Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility Essay

Q2) â€Å"Evaluate the relative importance of corporate social responsibility relative to other corporate objective† (40 Marks) Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a firm’s decision to accept responsibility for its social, environmental and ethical actions. A firm’s decisions whether to adopt and rank importance to CSR should be due to a variety of reasons, like the financial stability of the company aswell as the culture of the organisation. But one definitive factor would be a firm’s corporate objectives, corporate objectives are a quantifiable statement of a business’s goals which should include measurable targets. Essay will look to examine the relative importance of CSR in relation to other corporate objectives. Many companies underlying corporate objective is profit maximisation, with this goal ranking higher than any other. This party due to the share holder value theory which makes profit a priority, therefore resulting in many firms qu estioning whether to become more socially responsible is worth the additional costs which would result in reduced profit for the company and key stakeholder’s groups. Primark offers a perfect example to this point, Primark is a retail firm in which offers exceptionally low prices through exploiting cheaper labour from abroad. If the company was to become more socially responsible they would have to sacrifice their unique selling point of low prices which may cause the company to fail. Thus proving how many businesses will see little importance in CSR relative to profit maximization. On the other hand companies whose key corporate objective is profit maximisation should take into account that CSR represents a long term commitment which can help to improve reputation and image of the company. This is due to consumers becoming more and more aware and concerned over where goods are sourced from and how they are made. CSR is therefore likely to route to profit maximization in the long term due to consumers now looking for socially responsible companies, which may rank over price therefore resulting in higher sales and therefore higher profit. This can be seen in the company Marks & Spencer who launched their bag for life campaign promising to reduce the wastage of plastic bags, and also presented an opportunity for Marks to charge for bags resulting in higher profits. Marks & Spencer is therefore a great example of a company who has looked to become more socially responsible and as a result improving their brand and reputation and even creating opportunities to improve profits, therefore demonstrating the relative importance CRS can have with profit maximisation. In contrast profit maximisation should always remain key as CSR in cases can only help to maintain brand value having little effect on overall profit maximisation. In addition, another key corporate objective is market growth, to gain market growth companies invest heavily in advertising costs amongst other promotional campaign, therefore leaving many organisation questioning whether CSR is another cost which is not sure to be beneficial to the business. However supermarket giant Tesco main corporate objective is market growth, but Tesco has recently reported that targets had been underperformed, therefore CSR could be important to this objective. During times of market growth CSR can act as a USP to differentiate the company from competition, which could be why marks & Spencer received higher profits this year after launching their bag for life campaign promising to cut down on plastic bag wastage. Due a recent change in customers views and attitudes towards the environment, becoming more socially responsible could be vital to gain an edge over competition when aiming for market growth. Then again CSR can be dependent on each individual company on whether it holds any importance to key corporate objectives. For example many oil companies whose product is in such high demand that it isn’t necessary for the business to adapt any CSR strategy as the product is so inelastic that people will by it regardless of image or reputation. This is controversially not the case for the oil provider giant BP who recently suffered a massive public relation nightmare after a massive oil spill, leading to a big hit in their reputation and brand image. BP has now ironically made CSR one of their core objectives to help rebuild the reputation and gain market growth. To conclude it is clear that CSR holds an apparent importance to other corporate objectives of a business, with it able to acting as a unique selling point for a business who is looking for market growth this can be seen in the company velvet who recently launched their triple velvet range which promised to plant a tree for every pack sold. CSR can also help in profit maximization as CSR represents a long term commitment which is likely to route to profit maximisation in the future and merits priority. But alternatively CSR is not a law requirement and has been proven that It is not always necessary depending on each company’s products, for examples oil is in such high demand that whether the company adopts CSR or not will not matter as the product is in such high demand it will be purchased regardless. Finally many companies already have a strong brand image and reputation so do not need to adopt CSR within their corporate objectives but can rely on other existing qualities to help to full fill objectives. For example apple offers a unique product with a strong reputation for quality and brand image. All of these factors can help to contribute towards profit maximisation, with image and quality allowing for increased added value to their products helping to increase profit margins. As well as strong brand image and loyal customer base helping to drive companies forward through times of market growth.

The day the Balloon Popped

To them, this situation didn't have a remote effect on their life, but to me, this caused my whole life to change. Even to this day, every time I am punished, I recall this soul destroying incident. But fortunately I have changed. Sorry for not introducing myself, my name is Joe Levi, I am the eldest out of three children. I am fifteen years old, very tall and sturdy like my father. I am looked up to by all my siblings and in a way, l lead them through their lives. My role model is definitely my father, part of the reason being that I am known as a miniature him. I have a big sense of responsibility in the family as I am always the first child to do or try out something new. Like every other child, I have my fears but I am much too proud to admit them. Exactly seven years ago, I experienced a day that had great significance to the rest of my life. This is an account on what happened. It was coming up to the big day. This was going to be the first time I had ever slept away from my parents. I was going to be sleeping at my Grandma's flat in the West End. To me, this was much more exciting than even a holiday. My parents had finally felt that I was responsible enough to stay away from them and be in charge of myself. I was buzzing with excitement. The closer it got, the bigger I felt. I was a balloon being blown up. I felt that I was supreme. Nothing could stand in my way. Until this incidence, I had been a plant, continuously growing upwards towards the sky. My parent's were always proud of me, academically but more importantly, they loved all my character-traits. My Grandma would be taking me into Central London, and as it was around Christmas time, it would be livelier than ever. I would be going to the Theatre late at night and afterwards, I would be going to a famous Creperie. Nothing could be more exciting. I had thoughts and feelings rushing through my body. The balloon was expanding, getting bigger and bigger. It was three days before the occasion and l had one of my closest friends over at my house. Surprisingly, the Sun was shining and it was a very warm day. So, we decided to have some fun with the sun. We got a big antique magnifine-glass out from the dining room cupboard, then stealing a piece of paper from the printer, we went out into the garden. Using the magnifine-glass, we focused the sun's rays onto the corner of the piece of paper. Suddenly, the edge of the paper started glowing red. It was fascinating. It continued to glow, but soon became a stronger colour and started spreading exuberantly. Suddenly, the first flame appeared. Wow! It was amazing what the Sun could do to a piece of paper, so far away. I found my dark hazel eyes fixed into the fire and didn't notice the whole paper bursting into flames. I screamed, my friend screamed. We poured a bucket of water over the piece of paper and put it in the bin. Before we could even open our mouths to let out a sigh or relief, the whole bin set alight. My mum came rushing down the stairs and It was as if the whole situation had combusted. I was terrified. I was frightened. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I stared at the roaring flames, taking over my life. My mum, who was only ever seen calm, went from blue to red to orange. She went into an explosive mood. After she put out the conflagration and my friend was sent home, I sat next to my inflaming mother. When I heard the punishment that I had been given, I couldn't believe my ears. The plant stopped growing, the balloon popped. I felt as if I had disintegrated into a pile of ashes. I was as hot as the sun. I still couldn't believe the cruel, deflating punishment that had been chosen. I thought to myself, what was so bad about what I did? All my friends did it. It was unfeasible to think that something I viewed as so minor, was actually so dangerous and life-threatening. My parents knew how much I was looking forward to staying at my Grandma's. Tears started pouring down my red eyes and onto my rose cheeks. I felt put down. I felt embarrassed. What would happen when my siblings found out? I thought that they may no longer look up to me. My brain was sizzling, my head was frying. I started bellowing at my evil mother but she didn't even look at me. I lay in my room, staring outside into the garden, watching all my siblings making snowmen with their friends and having fun snow fights. I started imagining what I could of be doing if I wasn't punished. I felt completely terrible. I felt as lowly as a worm. I pictured my grandma taking someone else to the theatre, having fun with another person. Anger started building up inside of me. I could feel it spreading throughout my body. It is amazing that, something which has had such a huge long-term impact on me, had been forgotten about an hour after the incident by my parents. I was as hot as hell; however they were as cool as a cucumber. To them, this situation didn't have a remote effect on their life, but to me, this caused my whole life to progress. Even to this day, every time I am punished, I recall this soul destroying incident. But fortunately I have changed. I now deflate less and less; I stay strong and carry on growing upwards towards the sky.

