The Little Things free essay sample

The little things in life are the most significant, yet we are oblivious to their meaning as if we never knew they were there, or didn’t even care. It’s the collection of these moments that captivate the spectators of our lives, our family, friends, and the every now-and-then passerby looking for a time killer to move the day along in a quicker manner. While they may seem irrelevant and not worth the effort to think twice about, the importance of their meaning is based on their receiver and how they put it into their own perspective. Instead of looking at the whole picture, focus on the minute details. It may seem like an easy task, one that achievable by anyone. Only once everything is taken in will the realization of what life’s beautiful flaws be perceived. For some, a step back from the big picture will bring them to this realization, and others, an entire lifetime of meticulous searching. We will write a custom essay sample on The Little Things or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To our foolishness, it lies precisely in-between. Being wrapped up in what is and what’s not hinders the best in people. The manner in which we receive information is taken in and processed by the mood we feel, the day we’ve had, or any other controversial dilemma we may have come across. Believe it or not, the reason we tend to overlook what is really important in life is because we accept death as inevitability. While death may not come to us in the near future, our perspectives on how to treat life’s’ gifts are dulled by the ignorance that we have towards it. Senses are heightened to those of a terminal ailment, ones who try to appreciate everything they come in contact with. They are the ones that take the time to slow their busy lifestyles down enough to keep up with what life has to offer, the little things. For the rest of us, morning traffic commuting and hectic days at work only bring us further and further away from what we are all missing out o n. Life really has so much to offer. However, it’s only available to those who attempt to make it all worthwhile, whether it is rain or sunshine. Bringing to light that we all take insignificant events and monumentous occasions differently is a step towards realizing that we are human. No two people will have the same perspective on an argument and many people may agree on relative subject, but it’s only letters on a page or words in thought if we don’t make something of it. We might argue that a companion gave up their chance of a lifetime, full of pleasure and contentment. Universally, there will always be disagreement, somewhere along the lines of happiness or pain being an emotion in the eye of the beholder. It’s human nature to have sensational feelings about a lifelong passion, while the rest of the world may think of it as nothing more than a waste of valuable resources, time, or energy. If we were to take into consideration why it is a human flaw for one person to like what another hates, then we would all be one step closer to understanding little things. They are so much more significant to a random passerby watching the life of a total stranger than their own. Why? Those opportunities being thrown away may be the stepping stone into the awakening of their own potential. When we take a step forward to observe our lives in every detail, from the seconds we waste pumping gas to the homeless we help during community service, we often find it too overwhelming to process. If we live on a day to day basis, watching every single step we make and action we do, paranoia will set in, eventually. This is true in part, because, if something we have planned doesn’t happen, we consider all the other possibilities and scenarios that will become of it. Like a bad choice, we ponder over every second and how one tiny action could have reserved our right to say we didn’t do anything wrong. When we take a step back to look at ou r own lives, however, harsh judgment sets in. Our thoughts on how we live our lives take a rollercoaster ride, going up and down through each stage of every emotion possible. We realize how much we don’t appreciate what we’ve got, how we use it, or why we waste it. An epiphany is frequent outcome, putting us in an irreversible journey towards our own self realization. Only a balance of gratitude towards the choices we make, how thoroughly we consider their outcomes to be, and their overall success will bring the true magnificence of life’s beauty forward. To focus on the big picture and every insignificant detail is the solution to living a productive life to its fullest extents and farther. Being unaware of the little things isn’t a choice, but every so often, we let what we cannot control get in the way of what we need to accomplish. What we do may be an interesting show for the bystander, but there’s always purpose for our actions. We may be con tent with what we do, or we may be restless with the outcome. Either way, the only real benefit of realizing all the little things in life is through trial and error, that everyone else’s life is touched in the process. Some may say that we need to keep our views at large, but in the end, the little things are what’s keeps us all going, day in and day out. For some, the road to realization may be long, to others, a foot step away. You get what you got, and you’ve got to roll with it. Simple as that.

