Comparing different international HRM strategies

Comparing different international HRM strategies Human Resources Management is a planned approach to managing people effectively for performance. It aims to establish a more open, flexible management style so that staff will be motivated, developed and managed in a way that they can give their best to support departments missions. Good HRM practices are instrumental in helping departmental objectives and enhance productivity. For the purpose of sharing expeience and providing reference in launching HRM initiatives. HRM Good Practices Since launching HRM movement in 1994 in the civil service, Civil Service Bureau has sponsore and individual departments have introduce various HRM initiatives. In taking HRM forward, we need strategic and integrated approach in managing people effectively for performance. In taking a strategic and integrated approach, HRM is linked to the department strategic direction in a systematic way. Such an approach is often reflected in the following practices clarifying a department strategic direction by way of articulating its Vision, Mission and Values statement; establishing the strategic linkage and integrating HR programmes through a HRM Plan projecting its short to long term human resource need through a Manpower Plan. At the same time, all manager must adopt a more open, flexible and caring style in managing their staff. Such an approach is reflected in number of ways. The three most common practices are managing people effectively for performance through an open Performance Management System that call for individual objectives tied to departmental objectives, regular coaching, and developing staff on job; enhancing staff competencies to perform better through effectively training people to achieve departmental objective and results LITREATURE REVIEW 1)Similarities and Differences in Human Resource Management in the European Union Sources: Thunderbird International Business Review, Vol. 45(6) 729-755 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ November-December 2003  © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). European authors have acknowledged that HRM originally developed in the United States.. European writer; Hendry Pettigrew, have been critical of apply American HRM views to other countries, especially Europe.Such criticism is entirely valid. A theoretical or practice HR model developed in the cultural context of one country should not indiscrimiately applied to another country without testing the cultural biases of its assumption..While the U.S. influence in HRM has been criticized,there is also a particular fondness among some European HRM academic writers to compare and contrast European with U.S. HRM. Brewster and Bournois posed the following question as a point of departure to justify such a comparison, To what extent there is sufficient similarity in Europe to require us to question whether there may not be significant difference between HRM in Europe as a whole and the United States of America? The comparison point out that in Europe, HRM is less dependent,companies have less autonomy and freedom of action, trade unionism is more important, the social partners have more influence,legal regulations are more important, and there is a stronger tradition of employee involvement. Brewster and Hegewisch push the comparison between European and American HRM even further and justify the existence of a European HRM model based on these differences. They conclude that,There are identifiable difference between the way in which HRM is conducted in Europe and that of the United States, a difference which allows us to speak of a European form of HRM . Brewster and Bournois also speak of two paradoxical trends that run through HRM in Europe. On the one hand there are clear country difference that can be understood and explained in the context of each national culture and its manifestations in history, laws, institutions, and employee organizations. On the other hand, there is an difference between the ways in which HRM is conducted in Europe vs the United States Brewster has made important contribution in pioneering the notion that there is a European HRM tradition distinct from others.He must be credited with being the first to attempt to develop a European model of HRM distinct from existing U.S. model. His European HRM model locates organizational issues within sectorial and national influences. However, according to Clark and Mallory , Brewsters European model has four main problems. First, talking abut European HRM is an example of reductionism that fails to take into account the cultural diversity of the European nations. Second,Brewster overestimates the level of autonomy enjoyed by HR manager and organizations in the United States. Third, his model is potentially culturally conditioned and inherently ethnocentric. 2) Changes in HRM in Europe: A longitudinal comparative study among 18 European countries Sources: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/ To examine HRM strategies and practices and HRM position within organizations in various cultural, economic and sociopolitical contexts from a longitudinal perspective. Findings The overall picture is that the 18 countries form two major clusters. Countries in Europe can be systematically clustered in a North/West-South/East distinction, regarding HRM practices. There is no indication of convergence between the major clusters. However, movement from one cluster to another was observed, with Italy and East Germany moving to the North-western cluster. Research limitations/implications The level of analysis, which is HR practice at a national) and regional level, is a methodological limitation of the present study. Analysis at this level conceals qualitative differences between countries, which are important in the contextual paradigm. Practical implications The issue of convergence in HR practices has important implications for HR managers in multinationals who operate in Europe and the transferability of HR practices. Originality/value This paper addresses the issue of whether over time there is an increasing Europeanisation (convergence) of HRM practices in Europe or not, by studying HR practices in 18 European countries. 3) Employers Find An Innovative Way To Escape The Growing Expense Of Providing References Sources:www.workpass.co.uk/calculator UK Unemployment is at its highest for over a decade and still rising fast. One unexpected impact of this trend has been to increase the administrative burden on Human Resource departments, whose staff are required to provide references for the rising number of former employee who are seeking jobs. Added to that is the growing scrutiny of landlord and lending organisation seeking to authenticate the salary detail of current employees, in the wake of recent scandals about irresponsible lending. It is all making managing references unacceptably time-consuming and costly for HR team, at a time when most businesses are seeking to find new efficiencies and save money. As a result, more and more employers are choosing to entrust reference management to the specialists at WorkPass. Using WorkPass is one of those rare things in business: a genuine no-brainer. Its an innovative, online solution thats able to handle all kinds of reference requests relating to both previous employees looking for work and current ones looking for, say, a bank loan or to rent a property. WorkPass is a wholly owned subsidiary of Verifile Ltd the UKs leading provider of pre-employment screening services. Its services are fully compliant with the Data Protection Act -which means that using WorkPass helps businesses pass the common compliance challenges associated with providing references over to WorkPass, thereby reducing their risks. Ben-Cohen continues: We take data protection very seriously. Thats why we make sure that each employee has control over who can access their data by letting them generate consent codes which provide controlled access to their details on our site. As well as effortlessly maintaining high levels of compliance, clients can provide a platinum service that enhances the good reputation of their organisation, while freeing up costly HR resource, helping them to deliver real and rapid cost savings. Uniquely on the market, WorkPass is offered as a free service to employers and employees. Reference-seekers instead pay a small access fee for the benefit of getting accurate and speedy responses to their online queries, often within seconds saving them time and money as well. Employers can offer a flexible choice of reference though WorkPass. These include providing basic references, confirming only dates of employment and position held; detailed references of the sort usually sought by financial institutions requiring confirmation of salary; and customised references, such as those required under compromise agreements. 4) The Human Resource Development function: the ambiguity of its status within the UK public service Source: http://ras.sagepub.com/cgi/content Improving performance thrugh better employee development practice is a recurrent theme within the UK public sector. Human Resource Development is seen as playing a pivotal role in this process. This article will review the role, structure and status of HRD with in the UK public service. It will consider the apparnt paradox that exists. On the one hand, the HRD function is reported to have a vital role in the developent of those working within public service organizatons. On the other hand, some hold the view that the reshaping the function is diminishing its status and influence. The article draws on the findings of the first phase of study examining the role, structure and status of the HRD function in UK public sector organization. Findings suggest that how the HRD function is presented and represented is problematic. 5) The Unique Recruiting and Human Resources Practices in Japan SOURCES:The Unique Recruiting and Human Resources Practices in Japan By Ames Gross and Larry Hewes Spring 1997 Published in International HR Journal EXECUTIVE SUMMARY à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Foreign firm attempting to enter the Japanese market must first acquaint themselves with Japans labor laws and human resource practices in order to be successful. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Although not required by statute, in Japan, workers generaly have lifetime employment with a single company. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In Japan, promotions and increaes in responsibility are usually based on seniority, rather than solely on merit, and the promotion of a younger employee over more senior co workers can cause discomfort in the workplace. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ While Japan does have a national health system, many foreign company enroll their workers in a private health insurance plan, which are offered by foreign insurance companies. As matter of background, the Japanese economy is now recovering from a long period of recession and stagnation. It is a huge economy in world term, second only in power and size to that of the United States. In many way, Japans economy is superior to that of the United States; for example, Japan is the worlds largest creditor nation while the United States is the largest debtor nation. Japan run a trade surplus while the United States has a deficit, and the savings rate of Japans citizens far that of the United States. Japan has a population of 130 millions people, and its society which has been for centuries, and even during several decades, closed is opening up more and more to foreign commerce. For example, there are many more foreign car in Japan now than there were just 10 years ago, and hundreds of U.S. and European company now do business in Japan. Given the size of its market and its economic power, it behaves almost any U.S. business to look seriously at doing business with Japan. For some companies those whose products are so unique or who simply do not have the resources to establish a physical presence in Japan purely exporting may work, however, setting up an office in Japan and, of course, recruiting and hiring staff are the best way to go. However, one cannot do this successfully without understanding what the human resources issues and labor laws in Japan are, and how the written and unwritten traditions governing business and employment operate in that country. The purpose of this article is to provide foreign employer with some guideline on this subject. Recruiting, hiring, firing, termination, out placement, salary, title, and other basic subjects are covered. 