The Problem of Evil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Problem of Evil - Essay Example However, this world is filled with things beyond evil and people do feel pain and suffering, which contradicts the claims of orthodox theist that God is perfectly good. This conflict is called problem of evil. Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is He impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then is He malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil? (Hume) In an attempt to unravel the complexities of this predicament, few queries must be made. Evil goes beyond what we do not want other people to do to us. According to Hick, there are two classifications of evil. First, the moral evil which includes those acts an individual or group may be responsible of such as the seven deadly sins and more. Second type is the natural evil. Pain and suffering brought by natural calamities which people has no control over. Although the line which separates the two is still blurry, since some natural evil are consequences of human actions or lack of action. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the fact that there are things beyond our control ----- accidents and natural disasters. Evil is often associated with suffering which highlights an individual’s sense of pain or loss that focuses on a particular kind of evil: one which is considered as a consequence of an act rather than a more abstract concept. Thus arise another confusion which is the existence of hell ----- a place where God put those who have failed Him to rot and suffer; because this very notion contradicts the idea of a loving God. Augustinian theodicy argues that God is wholly good, thus He’s not responsible for the existence of evil in the world. It claims that evil is not the opposite; rather it is the absence of good. According to this theodicy, evil happens as a result of people’s misuse of their free will, therefore exonerating God and putting the blame of all evil and suffering to people who abuse their free will. This particular claim of Augustinian theodicy makes the subject more baffling, for it puts all the blame to the ‘finitely perfect’ being, that is us humans, who fails to choose perfection, hence shifting the blame back to the Creator. Moreover, the term ‘privation’ is inadequate justification for the apparent effects of evil in its truest sense. Then comes the knowledge of evolution ---- a process by which humans, being the most complex creatures, learn to adapt and grow in accordance with its environment. This is the claim of Irenaean theodicy which is restated by John Hick on his Soul-making theodicy. Hick defines soul-making as the existence of evil and suffering which allows flawed creatures to outgrow their imperfections and develop to a more perfect state. It emphasizes on the development by practicing free will, people are able to overcome temptations and suffering hence bringing them closer to perfection and to God. Unlike that of the Augustinians which give much stress on the negativity of the existence of evil, Irenaean theodicy puts God in an epistemic distance from us. It explains that this distance is meant for us to learn to love God on our own free-will by prevailing over all the difficulties He places on our path as we journey through life. Evil is created by God to hone the inner values we have, for some ideals need to go through some difficulties to develop like that of courage and forgiveness amidst suffering. This theodicy believes that individuals evolve towards a higher state by

The strategy that was used by MTN Group to expand to different parts Essay

The strategy that was used by MTN Group to expand to different parts of the African and Middle Eastern markets - Essay Example In 1994, the government authority granted a license to Vodacom and Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) to operate mobile phone networks in South Africa (Oxford Business Group, 2008). The MTN Group had the vision â€Å"to be the leading provider of telecommunications in emerging markets† (Erasmus and Shenk, 2008 p61). This has been the watchword of MTN and the group is now operational in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East (Banhegyi, 2007). In all these countries, MTN has access to over 488 million people and has over 28 million subscribers (Banhegyi, 2007). It is now listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. In Africa, MTN has operations in Botswana, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeria, Congo, Rwanda, Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia amongst other nations. MTN Group has its headquarters in South Africa where it all started. This paper examines the strategy that was used by MTN Group to expand to different parts of the African and Middle Eastern markets. It will examine the strategies from the context of dominant theories and ideas relating to international business. The second part of the research will examine the strategies for further expansion of MTN into other markets around the world. MTN Group Expansion Strategy In order to examine the expansion of MTN to different countries around the world, important elements and aspects of International Business will be examined. This include: Entry Mode Entry Timing Firm Size Institutional Matters Entry Mode Entry mode describes the methods and systems used by a business to expand into a foreign country (Andexer, 2008). It describes the various approaches that a business uses to create a presence in a foreign land. Popular methods include franchising, licensing and joint ventures (Ireland et al, 2011). According to Singh (2008), MTN expanded to other countries through a mixture of Greenfield Investments and Mergers/Acquisition. A Greenfield Investment is the â€Å"establishment of completely new operations in a foreign land† (Paul, 2009 p357). In some countries, MTN created new telecommunication companies that were meant to provide services. This was particularly popular in smaller and war thorne African countries that had limited infrastructure. This involved investing and creating new infrastructure from the scratch. Through this, MTN exported their resources to these new venues. They applied principles from South Africa and learnt about the local environments. Through this, they built brands and new systems in the foreign nations that they operated within. In other countries, MTN expanded through mergers and acquisitions. Mergers and acquisitions involve forming strong partnerships or acquiring other businesses in order to being operations in a new country (Johnson and Turner, 2009: MacDonald et al, 2011). MTN Group purchased other companies like Areeba and Spacefon technologies in several parts of the continent (Bridge, 2009). These two companies were sprawling brands in th e Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa (Pan, 2011). MTN just purchased these companies and took over their assets and began to operate in their capacity as an independent company in these foreign countries (Venter et al, 2009). Through this mixture of mergers and acquisitions and greenfield investments, MTN was able to set up different operations around the world. The shareholders of the South African company expanded their scope of control and took over these foreign and new markets. The mergers were mainly

Does Google's Workplace Environment Enhance Effectiveness In Its Case Study

Does Google's Workplace Environment Enhance Effectiveness In Its Workforce - Case Study Example The paper tells that Google's strategy has brought about change while ensuring all benefit from its services; some of the search engines come into play longer before its launch. This didn’t stop it from dominating the market. To enhance its competitiveness a lot of investment was done to facilitate a smooth sail in this sector. As experienced by most players it was hard to realize progress without addressing the common problems present in the market. Google has however excelled while filling the gap in the market while relying on credible findings from research done. This explains why Google excels in its right as a leading player which also led to high profit realization. The existing resource acted as an added advantage thus helped in ensuring they acquired qualified manpower as well as specialized skill to spearhead the objective. Small players were unlikely to benefit much owing to domination by large organizations such as Google. While still embracing change vibrant polic ies were put in place geared at improving staff morale. Adopted policies also ensured training was done; this went a long way in buffing up its competitiveness. These policies addressed staff needs which were diverse in nature. Accountability Staffs are expected to account for their actions; such cultures also assist in spearheading change. This limits the likelihood of regular supervision as seen in other organizations. Most individuals are expected to commit their service knowing that they are indebted to the organization thus their input is of much important. This also limited the degree of overprotection and supervision. Staffs are also expected to make it their initiative rather than keeping on blaming others yet they could be in a position to actualize a difference. In most setups staffs are likely to output more than others but are at times driven by self drive. One is however demanded to exercise caution while avoiding reckless behaviors likely to compromise freedom. In case of one not living up to the expectation one is likely to be disciplined for his action thus the need for accountability. At times it’s also wise to ensure good interrelationship among staff as well as the management. A friendly atmosphere goes hand in hand while helping in transforming the present situation. There is also a cord of ethics which must be adhered to by all stakeholders irrespective of position; this should also be practiced by the superiors. Google values teamwork owing improvement of output. This implies that ideas be shared while improving the output.  Satisfaction is likely to be attained as a result while still creating a long-lasting bond among staff. Google tries to ensure all staffs are happy with their work despite the daily challenges in the work environment. Rotation is also done while trying to handle boredom which could result from overexposure; staff competence and skills are however taken into consideration to avoid monotony thus spurring learni ng among employees. Other improvement mechanisms are also considered such as personal development; this is usually sponsored by the organization. While offering such training staff may fill indebted to the company thus simply avail their knowledge. The company also focuses more on production that meetings some of which may be time consuming yet decisions taken never avail much as anticipated.

Tourism in Madagascar Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Tourism in Madagascar - Term Paper Example People are not seeing Madagascar as a sustainable tourism spot. There lies the confusion. Ecotourism is defined as the travel to the destinations of the world where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are existent. They are the primary attractions for the tourists. They aim at minimizing the negative effects that are mostly caused due to traditional tourism on the natural environment (Butler, 2005). Sustainable tourism on the other hand focuses on bringing benefits to the local people, the environment and the economy. The concept of sustainable tourism has been slower in Madagascar, mainly due to the fact that people tour with an aim of seeing a natural environment (eco tourism). Madagascar's main originating market has been France. It is still unable to furnish products which are for sustainable tourism market, rather then just for ecotourism (Butler, 2005). Madagascar is located on the south-east coast of the African continent. Madagascar is the fourth largest island. It is larger than the States of California and Oregon. The island extends 100 miles in length and 360 miles in width. This democratic country lies in the Indian Ocean and is among the world's poorest countries. Madagascar, as being among the poorest countries, is mostly engaged in agriculture at a subsistence level. Citizens do not have options of choosing their desire career path. They have to dwell in whatever they have. They have to spend their life in whatever limited resources they can find. This poverty is causing crucial harm not only to the people living in Madagascar, but also to the endemic biodiversity of Madagascar. At present, the Madagascar's biodiversity need the presence of good tourist, tourist who will respect, care, and play a responsible role in saving the Madagascar's treasure of biodiversity. (Butler, 2005) If an individual is enthusiastic and looking for the unexpected, if one wants to meet an extraordinary people, then he or she must go and discover this fascinating island. That individual will certainly agree with the characterization made by world-explorer Dervla Murphy: "Apart from the Tibetans, I have never traveled among a people as endearing as the Malagasy." You will become attached to the country, verifying once more the Malagasy proverb: "They who drink the water from the Manangareza River always come back to Madagascar" (Mittermeier, 1988). Economy Madagascar is dominated by the agricultural sector. However with the establishment of a duty free export processing zone in 1990, there has been an increase in light manufacturing, particularly textile manufacturing and agricultural products processing (cf. Gossling and Jiddawi 2004). Despite the existence of natural tourist spots, biodiversities and cultural heritage, Madagascar is still among the poorest countries. The reasons