Cheating Behavior and Students Morality

Cheating Behavior and Students Morality Cheating is a widespread, increasing in its prevalence, and perhaps the most unpleasant aspects of teaching and learning. The result of the study in higher education suggests that cheating only occurs if there is an opportunity to cheat and it is possible for teachers to eliminate cheating without creating a scandal. Hashtag: #YgsKopyaSkandal? (YGS Cheating Scandal) Cheating Behavior and Students’ Morality Kohlberg’s model of moral reasoning suggests that motivation for learning change from childhood to adulthood thus those with higher levels of moral reason cheat less. However, study shows that students level of moral reasoning were not associated with cheating. In fact, students with low-level moral reasoning tend to obey school authority thus normally do not cheat while older students with higher levels of moral reasoning often rationalize cheating as situational demands. LEARNING MORAL VALUES IN COLLEGE MOVIES Results of studies on cheating behavior suggest that external factors have a greater influence on older students cheating behavior than internal factors or perception of right and wrong. Moreover, although many college students do perceive cheating as wrong, most of them believed that such act is a normal  part of life and plainly accept cheating a part of their college experience. However, close monitoring tends to thwart cheating in older students with more mature reasoning. Similarly, smaller class size appears to discourage cheating while students with clear knowledge of what constitute cheating usually are not involved in such immoral act. For instance, study shows that students who willingly provided test answers to peers are mostly unaware that it was cheating. Environmental factors such as teacher intervention can greatly reduce the occurrence of cheating and avoid dramatic cheating scandal similar to #YgsKopyaSkandal? For instance, large universities tend to respond to student cheating by instigating scandalous actions rather than protecting the interest of parents and students and preserving academic integrity through prevention and classroom reforms. For instance, directly teaching students of what constitutes cheating and greater emphasis on mastery of tasks rather than grades are beneficial classroom reforms. Preserving Academic Integrity without a  Scandal Cheating is a widespread, increasing in its prevalence, and perhaps the most unpleasant aspects of teaching and learning. The result of the study in higher education suggests that cheating only occurs if there is an opportunity to cheat and it is possible for teachers to eliminate cheating without creating a scandal. The literature has demonstrated that majority of students perceived cheating as an acceptable behavior and youths of all ages are likely to engage in some form of cheating. Cheating is an academic crime but there can be serious legal consequences if a teacher falsely accuses a student of cheating. The most effective approach a teacher can adopt therefore is to prevent cheating by establishing cheating policies and strictly enforcing them. Primarily, a teacher on the first day of class has the opportunity to state his or her position about cheating clearly and why school considers such act as a crime. It is also helpful to explain its consequence using relevant situations such as the fact that since many of them will be competing with other people for jobs in the near future, a person who cheats and gets  illicit high grades from it is literally cheating everyone out of a job. Teaching styles that promote cheating such as grading on a curve and covering too much material on a single examination should be avoided. The reason is that students often cheat when the stakes are high and consequences are low. Moreover, research shows that likelihood of cheating is strongly linked to the quality of teacher-student relationship and students’ level of respect for the teacher.

