Ancient democracy to present democracy Essay

The word democracy is derived from two Greek words, demos, which means people, and kratos, which means rule. Today the word has come to mean exactly that, ruled by the people. Many ancient political Greek philosophers would use the phrase â€Å"the governors are to be governed† which we can relate to today. Even though the Greek’s notion of democracy is dramatically different from our current democracy, it has been one of the most influential philosophies that have shaped the political thought of the United States. Ironically the term democracy is the most used term to describe the American government even though it has little meaning in our government today. The Athenian government was the first democracy known to the world. Athens had a government where all of the citizens took part in the decision making. Thus, everyone who qualified as a citizen could participate and did not have to be an elected representative. For one to be considered a citizen they first had to be born in Athens and had to be free. Next, once turned eighteen years of age he had to have at least two years of military training then serve in the navy or army. After he has served he could then vote. After the age of thirty he could be considered for council. The women of Athens were also considered to be citizen however they did not posses any political power. The Athenian democracy had three main branches which were the assembly, the council, and the jurymen. The assembly had the reasonability of making the policies for Athens. The assembly could be considered the legislative branch and it was made of eligible Athenian citizens. The council enforced administrative matters and the policies. They were also in control of the military and finances. The council was made of five hundred citizens and could be considered the executive branch. The jury men had the important yet tedious job of resolving disputes of the people. There were six thousand jurymen to manage this job in the courts. The Greeks of Athens had no single head of the government and no political parties. The United States has some similarities with Athenian democracy but very few. There are three branches, the legislative, executive, and the judicial which  are similar to the three branches of Athens’s government. The legislative branch is made of the Senate and the House of Representatives. They are in charge of making the laws of the states. The House of Representatives consists of a representative from each state. There is one representative from each district in the state. The district in each state depends on the population of the state. There are four hundred and thirty five members of the House. Each of them only serve for two years and then have to run for re-election. The Senate consists of one hundred members. Each state has two representatives in the Senate. The Senate has three times the amount of service time than the House. The Executive branch is the president and his cabinet. The president gets to appoint his cabinet which consists of several positions, the Secretary of State, Attorney General, National Security Advisor, and more. The judicial branch has nine justices as apposed to six thousand, one that serve as the Chief Justice. Once they are appointed by the president they serve for the rest of their lives. As you can see, the American democracy doesn’t quite fit the Greek’s definition of â€Å"democracy†. They have appointed officials that can dictate how the people live. The Greek democracy actually consisted of citizens that could participate in political issues without being elected or appointed.

Max Weber: A Short Biography Essay

Being a man with great aspirations, Max Weber’s life was filled with complexities and complications. Therefore, it is worthy of one’s time to explore the reasons of his success, a revolutionary thinker of the 19th century whose theories still remained as the subjects of interest among academics of the new millennium. In this paper, we shall explore on his life, followed by what influenced and motivated Weber to achieve the milestone of his life: scientific management theories. Lastly, we shall critique on the relevance of his theories in modern management. Biography Born in Erfurt, Thuringia, on 21st April 1864, Max Weber was the eldest son of Max Weber Senior and Hellen Fallenstein Weber. Suffering from meningitis at the age of four, Max Weber adopted reading as his past time which developed his academic strength at a young age (Secher 1980). Max Weber studied at the University of Heidelberg in the year 1882, specializing in the subject of Law. However, his education was disrupted while volunteering for military training as an Officer. In 1884, he resumed his education and graduated in 1890 (Secher 1980). He took up an offer at Freiburg University as an Economic Professor in 1894, a year after his marriage with Marianne Schniger, the grand niece of Max Weber, Senior. Ironically, Weber was haunted by a long term psychiatric breakdown and withdrew from work during the peak of his career as in 1897(Gerth & Mill 1982). Although psychologically disturbed, Weber inherited a vast amount of wealth from his deceased father (Secher 1980). The monetary gains enabled Weber to recuperate from his conditions along with the time and space to develop one of his academic masterpiece, â€Å"The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism† in 1904, which contested on the relevance of capitalism in the absence of spiritual belief (Gerth & Mill 1982). Max Weber died of pneumonia in Munich, on 14 June, 1904. However, he kept the world in awe with the introduction of Bureaucracy. A term which was quoted from his work â€Å"Economy and Society† published by Marianne in 1922; which advocated logical and scientific research methodology known as ‘rationalisation’ (Casteel 2009). Bureaucracy was originated from his skeletal invention of a system of management hierarchy while institutionalising a series of hospitals during World War I, of which; in hope to remedy the inequality of hereditary su ccession and the abused of authority within the German empire (Gerth & Mill 1982). Influences: Political and Social Factors Hegelian philosophy had been the German paradigm for centuries, originated from Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel who advocated that Nations could only be prosperous when the state, the civil society and its citizens are managed with strong moral principles (Pippin, Hoffe & Walker 2004). Despite the grand notion, the Hegelian society became a system of corruption and abused, under the governance of the aristocrats. Defunct and degenerative, its relevance was threatened in the 19th century by the evolution of socialism. Unlike the Hegelian society, the mission of the modern socialism is to serve beyond self-interest, while promoting its non-affiliation between a society and its state; which resonated with the oppressed peasants and middle-classes of Germany (Steinmetz 1993). The problem was further intensified by the ruling of Kaiser William ll, whose political interests polarized from Bismarck’s political philosophy which has served as a political stabiliser in Germany (Burbank & Cooper 2010). During his reign, the Kaiser had developed his policies through public image and popular opinion of the Germans. Unfortunately, the approach proved to be unwise, given the autocratic nature of Kaiser William the II, policy making became a game of propaganda to glorify him along with the riddance of any negative publicity or criticism directed at the imperial family (Kohut 1991). Inspired by modern socialism and disappointed with the Kaiser’s and nobilities’ myopic view on politics, Max Weber began to question on the effectiveness of hereditary succession in political power versus meritocracy. In association with his first hand experienced on bureaucracy, Weber began to infuse it with the theory of Charismatic Leadership; where visionaries should be appointed as leaders and serve the nation, with an alteration to the original concept: that leaders should be elected based on merits and not chosen by birth (Wren & Bedian 2009). Economics Factors In the late 19th century, industralisation began to take flight across the western part of the world; however European industrialising nations failed to capture the economic advantages brought about by machinisation (More 2000). France was an exception who experienced spurring growth at the point of time in conjunction with the United State of America (USA). An economist by profession, Max Weber observed that the theory of capitalism and free competitions advocated by Adam Smith was the key for the two nations’ success (Gerth & Mill 1982). In 1904, Max Weber visited the USA on a mission to understand the true essence of capitalism, and noticed that Americans relied excessively on the convenience of technologies for profit generation; that moral ethics began to dissipate in the society (Gerth & Mill 1982). It was the fear of the dissipation which triggered Weber to theorise â€Å"The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism† to address the underlying moral hazards b rought about by technologies, in the absence of spiritual faith (Wren & Bedian 2009). Intellectual Factors John Calvin’s philosophy for Protestant reformation had been one of the rare ideologies which Max Weber adopted in his publications. The underlying reason for Weber to adopt Calvinism; which promotes economic growth and the specialization of labour under the context of the Protestant teachings (Wren & Bedian 2009), was associated with Max Weber’s mother, Hellen Fallenstein Weber. Being a strong proponent on humanitarian issues and the faith of a Protestant, Hellen had been the mentor of Weber in issues related to liberalism and spirituality (Gerth & Mills 1982). Hence, Weber’s choice of religious philosophy and his publication of â€Å"The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism† can be seen as a form of tribute to Hellen, in recognition for the undying care and love for her eldest son. Any educated German of the 19th Century would have read the two most important works of the century: â€Å"Communist Manifesto† and â€Å"Capital† writ ten by Karl Marx. In summary, what Karl Marx was trying to advocate is the forsaking of self-interest among entrepreneurs and workers in their quest for monetary profits, instead both parties should collaborate as a collective unit in achieving communal benefits where a man’s gain will not be another man’s loss (Patterson 2009). During the period where destitute and suffering prevails, the Utopian theory of Marxism were alluring to the masses; including Weber. However, given his critical nature, Weber discovered the fundamental flaws of generalisation in Marxist’s theories; the absence of actual steps to achieve the desired outcome. With the intention to prove the functionality of Karl Marx’s theory, Weber began to formulate concrete steps to identify individuals’ motivations at work and suggestions on how to improve the societal well being (ed. Wiley 1987) which are reflected on his publication of â€Å"Economy and Society† Relevance to Management Today In the 21st century, bureaucracy has become the corporate culture of large organisations. The system has been a darling in the business arena due to the ease of its implementation, which readily provides a hierarchical framework for governance. Albeit its popularity, formal communication has always been a problem associated with bureaucracy (Wallace 1998). According to Welch (2005, p. 115), ‘hierarchies tend to make little generals out of perfectly normal people who find themselves in organisations that respond only to rank’. However, the underlying problem of bureaucracy is never with the theory itself, but rather the failure of modern managers to rationalise that the system are built upon human relationship. In order to resolve the existing problem, one have to understand that business management is not solely about delegating task and supervision of the employees under a stipulated framework. Instead, success is greatly dependent on ‘who manages and motivates’ the employees (Drucker 2006, p. 56). With reference to Drucker (2006, p. 60), ‘Employees may be our greatest liability, but people are our greatest opportunity.’ The ideology was well adopted by Anita and Gordon Roddick of â€Å"The Body Shop†, who had successfully unleashed the potential of their workers; with the creation of a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie; resulted from the company strong mission and values which focuses on human relations (Tomer 1999). Therefore, one could contest that the success of a manager, are associated with his or her foresight to set visions and missions. Followed by the ability to garner support from the worker and lastly to motivated them in achieving the objectives. In relation to Max Weber’s theory, the idea is what we known as charismatic leadership. Although charismatic leadership has been the ideal form of management style, researchers of organisational behaviours have noticed that it may not be the best approach for adoption. The reason for such an argument is that charismatic leaders are rare gems within the labour market. In order to resolve the issue, a modified version of charismatic leadership known as transformational leadership was introduced as the new frontier. Unlike charismatic leadership, transformational leadership is a set theory which focuses on how different leaders lead and inspire (Mcshane and Travagoline 2007), which are widely used to developed business leaders of tomorrow. Conclusion In retrospect, Max Weber’s penetrative ability to analyse human behaviours, is the reason for his theories to remain highly relevant and widely adopted by modern managers of today. However, as discussed earlier, the theories must not be seen as separate and independent entity. Instead, managers must first understand the nature of Weber’s theories in relation to their respective organisations. Followed by the need to anticipate and rationalise the possible problems that might arise from the application. Only then, may the managers tailor a set of solutions in accordance to the existing need and requirements of the organisations. Reference List Burbank, J & Cooper, F 2010, Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference, Princeton University Press, New Jersey. Casteel, P.D 2009, ‘Weber and rationalization’, Research Starters Sociology, pp. 1-5. Drucker, PF 2006, Classic Drucker, Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, Massachusetts. Gerth, HH & Mills, CW 1982, From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall Kohut, TA 1991, Wilhelm II and the Germans: A Study in Leadership, Oxford University Press, New York, viewed on 10 February 2011, Marx, K 1970, German Ideology, The Electric Book Company Ltd, London, viewed 9 February 2011, McShane, S & Travagoline, T 2007, Organisational Behaviour on the Pacific Rim, McGraw Hill Australia Pty

Analyzing Jesus Christ in the Gospels vis-a-vis Galilean Lifestyle

Analyzing Jesus Christ in the Gospels vis-a-vis Galilean Lifestyle AUTHORS NOTE: The following paper received first place at the 2005 Concordia University Presidents Showcase, Tier Two, and was presented at the Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research at the University of California, Riverside. Jesus in Context: The Influence of the Galilee Region on the Life and Ministry of Jesus and His Followers Introduction: History, Faith, and the Cultural Context of Jesus of Nazareth According to the popular periodical Newsweek, 93 percent of Americans believe that Jesus of Nazareth existed as a historical figure (The Christmas Miracle), yet scholars continue to struggle with the question of how best to understand the founder of the worlds largest religion. Assuming that Jesus lived in a definite historical period, one of the most significant factors in developing an accurate portrait of Jesus life is an understanding of the cultural setting in which he lived. Due to the lack of a common foundation on which to build a thesis for such a portrait, however, scholars often clash over the specifics of the major influences that contributed to Jesus ministry. Many scholars contend that Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet of the Judaic tradition, the exclusive product of Hebrew beliefs and customs. In such Judaic renderings of the life of Jesus, put forward by scholars like E.P. Sanders, gentile culture plays only a peripheral role in the development of Jesus beliefs and mi nistry. By contrast, others have de-emphasized Jesus role as a Jewish prophet and cast him instead as a Hellenistic teacher of wisdom, who inherited much of his material from the philosophy of the Greek cynic school. Writing from this perspective in his book The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant, J.D. Crossan describes Jesus as a peasant Jewish cynic (Crossan 421). In addition to the question of Jesus cultural influences, scholars often question whether studying and assessing the Jesus presented in the Bible the Jesus of faith can be anything other than an obfuscation or interference in discovering the historical man who lived in the first century A.D. the Jesus of history. At the extreme end of skeptical scholarship are contentions that dismiss the Jesus of faith not as irrelevant or obfuscating, but as outright fraudulent. Scholars in this camp will often argue that the Jesus presented in the New Testament is an elaborately constructed myth, with St. Paul often credited as the intelligence behind the construction. In contrast to the skeptical view, early 20th century scholar Rudolph Bultmann suggests, in his influential writings such as The History of the Synoptic Tradition, that attempts to find the objective Jesus of history apart from orthodox Christian faith produced only diverse and often conflicting results (McLaughlin). Following Bultmanns suggestion, I begin this study with the presupposition that the conflict between history and faith whether artificial or actual has been largely fruitless as a focal point of historical Jesus research. Rather than attempting to reconcile competing theories, I suggest that secular scholars and religious researchers alike would benefit from the introduction of a common foundation on which to construct a portrait of the historical Jesus. Such an interpretive approach can be found in what I and other scholars have termed Jesus Galilean Context. I suggest that the Galilean Context of Jesus can serve as a mutual focal point between the two often juxtaposed poles of Biblical scholarship those that favor a purely secular interpretation Jesus, and those that wish to emphasize the Christ of tradition while offering fresh insights for both the scholarly community and the Church. A broad survey of the Galilean Contexts ramifications for contemporary scholarship lies beyon d the scope of this study. However, an overview of the Galilee regions cultural, historical, and geographic makeup is sufficient to demonstrate the significance of Jesus Galilean Context as an interpretive tool for shedding light on the development of his life and ministry. Furthermore, a Galilean interpretation of Jesus offers insight into the differences between Jesus and the religious establishment of his time, and can be useful in explaining the characteristics of Jesus ministry that caused him to be put to death. Barring Jesus of Nazareths alleged supernatural activity, the trait that most sets him apart from his contemporaries is his uncanny ability to reach across cultural boundaries and appeal to those who were traditionally excluded from first century Jewish society. Taking into account both Biblical and secular sources, it is clear that Jesus utilized the cultural diversity, economic climate, and geography of the Galilee region as the primary vehicle by which to communicate his message to both Jews and Gentiles. Historical Context: An Intercultural Crossroads Just as Galilee culturally stands at the center of Jesus life and ministry, likewise the Sea of Galilee (see Figure 1) itself is central to understanding what it was for Jesus to be a Galilean. A natural depression surrounded by fertile hills, the Sea of Galilee forms a natural amphitheater 690 feet below sea level, making it the second lowest point on the Earths surface. In contrast to the low elevation of the sea, the adjacent Hills of Galilee rise 1,500 feet above sea level on the western coasts, while the Golan Heights reach over 2,000 feet above sea level to the east. With a circumference of 33 miles and an approximate area of 64 square miles, the Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater body in Israel. Because of its freshwater composition, the Sea of Galilee would more accurately be described as a lake or inland sea. The Sea of Galilees status as a lake was well known in ancient times, as is revealed in Josephus description of the region in The Jewish War: The Lake of Gennesar has sweet, excellent water, perfectly pure, and the lake ends in pebbly or sandy beaches everywhere (Maier 310). Similarly, the author of Luke 5:1 records that Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret when he addressed the masses. Both authors associate the Sea of Galilee with the fruitful plain of Gennesaret, which lies on the seas northwestern coast. Luke is not unique in using alternate names for the body of water commonly called Galilee, and the names attached to this lake are often indicative of the cultural composition of the region. In Hebrew, Galilee is often known as Yam Kinneret or Chinneroth, both of which describe the lakes elegant lyre shape (Dunston). Galilees roots in Jewish history reach deep into the soil of the Old Testament, with the first mention of the region being made in Joshua 20:7. In Isaiah 8:23, Galilee is called by the Hebrew word Gelil haggoyim, meaning the region of nations (Galilee: Etymology). In its Old Testament context, the word nations is synonymous with gentiles or heathens, which strongly implies that Galilee was wedged within the vicinity of many non-Jewish peoples. In spite of the groping fingers of the nations, however, the region would remain under the control of the Israelites until the armies of Assyria flooded the Northern Kingdom in 732 B.C., seizing Galilee from its Semitic masters (Sea of Galilee). Along with the rest of Palestine, Galilee would later buckle beneath the pressure of Alexander the Greats quest for