Comparison Of Methods Of Research Education Essay

In this chapter the writer attempts to discourse the research methods required in the context of survey and besides warrant its usage and restrictions. This survey was undertaken to analyze the impact of mega-events and the promotional schemes undertaken to shift a finish ‘s touristry industry. While carry oning this research it was indispensable that a methodological analysis be chosen to outdo suit the survey. Harmonizing to Howard and Sharp ( 1996 ) , the pick of research methods is considered to be an built-in portion of any research undertaking, which greatly influences the consequences obtained. Since the purpose of the thesis is to show the importance of mega-events and the demand to be after for these events, more self-generated and flexible attack was required to develop the apprehension of Sydney ‘s image in the touristry industry. Second, the informations had to be gathered from different beginnings, both primary and secondary, to to the full understand the phenomenon. Finally, the writer besides attempts to offer practical value and thoughts which could be utile in this issue. Based on these considerations, the research was conducted utilizing qualitative research design. Qualitative research allows the topics being studied to give much ‘richer ‘ replies to inquiries put to them by the research worker, and may give valuable penetrations which might hold been missed by any other method. It besides provides valuable information to certain research inquiries in its ain right. Robson et al. , in 1992 stated qualitative research to be ‘A wide-ranging trade embracing many different attacks, and can run from big, time-consuming Government/Social research contracts to pre-testing of consumer advertisement ‘ ( Chisnall, 2001, P195 ) . Harmonizing to Chisnall, the kernel of qualitative research is that it diagnostic ; it seeks to detect what may account for certain sorts of behaviors like trade name trueness. Qualitative research normally has no measurings or statistics but uses words, descriptions and quotation marks to research significance. Qualitative methods aim to do sense of, or construe, phenomena in footings of the significances people bring to them Qualitative research may specify preliminary inquiries which can so be addressed in quantitative surveies ( Greenhalgh & A ; Taylor, 1997 ) One of the cardinal differences between qualitative and quantitative research is that qualitative research attempts to generalise comparatively simple information by executing statistical analyses, whereas qualitative research attempts to larn about a complex phenomenon by seeking penetration. In simple words quantitative research replies ‘how many ‘ of a inquiry whereas qualitative research replies ‘why ‘ of a inquiry. Quantitative research begins with an thought ( hypothesis ) , which is converted into informations through measurings and this at the terminal helps the research worker to pull decisions. Qualitative research, in contrast, begins with an purpose to research a peculiar country, collects â€Å" informations † ( observations and interviews ) , and generates thoughts. The strength of the quantitative attack lies in its dependability ( repeatability ) -that is, the same measurings should give the same consequences clip after clip. The strengt h of qualitative research lies in cogency ( intimacy to the truth ) -that is, good qualitative research, utilizing a choice of informations aggregation methods, truly should touch the nucleus of what is traveling on instead than merely planing the surface ( Greenhalgh & A ; Taylor, 1997 ) . Of the assorted methods of qualitative research, instance survey was found to the best suitable attack for this thesis. In most of the researches undertaken, if the research involves ‘how and why inquiries, they are more explanatory and likely to take to the usage of instance surveies. This is because instance survey trades with the operational links necessitating to be traced over clip, instead than mere frequences or incidences. For illustration, if one wanted to analyze how a community successfully thwarted a proposed main road ( lupo et Al, 1971, cited by Yin, 1994 ) , it is less likely to trust on a study or scrutiny of the records and might be better off making a instance survey. Harmonizing to Yin ( 1994, P13 ) : A Case Study is an empirical enquiry that investigates a modern-day phenomenon within its real-life context, particularly when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are non clearly apparent. Harmonizing to Schramm ( 1971 ) , the kernel of a instance survey, the cardinal inclination among all types of instances survey, is that it tries to light a determination or a set of determinations: why they were taken, how they were implemented, and with what consequences ( cited in Yin,1994, P12 ) . Harmonizing to Stake ( 1994, P236 ) , a instance survey is non a methodological pick, but a pick of object to be studied. As a signifier of research, instance survey is defined by the involvement in single instances and non by the methods of enquiry used. For the writer to accomplish the purpose of this thesis, a instance survey attack was utilized. this was achieved by making a instance survey on the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The ground behind taking the Sydney 2000 Games in peculiar is due to the congratulations Australia received from the universe ‘s touristry and featuring leaders for its attack to maximizing the touristry chances presented with Sydney ‘s theatrical production of the 2000 Olympic Games. The president of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) , Juan Antonio Samaranch, said the Olympic games had helped get the better of perceptual experiences that Australia was excessively far off for a vacation. It provided a sporting and cultural phase for all of the continents and boosted touristry in Australia. The type of instance survey used was explanatory instance survey as bing theory was used in order for the research to understand the planning and schemes used by Sydney for the games to advance it as a finish .Restrictions of the Case Study ApproachCase surveies can be both descriptive and explanatory and are therefore considered a good attack for transporting out qualitative research. However, there are besides a few restrictions of the method attached to its usage. Yin ( 1994 ) states that instance survey ‘s findings can be generalised to theoretical propositions but non to recite frequences. Thus it is difficult to do general reappraisal from one instance survey. Yin provinces â€Å" possibly the greatest concern about the usage of instances is the deficiency of cogency of the instance study research † ( Yin, 1994, P10 ) . There ever remains a hazard of excessively much informations being gathered which may non be of existent relevancy to the survey. Case survey informations is time-consuming to roll up, and even more time-consuming to analyze. Hence, there is a reluctance to fund such a research if undertaken on a big graduated table. A Yet cutting corners on either of t hese aspects is likely to earnestly weaken the value and credibleness of any findings produced. As yin ( 1994 ) pointed out instance surveies most frequently do non impart themselves to numerical representation. Hence the in deciding grounds and colored findings may act upon the waies of the findings and the decisions. Looking at both the strengths and failings of the instance survey method, and to obtain a clear apprehension of the instance, the writer besides collected informations utilizing primary research informations aggregation methods. This was done to obtain balanced descriptive and explanatory information for the research supported by grounds of informations collected through primary research.Primary ResearchPrimary research is research used to roll up informations for a specific undertaking. Primary research involves really traveling out to the field and carry oning some type of study or fact finding probe among the existent people. Primary informations are normally gathered by the research worker via studies, experiments or observation methods. However, interviews and questionnaires are most popular and normally used methods of primary informations aggregation. The information therefore collected may be qualitative ( in the signifier of words ) or quantitative ( in the signifier of figu re ) . Primary research was used in this undertaking to place the cardinal schemes of Sydney 2000 Games and the impact of these schemes on Australia ‘s touristry. Primary research was one of the most hard facets of this thesis. To roll up primary informations, the research worker used questionnaire technique to finish this thesis. The research worker explains below the different option techniques that were considered to roll up informations before zeroing down on the questionnaire technique.InterviewsVeal ( 2006 ) is of the sentiment that interviews are likely the lone manner of obtaining a realistic image of the manner people view the topic of research. Howard and Sharp ( 1993, P139 ) suggest that most scientists would see the interview as supplying higher quality information that is free from bias than many other methods available to them. Types of interviews range from a to the full formal structured interview to an informal unstructured interview and semi-structured interviews. Structured interview A to the full structured interview is when the research worker has drafted a elaborate questionnaire. The inquiries are asked as per their order for every interview so as to follow a common form and guarantee that all the subjects have been covered. This method is like utilizing a questionnaire but by being face-to-face with the interviewee and there is besides a range of some personal interaction. However, due to a stiff construction and the form of inquiry that the interviewer follows, the interviewee has less range to set forth extra information. Unstructured interview An unstructured interview is based on a more flexible and adaptable attack. In simple words it is a little more than a conversation. In this method the research worker refrains from seeking to construction the interview. The interview keeps the conversation unfastened in order to derive more information. This method besides follows a fixed lineation but is non driven by prepared inquiries. There is a range for interview to spread out the issues or supply information of related issues as there is no limitation on the type of information provided. Semi-structure Interview This type of interview provides a balance between the other two signifiers of interview. It is basically conducted with the interviewee possessing and following a list of inquiries but at the same clip gives the interviewee the chance to show positions freely. A major advantage of this type of interview is its adaptability. Veal ( 2006 ) suggests that the usage of a checklist is more practical than to the full elaborate inquiries as the latter can disrupt the flow of interviewThere is a possibility that the interviewee might touch upon an of import and untapped facet of the researched issue and may alter the class of research in order to look into them. Bryman ( 2001, P313 ) suggests, â€Å" qualitative semi-structured questioning tends to be flexible, reacting to the way in which interviewees take the interview and possibly seting the accent in the research as a consequence of important issues that emerge in the class of interviews. † Interviews may be conducted face-to-face, via telephone or mail questionnaires. The method in which the interviews can be conducted depends on assorted factors like budget and clip. The research worker was in England to make the research between December and May, but the interviewees were from Sydney. Thus, sing the clip and budget restraint, the research worker used e-mail questionnaires as a method of carry oning the research. the research worker contacted the respondents via mail saying the intent of thesis and the method that will be followed to roll up informations. After a positive answer from the respondents, a questionnaire was prepared and was e-mailed to the research workers. Over a period of 5months from January 2010 to may 2010 assorted e-mail were exchanged back and Forth to roll up as much information as possible. The respondents were besides happy to give entree to assorted studies and paperss sing the subject researched. The type of inquiries that were usages were non-directive and unfastened to let more latitude for response, generalized and probed to do the respondents experience more comfy to talk freely. Questionnaires Questionnaires are a popular agencies of roll uping informations. They are utile when the research is to be undertaken on a big graduated table. They can be easy posted e-mailed and faxed and hence, have a broad geographic coverage. They are peculiarly utile when the respondents are willing to supply information but want to keep their namelessness at the same clip. Unlike other research methods, the respondent is non interrupted by the research instrument. Questionnaires reduceA interviewer biasA because there is unvarying inquiry presentation ( Jahoda, et al. , 1962 ) However, it may be hard to obtain a good response rate as frequently there is no strong motive for the respondents to react. It could be a delayed and a boring method when the research worker has to wait for the responses to be returned. One of the chief drawbacks of this method is that there is no control over who completes the questionnaire. Furthermore, respondent can read all inquiries beforehand and so make up one 's mind whether