Infulence of particpation in strategic change; resistance, Annotated Bibliography

Infulence of particpation in strategic change; resistance, organization commitment and goal achievement - Annotated Bibliography Example The article examines how the right to reject a decision on resistance to change, change goal achievement, and post change commitment to the organization; and consultative participation are related. Lines, in testing his hypotheses, opted to include the option of rejecting a proposed change since may assist in capturing instances where organizations forego changes that they deem optimal because from the change recipient perspective, they are not acceptable. Additionally, Lines used a set of three variables that represented outcomes, which allowed for a comprehensive assessment of whether a strategy implementation is complete or not. He tries to establish whether the effects of participation are dependent on the context in which an approach is applied by focusing on the extent to which change is: compatible to organizational culture, expected to lead to less or more job variety, and expected to lower costs. The finding of the study indicated that existence of positive relationship between participation and organizational commitment and goal achievement. The findings showed that a strong negative relationship exists between participation and resistance to change and that the personal goals of recipients and the compatibility of changes with the culture of the organization moderated the effects of participation. I picked Mowday et al., (1979) because it offered a lot of insight with regards to the compatibility of change with the organizational culture and the recipients’’ acceptance of the values and beliefs of the organization. I also picked Porter et al, (1974) as an influential article because it offered more insight into assessing post change organizational commitment, and how it is affected by participation. The article by Hackman and Oldham (1975) was influential in the interpretation of the study’s results, especially with regards to

Recommendation of taxtion for sole proprietor Canada incorporate Research Paper

Recommendation of taxtion for sole proprietor Canada incorporate - Research Paper Example parameter that requires a broader perspective based analysis here in order to comprehend the structural, organizational and legal framework of reference in the Canadian context. Corporate entities including sole proprietorships in Canada have their own tax obligations. Thus sole proprietors’ tax liabilities to the government are determined by the same rules of liability determination under the commercial law. For instance under the corporate tax laws in Canada a sole proprietor is liable to pay taxes on his gross income after such deductions as for those of his dependents, Capital Cost Allowance on equipment, professional dues, if it’s a home-based business a certain amount as rent deductible and Canada Pension Plan contribution have been made. At a glance it seems simple that for a sole proprietor in Canada has no reason to grudge but nevertheless it must be noted unlike in the US, in Canada the businessman pays his income tax based on all his global operations. Again from province to province, there are some changes. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) is the sole authority for the purpose of administering the country’s corporate income tax rules. Therefore it has the final say in determining the extent of liability for any individual business. CCRA acts in its capacity as the government agency for the administration and supervision of all tax related regulations and thus acquires a very significant dimension in the whole process, including granting exemptions as per individual merits. In the absence of reforms to the existing income tax regulations as per sole proprietor businesses there is much to be desire in respect of the individual businessman’s ever increasing tax liability under the Canadian income tax law. Thus the sole proprietor businesses in Canada have been subject to a variety of situational analyses and studies during the last few decades. This is basically due to the fact that sole proprietors in Canada have been growing number at

Art History Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Art History - Assignment Example In the piece On Abjection, the author delves into the limits a human being can sink to in order to ensure survival, as undoubtedly noted at Auschwitz. Is it the complete absence of ego or the antithesis of narcissism, he argues or just the reverse? (Anon,14). In La Frontera, Gloria Anzuldua laments the Anglicization of the Spanish language and says that it is tantamount to losing Chicano or Latino identity in the USA, although the Latin American population is fast growing into the nation’s largest ethnic community (Anzuldua, 87). In The System Shattered and Renewed, the author comments that dirt is reviled in most religious rituals, while water purifies (Douglas, 160). In all these articles, the agent that could cause disruption for the rest of the community is told to stay away from it till he or she is healed or the element causing the danger to purity has passed or faded away. Even in an enlightened society like the USA, we rightly consider abuse of power or proof of corrup tion or scandal as disastrous to the career of a politician or indeed, any public figure. It is for this reason (the Watergate and Lewinsky scandals) that Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton had to resign from the highest office in the

Identifying terms Essay Example for Free

Identifying terms Essay Oppression The definition of oppression is broad as it encompasses many subgroups but according to Hurtado (1989), oppression is caused by society’s view that men, both white and of color, are more powerful then women. Oppression is not classified only by gender differences but other societal groups as well. Gender is only one category of many, such as, race and ethnicity. Social class is another category is which the wealthy have oppressed the poor. An example of this would be the opportunities for wealthy Americans to afford housing and health insurance and the job opportunities afforded them. Many women of color, African American, Asian, and Hispanic are found to be working in low wage jobs more often then white women. The minorities are unable to receive the same educational and financial benefits as the majority and so they must settle for less. Economic differences can be found between white men and white or colored women, colored men and colored women, and white women and women of color. This difference represents the different levels of oppression, with white men being the top oppressors. In today’s society, most oppression is seen in social class. As the wealthy are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer and the middle class is slowly being wiped out. Therefore the poor are at the mercy of the rich. Beyond Bean Counting The United States has become obsessed with classifying society into subgroups, causing each group to have a stereotypical value. Lee (2001) wrote of her personal experience with her growth and understanding of feminism. Bean counting is considered the attempt to classify people according to class, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation (2001). Bean counting is marginalization, considering certain societal groups as inferior or as being limited as to their abilities. Women, and especially women of color, have been marginalized throughout history, by being considered the fairer sex. Different ethnic groups have excluded one another by not recognizing their similarities and accepting their differences. Lee (2001) explains that by bean counting women are causing immobilization and narrow thinking. Seduction and Rejection White men are socialized into believing women are inferior, however they are also taught that white women, though inferior, are an appropriate choice for relationships (Hurtado, 1989). This socialization causes the oppression of women; especially women of color because they are seen as a deviation from the norm and they are then excluded from the many rights given to those who fit the norm. White men and women tend to have a better chance at a good education, financial assistance etc. however colored men and women do not share the same good fortune, they are rejected from the benefits that white men or women can receive. Heterosexuality as a Modern Invention Lorber (1992) explains in her article that women and men were not seen as biologically different pre-eighteenth century and once that difference was established women began to suffer gender inequalities. Society has become two classes; men and women, which has created gender stereotypes of each. Today’s society compares women to the abilities of men because society see’s women as so biologically different than man; and thus inferior. Heterosexuality categorizes men and women as seen as the norm. Compulsory Heterosexuality Compulsory heterosexuality is the assumption that men and women are naturally attracted to one another and to defy the norm is deviant behavior. Lee (2001) describes this â€Å"norm† as excluding many other groups in society. As Lorber (1992) explains, society has created social differences between men and women and with that, ideals which consider heterosexuality to be the right way. This has caused homosexual individuals to be discriminated against. Any person not practicing the â€Å"norm† is considered wrong and therefore has fewer rights than others. Homosexual or bisexual women are forced to compete not only with men being superior, but also heterosexual women. Women of color are in even fiercer competition for their rights, as they are seen as in society as inferior to white women, heterosexual women, men of color and heterosexual men.

