A Gllance At Information And Communication Technology Essay

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become an important tool in all aspects of life. With the development of technology, the introduction of ICT as a tool has essentially brought tremendous revolution to the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of endeavor within business and governance during the past decades. Consequently, the importance of ICT project management cannot be overemphasized since it is the catalyst for successfully carrying out the ICT project. A critical research on the factors influencing the performance of ICT has been conducted as well as the introduction of different evaluation models or frameworks, which are used determine if an ICT project is successfully implemented. The last but not the least, a conclusion and a recommendation are given to prove that the potential values and benefits will be brought by elaborately analyzing those related factors before implementation and regularly evaluation on the ICT project. Table of content Introduction Recently, the role of Information and communication technology (ICT) has become more and more important in any forms of organizations and businesses. According to Daniels (2002) ICT has evolved to be one of the basic tool but pervasive among the public within such a short time. Besides, understanding the operational mechanism of ICT and mastering the fundamental skills and concepts of ICT are regarded as the basic knowledge that people now should equip with. However, it seems that many people have the wrong perceptions of what ICTs are; it’s commonly that ICTs generally be referred to ‘computers and computing related activities’ before the definition of ICT officially clarified by a United Nations report (1999). Also, according to UNESCO ICT could be understood in the way that which is the combination of ‘Informatics technology’ with other related technology, such as communication technology in particular. In other words, ICT is a more extended than information technology (IT), ICT not only emphasizes the technology itself, but also highlights the unified communications and the integration of telecommunications, computers; furthermore, by using these products such as the enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, users will be able to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. Now, we can find the radio broadcasts, audio conferencing, teleconferencing, email, interactive voice response system, audiocassettes and CD ROMs etc., are vari ous kinds of ICT products available, and those ICT products have been used for different purposes in our daily life, work environment, or common business practices. There are more and more people become aware of the benefits and efficiency brought by the ICT. With that in mind, people are starting paying more attentions on the ICT management issues, such as how to better manage ICT projects, what are those key factors determining the performance of ICT project, or how to adequately evaluate the performance of ICT project. Discussion Just as the other project management is, there are various success/failure factors related to the ICT project management. Here we discuss the roles of attitudes and the alignment between ICT and business, which are regarded as two of the most important key factors in ICT project management. A corresponding literature review is also preformed in order to better understand the background. The Roles of Attitudes Based on recent researches on the acceptance and use of ICT project, and related ICT design and development, ICT only brings values to the organization if it is accepted, applied and widely applied by those targeted users. From one of the research (Zhang, P. 2007), the author mentioned two different theories, which the inconformity between these two theories lays in the concepts behind and effects behavioral intention. The theories mentioned are Attitude toward ICT as an object (ATO) and Attitude toward using ICT as a behavior (ATB). By definition, ATO is â€Å"a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor† (Eagly et al. 1998) or, as a combination of evaluative judgments about an object (Crites et al. 1994), while ATB is defined as â€Å"an individual’s positive or negative feelings (evaluative affect) about performing the target behavior.† (Fishbein et al. 1975) And the conceptual confusions whether attitudes play important role in the context of ICT project acceptance and use has been clarified, and there is an interesting evidence showing that the roles of attitudes can change as the users’ use of the ICT increases. The Alignment between business and ICT The literature related to the information and communication technology (ICT) demonstrated that alignment between ICT and business will influence the business performance and effectiveness of the organization in a positive way. (Cumps, B., Viaene, S., Dedene, G., & Vandenbulcke, J 2006) Furthermore, the alignment of business and ICT of an organization is one of the fundamental sustainable factors, which can also be an advantage for an organization. In that case, the organizations should consider establishing specific ICT management routines in order to obtain better alignment performance scores. Since the role of ICT cannot be underestimated, more and more people want to know whether the ICT really brings values, whether the ICT substantially improved the efficiency, or whether the ICT works as expected. Based on the research, there are several more comprehensive ICT management capability maturity framework developed, such as the ICT management capability maturity framework and ICT Pe rformance Reference Model. The differences between these two frameworks or models are the focus and the content. ICT management capability maturity framework The framework is a ‘spider diagram’, which includes seven indicators: ICT Applications, Business-ICT relationship, ICT strategy alignment, ICT user profile, ICT managerial paradigm, ICT governance and ICT organization. Before applying the ICT management capability maturity framework, the users should firstly define the critical processes of their ICT management for each indicator. For each indicator, there are specific process-orientated evaluation standards, and the users should make judgments for each standard to see whether it fits to the organization’s characters, needs, and specific industry. For each applied standard, there are different dimensionalities to assess the maturity of capability. The key function of this framework is to be used as an evaluating tool and a improvement roadmaps that can point out directions for the senior management on ICT and business management in strategies planning in order to sustainably improve, develop, and manage the ICT capability in support of optimized business value delivery. From this capability maturity framework, we can clearly see the ICT management capability maturity of an organization as well as its improvement footprint. At the same time, with the use of such framework, the organization can be evaluated on its overall ICT management capability, the comparison analysis between different organizations can be conducted, and even the industrial benchmark can als o be made to see the ranking of the organization in the certain industry. ICT Performance Reference Model ICT Performance Reference Model is a model using the reference model principles in the area of ICT management. For better understanding of the meaning of reference model, here the definition of the reference model that â€Å"Reference model contains relevant structures and relationships among the model elements (process structures, levels, document structures) and also the predefined knowledge (best practice examples) already included in these structures.† is used. ICT Performance Reference Model combines the strengths of mathematical and data modeling techniques for its structure and knowledge management principles for its content; namely, it represents the best practices and knowledge in the formalized model structure, and therefore allows easier knowledge replication. The framework of ICT Performance Reference Model includes ICT Management Process, ICT Performance management Methodologies, ICT Performance Measurement Processes, ICT Performance Measures and ICT Performance m anagement Tools and Applications. The performance of ICT project is then be evaluated through these dimensions. With the implication of ICT Performance Reference Model, it would be easier to address ICT management related issues including application functionality overlap, technology and knowledge heterogeneity, and constantly changing business pressures. Conclusion From the discussion part, we can see that there are different success/failure factors relate to the Information and Communication Technology project management. Each factor cannot be left out from consideration whenever applying an ICT project, namely, the importance of each factor cannot be overestimated, or there would possibly result in an unpleasant outcome. On the other hand, it is also necessary to have the ICT project to be reviewed, or assessed the related management capability maturity periodically. With the regular evaluation, the organization will have better understanding about the current state of the implementation of ICT project, the acceptance level of related personnel, the operation results compared to expected results, and the continuing alignment with organization’s strategies. Recommendations As we all know that the management of ICT in the enterprise has been increasing in importance and nowadays it is one of the critical success factors of any type of business. In order to ensure sustainable growing of an organization, the use of ICT cannot be avoidable. After the careful research, I recommend the organization should look into every success/failure factors corresponding with the ICT project before implementation, which will largely reduce the risk of carrying out a project and ending in nothing. At the same time, with careful elaboration on each success/failure factors, the organization will have better understanding of its status quo, its strengths and weakness, which can be a great headstone for the design and implementation of the ICT project. In addition to the prior-art research, the ongoing assessment is also important for an ICT project management. In that case, the organization should choose adequate evaluation model or framework with some customized changes in order to fit into the needs of the organization. By doing the regular inspection, the organization can notice the wrong behavior in time and make certain modifications accordingly. Without such safeguard monitor mechanism, it may be too late when the organization realizes the mistakes happening. References Becker, J., Knackstedt, R., & Pà ¶ppelbuß, D. W. I. J. (2009). Developing maturity models for IT management. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 1(3), 213-222. Cumps, B., Viaene, S., Dedene, G., & Vandenbulcke, J. (2006, January). An empirical study on business/ICT alignment in European organisations. InSystem Sciences, 2006. HICSS’06. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on (Vol. 8, pp. 195a-195a). IEEE. Donnellan, B., Sheridan, C., & Curry, E. (2011). A capability maturity framework for sustainable information and communication technology. IT professional, 13(1), 33-40. Novotnà ½, O. (2009). ICT performance reference model in the context of corporate performance management systems. IDIMT-2009 System and Humans–A complex Relationship. Linz: Trauner Verlag Universitat, 13-16. Silvius, A. G. (2009, April). Business and IT Alignment: What We Know and What We Don’t Know. In Information Management and Engineering, 2009. ICIME’09. International Conference on (pp. 558-563). IEEE. Zhang, P., & Aikman, S. (2007). Attitudes in ICT acceptance and use. In Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Design and Usability (pp. 1021-1030). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