6) The transferability of Japanese HRM practices to Thailand Jun Onishi Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan This research examined the transferability of Japanese human resource management to Thailand. Attitude toward life-time employment, seniority system, consensual decision-making, quality circle, and house unions were considered. The sample included 560 managers and staff of Japanese companie in Thailand. The results indicate that all five practice except seniority are transferable. The Thai employees have more positive attitudes toward consensual decision-making, quality circles and house unions than the Japanese managers in the Japanese manufacturers in Thailand. Some Japanese managers think that consensual decision-making and quality circle are not appropriate or accepted in Thailand. This belief may limit the implementation of these practices. Regarding seniority, both the Japanese manger and the Thai employees agreed that performance should be evaluated by achievement, but years of service should be part of evaluation criteria. OBJECTIVES 1.To study HRM practices in Europe 2. To study structures operating within international companies across Europe. 3.To study the structure and operation of the European Union 4.To study the corporate culture in Europe RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research would be undertaken through secondary data.The data collected from 1.Journals 2.Magazines 3.Internet 4.Books HR PRACTICES IN EUROPE HR in perspective across Europe A brief look at the economic and social context of the fifteen longer-established EU member states. Austria joined the EU in 1995. It has benefited greatly from both physically and linguistically close to Germany and it holds key position on transalpine transport routes. This small, but highly efficient, central European state has well-developed system of labour relations, a high level of employee involvement and a welfare system that, although generous, nevertheles incorporates a sufficient incentive to remain in work. Denmark has driven up its wage level to be the highest in the world by heavily taxing employees and relying heavily on collective bargaining to regulate pay and employment condition. However, it has one of the most skilled workforce in Europe and has been a pioneer in flexible working methods. This has helped Denmark to achieve high, sustained productivity level in recent years. Finland joined the EU in 1995. It has few natural resources and a complex language that could easily have become a barriers to international trade. However, it has been able to take full advantages of EU and eurozone membership to achieve a low level of price inflation and invest in its human capital to produce a highly skilled workforce. The Finnish economy has also benefited by employers being able to tap into ready supply of labour from the Baltic states. France has low level of unionisaton, but highly militant trade unions. The official stance towards foreign-owned multinational enterpries has often been hostile and there has been a tendency to overreact to corporate restructuing by the application of penal sanctions. The 35-hour week has not been a success and the French govenment is now trying to unpick itself from many of its past policies. Germany is the biggest and by far the most succesful of the older EU states. During the last two decades it has achieve a difficult transition in its eastern states from a system of state-run monopolie to a modern market economy. Complete integration has not, however, been fully achieved and a 20% wage gap still exists between eastern and western states. Neither has Germany been able to significanly narrow the equal pay gap between male and female employees. Greece joined the EU in 1981. It continues to be a country with many small employers, generally poor labour relations and government that have frittered away much of the economic gain from EU accession through unprodutive public spending and early retirement schemes. Statutory work obligations are commonly flouted, paricularly in leading sectors such as construction. Government employment data is generally weak, out of date and uneliable. Greece relies very heavily upon its tourism and agricultural industries and has not been successful at attacting a sustained volume of major inward investment projects. Moreover, it has never fully expited its physical location close to major external markets in the Middle East. Ireland provides the best ex within the EU of a small country overcoming its lack of natural resources and peripheral geogaphical position to become a true tiger economy. This has largely been achiev through a low rate of corporation tax, a sustained inward investment strategy and an open-door policy towards immigants from central and eastern Europe. Ireland has not focused on being a low-wage location, but has concentrated on minimising bureaucratic burden and keeping overhead such as social security costs to a minimum. Italy has overcome many of its past economic and political instability problems, and its most recent reform have helped to encourage flexibility and open up the labour market. However, it has still not overcome its major north-south economic divide, reduced the bureaucratic burden that it continues to place on employer, or resolved the inconsistent application of its complex employment laws. Spain joined the European Union in 1986 and was at first country burdened by poor labour productivity, tight employment protection laws and wage indxation. Although these problems have not entirely disappeard Spain is now western Europes second tiger economy, with rapid economic expansion driven by a property boom and a plentiful supply of low cost labour frm north Africa. Sweden joined the EU in 1995. During the 70s and 80s, Sweden had to undertake a major economic restructuring exercise to deal with a decline in it forestry and iron ore mining sectors. Its highly sophisticted and extensive welfare system helped to make this exercise a success. Since accession, however, the Swedish economy has underperformed. This is primarily due to the high tax burden imposed on ordinary workers to sustain the generous welfare provisions, the creation of a dependency culture, and the narrownes of pay differentials. The United Kingdom operate a very different corporate and work culture from the European continent. It has virtualy abandoned sectoral collective bargaining and has been reluctant to embrace formalised systems of employee participation. It has tended to take a minimalist approach to all EU social and employment Directives and has refused to join the eurozone. Although this has helped to encourage the growth of new enterprises, much of the UK advantage in attracting inward investment has been gained through its cultural and linguitic links with the USA. Labour costs, however, remain high by EU standard and productivity is well below the level that this degree of economic freedom should have achievd. Comparison between employment characteristics in EU15 and new EU states (averages) Employment characteristic EU15 States New EU States Employee cannot change own working methods 29% 37% Employees working on shifts 12.1% 23% Employees working on Sunday 6.5% 11.7% Employees with fixed-term/temporary job 10.5% 8.7% Employees working at night 4.4% 5.4% Employees with a second job 1.8% 5.2% Length of time in present job 10.9 years 13.4 years Length of working week 38.2 hours 44.4 hours Language training in workplace (av/yr) 4 hours 11 hours Management training in workplace (av/yr) 12 hours 7 hours The HRM concept remains undeveloped in many of established EU member states such as France and Germany. This is largely due to over-reliance on administrative procedures and company rules, the codetrmination powers of works councils, the prevalence of sectoral collective bargaining, and widespread union resistance to workplace innovation. It therefore remains uncertain how far HRM method will become the norm for managing personnel issues in the new member states. European HR trends Europe accounts for one-tenth of the world population. Two-thirds of Europeans live in countries that are member of the economic federation known as the European Union (EU). The proportion of the population (aged 15-64) who are employed in the EU is just 66.0%, compaed to 69.3% in Japan and 71.5% in the USA. The average employee in the EU works for 38.5 hours per week, 18% of the EU working population works part-time, 14.8% are on temporary contract and 5.1% of employees started their job in the last 3 months. 12.9% of the population agd 15-64 have undergone tertiary education and almost 10% of the EU population aged 25-64 take part in lifelong learning activitie. EU citizens spend 12.2% of GDP on pension and their average retirement age is 59.9 years. HR policies and strategies checklist The focus HR strategy over the last decade has been to find an ever-widening range of methods to cut cost and improve operational performance. These tend to be carried out irrespective of the current stage of the economic cycle or a company relative competitive position. Options which were once regarded as either in or out of fashion are now being assessed purely on their merit, and are being swiftly adopted if they seems likely to succeed. We have entered an era of corporates perfectionism in which almost anything is possible. The prevailing aim of companie is not just to be more efficient and effective than their business rivals, but to be so good that it will be dangerou for competitors to try to emulate their achievements. Cost saving Reduction of operational costs: redundancy delayering pay cuts and freezes increasing variable pay as percentage of total pay , recruitment freezes outsourcing removing deputy posts gain sharing -,rationalising company car policies maximising grants or subsidies. Control of overheads: relocation to lower-cost centres ,use of teleworkers cutting benefits rationalising back-office functions expense account audits trimming expense budgets extending the working day. Limitation of future liabilities: changing from defined benefit to defined contribution pension schemes removing incremental pay scales curtailing grade creep. Pain sharing: board pay cuts, HQ downsizing single status facilities limiting top management severance packages ,utplacement counselling. Operational flexibility Job flexibility: job design flexible working hours annual hours contracts time off in lieu (TOIL) time banking ,part-time working ,fixed-term contracts ,multi-skilled work teams. Pay and benefit flexibility: profit sharing employee share ownership share options self -service benefits. Operational flexibility: time management , improving managerial leverage , the 24/7 workplace use of freelance and temporary staff suggestion schemes. Human capital Encouragement of lifelong learning: individual learning accounts , action learning elearning cpd mentoring. Retention of know-how: strategy for older workers staged retirement ,removing age barriers knowledge