Monday, September 30, 2019
United States Recovery of Western Europe Post World War
United States Recovery of Western Europe post World War II Most of Europe was demolished after World War II and had to rebuild but most governments were in debt and out of money because of the war. Many people didnââ¬â¢t have food to eat or more to pay their taxes which made it completely difficult for the governments to recovery tax to start rebuilding. Fortunately the United States was free of war and devastation making us the richest country in the world. We were able to give help to Europe and its allies to recover from the war. A great deal of Europeââ¬â¢s success would not have happened without its initial Foreign aid from the United States.Foreign aid is the transfer of money, goods, and services from one country to another. This helped to rebuild the economies of Western Europe and to help contain the Soviet expansion in the aftermath of World War II. The United State and Europe had to work fast because if Western Europe did not rebuild and grow strong quickly, it may s oon fall to communism since the United States, and most of Europe had allied with the Russians in order to defeat Hitler and the Germans but they were also worried about the Russians and theà spread of communism. After helping destroy so much of the continent, killing over 55 million people, the U.S. used the Marshall Plan to put billions of dollars back into the European economy. The Marshall Plan was announced in June of 1947 and was named after Secretary of State George C. Marshall. It was very successful. Truman extended the Marshall Plan to less-developed countries throughout the world. The Western European countries involved experienced a rise in their gross national products. The United States have $13 billion for assistance in Western European countries for four year. By the end of the Marshall Plan, all participating countries were stronger than before. The plan help Europe economically recover from the war.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
My mom is a wonderful woman
Have you ever had that one person that you have looked up to your whole life? Well i have, and that person is my mom. My mom is a wonderful woman. She puts up with my attitude and all of the annoying things i may put her through, and she is still there for me when i need her. My mom is someone that i love and that i can rely on if i need something. I know she will never let me down and that is why i can depend on her for anything. I can trust my mom and that is a problem i have with other people.I have never really been able to trust anybody. My mom has helped me a lot in life whether its figuring out how to do something, helping me achieve my goals, or telling me not to give up. I can ask my mom for advice and talk to her about anything. My mom is the main reason that i am doing sports in high school. I have always wanted to do sports but i have always been shy and scared to try new things. I didn't want to try out because i was afraid i wouldn't make the team. She encouraged me to try and and i made the team thanks to her.I can talk to my mom about anything. My mom was there for me when i switched schools and i didn't know anybody. I would talk to her and she would tell me just be your self and don't let anybody change you. She is someone i constantly go to when i have no one to talk to. We might play around a lot but I know when she is joking and i know when she is being serious with me. My mom is the best person in the world. My mom has always believed in me. She told me to always try my best.She told me that even if i feel like I'm going to fail to always try me hardest because i never know what could happen. She also told me to never give up. She told me that before i started doing sports that as long as i try my hardest she will supply me with everything i need to succeed. My mom has helped me make a lot of decisions. She helped me figure out that i wanted to join a sport, she helped me decide if i wanted to do an honors class or not, and she talked to m e about joining and advanced placement class.My mom is the main reason i am the person i have grown up to be. If she wasn't her for me i would have probably been a totally different person. Even though i get on my moms nerves all the time she still puts up with me and she still loves me. There is a couple of times were we have argued with each other, but we easily get over that. I look up to my mom and i hope that when I'm a mom my kids will look up to me like i look up to my mom.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) - Assignment Example Performance management on the other hand covers the strategies put in place by companies to evaluate the performance of their employees. It is important to note that regular evaluation of employees is a vital strategy that ensures any deviation from the company policies is noted and the necessary steps undertaken. This paper critically analyzes the role of strategic management approach to human resource management as well as performance management. Strategic management approach to human resource management According to Armstrong and Long (1994) universal access concentrates on the best practices directed on the main four objectives of the management policies that should be met so as to get the expected organizational result.Similarly,universalistic approach assumes that there exist some best management practices which if put into practice will result to the best performance by the organization. Bannister and Bennett (1995) further argues that first the manager must conduct a personne l selection based on a test so as to determine their potential to have positive contribution to an organization. Further they argue that recognition of training to be an activity that is continuous is another strategic role to human resource management. ... made a formulation which includes low-cost leadership in which his aim was to increase organizations share in the market by embracing the lowest cost per unit and price in comparison to the competitors.On the other hand, differentiation strategy stipulates that managers show a discrepancy in their products and services in relation to those of their competitors found in the industry. This makes it possible for customers to be willing to pay an extra coin. Deery and Walsh (1990) supported the four models relating to strategic orientation. Defenders according to him are companies which have a product line that is limited and where the management strives to improve the existing operations efficiency. Prospectus have considerably product lines that are broad and their main focus is innovation of products and opportunities in market.Analysers operate under markets that has two unrelated products, one stable while the other is variable. In this case, senior managers put emphasis on efficien cy in areas that are stable and innovation in variable areas.Finally; reactors are those companies which do not have consistent structure, culture and strategy relationship. In this orientation, responses from senior management to changes in the environment and pressures seem to be strategic adjustments that are piecemeal. The role of strategic management approach to human resource management as stipulated by Moore business school is initiating mentoring programme aimed at making new employees be at into par with the rest relating to policies or any project in progress. A company must assess, coach or train employees to help them work better. Companies that invest in their employees produce high quality products. Strategic human resource management makes the work of the manager to be
Friday, September 27, 2019
Intelligence Support to Operation Anaconda Research Paper
Intelligence Support to Operation Anaconda - Research Paper Example These were remnants of earlier offensives by the US about three months earlier who were seen gathering around this valley. The battle spanned the period between 2nd march to 17th March 2002 and it included the combined forces of the US military, Canadian forces, New Zealand, friendly Afghan soldiers, Danish, Germany, Norway, as well as the Australian military forces against the Taliban and the al-Qaeda forces. The US forces, under the command of General Franklin Hagenbeck, managed to get out of this battle as winners after managing to drive the enemy out of the valley with heavy death tolls to measure up their success. The win was however not a smooth sail as can be suggested from the fact that though the war was planned to end after three days, it took seven days to conquer the Taliban and al-Qaeda opposing forces. The US had to exercise heavy combat against their enemies to force them into admitting defeat- a development that was never expected. At the same time, the US suffered a total of 80 casualties where 8 died while the other 72 were wounded to differing degrees. The following essay will undertake to assess both the right and the improvement seeking steps that were taken by the intelligence supporting Operation Anaconda. The US forces did not have sufficient knowledge of neither the number of the opposing Taliban and al-Qaeda forces nor their weaponry. This meant that the US forces planning the assault failed to include the accurate information in their plan- a move that rendered their making wrong moves during the execution of the offensive. Most of the information that was relayed to the US forces was through overheard reconnaissance, human intelligence as well as communications captures that never offered the accurate information, resulting into misleading perceptions. The number of the opposing Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, for example, actually amounted to approximately between 700-1000 men. From the
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Second rich generation in china Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Second rich generation in china - Essay Example This means that they are mainly reliant on their families, which are filthy rich. Through this character, a serious economic challenge comes up, and the economic future of the country stands to be threatened if these people are consumers and are not working to expand their parents businesses. Although, some people saying ââ¬Å"SRGâ⬠are only a very small group of people, they cannot make any huge influence. Considering the behavior they have now and the wealth they will control in the future, I am still thinking they will make a huge negative impact to Chinese society and economy in the near future. The building of an economy required the input of all the citizens in a country. Since 1980s there were a group of hardworking people, they used their intelligence and knowledge to help China finished industrialization. Their hardworking not only made them become the first group of billionaires in China but also helped the country grown to be one of the giant economies in the world. However, most of their children are not diligent as their parents, they have decided to sit back and eat what their parents made. Compare to business, they are seem to be more interested in the sports cars and private jets. This is a very dangerous scenario given that there is no income that is generated from this generation. I interviewed a SRG recently, although he indicated that he wants to have his own career and pay for his own life in the future. He still admitted that it is not easy to do and most of the SRG now are not thinking like him. According to Liu (2012) Songyang Fuââ¬â¢s father was the owner of a still factory near Beijing. A car accident took away his fatherââ¬â¢s life in 2006 and Fu was only nineteen. Fu inherited his fatherââ¬â¢s legacy and became the thirtieth richest person in China on the Forbesââ¬â¢s rank. However Fu was not interested in his fatherââ¬â¢s steel business at all. He decided to use his fatherââ¬â¢s money to realize his own
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Comparison essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Comparison - Essay Example Similarly, the brutality of James Elroyââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"L.A Confidentialâ⬠is adapted for screen by Curtis Hanson with a distinct underlying homage to Bogartââ¬â¢s portrayal of life-weary detectives, which is further highlighted by the simultaneous portrayal of heightened, stark realism which was lacking from the classic film noir pictures pre-1950. The opening sequences and title scenes of both films play a vital role in engaging the audience and preparing the audience as to what to expect from the movie with great effect. L.A. Confidential begins with historical footage of a prosperous pre-1950s Los Angeles city in which the celebrated ââ¬Å"American Dreamâ⬠is symbolised through the narrative. This places the audience at ease, increasing a sense of dramatic irony through the ideological portrayal that the symbolic ââ¬Å"American Dreamâ⬠is easily attainable. However, the old footage depicting idyllic family life is slowly juxtaposed and interspersed ââ¬Å"the underbelly of Americaâ⬠and the ââ¬Å"city the politicians donââ¬â¢t want you to seeâ⬠. As such, the contrast heightens the thought provoking intentions of Curtis Hanson on the audience. In utilising the old footage, Hanson directly takes the audience to the era of the ââ¬Å"The Big Sleepâ⬠however the ââ¬Å"The Big Sleepâ⬠itself takes a more subtle approach to the subversion of the ideological American Dream, with equal effect. The opening scene of ââ¬Å"The Big Sleepâ⬠creates a sense of isolation, which directly engages with the audience, beginning with the vivid image of the silhouette of a man and a woman, both smoking and blowing away the opening credit titles. The visual image of the smoke increases the sense of mystery and symbolises the underlying concept of a smokescreen, hiding the reality underneath the ââ¬Å"Big Sleepâ⬠. This further indicates two possibilities, which
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Juvenile Prevention Programs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Juvenile Prevention Programs - Research Paper Example Example of juvenile crimes that should be prevented in the society includes drug abuse, alcohol drinking, engaging in sexual activities, violent behavior at school and at home among other crimes. The essay below seeks to address juvenile prevention programs, and how they have been implemented in Washington D.C. The essay has also tackled the demographic and crime rate in Washington D.C. In Washington D.C, change in its demographic state has played a crucial role in dictating the rates of juvenile crimes among college students. Statistics have indicated that the increased number of people in Washington D.C has led to increased levels of juvenile crimes. There are a number of juvenile crimes that occur in Washington D.C, among them illegal sexual activities, heavy alcohol drinking among college and high school students, drug abuse cases, among other violent behavior in school and at home. Though the juvenile crimes in Washington D.C seem to be high, the rates have been decreasing over the years according to the statistics given out by the majority of studies on the same. The rate of juvenile crimes in Washington D.C can be compared to the rates in the whole country. A study done in 2003 indicated that the rate of juvenile violence lowered significantly in America as compared to a decade ago. Juvenile arrests reduced by 52% in parts of Washington D.C between 1995 and 2003 (Sewell, 2003). Heavy alcohol intake among college students in Washington D.C brings about negative consequences hence it is better relevant prevention programs to stop them from happening. The behavior results to poor academic performances, negative health well being of the students, negative social behavior, and also second-hand consequences to students who associate with those who take alcohol heavily (Levy & Kremer, 2008).