Principles of Development

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT –Early foundations are critical. –Role of maturation and learning. –Follows definite and predictable pattern. –All individuals are different. –Each phase has characteristic behaviour. –Each phase of development has hazards. –Development is aided by simulation. –devt: is affected by cultural changes. –Social expectations in every stage. –Traditional beliefs about people of all ages. ?STAGES IN LIFE SPAN 1. PRE-NATAL PERIOD – CONCEPTION – BIRTH 2. INFANCY -Birth- end of 2w 3. BABYHOOD – 2w- 2y 4. EARLY CHILDHOOD -2-6 5.LATE CHILDHOOD -6-12 6. PUBERTY -10/11 -13/14 7. ADOLESCENCE -13/14 – 18 8. EARLY ADULTHOOD -18-40 9. MIDDLE AGE -40-50 MA / 50-60 LA 10. OLD AGE -60 -Death ?Pre-natal 270-280 days. 10 lunar months Basic body structure and organs form Rapid physical growth Vulnerability to environmental influence is great 1. Heredity endowment 2. Heredity potentials influenced strongly by envt. 3. Fixing up of sex 4. High rate of growth(1cell to 20 inches length) 5. Period of hazards 6. Attitude of significant people ?Pre-natal Hazards Period of Zygote ?starvation, Lack of Uterine preparation ? implanting wrongly, Period of Embryo ?miscarriage, ?Developmental irregularities Period of Foetus ?miscarriage, ?Pre-maturity, ?delivery complications, ?developmental Irregularities, ?Factors influence development –Age of mother, –Illness and infections –Blood RH factor –Birth complications –Drugs, x-rays, envtl. Hazards, –Paternal factors-smok,alcohol, radiations , pesticide –Maternal emotions –Diet and physical condition of the mother –Hormones ?Infancy- neonate. ?Extreme helplessness ?Shortest period ?Radical adjustment ?Loss of weight Disorganized behaviour ?High mortality ?Physical devt. ?Increase height& weight, muscles ?Bones and skeleton transformed ?Brain cells grows ?Breast feeding starts ?Reflex of new born ?Sex determination ?Nature –Nurture influence *physical- obesity,aging *cognitive-IQ *psycho-social- Personality-reacting to situations, extrovert, depression, leadership,nail biting,sleepwalking,other emotions & disorders like schizophrenia, infantile autism, alcoholism. ?Sensory capacity increases ?Touch is the earliest sense ?Smell- can distinguish different odour ?Taste sense well developed Hearing is least developed ?Vision- half of the adult- color vision is absent or minimal ? SIDS-sudden infant death syndrome-crib death Motor development ?Head control ?Hand control ?Locomotion ?Grasping ?Rolling over ?Sitting up ?Crawling ?Standing Common problems Unfavorable parental environment Multiple birth Complicated birth Post maturity- pre-maturity Infant mortality Psychological –traditional beliefs Helplessness , developmental lag, plateau, lack of stimulation, new parent blue, unfavorable attitude,.. ?Babyhood ?1. True foundation,- 2. ,Age of rapid growth & devt. 3Decreasing dependency 4 Increased individuality 5 Beginning of socialization 6. Sex role typing7. Appealing age 8,Age of creativity ? Hazardous—–(Ph)mortality, crib death, illness, accidents, malnutrition, foundation of obesity, habits, (Psy)-delayed motor devt. , delayed speech, emotional,play,social, family, // ? Rolling over , Sitting up, Crawling , Standing ?Play years 2-6 ?Physical growth ,Language devt. – chatter box , Socialisation , Peer influence, Negativism, self-centered, increased independence . Trust-vs-mistrust ,Personality-emotional, temperamental, cognitive ctivity level- regularity & predictability approach/withdrwal- initial response ?Age of troublesome, pre-school, pre-gang age ?Child abuse & neglect ?Causes__ characteristics of abuser ?90% at home, 90% not psychotic, unrealistic expectations ? Victim ?Families ?Communities ?Cultures ?Parent – child relationship ?Attachment behaviour ?Sibling relation- regress t o earlier behaviour, suck thir thumb, wet their parent, use baby talk etc ? Father to take care- interaction-play style ?Playmates ?Stranger anxiety & separation anxiety-starts 6months,active father care reduces St.A. sep. ax. related to attachment Behaviour ? Institutionalization- not harmful, if attachment and opportunities available- eg-MR ? Sociability-1-2 less, 2-increase interest in peers, imitation vocally . ?School years 6-12 ?Learning physical skills ?Learning to get along with agemate ?Appropriate sex roles ?Develop fundamental skills- reading,writing,calculating ? Develop concepts of everyday life ?Develop conscience, morality, values ?Develop social attitudes ?Phisical devt. -Height,weight,body proportion,body build, 1-2 Teeth-permanent teeth ?Emotional and social devt. ?Personality devt. -family-ordinal position-decipline, school-techers adjestment, society-socioeconomic status, culture-social pestige. ?Adolescence11-18 ?puberty ?State of growth ?State of maturation ?Co ncerns about physical changes, egocentrism ?Psychological- good look & grooming ?Social changes- peer influence ?Social groupings- close, crowds, organised, gangs ?Family relationship- generation gap, cultural gap, identity crisis, frictional, ? Personality changes-pleasing, ideal,maturity individuality, ? Social changes

Is online education proving to be successful Essay

Is online education proving to be successful - Essay Example Their instructors provide automatic feedback to the students. In most cases, more concern is on learning content rather than communication between the teacher and the students. With this information, the paper will explain how online learning works and analyse whether online education is successful or it is prone to fail in the future. Online education involves the use of educational technology, information technology, communication technologies and organized electronic media in teaching students. This learning system can occur inside or outside the classroom and can be an instructor-led, self-paced or asynchronous learning. The hallmark of this online education system is that it favors distance learners since it is flexible and has blended learning process (Palloff & Pratt 2007, 44). The system can range from a scale of none online education to complete online education. This system appeals to young learners who embrace technology and E-learning. Online education became common in the 21st century following the increased demand of people to learn. Most universities offer various online certificates and programs online. It has become an easy and convenient way through which institutions make profit at the same time learners’ benefit from the reduced distance. The system is cheaper and saves much of the time. Access to the internet and the skills of utilizing the system are the principal factors that see success in utilization of online education. May students have graduated with online degrees and masters (Castano-Munoz, Sancho-Vinuesa & Duart, 2013, pg. 245). Others are increasing enrolling for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various institutions. There is an increased competition between various institutions in order to provide the best quality and attract more students. This competition is healthy because it improves the quality of education. Regardless of the efforts done, there

Writing an Argument Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Writing an Argument - Research Paper Example Rather than raising the standards of international manufacture and creating a most conducive international business market, the cheap products that flooded the market were of inferior quality and did nothing to help ease the high tariffs that was pegged onto U.S. goods by the other nations in the free trade zone. In effect, by opening up America to goods from other nations, most of which are imitation items that pass themselves off as Class A goods, the political and economic leaders of the country themselves helped crash the American economy. There are a number of reasons as to why the citizens of America may wish to buy foreign made goods. It could be that there is a demand for the item which is not manufactured in America. Or maybe the item cost is much lower if they purchase one that is not American made. Whatever the reason, a market exists for Americans who prefer to buy foreign made goods. Although there is a sound principle involved in people purchasing foreign made items, the only person who benefits from this set up is the domestic importer. Since he imported the goods, he makes the income on the sales of the items. Needless to say, for every business sector that benefits from a particular selling arrangement, there is a sector that will end up with the bum end of the stick. In this case, the domestic importer makes a killing while the domestic manufacturer ends up holding his bag of goods because nobody will buy it due to its higher selling price. (MacDonald, Brad â€Å"International Trade: Commerce Among Nations†) Even worse, by not purchasing American made products, the Americans themselves end up being the harbingers of economic hardship among themselves and their country. The reason that the American economy has managed to survive all the years prior to the advent of free trade was really quite simple. The money was spent within American shores and thus helped move the economy along through taxes collected and the salary of the people working

Explain the concepts listed below. Use your own words to explain, but Essay

Explain the concepts listed below. Use your own words to explain, but cite scholarly sources to support your statements - Essay Example Cultural competence enables patients and doctors to discuss the health concerns in a manner that is respectful and patient leading to positive health outcomes. Culture influences patients behavior and attitude to an illness, its causes, treatment and ultimately healing. Examples are in terminally ill patients e.g. cancer or diabetes. Depending on a patient’s culture, they may take it as a curse or punishment from God, witchcraft or a death sentence. A healthcare provider must therefore be aware of all the negative perceptions of the patient toward the illness and based on this, they are able to break the news to the patient. It will also aid the provider in knowing how to inform the patient about the disease until they understand. This will aid the patient in accepting treatment and also give a positive attitude towards management of the illness. Health belief can be discussed using the health belief model. It was developed by Irwin M. Rosenstock in 1966 to study the uptake of health services by patients. The original model consisted of four concepts: Perceived susceptibility (risk of getting a condition), perceived severity (seriousness of the condition, and its potential consequences), perceived barriers (adoption of the treatment and its side effects), perceived benefits (the positive consequences of adopting the treatment). Health beliefs are affected by an individual’s perception, social interactions and the consequences (Dean and Fenton, 2010). A case study would be the disease Diabetes. Many individuals believe that they can get diabetes as a result of genetic predisposal, unhealthy lifestyle or old age. There is belief that the consequences of diabetes are grave and should be avoided. There is belief that recommended eating healthy, proper exercise and regular check-ups to prevent diabetes and aid in early detection. People also identify their personal barriers

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MEDICATION ERRORS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

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Recruiting and Selecting the Right People Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Appeal letter (defer standing) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Career Management and Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

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Medicine Men of Oglala Sioux Indians of Nebraska Essay Example for Free

