What are the advantages and disadvantages of using participant Essay

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using participant observation - Essay Example Moreover, the concept of participant observation also requires maintaining a reasonable distance between the participants and the researchers so that the process of observation is not affected (Atkinson & Hammersley, 1994). Participant observation is a data gathering technique used to understand and examine the thoughts, feelings and views of the participants under their normal routine life (Adler & Adler, 1994; Wiersma, 1995). They are observed in their normal or regular milieu. The method involves the observation of participants’ behavior and requires the participant observer to look closely, listen carefully and ask sensibly (Lofland, 1971). The aim of this paper is to define participant observation in detail by describing the advantages and drawbacks of this method as a researching method. Moreover the paper suggests some possible steps to overcome the weaknesses of this method. Participant observation is widely known as a technique to collect qualitative data. The idea of participant observation is similar to other qualitative techniques which are based on the assumption that there are multiple perceptions about a particular issue in the associated population. Participant observation is always carried out in a community setting. The distinct feature of participant observation is that it does not distract the participants from their normal behavior. Other research techniques include surveys, interviews, questionnaires etc. All these techniques do not ensure the normal and actual attitude of people. People may answer the way the observer wants them or there may be a diplomatic response to the questions in the surveys and interviews. An example can be taken as a slight or considerable change in a person’s natural behavior due to the presence of television camera capturing him. However, the use of Participant observation ensures the correctness of the c ollected data if the observer knows how to tact situations and keep the observations away from

Food Wastage Essay Example for Free

Food Wastage Essay 1. It is hard to produce food. a) Food takes time to grow and mature. Besides this, there are a lot of factors that contribute towards the production of food. i. Temperature and rainfall are critical elements determining when and how often crops can be sown. While some Asian countries are able to harvest three times in a single year, food production nearly halts during dry seasons in many tropical zones and during winter cold in temperate areas. (DeRose, Messer Millman, 1998) b) It cost a lot to maintain a good production of food. i. Investments in agricultural intensification, including higher-yield-potential seeds, fertilizers, water management and chemicals for pest control, are costly and make it unlikely that they will be easily or widely available for use by poorer farmers and countries. (DeRose, Messer Millman, 1998) c) We are starting to lack food production area to support civilizations. i. South Koreas Daewoo Logistics announced last month that it has signed a 99-year lease on 3. 2 million acres of land in Madagascar, which it will use to produce corn and palm oil for shipment home. (Goering, 2008) ii. The rush to buy or enter long-term leases on land has been fueled in part by the low levels of world grain stocks, despite record harvests this year, and by a growing sense that world markets cannot be trusted to supply adequate grain. (Goering, 2008) 2. People are wasting a lot of food. d) In different occasions, people waste food. i. A significant proportion of food waste is produced by the domestic household, which, in 2007, created 6,700,000 tonnes of food waste. Potatoes, bread slices and apples are respectively the most wasted foods by quantity, while salads are thrown away in the greatest proportion. e) Food products from restaurants and shops are seldom kept when they are not sold after the day. Those foods were thrown away. i. Grocery stores discard products because of spoilage or minor cosmetic blemishes. Restaurants throw away what they don’t use. (Martin, 2008) ii. Supermarkets particularly have been criticized for wasting items which are damaged or unsold (surplus food), but that often remain edible. (Yorkshire Lincolnshire,2005) f) According to statistic, people waste more food than they eat. i. Americans generate roughly 30 million tons of food waste each year, which is about 12 percent of the total waste stream. ( Trum, 1998) 3. Food wastage causes a lot of problems. g) It affects the environment by increasing waste, and pollutes the area. i. The rotting food that ends up in landfills produces methane, a major source of greenhouse gases. h) Wasting the food we have indirectly causes starvation to other people. It is because the amount of food we waste can actually feed upon many poor people. i. Each year, Americans discard more than 96 billion pounds of good food. If 5% was recovered, it could provide the equivalent of a days food for four million hungry people; 10%, eight million; and 25%, 20 million. (Trum, 1998) i) Wasting food also wasted our money. It costs us money to produce food and treat the food waste. i. 1 ton of rice requires a world average of 3419 m3 per ton of water. Imagine the amount of food we wasted. The amount of water wasted is even larger, and we are now low on clean potable water. Call to actions: 1. Registration of World Fund Program (WFP) to favor organizations in providing aids to people who are unable to produce enough food to support them. 2. Audiences should sign an indemnity letter on following the 5 steps towards reduce food waste: plan meal, make detail shopping list and stick to it, serve reasonable size portion food, save leftovers and eat those leftovers.

homelessness Essay -- essays research papers

All over America, there are people wandering the streets without a home. These individuals are seen as a crowd, a separate collective existence. They are called the homeless, as if that defines who they are, but we too often neglect to add the unspoken word in that title: people. It seems today that the more fortunate citizens of America who have a roof over their heads have forgotten their innate responsibility to watch over those in this world whom are incapable of caring for themselves. Tragically, â€Å"thirty to fifty percent of the homeless have severe mental illnesses† (Torrey 1). These individuals live life in such a way that few people in this world could possibly even begin to compare their hardships. The fact that they survive completely independently, most without the medication they need, is bewildering. The problems resulting from the lack of attention given to the homeless who are mentally ill can be solved through the establishment of better health clinics, an d stricter laws involving patient care. If more clinics were to be established specializing in the mental health of the homeless, then the attention could be given to them that they need. E. Fuller Torrey, author of â€Å"The Homeless Mentally Ill Should Be Forced To Receive Treatment† describes the habits and reasons for the incredible amount of mentally ill homeless: â€Å"They sleep, importune strangers, gesture to imaginary accomplices, shout angrily at the wind, forage through cans, and sit quietly with glazed ey...

Solar Energy is not a Solution to the American Energy Crisis Essay

Solar Energy is not a Solution to America’s Energy Crisis With the growing cost of fuel for cars and the rolling blackouts of last summer, the need for an alternative, cost-effective, environment friendly energy source is escalating. Many possible solutions have been presented, such as nuclear power, wind power, and hydrogen fuel cells; prevalent among these is solar power. Solar cells directly convert photons from the sun into electricity (Wikipedia). Solar cells that convert both solar and non-solar light are called photovoltaic cells (Wikipedia 2006). They are made of semi conducting materials, most often silicon (Aldous 2006). The simplest photovoltaic cells power watches and calculators while larger, more complex systems can add to the power grid and provide power for homes. How Solar Power Works Most solar cells are made of crystalline silicon. Pure silicon has 14 electrons that form 3 different tiers around the individual atom. In the last tier there are only 4 electrons, but as each tier desires 5 electrons there is one missing from this tier. To fill the last spot the electrons will join together to share their electrons. This linking is what forms the crystalline structure, which is vital for photovoltaic cells. (Aldous 2006) Solar Energy 3 Pure silicon is not a good conductor for electricity because it has no free electrons, so we add impurities to the silicon. The process of adding impurities is called doping. Phosphorus is an impurity that can be added into the silicon used for solar cells. This type of impure silicon is called N-type and is much better as a conductor than pure silicon. This is because phosphorus has five electrons in its final tier so every atom of phosphorus has one electron not shared with ... ...sidered as a viable alternative energy source at the present, nonetheless if, with further research, efficiency continues to increase and the cost to produce solar panels continues to decrease, solar energy could be a major contributor to power in the future. Solar Energy 7 References Aldous, S. How Stuff Works. How Solar Cells Work. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar- cell.htm Carlstrom, P. (2005, July 11). The Chronicle. As solar gets smaller, its future gets brighter Nanotechnology could turn rooftops into a sea of power-generating stations. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi- bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/11/BUG7IDL1AF1.DTL SOLAR CELLS. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http://www.solarnavigator.net/solar_panels.htm Wikipedia. Solar Cell. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

East and West in Antony and Cleopatra Essay

Shakespeare used as his source for the play North’s translation of Plutarch’s ‘Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans.’ Plutarch, along with other Greek and Roman authors, saw an opposition between the conquering West, standing for moral and political virtue, and the conquered East, representing luxury and decadence.  Do you agree that this is essentially how Shakespeare presents the opposition between East and West in ‘Antony and Cleopatra?’ ‘Rome’ and ‘Egypt’ have significance far beyond physical locations; they symbolize two oppositional value systems essential within both society and the psyche. The world of ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ is riddled with polarised opposites, such as civilisation and nature, public and private, and, perhaps most importantly, passion and honour.  The inability of the East and West to reconcile their values inevitably causes conflict, forcing Antony, the tragic protagonist, to choose between the spheres. In suicide, he transcends the limitations the world thrusts upon him; joined later by Cleopatra, who finally discovers the significance of Western values, in a triumphant death. The notion of either sphere having moral superiority to the other is moot; Shakespeare passes no concrete judgement, and no simple platitude of ‘good and evil’ could suffice to explain the complex behaviour of the principal characters.  Neither Egypt nor Rome seems to be truly virtuous, despite the moralising of the Roman characters. In Rome the traditional system of honour is rapidly being subjugated beneath Caesar’s cold quest for individual supremacy. Loyalty now belongs only to the winner, and individuals such as Lepidus and Pompey are sacrificed in the imperialistic drive of Octavius. A certain misogyny is Rome, with women denounced as ‘whores,’ and the harsh treatment that Cleopatra would have faced as a captive indicates the presence of violence in the Roman psyche. Nor is Egypt an ideal of purity. A society ‘wrinkled deep in time’, its preoccupation with emotion leads it to recklessness (such as when Cleopatra flees the Battle of Actium). Theatrical and dramatic, the lifestyle at court is extremely decadent, often approaching vulgarity. Cleopatra is cosseted by her courtiers, and encouraged towards vanity, narcissism, pettiness and self-indulgence,  The notion of a duality is more important than the probity of either force; by being opposites, ‘East’ and ‘West’ become inextricable. Without ‘East’ there would be no concept of ‘West,’ and vice versa, and this pattern is applicable to all the converses that the antithetical spheres represent. Both are equally important in the development of full humanity – the values that ‘West’ and ‘East’ represent should be in harmony within both society and the human psyche. In ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ they seem to be inherently conflicted, and the subsequent polarisation causes the demise of the lovers, which allows them to, paradoxically, conquer the hearts of a world that has tried to conquer and restrict them. The structure of the play serves to highlight the antithesis, with frequent changes between the machinations of Rome and the hyperbole of Cleopatra’s court emphasizing both the opposition of the value systems and the effect that exposure to both has upon Antony.