to finish or non. For illustration, possibly because it is excessively long, excessively complex, uninteresting, or excessively personal. They do non give the respondents the freedom to set forth their positions and sentiments on the subject researched. Hence, it is hazardous and non wholly fruitful to utilize this method on its ain for informations aggregation. Recording Recording is a technique in which the research worker uses a tape recording equipment to enter the informations to be gathered. One of the of import things to retrieve in this method is that recording equipments can be used by the research worker merely if the interviewee/respondents agree to its usage. Gillham ( 2000 ) justifies the usage of tape-recorder as a method strongly recommended if the interviewee agrees. This helps the research to maintain a word by word history of the information the interviewee provides so as non to lose out any of import information. although it is said that the interviewee might experience uncomfortable with the usage of tape recording equipment, taping the interview aids the hearing procedure and provides an indifferent record of responses. Harmonizing to Gill and Johnson ( 1991 ) , in contrast to observe pickings, after a few proceedingss of taping, respondents become unaware of the recording equipment. However, one of the most of import grounds for the research non following this technique is due to the boring, time-consuming and dearly-won techniques of transcripiting the information recorded. Furthermore, Some people are really self-aware in forepart of cameras or audio recording equipments. Recording the session may make a barrier between you and them, and do them less blunt than they would otherwise be. Sampling Roll uping informations is clip devouring and expensive, even for comparatively little sums of informations. Hence, it is extremely improbable that a complete population will be investigated. Because of the clip and cost elements the sum of informations you collect will be limited it is really of import to take a little sample to roll up the information from. Harmonizing to Fink ( 1995, P1 ) ‘the best sample is representative, or a theoretical account, of the population ‘ . A right taken sample of an appropriate size will give consequences that can be applied to the population as a whole. Due to the characteristic and nature of this research, the writer chose to concentrate on the sentiments of the people who were in any manner involved with the 2000 Games. These were people in cardinal places from the Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism New South Wales and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. The respondents were encouraged to talk as much, or every bit small as they wi shed bout the issue. One individual from the Australian Tourism Commission, two from Tourism NSW and one from the SOPA were interviewed. Besides in order to derive penetration on the research subject from an academic point of view, a A professor in the school of leisure, athletics and touristry at the University of Technology was besides interviewed. The research worker is of the sentiment that the respondents have provided the thesis with sufficient qualitative information to pull decision and the signifier recommendations. Not merely did the respondents respond to the inquiries e-mailed to them but they were really accessible and flexible in their attack and provided the research worker with a figure of of import paperss and studies which proved to be truly of import for the research. As the subject that the writer has undertaken to research is an event which has occurred in the yesteryear, there is already huge and utile stuff available through assorted beginnings like, journal articles, newspapers, media and cyberspace which can turn out every bit of import to the thesis. At this phase the usage of primary research methods is limited and the research had to utilize assorted beginnings of informations. This is called secondary research.Restrictions of primary researchPrimary research is considered to be one of the most widespread and effectual ways of garnering reliable informations. However, there are a figure of possible jobs and restrictions to utilizing primary research as a exclusive method of informations aggregation. The most of import job faced by the research worker was of clip money and distance. the research worker was based in Sheffield during the clip of this thesis and the respondents were from Sydney, hence, the research worker found it really expensive to really go to Sydney to carry on the interviews in individual and had to therefore usage alternate methods. Furthermore, clip restraint was another job the research worker faced. The research worker besides had troubles in contacting and acquiring the right people for garnering the information from. Sometimes it was non possible to speak to the right people and this created troubles in making a program for informations aggregation. And in conclusion, the research worker ain deficiency of experience in be aftering the research and the inquiries as good. If the inquiries did non cover all the of import issues, if they were non good phrased or if the research did non win to obtain the right replies and relevant informations, so the research would non supply qualitative informations and the research worker would hold to get down the whole procedure once more from abrasion. In malice of all these jobs, the research worker managed to garner the relevant information required. The contacts were obtained from an extended hunt and the respondents were besides really helpful and accessible and provided with a huge sum of informations to the research which proved really utile for the thesis.Secondary ResearchSecondary research occurs when a undertaking requires a drumhead or aggregation of bing informations. As opposed to primary research informations, secondary research informations already exist. in simple words, Secondary research is where you use information that other people have gathered through primary research. Normally, secondary research is used in order to place what earlier research workers have done and it besides helps to supply countries of possible probe which would be interesting and valuable. It helps to place possible spreads or logical extensions between old and bing work. . Sometimes secondary research is required in the preliminary phases of research to find what is known already and what new informations are required, or to organize research design. Harmonizing to HHHHHH Howard and crisp ( 1996 ) , secondary research means to seek for information that is given by other research workers and published in some signifier that is already accessible. The secondary beginnings could include old research studies, newspaper, magazine and journal content, and authorities and NGO statistics. In order to acquire a elaborate apprehension of the research issue information was gathered from newspaper articles, diaries and books which were available at the Sheffield Hallam university library. Besides on-line diary articles, intelligence web sites and computing machine database was besides used to garner information. The bing literature enabled the research worker to place any repeating issues or subjects. The books and diary articles, in peculiar, helped the research worker to make a background for theoretical cognition.MediaEvents like the Olympic games are a universe phenomenon and are therefore captured by the universe media. These events attract a batch of promotion from the imperativeness. For this ground, newspapers, magazines and telecasting were of great significance to the research, non merely because they provided with tonss of up -to-date information but besides because they contained interviews, and articles with different attacks on the research topic. These interviews provided information on how the games were perceived by the locals, the promotional schemes adopted.Books and DiariesBooks and diaries in general are considered to be a good beginning of information in any research. They are utile in peculiar to organize the theoretical background of the research. The diaries contain documents written by pervious research worker on the researched subject. They form a background for research and are besides utile in taking any irrelevant points or issues in the bing research worker and frailty versa. In this research besides, the research worker has made extended usage of book and diaries in every phase and chapter of the thesis. It helped the research worker to acquire a good apprehension of the subject. These were readily accessible at the Sheffield Hallam university library.Computer Data Base ( Internet )H armonizing to Howard and Sharp ( 1996 ) , computing machine database is a beginning of considerable importance. There are a figure ofA hunt enginesA that can be utile in seeking the cyberspace, The cyberspace has the advantage that it is easy to entree, it has tonss of information, and it is sometimes the most up-to-date beginning of information.A Databases for merchandises and services are available online. These databases like EMRALD are maintained by dedicated international organic structures and are besides developed straight by universities and other research establishments. The subject of this thesis is an event which occurred in the yesteryear ; hence, the electronic database was of huge aid for this thesis in peculiar. The research worker used Emerald and Google Scholar to entree online articles and documents of trade diaries. Handiness to the information was reasonably easy. However, due to the huge sum of relevant and irrelevant informations available online it was necessary to be critical of the cogency of any information available online.Restrictions of secondary researchIn malice of the easy handiness and the sum of informations available through these secondary resources, there are some restrictions to this signifier of research as good. The most of import is the inquiry on the quality and relevancy of the available informations. Data available through these resources is of the work and researches done in yesteryear and might non be up-to-date information. There are besides several contrasting informations available online which make it more har d for the research worker to critically analyze the information and rely n his inherent aptitudes with respects to the usage of this information. This can sometimes take to irrelevant information being included in the research and the research might besides lose its path. Many times a research worker finds that research that appears assuring is in fact a â€Å" teaser † released by the research provider. This frequently occurs when a little part of a survey is disclosed, frequently for free, but the full study, which is frequently expensive, is needed to derive the full value of the survey. Keeping all these facets in head, the research worker has tried her best to utilize the most recent publications and articles from books, diaries and magazines in order to cover all the facets of the subject researched. The research worker tried to look for the most up-to-date information available.Datas AnalysisSum uping and analyzing the information was one of the most hard parts of the thesis. Harmonizing to Veal ( 2006 ) the research worker is faced with practical jobs of how to pull off the pile on interview notes and transcripts. There are many different types of qualitative informations analysis methods. The type of analysis used depends on the information collected, the purpose of research and the clip and fundss available. For the informations to be analysed, it must be put in simple words which can be easy analyzed. This might be in the signifier of transcripts from the interview, notes and replies from the open-ended questionnaires and the journals and diaries maintained b y the research worker. When multiple instance surveies are used to roll up the information and where the research worker has to happen and analyze recurrent subjects in each survey the research worker can utilize thematic analysis. However, where the focal point is on secondary stuff in general and media analysis in peculiar, content analysis method is used. Contented analysis is a technique that has applications in touristry research ( Finn et al, 2000, P135 ) . It is a technique that is applied to non-statistical informations and allows analysing it in a systematic manner. A Using this method the research worker surveies the transcripts in item and assigns codifications ( figure or words ) , to specific characters within the text.. The research worker may already hold a list of classs or she may read through each transcript and allow the classs emerge from the information. This type of analysis can be used for open-ended inquiries which have been added to questionnaires in big quantitative studies, there fore enabling the research worker to quantify the replies. This is farther supported by Finn, who states that content analysis is a quantitative agencies of analysing qualitative informations ( Finn et al. , 2000, P134 ) .DecisionThe chapter has discussed the informations aggregation procedure and methods used by the research worker to garner information. In order to garner the most relevant and appropriate information, the research worker has made usage of both primary and secondary methods of research. This has helped the research worker to cover all the of import facet and to derive both practical and theoretical cognition. The research was completed in a period of four months. The following chapter take a expression at the consequences and analysis of the information gathered.

