When Small Means Big: The Impact of Nanotechnology

A revolution in science and technology, which will significantly impact our daily lives, is looming in the horizon. The scientific community is now excited by changes that could be brought about by the multidisciplinary discipline of nanoscience and nanotechnology, which is comprehensively defined asâ€Å"[r]esearch and technology development at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular levels, in the length of approximately 1–100 nm range, to provide a fundamental understanding of phenomena and materials at the nanoscale, and to create and use structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their small size. The novel and differentiating properties and functions are developed at a critical length scale of matter typically under 100 nm.Nanotechnology research and development includes integration of nanoscale structure into larger material components, systems, and architectures. Within these larger scale assemblies, the control and construct ion of their structures and component devices remain at the nanoscale†. (National Research Council 2002, cited in Dreher 2004).Although technically encompassing any device measuring at least 1,000 nanometers—a nanometer (from Greek ‘nano’, meaning dwarf) is one-billionth of a meter (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004)—much of the work being done presently focuses on materials smaller than 100 nm (Gupta et al 2003) since it is at this level that materials exhibit unique physical and chemical properties that can be harvested to convey improvements to engineered materials (i.e. enhanced magnetic properties, better electrical and optical activity, and superior structural integrity) (Thomas & Sayre 2005).Ralph Merkle, as cited by Gupta et al (2003), noted that atomic configuration, to an extent, determines physical and chemical characteristics of materials, using as examples carbon in diamond, or silica from sand. From this perspect ive, the manufacturing techniques we are using today appear crude since we are moving molecules by heaps and mounds, and, therefore, are manufacturing devices that could still be improved for accuracy and precision (Gupta et al 2003). Nanotechnology, according to Gupta et al, aims to explore and exploit the possibility of designing at the molecular and atomic levels, and producing a generation of novel products that boast of greater strength, lighter weight and better precision (2003).Technically nanotechnology is not something new. Ball (2003) notes that nanoscale devices have been, and are currently being, utilized by organisms in their daily functioning. He cites, for instance, the proteins that serve as motors to flagella of motile bacteria, as readers and interpreters of the genetic code, or as miniature solar panels in plants that gather sunlight for photosynthesis (Ball 2003). The possibility of harnessing this potential within the environment and put them to practical use ha s been floated in the scientific community as early as the 1940s, when von Neumann forwarded the idea of manufacturing systems or machines that are capable of self-replication, which could potentially lower production costs (Gupta et al 2003).Richard Feynman in 1959, in an address to the American Physical Society entitled ‘There Is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’, advanced the possibility that, similar to what we are doing at the macroscopic scale, we could maneuver atoms to where we want them to be, and produce materials that would solve the problem of manufacture and reproduction (Buxton et al 2003; Gupta P et al 2003). In 1986, K Eric Drexler provided a picture of nanotechnological use in the future in his book Engines of Creation, where humans are utilizing self-replicating nanoscale robots in daily life processes (Ball 2003).The move from the drawing board to actual application, however, has been very recent—as evidenced by the relatively few nanotechnology pr oducts—fuelled by theoretical and laboratory progress which showed that, indeed, systems can be built from molecules and atoms maneuvered at the microscopic scale (Gupta et al 2003). L’Oreal recently introduced in the market sun creams that contain nano-sized grains of titanium dioxide, which absorbs ultraviolet light, but without the ‘smeared chalk’ appearance of regular creams (Ball 2003). This same technology, according to Ball (2003) was taken a step further when it was found that titanium dioxide particles become reactive when exposed to ultraviolet light, leading to the development of self-cleaning tiles and glasses—titanium-coated tiles and glasses that use the sun’s energy to burn up dirt stuck to their surfaces. In the filed of medicine, nanotechnology is currently being utilized with state-of-the-art technology to combat genetic diseases (Dunkley 2004).In addition to these, researches are currently undergoing, exploring the various possible applications of nanotechnology in various fields. For instance, in the medical sciences, the development of nanorobots could aid in precise, and rapid, cellular repair and regeneration, delivery of drugs at the site where it is needed, destruction of cancerous cells, or unblocking of clogged blood vessels (Dunkley 2004). The capacity to detect disease through alterations in body chemistry or physiology is also a possibility through nanotubes or nanowires coated with detector molecules (Buxton et al 2003). Molecular imaging, according to Buxton et al (2003) will also provide us with a view of the human body beyond gross anatomic structures, since this would utilize molecules that would home to tissues affected by specific disease processes. Environmental problems we face today, such as air pollution or oil spills, could be remedied through nanorobots designed to clean these toxic elements from the air we breath or the water we drink (Dunkley 2004).The material sciences will also significantly benefit from nanotechnology, with the promise of development of stronger and lighter plastics, computers with faster processors and increased memory storage, ion storage for batteries (which will improve performance), quick-charging battery cars, and fuel cells for motor-driven devices that are environment-friendly and energy efficient (Gupta et al 2003). Perhaps a bit too far in the future, Dunkley even forwards the idea that it might be possible, with nanorobots moving atoms and molecules, for us to create common and everyday things from our own backyard, moving manufacturing to the domain of the household with a wheelbarrow and a shovel (2004).Because of the great promise held by nanotechnology, governments worldwide are investing in nanoresearch, to further refine our understanding of this small world. Global investment in nanotechnology has been estimated to be â‚ ¬5 billion, according to the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering (2004). The E uropean Union pledged to spend â‚ ¬1 billion (Ball 2003), whereas Japan allocated $800M in 2003 (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). The United States is willing to spend nearly $3.7 billion for nanotechnology from 2005 to 2008, with nearly $500 million allocated for research funding (Dunkley 2004; The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004; Thomas & Sayre 2005).The considerable change nanotechnology can bring, as well as the huge sums of money governments worldwide are currently spending to make this a reality, has sparked some questions from various sectors on the impact of nanotechnologies, not only to the scientific fields to which it will be applied, but to the society in general. In the biological sciences, for instance, the primary concern is the possible toxicity exposure—and chronic exposure, at that—to nanoparticles can bring about, since these materials have the capability of interacting with cells and cellular organ elles, and hence, alter body physiology (Ball 2003; The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Dreher (2004), and Thomas and Sayre (2005) have recently reviewed the evidence on the health impact of nanotechnology exposure, and found that there is a paucity of evidence to encourage or preclude use of nanotechnologies in humans pending full investigations and detailed evidence supporting or debunking the same. Ball (2003) notes that, in the same way as new drugs or devices, nanotechnology must be viewed as a potential health hazard unless proven otherwise. Large scale production in the future would necessitate hazard-testing and human exposure assessment, to minimize risks (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).The significant economic impact of nanotechnologies, according to experts, may not be felt in the short-term, although this must be viewed with caution, since it is entirely difficult to predict what impact a developing technology that has n ot yet realized its full potential will have (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). The differing capacities of developed, developing and underdeveloped countries to participate in the nanotechnology race