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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the issue of whether or not children aged two-six should be held responsible for their criminal actions. The author argues that children at this age are not yet mature and their brains are still developing. They also do not have a clear understanding of right and wrong yet. | The essay discusses the issue of whether or not children aged two-six should be held responsible for their criminal actions. The author argues that children at this age are not yet mature and their brains are still developing. They also do not have a clear understanding of right and wrong yet. | 2-6-Year-Olds’ Criminal Actions Irresponsibility Case Study
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Biological Argument
3. Cognitive Argument
4. Emotional and Social Development
5. Conclusion
6. References
Introduction
As the matter of fact, every country has certain norms of the age of criminal responsibility. First and foremost, it should be highlighted that the major argument in support of the raising the age for the responsibility is that children are not mature, and brain development, social, and emotional factors only start to improve. The major purpose of the paper is to analyze three scenarios based on actual events from the point of view of the developmental characteristics of a child aged two-six and to highlight the significance of the implementation of the biological, cognitive, and emotional and social arguments to support the idea that children should not be responsible for crime actions.
Biological Argument
The childhood is considered to be a very sensitive period in the development of the human being as it is the time when the brain shapes and it affects the development of emotions, concentration, ability to overcome stress, and have self-control (Berger, 2014). In the discussed scenarios, children cannot be responsible for the murder. Their brain chooses the option to eliminate the distraction moment (in the case, where a six-year-old girl murder her brother because he was constantly crying) or the person that caused conflict (in the first and second case, where children decided to kill the offender).
As the matter of fact, children usually imitate the actions of parents or something that they saw, for examples, in movies or video games (Berger, 2014). The immature brain cannot analyze or evaluate the consequences; it follows the model of the behavior that was previously seen in the mass media or experienced in some conversations (for example, in a fairy tale, when the bad person got killed for the happiness of the main hero).
Cognitive Argument
The theory of Piaget is centered on the peculiarities of the cognitive development and improvement of the intelligence (Berger, 2014). Children up to four years cannot analyze the information according to logic, whereas children up to six years use only primitive reasoning. The feeling of justice is highly developed in children. In the first case, the child shot the girl, because he was offended and thought that this way she will be punished. However, he did not understand the consequences and probably could not realize that shooting leads to death as the vast majority of children do not face death (of either family members or friends). They do not have the real understanding of what death is.
Emotional and Social Development
It should be stressed that the age of the criminal responsibility should be compared to the age when people can make individual choices. Teenagers are legally allowed to have sexual intercourse from the age of sixteen, can get married and vote after eighteen, and drink alcohol after twenty-one. The stated above can sometimes have the same dreadful consequences. Then the question arises, why should children be treated as criminals, when they are not allowed to make certain decisions as they considered to be immature. The child is not emotionally and socially developed (Berger, 2014). To make choices one should realize the consequences they might face. The child cannot control or distinguish emotions. It is the primary reason why the age of criminal responsibility should be raised.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be stressed that the stated above arguments, namely biological, cognitive, emotional, and social should be taken account. One of the most relevant thoughts is that the brain of the child is immature. Children lack logical reasoning, and that is, solve their problems in the way that is acceptable to them according to their personal experience. However, all the discussed above arguments should not be undervalued as they are significant and prove that the child should not be treated as the criminal.
References
Berger, K. S. (2014). The developing person through the life span (9th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The organization's learning and development practices are poor as they involve manual orientation from experienced workers. New employees are not advised of their roles in the organization before assignment of tasks. The orientation process takes long due to lack of a well-coordinated orientation programs. |
The organization's learning and development practices are poor as they involve manual orientation from experienced workers. New employees are not advised of their roles in the organization before assignment of tasks. The orientation process takes long due to lack of a well-coordinated orientation programs. | 5Ways Foodservices: Staff Learning and Development Essay
The organization’s learning and development practices
Business in the contemporary times is characterized by stiff competition as each firm seeks to acquire a considerable market share in the local and the international market. Various factors have contributed to the stiffening competition including the desire to increase profitability and the evolution of the global market (Owoyemi et al. 2011). In that regard, firms have embarked in recruiting and retaining the best workers to achieve competitive advantage through increased quality of products or services produced by a competent workforce. Firms are today recruiting the best-qualified workers and paying them competitive salaries to retain them.
Some business analysts have however argued that hiring qualified employees and paying them competitive salaries is not the only way to motivate them. Employees need to be trained to handle new challenges in the changing business environment (Batool & Batool 2012). In that regard, most companies have introduced a set of training programs that aim at imparting skills to the workforce to enable them to handle their responsibilities more efficiently. The training programs so far adopted by major businesses target new employees through orientation programs. Most organizations tend to overlook the need to ensure continuous training of the workforce in their respective companies. Most managers are of the view that training should only apply to new staffs as opposed to the existing employees. The view is misguided since the current employees also need to be trained continuously if a firm is to achieve efficiency.
The orientation is important since it equips employees with the relevant information before the commencement of the work. Training of new employees in 5Ways Foodservices is poorly administered since it involves manual orientation from the experienced workers. New employees are assigned to experienced workers who take them through the orientation process. The employees are not advised of their roles in the organization before assignment of tasks. The orientation process takes long due to lack of a well-coordinated orientation programs. The wastage of time in the orientation stage translates into losses for the firm. The right orientation leads to increased efficiency since employees since every employee has adequate knowledge of their roles. Duplication of resources is avoided since the scope of each employee’s task is defined.
Training instills a sense of job security among workers since it enhances their dignity and job qualification. The feeling of job security instilled upon workers through training translates into high morale among the employees leading to achievement of the set goals (Puhakainen & Siponen 2010). Additionally, training reduces staff turnover in the sense that employees feel secure working in a firm that cares about their development needs. In 5Ways Foodservices, employees are poorly motivated due to lack of development opportunities leading to high staff turnover. The high staff turnover rate amongst the hotel’s workers has increased the operation cost owing to the high cost of recruiting new employees. Moreover, the quality of services in the hotel has been compromised since the firm loses its best employees to competitors. The competitors in the industry have training programs that attract workers with high skills. The rivals have continuous training programs that enhance a sense of job security among employees. The competitors absorb the high-skilled workers from 5Ways Foodservices hence heightening the competition.
The organization’s learning and development needs
Competition in the food service industry has stiffened in the past few decades prompting the need for training of the employees. In 5Ways Foodservices, employees’ training is overlooked, and only new staffs are trained on the basic of the organization culture when joining the firm. The new employee-training program is poorly managed, and it does not achieve the educational needs of the employees. The program centers on the orientation of the employees, and it is limited to the introduction of the employees to their new roles. No training is afforded to the employees after joining the firm, thus leading to reluctance from the employees in accepting changes. The evolution of the new technology has sparked the need to train employees continuously to prepare them to take new challenges. In 5Ways Foodservices, no such training is afforded to the employees leading to resistance to accepting changes in the organization.
The company’s mission is to provide the best quality services in the food and service industry. Therefore, to achieve this objective, employees need to be trained continuously to increase their efficiency. The training program should target both new and existing employees. The training program for the existing employees should focus on
1. Changes in the company’s strategies
2. New technologies
3. Good customer service
Employees who undergo the training should be highly remunerated or even promoted to higher positions in the firm. Better remuneration coupled with promotions will act as incentives to push employees to undergo such training. The training shall increase the efficiency of the firm and reduce staff turnover rates. Research indicates that firms that have continuous training programs in place are more efficient and profitable than firms that do not have such programs (Puhakainen & Siponen 2010). Such training will not only increase the firm’s efficiency, but it will also allow the employees to be innovative. It will also increase employees’ morale since it will impart a sense of job security among them.
An organization needs to have well-defined vision and missions for it to be successful against the backdrop of the stiffening competition among firms operating in the food service industry. Employees need to be involved in major decisions of a firm. Involving employees in the decision-making process of a firm not only motivates them but also instills a sense of ownership in them. Employees tend to work hard to achieve targets they have set for themselves. In 5Ways Foodservice, decision-making is an exclusive role of the management and employees’ inputs are not allowed. Communication is top-down whereby the top managers communicate decisions to the staff. Little training is done to the employees regarding the decisions coupled with how to implement them in the organization. This aspect leads to mistakes during implementation causing inefficiencies and losses.
The orientation of workers is an important process of the recruitment process and involves defining the scope of work for the employee. New employees need to be introduced to the new work environment. The company should develop a new staff-training program that will consider the learning needs of the new employees. Under the program, the new workers should be trained in the following areas:
1. Definition of the scope of work
2. Introduction to the company’s cooperate culture
3. Introduction to the company’s mission and vision
4. Definition of the standards of performance
A gap and practice that could be improved
A performance management system refers to the strategic approach adopted by a firm to increase the efficiency of its workers and improve the achievement of the set goals. Performance appraisals are important since they guide promotional decisions. The best performing employees are promoted to higher positions in the firm. Promotions based on merit increase the workers morale and encourage the other workers to work hard to obtain such promotions (Ferreira & Otley 2009).
The 5Ways Foodservices’ performance appraisal system is below average since workers’ performance is measured manually. Organizations need to have sound job performance appraisal systems to assess the work of every individual worker. In 5Ways Foodservices, the importance of job performance appraisal is overlooked with individual worker’s performance being measured manually. The managers utilize observation to assess the performance of the worker. Lack of job performance measuring tools leads to low motivation among the workforce. In companies with sound job performance appraisal systems, each worker’s performance is measured against the targets set (Folan & Browne 2005). The best performing workers are acknowledged in some cases publicized. In such organizations, promotions are done through merit whereby the best performing workers hold powerful positions in the organization. Promoting employees based on merit increases morale and it encourages them to work hard to achieve the set targets. 5Ways Foodservices lacks a formal job performance appraisal system, and the employees performance is only based on the managers’ view of a certain employee. Managers may be biased when making such assessments leading to promotion of the inappropriate employees. This aspect may contribute to low morale among the workforce and increase staff turnover.
Due to the adverse effects caused by lack of a formal performance appraisal system, this paper shall propose a performance appraisal system for the 5Ways Foodservices hotel to improve performance. Currently, the company lacks a formal performance management system to measure the performance of workers. In 5Ways Foodservices, the supervisors assess the workers’ performance and the performance reports are based on the supervisor’s opinion. Managers may be biased when making such assessments leading to promotion of the inappropriate workers. This aspect may adversely affect the morale of the workers affecting the achievement of the set objectives.
Performance appraisals are important to an organization since it allows the management to assess the performance of the individual workers. It also allows managers to set achievable targets for individual employees based on their ability and skills. The set targets are reviewed at different stages of achievement and deviations from the set standards are explained. This aspect leads to the high performance of the firm since the targets must be achieved at all cost. For a firm to achieve its missions it has to set its targets in advance and communicate the same to the employees. The achievement of the targets depends on the performance appraisal system adopted by the firm.
Performance management and turnover rate
Lack of a proper performance measurement system is closely linked to high staff turnover in most organizations. The absence of a performance appraisal system leads to low morale among employees leading to poor achievement of the firm’s objectives. Employees tend to be more concerned about their job security as compared to other aspects. Since low motivation among employees leads to poor performance by the firm, workers tend to seek jobs in rival companies to be assured of job security.
Employees need to be assured of their job security to motivate them to perform their duties effectively. Employees tend to prefer working in a well-performing firm to a poorly performing one (Ferreira & Otley 2009. In that regard, employees of 5Ways Foodservices tend to leave the firm to be absorbed by the competitors who are performing better as compared to the firm in question. This aspect leads to a high turnover rate for the firm. The profitability of the firm is affected by such high turnover rates since recruiting new employees increases the operating costs.
Performance management and motivation
The performance management system should be devised in such a way that it integrates various incentives to motivate employees to work industriously towards achieving the set targets. The incentives should come in the form of promotions for the best-performing employees, publicity for god performance, bonuses. The system should be accommodative so that employees are involved in setting the targets. The system should be designed in such a way that it allows for the assessment of both individual and group performances. This aspect will encourage teamwork, and it will facilitate the achievement of the set goals. Employees tend to be more motivated working on goals they have set for themselves than when such targets are imposed by the management (Folan & Browne 2005). The incentives should be structured to fit both individual and groups within the organization. This move will boost the workers morale leading to the achievement of the set goals. Currently, the organization has no incentives in place to boost the morale of the employees. The work of an individual worker cannot be differentiated from group work, thus leading to low morale among the employees.
Reference List
Batool, A & Batool, B 2012, ‘Effects of employees training on the organizational Competitive advantage: Empirical study of Private Sector of Islamabad, Pakistan,’ Far East Journal of Psychology and Business , vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 59-72.
Ferreira, A & Otley, D 2009, ‘The design and use of performance management systems: An extended framework for analysis,’ Management Accounting Research , vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 263-282.
Folan, P & Browne, J 2005, ‘A review of performance measurement: Towards performance management,’ Computers in Industry , vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 663-680.
Owoyemi, A, Oyelere, M, Elegbede, T & Gbajumo-Sheriff, M 2011, ‘Enhancing employees’ commitment to organization through training,’ International Journal of Business and Management , vol. 6, no. 7, pp. 280-91.
Puhakainen, P & Siponen, M 2010, ‘Improving employees’ compliance through information systems security training: an action research study,’ MIS Quarterly , vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 757-778.
Appendix 1
5Ways Foodservices-SWOT analysis
5Ways Foodservices
Strengths Weaknesses
1. Location in a tourist destination 1. Lack of a sound performance appraisal system
2. Ineffective workforce
Opportunities Threats
1. Introducing a performance appraisal system 1. Competition
2. Opening more branches 2. High staff turnover
3. Introducing a non discriminatory training program
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The author of this essay discusses how businesses can use social media to develop a global reach, and how they can do so while still saving money.The author of this essay discusses how businesses can use social media to develop a global reach, and how they can do so while still saving money. | The author of this essay discusses how businesses can use social media to develop a global reach, and how they can do so while still saving money.
The author of this essay discusses how businesses can use social media to develop a global reach, and how they can do so while still saving money. | 10 Steps of Getting Started With Social Media Marketing Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main Body
3. Conclusion
4. Works Cited
Introduction
Businesses are established with an aim of profit maximization. There are several businesses in the global economy, which leads to intense competition in the market. There are different functions of management that must be effectively coordinated towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of an organization. Marketing is the process of informing consumers of new and existing products, how to use the respective products, changes made in production and/or prices among others. Marketing is a process that all organizations, both profit and non-profit, must consider when analyzing and determining the consumer needs due to t dynamic nature of the last. Different authors have different views on global marketing aspects such as planning, increasing sales, and business growth among others. This is a critical analysis of three articles in support of and against the marketing contents of the respective articles.
Main Body
The article, “10 Steps of getting started with social media marketing” by Susan Gunelius discusses how to use social media towards developing a global business effectively. The author recommends 10 basic steps that individual businesses should consider when using social media as a marketing tool to succeed. The basic steps recommended by the author are determining the goals, evaluating resources, adequate knowledge of the audience, creating amazing content, integrating marketing efforts, creating a schedule, adopting an 80-20 rule, focusing more on quality, giving up control, and keep learning. Furthermore, the author discusses each step and how to implement them towards effective marketing (Gunelius 1).
Personally I, as a marketing student, support the contents of the article and the arguments of the author due to several reasons, for instance, effective application of the Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat analysis. The 10 steps proposed by the author on how to get started with social media marketing incorporate the SWOT analysis because it involves an analysis of the strengths of an organization, its weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Social media marketing is a marketing plan. Business organizations must develop effective strategies when implementing a marketing plan to succeed. The 10 steps discussed by the author can be used in the effective implementation of social media marketing. Therefore, I support the contents of the article and the arguments by the author (Gunelius 1).
The article, “10 Ways to stretch your marketing budget” by Robert W. Bly discusses useful strategies that organizations can utilize to maximize their campaigns while saving money. The author proposes 10 ways that business organizations can use to ensure accountability of every dollar, and get big results despite small budgets. The author proposes sticking to successful strategies, exploring lead generations, doing things by ourself, and paying vendors on time among others. The author has proposed effective strategies for saving money and accounting for every dollar. However, not all the steps proposed by the author are relevant to global marketing (Bly 1).
Business organizations operate within limited budgets. Budget limitations require organizations to plan in advance and ensure their operations and activities are within the organizational budget and achieve short term goals that contribute towards the achievements of the long term goals. The article is relevant to global marketing because it proposes accountability for organizational funds, which is a practice all organizations aspire to achieve. The ways proposed by the author may not necessarily contribute to the maximization of campaigns and saving money, for instance, doing things by yourself. An organization cannot execute all its functions effectively. There are some functions that require the involvement of the third party, for example, support services among others (Bly 1). The author proposes the in-house press release, which might not be effective at all times depending on the needs of the organization. Therefore, this way is not an effective strategy for all businesses, especially for those targeting the global market (Bly 1).
The author has also proposed effective ways such as paying vendors on time and appropriate payment for services. Timely payments to vendors create loyalty and build trust with respective vendors, which is an effective strategy because the respective vendors can supply on credit in the future. Appropriate payment is also an effective way of accounting for each dollar in an organization. All expenses must be accounted for and affordable by the respective organization based on their budget. Therefore, the article is appropriate for global marketing if improved (Bly 1).
The article, “Ingredients of a marketing plan” by the Entrepreneur is useful because it highlights the elements of an appropriate marketing plan. It demonstrates how to prepare a leading marketing plan that can be used by an organization towards achieving its goals and objectives within a specified deadline or period. The author highlights important areas to address when writing a marketing plan such as the objectives, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities among others (Entrepreneur 1).
Conclusion
The marketing plan should be prepared to guide the marketing process of an organization. Considering the elements of a good marketing plan, the author has discussed the key areas of a marketing plan and how to handle them. Furthermore, the author has provided a budget range based on organizational size, which is effective in guiding individual businesses in writing an effective marketing plan. Therefore, considering the contents of the article based on the elements of an effective marketing plan, the author has presented an effective article relevant to global marketing (Entrepreneur 3).
Works Cited
Bly, Robert W. “10 Ways to stretch your marketing budget.” Entrepreneur Press , 2013. Web.
Entrepreneur. “The ingredients of a marketing plan.” Entrepreneur, 2013. Web.
Gunelius, Susan. “10 Steps to getting Started in Social Media Marketing.” Entrepreneur, 2010. Web.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: "A Darkling Plain" a Book by Kristen Monroe Essay discusses how conflict affects humanity. The book uses stories from people who lived through wars and later witnessed flourishing happiness. These narratives form the basis of the book "A Darkling Plain" and they include interviews with people who survived international and civil conflicts. The book is subdivided into six psychological dimensions for easier analysis. |
"A Darkling Plain" a Book by Kristen Monroe Essay discusses how conflict affects humanity. The book uses stories from people who lived through wars and later witnessed flourishing happiness. These narratives form the basis of the book "A Darkling Plain" and they include interviews with people who survived international and civil conflicts. The book is subdivided into six psychological dimensions for easier analysis. | “A Darkling Plain” a Book by Kristen Monroe Essay
Discussion
War periods present a trying time for humankind. War is known to highlight the worst qualities of humankind. During wars, people turn against each other as their moral integrity is compromised. In his book “A Darkling Plain”, Dr. Kristen Monroe investigates how conflict affects humanity. Monroe is a philosophy and political science professor at the University of California at Irvine. Monroe’s book uses stories from people who lived through wars and later witnessed flourishing happiness. These narratives form the basis of the book “A Darkling Plain” and they include interviews with people who survived international and civil conflicts. The interviewed people include soldiers, victims of dictatorial regimes, and refugees. According to the author’s narrative, it is hard for anyone to survive the war with his/her personality intact. Monroe presents the argument that war has profound effects on psychological processes. Moreover, the book is subdivided into six psychological dimensions for easier analysis. This paper explains how Monroe uses narrative analysis to evaluate the issues of humanity and war.
“A Darkling Plain” is made up of a series of analyses that span over different periods and continents. These narratives reflect peoples’ attempts at making sense of their reality. Normally, narratives are used to present shared beliefs, similar identities, and common origins. In Monroe’s case, narratives are used to present similar experiences. Most of the interviewed persons have either survived a war or experienced the effects of the war firsthand. For instance, some of the narratives cover wars that happened in the early 1920s while the others cover conflicts that happened in this century. However, all these narratives reveal similarities in inexperience. For example, the story of Frank the South Pacific soldier details war-related experiences in the early 1920s. Nevertheless, Frank’s experiences bear striking similarities with those of displaced African refugees. Therefore, the author is able to create a network of ideas that help to highlight how war affects humanity.
Monroe’s style of narrative analysis is quite wholesome as compared to other narrative styles. Most narratives tend to omit the details that are considered to be of less importance. However, Monroe’s narratives are inclusive of all the details that the narrators consider important to them. In some instances, the narratives used in “A Darkling Plain” tend to contain ‘irrelevant’ information. Nevertheless, the wholesome nature of Monroe’s narrative style enriches the quality of her work and adds authenticity to the narrators’ experiences. The narrators are allowed to offer all details of their life during the war period. Significantly, the core aspects of these narrations converge to show how humanity reacts to war experiences.
The author’s conclusions about the war are quite accurate. The narratives used in the book only give the version of the story that the narrator wants to be known. Some narrators do not want their readers/listeners to know how bad the war was. For example, Frank the Soldier jokes about the experiences of his life during the war in a bid to cover up the horrible experiences of the war. On the other hand, other narrators do their best to convey the horrors of the war to their audiences. In Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s narrative, he highlights the bloodiest war experiences such as the beheading of the man who would not part with his Bible (Monroe 46). Another situation where the narrative analysis would be necessary is when trying to find reconciliation.
Personal Experience
According to Monroe, people use several tactics to ensure that they maintain their humanity during the war. The author claims most survivors view humanity as a threefold concept that covers all human beings, the quality of humanity, and the ability to be humane by treating others with care and concern. Therefore, Monroe argues that maintaining humanity “includes the ability to retain the decency that is part of our human condition, to show respect and concern for others, and to demonstrate kindness and benevolence in our treatment of our fellow human beings, even during the war” (Monroe 25). However, the author notes that narrators do not necessarily focus on the aspect of ‘retaining humanity’ in their narrations. It is noted that some people retain their humanity by sharing and memorizing wartime stories. Other people retain their humanity by repressing and trying to forget the experiences of the war. Most of the people who try to forget their war experiences reckon that it is almost impossible to remain human while one is still carrying around the experiences of the war. One of the narrators in Monroe’s book claims that the fact that she was able to love even when she was held up in a concentration camp helped her maintain her humanity. Maintaining humanity could also be motivated by peoples’ service to others. For instance, Monroe notes that some victims struggled to survive for the sake of their families.
Monroe’s claims about humanity, survival, and coping mechanisms can be tested and applied using traumatic personal experiences. One of my most traumatic events happened a few months ago when I lost my five-year-old nephew in a freak accident. He had just come from his school’s closing day event. Soon after, I called his mother to make arrangements for how he would stay with me in the next few days. He was in high spirits and he was looking forward to enjoying his December holidays. However, an hour after we had talked someone called me to inform me that my nephew had had an accident; he had fallen from the top of a building and died. There were no witnesses to the accident and with time, suspicions of foul play began surfacing. The period following my nephew’s passing was tough. I had big plans for him and he was a promising kid. It has been a few months since the incident and I have managed to deal with this event and somehow retain my humanity.
The first thing I did after the loss was to surround myself with other family members who were going through similar trauma. My cousin had just lost her only child and I knew I had to remain sober for her sake. Like the victims in Monroe’s narration, I struggled to maintain composure for my family’s sake. In addition, I compiled photos of my nephew and wrote poems about the times we spent with my nephew. These compilations are quite similar to Monroe’s shared narratives.
My strategy worked because there were few other people who were going through a similar experience. I also shared my poems with other family members through social networking websites. Their comments helped me cope with my loss and at the same time helped them cope with theirs. Avoiding repressing the experience also helped me to cope with my loss.
Works Cited
Monroe, Kristen. A Darkling Plain, California, CA: Cambridge University, 2014. Print.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : A little electronic magic at Alibaba.com Case study discusses the benefits and cost of use of Alibaba - Write a 2 sentence summary of the essay in the previous text that would also make a good title.The benefits and cost of use of Alibaba.com are discussed in a case study of Grieve company, which wants to create industrial heat processing equipment and sell it to customers. The company's goal is to tap into the existing untapped global market. The case study discusses how using | A little electronic magic at Alibaba.com Case study discusses the benefits and cost of use of Alibaba - Write a 2 sentence summary of the essay in the previous text that would also make a good title.
The benefits and cost of use of Alibaba.com are discussed in a case study of Grieve company, which wants to create industrial heat processing equipment and sell it to customers. The company's goal is to tap into the existing untapped global market.
The case study discusses how using | A Little Electronic Magic at Alibaba.com Case Study
The benefits and cost of use Alibaba.com
Benefits Cost
Several manufacturers’ bids on a customer order placed online, as well as a wide range of customers’ products offered by many sellers. Premium charged to use a site like Alibaba online.
Manufacture of products designed by the company based in different locations by posting the design in business-to-business sites. Cost of posting the design on the sites. This may include the time which the post stays on the company’s sites.
Direct interaction between buyers and sellers through online sites eliminates brokerage and intermediaries. Membership cost for using the site levied on both, the buyer and seller.
Buyers make a price comparison of the same products, but different manufacturers. Cost may include the charges for numerous visits to the business-to-business site in use.
Comparison analysis
Grieve company’s goal is to create industrial heat processing equipment and sell it to customers. The export strategy relies on the existing untapped global market. Locating customers, informing them on product features and shipping sends a challenge to Grieves’s global business. The sale of finished products includes several relevant steps of realizing returns on investment. Using business-to-business sites is a good way of presenting information on new products, and it becomes easy to circulate it online for potential buyers to view. Interested customers place their orders using the same sites. Besides, the company does not need to have many regional offices since customer interaction is through the site.
Shipment service providers locate manufacturers such as Grieve on the same online trade sites. The company has the opportunity to compare the prices of the competitors using posts placed on the sites. Pricing information is vital to any competitive market. The cost of doing business reduces significantly. Grieve company only needs to be a member of any of the online trade sites by paying the required premiums. Finally, Grieve stands to benefit from a growing market that would be difficult without the sites that make it easier to locate a new market.
Trade Overview
All companies have high traffic with millions of visitors daily. This is a key indicator that the online trade venture has experienced massive growth over the years. All sites are business to business targeting customers ranging from small business to big manufacturers. The sites have prioritized buying and selling a concept that aims at connecting buyers and sellers globally. All companies generate revenue in membership charges, as well as advertisements on their sites. There are membership premiums as well.
As opposed to this, Alibaba has a greater global outfit than both TradeIndia and TradeKey together, it is evident from its traffic and several different buyers and sellers. TradeIndia has focused mostly on the Indian market as opposed to other new entities. Both TradeIndia and TradeKey have a better new product update than Alibaba. Alibaba has clear safety and security centers to ensure that the users remain safe from fraudulent activities on the sites, more than the other two entities that have no elaborate security details.
The cost of doing business has reduced greatly after the entry of online trade sites. Companies reported reduced expenditure on global missions to expand markets. Entry into a new market became much easier with little infrastructure development in the new market. Since the global trend is going online, companies are shifting to online trade to be part of this new development. Companies left out risk loss of market among other grave losses in the future.
The short period of doing business makes online trade between companies the most suitable. Loss of person-hours faces a downward trend in the future as companies conduct their transactions in the comfort of their mother locations. Meanwhile, due to a reduction in the cost of doing business revenues increase. This invites competition: putting companies without proper online structures at risk of loss of business.
Impact of the global financial crisis
The global financial crisis has recently hit the money markets hard. Established markets, such as the European market, emerged as there was a threat of the crisis that could ruin former big economies. Following this change in business activity, Alibaba stands to benefit from the investors fleeing European markets to stable locations such as the Far East. The new entities provide opportunities for the growth of online trade.
Emerging economies, such as Africa provide great opportunities to Alibaba business models. Alibaba is located in the world’s fastest-growing economy by trade-China. After the global financial crisis turbulence shook the West, Alibaba tremendously experienced growth in traffic as more customers opted for Chinese products.
On the other hand, Alibaba faces competition from other established online companies that have shifted attention from its areas of operation. After the crisis, firms directed resources to the stable markets in a bid to rescue their business entities. Competition by these firms brings a major threat to Alibaba as they compete for market share. New entries often satisfy demand if the existing companies are overwhelmed.
Otherwise, the new entities set in competition to the existing firms in new markets. Alibaba also faces a loss of business in the crisis-prone markets. Less traffic flows from such areas due to reduced business potential and reduced activity. However, with the resolution of crises such as the Eurozone debt, Alibaba may continue experiencing an upward trend in its online trade growth.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Sociological theories and concepts argue that human behaviour and actions are influenced by the environment within which they occur. The environment can be macro or micro, the former may, for instance, involve a whole culture. The latter may be contextual (such as a drinking den, a classroom or a church). |
Sociological theories and concepts argue that human behaviour and actions are influenced by the environment within which they occur. The environment can be macro or micro, the former may, for instance, involve a whole culture. The latter may be contextual (such as a drinking den, a classroom or a church). | A Local Pub: Sociological Theories and Concepts Essay
Introduction
Generally, sociological theories argue that human behaviour and actions are influenced by the environment within which they occur, but this influence is not simplistic. It involves how an individual sub-consciously or consciously perceives that environment; that is, what the individual feels the environment requires of them and whether one should act in accordance with or defiance to those requirements, and if so how. This environment can be macro or micro, the former may, for instance, involve a whole culture. The latter may be contextual (such as a drinking den, a classroom or a church).
I visited a local pub in order to consciously witness this environmental influence on human behaviour and action. This paper is an interpretation of what I witnessed from a perspective of sociological theories and concepts.
Discussion
Without going into a step-by-step recounting of what happened, as expected, there were those who drank quietly (most of them ladies) and those who got noisy after a few bottles. Some threw obscene words and obscenely touched the bartenders, others were sober, and there were other small categories of characters.
I made a few assumptions about the crowd: of the ‘noisy drunk’, some must have been faking. Of the ‘quiet’, there must have been those who were more drank than the ‘noisy drunk’ and controlling themselves; I also noticed that the barmaids in my observation were not embarrassed or offended.
It occurred to me, albeit with no concrete proof as this was not a controlled setting that I was observing a network of role-playing. ‘Role theory’ argues that how one acts is influenced by the expectations held by oneself or by other people.
From this point, perhaps it can be guessed that those who drank quietly did so because they expected of themselves and others to expect from them some semblance of ‘genteel’ (as a gentleman or lady). It is universally expected that women are refined in manners, and so in spite of drinking or even drinking, the ladies may have been controlling their behaviour to abide by such societal expectations.
Those who were noisy and promiscuous in their behaviour probably did it because they would ‘not’ be cursed for it since it is perhaps expected of one who is drunk. The maids reflected this behaviour in their response to them; they simply jumped out of their reach and laughed off the obscenities, such things are expected if not acceptable and tolerable in a pub anyway.
Related to this is the ‘subcultural theory’. By being a member of a sub-culture within a bigger culture (e.g. a gang), one is expected to subscribe to certain norms. Within a certain subculture, what is otherwise disagreeable outside becomes agreeable when in it. The members of that sub-culture are therefore expected to role-play in accordance with the rules; a pub is a setting of sub-culture.
Conclusion
That said, I got wondering who was acting right and/or wrong in the pub, in other words, how should drunken people act? I guess there can’t be a conclusive answer to this. As alluded to above, the individual chooses how to respond to expectations and plays along or defy. The quiet customers ‘either accepted or refused’ to abide by expectations; the ‘noisy drunk’ as well. What this reflects is that the influence of the environment is not a simplistic one. There is always an interplay of factors that mould ‘that’ environment, in the end, what conforming or deviance in a bar really means cannot be conclusively decided.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The essay discusses the word choices in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It argues that the word choices are appropriate for the discussion of the research but not the senses. | The essay discusses the word choices in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It argues that the word choices are appropriate for the discussion of the research but not the senses. | Word Choices in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare Essay
The dark night that from the eye his function takes,
The ear quicker of apprehension makes;
Wherein in doth impair the seeing sense,
It pays the hearing double recompense.
Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found;
Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound.
But why unkindly didst thou leave me so? (Shakespeare 52)
This passage dwells upon the human senses at night. It is obvious that people cannot see enough at this particular time, at night. The author has chosen the specific words for describing human feelings, thus, describing the simple blindness because of the dark time, the author refers to specific scientific terminology, “function” and “response.” These words are more appropriate for the discussion of the research, but not the senses. The choice of these words may be explained by the desire to show that human senses are particular processes which require adequate treatment.
Further, the author refers to the possibilities of better hearing but worse look as to the art. It seems that the author wants to find an explanation for the process of change. When night comes, people suffer from impairing the seeing sense and the doubling of the hearing. Calling this an art, the author wants to show how much miracle is there in the human body. The word art is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “a human creative skill or its application” (n.p.). Thus, the author wants to show that art is not just the things people create but also the skills they possess. Moreover, the Oxford English Dictionary refers to the word “art” to “mystery,” which is exactly the case in this passage.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Night’s Dream . New York: Forgotten Books, 2008. Print.
Oxford English Dictionary , 2011. Web.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The essay discusses the expansion of the Bolsheviks and how it shaped the development of the relations between the countries of the Middle East and Russia. The expansion of the Bolsheviks led to a re-conquest of eastern territories, which created a strong opposition to the Russians in the East. |
The essay discusses the expansion of the Bolsheviks and how it shaped the development of the relations between the countries of the Middle East and Russia. The expansion of the Bolsheviks led to a re-conquest of eastern territories, which created a strong opposition to the Russians in the East. | “A Peace To End All Peace” by David Fromkin Essay
The chapter under consideration deals with the Bolsheviks’ expansion, which shaped the development of the relations between the countries of the Middle East and Russia. It is important to note that though Lenin claimed it was important for nations to become independent, Bolsheviks made everything to re-conquer eastern territories. This Bolsheviks’ imperialistic policy made natives of the eastern territories develop strong hostility to the Russians.
Interestingly, Bolsheviks claimed that the power of the proletariat is the most humanness order to build. They also promised to help nations conquered by the czar’s regime to regain their freedom. At the same time, Lenin claimed that the East did not have the working class to help the peasantry to build a democratic and just society. Lenin also stated that “[i]n effect this meant that the peoples of the East were not yet ready to exercise their right to be free” (Fromkin 476). At that, Stalin believed the nations should be subordinate to the central power, i.e., the power of Moscow. Basically, the short-term goals of the two leaders were similar.
It is also important to note that religious beliefs and cultural traditions made people of the East oppose the new order. Natives of the East were against the rule of the proletariat, and Lenin inevitably fought the majority. Fromkin provides an example of Turkistan, which reveals the experience of other countries of the Middle East. Eventually, “[l]ike other such colonies, it found that its economy was exploited for the benefit of its European masters” (Fromkin 477). Thus, the Bolsheviks’ policy did not differ from the policies of other imperial European countries, which tended to exploit people of other countries.
Therefore, the author provides insights into the development of relations between European Russia and the Russian East. The author also explains the reasons which made Bolsheviks move farther. The new ruling group was afraid of any external threat which could come from such countries as China or Persia.
It is possible to claim that the author reveals some of the reasons (or rather major reasons) for complicated relations between European Russia and some countries of the Middle East. Bolshevik’s policies contributed greatly to the development of such tense relationships. Bolshevik’s imperialism can be regarded as another example of European empires’ attitude towards the countries of the Middle East. Thus, Bolsheviks considered the countries of the East to be an inseparable part of their huge empire. This meant that Bolsheviks could exploit people, lands, etc. of that part of their empire.
Admittedly, such an imperialistic policy evoked resistance in the people of the East. People of those countries acknowledged that any force which came from the west was hostile. No matter what promises Europeans made, the people of those countries turned out to be deceived. Of course, the East developed a specific profile of the Western country. The East tended to be hostile to Russians.
To sum up, the chapter focuses on the relations between Russia and the Russian East in the 1920s. The author provides insights into the development of hostility to Russians in some countries of the Middle East. The author states that Bolsheviks, who claimed to bring a new better order, actually continued the imperialistic policy of czarist Russia. This was one of the ways of exploitation which made people of the East detest and distrust the Russians. The events of the 1920s, to a great extent, shaped the development of the relations between the countries of the Middle East and Russia.
Works Cited
Fromkin, David. A Peace to End All Peace , New York, NY: Holt Paperbacks, 2001. Print.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: A sleeveless dress with a round neck is a great day dress and can be worn for both formal and casual occasions. It has a sweetheart neckline and is made from 100% silk. The dress has a chiffon overlay that covers up the miniskirt and still adds to the class of the dress. |
A sleeveless dress with a round neck is a great day dress and can be worn for both formal and casual occasions. It has a sweetheart neckline and is made from 100% silk. The dress has a chiffon overlay that covers up the miniskirt and still adds to the class of the dress. | Sleeveless Dress with a Round Neck Essay
Casual wear, day dress, more formal dress
The garment is a sleeveless dress with a round neck and has a sweetheart neckline. It has sheer detail on the neckline and on the back. These aspects of design make it suitable to be worn for day and evening occasions. Its great detail and chicness make it suitable for more formal events, while the chiffon overlay makes the dress modest by covering up the miniskirt and still adds to the class of the dress.
Season (worn)
This type of dress is suitable for summer, spring, and fall because of the comfortable feel. The sleeveless design is extremely convenient during summer, and the lightness of the fabric that was used makes it comfy in the summer heat. More so, during fall, the round neckline coupled with a scarf suffices the cold. The dress is made from materials with incomparable air circulation hence very comfortable during spring.
Description of each garment
The inner part of the top is made up of 100% silk and covered by sheer material, while the outer top of the dress is covered with a sheer fabric on both the front and back. The tulle fabric is made from 80% polyester and 20% spandex, which makes the sheer material elastic improving the stretch qualities. Tulle is a fine netting frivolous and often starched fabric, and contrary to its lightweight, it is a tough fabric due to its structure that has threads to maintain a state of tension. The bottom half of the dress is made up of a contrast miniskirt, which is covered by a pure chiffon overlay. The mini skirt is made from a fabric that is different from the rest of the outfit, thus adding detail to the dress, preferably 100% silk white in color. The overlay is 94% nylon and 6% spandex for a shimmery and elastic finish.
Type of fibers within each garment (Indicate the advantages and disadvantages of each)
The silk top is sewn as a crisscrossed band on the bust of the dress. Silk is a protein fiber that can be woven and has a shimmering appearance and a non-slippery soft, smooth texture with a natural shine. It keeps the body warm and has poor elasticity or stretch properties because it remains stretched once overstretched. Furthermore, it is damaged by too much exposure to sunlight, although it is the most durable fabric known but has a larger effect of static cling.
The sheer fabric covering the top of the dress is semi-translucent, thin, and delicate since it is made up of thin threads with a low density of knitting, which makes it extremely light and right for the top part of the dress. This sheer quality is popular because it can be embroidered with designs or patterns as required, and they also come in a wide range of colors. The lightness is relieving in very hot weather and offers very little warmth in cold weather and low protection from the sun. The sheer fabric is tulle made from polyester and spandex.
The tulle fabric does not collapse courtesy of the starching and also has excellent air circulation. It can also be used to add beauty to a lot of things since it has good stretch qualities. The spandex makes up only six percent of the sheer fabric, and it has superb elasticity, although it is synthetic and not long-lasting.
The chiffon overlay in the form of a full skirt covering the bottom half of the dress is stylish. Chiffon is a lightweight, balanced sheer fabric with a little stretch and faintly rough feel. It can be made from silk or cotton in addition to other synthetic fibers like polyester. Chiffon has see-through elements and springs back after pinning, covering up the pin marks. Chiffon is a delicate fabric, and one has to be very careful while sewing it. In addition, it is also shiny and smooth.
Types of yarns within each garment (Indicate why each type was used)
The chiffon is made from balanced plain-woven sheer fabric with alternate weaving of S and Z twist crepe of yarns, particularly high twisted yarns. Silk fabric also has highly twisted threads since it is woven.
The fabric structure of each garment (Indicate why this structure was used)
Chiffon has a fine net or mesh structure making it transparent. Tulle is made by wrapping the weft thread around a warp thread, and this creates a hexagonal design that does not fall or twist out of shape. Silk has a triangular prism-like structure in its fiber that is responsible for its shiny nature. Furthermore, it has various textures, weaves, and weights.
Types of finishes for each garment (Indicate how the finishes may alter fabric’s performance)
The chiffon fabric has French seam finishes that ensure the delicate fabric does not fray since this may damage the threading and look of the finished garment. The seams of silk garments are done with silk threads, especially embroidery. The silk top of the dress should have a lining for a comfortable feel on the inside and also absorb moisture from the body.
Type of design applications for each garment (Such as dyeing/printing)
The sheer chiffon fabric can be dyed to any color desired, but if it is made of synthetic fiber, this can be difficult to color. It does not require much printing because the fabric itself is shimmery. The tulle netting covering the top of the dress has a wide array of colors and, in addition, can be dyed any desired color by the customer. Thus, silk garments do not require additional patterns since they can be dyed, and they have a natural shine due to their structure.
Appropriate maintenance for each garment
Silk garments should be dry cleaned or steamed gently to avoid shrinking, although it cannot be bleached since bleaches dissolve silk fabric. Chiffon is gently hand washed due to its delicate structure and can also be dry cleaned, but not tumbled, and air-dried for best results. In the case of ironing, it is ironed when damp.
Tulle fabrics are generally hand washed in cold water and flat dried in the air, and while ironing, another material is placed on top. Polyester is also dry cleaned just like the other fabrics; this means that the dress as a whole should be dry cleaned so that it is not damaged since it is made from different types of fabrics.
Any other information pertinent to the garment
Care has to be taken when sewing two chiffon fabrics together, and techniques such as layering of different materials in between to keep the fabric together should be used. The layer is removed after sewing. The dress should be ironed, considering each piece of fabric individually for best performance. It should not be exposed to too much sunlight since the polyester in the chiffon makes the overlay have static cling.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : A source of motivation is a vital prerequisite for achieving dreams and visions of an individual. It is a valuable thing to take time and understand the character of the motivator. This can only be achieved through shedding light on the issue of motivation and how it relates to the motivational theories. |
A source of motivation is a vital prerequisite for achieving dreams and visions of an individual. It is a valuable thing to take time and understand the character of the motivator. This can only be achieved through shedding light on the issue of motivation and how it relates to the motivational theories. | A Source of Motivation, and Motivational Theories Essay
A source of motivation is a vital prerequisite for achieving dreams and visions of an individual. It is a valuable thing to take time and understand the character of the motivator. This can only be achieved through shedding light on the issue of motivation and how it relates to the motivational theories.
My uncle, a firstborn in a family of three, has been the source of my motivation. He is a man who is focused on achieving his goals regardless of the hustle and the time taken to reach his real actualization. About Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs, he settles for nothing less but tangible results. During his early schooling period, he managed to secure himself a part-time job that not only financed most of his studies but also provided for some of his greater needs.
At the time of getting a part-time job, his parents could not afford to cater to the academic necessities of all his siblings, which profoundly motivated him to work extra hard to fill the missing gaps. To his benefit, his undying spirit has enabled him to establish a prosperous security firm that is among the best in the current economy.
During his tenure at his first job, he was concerned with the improvement of service delivery to his dear clients, regarding the needs of customers to be paramount in urgency to any of the other matters. Thus, with regards to Herzberg’s theory of motivation, better working conditions and exemplary interpersonal relations had to be established. Believing in spearheading the revolution of seeing the company grow to a giant, he was tasked with the responsibility of making its dreams become realized in the shortest time possible. With his past achievements and increased responsibilities, he tactfully enacted a policy that not only increased the company’s sales but also its customers.
The need for job independence and the pursuit of passion, which is direct to expectancy theory of motivation, was one of the pillars towards the creation of the security firm in which he currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer. The amount of effort he had been inputting in the realization of his goals required a satisfactory level of performance. Regardless of whether the choices he had taken were realistic, achievable, or not, he aimed at being the best by getting the approval of the people and working towards nothing less than achieving the vision of the firm.
According to Porters and Lawler’s models, his achievements, passion, and the rewards that awaited him superseded the losses and the embarrassment he was to get if his firm failed. Motivated by realistic goals and moved by job independence, he was always focused on achieving the firm’s goals. Thus by him and his staff putting the correct amount of effort in the daily service delivery to clients, and also conducting surveys on the acceptability of the firm in society, they built a strong pillar towards the achievement of his dreams as an individual.
In a greater sense majorly focusing on my uncle’s achievements about the motivational theories, which were and are still realistic, I will always find him to be the spring of all my motivation. Regarding him as a mentor, and I as the protégé, my success in life will always be coined around his hard work.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The survey of the Old Testament focuses on the importance of Job's vulnerability, works cited. |
The survey of the Old Testament focuses on the importance of Job's vulnerability, works cited. | A Survey of the Old Testament Essay
Table of Contents
1. Be fruitful and multiply
2. Responsibilities of Israel’s and Judah’s Kings
3. True Worship is a Dangerous Thing
4. Importance of Job’s Vulnerability
5. Works Cited
Be fruitful and multiply
The command to be fruitful and multiply was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God wanted man and woman to reproduce and fill the earth with humanity. However, God’s plan was that the earth would be filled with people who lived in righteousness. The world was to be filled with people in the same spiritual condition as that of Adam and Eve before their fall. However, sin entered the world. Therefore, the multiplication of people led to the multiplication of their sins.
One example of how this population increase led to an increase in sin was during the time when the tower of Babel was being built. The people came together, determined to build a tower that would reach the heavens. They claimed that, in building this tower, they would not be scattered all over the earth. Instead, they would build a name for themselves in that single place. This, of course, was in direct contradiction to God’s plan that people should multiply and spread throughout all the earth. This is why God confused their languages and caused chaos that ended up halting the building project (Dillard and Tremper 55).
The second instance was when Pharaoh tried to destroy the Hebrew male babies. Pharaoh had noticed that the Israelite slaves were rapidly growing both in numbers and might. Afraid that they would take over the rulership of Egypt, he ordered that all the male newborn babies be killed. His plan was to prevent the Israelites from multiplying. This was in direct contradiction to God’s initial command. Therefore, in an effort to preserve His covenant people, God saved the life of Moses. Moses would later grow up to be the liberator of the Israelite people from their bondage in Egypt.
Responsibilities of Israel’s and Judah’s Kings
Initially, it was not God’s desire that the Israelites be ruled by Kings. But God knew that they would demand a king, and He set provisions in the law for a king. There were very high responsibilities that God set for the kings in order to set an example for the people. For example, through King David, God demanded that the King be accountable and a person of unquestionable character. This was clearly brought out when he sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and tried to hide his sins. God sent the Prophet Nathan to deal with the issue. This was a lesson to the people that not even kings were above God’s law.
Through King Solomon, the people learned the responsibilities of a king in ensuring that people worshiped the one true God. Solomon had the responsibility of building God’s temple according to the specifications that God himself had given. The king was thus supposed to display an attitude of service and total submission and obedience to God, setting an example for all (Williams and Stanley 501).
King Uziah was a king of Judah. He was a great warrior and is remembered for the many fortifications he put around Judah. However, he grew proud and corrupt. He also defiled the temple and sinned before God when he went to burn incense upon the altar. This showed that even kings were to adhere to God’s law and could not overrule the role of the high priest. They had to obey and live by the law, just like everyone else. God punished Uziah by striking him with leprosy. Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, God displayed His high standards and expectations for the kings. The kings served as a lesson to the people when God rewarded their obedience and punished their disobedience.
True Worship is a Dangerous Thing
“True worship is a dangerous thing because, in it, we are required to bring our personal failings face-to-face with a holy, righteous, and just God.”
Worship refers to the different attitudes of service, submission, and reverence towards God. In other words, it refers to the obedience of God, keeping His commands, and pleasing Him. The author of the above statement is right in terming worship as a dangerous thing. This is because man’s nature is fallen, and he is, therefore, incapable of exhibiting the perfection that God demands. For a man to truly worship God, he must display perfect obedience.
Since this is not possible due to sin, there are sacrifices that must be made to atone for man’s failings. These sacrifices also have to be made in accordance with God’s requirements. Failure to meet any one of the requirement puts the person’s own life in danger.
In the Old Testament, people worshipped God by keeping the commandments given through Moses. Failure to keep any of the many laws required sacrifices to be made. There were also many other sacrifices that had to be made at certain times and in a certain specific way. The people who failed in one way or another were either stricken by a horrible disease, or they were killed (Arnold and Bryan 46). This clearly shows just how dangerous true worship was. A pure and perfect God demands the same of us. However, humanity is made up of imperfect and sinful people. Also, since God is just, He must punish our failings. This is what makes worship dangerous, especially in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament, Jesus bore these punishments and justified believers.
Importance of Job’s Vulnerability
The story of Job clearly revealed the various ways and instances in which Job’s vulnerability was present. First of all, even though Job was wealthy, and he lived a life of obedience to God, he still ended up losing everything. This illustrates man’s vulnerability. It shows that no amount of wealth or righteousness can make us not become vulnerable to disaster. Job’s vulnerability to the calamities that befell him provides an important lesson to believers. First of all, it shows that all men are vulnerable to disaster. It is not just a great sinner that is vulnerable. Even the strongest and most mature believer is vulnerable (Archer, 402).
Job’s vulnerability was further displayed in God’s description of the Leviathan in Job 41. In this chapter, God described the strength and might of the Leviathan and how Job was helpless against it. God conveniently showed that Job had no hope of standing against the Leviathan, which in essence represented Satan. God showed that even so, He was stronger than the Leviathan. This chapter gives insight to believers concerning vulnerability.
It shows that even though man is vulnerable and totally helpless against Satan’s schemes, God is still stronger than Satan. God still triumphs over evil, despite our own vulnerabilities. These examples clearly show that people misunderstand the way people feel vulnerable to life’s stresses. People always see the stresses as too big, forgetting that God is actually bigger and in control.
Works Cited
Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, 3 rd Ed . Chicago: Moody Press, 1994.
Arnold, Bill T and Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey . Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1999.
Dillard Raymond B. and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Williams, William C. and Stanley Horton. They Spoke from God: A Survey of the Old Testament. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2003.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The author of the text conducted an internet survey to determine the number of people who liked the iPhone and those who liked Blackberry. The results showed that more people preferred the iPhone over Blackberry. The reasons given for this were that the iPhone has a better touch screen and keypad, it is more entertaining, and it is less expensive. |
The author of the text conducted an internet survey to determine the number of people who liked the iPhone and those who liked Blackberry. The results showed that more people preferred the iPhone over Blackberry. The reasons given for this were that the iPhone has a better touch screen and keypad, it is more entertaining, and it is less expensive. | A Survey on Iphone and Blackberry Report
With BlackBerry and iPhone competing in the market, users have encountered a hard time choosing between them (Hendrickson, 2007). An internet survey to determine the number of people who liked the iPhone and those who liked BlackBerry was conducted. Participants were asked to name the phone they like most and the reasons. If one did not like either of them or liked a different phone, he/she was asked to mention (Kerry, 2009). The results obtained were as follows:
Which Phone do You like and why? Business Entertainment/Applications Touch screen/ keypad Price Internet Total
BlackBerry 8 4 6 3 9 30
Apple iPhone 3 17 12 5 4 41
I have my own (Different) 1 1 4 1 7
I do not use a cell phone 4
The results were analyzed and represented in graphs and pie charts
* The number of people who like iPhone, BlackBerry and those who liked/used other phones
* Reasons for people liking the iPhone over BlackBerry
* Reasons for people liking the iPhone over BlackBerry | https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-survey-on-iphone-and-blackberry/ | 9 |
Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: A.B.C. Learning Centres' issues essay discusses the company's profits, share price, marketing capitalization, government subsidies, and expansion into new markets.A.B.C. Learning Centres' issues essay discusses the company's profits, share price, marketing capitalization, government subsidies, and expansion into new markets. | A.B.C. Learning Centres' issues essay discusses the company's profits, share price, marketing capitalization, government subsidies, and expansion into new markets.
A.B.C. Learning Centres' issues essay discusses the company's profits, share price, marketing capitalization, government subsidies, and expansion into new markets. | A.B.C. Learning Centres’ Issues Essay
A.B.C. Learning Centres, also known as A.B.C., is one of the biggest Australian child care chain. In 1988, the first center was established, in 1997 – 18 centers were presented to society, and in 2006, more than 800 centers provide the company with the necessary child care. Within not a long period, as it was dated in 2005, A.B.C. profits were about $50 million.
In this case, there are several issues, which have to be pointed out: (1) unbelievable increase of the share price and marketing capitalization; (2) the Government in Australia offers subsidies to parents, but still, they are indirect because it is a kind of family support payment; (3) because of numerous indirect contributions, A.B.C. spend more than $200 million; (4) A.B.C. is going to establish centers at every 5 kilometers in Brisbane; and finally, (5) A.B.C. cooperated with numerous Australian, New Zealand, and American markets.
The last issue is considered to be the most crucial because it depends on all those issues, and at the same time, is composed of several other minor issues like acquisition of equity in the chosen for cooperation countries, necessary platforms for developing other products, abilities to control new fundraisings.
A.B.C.’s cooperation with American markets is regarded as a problem because it turns out to be more challenging to control all the financial operations, which have connected A.B.C.’s profits. To achieve good results, A.B.C. should have proper control over each operating costs, credit operations, and excessive borrowings. This cooperation and the establishment of new centers all over the world may be identified as one of the major problems of the organization in the case study.
To start solving the problem mentioned above, it is crucially essential to pick out an appropriate search strategy and identify the necessary literature. The chosen for this case study strategy will help to save time, find access to a vast amount of information, and be sure of its relevance. First of all, it is different from academic journals and websites; they can be found in databases and indexes.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: aBox4You's branding, pricing, and distribution strategy essay discusses the company's plan for branding, pricing, and distributing its subscription boxes in order to compete with other similar services. The essay outlines the major inter- and intra-competitors of aBox4You, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. It then goes on to discuss how aBox4You will differentiate itself from these competitors, and how it will use social media and integrated marketing communications to reach its target market. |
aBox4You's branding, pricing, and distribution strategy essay discusses the company's plan for branding, pricing, and distributing its subscription boxes in order to compete with other similar services. The essay outlines the major inter- and intra-competitors of aBox4You, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. It then goes on to discuss how aBox4You will differentiate itself from these competitors, and how it will use social media and integrated marketing communications to reach its target market. | ABox4You Company’s Branding, Pricing, Distribution Strategy Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Major Inter- and Intra-Competitors
3. Strengths and Weaknesses of Competitive Brands
4. Differentiation Strategy
5. Leader or Follower?
6. Social Media Tools
7. Integrated Marketing Communications
8. References
Introduction
The third step in our marketing plan for aBox4You will be the analysis of competition and use of media tools to further our advantage and to stay on top of the competitive chain. Competitive awareness is paramount to any successful business, as it increases awareness of alternative products present on the market and helps predict future competitive challenges, allowing the company to prepare for them beforehand.
Major Inter- and Intra-Competitors
In marketing, inter-competition suggests rivalry between similar products that are differentiated one from another in some way (Riley, Singh, & Blankson, 2016). Intra-competitiveness, on the other hand, means competition between retailers that distribute a similar product (Riley et al., 2016). Both methods of competition are compatible with our brand, as our company is not the only subscription box service in the world, and at the same time, we distribute products that other companies make, using a subscription distribution model.
Our inter-competitors would be subscription box services hailing from the USA, such as Lootcrate, Love with Food, Meatbox, and several other brands. They are very popular in the neighboring country and are looking to expand into other regions, offering shipments to Canada through various transporting companies like Fed-Ex. They offer similar products at similar prices, and unlike aBox4You, which is just starting, they have a name to themselves and a functioning business model.
Our intra-competitors, on the other hand, will be companies that distribute the same products we do, only through conventional retail stores. In a way, our suppliers would also be our competitors, as it is likely that some customers would want to buy their products directly, bypassing us. Since our boxes offer food, sweets, spices, and culinary trinkets, any stores dedicated to the distribution of similar merchandise will be competing with us.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Competitive Brands
In this section, we will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of our inter-and intra-competitors, to determine what aBox4You should capitalize on to have a competitive advantage against these brands. For a starting company, it is very important to identify these weaknesses and use them to gain a market share.
Lootcrate, Love with Food, Meatbox, and other American brands all have one serious and distinct disadvantage over aBox4You – they are all American brands with little to no foothold in Canada, yet (Bischof, Bottger, & Rudolf, 2016). Our company will be based in Toronto and distribute products offered by local producers, meaning that we cater to the Canadian population. They are more likely to buy products that are fresh and produced locally rather than products made in a foreign country and spent days in transport before reaching their customers. Long-distance transportation can damage certain goods such as food, and increase their price.
The strengths of these competitive brands are evident – they are well-known in the USA and have strong customer and resource bases there. However, these strengths are irrelevant in Toronto, as they have yet to open a distribution base here. Our competitors cannot rely on their renown and resources as much as they could in the USA when penetrating the Canadian market.
Local producers and retail stores have a distinct set of advantages over us. Depending on the size of their business, they would be able to provide a vastly more elaborate array of products than we ever could and present it to potential customers that visit their stores. Due to operating in Toronto for a long time, they are likely to have some renown among the locals.
The traditional retail store model comes with a set of distinct disadvantages, however. Most of them do not offer home delivery, meaning that they are largely restricted to whatever district they are settled in. Additionally, while these companies can offer a variety of products, their stores will be restricted to singular brands only, while aBox4You offers a multitude of products that change every week.
Differentiation Strategy
Coming up with a unique and one-of-a-kind product is extremely difficult in the age of modern marketing. Any new product is bound to be copied to some degree within a relatively short timeframe. While aBox4You uses the Blue Ocean marketing strategy due to no direct competition present in Toronto, similar services exist in the USA and are bound to appear in Canada.
To differentiate ourselves from products such as Lootcrate, Love with Food, and Meatbox, aBox4You will focus solely on promoting local producers and suppliers, should their goods meet our quality standards. This will increase our popularity not only among the companies that we are dealing with but among the customers as well, who would support local brands than invest in foreign businesses (Rothaermel, 2015).
Besides, this strategy will allow us to cut costs on our merchandise, and save money on transporting it from other places. This means that aBox4You will be cheaper when compared to our foreign competitors. To penetrate the Toronto market and compete with us for market share, these companies will have to either commit to penetration strategy and drop down prices, meaning a loss of profit, or fully commit to constructing a local distribution base, which will take time and money.
Leader or Follower?
There are two distinct marketing positions in business, the Leader, and the Follower position. The leader position assumes that the company is going to aim for innovation and breakthrough, to claim its market share (Rothaermel, 2015).
This approach has its own set of risks and advantages. The advantage of being a leader is that your company is always first, which promises great profits and a healthy market share. On the other hand, being a leader includes the possibility of failure. The follower position is much safer in that regard – a follower company practices that which has proven to be profitable and effective. At the same time, being a follower means competing with companies that got there first. Claiming market share would be more difficult for a follower company (Rothaermel, 2015).
Given the circumstances, aBox4You can use both strategies to its advantage. In a way, it will be a follower company, since it will use the Subscription Box model, which has proven itself as a legitimate business concept in the USA. At the same time, it will be the first subscription box service in Toronto and adjacent localities. Thus, the product will be able to claim significant market share by being the first, while staying relatively safe, since the concept has already been tried and proven successful.
Social Media Tools
Social media is a rapidly growing outlet for the marketing industry that has the potential to outgrow and eclipse other media outlets, such as television, radio, and even live to advertise. Marketing specialists acknowledge the importance of social media in finding customers, promoting brands, and delivering accurate thematic advertisements based on the location, tastes, and particular interests of the end-user (the Chu, 2011).
To promote aBox4You through social media channels, the company must establish a social group on all popular media outlets such as Facebook, Tweeter, and other similar social media services (Chu, 2011). This group will allow getting all active members of the newly-found community together, and inform all potential customers about promotions, discounts, sales, contests, and other activities aBox4You will be made to please its clients and promote its products.
Social Media is also an excellent information-gathering tool. Facebook, Twitter, and even popular search sights like Google, all gather information about their clients, which they later use to make personalized advertisements (the Chu, 2011). These ads could promote products similar to those a customer likes, thus increasing the likelihood of them responding to the advertisement, or tie the advertisement to the user’s current location. Facebook and Twitter offer such services, and aBox4You will be using these media outlets to promote their products in such away.
The third way to promote a product is through search engines. If your company is on the first page in Google Search, it is more likely to be noticed by potential customers and investors (the Chu, 2011). Some companies can manipulate Google Search to promote a company’s site to appear in search, for a price. aBox4You will use this outlet to its advantage.
Integrated Marketing Communications
The integrated marketing communications concept suggests cooperation and connection between all branches of the company, including the end-users of the product. Although it can be quite lucrative to implement such a system within a company, IMC can help boost sales, create competitive advantage, save money, and improve inter-branch relationships (Belch, Belch, Kerr, & Powell, 2014).
Integrated marketing communications would be necessary for aBox4You and its advertising strategy. The most important parts of IMC for this business model are horizontal integration, data integration, and internal marketing (Belch et al., 2014).
Horizontal integration suggests a communal approach of all branches of the company towards a specific goal. For example, during the advertising campaign, production, distribution, communication, and finance branches are expected to work together and realize that their actions send messages to the clients. By acting in the best interest of the client and striving for excellence the company will improve its image. This is important for aBox4You, since the company is only starting, and quality service is the only way to earn loyal clientele.
Data integration is vital for brand promotion. For aBox4You to become recognizable to potential customers, the company’s colors and labels must be integrated into products, uniforms, notifications, wrapping materials, and related merchandise (Behzad, 2014).
Internal marketing is vital for promoting a healthy customer community and making it grow. All personnel, from regular employees to top managers, are expected to know about the company’s promotions and actively participate in the life of the company both inside and outside the office. This factor is key for successful company promotion through social media, as well as necessary for finding and securing new business contracts and attracting potential investors.
References
Behzad, M. (2014). The art of packaging: An investigation into the role of color in packaging, marketing, and branding. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 3 (2), 92-102.
Belch, G.E., Belch, M.A., Kerr, G.F., & Powell, I. (2014). Advertising: an integrated marketing communication perspective. North Ryde, Australia: McGraw – Hill Education.
Bischof, S.F., Bottger, T., & Rudolf, T. (2016). What’s in the box? Risk in surprise subscription models. Association for Consumer Research, 5 (3), 1-15.
Chu, S.C. (2011). Viral advertising in social media. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 12 (1), 30-43.
Riley, F.D., Singh, J., & Blankson, C. (2016). The Routledge companion to contemporary brand management. New York, NY: Routledge.
Rothaermel, F.T. (2015). Strategic Management. New York, NY: Mcgraw – Hill Education.
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Write an essay about: The two theories of absolute and comparative advantage developed by Smith and Ricardo had a significant influence on the perception of international trade. While Smith's theory was given preference in the past, it has been argued that Ricardo's theory is more relevant in the modern world. |
The two theories of absolute and comparative advantage developed by Smith and Ricardo had a significant influence on the perception of international trade. While Smith's theory was given preference in the past, it has been argued that Ricardo's theory is more relevant in the modern world. | Absolute and Comparative Advantage Theories by Smith and Ricardo Essay
Adam Smith and David Ricardo had a significant influence on the perception of international trade by developing their theories of absolute and comparative advantage. These approaches have long affected economic relations and dictated the rules of play. Nevertheless, as time passed, other theorists started to argue the foundations of these theories, such as complete employment, free trade, and global allocations of products manufactured on a country basis without the existence and interference of multinational enterprises. These questions were investigated by many scholars from all over the globe.
To begin with, Adam Smith’s theory of absolute advantage is the foundation of Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage. The latter was given preference because it is believed that Smith’s theory is not applicable to the real world. However, according to Schumacher (2012a), this belief is based on excerpts from Smith’s theory instead of his original work. Based on this assumption, the author claims that the theory of absolute advantage is still relevant in the modern world due to the fact that some concepts such as specialization and economy of scale were mentioned in his original work – The Wealth of Nations, but ignored in textbooks.
Moreover, Smith should be appraised for his dynamic approach to perceiving production and technological change, which derive from the alterations of the global economic environment and international trade. The overall conclusion of the whole paper is the following: a dynamic theory of absolute advantage cannot be seen as the basis of Ricardo’s static theory of comparative advantage.
On the other hand, Palley (2008) argues that the perception of comparative advantage has changed over time. His assumptions are based on the works of Samuelson and Gomory, and Baumol. The author believes that comparative advantage is dynamic, as it is influenced by the changes in the global economy, international demand and supply, and distribution of advantages from becoming involved in international trade. Moreover, according to Palley (2008), the influence of unemployment on trade is positive because of inadequate demand for the workforce, while the impact of globalization is seen as negative due to deteriorating influence on domestic innovations and science. Finally, this theory should be viewed from the perspective of modern developments, i.e., high mobility of technologies and floating exchange rate.
Bearing in mind the findings of these two articles, the conclusion is evident: even though the authors focus on different theories and perceive them in a different manner (both claim that advantage is dynamic), they recognize the fact that the apprehension of the international trade and the rules of play have changed. For instance, rules for international and domestic trade are the same regardless of the traditional belief that they differ.
In addition, full employment mentioned in both theories is economically impossible and damages the development of trade ties, and jeopardizes domestic growth (Schumacher, 2012b). Furthermore, no advantage is fixed. It means that if a country possesses either absolute or comparative advantage, it is affected by external development and overall openness of the global economy, as technologies and knowledge are easily transmitted across the globe (Peng & Meyer, 2016).
In fact, it means that these advantages can be created, supplemented, or destroyed. This assumption can be explained by the constant changes in resource allocation strategies developed and implemented by both countries and multinational enterprises based on domestic and international policies and cooperation between the most influential players of the global economic environment (Madhok, Li, & Priem, 2010).
References
Madhok, A., Li, S., & Priem, R. L. (2010). The resource-based view revisited: Comparative firm advantage, willingness-based isolating mechanisms, and competitive heterogeneity. European Management Review, 7 (2), 91-100.
Palley, T. I. (2008). Institutionalism and new trade theory: Rethinking comparative advantage and trade policy. Journal of Economic Issues, 42 (1), 195-208.
Peng, M., & Meyer, K. (2016). International business. Hampshire, UK: Cengage.
Schumacher, R. (2012a). Adam Smith’s theory of absolute advantage and the use of doxography in the history of economics. Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics, 5 (2), 54-80.
Schumacher, R. (2012b). Free trade and absolute and comparative advantage: A critical comparison of two major theories of international trade. Potsdam, Germany: University of Potsdam.
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Write an essay about: The access right to money and the entitlement to money or money's worth is at the center of this case study on the theft of a sculpture. The investigation into the theft is centered on the money and money's worth, and the highest beneficiaries to the theft must be singled out. | The access right to money and the entitlement to money or money's worth is at the center of this case study on the theft of a sculpture. The investigation into the theft is centered on the money and money's worth, and the highest beneficiaries to the theft must be singled out. | Access Right to Money: Sculpture Theft Essay
Table of Contents
1. Analysis
2. Why they stole?
3. How they stole?
4. Work Cited
Analysis
The whole of this case circles around the access right and entitlement to money or money’s worth. The investigation on the theft of the sculpture is, therefore, centered on the money and money’s worth. In this case, there are numerous parties with a vested interest in the value and valuation of the stolen item. To be able to narrow down the number of suspects and possibly identify the persons responsible for the theft, the highest beneficiaries to the theft must be singled out. Fundamentally, it is insured for 3.5 million. It is apparent that there were several past indications to forgeries, and therefore its validity and originality could, therefore, up the market price that a buyer will be willing to part with.
Among the suspects, there are those in dire need of the money due to financial problems, while others need the values worth of the item and not the actual monetary price attached to the item. These two prospects must be clearly distinguished and conceived as interdependent yet still different in the investigation. Who stole?
The item was stolen by Hector Peters and with the aid of Bridget Perkins and Lucien Higginbotham. The motive of the theft is money or money’s worth. All these parties are motivated by either of the two motives. They are also best described as spending enough time in the kitchen which offers an easy view of the conservatory. They also spend enough time in the kitchen discussing the foundation.
Why they stole?
Hector Peters has a history with Dr Felix and therefore understands her properly including the affairs of the foundation and its imminent future. He is aware that the foundation is undergoing serious financial concerns and therefore on disclosure of this information it becomes apparent that they need an urgent source of income. Hectors has experience in art selling and is aware that the sculpture is an original and is probably worth a lot of money. The publication of the story of the art seller who was facing art forgery allegations provided an opportunity for him and his new girlfriend to take advantage of Lucien unfortunate eventuality and loss.
He approached the gallery owner who is supposedly his former silent partner as described in Dorian’s book and they develop the scheme to acquire the original sculpture form the foundation Acquisition of the sculpture would allow them to recover the losses and restore their reputation as an art gallery. As Hawksblood records “I’m over three million dollars over this mess” It would also provide an opportunity to increase the value of the sculpture as its originality gave it a better outlook in the face of fakes and the rising popularity of similar pieces by Diva Goldsmith(Hawksblood 99).
How they stole?
The strategy taken by the three suspects is to penetrate the foundation and earn the trust and confidence of its members and administrators. Hector Peters makes his legitimate entrance to the foundation and gains the trust and confidence of its public relations officer Bridget Perkins. That way he was able to control the content and information released to the public and also makes an input in the press releases made.
Over this period, he had enough time and opportunity to plan and devise the robbery. On the night of the robbery, Peters and Perkins created a strategic distraction for the journalist and researcher who had in earlier years exposed the frauds that were perpetrated by a young gallery owner who was now befriending Dr Felix who was suffering from the overwhelming responsibilities of the foundation and the financial problems facing the foundation.
He assumed the identity of an artist taking interest in the collections to get closer to Dr Felix. Peters and his girlfriend maintained an observant eye on the conservatory and made sure that they led the journalist out of the kitchen just in time for Lucien Higginbotham to enter through the kitchen to falsely alarm Peters and Perkins and who still continue to occupy the journalist to ensure that Dorian remains engaged. Peters and Perkins proceed to the conservatory room after having dismissed Dorian out to get the phone and call the police.
All this is stage managed to ensure that the call from the police is made by Dr Felix’s children before Dorian could make the call because he was sent outside through the front. The kitchen and the conservatory are rather closely adjacent in the landscape setting therefore it would be possible at least to hear the sound of shattered glass all the way from the kitchen if at all Peters and Perkins were in the kitchen. They would have ably heard of the breaking but it is recorded that they. It is therefore clear they were aware of the breaking and were hiding the fact that it had actually happened under their supervision.
All along Lucien had taken the advantage of the private viewing session to leave the back window open which he used to get into the conservatory and quickly steal the sculpture and head out to the front after hiding it and going through the front window explaining the open front and back windows. All these were facilitated by the assistance of Peters and Perkins.
Work Cited
Hawksblood, Dorian. Fakes and Forgeries: Post- Modern Sculpture and the Problem of Authenticity , New York: New York University Press. 2010, Print.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The essay discusses the accounting standards and their effects report. It talks about how standards are important in determining network value if they entirely rely on size, and how they can be a hindrance if they are not adopted properly. | The essay discusses the accounting standards and their effects report. It talks about how standards are important in determining network value if they entirely rely on size, and how they can be a hindrance if they are not adopted properly. | Accounting Standards and Effects Report
Table of Contents
1. Standards and systems effects
2. Standards wars
3. Standard negotiations
4. Choice of standards leader
5. PTSG accounting information
6. Income Statement
7. Works Cited
Standards and systems effects
Standards are imperative in determination of network value if they entirely rely on size. Given that PSGT is a large corporation with capability to expand to global markets; it is likely that its network will be extremely wide. Owing to the fact that large corporations choose independence or prefer diversity in service provision, adoption of standards is sometimes considered to be less important.
For instance, the decisions by technology giants such as Microsoft and America online to neglect standardization in their networking practices have positively impacted their growths on a global scale. This does not however leave an absolute implication that standardization is redundant in corporation success since its adoption can greatly influence company result s in a positive way. The latter explains why consideration and adoption of standards will be important for strategic growth of PSGT Intel Co. According to Varian, PSGT adoption of standards would greatly determine its value according to the equation PSGT Value = PSGT Share x Total industry value (Varian 240).
From this equation, it is evident that market share becomes a determinant force in PSGT value. Thus, with an understanding that the value of PSGT will entirely depend on the size of VIS market industry, strategies to implement standards have been laid down. But before standard formation, it is imperative that specific aspect factors be taken into consideration. These will have to be far in mind emerging factors such as negotiation, wars and leadership in regards to standards and standard adoption (Birchler & Butler 45).
Standards wars
Strategic market acquisition is very important for a company’s wellbeing. In this perspective, PSGT understands that market rivalry is absolutely inevitable. Additionally, earlier preparation for future control of marketing is one of the strategies that PSGT Intel Co. Ltd has committed itself in order to manage future markets through employment of various tactics. For instance, price management through determination and change either in the present and or the future will be solely a PSGT exercise. This will be aimed at overcoming industry rivals and thus acquiring a bigger market share.
Secondly, This Company has put in place management strategies that seek to employ marketing domination tactics such as market share bragging. It has also committed itself towards lowering its future prices of products with an intention of overtaking its competitors. Lastly, there have been negotiations with companies such as nuance and McIntosh to make an alliance that would ensure market stability in regards to voice recognition technologies.
Standard negotiations
Normally, negotiations come at times when there is conflict of interest. With an understanding that during negotiations preference to own standards during the negotiation process is inevitable, PSGT has created a room for deliberating other players’ preferences during a negotiation process. Birchler and Butler (204) contend that if such strategy fails to augment concrete negotiations, then secession to independent bodies, such as neutral third party bodies, would be of great value. In this case, PSGT is relying on either ANSI or ITU just in case the former fails as a mediator in the process of negotiations.
Since there is a point of mistrust within organizations during negotiations, it has been considered important that PSGT Company be disclosing all its patents in order to create transparency, aimed at aiding successful negotiations. With deliberation of possible breakdowns in the process of negotiations, it has been understood from previous negotiations, keen interest has been employed to avert serious threats that would emerge after failed dialogue. It is hoped that this could further prevent the image and brand of the company in the technology industry (Varian 180).
Choice of standards leader
For standardization process to be more efficient and highly effective, there is need of choosing an extremely qualified leader that if it gets affected as standardization process is concerned, then the proprietary companies do not get adversely affected by the same standards. With a suitable leader, it is likely that regular technological changes are bound to be implemented and thus ensure that followers are also regularly upgraded.
Lastly, the leader should be able to provide for easy adaptation of standards in case they exhibit diverse characteristics (Varian 60). As far as this is concerned, PSGT has considered the use of standard adaptors in the process of linkages to avoid parallelism with followers and other players in the voice recognition technology industry. These standards include software, hardware adaptations and upgrading criterion modes.
When these factors are put into consideration, PSGT is bound to reap economically from the industry given the kind of savings that are expected to be made due to application of economies of scale. According to Birchler and Butler (45), there is also associated reduction of risks involved in the process of upgrading or complete change of hardware and software systems. Standardizations shall thus be specified and broken down to the different components of the whole to minimize risks since there is specialization of manufacturing as the parts are concerned.
The use of complements in the adoption of the VIS technology would form a significant part of integration. The decision to delegate responsibility to a final party for integration has been arrived at. With special consideration of the manufacturer’s part in the implementation of the whole process, it has been decided that the end user be responsible for final integration as system performance is concerned.
This decision is thought at shedding light and introductory instructions to the use on how to configure and make use of the system. Through such collaborative approach, there is likelihood that PSGT would gain a lot of recognition faster than its competitors. Once this information has been passed on to the end user, regular information dialogue quizzes may be employed to nurture the use of this technology for fast and addictive adoption. These supplements are intended to make this company a stronghold in the voice detection and recognition industry.
PTSG accounting information
Accounting is a critical aspect of any organization since it is responsible for computational results that draw organizational image (Birchler & Butler 130). Transaction occurrences at PSGT would be unavoidable and as such, the responsibility of mediation has been arrived at. Information provided by the accounting unit of any organization is importance in reflection and determination of company’s future. With presence of record keeping technologies such as those present in Blockbuster and the spread of Electronic vehicle management system have greatly influenced accounting systems of companies in the technology industry.
Their adoption would lead to lowering of accounting monitoring costs such as finance and time thus leading to higher levels of efficiency in production. With this perspective in the vision of PSGT Intel Co. Ltd, it is estimated that the company will be experienced a consistent annual growth of more than 40% for the following decade. Our current income statement and balance sheet would provide figures as shown below:
Income Statement
Works Cited
Birchler, Urs & Butler, Monika. Information Economic , Parkton: Routledge, 2007. Print.
Varian, Hal. Economics of Information Technology . Berkeley: University of California, 2003. Print.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Action research and educational program evaluation are two related topics that can be best approached through action research. Action research is particularly applicable to specific questions that can be related to the quality of programs, instruction methods, or textbooks. Educational program evaluation is a more general topic that can be approached in many different ways. There are six types of evaluation, and they are aimed at assessing a certain phenomenon from various perspectives. | Action research and educational program evaluation are two related topics that can be best approached through action research. Action research is particularly applicable to specific questions that can be related to the quality of programs, instruction methods, or textbooks. Educational program evaluation is a more general topic that can be approached in many different ways. There are six types of evaluation, and they are aimed at assessing a certain phenomenon from various perspectives. | Action Research and Educational Program Evaluation Essay
The topics that are best approached through action research
It should be noted that action research is particularly applicable to specific questions that can be related to the quality of programs, instruction methods, or textbooks. As a rule, educators choose this technique when they need to address a specific educational problem arising in a certain setting. In most cases, these topics are related to the classroom activities of students and teachers. Overall, scholars argue that action research applies to so-called local-level settings (Mertler & Charles, 2011). For instance, a teacher can apply this technique to understand what kind of difficulties students face when they do certain tasks such as mathematical problems.
Moreover, in this way, the educator will attempt to design strategies that can help learners avoid these difficulties. This is the main task of the action research. In this case, the teacher will also participate in this activity, and he/she can modify the instruction strategy used during the class. One should mention that action research is more suitable to the topics that can be formulated as an open-ended question. In particular, a teacher can apply this model to identify methods that can facilitate learners’ understanding of the new material (Baumfield, Hall, & Wall, 2010). It is possible to argue that the topics examined through action research are not related to large population groups. This is one of the main aspects that can be identified. They should be taken into account by educators and other professionals who can undertake action research.
Types of evaluation of educational programs
Scholars believe that there are six types of evaluation, and they are aimed at assessing a certain phenomenon from various perspectives (Mertler & Charles, 2011, p. 358). To some degree, they have to supplement each other. Overall, it is rather difficult to conduct a study that combines each of these types of evaluation. The problem is that the techniques described in this section are based on different assumptions. For instance, a teacher can carry out research that involves a participant-oriented evaluation of a certain educational program that is designed to increase students’ interest in natural sciences. In this case, it is necessary to focus on the experiences of teachers and students.
In particular, I would focus on the extent to which a program meets the needs of these stakeholders. Moreover, educators can rely on expertise-oriented evaluation that relies on the opinions of people who are experts in a certain field (Mertler & Charles, 2011, p. 358). The problem is that these models can produce dramatically different results. For example, one can mention that educational programs that were designed by educational standards were not successful because they did not meet the needs of the major stakeholders. This is one of the limitations that should not be overlooked.
Certainly, it should be noted that educators can conduct separate studies of the same program. So, various groups of educators can carry out various evaluations of the same program. However, it is not advisable to incorporate each of the six categories into single research. Furthermore, researchers often tend to look only at the results that confirm their ideas or hypotheses. Therefore, by doing separate evaluations of an educational program, scholars can improve the validity of their results. This is one of the central issues that should be kept in mind.
Reference List
Baumfield, V., Hall, E., & Wall, K. (2012). Action Research in Education: Learning Through Practitioner Enquiry . New York: SAGE.
Mertler, C. & Charles, C. (2011). Introduction to educational research . San Francisco: Allyn and Bacon.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The proposal for an extended warranty service at Store A is a direct response to the needs of the consumers who do most of their shopping at the store. The purpose of the project is to create a certain level of added value to a consumers experience at a store by way of additional services that they might appreciate. |
The proposal for an extended warranty service at Store A is a direct response to the needs of the consumers who do most of their shopping at the store. The purpose of the project is to create a certain level of added value to a consumers experience at a store by way of additional services that they might appreciate. | Additional Customer Value at the UAE Store Proposal
Executive Summary
Consumers love a bargain no matter the market demographic and some consumers continue to patronize the same types of stores for their purchasing needs. In the case of Store A, the proposed project is the establishment of a department where consumers could purchase an extended warranty on the products that they purchase from the household or electronic departments of the store. The express purpose of this project is to create a certain level of “added value” to a consumers experience at a store by way of additional services that they might appreciate.
Market Summary
The current market in this particular case is composed of several of Abu Dhabi’s high end stores while the consumers are primarily clients with high credit scores and a history of timely and prevalent credit card purchases at such establishments.
Market Demographics
Geographic’s
The location of the target market will primarily be in U.A.E the as well as several other prominent locations within Abu Dhabi. Due to the concentration of high end shops and upper income consumers within Abu Dhabi, the area seems to be the most viable location to test out the effectiveness of the added warranty division.
Demographics
The target market demographics for the extended warranty will primarily be high income clients of Store A These individuals should have excellent credit scores of 600 and above while at the same time show consistent patronage of some of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious and high end establishments. It is assumed, though not entirely confirmed, that 60 to 70 percent of the clientele that match the specified requirements will be female clients of the store (since they are the ones who do most of the shopping for households within the region) while the remaining 40 or 30 percent will be male. This is based upon consumer market surveys which examined the prevalence of female shoppers at high end department stores as compared to male consumers.
