention to use/rely on financial statements, yet familiarity with accounting was found to significantly influence intention. The conceptual framework and potential financial statement users intentions can be analyzed within the context of Ajzens (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior. Ajzen (1991) indicates that empirical evidence suggests that we can determine an individuals intention to perform a behavior through analyzing their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Within this perspective, we adapted Ajzens (1991) theory of planned behavior to an individuals propensity to rely on accounting financial statements. The purpose of this study was to provide an empirical analysis to the criticism against the FASBs conceptual framework. Our overall results suggest that the current conceptual framework does not adequately align the objectives of financing reporting with the users of financial statements. Nevertheless, available findings have some interesting implications for the conceptual framework and future standard setting. Reliability is the only qualitative characteristic that has a positive statistical significant relationship with intention. The accounting profession is facing a choice between reliability and relevance in financial reporting, as there is an inherent trade-off between reliability and relevance (Paton and Littleton, 1940; Vatter, 1947). Reliable information possesses the characteristic of objectivity and verifiability, which is associated with historical cost accounting. Relevance, on the other hand, pertains to any information that will influence the users financial decision. Many times the most relevant information is often current or prospective in nature. Thus, we cannot have accounting information that maximizes the characteristics of both relevant and reliable because relevant information is not always verifiable. We would have expected to see relevance as a significant factor in users intention to use financial statements since the recent accounting standards have moved toward fair value accounting measures, which are considered to be more relevant than reliable information (Ciesielski Weirich, 2006). However, our results show that reliability is a significant factor. The current accounting curriculum could be the cause of our results since it is rooted in Paton and Littletons historical cost approach, which focuses on reliability of information. In the context of the Theory of Planned Behavior, we found that familiarity to be a statistically significant factor to an individuals intention to use financial statements. Thus, as an individual becomes more familiar with financial statements, he or she is more likely to have the intention to use or rely on them when making decision. An ANOVA analysis provides further support for this as it indicates that intention to use or rely on financial statements is significantly different between accounting majors and non-accounting majors. This provides evidence that accounting could be becoming too difficult for individuals who are not proficient in accounting to understand. It appears that the movement towards rule-based accounting standards could be a contributing cause of this disparity in intention. That is, the accounting standards have become so technical upon their execution that the average reader of accounting can no longer discern the main objective of each financial statement element. This finding is troubling to accounting since it contradicts the primary objective of accounting, which is to provide useful accounting information for decision making. Accounting information should be useful for all people who want to use it rather than only being useful to those who understand it. Additionally, under no circumstances, should accounting information provide an advantage to individuals who happen to be experts within the field. Accounting should be a tool and not a barrier At the-present, the accounting profession is grappling with a problem, which it has identified as the need for a conceptual framework of accounting. This framework has been painstakingly developed over centuries, and it is merely the professions task to fine tune the existing conceptual framework because of the need for continual development due to changing conditions. This conceptual framework has never been laid out in explicit terms; consequently, it is continually overlooked. A conceptual framework has been described as a constitution, a coherent system of interrelated objectives and fundamentals that can lead to consistent standards and that prescribes the nature, function, and limits of financial accounting and financial statements. For many accountants, the conceptual framework project is difficult to come to grips with because the subject matter is abstract and accountants are accustomed to dealing with specific problems. In resolving those problems, accountants may unconsciously rely on their own conceptual frameworks, but CPAs have not previously been called on to spell out their frameworks in systematic, cohesive fashion so that others can understand and evaluate them. It is essential that a framework be expressly established so that the FASB and those evaluating its standards are basing their judgments on the same set of objectives and concepts. An expressly established framework is also essential for preparers and auditors to make decisions about accounting issues that are not specifically covered by FASB standards or other authoritative literature. It is considered that if the conceptual framework makes sense and leads to relevant information, and if financial statement users make the necessary effort to fully understand it, their confidence in financial statements and their ability