Best Business Practices Essay

Best practices is referred to as the development and implementation of a standard way of doing things to improve productivity. New management of business requires the managers and supervisors to be prepared for change. Management skills is not the only task that is expected of these firms but multitasking and flexibility are key to keeping on in today’s fast-paced work environment where experienced supervisors are required. To effectively carry out a number of activities the supervisors of companies need to have a number of best practices required of them. These include good communication skills, determining effective orientation and training methods, improving team productivity, conducting performance appraisals, resolving conflict and improving employee relations. Best practices provide the supervisors with guidelines to follow in ensuring that all the information to be passed is very much effective. Supervisors generally have a difficult task to ensure that all issues are implemented. Therefore they need to utilize the following best practices to ensure that they maintain a successful and productive relationship with employees. Communication skills The supervisors of companies should ensure that the information that is communicated to the organization members is full, accurate, timely and understandable. This policy of good communication applies to different people and groups such as government authorities,’ regulators, employees, clients and the media. In business culture accountability is more important than diplomacy especially in U. S. The supervisors are also expected to do correction and pass judgment criticism in the way businesses are carried. The organization members should not take it as a personal issues but should be taken as away of improving performance in businesses. When correcting the employees the supervisors are expected to treat his employees well not only in pay and benefits but by respecting them and also treating then with a lot of personal care. Correction should be done with the utmost respect and the supervisor is expected to be alone when making correction. (Rue &Byars,2004). In every organization, employees comprise of different members with different cultural differences. This means that the supervisor has to cater for these differences when communicating to his employees. The cultural differences include culture, beliefs value and practices of the organization members. When communicating with the employees the culture should be put into consideration. Communication is just beyond words. The worst thing most supervisors make is failing to implement and demonstrate what they are preaching. For example a supervisor of a company might promise the workers of increase in salary at the end of the month but in the long run he might fail to implement this. This will make the workers or employees to lose trust and faith in their supervisors. The supervisor is thus expected to lead by example. This means taking your employees to the right direction where the firm should be. To stay competitive, companies must find ways to improve the performance and efficiency of all their employees and other members in the new environment inorder to prevent the new and unique challenges in the organization. Crossing the language bridge is another thing that the supervisor should have in mind. This is the biggest issue that supervisors should be aware of. In US, most company workers comprise of people from different cultural background, speaking different languages that all the employees are expected to know. The most commonly spoken language is English. The supervisor of the new company should therefore try to communicate in a language that is familiar and common to everybody. Things will automatically be easier if communication is done in English. However, when passing the information, the language used should be as simple as possible to avoid any complications that might arise. The supervisor should not use a lot of jargons when communicating because this will make the information to be passed to become more difficult to be understood by the employee. The risk of miscommunication will lead to decreased productivity therefore the supervisor should be aware of the language differences in their employees. New concepts should be communicated directly and accurately to the employees in time. It is always said that information liberates when passed at the right time. The channel which the information or message is to follow should be smooth to ensure that the massage passed is not interfered with. New changes should be introduced after effective communications has been done. The new concept introduced should aim at increasing profits and productivity in the company. The supervisor should inform the member on the benefits the new change is going to bring the company. The introduction of the new technology has brought a lot of changes in the business environment. Therefore the organization also needs to change in order to address these changes and stay competitive to the market. Critical thinking also plays a large part of communication especially when communicating with employees. Critical thinking entails asking and answering questions in order to use a thought process that is more easily or effectively remembered. (Rue, 2004) Determining effective orientation and training methods. All organization members need training to acquire new skills and knowledge required for the production to be increased and effective. The supervisor is supposed to hire qualified and competence staff to perform duties in their areas of specialization. Training should provide essential information on the department/programme. This includes policies and procedures on how the organization is run. If the company uses new technology, the supervisor needs to train the employees on how to use the computer soft ware in the company. The supervisor should also provide direction on how work is to be done. He should lead by example and he should also provide appropriate equipment in good working condition and training in how to use it. The supervisor should also do assessment tests to measure effectiveness of training equipment to be used in delivering the training. Methods of training may include use of computer, video, classroom or holding conference. When using these methods the supervisor needs to do assessment first to ensure effective training. Qualified staff needs to be recruited in a specific department. This is because each department has a specific responsibility to be carried. For example a company may have the department of public relations and department of information technology. Those working in the department of information technology need to have relevant skills in the computer database. Improving productivity for teams Team work has become a big part of today’s workforce. Productivity in team can be done through delegation and follow up for example in delegation the supervisors should be well informed about their team members. This should include their cultural background and experiences very well to help him in assigning the right duty to a proper person. By ensuring that delegation is done fairly will provide a positive work team is got which in turn will lead to increased productivity. The supervisor need to know the project he is dealing with and people in the team to find a suitable task for each member. While doing delegation, fairness should be observed as this will keep team morals. Team work productivity is also brought through follow up. This is supposed to be done to ensure that each team member is performing the task that is assigned to him or her. The supervisor therefore needs to check the job done by team members at individual levels and as a team. Follow up will ensure that each member feels satisfied, important and is performing his/her tasks effectively. These actions will help in ensuring that the morals of the team is kept high and therefore leading to happiness in the organization. Conflict resolution. Resolving conflict is another best practice expected of new supervisors. Conflicts are things that normally occur in our organizations. For example our workforce or workplace comprise of people with different cultural background, therefore such diverse cultures can bring conflict in the organization. Conflict that the supervisors therefore mostly faces vary from personality differences between employees to a small clash in attitude or belief. Dealing with conflict requires two things. These include listening and resolving. The supervisor needs to investigate the situation and actively listen to both sides of the situation. The means that he needs to listen to different people involved in the conflict. Listening to a problem requires the supervisors to take time and ensure that each employee has been given an opportunity to speak about the problem (Scenario). While listening, he should carefully take notes and carefully cross check the statements the parties involved are giving. This will enable him understand the root cause of the problem and possible solution to the problem. When coming up with resolution he should determine the one that will appease as many of the population as possible without going against the company policies or regulations (Brett, Behfar & Kern, 2006). All the information in the resolution should be communicated to the employees in a simple way. Follow up should also be done on the situation to confirm whether the resolution that was passed has worked or not. Should it fail to work then another possible solution need to be obtained to resolve the conflict. This will ensure that the whole process of conflict resolution is very successful. Improving employee relations. Improving employee relations is one of the best practices that the supervisor need to have in mind. In most organizations employees will want their presence to be recognized either by their leaders or by other members in the company. Good relationship should therefore be built to ensure that there is a positive contact between the supervisors and other company’s members. (McConnell, 2002). The supervisor should ensure that positive contact is made almost on a daily basis as this will increase the employees self esteem. They will feel that their interest is catered for thereby improving productivity. The supervisor can also create good relations with other members through carrying out regular meetings. During regular meeting the supervisors should address the employee’s problems and correct any area in which they need to improve on. It is also important to keep some records of attendance so that the supervisor can appraise to congratulate them for turning in large numbers. Anyway these minor things need not to be ignored by the supervisors. During meetings it is good and healthy to listen to employees decisions. This is because the employees themselves know where there is need for improvement since they are people carrying out the activities. They therefore know very well where specific improvement is to be made. This makes them feel that they are important in the organization. Even the supervisor himself will feel that he is working to the right direction of achieving the organizations objectives and goals. Improving the employees self esteem will also increase the efficiency and productivity of work done. (Robertson, 2007). The employees therefore should be allowed to take part in decision making process as this will build trust between the employees and their leaders including the supervisors. Performance Appraisal. Conducting performance appraisal is another best practice that the supervisors should not leave out. Performance appraisal is a gauging tool to measure the success and failure in the work done by both the supervisors and employees. In most cases performance appraisal is done yearly basis and include things like reinforcement and giving both positives and negative feed back. Positive feedback is given when the employee does an impressing job. The feedback should begin with positive accomplishment that the employees has since their last appraisal or since they were recruited. The positive not will ensure that the employees follow further direction given by supervisors. Positive feedback will also send a message to the employees that their supervisor is working with them meaning that they are not left alone to o the job without their supervision from their supervisors. This will increase their morale in performing their job. Negative feedback will provide failures that the employees have made and when this is communicated it will help them in making some adjustments. The negative feedback should be used as a teaching tool to guide and correct the employees on the areas they have failed in. These areas therefore need some improvement. If the failures are not communicated to the employees, they won’t know whether they are doing the right thing or the wrong thing. After giving direction on areas that need improvement the supervisor should be clear and concise in the measures that will be taken if a change or improvement is not shown. He will therefore have to check on the ways the task is performed looking into the improvements required or lack of it. When doing this he should continue giving guidance ion hoe the performance can be improved. (Buhler,2007) During performance appraisal the supervisor should give the employees time to ask questions and give their suggestion. This will make them understand more the area in which improvement is required to be done. The supervisors will also be able to know how the employees view the areas he is addressing. However, performance appraisal whether negative or positive feed back should end on a positive note. For example, this is a good work but you still need some improvement. The feedback should contain some goals that the employees need to meet within a stipulated period of time in the near future if the supervisor does the appraisal of performance in a good way then he will realize that his efforts are not thwarted. This will in turn ensure that there is efficiency among the employees and the overall production will increase. Conclusion Every organization needs to employ the principle of best practices to ensure that its goal is achieved. This means that the supervisor will need to consider all the elements making the organization for him to realize success in the company. He needs to work in collaboration with the members as a team and even with the managers to ensure that the policies passed are implemented properly. Keeping the members on toes should be done regularly to ensure that work is done smoothly. A supervisor therefore needs to work in a more professional in the way he handles his employees as this will determine whether job will effectively be done or will not be done. All activities that are to be done particular time should be completed as stated. This will only work upon supervision. The job is only left for the supervisor. Correction should be done in a fair way to avoid any problem arising. This can only be done by using best practices that is used in improving production in a company. The best practice has proved to work and has lead to creation of successful workforce and therefore increased productivity by the company. Reference: Brett, J, Behfar, K & Kern, M. C. (2006). Managing multicultural Teams. London: Harvard Business. Buhler, P. (2007) Managing in the new millennium, Journal of supervision, 68(3) 19-21 Mc Connell, C. (2002) Use positive contacts to improve employee relations. Retrieved July 20, 2007 http://www. nfib. com/object/3174032. htm/ Robertson, J. (2007). How to improve employee’s relations in the workplace. Retrieved July, 19, 2007 http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/17641/low-to-improve-employee-relations-in. htm/ Rue, L. W. & Byars, LL. (2004) Supervision: Key link to productivity: New York: Mc Graw-Hill

