Thursday, October 31, 2019

Operation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Operation Management - Essay Example The economic and social factor of people has changed drastically and that is why education and warnings about dangerous things should be given priority before embarking on business. Excellent programs on data collection about the coffee business, surveys of past errors and how they can be corrected should also be scrutinized. Consequently, recommendations have to be underway on how coffee shops can curb accidents resulting from coffee burns. Coffee management strategies that rarely have the specific objectives which are organized by all the stakeholders and for this reason they can always undermine the support of the stakeholders on the selling of coffee to their customers. In this paper I evaluate and discuss the strategies used in the case where by McDonald was sued for selling the customer hot coffee which accidentally burns Mrs. Stella Liebeck on her way home in car driven by her grandson. The approach used by the people who sued the McDonald was robust processes to achieve justi ce for what happened to Mrs. Liebeck.I also review the importance of all the businesses in the world today to understand the uncertainties of balancing the economic, biological and sociological objectives of their customers. Operation Management Introduction The case of McDonald’s coffee shop is a good example of factors that many businesses tend to ignore. ... In the world today, coffee markets have increased and is dominated by the brand coffee shops which include foreign and home made coffee (Lee and Yeu 2010.).Since 2009, coffee shops have increased drastically to suit the ever growing population. The coffee shops have grown in number across the country (Park and Lee 2010) Due to the fact that customers buy coffee any where and any time, Liabeck bought coffee which later spilt on her laps causing severe burns which made her hospitalized for eight days. The impact of various customers behavior and the repercussions and hospitality studies have been put upfront on how to retain customers in coffee shops and restaurants.(Kwun and Oh,2006).in this paper, I critically look at the impact of the case between McDonalds and Mrs. Liabeck. The main reason for the case is that, McDonalds sold very hot coffee to a customer who was in a hurry which ended up causing severe burns on her body .Another thing that I will look at is the importance of using a proper procedure when evaluating the McDonalds case. The management strategic evaluation should be put in place to help the stakeholders help make the decisions in a firm (Kolli 2000). Methodology The method used was questionnaire where by it consisted of four parts that were basically modified by the stakeholders for them to fit the context of a coffee shop. First of all, the whole study had a scenario from a context of tourism which could fit well in the modification of a coffee shop. The next step was basically to ask all the respondents to evaluate their experiences at the McDonalds coffee shop in regard to the functional attributes of the shop. The third step was to ask the customers their attitudes towards the coffee shop (He and Mukherjee, 2007). Executive summary The

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Ethno Nationalist Terrorism Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethno Nationalist Terrorism - Personal Statement Example in Palestine, with the assistance of Jews and English mandatory authorities, the agriculture and the industry started developing and new jobs appeared. Todays Arabs know well, who their ancestors and when and where they came to Palestine from. The citizens of Israel who live in settlements on the occupied territories follow the laws of Israel, and they have all the rights of citizens of Israel. At the same time inhabitants of occupied territories submit to the Jordanian code of laws and management of military authorities. Thus, in one territory there are 2 groups of people with different rights: one group of people (Israeli-Arabs) has more rights, at the same time as another (Palestinians) has less. This situation is identical to the situation in the Republic of South Africa where individuals of different nationalities had different rights, in particular, blacks, as well as Palestinians, had no right to vote and a freedom of movement t(Payes, 2005). Israeli-Arabs committed the acts of terrorism very seldom in comparison to Palestinians that can be explained by the fact that they have many privileges. Wimmer explains that the terrorists acts of Palestinians are provoked by the government of Israel which does not give them any chance for peaceful resolution: â€Å"It is infuriating that the passivity of the governments of the international community has allowed Israel to impose collective punishment, clearly prohibited by the international law, while the military machine of the occupation continued to act without compassion against the Palestinian civilian" (Wimmer, 2009). However, various violations were rather frequent and sometimes serious, giving Jews certain grounds to see in them silent allies of the enemies. Israeli-Arabs are also deprived of certain rights in comparison to Jews, because they are considered to be a threat to national security. Israel preferred to fight against threat from the side of the Israeli Arabs by means of their exclusion from the system

Sunday, October 27, 2019

The Singer Solution To World Poverty

The Singer Solution To World Poverty Poverty is the state of people who do not have a certain amount of income to achieve the basic needs. Peoples buying power is not enough to pay their basic need from food. In the article Peter Singers to ground the conclusion that it is morally wrong not to donate time and money to aid agencies. In Singers analogy it is stated that not saving a child who is drowning in a shallow pond, given that the sacrifice one has to give is relatively small, is morally analogous to not donating time and money to aid agencies that save the lives of the global poor. Because most people have the intuition that not saving the child is wrong then not donating time and money to aid agencies is also wrong. An important consequence of this restatement of the argument is that we avoid the discussion of the validity of the life-saving analogy: The discussion of whether we can actually liken the two cases in the analogy together. Much of the writings on the analogy have revolved around the question how analogous and disanalogous the two cases are. One of my aims in the paper is to show that we do not need to answer that question in order to reach the conclusion that it is morally wrong not to donate time and money to aid agencies: We do not need the analogy at all. If we show that we can annul the analogy then we are free from the problems and the vagueness which are a consequence of the use of analogical reasoning. If the universal moral principle in the deductive argument above is reasonable then we owe it to the global poor, who are dying by the millions every year, to state the argument which grounds our duties to them as simply, directly and convincingly as possible. The hope is that by redesigning the argument for this conclusion then the citizens of the affluent world will rather be convinced to act according to the conclusion of such an argument than to the conclusion of the argument which contains the lifesaving analogy. All of which raises a question: In the end, what is the ethical distinction between a Brazilian who sells a homeless child to organ peddlers and an American who already has a TV and upgrades to a better one knowing that the money could be donated to an organization that would use it to save the lives of kids in need? Bobs situation resembles that of people able but unwilling to donate to overseas aid and differs from Doras situation. The author Singer is like his name conveying beautiful and kind ideas and theories to people in this world. However, maybe he forgot to realize that Sirens song also pertains to singing. As there are different kinds of human beings in this planet, each with a unique personality and growth environment, we thus could not judge everyone in a same standard and could not ask everyone to perform the ways you want them to act. Let alone, the so-called standards and the principals are all created and manipulated by men. Singers conclusion is unprecedented and encouraging but is lack of cogency. His conclusion was obtained under an ideal situation where human beings could evolve themselves of their own accord. According to what he said, under the ideal situation, we people care others first (to some extent equals to selfless and generous); keep abstinent, especially be moderate in eating; and sacrifice ourselves in order to help others, all of which in my point of view could be treated as virtue of Sage. Singer holds that if we value the life of a child more than going to fancy restaurants, the next time we dine out we will know that we could have done something better with our money. For this statement, I have got two points to contend. Firstly, how come would people be aware of donation? It is because those who would like to contribute their money are the ones who do not need to care too much about their food, their shelter, their cars and their spiritual world. Those people are always the main force in charity industry. But what is the motivation of these kind acts? Some of them are because of redemption, like there are churches setting up service wholly for rich men: if they could donate a big sum of money, they would be logically forgiven by the God. Some of them are due to faces, since the public always criticize the rich for not being so generous to the poor. The rest are unfeignedly on account of kindness because those wealthy men all bear a heart that cares the whole world. But no matter from which starting point, the essence of their donation is because that they are rich and that they donate is because that all of them could still keep their living standard. Yes, living standard. Singer also referred to this phrase when he mentioned how much money one should give away in their donation. Here comes the second point of my judgment. So how much on earth should we donate? Is it the percentage that a person should save for donation matters? Or is it the number $20,000 really matters? Indeed, they are just all simple numbers. Provided we abandoned the prejudice and expected the most ideal state that everyone attempts to share some of his income with the poor, the base increased, then we really dont need to worry about the number exactly cause we have got much more people and their money is in anyway sufficient. In this way, with a large number of people joining the base, the problem is solved. Thus, we could draw the conclusion that it is whether people would do that matters but how much money they would like to give away decides. People are not sage. To err is human. People are born in distinct ways. People in different levels (here levels means the amount money different people own) have imbalanced desire. We are all familiar with Maslows hierarchy of needs. Maslow used the terms Physiological, Safety, Belongingness and Love, Esteem, Self-Actualization and Self-Transcendence needs to describe the pattern that human motivations generally move through. (Wikipedia) thus, before we are about to plan, there is also a process, which happens to be the pyramid of Maslows hierarchy of needs, for people to go through. Thus, we can tell that people always firstly meet their physical requirements such as cloth, eating, shelter, sex and so on. As for donation it pertains to the highest level-self-actualization. From the first level to the highest level, there is a long distance and area to cover. People must conquer all the difficulties in order to actualize themselves. So it then becomes easy for us to understand those rich people The more sweet he or she has already tasted, the less money he or she would donate. This is because $20,000 is nothing to rich people compared to that of the same money in a middle-level family. Especially for rich people, their living habits have been developed and are hard to change. Plus, seldom rich people would change their current habits in order to save more children. As for those relative poor people but rich than those Slum kids, their problems are always concentrated on roles. The most common mental state of those people is collective guilt. People in that level would always argue that I am poor myself and those donation things are for the rich. Rich people are obliged to give away more. Collective guilt is a very dangerous behavior in every society throughout the history. Not only German but Japanese as well, the good thing is that the former confessed crime in public. We have seen some horrible news everyday via different media about people commit crime as a group, such as rape by turns, Amway returning of goods and so on. In The Singer Solution to World Poverty, Singer didnt employ the same word collective guilt but showed us another less severe phrase-crowd ethics. Since we couldnt judge those people who dont donate as collective guilt, but to some extent it is about crowd ethics. In recent years China, we have seen many cases referred to c rowd ethics. We have seen people passing by a dying kid hit by a car; we have seen people turning a blind eye to thieves and we have seen officials being irresponsible. All these people are not guilt but all lack of sympathy. Donation is alike. We have talked much about the groundless of Singers conclusion to the poor. But it is still undeniable that Singer is a great man. He is few in number person whose actions always follow their words. He contributes a great deal to morality research and paves ways for animal protection as well as promotes the worlds ethic levels. Although it is hard to build up a world as Singer has described in the article: If that makes living a morally decent life extremely arduous, well, then that is the way things are. If we dont do it, then we should at least know that we are failing to live a morally decent life not because it is good to wallow in guilt but because knowing where we should be going is the first step toward heading in that direction. But in every era, Sage would eventually appear. There are people even in a few numbers who themselves live under poverty but still donates their limited money day and night and there are people who help each other when confronted with catastrophe. Human beings are strange Higher Beings, but are educable. Only under the leadership of great people like Singer and educating human beings in a correct way, can we eventually live a morally decent life. Work cited Singer, Peter. The Singer Solution to World Poverty. 1999. Wikipedia writer. Maslows hierarchy of needs.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Homosexual Couples Essay -- essays papers

