Policy proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Policy proposal - Essay Example As such, in order to proactively meet this challenge, it is the responsibility of the respective police department to not only retain a zero tolerance policy as has been exhibited in the University of Arizona’s police manual/handbook, but also to actively engage key shareholders within the university to work to educate and inform based on the unique threat that such incidents place on everyone involved in the university environment. It is therefore the recommendation of this brief analysis that the University of Arizona’s Police Department should engage in actively raising awareness among both faculty and staff with regards to the threats that exist as well as what efforts can be made on behalf of the community to reduce the threats that exist as a function of weapons safety and violation. It goes without saying that our current era has seen a drastically increased incidence of gun related university incidents. From the horrors of what happened at the Virginia Tech, the University of Alabama professor who shot and killed three of his colleagues during a faculty meeting, the Northern Illinois University incident involving the shooting death of 5 graduate students, and our very own University of Arizona School of Nursing incident in which 3 professors plus the gunman was killed. All of these incidents have taken place within the past 15 years and represent a vast increase in the number and severity of mass murder perpetrated within the university environment. Accordingly, a zero tolerance policy alone is not sufficient to provide deterrence to such acts of horror. Although it is incumbent upon other entities within the university setting to broach this topic with students via orientation programs and introductions to university etc., it is also incumbent upon the University Police Department to become closely involved with the student and faculty in eliciting their support and help with minimizing threats that are faced by all as a

Contract and procurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 11500 words

Contract and procurement - Essay Example The contractor is to carry out the work diligently without breaking any items or facilities of the company. The facilities are then neatly arranged in Site B just the same way they were in Site A. given Site A had a 1000 square meters of office space and Site B is 1600 square meters of office space, the facilities should be adjusted to fit the stated space.Location of work  The whole contract will be performed within the two premises. There will be a physical movement from Site A to Site B. however, the meeting with the contractor will take place in Site A where headquarter was initially based. This is where the signing of the contract will take place. The physical location of Site B is situated four kilometers from Site A, so the distance to be covered while moving the facilities will be considered in the contract.Period of performance  The contract will have to be performed within a specified time. As a company, we need a fast relocation of within two weeks inclusive of the pla nning of activities and executing them. Daily work will start from 8am in the morning and ends at 4pm in the evening in order to allow for preparation for the next day’s work and also to avoid loss of items of the company. In practice, there will only be 8 working hours allowed in a day for the contract. The billing will also be done based on the number of hours worked in a day. Any other activity scheduled will have to be performed within the working hours allocated.The company expects a relocation service to be performed by the contractor. Generally, we expect the whole headquarter moved to Site B. some of the particulars to be moved include: the 15 desks in the current company; three sofas, three coffee tables, ten arm chairs; 15 computers; between 120 to 160 cardboard boxes; and 34 framed pictures. Every company item should be moved at intervals beginning with desks, computers, cardboard boxes, and framed pictures. The time allowable has been stated above.