Medicine Men of Oglala Sioux Indians of Nebraska Essay The  Oglala medicine men belong to the Sioux Indian Community in Manderson, Potato Creek, Kyle, Oglala, No. 4, Red Shirt Table, Wanblee. This Indian Tribe in Nebraska is watched over by a branch of the Office of Indian Affairs located within its territory. Civilizations have used different ways of curing their sick. The bible states that Jesus cured the sick by using miracles. The Chinese cure their sick using reflexology, acupuncture as well as the taking of the root of the plant ginseng. The American doctors use manufactured drugs like Tylenol or Aspirins to cure the pains of their patients. Admittedly, the different ways of curing the sick has been handed down from generation to generation. In fact, in some countries, the faith healers believe that they have the inner power to heal the sick if their patients will have faith in the doctors. Currently, many born again fellowships are centered on a pastor who cures the cancers (Aldredge-Clanton 11), diabetes, high blood and lets the invalid throw away his crutches because he can now walk. This type of healing is called miracle healing where the pastor impresses on the minds of their church members that Jesus and around and will remove their affliction. The following paragraphs explains the uniqueness of the Oglala Sioux Indians of Nebraska as they go about their daily festive activity of maintaining the community’s health by curing the ailments and the sufferings of their Indian neighbors. BODY His role in the community The role of the medical doctors or so called healers is to cure the sick and alleviate the pain of the dying Indian person. The healer brings hope the suffering and pain of their Indian neighbors. And the healers include in their medical armory the Sun Dance. The Sun Dance is the ritual part of the Indian doctors’ healing procedure. This dance is performed during the midsummer and indeed that most intricately complex part of the Indian healers curative process. Thus, their role in the community is to heal the patients using many processes. One such process is the ritual method. For, ritual and reciprocal communication between the patient and the medicine men and women is designed to start a biological and social rhythm motion through by influencing the neurophysiologial structures of the patients’ ailed body parts. Likewise, the Indian medicine man’s way of curing their patient is blanketed with myth which includes the use of the environment in the healing process (Lewis 169). To reiterate, the medicine men’s role is to keep as many of their Indian neighbors as healthy as possible. Evidently, a healthy people would spur the community’s economy to a more frantic pace. However, a population with many sick neighbors would eat away the community’s money because the government has lesser people to spice up the community’s economy. The medicine men and women here also help the community by influencing the policy makers in their community to craft laws, ordinances and statutes that focus on maintaining the health of the Oglala Indian community of Nebraska, USA (Lewis, 41). Thus, the role that these Oglala Indian medicine men play is very important. His status The status of the Oglala American Indian of Nebraska, USA’s medicine men and women here is such that they are being trusted and asked for advices in terms of health. In fact, many politicians in their community approve of the teachings and activities of the medicine. This is their way of enticing the medicine men and women to recommend to their patients, friends and every day contacts to vote for the politician and to support him or her plans and programs for the Oglala Indian community. Unquestionably, their major role is to keep the people healthy. (Lewis 71). For, these medicine men of Oglala, Nebraska exude an air of authority for what they tell their patients to do will often be done in most cases because the patients want to live longer. His knowledge The Oglala medicine men and medicine women are mostly comprised of senior citizens who started their medicine practice late or after the prime of their life. For, they had to gather enough experiences in life as well as theoretical knowledge that will give them necessary medical knowledge as they take up administrative positions in their Indian tribe. Many of the older women and men of the Oglala Sioux Indian settlement absorbed all they could to gain expertise in the field of medical practice that included the use of herbs as medicines. Specifically, many of the medical practitioners of this small United States tribe specialized in the study of the symptoms, causes and the herbal cures for various diseases. Also, some of the medicine men and women generally studied how to cure the physical and mind -related sickness (Lewis, 10). The Oglala medicine men are generally well versed in terms of which herbal plants will be very effective in alleviating many of the health risks of their constituents. Beliefs, and similar type of information that relates to the Medicine men. The people of the Oglala Indian settlement believe that some ritual songs can hasten the healing process. One such popular song is the Oglala’s Indian song. This magical song is believed to sprinkle the patients with the powder of cure. The Indian medicine men believe that this song is embodied with syncretistic and revivalist. For, this song brings out the embodiment of syncreustic and revivalistic elements of the Sioux faith and Pan –Indian movements. The Indian medicine men and women believe that the current ailments afflicting their constituents were caused by their intermingling with the White Americans. For, they believed that the normal Indian was healthy before these whites visited them and imprisoned them in Indian settlements. Thus, the present Indian sickness have been brought about by their change in lifestyles. For, The Indians freely roamed the prairie and other lands as they followed where the roaming animals would go during the pre –white days. This lifestyle had been cut because the whites placed them inside their Indian settlements for fear they Indians would endanger the lives of the Whites. The Indian healers believed that the Whites had forced them to live in log cabins. This is what caused their health to deteriorate to the level of the white’s health conditions. Also, the Indian lifestyles of free roaming of the desserts to search for their main dish of buffalo meat to their new log cabins resulted to a crowded home and school (Carter 103). Thus, their physical power to repel viruses and bacteria that is the root cause of many of the unhealthiness continues to this day. For, the Indians believed that living in their teepees ( Indian tent houses) brought them good health (Fletcher 81). Reference ceremonies or events the medicine men conducts or participates in. The medicine men and the medicine women of the Oglala Sioux Indian settlement studied how some of the herbs cropping up around their community could alleviate or even eradicate some or all their community members’ ailments. This also includes other mundane treatments of many of the diseases plaguing the Indian Territory. Also, the Oglala medicine men conducted their normal Sun Dance in their community to usher in health into their community. In addition, the medicine men and women of the Oglala United States Indian reservation included in some of their jobs to cure their fellow Indian tribesmen and tribeswomen several repertoire of what they identified as Sacred Indian songs. In fact, some of the tribe men and tribe women native doctors use a unique Indian method described as calling the healing process to start immediately. Normally, the healing process is a two way succeed. Meaning, the tribesmen and tribeswomen and their Indian patients must literally put their trust and fate in the medicine men and women to pluck them out of their pain or injustice. This trust is influenced by the strength and intensity of the medicine men, medicine women and their patients to have an unwavering conviction that their local community doctors here would cure them of their pain and suffering. Further, this only shows that the entire healing process of their local healers falls beyond man’s control and ambition. In short, the Indian healing process is classified by something clearly outside the normal realm of human control and ambitiousness. The medical training here is uniquely their own. Meaning, their medical procedures clearly run one hundred eighty degrees around the normal medical procedures that non –Indian medical practitioners use to cure or just alleviate their sick patients. Thus the long and energy sapping training that the Indians studying medicine in their local community willingly undergo in order to reach the prestigious status in their locality as a medicine man. In fact, only a few of the fresh graduates of formal schools are willing to continue their education in the new field of local Indian medicine. In contrast, many of the people studying medicine in this local United States Indian tribe in Lakotas (Faller 64) have also been introduced of the United States’ white men’s medical school among the Navajo Indians. However, this Navajo idea is not part of the wishes of the Oglala Indians because they do not aim to set up their own medicine schools. Here, the local Indians can sell their medical materials like the medicinal herbs as well as the ceremony programs. Usually, these Indian health programs allow the selling or giving of medicine materials and ceremonial disease -curing processes to be sold or given to another person needing them. The medical training of Indians aspiring to be medical practitioners includes starting out as assistant singer or drummer in a real live medical hearing process for several years. The Indian medical student must blend into the environment with their participation of much needed Sun Dance and other medicine rights so that the medicine trainees so they could increase their powers as well as reputation with their patients handled. For, the medicine men and women believe that they have reached that pinnacle in life where they could qualify as a representative of the spirit world. For the medicine men and women in this tribe normally also use the power of conjuring spirits to help them in their day to day medical practices (Lewis 39). A healing process includes consulting the parents and relatives of the sick patient in order to get a historical background the patient from the patients’ health issues as well as the sickness that the patients parents, grandparents and the like normally have. Also, the medicine men and women ask additional information from their patients’ advisers as well as intermediaries. Also, the Indian healers show the same techniques and processes as they go about curing sick patients with the same illnesses. A formal healing session always starts with the patient visiting the Indian healer several times in a casual way in order to entice the Indian healers to accept this person as a new patient. Accepting this patient is a new contract. The medicine men and women normally command the patients to first fast, to seek visions, to abstain on some things, to pray for divine healing from God, and to prepare food for inns. Accepting the new patient is then followed by the Indian healers’ full concentration of healing powers and time to a full implementation of the proper medical healing procedures to be imposed. In turn, the patient can now sit back, relax and wait for their medicine man or medicine woman to help him or her cure his or her medical condition. The medicine men and women recognize some of the medical practices of white doctors. One such belief shared by both types of doctors is that time is an ally in many medical cases. For, these Indian healers believe that time helps in their patients’ recovery process. Also, time heals some fears or phobias like what the white psychologists and psychiatrists adhere to. Naturally, the arrival of the medicine man or woman ushers in the patient a sign of relief because finally something and something will step into the painful world to extricate them from their miseries (Lewis 40). Normally, the Indian medicine man or woman’s healing repertoire includes a drama –like presentation. Meaning, the curing process includes a stage, actors as well as music. For, the patient is now transported into a world where the patient is not placed in darkness, immobility and a world of healing songs which sometimes includes dances. Consequently, the patient is healed because of the trance they enter into where the medical songs bring healing into their afflicted body part or parts (Lewis 42). This picturesque orchestra –like description of the medicine man’s or medicine woman’s work shows that he or she plays a pivotal part in the Oglala Nebraska, USA Indian community. On the other side of the United States, the Navajo Indians also use their kind of traditional healing. The medicine men here use the medical technique of gazing. The medicine men just gazes in their patients to feel the aura of the patient. For, the Navajo Indian medicine men will feel the vibrations that tell him what caused the patient to fall victim to a virus, bacteria, to succumb to high blood, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy and the like. The Navajo Indian doctor then moves some of the patients’ parts like the hands and feet to confirm his first impression of what the patients’ ailment is (Davies 83). The medicine doctors of Oglala Sioux Indians of Nebraska, USA’s main role is to maintain the health of their small Indian community. The medicine men use primitive ways of curing the sick. One such way is to use the Sun Dance. The Sun dance brings health to the community because this festive dance is believed to absorb the vital elements of the environment and funnel it to the people in the community. Also, the medicine man uses the communication process as part of his healing procedures. Here, he gathers much needed information from the patient, his family and his relatives in order to come up with the cause or causes of his unhealthiness.