Homosexual Couples Argument Essay We Can Do It, Why Can’t They? In the world now there are different kinds of partners: Black, White, Interracial, Straight, Gay, etc. But like many people, in the world, not everyone is accepted. Many people do not except Homosexuals for the reason that they are different from us. People would say that Homosexuals choose to live a â€Å"non normal† life. But they are people just like us. They have a heart just like we do, but they choose to put their heart towards their own sex. Society develops fears of homosexuality do to the belief that it disrupts the family, promotes pedophilia, child slavery, contributes to the moral decline of society and is a form of emotional illness (Grigg 85). This â€Å"homophobia† is a phenomenon of American culture (Cornett 140). It is my belief that society should learn to accept homosexuality and homosexual relationships. The September 14, 1992, issue of Newsweek published a poll revealing that most Americans still regard homosexuality as unacceptable (Grigg 80). By the most reliable estimate, Homosexuals account for about two to three percent of the population (Grigg 85). Before European contact most Native American societies viewed Homosexuals as important members of their communities (Tafoya 86). Significant minorities of men and women, one to five percent, are attracted exclusively to members of their own sex (LeVay and Hamor 121). Many gay people have responded to social pressures against homosexuality by â€Å"centering,† by discovering living according to their own values. An intense quest for identity, purpose and meaning often begins quite early, certainly by the time young homosexuals begin to appreciate the tremendous social pressures... ...am Norman. â€Å"Society should not tolerate homosexuality†. Human Sexuality. Greenhaven Press, Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1995 Cornett, Carlton. â€Å"Homosexuality is Normal Sexual Behavior†. Human Sexuality. Greenhaven Press, Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1995 Tafoya, Terry. â€Å"Society Should Celebrate all forms of Sexuality†. Human Sexuality. Greenhaven Press, Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1995 LeVay, Simon and Hamer, Dean. â€Å"Evidence for a Biological Influence in male Homosexuality†. Human Sexuality. Greenhaven Press, Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1995 Freedman, Mark. â€Å"Homosexuals Contribute to Society†. Sexual Values. Psychology Today Magazine. Greenhaven Press Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1975. Gold, Ronald. â€Å"Homosexuals Have the Right to Live Openly†. Sexual Values. Gay Rights is a First Amendment Issue Civil Liberties. Greenhaven Press Inc.: San Diego, CA, 1982.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

A Response to a Historical Essay Based on the US Civil War Essay

The war as people have known and understood it, has inculcated nothing but violence. Over the history, the remnants of different wars became distinct because of the horrors that it caused and imbibed within the innocent lives of people not involved with it. In addition, those who have actually participated in wars, battleworn and inflicted with such violence can only remember the dreadful effects that it left. However, recent studies and approaches to war histories suggest otherwise. Indeed, there have been numerous horrors inflicted by the war towards innocent victims – women, children, elderly, and the soldiers themselves. But on a different light, the article by Drew Gilpin Faust shows that these wars, although violent and bloody, have brought numerous lessons that only the battlefield can best teach the people. In contrast to the usual and common notion perceiving war as evil and violent, some historians view the war as an enlightening period in the history. Francis Parkman believed that the Americans, who have for so long been vilified by their pursuit for success, will be purified and strengthened after a season of war wherein they shall call out for new ideals and they shall learn to appreciate emotions and sentiments relevant for them to destroy selfishness and greed (Faust, 2004, pp. 369-370). In a distinct manner, the Americans have been dominating the international arena due to their indespensable strength and the supremacy that they hold before less developed and weaker countries. And as such, this rendered the Americans the incapability to become keen of other nations’ sentiments towards their leadership. And with this, the outcomes of the war can be the only way to bring about worthy realizations towards the Americans. Although no one can deny that in reality, the wars that people have bravely fought caused numerous of lives gone to waste. However, despite the horrors of losing loved ones, comrades and brothers became a necessary sacrifice in order to purify a nation that has been subjected to ill doings and a means to cleanse the people out of their sins committed against their own nation and other nations. It may seem morbid to other people, but more civilians became largely interested in understanding the experiences of the fighters firsthand. Civilians became more willing to feel the sensation because for them, these experiences will render them the ability to become more humane – feeling different sensations and privilege of having emotions for them to grasp (Faust, 2004, p. 372). Those who served the military to cure the wounded became immensely satisfied of their tasks. For them, the patients that they attended to and the wounds that they had to cure introduced them to richer and new insights. And though these may have connoted a great level of violence, nonetheless these experiences explored a great deal out of their humanity. And for those who have endured the battle themselves as soldiers, a number treated such experience with rejoice despite the destruction and chaos that it caused them (Faust, 2004, p. 372). With all these perceptions about wars, Civil War in particular, most of the historians developed greater interests in tackling the horrors and lessons that come with it. The fondness of most of Americans in the wars that they have fought became distinct that most of the historians have dedicated a large amount of their time and career to discover the truth behind the Civil War and the lessons that it has ought to teach the people. As such, over the history, numerous books and studies have been developed that were dedicated to the Civil War. James McPherson’s book entitled â€Å"Battle Cry of Freedom† was one of the most celebrated composition and a direct beneficiary of the Civil War’s fame. It turned out to become one of the most respected and famous books that tackled the experiences behind the war. Consequently, the â€Å"Journal of Southern History† also became one of the best compositions that broadly represented the different aspects of the conflicts during the Civil War. Given the significant increase of people’s interest in the war, it is logical to wonder what has triggered the people’s desire to study more about it. Ken Burn explained that the issues confronted during the Civil War era is continously reflecting the contemporary issues that Americans still face today (Faust, 2004, pp. 374-375). In addition to Burn’s explanation, several writers have also come to the conclusion that people are still interested with the cause and outcome of the Civil War because it has shaped modern America’s society and culture. They believe that the horrors and lessons behind the war, though they are considerably dreaded, are keys to discover America’s roots and origin. The whole point of the article really does make sense. The turnout and effects of the war that it bestowed upon the country, the fighters involved in it, and the greater number of innocent lives who had to bear with the war experiences created a huge impact that is impossible to forget in a lifetime. The different aspects and different angles given to the study of Civil War offered a great amount of help in understanding the fruits and losses behind the incident. As such, such wars and battles mirror the history of America. During the present era, the war that America has fought and is still fighting presents the same outcome – numerous lives lost and land and property devastation. Same with America’s previous war engagement, they invented the war â€Å"in order to control violence† (Faust, 2004, p. 381). Equipped with weak evidences behind America’s attack against Iraq, America has acted in order to create for their country a â€Å"sense of meaning, intention and goal-directedness† (Faust, 2004, p. 381). Again, America was pushed into a war in order to regain superiority and control. Indeed, the wars that America has fought came with distinct lessons despite the unwanted memories and experiences that the wars have unleashed. But despite these horrors, the American government still pushed their nations onto a different battle regardless of what the world has to say about it. It is true, the Civil War taught Americans a great deal of lessons which were learned the hardest and most painful way. But now, they stand the war again – and numerous studies about the wars may not have helped at all. War, from the dawn of the history until the present generation, is still yet a battle that has not been won. Reference Faust, D. G. (2004). We Should Grow Too Fond of It: Why We Love the Civil War. Civil War History. (pp. 368-383). The Kent State University Press.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Ishmael Beah’s Experience in A long way Gone

The book A long way gone is a literary work that narrates the ordeals of a child-soldier in the hands of fate. The writer, Isheal Beah became a soldier at thirteen. As the enthralling story enfolds, he recounts his experience during and after the war. At twelve he had fled for the attacking rebels in his country, Sierra Leone into the streets turned insane by the violence of war. A year later he was converted to a soldier by the government’s army. This is where the heart-wrenching tale, a first class experience of a transformation from a young boy, with a tender heart to a killer boy begins. He was exposed to all the undiluted vices of war. From drugs that they were given to strengthen them and the ammunitions they were given to kill themselves with. He was given an AK-47 much heavier then his hands could carry. One moment an innocent boy, the next moment a â€Å"killerboy†, capable of intense violence and terrible acts. Ishmeal tells his story with an unparallel truth bearing in mind other people’s feelings. Now twenty-six he looks back, down the memory lane at all he had been through, how he survived the war and how he survived his rehabilitation after the war. For three years he fought in the war until he was removed by UNICEF. With the help of the organization, he received rehabilitation, a re-transitional process to his former self before the war. Haunted by the war’s experience, the war was over truly, but the war within Ishmeal’ heart continues. The rehabilitation experience was a story of self-war in itself, involving a self-forgiving process and a requisition of humanity long lost till eventually the final healing began to come. Ishmeal’s experience reminds us of all the wars across the globe and how children have become the easy choice for these wars. With more than fifty wars going on, over 300,000 children have been converted to soldiers. All going through the trauma and hell that Ishmeal went through. The story fits into the trend of history in the twentieth century that was so full of African genocide, Gulf war and other wars around the world. The story also reminds us of the consequences of war, the unchecked genocide perpetrated by human to fellow humans and the effects of all these on several thousands of children and others, whose lives have been altered miserably by war. Ishmeal’s story does this an alarming genuity and explicit emotional force. His experience is quite unique because he was not only a witness but also a victim. He saw and conquered. The story was written like a memoir which has not only added colour to the story but made it more unique, for he narrates them in first person that made it more gripping. His honesty is exacting, and a proof to the ability of children to outlive their sorrows and suffering, if given a chance. From his recounts of the burning villages and total destruction to all, the story raises the question in all rationale minds†¦ what do human gain from war? â€Å"My high school friends have begun to suspect I haven’t told them the full story of my life. † â€Å"Why did you leave Sierra Leone? † â€Å"Because there is a war. † â€Å"Did you witness some of the fighting? † â€Å"Everyone in the country did. † â€Å"You mean you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other? † â€Å"You should tell us about it sometime. † â€Å"Yes, sometime. †