Free Essays on The Effects Of Mentoring Programs On First Year Teachers

INTRODUCTION School administrators have recognized that new teachers require more than education and positive teaching skills to be successful in the educational setting: they need the support of administration and other education professionals to assure their process of development. The development of mentoring programs as a means of addressing the needs of first year teachers has become the focus of many public education administrators. This study will evaluate the efficacy of mentoring programs on the perspectives of first year teachers, and will relate the findings in the current literature to a study of first year teachers. Problem Statement In recent years, the focus on mentoring programs has taken hold in public high schools, though the current research suggests varying outcomes in terms of the success in the induction and integration of new teaching professionals. Concerns over educational quality and the emergence of a large population of new teachers have resulted in the call for programming to assist in the induction and introduction of new teachers (Blair-Larson, 1998). There is evidence in the current literature that some mentoring processes are more successful than others and that some schools implementing alternative induction programs have had greater successes than existing mentoring structures (Halford, 1998; Blair-Larson, 1998; Smith, 1998). At the same time, educators and administrators have argued the general benefits of mentoring based in professional development and centered on the concept that established teachers have insight into the process of development that is necessary within every existing educational establishment. In order to consider the necessity for mentoring programs and the claims that mentoring programs are not as effective as other programs that focus on professional development within the school structure, it is necessary to evaluate the current literature and then consider the impacts of... Free Essays on The Effects Of Mentoring Programs On First Year Teachers Free Essays on The Effects Of Mentoring Programs On First Year Teachers INTRODUCTION School administrators have recognized that new teachers require more than education and positive teaching skills to be successful in the educational setting: they need the support of administration and other education professionals to assure their process of development. The development of mentoring programs as a means of addressing the needs of first year teachers has become the focus of many public education administrators. This study will evaluate the efficacy of mentoring programs on the perspectives of first year teachers, and will relate the findings in the current literature to a study of first year teachers. Problem Statement In recent years, the focus on mentoring programs has taken hold in public high schools, though the current research suggests varying outcomes in terms of the success in the induction and integration of new teaching professionals. Concerns over educational quality and the emergence of a large population of new teachers have resulted in the call for programming to assist in the induction and introduction of new teachers (Blair-Larson, 1998). There is evidence in the current literature that some mentoring processes are more successful than others and that some schools implementing alternative induction programs have had greater successes than existing mentoring structures (Halford, 1998; Blair-Larson, 1998; Smith, 1998). At the same time, educators and administrators have argued the general benefits of mentoring based in professional development and centered on the concept that established teachers have insight into the process of development that is necessary within every existing educational establishment. In order to consider the necessity for mentoring programs and the claims that mentoring programs are not as effective as other programs that focus on professional development within the school structure, it is necessary to evaluate the current literature and then consider the impacts of...

casablanca essays

casablanca essays In Casablanca, the prominent themes of unhappy love and self-sacrifice set this romantic melodrama apart from most in its genre. These themes are best expressed in the interactions of the three main characters: Victor Laszlo, a heroic political leader; Ilsa Lund, an enigmatic femme fatale; and Richard (Rick) Blaine, a seemingly morally ambiguous night club owner. An unusual love triangle forms with the two mens mutual love for the intermediary woman. Unlike the archetypal romantic triangle which includes the betrayed husband and the victorious lover, this situation results in unhappiness and loss for all involved. All three are willing to sacrifice for this love, regardless of the suffering that results from its pursuit. Victor is portrayed as an idealistic leader, whose unwavering devotion to his political cause is only challenged by his tremendous love for his wife. He is, in every respect, a virtuous human. In fact, his only possible short-coming seems to be his lack of romantic passion or intimacy with his wife. However, he suggests, in his own self-sacrificial offer, that Rick use the letters to take her away from Casablanca. Not only is Victor sacrificing his wife to another man, he is also giving up his only chance to escape from the almost certain death he faces in Casablanca. Victors courageous offer demonstrates the depth of his love for his wife. In the end, Victor must live unhappily with the knowledge that Ilsa is not truly his; she remains with him because of her love for another man. Ilsa is one of the most enigmatic figures in this story. She is torn between her passionate love for Rick and her vows of marriage to Victor. She is deluded by her confusing feelings for her husband. She loves him as a heroic father figure. Her inescapable love for Rick causes her to completely surrender her will to his judgment. She offers to willingly sacrifice herself to him in a lo...

The Mousterian Middle Paleolithic Tool Industry

The Mousterian Middle Paleolithic Tool Industry The Mousterian industry is the name archaeologists have given to an ancient Middle Stone Age method of making stone tools. The Mousterian is associated with our hominid relatives the Neanderthals in Europe and Asia and both Early Modern Human and Neanderthals in Africa. Mousterian stone tools were in use between about 200,000 years ago, until roughly 30,000 years ago, after the Acheulean industry, and about the same time as the Fauresmith tradition in South Africa. Stone Tools of the Mousterian The Mousterian stone tool production type is considered a technological step forward consisting of a transition from Lower Paleolithic hand-held Acheulean hand axes to hafted tools. Hafted tools are stone points or blades mounted on wooden shafts and wielded as spears or perhaps bow and arrow. A typical Mousterian stone tool assemblage is primarily defined as a flake-based tool kit made using the Levallois technique, rather than later blade-based tools. In traditional archaeological terminology, flakes are variously shaped thin stone sheets knapped off a core, while blades are flakes which are at least twice as long as their widths.   The Mousterian Toolkit Part of the Mousterian assemblage is made up of Levallois tools such as points and cores. The tool kit varies from place to place and from time to time but in general, includes the following tools: Mousterian point/convergent scraper: short, broad triangular projectile points struck from prepared coresLevallois flakes with retouch: sub-oval, subquadrangular, triangular, or leaf-shaped flakes struck from cores, which may have been retouched, that is to say, a series of small purposeful flakes have been removed from the flake to create an edge which is either sharp for cutting or blunted to make it safe to holdLevallois blades: elongated oval or rectangular blanks removed from cores with basal preparation and correction of the core convexityLevallois cores: include two types, pebble and bipolar. Pebble cores are clasts or angular rock fragments from which a series of flakes have been detached by percussion; bipolar cores are those created by placing the clast on a hard surface and striking it from above with a hard percussor History The Mousterian tool kit was identified in the 20th century to solve chronostratigraphic problems in western European Middle Paleolithic stone tool assemblages. Middle Stone Age tools were first intensively mapped in the  Levant  where British archaeologist Dorothy Garrod identified the Levantine  facies  at the site of Mugharet et-Tabà ¼n or Tabun Cave in what is today Israel. The traditional Levantine process is defined below: Tabun D or Phase 1 Levantine (270 to 170 thousand years ago [ka]), laminar blanks from Levallois and non-Levallois unipolar and  bi-polar  cores, higher frequency of retouched piecesTabun C or Phase 2 Levantine (170 to 90  ka) oval or rectangular blanks from cores, Mousterian points, side  scrapers, notches, and denticulatesTabun B or Phase 3 Levantine (90 to 48  ka), blanks from Levallois cores, Mousterian points, thin flakes and blades Since Garrods day, the Mousterian has been used as a point of departure to compare stone tools from Africa and southwest Asia. Recent Critiques However, United States archaeologist John Shea has suggested that the Mousterian category may have outlived its usefulness and may even be getting in the way of the ability for scholars to effectively study human behaviors. The Mousterian lithic technology was defined as a single entity in the early 20th century, and although during the first half of that century a range of scholars tried to subdivide it, they were largely unsuccessful. Shea (2014) points out that different regions have different percentages of the different tool types and the categories are not based on what scholars are interested in learning. Scholars would like to know, after all, what was the tool making strategy for different groups, and that is not readily available from the Mousterian technology in the way it is currently defined. Shea proposes that moving away from the traditional categories would open up paleolithic archaeology and enable it to address the central issues in paleoanthropology. A Few Mousterian Sites Levant Israel: Qafzeh, Skhul, Kebara, Hayonim, Tabun, Emeireh, Amud, Zuttiyeh, El-WadJordan: Ain DiflaSyria: El Kowm North Africa Morocco: Rhafas Cave, Dar es Soltan Central Asia Turkey: Kalatepe DeresiAfghanistan: Darra-i-KurUzbekistan: Teschik-Tasch Europe Gibraltar: Gorhams CaveFrance: Abric Romani, St. Cesaire, Grotte du NoistierSpain: LArbreda CaveSiberia: Denisova CaveUkraine: Moldova SitesCroatia: Vindija Cave Selected Sources Bar-Yosef O. 2008. ASIA, WEST: Palaeolithic Cultures. In: Pearsall DM, editor. Encyclopedia of Archaeology. New York: Academic Press. p 865-875.Close AE, and Minichillo T. 2007. Archaeological Records: Global Expansion 300,000-8000 years ago, Africa. In: Elias SA, editor. Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science. Oxford: Elsevier. p 99-107.Culley EV, Popescu G, and Clark GA. 2013. An analysis of the compositional integrity of the Levantine Mousterian facies. Quaternary International 300:213-233.Petraglia MD, and Dennell R. 2007. Archaeological Records: Global Expansion 300,000-8000 years ago, Asia. In: Elias SA, editor. Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science. Oxford: Elsevier. p 107-118.Shea JJ. 2013. Lithic Modes A–I: A New Framework for Describing Global-Scale Variation in Stone Tool Technology Illustrated with Evidence from the East Mediterranean Levant. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 20(1):151-186.Shea JJ. 2014. Sink the Mousterian? Named stone tool industries (NASTIES) as obstacles to investigating hominin evolutionary relationships in the Later Middle Paleolithic Levant. Quaternary International 350:169-179.

Airlines Industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Airlines Industry - Assignment Example Working in tandem with the concept of e-business, e-Procurement, a B2B concept, is the online purchase of goods or services electronically. Cathay Pacific's CxeBuy electronic procurement system came into existence at its headquarters in Hong Kong by the end of 2001, across different departments and spend categories. Central to achieving Cathay's e-business vision was the impetus to apply Internet-based tools to building the most efficient purchasing process and capability in the industry. CXeBuy was the first Oracle Internet Procurement (OIP) solution ever implemented by Oracle for an airline. In March 2002, the Australia was identified as the first location to be benefited from CXeBuy as it had the potential of linking its six ports under a common purchasing process and supply base. Japan, with its five ports, was slated to be the next target for implementing this process. Initially Cathay Pacific adopted this strategy in order to be more competitive and to Web-enable the procuremen t of goods and services for five of the airline spend categories, namely: in-flight service, cargo, information technology, marketing and office supplies. The driving force behind this concept was the perceived potential to network all parties involved with the marketing, distribution, consumption and servicing of a Cathay's business in order to provide opportunities to significantly improve the co-ordination and efficiency of operations (OECD, 2001). The driving forces for adopting an e-procurement system and the salient features of such a system at Cathay are; Internet is to be used to transmit order information, between Cathay and its suppliers It was implemented to replace the existing Engineering Maintenance Planning and Control System (EMPACS). EMPACS also the inventory management system, has been around for the last 25 years. Management felt the need to streamline the requisitioning processes and purchase order approval processes. Financial Management Information System (FMIS) was used for processing payments and general bookkeeping activities. FMIS carried supplier address and billing information. Both EMPACS and FMIS used to manually key in the address and details whenever new suppliers were added or to change the details of existing suppliers. This manual operation was prone to errors. Common exchange rates information database was being maintained at SHARE which was used by many departments during their operations. SHARE held many different exchange rate tables like inter-airline billing rates, exchange rates in settling invoices raised by overseas suppliers etc. for the same period at any one time. These exchange rates were being manually updated. One separate Airline Purchasing Department (APD) comprising 50 staff was functional since 1996 to serve the five major user departments and respective spend categories: Marketing, Fuel Services, Information Technology, Ground Services and In-flight Services. The APD staff was to identify an appropriate supplier, enter the information onto EMPACS and generate a purchase order that was printed through the IBM mainframe located 20 kilometers away from Cathay's head office. Every few days a batch of purchase orders would be physically transported from Quarry Bay to Cathay City, where they would then be distributed to various department managers for approval to purchase. The approval process in itself used to take a few days with as many as seven approval, validation and distribution steps. Then

