Abstract
The paper discusses the importance of the cultural practice of the beauty pageant, in particular the Miss America beauty contest. The paper discusses how although there has been scholarly aversion to studying the phenomenon, it is clear that this apparently frivolous cultural practice is enormously significant in shaping how sexuality, gender and race are shaped within the broader fabric of power relationships in our society. The paper also demonstrates how this cultural practice has spread across the world during the twentieth century to become a global phenomenon.

From the Paper
"The topic of "beauty" and, in particular, "beauty pageants" is a highly controversial one in contemporary academia. In the wake of late twentieth century feminism, scholars in the fields of sociology and anthropology "often see beauty contests as somehow trivial, frivolous, or vulgar" (Cohen 5). In large measure, this scholarly response reflects the widespread controversy over addressing the cultural construction of "beauty" in the modern context. While feminist critics have led the debate over the scholarly analysis of the construction of beauty, scholars in other fields have tended to avoid discussion of the issue and the cultural practice of beauty contests. As one critic observes of this scholarly aversion: "The failure to grant beauty pageants serious attention may reflect a reluctance to deal with beauty itself as a serious matter" (Cohen 6)."

Tags:culture, power, gender, race, feminism, male, domination

Abstract
The paper asserts that the prize offered by the online site, Mobility Today, focuses on a more minor facet of the product base of Mobility Today and the way in which the winner was 'honored' was not an effective way of generating traffic and revenue for the site. The paper explains that contests are really a form of promotional communication between buyers and advertisers and are not merely a way of giving a nice, extra bonus to consumers. The paper then discusses why McDonald's Monopoly games contest was an effective contest.

From the Paper
"The online site Mobility Today sells mobile technology, and other forms of high-tech gear that is highly desirable to teens and twentysomethings who want the next new thing in computer printers, keyboards, GPS navigation devices and other high-tech accessories and gadgets. The online site must function in a highly online competitive environment where consumers have ample opportunities to shop for products from other vendors and to compare prices of the same product. To generate user interest and traffic Mobility Today recently hosted a 'Slingbox' Giveaway contest offering a Slingbox to the winner. A Slingbox is a device that enables a user to watch his or her home, cable television channels from his or her computer anywhere in the world."

Tags:revenue, advertising, promotion

Abstract
This paper provides a critical analysis of Alfie Kohn's "No Contest: The Case Against Competition" including key concepts, critical analysis and implications for Total Quality Management (TQM) environments.

From the Paper
"Competition is an integral part of daily life in the United States; indeed it is so commonplace that most of us do not consider how pervasive competition has become ..."

Tags:No contest, case against competition, competition, TQM, total quality management, Kohn, Alfie Kohn, book review

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses that Marie is a prime candidate for winning this vehicle because of her work ethic, her family values, and of her never ending commitment to succeed in America. The writer points out that this great country afforded her the means to work hard and build a life for her children-all at her own self sacrifice and refusal to let her family down. Now, with her brothers and sisters needing help, she has even given up her home to help out.

Tags:car, contest, sample

Abstract
In this article, the writer argues that the "beauty pageant" is a culturally significant object of study given how it represents a site of conflicting readings of power, gender and race where cultural meaning is produced, resisted, and consumed. The writer discusses that, with particular reference to the Miss America pageant, from an anthropological perspective the cultural practice of the beauty pageant is revealing of important elements of the construction of gender, sexuality and race in our mass culture.

From the Paper
"The cultural practice known as the "beauty pageant" or "beauty contest" - originally an American concept - spread across the world during the twentieth century to become a global phenomenon. However, despite its global scope, this practice has been comparatively undocumented and largely dismissed as a serious subject of study by scholars. This essay will argue, however, that the "beauty pageant" is a ..."

Tags:art, meaning, culture

Abstract
The paper discusses the various political and social implications of the ancient Roman gladiatorial games. The paper argues that the games were used in the Republic and Empire to pacify the masses and to aggrandize the sponsor. The paper includes an outline.