to use them effectively will also be enhanced. No one who supports the establishment of a conceptual framework should be laboring under the illusion that such a framework will automatically lead to a single definitive answer to every specific financial accounting problem. A conceptual framework can only provide guidance in identifying the relevant factors to be considered by standard setters and managers and auditors in making the judgments that are inevitable in financial reporting decisions. A Classical Model of Accounting: The Framework Expanded Historically, the particularized information, which constituted the emergence of accounting, was embedded in a framework for control of human behavior. With the advent of exchange replacing a sustenance society, and with exchange ultimately producing a private economy, accounting derived its second, and in modern times considered its most important, function as a planning instrument. The classical model simply states that behavioral patterns do exist in the structural development of accounting; that is, given a stimulus there will be a response which is direct reaction (an expected reaction) to that stimulus. One can relate this model to the classical model in economics, in which supply and demand for a commodity react in an expected manner due to a change in price. Figure 3 is a geometric illustration of the classical model. The special features of the model are: (a) Stimulus (S) = Demand; Response (R) = Supply (b) Equilibrium (E) = Stimulus = Response (c) Environmental Condition (EC) = Price (d) Accounting Concept (AC) = Product A Test of the Validity of the Model If the classical model does exist in accounting, the historical observations (see table I) should then bear testimony to its existence. The evidence to support this model is purely historical. However, no parallel should be drawn between this thesis (stimulus/Response) and Toynbees (1946, 88) line of inquiry: Can we say that the stimulus towards civilization grows positively stronger in proportion as the environment grows more difficult? Consequently, the criticism directed at his work should not be considered even remotely as applicable to this inquiry (Walsh 1951, 164-169).On the other hand, only in the extreme can the accusation leveled at Kuhn [1962] be directed here, that the conceptual framework (classical model of accounting) as presented may subsume too many possibilities under a single formula (Buchner 1966, 137). More appropriately, this study is undertaken along the lines suggested by Einthoven (1973, 21): Accounting has passed through many stages: These phases have been l argely the responses to economic and social environments. Accounting has adapted itself in the past fairly well to the changing demands of society. Therefore, the history of commerce, industry and government is reflected to a large extent in the history of accounting. What is of paramount importance is to realize that accounting, if it is to play a useful and effective role in society, must not pursue independent goals. It must continue to serve the objectives of its economic environment. The historical record in this connection is very encouraging. Although accounting generally has responded to the needs of its surroundings, at times it has appeared to be out of touch with them. The purpose of this line of inquiry is to put into perspective concepts which have emerged out of certain historical events. (In this treatise, accounting concepts are considered to be interlocking with accounting measurement and communication processes; thus, whenever the term concept is used herein, it is to be understood that accounting measurement and communication processes are subsumed under this heading.) These concepts collectively constitute, or at least suggest, a conceptual framework of accounting. The classical model is postulated as follows: For any given environmental state, there is a given response function which maximizes the prevailing socio-economic objective function. This response function cannot precede the environmental stimulus but is predicated upon it; when such response function is suboptimal, the then existing objective function will not be maximized. In a dysfunctional state, a state in which environmental stimulus is at a low level a level below pre-existing environmental stimuli, disequilibrium would ensue. In any given environment, the warranted response may be greater or less than the natural or actual response. When environmental stimuli cease to evoke response, then the socio-economic climate will be characterized by stagnation as the least negative impact of disequilibrium conditions, and decline when such environmental stimuli are countercyclical. Stage 1 In this period, (1901 to 1920) the environmental stimulus was corporate policy of retaining a high proportion of earnings [(Grant 1967, 196-197); (Kuznets 1951, 31); (Mills 1935, 361,386-187)]. This period is the beginning of corporate capitalism. The term corporate capitalism is used because it emphasizes the role in capital formation which corporations have ascribed to themselves. Hoarding of funds by corporations has reduced the role and importance of the primary equity securities market. The resource allocation process has been usurped by corporations (Donaldson 1961, 51-52, 56-63). The implication of such a condition is accentuated in the following statement: It is the capital markets rather than intermediate or consumer markets that have been absorbed into the infrastructure of the new type of corporation. (Rumelt 1974,153). The hard empirical evidence of this condition was revealed by several tests of the Linter Dividend Model, which maintains that dividends are a function of profit, and are adjusted to