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

20 Idioms About Reptiles

20 Idioms About Reptiles 20 Idioms About Reptiles 20 Idioms About Reptiles By Mark Nichol The phrases and expressions listed in this post pertain to lizards and other reptiles, usually with a pejorative or otherwise negative allusion that reflects the dim view many people have of such animals. 1. After a while, crocodile: A lighthearted response to the rhyming slang â€Å"See you later, alligator† 2. Crocodile tears: Hypocritical or insincere expression of remorse or sadness, from the traditional belief that alligators shed tears to lure prey or when they are eating prey 3. If it was a snake it would have bit you: A hyperbolic observation that an object one seeks is nearby and obviously visible 4. Lot lizard: Derogatory slang for prostitutes who solicit in parking lots frequented by truck drivers 5. Lounge lizard: The male equivalent of a gold digger, a man who frequently visits bars and clubs in order to meet women, especially wealthy older women, to sexually or financially exploit them; the phrase alludes to such a man’s primitive impulses 6–9. Nurse/nurture a snake/viper in (one’s) bosom: To harbor someone that turns on his or her benefactor; a reference to one of Aesop’s fables, in which a snake bites a person who had taken care of it when it was injured 10. See you later, alligator: A humorous rhyming farewell, the traditional response to which is â€Å"After a while, crocodile† (sometimes abridged to â€Å"Later, alligator†) 11. Seeing snakes: Drunk to the point of hallucinating that one sees snakes where they are not (compare â€Å"pink elephants†) 12. Snake eyes: A slang reference to a roll of two dice in which only one spot shows on each, suggestive of the eyes of a snake 13. Snake in the grass: A deceitful person who pretends to befriend one for his or her own benefit 14–15. Snake oil/snake oil salesman: A fake remedy or solution, from the tradition of purveyors of such products offering them to gullible would-be customers; a snake oil salesman (traditionally, generally only men engaged in this practice, so the term is gender specific) is a person offering fake remedies or solutions 16. Snakes and ladders: A board game for children involving beneficial ladders and snakes that function as obstacles 17. Tortoise and the hare: An allusion to the wisdom of steady perseverance, from the characters in one of Aesop’s fables, about a plodding, methodical tortoise that wins a race against a fast but overconfident hare 18. Turn turtle: Turn upside down, from the notion of a turtle being overturned, unable to right itself 19. Turtle heading: The act, imitative of a turtle’s head extending from its shell, of looking over the top of an office cubicle wall to satisfy one’s curiosity about a stimulus (also called prairie dogging) 20. Up to (one’s) neck in alligators: A metaphorical reference to losing sight of one’s goal when overcome or preoccupied by pressures, from the expression â€Å"When you are up to your neck in alligators, it’s easy to forget that the goal was to drain the swamp† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Slang Terms for MoneyEnglish Grammar 101: Verb Mood75 Synonyms for â€Å"Hard†

Monday, October 21, 2019

Word Choice Who, Whom, Whose and Who’s - Proofread My Paper

Word Choice Who, Whom, Whose and Who’s - Proofread My Paper Word Choice: Who, Whom, Whose and Who’s We all regularly use the word â€Å"who in speech. Nevertheless, many people feel confused about when to use variations of this term, particularly â€Å"whom,† â€Å"whose† and â€Å"who’s.† In our daily lives, this might not be a major issue (only pedants like us worry about getting â€Å"who† and â€Å"whom† the right way round in casual conversation). But in academic writing, you’ll want to avoid mistakes in order to maximize the clarity and impact of your work. Who or Whom? Mixing up â€Å"who† and â€Å"whom† is a classic grammatical error. Both are used when identifying or asking about a person, however, so what exactly is the difference? The key is discerning between the â€Å"subject† and â€Å"object† of a sentence. To illustrate this, we’ll introduce Laurel and Hardy to the situation. Subject Verb Object Olly†¦ †¦tripped†¦ Stan. Here, the subject of the sentence is Oliver Hardy, since he’s performing the action (i.e., tripping Stan). Stan Laurel, meanwhile, is the object of the sentence, since the action is being performed upon him. Here, by contrast, Olly is the recipient of action (i.e., his bottom is being blow-torched). (Image: Dennis Amith/flickr) The key thing here is that â€Å"who† always applies to the subject of a sentence, whereas â€Å"whom† refers to a person when they are the object of a sentence. Thus, we use â€Å"who† if talking about the person performing an action (the subject) and â€Å"whom† for the person being acted upon (the object). For instance: Who tripped Stan? Olly is the person who tripped Stan. Whom did Olly trip? Stan is the person whom Olly tripped. In the first example above, we’re asking about (and subsequently identifying) the subject of the sentence â€Å"Olly tripped Stan,† so â€Å"who† is used. In the second, we’re focusing on the object of the sentence, so â€Å"whom† is the correct term. Remember: Who = Subject Whom = Object It’s worth keeping in mind that both â€Å"whom† and â€Å"him† are object pronouns and both end in an â€Å"m.† Associating the â€Å"m† at the end of these words with being the object of a sentence can make it easier to tell â€Å"who† and â€Å"whom† apart. Whose or Who’s? The distinction between â€Å"whose† and â€Å"who’s† is a little simpler, despite the fact they’re pronounced identically. It’s just a matter of the difference between a possessive and a contraction. The possessive is â€Å"whose,† used when referring to or asking about something that belongs to someone, such as Stan Laurel’s hat: Whose hat is that? It’s Stan’s hat. And a jolly nice hat it is, pip pip. â€Å"Who’s,† meanwhile, is a contraction of â€Å"who is,† so can only be used when we would otherwise use both words: Who’s the heavier of Olly and Stan? Olly is the one who’s heavier. Contractions like this generally aren’t used in formal writing, though, so it’s usually better to avoid them in college papers. The reason people get these terms confused is that we sometimes indicate a possessive with an apostrophe. In this case, however, the apostrophe indicates the missing letter in â€Å"who is.†

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Bad Day of Biking

The day we went bike riding in Adventure Physical Education tried me the most. We headed out; I was biking and talking with my friends. After the teacher leading us took us in the wrong direction, we turned around. At this point we stopped at a restroom. When I came out, everyone had left and they were going up to the fork in the path. I hopped on my bike and started pedaling fast to try and catch up because I didn’t know which path they were going to choose. I was pedaling faster and faster when my chain skipped. I flew half way over the handle bars as the bike fell on its side. My leg was caught under the bike and it skid along the concrete for at least ten feet. I didn’t know what to do, so I slowly got out from under the bike, assessed how badly I was injured and the condition of my bike. I had a burn mark that was half the size of my shin, my knee had two gouges out of it, I was bleeding and my forearm was gashed open. My bike was usable, but was bent and it wouldn’t shift gears. My teacher, Ms. Kelm, made us put her cell number in our phones so if anything were to happen, we could get a hold of her. I called her and there was no answer. I tried my friend’s cells because they were in my class. No luck. No cavalry was coming to help me, so I cleaned off the mess and biked until I found Ms. Kelm up the path. She gave me alcohol wipes to disinfect my wounds and I started my long and tedious bike back to our meeting place for lunch. I had to bike the rest of the day, otherwise I wouldn’t get credit for the class. I biked 40 miles that day, at least 30 of it injured with my bike on one of the hardest gears. That day had tried me the most, but I kept going because I knew I had to. In my life, when I’m faced with difficult obstacles, I just k eep going, looking for the right path and I don’t stop until I’ve found it.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Managing the HR Function Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing the HR Function - Essay Example So it is possible in principle to be included via representative participation (e.g., by union members or by members of the same group assessing acceptability and fairness of selection processes or instruments) (Dale, 2006). The importance of rigorous and detailed job analysis in underpinning human resource development and in sustaining an integrated approach to human resource management cannot be overestimated. Recruitment and selection procedures, training needs analysis, and appraisal procedures etc., are all likely to benefit from job or competency definitions which are produced directly from an analysis of job behaviors. As a result procedures for recruitment and selection, etc. are likely to be more accurate and less susceptible to bias and distortion than some other previously utilized techniques, for example, the traditional interview process relying on instinctive criteria or a 'gut feeling'. Person specification involves education and training information, qualifications and personal qualities. It is likely that job descriptions would conform to the framework discussed earlier for competencies. That is, they would be composed of elements which appear to be generic to most managerial positions (Dale, 2006). Second, that strong occupational sector-specific criteria are also to the fore, and third, that some considerable individuation occurring either through organization-determined or individual needs would also be present in any actual job description that applies to a particular manager in a particular organization (Wood and Payne, 1998). Information is collected about a job in a structured manner and computer analyzed in order to meet a variety of objectives; including, the specification of job tasks and job context, profiling of human attributes required for effective job performance, and the identification of relevant assessment methods. For example, a job descriptio n and person specification can be made through a questionnaire, and can be supplemented with 'validation' interviews conducted by the job analyst where the respondent is questioned about his/her responses Dale, 2006). The advantage and strength of person specifications is that the occupational standards approach advocates the use of 'range statements', describing the range of contexts and applications in which a employees would be expected to achieve the outcome. A specification of the range of contexts in which competence is to be demonstrated is not however a substitute for an assessment of competence which reflects the influence of the organizational climate/environment on an individual's actions/behavior (Wood and Payne, 1998). Where the latter is seen as a necessary and essential part of an individual's competence assessment the occupational standards approach may not, at least in its entirety, be sufficient. In order to perform the job effectively, the breadth of job related knowledge is regarded by managers as substantial across all functions. Leaders of large organizations see the job itself as undergoing basic change. It would seem necessary therefore, first, that anyone who wishes succes sfully to discharge leadership functions must anticipate coping with ongoing change in the organizational environment, and second, that he or she must recognize that leadership is itself undergoing a substantial transformation (Slowik, 2001). Person

Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations Essay

Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations - Essay Example Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations? The paper has answered the research question of Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations?". After giving a brief overview of stakeholders it was seen that the perspectives change as per the impact on the stakeholders. It is expected that each entity would have a different view or a perspective on the change management. This paper would attempt to answer the theThe paper has answered the research question of Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations?". After giving a brief overview of stakeholders it was seen that the perspectives change as per the impact on the stakeholders. When the interests of stakeholders are different, their perspectives and interest in the change management process would be different. Three case studies using the above reasoning have been examined. From the study, it emerges that a change management process is successful only when differing perspectives, needs and interests of various stakeholders are conside red. Two case studies of change management process during the merger of multinational automobile firms have been examined. It has been seen that in the case of Daimler Chrysler, differing perspectives of the stakeholders were not resolved and controlled by a proper change management process. As a result there was intense suspicion and infighting thus leading to a failure of the merger. In the second case of an alliance between Renault and Nissan was examined.

