Saturday, August 31, 2019

Improving Your Writing Essay

In efforts to resolve the issue, monthly staff meetings should be introduced, whereas employee work reviews, complaints, issues and any changes within the executive team can be discussed and resolved in a timely fashion; by doing so we can prevent or minimize the effects and cost that problems and unresolved issues can, and in this case have, cause to the company. These meetings will keep the executive team all on the same page while also allowing the employees to feel that they have a time in which their concerns and problems will be heard and also resolved. Holding these monthly meetings will reassure us and help me maintain a healthy, effective and productive office, which in-turn saves the company cost of overtime fees and cost of time and poorly produced work. In efforts to resolve the issue , I also find it essential to have Jack and Ruth track the amount of time it takes them to complete their work on a daily basis. Monitoring the amount of work they complete within the hours that they work will allow me to determine and distribute the work load evenly between Jack and Ruth to ensure that all the work is being accomplished for the benefit of DMD Medical Supplies. Overtime hours will greatly decline if not even seize altogether. Lastly, we must implement mandatory timed breaks in order to eliminate the dilemma of employees taking longer, shorter, too few or too many breaks. I will make myself accountable to check on employees during their break times to ensure that they are giving themselves a break and for the proper amount of time. Through the implementation of these changes employees will be more organized, work ethic and quality will improve and reflect positively on the company as well as save the company money through the significant decreases on overtime hours and on less time being spent making corrections to work that was previously done poorly.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Defining Social Problems

A distinction is made between the definition of a social problem and sociological problem by Peter Worsley (1972). The latter refers to the problem of explaining social behaviour in terms of a sociological theory, whilst the former is some piece of social behaviour that causes public friction and or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it. The study of social problems is a complex and very controversial undertaking. Broadly speaking, this is not understandable to the average layman whose concepts of what constitutes a social problem is firmly established by the rhetoric of his/hers everyday social discourse and indeed the classification of acts or situations as social problems seem to be a relatively simple exercise. It is becoming more and more evident by present day sociologists and social scientists alike the complexities involved in defining, identifying and classifying a social situation as a social problem. This process has far-reaching implications on the focus, scope and projected recommendations of studies conducted of a particular social situation. There are two major conceptualizations of defining a social situation as a social problem. The first is centered around the self-explanatory phase â€Å"public opinion approach†. This approach contends that a â€Å"social problem cannot exist for a society unless it is recognized by that society to exist† (Blumer, 1971) the inference here is that it is the members of the society that define and construct their social reality and that via socialization these interpretations of societal phenomena and value consensus is conveyed to the offspring. Individuals and social situations that do not conform to the norms and values of society are often viewed as social problems. In Blumer's definition of social problem he uses a broad concept of society but fails to further refine his definition. Merton writing in Contemporary Social Problems also utilizes in his definition of what is a social problem the broad and in my opinion ambiguous term â€Å"people†. His definition of social problems is as follows â€Å"a social definition exists when there is a sizeable discrepancy between what is and what people think ought to be†. One discovers that each society has their own conceptualizations and interpretations of their social world and furthermore as contemporary sociologists, namely M. G. Smith and his pluralist model of society (adapted from the research of J. Furnival of Burma), have suggested different fractions of society have competing and contrasting ideologies. The use of such terms suggests social union and cohesion of meanings and oversimplifies the above mentioned complexities of societies. A branching school of thought emerging from the public-opinion approach in the defining of social problems is in my opinion the quantitative approach. Perhaps realizing the aforementioned pitfalls of the definition proposed by Blumer and Merton some sociologist have attempted to further refine their definitions by assigning a seemingly quantitative value to them. Sheppard and Voss's definition is critiqued by Manis [Contemporary Social Problems] They define a social problem as â€Å"a social condition which a large proportion of society †¦ see as undesirable or in need of attention† Here the quantitative term â€Å"large proportion of society† refines the initial term â€Å"society† and â€Å"people† utilized in the definition of Blumer and Merton respectively. Julian writing in Social Problems, 10th edition, too in his definition utilizes the term † significant proportion of people†, Kornblum includes the term â€Å"most people† and likewise Fuller and Myers in their book The Natural History of a social problem, â€Å"American Sociological Review' quantifies his definition by added the term † a considerable number of people†. Though the inclusion of some additional factor concentrates the overall definition of what is a social problem it still does not give a full representation of the other forces at work that lead to a social condition being classified as a social problem. We have moved from the ambiguity of the term â€Å"society† to saying that it's the majority who decide or define social problems. The supporters of the public opinion approach contend that this approach limits the subjectivity of the researcher. Turner and Beeghley believe that by relying on the public's conceptualization of what constitutes a social problem that the sociologist remain neutral and value-free thereby playing a passive rather than active role in the process of defining social problems, since he/she is unable to impose his values, morals and ethnics. Gross dismisses the proposed objective rational proposed by the supporters of the public-opinon approach. He believes that for the sociologist even to interpret a public response to a social situation as negative or positive, good or bad is in itself a value judgment! This method of defining social problems is not as value free and objective as Beeghley and Tuner insinuate. If one is to speak of the majority, then what of the minority. In all fairness some public-opinion supporters have attempted to address this aspect of the debate around the definition of social problems. Sheppard and Voss have included in their definition the point that not only is a social problem defined by the â€Å"large proportion of society† but by â€Å"powerful elements of it† who see a social condition as undesirable and in need of attention. Julian makes an intuitive juxtaposition of the words to further develop this point. In his definition he contends that a social problem is so defined when â€Å"a significant number of people or a number of significant people† †¦ agree that the condition violates an accepted value or standard†¦. It confuses the definition somewhat since one is unable to determine whether the values of the majority are the ones violated by the social condition and it is thus defined as a social problem or if a social problem is so defined because the accepted values of the powerful (assumption here is that individuals who share the same social status or class have the same values) have been threatened. In the book, Defining Social Problems, there is considerable evidence to suggest that power groups play a significant role in the defining of social problems. Here the writer contends, and correctly so, that a social problem can exist for a number of years and still not be classified or acknowledged as a social problem! A social problem is said to ‘exist when an influential group asserts that a certain social condition affecting a large group of people is a problem that may be remedied by collective action. ‘ This introduces the concept that social problems are ‘subjective, value-laden and culturally informed' a point contested by Manis. Furthermore it's the influence of the power groups derived from their ‘strength, status or sheer number of people' that have significantly impacted on social policy at the national level. The example given was centered around the hysteria of the milk cartoon kids. There arose in the 1950's in the USA an outcry against the seemingly stark increase in the number of kidnappings. This caused a mass hysteria and this ‘social problem' was deemed acute and severe enough to warrant an increase in police surveillance at schools. The situation was not a real social condition but it was considered as such. This is one of the primary concerns of Manis whereby subjectivity in the definition of a social problem may lead to falsehoods. He suggests rather an objective approach which he labels the ‘knowledge values of science'. He links social facts to values and devises an approach to defining social problems based on: intrinsic values, contextual values and social responsibility values. By utilizing his method, he contends, ensures objective results by the sociologist. Though not part of the Marx theory, the labeling theory in this case exists alongside and supports the theory that power groups play a significant role in defining social problems. Howard Becker was instrumental in the development of the labeling theory. Pierre Bordeaux, a Marxist, studied the education system extensively and acknowledges the ability of the powerful to impose their definition of reality on others. The controversy surrounding the definition of social problems is still going strong. Some may ask why is it important to understand how a social situation is classified as a social problem. The implementation of social policies affects everyone and some policies may not always be to our benefit. For example the Mass Marriage Movement in Jamaica looked to encourage couples to marry because some British sociologists thought that single-parent families were having adverse effects on their children and this was considered a problem. Through the research of dedicated Caribbean sociologist we know differently. In conclusion, I adapt the view points of Merton and Roberts, Contempory Social Problems, that social problems ‘vary among societies and it varies in the same society among social groups and from time to time, since both the social realities and the social norms differ and change. Fuller and Myers to develop a rather accommodating definition of a social problem. They wrote ‘Every social problem thus consists of an objective and a subjective definition. The objective condition is a verifiable condition which can be checked as to the existence and magnitude by impartial and trained observers†¦. The subjective definition is the awareness of certain individuals that the condition is a threat to cherished values. ‘

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Reality vs. Pretense: the Leading Binary Opposition in Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner”