ACQUISITION OF JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER

ACQUISITION OF JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER In a changing world the only constant is change. The world hates change but, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress. Charles Kettering (Brainquotes.com) Change is a pervasive influence. We are all subject to continual change of one form or another. Change is an inescapable part of both social and organizational life. (Mullins, 2007:909) Organisational change means significant alteration in any one or more of the tasks, techniques, structures and people of the organization. (Saiyadain, 2003:174) Change is introduced either to improve effectiveness or to adapt to external changes. Managers face complex and challenging pressures and opportunities while introducing change in an organization. They must ensure the efficient use of resources and, at the same time, find ways of guaranteeing the long-term effectiveness of the organizations for which they work. Planning, implementing and coping with change has been, and seems likely to remain, one of the main challenges facing managers, in both the private and public sectors, today. In manufacturing, banking, education and health care change is the norm. (Carnall, 2007) Managing change at the best of times is a challenge since it goes beyond the realms of logic and delves into the realms of perception. People are naturally inclined over centuries of conditioned behaviour to be comfortable in the present and any announcement of change makes them perceive new situations, new people, new places, and newer security issues. Once again, when man is asked to think outside his comfort zone, his first perceptions are mostly defensive and negative, hence managing change is a challenge. Managing change in a personal or family environment is difficult enough in light of changed equations, changed economic status, and changed relationships. However, there is rarely any competitiveness or a threat of economical or emotional security from ones near and dear ones. None the less, the two points mentioned in the earlier paragraph about man perceiving change negatively remain a challenge. The process of organizational change can be initiated deliberately by managers, it can evolve slowly within a department, it can be imposed by specific changes in policy or procedures, or it can arise through external pressures. Change can affect all aspects of the operation and functioning of the organization. Most planned organizational change is triggered by the need to respond to new challenges or opportunities presented by the external environment. Planned change represents an intentional attempt to improve, in some important way, the operational effectiveness of the organization. Thus, the basic objectives of managing organizational change are: Modifying the behavioural patterns of the members of the organizations Improving the ability of the organization to cope with changes in its environment. It is also important for management to understand the reasons for, and nature of, resistance and to adopt a clearly defined strategy for the initiation of change. The successful management of change is an increasingly important managerial responsibility. (Mullins, 2007) The merger and acquisition boom has brought change on its trail throughout industry and commerce. A major aspect of organizational change can be viewed in an acquisition. In order to understand this facet, I studied the case of an Indian company acquiring a UK one; the Tatas acquiring Jaguar Land Rover. Tata is seen to value its employees as much as its profits, and prides itself on equality and fair management. After a great deal of bidding and negotiations, the Tatas bought the earlier Ford owned Jaguar Land Rover, for a whopping USD 2.3 billion. Both the corporations entered into mutual agreements regarding various aspects such as support facilities like IT, design and development of the automobiles to keep the uniqueness intact. By studying this organizational change, I analysed and focused on, how smooth communication and understanding can lead to copying with resistance of any sorts. LITERATURE REVIEW The concept of organizational change is a wide change as opposed to small changes. Examples of wide change may include a change in a mission, restructuring operations, new technologies, mergers and acquisitions, re-engineering etc. change should not be done for the sake of change its a strategy to accomplish some overall goal. (www.managementhelp.org) Typically there are strong resistances to change. People are afraid of the unknown. Often there are conflicting goals in the organization. Organizations wide changes often go against the very values held dear by members of the organization. Thats why organizational change discusses needed changes in the cultural aspect of values and beliefs. Planned Organization Change Process:- (Behaviour Modification) Organizational change calls for a change in the individual behaviour of the employees. Any organizational change whether introduced through a new structural design or new technology attempts to make employees modify their behaviour because unless the behaviour patterns change, there will be very little impact on the effectiveness of the organization. Kurt Lewin came up with a three-phase process of behaviour modification to implement planned change. Change in Organization Requires Change in the behaviour of individuals Calls for Unfreezing Movement Refreezing (Ahmad, Gilkar and Darzi, 2008) Unfreezing The process of unfreezing is the toughest phase where one has to overcome the inertia of comfortable practices and complacency to convince others that the change is not just necessary but desirable too. Lewin believes that change should not come as a surprise to members of the organization, unannounced change would be socially destructive and opposed by the members. (Cole, 2005) The management must pave the way by unfreezing the situation, so that members would be willing and ready to accept the change. This way any resistance to change can also be neutralised. Movement Once the unfreezing process is complete and the members of the organization accept and recognize the requirement of change and have been fully prepared to accept the same, their behaviour patterns have to be redesigned. (Kumar and Mittal, 2002) This can be done by establishing new reporting relationships and creating reward/incentive systems.(Hunt Simms) The movement process involves development of new attitudes or behaviour and the implementation of the change. (Mullins, 2007) Refreezing Change or movement phase continues until a new balance is made between the forces driving and restraining change. Thus the aim of refreezing is to establish this balance at a higher level of performance. This is done by supporting mechanisms for example policies, structure or norms (Mullins, 2007:910) which positively reinforces the new ways of working. (Hunt Simms) During this phase, individuals internalize the new behaviour developed in the movement phase. Resistance to Change:- Change in an organization can have different responses. The most obvious one is resistance. Any change whether beneficial or superficial, is likely to meet some resistance which is usually from the people of the organization, especially if the present system favours them. Respect for individuals and communication are the basics required to help people adapt to change. (Hunt Simms) In a sense, resistance to change is positive. It provides a degree of stability and predictability to behaviour. If there is not some resistance, organizational behaviour would take on characteristics of chaotic randomness. (Ahmad, Gilkar and Darzi, 2008) Resistance to change can take many forms and it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the resistance. The forces against change in work organizations include: ignoring the needs and expectations of members; when members have insufficient information about the nature of the change; or if they do not perceive the need to change. Fears may be expressed over matters such as employment levels and job security, de-skilling of work, loss of job satisfaction, wage rate differentials, changes to social structures and working conditions, loss of individual control over work, and greater management control. (Mullins, 2007 Resistance to change can be classified into two categories: Individual resistance Organizational resistance Reasons for individual resistance to change within organizations include the following: Selective perception: Peoples own interpretation of stimuli may lead to selective perception which further form a biased view of a particular situation, and thus cause resistance to change. For example, trade unions may have a stereotyped view of management as untrustworthy and therefore oppose any management change; however well founded might have been the intention. Habit: people tend react to situations in an accustomed manner. Proposed changes to habits, especially if the habits are well established and require little effort, may well be resisted. However, if there is a clearly perceived advantage, for example a reduction in working hours without loss of pay, there is likely to be less, if any, resistance to change. Inconvenience or loss of freedom: If the change is seen as likely to prove inconvenient, make life more difficult, reduce freedom of action or result in increased control, there will be resistance. Economic implications: People are likely to resist change which is perceived as reducing their pay or monetary rewards, requiring an increase in work for the same level of pay or acting as a threat to their job security. Security in the past: In times of difficulty or when faced with new or unfamiliar ideas and methods, people tend to reflect on their past to find a sense of security. For example, in bureaucratic organizations, officials often tend to place faith in well established procedures and methodologies and adhere to them as giving a feeling of security. Fear of the unknown: Many major changes in a work organization present a degree of uncertainty; for example, the introduction of new technology or methods of working. These changes which confront people with the unknown cause anxiety or fear. Reasons for organizational resistance to change within organizations include the following: Organisational culture: Culture is pervasive in nature, develops overtime and may not be easy to change. It has a significant effect on organizational processes and the behaviour of the staff. An ineffective culture may result in a lack of flexibility for, or acceptance, of change. Maintaining stability: Organizations pay much attention to maintaining stability and predictability. The need for formal organization structure and the division of work, narrow definitions of assigned duties and responsibilities, established rules, procedures and methods or work can result in resistance to change. Investment in resources: Change often requires large resources like buildings, technology, equipment and people, which may already be committed to investments in other areas or strategies. For example, a car manufacturer may not find it way to change to a socio-technical approach and the use of autonomous work groups because it cannot afford the cost of new purpose-built plant and specialised equipment. Past contracts or agreements: Organisations enter into contracts or agreements with other parties which many times limit changes in behaviour for example, organisations operating under a special licence or permit. Threats to power or influence: Change may be seen as a threat to the power or influence of certain groups within the organization, such as their control over decisions, resources or information. For example, managers may resist the introduction of quality circles or worker-directors because they see this as a threat to the power in their own positions. (Mullins, 2007) Managing organisational change: The successful management of change is clearly essential for continued economic performance and competitiveness. New ideas and innovations should not be perceived as threats by members of the organization. The efforts made by management to maintain the balance of the socio-technical system will influence peoples attitudes, the behaviour of individuals and groups, and thereby the level of organisational performance and effectiveness. (Mullins, 2008) Overcoming resistance to change A manger need not always be saddled with the task of change in organizations where resistance is strongly prevalent. There are some techniques which can assist him in overcoming resistance. But he should not underestimate the variety of ways people react to change and the ways they can positively influence specific individuals and groups during the change process. (Ahmad, Gilkar and Darzi, 2008) There are a number of ways in which resistance can be minimised. These have been developed from the ideas of Kotter and Schlesinger (1979) Education and Communication: Educating people and providing them with adequate information before the change takes place may not lessen resistance but should reduce the unnecessary stress. Managers should communicate their ideas via one-on-one discussions, presentations or reports, so that people understand the need of rand see the logic of the proposed change. Facilitation and support: If the proposed change is likely to mean changes in skills, time needs to be given for training and development. Managers need to provide all the support they can and lend an ear to their subordinates and their grievances. Negotiation and Agreement: It is possible to reduce resistance by offering incentives to active or potential resisters. Co-option: Another way to overcome resistance, obtain commitment and increase the quality of the change, in an individual or group is to give them a role with responsibility and status attached, in the implementation of the change. (Hunt Simms) Organizational Responses to Disruptive Change Christensen and Overdorf, identified three factors that affect organizational responses to different types of change and what an organization can and cannot do: resources access to abundant, high quality resources increases an organizations chances of coping with change processes the patterns of interaction, co-ordination, communication and decision-making employees use to transform resources into products and services. values the standards by which employees set priorities that enable them to judge whether an order is attractive, whether a customer is more or less important, whether an idea for a new product is attractive or marginal. There are three possible ways in which managers can develop new capabilities to cope with change: create new organizational structures within corporate boundaries in which new processes can be developed spin out an independent organization from the existing organization and develop new processes and values acquire a different organization whose processes and values match closely the new requirements. (Mullins, 2007) Actions to Secure Effective Change Kotter and Cohn list the following eight steps for successful large-scale change. Create a sense of urgency among relevant people, whatever the nature or size of the organization. Build a guiding team with the credibility, skills, connections, reputations and formal authority to provide change leadership. Create visions which are sensible, clear and uplifting, and sets of strategies. Communicate the vision and the strategy in order to induce understanding and commitment. Empower action and remove obstacles that stop people acting on the vision. Produce short-term wins that help to provide credibility, resources and momentum to the overall effort. Dont let up but maintain the momentum, consolidate early changes and create wave after wave of change Make change stick by nurturing a new culture, and developing group norms of behaviour and shared values. (Mullins, 2007) A Chosen Case : Tatas acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover Allow me to illustrate- In an economics class, some students felt that capitalism has negative connotations leading to disparities in society and hence socialism is a better option. The economics class teacher threw change in the direction of the students by offering an average gradation to all students ala socialism. At the end of the first test the students were all given B which was the cumulative average of the class. The students who usually did well did not find this change acceptable as their As became Bs and so in the next test the good students made lesser effort and the poorer students hoped that the performance of the good students will keep their grade at B. But in the second test, since the good students had made lesser effort the average of the class fell down to C and this made everybody unhappy with change and fulfilled the innate human belief that change is negative and bad. Arising from the above example, it becomes obvious that the change agent must not only have a powerfully beneficial idea but also have plans, programs, initiatives and good communication to help overcome the known and existing devil of negative perception to change in the human mind. Its in the above context that we assess how the new owners of the legendary Jaguar and Land Rover dealt with the organizational change in light of the ownership transferring to the Indian industrial giant-the house of Tatas. Tata Motors is Indias largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 8.8 billion in 2007-08. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the worlds fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in South Korea, Thailand and Spain. It also has a strategic alliance with Fiat. (www.tatamotors.com) In January 2008, Tata was named the prime bidder for the upscale Jaguar and Land Rover units besting two other finalists, Indian automaker Mahindra Mahindra Ltd. and US private equity firm One Equity Partners LLC. On March 26th, 2008, Tata Motors announced its acquisition of the Jaguar-Land Rover businesses from Ford Motor Company for a net consideration of US$ 2.3 billion on a cash free, debt-free basis. The final purchase consideration includes the ownership of Jaguar and Land Rover or perpetual royalty-free licences of all necessary Intellectual Property Rights, manufacturing plants, two advanced design centres in the UK, and worldwide network of National Sales Companies. Ford completed the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover businesses to the Indian multinational Tata on the 2nd of June, 2008. Tata Motors established that Mr. David Smith, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, would be the new CEO of the business. (www.expressindia.com) Long term agreements and contracts have been entered into for supply of engines, stampings and other components to Jaguar Land Rover. Other areas of transition support from Ford include IT, accounting and access to test facilities. The two companies will continue to cooperate in areas such as design and development through sharing of platforms and joint development of hybrid technologies and power train engineering. The Ford Motor Credit Company will continue to provide financing for Jaguar Land Rover dealers and customers for a transition period. (www.tatamotors.com) Britains traditionally feisty and combative trade unions, cheered Tatas purchase of Jaguar-Land Rover. The top bosses of Unite, the UKs largest trades union called this acquisition real good news for the UK automotive industry because according to them Tatas are into making cars, not just money. Tata also promised that including retaining jobs and existing employee contracts for at least the next 5 years as well as putting money into J-LR to grow the business. Tata recognised the Britishness of the two brands and have no intention of closing any plants in the UK. In fact they are committed that after 2011, all the Jaguar Land Rover products will still be designed and manufactured in the UK. (www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The purchase agreement was seen by trade unions as safeguarding jobs in the UK for two reasons. First , Tata committed to follow an existing five-year plan to invest in and develop the car manufacturing businesses. Jaguar and Rover employ just under 16,000 people, most of them in the Midlands and at Halewood near Liverpool. Also, Tata is contracted to buy engines and other parts from Ford until at least 2012, which should protect employment at Fords plants in Dagenham and Bridgend. As of now, Tata has no plans to relocate manufacturing capacity to low-cost India. Instead it appears to see the purchase of Land Rover and Jaguar as a route into the middle to top end of the global motorcar market. Ford also reassured employees of Jaguar and Land Rover that they will face no financial risks from the takeover and that their pensions are safe because it will inject  £300 million into their pension scheme, to eliminate any deficit. (www.bbc.co.uk) DISCUSSION The Tata deal is known to be one of the most ambitious purchases of a British based manufacturer, by any company from the fast emerging economies of Asia. It is considered to be a momentous time for all at the Tata Corporation. The announcement of Tatas acquisition created many unusual challenges including cultural, financial, industrial and communication challenges. But, the Tatas managed this situation thoroughly and coped with any resistance they faced from the employees or the company really well. An advantage: Tatas had an edge as they had very recently acquired the steel producer Corus Steel. This gave them an upper hand over the rest of the bidders as they had enough knowledge concerning the laws, mind set, unions, heritage, business culture etc which helped them understand the British environment better than the rest. Pre Soaking the government: Tatas also did a very wise thing by approaching the government of the United Kingdom before the final bidding. They pre-soaked the government and most rightly convinced them about the acquisition which helped them out with understanding the scenario in the country. Education and Communication: Information is the life blood of any organisation and the way in which any idea is communicated can make a difference between a productive and committed workforce and one that is sceptical and unreceptive. Tatas took extreme care in their communication, initial interaction, minimal disturbance to operating practices to ensure that they had enough time to understand the national and corporate culture at Jaguar Land Rover. This also made the Jaguar Land Rovers management and staff secure about their job and financial security and thus provided them with the conviction to protect them both. Retaining many officials: A judicious decision which the Tata Corporation took was to retain the chief executive officer and many other top level management of Jaguar Land Rover. This made it easier and convenient for the Tatas to transmit important information and communicate effectively through the employees own credible leaders. Thus the workforce was more receptive to any decision or conclusion arrived at than that was expected to be. Negotiations and Agreements: Corporate values must be understood, respected and appreciated while entering into such propositions. This is essential to ensure that the merged organisation is run to the new organizational culture that they have jointly created. Tata entered into long term agreements for supply of engines, stamping and other components of Jaguar Land Rover. Both, Ford and Tata will continue to cooperate in different areas like design and development. This motivated and provided incentive to the company and its employees and thus Tatas avoided any resistance in this area. Facilitation and Support: Different perceptions of time was a particular challenge for both Jaguar Land Rover and Tatas. Indians usually take more time than the Brits to meet and interact with employees at all levels and develop relationships. This on the whole conflicted with the approach of the Brits who paid greater importance to things being done quickly and relationships can wait for later. The Tatas built excellent relationships with the management and the company. They took one step at a time. They have even agreed to keep intact the plants in the UK and committed further that the designing and manufacturing will be based there as well. Co-option: Including and involving the present employees of Jaguar Land Rover is an extremely important area which needed to be targeted. This is mainly so that the employees feel a part of the proposition and refrain from any sort of resistance to the acquisition. Thus from the above derived points and discussions, it is evident that the Tatas coped with resistance to change very well. There were no major problems that they faced regarding resistance and in fact were cheered by the employees for their entire proposal. The complete catch in the whole acquisition is time. All that the corporate world, specifically which of India and the United Kingdom needs to do is to wait and watch. It is with time that one will know how successful or unsuccessful this proposition of Mr. Ratan Tata (Chairman of the Tata group) will be. CONCLUSION A broad recommendation that I want to touch upon is that there is an enormous need for an organisational behaviour division in all corporations. Organisational change is not an easy task. It is serious business and may be one of the most risky decision making processes which no organisation can avoid either. The main aspect of change is faced and resisted by people ranging from the ones working in the organisation, running it or may be even the ones outside it. Thus the facet that organisational change impacts the most is organisational behaviour. It may be said that the human resource department can handle such deeds. But, in my opinion a human resource department looks into and understands matters of people of one particular country or culture. With the emerging multicultural, multi-geographical and multi-country mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, it is of crucial need to start an organizational behaviour division which handles these features of organisational change to secu re the financial health and reputation of a company. To conclude, I feel that steps should be taken to ensure that the human element is not ignored in the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover because at the end of the day it is the combined effort of each employee that will have the biggest impact on the booming outcome of this acquisition. This can be done by watchfully selecting potential leaders in the organisation to help carry out and communicate the necessary changes to all other employees as this will subsequently help ensure they feel cared for. It is exceptionally necessary that the Tatas take out time to understand and appreciate the impact of a changing organizational culture on its employees and at the same time, recognize the challenge of bringing together both the national cultures or else the company will risk a lot at stake. With estimates signifying that as many as 80% of international and cross cultural mergers and acquisitions fail, it is only two years down the line in 2012 when all the agreement and contracts entered into by both the companies end, that we would have known whether Mr. Tatas team in spite of the unforeseen global economic downturn were able to achieve a smooth organizational change and manage it with à ©lan or were they 8 of the 10 that fail. To summarize, I began my essay with a brief introduction on managing organizational change and my specific case to illustrate the theme of the paper. This was followed by deeply understanding the main theories and points supporting managing change in the literature review section, where I focused mainly on resistance to change and different ways to cope with it. I then brought forward the case of Tatas acquiring Jaguar Land Rover and discussed the basic facts and information of the acquisition which led me to the discussion section. I pointed out various ways by which Tatas coped with resistance of any kinds and on paper seemed like one of the most perfect acquisitions. In conclusion, I further gave in some of my recommendations to support the case and of what I felt was the need of the hour. REFERNECES Ahmad, Gilkar and Darzi (2008) Organisational Behaviour Atlantic Publishers Distributors Carnall, A.C. (2007) Managing Change in Organizations 5th ed. Essex: Prentice Hall Cole, G. A. (2005), Organisational Behaviour Cornwall : Thompson Learning Hunt, M. S. Simms, H. Organisational Behaviour and Change Management Kumar, N. and Mittal, R. (2002) Organisational Behaviour New Delhi : Anmol Publishers Mullins, L.J. (2007) Management and Organisational Behaviour 7th ed. Essex : Prentice Hall Mullins, L.J. (2008) Essentials of Organizational Behaviour 8th ed. Pearson Education Saiyadain, M.S. (2003) Organisational Behaviour New York : Tata McGraw-Hill www.bbc.co.uk Available at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2008/03/tata_and_british_jobs.html] Accessed on 2/01/2010 www.brainyquotes.com www.expressindia.com Available at [http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ford-Tata-closing-in-on-Jaguar-deal/267399/] Accessed on 1/01/2010 www.managementhelp.org Available at [http://managementhelp.org/mgmnt/orgchnge.htm] Accessed on 30/12/2009 www.tatamotors.com Available at [http://tatamotors.com/our_world/press_releases.php?ID=370action=Pull] Accessed on 1/01/2010 www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com Available at [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/Three-cheers-for-Tata-Britains-trade-unions/articleshow/2911159.cms] Accessed on 1/01/2010