accommodate investment requirements [(Kuh 1962,48); (Meyer and Kuh 1959,191); (Brittain 1966,195); (Dhrymes and Kurz 1967, 447)]. Given the new role assumed by the corporation in capital formation, the investment community (investing public) became concerned with the accounting measurement process.The accounting response was verifiability (auditing) to demonstrate the soundness of the discipline. Productivity of existing measurements had to be verified to satisfy the investors and creditors. The Companies Act 1907 required the filing of an audited annual balance sheet with the Registrar of Companies [(Freer 1977, 18); (Edey and Panitpadki 1956, 373); (Chatfield 1956, 118)]. Thus, auditing became firmly established. The function of auditing measurements is the process of replication of prior accounting. Accounting is differentiated from other scientific disciplines in this aspect of replication. Replication is a necessary condition in sound disciplines; however, replication is generally undertaken in rare instances. In accounting, on the other hand, replication is undertaken very frequently for specified experiments business operations at the completion of the experiments business (operating) cycle. These experiments business operations, cover one year; at the end of the year, the experiments are reconstructed on a sampling basis. Auditing is the process by which replication of accounting measurements are undertaken. Publicly held and some privately held corporations are required to furnish audited annual financial statements which cover their business activities on an annual basis. Stage 2- This period, (1921 to 1970) witnessed the reinforcement of corporate retention policy. This condition shifted the emphasis of the investor to focus on the Securities market in the hope of capital gains, because of the limited return on investment in the form of dividends. Indubitably, investors concern was shifted to market appreciation through stock price changes reflecting the earnings potential of the underlying securities (Brown 1971, 36-37, 40-41, and 44-51). With the securities market valuation of a companys share (equity) inextricably linked to the earnings per share, the emphasis is placed on the dynamics of accounting as reflected in the income statement. The Companies Act of 1928 and 1929 explicitly reflect this accounting response by requiring an income statement as a fundamental part of a set of financial statements [(Freer 1977, 18); (Chatfield 1974, 118)]; Although an audit of such statement was not explicitly stipulated, it was implied. The accounting response of this period is extension of accounting disclosure [(Chatfield 1974, 118); (Blough 1974, 4-17)]. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 and subsequent market failures constitutes the environmental stimulus. In the U.S.A., the Securities Act of 1933 and then the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 were enacted, providing for a significant involvement of the government in accounting. Stage 3- This period is characterized by the social awareness that business as well as government must be held socially accountable for their actions. Business can transfer certain costs to other segments of society, thus business benefits at the expense of society; and government can not only squander hard earned dollars but through its policies affect adversely the welfare of various segments of society. This awareness is epitomized in the thesis posited by Mobley [1970, 763]: The technology of an economic system imposes a structure on its society which not only determines its economic activities but also influences its social well-being. Therefore, a measure limited to economic consequences is inadequate as an appraisal of the cause-effect relationships of the total system; it neglects the social effects. The environmental stimulus of corporate social responsibility evoked the accounting response of socio-economic accounting a further extension of accounting disclosure. The term socio-economic accounting gained prominence in 1970, when Mobley broadly defined it as the ordering, measuring and analysis of the social and economic consequences of governmental and entrepreneurial behavior. Accounting disclosure was to be expanded beyond its existing boundaries beyond the normal economic consequences to include social consequences as well as economic effects which are not presently considered (Mob1ey 1970, 762). Approaches to dealing with the problems of the extension of the systemic information are being attempted. It has been demonstrated that the accounting framework is capable of generating the extended disclosures on management for public scrutiny and evaluations [(Charnels, Co1antoni, Cooper, and Kortanek 1972); (Aiken, Blackett, Isaacs 1975)]. However, many measurement problems have been exposed in this search process for means to satisfy the systemic information requirement of this new environmental stimulus [(Estes 1972, 284); (Francis 1973)]. Welfare economics, as a discipline, has always been concerned with the social consequences of governmental and entrepreneurial actions, but the measurement and communication problems are, and always have been that of the discipline of accounting (Linowes 1968; 1973). The Conceptual Framework: A Continuing Process Presented above, the stimulus/response framework exhibiting structural adequacy, internal consistency and implemental practicality has demonstrated, unequivocally, its effectiveness over the centuries. The systemic information of financial accounting is the connective tissue of time in a financial perspective. The systemic information of managerial accounting is non-connective, but rather reflects events in a decision-making perspective. This