Saturday, January 25, 2020
Descriptive Research Vs Analytical Research Economics Essay
Descriptive Research Vs Analytical Research Economics Essay Malaysia began develop its construction industry since independence. More than half of capital formation consists of work in construction (Lewis, 1955). Hence, the expansion of capital is a function the rate at which the construction industry can be expanded. This can be seen in the initial economic plan (1956-1960) where it was basically a development expenditure plan. The primary concern was developing infrastructure during independence because of its inadequacy. In order for the nations economy to prosper, the construction industry has to be developed first for the economy to take a one step further (Abdul Razak Bin Ibrahim, 1999). The Malaysian construction industry is generally separated into two areas: General construction It comprises residential construction, non-residential construction and civil engineering construction. Special trade works It comprises activities of metal works, electrical works, plumbing, sewerage and sanitary works, refrigeration and air-conditioning works, painting works, carpentry, tiling and flooring works, glass works and etc. The construction industry makes up an important part of the Malaysian economy due to the amount of industry linked to it such as those for basic metal products and electrical machinery. Hence, the construction industry could be described as a substantial economic driver for Malaysia (Abdul Razak Bin Ibrahim, 1999). According to Productivity Report 2011/2012, analysis of productivity growth over three year intervals (2007-2009 and 2009-2011) showed that Malaysia achieved higher productivity growth during the later period (2.8%) as compared to the earlier period (1.9%). However, over a five year period, the growth was 3.2% as showed in Table 1.1. Figure 1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Employment and Productivity Growth, 2007-2011 Table 1. Productivity and GDP Growth, 2007-2011 Productivity growth of the construction sector grew by 3.1% to RM 24,635 in 2011 from RM 23,898 in 2010 (Figure 1.2). The implementation of Industrialised Building System (IBS) in major projects, residential and non-residential sub-sectors contributed to the productivity of the construction sector (Malaysia Productivity Corporation, 2012). Figure 1. Productivity Level and Growth of the Construction Sector, 2007-2011 Through the Productivity Report 2011/2012, it reflects that the construction sector is in a rapid growth phase, having expanded by nearly 19% on an annual basis in the first half of 2012. According to the governments figures, the sector will manage growth of 15.5% in 2012 as a whole, up from 4.6% in 2011. In 2013 it is forecast to grow by a further 11.2%, a projection that is in line with Timetrics forecasts (Richards, 2012). Construction industry plays an important role in generating wealth and improving the quality of life for Malaysian through the translation of governments socio-economic policies into social and economic infrastructure and buildings. The demand for property or housing is increasingly from times to times either due to increase in population, immigration or investment purpose. In order to fulfil the demand, supply of housing or other property has to be increased. Besides, after the announcement regarding My First Home Scheme by the Government in Budget 2011, the desires of the youngsters to own a house are stronger. As the demand is higher, the construction industry has to embark more projects such as residential development to meet the demand. The construction industry creates a multiplier effect to other industries, including manufacturing, financial services, and professional services. In order to run a project, human resources such as labours and the professionals like Quantity Surveyor, Architect, and Engineer are required. Although there is increase in number of human resources, construction productivity is one of the issues to be concerned. Construction labour productivity is often influenced by variations in work conditions and management effectiveness. It is substantially important to understand the nature and extent to which individual parameters affect productivity. Rationale for the Research The construction industry plays a significant role in all developed and developing countries. Due to its critical importance to the profitability of most construction projects, productivity is regarded as one of the most frequently discussed topics in the construction industry (Hancher DE, 1998). Construction productivity is always related to how well, how quickly, and at what cost buildings and infrastructure can be constructed. It will directly affect prices for homes and consumer goods and the robustness of the national economy. Construction productivity will also affect the outcomes of national efforts resources; to develop high-performance green buildings; and to remain competitive in the global market. Construction productivity has been steadily on the decline over the last decade and construction labour efficiency has often been cited as poor (Stokes, 1980). The level of productivity in construction showed a decreasing rate compared to other sectors (Bernstein, 2007). Many studies have attempted to improve construction labour productivity via different ways for examples, studying the factors affecting construction labour productivity, measuring and evaluating labour productivity; modelling construction labour productivity; and comparing labour productivity based on economic considerations or costs. Construction workers are not machines, always behaving the same way under the same conditions. Even under apparently identical work conditions, different productivity values might be obtained. The productivity for the same work item is not constant throughout the construction period, and varies at different stages of the production (Lam, 2001). Variability is shown to be a key factor in the behaviour of construction labour productivity (Thomas Hr, 1999). In addition, the effect of the factors on productivity may vary from task to task. Although some factors could have similar influences on the productivity of a number of tasks, their rate of impact on productivity may be different (Sonmez R, 1998). Labour productivity is said as the factor affecting the construction productivity. In order to further improve construction productivity, continuous efforts have to be put in from times to times to identify the factors affect labour productivity, the effects of poor labour productivity and the ways to improve labour productivity. Are labourers the main cause in affecting construction productivity? Are the factors caused by labourers themselves or their superiors or surrounding environments or other reasons? Have anyone do really put in their efforts to improve the construction labour productivity? How labour productivity affect the entire construction productivity? Queries on construction labour productivity are appearing continuously. Throughout this research, readers should have a depth understanding on construction labour productivity. Aim and Objectives In order to find out the answer of queries on construction labour productivity, the aim for this report is to study the issues on construction labour productivity in Malaysia. This can be achieved by study the objectives below: To investigate the factors affect the construction labour productivity. To identify the consequences caused by construction labour productivity. To recommend ways for improvement on construction labour productivity. Scope and Limitation This research is delimited to construction labour productivity and will focus on Malaysian construction industry. The data for this research will made up of general construction workers, site supervisors, contractors, quantity surveyors and developers mainly in Kuala Lumpur area. Respondents are expected to have varying levels of construction experience, training and knowledge so that a data that closely mirrored the current make-up of the construction workforce can be collected. 100 sets of survey forms will be distributed and 50 sets of survey forms expected to be completed. Chapter Outline This report consists of 5 chapters. There are: Chapter 1: Introduction In this chapter, roles of construction industry towards economics and construction productivity will be described. Besides, in this chapter, aim and objectives will be discussed as well as overview of current construction labour productivity. Chapter 2: Literature Review The literature on the performance approach will be reviewed in this chapter. It will illustrate existing literature and research work related to construction labour productivity. Definition of labour productivity, factors affect labour productivity, its effects and solutions will be described. Chapter 3: Research Methodology In this chapter, introduction and definition of research, type of research, data collection methods, research design and data analysis method will be discussed in order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study. Chapter 4: Findings and Discussions Results from survey questionnaires will be analyzed and discussed in this chapter. The survey questionnaire is aimed to obtain labour, consultants, contractors and developers or clients view of opinion on construction labour productivity in Malaysian construction industry. In addition, personal interview will be conducted to obtain more information on construction labour productivity. Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations This chapter will outline the research findings, summary of this study, and recommendations for future study. Literature Review Research Methodology Introduction Based on Oxford Dictionaries, research is defined as a systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions (Oxford Dictionaries). The Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English defines the meaning of research as a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge (The Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English, 1952). Redman and Mory had defined research as a systematized effort to gain new knowledge (Mory, 1923). In this chapter, types of research, data collection methods, research design and data analysis will be discussed. The research method for this study to achieve the aim and objectives will be described in this chapter. Types of Research Generally, the basic types of research are as follow: Applied/ Action Research vs Fundamental Research Descriptive Research vs Analytical Research Quantitative Research vs Qualitative Research Conceptual Research vs Empirical Research Applied/ Action Research vs Fundamental Research Applied or action research is carried out to find solution to solve problems facing by a society or a business or industrial organisation. However, fundamental research which is also known as basic or pure research is mainly concern on gathering of knowledge for knowledges sake without any intention to apply it in practice. Descriptive Research vs Analytical Research Descriptive research is a surveys and fact-finding investigation. It is aims to describe the characteristics of individual, situation or a group or the state of affairs as it exists at present. Researcher has no control over the variables and researcher has to report the actual conditions. On the other hand, analytical research is a critical evaluation based on information that is available and primarily concerned with testing hypothesis; specifying and interpreting relationships by analyze the facts or existing information. Quantitative Research vs Qualitative Research Quantitative research is objective in nature. It is defined as an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a hypothesis or a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analysed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the hypothesis or the theory hold true (Creswell, 1994). Quantitative data are hard and reliable; they are measurements of tangible, countable, sensate features of the world (Bouma and Atkinson, 1995). In short, quantitative research is measuring the quantity or amount of particular phenomena by the use of statistical analysis. On the other hand, qualitative research is subjective in nature. It is a non-quantitative type of analysis which is aimed at finding out the quality of a particular phenomenon. It emphasises meanings, experiences, description and etc (Naoum, 1998). Conceptual Research vs Empirical Research Conceptual research is related to some abstract ideas or theories. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones, whereas, empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. Empirical research is aimed at coming up with conclusions without due regard for system and theory. Empirical research is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in some way. Data Collection Statistical tools are used to transform data into useful information. However, data must be available before the decision maker can use the statistical tools. Data are available from many sources, both within the company or site. There are several ways of collecting appropriate data which differ considerably in context of money costs, time and other resources at the disposal of the researcher. The sources of data collection can be categorized into primary data and secondary data. Primary data refers to the raw data that collected through experiments or questionnaire surveys, where secondary data refers to the data obtained from site daily, progress report, progress payment, national productivity statistics. The major advantage of primary data is accuracy of data because it is collected by the researcher but it is costly and time consuming. Secondary data is quicker and cheaper as compared to primary data but the data may not meet the specific needs. If the researcher conducts an experiment, he can observes some quantitative measurements or data with the help of the truth in hypothesis that has made earlier. However in the case of survey, data can be collected through observation, personal interview, telephone interview, survey questionnaire or case studies. Observation is the simple way to gather data without interviewing respondents. The information obtained relates to current condition and is not complicated by either past behaviour or future intentions or attitudes of respondents. Undeniable, this method can obtain accurate information but it is time consuming, costly, and sometimes, people reluctant to cooperate. During personal interview, interviewer follows a rigid procedure and seeks answers to a set of pre-conceived questions through personal interviews. The data obtained through personal interview is usually carried out in a structured way where output depends upon the ability of the interviewer to a large extent. Telephone interview can obtain data rapidly with relatively low cost compared to others and do not require travelling for face-to-face contact. It can reach wide range of respondents. However, as this method is carried out through telephone, the respondents might not will to share opinions with strangers or they may tell lie. Thus, this is not suitable for long survey as respondents might feel annoying and difficult to prove the validity of survey. Survey questionnaire can be posted to the respondents together with self-stamped answer sheets or via on-line survey. This method is widely used. This the cheapest way to obtain data and can reach respondents working outstation. The survey question can be set up to 5 pages. However, the cons are that the rate of response is low, answers may be biased and respondents take longer time to respond. For case studies, cross comparison of cases have to be done in order to have fully understanding on clients experiences in a program. It fully depicts clients experience in program input, process and results. It is powerful means to portray program to outsiders. However, it is time consuming either to collect, organize or describe. It represents depth of information rather than breadth. In short, there are different types of method to collect data with their own pros and cons. Time, cost and accuracy are the main constrains to choose an appropriate data collection method. Few data collection methods can be chosen at the same time to obtain maximum accuracy. Research Design Data Analysis Conclusion
Friday, January 17, 2020
Feature of a just society Essay
Assess whether an unequal distribution of property between individuals could be a feature of a just society? (50 marks) By a ââ¬Ëjust societyââ¬â¢ we are referring to the principle of people getting what they deserve ââ¬â or desert theory. Those such as Nozick believe that individuals have an absolute right to property of income that they themselves create; Marx outlined his belief in absolute equality; Rawls, however, is the only philosopher able to claim the middle ground and suggest a sensible solution: claiming that an unequal distribution of property can, with certain constraints, benefit the poorest in society. Nozickââ¬â¢s view on the distribution of property focuses on the issue of how it came about. Self-ownership of oneââ¬â¢s own talents and abilities is key to his way of thinking. If, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo asked his football club to pay him 25p for each ticket sold, the fans being happy to pay the extra, and 400,000 people watched him play that season ââ¬â then he would be ? 10,000,000 better off. This is perfectly just according to Nozick, since Ronaldo is using his own talents to make money; which the fans voluntarily gave to him. However, in some philosophers eyes, this would be seen as unjust is Ronaldo was allowed to keep all, or even any, of that money. Be that as it may, Nozick stated that people were ââ¬Ëends in themselvesââ¬â¢ and any attempt to use them in ways they donââ¬â¢t agree to = even for some ââ¬Ëgreater goodââ¬â¢ ââ¬â would violate their liberty. Such as example would be taxation. People, thus, have a right to own what they produce: conservatives would even argue that property becomes part of a personââ¬â¢s personality. The only constraints Nozick places on property is that it should be ââ¬Ëjustly acquiredââ¬â¢ (not stolen or gained via the forced labour of others), ââ¬Ëjustly transferredââ¬â¢ (fair price given ââ¬â not cheated or robbed), and the ââ¬Ërectification of injusticeââ¬â¢ (giving back property that was stolen or otherwise unjustly taken). If one were to accept Nozickââ¬â¢s view, the result would be a society with huge economic inequalities. There is also the problem with individuals, through no fault of their own, not being able to support themselves. Relying on philanthropy and personal savings that one has been able to save doesnââ¬â¢t seem ââ¬Ëjustââ¬â¢ ââ¬â especially if one is a pauper and kept at the mercy of the bourgeoisie. In this sense a worker may accept a wage cut, but how much true liberty do they have in making this decision? It could be argued in a society which has no ââ¬Ësafety netââ¬â¢ welfare system, very little. Nozick goes onto state that we have ââ¬Ëself-ownershipââ¬â¢ of the things we create. This would therefore suggest that the proletariat working in factories, and the like, would have a right to what they produce since they have mixed their labour with it. But in a capitalist society, which