â€Å"You can bend it and twist it; you can misuse and abuse it, but even God cannot change the reality,† the famous Michael Levy once said. This emblematic quotation assigns the pivotal basis for human beings upon which all other concepts are measured. It is the â€Å"reality† that none pursue but all worship. Since literary works spot the light on realities that people conceal, it is where binary oppositions are truly presented. D. H Lawrence's â€Å"The Rocking Horse Winner† is no exception. By presenting two main mythemes â€Å"Reality/Pretend† under the concept of attitudes, Lawrence shows how family members, society citizens and even inanimate objects prefer inferior pretense over superior reality. To begin with, the binary opposition of â€Å"Reality/Pretense† is intensively elaborated on by the attitudes of Paul's family. The mother, the uncle and Basset continue putting masks so as to obscure their real intentions towards Paul. The structure of the mother resides in her snake-changing conduct which perfectly conveys contradiction between authenticity and acting as if. She continually behaves as if she loves her children sincerely while â€Å"at the centre of her heart [there is] a hard little place that could not feel love. † The unstable make-believe deeds allow only for herself and her offspring to realize her real inner feelings even though not in front of others. The lack of verbal communication illustrates weakness within the family bonds substituting it with Paul's disapproving glares. By preferring silence over speaking, Paul himself portrays the unprivileged part of another binary: â€Å"presence/absence. The sky blue color of his eyes foreshadows his final end in which he leaves the earth to the skies. However, the uncle's role accumulates this pretend-you-care strategy in order to achieve maximum exploitation out of the child. Oscar shows care for the kid when asking Basset about the reason for Paul being interested in derbies. But digging deeper, one finds that it's the uncle who accompanies him to the derby and offers him five dollars. Furthermore, Basset alleges that he sympathizes with the child's interest. However, the hidden goal is no longer veiled; it's to squeeze out the little child for the sake of money. None of the family members acts in a real manner except Paul himself. What he has in pops out through his speech. Even this soothing reality changes at the end as the narrator says, â€Å"he [has] a secret within a secret, something he [has] not divulged, even to Bassett or to his Uncle Oscar. † Just like his rocking horse, none of Paul's family experiences stability but take the side of inferior part of the binary opposition as their personality determiner. Secondly, pretending a higher status in society is the focus of the mother for which she emotionally abandons her family. As evidence, the narrator declares, â€Å"there [is] always the grinding sense of the shortage of money, though the style [is] always kept up. † Camouflaging the real entitled financial status that the family maintains is what the mother approaches because such a reality would place her on the margins of society. The social networks are obviously built up according to pretended realities. This oxymoron is highly inflected in the way she and her husband expensively dress though the former only obtains â€Å"several hundred† as a salary. The mother's obsession with materialistic possessions forbids her from declaring the reality that they â€Å"are poor members of the family. † Instead, she incessantly pretends to have a prestige she doesn't really afford. The mother's egocentricity structure disintegrates the family and drives Paul to pay his life for her sake. Nevertheless, she quests a luxurious house to secrete their real pecuniary capabilities from society. For instance, the narrator asserts, â€Å"they live[s]in a pleasant house, with a garden, and they ha[ve] discreet servants, and [feel] themselves superior to anyone in the neighborhood. The inferior part of the binary opposition â€Å"Reality/Pretend† is what being avoided to speak about in public confirming the fact that unprivileged mythemes are not praised by society. This life-leading binary opposition is a core principle upon which all other binaries are measured including â€Å"satisfaction/ dis-satisfaction. † This is how readers are introduced to two complex binaries when the mother pretends satisfaction and hides the bona fide discontent. Structuralist Barthes emphasizes that binary oppositions are so etched in humanity's mind to the extent that one cannot conquer. Whether it's the plot structure or the characters’, they all confirm one fact: the quest for money to obey society ends up in a mother's guilt and a child's death. Last but not least, the spine-chilling means, by which inanimate objects in the house act, also contribute to the overall binary opposition that collapses the family. The house and toys pretend a realm of characteristics which are not taken for granted as real ones. The objective reality of the corruption of Paul's environment is based on the personified structures of those inanimate tems. The deluxe-looking house repeats â€Å"there must be more money† twelve times throughout the story leading Paul to a traumatic fall-down. A more convincing clue is illustrated by the fact that only at Christmas parties and birthdays, the house goes crazy and becomes haunted by the phrase. D. H Lawrence is actually intensifying the extreme contradiction between what characters are and what they do by delivering the binary op position under the concept of attitudes. It sounds as a plague moving from animate to inanimate ones. To add, the â€Å"big doll sitting so pink and smirking in her new pram† plays an important role in explaining the binary. â€Å"Smirking† is a sign in which the signified is â€Å"smiling,† and it also contrast reality with pretense. The denotation is to smile offensively with self-satisfied manner, and the connotation is about knowing the eerie truth of the house but not sharing it. It is the structure of the word that exposes unknown truths. Moreover, the puppy â€Å"look [s] so extraordinarily foolish† although it knows what the house breathes. That is related to another second-rate element in â€Å"wise/foolish† binary opposition. The idiotic acts of all residents of the house help them to accept pretense. Briefly, the binary isn't only engraved in humans, but also inanimate objects are affected by the ruined deception demonstrated by the house inhabitants. To conclude, the clashing attitudes which govern the relationship between family members, society citizens and non-living residents of the house add an emphasis to the inferior part of all binary oppositions; therefore they experience a deplorable end as a corollary for their un-approved choice. Structuralism doesn't allow for a truth on boundaries but for a conceivable objective accuracy. What manipulates humanity is made by humans themselves. We create and follow it regardless of our understanding or ignorance, thus preventing ourselves from finding a more productive reality. It's â€Å"Reality† which is the privileged in Barthes`s methodology, but Paul's surroundings don’t follow the center affecting him devastatingly. Back to Levy's first quotation, Lawrence's characters tries to misuse and abuse reality, but they cannot change it. Instead, they bury it and become ill-fated.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Muscloskeletal joint disease showing and increase in occurrences as Research Paper

Muscloskeletal joint disease showing and increase in occurrences as our population gets older - Research Paper Example raph, which is based on data from the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey 2002 – 2003 (RHS), shows that the incidence of arthritis/rheumatism increases with an increase in age, and is more prevalent among women compared to men, in every age group. The article associated with the graph summarizes that about 64% of the adults having arthritis/rheumatism are in the 30–59 age group. Review of graph and article: The article associated with the graph accurately describes data represented in the chart, and has also successfully provided a qualitative analysis of data. Although the article did not cover the entire data, only the most relevant observations were stressed upon. The graph is fairly attractive and eye catching, and seems less cluttered, in spite of the representation of a large amount of data. This graph is a good example of how vast amounts of information can be expressed in a concise and less cluttered fashion. The graph represents data based on sex in the form of a histogram differentiating males and females, and data based on age group is represented as a line chart with markers. Presence of gridlines marking the primary axis for percentages and secondary axis for number of people with arthritis adds value to the usefulness of the graph. Using this graph, it is possible to analyze the percentage as well as number of people with arthritis, based on a ge and sex. Furthermore, the data presented in the graph and that in the article correlate well. Public Health Agency of Canada (2010, July 19). Life with Arthritis in Canada : A personal and public health challenge. In Public Health Agency of Canada. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from

Camping out Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Camping out - Essay Example Camping may be sturdy or even impracticable, but this should not be the issue, it should be fun and enjoyable. Going on audacious activities, discovering nature, all these can be attained in camping only if a person goes camping with the right mind. There is no hot shower in camps; one has to bathe in rivers, lakes and any other alternative. When one thinks about camping, he or she should think of both the affirmative and the downbeat sides. The activities in camping, which are fishing and gathering wild fruits are quite audacious. These can be the healthiest foods one takes in the span of a year. Contrast these foods with the canned foods people carry when going camping. The canned foods do not have nutrients they are just like junk food, but the fish and the wild fruits are fresh and have many nutrients. These activities should not be tough on a person. Someone should do them as fun activities, by doing so they become fun, and the activities make people appreciate nature. People should stop living on their placate zone, by allowing themselves to be adventurous. An example is Earnest’s statement that any man of average office intelligence can make at least as good a pie as his wife (Thurston 201). The challenges that people face when going out on camps should add fun to their activities. Being attacked by mosquitoes and bugs and even camping in flies infested areas should be thrilling. This sounds sickening and horrendous, but why should a person go camping if he or she will not be able to stand these challenges. The presence of insects is because; most of camping activities take place in forests and sometimes on top of hills and mountains. When the activities take place in the forest, it is expectable to find insects like flies, because this is where they cohabit. Camping is tough and sometimes the activities look unattainable. These activities serve to make going out on camps gratifying and fulfilling. There is no need of going out on a camp when

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Energy Drinks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Energy Drinks - Essay Example This paper deals with the adverse effects of energy drinks and what should be done about it. The body requires rests at intervals and if this is not available then fatigue emerge. Some people may however want to overcome fatigue without rest and they resort to energy drinks. Students who wish to study overnight because of extreme demand are examples of people who may use energy drinks in order to overcome fatigue. The drinks offer â€Å"extra energy, increased alertness, and improve mental and physical awareness† (Carroll County n.p.). What such individuals using energy drinks should ask themselves is the chemical composition of such drinks is that restores their energy without much struggle. The Food and Drug Administration that ensures safety of consumables do not regulate energy drinks and this exposes people to possible adverse effects. The drinks are different from those that athletes use and this raises concerns on safety of energy drinks. Consumption of energy drinks is further common among adolescents to suggest irresponsible use (Carroll County n.p.). Though most energy drinks lack much caffeine, they are heavily sweetened and are easy to drink making them favorable for the younger population. As a result, there is an increased number of under 18s who have such dangerous side effects of these energy drinks. This result from taking too much energy drinks at a go. In addition, if energy drinks advertises for no caffeine, the energy in them comes from guarana, which is an equivalent of caffeine. Some energy drinks advertises for no crash but this claim refers to no sugar clash since such drinks are often sweetened with various artificial sweeteners. It is advisable for individuals to take any vitamins by eating a variety of foods rather than finding them in energy drinks or mineral supplements. Energy drinks increases blood sugar concentration and blood pressure. This occurs when