Monday, September 23, 2019
Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 22
Assignment Example Between early1900s and 1960s was characterized with core improvement in relation to domestic violence against women in the societies of the US. Major rights were awarded to women across the different states of the US. Feminist movements were formed to fight for gender equality and acts of male chauvinism. Women could charge their husbands for assault in a court of law. Domestic violence cases are commonly presented in courts across the country. It is also during this period that cases that regarded to domestic violence were transferred from the criminal court to civil court. In the civil courts, only the civil procedures could apply. This meant that men who assaulted their wives or girlfriend was not considered as criminal In the 1800s, most states in the United States had laws that somewhat favored domestic violence against the women. Although most of federal laws in different states in the US stated to have had protected the women in the society against domestic violence, most of these laws tolerated men who beat their wife as they would be charged for such act. It was not considered a major offense for the men in the societies of the 1800s in the US, since women were generally considered inferior. Between 1900s and 1960s was characterized with major improvement in relation to domestic violence against women in the societies of the US. More rights were awarded to women across the different states of the US. Feminist movements were formed to fight for gender equality and acts of male chauvinism. Women could charge their husbands for assault in a court of law. Domestic violence cases are commonly presented in courts across the country. It is also during this period that cases that regarded to domestic violence were transferred from the criminal court to civil court. In the civil courts, only the civil procedures could apply. This meant that husbands or men who assaulted their wives or girlfriend was
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Discuss the various perceptions of love in Shakespeares Romeo Essay Example for Free
Discuss the various perceptions of love in Shakespeares Romeo Essay Discuss the various perceptions of love in Shakespeares Romeo Juliet. Then choose two contrasting examples from scenes you have discussed and explain how you would stage them to show these contrasts. William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1595. When it was written, Shakespeare was quite young, 31, already five years into his career. Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne at the time, and many of the characteristics of Elizabethan lifestyle are included within the play. In the Elizabethan times, it was not unusual for people to get married and have children young. In the play Lady Capulet says, By my count, I was your mother much upon these years, to Juliet, who appears to be about 12 years old. She is telling Juliet that she was already a mother at Juliets age, implying she should be getting ready to marry now. Women were also not considered of much importance in those days. They were not as important as men, and just used for sex, which plays a big part in the topic of conversation between characters throughout the play. Women/girls also had to obey their fathers until they got married, and then obey their husbands when they did get married. It was a very male dominant era. Romeo and Juliet is partly a comedy, tragedy and history. It is a tragedy obviously because of all the death in it. It is a comedy because of the irony and contrast the characters raise, and also because of the humour some characters like Mercutio and the Nurse bring into the play. It is a history as well because of the fact it was written a long time ago, and has historical contents in it. There is a great deal of love and passion in this play, but not all the same. Different characters have different perceptions of love, and different passions. The play is also as much about hate as it is about love, which is a very important element. Shakespeare puts emphasis on themes such as the relationship of love and hate and old and young. This is what I will be analysing in the essay. The play tells the story of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet; the children of two rival families living in Verona, who fall in love and get married without their families knowing. The hatred felt by their families leads to the death of five people. Two of who are Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers who die because they want to be together but cant be. It shows the young as they struggle to escape from the morass of hatred created by their elders. The ancient family feud makes Romeo and Juliets union even more significant as they both hate each others families, but manage to overcome it when they meet each other. This play represents true love because it shows pure hatred turn into pure love. Romeo and Juliet went against everything they were brought up with and gave up their lives to be together. Romeo is a very passionate person when we first meet him, and his passion stays throughout the play. We do learn however, that Romeo is very impulsive, and acts on this impulsive streak very often, and it leads him to do some stupid things, which I will show further on in the essay. The first reference to love in the play is in the opening scene where we meet Sampson and Gregory (two Capulet servants). They are both very vulgar and crude characters and show this straight away when they are talking about the Montague women. In lines 17-20, Sampson says, Tis true, and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montagues men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. This is where the punning becomes sexual. He is implying that he will assault the Montague maids against the wall. Later on in lines 27-28, he says, Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads- take it in what sense thou wilt. Here he is saying that he will either chop off the heads of the Montague maids, or rape them, depending on what he feels like. Their behaviour shows that they do not actually think of love itself, and only think of sex. They view women as mere objects to serve their pleasure. They are not the only bawdy characters in the play to have this perception of women and love thought. In act two, scene one (lines 34-38); Mercutio is making fun of Romeos talk of love for Rosaline. He talks about a Medlar tree, and describes sex as a Medlar fruit. He is saying that Romeo really wishes Rosalie were a Medlar fruit, even though he says he loves her, all he really wants is sex. This is probably because this is all Mercutio sees love as. The Nurse is another one of these characters. She constantly talks about the physical side of marriage. To her, love is merely about sex and having babies. For Sampson, Gregory, Mercutio and the Nurse, love is something non-emotional, and they have obviously never experienced love like Romeo and Juliets. Love for Romeo and Juliet is very emotionally bonded, and they cannot live without each other. This however does not mean there is no physical element to their relationship. Romeo and Juliet eagerly look forward to the physical side. This can be seen in act three, scene two, lines 1-30, where Juliet is looking forward to her wedding night, or her love-performing night. But even this is altered by their love into something of which Mercutio, the Nurse and the servants know nothing of. In act one, scene one, Romeos parents show parental love when they are concerned about him. The first evidence to show they care about Romeo is in lines 118-119, where Lady Montague says, Right glad I am he (Romeo) was not at this fray, meaning she was glad that Romeo was not involved in the fight that had just happened. In lines 133-144, Montague talks about Romeos worrying behaviour. He says that he is always crying, distances himself from everyone else, and shuts out light, making himself an artificial night. Montague is obviously worried about his sons behaviour, and asks Benvolio if he could talk to Romeo because he does not understand him. This doesnt mean however, that he does not care how Romeo feels, but he evidently does. It just shows the contrast between young and old. The first time we meet Romeo, he seems very sad and down (in the exact state his father describes him to be in). he is sad because he is in love. For Romeo, being in love (at this stage in the play) is a very painful, negative thing, especially because here there is a situation of unrequited love. However, by studying Romeos language in this scene, I believe that he is not in love with Rosaline, but infact in love with the idea of love itself. The fact that he does not say Rosalines name once, but talks about being in love, shows that the she is irrelevant. Romeos doting over Rosaline is introduced to show the difference between love and infatuation. He talks about love as a painful situation to be in, as shown in lines 195-196, A madness most discreet, a choking gall, and a preserving sweet. This changes drastically though, when he meets Juliet. From the second he sees Juliet (in act one scene five); you can see he has changed. He suddenly speaks in a more positive tone, with more positive views on Juliet not just of love. O she doth teach the torches to burn bright. Romeo is referring to Juliet as an actual person, whereas before he was talking about being in love (supposedly with Rosaline), but never refers to her as a person. On meeting Juliet he experiences love at first sight. He goes on to say, For I neer saw true beauty till this night. This shows that he has forgotten about Rosaline already, almost like she never existed. Romeo constantly compares Juliet to a saint throughout the play, O then dear saint. He has made Juliet out to be the most important person (to him), in the matter of minutes. In their first meeting, Romeo and Juliet share a sonnet (lines 94-107). This immediately shows the connection of love and harmony that exists between them. In the sonnet, love as a religion seems to be the key subject, and Romeo talks about it so passionately. He refers to Juliet as a holy shrine, and his lips Two blushing pilgrims. By studying Romeos language here, and that of which he used when we first met him, you can see that his feelings have gone from being self-centred, self deceiving and essentially negative, to less self-centred, genuine and sincere passion, positively approached when he meets Juliet. The love between Romeo and Juliet is different from any other in the play, because both share the same view on love. It is so strong that they fought through everything to be together and when they werent they felt empty and sad. No one else in the play shows love for anything this deep. The words Romeo and Juliet use when flirting with each other emphasise their love for one another. They use words to do with the body lips, hands, palms, religion pilgrims, saints, prayer, devotion and holy then they put both ideas together, holy palmers kiss and saints lips. Romeo is trying to woo Juliet with romantic gestures.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
The Writings of Shakespeare and Donne Essay Example for Free