has also raised concerns that it might intensify the economic gap between these nations, leading to what is referred to as a ‘nanodivide’ (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). Finally, patenting of nanotechnology—which is advantageous since it would, though economic incentive, encourage other individuals to contribute to scientific progress—may stifle creativity or innovation when a broad one is granted (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Another area of concern is military and defense capability. The development of new devices—pervasive sensors, improved clothing and armor, and enhanced information and communication exchange—could be viewed both as opportunities and threat s, depending on who uses them, and how they are used (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). But more than this, the Royal Society (2004) cautions that the secrecy coupled with development of technologies for defense use might fuel public distrust, and heighten the understanding that nanotechnology is being developed primarily, if not entirely, for military ends.Ethical issues pervading the socio-cultural impact of nanotechnologies are also a concern. For instance, development of new nanodevices may cause a significant change in employment patterns, role perception, education patterns, and eventually family life (Dunkley 2004). The end result, still according to Dunkley (2004) would be a shift in our present definition of inequality, poverty, and class, and finally, the way we construe society in general.If what Dunkley predicted would come true (i.e. manufacturing at our own backyard), then the capacity to produce would be entirely dependent on having the neces sary resources for this production, which brings to fore the concern of concentration of the harvests of nanotechnology in the hands of a few. Although nanomanufacturing could present the solution to hunger and homelessness, the question remains whether it will alter our perception of the material world where we move (Dunkley 2004).The possibility of devices being used to store personal information, although enhancing personal security on the one hand, also raises the possibility of violation of civil liberties, especially when collection and distribution of the same is made without the consent of the person involved, or access to these information could be limited to the hands of the few who could develop and control personal information databases or systems (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004).Finally, the possibility of radical human enhancement, or the creation of humans in the future, through nanotechnology (in conjunction with biotechnology and informati on technology), though a remote possibility, still carries with it the burden of resolving whether these creations are really human, and whether they also possess souls like we do (Dunkley 2004). In the same vein, this new capability would radically change, if not totally abolish, our perception of religion and morality (The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering 2004). On a lesser plane, the possibility of nanotechnology extending human longevity to hundreds of years will definitely alter our view of aging and death (Dunkley 2004).What, then, lies in store for us in the future with nanotechnology? Actually, no one can tell, since nanotechnology is but a frontier—which, to Melbin is a pattern of sparse settlement in space or time—or what Dunkley (2004) describes as relatively ‘unsettled and a wilderness waiting to be discovered’. Until such time, therefore, that the full potential of nanotechnology has been realized, or at least understood throug h research, we may endlessly speculate about how nanotechnology will affect our daily lives and society in general, who will benefit from its, what and capabilities will it provide us. The concerns, however, raised in this paper are valid considerations of the impact the future application of nanotechnologies will have, and this necessitates caution and vigilance on the part of all stakeholders.ReferencesBall P, 2003 (23 Jun), ‘Nanotechnology Science's Next Frontier or Just a Load of Bull?’, New Statesman, vol. 132, no. 4643, pp. 30-31.Buxton DB, Lee SC, Wickline SA, Ferrari M & for the Working Group Members, 2003 (02 Dec), ‘Recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Nanotechnology Working Group’, Circulation, vol. 108, pp. 2737-2742.Dreher KL, 2004, ‘Health and environmental impact of nanotechnology: Toxicological assessment of manufactured nanoparticles’, Toxicological Sciences, vol. 77, pp. 3–5.Dunkley RWS, 2004, ‘Nanotechnology: Social Consequences and Future Implications’, Futures, vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 1129-1132.Gupta P, Malhotra R, Segal MA & Verhaeren MYFJ, 2003, ‘Recent trends in nanotechnology’, in R Gulati, A Paoni & M Sawhney (eds), Kellogg on Technology & Innovation, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, pp. 261-283.The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering, 2004, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties, The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering, London.Thomas K & Sayre P, 2005, ‘Research strategies for safety evaluation of nanomaterials, Part I: Evaluating the human health implications of exposure to nanoscale materials’, Toxicological Sciences, vol. 87, no. 2, pp. 316–321.

Global 1 Review Sheet

Global Review Sheet- FINALS * Anthropologist- someone who studies culture * Neolithic revolution agriculture; no more nomads; settlements * River Valley Civilizations (all the civilizations had 2 rivers except for Egypt) * Mesopotamia * Tigris and Euphrates rivers * Egypt * The Nile river * Indus * The Indus and Ganges rivers * China * Huang He and Yangtze rivers * Mesopotamia * Cuneiform * Code of Hammurabi * The laws were the same for all citizens but the punishment were different depending on what social class you belonged to. * Egypt * Hieroglyphics * Pyramids China * Daoism * The Silk Road * The mandate of heaven * Filial piety * Indus * Hinduism * Irrigation * Religion Monotheistic| Judaism(5,000 years old)| Christianity(2012 years old)| Islam(1400 years old)| Place of Worship| Temple| Church| Mosque| Book of Worship| Torah| Bible| Koran| Code of Behavior| 10 commandments| 5 Pillars| * Polytheistic * Hinduism (over 5,00 years old) * Caste system * Reincarnation * Buddhism * Rei ncarnation, karma, dharma * NO CASTE SYSTEM * 8 fold path and nirvana * GREECE *democracy* * Mountains * City states * Cultural diversity * Islands * Trade * Resources Easily invaded * Mediterranean climate * Alexander the Great * Conquered India, Egypt, and Persia (modern Iran) * Cultural diffusion * Helenistic * Greek + Persian * MIDDLE AGES (500 AD)- fall of the roman empire * Very unstable * Feudalistic : to keep order; stable political system * Manorialism * Castle * Church (Roman Catholic Church; in charge of everything; more power than the king) * Farmland (serf worked the land) * CRUSADES (religious wars) * People joined because they were promised that they would go to heaven * Resulted in cultural diffusion * PLAGUE * Killed ? he population of Europe(short term effect) * Broke down feudalism (long) * Ended the middle ages (long) * JAPAN * Archipelago (trade, resources, invasion) * Mountains (terrace farming) * Ring of Fire (afraid of nature shintoism (1 religion that respec ts nature; 2 started with the Ring of Fire and then the Japanese started praying to other things) * European FeudalismJapanese Feudalism * MONGOLIAN EMPIRE (good military, order, flat land=easy travel) * Largest empire * Very accepting of other cultures * Isolated Russia from Europe * Cultural diffusion * **Kublai khan and Marco Polo RENASANCE * Rebirth of Greek and Roman culture * Humanism- when the focus is on the individual * Secularism- non religious * Reasoning- people looked to other things when god was no longer a sufficient answer. Ex)science and questioning religion * AZTEC (Mexico) * Calendar and chinampas * MAYAS (Central America) * Calendar and pyramids * INCAS (Peru) * Machu Pichu * Terrace farming * Roads * TRADE ROUTES * Silk road * Connected China with the Middle East and Europe * The Middle East was the middle man; the only way Europe could get goods from China was through the Middle East and that was pricey. The silk road carried silk, spices, Buddhism, Confucianis m, and caused cultural diffusion, * Trans Sahara Trade * Carried gold, salt, and Islamic religion * Between North and West Africa. * Colombian Exchange * Included Europe and America * To Europe: food * To America: forced Christianity and disease * Triangular Trade * Included Europe, Africa, and America * Africa supplied slaves to work the crops without pay * The slaves were exploited * Atlantic Slave Trade * America and Africa * PROTESTANT REFORMATION * Martin Luther- 95 theses- complaints to church- pope said that he won't change- Lutheran

Character Development and True Love in Anton Chekhov’s “The Lady with the Dog”