Prioritizing Projects at Dd Williamson

Introduction Case Analysis D. D. Williamson created a list of 78 projects which needed to be prioritized, organized, and selected. The company used a four step method to rate each project: 1) Establish criteria for prioritizing projects. 2) Weigh each criterion. 3) Refine the list of projects. 4) Rate each project on each criterion and total ratings. To give team members control over the ranking of projects, each member was asked to write three different criteria on three Post-it Notes. These Post-it Notes were divided into similar item groups and each group was named. This process established the important criteria for selection. The criteria were used to determine how well each project would fit into the strategy of the company (Kloppenborg, 2009, p. 35). To weigh each criteria group, the team members assigned each group a score. More important groups were given a score of 10, less important groups a score of 6 to 9, the least important groups a score of 5 or less. Criteria that were scored at 6 or higher were used to assess each project and criteria of 5 or lower were reserved for further ranking later in the process. Criteria are weighted in order to help place the projects in order of importance as they are aligned with the goals of the company (Kloppenborg, 2009, p. 36). After the criteria were established and weighted, the list of projects was refined. Projects that were listed out as individual projects but were really one project happening concurrently in different locations were discovered and the list was changed to reflect this, reducing the number of projects on the list. There were also projects added to the list that had not been formally identified as projects earlier. The criteria helped to determine which projects could initially be considered projects and which projects could be removed from the list. The projects on the list were reviewed to discover which were considered most important and rank the rest. The projects considered most important were immediately placed on the top of the importance list, and the rest went through the scoring process to be ranked in order from most to least important. The projects were than rated according to the criteria that had been established earlier. Each project was rated to see how well it fit into each individual criterion, one at a time. All team members participated in the scoring, and agreement needed to be reached on how to score each project before scores were recorded. If project scoring required a lengthy decision, that was set aside for a different time so that team members could get through this process fairly quickly (Kloppenborg, 2009, p. 36-37). This entire process was recorded into a spreadsheet. How the projects were ranked, how each project was scored on each criterion and the calculation of the weighted scores were all recorded on the spreadsheet. The team had prioritized 62 projects total throughout this process. Since the projects had already been ranked in order of importance, it would be easy for the team to hold a future meeting to assign resources and timelines to the projects at the top of the list (Kloppenborg, 2009. P. 44-45). The prioritization of the projects was a very important task for D. D. Williamson’s global operating team to complete. Although the task seems time consuming, it will save the team time in the long run because projects are rated in importance long before they are scheduled to begin. The weighting process allowed the team to discover where each project would fit into the SWOT analysis, and how each project would further the strategic objectives or otherwise benefit the company. The company uses a database to identify their potential projects. The database is used to keep track of daily work and project work. This tracking helps to highlight things that need to be improved during daily processes. The very large list of 62 potential projects gives the company a wide range of choices in selecting which projects to complete. This helps to ensure that the most important issues that need to be worked on will be addressed in the timeliest fashion (Kloppenborg, 2009, p. 32-33). D. D. Williamson chooses to use a scoring model in project selection. This seems to be the most efficient way for the company to prioritize and select projects. Major problems arising with this process would be the potential for lengthy discussions revolving around project selection and prioritization. The rating process helps to eliminate much of the discussion, but there may be some sticking points where additional criteria will have to be used to decide on issues. Recommended Actions In addition to the continuing use of the database and prioritization and selection process, it is recommended that D. D. Williamson use the lower weighted criteria to help make decisions when a stalemate has been reached when discussing potential projects. The additional criteria can help team members to quickly address concerns about potential projects. If the potential projects are ranked well in the highly weighted criteria, the lower weighted criteria can be used to further break down the project and determine if it is a good fit. The last recommendation is creating mandatory criteria. In addition to moving the most highly scored projects to the top of the list, mandatory criteria can ensure that necessary projects are not overlooked. These mandatory criteria can include issues like government regulation, safety issues, and security issues (Kloppenborg, 2009, p. 36). The mandatory criteria will fast-track projects that must be completed. Conclusion D. D. Williamson has a great project selection process in place. While many other companies use personal preference or whims to make project decisions, D. D. Williamson carefully considers which projects fit best into the company’s strategies and which will best help further the interests of the company. With a few minor additions to the process, D. D. Williamson can continue to make great project selections and maintain a competitive advantage in their market. References Kloppenborg, T. J. (2009). Contemporary project management (pp. 27-45). Mason: South- Western Cengage Learning.