There Are Major Approaches Of Leadership Theory Business Essay

There Are Major Approaches Of Leadership Theory Business Essay Virgin was founded in 1970 as a mail-order record business and developed as a private company in music publishing and retaining. Virgin had grown fast, becoming profitable and entering and claiming a significant share of new markets without the traditional trappings of the typical multinational. In 2001 Branson described the virgin group as branded ventures to expand them at the expense of profits. The use of partners provided flexibility and limited risk. Branson and his business development team reviewed about 50 business proposals a week with about four new projects under discussion at any one time. Company profile:- Sir Richard Branson, holding company Virgin Group gets around. The groups travel-related operations, led by 51%-owned Virgin Atlantic Airways, are among its largest cash generators. The airline flies to about 35 destinations around the world with a fleet of almost 40 aircraft. Virgin Atlantic is complemented by its Australian low-fare cousin, Virgin Blue, which operates a fleet of some 80 aircraft. Virgin Group also runs Virgin Rail and sells tour packages. Besides travel and leisure, the groups major operating areas include financial services and telecom (Virgin Media). Leadership:- Leadership culture is defined by the collective action of formal and informal leaders acting together in the help of organizational goals that ultimately marks the difference. When we speak about the leadership it is the both leaders themselves and the relationship among them, the skills and behavior of the leaders are needed to implement the business strategy and create the desired culture. The collective leadership capabilities of the leaders acting together in the groups and across the boundaries to implement strategies. A good leadership strategy takes all of these factors into account. (William and Michael, 2011.) Generating the effort and commitment to work towards objectives is central to managing any human activity. People use the term effective leader to denote someone who brings innovation, moves an activity out of trouble into success, makes a worthwhile difference. They see opportunities to do new things, take initiatives, and inspire people. The most effective leaders will be people who use their energies to accomplish desired results. Leadership will focus on action and implementation. Katz and Kahn (1948). There is general three areas of skill are necessary for the process of management: technical, human and conceptual Technical skill:-ability to use knowledge, methods, techniques, and equipment necessary for the performance of specific tasks, acquired from experience, education and training. Human skills:-ability and judgment in working with and through people. This includes an understanding of motivation and application of effective leadership. Conceptual skills:-ability to understand the complexities of the overall organization and where ones own operation fits into the organization. This knowledge permits one to act according to the objectives of the total organization rather than only on the basis of the goals and needs of ones own immediate group. There are major approaches of leadership theory:- Trait theory:- Trait theory does, however, help us identify some qualities that are helpful when leading others and, together, these emerge as a generalized leadership style. Examples include empathy, assertiveness, good decision-making, and likability. Trait theories argue that leaders share a number of common personality traits and characteristics, and that leadership emerges from these traits. Early trait theories promoted the idea that leadership is an innate, instinctive quality that you either have or dont have. Thankfully, weve moved on from this approach, and were learning more about what we can do as individuals to develop leadership qualities within ourselves and others Behavioral Approach Theory:- The behavioral approach theory is an extension of the traits theory and is superior in certain respects. The traits theory failed to explain what caused effective leadership. The behavioral approach is based on the study of behavior of a leader. This behavioral theory suggests that a leader do not behave in the same manner under all situations. Similarly, his actions are not identical under all situations which he faces. He adjusts his behavior as per the need of the situation. There is an element of flexibility in his approach and behavior. He studies the situation and adjusts his leadership style accordingly. He adopts different leadership styles to meet the need of different situations. Contingency theory of leadership:- Fred Fiedler developed the Contingency Theory of Leadership that determines types of leaders by their characteristics and the situations they find themselves in. The relationship-oriented leader will want to get along with their employees and thus will perform in a way which gains their adoration. This does not take away from the fact that they desire a high level of performance from their employees, but their top priority is to maintain good relationships. The top priority of a task-oriented leader is for their subordinates to complete all tasks and meet all goals. While both styles of leadership can be useful in different contexts, it is important to realize under Fiedlers Contingency Theory it is next to impossible for a relationship Situational leadership theories:- Situational theories of leadership were developed to find good ways of adapting leadership actions to meet the needs of different situations and circumstances. Leadership style here refers to the broad approach adopted by a leader. A leaders style of leadership is often based on a leaders own beliefs, personality, experiences, working environment and the situation at the time. Some leaders work within one leadership style. Others are more flexible and can adapt their style of leadership to meet the needs of different situations. Transactional vs. Transformational leadership theories:- Transactional leadership theory is based on transactions or exchanges between the leader and the follower. It assumes that the working relationship is one where the leader issues the work, praises or criticises, rewards or punishes. The follower has little responsibility, other than doing as they are required, correctly. All works well if both leader and follower carry out their part in the transactions as expected. This approach is more often seen in low skilled jobs, where procedures are clearly defined or where there is little change. Transformational leadership theory is all about change. Transformational leaders inspire others to follow a vision. One reason transformation model is a true development is its goal emphasis. The relationship between the leader and other members of the team isnt of primary importance. Such roles and duties exist because there is an outside something that all wish to reach, and so they take their places and undertake their own necessary tasks. For the first time, those studying leadership began to see it as necessarily being in relation to something greater. Transformational leadership depends on a greater context or meaning, which is something all people desire. Building trust and getting cooperation are far more difficult than giving orders and monitoring process. In transformational leadership, the leader must continue to be an inspiring presence. The leader leads by example and is responsible for motivating others. Richard Branson has got the style of a transformational and charismatic leader, which most of us only dream of working for or with. Sir Richards own opinion on this review of him as a leader, delivered through a two hour long interview of him on his island, sharing a nice bottle of red wine. But that will most probably stay à   dream, as will the wish of working for or with a leader as Sir Richard Branson. Leaders deals with their employees in different ways. Some are strict to the employees and like to be in absolute control on the other side some are more relaxed and allow workers some space to run their own working lives. Whatever approach is predominately used it will be vital to the success of the business. An organization is more or less similar to the Manager or the person running it. Management styles are also known as leadership styles, indeed they are similar phrases most of the time. Different Types of leadership Styles Autocratic Feature Autocratic Managers normally just gives orders to their staff takes decision without any discussion or consultation In these situation decisions are taken very quickly because staff are not consulate. Subordinates other staff are expected to obey the instructions. Impact As the staff does not have any involvement the works are usually completed on time decision are taken faster. Sometimes this kind of management style decrease the motivation also increase the staff turnover because they are not involved in taking any decision neither feel valued. Democratic Feature Unlike in Autocratic leadership style Democratic style employees are involved in taking decision therefore they find themselves valued they are motivated. They have been given responsibilities to finish the work given to them using their own method. However task should be completed on time. This method also improved the quality of staff because they are motivated belonging. Also the management gains team commitment especially when changes need to be made. Impact Although this style of leadership is very famous among businesses this method slows down the process of decision making because the staff is involved. The managers gain the team commitment mostly when changes need to be made. Laissez Faire Feature In Laissez Faire leadership style Managers sets a task gives staff absolute freedom to complete the task taking own decisions. In this leadership style there is very little or almost no direction from the manager. The manager however does not sit idle! They are there to coach or answer questions, supply information if required. Impact Staff fell motivated is developed to take responsibility. But on the other hand with very little guidance from the manager staff may feel lost a may not be able to reach the target within set the time frame. Motivation theory:- Motivation is the force that makes us behave in a particular way. In a business setting motivation is about ensuring that employees put in the effort required to achieve the objectives set for them. Motivation theories:- Over the years a number of leadership theories have been put forward in an attempt to explain the nature of employee motivation and suggest ways in which it may be improved. Frederick Taylors motivation theory:- Taylor was an American engineer who studied production methods in the steel industry. He concluded that workers main motivation was pay and that they needed close supervision. He believed that complex jobs would be most efficiently performed if broken down into separate operations where little could go wrong. The whole job could then be completed in a series of stages by employees working together in production line. Elton Mayo: in the 1920s Mayo conducted a series of experiments at the Hawthorn works of the American Electric Company in Chicago. He was investigating why, despite improved facilities and benefits, there was much dissatisfaction and poor productivity. He concluded that the employees were responding to the attention given to them, rather than to the physical working conditions. Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs:- Maslow believed that motivation comes from a desire to satisfy a hierarchy of human needs which show in diagram. We must first of all satisfy our basic needs for survival such as food and shelter. Thereafter we become interested in higher level needs such as job satisfaction and self -fulfillment. People in developing countries, for example will work hard for low wages because there is little alternative. Maslow accepted that a verity of needs will exist at the same time, but suggested that once lower needs are satisfied then higher become the strongest motivators. Frederick Herzbergs two factor theory:- Frederick Herzbergs two factor theory, produced in the 1950, concerns job design and satisfaction. From numerous interviews with accountants and engineers he concluded that two sets of factors are important in motivation. Hygiene factors motivators Reasonable pay Satisfactory conditions of work Benefits packages such as sick pay, pensions schemes, etc. Without these , people are dissatisfied, but they alone do not lead to job satisfaction or provide motivation Responsibility Challenge Self -improvement These provide job satisfaction and motivate people Douglas McGregors theory X and Y:- In his book, the human side of enterprise, McGregor put forward two extreme views about the way in which organizations manage their employees. He called these theories X and theory Y. Douglas McGregor believed that there were two main ways of managing employees. The theory x The theory y The theory x way, where employees are managed as if they are lazy and need to be punished and threatened if they do not work hard enough. The theory Y way, where employees are managed as if work is a good activity for them and they will feel rewarded from being with other human beings and doing a good job. The type of leadership style that is used with employees can make a difference to the level of motivation that they feel. Some employees may work harder if they are heavily supervised and threatened with punishment if they do not work well, but for others this can lead to de-motivation and they will either produce less work or eventually. McClelland: David McClelland suggested that there are three main types of motivational need:- The need for achievement The need for authority and power The need for affiliation Each employee and leader has differencing levels of these needs, and this influence their style and behavior as leader or employees. Look at the following example. A person who is achievement -motivated wants challenging goals and to be able to reach them. They need to receive feedback on how they are doing and need to feel they are being a success. A person who is authority and power -motivated needs to have a big influence on others and make an impact. They want and need to lead as his helps them feel better about themselves. A person who is affiliation -motivated wants friendly relationships and likes being with other people. They are team players and are often popular at work. As most people possess a mixture of all three sets of characteristics, the style a leader uses in influenced by their dominating need. Vroom:- Victor vroom developed his expectancy theory of motivation, which states that employees work harder if they believe that the outcome of their efforts will be better. He produced an equation that is used to calculate motivation:- M = EÃÆ'-IÃÆ'-V M= motivation E = expectancy I= instrumentality V = valence By multiplying these factors together Vroom says it is possible to work out how motivated someone is likely to be. If each variables is high, then motivations is likely to be high , but if one is low , overall motivation will be lowered. Culture-Culture of an association is the typical way of doing things in the organization. It particularly relates to behavior patterns and relationships. The culture of an organization develops over time. It is created by the people that work for the organization its manager and workforce. Any companys values and beliefs depend on cultures which are shared across the business. Company organizations also effect on its strategy and focus on the consumer. A key factors of the new approach has to change the corporate culture and build an atmosphere within the company those values : consumer facility which focus given that an skill that is agreeable and sociable as well as efficient team work, for the reason that this lead to superior support and the contribution of greatest training attractive ownership used for decision as a result to facilitate manager explain problems themselves rather than pass them on to others respecting every one thus everyone feel they be able to contribute havin g the cut-throat will to succeed thus each person is aim to develop and be successful. Cultural diversity:- The phrase Cultural Diversity means a group of various societies or peoples with different origins, religions and traditions living, working or interacting together. At the best, it involves treating fairly and reasonably each ethnic group without advancing the specific beliefs or values of any particular group. In other words cultural diversity at business is an idea of hiring people of different groups, different religions and encouraging the entry of working staff from various countries. Dimensions of diversity:- Primary dimensions Secondary dimensions Tertiary dimensions Race Ethnicity Gender Age disability religion culture sexual orientation thinking style geographic origin family status economic status political orientation work experience education language nationality beliefs assumptions perceptions attitudes feelings values group norms This table indicates that diversity has many dimensions. These may intertwine to produce unique syntheses of human profiles, made up of both differences and similarities. The dimensions interact with and influence one another and emerge or are displayed differently contexts, environments and circumstances, making analysis and management complex. Race, for example, may be more dominant than age in a certain social situation, but may be less dominant than education in a work context. Thus the position and dominance of each dimension are not static, but dynamic, making the concept of diversity more complex. The secondary dimensions are more malleable and many of them will change over time. Diversity is not simple, not easy to grasp and not easy to mange. By using socio-demographic traits as independent variables to operationalise diversity, most diversity studies has understood diversity as a given, fixed individual or group essence (Litvin 1997). Managing cultural diversity:- Overcoming prejudice and changing entrenched negative attitudes about equality and diversity issues is difficult. Every organization needs to understand the broad nature of the business arguments and ensure actions and initiatives support business goals. They need to move from minimal compliance with legal duties and focus on engaging employees understanding in ways that influence personal behaviors and operational activities regarding the diversity of products and services to meet diverse customer and client needs and preferences. People make the difference at work but everyone is different covers the evolution of the concept, tips for progressive action, case studies and diversity issues in the population. For an organization to gain the full benefits of diversity, a coherent diversity strategy is needed to ensure that all policies and working practices across the business reflect relevant diversity implications. It needs to be supported with a well communicated value system reflec ting the importance of diversity. All employees should be trained to understand and engage with this in the way they do their jobs and work with their colleagues. Diversity strategies need to embrace greater flexibility in both people propositions and customer and client service delivery and take account of the inclusive nature of the work- life balance agenda. Managing diversity also links to ensuring that employee wellbeing is not just a nice to do but an essential element of employee engagement and motivation. Smart employers take account of these issues as key components of their employer brand to support the attraction support and retention of talent. Adler (1997) has identified the following strategies for managing cultural differences. Ignore cultural differences Minimize cultural differences Manage cultural differences Recommendations:- The world keeps changing and providing new kinds of challenges to multinational corporations. This makes it necessary for them to adopt new strategies and new kinds of activities in order to survive and grow in a changing business environment. Virgin will continue to prosper in its global business by integrating the leadership skills and technical abilities of its executives to enable them to develop innovative ideas on how to cope with the diverse conditions in the global market. Another recommendation is for the corporation to eliminate the typical Western bias towards poor countries. The principle is to operate in ways that take into account the expectation of people who are affected by the business. The corporation should also make more efforts to develop native capability. This refers to the recruitment and training of the locals to become global leaders which ultimately will redound to the best interest of the corporation. Conclusion:- With over 25 years in the travel sector and a reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences to millions of Virgin fans, Virgin is a perfect fit for the hotel business. Virgin is a leader in design and hospitality and has transformed businesses ranging from airlines to fitness clubs to super luxury retreats and even space tourism. Customers expect innovation and excellence and our new 4 star hotels will deliver exactly that. Virgin Hotels offers a unique opportunity for property owners and developers to partner with a leading global brand in a highly differentiated hotel proposition that taps into evolving trends in consumer tastes. Virgin hotels aim to re-define the customer journey from pre-arrival to check-out is built on extensive customer research. Hotel valuable target audience includes high income, well-educated, metropolitan business and leisure travellers. We can leverage millions of Virgin flyers to significantly enhance marketing, sales and distribution, and millions of loyalty program members (Virgin America Elevate and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club). In addition, having built large scale, highly profitable businesses, we bring proven operational expertise. References: Ginsburg, F. (2002). Screen memories: Resignifying the traditional in Indigenous media. In F. Ginsburg, L. Abu-Lughod, and B.Larkin (Eds.),  Media Worlds: Anthropology on a New Terrain  (pp.39-57). Berkeley: University of California Press. Mullins L.J., 2007, Management and organizational behaviour, Pearson Education Ltd, GB, PP 166 Niezen Ronald A world beyond difference Blackwell Publishing 2004 Peter F.Drucker, the practice of management (New York: Harper Row, 1954).see also Allen Richard L.Draft, Management, 3rd ed. (Fort Worth, TX: Dryden Press, 1993), p.493. Smith, M. Smith, M. (2002). Globalization the encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved August 27, 2006 James D.Thompson, Mcdonals in action, 1967. Michael E. Potter, competitive Strategy: techniques for analyzing industries and competitors 1980. Robert OQuinn and Kim Cameron, Mcdonald Life Cycles and Shifting Criteria of Effectiveness 1983. Rahul Jacob, Corporate Reputations, 1995, 54-67 William Warned, lessons of value -Driven Leadership, 1995.

