Forensic

Although we will be focusing on the forensic sciences that typically take place in a crime laboratory, there are other types of forensic sciences that are specialized and focused on a particular area. In this section, we will briefly take a look at some of these specialty areas. Forensic Pathology/Biology Pathology is a science that deals with disease. Pathologists make use of autopsies to study the tissues and other parts of the human body for diseases. An autopsy is a dissection and examination of the body, often to determine why the person died. Pathologists may study samples like blood, tissue, and urine to identify and learn more about diseases in the body. Forensic pathology is the extension of this specialty to the criminal justice system. Forensic pathology studies sudden, unexplained, and violent deaths by using autopsies to determine the cause of death in an individual. The scientists in this field may work as medical examiners or coroners. One of the tasks that a forensic pathologist might have is to determine the time of death for a body. The medical examiner or coroner may participate in the criminal investigation by evaluating the stage of decomposition in the body. Following a person's death, the muscles of the body relax and then become rigid. Rigor Mortis, as this rigidity is known, occurs within 24 hours after death and goes away after about 36 hours. Liver Mortis also happens soon after death. This condition in the body happens as the blood stops pumping through the body and settles in the parts of the body lowest to the ground. This condition occurs within the first 12 hours after death. Another condition that can help determine the time of death is algor mortis, which is the gradual cooling of the body after death. Forensic pathologists have to consider factors like where the body is, the air temperature, and the size of the body to determine the time of death from its temperature. Forensic Anthropology Forensic anthropology specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains. Forensic anthropologists may also be called on to help identify the victims of disasters like fires, explosions, and plane crashes, where bodies may be burned or mutilated in some way. Forensic anthropologists help determine whether bones and skeletal remains are from a long ago burial that has been unearthed or whether they are from a more recent death, that may require investigation. Many have at least some training in archaeological methods. They also examine the bones to see if they can determine what the cause of death was. They use the bones to help determine the sex, race, and age at the time of death for the individual and in some cases, where the individual was from. Some forensic anthropologists may help with facial reconstructions, which can help identify who the person is that the bones belonged to. Forensic Psychiatry Forensic psychiatry focuses on the relationship between human behavior and criminal justice. During the course of a court case, issues of competence (whether someone is competent to stand trial or be executed) and mental illness can play a role. Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists offer insight to investigators, attorneys, judges, and juries about a suspect's mental state and their understanding of the crime committed. These scientists look at the past, present, and future of individuals. For example, they may examine whether the suspect was mentally sane at the time the crime was committed. They may also examine whether an individual is competent during a trial, such as being able to cooperate with their defense. Finally, some forensic psychiatrists examine the likelihood that an offender will repeat their crime for the purposes of probation hearings. In addition, some forensic psychiatrists may create behavioral profiles in order to help law enforcement officials identify and apprehend suspects. Forensic Entomology Forensic entomology uses the study of insects to help criminal investigations. This area is often involved with helping to determine the time of death when the situation where the death occurred is unknown. When decomposition begins, blowflies infest a body, laying eggs that eventually hatch into fly larvae (maggots). The larvae help to consume the body's organs and tissues if left alone. By studying the stage of larvae development and what type of flies and insects are present, scientists can give insight into when the death occurred. Forensic Odontology Forensic odontology provides insight into the identification of individuals through their teeth. In some cases, investigators may only have the skeletal remains, including teeth, of a body. Forensic odontologists look at teeth, their alignment, and other information to help determine who the person was. They can sometimes match the dental remains to dental records of a suspected victim. Forensic odontologists may also provide insight in cases that involve bite marks, analyzing the bite to see whether it matches that of a suspect's. As you can see, there are many different areas that forensic scientists specialize in. Each of these specialties helps the criminal justice system identify crime and the suspects that have committed the crime. This module has introduced you briefly to the world of forensic science. Forensic scientists use science within the criminal justice system. They collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes, give expert testimony, and train others about collecting evidence.

Families in 1700’s to Mid 1800’s

Origins of a family have meaning and history. By keeping track of family relations also known as a family tree it can allow us to keep records of the past. The Edwards family tree shows great record from the early 1700's to the mid 1800's. This family tree demonstrates when a person was baptized; when they got married; and when they passed away. The Edwards family chart show the different relations of marriages and fertility rate from today's society. From the chart we can determine that the Edwards family show a different demography compared to todays society.This is because life expectancy was shorter; families were larger; and finally marriages were happening at a young age. According to the Edwards family tree life expectancy was not high. Many of the family members barely lived up to sixty, which was very common in the 1700's. The family tree shows many children dying at a young age; some barely reaching adolescent age. Since child death was very high it showed that health care was very poor; which lead people to have more children. In today's society life expectancy has expanded enormously.Many young children live for a longer time because of better health care. Having a sibling die before they could reach their twenty would be very unlikely because of the amazing health care we have and our environment has improved since the 1800's. The average size of a family during the 1700's would be 7. 5, which is completely larger than the family size in todays culture. Looking at the family tree many couples had a large set of family. Some of the families had more than six children, which is over our regular family size. Since families were big some of the children carried on names of their parents.For example Thomas Edward who was married to Sarah Potman named their first child Thomas. Even after Sarah Potman death he remarried Mary and also named their first child Thomas. That was because names were meant to be carried on and remembered. If we compare that to to day's family, families would be much smaller and usually wouldn't have the dame name as their father. Looking at the chart it is hard to tell when some of the women were born because it was not recorded. However looking at the Edwards family tree many of the women got married in their 20's.Some of these women were pregnant while getting married. On the another hand the men got married in their mid to late twenties which is a lot older compare to the women. For example Thomas Edward son of Thomas and Sarah Potman got married to Sarah White at the age of thirty-four. As we can see there is a big age difference between the male and females. From the Edwards family tree most of the women had children right away. Some were even pregnant at marriage, for example Richard Edward who married Mary Deets in 1730 and at the same year had their first child Sarah Ewards.This shows some couples were involved with each other before marriage, however on the family tree some couples waited a year or two to have children. For example John Edward who married Elizabeth Ward in 1739 their first kid John Edwards was born 1742, that is three years after they got married. From the family tree it seemed uncommon for a married couple to wait a year or two years later to have children; which is really different compare to today because many marry couples wait at least three years to have children.Since Many families did have plenty of children and gave birth right after marriage it seemed that child birth was not planned. Looking at the chart many married couples had children one after another. Shows that there was no limitation on having children, which was very common during the 1700's. Looking at today's society there are limitation on having children because of economic reasons; it is more expensive to raise children.In conclusion the Edwards family tree from the parish registers of Terling, Essex have a different view of life compared to today's society. The diagram has a complete d ifferent overview from today's society. The Edwards family tree has a different outlook from todays culture because of the life expectancy, families were larger, and finally marriages were involved at a younger age. Altogether the Edwards family tree is proven to be a lot different then what we expect today. Comparing modern families from our own show great differences.