can be best illustrated in the table below: (Draw a table) The process of concept-formation is a special type of learning. The formation takes time and requires a variety of stimuli and reinforcements. The process is never fully determinate for even when the concept is well, it can suffer neglect or inhibition and it can be revived by further reinforcement or modified by new stimulation (Emphasis added.) (Meredith; 1966, 79-80). A body of concepts and interlocking measurement and communication processes (types of information stocks and flows; constraints on information allowable values and methods of measurement; media of communication quantitative and qualitative) has been developed over the centuries. This set of concepts and interlocking measurement and communication processes has emerged as responses to specific stimuli at specific points in time to satisfy specific information needs. It is this body of concepts and interlocking measurement and communication processes, which is subject to amplification and modification that constitutes the conceptual framework of accounting. Possibly, with other modifications or amplifications deemed necessary, the conceptual framework as presented above can serve as an expressly established framework to enable preparers and auditors to make decisions, which would conform and be upheld, about accounting issues that are not specifically covered by FASB standards or authoritative literature. A conceptual framework is necessary because in the first place, to be useful, standard setting should build on and relate to an established body of concepts and objectives. A soundly developed conceptual framework should enable the FASB to issue more useful and consistent standards over time. A coherent set of standards and rules should be the result, because they would be built upon the same foundation. The framework should increase financial statement users understanding of and confidence in financial reporting, and it should enhance comparability among companies financial statements. Secondly, new and emerging practical problems should be more quickly solved by reference to an existing framework of basic theory. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the FASB to prescribe the proper accounting treatment quickly for situations like this. Practicing accountants, however, must resolve such problems on a day-to-day basis. Through the exercise of good judgment and with the help of a universally accepted conceptual framework, practitioners can dismiss certain alternatives quickly and then focus on an acceptable treatment. Over the years numerous organizations, committees, and interested individuals developed and published their own conceptual frameworks. But no single framework was universally accepted and relied on in practice. Recognizing the need for a generally accepted framework, the FASB in 1976 began work to develop a conceptual framework that would be a basis for setting accounting standards and for resolving financial reporting controversies. The FASB has issued six Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts that relate to financial reporting for business enterprises. They are: _ SFAC No. 1, Objectives of Financial Reporting by Business Enterprises, presents  goals and purposes of accounting. _ SFAC No. 2, Qualitative Characteristics of Accounting Information, examines the  characteristics that make accounting information useful. _ SFAC No. 3, Elements of Financial Statements of Business Enterprises, provides  definitions of items in financial statements, such as assets, liabilities, revenues, and  Expenses _ SFAC No. 5, Recognition and Measurement in Financial Statements of Business  Enterprises, sets forth fundamental recognition and measurement criteria and  Guidance on what information should be formally incorporated into financial statements  and when. _ SFAC No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements, replaces SFAC No. 3 and expands  its scope to include not-for-profit organizations. _ SFAC No. 7, Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements, provides a framework for using expected future cash flows and present values as a basis for measurement. At the first level, the objectives identify the goals and purposes of accounting. Ideally, accounting standards developed according to a conceptual framework will result in accounting reports that are more useful. At the second level are the qualitative characteristics that make accounting information useful and the elements of financial statements (assets, liabilities, and so on). At the third level are the measurement and recognition concepts used in establishing and applying accounting standards. These concepts include assumptions, principles, and constraints that describe the present reporting environment. First Level: Basic Objectives As we discussed in Chapter 1, the objectives of financial reporting are to provide information that is: (1). Useful to those making investment and credit decisions who have a reasonable understanding of business and economic activities. (2). Helpful to present and potential investors, creditors, and other users in assessing the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of future cash flows and (3). about economic resources, the claims to those resources, and the changes in them. The objectives therefore, begin with a broad concern about information that is useful to investor and creditor decisions. That concern narrows to the investors and creditors interest in the prospect of receiving cash from their investments or loans to business enterprises. Finally, the objectives focus on the financial statements that provide information useful in the assessment of prospective cash flows to the