Critical Thinking on Female Perpetrators

Critical Thinking on Female Perpetrators Critical Thinking on Female Perpetrators Critical Thinking on Female Perpetrators: While conducting the following literature review of female perpetrators committing violence towards their spouse and children, many ideas and practices discussed are the same, yet some were reviewing violence from both male and females point of view. Nonetheless, it appears that, in all the reviewed articles, the researchers tend to agree that cases of female perpetrators committing violence towards their spouses and children are indeed there. It is undoubtedly that most researches address male-to-female violence, although the articles reviewed here are among those addressing male victimization by female spouses. Physical abuse and violence between spouses and children is the focus of this literature review and it has continued to spark more debate within areas of social policy, practice, and research. In the discussion that will follow, the focus will be on comparing and contrasting the articles, analyzing them critically, and looking at the key concepts. According to Wilkes Cho (2009), violence taking place within a relationship, which is intimate in nature is a big social problem. In their observation, the victims, be it children or spouses suffer intense psychological, mental, and physical impacts of violence. It is only after police intervened that most perpetrators have been arrested. In contrast, Feldman and Ridley (2003) hold that, in the last ten years, there has been witnessed increased awareness in the public regarding domestic violence and the consequences it has on the well-being of the family and individuals involved. Although most attention has been geared towards male violence on their spouses and children, studies show that female violence towards their spouses is evident in intimate relationships. In view of Feldman and Ridley (2003), there tends to be equal percentages of females (12%) and males (11%) recorded of being violent towards their partners. In a study of 272 couples intending to get married, majority of fe males than males recorded cases of being violent towards their spouses at (44% vs. 31%) in pre-marriage, and (36% vs. 27%) in post-marriage of 18 months, and (32% vs. 25%) in a post-marriage of 30 months. While comparing Sarantakos (2004), and Taylor et al. (2009), it is obvious that maltreatment of both spouses and children is real owing to female perpetrators. According to Taylor et al. (2009), close to one million cases of physical abuse and other children maltreatment cases were reported in America in 2005. Unfortunately, high victimization rate is evident in kids who are below three years of age. In their observation, children who are victimized by their mothers suffer behavioral, mental, physical, and social problems and this might lead to problems of health such as smoking, alcoholism, STDs, heart disease, and obesity. In the 83% of the maltreatment meted on children, the mother alone contributes 40%, while the father is rated at 17%, and the rest 6% is from other people. Nonetheless, the mothers are associated with the highest percentage because they spend most time with children that anybody else (Taylor et al. 2009). In contrast, Sarantakos (2004) observes that there is dive rsity regarding how the society is responding towards ‘wives’ violence against their husbands (p.1). However, irrespective of irrefutable evidence that female are assaulting their male counterparts, most people tend to hold that the violence comes in equal proportions, an idea echoed by Feldman and Ridley (2003). In his study Sarantakos (2004) found out that, female-to-male violence was evident even with the males being peaceful in their homes. In a separate study by Kern smith and Kern smith (2009), the last two decades have seen policymakers in the United States maximizing their attention towards domestic violence. Unlike Sarantakos (2004), and Taylor et al. (2009) who focus on increased violence by females towards their males, Kern smith and Kern smith (2009) strive to examine recommendations of changing policies and intervention services to guide perpetrators. At a glance, these articles are characterized by themes, disagreements, and commonality. In view of Kern smith and Kern smith (2009) article, the authors have focused on providing recommendations to policy makers on what should be done to perpetrators of violence be it males or females. The two assert that, considering men are known for being violent towards their female counterparts, they have suffered more arrests. These findings, therefore, indicate that, the motivations and context of males being arrested for being violent are different from females arrested for committing similar crime. In the articles by Sarantakos (2004), Taylor et al. (2009), Wilkes Cho (2009), and Feldman and Ridley (2003) the thematic concerns of violence and its consequences on spouses is common. The authors tend to agree that violence in relationships lead to physical, psychological, health, and mental consequences to both children and spouse under violence. Additionally, in order to substantiate their c laims, Wilkes Cho (2009), and Feldman and Ridley (2003) have employed statistics to show the extent of violence reported among spouses. Most spouses in violent relationships suffer ridiculing, name-calling, instances of blaming, criticizing, threatening, and accusing. Spouses do these actions mutually, and in some cases by spouse unilaterally, while in some cases some spouses did not participate (Feldman Ridley, 2003). In some articles such as Wilkes Cho (2009), Taylor et al. (2009), and Feldman and Ridley (2003) there is a common practice regarding the manner in which the researches were conducted. In each case, the authors employed study samples, findings, results, discussion, and conclusion. In their article, Wilkes Cho (2009) identified their study variables as re-victimization, arrest, and gender. According to their results, male victimization and female victimization differed. Males were meted serious assaults at 28%, while their female counterparts stood at 17%. Additionally, females were fond of using weapons on their spouses although both parties suffered serious injuries. On the other hand, Taylor et al. (2009) based their variables on child-related and child maltreatment. Their results indicated that, mothers recorded over twenty cases of psychological violence, and seventeen cases of physical