Venus Flytrap Facts (Dionaea muscipula)

Venus Flytrap Facts (Dionaea muscipula) The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is an uncommon predatory plant that catches and processes its prey with meaty, pivoted jaws. These jaws are really changed bits of the plants leaves. The plant gets its normal name for Venus, the Roman goddess of affection. This alludes either to the plant traps guessed similarity to female genitalia or to the sweet nectar it uses to draw its casualties. The logical name originates from Dionaea (little girl of Dione or Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of adoration) and muscipula (Latin for mousetrap). Quick Facts: Venus Flytrap Logical Name: Dionaea muscipulaCommon Names: Venus flytrap, tippity twitchetBasic Plant Group: Flowering plant (angiosperm)Size: 5 inchesLifespan: 20-30 yearsDiet: Crawling insectsHabitat: North and South Carolina beach front wetlandsPopulation: 33,000 (2014)Conservation Status: Vulnerable Portrayal The Venus flytrap is a little, minimal blooming plant. A develop rosette has somewhere in the range of 4 and seven leaves and arrives at a size up to 5 inches. Each leaf cutting edge has a petiole fit for photosynthesis and a pivoted trap. The snare contains cells that produce the red color anthocyanin. Inside each trap are trigger hairs that sense contact. The edges of the snare projections are fixed with firm bulges which lock together when the snare closes to keep prey from getting away. Natural surroundings The Venus flytrap lives in clammy sandy and peaty soil. It is local just to the beach front lowlands of North and South Carolina. The dirt is poor in nitrogen and phosphorus, so the plant needs to enhance photosynthesis with supplements from creepy crawlies. North and South Carolina get mellow winters, so the plant is adjusted to cold. Plants that don't experience winter torpidity in the long run debilitate and kick the bucket. Northern Florida and western Washington have effective naturalized populaces. Diet and Behavior While the Venus flytrap depends on photosynthesis for a large portion of its food creation, it requires supplementation from proteins in prey to meet its nitrogen prerequisites. In spite of its name, the plant fundamentally finds slithering creepy crawlies (ants, insects, arachnids) instead of flies. With the goal for prey to be caught, it must touch the trigger hairs inside the snare more than once. Once activated, it just takes about a tenth of a second for the snare flaps to snap shut. At first the edges of the snare freely hold the prey. This permits little prey to get away, as they arent worth the vitality use of absorption. On the off chance that the prey is sufficiently huge, the snare completely closes to turn into a stomach. Stomach related hydrolase proteins are discharged into the snare, supplements are consumed through the leafs inside surface, and 5 to 12 days after the fact the snare opens to discharge the rest of the chitin shell of the creepy crawly. Enormous bugs can harm the snares. Something else, each trap can just capacity a couple of times before the leaf bites the dust and should be supplanted. <img information srcset=https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/HniSGZepChp8BibAwWDJj3z4-C8=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/venus-flytrap-122189000-bba19e0051f54180a182e89363d563bf.jpg 300w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/PePq7orerIl7LzQ1YoXFNbRgn8U=/1300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/venus-flytrap-122189000-bba19e0051f54180a182e89363d563bf.jpg 1300w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/49EQmkYtDokwGdWXnU700wmFfh8=/2300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/venus-flytrap-122189000-bba19e0051f54180a182e89363d563bf.jpg 2300w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/7l6DWhka3Gsl-nm2ruhUwMJ97ao=/4300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/venus-flytrap-122189000-bba19e0051f54180a182e89363d563bf.jpg 4300w information src=https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/5Q86gsFMK5rWpfFa-LlVmlhoPq8=/4300x2867/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/venus-flytrap-122189000-bba19e0051f54180a182e89363d563bf.jpg src=//:0 alt=Suitable prey must be sufficiently little to fit inside the snare yet huge enough to gracefully enough supplements. class=lazyload information click-tracked=true information img-lightbox=true information expand=300 id=mntl-sc-square image_1-0-16 information following container=true /> Reasonable prey must be sufficiently little to fit inside the snare yet huge enough to flexibly enough supplements. de-kay/Getty Images Propagation Venus flytraps are fit for self-fertilization, which happens when dust from the plants anthers prepare a blossoms pistil. In any case, cross-fertilization is normal. The Venus flytrap doesn't catch and eat bugs that fertilize its blossoms, for example, sweat honey bees, checkered creepy crawlies, and since quite a while ago horned scarabs. Researchers arent totally certain how the pollinators abstain from being caught. It may be the case that the shade of the blossoms (white) pulls in pollinators, while the shade of the snares (red and green) draws in prey. Different prospects incorporate aroma contrasts between the bloom and trap, and blossom situation over the snares. After fertilization, the Venus flytrap produces dark seeds. The plant likewise recreates by separating into provinces from rosettes that structure underneath develop plants. Protection Status The IUCN records the Venus flytraps protection status as powerless. The number of inhabitants in plants in the species common living space is diminishing. Starting at 2014, an expected 33,000 plants stayed, all inside a 75 mile span of Wilmington, NC. Dangers incorporate poaching, fire avoidance (the plant is heat proof and depends on occasional consuming to control rivalry), and natural surroundings misfortune. In 2014, North Carolina Senate Bill 734 made gathering wild Venus flytrap plants a lawful offense. Care and Cultivation The Venus flytrap is a well known houseplant. While its a simple plant to keep, it has certain prerequisites. It must be planted in acidic soil with great waste. As a rule, it is pruned in a blend of sphagnum peat greenery and sand. Its critical to water the plant with water or refined water to give the correct pH. The plant needs 12 hours of direct daylight every day. It ought not be prepared and should possibly be offered a creepy crawly on the off chance that it seems unfortunate. So as to endure, a Venus flytrap expects presentation to a time of cooler temperatures to reenact winter. While the Venus flytrap will develop from seed, it is normally developed by separating the rosettes in the spring or summer. Business engendering for nurseries happens in vitro from plant tissue culture. Many intriguing changes for size and shading are accessible from nurseries. Employments Notwithstanding development as a houseplant, Venus flytrap extricate is sold as a patent medication named Carnivora. The American Cancer Society expresses that Carnivora is sold as an elective treatment for skin malignant growth, HIV, rheumatoid joint pain, herpes, and Crohns sickness. Be that as it may, the wellbeing claims have not been bolstered by logical proof. The cleansed dynamic fixing in the plant extricate, plumbagin, shows antitumor movement. Sources DAmato, Peter (1998). The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 978-0-89815-915-8.Hsu YL, Cho CY, Kuo PL, Huang YT, Lin CC (Aug 2006). Plumbagin (5-Hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in A549 Cells through p53 Accumulation by means of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase-Mediated Phosphorylation at Serine 15 in Vitro and in Vivo. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 318 (2): 484â€94. doi:10.1124/jpet.105.098863Jang, Gi-Won; Kim, Kwang-Soo; Park, Ro-Dong (2003). Micropropagation of Venus fly snare by shoot culture. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 72 (1): 95â€98. doi:10.1023/A:1021203811457Leege, Lissa (2002) How Does the Venus Flytrap Digest Flies? Logical American.Schnell, D.; Catling, P.; Folkerts, G.; Frost, C.; Gardner, R.; et al. (2000). Dionaea muscipula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000: e.T39636A10253384. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T39636A10253384.en

Cumberland Metal Industries Essay Example for Free

Cumberland Metal Industries Essay In its underlying assessment, the organization accepts that the new item, twisted metal pad cushions, has a potential for expanding the company’s deals and benefit and for broadening the items it offers. Early requests for the item seem, by all accounts, to be acceptable, anyway a top to bottom examination of the promoting viewpoint is important before the organization can acquaint the item with the market. Situational Analysis Based on the two preliminaries made, obviously the organization is in control of an item that is better than any of those as of now accessible in the market. The inquiry just is how much preferable this item is over the others effectively accessible. In light of the primary preliminary played out, the item is 25% more productive than its nearest rival as far as feet of heaps determined every hour. It additionally expands the effectiveness of the tasks by requiring less time for set changes of about 80%. Each arrangement of the item likewise performs multiple times better than said contender. In the subsequent preliminary, the item kept up its past exhibition to the extent feet driven every hour time for set changes is concerned. It outperformed its past presentation by performing forty-nine times superior to its rival. The effectiveness and effectivity of the item means different types of reserve funds with respect to the client. To begin with, the contractual worker or developer will diminish the expense of rental of the hardware utilized in the development by at any rate 25%. In the event that the workers’ remuneration is figured dependent on the quantity of hours worked, the temporary worker or developer will bring about investment funds adding up to 25% of the expense of work. Beside its effectiveness the item can likewise diminish, with respect to the laborers, the wellbeing hazard for the most part connected with the utilization of asbestos and abatement employers’ costs identifying with workers’ medical coverage over the long haul. Genuine figures of interest for the item are difficult to compute. In view of the presumptions made by Mr. Simpson that the development business should drive 290 million to 390 million feet of heaps every year, the all out interest for the item every year is around 174,000 (290,000,000/10,000 x 6) to 324,000 (390,000,000/10,000 x 6) cushions every year. To infiltrate the market, the organization should persuade the key players of the development business that it should utilize the item. The endorsement of the design/counseling firms, building/development temporary workers and self employed entities are an unquestionable requirement since they are the ones that will really utilize the items. Self employed entities could be focused since they are additionally ready to attempt new items that can build their benefits. A positive survey from this gathering can persuade greater firms to utilize the item. The endorsement of heap hammer makers and heap hammer appropriating/leasing organizations will be acceptable however a bit much. These two gatherings realize that the utilization of the item will diminish their benefits so they have inspiration to not prescribe the items to their clients. Heap hammer circulating/leasing organizations can give a proficient appropriation channel and decrease the company’s conveyance cost since the instrument is now set up, however not having the endorsement of this gathering isn't fundamental since different strategies for dispersion are accessible to the organization. When measure of interest for the item is huge enough this gathering can later choose to offer the item to their clients. Suggestions Initially, the estimating utilized by the organization ought to be founded on the information gave by the principal test since it is increasingly traditionalist. It can steadily build its costs if the presentation of the subsequent preliminary is affirmed by real practice. In light of the primary preliminary, the organization should charge $167 per cushion. This cost is figured by duplicating the expense of each set with the quantity of sets required ($50 x 20 cushions) and partitioning the outcome with the no. f stack of twisted metal pad required (1000/6). By utilizing this value, the customer will acquire a similar measure of cost for pad cushions in a venture whether it utilizes asbestos or the twisted metal pads; it is just the measure of pad cushions utilized that will differ. In any case, this cost doesn't charge customer for the extra advantages gave by the item, for example, 25% reduction in the expense of leasing hardware and wages of workers. This will be the selling purpose of the item upon its presentation. It will be significant for the organization to focus on building the certainty of the key players of the business, rather than expanding the benefits in the initial scarcely any long stretches of presenting the item. Advertising efforts ought to be engaged towards persuading the design/counseling firms, building/development temporary workers and self employed entities to utilize the items. It could attempt to showcase the items straightforwardly to these gatherings since leasing organizations might be reluctant to convey items that will diminish the benefits created by the administrations they advertised. Additionally, most temporary workers utilized their own heap pounds as opposed to leasing, so conveyance through these leasing organizations has constrained reach. Self employed entities ought to be given specific consideration, most definitely, since these gatherings are bound to attempt new strategies that diminishes their expense and builds their primary concern than the more settled firms. At the point when the notoriety of the item is set up, it can choose whether it will proceed with its immediate methodology or utilize the administrations of heap hammer dispersing/leasing organizations. For the reasons expressed over, the requests of the Colerick Foundation Company ought to be acknowledged by the organization since this would be the first of the company’s direct deals. In rundown, I might want to suggest that the organization sell its twisted metal pad cushions for $167 each. The organization should initially center in building the notoriety of its item in view of its creative quality. One method of doing so is persuading the specialists that it is better than all else present in the market.

Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management

Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school to attend, but the educational experience itself is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we profile Sharon Oster from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that Sharon Oster (Competitive Strategy)  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and has taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the first-year coreâ€"for a while giving everyone, as one second year told mbaMission, “a chance to get cold-called by their dean!” Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including Modern Competitive Analysis (Oxford University Press, third edition, 1999), and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as Principles of Microeconomics (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair; Prentice Hall, tenth edition, 2011) and Principles of Economics (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair; Prentice Hall, tenth edition, 2011). In addition, Oster is an expert in nonprofit management. Her text Stra tegic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases (Oxford University Press, 1995) is used in the SOM course “Non-Profit Management,” which a second year described to mbaMission as “always heavily oversubscribed.” Oster came to the SOM from Yale University in 1982 and was the first woman to receive tenure in 1983. She was also the first recipient of the Yale SOM Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1988, which she received a second time in 2008. Oster’s tenure as dean began in 2008 with the unexpected departure of previous dean Joel M. Podolny. When announcing the appointment of Ted Snyder as the SOM’s incoming dean, Yale University President Richard Levin praised Oster, saying, “Sharon stepped up without hesitation to the dean’s role last year when my unexpected call came. She has served the SOM community with a steady hand and unwavering commitment, and I am truly grateful she has agreed to stay on as dean until Ted Snyder’s arrival in 2011.” For more information about the Yale SOM and 15 other top-ranked business schools, check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we focus on  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, and she taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the school’s first-year core curriculum, for several years. In recent years, Oster has taught the elective course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations.” Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  and  Principles of Economics  (both with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). In addition, her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the aforementioned “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations” course. For more information about the Yale SOM and other top-ranked business schools, check out the free  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we focus on  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, and she taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the school’s first-year core curriculum, for several years. In the fall of 2016, Oster taught the elective course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations.” Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  and  Principles of Economics  (both with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). In addition, her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the Yale SOM’s “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations” course. For more information about the Yale SOM and other top-ranked business schools, check out the  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose an MBA program, but the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we profile  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster “loves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as the dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and has taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the first-year core, for several years. Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair;) and  Principles of Economics  (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). In addition, Oster is an expert in nonprofit management. Her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the SOM course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations, which Oster teaches. For more information about the Yale SOM and 15 other top-ranked business schools, check out the  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Today, we focus on  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, and she taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the school’s first-year core curriculum, for several years. In recent years, Oster has taught the elective course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations,” titled after Oster’s 1995 book. Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  and  Principles of Economics  (both with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). As mentioned earlier, her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations” course. For more information about the Yale SOM and 16 other top-ranked business schools, check out our free  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Today, we focus on  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, and she taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the school’s first-year core curriculum, for several years. In recent years, Oster has taught the elective course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations.” Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  and  Principles of Economics  (both with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). In addition, her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the aforementioned “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations” course. For more information about the Yale SOM and 16 other top-ranked business schools, check out the free  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we focus on  Sharon Oster  from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student we interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that  Sharon Oster  â€œloves teaching almost more than [she loved] being dean!” Oster, who served as the dean from 2008 to 2011, is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and has taught “Basics of Economics,” part of the schools first-year core curriculum, for several years. Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including  Modern Competitive Analysis, and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as  Principles of Microeconomics  and  Principles of Economics  (both with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair). In addition, Oster is an expert in nonprofit management. Her text  Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases  is used in the SOM course “Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations,” which Oster teaches. For more information about the Yale SOM and other top-ranked business schools, check out the  mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management) Blog Archive Professor Profiles Sharon Oster, Yale School of Management Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school to attend, but the educational experience itself is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Each Wednesday, we profile a standout professor as identified by students. Today, we profile Sharon Oster from the Yale School of Management. A second-year student mbaMission interviewed at the Yale School of Management (SOM) remarked that Sharon Oster (“Basics of Economics” “Non-Profit Management”) “loves teaching almost more than being dean!” Oster is the Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and teaches “Basics of Economics,” part of the schools first-year coreâ€"for a while giving everyone, as one second year told mbaMission, “a chance to get cold-called by their dean!” Oster’s expertise lies in economics and nonprofit management. She is the author of several widely used business school textbooks, including Modern Competitive Analysis (Oxford University Press, third edition, 1999), and has co-authored introductory economics texts such as Principles of Microeconomics (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair; Prentice Hall, tenth edition, 2011) and Principles of Economics (with Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair; Prentice Hall, tenth edition, 2011). In addition, Oster is an expert in n onprofit management. Her text Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases (Oxford University Press, 1995) is used in the SOM course “Non-Profit Management,” which a second year described to mbaMission as “always heavily oversubscribed.” For more information about the Yale SOM and 14 other top-ranked business schools, check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guides. Share ThisTweet Professor Profiles Yale University (School of Management)

`` It s All On The Family Intersections Of Gender,...

