5 Parts of the Writing Process Essay

5 Parts of the Writing Process 1. Pre-Writing – Before you sit down to write something, you need to figure out what you are going to write about. 2. Drafting – Once you have planned out your ideas, the next step is to start drafting, or writing. 3. Revising – When you revise, you are looking at the parts of your document and making sure that each part works together to make a coherent whole. 4. Proofreading – When a person is finished the â€Å"writing† step of the process and have revised your work, then it is up to the writer to take a step back and look at the writing for errors and correct them. 5. Delivering – Delivering in its simplest form refers to a text that is meant to be read to an audience. See more: Experiment on polytropic process Essay 5 Resources to Help You Improve Your WritingSkills 1. Writing Clearly: A Self-Teaching Guide by Dawn B. Sova With Writing Clearly: A Self-Teaching Guide, you’ll discover the answers to these questions and many more about the basics of communicating effectively through the written word. Each chapter in this hands-on guide focuses on key steps in the writing process, identifying the shared and differing skills demanded by each type of writing; from a persuasive essay, a business letter, or a scientific report. The straightforward, structured format makes it fully accessible, providing an easy-to-understand overview for everyone from students beginning to build skills, to adults looking to improve their writing, to the experienced writer hoping to further hone skills in a certain area. This book allows you to build gradually on what you have learned at your own pace. Questions and self-tests reinforce the information in each chapter and allow you to skip ahead or focus on specific areas of concern. Packed with useful, up-to-date information, this clear, concise volume is a valuable learning tool and reference source for anyone who wants to develop or improve his or her basic writing skills. 2. Report Writing Skills Training Course by Margaret Greenhall  This book makes report writing a step by step process for you to follow every time you have a report to write. Margaret’s understanding of how people read and remember gives a unique view to the process of report writing. This book brings you her tried and tested training techniques to make the process of writing a report straight forward. 3. The Writer’s Workplace with Readings: Building College Writing Skills by Sandra and John Scarry John Scarry and Sandra Scarry present writing instruction in a clear and manageable form, with step-by-step explanations to help build and maintain students’ confidence in their writing. The result of many years of classroom teaching and research, this comprehensive and time-tested resource reflects the authors’ understanding that every student is unique, with different backgrounds and interests that must be accounted for as they engage in the writing process. This offers instructors the opportunity to customize their own version of the book by including or excluding any sections that they do or do not teach in their course-making this a text that reflects not only the students’ needs and experiences, but their instructor’s as well. 4. Writing With Power: Techniques For Mastering the Writing Process by Peter Elbow A classic handbook for anyone who needs to write. This book speaks to everyone who has wrestled with words while seeking to gain power with them. Here, Peter Elbow emphasizes that the essential activities underlying good writing and the essential exercises promoting it are really not difficult at all. Employing a cookbook approach, Elbow provides the reader (and writer) with various recipes: for getting words down on paper, for revising, for dealing with an audience, for getting feedback on a piece of writing, and still other recipes for approaching the mystery of power in writing. By taking risks and embracing mistakes, Elbow hopes the writer may somehow find a hold on the creative process and be able to heighten two mentalities–the production of writing and the revision of it. From students and teachers to novelists and poets, Writing with Power reminds us that we can celebrate the uses of mystery, chaos, no planning, and magic, while achieving analysis, control, explicitness, and care in whatever it is we set down on paper. 5. Steps to Writing Well by Jean Wyrick  Writing well is just a step away! This book gives the student the ultimate step-by-step guide to writing effective essays. With the author’s clear, practical advice and student-friendly tone, you’ll find it easy to begin, organize, and revise your writing-from choosing a topic to developing your essay to polishing your prose. Interesting readings in a variety of styles offer useful examples of the types of essays you’ll most often be assigned in your composition and other college classes.

Hmong Culture Essay

The Hmong people is a minority ethnic group that resides in several countries worldwide. Hmong people is originally from Laos, a Asian country. The Hmong people usually resides on the mountains and their life has revolved around their inherent lifestyle and beliefs. War and migration along with the long history of being an oppressed ethnic group developed Hmong way of life. However, the Hmong culture is so persistent despite the forces of change around. The typical day of a Hmong family will start usually at four in the morning or when the rooster crows. The oldest daughter or daughter-in-law prepare the breakfast for the family, feed the animals and do the household chores. The husband occasionally helps his wife in feeding the animals and grinding the corn. After breakfast, the working members of the family will head out to the field and leave their children at the care of their paternal grandparents. Children who are six years old and older accompany their parents in the fields and do what they can do to help. The working members of the family usually go home before sunset and they gather firewood, plants and herbs along the way to add to their supplies at home. Hmong always have dinner together as a family and share stories of the day. A traditional Hmong family is patriarchal and the son tends to not to leave the house of his parents to work for them and to have someone to take care of his children while he and his wife is out tending the fields. Hmong are group oriented and they tend to depend on each other for survival. Thus, the interest of the groups must come first before the vested interest of the individual. â€Å"Family is the basic social unit in the conventional Hmong society. It is the unit of production, consumption, socialization, social control and mutual assistance. The common Hmong family is composed of an extended family that is made up of many generations. Hmong people are animists, they acquire strong belief in spirits and the supernatural world that cannot be explained by exact science. However, most of the Hmong people in United States become Christians but the traditional spiritual beliefs remain in them as part of their cultural practices. Still, practices and ceremonies are altered as Hmong adapt on the American society. Hmong people deeply believes that the souls live in a supernatural world. These spirits decide when a person dies. Also, they believe that these spirits or souls are Hmong people waiting to be born or to be reborn and reenter the earth. Furthermore, many Hmong believe that every person has a personal spirit who takes care of him, just like a guardian angel. Contacts with these spirits is usually done by the shaman or the religious and medical leader of the group. The shaman is the Hmong resident physician and their role is mainly to heal sick people and to prevent further spreading of illness or disease through interaction of the spirits. The shaman is one of the most important people in the Hmong village. He is the one who provides hope in times of crises. The shaman also guides the people in difficult situations. In addition to the shaman, Hmong people also practice traditional alternative medicine through the use of herbs and plants which grow in the wild in the mountains. From these plants, they produce ointments and salves to help them with their injuries and to make the sick feel better. However, Hmong people in the United States adapted to the American modernized medicine. But still, Hmong people continue to visit a shaman once in a while as part of their rich and undying custom and tradition.

Sexuality in Bram Stokers Dracula

In this article we will examine the role of sexuality in Bram Stokers Dracula and how major a role it plays in the book. Because of certain aspects in the writers life and because of certain symbolism a great deal of sexual meaning has been given to every aspect of the book. The character and physical description of Dracula in the novel are very sensual in nature. The other female vampires appear to the reader to be even more sexual and the male characters are strongly attracted to them despite the ever-present realization that the vampires are foul beings.Sexuality in the novel There are many scenes in the novel which despite Bram Stokers denial to admit it appear to have many sexual connotations. These suggest that enhanced sexuality almost a by-product of vampirisim. One of which occurs with Jonathan Harker while trapped in Draculas castle gives very physical descriptions of the vampire one of which I have quoted below:‘There he lay looking as if youth had been half-renewed, for the white hair and moustache were changed to dark iron-grey; the cheeks were fuller, and the white skin seemed ruby-red underneath; the mouth was redder than ever, for on the lips were gouts of fresh blood, which trickled from the corners of the mouth and ran over the chin and neck’ (Stoker- Chap 13) Other scenes involving Lucy are also intensely physical. Lucy even as a human an unstable woman who is attracted to three different men between whom she cannot decide.When she becomes a vampire it seems that she has cast aside any sexual inhibitions. The following description shows the intensely sexual desire she is creating ‘†¦ her breast heaved softly †¦ And then insensibly there came the strange change which I had noticed in the night †¦ the mouth opened, and the pale gums, drawn back, made the teeth look longer and sharper than ever †¦ and said in a soft voluptuous voice, such as I had never heard from her lips: ‘Arthur! Oh, my love, I am so glad you have come! Kiss me! ‘(Stoker- Chap 16, 4)When the sexual aspect of the book is admitted to then it can be seen as symbolic of a breaking out of the repressed environment of the Victorian ages. Indeed after the novel was explored it was seen as full of all forms of sexual symbolism. Professor Miller complains repeatedly in her article that the book is being over examined for sexual references Although as she states that the book has probably been over analyzed for sexual references there are many sexual references in the book. A quote from Eric Kwan-Wai Yu’s article‘Whatever shapes of fear vampirism might evoke elsewhere, in this novel the dominant form has to do with sexual menace or the dreadful perception of sexual perversity. In fact, even the most erotic scene ends with utter revulsion and the chilling recognition of demonic threats posed by the Other’ shows that his interpretation indicates a great deal of sexual connation and the confusion created by the use of language between blood-letting and the sexual act. ‘Lucy is described as seductive, demonic, and bestial at the same time, and there is again the deliberate confusion of sex with cannibalism’However Professor Miller states that there is no conclusive proof within Bram Stokers life or the novel which would justify the kind of interpretations that have been made. However there are many indications that repressed sexuality is a powerful undercurrent in the book which both repulses and attracts. Jonathan Harker is unwillingly attracted to the three vampiric women and is sickened by himself . The scene in which Dracula subdues Mina is interpreted as such by Eric Kwan-Wai Yu explains that Stoker ‘subverts gender definitions and behavioral expectations which keep the imperial subject in place.’ He suggests that there is the feeling of something missing as he compares the time when Harker lies by when Dracula comes to Mina and when Dracula fi rst comes to Mina. He draws similarity in their behaviour. Feminist interpretation Another important accept of the sexuality in Dracula is that it is associated with evil and corruption and in contradiction with the divinity of God. There is a distinctive clash of good and evil in the book although these lines get blurred when Mina is bitten.The two characters of Van Helsing and Dr Steward are specifically very aware of their duty towards God. ‘Thus are we, ministers of God's own wish: that the world, and men for whom His Son die, will not be given over to monsters, whose very existence would defame Him. He have allowed us to redeem one soul already [i. e. , Lucy's], and we go out as the old knights of the Cross to redeem more. Like them we shall travel towards the sunrise; and like them, if we fall, we fall in good cause. (Stoker, 278 , )’(qtd by Yu)The sacrifice of Lucy is an example of how far they are willing to go to fulfill this duty. How sexuality is associated w ith the evil and corruption of vampirism is associated with is made clear in Eric Kwan-Wai Yu’s essay when he talks about how Lucy’s â€Å"voluptuousness,† is a projection of men’s suppressed desires and how this guilt of desiring her is turned into shameful brutal aggression and the act of destroying the vampire Lucy can be interpreted as destroying what is sexual in her and ‘murdering the â€Å"devil temptress† can be further rationalized as an honorable duty’Here they are destroying Lucy the vampire but it can be interpreted as suppression of her sexuality if we read the description of Lucy after the stake has been driven. ‘but Lucy as we had seen her in life, with her face of unequalled sweetness and purity ,†¦. One and all we felt that the holy calm that lay like sunshine over the wasted face and form was only an earthly token and symbol of the calm that was to reign for ever’. The association of sex with evil is an extremely common one.Many visual interpretation of the devil show him a creature with over-sized genitals so the symbolism of vampirism with sex does make sense. This if interpreted as a suppression of women’s sexuality can be seen as a suppression of women. Judith Weissman states the fight against vampirisim and the fight to reclaim Mina is to keep women from knowing what men and women all of the ages have known that women’s sexual appetites are greater then mens. (qtd in Miller)It is also interesting to note that Mina after the destruction of the vampire Mina goes back home to be a wife and a mother but when she is infected and Dracula is alive she is an intelligent women who is an integral member of the group who destroys Dracula. She shows mental fortitude by going to mental contact with Dracula while struggling to maintain her own identity and not be overwhelmed by him. Perhaps the interpretation can be extended further then sexuality over here it could be see n as an effort and a fight to keep women on the same roles as they have been performing and to avoid change.The scene in which Dracula cuts his breast and forces Mina to drink from it drink from it as mentioned in earlier seems to have ‘subverted gender definitions’. Protestant Work ethic An important point in Eric Kwan-Wai Yu’s analysis is that this sexual fear and repression creates a powerful Puritan work ethic in the ‘Crew of Light’. Minas vampirism and her deep fear of turning into the ‘Undead ’ is what pushes her to work hard and use her intellectual capacities to their fullest.Yu states ‘The main thrust of my argument is that fear aroused by the paranoiac perception of sexual perversity begets a curious kind of work ethic in the imperial subject, reaffirming Enlightenment reason and scientific progressivism while, at the same time, betraying the very unreason in reason and the profound anxieties underneath the confidence in progress ’Yu also sees Dracula as a highly educated man who is thirst for more knowledge. The sexual aspect can lead us to forget this.He also states that one can see Van Helsing as representative of objectiveness of all the qualities of rationality that the Enlightenment extols and vampirisim is representative of everything that violates reason . Vampirisim explains what is uncanny and ‘unplaceable’ in the enlightened age and the violence of reason itself. This violence of reason is the brutal way in which Lucy has to be killed so that her soul is reclaimed and she is saved.Van Helsing is the voice of this reason who remains calm even when planning in what way to finish Lucy. The fear of this group from vampirism which pushes them towards hard work is shown as being symbolic of the sexual fears that created the Puritan work ethic. This theme again connects vampirism and sexuality. Symbolism Also a part of the book are the sexual symbols. For example the stake be ing symbolic of the phallus. However Professor Miller believes that perhaps at times a wooden stake is just a wooden stake.Even William Myers despite his assertion that the book is erotic in content also states that it is important to note that our interpretation depends on the time we live and all the movies depicting Bram Stoker’s Dracula as intensely sexual are bound to do this because today’s movies require that they do and not necessarily because the book itself is that sexual. ( For the Purity of Our) Conclusion In conclusion it can be said that book does allow for sexual connotations and despite Bram Stokers denial it can be said that repressed sexuality is a part of the book.This allows for an interesting conclusion by Yu which states that the book is symbolic of the fear of sexuality resulting in the Puritan Work ethic. The feminist perspective states that it can be linked to suppression of specifically female sexuality. A scene considered representative of th is is the staking of Lucy who is so sensual and voluptuous before the staking and is purified and redeemed after its There is of course the sexual symbolism in the book.However it is important not to over-interpret or read into works simply because it suits the age in which we live. Work Cited Stoker, Bram. Dracula Bibliomania Online Yu, Eric Kwan-Wai ‘Productive fear: labor, sexuality, and mimicry in Bram Stoker's Dracula. (Critical essay)’ Texas Studies in Literature and Language. 06/22/2006 Miller, Elizabeth ‘Coitus Interruptus: Sex, Bram Stoker, and Dracula’ Romanticism on the Net Issue 44, November 2006 Meyer William ‘For the Purity of Our Precious Bodily Fluids: an Essay on Eroticism in Vampire Films’ Latent Image Spring 2000