Hellenistic hegemony in c. 330 B.C. Scholars who see echoes of the Greek cynic school in Jesus teachings find support for their position in the resulting fusion of Jewish and Greek culture, which still permeated the region in the first century A.D. Out of Alexanders conquests rose the Decapolis on Galilees eastern shore (see Figure 1) a collection of ten Greek cities eventually unified under Roman rule (Middendorf). The Gospels indicate that Jesus and his entourage visited the Greek Decapolis on the eastern shore of Galilee, where they journeyed to the city of Gadara as recorded in Mark 5:1. Among the Gentile population, Christ performed a series of miracles including the exorcism of the demon Legion mentioned in Mark 5. Following the miracle, Jesus saw the opportunity he had to spread his message amongst the Gentile population of the region and used the cured man as a vehicle for his reputation, as revealed in the Gospel narrative: As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demonpossessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20; emphasis mine). As a result of this missionary activity, Jesus popularity grew in the region, as evidenced by the great multitudes of people from Decapolis mentioned in Matthew 4:25. Based on Scripture, it seems that Jesus actually made a second trip into the Decapolis later in his ministry. Mark 7:31 reports that after an interlude in Tyre and Sidon to the north of Galilee, Jesus returned to the Galilee region and went into the region of the Decapolis. In the decades following his ministry, Jesus influence on the Decapolis would continue to reverberate in the growing Christian community. Philadelphia, a Decapolis city far south of the Sea of Galilee, would become the site of a thriving church for whom the author of Revelation offers the highest praise in verses 3:7-11. Following Alexanders conquests, Galilee would remain in cultural and political flux until the Maccabean revolt during the last century B.C. briefly reclaimed the lost crown of Jewish sovereignty. With a large Jewish migration into the region during the mid-100s B.C., Galilee briefly regained its Jewish character, only to fall again to Roman conquest in 63 B.C. The author of John refers to the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1), connecting Galilee with the Roman city of Tiberias (see Figure 1), which stood on the lakes western shore. For Jews living in the era of Roman occupation, Tiberias was a place of dubious reputation. Constructed under the direction of Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, Tiberias was a stalwart monument to the Roman presence in the region. In spite of Tiberias pre-eminence, the citys odious cemetery repulsed the local Jewish population, who viewed the presence of a burial ground as ritually unclean (Sea of Galilee). Intercultural tolerance was in short supply in first century Palestine, however, and Herod eventually attracted Jewish settlers to the city by force. Left to brace themselves against a crumbling wall of ethnic identity, these Jews would continue to practice their traditions throughout the first century, eventually transforming the once profane city of Tiberias into a center of Jewish scholarship that would play a decisive role in the compilation of rabbinical commentaries such as the Mishna and the Talmud (Sea of Galilee). In a technical sense, first century Galilee was a client kingdom of the Roman Empire, meaning that it was essentially self-governing but ultimately subjugated to the greater will of its imperial masters (Hanson). A client king, such as Herod Antipas, would rule autonomously, but he, in turn, would be responsible for maintaining Caesar Augustus good will by sending tribute to Rome. From a practical standpoint, this meant that the local region could maintain much of its cultural identity, as it did under the Jewish Antipas (Hanson). However, the peace that such a system created was ephemeral, being constituted by the necessity of compromise rather than contentment. On the occasions when this structure weakened, the stirrings of rebellion could burst through the dam of stability. Josephus reports in Jewish Antiquities that while the Romans were distracted by internecine strife between Archelaus and Antipas, revolutionary activity took its toll on the Galilee region: the whole country was without any government, and erupted in violence. Judas, son of Ezekias the bandit plundered Galilee, while Simon, a slave of Herod, crowned himself king and burned the royal palace in Jericho until he was caught and beheaded Athronges, a huge shepherd with his burly brothers conducted a guerilla campaign and others also spread ruin and desolation over the country (Maier 258). It was this internal tension that stirred the authorities of Jesus time to question his motives and accuse him of undermining the Roman authority. Reporting for PBS From Jesus to Christ, L. Michael White, Professor of Classics and Director of the Religious Studies Program University of Texas at Austin, posits that the term Galilean itself carried loaded connotations in the first century. To some, he suggests, it just might mean an outsider, or someone whos not really an old Jew of the traditional sort. Precisely because the Galilee had traditionally not been Jewish at the time of the Maccabean Revolt a hundred or 150 years before Jesus. But from another perspective, Galilean also took on the coloration of being rebellious, or insurrectionistso for some, the term Galilean might also mean something political (From Jesus to Christ). Many of Christs followers, in fact, wanted him to be a revolutionary figure in the vein of Judas the Galilean, as evidenced by their attempts to crown him king in John 6:15. Yet, Jesus himself seems to have been alienated from the anti-Roman movement, because he responds to the attempted coronation by departing into a mountain himself alone. Nonetheless, the Roman authorities appear to have associated him with the more radical currents of the Galilee. Ironically, the immediate consequence of Jesus teachings was the same as that of many Galilean radicals, as described by Josephus: Tiberius Alexander crucified James and Simon, the sons of Judas the Galilean, who had aroused the people to rebellion (Maier 273). Developmental Context: Galilee During Christs Formative Years Because of the ethnic composition of the region, it would be possible for an individual living in first century Galilee to experience aspects of both Jewish and Gentile culture. As the two worlds became, of necessity, more entwined, it is likely that each succeeding generation would become more of a composite of the two. Little of Jesus youth is revealed in the Gospels, yet the impact that these years would have on his ministry cannot be underestimated. In the isolated hills of the Galilean town of Nazareth (see Figure 1) that Christ would find the raw materials of many of his most enduring parables seeds being sown, grapes ripening on the vine, and farmers ardently shaping the land. Such images resurface throughout the teachings of Christ, as in the parable of the farmer and the seeds in Matthew 13, the parable of the sheep in Matthew 18, and the parable of the fruit tree of Matthew 3. By contrast, Jesus rarely draws on examples from commerce or military life in his teachings, nor does he employ the legalistic language that would be expected of a teacher from Jerusalem. Although the New Testament is our only source of Nazareths history until the 4th century A.D., the agricultural character of this small community can be inferred by two means. Although such etymological constructions are at best speculative, many linguistic scholars believe that the name Nazareth derives from a root word meaning separated, which describes the towns relative distance from the rest of the Galilean community (Baird). While this may be one shade of meaning, the word Nazareth may have its origins in the Hebrew word netser, which means sprout or shoot (Baird). Some argue that this refers to the towns being an offshoot of the greater Galilee region (Baird). This may be true, but to argue that sprout refers to the towns size would be to read into the Hebrew language an idiom for which there is little evidence, and it seems apparent to me that a literal reading of netser is most appropriate. If this is the case, the name clearly carries agrarian connotations. Secondly, it must be remembered that Galilees primary source of food production was its shoreline fishing industry. Geographically cut off from the regions cornucopia and too small to participate in any significant trading, Nazareth would, by necessity, have relied on small-scale agriculture for its survival (Hanson). Much like the Kibbutzim small, socialistic Jewish settlements of modern Israel, Nazareth would most likely have been a self-sufficient village that produced most of its own goods. Aside from its rural qualities, other characteristics of Nazareth must be inferred from the Biblical texts. In particular, the question arises as to where and when Jesus developed his sage knowledge of Jewish scripture and tradition, as well as his provocative orators skill. According to John 7:15, the initial reaction to Christs literacy was one of surprise: The Jews were amazed and asked, How did this man get such learning without having studied? The picture seems to be one of a supposedly ignorant villager suddenly displaying a profound knowledge of Jewish learning, revealing himself to be distinct from the other peasants of his day. Although Nazareth appears to have been a Semitic island in an intercultural sea, it seems implausible to assume that Jesus grew up in ethnic isolation. Consider, for example, his easy tolerance of non-Jewish peoples and customs and his eventual conflicts with the conservative element of the Jewish religion. According to many Biblical scholars, these skills could hardly be expected in a man who had been reared in isolation, with limited cross-cultural contact (Reed 104). A plausible explanation, then, must be sought outside of Nazareth. While Nazareth did exist apart from the Sea of Galilees cosmopolitan coastline, the Jewish hamlet was only an hours walk worldly-wise Sepphoris, Antipas capital of Galilee (Reed 105). In his book Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus, Professor Jonathan Reed asserts that it would be almost impossible for Jesus not to have seen Sepphoris (see Figure 1) at some point in his life, out of curiosity, if not necessity (Reed 105). In spite of its prominence in Galilean society, however, Sepphoris is completely absent from the Gospel narratives. That the Bible never mentions Christ teaching in this city has usually been explained as a political snub to Antipas or a necessity for Christs safety, in light of John the Baptists execution (Reed 104). Other scholars contend that Jesus did teach in Sepphoris, but that his teachings there were not well-received and thus dismissed by the Gospel writers (Reed 104). The latter theory seems odd, since the Gospel writers include multiple accounts of audienc es unfriendly to the teachings of Jesus, including his childhood neighbors in Nazareth. What both of these theories fail to recognize, however, is the probability that Jesus had visited