Analysis and Problems of Global Communications

Diminishing returns across the entire telecommunications industry have negatively affected the stock and profitability of Global Communications. Excessive amounts of competition from companies worldwide have diluted the market as well as offered a wide range of features that Global Communications does not currently provide. Small providers offer specialized services, and larger multinationals offer lower prices and more competitive service choices. Global Communications has chosen to address this problem by simultaneously attempting to cut costs while expanding internationally; their primary method of achieving these immediate goals is through closing some domestic call centers and opening new centers overseas. The employees’ union has obvious problems with this strategy of layoffs and outsourcing, and has questioned Global Communications’ loyalty to its workers. The company faces significant problems, both fiscally and intangible issues such as employee loyalty. The first of these issues is the declining price of Global Communications stock, presumably due to the increased amount of competition in the field. Such a decline in overall profitability is the most pressing problem facing the company; however, it is also the broadest in that several more specific problems contribute to this overall issue. One of the contributing factors is the need for new services and innovations in research and development. Such innovations require capital and financial resources, which relates to the problem of declining confidence among stockholders, who are wondering if they industry can recover from the competitive situation in which it currently finds itself. The problem of stockholder confidence therefore contributes to the lack of funds available for innovations and research, meaning that the company must find a way to increase profits without depending on stockholder confidence. The initial attempt to address these financial issues, outsourcing many jobs to Ireland and India, has also created more problems for Global. The employee union feels betrayed and is threatening legal action regarding the layoffs. Additionally, the public relations issue regarding this outsourcing is an important one for Global to address in order to prevent a public backlash in response to the outsourcing and union-relations issues. Despite the many problems facing Global, several opportunities exist for the company to grow and become as profitable as it was during the previous era. There is an immediate opportunity available to lower the costs of labor facing the company by utilizing the outsourcing plan and the labor available overseas. Such an action will free up company resources to be spent on research and development of new services and products, which will rebuild the base of Global Communications customers through the many services offered. Additionally, such an expansion in services will increase the market share for Global among small business owners, one of the company’s overall goals, and offer the opportunity to reinforce a public perception of Global as one of the leaders in telecommunications technology. Besides these profitability issues, there is an opportunity to establish new norms regarding the union and employee relations within Global. Perhaps an established plan of communication or route of information dissemination can be created, and career counseling and training could be offered for the employees who were laid off, helping re-establish the public and in-company perception of Global. The most obvious opportunity for Global is also the broadest; the chance for the company to grow and return to previous years’ profitability is one that exists in the current atmosphere of change. Global leaders must take advantage of the many opportunities to change the company, its relationships, and its products and technology as soon as possible. Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas There are several groups of stakeholders in this discussion; from the individual stockholders to the union members to the highest executives, the different groups all have different priorities in the Global restructuring. Stockholders have at heart the long-term profitability and growth of the company, similar to the priority of global executives to see the company grow and profit overall. Other groups, notably the employees and union representatives, have as their first priority the job security and salary of employees as their first priority; the relationship with management and the pending layoffs are more important to these groups than profitability or growth. Finally, the executives in the U. S. ave more concern over these job cuts than do the global executives, since they are the ones who will be most adversely affected by the layoffs and outsourcing. The struggle between these groups to have their own needs prioritized represents an ethical dilemma for Global; the negative affects of the layoffs must be weighed against the overall survival of the company; the detriment to individual employees and public perception must be weighed against continuing Global’s position as an innovator and industry leader. Global Communications and the employees’ union can both benefit from the increased profitability which will happen as a result of the outsourcing and shift in services offered; in the long-term, both groups can work to create benefit and profit for individual stockholders as well as company executives and management. This long-term benefit will additionally give Global employees greater job security. The progress of Global toward the situations possible by the many opportunities available to it can be measured through several objective methods. One that is mentioned in the 3/2/04 memo is a concrete goal of reducing costs by 40%. Such a goal will naturally benefit the company based on the reduction of cost and increase of profits. Additionally, a concrete goal to resolve the issues with the employees’ union without legal or governmental action would be an excellent way to re-establish the relationship between the company and the union. Another measurable goal would be to return the stock price to a certain level, for example, that of the previously profitably $28/share. Global Communications faces some immediate and important problems, such as decreased profitability, decreased stockholder confidence, pending layoffs and the public-relations issues which accompany them, and increased competition within the telecommunications industry which requires new innovations and development. Despite these immediate problems, there are many opportunities for Global to benefit from its current situation; it can take advantage of the chance to reduce costs by outsourcing and then increase research and development with those funds; it can re-negotiate the relationship with its employees’ union to a more beneficial one for both parties; and it can remodel itself as a modern, cutting-edge competitor in the field of telecommunications. Such opportunities can benefit all stakeholders in Global, from the individual stockholders to employees to global executives, by strengthening the financial and community/social situations of the company. Although the implementation of these changes may be uncomfortable at times and even immediately painful for several groups (the employees’ union, for example), the overall benefit for everyone involved must be kept in mind. Long-term goals can be used to track the company’s progress toward achieving its end goal of returning to an innovating, profitable organization Analysis and Problems of Global Communications Diminishing returns across the entire telecommunications industry have negatively affected the stock and profitability of Global Communications. Excessive amounts of competition from companies worldwide have diluted the market as well as offered a wide range of features that Global Communications does not currently provide. Small providers offer specialized services, and larger multinationals offer lower prices and more competitive service choices. Global Communications has chosen to address this problem by simultaneously attempting to cut costs while expanding internationally; their primary method of achieving these immediate goals is through closing some domestic call centers and opening new centers overseas. The employees’ union has obvious problems with this strategy of layoffs and outsourcing, and has questioned Global Communications’ loyalty to its workers. The company faces significant problems, both fiscally and intangible issues such as employee loyalty. The first of these issues is the declining price of Global Communications stock, presumably due to the increased amount of competition in the field. Such a decline in overall profitability is the most pressing problem facing the company; however, it is also the broadest in that several more specific problems contribute to this overall issue. One of the contributing factors is the need for new services and innovations in research and development. Such innovations require capital and financial resources, which relates to the problem of declining confidence among stockholders, who are wondering if they industry can recover from the competitive situation in which it currently finds itself. The problem of stockholder confidence therefore contributes to the lack of funds available for innovations and research, meaning that the company must find a way to increase profits without depending on stockholder confidence. The initial attempt to address these financial issues, outsourcing many jobs to Ireland and India, has also created more problems for Global. The employee union feels betrayed and is threatening legal action regarding the layoffs. Additionally, the public relations issue regarding this outsourcing is an important one for Global to address in order to prevent a public backlash in response to the outsourcing and union-relations issues. Despite the many problems facing Global, several opportunities exist for the company to grow and become as profitable as it was during the previous era. There is an immediate opportunity available to lower the costs of labor facing the company by utilizing the outsourcing plan and the labor available overseas. Such an action will free up company resources to be spent on research and development of new services and products, which will rebuild the base of Global Communications customers through the many services offered. Additionally, such an expansion in services will increase the market share for Global among small business owners, one of the company’s overall goals, and offer the opportunity to reinforce a public perception of Global as one of the leaders in telecommunications technology. Besides these profitability issues, there is an opportunity to establish new norms regarding the union and employee relations within Global. Perhaps an established plan of communication or route of information dissemination can be created, and career counseling and training could be offered for the employees who were laid off, helping re-establish the public and in-company perception of Global. The most obvious opportunity for Global is also the broadest; the chance for the company to grow and return to previous years’ profitability is one that exists in the current atmosphere of change. Global leaders must take advantage of the many opportunities to change the company, its relationships, and its products and technology as soon as possible. Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas There are several groups of stakeholders in this discussion; from the individual stockholders to the union members to the highest executives, the different groups all have different priorities in the Global restructuring. Stockholders have at heart the long-term profitability and growth of the company, similar to the priority of global executives to see the company grow and profit overall. Other groups, notably the employees and union representatives, have as their first priority the job security and salary of employees as their first priority; the relationship with management and the pending layoffs are more important to these groups than profitability or growth. Finally, the executives in the U. S. ave more concern over these job cuts than do the global executives, since they are the ones who will be most adversely affected by the layoffs and outsourcing. The struggle between these groups to have their own needs prioritized represents an ethical dilemma for Global; the negative affects of the layoffs must be weighed against the overall survival of the company; the detriment to individual employees and public perception must be weighed against continuing Global’s position as an innovator and industry leader. Global Communications and the employees’ union can both benefit from the increased profitability which will happen as a result of the outsourcing and shift in services offered; in the long-term, both groups can work to create benefit and profit for individual stockholders as well as company executives and management. This long-term benefit will additionally give Global employees greater job security. The progress of Global toward the situations possible by the many opportunities available to it can be measured through several objective methods. One that is mentioned in the 3/2/04 memo is a concrete goal of reducing costs by 40%. Such a goal will naturally benefit the company based on the reduction of cost and increase of profits. Additionally, a concrete goal to resolve the issues with the employees’ union without legal or governmental action would be an excellent way to re-establish the relationship between the company and the union. Another measurable goal would be to return the stock price to a certain level, for example, that of the previously profitably $28/share. Global Communications faces some immediate and important problems, such as decreased profitability, decreased stockholder confidence, pending layoffs and the public-relations issues which accompany them, and increased competition within the telecommunications industry which requires new innovations and development. Despite these immediate problems, there are many opportunities for Global to benefit from its current situation; it can take advantage of the chance to reduce costs by outsourcing and then increase research and development with those funds; it can re-negotiate the relationship with its employees’ union to a more beneficial one for both parties; and it can remodel itself as a modern, cutting-edge competitor in the field of telecommunications. Such opportunities can benefit all stakeholders in Global, from the individual stockholders to employees to global executives, by strengthening the financial and community/social situations of the company. Although the implementation of these changes may be uncomfortable at times and even immediately painful for several groups (the employees’ union, for example), the overall benefit for everyone involved must be kept in mind. Long-term goals can be used to track the company’s progress toward achieving its end goal of returning to an innovating, profitable organization

Geology Volcanoes&Earthquake Assignment1 Assignment

Geology Volcanoes&Earthquake Assignment1 - Assignment Example They occur in clusters and linear chains all over the world. Regardless of few exceptions to this rule, most take place in lines that are curved, as opposed to circular ones. The two common patterns that they form called the ring of fire and the mid-ocean ridges (Oxlade 12). Plate tectonics explain the movement of plates around the earth but are different from continental drift. They elucidate why ocean basins are in existence. The earth’s crust, according to the theory of tectonics, occurs in two forms: continental crust and oceanic crust. The latter is rigid, dense, and brittle as opposed to continental crust. It breaks into separate slabs also known as plates (McKay, â€Å"Plate Tectonic Settings† 1). On the other hand, many rocks that have conjoined over billions of years or geologic time make the continental crust. They are less dense, and can deform or change much easier explaining their complication and uncertainties. Summing it all up, hot gases and material emanate from the mid-oceanic ridges while cool material goes down at subduction areas, and it is at the plate boundaries that volcanoes take place (McKay, â€Å"Subduction Zones† 1). Volcanoes erupt as fresh magma from the center of the earth rises up through weak areas or zones and consequently reaching the crest of ridges to develop novel oceanic crust. This process referred to as seafloor spreading, took place many years ago, and it led to long mid-oceanic system of ridges (McKay, â€Å"The Basics of Plate Tectonics† 1). The website, blackboard learn, is a modernized platform that offers easy access, navigation, organization, and illustration of learning material. The site’s contents are well organized, and students can easily follow the direction of the course without supervision, assistance, or any trouble. What makes the educational portal even better is the systematic organization of classes

Team Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Team Development - Essay Example There are both demonstrated advantages and disadvantages associated with multicultural teams (Stahl, nd). The goal ought to be to emphasize the advantages while at the same time making organizational adjustments to better understand the disadvantages and thereby convert them into advantages. As an initial matter, multicultural teams generate more creativity. Team members have more experiences, more background facts to draw on, and more information to contribute to the team. This creativity results in a critical analysis of problems rather than a mere acceptance of previously-accepted norms. Precise definitions become important. There is, in a short, an inherent need in the diversity context to analyze and to clarify more completely than in a non-diverse environment. Team building, as a result, becomes a more thoughtful and analytical process. These contributions manifest themselves in very useful ways. Problems are presented, defined, and a broader spectrum of alternatives proposed. The potential disadvantages are real, and have been empirically established, but can also be converted into team building advantages. There are issues, for example, of mistrust and a lack of cohesion in some multicultural settings. Stereotypes and issues of bias may present themselves as obstacles. Some of these problems are rather straightforward.

