Act Utilitarianism Versus Kant s Principle Of Ends Essay

Act Utilitarianism versus Kant’s Principle of Ends. Introduction There are many theories out there when it comes to any kind of ethics. I will be discussing Act Utilitarianism and Kant’s Principle of Ends. Both are good theories, but they do have their differences. I think that how we perceive either of these depends on how we were brought up by our families and what we believe in when it comes down to making decisions. While both are similar theories they are also different in their own way. All of my research on this paper I pulled from our book â€Å"Ethical Choices† 2011. Theories, Pros, Cons and Opinion Act Utilitarianism is the morally right act, for any situation, is that act which produce the greatest overall utility in its consequences. (â€Å"Ethical Choices† 2011). Act utilitarians believe that we need to understand what is right and what is wrong in order for us to make ethical decisions. In doing so, it tells us what we ought to do to promote the greatest amount of utility. In this view, we are focused on the scope, duration, intensity and probability of our actions. The scope tells us how many people are affected by certain actions; The duration tells us the amount of time that the effects our actions last; Intensity tells us how differently people are affected by our actions in that no two situation affect people the same; and, The probability tells us that we can’t predict our futures, but we can estimate how are actions affect others. In act utilitarianism weShow MoreRelatedKant And The Moral Law1451 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Kant argues that mere conformity with the moral law is not sufficient for moral goodness. I will argue that Kant is right. 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Analysis Of Adipose Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

â€Å"Research Proposal† Medical Biotechnology, Health Sciences Honours Research Proposal 30/06/2015 John Drummond 2040768 1) Grant titles Scientific title Analysis of adipose derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC’s) microRNA (miRNA) expression profile over multiple passages and pancreatic ÃŽ ²-cell miRNA expression profile post differentiation from iPSC’s. Simplified title Improvement of stem cell differentiation to pancreatic ÃŽ ²-cell for transplantation into diabetics. 2) Project summary Ethical concerns regarding the use of embryo-derived embryonic stem cells (ES), and the immune response elicited by differentiated ES cells, are being circumvented by using induced pluripotential stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients’ somatic cells. These can be differentiated into other cell types including pancreatic ï  ¢-cells for diabetics. Unfortunately aspects of iPSC DNA regulation of differentiation impair the production of cells for transplant. Understanding the role of micro RNAs in iPSC differentiation could improve the therapeutic application of iPSCs. 3) Keywords Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC’s) Embryonic stem cells (ES) Micro RNA (miRNA) Epigenetics Pancreatic ÃŽ ²-cells 4) Clearance requirements: List any ethical implications approvals required. Describe each that applies to your proposal (ie. humans, animals, hazardous chemicals, biohazards, OGTR) in ~2 lines. Human research ethics committee (HREC) application and approval required to collectShow MoreRelatedRole Of The Wnt / ÃŽÂ’ On The Treatment Of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ( Ards )1240 Words   |  5 PagesMany studies have been done regarding stem cells. One study looked at the role of the Wnt/ÃŽ ²-catenin signaling pathway in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into type II alveolar epithelial cells for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was done in mice with acute respiratory distress syndrome. ÃŽ ²-catenin or GFP control were transfected into mice mesenchymal stem cells, and these mesenchymal stem cells were put into the trachea tissue of the mice. SeveralRead MoreAn Introduction Of Regenerative Medicine2246 Words   |  9 Pagesrelative modern and multidisciplinary field of study, encompassing molecular biology, genetics, immunology and biochemistry.[1] It aims to recover the normal function of dysfunctional tissue and organs through repairing, replacing or regenerating human cells, tissue or organs. [2,3] Generally, there are three interrelated aspects to the regenerative medicine scope, i.e. rejuvenation, replacement and regeneration, respectively.[4] It is also represented as the â€Å"R3† regenerative medicine paradigm for theRead MoreStem Cells And Its Effect On The Body During The Initial Process Of Growth And Development2750 Words   |  11 PagesStem cells develop itself into various types of cells inside the body during the initial process of growth and development. Coupled with it, stem cells also play the role of an internal recovery system, in which it replicates itself limitlessly to stocks up the rest of the cells till the individual remains alive. When a stem cell multiplies itself, every new cell produced has the ability to perform the functions of a stem cell or may become some other sort of cell with greater and better well versed

Difference between Social and Traditional Business Models Free Essays

string(172) " countries that a central system is in place that makes it possible for water to be pumped into millions of households which might not be the case in developing countries\." Introduction Social business models are considered as a new innovation to the way organisations do business in the 21st century. These models to some extent contradict to the traditional business models, as the aim of latter is to primarily provide financial returns to shareholders. However, social business models have been conceptualised on the idea and rationale of contributing substantially to the community, and are built with the vision of achieving a social objective (Donaldson et al, 2011). We will write a custom essay sample on Difference between Social and Traditional Business Models or any similar topic only for you Order Now A social objective in this term may refer to socially responsible objectives which are aimed at improving the lives of individuals living within a community. Yunus and Weber (2010) for example, state that this could include setting up infrastructures and facilities and ensuring that individuals have an appropriate standard of living. However, the social responsibility of the social business