John Calvin and the Protestant Reformation Essay

This paper is devoted to the period of Protestant Reformation in France and the key figure of this process- John Calvin. John Calvin was a Protestant theologian and the developer of the famous Calvinism theology as a system of Christian church. He is well known for his written works and his teachings, but not many know about his role played in Michael Servetus’s execution. These and some other issues will be discussed in this research. John Calvin was born under the name of Jean Chauvin in Picardie, in France. His father sent him to Paris in 1523 to get ready for the priesthood. There Calvin studied in College de la Marche and then in College de Montaigu till 1528. As he was doing quite well in ecclesiastics, he gained the chaplaincy and the curacy of Saint Martin de Martheville from his native city (Tracy, 1999). In 1529 Calvin resigned chaplaincy for the benefit of his younger brother, but however two years later he resumed and was holding it till 1534 (Gordon, 2002). Calvin proved to be a good student, but his father, who by the year 1528 had problems in relations with the ecclesiastic authorities in Noyon, took a decision, that his son should study law instead. John didn’t argue and went to Orleans, to study law at the university there. In a year he moved to another university and took classes of Andrea Alciati. During his studies at both universities Calvin was very much under the impact of Melchior Wolmar, who was a leader of humanist ranks and was a supporter of Reformation ideas. When in 1531 the father of Calvin died, he had to come back to Paris and take up study of Hebrew. In 1532 John spent another year in Orleans as a student of law again. In spring of the same year he paid his own money for publishing the text of Seneca’s De Clementia, adding his commentary. This was a confirmation of his humanistic views in connection with the Roman Church. At the same time the ideas of Reformation were rapidly spread in France, Calvin however was moving step by step to his position, he wrote in his commentary to Psalms that he â€Å"was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of popery to be easily extricated from so profound an abyss of mire. † (Barth, 1995). One of his friends, who also shared the ideas of Reformation, was Nicolas Cop. When he became the rector of Paris University, they decided to use the chance to present their comments concerning the Reformation in front of cultured and intelligent audience. In November 1533 Cop held a speech in the Church of the Mathurins, which they gave the title â€Å"Christian Philosophy†, meaning the Gospel. The relation, he built between Law and Gospel, was closely connected to the ideas of Luther. The final part of the speech was however independent and more concentrated on the one of the features of Calvinism, namely – salvation. The speech had all chances to produce a vivid impression on the audience and to attract supporters, but Cop spoke negatively about the hierologists of Sorbonne and called them â€Å"sophists†. This certainly caused their indignation, they sought for support from the government, and Cop had to escape. Calvin followed him due to their known close relation, but risked to return very soon. He couldn’t get rid of his fears, that his support of Reformation ideas could be followed by imprisonment, like it was the case with some other reformers. He decided to become a wanderer in 1534, all the time changing his name. Two and a half years he was going from place to place, was imprisoned in Noyon, visited Paris, where he met Servetus for the first time. In Orleans he published his Psychopannychia, confutation of the theory about sleeping soul between death and the Last Judgment (Gordon, 2002). In 1535 Calvin visited Strasburg under the name of Basel. There he finished his â€Å"Institutes of the Christian Religion†, about the book he wrote: â€Å"My objects were, first, to vindicate my brethren whose death was precious in the sight of the Lord; and next that, as the same cruelties might very soon after be exercised against many unhappy individuals, foreign nations might be touched with at least some compassion toward them and solicitude about them. † (Barth, 1995). After he had published this work, he worked in Ferrara in the court of Duchess Renee. A year later he met his younger brother Antoine and his half-sister Marie in Paris. He traveled with them to Strasburg, but because of the war, had to go to Geneva, planning to remain only one night there. But Farel Guillaume, one of the like-minded persons, convinced him to stay there. Two years he spent at the side of Farel, but still the city could not stand the significant reforms offered by the Reformers and on Easter Monday in 1538 they both were ordered to leave the city. Calvin traveled to Strasburg, where he became minister to the French refugees in the Church of St. Nicolas (Brady, 1994). Two years later he married Idelette de Bure, widow of Jean Stordeur of Liege, an Anabaptist, whom Calvin managed to turn into pedobabtist. They had a son, who lived only several days. Idelette de Bure died in 1549 and Calvin never married for the second time. Calvin didn’t have the plans to return to Geneva as his financial situation was rather poor at that moment, but very soon he got the opportunity to improve his position. In Strasburg he managed to practice the reform, which he could not launch in Geneva, and his fame started to grow very quickly. He received an offer to come out with a course of cathedral lectures. In 1539 Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto sent a letter to Geneva, asking for it to be returned to Roman obedience and Bern government gave the right to answer to Calvin. There were serious changes in the government of Geneva, and as a result the friends if Calvin won the power in the city. For the second time Calvin followed the arguments of Farel and went to Geneva. He knew perfectly, that there were a lot of his enemies, and that not everybody was ready to support him, but his faith in God was his major support. The government prepared a house for him and a corresponding salary. His work in Geneva started, the city turned into his main, but not the only one, center of activity. Geneva was a place, that gathered a lot of refugees from Holland, Italy, England, Spain, who were ready to listen and to support the ideas of Calvin. Also a number of students visited his lectures. His fame was growing, and more and more people were standing by him. At the age of fifty-five he died because of a disease. For Geneva he left one hundred and seventy dollar, faith, education and reconstructed government. Calvin chose Apostle’s Creed as the basis for his ideas, at the same time closely relating theology and ethics. Calvin’s reformation was practical, with the strongest emphasis on the doctrine of predestination; he tried to teach people of the city to refer to it as a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Opposed to lenient views concerning grace and sin, propagated by the Roman Church, the Augustinian doctrine recovered in his words. Calvin did his best to change the face of Protestantism, as he managed to address openly and directly the matters, which other reformers didn’t know or didn’t want to discuss (Brady, 1994). His main target was the proper organization of the church governance and social organization of the church in the city. He was said to be the first politic leader, who was able to build the social organization based on biblical principles. He brought very significant innovation, namely by incorporating church into the government of the city (Cameron, 1991). In the middle of 1550s the structure of Geneva was changed completely in accordance to Calvin’s ideas. As a result Geneva became the most important center of Protestantism in Europe and attracted the persecuted refugees from other countries. The branch of Calvin’s reforms became the prevalent branch of Protestantism from the seventeenth century. Calvin had the same problems as Luther with Anabaptists. On the 16-17 of March in 1537 he had a public meeting with them, and using his strong argumentation disposed of their ideas, as confirmed by Council of Two Hundred. Along with a great number of supporters Calvin had his opponents as well. Calvin played a very important role in the execution of Michael Servetus – â€Å"the Spanish physician, radical reformer (‘Anabaptist’), and unitarian. † (Gordon, 2002). In 1531 Servetus published his ideas denouncing the Trinity, which was the key doctrine Catholics and Protestants could agree about. Three years later Calvin agreed to meet Servetus in person in Paris, Servetus however didn’t appear. From 1546 till 1548 they exchanged letters, trying to convince each other, but finally Calvin had to stop the correspondence, as it was growing more and more rancorous. In 1553 Servetus was sentenced to death in absentia by Inquisition in Spain for spreading heresy. Calvin provided very important evidences to support the conviction. Servetus escaped from the prison, but was again arrested in Geneva on the initiative of Calvin. This time he was sentenced to burning on a stake, which took place in 1553. Then Servetus was buried together with the copy of his last work – De Trinitatis Erroribus. Servetus was the only one, who was sentenced to death for his religious beliefs during the lifetime of Calvin, and there is finally no agreement about the correctness of Calvin’s actions concerning this issue. Hundreds of years later modern Calvinists do not support the actions of Calvin towards Servetus. Nowadays persecution, and what is more death sentence for religious beliefs and positions, seems to be barbarous. Calvin was certainly not the only reformer. The ideas of Calvin and Farel were really close, but Farel was a missionary, a preacher and not theologian or even less a statesman. Calvin, being French would probably not be able to spread his influence so successfully either in Zurich or in Wittenberg, as Zwingli and Luther did it. Calvin was much younger than Luther and Zwingli and had an advantage of having a good foundation for spreading his ideas. He managed to build a system based on their new ideas. He proved to be better organizer and better thinker, at the same time lacking their genius and activity. His life was not as dramatic as those of Luther or Zwingli; he didn’t possess that genial humor or was able to raise popular enthusiasm. And still he remained the most influential Reformer of the Protestant Church. References: Barth, K. (1995). The Theology of John Calvin, tr. by G. W. Bromiley. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans. Brady, T. (1994). Handbook of European History, 1400–1600: Late Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation. Leiden and New York. Breen, Q. (1968). John Calvin: A Study in French Humanism. Cameron, E. (1991). The European Reformation. Oxford and New York. Gordon, B. (2002). The Swiss Reformation. Manchester, U. K. , and New York. Tracy, J. (1999). Europe’s Reformations, 1450–1650. Lanham, Md.