The Writings of Shakespeare and Donne Essay The poems from William Shakespeare and John Donne that interest me are ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s dayâ⬠and ââ¬Å"The fleaâ⬠. One of the main reason that I am writing about these two poems are because they are the only ones that I know of because that is what we talked about in class and I have never read poetry in my life. Poetry has always been difficult for me to read because of my mild case of dyslexia. I have to read the sentence a couple of times before I finally figure out what the writer is trying to say. Obviously I have heard of Shakespeare before and knew about his works that included Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. What I didnââ¬â¢t know was how successful and influential his poetry was. But unlike William Shakespeare, I have never heard about John Donne until the lecture a few days ago. After reading the two poems I believe that there are many similarities and differences in the style that both of these poets write. In ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s day by William Shakespeare I certainly feel that the author is addressing a woman with whom he is truly in love. This is purveyed to me by the two strong opening lines, ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperateâ⬠. Shakespeare starts the sonnet off with how strongly he loves this woman and then goes on to say ââ¬Å"Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summerââ¬â¢s lease hath all to short a date: Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shinesâ⬠Shakespeare is saying that even though he loves her, she is still not perfect. Afterwards he goes on to say, ââ¬Å"But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou owââ¬â¢stâ⬠which he is saying that her youth will not fade and that her beauty will always remain with her for the rest of her life. It ends with ââ¬Å"So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. â⬠He is trying to say that as long as people are alive on the Earth, his feelings towards this woman will never change and will allow her to live forever. A poem we have studied and which also focuses on a similar situation to that of ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s dayâ⬠is ââ¬Å"The fleaâ⬠by John Donne. In it he goes on to say that the flea has sucked both of their bloods and how they are now mingled together. He says, ââ¬Å"This flea is you and I, and this Our marriage bed and marriage temple isâ⬠The man in the story believes that he and the woman are one with the flea and if she decides to kill the flea she would be killing the marriage between them. The poem ends with, ââ¬Å"ââ¬â¢Tis true; then learn how false fears be: Just so much honor, when thou yieldââ¬â¢st to me, Will waste, as this fleaââ¬â¢s death took life from thee. This means that if she were to sleep with him, she would lose no more honor than she lost when she killed the flea. The similarities between ââ¬Å"The fleaâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s dayâ⬠are not quite as numerous as the differences. One of the main similarities is that both of the main characters are in love with a woman, even their love seems to be the opposite of each other. There are many differences in the way that Shakespeare and Donne write. Shakespeare is more in your face I guess you would say. He doesnââ¬â¢t use as much trickery as Donne does in his sonnet and is a lot easier to understand in my opinion. The tone in ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s dayâ⬠seems to be more upbeat than in ââ¬Å"The fleaâ⬠. How Donne uses a flea and blood in his sonnet makes it seem more ominous. As you can see, they are many similarities and differences in the way that William Shakespeare and John Donne write in ââ¬Å"Shall I compare thee to a summerââ¬â¢s dayâ⬠and ââ¬Å"The Fleaâ⬠. Both of these poets had a long lasting impact upon Western Civilization and helped influence the English language all around the world. If someday I become hooked to reading poetry, I can look back and know these two poems are what got me addicted.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Why Did Germany Lose The First World War History Essay
Why Did Germany Lose The First World War History Essay The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was a trigger to World War One, but according to many historians, they claim that Germany is responsible for the war. Prior to the war, tension built up among nations. With the race for superiority a war was bound to happen. Most European countries made alliances with each other, thus pulling Germany with its allies: Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire into the war. By the end of the war, Germanys economy was bankrupted. Germany and its allies lost the war with the Treaty of Versailles, by signing it on June 28, 1919. Given that Germany was the cause of the war, it was more at risk of losing the war. Germany failed to succeed in World War One because of three main reasons, the failure of the Schlieffen plan, nationalism, and the allies effective use of attrition warfare. The failure of the Schlieffen plan caused Germanys plan to fight a two front war almost impossible. The Schlieffen plan was thought of by Alfred Von Schlieffen, and modified by von Moltke (who was in charge of this operation), and it was a strategic plan for victory while fighting two fronts. Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm II fought a two-front war against French, British, Belgian, and Americans on the Western Front and at the same time Germany was fighting the Russians on the Eastern Front, until Russias participation in the war ended on March 3, 1918 with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Germany did not have a sufficient amount of troops to be sent to both fronts, and food was limited. Another factor that caused the failure of the Schlieffen plan was Belgian resistance and the entrance of Britain into the war. One August 4th 1914, Britain declared war on France when they invaded Belgium. Germany did not expect Britain, the great empire to join and therefore were worried. Moreover the spe ed of Russian mobilization was unexpected and they gained land in Eastern Prussia sooner than planned. At the beginning of the war, Russia was not a huge threat to Germany and its allies because of their humiliation at the failure of the Russo-Japanese war. However, Russia gained territory quickly and moved closer towards Berlin. Before World War One, Germany believed that they were a great power, and therefore nationalism was at its highest point, however between 1916 and 1917, nationalistic views were starting to take a downturn. In these two years, a lot of lives were lost and the term stalemate was present. The Battle of Jutland was the largest sea battle of the entire war. It occurred in 1916 and it was one of Germanys only chance to weaken Great Britains royal navy, hence the wars nickname; the Battle of Lost Opportunities. The German counterattack failed because their plans were discovered by Russians, thus this battle was a disaster for the Germans, which caused their fleet to not leave the German ports until 1918, as a result giving the British navy domination of the seas. This disappointed the Germans, and lowered German nationalism. Another battle in 1916 named the Battle of Verdun was a disastrous battle fought by the Germans. A win after this battle was impossible after a loss of 430,000 soldiers . In this battle, the French effectively sent the Germans back to their starting point. The French were delighted from their success while German nationalism continually decreased. In 1917, the third battle of Ypres was a huge success for the Germans, despite this success the German self-confidence was already low, and the accomplishment did not increase nationalism significantly. Furthermore, the fact that Germany sent the Zimmerman note to Mexico in 1917, created a strong enemy for Germany and its allies. The telegram stated that if Germany and the United States were to go to war, Mexico would ally with Germany and as a result of this alliance Germany would aid Mexico into regaining the territories of Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. While some historians thought it was intended for America to join the war others thought of it as a method to distract America. As soon as the people realized that Germany lured America into joining the war, German morale vanished. The allies effective use of attrition warfare throughout the war wore out German troops which forced them to surrender. The term attrition warfare is a strategic concept that to win a war, ones enemy must be worn down to the point of collapse by continuous losses in personnel and materiel.Ã [1]Ã One method of wearing out the enemy that the British used was The British Naval Blockade. The blockade of German ports starting in 1914 soon resulted in shortages of food, oil, rubber, and fertilizers. This restricted maritime supply of raw materials and foodstuffs to Germany and its allies. Starvation was a key issue for the Germans during the Great War, soldiers and people in Germany starved and possibly died. This continued to the point until strikes were made in German industries in the winter of 1918 which pressured the government to break the blockade or end the war. After the war, claims are made by historians that the North Sea naval blockade was a primary factor in the collapse o f the Central Powers.Ã [2]Ã Furthermore the Ludendorff Offensive of 1918 was Germanys final chance for victory, but failed because Germany and its allies were too worn out to continue. This offensive was a series of attacks along the Western Front. The Ludendorff Offensive marked The United States entrance into World War One. Each month, America sent in new troops to face the central powers. After a length of time Germany was unable to fight back because, unlike the Americans it could not send a new group of soldiers to Paris. Consequently, Germany and its allies were too worn out to continue the war because of the British naval blockade, and the new supply of Americans every month. In conclusion, three factors affected the downfall of Germany during the Great War, the Schlieffen plan, nationalism, and the use of attrition warfare. The Germans were not able to fight on two fronts, and therefore could not fully participate during the rest of the war because of their stoppage in the beginning of the war. As battles were lost, the people of the Central Powers were disappointed and worried which contradicted their views from the beginning of the war. This lowered nationalism, especially in Germany greatly. Lastly, Germany could not handle the blockade and the entrance of the U.S.A. This tired German troops to the extent that they were incapable of continuing. If these factors had not been present it could have been possible for Germany and its allies to win the Great War.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Stereotypical Media Portrayal of Tyrannosaurus Rex Essay -- Explorator
Stereotypical Media Portrayal of Tyrannosaurus Rex à à à à à à à à à à à à à à Since kindergarten, our heads have been filled with fantastic pictures and stories about the great dinosaurs that have long been extinct.à But like a lot of our childhood education, scientific information is often simplified and exaggerated by teachers, parents and the media.à The case of the T- Rex is an exceptional example of how the media can create a stereotype based on incomplete and outdated information, which ends up asserting itselfà back in mainstream popular culture. Thus,à a certain myth of the Tyrannosaurus Rexà being a speedy eating machine, becomes a social ââ¬Å"factâ⬠based on fiction.à à à à If someone asked a five or six year old boy what he thought the Tyrannosaurus rex looked like, he would probably draw an angry, large dinosaur with sharp teeth, small arms and long slim legs.à If asked, the same boy would probably describe the T- Rex as the meanest, fastest scariest dinosaurs of all. While fact and fiction arenââ¬â¢t always separated for children,à its interesting that today still as college students we would respond as the child did. à à à Having seen Steven Spielbergââ¬â¢s Jurassic Park, it's obvious that children and college students arenââ¬â¢t the only ones who think of T-Rex as the fastest and meanest dinosaur of them all.à Throughout the movie T-Rex is feared by the main characters not only because he is a carnivore, but because of his speed.à But recent studies have confirmed that the belief that T- Rex could run as fast as say, a Ceolophysis could, is nothing more than a myth. à à à On March 2, 2002 Science News (The Weekly Newsmagazine of Science)à ran an article by Sid Perkins, No Olympian: Analysis T. Rex ran slowly, if at all. In his a... ... what, where, when and why we perceive things as a society. As a whole,à Americanââ¬â¢s have the idea of T- Rex being the ââ¬Å"meanest, fastest andà scariestâ⬠of dinosaurs, when other carnivorous dinosaurs like the Velociraptor were just as much a predator as they.à And as long as the Speilbergââ¬â¢s of Hollywood portray the popularized and stereotypical aspects of culture in their movies, people will continue to believe that what they see is fact, not fiction. Works Cited Garcia, Mariano & John R. Hutchinson ââ¬Å"Tyrannosaurus was not a Fast Runnerâ⬠Nature Journal 415à (Feb 28,2002): 1018-1021 Anonymous, ââ¬Å"How Fast Could Tyrannosaurus rex Run?â⬠Physics Today, Copywrite 2002 American Institute ofà Physics www.physicstoday.com/vol-55/iss-4/p18.html Perkins, Sid ââ¬Å"No Olympian: Analysis hints T. Rex ran slowly, if at all.â⬠à Science Newsà March 2. 2002 Vol. 161, No. 9, P. 131