A week ago I found myself reading Patricia Hill Collins, â€Å"It’s All In the Family: Intersections of Gender, Race, and Nation† and it made me reflect on the ways in which both gender and race are socially built out of distorted interpretations of family. Collectively constructed as opposed to an innate understanding. We have grown dependent on dysfunctional projections of family, giving rise to a hierarchy which aims to serve all: â€Å"†¦a male headship that privileges and naturalizes masculinity as a source of authority†¦mothers comply with fathers, sisters defer to brothers, all with the understanding that boys submit to maternal authority until they become men.† (Collins 159) The commitment towards this flawed assemblage of characterizations, has in a way, normalized the social hierarchy. However, this expectation has become unrealistic. Many females find that they are not adequately prepared to survive in a male dominated country, although there is little rebellion against these imposed values. It is my opinion that we as women have adopted this image of family and injected it into other hierarchies involving race and sex. We then took it a step further by projecting this image onto our country and its policies. This rose-colored glasses approach is what allows so many to believe that we can rely or expect affluent, influential, white men to act in our best interest. But I’m left to wonder if we’ve taken the same approach in regards to feminist ideals. It seems today,Show MoreRelatedCommunication Between African American Mothers and Their Daughters1740 Words   |  7 Pagesand economic success. Additionally, mothers teach their daughters how to be nurturing and independent. Belgrave (2009) asserts that historically, African American mothers were the breadwinners and assumed the responsibility of caring for their families given the restrained prospects for African American males. As a result, girls observed the dual identity of their mothers and other prominent women in the society and internalized these identities (Lee Ashcraft, 2005). Despite so many challengesRead MoreMy Grandad, Cecil J. Riley Sr. Essay1545 Words   |  7 PagesRiley Sr., 2004). Grandad served in the U.S. Army during WW2, it is unknown where exactly he was stationed (Cecil J. Riley Sr., 2004). In his later years, he moved to Oneida, New York where he owned and operated his own dry cleaning business, Riley s Esquire Dry Cleaning (Cecil J. Riley Sr., 2004). Having business in several locations: Canastota, Oneida, Syracuse, Utica and Morrisville, New York, my grandad was a successful businessman (Cecil J. Riley Sr., 2004). Given his social location this wasRead MoreWomen s First Wave Of Feminism Essay1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1960’s first wave of feminism in literature brought about the importance of understanding and studying Women’s History, and the reasons behind origins of the Feminist theory and the feminist movement and gender binaries. Newfound research pertaining to female History helps us to better understand modern social constructs and how they were established. Starting with the late eighteenth century, which marks the transition from pre-industrialization to the emergence of economic development in EuropeRead MoreThe Perception Of Micro Aggression Essay1429 Words   |  6 Pagesis a piece of the continent, a part of the main. As a part of the society, it is unavoidable to enjoy the power and the privilege while experience the discrimination or micro-aggression both consciously or unconsciously. The sexual orientation and race is closely related to the power and the privilege. The perceptions of micro-aggression are largely based on the systems and situations that we are participating in. In this paper, I will talk about my relationship to the power and privilege, my experienceRead MoreWhat s Africana Womanism From Other Ideologies Or Schools Of Thought?1798 Words   |  8 Pages(including misogynoir) facing Black women as Africana Womanism with a different approach. The Black Feminist school of thought is characterized by â€Å"an intersectional analysis: gender, sexuality, race, and class.† [BLACK FEM. IN THE US] In other words, â€Å"this erasure of gender among black men is matched by the erasure of race in white feminism.† [BLACK FEM. IN THE US] To combat this erasure and develop a sound analysis, Black women rest at the center of intellectual analysis. This is a similar mannerRead MoreMulticultural Vs. Pluralistic Theory Essay1749 Words   |  7 PagesMulticultural theory There have been developing numbers of concepts and exploration in regards to race, ethnicity and gender which includes many theories exposing the knowledge of different ethos and the affects in today society. One theory to explore is the pluralistic or multicultural theory. Multicultural or Pluralistic theory is theory that interprets American culture to have many different sub-cultures that incorporates their values, beliefs and traditions and integrates them on to a biggerRead MoreGender, Gender And Social Class Essay1543 Words   |  7 PagesAs individuals, we are all given assigned aspects that define us. Race, gender, and social class are just a few of the characteristics that make us who we are. We also choose to take on certain aspects that reflect our own interests such as careers, fashion, and fandom. When our chosen and assigned aspects come together, our own identity is formed. These parts eventually impact and affect each other with the idea of intersection. The intercon nection of being a woman and belonging to a certain careerRead MoreA Historical Perspective: The Wage Gap1586 Words   |  7 Pagesoccupied a supportive, home oriented role within society, outside of the workplace. However, as the mid-twentieth century approached a gender role paradigm occurred. The sequence of the departure of men for war, the need to fill employment for a growing economy, a handful of critical legal cases, the Black Civil Rights movement seen and heard around the nation, all greatly influenced and demanded social change for human and women’s rights. This momentous period began a social movement known as feminismRead MoreAtlanta Is An Fx Original Series Created And Starring, Actor, Comedian, And Musician, Donald Glover Essay1452 Words   |  6 Pagesbeing black in this country. The show creates a dialogue that examines the intersection of topics such as police brutality, mental health, and transphobic in relation to the systemic racism and violence experie nced by black America. This review will examine the representation of blackness on Atlanta, and how the representations of African Americans continue to change due to shifts in black discourse. In his book, Watching Race: Television and the Struggle for Blackness, Herman Grey maps out the transitionRead MoreFeminism And The Second Wave1448 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"You cannot be a humanist unless you are a feminist. You either advocate equality for all or you are a misanthrope† (Michael A. Sherlock). From women’s suffrage to abortion laws feminism has evolved with contemporary battles and a variety of approaches. The â€Å"First wave† of feminism in 1920 advocated women’s suffrage, whereas the â€Å"Second wave† targets the societal issues that women in the 21st century are facing. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminists Mystique after World War II exposing female repression

Sexual and reproductive health - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 16 Words: 4843 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Health Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? A MULTIDIMENSIONAL CONSTRUCT OF PERCEPTIONS ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AMONG MUSLIM UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS Abstract This study examines factors influencing undergraduate students who are all Muslims from one of the public universities in Malaysia. Data were obtained from a survey conducted among the undergraduate students (n=255). Principle Components Analysis (PCA) revealed four latent factors: the electronic and printed media, knowledge of circumcision, the Islamic values on sexuality and their prior knowledge of sexual act. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Sexual and reproductive health" essay for you Create order Based on the views of the respondents on the roles played by curriculum, religion and media in disseminating knowledge on sex-related matters, recommendations are drawn to assist the relevant parties in coming up with comprehensive sexuality education for Muslim adolescents. Key words: sex/sexuality education, reproductive health, undergraduate student, Muslim, perceptions, Principle Component Analysis (PCA) Introduction Studies which have been carried out in Muslim societies on sexual and reproductive health are limited. Many young Muslims are emitted from the learning process to cater the cultural and religious restrictions (Cok, 2000; DeJong et al., 2007; Halstead, 1997; Nurazzura, 2007; Underwood, 2000). Very little is, therefore, known about the factors that influence the Muslim youths on sexual and reproductive health. Several studies in some Muslim countries reported that Muslim youth are not well prepared and educated in sexual and reproductive health due to some contributing factors. (Burazeri et al., 2003; GÃâ€"kengin et al., 2003; Mohammad Reza et al.,2006; Nik Suryani et al., 2007; Paruk et al., 2006). Cok (2000) described sex education in Turkey, as similar as many other Muslim countries in the world, as â€Å"there are no sexuality classes, no mention of sexuality in health courses or no sexuality textbook material in Turkish school. Other issues take priority and sexuality educa tion is pushed aside as unimportant and irrelevant† (p.5). Moreover, he stated that Turkish Muslim adolescents are highly influenced by media especially form Europe and North America. In addition, the study on 2,227 first-and fourth -years students at Ege Univesity, GÃâ€"kengin et al. (2003) revealed that knowledge about sexual health and sexuality transmitted diseases is insufficient among their samples. In Albania, Burazeri et al. (2003) reported the mean age at first sexual intercourse 720 undergraduate students in Tirana was 17.9 for men and 18.8 years for woman. They also found positive associations of parental education and income level with sexual activity and consistent use of condoms among Albanian undergraduate students. Mohammad Reza et al. (2006) described the sex education in Iran that cultural sensitivities which may be a factor in young peoples poor knowledge about reproductive health. Furthermore, few programs provide sexuality education to adolescents o r enable youth to ask questions and correct misconceptions about reproductive health. Indeed, large numbers of young Iranians lack information about safe sex and about the skills necessary to negotiate and adopt safe sex practices. In their study of 1,385 males aged 15-18 in Tehran about their beliefs and knowledge regarding reproductive health and their engaging in sexual activity, they found that there was a