Summary for the freedom writers movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Summary for the freedom writers movie - Essay Example There are students who are not of ethical or acceptable moral conduct and some even belong to gangs. Initially they are not willing to share information or personal things with her. However, with time Erin figures out ways in which she can engage them. She directs them to write regular journals and in this way they start sharing some information and personal experiences with her. â€Å"As Erin tries harder and harder to have resources provided to teach properly (which often results in her needing to pay for them herself through working second and third jobs), she seems to face greater resistance, especially from her colleagues, such as Margaret Campbell, her section head, who lives by regulations and sees such resources as a waste, and Brian Gelford, who will protect his "priviledged" position of teaching the senior honors classes at all cost. Erin also finds that her teaching job is placing a strain on her marriage to Scott Casey, a man who seems to have lost his own idealistic way in life.†

Knowledge Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Knowledge Management - Essay Example Furthermore, forces inside the industry, which include buyers, suppliers, new entrants, substitutes, and most importantly, rivalry in the industry. Therefore, the report presents knowledge management as solution to most of these problems and a tool to strengthen company’s situation. Discussion Definitions of Knowledge Management Without any doubts, for the past few decades the world has been changing at exponential rates. The ability of human mind of discover the secrets of nature, explore the seas, capture the air, fly into the sky and others have allowed us to live in a world which is a better and comfortable place. However, on the other hand, these technological advancements have really increased the amount of information and knowledge that was available before. In fact, never in the history before, we felt the need to manage the knowledge that we possess. Furthermore, the future that awaits for us where our success would be a direct result of our ability to effectively use , manage, and develop our knowledge. Technological capital and human intellectual capital may not get a place on the balance sheets of the organization but they will be getting much attention in the corporate goals, mission statements, and organizational cultures of the many companies. People understand that the only thing, which has the ability to limit them, is their ability to leverage and use the human mind (Stankosky, pp. 234-235). Despite the fact that there has a lot of research in this field and lots of ink is being devoted to the subject, yet authors and experts have not been able to reach a consensus or one unified definition for this topic. According to Robert S. Seiner, Knowledge Management can be defined as a concept in which an enterprise gathers organizes, shares, and analyzes the knowledge of individuals and groups across the organization in ways that directly affect performance (Frappaolo, pp. 26-28). According to Meredith Levinson, ‘Knowledge Management is th e process through which organizations generate value from their intellectual and knowledge based assets. According to Robert Villegas, Knowledge Management is simply the transfer of knowledge from one person to another, the result of which enables the recipient to benefit from the collected wisdom of the more experienced members of an organization or group’ (Becerra-Fernandez & Sabherwal, pp. 341-348). In other words, Knowledge Management is actually a cyclical system or a multiplier effect, which helps an organization in efficient achievement of its objectives and the same happens because the organization’s habits, planning and its execution is deeply rooted in the tacit and explicit learning of the organization (Stankosky, pp. 234-235). Why implement Knowledge Management? Following are some of the direct and clear benefits that Bobco will benefit from by the implementation of knowledge management in the organisation. First, the company would be in a great position to decrease the operational costs. Quite understandably, the market place of today has turned into a ruthless, aggressive, bloody, and destructive place where survival of the fittest is the order of the day. Even Bobco is operating in a market where the pressures for decreasing costs are increasing everyday. Despite the fact that sales have increased yet the profit margins have been shrinking due to increased pressures to outclass competitors. Attaining