Eulogy for Grandmother :: Eulogies Eulogy

Eulogy for Grandmother I believe that every person in, in their own unique way, creates a legacy in their lifetime by which others can live long after that person has left us. For those of us who remain, Mildred Johnson has truly created a legacy to uphold and fulfill in our daily lives. I firmly believe that this carrying out is a true honor and responsibility by means of the various facets that Mildred has made her own. Love : Above all, Mildred Johnson is a figure of unconditional love. Love was the major fabric by which she created her tapestry of life. In the raising of her own children, the teachings of her grandchildren, and in how she welcomed in new family and friends, her unconditional strong love is what has made our family what it is today and what will keep us together from this day forward. Spirit : My Grandma, Mildred Johnson, is a true woman of faith. For as far back as I can remember, my Grandma has been a conveyor of the word of God in developing her family and living her daily life. Never would she miss a Sunday to share the word and love of God. As time moves forward not all of God’s children remain strong enough as before to lead his flock. Nor can all of God’s choir continue to sing quite as loudly as they always have. This is the time when the Lord takes them into his hands to rest their souls as he has now done with Mildred. Make no mistake, however, as the legacy of spirit that she has created in all of us will continue to live on. Family : My Grandmother Mildred truly defined the word family as I have come to learn and live it. Holidays and family gatherings were the celebrations they were because they were surrounded by Grandma’s love. I watched family such as my late uncle Reginald become the amazing family man he was because of traditions instilled by his mother. I have also seen her daughter - my aunt Milinda – raise three beautiful children by the love and traditions passed down from Grandma. I, of course, owe most of who I am from Grandma’s love passed down through my own mother Rayetta and her husband George, whom Grandma so highly regarded.

Okonkwo Essay

Some regard the arts as having an extra-artistic cognitive function, that they have a message about man’s place in the world which might have social or political implications. For example, there might be a case for supposing that the arts have an important function as a medium for social criticism and transformation. In any case, there is a widespread belief that the arts have a higher purpose to educate by encouraging introspection and sometimes making us think about how we should live our lives. Two heads are better than one. Learning nd working in groups involves shared or learned values, resources, and ways of doing things. Group projects can reinforce skills that are relevant to both group and individual work, including the ability to: break task into parts, plan and manage time and gain communication skills. What strategies were used? Many of my classmates including myself would have preferred to work on this project individually, however every now and then â€Å"more hands make for lighter work†. When my partner and I got together to begin our project we had decided to split the project in half. Same an equal amount of work. I wouldn’t say we used and specific strategies to begin the Mexican Revolution project. We did however follow the some of the guidelines of the design cycle to begin which included: plan, investigate, design and create. What knowledge was acquired? Because my partner had so much knowledge of the Mexican Revolution, she was able to help me clearly understand/clarify certain things that had occurred that I was uncertain of. Because we had to do some research on our own I gained more on the revolution, to the porfiriato era where porfito Diaz himself introduced railroads, to ow important the constitution was for the people. What skills were utilized and developed? Group projects can also help students develop skills to collaborative efforts, allowing students such as myself to: delegate roles and responsibilities, share perspectives, knowledge and skills, hold one another and be held accountable. (We were able to use pervious knowledge from class and what we have been taught to be able to complete the project. I was able to develop and gain more knowledge of the Mexican revolution because of my partners knowledge. ) What will be done ditterently in the tuture? A lot of things will be done differently in the future. Time management of course. We ended up doing it the same week it was due which caused some stress on each of us individually. Although we completed out project in time I would have liked to have started planning the week she told us Just to have had a head start and know what we were doing then actually doing it last minute and not really knowing what we were going to do. Even if we decided to split the work, I would have wanted to still worked together since it was a group project. But above all, it was a great experience working with another individual. 378