Monday, August 26, 2019

Causes of the Financial Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Causes of the Financial Crisis - Essay Example The analysis takes a global outlook to examine the various issues connected with the financial turmoil which is believed to be begun as a result of U S mortgage crisis. There are divergent opinions as to what caused this global phenomenon that resulted in the ravage and meltdown of stock markets in almost all countries. The present chapter, however, throws lights on the reasons that are generally believed to have contributed to the most distressed global crisis The US originated crisis started late in the 20th century became acute in 2007 from the US subprime lending market like a distant tornado. More than two million homes financed by subprime lenders were expected to face foreclosure in the period of crisis and nearly 17% of subprime mortgages issued so far were projected to fail (Center for Responsible Lending). The roots of the current US subprime lending crisis can be traced back to the spiraling housing prices in the first half of this decade. Extremely low lending and borrowing rates increased the demand and supply of existing and new houses. Several institutions started offering subprime mortgages, to borrowers who had unfavorable credit history, at lower than normal repayment interest levels with little or no down payments. Many investment banks and hedge fund owners began to bet on this new aspect of the US economy. This had allowed investors to avail themselves of loans at low interest rates and invest them in higher yielding a venues. But soon with the US Central Bank (Federal Reserve) initiating a series of interest rate hikes leading to the increase of cost of borrowing to 5.25%, which is the maximum since the last half a decade, and a simultaneous decrease in housing prices, the subprime mortgages were reset at high rates leaving the borrowers to foreclose their accounts and miss payments (Lawrence 2000). As an outcome, financial institutions and banks with mortgage securities incurred huge losses and had to trade their assets leading to subprime lending crisis. Even though "Countrywide Financial", the biggest mortgage lender in the US, managed to withstand this crisis owing to the diversification in writing of the loans, other big players like New Century Financial, DR Horton, Weyerhaeuser and American Home Mortgage are all reeling under its impact (Kenneth 1990). 2. Low Inflation For 15 years the US economy had long and continuous economic expansion with low inflation. The US economy was following an expansionary monetary and fiscal policy. There was excess liquidity in the economy. During this period, the rate of interest was very low and there was a housing sector boom. During this good time, financial institutions, particularly investment banks showed a lot of interest in providing housing loan. They took heavy risk and made huge profits. High profits encouraged the banks to take higher risk. High leveraged transaction with life covenant became the norm. They started providing loan to prime as well as subprime borrowers though the borrowers did not have the capacity to repay the loan if the interest rate would go up. Loans were given on the assumption that housing prices always would go up and in the initial stage; borrowers were charged lower interest rate. 3. Fall of Major Investment Banks and Financial Institutions The

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Outlining serves Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Outlining serves - Coursework Example Having the outline in place helped me overcome the initial blocks encountered in writing. The outlines helped in breaking down the writing into its main ideas with supporting details. The outline helped in the identification of weaknesses in the argument. It helped in realizing where the supporting details to the main idea were insufficient. The outline was of great importance in tracking points that were misplaced as supporting arguments that were in the fourth paragraph instead of the second paragraph (Working Center Staff n.d.). The outline further helped in motivating me to write and stay focused on the writing process. That resulted in organizing the ideas in a manner that made the most impact. The organization involves including strong supporting details at the start and end of paragraphs that will help capture the reader’s attention. Some strong details were omitted in some parts of the paragraphs to use them at the end of the essay so that it could have a strong bang t o the reader. The outline was of value in creating a guide that results in the writing being easy and time-saving. Finalizing the outline helped in approaching each section with known intentions of what to include. The outline helped in ensuring my draft has balance. Looking at the outline, it is easy to tell some parts of the writing that are less or more substantial than others. The outline, therefore, helped in organizing the draft in a way that the ideas were balanced both in quality and quantity against each other (Working Centre Staff n.d.).

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Alternative Energy Source Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Alternative Energy Source - Essay Example In essence, some of the issues that connect to the development of alternative energy sources are consistent with the view that the developmental needs of humanity are entirely dependent on the availability of sufficient clean energy, which does not pose any significant threat to the eco-systems around the world. On this note, it becomes important to consider the fact that debate on the production of alternative source of energy is also understood together with the need to lessen the kind of crises that have defined competition over the existing forms energy. A major factor of consideration is the fact that the economies of nearly all the countries around the world are driven by the influence of energy on other sectors, which affect the performance of markets and other indicators. Challenges of monopoly over oil, for instance, have contributed to fears in the developing and the developed world of dominance and manipulation of the economic order in ways that could impact negatively on the aspect of globalization and liberalization of world economies. Consequently, it becomes necessary to investigate available options to the question of alternative sources of energy and the need to resolve current issues affecting the development of energy levels. A wide range of research work has indicated that the world supply of oil has reduced drastically over the past century. Fears continue to grip the developed and the developing world over the question of sustainability and the impact of the reduction on the stability of the world economy. On this matter, research has shown that many countries will face significant challenges in the running of their industries as the fuel levels continue to reduce. Industrialization has been accepted as an important benchmark of development. Countries continue to grapple with the challenge in various ways that underscore the different levels of impact across the globe. Estimates from multiple sources indicate

Friday, August 23, 2019

Contemporary Issues in Global Business Management Essay

Contemporary Issues in Global Business Management - Essay Example It is also found that Cathay Pacific is making sincere and earnest efforts towards sustainable business model, while also contributing to the social and environmental causes. Corporate Social Responsibility is also variously addressed as Corporate Citizenship, Corporate Responsibility, Global Citizenship, and Corporate Philanthropy. The definitions put forward by various organizations try to explain the concept using different terminology. As such there is no universal definition of CSR. However, different definitions of CSR carry a similar import and are same in extent and scope. The channelling of corporate resources towards community well-being through discretionary business practices is called Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR is to carry out business processes in a manner that exceeds the legal, ethical, commercial and public expectations that society has of business. Through CSR, companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. CSR aims for well-being of employees, customers, stakeholders and society in which it operates. According to EU Commission (2002) as cited in Hopkins (1998), CSR is voluntary action exercised by the companies to make their businesses socially and environmentally sustainable. CSR is voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns with business operations (CEC in: Worthington et al., 2003). The World Business Council as cited in Hopkins (1998) introduces the notion of ethics in corporate social responsibility best practice. It is described as a commitment to behave ethically and contribute to the economic development and quality of life of the workforce, local community, and the society at large. Airlines provide air transport services for passengers and freight. Airlines operate internationally or nationally as scheduled services or charters. Airline companies

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Violence in the Kite Runner Essay Example for Free

Violence in the Kite Runner Essay In The Kite Runner violence is one of the main themes; it shapes Amir’s life. The main type of violence is rape along with murder and abuse. When the Taliban arrived in Afghanistan violence became more relevant to all of the society. Some may think there was to much violence in the story, but without it I feel it would lack purpose. The first time Amir encounters a violent act is after the one of the biggest kite competitions. Hassan runs the last kite Amir catches up with him to retrieve the price. Assef is the town bully he arrives at the kite with two of his friends and rapes Hassan. Amirs saw what was happening to Hassan but choose not to help Hassan. Amir didn’t know that his choice was going to lead him to a life full of guilt. When Amir and his fathers are in a truck leaving Pakistan a guard attempts to rape one of the women. Baba stops the guard which makes Amir regret his choice even more. After many violence free but guilt filled years in America Amir receives a call that he must come back. When he does he finds a way to redeem himself. Rahim tells him that Hassan and his wife Farzana had been murdered by the Taliban, and he must go n a journey to find their son Sohrab. When Amir is told the Taliban took Sohrab he is furious. He is told to go to the Ghazi Stadium where he could find the Taliban leader. His taxi driver helps him set up a meeting with the leader. While they where at the soccer game two people; a women and a man where stoned to death on the filed by the Taliban. This event was very violent and made Amir relies how bad his â€Å"home† actually was. When Amir goes to meet the leader it turns out to be Assef from his childhood. Assef makes a deal with Amir to fight and see who gets Sohrab. When Amir is loosing he brutal fight Sohrab helps him by shooting Assef in the eyes with his slingshot. Later in the story you find out that Assef had been raping Sohrab like he had to Hassan. Amir also experiences a violent event on his trip home to America with Sohrab. Amir found him lying in the bath tub full of blood, because Sohrab had cut his wrist trying to commit suicide. Amir teaches Sohrab to fly the kite like his father did. The kite strings are made of glass. They both enjoy flying the kites even though it bloodies your hands. In this book violence is used to improve the characters or to bring joy into your life.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Performance Appraisal System Essay Example for Free