Behavior Factors
Specific behavioral factors that should be present are: high and occasional purchases of expensive brand name household goods and electronics, little variation in purchasing location (i.e. continuous patronage of the same high end stores), and finally little or no delinquency in paying for purchases made.
Market Needs
The market need in this particular case is that consumers needs an extended warranty service that links specifically to the store where they do the most shopping and, as such, enables them to derive the most benefit from shopping at their favorite location through an extended warranty service that enables them to make the most of their household and electronic purchases.
Market Trends
One of the current marketing trends in the retail industry has been to connect special amenities, services and exclusive offers to particular products. This is done in order to increase consumer patronage within a select number of stores given the better value they obtain from patronizing such establishments. Thus, for the commercial services department to establish an extended marketing division would result in greater consumer patronage of the store since that people are always out to get the most value for the amount they pay.
Target Market Growth
It is anticipated that the target market growth for the extended warranty will be a 10 to 15 percent client base increase per year until full market saturation levels are reached and by that time target market growth will be reduced to 5 to 7 percent annually.
SWOT Analysis (both the new product and Bank of America)
Strengths
One factor to take into consideration is the fact that the extended warranty and its ability to be connected to specific departments within the store for better discounts and services is an option not entirely available with other stores in Abu Dhabi or the U.A.E. The Extended warranty due to its store specific availability gives consumers a far better and wider variety of amenities and services not otherwise available with other retailers and, as such, presents itself as lucrative option for discerning clients.
Weaknesses
One of the current weaknesses that extended warranty division has to deal with is the current economic downturn that has affected the U.S. While it may be true that the banks and several corporations have somewhat recovered from the 2008 financial crisis, the fact still remains that there is still a lingering financial problem with the current economy. With the debt crisis in Europe having the potential to spread to Middle East the next few months can actually be considered a tumultuous experience for the region. Consumers may be unwilling to spend more on their purchases which would result in the extended warranty division being nothing more than a wasteful and useless expenditure.
Opportunities
While numerous financial reports within the past few months have indicated that the U.A.E job market has not improved by much, they do indicate that corporate profits have increased. One underlying reason behind this can be attributed to the subsequent increase in outsourcing wherein companies have shifted several aspects of their operations to overseas locations due to the cheaper labor cost. This is important to point out due to the fact that as corporate profits increase so to do the incomes of the upper 1 to 10 percent consumer demographic. It should also be noted that the outsourcing of specific facets of the extended warranty service such as the document processing aspect of the division can be done which can help to greatly reduce the costs needed to continue to run the division. It is based on this that it is recommended that the extended warranty division outsource aspects of its services in order to save money in the long run.
Threats
Current threats to the successful launch of the extended warranty service come in the form of other retailers. The reason for this is that other malls and retailers already exist in the market which provides their consumers with a wide array of discounts and amenities at several locations already. While it may be true that the extended warranty service enables a far better consumer targeting method since it allows consumers to chose which shops they can get exclusive discounts to, the fact remains that there are other retailers that have been around for far longer and, as such, have a dominating market share of consumers at the present. This situation presents itself as a distinct threat since it limits the ability of Store A from properly penetrating the consumer demographic they are targeting since those consumers also patronize other locations that may copy the success of the extended warranty division.
Competition
The competition that the store will face in releasing this particular type of service will come in the form of other retailers in the U.A.E who may copy the concept.
Products Offered
The only product offered in this particular case is the extended warranty and the amenities, discounts and services that come with its use depending on the store in question.
Key to Success
The key to success in this particular situation is being able to showcase how having an extended warranty would be better than just relying on the limited warranty of a product when shopping at a particular store. By doing this, customers who frequent such establishments would more than likely to buy products from that particular store as compared to other retailers in the general area.
Critical Issues
The critical issue that must be taken into consideration in this particular case is that will customers actually go for the extended warranty? Though the service is able to give significant amenities and services it can only do so in select locations and, as such, it must be questioned whether consumers will even go for the extended warranty in the first place.
Marketing Strategy
The marketing strategy for the extended warranty will revolve around primarily targeting affluent consumers and show casing the benefits they will attain from the purchase of the warranty. After which the benefits of the extended warranty will be compared to the benefits of other warranties issued by other retailers and will show how the extended warranty offer by Store A is a superior service in terms of shopping at specific locations.
Marketing Objectives
The marketing objectives for this particular endeavor are the following:
* To increase the extended warranty purchases of the company by 30%
* To achieve a product penetration rate of 60% within the affluent consumer market within Abu Dhabi.
* To increase consumer awareness of the stability of the company’s services by a margin of 30 to 40 percent before the initial release of the extended warranty card.
* To achieve an initial subscription rate of 20% of targeted market demographics within the first year of release after which subsequent increases in consumer subscriptions should increase by 10 to 15 percent per year.
Marketing Research
In order to determine how well the company was able to meet its market objectives sufficient market research will need to be conducted. First and foremost it will be necessary to examine after six months time whether the company was able to increase the extended warranty purchase of its target clients. After which an examination will be necessary to see how many current subscribers there are in the extended warranty program versus the number of estimated credit card users of the targeted demographic within Abu Dhabi. After combing both data sets it will be possible to see the degree of market penetration, the degree of usage and whether the company was able to meet its market objectives.
Financial Objectives
The financial objectives of this marketing plan are the following:
* To increase the amount of extended warranty users that the company obtains
* To increase the amount of revenue obtained via high end product purchases
* To increase the company’s market share of the top 1 to 10 percent of spenders within Abu Dhabi
Target Markets
The specific target market for the extended warranty are the top 1 to 10 percent of income holders within the Abu Dhabi area.
Strategies
The following will be the strategies utilized:
* Promotion through print ads and viral marketing
* Sending out invitations targeting specific consumers
* Creating agreements with several of U.A.E’s electronic brand repair outlets
* Establishing new training regimens for store employees to recognize the new warranty
Marketing Mix
Product – the product in this particular case is the extended warranty service
Price – the price of the warranty will depend on the cost of the electronic/household product that is bought
Promotio n – promotion strategies will be those previously described in this paper
Place – the place will be Abu Dhabi
Distribution
Distribution of the production will primarily consist of select brands being chosen or deemed acceptable as products where the extended warranty can be applied. This usually entails an investigation into what types of products need warranty the most.
Advertising and Promotion
Advertising and promoting the extended warranty will involve three specific strategies: direct consumer invitation, targeted commercials and press releases for the general public. In the first strategy the company will copy the current method of warranty promotion utilized by U.S. retailers by sending specific invitations to select customers via mail. These invitations will include a summary of the benefits the warranty would give to the consumer, how much it would cost them per year to maintain, and the selection of stores that they can link the warranty to. A number or email address will be placed on the invitation that the customer can use in order to directly contact the store and facilitate the transaction at a later date. The second strategy involves the use of targeted advertisements which showcase the release of the new extended warranty service via viral marketing campaigns and various TV advertisements. It is expected that this should drum up sufficient interest for various consumers to call the company and see if they are eligible to purchase extended warranty for their product. The third strategy involves a press release given to specific newspapers and online bloggers who will then subsequently relay the news via newspapers and online blogs. It is expected that by utilizing this strategy the store will be able to better penetrate the desired consumer market.
Customer Service
All extended warranty certificates issued by the company will come with a 24 hour call center hotline (that has been outsourced beforehand) in order to enable consumers to subsequently call the hotline for a repair to be scheduled. Also, customers can call the hotline if they would like to make specific purchases and arrangements over the phone without having to visit the store itself. Calling the customer service hotline is completely free and can be utilized by an extended warranty holder.
Cost Estimate
The following is a cost estimate of the costs and profit margins of the project
Year 1 estimate along with costs
Summary of Financial plan
Annual unit sales 14,600
Price P/Unit $ 502.75
Variable cost P/Unit (production and sales) $ 70.97
Fixed costs (machine rent, maintenance, toppings etc.) $ 27,792
One-time start-up costs (equipment, marketing, legal, etc.) $ 109,000.00
Working capital required (receivables, inventory, etc.) $ 202,600
Estimated Annual Gross Revenues and Income:
Annual revenues $ 4,000,00
Annual variable costs $ 300,000
Annual contribution margin $ 120,124
Break-Even Point
Contribution margin per unit $ 200.78
Annual break-even quantity 2,000,000
Ratio of break-even to expected quantities 10.4%
Starting-up the business:
Total up-front funds required 13,000,000
Additional units to cover up-front funds 300,000
Break-even quantity with up-front funds 4,300,000
Financial Performance
Payback period for start-up funds (in days) 728
Annual return on start-up investment 30%
Variable cost to price ratio 35.3%
Contribution margin ratio 58.0%
Setting up the Logistics and Manpower of the Project
Creating an Effective Project Team
Framing the Project
One of the first steps necessary in creating a project team for this particular undertaking is to frame the project in terms of its goal, what resources are available, what is the timeline for each step in the process and how will responsibility be delegated to individual team members. For this particular project the following can be considered an outline of how the project should look like from inception to outcome:
1. Creation of effective suppliers and supply lines to facilitate the supply of raw materials for the extended warranty process.
2. Determining where the repair facilities should be located in order to facilitate effective repair.
3. Organizing appropriate employee systems to facilitate the process of supply and conversion.
4. Examining potential markets where the warranty will most likely have the highest demand
5. Establishing proper client relations.
Team Composition
Since the basic project outline has now been established it now becomes necessary to determine the overall composition of the team and how it should be organized. One method of organization that could be potentially utilized is the vertical approach, more commonly known as the “top down approach”, wherein a strict hierarchy is established with orders coming from the team leader getting passed to the appropriate team member resulting in that individual accomplishing the task given to them. Blackstone, Cox & Schleier (2009) indicates that while such an approach in managing a technology intensive company allows greater control over the process of task delegation and compliance to an established plan they state that it limits the ability of a project to effectively respond to changing market forces and actually limits the ability of the project team to effectively respond to changes within a business environment (Blackstone, Cox & Schleier, 2009).
What must be understood is that technology oriented businesses do not operate within a vacuum, rather they operate within a constantly changing and shifting environment where new innovations technologies effectively necessitate the need to change project strategies on an almost yearly basis (Thamhain, 2005). Taking this into consideration a more effect approach to be utilized is the horizontal approach wherein each member is given the freedom to contribute ideas, process and implement their own unique methods in getting a specific task accomplished. It is due to this that in the case of Plant Source the recommended project team composition should utilize the horizontal approach in order to help facilitate a more effective sharing of idea and the utilization of innovate processes in order to get the job done.
Operation of Project Team
Client Relations
As mentioned earlier creating effective client relations is an important aspect of the company since the division needs a buyer for its products.. As such it becomes necessary to utilize business to business sales with corporations such as Shell, Exxon Mobile and Petron in order to for the company to actually get its products out there. It is due to this that one division of the project team for this particular venture needs to deal with establishing business agreements with other corporations in order to facilitate the sale of division’s extended warranty whenever these companies/consumers buy their products directly from Store A. In fact this particular aspect of operations can be considered the most important since without it the project won’t become viable at all.
Liaison Group
One aspect of the project team must deal with developing proper agreements with local repair outlets in regions identified as viable locations for consumers to get to in order to have their product repaired. The reason why a liaison group is necessary is due to the fact that proper agreements need to be created with local repair shops in which they agree to change their current method of production to one that is more inclined towards the needs of the company. Since this at times puts repair shops at risk this necessitates the need for constant reassurances, proper guidance as well as local site teams that will initially assist the repair shops in developing the necessary systems and training for the repair of particular items.
Other aspects that the liaison team will have to deal with involves having to create an appropriate technological system where repair limitations, transportation systems as well as seed supplies need to be systematized, catalogued and distributed depending on the inherent need per repair shop. Furthermore, the liaison team will be responsible in determining how much work a certain repair shop can accomplish within a given area and determine how this will impact company production. This can either involve them scaling backing or increasing repair sites within particular regional areas.
Product Development
One of the necessary aspects of proper project management is to ensure that there is an adequate level of product development within the project team (Lenfle & Loch, 2010).This particular aspect of operations involves the team setting up the necessary warehouses, repair men and repair shops however it must also be noted that this aspect of the project team does not just involve setting up the technology and supervising product quality but it also involves having to examine the current technological environment to see if there are any emerging technologies that can be utilized in the repair process.
Product development also involves taking the initial product and seeing if it can be improved beyond its original capacities through the use of new technologies.
Response to Changing Technological Environment
One of the measures of a successful project by a technology intensive company is how the project reacts to sudden changes in the global market (Thamhain, 2005). What must be understood is that a project timeline can last from weeks, to months and even up to several years. Within this span of time numerous changes can and will occur which may affect the viability of a particular project. One example of this can be seen in the case of the Playstation 3 produced by Sony and the Wii created by Nintendo. While both units were released at roughly the same span of time; sales of the Nintendo Wii eclipsed that of the Playstation 3 due to the innovative concept of a motion controller and the greater degree of person-to-console interactivity that the Wii was able to provide to gamers. Sony on the other hand had banked on the performance and graphics that the Playstation 3 could provide however as seen by the initial sales results of the company the unit was considered far too expensive with fewer game titles available as compared to the Wii which was much cheaper and had a plethora of titles to choose from. It was only when Sony dropped the price of the Playstation 3 by several hundred dollars a year later that the company was able to gain sufficient traction within the gaming community. Based on this case alone it can be seen that companies need to be able to respond to changing technologies which may affect their market shares
(Baydoun, 2010).Some possible technological developments that may arise which could cause problems for the company in the form of better extended warranties developed by rival corporations or even changing consumer preferences from extended warranties to normal warranties.
The response of the project team to sudden changes in the technological environment that it finds itself in is a measure of how well the current project they are undertaking will succeed. A slow response as seen in the case of Sony can result in rivals capturing a greater market share or even completely capturing the market as seen in the case of the Microsoft Zoon and the iPhone. Thus, when evaluating the project team their response to technological innovations will come in the form of determining how fast they were able to respond to the change, how did they change their business strategy, what processes did they implement to minimize the negative effects on the project and to what extent did they facilitate their own responses to the changes that occurred (Killough & Sheely, 2011).
Project Life Cycle Achievement
All projects are subject to a certain lifecycle as indicated by the inherent limitations of the project itself and as such it becomes important to determine whether the team either contributed towards meeting deadline objectives, going over the deadline or even completing the project earlier than expected (Howes, 2001). As examined by Thamhain (2005), technology based projects need to conform to set resource and time limits from creation to completion (Thamlain, 2005). Project teams that expend more resources and time than what is legitimately necessary can thus be categorized as inefficient and negligent since it is their responsibility to ensure that projects are able to stay within set limits.
Thus, in evaluating a project team on the basis of life cycle achievement it is important to determine whether they sufficiently utilized project management tools as indicated by Thamlain (2005) which are necessary aspects in ensuring proper project completion. This can come in the form of financial planning tools, time sheets, completed project milestones, daily reports and logistics software which combines all this data in order to determine the current rate of project completion versus the rate in which the project team should have been working at. By examining the data from such tools it will be easy to evaluate whether the team was able to properly meet and accomplish specific project milestones within a given time frame and if it was able to meet the project deadline that was created at during the project planning stage.
Reference List
Blackstone, J. H., Cox, J. F., & Schleier, J. G. (2009). A tutorial on project management from a theory of constraints perspective. International Journal Of Production Research , 47 (24), 7029-7046.
Baydoun, M. (2010). Risk management of large-scale development projects in developing countries: Cases from MDI’s projects. International Journal Of Technology Management & Sustainable Development , 9 (3), 237-249.
Howes, N. R. (2001). Modern Project Management : Successfully Integrating Project Management Knowledge Areas and Processes . AMACOM Books.
Killough, C., & Sheely, K. B. (2011). Efficient Management: From Global Threats to Small Projects. Public Manager , 40 (3), 45-49.
Lenfle, S., & Loch, C. (2010). Lost Roots: HOW PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAME TO EMPHASIZE CONTROL OVER FLEXIBILITY AND NOVELTY. California Management Review , 53 (1), 32-55.
Thamhain, H. (2005). Management of technology in technology intensive organizations . New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: St. John's Riverside Hospital is a company located in Westchester County, New York State, which values all humans' freedoms and privileges. The agency has one primary hospital and four other secondary facilities within the state that operate under the same management. |
St. John's Riverside Hospital is a company located in Westchester County, New York State, which values all humans' freedoms and privileges. The agency has one primary hospital and four other secondary facilities within the state that operate under the same management. | St. Johns Agency and Human Rights: Universal Policies to Support Human Rights Essay
Introduction
Profit and non-profit organizations have grown beyond geographical boundaries and have exceeded the confinements of local laws and regulations. There is a need for standards that will apply to all agencies globally, particularly those that govern the treatment of humans, be it, workers or clients. Consequently, the United Nations (UN), with the help of the Human Rights Council (2005), has been at the forefront championing human rights and developing universal policies to support the same. Governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have the sole responsibility of adhering to such regulations meant to respect humans and how they are treated.
Societies have become concerned about how organizational activities affect human rights. All stakeholders, including investors, governments, workers, and clients, expect agencies to prioritize human rights in all company operations. For most institutions, it is a challenge because there are gaps within national regulations that do not consider related vices. As a result, organizations have committed themselves voluntarily to UN stipulations and related documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in developing company policies and codes of conduct. St. Johns Riverside Hospital (SJRH) is a company located in Westchester County, New York State, which values all humans’ freedoms and privileges. The agency has one primary hospital and four other secondary facilities within the state that operate under the same management.
SJRH’s Mission, Purpose, and Services
The mission of St. Johns Riverside Hospital is to provide extensive nursing and medical services in a professional, ethical, compassionate, and respectful manner to all patients. Regardless of a client’s background or condition, the hospital endeavors to give equal and high-quality care. Additionally, all employees are expected to follow the company’s code of conduct while attending to them. The organization offers brilliance in nursing and medical care, preventive services, state-of-the-art technologies, and continuing education (St. Johns Riverside Hospital, 2020). Furthermore, SJRH strives to improve its services in all its branches and to impact the general quality of life in the neighboring communities. In conducting its mission, the hospital encourages initiatives and new ideas from the staff members and outsiders.
The agency has a set of services divided and accomplished in two primary departments. Behavioral Health Services department is the first one and is meant to help addicts achieve sobriety by attending to their mental struggles and teaching them self-care practices. These services are availed in four distinct locations within Westchester. The main one is Greenburg Addiction Treatment Services, meant to address the needs of the patients by helping them develop a positive attitude in achieving sobriety (St. Johns Riverside Hospital, 2020). Secondly, the agency provides community-based outpatient and hospital-based inpatient services. While the former avails day rehabilitation and treatment procedures for patients with chemical dependency, the latter gives supervised treatment to patients with withdrawal symptoms. Both services are meant to support the agency’s mission.
UN Documents Relevant to SJRH’s Work
The Right to Health Document
United Nations publications or documents are texts linked with the global institution’s agenda and released to the general public for awareness and educational purposes. UN documents apply to the services provided by St. Johns Riverside Hospital, and one of them is the Right to Health publication written by the World Health Organization (WHO). The document entails the major components of the right to health, the common misconceptions revolving around it, and its relationship with other human rights (OHCHR & WHO, 2008). The right to health as an inclusive right is one of the elements which states that the right is not only associated with access to health care facilities and services. It is also linked with all factors that contribute to healthy living. Safe food and drinking water, gender equality, healthy working conditions, and health-related information are other aspects included in the right to health.
Moreover, the document stipulates that the right to health also covers health-related freedoms. For instance, a patient has a right to reject non-consensual medical procedures, specifically those related to clinical experiments or research, in the name of trying to find a cure. The document protects patients from torture and inhumane treatment in medical facilities (OHCHR & WHO, 2008). Besides protection, the publication illustrates that the right to health issues entitlements and these include the privilege to important medication, equal access to timely health services, and public participation in health-related decision-making in communities.
Furthermore, the document emphasizes providing health care services and facilities without discrimination according to the non-discrimination tenet of UDHR. No one should be more important than another in receiving standard health care. Finally, the publication dictates that all services in medical facilities should be acceptable, available, accessible, and of good quality (OHCHR & WHO, 2008). This element applies to public and private health organizations tasked with ensuring that hospitals have enough health workers and sufficient supplies.
The UN Declaration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Document
The UHC publication is similar in composition to the Right to Health but is concerned with improving the global population’s health in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 2030. As part of the 2030 agenda, WHO introduced the declaration in response to the UN’s desire to double the health coverage by 2030. The plan is to give the privilege to 5 billion individuals who cannot access health care at the moment (United Nations, 2019). UN member states have taken the initiative to engage in the political process of improving key areas in providing universal health care. These components apply to both public hospitals and private medical facilities.
According to the UHC declaration document, one aspect that must be improved is the process of ensuring that no one is denied access to health care due to financial constraints. Nobody needs to choose between buying food and paying medical expenses, particularly for women and children. Moreover, governments are tasked with strengthening the health care workforce and improving the necessary infrastructure critical in achieving the UHC objectives. The publication indicates that the UN should be updated on the progress in 2023 (WHO, 2019). Consequently, all health care stakeholders, including national governments, donors, and private medical facilities, have a role in improving the existing primary health care systems that attend to most people’s medical needs.
How SJRH Implements the UN Documents
Based on the information collected about St. Johns Riverside Hospital, the agency conforms to most of the items included in the Rights to Health and the Universal Declaration on Universal Health Coverage documents. The company incorporates various aspects of the right to health document into its mission and services. For instance, SJRH practices inclusivity in providing access to health care by availing medical services to the addicts and giving them helpful education and information, as indicated in the agency’s mission. The hospital understands that treating the patients is not enough and that they need the correct knowledge to help them deal with their condition once they are out of the facility. Furthermore, the health organization provides complete access to the health entitlements defined in the publication. Although SJRH specializes in medical and nursing care to the addicts, it still provides accessible and acceptable inpatient and outpatient services to its clients, and this also applies to preventive care (OHCHR & WHO, 2008). No one is discriminated against, and as long as they meet the criteria of receiving treatment, they are attended to.
Secondly, SJRH factors in the components of the UN Declaration on UHC in its mission statement, departments, operations, and services. For example, St. Johns Riverside Greenburg (ATS) is classified as a non-profit organization and only relies on donor funding from Medicaid, Medicare, and Charity to run its operations. This implies that the company does not need to charge its patients, making the medical services affordable to everyone. The company’s policy supports UHC’s main objective to help patients with financial hardships access high-quality health care services as any other person (WHO, 2019). Similarly, the document indicates that it is the responsibility of all health care stakeholders, SJRH included ensuring the issues listed in the declaration are addressed. The agency plays its role by practicing professionalism and ethics, which strengthens the workforce, and also invests in state-of-art technologies which enhance medical infrastructure. St John’s Agency’s stand in advocating for the Right to Health and Universal Health Coverage is clear in its policies.
SJRH’s Degree in Human Rights Consciousness
Human rights consciousness is the degree of awareness an individual or a group has on the existing rights and freedoms stipulated by a constitution or concerned laws. St Johns Riverside Hospital has a moderate degree of human rights consciousness because some of the aspects of its operations, strategies, and policies attend to the human needs of the company stakeholders. The agency is a health care institution and demonstrates respect for the right to health care by making the medical services not only affordable but also accessible and acceptable in Westchester County.
Similarly, the medical facility respects its patients’ wishes concerning administering treatment, giving them the freedom to accept or reject the concerned therapies. Additionally, freedom of expression is another vital component of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that SJRH prioritizes in its operations (United Nations, 2020). A section of the agency’s mission statement indicates that the company is open to new directions, ideas, and initiatives that will improve its response to the community’s health care needs. However, other aspects of human rights such as equality have not been mentioned in the company policies and mission.
Areas for Improving Human Rights in SJRH
St. Johns Riverside Hospital is human rights conscious, but there is a need for improvement. One critical area that needs to be addressed is the right to equality and prohibition of discrimination, as stipulated in the UDHR. SJRH is a service-based agency that can attract various forms of discrimination, such as racism and gender segregation. Since this is a key human rights element, the organization should incorporate it into its service, policies and integrate it into its mission statement. Moreover, the agency should create more emphasis on the right to health care since it is its area of specialization. Currently, SJRH has made its services available to various locations in Westchester County, which is a positive step. However, the company should improve on the right to health-related information, which will ensure patients can cater for themselves after leaving the facility and enhance the recovery process.
References
OHCHR, & WHO. (2008). The right to health [PDF]. United Nations. Web.
St. Johns Riverside Hospital. (2020). Web.
Universal declaration of human rights . (2020). United Nations. Web.
WHO welcomes landmark UN declaration on universal health coverage . (2019). United Nations. Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The stages of history in Adam Smith's writing, as reiterated by Paganelli (2020), are the age of hunters, the age of shepherds, the age of agriculture, and the age of commerce. Smith believes that these stages explain the progress of a man in society. The society started from hunting societies (in some publications such as Svizzero and Tisdell (2016) claim hunter-gatherers) who eventually realize that domesticating wild animals and collecting fruits was |
The stages of history in Adam Smith's writing, as reiterated by Paganelli (2020), are the age of hunters, the age of shepherds, the age of agriculture, and the age of commerce. Smith believes that these stages explain the progress of a man in society. The society started from hunting societies (in some publications such as Svizzero and Tisdell (2016) claim hunter-gatherers) who eventually realize that domesticating wild animals and collecting fruits was | Stages of History, Capitalism, Class Conflict, and Labor Theory in Adam Smith’s Writings Research Paper
Most of Adam Smith’s arguments on capitalism, labor, class conflict, and stages of history (or social development) are contained in his book Wealth of Nations. The stages of history in Adam Smith’s writing, as reiterated by Paganelli (2020), are the age of hunters, the age of shepherds, the age of agriculture, and the age of commerce. Smith believes that these stages explain the progress of a man in society. The society started from hunting societies (in some publications such as Svizzero and Tisdell (2016) claim hunter-gatherers) who eventually realize that domesticating wild animals and collecting fruits was an easier way of obtaining food (the shepherds’ age). Population growth and other social developments demanded a more stable supply of food and agriculture developed as a result. The superfluous products left after meeting the consumption needs were traded for other products, and hence the rise of the commerce age.
Adam Smith is optimistic about capitalism because he sees it as the foundation of economic growth where individuals are allowed to produce as much surplus as possible and trade it for a profit. In the Wealth of Nations, Smith argues that the best economic system is characterized by natural liberty where individuals can trade items of value in exchange for others of greater value to them. He defines capital as stock and profit as the expectation of retaining revenues from improvements implemented on the stock (Smith, 2007). Capital and profit are, therefore, the major drivers behind the dynamic of capitalism according to Adam Smith.
The conflicts in capitalism are also highlighted in Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations where the main idea behind the conflicts is competition. According to Hearn (2018), competition is central to the Wealth of Nations and it causes conflicting interests between the traders and/or manufacturers and the public. The traders/manufacturers seek to widen the market and narrow competition to enable them to gain profits above what they would normally get. Such intentions are contrary to the interests of the public who would like to acquire items at reasonable prices. According to Smith (2007), conflict is a part of human nature. Book III of the Wealth of Nations explains the sources of conflicts including the resources that are unevenly distributed and people went to war in pursuit of control of the resources.
Capital is seen as a power and the class conflicts are majorly between the capitalists and laborers emanate from conflicting interests. In chapter 8 of Book I, Smith (2007) argues that one of the two parties will have an advantage in disputes and would force the other into compliance. The capitalists are more powerful and the law authorized or failed to prohibit their combinations while at the same time prohibiting those of the workmen.
The logic of the labor theory of value in Smith’s analysis is that labor can be a tradable commodity whose value can be assessed in the same way as all others traded in a mercantile system. As mentioned earlier, surplus items are traded for items of greater value. When people possess skills needed in production, they become valuable to the manufacturer who attaches a price to the skills. In the Wealth of Nations, Smith (2007) argues that just like in barter where people obtained from one another the goods they needed, the division of labor allows people to produce commodities in surplus and trade them for those made by other people. Adam Smith also states that the possibility of exchanging the surplus of own labor encourages people to apply themselves to a particular occupation and to perfect their talents.
References
Hearn, J. (2018). How to read The Wealth of Nations (or why the division of labor is more important than competition in Adam Smith. Sociological Theory, 36 (2), 162-184.
Paganelli, M. (2020). Adam Smith and economic development in theory and practice: A rejection of stadial model? Journal of the History of Economic Thought . Web.
Svizzero, S., & Tisdell, C. (2016). Economic evolution, diversity of societies and stages of economic development: A critique of theories applied to hunters and gatherers and their successors. Economic Methodology, Philosophy, & History, 4 , 1-18.
Smith, A. (2007). An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations – books I, II, III, IV, and V. MetaLibri.
Main ideas of mercantilism and physiocrats
The main ideas of mercantilism are derived from Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations where the term mercantile system was used to refer to the trade systems in the period between the 15 th and 18 th centuries. According to Beuve et al. (2016), the mercantile system was characterized by illiberal policies followed by the monarchs, including protectionism, money and power, and widespread monopolies among others. The mercantilism system seeks to achieve a balance between economic development and national power and wealth. The key objectives of such a system, therefore, include the expansion of the domestic industry, pursuing favourable commercial balances, augmenting bullion stocks, and acquiring large shares of the foreign trade. These ideas can be seen in Smith’s (2007) Wealth of Nations, specifically Book IV that discusses the systems of political economy. Smith (2007) argues that the mercantile system comprises of money that acts both as a measure of value and an instrument of commerce. The mercantile system is a system of wealth accumulation from commercial activity. Legal constraints such as duties on trade and prohibitions are also seen as elements of Smith’s idea of a mercantile system.
Physiocracy, on the other hand, can be seen as a contrast to the mercantile system that insisted on free trade to allow people to easily trade their surplus. Physiocracy is an ideological system that claimed that the economic activities should be determined by natural-divine laws and strictly called against the state’s interference with the operation of those laws (Genç & Kurt, 2016). The government control of the commercial activity in France is seen as the roots of Physiocracy. In 1764, economic policies such as the ‘freedom of grain’ resulted in high grain prices that ruined the poor with some dying of malnutrition. The policies were halted and the older regime of controlled prices and wages restored by the monarchy (Gauthier, 2015). The physiocrats perceived profit as more important than life itself and the traders wanted all the freedom regardless of the impacts of their action on the economy. The common ideas between mercantilism and Physiocracy is that they all sought free trade.
The two concepts developed different views possibly because of the different motives pursued in trade. Smith’s (2007) idea of mercantilism was intended to facilitate the trade of the surplus produce in exchange for items of equal or greater value. The physiocrats, on the other hand, pursued an intervention-free economic environment that allowed to fully exercise control of the economic activities. The control sought in Smith’s mercantile system was of the resources or capital for the wellbeing of the state as opposed to the wellbeing of the individuals. In mercantilism, therefore, government intervention was not seen as a major problem or hindrance to the exchange. There are modern examples of mercantilism and physiocracy manifested by the various forms of government and economic systems. Mercantilism is seen from government regulation of commerce where almost all sovereign nations regulate both domestic and foreign trade. Physiocracy, on the other hand, may be seen in other unregulated global commercial activities, specifically the online activities such as Bitcoin mining as explained by Edwards (2018). Both of these systems are defined by the level of regulation and the extent to which the participants embrace government intervention.
References
Beuve, J., Brousseau, E., & Sgard, J. (2016). Mercantilism and bureaucratic modernization in the early eighteenth-century France. The Economic History Review, 70 (2), 1-32.
Edwards, E. (2018). Bitcoin and value: A labor theory perspective . The Partially Examined Life: Web.
Gauthier, F. (2015). Political economy in the eighteenth century: Popular or despotic? The physiocrats against the right to existence. Economic Thought, 4 (1), 47-66.
Genç, S., & Kurt, F. (2016). The changing role of the state during the development of the economic thought: Mercantilism, pysiocracy and classical economists. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, 7 (11), 552-556.
Malthusian Population Theory
The Malthusian theory of population is among the most important models of population control. The main tenet of the Malthusian theory is that when unchecked, the population increases in a geometrical ratio while the subsistence of man increases in an arithmetic ratio (Malthus, 1998). First published in 1798 in his Essay on Population, Malthus simply sought to explain that the population grew at a faster rate than the rate of food production (among other sustenance products). The geometric progress can be displayed as 1×2, 2×2, 4×4.nx2. The arithmetic progression can be expressed as 1, 2, 3, 4…n. With these two models, it is observable that the population grows by multiplying itself while the sustenance is naturally sluggish (Rahman, 2018). The dangers of allowing population to grow unchecked are explained by Malthus (1998) using the idea of hunting as a means of obtaining food. He argues where hunting is the major occupation and an only mode of acquiring food and where the subsistence is scattered over a large territory, then the population must be comparatively thin to be supported by that economic activity.
The logic of the population theory is perhaps the fact that resources are scarce and do not increase in response to their demand. Population increases mean rising demand for sustenance from the scarce resource. Most importantly, the resources should be able to support human life meaning the only way to ensure a balance between the two elements is by controlling the population. Such logic is apparent in the developing world where the theory holds as opposed to the developed world where Malthusian theory fails to apply (Rahman, 2018). Subsequently, much of the politics of population control focus on the third world where the population has exploded over the past decades. Fertility rates in those countries are very high while the economic variables such as per capita GDP, urbanization, forced labor, and education levels are substandard (De Silva & Tenreyro, 2017). The developed world does not face such issues possibly because population control mechanisms have been effective.
Malthusian theory can be criticized for not basing its principles on historical facts as there is no evidence of population growing in a geometrical progression. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the population growth is estimated at 2.7% a year year (The Economist, 2020). While that rate is the highest in the world, it does not show any form of geometric progression. The economic variables such as GDP for the same region indicate that the GDP growth rates for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 are 1.43%, 3%, 3.27%, and 3.07%. Such figures indicate that the rate if sustenance growth could be matching the rate of population growth. Sub-Saharan Africa is used here because the region is a perfect example of developing countries and the population and economic dynamics should reflect those of the ordinary third world. Additionally, with technology advancements, it can be argued that the rate of sustenance growth can surpass that of the population growth with more efficient machines and methods of production. In the developed world, therefore, the theory would not apply as the production could potentially be higher than the rate of population growth.
References
De Silva, T., & Tenreyro, S. (2017). Population control policies and fetility convergence. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 13 (14), 205-228.
Malthus, T. (1998). An essay on the principle of population. Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.
Rahman, M. (2018). Validity of Malthusian theory of population in 20th century in terms of using scientific technology to the economic growth and strength. International Journal of Tax Economics and Management, 1 (1), 13-21.
The Economist. (2020). Africa’s population will double by 2050.
Ricardo’s Rent Theory
Ricardo is considered to be among the most rigorous classical theorists. His rent theory states that the economic rent on land is the equivalent to the value of the difference in productivity between a piece of land and the poorest and/or most expensive land producing the same products under the same conditions. The idea behind this theory is that the appropriation of land and the consequent creation of rent often varies relative to the value of produce and independently of the labor quantities necessary for the production of the commodities (Ricardo, 2001). The landowners, therefore, are not free to choose the economic rent to charge on land as the rent was determined by the costs of the labourer. The marginal productivity, as opposed to labor, determines rent in contrast to Malthus argument. Such an argument could also contrast Adam Smith’s argument that the land rents also failed to reflect the landowner’s efforts (Ryan-Collins, 2017). Ricardo would have expected that the landlords would expropriate all the profits made from the land.
The idea of landowners capturing all the economic rent on the land has not been achieved in reality because it would require the landlords to have the powers of expropriation. The landowners, however, did not have such powers and the profits were usually shared with the tenant. Ricardo (2001) uses a simple expression stating that “corn is not high because a rent is paid, but rent is paid because corn is high” (p. 44). He goes further to argue that that rent paid on the land will become part of the price of the sold produce. Additionally, the land yields no rent when most abundant, most fertile, and most productive. Only when these powers diminish does a share of the original produce set apart for rent. The falling rate of profit insinuates that with the land rents constant, the profits from land diminished as more labor was used in the production.
In comparison to Malthus’ under-consumption theory, the falling rate of profit produces the same effect as the under-consumption theory. Malthus’s (1998) population theory, it should be emphasized, was not advocating population controls as an end to itself, but as a means of balancing the population growth and the capital needs. The under-consumption theory crisis as proposed by Malthus (1820), states that the habits of the working class depending on commerce and manufacturers may work against the economic controls of population. Increasing the wellbeing of the working class may make them unwilling to work and a new source of labor would be needed. Therefore, the stagnation in production was not the result of the scarcity of capital, but rather the result of under-consumption. The similarity between the under-consumption theory and the theory of falling profit is that in both cases, increasing production does not necessarily lead to growth.
Ricardo’s rent theory, as mentioned earlier on, does not always agree with other economists on the same subject. However, he recognizes the challenges in his own interpretation as compared to those of Malthus and Adam Smith. Ricardo and Malthus, however, seem to agree on matters of productivity of the land and other forms of capital. Malthus’s (1820) held that fluctuations in the output could be the result of temporary declines in the demand (or consumption). Such a statement would conflict with Ricardo’s idea that the decline in production leads to the realization of the land rent.
References
Malthus, T. (1820). Principles of Political Economy, Considered with a View to their Practical Application. John Murray.
Malthus, T. (1998). An essay on the principle of population. Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.
Ricardo, D. (2001). On the principles of political economy and taxation. Batoche Boks.
Ryan-Collins, J. (2017). How land dissapeared from economic theory. Web.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: This paper aims to research all of the pregnancy stages month-by-month.The paper aims to research all of the pregnancy stages month-by-month. | This paper aims to research all of the pregnancy stages month-by-month.
The paper aims to research all of the pregnancy stages month-by-month. | Stages of Pregnancy Research Paper
This paper aims to research all of the pregnancy stages month-by-month. Moreover, it includes describing a scenario specific to different stages of a woman’s lifespan during these periods: right before and right after prenatal development.
Before Pregnancy
There are several essential steps women need to make before getting pregnant to lower the risks and improve their health. First of all, a woman must revise nutrition, start eating well and take multivitamins. Folic acid is the most important as it prevents congenital disabilities like neural tube defects. Secondly, a woman must get a health checkup and genetic consulting to become aware of the risks and ways to avoid them. Thirdly, Liou et al. (2016) state that “prenatal visits incorporate psychological assessment for early detection and management to prevent possible adverse birth outcomes”. Mental health must be checked due to the high stress to come with the pregnancy. Lastly, there is a must in limiting or getting rid of bad habits like smoking or drinking alcohol and coffee.
Different Conditions of a Woman’s Life-span at the before-pregnancy period
A woman’s lifespan can affect the pregnancy; that’s why the conditions of a specific period of life should be considered before getting pregnant. When a woman is in any life crisis, there might be stress-related issues with her menstrual cycles, and the need for additional medical consultancy regarding hormones might appear. At the aging stage of life, a woman risks delivering an ill baby or to have a difficult pregnancy. Steps before getting pregnant, such as health checkups and multivitamins, should be carefully made.
Women who discover a failure to launch syndrome need to get psychological assistance before getting pregnant as their self-esteem and expectations are on a lower level at this life stage. The other stressful periods are marriage or divorce, as women might doubt their choices or be overwhelmed by the events. Getting pregnant in these conditions might severely affect women’s mental and physical health, and reliable medical and psychological support is recommended.
Modern medicine allows one to get pregnant even when there are grown children and empty nest life. A woman might think that a newborn would be the solution to loneliness or improve the family’s relationship. However, she still has to remember that pregnancy seriously affects the health of an aging woman. If the pregnancy is not the first one, a woman might be a part of the sandwich generation that simultaneously cares about parents and young children. Getting pregnant in this stage requires insurance in someone else’s support, as taking everything on her own might seriously affect the pregnancy.
Prenatal Development
The average length of prenatal development is 38 weeks from the conception date. A zygote consistently develops throughout this period until becoming a ready-to-born baby. Brewer et al. (2019) state that “from the moment of conception, hormonal changes in the mother’s pregnancy and adapt to the future needs of the embryo” (p. 78). There are three main stages of pregnancy: the germinal stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage.
The First Month: Germinal and Embryonic Stages, the First Trimester
The conception is the beginning of the germinal stage of prenatal development; it happens when egg cell and sperm unite into a zygote in a fallopian tube. The cells start diviving and get functions that will determine their type once after reaching the the eight-cell point. Then, cells separate into two groups: outer cells turn into the placenta, and inner cells become the embryo. If the implantation passes successfully, it provoke hormonal changes that stop the menstrual cycle.
The cells grow, and by the third week form a human-looking embryo. It is how the embryonic stage begins, the most important period for brain development. The embryo divides into three different layers that will form body systems, and, during the week, neural tube forms that then becomes the central nervous system and brain. On the fourth week, the cardiovascular system grows, and develops heart that starts to pulse.
The Second Month: Embryonic Stage
The buds forming the arms and legs appear, and the systems continue developing at the first week of this stage. The embryonic period ends after the previous month, and the basic structures of central nervous system establish. When the nerves reach proper location, the connection with other neutral cells forms and creates rudimentary neural networks.
The Third Month: Fetal Stage
The embryo grows into a fetus when the cell differentiation is complete. The fetal period is the longest, and ends on the birth day. The reflexes begin to arise that lets the fetus make reflectively move his limbs. Moreover, the sex organs start differentiating during the month, and, by its ending, the whole range of body parts will establish.
The Fourth Month: The Beginning of the Second Trimester
The second trimester lasts from the fourth to the sixth month, the fetus’s size increases six times, body system develops, and nails, hair, brows, lashes form. Specifically, during the fourth month, the fetus grows to 6 inches in length. Lanugo, hair layer of the body, begins to form from the head. Muscles, bones, lungs continue to develop, and the fetus makes the first swallow and sucking motions.
The Fifth Month
The mother might notice the first movements in the stomach during the fifth month of pregnancy because it is the period when the fetus becomes active. It reaches 8 inches in length, and fat starts developing under the skin that is almost covered by lanugo. Fingernails, eyebrows, lashes also begin forming during this month.
The Sixth Month
Weeks of this month are when the eyes finish developing, and a startle reflex appears. Eyebrows, eyelashes form altogether, the hair on the head keeps growing longer. Hair grows longer on the head, and the eyebrows and eyelashes finish developing.
The Seventh Month: The Beginning of the Third Trimester
It is the period of brain and nervous system development. The fetus’s brain starts controlling such movements as opening and closing eyelids.
The Eighth Month
In the eighth month of prenatal development, the fetus learns to make breathing movements, yet the lungs are still immature. Moreover, the bones become completely developed but not hardened, and fat deposits grow above them.
The Ninth Month
The fetus grows in length and weight during this month of prenatal development. It becomes approximately 16–19 inches in length and weighs 5 lb. 12 oz. to 6 lb. 12 oz. It happens because of the body fat increase. The fetus’s brain start reaches the point when it fully controls all of the body functions.
The Tenth Month
During the last month, the fetus reaches its full-term conditions. A baby’s hair and nails grow, and if the fetus is healthy, all of the organ systems function well. The birth time depends on how a fetus developed during pregnancy. Shiota (2018) observed that “considerably large variability in the developmental stage among human embryos with the same gestational age” (p. 956). The exact time of a child to born cannot be predicted.
Childbirth
Generally, labor is divided into three stages. At the first stage, cervical dictation appears and keeps expanding until the active phase of labor. During the second stage, a woman pushes the baby through the birth canal with the intense contractions. The third stage is followed by the delivery of the placenta and called the afterbirth. After the placenta is out of the body, the midwife cuts the cord. Childbirth is a normal human experience, yet each labor is a unique process, so women perceive risks to life, and accompany it with intense fear and helplessness (Muzik & Rosenblum, 2017, p. 13). It is essential to provide a woman with psychological support during childbirth.
After Pregnancy
After giving birth, there are essential steps women must make for her and a baby’s health. At first, a woman must visit her postpartum checkups to prevent any health problems from appearing. Moreover, she must keep eating healthily and take vitamins to be able to breastfeed a child properly. A new mother must get baby care recommendations from a trusted consultant and follow them strictly during the first month of a child’s life.
Different Conditions of a Woman’s Life-span at the after-pregnancy period
Factors related to the pregnancy, such as type of birth, a pre-term newborn, health problems, negatively impact women’s quality of life (Martínez-Galiano et al., 2019). A woman’s life-span specifically impacts the after pregnancy period: a mother’s and a child’s health and wellness might be affected by life conditions. During crises, as well as stressful milestones like marriage or divorce, the after-pregnancy time might become a relief that distracts from harmful events. However, psychological assistance or family support might be required. A woman in such life-span conditions as aging has to get intense medical help during the after-pregnancy period as her health weakens after the stress of giving birth.
A woman with failure to launch syndrome is likely to get rid of it because of the new chance to change a life successfully. Such a scenario might also be applied to a woman’s life during the empty nest period as the newborn gives many responsibilities and activities. Women in these life-span stages have to get enough support from their friends and family to go through the after-pregnancy period successfully. Sandwich generation representatives might discover difficulties during the first months of a child’s life as even more people require care from a woman. A mother needs to set the priorities right and watch her mental health to avoid depression and overwhelming.
References
Shiota, K. (2018). Study of normal and abnormal prenatal development using the Kyoto Collection of Human Embryos. The Anatomical Record , 301(6), 955-959. Web.
Brewer, S., Bhattacharya, S., Preston, P., Davies, J., & Sheena, M. (2019). The science of pregnancy: The complete illustrated guide from conception to birth . D.K. Publishing.
Liou, S. R., Wang, P., & Cheng, C. Y. (2016). Effects of prenatal maternal mental distress on birth outcomes. Women and Birth , 29(4), 376-380. Web.
Martínez-Galiano, J. M., Hernández-Martínez, A., Rodríguez-Almagro, J., & Delgado-Rodríguez, M. (2019). Quality of life of women after giving birth: Associated factors related with the birth process. Journal of Clinical Medicine , 8 (3), 324. Web.
Muzik, M. & Rosenblum, K. L. (Eds.). (2017). Motherhood in the face of trauma: Pathways towards healing and growth. Springer.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The article discusses the taste of coffee from Starbucks and Dunkin and how it differs. It also talks about how the taste of coffee can be affected by the way it is prepared and how that can affect people's health. |
The article discusses the taste of coffee from Starbucks and Dunkin and how it differs. It also talks about how the taste of coffee can be affected by the way it is prepared and how that can affect people's health. | Starbucks vs. Dunkin Coffee in Terms of Taste Essay (Article)
Regardless of the time of the year, weather, and country, there will be people drinking, buying, and making coffee. The coffee culture has expanded immensely with the introduction of global corporations providing hot drinks like Starbucks and Dunkin. There are many variations from bitter ice to seasonal pumpkin coffee, all of which are loved and purchased by coffee drinkers. Most of the known to humans coffee-making methods and hot drink types can be easily purchased at Starbucks or Dunkin. It has even entered the state of routine, so people stop noticing the differences between the producers as long as they get their desired drink. The problem is that the coffee made at the two cafes is similar, and it is difficult to differentiate for a casual buyer. However, there is a slight difference in taste between Starbucks and Dunkin coffee, which draws the careful attention of biomedical informatics scientists.
People usually associate coffee with a bitter taste, which may be a huge public delusion. When Tyler (2018) from Business Insider decided to compare Starbucks and Dunkin shops in downtown New York, she claimed bitterness as her coffee quality indicator. Tyler (2018) went to both bakery shops and structured an overall overview of the two, purchasing a cold brew as her final say. She stated that Dunkin’s drink was not “bitter, but … strong” and “super refreshing” (Tyler, 2018, para. 14). Still, Tyler (2018) preferred Starbucks for its stronger bitterness and cheaper price, emphasizing a less “watered down” state (para. 21). Although it may be just what is needed after a short sleep and before a long work-day ahead, a coffee expert Erika Vonie told Grub Street that professionally made pure coffee, espresso, should be “immediately sweet and creamy” instead (as cited in Richardson, 2018, para. 3). Interestingly, Vonie later declared Dunkin’s espresso a winner compared to Starbucks’ “over-extract[ed]” coffee, which prevented the sweet and creamy taste (Richardson, 2018, para. 7). In a chase for more customers who think of coffee as bitter, Starbucks makes their coffee too burnt to be enjoyed by experts like Vonie.
Bitter coffee taste forces many to add significant amounts of different sugars and syrups into their drinks, which can result in health problems. The impact of caffeine on the human body has long been debated in the medical world, which connects it to cardiovascular side effects (Grosso et al., 2017). Additional amounts of regular sugar and sugar-based syrups included in coffee making limit research conducted and can be harmful (Grosso et al., 2017). Problems linked to caffeine and in-coffee-sugar consumption are a part of medical informatics scientists’ approach to ensuring food safety. The healthcare data science can significantly improve the state of public treatment through discovering new innovative solutions and updating medical knowledge. The lack of cohesive and concrete information on all possible relationships between caffeine and human health pose an opportunity for informatics experts. More research in this field can go as far as confirming several benefits of coffee consumption, such as the prevention of chronic diseases (Grosso et al., 2017). Thus, the growing and widely practiced coffee culture has great potential for research, in which biomedical informatics is closely involved.
Both Starbucks and Dunkin companies make great and affordable coffee, which is enjoyed by millions of regular coffee drinkers worldwide. Even though their methods of making and selling hot and cold drinks differ, there are many similarities. For many, the difference is almost undiscoverable because their preferences are based on individual perceptions and experience with the products. Some might prefer bitter coffee, while others lean towards a sweeter version. The influence of caffeine and sugar on human organism has been an issue of major interest. Therefore, the industry stores an enormous potential for health informatics, which aims to ensure safety and prevent harmful outcomes.
References
1. Grosso, G., Godos, J., Galvano, F., & Giovannucci, E. L. (2017). Coffee, caffeine, and health outcomes: An umbrella review . Annual Review of Nutrition , 37, 131-156. Web.
2. Richardson, N. (2018). Is the new Dunkin’ espresso any good? Grub Street . Web.
3. Tyler, J. (2018). We compared Dunkin’ Donuts’ ‘store of the future’ with Starbucks to see which was a better coffee shop: Here’s the verdict . Business Insider . Web. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/starbucks-vs-dunkin-coffee-in-terms-of-taste/ | 3 |
Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a coronavirus case at the end of January, followed by a steady increase in the number of positive cases. As of April 26, 2020, the UAE had 10,349 total confirmed cases (COVID-19 Update, 2020). The pandemic is a dynamic and fast-moving global health crisis, which poses an ongoing challenge to national security and stability. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a coronavirus case at the end of January, followed by a steady increase in the number of positive cases. As of April 26, 2020, the UAE had 10,349 total confirmed cases (COVID-19 Update, 2020). The pandemic is a dynamic and fast-moving global health crisis, which poses an ongoing challenge to national security and stability. | The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a coronavirus case at the end of January, followed by a steady increase in the number of positive cases. As of April 26, 2020, the UAE had 10,349 total confirmed cases (COVID-19 Update, 2020). The pandemic is a dynamic and fast-moving global health crisis, which poses an ongoing challenge to national security and stability.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a coronavirus case at the end of January, followed by a steady increase in the number of positive cases. As of April 26, 2020, the UAE had 10,349 total confirmed cases (COVID-19 Update, 2020). The pandemic is a dynamic and fast-moving global health crisis, which poses an ongoing challenge to national security and stability. | Statement of the Threat in UAE Report
Since the beginning of the year 2020, the world has faced a public health issue on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It first broke out in the Chinese province of Hubei in December 2019 and within a few months has spread worldwide triggering a global health alarm and changing the daily lives of millions of people across the globe. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a coronavirus case at the end of January, followed by a steady increase in the number of positive cases. As of April 26, 2020, the UAE had 10,349 total confirmed cases (COVID-19 Update, 2020). The pandemic is a dynamic and fast-moving global health crisis, which poses an ongoing challenge to national security and stability.
Counter-Measures against the Threat (A): UAE’s Policies/Laws
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAE has come up with legislation to counter this threat. Specifically, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation developed policies that employers are required to promote remote working as a protective measure. Resolution No. 281 of 2020 restricts the percentage of employees that should be physically present in a workplace to 30% (Karasik, 2020). However, firms involved in the provision of food and health are exempt from this government policy. Additionally, customers served at any business should occupy only 30% of the seats in the establishment (Karasik, 2020). They must also adhere to safety measures, including hand hygiene and adorning masks.
Under the new law, employees must adopt protective measures, such as screening staff coming on a shift for fever and other symptoms. Companies are required to implement these measures twice daily and refer suspected cases to hospitals (Khoja et al., 2020). Employers must consider pregnant women, individuals aged above 55 years, the disabled, those with respiratory problems, and mothers with young children for remote working. They must equip these employees with technical tools and support to enable them to work from home.
Counter-Measures against the Threat (B): UAE’s Defense Industry
The UAE defense industry is at the forefront of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. The country has adopted a civil-military approach in the anti-viral strategies. Before the start of Ramadan, the military-medical defense program focused on disinfecting mosques and other religious places in Dubai (Khoja et al., 2020). The joint initiative has been useful in implementing social separation programs during this period. It has also played a key role in enforcement and civil control. The military-supported mosques are used to sensitize people on this disease to avoid rumors that may lead to panic buying.
The UAE has developed a Civil Defense plan to reinforce counter-measures against the spread of the pandemic. This program seeks to eliminate this virus in all the seven Emirates before Eid al-Fitr celebrations later this month (Sebugwaawo, 2020). Before then, a massive decontamination exercise has been undertaken across the kingdom. The 24-hour restriction of movement has facilitated this initiative. In Abu Dhabi, the military in collaboration with Tadweer, a waste management firm, has endeavored to eliminate the virus through chemical spraying of public spaces and buildings (Karasik, 2020). UAE’s neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, have adopted the same military-medical model to decontaminate places and enforce lockdowns within their boundaries. Another area where UAE’s defense industry has played a role is in port security and control of the border with Iran (Sebugwaawo, 2020). The goal is to stop the contagion from entering the country from countries with a large number of cases and weaker health systems.
Counter-Measures against the Threat (C): UAE’s Regional or International Initiatives
The UAE has collaborated with regional and international partners to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Its neighbors in the region, including Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain have adopted a military-medical approach modeled after UAE’s Civil Defense model (Khoja et al., 2020). Specifically, lockdown protocols and decontamination measures in these countries have been adapted from those of the UAE. The eastern Emirate jurisdiction of Qatif has collaborated with Iranian authorities in border control to prevent infected persons from entering the UAE through illegal routes (Sebugwaawo, 2020). Port security has also involved coordination with officials from neighboring countries.
Moreover, the UAE has offered to give medical assistance to different countries. Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince has been in touch with the governments of Italy, Serbia, and Iraq on how the kingdom can boost the efforts of these nations in fighting the pandemic (Sebugwaawo, 2020). This soft power approach centers on preventive measures. The country has committed to providing medicines and personal protective gear to nations with weak health care systems.
Recommendations
UAE’s countermeasures so far against the Covid-19 pandemic can be improved in many ways. Four recommendations for improvement are outlined below.
1. Investing in vaccine development and search for a cure – while preventive measures are required to contain the pandemic and prevent it from spreading, finding a drug to treat this disease will ensure that the country returns to normalcy.
2. Enforcing social distancing in supermarkets and other high-risk public places
3. Cessation of movement and dusk-to-dawn curfews will ensure that economic activity occurs during the day and prevent transmissions during evening social events.
4. Mass testing will be important in identifying and isolating infected individuals to contain the spread of the disease.
References
1. COVID-19 Update — United Arab Emirates . (2020). Akin Gump. Web.
2. Karasik, T. (2020). Lessons the US can learn from the UAE about the decontamination of COVID-19 .
3. Khoja, S., Ford, R., Higham, E., & Thomas, S. (2020). COVID-19 Middle East: Employment update on new government initiatives . Web .
4. Sebugwaawo, I. (2020). Covid-19 countermeasures: What the UAE is doing to combat the illness . Web. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/statement-of-the-threat-in-uae/ | 4 |
Revert the following summary back into the original essay: Statistical Inference and Sample Size EssayIn the essay, the author discusses the importance of using statistical inference when conducting surveys. She also explains how to choose a sample size for surveys. |
Statistical Inference and Sample Size Essay
In the essay, the author discusses the importance of using statistical inference when conducting surveys. She also explains how to choose a sample size for surveys. | Statistical Inference and Sample Size Essay
Statistical inference is used to summarize data from the sample for the entire population. In fact, the sample is never a 100% population model, but only its more or less distorted version. Statistical inference is used to evaluate such distortions and, therefore, to draw more accurate conclusions about the general population. It is important to remember that achieving a 100% guarantee that the study results are characteristic of the general population is possible only when continuous research is conducted. For example, the survey of all representatives of the general population. In this case, the electorate is not limited only to students, so Sara’s conclusions regarding the election results cannot be considered correct.
Most statisticians claim the minimum size of samples for obtaining meaningful results should be at least 100. Nevertheless, the surveyed population group may be less than 100. In such cases, it is appropriate to study the total size of them. Statisticians use the term “good maximum”: it means that the surveyed population sample size is about 10% of the overall available quantity (“How to choose,” n.d.). For instance, for the population of 3000, 10% would be 300, whereas, in a population of 10,000, it would be 1,000.
The number of samples closer to the minimum is chosen in specific conditions. It is appropriate when the result’s rough estimate is needed. It is also applied when the sample is not planned to be divided into diverse groups during the survey. Additionally, a “good maximum” is relevant when it is supposed that most people are likely to answer similarly, or the conclusions of the study will not have any significant consequences. In the situation with the president’s elections on the state level, the potential electorate is far broader than the students.
Sara’s simple explanation might be as follows: she might be proposing to imagine that she wants to survey her friends at a high school. The chosen group enrolls fifty students, so she needs to scan all of them. Still, the obtained results would give her a rough idea of potential election results (“Statistical inference,” n.d.). If she wants to find valid perspectives, the surveyed group should be at least 100 people, including not only her friends but also the representatives of the whole high school’s staff. Hence, it would be appropriate to engage the students, teachers, ordinary school workers, parents, friends, and other available electorate groups.
References
How to choose a sample size (for the statistically challenged). (n.d.). Tools4dev. 2020, Web.
Statistical inference and estimation. (n.d.). Stat 504. 2020, Web.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-inference-and-sample-size/ | 5 |
Write an essay about: The COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures have severely affected the economic situation all over the globe. Multiple restrictions on international transportation and, in some states, inter-regional traffic, as well as the requirement to spend most of the time at home, have substantially affected the worldwide supply chain. Researchers state that the pandemic is fraught with, among other things, increased unemployment, a sharp decline in GDP, and financial market volatility. |
The COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures have severely affected the economic situation all over the globe. Multiple restrictions on international transportation and, in some states, inter-regional traffic, as well as the requirement to spend most of the time at home, have substantially affected the worldwide supply chain. Researchers state that the pandemic is fraught with, among other things, increased unemployment, a sharp decline in GDP, and financial market volatility. | Stay-At-Home Impact on the Economy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Research Paper
Table of Contents
1. Global Economic Consequences
2. Business Impacts
3. Conclusion
4. References
The COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures have severely affected the economic situation all over the globe. Multiple restrictions on international transportation and, in some states, inter-regional traffic, as well as the requirement to spend most of the time at home, have substantially affected the worldwide supply chain. According to Ma et al. (2020), the pandemic is fraught with, among other things, increased unemployment, a sharp decline in GDP, and financial market volatility. This paper examines the global financial consequences and the business impacts of quarantine measures taken in many countries.
Global Economic Consequences
It should be noted that the global economy is not encountering such a phenomenon for the first time. The research group examined the economic impact of historical epidemics and pandemics of the previous millennium (Jorda et al., 2020). The results revealed that there had been a significant decline in asset returns, a period of depressed investment opportunities over several decades, and a negative impact on wage levels. At the same time, the impact of the pandemic and quarantine activities on the economy is already evident. Researchers state that “direct supply disruptions will hinder production since the disease is focused on the world’s manufacturing heartland (East Asia) and spreading fast in the other industrial giants – the US and Germany” (Baldwin & di Mauro, 2020, p. 4). Disruptions in major production sites are already beginning to have a significant effect on both the private and public economic sectors.
It is particularly significant to emphasize that the economic implications of the pandemic will affect even countries with low morbidity and lack of quarantine measures. Due to the global situation, the economic activity of international companies has dropped dramatically, as well as the prices of many products and resources, including oil. These circumstances will adversely affect both commodity economies and producers of goods and services.
Business Impacts
It should be noted that despite the general adverse economic trend, some market participants benefited from the situation. According to Koren and Peto (2020), “businesses that rely heavily on face-to-face communication or close physical proximity when producing a product or providing a service are particularly vulnerable” (p. 13). At the same time, companies whose activities are related to social media and digital space, or allow remote work, either do not suffer from excessive adverse conditions or even experience increased demand. Some businesses whose operations are particularly crucial during quarantine, such as food delivery companies or scientific medical facilities, also increase profits.
However, all companies have higher expenditures on additional safety measures. Most of the companies whose operations are associated with a face-to-face presence have been severely affected. This is mainly relevant to transport organizations, restaurant and hotel business, retail, as well as art and entertainment industry, are particularly affected. Researchers argue that the pandemic will reduce the companies’ profitability, hurt employment, and may also increase debts (Ma et al., 2020). State financial support is particularly useful for small and medium-sized businesses, but not all governments are able to provide it.
These tendencies can be examined with the example of two major companies, Amazon and United Airlines. United Airlines, which usually has high demand in March, welcomed a million fewer passengers, and the number of customers and bookings, as well as revenue, are expected to decline. The products and services of Amazon, which is the leader of the e-commerce market, in turn, became even more popular. The company even faced problems with logistics and delivery due to the vast number of orders. This distinction is evident at this stage, but the deepening economic crisis can be devastating for both types of companies. If customer income declines dramatically, it will definitely affect all producers and service providers.
Conclusion
It is not yet possible to determine the full impact and extent of the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine measures. However, specific tendencies related to employment, business profitability, falling prices for natural resources, and the general suspension of a wide range of economic activities are already evident. This situation will undoubtedly provide an opportunity to consider the economic interdependence of various states and international companies and the specifics of globalization processes from a new angle.
References
1. Baldwin, R., & di Mauro, B. W. (Eds.). (2020). Economics in the time of COVID-19 . CEPR Press.
2. Jorda, O., Singh, S. R., & Taylor, A. M. (2020). Longer-run economic consequences of pandemics. Covid Economics: Vetted and Real-Time Papers , 1 (3), 1-15.
3. Koren, M., & Peto, R. (2020). Business disruptions from social distancing. Covid Economics: Vetted and Real-Time Papers , 2 (8), 13-31.
4. Ma, C., Rogers, J. H., & Zhou, S. (2020). Global economic and financial effects of 21 st -century pandemics and epidemics. Covid Economics: Vetted and Real-Time Papers , 5 (16), 56-78. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/stay-at-home-impact-on-the-economy/ | 6 |
Write the full essay for the following summary: The text discusses the problem of stereotypes in media and how they can be harmful. It also offers a solution to the problem, which is for marketers to take a responsible approach to the development of advertising.The text discusses the problem of stereotypes in media and how they can be harmful. It also offers a solution to the problem, which is for marketers to take a responsible approach to the development of advertising. | The text discusses the problem of stereotypes in media and how they can be harmful. It also offers a solution to the problem, which is for marketers to take a responsible approach to the development of advertising.
The text discusses the problem of stereotypes in media and how they can be harmful. It also offers a solution to the problem, which is for marketers to take a responsible approach to the development of advertising. | Stereotypes in Media Essay
Introduction
Media has a significant impact on the life of a modern person. An essential component of media is advertising, which, unfortunately, is filled with stereotypes. At the same time, people encounter it daily, which enhances the adverse effect. The repetition of the same stereotypes leads to the problem where certain principles become fixed in the mass consciousness. Consequently, people begin to believe these biases sincerely and consider them their own. Unfortunately, such stereotypes are not always beneficial or even true.
One of the striking examples of media with stereotypes is the advertising of a sportswear brand Nike. Undoubtedly, this company is trying to produce quality products and pays much attention to brand development. However, in their advertising, people who wear Nike clothes and shoes are usually healthy, athletic, and beautiful. This creates the stereotype that only slim people can be successful in sports. Thus, many people with non-standard parameters of their figure are embarrassed to start working out because they are afraid to seem ridiculous, although society would actually support them. Therefore, to reduce the negative impact of advertising on people, marketers must take a responsible approach to its development and take into account the interests of different population groups.
Follow Up Response Post
The use of stereotypes in cinema is a critical issue. On the one hand, this allows creating vivid and understandable characters. On the other hand, this can reinforce negative prejudices in the minds of viewers. Therefore, the development of characters should be approached carefully. Fortunately, in recent years, screenwriters and directors have been trying to avoid the tendency toward stereotyping in cinema. They are interested in creating unusual and original characters. Thanks to this, viewers see the multifaceted nature of a human being, which allows them to become what they want and reach new heights.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/stereotypes-in-media/ | 7 |
Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Stokely Carmichael is a civil rights activist and founder of the notion of "Black Power." He showed himself as a brilliant student both at school and university, where he became interested in the topic of civil rights. His path in civil rights activism began by becoming a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (the SNCC). This essay focuses on Stokely Carmichael's contribution to black nationalism. Carmichael faced difficulties during his journey to a life without |
Stokely Carmichael is a civil rights activist and founder of the notion of "Black Power." He showed himself as a brilliant student both at school and university, where he became interested in the topic of civil rights. His path in civil rights activism began by becoming a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (the SNCC). This essay focuses on Stokely Carmichael's contribution to black nationalism.
Carmichael faced difficulties during his journey to a life without | Stokely Carmichael’s Contribution to Black Nationalism Essay
Introduction
Stokely Carmichael is a civil rights activist and founder of the notion of “Black Power.” He showed himself as a brilliant student both at school and university, where he became interested in the topic of civil rights (“Stokely Carmichael: West Indian-American Activist”).
His path in civil rights activism began by becoming a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (the SNCC). This essay focuses on Stokely Carmichael’s contribution to black nationalism. Although Carmichael faced difficulties during his journey to a life without racial inequality, he did not stop and kept spreading the slogan “black power” to London, Cuba, and Vietnam.
Stokely Carmichael’s Participation in Civil Rights Actions
Stokely Carmichael took part in many civil rights organizations, including his participation in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee led by James Forman, Bob Mosses, and Marion Barry (“SNCC”). The party aimed to provide black people with equal rights in civic actions. In 1966, Carmichael was elected as the head of this party, in which he integrated the term “Black Power” that characterized violence as self-defense. Carmichael was also a member of the Freedom Riders, a civil rights movement that fought against racial segregation. (“Stokely Carmichael: West Indian-American Activist”). The experience he got from participating in these actions prepared him for one of the most important marches in his life, the Meredith March.
The purpose of the Meredith March was to create equal rights for black voters to remove the fear of many black people to cross Mississippi and to fight against racism. It was organized by James Meredith in 1966 and implied a walk from Memphis to Jackson (Joseph, p. 77). During his second day, an unknown man shot Meredith and injured him. The journalists reported the news with an error saying that Meredith was killed. Even though the updating was done less than an hour later, the incident raised a wave of resentment among people. The new head of the Congress of Racial Equality Floyd McKissick announced the continuation of the movement and promised to finish it by gathering volunteers. This march embraced the Black Power notion and made Carmichael a prominent figure by representing him as a national civil rights activist. The movement lasted from May 8 till June 29, ending with a tribute of black and white people seeking justice and equality for everyone; even famous figures such as Marlon Brando joined in.
Challenges in the South
One of the challenges that Carmichael faced was whites’ hostility towards marches. During the Meredith March, when the crowd reached the Madison County Courthouse, the officials forbade protesters to pitch the tents (Joseph, p. 87). Despite the prohibition, Carmichael gave the order to settle down in front of McNeal Elementary School. This act led to the punishment of the protesters by patrolmen. They were throwing the gas canisters into people, but Carmichael and McKissick kept chanting, “Pitch the tents.” It was not the only violent act from the police troops. After each police attack, Carmichael was pointing at them, saying that these people are not able to protect anyone if they beat women and children and throw gas canisters at them. He took every opportunity to show the real face of the American political system.
During the march, Carmichael became a close friend with already well-known civil rights activist Martin Luther King-Jr, whose views and values although differed in some points were quite similar to Carmichael’s. The difference in opinions was another problem that Carmichael faced during his movements. King showed disapproval of the notion of “Black Power” because he saw violence in it. In his speeches, he expressed the position of many black people who were furious because of the attempt to murder James Meredith, at the same time reminding them of nonviolent politics. However, later King states, “If Stokely Carmichael now says that nonviolence is irrelevant, it is because he, as a dedicated veteran of many battles, has seen with his own eyes the most brutal white violence against Negroes and white civil rights workers, and he has seen it go unpunished” (p. 34). This shows his compromise with Carmichael on the issue of racial desegregation.
Despite difficulties, Carmichael kept traveling and giving speeches on civil rights freedom. People in London treated him as an idol and listened to his glorious speeches. He realized that the nonviolent tactics will not work, that is why he refused to talk about the topic of nonviolence and instead spoke about relevant things, such as self-defense. Although people loved him, he faced resentment from authorities and had to depart from London. He was invited by the Cuban officials to attend the Organization for Latin American Solidarity (Joseph, p. 144). There he became acquainted with Fidel Castro, Cuban human rights activist. His travel to Havana, Carmichael describes as “eye-opening, inspiring, and mind-blowing” (Joseph, p. 146). Later he booked a flight to Vietnam where he took part in actions against the Vietnam War.
Conclusion
To conclude, Stokely Carmichael’s contribution to racial equality was prominent. With his sharp mind and dedication on the way to making his nation free from discrimination he could convey a message to the masses, and people listened to him. The slogan” black power” inspired people to fight against injustice and racial discrimination, to define their rights, and to build a united community. Although he experienced some difficulties such as whites’ hostility and aim determination of the movements, he was conscious of these challenges and took advantage of them to subdue other countries with his great speeches.
Works Cited
1. Joseph, Peniel E. Stokely: A Life. Basic Civitas, 2014.
2. King, Martin Luther Jr. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Beacon Press, 2010.
3. “ SNCC .” History, 2019. Web.
4. “ Stokely Carmichael: West Indian-American Activist. ” Britannica. Web . | https://ivypanda.com/essays/stokely-carmichaels-contribution-to-black-nationalism/ | 8 |
Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Kodak's decline and failure were due to the inability to correctly evaluate the current situation and disregard of digital technology and opportunities that were associated with it. |
Kodak's decline and failure were due to the inability to correctly evaluate the current situation and disregard of digital technology and opportunities that were associated with it. | Strategic Drift and Kodak Report (Assessment)
One of the central reasons for the decline and failure of Kodak was the inability to correctly evaluate the current situation and disregard of digital technology and opportunities that were associated with it. The given strategic failure also resulted from the corporate blunders that were inevitable regarding the corporate culture peculiar to the company at that period. By 2011, the traditional photography business was eroded by digital cameras and smartphones with a turnover of about $6 billion. It became fatal for Kodak, which experienced a gradual deterioration of its competitive advantage because of the inability to respond to new changes. The company made incorrect conclusions about the future of traditional photography and its ability to compete with innovations that started to penetrate the market. In such a way, Kodak’s dismissive response to new trends was one of the primary causes of the strategic drift.
At the same time, because of the wrong idea about the future of the sphere and the evolution of the film sphere. Instead of devoting much attention to innovative devices, Kodak viewed digital as the method to enhance film business, and this idea failed. Additionally, the corporate culture of the company and its adherence to traditional values impacted the choice of a new CEO Whitmore known for its interest to film business. The given decision influenced the future evolution of the company and its failure to consider new technologies as a way to remain beneficial and preserve the competitive advantage. In such a way, the primary reasons for strategic drift include the wrong analysis of the situation, inability to predict the development of technology, and too conservative corporate culture that was not able to accept new trends and the need to start working with digital technologies as the contribution to the future growth.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/strategic-drift-and-kodak/ | 9 |
Convert the following summary back into the original text: Emirates Airline is a Dubai-based leading global aviation company. It is also Middle East's most valuable airline brand and the national flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a state-owned enterprise managed by the Emirates group of Companies, Emirates Airline has grown from a small flight company in the mid-1980s to one of the world's most formidable airline brands with a market presence in six continents. While its success is largely commendable, Emirates Airline needs to come up with new strategies to support its next phase of growth. This report identifies and evaluates different factors relating to the company's internal and external environment that would affect the aforementioned goal. The external environmental analysis will be undertaken using the PESTLE tool, external factor matrix and competitive portfolio matrix. Comparatively, the analysis of the internal environment will be undertaken using the internal factor evaluation matrix and the Swot analysis method. The Swot analysis technique will be used to evaluate the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, while the PESTLE analysis will be used to evaluate the political, economic, environmental, social, technological, legal and economic forces affecting its operations. |
Emirates Airline is a Dubai-based leading global aviation company. It is also Middle East's most valuable airline brand and the national flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a state-owned enterprise managed by the Emirates group of Companies, Emirates Airline has grown from a small flight company in the mid-1980s to one of the world's most formidable airline brands with a market presence in six continents. While its success is largely commendable, Emirates Airline needs to come up with new strategies to support its next phase of growth. This report identifies and evaluates different factors relating to the company's internal and external environment that would affect the aforementioned goal. The external environmental analysis will be undertaken using the PESTLE tool, external factor matrix and competitive portfolio matrix. Comparatively, the analysis of the internal environment will be undertaken using the internal factor evaluation matrix and the Swot analysis method. The Swot analysis technique will be used to evaluate the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, while the PESTLE analysis will be used to evaluate the political, economic, environmental, social, technological, legal and economic forces affecting its operations. | Strategic Management: Emirates Airline Essay
Executive Summary
Emirates Airline is a Dubai-based leading global aviation company. It is also Middle East’s most valuable airline brand and the national flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a state-owned enterprise managed by the Emirates group of Companies, Emirates Airline has grown from a small flight company in the mid-1980s to one of the world’s most formidable airline brands with a market presence in six continents. While its success is largely commendable, Emirates Airline needs to come up with new strategies to support its next phase of growth. This report identifies and evaluates different factors relating to the company’s internal and external environment that would affect the aforementioned goal. The external environmental analysis will be undertaken using the PESTLE tool, external factor matrix and competitive portfolio matrix. Comparatively, the analysis of the internal environment will be undertaken using the internal factor evaluation matrix and the SWOT analysis method. The SWOT analysis technique will be used to evaluate the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, while the PESTLE analysis will be used to evaluate the political, economic, environmental, social, technological, legal and economic forces affecting its operations.
From the above analysis, ineffective marketing was identified as the main issue characterizing Emirate’s internal and external environment and that has the potential to influence the company’s future operations. Particularly, it is established that Emirates Airline is not equipped to exploit the myriad of opportunities that emerge from the growing prominence of the millennial generation as a powerful target demographic in air travel and the rising cohorts of middle-class populations in emerging markets who are eager to travel. Therefore, Emirate’s current strategic environment is not well adapted to exploit these new market opportunities. Relative to this challenge, three long-term objectives have been formulated to improve the company’s future market positioning. They are outlined below:
1. To develop innovative travel products for millennials
2. To sustain growth by addressing the attitudes and preferences of millennials
3. To make millennials the new target market
To meet the above goals, it is recommended that Emirates should inculcate a new cultural ideology of innovation that would accommodate new ideas in product development as opposed to the current corporate environment that is heavily top-down and ineffective in addressing changing consumer tastes and preferences. Relative to these facts, it is proposed that Emirates Airline should redesign its training programs to teach existing employees about newer ways of addressing the needs of millennial travelers. Similarly, the airline’s management should allocate more resources to the company’s research and development department to spur more innovation and churn out new ideas on how to develop new products that would fit the needs of the target demographic.
Introduction
Emirates Airline is one of the world’s leading aviation brands with a market presence in more than 80 countries and a fleet of more than 250 aircraft, which fly to six continents around the world (Corder, 2019). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – based corporation is part of a larger group of companies known as “the Emirates Group,” which operates other subsidiary firms in the aviation sector. Emirate’s main operational hub is the Dubai International Airport where about 3,600 flights are set off per week (Emirates Group, 2020). The airline has more than 59,000 employees and rakes in more than $25 billion per annum in revenue (Corder, 2019). According to the company’s website, it has flown more than 56 million passengers across a vast network of 150 cities around the world between the years 2018 and 2019 (Emirates Group, 2020). The company’s vision statement is “to make civil aviation safe, leading and sustainable” (Emirates Group, 2020, p. 5), while its mission statement is “to deliver the world’s best in-flight experience” (Emirates Group, 2020, p. 5).
In this report, the internal and external factors affecting Emirate’s operations will be evaluated with the view to improve its strategic preparedness to address future challenges. The external environmental analysis will be undertaken using the PESTLE analysis, external factor evaluation matrix and competitive profile matrix. Comparatively, the analysis of internal factors will be undertaken using the internal factor evaluation matrix and the SWOT analysis tool. The strategic recommendations propose to din the report will be supported by evidence gathered from the use of the grand strategy matrix, Boston consulting group matrix and Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) Matrix. The end of the evaluation will outline a set of proposals for improving the company’s strategic focus on market expansion, including a raft of measures that should be adopted to review the status of the progress made.
History and Milestones of Emirates Airline
Emirates Airline traces its roots to 1984, when the then minister of defense, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, asked the managing director of another company known as “dnata” to evaluate the prospects of starting an airline company in the UAE. By the end of 1984, a business plan was set up and the name “Emirates” was chosen as the name for the new airline. In 1985, Sir Maurice Flanagan who was the managing director of “dnata” was tasked with the responsibility of starting the airline with a $10 million budget (Emirates Group, 2020). The mission was simple – to start an airline that would “look good, be good, and make money” (Emirates Group, 2020, p. 1). To fulfill this mission, the company’s director entered into a lease partnership agreement with Pakistan Airlines where it received Boeing 737s. This aircraft was used for the first flight in October 1985, from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai (Companies History, 2020). In its first five years of operations, Emirates was already operating across 14 destinations that included Amman, Colombo, Cairo, Dhaka, Male, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Damascus, Jeddah, and Kuwait (Emirates Group, 2020).
In 1992, Emirates Airlines started to cut a niche for itself in the market by upgrading its in-flight entertainment. In this setup, the company was the first airline to install video systems in all the seats (Emirates Group, 2020). In terms of logistical capabilities, Emirate’s operational plans were significantly boosted when it moved into a newly refurbished terminal at the Dubai International Airport (Stephens et al. , 2017). In 1992, the Dubai-based airline made headlines for being the first airline to order Boeing 737s. This was a mark of confidence for the airline industry, which was suffering in the aftermath of the gulf war, to become profitable again. In 1993, it was also among the first airlines to pioneer inflight connectivity across all its classes, thereby garnering a lot of attention in the industry. Emirate’s first expansion plan was completed in 1998 when it acquired a 43% stake in Air Lanka (Emirates Group, 2020). In 1999, the growth of Dubai as an airline hub in the Middle East further led to Emirate’s success in the region and around the world. Supported by the expansion and development of new terminals in Dubai International Airport, the airline benefitted from increased passenger numbers, which peaked at 11 million people in the 1999/2000 financial year (Emirates Group, 2020). Out of this number, Emirates Airlines carried 4.7 million of passengers. Towards the end of the 90s, the airline also expanded its transport network by adding 28 more new routes. Between 2000 and 2010, the company added 46 more routes as well (Emirates Group, 2020).
As part of its growth and expansion plans of the mid 2000s, Emirates airline signed a partnership deal with Qantas airline to improve the quality of services offered to both sets of customers. The partnership agreement required both airlines to not only share codes but also undertake integrated network collaboration activities to provide its customers with improved benefits and services (Centre for Aviation, 2016). These strategies helped the airline to rise to the top of the hierarchy of competitive airlines in the world – a fete that led to its culmination as the most valuable airline brand in 2014 (World Airline Awards, 2020). In the Middle East, the airline was ranked as being the most valuable company with an estimated value of about $3.7 billion (Centre for Aviation, 2016). In 2016, it was named the world’s best airline (IBP, Inc., 2015). Its in-flight entertainment also continued to gain global attention for having twelve consecutive wins at the Skytrax World Airline Awards (World Airline Awards, 2020). Furthermore, from 2010 to 2019, the company added 54 new routes to its transport network (Emirates Group, 2020).
Industry and Market Share
The global airline industry is a multibillion-dollar economic sector, which supports livelihoods in many countries around the world. According to figure 1 below, in 2019, it was estimated that the industry’s market size was in excess of $801 billion (Statista, 2020). This figure is expected to significantly decline to $686 in 2020 due to global economic uncertainties.
Figure 1. Market size of the aviation industry
The decline in market size for the overall aviation industry is a negative sign for the industry because it means that there will be reduced business for most airlines. This aviation market is controlled by several leading airlines such as Lufthansa, American Airlines, and the likes.
Emirates primarily operate in the Asia-Pacific region, which has the highest market share in terms of passenger traffic across the entire global aviation industry (Statista, 2020). For example, the Asia-pacific market accounts for about 36.3% of the total global airline market share followed by Europe, which has a 26.3% market share (IATA, 2018). North American, Latin America and the Middle East follow each other in terms of market size at 23% 7%, and 5.3%, respectively (IATA, 2018). Lastly, Emirates is the third-largest airline after American and Delta Airlines in terms of schedule passenger numbers flown in the airline industry (Centre for Aviation, 2016).
Evaluation
It is essential to understand the external and internal environmental factors affecting the aviation industry. In particular, it is essential to have a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the airline and how they can be solved. For purposes of analyzing external factors influencing the business, three key models are used: PESTLE analysis, external factor evaluation matrix, and competitive profile matrix. Comparatively, the internal environmental analysis will be undertaken using the SWOT analysis and the internal factor evaluation matrix. The first phase of review involves an analysis of the external environment highlighted below.