Nozick supports, this would be, and is, the case. There therefore seems to be a rule for some and another for others with Nozickââ¬â¢s idea of ââ¬Ëself-ownershipââ¬â¢, which seriously undermines the legitimacy of his justice. Furthermore, history shows us that a great deal of initial acquisition of property was unjust: based on theft, slavery and colonisation. All property that derives from unjust acquisition being unjustly held, one does not have the right to transfer said property, nor does the recipient have the right to what they are receiving. It would, moreover, prove very difficult, if not impossible, to rectify the injustice of the past, as Nozick thinks one should do, since we have no way of establishing what belongs to who in many cases. The conclusion we are forced to draw is that Nozickââ¬â¢s theory has no application if we cannot start from a just beginning. Marx, on the other hand, focused on the plight of the proletariat, who, having nothing but their labours to sell are exploited by the bourgeoisie; who are in turn protected by the state which keeps private property legal: allowing a small number of individuals to own the ââ¬Ëcommanding heightsââ¬â¢ or means of production. In such circumstances people cannot make use of their right to ââ¬Ëself-ownershipââ¬â¢ as Nozick claims, for they are creating items for the profit of the bourgeois and not themselves. Marx therefor believed in a needs based theory of justice. This would entail the abolition of private property and see that every man, woman and child gets what they need and gives what they can. The principle can be summed up as thus, ââ¬Å"from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. â⬠Property does, however, seem to come naturally to human beings with philosophers such as John Locke claiming it is a ââ¬ËNatural Rightââ¬â¢. When one takes the liberal view that we are rational, self-seeking, egotistical beings, it only seems right that the acquisition of property should follow. It is also true that the large percentages of the states in the world are run this way. Though this on its own cannot justify private property, it does heavily suggest that there will always be a place for private property no matter what your vison of the ââ¬Ëprefectââ¬â¢ society is. Furthermore, one could argue that private property offers the allure of material success that motivates people to work. Even if one does not buy this argument, Rawls claimed that injustice in the distribution of property in society can work to the advantage to the poorest in society ââ¬â via a welfare state etc. Rawls invented the ââ¬Ëveil of ignoranceââ¬â¢ to prove in the ââ¬Ëoriginal positionââ¬â¢ what justice should be. As virtue of us, humans, being free rational beings, we would consent to a free market state, but only as long as rights were guaranteed and protection for the poor put in place. For the freedom to starve is no freedom at all. We would agree to these conditions for human life, since we would not know, in theory, what our race, creed, religion, talents, opinions or health would be in advance. In this sense it is reasonable to assume that we are rational egotistical beings, for it makes sense, and is in our own self-interest, to want these conditions. As for the capitalist free market aspect, wealth creation can be the only means by which the poorest in society can benefit; via the state taxing the rich and redistributing some of it to the poor. In this hypothetical situation we would have legal and foundational equality, as well as equality of opportunity. No one should be disadvantaged by the outcome of natural chance, the contingency of circumstances or choice of principles. In this light, the racist and the liberal would both be permitted to criticise each other; prevented from physically harming each other; and neither allowed to alter or remove foundational equality from the constitution. Importantly, Rawls thinks that once a certain level of martial wealth has been acquired (? 26,000 a year in the UK), then we would value such legal and foundational rights more; as well as basic liberties such as freedom of speech and association. Thus liberty will be preferred to less liberty, but greater wealth. This leads to Rawlsââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ëdifference principleââ¬â¢, that we would choose to maximise the minimum level of welfare. This would create a society with a smaller gap between the rich and the poor, but also a smaller average wealth. One can object to this and state that it makes more sense to maximise the average level of wealth, especially if there is equality of opportunity meaning that one can improve oneself. However, one could imagine a society which is less prosperous, but more ââ¬Ëjustââ¬â¢ ââ¬âsomething based alone the lines of Marxââ¬â¢s desert theory. Conversely, however, justice, in terms of the distribution of property, actually comes from prosperity and wealth creation gained and produced by some, so that others can benefit from the resulting taxation of said people. In conclusion, only Rawls can offer a theory of justice that appears sensible to the rational egotistical being; as well as avoiding the un-pragmatic approaches of Marx and Nozick. Even is one does not accept Rawlsââ¬â¢ theory of justice ââ¬â for one may be very rich and have lots of land ââ¬â then at least it shows one what justice should look like.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Motherhood Is A Successful Woman - 1835 Words
In the 21st century, the equality of women is increasing and being encouraged by many. Where a woman must be able to balance her job, children, and marriage is mostly often seen as being a successful women. Statistics show the opposite. You do not have to balance a job, children, and marriage to be a successful woman. Surveys and statistics show that women are also successful if they stay at home and dedicate all their time to the formation and education of their children. Sadly, the role of motherhood that was held sacred is little by little falling away and disappearing. Many centuries ago, motherhood was held sacred, going all the way back to the times of Jesus. Motherhood should still be held sacred in the age we live in today. The mother of Jesus is a great model for mothers to follow as she formed and educated her son Jesus. Sacred scriptures and a most recent pope that was just canonized a saint, tell us about how motherhood is really sacred. St. Joseph is a great example for a father to follow as St. Joseph was a carpenter and a hard worker. St. Joseph thought Jesus how to work and Mary thought Jesus faith and morals. At a home where there is a father and a mother figure, it is better for the mother to stay home and for the father to go out and work. Childhood is the most important part of a childââ¬â¢s life. It is important that the child has a mother figure present, who gives their child love and guidance as they grow up to prevent any problems in the future. PopeShow MoreRelatedNo Longer one of the Boys928 Words à |à 4 Pages Introduction This critical review will examine and analyze the article No Longer ââ¬ËOne of the Boysââ¬â¢: Negotiations with Motherhood, as Prospect or Reality, among Women in Engineering written by Gillian Ranson (2005) and published by the CRSA/RCSA. This article provides an overall assessment of the challenges women face in the male dominated field of engineering. Specifically, it addresses how women handle the stresses of being engineers and mothers. This critical review will analyze the contentRead MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1732 Words à |à 7 Pagescircumstances have been analyzed in classic as well as modern literature, including Jane Austenââ¬â¢s Pride and Prejudice. While women are expected to get married and start a family rather than devote time to a high-powered career, many women do not desire motherhood and would rather further a career than spend the majority of their time working on their marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, marriage is a central focus of the novel because of the massive role it played in determining a womanââ¬â¢s futureââ¬â marriageRead MoreGender Roles Of Herland 874 Words à |à 4 Pageslike? On the contrary, what would a world without woman be look like? Gilman in her fairy novel, described three men landing in a country where there are only women are living there. 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Though the title ââ¬â especially to a modern reader ââ¬â does little to convey the level of thoughtful and heady critique that Fern expounds through this book, it is actually is a strong indictment of theRead MoreSurrogate Motherhood940 Words à |à 4 Pagesparents however the child can have in essence three mothers, or two fathers: a genetic mother or father who donated the egg or sperm, a surrogate mother who carried and developed the child, and a mother or father who raises the child. Surrogate motherhood often requires legal involvement because of the complexity of the question of who the ââ¬Å"realâ⬠parents are. 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The research on this topic is somewhat limited, but I am confidentRead MoreMotherhood and Pregnancy1429 Words à |à 6 Pagesââ¬Å" Being a Motherhood is a choice you make every day, to put someone elses happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when youre not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong. â⬠MMMMM. Being mother is one of the most blessed and the most challenging job in the world. 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Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Foreign Language Learning And Shifting Identity A Cross...