management developing knowledge banks. Promotion of equal opportunities: removing glass ceiling equality training equal opportunities monitoring diversity policies positive action. Promotion of health and fitness: in-house fitness centre discounts on external facilities stress counselling company sports teams regular medicals. Performance effectiveness Use of performance management methods: benchmarking process rengineering management by objectives employee appraisal upward feedback (360 degree feedback) decentralization empowerment delegation quality circle open door policies performance incentive supply chain management HR system integration data mining and warehousing. Improvement of recruitment process: student sponsorship on-line recruitment automated scanning background checks positive vetting verification of cv data University ratings personality/literacy testing assessment centres head-hunting succession planning. Reduction of absenteeism: attendance bonuses- wellness programmes surveillance of those on long-term absence motivational programmes. Prevention of fraud and theft: expense claim audits ctv scanning whistleblowing schemes amnesties forensic audits. Further important element in HR management are softer policy concerns and personnel administration, together with legal compliances and the avoidance of litigation. Increased board visibility and accountability have become areas of concern following recent exposures of corporate irregularitie such as the Enron affair. Data privacy and security are also becoming more significant issues and are making the application of HR policies a much more complex task. Corporate culture Family-friendly workplace: work/life balance childcare eldercare parental leave emergency leave term time working job sharing flexible working arrangements sabbaticals. Corporate governance: annual social and environmental reports remuneration committee independent reviews visibility and accountability of corporate boards. Localisation: support for local events service contracts with SMEs replacement of expatriates with local employee environmental improvement schemes. Employee welfare: Dutch-style arbo services hospital visits disability counselling company social functions attendance at funeral long service awards flowers on birth of employees children car-sharing initiative season ticket loans. Legal and ethical compliance Safety: statutory obligations codes of conduct safety training , health and safety audits joint committees safety signs emergency procedures alcohol and drugs testing. Employment: statutory obligation custom and practice codes of conduct disability quotas collective agreements works councils European work councils. Privacy and security: codes of practice data security standards international transfers of personal data email monitoring subject access procedures emergency planning workplace security zoning. Personnel accounting: tax compliance ,- payroll procedures IAS 19 remuneration committees. Community: corporate social responsibility (CSR) work experience student exchange sponsorship. Labour courts and court systems in Europe Belgium There are two levels of specialist labour court in Belgium: Labour tribunals: Courts of first instance dealing primariy with individual employment contract issues. Labour courts: These hear appeals referred by tribunals and seek to resolve significant collective disputes. Each tribunal retains a team of labour prosecutor who may be called upon to provide opinions to the court and are also responsible for instituting criminal proceeding against employers when health and safety laws have been seriously breached. Denmark Denmark operate a well established and highly complex array of courts, arbitration and conciliation machinery. Actions concerning individual employments contracts are heard by the general courts. The Labour Court Act governs the activities of the labour court that hear cases involving breaches of collective agreements. However, the starting point for dispute resolution is usually the set of standard rules that are common to almost all collective agreement. These define a number of steps to be followed as soon as a problem arises in the workplace. The parties are first obliged to negotiate, then to seek private arbitration if required and, finally, to go to court rather than resort to strike action or lock-outs. No individual employee can bring a case, or be the sole subject of a labour court actions. Germany Around 650,000 cases are heard by labour courts each year in Germany. Of these around 90% concern individuals rather than trade unions or works councils (as collective suits). Half of all cases are settled at an initial hearing before a lower labour court, but 1,000 cases a year eventually go through the full appeals process. Three levels of courts of appeal 1) Labour courts (Arbeitsgerichte) 2) Higher labour courts (Landersarbeitsgerichte) 3) The Federal Supreme Labour Court (Bubdesarbeitsgericht) final court of appeal These deal with private law disputes involving statutory rights such as wrongful dismissal, infringements of works council procedure, wage payment problems and the interpretation of collective agreement. Social security cases are heard by separate courts of social affairs. Conflicts of interest between works councis and employers are dealt with by ad hoc settlement committees Italy Labour court are an integrated element of the civil court system. They are composed of professional judges who deal with a wide range of social insurance and social welfare issues as well as internal civil service dispute and labour laws. There are three levels of labour court: 1) The court of first instance 2) The appeals court 3) The Cassazione All parties must be legally represented at every level of labour courts. Both individuals and collective bodies may seeks a decision by the court. However, unions may intervene in individual disputes if the case involves the interpretations of a collective agreement. Most cases that are heard by a court of first instance are permitted to go forward upon appeals. Spain Around 300,000 cases are heard by Spanish labour courts each year. However, only 40% of all cases relate to contracts of employment, with the balance being taken up by social security disputes. There are three levels of labour court: 1) The social courts at a provincial level. 2) The social chamber of the high courts at a regional level. 3) The social chamber of the Supreme Court in Mad

Tech Effect Essay example -- Technology, The Internet

Tech Effect "The Internet is one of a series of aids developed over the last millennium or so that has increased the operational capacities of the average world citizen", (Stefanie Olsen, Sec. 2). With all the new technology so closely on hand, people are starting to wonder about the effects on society and the peoples true ability. The amount of technology in this new world has increased rapidly and is influencing our society by the way they think, the way they work, and by the way they interact socially. Over time new inventions come and go; however, the invention of technology is here to stay. Initially, the use of cell phones has inflated over time. "There are now estimated to be eight times as many mobile phones as fixed lines, three times as many mobile phones as personal computers, and nearly twice as many mobile phones as TV sets", (Niki Denison, Para 3). People are upgrading their technology from the old phones to the new mobile ones. These new phones now have some of the same qualities as personal computers have, such as Internet; therefore, who needs a big computer to access everything if a phone can do that? Phones also can show videos, episodes, and other information shown on TV. Additionally, some technology can imitate other technology. "About one in six (15%) of adults use the Internet, sometimes referred to as VoIP of Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol, to make telephone calls, ("Cell Phone Usage Continues in the USA," Para 3). This explains that people are using and relying on technology to interchange gadgets. Finally, technology is available for any age to use. " Surveys have revealed that teen ownership of cell phones has exploded, from less than half of U.S. teens in 2004 to 71 percent in 2008" ("Cell Phone Usa... ...and they should not fear that use of the Internet and mobile phones will send them ‘into a spiral of isolation," ("New study shows the Internet and mobile phones increase your social network," Para 15). Most people's lives are working out okay with technology, so why not jump on the band wagon? To conclude, people say society relies on technology to much, but it can't be a bad thing if it is bringing this world closer. The ways our society thinks, works, and interacts socially truly comes from our ability to use so much technology. Today's society is lucky enough to have technology at the tips of our fingers; however, what is technology doing to us and can we stop it or better it? â€Å"The Internet is one of a series of aids developed over the last millennium or so that has increased the operational capacities of the average world citizen†, (Stefanie Olsen, Sec. 2). Tech Effect Essay example -- Technology, The Internet Tech Effect "The Internet is one of a series of aids developed over the last millennium or so that has increased the operational capacities of the average world citizen", (Stefanie Olsen, Sec. 2). With all the new technology so closely on hand, people are starting to wonder about the effects on society and the peoples true ability. The amount of technology in this new world has increased rapidly and is influencing our society by the way they think, the way they work, and by the way they interact socially. Over time new inventions come and go; however, the invention of technology is here to stay. Initially, the use of cell phones has inflated over time. "There are now estimated to be eight times as many mobile phones as fixed lines, three times as many mobile phones as personal computers, and nearly twice as many mobile phones as TV sets", (Niki Denison, Para 3). People are upgrading their technology from the old phones to the new mobile ones. These new phones now have some of the same qualities as personal computers have, such as Internet; therefore, who needs a big computer to access everything if a phone can do that? Phones also can show videos, episodes, and other information shown on TV. Additionally, some technology can imitate other technology. "About one in six (15%) of adults use the Internet, sometimes referred to as VoIP of Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol, to make telephone calls, ("Cell Phone Usage Continues in the USA," Para 3). This explains that people are using and relying on technology to interchange gadgets. Finally, technology is available for any age to use. " Surveys have revealed that teen ownership of cell phones has exploded, from less than half of U.S. teens in 2004 to 71 percent in 2008" ("Cell Phone Usa... ...and they should not fear that use of the Internet and mobile phones will send them ‘into a spiral of isolation," ("New study shows the Internet and mobile phones increase your social network," Para 15). Most people's lives are working out okay with technology, so why not jump on the band wagon? To conclude, people say society relies on technology to much, but it can't be a bad thing if it is bringing this world closer. The ways our society thinks, works, and interacts socially truly comes from our ability to use so much technology. Today's society is lucky enough to have technology at the tips of our fingers; however, what is technology doing to us and can we stop it or better it? â€Å"The Internet is one of a series of aids developed over the last millennium or so that has increased the operational capacities of the average world citizen†, (Stefanie Olsen, Sec. 2).