Discuss the Disruption of Biological Rhythms

Discuss the disruption of biological rhythms 24m One example of disruption of biological rhythms is due to shift work and shift lag. This disrupts your sleeping pattern because it means you are required to be alert at night, so need to sleep during the day. This reverses and disrupts your circadian rhythm, becoming desynchronised where it is no longer entrained by EZ’s. There are many consequences of desynchronisation such as sleep deprivation. Shift workers find it hard to sleep during the day because of the EZ’s such as light and sound disturbances that keep you awake.This means shift workers find it even more difficult to stay awake at night time because they have had a poor quality daytime sleep. This then affects their alertness. Night workers often experience a circadian ‘trough’ of decreased alertness during their shifts. For example Boivin found that cortisol levels are at their lowest between 12 and 4am, which is the primetime a night worker, would be working. This means they have low alertness and decreases the efficiency of their job. There are also many effects on health due to shift work. A significant relationship has been found between shift work and organ disease.For example, Knutsson found that people who worked shift work for more than 15 years were likely to develop heart disease than a non-shift worker. This may be due to the direct effect of desynchronisation in the circadian rhythm. Jet lag is another example of how biological rhythms can be adjusted, but their effects are found to temporary, as travelling happens once in a while, whereas shift work may be somebody’s job which they have to be doing constantly every day. However, our biological rhythms are not equipped to cope with sudden and large changes in our rhythms.It has been found that they need approx. 1 day to adjust as each time zone is crossed. This is because the dorsal portion of the SCN needs several cycles to fully resynchronise, as it is le ss sensitive to light. When the dorsal portion of the SCN is adjusting we experience disruption in the form of jet lag. It has been found that it is easier to fly from east to west, as you need to stay up later, so your biological rhythms can adjust by you getting more sleep in the morning, whereas west to east you must wake up earlier so is harder to adjust.This can be demonstrated in a study where an American baseball team who travelled west to east saw their wins drop 37% due to phase advance where they have to get up earlier in the morning, causing a reduction in their overall performance. There are many real world applications that have derived from the effects of shift work and jet lag, enabling people to live alongside these disruptions in their biological rhythms. These are mainly targeted at shift work. It has been found that lorry drivers are prone to falling asleep at the wheel on night shifts.Legislation has been put in place to prevent this from happening. They now have a monitor in the cars that produce a sound telling the driver when they should have a nap to ensure they are not sleep deprived and avoid accidents from occurring. It has also been found that people should have bright lights at their work on a night shift to act as an EZ overriding the endogenous pacemakers. This could be supported by Gronfier’s study which found circadian rhythms were able to be entrained longer than 24 hours by using bright light pulses known as modulated light exposure.However, Boivin found that artificial lighting is only moderately effective in overriding the rhythm. Dim lighting which is mainly used in places such as hospitals failed to keep participants awake. This may be because the pineal gland is detecting an absence of light meaning melatonin is being produced which induces sleep. Therefore, in response to this research nurses who work in hospitals should have bright lights around the workplace to keep them awake. Melatonin has been found to be a ‘miracle cure’ for shift lag and jet lag. This is the hormone that induces sleep.This means that people experiencing sleep disruption can take melatonin tablets in order to sleep during the day or when they have finished their shift. This is supported by Herxheimer and Petrie who found when melatonin was taken near to bed time it was very effective. However, if melatonin was taken at the wrong time of day it could delay their adaptation to changing sleep patterns. However, these two explanations and examples of sleep disruption may be reductionist as it fails to ignore other factors that may disrupt the person’s sleep patterns.The lack of sleep may be associated with them having to go to bed at unusual times. This may lead to the person experiencing social disruption as they find it difficult to meet with their friends or spend time with their family. This may lead to high cortisol levels as they are stressed with the lack of social interaction. High cortisol lev els may be intervening with their sleep quality making them sleep deprived. Therefore, there are other intervening factors other than going to bed in the daytime.This can also be displayed in jet lag, where social customs are involved in entraining the biological rhythms. When you are travelling you are encouraged to eat and sleep at the same time as the country you are in. This could also help reduce symptoms of jet lag such as nausea. Timing of meals can re set the biological clock in the liver. Eating at the same increases enzyme production at the right time for digestion and avoids stomach upset leading the nausea.Therefore, social customs are an important factor to consider in the effects of sleep disruption and how they play a major role. The effects of disruption of circadian rhythms can vary considerably between different individuals. Some people may have circadian rhythms that try to adjust and change in response to shift work or jet lag, or other people’s circadian rhythms which don’t change at all. Reinberg found that people who gave up shift work because they couldn’t cope had constantly changing rhythms, whereas ‘happy shift workers’ had rhythms that didn’t change at all.This suggests that it may not be the shift work itself that is causing the sleep deprivation; it may be due to individual’s circadian rhythm and its ability to adjust or cope in different rhythms. Therefore, people’s who’s rhythms changed constantly may have experienced imbalance in neurotransmitters or raised cortisol levels from stress, meaning they experienced sleep deprivation. It would have to be asked whether shift work and jet lap is a disruption in biological rhythms for every individual, or whether some people are able to cope without the rhythm trying to adapt at all.