Civilization vs. Savagery in Lord of the Flies Essay -- Literary Analy

The Lord of the Flies is a story about a stranded group of boys on a deserted island after their plane crashes. It is about an adventure at the start of a new World War. The boys try to create a society by selecting a leader and doing everything they can to survive. It is all a game without adult supervision until the island becomes a nightmare and their imaginations come to life. Everything becomes more realistic when the twins, Sam and Eric, find the body of the dead parachutist hanging from a tree on the island. Then the boys declare that there is some type of beast on the island and they must kill it to stay alive. Soon the boys turn on each other and kill Simon because he is mistaken for the beast. Jack then, takes over the group of boys and hunts down Piggy and Ralph. Then Roger pushes a boulder off the cliff and kills Piggy. The boys follow Ralph, which is the main character and the boys began to set the jungle on fire in attempt to smoke Ralph out. Ralph then discovers that h e is back on the beach after collapsing from exhaustion. After looking up, he then finds a Naval officer standing over him. The officer saw the raging fire in the jungle from his ship at sea. Overwhelmingly Ralph explains what happened to the officer. He and the boys begin to cry because they realize that they are finally being rescued and are going home. Symbolism is shown throughout the story, by the little things like the conch shell and Piggy’s glasses. The pig’s head is a huge symbol, showing that the boys believe in a power of evil. In this book the main theme is civilization vs. savagery. The boys lose their civilized being and innocence ways as they become savages and kill Simon and Piggy. In The Lord of The Flies, Golding analyzes characters, ... ...Cathy Falk. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Slayton, Paul. "Teaching Rationale for William Golding's Lord of the Flies." Censored Books: Critical Viewpoints. Ed. Nicholas J. Karolides, Lee Burress, and John M. Kean. The Scarecrow Press, Inc, 1993. 351-357. Rpt. in Novels for Students. Ed. Diane Telgen. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. SparkNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb 2012. 98. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Townsend, R. C. "Lord of the Flies': Fool's Gold." The Journal of General Education. Vol. 16. University Park, Pa.: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1964. 153-160. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz and Cathy Falk. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 19 Jan. 2012.