Analysis of movie knowing her place indu krishnan Essay

Analysis of movie knowing her place indu krishnan - Essay Example Growing up in a liberal society in the United States for immigrants like Vasu already requires for a series of psychological and emotional adjustments in order to fit in the society. Physical appearance, language, and tradition are but the easiest to get acquainted to in the society that is different from what one’s parents have grown up to, especially for young children. On the other hand, an appalling dilemma for these children is to be brought back to the society in which they have grown out of for more than a decade in their lives. When Vasu was brought back to India at a stage when she was going through her adolescent stage, every day has been a struggle since. Her life back in the United States after getting married as a teenager due to a cultural norm, life has become a huge battlefield. There were bigger challenges and heavier social and cultural responsibilities as a wife and mother. Women like Vasu have to get acculturated to the various roles that are perceived to b e played by women in the society against men. If it is Krishna’s goal to reveal women’s cultural schizophrenia with cross-cultural background (Hoppe, â€Å"Knowing† & wmm.com, â€Å"Knowing†) to the world, this movie definitely did much justice to their experiences through the main character in the movie. Cultural identity is essential in women’s competence upon accomplishing their roles and responsibilities to their family and the society. The lack of which would only provide a vehicle to emotional and psychological instability that could lead to identity

Outline and assess the major changes to journalism over the past 40 Essay

Outline and assess the major changes to journalism over the past 40 years and explain the extent to which these changes have helped or hindered democracy - Essay Example That is, the concept of democratic journalism has paved way into the academic jargon of the subject matter; implying that social media platforms tend to be launch-pads for such trend which then make news and influence journalists in dramatic ways. Therefore, it would be imperative to see the evolution of journalism from the era of Watergate scandal to the social media age to see how the subject matter and the professionalism in the field has expanded and moved forward (Starkey 2004: 5). Therefore, the paper will aim at exploring how journalism emerged as a forward-moving discipline and how the journalists in the field faced immense challenges and turbulences to bring the discipline where it stands today. Furthermore, the paper will explore how issues like media financing, advertising and political affiliations have impacted the field and therefore, how journalism has impacted democratic developments. Prior to analyzing the evolutionary phases of journalism in the past 40 years, and its contribution towards democracy; it is critical to understand the scope and nature of the discipline of journalism. Journalism incorporates the gathering and processing of news while including dissemination of news and information. Furthermore, journalism may also be understood in context to reporting, editing, writing, photography and even broadcasting of news as part of the business of an organization. Another perspective deals with the academic aspects whereby journalism stands for the coursework which prepared the students for intriguing careers in news writing and broadcasting, even editing. Similarly, considering the opinion formation function of journalism, it may also be understood as thought provoking and research oriented composition which is reflected via newspapers, print media and more recently even the social media. However, the feedback mechanisms must also not be

History final exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

History final exam - Essay Example It was some time before the terms and concepts fundamental to Hinduism was defined under the Law of Manu during the Mauryan Empire. The Law of Manu made the concepts of karma, dharma, Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudras, the Untouchables, jati, as well as Brahma central elements of the Hindu civilisation within Ancient India. When added altogether these concepts and the Law of Manu effectively formed Hindu culture, morality, and religious practices, as well as been the basis of the caste system. At that foundation stage Hinduism, was not linked with any attempt to tightly control the social and economic relationships between everybody within Indian society.1 The Indus civilisation lasted for around a thousand years before it was overrun by the successful incursions of the Aryans. With the Aryans came the caste system that was adopted as part of Hinduism. It was widely believed that this system delayed the development of large cities and meant that the pace of technological developments was slowed down.2 The caste system affected Indian both the social and economic development due to it being used to determine the economic, social, employment, and legal status of all Hindus within the country. The operation of the Hindu caste system did not prevent India from enjoying extensive and lucrative trading links during the Mauriyan Empire. Those trading links stretched as far west as Rome and as far east as China.3 Another reason the caste system has had such a strong influence upon Indian social and economic development was because the ownership of land, as well as the means of production, and the work that people could perform was chiefly determined by the position they were born into. This rigidly adhered to caste system allowed for the concentration of wealth as well as leading to a highly regulated social and economic order. It also arguably meant that people

Internet and Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Internet and Democracy - Essay Example Internet communication is probably the fastest way of communication. The introduction of internet and other computer-based communication technologies has opened up many possibilities in different aspects of human life. Distance is no longer a constraint for information interchange because of the advanced internet and wireless technologies. Even the outer universe communication and data analysis are made possible with the introduction of wireless technology and internet. Most of the common people believe that internet is just for information interchange only. But the internet can influence other regions of the human life as well. It can assist job seekers in getting jobs, it can assist students in improving their learning potentials, it can act as an excellent medium for advertisement, it can act as a market where people can sell and purchase goods or services etc. Even the politics seem to be one beneficiary of the internet. In early 90’s it is believed that internet can enhan ce the political process of democracy immensely. Though internet requires a lot of financial and intellectual investments, the lack of centralized control over the internet raised doubts about the implementation of internet technologies for the strengthening of democracy. â€Å"Democracy involves a separation of powers and popular participation in governmental affairs. During the era of the Enlightenment and 18th-century democratic revolutions, public spheres emerged where individuals could discuss and debate issues of common concern† (Douglas Kellner). Democracy can be defined as a system in all citizens can directly participate in the decision-making process. Proponents of democracy believe legislative, judicial, and executive powers should be handled by the people. Or in other words, the representatives in these three sectors must be appointed by the people.

Tort law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Tort law - Essay Example Therefore, duty is an essential element in to establish negligence. The claimant must prove that the defendant had failed to carry out the minimum standard of care in performing his duty. It is also important to prove that the claim for damages had arisen out of that failure to perform such duty. In addition, it has to be proved that the defendant was duty bound to exercise care towards the claimant2. In order, to establish a duty of care, three requirements have to be fulfilled. First, some foreseeable damage should have been caused to the claimant. Second, there should be a closer relationship between the claimant and the defendant that establishes a duty of care. Third, such relationship should be just and reasonable in imposing a duty on the defendant3. The doctrine of duty of care was first developed in Donoghue v Stevenson4. Since then this concept remained unchanged, until the 1970 case of Dorset Yacht v Home Office. In that case, it was held that a duty of care was present, if the damage was predictable5. In Donoghue v Stevenson, the plaintiff’s friend ordered a ginger beer. After she had consumed a portion of the drink, she noticed the remains of a rotten and decomposed snail in the beer. Donoghue fell ill on account of having consumed the contaminated beer, and brought a suit against the defendant, who was the manufacturer of the ginger beer6. Their Lordships opined that the plaintiff had legal grounds for her claim under the existing law. This decision was a landmark decision and became a legal principle in countries following common law. This decision constitutes the basis for the modern legal principles relating to product liability of manufacturers. This principle has been established as tort of negligence in tort law, and applies to all civil wrongs and claims7. In Capro v Dickman an economic loss transpired, on account of the negligent statement made by the defendant.