Nuclear Energy :: Environment Science Essays

Nuclear Energy Everything in life must have a beginning. It is a scientific fact. This is the same as Nuclear Energy. Nuclear energy wasn’t just discovered, it was created. Nuclear energy is the energy released by a nuclear reaction, especially by fission or fusion. From its first controlled chain reaction to be waste disposal problems, nuclear energy has made major steps. Nuclear energy began in Chicago at Stagg Field. The company that was responsible for this was Enrico Fermi. Here the company was able to create the first controlled chain reaction. The first reactors were based on natural uranium as the nuclear fuel, graphite as the moderator and water as the coolant (Prasar). This opened the floodgates for al nuclear energy. Now that we know to control the dangerous energy, we can use it without fearing drastic measures. In 1955 underwater combat was changed forever. The first submarine, The USS Nautilus, was fueled on nuclear power. The nautilus broke all submarine records for underwater speed and endurance. It was launched in Thames River after Mamie Eisenhower smashed a bottle of champagne across the bow. Due to running on nuclear energy, this made the Nautilus able to travel for great distances at a top speed of 25 knots or more. This made the submarine a much more potent fighting craft and placed the USA a step ahead of all other countries in underwater war (Norris). Even though it was a remarkable task during the year, the navy only expected even greater submarines to come in the future. Admiral Robert B. Carney, Chief of Naval Operations commented that, â€Å"as remarkable as this development seems to us now, the Nautilus will probably appear to our sons and grandsons as a quaint old piece of machinery which introduced the transition to a new age of power† (Norris). As the saying goes, â€Å"You must take the good with the bad† this certainly applies with Nuclear energy. In 1957 began the first of the accidents. Over in Liverpool, England a fire erupted in a graphite-cooled reactor. This caused a 200 square mile area to become contaminated.

Sweatshop Labor: Wearing Thin Essay example -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For most people in the United States, the term â€Å"slave to fashion† relates to an individual’s desire always to be wearing the latest fashions from trendy clothing lines. In a twist of supreme irony, the designation applies much more literally to the legions of poverty-stricken sweatshop laborers worldwide who toil away under miserable conditions to produce the snappy apparel that Americans purchase in droves on a daily basis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conditioned by a media that places considerable emphasis on possessing a stylish wardrobe, the majority of U.S. consumers are far too awash in their own culture -- one that is notorious for the value it places on material wealth -- to be sensitive to the plight of these indigent foreigners. And although the US media’s fleeting scrutiny of sweatshop conditions five years ago did make the issue a greater part of the national consciousness than ever before, not enough people changed their buying habits as a result -- or at least not enough to make a dent in the all-important bottom line of guilty corporations. Indeed, major American retailers of clothing and other apparel products have not changed this despotic element of their business practices in the least despite the negative publicity; in fact, they continue to exploit laborers in foreign, mostly Third-World countries to an alarming degree.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The scope of the problem is such that hundreds of residents in a town as small and isolated as Santa Cruz have at some point been employed in sweatshops in impoverished nations. Santa Cruz resident Lorenzo Hernandez endured years of mistreatment at a Doall Enterprises factory in El Salvador before immigrating with his wife and two sons to Santa Cruz in September, 2000. He now works full-time as a cook at Tony and Alba’s Pizza in Scotts Valley, and while he scarcely earns above minimum wage in his current position, it represents a substantial improvement to the abject conditions under which he labored for so many years in his home country. â€Å"They treated us very badly (in El Salvador),† Hernandez said. â€Å"I earned not enough to live on. My family could only buy two shirts and pants (per person), and we were always hungry. I worked 14, 16 hours a day but still did not make enough.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hernandez speaks and moves with the languor of a man... ...ation or escape in religion. Fittingly, while more affluent people in the United States disregard the reality of sweatshop labor because they are preoccupied with trying to sport cutting-edge fashions, the people of Ciudad Juarez seek to disguise their realities because they are so painful.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Faced with such unsettling tales of human suffering, Saganovich remains resolute: â€Å"Wal-Mart is simply looking out for its best interests, and this alleged mistreatment of foreign laborers isn’t anywhere near as bad as a lot of people make it out to be. The people who are speaking out so strongly against us are little more than a type of propagandists with their own agendas. Nobody forces anyone to work anywhere, and a lot of them are coming to America and making better lives for themselves.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hernandez is one of a relatively small number of lucky immigrants who have realized a greater level of wealth and comfort in the States, but he will never forget the anguish his previous jobs brought him and his compatriots. â€Å"It’s great, I can afford clothes and food here now,† he said. â€Å"But I try to buy from stores (that) don’t have sweatshops.†

When Growth Stalls – 1 Page Review

Introduction It's offering advice for avoiding growth stalls, drawing from practices currently in use at large, high-growth companies to foresee possible stalls and head them off. Article gives four categories which regarded as main reason for growth stalls. A premium position backfires, innovation management breaks down, core business is abandoned prematurely and company lacks a strong talent bench. The key point is that all of the most common causes of growth stalls are not come from external force. It’s from management’s failure. Thus it’s knowable and preventable.To spot the sign of growth stalls, they suggest us to use diagnostic self-test they developed. It’s the asking, what company’s senior managers have seen in their markets, in their competitors, in their own internal practice that might be alert of impending stall. To prevent the growth stalls, they recommend us to make strategic assumptions explicit and carry forward it relevance and acc uracy. Thus, agility for reacting to changes of circumstance will be improved. Four practices are required to carry out that process. First, commission a core-belief identification squad which consisted with employees who are less stick to current orthodoxies.Second, conduct teams which develop visions of your company’s future five years hence. Third, appoint a shadow cabinet. Lastly, ask a venture capitalist to sit in on strategy reviews and probe for weakness. Authors’ insist that on the strategy agenda, guarding against growth stalls should be at the top. And firm should renew their competence in strategy in this point. Limitation and defect The authors’ thrust is reasonable theoretically. In intellectual approach, it’s appropriate and fresh idea. However, since theories are based on consequences, it entertains a doubt to rationalize theories in results.Consequently, it’s conflict against real-business situation. First of all, there are a lot of brands who are maintaining their market leadership although they undergoing four critical causes of growth stall. In real business area, there are bunch of brands which take their competitive advantage as product differentiation therefore don’t care their rivals although they’ve got cost leadership. Harley Davidson or John Galliano will be the typical cases. Both of brands even don’t care about customers’ preference. Rather than that, they make customer to be attracted by their brands by customer themselves.Particularly in the luxury good market, brands do not try to stick their concept as contemporary or trendy. They persists their own color. (From research by Custo Barcelona in 2010) Moreover, Asahi Breweries, who’ve got competitive advantage by abandoning core product prematurely and urgently replace it to new product, can be refuter of articles theory too. (Information from Harvard Business School in 1994) Secondly, there are too many restrict ions to absorb their tools in real business. Appling self-test to foresee a stall is not that easy as they insist because it’s unclear to define the fundamental reason of the phenomenon.It can be caused by the economic recession of whole industry, fed in the customer’s preference, where product lifecycle is, or maybe it can be signal of stall. We can’t confirm fundamentally where the drawback is started. Besides utilize four practices which assist to make strategic assumption is more complicated. We can certain that cost of adopting these practices will be high, but can’t confidence how effective it will be work. Efficiency of those practices will be different from each company’s organization, corporate culture and so on. Therefore sometimes it can be aggravate of the risk.In addition, inviting a venture capitalist can be more risky than their effectiveness. Finding faithful and influent VC who is assured to not leak the restricted information abou t corporation will be huge task to solve. Anyway, to reform this thrust, I’d suggest not pass over externalities. They’ve too many weighted in management problem. More fundamental causes will be arises in external environment, such as, threat of substitutes or technological changes. Then, mention about difference between industry and concrete supplementation for their tools which demonstrate its actual effect in really business will be required.