CoupContrecoup Injury Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

CoupContrecoup Injury - Essay Example In this clinical review paper, the clinical concepts from the latest literature will be synthesized about this type of injury, its incidence, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods used in the practice, and implications on the advanced nurse practice management. Basically coup/contrecoup arises from contusive injury to the brain when both the impact of direct trauma and trauma due to movement of the brain within the skull leading to impact on the opposite site are responsible. However, the clinical signs and symptoms and as a result, the management would depend on the degree of the trauma and the extent of the injury. Nurses, while planning a care of such patients must be aware of the advancements in management, and a clinical update based on review of the researches is therefore necessary. In this article, the findings have been presented in a concise manner. The problem of head injury is enormous. In the United States, it accounts for fatalities, disabilities, and morbidities of great numbers each year. Moreover, many multitruama victims also have associated head injuries. This occurs predominantly among young adult males aged 15 to 35 and quite frequently is associated with motor vehicle accident and alcohol use. In these patients, especially when it is associated with multiple traumas, the presence of head injury can be caused by trauma, direct or indirect. From the care point of view, this represents both surgical and medical challenges. Essential to the survival is a rapid and systematic approach to management that incorporates simultaneous assessment and resuscitation. Coup/contrecoup injury is the result of contusive brain injuries that occur with blunt trauma, in which the skull is not penetrated. It is to be remembered that anatomically brain literally floats in the cerebrospinal fluid, and therefore, any mechanical impact, eith er from falls, automobile accidents, assaults and violence, physical abuse, or recreation-related accidents, can cause the brain to move within the skull, resulting in focal, diffuse, or generalized injury. In fact any time, the head is subjected to violent force or motion, the soft and floating brain is slammed against the skull's uneven interior. In a coup/contrecoup injury, a moving object strikes the head, denting the skull inward and also knocking the brain against the opposite side of the skull. Thus, this can result into bruising in two places within the brain, at the site of the original point of contact and on the opposite side, where the brain struck the skull. These are included in the category of mild traumatic brain injury, where the neural damage may occur without involvement of the skull or the membranes, since there is considerable shear that can involve the neurons on the opposite side. This is a form of direct contact force mild traumatic brain injury resulting int o observable tissue damage in a particular area of the brain. The additional bruising on the opposite side may account for other associated symptoms such as personality changes, perceptual or sensory problems, difficulty expressing, and balance or motor difficulties. Incidence Epidemiologic data regarding coup/contrecoup injury is difficult to obtain due to inconsistencies in definition and classification. Moreover, many patients with

Explaining Letter Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Explaining Letter - Assignment Example I have taken your complaint into consideration and treated it as a top priority because you are one of our most valued customers. Regards packing and shipping, I would like to just brief you, that every painting that leaves Manhattan Galleries is carefully wrapped with two layers of convoluted foam and one layer of Perf-Pack foam in order to avoid any damage to the painting. The shippers of our products are explicitly instructed that the pictures should be shipped in vertical position and not horizontally, in order to absorb any shocks and bumps along the way that may tend to damage the shipment. But even so, I would like to reassure you once again, that it becomes the sole responsibility of Manhattan Galleries to see that the painting was delivered to you in perfect condition. However, the best we could do in this respect is to request you to kindly take the painting to your local framing – shop and get the canvas re-stretched to fit the frame perfectly. The assurance we could give you is that Manhattan Galleries would bear the entire cost as we do not want to leave you a dissatisfied customer at any cost because we really appreciate you being one of our best customers and intend associating with you in our business even in the future. Thank you so much for letting us know about the condition, which in turn made it possible for us to render good customers like you our committed service. I happened to go through the letter you wrote to the customer who had complained of a sagging canvas and thought that it could do with a few changes. Kindly make the necessary changes to your original letter before posting it to the customer.

Criminal law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Criminal law - Essay Example The most important thing that needs to be point out in respect of criminal law is that it is based upon actus reus, mens rea and the absence of defences. The element of a reasonable person is required in respect of mens rea and therefore the other element that are required for the offences would not be discussed. Mens rea has been defined as a state of mind, intention or recklessness which is required for a certain crime. There is an ongoing debate and argument in respect of subjectivists and objectivists who tend to argue in different directions. The subjectivists argue that to the minimal level of serious crimes, the mental element that should be required should be awareness of the person’s actions and perceiving the surrounding circumstances as well as the results that would flow from the actus reus. On the contrary, the objectivists the argument rests on the fact that it should be sufficient mens rea if it is proved that a reasonable person would have foreseen the circumstances as well as the results that would flow from the actus reus and would therefore not be dependent on the awareness of the defendant. There have been competing claims which have been put forward by both. In respect of the subjectivists the main argument vests on the fact that there was self governance on the part of the individual who committed the crime and went contrary to the law. The objectivists on the other hand pointed out to the fact that there should be criminal punishment if it is found that his inadvertence was in respect of a substantial and obvious risk of the proscribed harm, which should have been perceived by the defendant. Even though there have been academic opinion that ‘the torch of orthodox subjectivism carried by Glanville Williams and Smith and Hogan and then by the Law Commission should be douse’ (Ashworth, POCL, p.253) it is still what is being followed in respect of serious offences and has been reiterated in the recent case of G1 where Lord Bingham said ‘it is a salutary principle that conviction of serious crime should depend on proof not simply that the defendant caused (by act or omission) an injurious result to another but that his st ate of mind when so acting was culpable. This after all, is the meaning of the familiar rule actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea. The most obviously culpable state of mind is no doubt an intention to cause the injurious result, but knowing disregard of an appreciated and unacceptable risk of causing an injurious result or a deliberate closing of the mind to such risk would be readily accepted as culpable also. It is clearly blameworthy to do something involving a risk of injury to another...’ Despite of such an obvious favour being given to the subjectivist approach, there have been objectivist elements in respect of serious offences that have been laid down expressly by House of Parliament in particular sexual offences and certain offences related to money laundering. The element of intention are central to mens rea, however, in respect of the current situation the element of recklessness would be discussed. The situation in respect of criminal law has been that for crime s it was either intention or recklessness that would lead to construal of imposition of liability. In respect of recklessness there are two main elements that need to be construed, the first one being that of subjective recklessness and the other is that of objective recklessness. For establishing subjective recklessness the test that was laid down in Cunningham2 needs to fulfilled, which basically requires that an unjustifiable risk was taken as well as proving the fact that the defendant