Dialogue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Dialogue - Essay Example The conversation progresses as they debate about the attitudes rampant in the society regarding social networking sites. Goffman: The craze is not just limited to the youth. Adults are equally involved in the promulgation of this trend. Most of my colleagues at my office are often using these sites during their free time. In fact, I have seen some of them so obsessed with them that they keep them opened in the Internet browser even when they are working on office assignments. Giddens: Yes, true but what amazes me the most is their surprise when they find out that I am not a member of any social networking site. I have often found myself in heated conversations with them and to be honest comrades, this has given me some interesting insights into their perceptions about social interaction. I am incredulous at the explanations that they have to offer in defense of these sites and how they help them socialize. Bauman: I have encountered the same attitude at my workplace as well. Social networking sites are considered to be the holy grail of cyber socialization. My colleagues who do not know me well often misjudge me for being unsocial and conservative for not having a profile on these sites. Friends, this came as a surprise to me when I first heard this view but people regard these sites to be a very good way of fostering friendships with acquaintances and getting to know other people well. This has led me to believe that social networking sites have completely transformed the way people perceive friendship. Bauman: In my view, it is the concept of liquid life and liquid modernity that is the underlying cause of such an attitude shift. Liquid life and liquid modernity are intricately tied to each other. Liquid life is the life that one has in a liquid modern society. For me, a liquid modern society is one where people do not get time to develop habits. It is characteristic of conditions under which people

Literacy analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Literacy analysis paper - Essay Example I never knew what the bible was, to me, Mt Kenya was a holy place in which God dwells. I place I went to pray to God as was taught by my parent and grand parents. But when the missionaries came, be it to their knowledge or lack of it, they taught me and the others that â€Å"God doesn’t dwell in the trees, he dwells in heaven.† Men and women have been looking for this heaven for a long time but nobody has found anything. Scientists have even gone to the moon and come back and they didn’t see the heaven. So it dawned on me, heaven is not above us, heaven is around us. Heaven is in Mt Kenya, heaven is along the river banks and on top of trees. So I thought I should involve people in conserving the environment by telling them that they were right when they said that God dwells in Mt Kenya. And as such, they should protect the trees in Mt Kenya since it is the habitat of God. Come to think of it, culture is a very important part of human beings and so it should be to environmentalists like you and me. If we can use culture to cultivate a habit of protecting the environment and preserving of its trees and rivers then as environmental aficionados we would have succeeded. The environment has shaped how people think, how they see and perceive the world, how they interact with one another and our views on religion and value. In short, the environment has shaped our cultures. Until the arrival of the Europeans, communities in Africa had looked to Nature for inspiration, food, beauty and spirituality. They pursued a lifestyle that was sustainable and that gave them a good quality of life. It was a life without salt, soap, cooking fat, spices, soft drinks, daily meat, and other acquisitions that have accompanied a rise in the ‘diseases of the affluent’. Communities that have not yet undergone industrialization have a close connection with the physical environment, which they often treat with reverence. Because they have not yet commerciali zed their lifestyle and their relation with natural resources, their habitats are rich with local biological diversity, both plant and animal. It is such a pity that these same communities are being taught to look at the environment as an impediment to development and a destruction to urbanization. They are taught to cut trees to give ways for industries which eventually lead to low rainfall and dispose-off their wastes to their clean rivers. It is with a heavy heart that I write to you to hold up your mirror and look at who you are, tell the others to look in the mirror and find themselves. As human beings we are part of the environment, we are the environment and destroying part of it in trees and dirty rivers is killing us all. Let’s all hold the mirror to in front of us and discover who we truly are (Maathai). Yours sincerely, Wangari Maathai. Dear Wangari Maathai, Hi, my friend I hope you are doing fine too, am well too. I received your letter and am touched. I learnt a lot from you. I would also wish to share with you my thoughts on the same concepts and concerns you highlighted in your letter. â€Å"What finally turned me back toward the older traditions of my own [Chickasaw] and other Native people was the inhumanity of the Western world, the places--both inside and out--where the culture's knowledge and language don't go, and the despair, even desperation, it has spawned. We live, I see now, by different stories, the

Contemporary issue in Public Health and Health promotion Essay

Contemporary issue in Public Health and Health promotion - Essay Example For the partnership to be able to achieve this, they have been able to undertake a multifaceted approach. The main objectives of the partnership target to lessen the mortality rate and the occurrence of TB causalities. To be able to minimise the cost being incurred while treating the TB, and be able to prevent the disease, the partnership is aiming to cut the mortality rates of TB by a fifty percent rate by the year 2015 in relation to the estimates of the 1990 causalities. They also target to be able to keep the world free from TB by the year 2050. For the partnership to be able to achieve this dream, they have to develop a global plan that will be used to stop TB. The media will also in put its partnership in this to be able to curb the TB problem. In the year 2006, the partnership had designed a plan that they were to use to curb this disease and currently the plan is under implementation. The implementation is being estimated to be able to help save more than 14million people and be able to provide medication for more than fifty million infected people around the world. The proper implementation of the plan should be able to offer quality and easy access to the diagnosis and medication for every infected person around the world. One of the main challenges that the partnership is facing is outsourcing funding for the implementation process of the plan to be effective in all regions of the world. For the partnership to be able to fully fund the plan globally they require to have a lot of funding from donors and the governments of the states that are in partnership. This will involve the states to come forward and be able to fund the initiative without being pushed to fund the organization. At the same time, the partnership should emulate transparency of using the funds in an exceptionally high level to be able to motivate more

PERSONALITY TRAIT THAT BEST FITS MY LIFE Term Paper - 1

PERSONALITY TRAIT THAT BEST FITS MY LIFE - Term Paper Example This branch of psychology is termed the most ambitious since personalities are all unique. Although unique, there are patterns that have been unlocked by some of the world’s best psychologists. There are even a lot of personality tests that have been invented to promote personality determination. One of the most famous ways of determining personalities is by determining one’s personality traits. Traits, according to this theory, are continuous dimensions of a person, unlike typologies, which are static. Apart from that, the trait theories of personality assume that people have traits that can vary through time, and they are also dependent on a number of personality scales. And unlike other approaches like the humanistic and psychoanalytic ones, trait approach uses differences in personality as basis in determining the specific typologies of a person. The Five-Factor Model theory is one of the most popular forms of determining personality using the personality traits. This theory is based on Eysenck’s Three Dimensions on Personality and Catell’s Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire. The former was dismissed as being too short, with only three factors of personality listed in the personality scale. The latter was dismissed because it was too detailed, starting with over 4000 personality traits. It was narrowed down to 16 traits after factorial analysis of the traits as this proved to be the most common and defining traits of an individual. Since the two personality tests either too few or too descriptive, the Five-Factor Model was made. A combination of both Eysenck’s and Cattell’s questionnaires, the Five-Factor Model is considered to be one of the most reliable tests in defining personality. It represents the five core traits that form one’s individuality. The five core traits are: Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness.

Contemporary issue in Public Health and Health promotion Essay

Contemporary issue in Public Health and Health promotion - Essay Example For the partnership to be able to achieve this, they have been able to undertake a multifaceted approach. The main objectives of the partnership target to lessen the mortality rate and the occurrence of TB causalities. To be able to minimise the cost being incurred while treating the TB, and be able to prevent the disease, the partnership is aiming to cut the mortality rates of TB by a fifty percent rate by the year 2015 in relation to the estimates of the 1990 causalities. They also target to be able to keep the world free from TB by the year 2050. For the partnership to be able to achieve this dream, they have to develop a global plan that will be used to stop TB. The media will also in put its partnership in this to be able to curb the TB problem. In the year 2006, the partnership had designed a plan that they were to use to curb this disease and currently the plan is under implementation. The implementation is being estimated to be able to help save more than 14million people and be able to provide medication for more than fifty million infected people around the world. The proper implementation of the plan should be able to offer quality and easy access to the diagnosis and medication for every infected person around the world. One of the main challenges that the partnership is facing is outsourcing funding for the implementation process of the plan to be effective in all regions of the world. For the partnership to be able to fully fund the plan globally they require to have a lot of funding from donors and the governments of the states that are in partnership. This will involve the states to come forward and be able to fund the initiative without being pushed to fund the organization. At the same time, the partnership should emulate transparency of using the funds in an exceptionally high level to be able to motivate more

Decline in union membership in the U.S Research Paper

Decline in union membership in the U.S - Research Paper Example The pattern is irreversible, and it is unlikely that unions, as they exist, can survive the gathering economic storms. A History of Confrontation and Concession The history of labor unions in the United States can be traced as far back as 1765 and the Daughter’s of Liberty, a women’s organizational group who, through their making of cloth and other goods at home, supported the Revolutionary War movement. The first male trade unions formed in the late 18th century, and women workers began organizing in earnest in the 1820s. In general, and according to most trade union historians, the movement as a national power evolved after the Civil War with the National Labor Union (NLU) as the first federation of local groups, followed by its successors, the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), still powerful and active today. An offshoot, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, or "the Wobblies") came to being in the early twentieth century, often â€Å" using violence to promote the cause of unskilled workers† (History of U.S. Labor Unions, 2010, par 3). ... (AFL-CIO), which according to its official site now boasts 12.2 million members-- teachers and miners, firefighters and farm workers, bakers and engineers, pilots and public employees, doctors and nurses, painters and plumbers† (AFL-CIO, 2011, About Us, par. 2). Other groups over time have become part of the matrix, including public sector employees in hospitals, postal workers, municipal workers police and fireman. Counterbalancing unions in existence in the public sector, union membership today in the private sector has â€Å"fallen under 8%--levels not seen since 1932† (History of U.S. Labor Unions, 2010, par. 5) due to lack of interest, illegal workers and undoubtedly workers who are fearful of loosing jobs in a progressively diminishing job market. Outsourcing as a contributing issue can not be discounted. As Dubofsky and Dulles (2004) found, â€Å"the forces of economic liberalization, capital mobility, and globalization have affected measurably the material stand ard of living enjoyed by workers in the United States† (p. ix). Pros and Cons of Unions and Union Membership Since the Industrial Revolution, unions have  been credited with securing improvements in working conditions and wages. Beyond the obvious, in any discussion of unions one of the first points raised is exactly this: what are the benefits of unions and how do they represent the interests of the working person? Views are generally diverse, depending upon particular experiences and who is making the judgment. For instance, employers who wish more mobility in making economic decisions for their company or organization may find the demands of collective bargaining more than they can absorb, or, more than they are willing to absorb. On the other hand, a good collective bargainer can often come to