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Integration and Animal Farm by Orwell :: Free Essay Writer
Integration and Animal Farm by Orwell Integration of Education in the United States Throughout history, education is recognized as one of the key components of any civilized society. It is a natural instinct for man to learn, and feel the need to pass on that knowledge to their young and to all those who come behind them. People have a passion for education, and will fight for the opportunity to gain the valuable knowledge that education provides. The importance of education in a society is illustrated in two aspects. The first being the actual events in American history regarding the desegregation of schools, and the second being the action of the animals in George Orwell's Animal Farm upon receiving their liberation on Manor Farm. In recent times we have witnessed a struggle in American society for the opportunity of minorities to realize the education that their white counterparts received. It began with slavery, when blacks were prohibited from obtaining even the basic skills to read and write. When blacks were finally allowed this liberty, we began our own makeshift schools, and were content with this opportunity. As time progressed, and more formal schools were established, minorities realized that they were not receiving the same quality education as those of the majority. This sparked a legal battle that lasted over fifty years. The first landmark was the case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. It established the doctrine of "separate but equal." This concept stated that separate public facilities of equal quality do not violate the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. This amendment says that no state may "abridge" the privileges of any citizen, nor may any stat e deprive any citizen of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law. In 1954, fifty-eight years later, the Case of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka finally settled the debate of whether or not blacks and whites can receive an education integrated with or separate from each other. This time the Supreme Court unanimously ruled to overturn the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. In his opinion, the Chief Justice wrote, "We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The Brown case signaled the end of segregation of public places mandated by law.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Rethinking Project Management Essay
The systemic models show behaviour arising from the complex interactions of the various parts of the project; they demonstrate how behaviour arises that would not be predicted from an analysis of the individual parts of the project and thus show how the traditional decomposition models in some circumstances can be inadequate. The project behaviour shown in this body of work is complex and non-intuitive. It shows causal feed-back, leading to nonlinear behaviour, and produces e? ects which can sometimes manifest themselves after signi? cant time-delays; and the behaviour of such systems is di? cult for the human brain to predict and understand intuitively. Furthermore, the models di? er from the bodies of knowledge in their empha- is on ââ¬Ëââ¬Ësoftââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ factors; the factors within the feedback loops are not only hard ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëconcreteââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ factors: ââ¬Ëââ¬Ësoftââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ variables are often important links in the chains of causality and are thus critical in determining the project behaviour; such variables might include morale, schedule pressure, client changing his mind and so on; in addition, there is a recognition that the models need to incorporate not only ââ¬Ëââ¬Ërealââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ data but management perceptions of data. ââ¬Ëââ¬ËSystemicââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ models have been used to explain failures occurring in projects which might have been well-managed by traditional project-management methods. The failures analysed by these methods are in complex projects subject to uncertainty. Conventional techniques are designed for projects with large numbers of elements, but the assumed structures are subject to very limited types of interdependence, and conventional methods are even more unsuited to projects under high uncertainty. It is when uncertainty a? ects a traditionally-managed project that is structurally complex that the systemic e? ects discussed above start to occur. But the systemic models demonstrated an important aspect: it is management actions to accelerate perturbed projects which particularly exacerbate the feedback; when the project is heavily time-constrained, so the project manager feels forced to take acceleration actions, and this produces the problems from feedback. Thus we have identi? ed the three compounding factors which come together in complex structures of positive feedback to cause extreme over-runs when projects are managed conventionally: structural complexity, uncertainty and a tight time-constraint. Recognition of the problems inherent in conventional prescriptive procedures has led to the development of contrasting project management methodologies. While being within a strategic framework, these methodologies are usually identi? ed by words such as ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëleanââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ or ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëagileââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢, and are particularly prevalent in the software industry [55] (perhaps due to the particular goal-uncertainties of such projects). These methods contradict the underlying emphases of conventional approaches: the project emerges rather than being entirely pre-planned; the management style is much more co-operative, recognising that the Plan prepared pre-project is fallible and incomplete, and there is acceptance that the plan cannot be fully prepared because of the in? uence of the external environment. The systemic modelling work analysed the reasons for project over-runs for many seriously over-run project, giving explanations in terms of positive feedback, often exacerbated by management actions, and importantly including both ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëhardââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëââ¬Ësoftââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ factors in the causal analysis; the analysis shows that conventional methods can be inappropriate and potentially disadvantageous for projects that are structurally complex, uncertain, and heavily time-limited. Projects which exhibit these three characteristics would appear to lend themselves less to conventional methods and newer methods might be more appropriate, such as ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëagileââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢/ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢leanââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ methods often called ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëagileââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ or ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëleanââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢. However, the thesis of Williams [54] is not that we should simply ignore conventional project 684 S. Cicmil et al. / International Journal of Project Management 24 (2006) 675ââ¬â686 management methods and move to these opposing techniques. Rather, with the understanding gained from this analysis of the systemic modelling work, we need to move our discourse to take account of the e? ects encompassed in this work; then we need to categorise projects according to the dimensions which give projects a propensity for the type of systemic e? ects, so that an appropriate management style can be speci? d, in particular an appropriate balance between conventiona l methods as espoused in the bodies of knowledge and these contrasting methods. This work suggests that once a project is subject to disruptions and delays dynamics then the traditional project management tools are probably inappropriate for managing the project. The use of traditional tools is likely to unintentionally exacerbate the undesirable consequences and lead to greater overruns than need be the case. Even the nature of the agenda at project progress meetings needs to have a di? erent focus and emphasis. Awareness of the potential consequences of mitigation becomes important as possible traditionally ââ¬Ëobviousââ¬â¢ actions are proposed. 7. Conclusions, implications and the way forward Our aim in this paper has been to discuss critically the nature of knowledge that could be created about the actuality of projects and how it contributes to our understanding of project environments, to improvements in practice, and to educational and developmental e? orts. We attempted to shed some light on the assumptions behind theoretical and methodological approaches to researching the actuality of projects and project management that, in our view, can be helpful in broadening the boundaries of the project management body of thought and contributing to more satisfactory processes and outcomes of contemporary projects. Researching the actuality of projects, as presented in this article, draws on: ââ¬â a combination of practical philosophical considerations and concrete empirical analyses towards understanding human action, and for that matter, managerial action in the concrete situation and ââ¬â requires a theoretical shift from more common normative rational approaches to individual and project performance towards a more developmental one which focuses on practical action, lived experience, quality of social interaction and communicative relating, operations of power in context, identity, and the relationship between agency and structure in project environments. The research presented in this paper as exemplars of actuality research provide some compelling and interesting insights into the actuality of managing projects addressing on-going gaps in our knowledge of how to e? ectively manage complex undertakings. Cicmil and Marshall develop an empirically grounded understanding of project complexity that incorporates processes of communicative and power relating among project actors dealing with ambiguity and equivocality related