The Intelligence Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Intelligence Cycle - Essay Example It involves "Drawing up specific collection requirements, and.finished intelligence which supports policy decisions" (FAS "The Intelligence Cycle").This is the same standard of prioritizing which is applied to many other government bodies. Each year, there is an annual assessment and analysis of these priorities. This is otherwise called the intelligence 'Process'; the beginning is a threat assessment, which suggests sources of collection, the next stage. In this planning stage, these is an assessment of the balance between respect for others rights, and the need for the investigation. In short, Planning and Direction are involved in the beginnings and the endings of the process of intelligence gathering. The end results of the gathering for this section may also cause the beginnings of the another Intelligence cycle. relationships" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). These sources do not need to be discovered by wire-tapping, or surveillance, but may be obtained through what are known as 'open sources' - the internet is one famous example of an open source being used in an intelligence investigation. Not all gatherers are direct security operatives - in Canada, for example, some of them are "Security Liasion Officers (SLOs) posted at Canadian diplomatic" (CSIS "Security Intelligence Cycle"), as well as public, agents from other Security Services. Collection is the term for basic information provided by Security services of a government agent. Processing Processing is the method by which the basic information collected in the last part of the cycle is converted into useful information there are a number of methods "Decryption, language translations, and data reduction" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle") As well as processing this data, rather like rolling pasty, the analyst will input the data into computer networks, databases, and other areas where this information can be used. Processing whittles the information into useful pieces, which are then inserted into databases to be analysed. Analysis The information which has been collected and processed is now studied by intelligence experts, and then is used to prepare a report based around the information. This process is seen by the FBI as "Integrating, evaluating, and analyzing available data" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). This information in integrated, and the experts decide whether the information is worth anything, and connecting the dots by tying up different pieces of processed information, and drawing conclusions. Analysis involves creating reports and threat assessments. Dissemination The information, now gathered, processed and analyzed, is sent out to other agencies, and also to intelligence operatives. "The FBI disseminates information in three standard formats: Intelligence information Reports (IIRs), FBI Intelligence Bulletines, and FBI Intelligence Assessments" (FBI "The Intelligence Cycle"). The reports which have been created are sent out, both internally, and externally, to the media and to the public. Other bodies use these reports to establish the safety of the public,

American culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American culture - Essay Example It is true that there is a known level of resistance that confronted African-American culture during the early stages of the development of its literature (McLloyd 45). However, it is true that this was the beginning of their triumph. In an era known as the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, African-American literature has made black identity a â€Å"counterforce to the rationality and sterility of the capitalist modernity† (Glick 417). This means that the emergence of black culture as shown by the development of African-American literature served as a defiance of the traditional and conservative but capitalistic culture that white Americans have established. In short, black American literature served to overthrow the white American system that financially exploited African-Americans through slavery. This sense of freedom brought with it a renewed sense of identity which reflects in black literature, such as in Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dougla ss, where young Douglass fights back the white landowner Mr. Covey and says, â€Å"†¦but at this moment – from whence came the spirit I don’t know – I resolved to fight† (Douglass 62). He then says, â€Å"â€Å"I seized Covey hard by the throat, and as I did so, I rose† (62). In fact, the phrase â€Å"I rose† is rather demonstrative of the reversal of role of the black slave and the white capitalist landowner. Through Douglass’ book and other similar examples of African-American literature, the blacks have redefined themselves in the 1920s through their literary work. Although white Americans viewed the emergence of the black culture as â€Å"sexualized exoticism packaged and sold as blackness† as shown by the excesses brought about by interracial parties of Harlem jazz musicians, it is definitely different when it comes to African-American literature (418). Literature has become the defining factor in the cultural change s that the blacks experienced (Holloway 110). Through literature, the black culture is reborn and revived without the impurities of the slavery period. In Zora Neale Hurston’s â€Å"Story in Harlem Slang,† the main character of the story, who is a black woman, shouted to the white thieves, â€Å"If your [feet] don’t hurry up and take you ‘way from here, you’ll ride away [and] I’ll spread my lungs all over New York and call the law†¦And I’ll holler like a pretty white woman!† (Corbould 869). This means that literature was an instrument which African American writers used in the 1920s in order to assert their identity amidst white domination. Moreover, the emergence of African-American literature enhanced the development of a black culture that was actually a mixture of black and white elements. According to Morrison’s Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination, â€Å"In American literature, construct ions of white national identity depend on their juxtaposition with representations of darkness, whether through the literal presence of black characters or through more metaphorical manifestations of racial difference† (Harrison-Kahan 419). This means that the perpetuation of differences between blacks and whites in black literature will simply further aggravate the social differences between them as well as the racial discrimination that whites had always had for blacks. The solution implied by Morrison was therefore the merging of white and black cultures in literature. A number of Harlem Renaissance writers responded

Analysis of Graphs in Findings and Analysis Essay

Analysis of Graphs in Findings and Analysis - Essay Example The next area assessed is the constant organizational changes. National Grid must be able to change, adjust, innovate, grow and adapt in order to survive. However, they must focus on the human issues because change produces fear, uncertainty, and doubt (Pietersen, 2002). Obtaining employee commitment is an important factor in achieving change (Herscovitch & Meyer, 2002). The final problem area assessed will be the cultural and diversity issues of National Grid. For the past several years, globalization, deregulation, and technical advances have enormously increased the degree of competitiveness that most organizations face today. In order to survive, organizations must be better, faster, and more competitive. Organizations need committed employees to achieve this competitiveness (Dessler, 2000). In order to achieve this goal, human resource management must be a strategic part of any organization. I have undertaken a qualitative investigation of National Grid. I have through a detail questionnaire conducted research to assess the current level of employee satisfaction working for the organization. This paper is my assessment of that satisfaction and I make recommendations for its improvement. I have identified three key problem areas from my primary research that I have undertaken which I will analyze. After a review of the literature concerning these three problem areas, I will address these three primary issues and explain the goals and objectives of the initiatives that must be taken to achieve the expected outcomes. Furthermore, to allow some context to be formed around the organization I provide some analysis in the next section on the background and strategic outline of National Grid. Background of National Grid National Grid plc is a network utility, based in the UK and the US. Our principal interests are in the transmission and distribution of electricity and gas. We also have interests in related markets, including metering services, liquefied natural gas facilities and property in the UK, as well as electricity Interconnectors in the UK and US. National Grid plc originated from the restructurings of the UK gas industry in 1986 and the UK electricity industry in 1990. We entered the US energy delivery market in 2000 and substantially expanded our UK wireless infrastructure activities in 2004. The UK gas industry was first restructured in 1986 when British Gas was incorporated as a public limited company, British Gas plc. In 1997, Centrica was demerged from British Gas plc which was re-named BG plc. In December 1999, BG plc completed a restructuring programme which resulted in the creation of a new parent company, BG Group plc, and involved separating the UK regulated business, BG plc (re-named Transco plc), from its other businesses. Lattice Group plc was created as the holding company for Transco plc and certain other non-regulated infrastructure service businesses and, in October 2000, it was demerged from BG Group plc and separately listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 1990 National Grid Company plc took on the ownership and control of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales and

Water resource economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Water resource economics - Essay Example The important question is whether or not it was a good idea to let the urban populations become so dependent on water sources that are so far away? This dependency developed can create a problem if water becomes scarce. Economically the urban areas will fail. Without water, these areas have nothing. No business, no homes and no communities can flourish without water. These urban areas are extremely economically dependent on water. It was not necessarily a good thing for these urban areas to develop distant water sources. Developing distant water sources has made for extra effort on the cities part to keep the water abundant and safe. Keeping the water usable is for the economic stability of the urban areas. When water comes from such a far source, the water is not constantly usable like it is in other areas that use their own water. This means that using less water and having plans in place to save water is important. There is a lot of water that must be kept usable to maintain economic stability in the urban areas. Recently in Los Angeles, state officials have cut down on water by 18.4%. This is the lowest amount of usage in 18 years (Adams2010). Cutting down on water usage by government officials sets a good example for residents and saves on water consumption. Saving on water makes it easier on Los Angeles water dependency. San Francisco is also a popular area that is dependent on water and seeks water from an outside source. The Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct provides 65% of water to the San Francisco area (Aquafornia2011). San Francisco has rearranged the earth in so many different ways in order to be able to keep up with the demands for water needs. Reservoir ponds and water reusing systems are popular scenery in California. These water systems are constant economic issues. The demanding need for water creates many projects. These projects affect the economic development

Free trade is the primary force driving economic development Essay

Free trade is the primary force driving economic development - Essay Example Trade liberalisation has become a focal point of many economic forums across the globe. Globalisation has made it easier for countries to look beyond their own borders for economic growth. Countries have recognised the fact that economic growth is a collective effort and all the countries need to work together on this front. Although many developed countries are still practising protectionism, they have realised the importance of free trade in economic development. Several bilateral agreements and multilateral agreements have been signed by many countries to allow flow of goods amongst the member countries. In most of the cases countries that have participated in free trade agreements have experienced rise in living standards, growth in income. This growth curve experience by several countries due to free trade agreements is clear indication of the importance of free trade agreement in economic development. Multilateral agreements drafted under World trade organisation (WTO) and Gene ral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) are aimed at influencing nations to opt for trade liberalisation. There are many bilateral agreements which have been formulated between nations geographically located near to each other. Trade liberalisation is a well negotiated procedure where each party, agrees to make some concession in opening up their markets for foreign goods. Free trade has a huge impact on improving the quality and infrastructure of the host as well as the foreign country. Due to free trade, industry standards are raised high in order to compete with global scenario (Buckley & Boulle, 2008, p. 185-189). 2. Evolution of Free Trade Policy and Its Mechanism The international trade, especially during world war two suffered a huge loss. Most countries were involved in conflicts arising mainly due to trade disputes. These trade disputes were mainly caused by the discriminations and trade restrictions implied by the several countries to protect their markets from foreign p layers. It was in 1948 in Havana that a conference was held on trade and employment under the flagship of United Nations. The formation of International trade organisation (ITO) was a landmark in the attempt by international community to form an agency overlooking international trade issues. ITO was dissolved later as it did not get the green signal from the US congress. The US congress on the other hand opted for an ad-hoc agreement like General agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). In 1947 at Geneva GATT was agreed on and signed by 23 countries. GATT was legally effective from 1948. GATT thereby is an agency which overlooks the rules and international laws governing international trade. All the trade disputes amongst the signatory parties are resolved by GATT. The most effective clause in GATT is the MFN clause, under which all participating nations are forced to treat all signatory nations as equal in all trade policies. GATT emphasises on influencing signatory countries to redu ce their tariffs and abolish any concessions given to a specific country. Though GATT gave more stability than ITO, it was often tainted by complaints from developing countries. Developing countries often complained about the policies formulated in GATT. The developed countries were often seen to follow protectionism in their trade policies. The formation of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1964 was a direct implication of the dissatisfaction amongst the developing countries regarding GATT (Singh & Singh, 2005, p.1-9). One of the greatest outcomes of the Uruguay Round was the formation of World Trade Organisation (WTO). WTO was