Performance Appraisal System Essay Performance appraisal viewed as a key human resource practice for many organizations, is done to provide feedback to employees so that they can be able to improve on their performance. This practice has been under analysis and investigation by various researchers. The purpose of the study is to carry out an analysis on the performance appraisal systems of PSC Biotech and investigate the interactive effects of the appraisal system on the performance of the organization. Pharmaceutical Services Corporation, which has its headquarters in Pomona, California, has been providing professional consulting services for the last ten years. The Corporation is in the business of delivering state of the art Information Technology services and also validation, compliance services and industry specific products to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It also provides expansive guidance and expertise in areas that include quality systems, computer and equipment validation, automated process systems (PSCBiotech, 2010). The IT consulting services designed to meet the needs of the manufacturing industry as well as the Clinical Research and Development industry. Examples of products designed by the company include Auditca, which is audit software that provides a flexible and interactive interface for auditors to edit and compose compliance deficiencies noted during an audit. Another product is the Audit Utopia, which is a management application that organizes the process of regulatory inspections. Pharmaceutical Services is also an authorized distributor of testing, laboratory equipment and supplies. Such products include particle counters, laboratory Autoclaves, Microbial samplers, sensors, fume hoods and Biosafety cabinets (PSCBiotech, 2010). PSC Biotech has the goal of being the industry leader in providing excellence in compliance and validation of products and services while at the same time maintaining competitive rates. PSC Biotech uses an appraisal system that mostly focused on the organization’s goals. The assessment system referred to as the SMART goal assessment system. This system focuses on the goals that an employee is meant to achieve when performing his job. The company uses this method of appraisal to weigh the duties of its employees by giving them clear and attainable benchmarks that have rewards for achievement. The term SMART in this context means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time framed goals (PSCBiotech, 2010). Specific goals need to have an explicit definition because goals that are have loosely been defined make it hard to know whether they have been achieved or not. An example of a loose goal is saying that every employee will train. This is general and it does not have a way of determining whether the training was achieved or not. A measurable goal is one that can be calculated to produce results. The goal has to be made with a vision of achieving results. Achievable goals need to be within reach for the employees to be able to attain them. They should also not be too difficult (PSCBiotech, 2010). Realistic goals are designed to match with the employees needs in regards to their duties. These goals should be set with the knowledge of whether the employees have the ability and experience that needed to achieve the set goals. Guidance and assistance, is also needed to provide help to employees who are unable to achieve their goals. Time framed goals are those that have an amount of time that has been set aside to achieve them. A period will give the goals a sense of structure and it will necessitate action on the part of the employee. It will also give them the motivation to get started on their goals (PSCBiotech, 2010). Although the company views goals as an important benchmark, it also considers employee competency as an important factor in determining performance when doing their duties. The core competencies account for fifty percent of an employee’s appraisal. The SMART goals are designed to ensure that employees perform their best, which is possible when they know what is expected from them. It is most preferable to an employee to know where their focus should lie and what their management directives and priorities are. This prevents doubt and misunderstandings about their work performance considered when it comes to determining a reward for their efforts. One benefit of the SMART goals is to give the employees notice of how the company weighs their duties and gives them clear and attainable benchmarks with clearly defined rewards for their achievements (PSCBiotech, 2010). Goal setting and feedback are key elements in the performance appraisal activities of organizations. The setting of goals and feedback on whether achieved is believed to affect the performance of employees positively by enhancing motivation that is necessary for work performance. The relationship between satisfaction with performance appraisal and employee outcomes will be mediated by motivation . Roberts and Reed (as cited by Kuvaas, 2006, p. 506) proposed that participation, goals and feedback influenced the appraisal process. In their studies, Locke and Latham found that although the relationship between goal setting and performance moderated by several factors, it has contributed to the employee has perceived investment in work development (as cited by Kuvaas, 2006, p. 505). The social comparison theory is significant to the research of performance appraisal methods, built on the assumption that people are driven to evaluate themselves. The theory implies that it may be more effective to the raters of job performance to compare an employee to other employees. This theory has the potential to inform on the development of performance appraisal processes because of comparative judgments of social stimuli on particular content dimensions (Goffin, Jelley, Powell Johnston, 2009, p. 252). Goffin, Gellatly, Paunonen, Jackson and Meyer (1996) developed a rating system that takes advantage of the social comparison theory without having to incur the problems that usually compound the comparative methods of appraisal. The relative percentile method provides the means of scaling rater’s relative judgments’ of the ratees to allow for a meaningful comparison of the ratings provided. The rating percentile method promotes the use of social comparisons by encouraging the simultaneous assessment of the ratees (Goffin et al, 2009, p. 253). Previous research on the percentile method of appraisal has shown the benefits of this method in two ways. In their studies of 1997, Wagner and Goffin (as cited by Goffin et al, 2009) demonstrated that the percentile method resulted in greater accuracy than the traditional absolute rating system of performance appraisal. The second study found that the percentile method had greater criterion-related validity when compared to the conventional absolute rating format. Carty and Goffin found that the percentile method was more advantageous in the context of letters of reference and they found it improved on the levels of accuracy in personality ratings (Goffin et al, 2009, p. 254). A performance appraisal method will not be viable if the ratees and the raters believe that it is unfair. Adam’s equity theory claims that individuals formulate fairness perceptions by comparing their perceived work outcomes or rewards to their perceived contributions or inputs. Employees therefore view appraisal systems as fair and ethical when they reflect the individual’s contributions (Narcisse Harcourt, 2008, p. 1153). Greenberg (as cited by Narcisse Harcourt, 2008) identified two factors that affect employee perceptions of performance appraisal and they are the perceived fairness of the appraisal system in relation to the employee’ performance and the perceived fairness of any appraisal that is related to pay increase or a promotion. In addition to the social theory’s practical importance, its application to performance appraisal contributes to the social cognition of employees within an organization by demonstrating that the social comparative process improves the reliability of the appraisals. Recommendations: The approach taken in the relative percentile method in which other ratees serve as benchmarks meant likely to heighten both availability and relevancy of performance appraisal systems. The method uses employees in similar positions to be able to facilitate a meaningful percentile of their responses. From previous studies, the percentile method has promoted the use of the social comparison theory by requiring the rater to consider the ratees simultaneously when making judgments based on performance. This method of parallel analysis of performance indicators is beneficial because the other ratees will serve as useful benchmarks through which the rater will be able to record accurately their ratings (Goffin et al, 2009). This method is different from the other conventional methods of performance rating where the ratee’ is considered individually. The serial processing of the ratees performance results might fail to take advantage of the natural social comparative processes, which explains the low validity of noncomparative ratings in studies where the comparative and non- comparative formats have been evaluated and compared with each other (Goffin et al, 2009). Having good performance appraisal systems is important as it will help in the development of employees and enable them to improve on their work performance. Performance appraisal methods used should have systems that ensure the process done is fair, ethical and clear way. The outcomes should also be relayed to the employees so that they can be able to know what areas of their work they can be able to improve on. References Narcisse, S. , Harcourt, M. (2008). Employee fairness perceptions of performance appraisal: a Saint Lucian case study. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 19(6), p. 1152-1169. doi:10. 1080/09585190802051451. Goffin, R. , Jelley, R. , Powell, D. , Johnston, N. (2009). Taking advantage of social comparisons in performance appraisal: The relative percentile method. Human Resource Management, 48(2), p. 251-268. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Kuvaas, B. (2006). Performance appraisal satisfaction and employee outcomes: mediating and moderating roles of work motivation. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 17(3), p. 504-522. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. PSCBiotech (2010) Introduction to PSC, Retrieved 7 May 2010, from http://www. biotech. com/introPSC. php