Fools and folly are widely used in comedy to create humour To what extent does this apply to Twelfth Night?

In this essay I will be exploring Twelfth Night and focusing on the extent at which folly is used to create humour. The word folly means â€Å"a silly person† or â€Å"one who uses folly for the entertainment of others† etc. In William Shakespeare’s comedy, Feste -licensed fool- the clown is not the only fool who is subject to foolery; others include Sir Andrew Aguecheek (natural fool), Malvolio who is exposed to be the natural fool and Sir Toby who is deemed to be the Lord of Misrule. Overall, fools and folly are widely used in Twelfth Night and form the basic plot. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Feste’s role in this Illyrian comedy is significant. Feste plays the role of a humble clown and is employed by Olivia’s father thus playing the role of the licensed fool of their household. Olivia states that Feste is â€Å"an allowed fool† meaning he is licensed to speak the truth of people around him in order to entertain others. This is also seen when Curio states to the duke that â€Å"Feste the jester†¦a fool that the Lady Olivia’s father took much pleasure in†. Even though Feste is employed to be foolish, when compared to the other characters he is deemed to be the wisest, wittiest and the most philosophical of all the characters. Viola echoes this by saying â€Å"This fellow’s wise enough to play the fool. † By having the role of a licensed fool, Festes main role is to speak to the truth. Comedy is achieved through the truthfulness of the character. The first true glimpses of folly in Twelfth Night are seen in Act 1 Scene 3. Sir Andrew serves as an excellent example of the idea of Satire which Shakespeare throughout the play uses to undermine the so called rich, upper class characters. Sir Toby encourages Sir Andrew to â€Å"accost† Maria, which translates as â€Å"chat her up† and Sir Andrew foolishly addresses Maria as â€Å"Good mistress accost†. Shakespeare interestingly uses satire but also comedy of manners to illustrate his feelings towards the rich and powerful. His intentions are clearly seen here for the rest of the play; he starts with a powerful character being made a fool of and also ends with Malvolio being made a fool of, not weaker characters like Maria (servant) feste (clown). In this area of the scene, the audience expects a prominent, smart character to emerge on stage due to the description given by Sir Toby: â€Å"Why, he has an income of three thousand ducats a year,† which again links to the idea of comedy of manners- ‘a plot revolving around greed’. Subsequently, Sir Andrew is a naive, un-intelligent person who creates comedy and folly by miss-understanding Sir Toby. Knights in Shakespeare’s time would easily be able to gain respect through women due to it being an attractive occupation. However, Sir Andrew is the complete opposite and this allows the audience to laugh at how a character can be so different from the usual stereotype. Sir Andrew being so naive and thinking that he can easily add Maria to his endless list of women creates dramatic irony, the audience know that Maria thinks very poorly of him yet on the other hand Sir Andrew being so un-intelligent still thinks he is a wonderful human being. Alternatively, this area of Act 1 could show that even though Sir Andrew is rather naive, he still achieves because of the fact that Sir Toby mentions his â€Å"three thousand ducats a year† and Sir Andrew himself states to Maria that he is not â€Å"such an ass† and that he can keep his â€Å"hand dry,† this promotes the fact that when we wants to be, Sir Andrew can be smart and keep his â€Å"hand dry† which results in the audience weighing up what’s to come in the future for Sir Andrew. Ultimately, Sir Andrew fails to â€Å"woo† Olivia resulting in Sebastian marrying Olivia. Overall, this links back to the idea of comedy of manners and satire as both Sir Toby and Sir Andrew have been socially undermined with it being Sir Toby’s idea to set Andrew with Olivia and Sir Andrew failing in this quest. Feste who is employed to be funny and possibly ‘foolish’ is quite the opposite when compared with Sir Andrew. Feste is a philosophical, smart and witty character. In relevance to the question, a fool (feste) is employed to make people laugh yet there is no doubting that he comes across as anything but a fool. Shakespeare uses this character to highlight and contrast the frailties in the other characters such as Sir Andrew for example by allowing the natural fool to be the â€Å"natural wit† which is a very clever tool, the audience aren’t laughing at Feste being employed as fool yet laughing at how he makes others look like a fool. In act 1 scene 5, we don’t laugh at Feste for being a so called â€Å"fool†, we laugh at the witty re-marks that he creates and how undermines the people above him. Feste when talking to Maria regarding Countess Olivia states that â€Å"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage†. This has two comical meanings. Firstly, Feste is saying to Maria that sometimes its better being killed than entering marriage but to increase the comedy the phrase could also mean that a â€Å"well hung†(sexual connotations) man can prevent a â€Å"bad marriage†. When compared to today, a modern day audience would still find that funny due to IY being true yet in Shakespearean comedy, the audience would have been very surprised for a ‘fool’ to come out with such a controversial phrase, thus increasing comedy. Shakespeare understands the need for ‘surprise’ because the audience are laughing more at the surprise element rather than the joke itself. By putting this comical line in the final scene of the act, the audience have now gained a further understanding for the character and worked out how intelligent, witty Feste is. This will increase the popularity towards the character as the audience may have forgotten what happened previous to this scene when in act 2 yet the comical line from Feste would have stayed in their heads. Personally, Shakespeare wanted this immensely and therefore in relation to the question, yes fools are used to create humour but not through being stupid but by being witty and controversial as audiences like to be surprised. I believe the â€Å"bad marriage† area of the quote highlights the philosophical values that Feste has; he is giving the audience his opinions on marriages which he has seen from a fool’s point of view. Shakespeare is also handing a lot of power to feste as he could be forecasting the future for the marriages of Sir Toby and Maria, Olivia and Sebastian etc. Finally, Shakespeare can be seen to use juxtaposition in order to allow the gag of Feste contrast with the ‘well behaved’ Maria, this makes the audience possibly dislike Maria, an opinion shared by Shakespeare due to the time that he lived in, with the disrespectfulness of women. By the end of Act 2 scene 5, we gain the basic underlying plot. In scene 3, foolishness is definitely used to create comedy; Shakespeare uses the main idea of dramatic irony to create comedy. Three characters (Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, Maria) construct a plan to help make Malvolio look a fool, Shakespeare uses three characters to make the plot seem more severe, linking to the idea of a minor form of black comedy. In this scene we learn that foolishness is enhanced by using more people to gang up on another. Sir Toby speaks that â€Å"He shall think, by the letters that thou wilt drop, that they come from my niece, and that she’s in love with him. † This quote firmly shows; He’ll think these letters are from Olivia and that she’s in love with him. Shakespeare uses a gang approach to this due to Malvolio being a so called ‘kill joy’, Sir Andrew and Maria show their opinions on the plan with phrases like â€Å"Sport royal† â€Å"I have ’t in my nose too. † Which again highlights the mood of the other characters, the audience will ultimately laugh in feeling guilt towards Malvolio. In today’ world, a gang culture shows power due to power in numbers but in Shakespeare times it could be sign of wealth and power to be able to create a group situation. The word â€Å"drop† signifies the height at which this will drop Malvolio and purposefully ‘drop’ his heart when he finds out he is made out to be a fool. Subsequently, Malvolio foolishness creates huge comedy due to him being imprisoned because of his actions towards Olivia. The idea of a gang creating a plan to make another human being look a fool allows Shakespeare to experiment how Malvolio could act. By the end of the play he is seen to be very spiteful and out for revenge. Comedy isn’t always seen through people being fools or made out to be fools. Comedy is also achieved through other ventures. In order to gain approval in the kingdom Viola dresses as a man and therefore can work close to Orsino and takes on the name Cesario. This creates comedy because the audience know that she is a women beneath the disguise yet the characters don’t (dramatic irony) therefore power is given to the audience and they enjoy this. We understand in Act 1 scene 2 that she is going to take up some disguise by saying â€Å"Conceal me what I am, and be my aid†. At this moment in time, Viola seems very determined and confident towards being a man and she has reason so due to marrying Orsino at the end of the play. Therefore comedy isn’t just seen through the eyes of folly and foolishness it’s also achieved elsewhere. Due to it being a live play, the audience would be able to see it’s a disguised woman, even though all actors were men, and thus again increasing comedy. Twelfth Night was once a day to mark the end of the Christmas festivities. It was the feast of fools and even now, the Christmas season is a time where we all seek entertainment in the form of amusement and folly. Therefore Twelfth Night is still relevant today. Even now we love to see people make fools of themselves and the characters we don't like to be served with just retribution. In conclusion to my question, the answer is simply yes. Shakespeare doesn’t just have fools to laugh at (feste) which would seem the normal idea but he makes others look fools. This is through Malvolio being miss-lead, the naivety of Sir Andrew and possibly Orsino not having Olivia and having to make do with Viola. Interestingly, Shakespeare warms to the so called lower class characters like Feste, Maria by creating strong and confident characters that make the more upper class characters around them look fools. Comedy is also achieved in the play by the mistaken identity of Viola, the concept of black comedy and the comedy of manners. All key integral parts of how this play is seen comical. Overall, the main comedy comes from people acting foolish or looking foolish as well as the idea of comedy of errors.