External Environment
PESTLE Analysis
This PESTLE analysis is aimed at evaluating the impact of political, economic, social, legal, technological, and environmental forces affecting the airline.
Political: The international nature of Emirates’ operations exposes it to several political risks stemming from multiple countries. For example, restrictions in travel movements across borders due to health risks could significantly affect the viability of the company’s operations and whether it will make profits at all (Sales, 2016). Already, Emirates flies to some of the world’s emerging aviation markets, such as the Middle East and Africa. So far, most of these countries have a stable political environment. However, this situation could change and significantly suppress the demand for air transport. Similarly, unilateral actions were taken by different nations, such as the recent banning of flights to the US from specific Islam countries by the Trump administration could lead to a significant decline in air transport demand for airlines that ply routes in affected countries.
Economic: Being a global airline, Emirates operates in multiple markets with different currencies and economic characteristics. Therefore, changes in economic conditions could significantly influence the airline’s revenues and bottom-line performance (Sales, 2016). For example, the loss of value in one currency could mean a significant reduction in revenue in some markets. Similarly, the non-oil investments made in the UAE economy through advances in tourism product development have significantly affected the airline’s operations through increased passenger traffic, as more people fly into the Arab country to enjoy its tourism products and services. This model of investment has had a positive impact on Emirate’s performance by making Dubai and the larger UAE region an international tourism hub. The airline is strategically positioned to benefit from the associated passenger traffic.
Socio-cultural: The sociocultural aspect of the PESTLE analysis relates to changes in the social environment, which influence Emirate’s bottom-line performance. For example, an increased interest in air travel among young people throughout the world has had a positive impact on the airline’s operations as it has increased demand for the airline’s services. Similarly, the general increase in the world’s population has meant an automatic surge in the demand for travel services, which has improved Emirate’s overall performance. It is estimated that the most active demographic group that fuels current demand is made up of “baby boomers” who are engaged in frequent travels as they are at the top of their careers. Others are retiring and have chosen to travel instead of staying at home. The millennial generation is also actively involved in flying and is responsible for the high demand for air travel in some tourism markets (Machado and Davim, 2018). However, this demographic has different preferences, expectations, and attitudes about air travel from their older counterparts. For example, they have an insatiable appetite to travel, regardless of the prevailing economic or social conditions, and significantly rely on technology to make online travel bookings or stay engaged with their peers in their travel plans. Lastly, the growing middle-class population in many emerging markets is also fuelling the demand for air travel, which is, in turn, increasing the demand for airline services (Business News Publishing, 2017). For example, there is a surge in the demand for air travel among many emerging economies, such as the BRICS countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa because of increased disposable income among most of their populations (Vaughan-Whitehead, 2016). Therefore, airlines can exploit this emerging opportunity for greater market expansion.
Technological: The importance of technology in promoting business performance cannot be overemphasized in airline operations because of its strategic role in creating synergy across different functional areas. For example, technology has revolutionized how customers book flights and consume their entertainment while on transit. Similarly, aviation experts have used digital technology to forecast demand for aviation services and make plans on how to manage them (Belobaba, Odoni and Barnhart, 2015). Currently, there is a growing demand among some customers to further use technology to manage personal itineraries using mobile phones (Hanke, 2016). Particularly, this trend is common among millennial travelers (Belobaba, Odoni and Barnhart, 2015). The use of technology in this format provides airlines with an opportunity to customize their products to reflect the technological appeal of airline services. Alternatively, technology has also affected the operational costs of airlines by improving fuel efficiency through the development of modern aircraft. Companies like Emirates are always under pressure to adopt these technological changes through the purchase of modern aircraft that would improve performance and services offered to customers.
Environmental: The aviation industry is regarded as one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions around the world. Independent reports suggest that the sector is responsible for about 12% of the total greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere (Cook and Billig, 2017). This problem is worsened by the vulnerability of airlines to adverse weather conditions. For example, extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tornadoes have a negative impact on airline operations. The effects of adverse weather on flight operations was reported in 2010 when there was a volcanic ash cloud in Iceland that caused the delay of multiple flights across Europe (Cook and Billig, 2017). This event led to the closure of all airports in Scotland and created significant disruptions in other linked transport hubs in Manchester, Liverpool and New Castle because of the fear that the natural event could damage aircraft engines (Oregon State University, 2020). Broadly, this statement shows that the aviation industry is vulnerable to environmental factors affecting flight operations.
Legal: The aviation industry is one of the most regulated economic sectors because of the sensitivity of flight operations to human life. Although safety remains a top priority in the sector, governments have used new policies and laws to redefine industry outcomes based on competitive behaviors among regional and national airlines (Jarvis, 2015). For instance, the growing prominence of Middle East Airlines, such as Emirates, Etihad Airlines, and Qatar Airways, has increased rivalry in the airline market, especially between traditional western airlines and emerging state-sponsored companies in the Middle East and Asia (Peoples and Bitzan, 2017). The trend has forced some governments to impose protectionist policies to safeguard their national airlines from the negative effects of stiff competition (Gross and Lück, 2016). For example, the prohibition of air travel from some Middle East countries into the United States (US) is a form of protectionist policy that limits the outreach of Middle East Airlines in the American market. However, there has been a growing admission among key players in the aviation industry that the sector needs to be further liberalized (Cook and Billig, 2017). This is why there are increased cases of renegotiated open skies agreements emerging as a competitive strategy.
Competitive Profile Matrix
The competitive profile matrix is used to evaluate a company’s position relative to its competitors. By doing so, it is easier to identify its relative strengths and weaknesses. The information can be used to understand which areas need improvement and which ones need protection or safeguards. Similar to the PESTLE analysis, this external environment analysis tool is mostly used to estimate the impact of external factors on a company’s performance. In developing the competitive profile matrix, there was a keen emphasis on correctly estimating critical success factors associated with the airline industry that create an “edge” for one airline over another. As highlighted in Table 1 below, the main critical success factors used were brand reputation, the extent of product integration, range of products, rate of bringing new products to market, market share, employee satisfaction, customer service, brand loyalty, customer retention, superior, information technology (IT) capabilities, strong online presence, and successful promotion.
Alternatively, Emirate’s main competitors in the Middle East region (Etihad Airways and Oman Air) were evaluated based on the critical success factors highlighted above, and the results are highlighted in table 1 below.
Table 1. Competitive profile matrix table
Etihad Airways Emirates Airways Oman Air
Critical Success Factor Weight Rating Score Rating Score Rating Score
Brand reputation 0.13 2 0.17 3 0.39 1 0.12
Extent of product integration 0.07 4 0.31 3 0.24 1 0.06
Range of products 0.05 3 0.25 1 0.05 2 0.14
Rate of bringing new products to market 0.04 3 0.13 3 0.12 3 0.12
Market Share 0.14 2 0.24 4 0.56 4 0.56
Employee satisfaction 0.07 1 0.07 2 0.16 3 0.24
Customer service 0.05 1 0.05 3 0.15 4 0.22
Brand loyalty 0.07 4 0.27 2 0.14 2 0.14
Customer retention 0.02 2 0.03 4 0.08 1 0.02
Superior IT capabilities 0.13 3 0.33 4 0.44 4 0.45
Strong online presence 0.15 3 0.44 3 0.45 4 0.60
Successful promotions 0.07 1 0.08 2 0.17 1 0.08
Total 1.00 – 2.39 – 2.94 – 2.75
The critical success factors highlighted above refer to the most important attributes of airline services that should be performed at the highest possible level of standard to realize a favourable market position. According to the results of the competitive profile table above, Emirates Airline leads its competitors in meeting the highest standards of excellence in the critical success factors identified with a score of 2.94, compared to its rival, Etihad (2.39) and Oman Air (2.75). Since critical success factors capture internal and external forces affecting a business, Emirates airline seems to have a better understanding of prevailing market dynamics because it has managed to respond well to current challenges by churning innovative products and services that have been well received by the market. For example, its world-acclaimed in-flight service entertainment is like no other in the industry. It has played a key role in boosting the company’s brand image among consumers. On this basis of assessment, some of the critical success factors highlighted in table 1 above are linked to one another because a good score in one area of service quality would automatically lead to the improvement of a related area. For example, brand loyalty would lead to increased levels of customer retention.
External Factor Evaluation Matrix
Unlike the internal factor, evaluation matrix that evaluates a company’s in-house capabilities with the view of identifying its strengths and weaknesses, the external factor evaluation matrix is used to assess the external environment to identify threats and opportunities that exist in the market. In this regard, Emirate’s external environment can be assessed based on the opportunities and threats that exist in the market. The growing middle class population in many emerging economies, such as South Africa and India, portends a significant opportunity for the airline to expand its travel network to serve new markets (McLeod and Croes, 2018). Additionally, airlines have benefitted from signing partnerships and agreements that are geared towards exploiting such opportunities (McLeod and Croes, 2018).
Emirate’s partnership with Qantas is one of the most significant partnership agreement that the Dubai-based airline has entered into. Signed in 2012, the partnership agreement allowed Qantas the right to use Emirate’s Dubai hub for logistical purposes (Emirates Group, 2020). The two airlines also agreed on a code and revenue sharing agreement that would improve operations both in Sydney and in the UAE (Emirates Group, 2020). Broadly, Emirates has been steadily following this strategic plan of entering into partnership with other airlines as was recently reported when it published its intention to work with American Airline as well to benefit from the same advantages it has accrued from the Qantas agreement (McLeod and Croes, 2018). Coming from the backdrop of the Emirates-Qantas partnership agreement, Emirates airline has made it known that it does not fear to pursue partnerships, which will benefit its shareholders and create value for its customers.
The growing demand for cargo traffic in the aviation sector has also emerged as another opportunity for Emirates Airline to expand its market share. This opportunity is occasioned by the decline in passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2020 and fears that the trend is expected to continue in the future (Diamond, 2020). Lastly, the sophisticated taste of the modern passenger also creates another opportunity for airlines to develop products that appeal to the changing needs of their clients. Particularly, emphasis has been made to understand the unique transport needs of the millennial traveller because their demographic will soon encompass a majority of the population of airline passengers (McLeod and Croes, 2018). On this basis of growth, there is potential for airlines to further develop products that appeal to the unique market needs of these growing demographics, as they will largely define future consumer tastes and preferences.
In table 2 below, these opportunities have been weighted and rated to determine their impact on Emirate’s operations from a scale of 0.0 to 1.0. Both scores represents the lowest and highest possible scores, respectively. Stated differently, the numbers have been ranked according to how important the external factor is in helping Emirates to succeed in the industry by achieving its objectives. It was important to assign these weights to different external factors identified in the assignment because without them, it would mean that all the issues mentioned carry equal importance to the company’s success. However, such a scenario is unrealistic because in the real world, some factors are more important to the airline’s success than others are.
Table 2. External factor evaluation matrix
External Factor Evaluation Matrix
Key External Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score
Opportunities
1. Growing middle-class population in emerging markets, which may provide the demand for the next phase of airline growth 0.11 3 0.33
2. Signing new partnership agreements with other airlines to improve information-sharing, code sharing and service delivery 0.09 1 0.09
3. Growing demand for cargo traffic through the growth and expansion of e-commerce 0.24 2 0.48
4. Formulate more market segmentation plans to meet the unique travel needs of each target market 0.10 1 0.10
Threats
5. The growing prominence of other Middle Eastern Airlines which use the same business model as Emirates threatens its long-term position as the leading Middle East airline 0.17 4 0.68
6. Extreme cases of natural disasters occurring due to global warming and climate change may significantly impact the airline’s operations 0.03 2 0.06
7. A slump in the global economy would significantly cause a drop in demand 0.14 3 0.42
8. Restrictions on travel due to tariff and policy restrictions will create uncertainty and undermine the long-term economic growth of the company 0.12 2 0.24
Total 1.00 – 2.40
In the above-mentioned table, the most significant factors affecting the airline’s operations are the growing demand for cargo traffic through the growth and expansion of e-commerce (0.24), the growing prominence of other Middle Eastern Airlines, which use the same business model as Emirates (0.17) and the potential that a slump in the global economy would cause a decline in demand.
According to table 2 above, the growing prominence of other Middle Eastern airlines is problematic for Emirates Airline because it threatens its dominant position in the market. Again, as highlighted in this analysis, the activities of Emirate’s rivals in global aviation industry challenges its position as the Gulf region’s leading airline because it means that other Middle Eastern airlines are also working towards increasing their market share. Their use of aggressive competitive strategies to accomplish this goal creates a competitive business environment, which may threaten the viability of Emirate’s business because airlines will be competing for a limited number of passengers.
Environmental factors, which manifest in natural disasters, also threaten the activities of airlines in the industry because they could cause disruptions in air travel operations. These environmental effects may also be felt by the airline through an increase in operational expenses, as would be evident if the price of fuel increase because of global warming or climate change (Oregon State University, 2020). This effect could also be seen through a slump in the global economic environment, which would lead to a depressed demand for air travel. This effect is captured in table 2 above, as is the case with the policy changes and bans on travel imposed on passengers from selected countries because of political factors influencing travel decisions. For example, the travel bans imposed on certain Islamic countries by the US government impedes the frequency of travel between countries. The effects of such actions could best be compared to the effects that terrorism has had on global travel in the past decade. It led to increased scrutiny at airports and a heightened level of safety surveillance among travellers, especially from Middle Eastern countries (Corder, 2019). Collectively, these forces have negatively influenced the global airline travel market. They are likely to continue to affect the industry through the proliferation of current protectionist policies adopted by selected governments. Collectively, a cumulative score of 2.40 for external factors affecting the airline industry means that the above-mentioned factors have a significant impact on airline operations.
Internal Environment Analysis
SWOT Analysis
In this document, Emirate’s response to its competitive environment, relative to its internal capabilities, is going to be assessed using the SWOT analysis technique, which focuses on a company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Table 3 below highlights the SWOT analysis findings for Emirates Airline.
Table 3. SWOT analysis findings
Strengths
* Strong brand name Weaknesses
* Competitive fare and promotion * Shortage of experienced workers
* Strong brand image * High aircraft maintenance costs
* High frequency of flights
Opportunities Threats
* Going public * Strong competition
* Mergers and acquisitions * Decline of air industry
* Shifting customer needs and requirements * Environmental issues
* Political influence
According to table 1 above, the main strengths of Emirates airline is a strong brand name, its competitive fares, strong brand image, and high frequency of flights form the Dubai International Airport, which is its main hub, to other destinations around the world. Its weaknesses include a shortage of experienced workers and high maintenance costs. These challenges are contextualised within the overall understanding that they stem from the failure of some employees to work within the company’s culture or operational framework that demands high levels of expertise in the delivery of set targets. However, there are new opportunities for growth available for the company, including developing new products to appeal to new market segments and aligning the company’s operational plans with shifting customer needs and requirements. Additionally, the company could pursue productive mergers and acquisitions that would see it expand its market share beyond the current level. Lastly, there is a threat to the airline’s business operations that stems from the heightened competitive environment created by other players in the industry. Furthermore, the failure to comply with environmental conservation standards and the decline of the airline industry because of global economic uncertainties paint a grim picture for the company’s future in aviation.
Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix
As highlighted in this report, the internal factor evaluation matrix is a useful tool in evaluating a company’s key weaknesses and competencies. The results are useful in identifying key strengths and weaknesses that need to be tweaked to realize optimum performance (Katsioloudes and Abouhanian, 2016). According to table 4 below, the most important strength of Emirates Airline is its extensive travel network to more than 150 cities around the world (0.11) and the most significant weakness being the overdependence on the UAE government for political and financial backing (0.13).
Table 4. Internal factor evaluation matrix
IFE Matrix
Key Internal Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score
Strengths
1. Emirate Airline is supported by the parent company – Emirates Group, which has vast interests in aviation 0.10 4 0.40
2. Brand reputation is highly valued in the Middle East aviation sector 0.08 3 0.24
3. Strong history of innovation 0.07 4 0.28
4. Excellent relations with employees 0.02 3 0.06
5. Competency in mergers and acquisitions 0.06 3 0.18
6. Extensive travel network across more than 150 cities 0.11 4 0.44
7. Highly valued product ecosystem 0.08 4 0.32
Weaknesses
8. Uncertainties in the global economic environment 0.10 1 0.10
9. Over-dependence on the UAE-government for financial and political backing 0.13 2 0.26
10. Margins are low and depend on the sustainability of a high frequency of flights to maintain profitability 0.07 2 0.14
11. Competition is based on price movements 0.09 2 0.18
12. The presence of a rigid organisational culture slows down the introduction of new products to market 0.04 1 0.04
13. Negative media portrayals affect brand image 0.05 2 0.10
Total 1.00 – 2.74
The findings highlighted above mean that Emirate Airline needs to address its key area of vulnerability, which is its overdependence on government support to sustain its business and amplify its main strength which its vast travel network. The latter approach is especially important to the company’s overall sustainability plan because customers have traditionally flown with the airline due to its affordable ticket costs in frequently travelled routes. In this regard, few rivals have been able to effectively compete with Emirates in terms of its market appeal, mostly because the airline enjoys immense support from the government and people of the UAE.
Emerging Issues
One of the main issues emerging from this case study is the need to develop new marketing strategies that would increase the company’s market share beyond Middle East. This problem involves maintaining the airline’s dominant position in the gulf region as well, while taking advantage of the immense market opportunities that are emerging in new territories. Particularly, there is a need to develop effective marketing strategies that would appeal to changing consumer preferences in travel. This strategy is occasioned by the increasing influence of millennials in the air travel industry (McLeod and Croes, 2018). In this analysis, Emirates needs to realize that its traditional market segmentation strategy that is based on income differentiations should be updated to one that reflects the traveller’s tastes and attitudes. This shift in strategic direction needs a wider cultural shift in the organisation’s practices from one that relies a lot on managerial direction to another that allows room for innovation from a bottom-up perspective (McLeod and Croes, 2018). Indeed, it is only through the lessons learned through the failures of experimentation that the airline can effectively adapt to changes in the industry.
Another emerging issue is the lack of strategic preparedness for Emirate Airlines to exploit new market opportunities that have emerged from economic developments in overseas markets. Particularly, the company has not come up with practical actions steps to exploit new market opportunities in countries that have a growing middle class population that is eager to travel. Therefore, Emirates remains strategically ill-equipped to take advantage of the new market opportunities posed by changing political, social and economic forces impacting its external and internal environment.
Strategy Assessment
In this report, an evaluation of the required strategies for Emirate to adopt as it embarks on sustaining its next level of growth will be undertaken through a review of the outcomes of three strategic evaluation frameworks: Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) matrix, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix and grand strategy matrix. These evaluation frameworks will be used to provide the right context for the introduction and implementation of new recommendations that would address the emerging issues highlighted above. The models would also be used as a basis for formulating a raft of recommendations that would be outlined in the recommendations section of this report.
Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) Matrix
The SPACE matrix is often used to evaluate the strategic choices of a company, relative to its prevailing internal and external environmental analyses. The structure of the matrix assumes that an organisation should either adopt a conservative, aggressive, defensive, or competitive strategy, relative to its environmental influences (Panigrahy, Kumar and Singh, 2017). Each of these strategic choices is represented by a quadrant that outlines the specific conditions that warrant the application of one strategic direction. Based on the findings of Emirate’s internal and external environmental factors, the airline should pursue an aggressive international strategy because it has a strong competitive position in the gulf region as Middle East’s most dominant airline. Therefore, it needs to use its internal strengths to sustain its growth and implement an aggressive market penetration strategy to exploit market opportunities that are emerging in new territories. This strategy may involve the development of new products, integrating company functional areas with those of its partners and the pursuit of beneficial merger and acquisition strategies with like-minded airlines.
These recommendations have been developed after considering the effects of the company’s internal and external strategic dimensions. The goal is to determine Emirate’s strategic posture in the industry, relative to its competitors. The internal strategic dimensions have been borrowed from the SWOT findings and amalgamated in this analysis to highlight two key strategic decision-making areas – financial strength and competitive advantage. As highlighted in the internal and environmental analyses highlighted in this report, Emirate’s key competencies are traceable to the company’s financial strength, which stems from its parent company – the Emirates Group. The entity is guaranteed by the state and provides an endless supply of resources to the airline to stay operational even in the wake of global uncertainties on travel. Its competitive edge stems from its value leadership brand in the Middle East region and the positive reputation it has built in the industry over the years. Nonetheless, the external strategic dimensions of Emirates Airline have been evaluated based on the considerations of the company’s vulnerability to environmental forces and its relative industry strength.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix
The BCG matrix classifies a company’s strategic position into four groups “question mark” “starts” “poor dogs” and “cash cows.” The classification system is based on the level of industry attractiveness and a company’s competitive position (Pruschkowski, 2018).
Emirates should pursue a “cash cow” strategy because the airline already enjoys a positive brand image in the industry. Therefore, it would be leveraging this capability to “milk” as much cash as possible from the market. This type of strategy is linked to companies, which have a positive brand image and have gained their customers’ trust (Pruschkowski, 2018). Emirates Airline fits this profile because its strategic fit is contextualized within the dominant market position it enjoys in the industry. Relative to this analysis, Pruschkowski (2018) argues that the money generated from the implementation of such a strategy should be invested in the “stars” portfolio of the BCG matrix for long-term dividends. Overall, the “cash cow” portfolio of the BCG matrix represents Emirate’s strategic position in the airline sector because the decisions made in this stage of the company’s growth are not supposed to induce growth but rather support the existing one (Pruschkowski, 2018). This is Emirate’s current situation because it already enjoys a strong growth momentum in the market that few other airlines in the Middle East enjoy (Stephens et al. , 2017). Therefore, its strategic focus should be on extending its market dominance position.
Grand Strategy Matrix
According to table 5 below, Emirate’s grand strategy lies in the first quadrant of the grand strategy matrix because of its strong market position. It has also reported a strong rate of growth that outpaces its rivals in the industry (Stephens et al. , 2017). Therefore, its grand strategy needs to exploit these attributes.
Table 5. Grand strategy matrix
Quadrant 2 Quadrant 1
* Market Development * Concentric diversification
* Market Penetration * Forward integration
* Product development * Backward integration
* Horizontal integration
Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4
* Concentric diversification * Concentric diversification
* Horizontal diversification * Horizontal diversification
* Conglomerate diversification * Conglomerate diversification
* Forging Alliances
Conclusion and Recommendations
The strategic evaluation process for Emirates Airline was undertaken through a careful review of the external and internal forces acting on it. The external analysis was performed using the PESTLE analysis tool, external factor evaluation matrix and competitive profile matrix. Comparatively, the internal factor analysis was completed using the internal factor evaluation matrix and the SWOT analysis tool. Based on the use of these strategic assessment methods, the biggest external factors affecting Emirates that emerged from the analysis is changing consumer tastes and preferences and growing uncertainties in the global economic environment. A review of the company’s internal factors suggest that Emirates Airline also has a strong brand image and enjoys massive political and economic support from the UAE government and its people. Based on these analyses, the biggest issue that has emerged from this review is the need to sustain the company’s growth by appealing to the millennial population, which is expected to spur the next phase of airline growth. On this basis, the proposed long-term objectives of the airline are as follows:
1. To develop innovative travel products for millennials
2. To sustain growth by addressing the attitudes and preferences of millennials
3. To make millennials the new target market
To achieve the above-mentioned goals, it is pertinent for Emirates Airlines to initiate a cultural shift in the company’s marketing plan and make it more receptive to innovation and new product developments. In other words, the company should no longer be focused on developing new products based on class as the main criterion of market differentiation. Instead, the overall marketing culture should be changed to address unique generational tastes and preferences in travel, as the new frontier for aviation innovation. The company will be a leader in this area of management focus because no other airline has adopted this approach. Changing the company’s overall corporate culture may involve rethinking its training curriculum to make staff more aware of the needs of younger travellers and redesigning the company’s overall pricing strategy to make it more affordable for the new demographic of travellers. The new approach to learning may require some employees to be retrained about new customer service practices, while new recruits could directly be recruited based on the new criteria of employment identified above. Emirates also needs to allocate more resources to the company’s research and development team to enable it to develop new products that appeal to the needs of millennials. This strategic management approach may involve the company’s top leadership and possibly the Emirates Group Chief Executive Officer since he is responsible for making critical resource allocation decisions.
Proposals for Strategic Review, Evaluation and Control
The proposed strategic approaches highlighted above need to be periodically reviewed, evaluated and controlled to make sure they meet their intended goals. Notably, it is critical to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategies because the recommendations outlined above were made with specific assumptions about the airline’s internal and external environmental characteristics in mind. For example, it is assumed that there would be no major political unrests that would significantly affect flight operations across international borders. On this basis, the review, evaluation and control processes should be undertaken using the premise control method, which continuously tests the assumptions made in formulating the proposed strategic choices to understand their impact on the implementation process. For example, the proposed recommendations highlighted in this report relate to Emirate’s environmental and organisational forces mentioned in the external and internal environmental analyses highlighted in the PESTLE and SWOT analyses mentioned. The goal of the strategic review and control process is to track the progress made in the execution of the proposed strategic plan and guide the firm’s success in a rapidly changing aviation environment.
Reference List
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Strategic management in DNP practice involves the development of political and financial decisions to promote quality and safety. | Strategic management in DNP practice involves the development of political and financial decisions to promote quality and safety. | Strategic Management in DNP Practice Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Strategic Management Decisions
3. Teambuilding Strategies
4. Quality and Safety Initiative
5. Conclusion
6. Reference
Introduction
Nowadays, many students are involved in their doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs to introduce a problem and develop a solution for delivering care or educating a community. There are many ways for DNP practice scholars to improve their outcomes and achieve positive results. In this paper, attention will be paid to the importance of strategic management decisions, team building strategies, and a quality and safety initiative, with the help of which nursing practice and project plans are supported.
Strategic Management Decisions
Due to technological progress and the re-shaping of moral values in modern society, health care becomes a complex field, with the necessity to change and make decisions regularly. In DNP projects, nursing scholars have to develop their strategic planning and thinking skills to solve complex issues and understand how to involve in this work (Falk et al., 2015). To be more involved in strategic management decisions, a scholar has to investigate internal and external aspects of a project. It is possible to learn the population or the community where an intervention has to be implemented. Strategic initiatives may be improved if clear goals and missions are defined and discussed within a team. It does not matter if a DNP practice scholar works alone or in a team, the creation of specific mission-driven contexts cannot be ignored (Falk et al., 2015). As soon as enough questions are posed, and certain answers are given, a DNP project will be strategically enhanced.
Teambuilding Strategies
In any research project, the establishment of a team turns out to be an integral step. Despite the intentions to create the most favored working environment, some nurses feel unvalued or misunderstood, which considerably influences a culture of teamwork. Strategic planning involves teambuilding, as well as the recognition of task forces (Falk et al., 2015). To support nursing practice and project plans, several strategies can be effective. First, an open-door policy will provoke regular communication and the possibility to discuss urgent issues. Second, the combination of leadership and team autonomy will improve the outcomes without breaking a rule that any team should have a leader and develop democratic relationships. Finally, problem-solving contributes to teambuilding experiences because researchers must be mutually developed instead of being oriented toward one particular task.
Quality and Safety Initiative
As well as any work, nursing practice is characterized by properly applied quality and safety initiatives to support its outcomes. Strategic planning in a DNP project includes the development of political and financial decisions to promote quality and safety (Falk et al., 2015). Such initiatives will help to reduce the number of negative outcomes and problems within a community. Medical errors could happen even if the most definite steps are taken, and quality and safety improvement should stay sustainable in nursing practice. The analysis of past achievements and recent expectations will show how the offered idea changes the current state of affairs. An understanding of patients’ needs and nurses’ opportunities will help to develop a plan, using available resources and knowledge. In this DNP project, a quality and safety initiative aims at improving the quality of care and reducing maternal hemorrhage, and it is expected to analyze the impact of the offered intervention through the comparison complications’ statistics.
Conclusion
In general, the combination of strategic management decisions and teambuilding strategies promotes a good possibility to achieve positive outcomes in DNP practice. An understanding of goals and missions, cooperation with people, and recognition of quality standards are the crucial steps in this research project. To support this work, it is necessary to ask correct questions, respect each other, and think about the potential impact of the already-made decisions.
Reference
Falk, N. L., Garrison, K. F., Brown, M. M., Pintz, C., & Bocchino, J. (2015). Strategic planning and doctor of nursing practice education: Developing today’s and tomorrow’s leaders. Nursing Economic$, 33 (5), 246-254.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The paper discusses strategies to manage improper payments regularly occurring in various companies. It is argued that the risk of improper payments increases in programs with complex criteria for computing payments, a significant volume of transactions, or emphasis on expediting payments. The authors' main point is that work on these problems must be first carried out within the company. If an organization does not control internal processes, it cannot rely on accuracy in calculations. In addition, the lack of control allows external forces to affect these processes adversely. | The paper discusses strategies to manage improper payments regularly occurring in various companies. It is argued that the risk of improper payments increases in programs with complex criteria for computing payments, a significant volume of transactions, or emphasis on expediting payments. The authors' main point is that work on these problems must be first carried out within the company. If an organization does not control internal processes, it cannot rely on accuracy in calculations. In addition, the lack of control allows external forces to affect these processes adversely. | Strategies to Manage Improper Payments Essay (Article Review)
The authors of the paper raise topics related to improper payments regularly occurring in various companies. They argue that “the risk of improper payments increases in programs with complex criteria for computing payments, a significant volume of transactions, or emphasis on expediting payments” ( Strategies to manage improper payments , 2001, p. 8). The authors’ main point is that work on these problems must be first carried out within the company. Only in this way, will organizations be able to establish work processes and be ready to communicate with other stakeholders. This will help them avoid losses and keep track of all internal operations.
The authors give an example of such a system in the U.K. Their government was committed to ensuring that all payments were timely, calculated, consistent with the circumstances, and controlled. Thanks to this, the country managed to reduce the monetary losses from fraud significantly. Without strategic planning, this would hardly have been achieved. If an organization does not control internal processes, it cannot rely on accuracy in calculations. In addition, the lack of control allows external forces to affect these processes adversely. That is why strategic planning is necessary for the productive work of organizations.
Despite this, in some situations, companies may sometimes be not as attentive to strategic planning. For instance, during a crisis, most organizations should focus on the current state of things. It is vital to understand what areas of work should be paid special attention to for the company to keep functioning. It is also worth applying measures that alleviate the crisis of the organization. Moreover, all these actions will not necessarily lead to positive results in the long run. However, they are essential because the survival of the company depends on this. Therefore, in these situations, strategic planning fades into the background.
The U.K. Parliament has set standards to support its plan and achieve the best results. In particular, “it enacted legislation authorizing data sharing activities within and between government agencies and departments” ( Strategies to manage improper payments , 2001, p. 16). This has made financial information more open and accessible, so they can better track inaccuracies. In addition, the state has begun to promote anti-fraud policies actively. In this way, they aroused interest in the problem among the public, which allowed attracting even more attention to it. Thus, the entire state was able to track and evaluate the success of the fight against fraud.
The U.K. Parliament has taken significant steps to improve the financial situation. Since the problem exists on the scale of the whole state, competent and accurate strategic planning was necessary. In my opinion, the parliament managed to work out an effective system of measures to combat fraud. This planning had a positive impact on the country’s economic situation and made citizens more conscious of financial issues. The economic situation of the whole country has improved; therefore, the standard of living of its inhabitants has become higher. Although it is challenging to get rid of fraud completely, the state’s strategy is aimed at this and keeps moving in this direction.
Strategic planning is a crucial part of the public sector. Government organizations, as a rule, are focused on long-term existence. Therefore, they need to plan further actions and anticipate future opportunities and challenges. This will allow them to be more flexible and adapt to any possible situations. In addition, they exist within an extensive, connected state system. In strategic planning, it is necessary to focus on it to be protected by the state and not lag behind. Thus, strategic planning is one of the most critical areas of the activity of various organizations.
Reference
Strategies to manage improper payments: Learning from public and private sector organizations . (2001).
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/strategic-planning-article-review/ | 12 |
Write an essay about: The article discusses competitive advantage strategies for small businesses, focusing on cost leadership, differentation, and focus. It also mentions how these strategies can be applied to a family-owned convenience store. |
The article discusses competitive advantage strategies for small businesses, focusing on cost leadership, differentation, and focus. It also mentions how these strategies can be applied to a family-owned convenience store. | Strategies for Competitive Advantage Essay (Article)
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Competitive Advantage Strategies and a Small Business
3. Cost Leadership
4. Differentiation
5. Focus
6. Conclusion
7. References
Introduction
Establishing a competitive advantage is one of the primary goals of any company. In today’s highly competitive environment, businesses without such a benefit find it very hard to increase the profitability ratio or even survive. Large retailer chains, such as Target or Walmart, give their customers the possibility to order online and pick up at a nearby store. However, such an option has not been applied by any smaller discount chains until recently. Currently, Dollar General allows its customers to total up items they wish to buy in-store through the app. Dollar General Corp. decided to broaden its digital strategy, offering its customers “the buy-online, pick-up-in-store feature” (Castellanos, 2019, para. 6). It is projected that the new initiative will attract a younger stratum of customers.
Competitive Advantage Strategies and a Small Business
Cost leadership, Differentiation, and Focus are the business competitive advantage strategies Dollar General Corp. utilizes to stand out from the extreme competition. Some of these tactics can be applied even to smaller-scale businesses, such as a family convenience store in a neighborhood. A company or a business must be able to establish the benefit it wishes to provide to the target audience that would differentiate it from the competitors to develop a competitive advantage.
Cost Leadership
Cost Leadership strategy allows a company to offer its customers products at a lower price. Dollar General already applies this method successfully; however, it doesn’t distinguish it from its competitors such as Dollar Tree or Five Below. Besides, this tactic is unlikely to be used by a smaller business (for example, a family-owned convenience store Giordano’s) since its buying power is much lower than that of a chain grocery store. Hence, suppliers are unlikely to offer it a more attractive acquisition price.
Differentiation
Dollar General’s example shows that only offering low-cost products is not enough to outperform competitors since they apply the same strategy. However, digitalizing the purchasing process allows it to stand out since this benefit offers “real value” which is time-saving and convenient (Amadeo, 2019, para. 3). The strategy of differentiation is the one that can be successfully applied to Giordano’s mentioned earlier. This store already has a small webpage that allows buyers to see the available products and prices. Enhancing the webpage features outlined above would increase the store’s profitability in the future, given no other stores in the neighborhood offer this option. Lee and Yoo (2019) refer to it as “seizing capability – an ability to seize sensed opportunities” (p. 5). According to the research, “a company with a strong seizing capability can select the most suitable opportunity at the right moment and create innovative results” (Lee and Yoo, 2019, p. 5). In this sense, concentrating on service differentiation by expanding online ordering options for customers as Dollar General does, Giordano’s can distinguish itself from other local convenience stores.
Focus
Another strategy used by Dollar General is focus, which is concentrating on a specific target group. By enhancing its online purchasing options, Dollar General targets a younger group of buyers who are “digitally savvy and all about convenience” (Castellanos, 2019, para. 15). Miller (2020) justly notes that “without recurring sales, a business slowly dies” (para. 12). In analogy with Dollar General, it would be reasonable for Giordano’s to target the younger stratum of people in the neighborhood by offering the order pick-up option since it already has the advantage of being geographically closer than other larger grocery stores.
Conclusion
Facing today’s intense competition, businesses, big and small alike, must strive to construct a competitive advantage that would allow them to surpass fellow market players. Even though such strategies as Cost Leadership maybe not be applicable to small businesses, they can differentiate themselves from competitors by using other channels, such as technological innovations, targeting a specific group of customers, or using a unique geographical location. By applying such strategies, a small business may offer its target customer group certain benefits or service options that no other competitor can.
References
Amadeo, K. (2019). What is competitive advantage? Three strategies that work . The Balance.
Castellanos, S. (2019). Dollar General boosts digital strategy . Wall Street Journal.
Lee, K., & Yoo, J. (2019). How does open innovation lead competitive advantage? PLOS ONE, 14 (11), p. 1–18.
Miller, L. (2020). 3 ways to differentiate your business in a competitive market . Entrepreneur .
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/strategies-for-competitive-advantage/ | 13 |
Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The text discusses the importance of classroom management and the strategies that can be used to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom. The most essential strategies include the modeling of practices, the teaching of character, and the use of self-monitoring. | The text discusses the importance of classroom management and the strategies that can be used to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom. The most essential strategies include the modeling of practices, the teaching of character, and the use of self-monitoring. | Strategies for Good Classroom Management Essay
It goes without saying that teachers play an immeasurably essential role in students’ lives. They have an opportunity to establish a supportive community that helps classroom management and create a positive atmosphere based on mutual trust, clear expectations, and clear routines (Rapp and Arndt, p. 206). However, teachers frequently face communication challenges determined by cultural, environmental, and personal peculiarities of students and teachers themselves, as well. Specific behavioral patterns common for people from one cultural background may be interpreted incorrectly by the representatives of another culture. For instance, Arabic or Italian students who frequently speak in a loud voice or use gestures in everyday speech may be regarded by a teacher as aggressive or irritated. In turn, the teacher’s communication style may insignificantly affect students’ productivity and concentration in case they are familiar with a different level of discourse. In addition, students may have sensory sensitivities or a different perception of personal space and boundaries that should be considered by all participants of the educational process.
In order to establish appropriate classroom management and create a healthy atmosphere on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and understanding, a teacher should use certain strategies. The modeling of practices that a teacher would like to see and the teaching of character may be regarded as the most essential strategies that help to minimize cultural and individual differences. The modeling of practices implies the building of the students’ characters by a teacher through his or her example (Rapp and Arndt, p. 211). In other words, if a teacher wants students to treat each other with respect and understanding, he or she should primarily respect them. If a teacher listens attentively to a speaking person, deals with minor inconveniencies graciously, and takes responsibilities, students will subsequently adopt the same behavioral patterns in the classroom. The strategy of self-monitoring is closely connected with the modeling of practices and may be applied for the teaching process as well. Students are giving an opportunity to monitor and control their actions and words in order to reduce disruptive behavior and increase positive performance.
Regardless of permanent debates related to the public schools’ role in character education, a specific strategy that focuses on the development of character traits is highly significant for students. Classroom management emphasizes six character traits that “teach the fundamental principles of being a good citizen and student” – respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, trustworthiness, and citizenship (Rapp and Arndt, p. 212). As a matter of fact, each trait is essential for membership in the school community and good citizenship (Rapp and Arndt, p. 212). In general, helping students to develop necessary skills of mutual respect, care, and fairness may be regarded as a highly considerable part of the teaching process.
In addition, it is essential for any competent teacher to create the classroom’s climate that does not tolerate bullying in all forms. Teaching aims to support all students regardless of their gender, ethnicity, physical and mental peculiarities, and socioeconomic status. At the same time, a teacher should understand and find an approach to a bully as a supportive environment implicates caring as well. There are a substantial number of extensive resources dedicated to the reduction of bullying at school that may be helpful for teachers. The purpose of the teaching process is to explain to students that they should be treated equally and accepted with all strengths and weaknesses.
Work Cited
Rapp, Whitney H., and Karina L. Arndt. Teaching Everyone: An Introduction to Inclusive Education . Eurospan, 2012.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/strategies-for-good-classroom-management/ | 14 |
Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: This essay discusses the definition of strategy as practice and how it can be analysed through a 3P framework. The essay also looks at how strategy as practice has been applied in practice and the implications for its feasibility.Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives EssayTable of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives 3. Conclusion 4. Reference ListIntroductionStrategic management is a complex and creative activity of a | This essay discusses the definition of strategy as practice and how it can be analysed through a 3P framework. The essay also looks at how strategy as practice has been applied in practice and the implications for its feasibility.
Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives
3. Conclusion
4. Reference List
Introduction
Strategic management is a complex and creative activity of a | Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives
3. Conclusion
4. Reference List
Introduction
Strategic management is a complex and creative activity of a company, as well as involved stakeholders, which is aimed at the development of long-term guidelines in the formation of competitive advantages and ways of their implementation in a specific environment. According to Balogun, Jarzabkowski and Seidl (2007), the definition of strategy as practice (SAP) is as follows: “our central research interest focuses on explaining who strategists are, what they do and why and how that is consequential in socially accomplishing strategic activity” (p. 19). This essay will focus on discussing this statement in terms of the pluralistic nature of SAP and its feasibility.
Strategy as Practice: Nature and Perspectives
Strategy as practice can be analysed through a 3P framework, including praxis, practices and practitioners. Praxis refers to a strategic activity and its relationships within social, institutional and organisational environments. The concept of practices can be understood as instruments, methods and procedures that are applied during strategizing, while various actors, such as CEOs, directors or consultants are practitioners (Johnson et al., 2016). For example, Apple’s praxis is to provide high-quality gadgets to build strong relationships with customers (practices) through managers, leaders, and CEOs. The literature on SAP integrates various perspectives on the implementation of SAP, providing insights on its roles and impacts. For example, the study by Dahl, Kock and Lundgren-Henriksson (2016) focuses on conceptualising cooperation and underline SAP’s deliberate and dynamic nature. The mentioned authors state that organisational performance can be directly affected by practices, which is one of the key benefits. More to the point, consistent with Porter, Dahl, Kock and Lundgren-Henriksson (2016) conclude that all the individuals involved in SAP play an essential role in its implementation. The interactions between practitioners are of a social nature, which prioritises cooperation and competitiveness.
Another perspective of SAP as a metaphor is provided by Mueller (2018), who examines Goffman’s work in the field of sociology and strategic management. While the fundamentals of SAP were extensively developed by Whittington, Goffman distinguishes between strategy praxis performance, where the credibility and competence of practitioners largely determine the outcomes (Silva & Goncalves, 2016). According to Mueller (2018), “‘organisations’ and ‘positions’ are thing-like in their solidity only because they are continuously and repeatedly enacted in a series of micro-situations” (p. 16). In this connection, the concept of strategising acquires a special role since it requests clarifying how exactly a strategy is performed. This approach is criticised as excessively managerial by Balogun, Jarzabkowski and Seidl (2015), which is expressed in the failure to pay attention to all the elements of SAP simultaneously. Indeed, it seems that Goffman’s perspective is largely concerned with sociological topics, but SAP needs to be considered more comprehensively.
While Porterian approach with its forces signifies economies and external environment, SAP pays attention to a micro-analytical level. Practice is seen as the rationale for action that should be performed by actors, both managers and researchers. In turn, both Simon (1957) and Mason and Mitroff (1981) agree that in terms of SAP, research strategies should focus on the current, everyday activities of practitioners, and the ways in which their actions are related to the final strategic results. This can provide a deeper understanding of what actually happens when people carry out such practices as strategic planning, strategy reviews, strategic workshops, et cetera (Paine & Anderson, 1975). In this case, a company is both an emerging pattern and a set of chosen elements composing its structure, which also reflects the polyvalent nature of SAP.
Conclusion
To conclude, the understanding of a strategy as what managers do rather than what companies have is central to the concept of strategy as practice. On the basis of observations that were made in this essay, it becomes clear that firms can identify which particular combinations of actions most often led to success, which seems to be knowledge that is most relevant to practitioners. It is found that Goffman’s perspective considers SAP from a merely managerial position, while the Porterian approach posits on the role of the economies. The literature points to the need to employ a comprehensive approach to the understanding of SAP to enhance organisational performance outcomes and research in the given field.
Reference List
1. Balogun, J., Bartunek, J. M. & Do, B. (2015) ‘Senior managers’ sensemaking and responses to strategic change’. Organization Science , 26(4), pp. 960-979.
2. Balogun, J., Jarzabkowski, P. & Seidl, D. (2015) ‘Strategy as practice perspective’, in M. Jenkins, V. Ambrosini, and N. Collier, (eds.), Advanced strategic management: a multi-perspective approach (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 196-211.
3. Dahl, J., Kock, S. & Lundgren-Henriksson, E. L. (2016) ‘Conceptualizing coopetition strategy as practice: a multilevel interpretative framework’. International Studies of Management & Organization , 46(2-3), pp. 94-109.
4. Johnson, G. et al. (2016) Exploring strategy: text and cases . New York: Pearson Education.
5. Mason R. O. & Mitroff I. I. (1981) Challenging strategic planning assumptions: theory cases and techniques . New York: Wiley Inter-Science.
6. Mueller, F. (2018) ‘Taking Goffman seriously: developing strategy-as-practice’. Critical Perspectives on Accounting , 53, pp. 16-30.
7. Paine F. & Anderson C. (1975) ‘Managerial perceptions and strategic behaviour’. Academy of Management Journal , 18, pp. 811-823.
8. Silva, E. R. D. & Goncalves, C. A. (2016) ‘Practice genealogy and its implications for strategy as practice’. RAM. Revista de Administração Mackenzie , 17(4), pp. 130-152.
9. Simon H. A. (1957) Administrative behaviour (2nd ed.). New York: Macmillan. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/strategy-as-practice-nature-and-perspectives/ | 15 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: This paper provides an overview of insect issues in strawberry farming in the context of Western Australia. It discusses possible options for integrated pest management and the viability of the IPM program.This paper provides an overview of insect issues in strawberry farming in the context of Western Australia. It discusses possible options for integrated pest management and the viability of the IPM program. | This paper provides an overview of insect issues in strawberry farming in the context of Western Australia. It discusses possible options for integrated pest management and the viability of the IPM program.
This paper provides an overview of insect issues in strawberry farming in the context of Western Australia. It discusses possible options for integrated pest management and the viability of the IPM program. | Strawberry Pest and Diseases Management Report
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Insect Issues in Strawberry Farming
3. Options for An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
4. Viability of the IPM Program
5. Conclusion
6. Reference List
Introduction
The infestation of strawberries by pests and diseases causes economic losses through reduced yield and low quality of harvests. Therefore, farmers need to be aware of the common pests that affect strawberries, indications of their attacks and how they can be controlled. This paper provides an overview of insect issues in strawberry farming in the context of Western Australia. Possible options for integrated pest management are also provided.
Insect Issues in Strawberry Farming
The most common insect issues in strawberry farming are aphids, caterpillars, flower thrips, sap beetles, spotted wing drosophila (SWD) and two-spotted spider mite. Aphids are commonly found in strawberries before fruiting. They feed on the undersides of leaves and secrete honeydew but do not result in economic damage. However, the most dangerous aphid species is the strawberry aphid ( Chaetosiphon fragaefolii ), which predisposes the plant to infection by strawberry virus disease following feeding (Bonneau et al., 2019). This species can be distinguished from other relatively harmless species by the presence of knobbed hairs on its body. High levels of nitrogen are known to attract aphids to strawberries.
Several caterpillars affect strawberries, including cutworms, leaf tiers, strawberry leaf rollers, beet armyworms and cabbage loopers. Most of them feed on leaves without causing substantial economic loss. Nonetheless, some cutworm species such as strawberry cutworm ( Amphipoea interoceanica ) feed on stems and can cause vast economic losses. The corn earworm feeds on harvested fruit and affects its quality. Flower thrips ( Frankliniella occidentalis ) are small insects that feed on strawberry leaves, flowers and fruits. Environmental conditions such as low temperatures promote a phenomenon known as overwintering, which is the survival of thrips over winter.
Sap beetles (Nitidulidae) attack overripe, damaged, or rotting fruit and pave the way for fungal colonisation that causes fermentation. In contrast, spotted wing drosophila ( Drosophila suzukii ) affects ripe and ripening fruit when the females lay eggs that form destructive larvae. The larvae feed on fruits and cause direct crop losses. Two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae ) have sharp, thin mouthparts that perforate the epidermis of host plants, leading to the formation of chlorotic spots. Heavily attacked plants turn yellow, brown ad finally die. Overall, primary pests include strawberry cutworm, strawberry aphid, spotted wing drosophila and two-spotted spider mite, whereas secondary pests include sap beetles.
Options for An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a method of pest control that amalgamates various restraints harmoniously to minimise the population of pests and preclude economic losses (Feliziani and Romanazzi, 2016). The IPM pyramid constitutes the sequential application of preventative, cultural, physical and mechanical methods, biological techniques and chemical control measures in order of decreasing priority. Preventive measures eliminate conditions that promote the establishment of pests. Spotted wing drosophila can be prevented through sanitation practices such as planting healthy, uninfected seeds and water management. For insects such as cutworms, the ploughing of affected fields should be done during fall to minimise the populations of overwintering eggs.
Cultural control entails the adjustment of farming practices to preclude the establishment, subsistence and reproduction of pests. Strawberry aphids prefer nitrogen-rich environments. Therefore, farmers can regulate the application of nitrogenous fertilisers to combat this pest. Overwintering, which is a common problem in flower thrips, can be managed by practicing crop rotation for 1 to 5 years. This technique is also beneficial for the management of other productivity issues such as soil nutrient management. Additional cultural practices include soil fumigation, timely control of weeds, scouting for infected plants and checking for insect damage (Feliziani and Romanazzi, 2016). Mechanical and physical control entails the physical removal of pests and applies to the management of sap beetles. Overripe and damaged fruits should be removed from the farm. Biological control is the utilisation of a pest’s inherent enemies to suppress it. Predatory mites can be used for the control of two-spotted spider mites when applied at the appropriate rates.
Chemical control, as the name suggests, is the use of chemical substances such as insecticides, pesticides and botanicals to get rid of pests. The chemical control of pests in strawberries applies to the management of insects such as flower thrips. The application of insecticides should be timed and done near peak flights to limit their persistence. Furthermore, farmers should avoid using the same insecticide for consecutive seasons and practice rotation because of the limited number of active ingredients that kill flower thrips. Chemical sprays such as foliar sprays can be used for the management of sap beetles when mechanical control is ineffective (Dara, 2020). Regular chemical applications may also be needed for the management of spotted wing drosophila. Miticides can be used for the control of two-spotted spider mites when their populations reach economic thresholds. Farmers should keep records of pesticides, including date of application, target pest, name of the pesticide, application rate and area covered.
Viability of the IPM Program
The main goals of IPM are economic feasibility, social tolerability and infinitesimal risk to the surroundings and human health. Therefore, chemical controls should only be used when the insect pests reach economic thresholds and when other methods of control are ineffective. The proposed IPM options are feasible because chemical pesticides are only suggested to support other control measures. This approach ensures a more effective, longstanding management of pests.
Conclusion
Integrated pest management helps farmers to minimise economic losses while safeguarding the environment. Proper farming practices and vigilance can protect against economic losses in strawberry farming. Knowledge of distinguishing features of specific pests and susceptible plant stages is critical to the successful application of IPM. As much as chemical controls are effective in the elimination of many insects, their environmental damage dictates that they should be considered as a last resort.
Reference List
1. Bonneau, P. et al. (2019) ‘Evaluation of various sources of viral infection in strawberry fields of Quebec, Canada’, Journal of Economic Entomology , 112(6), pp. 2577-2583.
2. Dara, S.K. (2020) ‘Implementation of IPDM in strawberries and other berries’, in Gullino, M. et al. (eds.) Integrated pest and disease management in greenhouse crops. Plant Pathology in the 21st Century (9 vols.). New York: Springer, pp. 597-624.
3. Feliziani, E. and Romanazzi, G. (2016) ‘Postharvest decay of strawberry fruit: epidemiology, and disease management’, Journal of Berry Research , 6(1), pp. 47-63. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/strawberry-pest-and-diseases-management/ | 16 |
Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The paper examines the reasons why people get addicted to a substance from their psychological and biological perspectives and the effects of substance abuse on the brain, memory, personality, and behavior. It also considers the difficulties for people to quit drugs due to mental and biological issues. | The paper examines the reasons why people get addicted to a substance from their psychological and biological perspectives and the effects of substance abuse on the brain, memory, personality, and behavior. It also considers the difficulties for people to quit drugs due to mental and biological issues. | Substance Abuse Impact on Brain Development and Cognitive Functioning Essay
Introduction
The problem of substance abuse is of great importance for designing various initiatives preventing addiction among different population groups.
The paper aims to examine the reasons why people get addicted to a substance from their psychological and biological perspectives and the effects of substance abuse on the brain, memory, personality, and behavior. Moreover, it considers the difficulties for people to quit drugs due to mental and biological issues.
Long-term substance abuse has a specific psychological and biological precondition negatively affects addicts’ cognitive abilities and is characterized by a complicated healing process.
Background information (overview of the topic)
The issue of substance abuse attracts the particular attention of scholars and causes their attempts to reveal its effects on people’s brains. They are conditional upon the fact that neural processes leading to drug addiction also influence people’s cognitive abilities and, subsequently, result in one’s failure in studying (Juárez‐Portilla et al., 2018). In this way, the consideration of this aspect of the impact of addictive substances in the context of the specified problem is needed for the precision of actions in this direction.
Support for the thesis statement I
The development of an addiction is connected to the presence of various problems consequently worsening the affected people’s mental state.
The biological issues connected with the complications stemming from substance abuse include structural and functional changes in the brain (Juárez‐Portilla et al., 2018).
Long-term substance abuse ultimately correlates with the development of psychosis or schizophrenia which makes these issues interrelated (Bossong & Niesink, 2010).
Support for the thesis statement II
Substance abuse results in damage to one’s brain, memory, personality, and behavior.
Since principal complications are related to the damage of the brain, the crucial signs include memory impairment and difficulties with learning.
The shifts in personality and behavior can particularly be traced to young people who become less sociable and more stubborn (Kalinowski et al., 2020).
Support for the thesis statement III
The issue of substance abuse is significant due to the complicated process of healing.
In substance abuse, rehabilitation is often characterized by reoccurrence (Bossong & Niesink, 2010). In this way, the initial problem is worsened by one’s inability to cope with the consequences of such events.
The recovery period from substance abuse presents a challenge due to the emergence of specific complications, and their elimination takes much time. These issues include continuous distractions and cognitive alterations which, consequently, define the occurring psychological problems (Bossong & Niesink, 2010).
Conclusions
Thus, the psychological and biological mechanisms of acquiring an addiction imply structural and functional changes in the brain and their correlation with psychosis and schizophrenia. Subsequently, they evoke such symptoms as memory impairment as well as difficulties with learning and social interactions. What is more important in this case, substance abuse and addiction stemming from it are challenging in treatment since they are characterized by reoccurrence and a long recovery period. In this way, it can be concluded that further consideration of this problem will allow preventing complications.
The current study is extremely beneficial in terms of presenting the situation of addicts and complications attributed to them. However, it still lacks clarity regarding the methods which can be used to address the problem of substance abuse. It also does not fully describe the perceptions of their situation related to addiction by affected persons. Therefore, this gap in answering the research questions should be covered in future research which should also contain practical measures allowing to eliminate the problem.
References
Bossong, M. G., & Niesink, R. J. (2010). Adolescent brain maturation, the endogenous cannabinoid system and the neurobiology of cannabis-induced schizophrenia . Progress in Neurobiology, 92 (3), 370-385. Web.
Juárez‐Portilla, C., Molina‐Jiménez, T., Morin, J., Roldán‐Roldán, G., & Zepeda, R. C. (2018). Influence of drugs on cognitive functions. In B. Bernal-Morales (Ed.), Health and academic achievement (pp. 59–81). Books on Demand.
Kalinowski, L., Connor, C., Somanesan, R., Carias, E., Richer, K., Smith, L., Martin, C., Mackintosh, M., Popoola, D., Hadjiargyrou, M., Komatsu, D. E., & Thanos, P. K. (2020). Brief and extended abstinence from chronic oral methylphenidate treatment produces reversible behavioral and physiological effects . Developmental Psychobiology, 62 (2), 170–180. Web.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/substance-abuse-on-brain-development-and-cognitive-functioning/ | 17 |
Write the full essay for the following summary: This paper formulates an SUD prevention plan for children and adolescents.The paper introduces the reader to the dangers of substance use disorders in adolescents and formulates a plan for their prevention. The plan includes primary prevention, demand reduction, and prevention programs in schools. | This paper formulates an SUD prevention plan for children and adolescents.
The paper introduces the reader to the dangers of substance use disorders in adolescents and formulates a plan for their prevention. The plan includes primary prevention, demand reduction, and prevention programs in schools. | Substance Use Disorders Prevention in Adolescents Essay (Critical Writing)
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Primary prevention
3. Demand reduction
4. Prevention Programs in schools
Introduction
Substance use disorders present a great danger for people’s health and well-being, especially children and adolescents. Affected teenagers often find themselves facing the consequences of drug use going into adulthood, ranging from physical problems and crime involvement to sexually transmitted infections and psychological health problems. To prevent such an outcome and to ensure the proper development of young minds, preventive measures against drug use must be taken. It is important to recognize that there are substantial challenges for the appropriate assessment of the risks and problems that may be experienced by young people and children. There are also challenges in designing appropriately matched treatment and support as there is little experience of service delivery. This paper aims to formulate an SUD prevention plan for children and adolescents.
Primary prevention
Primary prevention is an activity aimed at preventing SUD by discouraging people from taking up dangerous substances in the first place. Prevention programs help to reduce the social and health consequences of substance abuse and can be implemented on both individual and community levels, broadening its reach. Primary prevention is especially important for younger people, as adolescence is a sensitive time for the development of both mind and body. Young people exposed to drugs or alcohol may develop anti-social or high-risk behaviour and display structural deficiencies in the development of the brain compared to their peers.
Demand reduction
One of the ways to aid in the prevention of SUD’s is to reduce the demand for substances in a particular demographic. This goal can be achieved by either promoting protective practices or by means of modifying the factors that make people vulnerable to substance abuse. Reducing demand is a way to tackle the assessed problem by reducing the negative consequences, spreading public awareness in clear, accurate terms, and providing assistance to those in need. This approach helps promote a community-wide approach to analyzing the issue and focuses on particularly vulnerable demographics, especially the youth.
Prevention Programs in schools
Different prevention programs exist to aid various age demographics, however the main focus of this essay will be on the school-based prevention methods. Various prevention programs for youth should primarily take place in schools, as they offer access to a large number of people at once, which is an efficient way to tackle the problem. As it is difficult to determine what exactly facilitates drug and alcohol use, a range of prevention methods has been implemented to tackle the problem from multiple sides. On the topic of delivering the information, it has been proven that interactive education programs that require active participation from students are generally more effective at teaching kids about drugs. Another important aspect is of school prevention is who gets to deliver the information. Usually, drug education is delivered by a teacher or an invited speaker. Efforts were made to deliver the information to pupils by their peers, though the evidence is mixed on whether this approach is more effective. Younger children are more likely to listen and believe in the words of a teacher, as they still have influence over their minds. Older children and teenagers, however, are more prone to listening to their peers due to rejecting authority and accepting someone their age as a voice of reason. The particulars of choosing the one to educate students are best determined on a case-by-case basis, as some classes of children have wildly different environments.
The plan for preventing substance use in children and adolescents should be mainly focused on affirming drug use as a non-normative human behaviour, recognizing what social influences facilitate SUD and teaching the ways of resisting them. The programs must offer a wide variety of approaches, including introducing kids to life skills and activities encouraging positive behavior, as a way to offer an alternative to drugs in regard to dealing with life’s challenges. Such programs preferably need to be reinforced over a long period of time, encourage active participation, and be adaptable to an individual student’s needs. Another approach not to be overlooked is based on competence enhancement. This program primarily focuses on improving general and social skills of the pupils, making the youth less susceptible to drug and alcohol use. Such skills serve not only to discourage SUD, but to aid the pupils in their day-to-day life as well. Introducing the children to various decision-making and problem-solving skills will improve their mental well-being through the social learning process. Lastly, prevention programs should touch upon the behavioral models often used in persuasive situations. The teacher needs to exemplify the common tactics used to coerce people into trying drugs or alcohol and then explain how to properly counter them. Explaining to pupils the ways to clearly articulate their refusal and avoid the pressure lines as a way to safeguard themselves from potential danger. This multi-faceted approach could help convince the most amount of children, as well as offer them ways to deal with this issue themselves later on in life.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The impact of the media's information about suicide on population behavior has repeatedly been the subject of various studies and discussions. One of the first evidence of an established connection between information in the media and the followed suicides was the publication in 1774 of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (Yom-Tov & Fischer, 2017). The character of this writing committed suicide due to unhappy love, and soon after the story was released, many reports of | The impact of the media's information about suicide on population behavior has repeatedly been the subject of various studies and discussions. One of the first evidence of an established connection between information in the media and the followed suicides was the publication in 1774 of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (Yom-Tov & Fischer, 2017). The character of this writing committed suicide due to unhappy love, and soon after the story was released, many reports of | Suicide and How the Media Affects It Essay
The impact of the media’s information about suicide on population behavior has repeatedly been the subject of various studies and discussions. One of the first evidence of an established connection between information in the media and the followed suicides was the publication in 1774 of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” (Yom-Tov & Fischer, 2017). The character of this writing committed suicide due to unhappy love, and soon after the story was released, many reports of suicides committed by young men in the same way appeared. Later, the name “Werther effect” began to be applied to imitative suicides, which spread widely due to media. Although there is the opinion that mass information negatively affects the depressive state and provokes suicide, a positive effect can be noticed.
Due to the advent of Internet technologies in our lives, the issue of increasing the number of suicides with the dissemination of information about them requires a new understanding. In the Internet space, everyone can be a producer of any content without being limited to editing filters or other restrictions. Such specific features suggest bullying, increased stress levels, and the possibility of depression for users. Moreover, the Internet is a convenient tool for influencing a person’s psyche, and, like sects and cults, movements that provoke suicide can be created here.
However, media have not only the ability to provoke suicidal behavior but can also carry a powerful preventive effect. This effect can be fully realized, but it is necessary to create a clear science-based strategy to counteract the propaganda of suicide. For example, it is vital to inform media users about psychological assistance resources – a helpline, online consultation, and more. Moreover, it is crucial to support the activities of organizations that detect suicidal movements and are engaged in the prevention of suicide. However, according to Till et al. (2017), a method such as helping potential suicides via the Internet may be more effective than repressive methods of blocking dangerous sites.
Moreover, communication on social networks for many, on the contrary, becomes a kind of cure that eliminates feelings of melancholy and loneliness, which reduces the risks of depression and, therefore, suicidal outcome. Most people who commit suicide tentatively try to draw the attention of others to their problems and let them know about suicidal intent. Thus, many residents of the forums support those users who agree not to harm themselves and decide to seek psychological help. This phenomenon is called Papageno Effects – a decision on suicide can be influenced by how the media talk about this problem and its causes.
Thus, the media plays a dual role in the emotional state of people prone to depression and suicidal behavior. On the one hand, it can encourage a person to take his or her own life; on the other hand, it can provide psychological support. The period from the emergence of suicidal thoughts to the attempt to implement them is called presuicide: the individual is in an oppressed state, his or her gloomy thoughts increase, dissatisfaction with living conditions grows. This mood is a favorable ground for introducing and developing the oppressive state characteristic of the pre-suicidal period. During this period, the media can play an important role. According to Yom-Tov and Fischer (2017), there is very little time after people see a suicide message in the media and decide to take similar actions. For this reason, journalists need to soften such news, considering their specifics. Modern media can positively affect both society and the individual, reducing suicidal moods.
References
Till, B., Tran, U. S., Voracek, M., & Niederkrotenthaler, T. (2017). Beneficial and harmful effects of educative suicide prevention websites: randomised controlled trial exploring Papageno v. Werther effects. The British Journal of Psychiatry , 211 (2), pp. 109-115.
Yom-Tov, E., & Fischer, S. H. (2017). The Werther Effect revisited: Measuring the effect of news items on user behavior. In Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on World Wide Web Companion , pp. 1561-1566.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The role of sustainability within the scope of the hospitality industry, as well as its primary issues and challenges that the involved companies tend to face were explored. It was figured out that unreliable sustainability reports and inappropriate corporate social responsibility policies along with some external dangers hinders firms' addressing of sustainability issues. On the best practices of Hyatt and Yum! Brands it was proved that a sustainable strategy is a crucial element of business success.Then, it was found that consumers play an essential role in developing sustainable supply chains by their passive and active rejection from dealing with unsustainable practices. Finally, it was recommended to create more positions of knowledge agents. |
The role of sustainability within the scope of the hospitality industry, as well as its primary issues and challenges that the involved companies tend to face were explored. It was figured out that unreliable sustainability reports and inappropriate corporate social responsibility policies along with some external dangers hinders firms' addressing of sustainability issues. On the best practices of Hyatt and Yum! Brands it was proved that a sustainable strategy is a crucial element of business success.
Then, it was found that consumers play an essential role in developing sustainable supply chains by their passive and active rejection from dealing with unsustainable practices. Finally, it was recommended to create more positions of knowledge agents. | Sustainable Business Operations Within the Hospitality Industry Essay
Executive Summary
This investigation explores the role of sustainability within the scope of the hospitality industry, as well as its primary issues and challenges that the involved companies tend to face. It was figured out that unreliable sustainability reports and inappropriate corporate social responsibility policies along with some external dangers hinders firms’ addressing of sustainability issues. On the best practices of Hyatt and Yum! Brands it was proved that a sustainable strategy is a crucial element of business success. Then, it was found that consumers play an essential role in developing sustainable supply chains by their passive and active rejection from dealing with unsustainable practices. Finally, it was recommended to create more positions of “knowledge agents”. It was supposed that policymakers in developing countries may justify the contribution of sustainability to welfare, in the developed ones – to provide refunds for sustainable cooperation.
Introduction
It seems that sustainability has been the primary theme of many scholarly discussions. They indicate the importance of this strategic element for business operations. The hospitality industry tends to pay much attention to the mentioned aspect as customers are becoming more demanding. In this paper, the sustainability issues within the said market and the related best practices will be discussed, as well as recommendations on the matter will be provided.
Sustainability Issues and Challenges within the Hospitality Industry
As the economy develops, the role of the hospitality sector intensifies, and plenty of people are being involved in it. An essential place in the mentioned sector is occupied by the hotel business, the wide and varied nature of which also covers elements of related industry sectors, for example, food, leisure and entertainment. Accordingly, this business demonstrates a broader and more diverse organisational structure than other areas of the industry ( Hospitality: A complete overview , no date). Direct participation in the service process gives rise to specific problems: it is necessary to create an appropriate environment where the service is carried out. Since the provision and consumption of services in the hospitality industry occur simultaneously, here, unlike in the production sector, the storage of services is not required. Services occur in the process of direct communication and interaction with the client.
Unlike production, the service process is limited in time considerably. In a period of falling demand and high prices, underutilisation in enterprises cannot be compensated in the following days of this high demand. Another difference between the hospitality industry and production is that the supply of services and consumers must be connected with each other, so the economies of scale cannot be achieved here by using centralised supplies for different markets. Offering services directly to the client limits service locations and reduces the volume of operations. The role of management in the hospitality industry is determined by the constantly changing market conditions for its services, competitiveness, the desire to increase profitability and the necessity of the high quality of services (Frangos, 2015). Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the processes in the market is required.
Currently, a plethora of clients are concerned with the environmental aspects of a hospitality business they deal with. Hence, for the involved actors, it is vital to behave ethically and environment-friendly. For this reason, “sustainability has been one of the most noticeable hospitality trends of recent times, with a growing number of hospitality businesses promoting their eco-friendliness” ( Hospitality trends , no date, para. 7). Such conditions require, for instance, menus with healthier options from restaurants or more robust room services from hotels. An exhaustive formulation of environmental issues that occur within the scope of the hospitality industry might be as follows. Jones, Hillier, and Comfort (2016, p. 47) state that these issues are: climate change, water stewardship, waste management and recycling, environmentally responsible sourcing, the protection of natural resources and the reduction of environmental impacts. In order to address the mentioned aspects appropriately, businesses are to develop consistent and coherent strategies.
It seems rational that in the framework of sustainability issues, along with the environmental ones, social policies also matter to a significant extent. They include equal possibilities within the workplace, health and safety, acceptable labour terms, supremacy of human rights, maintenance of local communities and charity (Jones, Hillier, and Comfort, 2016). Furthermore, the economic aspect also has a notable and essential role. It indicates the creation of workplaces, the provision of quality to clients and building shareholder value (Jones, Hillier, and Comfort, 2016). Given such a broad and convincing range of the issues of sustainability, it might seem that chains, corporations and companies of the hospitality market are to implement the best practices to remain competitive.
To be more precise, the determinants of sustainability within the hospitality market may be considered as being built around business efficiency and the aspiration for competitive advantages. Plenty of environmental strategies and achievements are included in the sustainability reports of the primary actors of the industry. Mostly, they indicate the importance of the reduction of water and energy consumption, as well as benefits that were gained from this. Moreover, such reports reveal corporate commitments to personnel, which make an accent on training programmes and consistent and fair labour practices. The described approach means that hospitality companies pay much attention to transparency, as well as to relevant, reliable and convincing data.
The mentioned reports play a vital role for managers as they found their activities and principles of work on the provisions given in these reports. Being among the most crucial resources of hospitality firms ( Hospitality management , no date; Prud’homme and Raymond, 2016), the way a manager organises his or her working environment is important. Thus, the ideas and regulation formulated by these firms should be evidence-based and concrete. Nevertheless, it seems rational to say that most corporations carefully choose environmental and social information on which they account. Hence, they define their determinants of sustainability, founding it on their own experience and communication with stakeholders. Such a policy does not genuinely support managers’ performance regarding the development of a sufficient sustainability strategy. The world’s most noticeable chains have set up programmes that are based mostly on commercial interests. The support of “natural ecosystems and a reduction in demands on the earth’s natural resource base” has been moved to the second plan (Jones, Hillier, and Comfort, 2016, p. 48). The described approach cannot be considered acceptable in the current conditions.
Then, the internal challenge that hinders the successful implementation of sustainable practices might be an appropriate realisation of corporate social responsibility, or CSR. A plethora of scholars has investigated the issue and united in the statement that a proper CSR contributes to a great extent of employee’s job satisfaction (Kim et al ., 2018; Singal and Rhou, 2017). Healthy internal working environment results in a focus on developing and implementing sustainable practices, which results in significant and profitable performance. Personnel might be considered as a critical factor in providing the best strategies of sustainability because within the hospitality industry, they are responsible for clients’ satisfaction directly (Singal and Rhou, 2017). Hence, the way a company build relations with its employees via a CSR might be defined as a key element and predisposition of the further implementation of sustainable practices.
Finally, a number of external challenges might take place and negatively affect sustainable performance. Among them are taxes and fees, growing competition, the unstable flow of constant customers and reputation being formed by clients independently via social media. Such severe conditions indicate the compliance of adopting sustainable practices. The mentioned factors tend to vary from period to period; thus, hospitality actors should apply flexible and adaptive policies. It requires a vast amount of resources, as well as continuous improvements and market investigations. To summarise, the hospitality market provides its actors with a notable amount of challenges and issues of both internal and external character. It allows assuming that the below analysis of the best practices and how these challenges and problems are being addressed might contribute to an in-depth understanding of the theme being discussed.
The Best Sustainable Practices within the Hospitality Sector
Hyatt’s Case
As mentioned above, the hotel industry might be the most important sector within the hospitality market. Hence, it seems reasonable to suppose that the exploration of one of the successful and profitable hotel chains is quite relevant to discuss the best sustainable practices. Hyatt is a luxury chain that has gained an excellent reputation and is among the most remarkable actors in the market ( Hyatt’s competitors , no date). It should be mentioned that the company tend to care about its sustainability issues, which is evident from the arguments below.
To begin with, Hyatt states that its environmental policies are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN. Among them are clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production and climate action ( About Hyatt , no date). The Hyatt chain makes noticeable efforts to deal with environmental challenges. In order to build more sustainability, the company’s guidelines for new construction and renovation highlight central themes – insulation, lighting, cooling and heating effectiveness and water and ventilation systems. ( About Hyatt , no date). The firm founds its strategy on reliable and consistent data that is being obtained via its environmental management database. The latter is called Hyatt EcoTrack, that is a primary tool to collect sustainability data from properties worldwide. What is more, the company does not hesitate to cooperate and interact with various organisations and rivals within the scope of reducing waste.
The chain also pays attention to the construction of its sustainable social practices. It is visible from Hyatt’s corporate responsibility that indicates the importance of human resources as well as appropriate care about them. The company aims to provide its staff with a friendly working environment. According to Hyatt’s Code of business conduct (2018), the routine is to adhere to the following provisions: mutual respect, diversity and inclusion, safe workplace and supremacy of human rights. This policy allows personnel to focus on their duties, which leads to a significant chain’s performance as a whole. Hyatt gives its employees diverse possibilities for professional development with numerous training and exchange programmes between properties.
It should be stated that the chain tends to demonstrate a great concern about its sustainability practices. Such an approach may be considered as a crucial element to remaining successful within the hospitality industry (Thompson, no date). Hyatt’s strategy also shows a notable extent of adaptiveness as in the current conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic (Ecker, 2020), the firm’s policies are flexible. It is apparent from the fact that Hyatt does not panic and not fire employees in order not to lose assets.
Yum! Brands Case
The fast-food market might also be considered as an essential element of the hospitality industry. Yum! Brands has been among crucial actors within the mentioned market for a substantial period as remains profitable and recognisable ( Yum! ’s competitors , no date). Functioning at the global scale, for the company that has 50,000 restaurants in about 150 countries ( Building global , no date), it is essential to develop significant and sustainable practices. The necessity of the latter is emphasised by the fact that the fast-food market is exceptionally competitive, and plenty of actors are paying attention to sustainability.
In the framework of addressing environmental issues, Yum divides its activities into green buildings and supply chain. The first means that the company pursues the goals of “reductions in energy consumption, water use, GHG emissions and waste” while organising functioning of the restaurants ( Our recipe , 2017, p. 7). The second implies protecting forests, supporting animal welfare and enabling noticeable antimicrobial stewardship. It should be mentioned that similarly to Hyatt, Yum tends to follow international initiatives and standards within its sustainable strategy ( Our recipe , 2017, p. 64). There is a number of great attainments within the mentioned framework. According to Our recipe (2017, p. 29), “Yum! restaurants work to recycle used cooking oil, cardboard and plastic waste, … surplus food from our restaurants, with 6.9 million pounds of food donated in 2017.” Moreover, Yum demonstrates notable achievements in addressing the issues of animal welfare, energy, climate change, sustainable sourcing, waste and recycling and water.
The corporation also is dedicated to the highest standards of CSR. Yum states that its crucial goal is to implement the best practices regarding employee development, diversity and inclusion, human rights and labour. The company aims “to create an inclusive and ethical workforce … and to drive business results by connecting meaningfully with diverse employees, customers, franchisees and suppliers worldwide” ( Our recipe , 2017, p. 44). The latter is intersected with the “training and development that builds world-class leaders and business results” ( Our recipe , 2017, p. 44). Such a coherent and unified CSR results in the efficient talent retaining and building a working environment of mutual trust and cooperation.
It might be supposed that the company never misses the opportunity to implement new sustainable practices in its performance. The described approach of Yum! Brands seems to follow crucial elements of success within the fast-food market particularly (Xaxx, 2019), and within the hospitality industry generally (Tanner, no date). Achievements of economic, social and environmental character that are discussed above prove the latter claim, which is evident from a significant market share ( Yum!’s competitors , no date). It might be concluded that if a company continually develops and improves a sustainability strategy, both profits and recognition will become an integral part of the business.
Role of Consumers in Developing a Sustainable Supply Chain
It seems reasonable to claim that customers participate in the process of developing a sustainable supply chain to a great extent. The above discussion refers mostly to sustainability from a company’s perspective, but the exploration of consumers’ role is also essential. They take part in the implementation of sustainable approaches in a supply chain through their activism. For instance, they may refuse from buying from or cooperating with firms that demonstrate a low level of environmental and social responsibility. Such action puts pressure on hospitality service and products providers to adhere to the fundamental principles of sustainability. Quite a popular example of the described situation might be how McDonald’s decided to stop using antibiotics while raising poultry. The mentioned shift was caused by the increased health concerns of the firm’s clients. Hence, this crucial decision of the industry’s giant was founded on the aspirations of consumers to a healthier way of life.
The above example might be defined as the result of the passive activity of consumers as they did not take any action – McDonald’s solution was based mostly on data collected. It should be emphasised that if customers tend to act in order to protest companies’ unsustainable supply chains, the impact is even bigger. For instance, consumers may launch a vast promotion of environment-friendly production, luring people worldwide. The more potential and actual clients are involved, the more substantial the influence is. Unsustainable corporations will simply have no choice but to implement appropriate practices. In another case, such firms will face the lack of customers, which is likely to result in several issues – starting from a lousy reputation and ending with insolvency.
Furthermore, consumer-orientated corporations and chains tend to encourage their clients to be concerned about sustainability issues. A bright example might be the unique approach of Starbucks. The firm developed a tool on its website with the help of which consumers could calculate the number of trees that would be saved if they use their own mugs rather than Starbucks’ paper cups. Then, it might be suggested that organising and promoting sustainability-related forums and initiatives will motivate consumers to adopt sustainable practices. Thus, it should be stated that both hospitality companies and consumers are capable of making a significant contribution to the development of a sustainable supply chain. The intersection and interdependence of these two perspectives indicate the importance of the high level of awareness about the current problems that may take place due to unsustainable corporate values.
Recommendations on Reducing Harmful Environmental and Social Impact
From the investigation above, it is quite obvious that the aspect of sustainability has become critical nowadays. Its continuous implementation in an appropriate way is possible if the scholar findings are available as they make it possible to determine an evidence-based foundation for a sustainable strategy. Within the environmental scope, it seems important that businesses and consumers are to be acquainted with the related issues properly. Hence, it is essential to develop and adopt environmental knowledge base and people who are responsible for its deliverance. The scholarly dimension provides a significant concept of “knowledge agents” (Martínez-Martínez et al ., 2019). Martínez-Martínez et al . (2019, p. 382) define them as “individuals with the willingness to invest their own resources into acquiring environmental knowledge for the benefit of the environment and, directly or indirectly, of their own institution.” These agents are to organise the process of advancing the sustainability awareness of both companies and clients. It has been proved that the presence of such a position in hospitality companies contributes to the improvement of business performance; thus, the increase of these positions is a good option for providing sustainable policies.
Furthermore, the issue of sustainability is to be handled consistently by policymakers too. In developing countries that do not have many natural resources, authorities may encourage consumers to apply sustainable practices by providing the rationale that these practices result in a country’s welfare. A notable example might be the sustainable approach of the Moheli Laka Lodge hotel from Comoros Islands. Due to the implementation of solar panels, the resort contributes to the country’s reduced usage of diesel, with which there are many problems. If the consumers reject the services of diesel-using hotels, Comoros Islands economy will suffer less. In developed countries, it is visible that the hospitality market is becoming digitalised (Top 10, no date). Policymakers may promote governmental refunds or discounts via social media for cooperating with sustainability-orientated hospitality companies.
Conclusion
To conclude, the hospitality industry has become an essential element of the global economy nowadays. The issues and challenges of sustainability are of the characteristic of this market; hence, many actors aim to address them befittingly. The above investigation revealed several sustainability issues of environmental, social and economic character. Then, the challenges that hinder handling these issues were identified. These are unreliability of hospitality companies’ reports and insufficient CSRs – internal ones; taxes and fees, growing competition, the unstable flow of constant customers and reputation being formed by clients – external ones. The best practices of Hyatt and Yum were analysed, and it might be assumed that the maintenance of sustainable practices is their common feature that leads to success. Moreover, the importance of consumers’ role in developing sustainable supply chains was discussed. The recommendations are to create more positions of “knowledge agents”. For policymakers in developing countries, it was suggested to argue the contribution of sustainability; in developed countries – to provide refunds for cooperating with sustainable businesses.
Reference List
1. About Hyatt (no date) Web.
2. Building global, iconic brands people trust and champion (no date) Web.
3. Our recipe for good (2017) Web.
4. Code of business conduct and ethics (2018) Web.
5. Ecker, D. (2020) ‘ Park Hyatt Chicago, Peninsula hotels close amid COVID fears ’, Crain’s Chicago Business . Web.
6. Frangos, N. (2015) The 4CI’s (contemporary issues) in the hospitality industry . Web.
7. Hospitality management: the essentials about hospitality (no date) Web.
8. Hospitality trends: the latest trends in the hospitality industry (no date) Web.
9. Hospitality: a complete overview of the hospitality industry (no date) Web.
10. Hyatt’s competitors, revenue, number of employees, funding and acquisitions (no date) Web.
11. Jones, P., Hillier, D. and Comfort, D. (2016) ‘ Sustainability in the hospitality industry ’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 28(1), 2016, pp. 36–67. Web.
12. Kim, H. et al . (2018) The effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee well-being in the hospitality industry ’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 30(3), pp. 1584–1600. Web.
13. Martínez-Martínez, A. et al. (2019) ‘ Knowledge agents as drivers of environmental sustainability and business performance in the hospitality sector ’, Tourism Management , 70(1), pp. 381–389. Web.
14. Prud’homme, B. and Raymond, L. (2016) ‘ Implementation of sustainable development practices in the hospitality industry: A case study of five Canadian hotels’ , International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 28(3), pp. 609–639. Web.
15. Singal, M. and Rhou, Y. (2017) ‘ Corporate social responsibility in the hospitality sector ’, Boston Hospitality Review , 5(1), pp. 1–5. Web.
16. Tanner, A. (no date) Sustainability & environmental issues in the hospitality industry .
17. Thompson, S. (no date) Critical success factors in the hotel industry . Web.
18. Top 10 latest hospitality marketing trends (no date) Web.
19. Xaxx, J. (2019) Key elements of success in the fast food industry . Web.
20. Yum!’s competitors, revenue, number of employees, funding and acquisitions (no date) Web. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/sustainable-business-operations-within-the-hospitality-industry/ | 20 |
Convert the following summary back into the original text: This essay discusses the importance of sustainability in the tourism industry, and examines three examples of countries that have successfully integrated the philosophy of sustainability in their tourism industries.Belize – an example of sustainabilityBelize has a long history of sustainable development and has been a leader in the region for implementing policies that support environmental protection. The country has a strong commitment to preserving its natural resources and has implemented a number of initiatives to promote sustainable tourism, including the development of a network of protected areas, the | This essay discusses the importance of sustainability in the tourism industry, and examines three examples of countries that have successfully integrated the philosophy of sustainability in their tourism industries.