Sepphoris in his youth, but chose not to return in adulthood. According to the Gospels, Josephs trade was carpentry, and as sons usually took on the trade of their fathers in first century Palestine, Christ is also called a carpenter in Mark 6:3. Assuming that Christ was born in the first decade of the first century, he would likely have been too young to participate in Antipas ambitious construction of Sepphoris in A.D. 3 or 4. However, should Joseph have been contracted to work in the city, it is likely that he would have taken the young Jesus with him for on the job training. Putting aside Antipas initial building project, Nazareths close proximity to Sepphoris would seem to indicate that Joseph, or perhaps Jesus himself, would have sought work in the bustling Roman city. If Jesus career did bring him to Sepphoris, then a plausible explanation can be offered for the ease with which he learned to cross traditional cultural boundaries. Recent excavations of the site reveal that its inhabitants were mostly from the upper-class, as evidenced by the presence of extravagant ritual baths called miqweh in the houses of the city (Reed 107). The sheer cost of transporting fresh, clean water from the Sea of Galilee into the city of Sepphoris would have made these a luxury (Meyers). While Jesus would denounce elitist attitudes during his ministry, he draws from a wealth of material that may have been engendered by contact perhaps as a hired worker with Sepphoris urban nobility. For example, the parable of the royal banquet in Matthew 22:1 -14 describes an occurrence that Jesus may have witnessed while in Sepphoris, while the rich men of Luke 12 and 16 may have been based on personages met in the city. Assuming that Jesus did have contact with Sepphoris, then it may have been his experiences as a hired laborer that fueled Christs later criticisms of the wealthy. A traditional picture of class warfare begins to emerge when one recognizes that Jesus belonged to a lower-income family. In Luke 12:24, Mary the mother of Jesus makes an offering of a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. This offering of birds was customary of poor families, who could not afford to offer the usual lamb (LaSor 83). While Sepphoris no doubt brought Jesus into contact with the gentiles, evidence suggests that the city was largely Jewish in character, but of a less traditional style (Reed 107). In archaeological digs, ample piles of pig bones have been found in the second and third century strata, but the first century layer of the city includes almost none indicating that the Jews, who did not eat pork, were the dominant citizens of the city during the time of Christ (Reed 107). In spite of the Jewish presence in the city, the culture of Sepphoris would have been of a more urbanized type than that found in Judea. Writing in Jewish War, Josephus reports that Sepphoris took a pro-Roman position in the first-century Palestinian revolt (Chancey). Sepphoris decision to routinely harbor Roman garrisons is described by Josephus as a betrayal of the allies of their tribe and an insurrection against the common religious center of Jerusalem (Chancey). German Scholar Walter Bauer, cited in Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus, argues that the religious life of Sepphoris was distanced from the legalistic religion of the Pharisees and contends that by extension so was Christ in his early years. Clearly, the rift between Christ and the legalism of the Jerusalem authorities that resulted from Christs upbringing offers one plausible explanation for his death. However, while Bauers argument may be sufficient in explaining Jesus later conflicts with the Pharisees, it may overemphasize the role of Sepphoris in shaping the religious life of the young Christ. Because of Jesus economic position, it is unlikely that he would have viewed the aristocracy of Sepphoris of as role models to be emulated. Like the majority of Galileans, Jesus was alienated from both the secular wealthy and the religious elite. If, as the saying goes, individuals are defined by the company they keep, then Jesus distance from the prominent people of his time is proved in his choice of average Galilean fishermen as companions. Socio-Economic Context: On the Shores of Galilee It was shortly after his baptism that Jesus made his way to the shores of the Sea of Galilee itself. A remarkably fertile country, the hills of the Galilean seashore would have been brimming with life as Jesus strolled among them, teaching the people and proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand (Mrk 1:15). For the fishermen who worked along Galilees coasts, however, the iridescent majesty of the sea would not have been the primary motive for slogging around its waters on a daily basis. Rather, these men were motivated by the perennial need for economic survival. Although many Galileans owned their own fishing boats and equipment, there is little evidence to suggest that they participated in a free market economy, such readers in the Western world might envision. While Galilean society was not communistic by any stretch of the imagination, its primary economic movers were political and familial structures, with production largely seen as an ends to maintaining the stability of both (Hanson). Generally speaking, the legs that carried Galilean society were peasant fishermen or farmers whose primary economic motive was to feed their families, with family units serving as both producer and consumer (Hason). It must be realized, however, that the Galilean concept of family was much broader than that with which most Americans are familiar, and usually included a complex network of inner and outer relations. In order to maximize production and prevent domestic squabbles semi-formal trade relations were established among kin, creating endeavors of mutual interest (Hanson). Fishing in Hellenistic Galilee usually took one of four forms: casting a line with bronze hooks, dipping a flaxen net into the sea, primitive fish traps, or pronged tridents (Hanson). It is unclear from Mark 1:18-19 what type of net Simon and Andrew were using, since the Greek word used in this passage, dictua, is a generic term for nets (Hanson). Matthew 1:18 clarifies in telling us that Simon and Andrew were working with an amphiblestron, or hand-held casting net (Hanson). In spite of their relative independence, the fishermen of first century Galilee crawled through life at subsistence level, producing only enough to meet their basic needs (Hanson). Roman client kings, such as Herod Antipas, were supportive of the fishing industry only insofar as it gave them the ability to profit by levying severe taxes and tolls on the fishermans product. This constant taxation which allowed Antipas to pay tribute to the reigning Caesar left the average fisherman in Galilean society just slightly above the status of the average laborer. So, it was in keeping with his concern for the marginalized of society that Jesus first followers were drawn from the decks of Galilean fishing boats. Mark 1: 16 records that as Jesus walked by the shores of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting a fishing net into the sea. Although John 1:36 records that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and already knew of Jesus coming, the response of the fishermen to Christs invitation to become fishers of men (Mrk 1:17) is profound. Considering that the very survival of these men rode on their ability to bring in a bounty of fish each day, their abrupt decision to forsake their nets and follow him (Mrk 1:18) reveals the unique skill of Jesus in appealing to the average Galilean. His ability to frame his invitation (follow me) in a Galilean context (fishers of men) drove home a provocative point that would have been lost on these brothers had Christ engaged in sophisticated theological argumentation. Because of Christs clever association of his message with the Galilean fishing economy, the fishermen were drawn to Christs larger theme of eternal life. Jesus invitation to the fishermen is consistent with the teaching style he used during his Galilean ministry, which relied on the imagery of the region to convey theological points. In Mark 6, for example, Jesus uses a boys small fish most likely sardines and five loaves of bread to feed a five thousand people. Through this example, Jesus demonstrates the process by which his teachings would reach the world first from through his death (illustrated by the broken bread and fish), then through the Apostles on Pentecost (He gave them [the loaves and fish] to the disciples), and from the Apostles to all the nations of the world (and the disciples gave them [the loaves and fishes] to the crowds). A large fishing net, called a sagene, is mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 13:47 as an illustration of the Kingdom of Gods cross-cultural reach (Hanson). Like a net dragged behind a boat, Jesus explains, the Kingdom of Heaven pulls in a diversity of people some good for consumption and some stale and rotten all which will be sorted out at the end of the age. Where most Jews expected the Messianic kingdom to be exclusively Semitic, Jesus sagene illustration is a bold departure from tradition, especially when one considers that Galilee is home to over thirty different species of fish. James and John, Jesus second set of seafaring apostles, may have been mending such a net in Mark 1:20. Their reaction to Jesus call to ministry was the same as that of Simon and Peter, and it may have been partially inspired by the endorsement that the former pair of fishermen had given to the traveling Messiah. It is likely that some knot of kinship bound the Yonah family of Simon and Peter together with the Zebedee family of James and John, for in Luke 5:10, the Gospel writer records that the sons of Zebedee were partners with Simon. The Greek word usually read as partners koinonoi would more be more accurately translated as cooperative-members, implying that familial trade relations existed between the two fishing interests (Hanson). Based on the fact that both families owned their own boats and fishing equipment, some scholars have concluded that they represent a sort of upper middle class in Galilean society (Hanson). Others argue that this conclusion inappropriately reads free-market ideas into the Galilean economy and infers a degree of economic stratification that probably did not exist in first century Galilee (Reed 165). While the inference of an upper middle class may be a historical hyperbole, Mark 1:20 does indicate that the Zebedee family at least had hired servants. Accordingly, it can be inferred that Galilean fishermen were higher up the economic ladder than those who contributed the raw materials and manual labor that supported the fishing trade. Nonetheless, it is true that the hiring of itinerant peasant workers was a common practice that in no way indicates membership in the upper class (Reed 165), although we may assume that the Zebedee family was capable of maintaining a living. Jesus not only mingled with the fishermen of Galilee, but he also lived with them during his ministry at Capernaum (see Figure 1). Archaeological evidence suggests that Capernaum was near the