Main Cause Hinder Implementation of Enterprise Essay Example for Free

Main Cause Hinder Implementation of Enterprise Essay 1. Background: Thirty years ago, companies started to develop software to automate their business functions. Enterprise Resourcing planning (ERP) evolved from  Material Requirement Planning (MRP) systems which were created to support inventory functions. MRP system later expanded to support manufacturing tasks, then merged with accounting systems to become ERP software (Jutras, 2011). 2. Definition: Enterprise Resourcing planning ERP is software package to integrate internal and external company’s business functions such as accounting, supply chain and human resources (Wong, Scarbrough, Chau, Davison, 2005). (Typical functionality is summarised in Figure 3. 1). [pic] Figure 3.1: Module Functionality Overview of an ERP System, Source: Adam Sammon (2003). The implementation of ERP consists of all tasks needed to achieve the ERP, start from getting the software and hardware until working properly on that software. ERP implementation goes through interconnecting phases. Those phases start from gathering all information about the current business process and applying that on the software, then testing phase to ensure the software is working accurately. Furthermore, ERP phases like any project may be execute sequentially such as business analysis should come before business setup or may be overlapped with each other such as user training can start at same time with business analysis (Wong, Scarbrough, Chau, Davison, 2005). ERP software is installed in a centralised database to be available to all company’s departments which all information can be accessible at anytime from anywhere. Moreover, consolidate data in one single installation can increase data integrity, avoid data redundancy because the main function for the software that to prevent the duplication. ERP has built based on standard business process which can improve internal business functions for the companies apply the ERP software (Zhang, 2005). 3. Research Methodology 1. Primary research: The primary data for this project was collected using the questionnaire. The questions focused on the implementation cost as a main factor involved in the ERP implementation. In addition the questions tracked other factors can hinder implementing the ERP software such as business analysis, management, technologies and training. The questionnaire sent via emails to over than 140 respondents from different companies providing ERP implementation services, 82 respondents answered the questionnaire. Moreover, the sample selected to represent various regions over the world such as the US, the UK, the Middle East and India. Also respondents were chosen in random from many levels such as project managers, business analysts and pre-sales specialists to collect different ideas from different positions. 2. Secondary research: The main source for secondary data collected which studies conducted in the same subject. Those research contain data about most recent reasons can fail ERP as well as case studies in many companies such as Hershey Foods Corporation. Also secondary data collected from: A. Internet: Sites of all ERP provider where can find updated information about the ERP products such Oracle and SAP sites. Also some sites include articles about ERP failure reasons. B. Books: which contain basics information about ERP software and implementation methods. C. Newspapers and business journals. 4. Findings 1. Findings from the secondary research: Companies spend the money for implementing the ERP software to automating their business which can accelerate the process time. In addition the main target of ERP software that to integrating business functions such as supply chain functions with accounting functions (Mehta, 2010, Davenport, 1998). Moreover after the supplier delivers items to inventory department the next step is to collect the money from the accounting department. Therefore, all information about quantities delivered and accepted inside the store should be shared and secured to the accounting department before pay the money (J.Umble, Haft, M.Umble, 2003). Although, ERP provides a significant improvement, there are frequent studies indicating that companies stopped using the ERP or cancelled implementation task due critical problems faced during the business analysis, training and testing process (Hawari, Heeks, 2010). Consequently, from 50% to 75% of the ERP projects are ended (Hawari, Heeks, 2010). Contrary to expectation in current study hypothesis that the cost is the main cause hindering implementation of the ERP software, this study found there were other significant factors than the cost. The first and substantial factor which can prevent the ERP implementation is the business analysis phase. Because of company’s business process unclearly, the implementation of business functions on the ERP software becomes different than the original needs. The second factor can fail the ERP implementation is the management in consultancy companies who lead the project as well as the companies who apply the ERP software. The former are hiring poor project managers which can underestimate the scope, size and complexity of the project and the later have top management which not committed to applying the ERP software (J.Umble, Haft, M.Umble, 2003). Also, turnover of project personnel such as project managers, consultants and employees in the customer site after the project started which lose key staff experienced with the project and may be the new staff can request more changings (Markus, Axline, Petrie, Tanis, 2000). The third factor is inadequate  training due users did not get enough practice on the new software which affects the operation of the ERP (Ligus, 2007). The cost of ERP implementation comes lately as a factor might fail the ERP implementation (Ligus, 2007). According to Aberdeen group (Jutras, 2008) the average total cost for ERP implementation is $366.583 for company size under $50 million and 35 average users, which including software licenses cost, implementation services cost and maintenance cost. The last factor can hinder the ERP implementation is the hardware and software technology. Moreover, technologies have been changing rapidly which means that the current hardware and software should sustain the upgrades and need new installations. As a result, more upgrades can reflect miss integration with other systems or data loss as well. 2. Findings from the primary research: Firstly, the participants were asked about the cost elements can fail the ERP implementation, 55% of respondents agreed that the software costs are too high, followed by strongly agree, disagree, 33% and 12% respectively. Moreover, the second element is the hardware cost, 51% respondents agreed that the hardware cost is too expensive. While, 34% thought the cost is not expensive. In addition, for the third element, it appears the respondents were distributed equality which 49% agreed that the upgrade costs too high and other 49% disagreed with that element. Also, for the training, 59% of participants disagreed that training cost is too high. However, 33% agreed that the cost is too high. The last element is the cost of skilled employees, by combining answers of strongly agree and agree, the result show that 81% of the sample believed that companies need to hire skilled employees with high salary. Regarding to the next question, about 91% respondents opposed that the software is difficult. In addition, 72% thought that unskilled employees might fail the ERP implementation. As far as the third question whether the ERP implementation influenced by the technologies, answers almost distributed between agree and disagree  for all elements that software updates, hardware Obsolescence, software Incompatibility and integration fails with other third party applications. In terms of question number four, this finding was unexpected and suggests that the business analysis factor is substantial for the ERP implementation failure where 80% of respondents answered that customers do not deliver enough or wrong information about their business process. Also, 92% thought that business processes are not clear in the company which reflects wrong implementation and 90% of the sample concerned that more changes during implementation time could effect on the ERP implementation. Another important finding was that largest set of significant respondents agreed with the management is the most important factor could hinder the ERP implementation where 97% of respondents said the lack of top management commitment had negative consequence on the ERP implementation and 98% believe that inefficient project controlling could prevent the ERP implementation. 5. Discussion 1. Discussion explanation: Based on results indicated from the primary and secondary research, there are five common factors failing the ERP implementation. Moreover, this research reveals that inefficient management is the first and most critical factor. Because of companies assign the project to staff members do not have enough information about current ERP characteristics or without defining company requirements. As a result, poor ERP package will be selected (Ligus, 2007). In addition, 97% of respondents agreed that the lack of top management commitments have an effect on the ERP projects, owing to the fact that, the top management delegates the controlling to the lower level, consequently, conflict of communication between the company and consultants can be happened. Another important factor is the business analysis phase. Due to business processes are unclear, more changes during the implementation process will be required. Apart from the business analysis  factor, consultancy companies are not providing experienced consultants or the turnover during the project because the salary of experienced consultant is too high or they want to reduce the project cost. Based on the result collected from the primary research, the cost factor came as a third reason has an effect on the ERP implementation. Whereas, the finding from the secondary research indicated that the cost factors is the last reason might prevent the ERP projects. Because of companies can pay to get more benefits of the ERP software that can improve their business processes and services. This means that the cost. The next factor might fail the ERP implementation is the training, 91% of respondent disagree that the software is difficult and the reason might affect the ERP implementation that companies hire unskilled employees. Consequently, they cannot use or understand the software. Also, (Ligus, 2007) believes that companies attempt to save dollars by hire inadequate resources or working on overtime basis. As far as the technology factor, results collected from the primary research spread equally between agree and disagree. Due to the fact that companies do not upgrade the ERP software frequently, they did not face problems with the software updates and the hardware. 2. Limitation on research: †¢ Number of samples did not represent all countries fairly. †¢ The questions did not mention company’s business size, which could effect on answers. †¢ Questionnaire did not deliver to all specialists’ equally. †¢ No more information about the ERP implementation costs for all products available which can compare between them. †¢ No more studies about ERP products and technologies for last two years in comparison to two years earlier, which can measure weather the software and hardware improved. 6. Conclusion 1. Conclusion explanation: The aim of this study to examine whether the cost is a major problem can hinder implementing the ERP software. Findings show that there are other critical factors can prevent the ERP implementation which can be summarised from the most critical to less critical factor as poor management, unclear business process then the cost factor came as a third reason can hinder the ERP implementation then inadequate training and the last factor is hardware and software technologies. But with more analysis for the output which can explore chain of factors can affect each other. Owing to poor management, unskilled managers will defect the ERP project and companies should pay more salaries to hire skilled managers. As a result, poor ERP will be selected. Moreover, the problem started from the cost of hiring skilled managers. In addition, Due to consultancy companies want to deliver the implementation services with low cost to compete with other companies, they hiring inexpert consultants because of the salary. In conclusion that, the cost is the major factor can hinder implementing the ERP software but with indirect consequence. 2. Recommendations: Companies only installing a hardware with ERP software, but are in fact, changing the culture of management and improve the business process are essential before implement the ERP software (Davenport, 2000). Regarding to the primary research, there are some points need to mention in the future: †¢ Number of samples should represented many countries based on some factors such as number of software usage, area and business volume. Namely, the US should represented by at least 520 respondents, 52 states*10 samples. †¢ Business size should be indicated in the questionnaire. The need of software varies from small, medium and large business. In addition,  employee skills are difference referring to the business size. Also, medium and large business size can pay more for the ERP software than the small business size. †¢ Questionnaire should be targeted the specialization. Information available to the sales specialists is about prices and they do not have more information about the business or management problems which can be collected from the project managers and consultants. 7. References and bibliography Adam, F. Sammon, D. (2003),The Enterprise Resource Planning Decade: Lessons Learned and Issues for the Future. Idea Group Publishing: Hershey. Ada,W., Harry, S., Patrick, K., Robert D., (2005). Critical Failure Factors in ERP Implementation. Ligus, G., (2007), 12 Cardinal Sins of ERP Implementation. Rockford Consulting Group LTD. IL.US Jutras, C. (2011), An ERP history. Retrieved from (http://www.mbtmag.com/articles/2011/08/erp-history-lesson)(23 Aug, 2012). Markus, L., Axline, S., Petrie, D. Tanis, C. (2000). Learning from Adopters Experience with ERP Problems Encountered and Success Achieved. Journal of Information Technology. 15(2). PP 245-265. Mehta, A. (2010), A Study on Critical Success Factors for Successful ERP Implementation at Indian SMEs. Dissertation for Master of Philosophy in Management. Muscatello, J. Parente, D. (2006), Enterprise resource planning (ERP): a post implementation cross-case analysis, Information Resources Management Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 61-80. Parr, A. Shanks, G. (2000), A model of ERP project implementation. Journal of Information Technology 15(2). PP 289-303. Shanks, G., Seddon, B., Leslie, P. Willcocks (2003), Second-Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Implementing for Effectiveness.