relatively high prevalence of sexual activity and the lack of knowledge regarding STIs and contraceptives pose a significant threat to the sexual and reproductive health of Iranian adolescent males. Hence, they requested programs to provide adolescents with the accurate information and skills to make safe sexual decisions. A study conducted by Nik Suryani et al. (2007) with undergraduate students (n=300) in Malaysia , discovered that, in general, students held a positive view toward sex and sex-related matters; however, their knowledge on sexuality education, sexual and rep roductive health matters calls for attention from the relevant authorities. Findings on their sources of information on sexuality education also revealed that more could be done to help them obtain an accurate picture of sex-related matters particularly with the roles played by parents, school, religion and media in disseminating knowledge on sex-related matters. Paruk et al. (2006) presented finding on the influence of religiosity on attitude toward people with HIV/AIDS using 90 South African Muslim university students. They found that higher religiosity was significantly correlated with a more positive attitude to people with HIV. Ojo Bidemi (2008) conducted a study with 520 adolescent of Nigerian students on contemporary clothing habits and sexual behavior of adolescents in the South Western Nigeria. They found that there is no significant difference in the factors influencing adolescents dressing habits and also the fact that there is relationship between clothing habits and their sexual behavior. In Pakistan, Qidwai (2000) surveyed perception among 188 Pakistani young men, who presented to family physicians, at the outpatient department of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, about enjoyment of sexual experiences in women. He found a high prevalence of misconceptions about female sexuality among Pakistani young men. Furthermore, Hennink, Rana, Iqbal (2005) studied on knowledge of personal and sexual development amongst young people in Pakistan. They found that young women typically gain information from a limited number of sources while young men accessed a wide variety of information sources outside the home. From studies done in various Muslim countries, however, there is not enough information on factors influencing the basic sexual and reproductive health among Muslim undergraduate student as well as in other developing countries (Singh, Bankole Woog, 2005). Intervention studies are largely absent. There is a need therefore to det ermine factors associated with Muslims sexual perception to develop a clear understanding in student variables, the results of which may contribute to help students on their knowledge and behavior regarding to sexual and reproductive health and it will help determine best bets for programs for sex education for Muslim youths. The purpose of this study was to survey Muslim undergraduate students perceptions in sexual and reproductive health, and in doing so, to clarify the meaning of the construct itself. Thus, the study addressed the following research questions: What are the factors influencing Muslim undergraduate students perceptions towards sexual and reproductive health? This study is based on the crossed different populations and geographic regions influencing factor adolescent on sexual and reproductive health studied by Manlove et al. (2001). They pointed out that there are multiple domains in an adolescents life associated with reproductive health outcomes. By grounde d on the ecological approach, individual factor, family factor, peers, partners, school context, neighborhood, community, and social policy characteristics are all associated with sexual behaviors, adolescent pregnancy, and STI. However, this study only looked at certain dimensions which comprised (1) individual factor (religiosity, knowledge of reproductive health and attitudes and belief about sex); (2) school context (curriculum); and, (3) media. The authors, therefore, hypothesized that there are four influencing factors of undergraduate Muslim students perception on sexual and reproductive health: (1) school and tertiary curriculum support, (2) Islamic values on sexuality, (3) electronic and printed media, and (4) students prior knowledge on sexual and reproduction health. Significance of Study Results of this study are pictured to provide empirical data on factors influencing perception on sexual and reproductive health among Muslim undergraduate students that have not been fully studied. Thus, the results of this study are expected to help in the understanding of students perception towards sexual and reproductive health and sex education which is promoted by several factors. The findings are beneficial to understand and determine the success or failure of factors influence and the implementation of sex education in Islamic higher learning institute as perceived by students. Such information can help to improve the strategy in order to accomplish the sex education particularly for Muslim youths. Method Research design In this study, the survey method was employed. A questionnaire was selected from Nik Suryani et al. (2007) measured these relationships. It consisted of two parts. The questionnaires were distributed randomly to a sample of undergraduate in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Population and sample The population is the undergraduate students in IIUM, Gombak campus, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All were Malaysians. A random sampling was used to select participants. The principle component analysis (PCA) was conducted where the number of sample depends on the items of the questionnaire. Since the number of the item is 40, the minimum sample size is 40 x 5 = 200 participants. In this study, the participants were 255 which were more than the minimum requirement (Hair et al., 2006). Data Collection To distribute the questionnaires, researchers sought help from three students which researchers have known. The questionnaire has an attached covering letter that assures the confidentially of data collected and describes the major components of questionnaires to be completed. Students were given one week to complete the questionnaires and had to return them to the assigned persons within the time allocated. The usable returned response rate was 72.9 % (n=255) out of 350 students. The data collected was operated on January 2008. Validity and Reliability To establish the face and construct validity of the instrument, the opinions of two experts in education were sought on the design and items used for the various dimension. The instrument was pilot tested on 30 students that was not on the list of the selected students. Based on the pilot test, 50 items from Nik Suryani et al. (2007) was tested and a few items were omitted in order to refine the instrument further. Finally, 40 items were confirmed with a reliability of Alpha Cronbach = .72. Instrumentation The survey instrument was adopted from a core questionnaire developed by Nik Suryani et al. (2007). The questionnaire comprised 40 questions divided into two sections: social and demographic variables and students views and knowledge on a wide range of topics on sex and attitudes towards sex. It sought to find out students perceptions on: (1) school and tertiary curriculum (5 items; no.1-5); (2) Islamic values on sexuality (6 items; no.6-11); (3) electronic and printed media (4 items; no.12-15): (4) sexual novel (4 items; no.16-19): (5) their prior knowledge of sexual and reproductive health 5.1 protected sex (6items; no.20-25): 5.2 sexual act (9 items; no.26-34): 5.3 circumcisions (9 items; no.35-40). The response to each item is in the form of a five-point Likert scale of â€Å"strongly disagree, â€Å"disagree†, â€Å"undecided†, â€Å"agree†, and â€Å"strongly agree†. The demographic characteristic of the first section of the questionnaire contains questions with regard to the respondents background information (gender, age, country of origin, former school and location, faculty, year of study, CGPA, and marital status). Data analysis For the demographic data, frequency and percentage were employed. To answer the research question on factors influencing students perceptions of sexual and reproductive health, principle component analysis was utilized. An explanatory factor analysis was conducted to construct-validate the factor influencing students perception. To find out the number of factors the following rules were used: (1) the Kaisers rule of 1.0 as the minimum eigenvalues, (2) the scree test and (3) the interpretability of the solutions. The degree of intercorrelation among items justified the application of the factor analysis as well as the Batletts test of sphericity recorded a Chi square value. Results Table 1 shows out of 255 students, 152 (59.6%) were females and 101 (39.6%) were males. A majority of the students (91.4%) were between 20 and 25 years of age, the remaining being distributed between the age group of younger than 20 (7.4%) and older than 25 (1.2%). Approximately, 239 (93.7%) of the respondents were Malaysians while 16 (6.3%) were international students. Most of students (37.2%) graduated from urban day school, followed by religious school (27.1%), boarding school (16.5%), rural day school (9.0%), private school (5.9%), and others (1.9%). The respondents were represented from different faculty with nearly half (42.4%) being law students (AIKOL). The other half was distributed between Human Sciences (24.3%), KENMS (11.8%), ENGINEERING (7.1%), KAED (5.5%), INSTED (3.9%), KICT (2.7%), and IRK (2.4%) respectively. Majority of students were second year student (32.5%), the remaining being almost distributed between the final year (29.8%), the first year (21.2%), and t he third year (16.5%). In general, almost more than half of the students (49.4%) had CGPA more than 3.0, while the rest (28.7%) had less than 3.0. Almost 95.7% students were single which 131 (53.7%) were not attached to someone and 110 (45.1%) were having attached to someone, only 11 (4.3%) students were married. Table 1 Respondents Demographic Background Variables N Percent 1. Gender: Male 101 39.6 Female 152 59.6 Missing Value 2 0.8 2.Age 20 19 7.4 20-25 233 91.4 25 3 1.2 3.Country of Origin Malaysian (local student) 239 93.7 Non-Malaysian (international student) 16 6.3 4. Former School and Location Urban Day School 95 37.2 Rural Day School 23 9.0 Boarding School 42 16.5 Religious School 69 27.1 Private School 15 5.9 Others 6 2.4 Missing values 5 1.9 5. Faculty Information and Communication Technology (KICT) 7 2.7 Engineering 18 7.1 Laws (AIKOL) 108 42.4 Human Sciences (HS) 62 24.3 Islamic Revealed Knowledge (IRK) 6 2.3 Institute of Education (INSTEAD) 10 3.9 Economics and Management Sciences (KENMS) 30 11.8 Architecture and Environmental Design ( KAED) 14 5.5 6. Year of study 1st year 54 21.2 2nd year 83 32.5 3rd year 42 16.5 4th year 76 29.8 5. CGPA 2.00 1 0.4 2.00-2.49 11 4.4 2.50-2.99 61 23.9 3.00-3.49 102 40 3.50 24 9.4 Missing Value 56 21.9 6. Marital status Single 244 95.7 Single and have attached to someone 