Summary of “An Historical Preface to Engineering Ethics”

Summary of â€Å"An Historical Preface to Engineering Ethics† Michael Davis, in his article â€Å"An Historical Preface to Engineering Ethics† clarifies some misconceptions about engineering and distinguishes the differences between science and engineering by showing progressions through history. He makes a point to disprove engineer turned historian, Eugene Ferguson on his criticism that engineers have no consideration for human welfare by proving that not only do engineers have a deep consideration for human welfare, but that all of Ferguson’s criticisms of engineering are actually compliments given engineers’ military origin.Davis first depicts the progression of the definition of technology from ancient Greece to modern times, showing how the reverence of technology and thus engineering has grown over time. The modern day definition being the study of how to make manual labor easier, and the ancient Greece definition being the study of manual labor, an d since mental labor is more respected than manual labor, engineering has become better respected over time. He disqualifies the misconception that science preceded technology and is therefore older and better than engineering by showing how some inventions predated the science that explains them.He even argues that engineering is better than science because it applies scientific knowledge to make things useful. Davis clarifies that engineering is not the same as technology. Technology being the creation of tools, and engineering being the planning and instruction for others to implement that creation. He shows the history of engineering and how it started in the military, branching out from France to other countries, progressively sophisticating over time. Beginning with engineers in the infantry, creating weapons such as catapults and artillery, France eventually found need of a congregation of the engineers.They founded an organization called the corps du ge’nie, which pro ved very useful in increasing the flow of knowledge and skills and providing records for later use. In just a few short years, they were acclaimed all over France for their advances in military construction. Davis shows that the basis of all modern day engineering originated from the corps and officially started in the 1700’s when they finally came to understand what they could do as engineers and what they wanted to do. After this, he proceeds to show how he Ecole Polytechnique school, which practically perfected engineering curriculum, was formed in France and how it’s curriculum was adopted by the US. The first engineering school in the US, the West Point military academy, was founded on this curriculum. Davis includes these facts about history, not only to differentiate between science and engineering and to clarify misconceptions about engineering, but also to disprove historian Eugene Ferguson’s criticism of engineering. Ferguson criticizes engineering as unethical; he believes that engineers do not care about human welfare.Davis agrees with Ferguson’s points about engineers, but argues that they are not criticisms, but compliments and that engineers do in fact have a deep consideration for human welfare. Ferguson criticizes engineers for being efficient, creating labor-saving devices, putting control into systems, favoring the majority, and treating engineering as a means to an end rather than a means to satisfying human welfare. Davis argues that the first four are actually commendable qualities given engineers’ military origins, and that engineers do hold human welfare paramount and have since very early in their history.Since very early in engineering’s history human welfare has been held paramount. From almost the very beginning, even back in the 1700’s, human welfare was of great importance to engineers. The Ecole Polytechnique in France was noted for their regard for human welfare back in the 1700â €™s and England had the same attitude as France in regard to this as well. In 1828, Thomas Trigold, a member of The British Institution of Civil Engineers was asked to define civil engineering and he defined it as an art of directing Nature for the convenience of man.Davis states that these beliefs still hold true in today’s society, the only thing that differs is the engineers’ code of ethics, to stay consistent with ordinary morals as they differ. Davis argues that even before engineers created a code of ethics involving human welfare that they were not unethical, because they were not expected to hold it paramount, and that they were not unmoral, because not holding the public welfare as paramount is not unmoral in any ordinary sense of morality.Davis ultimately concludes that engineers’ do have high consideration for human welfare. Through historical references, definition contrasts, and counterargument, Davis provides a solid argument that engineering a t its core is based upon the advancement of man, and thus human welfare. Word Count: 767 Citation: Davis, Michael. â€Å"An Historical Preface to Engineering Ethics. † Science and Engineering Ethics 1995: 33-44. Print.

Us pivot to asia

The paper strives to present the gradual transformation within the global political scenario where China is perceived as a growing power, while US as a declining power. The study also incorporates the most significant hegemonic theories of Power Transition and Balance of Power. It, furthermore, unfolds the significance of Asia- Pacific and the competition of global powers over the reserves within the South-China Sea. Being China as a threat to US, the paper offers a comparison between US old strategy of containing Soviet's expansion and Its latest strategy of containing China.Moreover, it also presents the implications of US refinancing on such a vulnerable state of Pakistan. Introduction: The recent changes in the global politics and economy have spurred the world powers to do the utmost in furthering their national goals in-order to seek multiple financial gains. The economic hunger and greed have become the defining characteristics of today's powerful states as the Inclination of International community towards Asia-Pacific Is one such example. It has been acknowledged that the one dominating the Asia-Pacific would also be in the position to become a excessive global might.Being Mediterranean Ocean as a concern of the past, Atlantic as merely a topic of the present, the focus of the entire international community has shifted towards the whole new facet I. E. The Asia Pacific . The phenomenal development and growing might of China have not only disturbed America but also Its partner states since a powerful China could only challenge the US global status. Over the last two decades, Washington has remained stuck In Afghanistan and Iraq, thus paving way for China to advance its political influence within the Asia-Pacific.Pivot to Asia†, or more specifically â€Å"US refinancing†, demonstrates the realization of American strategic thinking towards the threat which Beijing poses to Washington not only diplomatically but also economically. Aim: To stud y the US strategy of â€Å"pivot to Asia† In its historical and contemporary perspective so as to draw its Implications on Pakistan. Significance of Asia-Pacific: The significance of Asia Pacific lies in the geopolitical interests of the key powers of the global politics.The Key players which define the politics of the Pacific include US, Japan, China and several smaller regional actors. The years following the financial predicament of 2009 have witnessed some crucial political and strategic changes since the region has become the centre of attraction driving the global politics. The region finds Its Importance In the economic and political concerns of the major global powers since It Is not only strategically vital but also possesses a symbolic meaning.The one dominating it would determine the political and the financial future of the world as the South China Sea (CSS) contains an enormous bulk of natural reserves. Its importance could be deduced from the fact that as high a s two-thirds of the global sets are being deployed within the area thereby, validating the assumption that by 2050 the centre of gravity would unfalteringly shift to the Asia Pacific. Keeping in natural reserves in that area have become the flashlight.The tussle over the gas, oil, fish and the other reserves have provoked the powers, especially US and China, to adopt a belligerent military posture and to stand eye-to-eye before each other. The CSS, being bordered by China, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Brunet, Malaysia and Indonesia, elongates to approximately 3,500,000 sq/km and enjoys a bulk of oil and as reserves somewhere underneath the oceans. Furthermore, it is also significant to international shipping since about one-third (almost 41 ,OHO ships) of the global shipping passes through it each year.It is also known for its â€Å"Large Marine Ecosystem† having distinctive features of biography, ecology and oceanography. Being a semi-enclosed sea, it possesses a large numb er of Islands having strategic, legal, political and financial worth for the regional and international powers. It holds the world's most desirable sea lanes, while as high as 80% of the total oil imported by he States of Taiwan, Japan and South-Korea travels via this regions. The international business and trade routes are also equally important for the establishment of military bases as for the political gains.The US presence in the Asia-Pacific proves the point as almost half of the US Naval forces are deployed along the region while, the development of Chinese military capabilities within the area demonstrates the aggressive posture of the key players. The detection of the hydrocarbon and the presence of marine resources, on the other hand, have intensified the competition towards seizing the natural resources to such an