ERP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ERP - Essay Example Everything that one can manage in an organization will be a business function; however, everything that one can perform will be a business process. Moreover, a business function can comprise different business processes; however, a business process will never consist of business functions, and will only comprise more business processes. Furthermore, a business process will always have an input component, as well as an output section that make it a process. In the past, conventional organizations were focusing on functional departments for the management; however, studies indicated that a number of business processes usually cut across functional lines internally that resulted in a paradigm shift, essential for efficient managers, and thus, managers are now putting efforts to manage their teams while focusing on business processes, rather than business functions. One of the crucial reasons of split by business process is involvement of various departments and individuals in a single process that results in cutting across of functional lines. It is an observation that this horizontal focus on business processes has enabled efficient managers to improve their processes while ensuring customer value in the organization, a significant benefit of this paradigm shift. Think of the last time you bought a pair of shoes. How does this process of buying those shoes cut across the store’s various functional lines? What information from your receipt would need to be available to the business functions? Which business functions would need that information? A significant objective of ERP is alignment of business projects/processes with strategic aims of the organization. In other words, major aim of implementing ERP is the enhancement and improvement of key metrics that requires proper flow of information from one functional department to another, and this is

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Dell Computers Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Dell Computers - Case Study Example According to Technical Business Research (TBR) Quarter 2, 2007 Corporate IT Buying Behavior & Customer Satisfaction Study: x86-based Servers, Dell rank first in customer satisfaction for standards based servers, beating even HP and IBM. According to TBR, "Dell's overall weighted score improved 1.1 percent sequentially, while HP and IBM declined by 1.5 and 0.8 percent, respectively. Dell was the only systems provider to show an improvement in TBR's latest study, with customer satisfaction scores increasing in eight of the nine attributes measured, including server management, phone support, delivery time, value and ease of doing business." (Dell Named No. 1 in Server Customer Satisfaction 2007). Literature Review Customer contentment and Dell: Customers are the ultimate judges and creators of success or failure of a company. They are the veritable force behind flourishing enterprises. In the area of selling computer and related products, they exert importance in areas of quality and service of product lines. Dell is a company which produces good quality products for millions of customers all over the world. In the words of the founder of Dell, Michael Dell - "Our business is about technology, yes. But it's also about operations and customer relationships." (Michael Dell quotes 2009). From the beginning he had a bright view about the customers' needs. He kept the price of the products to an affordable range and started giving choices to select the product parts of their interest. Customer contentment is always related to the quality of the product and the affordability. In case of consumer electronic goods, especially in computer and related products, support and after-sales service is of huge importance. It is indeed a challenging... This paper describes the history of creating the Dell computer and the use of it in UK. First and foremost, â€Å"Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael Dell on a simple concept: by selling computer systems directly to customers, we could best understand their needs and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs.† Michael started his company when he was a student in University of Texas at Austin with a capital of $1,000. At that time he named his Company as PC’s Limited. He dropped out of school in order to concentrate fulltime on his business. During 1985, his company developed a personal computer with its own design. It was termed as Turbo PC and it was sold for less than $800.The company started providing custom assembled ordered units on the customers’ selection with lower prices than of the other branded PCs. Dell, Inc. has a strong market share in UK.. All the ranges of their products are sold in the UK market. Main products sold in UK are PCs, Laptops, Servers, Network Equipments and other peripheral devices. From the starting of Dell in UK, it gave wide publicity to its products in media. Affordability is the leading aspect it implements in marketing. All the customers are well educated and hence, the technical details are mentioned in the classifieds. As UK is a developed country, the customers have special interests in high end technology and design. As the time goes, the customers’ attention goes more towards the quality and performance, rather than its price.

Compare india and the middle east Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compare india and the middle east - Essay Example According to International Energy Agency 95 percent of the world depend on for its financial security on decisions made by five or six nations in the Middle East. (Energy Agency Sets Grim Oil Forecast) India is known as the land of spirituality and philosophy. The main religion in India currently is Hinduism. About 80.5% of Indians are Hindus and 13% Muslims, Christians 2.3% Sikhs 1.9% Buddhist and Jains are below 1% (Religious Composition). The gentleness of the Indians has sustained till this time, regardless of the India is a collection of men and women of numerous castes and faith. It is a union of old traditional ethics and the contemporary ideologies. India is a secular nation by way of its Constitution. The freedom of worship for every citizen of India without any breeches or harms of any other’s religious philosophies. The Indian Social System is typically built on the Shared family System. The families are closely joined with Grandfathers, fathers, sons and grandsons sharing the similar essence, custom and assets.   The Indians are noted for their humanness and calm nature without any harshness in their principles and ideals. Gandhiji’s belief in Ahimsa ha s gained freedom for India worked miracles and provided praise for India in the global arena (Indian Culture). The Indian economy is the third major economies in the world and is going to grow further in coming years. As per the opinion of Goldman Sachs, the Global Investment Bank, by 2035 India would be the third biggest economy of the world (Indian Economy). Islam is the religion of the majority populace in the Middle East. The Jews and the various Christian groups were permitted to practice their belief and preserve their traditions and customs. In addition to the Christian and Jewish societies, there are number of distinct religiously demarcated sections in the region. Such factions had their origin in intra-Muslim religio-political

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

ERP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ERP - Essay Example Everything that one can manage in an organization will be a business function; however, everything that one can perform will be a business process. Moreover, a business function can comprise different business processes; however, a business process will never consist of business functions, and will only comprise more business processes. Furthermore, a business process will always have an input component, as well as an output section that make it a process. In the past, conventional organizations were focusing on functional departments for the management; however, studies indicated that a number of business processes usually cut across functional lines internally that resulted in a paradigm shift, essential for efficient managers, and thus, managers are now putting efforts to manage their teams while focusing on business processes, rather than business functions. One of the crucial reasons of split by business process is involvement of various departments and individuals in a single process that results in cutting across of functional lines. It is an observation that this horizontal focus on business processes has enabled efficient managers to improve their processes while ensuring customer value in the organization, a significant benefit of this paradigm shift. Think of the last time you bought a pair of shoes. How does this process of buying those shoes cut across the store’s various functional lines? What information from your receipt would need to be available to the business functions? Which business functions would need that information? A significant objective of ERP is alignment of business projects/processes with strategic aims of the organization. In other words, major aim of implementing ERP is the enhancement and improvement of key metrics that requires proper flow of information from one functional department to another, and this is

Compare india and the middle east Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compare india and the middle east - Essay Example According to International Energy Agency 95 percent of the world depend on for its financial security on decisions made by five or six nations in the Middle East. (Energy Agency Sets Grim Oil Forecast) India is known as the land of spirituality and philosophy. The main religion in India currently is Hinduism. About 80.5% of Indians are Hindus and 13% Muslims, Christians 2.3% Sikhs 1.9% Buddhist and Jains are below 1% (Religious Composition). The gentleness of the Indians has sustained till this time, regardless of the India is a collection of men and women of numerous castes and faith. It is a union of old traditional ethics and the contemporary ideologies. India is a secular nation by way of its Constitution. The freedom of worship for every citizen of India without any breeches or harms of any other’s religious philosophies. The Indian Social System is typically built on the Shared family System. The families are closely joined with Grandfathers, fathers, sons and grandsons sharing the similar essence, custom and assets.   The Indians are noted for their humanness and calm nature without any harshness in their principles and ideals. Gandhiji’s belief in Ahimsa ha s gained freedom for India worked miracles and provided praise for India in the global arena (Indian Culture). The Indian economy is the third major economies in the world and is going to grow further in coming years. As per the opinion of Goldman Sachs, the Global Investment Bank, by 2035 India would be the third biggest economy of the world (Indian Economy). Islam is the religion of the majority populace in the Middle East. The Jews and the various Christian groups were permitted to practice their belief and preserve their traditions and customs. In addition to the Christian and Jewish societies, there are number of distinct religiously demarcated sections in the region. Such factions had their origin in intra-Muslim religio-political

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Risk Management Essay Example for Free

Risk Management Essay Todays corporations are not the same as the corporations of the early twentieth century. Society has seen to that with numerous lawsuits brought up against the willful misconduct and social misbehaviors many organizations have done in the past. This is more prevalent today as the world is linked and interconnected with global media and the use of the internet, so news of any violation is brought up to the publics attention in a matter of minutes. It does not only affect the corporations image at that time, but the actions of that corporation and the response that they take is communicated globally. This can either help or hinder the identity of the corporation, and with society so well educated in the matters of the environment today, the cost of not doing anything, or just the minimum can and most probably will hurt the global sales of whatever you are selling. Corporations have enormous amounts of pressure to be socially and environmentally responsible for their actions, and it is in the best interest for any corporation to settle most of their disputes the most efficient and quiet means possible. Court cases involving toxic torts, damage to the environment and general misconduct involving corporations will certainly have a negative impact on the bottom line and public image and this is something shareholders frown upon. Very seldom does the media follow stories of settlements between disputing parties that are carried out behind closed doors, for the majority of times, the details are not allowed to be made public. In order to resolve disputes between parties without the lengthy, costly- in terms of monetary and public image, and uncertain outcomes of litigation, many corporations and risk managers at these corporations are increasingly using the resources available through the alternate dispute resolution techniques. As we will soon learn, the environment is not the only regulation that companies have to adhere to. Under the regulatory process, the government uses administrative agencies to create and enforce the majority of all laws constituting the legal environment of business (Reed et al, 2002, p. 174). There are various reasons to support the need for government intervention and administrative law. They provide a stable, predictable, and fair operating environment for businesses and they provide certain assurances for the consumer and the employee. There are some governmental regulations on businesses that invoke the emotional support of community stakeholders. The lesson plan mentioned the environmental protections imposed on businesses by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Others include administrative agencies at the state and local levels, as well as the federal agencies. At the state level, there is great public interest in compensation boards which rule on employee injury and accident cases. Another state agency or board may determine local utility rates for gas and electricity. Without competition to control rates, the public must rely on regulations to protect their interests. The zoning boards of local government influence zoning laws and there can be great emotional response at their outcome (Reed et al, 2002). Federal agencies that may invoke similar emotional interest are the regulations imposed by the Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD), which determines building and housing development standards and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can has great impact on consumer product development with regards to safety (Chrisman Fry, 1983). Reed et al, (2002) lists the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which protects the consumer from unfair business practices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which prohibits the distribution of unsafe food or drugs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which prevents employment based on discrimination, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which ensures safe working conditions, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which protects the investing public. Knowledge of the optimum regulatory solution is a powerful weapon in the hands of the businessman when negotiating with regulatory agencies, and an advantage that is naturally his. How he uses that weapon is another matter entirely. He can volunteer it as a solution, use it as a fall-back position in negotiation, or oppose the regulation altogether on the grounds that even the best solution is too expensive, but he cannot afford not to know (Fri, 1976, p. 44). The administrative agencies regulating business have a great impact on its operations and ultimately its success or failure. The dilemma with running a multi billion-dollar company is how to run it safely, and with standards that protect everyone involved, including the environment. Our group has come up with strategies in dealing with allegations that could be detrimental to the financial stability of our company. We have talked about other regulations where community stakeholders can make emotional arguments supportive of government intervention. As to the situation involving Kelly Bates; we all feel that a lengthy litigation process dragged through the courts and the local and global media attention will do more harm than good. Even though we could have had a strong case against Ms. Kelly Bates because we have been a social responsible corporation in the past with only one incident, we choose to keep the media away and settle with her. In the settlement, we have agreed that she is not allowed to discuss the charges brought up against us or her settlement will be annulled. When you are known as an industry leader of your product, you instantly become a target for scrutiny and allegations. It is up to the company to make sure they have a good legal team, and that they abide by the statutes put into place by the local government. References Coulson, R. (1993, Jan). Avoiding litigation with alternative dispute resolution. Risk Management, 40(1), 20-26. Retrieved November 24, 2004 from the ProQuest database. Chrisman, J. , Fry, F. (1983). How government regulation affects small business. Business Forum, 8(2), 25-28. Retrieved November 26, 2004, from the EbscoHost database.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Intercultural communication- individual reflection