to project performance criteria (success/failure) over time that is in constant ? ux. Cicmil and Hodgsonââ¬â¢s work casts light on the traditional foundations of project management practitioner development and demonstrates the need for developing both instrumental and value rationality as the basis for project management practice. The research by Thomas and Buckle questions the underlying assumptions embedded in traditional project management discourse and explores the impact of these embedded assumptions on the practice and practical discourse of practitioners. The Strathclyde research teamââ¬â¢s work on understanding complex project failures contributes signi? cantly to our understanding of the complex interactions between the actuality of projects and the unintentional consequences of applying traditional ââ¬Ëââ¬Ëbest practiceââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ control oriented project management to complete projects under extreme time pressures. All of these research studies make signi? cant contributions to an understanding of the actuality of projects and provide insights into how project management practitioner development needs to change to address these project realities. Methodological issues (epistemology, ontology, and representation) are also of dominant concern in these studies. The argument is that theory and empirical research must proceed simultaneously on micro and macro levels of analysis and within both objective and subjective methodological traditions, focusing on action which is habituated, practical, tacit, dispositional, and at the same time structured. From this perspective, it is important not only to explore or explain what is but also to examine why it is as it is and what activities are encouraged or discouraged by this focus, and how it comes to be. The recommended methodological approaches are capable of addressing a much wider range of mportant project issues such as: the social responsibility of management, ethical conduct, bounded rationality, anxiety, emotions, the operation of dominant discourses, power/knowledge relationship, culture, and identity. Despite this, we do not promote ââ¬Ëactuality researchââ¬â¢ as a comp eting or privileged stream of thought to the more mainstream ones. We argue for it as an alternative lens through which new insights into projects and project management practice can be generated. One of the key assertions is that the understanding which drives much of project management literature does not satisfactorily explain the richness of what actually occurs in project environments. http://www.uwe.ac.uk/bbs/trr/Is7-cont.htm
Monday, September 16, 2019
Wuthering Heights Essay
Topic: Heathcliffs whole aim in the novel is to gain revenge. Does he succeed? Discuss Why does he want revenge? Heathcliff through the book Heathcliffââ¬â¢s Revenge Introduction Define revenge Conclusion Body Conââ¬â¢sProââ¬â¢s The people he takes revenge Did he succeed? Kills Hindley Catherine Hareton raised by Nelly Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights he gambles Topic: Heathcliffs whole aim in the novel is to gain revenge. Does he succeed? Discuss Revenge is to inflict hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong done to oneself.Heathcliff seeks revenge for everything he has been through, the hurt, abuse he suffered at the hands of Hindley. Two main subjects push Heathcliff to boiling point: his desire for Catherineââ¬â¢s love and his need for revenge. His love for Catherine endures, as his need to get revenge on Hindley which occurs after Mr. Earnshawââ¬â¢s death. It is only after Catherineââ¬â¢s death that Heathcliffââ¬â¢s revenge towards Hindley, Edg ar begins getting worse as Heathcliff assumes control of Hindleyââ¬â¢s house and son, as well as verything that is Edgars like Thrushcross Grange. Heathcliff wants to own ââ¬ËWuthering Heightsââ¬â¢ and ââ¬ËThrushcross Grangeââ¬â¢! Heathcliff is a heavy drinker and a gambler which is why he gambles in the hope to win Thrushcross Grange. When Heathcliff visits Catherine Linton he realises that Isabella Linton is infatuated with him. Heathcliff treats Edgar with absolute contempt,â⬠Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull. â⬠Edgar realises that he needs to fight Heathcliff to break down in fear.Though Edgar is humiliated, Heathcliff departs saying,â⬠I wish you joy of the milk-blooded coward, Cathy! â⬠Heathcliffââ¬â¢s plan for revenge on Edgar and Catherine is to marry Isabella, who is ignorant of love and men because she has never experienced either. Heathcliff wants to hurt Edgar because of his marriage to Catherine, and wants to get rev enge on Catherine by making her jealous, which will show her that there is no love left for them to be together.This will hurt Catherine tremendously as she has always loved Heathcliff but it degrades her to marry him. Heathcliff is haunted by the ghost of Catherine because he is till motivated by the need for revenge and tries to get young Cathy away from Edgar by having her marry his son, Linton. Heathcliff never finds peace even after he dies. He meets Catherine in death and that is when he truly becomes happy. Heathcliff succeeds to take things from those who he thought had wronged him, specifically Hindley. Word count: 360
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Human history Essay
Human history has undergone various revolutions, political, economic and nationalistic revolutions. Of important consideration too, is the psychological revolution that has made significant advances which helped to unravel the mysteries of human behavior. This encompasses the scientific ability to understand how we behave and why. It is not surprising that various approaches had developed namely: the behavioral, cognitive, cross-cultural, humanistic, psychoanalytic, and psychobiological approaches. Although some would readily view each approach as conflicting, they mainly vary in focus and could be viewed and used as complimenting methods (Carunchio, C. ââ¬Å"The Study of Psychologyâ⬠). However, for the purpose of this paper, discussion will deal only with the psychoanalytic approach. The psychoanalytic theory developed by Sigmund Freud had created a huge impact that went beyond the walls of scientific study. Although it has also garnered much criticism, it is still considered as one of the major contributors in the field of understanding human behavior and opened new ways of treating psychological problems (psychosomatic illnesses) which were remotely understood by previous physicians. According to this perspective, behavior is the byproduct of instinctual and unconscious forces. The mind is a battleground where these conflicting psychic forces struggle for supremacy and our behavior often represents a compromise between these forces (ââ¬Å"Major Themes and Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theoryâ⬠). Major Assumptions Include: A. Manââ¬â¢s behavior is fueled by a psychic energy which always looks for an outlet to be expressed. Common psychological occupation which involve feelings and thought processes is presumed to be triggered by the libido/sexual and death instincts. It believes that human behavior (normal or abnormal) is shaped and influenced by these inner forces of which man is unaware, being repressed into the unconscious depths of the mind, since early expressions continually receive punishment. Hidden in the recesses of the mind, it becomes the very source of energy which continually strives for release. B. Topography of the psyche: unconscious, pre-conscious, and conscious The mind is represented through the famous ââ¬Ëicebergââ¬â¢ metaphor. The unconscious is represented at the baseline of an iceberg, hidden and comprising the largest part. At the middle is the pre-conscious. It flashes some of the hidden part of the unconscious to consciousness, just as a real iceberg is partly ââ¬Ëseenââ¬â¢ and partly submerged. Topmost, and also the smallest part, corresponds consciousness ââ¬â illustrating the little amount of human experiences that man is aware of. Painful and unacceptable information, of which the conscious part is unable to bear, is pushed down to the unconscious. C. Structure of Mind: Id, Ego and Superego It has a corresponding mental structure: the Id, Ego and Superego. Behavior is either motivated by any of the dynamics of these structures. Irrational behavior is influenced by the Id; rational actions by the Ego, while moral measures by the Superego. D. Means of Resolving Psychic Conflicts Shape a Personââ¬â¢s Personality A personââ¬â¢s trait is determined by how a person resolves these internal struggles. Onset of shaping starts from early childhood experiences. Unresolved stages would cause a person to be ââ¬Ëstuckââ¬â¢ at a certain psychosexual stage (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital). A person for example, fixated at the oral stage, will either exhibit to flip from one extreme of over-dependence or being highly independent (ââ¬Å"Freudââ¬â¢s Psychosexual Stages of Developmentâ⬠). E. Psychic Determinism It assumes that nothing is accidental. Forgetting or remember something, ââ¬Ëslips of the tongueââ¬â¢, or content of dreams are seen as influenced by hidden causes (in the unconscious) which are only looking for expressions. The goal of psychoanalysis is in reliving events or probing into hidden causes in order that conflicts will be resolved in the consciousness. F. Defense Mechanisms An integral part of maintaining human functioning includes defense mechanisms. Unpleasant thoughts or events which prove too painful for the conscious to tolerate are rerouted to the unconscious by means of defense mechanisms. G. Objective of Therapy is to Help Resolve Psychological Problems Through Probing into the Unconscious The goal of therapy is to help a person resolve unconscious conflicts. These hidden conflicts are brought to the fore by means of free association, wherein a person says whatever came to mind and to let one association lead freely to another, regardless of whether it is logical or irrational. It also uses hypnosis to achieve its objective (R. Smith, I. Sarason, and B. Sarason. ââ¬Å"Psychodynamic Perspective: The Forces Withinâ⬠). References: 1. Carunchio, Clotilde. ââ¬Å"The Study of Psychologyâ⬠.PowerPoint presentation taken from http://www. unich. it/facolta/psicologia/matdid0607/carunchio/thestydyofpsychology. pdf 2. ââ¬Å"Major Themes and Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Theoryâ⬠. http://www. wilderdom. com/personality/L8-1MajorThemesAssumptionsPsychoanalytic. html. 3. ââ¬Å"Freudââ¬â¢s Psychosexual Stages of Development: Oral, anal, Phallic, Latency, Genitalâ⬠. http://www. wilderdom. com/personality/L8-5FreudPsychosexualStagesDevelopment. html 4. Smith, R. , Irwin and Barbara Sarason. ââ¬Å"Psychodynamic Perspective: The Forces Withinâ⬠. Psychology: Frontiers of Behavior. Harper and Row, Inc. 1986.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Human Relations Case Study