Brigadoon Essay Research Paper I recently attended

Brigadoon Essay, Research Paper I late attended the drama, Brigadoon by Loewe and Lerner, at my local college theatre. Through all of the dramas mystical events and vocals, I noticed some really of import inside informations. I chose to compare the thoughts in the drama to some specific thoughts held by a group of people in Italy. The mounted their thoughts together to organize a period in our history called the Renaissance. This was the first thing that came to my head when I was believing about my comparing. A drama acts as its ain clip period as it resembles a mere image of existent life. A drama could associate to about any individual, topographic point, or thing. The first comparing I would wish to speak about trades with subjects. The Renaissance period is frequently referred to as the, # 8220 ; metempsychosis # 8221 ; , period. Peoples in Italy changed the manner of life by making an organized and free manner of life. I believe that Brigadoons chief subject trades with the metempsychosis of Tommy Albright # 8217 ; s life. Tommy Albright is one of the chief stars in the drama Brigadoon. He is from New York and is on a trip with one of his best friends. He is besides engaged at the really beginning of the drama but he is in no haste to settle down. Tommy and his friend run into this concealed town called Brigadoon in the center of Scotland. It is here were Tommy falls in love with a miss named Fiona. However, the Torahs of Brigadoon forbid Fiona to go forth with Tommy and travel back to New York. Tension arises and Tommy leaves his loved one in Brigadoon. Once Tommy is back in New York he realizes his error and finds his metempsychosis. He realizes what he wants and who he wants to go. Tommy goes back to Brigadoon and corsets with Fiona, go forthing everything else behind. The comparing seems so close yet far off. In clip everything goes through a small alteration or metempsychosis. But the Renaissance and Tommy # 8217 ; s metempsychosis was different. These alterations delt with destiny, fate, and prosperity. The Renaissance period has shaped our civilization today. I might non even be composing this paper if it was non for that period were they encourage free authorship and thought. The period was portion of the universe # 8217 ; s destiny to go a better topographic point to populate. Peoples from Italy influenced each other to promote plants of art and free thought. And in clip they prospered to assist determine our civilization. However, the influences that help do a metempsychosis can merely help so much. During the Renaissance cipher expected what the hereafter would convey. Brigadoon isolated Tommy to assist him understand his love for Fiona. However, his metempsychosis is non guaranteed to last. Many obstructions stand in his way to hold the perfect relationship with Fiona. When comparing the domestic life of Brigadoon people and Renaissance people, confusion hindered my ideas. I picture the Renaissance domestic life much like that of Brigadoons. Lots of people dancing, happy, old manner, and near to one another. Brigadoon was an stray town in which traditions would last everlastingly. During the Renaissance Italian people fought to convey order and alteration society. I realize their society was non similar Brigadoons. The people in Italy were u nhappy contending to hold rationalism. However, as clip went on the Renaissance could compare to the happy town of Brigadoon. Italy shortly began to boom as people looked up to their manner of life. They had caused a metempsychosis in the manner of life and were now being rewarded. Festivals occurred all the clip and I picture the people being happy, merely like the people of Brigadoon. The manner differences between Brigadoon and the Renaissance period are illustrated. The people of Brigadoon seem to free twenty-four hours by twenty-four hours, non truly caring how they appear. A simple frock or shirt would make merely ticket on an mean twenty-four hours. During the Renaissance the people of Italy were more perfect and beautiful than any other state in Europe. The fabrics and homes were designed in one of the greatest art periods of all clip. Great creative persons influenced the people during the Renaissance. Paintings, edifices, sculptures, and plants of art were everyplace. In Venice there were regulations which prohibited certain types of frock. Brigadoon was a more set back manner of dressing. When comparing the two types of manner our civilization today comes to my head. When you walk down the street you see both types of manners. Other people influence you on what to have on and what is cool. That is why I understand Brigadoons old manner manner. They are st ray people who seldom get visitants in their town. They have nil to compare or portion with. The people in Italy influenced each other to look every bit best as they could and endeavor for flawlessness. In bend they helped give our civilization a new manner to look at manner. During the early old ages of the Renaissance the bubonic pestilence hit Europe. The pestilence was frequently called # 8220 ; black decease # 8221 ; and devastated metropolis life. I saw one adult male during the drama who was haunted by a pestilence besides. Archie Beaton # 8217 ; s boy, Harry, who is love with Jean Maclaren, was haunted by the pestilence called Charlie Dalrymple. Harry is profoundly in love but Jean is about to get married Charlie. Harry is invariably bothered and upset because of Charlie. Charlie acts as a painful pestilence that does non look to travel off. When the bubonic pestilence hit Europe many people tried to fly the metropoliss into the countryside. However, merely the rich people could afford to travel. Many people died because they did non hold the money to fly. Harry tried to run from his pestilence besides. The Torahs of Brigadoon forbid Harry to go forth the town but he does non care about them any more. When seeking to go forth Harry is killed an d his pestilence ends. The town suffers from his loss merely as the Renaissance period was hurt. The Renaissance may hold been a clip period, nevertheless, it still can associate to the drama Brigadoon. Any drama can act upon people and has to hold influences, merely like certain periods of our yesteryear. One of the chief grounds I chose the Renaissance it because it reminded of Europe, as did the drama. Whenever I think of Europe I think of pureness, humanistic disciplines, and beautiful landscapes. When I foremost seen the drama I knew it was supposed to take topographic point in Europe. So I merely compared it to the one thing in Europe that is a great historical period, the Renaissance.

Historical and critical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Historical and critical - Essay Example He suffered from arthritis, which reserved his presence low, and favored to expend his time observing plants and animals, as well as studying forms in nature, which would ultimately be so well-known in his designs (Biro, Adam, 2002). It was also during his early years studying with the Escolapius Fathers that Gaudi predictable the â€Å"value of the celestial history of the deliverance of man through Christ embodied, prearranged to the world by the Virgin Mary.† He later integrated such attitude into his greatest labor, The Sagrada Familia (Ungar, S., 2003, pp. 90-126). Around 1870 Gaudi stimulated to Barcelona to learn architecture at the Provincial School of Architecture. His grades were again less than greater. However, the young student did be paid special gratitude in the areas of Trial Drawings and Projects, which permitted him to place his bizarre thoughts to exploit (Abadie, Daniel. 2001, pp. 72-81). His professor proclaimed that what had been shaped in these two courses was either the work of an insane man or a mastermind. In 1878 Antoni Gaudi was one of merely four students to be approved the title of Architect by the school ´s director (Ades, Dawn, 2002 pp. 185-206). At a young age, Gaudà ­ entered a playgroup school (parvulari) beneath the training of Francesc Berenguer, and his inventive persona began to apparent themselves: When Berenguer lectured the child on how wings let birds fly, Gaudà ­ pragmatic that chickens do not take off. He accomplished that their wings must assist them sprint quicker. When the time came for his ceremonial education, Gaudà ­ enrolled in the Collegi de les Escoles Pà ­es de Reus, where he soon became prompt friends with Eduard Toda and Josep Ribera (Adorno, Theodor, 2002). It was perhaps their voracious inquisitiveness that throng them to be trained all they could about the particulars of nature. During his time at Les Escoles, Gaudà ­ did not prepare the finest of grades. He did, however, observe