Muslims are betrayed in the media Essay Example

Muslims are betrayed in the media Essay Example Muslims are betrayed in the media Essay Muslims are betrayed in the media Essay Name Lecturer Course Date Muslims Are Betrayed In the Media Numerous studies indicate that the media has a profound impact on public opinion. The media generally receives news of various social, political and economic events in order to relay them to the average viewer, listener or reader. However, the influence the media has on the public can be both positive and negative. With respect to the Muslim community, the British media has exercised more of a betrayal approach than a positive portrayal. This can primarily be blamed on the 9/11 and 7/7 terrorist attacks. The word Muslim has also been drawn out of context in most of the media reports and news. Negative reflections of Muslims make the headlines without taking into consideration that the stereotype is extreme. Muslims in the UK continuously complain of the marginalization and demonization they suffer from the media. One of the major stories that made headlines involved to Muslim brothers that were arrested in an inhumane manner. The media had projected the story setting the basis on the fact that they were both Muslims. Allegations forwarded by the police claimed that the two were plotting a biological attack. The raid did not consider their fundamental rights as members of the British society. The portrayal of the media for the two brothers was not a new approach towards terrorism and Muslims. Many Muslims have fallen victim of Islamophobia. This is a renewed concept in the British society and the entire western world. Terrorism and other related evils are strongly associated with Muslims. However, this perception does not take into consideration that terrorists can be of other religions. The reality is that terrorism is driven by extremists and not religion. One story in The Telegraph displayed how a man killed his two daughters in honor of Islam. The article played key focus on the fact that Yaser was Muslim, and it did not take any other consideration of him as a criminal. Muslim honor killing is stated to be the approach taken by Yaser in order to kill his daughters (Duell 3). The motive was that is daughters were dating non-Muslims. Consequently, the Muslim religion has been demonized in the story. The main emphasis of the story is that the religion drives individuals towards heinous crimes like those of Yaser. However, the Islamic religion is centered on principles of peace, understanding and tolerance. In addition, the story was tracing the man back to New York where he was a cab driver. When Muslims are generalized in such stories, public perception is inclined towards the focal point of the headline. The impact is that the public perception changes to consider Muslims as murderers who act in honor of their religion. Another article by the Mail Online displays the story of a man who killed his three daughters. The article headline played keen emphasis on the fact that the man was Muslim. The story states that the man had done the act in honor of Islam (Daily Mail Reporter). It was an action undertaken because the daughters were getting married to the wrong men. Shaffia was the prime suspect in the killing basing on the evidence that was found in the car. He had also called his daughters prostitutes for marrying the men and bringing him shame. The article also states that the Shaffia is not remorseful for what he did. The article once again uses the word â€Å"Muslim† in the headline just like other articles that have Muslim articles. This therefore highlights the role of the Islamic religion in the crime. It also states that it is an honor killing. The first presumption people would have is that it is in honor of Islam. The reality is that the man felt that his daughters had brought shame to his house. Therefore, the Islamic religion is not the main motivation for his killing. However, by reading the article headline one might easily resolve that Islam drove the man to murder the three women. Britain has become the central zone for terrorism in recent years. The controversial and disputed military campaigns overseas have seen the country at a higher risk of terror attacks and extremists. The dangers of terrorism have risen to unprecedented proportions since 2007. In addition to these statistics, the number of attacks and attempted attacks has also been on the rise. With these numbers on the rise, police have also increased their approach towards terrorism. They have launched the global war on terrorism. This has resulted to an increase in the number of arrests on suspected terrorists. In addition, the government created laws to detain the terror suspects to six months without any charges. The Trend Report and European Union Terrorism Situation have reported that terror related arrests in increased in the United Kingdom. In 2007, 203 suspects were arrested. This was 30 percent up from the year 2006. However, the article revealing the arrest of the two brothers highlights that the arrests are primarily based on people from Islamic states, religion and origin. The shooting of one of the brothers is also considered an infringement of their human rights. Since the 7/7 attacks, Muslims have been targeted by the police on suspicions of terror attacks. The arrests are carried out on Muslims without conceivable evidence. United Kingdom media has been extremely biased on reporting such arrests and approaches towards Muslims. The story on the two brothers is evident of the level of media bias. Various stories on the arrest made it look like the police had caught the real criminals. The headlines were broadcasted on both print and digital media. Therefore, many people were reached by the information conformed by the media. The entire audience followed what the media had relayed to them. Ultimately, the media shaped the perception that the two brothers were responsible for the terror attack. The media in England use various approaches towards relaying information to the public. One of the ways in which Muslims are demonized is through the omission of some critical information that is useful to the pubic (Bryfonski 45). When some information is omitted, people lack a proper understanding of the issue at hand. People draw their own conclusions on the story. This has been a common occurrence on issues related to Muslims and the image of their religion. For instance, the two brothers who were arrested were indeed innocent. However, after the police established this, they stated their remorse for the approach they had taken. This aspect of the story was not a major headline for most media houses. Consequently, the public were not made aware of the new findings. This selective approach by the media has also increased the level of Islamophobia in the United Kingdom and the rest of the Western world. The media has been a catalyst of the souring relations between the public and those of the Islamic religion. Muslims have therefore become victims of some overzealous sections in media entities. The terrorist definition of Islam has also been imposed blindly on Islamic communities that live in the United Kingdom. Ultimately, British Muslims have become disenfranchised and silenced. Sections of the media have been on the forefront to encourage that the Muslims should be overtaken by fringe elements. They whip up passions through the iconography of angry and extremist Muslims. However, this section of Muslims discredits the rest of England’s Muslim population. The Muslim community categorically rejects terror and violence. This rejection is particularly focused on issues of national interest and politics. Muslim groups in the United Kingdom have unreservedly condemned the 7th July terror attack in the UK. Those in the UK have also voiced their discontent for the act of terror. However, the media has failed in its responsibility to convey this message. It has failed to offer sufficient prominence towards the overwhelming condemnation of Muslims. There is lack of balance on these issues of terror and reflection of the Muslim community (Lewis, 56). The tragedy created by the media has also affected the way Muslims view themselves. Constantly, the reports from the media show only one side of the Muslim community. People of this religion feel marginalized in society. The media has redefined how Muslims view themselves as citizens in Britain. Many Muslims have been forced to propitiate prejudice from other people. However, the media and public perception make this task quite difficult. The imagery and headlines that are emitted almost on a daily basis from the media is the major hindrance towards creating a positive perception of the Muslims in England. The word Muslim makes the most headlines with respect to acts of terror in UK media. The initial approach was undertaken after the 9/11 and July 7 attacks. The media has been using the word to relate with negative issues and terror. However, it is interesting to note that people from other religions rarely have their religious inclinations in the headlines when they are engaged in criminal activities. The story of the two fathers who killed their daughters in the Mail Online and The Telegraph are a revelation of how the media associates evil acts with Islam. In addition, they are portrayed as guilty criminals even before undergoing trial in court. In 2006, the Sun Newspaper published an exclusive story about some criminal Muslim group in the UK. The report described in graphic detail the formation of a â€Å"Muslim hate mob† (Duell 4). The mob was stated to be involved in the vandalism of a house in Windsor. It was also perceived as a vendetta to stop British soldiers arriving from the Afghan war from renting the house. The newspaper formed the opinion that the Muslims were on a hate mission against British soldiers in the Afghan war. However, it was later established that Muslims were not involved in the crime. Evidence in the crime established that there was no Muslim involvement. These stories have been used by the media creating a sense of suspicion among the citizens. Many people relay on the media as their main source of information. Public perception is shaped by the information they receive from the media. With such stories, hostilities are bound to be created between the public and the Muslim community. The Sun created a sensational assertion that Muslims were responsible for the vandalism. With the wide readership it enjoys, there is little doubt that people become suspicious of the Muslims community. The story portrayed Muslims as the main source of trouble. Islamophobia denotes irrational fear, prejudice or hatred of Muslims (Bryfonski, 32). The concept has been growing in recent years especially in the Western world. In the UK it has increased since the 7/7 (July 7) attacks. Islamophobia has been blamed largely on the media in the United Kingdom. According to research majority of the people in the UK blame the media for Islamophobia. Islamophobia has become so dominant that it is slowly receiving acceptance in the society. However, this does not look into the fact that it is an infringement of human rights. Muslims are adversely affected as they have been discriminated in the social, political and economic aspects. However, the media in the UK is slowly hanging its approach towards the Muslim community. The realization that it is responsible for the increased Islamophobia has made the media reconsider its approach towards Islamic issues. Reports from media houses are also becoming positive and highlighting the plight of the Muslim community. Media houses are also establishing policies that will set an equal ground for all citizens in the UK. Action is also taken against media houses that portray negative images. For instance, the Sun was forced to retract its story on the â€Å"Muslim mob† by the Press Complaints Commission. In conclusion, the media is resourceful towards shaping and influencing public opinion. The stories that are relayed to the public are important. However, they should not be biased or target a particular section of society. The media in the UK is partly to blame for the negative perception of the Muslims. However, this can be remedied if the government and relevant authorities establish policies that will regulate the media. In addition, these laws must be applied and implemented with respect to the laws of the country. It is also the role of the public to question some aspects of media reports in order to make them accountable.

Discover More About Sea Kelp

Discover More About Sea Kelp What is kelp? Is it different than seaweed or algae? Actually, kelp is the general term that refers to  124 species of brown algae that are in the Order Laminariales. While kelp may look like a plant, it is classified in the Kingdom Chromista. Kelp is a type of seaweed, and seaweeds are a form of sea algae. The kelp plant itself is made up of three parts: the blade (the leaf-like structure), the stipe (the stem-like structure) and the holdfast (root-like structure). The holdfast grips a substrate and anchors the kelp to keep it secure despite moving waves and currents. The Value ​of Kelp Forests Kelp grows in forests in cold waters (usually less than 68 F). Several kelp species can make up one forest, the same way that different species of trees are found in a forest on land. A multitude of marine life lives in and depends upon kelp forests such as fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, and birds. Seals and sea lions feed on kelp, while grey whales may use it to hide from hungry killer whales. Seastars, kelp crabs, and isopods also rely on the kelp as a food source.   The most well-known kelp forests are the forests of giant kelp that grow off the coast of California, which are inhabited by sea otters. These creatures eat the red sea urchins that can destroy a kelp forest if their population is not controlled. Sea otters also hide from predatory sharks in the forests, so the forest also provides a safe haven as well as a feeding habitat. Many Common Uses Kelp is not only useful to animals; it is helpful for human beings, too. In fact, you probably even had kelp in your mouth this morning! Kelp contains chemicals called alginates that are used to thicken a number of products (e.g., toothpaste, ice cream). For example,  bongo kelp  ash is loaded with alkali and iodine and is used in soap and glass. Many companies derive vitamin supplements from kelp, as it is rich in many vitamins and minerals. Alginates are also used in pharmaceutical medications. SCUBA divers and water recreationists also enjoy the kelp forests. There Are About 30 Different Species There are about 30 different species of kelp: Giant kelp, southern kelp, sugarwack, and bull kelp are just a few kinds of kelp. Giant kelp is, not surprisingly, the largest kelp species and most popular or well-known. It is capable of growing 2 feet per day in the right conditions, and up to about 200 feet in its lifetime. Threats to Vital Kelp Forests There are several things that threaten kelp production and the health of vital kelp forests. Forests can become degraded due to overfishing. This can release fish into different areas, which can cause overgrazing of the forests. With less kelp or fewer species available in a sea, it can drive out other animals that rely on the kelp forest as their ecosystem or cause other animals to eat the kelp instead of other creatures.   Water pollution and quality, as well as climate changes and introductions of invasive species, also are threats to kelp forests.