Ethical Review Process: a Case Study

Ethical Review Process: a Case Study Ethical review of Case Study 2. Analysis of case study 2: Study design: This study aims to assess the following primary objectives: Maternal and infant feeding practices. Nutrition advice to Caucasian low-income post-partum women that receive Healthy Start vouchers Nutrition advice to general population of Pakistani women. However, it also aims to assess other secondary objectives including: Dietary intakes of Caucasian low-income post-partum women receiving Healthy Start vouchers using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Diet of the general population of Pakistani post-partum women using 24hr. dietary recalls. Determine influences on breastfeeding initiation, duration and weaning practices in Caucasian post-partum women receiving Healthy Start vouchers and of the general population of post-partum Pakistani women. Determine how area of deprivation, ethnicity, maternal age, educational level, dietary intake, coking ability and shopping behaviour influence infant feeding practices. Determine whether the introduction of Healthy start vouchers will have an effect on the nutrient intakes and eating patterns of new mothers and their infants. Determine if dietary information recommended under the Healthy Start initiative to low-income new mothers is delivered. Design: The study will be conducted similarly for both ethnic groups. The participating mothers will be contacted to arrange for a home visit (face-to-face interview) where a member of the nutrition research team (NRT) will administer a validated subject information questionnaire (SIQ) and an infant feeding questionnaire (IFQ). For the Pakistani women a 24-hr recall will also be performed during the home visits whereas for the Caucasian women a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) will be performed during the home visits. . Thereafter, an IFQ will be administered to both ethnic groups by a member of the NRT over the telephone at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months post-partum. During these phone interviews the Pakistani population will also undergo a 24-hr recall whereas the Caucasian population will undergo an FFQ. Validity of research methods: Telephone interviews with relevant questionnaires are acceptable methods to gather enough information to answer the questions and objectives. However, validated questionnaires are required to assess their adequacy to answer the research questions. The face-to-face interview (home visit) might not be a valid method of assessment as the mother might be unfocused (constantly thinking on the wellbeing of the child) and uneasy especially if she is alone with the interviewer. This in turn could lead to possible risks and insurance issues to the researchers. Sample Size: The data presented only contained a range of how many participants will participate in each cohort (Caucasians -200-250, Pakistani – 150-200). There was no information whether the lower limit of the ranges was the actual sample size needed. Also, there is no data on how these ranges where obtained, no power calculation or data on how this was performed were included. In addition, as the ranges Analysis of discussion board From the start, all taking part in the committee noticed several discrepancies in the study. Primarily, we all noticed that there is no prior mentioning on how the researchers got permission to access (with the help of a midwife) potential participants medical notes. This raises serious doubt on the researchers eligibility to filter among potential participants before these could be contacted and asked for consent. I am also doubtful on why the Pakistani women are being selected. Are these being used as a representative for ethnic minorities which are on low incomes? There was no claim for this in the application and would therefore need further backing from literature or relevant statistics. The personal information sheet (PIS) is easy to understand and clear, however in some verses it was deemed to be informal (ex. â€Å"you may have to pay for it†), misleading, as in the PIS the participant is told that the data collected will be destroyed. However, in this application it is claimed that data will be stored for 5 years prior to destruction. In the PIS it is claimed that the study will be used to develop a screening tool, however this does not feature in the long list of aims and objectives presented in this application. In addition, there is no mention on what happens to data collected from participants if they eventually withdraw from the study, if data can be used by other researchers or even by third parties or on what criteria where these mothers contacted for participation. This could lead to a breach in confidentiality and may have been omitted as participation rates could suffer, nevertheless this needs further clarification and amending. Other questions have arisen on the study design, I was not convinced by the long list of objectives the study has as it makes the study unfocused. The 24-hour recall method used to collect data from Pakistani women only, is not explained and cannot be assessed on its validity for the study or whether needs ethical consideration. Anonymity and confidentiality was another issue raised. Although the researcher claims that confidentiality will be maintained at all times with each participant being assigned a code to maintain confidentiality, each participant will have her phone number and address recorded for the interviews, which could give the opposite result. This is further enhanced sine in one cohort a minority group is being assessed and participants can be easily identify. Feedback to Researchers Provisional opinion (Sub-committee) (changes required documentation) Provide copies of all questionnaires (validated). Why different questionnaires are used for the two population cohorts? Different methods used may give non-comparable results. Has proper permission from the potential participants been sought to filter through patient medical notes? Please provide any declarations or permission forms which state this. Can and will data gathered from this research be accessible by other potential researchers any third parties? How many participants are required to participate in the study? Include data on how power calculation was performed. Please provide information on how the 24-hour recall will be performed, what questions will be asked and provide the validated questionnaire that will be used. Include the following additional information in the PIS: Data storage time after study is complete. Why the participants have been approached and contacted for this study. Some sections need rewording as they can be deemed as informal or inappropriate (eg. â€Å"You may have to pay for it†). Clarify whether the study will be used to develop a screening tool as this is not mentioned in the aims of the study. Include whether data can be accessed by other potential researchers or third parties in the 5 year time window after study has been conducted. Address syntax errors in the inclusion and exclusion criteria used as these are the complete opposite of what the study is trying to achieve. Why are only Pakistani women included in one of the population cohorts? What is there significance? It is advised to focus on fewer aims and objectives to make the study more focused and retain better results. What happens to the data if participant withdraws from study? Why is data retained for 5 years before being destroyed? Why is this not stated in the PIS? Can data be retrieved by other potential researchers or third parties? The PIS states that the study will also be used to develop a screening tool, why is this not stated in the aims and objectives of the study? What is the potential to use home visits? Will this be beneficial or allow for more distress to the mother? Especially if she is alone. In the case that new mothers in both cohorts are found to need further care, is the advice extended to them even after the study is complete? Ethical Issues: Social or Scientific value The introduction of Healthy Start vouchers has helped low-income mothers to improve diet and feeding habits as these are deemed to be important for the developing child as it will help him decide what food is better for them. This study will help provide evidence to improve guidelines and also improve dietary advice given to these vulnerable mothers. Scientific validity Phone interviews and questionnaires are deemed an accept6able method to collect data for this study. However, face-to-face interviews (home visits) might not be as beneficial as stated as they might cause more distress to the mother. Fair participant selection The research team stated that the study conducted will ensure that participant confidentiality will be maintained by assigning a code to each participant. However, recording of phone numbers and addresses as will be necessary to conduct face-to-face and telephone interviews might not aid in this process especially with regard of the child. Favorable risk benefit ratio The study will has the potential of achieving evidence that will in the future give better advice to future new mothers that might be at risk. However, certain shortcomings still need attention. Informed consent Oral consent will first be sought from the participant, written consent will then be sought for the new mothers to participate in the study. However, no information regarding consent in accessing potential participant medical notes has been presented. Respect for potential and enrolled participants Home visits might be deemed as a distress for the new mothers as they will have to undergo an interview in their own home which might be uneasy. Also, access to the participants medical notes with prior consent is a complete breach of confidentiality and respect.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Essay -- Sexual Harassment Essays

Sexual harassment is an important issue in every business; if left unattended it could cost companies millions in damages. In 1980 the Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment was a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From 1978 to 1980, sexual harassment cases brought against companies cost them $189 million. This number rose to $267 million from 1985-1987. Damages are just measured only by numbers. Sexual harassment can cause harm to a company's image, reputation, customers, as well as their revenue. In earlier years, women use to think in order to get along in the workplace they must "go with the flow" of whatever may happen in the office. Co-workers often looked negatively upon people who stuck up for themselves. Men's behaviors at work had always been accepted without question. When women were sexually harassed they had no where to turn. Today, the EEOC receives more than 16,000 sexual harassment complaints in a year. This is hardly the amount of situations that happen. 95% of sexual harassment incidents are left unreported! We cannot follow in our government?s footsteps down this road. Our so-called Congress is the worse place to work in dealing with sexual harassment. Until 1994, they were not under compliance with any laws for the protection of workers in the workplace. Even the regulations of 1994 did not provide strict enforcement so the problem remains. Statistics have shown that in the Supreme Court one-third of the people has been a victim of some form of sexual harassment. A member of Congress harassed one in nine of these persons! 42% of women and 15% of men in the federal government have reported sexual harassment. Do you think our government does a great job of covering up things? It is estimated that nine out of ten women will be victims of sexual advances at work. The courts are making it easier to hold a company liable for any sexual harassment behavior that occurs within the workplace. The employer does not even need to know that the sexual harassment is taking place for an employee to file a suit and win. It is almost impossible to find a ?solution? or ?magic key? that will end the problem. There is no guarantee that anything will prevent sexual harassment from happening. There are only suggestions that might help in depleting the problem. Developing an effective policy against sexual haras... ... McGraw-Hill, 1998. Mcafee, R. Bruce. ?Workplace Harassment: employees vs. customers.? (Mar.-Apr. 1999): n.pag. Online. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_o/m1038/2_42/54370819/print.jhtml. McShane, Steven L., and Mary Ann Von Glinow. Organizational Behavior. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill, 2000. Miramontes, David J. How To Deal With Sexual Harassment. San Diego: Network Communications, 1983. Roberts, Barry S. and Richard A. Mann. ?Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Primer.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW: http://www.uakron.edu/lawrev/robert1.html. ?Same Sex Harassment.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW: http://www.employer-employee.com/sexhar1.html. ?Same Sex Harassment.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW: http://www.employer-employee.com/sexhar4.html. ?Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW: http//www.de.psu.edu/harass/analysis/work.html. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?: n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Avaliable WWW:http//www.flabar.org/newflabar/consumerservices/General/Consumer.Pam/37PAMPH.html.