Reel Injun: Injustices towards Native North Americans

Reel Injun: Injustices towards Native North Americans In this documentary, Reel Injun, by Neil Diamond, the director explores how Native North Americans were treated and shown in media from the early 20th century to the present. The documentary explores the negative stereotypes and mistreatment Native North Americans faced. The amount of negative depictions and inaccurate stereotypes about Natives in film played a significant role in the hatred towards Native People, and reinforced the stigmatized views that mainstream society already had towards them. As a result, their confidence had been destroyed and their self-identity lost, as their ideas of who they truly were as people had been abandoned. This documentary is an exploration of how the portrayals and treatment of Natives, not only in film, but also in real life, progressed over time. Neil Diamond begins his film by exploring the origins of Native stereotyping in movies. In early films, Natives were always portrayed with more of a positive image as opposed to a negative one. This was shown in films such as The Silent Enemy, where respect was given for the way of Native tribes and showed Natives as noble savages, who were brave and courageous warriors that were in sync with nature. The movie featured real Native actors such as Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, who played as a hunter in the film, and was considered one of the most noble Natives at the time. Although the film consisted of positive stereotypes, these same stereotypes were ones that portrayed Native North Americans as less than human, in other words, as second-class citizens. Even though Natives continued to succumb to the motives of the White man, The Silent Enemy, showed them as gentle individuals that continued to show respect for others, never surrendering or holding a grudge, but rather, wanting to live in a peaceful coexistence with White people. However, the film did not become a box-office success; society was uninterested in films that showed the ways Natives lived their lives, and were more fixated on comedic movies, beautiful love stories, and action packed adventure stories. People wanted to get away from their own lives, and wanted to jump into something that made them feel happy; no one wanted to pay for a film that evoked pain and showed the mistreatment of Natives, when they could pay for a movie that made them feel entertained. Before films veered off into depicting Natives as brutal savages, one could say that this movie had a major impact on the analysis of Natives throughout history. Following these positive stereotypical movies, Western films became the norm. A more pronounced negative portrayal of Native North Americans arose, and people loved seeing the Natives become target practice for cowboys. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Great Depression had taken a toll on people; they were looking for an enemy, and it just so happened that Natives were their ragdolls for anger. Native people began to become severely disrespected and inaccurately depicted in films. Directors were going so far that they began to show Natives speaking a sort of Tonto speech, where English is played backwards, making Native people look like uneducated, uncivilized and most importantly, brutal savages; as opposed to the noble savages they were once shown as. Perhaps the biggest movie to ever destroy a total cultures way of life and reduce it to a mere thought, would be Stage Coach. Released in 1939, the film shows a group of White travelers and their journey across the Wild West towards New Me xico. The travelers were very fearful of being violently ambushed by savage Natives, who are made out to be unethical and merciless. The film stars cowboy actor John Wayne, a very patriotic American that makes Native people not only his practice targets, but makes them seem like ruthless, brutal savages who have no regard for human life and are out to get the Americans. The film was so discriminatory towards Native North Americans that it made the Natives themselves think that they should distance themselves from their own culture, not only for fear of being targeted, but because they had started to believe in these falsely concocted stereotypes. Stage Coach along with many other films at the time, caused a lot of Native North Americans to lose their sense of identity, and because of this, turned them towards substance abuse and provoking fights with their societal counterparts. Nonetheless, the assassination of Native character done by Hollywood, provided the foundation for the agg ressive behaviors of Natives in this time of heightened socio-economic issues. However, after a few decades of negative depiction in film, Natives were starting to be portrayed positively again. The 1970s for Natives was what one could call a sort of Renaissance period, as it was a major turning point in the portrayal of Native North Americans. This period started with The Occupation of Alcatraz, in 1969, where around one-hundred Native people occupied Alcatraz island in protest to the government and their land treaties. Alcatraz was always originally sacred Native land, and protestors wanted to buy the land back for the same amount they had been offered for it, which was just a few dollars. The occupation became infamous and people from all over the world took notice, especially the man who later became The Voice of Alcatraz, Lakota activist John Trudell. Trudell had started a radio show that explained the reason for the protest and describing other issues Native people faced in America and the world. He is known as one of the most influential people involved in the whole escapade, and his presence brought an energetic spark to the peoples voices. Although the occupation of Alcatraz eventually did collapse, it is still widely regarded as a symbol of Native North Americans desires for unity and authority in a White America. Following the attention that Alcatraz gained, two significant things happened, the American Indian Movement (AIM) which aimed to fight back against all the false identities, stereotypes and mistreatment Natives faced in film and in real life, arose; as well as the release of Billy Jack in 1971. In essence, Billy Jack was a representation of a Native action hero, who used violence to enact justice. The character was half-Indian, and would fight anyone who disrespected Native people or the law. He was basically an embodiment of not only hope, but all the angst and anger the 70s brought for Native people, and was retaliating for all the negative stereotypes Native people faced by doing what they could not, that is, fight against the oppressors. Reel Injun also mentioned a battle that took place in South Dakota, more specifically, at Wounded Knee, where hundreds of Natives were slaughtered. The government was retaliating for the Battle of the Little BigHorn in the late 19th century, and their goal was to fight against the Native Americans who had taken a town under its control, in hopes of having the government honor its previously agreed upon terrestrial treaties and rights that had went undelivered for so long. Despite the push of the United States government, the Natives continued to fight back and never surrendered, which led to the deaths of many men, women and children. During this conflict, in 1973, American actor Marlon Brando, famous for his role in The Godfather, had a Native activist named Sacheen Littlefeather boycott the Oscar ceremony by refusing Marlons Oscar Statuette on his behalf. This was done in hopes to protest the widespread defamation of Native North Americans in Hollywood film. Her speech in front of the public addressed the injustices Natives faced not only on the big screen, but in real life, more specifically throughout the country and the massacre occurring at Wounded Knee. People saw this speech from this hippie as inspirational, and her message was welcomed for the most part, by applause and open arms, which led to a newfound appreciation for Native people. Suddenly, being Native was the thing, as Americans liked the idea of the free and spiritual hippie and drew similarities with Native and hippie culture. Throughout these eighty years or so, the widespread propaganda of Native North Americans in Hollywood film was an up and down struggle. As described by Neil Diamond, the director of Reel Injun, Natives were first portrayed as the humble and noble savages, very attached with nature and respectful in their coexistence with the White American. In fact, the Natives were the ones that helped these men adjust into their lives in North America in the first place, yet in later years, culturally destructive films such as Stage Coach described them as brutal savages who showed no mercy and were as ruthless as possible when torturing these White folk. Later of course, this notion came full circle as the public took notice through the constant lobbying and pushing efforts of not only Native activists like John Trudell and Sacheen Littlefeather, but Hollywood actors like Marlon Brando as well. American people learned that Natives are more than their traditional regalia, with feathers and face-pai nt, rather they are real human beings, and that all human beings are different and deserve to be treated equally.

Science Research Paper :: essays research papers

Corrosion and rubbing alcohol vs. corrosion and hydrogen peroxide â€Å"Are brass, lead, iron, and aluminum more likely to corrode in solutions of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide?† a. Definition-corrosion, rust, oxidation Corrosion is the atmospheric oxidation of metals. Rusting is essentially a process of oxidation in which iron combines with water and oxygen to form rust. Rust is the reddish-brown crust that forms on the surface of iron. Rust, a chemical compound, is a hydrated ferric oxide Fe2O3 ·nH2O, where n is usually 11/2. The chemical mechanism of rusting is not fully known, but is thought to involve oxidation of metallic iron to ferrous ion, (Fe++) and reaction of the ferrous ion with oxygen and water to form rust. This reaction is catalyzed by water, acids, and metals (e.g., copper and tin) below iron in the electromotive series. Because iron is so widely used, e.g., in building construction and in tools, its protection against rusting is important. Although metals (e.g., aluminum, chromium, and zinc) above iron in the electromotive series corrode more readily than iron, their oxides form a tenuous coating that protects the metal from further attack. Rust is brittle and flakes off the surface of the iron, continually exposing a fresh surf ace. Rusting can be prevented by excluding air and water from the iron surface, e.g., by painting, oiling, or greasing, or by plating the iron with a protective coating of another metal. Metals used for plating include chromium, nickel, tin, and zinc. Zinc plating is called galvanizing. (www.encyclopedia.com/articles:2000). Many alloys of iron are resistant to corrosion. Stainless steels are alloys of iron with such metals as chromium and nickel; they do not corrode because the added metals help form a hard, adherent oxide coating that resists further attack. The iron hulls of ships can be protected against rusting by attaching magnesium strips to the underside of the vessel. An electric current is generated, with the magnesium and iron acting as electrodes and seawater acting as the electrolyte. Because magnesium is above iron in the electromotive series, it serves as a "sacrificial anode and is oxidized in preference to the iron. This is called cathodic protection, since the iron serves as the cathode and thus escapes oxidation. This method is also used to protect the pipes of electric generating plants where saltwater is used as a coolant.) (www.encyclopedia.com/articles:2000). The involvement of water accounts for the fact that rusting occurs much more rapidly in moist conditions as compared to a dry environment such as a desert.

The United States must Reduce Illegal Immigration Essay -- Papers

I am driving my car and trying to get to Miami. I get lost. I stop at a gas station because I need someone to direct me in the right direction. I end up in a city called Hialeah where there are very few English speaking people. The people that are there only speak Spanish. What do I do? This scenario happens to many people everyday. How do we deal with situations like this one? The city of Hialeah is a major example of immigration. According to Webster's College dictionary, the meaning of immigration is coming into a country or region to live. Immigrants come from all over the world to live in America. Why is that? The main reason that everybody wants to go to the United States is because if they would go somewhere like France or Japan, although they would get higher wages, there is a much greater chance of getting harassed, arrested or deported in those countries, as opposed to the United States (Bergen 1). I lived in South Florida for fifteen years. Throughout that time , I was exposed to different situations that involved immigration. I feel that it should definitely be restricted. United States immigration policy in recent decades has not provided for strong, effective measures to reduce illegal immigration, and at the same time, explicitly authorizes high levels of legal immigration (Delaet 3). Therefore, there have been high levels of immigration in this country since the 1960s, which actually reflect the basic provisions of United States immigration policy. Since the 1960s there have been few acts that have been passed. For example, the Immigration Act of 1990 had a major impact on the United States. In 1980 public polls indicated that a majority of the United States public favors establishing current... ...In conclusion, there are many problems that the United States is facing today, being that immigration is one of them. Right now, at this time, bills are pending that will dramatically restrict legal immigration for years to come. Though some immigrants come to work in America, half of them do not even get a job and somehow end up on welfare. They claim that they want to live in the United States because it is a "free country," as far as morals are concerned, but the right to live in another country involves a belief in the moral and judicial rights of that nation. Bibliography Cornelius, Wayne A., et al. Controlling Immigration: A Global Perspective Decaet, Debra. U.S. immigration Policy in age of Rights. London: Praeger, 2000. Wilson, Charles., et al. Economic Issues in Immigration. London: The Institute of Economic Affairs, 1970.

Online education vs traditional education Essay

For hundreds of years we have been teaching traditionally to children with varying results, in the last two decades with the growing technology a new form of education has formed, online education. With high school being a pivotal time in teenagers life parents and educators have questioned is online education better for students over traditional methods. In the search to figure out which is better people have gathered evidence involving studies, polls, and research on the effect online education has on students. My first source used is written by Dan Lips, an article called â€Å"How Online Learning Is Revolutionizing K-12 Education and Benefiting Students† for the Heritage Foundation. The author’s tone is formal and persuasive. In the article he uses evidence such as facts, studies, and polls to persuade the readers to see the greatness of virtual education. Dan Lips uses high profile people who wrote books on virtual learning to increase credibility to his claim. The second source, â€Å"Students’ frustrations with a Web-based distance education course† by Noriko Hara and Rob Kling published in the online journal First Monday. This is an article based on the study the authors did on how students felt enrolled in an online class in college. While this is an article based on the feelings of college students this applies to the high school online education as they base high school online education on college online education so they are going to run into the same problems. The authors of this article were neutral to the study and were just reporting what was wrong with distance learning so as not to bias the results, and to get how the teacher and students feel about online learning. The authors use this article to caution students, teachers, and schools on some of the things wrong with online education and to not ignore the bad sides of online education because of mostly praise towards it. My last source is â€Å"Online High Schools Test Students’ Social Skills† by Paul Glader investigates the impact of online education on teens socially. Glader found that students enrolled in online high school often drop out due to the fact of them feeling lonely. The online high schools are trying to find ways to make teens spend time together in the virtual classrooms. High school is a pivotal time in everyone’s life that can shape your future.