110 45.1 Single and have not attached to someone 131 53.7 Missing Value 3 1.2 Married 11 4.3 n = 255 Perceptions toward Sexual and Reproductive Health Table 2 summarizes the results of the descriptive analysis of the students perceptions on sexual and reproductive health. The data showed that the mean scores ranged between 1.83 (items PRO23) and 4.57 (items REL10); the standard deviations ranged from .66 (items SEX34) to 1.18 (items PRO23). The mean scores were located within the expected range (none of the items are included a mean score of zero, at 95 % level of confidence, with a reliability of Alpha Cronbach = .72). Th e data showed that the dispersion of the scores for each item sufficiently discriminated the students perceptions. In addition, the degree of bivariate correlation among most of the 40 items matric variables ranged from low to high. However six of them (items EDU1, EDU2, PRO24, SEX28, SEX31, and CIR39) were found to link weakly and negatively with the rest of the items. Table 2 Mean (Standard Deviation) and Item-Total Correlations of Students Perceptions on Sexual and Reproductive Health Items Code M SD r 1. The content of information on sexual related matters taught at school is sufficient. EDU1 2.95 1.157 .081 2. Courses like Family Management and Parenting at undergraduate level should openly discuss sexual and reproductive health matters. EDU2 4.11 .876 .023 3. Sexual education should be taught as subject of its own at secondary schools. EDU3 3.28 1.176 .227 4. Sexual education should be taught as a separate subject at the tertiary level. EDU4 3.60 1.043 .195 5. Sexual education should be taught in pre-marital courses. EDU5 4.38 .686 .176 6. Quran provides me with information on sexuality in a decent manner. REL6 4.38 .789 .239 7. My religious knowledge provides basis for me to develop the conscience not to engage in premarital sex REL7 4.52 .728 .192 8. Religion helps me suppress my sexual desire. REL8 4.26 .847 .237 9. Fasting is one of the best ways to keep my sexual desire under control. REL9 4.31 .910 .327 10. Watching pornography is forbidden in Islam. REL10 4.57 .767 .303 11. The only way to eliminate illicit sex is by implementing the Syariah Law. REL11 4.19 .922 .389 12. Electronic media portrays negative perception of sexuality. MED12 3.70 1.079 .339 13. Printed media portrays negative perception of sexuality. MED13 3.65 1.075 .372 14. Electronic media leads young people to embark on pre-marital sexual relationship. MED14 4.10 .927 .357 15. Printed media leads young people to embark on pre-marital sexual relationship. MED15 3.94 .987 .412 16. Reading sexy novels leads people to having pre-marital sex. NOV16 3.42 1.036 .354 17. Novels are most descriptive about sexual intercourses than other sources. NOV17 2.98 1.072 .350 18. Novels with sexual descriptions increas e my desire to masturbate. NOV18 2.69 1.107 .324 19. Novels with sexual descriptions increase my sexual fantasies. NOV19 2.95 1.093 .268 20. There is fertility problem if pregnancy does not occur in the first year of marriage. PRO20 2.52 .972 .218 21. Unprotected sexual intercourse will guarantee pregnancy. PRO21 3.32 1.175 .339 22. Protected intercourse guarantee pregnancy wont occur. PRO22 2.70 1.085 .235 23. Kissing and touching can lead to pregnancy. PRO23 1.83 1.177 .153 24. The use of contraceptives or protected sex ensures safety from sexually related diseases. PRO24 3.41 .996 .069 25. Islam forbids the use of contraceptives. PRO25 2.87 1.010 .169 26. Preservation of virginity is most important for both men and women before getting married. SEX26 4.53 .781 .125 27. Sex is painful for first timers. SEX27 3.44 .933 .100 28. Sex is painful for women. SEX28 3.22 .886 .069 29. Sex is pleasurable to both men and women. SEX29 4.04 .853 .162 30. Only matured people enjoy sexual relationship. SEX30 2.88 1.088 .100 31. Sexual relationship is for young people only. SEX31 1.91 .909 -.057 32. Good Communication between spouses ensures satisfying sexual relationship. SEX32 4.32 .839 .100 33. Knowledge about sex is a pre requisite for enjoying sex. SEX33 4.05 .876 .246 34. Understanding between each others needs help improve sexual satisfaction. SEX34 4.39 .660 .168 35. Circumcision is mainly for health reasons. CIR35 3.93 1.090 .192 36. Circumcision is for cultural reasons. CIR36 2.43 1.033 .189 37. Circumcision for women reduces sexual satisfaction. CIR37 2.89 .935 .116 38. Circumcision for women represses their sexual desires. CIR38 2.96 .856 .235 39. Circ umcision for men reduces sexual satisfaction. CIR39 2.59 .977 .076 40. Circumcision for men represses their sexual desires. CIR40 2.92 .969 .105 The Underlying Dimensions of Students Perceptions To identify the factors that influence undergraduate Muslim students response toward sexual and reproductive health, the data collected from the sample of 255 respondents were subjected to principal component analysis. Nevertheless, the present analysis used only the responses on the 34 of the 40 items (Table 3). Based on the results of item analysis as described in the preceding section, 6 of the items (items EDU1, EDU2, PRO24, SEX28, SEX31, and CIR39) were excluded because they were behaving poorly in the item-total correlation. Table 3 summarizes the correlations among the 34 items supported the use of principal component analysis. Specifically, the Bartlett Sphericity Test yielded statistically significant intercorrelation c2 (561) = 2525.854, p = .001 with an overall MSA of .65, which exceeded the value of .60. Thus, the data matrix has sufficient correlation to justify the use of the exploratory factor analysis. The principal component analysis yielded a seven -factor d imension structure, accounting for 60.69% of the variance. This indicates that four underlying dimensions explain more than 60% of the variance among the 34 variables. The eigenvalues, ranging from 1.616 to 3.0622 (which is greater than 1 as required), satisfied the standards of important factors as prescribed by Hair, Jr. et al. (2006). Table 3 Correlation Matrix and Descriptive Statistic EDU3 EDU4 EDU5 REL6 REL7 REL8 REL9 REL10 REL11 MED12 MED13 MED14 MED15 NOV16 NOV17 NOV18 NOV19 PRO20 PRO21 PRO22 PRO23 PRO25 SEX26 SEX27 SEX29 SEX30 SEX32 SEX33 SEX34 CIR35 CIR36 CIR37 CIR38 CIR40 EDU3 .548 EDU4 -.284 .557 EDU5 -.134 -.128 .747 REL6 .051 -.046 -.085 .769 REL7 -.021 .017 -.107 -.385 .735 REL8 .061 -.006 .027 -.125 -.233 .724 REL9 -.052 .028 -.011 -.130 -.104 -.210 .771 REL10 .015 -.084 -.110 -.084 -.023 -.234 -.002 .742 REL11 .007 .040 -.099 .027 -.140 .031 -.194 -.153 .782 MED12 .062 .071 .045 -.034 .068 .107 -.062 -.183 -.005 .669 MED13 -.162 -.074 .029 -.025 -.014 -.082 .046 .100 -.202 -.784 .666 MED14 .046 .052 -.088 .045 -.021 .080 .110 -.118 .071 .005 -.172 .664 MED15 -.032 -.025 .017 .003 .001 -.124 -.044 .120 -.113 -.074 .052 -.763 .688 NOV16 .162 -.022 .047 -.145 .047 .001 -.010 -.069 -.191 .020 .072 -.138 -.034 .757 NOV17 -.020 -.056 .094 .046 .028 .017 -.174 .000 .125 .028 -.029 .045 -.141 -.328 .713 NOV18 -.034 .113 -.078 -.017 -.081 .124 -.030 -.024 .209 -.019 -.076 .141 -.089 -.188 -.191 .591 NOV19 .085 -.105 -.101 .183 -.018 -.168 .126 .040 -.053 -.004 -.012 -.011 .013 -.001 -.047 -.663 .588 PRO20 -.106 .172 .097 -.095 .194 -.099 .024 -.007 -.015 -.018 -.118 -.040 .033 -.075 .118 .036 -.051 .630 PRO21 .032 -.077 -.059 .056 -.056 .056 -.098 .072 - .002 .006 -.031 .051 -.044 -.124 .065 -.090 .049 -.093 .610 PRO22 -.055 -.041 .006 -.023 -.001 .022 -.140 .004 -.097 -.053 .109 .067 -.031 .108 -.111 -.081 .059 -.147 -.290 .485 PRO23 -.120 .028 .054 -.017 .112 -.070 .003 .149 -.198 -.060 .040 -.141 .111 .042 -.050 -.087 .012 .010 -.045 -.196 .619 PRO25 .088 -.126 .092 -.052 .056 .126 -.134 -.206 .005 .114 -.030 -.028 -.017 -.015 .002 .025 -.096 -.120 -.169 .099 -.126 .490 SEX26 .004 -.041 .071 -.092 -.141 .034 -.010 -.063 -.056 -.031 .023 -.049 .067 .080 -.175 .047 .036 -.006 -.204 .086 .101 .057 .671 SEX27 .079 .083 -.093 .080 -.078 -.056 .098 .135 -.107 .051 -.024 -.100 .015 .098 .074 -.135 .085 .026 .196 -.244 .092 -.128 -.197 .319 SEX29 -.085 -.058 -.089 -.088 .013 -.091 .011 -.055 .033 -.086 .153 .029 -.007 .048 -.105 .135 -.199 -.211 -.196 .120 .069 .111 .114 -.195 .572 SEX30 -.023 .064 -.009 -.090 .118 .029 -.161 -.055 .048 -.006 .000 -.110 .075 -.117 -.027 .114 -.097 -.009 .011 -.001 .036 .092 .101 -.143 .147 .536 SEX32 -.243 .095 .094 -.039 .066 -.068 -.006 .074 -.018 -.148 .127 -.028 .018 .047 -.001 -.043 -.004 .231 -.038 .114 .041 -.106 -.040 -.103 -.054 .089 .640 SEX33 -.023 .060 .014 .163 -.195 .084 -.110 -.149 .058 .090 -.043 .062 -.055 -.124 -.088 .088 -.092 -.192 .057 .133 -.119 .097 -.036 -.040 .056 -.046 -.193 .570 SEX34 .127 -.132 -.039 -.139 .173 -.044 .020 .067 -.049 .105 -.085 -.076 .025 .064 .193 -.167 .075 .158 .006 -.155 .072 .032 -.058 .123 -.256 -.054 -.333 -.463 .555 CIR35 -.103 .093 .052 -.006 .018 .025 -.115 -.101 -.075 -.026 .058 -.053 .056 .011 -.026 -.020 -.012 .065 -.052 .054 .038 -.065 -.104 -.074 .019 .018 .053 .128 -.237 .600 CIR36 .003 -.139 .060 -.085 .159 -.147 .181 .069 -.084 .015 .045 -.014 .021 .025 -.197 -.173 .174 -.052 -.137 .084 .010 -.068 .108 -.114 .020 -.026 .032 -.170 .133 -.113 .613 CIR37 -.145 .013 .021 .044 -.011 .168 -.081 .037 .072 -.034 .015 -.086 .068 -.157 .067 .104 -.121 .003 .126 -.073 .089 .03 9 -.024 -.022 .002 -.006 .121 .070 -.142 -.075 -.207 .642 CIR38 -.077 -.072 .014 .008 -.056 .045 .011 -.093 .021 .052 -.015 -.043 .022 .044 -.038 -.023 .025 -.052 .026 -.071 -.032 .052 -.050 .023 -.039 -.032 -.136 -.118 .098 .000 -.060 -.193 .663 CIR40 -.017 .022 .046 .057 -.007 -.042 .117 .061 -.060 -.135 .131 .111 -.105 .040 -.024 .056 .002 -.114 -.108 .058 .024 -.060 .123 -.076 .096 .014 .046 .013 -.083 -.029 -.066 -.102 -.502 .646 Table 4 summarizes the result of the analysis, in which the Varimax with Kaiser normalization rotation was used to produce the final solution. The result of the exploratory factor analysis revealed that there were four latent variables measured by the data. The solution, extracted positive statistically significant l oadings, and free from factorial complexity and variable-specific factor which four factors loading = 60.69%. Table 4 Varimax with Kaiser Normalization Rotated of Principal Component Analysis Factor Matrix Variables Factor1 Factor2 Factor3 Factor4 Communality MED12 .820 .689 MED13 .827 .704 MED14 .847 .722 MED15 .803 .652 CIR37 .699 .508 CIR38 .790 .660 CIR39 .768 .667 CIR40 .772 .622 REL6 .782 .628 REL7 .784 .631 REL8 .723 .546 REL9 .698 .497 SEX29 .525** .320** SEX32 .765 .586 SEX33 .749 .582 SEX34 .832 .697 ** Items SEX25 is problematic due to (1) its loading value is less than 0.6 considering as unstable item and (2) its communality is less than .4 indicating a less good fit. Table 5 shows that the first rotated factor, the electronic and printed media, has significant loadings, ranging between .803 and .847 on the same four items (MED14, MED15, MED16, and MED17) and Alpha Cronbach reliability = .84. Students scores on this factor reflect the influence of media on getting information about sexual and reproductive health. The second rotated factor includes four items (CIR37, CIR38, CIR39 and CIR40) ranging between .699 and .790, and Alpha Cronbach reliability = .76. Students scores on this factor reflect their prior knowledge of circumcisions. The third rotated factor comprises four items (REL6, REL7, REL8, and REL9), ranging between .698 and .784 and Alpha Cronbach reliability = .74. This factor can be described as the Islamic values on sexuality which essentially is religious affiliation relating to adolescents sexual values. The forth rotated factor comprises four items (SEX29, SEX32, SEX33, and SEX34), ranging between .525 and .832 and Alpha Cronbach reliability = .71. Students scores on this factor reflect their prior knowledge of sexual act. Table 5 Solution and Statistic from Principle Component Analysis according to Scale of Assessment of Students Perceptions and Reliability of Items for Each Scale Measures No. of factors (items) Communality Factor loading Prop of Var. explained Alpha Coeff Electronic and Printed Media 1(4) .652-.722 .803-.847 17.17 .84 Prior Knowledge of Circumcisions 1(4) .508-.667 .699-.790 31.85 .76 Islamic Values of Sexuality 1(4) .497-.631 .699-.790 46.46 .74 Prior Knowledge of Sexual Act 1(4) .320-.697 .525-.765 60.69 .71 Discussion Confined within the limitations of the study, the present results confirm and add new information to current understanding on sex education. And it is clear that students perceptions are a multidimensional construct and it confirmed that the context within which student live affects their perceptions toward sexual and reproductive health. This study examined the factor influencing on teaching thinking. Four factors were detected as the influencing factors in sexual and reproductive health which were identified as (1) the electronic and printed media, (2) prior knowledge of circumcisions, (3) Islamic values on sexuality, and (4) prior knowledge of sexual act. The first latent factor, electronic and printed media, confirmed that Media highly influenced Muslim adolescents (Cok, 2000). However, results are hand in hand with much research discovering that youths get information about sexual and reproductive health mainly from media. This study concurs with Boies (2002) found that uni versity students in Canada used the internet to obtain sexual information and said they benefited from it. It is because cyber space is the most convenient and accessible for youth to access worldwide and internet has a great potential medium for information. Here, it substantiated that electronic and printed media can be effective for delivering instruction on sexual and reproductive health (Evans, Edmundson-Drane Harris, 2000). The rest of three latent factors corroborated with earlier works on sex education especially the work of Manlove et al. (2001) on the individual factors particularly on the knowledge of reproductive health and attitudes and belief about sex and their religiosity. The second and forth factors related to students prior knowledge on circumcision and sex act. Although students may have differed on prior sexual and reproductive knowledge, the principal component analysis indicated that perceptions in sexual and reproductive health demanded a common sense prior knowledge. Whereby, an accurate knowledge on both circumcision and sex act are related to sexual and reproductive health should be promoted such as to that they would influence students perceptions on sexual and reproductive health. Students who have an accurate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, they may have a positive behavior on sexual health. But regarding to some previous study, Muslim students are lacking of the accurate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health (GÃâ€"kengin et al., 2003; Mohammad Reza et al., 2006; Nik Suryani et al., 2007; Qidwai, 2000). Moreover, it will be worried to young Muslims were critical of the quality of information they received, which often led to confusion and stress in understanding sexual development (Hennink, Rana, Iqbal, 2005). This may call attention particularly with the roles played by parents, school, religion and media in disseminating knowledge on sex-related matters especially the prior knowledge of basic sexual a nd reproductive health. In this study, religious affiliation (the third factor) affected adolescents perceptions on sexual and reproductive health (Francis et al. 2004). Research found the relationship between religiosity and positive attitude and behavior among Muslim youths (Paruk et al., 2006). It means that is clear that sex education is not contradict with Islamic principles (Ismaiel, 2007; Underwood, 2000), but in many part of Muslim societies some of cultural taboos are major obstacles to informed discussions about sexual and reproductive health issues, particularly with regard to young people (DeJong et al., 2007; Mohammad Reza et al., 2006). Additionally, factors influencing students perception on sexual and reproductive health indicated the religion plays crucial roles in shaping Muslim students perception on sex-related issues. Therefore, it can be said that students who have accurate interpretation of Islamic principles, they enclose the positive perception on sexual and reproductive health. To empower Muslim youths for protecting their sexual and reproductive health, it is be recommended that (1) provide comprehensive sexuality education in learning institution, particularly knowledge on of basic anatomy, physiology and sexual act, (2) expand education and communication on sexual and reproductive health, using the mass media especially electronic media such as the internet, and (3) religious leaders have to provide ethical guidance to young Muslim as together they confront the changes that scientific and technological innovations bring to develop a full understanding of the interpretations. Recommendations for Research Limitation of this study was scoped only by certain factors. More multidisciplinary and multidimensional research is needed that examines young Muslims sexual and reproductive health perceptions as they relate to social, cultural, and economic conditions. Identifying factors associated with reproductive health behaviors will help determine best bets for comprehensive sex education to reduce negative behavior and misperception among Muslim students. Conclusion This study examined factors that influenced undergraduate Muslim students perception on sexual and reproductive health. Four factors were detected as the influencing factors which were identified as (1) the electronic and printed media, (2) knowledge of circumcisions, (3) the Islamic values on sexuality, and (4) the prior knowledge of sexual act. References Boies, S.C. (2002). University students uses of and reactions to online sexual information and entertainment: Links to online and offline sexual behavior, The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 11 (2), 77-90. Cok, F. (2000). Reflections of an adolescent sexuality education program in Turkey,SIECUS Report, 28(4), 5-6. DeJong, J., Shepard, B., Roudi-Fahimi, F., Ashford, L. (2007). Young peoples sexual and reproductive health in Middle East and North Africa. N.Y.: Population and Reference Bureau. Retrieved January 29, 2008 from https://www.prb.org/pdf07/ MENAYouthReproductiveHealth.pdf Evans, A.E., Edmundson-Drane, E.W. Harris, K.K. (2000). Computer-assisted instruction: An effective instructional method for HIV prevention education? , Journal Adolescent Health, 26(4), 244-251. Francis, L.J., Robbins, M., Lewis, C.A., Quigley, C.F., Wheeler, C. (2004). Religiosity and general health among undergraduate students: a response to O_Connor, Cobb, and O_Connor (2003), Perso nality and Individual Differences, 37, 485-494. Gà ¶kengin, D., Yamazhan, T., Ãâ€"zkaya, D., Aytu?, S., Ertem, E., Arda, B. Serter, D. (2003). Sexual knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors of students in Turkey, Journal of School Health, 73(7), 258-622. Hair,Jr. J.F., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J., Anderson, R.E. Tatham, R.L. (2006).Multivariate data analysis. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Halstead, J.M. (1997). Muslims and sex education, Journal of Moral Education, 26 (3), 317-330. Ismaiel Hassanein Ahmed. (2007). Sex education from Quranic approach. Paper presented at a National conference on Sex Education, The Implementation of Sex Education in Malaysia: Issue and Challenges. Organized by Institute of Education (INSTED) at Banquet Hall, International Islamic University Malaysia. 10-11 February, 2007. Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, Kazem Mohammad, Farideh K.A. Farahani, Siamak Alikhani, Mohammad Zare, Fahimeh R. Tehrani, Ali Ramezankhani Farshid Alaeddini. (2006). Reproductive knowledge, attitudes and behavior among adolescent males in Tehran, Iran, International Family Planning Perspectives, 32 (1), 35-44. Manlove,J., Terry-Humen, E., Papillo, A.M., Franzetta, K., Williams, S. Ryan, S. (2001). Background for community-level work on positive reproductive health in adolescence: Reviewing the literature on contributing factors. Retrieved January 29 , 2008 from https://www.childtrends.org/files/KRepro.pdf Hennink, M., Rana, I. Iqbal, R. (2005). Knowledge of personal and sexual development among young people in Pakistan. Retrieved 29 January, 2008 on https://iussp2005. princeton.edu/download.aspx?submissionId=51402 Nik Suryani Nik Abd Rahman, Haniza Rais, Siti Rafiah Abd Hamid Che Noraini Hashim. (2007). A survey on undergraduate students knowledge, attitude, and awareness with respect to sexual and reproductive health. Paper presented at a National Conference on Sex Education, The Implementation of Sex Education in Malaysia: Issue a nd Challenges. Organized by Institute of Education (INSTED) at Banquet Hall, International Islamic University Malaysia. 10-11 February, 2007. Nurrazzura Mohamad Diah. (2007). Understanding menopause: what we learnt. Paper presented at a National Conference on Sex Education, The Implementation of Sex Education in Malaysia: Issue and Challenges. Organized by Institute of Education (INSTED) at Banquet Hall, International Islamic University Malaysia. 10-11 February, 2007. Ojo, O.D Bidemi, O. (2008) . Contemporary clothing habits and sexual behaviour of adolescents in South Western Nigeria, Journal of Human. Ecology., 23(1),39-44. Paruk, Z., Mohamed, S.D., Patel, C., Ramgon, S. (2006). Compassion or condemnation? South African Muslim students attitudes to people with HIV/AIDS, Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 3(3), 510-515. Qidwai W. (2000). Perceptions about female sexuality among young Pakistani men presenting to family physicians at a Teaching Hospital in Karach i, Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 50(2), 74-77 Singh, S., Bankole, A., Woog, V. (2005). Evaluating the need for sex education in developing countries: sexual behaviour, knowledge of preventing sexually, Sex Education, 5(4), 307-331. Underwood, C. (2000). Islamic precepts and family planning: The perceptions of Jordanian religious leaders and their constituents, International Family Planning Perspectives, 26(3), 110-117.