Monday, August 19, 2019

My First Chat Room Experience Essay -- Internet Communities

My First Chat Room Experience Perhaps some of the most amusing sites to visit on the Internet are the online communities. Given this topic, I was forced, although it was inevitable experience hardly avoidable, to do some self exploration by entering the intriguing world of chat communities. Communities designed for talk, friendship, romance, entertainment, education, support, or even pleasure. With the variety of topics I had the opportunity to explore, I was exposed to all of these options. Initially, my first experience was frustrating and awkward. However, as I became more familiar with the sites, I was able to navigate around quicker and acquire helpful information and resources. In essence, entering the online community world has offered me unparalleled experiences which have strengthened me both educationally and emotionally. Although the Internet is quite a mechanically inclined experience, (ie research a topic, find the information, and leave), I discovered the online communities can also offer a completely different emotional experience. An experience which provides worldwide participants a forum to interact with faceless and often nameless strangers like themselves. An interaction based on a linguistic connection rather than a physical one. While this type of relationship may seem impersonal to an online community virgin, I came to discover in my journey that the physical distance between communicators is hardly important in comparison to the emotional connection. If one is emotionally close to someone, distance is definitely an insignificant factor. At the same time, one can be physically close but emotionally eons apart. In addition, while the medium of the conversation is anonymous and often discreet, this seems t... ...was definitely a memorable one. I experienced and learned in every room I visited. Still my favorite was undoubtedly the interracial chat room. The emotional support it provided was far more substantial than the pure enjoyment aspects of the other sites. Overall, each site provided a different service. A service catering to the requests a highly focused audience. However, I noticed the online communities did have one common underlying thread. The ability to bring people together and give them a sense of belonging. While I admit I will probably not visit a few of these sites again, they were all helpful in making my first chat room experience a truly unforgettable one. WORKS CITED http://www.angelfire.com/ak/hotwax2/index.html http://chat.yahoo.com/?=Interracial%20Dating http://chat.yahoo.com/?room=basketball http://www.twsonline.com/INTERracial/ir-chat.html

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Gender and Power Relations in Browning’s Porphria’s Lover and My Last D

Gender and Power Relations in Browning’s Porphria’s Lover and My Last Duchess Robert Browning provides a critical view of gender and power relations in his dramatic monologues â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover† and â€Å"My Last Duchess.† The dramatic monologue, as S.S. Curry has written, "reveals the struggle in the depths of the soul† (11). Browning delves into the minds of characters to show their conceptions of women and ideas of power. He explores the mental processes of the characters, and invites readers to question societal ideas of power and gender. The mental pathologies of the speakers is emphasized, which forces readers to examine the sanity of their own notions of gender dynamics. In the Victorian age, the idea of separate spheres was an integral part of society. Men’s roles involved participation in the marketplace of the industrial society. Women, on the other hand, were expected to remain in the domestic sphere. They were assigned subordinate, and often passive roles, whereas men played direct roles in an industrial society, therefore being active agents. William Greg’s review-essay â€Å"Prostitution† (1851) provides insight into societal conceptions of men and women and their respective roles. Although Greg believes prostitutes are treated unfairly by society, he nonetheless views prostitution as â€Å"the darkest, the knottiest, and the saddest† social problem â€Å"which philosophy has to deal with† (448). A critical reason prostitution is ostracized is because it violates traditional ideas of gender relations. Prostitutes are women who participate in the marketplace. They, therefore, venture outside the realm of their expected sphere, the home. This is dissonant with Greg’s view – which is a reflection of society’s view ... ...nventional gender relationships. They were assumed to be the active agents and women were expected to be passive. Browning draws attention to the madness of the narrators by delving into their minds. In doing so, Browning forces readers to question their own conceptions of gender and power relations, since the men’s views are but an exaggeration of societal ideas concerning gender dynamics. Works Cited Browning, Robert. The Complete Works of Robert Browning, Volume III. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1971. Curry, S.S. Browning and the Dramatic Monologue. Boston: Expression Company, 1908. DeVane, William Clyde. A Browning Handbook. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1955. Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Volume I. New York: Vintage Books, 1990. Greg, W.R. "Prostitution." The Westminster Review 53 (July 1850): 448-506.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

American History-Civil Rights

During the years 1939 to 1953 the United States armed forces changed a policy of restricting and segregating the Negro into one that had equal opportunity and integration. This revolution took a great deal of time and struggle. Throughout American history the blacks in America considered their military service in the nation's conflicts as proof of their loyalty and as a brief for their claim to full citizenship. At the same time white Americans appear to have realized this, and they always sought to restrict or reduce the black soldier's military service.The national armed forces always were the most integrated major segment of American life. Therefore, the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces has become truly a social revolution in American history. The extent of the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces was discussed several years ago and remains actual among historians to this day. The purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate the debate among historia ns concerning the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces and the Negro's reaction to this policy. In reaching this goal, the paper will also shed some light on American race relations during these years.With the World War II crisis of 1939-1945, the questions of restriction, discrimination, and segregation in the United States armed forces became one of two major problems for black Americans. Employment discrimination was also important, and this subject has been examined by historians. Although employment discrimination was the chief everyday issue for Negroes in World War II, discrimination and segregation in the United States armed forces was the more emotionally charged issue. Most historians claim that a black â€Å"revolution† or â€Å"revolt† occurred in 1954, 1955, 1960, or 1963.Silberman (1964) writes that segregation was necessary to stop bloody racial conflict and a reduction of the armed services' potency. Silberman is one of the spiciest critics o f American race relations. In his book Crisis in Black and White, he reminded Americans that the United States â€Å"is a racist society in a sense and to a degree that we have refused so far to admit, much less face† (9-10). In 1950, members of the Court obtained evidence from the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services prior to some important decisions that pointed toward a reversal of the separate but equal position.In 1954, before the important decision on desegregation, members of the Court read in manuscript form journalist Lee Nichols' Breakthrough on the Color Front (1954), the first book-length account of military integration. Usually North Carolinians – at least most white North Carolinians – tend to look back at the years 1939 to 1953 and their adjustment to changing times with pride. But historians reporting progress in the South seldom give North Carolina high marks.Writer Roland (1984) in his book on the South since World War II writes with considerable disappointment because the southern state with the best race relations prior to the Brown decision failed to lead the region in the integration of blacks into society after 1954. In his study of southern governors and desegregation, Horton (1960) expresses a similar disappointment. The writer observes that North Carolina escaped much of the demagoguery characteristic of several neighboring states because Tar Heel governors tried to keep the peace and found local solutions to racial problems.On a contradictory note, however, Silberman (1964) calls the Patriots of North Carolina as a â€Å"sedate version† of the Citizens Council and attributes to the Patriots and their successors, the North Carolina Defenders of States' Rights, the names of some of the â€Å"most respected men of North Carolina† (14). From the beginning of a military tradition in America, black manpower has been used for military aims. Most of historians (Benjamin Quarles, The Negro in the American Revolution; Dudley Taylor Cornish , The Sable Arm: Negro Troops in the Union Army, 1861-1865; Robert J.Dwyer, † The Negro in the United States Army: His Changing Role and Status,† Sociology and Social Research; L. D. Reddick, † The Negro Policy of the United States Army, 1775-1945,† Journal of Negro History) who have investigated the problem have noticed a desire on the part of white Americans to limit the participation of the blacks in military affairs until an emergency or crisis develops. Then black manpower was utilized as a military necessity. Quarles notices that this pattern was established in the colonial militia.Each colony followed this policy that excluded Negroes as soldiers. Dwyer writes when emergencies such as Indian threats emerged and there was urgent need for manpower, however, most colonies saw fit to overlook these exclusion laws and volunteered Negroes (19). When the Continental Army was creat ed at the beginning of the American Revolution, the black soldiers were excluded. Once more, when white volunteers became harder to find, this policy was changed, and about five thousand Negroes served with the American revolutionary arms.In The New York Times, Hinton observes that there occurred important changes by the end of World War II that made it more difficult to maintain the racial status quo in America. The ballots of American Negroes had become a powerful political force. The belligerent spirit that matured during the war made Negroes shure to fight segregation wherever it stood in the way of full citizenship. The United States became the leader of the non-Communist world. The race problem was a weakness in its Cold War attempts to influence the emerging nations.A new President took office in the centre of the changing situation. He realized that the status quo in American society relations had to give way to a new race order. Unlike his forerunner, this President would h ave found it difficult to take a passive stand on Negro rights even if he had wanted to do so. The race problems in civilian life reached a new peak with the end of war. This was especially true in the South where there was fear that the status quo in race relations would be further upset by the many returning Negro veterans.In Freedom and Equality: Addresses by Harry S Truman Horton (1960) writes about racial violence and revival of riots in this period. Many people believed that a wave of race riots would begin with a new force in the country as they had after World War I. Among those people who remembered the riots after World War I and who was afraid that they would be repeated was President Harry Truman. Two particularly violent attacks induced President Truman to some significant action in order to protect civil rights. Horton (1960) gives examples of cruelty.For instance, in February, 1946, Isaac Woodard, a newly discharged veteran still in uniform, was blinded when South Car olina policemen pulled him off a bus and jabbed their night sticks into his eyes. In July, 1946, two Negro veterans and their wives were taken from a car near Monroe, Georgia, by a mob of white men. The four Negroes were lined up and killed by approximately sixty shots pumped into their bodies (12). To stop this kind of violence President Truman created the President's Committee on Civil Rights on December 6, 1946.The purpose was to examine the nebulous authority of the Federal Government in the civil rights area and to recommend appropriate legislation. Horton (1960) considers the beliefs on civil rights of this man from Missouri with a Southern heritage. He quotes Truman, â€Å"I was raised amidst some violently prejudiced Southerners myself†. Perhaps Truman reflected his own transformation on this matter when he stated his belief that â€Å"the vast majority of good southerners understand that the blind prejudices of past generations cannot continue in a free republic.â⠂¬  Horton says that it is clear that Truman had support from Negro voters as early as 1926. He inherited black support from the Pendergast machine of Kansas City, and he managed to maintain this support throughout his career as a senator (34). At President Truman's first news conference a Negro one reporter asked him a question – what stand he would take on civil rights matters. Truman replied: â€Å"I will give you some advice. All you need to do is to read the Senate record of one Harry S Truman† (Public Papers of the Presidents).As a candidate for the Vice-Presidency in 1944 Truman had also directed interested persons to his Senate record. Surely he was proud of his position on civil rights. â€Å"Without exception,† one student of Truman's Senate record has concluded, :Senator Truman acted to provide greater protection for minorities and to afford equal treatment under the law† (Horton 14). Truman continually supported antilynching bills. He also sig ned petitions for cloture and voted for the amendments to the Selective Service Act of 1940 intended to stop discrimination.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Business and Management Personal Statement Examples Essay