European Settlement in Latin America Essay

Between 1450 and 1750 C. E. , Europeans entered Latin America and created new political structures, increased trade, and brought their religion. This happened because the Spanish conquered the Aztecs and Incas, while Portugal took over what is now Brazil. Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztecs while Francisco Pizzarro conquered the Incas. The Aztecs and Incas were two great Native American civilizations. In Latin America, slavery remained unchanged. These areas that the Spanish and Portuguese conquered later developed into their own self-governing states. In 1494, the Treaty of Todesillas split the New World in two when Pope Alexander VI drew the Line of Demarcation. Spain received the majority of the land while Portugal received modern day Brazil. While Spain constructed a massive military, Portugal established many settlements on the east coast. In 1519, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs by killing Montezuma, the Aztec emperor. In 1532, Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Incas by killing Atahualpa, the Inca emperor. The Incas had such highly centralized government that they could not run without an empire. Because of guns, germs, and steel, Spanish conquistadors were able to conquer the Aztec and Inca empires. The Spanish also had an advantage in military technology, having steel swords, iron mail, and horses. Without domesticated animals, such as pigs and cows, the Aztecs and Incas had now immunity to European diseases such as smallpox, typhus, and influenza, which killed almost 95% of the indigenous population of Latin America. In 1549, the first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Brazil to spread Catholicism. In the late 1500’s, there were no longer Native American slaves because of the large decrease in their population due to European diseases. Some Native American tribes forced there slaves to undergo human sacrifice, such as the Aztecs. There were now Black African slaves. While this was happening, the Portuguese switched from establishing trading posts to building an extensive colonization. 240,000 Europeans entered Latin America in the 16th century. They imported millions of slaves to run their plantations. The Portuguese and Spanish royal governments expected to rule these settlements; collect 20% of all the treasure found, and tax as much as they could get away with. Silver soon became 20% of Spain’s total budget. During the end of the colonial period, it was very common for the Native Americans to intermix with the Europeans. The offspring were called â€Å"Mestizos†, which are people of mixed ancestry. They formed majorities in many colonies. In the late 16th century, Peru participated in the Manila Galleon Trade. This was a trade where China gave Mexico porcelain, silk, ivory, spices and myriad other exotic goods in exchange for New World silver. Potosi, Peru became the fifth most populated city in the world by 1620 because of silver production. However, in the mid-17th century, silver production declined, but the decimated indigenous population in the central Andean region progressively begins to stabilize and free-wage labor replaces required labor in the mining regions. The most significant continuity for the European settlement in Latin America was slavery. Slavery did however change from Native American slaves to Black African slaves, but the concept of slavery remained the same. The key changes were new political structures, increased trade, and Europeans brought over their religion. The Spanish and Portuguese royal governments conquered Latin America.

Furniture Marketing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Furniture Marketing - Case Study Example The owner, Martin Smith has designed a new product and is willing to launch it on 25th of March 2010. As the world is currently experiencing a recession, consideration will need to be paid to the price and dynamics of the product. This will be achieved by the marketing and strategy plan. Having experience for eight years in producing furniture, Mr. Martin has come up with the idea of producing a computer desk that can be used to study as well. What makes this product different from other computer desks in the market is the ability to adjust the size and adapt to the room size (Bennington, 2004). The product design is attractive and can be ordered in different colors. The non-adjustable part of the desk is 75cm (horizontal). There are extensions on either side of the desk that can be extended by 40cm. Its height is 72cm and the legs are metallic. Both sides of the desk have drawer space which can contain CDs, books or the PC case. The total weight will be 67.5Kg. The current UK legislation may have a negative impact due to increase in taxes. If taxes increase this increase may have to be passed down to the customer. Thus price of the product will increase. This will affect the business. Transport costs too would be affected. Because of credit crunch many students from different cultural backgrounds will be reluctant to register in universities. ... The cost of the desk is affordable to the majority Since there are some value added features in this product there is bound to be greater demand for this desk Weaknesses Since there are many similar products in the market there will be a stiff competition Since this is a new product the people would be reluctant to buy it Opportunities Since computers are used by the majority of the public at homes, offices, universities and colleges there is a greater demand for computer desks. Product placement strategy related opportunities. Company can place the product in well researched market segments like universities and colleges in London. It can make use of its manufacturing division and technical control division to enhance efficiency by reducing costs. Threats Market penetration pricing strategy adopted by rival furniture manufactures is a threat. Total Concept also has to adopt a similar strategy. The bigger rivals have a better supply chain advantage. They buy products at cheaper prices thus can afford to sell it at cheaper prices 3.2 PEST Analysis PEST Analysis is a strategic analysis method that is used to understand market growth and the business position potentials and directions. Political The current UK legislation may have a negative impact due to increase in taxes. If taxes increase this increase may have to be passed down to the customer. Thus price of the product will increase. This will affect the business. Transport costs too would be affected. Social Because of credit crunch many students from different cultural backgrounds will be reluctant to register in universities. This will have a negative effect on the

Reading Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Reading Questions - Assignment Example The findings in ‘Sesame Street’ has also shown to improve various complex cognitive skills of children such as classifying and sorting and also among simpler skills such as numbers and names. These results were achieved even despite various field and measurement problems. Typically, researchers in the field of educational are considered to be the historians of the different policies and practices of Education and whose works are rarely used to make any changes to current or future happenings. Considering this situation, Sesame Street comes as rather a surprise since most people are against children watching television. But if these findings conducted through Sesame Street were to be ignored, and not developed further, funded or researched by similarly conceived television shows, then it would be a travesty and a huge loss to the future of our educational system. The first criteria chosen are the Project Features which comprises of the goals and objectives which involve both explicit and implicit features. The Sesame program also speaks of the primary activities and resources that would be used to achieve these goals and the possible short and long term outcomes. The Sesame Street Report reflects the same criteria given above. The primary goal of the Sesame Street program was to give evidence that a program such as this, benefited children by enhancing their cognitive and skill abilities for better educational outcomes. The project was so designed, making use of pretests and posttests which gave enough proof to show that these goals were achieved. The outcomes as evidenced in the Sesame project was long term and benefited children coming from varied backgrounds. The second criteria evidenced in the Sesame Street program were the different stakeholders which included the child, parents, teachers and peer groups. The program was looked at from different perspectives to evaluate

Academic Goals and Interest in Public Administration Personal Statement

Academic Goals and Interest in Public Administration - Personal Statement Example I have observed older family members who have chosen this path, and I can see that those who study hard are able to make a much bigger contribution to their organization. I would like to be an employee who makes a difference, and not just one who puts in regular hours and takes a salary without adding much to the lives of others. I also like teamwork, and this is another reason why Public Administration is a good choice for me. I am looking forward to learning more about the theories that have been devised to explain the way that organizations should be run and I have a particular interest in human resource management (HRM). As a person, I am very concerned about the need for people to be treated fairly, whether they are employees or clients. I know that it is difficult to balance operational and human needs and this something that I think our country needs to improve. Everyone should have the same right to assistance with official processes when they need it, and our public organizations are there to make this happen. If I were to be accepted to study Public Administration then I hope that in about ten years’ time I will be an office manager with a happy team of workers who deliver excellent services to the public. I realize that I have a long way to go before I reach this goal, but I am hard working and committed to achieving this long term personal goal.

Is mass media a cause of moral decline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Is mass media a cause of moral decline - Essay Example Mass media have enjoyed the limelight for the benefits that it has brought to the society to a point that its failures have been overlooked. The failures range from poor coverage of content and negative exposure to moral decadence in the society; where moral decadence is crucial. As a result, it is essential to evaluate mass media in order to ascertain whether it is a cause of moral decline in our society. Mass media have contributed largely to the decadence of morality in the society due to its role in lowering religious tolerance. As such, mass media have continuously portrayed the differences found within different religious groups and drawn criticisms towards them. This has led to increased hostility amongst different religious groups and religions since mass media draw a line between them. This creates the illusion that none of the religions can coexist peacefully without getting into each other’s business and without pointing out their differences. ... A large portion of the population spends a large amount of time watching television or interaction with other forms of mass media. This is the same mass media that is indiscriminate in its programming, where it portrays popular culture, in which sexual promiscuity and people are idolized. It is this idolization that is killing the sense of guilt and morality in people especially children as there is not much they understand (Wilson, 2008). They are more into taking that which they are exposed to as the gospel truth, as opposed to choosing that which is right and leaving out the rest. In addition, mass media over the internet provides easy access to inappropriate content in the form of pornography, which affects the behavior of people and their perception of the world and others (Wilson, 2008). This is in the case where one becomes hyper sensitive to sexual content that he or she thinks and perceives real life events on a sexual perspective. As a result, there is increased possibility of sexual crimes since pornography is glorified in mass media leading to rapes and abortions in pregnant women; proving that mass media has considerable influence towards moral decadence. Moreover, mass media present strong content relating to violence and aggressive behavior, which affects the development and control of emotions in people (Wilson, 2008). In this case, mass media, especially television and video games show increased instances of violence, which may be helpful for the individuals watching them. However, the intended benefits do not entirely manifest themselves in the people but instead manifest a negative consequence of moral decadence. This is because instead of creating an avenue for the release of negative

Communist Revolution and Confucianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Communist Revolution and Confucianism - Essay Example In fact, culture is so compact in China that instead of considering China as a political State, a lot of reviewers regards China as a cultural State. In this regard, two major cultural eras (political regimes) can be identified with China. There could be more than two eras but for the sake of this essay, the Confucian and Communist eras are discussed. In the Confucian era, China was to possess the dynastic system, which was overturned in 1911 to make way for the second era, which was the communist era after a supposedly a weak republican form of government existed until 1949 and through the civil war. The communist era continues to exist in China it started. The coming of the communist government was actually informed by a number of factors against the Confucian era. However though, it is evident in present day communist rule in China that traces of fundamental Confucian ideas exist. This essay seeks to explore why the communist revolution originally sought to quell Confucianism and why it has recently changed its tack and encouraged the renewal of Confucian ideas. Why the Communist Revolution originally sought to quell Confucianism One kingdom overthrows the other with a mentality to the citizenry that the latter has better options in terms of political rule. In contemporary world, overthrow of governments come commonly with democratic elections. In the case of the communist rule in China however, it all started with a revolution. Political revolution is said to be â€Å"a complete overthrow of the established government of a country or state by those who were previously subject to it; a forcible substitution of a new ruler or form of government† (Calvert in, 1970 in Pleuger, 2009). Because political revolutions are accompanied with forcible substitutions, it has always been expected that the overthrowing government has convincing reasons as to why it is the best and most pressing option. With the communist revolution, two major reasons why it wanted to originally quell Confucianism can be discussed. Debate over classification and identity In the first place, there was a great debate and outcry over the classification, identity or otherwise, mandate of Confucianism. Right from the onset, Confucianism was thought by many as not having a clear-cut and straight forward mission of existence. Even in some circles, it was said that Confucianism was thought to be of a heavenly mandate instead of a political one (Hays, 2008). This is to say that Confucianism was not well placed either as a religion, political party or a social club. Because of this, communists argued that Confucian rule had no political authorization to rule China. Because of the seemingly unclear mandate of Confucianism, it was argued that they were not able to rule with clearly defined political system, program and agenda. The communist revolution therefore criticized several fundamental political ideas of the Confucianism including the following documented by Hays (200 8). "Govern for the benefit of the people, reduce taxes, and recruit 'superior men' of any origin† â€Å"Promote the straight and throw out the twisted and people will keep order.† â€Å"The powerful must be benevolent in treating the weak: the weak must be wise in dealing with the powerful† (Hays, 2008). The communist therefore had a general perception that Confucianism