Historical Development of Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Historical Development of Nursing - Essay Example After noticing that there was limited supply for medicine, overworked medical staff and poor hygiene resulting in fatalities among the soldiers, Nightingale appealed to the British government to find a solution to this problem. The British government commissioned the designing of a mobile hospital to be shipped to the battlefields. As a result, the Renkioi Hospital was built, leading to a low death rate remarkably. This was as a result of Florence Nightingale’s efforts. During this time, she was referred to as â€Å"the lady with the lamp,† a nick name she received from her night rounds in the hospitals making sure every sick person was cared for. The Nightingale fund was formed in 1855 to fund the training of nurses. Through this fund, she set up the Nightingale training school in July 1860. As a result, by 1882many nurses from this training School had become nurses at leading hospitals (Elizabeth & Jerome, 2011). After Nightingale, nursing saw a revolution. For the fi rst time, training for careers in nursing was advertised in 1860. Nightingale came up with the concept â€Å"the body’s reparative process.† In this concept, she emphasized that the recovery of a patient greatly depends on the hygiene conditions of his or her environment. In 1952, Hildegard Peplau came put forward the interpersonal relation theory of nursing. It is also referred to as psychodynamic nursing (Elizabeth & Jerome, 2011). The theory stipulates that nursing involves the interaction of two or more people with the same goal and is an art of healing. In 1955 Virginia Henderson came up with a notion that, for someone to recover properly he or she needed the 14 basic human (Elizabeth & Jerome, 2011). They include; drinking and... This essay approves that after noticing that there was limited supply for medicine, overworked medical staff and poor hygiene resulting in fatalities among the soldiers, Nightingale appealed to the British government to find a solution to this problem. The British government commissioned the designing of a mobile hospital to be shipped to the battlefields. As a result, the Renkioi Hospital was built, leading to a low death rate remarkably. This was as a result of Florence Nightingale’s efforts. During this time, she was referred to as â€Å"the lady with the lamp,† a nick name she received from her night rounds in the hospitals making sure every sick person was cared for. This report makes a conclusion that the theory stipulates that when someone cannot fulfill his or her developmental, social, psychological, and biological needs is when he or she requires nursing care. In the same year, Imogene King put forward a theory that stipulated that nursing involved positive communication to enable the client to adapt positively to the environment. In 1972, Betty Neuman came up with the Neuman system model for the recovery of patients through stress reduction (Elizabeth & Jerome, 2011). In 1979, Roy came up with a model that was based on psychological, social, and physiological dependence or independence. In 1979, Jean Watson came up with the theory of human caring. The theory defines outcomes of nursing in a humanistic aspect.

Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Assessment - Essay Example Frustrating sights from yellow leaves bring disbelieve as pest and disease had invaded the some trees and spreading to others. With time, the leaves wither and fall forming a carpet of dry and crusty leaves as some trees succumb and dry up. Additionally, gusty whirlwinds introduce flames of withering serenity while carrying everything to the sky. My choice for this description paper is Pillsbury Crossing. It was with joy that I wrote about this amazing place that offered numerous positives and negatives and a mix of numerous first impressions. Whereas peacefulness and calmness were striking features of the floodplain, the nature park’s beauty is under threat from human activities (Stokes n.p). My first sentence explained the mood of the entire paragraph. The sentence ‘nature’s language whispers in my ears’ emphasize the calmness and quietness one finds in this place. Amidst the quietness is harmony from water, birds, and the wind working in inadvertent harmony. Contrasting this harmony is â€Å"grief has had her way here†. The introduction of grief presents an unpleasant tone. However, without the grief the nature would lose its relevance. Defining the tone was a daunting task, but with the tone defined, I identified and chose the right words to use. I was careful to adhere to the intended mood of the description. I defined the atmosphere as filled with â€Å"gentle harmonious tunes making it pleasant. For a person who has never been to Pillsbury Crossing, the words are compelling and it would prompt plans for a visit. However, the â€Å"frustrating sights† from my negative description reveal the ambiance as under attack by harmful and cruel elements. I also describe leaves. The positive description acknowledges them for their â€Å"attractive amber, crimson, gold, and ochre hues.† Conversely, the leaves die after â€Å"falling† to form a leave carpet on the ground. Similes and metaphors satisfactorily created numerous

Analysis of Domestic Violence Articles Using ANOVA Essay

Analysis of Domestic Violence Articles Using ANOVA - Essay Example The level of measurement of a variable determines what kinds of tools are appropriate in describing the variables. There are five levels of measurements of variables and these include nominal, ordinal, interval, dichotomous and ratio. The last two are often treated as either nominal or interval respectively (Healey, 2011). In this study, the variables were measured using the nominal and the ordinal categories. A number of methods of statistical data analysis are used and these include factor analysis, correlations analyses, ANOVA and multiple regression analyses. A total of four independent variables and fourteen independent variables were measured. (Kyu & Kanai, 2005) The research question for the study was â€Å"Is domestic violence more likely to happen to women who have been fooled into marriage without truly knowing the partner? The research established that 69% and 27% percent of women were reported experiencing psychological aggression and physical assault respectively. The results also showed that women who have been fooled into marriage without their knowledge experience minor physical assault, severe physical assault and minor psychological aggression. The findings, the researchers say can be used in creating programs that can be used to address the problem effectively in the city (Kyu & Kanai, 2005). The second journal article aimed to study how children are involved in adult domestic violence. The study thus aimed to examine a large number of factors in the family and the surrounding that may be able to explain the differences that are witnessed in children in terms of their responses to adult domestic violence. This study used demographic variables as the independent variables were recorded as ordinal. A total number of ten independent variables and four dependent variables were analyzed in the study (Edleson, Mbilinyi, Beeman, & Hagemeister, 2003).

Adolescent Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Adolescent Literature - Essay Example However, since the mid 19th century, adolescent literature has come under sharp criticism where the critics are saying that the adolescent literature is using sex, violence, romance, melodrama and conflicts to attract more attention and hence are creating a bad picture of life in front of the adolescents. Trites has quoted Perry Nodelman, a critic of adolescent literature, when he describes â€Å"the characters in the adolescent fiction as people who live ordinary lives, but see them in terms of melodrama† (Trites 1985. p.3). However, let us understand that sex, violence, romance and power issues are part of life and the aim of the adolescent literature is to help children grow and understand the life as it is and not make false promises. Hence, when adolescent literature uses fantasy characters, melodrama, superheroes, kings, queens, fairies and demons in their stories, they are doing nothing but helping the children grow and learn everything about life through the world they understand the best, and that is the fantasy world. People think that the children should be introduced to something different from the life in the adolescent literature. Parents say that children have seen enough of violence, hatred and anger in their real lines and hence they don’t want their children to read the same things again in the books (Weiner and Stein 1985. p.6). However, the fact remains that even if the fantasy characters enter the fantasy world, the issues remain the same as they are in the real world. There is a good and the bad side of life and there are situations in the stories a where the character is made to take a stance. Because

Recruitment Drives Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Recruitment Drives - Research Paper Example In the case, an African American, David Dunlap applies for a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a boilmaker. A selection committee facilitates the interview at the facilities’ premises. The interview consists of technical and non-technical questions. 70% of the marks are to account for the interview process and the remainder, the applicant’s experience. Dunlap feels that the scores produced in the interview are discriminatory: Dunlap’s attendance record was similar to two white applicants’ records with 4.2 and 5.5, yet he receives a score of 3.7. The plaintiff is David Dunlap who had filed a suit at the District Court against the Tennessee Valley Authority, claiming that he was racially discriminated against, and in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The courts ruled in favor of Dunlap, on the account that he was subjected to disparate treatment, impact and analysis. The District Court in its ruling statement pointed out that Tennessee Valley Authority [TVA] was subjective in its recruitment process and procedures and exacted out racial biasness against Dunlop and other applicants of African Americans descent. The defendant, TVA appealed against the ruling. The US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in this case was tasked with the need to determine whether Dunlop had fulfilled the burden of proof in the case, and if the District Court was right in its ruling. The US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld the District Court’s ruling, on the account of sufficient evidence of unfair and discri minatory treatment. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of desperate impact that the District Court had upheld. The US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld the District Court’s ruling on awards of damages and fees (Patrick, 2003). As is clearly shown by Banner (2003), Dunlap’s disparate impact claim failed because he fell short of proving that TVA’s recruitment practices affected one particular group more severely than another. Discriminatory proof is not required in this kind of situation. On the one hand, even though the District Court agreed and ruled to the effect that TVA’s interviews and recruitment procedures were discriminatory against African Americans, the US Court of Appeal ruled that Dunlop did not adduce statistical proof to show that a group was being negatively impacted, needed for the establishment of a prima facie case.