Desistance Rehabilitation And Reintegration

Desistance Rehabilitation And Reintegration When a criminal is able to stop the behavior that characterizes his or her criminal activities, the gradual process involved is what is termed as desistance. Apart from the fact that it has practical applications for probation workers with criminal offenders from the community, desistance also has a strong link and connection in the rehabilitation of a criminal. However, theories of desistance when compared to the theories of the onset of criminal behavior have been much neglected and underdeveloped in the history of criminology (Smith, 2007). It is therefore a good sign when studies of desistance increase drastically especially since the last twenty years; this has been particularly noticeable after the development of the life course theory that was done by Sampson and Laub. But as Piquero (2004:103) explains, continued research has been significantly affected by methodological and theoretical issues. Moreover, theorists in the field have not been able to come up with a universal de finition of desistance. Consequently this paper endeavors to create a workable definition of desistance and to furthermore give a preview of the updated main facts and theories of desistance. Understanding desistance Oxford Dictionary defines desistance as, to desist or to stop doing something; cease or abstain. Applying this definition to criminology is however a bit technical. The big question is usually about time, if a criminal is able to stop a certain criminal behavior for four weeks for example, is it correct to classify him or her as an accomplished case of desistance? What is the recommended time for one to be sure that he or she is free from the crime? If future behavior can best be predicted by looking at past behavior, and if recidivism and relapse are the rule rather than the exception, then how does a precise definition of desistance be formulated? (LeBel et al, 2004). Laub and Sampson (2001) as a matter of fact agree that a definition of desistance cannot be made, they support that the questions in a particular research best deduce the definition of desistance for the researcher (cited in Maruna, 2006). According to Shadd Maruna, for a habitual offender, any recognizable time spent without doing any crime is called primary desistance. However studies on recidivism and relapse cannot be complete without an outline of achieving long term desistance. Maruna goes on to therefore state that secondary desistance is when a criminal is able to change his identity and take an almost permanent direction to a life free of the initial crime that was a norm in his behavior. Studying secondary desistance is important as it seeks to understand how initial offenders can be able to keep a distance from their crimes. Desistance is therefore not the final result of the end of a crime; it is actually the process that is gradual and continuous till the end result of successful desistance. Sampson and Laub (2001) acknowledge that there is a huge difference between the stopping an offence and the continuous change to a crime free lifestyle. They mark that as compared to theories of offending, desistance theories have not yet been fully studied and explained, however desistance is now understood as the procedure necessary for acquiring a n accomplished state of non-offence. It is important that a criminal who wants to change must be willing to change his or her self identity and concept to be able to grasp the full context of change. Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) explain that on the contrary it is a common occurrence to find ex-offenders who have undergone desistance commit other acts of deviance, (cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003: 298). Desistance is therefore basically the ability of a former criminal to be able to completely withdraw from a crime and to maintain being in that state regardless of the challenges involved when trying to keep away. Some of these challenges are social stigma, return to criminogenic environments after release from prison, homelessness, addiction, and limited career and educational opportunities (Richards and Jones, 2004). Career criminals are those who have been criminal offenders for a considerably long period of time (Maruna, 2001). According to Laub and Sampson (2003), career criminals rather than small time offenders should be given more attention in researches on desistance. However another major problem in the study of desistance is the availability of completely successful offenders in desistance to the researchers in the field (Maruna, 2001; Burnett, 2004). Total desistance to many ex-offenders is quite a hard step as most of them usually end up going back to their initial criminal tendencies (Piquero, 2004). Addiction is a very significant factor that is more often overlooked yet its contribution to the whole process of desistance has a major impact on the ability of a criminal to completely change. It is therefore important to understand the connection between the two before arriving at a definition of desistance. From a number of researches it has been recognized that the link between addiction and criminal activities is actually very strong. A drug addict is therefore more likely to engage in crimes (Maruna, 2001). Moreover the cause of addiction and criminality are as a matter of fact very similar. Frisher and Beckett (2006:141) found that a large percentage of drug abusers are very active members in criminal gangs. Therefore, when defining desistance, it is necessary to note that the complete resistance of both criminal offending and drug abuse must be realized (Maruna, 2001). To achieve the purpose of this paper desistance can be described and defined as the initial process allowing quality desistance from drug abuse, criminality and other forms of deviance for an ex- criminal. Quality desistance in this case is the is the total termination of previous criminal behaviors together with other possible forms of deviance like drug abuse for at least ten years accompanied by a change in the identity of an individual. Desistance theories Ageing Age has been found to be a significant factor in criminology, as one grows older it is noted that their level of criminality greatly reduces. (Smith, 2007; Sampson and Laub, 2003; Gluecks, 1943; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003; Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003). In 2000 in the United Kingdom 19 year olds were found to have committed crimes fifty times more those which men of over fifty years had committed. According to research the total lifespan of a criminal is usually general considering factors like early deaths, imprisonment and when a criminal is evolving to avoid being detected (Maruna, 2006). In a research of 411 criminal males in London, Farrington (1990) found that as the criminals grew older, their crimes reduced greatly with time but this however depended on different types of crimes (cited in Smith, 2007). For example, burglary is at its highest at age 20 while fraud and drug abuse offences record their highest at the age of 25 all the way to 30 as burglary sets on a steady decline afterwards. Nevertheless for the persistent hardcore criminals into their 70s, there was a clear connection between their age and their crime rates according to studies by Laub and Sampson (2003, 2005, 2005b). Furthermore they realized that alcohol and drug offences were their highest in the mid- thirties as compared to other offences. They finally came to a conclusion that both age and the type of crimes affect the whole process of desistance as well. However there have been different explanations to the not clear age crime curve. Developmental criminologists have been able to link the ag e of an offender and the capability of total desistance to childhood related issues. (Mulver et al, 1988; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003; Nagin, 2005; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2005a) Offenders are therefore divided into two distinct groups, the adolescent and the persistent adult offenders. As a result it will be evident that in their late teens the adolescents will be able to grown out of crime and will be able to work on their social circles basically due to their education and good social integration skills. Academic failure, broken relationships and neuropsychological handicaps on the other hand doom the adult offender to a life of deviancy (Moffitt, 1993; 1994; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003). This theory therefore separates offenders into two distinct groups each with very unique characteristics determined by childhood factors, and only those who fall into the correct group have any hope of desistance. Sampson and Laub (2003; 2005a; 2005b) have strongly criticized this developmental approach to explaining desistance, and state that, there is no such thing as a fore-told life course persister (2003:179). They explain that desistance is achievable for ant type of offender no matter which group they are in whether adolescent or adults. According to them childhood fa ctors of offence do not determine desistance but instead help to explain the whole process of desistance. Gottfredson and Hirschi claim that offenders simply stop offending because of the natural aging of the individual (1995; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003). They point out that for any organism there is always a stage of discontinuity that applies to criminology and the study of desistance and its links with age. Therefore desistance is a natural process for any offender. Maruna (2001) however does not fully agree with this because according to him desistance, especially at the beginning, takes a huge amount of emotional, psychological and even physical effort and resources. Gluecks (1943) agrees with this too because he highlighted that desistance was the result of a process of maturational reform, meaning, an offender gradually grows out of crime (cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003). This maturation process usually starts after age 25 when a criminal is able to settle down as the crime rate reduces gradually. However this theory has similarly been criticized as it does not probe into th e meaning of age; instead it assumes that the process of aging itself is responsible for desistance (Maruna, 2001; Sampson and Laub, 2003). Acknowledging that age is a significant factor in desistance, Sampson and Laub (1992) state that maturational reform does not satisfactorily explore its significance in relation to social bonds and life turning points (cited in Maruna, 2001). Life Course Theory A significant study on 500 men up to the age of 32 was carried in the 1930s and 1940s by the Gluecks (1943; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003; 2005a; 2005b). Sampson and Laub later on in an impressive research followed up on 52 of these men and investigated on their criminal career to the age of 70. They found out that the causes of desistance and persistence are actually opposites, namely the development of social controls, structured routine activities and purposeful productive human agency (Sampson and Laub, 2003; 2005a; 2005b; 2006). Their finding indicated that job stability, military service and marriage were able to positively contribute to achieving desistance. These turning points were realized in the process of desistance whereby an offender seeks to start a new life by changing location or even starting a new job like entering the military for example. This however does not necessarily involve starting over, sometimes these offenders work to gain back and maintain their orig inal contacts like a job or a marriage in their quest to stop their criminal tendencies. Whichever path desistance takes these turning points often lead to: a knifing off of the past from the present opportunities for investment in new relationships that offer social support, growth, and new social networks forms of direct and indirect supervision and monitoring of behavior structured routines that center more on family life and less unstructured time with peers situations that provide an opportunity for identity transformation and that allow for the emergence of a new self or script These factors, they explain are true and are not affected by the type of marriage and the crime life of an individual , though informal, cohabiting and parenthood have also been linked to successful desistance (Sampson and Laub, 2006; Katz, 1999). Individuals with none of these social bonds are also more able to stop offending because, they have nothing to lose. Rebecca Katz (1999:13) indicates that, families of procreation may play a significant role in developing desistance since family influences self control and delinquency. Life course theory emphasizes on the strong influence of the social environment to offending explaining that absence of criminal peers reduces the chances of an individual ever engaging in offences and consequently attitudes and beliefs favorable to conformity will develop (Warr, 1998; cited in Sampson and Laub, 2003). Life Course Theory contradicts the link between developmental theories in criminal careers and desistance. It agrees that adulthood experience s are essential as well but to some point more significant in establishing the possible trajectory of desistance (2003). Offenders desist as a result of individual actions (choice) in conjunction with situational contexts and structural influences linked to key institutions that help sustain desistance. As such we argued that desistance is a process rather than an event, and that It must be continually renewed. This fundamental theme underscores the need to examine individual motivation and the social context in which individuals are embedded. (Sampson and Laub, 2003:171) Agency Yet another essential element that has been pointed out as key in achieving successful desistance is agency. (Burnett, 2004; Maruna, 2001; McNeill, 2006; Maguire et al, 2006; Maruna, 2001; Sampson and Laub, 2005 a). The theory of rational offence understands the fact that a criminal is able to make decisions based on his judgment of what is good or bad according to him in his crime life. Agency therefore works hand in hand with rational choice in the key decision making processes of a criminal. Agency is important since it assists in the overall process of making a rational choice. Furthermore, considering the often irrational patterns of offending of many criminals, and the many economic and social constraints offenders live under, rational choice theory alone cannot account for decisions to desist (Burnett, 2004; Sampson and Laub, 2005b). In their study of the Gluecks men Sampson and Laub (2005a) found that agency was a vital component in successful desistance. There is more to the structural support in the process of desistance, agency is required to offer the determination and persistence part of the equation. Agency determines the will to keep moving on and only those who are persistent will be able to manage the whole process. This will to desist and the internationalization of responsibility to overcome the challenges offenders face as they undergo desistance (Maruna, 2001), is very difficult to measure or predict and introduces a seemingly random component into life course turning points, making neat prediction inherently a difficult endeavor (Sampson and Laub, 2005a:177). Moreover it is a quintessential component in the study of desistance and persistence in a criminal career that has however not been fully researched to date. In their research of the life course theory of life Sampson and Laub assert that they have been seeking to explain the importance of the human