Argument Against Standardized Testing Essay -- Standardized Testing Ess

Argument Against Standardized Testing President Bush is promoting annual standardized testing for all students in grades three through eight. This bill is currently being considered in Congress, and has garnered much support. As of right now, 15 states test students in those grades, and more than 20 have high school exit exams, which look only at the test score of a student, not at his or her academic achievements. Standardized testing is an unfair and inaccurate form of judging a person’s intellect. In many cases, people are either over- or underrepresented by their test scores, partly because America does not currently have the capabilities of fairly scoring the increasing number of tests. Additionally, many students today are not native English speakers, and their capabilities could be grossly underestimated by these types of exams. Although President Bush is a supporter, many influential people are against this bill, including the largest teacher’s union in the United States, which has formed a commission in opposition to the President’s proposal. As stated earlier, many states require a student to pass a certain test in order to receive a diploma. This results in many capable students, who have finished all of their requirements, being denied their diplomas. If the Valedictorian does not pass the exit exam, are you going to bar him or her from graduating? It is a fact that some people are better at taking tests than other people. Intelligent students who challenge themselves throughout their high school careers and have high grade point averages can do poorly on a test, while a student who has only taken basic level classes can score significantly higher. Is that a fair representation of what ... ...logies and always received poor scores on the language portion of standardized tests. Her teachers always encouraged her to be a math or science major, since she had scored much better on those subjects. She rebelled and is now a very successful and influential writer. This points out an obvious flaw in depending on standardized tests. It is not in America’s best interest to pass the proposal to require standardized testing at elementary school levels, or to force students to pass exit exams to earn their diplomas. If we wish for our children to be informed and educated, and ready to survive on their own in the real world, we need to give them the tools that will get them there. These tests are not accurate, and they are detrimental to the education of children. There should be no debate over how our representatives in Congress should vote on this bill.

Tourism in Thailand :: Papers

Tourism in Thailand As we enter a new millenium the post-colonial nations in the world are still searching for ways to compete in an increasingly globalized, consumption driven economic environment. Many developing countries have speculated that Tourism is an effective catalyst for development as well as increased international understanding. Thailand, who has embraced tourism as the key to its modernization strategy, has been hailed by many as a paradigm for success. Over the past twenty years Thailand has enjoyed one of the fastest economic growth rates of any developing country. This rapid progress has allowed Thailand to emerge as an economic leader in the Third world. The $4 billion a year in tourism revenue is the core support of the Thai economy (Bishop, p. VI). Thai officials have attributed the success of the tourism industry to the "many attractions located in various parts of the country" as well as "the uniqueness of the Thai people" --- "their friendliness and hospitality (Bishop, p. 6 7)." However the Thai government has failed to recognize the contributions of sex tourism which is estimated to generate about $1.5 billion every year, according to Professor Krikiat Phiapatserithan of Thammasat University (World congress, regional profiles, p. 3). Thailand's failure to recognize the sex tourism is reflective of the discourse used by the worldwide tourism industry to analyze the industry's success. From the standpoint of the tourism industry the success of tourism is directly related only to economic factors, anything else is seen as unnecessary. It is in the best interest of tourism corporations and the countries that are dependent on tourism to discourage the circulation of information regarding any of the potential negative effects related to tourism. The censorship of information by these entities has caused much of the general public to be ignorant of the adverse consequences of the mass tourist industry in Thailand. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the sex tourism, using Thailand as the basis of my investigation. I will begin by shedding light on the complex social and economic factors that has formed the modern sex industry of Thailand. Then I will link the damaging effects to the Thailand's cultural values and quality of life to the emergence of child sex tourism, which in recent years has immerged as a significant contributor of tourist revenue.

Geographical Layout of an Area on Its Politics Essay

What is the effect of the geographical layout of an area on its politics, society, and economy? Physical characteristics of a specific area can have a substantial impact on its history. Regardless of how close one area is to another the outcome of the civilization could be completely different because of how the people have had to adapt to live in their respective areas. This issue would explain how intertwined history is with geography. Europe’s geography provided many disadvantages and advantages which have been the factors for its many successes and failures. Since the majority of Europe is surrounded by water it was a peninsula. This made it so they could trade with ease. The many rivers and mountain ranges of Europe most certainly aided in protecting certain civilizations from invasion or being involved in wars. The wildly vast and diverse geographic features in Europe set the tone for trading routes to prosper, long-lasting cultures to develop, and battles to occur that would change the identity of the region indefinitely. A region’s geographic shape is instrumental in determining what a region will become. Due to Europe’s geographical shape it became a hotspot for any and all trade. With natural resources plentiful Europe was constantly bustling with business. The Iberian Peninsula gave Spain and Portugal easy access to trade with foreign countries. The Balkan Peninsula gave many countries along the Aegean Sea the effortless option to trade. The many Peninsulas provided great advantages for Europeans due to the plentiful food the oceans supplied. These advantages molded many European civilizations into what they are today whether they isolate themselves from others or interact. The specific geographical features within a region provided protection, but also could have provided isolation. The many rivers and mountain ranges of Europe provided many people with fertile soil and a feeling of safety. However, the mountain ranges could stop trade between countries and slow the advancement of technology and knowledge between these regions. The rivers on the other hand would encourage trade and it would flourish. The physical characteristics of a region affect the decisions people greatly. Europe has a wide variety of terrains. Some help the people who live there, while others force people to adapt. These features influenced the development of many areas. For example the Alps acted as a barrier throughout the Punic Wars. It was perhaps the Roman Empire’s greatest asset. Several times Hannibal was forced to attack by sea instead of being able to invade from the North. This is not the only time in history was affected by geographical features. Climate overcame Hitler’s forces in the Invasion of Russia. The cold winter air killed off many of Hitler’s forces. That event alone could have changed the entire turnout of WWII. Europe’s features both hindered and kindled its growth as a world power. People’s choices have always been affected by their surroundings. The geographic features found in Europe were a commodity and the reason Europe succeeded the way it did for so long. Europe is filled with a wide variety of natural resources and geographical features. Sometimes their surroundings were beneficial and other times it was detrimental. Geography affected the choices of everyone. These features are what caused certain trade routes to emerge, cultures to find their identities, and wars to take place where they did.

The Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Sharif Conflict

Conflict can reveal unexpected qualities in an Individual * Consider how conflict tests people’s characters and the way in which people’s choices in conflict situations reveal aspects of their character that might not otherwise be revealed. * Najaf does not surprise himself or his family so much as he surprises the reader with regards to his qualities. It is surprising to read of an individual whose overriding response to conflict is one of compassion and whose faith in God never falters.Conflict between Border Protection versus Asylum to Refugees * Najaf describes his and other refugee’s desperate plight and risks they took when they fled their countries. He recounts the harrowing escape the refugees had over land and sea, each step of the way, risking capture or death. * The concern for the Australian Government is to attempt to confirm the identities of Asylum Seekers and assess their character.This is one of the frustrations for Najaf, that people who have no understanding of the qualities of his character can â€Å"decide if I am a fit person to take my place in the community of Australia. † Internal Conflict * As Najaf flees across the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan, he becomes sentimental about the loss of his homeland. While he discovers freedom, he is torn between what he has left behind and his hope of what is to come. When Najaf reaches Australia, this conflict of emotion is a constant throughout his time in Woomera.There is a battle in the heart and mind of the Woomera detainees between feelings of hope and despair. * Conflict feelings are amplified by the trauma of being incarcerated and the anxiety of waiting for the news of either acceptance or rejection into Australia. While he is often sorrowful, he endures by striving to remain optimistic. He recalls the hazardous journey he took to arrive in Australia and cling to the hope that maybe these Australians will let me become a complete man again. However, the inter nal conflict driven by fear of rejection and the hope of acceptance persists. * In Australia, Najaf is lonely and feels incomplete. * Certainly, there is joy at his new beginning, but the memories and homesickness still cause anguish â€Å"I cannot forget the Afghans who have not met with the good fortune, and I never will. But I will never forget the sunshine of Maria’s smile on the day of the party either. †