Financial Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Financial Management - Assignment Example The merger will help reduce the cost of production of coffee, which is the main reason why the Burger King Company lagged behind in the industry. To illustrate further on this synergy, the BKW has found an already established partner in the field of coffee, which is a vital breakfast menu in America. The Burger King Company does not need to establish its own coffee brand from scratch since it now has a partner in that field. The partner already enjoys economic of sale from the massive client base it serves thus transferring the same to Burger King Worldwide. The merger will help BKW develop and strengthen the brand appeal to compete with McDonalds McCafe. The merger presents an opportunity for BKW to benefit from additional resources from Canada. This is because Tim Hortons highly dominates Canada’s market share of baked goods (with more than 70%) in comparison to other American companies. Tim Hortons also has 75% of the coffee market, which is much more than the combined mark et shares of Starbucks and McDonalds in Canada. Burger King can take advantage of Tim Hortons lead and use it to enhance its dominance in the country. Looking deeper into growth and Revenue enhancement, the merger presents better opportunities for expansion. Having recorded annual sales of at least 3 billion dollars last year, Tim Hortons enjoys an impressive growth rate and steady margins. On the other hand, Burger King has kept on struggling against domestic companies, despite its major presence of in the country. The company is more likely to experience growth by venturing outside the U.S. In terms of revenue enhancement, the merger will enable tax inversion, thus allowing Burger King to enjoy lower corporate tax in Canada. Tim Hortons enjoys a 15% federal tax rate and a 11.5% corporate tax rate in Ontario. These rates in Canada are significantly lower that the tax rates in America. A combined tax rate of 26.5%

Wordsworth and Coleridge Essay Example for Free

Wordsworth and Coleridge Essay Wordsworth and Coleridge saw themselves as worshippers of nature. How is this demonstrated in Lyrical Ballads? (an exam-style essay) Themes relating to nature are instrumental in the poetry collection Lyrical Ballads by William Wordworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As part of the Romantic movement, both poets strongly believed in a power and supreme beauty of nature and the education it can impart onto man, and their works in Lyrical Ballads demonstrate this. In The Dungeon, Coleridge demonstrates his view that nature has healing properties and that it would be a more effective method of rehabilitating criminals than the usual method of locking them away in prison would be an elevated view of nature and its power. He justifies this opinion using glorious imagery describing nature as he sees it, with the intent of portraying its complete beauty. Thy sunny hues, fair forms, and breathing sweets, Thy melodies of woods, and winds, and waters, Coleridge also uses a direct contrast and juxtaposition with this and the dark imagery used in the first stanza to emphasise the beauty of nature. He also does this to demonstrate that the dark and horrible dungeon and the free and beautiful nature are polar opposites, and ultimately to come to the conclusion that they have similar effects on criminals. Circled with evil, till his very soul Unmoulds its essence, hopelessly deformed By sights of ever more deformity! Using this juxtaposition, Coleridge explains that the total beauty of nature will overcome the criminal and their dark ways. He expresses how nature will appear a jarring and dissonant thing as it is as far-removed from their dark and deceitful ways as is possible. Finally, he concludes that this will immediately have the effect of healing him and removing all bad intent that he possesses (His angry spirit healed and harmonized / By the benignant touch of love and beauty) This conclusion is very much in keeping with the Romantic idea of the supreme power and beauty of nature and the profound impact it can have on man. This is a theme also explored in The Tables Turned, in which Wordsworth argues that there is more to be learnt from nature than there is from books and conventional education. To this end, he uses a affable and conversational style (Up! Up! My friend, and quit your books) to mimic the emotive encouraging of one man to another to leave their studying aside and go out into nature. In this conversational style he abandons the pretence and subtlety that are commonplace in classical poetry, and tries to persuade the reader of the much greater value of experiencing nature, in contrast to the irrelevance of books, through such passages as Let Nature be your teacher. The personification of nature throughout serves to further emphasise the fact that it can be a superior substitute for conventional education, and has a far greater knowledge to impart than its perceived inanimateness would suggest. In the last two stanzas, a different tone is adopted as Wordsworth ceases his direct plea and talks of, using emotive language such as murder, how humanitys meddling intellect and study of, amongst other things, nature, has distorted and lessened its beauty. To conclude the poem, he uses the metaphor of books being barren leaves (dead and of little value), in contrast with the previous personification of nature and its rich portrayal of being beautiful and very much alive. This human distortion of nature is also a theme prominent in The Nightingale. In this, Coleridge argues that the classical poets of old who commented on nature did not have a full understanding of it, but instead wrote at length about it, projecting their own feelings and opinions onto their depiction of it. He manifests this through the Nightingale, which the speaker cannot believe is portrayed as most melancholy, whilst, he argues in nature there is nothing melancholy. Showing disdain for the poets who wrote like this, he takes a similar approach to Wordsworth in The Tables Turned and argues that they had far better stretchd [their] limbs / Beside a brook in mossy forest-dell / By sun or moonlight, or in other words experience nature and come to understand it fully before writing about it. He further concludes that nature is essentially joyous and should inspire joy; it must not be made to serve simply as a screen upon which our human feelings are indiscriminately projected. Throughout Lyrical Ballads, unsophisticated form and structures are used, such as in The Dungeon, which is written in simple blank verse, a style of writing very similar to normal everyday speech and in The Nightingale, which is subtitled a conversational poem. This form is used to help convey that their poetry can be ordinary and be understood by ordinary people, and that its themes are relevant to all. In the case of The Dungeon, this idea is then emphasise by the use of a prisoner as the main character; elevated and unrealistic characters are not used; the likes of whom were prominent in classical poetry, which Wordsworth and Coleridge undoubtedly viewed as out of the reach of the normal person. This shows that the poets wanted their message to reach as many people as possible, and it not bypass some who would be put off by more formal poetry. It is also in keeping with the Romantic belief that wisdom is not to be found in books, sciences and the arts, but in nature itself.