Chinese Foreign Policy Essay Example for Free

Chinese Foreign Policy Essay Specific portfolio. (See â€Å"Collective Leadership.†) To ensure Party control, the top-ranked members of the PSC serve concurrently as the heads of other parts of the political system. The top ranked PSC member, Party General Secretary Hu Jintao, for example, serves concurrently as head of the military, in his capacity as head of Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and as the head of State, in his capacity as State President. The second-ranked PSC member, Wu Bangguo, serves as Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), while the third-ranked PSC member, Wen Jiabao, serves as Premier of the State Council, and the fourth-ranked member, Jia Qinglin, heads the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and oversees the Party’s relations with non-Communist groups. Portfolios for other PSC members include the propaganda system; management of the Party bureaucracy and Hong Kong and Macau; finance and economics; Party discipline; and the internal security system. 32 PSC members also head Party â€Å"Leading Small Groups† (LSGs) for their policy areas. LSGs are secretive bodies intended to facilitate cross-agency coordination in implementation of Politburo Standing Committee decisions. The National Security Leading Small Group and the Foreign Affairs Leading Small Group, for example, are both headed by Party General Secretary Hu Jintao. The next highest decision-making body is the full Politburo, which, with the suspension of the disgraced former Chongqing Party Secretary, Bo Xilai, now comprises 24 officials. In addition to the nine members of the PSC, Politburo members include the heads of major departments of the Party bureaucracy, the two highest ranking officers in the Chinese military, State Council Vice Premiers, a State Councilor, and Party leaders from important cities and provinces. The current Politburo has only one female member. Because of its relatively unwieldy size and the geographic diversity of its members, the full Politburo is not involved in day-to-day decision-making. In 2011, it met eight times, with its meetings often focused on a single major policy area or on preparations for major national meetings. According to the Party’s constitution, the PSC and Politburo derive their power from the Central Committee, whose full and alternate members together â€Å"elect† the Politburo, Politburo Standing Committee, and Party General Secretary, and â€Å"decide† on the composition of the Party’s Central Military Commission.34 In practice, incumbent top officials provide a list of nominees to the Central Committee, which ratifies the leadership’s nominees.35 The current nearly 400-member Central Committee (including alternates) is made up of leaders from the provinces (41.5%), central ministries (22.6%), the military (17.5 %), central Party organizations (5.9%), and stateowned enterprises, educational institutions, â€Å"mass organizations† such as the Communist Youth League, and other constituencies (12.4%). The National People’s Congress (NPC) The third major political institution in China is the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s unicameral national legislature. According to Article 57 of China’s constitution, the NPC is â€Å"the highest organ of state power.† The Constitution tasks the NPC with overseeing the Presidency, the State Council, the State Central Military Commission, the Supreme People’s Court, and China’s national level public prosecutor’s office, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. In practice, however, the NPC’s powers are severely limited, and the entire entity operates under the leadership of the Communist Party. The public theater of the NPC’s work is centered around its ten-day-long annual full session, held every March and attended by all of the NPC’s nearly 3,000 deputies. The next full session, in March 2013, will mark the start of a new five-year Congress, and is expected to approve a major leadership transition, including a new President and Premier, and new Vice Premiers and State Councilors. At the annual full sessions, NPC deputies almost always vote to approve the reports, laws, and candidates put before them, usually by overwhelming margins, leading many observers to describe the NPC as a â€Å"rubber stamp† parliament. NPC delegates do occasionally push back, however. At the March 2012 session of the NPC, for example, a record 20% of deputies withheld their support from the Ministry of Finance’s budget report, reportedly in protest over the Ministry’s longstanding refusal to accept any NPC suggestions for revisions to the budget.47 (Unlike the U.S. Congress, the National People’s Congress does not pass spending bills. Rather, at the annual full session each year, it votes to approve the budget presented by the Minister of Finance.) The NPC also makes revisions to the Premier’s annual report on the work of the government, the State’s most important policy document. Out of the public eye, individual committees and the Standing Committee exercise more meaningful influence. They shape legislation and can exercise a degree of oversight over government entities through â€Å"inspection† visits and committee reports. The power of individual NPC deputies to exercise oversight is largely restricted to the right to submit â€Å"proposals† advocating for reforms or demanding better implementation of laws or regulations, to which officials are required to respond in writing. Because the annual full session of the congress is so brief, much of the NPC’s work is undertaken by its approximately 175-member Standing Committee, which meets about half a dozen times a year.48 Other important NPC bodies include nine specialized committees and a legislative affairs work committee, all of which review and revise draft legislation before sending it to the Standing Committee or the full Congress for action. Like the State Council, the NPC has a Party organization embedded within it. The NPC’s chairman serves on the Politburo Standing Committee and is currently the Party’s number-two ranked official. NPC deputies are not directly elected. The Communist Party draws up lists of nominees, based in part on potential nominees’ perceived loyalty to the Party. Thirty-five electoral units, most of them provincial-level People’s Congresses, then vote upon the Party’s nominees. The process is modestly competitive in that the Party nominates 20% to 50% more candidates than available positions and those with the most votes are elected to serve as NPC deputies. NPC election rules stipulate quotas for the representation of ethnic minority groups, the military, women, and other groups, including the Party itself. Because China rejects any separation of powers, the President, Premier, and other top leaders are all NPC deputies. 49 Deputies serve for five-year terms. The NPC is the uppermost layer of a nation-wide system of People’s Congresses. These congresses are loosely linked together in process and function. Only deputies for the lowest level of People’s Congresses are directly elected. Traditionally, even at the lowest level, candidate lists are controlled by the Party, and elections are uncontested. Since 2011, however, China has seen a wave of independent candidates contesting elections for People’s Congresses in city districts and townships. Most such candidates have faced forms of official harassment, including intrusive surveillance, extra-legal detention, intimidation of their supporters, and election irregularities designed to keep them from appearing on ballots, but some have succeeded in being elected to office. Corruption Corruption in China is widespread and takes many forms, from lavish gifts and expensive meals bestowed on officials by those seeking favors, to bribes explicitly offered in exchange for permits and approvals, to embezzlement of state funds, exemption of friends and relatives from enforcement of laws and regulations, and the appointment of relatives to lucrative jobs in stateowned companies. A 2011 report released by China’s Central Bank estimated that from the mid- 1990s to 2008, corrupt officials who fled overseas took with them $120 billion in stolen funds.28 The CCP uses its Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) to police its own ranks for corruption, an arrangement fraught with conflicts of interest. As noted above, the Party metes out its own punishments for wrongdoing by its members, and has sole discretion about whether to hand members over to the state judiciary for investigation and possible prosecution. (See â€Å"Weak Rule of Law and Ineffective Policy Implementation and Enforcement.†) Critics charge that CDIC investigations are frequently politically motivated, even if they uncover real wrongdoing. Officials who keep on the right side of their superiors and colleagues may engage in large-scale corruption, while other officials may be investigated for lesser infractions because they have fallen afoul of powerful officials.