Human Relations Human relations can be defined as a study of group behavior for the purpose of improving interpersonal and social relationships in work environment. In order to improve work productivity, achieve successful teamwork and understand the importance of managing people, it is necessary for managers to develop appropriate ways how to do it. Human relations management has become a concern of many companies. To increase work productivity each company must create a way how to motivate their employees, see them as individuals and not machines, and provide them with good working conditions.Since human being is the main key factor of the organization, managers should always be encouraged to seek for new opportunities for the company growth. Human relations movement approach was started and established by Elton Mayo ââ¬â a Harvard professor who is most famous for the well-known Hawthorne studies experiment at the Hawthorne plant of Western Electric Company in Chicago,USA. Mayo conducted and analyzed the experiment for several years. The intention of the experiment was to investigate the relationship between work conditions and productivity by examining environmental influences at workplace.After a while experiment moved on to the psychological aspects as well. During this research, new approaches to motivation, social relations and employee care were developed in order to increase work performance and productivity. Experiment gave an opportunity to understand human behavior in groups and their needs in work environment. The experiment had four stages- illumination studies, relay assembly test room, interviewing process and bank wiring observation room. For the first stage, there were selected workers from the Hawthorne plant. Workers were separated in groups and placed under the eye of supervisor in separate test rooms.The idea was to research and determine relationship between illumination in workplace and employee work efficiency, by increasing or decr easing lighting in the test rooms. The final results were confusing and everyone thought that the experiment has failed, because despite of the increase or decrease of lighting-productivity has been increased or stayed the same at all times. Researchers tried to figure out different theories, why it has happened. The general conclusion was that illumination is not the most important factor of output. After this stage change in employeeââ¬â¢s behavior was discovered, workers felt important and knew that the work erformance will be researched. Researchers decided to call this phenomenon as Hawthorne effect. This unusual effect is still noticeable in nowadays and it has a big role in human relations management. For example, clinical research organizations- when patients are randomized for the trial, organization is subordinating patients for the Hawthorne effect. Patient health is studied for a long period of time and special attention is received from many employees. Clinical trial organizations usually choose two randomization options for patients-giving the actual trial medicine or the placebo medicine, which is not a real treatment.In most of the cases, clinical trial measures can result either in true or false improvement, which is caused by Hawthorne effect. In clinical research industry important factor is not only scientific, but also psychological effect, because without investigating human factors, finding necessary answers would be much harder, if the theory would be based only on scientific and medical impacts. The second stage of the experiment was relay assembly test room. Again there were selected people from the Hawthorn plant and divided in groups.This stage was conducted to investigate importance of working hours, lunch breaks, rest periods, wages etc. There were numerous questions that needed to be answered in order to understand how to manage efficient working day. That is why researchers kept changing rest periods, work weeks, wages, super visory practices etc. This stage had the same effect as the illumination stage- no matter what change researchers introduced; productivity either increased or stayed the same. After this stage the most important conclusion was that material gains are not as important as the social processes at the workplace.Every company must pay attention to employee well being, in order to establish positive working conditions and improve employee motivation scheme. One of the most popular motivation programs in nowadays is the ââ¬Å"Employee of the monthâ⬠title. Organizations make effort to analyze employeeââ¬â¢s accomplishments every month. That is a simple way how to say ââ¬Å"thank youâ⬠for the effort that has been made and motivate for even more successful results by granting workers with the special title and, in some cases, even with material bonus. The third stage at the Hawthorne plant was interview process.Over 21,000 of employees were interviewed by the time of three ye ars to find out the reasons for the increased productivity in previous two stages. Questionnaires were about everything what affect employees working conditions. Workers were allowed to talk about anything, but not always the answers were truthful or useful for the experiment. During the interviews Mayo thought that he had spread his research too wide and too far, because many of the answers were too vague. At the end of the interviews, researchers were surprised by the unpredictable results again.Investigators came to revelation that employees started to reveal more of personal facts, by the time of interviewing. Rather than giving direct answers, workers chose to speak about their personal life details and issues. After this stage became clear, that each person has their own individuality and important fact for the employers is to create certain trainings and interview processes-applicable for every employee. Also it is important to create surveys for employees and clients as well , to make sure that the company is moving forward, not backwards.For example, worldwide hotel ââ¬Å"Premier Innâ⬠has created survey called ââ¬Å"Your sayâ⬠(Premier Inn, 2011), which is a short questionnaire for employees and guests. By asking questions about the guest satisfactory level, ââ¬Å"Premier Innâ⬠can summarize information and create a plan how to avoid from biggest mistakes and also consider guest recommendations. Survey is also for employees-to make sure every single employee is satisfied and after the survey there is possibility to organize meetings and discuss negative or positive outcomes of their responsibilities.Most of the companies use these surveys in nowadays, to strengthen and improve their business. The last stage at the bank wiring room in Chicago was conducted to study behavior of the workers in informal groups, and research the social structure and its importance at the workplace. Overall conclusion for this stage: when humans interact w ith each other for a long period of time, various social structures are being created. Work productivity is affected by social processes at workplace, which is why important factor in every organization is communication.Many companies use informal meetings to strengthen employees, by creating different team building programs, so employees doesnââ¬â¢t feel like that is a compulsory task to attend. Overall, the main characteristics of the Hawthorne experiment theory are still noticeable in nowadays. Motivation, social relations, employee care/needs in work environment and behavior of groups are the basics of the human relations movement. Elton Mayoââ¬â¢s experiment was a major historical event and even though Hawthorne studies received a lot of criticism, it was a huge step in human relations management.While Scientific Management looked at technology and processes, Mayo found that the real key to high productivity lies within the people and ââ¬Å"work units,â⬠or groups, in the organization (Odportal 2011). Human satisfaction will always lead to productivity, which is why communication at workplace is important factor to achieve positive results. Also motivated workers are always more committed to their job-this was one of the most important characteristics in Hawthorne experiment. Without human relations theory, working conditions would be slightly different nowadays.Every person has their own individuality and needs, why it is important for organizations to take care of employees, make their own researches and seek for different options how to keep employees interested and motivated at all times. References 1. A Fast Learnerââ¬â¢s Guide to Leadership. The Human Relations Movement. http://www. odportal. com/leadership/fastlearner/humanrelations. html -accessed 01/11/2011 [i. p. 1] 2. Guest Recommend Survey http://www. premierinn. com/en/why/contact_us/guest-recommend-survey. html ââ¬â accessed 01/11/2011 [i. p. 1]
Friday, September 13, 2019
2009 Chrysler Fiat Strategic Alliance
The company had no choice but to look for a partner. During this process, Chrysler explored the possibility of a tie-up with GM, Ford, Volkswagen, Tata Motors, Nissan and Fiat. Eventually Chrysler decided on creating a strategic alliance where Fiat agreed on taking a 20 percent stake in Chrysler. In the next five years, the tie-up may increase Fiatââ¬â¢s ownership of Chrysler to 35 percent. Both companies show compatibility in their product portfolios, global operations, and technology sharing areas. Case ObjectivesThe primary objective of this case is to analyze and discuss Chryslerââ¬â¢s 2009 strategic alliance with Fiat and its current and future prospects. Issues that are at the helm of this tie-up are technology sharing, global integration, quality control, and reorganization of brand portfolios. Students need to look at the intricacies of strategic alliances between two or more companies as well. As of May 2009, Chrysler is going through its Chapter 11 and corporate restructuring in the U. S. The company continues to shrink in terms of its manufacturing and global operations.Suggested Teaching Approach and Student Assignments Since the case is timely, it is recommended that class discussions should be based on the companiesââ¬â¢ histories and their evolutionary growth (see Tables 2 and 3). Also important are topics such as strategic alliances, auto industryââ¬â¢s technology platforms, and brand portfolios. The questions included in the case for class discussion will require Web-based and library research on the part of students. It is recommended that the instructors provide a supplementary list of references on the auto industry (see: WardsAuto. om, JDPower. com, Automotive News, Google Search, Business Source Complete, Hoovers. com, Reuters. com, Value Line, Standard Poorââ¬â¢s Industry Surveys, etc. ). This will help students to be fully prepared for the case. Finally, students should be encouraged to visit Chrysler, Fiat, and other auto manufacturersââ¬â¢ Web sites before discussing this case in the classroom. Discussion Questions Answers Question 1. What are your views of the 2009 Chrysler-Fiat strategic alliance and its future prospects in the auto industry? Question 2. Analyze and evaluate Chrysler and Fiatââ¬â¢s strengths and weaknesses before and after their 2009 strategic alliance. Question 3. Compare and contrast Chrysler and Fiat with five other global auto manufacturers (GM, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen and Daimler) in the areas of global operations and manufacturing issues. Question 4. Analyze Chrysler and Fiatââ¬â¢s brand portfolios in the world auto industry. How do you see both companies revamping and overhauling their brands in the short- (1-2 years) and long-terms (5-6 years). Question 5. What did you learn from the Chrysler-Fiat Strategic Alliance regarding managing multinationals in the changing global business? Case Analysis The Chrysler-Fiat strategic alliance will provide a meaningful opportunity to both companies regarding dealing with survival and expanding their markets in Europe and North America. As of 2009, it is evident that the companies are off to a good start. Both firms have marketable brands in their market segments but lack a collective effort. The case is a good example in the area of cross-border alliances that take place between two or more companies.Since 2008, Fiat has actively sought a partner in North America because of the attraction of the market. This is also attributed to the auto industryââ¬â¢s consolidation, restructuring, and cost-cutting activities. Chrysler and Fiat ended up seeking an alliance because of their compatibility, product portfolios, and markets. In Chryslerââ¬â¢s case, the main motive was to seek a partner who could help strengthen its financial problem regarding new technologies, markets, and quality standards.