extent that a small tension could even prompt a war in the region.The sea also enjoys the idiosyncratic feature of bio-diversity having more than 1,000 fish, 20 0 shrimp and 50 chopped species thereby, contributing its major share in terms of food and revenuer. Moreover, much of the exports and economies of the adjacent States are dependent on the fishery goods. These incentives, thus, spur the key stakeholders to lock their horns with each other. The Core Interests of the Major Actors in Asia- pacific: Asia-Pacific enjoys a special position not only as being an emblem of national prestige, ego and identity but also because of its strategic and geographic worth.The key actors involve US, China and Japan. US Interests: The geopolitical and strategic significance of the Asia-Pacific places the United States as the most enthusiastic, keen and yet most powerful competitor in the region. The regional markets have attracted the US by providing exceptional opportunities for trade, business, investment and above all the possibility to get access to the latest and advanced technology. Keeping in view the recent global recession and American economic slump, the US economic recovery heavily relies on exports and its approach to the Asian consumer markets.The region is strategically, economically and politically vital for the US since the CSS region is in its central interests not only to counteract China but also North Korea. The US stakes in the region are not new but dates back to almost two centuries ago starting off with its independence and continues since then. The ultimate defeat of Japan in World War-II introduced America as the only decisive global power, thereby authorizing it to further its leslies and interests throughout the world and especially in Asia-Pacific.With the passage of time, its interests grew deeper and stronger while engaging all possible Washington reckons that the region holds superseding importance while the progressive future of US largely depends on boosting its trade, diplomatic or armed intervention and its presence is vital to guarantee a serene Asia. On strategic grounds, one of the core inten tions of the US, particularly after 9/1 1, is to ensure absolute security for its citizens from extremism. For this very purpose, its defended ores are positioned all-across the region to deal with the menace and to curb the terrorists threatening the very existence of the land.Most importantly, it is also eager to â€Å"balance the power† against the possible rising regional hegemony, China, which is both financially and diplomatically capable of defying the only global hegemony. Such a possible scenario has forced US to strengthen its alliances with Korea, Australia, Japan, Thailand and Philippines to tackle the very concerns 1 . Washington seems to be very active since the furthering of US interests within the region largely depends n Beam's engaged leadership and administration.On political grounds, US have always been a staunch proponent of democracy. Its democratic commitment has forced the government to get engaged into the domestic issues of smaller regional states li ke Philippines. United States is also interested to uphold the status-quo through its continuous diplomatic and armed presence and also through adopting diverse multilateral approaches to advance its agenda of curbing China and also the prevention of WIND proliferation of North-Korea since Washington perceives itself and its allies being threatened by its nuclear capability.China: Claims and Interests China, being a maritime, air and land power, is keen to acquire certain islands within the South-China Sea. Keeping in view China's mounting dependency on fuel, oil and other natural commodities, it has eyes not only on the CSS region but also has established brotherly ties with the states of Central Asia, Middle East and Africa which are rich in mineral and oil resources. Economic boost and internal stability are two core ambitions of China that have led the country to alter the political scenario not only within Asia but beyond.China claims its right on almost the entire CSS egging w here its claims rests on the historical nine-dash line. The claimed areas include â€Å"Sparely Islands†, â€Å"Gulf of Trotting†, â€Å"Hanna Islands† and â€Å"Parcel Islands†13. The rapidly growing food and oil demands have placed China as one of the key stakeholders of Asia-Pacific, thereby making the rest anxious and concerned. Moreover, being the claimant of broad sovereignty over the region, it has drawn a maritime boundary that extends from Taiwan to Philippines, from Malaysia to Brunet while passing along the Shore of Vietnam.Being an emerging power, it has already established its bases possessing a wide array of advanced equipments both in Parcel and Sparely arrears. The international observers view China's historical claims over sovereignty as highly rigid, invalid and rather self-indulgent, while China incessantly insists on simply following the path that was pursued by the West since US has its shares in certain islands of North-Pacific and F rance controlling few areas in South- Pacific. On historical grounds, China reckons that the Hans, Mongols, Munches and Tibetan were Chinese and the areas conquered or ruled by them, thus, belong to he very land.The historical manipulation has been cashed by the Chinese authorities very efficiently and has provoked patriotic and nationalistic sentiments throughout the country, thereby complicating the issue and making it an emblem of of the majestic legacy of China but also the state-owned media and textbooks promote such a reality. History holds a very unique and significant position within the country which could be witnessed through education, media, myths, folklore and research institutions and has been exploited to strengthen China's territorial and maritime assertiveness.Ever since World War-II has ended, China has actively engaged itself in reshaping and restructuring its borders, refining its territorial integrity by using coercion and historical manipulation, renaming certa in islands and imposing its viewpoint on the rest of the stakeholders. The decade of sass's saw several unpleasant clashes amongst China, Vietnam and Philippines while continuous Chinese maritime inspection has led to escalation of tensions and differences. Furthermore, China has been criticized for violating and disrespecting asses law of sea which the country ratified in 1996.China is keen to pursue at least three core objectives in South-East Asia and CSS region. First is the regional integration which is central to its strategy of â€Å"peaceful rise†. The second incorporates the resource competition and control which is not vital to China but also to other claimants. The growing population and demands of the Chinese have fiercely contributed in China's efforts towards guaranteeing resource security. The third includes China's ensured grip and augmented security within the entire region which has made the US septic over its military intentions.Japan's Role: Japan, an Asia n power, is highly septic and concerned about China's galloping power and, therefore, is keen to contribute in US refinancing strategy. The history of Sino- Japanese ties is not encouraging since Tokyo has remained a dominant US ally against communism during Cold-War. The disintegration of USSR put Us-Japan coalition into a more strong partnership and their friendship has longed for over 60 years. Tokyo is interested to play a foremost role in US refinancing against China and enjoys a significant position in the eyes of America thinkers.Emerging China and US Apprehensions: The turning of US to Asia is based on the hypothesis that its eventual competitor would emerge from the States. Ever since then, the policy makers have drawn-out few possible competitors which could become a threat to the US. Amongst the potential regional powers China, Russia, India and Japan took the lead. The policy and defended analysts, then, objectively analyzed their intentions, military and economic goals and deterrence capability against US.Amongst certain defended analysts of early asses, Marshall was the first one to predict China's military and economic boost in the upcoming thirty years. The most probable scenario, according to him, was that rising China and revived Russia would become key challengers to US hegemony. The dramatic emergence of China has not only confronted American imperative interests but also is capable to defy the US global preponderance. Considering this picture, India, being China's immediate neighbor, has been the most rational choice for the US to incorporate it into a worthy alliance.The China's AD (defended, deterrence and development) stratagem has contributed a bunch in its expansion, development and transformation over the past three decades. Its average GAP growth since 1979 has been measured up to 9. 