model, seems to go one step further, which is to structure its business according to its social objective aim, which is in contrast to traditional business models that structure their businesses according to their core value offering, and only after profits have been made, would they now contribute a portion to their CSR objective. This essay is going to assess the business models adopted by social businesses, and compare them against traditional business models to ascertain whether, and to what extent, they are different from one another (1). Grameen Veolia Water Ltd is a water company that builds and operates water production and treatment plans in several poor villages in Bangladesh. It is a joint venture between a multinational corporation and local healthcare company which required an upfront investment of eight hundred thousand dollars. Their main aim is to develop projects in five villages, where the company would produce and deliver drinking water, which would then be sold at the factory location for a profit (Yunus Centre, 2009). In essence, the company’s business model was to identify a social problem – drinking water, and invest in infrastructure that would enable the company to meet the demand in the region. The water is being paid for, which enables the company to cover its investments. According to Yunus and Weber (2010), the profits from this investment are re-invested back into the business and enable the company to expand its operations and further assist in solving the problem of water short age in several other regions. The business model adopted by Grameen Veolia Water Ltd in Bangladesh can be considered as a social business model because it has a non-dividend, non-loss policy as depicted by Yunus and Weber (2010), which initially conceptualised the social business model. However, by comparing it against a similar business, it would be easy to identify to which extent they are similar, or different from the traditional business models. Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater Services Company which supplies millions of houses across London and 2.6 billion litres of tap water daily. Its primary business model, as seen from its website, is to build the relevant infrastructure required to pump millions of litres into London homes daily, and send them a monthly or quarterly bill. Basically, when reviewing both businesses, it seems that their models fit the same pattern, which is to build relevant infrastructures required to deliver water to customers. Grameen Veolia accomplishes tha t by delivering at the factory gate to individuals, whilst Thames Water accomplishes it by pumping into millions of London homes. The main question here is to determine if both models are different or the same lies in the definition of a business model itself. Chesbrough and Rosenbloom (2000) stated that the term business models, whilst frequently used to illustrate different strategies and functions within an organisation is not always explicitly defined. Authors offer a definition by KMLab, a consulting firm, which defines business models as â€Å"a description of how [a] company intends to create value in the market place. Business models include the unique combination of products, services, images and distributions that a particular company carries forward. It also includes the underlying organisation of people and the operational infrastructure that they use to accomplish their work†. (2). Also, Magretta (2002) describes a business model as the method of doing business in which an organisation sustains itself and generates revenues by specifying its position in the value chain. From all these definitions states that a business model describes how an organisation utilises its resources in order to generate revenues. Several busi ness models exist, and they are usually distinct based on the industry within which they operate. Linder and Cantrell (2000) for example, in their Accenture publication state that business models differ based on their unifying concept, and include price models, convenience models, experience models, channel models, and trust models, all of which define how a company does business and generates revenue. Even though they do not specify exactly what a traditional or social business model entails, the term business model is unique amongst both terms and therefore it is safe to assume that every other business model, apart from the â€Å"social business model† – is a traditional business model. Furthermore, in trying to ease the commonly held confusion about what actually constitutes a business model, Linder and Cantrell (2000) outlined the components of a business model, which in essence entail the various factors that constitute any business model. These components seek to further explain the fact that a business model is limited to the process in which a business creates value for its shareholders and generates revenues. Referring back to the water businesses that have been outlined earlier, it is clear that both entities create value by making water accessible. Thames Water manages the problem by creating the relevant infrastructure, and pumping millions of water into households daily, while Grameen Veolia has accomplished that by selling it directly to individuals. This could only be achieved due to the level of infrastructure available that makes it possible for the company to achieve this feat. It is probably only in developed countries that a central system is in pl ace that makes it possible for water to be pumped into millions of households which might not be the case in developing countries. You read "Difference between Social and Traditional Business Models" in category "Essay examples" They may not have the relevant infrastructure, especially in remote towns in Bangladesh where Grameen Veolia has chosen to operate. However, this presents a viable business opportunity. If a company were established in these locations that offered a low cost approach to getting clean fresh water, then it would succeed. This follows on from a similar strategy adopted by Wal-Mart in the 1950’s when it chose to focus on remote towns where there was little infrastructure which has created difficult barriers to entry for competitors. Even though Sam Walton’s (Wal-Mart’s founder) goal was not inherently social, by targeting these markets and offering them value – everyday low prices on big brands, they managed to achieve astronomical su ccess. According to Therefore, socially, Grameen Veolia may be accomplishing a social objective, and