A study of the theme of true love and character development in the lady with the dog by Anton Chekhov In 1899, Anton Chekhov published a short story of two lovers’ clandestine affair called â€Å"The Lady with the Dog†. Dmitri Dmitritch Gurov, the story’s main character, sees a young woman walking a dog on the sea-front in Yalta. It is said that everyone calls her the lady with the dog. One day, the lady sits next to Dmitri and he strikes up a conversation with her. He learns that her name is Anna Sergeyevna, and that she is visiting Yalta on vacation. He also learns that she is married, like himself. Over the course of a week, Dmitri and Anna grow close and spend a lot of time together. Dmitri, being used to affairs with many different women, sees Anna no differently from the rest at first. However, as time moves along and Anna is urged to return home, Dmitri realizes that his affair has turned into something much greater. For the first time, Dmitri feels as though he is in love. The character development of Dmitri in this story is used to support the progressio n of the main theme, true love. In the beginning of the story, Dmitri’s characterization of being withdrawn and a philanderer supports the conclusion that he has a lack of love in his life. Chekhovs description reveals that he is unhappy with his current situation. He looks down on women, especially his wife, and seems to dislike everything about his home and family. The narrator says, â€Å"[†¦] he secretly considered her [his wife] unintelligent, narrow, inelegant [†¦] and did not like to be at home. He had begun being unfaithful to her long ago – had been unfaithful to her often, and probably on that account, almost always spoke ill of women, and when they were talked about in his presence, used to call them ‘the lower race’† (252). It is made clear that Dmitri really has no true feelings towards his wife other than the ill-willed ones. He tends to view women as below him, and treats them as objects as seen clear by his multiple affairs. It would be fair to say that Dm itri is cold and unloving at this point in the story. This is spoken of in a literary overview: â€Å"Gurov at first seems to be a shallow philanderer whose view of women shows him to be without emotional or spiritual depth†. He has no regard for the women he is involved with physically. There is no emotional connection formed, even with his own wife. Many of these personality traits of being cold and disconnected can be attributed to the lack of love, or any form of strong positive emotion, in Dmitri’s life. As time progresses with the affair, and Dmitri begins developing feelings for Anna, his personality changes dramatically. He begins to look at Anna as more than just another women. He shows his feelings, and his perspective on the world around him change. Dmitri goes from being bored and disconnected to being fascinated and deeply involved: â€Å"He told Anna Sergeyevna how beautiful she was, how fascinating. He was impatiently passionate, he would not move a step away from her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chekhov 256). Dmitri is in love; although he does not realize this. He is no longer looking at Anna the way he views his past affairs. He is even holding her in a higher light than he does his own wife. As well as having stronger and more positive feelings towards Anna, Dmitri is having more positive feelings towards the world: â€Å"In reality everything is beautiful in this world when one reflects [†¦]† (Chekhov 256). His natural and uncontrolled feelings towards Anna are making h im a happier, or at least more content, person. The world that was once so boring and bland is now something beautiful. Dmitri’s personality and behavior change represent the presence of true love, whether noticed by Dmitri or not. The change in Dmitri’s personality due to true love, or the lack thereof, is seen again in the story when Anna leaves to return to her husband. At first, still believing the affair is somewhat like the others, Dmitri returns to Moscow in a good mood. As a month goes by, he is convinced that the memory of Anna will fade away and he will no longer be affected by her. However, much to his dismay, Anna never strays from his mind. The narrator says, â€Å"[†¦] From time to time [Anna] would visit him in his dreams with a touching smile as others did. But more than a month passed [†¦] and everything was still clear in his memory [†¦.] Anna Sergeyevna did not visit him in dreams, but followed him about everywhere like a shadow and haunted him† (257). At this point, Dmitri is beginning to realize that something is different about Anna. Something new is happening that has obviously never happened before. Even when Dmitri is around his children he thinks of Anna. S he is the only thing on his mind. Dmitri acknowledges that with previous affairs he would think of the women for only a month and then continue on as though nothing happened. However, with Anna a month has already passed and the memory of her is still fresh. Dmitri takes this heavily, and begins a downward spiral. He tries to carry out his life, but the thought of Anna prevails and he is paralyzed. Literary critic, Erik Huber, comments on this moment, â€Å"He wants to speak to others of his feelings for her, but nobody will listen. This eventually leads him to a great feeling of disgust [†¦.] Gurov is so ‘indignant’ after this moment of personal crisis that he cannot sleep and finds that he is ‘fed up’ with his job and his children. He has no desire to do anything†. The fact that Dmitri is not with Anna is preventing him from living his life. He has become so involved with her and he is emotionally connected to her. His life in Moscow seems dis gusting and uneventful. He no longer wants to carry out his life the way he has for so many years. This indicates that something has changed; and that change is Dmitri is in love. Besides the apparent change in personality and behavior, Dmitri’s age and appearance, and his acknowledgment of Anna represent true love as well. In the beginning of the short story, Dmitri simply calls Anna â€Å"’the lady with the dog’† (251). This can be attributed to the fact that Dmitri is not emotionally connected with Anna, nor is he planning to be. He does not give her a name in order to keep her distant. As the relationship evolves, Dmitri calls her by her name. This action makes things personal, and signifies Dmitri’s growing love for Anna. In relation to this, when the reader is briefly introduced to Dmitri’s wife, her name is never mentioned. This represents the fact that Dmitri does not have a strong emotional connection to her. The only woman’s name in the story is Anna’s because Anna is the only woman Dmitri has ever loved. Going back to the beginning of the story, when Chekhov introduces Dmitri, he speaks of his ease in attracting women; â€Å"In his appearance, in his character, in his whole nature, there was something attractive and elusive which allured women and disposed them in his favour† (252). Dmitri has no problem attracting women. There is something about him that attracts them, and he is very aware of this. It seems as if he uses the attraction to pull women in to the affairs he has. This attractiveness is how he allures Anna. In contrast, near the end of the story, Dmitri sees himself in the mirror and sees how much he has changed. Chekhov writes, â€Å"At that moment he saw himself in the looking-glass. His hair was already beginning to turn grey. And it seemed strange to him that he had grown so much older, so much plainer during the last few years†¦. Why did she love him so much?† (262). Dmitri looks distinctly different than he had when he first met Anna. His looks and age leave him questioning why Anna loves him. He speaks of how all the years of him bein g with women while he was young never left him with a feeling quite like the one Anna leaves him with. When he was more attractive and young, love had not yet reached him. Now, older and less handsome, he has finally found love. His appearance represents this change and journey to finding true love. Dmitri’s character development, whether it be behavioral or physical, represents the transition to, and the theme of, true love in the short story â€Å"The Lady with the Dog†. Through Dmitri’s first encounter with Anna, their involved affair, her return home, and their continuation, Dmitri changes and evolves as a character. He grows older in appearance and personality, begins to see the world differently, and begins to see Anna differently; all because he is falling in love for the first time. This development is used to support the theme of true love in the story because Dmitri is shown to change with the growth of his love for Anna. Works Cited Chekhov, Anton. â€Å"The Lady with the Dog.† The Norton Production to Literature. 11th ed. Ed. Kelly J. Mays. New York: W. W. Norton Company, Inc, 2013. 251-262. Print. Huber, Erik. An overview of â€Å"The Lady with the Pet Dog†. Gale Online Encyclopedia. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Literature Resource Center. Web. 17 Sept. 2015. The Lady with the Dog. Short Story Criticism. Ed. Jelena O. Krstovic. Vol. 102. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