violence. Most mothers use physical and psychological violence against their loved ones, and cases of neglect of their children. In their conclusion, Taylor et al. (2009) asserted that most females, who mistreated their children, were equally being harassed in their relationships. In their research, Feldman and Ridley (2003) identified their variables such as verbal aggression, withdraw, and cooperation. The two employed questionnaire in their work, which was addressed to the 153 females, who were volunteers. In their results, the researchers asserted that, although studies exist regarding domestic violence severity are limited; a distinction exists between severe and mild types of domestic violence. In their conclusion, the researchers observed that, while 75% of females are reported as physically abused, they are aware that they are likely to be wounded owing to domestic violence. Although these articles tend to agree on violence orchestrated by female perpetrators, there are some disagreements on opinions explored by the authors. For instance, Wilkes Cho (2009) observe that men are most victimized in violent relationships while compared with their female counterparts who experience fewer injuries. For that reason, it is apparent that violence among spouses predominantly male. Additionally, the two authors found out that, females are fond of using weapons than their male spouses. Nonetheless, Feldman and Ridley (2003) tend to disagree with the former two regarding violence. Unlike Wilkes Cho (2009), Feldman and Ridley (2003) hold that women are most victimized, and they are likely to experience injuries because of violence from their spouses. Furthermore, unlike females, males are known for being extremely violent towards their partners. According to Feldman and Ridley (2003), conflicts in relationships are brought mostly by poor communication. Further disag reement is evident, if the observation made by Sarantakos (2004) is anything to put into consideration. According to Sarantakos (2004), husbands play a key role in sparking violence in their marriages. In his findings, the researcher retorts that husbands are fond of sparking aggressions, which in return force their female partners to be violent towards them. Prior to assaulting their partners, females tolerated with the unpleasant behaviors of their males and they only responded on realizing the impending danger (Sarantakos, 2004). From a critical point of view, some of these articles exhibited limitations from the context of the research. In the article by Wilkes Cho (2009), there are evident limitations. Firstly, the number of males who were put under re-victimization was extremely small (33 of the possible 298 victims). Additionally, considering that out of the 33 men under re-victimization, less than ten were put behind bars, it is clear that detecting the impacts of arrest would be difficult, in the event there was any. Furthermore, there is a likelihood of underreporting female-oriented violence. In yet another limitation, the research failed to include vital contextual details regarding episodes of violence, and those who initiated it and the reasons for such actions. Moreover, the response by security authority was disregarded, and the actions, which were taken on the perpetrators (Wilkes Cho, 2009). Limitations are also evident in the article by Feldman and Ridley (2003). For instance, although the r esearch revolves around communication responses as one of the factors contributing towards violence among spouses, the researchers did not explore the connection between psychological types of abuse, and responses of communication. It would have been better if the research by the two authors were based on a wide range of communication trends, which may lead to domestic violence. In view of Kern smith and Kern smith (2009) article, implications are evident. For instance, irrespective of the study suggesting that women needs on intervention services are different from those of men, the research failed to offer an alternative. Although numerous programs have been developed, the study fails to mention that their accountability is minimal. In Taylor et al. (2009), the article only considered limited details regarding psychological, sexual, and physical behaviors of aggression. In the article, the authors excluded confounders such as history of aggression in the female’s origin, th us leading to biasness on estimates of regression. While reviewing the five articles, key concepts are evident in each of them. In their context, each of the articles has employed unique but important practices while conducting the study. In each of the study, the researchers based their work on a wide range on previous researches. In the journal by Kern smith and Kern smith (2009), the two backdated their research in the last two decades in connection with policymakers in America. Additionally, in order to give the reader a better understanding of the intervention services on batterers, the authors have reviewed the changes, which have been enacted from two decades ago. In Taylor et al. (2009) article, the researchers based their predictions of maternal maltreatment and neglect from a study that run from 2001 to 2004. For that reason, the researchers came up with a study, which was reliable, if the materials used in the research are anything to go by. Sarantakos (2004) made his study more reliable because he based his work on real l ife experiences issues affecting spouses. Additionally, the research targeted the entire family from children to parents to grandparents. In other words, Sarantakos (2004) bases his findings and results on a specific real-life case, as opposed to generalization. In view of the above literature review, the authors of the articles conducted studies revolving around the thematic concerns of domestic violence orchestrated by female perpetrators, and its effect on children and spouse. Basing their studies on statistics and findings previously exhibited in previous researches, the authors have assisted the readers to understand the objective of their research. Nonetheless, the studies are characterized by numerous limitations such as biasness, lack of recommendations, and limited comparisons to warrant the impacts among others. However, the authors have incorporated key concepts in their work thus making it reliable, and of high quality. If you are looking for professional critical thinking writing services to get your academic paper written from scratch, visit us!