in the process, providing a poor society with affordable water, but they are investing private money into this feat, and consequently making profit out of this investment, which inherently, according to the definition of a business model, is a traditional business. The only difference between this model and that of Thames Water in the UK is the availability of infrastructure, which has made theirs more appropriate for their environment. Since this essay has now established that the basic business model of both the traditional business and the social business are the same, the next step is to identify their major differences and ascertain whether that constitutes to the deviation from the traditional business model. According to Yunus and Weber (2010), the key characteristics of a social business are for the business objective to overcome poverty; attain financial and economic sustainability, return back the initial investment capital of investors; retain profit in the business for expansion and improvement; environmental consciousness; and market wage alongside better than standard working conditions for the workforce. However, based on Linder and Cantrell’s (2000) discussion on the constituents of a business model, alongside other definitions used in this study, it seems that these characteristics do not constitute the definition of a business model, but more like the CSR policy of an organisation. According to Kotler and Lee (2005), â€Å"corporate social responsibility is a commitment to improve community well-being through discretionary business practices and contribution of corporate resources†. By the use of the term discretionary, Kotler and Lee disregard companies that are obligated to act socially because of the law, or because it is ethical or moral and therefore expected. It defines businesses that choose to do good for their community based on internal policies. Therefore, based on this definition, it seems that social business models, as defined by Yunus and Weber (2010), may inherent identify (3) traditional business models that have a CSR policy centred on targeting the community. Furthermore, their investor reimbursement model, which specifies a non-dividend, non-loss policy, in which the investor gets back only what they invested is essentially only a policy and in no way affects their business model of delivering value to customers and increasing revenue. Even though this model may deter investors that seek a return on their invested capital, it could also attract investors such as Google for example, who have a CSR initiative, and may view it as a method of diversifying their portfolio with a social investment. Therefore, based on these arguments, it seems that the major factors that distinguish a social business model, from that of a traditional business, are the CSR initiatives and the investor models, which are seemingly only company policies that have minimal effect on how companies create value and increase revenue. The minimal effect that these policies have on creating value, could however define how they distinguish themselves from competitors – if any, and appeal to customers, employees and investors (Petit and Yunus, 2010). For instance, if there were two companies operating within the same market, offering the same goods and adopting the same model – one of which was a social business and the other a more traditional business, the social business may gain more traction and popularity from more ethically conscious and socially responsible customers. This argument is based on CSR theories of Kotler and Lee (2005), which depict that an organisation’s CSR policies could assist it its competitive advantage, especially in the sort of customers and employees it could attract. This essay has reviewed the business models of two water companies, with the aim of identifying their underlying business structure, and determining whether and to what extent, the social business model of a Bangladeshi water company differs from the traditional business model of a UK water company. Our analyses show that business models of both companies are ideally traditional business models, but they have been adapted to fit the particular environment within which they operate. However, the core aspects of a business model, which are the value creation for customers and increasing profits, apply to both organisations. Therefore, based on the arguments set out in this paper and the discussion of both business models, it appears that the social business models are only a mere re-invention of the traditional business models, in that they seek to create customer value and generate profit. However, their core difference lies in their CSR and investor models, which is centred majorly o n improving a social factor. This model is ideal from a social perspective as it actively combines a traditional model, with a non-for- profit agenda. It can be therefore concluded that social business model would give any aspiring business an advantage over its competitors especially in generic industries, as some customers, employees and investors may be attracted to its social goals and objectives. Reference List Baker, M. J. (2011) Why ‘Social Business’Social Business, Vol. 1 (1), pp. 1 – 15. Chesbrough, H. and Rosenbloom, R. S. (2000). The role of the business model in capturing value from innovation: Evidence from Xerox Corporations’ technology spinoff companies, Harvard Business Review Working Paper. Donaldson, C., Baker, R., and Cheater, F. (2011) Social business, health and well-being, Social Business, Vol. 1(1), pp. 17 – 35 Kotler, P., and Lee, N. (2005). Corporate social responsibility: doing the most good for your company and your cause, John Wiley and Sons, 307 pages Linder, J. and Cantrell, S. (2000) Changing Business Models: Surveying the Landscape. Accenture Institute for Change. May 24, 2000. Magretta, J. (2002). Why business models matter. Harvard Business Review. Petit, P. U., and Yunus, M. (2010) Creating a New Citilization through Social Entrepreneurship, Transaction Publishers, pp. 170. Thames Water (2010) Our business, http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/825.htm [Accessed: 27/04/10] Yunus Centre (2009) Grameen Veolia Water Ltd – Background, http://www.muhammadyunus.org/Social-Business/grameen-veolia-water-ltd/, [Accessed: 27/04/10 Yunus, M., and Weber, K. (2010) Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism That Serves Humanity’s Most Pressing Needs, Public Affairs, 226 pages How to cite Difference between Social and Traditional Business Models, Essay examples