Weekly summary and team discussion week 3 Essay

Weekly summary and team discussion week 3 - Essay Example Even companies that are very successful have product failures. One of my classmates mentioned the case of New Coke. The product failed because customers were threatened by the product since they believe it might replace the classic coke formula. During the week we also talked about the importance of pricing. The price of a product is very important because the price of a product influences the demand of the product. The demand of a product will rise at lower price points. The price of a product cannot be too low because the firm has to cover costs while at the same time earning a descent profit. Companies that utilize branding strategies can charge more for their products and services. An example of a company that uses a branding strategy is Starbucks Cafà ©. One of the articles that the professor posted discussed transactional emails. The author claimed that companies should take advantage of email conversations in order to build a relationship with the customer. Building a relationship with a customer can help increase customer retention. Another article that I read during the week was about trends that can help build customer loyalty. One of those trends is networking. An industry that can benefit a lot from networking is the consulting industry. The toughest challenge during the week was the individual paper. Writing a paper of over 2000 words is never easy. The paper helped me identify different marketing solutions for a company in the airline industry. A concept that I learned from the textbook reading that I believe is very useful for marketers is the product life cycle. The four steps of the product life cycle are introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. The product life cycle can be used to determine the optimum pricing

Crime Victim Processing on Stalking Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crime Victim Processing on Stalking - Assignment Example (If yes adequate details should be given. This will enable the attorney to determine the relationship between the mental condition of the patient and reliability of data (Turvey, 2008). According to the violent crime prevention act of 1994, the provision on community policing requires all citizens to provide adequate information on any particular crime. In accordance with these has any other citizen identified the perpetrator as a stalker? In accordance with the provisions in the violent crimes prevention act of 1994, thorough evaluation and assessment of the details given by the victim is required. This will enable the relevant authorities to determine the seriousness of the purported crime (Turvey, 2008). According to the doctor’s records, does the victim have any addiction to any narcotic drug? Has the victim been to any rehabilitation institution? If yes, how long was the rehabilitation process and when was it undertaken? Does the suspected perpetrator suffer from any psychological disorder? What disorder is it? What impact can such a disorder have on the judgment of the perpetrator? (A psychological disorder refers to any mental disorder affecting the lives of the perpetrator (Davies, Beech, 2012) According to medical records, does the perpetrator’s medical disorder result to any violent behavior? To what extreme can these violent behaviors in the victims reach? Can individuals with this disorder tend towards homicide or suicidal behavior? According to the doctor’s records, does the alleged perpetrator have any addiction to any narcotic drug? Has the perpetrator been to any rehabilitation institution? If yes, how long was the rehabilitation process and when was it undertaken? According to the provisions in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, has the perpetrator benefited from any crime prevention programs in this country.(if yes what were the impacts of the

Do Video games promote violence to children Research Paper - 1

Do Video games promote violence to children - Research Paper Example e in children and teenagers due to the fact that the children and teenagers are impressionable, are being subjected to negative images and concepts while playing these games, and the games condone the type of behavior and actions to the children who are viewing these concepts almost firsthand. â€Å"The greatest consequence of the effects of video games on children is that there has been a noticeable rise in violence committed by children and teenagers that play violent video games (Freedman, 2002, p. 27)†. It has long since been proven that children are very impressionable; the younger that they are, the more knowledge they absorb from the behaviors, actions, and attitudes of others, whether or not these people are real or are seen in movies, books, or video games. The actions and behaviors that children see are often be repeated by the children themselves; for example, children often learn words or phrases from hearing them from their parents so often. The more that the hear it, the more likely they are to mimic it. The concept of impressionability is quite similar to any classroom teaching method in the sense that the teacher displays something that the children repeat until they learn it entirely for themselves to achieve on their own in future practices. Unlike classroom learning, however, impressionability involves the children adapting the behavior or action of their own accord without needing prompting from someone else. They simply see someone else constantly doing a specific action or behaving in a certain way and then repeat the action. In regard to impressionability, it takes time for the action or behavior to be fully adapted by the child. The more that they see these actions taking place, the better they are able to imitate them. Furthermore, they have to constantly repeat these actions on their own to for them to feel fully satisfied in achieving them. While children may not immediately resort to murder or violence, they often imitate these crimes

No topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

No topic - Essay Example The third image describes international anarchy and world politics and highlights the results of the first and second images (Slantchev 1). Where many sovereign nations protect their own interests, pursue their grievances and ambitions with no law dictating their mode of association, the world war 11 was inevitable. The third image stipulates the lack of a central authority or arbitrators in international relations. Many countries go the extent of using power, force, or violence to achieve their ends. Hence, all nations arm themselves because no authority is responsible to avert war. Countries like USSR, and USA only sought to gain and defend their own (Slantchev 1). Hence, with nobody preventing them from using force, the World War II resulted. Indeed, the powerful nations regard the international system of governance as anarchist and thus have no respect for it. This lack of respect led to overstepping of mandates and disrespects of other nations like Japan and Austria hence the war. The third image equally analyzes the balance of power or transitions of power as a source of conflict. Some countries selfishly make balance of power the end of their national policies (Slantchev 1). This objective only results to unresolved conflicts that culminate to war. Additionally, the continued support of ascending nations by their allies as noted in the third image accelerates conflicts. Crave and transition of power has no compromise for peace and hence use of force until the realization of power. These factors as analyzed in the third image of the structural realism theory were the primary causes of the World War II. In conclusion, I find that the third image was fundamental in explaining the structural realism theory and the causes of conflict and World War II. Farugue, Saleha. â€Å"The Three Images: Causes of War in International Relations† Web 20, March 2012.