agency as an aid in understanding desistance and other deviance forms (2003:177). Knifing offà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ ones past, has come out to be a vital element to describe the ability to be able to accomplish a successful desistance for some individuals. To achieve this voluntarily, agency is necessary since it is one of the most difficult things to do and needs a lot of determination. It is a process that is more often accompanied by cutting all past contacts and establishing new ones for example geographical location and family. Most importantly though, Maruna et al (2006a) explained that it can as well involve internal change, or a change in the way the offender views themselves, their past, and their environment. This change in the individuals thinking is vital for the maintenance of long term desistance (Maruna, 2001; Sampson and Laub, 2003; 2005a; Maguire et al, 2006). Contemplation time was found to be a crucial moment that assisted in creating a turning point to desistance according to a study by Margaret Hughes (1998). And it was found that the opportunity to contemplate came as a result of a change in geographical location, imprisonment and residential treatment programmes. Hughes participants found their desire to change develop when they removed from the usual environments and being able to get ample time for self actualization. Social identity Researchers have tried to explain the phenomenon whereby some individual are able to sustain long term resistance while others do not, and it has been discovered that apart from agency, an individuals self identity change is similarly necessary. The chance of an ex-offender remaining crime free very much depends upon developing a new identity, and new values and beliefs that were not compatible with criminal offending (Burnett, 2004). For sure, a significant amount of work done in rehabilitating offenders and addicts, such as 12 Step and cognitive behavioral therapy, targets change in the individuals self-perception (Maruna, 2001). Each and every individual, whether an ex-offender, offender or normal citizen has a unique self identity through which their actions are guided upon, it is therefore as a result of this mechanisms that give people the different circumstances they exist in. Crucially, self-narratives provide a subjective account of the meanings that offenders place upon changes and turning points in their lives (McNiell, 2006).More often though not a fact; self narratives have been of assistance when people seek to explain their actions. Narratives very often change throughout the life course and understanding narratives, helps individuals realize the significance of past and present events in our lives (Sampson and Laub, 2005a). In a desistance study in Liverpool, Shadd Maruna investigated the different self narratives of two distinct groups of offenders whereby one persisted and the other desisted, to account for the changes in ex-offender identities (Maruna, 2001). He was able to find out that both the desisting and persistent criminals actually had more or less the same personality characteristics and were not as agreeable and conscious as the general population. Self-narratives are the only components that divided the two groups after thorough interviews. Active offenders had what Maruna described as a, condemnation scriptà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ (2001), meaning, they saw life as an unfortunate abyss of hostility and uncertainty. They believed that circumstances had pushed them to their present situation and there was nothing they could do to change things and that the authority pushed them even further away. Desisting ex-offenders on the other hand had a positive outlook on their past and present and this is wha t assisted them to continue with their desistance process. It is this self-narrative that may be the tool needed for successful desistance. The self-narrative of the ex-offenders holds a version of the truth that is often quite different from historical truth (Maruna et al, 2007). This self narrative attaches a psychological component to the real facts of the past and creates a purpose and meaning in the life of an offender. This is what brings about the positive outlook and assists in achieving desistance. In a study focused completely on religious changes of rehabilitated offenders, Maruna et al discovered that their self-narrative was interestingly changed by their conversion experience (Maruna et al, 2006b). As a result the importance of this self narrative is once more highlighted as it helps an offender realize that the past can be changed and that the future has a hope even for those in long sentences. The offender is therefore able to have a new sense of identity, empowerment, purpose and forgiveness. The self narratives of most offenders in the desisting group have a common characteristic Maruna describes as, the redemption scriptà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ (2001). This is basically the belief that an offender is a good person and that his or her past was merely as a result of circumstances of crime, recidivism and addiction. As a result of this, the offenders are able to endeavor to live new lives as they continue in with their desistance. They are then able to view themselves as role models with the necessary knowledge and experience to advice and educate the next generations, something Maruna calls, Making Goodà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸. The major difference therefore between the desisting offenders and the persistent ones is the positive energy they surround themselves with. Confidence and self belief are as a result pointed out to be essential qualities as they guide an offender to understand that their past was a necessary component for them to be where they are at the present. This redemptive narrative helps them realize that they are not their past and that their future is what that matters. The acknowledgement of a supreme power beyond them has also been a contributing factor in the lives of these offenders. This is because they realize that their past might have been a plan to give them the positions they hold in the present, like being counselors and youth leaders. This moral superiority and change from the past, according to Maruna, is to make up for long stretches of lost life. During desistance according to Stephen Farrall some offenders undergo long periods of creating new social identities (2006:85). However much these offenders change, it is not forgotten that they acknowledge they are responsible for their criminal past. The idea that reformed criminals accept blame and feel shame for all of their crimes is not supported by research (Maruna, 2007). Successful offenders in desistance often admit to the guilt of their past but they however rationalize their actions and justify or blame themselves and accept that circumstances might have pushed them to criminality. Sometimes however they do not accept their actions and believe that the society pushed them to crime. Such a belief system would not encourage an ex-offender to accept responsibility for breaking laws that they perceived to be based on middle class values, and representative of a society that had neglected and mistreated them (Maruna, 2001). The Liverpool Desistance Study prove that a concurrent characteristic of the redemption script is an offender accepting to take control of changing his future however they do not acknowledge their past crimes. An internalization of full responsibility for their future, including the determination to overcome the many obstacles they will face, seems to be a defining feature of successful desisting ex-offenders. Maruna (2001:88) summarizes the themes of the desisting persons narrative as: an establishment of the core beliefs that characterize the persons true self an optimistic perception (some might say useful illusion) of personal control over ones destiny the desire to be productive and give something back to society, particularly the next generation Moffitt Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy Moffitts (1993) concept of dual taxonomy of offending similarly tries to explain the processes of desistance and persistence. Moffitt (ibid) outlined that offenders can be grouped into two; adolescent limiteds and life persisters. Moffitt proposes that the two groups are different and unique from each other in their offence and desistance processes, with the life course persisters having a different aetiology to the adolescent limited offenders. It is explained that they may be suffering neurological problems that affects their cognitive and learning skills. This is therefore evidenced by poor social skills even in the family leading to the various forms of anti social behavior and poor self control Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990). Early signs of antisocial behavior are a common characteristic of life course persisters (for example under-age drinking, premarital sex) as a result they are often excommunicated from their initial societal setting because of poor behavior, development and social bonds. Early signs of antisocial behaviors like these are normally a clear indication of a persistent criminal career in the future. This will be in connection to the age graded theory meaning there patterns of crime will be different and theirs will be a continuous cycle of events of affected marriages, work, education and relationships. Moffitt continues to explain that unlike life course persisters, adolescent limited offenders are not affected by any neurological problems and are able to successfully develop their social networks and cognitive skills. Therefore the causal factors for their criminality are connected to the gap between social development, age and desires. Age for example prevents them from engaging in adult behavior like sex or drinking. As a result of deviance from their desires, they tend to associate with the life course persister leading to the growth of their deviance. However, due to their developed social skills and academic success they are likely to be able to change more easily if they choose desistance. This is because they will be able to depend on their strong social bonds for support. Maruna (cited Laub Sampson 2001) explains that finding continuity in the criminality maybe be caused by methodology, by concentrating on dispositional traits to the exclusion of other personality traits. People can be able to change as Laub and Sampson write, even if their characteristic personality traits do not change radically with time. In order to understand desistance , researchers need to explore other aspects of personality such as offender self-perceptions or personal strategies Maruna (cited ibid). Narrative script There are two distinct narrative script types in the desistance literature that highlight how criminals really view themselves and their societal roles. For the persisters their script usually has a concurrent theme of condemnation. More often they blame external conditions like poor family relations and lack of education for their criminality. They generally have an external locus of control. In contrast the offenders who finally become successful in desistance have a redemption script. They are complete opposites of the latter and are fully responsible for their actions. As a result they make a positive choice to stop the crime by accepting rehabilitation programmes. They are described to have an internal locus of control. Factors that influence the particular narrative script that gets adopted by a criminal are majorly internal factors such as personality and genetics especially after rehabilitation. A higher chance of a redemptive script is noted to be as a result of intense rehabilitation. A probation workers relationship with an offender has also been linked to affect desistance. It is there important for these officers to have empathy skills that are crucial in the process of guiding an offender to desistance as they strive to be able to re-integrate back into the society. Relevance of desistance theory The desistance theory is relevant in a number of different applied and academic professions. The desistance theory to researchers may provide a foundation to be able to examine the different factors that contribute to the cessation of a criminal offence from a theoretical view. The desistance theory allows for a number of different crimes in history and their approaches like the Lombrosian biological positivism, to have consideration in the present society which has an evident difference in its ways of thinking. As a result criminology is more understood and its relationship with other disciplines like psychology, politics and social policy acknowledged. This will consequently allow the development of collaboration for a positive cause of reducing re offence rates. The desistance theory on a practical level has assisted the criminal justice system (CJS) to identify possible solutions to cases of reoffending of successful candidates of desistance through for example initiating community based sentences. This kind of programme is sure to gradually decrease the number of criminals in HM Prison Service institutions for short periods. Studies have shown that short-term sentences in prisons for example (those for less than six months) often lead to increased crime rates after release. This is well explained by the fact that these short-term prisoners to not undergo complete metamorphosis from not covering all the rehabilitation programs. Their exposure to the hard core criminals in the prisons who have been there for longer and have been experienced criminals also contributes to their overall change. In addition desistance theory assists in the continuous development of training programmes for the respective professionals responsible for working with ex-offenders in the community. For example the Probation Service (see Narrative script section, above). Controversies It is important for the general public to realize that desistance is achievable and takes time. Offenders should therefore not be viewed as bad people who cannot live with others even after rehabilitation programs. The public is therefore advised not to discriminate these groups of people in their society. Reintegration cases of offenders back into the society have always caused massive outrages by a large percentage of the public community. There are numerous related cases of such circumstances that have often been quite difficult and delicate to handle. For example in 2011, the case of the reintegration of Jason Owen who was initially convicted of playing some part, albeit minimal, in the widely reported death of Baby P (now known to be Peter Connelly) in 2007, and after serving his sentence for causing or allowing the death of Peter he was later released in 2011. The Sun newspaper immediately kicked off a campaign to find him. Readers were urged to write and report to the newspaper of any knowledge of his whereabouts. There was an article in the same newspaper that sent sentiments of outrage over the fact that the ex-convict had actually tried to find a job. This is a clear indication of how the effort of successful psychological research can be nullified by news reports in the popular media. This kind of outrageous reporting is especially a common characteristic of Tabloid newspapers. Their influence over the public is often impressive and they are as a result able to manipulate and affect the attitudes of the wider public towards their view of desistance and offenders. As a result of this, future recidivism is often developed gradually due to the ill-informed public. Newspapers then use this recidivism as proof of their initial correctness. Conclusion