Asteroid Defense Essay Example For Students

Asteroid Defense Essay When it comes down to developing a way to defend the entire planet fromdestruction I am all for it. A large asteroid or comet hitting the earth is nota common occurrence. But it has happened many times before and when it doeshappen again the asteroid may wipe out all life, including humans. If ourgovernment did develop an anti-asteroid defense system, it would not only haveto protect our country, but the whole planet. If we had such technology we would first have to be very sure it wouldwork. We wouldnt want to shoot a nuclear weapon at an asteroid just to have itbreak into multiple pieces and have those pieces raining down on Earth. One ofthe most important parts of defending our planet would be to find and chartevery asteroid that could threaten us. That would be a very tedious and neverending job, but is necessary for the defense system to work. It would do ushumans no good to have some sort of defense against asteroids if we dont knowwhen they will strike. So after thinking about an anti-asteroid defense system, I think thatour government should look into constructing one. When one thinks about what anasteroid could do to our planet it is usually a very scary thought. In the pastwe have been very lucky with where asteroids have hit our earth. Back in 1908in the Tunguska region of Siberia, an object from space hit there causing milesof forest to be devastated. If that same object had hit New York, it would haveprobably been like a 20 megaton bomb going off in Times Square. That would havecompletely altered history. What makes it worse is that it is thought that asmall comet hit in Tunguska. What if a huge comet had hit there? Theseexamples are very good reasons why I think that humankind needs to come up witha way to stop asteroids or any other type of object that could kill off all lifeon earth. Category: Science

Wolf Story Essays - Caribou, Tuska, Reindeer, Gray Wolf,

Wolf Story Tuska was a caring, loving, but aggressive, wolf. She had settled for the winter in Northern Alaska near a heard of caribou. In her den lay five pups of her own that she loved very much. The alpha male, Nuka, and she were about to go on a hunt. Larsk would watch the pups while the parents were out. The crisp, clean snow crunched under the pair's feet as they trotted through the dusk-white tundra. Tuska and Nuka's eyes darted in all directions, scanning the land for any brisk movement, any sound wavering in the air. In the distance, Nuka spotted some caribou approaching from the horizon. You go from the left and I will go from the right! he shouted, and they galloped to their positions. She saw an old and feeble looking caribou, which was being guarded closely by two others. Apparently, the aged one was important to the clan. The Caribou were getting closer and closer, and the pair was closing in on them. All of a sudden, Tuska shouted Now! and they both jumped in at the heard. There was a tangle of hooves, claws, teeth, and antlers as both animals struggled to live. Tuska was hit in the face, but Nuka was injured worse. He had been trampled by both of the strong caribou and was crippled badly. Blood was everywhere. The old caribou was dead, but the other two weren't. Tuska bolted at them fiercely and nipped at their heels until they ran away. Tuska ran straight over to Nuka's side. His neck had been trampled and there was a big gouge in it that was bleeding strongly. As Tuska wept tears of ice, he whispered I love you. Tell the pups the same. As his voice drowned off Tuska let out a howl, a howl so big that it was remembered in the stars forever. And to this day, when any valued wolf passes away, you can here Tuska's howl in the distance, still morning for the loss of Nuka and for the loss of all loved wolves. Engineering Reports

ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism

ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism Introduction There are a number of definitions that exist to describe what the word tourism refers to. In simple terms, tourism can be described as the act of leaving one’s usual place of residence to visit a non-resident location. People will engage in tourism for a variety of reasons and these are in most cases unique to every individual traveler. Motivations for touring places include; education, seeking health services, to undertake work related tasks or for the purpose of relaxation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In their work, Swarbrooke Horner (2007) define tourism as that short term movement of people to places some distances away from their usual residences with the inte3ntion of indulging in pleasurable activities. At times, one may travel to attend to official business matters. Closely connected to tourism is the hospitality industry which involves taking care of people by providing them with relevant services to ensure their comfort. The world over, tourism is now considered a major source of income and for many countries, incomes received from the tourism and hospitality industries form a major part of the domestic spending. With this realization, countries are now doing their best to promote the growth of the tourism industry. Though the developed nations are greatly profiting from tourism activities, there is still so much to be done in the developing nations to get there. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations have considerably revolutionized the way people interact and perhaps, one of the greatest effects of technological advancements has been the change in the way business operations are handled in different sectors of the economy; tourism being one of them. In the recent past, the Internet has experienced substantial growth and the fact that is available glob ally has contributed to the increase in the number of service providers who have now turned to the use of the Internet as a key marketing tool for their products and services (Vich-I-Martorell, 2002). The many hurdles that originally created a barrier between consumers and providers are now a thing of the past. Suppliers are now presented with alternative ways of marketing and distributing tourist services and products. Though this has come with plenty of benefits for the suppliers it has tremendously affected the operations of others, denying them their means of livelihoods. A majority of consumers and providers are now able to communicate directly with each other without having to depend on intermediaries. Great technological discoveries are seen to provide a working solution for the challenges of growing the tourism industry. Providers are able to cut down on operating expenses allowing them to render their services much cheaply especially by bypassing middlemen. It is also possi ble for providers to reach a wider audience with very minimal costs.