The Malampaya Offshore Oil and Gas Field Assignment

The Malampaya Offshore Oil and Gas Field - Assignment Example The Philippine Government Department of Energy approved Shell Philippine Exploration (SPEX) to build a 500 kilometre undersea pipeline to transfer gas from the Malampaya-Camago fields to the main island of Luzon. Although the fields are in Chinese claimed waters, China did not object to the development (Pumphrey 237). Shell Philippine Exploration (SPEX) developed the Malampaya fields at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion U.S., â€Å"the largest single investment in the country† (Kreil 36) and the largest infrastructure project (McCallum 40). The Malampaya project is a joint venture of the Philippine government with the private firms Chevron Texaco and the Philippines Oil Company Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC)† (Oxford Business Group 72). Structural interpretation of the 3D seismic data indicated the most prominent structural feature to be a SW-NE oriented fault, forming a crest at the western margin of the carbonate system. This fault was sealed by the Pagasa shales. à ¢â‚¬Å"Minor normal faults affect the Latee Eocene and Early Oligocene deposits in the North-Eastern termination of the carbonate system forming a short and narrow horst structure† (Fournier, Borgomano and Montaggioni 198). ... ubsurface Data Used to Describe the Malampaya Field â€Å"The dataset used in this study consists of a 3-dimensional seismic survey acquired by Shell Philippines (SPEX) in 2002, and well data from 10 wells (MA-1 to MA-10)† (Fournier et al 2005, 192). Core sections are available in wells MA-2, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5, MA-7, and MA-9. The seismic interpretation used prestack time migrated data (PSTM), with zero-phase signal. The seismic polarity is defined as negative amplitude means a downward increase in acoustic impedance, a positive reflection coefficient. The work uses the depositional facies and diagenetic features identified by Fournier et al, 2004 from MA-5 and MA-7, those obtained from thin section analyses on MA-6, MA-8, MA-9, and MA-10, and the re-examination of the rock material studied by Grotsch and Mercadier (1703) from MA-1, MA-2, and MA-3. Carbon and oxygen isotope analyses on whole-rock samples were used to support diagenetic interpretations. Deposition of the Reservo ir Section and Geometry of the Platform The evidence from the investigations by Shell Philippine Exploration (SPEX, 2009) verified the existence of an immense power source. Situated 80 kilometers northwest of Palawan island and located about 3,000 metres below sea level, â€Å"the Malampaya field had recoverable reserves of about 2.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and 85 million barrels of condensate† (Oxford Business Group 72). A thin oil rim of 65 metres is overlain by a thick gas column of up to 650 metres; these are contained in a high relief carbonate reef build-up complex of the Nido Limestone Formation. It was determined that â€Å"28.5 MMscf/ day of gas and 7,500 bbl/day of 30 degrees APL oil† (Department of Energy, 2010) were released every day. The Late Eocene to Early Miocene

Innovation Report on the Microwave Oven Essay Example for Free

Innovation Report on the Microwave Oven Essay The famous American inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, once said: â€Å"Anything that wont sell, I dont want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success. † His perception was precisely accurate even to date, as the success of any product depends on the demand for it in the market’s economy. Inventions have continuously been reconstructed in different ways stretching technology to new lengths, which has changed the way we live today. When comparing the lifestyle of people in today’s world with those in the past, it is easy to recognize the way in which technology has changed us as; we now rely on it to assist in everyday activities. One such technological device, which is currently relied upon by many is the microwave oven. It is common to have microwave ovens in many different kitchen atmospheres; such as restaurants, offices and homes. At present, it is safe to say most families, over 95% of American households, own a microwave oven. Many of which commented that this device is difficult or impossible to do without it (Remich, 2007). According to a report by Lukovitz (2009), the economic crisis had an impact upon many Americans, which led them to change the way, they ate. This change led to many people eating at home but not necessarily cooking their own food. As the microwave oven gained popularity among households, the objective of this essay is to examine the origins of the microwave ovens in addition to the impact it has on the consumers. During World War II there were numerous radar related research projects being undertaken. These investigations were carried about using magnetrons, a vacuum tube which can produce microwave radiation (Gallawa, 2009). The invention of the microwave oven was therefore classified as a by-product of another technology since this was the method in which it was created. Dr. Percy LeBaron Spencer, a famous engineer with the Raytheon Corporation, was the first creator of the microwave oven in 1946 (Gallawa, 2009). While testing the vacuum tubing, Spencer realized the chocolate bar in his pocket melted and as such, he went on to experiment with popcorn, which popped, and finally with an egg, that exploded. A design was then fashioned to contain all the heat so as to cook food. This invention was to revolutionize the world of cooking from that day forward. Upon the early years of the product, microwave ovens were usually over five feet tall, weighed over 750 pounds and was priced at approximately $5000 each (Gallawa, 2009). A picture of such microwave ovens can be seen in figure one of the appendix. These microwave ovens needed plumbing upon assemble as the magnetron tube had to be water-cooled. During those years, the oven was not very popular; however, Raytheon Corporations thought differently and carried on to invest into the product. As the years went by, the improvements made the microwave oven more reliable and lightweight. Developments of new air-cooled magnetron were also undertaken eliminating the need for a plumber (Gallawa, 2009). As the microwave oven became recognized throughout the food industry, for less wastage and cutting costs, there were also new applications for their usage. Some industries used the microwave oven for drying potato chips, roasting coffee beans and other drying applications (Gallawa, 2009). The microwave oven was therefore becoming popular among many as the usage of it became endless. As with all great technologies, there is always room for improvement within the market and this is what was happening to the microwave oven. Thus enter the era of compact microwave ovens. Two years after Raytheon Manufacturing Company acquired Amana Refrigeration, they introduced the line of compact microwave ovens. Introduced in 1967 these compact microwave ovens, called the Radarange, were a countertop model priced at $495 (SMECC, 2007). An image of these compact microwave ovens can be seen in figure two of the appendix. This microwave oven also had similar effects upon the market as it was not popular and the company was not getting the sales it deserves as yet. According to Gallawa (2009), the first time the microwave oven sales exceeded those of gas ranges is in 1975. From this point onwards it was expected that sales of the microwave ovens would continue to increase especially in the next year. At present, microwave ovens come in many different styles and sizes adapting to the needs of the consumer. For instance some persons may prefer a convection microwave oven with a feature, which saves energy while others may choose a built in microwave oven to compliment their kitchen decor. Upon the invention of any product, there have been changes and modifications for improve its reliability in addition to adapting to the needs of the consumers. When emphasizing the change and innovation upon inventions created, Joseph Schumpeter (1934) made the following thesis; ‘They have employed existing means of production differently, more appropriately, more adventurously. They have â€Å"carried out new combinations†. They are entrepreneurs’ (Lumsdaine and Binks 2007). This interpretation attempts to explain the definition of an entrepreneur and analyzes them to be anyone who can make change upon an invention. Dr. Percy LeBaron Spencer can therefore be classed as an entrepreneur along the definitions of Joseph Schumpeter. He continued by explaining these changes can be categorized into two groups; discrete and gradual changes. The innovation of the microwave oven is a discrete change as there was no previous invention like this before its introduction to be compared to in the market. All associated risks involved with this type of change were experienced in the introduction of the microwave oven. As mentioned earlier, when the first microwave ovens were introduced, they were not popular and as such sales were not appealing (Gallawa 2009). The shareholders took a risk and continued the investments into the product. These risks were high and if there the innovation of the microwave oven was to be a failure this could have incurred large losses within the company. There was also a risk involved whether consumers would change their perspective about the use of microwave ovens within their homes. According to Gallawa (2009), there were many fears and myths about the use of microwave ovens as consumers thought they could make one blind or a person may die from the radiation poisoning. These fears and myths were the sole cause of the unfavorable reaction to the microwave oven in the earlier years. As these myths were tested to be false and fears were being overcome, consumes started to see the benefits of using the microwave oven. Reusch (2008) lists some of these advantages such as saving time in preparing meals, conservation of nutrition values in foods compared to using the stovetop, and it is easy to be cleaned. Thus, consumers began to purchase the microwave oven as a necessary kitchen appliance in the home. Even thought the stovetop is still the most popular cooking device among Americans, its usage has dropped from 53% in 1985 to 33% in 2009 (Lukovitz, 2009). Having gained a large consumer base over the years, the usage of the microwave oven has had a continuous increasing rate. Many companies have recognized the growing use of the microwave oven and as such they have prepared foods that are fully prepared by them. These foods range from pre-cooked entrees to organic and natural foods. Some foods may be packaged in a single serving meal pack that is easy to transport and prepare. Most of them also have a high nutritional value that can appeal to many persons whom are concerned about their health whilst eating good tasting and smelling foods. The use of microwave ovens has come a long way throughout its history. Starting off with an unfavorable initial reaction, the microwave oven has gained its reputation and is now a common way of preparing food. This was mainly due to its time saving feature in which it can cook foods as many people are working longer hours. The reputation gained from the microwave oven has also made it difficult for persons to go back to the original way of cooking and preparing foods. Many people of today’s age would prefer to use the microwave oven over any other cooking appliance. This is one kitchen appliance, which is considered a necessity to many people around the world. In conclusion, the innovation of the microwave oven was a successful invention that changed the way in which we prepared food.