Belize – an example of sustainability
Belize has a long history of sustainable development and has been a leader in the region for implementing policies that support environmental protection. The country has a strong commitment to preserving its natural resources and has implemented a number of initiatives to promote sustainable tourism, including the development of a network of protected areas, the | Sustainable Tourism Analysis Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Why sustainability is important
3. Belize – an example of sustainability
4. Norway
5. Bhutan
6. What can be learned from these cases
7. Conclusion
8. Reference List
9. Footnotes
Introduction
Sustainable tourism implies great social responsibility, the fulfilment of obligations in relation to nature Sustainability is not possible without active participation of local population – they should act as a driving force behind the management of tourism activities. Therefore, it requires massive volumes of investment and discipline in order to make tourism sustainable. Perceived costs have made people wonder whether or not it is feasible to achieve sustainability in mass tourism. On the one hand, experts state that it is economically not possible to sustain tourism because of a lack of financial incentives. On the other hand, people claim the opposite – tourism can be sustainable and profitable at the same time, but rigorous work is required to accomplish this task. This paper will discuss three examples of sustainable tourism and explore whether or not mass tourism sustainability is achievable.
Why sustainability is important
In recent decades, the tourism sector has demonstrated that it can stimulate economic development and help create new jobs. Modern tourism is an important socio-economic sector, accounting for about 10% of world GDP and 7% of world trade. 1 It also accounts for one of 10 jobs in the world. About 1.2 billion people annually travel and cross borders – because of this fact, tourism has become a means of intercultural dialogue, social integration, peace, reconciliation, and development. 2 The UN Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. 3 It included tourism to the list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals approved by leading countries of the world. At the same time, society is witnessing the industry’s diversification in terms of new directions and markets, the growing influence of new technologies, and a change in the structure of consumer needs. The desire for authenticity and unique experiences is among the ever-increasing motivations for travelling.
Because of the growing number of people that travel abroad and an increase in consumption, it has become necessary to consider attaining sustainable means of delivering tourism products. Without new methods and approaches, irreparable damage can be done to the environment and the biosphere. Instead of thinking of economic profit, countries should work on sustaining the environment to save the planet for future generations. However, individuals and companies always act in their self-interest and incentivizing the industry to consider sustainable approaches is becoming the most crucial topic. While the majority of the world is pondering how to accomplish this objective, however, some countries have successfully integrated the philosophy of sustainability into their tourism sectors. Among the notable examples are the islands of Belize, Norway and Bhutan.
Belize – an example of sustainability
Belize has doubled its commitment to tourism that protects the environment at all costs without offering massive and extensive services. With their meticulous offer of boutique hotels and the crystal-clear waters that every diver dreams of, the country is reducing waste and pollution. Belize’s Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia unveiled a new campaign in Mexico City with an ambitious plan to promote the industry and attract Latin American and Mexican guests, due to their geographical proximity and cultural and historical similarities. 4 Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, between Guatemala and Mexico, Belize, with a population of just 400,000 people, receives one and a half million tourists from cruise liners. 5 Another 490,000 people come to Belize on their own, and most of them are from the United States, Europe and Canada. 6 Heredia emphasised the significance of sustainability for the Belizean tourism sector.
The fact that the country is working toward sustainability can be evidenced by several factors. More than 65% of the island’s area and waters are protected areas. 7 Also, in around 800 small boutique hotels, there are only 9000 rooms for living, and that all local restaurants belong to small entrepreneurs in the country. 8 There are no international food companies such as McDonald’s and Burger King on the island, which may contribute to pollution and waste. 9 Belize is demonstrating that sustainability can be reached if people will be satisfied with small profit margins and focus on serving a large population in small chunks. Therefore, the government does not allow the construction of large hotels.
Norway
This country also has made vital steps toward sustainability in tourism. Some regions show a little more concern for the environment than others. In Norway, they care about ecology, a unique culture, local way of life and the well-being of visitors. Norway’s strategy for sustainability is different than it is in Belize – instead of promoting a nation-wide campaign, the Norwegian government is focusing on its small regions in isolation. Therefore, different destinations may have varying levels of sustainability. 10 The certificate of environmentally sustainable destinations is the only Scandinavian certificate for travel destinations. Its goal is to support the development of initiatives and enterprises whose activities are related to ecology, concern for the local customs, cultural heritage and economy of the region. Although this certificate does not mean that the area is 100% environmentally friendly, it indicates that the region has already started its path to achieve this goal. 11 Destinations are evaluated every three years and are given recommendations if shortcomings are discovered.
Like Belize, Norway is not concentrating on providing massive services. Their perception of sustainability is limited to offering products aimed at smaller audiences. The Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion, Roe Isaksen, confirmed that Norway is not leaning toward scalability and large profits. Instead, the country will achieve its sustainability goals by limiting the number of visitors. As stated by many of the local guides, one of the primary issues is the tourists’ lack of knowledge of regional environmental characteristics. It is safe to assume that Norway will be willing to accept only those tourists that are prepared for such an environment. Necessary knowledge may include information on how to preserve local fauna and ecosystem. Local guides are instructed to inform tourists about implications regarding a region’s sustainability strategy.
Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the notable examples of sustainability in tourism. Untouched by colonialism, the country had the opportunity to keep local customs safe from external impact. This situation allowed the country to develop the tourism industry using the principles of sustainability. Despite being open to foreigners, the government is aware that tourists can influence the unique and almost untouched landscapes of Bhutan and its culture. Therefore, it has limited tourist activity from the beginning, preferring top-quality tourism. Since 1991, the Bhutan Tourism Corporation has been operating as a quasi-autonomous and self-financing organization that implements the government’s tourism policy. 12 The Bhutanese government, however, privatized the corporation in October 1991, promoting private investment and operations. As a result, in 2000, there were already more than 75 licensed travel companies in the country. 13 Each tourist must pay a high fee for each day of stay in the country.
The number of tourists entering the country is not limited and is determined by the number of places in hotels. However, the daily visitor tariff ensures that only a qualified audience enters the state. 14 The collected money is then used to invest in the modernization of the tourism facilities so that they meet contemporary requirements for sustainability. Much of the infrastructure, education and healthcare is financed from the funds attained from incoming tourists. 15 Like Norway and Belize, Bhutan is aiming toward sustainable but limited tourism. However, the government’s method is different from the strategies proposed by Norway and Belize. Because the current quantitative evidence is insufficient, it is not yet possible whether or not such measures are contributing to sustainability. 16 However, preliminary analysis and visitor reviews suggest that Bhutan is moving toward in the correct direction.
What can be learned from these cases
Belize, Norway, and Bhutan are proving that sustainable tourism is a feasible objective. However, there are also significant implications to consider, and each of these countries is providing their examples. Belize is not aiming at providing a wide range of tourist products. The country is concentrating on preserving its environment by limiting the diversification of the product portfolio. Food and beverage services and accommodation are delegated to small local companies. This approach is allowing the country to eliminate the presence of large organizations which may contribute to waste and pollution.
Norway has a different approach – it is going toward compliance and readiness. The country’s goal is to allow each region to have its own strategy and provide certificates to those who demonstrated compliance. This method may increase competitiveness between regions and improve the overall quality of tourist services while ensuring sustainability. Currently, there are differences between sustainability levels of varying regions. It can be expected that all areas of the country will achieve their objectives in the coming years, however.
Bhutan is aiming at providing high-quality tourism with a negligible impact on the environment by imposing tariffs. This approach limits the number of people visiting the country while still generating sufficient amount of profit. All three countries believe that only by limiting the number of tourists, it is possible to sustain tourism activities. These cases raise several questions, including whether or not it is possible to make massive tourism sustainable. According to the provided examples, however, massiveness contradicts to sustainability. Instead of being self-indulgent and pursuing economic prosperity, tourism companies should become more responsible. It is reasonable to conclude that despite the overall increase in revenues, tourism may become a privilege of only those who can afford it.
Conclusion
This paper provided several examples of how sustainable tourism is being implemented around the world. It is too early to discuss the environmental impact of these initiatives. In summary, sustainable tourism is only possible when the number of tourists is controlled and constrained. Despite differing approaches, Belize, Norway and Bhutan are ultimately aiming toward limiting the number of incoming tourists. Local companies, to compensate for the difference, may raise prices, which will impact the travelling potential of the majority of the population. In other words, sustainable tourism may become a luxury product for a minority that can pay for it.
Reference List
Chow, M. J. T., Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019.
Edgell, D., Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future , New York, Routledge, 2020.
Hall, C. M., and Allan M. W., Tourism and Innovation , New York, Routledge, 2020.
Hall, C. M., and Stephen J. P. (eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Tourism in Asia , New York, Routledge, 2017.
Lyngnes, S., and Prebensen, N., ‘Sustainable Mountain Tourism in Norway’, CAUTHE 2020: New Perspectives on the Diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events , Auckland, New Zealand, University of Technology, pp. 522-524.
Mathou, T., ‘Bhutan in 2016: A New Era Is Born’, Asian Survey , vol. 57, no. 1, 2017, pp. 56-59.
Footnotes
1. D. Edgell, Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future , New York, Routledge, 2020, p. 10.
2. D. Edgell, Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future , New York, Routledge, 2020, p. 10.
3. D. Edgell, Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future , New York, Routledge, 2020, p. 12.
4. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 4.
5. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 6.
6. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 6.
7. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 8.
8. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 8.
9. M. J. T. Chow, Tourism in Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth , Washington, International Monetary Fund, 2019, p. 9.
10. S. Lyngnes and N. Prebensen, ‘Sustainable Mountain Tourism in Norway’, CAUTHE 2020: New Perspectives on the Diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events , Auckland, New Zealand, University of Technology, p. 522.
11. S. Lyngnes and N. Prebensen, ‘Sustainable Mountain Tourism in Norway’, CAUTHE 2020: New Perspectives on the Diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events , Auckland, New Zealand, University of Technology, p. 522.
12. T. Mathou, ‘Bhutan in 2016: A New Era Is Born’, Asian Survey , vol. 57, no. 1, 2017, p. 57.
13. T. Mathou, ‘Bhutan in 2016: A New Era Is Born’, Asian Survey , vol. 57, no. 1, 2017, p. 57.
14. T. Mathou, ‘Bhutan in 2016: A New Era Is Born’, Asian Survey , vol. 57, no. 1, 2017, p. 58.
15. C. M. Hall, and J. P. Stephen (eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Tourism in Asia , New York, Routledge, 2017, p. 42
16. C. M. Hall, and M. W. Allan, Tourism and Innovation , New York, Routledge, 2020, p. 57. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/sustainable-tourism-analysis/ | 21 |
Write the full essay for the following summary: Sutherland Leisure Center: Professional Practice in Aged Care and Disability ReportSutherland Leisure Center is one of the largest leisure facilities in New South Wales, and it provides a row of services to children and adults. One of the principal activities it offers is swimming, and it is available for all of the categories of customers. Moreover, there are a lot of various training programs for different age groups such as aerobic, spin, circuit, and aqua classes on schedule. | Sutherland Leisure Center: Professional Practice in Aged Care and Disability Report
Sutherland Leisure Center is one of the largest leisure facilities in New South Wales, and it provides a row of services to children and adults. One of the principal activities it offers is swimming, and it is available for all of the categories of customers. Moreover, there are a lot of various training programs for different age groups such as aerobic, spin, circuit, and aqua classes on schedule. | Sutherland Leisure Center: Professional Practice in Aged Care and Disability Report
Introduction
The inclusion of people with various types of disabilities is the primary task of Australian communities. It seems to be challenging and requires a specific approach. Leisure centers all over the country develop strategies in alignment with communities’ policies intended to improve the lives of disabled people. To provide the required services, it is vital to consider each separate disability condition and its peculiarities to make participants feel safe. Thus, for example, the consideration of Parkinson’s disease by the owner of Sutherland Leisure Center would allow it to benefit from a higher degree of satisfaction of people with this condition.
Sutherland Leisure Center
Sutherland Leisure Center is one of the largest leisure facilities in New South Wales, and it provides a row of services to children and adults. One of the principal activities it offers is swimming, and it is available for all of the categories of customers. Moreover, there is a lot of various training programs for different age groups such as aerobic, spin, circuit, and aqua classes on schedule (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). The services of this leisure center are also available for disabled groups. However, the website does not provide extensive information on such services and does not distinguish the people by their conditions.
As orientation on people with disabilities is a crucial part of Sutherland Leisure Center activities, they are covered by the community’s policies. Sutherland Shire Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan intends to increase the participation of disabled people in society by providing them with access to various facilities and promoting an active lifestyle (People with a disability, 2017). This program refers to all types of disability to avoid discrimination of these population groups. Its implementation is funded mostly from the annual budget of the community and sometimes from external sources (People with a disability, 2017). In the end, the Council hopes to eliminate the existing barriers to the participation of disabled people in the life of the community.
There are several organizations covered by Sutherland Shire Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and leisure centers and parks are considered too. Even though according to the original provisions of the program, these facilities are among the ones that are performing relatively well in managing a disability, there is still a lot of malfunctions that should be eliminated (People with a disability, 2017). Hence, the authors of the plan propose several improvements relating to leisure centers and parks in general.
Such improvements include mostly the necessity to change the attitude of facilities’ staff towards people with disabilities. It can be achieved through proper training at work, allowing them to learn about various conditions and ways to find solutions for people with these specificities (People with a disability, 2017). The plan also aims to cover a larger amount of conditions by distinguishing different types of disability (People with a disability, 2017). Such measures would allow including people with mental health issues as well as re-evaluating other population groups excluded from the list of services provided by leisure centers.
People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Needs
For this study, people with Parkinson’s disease are considered in terms of their access to services provided by Sutherland Leisure center. It also provides for measures that can improve the situation. To analyze the correspondence of the chosen venue to the needs of visitors with this condition, it is vital to reveal the challenges they face and assess the information available to them.
The choice of Parkinson’s disease for this research is conditional upon the need for regular physical activity of people with this condition. According to the study, exercise tends to improve physical and cognitive functioning, quality of life, and mood in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (Zaman et al., 2019). Hence, such facilities as leisure centers can contribute to maintaining the quality of life and satisfaction of this population group. However, the programs should be adjusted to the physical capability of people with this disease. The crucial task here is to align their goals with exercise intensity to ensure the wellbeing and positive attitude of participants (Amateis et al., 2019). Therefore, the more physically active people with Parkinson’s disease are, the better the overall health of the community population will be.
There are several challenges in the implementation of such a program of inclusion of visitors with this condition. The principal issue is the ability of Sutherland Leisure Center to ensure the required degree of safety for people who have Parkinson’s disease as it is crucial in terms of physical activity (Zaman et al., 2019). The achievement of the objective implies the support of this category of visitors by the staff as social engagement is possible only in the case of their positive attitude. As for physical challenges, they relate to the fear of falling typical for patients with Parkinson’s disease, and the necessity to improve balance (Zaman et al., 2019). Hence, the creation of a safe environment for this category of visitors implies the consideration of their needs and specificities mentioned above.
Together with the equipment of leisure facilities according to the conditions of disabled people, it is necessary to provide them with extensive information on options available to them. This information should be included on the website of the leisure center. Otherwise, the lack of knowledge would complement the insecurity of people with Parkinson’s disease about their physical capability and make them refrain from visiting the facility.
Correspondence of Facilities to the Needs of People with Parkinson’s Disease
The principal factor influencing the decision of people with Parkinson’s disease to visit the recreational facility is the accessibility of the building and its internal premises (see Appendix A). As can be seen from the website of Sutherland Leisure Center, its equipment corresponds to the needs of this population group. They position themselves as an access-friendly facility providing ramp access for entry and exit of center and pool as well as indoor pool hoist, aqua wheelchairs, change room facilities, and hand railings support (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). Hence, it can be concluded that Sutherland Leisure Center is a suitable facility for people with Parkinson’s disease. They can easily access the building and its internal premises without any help, and this circumstance would increase their confidence in physical abilities.
Such equipment of Sutherland Leisure Center allows people with this condition access both outdoor and indoor programs it offers. This facility is using the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that aims at providing individualized support for disabled people (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). Thereby they manage to engage the visitors in leisure activities and contribute to their independence, community involvement, and general wellbeing (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). However, to benefit from the services Sutherland Leisure Center provides, it is necessary to evaluate the extensiveness and structure of information presented on its website.
The principal activity available to people with Parkinson’s disease is swimming. The chosen venue has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools accessible to visitors with this condition. However, despite the provided opportunities for disabled people to visit the swimming pools of the center, its website does not contain the information on the schedule for disabled groups (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). It also does not mention if there are special areas for people with disabilities in the swimming pool, only states the availability of a pool hoist. Therefore, it can be concluded that the website lacks the essential information that might influence the decision of members of this population group to visit the venue.
Recommendations for Improvements
To reduce barriers to the use of services provided by Sutherland Leisure Center, it is vital to include crucial information for people with disabilities on the website. As can be seen from it, the recreational facility has several medical specialists working with the visitors in the areas of exercise physiology, physiotherapy, nutrition, and hydrotherapy (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). However, there is no information on how they might facilitate the access of disabled people to the services of the center, improve their condition, or assist them in performing activities. Moreover, the website lacks the schedule for disabled groups, and this malfunction is the primary issue that should be resolved.
Disabled people always require attention from specialists at recreational facilities. This fact explains the need for distinguishing them by the conditions for further assistance. As people suffering from Parkinson’s disease are characterized by the constant fear of falling due to the poor control of their muscles, the staff should consider this specificity to assist them (Zaman et al., 2019). However, the available information on Sutherland Leisure Center does not include the observance of factors influencing the person depending on the condition. Thus, the owner of this recreational facility should develop and implement a strategy of diversified assistance to people with disabilities as no generalization is possible in the matter.
The population groups of disabled people include not only adults but also children and adolescents of various ages. Such visitors also require particular attention to their needs, and the equipment providing access to the center’s building and internal facilities might not be suitable to them due to the height difference. Moreover, there is no information on classes for children with disabilities as not all of the conditions leading to disability restrict the possibility to attend swimming classes. Hence, Sutherland Leisure Center should start to provide these services as well and include extensive information on them on their website.
The creation of a safe environment for people with disabilities is a challenging task, and it is the responsibility of the owner and medical personnel working at the leisure center. To comply with the requirements resulting from one’s condition, they need to understand its nature and all the accompanying peculiarities defining the physical capability of a person. For this, Sutherland Leisure Center should organize training programs for the personnel that will provide sufficient information on possible health issues of visitors and the degree of assistance that would not harm their independence. The inclusion of recommendations given above would allow the owner of the facility to improve its work and comply with the current community programs aimed at providing services for people with disabilities.
Best Practice for Parkinson’s Disease to Undertake Swimming
People with Parkinson’s disease can benefit from visiting the swimming pools of Sutherland Leisure Center. The medical personnel working at the recreational facility will assist them in it as this condition is characterized by difficulties in movement due to the patients’ low neuroplasticity (Amateis et al., 2018). However, people suffering from this disease need regular physical activity to maintain their quality of life and general wellbeing (Zaman et al., 2019). Therefore, swimming under the care of trained medical personnel would be a good option for them.
The assistants should consider the specificities of such conditions as Parkinson’s disease and provide proper services to people suffering from it. Their primary task is to ensure safety while performing the activities with consideration of the needs of such people related to social support and engagement, and the efforts of medical staff should be focused on their provision (Zaman, 2019). However, it is possible only with the successful overcoming of their fear to fall and get injured (Zaman, 2019). Such obstacles can be overcome after the proper training of personnel and improve the state of health of visitors with Parkinson’s disease.
The principal outcome of this activity is the higher confidence of the disabled people as well as their independence. The social support and engagement, in turn, would guarantee the satisfaction of people with Parkinson’s disease. The transport accesses to the venue by bus and affordable prices for services ($8.70) as well as free access to accompanying carers increase its attractiveness (Sutherland Leisure Center, 2020). As for possible adaptations of Sutherland Leisure Center, they would relate mostly to the training of personnel as the territory is already equipped with all the necessary facilities for disabled people.
Conclusion
The recreational facilities of Australian communities intend to increase the participation of disabled people, and Sutherland Leisure Center is no exception to the rule. However, to successfully implement the community’s plan, it needs to improve some areas of their activity, such as the provision of sufficient information and orientation on various population groups distinguished by both age and condition. The elimination of the revealed issues will increase the participation of people with disabilities in the community’s life.
References
1. Amateis, A. L., Boesel, C. L., Ehnert, B. P., Evans, A. S., Hurst, K. E., Marek, K. L.,… & Huddleston, W. E. (2019). The need for mapping personal goals to exercise dosage in community-based exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s disease. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 35 (12), 1250-1258. Web.
2. People with a disability (2017). Web.
3. Sutherland Leisure Centre (2020). Web.
4. Zaman, A., Ellingson, L., Sunken, A., Gibson, E., & Stegemöller, E. L. (2019). Determinants of exercise behaviour in persons with Parkinson’s disease . Disability and Rehabilitation , 1-7. Web.
Appendix A
Organization Audit
Service Being Assessed: Access to Sutherland Leisure Center for people with Parkinson’s disease
Location: Sutherland, New South Wales
Transport Access: By bus
Date of Assessment: 16.05.2020
Yes No
Is there adequate signage provided at the venue? ✓
Is the entrance to the building accessible? ✓
Is there enough parking for people with a disability? ✓
Are there enough toilets for people with a disability? ✓
Are the toilets open? ✓
Is there adequate seating available for a person with a disability? ✓
Is there an augmented system for people with hearing impairments? ✓
Are there flyers available for all people with a disability? ✓
Are the change rooms adequate for a person with a disability? ✓
Can a person with a disability access the activity on their own with no help? ✓
Can a person with a disability get in and out of the pool themselves? ✓
Are the forms of communication used at the venue appropriate for a person with a disability? ✓
Are there slip resistant floors at the venue? ✓
Are there handrails available? ✓
Is there a designated shower venue cubicle for a person with a disability? ✓
Are tap handles accessible for all people? ✓
Is there a continuous path of travel and sufficient space provided for a person with a disability and a friend to access and seating requirements? ✓
Can the person with a disability access the café? ✓
Can a person with a disability access all the programs at the venue? ✓
Are there any special groups run solely for people with a disability? ✓
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Avon Company. It is recommended that the company continue to rely on multiple distribution channels, while also investing in research and development to remain competitive in the beauty market. |
The essay discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Avon Company. It is recommended that the company continue to rely on multiple distribution channels, while also investing in research and development to remain competitive in the beauty market. | SWOT Analysis of the Avon Company Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main text
3. Conclusion
4. References
Introduction
Avon is a company that started from door-to-door sales and personal contacts with female customers. The founder of the company, David McConnell, hired women who wanted flexible working hours, and this strategy is used today as well as the foundation of sales. To cover more people, Avon diversified its product lines and targeted not only women but also teenage females to meet their beauty needs. The investments in research and development allowed the company to earn more profits and become an international corporation. The direct sales were extended using telephone, fax, and mail-order options. Ultimately, online channels were also included, such as the official website and social media.
Main text
Avon’s strengths refer to its great variety of selling channels and its presence in the beauty market. The opportunity to use direct sales, stores, and online platforms allows the company to reach a great number of females and provide them with necessary products. For example, if a woman is busy at home with her family, it is possible to use her lunch break at work to shop Avon’s website. In addition, the beauty market is considered to be viable and highly-demanded, which makes Avon’s products important to meet the demand (Lapoule & Colla, 2016). Among the weaknesses, there is the reliance on the reps in the presence of strong competition from online retailers. One more weakness is associated with the need to constantly be engaged in research and development to remain aware of customers’ needs.
The main opportunity for Avon is to focus more on online shopping as it becomes the most convenient way to buy products. For example, it is possible to cooperate with Amazon to sell the products in a cost-effective manner (Steinhoff et al., 2019). A re-branding that was successfully used by the company in the process of its evolution can be applied again to drive customers’ demands. Strong competition is the key threat as Amway and other companies have effective market positions. It should also be stressed that the dependence on third-party suppliers and the change in customers’ purchasing behaviors can also be noted as threats for Avon.
The above strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats show that Avon is a company that values its customers and tried to continuously develop to provide them with the relevant products. Considering that the company is oriented to selling its products through various channels, one may state that it is open to change and innovations (Kingsnorth, 2019). However, the existing threats seem to be critical for the further success of the company. If Avon would not improve its competitiveness and invest more in research, it can lose many customers.
Conclusion
To conclude, Avon can be recommended to continue its selling strategy of relying on multiple distribution channels. At the same time, it is important to prioritize online sales and create more opportunities for customers. For example, the option of consultations with shopping assistants can be introduced via Avon’s official website. Feedback with customers can be initiated in social media to better understand what features are valued or disliked by customers. Today, Avon is one of the most demanded and effective companies in the global beauty market, but it needs to increase its research and development to remain successful. The implementation of a new re-branding campaign is likely to drive customers’ interest and increase sales.
References
Kingsnorth, S. (2019). Digital marketing strategy: An integrated approach to online marketing . Kogan Page Publishers.
Lapoule, P., & Colla, E. (2016). The multi-channel impact on the sales forces management. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management , 44 (3), 248-265.
Steinhoff, L., Arli, D., Weaven, S., & Kozlenkova, I. V. (2019). Online relationship marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science , 47 (3), 369-393.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The Syrian conflict has had a negative impact on women's rights in Syria. The war has created new opportunities for women, but it has also led to the violation of women's rights. | The Syrian conflict has had a negative impact on women's rights in Syria. The war has created new opportunities for women, but it has also led to the violation of women's rights. | Syrian Conflict and Women Rights: Way to Equality or Another Discrimination Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. New Opportunities for Women
3. Violation of Women’s Rights
4. Conclusion
5. References
Introduction
Gender equality, one of the essential human rights, plays a crucial role in ensuring peace and harmony in society and the full realization of human potential through sustainable development. However, humanity has a long way to achieve full equality for men and women in terms of their rights and opportunities. A vivid example of the effect of political disagreements on women’s rights is the Syrian conflict. For most women in Syria, the civil war turned into a disaster, but at the same time, this conflict created the conditions for new opportunities.
New Opportunities for Women
In February 2011, a war broke out in Syria as part of the Arab Spring movements. The conflict involved many parties, such as the Syrian government, rebel groups, terrorist funds, international authorities, and religious groups (Boulos, 2019). The war-affected the Syrian social structure, culture, economy, and gender roles. On the one hand, political conflict or war can lead to social changes, part of which is the political and economic status of women, which has led to increased political activity and gender awareness.
The main reason for a low percentage of women in the workforce is Syrian social norms, which stereotypically reflect the role of women in homes serving their husbands and in the private sector. The Syrian government has begun to open up new types of jobs for women; for example, the companies accept women as bus drivers; this decision was the result of labor shortages. A transformation occurs in the Syrian workforce; women currently work in areas and opportunities that were previously only associated with men (Boulos, 2019). While Syrian men were involved in armed conflict, which led to the fact that many were away from their families, women became heads of households and were responsible for them.
Violation of Women’s Rights
The war was a turning point for all Syrian society, especially for Syrian women. When the Syrian individuals attempted to keep the rebellion as quiet as conceivable, ladies from diverse ranges and religions organized peaceful demonstrations (Habib, 2018). Nevertheless, insecurity and discriminatory restrictions on women intensified when the peaceful era of rebellion ended, and violence increased in most Syrian areas. The opposite development took place under the control of armed extremist groups: women and girls were discriminatory, including strict dress codes, restrictions on women’s participation in public life, access to education and employment.
The change in gender roles has affected the lives of Syrian teenage girls who have been forced to drop out of school to maintain the economy of their families. For some of them, the war forced them to ask for money or provide sex for survival. In the south of the country, Syrian women are sexually exploited by men who distribute aid delivery items on behalf of international organizations such as the United Nations (Ahram, 2019). Women were even afraid to go to distribution points because society would assume that they would offer sex to get help. According to Ms. Spencer from an international care organization, “sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls have been ignored, it has been known about and ignored for seven years, the UN and the system as it currently stands have chosen for women’s bodies to be sacrificed” (BBC News, 2019). World leaders are also trying to draw attention to women’s situation, but until the political conflict stops, it is impossible to intervene in this problem.
Besides, there are many examples of gender-based violence against refugee women, especially when they move outside their homes, such as sexual harassment, physical abuse, and rape (Habib, 2018). Women and girls are considered vulnerable groups, chiefly widows or women, without any protection from men. Some women in camps pretend to talk to their husbands on the phone to protect themselves from violence. Moreover, Syrian security forces regularly and with impunity use sexual abuse to humiliate and crush detainees. The actual extent of sexual violence in and around prisons remains unknown (Banwell, 2018). However, prisoners who were sexually abused in prison did not receive any medical or psychological assistance.
Many women who have been humiliated by husbands, soldiers, and the government express their opinions in the international arena. According to pregnant 16-year-old women, “Women’s circumstances have worsened a lot. Our husbands are constantly nervous and tense. They often curse us and use physical violence against us.” (The Independent News, 2020). Women want to be heard and helped, but in some cases, women conceal acts of violence, as this is considered improper and shameful action from Syrian society.
Conclusion
The individual transformation destroys the gender stereotype around the typical image of Syrian women, from passivity to active actors in society through participation in socio-economic life. These changes in the status of women still occur on an individual level to support positive transformations and expand them to transform society, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and stakeholders must intervene. These participants can play two roles in parallel, on the one hand, strengthen positive factors and reduce negative factors, through special organized programs and events. On the other hand, it is working on several strategies to introduce new laws into the Syrian legal framework to protect women’s rights and support the positive changes taking place in gender roles.
References
Ahram, A. I. (2019). Sexual violence, competitive state building, and Islamic State in Iraq and Syria . Journal of intervention and statebuilding, 13 (2), 180-196. Web.
Banwell, S. (2018). Security, peace and development: Unpacking discursive constructions of wartime rape and sexual violence in Syria . International journal of peace and development studies, 9 (2), 15-30. Web.
BBC News. (2019). Syrian women ‘made to trade sex for aid’ . Web.
Boulos, C. (2019). The change in gender roles in the Syrian conflict and its effect on womens rights [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Essex.
Habib, N. (2018). Gender role changes and their impacts on Syrian women refugees in Berlin in light of the Syrian crisis , WZB Discussion Paper, No. SP VI 2018-101, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, Berlin.
The Independent News. (2020). Syrian women still gravely suffering nine years on: ‘Husbands refrain from having a sexual life with them. They just leave them’. Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: Despite being among the largest retail corporations in the United States, Target does not demonstrate outstanding performance in terms of its grocery business. | Despite being among the largest retail corporations in the United States, Target does not demonstrate outstanding performance in terms of its grocery business. | Target Groceries: Company Analysis Essay
Despite being among the largest retail corporations in the United States, Target does not demonstrate outstanding performance in terms of its grocery business. The subjective assessment of Target’s grocery stores’ value for the customer can be conducted using the following simplified equation: V=B-S. V represents value, whereas B and S stand for perceived benefits and perceived sacrifice, respectively. Regarding the perceived benefits, Target’s groceries can appeal to long-standing clients who have time to cook from scratch and busier customers by offering both frozen and fresh alimentary products (Robinson, 2019). However, as a new study by Marketforce Information (2017) indicates, only 56% of customers positively evaluate Target’s grocery stores in terms of store cleanliness, but the chain is not among the best retailers when it comes to product availability. Next, as for the sacrifice, shopping for groceries can be time-consuming for Target’s customers – less than 50% of consumers report the ease of finding the necessary items (Marketforce Information, 2017). Next, regarding financial sacrifice, 49% of customers suppose that Target’s grocery sections offer a good value for money, which is twice as small as the result of the best chain store in the rating (Marketforce Information, 2017).
Based on the information above, Target’s value for customers is mainly based on the presence of different categories of alimentary products. However, from the customer-perceived value for money, it does not seem that clients are satisfied with product quality and the corporation’s pricing decisions. Unattractive prices and stock-outs have already been cited as the main reason for Target’s failure in Canada (Robinson, 2019). The factors contributing to Target’s poor performance in the grocery business are the relatively low returns on sales, the inability to compete with larger grocery stores, and the essential difficulties of selling perishable goods (Robinson, 2019). As for the factors that make Target different from competitors, such as Walmart, they include smaller shop sizes and cheaper groceries (Marketforce Information, 2017; Robinson, 2019).
References
1. Marketforce Information. (2017). New Marketforce Information study finds Publix and Wegmans are America’s favorite grocery stores .
2. Robinson, D. (2019). Target Corporation: The grocery business in the bull’s eye . Richard Ivey School of Business Foundation. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/target-groceries-company-analysis/ | 25 |
Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The article discusses the current topic of social media use by teachers and the legislation balanced free speech rights and the educational benefits of social media. The authors claim that in the United States, teachers use social media to contact students or parents, improve the curriculum, and develop professionally through interaction with peers (Vasek & Hendricks, 2016). Despite the benefits of social media, it has its drawbacks, as some teachers publish controversial content, and their social networking with students might be considered inappropriate. | The article discusses the current topic of social media use by teachers and the legislation balanced free speech rights and the educational benefits of social media. The authors claim that in the United States, teachers use social media to contact students or parents, improve the curriculum, and develop professionally through interaction with peers (Vasek & Hendricks, 2016). Despite the benefits of social media, it has its drawbacks, as some teachers publish controversial content, and their social networking with students might be considered inappropriate. | “Teachers, Social Media, and Free Speech” by Vasek Essay (Critical Writing)
The article discusses the current topic of social media use by teachers and the legislation balancing free speech rights and the educational benefits of social media. The authors claim that in the United States, teachers use social media to contact students or parents, improve the curriculum, and develop professionally through interaction with peers (Vasek & Hendricks, 2016). Despite the benefits of social media, it has its drawbacks, as some teachers publish controversial content, and their social networking with students might be considered inappropriate. The following paper will explain the need for responsible social media use and describe the limits of the Pickering decision.
The problems of the irresponsible use of social media and unprofessional teacher-to-student networking require school leaders and legislators to take disciplinary action against educators regardless of their First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech. Thus, teachers should exercise caution while using social media or networking with students to enjoy the technology’s pedagogical benefits without the risks of damaging their careers. The case of Pickering v. Board of Education provided protection for teachers commenting on socially important matters. However, educators should avoid media comments on employment conditions since they will be considered as personal matters that are not covered by First Amendment protection. Moreover, the teachers should ensure that their speech or a social media publication does not interfere with school operations or working relationships between employees and supervisors.
The modern case of Spanierman v. Hughes involved the Pickering balancing test. The teacher used his personal Myspace account to contact students, but the page also had inappropriate content. The school guidance counselor received students’ complaints and advised Spanierman to use the school email instead of the personal account for communication with students. The school officials refused to renew the contract with Spanierman after he created the identical Myspace page. The case was dismissed as there was no public concern involved, and the content had a negative impact on the educational environment. Therefore, teachers should avoid social media networking with students or topics unrelated to education as inappropriate speeches are not protected by the First Amendment and might lead to lawful employment termination. Additionally, educators should never post personal information and comments about students, parents, or other teachers, as the case of Munroe v. Central Bucks School District shows. Despite the teacher’s attempt to hide her identity, it was uncovered, and the offensive content of her blog led to her termination. As the blog negatively affected relationships and respect in the school community, the court dismissed the case, so it was not protected by the First Amendment.
The legal case of Pickering v. Board of Education demonstrates how free speech rights protect school teachers. Marvin Pickering was fired by the board of education after expressing his disagreement with their financial decisions in a local newspaper. Pickering appealed to the court in 1968, which resulted in the conclusion that educational goals must be balanced with the teachers’ free speech rights. The Pickering balancing test, however, created some limits to the freedom of speech, as seen from Connick v. Myers case. Sheila Myers lost the case, as the court decided that her questionnaires did not communicate a matter of public concern.
The cases of Pickering and Connick led to the development of a two-prong test during free speech challenges. The first prong requires teachers to prove that their message addresses a matter of public concern. The second prong demands that a teacher demonstrate how his/her speech interests “outweigh the school’s efficiency in operations interest” (Vasek & Hendricks, 2016, p. 3). Overall, the court decisions limited the freedom of speech, so the educators can rely on the First Amendment only when their speech involves public concern and the school’s operations.
Reference
Vasek, M., & Hendricks, R. (2016). Teachers, social media, and free speech. eJournal of Education Policy , 1–10.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/teachers-social-media-and-free-speech-by-vasek/ | 26 |
Write an essay about: The paper discusses the application of the command style, the practice style, and the divergent production as applied to the profession of a fitness director to demonstrate their usefulness for this specialist's work. |
The paper discusses the application of the command style, the practice style, and the divergent production as applied to the profession of a fitness director to demonstrate their usefulness for this specialist's work. | Teaching Styles: Fitness Director Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Command Style
3. Practice Style
4. Divergent Production
5. Conclusion
6. References
Introduction
Teaching is a complex process implying the presence of multiple tasks and the need to receive feedback from the students. In order to efficiently perform it, specialists should adopt specific styles, which are distinguished by their nature and can be either reproductive or productive. The difference between them is in the former’s orientation on the actions of an educator and the latter’s focus on the students’ independent decisions (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). In the case of physical education, and specifically fitness, both approaches are essential, and the combination of them seems to be an optimal solution. Therefore, the paper aims to discuss the application of the command style, the practice style, and the divergent production as applied to the profession of a fitness director to demonstrate their usefulness for this specialist’s work.
Command Style
The first technique under consideration is the command style, and it is related to the reproductive category of teaching methods. It indicates the teacher’s full responsibility in making decisions and the need for students to follow the proposed model or exercise (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). Such approaches are frequently used in fitness, and their effectiveness was proved by scholars examining the selection of instruments by educators and their practical implementation (Syrmpas et al., 2017). What is more important, they are not only efficient as learning tools but also beneficial in terms of developing a structured lesson in the conditions of limited time and other restrictions.
The use of the command style due to the specified advantages is one of the most vital methods in the profession of a fitness director. Since they are engaged in the planning process of classes and other activities, it would be useful for the definition of time required for each lesson (Syrmpas et al., 2017). In this way, the work of a facility providing such services will be well-coordinated, and this circumstance will eventually add to the creation of a favorable image and increased popularity among the clients. This perspective allows concluding on the central place of the command approach in preparing schedules, and other methods should complement it to ensure better feedback from students.
Practice Style
The second instrument, which should be adopted by fitness directors, is the practice style, and it also belongs to the reproductive cluster. It implies greater participation of learners in the process since they are supposed not to follow the teacher’s model in a specified manner but practice at their own pace (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). While they are performing the assigned task, educators are circulating the room, giving individual recommendations to them, and correcting their mistakes (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). In this way, the students are more involved in the process and feel more responsibility for the learning outcome.
The selection of this approach for a fitness director’s work is conditional upon the need to instill the understanding of involvement in an activity in people. This intention might be crucial for the latter’s motivation since their success will be reflected in an individual way, which makes the practice style an essential part of planning (Syrmpas et al., 2017). This technique will be an excellent complement to the command method mentioned above. When implemented within a lesson, they will promote a serious attitude of both educators and learners, thereby improving the results.
Divergent Production
The last method chosen for inclusion in the activity of a fitness director is divergent production, and it relates to the productive cluster of teaching techniques. This style implies the explanation of a task by the teacher that presents a challenge due to the presence of various alternatives (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). In this case, the learners are expected to find an appropriate solution to the problem while using their critical thinking rather than following someone’s guidance (Fernández-Rivas & Espada-Mateos, 2019). Hence, it promotes their independence in the decision-making process, thereby diminishing the educator’s participation during the class.
This style seems to be critical for planning the activities provided by a facility and is connected to the operations that fall under a fitness director’s responsibility. These specialists are supposed to ensure the efficient work of the companies, and this task includes overseeing the classes (Syrmpas et al., 2017). Meanwhile, the lessons’ general success significantly depends on learners’ active participation, which means that they should have a certain degree of autonomy. From this point of view, divergent production will help establish good relations with them, which, in turn, will lead to positive perceptions of the facility and the increase in its profits.
Conclusion
To summarize, the work of a fitness director is connected to the planning of all activities organized by the company. Therefore, this stage should be well-thought and prepared so that students’ needs could be satisfied. For this, the use of command and practice styles appears to be beneficial for a better control of the process by educators and proper planning. Nevertheless, they are insufficient without the use of productive methods promoting the learners’ independence, and this gap should be filled by the divergent production technique. Thus, the combination of the specified methods will enhance the efficiency of daily operations performed by a fitness director.
References
Fernández-Rivas, M., & Espada-Mateos, M. (2019). The knowledge, continuing education and use of teaching styles in Physical Education teachers. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14 (1), 99-111. Web.
Syrmpas, I., Digelidis, N., Watt, A., & Vicars, M. (2017). Physical Education teachers’ experiences and beliefs of production and reproduction teaching approaches. Teaching and Teacher Education, 66 , 184-194. Web.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/teaching-styles-fitness-director/ | 27 |
Write an essay about: Essentially, significant development and training strategies ensure the improvement of personal and professional skills and positive motivation among team members. |
Essentially, significant development and training strategies ensure the improvement of personal and professional skills and positive motivation among team members. | Team Development and Training Essay
Team development and training are essential to project managers working with groups of professionals. It allows individuals to enhance their personal and professional skills in a formal context. Team members feel positively motivated under the right leadership, contributing to quality submissions of deliveries. As a result, it is objective that project managers identify strategic plans concerning the effective development and training of their teams. This discussion identifies efficient tactical frameworks for implementing advanced skills in such assignments. Essentially, significant development and training strategies ensure the improvement of personal and professional skills and positive motivation among team members.
Project managers understand the significance of quality in submissions made by their teams. Ideally, implementing large-scale projects requires collaboration and coordination of professionals from diverse disciplines. For instance, procurement officers need detailed reports from engineers when purchasing technical equipment for the project. It highlights that both professionals will require enhanced communication skills to ensure all interaction contributes to the timely implementation of modules. Skills enhancement among team members is critical to project managers when comparing the quality and value of deliverables. Accuracy and timely submissions indicate the quality of essential items to project management officials.
Project managers can also plan significant development and training strategies by motivating professionals involved. Setting bonus awards would be useful to planners aiming at the quantity production of deliverables. Rewarding hard-working team members achieve intrinsic motivation with senior working positions. Besides, financial rewards to improving teams and their members would extrinsically motivate teams in making quality submissions. Motivation also enhances skills development as individuals seek better approaches to executing an assigned task. Professional training is instrumental in identifying creative members who contribute to quality projects
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-development-and-training/ | 28 |
Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The longer humanity exists, the more it develops technologically; moreover, in recent years, technological progress is gaining increasing speed. This process, doubtlessly, has both positive and negative sides, and Condorcet wrote about the role of progress in human life in the 19th century. His view on technological development seems realistic and even partially predicts the current state of things. | The longer humanity exists, the more it develops technologically; moreover, in recent years, technological progress is gaining increasing speed. This process, doubtlessly, has both positive and negative sides, and Condorcet wrote about the role of progress in human life in the 19th century. His view on technological development seems realistic and even partially predicts the current state of things. | Technological Progress and Human Perfection Essay
The longer humanity exists, the more it develops technologically; moreover, in recent years, technological progress is gaining increasing speed. This process, undoubtedly, has both positive and negative sides, and Condorcet wrote about the role of progress in human life in the 19th century. His view on technological development seems realistic and even partially predicts the current state of things. Condorcet describes progress as a constant change in various phenomena, objects, and processes, leading to an improvement in the quality of life. This can be noted in technical, cultural, educational, and other fields, which undeniably simplifies human life and helps people perform vital actions without paying attention to trifles. Unfortunately, progress can also lead to laziness and even societal degradation. In any case, one of the important goals of progress is to achieve human perfection. With it, the mind develops with incredible strength and allows people to make tremendous discoveries and perform complex actions.
However, technological progress is not always as positive as it seems. A striking example of its negative influence is the conflict between Amazon and Hachette. Even though due to technological progress people can now buy electronic books, this can negatively affect the economic condition of those who write them. Different approaches to marketing and selling books can harm writers and publishers. They may not receive enough attention and earnings and, therefore, will not be able to continue to produce new books. Nevertheless, literature is one of the necessary factors for the development of people. Thus, even despite the advantages of technological progress, humanity must always take into account its possible consequences, which will make this development a basis for social prosperity.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/technological-progress-and-human-perfection/ | 29 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses the extent to which technological progress, globalization, feminism, or climate change are rooted in the past as well as to which extent they illustrate something new. It also highlights the importance of discussing the extent to which such events are rooted in the past as well as to which extent they illustrate something new when it comes to the development of global feminism. |
The essay discusses the extent to which technological progress, globalization, feminism, or climate change are rooted in the past as well as to which extent they illustrate something new. It also highlights the importance of discussing the extent to which such events are rooted in the past as well as to which extent they illustrate something new when it comes to the development of global feminism. | Technological Progress, Globalization, Feminism Roots Essay
Historian work has been predominantly concerned with telling complete stories, such as the French Revolution, World War II, or the ancient Egyptian civilization. However, the work becomes more complicated when the time distance of the events and processes is shorter, and the stories are unfinished. Such historical processes as technological progress, globalization, feminism, or climate change, are still ongoing, and their outcome cannot be determined. As they are all ongoing, present-day issues make historians re-consider the past in a variety of ways, such as the way in which the ancestors lived or the struggles they endured to gain freedom. Therefore, it is essential to discuss the extent to which such events are rooted in the past as well as to which extent they illustrate something new.
A prominent example is the development of global feminism, which challenged the deeply rooted principles of patriarchy that existed in society for centuries. During the nineteenth century, both the US and Western Europe saw a dramatic change in women’s attitudes toward their position in society. The event has deep origins in the more distant past because women were regularly oppressed, and their rights were disregarded. Dating back to Ancient Rome, women were banned from using expensive goods, showing their inferiority. However, while ancient and nineteenth-twentieth century women’s issues were resolved, feminism remains relevant today. For instance, questions remain as to whether all women share the same sentiments about feminism, what role does class play, how should sexual education be approached, or whether women of color got the representation needed. In this sense, feminism represents new developments in society, the impact of which has not been fully discovered.
The issue of race in modern feminism is especially relevant in the current context in the light of the Black Lives Movement. Back in 1977, the Combahee River Collective released a statement discussing their struggles with racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class oppression due to the interlocking of the major oppression systems. In addition, the women of the Collective pointed out their solidarity with Black men in their struggle with racism in their own way. One of the critical sources of difficulty in the work of Black feminists is the need to address a broad range of oppressions, and there is no definite point in time when all of them will be covered. The inclusivity of social and political life has not been established yet, and the latest BLM protests show that there is still much to be done to ensure that the rights of both Black women and men are guaranteed, protected, and respected.
In no way could modern feminism be considered ‘a thing of the past’ even though the women of today can serve on a jury, hold property, vote, open bank accounts, divorce their husbands, hold political positions, and much more. However, issues regarding reproductive rights, economic justice, such as the gender pay gap, racial fairness, violence against women, and LGBTQ+ rights, remain unaddressed. The latest ideas and principles put forth by the feminist movement signify the start of new changes and advancements, which proves the point made earlier. When considering feminism as a historical development, the reasons for its emergence date back to Ancient Rome, and the reasons for its existence today are still relevant and are likely to remain important in the future.
Bibliography
Strayer, Robert, and Eric Nelson. Ways of the World with Sources, Volume 2. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/technological-progress-globalization-feminism-roots/ | 30 |
Convert the following summary back into the original text: The effects of performance-monitoring technology on employees' privacy and security.The essay discusses the effects of performance-monitoring technology on employees' privacy and security. It notes that while such technology can be used to monitor employees' performance, it can also be used to collect personal information. The essay alsobits the ethical issues associated with performance-monitoring technology, including privacy, security, and copyright protection. | The effects of performance-monitoring technology on employees' privacy and security.
The essay discusses the effects of performance-monitoring technology on employees' privacy and security. It notes that while such technology can be used to monitor employees' performance, it can also be used to collect personal information. The essay alsobits the ethical issues associated with performance-monitoring technology, including privacy, security, and copyright protection. | Technology and Ethics in Business Research Paper
Table of Contents
1. Topic
2. Ethical Issues
3. Ethical Theories
4. Resources
Topic
It is imperative to mention that the development of new technologies has had an enormous impact on many businesses (Patrignani & Whitehouse, 2015). Moreover, it has led to the introduction of numerous ethical issues (George, 2006). Most companies have gained access to enormous amounts of data, and the problem is that some of the personal information can be collected (Luciano, 2009).
Ethical Issues
Privacy. It is one of the most significant issues that modern companies have to deal with at the moment. It is understandable that some of the technologies can be used to monitor the performance of workers. However, the issue is that it may conflict with privacy in some cases (Seppanen, Pajarre, & Kuparinen, 2015).
Security. It needs to be viewed as a critical problem because every single employee has to deal with several challenges. It is not an easy task to keep track of all the passwords and confidential information, and it would be hard to justify the level of responsibility (Matwyshyn, Cui, Keromytis, & Stolfo, 2010).
Copyright protection. The issue is that some companies may participate in activities that are not legal, but are incredibly profitable because some content may be illegally downloaded and reproduced (Kouatli, 2014).
Ethical Theories
Deontology. According to this theory, businesses should base their decisions on their obligations and duties. A company should have an understanding of its responsibilities and use particular technologies only if it is acceptable from the perspective of morality.
Utilitarianism. It should be regarded as one of the most reasonable theories in this case because it is focused on the achievement of the best possible utility in a particular situation. The fact that possible positive consequences of decisions are examined is vital because it leads to the development of many new technologies (McCarthy, Halawi, & Aronson, 2005).
Resources
George, R. D. (2006). Information technology, globalization and ethics. Ethics and Information Technology, 8 (1), 29-40.
Kouatli, I. (2014). The impact of unethical IT behaviors to cloudy businesses. International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 7 (3), 205-213.
Luciano, F. (2009). Network Ethics: Information and Business Ethics in a Networked Society. Journal of Business Ethics, 90 (4), 649-659.
Matwyshyn, A., Cui, A., Keromytis, A. D., & Stolfo, S. J. (2010). Ethics in Security Vulnerability Research. IEEE Security & Privacy, 8 (2), 67-72.
McCarthy, R. V., Halawi, L., & Aronson, J. E. (2005). Information technology ethics: A research framework. Issues in Information Systems, 6 (2), 64-69.
Patrignani, N., & Whitehouse, D. (2015). Slow tech: bridging computer ethics and business ethics. Information Technology & People, 28 (4), 775-789.
Seppanen, M., Pajarre, E., & Kuparinen, P. (2015). The effects of performance-monitoring technology on privacy and job autonomy. International Journal of Business Information Systems, 20 (2), 139-156.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/technology-and-ethics-in-business/ | 31 |
Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : Sister Helen Prejean's position in the film "Dead Man Walking" is rooted in her religious beliefs, traditions, practices, and values. She cites the Biblical phrase "an eye for an eye" as a thing of the past and further contradists the same with passages of God's loving forgiveness and His divine desire of reconciliation with sinners. |
Sister Helen Prejean's position in the film "Dead Man Walking" is rooted in her religious beliefs, traditions, practices, and values. She cites the Biblical phrase "an eye for an eye" as a thing of the past and further contradists the same with passages of God's loving forgiveness and His divine desire of reconciliation with sinners. | Sister Helen Prejean’s Position in the Film “Dead Man Walking” Essay
“How is the position of Sister Mary Prejean against the death penalty rooted in her religious beliefs, traditions, practices, and values?”
The essence of Sister Helen Prejean’s argument in rejecting the death penalty is her strong belief in a God Who is neither vindictive nor oppressive. She cites the Biblical phrase “an eye for an eye” as a thing of the past and further contradistinguishes the same with passages of God’s loving forgiveness and His divine desire of reconciliation with sinners.
Although she recognizes that there must be some form of retribution that must be given to the victims of criminality, Sister Prejean nevertheless argues that the kind of punishment that a criminal justice system should mete out must be commensurate to the degree of the wrong or infraction done, and to which the state must not find an occasion to commit an act (of killing) which is the very evil (the act of killing) the state seeks to punish or prevent in carrying out its duty to preserve and protect the social order and its inhabitants. In effect, the criminal justice system goes beyond the confines of providing retribution. Instead, criminal punishment has now become a form of vengeance through the instrumentality of the state’s system of criminal justice.
According to Sister Prejean, the whole prosecution process is not even beneficial at all as most of the victims still remain in deep grief and anguish for their loved ones whom they have lost despite the execution and death of those responsible, therefore.
Thus, the death penalty fails to meet justice’s ends in so far as the victims are concerned.
As a nun of the Catholic Church, Sister Prejean adheres to the teachings and philosophy of Jesus Christ. She extends the life experiences of Christ to the wards (Elmo Patrick Sonnier and Robert Willie-both death row inmates) under her care and guidance.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/sister-helen-prejeans-position-in-the-film-dead-man-walking/ | 0 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses the definition of skill shortage, how it is measured, and how it can be addressed.The definition of skill shortage is discussed, along with how it is measured and how it can be addressed. | The essay discusses the definition of skill shortage, how it is measured, and how it can be addressed.
The definition of skill shortage is discussed, along with how it is measured and how it can be addressed. | Skill Shortages & How To Address Them Essay
Table of Contents
1. Skill Shortage Defined
2. Skill Shortage: Introduction
3. Skill Shortage Strategies
4. Australian Printing Industry: A Case Study
5. Conclusions
6. References
Skill Shortage Defined
The idea of a skill shortage seems clear-cut i.e. the supply of workers is not sufficient to meet the demand at current rates of pay. However, on closer examination ‘shortage’ is a surprisingly slippery concept, as the following quotes demonstrate:
* Labour shortages are not easy to determine. (OECD 2003 103).
* There is no commonly applied definition of labor shortages. (OECD 2003, pp.105).
* … there are no tangible measures or direct indicators of skill shortages. (Alpert & Auyer 2003, pp.1).
* No single practical measure of professional labor shortages exists, nor does it appear that one can easily be developed. (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics 1999, pp.17).
A long-standing definition that appeals to economists is that by Arrow and Capron (1959, pp.307). A shortage is a situation in which there are unfilled vacancies in positions where salaries are the same as those currently being paid to others of the same type and quality.
Yet another definition, expressed in terms of supply and demand, is a market disequilibrium between supply and demand in which the number of workers demanded exceeds the supply available and willing to work at a particular wage and working conditions at a particular place and point in time’ (Barnow, Trutko & Lerman 1998, pp.7).
Each definition focuses on the loss in supply about demand, at the existing wages and conditions. Nevertheless, the concepts of demand, supply, and general conditions are not simple.
Skill Shortage: Introduction
A shortage of skills is a source of stress to firms and, when severe, is likely to impede the quality and quantity of their productivity. In a market economy, firms are familiar with being limited by their capacity to find buyers for their products, not by their capacity to produce those products. When firms have buyers waiting, although cannot produce enough to meet the demand since they cannot employ sufficient skilled workers, they take this as a malfunction of the skills development system.
The drop in the general unemployment rate in Australia (at 4.9% in 2006, it is the lowest for three decades) is causing increasing numbers of firms to put up against these capacity constraints caused by skills shortages. Modern surveys of business confidence report that ‘the availability of suitably qualified employees has remained the number one constraint on business expansion’ (Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2006). Nevertheless, even in times of rather high unemployment, employers commonly mention skills shortages as one of the business difficulties they face. In addition, they mean that public policy must come to their help in some way reducing such shortages.
The vocational education and training (VET) system have an important part to play in assisting with the smooth matching of the skills wanted by employers with the skills offered by workers. It will be helped in this task if a specific meaning can be assigned to the term ‘shortage’ and if the circumstances can be identified under which any such shortage is likely to be logically and capably resolved by market forces. Since VET will be a part of any public-policy response, it is important to make out when direct policy intervention is called for to support the market.
Skills shortages, however, take place for a variety of reasons:
* Strong economy with low rates of redundancy.
* Growth of new industries with few ready skilled tradespeople available.
* Moving of new industries into different regions with a different skills base.
* Lack of interest in particular industries among potential job seekers.
* Location of industry, or project-based work, in rural or regional areas with a small skills base.
* Technology changes within an industry, especially production, resulting in new methods and therefore skills needs and.
* Changes in basic skills need to successfully embark on trade training.
Skill Shortage Strategies
The main mechanism for solving shortages or surpluses in the labor market as elsewhere is the ‘price’. At its simplest, this is the hourly or weekly pay. Nevertheless, it can also include other aspects of the rewards for employment, such as superannuation, significant skills development, childcare, and family-friendly working arrangements. The framework of supply and demand, while basic, is however helpful for thinking about the problem of shortage.
The following are the major ideas relevant for considering shortage, and whether it can be left to the market to determine.
The quantity supplied and demanded should be considered in terms of hours, rather than the number of people. This means that one response to a skill shortage is to increase the number of hours that reasonably skilled people work.
The wage should be considered as the net benefits of working (on the supply side) and the total costs of employing (on the demand side). These will differ as a result of on-costs and income tax. Nevertheless, there are other important differences too, including:
* The amount of training or skills development an employer provides
* The non-financial attractions of the job, specifically, elements affecting the quality of working life, for instance: the physical conditions of the workplace; the extent of flexibility of employee work hours; the intrinsic interest of the work; the intensity of work; support for childcare; job security; freedom from harassment and discrimination; prospects for overtime work at the choice of the employee; whether there is a culture of long hours of work; whether work is expected in unsociable hours
* The prospects of promotion on the job or for using the existing job as a springboard to a better job elsewhere
* The costs to the employer of fitting the new worker into the current work team—including developing their technical and interpersonal skills to the required level and learning local aspects of the job
By increasing the ‘wage’, the supply of hours is increased and the demand is decreased:
* As the desired skills become more costly, firms find ways to reduce their use of such skills, for instance, by using less-skilled people to do some parts of the job or by changing the way work is done.
* Products that need expensive skills in their manufacture rise in relative price and this reduces the amount sold.
The slopes of the demand and supply curves may be steep, or they may be flat:
* The slope represents the responsiveness of supply or demand to a change in the ‘wage’. If they are very responsive, then a small change in wage will cause a big change in the quantity supplied and demanded, and the market is likely to work well in resolving the shortage. The market will not work well if both supply and demand are unresponsive to the wage.
* The slope of the demand and supply curves fluctuates among skill groups; for this reason, each skill market will have its characteristics and needs its study.
* Skills that are easily and quickly learned and are widely used have a more responsive supply; skills that are difficult to learn, take a long time to acquire, and/or are unusual will have an unresponsive supply.
If the wage rises in response to a skill shortage, all of the people who are already employed using those skills will gain, in addition to those recently attracted to such work:
* This is a major reason why firms consider all ways for dealing with a shortage other than raising the wage.
Because they can attract workers away from another employer, individual employers will face a more responsive supply than will the economy as a whole.
A surplus of skill is socially inefficient and individually costly, as is a shortage:
* Creating an oversupply of particular skills is not a capable response to the possibility of shortage.
* An oversupply in one period is likely to lead to a shortage in a future period, as new entrants shun training in a field in which they observe oversupply.
The market for skills that are easily learned will generally sort itself out: the greatest policy and business concern should be for skills that have a long training period and where there is not already a good stock of suitably skilled people who are not using their skills to maximum effect.
There is good experimental proof (for example, Blandy & Richardson 1982) that wages do move in response to shortages and surpluses of particular skills. Nevertheless they do not move much, and many other forms of non-wage adjustments happen to improve the balance between supply and demand.
In understanding how the labor market adjusts to shortages of specific skills, it is helpful to understand that, for many people, the employment relationship is long-term. In 2004, 41% of employed people had been in their current job for more than five years and 24% for more than ten years (ABS 2004). Even though a particular job does not last for a long time, the characteristics of the job will provide both current and future benefits. The most important of the future benefits is the development of new skills on the job. This longer-term prospect generates important insights into how labor markets adjust to shortages and surpluses. The existing wage is only one component of the general benefit from the job. The other main component is its impact on the worker’s future wage path, either with the current employer or in some other job. In deciding whether a job is appealing, a worker will have an eye not just on the current wage, but also one where the job is likely to take him shortly. An important effect of this is that jobs in expanding industries are much more attractive than are jobs in static or declining demand. The former will provide greater job security and confidence in the long-term relevance of the skill. It will also provide prospects for advancement. Jobs in declining demand, even if there are current vacancies, present the opposite future. This helps to understand why people are unwilling to enter the trades, even when existing pay looks good.
There is a second wage-like adjustment that helps to enlighten how labor markets adjust to shortages. This is a variation in hiring standards. Where there is some general apathy in the labor market, when a firm advertises a job, it will receive several applicants. It could reduce the pay on offer until only one person applied. Nevertheless, this is not what essentially happens. Instead, firms use the existence of a pool of applicants to increase the quality of the workers they employ for a given wage. To the worker, this is the equivalent to reducing the pay, since a constant-quality worker will find, when there are surplus workers, they have to apply for lower-paying jobs before they will be placed at the top of the queue. For the firm, the effect of raising the quality of the workers who are hired is also the equivalent to cutting their pay, since they get better quality for their money. Nevertheless, it has the advantage of not disturbing the relative pay rates that at present prevail within the firm. This process also works in reverse. When a particular work moves from a position of surplus workers to a shortfall of workers, then firms will not be able to recruit from an inviting pool of applicants. Instead, they will find that they have to reduce their expectations of the ‘quality of the people they can recruit for the pay and conditions on offer. This acceptance of a reduced quality will, for a constant-quality worker, be the equivalent of a pay increase. It will appear this way also to the firm. Evidence of the importance of quality adjustments in equilibrating the labor market is presented in Blandy and Richardson (1982).
Besides the natural effects that expanding areas have on workers’ expectations of longer-term earnings and the use of quality adjustment by firms, the literature has identified several other ways in which firms adjust to shortages. These include:
* Increasing the recruiting effort
* Recruiting more extensively
* Paying a recruitment bonus to exist employees who find suitable new workers
* Increasing overtime
* Changing production methods to lessen the need for the skill in short supply
* Substituting capital for the skills in short supply
* Substituting new technology for the skills in short supply
* Training or supporting the education of new workers/workers with new skills
* Improving working conditions
* Paying a sign-on bonus (this is better than a higher wage, as it is confined to the recruits)
* Raising wages; however, they: have to be paid to all current workers (including probably many who are not in short supply) are hard to reverse
* Contracting-out the work
Australian Printing Industry: A Case Study
‘The printing industry in Australia is experiencing what one typology of skills shortages classifies as a Level 1 shortage’ (Richardson 2007). Specifically, few people have the necessary technical skills who are not already using them, and there is a long training time required to develop the skills. This type of skill shortage is identified as the most critical obstacle to the expansion of an industry and its firms and the type that requires longer-term planning by the training system. Skill disparities require awareness since they lead to sub-optimal production. They can significantly hold back production, making an industry less viable. ‘While skills shortages are a feature of competitive markets, and skills imbalances often resolve themselves over time, industry and government intervention is often warranted when there is strong evidence that such shortages are impacting upon the competitiveness of a nation’ (Richardson 2007).
Shah and Burke (2003) conclude that: ‘Skill shortages exist at most stages of the business cycle. They can co-exist with low or declining employment growth in an occupation or industry. Although apprentices are a major source of supply in the traditional trade areas, there is increasing evidence of alternative pathways into these jobs, including traineeships. Upskilling of the existing workforce is as important an issue as the training of new entrants into an industry.
Solutions for tackling the problems of skills shortages must be tailored to the needs of the particular industry, although some generic solutions do possibly exist across industries.
Rapid changes in technology mean that training programs need to have continual improvement mechanisms built into their development’.
Notably, for the printing industry, the kind of skills and the speed of technological and marketplace change means that, increasingly, the shelf life of many skills is short. In some cases, there will be skills obsolescence. There is little doubt that further developments in technology will continue to reorganize the printing production process and these developments will likely lessen further the traditional separation between the pre-press, print, and finishing stages of production, thus continuing to make different roles outdated and necessitating the retraining of existing staff. Besides, its apprentices and trainees are feeling this insecurity about the future of the industry. Surveys of students being trained for roles in the industry (for example, Callan & Johnston 2002) show that only about half expect a longer-term future in the printing industry.
The skills shortage in the Australian printing industry is recorded in several locations. Professions from the industry are included in the Department of Immigration’s report on the Skilled Occupation List of Printing Machinists. ‘Printing trades’ are listed in the 2004 National Skills Shortage List on the website of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. As well, as noted in the report titled Bridging the skills divide (Senate Employment, Workplace Relations, and Education References Committee 2003), the printing industry is known as an industry that has not been very successful in attracting new apprentices to create sufficient numbers of skilled people. On the whole, there is a commonly held view that there is a lack of skilled people who can assist printing enterprises to respond to current and future market opportunities.
A case study by Ryan and Watson (2003) of National Capital Printing brings to light a typical situation. Printers work 12-hour shifts, while management is on call to assist in problem-solving through any 24 hours. The cyclic nature of the business means lay-offs of staff in January, with reemployment in February. To remain viable, businesses must invest in the most modern technology, although to recover their capital outlays, the companies need to work 24 hours per day. ‘Customer demand is increasingly for shorter print runs and shorter turnarounds’ (see also Deloitte 2005). Customers assume high quality and they expect to be able to bargain on cost, flexibility, delivery time, and a range of value-adding options.
Printing industries in many overseas countries have assumed a strong application on promotion and marketing to schools, including visits and videos on career opportunities (APIS Business Services 2004). Many reports call for a greater focus on the promotion and marketing of career prospects in the Australian printing industry (Callan & Johnston 2002; APIS Business Services 2004). Even though many industry persons and providers in the industry recognize the need for improved marketing of the industry to potential students, across the board there is confusion about the nature of future jobs and opportunities, as the industry continues to respond to quick technological and cultural change. As Saunders (2001) concluded in an assessment of existing research into the nature of apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia, a large number of reports call for the need to reposition the trades in the training marketplace. Besides, in some industries like printing, there is the dual challenge of repositioning not only the trade but also altering perceptions of the industry.
Conclusions
In Australia, there are skill shortages in different business fields. They co-exist with low or declining employment growth in an occupation or industry. Even though apprentices are a major source of supply in the traditional trade areas, there is growing support of different channels into these jobs.
As mentioned above there are some strategies for tackling the problems of skills shortages and these must be customized to the requirements of the specific industry.
References
ABS 2004, Labour mobility , February 2004, cat.no.6209.0, ABS, Canberra.
Alpert, A & Auyer, J 2003, ‘Evaluating the BLS 1988–2000 employment projections’, Monthly Labor Review .
APIS Business Services 2004, Training and education needs of the printing industry now and into the future , Printing Industries Association of Australia, Sydney.
Arrow, K & Capron, W 1959, ‘Dynamic shortages and price rises: The engineer-scientist case’, Quarterly Journal of Economics , vol.73, pp.292–308.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2006, Survey of Investor Confidence.
Barnow, B, Trutko, J & Lerman, R 1998, Skill mismatches and worker shortages : The problem and appropriate responses, Urban Institute Policy Memorandum prepared for the Department of Labor, Washington, DC.
Blandy, R & Richardson, S (eds) 1982, How labour markets work , Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.
Callan, VJ, & Johnston, MA 2002, Review of the printing and graphic arts industry and training provisions: Final report , Department of Employment and Training, Brisbane.
Deloitte 2005, A study of the paper and printing industry in Australia , Printing Industries Association of Australia, Sydney.
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) 2003, OECD employment outlook , OECD Publishing, Paris.
Richardson, S. 2007, What is a skill shortage? NCVER, Adelaide.
Ryan, C & Watson, L 2003, Skills at work: Lifelong learning and changes in the labour market, Department of Education, Science and Training, Canberra.
Saunders, S 2001, Issues and directions from a review of the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship literature , NCVER, Adelaide.
Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee 2003, Bridging the skills divide , Senate Printing Unit, Canberra.
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics 1999, ‘Can occupational labor shortages be identified using available data?’ Monthly Labor Review , pp.15–21.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Skyscrapers are new breeds of buildings being put up; though marvelous they come with numerous challenges which they are posing to architects. These challenges include the threat of terrorism, high escalating energy costs and regional differences in the world that are harder to identify. |
Skyscrapers are new breeds of buildings being put up; though marvelous they come with numerous challenges which they are posing to architects. These challenges include the threat of terrorism, high escalating energy costs and regional differences in the world that are harder to identify. | Skyscrapers: Do They Pose Challenges to Architects? Essay
Structures such as bridges, tunnels and skyscrapers are some of the marvels of engineering. However, the engineering sometimes may fail to be marvelous. Such is the case with the famous Tower of Pisa in Italy, which tilts because it was built on a soft ground (Kark Sabbagh1990 pp 360). When such a scenario occurs, engineers and architects are called upon to explain the cause of such a happening. This means, architects are expected to be perfect in their work and as such put up buildings which are able to withstand the elements, bear weighs and distribute energy without moving either too much or too little. In addition increase in competition on who is having the tallest building has led to building of skyscrapers. Skyscrapers are new breeds of buildings being put up; though marvelous they come with numerous challenges which they are posing to architects.
Skyscrapers are built several hundreds of meters and contain hundreds of storey. Movement from one storey to another is very essential. Architects are therefore required solve the puzzle of how one would include enough elevators (lifts) in order to move people up and down in an efficient manner. In such a case, it should be remembered that the taller the building, the more the number of lifts needed. The problem is that they may consume more of the core of the building. Architects are therefore required to come up with the solution to this problem (Kark Sabbagh, 1990, pp. 367).
Architects also have met a new breed of challenges. These include the threat of terrorism, high escalating energy costs and regional differences in the world that are harder to identify. An architect when designing a house has to bear in mind that a good building requires three basic things, that’s it should have firmness, commodity and delight (Mathew Wells’, 2005, p. 32).
Another basic challenge that an architect designing and building skyscrapers face and consequently should deal with is the question of the building’s firmness. An architect has to ensure that he comes up with a good firm foundation that will keep the building from falling down especially during instances like earthquakes, a typhoon or a terrorist attack. Knowing that the higher the building, the more firmness is required, the challenge is, can an architect come up with innovative ways by which buildings can be made stronger, particularly those that raise the most demanding problems of height security and even size (Mathew Wells, 2005, p. 56).
There is also an increased demand that architects should be more creative in their work to necessitate and increase the usefulness of a building. Nowadays, individuals, companies or even corporations who are putting up big structures / buildings, look not only on the height achieved but also on how the building will encourage collaboration. For instance a firm may need a building in which a factory can help horn its own assembly line. Owners of such buildings bank heavily on architects to meet their expectations and demands. Architects in this matter are left with a task of developing new methods that can improve a buildings function. This on the other hand means that, with increased competitiveness in the architectural field any architect needs to take necessary steps and precautions to ensure that he meets the demands in the market (Kark Sabbagh, 1990, p. 378).
In addition, skyscrapers have been known to have a monumental aspect and are to many, a sport. Apart from skyscrapers being a sport, they are also a landmark. It follows naturally that many people happen to be at one time or another near a big building. This raises the issue of security of the building. It is once again the responsibility of an architect to ensure that a building has adequate security that meets the expected set standards. They should ensure that the building meets the safety security standards of the occupants without compromising the buildings symbolic meaning. As they design and put a building, architects are expected to know that, a big building “by virtue of its prominence, are targets” to the many ever increasing terrorist groups around the world. And as such, should come up with creative ideas of ensuring maximum security of any skyscraper. One poses and asks, isn’t this one too many to ask from architects?
Moreover, there have been challenges posed by technology to architects. The recent immediate years have witnessed an increase in technological innovations. This technological innovations have to a great extent, affected the architectural field. For example, technology has made it possible for constructors to change from using the outside walls, to glass walls. This is an indication that an architect has to be always informed and up to date about the many technological innovations emerging day by day. In addition, he / she must also be able to incorporate this new technology with what he has already learnt so that he keeps up with standards of modern day’s buildings. This means that architects are expected to know that “Some of the mot innovative buildings are also the most technologically advanced, whether in their sophisticated composite materials or the data infrastructure that allows work to be done (Kark Sabbagh, 1990, p. 403).
Another challenge that skyscraper architects have to face is the peoples need to have a sense of place in a building. Some famous architectural writers have suggested that “buildings are more meaningful when they are connected to their surroundings, whether through their materials, the cultural traditions they accommodate, or the way they blend in…especially icons of globalization…” Here, an architect is expected to know before hand various numerous cultural aspects of the community living around the structures environment and be sure to include this in his finished work of the building. This demand requires that an architect, be creative enough to know and incorporate this cultural feature in any structure he intends to design and build (Kark Sabbagh, 1990, p. 387). This adds greatly to the sphere of work architects have to deal with.
Moreover, nature in a way poses some architectural challenges to the designers and builders of skyscrapers. An example of such a challenge is that which is caused by wind at the top of the building which leads to wind whirling. Architects are required to design skyscrapers in such a way that there should be minimal wind whirling around it. This is because; wind whirling affects a building in such a way that it causes production of powerful vortexes on the ground, which is very dangerous to the stability of the building. Bearing in mind that the stability of a skyscraper required is higher than that of say, a ten storey building, architects therefore are required to employ more skills in designing the base of such buildings to gain maximum stability.
Skyscrapers have hundreds of rooms that do not have direct access to the fresh outside air, overview scenery of the town or sunlight. This means the buildings need a sophisticated and working outflow system. As the need for people to breath fresh air when they are confined all day in a building increase, so are the challenges to architects to meet this demand. There have been some efforts channeled towards this cause for example, the Hatterman building which is an example of a green building and others which have put new architectural innovations into successive use. Moreover, other factors with the buildings contribution to air pollution are important when designing and putting up a big building (Mathew Wells, 2005, p. 158). But these are not seen as enough efforts and architects are still under pressure to bring out their best and improve the situation.
In conclusion, though there have been numerous success in building skyscrapers, they still pose numerous major challenges to architects. And as such, these challenges range widely from internal security of the building, to security matters concerning terrorist threats. Movement within the building is also another challenge all together. Sustainability, firmness, usefulness and beauty of the building also require the attention of the architects. Having witnessed some results of lack of proper attention to all requirements when putting up a skyscraper, like the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy, architects are under pressure t meet all these challenges so as to avoid the repeat of the same. This in itself is a great challenge. Architects therefore should brace themselves to deal with these challenges professionally and diligently. Let us hope that the rapidly emerging technological innovations will, to a great extent, help in reducing and cubing some of these challenges even as they arise.
References
1. Mathew Wells (2005).Skyscraper: Structure and Designs. Laurence king Publishing pages 32, 56, 158 – 6.
2. Kark Sabbagh (1990). Skyscraper: The making of building. Penguin Books Ltd. New York. Pages 356 – 408. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/skyscrapers-do-they-pose-challenges-to-architects/ | 2 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses the reasons why skyscrapers should not be built. These reasons include the fact that they are not economically viable, they are unsafe during disasters, and they are not eco-friendly. |
The essay discusses the reasons why skyscrapers should not be built. These reasons include the fact that they are not economically viable, they are unsafe during disasters, and they are not eco-friendly. | Skyscrapers – Why They Should Not Be Built? Essay
Webster’s dictionary defines skyscrapers as “A skyscraper is a very tall, continuously habitable building.” Any building that has more than 20 stories can be classified as a skyscraper. They can also be linked with the economic prosperity of a country because the more skyscrapers are building, the more economically prosperous the country is. The first skyscraper was built in the United States during the 1800s. They were built because of the limited area for development and also the growing population, which had no place to live. Hence these were used at that time for such practical reasons. They are now made for offices, and also as hotels and malls, and to bring modernization to the city of the country. The crucial materials needed for modern skyscrapers are steel, glass, reinforced concrete, water pumps, and elevators. Although these buildings are very beautiful and good tourist attractions and are of good architect value. I believe that they should not build skyscrapers unless they really have to. They are much reason that these building should not be built, but the main three reasons, they are not economically viable, unsafe during disasters and last are not eco friendly.
Firstly, the skyscrapers are both money and time-consuming. They are very expensive and need 30% more energy to build and operate. They need more material that can withstand the ailments that can bring death to the skyscrapers. They are not economically viable and sometimes would seem a bit impractical. Such buildings are also energy-consuming and require a great deal of electricity, for its lights, elevators, heaters and also other appliances which would be installed by the inhabitants. Overall the modern skyscrapers are a bit impractical and also economic consuming.
Secondly, they are unsafe during disasters. This point is of great importance after the disaster of 9/11 struck. The plane crashed into the building. It was hard to get out of the building; many bodies are still not found. I believe a building should not be so tall so that firefighters cannot reach it. The same thing occurred in many different places, that when the fire broke, the firemen had a hard time reaching the topmost story since the elevator did not work and the stories were incredibly high to reach through steps on time. There are also other dangers, such as storms and other natural calamities, that affect these buildings because of their high altitude. One could easily imagine the skyscrapers collapsing against each other. Builders should take measures, but otherwise, skyscrapers can be a threat.
Lastly, skyscrapers seem to be quite overbearing that boasts power and inequality. And sometimes, they are very disrespected by religion as they are taller than most churches, mosques, and temples. I, for one, am not a religious person, but it does affect me somehow. However, some might disagree with this point, but to me, these buildings portray power, arrogance, and material wellbeing. The design mostly seems inhumane; the built form is used by all the designers, only a few try to do this in an ecological and environmentally responsive way. It sometimes seems that these buildings accommodate only the rich and ambitious leaving the others to only conclude negative feelings about themselves. However, they are working on building what is called green skyscrapers, which are eco-friendly.
In the end, I’d like to say that many people will disagree with these points because these buildings are adored, and people look up to their modernity and the beauty of concrete and glass. But one must also keep in mind its demerits, and it seems that people are willing to risk themselves. So whatever the demerits the skyscrapers are, it seems that they continue to flourish, and their popularity rises no matter what. Though for me, it is hard to understand why skyscrapers such awe and affection in those who seem to have the capacity to adore them in a great deal and seem to overlook their danger and threat. Maybe that is why architects have no reason not to push boundaries to create such buildings and openly make money out of them. Although some are taking measures to prevent its mishaps, it seems that only a few people look at these buildings with suspicion. While others continue to flourish their unadulterated affection, they are still working on it. There is no progress, and not many people seem to mind them, which is quite surprising. And one can only imagine the consequences of such a risk taken so blindly. However, they are new ways that are called green designs, which are about environmental integration, which are more systematic, physical, and temporary and gives an eco-friendly environment to the skyscrapers. These new and fresh solutions can be the most exciting aspects for the future of skyscrapers. Till then, one can only wish that more people would know and understand the mishaps of such skyscrapers, which are impractical and unsafe.
Work Cited
1. Skyscraper – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web.
2. Definition of a skyscraper – Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Web. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/skyscrapers-why-they-should-not-be-built/ | 3 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: Slavery in the World Term Paper examines the phenomenon of slavery in different parts of the world throughout history. It discusses the different forms of slavery that have existed, including colored, white, and black slavery, and how these forms of slavery have evolved over time. The paper concludes by discussing the bibliography of sources used in the research. |
Slavery in the World Term Paper examines the phenomenon of slavery in different parts of the world throughout history. It discusses the different forms of slavery that have existed, including colored, white, and black slavery, and how these forms of slavery have evolved over time. The paper concludes by discussing the bibliography of sources used in the research. | Slavery in the World Term Paper
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Colored, white, and black slavery
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography:
Introduction
Slavery in this or that form and in that or other time existed in all parts of the world. Any race did not manage to avoid this terrible form of public development. Slavery is one form of dependence of one person on another, which in anthropology refers to rights-in-persons. Such relations are possible at the most various social and economic structures in any country and during any historical epoch. Their spectrum is very wide: on the one hand are obligations to relatives, spouses, and children, somewhere in the middle relations between a chief and subordinates, and at last on the other hand is the right to dispose of people as some articles of trade – to sell, to buy, and to exchange them.
The United States has from the very beginning arisen as the slaveholding state. Slavery was an integral part of the American way of life. American slave-owning was not a certain similarity of antique slavery. It was formed in the depths of capitalism and has reflected the feature of its coming-to-be in the agrarian economy of Northern America. American planters owing to the extreme narrowness of the market of waged labor, have been compelled to resort to the work of black slaves. But the use of slave labor has not passed without leaving a trace for the planter bourgeoisie, which have turned into a special class in which the features of typical capitalists and slaveholders have strange and at the same time naturally intertwined.
The first independent state in the western hemisphere, the United States of America, was formed as a result of the revolutionary war of North American colonies of England for Independence in 1775-1783. But despite the proclaimed slogans that “all people are born equal”, the first American Revolution, the War for Independence of 1775-1783, has left the slavery of black people in southern states in inviolability. Moreover, the second American Revolution – the civil war of 1861-1865 has also not led to a radical decision on this problem. The problem of slavery in the USA is a complicated complex of social, economic, political, legal, racial, and other questions, which roots are in-depth the American history.
Colored, white, and black slavery
As we have mentioned above, American slave-owning was not a certain similarity of antique slavery. The “colored” slavery in North American colonies of Great Britain has arisen together with the first settlements on the distant continent. The word “slave” has not at once become a synonym of the word “slave” became the word “black” delivered from Africa on ships of slaveholders. Color of skin had no special value as before the introduction of slave-owning colonial authorities and independent colonists widely practiced slave labor of red-skinned Indians and white people.