Market Equilibration Process Paper

Market Equilibration Process ECO / 561 Market Equilibration Process Market Equilibrium occurs when the quantity supplied is equal to quantity demanded. The price equilibrium price exists when buyers and sellers price match and there is no governmental intervention (perfectly competitive market). After a market is in equilibrium, there is no trend for the market price to alter. For example, the law of demand states that as price goes up the quantity demand must go down and similarly, law of supply states price goes up quantity supply must go up (McConnel, Brue, & Flynn, 2009). Viewing the graph below we can find the equilibrium occur at the price of $3 where the quantity demanded equals the quantity supply at three units. The price is stable at $3 and at any other prices will have a |Price (P) |Quantity Demanded (Qd) |Quantity Supplied (Qs) | |$1 |5 |1 | |$2 |4 |2 | |$3 |3 |3 | |$4 |2 |4 | |$5 |1 |5 | Equilibrium occurs at P=$3 (Qs = Qd = 3 units) [pic] a tendency to change. At a dollor, for example, at $1 buyers are able to buy five units but seller are only willing to provide one unit to the market. In this situation, quanitity damand is greater than qualiity supply is referred to as a shortage and will result in an upward pressure in price. Since there is only one unit is available so buyers will complete to buy the one available unit by offering more money. Then price goes up and the qualitity demand decreases, quantity supply rises until equilibrium is reached (McConnel, Brue, & Flynn, 2009). pic] Disequilibrium Disequilibrium occurs when the price or quantity is not equal to Price or Quantity. If the prices are high, surplus is created and there will be inefficiency. Demand surplus is created when prices are below the equilibrium price. Since the prices are low, many buyers want the good while suppliers are not making enough of it. A shift in a demand or supply curve occurs when the good’s quantity demanded or supplied changes but the price remains the same. Short-run and Long-run Supervalu is going through a long-run, which is a period when a plant or company has a long period to adjust the quantities of all the resources that it employs. I currently work for Supervalu and its dissolving certain retail stores such as Acme Markets because it is not producing profits in a certain metropolitan markets. Acme Markets price was below the minimum average variable cost and to minimize its losses, Supervalu shut down the retail stores. New retail markets such as Save-a-Lot stores are increasing because it targets at low-medium level income families. Pure Competition Supervalu is part of the pure competition because its retail stores are offering standardized products. Supervalu retail stores are able to freely enter and exit the industry. In pure competition, marginal revenue and price are equal (McConnel, Brue, & Flynn, 2009). Reference McConnel, C. R. , Brue, S. L. , & Flynn, S. M. (2009). Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies (18th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Free Will vs. Predestination Essay

Thesis: Although many people have debated about weather predestination or free will, I believe that it is a combination of both. Body Paragraph 1: opposing views CD: Loraine Boettner says that â€Å"there is no consistent middle ground between calvanism and atheism† CM: free will is considered atheistic while predestination is considered Calvinistic CD: â€Å"It’s one thing to have a loved one that rejects God because of his own choice, but it is another to believe that person never had a chance because God never permitted or allowed them a chance. † Body paragraph 2: Free will. CD: â€Å"those who espouse predestination claim that if we have the free will to accept God’s salvation then we have to earn our way into heaven. Therefore we’re not saved by grace but by our own merit—we caused our own salvation, not God† CD: â€Å"free will teaches that when presented with the facts of God’s plan for salvation that every individual person has a choice to make to either accept or reject God’s gift of salvation. † CD: Ignatius of Antioch said that â€Å"If anyone is truly religious he is a man of God; but if he is irreligious, he is a man of the devil, made such, not by nature, but by choice. † CD: â€Å"If God thinks that this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (48) CD: â€Å"Why did God make a creature of such rotten stuff that when it went wrong†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (49) Body paragraph 3: predestination CD: â€Å"remember, this repentance, this willing submission to humiliation and a kind of faith†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (57) CD: â€Å"In the early church, predestination was interpreted as God’s foreknowledge of people’s good works† CD: â€Å"predestination is doctrine witch teaches that God predetermined who would go to heaven and who would spend eternity in hell† CD: â€Å"‘Single’ predestination applies that word only to God’s gracious choice of those who will be saved, attributing reprobation to causes in the damned themselves. ‘Double’ predestination refers to God’s free choice to save some and God’s free choice to damn others† CD: â€Å"each person has absolutely no choice in accepting or rejecting salvation through Christ. † CD: Charles H. Spurgeon said that â€Å"nothing happens from divine determination and decree† Final/ conclusion paragraph CD: â€Å"some people think that they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 

Observations and child interactions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

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Sustainable management futures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Sustainable management futures - Essay Example 86). When Prime Minister says that â€Å"no true conservative wants to sit back and let capitalism rip†, he is making a contradictory and incorrect statement. The main premise of capitalism is to ensure that the government sits back and â€Å"let it rip†. Whenever the government intervenes, not only it distorts the market equilibrium but it also ensures that the public sector grows larger in size, as compared to the private sector. There are no doubt in the fact that the resources in the market are limited, in terms of human and financial capital, and when these resources are devoted to the public sector, which is the inefficient sector, economies fail to realize their economic potential (Bishop, 2000, p. 86). More importantly, when governments intervene and prohibit capitalism from â€Å"letting it rip†, it is creating a cost on all parties with its intervention. Quite understandably, governments would have to finance their power and intervention with two possib le sources. First, it would tax people to fund the intervention, something that violates the basic principles of liberty and freedom and decreases the disposable incomes of people, which then goes on limit the number and size of investments (Isbister, 2011, p. 76). More importantly, as mentioned earlier, the public sector is the inefficient sector, therefore, the amount of taxes are never able to generate returns what they should have generated had they been transferred to the private. Furthermore, as governments accumulate more money though taxes, they see more incentives and opportunities for corruption. Second, the governments might decide to print more money for financing these interventions and â€Å"preventing capitalism from ripping† (Aras & Crowther, 2010, p. 67-68). Injecting more liquidity in the market might boost the demand in the short term but in the medium term, it will increase the inflation, which is disastrous to any economy. The cash reserves, savings and c apital of people would hold lesser value than they did before thus depriving people to buy the same amount of goods and services that they intended to buy with their money since it would hold lesser value. It would decrease the disposable incomes of people, which would reduce the savings. Reduction in savings would mean reduction in the overall capital, which is available in the market thus discouraging future investments and economic growth. Consider the example of how under the Bush Administration, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, although, a libertarian decided not to â€Å"let capitalism† rip† and intervene by disturbing the equilibrium of the market. In the wake of the dotcom bubble and 9/11 attacks, he decided to set the interest rates at a record low level of 1 percent so that capitalism and free markets could not â€Å"rip† investments due to the above mentioned events. It appeared that the strategy worked, as investors went on to invest in m ore risky projects and sectors, which would not have received investment had the interest rates been determined by market. Too many investments in the housing market created a housing bubble, which then

Epidemiology or pathogenecity of mybacterium tubrtculosis PowerPoint Presentation

Epidemiology or pathogenecity of mybacterium tubrtculosis - PowerPoint Presentation Example In Robert’s opinion, the major contributors to the resurging epidemic of disease are Drug resistance, HIV and Poverty. Richard has also included some other factors that are contributing towards the increasing incidence of disease like lack of political will, poor infrastructure, and weak organization of health services and increasing incidence in prisons. In Roberts opinion, person’s at high risk include people who have had recent contact with an infected person or persons who are immunocompromised due to any reason. Richard’s assertion is that out of those who are exposed, only 30% develop the disease. In his opinion, severity of disease and duration of exposure to the infected person are also the variables that determine the chances of infection. HIV as a cause of resurgence of the incidence of tuberculosis has been agreed upon by both authors. Robert’s understanding is that MDR disease is more prevalent among cases of relapsed disease or defaulters. Richard has agreed to this notion and includes the immunocompromised patients to this group of disease in addition to those included by Roberts. Serafino-Wani,  R.  L. (2012). Tuberculosis 1. Epidemiology of mycobacterium tuberculosis.South Sudan Medical Journal. Retrieved from