Ethical Issues Of Information Technology - 787 Words

Protection of personal data and information is the highest priority of the organization in order to retain the employees and customers and to achieve competitive advantage in the market. It is because through the protection of personal information of employees and customers, they are motivated to sustain the relationship with the companies and enjoy the working with the companies. The protection of personal information is also referred to the implementation of appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards in order to ensure the security and confidentiality of data records (Kolin, 2009). The protecting of personal information also includes the protection of both security and confidentiality against any threat that could create harm, embarrassment, inconvenience and unfairness to any individual. Ethical Issues Related to Use of Information Technology There are various ethical issues in using information technology. In this, lack of awareness and education is one of the ethical issues that create the problems in the organization. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge about information technology, companies are not able to provide effective training and development programs about the new rules and regulations of information technology. Lack of communication channels also creates the ethical issues in the use of information technology in the organization (Feather Sturges, 2003). Inappropriate communication channels also do not provide information about newShow MoreRelatedEthical Issues Of Information Technology2212 Words   |  9 Pagesthe information technology advancements had limited impact on societies and cultures. However, in today’s world, information technology is almost part of every business, educational institutions, and even personal activity (Brooks, 2010). This paper presents the power of information technolo gy field and whether developing a code of ethics would be worthwhile to focus on the challenges in the usage of information technology. Societal Ethical Changes With the increase of information technology useRead MoreEthical Issues Regarding Information Technology1638 Words   |  7 PagesEthical issues regarding the use of information technology are changing rapidly in our advancing modern society. Historically information technology had seen limited applications and impacts on society in general. More recently, however, this has been changing as information technology has become a part of nearly every business, and personal activity. I will discuss how Information technology has brought about significant societal ethical changes. Users of technology in society and business todayRead MoreThe Influence of Ethical Issues on Information Technology Usage1165 Words   |  5 PagesThe Influence of Ethical Issues on Information Technology Usage Use of computers poses a new challenge for privacy. Privacy is a state of mind, specific place freedom from intrusion or control over the exposure of self of personal information (Czar, 2013). In this day and age, many new rules come into play on how to protect the privacy of the patient. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of ethical use and the unethical issues faced with the use of technology, as well as the impactRead MoreEthical Issues Involving Information Accounting1193 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Ethical issues involving information accounting is a part of doing business and a large part of personal human ethics. Accounting ethics refer to codes or moral systems used to determine right and wrong in accounting. Accountants have a challenge with the arrival of information technology to observe business ethics in the field of accounting. Technology needs to be appreciated and used by accountants in the most important ways to improve efficiency, regulatory compliance, enhanceRead MoreEthics in Technology Essay1555 Words   |  7 Pagescomputerized technology, computer engineers had to believe that their contribution to the development of computer technology would produce positive impacts on the people that would use it. During the infancy of computer technology, ethical issues concerning computer technology were almost nonexistent because computers back then were not as multifaceted as they are today. However, ethical issues relating to computer technology and cyber techn ology is undeniable in today’s society. Computer technology playsRead MoreEthical Issues Of Securing Data Security1682 Words   |  7 PagesTitle: Ethical issues in Securing Data 3. Thesis Statement: In this paper the primary motive is to provide the ethical issues related to data security. This paper provides the ethical issues facing by the individuals even the security of the applications is so high. 4. Abstract: Ethical issues are the major concern in todays secured data communication and electronic commerce. Though the applications are robust, secure and reliable, the users are concerned about their personnel information and sensitiveRead MoreThe Impact Of Information Technology On Society And Cultures1484 Words   |  6 Pageswas limited by information technology advancements. Conversely, in the present time, information technology can be considered a part of every educational institutions, business, and even personal activity. This paper stands to give light to the growing influence of the information technology field and whether the development of a code of ethics would be advisable to focus on the challenges in the usage of information technology. Along with the intensification of information technology use in societiesRead MoreInformation And Communication Technologies ( Icts )909 Words   |  4 Pagestraining issues, and equipment failures. According to Pelczarski, alarm fatigue is one of the most common contributors to alarm failures. â€Å"Staff become overwhelmed by the sheer number of alarm signals, which results in alarm desensitization and delayed response or missed alarms,† she says. For the machine to work better, it needs service periodically and staff training on operation system. 3.5.5 The Significance of Technology Applications to Nursing Care. Information and communication technologies (ICTs)Read MoreDisruptive Technology And Technology1096 Words   |  5 Pagesadvancement of technology and as a result, our society is encountering several ethical problems that are needed to be discussed and solved as soon as possible to save our civilization from destruction. Our major threat is disruptive technologies as there are intervening a way too deep and may destroy the ethical values of our society. In this paper, we are discussing disruptive technology and their impact on the ethical values of our society. We will also discuss the real-life examples of recent issues generatedRead MoreTelehealth: Ethical and Legal Challenges Essay examples867 Words   |  4 Pagesinnovations. This is particularly true in modern health care professionals where they are obsessed with technology and rush to apply them. One of the most recent applications of ICT – Information and computer technology- is telehealth. Telehealth is the use of co mmunication, diagnostic and information technology to provide health care when patients and providers are geographically separated [2], Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store -and-forward imaging, streaming media, terrestrial

Strategic Management and Information System- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theStrategic Management and Information System forBilliton. Answer: Ordered flowchart of the processes involved in sales is as follows: Introduction In the modern world of business, it is important for the firms to manage their business process in a smarter way. For doing so it is essential for the firms to make use of Information and technology systems. There are many software packages that are available for the company which they can utilize for their different business processes (Swayne, Duncan and Ginter, 2012). BHP Billiton Limited is the mining, metal and petroleum public limited problem. This report highlights the ways operational errors are removed by the use of IT software. It also describes the system that is designed for solving many kinds of problems. The current position of the company is also described in this report. Current organizational structure According to the views, Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, (2012) Organisational structure is described as the hierarchy that is followed by the organization. It represents the levels of the different workers of the company. This company operates under a dual listed firm structure with two parent firms (BHP limited and BHP Billiton Plc). It is operated as a single economic entity, which they refer to as BHP. They are running a unified management and Board. The Board committee members consist of the chairman of nomination and governance committee. They have the board of members at the top, and then they have executives below them like Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Below them, there are Advisory members. Below them line managers at the workplace and then staff members at the lower place. Operational problems that organization faces due to this structure As per the views Heras?Saizarbitoria and Boiral, (2013), there are several kinds of operational problems that are faced by the BHP Billiton due to its organizational structure. Due to its dual-listed structure, the decision-making process gets complicated. Since there is a large amount of members that are involved in the process of decision making and providing feedback hence the process gets weaker. Some of the operational processes like human resource management is being maintained by the executives and hence they are unable to understand the organizational needs in various sections of the firm. The leadership has not involved lower-level staffs members in important processes within an organization. This is a matter of problem in terms of employee confidence. They must have to involve people from different levels of the company. It will increase the chances of taking decisions that are not favorable to the government. Since both companies in the collaborations have a different kind of business statements and culture of working and hence the collaboration makes it difficult to work with same productivity. This poses a question mark on the efficiency of the firm working process. Strategic decision-making process is the highly complex process. Most likely system acquisition model There are many kinds of system acquisition model that has been used various companies. Customised software is highly helpful in making the processes of the firm easier since they are designed as per the need of BHP Billiton but they do not satisfy the needs of people that can be very effective when concerned with the organization of such scale. The most difficulty with such type of model is that various software is made for different works which may not be capable to work with each other. Since this company is in many fields then the system acquisition model that is used is ERP. The acquisition process based on a rational or normative decision-making process. It is an approach embedded within the ERP system life cycle. An ERP system suppliers are today striving to penetrate the segment of the