Legal Briefing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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The English Legal System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The English Legal System - Essay Example Moreover, the method of making laws is not a result of one night’s effort rather it is an outcome of intense thought process. Subsequently, a few prominent methods of law making in England and Wales is firmly rooted in the medieval history while other methods are seen to have a strong affiliation and a set of implications from the post-World War II. Although the differences in the time period is attributed to the methods of law making but the influence of social, technological and political components is apparent in law making methods irrespective of the differences in the time period. A number of processes are required to be completed while formulating laws before their full-fledged enforcement (Weait, 2011, p. 11; Weait and Goodey, 2011, p. 69: Howells et.al., 2011, p. 144). Correspondingly, this essay intends to explain the different processes by which law can be changed. Subsequently, the essay also presents arguments both in favour and against the statement, â€Å"At one level law reform is either a product of parliamentary or judicial activity. Parliament tends, however, to be concerned with particularities of law reform and the judiciary are constitutionally and practically disbarred from reforming the law in anything other than an opportunistic and piecemeal way†. House of Commons and the Houses of Lords constitute parliament in England and Wales. The members of the House of Commons are elected individuals by public from different constituencies. On the other hand, the members of the House of Lords are nominated by Prime Minister of the country. Both the houses of parliament are required to perform various functions among which engaging in discussions and debates in order to pass new laws is considered as one of the major functions. Laws that are enacted by parliament are discerned as Acts of Parliament. These laws are also commonly known as legislation or statute (Arthur et al., 2011, p. 92). The English law system is also widely known

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Compare and contrast the objectives of financial statements as outlined by the Companies Act and Conceptual Framework - Essay Example There are many similarities between the Companies Act and the Conceptual framework. Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework enumerate the responsibilities of the board of directors to the general public. Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework enumerate the responsibilities of the board of directors to the general public. Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework enumerate the responsibilities of the board of directors to the general public. Second, Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework that enumerate the responsibilities of the board of directors to the general public makes it a MUST that the preparation of financial statements will foster a closer relationship between suppliers, customers and the other users of the financial statements. Next, Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework that enumerate the responsibilities of the board of directors to the general public makes it a MUST that the preparation of financial statement s to determine if the company has not violated any environmental laws of the land. Both the Companies Act and the Conceptual Framework state that the company must suffer the consequences of their decisions that violate the laws of the land. Furthermore, the focus of both the Companies Act and the conceptual framework is to use independent judgment in the preparation of financial statements.

The Impact Cancer Had on American Culture during the Late 1950s and Research Paper

The Impact Cancer Had on American Culture during the Late 1950s and Early 1960s - Research Paper Example The most common symptoms of cancer are: fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of weight, night sweats and fever. Cancer is tested through chest x-ray, complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, MRI scan among others. Treatment is through early diagnosis and treatment, removal of the abnormal cells, chemotherapy and radiation. Prevention of cancer can be done through regular exercise, healthy dieting, limiting alcohol and not smoking (Cantor 21). â€Å"The spread of cancer was facilitated by poliovirus vaccines that were used during the late 1950s and early 1960s and were contaminated with a monkey virus that is harmful to rodents and has been identified in some human cancers† (jnci.oxfordjournals.org p.3).The monkey virus was discovered in 1960 and its effect on rodents in 1961 a year that American government demanded for uncontaminated poliovirus vaccine. Despite this the previous virus remained in the immunization program up to 1963. This immunization program targeted children betw een 5-9 years and pregnant mothers. 1961’s survey revealed that persons born between 1941 and 1961 had been vaccinated with the poliovirus vaccine especially those below the age of 20 years. â€Å"The rate of exposure to the polluted vaccine decreased with increasing age† (jnci.oxfordjournals.org p 14). ... Most Americans had embraced the culture of drinking and this led to the rapid spread of cancer. The introduction of radioactive skin cream and toothpaste has contributed to high cancer rates (Patterson 27). The African Americans were mostly affected by lung cancer as they had the highest rates of smoking (Patterson 15). They were exposed to agents that cause cancer in their jobs and had little or no information of exposure to environmental risks like the occupational exposure to smoke and chemicals in their places of work. Their socioeconomic status was correlated to incidence of cancer as they had minimal access to good healthcare. Genetics also seem to have had a great impact on the spread of cancer. The reason was black people had a high level of generic cancer which still remains in the blood stream and thus can be passed on to other genetic relations. Cancer had a negative impact on the work force as it lowered the rate of production and had made healthcare expensive. â€Å"The Native Americans used chaparral as a herbal remedy for various illnesses but that was found to cause problems with the liver and kidney function†(www.cancer.org p 6). In America, there was a high risk of colon cancer due to radiation exposure. This exposure was from the natural unavoidable sources of the environment. Traditional attitudes of the Native Americans about fear of a poor prognosis, male gender roles and their lack of trust with the medical community and inadequate health insurance made them participate less in screenings. The African American men were not comfortable with rectal examinations and were afraid of the sexual side effects of treatment of cancer as they thought they would be unable to

Henry Fayol Theory of Management Essay Example for Free

Henry Fayol Theory of Management Essay DEFINITION OF PUBLIC SPHERE THEORY In rhetoric, the places were citizens exchange ideas, information, attitude and opinions. The concept of Habermas public sphere is a metaphorical term used to describe the virtual space where people can interact through the world wide web, for instance is not actually a web, cyberspace is not a space, and so with the public sphere. It’s the virtual space where the citizens of a country exchange ideas and discuss issues in order to reach agreement about ‘matters of general interest’(Jurgen, Habermas 1997:105) HISTORY OF JURGEN HABERMAS Jurgen Habermas was born in Dusseldorf, Garmany in 1929, he had served in the Hilter youth and had been sent to them. The western front during the final months of the war.  Habermas entrance onto the intellectual scence began in 1950s with an influential critique of Martin Heideggers philosophy.  