A Proposal on the Relationship between Foreign Language Learning and Shifting Identity: A Cross Gender Study on Iranian EFL Learners Nahid Nasseri Recent research has abundantly been done on the effects of English as a foreign language on the cultural identity of ESL and EFL learners in various contexts (Seppà ¤là ¤, 2011; Norton McKinney, 2011; Blommaert; 2010, Norton, 2000; Hall, 2003). By the same token, this research aims to delve into the different effects of EFL learning on the cultural identity of Iranian EFL students to see how English may change or modify their ideas regarding their own native language and culture as well as the foreign ones. With the rise of globalization and the importance of English as an international language, the majority of people in the world have felt the urge to learn English. This gradual but consistent desire to learn English has raised certain potential sociolinguistic and sociological concerns, one of which is pertinent to the identity of language learners after being exposed to English as a Foreign/Second language. Different positions are held by different scholars, but the most favorable one is the move toward transnationalism and avoiding dogmatic nationalism. By transnationalism, it is meant to possess the norms and values of both your own and target language and culture and hence develop a more complete self (Seppà ¤là ¤, 2011). The key theoretical term for this study is cultural identity. The subject of identity ââ¬â andShow MoreRelatedTeaching Second / Foreign Language From Contractive Analysis Point Of View And Discusses How It Helps Develop Learners5957 Words à |à 24 PagesIn this study the author reviews the role of code switching in teaching second/foreign language from contractive analysis point of view and discusses how it helps develop learners interlanguage pragmatics. To this end first contrastive analysis hypothesis and its implications in teaching foreign languages as well as he notion of L1 transfer are reviewed. Then learner s language system and the way it changes over time is investigated. The importance of pragmatics in language use and how it can
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Zombie banks - 1779 Words
What are ââ¬Ëzombie banksââ¬â¢ The term ââ¬Ëzombie bankââ¬â¢ was first introduced by Edward Kane in 1987 to describe a bank that has a negative net worth but still continues to operate. A negative net worth means that the fair value of assets is lower than the total value of liabilities. Zombie banks usually have large amounts of non-performing assets on their balance sheets making them unprofitable. A loan is considered to be a non-performing asset if no principal payments or interest have been paid for 90 days and is therefore seen to be in jeopardy of default. The fair value of an asset that is considered non-performing is considerably reduced. Zombie banks usually continue to operate until their financial situation is resolved or they are runâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦As a result, Japan went into a prolonged period of deflation that lasted for most of the 1990ââ¬â¢s. In order to boost demand, the Japanese government took a Keynesian approach and went through 10 fiscal stimulus packages in 1990â⠬â¢s totaling over 100 trillion yen (10). However, this didnââ¬â¢t have the desired effect on demand because of deflation. Consumers were putting-off purchase decisions because prices were falling. The real GDP stagnated and average growth between 1990 and 2001 was only 0.37% (12). The European debt crisis began in 2009 when rating agencyââ¬â¢s downgraded Greek government and bank debt because Greeceââ¬â¢s government debt reached 113% of GDP. Furthermore, in 2010 Greeceââ¬â¢s budget deficit for 2009 was revised from 3.7% to 12.7% (13). Since then Greece has received multiple bail-outs and the crisis has spread throughout the Eurozone and many countries like Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Italy have been severely affected. The Eurozone crisis is a combination of sovereign debt, productivity, private debt, asset bubble and banking crisis. Contrary to BOJ in 1990ââ¬â¢s, the ECB reacted to the crisis by quickly lowering the interest rate to 1% in May 2009 (14). Furthermore, the ECB started intervening with the securities market directly in 2010 with the ââ¬â¢Securities Markets Programmeââ¬â¢, purchase programme to buy bank-issued covered bonds (2011)Show MoreRelatedCulture of Consumerism, Gender Roles, and Violence in Romeroââ¬â¢s Night of the Li ving Dead and Boyleââ¬â¢s 28 Days Later 2773 Words à |à 11 Pagescontrols the host like in zombie films, but rather a virus that unleashes the rage all humans pertain. In 28 Days Later, we witness Boyleââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"infectedâ⬠killing the population. Are these ââ¬Å"infectedâ⬠zombies? To understand the term zombies, we must first look at the history of the zombie genre in film history. George Romeroââ¬â¢s Night of the Living Dead (1968) was not the first zombie feature to be created. Many believe the zombie genre began with Victor Halperinââ¬â¢s White Zombie (1932). The differenceRead MoreInside the Meltdown49737 Words à |à 199 Pagesabout public confidence. That s how we maintain the stability with people having confidence in our brand and our insurance guarantee, and I think we ve done that fairly successfully. We have seen a lot of stability. People are keeping their money in banks, which is good. ... I think we ll be judged by how history judges us, whether we continue to be effective in trying to stabilize the banking sector and maintaining people s confidence in the banking system. ... You say in speeches that the FDICRead MoreChina Related Market Events Overwhelm The Fed1814 Words à |à 8 PagesFed? The Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), William Dudley, appeared last week to virtually rule out any chance of an increase in the federal funds target at the 16-17 September policy meeting. As President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he is probably the best qualified member of the FOMC to understand the implications of tightening US financial conditions. That having been said, Mr Dudley was careful not to entirely rule out the case for normalisation, depending on incomingRead MoreChina Related Market Events Confuse The Fed?1838 Words à |à 8 PagesFed? The Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), William Dudley, appeared last week to virtually rule out any chance of an increase in the federal funds target at the 16-17 September policy meeting. As President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he is probably the best qualified member of the FOMC to understand the implications of tightening US financial conditions. That having been said, Mr Dudley was careful not to entirely rule out the case for normalisation, depending on incomingRead MoreZombie Industry : Zombie Lending And Depressed Restructuring856 Words à |à 4 Pagesis ââ¬Å"Zombie lending and depressed restructuringâ⬠. The lax misleading supervisions of the banking system were extremely serious, but the Japanese government not takes any measure to stop lending money to zombie firms. Zombie firms are defined as firms are low on production and profit should exit the market but still continue the business by governmentââ¬â¢s support. They kept recr uit labor supposed be work in regular firms lead to decreasing of production. When the assets price falls, most banks lossesRead MoreTypes Of Attacks On A Computer System1546 Words à |à 7 Pagesused in a following attack to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. Phishing attack - In this attack, attacker uses social engineering techniques to steal confidential information - the most common purpose of such attack aims user s bank details. This kind of attacks mostly use schemes involving spoofed emails that send to users to lead those infected websites designed to appear as real on-line banking websites which are malicious. Users get emails will look authentic sent from sourcesRead MoreThe And Of The Basement1720 Words à |à 7 PagesWe hoped to push the zombie down the stairwell; and, if we were lucky, that would create the necessary trauma to the brain area to cause permanent death. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, said Tim stoically with a knowing grin. Or the one, added Dean. I had no idea what they were talking about. As the door swung out, we lunged into the breach. The stairs before us were empty. We could hear muffled sounds from the kitchen. Here zombie, zombie, zombie... Dean called out,Read MoreMovie Analysis : Film And Film870 Words à |à 4 Pagesprovoke laughter, exaggerating situations, language, action, drama, relationships and characters. Could also include slapsticks, parody, romantic comedies. â⬠¢ Crime and Gangster: These are designed around actions of criminals and mobsters, practically bank robbers, young teenagers, operating outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life. â⬠¢ Drama: Dramas portray real life characters, settings, life and situations, stories including character development. Not focused on special effectsRead MoreFinancing Of The Japanese System898 Words à |à 4 Pagesstability, and the company had access to well trained-sector specific workers. However, the increase in financing in Japan, and the emphasize on long-term employment, had a negative effect on the economic system as a whole, through the creation of zombie companies that only served to drain the economy, rather than protect labor relations (Edgington 2009; Yamamura and Streeck 2003). As a result, it seems that while financing could make companies more efficient, it also could lead to job loss and wageRead MoreEssay about Japanese Malaise793 Words à |à 4 Pagesnominal interest rates and the emergence of the liquidity trap. According to Hayashi Prescott (2002), a major contribution to the productivity slowdown is that Japanese banks conceal their non-performing loans from inefficient firms by discounting lending rates regardless of the little likelihood of being recovered. As the result, banks restrain from providing the capital necessary for firms to adapt to changes through investment and the introduction of more productive technologies. Microeconomic theory
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Night World Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13 Free Essays
Jade sat in the wing chair, holding Tiggy upsidedown on her lap, petting his stomach. He was purring but mad. She stared down into indignant, glowing green eyes. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13 or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"The other goat,â⬠Kestrel announced from the doorway, saying the word as if it were something not mentioned in polite society, ââ¬Å"is just fine. So you can let the cat out.â⬠Jade didnââ¬â¢t think so. There was somebody crazy inBriar Creek, and she planned to keep Tiggy safe where she could see him. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re not going to have to feed on the goat, are we?â⬠Kestrel asked Rowan dangerously. ââ¬Å"Of course not. Aunt Opal did because she was tooold to hunt.â⬠Rowan looked preoccupied as she answered. ââ¬Å"I like hunting,â⬠Jade said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s even better thanI thought it would be.â⬠But Rowan wasnââ¬â¢t listening she was biting her lip and staring into the distance. ââ¬Å"Rowan, what?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was thinking about the situation weââ¬â¢re in. You and Mark, for one thing. I think we need to talk about that.â⬠Jade felt reflexive alarm. Rowan was in one of herorganizing moods-which meant you could blink and find that sheââ¬â¢d rearranged all your bedroom furnitureor that you were moving to Oregon. ââ¬Å"Talk about what?â⬠she said warily. ââ¬Å"About what you two are going todo. Is he going to stay human?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s illegal to change him,â⬠Kestrel put in pointedly. ââ¬Å"Everything weââ¬â¢ve done this week is illegal,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"And if they exchange blood again well, itââ¬â¢s only going to take a couple of times. Do you want him a vampire?â⬠she asked Jade. Jade hadnââ¬â¢t thought about it. She thought Mark was nice the way he was. But maybehe would wantto be one. ââ¬Å"What are you going to do with yours?â⬠she asked Ash, who was coming slowly downstairs. ââ¬Å"My what?â⬠He looked sleepy and irritable. ââ¬Å"Your soulmate. Is Mary-Lynnette going to stayhuman?â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the other thing Iââ¬â¢ve been worrying about,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"Have you thought at all, Ash?â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t think at this hour in the morning. I donââ¬â¢thave a brain yet.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s almost noon,â⬠Kestrel said scornfully. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t care when it is. Iââ¬â¢m still asleep.â⬠He wandered toward the kitchen. ââ¬Å"And you donââ¬â¢t need to worry,â⬠he added, looking back and sounding more awake. ââ¬Å"Because Iââ¬â¢m not doinganythingwith the girl and Jadeââ¬â¢s not doing anything with the brother. Because weââ¬â¢re goinghome.â⬠He disappeared. Jadeââ¬â¢s heart was beating hard. Ash might act frivolous, but she saw the ruthlessness underneath. She looked at Rowan. ââ¬Å"Is Mary-Lynnettereally his soulmate?â⬠Rowan leaned back, her brown hair spreading likea waterfall on the green brocade of the couch. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m afraid so.â⬠ââ¬Å"But then how can he want to leave?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Rowan hesitated. ââ¬Å"Soulmates donââ¬â¢t always stay together. Sometimes itââ¬â¢s too much-the fire and lightning and all that. Some people just canââ¬â¢tstand it.â⬠Maybe Mark and I arenââ¬â¢t really soulmates, Jade thought. And maybe thatââ¬â¢s good. It sounds painful. ââ¬Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,â⬠she said. A dear voice sounded in her mind:Whydoesnââ¬â¢tanybody say ââ¬Å"Poor Ashâ⬠? ââ¬Å"Poor Mary-Lynnette,â⬠Jade said again. Ash reappeared. ââ¬Å"Look,â⬠he said and sat down onone of the carved mahogany chairs. ââ¬Å"We need to get things straight. Itââ¬â¢s not just a matter ofme wanting you to come home. Iââ¬â¢m not the only one who knows youââ¬â¢re here.â⬠Jade stiffened. Kestrelsaid, almost pleasantly,â⬠Youtold somebody?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was staying with somebody when the family called to say you were missing. And he was there when I realized where you must have gone. He also happens to be an extremely powerful telepath. So just consider yourself lucky I convinced him to let me try to get you back.â⬠Jade stared at him. She did consider herself lucky. She also considered it strange that Ash would go to such trouble for her and Rowan and Kestrel-for any bodybesides Ash. Maybe she didnââ¬â¢t know her brother as well as she thought. Rowan said, very soberly, ââ¬Å"Who was it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, nobody.â⬠Ash leaned back and looked moodily at the ceiling. ââ¬Å"Just Quinn.â⬠Jade flinched. Quinn â⬠¦ that snake .He had a heart like a glacier and he despised humans. He was the sort to take Night World law into his own hands if he didnââ¬â¢t think it was being enforced properly. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s coming back on Monday to see if Iââ¬â¢ve takencare of the situation,â⬠Ash said. ââ¬Å"And if I havenââ¬â¢t,weââ¬â¢re all dead-you, me, and your little human buddies.â⬠Rowan said, ââ¬Å"So weââ¬â¢ve got until Monday to figuresomething out.â⬠Kestrel said, ââ¬Å"If he tries anything on us, heââ¬â¢s in fora fight.â⬠Jade squeezed Tiggy to make him growl. Mary-Lynnette had been sleeping like a stone-buta stone with unusually vivid dreams. She dreamed about stars brighter than sheââ¬â¢d ever seen and starclouds shimmering in colors like the northern lights. She dreamed about sending an astronomical telegram to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to register her claim for discovering a new supernova. About being the firstto see it with her wonderful new eyes, eyes thatshe saw in a mirror-were all pupil, like an owlââ¬â¢s or a catââ¬â¢sâ⬠¦. Then the dream changed and she was an owl, swooping down in a dizzying rush from a hollow Douglas fir. She seized a squirrel in her talons andfelt a surge of simple joy. Killing felt so natural. All she had to do was be the best owl she could be, and grab food with her feet. But then a shadow fell over her from somewhereabove. And in the dream she felt a terrible sick real ization-that even hunters could be hunted. And that something was after herâ⬠¦. She woke up disoriented-not as towhere shewas, but as to who she was. Mary-Lynnette or a hunter being chased by something with white teeth in themoonlight? And even when she went downstairs, she couldnââ¬â¢t shake off the sick feeling from her dream. ââ¬Å"Hi,â⬠Mark said. ââ¬Å"Is that breakfast or lunch?â⬠ââ¬Å"Both,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said, sitting down on the family room couch with her two granola bars. Mark was watching her. ââ¬Å"So,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"have you been thinking about it, too?â⬠Mary-Lynnette tore the wrapper off a granola bar with her teeth. ââ¬Å"About what?â⬠â⬠Youknow.â⬠Mary-Lynnette did know. She glanced around to make sure Claudine wasnââ¬â¢t in earshot.â⬠Donââ¬â¢t think about it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why not?â⬠When she didnââ¬â¢t answer, he said,â⬠Donââ¬â¢t tell me you havenââ¬â¢t been wondering what it would be like. To see better, hear better, be telepathicâ⬠¦and live forever. I mean, we could see the year three thousand. You know, the robot wars, colonizing other planetsâ⬠¦. Come on, donââ¬â¢t tell me youââ¬â¢renot even a little curious.â⬠All Mary-Lynnette could think of was a line from a Robert Service Poem: Andthe skies of nightw re alive with light, with a throbbing, thrilling flameâ⬠¦ . ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m curious,â⬠she said. ââ¬ËBut thereââ¬â¢s no point in wondering. They do things we couldnââ¬â¢t do-they killâ⬠She put down her glass of milk as if sheââ¬â¢d lost herappetite. She hadnââ¬â¢t, though-and wasnââ¬â¢t that the problem? She ought to be sick to her stomach at just the thought of killing, of drinking blood from a warm body. Instead, she was scared. Of what was out there inthe world-and of herself. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢sdangerous,â⬠she said aloud to Mark. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢tyousee? Weââ¬â¢ve gotten mixed up in this Night World-and itââ¬â¢s a place where bad things can happen. Not just bad like flunking a class. Bad like â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ â⬠¦ white teeth in the moonlight â⬠¦ ââ¬Å"Like getting lolleddead,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said. ââ¬Å"And thatââ¬â¢s serious, Mark. Itââ¬â¢s not like the movies.â⬠Mark was staring at her. ââ¬Å"Yeah, but we knew that already.â⬠His tone said ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s the big deal?â⬠And Mary-Lynnette couldnââ¬â¢t explain. She stood up abruptly. ââ¬Å"If weââ¬â¢re going over there, weââ¬â¢d better get moving,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s almost one oââ¬â¢clock.â⬠The sisters and Ash were waiting at Burdock Farm. ââ¬Å"You and Mark can sit in the front with me,â⬠MaryLynnette told Jade, not looking at Ash. ââ¬Å"But I donââ¬â¢t think youââ¬â¢d better bring the cat.â⬠ââ¬Å"The cat goes,â⬠Jade said firmly, getting in. ââ¬Å"OrI donââ¬â¢t.â⬠Mary-Lynnette put the car in gear and pulled out. As they came in sight of the small duster of buildings on Main Street, Mark said, ââ¬Å"And there it is, downtown Briar Creek in all its glory. A typical Friday afternoon, with absolutely nobody on the streets.â⬠He didnââ¬â¢t say it with his usual bitterness. MaryLynnette glanced at him and saw that it was Jade he was talking to. And Jade was looking around with genuine interest, despite the catââ¬â¢s claws embedded in her neck. ââ¬Å"Somebodyââ¬â¢son the streets,â⬠she said cheerfully. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s that. boy Vic. And that other one, Todd. And grown-ups.â⬠Mary-Lynnette slowed as she passed the sheriffââ¬â¢soffice but didnââ¬â¢t stop until she reached the gas station at the opposite corner. Then she got out and looked casually across the street. Todd Akers was there with his father, the sheriff and Vic Kimble was there with his father. Mr. Kimble had a farm east of town. They were all getting into the sheriffââ¬â¢s car, and they all seemed very excited. Bunny Marten was standing on the sidewalk watching as they left. Mary-Lynnette felt a twinge of fear. This is what itââ¬â¢s like when you have a terrible secret, she thought. You worry about everything that happens, and wonder if itââ¬â¢s got something to do with you, if itââ¬â¢s going to get you caught. ââ¬Å"Hey, Bunnylâ⬠she called. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on?â⬠Bunny looked back. ââ¬Å"Oh, hi, Mare.â⬠She walkedunhurriedly-Bunny never hurried-,acrossthe street. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢re you doing? Theyââ¬â¢re just going to check out that horse thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"What horse thing?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. . .didnââ¬â¢t you hear?â⬠Bunny was looking behind Mary-Lynnette now, at Mark and the four strangers who were getting out of the station wagon. Suddenly her blue eyes got rounder and she reached up to fluff her soft blond hair. Now, I wonder who sheââ¬â¢s just seen, Mary-Lynnettethought ironically. Who could it be? ââ¬Å"Hiâ⬠Ash said. ââ¬Å"We didnââ¬â¢t hear about the horse thing,â⬠MaryLynnette said, gently prompting. ââ¬Å"Ohâ⬠¦ um, one of Mr. Kimbleââ¬â¢s horses cut his throat on barbed wire last night. Thatââ¬â¢s what everybody was sayingthis morning. But just now Mr.Kimble came into town and said that he didnââ¬â¢t think it was barbed wire after all. He thinks â⬠¦ somebody did it on purpose. Slashed its throat and left it todie.â⬠She hunched her shoulders in a tiny shiver.. Theatrically, Mary-Lynnette thought. ââ¬Å"You see?â⬠Jade said. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s why Iââ¬â¢m keeping my eye on Tiggy.â⬠Mary-Lynnette noticed Bunny eyeing Jade. ââ¬Å"Thanks,Bun.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got to get back to the store,â⬠Bunny said,but she didnââ¬â¢t move. Now she was looking at Kestreland Rowan. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll walk you there,â⬠Ash said gallantly. Withwhat, Mary-Lynnette thought, must be his usual putting-the-moves-on manner. ââ¬Å"After all, we donââ¬â¢t know what could be lurking around here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s broad daylight,â⬠Kestrel said disgustedly, but Ash was already walking Bunny away. MaryLynnette decided she was glad to get rid of him. ââ¬Å"Who was that girl?