The Character of Curleys Wife Essay Example for Free

The Character of Curleys Wife Essay A reason for Steinbeck portraying to the colour red may be to foreshadowing the blood that was to be seen at the end. Curley’s wife attracts all the guys in the ranch. She uses the excuse that she is looking for Curley to talk to the guys. She does wear red lipstick; the colour red is again used as a symbol because it’s a primary colour therefore a lot of children are attracted to it because of the brightness in the colour. It attracts Lennie as he has a 4 year olds mind that can’t control his feeling but still stops and stares at Curley’s wife. He says that â€Å"she’s purty† very defensively (pg35). On the other hand George doesn’t like her at all. On page 35 there’s lots of negativity about Curley’s wife coming out of George’s mouth. He says â€Å"Jesus what a tramp, so that’s what Curley picks for a wife† Steinbeck has created a character that can’t stand Curley’s wife this is because he doesn’t want to lose his job by getting into trouble like their last place of work. I think when his talking to Lennie saying â€Å"Don’t you even take a look at that bitch. I don’t care what she says what she does I seen’ em poison before but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse that her. † (pg36) He has shown that his past is one of the reasons that he don’t like Curley’s wife, he also thinks she’s nothing but trouble and doesn’t trust her at all. Another character in the novella is one of the only one who is the nicest to Curley’s wife. He goes by the name Slim, in the novella everyone on the ranch looks up to him he’s a thoughtful tall man. Curley thinks that Slim and Curley’s wife have a relationship but Curley’s wife is just lonely and needs somebody to talk to because there isn’t any love between Curley and his wife. She says in the novella â€Å"think I’m gonna stay in that two-by-four house and listen how Curley’s gonna lead with his left twice and then bring in the ol’ right cross? † this means that she is very lonely and trapped in a loveless marriage. Curley wears a glove on his hand the ‘glove of Vaseline’ because he wants his hand to be soft when he is making love with his wife. He is very proud to show everyone this glove but this is a bad image on Curley’s wife because he is only using her because she is attractive and showing all the other guys on the ranch his sexual side with her. Curley’s wife only married Curley because of the great depression and life was hard so she thought because Curley is the bosses son she will have a good life but she didn’t! Curley’s wife came across as a trampy flirtatious character but this opinion changes when she is in the barn with Lennie opening up her feelings which showed us that she wasn’t just a tramp but a woman who had a dream, it also showed us that she was lonely like the other characters in the novella. Steinbeck made her into a character a sensitive hopeful and made herself into a normal human being and also a very weak female. Curley’s wife dreamt of being an actress and said Coulda been in the movies, and had nice clothes. This is showing that Curley’s wife is very upset about the way her is life is at the moment. In conclusion I think Curley’s wife is one of the strongest but loneliest characters in the book because after everything she has been through with her mother, Curley and being alone she didn’t open up to anyone except Lennie, but he kills her at the end because of his unknown strength. I also think Lennie did Curley’s wife a favor because she was moaning about her terrible life to him like she wanted it to end. Steinbeck portrayed Curley’s wife as an interesting and complex character to make the reader more curious on the way she is shown. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Steinbeck section.