To get slaves from among of local population, colonial authorities used various sources, most widespread from which there was a sale of captives during exterminatory wars of aboriginals, their abduction. Kidnapping and the purchase of Indians, who were taken as prisoners by other tribes, were also practiced. Colonists not only seized the lands, driving Indians away in internal areas of the continent but also tried to use the indigenous population as slaves. Frequent wars were accompanied by the sale of captives-Indians in slavery to colonists.
Though the slave labor of Indians has played a certain role in the economy of English colonies (especially in the first decades of their existence), however, it could not completely satisfy the demand for workers. Besides, colonists have convinced that they could not lay their account with locals as a labor force. All attempts of colonizers to use Indians as slaves effectively were unpromising. The principal cause of it consists in the unwillingness of Indians to work for their enslavers. The aboriginal population did not wish to be reconciled to a lot of slaves, which was prepared by newcomers. They offered armed resistance and gave slaveholders shivers by their attacks. Colonists had to refuse from such not reliable and dangerous sources of labor. The resistance of Indians has forced colonizers to search for other sources of the solution to the labor problem.
The peculiar feature of the development of English colonies in Northern America was an attempt of a solution of this task by the introduction of the institute of white slavery when colonial authorities waded into the enslavement of representatives of the white population.
There were two categories of white workers: enslaved for a certain term, so-called servants, and free handicraftsmen and farm laborers. Servants made a great bulk of white workers. There were two forms of enslavement: under the contract and debenture. As a rule, the contract has been established in England. A person who has signed it has lost the freedom, and the “buyer” has got the right to dispose of this person at discretion. Such enslaved people referred to servants under obligation.
A debenture has been established after the arrival to America in English colonies. Entrants were obliged to find themselves an owner who would agree to pay the captain or the businessman the cost of transportation. Immigrants have been obliged to work their ticket for the owner who has paid for their travel.
Such a form of servitude was especially practiced by shipowners. In exchange for passage and food, passengers undertook to pay a certain sum on arrival. In case of non-payment, the owner of the ship sold passengers-debtors.
After the sale, existing distinctions in the position of contract and debenture servants were actually erased. They both became the property of the owner who has bought them, had the right to sell the white slave, to hand over in hiring, to bequeath to successors, feather to concede for a while within the limits of the term of the contract.
At first, in colonies, it was widely applied the work of criminal and political criminals, who have been deported from mother countries for various terms. However, the work of such people did not solve the problem. With the increase in the number of slaves and the increase in the inflow of voluntary emigrants, its value became appreciable to fall. During the seventeenth century, the basic workers were servants. Mainly it was immigrants from Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, German states, who have been undertaken for work their passage to America during a certain period of time, usually from three till seven years.
In the second half of the seventeenth century, British colonies on the American continent: New Jersey, Northern, and South Carolina, New York has quickly arisen and developed. They also have a sharp shortage of laborers. The reduction of immigration stream from Europe, rise in the price of cost of transportation through ocean led to increasing of the prices on contracted workers. The complication has also been caused by the fact that many servants have the term of their service by contract finished, and it was not easy to replace them.
Colonial businessmen on searching a way out have set their eyes on Africa. Soon they could make sure that Africans, in a greater measure, than Indians and white slaves, satisfy the needs of manufacture. The increased inflow of black slaves in comparison with the decreased import of enslaved servants has led to a reduction of prices on black slaves by the end of the seventeenth century.
Black slavery was developing up to the end of the seventeenth century rather slowly. There are a number of reasons: in colonies, they still did not understand what economic benefit gives the use of work of Africans; during all the seventeenth century, the trade of African slaves was a monopoly of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese merchants, which kept high prices for their “goods.”
In 1713 Great Britain got the right (asiento), the right for import of slaves from Africa to Spanish colonies. English, and after also colonial merchants of New England have received a monopoly on transportation of black slaves in New World.” African slaves were accustomed to a change of masters. Slavery, therefore, to them, was certainly no new thing; with it they were familiar, but a voyage across the vast Atlantic, whither they knew not, was indeed appalling” [1].
The absence of agricultural machines and instruments led to that them began to replace machines with black slaves, which in this case acted as just means of production. Work on plantations did not demand any special knowledge or skills. Here only the physical strength of a slave has been necessary. The planter has been interested in the living conditions of slaves, their feed to that measure in what it answered the preservation of their ability to work.
The development of the economy has led to differentiation also among black slaves. The poorest were those from them who have directly lived and worked on plantations. In a better position were domestic servants. In favorable position also appeared black slaves, who had any specialty: carpenter, smith, etc. Such slaves have been often handed in hire by their owners that displeased white handicraftsmen and hired white workers. Handover of black slaves in hire did not mean the occurrence of black hired workers. These people still remained slaves; only the owner has changed. Slaves, in this case, represented neither more nor less than goods, which can pass from the hands of one owner to the hands of another.
Conclusion
American slavery has arisen as a way of exploitation of labor force within the framework of capitalism, but it was gradually reformed in the independent social, economic, and political institute, based on original distinct from capitalist “political economy.” Being originally an “appendage” of the British capitalism, American slavery after the War for Independence, having kept communications with the capitalist market, has turned into an “aristocratic” system, defining the basis of which became not only private-capitalist accumulation but also a slaveholding way of exploitation of the black population of the South.
Gradually capitalist systems of the North and planter slavery of the South have become to act as two diverse, from the point of view of contained tendencies of development, public systems.
Comparison of industrial capitalism and planter slaveries from positions of historicism does not leave any doubts that the market of wage labor, free competition, and coming from the industrial and social relations (economy, politics, and culture) were historically more progressive and are incompatible with the system of slavery.
The civil war in Northern America has destroyed slavery, but the ideological bases of this institute till now influence the political life of the USA. Having absorbed in itself the experience of slaveholding aspirations of the colonial period, the southern society has generated a huge quantity of various racist theories. Horace Greeley writes: “Many of people of the United States regard Slavery, if not in the abstract a blessing, at least as now existing, a condition of society best for both white and black, while they exist together; while others regard it as no evil, but as the highest state of social condition” [2]. These ideas have been skillfully ground and used in the works of defenders of the slaveholding system in the first half of the nineteenth century.
The racial wars, which have flashed in the USA in the twentieth century, in many respects were the consequence of these ideological concepts, which have substantially strengthened the mentality of not only people from the South but also inhabitants of the North. Moreover, the reflection of these ideas we also can find in the American legislation: at the beginning of the twenty-first century, we may observe the case of not only “black” but also “white” racism, when the white population of the United States has fewer rights, than “color” does.
Bibliography:
1. Berlin, Ira. Generations of Captivity: A History of African-American Slaves. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2003.
2. Buell, Tonya. Slavery in America: A Primary Source History of the Intolerable Practice of Slavery. New York: Rosen Central Primary Source, 2004.
3. Greeley, Horace. A History of the Struggle for Slavery Extension or Restriction in the United States, From the Declaration of Independence to the Present Day. Mainly Compiled and Condensed from the Journals of Congress and Other Official Records, and Showing the Vote by Yeas and Nays on the Most Important Divisions in Either House. New York: Dix, Edwards & Co, 1856.
4. Price, Thomas. Slavery in America. Detroit: Negro History Press, 1836
5. Thornton, Thomas C. An Inquiry into the History of Slavery; Its Introduction into the United States; Causes of Its Continuance; and Remarks Upon the Abolition Tracts of William E. Channing, D.D.. Washington: W.M. Morrison, 1841.
6. Thornton, Thomas C. An Inquiry into the History of Slavery; Its Introduction into the United States; Causes of Its Continuance; and Remarks Upon the Abolition Tracts of William E. Channing, D.D.. Washington: W.M. Morrison, 1841, p. 38.
7. Greeley, Horace. A History of the Struggle for Slavery Extension or Restriction in the United States, From the Declaration of Independence to the Present Day. Mainly Compiled and Condensed from the Journals of Congress and Other Official Records, and Showing the Vote by Yeas and Nays on the Most Important Divisions in Either House. New York: Dix, Edwards & Co, 1856, p. 111. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/slavery-in-the-world/ | 4 |
Convert the following summary back into the original text: The proposal will be a great help for those patients who has lesser income rate and also to those small herbal medicine business to enhance their net income. | The proposal will be a great help for those patients who has lesser income rate and also to those small herbal medicine business to enhance their net income. | Small Medical Business in Third World Countries Research Paper
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Research Methodology
4. Analysis Plan
5. Nature of final report
6. Budget and Schedule
7. References
Introduction
The third world countries recently have problems with health care services specifically in expensive medications. Since it has been a problem, there are lots herbal medications sold as an alternative drug for their illnesses.
The primary purpose of this proposal is to enhance the used of herbal medications in which it greatly affects the third world countries’ economy nowadays. This proposal will be a great help for those patients who has lesser income rate and also to those small herbal medicine business to enhance their net income.
Objectives
1. To identify the health care problems specifically in expensive medications, in a sample of person who have been in the third world countries.
2. To identify the costs related to use of traditional and herbal medications.
3. To identify the net increased in small business of traditional and herbal medicines.
4. To identify the traditional and herbal medicines that enhances the small business in third world countries.
Research Methodology
This proposal will use a descriptive type of survey to distinguish the net increase in small businesses in third world countries through the traditional and herbal medicines. Variety of methods such mail surveys, phone interviews configurations for those whom it is not possible to reach those patients in third world countries who have been using herbal medications. Research assistants for collecting data will be reinforce form the following countries such as Philippines, India, Africa. The primary researchers will inspect the research process, data encoding, development of data base, conduct data analysis, and be accountable for the final output of the proposal.
Diagram 1.1. The diagram shows the relationship between the independent and dependent variables in this proposal.
Analysis Plan
A sample of 100 owners of small traditional and herbal medicine business which will be recruited from various third world countries, all kinds of herbal medications, and all types of illnesses cured by these alternatives will be included. Accessories should be able to understand and speak English enough to answer questionnaires and phone interviews. Survey data gathered will be saved automatically development data base.
Nature of final report
The final report will determine the net increased of the small businesses through the use of traditional and herbal medications in third world countries (Philippines, India, Africa). The proposal will show the enhancements or increased in usage of these kinds of alternatives. Therefore, these kind of small but fascinating kind of business will help the less income patients in third world countries to treat their illnesses as well as it will help enhance their net status in economic world.
Budget and Schedule
In the first 3 months of this study, 100 patients in third world countries will be contacted and asked via phone interviews and mail surveys in this study by letting our researchers to either call specific patient, or by posting information concerning this study where the subjects can apprehend from the study and call for more information. Community groups for patients using traditional and herbal medications will also be contacted, and inquire to help the researchers in locating appropriate subjects for this study. Research subjects will receive a gift basket of self-care items in appreciation of their time and effort spent on this project. Data collection is estimated to take one year. Data analysis and the study report will be submitted after the project will be done. Data will be treated as private and only the research data group will occur.
References
1. Meriam-Webster Dictionary Online © 2006-2007 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
2. Zikmund, W.G. (2002) Business Research Methods ,7 th Edition. Web. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/small-medical-business-in-third-world-countries/ | 5 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: Thesis Social inequality is a system and systematic worked as the framework of society and its functionality. Social inequality is culturally embodied in beliefs and norms based on the idea of exploitation and class division. The two classes whose existence is recognized are associated with different forms of "property" — the working class and the ruling class (Johnson 156). This structure is historically determined and followed by all modern societies. But the existence of substantial income inequalities is not associated with class (or strata) privileges or |
Thesis Social inequality is a system and systematic worked as the framework of society and its functionality. Social inequality is culturally embodied in beliefs and norms based on the idea of exploitation and class division. The two classes whose existence is recognized are associated with different forms of "property" — the working class and the ruling class (Johnson 156). This structure is historically determined and followed by all modern societies. But the existence of substantial income inequalities is not associated with class (or strata) privileges or | Social Inequality Issue Analysis Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main text
3. Conclusion
4. Works Cited
Introduction
Social inequalities are the core of society’s structure and functioning. A society, as an institution, has developed specific ways of carrying out basic functions which involve economic production, government machine, and so on. Thesis Social inequality is a system and systematic worked as the framework of society and its functionality.
Main text
Social inequality is culturally embodied in beliefs and norms based on the idea of exploitation and class division. The two classes whose existence is recognized are associated with different forms of “property” — the working class and the ruling class (Johnson 156). This structure is historically determined and followed by all modern societies. But the existence of substantial income inequalities is not associated with class (or strata) privileges or hierarchy, for it reflects the differing merits of individuals, i.e., their differential contribution to production. There is a sense, of course, in which one class — the ruling class — is regarded as having a superior status rooted in its historic mission.
It is associated with a higher form of property and played the leading role in the transition to capitalism (Johnson 153). Social inequality is systematic because it determines labor relations and becomes an engine of economic growth. Social inequality enters all levels of social organization reflected in hierarchical social relations and organizational hierarchy of duties and functions. The language and conceptual apparatus of social stratification have thus become part of the discourse on social structure. Its assimilation into social thought is evidenced in a variety of forms. What is acknowledged to be a hierarchical social structure are essentially confined to the primary units of economic organization — industrial enterprises and farms. Quality of labor or position in the division of labor is presented as the principal criteria of social differentiation (Andersen 23).
Another important aspect of social inequality is rewards differences. Low skills and unprofessional workers are always low-rewarded employees in contrast to highly qualified professionals. If an unequal relation to the means of production is no longer the principal source of economic and social differentiation — as it presumably is under capitalism — it becomes the underlying mechanism that generates and reproduces inequalities in income, cultural levels, and prestige (Johnson 153). Johnson also states that racial differences influence social inequality and low pay. “Given the historical legacy that encourages whites to feel a sense of superiority and entitlement in relations to the people of color, such competition is bound to provoke anger and resentment” (51). Personnel employed in the higher levels of government ministries, planning agencies, the scientific establishment are included in the socio-occupational strata whose incomes, lifestyles, and opportunities for intergenerational transmission of status, Those groups control the allocation of society’s productive resources and its reward structure are excluded from scrutiny. All individuals have an essentially similar relationship to the means of production, they contribute unequally to society’s economic and cultural development. This reflects the need to “attach” individuals — often for extended periods — to specific work activities of differing significance to society.
Conclusion
In sum, the division of labor into mental and manual, complex and routine, managerial and subordinate job functions becomes a division of society into distinct social groups retaining relatively fixed occupational positions throughout their work careers and contributing unequally to economic and cultural growth. social inequality is reinforced in all levels of the organization and is seen as the normal functioning of the economy, given the still inadequate state of the productive forces, does not permit anything like an equal sharing or rotation of different job functions among the members of the workforce.
Works Cited
Andersen, M. Race, Class, and Gender , Wadsworth Pub Co; 4 edition, 2000.
Johnson, A. G. Privilege, Power, and Difference . McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2001.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-inequality-issue-analysis/ | 6 |
Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Social phobia is a common disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual's life. It is characterized by a marked and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be humiliating or embarrassing. | Social phobia is a common disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual's life. It is characterized by a marked and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be humiliating or embarrassing. | Social Phobia Issue Analysis Research Paper
Introduction
Almost everyone knows what it feels like to be anxious or uncomfortable in a social situation. From surveys of many individuals from across the United States and elsewhere, Ruscio and his colleagues (2008) found that 40% of individuals considered themselves to be chronically shy, to the point of it being a problem. Another 40% reported that they had previously considered themselves to be shy. Fifteen percent more considered themselves to be shy in some situations, and only 5% reported that they were never shy.
Social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder) is diagnosed when shyness or performance anxiety becomes so intense and so pervasive that it leads to clinically significant distress and impairment. As is reviewed later in this chapter, social phobia is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders. In this chapter we review the empirical literature pertaining to social phobia and social anxiety. We begin with a discussion of diagnostic issues and studies on descriptive psychopathology and epidemiology. Next, we review current theories and empirical evidence pertaining to both psychological and biological approaches to social anxiety. The paper concludes with an up-to-date review of psychological and biological treatments for social anxiety.
Diagnostic Criteria and Description
Social phobia is defined in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) as “a marked and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be humiliating or embarrassing (p. 416).” In addition to anxiety and fear related to social and performance situations, the individual must also
1. experience anxiety or fear almost every time he or she confronts the feared social situations,
2. recognize that the fear is excessive or unreasonable,
3. avoid the feared situations or endure them with intense anxiety or discomfort,
4. have had the problem for at least 6 months (only a requirement if the individual is under 18 years of age), and
5. experience significant distress and/or functional impairment resulting from the problem.
Furthermore, the anxiety cannot be better accounted for by another mental disorder or be due to the direct effect of a substance or a general medical condition. Finally, if a general medical condition or mental disorder is present, the fear must be unrelated to it. Not all individuals with social phobia fear the same situations. In fact, the range of feared situations can vary from as few as one (e.g., a fear of public speaking) to as many as almost all situations in which other people are present.
Subtypes of Social Phobia
A number of subtyping strategies were considered when the DSM-IV was being developed. In their report to the DSM-IV subgroup on social phobia, Massion (2002) proposed three subtypes for the disorder:
1. circumscribed type (for people who fear only one or two situations),
2. generalized type (for people who fear most social situations), and
3. non-generalized type (for people who have clinically significant anxiety in social interaction situations but have at least one broad domain of social functioning that is not associated with significant anxiety).
Another proposal from the Task Force on the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1991) also involved three subtypes for social phobia:
1. performance type (phobic stimulus includes some activity that is being performed in front of others e.g. public speaking, eating, drinking, urinating, writing),
2. limited interactional type (phobic stimulus is restricted to one or two interaction situations, such as dating or speaking to strangers), and
3. generalized type (phobic stimuli include most social situations).
More recently, Swinson et.al. (2006) recommended that individuals with social phobia be classified according to the four situational domains that are feared or avoided:
1. formal speaking/interaction,
2. informal speaking/ interaction,
3. observation by others, and
4. assertion.
Despite these different proposals for social phobia subtypes, only the generalized subtype remains in the DSM-IV, whereby clinicians are required to specify whether the social phobia is generalized, which is defined to include most social situations. Although the generalized subtype appears to be a reliable and valid way of distinguishing among different types of individuals with social phobia (Fedoroff, 2001), the other subtyping strategies described earlier may still be helpful for understanding the nature of social phobia and are often used by researchers who study this disorder. For the interested reader, there are a number of sources for more detailed consideration of issues related to subtypes in social phobia (Swinson, 2006).
Prevalence of Social Phobia
Perhaps more than with any other anxiety disorder, the prevalence of social phobia has been a source of controversy in the literature. In the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study Grant, (2005), the lifetime prevalence estimate for social phobia (based on DSM-111 criteria; American Psychiatric Association, 1980) was 2.73%. This figure is based on structured interviews with more than 13,000 people in five American cities. In contrast, the more recent National Comorbidity Survey (NCS), which was based on structured interviews with just over 8,000 Americans, showed a lifetime prevalence rate of 13.3% for social phobia (Iancu, 2006). There are a number of factors that might account for this rather large difference in the estimated prevalence of social phobia.
First, different diagnostic criteria were used in the two studies. Whereas the ECA study used interviews based on DSM-111 criteria, the NCS interview relied on more recent DSM-III-R criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 1987). Second, the sample studied in the NCS study was more representative of the American people at large than the ECA study, which included only people from five specific cities. Most important, however, the interview used in the ECA study (i.e., the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version IV [DIS-IV]; Swinson, 2006) used a very narrow definition of social phobia. Participants were asked only about their fear in three different social situations (i.e., eating in front of others, public speaking, and meeting new people). In addition, the definition of social phobia required only that the fear cause significant impairment in functioning. The presence of significant distress was not considered sufficient to meet the criteria for social phobia, even though the DSM-111, DSM-111-R, and DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1980, 1987, 1994) permit the diagnosis to be given as long as the person experiences significant distress or impairment.
Interestingly, other studies that have relied on the DIS-IV have also yielded similarly low prevalence rates for social phobia. For example, Swinson (2006) found that 1.7% of more than 3,000 individuals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, met criteria for social phobia. Recently, however, the overly narrow definition of social phobia used by the DIS-IV has prompted some experts to argue that the prevalence estimates in the ECA and Edmonton studies seriously underestimate the true prevalence of social phobia in the general population (Grant, 2005).
So, it is likely that social phobia is much more common than is suggested by the ECA findings. Nevertheless, it is still possible that the estimate of 13.3% from the NCS study is an overestimate. Swinson (2006) demonstrated in a Canadian sample that the prevalence of social phobia is strongly influenced by the threshold set for distress/ impairment as well as the number of feared situations needed to meet criteria for social phobia. Depending on the threshold used, lifetime prevalence estimates varied from as low as 1.9% to as high as 18.7%. When the threshold was adjusted to conform most closely to the DSM-III-R definition of social phobia, the prevalence was 7.1% (Swinson, 2006). A recent prevalence study in adolescents and young adults (ages 14-24) confirmed that social phobia continues to be a prevalent problem when the most recent DSM-IV definition is used. Kroenke (2007) found the lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV social phobia to be 9.5% in female and 4.9% in male adolescents and young adults. In this study, about a third of participants with social phobia met criteria for the generalized subtype.
Biological Aspects of Social Phobia Neurobiological Findings
Compared with studies of other anxiety disorders, studies of biological correlates have often failed to show significant findings in patients with social phobia (Swinson, 2006). Studies of neuroendocrine functioning in social phobia have failed to show differences between socially phobic patients and nonanxious control participants on measures related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic- pituitary-thyroid axis. In addition, studies of abnormal mitral valve functioning (Swinson, 2006) and sleep architecture (Kroenke, 2006) in social phobia have yielded negative results. In contrast to the negative results often obtained in biological research on social anxiety, a recent study by Grant, (2005) showed unique patterns of frontal brain electrical activity associated with the personality traits of shyness and sociability. Specifically, shyness was associated with greater relative frontal EEG activity; whereas sociability was associated with greater relative left frontal EEG activity.
Neurotransmitter challenge studies have yielded mixed results. Stein (2004) failed to find differences between socially phobic patients and non-clinical control participants on an indirect measure of dopamine functioning (eye blink rates and prolactin levels following administration of L-dopa). The same group also failed to show a response to dopaminergic (levodopa) challenges in patients with social phobia (Swinson, 2006). Nevertheless, there are studies suggesting that dopamine may play a role in social anxiety. Furthermore, mice bred to be timid have shown deficiencies in brain dopamine concentrations (Kroenke, 2006). The differential response of social phobia to monoamine oxidize inhibitors but not also supports the view that dopamine plays a role in social phobia. Whereas TCAs act primarily on noradrenergic and serotonergic systems, MAOIs act on noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic systems.
With respect to serotonin, studies have yielded mixed results. Fedoroff (2001) found augmented cortisol response to fenfluramine in patients with social phobia, lending support to the view that social phobia is associated with selective super sensitivity in the serotonergic system. In addition, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have consistently been shown to be effective for treating social phobia (reviewed later in this chapter). However, Stein (2004) found that [3H] paroxetine binding (which reflects serotonergic functioning) was no different in social phobia patients than in nonanxious participants. Studies of noradrenergic functioning have generally failed to find anything consistent to suggest that norepinephrine plays a significant role in social phobia. Fedoroff (2001) found no significant differences between patients with social phobia and nonanxious individuals to a noradrenergic challenge in which norepinephrine and growth hormone responses to clonidine administration were measured. Furthermore, as was reviewed earlier, people with social phobia tend not to respond to medications such as imipramine, which are helpful for treating PD and act largely on noradrenergic systems (Iancu, 2006).
Psychological Treatments of Social Phobia
Evidence-based psychological treatments for social phobia have primarily included four types of strategies: (a) exposure-based treatments (e.g., graduated in vivo exposure to feared situations, behavioral role play exercises), (b) cognitive treatments (e.g., examining the evidence that supports and contradicts anxious beliefs), (c) applied relaxation (e.g., combining progressive muscle relaxation strategies with gradual exposure to feared situations), and (d) social skills training (e.g., communication training, assertiveness training). In addition, preliminary data support the use of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for treating social phobia. An exhaustive discussion of these studies is beyond the scope of this chapter, but several recent reviews can be found elsewhere (e.g. Swinson, 2006; Iancu, 2006; Grant, 2005; Stein2004). We will instead provide an overview of some of the most important findings related to empirically supported treatments for social phobia.
Cognitive-behavioral group therapy versus supportive group psychotherapy Swinson, (2006) compared cognitive- behavioral group therapy (CBGT), consisting of cognitive restructuring and exposure-based strategies, to an “attention placebo” group psychotherapy consisting of discussion and group support. Both groups were significantly improved following treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. However, those receiving CBGT were significantly more improved than were those receiving supportive therapy. A portion of the participants in this study were interviewed again a mean of 5 years following treatment. For those who participated in the long-term follow-up assessment, CBGT continued to be superior to supportive group therapy (Swinson, 2006).
Cognitive Therapy versus Exposure
Numerous researchers have investigated the relative and combined effects of cognitive strategies and exposure-based strategies for social phobia. In general, cognitive, exposure-based, and combined treatments were each found to be effective. Whereas several studies have shown no differences in the efficacy of these approaches (Swinson, 2006; Kroenke, 2007; Stein, 2004), other studies have shown differences to varying degrees and in different directions. For example, Ruscio (2008) found that a pure exposure based treatment was superior to CBGT (which included exposure and cognitive strategies) on a small number of measures.
Swinson (2006) found few differences among exposure and two different cognitive treatments, except that exposure-based treatments led to a greater decrease in pulse rate during a behavioral test, compared with the other treatments. In contrast to these findings, Schneier (2006) found that a comprehensive treatment that included exposure and anxiety management (which includes rational self-talk, relaxation, and distraction) was superior to exposure alone. Grant, (2005) found that adding cognitive restructuring to in vivo exposure increased the effectiveness of treatment, and in a related study, Stein (2004) found that the combination of exposure and cognitive restructuring led to improvement on a broader range of measures than either cognitive restructuring alone or exposure alone.
Finally, Stein, (2004) found that the sequencing of treatments affected outcome. The effects of group treatment for social phobia were greatest when cognitive therapy preceded exposure and smallest when cognitive therapy and exposure were both delivered from the start of treatment. At an 18-month follow-up, patients who received 8 weeks of exposure had a superior outcome compared with patients who received a combination of cognitive therapy and exposure, either simultaneously or sequentially.
Whether cognitive therapy, exposure, or the combination is most effective remains to be answered. Even meta-analytic studies addressing this issue have yielded conflicting results. In a meta-analysis of 21 studies, Kroenke (2007) found that CBTs (including both cognitive therapy and exposure) and pure exposure-based treatments were equally effective. In contrast, Schneier (2006) found that treatments combining cognitive therapy and exposure were the only treatments to have significantly larger effect sizes than placebo. Treatments involving exposure alone, cognitive therapy alone, and social skills training had effect sizes that were not significantly larger than placebo treatments. Regardless of whether adding cognitive therapy improves the efficacy of exposure, it appears that exposure alone can lead to changes in the cognitive features of social phobia (Swinson, 2006).
Social Skills Training
Social skills training appear to be a helpful treatment for social phobia. It appears to be as effective as in vivo exposure alone and to lead to improvement in both social skills and social anxiety. Adding social skills training does not appear to have added benefit over and above the effects of exposure alone (Fedoroff, 2001).
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
A large number of studies have shown that interpersonal psychotherapy (In)is an efficacious treatment for depression as well as for a number of other forms of psychopathology (Grant, 2005; Ruscio, 2008). To date, the use of IPT in an anxiety disorder has been examined in only one published study. Kroenke (2007) treated nine individuals with social phobia in a 14-week open trial. Following treatment, 78% of participants were independently rated as much or very much improved. These preliminary findings suggest that IPT may be a useful treatment for social phobia, although controlled studies with larger numbers of participants are needed. Individual response patterns and outcome with therapy A number of researchers have attempted to discover whether individuals who have particular types of symptoms (e.g., cognitive reactors, physiological reactors, or behavioral reactors) respond differently to specific types of treatment (e.g., cognitive therapy, applied relaxation, or exposure). In general, studies have failed to demonstrate that matching treatments to patients’ response styles improves outcome (Swinson, 2006; Kroenke, 2007; Stein2004).
Pharmacological Treatments
Based on controlled clinical trials, a variety of effective pharmacological treatments for social phobia have emerged in recent years. These include traditional MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (e.g., moclobemide and brofaromine), SSRIs (e.g., sertraline and paroxetine), and benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam and alprazolam). (Stein, 2004)
Relative Efficacy of Psychological, Pharmacological Approaches
Several investigators have begun to conduct trials to compare psychological and pharmacological treatments for social phobia. Furthermore, trials are now underway at several centers to study the efficacy of combining psychological and pharmacological treatments. Although findings from combined- treatment studies are not yet available, results from several comparative treatment studies are now published or in press. Cognitioe-behavioral group therapy versus phenelzine in a 12-week study comparing CBGT, phenelzine, pill placebo, and supportive group psychotherapy (a psychotherapy “attention placebo”), Massion (2002) found that both CBGT and phenelzine were more effective than either control condition. Phenelzine worked more quickly than CBGT, and at 12 weeks, phenelzine was superior to CBGT on some measures. However, analyses of long-term outcome showed that during the follow-up period (after treatment had been discontinued) about a third of patients taking phenelzine relapsed, compared with none of the patients who had responded to CBGT (Kroenke, 2007). Group differences during the follow-up phase approached significance. Unfortunately, the long term results are limited by the relatively small number of participants who participated in the follow-up study. This group, led by Kroenke is now conducting a study to compare the combination of CBGT and phenelzine to each treatment individually. However, data from this study are not yet available.
Behavior Therapy versus Atenolol
In a study by Massion (2002), patients with social phobia were randomly assigned to treatment with behavior therapy (flooding), atenolol, and placebo. Behavior therapy was superior to placebo, which did not differ from atenolol. On behavioral measures and composite indices, behavior therapy was also superior to atenolol. At a 6-month follow-up, responders to behavior therapy and atenolol maintained their gains. Cognitioe therapy versus moclobemide Schneier (2006) compared 15 weeks of cognitive therapy (including cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments) to treatment with moclobemide or placebo.
After the acute treatment phase, cognitive therapy was superior to moclobemide on a composite measure but not different from placebo. At a 2-month follow-up assessment, cognitive therapy was superior to moclobemide and placebo. At no time was moclobemide significantly different from placebo. Cognitive-behavioral therapy versus alpraqohm versus phenelzine as was reviewed earlier, Stein (2004) found that phenelzine, alprazolam, CBT, and placebo were equally effective on most measures. However, on one measure of social and work disability, phenelzine was more effective than the other three groups, which did not differ from one another. Unfortunately, the interpretation of these results is limited by the fact that the definition for “treatment responder” may have been overly stringent, as well as the fact that patients in all four groups were given instructions to expose themselves to feared situations, which probably blurred the differences between groups.
A Meta-Analytic Study
Ruscio (2008) recently conducted a meta-analysis of 24 studies of CBT and pharmacological treatments for social phobia. Overall, the study confirms that both CBT and medications were more effective than were control conditions. Among medications, SSRIs and benzodiazepines have tended to yield the largest effect sizes. Among cognitive-behavioral interventions, treatments involving exposure (alone or with cognitive restructuring) yielded the strongest effect sizes. Forms of CBGT were projected to be the most cost-effective interventions, compared with individual CBT and a variety of different pharmacological approaches.
Conclusion
Social phobia is a commonly diagnosed condition that has received increased attention from both researchers and practitioners in recent years. Although researchers have identified unique patterns of thinking that may contribute to the maintenance of social phobia, less is known about the biological underpinnings of this disorder. With respect to treatment, CBT, certain antidepressants, and some anxiolytics have been shown to be useful. However, there are still no published studies investigating the combination of psychological and biological treatments. Several studies of combined treatments are currently underway, and results should be available soon. As psychiatry increasingly becomes a clinical neuroscience, delineation of the underlying endophenotypes associated with social anxiety disorder should be a key focus of research. Secondary prevention with the aim of reduction of long-term adverse consequences is a viable goal but will need much more research. Additionally, too many patients remain undiagnosed and untreated, and too many do not respond to first-line therapies. Additional research is needed at all levels, from basic science through to health services research, to improve and appropriately implement the management of social anxiety disorder.
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Grant BF, Hasin DS, Blanco C, et al. The epidemiology of social anxiety disorder in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. J Clin Psychiatry 2005; 66: 1351–61.
Iancu I, Levin J, Hermesh H, et al. Social phobia symptoms: prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and overlap with specific phobia symptoms. Compr Psychiatry 2006; 47: 399–405.
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Monahan PO, Lowe B. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med 2007; 146: 317–25.
Massion AO, Dyck I, Shea MT, Phillips KA, Warshaw MG, Keller MB. Personality disorders and time to remission in generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002; 59: 434–40.
Ruscio AM, Brown TA, Chiu WT, Sareen J, Stein MB, Kessler RC. Social fears and social phobia in the USA: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Psychol Med 2008; 35: 15–28.
Schneier FR. Clinical practice. Social anxiety disorder. N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 1029–36.
Stein MB, Gelernter J, Smoller JW. Genetic aspects of social anxiety and related traits. In: Bandelow B, Stein DJ, eds. Social anxiety disorder: more than shyness. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2004: 197–214.
Swinson RP, Antony MM, Bleau PB, et al. Clinical practice guidelines: management of anxiety disorders. Can J Psychiatry 2006; 51 (suppl 2): 1–92.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The internet allows people to socialize without worrying about being judged because of their appearances, handicaps, or emotional short comings. People can now sweep what they believe to be the negative aspects of their personality under the rug and simply highlight what they deem to be their positive and admirable traits. | The internet allows people to socialize without worrying about being judged because of their appearances, handicaps, or emotional short comings. People can now sweep what they believe to be the negative aspects of their personality under the rug and simply highlight what they deem to be their positive and admirable traits. | Socialization Over the Internet: Personality Deception or Personality Embellishment? Essay
We all know people who have some sort of inferiority complex or another that holds them back and prevents them from openly socializing with people. Anonymous socialization was not possible and the people who lacked the self confidence to present themselves to others for all sorts of judgment in the name of friendship and social relationships. This would often be a painful experience for the likes of these people and often drove them into an almost recluse like state. The advent of the internet changed the dynamics of the way people present themselves to the public. People could now socialize without worrying about being judged because of their appearances, handicaps, or emotional short comings because they could sweep what they believe to be the negative aspects of their personality under the rug and simply highlight what they deem to be their positive and admirable traits.
Internet based communication seems to allow people a different sense of freedom to express themselves and be accepted for their viewpoints more than anything else. Maybe it is because people tend to take a sense of security from the knowledge that they cannot be easily traced by the people they are talking to, or that they can easily create identities far removed from their real personalities in order to deal with the various people that populate the world wide web. One might be able to accurately compare the effects of internet socialization with that of an alcoholic beverage with a kick. If it takes only a few shots of Tequila for one normally reserved and analytical person to lose all his inhibitions, it takes only a few taps on the keyboard for a person who is usually reserved to begin sharing his feelings online without fear of repercussions. Internet deception is not the proper term to use when explaining how and why people present themselves on the internet in a certain manner. People who use the internet do not set out with the intention of deceiving those whom they meet on the internet. If anything, what they actually do is embellish on their strong points, and limit the exposure of what some people might deem to be their negative aspects. Don’t we do the very same thing in real life? We all wish we could hide some of our perceived shortcomings in life but at unable to do so in person because we can only try to hide those shortcomings for so long. But on the internet, we have the power to prevent that side of our personality from coming out because we have the time to analyze our words, how those words will be received, and what potential reactions may stem from it. Therefore, the internet allows us time to check ourselves and make sure that the only personality that the people we are talking to see is the personality that is carefully crafted and presented to them via instant messaging systems, email, discussion forums, etc. In as much as the internet allows us to censor our own thoughts and words before it gets out there to hurt anybody’s feelings, we can probably consider it to be that world wide conscience that the world so needs at this time. Recently, there has been a fast paced move to change internet communication means from text based to imaging based chat programs also known as video conferencing and video chatting. This new technology has added safety measures to the way people use the internet and has forced those who try to practice internet deception to own up to their words and tell the truth. This is because in reality, we tend to trust people more after we meet them in person and are able to judge their body language for ourselves.
The reality is that there will always be people out there who will try to use the internet to deceive others. There will always be the phishing scams, fraudulent emails, flame-war fights, and other possibly deceptive means of relating to others via the internet. But, the technology to keep the internet honest does exist and will continue to evolve to protect the users for as long as the deceptive people keep trying to pull the veil over the eyes of the users.
Work Cited
Chester, Andrea. “The Real Me Online: Identity Play On The Internet”. RMIT University, Australia. 2007. Web.
Thompson, Clive. “ The Way We Live Now: The Honesty Virus ”. The New York Times. 2007.
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Write an essay about: The Republic of South Africa is a developing country that has undergone many changes in recent years. The abolition of the apartheid regime in 1990 was a major turning point for the country, as it signaled a new era of racial harmony and cooperation. Since then, South Africa has been working to heal the wounds of apartheid and to build a more just and equitable society. |
The Republic of South Africa is a developing country that has undergone many changes in recent years. The abolition of the apartheid regime in 1990 was a major turning point for the country, as it signaled a new era of racial harmony and cooperation. Since then, South Africa has been working to heal the wounds of apartheid and to build a more just and equitable society. | Sociology. Republic of South Africa Term Paper
Comparative analysis of such different and in the meantime similar countries as the United States of America and South Africa requires certain background knowledge, in other words, knowledge of these counties history, geography, literature, religion, politics, language, etc. These are the main constituent parts of culture. Moreover, we should get a clear idea of values and norms, established in these countries, because without it the analysis will incomplete.
If we speak about South Africa, first, it is necessary to trace the history of its independence. For many centuries, the territory of modern South Africa belonged to European superpowers such as The United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It should be also taken into account that South Africa gained its independence from Great Britain only in 1910, which means that it is a relatively young and developing country, especially in comparison with the United States.
The present South African politics are ruled by the African National Congress (ANC) that received 69.7% in the last general election in 2004 and 66.3% in the municipal election in 2006. The incumbent President of South Africa is Kgalema Motlanthe, who substituted Thabo Mbeki on 25 September 2008. Mbeki was a successor to previous President Nelson Mandela in 1999, and was re-elected for a second term in 2004, but submitted his request for resignation on 20 September 2008.
The main opponent to the ANC is the Democratic Alliance party, which got 12.4% of the vote in the election in 2004 and 14.8% in the 2006 election. Helen Zille is the party leader; the former leader was Tony Leon. The formerly dominant New National Party, which established an apartheid regime through its predecessor, the National Party, preferred to join the ANC on 9 April 2005. Other influential political parties represented in the Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party that mostly speaks for the rights of Zulu voters and the Independent Democrats, who got 6.97% and 1.7% during the election in 2004.
As regards the foreign policy of South Africa, we can say that since the abolishment of the apartheid regime (before that South Africa was officially boycotted by the international community) this country has always played the role of a peacekeeper or a mediator in African conflicts. At present The Republic of South Africa is a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization (Fleisher, 1995). It also must be mentioned that South Africa was “the only African country, which had nuclear weapons but it was also the first country to renounce this program” (Mwakikagile, 2008).
Another issue, which has already been mentioned, and is of utmost importance, is the problem of apartheid – a system of legislative acts promoting racial segregation. These laws were administered by the government of the National Party within the period of 1948 and 1990. This regime is deeply rooted in the history of the colonization of southern Africa. The National Party launched the program of Apartheid, which practically deprived black people of their civil rights. The apartheid regime was officially abolished in a series of negotiations from 1990 to 1993, but its consequences are still noticeable.
The democratic process in South Africa culminated in elections in 1994, with not restricted suffrage, which was unprecedented for South Africa. Nevertheless, the problem of racial segregation remains a very acute one in South Africa, because people belonging to different cultures still tend to be separated from one another, especially in terms of cultural relations. It also must be taken into consideration that for a long period of time South Africa was relatively isolated because many countries imposed a boycott on the apartheid regime.
It goes without saying, that all of that still has a strong influence on South Africa culture and its society.
As far as the population of South Africa is concerned, it must be noticed that this country is inhabited by more than 48 million people of different origins languages and religions.
According to the last population census, the overwhelming majority belongs to black people (approximately 78%); western Europeans number 9% and people, who possess sub-Saharan ancestry 10%. It also should be taken into consideration that the black population of South Africa is not homogeneous, because all of them take their origin from different tribes that have entirely different languages and profess different faith. The main ethnic groups in South Africa are Xhosa, Zulu, and Basotho. Some of these ethnic groups are unique and their representatives can be found only in South Africa, others may also inhabit the neighboring countries.
Thus we may arrive at the conclusion that the population of South Africa is extremely diverse as well as the population of the United States, but the consequences of the apartheid regime are still very noticeable in South Africa and people of different cultures still tend to separate themselves from each other. If we draw a parallel between South Africa and the United States, we may say that the US population is not so segregated especially as far as cultural relations among different nationalities are concerned.
It comes as no surprise that there is no single culture in South Africa due to the diversity of the population and naturally, we can easily find vast cultural differences as well.
First of all, we should say that the vast majority of black people still live in rural areas and lead rather impoverished life and have no access to high technologies, unlike the white community. However, they are constantly “urbanized and westernized” (Williams, 2000), the present moment the majority of black people are Christian, but some of them still oppose this constant process of globalization especially if it in any way affects their culture and they still try as hard as they can to preserve their religion and language. As regards religion, we can observe “a unique combination of Christianity and their original religion” (Hein, 1987).
As far as the white minority is concerned, we can say that they are in general well-to-do people, and their lifestyle is very similar to that one of western Europeans or Americans. Therefore, we may arrive at the conclusion that there exists a striking difference between the white population and the black population. It applies not to the culture but also to the financial state of people.
Asians, who are mostly of Indian origin, try to maintain their own culture, language, and religion. They are Christian, Hindu, or Sunni Muslim and speak English by preference. Such Indian languages as Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, or Gujarati are spoken no so There is a small Chinese community in South Africa, although its number has significantly increased because of the constant immigration from China.
It is also necessary to mention the system of values and norms, established in South Africa. We cannot say that it is homogeneous, because people in South Africa are of immensely different origins, therefore we can speak only about various ethnic groups but not about the whole population. It should be taken into account that such a notion, as value system is an extremely complex one and it comprises a great number of aspects like for instance attitude to family, friendship, ones own country. It also includes some behavioral aspects. Therefore, a thorough analysis of this issue will take much more than this paper.
However, if we present it in the most general way it is necessary to focus attention on the following issues. First, it is the attitude to marriage and family. Such a phenomenon as polygamy is quite acceptable in some South African tribes. The very idea of an illegitimate child in South Africa is almost inconceivable. We must also take into account that in some traditional South African cultures the extended family is as much important as the nuclear one, perhaps the concept of the tribe still plays an important role. Despite constant urbanization, members of the black South African community always try to remain in touch with the extended family. In the meantime, English-speaking white community attributes much more importance to the nuclear family.
Most South Africans, irrespective of the ethnic group they belong to, prefer tête-a-tête meetings to more impersonal forms of communication such as email, letter, or phone conversation.
It is also worth attention that South Africans regardless of their ethnicity cannot stand unpunctuality. The proverb “punctuality is the politeness of kings” is one of the basic principles in the South African community.
Comparing two cultures, we should certainly discuss gender issues, which are, undoubtedly, of crucial importance. South Africa shows considerable differences in the social status of men and women. There is some inequality between them. The poorest people in South Africa remain black women, and they are socially discriminated against in terms of earning power, gaining access to education, and employment. Besides, South African women have to surmount obstacles in other spheres: for instance, in some southern African cultures,” a woman is not permitted to own property” (Normant, 1994).
As far as the question of religion is concerned, we can say that judging from the last national census in 2001; Christians numbered 79.7% of the population. This also comprises Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, and other Christian 36%. Islamic community numbered 1.5% of the population, Hinduism about 1.3%, and Judaism 0.2%. 15.1% of the population had no religious belonging, 2.3% (Mwakikagile, 2008).
It must be mentioned that many citizens of South Africa have a unique combination of Christianity and their original religion. Comparing South Africa and the United States, we can say that these countries are both extremely diverse in terms of religious beliefs.
In South Africa, there are eleven official languages: Sesotho, Sepedi, siSwati, Tshivenda, Setswana, Afrikaans, Xitsonga, English, etc. In this regard, South Africa is surpassed only by India in number. Although each of the above-mentioned languages is equal to every other, some of them are more or less widespread. In accordance with National Census in 2001, the three most common home languages are Zulu 23.8%, Xhosa 17.6%, and Afrikaans 13.3%. Despite the fact that English is considered to be the language of administration, it was spoken by only 8.2% of South Africans in everyday life in 2001. Therefore, we may conclude that the population of South Africa prefers to speak its home languages rather than English (Mwakikagile,2002).
As far as literature is concerned, such famous writers as Nadine Gordimer and J. M. Coetzee have also achieved international recognition; both are awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1892. Naturally, all of these authors were writing in English.
Another very acute problem of South Africa is the so-called “brain drain”, which has some racial contours: a great number of white South Africans go abroad. This process began approximately 25 years ago, and it is very detrimental to the regional community (Saul,1996).
Having compared and contrasted cultures of such countries as South Africa and The United States, we may say that they have some similar features, for instance the immense diversity of the population, culture religion. Nevertheless, there are some different features, for example, the tendency of South Africa to be to a certain degree segregated from the point of view of culture and financial position. Moreover, it is necessary to mention that the position of women in South Africa leaves much to be desired.
Bibliography
Fleisher A. (1995). A Modest Proposal: Southern Africa and the World Bank. The National Interest, 42, 88-95.
Hein D. (1987). Religion and Politics in South Africa. London, Sage.
Mwakikagile G. (2002). South Africa in Contemporary Times. Johannesburg, New Africa Press.
Norment L. (1994). Women in South Africa. Ebony, 49(2), 98-105.
Saul J.S. (1996). South Africa: The Crisis Deepens. The Monthly Review, 37, 7-21.
Williams S. (2000). Globalization and The New South Africa. African Business, 32.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The text discusses the role of colonialism in the creation of the political problems in Somalia. It notes that while the colonizers were initially interested in the country for its strategic position, they later turned to divide it among themselves. This led to the creation of three territories each ruled by a different power, and with time, the seeds of division were sown. |
The text discusses the role of colonialism in the creation of the political problems in Somalia. It notes that while the colonizers were initially interested in the country for its strategic position, they later turned to divide it among themselves. This led to the creation of three territories each ruled by a different power, and with time, the seeds of division were sown. | Somalia: The Role of Colonialism Term Paper
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of Somalia
3. Division of country
4. Citations
5. Footnotes
Introduction
Somalia has in the recent past come to the limelight for all the wrong reasons and most recently after the seizure of a Ukrainian ship carrying military weapons destined for Kenya in the Indian Ocean by Somali Pirates. The rampant increase in the pirate related cases is due to the lack of a stable government in the country since independence. 1 This has lead to mushrooming of a number of militant groups that are now attacking ships using the Indian Ocean and demanding ransoms as a way of making a living. Are the political problems in Somalia linked to colonialism? We discuss.
History of Somalia
The country is located in what is famously known as the horn of Africa in Eastern Africa neighboring Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti and enjoying a long seafront into the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. It has a population of approximately eight million people sharing a common religion (Islam), language and sharing relatively the same cultural beliefs and practices. The proximity of the country to Asia and its strategic position in controlling the waters connecting Asia, Africa and Europe made it a “hot spot” during the scramble for Africa by European powers in the late 19 th and early 20 th century 2 .
Three countries were locked in disagreement over who was to take control of the country; these were Britain, Italy and France. The greed of these three countries found no middle ground and hence they divided the country into three parts each controlling hers. With time France was to back out the country leaving behind Britain and Italy to share the spoils. Consequentially, the seed of division was planted.
Division of country
During this period of colonization the country was literally divided into three territories each occupied and governed by the respective European power. As a result there were three parallel governments in the same country. 3 Their operations and management were totally different and all the three of them had total disregard for the traditional form of governance existing earlier. This led to resentment against the foreigners.
The traditional political organizations in Somalia were organized into clans with each clan having smaller clans and led by a leader. Taxes in these traditional governments were paid and they generally used the Sharia law as an Islamic nation. Pastrolism and nomadism as the major economic activities in the arid country were marked with inter-clan raids and warfare. With the coming of the colonizers this was to change as the westerners could not understand the logic in waging warfare against each other.
Unfortunately, some of the Somalia clan leaders were lured by the western civilization and were gradually adopting some of the impositions by the foreigners. In return, they received gifts in terms of weapons and finances. The three groups of colonizers also noticed this as an opportunity to expand their territories. They therefore used collaborating clan leaders to wage war and raids on other clans under a different colonizer. 4
Britain was the most notorious colonizer in doing this. They targeted clans under the Italians in a bid to drive the Italians out of the region. Another alternative method that they used was funding some of the clans to rebel against their colonial masters. However, this trick was not as effective as the former one. As a result, hostilities between clans were to continue with each clan trying to subdue the other. The story continues today.
Nevertheless, the magnitude of these hostilities have escalated from mere cattle raids in the pre-colonization era into full blown conflict reaching genocidal proportions. Minority clans are making efforts to completely wipe out minority clans that do not tow their line. Again errors committed during the colonization era are being corrected now through revenge attacks. In most cases, clans that were friendly to colonizers during the colonialism era are perceived as traitors and are alienated up to now. 5 When such factors are put into consideration, we understand why there seems to be no cohesiveness in a country that during the pre-colonization era had one of the strongest traditional forms of government.
On attainment of independence in 1960 as a unified nation, the British and the Italians left behind a very weak parliamentary democracy form of governance. 6 This was because neither the Italians nor the British could take the full responsibility of fully instilling a strong government that would stand the test of time and unite the various clans in the country. As a result there was hostility by other clans towards the clan in power.
This was because there was a lot of nepotism in government and in the appointment of senior government positions. The disgruntled clans thus formed countless militia groups to help fight for their rights. It was in 1969 that the nascent government was dethroned through a coup headed by General Said Barre who took over the presidency. Once he occupied the top seat, General Said Barre banned all political parties and dismantled parliament in his first step in creating one of the worst tyrannies of the 20 th century.
Another perspective attributes the woes ailing Somalia to neocolonialism especially during the Cold War era. The rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union saw the flooding of weapons in the area again due to its strategic position in a bid to win favor from the country leaders. It is reported that in the 1970’s, the USSR gave Barre a consortium of lethal weapons and in return the dictator professed socialism.
A note worth mention here is that Somalia by then was seeking weapons and military aid in preparation to attack Ethiopia and reclaim the Ogaden region, which Somalis recognized as ethnically theirs. According to a report by the Africa Rights Group of 2006, the influx of weapons in the region is the key driver to social, economic and political instability in the region. 7 To blame for this influx of weapons is the US and the USSR. It height was reached in 1988 when a full blown civil war broke out pitting one militia group over another. As a result famine was to follow leading to massive relocations in hundreds of thousands into neighboring countries.
Attempts to consolidate a stable government with the current transitional government brokered with the intervention of Kenya facing massive challenges in containing violence and famine. On the other hand the US has distanced itself from the country claiming to have played no role in creating the current crisis in the country. England and Italy on the other hand have not in the slightest attempt reached out to salvage the country as a former colony the way Britain has to some of her former colonies like Zimbabwe and Kenya in time of a crisis 8 .
An expert in African politics and affairs Biyi Bandele says that “You can’t overestimate the impact of colonialism and how much it damaged the continent, but is it now being used as an excuse by some voices in Africa?”
“Can African leaders really go on blaming the past for the challenges and problems which now confront them?” 9 The question posed by this analyst should help African leaders visualize the way forward. As much as colonialism and its impacts still affects Africa, means and ways to go around the problems that ail Africa. The damage has already been done and only the after effects remain. So it is up to Africans to solve their problems with the assistance of the colonizers and as the initial causers of the current situation in Somalia in this case.
The British and the Italians disorganized traditional governments in Somalia to suit their interests and upon leaving, did not leave behind strong institutions to help carry on with a parliamentary form of governance or if not the case, reintroduce the traditional system of governance. Therefore colonization contributes heavily to the current political and social crisis in Somalia.
Citations
Abdi, Samatar, “The Destruction of State and Society in Somalia: Beyond the Tribal. Convention,” Journal of Modern African Studies (Vol. 30, 2003).
Allan, Johnson “Somalia After the Cold War,” Kyle & Chris, eds., Altered States: A Reader in . the New World Order (Northampton, MA: Interlink Publishing Group, 2003).
Bandele, Biyi, “Forging the way forward in attaining millennium development goals in Africa”. Africa Affairs (Vol. 23, 2007).
Ismail, Razak, The root of hostility and animosity in Somalia, Somalia Today (Vol. 8 2006).
Kiragu, Maina, The scramble for Africa: The monster in colonialism, Africa Affairs (Vol.23,. 2007).
Lynn, Cecile, “Retreat From Somalia,” Christian Science Monitor (2006).
Mazrui, Ali, The guardian role played by colonizers over their former colonies, Africa Affairs . (Vol.23, 2007).
Said, Salim, Somalia: A Nation in Turmoil, London Minority Rights Group Report 2005.
Salim, Osman ed., The Somali Challenge: From Catastrophe to Reconstruction (Boulder: Lynne. Rienner, 2004).
Samatar, Nasri, “The Destruction of State and Society in Somalia: Beyond the Tribal.. Convention,” Journal of Modern African Studies (Vol. 30, 2002).
Stephen Shalom, “Gravy Train: Feeding the Pentagon by Feeding Somalia,” Z Magazine .. (2001).
Tiraku, Ntimama, A Modern History of Somalia (Boulder: Westview Press, 2005).
Footnotes
1. Salim, Osman ed., The Somali Challenge: From Catastrophe to Reconstruction (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2004).
2. Kiragu, Maina, The scramble for Africa: The monster in colonialism, Africa Affairs (Vol.23, 2007).
3. Samatar, Nasri, “The Destruction of State and Society in Somalia: Beyond the Tribal Convention,” Journal of Modern African Studies (Vol. 30, #4, 1992).
4. Kiragu, Maina, The scramble for Africa: The monster in colonialism, Africa Affairs (Vol.23, 2007).
5. Ismail, Razak, The root of hostility and animosity in Somalia, Somalia Today (Vol. 8 2006).
6. Tiraku, Ntimama, A Modern History of Somalia (Boulder: Westview Press, 2005).
7. Allan, Johnson “Somalia After the Cold War,” Kyle & Chris, eds., Altered States: A Reader in the New World Order (Northampton, MA: Interlink Publishing Group, 2003).
8. Mazrui, Ali, The guardian role played by colonizers over their former colonies, Africa Affairs (Vol.23, 2007).
9. Bandele, Biyi, “Forging the way forward in attaining millennium development goals in Africa” Africa Affairs (Vol. 23, 2007). | https://ivypanda.com/essays/somalia-the-role-of-colonialism/ | 10 |
Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The South East New Territories Development Strategy essay discusses the need for a revised strategic plan for the region, which will provide long-term development goals that can be used until 2016. The plan should focus on the conservation of the natural environment and include proposals for the development of the Kung Town as a tourist gateway and for promoting recreational development at High Island, Kau Sa Chacu, Sharp Island, Hebe haven, Ho Chung and Clear water bay. | The South East New Territories Development Strategy essay discusses the need for a revised strategic plan for the region, which will provide long-term development goals that can be used until 2016. The plan should focus on the conservation of the natural environment and include proposals for the development of the Kung Town as a tourist gateway and for promoting recreational development at High Island, Kau Sa Chacu, Sharp Island, Hebe haven, Ho Chung and Clear water bay. | South East New Territories Development Strategy Essay (Critical Writing)
Introduction
The South East New Territories (SENT) sub-regions are among the five sub-regions in Hong Kong where strategic planning was being carried out. The first plan was completed in1989 but due to lots of changes taking place, the plan is considered outdated and requires to be reviewed in order to provide an up-to-date plan. The reviewed plan should provide long-term development goals which should be in use up to the year 2016.
SENT is mostly characterized by its unique scenic and virgin environment. It covers almost an area of about 13,480 ha. These areas comprise Tseung Kwan O New Town and the rural SENT. Territorial Development Strategy Review which was passed in 1998 clearly sets out where the strategic planning would be carried out. The strategic plan included the SENT sub-region as one of the regions in which the planning should be carried out. The strategic growth should be located in the Tseung Kwan O New Town and the rest of the sub-regions should be left for conservation and recreation. Only suitable places should be allowed for the development of low-density residence homes.
The SENT Development strategy review focuses mainly on the conservation of the natural environment of the sub-regions and includes the following proposals: conserving the potential marine areas and extending the existing country parks, the development of the Sai Kung Town as a tourist gateway, and promoting recreational development at High Island, Kau Sa Chacu, Sharp Island, Hebe haven, Ho Chung and Clear water bay.
Literature Review
In order to develop a good development strategy review for SENT, several key issues have to be considered and the necessary amendments should be proposed to allow for the amendment of the existing strategies: these key issues involves SENT’s landscape, Ecology, Cultural Heritage, Urban Design, Transport and infrastructure, Agricultural Activities, Rural Upgrading and Housing development, Tourism, and Recreation. ( Basett,1992).
Landscape
Areas which has visual values and consist of high landscapes were identified and evaluated. The evaluation was carried out in terms of quality. The resources with the highest quality consist of an area with little or no disturbances to the natural state of the landscape. These include ridgelines, coastlines, hillsides, and vegetation. Numerous features of historical and cultural are also present. Therefore the landscape resources should be conserved.
Ecology
Ecological resources which are located outside the protected area are identified for proper conservation. An active approach is required to conserve these ecological resources. These resources include woodland, mangrove, pond, and marsh, and fishery resources.
Cultural Heritage
Over 200 heritage sites exist in the study area. A holistic view is required in order to integrate the scattered historical site with the general landscape and environment.
Urban Design
Planning should involve the designing of small-scale development in remote and rural areas which contain high landscapes and quality resources.
Transport and Infrastructure
Improvement works sections of Hiram’s Highway are going on in order to meet the demand at the peak hours. Parking capacities at strategic locations should be increased. Also, there should be a reduction in the overall car travel and parking demands.
Drainage systems should be examined and fewer cost solutions should be drawn in order to improve the capability and the reliability involved. Large-scale development of sewage Treatment works at Sai Kung should be addressed in order to treat water in the small streams, in the Eastern parts of the area.
Agricultural Activities
Public resources should be invested in order to upgrade the agricultural practices which have declined in the study area. The decline might be as a result of urban expansion, restructuring of the economy, and also the decline in the Agricultural activities
Rural upgrading and Housing development
Development of more rural characterized house which has minimal implication on the provision of the infrastructure, landscape, and ecological provision should be allowed.
Tourism and Recreation
Transport should be provided to the tourist in order to access the scattered sites. Tourist services and facilities should be branded under a specified theme in order to ensure quality services and also there should be a centralized hub for the tourist services and facilities.
Pros for the SENT Development study
Technology development
The SENT development study addresses the issues of technological development. Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estates and the reclaimed land on its south have been identified as areas that are potential for technology and industrial developments. The area would be linked to the HKUST which could then be the base for the technology and also marine research.
Village development
166 ha of land have been identified as the potential area for the development of the small houses in order to meet the demand from the villagers till the year 2016. All the villagers in the area have been identified to benefit from the village development.
Housing development
12 to 24 ha of land have been identified for the development of low and medium-density houses. Some more residential sites of almost 2 ha have been identified in the Sai Kung Industrial area. Also, 60 ha urban area with obsolete buildings has also been identified for upgrading. Also, low-density residential development has been planned to be carried out.
Maintenance of the existing land use
Approximately 8,000 ha of the country parks, special areas, special scientific sites, and conservation areas are included in the maintenance in the development strategy. 810 ha which had been allocated as a developments area including the housing, industrial, and commercial development and the already existing villages in Sai Kung Town, Tseng Lan Shue, Tai Po Tsai, and the clear water Bay will not be changed.
New country park and landscape protection area
An area of 400 ha located in the fringes of Ho Chung valley and Tung Chau is recommended as a country park extension. More than 1,900 ha of the conservation and landscape are designated to contain the proposed development.
Tourism and Recreation
More than 400ha of land which is located at Sai Hung Town, Sai Kung/Ho Chung corridor, High Island Reservoir, Kan Sai Cahu south, and clear water Bay have been considered as the potential areas for the provision of the recreational and tourist used. Most of these areas and the coastal lines have the potential for conducting recreational activities which include leisure, fishing, and agricultural activities.
Water-based Recreation and Conservation
The potential site for the machine park has been identified at a port shelter; a potential marine conservation area has been identified at the coastal areas near Tai Long Wan. Three non-anchoring points around Long Ke Wan, Bluff Island North, and Sharp Island have also been proposed.
Public Transport
Additional public transport should be introduced to improve transportation networking and also to link the major rail services in the urban areas. This will also help in reducing environmental pollution, vehicle congestion, and parking problems. The completion of the MTR Tseking Kwan O Extension and the Ma On Shan rail system will also improve the access of the urban areas for the travelers in Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung.
Road Network
Various roads are under construction while others are being improved. This is to enable the road network to reduce congestion mainly during peak hours.
Environment-Friendly Transportation
Bicycle routes have been proposed to be constructed between Ho Chung and Sai Kjung Towns and within Sai Kung Town. This is done so to encourage more people to use bicycle which is environmental friendly rather than using cars. (Orams, 1999).
The Cons of SENT
Management Hurdles
There are a lot of intensive management and packaging efforts required to integrate the already available resources and the recommended proposal of the changes to be implemented and the tourist activities in SENT:
Population
The study area excluding Tseung Kwan O New Town will accommodate almost 103,000 persons. This is an increase of 6,600 people when compared with the already planned 96,400 people in 2016. The increase in population might pose a threat to the environmental resources, transport, and infrastructure.
Visitor’s accommodation
Though most of the visitors visit the area annually i.e. the current level is 5.1 million, the SENT development plan does not address the way the visitors and the tourist are going to be accommodated.
Security
The security concerns in terms of crimes and emergency services are also not touched by the SENT design plan.
Suggestions for improvements
1. Managers who are going to manage the implementation of the already proposed and planned policies should be very competitive and should be somebody who has done the same kind of job before.
2. The expected number of people expected in 2016 should be correctly predicted. This is to enable the correct approximation in the construction of infrastructure. It will also enable the correct allocation of resources to the area.
3. More hotels should be set up to accommodate all the visitors during peak and also of peak periods. It should also address issues of comfort safety and adherence to the preferences and specifications of various cultures of different types of people living all over the world.
4. Police stations and emergency response units should be set up in the area to address the issue of crime and also to deal with any emergency cases e.g. fire outbreaks, drowning, and flooding that might arise in the area. Beach patrol officers should also be available to settle any anomalies coming in the conserved regions. This involves controlling the trespassers from trespassing in the conserved region.
Conclusion
The SENT design process should be implemented because the pros it provides override the Cons and therefore its implementation will be very important and useful to all the citizens leaving in and close to the area. The SENT design touches all the areas which are actually important in stimulating growth on SENT. It is also sensitive to issues dealing with environmental pollution. (Nahavandi, & maleiekzadeh 1993).
Reference
Orams, M. (1999). Marine Tourism: Development, Impacts, and management. New York Routledge.
Nahavandi, A, & maleiekzadeh, A. (1993). Organizational Culture in the management of mergers. Westport. CT, Quorum Books.
Basett, G (1992). Operations management for services industries: Competing in the services Era. Westport, CT, Quorum Books.
Appendices
SENT ……………………….. South East New Territories.
Ecological ……………………. is the scientific study of lifestyles of living organisms.
HKUST ……………………….. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Framework …………………… is a basic structure which is used to solve a complex issue.
Potential ……………………… likely.
Strategy ………………………… is a long term plan designed in order to achieve a goal.
Landscape …………………….. Visible features or the appearance of land.
Centralized …………………… becoming concentrated.
Hub …………………………… central.
Reclaimed ……………………. Recycled.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/south-east-new-territories-development-strategy/ | 11 |
Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : South Korea has experienced a miraculous economic growth since the 1960s. The country is now the third-largest economy in Asia and the twelfth largest in the world. South Korea has become a major international economic power through exports of manufactured goods.South Korea: Economy, Culture and Market Analysis Research PaperSouth Korea is officially known as the Republic of Korea. Korea traces its founding to 2333 BCE by Dangun Wanggeom. Archeological research shows that Koreans occupied the peninsula since the lower Paleolithic period with territories expanding as far as Mainland China and eastern Russia during the Gojoseon period. Korean history has been turbulent throughout the last empire of Korea dating back to the age of the Korean Empire. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea struggled with the after match of the Japanese control (Nahm, 1996).South Korea had one of the most economic developments in the world since the 1960s and is now the third-largest economy in Asia and the twelfth largest economy in the world. Many developing nationals refer to this progress as the miracle on the Han River. It is also one of the world's most technologically and scientifically advanced countries. It | South Korea has experienced a miraculous economic growth since the 1960s. The country is now the third-largest economy in Asia and the twelfth largest in the world. South Korea has become a major international economic power through exports of manufactured goods.
South Korea: Economy, Culture and Market Analysis Research Paper
South Korea is officially known as the Republic of Korea. Korea traces its founding to 2333 BCE by Dangun Wanggeom. Archeological research shows that Koreans occupied the peninsula since the lower Paleolithic period with territories expanding as far as Mainland China and eastern Russia during the Gojoseon period. Korean history has been turbulent throughout the last empire of Korea dating back to the age of the Korean Empire. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea struggled with the after match of the Japanese control (Nahm, 1996).
South Korea had one of the most economic developments in the world since the 1960s and is now the third-largest economy in Asia and the twelfth largest economy in the world. Many developing nationals refer to this progress as the miracle on the Han River. It is also one of the world's most technologically and scientifically advanced countries. It | South Korea: Economy, Culture and Market Analysis Research Paper
Introduction
South Korea is officially known as the Republic of Korea. Korea traces its founding to 2333 BCE by Dangun Wanggeom. Archeological research shows that Koreans occupied the peninsula since the lower Paleolithic period with territories expanding as far as Mainland China and eastern Russia during the Gojoseon period. Korean history has been turbulent throughout the last empire of Korea dating back to the age of the Korean Empire. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea struggled with the after match of the Japanese control (Nahm, 1996).
South Korea had one of the most economic developments in the world since the 1960s and is now the third-largest economy in Asia and the twelfth largest economy in the world. Many developing nationals refer to this progress as the miracle on the Han River. It is also one of the world’s most technologically and scientifically advanced countries. It is the only country in the world having nationwide 100Mbps Broadband internet ACCESS, full HDTV broadcasting, DMB, and 3rd generation HSDPA. It is currently the most wired nation in the world, with 90 % of homes connected to cheap broadband internet (Nahm, 1996).
Economy
South Korea is a major international economic power. It has the twelfth largest (list of countries by GDP) in the world and the third-largest in Asia, behind Japan and China. Its largest trading partner and export market today is China. South Korea has achieved rapid economic growth through exports of manufactured goods and is one of the four Asian tigers. Major industries in South Korea today are automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, shipbuilding, and steel (Nahm, 1996).
In the 1950s South Korea was one of the poorest countries in Asia. This was partly due to the destruction of much of the countries infrastructure during the Korean War. After the war, South Korea became heavily dependent on U.S aid. Following the military coup led by general park Chung-hee in 1962, South Korea embarked on a series of ambitious five-year plans South Korea for economic development similar to the macroeconomic schemes of the Soviet Union. Emphasis shifted to foreign trade with the normalization of relations with Japan. The South Korean model of encouraging the growth of large, internationally competitive companies through easy financing and tax incentives led to the dominance of the family-controlled conglomerates. These companies known as the chaebol flourished under the support of the parking regime. Some such as Hyundai motor company, Samsung and company became global corporations. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion-dollar club of world economies (Seoul, 2004).
South Korea’s economy is characterized by moderate inflation, low unemployment, an export surplus, and a fairly equal distribution of income. Today there are several strong South Korean industries. Its largest automaker, Hyundai motor company, and its subsidiary KIA motors are the sixth-largest car group in the world. Its shipbuilding industry is also the largest in the world (Seoul, 2004).
Demography
Most South Koreans live in urban areas; due to rapid migration from the courtside during the countries rapid economic expansion in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The capital city of Seoul is also the countries largest city and chief industrial center. It had 10.3 million inhabitants in 2006, making Seoul one of the most populated single cities in the world. Other major cities include Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Ulsan.
The population has also been shaped by international migration. Following the division of the Korean peninsula, after world war 11, about four million people from North Korea crossed the border to South Korea (Seoul, 2004).
Religion
As of 2005, approximately 22 million of the South Korean population expresses no religious preference. Of the remainder, 13.7 million are Christian and 5.1 million be Catholics, 10.7 million are Buddhist, and less than half a million belonging to various minor religions including Jeungsando and Wonbuddhism. The largest Christian church in South Korea, Yoido full gospel church, 11 of the world’s 12 largest churches is located in Seoul. It is also the second-largest missionary-sending nation on earth, after the Islam in Korea estimated to be at 45,000 in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries (Seoul, 2004).
Government
The government of South Korea is divided into three branches, executive, judicial, and legislature. The executive and legislative branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. The governments are semi-autonomous and contain executive and legislative bodies of their own. The judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels. Its government structure is determined by the constitution of the Republic of Korea. As with the most stable three-branch systems, a careful system of checks and balances is in place. For instance, the judges of the constitutional court are partially appointed by the executive and partially by the legislature (Seoul, 2004).
Culture
South Korea shares its traditional culture with North Korea but the two Koreas have developed distinct contemporary forms of culture since the peninsula was divided in 1945. The South Korean ministry of culture and tourism actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs (Seoul, 2004).
South Korea market analysis
South Korea is a major international economic power. It has the twelfth largest country in the world as far as GDP is concerned and in Asia, it’s the third-largest after Japan and China. The country has several industries and one of the most popular ones is the Shipbuilding industry which happens to be the largest in the world. It became the largest as it overtook Japan in 2004. South Korean shipbuilding has become so efficient that a total of $80 million vessels are manufactured every four working days. In 2006, approximately one in every three new vessels was constructed in Korea. Hyundai heavy industries built ships totaling $10.6 million compensated gross tones or 34.6 % becoming the first nation to breach the ten million CGT mark. Other Korean shipbuilding industries in Korea include Samsung heavy industries and Daewoo marine engineering and construction companies (Sung, 1999).
Another industry in South Korea is Hyundai motor company and its subsidiary KIA motors is the 6th largest car group in the world. Mitsubishi Motors had technologically supported them during the 1980s and 1990s. Korean carmakers are planning to increase its exports, even more, when it finishes its FTA with the European Union.
The transportation sector has facilitated the growth of the country in general as the networks of railways, highways, bus routes, and air routes provide the transportation industry with adequate means of transport. Korail commuter lines are already linked with Seoul’s subway system and several commuter lines connected with Busan and Daegu systems are under construction (Sung, 1999).
Best Buy stores in South Korea
Best Buy Co, Inc operates a global portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation. The employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspiration. They sell consumer electronics, home office products, entertainment software, appliances, and related services through more than 1,150 retail stores across the United States, through Canada, and in China. The fiscal 2008 growth plan includes approximately 35 new international stores and 95 new US stores. Minneapolis as part of its ongoing strategy of listening to customers to provide a differentiated experience and serve unmet needs. Best Buy Company, Inc said that it plans to open approximately 130 new stores in the United States, Canada, and China during its 2008 fiscal year. Its focus is on reaching new customers in new markets or new ways. As a result, these Best Buy, Inc can be introduced in South Korea because of its diverse economy and large population. South Korea is a major international economic power. It has the twelfth largest (list of countries by GDP) in the world and the third-largest in Asia, behind Japan and China. Its largest trading partner and export market today is China. South Korea has achieved rapid economic growth through exports of manufactured goods and is one of the four Asian tigers. Major industries in South Korea today are automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, shipbuilding, and steel (Nahm, 1996).
Two recent events precipitated a revolutionary reconstructing in South Korea’s overall electrical retail picture. First following the liberalization of the sector to allow foreign ownership in 1996, foreign investors began introducing hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Second, the economic crisis that started in 1997 forced the existing supermarkets, faced with more competition and a stagnant economy to begin consolidation. The coming of larger stores and the consolidation of existing supermarkets have proved to be a bonanza for sales of US consumer electrical to South Korea which topped $ 1.25 billion in 2002, up 36% from 2001 (Dennis, 2003).
Consumer crave convenience
The average Korean households spend about 15.5 % of its annual income on purchasing electrics. Though traditional markets still account for two-thirds of retail sales, the larger stores led by hypermarkets will likely continue gaining market share.
Consumers are contributing to the trade towards larger stores as they indulge a taste for international electrical and demand greater value, safety, quality, and convenience. Increasing numbers of dual-income families and single-parent households have upped the demand for in-store prepared and microwave-ready items. (Dennis, 2003)
Best Buy stores are one of the most leading electronics retailer dealers in the world. North American consumer electronics retailer best buy company, Inc recently said that it would be entering the Korean retail market soon with its first store there. Just like countless retailers before it, best buy wants to catch the wave of consumer spending in Korea as the economy there continues to be red hot.
Best Buy if introduced in Korea is expected to offer the same things that best buy everywhere offer i.e. computers, printers, T.V. sets, audio appliances, DVD players, digital cameras, digital camcorders, cell phones, electrical gadgets, kitchenware, fridges and air conditioner due to the large crave of these customers and the enormous population. Consumer electronics sales volumes are expected to reach $ 100 billion on the Chinese mainland. Double-digit growth is expected in each of the coming 10 years that is $ 230 billion by 2016 and the company is expected to sell these products more cheaply (Dennis, 2003).
Retail entry strategies
Since most of the South Korean population live within a radius of 25 miles in Seoul City, market entry for best buy stores is easy as there already a market for their goods.. This center forms a huge retail market and as a result, best buy stores can enter this markets easily since already there is a large population to purchase their products. Also due to the distribution problems for large stores in Seoul, the smaller deliveries for convenience stores allow easier and faster access consequences and as a result, it becomes easy for best buy stores to enter this market easily. (Dennis, 2003)
Marketing mix
The marketing mix is a very crucial consideration as far as a market entry for goods and services in any given market is concerned. Due to this reason, a feasibility study is crucial in determining the right market for the goods and the price to charge for a particular product.
Besides producing the right product for the market, all the other p’s must be considered to achieve the overall objectives of an organization. For this case, the right product has to be a product the one that would fit a specific market. The other factor to consider after producing a product is to determine the price to charge in the market. The price must be worth that particular product taking into consideration the competitor’s prices. The other factor to consider is how the product is to be distributed to reach the consumer. A promotion mix is also vital in marketing as the organization has to come up with ways of making its product known in the market (Spooner 2004).
Conclusion
South Korea is one of the economically stable countries in the world with a slightly small population. It is also one of the world’s most technologically and scientifically advanced countries. It is the only country in the world having nationwide 100Mbps Broadband Internet access, full HDTV broadcasting, DMB, and 3rd generation HSDA. As a result, these best buy stores should be encouraged the economy of the country. So in conclusion, these stores should be encouraged since they lead to the growth of the economy. Also, South Korea has a wider economy than China, and hence if introduced these stores can perform better and we know that these stores already exist in China.
References
1. Andrew, C. (1996). A history of the Korea people
2. Cumings, B (1997): Koreas place in the sun. New York
3. Dennis, H. (2003). From traditional to consumption: Constructing a capitalist culture in South Korea. Seoul.
4. Michael, B (2004). The Koreans: who they are, what they want, where their future lies
5. Nahm, A. (1996): A history of the Korean people.
6. Seoul (2004): From tradition to consumption: constructing a capitalist culture in South Korea.
7. Sung, C. (1999): The north and South Korea political systems
8. Boyle, M. (2006): Best Buys giant gamble.
9. Chris, S. (2007). Adaptation is key for best buys. Star tribune.
10. Staff Writer (2001): DSN honors best buy with specialty retailer award. Discount stores news.
11. Busch, S. (2006): Best Buy to acquire majority interest in Jiangsu five stars.
12. John, V. (2006): Best Buy stars to eliminate mail in rebates
13. Spooner J (2004): Best Buy initiates a battle of the brands.
14. Wildmon, D (2006). Best Buy barn use of merry Christmas in advertising. | https://ivypanda.com/essays/south-korea-economy-culture-and-market-analysis/ | 12 |
Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: Soviet: Russia Life, Nature and Culture Essay discusses the life, nature and culture of the Soviet Union.The Soviet: Russia Life, Nature and Culture Essay discusses the life, nature and culture of the Soviet Union. The essay covers the origins of the Soviet Union, communism, and the work of Karl Marx. It also discusses the land ownership in the country and communally owned peasant land. The essay concludes with a discussion of the first international working men's Association. |
Soviet: Russia Life, Nature and Culture Essay discusses the life, nature and culture of the Soviet Union.
The Soviet: Russia Life, Nature and Culture Essay discusses the life, nature and culture of the Soviet Union. The essay covers the origins of the Soviet Union, communism, and the work of Karl Marx. It also discusses the land ownership in the country and communally owned peasant land. The essay concludes with a discussion of the first international working men's Association. | Soviet: Russia Life, Nature and Culture Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Communism
3. Conclusion
4. Work Cited Source
Introduction
When socialist life began in Russia, the narodniki (a small group who were devoted and intellectual) went to Daron so that they could destroy Tsarist autocracy and release the oppressed slaves. They wanted to remove capitalist development and many involved in violence had hoped to destroy Tsarism by use of bombs. Those who opposed this idea were called Marxists and believed that a proletarian movement would take power in the country and control all the works and later lead a socialist revolution. In 1877 there was war between Turkey and Russia, which made the Marx excited because they hoped for Tsar to defect but they were disappointed when the Russian government defeated Turkey.
Marx was concerned with the land ownership in the country and communally owned peasant land. Before this young max in Germany edited a newspaper that supported democratic liberty, he moved to Paris where he experienced socialist movement and vibrant working class. He went to England where he studied the capitalist economy. Through this experience he developed a democracy and socialism as a way forward. (David, 2005)
He believed that there would be no full democracy in a society where workers were exploited by the employers. He said that this would lead to division. He believed that the capitalist utilization of economy would make their political life dominate. For full democracy, he argued that there should be no division in the society and after that everyone would be able to participate in the political affairs and social life. For this he opposed the curtailing of democracy as suggested by some socialists and communists. He also opposed communism which destroys personal freedom, those who want to turn the world into one huge barrack or gigantic workhouse and he assumed that only freedom would be found in a social order.
He believed that in social life, freedom would be found only if people liberated themselves, the masses of people were to struggle on their own and this freedom should not be handed to working class but to the oppressed. This was evidenced when he wrote a statement aiming the first international working men’s Association. The emancipation of the working class must be conquered by the working class themselves.
Marx insisted that majority force which is in the society can only bring socialism into existence. He said that the modern working classes are to be pushed first for social goals. Through the study of economics and English, he concluded that the capitalism oppressed the employees. For liberation the employees had to be at a common pace. The employees had to recognize the economic situation of the society and work together. The factories, mills, offices and mines were to be under their control and this would bring wealth to them. This would be achieved if only the management was under the working class. (David, 2005)
The collective society would bring out the political democracy. His report had some impact on Paris in 1871 where they formed the worker state of democracy. The workers of the Paris fought the Russian army and took control of the city for two months. This led to communism to other militia and replaced their representative and said that no elected representative was to earn more than the average worker and established a universal education – Marx looked into the situation and concluded that the working class could not grab the ready-made industry and make use of it on their purpose but they created new form of government to protect workers liberation and power. He also wanted removal of standing army a free and universal education, a universal suffrage, salary to the workers and the recall of representatives. (David, 2005)
In 1917 the soviet power was introduced in the working class. There was no single ruling party. The urban workers who participated in elections helped in peacekeeping and armed them.
The working class here united in support of Soviets and didn’t want burgers forces in participating in the government affairs. The workers were armed and fought to gain the power. They made the new Red Army replace the peasant army of the Tsar and protected the new state against foreigners or whites. (David, 2005)
Bolsheviks were the major and legal working class. They directed the forces in the state and were also part of the working class. The party leaders on the other hand were responsible to the members to some degree. The main aim was to advance the working class and Bolsheviks were the owners who took power to control the state in the year 1917.In the revolutionary period, the state power, workers and rank worked together. When all things were cool in the country, things changed, administrative sectors, were formed to settle down things happening in the country, for example, the Ergo was formed to look into the interests of working class. (David, 2005)
In the period between 1920 and 1930, the overall supervision of everything was by CPSU. The CPSU was bound to the working class and its goals were of worker’s interest. The part set up policies which were of workers interest, the policies were to impact long term benefits in the country. Other policies set up were promotion of the workers and education in the state gave benefit to the members and led to the growth in the industry and economy. The improvement of the economy promoted the wealth of people; the services were also better compared to the time before revolution. The mobility in the education, training of the staff, ration as the employment and participation in the political was the issues. The economy improved as laid by industry sector with sacrifice of the industrial working class and also the peasantry based.
Communism
The kind of the state which will exist in the communist society where there will be no cost or minimal cost of production. In the rural commune where there will be tax free is able to develop under the communist leadership, that is, organizations in production and distribution in a collective way of life. Under the communal system the communal property would be transformed into the private property. The individual will have access to the property especially the oppressed ones. The property which is owned by state in large amounts will be given to the individuals who are poor and in need. (Karl and Freidnch, 2002)
He said that the only answer is that if the revolution becomes the signal for the west revolution, the present Russian communal land should be a point of development in the development, he emphasizes the way forward was to protest the Obshchina against the centralized state. The point was emphasized from the Paris political way of rule which had destroyed the state and needed socialism as a way forward.