82%. Being the second largest economic might and third largest commodity exporter, it enjoys a significant position both within and beyond its phenomen al military and economic boost has made a number of world economies dependent on Chinese products and services, thus challenging US economic superiority.The military edge of China over other Asian states allows it to have a diplomatic dominance and coercive capability against its perceived peer competitors. Washington is concerned not only over the China's galloping power but also fears its rear denial potential, thereby allowing it to utilize coercion against its neighboring states and gradually shifting the US dominance from the region. The only choice left for US, therefore, is to deter and dissuade China from expanding its might globally, amongst which â€Å"Pivot or refinancing† is one such strategy.China's rising might spawns intersecting interests, contradictory ideologies and dissenting worldviews. Beijing, not only, is advancing its naval capability but also structuring its military on modern grounds which make the other entrants anxious and agitated. Theoretical Fra mework: The US strategy of refinancing remains a hot topic thus, involving the most crucial theories of International Relations (R) including â€Å"Power Transition Theory' and â€Å"Balance of Power Theory' Power Transition Theory: The hegemonic theory of power transition focuses on a rising power that poses challenges to the dominant power.The idea is that the emerging challenger, being disgruntled with the status-quo, starts approaching the potential of the dominant state thereby threatening to transgress it in terms of power. It means that the leading power is facing a decline n its capacity while the rising state takes full advantage of the situation. Moreover, the emerging state is motivated to topple the prevailing system established by the leading state when it was enjoying its global dominance.Such a situation triggers instability and war becomes inevitable for the challenger to hasten the course of power transition. Such a scenario can be witnessed amongst America and Ch ina where America is the dominant state facing tremendous challenges and China as the emerging one. Balance of Power: The theory highlights the significance of power- haring in an anarchic system where an effort is put forward to avoid any possible hegemonic.The hegemonic designs of the aggressor are challenged by those states that believe in â€Å"balance of power† in-order to secure peace and stability. Such a situation can be seen amongst China, US and its allies where China is perceived as possessing hegemonic designs while US and its partner states struggling to balance the power within Asia-Pacific. Pivot to Asia or US Refinancing: â€Å"The future of politics will be decided in Asia, not Afghanistan or Iraq, and the United States will be right at the centre of the action†26.Hillary Clinton While Afghanistan and Iraq were Bush's focal targets, Asia-Pacific remains a central objective of Barack Beam's regime and administration. Though the region has been a tacit t arget for so long, but was acknowledged in November, 2011 during Beam's visit to Australians. He announced the region as US top priority thereby, associating a strategic, deliberate, diplomatic and premeditated stance to it thus, demonstrating that the US would remain there as an influential player for a much longer time.Since then, the high profile authorities and government officials eve openly been voicing their President's political ambitions, thus showing the level â€Å"pivot to Asia† but later was renamed to â€Å"refinancing† since the word â€Å"pivot† shows impermanence and rather implies that there has been a sudden shift in American strategic thinking while before that the region was not too important for the country. The enduring interests of United States have engaged it with the region for over two centuries.The non-governmental players including media, traders, and academics e. T. C. Have boosted the regions significance for the country and have been belly engaged in obstructing powerful positive and rather productive US-Asian liaison. Since US possesses a notable majority of immigrants, millions of settlers from Asia-Pacific can be found within the country, thereby getting benefited from American capitalist society while remaining attached to their mother homelands. The regimes of both former presidents G. W.Bush and Bill Clinton were largely focused on the crisis situation of Spooks, Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia and later Afghanistan. President Clinton, however, took a few steps towards normalizing the US ties with the other Asian actors including Vietnam, but he was more interested in deterring and also engaging China. At least four core reasons have been provided regarding US turn to Asia-Pacific; the first acknowledges the most palpable transition period where the country has to line-up its future strategic and diplomatic priorities while considering the US departure from Iraq and Afghanistan.Secondly, the recent budgetary cu ts call for the urgency to lay before the table the country apex concerns in-order to eschew those policies which could transgress the budget. The hired motive encounters the ascending economic and military significance of Asia- Pacific since the region has been marked as a defining feature of the century ahead, thereby deciding the fate of human kind. The fourth impetus, which is perhaps the mother of all, underlies the China's rising might and its â€Å"perceived threat† to US.Curtailing or countering China is the fundamental objective that has prompt America to adopt such a policy. The US worries about China's phenomenal growth both militarily and economical, its anti-denial and anti-access (AH/AD) potential and its growing ties with regional peers. It has been keenly involved in strengthening its strategic alliances including Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia thus, enclosing China from all angles. The allies are being supported and de fended by US forces whenever they anticipate any danger from China.For example, in 1996, President Clinton sent two battle groups aircrafts to Taiwan when it was provoked against a serious Chinese threat. International observers have argued that the Washington's aggressive posture and continuous presence in the region demonstrates the approaching new era of assertiveness and â€Å"containment† against China. Serious concerns have been raised throughout China in opposition to the refinancing strategy of US. To many defended and political analysts, the strategy is aimed against Beijing to contain its â€Å"peaceful rise† and to trigger insecurity within the region.Washington is interested to strengthen its influence and to maintain its global dominance; therefore, it refers the â€Å"pivot or refinancing† approach as a general strategy targeting the entire globe and not specifically China. Towards Refinancing: It has been acknowledged that the refinancing strategy is actually refinancing the ruder of security in Asia since the policy holds a burden-sharing feature aimed at budgetary cut and being stuck in other global crisis, Washington is persuading its alliances to do the utmost to protect their lands while assuring them support in case of any assault from the Chinese side.In fact, refinancing is a deliberate shift from wars of Africa and Middle East to maritime disputes in East-Asia. US have decided to keep itself focused while deploying an enormous amount of its assets and resources in CSS and Asia-Pacific. A lot of American combat ships, destroyers, submarines and raisers can be found while having military bases in almost all allied states. Washington is keen to have its influence in Hawaii and Guam and also to conduct a training program of over 2000 marines in Australia, its trustworthy ally.It would not only permit the US to enjoy â€Å"freedom-of-navigation† but would also enable it to counter Chinese (AH/AD) capabilities with in the region. However, the budgetary cuts have imposed restrictions on engaging more troops and weaponry. Amongst the other ambitions of Beam's regime lies extensive investment in Asia to line-up the country resources with long-term financial interests. The attraction is the Asian markets which could produce Jobs in the US and could help recover the slumped economy. The key is the regional stability where Washington's continuous role is required to tackle any aggression.A lot of time is being spent by the US government, armed and naval officials in Asia that demonstrates how much focused they are on the very region. The engagement of Washington with SEAN countries and its eagerness to participate in SEAN summits each year signal its enthusiasm of being a decisive player of the region. It is interested both in assuring its military resent and cooperation not only amongst its allies but also with China since the latter's assistance is much needed to uphold the status-quo.Moreover, th e SEAN countries require â€Å"balance of power† within the region while their alliance with US is a major step towards refinancing against China's might. Towards Refinancing: Elements and Objectives The rebalanced remains a multi-faceted, extensive and rather much celebrated policy initiative. Politically speaking, three elements of US refinancing strategy have been figured out that includes defended, financial and diplomatic aspects. L. Security Aspect: The recent adjustments in the US defensive posture reveal the importance of the element of security for the only global hegemony.Washington is aggressively shifting its extensive military potentials from other targets to one platform that encompasses the entire Asia-Pacific region thus, reshuffling its defensive arrangements to ensure a much broader presence of the US armed forces to counter any possible belligerence. This incorporates the highly sophisticated military dispersion in Philippines and Australia and also to othe r regional allies, thereby guaranteeing an enhanced coercive amalgamation within the region. II.Financial Aspect: The refinancing strategy also involves an intention to enhance trade and economic schemes amongst the US and its partners in-order to foster a trustworthy environment. For this purpose, an idea of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TAP), a free-trade accord, has been put forward that currently contains US and eleven other players but excludes China. Moreover, the financial aid to Asia-Pacific allies has also been doubled. Ill. Diplomatic Aspect: The pivot has witnessed heightened diplomatic and military engagement of US high-profile officials in Asia-Pacific.The agenda involves monitoring US-China hostility and promoting trust-building cooperation amongst the two global giants. Keeping into account the US stakes in the region, a number of objectives compliant with American strategic concerns have been drawn out. The central intention, as discussed earlier, is balancing