â⬠Rowan asked, and something in her voice was odd. Mary-Lynnette glanced at her in surprise. ââ¬Å"Bunny Marten. I know her from school.Whatââ¬â¢s wrong?â⬠ââ¬Å"She was staring at us,â⬠Rowan said softly. ââ¬Å"She was staring at Ash. Oh, and probably youthree, too. Youââ¬â¢re new and youââ¬â¢re pretty, so sheââ¬â¢s probably wondering which boys youââ¬â¢ll take fromher.â⬠ââ¬Å"I see.â⬠But Rowan still looked preoccupied. ââ¬Å"Rowan, what is it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s nothing. Iââ¬â¢m sure itââ¬â¢s nothing. Itââ¬â¢s just thatsheââ¬â¢s gota lamia name.â⬠â⬠Bunny?â⬠â⬠Well.â⬠Rowan smiled. ââ¬Å"Lamia are traditionallynamed after natural thingsââ¬âgems andanimalsand flowers and trees. So Bunnyââ¬â¢ would be a lamianame-and isnââ¬â¢t a marten a kind of weasel?â⬠Something was tugging at the edges of Mary-Lynnetteââ¬â¢s consciousness again. Something about Bunny â⬠¦ about Bunny and â⬠¦ wood â⬠¦ It was gone. She couldnââ¬â¢t remember. To Rowan she said,â⬠But-can you sense something suspiciousabout her or anything? I mean, does she seemlike one of you? Because otherwise I just canââ¬â¢t see Bunny as a vampire. Iââ¬â¢m sorry; I just canââ¬â¢t.â⬠Rowan smiled. ââ¬Å"No, I donââ¬â¢t sense anything. And Iââ¬â¢m sure youââ¬â¢reright-humans can have names likeours, too. Sometimes it gets confusing.â⬠For some bizarre reason Mary-Lynnetteââ¬â¢s mind wasstill on wood. ââ¬Å"You know, I donââ¬â¢t see why you name yourselves after trees. I thought wood was dangerous for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"It is-,and that makes it powerful. Tree names are supposed to be some of the most powerful nameswe have.â⬠Ash was coming out of the general store. Immediately Mary-Lynnette turned around and looked for Jeremy. She didnââ¬â¢t see him in the empty gas station, butshe heard something-something she realized sheââ¬â¢dbeen hearing for several minutes. Hammering. ââ¬Å"Come on, letââ¬â¢s go around back,â⬠she said, alreadywalking, not waiting for Ash to reach them. Kestreland Rowan went with her. Jeremy was around back. He was hammering a long board across a broken window. There wereshards of thick, greenish-tinted glass all over the ground. Light brown hair wasfalling in his eyes ashe struggled to hold the board steady. â⬠What happened?â⬠Mary-Lynnettesaid. She moved automatically to hold the right end of the board in place for him. He glanced up at her, making a grimace of reliefas he let go of the board. ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette-thanks. Hang on a sec.â⬠He reached into his pocket for nails and began driving them in with quick, sure blows of the hammer. Then he said, ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know what happened.Somebody broke it last night. Made a real mess.â⬠ââ¬Å"Last night seems to have been a busy night,â⬠Kestrel said dryly. Jeremy glanced back at the voice. And then â⬠¦ his hands went still, poised with the hammer and nail. He was looking at Kestrel, and at Rowan beside her,looking a long time. At last he turned to MaryLynnette and said slowly, ââ¬Å"You need more gas already?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh-no. No.â⬠I should have siphoned some out,Mary-Lynnette thought. Nancy Drew would defi nitely have thought of that. ââ¬Å"I justitââ¬â¢s been knocking a lotthe engine-and I thought you could lookat it-under the hood-since you didnââ¬â¢t last time.â⬠Incoherent and pathetic, she decided in the silencethat followed. And Jeremyââ¬â¢s dear brown eyes were still searching her face. ââ¬Å"Sure, Mary-Lynnette,â⬠he said-not sarcastically, but gently. ââ¬Å"As soon as I get finished.â⬠Oh, hecanââ¬â¢t be a vampire. And so what am I doing here, lying to him, suspecting him, when heââ¬â¢s only ever been nice to me? Heââ¬â¢s the type to help old ladies, not kill them. Sssssss. She started as the feral hiss tore through the silence. It came from behind her, and for one horrible instant she thought it was Kestrel. Then she saw thatJade and Mark had rounded the comer, and that Tiggy was fighting like a baby leopard in Jadeââ¬â¢s arms. The kitten was spitting and clawing, black fur standing on end. Before Jade could get a better grip, he climbed up her shoulder and leaped, hitting the ground running. â⬠Tiggy! ââ¬Å"Jade shrieked. She took off after him, silvery blond hair flying, agile as a kitten herself. Markfollowed, ricocheting off Ash who was just comingaround the comer himself. Ash was knocked into thegas station wall. ââ¬Å"Well, that was fun,â⬠Kestrel said. But Mary-Lynnette wasnââ¬â¢t really listening. Jeremywas staring at Ash-and his expression gave Mary Lynnette coldchills. And Ash was staring back with eyes as green as glacier ice. Their gazes were locked in something like instantaneous, instinctive hatred. Mary-Lynnette felt a quiver of fear for Jeremy-but Jeremy didnââ¬â¢t seem afraid for himself. His muscles were tight and he looked ready to defend himself. Then, deliberately, he turned away. Turned hisback on Ash. He readjusted the board-and MaryLynnette did what she should have done in the beginning. She looked at his hand. The ring on his index finger glinted gold, and she could just make out the black design on the seal. A tall duster of bell-shaped flowers. Not an iris,not a dahlia, not a rose. No-there was only one flower Rowan had mentioned that this could possiblybe. It grew wild around here and it was deadly poison. Foxglove. So now she knew. Mary-Lynnette felt hot and sick. Her hand began to tremble on the board she was holding. She didnââ¬â¢t want to move, but she couldnââ¬â¢t stay here. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry-1 have to get something-â⬠The words came out in a painful gasp. She knew everyone wasstaring at her. She didnââ¬â¢t care. She let go of the board and almost ran away. She kept going until she was behind the boardedup windows of the Gold Creek Hotel. Then she leaned against the wall and stared at the place where town ended and the wilderness began. Motes of dust danced in the sunlight, bright against a dark background of Douglas fir. Iââ¬â¢m so stupid. All the signs were there, right in front of my face. Why didnââ¬â¢t I seebefore? I guess because I didnââ¬â¢t want to â⬠¦. ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette.â⬠Mary-Lynnette turned toward the soft voice. She resisted the impulse to throw herself into Rowanââ¬â¢s arms and bawl. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be okay in just a few minutes. Really. Itââ¬â¢s just a shock.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s just-itââ¬â¢s just that Iââ¬â¢ve known him so long.Itââ¬â¢s not easy to picture himyou know. But I guess it just goes to show you. People are never what they seem.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette-â⬠Rowan stopped and shook her head. ââ¬Å"Just what are you talking about?â⬠ââ¬Å"Him.Jeremy. Of course.â⬠Mary-Lynnette took abreath. The air felt hot and chokingly dusty. ââ¬Å"He did it. He really did it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why do you think so?â⬠ââ¬Å"Why?Because heââ¬â¢s a werewolf. ââ¬Å" There was a pause and Mary-Lynnette suddenly felt embarrassed. She looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot, and then said more quietly,â⬠Isnââ¬â¢t he?â⬠Rowan was looking at her curiously. ââ¬Å"How did you know?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well-you said black foxglove is for werewolves. And thatââ¬â¢s foxglove on his ring. How did you know?â⬠ââ¬Å"I just sensed it. Vampire powers are weaker insunlight, but Jeremy isnââ¬â¢t trying to hide anything. Heââ¬â¢s right out there.