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sadly though, many developing nations are still lagging behind and have not fully embraced the use of ICT though they are well placed just like the developed nations to improve their economies through this vibrant industry. According to Mills Law (2004), the rapid expansion in the travel industry has led to a quest for superior quality information services that are necessary to help meet the demands of a growing number of tourists while at the same time, guaranteeing clients quality tourism services. There is no doubt that a lot of good has been achieved through the use ICT. This paper mainly discusses the impact of technology on the tourism with some mention of other industries. Also addressed is consumer behaviour when it comes to making decisions on choosing tou rist products. The paper also talks about the negative impacts that ICT has had in the tourist industry. Tourist Consumer Behaviour Processes The consumer behaviour process can be described as the procedure taken by a consumer when making a choice of what tourist product or service to purchase or use. A study by Swarbrooke Horner (2007) point out that the purchase decisions can be made either by individuals or in groups. Consumer behaviour has a big effect on an organization’s marketing of its products and is definitely an important consideration for any organization seeking to benefit from marketing. If thoroughly understood, knowledge of consumer behaviour can help an organization to profit considerably from its marketing activities. In the work of Pizam Mansfeld (1999), research on how tourists consume tourist products is central to the success of the tourist industry. The noticeable changes in the tourism industry coupled with strong competition in the market place and the desire to remain competitive, service providers are becoming more and more attentive and want to understand what influences the traveler’s purchase of tourism products. To capture the customers’ attention, it is critical that tourist products are designed such that they are able to address the many expectations and wishes of the potential tourists. Before making a tourist destination choice, the mode of travel and where to stay, consumers have been found to undergo various decision making processes that eventually influence the choice of tourist products and services.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on ICT and How it Influences Consumer Behaviour in Tourism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The choice for a travel destination is influenced by among other things, environmental, cultural and socioeconomic factors and these present the consumer with such a complex issue that requires enough time to ponder about. According to Swarbrooke Horner (2007), efficiency in tourism marketing can only be realized when one to understands the way consumers make decisions regarding the purchase and use of products and services. They further argue that when a service provider is equipped with proper information on the behaviour of consumers, it is possible to understand how best to sell the tourist products and obtain the expected output. Besides learning the art of persuading clients to purchase a product, one also gets to know who to target, at what time and with what type of product. Pizam Mansfeld (1999), observed that a number of authors consider motivation to be one major determinant of the tourist behaviour. According to Swarbrooke Horner (2007), consumers’ decision making processes are greatly influenced by internal and external motivators determinants when making product and service choices. The effects, however, vary depending on the type of product or service a potential touri st wishes to purchase. A considerable amount of time, for example, is required to make a decision regarding the purchase of a holiday than when deciding on what type of outfit to wear to work on any given day. Effect of Motivation in Tourism Behaviour Pizam Mansfeld (1999) observed that a great number of authors are of the opinion that one thing that is central to the behaviour exhibited by tourists when choosing products and services, is motivation. A number of theories exist to try and explain how tourist behaviour or actions are influenced by the motivation. Popular theories include; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Murray’s Classification Scheme, Dann’s Tourism Motivator, and Crompton’s Nine Motives. Central to all these theories though, is the concept of consumer need which is seen as the main driving force behind the stimulation of motivation in individuals.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the needs hierarchy theory, Maslow made an attempt to explain how motivation affects the behaviour of a tourist (Pizam Mansfeld, 1999). Maslow’s theory lists the needs hierarchical depending on the level of importance. Originally, Maslow designed the theory for his clinical psychology work but over the years, its importance has grown and it is now commonly referenced in many other industries, tourism being one of them. Its simplicity in comparison with other existing theories is considered go be the main reason why its usage has increased among tourism researchers. According to this theory, if the needs specified are not met then the lowest ranked needs will take centre stage in determining the tourist’s behaviour. On the other hand, incase satisfaction was realized at any particular level, then the individual will have to move on to the check whether the other needs were met and so on. This process continues with the consumer moving up the hierarchy as the needs o f each level get satisfied until they are all satisfied. Some of Maslow’s propositions have been rejected while others have received doubtful support. Critics have argued that Maslow’s theory does not provide a complete list of consumer needs that could influence human behaviour. Murray’s theory on the other hand, lists a total of fourteen physiological and thirteen psychology needs and from these, one can identify factors that could influence a potential tourist’s preference for a holiday. Supporters of this theory believe that it is a better