Ethics and Social Responsibilities of Business Essay Example for Free

Ethics and Social Responsibilities of Business Essay The emergence of management as a distinct and identifiable activity in the modern era has had an important impact on the society with which it developed (Massie 1995). Till the early days of the twentieth century, organizations were predominantly concerned with their respective profit-maximizing activities. However, this singular intention of profit maximization of business farms was protested by the social activists during the later half of the 20th century. They pointed out that, since the organizations drive their business from the society, the former must possess some obligations towards the interests and welfare of the later. The concept of business ethics and corporate responsibility gained immense importance after the publication of Bowen’s Social Responsibilities of Businessman in the year 1953. Bowen opines that business corporations should have certain responsibilities towards the society in which it operates. Often business ethics and its social responsibilities are regarded as their â€Å"science of conduct† (McNamara).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ethics is the study of morality and standards of conducts (Fred and Richard, 480). The term ‘ethics’ is, in generally, used to refer to the rules and principles that define right and wrong conduct. The study of ethics is of immense importance in international management because ethical behavior in a particular country may be considered as an unethical practice in other countries. Ethical behavior of business has become an important aspect in today’s corporate environment. Even in the United States, trading scandals, bribes etc. have gained considerable media exposures and have aroused public concern regarding ethical practices in international business management. Corporate business ethics is primarily concerned with honesty, truth and justice and should consider several aspects like the expectations of society, fair competition, public relations, consumer autonomy, social responsibilities, adherence to the rules in the operating country, and so on. An organization should be always responsible in creating an environment that fosters ethical decision-making. Corporate social responsibility is seriously considering the impact of the company’s actions on society. In the views of Andrews, social responsibility means the intelligent and objective concern for the welfare of society that restrains individuals and corporate behavior from ultimately destructive activities, no matter how immediately profitable and signifies the positive contribution to human betterment. Social responsibility contends that the business organizations are responsible to all the interest groups with which it interacts. All the interests groups such as employees, customers, suppliers, government and society should be given importance equal to that of the shareholders of the respective companies. Thus, ethical and social responsibilities signifies that the management should pay attention to the welfare of the workers, consumers’ needs and safety, the interests and rights of creditors, government’s rules, regulations and policies, and the obligations of the organization towards society as a whole. Thus, in other words, â€Å"Corporate social responsibility indicates the management’s commitment towards upholding the interests of direct stakeholders and to behave in an economically and environmentally responsible manner† (Davis and Robert, 1975). Ethical and Social Responsibility of Corporate Organizations Corporate organizations which are concerned about business ethics and corporate social responsibility need to identify various interest groups which may influence the functioning of a firm and which, in turn, may be affected by the firm’s decisions. In fact, business enterprises are primarily responsible for the well being of six major interest groups which are discussed hereunder one by one: Protecting Shareholders’ Interests The most important responsibility of business organizations is to protect the interests of its shareholders. The shareholders provide the core resource – the capital – that enables an organization to operate and grow. They expect the management to use the capital judiciously and operate the business in an efficient way that would ensure a healthy return on their investment, both through dividends and through increase in stock value. Shareholders should be provided with adequate and timely information about the functioning of the organization. Protecting Employees’ Interests Employees are the biggest assets of the organizations. In the early days, managers regarded employees merely as one of the factors of production and denied them the right to obtain an equal distribution of income. But, with the passage of time, the situation has changed in a considerable way. Now, it is absolutely mandatory for the management to protect its employees’ interests. Government laws and regulations have now define the responsibilities of the employer – ensuring equal employment rights for men and women, offering timely pensions and other retirement benefits, and providing and maintaining a secure and healthy working environment. To protect the interests of employees, management must Treat the employees as the basic pillars of the organization. Develop administrative processes that promote cooperation between employers and employees. Foster a harmonious work atmosphere by adopting a progressive labor policy. This includes allowing the participation of workers in management, creating a sense of involvement, and improving the working conditions and living standards of workers. Provide fair wages (not merely the one determined by the market forces of demand and supply) and other financial benefits to workers to keep them motivated. Fair selection, training and promotion based on quality and merit – without any discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion, physical appearance and so on. Protecting Customers’ Interests In the recent times, great attention is delivered to the customers. In the age of cut-throat competition, business firms have rightly begun to realize the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with the consumers. The growth and development of consumerism has compelled the organizations to become more aware of their duties and responsibilities towards the customers. â€Å"The most successful businesses put the customer first, instead of the investors† (Mackey). Business firms should fulfill their obligations to their customers by Charging reasonable prices for their products. Ensuring the provision of standardized and quality goods and services. Ensuring the easy availability of goods and services, so that customers do not have to spend too much time and energy in procuring them. Abstaining from unethical practices like hoarding, profiteering or creating artificial scarcity, misleading advertisement and so on. Refraining from deceiving customers by making false or misleading claims. Protecting Creditors and Suppliers’ Interests All the inputs productions are provided by the creditors and suppliers in the form of raw materials and capital. Hence, the management must take proper care in fulfilling its obligations towards the former. This can be done by: Creating a long-term and healthy business relationship with them. Making prompt payments to creditors and suppliers. Providing them with accurate, relevant and needed information. Protecting Society’s Interest Organizations function within a social system and draw their resources from this system. Therefore, they have certain obligations towards society. The management of business organizations can fulfill their obligations toward society by preserving and enhancing the well-being of the members of society. Management can do so in the following ways: Using its technical expertise to solve local problems. Setting socially desirable standards of living and avoiding unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. Playing an important role in civic affairs. Helping the society in events of national calamity, famine, war, and so on. Providing basic amenities, healthcare and education facilities, thus creating better living conditions. Establishing development programmers for the benefit of economically weaker sections of  the society. Protecting Governments’ Interests In any country, the Government provides the basic requirements for the survival and growth of business organizations. Most of the rules and policies which the government imposes are mainly in the favor of the businesses. Hence, the business, in turn, must have certain obligations to the business: Be law-abiding – respect the rules, procedures and policies of the government Pay all taxes and other dues fully, timely and honestly. Not bribe government employees and officials to obtain favors for the company. Not try to use political influence in its favor for own interests. Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility In the modern era, the expectations of the consumers and the society have immensely changed and, resultantly, modern corporations have become much aware of their ethical and social responsiveness. However, opinions vary from scholars to scholars as to whether business should possess much, at least any, ethical and social responsibilities. Disadvantages The motive of any business is to maximize its profit. However, much ethical values and social responsibilities may act against this objective. Any investment (or loss) incurred by the business as a result of good social or ethical behavior are adjusted by increasing the selling of its products. Hence, â€Å"the motive would be socially less desirable than in the days before when business were concerned with social responsibilities† (Friedman 1970). Business derives immense power through its social involvements and ethical behavior. This power is generally derived from the government or through other political means. This increment in power can lead to corruption and even conflicts with customers, governments and the society as a whole in the subsequent times. Generally, business people lack the required skills to deal with the problems outside the organization. Social responsibility can be an excess burden of duty to them. Advantages Social involvements and strong ethical behavior boost up the image of the business corporations in the eye of the customers. Being socially responsive, business can increase the number of its loyal customers. A favorable public image helps the business to attract more employees, customers and investors. By being socially responsible, business organizations can easily avoid the attention of regulatory agencies and earn government’s trust; resulting in increasing flexibility and independence in their mode of operations. Businesses can increase conservation of natural resources by being socially responsible. For example, Items that were considered as waste before (like empty soft drink cans and plastic bottles) can be recycled and profitably used again. Society and business are equally benefited if a symbiotic relationship exists between the two. Instead of allowing high rate of unemployment leading to social crisis (which may ruin business operations in subsequent periods), businesses can rather be the source of employment in the economy for qualified and eligible people. Conclusion It is beyond any iota of doubt that every civil citizen must possess some moral or ethical values and responsibilities for the society in which he lives. Business organizations, considered as ‘artificial people’, therefore, should have the same values incorporated in it. Obviously, there are certain principles which is directed against this conclusion, but it is a cardinal truth that business corporations must â€Å"behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large† (Holme and Watts). References Bowen, H.R. (1953), Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, Harper Row, New York, NY Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct: Carroll Business Society.1999, pp. 268-295 Davis, K. and Robert, L. B. Business and Society, Environment and Responsibility, Revised   Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Book Company Inc. New York, 1975 Friedman, M. The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profit, New York   Times Magazine, 13 September, 1970 Kuhn, J.W. Issues and Analysis, Values in a Business Society, Harcourt Brace Jonanovich, New York, 1968 Holme, L and Watts, R. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development,Making   Good Business Sense† http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/CSRfiles/definition.html Joseph, L. M. Ethical and Environmental Foundations, Essentials of Management, Fourth Edition, Thirteenth Indian Reprint, Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi, 1995 Mackey, J. (adapted from) Rethinking the Social Responsibilities of Business, October 2005   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.reason.com/news/show/32239.html McNamara, C. Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers http://www.managementhelp.org/ethics/ethxgde.htm Richard, M.H. and Fred, L. Ethics and Social Responsibilities, International Management, Third Edition, McGraw Hill International Editions, 1997 Stehi, S.P, Dimensions of Corporate Social Performance, An analytical Framework,   California Management Review, Vol. 17, No. 3, 1975, p. 58 64 The International Seminar on Social Responsibilities of Business: (as quoted by Mukharji, P.B. Social Responsibilities of Business, p. 9