Daignosis of Pi in Life of Pi Essay Example for Free

Daignosis of Pi in Life of Pi Essay Piscine Molitor Patel, after floating on the ocean for 227 days, was discovered exhausted and pale. There is no abnormalities in vital signs discovered, which indicates that with proper cares and rest, his body will function well. In spite of his physical health, his mental health should be particularly examined in detail. Without precedent case, more details and aspects should be included to consider, when evaluating if Pi is suitable to integrate to society again. Furthermore, since the incredible survival is told by Pi in first person point of view, we have reason to take a skeptical attitude on the truth of the story. It is best to present both pros and cons before jumping into the judgment. Regarding the opinion of pi developing an even stronger personality, evidences are obvious. The survival fully proves that Pi kept wisdom and logic under such terrible condition. Being with the fiercest animals and floating on the ocean for 227 days, most people can not suffer the mental pressure, and collapse even before they get to land. People are defeated by loneliness, desperation and mental disorder caused by physical illness. Pi is not one of them. Base on the fact that he not only survived but also is able to tell and remember the whole experience, it is unquestionable that Pi went through the hardship with an active and positive attitude. He himself even claimed that â€Å"with time and experience, I became a better hunter. I grew bolder and more agile. I developed an instinct, a feel, for what to do. (Chapter66)† In addition, Pi thought about helping others in the future, while his own destiny was still a mystery. In Chapter 71, he provided nine advices for those who should ever be in the same circumstance as he did. It suggests that Pi was sober enough to even consider contributing back to the society in the future. Although Pi underwent miseries and adversity, he overcame all the challenges and developed a stronger personality to face the life in modern society. Nevertheless, more worries and suspicions are discovered. Pi will face the grief of losing the whole family, which he ignored due to the desire for survival. Meanwhile, he also has to envisage the fact that being a vegetarian; he committed the unpardonable crime, killing animals. Moreover, aking into the consideration of mental disorder; some parts of the dictation would be doubted as psychological disorder, such as delusional disorder. To begin with, when he saw the death of zebra, it reminds him again of his family’s death. He was over whelmed when he mourned his family, as he said â€Å"It is like losing—I’m sorry, I would rather not go on. I lay down on the tarpaulin and spent the whole night weeping and grieving, my face hurried in my arms. (Chpater46)† Losing family is hard and cruel to accept. When he was on the boat, life was on the top of the list. However when he came back to modern society, without accompany, the horrible memory would torture him to death. To make the situation even worse, Pi still held hope that his family somehow is alive when he saw the ship. Hope collapses when he discovers the truth. Not only he has to face the fact that everyone he loved and loved him dead, but also, he as a vegetarian inevitably has to confess his guilty of killing animals. No matter whether he keeps being a vegetarian or not, Pi suffers from repentance and ambivalence. After getting used to kill, he repented by saying â€Å"To think that when I was a child I always shuddered when I snapped open a banana because it sounded to me like the breaking of an animal’s neck. I descended to a level of savagery. † When Pi returns to modern society, how should he persist what he used to believe? Above all, according to the dictation of Pi, he suffered from the illness during the drifting; it is likely that Pi developed delusional disorder. When Pi cheered for the appearance of a ship, he blazed with joy. However the ship missed them and even bore down on them. It is had to believe that such conspicuous lifeboat could be missed as there was a tiger on it. As people lost in desert see mirage, Pi might also saw the ship because his desire for survival was so strong that it drove him crazy temporarily. Based on the diagnosis criteria of delusional disorder, â€Å"Apart from the impact of the delusion(s) or its ramifications, functioning is not markedly impaired and behavior is not obviously odd or bizarre. †(1), we suggest that Pi take a series of examination to determine whether he is mentally healthy. As was previously stated, such experience with no doubt is a life-changing experience. Although adversity stiffened his spine, Pi’s psychological health was unconsciously devastated. The sudden change of environment would result in the failure of self recognition. His formal value of life was destroyed during the disaster. However he himself also can not accept the way of life in wild. We conclude that bring Pi back to society requires a series of procedures and treatment. With proper Psychological counseling, Pi would be able to reconstruct his life and value, until then, we do not suggest Pi get back to society immediately.