The Impact of Steady Increase in the Interest Rate in the UK Coursework

The Impact of Steady Increase in the Interest Rate in the UK - Coursework Example These effects caused by a low inflation, low interest, but highly tax economy are the outcomes that are current and continuing to thwart economic competitiveness and equilibrium across the UK manufacturing base. This assignment, therefore, seeks to consider some of the reasons for the causes and effect of an increase in interest rates that are now providing causal effects across the economy. In particular the economy of the USA, that has been a focus of concern across financial sector industries in the UK. Commenting on the effect that world interest rates have on domestic interest rates, Mr King said that: â€Å"We look at the balance between demand and supply, we ask ourselves what goes into that balance and there is no doubt that what is happening in the rest of the world is a key input into that assessment. However, the way in which overseas interest rate changes affect our judgment is solely as an input into that judgment.† â€Å"†¦all central banks are very clearly focused on meeting their own price stability objectives. Of course, they take the rest of the world into account, but they do not say ‘Oh gosh, Jean-Claude has put up interest rates, perhaps we ought to keep up with him’; it is not like that† (House of Lords 2006 p.10). Therefore, the economics of equilibrium is a force that has to be recounted in that the elasticity of the economy is a crucial aspect of financial housekeeping in all World economies and despite the fact, an economy must predominately consider its own fiscal policies, rather than being affected by other economic decisions.

Management of underperforming surgical trainee Essay

Management of underperforming surgical trainee - Essay Example Work place based assessment 15 Annexes: Forms template Foreword The purpose of this handbook is to provide a guide for the clinical supervisor in the performance of his/her duties in the hospital. This is designed to give the supervisor with resources and models for the supervision work and to orient the supervisor on the clinic supervision program. This is also a manifestation of our expressed commitment to provide students with excellent academic preparation. The materials contained in this manual are not intended to substitute existing ones, but rather to supplement the information. Relevant forms are attached for supervisor’s use. The Clinical Supervision The clinical supervision is a professional preparation. The experience gathered in this exercise provides the student with an opportunity to carry out professional responsibilities. The clinical supervision allows the student to integrate the academic theories learned from school to actual practice under the guidance of a clinic supervisor Clinical Supervision is defined as â€Å"formal process of professional support and learning that enables individual practitioners to develop knowledge and competence, assume responsibility for their own practice, and enhance patient protection and safety of care in a wide range of situations (â€Å"clinical supervision†). ... Shared clinical responsibility ensuring that the client’s treatment goals are addressed. A rigorous process that ensures ethical and legal responsibility. An individualized approach based on the learning needs and style of the supervisee. Congruence with the values and philosophy of the agency. Adopted from: Part 2, Chapter 2, NCBI Resources The Clinical Supervision Defining the characteristics of an Effective Clinical supervisor a. The Clinical Supervisor’s objectives The clinical supervisor’s foremost objective is to establish a positive supervisor-supervisee relationship that promotes client’s welfare a nd professional development of supervisee. The Clinical Supervisor has a well rounded personality as he acts as a teacher, coach, consultant, mentor, evaluator and administrator (TIP 52). The Clinical Supervisor has the following objectives in doing his jobs: 1. To help the less experienced worker improve his/her skills. 2. To ensure that patients receive the best medical care . 3. To have e clear contract of expectations, ongoing review and feedback; and a commitment to professional developments. These objectives will be discussed more thoroughly in succeeding sections of the manual. The Clinical Supervisor b. The Clinical Supervisor’s Duties and Responsibilities Responsibilities The clinical supervisor is committed to work with other departments in order to provide an outstanding customer experience. The role calls for coordinating management and clinical activities. Responsibilities include the following: Staffing Budgeting Personnel management Staff development Occasional clinical coverage and weekend house supervision Source:

The Plague Essay -- essays research papers

The Plague   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The rats did it! Rats, almost single handedly, killed off about a third of the European population throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. Its effects on western civilization still lasts today, but for the people who lived during the plagues wish indeed that they did not. Society was depressed, the economy was struggling, food was scarce, and all of Europe was in battle. Who would want to live in these dramatic conditions? No one, and not for centuries to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Plague, also known as the Black Death, or the Bubonic Plague, which struck in 1346, and again in 1361-62, ravaged all of Europe to the extent of bringing gruesome death to millions people of the Middle Ages. It was a combination of bubonic, septicemia, and pneumonic plague strains that started in the east and worked it’s way west, but never left its native home. One of the things that made the plague one of the worst was that there were outbreaks almost every ten years but still restricted to Europe. It is thought that one third to one half of the population in Europe could have possibly died due to the plague with some towns of a death rate of up to 30 or 40 percent. Very few that were infected with the plague actually survived more than one month after receiving the disease. The Black Death was an incredible event that effected everyone on a physical level, emotional level, or both. The Black Death was more terrible, and killed more people than any war in history. The plague was so horrible and terrifying that people said it made all other disasters in the Middle Ages seem like a walk in the park when compared it to the Black Death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The infested rat, called the black ship rat, was carried in the baggage of merchants on board ships traveling all over the Mediterranean. They didn't know it, but It was the people that actually spread the disease across the land. The plague spread in a great arc across Europe, starting in the east in the Mediterranean Sea, and ending up in Germany. It is incredible that the plague hit Europe several times, but still no one understood neither the causes nor the treatments of the epidemic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although the Black Death was one of the largest epidemics ever recorded, it did not have many visible symptoms. The actual symptoms varied i... ...e seen along with the cathedrals started in the 12th and 13th centuries and never finished because of the plague.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effects on the future were not as bad as the effects the 14th century people experienced. After the plague had set in on Europe and took its toll the people began to stop writing and in turn stop reading. The citizens became illiterate and showed no real interest in the arts. The European population steadily declined after 1350 for the next century. In 1351, it was calculated that the total number of dead in Europe was approximately twenty-four million people. That is a great decrease considering that there was an estimated seventy-five million people living in Europe before the Black Death struck.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Plague certainly had one of the greatest effects on the world in all areas, and was also one of the greatest displays of human suffering ever. The Plague caused the people of western civilization to lose family, food, society, and basic fundamentals of living. It seems that bad or depressing situations give us a grasp on what is really important in our daily lives, and that is what we all need.

Introduction to Business Assignment Essay

AIM: I have been requested by Peter Eskesen to look at two contrasting business organisations and one of who must operate in the secondary/manufacturing industry and the other corporation must be a service provider from the tertiary sector. I must then look at the activities that each of them fulfil and look at the effectiveness of them within each organisation. I have decided to look at the activities of G. E lighting which is an American company and a direct division of the biggest company in the world G. E and the second company of which I have decided to look at is Sainsbury’s who is amongst some of the most dominant market leading companies operating in the U. K in the supermarket sector. Both of the companies that I have decided to look at are both owned by shareholders which means that people have bought shares into them. However having said that, as G. E lighting is an American company it means that it will not be listed on the London Stock Exchange but will alternatively be listed upon the New York stock exchange market. If a person wanted to buy shares in GE lighting then they would have to contact a broker. Furthermore, Sainsbury’s is also a Public Limited Company because it is like before, listed upon the London Stock Exchange. Today General Electric is made up of many departments/divisions. For example G. E Lighting in Enfield is part of a Global Business, which operates in over 100 worldwide countries and also holds work for over 300,000 people worldwide too. Television programming, Plastics and G. E Aircraft Engines for example, is the biggest engine maker and supplier in the world with operations in over 40 different countries. 1 On the next page you will find GE’s product portfolio. Sainsbury’s supermarkets employ over 145,000 people (including Savacentre). Of these 145,000 people, 60% are part – time based workers and 40% are full – time workers. 62% of the labour forces are women which show that since the 19th Century equal opportunities have shifted and women have the same rights as men – to be able to work. Furthermore, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets serves well over 11 million customers a week and as from May 2003, had 535 stores open throughout the UK. Nearly 60% of their stores are located upon town centres and others built on the edge of centre locations – in the greenbelt areas where land is cheaper and have better connections. Like GE, Sainsburys also have sub divisions or Subsidiary companies that they own. For example the other activities that they operate or run besides Groceries, include a chain of Sainsbury’s Banks, Shaw’s, JS Development and Sainsbury’s Property Development. Shaw’s Supermarkets Inc. has been a completely owned Subsidiary of J Sainsbury’s plc since 1987 and partly owned since 1983. Shaw’s serves over four million customers a week, and as at May 2003 had 193 stores open in New England, USA. In June 1999, J Sainsbury’s plc acquired the entire share capital of Star Markets for a total consideration of $497 million dollars which is the equivalent to i 313 million British pounds. Star Markets operates in the Metropolitan Boston area, Washington DC. The acquisition took Shaw’s Supermarkets to the number 2 position in New England and as the dominant market leader in Houston, Massachusetts. Like Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, the US operations place an emphasis on high quality food at value for money prices, and are persistently recuperating and improving their range of fresh foods. The corporation offers approximately 50,000 different lines, up to 35,000 per store at any one time. Some 5,000 popular brand products account for 40 per cent sales and as at June 2003, Shaw’s employs some 28,400 associates.