Good Governance Vs Good Administration Politics Essay

Good Governance Vs Good Administration Politics Essay Good governance and good public administration are essential aspects of democracy. The ability to distribute societys resources, curb the abuse of power and corruption and guarantee equality of all persons before the law is fundamental to a well-functioning society. The starting point of this research has been the hypothesis that our new commitment to governance norms is interlocked with the emergence of a new model (or new models) of legitimate political action and state regulation. The present analysis will concentrate of the following factors among others: the enforceable content of the right, including the role of the European Ombudsman; the relationship between good governance and good administration; the uncertain reach of the concept of maladministration; Democratic governance differs from the concept of good governance in recognizing that political and civil freedoms and participation have basic value as developmental ends in themselves and not just means for achieving socio-economic progress. Democratic governance is built on the concept of human development in its full sense of the term, which is about expanding capabilities people have, to be free and able to lead lives that they would choose to. The capability to be free from threats of violence and to be able to speak freely is as important as being literate for a full life. While the range of capabilities that people have is huge and almost infinite, several key capabilities are fundamental in human life and are universally valued, not only those in the socioeconomic sphere such as health and survival, education and access to knowledge, minimum material means for a decent standard of living, but those in the political sphere such as security from violence, and political freedom and participation. Indeed, these are core elements of human well being reflected in the Millennium Declaration. Democratic governance needs to be underpinned by a political regime that guarantees civil and political liberties as human rights, and that ensures participation of people and accountability of decision makers. In 1977, the Council of Europe argued in its Resolution 77 (31)  [1]  that since the development of the modern state had resulted in an increasing importance of public administrative activities, individuals were more frequently affected by administrative procedures. The principal task of the Council of Europe was to protect the individuals fundamental rights and freedoms, hence they intended to undertake efforts to improve the individuals procedural position vis-à  -vis the administration by promoting the adoption of rules, which would ensure fairness in the relations between the citizen and the administrative authorities  [2]  . The following principles were stated: I Right to be heard II Access to information III Assistance and representation IV Statement of reasons V Indication of remedies  [3]   Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union stipulate that every person has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a reasonable time by the institutions and bodies of the Union. This right includes the right of every person to be heard, before any individual measure which would affect him or her adversely is taken; the right of every person to have access to his or her file, while respecting the legitimate interests of confidentiality and of professional and business secrecy; the obligation of the administration to give reasons for its decisions  [4]  . Every person has the right to have the Community make good any damage caused by its institutions or by its servants in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the general principles common to the laws of the Member States. Every person may write to the institutions of the Union in one of the languages of the Treaties and must have an answer in the same language. The setting out of the right to good administration represents the establishment of a new fundamental right. The principle of good administration has been developed by the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice and in the rulings of the Court of First Instance, and is based on the existence of a Community governed by the rule of law. Paragraph 1 reaffirms this general right, the essential elements of which are expanded on in paragraph 2. The right to good administration arises from a concern for equal treatment, in accordance with the jurisprudence of the Court, and with the right to an effective remedy (article 47 of the Charter) as well as rights which go with it. (the right to be heard and each persons right to access to his or her file) This right is also contained in article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The institutions obligations arise from the provisions of the Treaties: the general ob ligation to give reasons for decisions, (article 253 EC) making good of damages (article 288 EC) and the possibility of communicating with the institutions of the Union in one of the languages of the Treaty. (article 21 EC) Unlike in the Treaty, in the Charter this possibility is open to every person  [5]  . The European Ombudsman instituted by the Treaty of Maastricht (articles 21 and 195 EC) is authorized to receive complaints in cases of maladministration in the activities of Community institutions and bodies. In April 2000, the Ombudsman made a recommendation containing the principles to be included in a Code of good administrative conduct applicable to the servants of institutions and bodies of the Union in their relations with the public  [6]  . The Commission has added a Code of this type in annex to its internal regulations, in the context of the reform of its services and operations. The other institutions and bodies of the Union have also adopted a Code of good administrative conduct based on the Ombudsmans recommendations, or are in the process of doing so. Furthermore, in the context of police and legal cooperation, and in order to create an area of freedom, security and justice, the Union is committed to a global anti-corruption policy, set out in the Commissions communication of 1997. So we can say that democratic local governance is the process of governing democratically at the local level, viewed broadly to include not only the machinery of government, but also the community at-large and its interaction with local authorities. (Use of the term .local. refers to all sub-national levels of government.) When effective decentralization and democratic local governance advance in tandem, local governments and the communities they govern gain the authority, resources, and skills to make responsive choices and to act on them effectively and accountably. Advancing the capacity of local governments to act effectively and accountably requires promoting the desire and capacity of civil society organizations and individual citizens to take responsibility for their communities, participate in local priority-setting, assist in the implementation of those decisions, and then monitor their effectiveness  [7]  . Local autonomy is an important factor which enhances progress towards local democracy and the achievement of good governance (Ron Duncan, 2004). Governance nowadays occupies a central stage in the development discourse but is also considered as the crucial element to be incorporated in the development strategy. However, apart from the universal acceptance of its importance, differences prevail in respect of theoretical formulations, policy prescriptions and conceptualization of the subject itself. Governance as a theoretical construct, separate from the theory of state, is not only in an embryonic stage, but its formulation also differs among researchers depending on their ideological convictions. According to Larry Diamond (2005) good governance consists of several dimensions. One is the capacity of the state to function in the service of the public good. Effective functioning requires knowledge of the policies and rules that best serve the public good, and hence training of state officials in their various professional realms. It requires a professional civil service with a set of norms and structures that promote fidelity to public rules and duties, in part by rewarding those who perform well in their roles. This relates intimately to the second dimension of good governance, commitment to the public good. Where does this commitment come from? It may be generated by dedicated and charismatic leadership. Or it may derive from a cultural ethic that appreciates and a structure of institutional incentives that rewards disciplined service to the nation or the general community. In every modern society, however, it must (at a minimum) be reinforced by institutions that punish betrayals of the public trust, and so this normative element is strongly linked to the concrete institutional ones. A third dimension of good governance is transparency, the openness of state business and conduct to the scrutiny of other state actors and of the public. Transparency requires freedom of information, including an act to ensure that citizens can acquire information about how government makes decisions, conducts business, and spends public money. Needless to say, it requires full openness and competitiveness in public procurement, but it also requires openness with regard to the personal finances of government officials. Transparency is intimately related to accountability, the fourth dimension of good governance. Governing agents are more likely to be responsible and good when they are answerable for their conduct to the society in general and to other specific institutions that monitor their behaviour and can impose sanctions upon them. Effective oversight requires open flows of information, and hence transparency, so that monitors can discover facts and mobilize evidence. This requires a system of government by which different institutions check and hold one another accountable, compelling them to justify their actions. Power is thus constrained, bound not only by legal constraints but also by the logic of public reasoning. Transparency and accountability are thus intimately bound up with a fifth dimension of good governance, the rule of law. Governance can only be good when it is restrained by the law: when the constitution and laws (including individual rights under them) are widely known, when the law is applied equally to the mighty and the meek, when everyone has reasonable access to justice, and when there are capable, independent authorities to adjudicate and enforce the law in a neutral, predictable, and efficient fashion. Both effective government and well functioning markets require that there be clear rules about what constitutes acceptable conduct in all realms of economic, social and political life. All actors, public and private, must have confidence that those rules will be observed. Only under a rule of law can property rights be secure and contracts enforceable. Only through a rule of law can individuals be secure against arbitrary harm from the state or powerful private actors. A fifth dimension of good governance consists of mechanisms of conflict resolution. Participation is one means for doing so. Development is not only about choice at the individual level but also about making difficult choices at the collective level. Often there is no clear answer to the question of what is in the public interest. Only through a process of political participation and dialogue can conflicting interests be reconciled in a way that is deemed minimally fair by all (or most), and that generates broad commitment among the relevant constituencies or stakeholders in the policy arena. But participation in itself can also stimulate conflict. Conflict resolution requires as well fairness, justice, and transparency, and often more specific mechanisms to ensure that all groups are heard and included and that power and resources are decentralized and dispersed in a way that gives each community or region some real control over its own affairs. Finally, when good governance functions in the above five ways, it also breeds social capital, in the form of networks and associations that draw people together in relations of trust, reciprocity, and voluntary cooperation for common ends. The deeper a countrys reservoirs of social capital, and the more these are based on horizontal relations of equality, the more vigorous is coordination for and commitment to the public good. Social capital thus not only fosters the expansion of investment and commerce, embedded in relations of trust and predictability, it also breeds the civic spirit, participation, and respect for law that are crucial foundations of political development and good governance. In other words, it generates a political culture of responsible citizenship. All of this in turn breeds political legitimacy and stability-further deepening the societys appeal to investors who must risk capital in the effort to create new wealth. In many respects then, good governance consti tutes a virtuous cycle in which the several elements reinforce one another in a dense interplay. Shalendra D. Sharma (2007) demonstrates that good governance has several characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable, and inclusive and follows the rule of law. At a minimum, good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially by an independent judiciary and its decisions and enforcement are transparent or carried out in a manner that follows established rules and regulations. Since accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law, accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Policy analysis based empirically on the historical experiences of governance gives prominence to government failures to deliver, leading to propositions for downsizing or rightsizing, while policy prescriptions for good governance take an evolutionary view of the matter questioning relevance of public sector management of certain activities in a changed context (Hye Hasnat, 2001). Good governance is the term that symbolizes the paradigm shift of the role of governments (Holzer, 2002).. Moreover, governance is not only about the organs or actors as affirmed by Hasnat Abdul Hye. More importantly, it is about the quality of governance, which expresses itself through elements and dimensions, which will be listed in this study. Nevertheless, he states that: Just as the dancer cannot be separated from the dance, the organs or actors executing governance in their respective spheres cannot be relegated to the background. It has become a truism to say that good governance is essential for successful development. This simply begs the question what is good governance? Governance is about processes, not about ends. Common definitions describe governance as a process by which power is exercised without explicitly stating the ends being sought (Hyden, 2000). At international levels some definitions were depicted. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Given that the term governance means different things to different people, it is useful, therefore, for the UNDP to clarify, at the very outset, the sense in which it understands the word. Among the many definitions of governance that exist, the one that appears the most appropriate from the viewpoint of the UNDP is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a countrys affairs at all levels. It comprises mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences.  [8]   Good governance is, among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable, effective and equitable, and it promotes the rule of law. It ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources. The World Bank: According to the World Bank, governance is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a countrys economic and social resources for development. On this meaning, the concept of governance is concerned directly with the management of the development process, involving both the public and the private sectors. It encompasses the functioning and capability of the public sector, as well as the rules and institutions that create the framework for the conduct of both public and private business, including accountability for economic and financial performance, and regulatory frameworks relating to companies, corporations, and partnerships. In broad terms, then, governance is about the institutional environment in which citizens interact among themselves and with government agencies/officials. UN concept Governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights. Good governance accomplishes this in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. The true test of good governance is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The key question in the UNs concept is: are the institutions of governance effectively guaranteeing the right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair justice and personal security? The concept of good governance has been clarified by the work of the Commission on Human Rights. In its resolution 2000/64 the Commission identified the key attributes of good governance as: transparency responsibility accountability participation responsiveness (to the needs of the people) Resolution 2000/64 expressly linked good governance to an enabling environment conducive to the enjoyment of human rights and prompting growth and sustainable human development. In underscoring the importance of development cooperation for securing good governance in countries in need of external support, the resolution recognized the value of partnership approaches to development cooperation and the inappropriateness of prescriptive approaches. By linking good governance to sustainable human development, emphasizing principles such as accountability, participation and the enjoyment of human rights, and rejecting prescriptive approaches to development assistance, the resolution stands as an implicit endorsement of the rights-based approach to development. OECD The concept of governance denotes the use of political authority and exercise of control in a society in relation to the management of its resources for social and economic development. This broad definition encompasses the role of public authorities in establishing the environment in which economic operators function and in determining the distribution of benefits as well as the nature of the relationship between the ruler and the ruled. (OECD DAC, 1995); At the Local Development and Governance in Central, East and South East Europe Conference  [9]  aroused two questions: What are the obstacles in coordinating policies, adapting them at the local conditions and involving business and civil society in strategic planning and the orientation of measures, and what are the best mechanism and initiatives to overcome these obstacles? Can these initiatives be mainstreamed and extended to all regions of the country to connect the various actors of local development around long term goals and concrete implementation tasks whatever the local conditions? At the same conference Professor Xavier Greffe (2005) enounced several types of instruments that could help good governance at local level: a proper allocation of responsibilities between the different levels of government involved (the institutional environment for governance), a sound organization of forums where stakeholders could interact and create synergy (institutional design), good management of project execution in its different dimensions: legal, financial or cultural (regulation of governance).  [10]   USAID Governance encompasses the capacity of the state, the commitment to the public good, the rule of law, the degree of transparency and accountability, the level of popular participation, and the stock of social capital. Without good governance, it is impossible to foster development. No amount of resources transferred or infrastructure built can compensate for-or survive-bad governance. It can be concluded that the introduction of democratic institutions in the form of more ample political rights, civil rights, and freedom of the press, among others, may or may not be associated with improved governance. Are the various cases of enlightened dictatorship the rule or the exception in the recent past? Do most democracies allow their population to choose more effective policymakers or are they just used as a tool by specific classes and oligarchies to control political power and sustain ineffective, corrupt regimes? Before making any predictions, it needs to be established whether the notion of good administration now acts as a kind of umbrella for the numerous disparate rules previously grouped around the notion of user protection in which case the change would be a quantitative one or whether it is of an entirely new nature in which case there has been a qualitative shift. It is still too early to give a definite answer. There is good reason to think, however, that in future, any oversight brought to bear on the activities of the administration will focus not just on specific administrative acts, but also on the administrative procedures themselves. In other words, there has been a shift in emphasis from the outcome of administrative action (result) to administrative behaviour (functioning). Other clues, the discussion of which is beyond the compass of the present report, suggest that this is indeed the direction in which the concept of good administration is moving. Good administration, go od governance, good legislation all effectively presuppose the existence of a large pool of good people. Is a good administration one that makes good decisions (i.e. legal decisions) or will we eventually come round to the view that good acts are ones that are produced by a good administration, without the need for any other reference to some predefined legality? In other words, are good acts to be defined objectively in their own right or should they, as Aristotle suggests, more properly be regarded as the acts of a good person? (Fortsakis, 2005) The features of good administration cannot be fixed or fully enunciated, but are identified only when the conduct of the administration fails to reach an acceptable standard, a standard that varies over time and context. And in the modes of the concept most often embraced-such as the notion of citizen as consumer with marketplace choice, and the notion of consultation, a form of participatory democracy which privileges those individuals and communities who have the political sophistication to organise themselves and further marginalise large sectors of unorganised society-she finds a virtual denial of the democratic concept of citizen as sovereign, the creator of state power who can dictate the exact limits to be placed on personal autonomy.