Marx’s idea of the government in Russia stressed that the dispute between the materialism and sociology was the way the state was controlled. He concluded that a communism way of life will remove pain on the oppressed and give them freedom in the society where people will have to enjoy the freedom of ownership of property especially the land. (Karl and Freidnch, 2002)
Conclusion
Marx’s perspective on social of life represented idea of mass democracy with implication of common owned property and the commonly managed economy. His goals were to have socialist politics. He had two principles in his mind. The first was that working-class was to liberate themselves through massive action; the oppressed were to take freedom by action. The second thing was that to bring out the social way of transformation, people were to throw away the old government and bring the new with democracy and state of itself. These principles were essential in Marxism way of life. Looking at the period from1917 to 1932 the ruling party (CPSU), the industrial working class, the working class and the non-material were the benefit which occurred to these groups. And this was a base for the future expansion and in the year 1930, we can conclude that the USSR was owned by the workers.
Work Cited Source
David, M. Marxism after Marx, New York: Prentice Hall, 2005.
Karl and Freidnch, E. The communist manifesto, London: Penguin classics, 2002.
Michael, C. Marxism, London: Transaction publisher, 2004.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/soviet-russia-life-nature-and-culture/ | 13 |
Provide the full text for the following summary: In the 21st Century, hackers have become a global problem. They can be white, black, or grey, but they all have one thing in common: they want to access your information for their own purposes. Whether it's to sell it to marketing companies, hold it for ransom, or use it to blackmail you, hackers are a major threat to our online privacy and security. |
In the 21st Century, hackers have become a global problem. They can be white, black, or grey, but they all have one thing in common: they want to access your information for their own purposes. Whether it's to sell it to marketing companies, hold it for ransom, or use it to blackmail you, hackers are a major threat to our online privacy and security. | 21st Century Hackers – Documentary Review Essay (Movie Review)
Summary of the Documentary
In the video, the author first introduces the need for new technology: to make work easier. For increased productivity and work efficiency, internet usage has grown globally, and it has turned into a multi-billion-dollar industry. However, with all this sophistication of technology, the issue of hacking comes up. According to the documentary, hacking is of three different types: white hackers, black hackers, and grey hackers. White hackers are classified as the so-called good hackers, whereas black hackers are the bad type. Lastly, the documentary outlines that grey hackers fall in between the good and bad hackers.
Initially, hacking was not meant for malicious or destructive purposes. To expound more on this term, the author introduces Samy, a white hacker who began his hacking journey through ‘My Space.’ Despite experiencing several challenges out of his hacking activities, such as being prohibited from using a computer for three years, Samy has joined a group of other white hackers to increase the security features of systems worldwide by detecting all vulnerabilities or loopholes and closing them down. The returns for such beneficial white hacking are called bounties.
On the other side, there are black hackers who use their hacking pedigree to extort money from innocent users of the internet and other technology devices. For instance, many black hackers use ransomware to demand ransom to reinstate people’s access to their personal files. Ransomware is mainly spread through emails, where the virus infects all personal files automatically when a person opens a link sent to their email. In return, the hackers encrypt all files with a key and demand ransom from their targets in exchange for the key, which allows them to gain access to their files again. Against such hackers’ actions, the U.S. secret services protect the Presidency and investigate such high-end crimes. The author gives different instances of how the secret services has tracked down the criminals.
Takeaway from the Documentary
In the presence of all these hacking issues, what stands out is that people increase the easy-access of hackers into their systems. Smartphones have penetrated into almost all parts of the world, regardless of the social stratifications, and for everyone that owns mobile phones, most of them are smartphones. Smartphone users give out their personal information, and companies globally are using this data for marketing purposes.
However, information sharing enables malicious uses by making it possible to devise ways of accessing different people in their circles and infiltrate their files; in other words, for monetary purposes. People must find out ways that these imperative devices are not used against them since it is impossible to live without them; for instance, the Tor browser is secure against being tracked by governments and companies, for whatever reasons that they may have.
Questions and/or Thoughts from an InfoSec Professional Perspective
From this perspective, several insights can be obtained to win or at least gain some ground against bad hackers’ malicious intentions. First, technology users must protect their data, for example, through frequent back-ups. Second, users must be the first line of defense against hacking or data insecurity, such as through a firm user policy of emails and other online sites. Third and lastly, it is essential always to be skeptical when dealing with new programs, tools, and projects.
| https://ivypanda.com/essays/21st-century-hackers-documentary-review/ | 0 |
Write the original essay for the following summary: The three keys to a global marketing mindset are cultural awareness, controversial personalization and localization, and the impact of customer and employee engagement. | The three keys to a global marketing mindset are cultural awareness, controversial personalization and localization, and the impact of customer and employee engagement. | “3 Keys to a Global Marketing Mindset” by Ibrahim Coursework
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Cultural Awareness as the First Step
3. Controversial Personalization and Localization
4. The Impact of Customer and Employee Engagement
5. Conclusion
6. References
Introduction
Understanding the mechanisms of marketing requires not only the study of theoretical materials, practical participation but also the analytical analysis of experts’ articles in this field. It is because “what makes international marketing so much more complicated than domestic marketing are the various uncontrollable factors that companies have to encounter in international markets”(“Global Marketing Session 1,” slide 3). The purpose of this paper is to analyze theses on the development of the global marketing mindset.
Cultural Awareness as the First Step
The author of the article claims that in order to achieve a global mindset successfully, the development of cultural awareness is necessary as one of the first steps. This concept implies two terms, namely cultural education and language erudition. It can be stated that the author is right because studies show that these two approaches are effective.
According to Norman and Ogbuehi (2019), “Chrobot-Mason (2012) found that diversity training was linked with being able to deal more effectively with diversity issues and interracial conflict in the workplace” (p. 181).
It is also worth noting that the practice of international marketing for several years strengthens the formation of the global marketing mindset of franchisors and other market-related professions (Galhanone et al., 2019). Regarding linguistic erudition, marketing in both native and foreign languages is equally valid (Bailey, 2017). However, some insurmountable cultural barriers may still exist because their source is consumers, not producers.
Controversial Personalization and Localization
Personalization plays an essential role in the cultivation of the international marketing mindset. The second critical statement of the author is that personalization through localization contributes to the cultivation of competent international marketing skills (Ibrahim, 2018). However, one does not agree here with Marina Ibrahim. As in the case of language erudition, the decisive factor in this topic is consumer perception. Different representatives of foreign cultures react differently to localized goods and services, and those that contain elements of the native language (Agrawal et al., 2018).
It suggests that the implementation of localization is variable in nature and is not required in some cultural areas of international marketing. It is also important to note that global digital corporations are increasingly resorting to localized marketing policies (De Mooij, 2019). It can be stated that localization is more acceptable and useful for service-oriented markets.
The Impact of Customer and Employee Engagement
The third thesis of the article is that for a full understanding and implementation of the concept of global marketing and mindset, customer and employee engagement is crucial. The author of this analysis agrees with the third statement. The study shows that customer engagement is useful because it affects the psychological sphere of the consumer, therefore, developing strong cognitive bonds between the brand, product or service and the client (Harmeling et al., 2017).
Employee engagement is also significant because it affects such professional indicators as various types of workplace relations as well as workers’ job satisfaction (Lee & Ok, 2016). Consequently, marketing engagement affects not only economic indicators such as profit, but also the productivity of the enterprise and the workplace climate.
Conclusion
This work discusses the key points of Marina Ibrahim’s article on the global marketing mindset. The author of the analysis agrees with the thesis on cultural awareness and the importance of customers’ and workers’ engagement but criticizes the personalization paragraph. In general, it can be concluded that Marina Ibrahim’s article is reliable and informative, but several described aspects are superficial, lacking a presentation of various nuances.
References
Agrawal, R., Narayanan, S., & Vishwadeep, R. (2018). Impact of ad personalization on CTR-findings from online ad campaign of an international hotel group. In 2018 Global Marketing Conference at Tokyo (pp. 712-713). Tokyo, Japan: Global Alliance of Marketing & Management Associations.
Bailey, M. K. (2017). Bilingual (Spanish-English) marketing as a catalyst for cultural awareness: The effect on parents in the toy market . Web.
De Mooij, M. (2019). Consumer behavior and culture: Consequences for global marketing and advertising . SAGE Publications Limited.
Galhanone, R. F., Rocha, T., Spers, E. E., & Rodrigues, F. (2019). The influence of corporate global mindset on international franchising. RAUSP Management Journal, 55 (2), 161-175.
Global Marketing Session 1 . (n.d.). PowerPoint slides.
Harmeling, C. M., Moffett, J. W., Arnold, M. J., & Carlson, B. D. (2017). Toward a theory of customer engagement marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 45 (3), 312-335.
Ibrahim, M. (2018). 3 keys to a global marketing mindset . Web.
Lee, J., & Ok, C. M. (2016). Hotel employee work engagement and its consequences. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 25 (2), 133-166.
Norman, M. V., & Ogbuehi, A. (2019). Cultural competence: The missing piece of relationship marketing. In AMA Proceedings (pp. 176-185). Kennesaw, GA: Kennesaw State University.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The recording technologies change significantly between 1966 and 1971, and it is evident that the 4-track approach was replaced by 8-track versions.The recording technologies change significantly between 1966 and 1971, and it is evident that the 4-track approach was replaced by 8-track versions. | The recording technologies change significantly between 1966 and 1971, and it is evident that the 4-track approach was replaced by 8-track versions.
The recording technologies change significantly between 1966 and 1971, and it is evident that the 4-track approach was replaced by 8-track versions. | 4-Track Beatles vs. 8-Track Marvin Gaye Essay
The recording technologies change significantly between 1966 and 1971, and it is evident that the 4-track approach was replaced by 8-track versions. For example, the Beatles song Taxman uses electronic guitar from 00:27 to 00:51, and it sets the general feeling of the music (The Beatles, 2018). However, Marvin Gaye’s song slowly introduces percussions as the main rhythm delivery element, and it lacks string instruments (Marvin Gaye, 1971). One might argue that the 4-track recording is more simplistic and less fluent compared to the subtlety of sounds of the 8-track alternative.
Nonetheless, it is also important to note that the 8-track recording feels unnecessarily noisier compared to the 4-track song. It is especially relevant because the Beatles performance is more active and dynamic by nature compared to more relaxed and slow-paced Marvin Gaye’s song. It is possible that the gradual addition of a series of tracks on the latter made it overflown by sounds since the tape is a track incremental version. However, it seems that adding more tracks does not necessarily improve the song but rather allows it to be coherent, fluent, and unique by adding both prominent and subtle sounds. In the case of the Beatles, the performance feels raw and stratified into tracks, which is evident due to the obvious limitation of four tracks. In other words, Taxman is more rigid and simple compared to What’s Going On, but the latter is still inferior to the former because the 4-tracks technology was properly executed. In the case of the 8-track song, the tracks seem to be filled unnecessarily, which made it highly noisy at the end with no clearly dominant track in the mix, and it is especially true in regards to the added singers at the end.
References
Marvin Gaye. (1971). What’s Goin’ On? [Song]. On What’s Going On [Album]; Tamla.
The Beatles. (2018). Taxman (remastered 2009) [Video]. Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: This essay explores the concept of psychological testing and assessment in a bid to find out how counselors select the kind of psychological tests to administer, the factors they consider when doing so, and how they evaluate the appropriateness of the selected tests. | This essay explores the concept of psychological testing and assessment in a bid to find out how counselors select the kind of psychological tests to administer, the factors they consider when doing so, and how they evaluate the appropriateness of the selected tests. | Psychological Test Selection Factors and Tools Essay
Introduction
In the fast-paced contemporary world, individuals are compelled to grapple with a variety of mental pressures as they undertake their day-to-day activities. Consequently, mental illnesses and other psychological disorders have become prevalent across the world. This development has made psychological testing and assessment an essential element of healthcare. However, contrary to the notion that only people who are suspected of mental illness are the ones who require psychological testing and assessment, those who think they are mentally healthy also need to undergo this process.
This need stems from the fact that psychological testing does not only provide a basis for the diagnosis of mental illness, but also provides a basis for understanding individual behavior, personality differences, and gauging people’s abilities (Kessler, 2009). Therefore, this essay explores the concept of psychological testing and assessment in a bid to find out how counselors select the kind of psychological tests to administer, the factors they consider when doing so, and how they evaluate the appropriateness of the selected tests.
What resources are available to assist counselors in selecting psychological tests and/or assessments?
As already pointed out, psychological tests are important and are a significant influence on the lives of individuals. More often than not, the type of psychological test selected determines the outcome of treatment. Therefore, choosing inappropriate tests can easily jeopardize the overall objective of the test (Cohen, Swerdlik & Sturman, 2013). It is, therefore, imperative that counselors adopt a practice of cautiously weighing options prior to selecting a psychological test to administer to a client. According to Greene (2011), multiple resources are at the disposal of counselors for use in the selection of appropriate psychological tests. Outlined below are a few examples.
Client’s past records
This resource offers useful information about a client’s history. As a result, counselors should always use it before selecting a psychological test. The importance of a client’s history during the selection of psychological tests stems from the fact that it tells whether the client had previously undergone any psychological examination (Greene, 2011). Such information helps psychologists to avoid repetition of similar tests, as the results are unlikely to yield new information (Foster, 2010).
Relevant publications
A sizable body of literature exists on this subject. Therefore, counselors should strive to ensure that they refer to the most relevant literature since some of the publications focus on specific areas of psychological testing. For example, Greene (2011) identifies the Mental Measurements Yearbook , Tests: A Comprehensive Reference for Assessment in Psychology, Education, and Business , and Measures for Clinical Practice: A Sourcebook as landmark publications that counselors can refer to when selecting a psychological test to administer. Since most health-related publications are evidence-based, they can effectively serve this purpose.
Referral information
Counselors can also base their test selection on referral information. In most cases, practitioners who refer clients to other specialists have first-hand information about the client (Scroggins, Thomas & Morris, 2008). They are often people who know the client on a personal level. As such, the information they have about the client goes beyond what they obtain from interviews. Therefore, referral information can serve as a strong basis for selecting a psychological test. Although many other examples exist, these three will suffice for this essay.
What are four to five important issues a counselor should consider when selecting a psychological test for a client?
Counselors do not spontaneously select psychological tests for clients. It is important that the selected tests take salient issues that are likely to affect the outcome into consideration. Some of these issues include the following.
Standardization
It takes into consideration the consistency of the test under the same environment in order to achieve effective testing performance. Standardized tests can be used in different places without the need for redoing assessment each time a client visits a new psychological facility (Grieve, 2012).
Objectivity
The test’s scoring should be free of any subjective biases. Objectivity ensures that tests offer unbiased results and that the results serve the best interest of the client (Foster, 2010).
Reliability
A good test should yield consistent results for multiple tests. Tests that show different results for the same cases are unreliable and should be avoided (Foster, 2010). Counselors remain conscious of this fact when selecting a test.
Validity
The test should be able to measure the intended parameter. Tests that offer results other than those intended should not be used for diagnosis (Foster, 2010). Their results cannot be used to assist the client.
How can a counselor determine that a specific test is an appropriate test for a client?
Determining the most appropriate tests for any given client is a difficult task. However, the suitability of tests largely depends on the ability of the test to yield the desired results, its ease of implementation, and urgency (Cohen, Swerdlik & Sturman, 2013). Some tests take long before giving results. Therefore, it is important that the recommended tests take into consideration the urgency with which the results are needed. Additionally, an appropriate test should consider the economic ability of a client. If a counselor selects a test that is outside a client’s economic ability, it is as good as not prescribing a test at all (Kessler, 2009).
In conclusion, it is important that counselors consider multiple factors before selecting an appropriate test. Counselors should remain conscious of the fact that prescribing a wrong test can easily change a client’s life negatively as it can lead to a wrong diagnosis and, eventually, a wrong treatment approach. It is prudent that counselors be cautious to ensure that clients are only subjected to the most appropriate and relevant tests.
References
Cohen, R.J., Swerdlik, M.E., &Sturman, E.D. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to test and measurement (8thed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.
GREENE, R. L. (2011). Some considerations for enhancing psychological assessment. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93 (3), 198-203.
Foster, D. F. (2010). Worldwide testing and test security issues: Ethical challenges and solutions. Ethics & Behavior, 20 (3/4), 207-228.
Kessler, R. (2009). Identifying and screening for psychological and comorbid medical and psychological disorders in medical settings. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65 (3), 253-267.
Scroggins, W. A., Thomas, S. L., & Morris, J. A. (2008). Psychological testing in personnel selection, Part I: A Century of psychological testing. Public Personnel Management, 37 (1), 99-109.
Grieve, R. (2012). The Role of personality, psychopathy, and previous experience with assessment in intentions to fake in psychological testing. Current Psychology, 31 (4), 414-422.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Psychological trauma is a serious issue that can cause physical and behavioral symptoms in victims. These symptoms can include sweaty palms, a racing heart, and screams that startle the victim. It is important to understand the underlying neurological and psychological processes in order to provide effective treatment for psychological trauma. | Psychological trauma is a serious issue that can cause physical and behavioral symptoms in victims. These symptoms can include sweaty palms, a racing heart, and screams that startle the victim. It is important to understand the underlying neurological and psychological processes in order to provide effective treatment for psychological trauma. | Psychological Trauma: Physical and Behavioral Symptoms Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Physical Symptoms
3. Behavioral Symptoms
4. Neurological and Physiological Processes
5. Conclusion
6. References
Introduction
Trauma survivors are susceptible to physical dysfunction and poor behavioral responses. They present with persistent trauma-related symptoms, including dissociation and reliving, which are characteristic of PTSD (van der Kolk, 2015). This paper describes these symptoms and the underlying neurological and psychological processes based on a clinical case illustration.
Physical Symptoms
Physical dysfunctions are common initial trauma-related symptoms. The complaints and reactions of a 22-year-old client – with a history of sexual abuse – give a good illustration of the physical symptoms of trauma. Even screams of children in a playground could startle her and cause anxiety, sweaty palms, and racing heart, which are symptomatic of hyperarousal. In the case, the screams evoked trauma-related sensations of fight or flight in the client, which manifested as startle responses (van der Kolk, 2015). Minor triggers activated these defensive reactions in the client.
Along with trauma sensations or flashbacks that emanate from intrusive thoughts, she also reported experiencing nightmares and chronic sleeplessness. Traumatic experiences can lead to sleep disturbances that persist for years (SAMHSA, 2014). Trauma victims may also present with somatic complaints that lack a clear medical cause. The client reported musculoskeletal pain and urological problems. This shows that there is a relationship between somatic symptoms and trauma. Trauma victims may also present with physical impairments, including respiratory disorders, skin conditions, and cardiovascular complications (Gupta, 2013).
Behavioral Symptoms
A range of behavioral symptoms results from emotional reactions to traumatic stress. In the case illustrated, the client did not exhibit shame when talking about the subject of domestic violence. This behavior is symptomatic of numbing and dissociation. Van der Kolk (2015) links depersonalization to trauma-related dissociation or an emotional detachment (numbness). In our case, the client’s numbness can be linked to the abuse she suffered in childhood at the hands of her stepfather. Thus, numbness is a strategy for coping with traumatic experiences.
Behavioral reactions are meant to help survivors cope with the aftereffects of trauma. Common behavioral outcomes of traumatic stress reactions include avoidance of trauma reminders, impulsivity, compulsivity, and self-medicating behavior (Cao et al., 2016). In our case, the client had a history of substance use and high-risk behaviors – reckless driving and multiple sexual partners – an indication of impulsivity.
Neurological and Physiological Processes
Traumatic experiences set off a series of biological processes that manifest as physical and behavioral symptoms in the victim. Alterations in the limbic system, which cause hyperarousal, are implicated in PTSD. In the right hemisphere of the brain, the over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) evokes a fight/flight reaction, whereby the “sounds and images” related to the traumatic experience are activated (van der Kolk, 2015, p. 45).
Another process occurring in the right brain that contributes to PTSD symptoms is stress hormone activity. Alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis due to triggers/flashbacks increase cortisol and adrenaline concentrations, activating the alarm system (SAMHSA, 2014). This explains the re-enacting and reliving of traumatic experiences by traumatized people.
The left hemisphere is the analytical section of the brain. The prefrontal cortex is involved in cognitive processes, while the insula controls self-awareness (van der Kolk, 2015). PTSD patients perceive the trauma as occurring in the present. The self-awareness system of their left hemisphere is deactivated which means that they unaware that they are reliving their past experiences. Therefore, the neurological and physiological processes underlying the symptoms identified from the case illustration are the trauma-related SNS over-stimulation, elevated cortisol/adrenaline levels, and deactivation of the insula.
Conclusion
The case described presented with symptoms of hyperarousal, nightmares, insomnia, somatic disorders, depersonalization, substance use, and high-risk behavior. The biological causes of these physical and behavioral symptoms are related to SNS over-stimulation, stress hormone release, and the deactivation of the left hemisphere of the brain.
References
Cao, Y., Li, L., Zhao, X., Zhang, Y., Guo, X., Zhang, Y., & Luo, X. (2016). Effects of exposure to domestic physical violence on children’s behavior: A Chinese community-based sample. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 9 (2), 127-135. Web.
Gupta, M. A. (2013). Review of somatic symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder. International Review of Psychiatry, 25 (1), 86-99. Web.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. (2014). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services. Rockville, MD: SMAHSA.
van der Kolk, B. (2015). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. London, UK: Penguin Books.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The paper discusses the nature vs. nurture debate in regards to whether nurture or nature is the main cause of children becoming psychopaths.The paper discusses the nature vs. nurture debate in regards to whether nurture or nature is the main cause of children becoming psychopaths. It concludes that though environmental influences have a role in children becoming psychopaths, their impact is different from that one of other individuals with antisocial inclinations. | The paper discusses the nature vs. nurture debate in regards to whether nurture or nature is the main cause of children becoming psychopaths.
The paper discusses the nature vs. nurture debate in regards to whether nurture or nature is the main cause of children becoming psychopaths. It concludes that though environmental influences have a role in children becoming psychopaths, their impact is different from that one of other individuals with antisocial inclinations. | Psychopathy Development in Children Research Paper
Psychopathy denotes a form of personality that defines people who exhibit a marked lack of compunction, culpability, and sympathetic concern for others (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). Children who become psychopaths seem to have no psychological distress and are unreceptive of the suffering of other people. Moreover, they are seemingly captivating, manipulative, self-centered, grandiose, have a tendency of being risk-taking and whimsical, and do not make plans. Such children show antisocial conduct and lack of behavioral management. People with psychopathy are exceptional as they express an augmented risk for instrumental (predatory, goal-propelled) and reactive hostility. This proposal will seek to explain whether nurture or nature (or both) contributes to children becoming psychopaths
Statement of the Problem
The causal factors of psychopathy remain puzzling. Most studies do not even have a satisfactory resolution to the inquiry of whether children become psychopaths as a result of nature or environmental impacts in the course of upbringing (Boccio & Beaver, 2016). Although just a few hundred mutations happen in the process of the early development of the fetus, they have a likelihood of multiplying with time, thus resulting in enormous hereditary variations. This leads to the likelihood of psychopathic attributes being mostly heritably determined. Nevertheless, researchers affirm that psychopathy does not appear genetic, and has its foundation in biological aspects associated with fundamental psychological systems since mature psychopaths do not demonstrate a whole set of prosocial sentiments such as remorse, compassion, and the capacity to take care of others. Though studies affirm that psychopathy is genetic, they do not provide adequate information to show that its causes are inherited. In this regard, it appears that psychopathy is mostly a product of nature, while sociopathy is influenced by environmental conditions, nurture.
Though environmental influences have a role in children becoming psychopaths, their impact is different from that one of other individuals with antisocial inclinations. Psychopathy is currently more common than it was earlier thought, as it affects over 0.6% of the population across the globe (Boccio & Beaver, 2016). It is apparent that psychopathy does not result in criminal behavior or extreme brutal conduct. Its incidence around the world was in the past considerably underrated since it was diagnosed just in individuals who had already exhibited severe conducts, whereas most psychopaths do not. Since there is no successful hereditary or medical assessment so far, psychopathy is still diagnosed with respect to the conduct and the consideration of other factors.
Aims, Objectives, and Justification
This paper aims at establishing the reason behind children becoming psychopaths with the objective of determining the most effective means of tackling the issue. Psychopaths may be identified by their malfunction of the ‘startle reflex,’ a problem of the nervous system’s reaction to images or occurrences that have a terrifying or shocking effect, for instance, photos of a decapitated cadaver. Such responses have been identified even in the psychopaths who have never engaged in violent behavior and actually lead ordinary lives (Boccio & Beaver, 2016). They can as well be applied in the determination of psychopathy in children who show similar indications, especially pathological deceit, lack of compassion, an inclination to aggression, and failure of the startle reflex. A wide pool of studies has offered proof of inheritance playing a role in children becoming psychopaths.
It is evident that psychopathy is more widespread in boys when judged against girls. It has been affirmed that when male psychopaths mature, they have a likelihood of having many relationships that do not last for long and may express a seductive charisma—the impact of evolution results in the survival of people under dissimilar environmental situations. In a given condition, it could be adaptive to be supportive and concerned while in other situations, it could be beneficial to exploit and remain unsociable. Irrespective of their influence in psychopathy, genes have no impact on one’s decisions as they are not accountable for people’s behaviors. No genetic material is either essential or enough to influence a child to elevated rates of psychopathic attributes, and for that reason, the responsibility of offending others lies squarely in environmental factors (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). The offensive nature of psychopaths arises from the influence of the surrounding environment in such a child’s formative years. In this regard, it is clear that both nurture and nature have a role to play in children becoming psychopaths.
Research Questions and their Relevance to the Problem
* Is psychopathy a product of nature or nurture?
* Does psychopathy cause social problems?
* Which is the best intervention for psychopathy?
Genetic influence and environmental conditions have a crucial role in the development of psychopathy in children. The influences of the surroundings encompass the absence of the father, dejected mother, housing in bad condition, rejection by friends, and abandonment. A psychopathic effect in a child could be alleviated through ensuring a caring and stable background. Apart from psychopaths lacking empathy and remorse, they are also easily agitated, which results in social challenges. Psychopaths could actually have similar emotions and compassion as their healthy counterparts, but pay little consideration to such feelings (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). With respect to the treatment of psychopathy in children, it has been established that the most suitable therapy relies on the fundamental personality inclinations. Psychopaths do not react suitably to punishment since they cannot link it to any of their actions as they do not consider what they do morally wrong. Nevertheless, psychopaths have been seen to respond suitably to rewards.
A Brief Preview
Through carrying out primary research with the help of an interview and questionnaire (Appendix A), this study will establish whether the development of psychopathy in children is caused by nature or nurture. It is vital to note that most of the individuals having antisocial inclinations are not psychopaths, and psychopathy is amid the most difficult problems to find out (Boccio & Beaver, 2016). Some psychopaths may appear normal and even charismatic; however, underneath, such individuals lack conscience and compassion, which makes them violent, controlling, and usually (not at all times) criminals.
Review of Existing Literature
In the course of the past decades, concern and awareness of the experiential and theoretical applicability of the issue of psychopathy in children has increased rapidly (McAdams et al., 2017). Powerful connections involving psychopathic personality attributes with antisocial conduct and aggression in grown-ups have elicited research for enhanced comprehension of the condition. Researchers are optimistic that the concern of psychopathy might assist in the identification of particular groups of youth having severe behavioral issues, who will have the psychopathic disorder in their adulthood. It is affirmed that the prevention of serious negative outcomes linked to psychopathic disorder could be facilitated by early detection of the characteristics as efforts to assuage and treat psychopathy in grown-ups have been previously unproductive. There has currently been inadequate research on the influence of nature (genes) and nurture (environment) on the development of psychopathic attributes in children.
Genetic aspects have a considerable role in children becoming psychopaths. Nevertheless, socialization coupled with other environmental aspects interrelate with genetics, which makes it evident that genes are not the only determining factors in the development of psychopathic attributes. Research studies on the genetic influence on psychopathy have centered mainly on monozygotic twins (with similar genes) and dizygotic twins (sharing half of the genes). A study that evaluated the inheritance of psychopathic traits in twins affirmed that genes represent about 50% of the difference in the psychopathic attributes (Dishion, 2016). Other researchers have demonstrated considerable heritability of features of psychopathy when examined with the application of self-report practices.
If psychopathy is hereditary determined, some abnormalities in the brain should be anticipated, the instantaneous basis of psychopathic attributes. Scans of the brain show that when psychopathy develops into criminal conducts, there is reduced association involving the amygdala (a subcortical brain structure that acts on negative stimuli) and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (a section of the prefrontal cortex in the brain of human beings that deduces the reactions from the amygdala). When the relationship involving the two sections is poor, understanding the negative effects in the amygdala fails to develop into a powerfully felt off-putting sentiment (Beaver, Hartman, & Belsky, 2015). This demonstrates the depiction of the sentiments of psychopaths as they neither feel worried nor mortified the moment they are caught in the wrong. They do not get a sad feeling when they see others suffering. Though they may suffer physical pain, they do not experience psychological disturbance.
Studies have established an association between brain defects and criminal psychopathy (Tuvblad, Bezdjian, Raine, & Baker, 2013). Since such brain defects in most instances of psychopathic criminals are not suddenly acquired, there is a reason to believe that it is based on the psychopath’s genetic material. However, the limitation of such studies is that they are anchored in just criminal psychopaths, and not all individuals with psychopathy are felons. Future research should seek to establish whether, similar to the case of the criminal psychopaths; there is a poor connection between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in their non-criminal counterparts. The majority of psychopaths are manipulative, violent, or capricious, and such attributes do not necessarily result in criminal conduct. A different aspect that future research should address is the failure of existing studies to demonstrate that reduced activity involving the vmPFC and amygdala represents an abnormality particularly associated with psychopathy instead of a scope of psychological conditions that have been connected to serious criminal activities, encompassing extreme sexual fetishes and schizophrenia with paranoia.
There is a possibility that the hereditary and environmental conditions that sway a given character or attribute differ with age. For instance, behavioral hereditary studies have affirmed that the heritability of both general traits and cognitive capacity rises in the course of natural life while the impact of the environment reduces from moderate in the course of childhood to insignificant after teenage years. This shows that the environmental and hereditary factors result in psychopathic personality attributes varying with a person’s continued development, which makes age an evident probable moderator. Though studies have established that psychopathy has a high prevalence in males, there is inadequate research on whether gender dissimilarities influence hereditary and environmental variation of psychopathic personality characteristics (Tuvblad et al., 2013). In this regard, future research should seek to examine whether the fundamental environmental and hereditary aspects of psychopathic attributes are alike in both girls and boys irrespective of the gender differences in prevalence.
Psychopathy is mainly an object of popular appeal and medical grief; it is highly resistant to treatment. Shockingly, the majority of people do not know anything regarding the disorder, and if they do, they think just with respect to aggressive psychopathy, serial killers, and slayers, individuals who break the law in numerous instances, and who, if arrested, they may serve long jail terms, life imprisonment, or even death penalty. On this note, there is a need to offer suitable interventions early with the purpose of preventing children having psychopathy from turning out to be hardcore criminals in their later life (Beaver et al., 2015). The most suitable intervention for psychopathy is mainly reward based where children receive an award for striving toward the attainment of their behavioral targets for a given period, for example, one week.
Methodology
Research Design
This study will carry out a primary method of data collection and a qualitative technique of analysis. The participants will be sourced from Kings County in the United States and the study will be done in one of the nearby schools. The twins and triplets will be recruited majorly from the local schools in the County or the community.
Sampling
The total sample for the study will comprise of about 600 sets of twins and triplets between the age of 9 and 11 years, as well as teachers in grade 3 to 5. To start with, the researcher will send written appeals to approximately 700 mothers with young twins or triplets and 60 teachers who teach in grade 3 to 5 in learning institutions across the county. While contacting and inviting the interested families to take part in the study, the researcher will ensure that the racial distribution of the appeals is comparable to that of the entire county in an effort of offering a diverse society sample, which will be representative of the entire region both racially and socio-economically. The exclusion criteria of the participants will be either less than 9 years or above 11 years of age (for the children), the unavailability of any of the children in a set or their mother, or teaching in other grades and not 3 to 5 (for the teachers). The respondents who will satisfy the inclusion criteria will form the overall sample for the study.
Data Collection
In the written invitation, the mothers and the teachers will be informed of the school in which they will meet for about 3 hours of participation in the study. The information gathering methods that will be applied in this study will be a questionnaire and interviews, which will consider both comprehensiveness and profoundness of data pertaining to the development of psychopathic traits in children. This study will just be based on the information provided by the teachers and mothers. The mothers and teachers will be offered a questionnaire to fill and later interviewed regarding the issue of psychopathy in children. Prior to issuing the questionnaire, the researcher will first enlighten the participants of the rationale behind the study and assure them of the protection of their confidentiality. After all is made clear, the research will give the participants a chance to ask questions before giving them an informed consent form (Appendix B) to read and fill. To avoid being overwhelmed by the tasks, the researcher will request three colleagues to assist in the study and adequately train them before the commencement of the study. The psychopathic personality attributes of the children will be assessed with the help of a Child Psychopathy Scale, an excellently validated instrument for assessing psychopathy in children and teenagers.
This study will focus on children within Kings County rather than a countrywide scope to ensure adequate time to refine every link from the intended family via visits and telephone calls where necessary to acquire plentiful information in the form of direct conversations and phone exchanges. The questionnaire (Appendix A) will contain open-ended questions to investigate the manner in which children become psychopaths and the most suitable approaches to addressing the problem. After completing the questionnaire, semi-structured interviews will be carried out to get a better understanding of the development of psychopathic traits in children and the aspects that enhance or hamper betterment of the behavior in children with psychopathy. Interviews and questionnaire will be the typical qualitative approaches for information gathering and the most extensively applied for obtaining information to pull together ideas and views regarding the issue. The researchers will tape record the interviews to ensure availability of information for future reference if required. The information held in the tape recorder will then be transcribed after completion of the interviews to enable effortless lookup for the needed data.
Ethics Statement
The name ‘psychopath’ may elicit frightening reactions in parents, particularly if they were not previously aware that their children had the condition. They could be worried that their children may later become murderers, remorseless, and unstoppable, as such behaviors are associated with psychopaths. To avoid such fears, the researcher will inform the parents that their children are at a prime age where the condition can be improved to make them responsible members of the community in their adulthood. The researcher will stress this point by asserting that psychopaths do not end up becoming unrepentant killers if the problem is tackled early enough. Psychopathic personality traits are extensive across the globe, and treating it early makes such children have a positive score on diagnostic criteria and become industrious and successful people in their later life.
Though psychopaths understand the difference between wrong and right actions, they may psychologically lack warning sentiments or proper conscience. Though they may have correct judgments concerning moral and legal infringements, they seem to lack significant aspects that stimulate people to act morally. In this regard, punishing such children is unethical, and the researcher will advise the parents/teachers to offer rewards as a way of motivating them to behave ethically. The researcher will uphold confidentiality in the study by informing the participants not to write their names or even sign on either the consent form or questionnaire. Every detail regarding the study will be explained to the participants before the commencement of the research.
Statement of Limitations
The limitation of this study is that many of those invited to take part in the study may choose to reject the request hence leaving the researcher with an insufficient sample for the study. To avoid such a scenario, the researcher will make use of phone calls to inform the parents and teachers invited to participate in the research that the study is meant for the good of children and the well-being of the community and the county at large. This will be a remarkable way of persuading their participation and preventing withdrawal at any point of the study.
References
Beaver, K. M., Hartman, S., & Belsky, J. (2015). Differential susceptibility to parental sensitivity based on early-life temperament in the prediction of adolescent affective psychopathic personality traits. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 42(5), 546-565.
Boccio, C. M., & Beaver, K. M. (2016). The influence of psychopathic personality traits, low self-control, and nonshared environmental factors on criminal involvement. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 1(5), 41-52.
Briley, D. A., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2014). Genetic and environmental continuity in personality development: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 140(5), 1303.
Dishion, T. J. (2016). Social influences on executive functions development in children and adolescents: Steps toward a social neuroscience of predictive adaptive responses. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 44(1), 57-61.
McAdams, T. A., Rijsdijk, F. V., Narusyte, J., Ganiban, J. M., Reiss, D., Spotts, E., & Eley, T. C. (2017). Associations between the parent–child relationship and adolescent self‐worth: A genetically informed study of twin parents and their adolescent children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(1), 46-54.
Tuvblad, C., Bezdjian, S., Raine, A., & Baker, L. A. (2013). Psychopathic personality and negative parent-to-child affect: A longitudinal cross-lag twin study. Journal of Criminal Justice, 41(5), 331-341.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The text discusses the phenomenon of public corruption and its possible explanations. It suggests that gratuities are the first step on the so-called "slippery slope" which leads to the corruption increase and spreading. The society-at-large hypothesis suggests that people in the community are willing to give bribes to the entrusted with the power of people: police officers, politicians, judges, and others. |
The text discusses the phenomenon of public corruption and its possible explanations. It suggests that gratuities are the first step on the so-called "slippery slope" which leads to the corruption increase and spreading. The society-at-large hypothesis suggests that people in the community are willing to give bribes to the entrusted with the power of people: police officers, politicians, judges, and others. | Public Corruption as a Phenomenon and Explanations Essay
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gratuities as the First Step on the “Slippery Slope”
3. Society-at-Large Hypothesis
4. Structural or Affiliation Hypothesis
5. Rotten Apple Hypothesis
6. Conclusion
7. References
Introduction
Corruption could be defined as unethical and dishonest behavior or action with the purpose of the personal gain of a person who is entrusted with the power (Rose-Ackerman, 2013). Unfortunately, corruption is a widespread phenomenon among different societies and institutions. The reported cases of bribes taking in the government, police, judiciary, healthcare, sport, and other areas of social life occur almost every day. It is considered that corruption did not appear at once. It was developing gradually from the small single events to a general problem (Köbis et al., 2016). Thus, to describe the phenomenon of public corruption, four major hypotheses exist the concept of “slippery slope,” the society-at-large hypothesis, the structural or affiliation hypothesis, and the rotten apple hypothesis.
Gratuities as the First Step on the “Slippery Slope”
Gratuities are the commonly accepted practice. This occurrence seems to be innocent: people are grateful for the favor and express their gratitude by gifts. However, according to Köbis et al. (2016), these events are the first steps on the so-called “slippery slope” which leads to the corruption increase and spreading. The general idea of this concept is that people who were entrusted with the power started to ignore their professional duties and act only with the purpose to obtain financial or other benefits.
An example of such a “slippery slope” was cited by Coleman (2004). A café near a police station offers free coffee to a police officer. This officer provides some favors to this café owners, in particular, protects customers from drunken visitors. The situation seems to be understandable and innocent. However, an officer inevitably starts to expect more bonuses for his services: a coffee and a dessert, a free lunch, and, finally, some money as a bribe. In turn, the café expects more and more favors from the officers. Thus, if the process started, it could not be stopped.
Society-at-Large Hypothesis
The society-at-large hypothesis suggests that people in the community are willing to give bribes to the entrusted with the power of people: police officers, politicians, judges, and others. Thus, people with authorities started to expect these actions in response to their professional duties performing. It is a possible way how the phenomenon of bribes appeared. According to Meyer, Steyn, and Gopal (2013), it is important to increase people’s awareness of corruption reasons and consequences. People should understand that a single gift or a bribe is not something innocent but a part of the whole system of corruption. Citizens are responsible for giving bribes. To overcome public corruption, they should stop doing it.
An example, cited above, is also suitable to illustrate the society-at-large hypothesis. The café owner was a person who offered a free coffee to a policeman. Thus, the owner is responsible for corruption, appeared later. In this case, no free services should be provided to a police officer. Café protection is the direct duty of the police officers, and there is no need to encourage them to perform it.
Structural or Affiliation Hypothesis
All social institutions have a strict structure and hierarchy. In this structure, inexperienced officers are taught by older and more experienced colleagues and preceptors. Thus, all the aspects of officer’s work are accumulated, including the attitude to corruption. If a tutor takes bribes, the possibility that a newcomer will do the same significantly increases. A newcomer simply follows the existing behavioral standards of an institution. (Meyer, Steyn, & Gopal, 2013). A police station is a perfect example of structural or affiliation theory. If a new officer comes to the station, other colleagues, older and more experienced officers are the example for the officer’s behavior. If they afford themselves to take a free coffee from a café nearby, a newcomer is likely to do the same and gradually become a part of the corrupted system.
Rotten Apple Hypothesis
Mainly, the rotten apple hypothesis is referred to as corruption and other forms of illegal and unethical behavior of police officers. However, this theory could be applied to describe public corruption in general. According to the hypothesis, in every social institution, several “rotten apples” exist. By a rotten apple, a personality with the lack of morality and the inclination to illegal actions should be considered. These persons usually affect the whole institution negatively and lead to corruption increase. Thus, this hypothesis appeals to the personal qualities of individuals and distinguishes between people instead of considering the system as the whole (Rose-Ackerman, 2013).
As an example of this hypothesis, the mentioned above hypothetic police station could be cited. The rotten apple hypothesis supposed that in the station, not all officers but just several of them take bribes. These particular officers could be characterized as persons with low morality. Thus, they agreed to take free coffee and to provide some services for the gratuities due to their personal qualities. These officers are so-called rotten apples in the station.
Conclusion
Corruption is a widespread social phenomenon. It causes significant damage to national economics, politics, and social structure. It is important to understand the reasons and consequences of corruption, to prevent its spreading. Four main hypotheses were developed to explain the roots of the corruption: the slippery slope concept, the society-at-large, structural or affiliation, and rotten apple hypotheses. These hypotheses discussed the origin and main driving factors of this negative social phenomenon. All four hypotheses postulate different reasons of corruption advent: gratuities, people’s willingness to give bribes, advert preceptor’s influence, and officers with the lack of morality present in the system. It could be concluded that all these factors might be the actual reasons for the public corruption phenomenon appearance.
References
Coleman, S. (2004). When police should say “No!” to gratuities. Criminal Justice Ethics , 23 (1), 33-44. Web.
Köbis, N. C., van Prooijen, J. W., Righetti, F., & Van Lange, P. A. (2016). The road to bribery and corruption: Slippery slope or steep cliff?. Psychological Science , 28 (3), 26 – 49
Meyer, M. E., Steyn, J., & Gopal, N. (2013). Exploring the public parameter of police integrity. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management , 36 (1), 140-156.Web.
Rose-Ackerman, S. (2013). Corruption: A study in political economy . New York, NY: Academic Press.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: A basic public key infrastructure consists of several elements that include certain policies, software, and hardware and is intended to manage the creation and distribution of digital certificates and keys.The Comparison of Public/ In-House CAs and RecommendationsWhen it comes to choosing a public/ in-house CA, there are several factors to consider. These include the size of the organization, the number of employees, and the type of industry. Additionally, it is important to consider whether the organization wants to | A basic public key infrastructure consists of several elements that include certain policies, software, and hardware and is intended to manage the creation and distribution of digital certificates and keys.
The Comparison of Public/ In-House CAs and Recommendations
When it comes to choosing a public/ in-house CA, there are several factors to consider. These include the size of the organization, the number of employees, and the type of industry. Additionally, it is important to consider whether the organization wants to | Public Key Infrastructure and Certification Authority Case Study
Table of Contents
1. The Fundamentals of PKI
2. PKI and the Company’s Software
3. The Comparison of Public/ In-House CAs and Recommendations
4. References
The Fundamentals of PKI
A basic public key infrastructure comprises several elements that include certain policies, software, and hardware and is intended to manage the creation and distribution of digital certificates and keys. Digital certificates, on the other hand, can be considered the core of a PKI because they are used to create a linkage between the public key and the subject of a given certificate. Other key elements are outlined further:
* The first element is termed a “certificate authority” (CA). It is a service provider that is used to maintain authorization procedures (regarding the end-users, computers, or any other entities).
* The second element is termed a “registration authority.” For the most part, it is also known as a subordinate certificate authority because it is utilized to grant root access to specific users (Pfleeger, Pfleeger, & Margulies, 2015).
* The third element is a database that is used to store certificates and information regarding revocations, requests, and other activities.
* The fourth element is a certificate store that is used to keep the information regarding private keys or any of the certificates that were issued earlier.
After the identities of the end-users are verified by the CA, several digital certificates are issued. Then, a self-signed CA is utilized to disclose a public key to the parties that have access to it and enables a private key that safeguards the disclosed data. Another notion that is worth mentioning is a “chain of trust.” It can be explained by the root CAs that are embedded, for instance, in Web browsers and are enabled by default. The information regarding algorithms is also contained in these digital certificates.
PKI and the Company’s Software
One of how a PKI could help during the process of signing the company’s software is a solution that is solely based on the complexity of environments that are in control of testing and development environments. Therefore, the authenticity of the software can be tested using deploying a test certificate server that will deploy a test root certificate (Sinn, 2015). Microsoft’s Active Directory CA Services can be used to perform this task, but the option of Group Policy should be turned on so that certificates could be easily revoked and managed. Other tools can be used (such as OpenCA or EJBCA) but there is also a variety of way to deploy the CA testing procedure:
* First, the certificates should be issued to all CA testers and developers that are involved (Wu & Irwin, 2016).
* Second, certain requests to the server regarding the enrollment of certificates should be made by the client. The administrator should perform those requests either manually or using an ACL (Sinn, 2015).
* Third, the certificate requests may be made by certain power users (such as team leaders) to make it easier for the end-user.
One of the most important steps, in this case, is the automation of the signing process. Moreover, the developers are required to include the latter in the development environment. By doing this, the team will be able to evade issues and certify that the end product will be of high quality. This would highly benefit the users of complex environments that are usually forced to come up with several sets of signing requirements (signature packaging configurations and other conventional applications).
The Comparison of Public/ In-House CAs and Recommendations
Several advantages are characteristic of the in-house CA. First of all, this type of CA allows you to manage the available key and certificates in a simple and easily understandable way (Conklin, White, Williams, Davis, & Cothren, 2016). The key reason behind it is the decision to get rid of external entities and the absence of any dependencies that would interfere with the certificates mentioned above. Second, the CA can be used in pairs with Microsoft’s Active Directory.
This fact also positively influences the process of managing the CA. The disadvantages of the in-house CAs include, in the first place, the complexity of the implementation of this type of CA (Conklin et al., 2016). It is also safe to say that the organization, in this case, is responsible for the development and implementation of the PKI. The third disadvantage revolves around the fact that external parties will not trust an in-house CA.
The first advantage that relates to the public CAs is that the latter is ultimately in control of the organizational PKI. Moreover, the majority of external parties approve the certificates that are signed using trusted public CAs (such as SecureNet, VeriSign, or Comodo) (Wu & Irwin, 2016). One of the core disadvantages, at the same time, is that the linkage between the organizational infrastructure and the public CA becomes too restricted. Additionally, the use of public CAs generates more pay-per-certificate expenditures. In perspective, this means that there will be potential issues with the management of certificates and inflexibility of CA configuration (Pfleeger et al., 2015).
It is recommended to use the in-house CAs because there is no need to spend money on the pay-per-certificate services. Also, it should be noted that they are easy to configure and tend to be much cheaper than their public counterparts. They also positively affect the PKI and simplify the process of issuing new certificates.
References
Conklin, A., White, G. B., Williams, D., Davis, R., & Cothren, C. (2016). Principles of computer security (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Pfleeger, C. P., Pfleeger, S., & Margulies, J. (2015). Security in computing . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Sinn, R. (2015). Software security technologies . Boston, MA: Thomson.
Wu, C. J., & Irwin, J. D. (2016). Introduction to computer networks and cybersecurity . Boca Raton, FL: CRC.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the importance of understanding public opinion for improving public relations practice. It also describes the five categories of approaches to defining public opinion and how each one can help improve public relations practice.Understanding public opinion is important for improving public relations practice because it can help practitioners better communicate with the public. There are five categories of approaches to defining public opinion that can help improve public relations practice: demographics, psychographics, behavioral sciences, qualitative methods, and focus groups. | The essay discusses the importance of understanding public opinion for improving public relations practice. It also describes the five categories of approaches to defining public opinion and how each one can help improve public relations practice.
Understanding public opinion is important for improving public relations practice because it can help practitioners better communicate with the public. There are five categories of approaches to defining public opinion that can help improve public relations practice: demographics, psychographics, behavioral sciences, qualitative methods, and focus groups. | Public Relations Practice Improvement by Public Opinion Report
Introduction
Democracy implies that the governance of society is performed by individuals, groups, and institutions that represent the interests of citizens and have their agendas shaped by the public. From this perspective, public opinion appears to be a crucial concept that greatly influences many political, social, economic, and cultural processes. However, researchers have repeatedly stressed the difficulty of defining public opinion. Although public opinion remains a strong factor that many refer to in the course of making decisions and explaining particular phenomena, the term resists being clearly defined in a single statement (Glynn et al. 2015). Moreover, even if the complexity of the notion of public opinion is comprehensively examined and taken into consideration, it is still challenging to define the connection between understanding public opinion and practising public relations.
Public relations entails a wide range of activities performed by individuals, groups, and organisations aimed at achieving mutual understanding between them and the public and building a favourable image that facilitates successful operations (Coombs & Holladay 2013). Since there are various categories of public entities, public relations have different levels, branches, and types. The modern world is characterised by the constant exchange of large amounts of information. People share opinions, participate in discussions, and cooperate via new media on a scale that has never before been seen. Under these circumstances, public relations are crucial for companies, governments, and public figures because virtually any endeavour is doomed to fail unless it gains support from the public by means of communicating the endeavour’s purposes effectively (Grunig 2013). Public relations practitioners inevitably need to consider public opinion because their activities often seek to change it. Scholars have argued that a better understanding of public opinion by practitioners improves public relations practice (Simons & Jones 2011). In order to understand how this happens, it is necessary to define a public opinion, examine its connections to public relations, describe what improvements in public relations mean, and explain the ways in which understanding public opinion can bring positive change to the practice of public relations.
Defining Public Opinion
The common understanding of public opinion is that it is what the public thinks about a particular event, phenomena, person, or process. It is a sort of shared attitude, understanding, or view observed within communities or across entire nations. However, if one looks closer at the concept, it becomes obvious that it is not completely clear who the public is and how it shapes and exchanges its opinions. Glynn et al. (2015) argue that there are five categories of approaches to defining public opinion. Each one is important to consider because it helps outline the concept more broadly and more comprehensively.
The first category is summarised by stating that “public opinion is an aggregation of individual opinions” (Glynn et al. 2015, p. 13). This definition is the simplest and most widespread, implying that people in a given community share views and attitudes due to a common background. The similar characteristics constitute what can be called public opinion. This understanding justifies the measurement of public opinion by means of surveys and polls (Bardes & Oldendick, 2012). Indeed, surveying is widely used as a tool for exploring public opinion. For example, if it is found that 55 percent of people in a certain country approve of the government’s recent policies, it can be concluded that the majority of citizens support its government; in other words, public opinion is favourable toward the current government. However, it should be noted that all citizens are not surveyed but rather a representative sample (Berinsky 2011). This sampling strategy adds to the confusion around public opinion because it raises the issue of how accurately surveys can reflect an actual aggregation of everyone’s opinions.
The second category is based on the idea that “public opinion is a reflection of majority beliefs” (Glynn et al. 2015, p. 14). It should be noted that “majority” here does not mean simply more than 50 percent; instead, it means a dominant group. Under this definition, public opinion is regarded as a set of mainstream views. Noelle-Neumann (1974), an influential theorist in this area, proposed the idea that public opinion is the one that can be expressed publically without risk of the speaker being ostracised or isolated. Therefore, an important aspect of public opinion is its restrictive and prescriptive nature. Similar to social norms, public opinion is about acceptability: there are things one cannot say publically in certain societies (like racist statements in democratic societies), meaning that they are not part of public opinion.
The approaches in the third category are based on the understanding that “public opinion is found in the clash of group interests” (Glynn et al. 2015, p. 15). This is a different perspective that focuses less on how individuals accumulate their opinions than on how opinions are imposed on them. Interest groups include political forces, influential corporations, and activists, all of whom constantly struggle for public support. They have enough resources and power to shape the public agenda. Therefore, public opinion appears to be the result of debates among interest groups.
The concept of producing public opinion is continued in the fourth category, where it is argued that “public opinion reflects media and elite influence” (Glynn et al. 2015, p. 16). This definition means that public opinion is a reflection of the opinions of societal elites, including political leaders, powerful businessmen, and other trendsetters. What is important here is to assess how the notion of “public opinion” is actually generated by groups who have access to or control over mass media and are thus capable of shaping the minds of the public. Questions may arise in a regular citizen in response to this explanation: How can my mind be shaped? Do I not have my own opinion? Herman and Chomsky (2010) Reply to these questions by claiming that a regular citizen—someone who may not be familiar with how mass communications work—would be very surprised to discover how facts can be manipulated, how agendas can be shaped, and how opinions are ultimately manufactured. Here, public opinion is seen as a set of views that is intentionally imposed upon the public, often with malicious purposes such as justifying the actions of governments. Working within this perspective, Lippmann (1922) coined the term “stereotype”, a simplified idea that may or may not be false. Stereotypes are part of public opinion, as they are partially shaped by media representation and affect public attitudes. Approaches in this category acknowledge that public opinion can be measured more accurately by surveying media and leaders rather than members of the public.
Finally, Glynn et al. (2015, p. 19) also point out that some scholars think that “public opinion is a fiction”. As discussed in the introduction, public opinion is an important concept in democracy, where political decision-making is supposed to be based on the will of the citizens as reflected in public opinion. However, decision-makers sometimes refer to a public opinion without sufficient evidence to prove that what they call “public opinion” is, in fact, what the public thinks and how it feels. Nonetheless, it is not suggested that members of communities do not have shared or common opinions that are influential; it is only suggested that the concept of public opinion is often used falsely in the political context.
Although there are more ways to approach defining public opinion, the five categories described above present a wide range of possible explanations of what scholars and practitioners call “public opinion”. After examining each of them, it is possible to describe the connection between public opinion and public relations practice.
How Public Relations Is Connected to Public Opinion
There are many spheres of public relations, which complicates speculating on public relations in general. However, it can be assumed that all of those spheres are linked in one way or another to the concept of public opinion, which allows for an attempt to define the connection on a fundamental level. Such a fundamental connection is claimed by Harold Burson, co-founder of Burson-Marsteller, an influential international public relations and communications company. Burson stated that “public relations is a process that impacts public opinion” ( Public relations defined 2011, para. 4). Therefore, public relation is a combination of ongoing activities that are planned and implemented with the aim of modifying public opinion. However, Burson goes on to claim that the “objective [of public relations] is to motivate individuals or groups to take a specific action. Like buying a certain brand of toothpaste or automobile; voting for a specific candidate; supporting one side or the other of a political issue; signing up with one cable provider over another” ( Public relations defined 2011, para. 4). A misleading element can be found in Burson’s statements: although influencing public opinion, public relations attempts to motivate individuals, not the public. This idea works within the framework where public relations is an aggregation of the opinions of all people in a given group. However, with different understandings of public opinion (see Defining Public Opinion), this view seems to be wrong.
For the purpose of establishing a link to public relations, public opinion can be regarded as an existing set of strong, dominant beliefs and attitudes that affect how the public perceives new information. Therefore, the goal of public relations practice is, indeed, interacting with public opinion and modifying it toward some desired result. The key element of this process is persuasion. Persuasion has been a widespread theme in public relations literature for decades. Perloff (2010) stresses that persuasion is not necessarily done through massive direct channels of information. Indeed, people rarely change their minds after seeing a single commercial, although much money must have been spent to produce it and show it in primetime. Even if a particular force controls the mass media, it will not necessarily succeed in persuading. It was established in the twentieth century that mass communication messages do not work like hypodermic needles; they do not affect audience members directly by immediately replacing their opinions with the content of a message (McQuail & Windahl 2015). The process is more complicated and subtle, involving many factors like cultural and personal backgrounds.
One subtle persuasion mechanism is social proof, which implies that “one means we use to determine what is correct is to find out what other people think is correct” (Ciadini 2014, p. 88). This view equally applies to behaviours, as people tend to regard those behaviours as appropriate that they observe in others around them. This explains the similarity between public opinion and social norms, which was previously described in terms of dominant and marginal views (Noelle-Neumann 1974). If public relations practice manages to place audience members into an environment where certain things are presented as normal and socially approved, they tend to adopt these things. This is an example of how public relations practice impacts public opinion. Overall, it can be concluded that public opinion is precisely the environment in which public relations practitioners work, as well as their material and challenge.
What Good Public Relations Is
In order to argue that a good understanding of public opinion can improve public relations practice, it is necessary to understand what is meant by improved practice. Similar to public opinion, public relations can be defined in multiple ways (Grunig 2013). A definition used above (see Introduction) suggests that public relations seek to achieve mutual understanding between the public and the public relations source, such as an organisation, as well as to build a favourable image. After reviewing the connection between public relations and public opinion, it can be added that public relations also encompasses the notions of persuasion and gaining the public’s recognition, consent, and approval.
These definitions effectively set goals for public relations practitioners. For example, if a new product is launched, the practitioner’s primary goal is to communicate to the public that the product serves the particular needs of the target audience (i.e., to explain why targets need to buy the product) (Coombs & Holladay 2013). In order to increase sales, public relations communications may demonstrate that the company is not only trying to sell its product but also to contribute to the well-being of its customers. Such an image helps gain loyalty and attract new audiences. If recognisability, loyalty, and sales are increased, public relations activities can be considered successful. Another example is political public relations. Improving public relations practice for an unpopular political figure results in increased support for the figure. Early in the history of public relations, it was established that public relations sets goals and employs various tools of communication, persuasion, and trust-building (Bernays 1923). Achieving goals through comprehensive communication activities is good public relations.
How an Understanding of Public Opinion Improves Public Relations Practice
It has been established that for public relations practice, public opinion is both the environment and the material (see How Public Relations Is Connected to Public Opinion). It can be argued that changing public opinion is what public relations essentially pursues. Persuasion is a major theme for practitioners because persuading is what it takes to gain trust, increase public support, or otherwise affect public opinion. From a theoretical perspective, multiple approaches were proposed to develop effective persuasion strategies.
Besides the technique of applying social proof for persuasion (Ciadini 2014), there are dozens of persuasion techniques and theories described in the literature. For example, the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) stresses the importance of two sides of persuasion: external and internal. This technique explains that the success of persuading depends not on only on the activities of the persuader but also on the psychological processes of those who are being persuaded (Simons & Jones 2011). The response to persuasion is linked to the public’s internal dynamics, which is why it is important to analyse public opinion along with the persuasion process.
Another theory is the theory of reasoned action (TRA), which suggests that modifying someone’s behaviour requires modifying their intentions. Intentions are shaped by attitudes towards behaviours and subjective norms (Simons & Jones 2011), reflecting the two-sided nature of persuasion described in the ELM and corresponding to the social proof theory. Another theoretical framework establishes the correlation between beliefs, values, and attitudes (BVA) and states that one’s favourable attitude toward an object is a result of believing that the object possesses characteristics that one values. According to Simons and Jones (2011, p. 51), the BVA theory “may achieve its generality by being too simple”. In this way, when promoting a certain product, public relations practitioners should not only communicate its characteristics but also link them to the public’s beliefs, which requires analysing the beliefs beforehand.
Based on these theories, there is a growing recognition among scholars that persuasion may be ineffective, even with great resource expenditure, if it is performed in a straightforward way that ignores the different aspects and levels of being persuaded. In their highly acclaimed book, Thaler and Sunstein (2008, p. 5) propose the concept of “nudge”, an idea in the libertarian paternalism framework that suggests that “choices [should not be] blocked, fenced off, or significantly burdened”. It implies soft persuasion in which the public is encouraged to move in the desired direction in a non-intrusive manner. Another important concept is cognitive dissonance: people live a constant flow of information where their beliefs may be challenged by multiple contradictions (Simons & Jones 2011). Contradictions hinder behaviours, which is why it is important for people to resolve conflicts of beliefs. Public relations practice may be successful if it proposes such resolution by reconciling beliefs.
From various perspectives described above, it is evident that public relations practitioners inevitably have to analyse public opinion in order to develop effective strategies for practice. What is meant by analysing is defining what is referred to as public opinion and studying the public’s beliefs and values. Subsequent implementation will include communicating in such a way that will effectively modify public opinion toward the desired result. A good understanding of public opinion ensures successful public relations practice.
Conclusion
Although both public opinion and public relations can be defined in various ways, it is evident that the two are highly interconnected. Public relations seeks to build mutual understanding, gain support and approval, and change the audience’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. To do so successfully, public relations practitioners need to understand public opinion, including its genesis and dynamics, and constantly work with it. Individual practitioners largely benefit from an accurate and comprehensive understanding of public opinion. Industries benefit, too, as the correct understanding of public opinion ensures more stable development.
In a modern world of globalisation and cultural differences, public opinion has become more complicated and intertwined, making it harder for public relations practitioners to work with public opinion. However, this fact does not take away from the importance of understanding public opinion as something that positively affects public relations practice.
Reference List
Bardes, BA & Oldendick, RW 2012, Public opinion: measuring the American mind , Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Lanham.
Berinsky, AJ 2011, ‘Representative sampling and survey’, in RY Shapiro & LR Jacobs (eds), The Oxford handbook of American public opinion and the media , Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 332-348.
Bernays, EL 1923, Crystallizing public opinion , Liveright, New York.
Ciadini, RB 2014, Influence: science and practice , Harlow, Essex.
Coombs, WT & Holladay, SJ 2013, It’s not just PR: public relations in society , John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken.
Glynn, CJ, Herbst, S, Lindeman, M & O’Keefe, GJ 2015, Public opinion , Westview Press, Boulder.
Grunig, JE 2013, Excellence in public relations and communication management , Routledge, New York.
Herman, ES & Chomsky, N 2010, Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media , Random House, New York.
Lippmann, W 1922, Public opinion , Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York.
McQuail, D & Windahl, S 2015, Communication models for the study of mass communications , Routledge, New York.
Noelle-Neumann, E 1974, ‘The spiral of silence: a theory of public opinion’, Journal of Communication , vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 43-51.
Perloff, RM 2010, The dynamics of persuasion , Routledge, New York.
Public relations defined 2011, Web.
Simons, HW & Jones, JG 2011, Persuasion in society , Routledge, New York.
Thaler, RH & Sunstein, CR 2008, Nudge: improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness , Penguin, London.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The purpose of this proposal is to recommend the implementation of such revenue management strategies as the direct online distribution, variable pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity monitoring. | The purpose of this proposal is to recommend the implementation of such revenue management strategies as the direct online distribution, variable pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity monitoring. | Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour Hotel’s Revenue Management Report
Executive Summary
Revenue management in the hospitality industry is a complex of strategies and techniques used to generate profits depending on forecasting the demand and setting prices. Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is a five-star hotel in Sydney which requires the solution to the problem of increasing the revenue to improve a current stable position of the hotel in the market of Sydney and achieve the further progress.
This proposal provides an explanation of the solution to the identified problem. The solution includes the simultaneous implementation of the improved or new revenue management strategies, such as the direct online distribution, variable pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity monitoring, to regulate the demand, attract more customers, and avoid a high percentage of cancellations. Benefits of applying these strategies are associated with integrating techniques as a system, the components of which affect each other. Possible barriers to the project implementation and its schedule are presented in the proposal.
Introduction
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is one of the leading upscale hotels known under the brand name “Pullman”, which belongs to the group of AccorHotels. This five-star hotel is located in East Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia (Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, 2017). While focusing on the revenue management followed in the hotel, it is possible to note that managers use a traditional model for making the revenue that is based on forecasting the demand, adjusting prices, and changing the availability of services.
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour’s revenue centres as operations that influence generating the hotel’s revenue include a restaurant, a lunch area, a bar, a boardroom, a gallery, a sauna, a gymnasium, and room services (Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, 2017). The problem is that the revenue of this Pullman hotel is at a stable high level during several years, however, changes in customers’ interests in buying upscale services and general tourism trends observed during a recent period of time do not allow for speaking about further significant increases in the revenue (Lu, Berchoux, Marek, & Chen, 2015).
Much attention should be paid to reconsidering the currently applied revenue management approach in order to determine new areas for attracting customers and increasing income (Erdem & Jiang, 2016; Ortega, 2016). The solution to the identified problem should be based on applying the most effective and advanced revenue management strategies to guarantee the financial progress of the hotel, and this solution will be discussed in this proposal in detail.
Thus, the purpose of this proposal is to recommend the implementation of such revenue management strategies as the direct online distribution, variable pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity monitoring. The report will provide a detailed discussion of these strategies to demonstrate their effectiveness in generating the revenue for the hotel . The following key terms will be operated in this proposal to explain the recommended solution: a distribution channel as a way to spread the information about rooms for booking, demand modelling as an approach to forecasting requests, and variable pricing as a form of dynamic pricing.
The Solution to the Identified Problem
The proposed solution to the problem identified for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is based on the simultaneous implementation of five effective revenue management strategies that are determined and developed to address the needs of this hotel at the current stage of its development. Such strategies as the direct online distribution, variable pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity monitoring are expected to be implemented in the hotel as a bundle and in combination with corresponding changes in operations and customer relationship management (Erdem & Jiang, 2016; Richard, 2017).
According to Kimes (2016), the synergistic approach to implementing the determined strategies in the hotel in the context of revenue management will guarantee increases in profits associated with improved marketing and operations. The proposed strategies address the key areas of revenue management, such as distribution channel management, pricing, competitive benchmarking, demand modelling, and capacity management, in order to implement the change in all fields to achieve higher results (Guillet & Mohammed, 2015; Thakurta, 2016). These strategies need to be further explained as they are developed according to the needs of Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
Distribution Channel-Focused Strategy
In order to maximise profitability, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour should change its distribution channel strategy. Currently, the reliance on online travel agents (OTAs) can be inappropriate for the hotel because of its upscale status, high commissions for cooperating with OTAs, and the impossibility to guarantee flexible rates for all rooms in the hotel (Kimes, 2016). Still, an online distribution channel remains to be one of the most effective ones in the hospitality industry today (Yeoman & McMahon-Beattie, 2017).
Therefore, the strategy that should be selected for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is the distribution of services through the hotel’s website. This direct online marketing strategy is appropriate to decrease distribution channel costs and increase the demand by using different channels.
To implement this channel-focused distribution approach, it is important to focus on the following steps. Firstly, it is necessary to redesign the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour’s website for booking (Ferguson & Smith, 2014). It must become more user-friendly and include all features that attract customers of OTAs: demonstrate photographs, represent price rates to address clients with various price sensitivities, including updates, and provide customer reviews (Kimes, 2016). Secondly, it is important to promote this website with the help of social media and Google Hotel Finder. This low-cost channel is appropriate for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour because it combines the benefits of a direct distribution strategy and an online distribution strategy.
Pricing Strategy
Depending on the status of a five-star hotel which sells a high-quality experience to customers, the value-based pricing strategy was discussed as the most effective for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour for many years. However, in order to address current changes in customers’ interests in buying upscale services, it is also important to combine this strategy with the tactical pricing approach followed by many hotels in the context of revenue management. The final variant of the pricing strategy for the hotel should be based on the principles of variable pricing (Bayoumi, Saleh, Atiya, & Aziz, 2013).
The first step is to determine price sensitivity and price ratios with reference to the forecasted demand in order to be able to change prices for customers (Appendix A). The second step for this Pullman hotel is to determine the value created for customers and identify rooms which can be offered according to the principle of variable pricing without decreasing profits during the first months of this strategy’s implementation process (Erdem & Jiang, 2016; Phumchusri & Maneesophon, 2014). It is important to guarantee that the hotel has different room types offered for various prices.
The third step is to guarantee changes in rooms’ rates and prices to reflect supply and demand. The fourth step is the revision of messages regarding discounts to make them flexible rather than stable (“save up to 30%” in contrast to “save 30%”).
For instance, the price for a one-bedroom suite will vary from 679 AUD to 560 AUD depending on the date or season, as well as the period of booking this room. Variable pricing is more appropriate for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour than other variants of tactical pricing because it provides the hotel with opportunities to accentuate the value and improve profitability without changing the orientation to other audience and significantly decreasing prices (Erdem & Jiang, 2016; Talón-Ballestero & González-Serrano, 2013).
Competitive Strategy
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is one of the upscale hotels in Sydney, which services and price can resemble its competitors, including Park Hyatt Sydney, InterContinental Sydney, Sheraton on the Park, and Pier One Sydney Harbour among others. In order to compete effectively, it should improve its strategy in the context of competitive benchmarking typical of revenue management. Changes should be started from monitoring price fluctuations in the market with the help of comparing services and costs online (Ferguson & Smith, 2014).
The next step is the analysis of how Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour’s competitors promote their services with the help of a variety of distribution channels (El Haddad, 2015). For Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, it is important to monitor the effectiveness of its distribution strategy and compare the booking progress with the industry’s averages in Sydney to remain competitive. One more technique to apply is the provision of more value for customers while remaining to be one of the leading hotels, which belong to the group of luxurious five-star hotels. It is also important to add more value and propose new discount programmes for regular visitors in order to increase the position in the market.
Demand Modelling
The implementation of an effective forecasting or demand modelling strategy can contribute to increasing the hotel’s profitability by about 5% within a short period of time. Traditional models used in order to forecast the demand in the hospitality industry include additive and multiplicative models. Still, while applying only one of these models, it is impossible to forecast changes in the demand from all perspectives (Schwartz, Uysal, Webb, & Altin, 2016).
Therefore, it is important to recommend referring to multivariate exponential smoothing as a method which combines the strengths of both models. While applying this technique, managers will be able to analyse the demand with reference to the local trend, general tourism trends in the region, customers’ behaviours, seasonal changes, and variations in competitors’ proposals (Claveria, Monte, & Torra, 2015). The hotel requires additional resources in order to integrate the programme for modelling in the corporate system. Depending on the results of demand modelling, it will be possible to determine the number of clients to expect and predict negative effects of cancellations.
Capacity Management Strategy
The strategy followed in Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour regarding its capacity management should be in line with the forecasting approach and the distribution strategy. In spite of the fact that the hotel effectively controls its capacity to satisfy customers’ demand, it is possible to propose implementing the following techniques in order to improve the situation: reduce rates during low seasons according to the data of demand modelling; keep suites in expectation of customers’ demand; prioritise long-stay requests; use a discount system; plan conferences during low seasons (Ferguson & Smith, 2014; Ortega, 2016).
All these techniques are viewed in revenue management as advanced to be applied in the hospitality industry to control the hotel’s capacity and maintain it in balance with the demand. Assuming the fact that Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is characterised by stable demand rates during low and high seasons, these approaches are easy to be implemented in the hotel.
Benefits of the Solution
Recent studies in the field of revenue management in hotels demonstrate that managers are able to achieve higher results when they implement certain strategies and techniques simultaneously or as bundles (Di Foggia & Lazzarotti, 2014; Erdem & Jiang, 2016). The reason for using this approach to improve the profitability of the hotel is that revenue management strategies depend on each other, and changes in one of them lead to changes in other management areas (Richard, 2017).
For instance, in Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, changes in the distribution channel strategy cause changes in analysing competitors’ offers and forecasting the demand. Changes in the approach to forecasting lead to changes in capacity management and pricing. The benefits of focusing on these strategies and tactics are that they cover all basic revenue management areas while allowing managers of the Pullman hotel to maximise profits.
The direct online distribution is important to oppose OTAs and high costs associated with using their services without limiting customers’ access to options for booking. Variable pricing allows the hotel to propose flexible prices without compromising its value and expected revenues. The competitive strategy and demand forecasting techniques allow for preparing rooms and discounts with reference to the predicted number of clients to avoid wasting resources (Ortega, 2016). Therefore, the capacity strategy is correlated with demand modelling.
Task Schedule, Budget, Experiences Required for the Project Implementation
The table representing a schedule for completing tasks that are determined according to the strategies implementation plan is provided as Appendix B. In order to maximise profitability for the hotel, it is important to start with demand modelling and preparing the distribution channel. Other strategies to implement should be pricing, capacity, and competitive strategies (El Haddad, 2015; Erdem & Jiang, 2016).
Two main tasks that require additional financial resources for their implementation are the improvement of the website for direct booking and the integration of a new demand modelling or forecasting programme. Thus, the cost of creating an appropriate website is about 7,000 AUD, and the cost of integrating the programme for making forecasts is about 3,000-5,000 AUD. Additional costs are associated with attracting specialists who will consult employees regarding the work with the programme for multivariate exponential smoothing.
It is possible to pay about $4,000 AUD to an expert with experience in working with multivariate exponential smoothing models for 2-3 training sessions. Other skills and knowledge that are required for the project implementation are associated with the capacities of the revenue manager and team.
Opposition and Barriers to the Solution Implementation
In order to implement the solution in the most efficient manner, it is important to identify possible barriers to the project implementation and propose ways to overcome them. The application of a new pricing strategy and a competitive benchmarking strategy is in line with the current research and evidence in the hospitality industry. Still, the reference to the direct online distribution after the period of using OTAs can have negative effects on the process of attracting customers (Erdem & Jiang, 2016; Ferguson & Smith, 2014).
To avoid these negative effects, it is necessary to cooperate with partners with the help of social media and promote advertisements regarding an advanced approach to booking rooms in Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Furthermore, opponents of the complex demand modelling approach state that similar results can be achieved while using more simple programmes (Kimes, 2016; Lu et al., 2015). However, it is important to note that the accuracy of forecasting can be guaranteed only if different models are applied simultaneously, and multivariate exponential smoothing provides managers with opportunities to analyse different factors while influencing pricing and further operations.
Conclusion
The implementation of improved revenue management strategies in Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour can result in increasing its profitability because of addressing the interests and needs of more customers. The five-star status of the hotel provides certain limits regarding the orientation to new customer groups because of the phenomenon of price sensitivity.
However, while applying the variable pricing strategy supported by the results of multivariate exponential smoothing and analysis of competitors’ approaches, it is possible to attract more visitors and control supply and demand with reference to the proposed effective distribution and capacity strategies. This solution to the problem of the absent increase in profits can be viewed as appropriate for Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.
Appendix A
Variable Pricing.
Appendix B
Project Implementation Schedule.
References
Bayoumi, A. E., Saleh, M., Atiya, A. F., & Aziz, H. A. (2013). Dynamic pricing for hotel revenue management using price multipliers. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management , 12 (3), 271-285.
Claveria, O., Monte, E., & Torra, S. (2015). A new forecasting approach for the hospitality industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 27 (7), 1520-1538.
Di Foggia, G., & Lazzarotti, V. (2014). Assessing the link between revenue management and performance: Insights from the Italian tourism industry. Measuring Business Excellence , 18 (1), 55-65.
El Haddad, R. (2015). Exploration of revenue management practices: Case of an upscale budget hotel chain. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 27 (8), 1791-1813.
Erdem, M., & Jiang, L. (2016). An overview of hotel revenue management research and emerging key patterns in the third millennium. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology , 7 (3), 300-312.
Ferguson, M., & Smith, S. (2014). The changing landscape of hotel revenue management and the role of the hotel revenue manager. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management , 13 (3), 224-232.
Guillet, B. D., & Mohammed, I. (2015). Revenue management research in hospitality and tourism: A critical review of current literature and suggestions for future research. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 27 (4), 526-560.
Kimes, S. E. (2016). The evolution of hotel revenue management. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management , 15 (3-4), 247-251.
Lu, C., Berchoux, C., Marek, M. W., & Chen, B. (2015). Service quality and customer satisfaction: Qualitative research implications for luxury hotels. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research , 9 (2), 168-182.
Ortega, B. (2016). Revenue management systems and hotel performance in the economic downturn. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 28 (4), 658-680.
Phumchusri, N., & Maneesophon, P. (2014). Optimal overbooking decision for hotel rooms revenue management. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology , 5 (3), 261-277.
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. (2017). Sydney’s premier address . Web.
Richard, B. (2017). Hotel chains: Survival strategies for a dynamic future. Journal of Tourism Futures , 3 (1), 56-65.
Schwartz, Z., Uysal, M., Webb, T., & Altin, M. (2016). Hotel daily occupancy forecasting with competitive sets: A recursive algorithm. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 28 (2), 267-285.
Talón-Ballestero, P., & González-Serrano, L. (2013). Future trends in revenue management. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management , 12 (3), 289-291.
Thakurta, P. G. (2016). Revenue management: The ever changing landscape and the need to innovate. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes , 8 (4), 461-468.
Yeoman, I. S., & McMahon-Beattie, U. (2017). The turning points of revenue management: A brief history of future evolution. Journal of Tourism Futures , 3 (1), 66-72.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The purchasing power parity theory is an integral economic theory that predicts exchange rates of currencies in a country based on the inflation rates using a regression model. The theory postulates that when inflation rate of a country increases, there is a decrease in exports and an increase in imports, resulting in high exchange rates between two countries. With the use of a regression model, it is possible to assess the validity of the theory in predicting the relationship between exchange rates and differential inflation rates over a period. |
The purchasing power parity theory is an integral economic theory that predicts exchange rates of currencies in a country based on the inflation rates using a regression model. The theory postulates that when inflation rate of a country increases, there is a decrease in exports and an increase in imports, resulting in high exchange rates between two countries. With the use of a regression model, it is possible to assess the validity of the theory in predicting the relationship between exchange rates and differential inflation rates over a period. | Purchasing Power Parity Theory in Statistical Test Report (Assessment)
Introduction
Purchasing power parity (PPP) theory is an integral economic theory, which predicts exchange rates of currencies in a country based on the inflation rates using a regression model. The theory postulates that when inflation rate of a country increases, there is a decrease in exports and an increase in imports, resulting in high exchange rates between two countries. With the use of a regression model, it is possible to assess the validity of the theory in predicting the relationship between exchange rates and differential inflation rates over a period.
To apply the theory, the project selected two countries, namely, the United States and Malaysia, and retrieved historical data of annual inflation rates and annual exchange rates from 1970 to 2016. The project obtained data of annual inflation rates from the World Bank (2017a) and data of annual exchange rates from the World Bank (2017b). Therefore, this project predicts the influence of the annual difference in inflation rates on annual exchange rates using the regression model and compared obtained β0 and β1 values with the ones of the PPP model.
Regression Model Used
The project used the following regression model in predicting the influence of the difference in annual inflation rates on annual exchange rates.
Where β0 is the y-intercept, β1 is the gradient, and 6 is the error term.
Regression Outcomes
Table 1 below is a regression model showing the strength of relationship between annual exchange rates and annual inflation rates, and the degree of prediction. The regression model shows that there is a weak relationship between annual exchange rates and the difference in annual inflation rates of Malaysia and the United States (R =0.28). R-square reveals that annual exchange rates account for 7.8% of the variation in the difference in annual inflation rates (R 2 = 0.078).
Table 1.
Model Summary b
Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate
1 .280 a .078 .058 .570156
a. Predictors: (Constant), Difference in Average Annual Inflation Rates
b. Dependent Variable: Average Annual Change in Exchange Rate
The ANOVA table (Table 2) indicates that the regression model is statistically insignificant in predicting the influence of annual exchange rates on the difference in annual inflation rates, F(1,45) = 3.822, p = 0.057.
Table 2.
ANOVA a
Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
1 Regression 1.242 1 1.242 3.822 .057 b
Residual 14.628 45 .325
Total 15.871 46
a. Dependent Variable: Average Annual Change in Exchange Rates
b. Predictors: (Constant), Difference in Average Annual Inflation Rates
Coefficients’ table (Table 3) shows that annual exchange rate is a predictor, which is statistically insignificant in predicting the difference in inflation rates between the United States and Malaysia (p = 0.057).
Table 3.
Coefficients a
Model Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients t Sig. 95.0% Confidence Interval for B
B Std. Error Beta Lower Bound Upper Bound
1 (Constant) 2.005 .085 23.468 .000 1.833 2.177
Difference in Average Annual Inflation Rates .065 .033 .280 1.955 .057 -.002 .133
a. Dependent Variable: Average Annual Change in Exchange Rate
Equation of the Regression Model
Testing of the PPP Theory
Graphical Test
The graphical test provides a visual and conceptual way of testing the PPP theory using empirical data. Figure 1 is a scatterplot depicting the relationship between annual exchange rate and the difference in inflation rates for Malaysia and the United States. The scatter plot shows that there is apparent deviation of data points and trend line from the PPP line. The deviation implies that the PPP theory does not hold in explaining the variation of exchange rates based on trends of inflation rates from 1970 to 2016. According to Baumol and Blinder (2015), a graphical depiction of relationships between exchange rates and the difference in inflation rates shows if data points differ considerably from the trend line of the PPP model.
Statistical Test
Regression model shows that coefficient of β0 = 2.005 while the coefficient of β1 = 0.065. The t-test aims to determine if the coefficients of the regression model differ significantly from the coefficient of the PPP model, which has β0 of zero and β1 of one. Madura (2016) explains that coefficients of the regression model and their respective standard errors are values used in the t-test analysis to determine the significance of the difference from the hypothesized values of the PPP model.
At β0 = 0, t = β0 – 0/ SE = 2.005-0/0.085 = 23.588.
At β1 = 1, t = β1 -1/SE = 0.065 -1/0.033 = -28.33.
Therefore, the t-test rejects the null hypothesis that the coefficients of the regression model are equal to those of the PPP model. In this view, the PPP model is not applicable in predicting inflation of Malaysia based on the trends of the exchange rate of the foreign.
Conclusion
Comparison of the findings and the PPP model shows that there are marked differences in trends as demonstrated by the scatterplot and the statistical test. The findings mean that the PPP model does not hold in predicting the relationship between the annual exchange rates and the annual difference in inflation rates. Suggestively, confounders could have mediated the relationship between the exchange range and the difference in the inflation rate, resulting in observed deviation from the PPP model.
References
Baumol, W., & Blinder, A. (2015). Economics: Principles and policy. New York, NY: Cengage Learning
Madura, J. (2016). International financial management. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
World Bank. (2017a). Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) . Web.