model compared to Maslow’s since it gives a detailed list of the human needs that are likely to determine a consumer’s travel behaviour. Because of its complexity, however, this theory is not that popular with tourism researchers who prefer to use Maslow’s theory. Dann’s tourism motivator’s are very closely linked to Maslow’s list of needs. The theory singles out two factors that influence a traveler’s decision to purchase tourism products and services. Push factors are those that make one want to travel while pull factors are those that affect where one travels. The theory proposes seven categorizations of travel motivation. Crampton’s theory is in agreement with Dann’s regarding the push and pull motives. Nine motives are identified in this theory with seven of them being classified as push motives and two as cultural or pull motives. The study further shows that people may sometimes be reluctant to make known their real reasons for travel if these reasons are personal or intimate. The Influence of ICT on Tourist Behaviour The above discussion on consumer behaviour theories provides a very good base for appreciating the part played by motivation in determining the consumer’s actions. As mentioned elsewhere in this paper, the growth in ICT has had a great impact on the way tourism is carried out. Looking at the physiologica l, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization needs highlighted in Maslow’s theory, one can immediately see the relationship that exists between the use of ICT and the tourist’s behaviour. In the work of Vich-I-Martorell (2002), technological advancements have driven consumers to shift to the use of the Internet and other technology related services to access the required travel information. On their own and at a convenient time, tourists can visit different Web sites that interest whether commercial or non commercial to research, plan and if necessary, purchase tourist products and services. This radical change in consumer behaviour has left providers with no option but to turn to the use of technology in their work so as to answer to the increasing tourist demands and to remain relevant in the travel and hospitality business. Any other remedy short of this will only lead to loss of a provider’s market share. Being such a powerful tool for sourcing timely and accurate information that is appropriate to the needs of the consumers, ICT is now a must use for everyone. From the comfort of wherever they are, and at the click of a button, consumers can easily access a great deal of reliable information about just any tourist topic of interest. Going back to Maslow’s theory, a potential tourist who is already satisfied that all other needs have been met but still has a concern about the security of the destination has no reason to worry as this information is readily available as long as they have access to an Internet connection. With increased terrorism attacks and civil wars all over, security is certainly a threat to many potential tourists. Using ICT, governments are doing all they can to assure the travelers that all is well. The use of radars to monitor airport operations, and surveillance systems in hotels and other major places are just but some of the technological solutions being used to create a secure environment. Incase of any doubts, however, and one is not satisfied with the information obtained through the Web; there is the option of directly get in touch with service providers at the intended destinations to and request further information as needed. Among other services, the use of email systems, and mobile technology is critical here. Another example is where one wants to travel to receive treatment away from home. It would be a disaster for anyone to just show up in a foreign place without prior information of what to expect or even what to do. The traveler can tap into the huge pool of information available on the Internet to get their facts right before embarking on the journey. Impact of ICT on the Tourism Industry Even though the role played by ICT in allowing organizations to be competitive and stay above the rest was identified many years back, it is only in the recent past that the potential provide by ICT received acknowledge in the tourism and hospitality industries (Nadkarni, 2003) . Sigala (2002) also observed that very little is known regarding the impact of using ICT on employment trends despite the fact that ICT use has widely been adopted in the tourism and hospitality industries. The use of ICT has presented the tourism industry with amazing capabilities that have to a very great extent transformed business operations in so many ways. Some of these capabilities include; speedy data processing, compact storage, and accuracy. Online storage of information has made it easy for anyone needing information, to access it from wherever they are. The existence of communication links or networks is distinct advantage of ICT development. The presence of services such as video conferencing has minimized the need to have face to face meetings with consumers or suppliers as the case may be. In a nutshell, technology has really changed the way people live, travel and do work. With the introduction of technology, consumers are now better placed to demand quality services from service providers and to ensure that they receive vale for money paid. For success to be realized in the tourism industry therefore, it is essential that the service providers are well prepared to meet the consumer demands. For this reason, providers have no option but to take advantage of the numerous opportunities made available by ICT to enable them meet the consumer requirements and further their business operations. Embracing the use of ICT will certainly make it possible for any company or organization in the tourism sector, to stand out by offering competitive products and services to its customers. The use of the Internet for the purposes of planning, making reservations, booking, and payment of travel products accounts for the highest number of sales in the tourist industry when compared with any other online industries (Govers Go, 2003). Apart from the many advantages that have resulted from the use of ICT in the tourism and hospitality industries, there are associa ted negative impacts that one has to be aware of. The application of ICT in business operations has contributed to loss of employment depending on where and how the technology is being used (Sigala, 2002). One negative impact that is apparently obvious to