business enterprise. This approach is referred to as decision usefulness. It has been said that the golden r ule is the central message in many religions and the rest is elaboration. Similarly, decision usefulness is the message of the conceptual framework and the rest is elaboration. In providing information to users of financial statements, general-purpose financial statements are prepared. These statements provide the most useful information possible at minimal cost to various user groups. Underlying these objectives is the notion that users need reasonable knowledge of business and financial accounting matters to understand the information contained in financial statements. This point is important. It means that in the preparation of financial statements, a level of reasonable competence on the part of users can be assumed. This has an impact on the way and the extent to which information is reported. Second Level: Fundamental Concepts The objectives of the first level are concerned with the goals and purposes of accounting. Later, we will discuss the ways these goals and purposes are implemented in the third level. Between these two levels it is necessary to provide certain conceptual building blocks that explain the qualitative characteristics of accounting information and define the elements of financial statements. These conceptual building blocks form a bridge between the why of accounting (the objectives) and the how of accounting (recognition and measurement). Qualitative Characteristics of Accounting Information Choosing an acceptable accounting method, the amount and types of information to be disclosed, and the format in which information should be presented involves determining which alternative provides the most useful information for decision making purposes (decision usefulness). The FASB has identified the qualitative characteristics of accounting information that distinguish better (more useful) information from inferior (less useful) information for decision making purposes. In addition, the FASB has identified certain constraints (cost-benefit and materiality) as part of the conceptual framework. These are discussed later in the chapter. The characteristics may be viewed as a hierarchy. Decision Makers (Users) and Understandability Decision makers vary widely in the types of decisions they make, how they make decisions, the information they already possess or can obtain from other sources, and their ability to process the information. For information to be useful there must be a connection (linkage) between these users and the decisions they make. This link, understandability, is the quality of information that permits reasonably informed users to perceive its significance. To illustrate the importance of this linkage; assume that IBM Corp. issues a three-month earnings report (interim report) that shows interim earnings way down. This report provides relevant and reliable information for decision making purposes. Some users, upon reading the report, decide to sell their stock. Other users do not understand the reports content and significance. They are surprised when IBM declares a smaller year-end dividend and the value of the stock declines. Thus, although the information presented was highly relevant and re liable, it was useless to those who did not understand it. Primary Qualities: Relevance and Reliability Relevance and reliability are the two primary qualities that make accounting information useful for decision making. As stated in FASB Concepts Statement No. 2, the qualities that distinguish better (more useful) information from inferior (less useful) information are primarily the qualities of relevance and reliability, with some other characteristics that those qualities imply. Relevance To be relevant, accounting information must be capable of making a difference in a decision. If certain information has no bearing on a decision, it is irrelevant to that decision. Relevant information helps users make predictions about the ultimate outcome of past, present, and future events; that is, it has predictive value. Relevant information also helps users confirm or correct prior expectations; it has feedback value. For example, when UPS (United Parcel Service) issues an interim report, this information is considered relevant because it provides a basis for forecasting annual earnings and provides feedback on past performance. For information to be relevant, it must also be available to decision makers before it loses its capacity to influence their decisions. Thus timeliness is a primary ingredient. If UPS did not report its interim results until six months after the end of the period, the information would be much less useful for decision making purposes. For information t o be relevant it should have predictive or feedback value and it must be presented on a timely basis. Reliability Accounting information is reliable to the extent that it is verifiable, is a faithful representation, and is reasonably free of error and bias. Reliability is a necessity for individuals who have neither the time nor the

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George Essay -- My Side Moun