World Bank. (2017b). Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) . Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar that has been awarded for the excellent onboard service many times and is currently considered one of the most luxurious airlines across the globe. The company started its operations as a small regional carrier in 1994 and was re-launched in 1997 to be transformed into one of the most recognizable international airlines featuring the highest level of performance. | Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar that has been awarded for the excellent onboard service many times and is currently considered one of the most luxurious airlines across the globe. The company started its operations as a small regional carrier in 1994 and was re-launched in 1997 to be transformed into one of the most recognizable international airlines featuring the highest level of performance. | Qatar Airways’ Segmentation Strategy and Advice Report
Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar that has been awarded for the excellent onboard service many times and is currently considered one of the most luxurious airlines across the globe. The company started its operations as a small regional carrier in 1994 and was re-launched in 1997 to be transformed into one of the most recognizable international airlines featuring the highest level of performance.
The company makes emphasis on people as the major corporate value. It specifically stresses its pride in Qatar, its nation, and heritage that is symbolized by the flag carried to all parts of the world. Another significant value is the customer’s satisfaction as the company believes that its clients’ needs are prioritized over any other (which is believed to be a reflection of Qatari hospitality). The ultimate goal is to leave unforgettable memories of the flight regardless of its destination. Qatar Airways promotes excellence in all the operations performed. Another value is honesty and commitment: the company guarantees its clients and employees an honest treatment concerning both financial and non-financial aspects. The employees are loyal to their common goals and seek opportunities for further improvement. The organization cares a lot for its personnel and encourages a team approach in every aspect.
As the national leader of the field, Qatar Airways strives to go beyond the best practices currently dominating the industry. The company has already launched a comprehensive change process that is aimed to achieve higher environmental sustainability through the increase of corporate social responsibility. Qatar Airways is involved in fuel research with the purpose of developing new-generation fuel and has already become one of the unquestionable leaders of the field. Not only does it use its best practices to guarantee the sustainability of its own operations but also cares for the staff, locals, and environment. In 2012, the company joined a global educational program Educate A Child (EAC), which is meant to solve the common problem of many children over the world who have no access to public elementary education. The company expressed its willingness to achieve a breakthrough in helping children who are currently suffering from starvation, poverty, illiteracy, racial discrimination, war, and other external factors that hinder education. The program has already demonstrated significant results. Such corporate responsibility and deep involvement in social problems on behalf of Qatar Airways could not help producing a positive impact on its operating margins and revenues that have increased considerably since 2011:
Table 1. Revenue and Operating Income in QAR.
The following recommendations can be made towards the strategic and operational improvement of Qatar Airways:
Strategic recommendations:
* Develop various strategies that would manage to incorporate commercial benefits of the company with its social activities (that now constitute the so-called broader vision) arising from corporate responsibility;
* Start new practices that would better support the growth of the business along with the currently applied ones;
* Elaborate on new strategies to meet the financial goals of 2017 that would take into consideration the improvement of safety provision;
* Re-assess and improve the present-day broader-business strategy with the purpose to encompass both inner and outer stakeholders’ needs and requirements;
Operational recommendations:
* Analyze, compile, discuss, and bring into action all valuable initiatives concerning operational improvement;
* Increase the speed and quality of implementations of new improvement measures;
* Provide more coherent monitoring of the new processes and revise the systems regularly to identify what changes were the most beneficial for the company at the given moment.
As far as segmentation strategies are concerned, Qatar Airways segments the market both geographically and demographically. This is done to achieve the maximum satisfaction and brand loyalty that the target audience demonstrates to the national carrier. The company is mostly focused on customers representing business and elite classes. This segmentation is performed through its pricing policy: such customers are willing to pay a significant sum of money for the excellence of service offered by Qatar Airways. For example, it will cost you $88,000 including taxes to fly from Pakistan to London. The demographic profile demonstrating market segmentation principles in Pakistan will run as follows:
Table 2. Demographic Profile.
Sex Both male and female passengers
Age All age groups (under 12; 13-25; 26-40; 41-55; 55+)
Income (monthly) Exceeding $300
Religion Both Muslims and Non-Muslims
Degree of interest Mostly preferred by business professionals and higher class society
However, the company also strives to attract clients who consider Emirates too expensive and want to get service of the same quality at a more affordable price. Besides the nouveau riche customers, the company is interested in economic travelers’ commitment, which accounts for the fact that economic class prices are in most cases quite reasonable. This selective demographic segmentation ensures the unique character of the brand and reinforces its position in the market.
As for geographic segmentation, the company is much less selective and operates in most world regions linking 72 international cities (onward flights cover such cities as Dhaka, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Nagpur, Trivandrum, Malé, Kathmandu, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Colombo, Denpasar, Jakarta, Kuala, Lumpur, Myanmar, Yangon, Cebu, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Bahrain, Mashad, Tehran, Amman, Kuwait City, Beirut, Muscat, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Damascus, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Cebu, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Seychelles).
Such a comprehensive segmentation strategy guarantees that the customer’s needs are satisfied and his/her beneficial behavior (which consists in giving preference to Qatar Airways over all the other competitors) is achieved.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The essay discusses the benefits of qualitative research in the field of facilities maintenance. It also talks about how qualitative research can be used to supplement quantitative research.The essay discusses the benefits of qualitative research in the field of facilities maintenance. It also talks about how qualitative research can be used to supplement quantitative research. | The essay discusses the benefits of qualitative research in the field of facilities maintenance. It also talks about how qualitative research can be used to supplement quantitative research.
The essay discusses the benefits of qualitative research in the field of facilities maintenance. It also talks about how qualitative research can be used to supplement quantitative research. | Qualitative Research of Technical Performance Essay
Outline
1. Introduction.
2. Methods and Tools.
3. Effectiveness.
4. Company Example.
5. Future of Quantitative Research.
6. Conclusion.
Quantitative research is the type of study which uses an analysis based on mathematics and statistics. Various tests and models exist that helps to draw accurate conclusions about processes or events. The field of facilities maintenance is very technology-oriented, and many aspects require a mathematical approach. Although qualitative research proves to be useful when collecting opinions, this field needs the application of quantitative methods to measure the effectiveness of technology maintenance on each of the studied spots.
Methods and Tools
A typical quantitative research starts with the review of data that was either obtained through interviews or collected from measurements of technical performance. Both methods of collecting information are useful when addressing either human or technical performance. However, while qualitative research uses this data to compare and contrast different values, quantitative methods integrate it in various tests to prove a hypothesis. A hypothesis section is usually mentioned at the beginning of the study and includes two or more statements that are usually contradictory. The null hypothesis, as a general rule, implies that given variables do not have a significant impact on a studied value, while the alternative one insists on the opposite.
Models and tests are the essential part of any quantitative research. Some of the most popular are the ANOVA, the t-test, the Chi-square, and others. For instance, the study by Zhou, Kou, and Ergu (2014) features a proportional intensity model that was applied to measure the failure and repair rates as the part of a maintenance process in a particular site. Two composite models were also used, as well as geometrical calculations of graphic functions. The harmonic analysis method was used to measure the weekly failure level.
Effectiveness
Quantitative research proves to be very effective regarding prediction and evaluation of results. Statistical methods help to calculate the possibility of results that were acquired by an occurrence. Besides, errors can be tested by manipulating the size of the studied pool of data or the other variables that are independent. For instance, if the population is small and some people have provided answers that do not fit in the general picture, the number of questioned individuals should be increased to see if the initial deviation is a trend or an occurrence. Moreover, the way of representing data via linear graphs helps researchers to make predictions for the future if there is a clear trend seen on the model. This is probably the most valuable feature of quantitative research that differentiates it from qualitative studies.
Company Example
One of the companies that used quantitative research in the facilities maintenance field was PetroSA GTL refinery. The case study by Mahlangu and Kruger (2015) identified several objectives that had to be addressed, which included the connection between production output, profitability, and maintenance management. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to calculate the link between these objectives.
Some qualitative methods were also addressed to help build the overall picture of performance based on the interview answers of employees. The statistical approach helped to define a positive trend of a well-performed maintenance management style affecting the profitability rate of the company. This research was focused on the management impact, yet quantitative methods could also be used to measure any risks or casualties related to the usage of facility’s technology.
Future of Quantitative Research
Despite the fact that quantitative research calls for collecting a lot of data, it can currently be obtained in an easy way even without visiting a facility. For instance, interviews could be conducted via phones or the Internet, the latter of which is currently the second most popular way after the face-to-face method. Although there are some risks associated with a certain level of bias, these results can be very useful in evaluating things like performance based on self-assessment, along with the level of work satisfaction.
Globalization is becoming more powerful nowadays, and quantitative research could help to maintain facilities overseas. For instance, a group of researchers has studied the performance of an offshore wind farm by applying statistical models to the data obtained from the facility (Pliego Marugan, Garcia Marquez, & Pinar Perez, 2016). The main result received at the end states that there is a high probability of technology failure in this type of facility, yet the smart management style could help to control the situation and keep the number of such events to a minimum.
Once again, this example demonstrates that quantitative research can be used to make predictions and propositions about management tools in the field of facilities maintenance, which is valuable taking into consideration the fact that many head employees in this sector are more specialized in technology rather than leadership.
Conclusion
Quantitative research offers tools and methods that help to make accurate results and draw conclusions based on mathematical modeling. The future of this type of research seems bright as it is the most applicable when studying technological processes, and this fields is rapidly growing. Moreover, the trend of globalizing business that opts for maintaining facilities overseas also needs quantitative tools to measure the effectiveness of distant operations.
References
Mahlangu, B., & Kruger, L. (2015). The impact of the maintenance management system: A case study of the PetroSA GTL refinery. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 26 (3), 167-182. Web.
Pliego Marugan, A., Garcia Marquez, F. P., & Pinar Perez, J. M. (2016). Optimal maintenance management of offshore wind farms. Energies, 9 (1), 1-20. Web.
Zhou, Y., Kou, G., & Ergu, D. (2014). Analyzing operating data to measure the maintenance performance. Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 31 (2), 251-263. Web.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The article examines the pursuits of two strategic goals for hospitals, which are the quality of medical service and safety measures, through the prism of HRM efforts at the ward level, as well as employee perceptions of these strategic goals and generation of the desired effect.The article examines the pursuits of two strategic goals for hospitals, which are the quality of medical service and safety measures, through the prism of HRM efforts at the ward level, as well as employee perceptions of these strategic goals and generation of the desired effect. | The article examines the pursuits of two strategic goals for hospitals, which are the quality of medical service and safety measures, through the prism of HRM efforts at the ward level, as well as employee perceptions of these strategic goals and generation of the desired effect.
The article examines the pursuits of two strategic goals for hospitals, which are the quality of medical service and safety measures, through the prism of HRM efforts at the ward level, as well as employee perceptions of these strategic goals and generation of the desired effect. | Quality Medical Services in Hospital’s Staff Perception Report (Assessment)
Table of Contents
1. Purposes of the Article
2. Strengths and Limitations of the Research
3. Main Findings and Implications
4. Conclusions
5. References
The article titled “HRM and strategic climates in hospitals: does the message come across at the ward level?” was written by Monique Veld, Jaap Paauwe, and Paul Boselie, and published Human Resource Management Journal in 2010. It is a relatively recent academic and peer-reviewed medical research article. In this study, the researchers examined the pursuits of two strategic goals for hospitals, which are the quality of medical service and safety measures, through the prism of HRM efforts at the ward level, as well as employee perceptions of these strategic goals and generation of the desired effect.
Purposes of the Article
The immediate purposes of this study are several. First, the researchers aim to test several hypotheses in regards to the effectiveness and effects of HRM strategies on medical service quality and safety. These hypotheses are (Veld, Paauwe, & Boselie, 2010):
* Introducing a strategic climate to promote medical service quality and safety would have a positive effect on the ward commitment.
* Shared perceptions and understanding of the implemented HRM practices improve ward commitment.
* The presence of a strategic climate would ensure said shared perceptions and understanding of HRM practices.
* Common understanding of the HRM performance management practices positively affect the strategic climate and the quality of medical treatment.
* Common understanding of the HR autonomy practices improve the safety climate.
* Improved communication reflects on both quality and safety components of the overall HRM strategy.
* Common understanding of the supervisor performing behavior improves both the quality and safety components.
The other purpose of this study is to provide additional quantitative data to the relation between HRM and performance in a medical setting. According to the researches, while there have been plenty of meta-analyses dedicated to the subject, none of them focused specifically on hospitals and used the profit sector as the basis for the analysis. A hospital setting is a setting that involves coordination of numerous personnel on all levels, which means that practice-specific HRM practices are the key to evolving and improving the quality of service as well as patient and employee safety measures.
Strengths and Limitations of the Research
The study used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods in order to collect the data later used in formulating and testing the hypotheses mentioned at the beginning of the research. The main quantitative data collection tool for this research was the questionnaire. According to the article, 576 questionnaires were processed and analyzed in the course of the study (Veld et al., 2010). Questionnaires as a source of information have several weaknesses to themselves, such as perception bias on the part of the people passing the questionnaire.
The researchers identify this, and state that the common method bias is the most likely kind of bias to affect the research. To work around it, they used split sampling techniques, such as distributing questionnaires in different hospitals, in order to ensure that the common method bias does not occur.
They are confident in the results. Another limitation of this research design is that the research does not implement any accurate performance measurements to identify the effectiveness or failure of particular HRM techniques. Lastly, the third limitation of the research comes from the fact that there is not enough of contemporary dedicated literature on the subject of HRM practices in a hospital setting. While this research is aimed to alleviate this lack of data to some degree, it still suffers from not having enough qualitative sources to use in the discussion section of the research.
Main Findings and Implications
All hypotheses in the research were proven to be correct, however the degree of moderation varied between them. For example, the statistic results found that a climate for quality is associated with greater ward commitment, while safety climate did not. Shared perceptions of HR practice bundles proved to have an effect in improving the two climate dimensions. In addition, the results found partial mediation of the HR practices on ward commitment.
Practice-approached hypotheses numbered four through seven were found to be inconclusive, save for the hypothesis number 7, which states that supervisor informing behavior would have an effect on the quality of care and safety of care. While the quality of care did not see significant changes, safety of care saw gradual improvements (Veld et al., 2010).
There are several implications of this study that are identified by the researchers. One of the implications involves providing additional material in regards to the effectiveness of the HRM in promotion of medical care quality and medical safety in a hospital setting. It uses an analytical approach and synthesizes the available qualitative information to help in the assessment of quantitative data received through questionnaires. This research can be used as a foundation for others, in order to gain greater insights about the use of HRM and promotion of the strategic goals in hospitals.
From a practical standpoint, the research indicates that the best way of promoting strategic goals is through improved communication and facilitation of appropriate climate. However, it must also be noted that safety practices were the one to resist the influence of the climate meant to promote them. According to the study, this is due to the fact that current employee safety measures are not perceived as those aimed to actually protect the employee, but rather to fulfil a safety protocol, which causes the employees to be less motivated and less dedicated to the ward, despite the safety climate.
This conclusion is supported by later researches dedicated to the subject. Namely, Huang et al. (2016) states that the employee perceptions of the safety climate and their willingness to follow it are motivated by their job satisfaction, employee turnover rates, and other factors beyond the immediate effects of safety measures on injury prevention. McFadden, Stock, and Goven (2015) connect the issue with employee perception of the safety climate with the transformational style of leadership of the senior health management staff, as well as the promotion of the Constant Quality Improvement (CQI) strategy.
Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the promotion of safety climate in this research was proved ineffective due to a lack of leadership from senior hospital staff and low levels of satisfaction and high turnover rates. Hospitals are known to be high-stress environments, which are characterized by high turnover rates, and employee dissatisfaction, which gradually builds up overtime. This tendency is constant across all countries and regions around the world (Tarcan, Hikmet, Schooley, Top, & Tarcan, 2017).
Conclusions
This research provides important data in regards to the use of HRM practices to establish climates for safety and quality as primary means of promotion of two strategic goals and ward dedication, as well as the analysis of practical HRM in relation to these goals. The study found that quality climate influences the promotion of medical care quality to great degree, whereas safety climate perceptions seem to be disconnected from the actual notions and usefulness of safety, and is reliant on external factors that have to do with leadership, happiness and satisfaction, and low turnover rates.
It could be speculated that improvement in those areas would automatically lead to a better perception of safety climate and improved patient outcomes because of it. The research stresses out the importance of communication as a critical point that ensures the understanding of the goals and objectives at the ward level.
References
Veld, M., Paauwe, J., & Boselie, P. (2010). HRM and strategic climates in hospitals: Does the message come across at the ward level? Human Resource Management Journal, 20 (4), 339-356.
Huang, Y. H., Lee, J., McFadden, A. C., Murphy, L. A., Robertson, M. M., Cheung, J. H., & Zohar, D. (2016). Beyond safety outcomes: An investigation of the impact of safety climate on job satisfaction, employee engagement and turnover using social exchange theory as the theoretical framework. Applied Ergonomics, 55 , 248-257.
McFadden, K. L., Stock, G. N., & Gowen, C. R. (2015). Leadership, safety climate, and continuous quality improvement: Impact on process quality and patient safety. Health Care Management Review, 40 (1), 24-34.
Tarcan, M., Hikmet, N., Schooley, B., Top, M., & Tarcan, G. Y. (2017). An analysis of the relationship between burnout, socio-demographic and workplace factors and job satisfaction among emergency department health professionals. Applied Nursing Research, 34 , 40-47.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The text discusses the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, and when each type of research should be used. |
The text discusses the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, and when each type of research should be used. | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Differences Case Study
Quantitative research refers to exploring and measuring phenomena through numerical data. An example of quantitative research is surveying; through this research method, researchers measure how many respondents in a sample answer predesigned questions in one way or another. However, it is not always possible to survey all the people in a group of interest (such as the employees of a certain company or the population of a certain country), which is why proper sampling techniques are needed to ensure that the results of a quantitative study are generalizable (i.e. can apply to the entire group of interest) and replicable (i.e. can be repeated under different circumstances).
Qualitative research, on the other hand, explores words as opposed to numbers. In qualitative studies, researchers intend to analyze meanings and perceptions present in certain groups instead of counting their responses. An example of qualitative research is in-depth interviewing: participants are asked to answer a set of questions in an open-ended manner, and the responses are further analyzed for content aspects and underlying themes. Measuring the reliability and validity of qualitative studies’ results is challenging because measuring is not the preoccupation of such studies in general, but certain reliability can be achieved through justifying qualitative methods in terms of theoretical frameworks.
Whether quantitative or qualitative design should be chosen for a study depends on the purpose of research. If a researcher intends to examine statistical trends or some other countable phenomena, quantitative methods should be employed. If it the intention to explore narratives, perceptions, interpretations, and opinions, qualitative methods should be employed. In both types of research, however, there is the need to justify the relevance of chosen methods to ensure that the results are valid and reliable.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The paper explores the importance of the appropriateness of quantitative research designs and discusses the challenges in the implementation of electronic health records (EHR). | The paper explores the importance of the appropriateness of quantitative research designs and discusses the challenges in the implementation of electronic health records (EHR). | Quantitative Research and Electronic Health Records Essay
Table of Contents
1. Quantitative Research Designs
2. EHR
3. Conclusion
4. References
The aim of this paper is to explore the importance of the appropriateness of quantitative research designs. It will also discuss the challenges in the implementation of electronic health records (EHR).
Quantitative Research Designs
At the time of substantial advances in healthcare, it is important for nurses and other healthcare practitioners to be able to critically assess quantitative research articles. An article by Piers et al. (2012) explores the issue of moral distress (MD) associated with end-of-life care and focuses on factors that prevent nurses from making a certain decision in the ethical course of action. A cross-sectional survey was used as a type of quantitative research design for the study, which helped to better understand situations causing MD. It can be argued that a longitudinal study design would help to better ascertain relationships between ethical dilemmas associated with end-of-life care and nurses’ burnout.
Another study conducted by Halpern et al. (2013) focuses on how advance directives influence patients’ choices related to end-of-life care. The researchers opted for a randomized controlled trial for their study, which is an appropriate choice of the research design since such experimental studies are high on the hierarchy of evidence. If Halpern and associates chose an inappropriate design for the study, the relevance of the evidence to their sample populations would be under question.
Selecting appropriate study design is essential in healthcare because every “health-related research project involving humans, their tissue and/or data must be reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee” (Hoe & Hoare, 2012, p. 54). The ramifications of choosing an inappropriate research design can be both important and far-reaching since its results can be used for developing alternative treatments or introducing other innovations concerning human lives. Therefore, when it comes to a research design, an inquirer has to carefully assess the appropriateness of whichever methods are used and all practical considerations associated with the decision.
EHR
The implementation of information systems in healthcare facilities is especially challenging due to the complexity of data, security concerns and variances in structures and processes between different hospitals. The most significant barrier to the implementation of HER systems is the cost of creating and maintaining IT infrastructures and applications. Government subsidies can help to eliminate this challenge to adoption. Another avenue of solving the problem of excessive costs is the use of external vendors who can provide inexpensive services. Healthcare benefits that will accrue over time will help to offset the costs of purchase and governance of EHR systems (Ajami & Bagheri-Tadi, 2013).
Another challenge that arises during the implementation of EHR systems is the absence of computer skills. According to Ajami and Bagheri-Tadi (2013), the skills necessary for listening to patients’ concerns, evaluating their medical relevance, contemplating on appropriate interventions, and typing skills are not always found in even the most experienced healthcare practitioners. In order to remove this barrier to the implementation of EHR systems, it is necessary to provide employees with basic training. Also, the designation of experienced EHR users for providing novice users with tips will help to overcome this challenge.
Security and privacy of EHR systems create another barrier to their implementation. It has to do with the fact that nonusers of such systems often put more trust in paper records than they do in electronic ones (Ajami & Bagheri-Tadi, 2013). Adequate and regular staff training in security and privacy protocols can become an effective strategy for addressing this challenge (Fernandez-Aleman, Carrion, Lozoya, & Toval, 2013). Access control and digital signature schemes are also known to reduce security and privacy concerns of healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
The paper has helped to better understand the importance of the appropriateness of quantitative research designs and the challenges in the implementation of EHR systems.
References
Ajami, S., & Bagheri-Tadi, T. (2013). Barriers for adopting electronic health records (EHRs) by physicians. ACTA Informatica Medica, 21 (2), 129-134.
Fernandez-Aleman, J., Carrion, I., Lozoya, P., & Toval, A. (2013). Security and privacy in electronic health records: A systematic literature review. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 46 (3), 541-562.
Halpern, S., Loewenstein, G., Volpp, K., Cooney, E., Vranas, K., Quill, C.,…Bryce, C. (2013). Default options in advance directives influence how patients set goals for end-of-life care. Health Affairs, 32 (2), 1-10.
Hoe, J., & Hoare, Z. (2012). Understanding quantitative research: Part 1. Nursing Standards, 27 (15), 52-57.
Piers, R., Dewitte, M., Steeman, E., Vlerick, P., Benoit, D., & Noortgate, V. (2012). End-of-life care of the geriatric patient and nurses’ moral distress. JAMDA, 12 (1), 124-131.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Organizational development theory plays an important role in the management of change as it orientates towards such critical aspects of change as the expert knowledge of behavioral sciences, professional inquiry driven by social values, and practical action powered by systems thinking.The purpose of this report was to present a focused analysis of a case study combined with a detailed description of the theoretical framework of organizational development and change management. | Organizational development theory plays an important role in the management of change as it orientates towards such critical aspects of change as the expert knowledge of behavioral sciences, professional inquiry driven by social values, and practical action powered by systems thinking.
The purpose of this report was to present a focused analysis of a case study combined with a detailed description of the theoretical framework of organizational development and change management. | Quay International Convention Centre’s Organizational Change Case Study
Introduction
Organizational development theory plays an important role in the management of change as it orientates towards such critical aspects of change as the expert knowledge of behavioral sciences, professional inquiry driven by social values, and practical action powered by systems thinking. The purpose of this report was to present a focused analysis of a case study combined with a detailed description of the theoretical framework of organizational development and change management.
The scope of this report included the overview of the concept of organizational development, its application to a specific case study, and the provision of a structural analysis of the management of change required in the case. This step involved several sub-themes and was followed by a discussion of the issues of resistance to change and tactics helping to cope with it. The conclusion for the report included recommendations as to the issues faced by the organization described in the case study.
Organizational Development Theory
One of the major characteristics of the field of organizational development (OD) is its complexity that is not only defined by the multitude of issues and aspects of this sphere of theoretical and practical knowledge but also by the definition and background of the subject itself. In particular, the theorists of OD still do not have a consensus as to where the boundaries of the field are and what kind of origins it has (Cheung-Judge & Holbeche, 2015).
Regardless of these persisting issues, it is known for sure that the definition of OD is tightly connected with the concept of organization. Practically, the purpose and main objective of OD is to use various practices in order to transform negative experiences in organization management into positive ones and, this way, increase the organization’s effectiveness and boost its performance (McLean, 2005).
Also, as noted by Cummings (2008), the definitions of OD differ depending on what aspect of it the theorists desire to emphasize – long-reaching improvement, management from the top, the use of behavioral science knowledge for organizational development, a planned change implemented via organizational culture (developed by Burke), versatile change processes (in the works of Beer and Beckhard), and the engagement of consultants for long-term results (proposed by French) among others. Each of these approaches is valuable in its own way and is applicable depending on the specific needs of an organization planning to employ OD for future change.
When it comes to change management, OD plays a significant role in it due to its orientation to such major aspects as scientific knowledge and inquiry combined with social values and action and powered by systems thinking (Haneberg, 2005). Practically, OD is valuable because it does generate not only change but also implements it. OD approaches change management internally, paying careful attention to its social aspects and processes, and views the entire system from a holistic perspective.
Lewin’s change model is comprised of three main phases – unfreezing, moving, and refreezing (Cummings & Worley, 2014). This model is highly practical as it serves as a detailed guide for the processes of planning, implementation, and maintenance of change in an organization. In particular, unfreezing refers to noticing the present challenges and planning the change; moving stands for the implementation of the plan: and refreezing represents the stages of assessment, evaluation, and maintenance of successful impacts of change (Sarayreh, Khudair, & Barakat, 2013).
The main criticisms of this theory target its basic and very brief nature that does not include the forces that oppose change or serve as barriers to change (Kritsonis, 2005). Additionally, the model was criticized for relying on top-down mechanisms and only being suitable for minor projects (Burnes, 2004).
Understanding the Change
The organization under analysis in this report is The Quay International Convention Centre (QICC); it is facing multiple problems related to the staff and leadership performance. In particular, the major issues include low employee satisfaction, low functioning teams affected by internal tension; the lack of communication between employees outside the pre-established social groups, strict, harsh, and over-organized top-down approach to hierarchy resulting in the limited autonomy of employees, public reprimanding, and minimal skill development and performance management leading to discipline and policy breaches.
The desired state would be something similar to the state QICC enjoyed a year prior to the emergence of the problems. In particular, the desired state would include a high level of employee’s satisfaction, improved communication between teams, individuals, and between managers and workers; additionally, the other desired characteristics would be a better organizational culture, a more careful adherence to workplace policies, and instructions, and a more sufficient on-the-job training and skill development. According to Cummings and Worley (2014), the interventions suitable for these organizational issues are to be aimed as human processes and human resource management.
These interventions target individual and group levels of an organization mainly. Moreover, some parts of the strategic intervention also could be used for this case; namely, they are the culture change and organizational learning and knowledge management – they operate at organizational and group levels (Cummings & Worley, 2014).
Managing the Change Process
The process of change management is usually comprised of multiple steps. In particular, using Lewin’s change model, it is possible to break down the three steps outlined by the theorist into several tasks of change management. In that way, unfreezing will include entry and contracting and diagnosis and feedback; moving will include planning and implementing change; and refreezing will involve the evaluation of change and the achieved progress.
Entering and Contracting
The stage of entry and contracting revolves around the inquiry about the existing issues and the desired change; this step is initial in the OD model designed for specific tasks (Grieves, 2010). This step assumes that a behavioral science expert serving as a consultant will play an active role in studying the present problems and their nature. Practically, this step outlines the first contact with the expert; further, the terms of a contract and the expected duties of the professional have to be specified in a contract (Anderson, 2016).
The major roles of the consultant, at this stage, will be to assess the current situation and notice the issues that require addressing; further, the consultant will be required to link the persisting problems to suitable OD interventions, design a change plan, its implementation, and then evaluate the results (Dyer & Preston, 2000). Additionally, for the change managers, it would be necessary to decide whether the hired consultant should come from the organization or be a representative of an external company (Wocher, 2012). The former consultant is likely to have a deeper knowledge of the organization, but the latter will be free from internal bias and pressure.
In relation to the organization under analysis – QICC, and its individual situation, the consultant would have to evaluate workplace communication and discipline. It may make sense to consider whether or not the evaluation process should be disclosed to the workers or carried out subtly. The transparent approach seems more ethical with all the stakeholders fully informed about of assessment processes and the upcoming change.
However, the delay of the disclosure is likely to result in a more effective stage of data collection and the easier problem identification. This is the case because the specific issues faced by QICC tend to persist on individual and group levels mainly affecting interpersonal and intragroup relationships and dynamics. In that way, non-disclosed observation of workplace activities and communication could provide more valid and realistic data.
Diagnosing and Feeding Back Diagnostic Information
The process of organizational diagnosing is the key to the formation of an appropriate intervention based on a list of precisely set goals targeting present issues and aiming at the desired outcome (McFillen, O’Neil, Balzer, & Varney, 2012). A thorough and careful organizational diagnosis can improve the internal dynamics of an organization, as well as create a significant competitive advantage for it (Saeed & Wang, 2014).
At the same time, a diagnostic process that is ill-planned and flawed can result in a failure of the entire effort to implement change (Saeed & Wang, 2014). Discussing diagnosing frameworks, Zhang, Schmidt, and Li (2016) mention that there exists a wide range of various theoretical approached such as Burke-Litwin model, McKinsey 7S framework, Leavitt model, force field analysis, open systems theory, Likert systems analysis, and Weisbord six-box model.
The latter is the main focus of the authors. It has a clear and easy to comprehend structure comprised of such elements as “what is” – the present state, and “what should be” – the desired state (Zhang et al., 2016). This model lies at the basis of the present analysis alongside the theory by Lewin as overviewing the issues faced by QICC, the critical approach distinguished between the present situation and the desired outcomes thus outlining the potential direction of the change strategy.
The activities that will be included in the stage of diagnostics will involve the collection of data concerning the identified organizational issues. Since the issues mainly come from the fields of communication and knowledge; the process of data collection could include the engagement of employees, groups, and managers in order to receive more detailed information with personal insights. Also, diagnostics can be oriented at the existing problems or target solutions.
Such instruments of data collection as questionnaires, interviews, and surveys could be very helpful alongside the organizational statistics and key performance indicators. Further, an essential part of diagnostics is feedback that follows the analysis of the collected data. Practically, feedback represents the communication of the collected and interpreted data to the change management team and authorities.
This activity requires maximum precision in order to avoid bias and misrepresentation of information that could mislead the entire project (Zhang et al., 2016). The data fed back to the team has to be relevant, descriptive, and verifiable (Waddell, Creed, Cummings, & Worley, 2014). The final step of the process of diagnostics is the follow-up that stands for the evaluation of the level of knowledge of the existing issues and the potential need to research some additional aspects and collect more data for the purpose of moving to the next stage – the planning and implementation of change.
Planning and Implementing Change
The stage of planning and implementation of change revolves around the concept of intervention. In turn, intervention is characterized as a set of mechanisms, instruments, and actions that are employed for the purpose of improving organizational performance (Naghibi & Baban, 2011). In organizational development, interventions can be grouped into cultural, technical, and political (Naghibi & Baban, 2011).
In the specific situation faced by QICC, intervention is to target the social aspect of operations in the workplace and aim at the behaviors of employees, groups, and managers. Despite the importance of research as an essential element of the design of a suitable intervention, the managers in charge of the change project in QICC are to remember that there is no universal solution to any organizational problem. This is the case because organizational dynamics differ significantly even in similar organizations, as a result, problems, as well as their nature and contributing factors differ as well. Consequently, solutions and interventions effective for each specific organization are to be carefully and thoroughly selected based on their individual needs and objectives.
Evaluating Change
There are two major types of change evaluation – implementation feedback and evaluation feedback (Waddell et al., 2014). The former type is designed to measure immediate effects and is majorly implemented as a source of guidance for the implementation that collects and interprets data in the process helping address challenges and flaws on the way. The latter type of evaluation is aimed at the long-term effects of change and is used to supply data as to the success and sustainability of change and whether or not it is viable and needs to be maintained or terminated.
Since the change desired in QICC is aimed mainly at the communication between workers, it would be possible to employ both types of evaluation and collect data about short- and long-term effects of change. Both approaches would present significant value to the project as the short-term effects will drive the process of change implementation and the long-term effects will show the overall efficiency and sustainability of the project.
Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is known as one of the major barriers preventing the successful implementation of a change plan in an organization (Boohene & Williams, 2012). Resistance to change may come from different sources (financial, political, structural, social), but most commonly, it is produced by people unwilling or unable to embrace the changing organizational environment (Ylmaz & Kılıçoğlu, 2013). Resistance to change is one of the few characteristics of planned change that remain there for each individual case.
As a result, planned change has to address the issues of readiness and resistance to change (Coetzee, Visagie, & Ukpere, 2012; Naghibi & Baban, 2011). In that way, the collection of data carried out prior to the stage of planning of change has to involve the aspects of readiness to change so that the further change plan could address the existing barriers or move past them ensuring a smooth transformation without conflicts.
In the case of QICC, resistance to change may come from the older employees who are used to the old ways and who would be likely to disagree with the new approaches limiting their ability to implement short cuts while fulfilling professional duties.
At the same time, such aspects as the opportunity of skills development and on-the-job self-improvement, as well as a well-built system of incentives could serve as effective motivators preparing the resisting groups to view change positively and embrace it. Such activities and goal setting, team building, rewards, appraisal, and career development opportunities are some of the techniques that could help QICC achieve their desired state (Lunenburg, 2010). In turn, the process of implementation of change would include such stages as motivation, communication of the set goals, earning the support of all the stakeholder groups, management of change, evaluation of outcomes, and maintenance of positive results (Cummings & Worley, 2014; Grieves, 2010).
Lewin’s model of change can be employed as one of the strategies for managing resistance to change. In particular, each of its three steps is required to involve people, communicate the objectives and benefits of change at each level, and study the causes of change and the reasons motivating people to resist it (Boohene & Williams, 2012). Practically, the collection of data about organizational issues (unfreezing) needs to include such tasks and informing the workers about the preparation for change and the reasons why data is collected; the planning and implementation of change (moving) have to be accompanied by thorough and clear communication of what is done, for what purpose, and what result is expected; finally, evaluation of change (refreezing) has to involve people in the provision of feedback as to the effects of change.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Since OD plays a significant role in change management, it is critical for the organizations that intend to implement change to adhere to the best practices of OD informed by strong theoretical frameworks. Even though it has been criticized, Lewin’s change model is a laconic framework that can guide change, as well as respond to its barriers. Also, it is broadly applicable to many types of organizations and change projects.
Aligned with Weisbord model, Lewin’s model allows seeing the current issues in the case of QICC and its desired state. Specifically, most problems experienced by the organizations dwell on the social aspects of its operations and involve individual, group, and top-down communication issues and organizational culture problems.
As a result, QICC authorities managing change are recommended to collect data about the present problems targeting individual workers and groups (using surveys, interviews, questionnaires, and observation as instruments), analyze the information engaging an impartial consultant and present it to the authorities. Further, the preparation of change should involve open communication with the staff as to the purpose and benefits of change and the existing problems and the challenges they create.
The stage of moving or implementation of change will have to engage workers in such activities as team-building, conflict mediation, communication management, team work, and leadership training. Finally, the evaluation stage should engage the staff in the provision of feedback as to the effects of the change project.
References
Anderson, D. L. (2016). Organization development: The process of leading organizational change. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.
Boohene, R., & Williams, A. A. (2012).Resistance to organisational change: A case study of Oti Yeboah Complex Limited. International Business and Management 4(1), 135-145.
Burnes, B. (2004). Kurt Lewin and the planned approach to change: A re-appraisal. Journal of Management Studies, 41(6), 977-1002.
Cheung-Judge, M., & Holbeche, L. (2015). Organization development: A practitioner’s guide for OD and HR. London, UK: Kogan Page Publishers.
Coetzee, R., Visagie, J., & Ukpere, W. (2012). Leading a successful change intervention in a modern organisation: Key elements to consider. African Journal of Business Management, 6(51), 12068-12075.
Cummings, T. G. (2008). Handbook of organization development. New York, NY: SAGE.
Cummings, T. G., & Worley, C. G. (2014). Organization development and change. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
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Grieves, J. (2010). Organizational change: Themes and issues. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Haneberg, L. (2005). Organization development basics. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development.
Kritsonis, A. (2005). Comparison of change theories. International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration, 8(1), 1-7.
Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Organizational development: Implementing planned change. International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration, 13(1), 1-9.
McFillen, J. M., O’Neil, D. A., Balzer, W. K., & Varney, G. H. (2012). Organizational diagnosis: An evidence-based approach. Journal of Change Management, 13(2), 223-246.
McLean, G. (2005). Organization development: Principles, processes, performance. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Naghibi. M., & Baban, H. (2011). Strategic change management: The challenges faced by organizations. In 2011 International Conference on Economics and Finance Research Proceedings (pp. 542-544). Singapore: IACSIT Press.
Sarayreh, B. H., Khudair, H., & Barakat, E. (2013). Comparative study: The Kurt Lewin of change management. International Journal of Computer and Information Technology, 2(4), 1-4.
Saeed, B. B., & Wang, W. (2014). Sustainability embedded organizational diagnostic model. Modern Economy, 5, 424-431.
Waddell, D., Creed, A., Cummings, T. G., & Worley, C. G. (2014). Organisational change: Development and transformation. Sydney, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia.
Wocher, D. M. (2012). Organization development practitioners’ interactive drama in forming a sense of professional identity. OD Practitioner, 44(2), 37-41.
Ylmaz. D., & Kılıçoğlu, G. (2013). Resistance to change and ways of reducing resistance in educational organizations. International Association of Social Science Research, 1(1), 14-21.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The essay discusses a case study of the Quay International Convention Centre (QICC), a successful hospitality organization that has recently been experiencing a substantial downturn in the motivation and performance of its employees. An intervention was implemented by an experienced OD practitioner, which is aimed at the elimination of structural, personal, and interpersonal inefficiencies that have resulted in the diminished productivity of the center.It will be argued that an underlying problem within the operations department of the company is the lack of effective leadership, | The essay discusses a case study of the Quay International Convention Centre (QICC), a successful hospitality organization that has recently been experiencing a substantial downturn in the motivation and performance of its employees. An intervention was implemented by an experienced OD practitioner, which is aimed at the elimination of structural, personal, and interpersonal inefficiencies that have resulted in the diminished productivity of the center.
It will be argued that an underlying problem within the operations department of the company is the lack of effective leadership, | Quay International Convention Centre’s Organizational Development Case Study
The aim of this report is to analyze a case study of the Quay International Convention Centre (QICC), which is a successful hospitality organization that has recently been experiencing a substantial downturn in the motivation and performance of its employees. The report will describe an intervention implemented by an experienced OD practitioner, which is aimed at the elimination of structural, personal, and interpersonal inefficiencies that have resulted in the diminished productivity of the center.
It will be argued that an underlying problem within the operations department of the company is the lack of effective leadership, which manifests in a variety of other issues such as a stultifying hierarchy, poor communication skills of the workforce, and insufficient employee development. The paper will outline the organizational development theory, which will be used to understand the change and manage the change process. All activities related to the OD project will be described. The report will also discuss effective strategies for overcoming resistance to change.
Organizational Development Theory
Organizational Development and Change Management
For many years, scholars have tried to come up with a comprehensive definition of OD. However, their attempts have resulted in a variety of explanations for the concept, each of which emphasizes a different aspect of OD. Beckhard has highlighted the importance of applying behavioral science to OD and argued that it is a planned, top-down effort that increases the effectiveness and health of an organization (as cited in Aziz, 2013).
Burke has recognized that the concept is inevitably linked with change and implies knowledge transfer from psychology and sociology (as cited in Burnes & Cooke, 2012). However, probably the aptest definition of OD has been recently suggested by Cummings and Worley (2014), who argue that it is an organization-wide application and transfer of knowledge from behavioral sciences “to the planned development, improvement, and reinforcement of the strategies, structures, and processes that lead to organizational effectiveness” (p. 2).
It is clear that although these definitions imply change, they are inextricably linked with change management. It has to do with the fact that change is a continuing process that occurs without planning. A case in point is non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in QICC. Change management, on the other hand, is a planned and highly organized occurrence that requires a commitment to change and is not possible without transformational leadership (Hechanova & Cementina-Olpoc, 2013; Schachter, 2017).
Lewin’s Theory of Planned Change
Lewin’s theory of planned change (TPC) is widely recognized as the scholar’s main contribution to change management. The theory states that every successful change project presupposes three steps: unfreezing, moving, and refreezing. Therefore, it is often referred to as the Three-Step model (see Figure 1).
The first step in the model entails recognition of a problem and the creation of a sense of urgency, which is necessary for overcoming the forces of inertia that prevent people from changing their behavior. The second step necessitates the creation of an actionable plan and engagement of people involved in the change. The final step in the model involves the stabilization of the change and transformation of culture, policies, and practices of an organization (Shirey, 2013).
It is clear that the moving stage in the Lewin’s TPC model is similar to the learning approach of Action Research; therefore, its philosophical foundation is not outmoded, despite critics who suggest otherwise. For example, Cummings, Bridgman, and Brown (2015) argue that the scholar has oversimplified the change process. Hendry, on the other hand, maintains that a great number of change models are based on an irreducible three-stage process described by Lewin (as cited in Boje, Burnes, & Hassard, 2012). Given that Lewin’s TPC model has been successfully applied in a variety of contexts ranging from nursing to informational technology (IT), it is hard to diminish its importance and claim that it is simplistic and outmoded (Sutherland, 2013).
Understanding the Change
After analyzing the state of affairs in the company, the OD practitioner came to the conclusion that the performance of the organizational department is hindered by the rigid hierarchy of the company. QICC’s managers had applied a top-down approach in daily operations, which stultified innovation and impacted the morale of employees. The OD practitioner realized that an interpersonal intervention is needed to ameliorate the situation and help the management of the company to recognize and utilize the talent of their workforce (Waddell, Creed, Cummings, & Worley, 2017).
Another problem within the operations department was the lack of communication skills among the company’s employees, which was indicative of both poor human resources (HR) practices and quality management practices (Ahmad et al., 2015). The intended interpersonal and HR intervention was to develop a strategy for achieving excellent performance by improving the interpersonal communication skills of the workforce.
The OD practitioner also recognized that employee development and performance management were lacking in QICC. These two areas of organizational functioning are associated with HR practices that do not function in isolation (Jiang et al., 2012). Appendix A shows the relationships between selection, training, and performance management practices within an HR system. As is evident from the appendix, all HR practices are additive and synergistic. Furthermore, their outcome is the enhancement of employee performance. Therefore, there was a need for a comprehensive HR intervention with the aim of improving the training and performance management policies of the company. Also, these three problems indicated that the company’s leadership was not effective.
Managing the Change Process
Entering and Contracting
Entering
Entering was the first phase of the OD process. The implementation of this phase was key to the success or failure of flawless consulting. Leading the change from the outside required the establishment of a synergistic relationship between the OD practitioner and the management of the company (Bushe & Marshak, 2015). During the entering stage, the initial scope of the subsequent OD phases was established. The process involved clarifying the organizational issue that had caused the management of QICC to consider help from the OD professional. It was a part of the first step within the Three-Step model.
After gaining a clearer perspective on the underlying problem and the issues that had affected the organization’s internal operations, the OD practitioner defined relevant parties that had to be engaged during the OD process.
This step of the entering was relatively straightforward since the issue had to be addressed in a specific unit of the company—the operations department. The OD specialist examined company records and interviewed some employees in order to determine the key members of the QICC unit. The practitioner understood that entering is an intervention in the company; therefore, they used this stage of the OD process for preparing the organization for the state of heightened self-awareness that was necessary for meaningful change (Bushe & Marshak, 2015).
Contracting
Contracting was an essential step in the OD process that addressed the following points: outlining mutual expectations, dedicating resources and setting timetables, and establishing the ground rules for cooperation. The client was encouraged to describe their desired outcomes from the intervention. They expected to improve the performance of the convention center. In addition to obtaining a solution to the immediate problem, the client wanted to learn how to avoid similar situations in the future. The OD practitioner also expressed their expectations for the process, which included appropriate compensation and referrals to other clients.
Initially, QICC was not committed to dedicating a suitable amount of time and resources to the project. However, the OD specialist managed to convince the client that in order to complete the intervention, numerous parties had to be engaged in order to establish real causes of poor productivity in the company as well as to develop and implement appropriate solutions to the problem. This was an extreme activity because it helped to clarify the OD professional’s intentions and overcome surface resistance to the change.
The last step in the contracting stage was to establish ground rules which were needed to guide the OD process. The practitioner discussed interpersonal issues with the client and established parameters of confidentiality (Cummings & Worley, 2014). At the end of the stage, a formal contact that intended dates, activities, responsibilities, and outcomes was signed.
Diagnosing and Providing Feedback
Diagnosing
Diagnosing the problem was a vital step towards a departure from the status quo, which prevented the company from unlocking its full potential. This step, along with the provision of feedback to the company’s leadership about the nature of the problem, was a part of the first phase in Lewin’s TPC model. Namely, it helped to create a sense of urgency, which was essential for meaningful transformation.
The main purpose of the organizational diagnosis was to develop a shared understanding of organizational health, which could be used for planning and implementing corrective measures. There are many organizational diagnostic methods such as Leavitt’s model, Weisbord’s model, congruence model, McKinsey 7S model, Buke-Litwin’s model, and Bilal and Wang model, among others. However, empirical evidence suggesting their effectiveness is lacking (Saeed & Wang, 2014). Therefore, the OD practitioner opted for a model developed by McFillen and associates, which stems from formal theories refined through practice. Figure 2 shows the evidence-based diagnostic model.
The OD practitioner followed the first step in the diagnostic approach proposed by the scholars and collected subjective and objective data relevant to the problem. An emphasis was made on management processes and HR systems of QICC. In addition, the basic information about key cultural elements of the company was gathered, since culture “orients employees to company goals and suggested the kinds of behaviors necessary for success” (Cummings & Worley, 2014, p. 99). The diagnostic process was conducted on the group and individual levels. Data collection was performed with the help of surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.
The second step involved analysis of the data, which was needed to synthesize patterns and establish causal relationships between essential elements of performance based on the framework for assessment provided by the management of QICC. When assessing the data, the company’s general and task environments were analyzed. It helped to better understand the underlying causes of the performance issues.
The third step was to develop the initial diagnosis regarding the investigated problem. The process of the preliminary diagnosis formation was informed by contingency theory, which suggests that a company should “maintain a fit between its structure and its contextual factors in order to achieve high-performance levels” (Taylor & Taylor, 2014, p. 849). Moreover, the company was treated as an open system that was influenced by inputs from the external environment (Cummings & Worley, 2014).
The fourth and the fifth steps in the diagnostic process involved testing of the preliminary diagnosis and the development of the final diagnosis. The final diagnosis contained several factors that were used for the development of appropriate interventions.
They were providing Feedback
After analyzing the data generated by the diagnostic process, the practitioner initiated the feedback process at the top of QICC. Such a top-down approach helped to ensure that all parties involved in the change received appropriate information (Anderson, 2016). Feedback meetings were scheduled during which diagnosis data was discussed. In the discussion of diagnosis feedback, an emphasis on the internal dynamics within the operations department was made.
Planning and Implementing Change
Planning
At the planning stage of the OD intervention, activities, actions, and events derived from the final diagnosis were designed. When developing appropriate intervention strategies, the OD practitioner was guided by the principle of free and informed choice according to which all individuals involved in the change chose to participate rather than had the interventions imposed on them. Also, all change measures were designed in such a way as to help QICC to enhance its capacity to effectively manage change in the future.
The introduction of this focal point into the change planning process was extremely valuable because by improving organizational change management capabilities, it was possible to achieve “the processual dynamics of stability,” which is a state that through “ongoing repair and reconstruction” (Langley, Smallman, Tsoukas, & DeVan, 2013, p. 4) allows key managerial concepts to endure. Moreover, the OD practitioner adhered to the 5W1H (who, what, where, when, why, and how) framework that helped them to better understand the specifics of organizational process and environment that had to be changed (Rothwell, Park, & Lee, 2017). At the end of this stage of the intervention, and the actionable plan was drafted and signed.
They were implementing Change
There was a high level of top-management support; therefore, the OD practitioner was able to properly address the human resources, the human processes, and the management issues uncovered during the diagnosis stage. At the level of the human process interventions, interpersonal and group approaches were taken. Individual interventions helped QICC’s employees to be more open in their communication. Also, they were used to teach the workforce to be more effective in both giving and receiving feedback, which is essential for enhancing performance in organizations (Kuhnen & Tymula, 2012).
Given the importance of communication and conflict resolution skills in a hospitality environment, members of the operations department were involved in role-playing exercises and team-building activities, which helped them to develop successful communication strategies (Chesser, 2016). This was an extremely valuable intervention since the improvement of interpersonal communication competencies of a workforce is associated with strong team cohesion that inevitably translates into better performance (Barrows, Powers, & Reynolds, 2012; Hynes, 2012).
The OD practitioner also helped to implement system-wide process interventions that substituted a rigid, top-down management approach to management for a more collaborative one. The introduction of some elements of bottom-up management was an extremely important change because it is linked with enhanced employee motivation and engagement (Breevaart, Bakker, & Demerouti, 2014). Since there is a direct connection between employee training and performance, which was conspicuously missing in QICC, the intervention involved the implementation of proper workforce development programs (Elnaga & Imran, 2013).
The final diagnosis showed that the underlying problem that caused the emergence of smaller issues was the lack of effective management. Therefore, the problem was addressed with the help of a management team building model. The model helped managers to “collectively commit to taking on new responsibilities and learn new methods for working together” (Gong, Kim, Lee, & Zhu, 2013, p. 829). Mentoring and action learning were also used as a means for sustainable leadership development (Day, Fleenor, Atwater, Sturm, & McKee, 2014).
Evaluating and Institutionalizing Change
The evaluation was conducted to assess both implementation feedback, which measured the immediate effects of the OD intervention, and evaluation feedback, which measured the long-term effects of the change program. The OD practitioner utilized a quasi-experimental research design that had three essential features: longitudinal measurement, comparison unit, and statistical analysis (Waddell et al., 2017). Multiple measures were gathered through the analysis of company data. The choice of the data collection method was justified by the fact that other approaches to observing results of an intervention are more obtrusive (Cummings & Worley, 2014; Rothwell, Stavros, & Sullivan, 2016).
Institutionalizing change was the third part of Lewin’s model. It was based on the institutional theory; therefore, the social context in which QICC operated became a focal point in the process of incorporating the change into the internal fabric of the organization. The framework of institutionalization involved three key areas: social, organizational, and individual (Grandien & Johansson, 2012).
Resistance to Change
Resistance to change was an inevitable part of the OD program dynamics. Both employees and managers of the operations department showed elements of technical resistance to the implemented measures. The OD practitioner was aware of the fact that the differences in meanings that people ascribe to change might impair mutual understanding, thereby precipitating resistance to change (Pieterse, Caniels, & Homan, 2012). Therefore, they took control of sense-making interactions during the implementation of the change.
The OD specialist raised awareness about differences in change discourses between various groups and individual employees involved in the OD process. Rules guiding a civil conversation on the change were written down and disseminated among the workforce.
It was an extremely effective measure that helped to facilitate cooperation and made discussions more productive. This approach to controlling a sense-making perspective of the workforce was based on the findings of the study conducted by Hon, Bloom, and Crant (2014), who proved that employees are less resistant to change-oriented situations “when environmental cues signal that change is desired” (p. 921). Guided by this valuable information, the OD practitioner instructed managers of the company to show empathy and support to those members of their teams who are struggling to accept the changes.
Another strategy for overcoming resistance involved organizational inducements that came in the form of “both intangibly developmental and tangibly materialistic” (Shin, Taylor, & Seo, 2012, p. 729) valued outcomes. Numerous scholars have recognized the effectiveness of this strategy and suggested that it “positively impacts employees’ commitment and behavioral responses to change” (Shin et al., 2012, p. 729). It should be mentioned that not all members of the workforce were incentivized in such a manner. The differences in structural and relational positions of QICC’s employees allowed to target key stakeholders of the operations division of the company, which encouraged their subordinates to participate in the change.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The paper has presented the results of the intervention in QICC conducted by the OD practitioner. The intervention was guided by the Lewin’s TPC model, the validity of which is recognized by numerous prominent scholars. Upon careful analysis of the state of affairs in the company, the practitioner realized that the problem was caused by the lack of effective leadership. Given that not every manager was capable of taking control of the operations department, a range of other issues emerged: insufficient employee development, rigid hierarchy, and lack of communication skills among the workforce. The practitioner developed and implemented a set of comprehensive solutions for addressing both the underlying problem and smaller issues.
In order to make sure that the change is institutionalized and transformation is successful over the long term, it is necessary to develop readiness for change within the QICC’s workforce by changing employees’ attitudes towards the new course of action. It is also important to ensure that the allocation of incentives is efficient and leads to the persistence of changes. Therefore, the management of the company has to regularly evaluate the relationship between the level of organizational rewards and contribution to the productivity of the operations department.
References
Ahmad, M., Ariff, M., Zakun, N., Rahman, S., Larif, M., & Khalid, M. (2015). The impact of quality management practices on communication behavior amongst Malaysia Hajj Pilgrims: Survey result. In F. L. Gaol & F. Hutagalung (Eds.), The role of service in the tourism & hospitality industry (pp. 51-54). London, England: CRC Press.
Anderson, D. (2016). Organization development: The process of leading organizational change . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Aziz, D. (2013). What’s in a name? A comparison of instructional systems design organization development, and human performance technology/improvement and their contributions to performance improvement. Performance Improvement, 52 (6), 28-35.
Barrows, C., Powers, T., & Reynolds, (2012). Introduction to management in the hospitality industry (10th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Boje, D., Burnes, B., & Hassard, J. (Eds.). (2012). The Routledge companion to organizational change . New York, NY: Routledge.
Breevaart, K., Bakker, A., & Demerouti, E. (2014). Daily self-management and employee work engagement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84 (1), 31-38.
Burnes, B., & Cooke, B. (2012). The past, present, and future of organization development: Taking the long view. Human Relations, 65 (11), 1395-1429.
Bushe, G., & Marshak, R. (2015). Dialogic organization development: The theory and practice of transformational change . Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Chesser, J. (2016). Human resource management in a hospitality environment . Oakville, Canada: Apple Academic Press.
Cummings, S., Bridgman, T., & Brown, K. (2015). Unfreezing change as three steps: Rethinking Kurt Lewin’s legacy for change management. Human Relations, 12 (1), 1-29.
Cummings, T., & Worley, C. (2014). Organization development and change (10th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Cengage Learning.
Day, D., Fleenor, J., Atwater, L., Sturm, R., & McKee, R. (2014). Advances in leader and leadership development: A review of 25 years of research and theory. The Leadership Quarterly, 25 (1), 63-82.
Elnaga, A., & Imran, A. (2013). The effect of training on employee performance. European Journal of Business Management, 5 (4), 1-23.
Gong, Y., Kim, T., Lee, D., & Zhu, J. (2013). A multilevel model of team goal orientation, information exchange, and creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 56 (3), 827-851.
Grandien, C., & Johansson, C. (2012). Institutionalization of communication management in organizations: A theoretical framework. Corporate Communications, 17 (2), 1-23.
Hechanova, R., & Cementina-Olpoc, R. (2013). Transformational leadership, change management, and commitment to change: A comparison of academic and business organizations. Asia-Pacific Education Resources, 22 (1), 11-19.
Hon, A., Bloom, M., & Crant, M. (2014). Overcoming resistance to change and enhancing creative performance. Journal of Management, 40 (3), 919-941.
Hynes, G. (2012). Improving employees’ interpersonal communication competencies: A qualitative study. Business Communication Quarterly, 31 (1), 1-10.
Jiang, K., Lepak, D., Han, K., Hong, Y., Kim, A., & Winkler, A. (2012). Clarifying the construct of human resource systems: Relating human resource management to employee performance. Human Resource Management Review, 22 (1), 73-85.
Kuhnen, C., & Tymula, A. (2012). Feedback, self-esteem, and performance in organizations. Management Science, 58 (1), 94-113.
Langley, A., Smallman, C., Tsoukas, H., & DeVan, A. (2013). Process studies of change in organization and management: Unveiling temporality, activity, and flow. Academy of Management, 56 (1), 1-13.
McFillen, J., O’Neil, D., Balzer, W., & Varney, G. (2012). Organizational diagnosis: An evidence-based approach. Journal of Change Management, 14 (1), 1-24.
O’Loughlin, D. (2013). Organization development for leaders . Web.
Pieterse, J., Caniels, M., & Homan, T. (2012). Professional discourses and resistance to change. Journal of Organizational Change, 25 (6), 798-818.
Rothwell, W., Park, J., & Lee, J. (2017). Marketing organization development: A how-to guide for OD consultants . London, England: CRC Press.
Rothwell, W., Stavros, J., & Sullivan, R. (Eds.). (2016). Practicing organization development: Leading transformation and change (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Saeed, B., & Wang, W. (2014). Sustainability embedded organizational diagnostic model. Modern Economy, 5 (1), 424-431.
Schachter, H. L. (2017). Organization development and management history: A tale of changing seasons. Public Administration Quarterly, 41 (2), 233-253.
Shin, J., Taylor, S., & Seo, M. (2012). Resources for change: The relationships of organizational inducements and psychological resilience to employees’ attitudes and behaviors toward organizational change. Academy of Management Journal, 55 (3), 727-748.
Shirey, M. (2013). Lewin’s theory of planned change as a strategic resource. Journal of Nursing Administration, 43 (2), 69-72.
Sutherland, K. (2013). Applying Lewin’s change management theory to the implementation of bar-coded medication administration. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 8 (1-2), 23-31.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The text discusses the importance of addressing the issue of policy considering LGBTQ and the school environment as a serious step on the way to empower the members of LGBTQ community. The solution of the problem of bullying and discrimination within the education system can increase self-determination and confidence of youths who are LGBTQ. | The text discusses the importance of addressing the issue of policy considering LGBTQ and the school environment as a serious step on the way to empower the members of LGBTQ community. The solution of the problem of bullying and discrimination within the education system can increase self-determination and confidence of youths who are LGBTQ. | Queer Policy in the School Environment Essay
Addressing the issue of policy considering LGBTQ and the school environment is a serious step on the way to empower the members of LGBTQ community. Moreover, the solution of the problem of bullying and discrimination within the education system can increase self-determination and confidence of youths who are LGBTQ. The development and implementation of LGBTQ policy in the school environment, directed towards the changes within the institution, have the chance to be more successful in comparison with those that emphasize only the rights of the LGBTQ community members.
The focus is on the policy that changes the mindset and regulates the relationships inside the educational institutions and, therefore, recognizes the rights of people who are LGBTQ. The awareness about their rights relocates LGBTQ youths from the grey area of disregard to position where they can determine themselves as the members of the community.
Persons who are LGBTQ face discrimination on a daily basis either in the workplace, school, or society as a whole. The problem of bullying within the education system appears on two levels: the first is associated with the difficulties of the monitoring and collecting the evidence of the harassment actions until the victim’s report; and the second deals with the indifference of the institution administration.
The organizational disregard can be based on the intrinsic rules or policies of the school, or on the unwillingness to take actions. These can not only limit the rights of LGBTQ, but also end up with the serious consequences such as alienation, depression, and suicide.
Meneses and Grimm (2012) arguing about bullying in the school environment, provide the example of Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin school district in which nine students had been harassed by their peers, “school officials took no action to protect them because of the school district’s policy requiring school personnel to remain “neutral” on issues of homosexuality” (p. 140). Thus, the policy that aims to protect and empower LGBTQ students has to be oriented on the operation of the education institutions and their responsibility for bullying inside the schools.
The idle position of schools’ employees and policy that generates this attitude leads to unbinding the discriminative behaviors because bullies are not punished and, thus, students feel free to continue harassment of their LGBTQ peers. Swearer, Espelage, Vaillancourt, and Hymel’s study (2010) explores the effect of bullying on the school environment and performance. They state that the education institutions have less control over students while they move from elementary school to middle and secondary school.
Moreover, in some areas the violent acts are more prone to happen, “students often report feeling unsafe and afraid in unsupervised places in and around schools” (Swearer et al., 2010, p. 39). A socio-ecological model, offered by the authors, implies the holistic approach to the problem of bullying and takes in consideration an offender not as an isolated entity, but as a person whose behavior results from the different environments such as family, school, neighborhood, and society (Swearer et al., 2010). Although the application of this framework can help to understand the reasons for violent behavior, it should also recognize the LGBTQ rights. Thus, LGBTQ students will not be afraid of bullying and will feel comfortable to determine themselves.
The increase of the school environment safety and recognition of LGBTQ students’ rights are crucial steps on the way to solve the problem of discrimination. For example, the Safe School Improvement Act, which was introduced in the Senate in 2015, is an approach to prevent bullying through the instigation of “schools and school districts institute and implementing policies that include prevention and intervention strategies, professional development for school personnel, student and parent notification regarding rights and complaint procedures” (Russell, Kosciw, Horn, & Saewyc, 2010, p. 4). Robinson and Espelage (2012) emphasize the development and application of specific LGBTQ oriented policies as well.
To summarize, the anti-bullying policies may improve the situation in the schools. Moreover, they may underline the necessity of laws that consider the interest of LGBTQ individuals essential. The legislation should recognize and protect the LGBTQ’s rights within the school environment.
References
Meneses, C. M., & Grimm, N. E. (2012). Heeding the cry for help: Addressing LGBT bullying as a public health issue through law and policy. University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender & Class , 12 (1), 140-168.
Robinson, J. P., & Espelage, D. L. (2012). Bullying explains only part of LGBTQ–heterosexual risk disparities implications for policy and practice. Educational Researcher, 41 (8), 309-319.
Russell, S. T., Kosciw, J., Horn, S., & Saewyc, E. (2010). Safe Schools Policy for LGBTQ Students. Social Policy Report. Society for Research in Child Development, 24 (4), 1-25.
Swearer, S. M., Espelage, D. L., Vaillancourt, T., & Hymel, S. (2010). What can be done about school bullying? Linking research to educational practice. Educational Researcher, 39 (1), 38-47.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: Race and gender have always been the two matters of significant concern for any society, regardless of the level of its development.Just like any other critical social issue, they are addressed in art – motion pictures, novels, paintings, and plays. It is commonly driven by the desire to draw society's attention to the criticality of these matters. However, the main challenge is how race and gender impact one's further life and predetermine an individual's chances of happy and careless life, | Race and gender have always been the two matters of significant concern for any society, regardless of the level of its development.
Just like any other critical social issue, they are addressed in art – motion pictures, novels, paintings, and plays. It is commonly driven by the desire to draw society's attention to the criticality of these matters. However, the main challenge is how race and gender impact one's further life and predetermine an individual's chances of happy and careless life, | Race and Gender: “Moonlight” Film and “Boy, Snow, Bird” Book Essay (Book Review)
Race and gender have always been the two matters of significant concern for any society, regardless of the level of its development. Just like any other critical social issue, they are addressed in art – motion pictures, novels, paintings, and plays. It is commonly driven by the desire to draw society’s attention to the criticality of these matters. However, the main challenge is how race and gender impact one’s further life and predetermine an individual’s chances of happy and careless life, enjoying social justice and equity.
In some cases, accompanied by a person’s environment – family and community, – race and gender turn into the ground for a slow disaster. Therefore, the focus of the paper will be made on identifying examples pointing to relationships between gender and race and a slow disaster in one’s life. The main idea is to locate them in Moonlight, a movie, and Boy, Bird, Snow, a novel.
To begin with, it is essential to state that Moonlight is a 2016 motion picture, depicting the life of an African American boy – Chiron. The most outstanding thing about the movie is the choice to depict the protagonist in situations, occurring during three distinct stages of his life – childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. As a child from a poor family, Chiron lives in an unfavorable neighborhood. As a teen, he faces significant challenges with his sexuality.
As an adult man, he searches for the ways to become authentic. The movie is based on severely politicized and socially vital issues – race and gender. Being a black man is less challenging than being a black gay man. Therefore, being strongly politicized, Moonlight is a perfect movie for obtaining a better understanding of the relationships between race, gender, and one’s future life.
Still, regardless of the fact that the movie is the portrayal of the so-called black experience, it is paramount to note that the cast is all African-American. From this perspective, the role of race is diminished, as only some general aspects of the black experience are depicted. For instance, Chiron comes from a poor family living in a tough neighborhood. Later, as an adult man, he becomes involved in illegal activities – drug dealing – that is another common aspect of the black experience.
Other points of the influence of race on a person are complicated to determine due to showing no people of other races in the movie. Still, it is possible to conclude that race is a ground for social inequality because growing up in such a neighborhood without opportunities for decent education and working may be perceived as the manifestation of social inequality based on race.
On the other hand, gender is one of the aspects that are obvious throughout the story. In fact, the story is a bright manifestation of the difficulties sexual minorities face in life. From the early childhood, Chiron was trying to become aware of his sexual identity, and people around him refused to respect it. For instance, his mother wanted to avoid conversations about homosexualism. Later, as he grows up, he is shown as a vulnerable person, and this vulnerability results from the inability of the community to accept Chiron’s authenticity and the very fact that he is a black gay, so all those around him are ashamed of his company and disrespect his life choices. It is a slow disaster for Chiron.
More than that, there is a separate plot line that makes it evident that the beginning of one’s life, not only race and gender, predetermine person’s further life. Think of Chiron. At the very beginning of the story, as a child, he gets acquainted with Juan – a drug dealer. The man teaches the little boy what is a right way in life, and, unfortunately, for him, this way is drug dealing. In addition, it represents the influence of parents on the child’s future life. In the case of the movie, it is seen in Chiron’s complicated relationships with his mother, especially the very fact that she does not want to explain the meanings of some words – faggot – that later affects him.
On the other hand, there is a novel – Boy, Snow, Bird. It tells the story of a white girl, Boy, and her life. Boy’s father is abusive, and it motivates her to run away from home that makes up the beginning of her story. Eventually, she moves to Flax Hill where she meets Arturo – a father of her daughter – Bird. Here, it is essential to note that he has another daughter – Snow. As their story develops, there is an evident line of significant division between black Bird and white Snow. Because of it, the story is a compelling representation of the role of race in one’s life. To begin with, think of Bird. She is a black girl born in the family of whites.
Even though it is connected to the racial specificities of Arturo’s ancestors, the issue is critical for the family, especially keeping in mind that the second daughter, Snow, is white. Therefore, there is a line of constant bias and inequality when two kids are together, as Snow is always privileged. Later, Bird faces the challenge of inequality and bullying as she studies and makes effort to become a journalist.
Except for it, just like in the case of Moonlight, the story points to the significant influence of the beginning of one’s life on their future. Recall Boy’s childhood with an abusive father and the very fact that she runs away from home and hides her happiness from him. Moreover, think of the differences made between Snow and Bird that as well affect their lives that makes Bird tough and teaches her to oppose bullying.
Also, because of the jealousy Boy had for Snow, the two sisters are lost for each other, as Boy decides to separate them. In this case, Boy’s decision may have affected Bird’s life and happiness because having a supportive white sister may have made her life more comfortable and equitable. It is a slow disaster for Bird.
At the same time, there are some insignificant details pointing to the role of gender. For instance, recall the story of Boy’s mother. Being a lesbian feminist, she was raped because of her life choices and sexuality. Also, the very choice to name the protagonist Boy may point to the inability to accept a child’s sex and parents’ desire to change it – in this case, the desire of the abusive dad to have a son, not a daughter. That being said, regardless of the differences between protagonists of the stories, both of them point to the fact that race and gender predetermine who a person will become and how their life will develop.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The essay discusses racial bias in the judiciary system in the United States. It is argued that racial disparities in the justice system are caused by individual/personal bias and not flaws in the system. | The essay discusses racial bias in the judiciary system in the United States. It is argued that racial disparities in the justice system are caused by individual/personal bias and not flaws in the system. | Racial Disparities in American Justice System Essay
Introduction
Racial bias in the judiciary system in the United States has been a topic of discussion for decades. Whereas the judicial system is supposed to uphold the rights of everyone without bias, it appears to have failed to support the same within itself. Critics and scholars have discussed and debated racial prejudice experienced during arrests. Minority races have suffered the most in this regard, and have been faulted due to the color of their skin. Specifically, the essay will discuss racial disparities in the justice system. It will be proved that racial disparities in the justice system are caused by individual/personal bias and not flaws in the system.
Why do Racial Disparities Still Occur in the Justice System of the United States?
Racial disparity in the US justice system has only grown more intense over the years. Interestingly, many people in the US believe that they are not racists. Burch (2015) argues that racial bias in the judiciary system has grown due to the rejection of the idea of racial disparity. The premise suggests that people do not want to believe that there is racial bias in the system, to the point that they are not comfortable discussing solutions to the problem. Thus, the stated issue has been ignored and due to this, has grown exponentially.
Indeed, it can be argued that policies (Hetey & Eberhardt, 2014) and general racial bias resulted in an unfair system. The two minority groups that have experienced racial disparities in post-conviction sentencing are the black American and Hispanic communities. Using history as a backdrop, one can argue that the convictions held by the forefathers have been carried through generations.
Black American and Hispanic communities formed much of the hard labor work force in American history. Apart from this, they were perceived to encourage crime due to their culture, and their socio-economic class (Leiber & Peck, 2015). Both communities were believed to participate in violent and gang-related crimes. There have been attempts to resolve the issue of racial discrimination in post-sentencing convictions based specifically on the color of the skin, and on the beliefs of the past. One factor that has become clearer with time towards this end is that identifying the causes of the bias is the first step to resolving the issue.
Disparities Are Usually Cumulative and Not Characterized by a Clear Beginning and a Definite Ending
Fader, Kurlychek and Morgan (2014) argue that despite disparities being cumulative, they cannot be characterized by a clear beginning or a definite end. In discussing the sociology of racial bias in the justice system, one has to think back and draw lessons from history. As mentioned, the minority groups served as slaves and formed the hard labor workforce in the US. Due to this, they were oriented to depend on groups. The groups were formed within the larger racial group. It is this fact that contributed to the creation of groups post slavery. Initially, the said groups were for social support and not for committing a crime. However, and unfortunately, some groups turned into criminal gangs in an attempt to survive the harsh realities of a very competitive economy. It is at this point that the minority groups were associated with violent crime.
Important to note, the violence can be denoted from the fact that criminal gangs at the time, would snatch jewelry and money from unsuspecting victims. The crimes graduated and became larger and more dangerous. As the crime rate in the US grew, poor and middle-class Caucasians also felt the urge to commit a crime as the Black Americans and Latinas had introduced cheap labor into the market such that their (Caucasian’s) skills and services were no longer required as they were deemed too expensive. Towards this end, therefore, Caucasians also formed criminal gangs. However, due to the bias that had already been established through the years before that time, the society only acknowledged crime that was committed by black Americans to the extent that innocent black Americans would be accused of crimes that Caucasians had committed.
Identification and Understanding the Causes of Racial Disparities May Be the First Step to This Problem’s Solution
According to MacDonald, Arkes, Nicosia and Pacula (2014), racial disparities in the court system between black and white accused individuals are based on court officials’ opinions, and not necessarily, the case facts. The scholars used a scientific study to prove their premise. They took California as the area of study due to its racial diversity and high crime rate. Through the study, the scholars determined that the opinion held by court officials, namely the judge, prosecutor and the jury, has a lot to do with racial preferences compared to the case facts. Thereby, the root of the problem, according to MacDonald et al. (2014), is the beliefs held by individuals.
After the banning of slavery, black Americans were released into the society to fend for themselves. Important to note, as slaves, they were sheltered, clothed and fed albeit very modestly. Releasing them into a competitive economy, with little to no skill, and expecting them to survive was impractical. The said ethnic community grouped themselves in informal settlements, and this led to the rise of gangs, albeit not all being criminal gangs (MacDonald et al., 2014). Some scholars, such as Cochran and Mears, (2015), have refuted the debate terming it generalized. Despite this, the one obvious factor that comes across is that the belief that has fueled racial bias in the judiciary system arose from the history of both Caucasian and black American cultures.
According to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union (2014), racial bias in post-conviction sentencing in the US is alarming. The report states that black Americans get jailed 20% longer than Caucasians, despite having done the same crime. Also, the rate of incarceration is higher in black and Latina men than it is in Caucasian men (American Civil Liberties Union, 2014). The reasons can be traced back to the discussed factors.
As mentioned, much of the decisions that weigh on an individual sentence are made by court officials. Towards this end, it is crucial to also evaluate the role of the court officials, particularly the jury, regarding racial bias during sentencing. Lee McCormick, Hicken and Wildeman (2015) argue that the selection of the jury for any court case is a strategic process for both the prosecutor and the defender. However, jury members of black American descent are rarely involved. At this juncture, it is important to note that many black Americans are accorded black American state defenders. This works against them many a time, especially in jury selection. The power of the office of the prosecutor, combined with the race of the prosecutor, make it nearly impossible for the defender to suggest and add jury members of black American descent. It can be argued that the mere fact that both prosecutor and defender have to turn to races to win a case is disconcerting and proves the point.
Still on the public defenders, majority bargain out of court with prosecutors even when their clients are innocent. The fact that they are overworked and have resigned to the fact that the system will always be against them makes it easier for such public defenders to throw in the towel. Lee et al., (2015) confirm that a meager 3 to 5% of cases that involve black Americans get to trial. For Caucasians, the number jumps to also 94%.
Racial Disparities in Different States and the Outcomes that Cannot be Neglected
Burch (2015) confirm that in Georgia, black Americans are sent to prison 4.25% higher than whites. The discussion, using the given premise, therefore, goes down to whether the black Americans are more crime-prune than Caucasians. Burch (2015) suggests that matters regarding racial disparities in sentencing fail to consider the fact that black Americans, due to their social status, had to resort to crime to survive. Many scholars buy into the premise that history created crime and gangs that are associated with different races. Florida and California have also been identified to have more bias in regard to race than other states. Suffices to mention, the state does not matter much in regard to racial bias in the judiciary system. The impact of the bias, whether extreme or not, is what matters. Such bias denies basic human rights to the affected, in this case the Black American community. The bias also excludes the said community from the general society as they are perceived to be destructive.
Manifestation of Racial Disparities
MacDonald et al., (2014), explain that different types of cases arise different opinions regarding race. Cases that involve drug abuse, drug trafficking, and violent crimes are usually biased against black Americans and Latinas. On the other hand, white color crimes will mainly include Caucasians. Interestingly, if a black American and a Caucasian are accused of the same type of offense, a majority of court officials will be biased against the black American (MacDonald et al., 2014). As mentioned, the scholars believe that court officials fuel the disparities through their personal beliefs.
Another manifestation of bias based on skin color in post-conviction sentencing is identified in prisoners with life sentences without the possibility of parole (American Civil Liberties Union, 2014). The American Civil Liberties Union (2014) report suggests that there are more Black Americans serving life sentences without the possibility of parole in the US than Caucasians. Interestingly, court records show an equal amount of suspects for similar crimes between the two identified human races. The premise goes to show that there is indeed some form/forms of racial bias in post-conviction sentencing. Lee et al. (2015) also add that black Americans had a 33% chance higher of staying in prison awaiting trials compared to Caucasians. Caucasians would, therefore, have an easier process for requesting and acquiring bail compared to black Americans arrested for similar assault charges.
Reducing Racial Disparities in the US
It is clear that people have to take actions to resolve the racial disparities in the judicial system. Several actions have been suggested over time to help resolve the problem of racial disparities in sentencing. One such action is the creation of agencies that take up cases that have any form of prejudice based on race. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Justice Initiative have been actively involved in such situations. These organizations work hand in hand with the government to ensure fair and equal treatment of convicts. Additionally, policies have been reviewed and updated to ensure that impartial and equitable hearing for all persons in upheld in the judicial system. The American Bar Association has also put up measures to ensure such cases are brought to light.
The task at hand is, however, still quite tedious. Behavioral change is sociologically one of the hardest things to do. However, the difficulty does not in any way suggest impossibility of the task. Some behavioral change strategies that can be implemented include community and interpersonal campaigns with influential and respected members of the different communities that will be targeted. The campaigns should be personalized such that they speak to an individual as opposed to a racial group to demystify personal negative beliefs and opinions about race. It can be confidently stated that by tackling the problem at such a low level, the society will be able to accommodate differences based on culture, as there are no differences based on skin color.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many factors have to be considered when discussing racial disparity in the judicial system. One such factor is the manifestation of racial prejudice in sentencing. Evidence points to a bias against minority groups, especially black Americans, in sentencing. For instance, black Americans serve longer sentences than Caucasians who have committed the same crime. Also, the rate of black Americans denied bail during trial is higher than that of Caucasians. Thirdly, a majority of cases that involve black Americans are settled out of court as compared to those affecting Caucasians. All these factors, among others, have accelerated the bias in the judicial system towards black Americans.
References
American Civil Liberties Union (2014). Racial Disparities in Sentencing Hearing on Reports of Racism in the Justice System of the United States, One Hundred and Fifty Third Session, October 27 2014 . New York, NY: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Burch, T. (2015). Skin color and the criminal justice system: Beyond black-white disparities in sentencing. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, 12 (3), 395-420. Web.
Cochran, J. & Mears, P. D. (2015). Race, ethnic and gender dividers in juvenile court sanctioning and rehabilitative intervention. Journal of Research Crime and Delinquency, 52 (2), 181-212. Web.
Fader, J. J., Kurlychek, M. C. & Morgan, K. (2014). The color of juvenile justice: Racial disparities in disproportional decisions. Social Science Research , 44 , 126-140. Web.
Hetey, R. & Eberhardt, L. J. (2014). Racial disparities in incarceration increase acceptance of punitive policies. Psychological Science, 25 (10), 1949 – 1954. Web.
Lee, H., McCormick, T., Hicken, T. M. & Wildeman, C. (2015). Racial Inequalities in connectedness to imprisoned individuals in the United States. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 12 (2), 269-282. Web.
Leiber, M. & Peck, J. (2015). Race, gender, crime severity, and decision making in the juvenile justice system. Crime & Delinquency, 61 (6), 771-797. Web.
MacDonald, J., Arkes, J., Nicosia, N. & Pacula, L. R. (2014). Decomposing racial disparities in prison and drug treatment commitments for criminal offenders in California. Journal of Legal Studies, 43 (1), 155-187. Web.
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Write an essay about: Racism in Rankine's "Citizen" and Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad"Both of them focused on similar problems but used entirely different methods to deliver their ideas while having clear benefits and disadvantages of their choices. One the one hand, novels like Citizen help build an emotional bond with readers by making them experience the struggles of being black, but on the other side, a strong position of defendant and a distinction between "you" and "I" may create misunder |
Racism in Rankine's "Citizen" and Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad"
Both of them focused on similar problems but used entirely different methods to deliver their ideas while having clear benefits and disadvantages of their choices. One the one hand, novels like Citizen help build an emotional bond with readers by making them experience the struggles of being black, but on the other side, a strong position of defendant and a distinction between "you" and "I" may create misunder | Racism in Rankine’s “Citizen” and Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” Essay
Apart from high levels of tolerance, racism is under vehement discussion in the modern world. Many authors address this problem in their works, and Rankine and Whitehead are not exceptions. In her book, Citizen , Rankine presented a poetic story by using metaphors, examples of racism from her life, and narration in the second person to attract even more attention to racial segregation. Meanwhile, Whitehead told a story of two slaves, Cora and Caesar, and their way to freedom through the Underground Railroad with the help of a traditional genre-based approach.
Both of them focused on similar problems but used entirely different methods to deliver their ideas while having clear benefits and disadvantages of their choices. *One the one hand, novels like Citizen help build an emotional bond with readers by making them experience the struggles of being black, but on the other side, a strong position of defendant and a distinction between “you” and “I” may create misunderstandings, and, as a consequence, despite the lack of persuasive tone, relying on traditional approach as in The Underground Railroad may deem as the most appropriate one to address the modern issues of racism.*
As it was mentioned previously, Rankine discovered racism from an entirely different perspective and attempted to connect poetics with the tragedy of the real world. She used pronoun “you” to make readers feel the problems of racism and discover them from the viewpoint of discriminated individuals. For example, “Do you feel hurt because it’s ‘all the black people look the same’ moment, or because you are being confused with another after being so close to other?” clearly demonstrated author’s intentions while drawing attention to reader’s emotions (Rankine 12).
At the same time, to find a link with poetics, she referred to describing trees, joy, and rain and blended it with the everyday cases of racism such as Hennessy’s suggestions of being a successful tennis player (“be ambiguous, be white”), cheating, rude conversation on the phone, and a disturbing situation with a police officer (Rankine 31).
A combination of these expressive tools complied with the author’s desire to bring the attention of the society to the problem of racism, as its main features were being transferred from the past. Using this lyric approach could be considered as beneficial since it showed the presence of racism in pop-culture (tennis) and attempted to change readers’ attitudes while being more tolerant to people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Apart from relying on a traditional genre, Whitehead was able to tell a story of Cora and her desire to escape and pursue her “dream of white sea” (Whitehead 21).