The role of Italian export in eastern Europe market of Pasta

The role of Italian export in eastern Europe market of Pasta Introduction Main goals This report aims to be a complete and accurate analysis of the pasta market in Eastern Europe, and to show how three of the most important italian pasta exporters were able to penetrate in this market. We will also show the possibility of growth of this market and his development for years to come. Some informations about Russia and Poland I decided to analyze these two countries because, as I will explain in more detail below, historical and political reasons led the people to have similar food consumption. However, beyond other differences much more pronounced (like the geographical size or the number of inhabitants), both countries have a market characterized by the importation of pasta from Italy almost identical. Yet a country is a member of the EU, the other not. One enjoys the privileges of Europe treaties and has no duty. The other keeps the ruble and taxes and tariffs influence over the consumption of imported products. 1.2.1) Russia The collapse of the Soviet Union has brought about great changes in Russia. The economy was centrally planned and has now become a global market. The economic reforms in 1990 have privatized industry factory, except for some strategic sectors such as energy and defense. To know the real power of Russia, I ´d like to show you that this country is the largest exporter of natural gas in the whole world, the second oil exporter and the third exporter of aluminum steel. This makes Russia an economically strong country, but weak about fluctuations on the variability of commodity prices. After a long economic crisis (1998), the economy began to grow on average 7%. However, the recent global crisis influenced heavily the new middle class. The Central Bank of Russia used a third of its 600 billion U.S. dollars in international reserves to avoid the crisis and stabilize the ruble. The government has also spent $ 200 billion for a rescue plan to increase liquidity in financial sector and aid for Russian companies. In 2010 happens disastrous situation from the environmental point of view, with a severe drought and wildfire in central Russia that have reduced agricultural production, leading to a ban on wheat exports for the year, and increase in other sectors, such as manufacturing and retail trade (but the growth is really slow). 1.2.2)Poland. In 1990, Poland has begun a policy of economic liberalization and today is one of the most active transition economies. Before 2009, GDP had grown by about 5% per year, mainly due to inflows of EU funds. GDP per capita is still below the EU level, but it is among the most high in the Baltic states. Unfortunately, EU membership was blocked by the unemployment rate to 11.8% for the year 2010 and for inflation to 4.2%, above the upper limit of the target audience of the National Bank and the deficit of public sector budget went to 7.9% of GDP, for the crysis events. The countrys potential held back by lack of modern infrastructure, an inefficient commercial court, a code of hard work and too much bureaucracy. Russia Poland GDP (purchasing power parity)  [1]   $2.229 trillion (2010 est.) $2.147 trillion (2009 est.) $2.331 trillion (2008 est.) $721.7 billion (2010 est.) $698.6 billion (2009 est.) $687 billion (2008 est.) GDP real growth rate: 3.8% (2010 est.) -7.9% (2009) 5.2% (2008) 3.3% (2010 est.) 1.7% (2009 est.) 5.1% (2008 est.) GDP per capita (PPP): $15,900 (2010 est.) $15,300 (2009 est.) $16,600 (2008 est.) $18,800 (2010 est.) $18,200 (2009 est.) $17,800 (2008 est.) GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 4.2% industry: 33.8% services: 62% (2010 est.) agriculture: 3.9% industry: 31.8% services: 63% (2010 est.) Labor force by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 31.9% services: 58.1% (2008 agriculture: 17.4% industry: 29.2% services: 53.4% (2005) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2010 est.) 8.4% (2009) 11.8% (2010 est.) 11% (2009 est.) Population below poverty line: 13.1% (2009) 17% (2003 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 18.9% of GDP (2010 est.) 19.5% of GDP (2010 est.) Public debt: 9.5% of GDP (2010 est.) 8.3% of GDP (2009 est.) 50.5% of GDP (2010 est.) 46.4% of GDP (2009 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (2010 est.) 11.7% (2009) 2.4% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.) Industr. production growth rate: 8.3% (2010 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.) Exports: $376.7 billion (2010 est.) $303.4 billion (2009 est.) $160.8 billion (2010 est.) $142.1 billion (2009 est.) Exports partners: Netherlands 10.62%, Italy 6.46%, Germany 6.24%, China 5.69%, Turkey 4.3%, Ukraine 4.01% Germany 26.06%, Italy 6.84%, France 6.78%, UK 6.38%, Czech Republic 5.85%, Netherlands 4.14% Imports: $237.3 billion (2010 est.) $191.8 billion (2009 est.) $167.4 billion (2010 est.) $146.4 billion (2009 est.) Imports partners: Germany 14.39%, China 13.98%, Ukraine 5.48%, Italy 4.84%, US 4.46% Germany 28.08%, Russia 8.65%, Italy 6.5%, Netherlands 5.59%, China 5.27% Debt external: $480.2 billion (2010 est.) $467.2 billion (2009) $252.9 billion (2010 est.) $239.6 billion (2009 est.) 1.3)Some information about the industries 1..3.1) Barilla S.p.a. Barilla S.P.A. is an international food company founded in 1877 in Parma. The company is still privately held, and remains in family ownership and control also today. Barilla_pasta_logo.svg.png Barilla Group control multiple brands. The most famous are: Mulino Bianco, Pavesi, Voiello, Alixir, Wasabrod, Misko, Filiz, Yemina and Vesta. The Group has several production plants all over the world: in Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and United States, but the central office remains in Parma. Barilla Pasta produces various kinds of pasta and bakery products; is one of the worlds leader in pasta, with 25% of the US market and 40% of European Market. Barilla produces 4,000 tons of dried pasta annually in over 120 shapes and sizes. It is also the leading seller of bakery products in Italy. After the acquisition of the Swedish company Wasa, Barilla became the worlds major producer of flatbread. The Group has 16,000 employes, control 20 different brands and has a turnover of 4.5 billion euros. This market giant produce every year 3 ´000 ´000 tons of food products. In East Europe, the group is present in different countries: according to the website information, is present in Poland from 1999 with the brands Wasa, Barilla and Mulino Bianco. In Russia is present a bakery plant, and 880 people works there. Barilla set his presence in Moskow from 2003 and sell products like Barilla, Harry ´s and Wasa. In Sweden the society is present since 1999, with offices, production plants and a mill. 545 employees works for the group in Filipstad, and create food for brands Wasa and Barilla. 1.3.2)Pasta Zara Pasta Zara S.p.A. Italian food is specialized in the production of pasta, founded in1898 with factories in Riese Pio X (TV) and Muggia (TS). The company is the leading exporter of pasta in the world and the second in terms of production. Exports represent 95% of the market for Pasta Zara, and 13.5% of meals eaten in the world is Zara, in 2009 has sold 208,000 tons of pasta. Actually exports to 97 countries and increased sales particularly in Asian markets, America and Russia. In its continued growth, Pasta ZARA has launched an industrial development plan with the aim is to increase the production capacity from current 208,000 tons per year to about 320 thousand tons by 2015. It works about 300 people in his factory, and is one of the few italian companies that succesfully survived the recent financial crisis.logozara.png Pasta Zara has also been active for years an interesting collaboration with the Italian chefs, and is an active social life of its region by promoting a number of sporting and culinary events, as well as sponsoring several youth sports teams. 1.3.3) De Cecco It was founded in 1886 in Fara San Martino by Filippo Giovanni De Cecco. His father, Nicola De Cecco, a few years ago produced flour in a small local mill. As early Filippo De Cecco had the insight to properly dry the pasta so that they can maintain and withstand the long journeys to America. The current factory in Fara San Martino was built in the early 70s when that age was no longer able to produce the quantities required by the market. In 1950 it was rebuilt in Pescara on the industry model of the former mill town from the years 20 and almost completely destroyed during World War II. Industry Pescara De Cecco is called Mill and De Cecco pasta and is a public limited company controlled by the parent F.lli De Cecco di Filippo Fara San Martino SpA. De Cecco pasta produces water-based and durum wheat, although the laws in many countries allow the use of blends based on durum wheat and wheat flour that are called semolina. Pasta De Cecco has spread to 90 countries around the world inc luding Italy, Great Britain, Japan, United States, and France for over 100 years. It has recently started exporting in Mongolia. logo_home.png The pasta market in east Europe 2.1) What is pasta Pasta is a so popular food for many reasons: its nutritional value, taste and convenience. This is a healthy and important part of a balanced diet (such as mediaterranea). The inventor of pasta is still unknown: legends says Marco Polo imported from the east, while for others the differences between western and eastern pasta are too great, and they think that the Etruscans were the first to prepare pasta. There are two kind of pasta: fresh or dried. The dry consists of semolina, which is produced by grinding kernels of durum wheat. Sometimes other grains are also used. The semolina is mixed with water to form a dough. Usually, the fresh pasta is prepared by adding eggs too. You can enrich the mixture with other ingredients such as spinach, tomatoes and saffron to change its color. The dough is kneaded until it reaches the right consistency, and then is pushed (extruded) through a metal disk with holes. The size and shape of the holes in the disk determine what shape of pasta will be. When the pasta reaches the right length, is cut with knives. The paste is then sent through large dryers which circulate hot, moist air to slowly dry the pasta. The pasta is then packed in bags or boxes. The fresh pasta instead should be consumed within a few days of preparation, without the stage of drying. The most popular type of pasta in the world is spaghetti. 