and count ering China while the other objectives revolve around it. L. Constructing a Sense of Justification: Since Washington is currently preoccupied in War-on-Terror, it requires a good reason to pull out its resources from the other regions to Asia-Pacific.The recent phenomenal mom of China has provided US that Justification where it feels itself bound to balance and to defend the land from any aggression. II. Strengthening Alliances: Another objective places the strengthening and reinforcing the strategic alliances as the foremost goal of the US. The idea is to reassure the Asian partners its presence whenever they feel threatened especially by China. Ill. Peaceful Resolution of Regional Disputes: The non-violent resolution of Asian disputes is in the American core interests.The US is very much concerned regarding the solution of China- Taiwan tension and Korean Peninsula. It is keen to imply diplomatic efforts to ensure regional securities. Another objective involves the denationalizati on and non- proliferation of North-Korea in-order to guarantee peace and protection. ‘V. Incorporating Rising Powers: Another objective involves the integration of emerging China into contemporary global order. Keeping into consideration China's economic and military boost, it is vital for the US to make Beijing act as a mature and responsible regional stakeholder. V.Multilateral Commitment and Tackling Non- Traditional Dangers: The strategic alliances are the building-blocks for collaboration against security threats faced by the region whether it be extremism, dangers from climate change, infectious diseases, nuclear proliferation or natural calamities. Such an alliance provides a basis for trust-building and cooperation to tackle Chinese rise. US Refinancing: â€Å"Hub-and-spoke† Vs. â€Å"Spoke-to-spoke† Strategy Washington perceives itself as a decisive and dominant Pacific might where the major part of its foreign policy revolves around shielding and protec ting Eurasia from any possible aggressor.The Beam's â€Å"pivot to Asia† is merely a reflection of American obsession with the region. Moreover, the resultant upshot of World War-II paved way for an undeviating armed presence of US within and around the Asia-Pacific. The US grand strategy involves two options I. E. Over tactics and over posture. These strategic options enable the US to either espouse a forward military posture by having its global premeditated bases or to engage selectively with discerning partner states in pursuit of its national interests.The desertion of Soviet Union had placed China as the only adverse competitor for Washington, a military giant against which America evaluates itself both economically and militarily. In fact, Beijing is powerful enough to give a considerably tough time to the only super power over the upcoming couple of decades since its defended budget and GAP is likely to surpass those of Americana. Moreover, assessments confirm that as compared to Nazi Germany or Soviet Union, China is a more challenging and highly capable antagonist having the potential to compete US economic boost.Though Beijing believes in â€Å"peaceful rise† but the threat of a serious clash amongst the two strategic giants remains high as Washington is much concerned over China's growing strengths. The upcoming 30 to confront the Chinese interests. US, therefore, crave to curb China before such a scenario occurs. For the very purpose, US is eager to conduct Air-Sea battle possessing the potential to hit deep inside the Chinese terrain in-order to perturb China's AH/AD aptitude. It is not only politically acrid but also militarily precarious. Hub-and-spoke† Strategy: Containing Soviet Union and Defeating Communism The cessation of World War-II had witnessed some crucial changes within the political environment especially the metallization of â€Å"hub-and-spoke strategy', a US grand sign to assemble alliances throughout the glo be to guard its immediate interests against any challenger. The only perceptible contender at that time was Soviet Union, former USSR. The â€Å"hub-and-spoke design† acquiesced America to create close bilateral diplomatic and military links with core allies to offer effective deterrence against Soviet rise in Asia.The strategy involved a chain of Joint defended agreements devised at the peak of Cold War with allied states. Three of such treaties were signed in 1951, where the first one involved Philippines while the second incorporated a relater agreement amongst US, New Zealand and Australians. The third entailed a bilateral agreement between US and Japan that enabled America to have its military bases for defensive measures within Japanese territory. Thailand, South Korea and Taiwan also followed the suit. These defended treaties provided security assurance by America against Soviet's threat.The â€Å"hub-and-spoke† strategy, also known as San- Francisco system, had defined the US presence in Asia-Pacific since sass's. The salient characteristics of this system included Intense network of mutual alliances Nonexistence of multilateral defended structures A strong lop-sidedness in alliance relation both in economy and security Special preference to Japan Easy access to US markets Similar to â€Å"pivot to Asia†, the alliances were framed to balance the perceived risk against the then US competitor, USSR.The formulation of SEATS (South-East Asia Treaty Organization) back in 1954 was an evident demonstration of the said strategy where eight states signed the agreement for mutual defended against communist states of USSR and China. The member states incorporated Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, France, United States and United Kingdom. The ore focus during the entire Cold War rested on shared defended against global communism, particularly against Soviet Union since the political upshot of World War-II reinforced the competition between East versus West.The obvious differences in the strategic thinking and contradictory interests brought the US and Soviet Union at the verge of war. Being a capitalist society, America felt itself threatened by communist expansion and the growing capability of USSR. However, as compared to today's mighty China, Soviet Union despite of its broad presence in Asia was militarily lesser a Pacific power than the ISSUE. The USSR-China rivalry, on the other hand, provided further political advantage to Washington and its strategic allies to overpower the Soviet Union in Cold War.Consequently, the â€Å"hub-and-spoke† strategy, by having America as the leading hub while the rest of the allied state as the Spokes, remained the key aspect of security design within Asia-Pacific. Similar to what the world has witnessed during the Cold War, American strategic thinking has yet again turned towards another Asian competitor, China. However, the Washington's containment pol icy has altered to some extent since the approach is Ewing transposed into a more disbursed alliance system marked as â€Å"Spoke-to-spoke† strategy.Keeping in view its financial condition, America is encouraging its partners to share its burden of safeguarding Asia. Increased global military trade, armed exercises and training with different stakeholders could be seen within the region to build the ability to challenge Chinese might. US is not only facilitating its regional allies to develop their own defensive system but also provoking them to cooperate with each other in an effort towards opposing China.The term â€Å"Spoke-to-spoke† refers to the new strategy that focuses on â€Å"Spokes† and to the â€Å"Hub†; America, being the facilitator and inciter, leads its alliances to cooperate with itself and amongst each other in-order to share the load of balancing China's rise. Being highly anxious over China's power, Tokyo is playing the dominant role in furthering this containment policy and has established closer ties with various states. Moreover, Japan is enthusiastically involved in developing strategic links especially with Philippines and Vietnam, two extreme regional opponents of China.Similarly, Vietnam is also building good strategic ties with Washington to offset Chinese might. Australia, in 2012, has conducted military exercises with Japan thus, collaborating in maritime affairs. South-Korea, on the other hand, is strongly committed to Join hands with US to contribute a leading role in criticizing the region. Though American leaders often reject it, but US military has maintained an aggressive posture devised with an intention to bring China's maritime commerce at jeopardy. Its armed forces are placed in such a way that could intimidate Beijing supply lines in CSS region thus threatening Chinese economy.Keeping into count China's reliance on sea-lines, Washington is keen to exploit this dependency by provoking its allia nces while Beijing historical territorial tensions with its neighboring states has put China on a relative disadvantage. America has its strategic bases in almost every partner state. As more as 100,000 US military personnel are deployed in both South-Korea and Japan while 2500 submarines are present in Australia. Likewise India, China's genuine Asian competitor, has also partnered with Washington in-order to challenge Chinese rise. US is interested in containing China from all dimensions through alliance structure.Having the most powerful Navy, America enjoys good working ties with regional opponents of China thus maintaining defended pacts with five Asia-Pacific powers. However, the alliances are not only formulated to contain China but also are helpful in curbing global terrorism. The significant aspects of the containment strategy include; a symmetrical network aimed at refinancing the defended burden in Asia-Pacific, introduction of multilateral defended structures like SEAN e. T. C, broadening the scope of defended relations between Washington and allied partners and Preference to each regional ally .