bottom of Galilees social registry, lacking in niceties such as marble, frescoes, mosaic, and ritual baths (Reed 165). While the affluent left their indelible mark on society by sponsoring public buildings like the theater at Sepphoris, no such projects have been found among the ruins of Capernaum (Reed 165). Thus, Capernaum became the setting for Jesus to work with common or even lowly people, who would become his primary followers throughout much of the Galilean ministry. Capernaum clearly influenced Jesus treatment of the poor, satisfying his drive to reach those of his own social class with his message. In addition, Capernaum would have extended Christs interaction with Galilees non-Jewish population. Although the unassuming city lingered on the edge of Antipas tetrarchy, Capernaum appears to have been part of a regional trade network (Reed 165). Because of this, the city would have witnessed a steady stream of gentile merchants and sojourners passing through on business. This intersection of Jews and Gentiles is exhibited by Matthew 8:5, in which a Roman centurion implores Jesus to heal his dying servant. Much like American peacekeepers in Iraq today, the centurion may have been viewed by Jewish peasants as a necessary, but unwelcome, foreign intruder. Apparently, the Gentiles faith startled Jesus (Matt 8:10), who immediately healed the mans withering servant and declared the centurions faith superior to that of Jewish Israel. During a later trip through Capernaum, Christ would again display his tendency to cross cultural boundaries by calling Mattew, a tax collector, into his retinue (Mark 1:14). In the pristine holiness of dusty Renaissance paintings and chapel windows, we tend to imagine the apostles as

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Sports Drinks Industry Analysis Essay Example for Free

Sports Drinks Industry Analysis Essay Coconut water is technically a fruit juice, extracted from coconuts. It is a popular refreshing beverage widely consumed in tropical countries, commonly sold fresh by street vendors still in its green shell, and drunk through a straw. Euromonitor Internationals soft drinks data shows that Brazil is currently the worlds largest market for packaged coconut water. Coconut waters success in Brazil indicates that major opportunities exist in other tropical countries where the drink is part of local beverage consumption culture, such as Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Ecuador. At present, virtually all coconut water in such markets is still consumed fresh rather than packaged. However, as these countries packaged food and beverage markets continue to develop in terms of sophistication, consumers will eventually be compelled by the advantages of purchasing their favorite liquid refreshment in an easily portable, convenient and hygienic format to suit consumption occasions in more formal environments. Seeing the marketability and increasing demand for coconut beverage, it gives the proponents an idea to establish this kind of business through feasibility study. Since there is no existing industry of tonic drink in Sultan Kudarat, it will encourage investors to invest in a newly proposed project. G. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT COCO DRINK is a natural isotonic beverage that is high in potassium and other electrolytes. Great for any active lifestyle, it is an effective rehydration beverage for before, during or after exercise. COCO DRINK is a milk-like beverage product that was process through spray drying technique that can be reconstituted in hot or cold water. For those unflavored drinks, it has a milky-white color, bland or neutral. It has a smooth mouth feel and safe to drink, with long shelf life and is cheaper than dairy-based milk drinks. COCO DRINK is also available in different blends, such as coco-Choco, coco-ube, coco-pandan, and other natural flavorings. These are available in bottles, cans, and tetra-packs. H. RISK AND MITIGATION RISK MITIGATION Peace and order Coordinate with the Philippine National police in the locality in case unnecessary events will occur. Unavailability of raw materials Seek for other suppliers of raw material to meet the daily demand and to make raw materials available at all times. Theft/ pilferage Built- in Close Circuit Television would be of help in determining fraud in the business. Hire a well oriented and trust worthy employees. Facilities Malfunction Check and maintain the facilities weekly. Purchase a high quality equipment to meet its useful life. Hire qualified and responsible operator. Product spoilage Refrigerate and freeze the product to prevent from spoilage. Pasteurize the coconut water to prolong its shelf life. Fortuitous events such as, earthquake and fire Secure the building and personnel through insurances. Presence of other tonic drinks. Promote the health benefits of COCO DRINK Develop good technical and marketing strategies. Produce high quality products. I. DEFINITION OF TERMS Electrolytes- is a solution that is capable of conducting electricity. (Electrolytes are commonly found in fruit juices, coconut water, sports drinks, milk, and many fruits and vegetables) Rehydration- is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. Isotonic- Pertains to a solution in the body having the same osmotic pressure. (Sports drinks are sometimes designed in an isotonic way to assist athletes in rehydrating while balancing electrolytes). Pasteurize- is a process of heating a food, which is usually a liquid, to a specific temperature for a predefined length of time and then immediately cooling it after it is removed from the heat. (This process slows spoilage due to microbial growth in the food. ) Chlorinated water- is water added by chlorine and serves as a method of water purification to make it fit for human consumption as drinking water. J. SUMMARY AND FINDINGS A. MARKETING FEASIBILITY Energy drinks market has experienced significant growth in recent years owing to the craze toward high activities. The proposed project will be materialized in the form of quality products. The target customers are local markets through pharmaceutical drug stores, health and food stores, grocery stores, supermarkets and the likes. B. TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY The manufacturing company will operate 8hrs/day at 26 days a month for 12 months. In terms of technology, the company is aided of modernly designed factory equipment to ensure effective and efficient operation. The company is concerned to improve the quality of its product by choosing the right technology to fill in the packaging that cannot be spoiled by weather or other factors. C. FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY Based on the financial assumptions and projections, the project has the capacity to absorb all the expenses even there is a yearly increase in expenses. Moreover, the company has continuous increase in income yearly. D. MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY The proponents are all capitalist partners. They will both contribute an equal amount of money or property to start the business. The manager will be responsible in establishing management. They will be responsible for the effective and efficient operation. The personnel will be hired based on the qualifications required. E. SOCIO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY The establishment of Coconut Tonic Drink will contribute to the economy particularly of Sultan Kudarat. It will encourage investors to venture because it has no existing industry here in the province yet. It will help to generate additional income to the government through taxes. F. CONCLUSION Based on the findings, supported by the financial projections, the establishment of coconut tonic drink is feasible. It is feasible because of the increasing demand of energy drink and nutritious beverages in local market. It will help generate additional employment in the community and improve domestic production by providing market opportunities. G. RECOMMENDATION Based on the assessment and result of the study, the following are recommended: 1. The company should find ways and means to improve the quality of their products to meet the standards and satisfaction of the customers. 2. Manage the risks that may occur in their dealings with competing companies. 3. Other studies should be conducted to determine other processes to prolong the shelf life of the product, without adding chemicals and to preserving its natural flavor. I. INTRODUCTION Coconuts are different from any other fruits because it contains large quantity of water. When immature they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seed nuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. Coconut water has a numerous health benefits associated, including improved digestion, boost immune system against certain infections, and aids in regulating body temperature. These are just few of the many benefits drinking coconut water can provide. Drinking coconut water daily may help to improve skin elasticity, and avoid wrinkling by keeping the skin well hydrated and providing rich nutrients to nourish, making it looking smoother. Coconut water can provide wonderful alternative to some fruit juices and whole milk, since it contains less fat and calories, and no cholesterol. Compared to energy drinks, coconut water contains less sodium, no sugar and more potassium. Through pasteurization, matured coconut water can be processed into tonic drink that is good alternative for electrolytes and milk. Coconut water could be added a mild flavor and commercialize to public. Of all natural beverages from Mother Nature, coconut tonic drink is an ideal drink, aside from water, to quench thirst and provide renewed vitality and energy for our body with all the basic nutrients, protein and vitamins this. II. MANAGEMENT ASPECT A. FORM OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATION The form of ownership is partnership which owned by the proponents namely: Sharmaine Alimajen and Hyaseth Hope Berin. B. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS AND KEY PERSONNEL The data for officers and key personnel are shown in the following job classification and its corresponding capabilities. POSITION NO. OF EMPLOYEES REQUIREMENTS RESPONSIBILITIES OWNER 2 Must be 25 years old and above, male/ female. Financially capable of putting up the business. At least Baccalaureate degree holder of BS Business Administration or BS Accountancy. With a strong vision toward the business. Can handle business operation in all aspect. With a good moral character. will act as a financial provider and has a power over his subordinates. MANAGER 1 Age 25 years old and above. With extensive experience in manufacturing company as Production Manager With strong leadership and communication skills. Knowledgeable in production planning and control. will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the company. Making sure that major administrative and technical problems and concerns of the company and its clients should be monitored and addressed accordingly. Determines appropriate staff-management levels and implement strategies to ensure the efficient operation of the department. ACCOUNTANT 1 must at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy. Must have 2 years accounting work experience. Can work with minimum supervision, organized and possess good working attitude. Report to management regarding the finances of establishment. Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice. Advise management about issues such as resource utilization, tax strategies, and the assumptions underlying budget forecasts. BOOKKEEPER 1 Male / Female 21-30 years old. Must possess at least a Bachelor’s / College Degree, Finance / Accountancy / Banking or equivalent. At least 1-year experience as a Bookkeeper. Knowledgeable in preparing Book Reconciliation.record about the day-to-day financial transaction of the entity. Reports to the manager the financial condition of the business. CASHIER 1 Male/Female, 20-30 years old. Graduate of any four –year Business course preferably in Accounting or Banking Finance. At least 1-2 years experience in same field or clerical work. Have an experience in cashiering, check payments, remittances, reports, and transactions. will be responsible of receiving and disbursing cash. Enter purchases into cash register. Counts money, give change, and issues receipt. Maintain sufficient amounts for change. Calculates Discounts or references. Balances cash drawer and receipts. FACTORY SUPERVISOR 1 At least 2 year(s) of working experience as supervisor. Must possess at least bachelor’s degree in Business studies/ Administration/ Management. Engineering, as the job requires sufficient knowledge in plant mechanics. Control and monitors processes and operations that take place at a plant or factory. FACTORY WORKER 10 Male/ Female Highschool Graduate 18 to 30 years old Preferably have 1 year experience in production work. Willing to work overtime. will be the one to operate the factory equipment, in-charge of packaging and sealing the product. DRIVER. 1 Has a 6 months experience Male not more than 35 years old. At least high school graduate or college level Will drive truck to transport and deliver materials. Maintains telephone contact with base to receive instruction. Keeps record of products transported. Obtains customer signature or collects payments for delivered goods or delivery charges. Assists in loading and unloading truck items. Other task that might be assigned from time to time. SECUTITY GUARDS 2 at least have a 1-year experience as security guard. Male, 25-35 years old. Must possess at least a Vocational Diploma / Short Course Certificate. Willing to work nine shifting hours. whose duty is to keep the area free from espionage and other harmful individuals and attacks. D. LABOR REQUIREMENTS TABLE 2. 1 SCHEDULE TIME POSITION SCHEDULE TIME Monthly Salary Monday- Friday Saturday IN(am) Out(pm) IN(am) Out(pm) Manager 8:00 5:00 8:00 5:00 P 8,060 Accountant Visit only once a week Visit only once a week 4,000 Bookkeeper 8:00 5:00 8:00 5:00 7,280 Cashier 8:00 5:00 8:00 5:00 7,280 Factory Supervisor 7:45 4:45 7:45 4:45 7,800 Factory workers 7:45 4:45 7:45 4:45 7,020 Driver 7:45 4:45 7:45 4:45 7,020 Security guards 8:00. 5:00 8:00 5:00 7,020 Coffee break time will be ten minutes only anytime between: 9:30 A. M. –10:30 A. M. and 2:30 P. M. –3:30 P. M. Lunch break will be between 12:00 NN –1:00 P. M. (Monday to Saturday). E. BUSINESS POLICIES AND REGULATION These will be the formal statement and rules of the projected project to be implemented by the future management. 1. The manager will report all related problems and all project aspect to the management 2. The cashier is required to perform cash count every day and report to the management about receipts and disbursement every month. 3. Manager should report to higher authority major administrative and technical problems and concerns of the company. 4. The bookkeeper should present financial report monthly. 5. Segregation of duties shall be properly observed. 6. The operation shall be monitored regularly. 7. All transaction must be properly authorized and approved by the manager. 8. Information about the project operation shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person, except authorized by the manager. 9. Terms of sale will be on cash basis. In case of receivables, 30 days will be the credit term. 10. Help each employee to obtain his maximum efficiency and effectiveness through a updated training and development program. 11. Treat each employee with fairness and respect. 12. Recognize and reward efficiency, discipline, and dedication to duty and responsibility. F. PROJECT SCHEDULE TABLE 2. 2 TIME TABLE ACTIVITIES MAR APR JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Planning Building of factory Business permits preparation Canvassing and acquiring of office supplies, furnitures and office and factory equipments Positioning of purchased materials into the building Hiring of employees Negotiate to suppliers Formal start of operation III. MARKETING ASPECT A. INDUSTRY The coconut, popularly known as the â€Å"Tree of Life†, is one of the most important crops in the Philippines. It substantially contributes to the countries yearly income and is a major source of foreign exchange being an export winner. The Philippines remains as the world’s leading supplier of traditional coconut products. In 2010, 3. 56M hectares areas planted to coconut. Forty-eight percent (48%), (1,595,120 ha) of all coconut is planted to Mindanao and is produces fifty-six percent (56%), (8. 1M tons) of the total production. In Region XII alone, production of coconut was up by about 11%. Around 44% of coconut production of the region was in Sarangani Province. Cotabato Province contributed about 20% and Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato produced about 18% each. Crop Production in region XII. The coconut production growth rate in first quarter is 11. 25% generally. (Source: regional Economic Situitioner-First quarter 2012). B. COMPETITION In Philippines energy drinks market, new entrants do not seem as a strong competitive pressure. The existing soft drink industry is already dominated by experienced dominant players with over century-long experienced. Other energy drinks dominate the industry with their strong brand name and great distribution channels. In addition, the energy drink industry is fully saturated unless the new entrants come with an acceptable differentiation. Despite the previously made optimistic postulation that coconut tonic drink could turn out to be the next Gatorade, there are other impediments still to be hurdled like widespread consumer unfamiliarity. These are the competitors existing: Extra Joss (PT Bintang Toedjoe) Lipovitan ( Taisho Pharmaceutical) Powerade (The Coca-Cola Export Corp) Gatorade (PepsiCo International Inc). Samurai ® energy drink (Coca-Cola Philippines) Cobra (Asia Brewery Inc) C. THREAT OF ENTRY Generally, when industry profits increase, it would be possible for additional firms to enter the market to take advantage of the high profit levels, over the driving profits for all firms in the industry. However, in Philippines energy drink markets, new entrants do not seem as a strong competitive pressure. Experienced dominant players already dominate the existing soft drink industry over century-long experienced. Other energy drinks dominate the industry with their strong brand name and great distribution channels. In addition, the energy industry is fully saturated unless the new entrants come with an acceptable differentiation. As entrants, the proposed project should truly â€Å"somebody† to be able to gain an absolute competitive advantage within this industry. If the product were distinct, there will be no fear of product substitution. Once the proponents gained an absolute advantage within the industry, they should deal with suppliers who may have strong bargaining power over pricing on the ingredients needed. D. MARKET ENVIRONMENT The COCO DRINK will be distributed in leading markets and drugstore all over the Province. E. MARKETING STRATEGIES A. MARKET The manufacturing company will produce a quality healthy drink that can renew vitality and energy for our body with all the wonderful nutrients, protein and vitamins this drink contains. The variety of flavours that COCO DRINK has gives consumers a wide selection of its taste preference. The selling of coconut tonic drink does not limit only within the locality but also to the nearby provinces. Products will directly distribute to supermarkets, grocery stores and health food stores. The selling price is is affordable which can reach by all people especially for low income. People can found COCO DRINK easily. The distribution spreads well until the end users. So that more people can have tonic drink as their energy drinks choice B. CHANNEL OF DISTRIBUTION The proposed business will act as a supplier of coconut tonic drink into local markets. FIGURE 3. 1 CHANNEL OF DISTRIBUTION C. PRICE STUDY In a research conducted, there is no existing industry of coconut tonic drink here in Sultan Kudarat. Since coconut tonic drink is the best alternative for electrolyte drinks, the project had foregone a research in pricing of different energy Drink Company of its products. They are selling with a mark-up of 20% to 35% more than the average factory price of the product. As a strategy, the project will reduce 20% in the price of the product of the existing competitors. F. DEMAND AND SUPPLY ANALYSIS Total Philippines Energy Drink Sales Volume 2006 – YTD OCT 2009 Source: Nielsen Retail Index FIGURE 3. 2 ENERGY DRINK SALES The geographic scope of the competitive rivalry explains some of the economic features found in the energy drink industry as shown in Figure above. Two major players dominate the sector – Extra Joss ® is the leader of the energy drink Philippines and boasts a market share of around 68%, followed by Cobra at about 18% in 2008. As we can see in the figure above, the portrait of energy drinks lifecycle have high demand. Overall, energy drinks category only accounts for 0. 5% of the Total Philippines Beverage industry. IV. TECHNICAL ASPECT A. PRODUCT The main product of SHASETH manufacturing company is a coconut tonic drink, coconut juice extracted from a mature coconut, process, and add some flavours to prolong its shelf life. The product will be available in three kinds of packaging: bottle, can, and tetra pack. The said product is process in two different ways: flavours, and unflavoured. This tonic drink is packed full of electrolytes as potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, affording its naturally isotonic composition. Hence, it has the potential to pull in a completely new audience, such as health-conscious women who have previously shied away from conventional sports drinks. It is a natural tonic or high-energy drink, a good alternative for electrolytes. This product is also good for infants, since the percentage of arginine, alanine, cysteine and serene in the protein of coconut water is higher than those of cow’s milk. Mature Coconut Water Tender Coconut Water Total solids% 5. 4 6. 5 Reducing sugars % 0. 2 4. 4 Minerals % 0. 5 0. 6 Protein % 0. 1 0. 01 Fat % 0. 1 0. 01 Acidity mg % 60. 0 120. 0 pH 5. 2 4. 5 Potassium mg% 247. 0 290. 0 Sodium mg% 48. 0 42. 0 Calcium mg% 40. 0 44. 0 Magnesium mg % 15. 0 10. 0 Phosphorous mg% 6. 