Cognitive Design Essay Example for Free

Cognitive Design Essay A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini is seen through the eyes of two young female protagonists, who have a strong and well-developed character. In the novel, the author shows their hardship, their lives in a hopeless society, Afghanistan, and how throughout their life they face cruelty and vulnerability. The author portrays the experiences of the two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, who live in a society where women are mistreated. Mariam’s character is described as a quiet and thoughtful girl who questions the society and dreams of a luxurious life. She experiences physical and mental abuse from almost every person in her life and is brought up in an isolated environment by a bitter mother who puts her down. For instance, in the beginning of the novel Nana, Mariam’s mother, says: â€Å"You are a clumsy little harami† (Hosseini, 4). This very word â€Å"harami† helps the reader to analyze the struggles of an illegitimate child. Nana also prepares Mariam to expect nothing from men: â€Å"Like a compass needle that always point north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always . Mariam† (Hosseini, 7). This is also used to foreshadow Mariam’s husband, Rasheed, a cruel, abusive and hot tempered man, who physically and verbally abuses Mariam after marriage. Although Laila was also brought up in the same society as Mariam, her character is stronger as compared to Mariam’s. She has a strong desire to use her intelligence and education to improve the society and as her father, tells her: â€Å"Marriage can wait, education cannot You can be anything you want Because a society has no change of success if its women are uneducated No chance† (Hosseini, 114). The characters personality evolves over time, and this helps to analyze the tragic themes of the novel which are oppression, hope, and internal strength of women. The ability for any individual to imagine to endure the pain and sacrifices that Mariam and Laila endured are overwhelming. Yet the authors’ description of the characters makes it easy to analyze them to a great depth.

The Sustainability Strategy Challenges Facing Organizations Business Essay

The Sustainability Strategy Challenges Facing Organizations Business Essay Arguably, sustainability is said to be the greatest challenge to the present and future management practices. Dimensions of economic, social and environmental raise the question of meeting present needs without compromise to future generations ability in meeting their needs. For this reason, global environment presently challenge tackling require Non Governmental Organizations, corporate, private, individual, public, non-profit organizations and government sector commitment. Such sectors need to address issues such as environmental efficiency, seizing advantages of developments of renewable energy, satisfying green consumers and business sustainability among others. Every sector need to prioritize in network of global sustainability across multiple practices (Galea, 2004). Similarly, working with industrial associations and policy landscape intense understanding would be significant. Comprehensive models assist consumers establish strategies and appropriate practices which enable com petitive advantages, thereby making business sustainability vital. In addition, the models assist modern managers to device strategies and policies for the environment to facilitate major changes. However, in a bid to achieve sustainability, business communities encounter major challenges. For example, according to findings there are challenges that may be observed on business world, and therefore academic experts or modern managers should find common grounds for competitive reasons (Blcakburn, 2007). Organizations seem to be realizing that issues of sustainability are complex. Therefore, varied perspectives are required in production of innovative solutions. To begin with, one of the major challenges of sustainability is in assigning and measuring value of ecological impacts of a firm. This nvolves eceological footprint where the question is raised on whether carbon footprint is final. Despite firms restless efforts, industrial operations have been observed to have a continued discharge and generation of enormous wastes. Pollution of the natural environment has therefore been inevitable. Such pollution has caused damages to households or other enterprises. For example, in an attempt to ensure sustainability in healthcare organizations the UK government is responsibly operating the states healthcare system. Such operations enable the population to enjoy the benefits related to publically financed Healthcare. U.S government on the other hand provides majority of the privately funded programs. In provision of healthcare for everyone, different countries are now investing in sustainable healthcare because of the current impacts related to change in climate within our environment. Conventional drug use such as herbal drugs would facilitate clean and safe environment. With such, disposals of chemicals related to unavoidable wastages of drug substances via approaches such as burning could be lowered. Consequently, systems of accounting do not ascribe such costs with their sources and neither is the record kept systematically. With an up-ward trend, companies and organizations are being compelled to internalize such environmental costs via stricter environmental regulations and procedures or via damages liability suffered by others. Accurate companys measurement of the true environmental related costs has been offering a huge range of benefits. Correct measurement helps the management to track performance relative to past performance. Similarly, such measurements can offer external investors benchmark who are concerned with performance of the environment by firms plus their finances. In addition, the measurements can evaluate the firms exposure to the environment and financial risk originating from environmental performance. However, despite such measurement benefits, tools to adequately measure the cost are not available (Galea, 2004). For example, Trucost Ltd, a London research firm has created databases fro estimating the externality costs for global largest corporations. Firms emissions or wastes are measured with the use of individual information sources and each emission is given a monetary value through multiplication of its physical quantities by a speculated price. Nevertheless, results from such measurements are usually estimates hence actual measurements are never acquired. Secondly, firms have been facing the challenge of building a sustainability corporate culture which is enduring. Questions are raised in this challenge on what next for the company after key sustainability leaders quit the company. Challenge is on where the firm should begin with such an occurrence. Normally, sustainability initiatives are always associated or linked to few key individuals within a firm, particularly those on leadership potions. When these individuals leave the company, the initiative of sustainability may begin to atrophy. Nevertheless, those firms whose culture of sustainability is strong, the initiatives of sustainability endure for long. Companies experience a challenge in maintaining such a culture and there is need therefore for the firm to consider several aspects. Firms or companys structure need to learn something from safety movement which will act partly as the core culture of majority of manufacturing and extractive firms. Companies must also evaluate the differences between its sustainability and that of other organizational cultures. Similarly, its necessary to establish which practical tools and devices can be applied to embed culture like incentive systems or organizational designs. Thirdly, firms are being challenged to promote and ensure supply chains sustainability. Argument here may involve whether suppliers from less developed countries should be treated differently from those in developed nations. For example, acting as intermediaries between tourism service providers and tourists, tour operators incorporate varieties of services which are tourism related. Such corporations forms full holiday packages which are then marketed to clients via travel agents or directly. Generally, every package consists of accommodation and food provision, transport or even events and activities such as social activities or excursions. Since most of the products or services within the package are provided via supply chains of companies which are subcontracted, agents or organizations or tour operators are not in direct control at all times of the social or environmental effects of such goods. However, consumers always expect firms to always avail quality, environmental friendl y and social sustainable products. Firms are therefore responsible fro ensuring all inputs going into their products are sustained. For effective implementation of sustainability policies, tour operators offering products that are contracted should operate closely with suppliers. Sustainability performance will therefore be achieved all through the holiday package lifecycle. Establishment of such supply chains have been challenging for firms since it requires them to establish coherent company policies with management system in accompaniment. Management systems should however set clear actions and targets for economic, social or environmental performance. Particularly, such challenges arises where management systems are not based on the existing internal processes to maintain implementation costs at lower levels plus promoting integration of all firms operations. Similarly, incorporating employee incentives into sustainability has posed a challenge to companies operations. Firms will always wonder whether existing incentive plans for employees would possibly be connected to goals of sustainability. Normally, only strong practices within organizations prevail. If organizational practices contradict its policies, there is a possibility of green washing. For this reason, firms therefore need to invoke structures and systems that ensure firms practice sustainability. Mangers of sustainability must know the employee incentive plan that can result in companys implementation of the organizational policy sustainability. Challenges faced by firms relate to ways of incorporating targets of sustainability into staff incentives (Blcakburn, 2007). Similarly, they are also challenged in knowledge of what extent context influence applicability or effectiveness of a particular approach towards incorporating the staff incentives to sustainability. Also, limit ation comes in establishing what ways can an existing staff incentive plan be connected to the companys policy of sustainability. Another challenge faced by firms involves identity of business risks which are associated with water shortage and quality. For example, poverty, climate change, malnutrition and water scarcity have posed the biggest challenges to Unilever. However, to address such issues, the company has improvised ways of reducing water use both to the company and their consumers. Similarly, the company has produced an overview of sustainable development in 2008. The publication explores the most material issues of the company such as nutrition, sustainable agricultural sourcing, hygiene and climate change among others. In the overview, an explanation has been offered on the ways of integrating sustainability to Unilevers business or brands. Through such integration, improved health, hygiene and nutrition is reached. Companies may be limited in acquisition of tools or devices in risks evaluation incase of a climate change. According to report released by Global Equity Research group , investors and companies have been swift in identifying opportunities in water-related technologies or business. However, they are slow in identifying the increasing business risks associated with water supply pressures. Firms are limited in knowledge of their firms risks in relation to water and their chain of supply. Similarly, companies have been constrained in acquisition of water conservation or supply contingency plans. Due to this challenge, San Fransisco in California held a 2-day conference which widely featured on risk assessment, water conservation and water recycling. Similarly, Deloitte Touchà © principal in presentation described anticipated water shortage in the future posed serious threats to businesses. Such threats were to face firms that have not developed water supply or conservation contingency plans in the future. Overall consensus revealed that business enterprises particularly those within water intensive industries headed for an increased risk level from supply of water issues globally. Consequently, managers who fail to plan water related risks will ultimately be compelled to address the issues through supply disruptions, diminished quality and increased costs (Blcakburn, 2007). Primarily, business experience challenges or water risks in physical form through disruption or supply reduction. In addition, the limitation is in form of regulatory where firms do not have ability to obtain discharge or use permits. Reputation is also affected due to public perception of the firms use of freshwater or wastewater creation. Industries such as mining, energy food or beverages have more water intensity than others. They are therefore exposed to more water related risks. Another challenge facing the business operations in sustainability is identity of aboriginal perspective on sustainability of business. At the same time determination of the best approaches for engaging aboriginal communities constructively. Aboriginal groups maybe closely tied more to sustainable life ways, the question raised is whether they can offer any teaching to corporations. Aboriginal individuals act as an integral part of the organization. Normally, they form distinctive constituencies which assist in creation and improvement of public perception of firms performance. Long-term good quality and secure supply of raw materials that are competitively priced has been the biggest challenge in organizations and its fundamental in a firms operation. Most companys decisions are based highly on aboriginal individuals needs and perspectives inclusive of resources and public lands. Aboriginal communities provide suppliers, employees, customers or contractors. On the other hand, aboriginal businesses involve a growing business sector with high ability to avail services and goods for the firms operations. Firms are usually limited in providing sound, strategic sense of business in support of aboriginal people involvement. In Canada for example, they have assisted in economic growth and encouraged a proactive work in building mutually beneficial relationships in business with the aboriginal individuals. Many firms have had very positive aboriginal groups interactions and the parties experience symbiotic benefits. However, other business operations under similar regions have experienced negative interactions. Nevertheless, its not clear over what approaches offer the most competitive edge. When firms build more robust understanding of sustainability based on aboriginal perspective, developer and aboriginal community relationship create mutual respect and trust hence positive engagement. Similarly, understanding of this perspective sustainabil ity informs business operations or communities on new sustainability approaches and stakeholder engagement. Such approaches are both within and outside aboriginal communities. In this perspective, questions raised relate to what are the best or worst practices in working with aboriginal communities. Similarly, the perspective seeks to know whether the best practices differentiate by aboriginal group or by sectors and if so, how that happens (Galea, 2004). Lastly, firms experience challenges in measurement of economic impact of NIMBY. Firms are always limited in knowing whether NIMBY claims are justifiable or whether they are valid. Compnys seek to know whether economic values can be assigned claims of NIMBY. NIMBY groups can impede substantially on the progress of a company projects. Although companies maybe aware of the risks linked to NIMBY-ism, challenges exist since it has not been proved whether the claims of NMBY are justified. Questions arise on whether NIMBY-ism can generate any economic value and how evaluations would be made. Similarly, firms seek to know correlation between NIMBY activism and economic impacts that are subsequent, whether positive or negative. In conclusion, we have evaluated the effectiveness of business sustainability and how the seven challenges have impacted on the implementation of such sustainability. Firms need to devise proper ways of tackling such challenges in ensuring proper flow of business operations. Challenges have been revealed to be continued discharge and generation of enormous wastes, incorporating employee incentives into sustainability and ability to sustain corporate culture which is enduring. Similarly, other challenges include promotion and ensuring supply chains sustainability, identity of business risks associated with water shortage and quality. Identity of aboriginal perspective on business sustainability and measurement of eceonomic impact of NIMBY have also been associated with challenges facing sustainability.