Overview and History of UNESCO

Overview and History of UNESCO The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an agency within the United Nations that is responsible for promoting peace, social justice, human rights and international security through international cooperation on educational, science, and cultural programs. It is based in Paris, France and has over 50 field offices located around the world. Today, UNESCO has five major themes to its programs which include 1) education, 2) natural sciences, 3) social and human sciences, 4) culture, and 5) communication and information. UNESCO is also actively working to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals but it is focused on achieving the goals of significantly reducing extreme poverty in developing countries, developing a program for universal primary education in all countries, eliminating gender inequalities in primary and secondary education, promoting sustainable development and reducing the loss of environmental resources. History of UNESCO When that conference began in 1945 (shortly after the United Nations officially came into existence), there were 44 participating countries whose delegates decided to create an organization that would promote a culture of peace, establish an intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind, and prevent another world war. When the conference ended on November 16, 1945, 37 of the participating countries founded UNESCO with the Constitution of UNESCO. After ratification, the Constitution of UNESCO came into effect on November 4, 1946. The first official General Conference of UNESCO was then held in Paris from November 19-December 10, 1946 with representatives from 30 countries. Since then, UNESCO has grown in significance across the globe and its number of participating member states has grown to 195 (there are 193 members of the United Nations but the Cook Islands and Palestine are also members of UNESCO). UNESCOs Structure Today The Director General is another branch of UNESCO and is the executive head of the organization. Since UNESCOs founding in 1946, there have been 11 Director Generals. The first was the United Kingdoms Julian Huxley who served from 1946-1948. The current Director General is Audrey Azoulay from France. She has been serving since 2017. The final branch of UNESCO is the Secretariat. It is composed of civil servants who are based in UNESCOs Paris headquarters and also in field offices around the world. The Secretariat is responsible for implementing UNESCOs policies, maintaining outside relationships, and strengthening UNESCOs presence and actions worldwide. Themes of UNESCO Natural sciences and the management of Earths resources is another UNESCO field of action. It includes protecting water and water quality, the ocean, and promoting science and engineering technologies to achieve sustainable development in developed and developing countries, resource management and disaster preparedness. Social and human sciences is another UNESCO theme and promotes basic human rights and focuses on global issues like fighting discrimination and racism. Culture is another closely related UNESCO theme that promotes cultural acceptance but also the maintenance of cultural diversity, as well as the protection of cultural heritage. Finally, communication and information is the last UNESCO theme. It includes the free flow of ideas by word and image to build a worldwide community of shared knowledge and empower people through access to information and knowledge about different subject areas. In addition to the five themes, UNESCO also has special themes or fields of action that require a multidisciplinary approach as they do not fit into one distinct theme. Some of these fields include Climate Change, Gender Equality, Languages and Multilingualism, and Education for Sustainable Development. One of UNESCOs most famous special themes is its World Heritage Center which identifies cultural, natural and mixed sites to be protected all over the world in an effort to promote the maintenance of cultural, historic and/or natural heritage in those places for others to see. These include the Pyramids of Giza, Australias Great Barrier Reef and Perus Machu Picchu. To learn more about UNESCO visit its official website at www.unesco.org.

Indias Cast System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Indias Cast System - Essay Example It is linked to a concept called the four varnas, which will be covered in more detail below. The caste system comes about from an innate (something that a being is born with) spiritual place in the universe based upon these four varnas. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the caste system in India and it’s relationships to Hinduism to provide a general overview of this important aspect of Indian life. The paper will also explore how important this system is for many Indians, and the changes that are being made to the system in response to global political change. Overview of the Caste System To fully understand the caste system of India, the specific consideration of different spiritual aspects is needed. Perhaps the most important part of the caste system is based around the central concept of the four varnas, which are large categories. The first of these (and the most highly regarded) is the Brahmin class. The usual translation for this caste is schola rly, representing the important role that this caste plays in religious and philosophical occupations within India (Fuller, 1979). The next most highly regarded caste is the Kshatriya, representing what could be considered a military elite or warrior class. The purpose of this caste in Hindu society is to protect society (Fuller, 1979). The third most important class according to the varnas is the Vaishya class. This is the pastoral or farming class, with many of the occupations of its members revolving around livestock and crop farming. This caste may also take up trade careers (Chandra, 2005). Finally, Shudra individuals are seen as part of the servant class. People born into this caste may typically expect to have jobs serving the members of the other three castes (Chandra, 2005). There is also a final group which may not be seen as part of the traditional caste system, for individuals who are not members of any other group. These people are known as the untouchables and can occu py some of the least favourable positions in society and can be ignored by members of any caste (Pruthi, 2004). There are also further divisions within each caste which are known as jatis (Singh, 2005). These can vary between Indian regions, but family members tend to remain within one jati (which dictates occupation). It is also traditional for jati members to marry within a group and carry on an occupation lineage, as with the much broader caste system described above (Singh, 2005). Each jati will fit with other ‘tribes’ into the more general caste system outlined above. These groups tend to be much smaller but still very close-knit in nature, which has led some people to call the jati the ‘building blocks’ of Indian society (Pruthi, 2004). It can be fairly difficult to move between jatis, as with castes, because intermarriage and communication between the groups is not generally encouraged (Pruthi, 2004). It may also be difficult for a member of one jati to learn the trade of another, again prohibiting movement between the groups (Pruthi, 2004). It is possible for a jati as a whole to improve social status by avoiding untouchables and unpleasant work and taking on more priestly ways (such as following the Hindu practices of vegetarianism, for example). History of the Caste System There is some debate about the origination of the caste system. As it has such close ties to Hinduism, it makes sense to evaluate the

Americal Labor Issues (as it relates to unionized labor) Essay

Americal Labor Issues (as it relates to unionized labor) - Essay Example It will also emphasize on the fact that this influence is often felt in a radical sense in many working environments. The paper will give the function of unions and how unions are lawfully the employee's only representatives, which represent both union and non-union members. The only method an employee has for manipulating important decisions such as strike votes, contract approval, or strategies of negotiation is to join the union. As a result employees have to join so that they can be represented in the negotiations of union regarding wages and working conditions (Tait 2005). It will portray how for a lot of American employees, union membership may be their only choice as union members have authority over non union members when it comes to working conditions as well as wages. In the analysis section of the paper in order to portray the authority union members have over non union members a few cases, of union's mishandlings of workplace affairs that have hurt non-union workers will be given .

Game Studies - Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Game Studies - - Essay Example Consideration of games as the most socially acceptable medium of stress relief and fitness regulation came with the progressive trend of human culture in every aspect. As a result of the extended support from the populations of different countries across the world, games became a visible form of exchange medium of culture in course of time. When such a single game has to be identified as a reformer of the cultural and socio-economic facets of the human community over a large proportion of the world population, cricket claims its emphatic position across England and other Common Wealth nations. Cricket evolved as a game from unknown time in the history, but with the enthusiasm of more and more people to pursue this game, the popularity and the cricketing culture formed part of the world’s English dominance. The influence of literature in popularizing this game was a major contributor of the development of a new culture that promoted the expansion of cricket across various countries. More importantly, cricket evolved as a mentor of the sports culture with greater consideration for the beautification of the game by eliminating possible rivalries that sustained during the ancient sports history. As many more people entered the game with expectations of prestige-over-entertainment, the aesthetic approach to the game evolved and as a result, cricket itself had forced on people, a class-difference of involvement based on their wealth and social status. As Bateman (2009, p. 7) opines, in the early stage, cricket used to be a stage where the players classified themselves as amateurs or professionals; in which the former class opted batting as their favourite element of the game while the latter had to chose the more laborious and less glamorous area of bowling. Though this separatist views about the cosmetic image of cricket continued for a long time, it was really a synopsis of the upcoming trend

Classification of Groups in Glee (Pilot) Assignment

Classification of Groups in Glee (Pilot) - Assignment Example For example, Phin’s mother is single but has a boyfriend who is friendly with her son and encourages him into realizing his potential. However, he separates from Phin’s mother leaving Phin to take of his mother alone. Eventually, he is forced to sell drugs in order to sustain his mother. In this group include teachers, trainers, and guitarists. One of the most notable characters in this category is Mr. Shu also known as Will. Through his determination and his belief in the school student’s he develops a choir and also helps some in unlocking their potential. For example, he helps Phin in realizing who he is and in embracing his singing abilities. He also helps in bringing together the choir as one and also makes them believe in themselves. Another notable adult is the principal whose command on other teachers is spectacular. Through his leadership, he is able to command everyone under him. He is also able to maintain law and order in the school. This group is made up of various students with the major ones being the singers and the dancers. The students are quite young and their interests are way different from the adult’s interests. However, one of the most notable aspects of this group is their talent either in basketball or in the choir. Some of them like Phin has dual talents meaning that they can sing as well as manage in other areas since Phil is also an important player. The only thing missing in this group is their love for education since they claim that they won’t make it past high school. However, from their enthusiasm, it is clear that most of these students are headed for bigger things than what they can see.  

Fine art Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Fine art Portfolio - Essay Example In most countries in Europe, railways have been in the past been owned and operated by state companies. In situations with one railway corporation there is no call for joint station. Lincoln Memorial Lincoln memorial stands at the west ending of the state mall as a neoclassical testimonial to the 16th president. The monument, intended by Henry Bacon, after primordial Greek place of worship, erected 190 feet lengthy, 119 feet extensive, and about 100 feet tall. It was encircled by a peristyle of 36 fluted Doric columns, one for each one of the thirty-six provinces in the combination at the ultimate loss of Lincoln, and 2 columns in antis at the entry at the back of the walkway. The north and south chambers enclose engraved inscription of Lincoln Gettysburg address the second opening. Lying between the north and south chambers is the middle hallway containing the lonely shape of Lincoln sitting in meditation. The piccirili brothers under the supervision of the sculptor, Daniel F. C, ca rved the figure in four years. The effigy of Lincoln weighs 175 tons and 19 feet high. Jefferson memorial The unique sketch was for the figure to be only ten feet high, but this altered so that the dimension of the compartment would not dwarf the figurine of President Lincoln. Commission to plan that tombstone initially projected in 1867, shortly after Lincoln’s fatal outcome. The Legislative body approved the bill to construct this memorial in 1910. Building began in 1914, and the monument opened to citizens in 1922. Jefferson memorial is a presidential monument in Washington dedicated to President Jefferson Thomas, one of the American naissance fathers and the third leader of the United States. The architect Russell J. P designed the neoclassical building and lay down by the Philadelphia service provider McShain John. Construction began in 1938 and was finished in 1943. Thomas bronze effigy added in 1947 to the existing structure. The cenotaph managed by the national park s ervice beneath its nationwide mall and cenotaph parks partition. It became evident that the place showed suit for another high profile monument since it sat in a straight line south of the white house. The monument possibility came in 1934 when leader Roosevelt, a lover of Thomas inquired to the commission of fine arts concerning the likelihood of building a monument to Thomas, together with it in the strategy for the centralized triangle scheme, which underwent construction by then. Building began on 1938 and the foundation stone laid on 1939 by leader Franklin Roosevelt. The position of the memorial is in Washington West Potomac Park on the shore of Potomac River. It has faced criticism from the campus of Alberta lecturer Hamowy Ronald. The lincoln Memorial gets millions of visitors year in year out. National Archives National archives are very important documentation maintained by a state. The organization charged with preserving and documenting management of records. Firstly, ea ch division and organization of the United States administration was accountable for maintaining its own credentials, which often resulted in the loss and damage of account. Legislature established the state documentation in 1934 to centralize record maintenance, with the archivist of the United States as its core manager. The agency was included in general services management in 1949, but in 1985, it became a self-governing

Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Learning Theory - Essay Example Kolb. However in the recent years the ways of learning given by Kolb have been amended and put into different forms. This essay would further analyze the different ways of learning in the light of the basic tool of Kolb. According to David A. Kolb individuals learn through four different styles. The styles followed by individuals are in accordance to the behavior exhibited by the individual. These four learning techniques not only apply to objective instances but also to practical ones. It helps to decide and take decisions accordingly in businesses and while leading. The learning ways given by Kolb have changed through out to give a better understanding to the learners. These can be divided into Activist, Reflective, Theorist and Pragmatist. People who tend to work out their role through experimentation are included in the group of Activists. Individuals in this group tend to play an active function to attain knowledge and produce effective results in accordance. As experimentation is the basis of this group it makes the individuals change the whole scenario of a certain theme. It can be said to be a disadvantage if used in an environment where theories and structure play a role. The main key to this type of learning is getting influence from others and then taking an action accordingly. Similarly this learning style can be an advantage if used at a place where individuals are more goal oriented. This learning technique can be made stronger if facts are used instead of direct experimentation. One can think properly before carrying out a certain step and this can make this learning style a perfect one. Furthermore this style is only welcomed at places where experimentation is recommended. Team work is usually preferred i n this type of learning technique as it would help the individual to take influence from others and work accordingly. Another learning way as described by Kolb is Reflective. In this type of learning one does not act or implement his thinking in the way it should be. He rather thinks and observes all the things thoughtfully for a long time. Clearing up of ideas and concepts is the basic theme in this type of learning. One is discouraged from carrying on the experimentation stage rather he is diverted towards learning and balancing concepts. In this type of learning one can evaluate a situation from all possible angles and can know better how it should be implemented in practice. However mostly they do not tend to carry out the experiments related to the concepts learned and assessed. These individuals tend to work in groups and are more diverted towards the field of arts.The third way of learning is known to be Theorist which deals with the individuals who tend to gather out facts arrange it and conclude accordingly. These types of individuals do not take into account the emotions and reality but r ather base their conclusions on theories. The practicalities of different situations are not taken into account by this type of learning individuals. These individuals are more diverted to abstract thoughts and do not pay heed to human factor i.e. the emotional factor. Most of the individuals who belong to this category may not do well in instances where the techniques are to be related to the humans or to the feelings of these human beings. Most of the people belonging to this group are more indulged in the field of science. The fourth and the last way of learning i

Fine art Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Fine art Portfolio - Essay Example In most countries in Europe, railways have been in the past been owned and operated by state companies. In situations with one railway corporation there is no call for joint station. Lincoln Memorial Lincoln memorial stands at the west ending of the state mall as a neoclassical testimonial to the 16th president. The monument, intended by Henry Bacon, after primordial Greek place of worship, erected 190 feet lengthy, 119 feet extensive, and about 100 feet tall. It was encircled by a peristyle of 36 fluted Doric columns, one for each one of the thirty-six provinces in the combination at the ultimate loss of Lincoln, and 2 columns in antis at the entry at the back of the walkway. The north and south chambers enclose engraved inscription of Lincoln Gettysburg address the second opening. Lying between the north and south chambers is the middle hallway containing the lonely shape of Lincoln sitting in meditation. The piccirili brothers under the supervision of the sculptor, Daniel F. C, ca rved the figure in four years. The effigy of Lincoln weighs 175 tons and 19 feet high. Jefferson memorial The unique sketch was for the figure to be only ten feet high, but this altered so that the dimension of the compartment would not dwarf the figurine of President Lincoln. Commission to plan that tombstone initially projected in 1867, shortly after Lincoln’s fatal outcome. The Legislative body approved the bill to construct this memorial in 1910. Building began in 1914, and the monument opened to citizens in 1922. Jefferson memorial is a presidential monument in Washington dedicated to President Jefferson Thomas, one of the American naissance fathers and the third leader of the United States. The architect Russell J. P designed the neoclassical building and lay down by the Philadelphia service provider McShain John. Construction began in 1938 and was finished in 1943. Thomas bronze effigy added in 1947 to the existing structure. The cenotaph managed by the national park s ervice beneath its nationwide mall and cenotaph parks partition. It became evident that the place showed suit for another high profile monument since it sat in a straight line south of the white house. The monument possibility came in 1934 when leader Roosevelt, a lover of Thomas inquired to the commission of fine arts concerning the likelihood of building a monument to Thomas, together with it in the strategy for the centralized triangle scheme, which underwent construction by then. Building began on 1938 and the foundation stone laid on 1939 by leader Franklin Roosevelt. The position of the memorial is in Washington West Potomac Park on the shore of Potomac River. It has faced criticism from the campus of Alberta lecturer Hamowy Ronald. The lincoln Memorial gets millions of visitors year in year out. National Archives National archives are very important documentation maintained by a state. The organization charged with preserving and documenting management of records. Firstly, ea ch division and organization of the United States administration was accountable for maintaining its own credentials, which often resulted in the loss and damage of account. Legislature established the state documentation in 1934 to centralize record maintenance, with the archivist of the United States as its core manager. The agency was included in general services management in 1949, but in 1985, it became a self-governing

Womens Roles Then and Now Essay Example for Free

Womens Roles Then and Now Essay Abigail said she was born November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts to the Reverend William and Elizabeth Quincy Smith. She stated that she married John Adams on October 25, 1764 and they moved to Braintree, Massachusetts where she gave birth to six children. She cared for her children at the Braintree home while her husband was an accomplished lawyer. She was left largely alone for ten years during the American Revolution to run the household. Women running a family home were also running a family business. The family homes were centers of production; households often had to produce their own food, clothing, and many of their own supplies. Women were often in charge of coordinating and producing these materials and, thus, were an essential part of keeping the family alive and well. Catherine the Great said that she was born May 2, 1729 in Stettin, Prussia to Christian Augustus and his wife, Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. She said her baptismal name was Sophia Augusta Frederica. In accordance with the custom then prevailing in German princely families, she was educated chiefly by French governesses and tutors. In 1744 she was taken to Russia, to become the fiancà © to the grand duke Peter, the nephew of the empress Elizabeth, and her recognized heir. They married on August 21, 1745 at St. Petersburg. Unlike Abigail, Catherine did not have to do the day to day chores of raising a family and running a home. She had servants to do that job. The historical status for women in general during the 18th century in America changed from the previous years. Married women’s lives revolved to a large extent around managing the household, a role which in many cases included partnership in running farms or home businesses. Even those women whose social standing afforded increased leisure took up spinning and other activities to replace imported goods. They prepared food for militia musters and made cartridges. War, when it came, touched everyone. Abigail stated that she joined her diplomat husband in Europe in 1784 where they spent eight months in Paris. In 1785, she filled the role of wife of the first U.S. minister to the Court of St. James in London. They returned in 1788 to a house known as the â€Å"Old House† in Quincy, Massachusetts which she set about vigorously enlarging and remodeling. When John was elected President of the United States, Abigail continued a formal pattern of entertaining. With the removal of the capital to Washington in 1800, she became the first â€Å"First Lady† to preside over the White House. She told Catherine that she took an active role in politics and policy. She was so politically active; her political opponents came to refer to her as â€Å"Mrs. President†. Catherine said that once she married her husband she set about winning the hearts of the Russian people. She learned the language of the people and made up her mind to do whatever had to be done, and to profess to believe whatever she was required to believe, in order to be qualified to wear the crown. Being raised in the Lutheran faith she declined the religious services of a Protestant pastor, and sent for an orthodox priest who had been appointed to instruct her in the Greek form of Christianity. On June 28th, 1744 she was into the Orthodox Church at Moscow, and was renamed Catherine Alexeyevna. Catherine was emphatically a sovereign and a politician who was in the last resort guided by the reason of state. Her foreign policy was as consistent as it could be considering the forces she had to content against. It was steadily aimed to secure the greatness and the safety of Russia. She stated that she loved her adopted country and had affection for her people. She incorporated Enlightenment ideas into her politics, commissioned art, and created s successful foreign policy. She also expanded the Russian Empire to the Black Sea by defeating the Ottoman Empire in two major wars. Catherine’s empire spanned over three continents: Europe, Asia, and part of North America. It stretched form the Arctic Ocean to the North, the Black Sea to the South, Alaska and the Pacific to the East, and the Baltic Sea to the West. She reformed the system by creating a legislative commission in 1767, introducing a system of local self-government in 1775, and issuing the Charter to the Nobility in 1785. Russia became the largest producer of iron, cast iron and copper. She had more than 200 factories and workshops. Industrial production had doubled the value of domestic and foreign trade tripled. Though she had mounted the throne by a military revolt and entered on great schemes of conquest, she never took an intelligent interest in her army. She neglected it in peace, allowed it to be shamefully administered in war, and could never be made to understand that it was not in her power to improvise generals out of her favorites. Each of the women had opinions on the role women should play in society during their lifetimes. Abigail told Catherine that she was an advocate of married women’s property rights and more opportunities for women, particularly in the field of education. Women, she believed, should not submit to laws not made in their interest, nor should they be content with the simple role of being companions to their husbands. She said that women should educate themselves and thus be recognized for their intellectual capabilities, so they could guide and influence the lives of their children and husbands. Abigail along with her husband believed that slavery was evil and a threat to the American democratic society. Catherine stated that she was kind to her servants, and was very fond of young children. She was rarely angry with people who merely contradicted her or failed to perform their service in her household. Her renowned toleration stopped short of allowing the dissenters to build chapels, and her passion for legislative reform grew cold when she found that she must begin by the emancipation of the serfs. She saw no reason to emancipate the serfs because there would be no one to do the work. Abigail Adams would greatly admire the current roles of women today. Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman to become the U.S. Secretary of State advising the leader of the world largest superpower, Hillary Rodham Clinton, a U.S. Senator for the state of New York and then the Secretary of State, and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Catherine the Great would also greatly admire the current roles of women today. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India from 1966-1977. This was the highest position in the world’s most populous democracy and was especially significant for Indian women, who had traditionally been subservient to men. Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, the first female leader of a Moslem country and Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel form 1969-1974. Both Abigail Adams and Catherine the Great would approve of the fact that women have the right to study and become doctors, lawyers, scientists and even politicians. No longer are women confined to the home raising children. Today’s modern woman has a home, works a full time job and takes care of her children and some even decide to continue their education. Women have come a long way since the beginning of time. Reference http://www.bookrags.com/printfriendly/?p=essaysu=2005/5/23/231755/036 http://ezinearticles.com/?How-the-role-of-Women-Has-Changesid=3602156 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/DFBA.html http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/DZTZ.html http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/MTNG.html http://www.123helpme.com/american-womens-changing-roles-in-society-view.asp?id=15 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?titlr=Abigail_Adamsprintable=yes http://fr.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catherine_11_de_Russieprintable=yes