Intercultural communication- individual reflection Intercultural Communication- Individual reflection The essay looks at the reflection of the group work exercise. In doing so it looks at firstly what is meant by culture. On the basis of defining culture, it further looks at the communication barriers within intercultural teams when working within groups. Based on some theoretical models, the essay tries to identify the issues that arose during the group work. Some analytical view has been given to these issues based on the theoretical concepts to try and give some recommendations and guidelines for effective intercultural group work. Definitions and Special terms: Culture can be defined in many ways. A historic perspective of culture accentuates on traditions being inherited and amassed over time focus on fleeting down the culture. According to Gibson (2002), culture is not used in the senses of literature, music and art; it is more than in the sense of a shared system of attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviour. The way people greet each other, dress, negotiate and resolve conflict, and even the way visual information is seen and perceived. Moreover Gibson (2002) illustrates the concept of culture by using various models such as iceberg model, onion model and tree model. The iceberg model reflects the tangible expressions of culture and behaviour are above the surface of the water, and the attitudes, beliefs, values and meanings underlie the water. The onion model is a layer of culture, which can be peeled away to reveal underlying basic assumptions. For instance, the out layers are behaviour, products, rituals and symbols, under layers are f undamentals, such as attitudes, beliefs and values. Furthermore, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner (1997) describe this is explicit and implicit level of culture. Gibson (2002) describes, the tree model contrasts visible and hidden culture, with the roots providing an image of the historical origins of culture. Moving between cultures is like transplanting a tree—to be successful, the roots have to be protected, and support will be needed in the new environment. The main difference in conditioned assumptions and preferences which is seen between cultures stems from what Hofstede calls the collective mental programming, which differentiate member of one group from another (1980:21). This process as per many researchers has resulted in cultural values (Kirkman Shapiro, 1997). The Values , stated as a broad capability to prefer certain states of affairs to others (Hofstede, 1980: 19), shows significant influences on individual capabilities (Geletkanycz, 1997; Shackleton and Ali, 1990). In this regard cultural values, assumptions and preferences, build the underlying main structure of culture, whereas methods of activity and behaviours are the cultures only visible manifestation (Schein, 1985). As a result, the values associated within a culture are reflected in the conditioned assumptions and preferences, which helps members during the daily actions. Indeed there may be cultural differences within different countries (Locke, 1995), National cu ltural values are found to vary in a systematic manner more across cultures than within them (Adler, 1997; Hofstede, 1980). Within any group work, communication is vital. Then again within different members of the group from diverse backgrounds the communication tends to be diverse as well. What actually is meant by such intercultural communication? According to Stoner (2009), communication is a verbal statement meant by one person. However, Littlejohe (1992) argues communication to be the transmission of information or symbolic communication such as language, signs, imagers by means of which they are often transmission. Mehrabian (1981) identified, there are three ways of human face of face communication such as body language, voice tonality, and words. Rosengren (2000) describe, communication is a combination of nonverbal, visual and understanding the field of communication. According to Tian (2000), Communication is one of the most important functions to master in order for any business to succeed in todays increasingly competitive markets, particularly for firms doing business internationally. Gudykun st (1994: 129-136) suggests three ways of interpreting other persons behaviour: Perception checking Listening effectively Giving feedback According to Gudykunst (2005), theorizing the communication within culture has had a tremendous progress within last 20 years. Initial attempts of theorizing the subject had been based on the values and assumptions of the cultures, but over the time most theories are supported by the researches. In order to reflect back on the intercultural issues that came up during group work, these have been addressed based around the theoretical models of cultural dimensions developed by researchers and explained within the model definitions in an analytical manner. Collectivism versus individualism: Looking at the cultural dimension of collectivism versus individualism, it can be said that there was a sense of social connectedness (Earley Gibson, 1998) within the team. It can be said that in contrast to individualism, whereby individual team members tend to look after themselves, there is a sense of collectivist efforts towards the team putting their interests towards the group work (Hofstede, 1991). There is a sense of collectivist team effort of finding pleasure in working together like a social group (Chen et al., 1998; Cox et al., 1991; Earley, 1998). Being in a collectivist culture the team members feel closely connected and committed to the project (Boyacigiller Adler, 1991). There is emphasizes on harmony and cooperation within group members (Kim et al., 1994) and reciprocal cooperation of each member to assist in each tasks (Cox et al., 1991). Yet there was a sense of lack of direction by the group leader. For e.g. the leaders authority or instructions were not adhered to which led to many tasks being unaccomplished. The carefree attitude of the group members was evident throughout the project. As mentioned by Hamden-Turner Trompendaars (1993), Hofstede, 1980 and Triandis, 1983, the group members considered themselves as independent self-controlling entities and emphasized their identity as unique, independent individual. There was a more of an individualistic orientation whereby; individuals focussed on personal gain in combination or regardless of others often taking a competitive stance so as to maximize ones own gain, while hurting those of other team members (Pruitt, 1981; Graham, 1986; Graham et al., 1988). Power Distance: The dimension of power distance reflects a cultures acceptance of social inequality. In different words, power distance refers to the limit that those in lower social groups accept as a given the power and status of those in higher groups.In societies where power distance is at higher side,there is mostly a universal acceptance of notion ,that those with higher status deserve the respect they are afforded without any question Unquestioning tends to greater levels of loyalty in organizational context and the taking of actions only after total approval of the superior. In high power distance cultures, policy of centralized decision making is followed rather than exception (Hofstede, 1980), presenting formidable barriers to teams that are highly interdependent (Shane, 1993). Thus, this should not be taken as a surprise that research suggests that members with a high power distance orientation will o seek approval before initiating any action, since they are accountable to having those at the top of the hierarchy make final decisions (Ueno and Sekaran, 1992). Generally, individuals with high power distance orientation are uncomfortable in determining authority and having decision-making powers given to them (Adler, 1997; Hofstede, 1980, 1991). Within the group, team members at times were with a sense of low in power distance and inclined to be more of egalitarian in nature. These group members largely (though not completely) viewed each other as equals. Specifically, members within this cultural dimension interacted vertically within the group work and always seeking for approval and resources from those in power of other teams (Katz and Tushman, 1983). However, it is argued that the method of equality diminishes hierarchical power in organizations and further it encourage acting without full sanction from ones superiors in low power distance cultures. Hence, these members followed agendas of their own and were bypassing the leader (Howell and Higgins, 1991). That said these practices did not preclude those individuals from helping, when needed. Such member were always on wait for those in power but only if the need arose (Howell and Higgins, 1991). Consequently, members low in power distance orientation were more effectiv e in supportive of team actions requiring upward interactions, while members high in power distance were less effective and indeed reluctant to do so. Uncertainty avoidance: Uncertainty avoidance has been defined as the limit to which the members of a culture feel afraid by uncertain or unpredictable situations (Hofstede, 1991: 113). Individuals from high uncertainty avoidance cultures feel uncomfortable dealing with uncertain situations, and therefore look for clarification when theey are in doubt (Hofstede, 1980). Cultures high on uncertainty avoidance prefers for structure and clarification, which results in an increment of formal rules and regulations in those cultures. In contrast, individuals from low uncertainly avoidance cultures tend to prefer a less regulated or strict organizational structure, hence opting to deal with ambiguous situations rather than seek clarification (Hofstede, 1991). In terms of uncertainty avoidance, it can be said the group members were threatened by the unknown situation of a group member leaving the team. In such there was a breakdown of the project events, which led to some low confidence within each members as this member was the group leader and also had strong characteristics. As per Hofstede such situation leads to not only less confidence and less motivation, but also lacks innovative thinking. Thus the uncertainty avoidance led to a resistance in innovation and creativity by the team members. It was this uncertainty avoidance, which led to a threat situation for the whole team. Avoidance/Addressing behaviour Another dimension, which was noticed during the project work, was avoidance / addressing behaviour. The group either denied there was a conflict existing or even acknowledging that a conflict exists. The team members tended to change the subject, when someone tried to discuss thereby involving avoidance behaviour cultural dimension. Avoidance tactics included topic shifting to avoid the specific issue of conflict, avoiding a member altogether, postponing discussion, talking about abstract things rather than the conflict on hand, silence and denying that a problem exists (Canary, Cunningham Cody, 1988). Avoidance behaviour as per Weldon et al., (1996) exists when members do nothing to deal with the situation. As previously mentioned the group had a more of a collectivist approach. Hence research suggests, collectivists are more of avoiding a conflict than individualists who address it more likely (Adler et al., 1992, Barnland, 1975, Cupach, 1982, Graham, 1984, Graham et al., 1987). Recommendations Guidelines: Addressing the above issues, it can be said diverse cultures within a team tend to correspond to basic assumptions preferences and highly influence them to move towards a cultural dimensions addressed above. Let us look at some recommendations based on the theories surrounding these dimensions to provide guidelines for future project. It is important that within a group the collectivist approach seems apt when working towards a project (Trompenaars Hampden-Turner (1997:52). They further add the manager or leader to be seriously affected by individualist approach. It is important to note certain areas of vital importance like negotiation, decision-making and motivation. As a leader there should be incentive based projects. This should relate to the achievement be it in academic terms or in a company project in monetary terms based on performance. Based on the empirical studies, the issue of power distance relates more towards individualism (Bochner Hesketh, 1994; Bond, Wan et al., 1985; Franke, Hofstede et al., 1991). It is this individualistic approach at times, where there should be focus on equality among team members versus hierarchical structure. This is based on the assumption that treating members within a group as equal individuals is the best way to motivate them (Hampden Turner Trompenaars, 1993). Research suggests that interaction with outside constituents enables members to deal with any external threats or opportunities, which might confront them by allowing members to understand the ambiguities within their environment (Ancona Cadwell 1992a; Lyonski et al., 1988). It is the acquisition of information, which reduces the ambiguities and avoids uncertainties. Members should not rely on one team member and should look for support either within themselves or look for outside support from their tutors and avoid ambiguities or uncertainties (Hofstede, 1991). As for avoiding conflict by not addressing it, it is best to move towards a direct behaviour dimension of culture. This should include acknowledging conflict and overt actions in contrast to not acknowledging it (Chua Gudykunst, 1987). As per Weldon et al., 1996, members using overt actions will conduct conflict management behaviour in a professional manner. In conclusion it is important to note that the cultural dimensions play an important role within any team and it project. The interaction of team members effects from a combination of cultural values be it from a specific country. Each team has a varied combination of people and therefore there are various challenges, which may imply different norms and styles. However there needs to be some agreement on how to make decisions, a leaders attitude on how to deal with conflict etc. Bibliography: Applegate, J. L. and Sypher, H. E. (1988) Constructivist theory and intercultural communication research. Beverly Hill: Sage Baldwin, J. R. (2006). Redefining Culture: Perspective across disciplines. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum associates Bochner, S. (1994) ‘Cross-Cultural Differences in the Self Concept: A Test of Hofstedes Individualism/Collectivism Distinction. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Vol. 25: 273-283 Boyacigiller, N. Adler, N. (1991) ‘The Parochial Dinosaur: Organizational Science in a Global Context. Academy of Management Review. Vol. 16 (2): 262-290 Charles, L. Y. (2003) The art of investigative interviewing. Burlington: Butterworth-Heinemann Cox, T. H., Lobel S. McLeod, P. (1991) ‘Effects of Ethnic Group Cultural Differences on Cooperative Behaviour on a Group Task. Academy of Management Journal. Vol. 34 (4): 827-847 Gibson, R. (2002) Intercultural business communication. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Golden, T. Veiga J. (2005) ‘Spanning Boundaries and Borders: Toward Understanding the Cultural Dimensions of Team Boundary Spanning. Journal of Managerial issues. Vol. 17 GudyKunst, W. B. (2005) Theorizing about Intercultural Communication. London: Sage Publication Ltd. Gudykunst, W. B. (2003) Cross Culture and Intercultural Communications. London: Sage Publication Ltd. Jehn, K. Weldon, E. (1995) ‘Conflict Management in Bicultural Teams The International Journal of Conflict Management. Vol. 6 Issue 4 Kim, U. et al, (1994) Individualism and Collectivism: Theory, Method and Applications. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Press. Kim, Y. and Gudykunst, W. (1988) Theoretical perspectives in intercultural communication(pp. 41-65). Beverly Hills: Sage Tian, R.G. (2000) Understanding consumer behaviour: psycho-anthropological approach: North American Journal of Psychology, [Vol. 2 No.2, pp.273-9.] Trompenaars, F. Hampden-Turner, C. (1997) Riding the Waves of Culture (Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business). 2nd ed. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing Trompenaars, F. Wooliams, P. (2003) Business Across Cultures. England: Capstone Publishing Ltd. Tuckman, B.W. Jensin, M.A.C. (1977) ‘Stages of small group development revisited. Group and Organizational Studies, Vol.2, pp 419-427. Wing, L. (2005) ‘Leadership in high-performance Teams: A model for superior team performance. Team performance Management. Vol. 11 No.1/2 pp 4-11.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Witch Craft :: essays research papers