International Human Resource Management At Iceland Business Essay

International Human Resource Management At Iceland Business Essay Current business changes have also led to difference in viewpoint and opinion of strategists who now believe that HRM and Personnel management are two completely different scenarios where HRM is a broader concept mainly responsible for managing a large number of manpower for efficient working of the firm. On the contrary Personnel management is more inclined towards supervision and administration related to payroll and legal scenarios of labour employment. Looking at the working environment of Iceland and other food companies, the difference between personnel management and human resources is quite clear. In the sense that, Human resource management of Iceland encompasses and promotes personnel management tasks and also develops and groom the workforce for attaining maximum efficiency and improving the working of the organization. As personnel management is reactive, human resource management is proactive, involving a holistic approach to continuous development of employee skills to handle personnel related tasks and activities A major difference between the two lies in the fact that personnel management is responsible for employee satisfaction which is realized through incentives , bonuses, rewards etc whereas HRM practice in the firm works on the ground that enhanced performance of employees through challenging work, job creativity etc leads to employee satisfaction. HR Specialists Role and Responsibilities HR specialists are quite influential and have a unique role in managing the human workforce of the firm. Iceland too recognizes the importance of a HR specialist who is mainly responsible to attain and extract the maximum potential and capacity through the firms human workforce. They are involved in functions of staffing, training and development, labor relations etc. on the whole a HR strategists role can be categorized under three main heads, the strategic process, the legal aspects and the operational aspects (Carolyn W, 1992). Under strategic process, HR specialists are involved in: Strategic planning They perform the role of a consultant who advices the management in all key areas A diagnostician who identifies the various loopholes and recommends necessary action for the same innovator/change agent who implements the dynamic changes in the corporate practices of the firm A catalyst who triggers the positive areas of business A cost manager who minimizes cost and maximizes returns. Under legal process, HR specialist performs the role of: Auditor/controller who assesses the companys personnel policies and strategies A consultant who advices the company on personnel matters and issues related to employment laws and other areas A conciliator who acts as a peace maker and negotiator for resolving conflicts and issues arising between different employees and existing workforce (Carolyn W, 1992). From operational perspective, HR specialist Deals with handling daily operations such as staffing, compensation, appraisal, rewards etc Interface between employees and management regarding the framing of employee policies and procedures Coordinating and motivating employees (Carolyn W, 1992). 1.3 Line Managers are Responsible to Manage People at Work Line managers have a special role to play in managing people as they reside in the lower layers of management hierarchy and deal with people who have no obligation or any sort of managerial responsibility (Hutchinson S HYPERLINK http://www.cipd.co.uk/research/_bringpolstolife.htmHYPERLINK http://www.cipd.co.uk/research/_bringpolstolife.htm Purcell J, 2003). Line managers execute a critical role in implementing HR policies and strategies. Their role revolves around: Managing people effectively Minimizing operational costs to maximum possible extent Extending and forwarding technical advice and guidance Assigning work and allocating tasks Continuous monitoring and supervising work Detect errors and take prompt corrective actions Handling customers effectively Setting standards for measuring operational performance of the firm When it comes to managing people effectively, line managers perform vital functions such as Performance appraisal of employees Imparting training and counselling to new recruits and existing workforce Maintaining proper communication and employee involvement Maintaining work life balance etc Giving due recognition to employees (HYPERLINK http://www.cipd.co.uk/research/_bringpolstolife.htmHutchinson S HYPERLINK http://www.cipd.co.uk/research/_bringpolstolife.htmHYPERLINK http://www.cipd.co.uk/research/_bringpolstolife.htm Purcell J, 2003) Thus well managed front line managers help in leading high productive and high performing workforce. It is the organizations and senior management responsibility to promote and support capable and efficient line managers by clearly drafting their role and responsibility. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS Human Resource Planning Process in Iceland Iceland being one of the renowned frozen food chains depends a lot on the human resource department which is well managed through s systematic human resources planning process that helps in anticipating the end results of the applied business strategy in regard to the firm human resources. The HR planning also involves the need of required workforce with special skill and competencies to perform the necessary tasks and activities. The Iceland human resource planning process involves the following steps: Analyzing the already existing organizational plans Secondly to forecast the demand of the total headcounts required in the firm Then forecasting the supply, that is obtaining data about current human resource present in the market and future changes Fourthly, the net human resource requirements are finalized considering all the departments of the firm After which, the deployments, retrenchments etc are taken into consideration and future demand is planned In case future deficits are confronted, reference plans are also chalked out. Lastly, the plan to modify and adjust the organizational plan in accordance with the market changes is also taken into account. Analysis After analyzing the human resource planning process of Iceland Company, it can be deducted that the information system regarding human resources is still inadequate. The internal deficiencies are well accounted for but the external market changes are not acknowledged such as the labour market, the current trends in human resources etc are not well adapted into the human resource system. Thus, the global perspective needs to be included in the entire process for giving the procedure a holistic view. The stages involved in the planning process in Iceland consist of: 2.2 Link Between Human Resource Planning and Organization Structured Process. The human resource planning of the firm has a deep impact on the structure of the organization, the needed information and the three stages including strategic, intermediate and operational levels of the planning process in various forms which involve: Organizations work culture is affected if things are taken in a casual and unsystematic manner such as a distance is created between the key decision makers and the workforce, secondly senior management no more remains trustworthy, reduces the contribution from the workforce in terms of creativity, risk taking, new talent is reluctant to be a part of the company, the image of the company is hindered, infact the entire process is impeded. The human resource succession planning is affected which may further lead to improper promotions or demotions, team evaluation, inappropriate performance reviews leads to hindered employee development etc. The operation costs are intensely affected by human resource decisions such as high turnover cost, replacement cost, slack time , hampered motivation, restructuring of employee cost, health cost , increase in insurance costs etc Ultimately the workforce is affected which in turn has an impact on the organizations working and performance such as reduced productivity, sub standard customer service quality etc. 2.3 Interview Selection Technique Evaluation Most of the organizations depend mainly on the interview technique to select the required workforce. Iceland is also one of them where potential candidates are screened and selected by conducting various interviews at different stages of selection process. Iceland is now the only food retailer recognized among the best 25 companies of UK having more than 200 stores running in different countries. Such wide network requires huge labour that is selected after conducting various interviews such as: Preliminary interview Core interview Decision Making Interview Various levels of interviewing help the organization to extract the best talent from the market as the initial rounds help to better general interaction with the candidate and judge his suitability for the job. Many candidates who are not suitable for the organization and its work culture are eliminated right in the beginning of the process that saves a considerable amount of time and cost to the company. Selection by Invitation: one of the methods of selection could be inviting the key executives of competitors by constantly observing their performance and offering them attractive incentives and benefits. Such technique helps in saving tremendous cost and time to the company and attracting the best and experienced candidates. Leasing: Company may benefit by leasing that is employee expert and depute the employees to the needy companies on a lease basis. In regard to which the leasing company charges a reasonable amount. Such kind of activity helps the organization to utilize the resources in the best optimum manner and select candidates as and when required without much hassles. 360Â ° Selection Programme: Involvement of subordinates, employees working at the same level of job are better in determining the skills, knowledge and performance of potential candidates as they are accustomed and tuned to the specific job environment. A 360Â ° appraisal is the best fit between the job and the candidate and at the same time lessens the burden of the superior administrators as well. Thus the above procedure and techniques can help Iceland to put into practice a rigorous and dynamic selection process for attracting the best talent within the organization. The core interviewing is conducted for potential candidates where major emphasis lie on stress interview and probing technique as the candidates are required to deal with customers of various nature and temperament. Depth interviews are also considered where special skills of candidates are examined by judging critical answers to posed questions. Such drilling exercise helps in understanding the mental capacity of individual to handle stress and intense situations. The candidates behaviour during the interview process is a good criteria to determine his reasoning and analytical abilities. Finally the decision making or the final interview is conducted whereby the top authorities or managers examine the interest level of the candidates for the job and find about his acceptance and decide whether to select the candidate or not. Icelands interviewing process is rigorous and in-depth which eliminates the changes of wrong decisions and adding extra cost to the company. Various aspects of interviewing are taken into account which renders the entire process a structured approach. The company is able to select the best pool of talent through its own skills and capabilities. Alternative methods of selection Selection by Invitation: one of the methods of selection could be inviting the key executives of competitors by constantly observing their performance and offering them attractive incentives and benefits. Such technique helps in saving tremendous cost and time to the company and attracting the best and experienced candidates. Leasing: Company may benefit by leasing that is employee expert and depute the employees to the needy companies on a lease basis. In regard to which the leasing company charges a reasonable amount. Such kind of activity helps the organization to utilize the resources in the best optimum manner and select candidates as and when required without much hassles. 360Â ° Selection Programme: Involvement of subordinates, employees working at the same level of job are better in determining the skills, knowledge and performance of potential candidates as they are accustomed and tuned to the specific job environment. A 360Â ° appraisal is the best fit between the job and the candidate and at the same time lessens the burden of the superior administrators as well. Thus the above procedure and techniques can help Iceland to put into practice a rigorous and dynamic selection process for attracting the best talent within the organization. 2.4 Recruitment and Selection Process of Iceland Iceland is regarded to be one of the highest rated among the big companies to hire the best talent available and provide complete staff satisfaction like pay and benefits. The practices and procedures adopted in the selection process by the company are best taking into perspective the legal framework as well. The recruitment and selection procedures of the firm comply with the IPCCs diversity policy which includes the requirement of the following acts: The Sex Discrimination Act, 1975 The Race Relation Act, (1976, 2003) The disability Discrimination Act, 1995 The Employment Equality(Sexual Orientation) Regulation, 2003 The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulation, 2003 (IPCC, retrieved on 17th September, 2010) All interviews are conducted by authorized panel who design competency based questions. Proper pre and post arrangements for interviews are made and decisions for appointment are based on the content, qualification, performance and the right to work norms in the UK (IPCC, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:ZzAuwNGdp24J:www.ipcc.gov.uk/foi/agreed_recruitment_and_selection_policy-4.pdf+legal+requirements+of+selection+in+UKhlthHYPERLINK http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:ZzAuwNGdp24J:www.ipcc.gov.uk/foi/agreed_recruitment_and_selection_policy-4.pdf+legal+requirements+of+selection+in+UKhl September, 2010) . Proper reference and security checks and clearances are made. Iceland follows complete legal norms to select candidates, hence no major discrepancies are found in the selection procedure. PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING AND REWARDING EMPLOYEES 3.1 Iceland Job Evaluation Process Job evaluation is conducted in the firm in order to rank the jobs on the basis of certain duties, responsibilities and performance attached with the job. In accordance to which the pay package is designed and defined keeping the minimum and maximum limits intact. Information about every job type is retrieved through the medium of job analysis questionnaire, job descriptions, observations and interviews involving 360 Â ° selection processes. Based on the above information, each job is rated based on evaluation factors which comprise of: Education Experience (Technical and Commercial) Problem Solving Impact Physical Effort Executive ability Analytical skills Complexity of job Iceland makes use of both the Non quantitative techniques as well the Quantitative Techniques of job evaluation such as the Ranking Methods including paired comparison, simple ranking, points rating method as well. The Equity motivational theory is applicable in Iceland also where the concerned managers should consider the balance between the input and resulting rewards taking into consideration the input factors such as loyalty, diligence, ability, skill, enthusiasm, support, patience, sincerity, trust, relation with superior etc , backed by reward or output in form of financial and no financial rewards such as wage increase, increased job responsibility, recognition, appreciation , tangible monetary benefits, job security etc (Baxamusa N B, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.htmlthHYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.html September, 2010). The equity theory works best when the over recognized and benefitted employees are able to produce higher output and quality service and on the contrary the less rewarded employees tend to decrease their output when they compare themselves with other employees. It becomes the utmost responsibility of the managers to link the rewards with the performance and efficiency of the employee. For this consistent development programmes, regular meetings, and discussions can be undertaken to communicate with employees and make things more clear for better understanding and fairly link reward with performance. Such kind of evaluation process is logical and objective in nature as it helps to include the newly created job in the pre existing structure of the firm. The undesirable factors of evaluation are eliminated such as fluctuations in market rate etc and help to attain fair wage and uniformity in fixing wages for all employees. Maximum employee satisfaction is realized by maintaining wage equity and sound evaluation structure. 3.2 Reward System There are different reward systems that can be linked to the organizational compensation packages offered by Iceland to boost up the morale and productivity of employees (Stockley D. 2006)HYPERLINK http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=enq=Motivation+and+financial+and+non-. Monetary Reward System Payment for unproductive work in form of Hours of work Paid holidays Paid vacations Security of employees Retrenchment compensation Lay off Compensation Safety and Health Workmens Compensation Health Benefits Welfare Recreational Facilities Canteen Benefit Housing Benefit Legal Aid Holiday Homes Educational Benefit Transportation benefit Old Age and Retirement Benefits Provident Fund Insurance Gratuity Medical benefits Non Monetary Reward Treats Free Meals Festival bashes Dinners Knick Knacks Accessories Planners Recognition Letters of appreciation Plaques Social Acknowledgement Informal Recognition Solicitation of advice Memberships On the Job Benefit Enhanced responsibility Job rotation Training Special tasks All the above rewards in some form or the other have a deep impact on the performance of employees as: Positive Impact Employees are motivated to work to the best of their potential Build self esteem and confidence Increased loyalty Easy acceptance to change Close bondage between company and self Negative Impact Demotivational impact on employees under conditions of biasness Short sightedness Unhealthy competition 3.3 Motivation Theory and Icelands Reward System Icelands reward system could be directly linked to the Adams Equity Theory of Motivation which believes that the factors of motivation can affect the performance of employees and their relationship with the employer as well (Baxamusa N B, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.htmlthHYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.html September, 2010). The theory is based on the belief that if the employees inputs are more in comparison to the benefits or rewards derived, it can lead to employee dissatisfaction and reduced productivity. The Equity motivational theory is applicable in Iceland also where the concerned managers should consider the balance between the input and resulting rewards taking into consideration the input factors such as loyalty, diligence, ability, skill, enthusiasm, support, patience, sincerity, trust, relation with superior etc , backed by reward or output in form of financial and no financial rewards such as wage increase, increased job responsibility, recognition, appreciation , tangible monetary benefits, job security etc (Baxamusa N B, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.htmlthHYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.html September, 2010). The equity theory works best when the over recognized and benefitted employees are able to produce higher output and quality service and on the contrary the less rewarded employees tend to decrease their output when they compare themselves with other employees. It becomes the utmost responsibility of the managers to link the rewards with the performance and efficiency of the employee. For this consistent development programmes, regular meetings, and discussions can be undertaken to communicate with employees and make things more clear for better understanding and fairly link reward with performance. 3.4 Iceland Monitoring Strategy Iceland has a well planned strategy to monitor the performance of employees that includes: Reviewing work of employees on a consistent basis Regularly observing the activities of employees and guiding them when require Preparing charts, records and using techniques for measuring performance Encouraging self reporting by employees Timely redressal of complaints and issues for uninterrupted performance The latest methods of performance monitoring are adopted by the company such as the Balanced Scorecard method that involves a holistic approach of monitoring by taking into various perspectives such as customer perspective, financial perspective, training and development perspective and innovative aspect as well. After defining the various factors on which the performance is analyzed such as efficiency, growth, training, development, productivity, behaviour, relations, creativity and innovation at work etc, methods such as Gantt chart is prepared this is a pictorial description of employees performance. Thus, a comprehensive performance analysis is conducted by Iceland which helps to depict a fair view of efforts put in by candidates. The Equity motivational theory is applicable in Iceland also where the concerned managers should consider the balance between the input and resulting rewards taking into consideration the input factors such as loyalty, diligence, ability, skill, enthusiasm, support, patience, sincerity, trust, relation with superior etc , backed by reward or output in form of financial and no financial rewards such as wage increase, increased job responsibility, recognition, appreciation , tangible monetary benefits, job security etc (Baxamusa N B, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.htmlthHYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.html September, 2010). The equity theory works best when the over recognized and benefitted employees are able to produce higher output and quality service and on the contrary the less rewarded employees tend to decrease their output when they compare themselves with other employees. It becomes the utmost responsibility of the managers to link the rewards with the performance and efficiency of the employee. For this consistent development programmes, regular meetings, and discussions can be undertaken to communicate with employees and make things more clear for better understanding and fairly link reward with performance. The Equity motivational theory is applicable in Iceland also where the concerned managers should consider the balance between the input and resulting rewards taking into consideration the input factors such as loyalty, diligence, ability, skill, enthusiasm, support, patience, sincerity, trust, relation with superior etc , backed by reward or output in form of financial and no financial rewards such as wage increase, increased job responsibility, recognition, appreciation , tangible monetary benefits, job security etc (Baxamusa N B, retrieved on 17HYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.htmlthHYPERLINK http://www.buzzle.com/articles/equity-theory-of-motivation.html September, 2010). The equity theory works best when the over recognized and benefitted employees are able to produce higher output and quality service and on the contrary the less rewarded employees tend to decrease their output when they compare themselves with other employees. It becomes the utmost responsibility of the managers to link the rewards with the performance and efficiency of the employee. For this consistent development programmes, regular meetings, and discussions can be undertaken to communicate with employees and make things more clear for better understanding and fairly link reward with performance. 4. EXIT FROM THE ORGANIZATION 4.1 Employee exit procedure in Iceland On the contrary, when the exit procedure of Iceland was compared with ASDA it was found that the above procedure was quite similar to ASDA, however ASDA adopts an in-depth interview procedure with extra steps such as analysis of exit interview, reasons for absenteeism, Work Interview, analysis of labour turnover, comprehensive Exit Interview Data analysis judging the company benefits provided etc Analysis The organizations have drafted suitable exit procedures in order to determine the reasons for employee exits, yet they cant be termed as best. They are scope for improvement and modification as little emphasis is laid on the employee background and his contribution towards the organization. A fair view can be extracted only when organizational inputs and employee outputs are compared. Thus while studying about the exit analysis, managers should also emphasize on the employee relations with the firm and subordinates. On the whole, the procedure adopted is satisfactory and solves the purpose for the same. Employee Redundancy Redundancy is a situation when the organization , Iceland for this case decides to dismiss an employee on the basis of ceased business or intended to cease the area of business where the concerned dismiss employee was employed. For the redundancy to actually be called legal, it is necessary that the employee under question must completely vanish. If the organization declares any candidate redundant, it is liable to pay the necessary statutory payment in regard to it. Iceland has adopted certain criterias for declaring an employee redundant, they are: Dismissal cant be on grounds of individual capability but organizational circumstances When certain specific designations are no longer required in the company along with reasons for decease or reduction in business process In the course of a business slow down When a specific business line is altogether eliminated from the organizations business portfolio If the employees who are to be redundant are more than twenty, then the matter is to be put forward for consultation with the employees representative before making a final decision Reasons for selecting few employees from the group for redundancy The selection criteria is not based on any unfair means such as race, age, sex or any disability Conclusion Iceland has been able to formulate a systematic and well organized human resource management policy and strategy in the organization, keeping into consideration all the details right from human resource planning to redundancy. Their recruitment and selection criteria are as per the norms of the UK government and in accordance with the legal requirements as well. The company aims to impart maximum employee satisfaction in all respects.