Impact of Social Security Privatization on the Elderly

Impact of Social Security Privatization on the Elderly Up until the Industrial Revolution, economic security for most people was maintained by working until old age and then being taken care of by ones’ children and family members. This type of economic uncertainty drastically changed when President Roosevelt pushed for and signed into law the Social Security Act of 1935. During the ceremony for Social Security Act’s signing, President Roosevelt stated that it is â€Å"a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide for the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness† (Roosevelt, 1935). Roosevelt also states in his speech that while the program is not a safeguard against all economic problems in our future, we do need it to protect our citizens who are or would be unable to work. Since President Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act, there has been much debate in reforming Social Security with many seeking privatization of the program. This paper aims to show why we should not privatize Social Security, but search for alternative means to strengthen it. We need to strengthen Social Security because it has and still protects future benefits against inflation, has proven to reduce poverty for our elderly, and is efficiently and soundly administered. Social Security appears quite similar to an employer-sponsored pension plan on the surface, but they are inherently different. The program calls for individuals to put part of our pay aside in the form of a payroll tax while working and then receive monthly payments after retirement. Balancing equity and adequacy is the primary benefit of Social Security. Equity allows people to receive more of what they put into Social Security. Hence, people with higher incomes would also put more into the program and also receive more benefits upon retirement. The Social Security formula, under the system of adequacy, dismisses periods of low income such as when a worker becomes disabled or unemployed. Instead, it uses an increased ratio of income for the poor than the wealthy. In addition to the aforementioned two principles, Social Security benefits are indexed against uncertainties regarding length of life and inflation and has proven to be our most beneficial anti-poverty program (Goda, 2011, pg.1). If we privatize Social Security, we would surely erode the basis of ensuring a sufficient base income for people whove struggled their whole lives. Low-income workers would not be able to make enough money to put into their accounts to maintaining their standard living for when they choose to retire. Also at a larger risk to poverty during their old age are the people in the middle-class. They would not get equal returns because of the inherent nature of the financial markets, and those who receive negative returns would not be able to survive from other sources. The financial markets fluctuate up and down, and some people would retire with meager returns during long economic downturns such as the Great Recession of 2009. For those who live to be very old, some well into their 80’s and 90’s, they would just outlast their investments. For example, if they invested into annuities during their retirement, the annuities would be greatly reduced by inflation. Before Social Security, the highest rates of poverty were in the elderly age group. People dont realize these days that Social Security has reduced the poverty of people over age 65 from 35 percent to about 10 percent (National, 2012). This percentage falls under the 12 percent value of the American population (Poverty, 2013). Social Security provides for the potentially destitute millions of American elderly who are no longer able to work and in retirement the financial stability they need to sustain their lives. Since the elderly do not have to depend on their working children, Social Security also provides an indirect benefit to their off springs. There are two other benefits in which Social Security provides to people under age 65. The first benefit is income during long-term disability and income for a worker’s dependents who die before their retirement. This type of benefit also doesn’t carry the stigma of similar programs such as welfare. For middle-class workers that have employer-sponsored retirement programs, Social Security should not be the primary source of income during retirement. Social Security’s value is clear when looking at it as a means of income that makes up a portfolio for retirement. The pensions from Social Security maintain their value since they are adjusted for the annual cost-of-living while other types of assets get eaten away and used up as a person becomes older into retirement. In addition, workers will come to bear more risk as their employers continue to move their pension plans to 401(k) plans and other types of programs with unreliable payouts. Against that backdrop, the Social Security program provides much more valuable protection against the sway of the economic markets. To privatize Social Security would be to allowing Americans the choice to withhold a percent of their pay as an investing into individual accounts, keyword being choice. So what is wrong with giving workers the choice to opt-in or not? This type of reform brings with it steep reductions for the younger workers who elect to stay in the program. Workers who have higher incomes would not want to participate in the program but rather go for personal accounts. While it may appear to be a choice, privatizing Social Security would make it such a bad investment for high income people. They would just all bail out so they don’t have to invest their earnings to balance the pool for the low-income workers’ retirement pensions. In essence, this would leave a large reduction of future benefits for low income funders who choose to remain in the program thereby defeating the purpose of the program and eventually dissolve it. The participation of individuals from all income brackets is the reason why Social Security works and is sustainable. The program would be similar to welfare if the wealthy and high income individuals choose to not participate. The participation of individuals from all age groups is another reason why Social Security. For years now, the retirees of the program were paid by the taxes from workers which is the entire the basis of Social Security. Those workers would, in turn, be paid by the taxes in the next generation of workers for their Social Security retirement benefits. However, in 1983, payroll taxes were increased by Congress beyond the levels needed to maintain the immediate Social Security benefits. The tax hike was proposed to increase savings for retirement of the baby-boom generation. The extra money generated from the increased taxes were used to buy Treasury bonds. Essential, the government is lending itself money. This act generated controversy among proponents of Social Security privatization yet it is the same as workers using the money to buy the bonds themselves. The government is required to pay back what is due and in this case is required to pay back to the retirees it borrows from. In the end, this principally articulates that the program’s future recipients rely on the taxes of the workers who come after them to keep the Social Security benefits ongoing. Since its inception, many people such as former Kansas Governor Alf Landon had outspoken views against Social Security (Landon, 1936). Landon and initial critics of Social Security have argued that the program is a fraud and that the overhead costs are too high to sustain the program. Yet, the program itself has only seen reductions in administrative expenses year after year and as of 2013 accounted for only 0.7% of the trust fund’s total expenditures (Kunkel, 2013). This percentage is still below the costs of the average 401(k) fees of 0.72% per year, with highs close to 2% per year, charged by plan administrators (Deloitte, 2009). With such a low overhead cost over private plan administration, the government clearly shows how efficiently it administers the Social Security program. Definitely, Social Security has provided Americans protection against destitution with adequate supplemental income and allowed people who have worked their entire lives to maintain their standard of living during retirement. While Social Security has undergone many reforms and continues to need improvement, privatization is not the key. In its proven history of increasing efficient, decreasing the poverty of our elderly, and hedging benefits against inflation, Social Security must continue to be strengthened with centralized government policies and administration.

Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway Essay

Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway In â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† Ernest Hemingway relies on symbolism to convey the theme of abortion. The symbolic material objects, as well as the strong symbolic characters, aid the reader’s understanding of the underlying theme. The material objects that Hemingway uses to convey the theme are beer, the good and bad hillsides, and a railroad station between two tracks. The beer represents the couple’s, â€Å"the American† and â€Å"the girl’s†, usual routine activity they do together. This bothers the girl because â€Å"that’s all [they] do †¦ look at things and try new drinks.† This shows that the girl is tired of doing the same thing and wants to do something different, like having a baby and a family, instead of fooling around all the time. She wants to stop being a girl and become a woman. Hemingway then presents the reader with two contrasting hills. One hill on one side of the station is dull, desolate, and barren; â€Å"it had no shade and no trees†, very desert like. However, the other hill on the other side of the station is beautiful, plentiful in nature, and had â€Å"fields of grain and tress along the banks of the Ebro River.† Also on each side of the station where each hill is, there is a train track. These objects are symbolic devices prepare the reader in realizing that the characters are in a place of decision. The railroad station is a place of decision where one must decide to go one way or the other. The t...