Estate Management Essays Professional Codes Of Conduct

Estate Management Essays Professional Codes Of Conduct Critically discuss the contribution which codes of conduct issued by professional bodies such as RICS can make to the behaviour and conduct of their members who are either employees in privatepractice or employees in organisations. Individually and,in association, collectively, the professions strike a bargain with societyin which they exchange competence and integrity against the trust of client andcommunity, relative freedom from lay supervision and interference, protectionagainst unqualified competition as well as substantial remuneration and highersocial status. Professional codes of conduct, when rigorouslycommunicated and enforced, contribute substantially to the proper behaviour andconduct of members of the organisations which issue them. Rueschemeyers introductoryreference (1983, cited in Eraut, 1994) to the bargain that professional organisationsstrike with society furnishes a context for critically evaluating the conceptof professional codes of conduct which can be considered to at least partiallyformalize the bargain with society as well as the effects of these codes onthe behaviour and conduct of members of professional organisations who areengaged in private practice or who are employees of other organisations. To establish afoundation for the analysis, the professional organisation will be compared andcontrasted with other types of organisations, and the concept of codes ofconduct will be explored. The focus will then shift to a discussion of theeffects of codes of conduct issued by professional organisations on memberbehaviour. Finally, conclusions will be presented. The Professional Organisation: Comparisonand Contrast with Other Organisations Robbins(1998) defines an organisation as: A consciously coordinated socialunit, composed of two or more people, that functions on a relatively continuousbasis to achieve a common goal or set of goals. Daft (1998) describes organisations as (1) social entities that (2) are goal directed, (3) aredesigned as deliberately structured and coordinated activity systems, and (4)are linked to the external environment. Organisations are formed for a varietyof reasons including those that are started for public and private purposes,for pursuing business and social goals, and for profit or non-profit results. A professionalbody meets the criteria for an organisation as identified by Robbins andDaft. The professional body is a specific type of organisation, usually non-profit, that exists to further aparticular profession, to protect both the public interest and the interests ofprofessionals (LaborLawTalk.com, n.d.). The ASEP Newsletter (1998) claimsthat professional organisations are formed and exist for the purpose ofrepresenting the profession, adding that this type of organisation consistssolely of members who are, or intend to be, working in the profession, or havebeen allowed special membership status. A fuller description of these types of organisations is offered by the Canadian Security Administrators (2004), which states in this quoted extract that a professional body: .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  admits members primarily on the basis of their educationalqualifications; .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  requires its members to comply with the professional standards ofcompetence and ethics prescribed by the organisation; and .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  has disciplinary powers, including the power to suspend or expel amember. Theconcept of profession is important to the understanding of professionalorganisations. A profession can be described in terms of its features whichinclude representation by a professional organisation, adherence toprofessional ethics and standards, and self-regulation of such functions aseducation, training, and certification or licensure in the profession. (ASEPNewsletter, 1998). Professions are generally identified by occupationalgroup (e.g. doctors, attorneys, surveyors, nurses, consultants, writers, lawenforcement officers). Membership in a professional organisation is often arequirement to legally practice in the profession (LaborLawTalk.com, n.d.). Aprofessional body differs from other types of organisations in that most othersare comprised of members from a variety of professions. These memberscoordinate their individual competencies to achieve an organisations ends. Asingle organisation may have as its members people from such diverseprofessions as doctors, lawyers, clerks, labourers, and engineers. Thisarrangement is certainly necessary, but it has one drawback. A typical organisation is very insular with regard to specific professions. For example, engineers may only interact with other engineers within the organisation. They have little opportunity to exchange knowledge about their profession with engineers in other organisations. On the other hand, a typical professional body, through its focus on a single profession, provides a forum for this type of exchange. One ofthe many professional bodies is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS) which promotes itself as the largest organisation for professionals inproperty, land, construction, and related environmental issues worldwide withthe purpose of promoting best practices, regulation and consumer protection tothe public and to businesses. RICS, which claims 110,000 members worldwide, isthe leading source of property related knowledge, providing independent,impartial advice to governments and global organisations. (RICS Rules ofConduct, 2004) Codes of Conduct: The Concept Codes of conduct in professional organisationsprovide a type of social control of expertise, according to Eraut (1994). Thesecodes help to protect clients against incompetence, carelessness, andexploitation. Eraut traces codes of conduct to nineteenth century Britain andthe United States where, at the time, government control was not adequatelyprotecting clients. He claims that experts agreed that a measure of controlmust be vested in the professionals themselves to be effective and, thus, theprofessional organisation was born. A Code ofConduct is a written guide that says how people should behave. It setsstandards of behaviour it says what you should do and should not do. (Crime andMisconduct Commission, n.d.) Organisations establish codes of conduct tocorrect errors of personal equation, according to Miner (2002). Shafritz(1998) describes the term code of conduct through its component words: code,which he defines as laws, regulations, rules, standards, statutes, and conduct,which he defines as bearing, behaviour, demeaneor, and deportment. His fulldefinition for code of conduct is a: specifically identified list of behaviorsthat [has] been deemed appropriate or inappropriate enough to have beenincorporated into either laws or regulations or policy statements. He addsthat a code of conduct narrowly defines what one is to do in a given positionor set of circumstances. The term code of conduct isfrequently used interchangeably with the term code of ethics, but thetwo have different meanings according to Shafritz (1998). Codes of conductoffer specific directions on behaviours expected under various conditions;codes of ethics furnish a set of aspirational standards by which to live andwork. Codes of ethics are designed to inspire. Codes of conduct are designedto require. Organisations that have instituted codes of conduct include for-profit businesses, industry groups, unions, special interest groups, government agencies, schools and universities, and professional bodies. Not unexpectedly, a code of conduct for a professional body outlines the acceptable or desirable behaviours and practices of a particular profession such as doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, and ethicists (EthicsScan Canada Ltd., n.d.). Steadman et al. (1994, cited inEraut, 1994), identified four sets of values affecting conduct: legal values,values of the profession, values of individual professionals, and (foremployees of organisations) values of the employing organisations. The firm Deloitteand Touche (2003) offers comprehensive guidance for developing codes ofconduct. In stating that there is no pre-packaged verbiage for a code ofconduct, the firm suggests that it be written in positive, rather than negativeterms, to help promote positive reception by the intended audience and thus amore like positive outcome in terms of conduct. The code of conduct should: .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  employ simple language, be concise, and be readily understood; .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  not be written in legalistic terms but, rather, in terms ofexpected behaviours; .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  apply to everyone in the organisation; and .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  be revised as needed to reflect changes. Deloitte Touche recommends more than fifty topics that may be included in codes ofconduct. Some of these that may particularly applicable to codes of conduct forprofessional organisations include client service, confidentiality, compliancewith professional standards, independence, conflicts of interest, licensure,fraud, personal conduct, and privacy. In addition, and importantly, the firmrecommends that, in addition to stating expected behaviours, codes of conductshould include enforcement and implementation mechanisms that address thenotion of accountability and discipline for unacceptable behaviour. The RICS,which was highlighted earlier, has a comprehensive, 56-page code of conductcontaining many of the topics recommended by Deloitte Touche withsections focused on personal and professional standards, conduct ofprofessional activities and business, practice details and co-operation,conflicts of interest, impartiality, and independence (Royal Institution ofChartered Surveyors Rules of Conduct, 2004). In addition, and as suggested by Deloitte Touche, the RICS has issued a 28-page supplement to the code of conduct specifying disciplinary rules. These rules state the constitution of disciplinary bodies, possible contraventions (initial processes, rights, and powers), and powers of disciplinary bodies. (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Disciplinary Rules, 2004). Professional Codes of Conduct: Effects onMember Behaviour and Conduct Lindsay, Irvine, and Lindsay (1996, citedin Messick, 1999) write: failure to seriouslymonitor, measure and reward (punish) the performance of individuals on theethical plane will leave codes of conduct operating in a vacuum, of littleuse in actually promoting ethical behavior. But what mechanisms take place in shaping thedesired behaviours of members of professional organisations? Operantconditioning and social learning theories help to explain how codes of conductcan help in encouraging desired behaviours. Operantconditioning, which contends that behaviour is a function of theconsequences of the behaviour, suggests that desired voluntary behaviour leadsto a reward or prevents a punishment; in social learning peoplelearnthrough observation and direct experience (Robbins, 1998). Codes of conduct,by specifying the desired behaviours as well as associated rewards andpunishment, guide those affected into behaving as desired (operant conditioning).The enforcement of the code of conduct against those who violate its rules, andthe publicity of the consequences, serves as a model to others on properbehaviour (social learning). Reinforcement is essential to obtainingdesired behaviours. There are four reinforcement methods available to shapedesired behaviours through reinforcement: positive reinforcement, negativereinforcement, punishment, and extinction (Robbins, 1998): .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  positive reinforcement involves following abehaviour with something positive; .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  negative reinforcement involves terminatingor withdrawing something unpleasant; .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  punishment involves creating anunpleasant condition to eliminate an undesirable behaviour; and .  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  extinction involves eliminating areinforcement that maintains a behaviour. These reinforcementmethods can be applied by professional bodies in encouraging desired behavioursamong their members. For instance, an organisation could offer annualrecognition to those members who have exhibited highly-desirable behaviours(positive reinforcement). The organisation could impose, then later withdraw, asanction against a member who violated a minor rule (negative reinforcement).The organisation could expel a member who flagrantly violated a major rule(punishment). And, finally, a professional organisation could cease referringpotential clients to members who have violated conduct rules (extinction). In addition to enforcement, a code ofconduct must be rigorously promoted to be effective lest it becomes justanother dust-collecting document on the shelves of those for whom thebehavioural messages are directed. Over time, if conduct rules are not rigorouslypromoted, the expected behaviours can become less and less important in makingdaily decisions on proper behaviour. EthicsScan Canada Ltd. (n.d.) recommendsthat codes of conduct be promoted continuously. For example, members should be required to acknowledge annually, in writing, that they have read and understand the code of conduct. A suggested method for promoting a code of conduct involves discussing it as part of annual performance appraisals or scheduled meetings. These meetings might include introducing case studies followed by discussions of proper behaviour and problems that might occur. Members of professional bodies can beself-employed or employees of other organisations. Whilst codes of conduct mayserve as the sole behavioural guidance for self-employed professionals inprivate practice, employees of other organisations may be subject to two setsof conduct codes one presented by the professional body and one by theiremploying organisations. When the conduct specified in these codes is aligned,employees typically will not experience conflict; however, when the employeesexpected conduct as required by their employers differs from that expected bytheir professional bodies, a conflict exists and employees face potentialdilemmas. For instance, in some cases, professional organisations sanction members who do not adhere to their professional codes of ethics, yet the same members face disciplinary action from their employers if they should disclose information about a breach of public interest (Guy, 1990, citing Dozier and Miceli 1985; Archer, 1986). This dilemma could result in an employee deciding to violate either the rules of his or her employer or those of the professional body. To aid employees facing this type of dilemma, both the employer and professional body should have experts available for consultation. Conclusion Properly written, promoted, and enforced,codes of conduct can be powerful tools in helping to ensure desired behavioursfrom members of professional bodies. Nevertheless, whilst beneficial, codes ofconduct cannot be viewed as a total solution for ensuring the proper behaviourof members of professional organisations. Shafritz (1998) writes: Codes of conductdo not represent professional assurancesabout high moral standards. Rather, they provide direction to those whoseconduct they govern. Codes of conduct are minimalistic prohibitions againstunquestionably subversive or criminal acts. The primary benefit of codes ofconduct lies in augmenting government laws and regulations in promoting desiredbehaviours in the professions. In closing, it may be that professional organisationsare in the fore among organisations in terms of success with codes of conduct.According to Miner (2002), [b]usiness can well learnfrom the professions when it comes to maintaining standards. Professionalbodies seem to take quite seriously the role they serve in ensuring thatclients of professional bodies are protected against incompetence,carelessness, and exploitation. References Archer,Lawrence (1986) The moral minority. Canadian Business 59:56-59, 1986.Cited in Guy, 1990. ASEPNewsletter (1998)What is a profession? March 1998. CanadianSecurities Administrators (2004) Acceptance ofcertain foreign professional boards as a professional organisation, January 19, 2004. Crime andMisconduct Commission (n.d.) Developing a code of conduct. Availablefrom: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/OTRT8.html[Accessed: August 5, 2005]. Daft,Richard L. (1998) Organisation theory and design. Cincinnati, Ohio:South-Western College Publishing, 1998. Deloitte Touche (2003) Guidelines for writing a code of ethics/conduct.Deloitte Touche Corporate Governance Services, 2003. Dozier,Janelle Brinker and Miceli, Marcia P. (1985) Potential predictors ofwhistle-blowing: A prosocial behavior perspective. Academy of ManagementReview 10:823-36. Cited in Guy, 1990. Eraut, Michael(1994) Developing professional knowledge and competence. London: FalmerPress, 1994. EthicsScanCanada Ltd. (n.d.) What is a code of professionalconduct? Available from: http://www.ethicscan.ca/resource_centre/faqs/page05.html[Accessed: August 5, 2005]. Guy,Mary E. (1990) Ethical decision making in everyday work situations.Westport, Connecticut: Quorum Books, 1990. LaborLawTalk.com(n.d.) Professional body or professional organisation. Available from: http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/professional_organisation[Accessed: August 4, 2005]. Lindsay, R. M., Irvine, V. B., and Lindsay, L. M. (1996)Instilling ethical behavior in organisations: A survey ofCanadian companies. Journal of Business Ethics, 15: 393-407, 1996.Cited in Messick, 1999. Messick,David M. (1999) Sanctioning systems, decision frames, and cooperation. AdministrativeScience Quarterly, December 1, 1999. Miner, JohnB. (2002) Organisational behaviour: Foundations, theories, and analyses.New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Robbins,Stephen P. (1998) Organisational behavior: concepts, controversies,applications. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International,Inc., 1998. RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors (2004) Disciplinary rules. London:RICS, 2004. RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors (2004) Rules of conduct. London:RICS, 2004. Rueschemeyer,D. (1983) Professional autonomy and the social control of expertise, inDingwall, R. and Lewis, P., eds. The Sociology of the Professions: Lawyers,Doctors and Others. London: Macmillan, 1983. Cited in Eraut, 1994. Shafritz,Jay M. (1998) International encyclopedia of publicpolicy and administration: A-C. Volume 1.Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1998. Steadman,S. et al. (1994) Ethics in occupational standards and S/NVQs. Researchand Development Report. Sheffield: Employment Department, Methods StrategyUnit, 1994. Cited in Eraut, 1994.