Report about Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty, although Essay
Report about Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty, although it cannot be assumed that all plagiarism occurs merely because a student is aiming to cheat. Discuss - Essay Example It is basically copying and pasting ideas from an original work of another person.Murdoch University (2004) defines plagiarism as: Plagiarism constitutes using the work of another without indicating by referencing (and by quotation marks when exact phrases and passages are borrowed) that the ideas expressed are not their own. â⬠¦ Plagiarism and collusion apply to work in any medium (for example, written or audio text, film production, computer programs, etc.) (p. 20). Most universities tend to believe that students plagiarise simply because they want to cheat, however an analysis of a qualitative study done on 12 students revealed that there are other factors that influence a student in plagiarising. Such factors range from poor academic skills, self esteem to social and cultural factors. Research findings from other parts of the world are also comparing positively with these research findings and these findings can go along in generating ideas for universities to look into in solving this issue. Several studies all over the world have been conducted to find out what influences students to commit plagiarism. Initial researches have often used the assumption that plagiarism as a form of cheating is done deliberately by students for selfish gain however recently other research institutions have deviated from this assumption to other qualitative views that propels students to plagiarise (MurdochUniversity, 2004). Certain factors associated with education such as academic skills, social pressures, cultural pressures have also been found to contribute to plagiarism without the student necessarily intending. Although in most universities plagiarism is often equated with cheating. Cheating such as taking notes to an exam room, lying so as to get consideration and intentionally coming up with a fake bibliography is more intentional than plagiarism therefore plagiarism should be given a different approach in order to
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Reflection 10 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Reflection 10 - Research Paper Example t approach between these two is the approach whereby the customer reserves flights directly via airlines websites with their personal computers since the approach avoids intermediaries (ââ¬Å"Airline Reservation Systemsâ⬠). Airline companies are the most likely segments that will use the internet to distribute airline tickets to their customers. In this case, the necessity of these airline companies to deal directly with their clients will be the guiding factor that leads them to use this approach and offer their airline tickets to the customer in order to lessen the power of intermediaries and competitively offer their services to their customers. In addition, airlines will benefit from using this distribution channel since agencies may fail to offer an airlineââ¬â¢s tickets to customers and offer the competitorââ¬â¢s tickets depending on the amount of commission an agency obtained from different airline companies. The main aspect that may inhibit the success of this distribution channel is its nature in targeting customers who have access to computers and the internet. In addition, only computer literate customers will be able to carry out the procedure involved in booking a flight online without the assistance of another person. Therefore, the system leaves out potential customers who were not computer literate and customers who do not have access to the internet. Hence, airline agencies are the most suited distribution channels for these two groups that the internet distribution channel failed to serve. There is an underlying potential conflict between these two distribution channels. First, the agencies present many alternatives to customers in order for the customer to make an informed decision regarding their choice for the airline to use since an agency does not deal with one airline. Hence, this channel of distributing tickets will not meet a companyââ¬â¢s objective of selling tickets directly to the customers since airline agencies will be selling tickets
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Self evaluation learning and action plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Self evaluation learning and action plan - Essay Example This section will offer the progress report which will be only limited to the first three capabilities. The first three capabilities are communication, team work and problem solving. Hence the identification and evaluation process will be confined to these segments only. In the first segment, I have tried to enhance my communication skills, skills required for successful team work and also expertise required for solving various problems. Now in order to develop the aforementioned factors, I believe that elements such as listening & understanding, clear speaking and sharing information, working across different ages, identification of the strengths of the team members and offering creative and innovative solutions for various problems are important as well as essential. I have developed the skills mainly by following my teachers and the persons whom I admire. Apart from those, specialized trainings also facilitated learning for me and enhanced my skills. Moreover, feedback from the tu tors has helped to serve the purpose. I also feel that my communication skills, problem solving skills and team work skills have indeed developed. In order to cite an example, a few months back, when I took admission for the masters, I used to feel the nervousness when events such as individual presentations took place. However these days I feel confident and do not undergo any kind of nervousness. A few days back I was to give a presentation on ââ¬Ëstakeholderââ¬â¢s role on developing a brand valueââ¬â¢ and did not sense any nervousness within myself. This demonstrates that my communication skills have developed. As an example of successful team work I will share my experience about the market survey project. I was in a group of 5 people where there were students from USA, Australia and also from Asia. I get along with them very well, irrespective of the cultural differences and we worked as a team and formulated a successful project report. Finally regarding my skills as a problem solver, I have been praised by my friends a number of times. Recently, there was an incident that took place where our college assigned us a project of market survey, which requires substantial amount of money. Being students we could not afford to spend a significant sum of money, still we had to complete the assignments for securing good grades. I took the matter to the higher authority and they provided us the money required to conduct the project. This is how I solved the problem. However I also feel development is a continuous process and it should run as a chain. In future I would like to develop these skills by applying them in professional fields. In the aforementioned categories I believe my communication needs further development in the form of establishing and using networks, independent reading and writing exactly according to the requirement of the topic. Furthermore to enhance my skills I need to interact with the teachers frequently. Hence on the basis of th e skills and expertise, I intend to become a successful businessman in the near future. I believe that using communication skill, I can interact efficiently with my clients and employees. This will also help me in the long run. Also my problem solving skills will hugely assist me in the process of
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Political independence of FED Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Political independence of FED - Essay Example This has been contributed by the fact that politicians like manipulating and controlling these institutions for their own gains. In his lectures, Bernanke (2012) argued that central bank should be allowed to make independent decisions without political interference in order to have sound decisions. Studies have documented that political interference in the financial sector not only hinder how these institutions operate, but also interfere with how regulators enforce regulations. Financial regulators are, therefore, unable to take actions on banks that do not follow the laid down rules and regulations. When political interference is evident in the financial regulatory bodies, recognition of severity of crisis is delayed, intervention needed is also slowed and consequently raise the cost of the crisis to tax payers. Shielding financial sector from political interference helps to improve the quality of regulation and supervision. This helps in preventing financial crisis. Financial regu lators have two main purposes. First, they are mandated to protect the consumer. Second, they are also mandated to maintaining financial stability of financial institutions. When political interferences come in, these two roles of the regulator are abandoned. For instance, in 1997, political interference in the regulatory bodies of East Asia led to postponement of recognition of severity of crisis, which led to increased crisis.
Monday, September 9, 2019
My Obstacles and Outcomes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
My Obstacles and Outcomes - Essay Example The problem was that we needed to know what to do with children who are not bilingual and cannot understand the Korean language. I was an English teacher. My job was to lead the children through different activities and preach to them in English. This was a very frustrating experience since I had never preached before. There was also the problem of age differences. I had to handle children as young as 4-5 years of age as well as children who were in the 5th or 6th grade. I was used to smaller groups of children and these were larger. The first day was a nightmare. Firstly, I was not used to delivering a 25-minute sermon. Secondly, I could not get their attention. Thirdly, the preaching level was not up to par to their level of understanding. After brainstorming, matters improved. I came up with strategies. I created a PowerPoint presentation. I also searched for funny simple images that related to the bible story. For example, in telling the story of the blind man I found a picture o f a blind person. I used a strategy of questioning with storyboards and I also found short video clips from YouTube that related to the bible stories. Every child had a chance to answer and as a reward, I provided candy for answering the questions correctly. The final outcome was superb. The children paid attention to the bible study, during arts and crafts, and during their eating periods. The aim of the project was to have them get to know Christ. I was able to do this by creating a visual effect to catch their attention, providing different questions to match all ages, and rewarding them. In conclusion, the project was a challenge. The summer bible camp was an experience that increased my knowledge of teaching. These experiences made me think of new ideas. I am now a Sunday school teacher for 3rd and 4th graders at a new church. I am now able to handle international students more readily. I love teaching and getting to know the children. I hope to encounter other tasks to overcom e and gain knowledge from it, as a member of the Teach For America Corporation.