everyone is the huge reduction in employment caused by automating routine tasks. In their work, Govers Go (2003) argued that there has been substantial increase in the amount of information available on the subject of tourism due to radical technological changes as well as globalization. Though this might look like a positive development, it poses a major challenge to both consumers and service providers. There is therefore, a need for one to be really careful when sourcing information lest they end up dealing with rogue providers. The use of technology and the existence of a direct communication channel between the consumers and suppliers have led to reduced business for middlemen and tour operators who have ended up being sideli ned in a number of occasions. This is an act that has not been received well by tour operators contributing to the existence of numerous conflicts between tour operators and service providers (Vich-i-Martorell, 2002). To survive, tour operators have had to invent tricks of dealing with the service providers such as hotel owners and airline operators. Time and again, they will exert pressure on the service providers to reduce prices. A major effect of the low pricing has been the depletion of local resources in most tourist destinations, with very few initiatives being undertaken to sustain the invaluable environmental and cultural wealth that makes tourism attractions. The following discussion on the Balearic Islands should help to shed some light on this. Balearic Islands, is a tourist destination in the Mediterranean area, controlled by non-local tour operators. These operators will usually contract hotel rooms a year in advance and then go on to market them together with a travel ticket in the tourist’s home country. As a consequence, suppliers have been forced to heavily depend on the deals made with the tour operators. This situation, together with threats to deviate tourists to other destinations within the Mediterranean area, is used by tour operators as a means to force hotels to bring down their prices. The absence of a local tour operator to market this destination abroad, combined with the fact that most hotel companies in the Balearics have neither the resources to market themselves abroad nor the means to sell their product together with a plane ticket, make the foreign tour operators the only feasible way to commercialize and sell the Balearics as a complete tourist package. Using the Internet, however, this trend can be reversed and the extortion is bound to completely disappear eventually. By using ICT, information can be made readily available to whoever is in needs it leading to the empowerment of the suppliers. Having the correct info rmation will certainly be a source of strength and this can put service providers at a competitive position in the market place. This can later become a source of strength when negotiating business deals with other players in the field. The Internet can be also be used by service providers in Balearic Islands to get an easier way to sell out their products and services to the final consumer at very reasonable prices without necessarily having to open up offices, shops, or points of sale in each country and city where the potential tourists live. This is seen an alternative channel that will let companies market and distribute products, and eventually it could lead to a situation where the bargaining power of foreign tour operators could be reduced tremendously to the advantage of local service providers. A research done in the Balearic Islands on the use of the Internet among suppliers in the tourist sector demonstrated that on average, the Internet is highly regarded as a tool that could improve the way tourist business is done. Another negative effect of the adoption of ICT in the tourism industry is the promotion of illegal activities in the society. Criminals can get exposed to that could promote negative activities in the society. Such information will include the selling drugs, terrorist activities and sex tourism among others. With this information now widely available everywhere, thanks to Internet availability, it is possible for one to quickly get to know target locations where the activities can be undertaken in disguise. A case in point is Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya, where sex tourism and drug abuse is the order of the day and is a real threat to the existence of the healthy growth of young generation. Efforts by the Kenya government to curb these illegal activities perpetrated by domestic as well as international tourists are yet to bear fruit. According to Litvin Crotts (2003), technology and particularly the use of Internet, has had a hug e impact on the traditional approach to the sell of hospitality and tourism services globally. Despite the existence of the above challenges that associated with the use of ICT, further integration of ICT in tourism and other industries is a reality and consumers and service providers alike, are willing to live with the negative consequences. For many players, technology offers a great foundation for growth in the tourist and hospitality sectors and it is almost practically impossible to imagine the present world without technology. Conclusion The use of ICT is considered a key enabler in the transformation of business processes and transactions. Rapid developments that have characterized the technological field have resulted in radical transformations that have taken place in various industries with the greatest changes occurring in the tourism and hospitality industries. Beyond any reasonable doubt, the use of technology is here to stay and it is up to the service providers to get acquainted with the use of ICT to manage their work. Emerging market trends are now forcing suppliers to adopt the use of ICT so as to excel. The high number of players present in the tourism sector has created a very competitive environment whereby only those determined to succeed can do so. Therefore, ICT usage cannot be over looked if service providers are to survive. One of the greatest rewards of implementing the use of ICT in the tourist sector is the power to handle competition calmly without any fears. It boosts the confidence of service providers when it comes to dealing the existing market struggles. In view of all these, many have argued that the negative effects related to the introduction and subsequent uses of technology are necessary evils that only carry a negligible impact that can be managed. These effects are seen as nothing when compared to the huge proceeds derived from ensuring that technology is at the centre of core business operations. As no one is about to let go of the use of technology, system developers have a challenge to create robust systems with little or no damage to consumers and that cannot be easily compromised. Though a very tricky task, another solution could be creating systems that can help to mitigate the negative impact that the use of technology is having or is bound to have on the society. Reference List Govers, R. Go, F. M., 2003. Deconstructing Destination Image in the Information Age. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 13–29. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_1_Govers_Go.pdf . Litvin, S. W. Crotts, J. C., 2003. A Framework for Online Sales Negotiations of Hospitality and Tourism Services. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 91–97. Available from: from http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_2_Litvin_Crotts.pdf . Mills, J.E. Law R., 2004. Handbook of Consumer Behavior, Tourism, and the Internet. New York: The Haworth Hospitality Press. Available from: h ttps://books.google.com/books?id=yoMYTtp82YkCpg=PA115lpg=PA115dq=Doolin,+B.,+Burgess,+P.+Cooper,+J.+Evaluating+the+use+of+web+for+tourism+marketing+:+a+case+study+from+New+Zealandsource=blots=aFevucaPussig=osKVeqW5SFDRYLfxDPR6YOS88U0hl=enei=svQZTdfFJI3PrQfP-eC4Cwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEgQ6AEwBw#v=onepageq=Doolin%2C%20B.%2C%20Burgess%2C%20P.%20Cooper%2C%20J.%20Evaluating%20the%20use%20of%20web%20for%20tourism%20marketing%20%3A%20a%20case%20study%20from%20New%20Zealandf=false . Nadkarni, S., 2003. Information Technology Competencies in Tourism Management Education. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 6 pp. 47–54. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_6_1_Nadkarni.pdf . Pizam, A. Mansfeld, Y., 1999. Consumer behavior in travel and tourism. New York: The Haworth Hospitality Press. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4iAl2CpQpQCpg=PA18lpg=PA18dq=Tourist+Consumer+Behaviour+Processessource=blots=lbT-afB06bsig=CpAFTxeAMLCwpaB6WUf DtkYk-dwhl=enei=UlgaTfXqI8a08QPy1I3EBwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=7ved=0CEMQ6AEwBg#v=onepageqf=false . Sigala, M., 2002. The Impact of Multimedia on Employment: Evidence from Small and Medium Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises in the UK. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 4 pp. 175–189. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT_4_34_Sigala.pdf . Swarbrooke, J. Horner, S., 2007. Consumer Behaviour in Tourism. Amsterdam: Elsevier Ltd. Available from: https://books.google.com/books?id=O_FwjoSEGPgCpg=PA6lpg=PA6dq=Tourist+Consumer+Behaviour+Processessource=blots=nbrUMgPTsKsig=pwnVXk9HOw1O_cLIqKGKRIeS43Uhl=enei=UlgaTfXqI8a08QPy1I3EBwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=1ved=0CBoQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=Tourist%20Consumer%20Behaviour%20Processesf=false . Vich-i-Martorell, G. A., 2002. The Internet as a Marketing Tool for Tourism in the Balearic Islands. Information Technology Tourism, Vol. 5 pp. 91–104. Available from: http://tourism.wu-wien.ac.at/Jitt/JITT _5_2_Vich-i-Martorell.pdf .

Cell Biology ADHESION WRITE UP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cell Biology ADHESION WRITE UP - Essay Example Cadherins are found as trans-membrane proteins (Rastogi, 2007). There are four main types of classical cadherins, with the epithelial cadherin playing an important role in the growth of tumours (Asano et al, 2004). Cells possessing cadherins generally adhere to other cells possessing cadherins. By exploring these cell adhesion mechanisms with an assay, it is possible to understand more fully the role of the intracellular matrix and the reactions which occur within it. The assay described below relies on the interesting effects that trypsin has on these cadherin molecules. In the presence of calcium and trypsin, the cadherins are protected from cleavage, but in the presence of a trypsin and EDTA mixture, the cadherins are removed from the cell surface and thus the cells stop aggregation. Results Trypsin is commonly used to detach the adhering cells (Humphries, 2001). Prior to the addition of trypsin, the cells were adhering to each other forming a suspended clump of cells within the w ells. However, after the trypsin was added, there was less evidence of adhesion and the cells were in the matrix singularly. After fixing, only the adhering cells were found in the well. This again gave a ‘clumped’ look to the cells. After viewing this, the wells were stained with methylene blue, and this the wells had a typical blue appearance in the top two rows, suggesting normal adhering cells were present. ... Raw Data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 A 0.935 0.685 0.798 0.857 2.35 2.323 2.253 2.523 2.427 2.809 2.58 2.416 B 0.445 0.488 0.632 0.401 2.165 2.13 2.308 1.708 0.774 0.851 1.072 0.814 C 0.028 0.023 0.037 0.028 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.026 0.025 0.026 0.027 D 0.029 0.031 0.027 0.029 0.028 0.023 0.029 0.026 0.027 0.026 0.035 0.03 E 0.027 0.033 0.028 0.03 0.022 0.013 0.029 0.028 0.032 0.022 0.032 0.03 F 0.028 0.024 0.026 0.028 0.027 0.028 0.022 0.028 0.017 0.014 0.021 0.027 G 0.028 0.032 0.024 0.026 0.037 0.021 0.029 0.017 0.018 0.016 0.024 0.034 H 0.032 0.019 0.025 0.023 0.025 0.014 0.028 0.014 0.018 0.013 0.022 0.025 Graph 1 A1-4 A5-8 A9-12 B1-4 B5-8 B9-12 Mean 0.819 2.362 2.558 0.492 2.078 0.878 Standard Dev. 0.105 0.115 0.183 0.100 0.258 0.133 Graph 2 A1-4 A5-8 A9-12 B1-4 B5-8 B9-12 Mean 0.201 0.370 0.346 0.158 0.325 0.407 Standard Dev. 0.009 0.023 0.067 0.020 0.031 0.021 Discussion ECM Component Preference As was previously discussed, cadhesins are of various different types and thus may have different preferences for the extra-cellular matrix in which they react. In the data above, the cells A1-4 represent matrix 1, A5-8 represent matrix 2, and A9-12 represent matrix 3. The cells B1-4 represent the BSA and B5-8 and B9-12 represent tube 1 and 2 respectively. In this case, the data obtained experimentally shows that there is a definite component preference for matrices 2 and 3, with the first one having a very low absorbance value and thus a very low amount of adhering cells. The sample data also show a similar trend, although the amount of adhering cells in matrix 1 are not so low as in the experimental data. There is another small difference in