reincarnation :: essays research papers

The reincarnation system (tulku), a distinguishing characteristic of Tibetan Buddhism, is based the theory that Buddha's soul never vanishes, but reincarnates in succession to lead his followers and to accomplish his mission. One of first reincarnations among the Buddhist monks in Tibet is Karma Pakshi. In 1193, before Dusum Chenpa, a religious leader, the first Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, passed away, he told his disciples that he would return as a reincarnated being. His disciples soon led a search for his infant reincarnation in accordance with his will. Several years later, Karma Pakshi turned out as the first reincarnation in Tibet and trained to be Karma Kagyu leader. After Karma Pakshi's reincarnation, the reincarnation system was adopted by other sects gradually to keep a consistent religious leadership. By applying the system, heirs for hundreds of Gyalwas (Living Buddhas) were selected, among whom the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are the mo st prestigious. The Yellow Hat sect, Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism also applied the system to hand down the titles conferred on the third Dalai Lama and the fourth Panchen Lama to keep their established religious and secular title and power. By the end of the Qing Dynasty there were 160 high lamas registered with the Board for Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs, each applying the reincarnation system to identify their next successors. Religious methods and rituals are used to identify a reincarnation of a late high lama. A search party headed by another high lama begins the search. After a religious retreat, lamas, dispatched in disguise, scour Tibet for special signs: new mothers who had unusual dreams, children who have special knowledge without being taught, and special physical traits, such as big ear lobes. The lamas refer to oracles, portents, dreams and the late lama's prophesy in order to aid them in their search. Some lamas are sent to Lhamo Latso, the Oracle Lake, to look for prophetic visions to help locate the reincarnation. Usually, dozens of candidates are sought. They will be tested with the late lama's possessions; those who have amazing knowledge in identifying their predecessor's belongings win and become the final candidates.

The Rainmake - Film Review Essay -- essays research papers

John Grisham’s â€Å"The Rainmaker† is the sixth novel to film adaptation and is by far one of the more accomplished. Directed by Francis Ford Copolla, this intriguing courtroom drama reveals the ordeals of a young lawyer and associate entering the realm of unscrupulous money hungry company’s scams. â€Å"They were totally unqualified to try the case of a life time, but every underdog has his day†. To become a â€Å"Rainmaker† is Rudy Baylor’s (Matt Damon) ambition, to try the case of a lifetime and make the â€Å"big bucks† fall from the sky. Passing his bar exam with ease, this idealistic Memphis law school graduate, confidentially enters the eye-opening world of law and injustice in the 90’s. Kick-starting his career in an firm of ambulance chasing attorneys, headed by the shifty Bruiser Stone, Baylor’s business is initially sparse, until Deck Schifflet (Danny De Vito) an unlicensed, street-wise legal assistant attempting the bar for the sixth time, steps in and demonstrates to the inexperienced Baylor how it is done. Mrs. Birdie, (Teresa Wright) Baylor’s landlady, becomes his first case, a chirpy elderly lady wishing to leave her fortunes to a TV evangelist, much to the disdain of her family, whom Birdie wants to â€Å"cut,cut,cut† from her will. His second case is Kelly Riker, (Clare Danes) a young woman repeatedly assaulted by her husband Cliff (Andrew Schue). Riker catches Baylor’s eye in the hospital cafeteria, covered in bruises, attracting Baylor’s special interest to the case, as well as the safety of the defendant. The central case of the film is that of a mother’s battle against an insurance company who refuse to pay insurance for her only son Donny Ray (Johnny Whitworth) who is dying of Leukemia. Dot Black (Mary Kay Place) puts forward a strong case, with the assistance of Baylor, unveiling the injustice Insurance Company Great Benefits exhibits in shunning a lower class family out of much needed money insuring a young man’s health and well-being. A heartwrenching tale of injustice unfolds in this Memphis courtroom, accompanied appropriately with many a humorous action and anecdote. The fact that it is set in actual locations in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, gives this 20th Century film great authenticity. The home of Dot, Buddy and Donny-Ray Black is representative of typical lower working class citizens; a run-down American ranch style house with a wide front... ... courtroom. He also featured techniques such as cross cuts between the interrogation of the CEO and Schifflets search for Lemanczyk, and flash back sequences of the happy days when Donny Ray was healthy and the insurance company rep. was offering the Black family a â€Å"great† insurance deal. Voice Overs allowed the viewer to experience Baylor’s thoughts and sound effects like the thud of the baseball bat on Cliff Riker’s skull and use of rain and thunder in the murder scene, decorated the film and added to the suspense of the plot. Lighting in red tones gave warmth to the happier scenes and gray tinges shadowed the gloomier scenes. Music was predominantly instrumental with love themes during Baylor and Rikers intimate scenes and triumphant scores signifying the victory of the Black/Great benefits case. Costumes were thought out with Dot Blacks clothing coming from Good will stores to fasten that lower class citizen appearance. In Conclusion, the entire film was a well thought out production. â€Å"The Rainmaker† was an interesting, enjoyable and at times quite poignant film, and well worth a high, middle, and lower class citizens movie ticket buying money!!! Recommended viewing for all.