Work Life Balance By Women Employees Social Work Essay

Work Life Balance By Women Employees Social Work Essay Introduction To understand the need of work life balance, one first needs to understand about work life imbalance. With the understanding of the origin, causes and effects of this imbalance, the balancing act becomes easier. Todays corporate world is exceedingly demanding and the work culture varies from one organization to another organization. Today the deadlines are getting tighter and an individuals job is not only to match that deadline but also to give quality output, due to this work pressure it becomes difficult for women to balance work and family life. In every individuals life there are four stakeholders-own personality, job, family and society. It is very important to give equal importance to all the stakeholders. A person who is a workaholic and does not enjoy ones family life cannot be termed a successful person. When a life encounters such imbalance then the peace and harmony of life vanishes and there is an adverse effect on the work life too. To avoid such situation one should always try to avoid this imbalance in life. The transition from work life imbalance to work life balance has obvious benefits to an organization and its employees. Balanced nature of work enables increase in productivity and efficiency of employees. Better teamwork and communication offer a conductive environment, which leads more work commitment and develop organizations strong value system. Review of Literature According to Chiang Hui-Yu, Noriaki Mamiko Takeuchi (2008) In this paper, we explore the relationship between work-life balance policies and three outcomes of interest to employers and employees: the job tenure of women employees, turnover rate of women employees and retention rate of new women graduates. In the cross sectional analysis, we find that firms with work-life balance policies such as the full amount of maternity pay practice and flextime system are positively associated with the job tenure of women employees. We also find that the full amount of maternity pay practice has an effect on retention rate of new women graduates. However, we canft find the relationship between maternity pay practice and job tenure of women employees in fixed effects. Even though our hypothesis just receives partial support, our results still suggest that work-life balance policies such as the full amount of maternity pay and flextime system can produce positive outcomes for both employers and em ployees. This thesis describes the impact of women entering the workforce after 1970 on work/life balance issues. I have argued that women entering the workforce after 1970 held a different perspective from their predecessors: they believed they could develop a career as robust as their male counterparts while sustaining active engagement in personal life. This perspective created a paradigm shift in organizations, which had previously precluded the family as a stakeholder. I have discussed the business environment from the 1960s to 2006 by reviewing several well established business theories. Empirical data has been presented supporting my thesis, interspersed with collateral material in the form of anecdotes, which demonstrate the efforts of this new generation of working women to build a successful work/life balance model. Often, these women were motivated solely by their anger at a dysfunctional system and resistant stakeholders, which compromised their success by seeing the world through a linear lens rather than as a dynamic reality. This thesis was written for women who participated in an experiment in change and, hopefully offers a cathartic evaluation of the inextricable link of work and family. (Denise Horner Mitnick 2007). Work-Life Balance is increasing interest in academic literature, legislation and public sector. It is meaningful daily achievement and enjoyment in life. Organizations have started introducing various schemes to attract, retain employees and productivity. Majority employers support the work -life balance concept. Women have prepared themselves for careers. Since 2005 the MSRTC started appointment of women bus conductor. Women have performs their duties as bus conductor and domestic work. To know the general opinion of the women bus conductor towards their personal and work life is the main objective of this study. Sample size is 20 percent of total women bus conductors. Structured questionnaire is used for survey of women bus conductors. 89 percent of the women bus conductors spouses are employed. 57 percent of women bus conductors accept that, they are able to balance personal and work life. Achieve the balance between paid employment and personal life is important to women bus cond uctor. Work-Life Balance is a joint responsibility of employers and employees. Women bus conductor should plans, prioritize and schedule as efficiently as possible. Employers can facilitate work life balance with many schemes that can attract employees and satisfy their needs. (PROF. B. S. KADAM 2012). Research Methodology Objectives of the study: Identifying how women can balance both the work life and personal life. Identifying the reasons behind the women employees opt-out phenomenon? Data collection The primary data is gathered by administering a questionnaire to the employees of IT and ITES companies in the Bangalore city of Karnataka. The questionnaire contains 50 questions in all, encompassing vital dimensions related to the study area. The secondary data is gathered from different Journals, books, articles, websites, internet. Sampling The sample chosen for this study is the women employees of IT and ITES Companies, located in Bangalore city of Karnataka. The sampling method adopted for this study is Non-Probability sampling method in which Convenience sampling method is used. Totally 65 Questionnaires were distributed to the employees. Out of which only 60 were the completely filled in questionnaires. The sample questionnaire was electronically mailed, sending a detailed explanation of the purpose of the study. Respondent professionals, on being convinced that the purpose of the survey was purely academic in nature, were given the option of mailing the filled in questionnaires. Windows tools such as MS word and MS Excel were used for data analysis and interpretation. Results: Demographics Organization Type IT 65% ITES 35% Shift Day 65% Night 35% No.of Children 0 15% 1 25% 2 50% 3 10% Working days 5 85% 6 15% This survey includes 65% of IT employees 35% of ITES employees. The same percentage of employees work in day and night shifts. 50% of the employees have two children, whereas 25% has only one child, 15% of the employees have no children yet and only 10% of the employees have three children. When we observe more number of software employees prefer to have only two children. 85% of the employees are working 5 days a week, whereas only few employees said they have to work 6 days a week. In most of the cases it should be only 5 days a week. Organizational policies: Agree Disagree Flexi timing Work from home Time off for family emergencies and events Reduced work hours Time off facility during school holidays Compresses week hours Have a baby care center Job sharing Maternity leave availability 75 65 70 65 10 10 25 60 100 25 35 30 35 90 80 75 40 0 Maximum numbers of employees are accepting that the organizations are offering them the Flexi timing, only few employees said they dont have that facility. Nearly 35% of the employees felt they are not given an option to work from home in their organization. Only 65% of the employees said they have such facility. The study shows that most of the ITES employees do not have this option. Nearly 70% of the employees agree that they have time off for family emergencies and events. Only 30% of the employees expressed their dissatisfaction. Most of the respondents do not have time off facility during school holidays. Employees have shown their dissatisfaction even for the factors like compressed week hours and having a baby care center in the premises of the organization. Most of the organizations are not providing these facilities. Employees expressed their satisfaction that job sharing facility is provided in the organization and 100% of the employees agreed that they are provided with the maternity leave. They can avail it and have no problems regarding the maternity leave. Support from the spouse Agree Disagree He understands me We share household things We share the responsibility of children He never leaves all the things on me 70 85 85 75 30 15 15 25 Support of the spouse is crucial for any family. Women can reach greater heights in career if the spouse supports her. The present study shows that 70% of the employees are getting their spouse support, while the remaining 30% of the employees have disagreed. 85% of the employees agreed that they share all the household things. If you observe sharing the responsibility of the children, it is quite ok that both are sharing it and it has been accepted by the maximum number of respondents. Few employees expressed their disagreement regarding their problems with their spouse. Support from others Yes No My in-laws will help me in taking care of my children My parents will help me n taking care of my children I leave my children in a day care center I take the help of a maid to take care of my children 25 20 30 30 75 80 70 70 To look after their children women employees are depending on their-in-laws and parents. Nearly 25% of the employees said that they take the help of their in-laws to look after their children. 20% of the employees are depending on their parents and the employees who do not have this facility are leaving their children with the day care center and 30% of the employees are leaving their children in the house by appointing a maid. These days most of the employees are depending either on the day care centers or on the maids to look after their children, as most of the families are nuclear families and t is difficult to have elders in the family. Support from the office staff (Superior and peer group) Agree Disagree My superior is very supportive I never had any problem with my colleagues My team members are very supportive I never come across any negative attitude from my manager My superior and colleagues supports me in the time of emergencies My superior never asks me to work overtime I never had any stress because of work 65 65 70 70 85 65 35 35 35 30 30 15 35 65 In the organization when the superior is not good, employees can never be satisfied. When a little bit of support is extended by the superior and colleagues women employees can happily balance both work and life. For the questions the response rate is almost 65% for the factors like support from superior, colleagues and team members. 70% of the employees are agreeing that they never have come across any negative behavior of the manager. Nearly 85% of the respondents said that they have the support of their superior and colleagues in the time of emergencies. In spite of all these support, few respondents said that their superior will ask them to work overtime sometimes. Most of the respondents said that they had stress because of work. Fulfilling Family and Work Responsibility Agree Disagree I never neglected my family because of work I am able to maintain both work and family happily I thought of leaving my job to maintain my family responsibilities I always achieve my targets I never missed my deadlines in completing my work I never mind resigning my job when my family demands it 60 60 10 85 70 45 40 40 90 15 30 55 60% of the respondents agreed that they never neglected their family because of work and they can handle both the work and family happily. Surprisingly only 10% of the respondents agreed that they thought of leaving their jobs to maintain their family. 85% of the respondents are able to achieve the targets. Nearly 70% of the respondents said that they never missed their deadlines and the remaining 30% of the employees are missing the deadlines and are facing the difficult in maintain both work and family. For the statement resigning for the job when family demands, the response rate nearly half. 45% of the respondents agreed they thought of resigning their jobs for the sake of family. Other issues Agree Disagree I had a problem with traveling I feel career break is necessary to handle children/elders My children had no complaints about me 55 60 65 45 40 35 Half of the respondents agreed that travelling is the major problem they are facing. And they even agreed that career break is necessary to women to handle children and elders. Nearly 65% of the employees said that their children are happy with them, and have no complaints towards the parents. Findings Most of the organizations are providing the flexi timing, work from home and time offs for emergencies and job sharing. The organizations are also providing them with reduced work hours if necessary. As the time has changed even the role of men in India is also changing. Previously the house hold and childrens responsibility is completely in the hands of women. But with the changing trends even it has changed. If we look at the percentages, they show that the men are helping women in household things and also in taking care of their children. If any employees have got support from the superior and her colleagues, then they are the luckiest. It seems now a days employees understand each other problems. So they are cooperative with each other, because it is not just the womens problem; even men have the same situations in their families. Most of the respondents were satisfied with their work-life balance and about 70%felt that Indian organizations have flexible policies for employees that allow them to maintain work- life balance. This is because of the necessity present day situations demand from every employee. As more women are added to the labor force, their share is about 48% and the mens share is about 52%. Because of this the competition between men and women is increasing and the women are tending to work equally with men. Because of this, many women are mostly full time services and are working 8 hours per day and 5 days in a week minimum and are confronted by increasing workload every day. So, most of them carry work and responsibilities to home. A majority of the respondents opined that women should resume their careers with short breaks after the maternity leaves, as everyone knows that to have comfortable lifestyle both the spouses must work. Suggestions It is clear from this that it is difficult to maintain family and work simultaneously, but the necessity demands. As the strength of women employees s increasing and as they are working on par with the men employees considering even their needs and providing them is the main responsibility of the organizations. If there is no proper work life balance, it may have negative impact on work and life satisfaction, on the well-being, mental health, and physical health and on individual performance in organizations. It is even proved by many research studies conducted by various researchers that even though many companies are offering work-life programs to their employees, they are not utilized properly by the employees. The low utilization of work-life balance programs will end up with less job security, and hinders the future career prospects of the employees. But balancing between these two complex situations in the present day fast life requires talent, tact, skill and caution. Almost 50-55% of the women are struggling to achieve work life balance. Women have to cope up with high work targets, office commitments, tight meeting schedules and the duties and responsibilities of life at home. The best thing women have to do is de-stressing herself. Sure, its easier said than done. A degree of stress enables creative people scale new heights. But one must manage stress so it can enrich and motivate, not to result in high blood pressure. If women have balanced stress levels she can easily manage both work and life. Planning the weekends properly will reduce so many tensions. So, plan it with family, friends, or else make fun in house with children. This will reduce the feeling of not taking care of the family, and even children will not have any complaints. It is known from many research works that even though flexi timing option is available most of the employees never use it. If the flexi timing option is available women should use them appropriately. Conclusion For working women, getting caught in the work and life balance trap will continue to be an ongoing challenge. Careful planning and personal effort is the advice from those who have found balance in both career and home life. As one respondent summarized, Plan, prioritize and schedule as efficiently as possibleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and dont be afraid of hard work! work-life balance is a persons control over the conditions in their workplace. It is accomplished when an individual feels dually satisfied about their personal life and their paid occupation. It mutually benefits the individual, business and society when a persons personal life is balanced with his or her own hob. The work-life balance strategy offers a variety of means to reduce stress levels and increase job satisfaction in the employee while enhancing business benefits for the employer. In our increasingly hectic world, the work-life strategy seeks to find a balance between work and play. A sentence that brings the idea of wo rk life balance to the point is: work to live. Dont live to work.