Technology solution Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Technology solution - Assignment Example Basically, the kind of human resource needed is skilled labor, who should be experts in information technology. There shall be two major groups of human resource needed for this project. The first shall be the implementers of the system where as the second shall be the operators of the system. The implementers shall be tasked with the responsibility of getting both hardware and software components of the program fixed. After the fixing of the program, the operators shall take over and use the system to manage the sales and product department. This means that whereas the implementers shall be external experts, the operators shall be internal or existing staff of the company. Hardware The system to be developed needs a very large hardware base. This is because the centralization of information technology for all sales and products sales of the company means that there shall be a large database to be handled, which needs sophisticated and well advanced hardware. The hardware shall basic ally be made up of components of a mainframe computer to be used at the central IT station. There shall also be hardware made up of components of personal computers to be used in various sales and product stores to transmit information across to the central IT station. ... There shall basically be software for the developing an integrated spreadsheet that will collate all sections of sales and product manufacturing that takes place in the company. There shall also be software that will generally make the transmission of online information from store-to-store basis and store-to-IT centre basis. Data There shall be two major forms of data to be used in the new information technology system. These are data on sales and date on product manufacturing and availability. It is expected that these two data shall play complementary roles where by data on products manufactured and products available will aid in knowing and determining expected sales. This way, it will be easier for accountants to balance their sheet on the flow of cash into and outside of the company. Network It is common knowledge the centralized information technology system for the sales and products department of the company cannot function in the absence of a well harnessed network base. Thi s is because wit the centralization, all IT systems in the company shall be reporting directly to the IT center and this can only be done if there is a network system. The preferred network system will be a wide area network (WAN) since the company has several branches outside its parent home. Activities: The newt system shall function based on the following internal activities: input There shall be two major controllers of input, who shall be operators from the sales IT centre and operators at the various sales stores. Data input from the sales stores shall basically be on the amount of sales that are done. Input data from the sales IT centre shall be feedback on the data received from the sales stores by the accountant and auditor of the company. Processing Data

Persuasive Letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Persuasive Letter - Essay Example The society has suffered both social and economic losses given that human health, property, infrastructure as well as various aspects of the economy such as agriculture have been made untenable due to the harsh weather conditions. As of this moment, the WHO in conjunction with several governments continues to report high incidence of heat and cold related diseases. Moreover, developing nations whose citizenry depend on natural resources for income, have found it hard to earn a living. In as much as the advancements brought about by the past and current generations have made our way of life simpler, some of them have caused environmental degradation. This has in turn resulted into climate change. One reality that the current generation should not turn a deaf ear on is the fact that we have our ancestors to thank for subjecting the environment to wise use during their lifetime. As that has enabled us to make something out for ourselves. From where I sit, I presume true the fact that for us to hand over an intact world to the future generations, then we have to adjust our way of life. Moreover, every person within the world should make sacrifices for the adjustments to bring about considerable effect. Some of the sacrifices for example will require that we not only recycle but also reuse some of the local materials such as paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum among others (Tokar 55). Similarly, we need to reduce the amount of energy that we consume as we spend many n atural resources in producing the energy, and too much production will exhaust the natural resources. In order to reduce the consequences of climate change, we will need to employ the use of ecofriendly cleaning products, and not those that lead to emission of poisonous materials that lead to the erosion of the ozone layer. At the same time, we should change our eating habits and prepare

Internet Banking Degree Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internet Banking Degree - Assignment Example The benefits can include faster learning, greater productivity, fewer errors and greater satisfaction. Consistent interfaces also benefit the industry by promoting greater acceptance of products and services. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order (Nielsen, 2002, page 1). Affordance - Provide consistent and predictable responses to user actions within the online service. Make interactions consistent, both throughout the site and with commonly used interaction metaphors used throughout the Web. For example, similar layout for user interface components is used throughout your site, similar user interface components are labelled with similar terminology, controls that look the same are designed to act the same, operating system, language, or application conventions likely to be familiar to the user have been followed, unusual user interface features or behaviors that are likely to confuse the first-time user are documented. Navigation - Providing responses to user actions is important feedback for the user. This lets them know that your site is working properly and encourages them to keep interacting. When the user receives an unexpected response, they might think something is wrong or broken. Some people might get so confused they will not be able to use your site. ContControl - Users need to feel secure when doing Internet banking. Sites need to be secure, make security measures visible and explain to users how to use sites in the most secure manner, providing appropriate warnings where necessary. Are there adequate site maps, navigation bars, menus and so on, to help users find their way around the site (Shneiderman, 1998) Are menus broad and shallow Avoid deep, narrow and hierarchical menu structures that force users to immerse themselves into the depths of the structure (Zaphiris and Mtei, 1997; Larson and Czerwinski, 1998), and thus cannot be easily navigated without practice and route memorisation. Feedback - The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time (Nielsen, 2002, page 1). The feedback however, must not detract from the perceived or actual security of the Web site. The system should speak the user's language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Recovery - Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked "emergency exit" to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undoes and redoes". (Nielsen, 2002, page 1). Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform conventions" (Nielsen, 2002, page 1) - that is to say, do not just make the site internally consistent, but consistent with the majority of other sites (Nielsen, 1999). Even better than good error messages

The virtual project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The virtual project - Essay Example This essay analyzes some special problems virtual projects faces with. The process of teambuilding is common to any project. However the virtual project presents some serious problems in the areas of developing trust, developing group identity, sharing information, developing clear structures, formation of ‘cliques’ or informal subgroups and understanding information. If the problems of direct communication and new electronic technologies are not addressed, then they may become fatal. A virtual project is defined as being geographically dispersed so that the team members seldom if ever meet face to face. In this respect, the virtual project differs from the traditional project in that in a traditional team environment, the team members share a common work place so that they meet frequently. However the process of team building involves challenges that are common to all projects. The success of managing any project depends upon building an effective team. This is a commo n problem for any project manager. Effective team building depends upon building trust among the team members. If the team members do not trust each other, then their efforts cannot be directed towards a common goal. This is a problem faced by the project manager not only in the traditional bureaucratic setting, but also in the modern environment characterized by the virtual project. The basic definitions of team building that were implemented in the traditional project hold true for the virtual project as well. ... Creating good team work involves problems that are found in any project. Therefore the project manager, whether he is managing a traditional or a virtual project, must develop skills that can address the problems hindering good teamwork. Good teamwork requires clear structures and this is a problem common to both the virtual project and the bureaucratic setting. Unless the project manager can generate commitment to team objectives, project implementation will fail. These are problems that both the modern and the traditional project manager must consider. Virtual projects specifically face the problem of not being able to directly communicate. Because the team members are spread across several time zones, they cannot meet face-to-face. Therefore the difficulties of communicating and team building are much greater in a virtual project. Implementing virtual project teams requires the project manager to have skills in managing the latest communication technologies. The benefits that trad itional projects can gain from collocation are not attributable to the virtual project in which the team members are geographically dispersed. Therefore virtual projects face unique communication problems. For this reason, implementing virtual projects requires the use of the most advanced communication technologies. Distant team members also face the problem of information sharing. Because they are located in different locations, they have different perspectives on the same information. This problem creates inequities of information which is unique to the virtual project. The virtual project faces the unique problem of not having collocation. As a

Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction Essay Example for Free

Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction Essay Treatment of drug and alcohol addiction is seldom as simple as merely addressing the particular chemicals addict is taking into his body. More often than not, addicts suffer from other disorders in conjunction with their chemical dependency. The clinical reference to such a condition is called co-occurring disorders (Doweiko, 2012). According to Arias and Kranzler (2008) an estimated 1. 1 percent of the U. S. population has an alcohol use disorder with a co-occurring use disorder (DUD). This type of co-morbidity is sometimes referred to as homotypic co ­morbidity or dual dependence. According to Doweiko (2012), dual diagnosis clients refer to patients that suffer from a concurrent form of mental illness and an SUD. Co-occurring substance disorders include but are not limited to anorexia, bulimia, gambling, abuse (spousal), compulsive shopping, AIDS, and compulsive sexual behaviors (Doweiko, 2012). People who are active substance abusers or withdrawal from many drugs of abuse can magnify or simulate symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Addiction is common in people with mental health problems. Although substance abuse and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are closely linked, one does not directly cause the other (Doweiko, 2012). In a dual diagnosis, both the mental health issue and the drug or alcohol addiction have their own unique symptoms that may get in the way of your ability to function, handle life’s difficulties, and relate to others (Stinson, et al. , 2005). To make the situation more complicated, the co-occurring disorders also affect each other and interact. According to Stinson et al (2005) when a mental health problem goes untreated, the substance abuse problem usually worsens and when alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems will likely increase as well. An essential step to gaining freedom from addiction involves understanding the dynamics of addiction. The addiction cycle describes the reoccurring process that takes place as person struggles with their addiction(s). Co-occurring disorders and addiction relation to the addiction cycle is that addictive behaviors offer a fake sense of escape, pleasure, and involve psychological or physiological dependence. According to Scalise (2012) the increased symptoms and challenging treatment process add to difficulties of breaking the addiction cycle. The addiction cycle begins with pain which leads individuals to reach their absolute lowest, which many calle â€Å"hitting bottom† and then seek relief (i. . treatment). The addiction cycle continues with the addictive behaviors leading the individual to feel good just before crashing and experiencing pain again, thus restarting the cycle (Scalise, 2012). Understanding co-occurring disorders is vital to the proper treatment of chemical dependency clients. If all co-occurring disorders are effectively dealt with, there’s no reason why the addict should not regain their life as a drug-free member of society.