3 9. 2 Iron mg% 79. 0 106. 0 Copper mg% 26. 0 26. 0 Source: SatyavatiKrishnankutty (1987) Recommended Nutrient B. MANUFACTURING PROCESS. A product facility was set-up and operated in a semi-commercial scale with the following general specifications: Capacity: Medium scale operation (approximately 500 nuts/day) Expected yield: Approximately 50kg. instant coconut skim milk per day. Starting process for instant (mature) coconut beverage FIGURE 4. 1 MANUFACTURING PROCESS Mature coconut beverage is process through medium scale operation. It needs the mature stage of a coconut (approximately 500 nuts per day), soak, and wash it in chlorinated water (200 ppm). De-shell, pare, and disintegrate coconut meat and coconut juice. Extract and separate the cream. Collect CSM (heating to 90C to coagulate the proteins) decanting whey to concentrate the protein coagulum. Add back some of the cream, centrifuge solids, premixed encapsulating agent, bulking agent, and other required ingredients. Blend, filter, and homogenize using high pressure to reduce fat sizes. Place in a holding tanks and feed in a pre-heated spray dryer stabilized at 150-180+/-5? C. Spray dry at 150? -180C inlet, 70-95? C outlet, with feed rate of 30-50 ml/min. Air-cool to room temperature. Add premixed flavouring, sweetener and other ingredients, dried fruit bits etc. , vitamin mineral blends. Dry mix, pack, seal and label. Store in a cool and dry place. (Source: Department of Science and Technology) C. LOCATION AND AREA The proposed project is located at Barangay Obial, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, portion of lot 437, pls-50, Title no. T-15843 port. That is near to the coconut federation, which is located at lot 472, pls-504, to sustain the daily capacity of nuts needed for manufacturing. The building that consists of factory and office has an area of 200 square meters within the total land area of 400 square meters. The distance of the manufacturing company is 150 meters away from the coconut plantation. D. FACTORY EQUIPMENTS TABLE 4. 1 FACTORY EQUIPMENTS DEPRECIATION Equipments Quantity Acquisition cost Useful life (Years) Annual depreciation Desheller 1 P 63,000 15 P 3,780 Disintegrator 1 126,000 15 7,560 Screw press 1 21,000 15 1,260 Centrifuge 1 63,000 15 3,780 Homogenizer 1 84,000 15 5,040 Holding, Blending and Balance tanks 1 277,200 15 16,632 Spray dryer 1 210,000 15 12,600 Tumble 1 67,200 15 4,032 Ribbon mixer 67,200 15 4,032 Form-fill-seal machine 1 105,000 15 6,300 Walk-in-freezer 1 252,000 15 15,120 Upright refrigerator 1 50,400 15 3,024 TOTAL 11 P 1,386,000 P 83,160 Note: Factory equipment has a salvage value of 10% of its acquisition cost. Factory equipment must be reacquired after 15 years and unit cost is projected to increase by 5%. E. OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURES TABLE 4. 2 OFFICE AND FURNITURE DEPRECIATION Office equipment furniture Quantity Acquisition cost Useful life (years) Annual depreciation Computer 1 P 20,000 10 P 2,000 Printer 1 3,500 10 350 Aircon 1 16,700 10 1,670 Table 2 2,000 10 200 Office chairs 2 1,500 10 150 Plastic chairs 2 300 10 30 Cabinet 1 6,000 10 600 TOTAL P 50,000 P 5,000 Note: Office equipments and furniture must be reacquired after 10 years and unit cost is projected to increased 5% per annum. F. OFFICE SUPPLIES. Office supplies Qty. / year Price Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Computer ink 24 P 150 P 3,600 P 4,680 P6,084 P 7,909. 2 P 10,282 Calculator 3 125 375 487. 5 633. 75 824 1,071 Puncher 3 70 210 273 354. 9 461 600 Fastener 2boxes 50 100 130 169 220 286 Ball pen 2 boxes 150 300 390 507 659 857 Bond paper 18rims 200 3,600 4,680 6,084 7,909 10,282 Scissor 10 15 150 195 253. 5 330 428 Scotch tape 30 15 450 585 760. 5 989 1,285 Pencil 2 boxes 32. 50 65 84. 5 109. 85 142. 80 186 Carbon paper 6 rims 145 870 1,131 1,470. 3 1,911 2,484 stapler 4 70 280 364 473. 2 615 799 TOTAL P 10,000 P 13,000 P 16,900 P21,970. P28,561 Note: Office supplies will be acquired every year. Unit cost will increase 3% per annum. TABLE 4. 3 G. PLAN LOCATION AND FLOOR PLAN The manufacturing company is placed at the portion of lot 473 with area of 400 square meters located at Barangay Obial, Kalamansig. V. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DESIRABILITY OF THE BUSINESS The proposed project carried cheep is the development of socio economic sector particularly here in Sultan Kudarat. 1. Establishment of this business will help to generate additional employment in the community. 2. It will improve domestic production by providing market opportunities. 3. It will generate additional income to the government through taxes. 4. It will raise additional income to the coconut growers in the municipality. 5. It will provide additional revenue to the province and it will help to improve the said municipality. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION A. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Based on the assessment and result of the study made by the proponents, establishment of coconut tonic drink in Obial, Kalamnsig is feasible. The proponents prove that the place where proposed project is located is the best source of coconut tonic drink due to wide plantation of coconut. B. CONLUSION After considering the different aspects in conducting this feasibility study, the proponents found out that the establishment of coconut tonic drink in Kalansig is feasible. It is because of the increasing demand of energy drink and nutritious beverages in local market. C. RECOMMENDATION After assessing the result of the study, the following are highly recommended: 1. The company should find ways and means to improve the quality of their products to meet the standards and satisfaction of the customers. 2. It should manage the risk that may occur in their dealings with competing companies. 3. Further studies should be conducted to determine other process to prolong the shelf life of the product without adding chemicals on it and to preserve its natural flavour. 4. Product should undergo laboratory test to make sure that it will pass the quality food standard. 5. Proper sanitation must highly observe. VI. FINANCIAL ASPECT A. UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS These assumptions are the basis in computing the financial projections. 1. Sales will increased by 6% per annum. 2. Purchases will increase by 3% annually. 3. Operating expense except for depreciation and legal fees will increase by 3% per annum. 4. Trade receivables at the end of the year are 30% of the year’s sales. 5. Assumed that the target markets are local health food stores, supermarkets, and grocery stores. 6. Project cost is P 4,107,938 with bank financing of 75% payable within 5 years with 8% interest rate and based on diminishing balance. 7. Finished goods inventory at the end of period will be 5% of goods available for sale. 8. Operating hours per day is 8 hours for 26 days monthly. 9. Depreciation expense will be based on straight line method. (see exhibit D) 10. Sales schedule 11. Salary is composed of their respective salary, SSS, and other benefits. It is assumed that SSS and other benefits is 20% of their salary. 12. Withdrawal is 30% of year’s net income starting 2nd year. 13. Income tax provision is 30% of income before tax. B. BALANCE SHEET PROJECTIONS C. INCOME STATEMENT PROJECTIONS D. CASHFLOW PROJECTIONS E. FINANCIAL SUMMARY F. PRODUCTION/OPERATING REQUIREMENTS The SHASETH manufacturing company will operate at Barangay Obial, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. In operating the business, it will require a capital of P 4,107,938 that will be used at the start of operation to fund the purchase of goods and other necessary materials needed to manufacture the coconut tonic drink. Also included to the capital required are the cost of 400 square meter land and 200 square meter building. The factory equipment that has been purchased has a capacity of working 500 nuts a day. G. SUPPORTING SCHEDULE VI. SOCIO ECONOMIC DIVERSITY OF THE PROJECT REFERENCES: Sources and Cites Alibaba. com Google. com Wikipedia. com Organizations/Local Government Department of Trade and Industry Department of Science and Technology Sultan Kudarat Provincial Assessor’s Office Others Regional Economic Situitioner Nielsen Retail Index SatyavatiKrishnankutty We have noticed an increasing number of businesses catering to the recent rise of a new target market: the health-conscious consumer. At Nike, our goal has always been to give consumers what they want now, as well as to anticipate their future tastes, and to thus tailor our strategy to accommodate those tastes. We have recognized an unfilled market potential in the non-carbonated energizing sports drink arena, thus developing an entirely new product category. Our branding strategy is to enter the market by carving a new niche of protein-enriched energizing sports drinks. Our objective is to educate consumers about the new drink, as well as to make a profit and gain market share in the industry. We hope that by being market leaders, our name will become synonymous with the new drink category, and will aid in our sustaining a competitive advantage over the copy-cats that are sure to flock the market after the new products’ introduction and subsequent success. Our primary target market is 18-34 year old females who will use our sports drink whenever they needed a boost: at work, in the gym, or just when they felt like it. The secondary target market is 18-34 year old males who fall into much the same socio-cultural and economic category as the primary target market. The Nike Motion energy drink will be positioned as a high-end item, costing $2 per environmentally-friendly can. It will come in a variety of fruit flavors and will boast the replenishment of electrolytes and other essential vitamins and minerals. We hope that high-frequency mass market penetration using multi-media advertisements will spread the word and raise awareness about Nike Motion. National distribution will follow in supermarkets, pharmacies, health food stores, and gourmet retailers. The Nike brand name, accompanied by its strong brand image, will differentiate the product and maintain its popularity via the market leader and differentiation strategy the company has chosen. [2. 0] Environmental Analysis Economic Trends: The X and Y generations, our target markets, comprise about 110 million people of the United States population. They are, generally speaking, well-educated, and earn relatively higher incomes, thus allowing for much of their disposable income to be spent on health-oriented products, such as the new beverage we are planning to launch, Nike Motion. Neither positive, nor negative economic trends, such as changes in interest rates, inflation, DGP, etc. are not likely to have a significant impact on our product, since it’s not a high priced luxury item whose demand would be affected by theses factors. The quality of sports drinks consumed doesn’t really depend on the income of the consumers, since these are relatively inexpensive, everyday products. As a general trend however it is worth mentioning that the economy as a whole is growing in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, allowing for an ever increasing standa.