2.2) Similarity and differences between east and west market The differences between these two worlds are very marked. In west side, pasta is the most common food ever, on the other, at best, a simple seasoning. Export pasta in these countries does not mean selling a product, means to make them share as a lifestyle. Some Italian companies there are trying, even now. 2.2.1) Russia and Poland Pasta Market Historical reasons (including the three partitions of Poland in 1772, 1773 and 1775) and social behaviours urge me to consider the current pasta market of Russia and Poland as similar in many aspects, both unique, but distinct from those of Western Europe. These two markets, so similar to consumer preferences, have one big difference: Poland is a member of the European Union, and as such have access to products faster and cheaper, in the case of Russia, but the products are burdened with duties and exchange rates. The Russian and Polish food market is highly fragmented and there is not a single monopoly; the top 10 retailers only reach a market share of 10 percent (datas from 2006). In these two countries, traditional trade detail shop are common, in Russia still remain the Soviets (small independent stores), representing three quarters of total food sales. However, in both countries are becoming more modern retail chains. Hypermarkets and supermarkets are growing rapidly. Most of them have started business in Moscow and are now slowly expanding into other regions. The centerpiece of the food market and based for all foreign companies wishing to spread throughout the country is the area of Moscow and St Petersburg. The degree of success for future expansion can be examined by the successful sale of their products at the increasingly large middle class and upper-middle in these cities. The most important fair in this area is World Food Moscow, held annually in September. The fair is an internat ional fair, the bigger and largest in central and eastern Europe. Manufacturers who want to introduce their products and brands in the Russian market must participate to this event (with nearly 1,300 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors, most of them are international wholesalers and retailers of food). Prices are not set by law, but vary from region to region. This is due to differences in income and cost of living across the country. Russians spend a higher percentage of their income than consumers desserts in many other countries. In 2007 the total consumption was 1.1 million tonnes. About taxation, the prices of modern retail stores are subject to a 18% value added tax (VAT) flat rate which can make it difficult to compete. Import tariffs can vary from 5-20 percent depending on the product and the country is imported from has the status of most favored nation. In the case of Italy, the nominal tax rate is 20 per cent. Poland does not have these problems because it adheres to the Schengen Treaty and E.U. and the goods may be imported without tariffs. In general, corruption and bureaucracy are the major obstacles to doing business in Russia. However, the Russian government abolished many requirements and simplified import licensing and reduction of existing non-tariff barriers, the accession to the World Trade Organization. Food companies who want to import into Russia must apply for certification by the Russian Agency for Health and Consumer Rights, which confirms the safety and quality standards. In these countries, where for historical and social reason consumption of pasta is naturally very small, extensive marketing campaigns are needed, a lot of patience and creativity to support the business. It s very interesting to note that the lack of duties has facilitated the export of pasta in Poland. But what we can analyze from Russia? If we apply corrections to the data due to distortions and normalize the population, we get very similar fuel consumption. So is it true that the duties will not affect this business? No, for one simple reason: in Russia imported pasta is a luxury item. It is certainly not a few rubles on the price that discourages the wealthy citizens of Moscow from buying Italian products. Because the larger part of these products is sold in Moscow. and St. Petersburg, the remaining part of Russia is not a consumer of Italian products. A reduction of duties could encourage the spread of pasta between other groups of the population, while businesses might think of high gamma products for rich citizens. 2.2.2) West-Europe pasta market In the Europe of the east, the pasta is a well- known food. Its nutritional and organoleptic characteristics make it an excellent food, balanced and healthy for human consumption. In fact, the pasta is also at the base of the Mediterranean diet. Production volumes is estimated at 3.2 million tones, and continues to grow. The italian market in 2009 represented about 1.5 million tons, worth about 2.7 billion euro. Approximately 52% of national production is exported. In 2009, Italian pasta companies have increased their export volumes of around 1, 35%. Pasta is definitely one of the key areas of the Made in Italy, but competition with foreign countries, in particular the European Union is very strong. Despite phenomena of short duration (for example, sales crisis), the Italian pasta continues to be a success in international markets, where consumption is rising everywhere. Overall, they were exported around 1.7 million tonnes of Pasta, worth approximately à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 1.7 billion. In particular, 1 million and 145 thousand tons of pasta were exported to EU countries (4% more than last year) and 514 000 tonnes to third countries. As regards the geographical distribution of exports in the rankings of the five largest customers, Germany confirms first place with a share of 20% in quantity, followed by France (16%), the United Kingdom (15%), United States ( 7%) and Japan (5%). In ten years the production of pasta in the world has risen from around 7 million tonnes to around 12 million tonnes. This means that, with about 3.2 million tonnes of production, our country is about 26% of world production of pasta and 75% of the EU at a glance a pasta dish eaten all over the world in 4 and 3 out of 4 in Europe is made with Italian pasta. However, the Italian leadership cannot be taken for granted. New international competitors now face the global market. The gradual reduction in the number of pasta- makers (consider that in 1970 the companies were 450, now about 150) concerned as an indication of the difficulties in the sector. The Italian pasta market, right now, suffering considerable difficulty, as demonstrated by the actions of antirust Italian, which cyclically apply sanctions to the main producers. The Italian market is saturated: the prices are very low compared to the raw material, the number of producers is high and profit margins are very low. But this concern only the Italian pasta. If we add to this the cheap products imported from Spain, but even more from Asia and South America, the situation is really problematic. Many artisan pasta makers have closed, and the remaining have had to made compromises to maintain an adequate levels of prices. There is no place in the market for new innovations. Focus on new forms or in terms of recipes is very difficult because it is a subject already much exploited. Is possible to focus in increase quality level, but the return of sales compared to the price increase requested is not cheap. Sales are down and prices are strongly influenced by the fluctuation of raw material (such as the recent fire in Russia has led to a shortage of grain in the world). Thats why many companies have decided to invest abroad, in America some of the others in East Europe 2.3) General indicators Country tons of pasta produced Italy 3,161,707 Russia 858,400 Poland 150,00 Country Per capita consuption of pasta (kg) Italy 26,0 Russia 6,0 (fast grown) Poland 3,0 (quite stable) Country Average selling price (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬) Italy 2 Russia 4 Poland 3 Market shares of Italian companies in the area of pasta in Italy 2.4) Consumers behaviour Italy West Europe East-Europe Pasta is a food for all people Is healty and cheap Thousands and thousands of differents brands Brand name and reputation create trusts Recipes are usually fresh and light, tastefull. The buyers knows lots of things about pasta, how to prepare the best recipe, a lot of experience of the product. Is made in Italy Unlimited existence of different size and shapes The package is less important than the brand Possibility of collusion between similar products to keep high prices The original Made In Italy Pasta is an expensive product When controls are are carried out strictly, the product has a good quality Only the most famous brands and names can attract a foreign customer. Expensive marketing campaigns can help selling pasta Cultural mix of italian pasta and west-Europe products can create unpleasant tastes (Pasta with Vodka sauce) Lack of basic knowledge. Especially about cooking time! Fake products are common (unfortunately) Spaghetti, Macaroni, Lasagne, Fettuccine. No more. The package must be as distinctive as brand, especially for the expensive products Fees and taxation keep high prices Quantity of pasta exported (tons) graph.emf The Italian industry in West Europe As seen above, De Cecco and Barilla are two companies leading her Italian pasta. If we add to Zara, the largest exporter of pasta, we get a great deal of products to be sold in these countries. Each of these three companies has followed a different system, with strengths and weaknesses, which we will analyze in detail. 