The Stepford Wives Film Analysis

The Stepford Wives Film Analysis With the birth of Second Wave feminism in the 1960s women started to ask the questions of what their roles in life are. A generation of future housewives wondered that if they continued to keep doing the chores and giving their undivided attention to their husbands they would not be living a life they really wanted. The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975) addresses these concerns with a terrified and gloomy look at the perfect woman. The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975) portrays the feminine condition in a bourgeois, patriarchal society (Boruzkowski, 1987). In the film, liberated females who are equal to, if not more powerful than their husbands and hold on to their own sexuality are murdered and changed with supposedly superior copies who supposedly embody perfection. These robotic copies have the best figure, do chores, they are extremely maternal, and are willing to satisfy their husband sexually whenever he wants it. With women being forced into becoming domestic housewives being dominate d by men sexually, this essay will textually analyse the final ten minutes of the film in relation to these issues.   Sexuality and mans desires play an important part in the final ten minutes of The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975). The scene starts with the character of Joanna searching for her children in the Mens Association building. After having a conversation with the robotic wife creator Diz, in which he tries to persuade her that conforming to a male oppression is the right thing to do and she should embrace the male dominated is society, she then flees from him. The darkness does not allow the audience to clearly see her actions, but a room with a life-sized female replica is seen briefly. Finally she opens a door and is greeted by an exact replica of her bedroom, including Fred the dog she thought was dead. The existence of him can be read as a metaphor to what the men of Stepford want their wives to be like, mans best friend; to be well-trained, faithful, passive, and subservient, to want for nothing, and to always be there. The camera slowly pans to Joannas robotic double brushing her hair in a three-way mirror. As she turns we see that her eyes are completely black. This reiterates that this double is not a real person; she has no life in her eyes. When Joanna meets her replacement, we see her sitting at her dresser. As the robotic Joanna stands, we notice through her see-through clothes that she isnt an accurate representation of Joanna, but a new-fangled superior version. The double has clear skin, perfectly wavy hair, a fake smile and black robotic eyes. Joannas shock is revealed and soon the audience sees why; the camera reveals a shot the robot has perfect and significantly larger breasts, a narrower waist and fuller hips. The camera then pans back up to the human Joanna. Joanna stares in horror as the robot stands up with a pair of tights stretched tightly in her hands. The camera shows a close-up of a very satisfied Diz, distractingly petting Fred and watching the scene with genuine voyeuristic pleasure. The scene ends with a close-up of the tights stretched tightly between the robots hands and the see-through lingerie that reveals the perfect abdomen.  This scene clearly demonstrates to the audience that the robo tic females are not for any scientific method or anything other than to be used for the pleasure of men only. When Joanna is talking to Diz he explains this viewpoint; if the roles were reversed, wouldnt you like some perfect stud waiting on you around the house praising you, servicing you, whispering how your sagging flesh was beautiful no matter how you looked (Forbes, 1975). Desire is a main focal point for the scene between the real Joanna and the robotic Joanna created by Diz. Dizs creation falls into what MacKinnon would say is typical gender division and inequality. Male power takes the social form of what men as a gender want sexually, which centers on power itself, as socially defined woman is defined by what male desire requires for arousal and satisfaction (MacKinnon, 1991, p. 131). Diz creates what he believes to be the perfect woman, to meet his sexual desires and has marketed his product to all the men in Stepford. They believe the women have become too successful, powerful and independent , while the robots are the completely opposite to this, lacking ambition and are repressed and submissive . The fantasy that Diz creates is not meant to be woman but instead sexuality. When the robot is shown the focus is not on her mind or anything immediately beautiful, like the eyes or the smile, instead the focus is on her breasts and her stomach and her female body as a sexualized form. The object of desire is the artificial beauty man created. Artificial beauty is a theme that is recurrent throughout The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975), focusing on dolls or other subjects that relate to childhood innocence. The robotic domestic Joannas blatant sexuality reveals her submission to male desire. The camera emphasises the object of desire multiple times, lingering on the breasts, abdomen and full body. In the scene between the two Joannas, the liberated female must die in order for the domesticated female to exist. With womens liberation becoming more culturally excepted, the number of women who chose to stay at home was decreasing. Women were beginning to become less submissive to men. In the film this process had to be reversed so that in order for mans perfect creation to exist, the threat of womens liberation must die.   The final image in The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975) shows the robotic wives in their best dresses doing their shopping and talking to each other. The dress that the robotic women are wearing hides the sexuality she possesses. The women to be under complete control of the men need to be both sexual and in need of a man to be there. The robotic females have been programmed to please their husbands physically; they are vain and self-absorbed because of this. The robotic wife has become an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ isolated, glamorous, on display, sexualized property (Mulvey, 1975, p. 9). She is weak, hopeless, and unable to protect herself. However as she has been reprogrammed it could be argued she no longer has a self to protect. The ideal housewife is an ardent consumer who buys endlessly new things for the home, and gains satisfaction from doing so (Frieden, 1963, p. 206). In The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975), women shop systematically and neatly, discuss and consume products with devouring interest and gratification. The robotic wives are almost at one with the supermarket, the woman are merchandise available for any man, just like the products available for purchase on the shelves in the aisles and in there trolleys. In this clip from The Stepford Wives (Forbes, 1975) we see men forcing their dominance by creating new and improved versions of their wives in the shell of a robot. The robot serves as mans ultimate fantasy, a beautiful and subservient wife with the perfect figure and a sex drive constantly set to on. The fantasy doll created in Joannas image kills her competitor in an act of sexuality. The ending to the film is very negative. Women have lost both the battle of the sexes and a battle for their lives. What were once very educated women are now obedient consumerist automatons (Inness, 2003, p. 38) who all think the same, and are nothing but sexual objects for their husbands.

Should We Pay Farmers Not to Grow Crops? Essay -- Argumentative Agricu

Should We Pay Farmers Not to Grow Crops? The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was established under the Conservation Title of the 1985 Food Security Act and is still in place today. This program which intended to assist with possible environmental problems is one that is beneficial to the farmers and our country's environment and therefore should stay in effect. However, it should be examined how this program is being conducted to ensure that the original objectives are being met today and with maximum efficiency. When the CRP was established in 1985 as a voluntary acreage retirement program, there were seven stated objectives that were introduced as well. 'The stated objectives of the CRP are to (a) reduce water and wind erosion, (b) protect our long-term capability to produce food and fiber, (c) reduce sedimentation, (d) improve water quality, (e) create better habitat for fish and wildlife through improved food and cover, (f) curb production of surplus commodities, and (g) provide needed income support for farmers' (Boggess and Reichelderfer 111). The program also was subject to the constraints of having a minimum of 5 million acres enrolled by 1986 and at least 10 million acres by 1989. It was also specified that no more than 25% of any one specific county's cropland can be enrolled in the program at the same time. (Boggess and Reichelderfer 111). In order to be qualified for the program owners and operators who currently farm 'highly erodible' land may apply for program funding. According to Dana Hoag and Herb Holloway, highly erodible land is defined as 'having an erodibility index greater than or equal to 8' (185). The main benefits of this program include the extra income for the farmers and the positive env... ... and Katherine Reichelderfer. ?Government Decision Making and Program Performance: The Case of the Conservation Reserve Program.? American Journal of Agricultural Economics. February 1988. 111-121. Buchholtz, Shawn, and Michael J. Roberts. ?Slippage in the Conservation Reserve Program or Spurious Correlation? A Comment.? American Journal of Agricultural Economics. February 2005. 244-250. Hoag, Dana L., and Herb A. Holloway. ?Farm Production Decisions Under Cross and Conservation Compliance.? American Journal of Agricultural Economics. February 1991. 184-193. Smith, Rodney B.W. ?The Conservation Reserve Program as a Least-Cost Land Retirement Mechanism.? American Journal of Agricultural Economics. April 2005. 52-67. Wu, Jun Jie. ?Slippage Effects of the Conservation Reserve Program.? American Journal of Agricultural Economics. November 2000. 979-992.

Fences by August Wilson Essay -- August Wilson, Fences

In the play Fences, which was written by August Wilson, Bono, Gabe, and Alberta are all very important people in Troy’s life. Bono is Troy’s best friend, and through him the reader learns that Troy is a very strong character. Through Gabe, people can see some of the guilt Troy has inside. Alberta helped Troy escape from his problems, and have a few laughs every once in awhile. Each one of these characters tells the reader something different about Troy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout the years, Bono has always been there for Troy. They have been friends for about eighteen years. Bono never hesitated to tell Troy anything, especially his opinion on Alberta. â€Å"I know what Rose means to you, Troy I’m just trying to say I don’t want to see you mess up.† (p.63) Bono’s words show the reader how much he cares about Troy. Bono was always straightforward with Troy. He even said, â€Å"That’s right. I know you. I know you got some Uncle Ramus in your blood. You got more stories than the devil got sinners.† (p.13) Much of Troy is shown in Bono because he has been with him through the good times and the bad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another character who has helped reveal complexities about Troy is Gabe, Troy’s brother. Gabe has a metal plate in his head; caused by his time in War World II. The government in return gave Gabe monthly checks. The only way Troy was able to pay for his house was through the governments’ money. â€Å"That’s the only way I got a roof over my head†¦Caus...