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George This book is told from the diary of the main character, Sam Gribley. Sam is a boy full of determination. He didn’t give up and go home like everyone thought he would. He is strong of mind. After the first night in the freezing rain, with no fire and no food, he still went on. He is a born survivor. He lasted the winter, through storms, hunger, and loneliness, and came out on top even when everyone expected him to fail. â€Å"The land is no place for a Gribley† p. 9 The story starts out with Sam remembering how he first got to be in his tree in the Catskills. A run-away, Sam Gribley, a young boy who lived in New York City with his family of eleven in a small apartment. None of them liked living there. His father used to talk of the family farm in the Catskill Mountains and the time he ran away to them. Sam decided this would be a way out of the dismal life he had in the city. He prepared himself well by listening very carefully to his father’s stories on survival and read books to be prepared for his planned new life. When it was time to go, he took only a penknife, a ball of cord, some flint and steel, forty dollars, and an ax. The flint and steel were for starting fires. He hitched a ride from a trucker to the town; Delhi, nearest the old family farm. He set out in May, set up a camp in a terrible storm, couldn’t get his fire going was tired, and hungry and realized in order to survive he would have to keep his wits about him. When the storm was over he set out to find his great-grandfathers farm. He found some of the old foundation and the carved name on a tree and knew he was on the family compound of his dreams not terribly far from his soon to be home in the Hemlock tree. Some major problems that presented themselves were the elements, hunger, and loneliness. After surviving the terrible storm he knew he needed to build a safe warm haven for himself. He also wanted a spot that would be not noticeable. He finally decided on an old Hemlock tree where the roots formed a hole and the inner part of the tree was rotting. It took him six months to carve and burn out the Hemlock that would accommodate a bed he made with ash slats and boughs from the Hemlock and a chair for sitting and viewing the weather when it was terrible. As his survival techniques improved he was able to use his intellige... ...ide of the Mountain, 30 years later, and a decade after that penned the final book in the trilogy, Frightful's Mountain, told from the falcon's point of view. George has no doubt shaped generations of young readers with her outdoor adventures of the mind and spirit. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter Ingram In this enthralling story, a boy builds a treehouse in the mountains and learns to live entirely by his wits. "(Emphasizes) the rewards of courage and determination."--The Horn Book. I agree with it being an enthralling story. It has influenced many lives, and in many different ways. One way is that it has encouraged people to take up falconry. One good example would be Robert Kennedy Junior. He and a group of falconry friends all have said that her book has contributed to them being falconers today. I myself am considering the sport now. I also agree with the statement â€Å"No reader will be immune to the compulsion to go right out and start whittling fishhooks and befriending raccoons.† I can’t vouch for the entire population of people who have read this book but I will say that that was my personal feelings. I even tried making some hooks once. It didn’t go so well.

Differing Views on the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival Essay -- American

Differing Views on the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival On August 15, 1969 at five-o’clock p.m., on a 600-acre hog farm in the small town of Bethel, NY, Richie Havens took the stage as the opening act at the legendary Woodstock Festival. Destined to become the largest gathering of people in one place at one time, Woodstock stood for three days of peace, love, and music amidst the horrors of the Vietnam War. Hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children made their way to the Catskills in New York to take part in the festival and hear their favorite music groups live. Even though tickets for the event had been pre-sold, the directors of the Woodstock declared it a free event on the same day that it started. All over the country people watched footage and read about the festival that many believed was going to be a disaster. But they were proved wrong. Music was the peacekeeper at Woodstock, as the people in attendance listened to over twenty-five music groups that performed from the afternoon of August 15 through the morning of August 18. This weekend during 1969 marks a milestone in American history, where almost 500,000 people joined together in peace for the sake of music. Since that mesmerizing time during the August of 1969, numerous books have been written about the Woodstock Musical Festival. The books allow people to dig deeper and go behind the scenes to find out what made Woodstock such a success. On the other hand, one can always search the newspaper archives and retrieve an account of Woodstock from a reporter’s view at the same time the festival occurred. The only difference between a book written at a later date and a newspaper article written during the summer of 1969 is the formality. ... ...n the same level of formality as does the newspaper articles. Both present the material about Woodstock in a different manner, but at the same time they both include very pertinent information about the festival. Each form of writing puts its own twist on the interpretation of Woodstock. Clearly there are differences in the way that Woodstock was presented in the 1969 Washington Post and in the 1979 book, Barefoot in Babylon. Both prove to be very acceptable sources on the Woodstock festival. From the kind of information given in the sources to the form of writing used to the formality of the content, they all add up to two different views about Woodstock. Works Cited Spitz, Robert Stephen. Barefoot in Babylon: The Creation of the Woodstock Music Festival, 1969. New York: The Viking Press, 1979. The Washington Post, August 15 – 21, 1969.