He studied philosophy at universities of Gottingen and Bonn, which he followed with studies in philosophy and sociology at the institute of social research under Maz Horkheimer and Theoder Adono. In the 1960s and 70s he target at the university of Heidelberg and Frankfurt am main. He then  accepted a directorship at the Max Pianck institution in stamberg in 1971. In 1980 he won prize and two years later he took a professorship at the university of Frankfurt, remaining there until his retirement in 1994. Habermas on the public sphere, he means first at al a dominant of our social life in which something coming out in which public opinion can be formed. The right is guaranteed to all citizen. A position of the public sphere comes in being in every conversation in which private individuals assemble to form a public body. Citizens behave as a public body when they confer in an unrestricted fashion †¦ i.e, with the guarantee of freedom of assembly and association and the freedom to express and publish their opinions†¦ about matters of general interest. The contemporary publics sphere is characterized according to Habermas. By the weathering of its critical roles and capacities. In the past publicity was used to subject people or the present political decisions to the public. Today the public sphere is recruited for the use of hidden policies by interest groups. For Habermas, the principles of the public sphere are weakening in the 20th century. The public is no longer made out of masses of individuals but of organized people that institutionally exerting their influence on the public sphere and debate. Habermas introduces the concepts of â€Å"communicative power† as the key normative resources for countering the norn-free steering media of money and administrative power. Linking †˜communication’ with ‘power’ already suggests a mix of the normative resources of communicative action with the impersonal force of power. Is such a conceptual mix stable? As the source for democratic legitimation of the use of state power, communicative power is a central notion in Habermas’s democratic theory. Although, in the medium of in restricted communication†¦ new problem situation can be perceived more sensitively, discourses aimed at achieving self-understanding can be conducted more widely and expressively, collective identities and need interpretations can be articulated with fewer compulsions then is the case in procedurally regulated public sphere. HOW HABERMAS ANALYSIS PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Habermas analysis public communication in medieval times there existed no separation or distinction between private and public sphere, dure to the class pyramid of the feudal system. This system for Habermas positioned greater power at every level and to this day conventions regarding the ruler persisted, with political authority retained by the highest level. Rulers saw the state and not as representatives of the state – meaning that they represent their power to the people and not for the people. According to Habermas, by the late 18th century feudal institutions were finally disappearing along with church’s rule, making way to public power which was given autonomy. Rulers become public entities and professionalism bore the first signs of the bourgeois which become autonomous in relation to the government. Representational publicity was pushed over by a public force that formed around national and territorial sentiment and individual struggling with public power found themselves outside its collective power. The term â€Å"public† did not refer to the representation of a man with authority, but rather became the legitimate power of exercising power. The public sphere, according to Habermas, was the final stage of these developments. HOW IMPORTANT HARBERMAS THEORY Solutions can be raised and tested for potential objections without the pressure to put ‘opinion’ immediately in practice. Uncoupling communicated opinions from concrete practical obligations tends to have an intellectualizing effect. Furthermore, a great deal of political communication that does not immediately call for political action is certainly crucial to the political discourse a robust, democratic society. Free sphere plays an essential role in the political process as a cooperative search for truth. We should not be misled into thinking that the public sphere amounts to nothing more than a public arena in which people talk about politics. Nor does the public sphere have merely instrumental value for bringing ‘relevant information’ into political process. The public sphere is a normative  concept that plays a key role in the process that culminates in legitimate political decisions. According to Habermas, institutionalized democratic lawmaking and judicial review alone are insufficient to confer democratic legitimacy. Alone with legislative decisions, judicial and administrative decision are only ensured legitimacy through the normative reasons generated by an un-subverted public sphere. Otherwise, political decisions are dedicated by the power struggles within the political system and not by citizens themselves who, as the addresses of the law, are the ones affected. Without robust political public sphere, there is little check on the administrative power that dictates the flow of communication and power within the political system and the citizenry. Thus, the public sphere theory is more inanely an arena for talking politics. It is the primary site for detecting problems, for generating radical democratic infuses, and for the deliberation of citizens, all of which are necessary for democratic legitimacy. In the following, I distinguish the important normative aspects of the informal public sphere theory. 1. Its communicative and organizational structure 2. The capacities required to meet its deliberate role within a deliberative politics and 3. The qualified out comes or effects generated by the public sphere. This last aspect will lead into the discussion of crucial role of communicative power.

Serviced Apartments On Beach Resorts Tourism Essay

Serviced Apartments On Beach Resorts Tourism Essay A preliminary model of business development factors was created from both literature review and interviews conducted with international serviced apartment operators in Singapore. Subsequently, the model was being tested in a case study visit to Pattaya. The field study encompassed observations, interviews with government officials, serviced apartment operators and facilities operators. Through these modes of information gathering, the pilot model of business development factors was modified. A post model was drawn up to present the final list of business development factors, as well as three other complementary factors which affect the setting up of serviced apartments indirectly. Primary findings include the importance of extended stay markets, sources of expatriates, a viable and thriving tourist market, good transport connectivity, availability of facilities, proactive government support, high level of security and safety, warm and stable climate as well as affordability of the location. The future development of serviced apartments on beach resorts is also explored to include the possibility of venture into timesharing, vacation club, fractional property ownership or hybrids of the above mentioned. The history of beach resorts, or seaside resorts, dates back to Great Britain in the mid 18th century. Back then, visitors often went to beach resorts for their fashionable practice of sunbathing in a belief that it will help in disease treatment (The great British seaside resort: a brief history, 2009). However, times have changed and this trend has shifted from Europe to Asia Pacific. Hobson (1994) identified that future growth in the Asia Pacific region will be focused on the expansion of resort-type destinations, particularly in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. With the development of beach resorts in Asia Pacific, accommodation has changed within different stages of development, as reflected in the Beach Resort Model (Smith, 1991). Serviced apartments are one of the newer accommodation types found on beach resorts, arising from the needs of modern travellers such as expatriates who are seeking an extended stay in a location, and families who intend to stay in a location for a longer holiday. As few studies have been done on serviced apartments on beach resorts, a case study on Pattaya beach resort was done to better comprehend the business development characteristics for establishing serviced apartments there. Objectives This paper firstly aims to provide insights on the current growth and penetration of serviced apartments on beach resorts. Secondly, it seeks to recommend a model of business development factors that lead to the growth of serviced apartments in Pattaya and also brings across how these factors may influence beach development and vice-versa. Finally, the implications of the business development factors to various stakeholders of serviced apartments are studied. Scope This paper is written in the context of beach resorts in Asia Pacific. Value of Research This paper provides knowledge about the different business development factors in contributing to the success of serviced apartments on beach resorts. Various stakeholders, especially developers and operators who are interested in establishing serviced apartments in Pattaya, will find this knowledge useful. For owners and operators of existing properties, this knowledge can enhance their management abilities. Limitations Being full-time undergraduates, this study was conducted on a part-time basis. As such, only one case study was conducted due to time and budget constraints. Additionally, the topic of serviced apartments on beach resorts is still relatively new and not widely explored. Therefore, there is limited information available. Furthermore, available publications mostly focused on the Western context, hence not specific to Asia Pacific. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW Serviced Apartments Definition While there is no standard definition of a serviced apartment, serviced apartments are typically considered to offer self-contained accommodation with additional services. The apartment will generally include a small kitchen or kitchenette, with a living room in addition to the bedroom(s), or a studio bedroom (Foxley, 2001). Apartments are cleaned weekly and more often if client prefers, and a round-the-clock reception desk for queries and advice is usually available (Collins, 2007). The appeal of serviced apartments is that they offer the comfort and facilities of a hotel, with the privacy and facilities of home (Foxley, 2001). In addition, it is a cost-effective accommodation solution as guests staying for longer periods of 7 nights or more will normally benefit from a reduced price per night (The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, 2009).  Globally, serviced apartments are sometimes referred to as serviced residences, condotels, extended stay hotels, and the like (Servi ced Apartments Association Singapore, 2005). Target Segments With changing work practices and increased globalisation of business, business executives are increasingly required to work away from home on a short to medium term basis (Foxley, 2001). Hence, serviced apartments provide the perfect solution for this group of professionals, who form the primary segment for serviced apartments. With a relatively long stay away from home, these business executives seek more space and a friendly home-from-home feel (Fearis, 2006). Besides business travellers, leisure markets with an extended stay intention are also targeted by serviced apartment operators (Harris, 2008). Greater international leisure travel and a growing trend towards taking extended breaks between jobs, vacations and working-holidays are also resulting in the demand for temporary accommodation (Foxley, 2001). Families form an integral part of the leisure market as the space and facilities serviced apartments offer suits their needs. Current Trends and Growth Serviced apartments business has been growing at 15-20% annually compared to a modest 6-8% notched by hotels (Choudhury, 2009). According to STR Global, demand for extended-stay accommodation had been growing by 4.9% in 2004, the fastest rate since 2000, and surpassing the 4.6% jump reported for the overall hotel industry (Ligos, 2005). One key driver for this trend is tight corporate budgets. The recent global economic turmoil forced many companies to reduce their travel expenses in an attempt to minimise costs, allowing serviced apartment operators to ride on this by matching limited budgets with competitive prices (Chinmaneevong, 2009). This was reflected in Asia, where demand for serviced apartments remains high despite the crisis (Harris, 2008). The increase in supply of serviced apartments is further bolstered by the predicted continuous growth in global business travel, with Asia Pacific being poised for substantial growth between 2008 and 2013 (NBTA/IHS Global Insight, 2009). Another driver for this surge in popularity of extended-stay hotels is that more companies are willing to pay to relocate new employees (NBTA/IHS Global Insight, 2009), or send them for cross-border corporate training programmes (Foxley, 2001). Employers regard this as an investment due to the lack of qualified and skilled labour (NBTA/IHS Global Insight, 2009). The percentage of such willing employers has increased from 2007 to 2008 by 14% (Fryson, 2008). Locations The locations of serviced apartments will determine the mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments (Geieregger Oehmichen, 2008), as well as the quality of accommodation and service (Foxley, 2001). Typically, serviced apartments are found in urbanised locations (Harris, 2008), where many multinational companies establish their headquarters or manufacturing plants. This facilitates movement of business executives in cities for meetings and conventions. However, serviced apartments can also be found along beaches. Beach Resort Development Beach resorts are defined as geographic areas offering a variety of facilities, services and activities which are orientated towards seaside recreation for the accommodation, use and enjoyment of visitors (Smith, 1991). Resort morphology goes through a predictable sequence of stages: from pre-tourism low through high-density development to an urbanised state (Andriotis, 2006; Smith, 1992). Barrett (1958) first noted the significance of the seafront in the structure and location of the commercial core, distinct zonation of accommodation types which expands in a semi-circular fashion inland from the commercial core and an elongation of settlement parallel to the coast. Stansfield (1970) later observed the development of the Recreational Business District (RBD) consisting mainly retail, food and beverage and entertainment services along the beach front. The Commercial Business District (CBD) is distinctly separated from the RBD and commonly found more inland. Pigram (1977) noted that improved public transport played a significant part in the arrangement and evolution of zones of land-use. In addition, recreational businesses and accommodation establishments tend to orientate themselves on major access routes to the resorts. Smith (1991) created the Beach Resort Model (BRM) which describes ad-hoc beach development from stages 1 to 8. The stages were determined by 6 categories of change morphology, physical, environmental, social, economic and political. Four coastal resorts in Asia Pacific were studied in developing the BRM; however, it can still be applied at large to other coastal resorts. BRM documents the start of a beach resort from a settlement in pre-tourism datum to a fully urbanised city resort. Accommodation Development on Beach Resorts Accommodation at resorts fall into two groups: traditional and self-catering (Stallibrass, 1980). Traditional accommodation includes personal service both in the private rooms and public areas while self-catering accommodation is self-contained, with its own kitchen facilities. Accommodations on beach resorts frequently start with second homes, followed by hotels which are the traditional accommodation (Smith, 1991). There would be structural changes to accommodation typically at the last two stages of the BRM, because resorts mature and narrow accommodation bases diversify to include significant components of all classes of accommodation (Smith, 1991). In addition, changes experienced when a beach matures, such as greater accessibility and new facilities, results in visitor profile changes (Strapp, 1988). This also affects the type of accommodation in demand. Multi-titled tourism accommodations (MTTA), which include serviced apartments, have been on the rise due to lower financial risks compared to single-titled properties, and the larger target market available due to its mixed use (tourists and residential) (Warnken, Guilding, Cassidy, 2008). MTTA complexes now represent an integral part of, or even dominate many popular seaside and ski resorts in many parts of the developed world (Warnken Guilding, 2009). Serviced Apartments on Beach Resorts In later stages of beach development, beach resorts may start to see year-round residency. The area could become more of a residential community with people staying well past the traditional tourist season (Strapp, 1988). Anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in demand for self-catering short holidays (long weekends up to one week) amongst young families and self-catering accommodation for increasingly wealthy retirees (Warnken et al., 2008). Together with increased demand for accommodation, suppliers are encouraged to add higher quality infrastructure typified by a shift from inexpensive motels to resort apartments such as serviced apartments (Prideaux, 2000). Majority of internet accommodation search engines for major destinations returned listings with MTTA-style complexes (Warnken et al., 2008), and these include serviced apartments. Reasons which could have spurred the establishment of serviced apartments on beach resorts encompass the following: Presence of an expatriate market working in nearby industrial hubs requiring temporary accommodation (Appendix A, B C) Presence of a retired silver-haired market moving to beach resorts during winter months in order to stay in warmer climates (Foster Murphy, 1991; Williams, King, Warnes, Patterson, 2000) Transport connectivity for convenient access to the beach resort (Appendix C) Top-notch facilities such as schools, medical care and entertainment (Appendix B) Serviced Apartments on Beach Resorts in Asia Pacific Serviced apartments were the fastest growing segment of the tourist accommodation sector in Australia during the late 1990s (Foxley, 2001). The number of serviced apartment properties in Gold Coast has been increasing over the past few years. In 1998, the number of serviced apartment guest rooms was 3,180 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1999), while in 2007, this number was 5,371 (BusinessGC, 2007). In the year