Project management and strategic planning Essay

Question: Language style: English (U.K.).   Write strategic planning and implementation steps involved in any project within IT department. Mention the Total quality management steps followed. What are the problems faced? Which problem solving and decision making methods would you suggest to be utilized? Explain. References: Any 2 Sources from the Internet, or Textbooks or journals. An organisation’s IT Strategic planning should combine some amount of tactical planning.   An IT department would require a strategic planning policy to ensure that the staff members and students can use the network on the campus as and when required.   As per the university requirements, all the schools should have a functional IT system, with certain criteria and specifications.   The IT planning would also help the school to share and receive technology from other schools and in this way be of immense help to the students. An IT Department should form a part and parcel of the education policy and processes of the educational institute.   It should be considered as a very important educational and information tool, for the students and staff members.   Let us now look at the actual strategic planning process and how it can be implemented in an educational institute. Strategic Planning is a process of making important decisions in the organisation so that a link between the present and the future trends is formed, choosing the organization’s goals, establishing the policies needed to meet specific objectives and recognising the means of assuring that policies are implemented in an appropriate manner. In a nutshell strategic plans are the â€Å"action plans† (Majdà ºchovà ¡, 2003 & Strategic Initiatives, 2007). STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS: Considering an example of a Management institute with special reference to the project to be carried out in the IT department, the following detailing a manager in the unit will have to accomplish and organize (ICFAI). A Manager who is responsible for strategic planning would convert the intentions or objectives of the organisation concrete and measurable strategic plans, policies and budget allocations (Majdà ºchovà ¡, 2003 & Strategic Initiatives, 2007). Step one: Defining the mission of the organization Based on the above work assignments, companies change their mission over a period of time to reflect changes in the external environment. The IT unit should address three important issues: What is the business supposed to do? Who are the customers? What goods or services does it offer? An IT department targets the various problems and issues, which are normally faced in a laboratory system of an organisation.   The IT department would provide services to the staff and the students and not merely provide goods alone to the audiences mentioned above (Kotler, 1999). Step two: Drawing up organizational objectives The strategic planning process in an IT department will broadly comprise of the following main objectives to be achieved.   This would help to determine the means of accomplishing the mission: – Students online exams / reports / marks, Laptop management (Wi-Fi connection), Internet control, LAN Connections, PC Maintenance, AMC – annual maintenance contract, Software and hardware troubleshooting, UPS, Vendor management, Requisition and procurement of PCs, UPS etc, Intranet management, ERP package connectivity, and Server support  Ã‚   (Kotler, 1999 & ICFAI) Step three: Assessing and Analysing SWOT The mangers need to analyse thoroughly the organisation’s current situation in order to develop an effective strategy to gain a competitive edge: – Availability of KRA’s Availability of E-commerce technologies and processes Availability of skills in management of the supply chain or the vendor Management of Proprietary technology, superior technological skills, IP, Patents, and the issues concerned with them (Kotler, 1999 & ICFAI) Step four: Formulating strategy Michael Porter has described three strategies which can help a firm / unit to gain competitive edge over others. Overall Cost Leadership: An IT firm has to consider the capital investment and access to it, the engineering skills required, intense supervision of labour, products designed for ease in manufacture, etc in order to achieve the its objectives (Kotler, 1999). Differentiation: The IT department may differentiate its products and services into technical and engineering support, strong capability in identifying the LAN, vendors, ERP, Wi-Fi, Internet, skills of the staff members needed, Intranet, etc (Kotler, 1999). Focus: All the above mentioned policies should be directed towards meeting the strategic target of fulfilling the staff’s and the student’s requirements (Kotler, 1999). Step five: Implementing strategy According to McKinsey et al, the best-managed companies exhibit the following 7 elements, known as â€Å"McKinsey 7-S framework for business success†. These include strategy, structure, and systems (known as ‘hardware to success†); and style, skills, staff and shared values (known as â€Å"software to success†) (Kotler, 1999 & ICFAI). In an IT department, style refers to the common ways of thinking and behaving of the staff members.   Skills refer to the unique method of handling problems experienced by the organization, especially using creative solutions.   Staffing is the process of hiring, training and allocating the work by the department.   Shared values refer to the common guiding values shared by the staff members (ICFAI). During the implementation, the manager should constantly monitor the technology, staff, incentives/reward system, decision-making processes, structures and functions (ICFAI). IMPLEMENTING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT This involves selecting the right staff members and using ensuring that the services are of high quality.   The process of TQM is continuous in the organisation so that quality of the organisation would improve (through having appropriate processes, products and services).   Feedback regarding customer satisfaction is gained, and accordingly improvements are made.   The company needs to gain an insight of how the user would be using the product.   Any shortcoming should be identified and modified, as and when needed.   Some of the steps in TQM include: – Studying the current quality situation Defining the quality needs Planning for a quality control program initiated by the managers Having structures, functions and strategies for implementing the quality program Allocating and obtaining the resources Monitoring and evaluation of the quality control program (Hashmi, 2000) PROBLEMS FACED: The IT department may face several major problems in cases of IT resource troubleshooting, logistics management, customer satisfaction, changes in the vision of the organisation, leadership problems, incompetent human resources, adoption of new technologies, managing the IP, obsolete facilities, etc (ICFAI). One of the major problems faced by the organisation previously, was regarding the presence of viruses in various network systems.   This seemed a threat to the security of the network.   The organisation had to develop a policy to prevent entry and spread of such virus on its network system.   This ensured that all external connections including CD’s, pen drives, removable discs, etc, were thoroughly scanned so that any virus threat would be contained.   The users were also informed of the security measures that had to be followed whilst using the network.   A strong firewall was installed to ensure that all data entering and existing the network was thoroughly monitored.   In this way, the IT department effectively handled virus threats. A study was conducted in the Institute’s IT Department to determine the effectiveness and the efficiency of the IT department’s network system.   More than 100 individuals were interviewed, which included 80 students and 20 teachers.   It was found that when a definite plan was introduced since 2004, the quality of services provided by the IT department improved drastically.   About 75 % of the staff members and 65 % of the students agreed to this.   The IT personnel are conducting quality checks at various levels to ensure that the services are effective and can enable the organisation to achieve its goals. Services Provided Percent of Staff who felt that the services were good Percent of Staff who felt that the services were satisfactory Percent of Staff who felt that the services were poor Comments Internet 75 21 4 Internet services are very good with fast connectivity and lightning speeds Intranet 50 35 15 Intranet exists, but not updated regularly Messenger 25 13 63 Not utilised very often during instruction Mail 65 26 9 Utilised very frequently and beneficial to all the faculty members and students.   Each staff and student is given their own id and password Library 78 12 10 Services are limited (no of databases subscribed) College Database 50 24 26 Not updated for long Teleconference system 56 25 19 Although, the system is effective and very useful, frequent disruptions occur PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING METHODS: Group Decision making method may be useful in large and complex departments, as the decision adopted seem to be better. Delphi group technique brings a panel of experts together in order to identify the problem and develop solutions for them.   Responses are collected and averaged by the people coordinating the group. It is utilised more often to immediately solve acute problems faced by the unit.   Such problems are time consuming and expensive to solve.   Interacting groups is the most common form of group decision making, in which the members openly discuss the problem, develop ideas, argue about each of them, and choose the best alternative. Decision Tree is a complex instrument that helps the decision-maker to consider various alternative courses needed to solve the problem and select the most appropriate alternative. The decision-maker can implement and monitor the alternative (Kotler, 1999 & ICFAI).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Overall, I do feel that from the efforts of the management of the organisation and from the IT department itself, an effective network system has been develop which is very useful for the students and the staff members.   This educational tool helps in education, instruction, and research and even in providing information to the general public.   Regular feedback should be taken from the users, administrators, etc, in order to determine if any modification is required for the IT System, and effectively introduced into the IT strategic plan.   Over, the last four years, incorporation of an IT plan has ensured a faster network, security, greater access, and increased support.   The IT department has also certain trouble shooting devices in place to handle any situation.   This has helped the organisation to achieve its objectives. References: Hashmi, K. (2000), Introduction and Implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM), [Online], Available: http://www.isixsigma.com/library/content/c031008a.asp, [Accessed: 2007, November 23]. ICFAI – Introduction to management, ICFAI Center for Management research. ICFAI – Project Management, ICFAI publication of management research.    Kotler, P. (1999), â€Å"Marketing Management: the Millennium edition,† 10th ed, Prentice Hall. Majdà ºchovà ¡, H. (2003), â€Å"Strategic Management For The Nonprofit Organizations†, Electronic Library of Scientific Literature, vol. 51, no. 3. http://www.sav.sk/journals/ekoncas/ekon2003_07.htm   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Strategic Initiatives – Leading Transformative Change†, [Online], Available: http://www.strategicinitiatives.com/, [Accessed: 2007, November 23]. The University of Colorado at Boulder (2002). â€Å"2002 Information Technology Strategic Planning Report.† [Online], Available: http://www.colorado.edu/ITplan/2002itsp.pdf, [Accessed: 2007, November 23]. The University of Colorado at Boulder (2002). 2002 IT Strategic Vision, [Online], Available: http://www.colorado.edu/ITplan/vision.pdf, [Accessed: 2007, November 23]. The University of Colorado at Boulder (2002). Current Situation (Trends), [Online], Available: http://www.colorado.edu/ITplan/trends.pdf, [Accessed: 2007, November