â⬠ââ¬Å"He sure is,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said bitterly. ââ¬Ë I should have sensed it. I mean â⬠¦ heââ¬â¢s the only person in town who was interested in the lunar eclipse. And the way he moves, and his eyes â⬠¦ and he livesat Mad Dog Creek, for Godââ¬â¢s sake. I mean, that landââ¬â¢s been in his family for generations.Andââ¬â¢ -Mary-Lynnette gave a sudden convulsive sniffle-ââ¬Å"people say theyââ¬â¢ve seen the Sasquatch around there. A big hairy monster, half person and half beast. Now, what does that sound like?â⬠Rowan was standing quietly, her expression grave-but her lips were twitching. Mary-Lynnetteââ¬â¢s vision blurred and wetness spilled onto her cheeks. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry.â⬠Rowan put a hand on her arm. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢mnot laughing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought he was a nice guy,â⬠Mary-Lynnettesaid, turning away. ââ¬Å"I still think he is,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"And actually, really, you know, it means he didnââ¬â¢tdo it.â⬠ââ¬Å"The fact that heââ¬â¢s a nice guy?â⬠ââ¬Å"The fact that heââ¬â¢s a werewolf.â⬠Mary-Lynnette turned back.â⬠What?â⬠ââ¬Å"You see,â⬠Rowan said, ââ¬Å"werewolves are different. Theyââ¬â¢re not like vampires. They canââ¬â¢t drink a little blood from people and then stop without doing anyreal harm. They kill every time they hunt-because they have to eat.â⬠Mary-Lynnette gulped, but Rowanwent on serenely. ââ¬Å"Sometimes they eat the whole animal,but they always eat the internal organs, theheart and liver. They have to do it, the same way that vampires need to drink blood.â⬠ââ¬Å"And that means â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"He didnââ¬â¢t kill Aunt Opal. Or the goat. They wereboth intact.â⬠Rowan sighed. ââ¬Å"Look. Werewolves and vampires traditionally hate each other. Theyââ¬â¢ve been . rivals forever, and lamia think of werewolves as sort of-lower class. But actually a lot of them are gentle.They only hunt to eat.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said hollowly. Shouldnââ¬â¢t shebe happier about this? ââ¬Å"So the guy I thought was nice just has to eat the odd liver occasionally.â⬠ââ¬Å"Mary-Lynnette, you canââ¬â¢t blame him. How can I explain? Itââ¬â¢s like this: Werewolves arenââ¬â¢t people whosometimes turn into wolves. Theyââ¬â¢re wolves who sometimes look like people.â⬠ââ¬Å"But they still kill,â⬠Mary-Lynnette said flatly. ââ¬Å"Yes, but onlyanimals.The law is very strict aboutthat. Otherwise humans catch on in no time. Vam pires can disguise their work by making it look like a cut throat, but werewolf kills are unmistakable.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay. Great.â⬠I should be more enthusiastic, Mary-Lynnette thought. But how could you ever re ally trust someone who was a wolf behind their eyes? You might admire them the way you admire a sleek and handsome predator, but trust them â⬠¦no. ââ¬Å"Before we go back-we may have a problem,â⬠Rowan said. ââ¬Å"If he realizes that you recognized his ring, he may know weââ¬â¢ve told you about you know.â⬠She glanced around and lowered her voice. ââ¬Å"The Night World.â⬠Mary-Lynnette understood. ââ¬Å"Oh, God.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes. That means itââ¬â¢s his duty to turn us all in. Or kill us himself.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, Godâ⬠ââ¬Å"The thing is, I donââ¬â¢t think he will. He likes you, Mary-Lynnette. A lot. I donââ¬â¢t think he could bring himself to turn you in.â⬠Mary-Lynnette felt herself flushing. ââ¬Å"But then, that would get him in trouble, too, wouldnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"It could, if anybody ever finds out. Weââ¬â¢d better go back and see whatââ¬â¢s going on. Maybe he doesnââ¬â¢t realize you know. Maybe Kestrel and Ash have managed tobluff him.â⬠How to cite Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 13, Essay examples
Saturday, December 7, 2019
True Brand Loyalty Essay Example For Students
True Brand Loyalty Essay True Brand Loyalty Essay Introduction A companys main question in relation to selling their products or services use do be: ,,How do I get people to buy my product? It will start of by thoroughly explaining what brand loyalty exactly is. After that an overview of key success factors stimulating brand loyalty will be given and we will have a look at how these factors are influenced by different conditions. Examples will be provided. The relationships between brand loyalty and brand commitment and satisfaction will be explored. Finally a conclusion will be reached on how important brand loyalty is to companies and for what reasons. What is Brand Loyalty? Before one can give a definition of brand loyalty one first has to make the distinction between repeat purchasing behavior and brand loyalty. Repeat purchasing behavior is the actual rebuying of a brand. So the behavioral aspect of this action. Brand loyalty also includes that behaviors antecedents. This means the reason or fact occurring before the behavior. When talking about brand loyalty we can yet again make a distinction between two types: On the one hand we have spurious brand loyalty and on the other True Brand Loyalty Essay. The former was defined by Bloemer and Kasper as the (1) biased (2) behavioral response (3) expressed over time (4) by some decision-making unit (5) with respect to one or more alternative brands out of a set of such brand, (6) which is a function of inertia. The key word here is inertia meaning without commitment towards the brand. Their definition the latter, and the most important one in this paper, is exactly the same on the first five points but differs for the sixth adding is a function of psychological (decision making, evaluative) processes resulting in brand commitment. In this definition brand commitment is the key word. In laymens words true brand loyalty refers to consumers sticking with a brand out of feelings of commitment towards that brand. For instance, when you bought a tube of Prodent toothpaste and you found it ok, you will not have to spend any valuable time on looking for other toothpaste brands, because you are already familiar with it. However, for a more brand-loyalty-sensitive product class like beer, the probability that a consumer will stick to one brand (like Grolsch Beer) is much higher. In the next paragraph we will now look at the relation between brand commitment and brand loyalty. Brand commitment Brand loyalty is based on the amount of brand commitment. The amount of commitment is not fixed, but can be considered as a continuum. The amount of commitment is based on the type of brand satisfaction. In this article, two types of satisfaction are taken into account. For the sake of this paper, a distinction has to be made between manifest and latent brand satisfaction. First, what is brand satisfaction? Bloemer defines it as the outcome of the subjective evaluation that the chosen alternative (the brand) meets or exceeds the expectations (pp 314). Bloemer then makes a distinction between manifest and latent satisfaction. The distinction basically rests on the degree of elaboration. This in turn depends on the level of motivation and capacity that a certain consumer needs in order to evaluate the product. Manifest satisfaction is the result of a high degree of elaboration. Latent satisfaction is based on the fact that the consumer is not fully aware of his/her satisfaction, because of a lack of motivation and/or ability of the consumer to evaluate his/her brand choice (pp. on legends Essay315). The linkage between satisfaction and brand loyalty Many literatures have been written on the relation between brand loyalty and consumer .
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