market. Enterprise Resource planning typically drives all the options right through the use of a system. The Priem, Li and Carr, (2012) state that ERP acquisition model is used for managing the technological needs of the company. This model understands the needs of the company and changes can be made easily. This kind of changes is made according to the evaluation that is made after monitoring. Since it is an integrated management of major business processes more likely in real time and medicated by technology with the help of software (Hill, Jones Schilling, 2014). This system model helps in the wide range of business processes starting from product planning to the time when it is sold in the market. It helps in financial management as well as the accounting of different functional units. Preparing a system flowchart of procedures involved in sales for BHP Billiton Ordered flowchart of the processes involved in sales is as follows: Control problem related to the system and possible frauds According to Trovo et. al., (2013) these systems have some kinds of control problems. This control problem raises the issues of the firm when concerned with increasing the efficiency of the people. If there is any discrepancy in the control system then the result that is obtained from the system can be repetitive and may have faults in it. One of the biggest problem related to the system is the communication. It is always difficult to maintain the communication standards while using such a large system. Apart from this, there are many risks that are associated with the system. Data can be taken by external people by hacking the system. Since in ERP financial and operational task s also managed hence if the control is loosed then it may lead to long-term loses for the company ultimately resulting in business failure. It is difficult for the system administrators to manage the fraud that can be done to the system. The Lpez-Nicols and Meroo-Cerdn, (2011) States that in the technology advances, fraud is becoming increasingly complicated and difficult to detect, especially when individuals collide. Surveys show that the median loss from the collude fraud is much greater than the fraud perpetrated by individuals (Hahn Powers. 2010). Despite its prevalence and potentially devastating effects internal auditors often fail to consider collusion in their fraud assessment and detection efforts. There are several techniques that are used for detecting such kind of frauds. Transaction mining is one of the most used methods. It is important for the firm to detect such kind of frauds as it helps in managing data and keeping it safe which is extremely crucial in the case of bigger firms like BHP Billiton. Development and adoption of accounting software packages As per the views Aspara et. al., (2011) it is important for the firms to choose its accounting software packages. It can be developed or can be adopted from the available software. Some of the companies use their own customised software. In present times cloud-based accounting software in Australia is highest. Connecting accounting software with internet empowered organizations in managing its accounting data. The two major benefit associated with such kind of adoption software is automation and integration of accounting functions. Both helps to provide firm with a competitive edge over other rivals. Features such as invoicing, fast bank reconciliation, accessibility through mobile-based apps, faster inventory management, integrated payrolls, dashboard, smart reports, expenses claiming and bill payments makes this accounting software more user-friendly. The design of accounting software hugely varies based on complexity and cost (Grey, Emer Sheng, 2014). It also assists in the finan cial management of the company and hence used in managerial decision making. One of the biggest problems with the modern day accounting software is related to the incompatible formats as well as duplication. Xero accounting software is one of the most widely used software that can be used inside BHP Billiton. It uses the system model known as Software as a service (SaaS). Using SaaS with internet helps a company with an application that can be operated with simple web browsers. It can be changed from time to time as per the demand of people. Since there is lack of security standards that are present in cloud hence use of firewalls is necessary. Identify management measures can be beneficial for providing authentication to service. The current market size of BHP Billiton According to the Barney, (2012) this company is one of the biggest firms that is operating in Australia. The market size refers to the market share this company is having in which it is operating. This company is having the turnover of around 207,556,649 dollars. Apart from this, it has a market capitalization of around 87936 dollars (Fleisher Bensoussan, 2015). The company revenue is around 60 billion US dollars. Its size can be understood by the fact that it is the second largest mining firm in the whole world. It has made a profit of around 6.2billion US dollars. It is the largest firm inside Australia in terms of market capitalization. It has a primary listing in that London Stock Exchange and its also the constituent of FTSE 100 index. This company is operational in around 25 countries all around the world. It is employing around 41000 people. It is having four primary operational units. It is dealing in the business of Coal, Copper, Iron ore, Petroleum as well as in potash. In the year 2015, it has produced an around 256 million barrels of oil equivalent, 1.7 million tonnes of copper, 233 Mt of iron ore, 43 Mt of metallurgical coal and 41 Mt of energy coal. Underlining all these data, it can be said that it is the largest diversified natural resources firm. Identifying leaders in market and things that make competitive advantage In the views of Stead and Stead, (2013) there are many market leaders in the industry in which BHP Billiton is operating. Competitors are increasing day by day and it has risen to cutthroat level. Some of the biggest competitors is Arconic Inc, RIO TINTO Ltd. Both these companies use various kinds of strategies for leading in the market. To attract number of customers towards its business all competitor company is using aggressive marketing which is dangerous for the business of BHP Billiton. For achieving competitive advantage over other there are following strategies that have been used: Making use of technologies that reduces the operational cost which helps in increasing the profit margin of the firm. Taking use of customised or ERP software is helping a company in making their working process easier as well as taking decision according to it. Managing data that is produced in the daily operations which is a difficult process is resolved through the use of cloud computing software. For gaining competitive advantage they are providing training to their employees which helps them n adding value to their products. Current gaps or challenges encountered by consumers of accounting software As per the views of Ward, (2012) there are many kinds of gaps or challenges that is encountered by customers of accounting software. Xero is one of that largest company in providing accounting software used by users. Some of the biggest challenges that are faced by the users are: Lack of security (Anwar, 2016). Weak reporting service Lack of efficiency Out-dated and lack of accuracy It is not user-friendly as well as customisation is difficult Some kinds of features are missing as well as it is expensive Poor customer relationship management There is some kind of software compatibility problems. No 24*7 technical support The poor speed of access (Anderson, Narus Narayandas, 2009). Some of the recommendations that can be given in this regard are as follows: Use of firewalls can protect them from increasing hijacks. Cloud-based accounting software can help users in accessing it at the faster rate. Take use of technical experts can reduce software compatibility problem. Conclusion From the above-based report, BHP Billiton is one of the best biggest mining and petroleum firm in the world. It is important for the firm to manage its processes by making use of various kinds of software. Enterprise resource planning is one of the best software that can be utilized by the firm so as to make many kinds of planning. The customised software can also be used by the firms. Since there are many kinds of accounting software that is used by the firm for managing their financial resource. There are several kinds of gaps and challenges that are present in the accounting software and all these can be reduced by the use of other software. There are many bigger firms that are working in the same industry. They are using different kinds of technological software for gaining competitive advantage. References Anderson, J. C., Narus, J. A., Narayandas, D. 2009, Business market management: Understanding, creating, and delivering value. Pearson Prentice Hall. Anwar, K. 2016, Comparison between cost leadership and differentiation strategy in agricultural businesses. Cyprus International University. Aspara, J., Lamberg, J.A., Laukia, A. and Tikkanen, H., 2011. Strategic management of business model transformation: lessons from Nokia. Management Decision, 49(4), pp.622-647. Barney, J.B., 2012. Purchasing, supply chain management and sustained competitive advantage: The relevance of resource?based theory.Journal of supply chain management,48(2), pp.3-6. Fleisher, C. S., Bensoussan, B. E. 2015,Business and competitive analysis: effective application of new and classic methods. FT Press. Grey, E.M., Emer, O. Sheng, Y. 2014, Australian agricultural productivity growth. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. Hahn, W. Powers. T.L. 2010, Strategic plan quality, implementation capability, and firm performance. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 9(1), 63-81. Heras?Saizarbitoria, I. and Boiral, O., 2013. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001: towards a research agenda on management system standards.International Journal of Management Reviews,15(1), pp.47-65. Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., Schilling, M. A. 2014,Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning. Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D. and Hoskisson, R.E., 2012.Strategic management cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning. Lpez-Nicols, C. and Meroo-Cerdn, .L., 2011. Strategic knowledge management, innovation and performance.International journal of information management,31(6), pp.502-509. Priem, R.L., Li, S. and Carr, J.C., 2012. Insights and new directions from demand-side approaches to technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic management research.Journal of management,38(1), pp.346-374. Stead, J.G. and Stead, W.E., 2013.Sustainable strategic management. ME Sharpe. Swayne, L.E., Duncan, W.J. and Ginter, P.M., 2012.Strategic management of health care organizations. John Wiley Sons. Trovo, J.P., Pereirinha, P.G., Jorge, H.M. and Antunes, C.H., 2013. A multi-level energy management system for multi-source electric vehiclesan integrated rule-based meta-heuristic approach. Applied Energy, 105, pp.304-318. Ward, K., 2012.Strategic management accounting. Routledge.