ended June 2009, serviced apartments saw the strongest increase in establishments (0.9%) and room nights available (2.4%) out of all accommodation types, while the motel and hotel sector experienced a contraction of 4.7% and 6.1% respectively in number of establishments (Tourism Queensland, 2009). Currently, here are not many major international operators located on beach resorts in Asia Pacific. Some international operators feel that there are opportunities for serviced apartments to be located on beach resorts in the region. With news releases indicating the plans of Ascott and Oakwood to enter Pattaya, Thailand (The Ascott Limited, 2005; Viboonchart, 2009), it suggests that development of serviced apartments on beach resorts in other parts of Asia Pacific is gaining momentum. Currently, Frasers Hospitality already has a property in Pattaya named Fraser Resort Pattaya. CHAPTER 3 PROPOSED MODEL OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FACTORS FOR ESTABLISHING SERVICED APARTMENTS ON BEACH RESORTS The role of the market has not been the main focus in existing research for the development of beach resorts. The following section takes a closer look at market conditions and operation of the supply side in spurring beach resort development, specifically the development of accommodation to include serviced apartments. The three most important stakeholders in a beach resorts are guests (who are the main cause for induced development); hosts (who by supporting development and by being involved in tourism contribute to the success of a destination); and politics (which influence overall development) (Andriotis, 2006). As such, the factors which are considered below are greatly influenced by characteristics of these three stakeholders. Industrial areas and city centres Relocation of corporate personnel would generate demand for serviced apartments. For beach resorts, there would usually be a presence of expatriates if there are nearby industrial areas and busy city centres (Appendix A C). Moreover, coastal areas are emerging as major centres of economic activity and new powerhouses of tourism interest (Prideaux, 2009), possibly bringing in an expatriate market. Viable and thriving tourist market During weekends, serviced apartments target leisure travellers to fill rooms. This is supported by Foxleys (2001) observation of a trend amongst the international leisure travellers to take extended breaks. In addition, there is seemingly an increase in demand for self-catering short holidays amongst young families (Warnken et al., 2008). Hence, a viable tourist market should also be present for serviced apartments to tap on. Medical tourism Medical tourism has grown rapidly in the past decade (Connell, 2006). People travel long distances overseas to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care while simultaneously being holidaymakers. Reasons for the growth of this niche tourism are high costs of treatment in developed countries, long waiting lists, relative affordability of air travel, and favourable exchange rates (Connell, 2006). Medical tourism has grown in Thailand who deliberately linked medical care to tourism, thus boosting beaches attractions (Connell, 2006). The Phuket Health and Travel website states that it aims to combine health and holiday aspects of travel. Their health and holiday package could include hotel accommodation, pre-doctor appointment, sightseeing, island tours and night entertainment attraction bookings (Phuket Health Travel, 2009). As medical tourism gains popularity, operators may establish serviced apartments next to large hospitals to cater to this kind of demand (Sharma, 2005). Transport Connectivity Transport access to the resort is likely a key determinant of the resorts rate and size of growth. Kim (1998) mentioned that the assessment of tourism potential would place great emphasis on transport communications and general access to the area. As accessibility improves through new road, rail, sea and air services, new and more distant markets will become accessible (Prideaux, 2000). In addition, a good transport system is essential in bringing customers to the apartments doorsteps, and bringing customers to their destinations in the day. Facilities Guests of serviced apartments require nearby facilities for basic living essentials and recreational activities. Recreational activities include sports, shopping and entertainment (Prideaux, 2000), while basic essentials encompass healthcare and educational institutions. Healthcare and educational institutions are especially important for expatriates who have brought their families along when they are relocated by their companies (Appendix B). Political aspects Government policies can hasten the development of beach resorts (Prideaux, 2000) and also implement favourable conditions to boost tourism which potentially encourages serviced apartment establishments due to healthy tourist market prospects. National Tourism Organizations are also responsible in wooing tourists to the country. Ooi (2002) discovered that the political environment can have a significant influence on the image of the destination and tourism promotion policies. Safety and Security Safety is a major concern for tourists (Kim, 1998). Davidoff and Davidoff (1994) concluded that people would not travel to a location believed to be unsafe. Given that expatriates can stay up to a considerable period of time and may bring their families along when they are relocated, security for the family and self becomes an important concern. A summary of the above mentioned factors are integrated into the table below: Table 1.png The factors identified above can possibly shape future growth and development of beach resorts. Additionally, they also aid in future planning by recognising supply short-comings and predicting rising needs of the market, allowing sufficient time and space for operators to cater to these trends. CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Case Selection The case method (Yin, 2003) is used in this study and the unit of research is a beach resort. The case selected in this study is Pattaya. In Pattaya, there is one major international serviced apartment operator, Fraser Resort Pattaya. Interestingly, a huge industrial development is located east of Pattaya. As a developed beach resort, Pattaya has good facilities and infrastructure in place to support its tourism activities. These indicators provide an inkling of the entry of more international operators eventually, thus providing adequate data for this study. Data Collection Formal interviews were conducted with major international serviced apartment operators headquartered in Singapore to gain a better understanding of the industry. A preliminary model was created through book, journal and internet research, newspapers and interviews in Singapore. A field study to Pattaya was then conducted from 8 to 11 December 2009 to collect primary data. Details of the site visit are: Interview with an international service apartment operator several local operators an official from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chon Buri (Pattaya) international hospitals Physical observations of the facilities, establishments and general environment Subsequently, a post-trip model was constructed. This is a refined and condensed model after further knowledge gathered through the field study. Complementary factors which contribute to the listed factors are also identified to provide a wider perspective. CHAPTER 5 PATTAYA CASE A seaside province located on Thailands east coast, Chon Buris scenic views earns itself a reputation as one of Thailands popular sanctuaries for holiday retreats. Situated near the city of Chon Buri is Pattaya, a holiday paradise for fun-lovers. As Thailands premier beach resort that attracts a large number of tourists, Pattaya is charmed by a tropical resort atmosphere suitable for total relaxation. Besides its blessed natural beauty, Pattaya also offers a wide range of water sports and vibrant nightlife (TAT, 2006). Today, it boasts the unique distinction of a beach resort with a city status (TAT, 2007). 