3.1) Barilla As seen previously, export pasta in these countries is difficult because there is no culture of pasta. Barilla has begun the process of its introduction in the country with the acquisition of two companies operating in different sectors. We had to remember that Barilla was sold to U.S. multinational W. R. Grace and Company in 1970. For the company the acquisition was very helpful because it help to increase sales and became famous and powerful. But it remains a national pride in foreign hands. In 1979, Pietro Barilla with his sons repurchase it. Initially, to inject liquidity in the difficult moments of the 80 and 90, the Barilla became partner with Walter Wurth, chairman of Oerlikon Buhrle, a major Swiss company producing weapons. Its probably the first international Italian food company: it begins acquisition of several foreign companies in the same industry, such as the Greek Misko (1991), the Turkish Filiz (1994) and Swedens Wasa (1999). In 1999 opened its office in Poland, where he began to export pasta produced in Italy in local markets. The landing in Russia and not planned, but with the acquisition of Harrys Wasa gain control of these companies small offices in Moscow. We are in 2002 and the situation for a foreign investor is favorable to the resumption of the Russian economy after the financial crisis of 1998. So Barilla decided not only to invest in the country, but also to enhance the production facilities, acquiring the plant Solnechnogorsk. The process is not smooth: 20 million being spent to rebuild the plant Solnechnogorsk after a disastrous fire in 2004. Another 40 million are used, from 2004 to 2007, to improve the production of this plant that produces only for the subsidiarys Harry. Barilla pasta that matter in Russia always comes from Italy. Harrys hand and the colossus of French bread loaves, which produces many varieties suitable for each meal. To bear the internalization, the company has suffered over the years, many structural changes. The holding has also changed over the years several times its operating structure to achieve its present form. Then the system for foreign Barilla provides direct entry into the market, acquiring companies that can provide knowledge and know-how, to use as a base for future expansion of its core business abroad. While this system is characterized as very solid, almost textbook economics, however, is only possible by companies such as Barilla, that have large, very solid financial basis (also accessible through the weapon trade), confidence banks, large availability of money for long-term investment. Although the expansion in Eastern Europe has begun for the last decade, the recent imbalances of the economy are putting a strain on the coffers. barilla organigramma.jpg 3.2)Zara in West Europe Pasta Zara is an unusual case in the Italian industrial sector. While most other food companies producing for the domestic market and possibly export the surplus, since 1958 this company, with rare foresight, has started to export, so that now the export is the main source of income of the company. In Italy it is a little known brand in the main distribution channels, but through some sub-brands popular discount stores. The experience in Eastern Europe began in the 80 and 90. Through small improvements every year, Zara was the first going through uncharted territory. Zaras experience in Eastern Europe is very attractive. Pursuing a long policy of small steps, it has earned the trust of consumers and respected brands and quality. This system is fairly inexpensive, considering that need no infrastructure in place but only an exporter with a warehouse. Must be added also costs of marketing. It s true that with this system Zara has become the largest exporter of pasta in the world but to become it took years of effort, sacrificing the domestic market to focus entirely on exports. And it was really long! But the positive side is that now Zara, while its competitors are suffering and reel, squeezed by banks and crisis, has an enviable financial position, rather it is also able to expand its production facilities. A successful economic policy, therefore, provided to be able to wait many years and do not be alarmed by the lack of results. zara organigram.gif 3.3)De Cecco in west Europe De Cecco has always been the pride of Italian quality. It began to export its products only recently, but in Russia especially stood out for its products in the range Premium Segment. In particular, the company has distinguished itself for its commitment in the use of new technologies, especially the e-commerce and Web 2.0. The use of these powerful new media and online marketing campaigns, combined with the companys presence in social networks and YouTube, have fostered his knowledge outside of Italy. Is too early to comment on the results obtained by De Cecco nellexport online. The system is in fact not be operational until 2007, after a year that had put a strain on the company. It seems that the idea to focus mainly on trade web has been in practice a gamble in which few people believed. In the absence of funds and massive investment, however, seemed a logical solution. In practice it is not exported to Eastern Europe but to explore a whole new space (internet), very little used by Italian companies to sell their products. The data so far are very fragmentary. On social networks, the company has a large number of fans, as well as recipes on youtube channel. This is the first Italian company to have understood the potential of Web 2.0, but there is no practical data on the quantities sold. Despite this, I think this is an excellent system, able to demonstrate that the business is not achieved only with exaggerated amounts of money, but also with good ideas and lots of advertisin g. Future of Pasta market The pasta is a food that is going through a second youth, in recent years. Its nutritional properties make it an excellent item, but not yet adequately known outside the Mediterranean region and North America. From this point of view, the efforts of many Italian companies to showcase the product is impressive, especially in the East of Europe In a few years the consumption of pasta in those countries began to grow exponentially, a sign of the goodness of product. But if the increased consumption of pasta, it makes it necessary to increase the users understanding of the product and best practices on how to consume it. Only in this way, a product still popular but seen as a foreigner will be able to enter definitively into the hearts of people. However, the paste cannot hope to increase its market share in the intensely until remains a niche product of luxury. If this can start to attract more wealthy clients, it must then expand to all other social classes, with appropriate pricing policies and promotional purposes. It should not underestimate the different cultures from which the users come. If in some cases the result of any intersections of recipes is not pleasant, very often you get tasty combinations. The expansion into new markets becomes the only option for companies at home suffer more and more competition. Not only the internal ones (in Italy exists, in each store, tens of hundreds of shapes and products) but also from China and countries in the developing world. It is important to point out then that the real Made in Italy for wine and food products every year suffer more from clones from different countries, much cheaper but with much lower quality. Not only that, the pasta industry is still in danger from the changes in the price of wheat (see fires in Russia that in 2005 and 2010 have destroyed the stocks of that country, a formidable exporter) and in general of market imbalances: particular the recent crisis has led to a negative peak of exports, and fear for one of the key sectors of Italian economy, although it is early to reach definitive conclusions or analysis. But this I can definitely say that the pasta industry will expand only through export. Conclusions The situation of the market for products derived from corn is very precarious. On one side we have the farmers, who are fighting daily against nature to obtain a more healthy wheat, but their efforts are frustrated by the industries that underpaid their product. From other side we have to endure the same companies that increasingly stringent budgetary constraints in order to sell their products, and increasingly fierce competition. Thats why these three large Italian companies have decided to export its products to countries that are foreign to the culture of pasta. Someone called him a chance, something else a fail, but all these companies are fighting every day to sell their products. It s just business, but it is also through these channels that the real Made in Italy spreads. We have seen how difficult it is to enter a different market. is a long-term investment, and massive investments of money, time and energy are required, as well as know-how previously unknown. Until 2009 these companies have made it. With the recent crisis, the situation has deteriorated drastically, and perhaps have a good product will not be enough to save himself. Sources 1) www.istat.it 2) Comtrade 3) www.barillagroup.com 4) www.cia.gov 5) http://www.pastazara.it/ 6) http://www.dececco.it/IT/ Barilla official report 2001 -2010 http://www.eiu.com/public/ Italian Embassy in Moscow www.ambmosca.esteri.it www.confindustria.it www.worldfood-moscow.com http://www.unipi-pasta.it/dati/andam.htm http://www.pasta.it/consumo.htm Tutto il Grillo che conta (Beppe Grillo, Feltrinelli 2006) http://www.intracen.org/appli1/TradeCom/TP_IP_CI.aspx?RP=643YR=2008 16) http://www.pastaria.it/rivista-pasta/russia-un-mercato-promettente/