Around the seventeenth century, the belief in witches and witch craft was almost everywhere. The Church of Rome, more than three hundred years ago, allowed punishments for the use of witch craft and after that thousands of suspected people were burned alive, drowned or hanged. In the sixteenth century, more than one hundred thousand accused and convicted people burned in the flames, in Germany. In England, enlightened men adopted the belief. The famous Sir Matthew Hale, who flourished during the civil war, the commonwealth and the period of the restoration of monarchy, repeatedly sentenced persons to death accused of witch craft. The Puritans brought the belief with them to America. They established laws for the punishment of witches, and before 1648, four people had suffered death for the supposed offence, in the neighborhood of Boston. The ministers of the gospel there were shadowed by the delusion, and because of their powerful social influence, they did more to foster the wild e xcitement and produce the distressing results of what is known in history as "Salem witch craft," than all others. In 1688, a wayward daughter of John Goodwin of Boston, about thirteen years of age, accused a servant girl of stealing some of the family linen. The servant's mother, a "wild Irish woman" and a Roman Catholic, impassioned disapproval the accuser as a false witness. The young girl, in revenge, pretended to be bewitched by the Irish woman. Some others of her family followed her example. They would alternately become deaf, dumb and blind, bark like dogs and purr like cats, but none of them lost their appetites or sleep. The Rev. Cotton Mather, a simple and conceited minister rushed to Goodwin's house to ease the witchery by prayer. Wonderful were the supposed effects of his desire. The devil was controlled by them for the time. Then four other ministers of Boston and one of Salem, as superstitious as himself, joined Mather they spent a whole day in the house of the "afflicted" in fasting and prayer, the result of which was the delivery of one of the family from the power of the witch. This was enough proof for the minds of the ministers that there must be a witch in the case, and these ignorant minister prosecuted the ignorant Irish woman as such. She was confused before the court, and spoke sometimes in her native Irish language, which nobody could understand, and which her accusers and judges explain into involuntary confession.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

The Importance of the Sea in The Awakening Essay -- Chopin Awakening

The Importance of the Sea in The Awakening      Ã‚   Throughout her novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin uses symbolism and imagery to portray the main character's emergence into a state of spiritual awareness. The image that appears the most throughout the novel is that of the sea. â€Å"Chopin uses the sea to symbolize freedom, freedom from others and freedom to be one's self† (Martin 58). The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, wants that freedom, and with images of the sea, Chopin shows Edna's awakening desire to be free and her ultimate achievement of that freedom.    Edna's awakening begins with her vacation to the beach. There, she meets Robert Lebrun and develops an intense infatuation for him, an infatuation similar to those which she had in her youth and gave up when she married. The passionate feelings beginning to overwhelm her are both confusing and exciting. They lead to Edna beginning to ponder what her life is like and what she is like as a person. The spell of the sea influences these feelings which invite "the soul . . . to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation" (Chopin 57). Edna begins to fall under the sea's spell and begins to evaluate her feelings about the life that she has.    During the summer of Edna's awakening, the sea's influence increases as she learns how to swim, an event which holds much more significance that her fellow vacationers realize. â€Å"To her friends, she has accomplished a simple feat; to Edna, she has accomplished a miracle† (Showalter 114). She has found a peace and tranquility in swimming which gives her the feeling of freedom. The narrator tells us that as she swims, "she seem[s] to be reaching out for the unlimited in which to lose herself" (Chopin 74). She sees the freedom t... ...ms out into the ocean for the final time, she finds her ultimate freedom.    In the end, the sea symbolizes freedom for Edna. It will never treat her as a possession like her husband has for so many years. It will not demand all of her time and attention as her children do. It will never abandon her as Robert does. It will enfold her "in its soft, close embrace" (Chopin 176) and allow her to experience the vast array of feelings that her life has forbidden her to do. The sea will allow her to be free.    Works Cited and Consulted Chopin, Kate. "The Awakening." 1899. The Complete Works of Kate Chopin. Ed. Per Seyersted. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1969. 881-1000. Martin, Wendy, ed. New Essays on the Awakening. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1988. Showalter, Elaine. "Tradition and the Female Talent: The Awakening as a Solitary Book." 1993