Since my early years, I have been naturally introduced to the world of Business and Economics. Growing up near Central London and Canary Wharf I had always been intrigued by my surroundings and the mechanics of business, and was introduced into the world of Economics further on in my life. My childhood was filled with mini business ventures as well as supporting the start-up businesses of my family’s confectionary store and a technology store, which became the catalyst of my passion for the subject. Recently, I have taken up the initiative to read ‘The Economist’ to broaden my subject knowledge and keep up-to-date with current affairs. I believe a degree related to economics will help me excel in many different fields of work such as business, management, and marketing. I believe that Economics at A-Level and Business at GCSE, equip me with the invaluable skills needed for a degree. The skills I have acquired from studying Business include calculated decision-making as well as learning the ways of raising finance, motivation strategies, and promotional methods. Economics at A-Level has broadened my understanding of economies, firms, and government policy-making as well as making me grasp the importance of finance in society. In my A-Level study of Information Technology, I created an IT-based solution for a business-related problem. This enabled me to develop problem-solving abilities, as I had to evaluate several possible ways of achieving the required solution. Geography requires extensive research and the gathering and creating of information from various sources. I am excited about the challenges that I may face at University, and the chance to advance my skills further. During the summer, I had a work experience placement at Deloitte. I was required to organize and create solutions to different situations in risk advisory, financial services, and technology. This enabled me to apply my skills gained from business such as intense decision-making into a situation. The aim was to analyze each situation and be able to easily identify areas of improvement. I currently have a part-time job at Gadget Converters. Working as a Sales Advisor has helped me to become more confident as I am required to socialize with people from different backgrounds and ages and to handle situations in a professional manner, which I can transfer to a University environment. I also learned about bookkeeping, organizing cash receipts, creating expenditure spreadsheets, and selling platforms. My decision to study a degree related to business was reinforced because of the enjoyment and success I gained in my work experience and current work. Watching documentaries on current affairs ignited my curiosity about the economy and what factors shape it. This degree will allow me to gain wider knowledge and help challenge my theories. I thoroughly enjoy reading; particularly the news and the articles that stem from certain stories. I have also published an article on an upcoming football site called the ‘Liverpool Transfer Room’. This opened the door of publishing articles through the WordPress platform and has given me the opportunity to write to an audience. Furthermore, I regularly take part in activities in my local youth club such as table tennis and FIFA competitions. I have been involved in Young Enterprise scheme, in which students were tasked with brainstorming a product, creating a unique selling point and deciding the target market amongst other factors. The workshop provided me a unique insight into the decisions and running of a business. These activities also strengthened my abilities to lead and comm unicate effectively within a team. I look forward to becoming involved in all aspects of university life, not only academically, but also socially and I feel that I would benefit greatly from a place in university as this will help me to pursue my career in Economics.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

3 generic strategy Essay

Michael porter developed 3 generic strategies: cost leadership, differentiation and focus. They are developed to create a defendable position in the long-run, outperforming competition and establish a competitive advantage. However does the generic strategy lead to sustainable competitive strategy? This analysis will explain in detail. Cost leadership means setting out to become the low-cost producer of its industry. Each industry is different and provides with diverse problems. Cost leadership can come from many different forms such as: pursuit of economies of scale, proprietary technology, preferential access to raw materials and other factors. The emphasis is on lower costs, not on low selling prices. For a cost leader to be effective it is imperative that it needs to exploit all sources of cost to its advantage. If a firm can execute this it will automatically sustain overall cost leadership and therefore outperform in its industry and dominate prices. In a differentiation strate gy a firm intention and desire is to be unique in its industry. â€Å"It selects one or more attributes that many buyers in an industry perceive as important, and uniquely positions itself to meet those needs† (Michael E Porter). This distinctive uniqueness is rewarded by a premium price that the firm can set. Been differentiation doesn’t have to be substantial. It can be as simple as having the best customer service. Differentiation may lead to profitability but doesn’t always guarantee the lead in the market share. Focus strategy emphases on a selected segment or group of segments within the industry and adapts its strategy to serving them to the exclusion of others. This focus strategy has two variants; cost focus and differentiation focus. Cost focus deals when a firm wants a cost advantage in its market. Differentiation focus deals with seeking differentiation within its target segment. A generic strategy does not lead to sustainable competitive advantage. This is because the â€Å"sustainability of the 3 generic strategies demands that a firm competitive advantage resists erosion by competition behaviour or industry evolution† (Michael E Porter). Each of the 3 generic portrays different risk. Competitor can imitate each of the moves or even ameliorate them and gain considerable advantage. They can also exploit a gap that may potentially arise when a company tries to differentiate itself. For a company to gain full competitive advantage it will need to possess some barriers that make this imitation almost impossible. The three generic  strategies can create competitive advantage can or destroy a business if not implemented correctly. If a firm concentrate its effort on picking one only it will have more chance of surviving than one that picks many. Firms who pick more than one of the generic strategy can be described as â€Å"stuck in the middle† (Mi chael E Porter). A firm stuck in the middle is guaranteed to possess no competitive advantage, low profitability, and can have its market share taking by firms who are competitive advantaged. It is particularly important for any firm to choose a correct strategy and implement it well. Reference: Business Strategy: The Three Generic Strategies: http://drjerryallison.hubpages.com/hub/Business-Strategy-The-Three-Generic-Strategies Accessed the 25th of March 2014. Definition of ‘Generic Strategies: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/generic-strategies Accessed the 25th of March 2014. Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies (ways of competing): http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/porters-generic-competitive-strategies/ Accessed the 25th of March 2014. Michael E porter, Competitive advantage, Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance, published: New York: free Press; London: Collier Macmillan. Pages: 11-26 Michael Porter’s â€Å"Generic Strategies†: http://faculty.bcitbusiness.ca/kevinw/4800/Bobs_porter_notes.pdf Accessed the 25th of March 2014.

Organization of International Business

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and now is the world’s largest and most successful grocery retailer which was selected as world’s largest company in 2007, by Fortune 500. It has 8,970 stores in 15 countries and total revenue of $421,849 billion (2010). Wal-Mart’s main business strategy is ‘EDLP-Every Day Low Price’ which is the key-point of their success. To accomplish this strategy, they mainly focused on efficiency of distribution structure. They used ‘Cross-docking system’, ‘POS’ system, ‘QR-Quick Response’ System. All those strategies core values are ‘Time’ and ‘Response’.Shorten the time for everything includes distribution, storing, etc directly affected lower the price of goods which could be best response to customer need. In other words, Wal-Mart has been successful since they always managed their time and response to customer. Those points were same for Wal-Mart ’s â€Å"International division† startegy. Their international division wasn’t like these days at the early stage. The international division was centralized so the branches needed to get approval for every action and decision from headquarter in USA.However, this centralization process made whole process slow and it harmed the core value of Wal-Mart. Also, they realized that the system can’t be same in other countries. It needed to be changed and modified in order to fully get into each local market place. By the late 1990’s they started to change their policy for international division. They gave more responsibility to each division so that they don’t have to wait for approval and response from headquarter. By this change, each international divisions could meet their local market’s need more rapidly and effectively.2. Why did the centralization of decisions in Wal-Mart’s international division at headquarters create problems for the company’s different national operations? Has Wal-Mart’s response been appropriate? The headquarter first thought that centralization will help them get into other countries cause the methods and ways they used were already proved in domestic market. The centralization wasn’t that bad when they started because there were not many things to care about. However, by the international division gets bigger, they had to deal with bunch of things from lot of different countries.The headquarter had to consider tons of decisions and problems. Of course the whole process got into arrears. In other word, the headquarter of Wal-Mart was overloaded. This condition was natural because the domestic way couldn’t be fitted same in other countries. Each international division tried their best in order to make maximum profit on their market, and that effort caused lot of things to be approved by headquarter. To solve this problem, Wal-Mart started to decentralize th eir international division. This helped each division to tailor them self more easily for the local customers.They could make decision and take action faster. Also they could response to local customer’s need instantly. I think this decision was pretty appropriate. Headquarter can focus to their main domestic market without waste their energy and international division also can make best result in their local market. 3. Do you think that having an international division is the best structure for managing Wal-Mart’s foreign operations? What problems might arise with this structure? What other structure might work? I think international division is moderate choice for Wal-Mart’s foreign operations.The head quarter can easily replicate the domestic structure to international division so that they don’t struggle from start in new local market. However, I think there could be problems arise with that way. There could be damage to headquarter’s reputatio n they’ve made in domestic market if international division makes mistake or distortion of core value while they try to adjust to local market. It will seriously harm whole Wal-Mart’s name and will affect their sales. For example, while they try to get into Korea, they didn’t know about Korea’s atmosphere and condition.They struggled in Korea for years and finally got out of Korea without getting anything. This mistake damaged Wal-Mart’s name maybe not only in Korea division but also in headquarter. In this case for Wal-Mart, Worldwide Area Structure could worked, too. If they use this structure, the great system they proved in domestic market can be used in all the areas but all the other things can be adjusted to each area’s property. In that way, they can reduce possibility of failure in certain country like Korea or German.4. Conclusion Wal-Mart is one of biggest company in the world and they’re making huge amount of money all ove r the world. There is no doubt that they are successful. But it doesn’t mean that they have nothing to fix or improve. If they want to expand their business, they should make their international division more efficient and effective. That means, sure they should use their great system they have used in domestic market to international division but those strategies are needed to be reformed in each countries. In that way, they might able to make high profit all over the world without struggling from cultural and industry difference.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Benefits of a Healthy Workforce Essay Example for Free