Mechanical barrier against infection

Mechanical barrier against infection Take Home Midterm 1.) One example of a mechanical barrier against infection would be the surface layer of our skin. The surface layer of human skin is acidic and very dry, thus making it difficult for pathogens to survive. In addition to this, the surface layer of human skin consists of dead epithelial cells, under which many viruses have difficulty replicating. Moreover, dead epithelial skin cells are frequently being replaced, and thus pathogens that are present on the skin often do not have a chance to cause infection. Therefore, the surface layer of human skin is a very important mechanical barrier against infections. Sometimes they are circumstances under which the surface layer of our skin can be compromised, thus resulting in infection. Several breaches to the surface layer such as through bites, burns, cuts, or trauma can allow for bacteria to enter into the tissue, thus resulting in infection. One such example of an infection that can result from a breach of the skin is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted from a bite from an infected tick. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused from the bacterial organism Rickettsia rickettsii and may cause fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and joint pain. In addition to this, burns to the surface layer of the skin can destroy the protective layer and thus allow for many types of bacteria such as staphylococci to colonize and infect the individual. Thus, the surface layer of our skin is an extremely important mechanical barrier against infection and protects us from surface and environmental pathogens. Church, Diedre, Owen Reid, and Brent Winston. Burn Wound Infections. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2nd ser. 19 (2006): 403-34. PubMed Central. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases. CDC, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . 2.) In recent years, globalization has lead to many issues associated with food borne illnesses. Some of the factors related to this issue are an increase in the amount of food that is traded between countries, international travel and migration of individuals from different countries, and economic and technological advances that have changed the types of foods that individuals eat. In addition to this, the ways in which foods are prepared are changing, and the introduction of new foods to new regions are some of the factors affecting food borne illnesses. Furthermore, dietary habits of individuals are beginning to shift to a healthier diet and more and more individuals are starting to eat more organic and fresh food. To be able to meet these demands, the United States and other countries have to import certain foods on a seasonal basis. For example, according to the CDC, more than 75% of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in U.S. markets and restaurants are imported. It has been estimated that the increased demand for fruits and vegetables has nearly doubled the rates of food borne illnesses. Therefore, individuals are at a greater risk to acquire a food borne illness from contaminated food that is imported from other countries. Currently, one of the largest consequences of globalization and international trading is that when food becomes contaminated it can spread all over the world. In years past, food borne illnesses were thought to be local events and it was easier to ascertain the cause of the illness. However, this is no longer the case and takes much longer now that globalization has occurred. One example of a food borne illness that spread to different countries was an outbreak of shigellosis in eight restaurants caused by a common strain of Shigella sonnei that occurred in the United States and Canada between July and August in 1998. It was determined that the illness was associated from the ingestion of parsley. In each case the parsley was found to have been chopped and left at room temperature for several hours before being used. In addition to this, in 6 of the outbreaks it was found that the parsley was traced to a specific farm in Baja California, Mexico. Thus, it was likely that the parsley h ad been contaminated before shipment. Therefore, as seen from these examples, globalization has had a major impact on food borne illnesses and with changes in dietary habits, the increase in international travel and migration, and an increase in imported foods have been some of the main reasons associated with food borne illnesses relating to globalization. Angier. A World in Motion: The Global Movement of People, Products, Pathogens, and Power. The National Academies Press. 2001. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Foodborne Disease Control: A Transnational Challenge. By D. W. Betthcer. 4th ed. Vol. 3. Atlanta: CDC, 2010. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . United States. World Health Organization. Food Safety and Foodborne Illness. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . 3). According to Dr. Nelson El-Amins lecture, vaccinations have had a large impact on infectious disease rates. One such disease that has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of individuals affected is Tetanus. According to the lecture, the number of individuals that had Tetanus in 1947 was about 560-570. Since vaccination for Tetanus has occurred in the United States, there has been a steady downward decrease in the number of individuals affected. In 2002, the number of individuals affected with Tetanus was about 10-20. In addition to this, another disease that has significantly decreased due to vaccination is the rates of individuals affected with Diphtheria. According to the lecture, in 1940, the number of individuals affected with Diphtheria was about 16,000. Since vaccination for Diphtheria, the rates of those infected have significantly decreased. In 2000, the rate for those infected with Diphtheria was almost non-existent. And finally, another example that was presented in D r. El-Amins lecture was disease rates for Polio. At one time, Polio was the most feared disease in United States and caused either paralysis or death. Before there was a vaccination for Polio, Polio affected more than 20,000 individuals per year. In 1955, the first Polio vaccination was licensed and had a significant impact on the rates of those affected with Polio. Today, there arent any reported cases of Polio in the United States. Thus, as seen from the examples presented in Dr. El-Amins lecture, vaccinations have had a significant impact in reducing the disease rates for many infectious diseases, and in some cases, such as Polio, vaccinations have just about completely eliminated Polio in the United States. El Amin, Alvin N. The Changing Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases. PM 527 Infectious Disease Epidemiology Class. Los Angeles. 11 Mar. 2010. Lecture. 4). In 1879, Robert Koch discovered the anthrax bacterium and developed the Kochs postulates for causation. There are 4 postulates that Koch believed must be satisfied in order to establish causation. The postulates state: the bacteria must be present in every case of the disease, the bacteria must be isolated from the host with the disease and grown in pure culture, the specific disease must be reproduced when a pure culture of the bacteria is inoculated into a healthy susceptible host, and that the bacteria must be recoverable from the experimentally infected host. One such example of an infectious disease that satisfies the Kochs postulates is Anthrax. Anthrax was the first infectious disease that was discovered by Koch, and it was this disease that gave birth to his 4 postulates. On the contrary, there are exceptions of certain infectious diseases that do not satisfy all of the Kochs postulates. There are many infectious diseases in which infected carriers do not show the signs or symptoms of having the disease. These individuals are thus asymptomatic. One example of this is from the Bartonella species of bacteria. Certain species that are infected with Bartonella do not show any signs of symptoms, whereas other infected species do. Therefore, in cases where the infected individual does not show any signs or symptoms, all the Kochs postulates are not satisfied. In addition to this, certain infectious diseases cannot be grown in pure culture, but rather can only reproduce in living cells. Thus, in cases such as these, the Kochs postulates are also not satisfied. Other examples of infectious diseases that do not satisfy all of the Kochs postulates are cholera, typhoid fever, and herpes simplex. Jacomo, V., and P. J. Kelly. Natural History of Bartonella Infections (an Exception to Kochs Postulate). Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology 9.1 (2002): 8-18. American Society of Microbiology. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . 5). According to Dr. Nelson El-Amins lecture, there are a few reasons why diseases such as measles and polio have not been completely eradicated even though there are vaccines to prevent these diseases. One of the reasons presented in the lecture for this is due to the fact that some individuals do not receive the vaccination against these diseases out of fear. There are cases of individuals that do not receive measles vaccinations due to concerns that vaccinations have caused certain ailments such as autism. This is evident from a cohort study conducted on unvaccinated children that have not received proper vaccination due to concerns of safety. However, according to the lecture, there is no scientific fact to support the beliefs that autism is associated with the MMR vaccinations. Another reason why certain groups of individuals do not receive vaccinations is because it goes against their religious beliefs and they believe that they do not need to receive a vaccination in order to be protected against diseases. Some of the characteristics for individuals that have not received proper vaccination are individuals that are young, individuals that do not know their vaccination status, and individuals that have migrated from other countries. According to the lecture, in cases in which individuals have not received vaccination, 76% of those individuals are less than 20 years old. In addition to this, 91% of unvaccinated individuals do not know their vaccination status. And furthermore, 89% of unvaccinated individuals are people that have migrated from other countries. Therefore, the evidence shows that the reasons why certain diseases such as polio and measles have not been completely eradicated are due to the fact that not everybody has received proper vaccination. This is either due from individuals refusing to receive vaccination out of fear or some other belief, certain individuals do not know that they have not received proper vaccination, or certain individuals have migrated from other coun tries and have not received all their vaccinations. El Amin, Alvin N. The Changing Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases. PM 527 Infectious Disease Epidemiology Class. Los Angeles. 11 Mar. 2010. Lecture. 6). According to Dr. Wohls lecture on HIV/AIDS, the distribution of AIDS diagnoses has changed amongst the different race/ethnic groups since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. For example, in 1985, about 60% of the total AIDS cases were amongst Caucasians, about 27% were amongst Black/African Americans, about 16% were amongst Hispanic/Latinos, about 1% were amongst Asians, and less than 1% were amongst American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. As of 2007, these rates have changed amongst the different race/ethnic groups. For example, for Caucasians the rates have decreased to about 28% of the total AIDS cases. On the contrary, rates for Black/African Americans have increased to about 48% of the total AIDS cases. In addition to this, rates for Hispanic/Latinos have also increased to about 21% of the total AIDS cases. For Asians, the rates have remained constant at around 1% of the total cases, and the rates amongst American Indian/Alaska Native and Na tive Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander have also remained constant at around less than 1% of the total AIDS cases. According to the lecture, SHAS examined time intervals between when a person first learned that they had HIV and when they were diagnosed with AIDS. As indicated by the findings, detection rates varied significantly between different racial/ethnic groups. The results showed that Caucasians were more likely than Black/African American or Hispanic/Latinos to have their HIV infection to be detected early (more than 5 years) before their onset of AIDS. Thus, many more Caucasians were more likely to fall into the â€Å"early detection† group in comparison to other racial groups. In contrast to this, Hispanic/Latinos were much more likely than any other racial group to have their HIV infection detected very late (within a year) in their progress to AIDS diagnosis. Thus, Hispanic/Latinos were more likely to fall into the â€Å"very late detection† group in comparison to other racial groups. Black/African Americans were also very likely to have their HIV infections detected ver y late prior to coming down with an AIDS diagnosis, however, the rates of Black/African Americans in the â€Å"very late detection† group was lower than that of Hispanic/Latinos. The rates between racial/ethnic groups for individuals that had their HIV infection detected between 13 and 60 months prior to AIDS diagnosis (â€Å"late detection) was relatively equal between all of the racial/ethnic groups. In addition to these finding, according to the lecture, it was shown that in Los Angeles, individuals that were more likely to be late testers were found to be women, Black/African Americans, foreign born Latinos, U.S. born Latinos, those exposed to HIV via heterosexual contact, young individuals, and less educated individuals. There are many implications associated with late detection of HIV. Individuals infected with HIV that are diagnosed later in life, are not able to receive proper antiretroviral therapy. And thus, those individuals are more likely to suffer from adverse effects in comparison to individuals that are diagnosed earlier in life who are able to receive the proper medication to help slow down their onset of AIDS. In addition to this, individuals that are detected of having HIV later in life are more likely to affect other individuals, thus spreading HIV to other unknowing individuals and further exacerbating the issue. Therefore, as shown from the lecture, there are many negative implications of late detection, and it has also been shown that the distribution of AIDS has changed significantly amongst racial/ethnic groups since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Wohl, Amy R. HIV and AIDS: Worldwide, the U.S. and Los Angeles County. PM 527 Infectious Disease Epidemiology Class. Los Angeles. 18 Feb. 2010. Lecture. Works Cited Angier. A World in Motion: The Global Movement of People, Products, Pathogens, and Power. The National Academies Press. 2001. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. Church, Diedre, Owen Reid, and Brent Winston. Burn Wound Infections. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2nd ser. 19 (2006): 403-34. PubMed Central. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . El Amin, Alvin N. The Changing Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases. Infectious Disease Epidemiology Class. Los Angeles. 11 Mar. 2010. Lecture. Jacomo, V., and P. J. Kelly. Natural History of Bartonella Infections (an Exception to Koch?s Postulate). Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology 9.1 (2002): 8-18. American Society of Microbiology. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases. CDC, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Foodborne Disease Control: A Transnational Challenge. By D. W. Betthcer. 4th ed. Vol. 3. Atlanta: CDC, 2010. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . United States. World Health Organization. Food Safety and Foodborne Illness. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . Wohl, Amy R. HIV and AIDS: Worldwide, the U.S. and Los Angeles County. PM 527 Infectious Disease Epidemiology Class. Los Angeles. 18 Feb. 2010. Lecture.