Friday, October 11, 2019

Firefighter Injuries and Deaths Essay

While civilian deaths and fatalities have gone down by 53. 6 percent in the last 20 years, only 20 percent decrease of the same has been reported from the firefighters. In fact, in the last 20 years, the United States has recorded an increased number of deaths and fatalities more than any other time in history. 1999 recorded the highest deaths at 112, followed closely by 2003, which recorded 105 deaths. This rate begs the question, are the fire fighters working more to ensure civilian safety, while risking their own lives? Safety standards during fire fighting Safety standards in the firefighting department have seen tremendous improvements in the past 20 years (Pessemier, B. 2009). This includes increased training among the fire fighters about the safety standards and better work practices, in addition to the purchase of better and efficient fire fighting equipment. In the last 10 years, a 34 % death increase was recorded among the firefighters. This in turn indicates that despite the improvements in the fire fighting department, there has been a decrease safety measures in the fire services. According to the US, fire Administration (FEMA), the approximate number of firefighters who have perished in firefighting activities in the last 20 years average to 100 firefighters annually. This trend was at its worst in the 1980’s, took a downward trend in the early 1990’s and resumed the high number in the late 1990’s. A study carried out between 1990 and 2000 by FEMA to establish the real cause of the injuries and deaths among the firefighters revealed that 44 percent of firefighters die due to heart attacks. Fatal injuries was second accounting for 27 percent of the deaths, burns and asphyxia ranked third accounting for 20 percent of all deaths(FEMA, 2008) The report also revealed that firefighters aged above 35 years stands more risk of medical related deaths. Such include heart attacks and stroke. Below 35 years, firefighters were more prone to traumatic injuries that eventually led to their deaths (FEMA, 2008). The report further revealed that 60 percent of the casualties fell under the above 40 years age bracket, while a third of them were aged above 50 years. This too begs the question, is age a factor when analyzing the rising deaths among the firefighters? This question can be answered by a closer look at the affiliation of the firefighter fatalities. 57 percent of all firefighter fatalities were affiliated to volunteer fire fighting agencies. These agencies had both volunteer fire fighters and volunteer personnel. However, seeing that career personnel make a mere 26 % of the fire fighting agencies through out the country, the proportionate of volunteers suffer fatalities. In fact, career firefighters only account for 33 percent of the fatalities. Here, the question of age pops again. An approximate 40 percent of the volunteers are aged above 50 years. Training is of outmost important for both career and volunteer firefighters because it prepares them on response tactics and safety procedures. Training on emergency response, incident command, safety and hot fire cases should be sufficient. However, at least 6 percent of fatalities in the past 10 years occurred during training. This was a higher number than what was recorded in the preceding 10 years. Physical fitness training has been the leading cause of training fatalities, followed closely by live fire and equipment drills (FEMA, 2008). Fatalities of volunteers and career firefighters are only recorded as a firefighter death if the person was on duty and if his death occurred 24 hour after he/she completed a fire related call on behalf of a fire department (Medgenmed. medscape. com, 2006). The Occupational safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued safety guidelines in 1980, as a way of combating the rising deaths and fatalities among the fire fighters (Marshall, S. T, 2004). In the guidelines, the organization authorized the use of fire-retarding clothing and self-contained breathing equipment. Although it was not clear, whether it was the guidelines or the decreased number of fires that were registered between 1979 and 2002, the number of fatalities in the fire services decreased annually by 52 percent in the three year period (Marshall, S. T, 2004). The working conditions To comply with OSHA’s regulations, firefighters are required to carry a self-contained air apparatus weighing 30 lbs. They must also wear protective clothing, which wears another 30 lbs. Although this offers more protection to the firefighters, critics argue that the additional 60 lbs that the fire fighters have to drag along during a firefighting exercise adds to physical stress and may lead to exhaustion, which is a leading cause of cardiac arrest related deaths(Marshall, S. T, 2004). The protective gear and the oxygen apparatus that fire fighters carry in their fire fighting exercises has also been blamed for an increased aggressiveness among the firefighters. The worrying thing about such aggressiveness is that most firefighters do not realize that the safety gear does not offer overall protection against death. Lack of adequate information about conditions that may be tackled and those that are too risky is also insufficient (Marshall, S. T, 2004). Unlike earlier times where firefighter based the decision to fight a fire from indoors by how hot their ears were, modern day hoods cover the ears and the temperatures can rise to fatal levels without the fire fighters recognizing it. That is the leading cause of many flashover incidences, where everything in a building, including the firefighter ignites concurrently due to very high temperatures (Marshal, S. T, 2004) Unlike earlier times where veteran firefighters knew it was time to leave a building when they felt dizzy or started coughing, the modern day breathing devices shield them from inhaling smoke. The tell tale signs that may signify the need to leave a building are therefore disorients them from the realities of a dangerous indoor environment. When smoke concentration becomes too high, there can be a sporadic ignition of the area. As such, even the training on working in zero visibility conditions comes to naught, as the firefighter will be engulfed in the random fire within a short time (Marshall, S. T, 2004). The OSHA regulations further require fire fighters not to start a fire fighting exercise unless a team of at least four people has been assembled. This requirement was put in place as a means of ensuring that assisting firemen were available just in case those fighting the fire needed it. Although noble in its intentions, Critics argue that this piece of regulation, known as 2 in/2 out protection standard hinder less than four firefighters who arrive at the place of fire on time to manage fire spread before it grows. As such, they argue that time that could otherwise be used to combat the spread of the fire is lost as fire fighters attempt to establish rescue teams (Marshall, S. T, 2004). Deaths that occur when firefighters are traveling to the fire destination are also on the rise. This are documented as Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVCs), and has accounted for an average of 22. 5 percent annual fatalities in the US since 1984. In a haste to respond to fire alarms, majority of fire fighters who perished in MVC s are in private vehicles. This is because the fire fighters can respond to a fire emergency from anywhere. Most MVC fatalities resulted from collisions. Disregard of the traffic rules is a major cause of such fatalities as firefighters forget/ignore wearing seat belts (USFA, 2009). In 2007, data by the OFPC Academy of on fire Science on fire fighter casualties revealed that 33 percent of all casualties was not determined, while 26 percent either suffered fractures, dislocation, sprain, swelling, strain, amputation or a crush. 13 percent were suffering from undisclosed pain and an equal percentage suffered abrasions, bruises, cuts, wounds or punctures. 4 percent had been affected by hazardous inhalants, while an equal number suffered burns. Two percent of the casualties had shortness of breath. Human error also plays a significant role in firefighters deaths. Sometimes, the firefighters may be too ignorant to safety precautions that they end up jeopardizing their own lives. In other cases, some one else’s negligence or omissions may end up casing fire fighter deaths. The latter is best explained by the four young fire fighters who perished in the North central Washington fire in 2001. The four young men were part of a crew that had been pulled to a safe location after the fire became too enormous, but later sent out in an attempt to fight it. The water pumps that were to draw water from a nearby Chewuch River refused to start and the young men deployed their fire resistant tents on a poor ground just steps away from a safer ground (Maclean, J. N, 2007) Programs that would reduce death and injuries among firefighters The protective gear used by firefighters during fire fighting mission has been subject to criticism for a long time now. To begin with, there were gaping incompatibilities between components such as the hood, the SCBA and the gloves. In past years, the quality of the hood and the SCBA greatly improved. The weak link to the protective ensemble thus became the gloves. Many fire fighters claimed that the gloves hindered them from performing tasks such as manipulating switches, holding tools and grasping straps. The reason behind this was that the gloves could not fit perfectly, with the finger gloves being too long. Fire fighters also said that the materials used on the gloves decreased a person’s agility and thus could affect the response time (LaTourette, T, 2003). To rectify these weaknesses that may end up causing injuries to the firefighters, I would suggest that materials, fit and the agility of the firefighters be considered before the manufacturers can settle on the specific material to be used on the firefighting gear. Another concept that would have significant impact death and injury reduction among the firefighters is the safety culture concept (Pessemier, W. 2009). This would require empowering individuals and organization with risk handling skills that would not compromise their fire fighting goals. This means that the firefighters would be trained on fire fighting methods that poses minimal risks to their wellbeing. The fire departments in different states will also need to develop and implement effective systems to manage vital safety behaviors among the firefighters. In addition, the state needs to provide sufficient funds for the continued training of firefighters on critical safety measures. Members of the fire service departments must also be willing to challenge any assumption, value or practice that they think can jeopardize their safety (Pessemier, W. 2009). Another approach that can decrease the number of fatalities that happen to firefighters, is adopting the safe person model. This model, which was proposed by Mark Jones, a deputy fire officer in the UK, would also work in the United States. Jones described the safe person model as the combined responsibilities between individual firefighters and Organization responsibility. Individual responsibility requires the fire fighter to be a competent person, able to work with a team whereby the fire service takes the initiative of selecting people suited for the fire fighting exercises, providing them with the right information, instructs and trains them accordingly, in addition to providing them with protective equipment and right supervision( riskinstitute. org). Deaths that occurred due to motor vehicle collisions as firefighters respond to emergency calls can also be reduced by training the fire fighters on basic road safety tips. Such includes wearing safety belts at all times and driving carefully despite the need to get the emergency venue on time. According to USFA statistics, only 21 percent of the firefighters who died on MVC cases had worn their seat belts when the collision occurred (USFA, 2008). Checking on the fitness of volunteers should also be a priority for all fire services. Health screening before the volunteers can be given the green light to work should be mandatory. This should be made in order to evaluate each person’s medical history. Such should include their age, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight, Family history and their physical tolerance levels (Sharkley, B. 2008). People aged above 45 years, who have physically inactive and those who have heart disease threat factors should be taken for extra checkups. Those with conditions such as high blood pressure should not be considered as the condition could end up in heart problems during exertion. Healthy adults should then be taken up as volunteers after the medical review. After taking up the firefighting volunteer roles, people aged 40 and more years should ensure that they continue engaging in cardiovascular activities. This is because regular exercises reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. Firefighters who have experienced situations that could have cost them lives should also be encouraged to speak up as other people can learn from their experiences. As noted by John B and Tippet Jr. (2005) in their report titled â€Å"Improve Leadership, report near misses†, encouraging firefighters who have experienced near-misses would serve as a learning venue for other firefighters. Such a program would be voluntary, confidential, secure and non-punitive for the firefighters who tell their personal accounts (John, B & Tippet,Jr. 2005). Laudable firefighter fatality reduction initiatives Under the auspices of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), firefighting organizations convened a meeting in 2004 and came up with 16 initiatives that if implemented would see to the reduction of the firefighters fatalities in the United States. They include: ensuring that fire fighting organizations had a responsible and accountable leadership, include tactical planning and strategic approaches at all levels when responding to emergencies, encourage firefighters under their organizations to employ safe practices only and develop a training and standardization mechanism which should be followed by all organizations. Additionally, the organization suggested that there should be a set standard for fitness standards, and that all initiatives towards decreasing the fatalities among firefighters should be documented. Conclusion Reducing the number of deaths and injuries among the firefighters is a challenge that would take efforts from both individual fire fighters and the firefighting organizations that they work for. It takes individual assessment to gauge the risks involved in a firefighting scenario and hence such requires good personal choices. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of the firefighting organizations to ensure that people working in the organization either as career firefighters or as volunteers meet the medical and physical requirements. It is also the organizations prerogative to ensure that firefighters are trained accordingly, have the right equipment and that they have the correct firefighting wear. Only then can people in the United States realize yearn to have fewer deaths among people who take up the hardest job and risk their lives when doing it. References John B and Tippet Jr. (2005). Improve leadership, report near misses: Learn from others about saving ourselves. Retrieved January 28, 2009 from http://www. iafc. org/displayindustryarticle. cfm? articlenbr=27206 Jones, M. (2008). Concept, policy and Practice: The UK fire context. Retrieved January 28,2009 from http://www. riskinstitute. org/peri/images/file/S908-D7-Jones. pdf LaTourette, T. Et al: (2003). Protecting Emergency responders. New York: Rand publishers. Maclean, J. N. (2007). The Thirty Mile Fire: a Chronicle of Bravery and Betrayal: New York. Henry Holt Marshall, S. T. (2004). Suppressing Volunteer Firefighting. Publication: regulation. Retrieved January 28, 2009 from http://www. allbusiness. com/human-resources/workplace-health-safety/317752-1. html Pessemer , W. (2009). Synopsis: Developing a safety Culture in the Fire Service. Retrieved January 28, 2009 from http://www. everyonegoeshome. com/newsletter/2008/february/safetyculture. html Sharkey, B, J. (2008). Cardiovascular Risks of Wild land Firefighting. Retrieved January 28,2009 from http://www. firejock. com/articles/Cardiovascular%20Risks%20of%20Wildland%20Firefighting. htm US Fire Administration (USFA). (2008). Historical overview: firefighter fatalities. Retrieved January 28, 2009 from http://www. usfa. dhs. gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/index. shtm

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Perception Of Risk Variation Factors Health And Social Care Essay