Benefits of a Healthy Workforce Essay Organisational health programmes are essential to the survival of companies. Undoubtedly, a healthy workforce would work wonders for any business by reducing absenteeism and turnover, and increasing employee motivation, productivity and revenues. Lowe (2004) writes that hundreds of studies have already documented the direct as well as indirect advantages of â€Å"healthy work environments† to employees in addition to their organisations (p. 7). Indeed, healthy workplaces as well as jobs contribute to the well-being of employees. These benefits may be realized by the whole organisation through lower absenteeism, lower turnover, higher job satisfaction, improved performance on the job, lower rates of accident, in addition to â€Å"reduced health benefit and worker compensation costs (Lowe, p. 7). † Moreover, research has revealed that the largest gains in productivity may be realized by the organisation that changes the entire work environment to make it healthier for all employees (Lowe). Research has also revealed that the impact of poor health is keenly felt in the work environment, so therefore managers require an improved understanding of the dangers of allowing minor symptoms to escalate. Four in ten managers who participated in a recently conducted survey related to workplace health complained that they often become angry with others and feel humorless due to pressure. More than fifty percent of the managers complained of physical pain, at the same time as forty four percent reported experiencing frequent headaches. Moreover, fifty five percent complained of constant tiredness, fifty seven percent complained of insomnia, while twenty percent simply stated that they found it difficult to make decisions because of ill health (Poor Health 2006). Unsurprisingly, these results demand organisations to put effective health programmes in place for all employees. Sick employees are not likely to be highly productive in any case. In the United States, businesses are known to spend at least U. S. $450 billion every year on direct health care. Poor health costs around U. S. $225. 8 billion to American businesses each year through absenteeism as well as productivity losses that are related to the health problems of employees and their families. Hence, insurers as well as employers have started to create a large number of health promotion and prevention programmes that have already started to pay handsome dividends. According to a study, American employers may â€Å"reap the average of [U. S. ] $3. 48 in reduced health care costs and [U. S. ] $5. 82 in lower absenteeism costs for every dollar invested in employee wellness (Toomey 2006, p. 13). † Of course, these benefits can be realized anywhere in the world. In the United Kingdom, three quarters of a million workers are known to take time off work each year due to work-related illnesses (Firman 2006). These illnesses are further known to cost businesses as much as ten percent of their total payroll costs. Indeed, by promoting health in the workplace and preventing illnesses through effective health programmes in the organisation, absenteeism and costs related to the same may be drastically lowered. The money that is saved thus may be used by the organisation to update its equipment; on marketing; as well for the provision of training to employees. Organisations may also be able to increase the number of employees with the cost savings realized through effective health programmes (Jim 2006). Indeed, the benefits of health management programmes in the organisation are aplenty. Healthy employees add value to the organisation. The care shown by employers can boost the morale of the workers. The entire organisation benefits from this, as it becomes more efficient with a healthy and therefore productive workforce. REFERENCES Firman, C. 16. 11. 2006 â€Å"Health Matters. † Motor Transport available at EBSCO Host database. Jim, N. 9. 6. 2006 â€Å"Health and Safety Assessments Cut Costs and Boost Productivity. † Electronics Weekly 2256 available at EBSCO Host database. Lowe, G. S. 2004 â€Å"Healthy Workplace Strategies: Creating Change and Achieving Results. † The Graham Lowe Group available at http://www. grahamlowe. ca/documents/93/Hlthy%20wkpl%20strategies%20report. pdf. Poor Health 2006: â€Å"Poor Health Leads to a Humorless, Angrier Workforce† article in Occupational Health (Jun 2006), 58(6) available at EBSCO Host database. Toomey, D. 18. 12. 2006 â€Å"Wellness and Prevention Programs Generate Healthy Outcomes. † Executive Health & Wellness Guide available at EBSCO Host database. Benefits of a Healthy Workforce. (2016, Jul 29). We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

The Corporate Social Responsibility of the German Soccer Bundesliga Dissertation

The Corporate Social Responsibility of the German Soccer Bundesliga - Dissertation Example Center of discussion in this paper is corporate social responsibility (CSR) that is of increasing communal concern and is one of important parts of contemporary corporate sustainability on the industry, community and study schedule. It is of specific significance for business management, and this can be considered in the rising control it has achieved in the management field. CSR is generally viewed within a perceptive of business being a component of the social order. CSR tests associations to openly explain their business principles, recognize beliefs of their shareholders, and incorporate it to help the public. In the present day, international businesses are seriously involved in the debate of improvement, as well as execution of CSR; an outcome of it having the possibility to present strategic path to executives who would like to boost their group’s performance, as well as competitiveness. Nonetheless, CSR obtains small precise consideration in the arena of sports adminis tration, as well as sports promotion. Having noticed the spectacular professionalization of a number of sports - specifically football - during the past two decades, it is currently an industry by itself without any doubt. As a result, games managers are required to be completely evaluated and coping with expansions within the broader world of the ‘socio-political-economical’ setting just like corporate managers within other businesses are increasingly following and connecting with shareholders, as well as their â€Å"increasing range of interests†... CSR is generally viewed within a perceptive of business being a component of the social order. CSR tests associations to openly explain their business principles, recognize beliefs of their shareholders, and incorporate it to help the public. In the present day, international businesses are seriously involved in the debate of improvement, as well as execution of CSR; an outcome of it having the possibility to present strategic path to executives who would like to boost their group’s performance, as well as competitiveness. Nonetheless, CSR obtains small precise consideration in the arena of sports administration, as well as sports promotion. Having noticed the spectacular professionalization of a number of sports - specifically football - during the past two decades, it is currently an industry by itself without any doubt. As a result, games managers are required to be completely evaluated and coping with expansions within the broader world of the ‘socio-political-econom ical’ setting just like corporate managers within other businesses are increasingly following and connecting with shareholders, as well as their â€Å"increasing range of interests† (Werther, 2010, p. 33). 1.1.1 Role of Football in the Society In a number of countries, football has rooted itself into the national culture, and various parts of life revolve around it. Several countries have regular and dedicated football newspapers and other football periodicals. The ‘frame of mind’ of nations has been appeared to be linked to football. Success in a key tournament can bring joy to the local district or nation. On the other hand, defeat can lower the morale and has been noticed to be linked to mortality of the people.

Monday, August 12, 2019

HIPAA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

HIPAA - Research Paper Example In such a situation Congress realized the requirement of security and privacy standards for the healthcare industry in order to avoid any misuse or abuse of electronic technology (History of HIPAA, n.d). Hence HIPAA was introduced to promote health insurance coverage for both individuals and groups, ensure better security and privacy, promote the use of medical savings account, make long-term services more accessible, and to frame standards for better administration and safer use of electronic technology in the healthcare industry such as the implementation of the national provider identifier (Overview of HIPAA, 2008). The HIPAA was signed by President Clinton on July 21, 1996 in lieu of several security, privacy and abuse in the healthcare industry. HIPAA guaranteed health insurance to all Americans and ensured simplification of administrative process in healthcare in order to increase the effective delivery of healthcare to all people. Additionally the security and privacy of healt h information was also protected under the act (Security and Privacy, 2001). The use of electronic technology in healthcare had vastly expanded during the 1990s. ... These privacy and security rules apply to three groups of covered entities (CE): health care provider, health plan and healthcare clearinghouse. The healthcare provider group includes health care service providers and suppliers who use the electronic form for transactions and other health care information such as doctors, clinics, psychologists, dentists, chiropractors, nursing homes and pharmacies. The health plan group includes individuals or groups that provide and pay for health care plans such as health insurance companies, HMOs, company health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, military and other health programs offered by the government. The healthcare clearinghouses include both public and private entities that receive non-standard health information and convert them into a standard content or vice versa (Privacy and Security, n.d; Security and Privacy, 2001). The HIPAA standards will also indirectly apply to business associates or partners of a covered entity such as software provid ers and other third party vendors (Privacy and Security, n.d). The standards devised by the HIPAA for the transactions carried out in the electronic form need to the adhered to by the CEs (Security and Privacy, 2001). The HIPAA standards include transactions and code sets, privacy and security and national provider identifier. The entities that comply with the HIPAA standards are required to use the same health care transactions, code sets and identifiers. The HIPAA standards for electronic data interexchange (EDI) is applicable to claims and claim status, encounter information, payments and remittance, inquiries, referral certification and authorization, enrollment or disenrollment in a health care plan, premium payments,