5.1 Accommodation Development in Pattaya The increasing influx of visitors over the years has stimulated changes in accommodation types. Most of the large hotel chains, resorts and serviced apartments are located in two regions north and central of Pattaya city. In the stretch right in front of the coastline, the smaller hotels or budget accommodations are found. This stretch is also the region where there are many restaurants, bars, pubs and a number of shopping malls spread out along the coastline. Although most of the serviced apartments are in the north and central region of the city, there are still a few serviced apartments located in the beachfront stretch (Appendix T). This occurrence as described by the BRM model is due to development saturation of the original beachfront strip causing subsequent accommodation to develop along the same strip but extending further inland (Smith, 1991). As serviced apartments are only recently developed on beach resorts, their locations are thus further away from the beachfront. In addition, beachfront region is considered to be nosier with activities ongoing till late. Since serviced apartments are targeted at long-term stay visitors who might want a more conducive environment, serviced apartment operators have thus established the apartments away from the noise. The contrasting location of some serviced apartments in the beachfront stretch is due to their smaller sizes and absence of a serviced apartments full capacities. CHAPTER 6 CASE EVALUATION The business development factors in the preliminary model are assessed against observations and interviews conducted at Pattaya. Further findings are also indicated. Evaluation of Preliminary Model Industrial Areas and City Centres As business executives are the primary target audience of serviced apartments, the existence of sources generating expatriates, such as industrial areas and city centres, are vital. In Pattaya, industrial areas are of notable importance as a driving factor for guests in serviced apartments. Chon Buri province is located in the industrial development region of Thailand, a short drive to southeast Bangkok (Tanvatanakul, Saowakontha, Amado, Vicente, 2007). Business executives who work in both Bangkok city and Chon Buri are thus able to commute to Pattaya quickly. Besides Chon Buri, Rayong province also houses several industrial areas and is approximately 220 kilometres from Bangkok (Bangkoksite.com, 2009). Five main industrial areas (Appendix N) situated in both provinces Laem Chabang , Map Ta Phut, Eastern Seaboard, Amata City and Pinthong, are sources of the expatriate market who seek accommodation in Pattaya city (Appendix I). Some local operators revealed that the bulk of their customers come from the industrial areas. The close proximity to both provinces makes Pattaya a preferred place for many expatriates to stay in (Thailand Guru, 2007). This spells business opportunities for serviced apartments. Positive statistics draw links to a possibly burgeoning expatriate market coming to Pattaya, as reflected in the rise in tourist arrivals in Pattaya for business activities over the years. Arrivals based on business purposes increased by 38.08% from 349,010 in 2006 to 481,916 in 2007 (TAT, 2007). In addition, the proportion of these business arrivals out of total arrivals also increased from 5.7% in 2006 to 7.21% in 2007. For conference/seminar purpose, figures rose from 95,887 in 2006 to 260,695 in 2007 (TAT, 2007), representing an astounding 171.9% increase. The proportion of this conference/seminar-driven tourism out of total tourist arrivals increased from 1.6% in 2006 to 3.9% in 2007. These trends may further spur the growth of serviced apartments in Pattaya. Viable and Thriving Tourist Market Apart from business travellers, serviced apartments may also serve leisure travellers who are on extended holidays. A promising inflow of tourists is likely to affect the growth of serviced apartments. The following section assesses the tourist market in Pattaya based on figures retrieved from TAT for years 2005 to 2007. TAT indicated that figures for 2008 and 2009 are not available. Tourist Arrivals Table 2.png Table 3.png Figure 1. Internal Tourism in Pattaya Tourist arrivals have been increasing steadily from 1997 to 2007. It increased by 14.55% in 2006 as compared to 2005, to a decade high of 6,680,658 in 2007 (+9.25%). The main purpose of visits has been for leisure, which comprises about 83 90% of tourist arrivals in years 2005 to 2007. This shows a thriving leisure tourist market. Table 4.png Interviews conducted with local serviced apartment operators revealed that their main customers are Europeans. Figures have shown that out of the 4,481,630 international travellers who visited Pattaya in 2007, 40% are Europeans. As Pattaya remains a popular beach resort destination for European visitors, the European tourist market in Pattaya will either maintain its size or expand in the future. Local operators also mentioned that these Europeans customers can stay for long periods ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Aside from Europeans, Pattaya is also a popular destination amongst Asians due to its location and reputation for providing a beach getaway. A dip in figures is expected for 2008 and 2009 due to the global economic recession and H1N1 pandemic. Other sources suggest that following a 5% increase in tourism numbers in the first half of 2008, international tourism began to slow down rapidly in mid-2008, reflecting rising oil and commodity prices, volatile exchange rate fluctuations, political instability, and the impact of the global economic recession (UNWTO 2008; UNWTO 2009a; UNWTO 2009b). However, as the world emerges from the recession, tourism in Pattaya is expected to pick up in late 2009 or early 2010 onwards. Tourist Receipts Table 5.png Accommodation expenses generally comprise the bulk of tourist expenditure. Furthermore, tourist receipts have been increasing from 48,522.13 million baht in 2005 to 59,347.61 million baht in 2007. As both tourist arrivals and expenditure increase, this means more business opportunities for serviced apartments in Pattaya. Average Length of Stay of Tourists Table 6.png The average length of stay has decreased from 3.41 days in 2005 to 3.13 days in 2007. However, local operators revealed that the average length of stay ranges from a few days to a few months for leisure travellers, while the average length of stay can be up to 2 years for expatriates. Major Attractions and Future Plans The two principal beaches are Pattaya and Jomtien beach, which offer a range of recreational and entertainment services. Aside from the beaches which saw 61% and 31% of total tourist arrivals in 2007 respectively, other key attractions include bars and nightclubs (30%) and shopping malls (13%) (TAT, 2007). As beaches remain the most visited place in Pattaya, plans are proposed for a large new pier and marina for sporting and leisure craft on Pattaya beach (Channgam, 2008), rejuvenating the beach and thus keeping it attractive for tourists. In addition, the Pattayas mayor wishes to shift the image of Pattaya away from a red-light district to one full of other exciting activities such as a possible indoor ski resort which could attract more international business chains and induce more long-stay guests (Appendix J). Hence a viable and thriving leisure tourist market helps to raise occupancy rates in serviced apartments. Nonetheless, the tourism industry needs to keep improving to sustain or develop new interest in tourists. Medical Tourism The presence of international hospitals may stimulate the establishment of serviced apartments next to them to cater to potential medical tourists who stay for long-term treatment. Three international hospitals dominate Pattaya, namely Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (BPH), Pattaya International Hospital (PIH) and Pattaya Memorial Hospital (PMH). Of these hospitals, only BPH is programme certified by Joint Commission International. It also has 400 beds, having the ability to accommodate more patients as compared to PIHs 70 beds, and PMHs 80 inpatient beds. However, from interviews with the hospitals, it was revealed that patients are largely locals and to a lesser extent, international visitors. Medical tourists are hence an insignificant contributing long-stay market. Nonetheless, it may grow in significance in the future. Transport Connectivity Favourable transport connectivity helps visitors and locals to orientate their way to and around Pattaya easily, a basic essential factor required to draw guests to stay. Features affecting transport connectivity are analysed below: Distance and time to airport Located approximately 110 kilometres away, Pattaya has close proximity to Suvarnabhumi Airport, with travelling time around 1.5 to 2 hours. This relatively short distance and travelling time makes Pattaya a desired city to visit. Modes of transport to Pattaya Visitors can access Pattaya conveniently via air, rail, taxi, coach or local buses. Modes of transport around Pattaya The most commonly seen transport is the Baht Buses, which are transformed from pickup trucks. Other forms of transport include motorcycle, bicycle, car, local bus and taxi. Local buses, however, are not easy to spot and thus often underutilised. Road InterconnectivityC:UsersLoyAppDataLocalTempRoad Map.jpg Figure 2. Pattaya Road Map The road system can be complex and confusing for first-time visitors. However, after gaining familiarity, it is simpler to navigate around. From North to South, there are Beach Road (also known as First Road) which faces the sea, Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Third Road. Beach Road is a one-way road which runs southwards, while Second Road runs northwards. These one-way roads pose inconvenience and a hassle to travel. In between these roads are smaller and busier streets which connect the three roads together. From East to West, there are the North Pattaya Road, Central Pattaya Ro