Recent old ages in societal scientific disciplines and academic research have highlighted the apprehension of constructs such as hazard perceptual experience and hazard itself, in a batch of deepness. However the true apprehension of how hazard is perceived and how its influences behavior is non a simple phenomenon to specify. There is immense contention on how, why and what variables constitute it. Risk has been defined in legion ways by societal scientists and research workers. Before reexamining the different paradigms of hazard perceptual experience it is critical to understand the really nature of the construct of hazard itself. There exist multiple constructs of Risk. Risk is viewed as a jeopardy, as a chance as a effect and even as possible hardship or menace ( Short Jr, 1984 ) .Risk under such claims is typically assessed to be objectively quantified by hazard appraisal. On the other manus societal scientific disciplines reject such impression of nonsubjective word picture. T heir attack tends to concentrate on effects that such hazardous results have on people who undergo them. This tradition see ‘s hazard as subjective in nature ( Krimsky & A ; Golding, 1992 ; Slovic, 1992 ; Weber, 2001b ; Wynne, 1992 ) . , hence it defines hazard as something that human existences have invented to assist them understand and get by with the dangers and uncertainnesss of life. Admiting that hazard can intend different things to different persons ( Brun, 1994 ) , consequently people besides tend to differ in their earnestness of effects of hazards and how they calculate the chance of such hazards to take topographic point.This apprehension leads us to the term ‘risk perceptual experience ‘ , which has been defined as ‘ appraisal of the chance of a specified type of accident go oning and how concerned we are with the effects ‘ ( Sjoberg L. et Al, 2004, p. 8 ) . Individual values, beliefs and attitude every bit good as societal and cultural values or temperaments including symbols, political orientations and history constitute of factors which influence hazard perceptual experience ( Weinstein, 1980 ) .The aim of this paper is to understand the part of such societal, cultural and psychological factors which form perceptual experiences of hazard. This essay aims at discoursing hazard in context to a specified hazard which is vaccinum ha zard particular to polio. This peculiar pick has been made with consideration given to the fact that disease such as infantile paralysis is no more a job in the western states and the underdeveloped states provide a good illustration of civilization and societal influence for the sensed hazards. This has been backed by the lifting involvements by universe wellness organisation to wholly eliminate this from the face of Earth. Throughout this survey research grounds has been incorporated to organize a logical statement. In decision the deduction for policy shapers and other interest holders are discussed in line with the acknowledgment of the changing perceptual experience of his hazards. Polio has been known to distribute via the unwritten faecal path. The West had popularly seen summer eruptions of infantile paralysis. These resulted in widespread paralytic infantile paralysis. There are two basic types of infantile paralysis vaccinum, both of which were developed in the 1950 ‘s.The foremost was developed by Jonas Salk, which was a formalin-killed readying of normal wild type infantile paralysis virus. This virus is known to turn in monkey kidney cells and the vaccinum is given by injection. The vaccinum aims at arousing good humoral ( IgG ) unsusceptibility and forestalling transit of the virus to the nerve cells where it would otherwise do paralytic infantile paralysis. The 2nd known vaccinum was developed by Albert Sabin, which is a unrecorded attenuated vaccinum, produced through empirical observation by consecutive transition of the virus in cell civilization. It is given orally and is known as the preferable vaccinum in the developed universe such as Uni ted States, United Kingdom and others mostly because of it easiness of disposal. ( Jeffrey Kluger, 2005 ) Vaccines have been used to control morbidity and mortality from childhood infective diseases in our society ( Senier, L. , 2005 ) .It is non incorrect to state that vaccinums constitute one of the biggest success narratives within preventative medical specialty nevertheless at that place has been a turning concern sing the necessity of its uninterrupted usage ( Senier, L. , 2005 ) ( Bostrom A. , 1997 ) .Physicians and research workers attribute such concerns in instance of infantile paralysis vaccinum mostly to the diminution in mark diseases but besides attribute it towards the turning concern for safety among the multitudes ( Senier, L. , 2005 ) .Such uncertainnesss sing vaccinum hazards along with the still prevalence of such diseases in society create a demand for understanding how perceptual experiences sing infantile paralysis vaccinum hazard are developed among people. The undermentioned subdivision purposes at supplying an overview of different prospective in order to underst and how perceptual experiences are developed and influenced. Perceived badness of a disease drama an of import portion in credence of vaccinums developed to extinguish them ( Bostrom A. , 1997 ) . A comparative survey of two diseases outburst conducted in Canada illustrates that during an eruption of a fatal, meningitis the populace reverted to mass immunisation comparable to a rubeolas outburst, where a by and large less credence of immunisation prevailed based on the populace ‘s position of rubeolas as being less unsafe.While in world Measle kill a larger graduated table of kids across the Earth ( Boholm, A. , 1998 ) . Fear is a clear illustration of what we think about a hazard in footings of our intuitive feelings, a procedure which is called the heuristic consequence and it has a great influence on our perceptual experience of risks.Amoung the current infantile paralysis bing states such frights are of a bigger magnitude given their societal and cultural backgrounds. There exists a large spread of societal consciousness every bit go od as instruction in these states. Poverty, deficiency of basic lodging installations, clean H2O and air, and other ailments have helped to organize the attitudes and perceptual experience about polio vaccinum hazards ( Sjoberg L. et Al, 2004 ) .. Another component which influences the perceptual experience of hazard associated with infantile paralysis vaccinums is the degree of control over kids ‘s going infected of vaccinum preventable disease.Works of ( Meszaros et al, 1996 ) shows that none inoculators understand that their kid was less likely effected by the inauspicious affects of the inoculation. This sense of control over the inauspicious effects of acquiring vaccinated strongly determines attitude towards inoculation. Another critical thing which must be noted here is the sensed cost benefit analysis done by parents.If at that place exists a sensed benefit in a specific pick, the hazard associated with that pick will look smaller than when no such benefit is perceived ) .Hence perceptual experiences on Polio Vaccine hazard will be constructed depending on how much control an single likes to exert within his life and what cost and benefits does he associates with the infantile paralysis vaccinum. Some groups of people have viewed inoculation of a kid as a – physical invasion into a healthy bodyA , this has been supported with doctors ‘ penchants to â€Å" make no injury ‘ ( specially in instances where more than one injection is required. Such believes and attitudes have paved agencies to constructs such as Free-loading ( which is trusting on herd unsusceptibility and taking non to immunize ) . This is proved by the research at the Pennsylvania University which has shown that a batch of none inoculators use the free equitation logic ( Hershey et Al, 1994 ) .On the other utmost side there are besides people who make determinations sing vaccinums based on what every one else seems to be doing.This is regarded at â€Å" bandwagoning † and relates to human demand for conformance and even security which fulfills the human demand for love, belonging and even safety as defined by Maslow ( Maslow, A. , 1943 ) . The above factors fall into the class of ‘Cultural reason ‘ . Which recognizes a scope of influences including psychological, spiritual, religious, emotional and even intuitive footing as defined by ( Brun, 1994 ) ( Fischhoff B. et Al, 1993 ) ( Sjoberg L. et Al, 2004 ) . Poliomyelitis as it prevails within the underdeveloped states is besides widely influenced by the success narratives of the West. Fear factors linked with deficiency of inoculation are reduced by narratives which explain ‘how infantile paralysis has been eradicated from certain states ‘ and ‘how it has become a decreasing concern ‘ ( Jeffrey Kluger, 2005 ) . Fear encourages people to take positive preventative steps ; this has been clearly illustrated by the plants of ( Leventhal, 1980 ) who found that high fright showed greater purpose to halt smoke. Hence the perceptual experience of vaccinum hazard will change for people based on their ain frights and their ain apprehension of dangers associated to the disease. Surveies on hazard perceptual experiences have taken a deep expression at understanding the function of heuristics and prejudices.According to Slovic P. perceptual experience of hazard cognitive cutoffs form the basic for qualitative estimations of hazard ( Slovic P, 1987 ) . These are called heuristics, illustrations of such prejudices ‘ include compaction of hazard, over appraisal of rare causes of decease and underestimating common 1s ( Fischhoff B. et Al, 1993 ) . Biass are non restricted to the public entirely alternatively a large beginning of such prejudices stem which in this instance would be doctors every bit good as societal workers. Adept sentiment is besides an of import factor in formation perceptual experience sing polio vaccinum hazards. Experts within their ain field hold certain information purchase and cognition, which is non alienated from their ain prejudices. Experts sentiments are frequently manipulated to organize a perceptual experience of a hazard whic h is in line with authorities and other stakeholders ( Fischhoff B, Merz JF. , 1994 ) , ( Fischhoff B. et Al, 1993 ) , ( Freudenberg and Pastor, 1992 ) . A prevailing nature of infantile paralysis ‘s being in developing states can be understood better in footings of the unstable political governments in these states and the efforts of assorted powers to derive public support through over rated wellness programmes such as battle against infantile paralysis. Another factor which is interrelated to this construct is besides the trust factor which defines public perceptual experiences of hazard. The bigger the assurance people have in professional responsible for their protection or in the authorities or establishments responsible for their exposure of hazard the less fearful they would be. The less they would swear them, the higher will be the sensed hazard associated to them. While speaking about trust, it must be noted that grade of trust receiver topographic point in the commu nicating of information about vaccinum hazards and benefits is every bit important in organizing perceptual experiences about given hazards. Public input and well-being may be viewed as the aim of cardinal interest holders in preventative medical specialty nevertheless their actions are non ever aimed at accomplishing this hence a deficiency of credibleness and trust has been created ( Timothy C & A ; George T, 1995 ) . From the above treatment it can be deduced that a robust apprehension is needed to measure how cultural factors like trust and even duty reconstruct the cost benefit analysis ( Timothy C & A ; George T, 1995 ) .This demand for trust among persons corresponds with the emotional responses which serve a footing for determination devising as explained by Berkowitz ( 1969 ) . Another factor which develops the assorted perceptual experience people hold sing infantile paralysis hazard vaccinums is constructed by single political orientations sing social good versus the single rights. This relates to citizen ‘s rights to picks such as choice of preventative steps for wellness attention compared to authorities ‘s power/liberty to do determinations for the multitudes. Majority of the epidemiologist suggests that such determinations should non be left to single picks but should be authorities duty. Thus it can be concluded that Mandatory inoculation influences how vaccine hazards and benefits are received by the populace. This can be understood in the visible radiation of theory of cognitive disagreement which demonstrates that voluntary picks brings more openness and credence to negative results ( Berkowitz, 1969 ) .Certain people may even hold spiritual grounds to avoid inoculation, illustration of such can be the more Orthodox beliefs where step ining with nature is considered not spiritual. In US faith is one of the three evidences on which people are exempted from inoculation. This is done given the apprehension of the diversified US society. Hence it must be acknowledged that perceptual experiences of infantile paralysis vaccinum hazard are related to the societal, cultural and even spiritual facet of person ‘s life. To reason it can be seen that perceptual experiences sing infantile paralysis vaccinum hazard are constructed by assorted cultural and psychometric factors. Peoples from their positions and attitudes sing infantile paralysis vaccinum hazard based on factors such as badness of the disease, the trust they place in the authorities and other interest holders, their ain apprehension of cost and benefits associated with the vaccinum. Percepts are strongly driven and influenced by person ‘s ain fright, his abilibity to swear and his desire to command things. Peoples are risk averse and seek to avoid ambiguity ( Slovic and Fischcoff, 1984 ) .They are invariably measuring and doing opinions which are influenced by the society in big and their milieus. They are frequently encouraged to follow the bulk and sometimes to bask the free riders consequence. All these factors have deductions for parents and policymakers about how hazards should be managed and what hazards are acceptable in the visible radiation of how perceptual experiences vary and how they are constructed. It is critical for policy shapers and others to understand that contentions over vaccinum hazard perceptual experience have immense deductions for professionals and media in their functions as sources and besides on the being of this disease. When pass oning hazard to the receivers, it is highly critical that the changing natures of formation of hazard perceptual experience are kept into head along with public instruction and participative determination devising. Government in these states where infantile paralysis is still dominant need to cultivate feelings of trust in people for the system and integrate societal consciousness programmes, which have an emotional entreaty and are targeted towards the rural countries utilizing media every bit good as local physicians and clinics.