THE PROBLEMS FACED BY BEGINNING ONLINE LEARNERS

Distance acquisition, sometimes called e-learning is here defined as synergistic acquisition in which the acquisition content is available on-line and provides automatic feedback to the pupil ‘s acquisition activities. Online communicating with existent people may or may non be included, but the focal point of e- acquisition is normally more on the acquisition content than on communicating between scholars and coachs. Distance acquisition and its relationship to emerging computing machine engineerings have together offered many promises to the field of education.A In pattern nevertheless, the combination frequently falls short of what it attempts to accomplish.A Some of the defects are due to jobs with the engineering ; others have more to make with disposal, instructional methods, or students.A Despite the jobs, many users like engineerings such as tight picture and see continued growing in the country. However, distance acquisition is no such advantage is that it is easy, a individual can analyze without go toing categories or talks, while working or making some other class. It is besides a good option for homemakers who are non able to inscribe into classs because they have to take attention of immature kids, merely trade with computing machines and have their ain clip to larn and besides can pass on with coachs and equals via online such as electronic mail, forum and confab. . In distance instruction classs, you would be provided with study stuff and besides would hold to subject assignments on clip. These assignments would be assessed by professors who would direct you feedback. However, if you are be aftering to inscribe into distance acquisition, you need to to cognize about some of the distance larning pros and cons. Like every good thing, even distance acquisition has some disadvantages that can do it look a small inconvenient for people. The job may be due to factors balance between personal and learning jobs. If pupils can non accommodate to the system of distance acquisition, they will confront a different job. In add-on, deficiency of cognition and accomplishments about utilizing engineering and computing machines, linguistic communication accomplishments, particularly English linguistic communication, disorganised manner of larning to blend work jobs, household and survey clip. These are some of the distance acquisition advantages and disadvantages. Before doing a determination, it is of import to weigh the distance larning pros and cons. Though distance acquisition can be termed as a utile and convenient manner to derive cognition and to higher one ‘s making, whether it would profit you would wholly depend upon your personality and attitude. Here we will discourse in more item about the jobs faced by on-line scholars and solutions or suggestions can be followed so that any jobs that arise can be resolved satisfactorily. So it is of import to place the job faced by online scholars because without this cognition, possibly the scholars will lose their focal point and motiveTHREE MAIN PROBLEMS FACED BY BEGINNING ONLINE LEARNERSDespite the promises and obvious advantages to distance acquisition, there are jobs that need to be resolved.A These jobs include equilibrating the combination of work, household and instruction, analyze wonts and deficiency of accomplishments in technology.A Each one of these has an consequence on the overall quality of distance acquisition as a product.A In many ways, each of these issues relates to the others.A This is one of the major job which will do them believe twice earlier decide to progress their survey. The first job faced by on-line distance scholars is in equilibrating the combination of work and instruction. Most of the unfastened and distance scholar normally have many committednesss and duties that they must go to while making their educational ends. Many of them are married, work full clip and of class have kids. If non carried out, all of this can do the pupil bead out from their acquisition. Job duty is already daunting, allow entirely the household and the acquisition, so big scholars have limited clip to make their survey. The undertaking of equilibrating all of the above duty is genuinely disputing for most of them. The 2nd issue is in geting go on-line distance survey wonts. The pupils ‘ mundane environment is really deflecting for most of the pupils. Unlike traditional university pupils who are ever in their acquisition community which supports them most of the clip, on-line distance pupils are non. Distractions such as friends inquiring for dark supper and married woman demanding to travel shopping at the promenade every weekend are among other distractions faced by pupils. Geting some clip in a twenty-four hours to analyze is rather a difficult undertaking to finish. Online distance scholars besides have a difficult clip in being independent and responsible to their ain ego. Most of the clip, there is no 1 about to supervise the pupils larning procedure. The openness of the on-line distance plan gives pupils the freedom to make their acquisition procedure whenever they like but most of the clip, cunctation is the perpetrator. Unfocused position of their acquisition ends besides will do the pupils act irresponsibly towards their acquisition. The 3rd issue is on-line distance scholars besides face jobs in acknowledging and get the hanging strengths and accomplishments in Information Technology ( IT ) . In on-line distance acquisition, engineering is the chief conduit which information and communicating flow. A computing machine with internet entree is normally needed for this procedure and its application will necessitate the user to get the hang certain degree of skill. Some of these jobs arise from a deficiency of preparation, some from the teacher ‘s attitudes about utilizing the engineering, and still others by hardware problems.A It seems to be self apparent that teachers need to be trained to utilize distance larning engineering, but excessively frequently they are not.A The pupil will besides necessitate to hold some basic authorship accomplishments and travel on-line distance bid of English linguistic communication. Unfortunately, non all of the pupils possess the above accomplishments.3.0 THREE LOGICAL AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTION ON WAY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY BEGINNING ONLINE LEARNERSAdults pupils largely do non hold the luxury of go toing college on a full clip footing because of their work and household duties. They frequently experience jobs which, if non overcome, can ensue in the derailing of their educational ends. There are things that they can make though to assist get the better of the typical jobs that arise. The first solution is scholars must pull off and be after themselves efficaciously in order to equilibrating work, household and survey. They have to use smart clip direction. Avoiding stalling a must. They must be more responsible and have a focussed position towards larning. They must besides larn to better themselves in countries they are missing ( such as composing accomplishments, computing machine accomplishments, note taking accomplishments and English linguistic communication accomplishments ) because non all accomplishments will be taught by the coach. They need to actuate their ain ego by puting accomplishable ends and have a positive attitude. The 2nd solutions are start with less demanding class. There tends to be some ambitious classs that must be completed by pupils, there is seldom a demand that these should be the first 1s studied. Therefore, get down with less disputing 1s that you find more gratifying ab initio so as to construct assurance. This assists in acquiring used to the college atmosphere and the demands of class work once more. Furthermore, every pupil make a survey calender to detailing scrutiny day of the months and assignment due day of the months on a dedicated calender helps to avoid the rushing of assignments at the last proceedingss or exam cram Sessionss. Proper readying leads to good classs, while unequal planning consequences in failure. The 3rd solutions are make certain that internet entree is readily available. Study today is dependent on the cyberspace, forum, e-mail and etc as intermediate communicating. The ability to entree library databases and complete research online is the footing of wining. Besides, electronic entree eliminates the demand of passing many hours working on campus, you can analyze from place alternatively. The practical suggestion on manner to cut down job faced by online scholars are job work outing accomplishments. It gives the chance to develop other utile larning accomplishments such as like pattern specific processs and set theoretical usage when develop concluding abilities and creativeness in happening replies. Other method besides like develop scholars understanding of implicit in rules and do research subject in item. Deciding a survey job may travel through the undermentioned phases as like reappraisal of information. Define job, relate available information to the job with design a work program and methodological analysis and proctor results. Promote them to do a scheme for developing their job work outing accomplishments, which could include reexamining their ain effectivity in this country, placing the chief stairss of the job work outing procedure, placing the standards against which to judge the criterion or quality of results, looking at the job in different ways, simplifying it, doing comparings with researching information and confer withing people to set up critical thought, taking and utilizing methods to undertake the job and taking into history factors that may impact job work outing programs entering information in utile manner.4.0 DecisionThe job faced by get downing on-line scholars is such as like is in equilibrating the combination of work and instruction. Most of the unfastened and distance instruction pupils are older, have occupations and households, so they are should cognize how to pull off clip decently and which one are the precedence. The 2nd issue is in geting go on-line distance survey wonts. The pupils ‘ mundane environment is really deflecting for most of the pupils. Unlike traditional university pupils who are ever in their acquisition community which supports them most of the clip, on-line distance pupils are non, so they must should do a survey calender so that proper readying leads to good classs, while unequal planning can acquire failure consequence. Online distance scholars besides have a difficult clip in being independent and responsible to their ain ego. All the pupil online scholars have to work out all this job with their ain manner and besides have to take more duty on their survey. The 3rd issue is jobs in acknowledging and get the hanging strengths and accomplishments. They must besides larn to better themselves in countries they are missing such as composing accomplishments, computing machine accomplishments, English linguistic communication accomplishments because non all accomplishments will be taught by coach. So pupils should happen their ain opt ions to heighten the accomplishments. If you know if this full job can non decide possibly something might go on in the hereafter. For illustration, on-line scholars possibly will neglect with their survey or acquire bad consequence and blow their money and clip to analyze. As pupil online scholars we should hold purpose for success in our survey. Our ends are for every class participant to win, go forth the class looking at the environing universe with the position of a scientist, experience confident utilizing scientific discipline in his or her ain acquisition, and cognize how to back up inquiry-based acquisition in his or her ain schoolroom.5.0 APPENDIX 1Distance Learning With the history of distance larning embracing so many different larning environments, we need to happen a definition that fits in all situations.A There have been many definitions put frontward in modern literature.A Greenberg ( 1998 ) defines modern-day distance acquisition as â€Å" a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a broad spectrum of engineerings to make scholars at a distance and is designed to promote learner interaction and enfranchisement of larning † .A Teaster and Blieszner ( 1999 ) say â€Å" the term distance acquisition has been applied to many instructional methods: nevertheless, its primary differentiation is that the instructor and the scholar are separate in infinite and perchance clip † .A Desmond Keegan ( 1995 ) gives the most thorough definition.A He says that distance instruction and developing consequence from the technological separation of instructor and scholar which frees the pupil from the necessity of going to â€Å" a fixed topographic point, at a fixed clip, to run into a fixed individual, in order to be trained † .A From these definitions we can see that the pupil and instructor are separated by infinite, but non needfully by clip. This would include tight picture, which is delivered in existent clip. As stated before, this type of unrecorded picture direction is the fastest turning agencies of distance acquisition today.A Because of this, much of the treatment here will be dedicated to the promises and jobs of this engineering.5.1 APPENDIX 2The Reality of Adult Learners OnlineI was slightly concerned about the pupils and the deficiency of personal attending they would be having through my on-line class. Since I did non cognize them, I did n't cognize their learning manners or cultural differences. Adult scholars in peculiar have different acquisition manners and cultural backgrounds, and they may experience they are being left out of larning activities ( Baloglu, 2007 ) . Therefore, distance acquisition may do a psychological, every bit good as a physical, spread ( Durrington, Berryhill, & A ; Swafford, 2006 ) . Students may experience lonely, and a deficiency of face-to-face communicating and competition can impact their motive. Barriers for grownup scholars are categorized as situational, institutional, and dispositional. A individual ‘s fortunes in life at any given clip are considered possible situational barriers. Different policies and patterns may do class engagement more hard are considered institutional barriers. Students ‘ attitudes about their ain abilities to win are considered dispositional barriers. These barriers present extra obstructions for grownup scholars who attempt to obtain an advanced grade ( Spellman, 2007 ) . I found these grownup scholars, who were instructors, to be motivated and really seasonably in turning in their assignments and posting on Blackboard. Having them complete assignments that benefited their theses made them even more enthusiastic about finishing the work. They all asked inquiries and sought elucidation about things they did n't understand. They besides did an first-class occupation noticing on the other pupils ‘ stations. By the terminal of the class, I could see a definite betterment in the content of their article ratings. I think they were larning from one another. The grownup scholars I taught were clearly autonomous and able to be independent. They had life cognition and were goal-oriented. It seems they wanted to see the relevancy and application of their instruction, were practical, needful regard, needed feedback, and had to be interested in the capable affair ( Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, 2000 ; Henick, 1994 ) . The grounds adult scholars obtain a post-secondary grade tend to differ from those of traditional pupils. Adult scholars typically want to progress in an organisation. An extra grade besides makes them more marketable and competitory in the occupation market and allows them to alter callings ( Milheim, 2005 ) .