With the help of figurative language, the author described Cora’s life and challenges that she had to face when being a slave. For example, “soon after her long march to the plantation, the plot was a rumble of dirt and scrub behind her cabin, at the line of slave quarters” presented a profound and detailed image of the slavery of the past (Whitehead 21). At the same time, with the assistance of the examples of advertisements described in the book, it was possible to recreate attitudes towards slaves.
For instance, “30 Dollar Reward will be given to any person who will deliver me…a likely yellow NEGRO GIRL 18 years of age” showed that black people were mostly viewed as goods for sale rather than people with recognized freedoms, and their high monetary value was reflected by capitalization (Whitehead 105). In this case, the primary advantage of this narration style was the ability of the author to deliver the problems before the Civil War and write a story that would be interesting to read and follow.
Nonetheless, on the other side, Whitehead’s novel tended to be more historical while clearly lacking connection with reality and current problems. At the same time, its intentions to persuade readers were not as strong as in Citizen , and it explained its neutral tone and traditional genre.
In turn, Rankine’s book entirely filled these gaps by its emotionality and its emphasis on current problems. Nonetheless, apart from its positive intentions, the means of figurative language might be found controversial due to a well-defined distinction between races and people (black and white; You and I). It might seem that the author played the role of defendant by asking “Why do you feel comfortable saying this to me?” (Rankine 14). The statements like these could be discovered as triggers of conflicts and create even more tensions in the society than before.
In the end, the selected novels addressed the issues of racism, but they used entirely different approaches to express their opinions. Nonetheless, apart from the similar goals, their choices deemed rational. Rankine in her book Citizen relied on poetics to have an emotional influence of readers and help them see a connection between the racial segregation of the past and acts of discrimination reflected in the modern society and pop-culture. Nonetheless, some people might find this tone more aggressive rather than convincing, as the author strongly defended her position by clearly claiming a difference between “you” and “I”.
This aspect might be considered as a trigger for misunderstandings. As for The Underground Railroad , the authors used a traditional approach since it helped him tell the story of the past and attract the attention of readers to the problem by having a clear historical reference. Apart from the lack of emotionality, using unbiased tone could be viewed as more appropriate in this case, as it could help avoid conflicts and clearly deliver the idea to the audience.
Works Cited
Rankine, Claudia. Citizen: An American Lyric. Graywolf Press, 2014.
Whitehead, Colson. The Underground Railroad. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2016.
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Write an essay about: Racism, privilege, and stereotyping are all concepts that can be found in our society today. These concepts can be harmful to our society as a whole and need to be addressed. |
Racism, privilege, and stereotyping are all concepts that can be found in our society today. These concepts can be harmful to our society as a whole and need to be addressed. | Racism, Privilege and Stereotyping Concepts Essay
Introduction
Racism, unearned privileges based on race, prejudice against others, and stereotyping are things that poison our society. Although someone may claim that racism does not exist anymore, unfortunately, it does. In 1988, Peggy McIntosh made her list of white privileges, and a lot of items on it remain unavailable to dark-skinned individuals even at the present time. Stereotyping is a more innocent type of prejudice if compared to racism, but it is still offensive, and people should avoid it. In this paper, I explore the concepts mentioned above and discuss my personal experience with racism, privilege, and stereotyping.
Defining Related Concepts
Race
The term refers to the division of people into different groups in accordance with their physical characteristics, primarily the skin color, hair type, etc. As Hollins and Govan (2015) state, there is no biological basis for doing so because people have more “within-group variations” than “between-group variations” (p. 159). Hence, races are socially and politically constructed categories.
Racism
Racism can be defined as prejudice against other people based on their racial groups. It appears at many levels, including individual, cultural, and institutional ones, and can be manifested as an action (or inaction), a belief, an attitude, policy, etc. (Hollins & Govan, 2015, p. 159).
Ethnicity
Many people use the words race and ethnicity interchangeably. However, those are not synonymous. While the race is tied to physical characteristics, ethnicity is related to cultural ones, such as nationality, regional culture, traditions, and so on.
Identity
Identity is who or what a person or a group of people is, how they see and describe themselves, and what characteristics differentiate them from others ( Identity , 2016).
Privilege
A privilege can be described as an unearned benefit or a set of those, which one group of people is given with, and the other one is deprived of. In their book, Hollins and Govan (2015) talk about white privilege that exists on the individual, cultural and institutional levels (p. 159).
Stereotyping
The term refers to “overgeneralization” based on social status, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, as well as many other factors (Hollins & Govan, 2015, p. 159). Stereotyping is not supported by any solid arguments or strong evidence.
All of the concepts mentioned above are connected and intersect or interact. For example, race and ethnicity overlap in many cases. The concept of identity is more individual, even though this word can be used with reference to both a person and a group of people. Ethnicity or race can influence it, but not only these factors define identity. Prejudice based on race is racism, while prejudice based on other factors can be called stereotyping. Privilege is usually connected to a particular race and can be considered as a form of racism with respect to other races.
My Own Experience with Racism
Before talking about racism and my experience with it, it would be useful to mention my race. I am a 39-year-old African-American female, and I can not call myself a racist by any means. However, I have experienced it at the interpersonal level. The situation I am going to share happened when I was studying in the cosmetology school in South Carolina, where my parents are from. To get extra hours to graduate, I was allowed to go to the local nursing home to do manicures. One of the patients I was going to do manicure said, “I don’t want this ni**er to do my nails!” That was extremely new to me because I was a military brat and grew up around people from all walks of life.
As for symbolic and institutional types of racism, those also still exist in our country. For instance, a lot of individuals believe that no one discriminates against black people nowadays, and they just do not try hard enough to get a job, housing, decent medical services, and so forth. At the same time, we still regularly hear about racial discrimination lawsuits brought against different companies, including huge corporations. As an example, BMW has recently settled the lawsuit against it. The company was sued for unfair dismissals of its black employees in South Carolina (Sonawane, 2015, par. 1).
My Experience with Stereotyping
As I have already mentioned earlier, I am a 39-year-old African-American female. I am also married and have nine children. People often stereotype me based on these facts: because I am black and have so many children, they tend to assume that I am on welfare and am taking advantage of government assistance. Nevertheless, it is not like this. It usually comes as a shock to people when they find out that I am currently working on my PhD and has a husband who is a father to all my children.
Because I am often stereotyped, I try not to do the same. Nevertheless, I would lie if I say that I have never been guilty of it. As an example, sometimes I assume that all Hispanics are from the same country. I realize that it is wrong, but it can be really hard to distinguish based on outer appearance. Still, since I know how hard and annoying it can be to break down stereotypes people have about you, I usually try to get to know people before making any conclusions about them.
McIntosh’s Privileges
McIntosh’s list of privileges was written in 1988, and I am inclined to believe that a lot of things have changed since then. That is why many items that Peggy McIntosh listed as white privileges can now be enjoyed by dark-skinned people too. For instance, Peggy states, “I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented” (McIntosh, 1988, p. 3).
That is probably the most striking example because our country is ruled by the black president. The following statement is also true of people of my race now: “I can be pretty sure of finding people who would be willing to talk with me and advise me about my next steps, professionally” (McIntosh, 1988, p. 4). There are many other examples on the list too.
Nevertheless, a lot of things listed by McIntosh still remain white privileges even in the twenty-first century. For instance, I can hardly state that “my neighbors … will be neutral or pleasant to me” (McIntosh, 1988, p. 3). I even can not be sure that I can “talk with my mouth full and not have people put this down to my color” (McIntosh, 1988, p. 3). As I see it, the majority of things on McIntosh’s list that is still unavailable to dark-skinned individuals are closely connected to people’s personal attitudes and beliefs.
Ways to Reduce Personal Prejudices and Stereotyping
The first thing that I would recommend to anyone who tries not to stereotype people is to get to know people before making any conclusions. That is how our attitudes can be based on a particular individual, not some information about him or her, like ethnicity, age, gender, social status, class, sexual orientation, and so on. The problem is that it can be very hard to control because stereotypes appear immediately, and we usually are not even aware of having those.
To avoid such an outcome, people should train their minds. For example, traveling can be very useful in this regard (Mendoza-Denton, 2011). Visiting other countries gives us an insight into different cultures and traditions, habits, and behaviors. It makes people more tolerant and open-minded. If there is no opportunity to travel a lot, the same goal can be achieved by communicating with people from various cultural backgrounds ( 101 Ways You Can Beat Prejudice , n.d.). Contact with different social groups should be increased. Also, we should try to be positive and optimistic since the research has shown that people are less likely to show bias or demonstrate prejudice when they smile (Mendoza-Denton, 2011).
In conclusion, even though people understand that prejudices and stereotyping are negative and try to avoid those, it would be a lie to say that we never experience or demonstrate them. Still, it does not mean that we should give up on trying. Since it is difficult to control the mind in order to avoid stereotyping, it is better to train it in advance by communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds and trying to be positive.
References
101 Ways You Can Beat Prejudice . (n.d.). Web.
Hollins, C., & Govan, I. (2015). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Strategies for Facilitating Conversations on Race . Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Identity: Definition . (2016). Web.
McIntosh, P. (1988). White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences Through Work in Women’s Studies . Web.
Mendoza-Denton, R. (2011). The Top 10 Strategies for Reducing Prejudice . Web.
Sonawane, V. (2015). BMW Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Company To Pay $1.6M And Rehire Black Employees In South Carolina Facility . Web.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: Radiocarbon Dating as an Archaeological Tool Essay (Critical Writing)In this essay, the author discusses how radiocarbon dating can be used as an archaeological tool. They also describe how AMS radiocarbon dating was used to establish the age of beeswax silhouettes and charcoal paintings in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. |
Radiocarbon Dating as an Archaeological Tool Essay (Critical Writing)
In this essay, the author discusses how radiocarbon dating can be used as an archaeological tool. They also describe how AMS radiocarbon dating was used to establish the age of beeswax silhouettes and charcoal paintings in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. | Radiocarbon Dating as an Archaeological Tool Essay (Critical Writing)
Table of Contents
1. Overview
2. Kimberley
3. Conclusion
4. Works Cited
Many archaeological dating methods help to establish relative, absolute, and chronometric chronologies. Excavation archaeology utilizes techniques such as dendrochronology, radiocarbon analysis, luminescence dating, electronic spin resonance, uranium-series dating, and optical analysis, among others, in order to establish the real age of artifacts and the duration of historical periods from which they came (Fagan and Durrani 105). The aim of this paper is to discuss one of the most reliable tools of chronometric chronology—radiocarbon dating. It will also describe the use of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating for establishing the age of beeswax figures and charcoal paintings in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Overview
Radiocarbon analysis is a dating method based on radioactive decay of carbon. The technique was developed by two English physicists Arnold and Libby, in 1949 (Fagan and Durrani 117). The method is based on the property of cosmic radiation that makes possible the creation of carbon isotope carbon 14 through the reaction with nitrogen (Fagan and Durrani 117; Staller et al. 131). Therefore, the nucleus of carbon 14 or C-14 is not as stable as other isotopes, which means that it is exposed to radioactive decay that can be easily measured. Taking into consideration the fact that C-14 is being absorbed by vegetation and animals consuming organic matter, it is possible to date bones, wood, and other remains of plants such as charcoal to more than 50, 000 years ago (Fagan and Durrani 117; Wills par. 2).
According to Coleman and Fry, in order to have a solid understanding of ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to know “the real amount of carbon that circulates within the system is needed” (31). Carbon analysis can be applied to multiple spheres enhancing the understanding of natural cycles, periods of glaciations, and the origin of life on Earth. However, radiocarbon dating not only makes it possible to find new paths to the past but also helps to verify earlier chronologies. For instance, since 1990, there was a wide-spread perception that a region in Iberia was the land where late Neanderthals settled (Wood et al. 2783). However, as Wood et al. found out, “with doubt cast over the late survival of Neanderthals, the place of southern Iberia in these arguments must be viewed cautiously” (2783).
Kimberley
According to Aubert, AMS radiocarbon dating was extremely effective in establishing the age of beeswax silhouettes and charcoal paintings in the Kimberley region of Western Australia (574). The archaeologists determined that beeswax paintings were made with plant resin, which is a carbon-bearing substance. Moreover, in order to draw a painting with wax, it has to be fresh. It means that the age of 3780 +- 60 years BP established by radiocarbon is the actual age of paintings (Aubert 575). On the other hand, the charcoal pigment that was used to produce handprints does not allow for such precise analysis. It has to do with the fact that long-lived trees have rings that stop absorbing C-14 once they are fully formed. It results in a significant difference between the time of their growth and the time of their decay (Aubert 575). Therefore, the radiocarbon estimate of the age of charcoal paintings is 120 +- 140 years (Aubert 575).
Conclusion
Radiocarbon analysis continually helps scientists see the history from a new perspective by substantially contributing to multiple archaeological breakthroughs. It is also a very “sharp focus technique” (Feder 4) that allows us to reconcile very tiny elements with large historical scales.
Works Cited
Aubert, Maxime. “A Review of Rock Art Dating in the Kimberley, Western Australia.” Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 39, no. 1, 2012, pp. 573-577.
Coleman, David, and Brian Fry. Carbon Isotope Techniques. Academic Press, 2012.
Fagan, Brian, and Nadia Durrani. Archaeology: A Brief Introduction. Routledge, 2016.
Feder, Kenneth. The Past in Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory. 6th ed., Oxford University Press, 2016.
Staller, John, et al. Histories of Maize in Mesoamerica: Multidisciplinary Approaches. Left Coast Press, 2010.
Wills, Matthew. “Radiocarbon Dating at 75.” JSTOR Daily, Web.
Wood, Rachel, et al. “Radiocarbon Dating Casts Doubt on the Late Chronology of the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic Transition in Southern Iberia.” PNAS, vol. 110, no. 8, 2012, pp. 2781–2786.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The importance of radiography as a tool for testing patients' health status and detecting the presence of possible health issues cannot possibly be overrated. The recent innovations have contributed to the development of radiography extensively. However, the socio-cultural factors are not to be overlooked, either. A study conducted by McNulty et al. has shown that emotional intelligence (EI) is a crucial quality that triggers a rapid increase in the quality of the services provided to patients during radiography procedures. | The importance of radiography as a tool for testing patients' health status and detecting the presence of possible health issues cannot possibly be overrated. The recent innovations have contributed to the development of radiography extensively. However, the socio-cultural factors are not to be overlooked, either. A study conducted by McNulty et al. has shown that emotional intelligence (EI) is a crucial quality that triggers a rapid increase in the quality of the services provided to patients during radiography procedures. | Radiography Stereotypes and Emotional Intelligence Essay
The importance of radiography as a tool for testing patients’ health status and detecting the presence of possible health issues cannot possibly be overrated. The recent innovations have contributed to the development of radiography extensively. The sociocultural factors, however, are not to be overlooked, either. A study conducted by McNulty et al. (176) has shown that emotional intelligence (EI) is a crucial quality that triggers a rapid increase in the quality of the services provided to patients during radiography procedures.
The research was titled “An International Study of Emotional Intelligence in First-Year Radiography Students: The Relationship to Age, Gender, and Culture.” It was published in Radiography (vol. 22, no. 2) in 2016. The article explored the concept of EI as the means of improving communication and reducing the effects of sociocultural stereotypes on the quality of radiography.
The connection between radiography and EI might not seem evident at first, yet a closer look at the research results will reveal that the adoption of the techniques that are based on EI helps prevent accidents during radiography (). Furthermore, the application of the strategies built on the EI principles serves as the means of establishing communication with patients belonging to different age groups, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, etc. As a result, radiography occurs at a natural pace and provides accurate results that can be used for further diagnosis and problem management (McNulty et al. 173).
Therefore, the results of the research conducted by McNulty et al. can be used to enhance the efficacy of radiograph-related procedures. Consequently, a rapid rise in the number of positive patient outcomes is expected. Therefore, EI-based approaches must be included in the set of strategies used for carrying out radiography.
Works Cited
McNulty, Jonathan P., et al. “An International Study of Emotional Intelligence in First Year Radiography Students: The Relationship to Age, Gender, and Culture.” Radiography , vol. 22, no. 2, 2016, pp. 171–176.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The essay discusses the importance of ranking failure scenarios in engineering. In particular, the high-level ranking approach plays a pivotal role through its two major criteria applied in the process. The first one focuses on the various types of impacts that a project is likely to cause. The second criterion focuses on the overall cost incurred by the party that offers opposition to a proposed project. |
The essay discusses the importance of ranking failure scenarios in engineering. In particular, the high-level ranking approach plays a pivotal role through its two major criteria applied in the process. The first one focuses on the various types of impacts that a project is likely to cause. The second criterion focuses on the overall cost incurred by the party that offers opposition to a proposed project. | Failure Scenarios Ranking in Engineering Essay
Ranking of failure scenarios is a very important process in engineering. In particular, the high-level ranking approach plays a pivotal role through its two major criteria applied in the process. The first one focuses on the various types of impacts that a project is likely to cause. The second criterion focuses on the overall cost incurred by the party that offers opposition to a proposed project. In addition, the criterion considers the difficulty levels with regard to addressing the identified threats. To determine the overall ranking of a scenario, the projected impact is divided by the total cost to the adversary. Some of the factors considered in determining the overall ranking of a scenario include the opportunity result, the effects of it happening, and the impact result among others.
The ranking level assigns scores that act as indicators of the likelihood of the scenario happening and the magnitude of its impacts. For example, a scenario involving a power outage can be used to illustrate this concept. In one situation, a customer can experience a power outage for a few minutes, thus leading to petty expenses due to a lack of service delivery or perished goods. A second situation can involve an individual who purchases a standby generator in situations when the power outage takes longer to be resolved than anticipated. The third situation can involve individuals experiencing power outages due to faulty meters. This also has a number of impacts because the user will have to incur some expenses in addressing the problem. Another situation can involve a faulty generator serving a large community, which leads to people being without power for more than a week.
All the above scenarios involving a single problem have varying degrees in terms of their probability of happening and the overall impacts. The impacts involved are mainly related to costs incurred in addressing the problem. In the ranking, the lower the score, the higher the chances that a failure scenario can be triggered without incurring high costs. However, it is important to note that achieving such a feat requires the input of experts and good planning. Their major role involves carrying out the scenario to identify the possible risks involved, the potential impacts, and the most effective preventive measures. When making the decision to trigger a failure scenario, it is important to consider the potential costs that will be incurred in the case of an adversary.
Studies have established that failure scenarios often receive a lot of criticism and opposition from various people due to the fear of incurring unnecessary expenses. Therefore, if the costs likely to be incurred by an adversary are high, then it is important to trigger the failure scenario at its infancy stage when the risks are much lower. Studies have also established that involving several experts in the ranking process plays a crucial role in achieving an accurate probability for various scenarios. This involves the participating experts carrying out independent rankings for all the scenarios. This helps a lot in determining the authenticity of the final rankings, as well as the projects costs and risks. One of the most important elements during ranking is the kind of score given to a scenario because it determines the likelihood of it happening and its potential impacts. Therefore, scores should be given in the correct manner in order to achieve the desired results.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The Reconstruction Era was a time of great change for African Americans, who were freed from slavery and given the opportunity to change their future. A range of significant changes, programs, and obstacles was encountered by freedmen, among the most critical of which was a new way of thinking, an incredible desire to protect their dignity and culture, and aspiration for education and suffrage. | The Reconstruction Era was a time of great change for African Americans, who were freed from slavery and given the opportunity to change their future. A range of significant changes, programs, and obstacles was encountered by freedmen, among the most critical of which was a new way of thinking, an incredible desire to protect their dignity and culture, and aspiration for education and suffrage. | Reconstruction Era After American Civil War Research Paper
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Breath of Freedom
3. Summary
4. Works Cited
Introduction
The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) in the US refers to the period after the Union victory in the Civil War when slaves were freed and given the opportunity to change their future. A range of significant changes, programs, and obstacles was encountered by freedmen, among the most critical of which was a new way of thinking, an incredible desire to protect their dignity and culture, and aspiration for education and suffrage. But there was also severe opposition to African-American equality, such as the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and sharecropping labor, resulting in the Black Exodus. Like a moment in the sun, opportunities were missed, and the Reconstruction Era faded.
Breath of Freedom
The main question for the government to ponder and resolve was how to integrate freedmen in the southern states politically and economically. President Andrew Johnson should be noted for his attempts at reconstruction that focused on Unionism and the promotion of states’ rights. As a result of Johnson’s leniency, however, many southern states adopted the so-called “black codes” to restrict African Americans’ activity, thus suppressing them and trying to increase their dependence (Paddison 621).
These laws deprived former slaves of ownership of land and freedom of movement, speech, meetings, marriages with whites, etc. All this led to fears of the restoration of the old system of slavery. The conflict between Congress and President Johnson over the Tenure of Office Act almost led to his impeachment, but two senators voted against impeachment.
Many people comprising the “slavocracy,” including some former slave masters, politicians, ex-confederates, etc., still clung to their pro-slavery views. Nonetheless, essential changes in the country’s legislative system were made. With the adoption of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, Congress began to completely rebuild the nation’s political structure, and Black suffrage was declared a paramount goal (Anderson 330).
The above amendment also deprived the leaders of the Confederacy of the right to hold public office and gave ex-slaves equal rights. The first paragraph of the amendment stated that all persons born in the United States or having acquired citizenship are citizens of the country and citizens of the state they live in, and they may be deprived of the right to life, liberty, and property only by a court decision. This prohibited “black codes.”
In this context, African Americans started thinking politically as citizens of the US. They wanted to protect and promote their freedom, support themselves and their families, and become an integral part of the country. Education presented itself as one of the ways to prepare for the future. Many public schools and churches and several colleges, as well as a range of educational programs, were established for African Americans. The graduates of these programs and institutions changed the African American community for the better. For example, one may note Fisk University in Nashville, TN, or Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA.
Despite the end of enslavement, African Americans remained economically dependent on their former masters. According to Special Field Orders, No. 15, “the sole and exclusive management of affairs will be left to the freed people themselves, subject only to the United States military authority and the acts of Congress” (“Order by the Commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi”). Some African Americans moved to cities and started working there or tried to run their own businesses, while others had to stay on plantations and engage in sharecropping. Sharecropping, suggested by the Freedmen’s Bureau, implied labor contracts between plantation owners and workers.
In fact, this type of labor was close to slavery since it was the plantation owner who provided the land and equipment and determined the value of the work.
The reconstruction of Southern society also had traits of the radicals’ program. It included forcible democratization of life in the South supported by the army, but without unleashing terror and dictatorship. Everything was resolved legally: the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was supplemented by the 15th, which specifically stipulated that the right to vote in the United States cannot be limited by skin color, race, or ex-slave status. This was necessary because of terrorist organizations, including the infamous Ku Klux Klan, who brutally attacked defiant ex-slaves and White sympathizers. Intolerance and cold-blooded murder characterized Ku Klux Klan members.
Such harsh conditions forced many freedmen to leave their homes and seek a better life. During the Black Exodus, more than 25,000 freedmen traveled west, prompted by the Homestead Act passed in 1862 (West 205). According to the Homestead Act, the ownership of unoccupied western lands should be given to people free of charge. The election of Ulysses Grant, the commanding general of the Union Army, as president of the US marked the end of the Reconstruction Era.
Summary
The Reconstruction Era was the first breath of freedom for African Americans who experienced significant economic and political gains during this period. Most importantly, they identified themselves as free people having rights to their own lives. This awareness was supported by the government and expressed in increasing educational opportunities, the formation of communities, an extension of rights, and migration to cities. But African-Americans encountered strong and cruel opposition in the form of Ku Klux Klan terrorism, “black codes,” and the oppressive sharecropping labor system that postponed the actual emancipation of African Americans.
Works Cited
Anderson, James D. “Eleventh Annual Brown Lecture in Education Research: A Long Shadow: The American Pursuit of Political Justice and Education Equality.” Educational Researcher , vol. 44, no. 6, 2015, pp. 319-335.
“ Order by the Commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi. ” Freedmen & Southern Society Project . 1865. Web.
Paddison, Joshua. “Freedom’s Frontier: California and the Struggle over Unfree Labor, Emancipation, and Reconstruction by Stacey L. Smith.” The Journal of the Civil War Era , vol. 4, no. 4, 2014, pp. 620-622.
West, Michael O. “Claiming Exodus: A Cultural History of Afro‐Atlantic Identity, 1774–1903 by Rhondda Robinson Thomas.” The Historian , vol. 77, no. 1, 2015, pp. 205-206.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Red Bull is a company whose rise to prominences is predicated on a successful launch of a single product—an energy drink.The paper discusses Red Bull's strengths in the context of soft drinks producers such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi entering the market. The paper also discusses the company's approaches to advertising and provides recommendations for improving its marketing instruments. | Red Bull is a company whose rise to prominences is predicated on a successful launch of a single product—an energy drink.
The paper discusses Red Bull's strengths in the context of soft drinks producers such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi entering the market. The paper also discusses the company's approaches to advertising and provides recommendations for improving its marketing instruments. | Red Bull Company’s Strengths and Advertising Case Study
Introduction
Red Bull is a company whose rise to prominences is predicated on a successful launch of a single product—an energy drink (Red Bull, 2016). Since its creation in 1987, the company has managed to sell more than 62 billion cans of the eponymous caffeinated beverage, thereby taking a leading position in the global market of energy drinks (Red Bull, 2016). This paper aims to discuss Red Bull’s strengths in the context of soft drinks producers such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi entering the market. The paper will also discuss the company’s approaches to advertising and provide recommendations for improving its marketing instruments.
Discussion
Strengths
The company’s brand is, arguably, its biggest strength. A high level of brand recognition can be attributed to Red Bull’s brand-building activities the scope of which surpasses even that of Coke and Pepsi. Effective marketing positioning provides the firm with another advantage that will make it difficult for newcomers to the market to challenge its position. It has to do with the fact that Red Bull’s product is associated in the minds of its target audience with sports and “adventurous spirit,” which is extremely important for “the young or the young at heart” (Pangarkar & Agarwal, para. 11).
Having strong brand equity is a source of sustainable competitive advantage in the competition with reputable companies that enter the market (Amini, Darani, Afshani, & Amini, 2012). It follows that by properly using its intuitively appealing brand image, Red Bull can solidify its standing in an increasingly competitive environment.
Marketing Tactics
Sponsorship has been long recognized as an exceptionally effective marketing tool that can help to communicate the desired brand image to a target market (Grohs & Reisinger, 2014; Kotler & Keller, 2016). However, Red Bull does not subscribe to the traditional model of sponsorship exposure. Instead, the company prefers to own sports teams to have better control of numerous drivers of its brand image.
Moreover, Red Bull regularly stages unique sporting events, which is a considerable advantage of the company’s approach to marketing. By organizing events and owning teams, the company can customize commercialization activities, thereby changing spectators’ perception of its brand. However, the strategy is associated with a drawback of over-commercialization, which might cause the audience to develop a negative association with the company’s product (Abosag, Roper, & Hind, 2012).
In 2012, the energy drink manufacturer organized an event that was described as “the world’s biggest jump” (Aaker, 2013, para. 4). This was an example of sensation marketing which falls in a broader category of guerrilla marketing. This approach to communicating a company’s message has been widely acclaimed by experienced marketing practitioners for its ability to produce a massive effect with a minimum investment (Nufer, 2013). The marketing tactic’s disadvantage is that it cannot be effectively utilized outside a traditional marketing mix. Therefore, Red Bull is recommended to use guerrilla advertising in conjunction with traditional approaches to marketing.
Effectiveness
The company owns several soccer and Formula One teams, which helps it to influence consumer attitudes towards its drink (Aaker, 2013). The energy drink producer also arranges three types of sporting events: the Red Bull X-Fighters, the Red Bull Air Race, and the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series (Aaker, 2013). Furthermore, Red Bull stages non-traditional promotion events.
The company is extremely effective in finding alternative approaches to the marketing of its product. These approaches can help to add subtlety into brand promotion, instantly grab the attention of prospective customers, and effectively allocate marketing resources. By featuring short clips on its YouTube channel, Red Bull caters directly to its first and second demographic. Also, the energy drink producer invites its consumers to explore their potential and take action. It has to do with the fact that Red Bull’s marketing activities are associated with the imagery of heroism and bravery, which allows creating a credible connection between campaign events and the brand.
Red Bull’s savvy approach towards marketing should be complemented with a clear understanding of risks related to viral advertising. There is a fine line between fascination and annoyance, which should not be crossed by the company. Also, Red Bull can permanently damage its reputation to be exposing athletes participating in its promotion events to undue risk.
Recommendations
Red Bull possesses a wide range of extremely effective marketing instruments the use of which is aligned with its marketing mix. However, the company should concentrate on the elimination of the threat of substitute products such as energy shots. Red Bull can safeguard itself from both substitute products and new entrants into the industry by emphasizing that their product represents not only a jolt of energy but also a heroic adventure. Also, the company should increase its market penetration by gaining new customers in the gaming community. This can be achieved by sponsoring the development of engaging and innovative video games.
Conclusion
The paper has analyzed Red Bull’s strengths in the market of energy drinks. It has been argued that the company is extremely effective in using guerrilla marketing for delivering its message to target audiences. The paper has emphasized the necessity of increasing the company’s market penetration by moving beyond a niche area of traditional sports.
References
Aaker, D. (2013). Red Bull: The ultimate brand builder . Web.
Abosag, I., Roper, S., & Hind, D. (2012). Examining the relationship between brand emotion and brand extension among supporters of professional football clubs. European Journal of Marketing, 46 (9), 1233-1251.
Amini, A., Darani, M., Afshani, M., & Amini, Z. (2012). Effectiveness of marketing strategies and corporate image on brand equity as a sustainable competitive advantage. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 4 (2), 192-205.
Grohs, R., & Reisinger, H. (2014). Sponsorship effects on brand image: The role of exposure and activity involvement. Journal of Business Research, 67 (1), 1018-1025.
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing management (15th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Nufer, G. (2013). Guerrilla marketing—innovative or parasitic marketing? Modern Economy , 4 (1), 1-6.
Pangarkar, N., & Agarwal, M. (2013). The wind behind Red Bull’s wings . Forbes . Web.
Red Bull. (2016). Milestones . Web.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Red Lobster's and J.C. Penny's Marketing Advice Case StudyIn the Red Lobster's and J.C. Penny's Marketing Advice Case Study, the author discusses how both companies can improve their marketing strategies. Red Lobster should consider the extensive use of internet-based technology, while J.C. Penny should reduce its physical stores and expand online stores. |
Red Lobster's and J.C. Penny's Marketing Advice Case Study
In the Red Lobster's and J.C. Penny's Marketing Advice Case Study, the author discusses how both companies can improve their marketing strategies. Red Lobster should consider the extensive use of internet-based technology, while J.C. Penny should reduce its physical stores and expand online stores. | Red Lobster’s and J.C. Penny’s Marketing Advice Case Study
Red Lobster
Even though Red Lobster has increased its presence in the market through various marketing strategies for its seafood, it must look into certain marketing issues keenly. First, it should consider the extensive use of internet-based technology. Millions of people who are potential customers in every sector have opted to go online to access and buy products and services. A company that wants to thrive must have a well-established website through which it interacts with existing and potential customers. The online platform must have features that enable customers to order the seafood products and pay online.
Second, the company should consider using the mobile application to connect to customers, especially those aged 40 and below who are fond of mobile devices. This group forms the highest percentage of seafood customers and engaging them through mobile applications would increase the sales. Third, the company should improve its human resource management with the focus on employees’ welfare. Motivated employees are more likely to improve their productivity because they will feel satisfied.
Table 1. An illustration shows pros and cons of the recommendations.
Pros Cons
1. The establishment of an online presence does not only attract internet users but also a wide range of customers across the world. 1. Inappropriate security of a business website can expose customers to fraud and this might work negatively against the company.
2. The youthful generation loves mobile devices and the use of mobile apps will increase Red Lobster’s access to them. 2. For a better quality of services, the company will incur high costs to establish an outstanding business app.
3. A good strategy for human resource management motivates employees to work harder to meet the organizational objectives 3. Strategies aimed at motivating employees such as rewards, promotions and training require high amounts of money.
J.C. Penny
First, as a brand that has been in the retail store industry for decades, J.C. Penney can capitalize on its brand recognition to market its products and gain a significant customer loyalty. Second, the company should consider reducing its physical stores while expanding online stores. Many customers of departmental stores can be easily accessed online. Through its official website, J.C. Penney can access its existing and potential customers.
As a result, it will improve its services with the technology as well as its sales. Third, J.C. should examine and solve the major competition issues that interfere with its efforts to capture large market shares. In this context, the company should improve its brand image both online and offline to influence customers positively. Another issue is the marketing strategy in which the company should compare the competitors’ strategies before launching theirs.
Table 2. An illustration shows pros and cons of the recommendations.
Pros Cons
1. A brand recognition among customers acts as the selling point of products and services. Customers tend to buy from brand they know. 1. Brand identity is complex and expensive to build. At the same time, it is difficult to maintain because of the stiff competition in the retail industry.
2. A well-established online store attracts internet users from various parts of the world. As a result, the company improves its services and sales volume. 2. The cost of establishing a robust and secured website is high.
3. Knowing the competitors strategy will help the company to create a better marketing approach. 3. However, relying on the competitor’s strategy might reduce product differentiation aspects.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The importance of the housing sector of the market can be understood through the fact that, for homeowners, real estate constitutes a major part of what they have or a major part of their current or planned spending. Both Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson Financial Comparison Report are listed on the London Stock Exchange, and both are constituents of the FTSE 250 Index (codes RDW and CRST respectively) ( FTSE 250 2017).Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson | The importance of the housing sector of the market can be understood through the fact that, for homeowners, real estate constitutes a major part of what they have or a major part of their current or planned spending. Both Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson Financial Comparison Report are listed on the London Stock Exchange, and both are constituents of the FTSE 250 Index (codes RDW and CRST respectively) ( FTSE 250 2017).
Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson | Redrow Plc and Crest Nicholson Financial Comparison Report
Overview and Critical Evaluation of Key Influence Factors
The importance of the housing sector of the market can be understood through the fact that, for homeowners, real estate constitutes a major part of what they have or a major part of their current or planned spending. Moreover, housing as an industry bears particular symbolic significance for all working individuals because having one’s own place to live and improving one’s living conditions are among the main goals pursued by individuals in their lives and work. Major housing companies in the UK have a long history, large turnovers, vast resource bases, and wide networks of operation—all these factors make them complicated entities, and profound analysis is needed to identify and understand the developments that occur for those companies and influence them, both externally, i.e. in terms of market forces and influences, and internally, i.e. in terms of operation and initiatives that are likely to influence in certain ways the industry as a whole. A way to identify and understand these developments is to compare two major housing companies in the UK, and the companies chosen for the comparison are Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson. Both are listed on the London Stock Exchange, and both are constituents of the FTSE 250 Index (codes RDW and CRST respectively) ( FTSE 250 2017).
Supplier Relations
The first issue to be addressed in this context is the consideration of influence factors, i.e. what the processes that affect the UK housing sector are. This consideration will also constitute a point of comparing Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson, as both companies have made statements on perceived influences, and their statements can be compared and contrasted from this perspective. First of all, to build houses, a company primarily needs things to build from—materials remain one of the main influences in the industry, and any changes experienced or initiated by suppliers are likely to have an effect on a housing company that buys from them. Even this one influence factor is already complicated because large housing companies purchase materials from many different suppliers who can be influenced by different forces, which makes measuring the influence challenging and increases the number of risks and the potential effect of negative changes.
What a company can do to address this influence factor and reduce risks is, first, to establish and develop long-term relationships with suppliers, which can facilitate the collaboration because the companies involved will have an experience of working together effectively; therefore, negotiating and trading will be easier and with a higher level of mutual understanding. Redrow plc recognises the importance of building such relationships, as it states, “Our longstanding relationships with a number of key suppliers helped us mitigate the impact of supply issues across a range of materials” ( A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016, p. 34). What is meant by the “impact of supply issues” is a possible downward trend of operation and sales due to decreasing availability of resources or their increasing price. The second aspect of addressing the influence factor associated with the supply of materials is building wide and flexible networks of cooperation with suppliers. Rigid operation is a threat because a failure of one element leads to the failure of the entire system: therefore, large companies should try to diversify their supplier relations to reduce the dependence on certain suppliers or certain elements of the supply network.
Demand
Another major influence factor is demand because building houses, even when one has made sure by taking into consideration what is outlined in the previous paragraph that there are appropriate resources to build them, makes little sense if there is no-one to buy these houses. Demand itself is a complex notion, and it should not be regarded as mere subjective desires of people to suddenly buy more houses or suddenly buy less of them. Crest Nicholson stresses “the cyclical nature of the housing industry, with periodic downturns in customer demand” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 98). There are various ways to approach the influences on demand, and major ones are the availability of loans (or other financial instruments that buyers may employ to purchase a house) and possible deteriorations in the market. All these factors are inevitably connected to the expected sales prices. Sales prices and build costs are the two main considerations in the housing business, and, through the factors outlined above, the two are interconnected.
Policies and Regulations
Another influence factor is comprised of government policies and regulations imposed on the housing industry. It is important to understand that regulations are constantly changing. Redrow plc dedicates a particular section of its annual report to pieces of legislation that have been adopted within a given year and are relevant to the company’s operation. Today, the importance of regulation changes is growing due to the recent decision of the UK to withdraw from the European Union. A particular consideration is the legislation associated with environment protection and sustainable development. Currently, UK housing companies are required to comply with a number of standards concerning not only the amounts of carbon dioxide emissions that they produce but also the amounts of such emissions that the houses they build will be producing.
Both Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson express in their annual reports certain concerns about the upcoming changes in these regulations, as it can “change the way [they] plan and build homes” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 7). Redrow plc also emphasises the fact that not only standards may change but also the interpretations of standards, which can be manifested in various legal and regulatory measures, and the company, along with other housing companies, will need to follow them. For large companies, it is especially difficult because their operations are vast systems, and vast systems are harder to modify. Crest Nicholson further explores possible consequences of Brexit, and one of the potential influence factors that the company recognises is the change of labour relations. In case the new government introduces additional restrictions to the UK labour market, housing companies, as they employ a lot of workforce, will need to reconsider their existing human resources policies and budgets to a significant extent due to the lowered access to European labour.
Internal Influence Factors
Finally, there may be internal influence factors and factors that are associated with the operation of particular companies but extend to influence other companies as well. These factors are mainly attributed to the strategic planning of the industry’s major players. When an influential company in a particular sector of the market employs a new strategy, it may become a driving force for the company’s competitors to change, too, in order not to fall behind and maintain their competitive advantage. Therefore, this influence factor can be described in terms of strategic development, innovation, and technological advancements. The housing industry is evolving, and new technological solutions appear, which makes it necessary for housing companies to constantly monitor the advancements, develop, too, and follow the trends of the sector (Liu et al. 2014). This facilitates competition and ensures that the quality of products, i.e. homes built, is growing in accordance with modern trends, capabilities of house-building, and appropriate standards.
Analysis of Financial Performance
Ratio Analysis as a Method
There are multiple approaches to analysing the financial performance of companies because there is a vast array of financial indicators, and a good understanding of operating in the market is needed to assess what those indicators say about a company’s successes and failures. One of the approaches is reviewing key financial indicators associated with revenues, costs, profits, sales, debts, and other aspects of financial activities and comparing these indicators to the results of previous years. This may show how a company is doing, where it is succeeding, and where its main challenges are focused. However, this approach may overlook important developments because of its fundamental flaw: it tends to examine the results of financial activities separately, while in reality, operations carried out by a company are interconnected and affect one another. The acknowledgement of this interconnection justifies the use of a different approach: ratio analysis.
Ratio analysis allows regarding the financial performance of a company from the point of view of trends of financial operation and processes of change, as opposed to evaluating different aspects of this operation in terms of increasing or decreasing only. This is why ratio analysis is a common method used for examining financial statements of companies. Pulling data from financial documentation, analysts calculate accounting ratios, thus establishing correlations among different indicators. This analysis is particularly helpful for comparing the performance of a company in a given accounting period to the performance in previous periods (which is known as trend analysis), for comparing the performance of a company to the performance of other companies (which is a part of competitor analysis), and for comparing the performance of a company to the industry average in order to find out where the company is on the normal distribution curve of financial performance in a given sector of the market.
Financial ratios can be divided into several groups. Major ones are profitability, liquidity, efficiency, and investment. Some analysts also list certain ratios under such categories as “growth” and “financial health” (Delen, Kuzey & Uyar 2013). Out of the variety of available ratios, ten were selected for examination with the purpose to compare the financial performance of the two companies. In their annual reports in 2016, the companies mostly compared the presented data on financial performance to the results of the previous year, providing only a brief overview of key indicators from an extended perspective of five years ( A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016; Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016). However, for the selected ratios, the brief overview was not sufficient because detailed financial data was required, which is why financial reports of Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson from 2014 ( 40 years and still growing: Redrow plc annual report and accounts 2014; Creating value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2014) and 2012 ( A vision that inspires: Crest Nicholson directors’ report and accounts 2012; Redrow: annual report and accounts 2012) were analysed, too. The main reason for the two companies to provide their detailed financial data in an intelligible form of colourful reports is to assure their clients of the transparency of their operation and, most importantly, to attract investors: Redrow plc stores its financial reports in the “investors” section of their website, and Crest Nicholson stores its reports in the “investor relations” section.
Ratio Analysis of the Examined Housing Companies
Table 1: Financial Ratios of Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson.
Ratio Company Year
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
ROCE, % Redrow plc 8.7 12.2 18.0 22.8 24.2
Crest Nicholson 20.7 24.1 26.0 26.8 31.3
ROE, % Redrow plc 8.4 12.3 20.5 26.4 26.8
Crest Nicholson 20.2 17.5 19.6 21.3 23.2
ROA, % Redrow plc 3.7 5.6 8.7 11.0 10.8
Crest Nicholson 8.5 7.9 10.0 10.5 11.7
GPM, % Redrow plc 17.3 18.8 21.8 23.8 24.2
Crest Nicholson 27.4 26.9 28.6 27.5 26.7
TOE Redrow plc 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.9 2.0
Crest Nicholson 2.3 1.7 2.1 2.0 2.0
CR Redrow plc 3.3 3.2 3.5 2.9 3.1
Crest Nicholson 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.9 3.6
QR Redrow plc 0.27 0.21 0.26 0.17 0.26
Crest Nicholson 0.92 0.68 0.60 0.80 0.98
NIG, % Redrow plc 123.7 77.8 91.3 57.7 23.5
Crest Nicholson 57.8 3.3 49.7 25.6 26.4
PP, days Redrow plc 91.1 89.0 77.2 78.5 88.3
Crest Nicholson 56.4 90.0 128.4 92.4 61.3
IC Redrow plc 6.8 10.7 13.5 18.0 18.9
Crest Nicholson 7.0 8.4 11.2 13.3 16.5
Table 1 presents the results of calculating ten important financial indications of the compared companies. The first ratio is return on capital employed (ROCE), which is a major profitability ratio. It is calculated by dividing profit before interest and tax (PBIT) by the sum of share capital, reserves, and non-current liabilities and multiplying by 100 per cent. Put simply, the ratio represents the profit of a company in the form of a percentage of capital employed in this company. Seen as an indicator of the effectiveness of funds deployment, ROCE is often used as the main tool for assessing the profitability of a company. Redrow plc claims to use ROCE as a measurement for one of their major goals, which is to “ensure that we grow our business responsibly [by focusing] on managing all our resources efficiently and effectively” ( A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016, p. 8). The company had the goal of achieving ROCE of 21 per cent by 2018, although within the last two years this point was exceeded: 22.8 in 2015 and 24.2 in 2016 (see Table 1). The growth of ROCE is considered by the company as a major success. However, the ROCE of Crest Nicholson is significantly higher (31.3 per cent), and it has been higher than Redrow plc’s for the last five years (in fact, Redrow plc’s current ROCE is approximately equal to the Crest Nicholson’s in 2013, when the former’s ROCE was two times less than now). From this perspective, Crest Nicholson can be regarded as a company that deploys its funds with higher effectiveness.
The second ratio is return on equity (ROE), which is calculated by subtracting preference dividends from the net profit, dividing the remainder by the ordinary share capital and reserves, and multiplying by 100 per cent. The ratio is used to compare the capital of ordinary shareholders to the profits that have been earned on their behalf. ROE may be used in combination with other financial ratios as a major indicator of investment attractiveness. However, a complication is that ROE can be hardly used to predict whether a company’s shares will be a good investment in the future because ROE reflects recent performance and is not a forecasting ratio. Redrow plc’s ROE has been constantly growing, outrunning the ROE of Crest Nicholson in 2014 and remaining around 26.6 per cent for the last two years, indicating a rather high level of attractiveness for investors.
The third ratio is return on assets (ROA), which is calculated by dividing net income by total assets. It shows the relation of how much a company earn to what it has, i.e. its overall resources; therefore, the ratio is regarded as an indication of management effectiveness. The higher it is, the more effective a business can be considered by investors. However, the meaning of ROA can be different for companies of different scales of operation, which is why it is only helpful in most cases to compare ROAs of companies whose levels of capitalisation are comparable. Within the last five years, Crest Nicholson has always demonstrated a higher ROA than Redrow plc, except for 2015 when Redrow plc’s ROA was one percentage point higher than Crest Nicholson’s, but since then, the former’s ROA has decreased in 2016, while the latter’s ROA continued to grow.
The fourth ratio is gross profit margin (GPM), which is calculated by dividing gross profit by sales revenue and multiplying by 100 per cent. This is one of the important financial indicators because it assesses the profitability of producing goods and selling them before any other expenses are taken into account. Again, the meaning of the ratio for different industries will be different, e.g. supermarkets operating on low prices should not be compared to housing companies by the criterion of GPM. Also, comparing GMP to operating profit margin allows evaluating the company’s control over its operating expenses. Within the last five years, Crest Nicholson has had a rather stable GPM of 26.7 to 28.6 per cent, while Redrow plc’s GPM has been constantly growing, remaining, however, lower than the Crest Nicholson’s in 2016.
The fifth ratio is trading on equity (TOE), which is also known as financial leverage ratio and calculated by dividing debt on equity by total assets (Bodie, Kane & Marcus 2014). The ratio can be used to assess whether a company is able to properly meet its financial obligations. From this perspective, Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson have been close within the last five years, and their TOEs were reported as practically equal in 2016.
The sixth ratio is current ratio (CR), which is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. The ratio is widely used to assess whether the company is able to meet its short-term financial obligations with the use if its current assets. The ratio is expected to be above one, although a ratio of 1:1 would not be considered sufficiently high for manufacturing companies that hold stock for longer periods than companies with low numbers of receivables and sell it on credit. CRs of the two examined companies have been going up and down within the last five years; Redrow plc’s CR grew in 2016 to 3.1 from 2.9 in 2015, and in the case of Crest Nicholson, it decreased from 3.9 in 2015 to 3.6 in 2016, which is not a dramatic fall and still signifies that the company is able to meet its short-term obligations with what it currently holds.
The seventh ratio is quick ratio (QR), which is often used in combination with CR and calculated by subtracting stock from current assets and dividing the remainder by current liabilities. The necessity of calculating the quick ratio is justified by the fact that some companies may not be able to convert their stock into cash quickly, which is why their CR may look misleadingly high. By subtracting stock from the numerator, QR examination presents a tougher test of liquidity. Unlike CR, QR of less than one can be acceptable because it should be also considered that not only stock is subtracted from current assets, but also those liabilities are counted in the denominator that may not be payable immediately. The difference between Redrow plc and Crest Nicholson becomes obvious when one looks at QR instead of CR. Neither company has demonstrated a QR above one, but Crest Nicholson’s has been significantly higher within the last five years, and it is currently reported to be 0.98, while Redrow plc’s is only 0.26.
The eighth ratio is net income growth (NIG), which is not as widespread as the ratios above, but it can be used to assess how companies grow in terms of their profits. The ratio represents an annual rate calculated by subtracting net income of the previous year from the net income of the current year, dividing the remainder by the previous year’s net income, and multiplying by 100 per cent, i.e. the ratio shows how much more a company earned in a given period than in another one (Chugh et al. 2013). In 2012, Redrow plc had an impressive NIG of 123.7 per cent, and the rate kept decreasing. Not to be misled, one should note that slower growth does not indicate a deterioration of financial performance because, as the profit of a company grows, a given sum is becoming a smaller and smaller portion of it. However, under the assumption that all other rates are equal, an increasing NIG rate is preferable and attractive for investors, and Crest Nicholson showed a slightly higher NIG in 2016 compared to 2015, while Redrow plc’s NIG decreased by almost 25 percentage points.
The ninth ratio is payables period (PP), which is calculated by dividing average payable accounts for a given year by average cost of sold products per day. As a result, the ratio indicates how long it takes a company to pay those who provided products and services to it. Shorter periods are preferable; however, it should not be overlooked that the ratio can be distorted if some suppliers provide significantly larger amounts of products and services than the majority of them. If a company’s PP is increasing over the years, it is an indication of the company’s problems with paying its suppliers, which does not contribute to perceived reliability or investor trust (Atanasova 2012). Redrow plc’s PP was decreasing from 2012 to 2014, but it has been growing since then and has increased by almost ten days since 2015. Crest Nicholson’s PP, on the contrary, has been remarkably decreasing since 2014, which indicates a growing level of efficiency and speed of operation in dealing with suppliers.
The tenth ratio is interest coverage (IC), which is calculated by dividing the company’s profit before interest and tax (PBIT) by interest expense. “Coverage” means that the rate reflects how much times the company’s PBIT can cover its interest expense. Higher numbers are preferable (Fevurly 2013). Both Redrow plc’s and Crest Nicholson’s IC ratios have been decreasing within recent years, but the former’s IC has been mostly higher, and in 2016 it was 18.9 compared to Crest Nicholson’s 16.5.
Further Comparison of the Two Companies
Highlights
As it was noticed above, the examined housing companies consider their current and potential investors to be the primary audience of their financial reports (see Ratio Analysis as a Method). Therefore, the reports are not presented in the form of plain balance sheets and calculations but designed into colourful files with graphs, pictures, and supporting explanatory texts. Moreover, they feature slogans that are meant to be appealing to target audiences, such as “A better way to live” ( A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016, p. 1) or “Sustaining value” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 1). Therefore, it is proposed to further analyse the companies’ financial reports for highlight, i.e. for information that the companies themselves emphasise for the reports’ readers, find important, and try to draw attention to it. An experienced investor does not need to be explained what is important in financial reports, is capable of finding relevant information on his and her own, and is not only looking at those numbers that are written in larger fonts. However, exploring what the companies themselves may try to present as their successes and strengths can provide a valuable perspective on their perceived attractiveness for investors as well as potential clients.
At the very beginning of its report, Redrow plc presents three financial performance indicators that are meant to demonstrate the company’s growth: profit before tax, earnings per share, and return on equity; all three have been growing within the last three years. The first representation of financial information that one faces in the Crest Nicholson’s report is a statement of growing revenue, operating profit, and basic earnings per share. Therefore, both companies highlight that their operation has been beneficial for shareholders. However, right after this, Crest Nicholson goes to “meeting housing needs” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 2), while Redrow plc presents operational highlights, such as outlets, private legal completions, and private order book.
Risk Management
One of the things that one is likely to turn to in a financial report is risk management (Lam 2014), and the two companies can be compared in terms of their risk management achievements over the last five years. In 2012, Redrow plc listed ten risks in its report: none was reported to have increased, one was reported to have decreased (liquidity and funding), and the rest were reported to not have changed since the previous year ( Redrow: annual report and accounts 2012). Five years later, the company listed twelve risks: three were increasing (failures of customer service, employee attraction and retention, and health and safety), two were decreasing (availability of mortgage finance and cyber security), and the rest had not changed since the previous year ( A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016).
Concerning Crest Nicholson, the company listed six risks in 2012 and did not report any assessed changes in the risk areas since the previous year ( A vision that inspires: Crest Nicholson directors’ report and accounts 2012). Five years later, the company provided a broader consideration of risks and listed sixteen risks in five areas, with two risks reportedly increasing (adverse macro-economic climate and reputation damage from poor quality of products), three risks reportedly decreasing (build cost inflation, changes in planning systems and political situation, and labour and materials), and the rest reportedly unchanged ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016). Also, some risks were listed as “new,” including cyber security, which was reported as a decreasing risk by Redrow plc. Most risks are similar because the two companies operate in the same industry. However, what this overview allows concluding is that both companies have been paying increasingly more attention to risk management within the last five years, which indicates the recognition that addressing risks properly is a major consideration in company’s attractiveness and investor trust.
Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code
In its statement, Crest Nicholson claims that it “complied with the provisions and applied the main principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code…throughout the year” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 49). However, it should be recognised that the Code used by the company was published in September 2014. In April 2016, the UK Corporate Governance Code was updated by the Financial Reporting Counsel (FRC), although it was ensured that the Code “remained consistent and changes [had] only been made when necessary” ( The UK corporate governance code 2016, p. 2). The changes were associated with three areas: “the FRC’s own review of ethical matters, changes to legislation which, after Parliamentary Scrutiny, are intended to take effect on 17 June 2016, and developments in international standards” ( Revised UK Corporate Governance Code, Guidance on Audit Committees, and Auditing and Ethical Standards 2016, para. 2). Key provisions, however, were preserved.
In the new edition, the FRC continued its work toward ensuring the independence of auditors. New provisions prohibit certain engagements that could cause a conflict of interest for an auditor. In terms of conflicts of interests, Crest Nicholson acknowledges that its non-executive directors “could be involved in other businesses from which we buy products and services or may have interests in areas of the country where we operate” ( Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, p. 60). However, where material contracts are involved, the company properly discloses all related information in its financial report. Stephen Stone, the company’s CEO since 2005, joined the board of NHBC in 2016 as a non-executive director, which Crest Nicholson presents as role modelling for improving the standards of the UK housing sector. The Nomination Committee is the organ that monitors all the related issues and ensures the effectiveness, competence, and independence of the Board.
Overall, according to the presented report, it can be assessed that Crest Nicholson has complied with the UK Corporate Governance Code, has followed its rules of structuring the report, and has ensured, by means of creating proper committees and reviewing the corporate governance statement, that corporate governance of the company is performed according to the Code.
Reference List
40 years and still growing: Redrow plc annual report and accounts 2014, Web.
A better way to live: Redrow annual report 2016, Web.
A vision that inspires: Crest Nicholson directors’ report and accounts 2012, Web.
Atanasova, C 2012, ‘ How do firms choose between intermediary and supplier finance? ’, Financial Management , vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 207-228.
Bodie, Z, Kane, A & Marcus, AJ 2014, Investments , 10th edn, McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY.
Chugh, A, Singh, V, Mailk, R & Mayne, V 2013, Method and system for aggregating company information , Web.
Creating value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2014, Web.
Delen, D, Kuzey, C & Uyar, A 2013, ‘Measuring firm performance using financial ratios: a decision tree approach’, Expert Systems with Applications , vol. 40, no. 10, pp. 3970-3983.
Fevurly, K 2013, Plan your financial future: a comprehensive guidebook to growing your net worth , Apress, New York, NY.
FTSE 250 2017, Web.
Lam, J 2014, Enterprise risk management: from incentives to controls , John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
Liu, H, Wang, MJ, Skibniewski, MJ, He, JS & Zhang, ZS 2014, ‘Identification of critical success factors for construction innovation: from the perspective of strategic cooperation’, Frontiers of Engineering Management , vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 202-209.
Redrow: annual report and accounts 2012, Web.
Revised UK Corporate Governance Code, Guidance on Audit Committees, and Auditing and Ethical Standards 2016, Web.
Sustaining value: Crest Nicholson annual integrated report 2016, Web.
The UK corporate governance code 2016, Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: This essay discusses the case of Reginald Pitts, an African American HR manager who was arrested on suspicion of giving a forged check to the shop assistant at Wal-Mart. The essay discusses how Pitts came to the conclusion that the employees of Wall-Mart did not trust him only because he was a black person and how this discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnicity has been completely outlawed in various legal acts and regulations. |
This essay discusses the case of Reginald Pitts, an African American HR manager who was arrested on suspicion of giving a forged check to the shop assistant at Wal-Mart. The essay discusses how Pitts came to the conclusion that the employees of Wall-Mart did not trust him only because he was a black person and how this discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnicity has been completely outlawed in various legal acts and regulations. | Reginald Pitts and Walmart Inc.’s Employees Essay
This discrimination that is based on race, gender, or ethnicity has been completely outlawed in various legal acts and regulations. However, there are many situations suggesting that prejudicial attitudes exist at the unofficial level. They often manifest themselves in the work of businesses, especially the decisions that are taken by employees. In particular, one can refer to the case of Reginald Pitts. This African American is an HR manager in the company GAF Materials (Bell 54).
He was supposed to buy many gift cards for the employees of this enterprise, and he decided to do it in Wal-Mart. These purchases cost $ 13 000. In turn, this person was arrested on suspicion of giving a forged check to the shop assistant (Bell 54). The cashier did not want to process the transaction. However, the checks offered by other customers did not cause any concern, even though these buyers also wanted to spend large sums of money. Thus, Reginald Pitts came to the conclusion that the employees of Wall-Mart did not trust him only because he was a black person. Thus, one can say that prejudices can still have a substantial impact on the decisions of many people.
The manager, who was involved in this incident, said that he did “what he had to do” (Bell 54). This statement can be interpreted in several ways. In particular, it can imply that there are some tacit or unwritten rules according to which an employee is obliged to pay more attention to the checks given by African-American customers. In particular, this worker should focus on the checks that exceed a certain amount of money, such as $10 000.
So, in this case, one should concentrate on the policies adopted by the management of this supermarket. At the same time, this conflict can be explained by the personal convictions of this manager and his biases against African Americans. For instance, this person could be convinced that blacks were more likely to commit crimes. Moreover, he did not believe that Reginald Pitts could be a representative of a local company. Therefore, he assumed that the checks offered by this customer could be forged.
It should be noted that African-American employees of this supermarket informed Reginald Pitts that other checks were processed without any problems. By doing so, they could provoke retaliation. There are several reasons why these people attracted Reginald Pitts’ attention to these malpractices. One can assume that they regularly observe racial discrimination in the past. Therefore, they could no longer tolerate this behavior of managers and co-workers. Moreover, they could assume that senior executives would be more willing to focus on the needs of affluent clients such as Reginald Pitts.
Overall, one can argue that the employees of this supermarket are affected by the so-called aversive racism. In other words, they try to avoid interactions with racial minorities. For instance, they may be unwilling to serve the needs of black clients, especially if they give checks for large sums of money. In their opinion, this strategy can help them reduce potential risks such as monetary losses. In this case, it is also possible to mention the social identity theory. It implies that people crave a sense of belonging to a certain group that can be marked by racial boundaries (Herman and Fatima 38). As a result, they can discriminate against people who do not belong to this group (Herman and Fatima 38). For instance, they can be prejudiced against African Americans.
Apart from that, one should refer to the social categorization theory. According to this framework, individuals tend to divide other people into different groups. This classification can be based on various criteria, such as gender, nationality, age, ethnicity, or race. Moreover, a person can assume that the representatives of certain groups have some inherent characteristics, such as the willingness to violate the law (Hepburn 43). Very often, black people become the victims of such stereotypes. In turn, managers should eliminate such behaviors if they want to avoid any conflicts with clients who will not tolerate any forms of discrimination.
One should note that the experiences of Reginald Pitts are familiar to the representatives of the so-called non-dominant groups. As a rule, this term is applied to describe those individuals whose social and political power is very limited. They can be victimized in several ways. For instance, they are often believed to act in a deviant way. Sometimes, they often encounter the distrust of other people.
Certainly, one should not overlook the role of the fundamental attribution error. In particular, people may believe that the traits and behavior of an individual can be attributed only to one factor, such as race. Nevertheless, this perception can make individuals overlook the complexities of people’s moral principles, worldviews, and values. As a rule, they believe that the actions of individuals are determined by the factors that are outside their control. In many cases, they concentrate on race and ethnic background.
Overall, the attitudes of employees could have influenced their treatment of many African-American buyers. In particular, they could regard them as a potential threat. However, they were not viewed as valued customers who could substantially increase the revenues of the supermarket. It is possible that this store incurred considerable losses, but they went unnoticed because some clients did not complain of such practices.
Several methods can minimize the risk of such events in the future. It is necessary to develop step-by-step instructions that employees should follow. At first, the managers should be expected to examine the check offered by clients. The race or ethnicity of buyers should be irrelevant to them. If a customer wants to spend a large sum of money, this person should be warned that this transaction will take more time.
However, it is not permissible to call police officers if there is no tangible evidence indicating fraud or forgery. Additionally, management should stress the idea that such discriminatory practices can lead to greater losses. For instance, a wealthy client, who has faced discriminatory attitudes, may refuse to use the services of this organization. So, in the long term, the company can be deprived of considerable revenues that can be much greater than $ 13 000. It is one of the pitfalls that should be avoided.
This case indicates that racial discrimination continues to affect the attitudes of many people. Such situations require the attention of business administrators who need to refute the stereotypes that can be accepted by many individuals. This strategy is essential for attracting customers and minimizing potential losses. This goal can be achieved by providing additional training to workers. These people should know how to treat buyers in a respectful way.
Works Cited
Bell, Myrtle. Diversity in Organizations , New York: Cengage Learning, 2011, Print.
Hepburn, Alexa. An Introduction to Critical Social Psychology , New York: SAGE, 2003. Print.
Herman, Casakin, and Bernardo Fatima. The Role of Place Identity in the Perception, Understanding, and Design of Built Environments , New York: Bentham Science Publishers, 2012. Print.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The article by Neal and Christens (2014) focuses on network and relational perspectives for community psychology, suggesting that they are of great importance for communities and, therefore, should be applied to enhance them. The research question stated by the authors is whether relational perspectives and networks are likely to provide the so-called links, thus integrating various levels of analysis or not. The hypothesis specified in the given research article may be identified as follows: networks and relational perspectives are essential for community psychology |
The article by Neal and Christens (2014) focuses on network and relational perspectives for community psychology, suggesting that they are of great importance for communities and, therefore, should be applied to enhance them. The research question stated by the authors is whether relational perspectives and networks are likely to provide the so-called links, thus integrating various levels of analysis or not. The hypothesis specified in the given research article may be identified as follows: networks and relational perspectives are essential for community psychology | Relational Networks Study in Community Psychology Essay
Table of Contents
1. Network and Relational Perspectives
2. Community Psychology Practice
3. Psychology and Community Change
4. References
Network and Relational Perspectives
The article by Neal and Christens (2014) focuses on network and relational perspectives for community psychology, suggesting that they are of great importance for communities and, therefore, should be applied to enhance them. The research question stated by the authors is whether relational perspectives and networks are likely to provide the so-called links, thus integrating various levels of analysis or not. The hypothesis specified in the given research article may be identified as follows: networks and relational perspectives are essential for community psychology since they create a transactional view and improve relationships between individuals.
This article rests on the qualitative method of investigation, namely, on literature review and analysis. In this connection, no population was involved in the study. However, the authors provide an extensive review of the existing literature and provide relevant recommendations concerning the field. Beginning with the introduction to the issue, where they propose the significance of community psychology, the authors attempt to explain relationships as links connecting analysis levels.
Neal and Christens (2014) use the so-called ecological metaphor comparing social settings with the ecosystem-based on conceptual influences. The latter, undoubtedly, indicates that language, flow, and the overall approach to the study are properly prepared and organized.
The research findings show that the hypothesis is correct, and the context of community psychology may be better comprehend and improved with the help of network and relational perspectives. The transactions between individuals and groups may be understood deeper in terms of exploring organizational relationships. More to the point, the authors claim that the key issues of community psychology such as health promotion, coalition building, empowerment, and dissemination and implementation considered in the coalition are likely to enhance the effectiveness of methodological approaches in the field.
The mentioned findings seem to be trustworthy and relevant as they are based on the recent literature and reflect the latest tendencies in community psychology. The method used by the authors of the article is appropriate for this study since it is qualitative research that aims at answering questions related to methodology. It should also be emphasized that the sense of community that serves as one of seven core values in community psychology is addressed in this study.
Speaking of the community as a system consisting of people and explaining how they relate, the authors provide essential information regarding the links between them. As for limitations to the study, the authors lack the part that would focus on real participants. Nevertheless, they clearly understand that there is a need for further studies to highlight the most recent findings and then apply them in practice.
Community Psychology Practice
Published in the American Psychologist, the peer-reviewed article by Wolff (2014) aims at introducing readers to community psychology through a series of short stories, reflecting several employment conditions. Revealing the most important competencies in the given field, the author provides an overview of opportunities that are available to community psychologists. The research question is, what are the core competencies of community psychology to be used to provide care.
Accordingly, the hypothesis states that the social problems of racism, sexism, etc. may be addressed in terms of community-wide efforts. The detailed analysis and interpretation of the collected data show that the above hypothesis is correct.
Since the author selects the qualitative research method and literature review, no population is involved. Considering that the study focuses on the actual information and is presented in a number of real stories, the above method may be assessed as appropriate. From the stance of the reader, one may note that it helps the author to address the problem and provide such information that is comprehensible for both an expert and an average reader. This proves that the article is a valuable source that can be used for future investigations. The only limitation to the given research is the fact that it lacks the practical part and needs to be verified through future studies.
The research findings are presented in the table format and also supported by written explanations, thus creating visibility and comprehensiveness. In particular, Wolff (2014) concludes that empowerment, community inclusion and partnership, community leadership and mentoring, sociocultural competence, and so on present an essential foundation for community psychology practice to address social injustice.
The latter aspect is one of seven core values identified in community psychology that concerns such problems as homophobia, sexism, etc. In the broad social and philosophical sense, social injustice is the realities of the existential life disproportions of distribution along with the redistribution of vital goods and resources that are actually formed and perceived by the public and individual consciousness.
To understand the essence of social justice, the author dwells on the key points that are directly relevant to the problems associated with it. These findings prove that community psychologists may use the mentioned competencies as a powerful tool to adapt to changes by implementing community-based approaches. In general, the article seems to be rather significant for modern community psychology as it reflects the key concepts and outlines its future.
Psychology and Community Change
In their scholarly article, Zeldin, Christens, and Powers (2013) explore the gap between youth and adult population in the community and propose the essential role of psychology in bridging them. The research question is as follows: is a youth-adult partnership (Y-AP) that may address the gap between the mentioned populations. The hypothesis that is clearly specified by authors may be formulated in the following way: Y-AP is a unifying concept that develops the relationships and ensures their positive future. The precise analysis of the related scholarly sources reveals that the above hypothesis is appropriate.
The authors apply the qualitative research method and use the two case studies to collect the necessary data. Namely, Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) and Austin Voices for Youth and Education (AVEY), the programs that are established to connect adults and youth, are analyzed in terms of community organization.
The selected type of research aligns well with the purpose of the study and the theoretical framework, allowing focusing on qualitative data and understanding the practice of youth‐adult partnership through case studies. It also seems important to stress the fact that case studies are useful in specifies the most important problems and seeking ways to resolve them. Therefore, the significance of choice made by the authors cannot be overestimated.
As a result of the study, Zeldin et al. (2013) conclude that there are four core elements that ensure the effectiveness of Y-AP: authentic decision making, reciprocity, natural mentors, and community connectedness. This means that there is an opportunity to make nowadays strained relationships between young people and the adult population more close and responsive.
As it is noted by the authors in discussion sections, social and economic changes occurred in recent years as well as the existing structure makes these links complicated, and communities disintegrated. Therefore, the adult-youth collaboration is to be proposed as a public priority and promoted among communities. At this point, the findings made by the scholars are properly explained in the discussion that is the evident advantage of the article. They not only enumerate the findings but also emphasize that the future of community psychology lies in the integration of its elements.
Even though the study by Zeldin et al. (2013) reflects essential ideas, it is limited to the case studies used to collect and interpret data. It seems that there is a need for a detailed investigation of a range of other communities to come up with the full presentation of the situation. Nevertheless, the article undoubtedly benefits the theory and practice of community psychology. The collective wellness acts as the basis for this article in the framework of the core values of community psychology, along with the sense of community.
The study focuses on the community as a whole, thus considering its members as the coalition of individuals, both youth and adults. Such an approach seems to be the most appropriate one since it presents the opportunity to improve the future of the mentioned populations. The authors also note the civic engagement as one more advantage of the Y-AP introduction. What is also essential, the given study contributes to human development on economic and social levels based on the implementation of Y-AP in community settings.
References
Neal, J. W., & Christens, B. D. (2014). Linking the levels: Network and relational perspectives for community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology , 53 (3), 314-323.
Wolff, T. (2014). Community psychology practice: Expanding the impact of psychology’s work. American Psychologist , 69 (8), 803-813.
Zeldin, S., Christens, B. D., & Powers, J. L. (2013). The psychology and practice of youth‐adult partnership: Bridging generations for youth development and community change. American Journal of Community Psychology , 51 (3), 385-397.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses the issue of whether religious and spiritual expressions should be incorporated in the workplace, particularly with regards to for-profit organizations. The main issue of interest is to determine whether private companies should be allowed to outwardly express faith-based priorities and whether it is correct for organizations to discriminate against certain employees based on their spirituality or religious beliefs. |
The essay discusses the issue of whether religious and spiritual expressions should be incorporated in the workplace, particularly with regards to for-profit organizations. The main issue of interest is to determine whether private companies should be allowed to outwardly express faith-based priorities and whether it is correct for organizations to discriminate against certain employees based on their spirituality or religious beliefs. | Religious and Spiritual Expressions in the Workplace Case Study
Case Analysis
This case is about whether religious and spiritual expressions should be incorporated in the workplace, particularly with regards to for-profit organizations. The main issue of interest is to determine whether private companies should be allowed to outwardly express faith-based priorities and whether it is correct for organizations to discriminate against certain employees based on their spirituality or religious beliefs.
The case revolves around two companies, namely Hobby Lobby and AutoZone Incorporated. David Green, the founder, and CEO of Hobby Lobby established the privately held company on a firm Christian foundation and continued to associate the company’s success with its commitment to faith-based ideas. However, the introduction of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 presented new challenges for the company because Green felt that the section mandating organizations to provide contraception coverage to employees goes against the Christian principles on which Hobby Lobby was founded. Green believed that the government was intervening unnecessarily in a faith-based company and hence moved to court to overturn the mandate by requesting a determination on whether a for-profit organization qualifies as a religious employer.
The issue of AutoZone revolves around Frank Mahoney Burroughs, an employee of the company who converted to Sikhism only to find that his mandated religious attire conflicted with established AutoZone policies on dress code. The employee was the subject of continuous discrimination from colleagues and some managers due to his religious attire, with some associating him with terrorist activities. Upon reporting the discriminatory incidence to the HR department, Burroughs was asked for documentation from his place of worship detailing the reasons for his religious attire; however, he was fired weeks later for what was termed as job abandonment. Although Burroughs received an out-of-court settlement upon successfully suing AutoZone for the termination, the question remained on whether it was justifiable for companies to discriminate against certain employees based on their faith or religious convictions.
Problems
The first problem relates to deciding on whether privately-owned companies should be exempted from complying with U.S. law based on their commitment to faith and values. The second problem relates to determining whether it is justifiable for some employees to express outwardly their faith and spirituality in the workplace even when it is clear that not all employees or employers share the same beliefs or values. The next problem relates to whether it is correct for organizations to change their policies and dress codes to accommodate the religious orientation of a few employees. The last problem concerns deciding whether privately-owned companies should be allowed to limit their employees’ access to government-legislated health benefits just because they do not share the same religious beliefs.
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Write an essay about: Religion is a critical constituent of human life, which has a direct influence on all areas of interactions with other people. Sometimes, it leads to conflicts and misunderstandings; in other cases, religious differences become the ground for oppression – prolonged unjust treatment and discrimination. | Religion is a critical constituent of human life, which has a direct influence on all areas of interactions with other people. Sometimes, it leads to conflicts and misunderstandings; in other cases, religious differences become the ground for oppression – prolonged unjust treatment and discrimination. | Religious Oppression in the Medical Field Research Paper
Introduction
1. Religion is a critical constituent of human life, which has a direct influence on all areas of interactions with other people.
2. Sometimes, it leads to conflicts and misunderstandings; in other cases, religious differences become the ground for oppression – prolonged unjust treatment and discrimination.
3. That said, religious oppression is unequal treatment of those, who belong to differing confessions.
4. In this way, regardless of living in the modern world that moves in the direction of eliminating borders between nations, the problem of religious oppression in the medical field is complicated to overcome.
Public policy debates
1. Except for affecting social relations, religious issues are the subject of severe public policy debates.
2. In most cases, public policies focus on avoiding oppression and minimizing the risks of religious segregation in the health care sector.
1. There are different levels of public policy debates: care acts guaranteeing the freedom of religion and equal access to the medical aid at the court level; legislation protecting equity in the society and determining exemption in the health care sector at the state level; and hospital statutes at the local level ( Issues for debate in American public policy, 2017).
2. Because of the criticality of religious freedom and equality, the issue is often discussed at the highest level (for instance, President Obama paid significant attention to the problem of religious oppression in health care during his presidential debates in 2012).
3. Racism and religious discrimination in different areas of social relations, including medicine, is the subject of numerous international conferences organized by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and the most influential actors of the global community (United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, n.d.).
Arguments
1. Besides public policy debates, religious oppression has a direct influence on free access to professional care.
2. Somehow, religious minorities are the most discriminated groups of the population when it comes to free and equal access to health care.
1. Most issues are connected to the negative image of certain religious minorities and their lifestyles, which are acceptable in society (Aroussel & Carlbom, 2016).
2. On the other hand, medical workers tend to ignore the individual needs of religious minorities, such as following a particular lifestyle or ignoring specific recommendations due to peculiarities of religious values, although it contradicts with the mission of a doctor or nurse, i.e. being faith-blind and oppressing patients subconsciously.
3. Finally, oppression might be caused by the lack of knowledge about particular religious principles, thus leading to the failure of providing faith-acceptable care.
Arguments
1. Nevertheless, sometimes patients themselves provoke religious oppression.
2. In this way, discrimination is not always the cause of limiting access to medical care and professional aid.
1. In some cases, doctors cannot help a patient because they do not understand how to respond to the faith-based refusal of conventional treatment, thus choosing to avoid similar patients in the future and oppressing them consciously (Rumun, 2014).
2. In other cases, it is a patient that provokes a religion-based conflict and does not want to be treated by a doctor of differing religions, which still leads to oppression.
3. Finally, some patients refuse to be empowered through religious consciousness if they do not share the same religious principles, thus oppressing themselves and putting their treatment at risk (Rumun, 2014).
Arguments
1. On the other hand, religious differences hurt access to employment.
2. Just like some patients are oppressed in obtaining medical aid, religious minorities often suffer from discrimination while being interviewed for positions of medical workers and are limited in employment opportunities.
1. Because of patient bias, some hospitals support the exemption of religious minorities, ignoring national legal frameworks and provisions of international legislation (for instance, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights promoting equal access to employment).
2. In addition to patient bias, people of different religions are limited in employment opportunities because they are associated with a particular lifestyle and religious routines, such as prayers at a particular time of the day or missing work on particular days of the week, even if they do not follow them, i.e. without adequate grounds for refusal (Genuis & Lipp, 2013).
3. Finally, they can be deprived of an opportunity to work at a hospital because of the belief that they are culturally incompetent, i.e. cannot deploy the patient-based approach because of their religious engagement.
Opinion and Conclusion
1. To sum up, religious oppression remains one of the most critical issues in health care provision.
2. Even though it is broadly negotiated at different levels of public policy, the challenge is complicated to overcome.
3. The problem is getting even more serious because of the unwillingness to recognize the uniqueness of other religions and accept others’ freedom to choosing their way in life as well as the lack of desire to change and support differing people.
4. Still, individual effort and focus on respecting equal freedoms and rights, as well as social and political coordination, might help to cope with this problem and establish equality.
References
Aroussel, J., & Carlbom, A. (2016). Culture and religious beliefs about reproductive health. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 32 (1), 77-87.
Genuis, S. J., & Lipp, C. (2013). Ethical diversity and the role of conscience in clinical medicine. International Journal of Family Medicine, 2013 (1), 1-18. Web.
Issues for debate in American public policy. (2017). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Rumun, A. J. (2014). Influence of religious beliefs on healthcare practice. International Journal of Education and Research, 2 (4), 37-48.
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. (n.d.). Racism and public policy. Web.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The Enlightenment was an important philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the eighteenth century. The movement was also known as the Age of Reason, and it completely shifted people's understanding of nature and resulted in a rapid increase of knowledge in all spheres of human endeavor. However, a wide range of ideas associated with the movement was not supported and promulgated by all intellectuals of the century.The aim of this paper is to explore the link between the Enlightenment project and the religious mode of thinking of the past. The paper will argue that although the Age of Reason was associated with the strengthening of faith in human reason, eighteenth-century intellectuals did not completely escape from the religious thinking of the previous centuries. | The Enlightenment was an important philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the eighteenth century. The movement was also known as the Age of Reason, and it completely shifted people's understanding of nature and resulted in a rapid increase of knowledge in all spheres of human endeavor. However, a wide range of ideas associated with the movement was not supported and promulgated by all intellectuals of the century.
The aim of this paper is to explore the link between the Enlightenment project and the religious mode of thinking of the past. The paper will argue that although the Age of Reason was associated with the strengthening of faith in human reason, eighteenth-century intellectuals did not completely escape from the religious thinking of the previous centuries. | Religious Thinking in the Enlightenment Era Essay
Introduction
The Enlightenment was an important philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the eighteenth century. The movement was also known as the Age of Reason, and it completely shifted people’s understanding of nature and resulted in a rapid increase of knowledge in all spheres of human endeavor. However, a wide range of ideas associated with the movement was not supported and promulgated by all intellectuals of the century (Cole et al. 404).
The aim of this paper is to explore the link between the Enlightenment project and the religious mode of thinking of the past. The paper will argue that although the Age of Reason was associated with the strengthening of faith in human reason, eighteenth-century intellectuals did not completely escape from the religious thinking of the previous centuries.
Discussion
The scientific revolution that emerged as a result of the intellectual efforts of distinguished thinkers such as David Hume and Isaac Newton helped to create a new approach to scientific inquiry (Cole et al. 404). This approach was at variance with traditional thought that favored superstition. Kant, who believed that the Enlightenment represented the disappearance of “humanity’s self-imposed immaturity” (qtd. in Cole et al. 404), also saw it as an escape from the intellectual authority of the Catholic Church. In an attempt to systemize human knowledge, great thinkers of the era developed the scientific method. The expansion of literacy that occurred simultaneously with the Age of Reason allowed the broad masses to discover works of Voltaire and Rousseau.
Voltaire was a free thinker whose works were not constrained by religious and political dogmas of the time. The intellectual praised the weakening of British aristocracy and showed his respect for British scientists (Cole et al. 405). The man opposed religious bigotry and argued that fanaticism was linked to human misery. Montesquieu was another prominent thinker of the era who criticized monarchies and claimed that “the soul of a republic was virtue” (Cole et al. 405).
The spirit of the century was captured in the Encyclopedia —a collective project that summarized contemporary knowledge. Diderot overviewed the publication of the work and promoted the application of science. The Encyclopedia was banned by government officials who believed that it thought to destroy religion (Cole et al. 407).
Although France was an engine of intellectual progress in the Enlightenment era, Great Britain and Scotland also produced remarkable philosophers such as Edward Gibbon, David Hume, and Adam Smith. Secular ideas were prominent in works of a British literati, Mary Wollstonecraft. The woman believed in equality of relationships between the sexes, which represented a diversion from religious traditions of the past. Rousseau, on the other hand, claimed that women were radically different from men and, therefore, they should not engage in intellectual pursuits (Cole et al. 418). The intellectual’s reasoning was in line with that of religious authorities.
During the Enlightenment era, the church wanted to stop the spread of humanitarianism and toleration—respect for human dignity—and wanted to maintain an old social order. Even though powerful intellectual elites opposed the persecution of religious minorities and rebelled against dogma, they were deists who believed in a “divine clockmaker” (Cole et al. 408). Moreover, thinkers such as Lessing, who considered Christianity to be superior to other religions, treated followers of Islam and Judaism with disdain. It means that ideas of the Age of Reason were not sufficient for a complete break with the religious thinking of the previous centuries.
The discovery of the New World affected Enlightenment thinkers to a great degree. The importance of the event was underscored by Raynal, who argued that “everything changed, and will go on changing” (Cole et al. 411). The discovery also helped to permanently change Western identity, thereby diminishing the power of the church.
The weakening of the church authority over the intellectual discourse of the century occurred with the help of the book trade. Cheap printing and distribution methods resulted in the emergence of daily newspapers in London (Cole et al. 416). Governments were not capable of censuring a flood of publications that swept across Europe. However, Russian, Prussian, and Austrian authorities were not so permissive of intellectual freedoms; therefore, the countries had much less subversive literature.
The spread of revolutionary books in Europe led to the emergence of high culture. They educated aristocratic women that visited salons often engaged in intellectual discussions of politics and religion, thereby promoting critical thinking. According to Cole et al., the ability to speak and think freely without regard for religious dogma was “a point of pride” (417). Most importantly, the reading culture of the Enlightenment became a part of popular culture. Despite the fact that there was not primary schooling in most of Europe, the self-taught public enjoyed reading and discussing published materials.
Conclusion
The paper has explored the connection between the Age of Reason and the religious mode of thinking of the previous centuries. The paper has argued that although the Enlightenment was associated with the systematization of knowledge and strengthening of faith in human reason, eighteenth-century thinkers did not completely escape from the religious thinking of the past. Nonetheless, during the eighteenth century, the power of religious authorities was substantially diminished, which helped to advance human progress.
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