Sunday, September 8, 2019
The Lincoln Assasination Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
The Lincoln Assasination - Research Paper Example Lincoln entered the books of record as the first American president to be assassinated. The assassination was planned and carried out by a famous actor known as John Wilkes Booth who had all along been a sympathizer of the Confederates. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln had a long-lasting impact on the entire nation of the United States and indeed the entire world. He was largely mourned in both the North and the South. It is reported that a number of attacks took place in many cities and states against all those who expressed their unwavering support for the assassin. Since it took place at the time of Easter celebrations, many clergy all over the country showered praises for the fallen hero of the Union and indeed the entire nation. The funeral procession that was held on 19th of April in 1865 in Washington, D.C was attended by millions of people (Turner, 023-046). The body was moved to many places in the United States until it finally arrived in Springfield, Illinois. Americans were s used to the style of leadership of Abraham Lincoln that embraced dialogue and inclusiveness that it became difficult to get used to another approach to leadership. As a result, his successor, Andrew Johnson could not stay for lo ng as the president of the nation before he was impeached by the house. The end of the Civil War saw the emergence of a very radical group that controlled the Congress who were commonly referred to as the ââ¬Å"Radical Republicans.â⬠Abraham Lincoln was in a better position to control this radical group of representatives. He came up with a detailed plan to help in the reconstruction and the plan included the consideration of the South as a lost brother who was in the process of returning home hence needed to be welcomed. He had the view of reconstruction as one that was to bring healing and rebuilding of the lost trust between the North and the South while the Radical Republicans considered this time as the best moment to punish and teach the
Saturday, September 7, 2019
The importance of authenticity in cultural tourism Essay
The importance of authenticity in cultural tourism - Essay Example The danger posed by cultural tourism is that culture may be lost. This is because the culture of the tourists and the culture of the natives may become intermingled, and there is no authenticity left. According to the view of those who coin the term ââ¬Å"hyper-reality,â⬠the result is that the distinction between inauthenticity and authenticity are collapsed. Therefore, authenticity is lost, and redefined according to a new paradigm that includes the mixing of tourist culture. This is obviously detrimental to the native populations, whose culture and rituals have been passed down from one generation to the next, and have a profound interest in keeping their culture alive. Another danger is that native people may be exploited through inauthentic cultural shows. A good example of this is the Maasai people who were on display at a Kenyan ranch owned by a wealthy Briton. The Maasai people put on a show for the wealthy visitors, and lived in mud huts on the property. They were not allowed to interact, and they were treated as one might treat animals in the zoo ââ¬â strictly for display and entertainment. While the wealthy British people who viewed this spectacle politely clap, the Maasai are being stereotyped and humiliated. This is clearly the wrong way to go about cultural tourism. On the other hand, interactive experiences, where tourists immerse themselves in native culture, is authentic and allows natives to display their culture with pride. Other authentic displays of native rituals, such as the Balinese, who perform rituals not for the entertainment of the people but for the worship of their gods, is another good way for the natives to retain th eir culture while teaching tourists about the same. This paper will explore the theories behind cultural displays, why authenticity is important, what obstacles there are to authenticity, and will make a recommendation based on these findings. A theoretical discussion of authenticity and culture in tourism Authenticity in culture tourism takes place on a variety of planes and is impacted by a variety of things. Wang et al. (1999) posits that authenticity in cultural tourism is complex. The reason for the complexity is because authenticity may be either defined as objective, constructive or existential. Objective authenticity comes from the ability to judge authenticity in an objective manner. Therefore, even if the tourists feel that something is authentic, it may nevertheless be inauthentic if it is objectively judged to be so. Constructive authenticity, on the other hand, means that objects are judged to be authentic by shifting standards, according to power structures, points of view, beliefs or perspectives. Therefore, constructive authenticity cannot be objectively measured, as it is a relative standard, contextually determined and ever-evolving (Wang et al., 1999, p. 351). Moreover, cultural heritage may be politicized, in that heritage may defined or re-defined to serve national needs. Such is the case in China, and this contributes to constructive authenticity as well (Sofield & Li, 1998, p. 364). The third way that authenticity is defined, according to Wang et al. (1999) is existentially. This means that the person feels self-actualized while viewing these cultural items, and, basically, the
Friday, September 6, 2019
Organisations - Contrast the Assumptions of Mainstream and Critical Approaches to studying Organisations Essay Example for Free
Organisations Contrast the Assumptions of Mainstream and Critical Approaches to studying Organisations Essay An organisation is a group of people intentionally organised to accomplish an overall, common goal or set of goals. Business organisations can range in size from two people to tens of thousands. Organisations are complex phenomena and understanding them ââ¬â either from the point of view of academic analysis or as a basis for practical attempts to change them ââ¬â is also complex. It is obvious that organisations vary in a number of key ways, for example structures, cultures, personnel systems, and so on. There are several important aspects to consider about the goal of the business organisation. These features are explicit (deliberate and recognised) or implicit (operating unrecognised, behind the scenes). Ideally, these features are carefully considered and established, usually during the strategic planning process. Vision Members of an organisation often have some image in their minds about how the organisation should be working, how it should appear when things are going well. Mission An organisation operates according to an overall purpose, or mission. Values All organisations operate according to overall values, or priorities in the nature of how they carry out their activities. These values are the personality, or culture, of the organisation. Strategic Goals Organisations members often work to achieve several overall accomplishments, or goals, as they work toward their mission. Strategies Organisations usually follow several overall general approaches to reach their goals. Systems and Processes that (hopefully) are aligned with achieving the Goals Organisations have major subsystems, such as departments, programmes, divisions, teams, etc. Each of these subsystems has a way of doing things to, along with other subsystems; achieve the overall goals of the organisation. Often, these systems and processes are defined by plans, policies and procedures. How you interpret each of the above major parts of an organisation depends very much on your values and your nature. People can view organisations as machines, organisms, families, groups, etc. The study of organisations draws on a number of disciplines: Economics Classical economics viewed the firm as a single decision-unit engaged in maximising profits. It ignored the possibility of conflict between owners, managers and employees. The obsession with competition failed to take into account the other goals which may take precedence in organisations. Organisation theory partly owes its existence to a reaction against such simplistic ideas. It became necessary to understand behaviour which seemed in classical terms to be irrational. Psychology Psychology is a wide-ranging subject. Early psychologists provided an insight into individual behaviour within organisations particularly on aspects of motivation and leadership. The Hawthorne studies led to a realisation of the importance of social phenomena, such as the informal groups, group norms and conformity. Valuable as these micro-level studies were, they only compounded to the issue by making it difficult understand the link between the behaviour of individuals and the structure of the organisation in which they worked. Sociology Organisational sociologists took a wider perspective, setting the organisation within its environmental framework specifically in relation to society and its institutions. Some sociologists have examined formal organisational structures, particularly in relation to technology. Dating from Webers early work on bureaucracy, sociologists have taken a particular interest in non-profit making organisations. Organisations as Systems (Systems or Mainstream Theory) Mainstream Organisational theory thinks of organisations as systems. Simply put, a system is an organised collection of parts that are highly integrated in order to accomplish an overall goal. The system has various inputs which are processed to produce certain outputs, which together, accomplish the overall goal desired by the organisation. There is ongoing feedback among these various parts to ensure they remain aligned to accomplish the overall goal of the organisation. There are several classes of systems, ranging from very simple frameworks all the way to social systems, which are the most complex. Organisations are, of course, social systems. Systems have inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes. To explain, inputs to the system include resources such as raw materials, money, technologies and people. These inputs go through a process where theyre aligned, moved along and carefully coordinated, ultimately to achieve the goals set for the system. Outputs are tangible results produced by processes in the system, such as products or services for consumers. Another kind of result is outcomes, or benefits for consumers, e. g. , jobs for workers, enhanced quality of life for customers, etc. Systems can be the entire organisation, or its departments, groups, processes, etc. Feedback comes from, e. g. , employees who carry out processes in the organisation, customers/clients using the products and services, etc. Feedback also comes from the larger environment of the organisation, e. g. , influences from government, society, economics, and technologies. Each organisation has numerous subsystems, as well. Each subsystem has its own boundaries of sorts, and includes various inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes geared to accomplish an overall goal for the subsystem. Common examples of subsystems are departments, programs, projects, teams, processes to produce products or services, etc. Organisations are made up of people who are also systems of systems of systems and on it goes. Subsystems are organised in a hierarchy needed to accomplish the overall goal of the overall system. The organisational system is defined by, e. g. , its legal documents (articles of incorporation, by laws, roles of officers, etc. , mission, goals and strategies, policies and procedures, operating manuals, etc. The organisation is depicted by its organisational charts, job descriptions, marketing materials, etc. The organisational system is also maintained or controlled by policies and procedures, budgets, information management systems, quality management systems, performance review systems, etc. One of the most common ways at present is to look at organisations is as organisational systems. This view is becoming more common among professionals who study, teach and write about organisations. Practitioners who work with organisational management to improve organisations also tend to view organisations as systems so it has been termed the mainstream approach. Note that machines, organisms, persons, groups, families, family dynasties are all systems, too. Probably everyone in the workplace has their own conception of what organisation means. As with most highly complex terms, everyone is right and everyone is wrong. The concept of organisational culture is much like an organisational personality. Organisations, like people, have life cycles. Many people view organisational learning much like we view organisms to be learning. Organisations can accumulate and manage knowledge as well. There are a variety of books that describe other traits of organisations much like traits of people, e. g. , depressed organisations, addictive organisations, etc. David Needle makes two important points about the dynamics and determinants of organisational structure and functioning: organisations are not simple unitary, consensual entities where everyone agrees on and focuses on shared organisational goals but where sectional, group interests and viewpoints exist and flourish. And although in many ways organisations are the most rational entities ever created where managers and employees strive to make sensible decisions about purposes and to design organisations and processes that efficiently achieve these purposes, in reality irrational forces also play a major role (Salaman, 2001). Setting organisational goals is a complex process whereby both external factors and internal politics need to be taken into consideration. As such, the system is highly dynamic and changes in the goals will occur with changes in the external environment, such as market demand, technology and government policy, as well as changes that take place between interest groups within the organisation e. g. , sales and production departments. A number of goals may operate at any one time. These may conflict, but in general the goals of a business follow closely those of the dominant coalition (Needle, D; Salaman 2001). A change in ownership or top management is likely to lead to a shift in emphasis of the firms operations too. The culture of an organisation refers to those factors which enable us to distinguish one organisation from another and are the product of its history, management, operating environment, technology, goals and so on. More recently the notion of organisational culture has been used in a more positive way and a set of principles have been developed which mark out the culture of a successful company from that of an unsuccessful one (Needle, D: Salaman, 2001). The goals, structure, patterns of ownership and size of an organisation both reflect and are reflected in its culture. The importance of the organisational culture is that it sets the scene for the determination of strategy and hence the operational aspects of organisational life. Mainstream organisation theory has attracted critical attention. Thompson and McHugh (Salaman, 2001), for example, have argued that there is a tendency for a narrow management plus psychology perspective which has little to do with real-life enterprises. In an attempt to produce a science of organisations, the main focus has been on identifying generalisations about behaviour in work situations and applying them to all organisations, regardless of their nature. In particular, theorists have paid scant attention to the differences between organisations which are subject to market forces and those which are not. Thompson and McHugh contend that it is not meaningful to treat organisations as diverse as scout troops and transnational companies within the same analytical framework and using the same domain assumptions (Salaman, 2001). This has been termed the critical approach. Letââ¬â¢s look into the critical approach a little more.
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