Needs Assessment of Public Sector Organisation

Needs Assessment of Public Sector Organisation Table of Contents Page 1. Introduction. 1 2. The needs assessment to be carried out. 1 3. The Context. 1 4. Why a needs assessment would be useful. 1 5. The Needs Assessment Plan. 1 a. Process Outline. 1 b. Data Collection. 2 c. Data Analysis. 2 6. Plan for Evaluation. 3 7. Ethical considerations. 3 Bibliography. 3 Appendices. 3 1.Introduction. A needs assessment is a systematic approach used to identify the gaps in the current position, the factors that affect the performance and the changes needed to get it to the desired position. To achieve this there needs to be a clear and thorough understanding of the people who will be involved with the system or product, the activities involved and the goal of the system. The people who are involved or the stakeholders may have differing needs and this along with any unforeseen requirements or gaps should be captured in the assessment. There are three phases to the needs assessment process, the first phase is to make a plan, second phase is to gather and analyse data, and third phase is identify solutions and report back. 2.The needs assessment to be carried out. To develop a suitable IT system to capture, track and trace all stages and aspects of projects, from proposal to completion. With clear indications of where and how these link into the strategic and workplans and ability to provide a clear audit trails of all stages, documents, sign offs and authorisations relating to the proposal. 3.The Context. This is for a public sector organisation with over 50% of its budget being spent on projects. The projects mainly consists of research work which are outsourced using tendering processes. The current process is very disjointed, with different software being used depending on the stage, department and personnel preferences. There appears to be incomplete document audit trails. The current system has been in operation for a long number of years. The system needs to be able to provide information to various stakeholders about the current state of play of the project. Relevant information needs to be captured from multiple sources including the financial system. The system needs to comply with statutory regulations, corporate governance, public sector and EU guidelines and directives, and have suitable constraints to protect confidentiality and commercially sensitive information. 4.Why a needs assessment would be useful. There appears to be gaps in the processing of information and possible lack of guidance on the steps or next steps to be followed. A needs assessment would collect information about the stakeholders, target group or groups. It would establish what needs are being met, resources that currently exist and determine what needs are not being met. Following analysis of this information a proposed system plan will be furnished within the agreed timeframe. 5.The Needs Assessment Plan. a.Process Outline. The first step is to study and become familiar with the agreed terms of reference as set out by management. This will define the objective, scope, and limitations of the needs assessment. It will establish the lead person and contacts within the organisation, the resource requirements, expected costs and time frame for completion. This along with familiarisation of the mission statement, strategic plan, organisation chart, workflow chart and infrastructure of the organisation will help develop an understanding or concept of the organisations needs. Assessing the capabilities of the current system and gaining a clear understanding of the future needs of the system requires a comprehensive analysis. This analysis will be both qualitative and quantitative. This data gathering process will consisting of workshops, focus groups, interviews, and system observation. These methods will be used to produce information to analyse options and design the best possible system given the available resources. The organisation is relatively small and is divided into six departments headed up by a Senior Manager. A stratified random sampling method will be used to focus on identifying stakeholder needs, and involve all stakeholder groups and get the views of all the right people. a.Data Collection. Workshop. Initially a workshop will be held with the objective of getting senior managers to articulate a vision of the ideal system. This exercise will be a half-day facilitated by a consultant. It will attempt to succinctly define the scope of the system, the long-term functionality that the system is expected to have, and the major issues that the existing or new system must address. Security requirements, risk assessments, online approval processes and reporting requirements will be identified. Focus Group. Following on from the workshop a focus group consisting of at least two section managers, two project managers and two clerical / administrative staff from each department will be convened. It is expected that this will take a half day but may require a full day. The focus group will be led by a trained facilitator. This group is selected to provide a representative group of users of the system. It will provide an opportunity to identify, difficulties, gaps, expectations and establish what is working with the current system and what they feel is needed to meet the objectives identified in the workshop. Whether the difficulties experienced are due to obsolete technology or ineffective policies and procedures. The focus group will also provide an opportunity for this group identify missing or needed functions. Interviews. A number of stakeholders will be interviewed as part of the process to gain further insight public sector tendering and procurement processes and thresholds. Board approval processes along with relevant EU guidelines and directives. These will be semi structured interviews with stakeholders who may not have direct or regular contact with the system such as the Audit committee chairman, Comptroller and Auditor Generals officer, IT and Finance Managers. System observation. In order to gain further insight into the context, tasks, goals and to fill in the gaps it may be necessary to observe directly how specific tasks are preformed currently. It will involve selecting random proposed projects and following all stages from start to finish taking samples and examples of reports produced, authorisation requirements, technology used, time taken for specific tasks, and difficulties encountered. This step may require the use of video and photography. c.Data Analysis The data will be analysed using a grounded theory approach. This will incorporate both the qualitative (e.g. themes, patterns, quotes, pictures, descriptions etc.) and quantitative data (e.g. number of projects, number of people involved in projects, budgets, time taken to perform tasks, number of software packages etc.) . The data will be extracted in a systematic way to develop a conceptual model of the system required. This will be an iterative process. The data extracted from the workshops will be transcribed first, read, coded using an axial coding system. This is a two-step hierarchically process that will divide the data into major categories and subcategories. This will identify the critical objectives, work flows, interactions and communications. This will form the basis for guiding the focus groups and interviews. Following further analysis of these in a similar fashion the data will be assimilated. Essential Use cases will be compiled to capture what the new system is expected to do. 6.Plan for evaluation. Once needs and requirements have been established the results from the data analysis will be presented in a report and charts summarizing the findings and an outline of a conceptual model of the system. Initially a low fidelity prototype will be produced. This will allow the stakeholders to evaluate the product and allow for redesign. It is expected that this will be an iterative process until a suitable product is. 7.Ethical Issues It is important that the rights and dignity of participant in the assessment are protected. Participant are to be fully informed about the assessment being conducted and the purpose of the assessment. It is important to encourage staff to participate in this assessment but they must do so willingly. All participants should be encouraged to speak freely without fear of being penalised. They may withdraw at any time or refuse to participate in any part. The confidentiality of all participants will be protected and they will not be identified in any reports or published documents. Bibliography. Cairns, P. Cox, A.L. (ed). (2008). Research methods for human-computer interaction. Cambridge, UK. Cambridge University Press. [Accessed online 20/1/2017] Preece, J., Rogers, Y., Sharp, H. 2016. Interaction design: beyond human-computer Interaction. 4th ed. Chichester: John Wiley Sons Ltd.