The Cold War and Reagan Essays -- Essays Papers

The Cold War and Reagan Topics What was the cold war? What were the causes? The Cold War at Home. -The U.S. involvement. What major roles did President Reagan serve in the cold war? A cold war is defined as "a conflict between nations for national advantage conducted by political, economic, and psychological means instead of direct military action." The Cold War defined by the same source was determined to be "the contest for power between the communist nations headed by the Soviet Union and the nations of the West headed by the United States that began after World War II"(Barnhart & Thorndike, 198). Causes of the Cold War included the struggle between conflicting values, those of Democracy in the West and statism in the East. After WWII the re-establishment of Eastern European countries destroyed in the war led to much disagreement about governmental structures, the West wanted Democracies with capitalist systems while the East (USSR) wanted a communist regime. The USSR would then be able to use the countries as buffer states against any further attack. This attack on the Soviets that might come would not take long to go through the buffer states protecting them against the new mechanism of war. World War II had created fear in the Soviets, mainly because of the use of the Atomic Bomb, and therefore they pushed towards nuclear technology. The label "iron curtain" was placed on the barrier existing between the Soviet bloc and the rest of the world, this idea was pushed by Winston Churchill to further British power in Western Europe. Forty-six years of a blind war followed and the West and the East fought "a war of nerves." As soon as World War II had ended threats of war with the Soviet Union beg... ...The Cold War was fought through the build up of arms, technology, and psychologically on the home front with a battle of nerves. Works Cited Internet Sources - http://ac.acusd.edu/History/20th/coldwar8.html - http://ac.acusd.edu/History/20th/reagan.html - http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~phealy/foreign.html - http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~phealy/mccarthy.html - http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~phealy/yalta.html - http://www.tntech.edu/~mww/www/reagan.html - http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/rr40.html - Barnhart, Clarence L., Thorndike E.L., Thorndike Barnhart Advanced Dictionary, Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1974. - Cannon, Lou. President Reagan: the Role of a Lifetime. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1991. - Wills, Gary. Reagan’s America. New York, Viking Penguin, 1988.

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Traits of The Anglo-Saxon Hero :: Epic Beowulf herobeo

Beowulf - Traits of The Anglo-Saxon Hero    Within the tale of â€Å"Beowulf† four character traits can be found which define the Anglo Saxon Hero. The first is loyalty, as demonstrated by the relationship between Lord and thane. According to page 23 of the â€Å"Beowulf† introduction, â€Å"a relationship based less on subordination of one man’s will to another than on mutual trust and respect.† The second and third characteristics are strength and courage. The importance of these specific traits to the Anglo-Saxon people is clearly presented during the reciting of Sigemund’s tale within Heorot. As the song states, â€Å"He was adventurer most famous, far and wide through the nations, for deed of courage – he had prospered from that before, the protector of warriors – after the war-making of Heremod had come to an end, his strength and his courage† (38). The final piece which comprises the Anglo-Saxon hero is the notion of fame. The only after life a warrior could ever a spire to have was immortality through fame. One again this is explained by the introduction to the story, â€Å"Beowulf’s chief reward is pagan immortality the memory in the minds of later generations of a hero’s heroic actions† (24-25). By understanding what defines a hero it is a simple matter to comprehend why Beowulf is considered by some to be the greatest of all. He posses unfaltering loyalty to his king and allies, and save for his final battle his thanes show the same devotion to him. His strength is unparalleled, as he is able to defeat each of his opponents and perform feats of unmatched endurance. Beowulf’s courage, though motivated primarily by his own notion of fate, is, none the less, unwavering. And as a hero he achieved his desire for immortality through the poem itself. Each of the four heroic traits can be identified within the three battles in which Beowulf participates: His battle with Grendel, his undersea struggle with the Grendelâ⠂¬â„¢s Mother, and his final fight with the dragon. Before going off to do battle with Grendel, Beowulf gives a speech that may appear conceited to the modern reader, but is in actuality a simple device used to insure his immortality through fame. Beowulf states, â€Å"I claim myself no poorer in war strength, war works, than Grendel claims himself. Therefor I will not put him to sleep with a sword†¦ and then may wise God, Holy Lord, assign glory on whichever hand seems good to him† (35-36).

Black People Essay -- Racial Relations, Equality

Familiar to almost every individual in this country is the passage in the Declaration of Independence that states, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Jefferson par. 2). This statement would seem imply that all people, regardless of creed, gender, race or ethnicity, have equal access to advancement in all facets of life. However, despite this concepts’ status as a foundational American ideal, complete equality among all groups of people has never been a reality in this country. Instead, different categories of people are ranked into a hierarchy and maintain various degrees of wealth, power, and prestige, often as a result of prejudice and discrimination. An area where this stratification is extremely pronounced is the difference in opportunities for women relative to those of men. Since the conception of this nation, women have been the subordinates of men. For many years, women were denied basic freedoms, such as the r ight to vote and own property, and they are still currently denied the right to make some decisions regarding their own bodies. In today’s society, it is widely recognized that men control more wealth, have greater opportunity for advancement, hold more powerful positions, and are more respected than women. In this paper, I will explore several aspects of inequality that contribute to gender stratification. In the past century, the number of women in the labor force has increased dramatically. In 2009, â€Å"[w]omen comprised 46.8 percent of the total U.S. labor force (Quick). This stands in stark contrast to the number of women in the labor force in previous years. However, women are still disproportionately represented in many occupations, such as secretaries, administrative as... ...ly stated, women, occupational segregation is a problem for many categories of people in the United States. All of these disadvantages in employment have resulted in an over-arching problem for ethnic and minority groups: low income. Income varies drastically between different groups of people in the United States, a fact which suggests that discrimination is widespread in this country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average median income for families was â€Å"$58,407† in 2006. Considering this fact, the $40,000 that the average Hispanic American family makes is extremely low. Even lower is the average median family incomes of African Americans and Native Americans, which are $38,206 and $38,800, respectively. Income is such an integral part of every person’s life, affecting not only a person’s house, car, and clothing but also their health and education.