From the Paper
"Ancient Rome was a warrior state in which violence was endemic. Politics permeated virtually all aspects of civic life, including religious rituals, public athletic competitions, the theater, the circuses where races took place and most compellingly, the arenas where gladiatorial combat occurred. Gladiatorial combat, which pitted two trained fighters, often slaves or condemned criminals, against one another in a fight to the death, dated to Etruscan times. In Rome, such contests were held or financed by..."

Tags:Rome, gladiators, games, politics

Abstract
This paper examines how human resource managers are constantly looking for new ways to motivate employees and how most companies use reward systems as a means for motivation. It attempts to show how, although some employers believe that rewards are the key to productivity, quality, and a staff of satisfied employees, reward systems punish employees in a number of ways. It looks at how, according to Alfie Kohn, author of "Punished by Rewards", there are five ways that reward systems work against an employee's intrinsic motivation.

Outline
Introduction
Rewards and Punishment
Rewards Rupture Relationships
Rewards Ignore Reasons
Rewards Discourage Risk-Taking
Rewards Reduce Interest
Theory X and Theory Y
Changing Reward Systems

From the Paper
"When using rewards such as selling promotions and commissions, a company should expect to see the predictable results of competition. Instead of sharing successful selling tactics with one another, employees will keep their ideas to themselves in fear that they will help someone else succeed at their expense (Keenan, 1994). The reduction in teamwork means a reduction in quality and productivity for the organization as a whole, but there are other reasons to expect a decline in performance competition generates anxiety and stressed out employees are less productive (Keenan, 1994). In some organizations the results of sales contests are predictable, employees become unmotivated if it becomes obvious to them who will most likely win the contest regardless of their personal effort (Keenan, 1994)."

Tags:commission, incentives, kohn, risk

Abstract
The paper discusses that the nature of the representation of identity in visual culture is, it may be argued, dependent upon the characteristics of the media culture within which the identity is being represented. For example, the representation of identity within a medium that is integrated within the saturated mass media culture of our contemporary globalized world necessarily implies not simply the reflection of an identity but, in effect, its construction on a culture-wide scale. The paper explains that in other words, the range and penetrative depth of a visual medium within a culture impacts - to an extraordinary degree - the construction of an identity within that culture."

Tags:gender, women, art

Abstract
This paper describes the unfair contract terms the "American Idol" participants enter into when joining the show. It argues that the production company exploits its contestants and persuades prospective players not to enter such television programs.

From the Paper
"There is no doubt that "American Idol" has attracted the interest of viewers. The viewing figures for the final episode confirm the popularity of the show. The show is also based on viewer interaction, with viewers deciding the winner. It is important then, for viewers to understand what they are really voting for. If the winner is being unfairly exploited, as the article argues, then this should be known by the public. This information could allow for public opinion to alter the terms of the contract so that the contestants are treated fairly. If conflict of interest is also a problem, as the article claims, then action could be taken to prevent this occurring. Finally, with the popularity of the program, it is likely there will be future versions. It is important that future prospective contestants are aware of what they are entering into."

Tags:tv, fame, famous, contestant, show, entertainment, viewer, interaction

Abstract
This paper examines how the shipping industry is not homogeneous, but consists of several discrete sectors, each of which operates in different commercial and regulatory regimes, whose needs serve different types of purpose-built vessels. The three main sectors are passenger shipping service, liner cargo services and bulk cargo-carrying services. It provides an analysis of bulk shipping and liner shipper sectors through the comparison of their characteristics, discussing their contestability in transportation market. A recommendation for improving both sectors contestability is also given.

From the Paper
"Since bulk ships usually are designed for particular types of cargoes, they are unsuitable for other commodities. This is quite different from the liner sector, where all kinds of containerised cargoes can be carried on cellular container ships. This causes those containerisable cargoes to be diverted to be transported by liner shipping instead of bulk shipping because of the great efficiency in port of the cellular system and its inter-modal capability. This has given such a competitive advantage that it will in due course dominate the whole sector, leaving only a small volume of physically non- containerable cargo for residual services."

Tags:cargo, container, handling, modal, multi, sector, transport, voyage