My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. Mansoor Khan An investigation to see how concentration affects the 1 rate of reaction. Introduction My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. I am going to use calcium carbonate (marble chips) to react with hydrochloric acid that will produce carbon dioxide gas. The equation for this reaction is: Word equation: Calcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric acid Calcium Chloride + Carbon Dioxide + Water Symbol equation: CaCO 2HCl CaCl CO H O For my experiment, I will be experimenting on different concentrations of acid on marble chips. The other variables that I could have chosen for this particular experiment are: Temperature- I thought about choosing this variable but was put off by the difficulty of control the temperature. Surface area- I have not choose this because I did not like the fact that there were only three different sizes of marble chips, when I needed five results, and also it requires quite a long preliminary experiment to find the right concentration of acid. Prediction I predict that if a high concentration of acid is used, the reaction will be faster and thus resulting in more carbon dioxide being produced as gas. The weaker the concentration of acid, the slower the reaction and the less amount of carbon dioxide gas that will be produced. The collision theory states that if particles in a solution have enough energy to break free from their existing bonds to form new bonds they will, the amount of energy needed to form new bonds is called the activation energy. So if you increase the amount of particles in a solution they will be more collisions. The collision theory also says that if the particles are constantly moving and colliding with each other, when one particle collides with another, energy is transferred between these particles and so energy is constantly gained or lost. The number of collisions with enough energy greater or equal to the activation energy, determines the rate of reaction. I predict that the 2 molar of hydrochloric acid when reacting with marble chips will produce the most carbon dioxide and in the least amount of time, because they are more reactants in the solution and more particles that will collide with the reacting particles. Also because this is the most concentrated solution that I am experimenting on there are more reacting particles of colliding about in the solution this means that the will be more collisions between the reacting particles which is likely to cause a reaction, these reacting My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. Mansoor Khan An investigation to see how concentration affects the 1 rate of reaction. Introduction My aim for this experiment is to find out how concentration affects the rate of reaction, when marble chips reacts with hydrochloric acid. I am going to use calcium carbonate (marble chips) to react with hydrochloric acid that will produce carbon dioxide gas. The equation for this reaction is: Word equation: Calcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric acid Calcium Chloride + Carbon Dioxide + Water Symbol equation: CaCO 2HCl CaCl CO H O For my experiment, I will be experimenting on different concentrations of acid on marble chips. The other variables that I could have chosen for this particular experiment are: Temperature- I thought about choosing this variable but was put off by the difficulty of control the temperature. Surface area- I have not choose this because I did not like the fact that there were only three different sizes of marble chips, when I needed five results, and also it requires quite a long preliminary experiment to find the right concentration of acid. Prediction I predict that if a high concentration of acid is used, the reaction will be faster and thus resulting in more carbon dioxide being produced as gas. The weaker the concentration of acid, the slower the reaction and the less amount of carbon dioxide gas that will be produced. The collision theory states that if particles in a solution have enough energy to break free from their existing bonds to form new bonds they will, the amount of energy needed to form new bonds is called the activation energy. So if you increase the amount of particles in a solution they will be more collisions. The collision theory also says that if the particles are constantly moving and colliding with each other, when one particle collides with another, energy is transferred between these particles and so energy is constantly gained or lost. The number of collisions with enough energy greater or equal to the activation energy, determines the rate of reaction. I predict that the 2 molar of hydrochloric acid when reacting with marble chips will produce the most carbon dioxide and in the least amount of time, because they are more reactants in the solution and more particles that will collide with the reacting particles. Also because this is the most concentrated solution that I am experimenting on there are more reacting particles of colliding about in the solution this means that the will be more collisions between the reacting particles which is likely to cause a reaction, these reacting

Labor, Socialism, and Politics to World War I Essay -- Essays Papers

Labor, Socialism, and Politics to World War I Trade Unionism In the second half of the nineteenth century trade unionism became much more recognized by governments. The government recognized that it is the right of workers to organize. This fundamental common law principle became a freedom of contract or the concept that people should be free to make bargains with each other and that the law should enforce such contracts if necessary. This became legalized in the year 1871 and by the year 1875 picketing also became legal. By the year 1884 these unions became legalized by France’s Third Republic and also in Germany in 1890. These unions became corporations able to own property and to sue and be sued. This enabled these unions to protect their funds from defaulting officials. By mid way through the century the main focus of these unions was to organize skilled workers and to improve the working conditions and the wages for the workers. However, by the end of the century unions began to focus more on work for unskilled workers. This b ecame the first time that there were more unskilled workers than skilled workers in the workplace. In the decade before World War I most of the workers were still not unionized. Democracy and Political Parties The late nineteenth century was a great time of improvement for democratic electoral systems. The British passed their second voting reform act in 1867 and then passed a third in 1884. Also in 1871 Bismarck gave universal male suffrage for the German Empire. This had an effect on many other countries as well. Switzerland followed this and adopted universal male suffrage in 1879, Spain did in 1890, Belgium in 1893, Netherlands in 1896, Norway in 1898, and finally Italy i... ... Industrial Democracy and the Origins of Modern American Relations† Labor’s Great War http://sunsite.unc.edu uncpress/books/ fall97/mccartin.html This article was not that useful to me because most of it dealt with America - Norris,Nicole â€Å"Boldy going where no British Society has gone before†¦.† The Fabian Society 1996 http://www.hput.edu/Academics/English/fabian.htm This article was very useful to me. It gave me a lot of information on Fabianism. - Partington, Geoffrey â€Å"Trade Unionism and the New Protection http://www.exhibit.com.au/~~nicholls/nicholls/nichvol16/vol16/vol166tr.htm This article gave me a lot of useful information on trade unionism - â€Å"Bolshevism vs. Reformism† Historical Perspective http://www.plp.org/pl-_magazine/pyatnits.html This article helped me better understand Bolshevism

Managing challenges for the 21st century

â€Å"Drucker's ideas continue to display a force and resonance that leave him pretty much in a class by himself. It is impossible to read the man without learning a lot.† —Fortune Magazine Advent of globalization has reformatted the business principles and this book is a perfect guide to show the way to conquer new world which is more dynamic, confident and aggressive. Before Peter Drucker, most people thought about their businesses with a manufacturing mindset, defining a business based on what it produced. Today, the marketing mindset prevails. It was Drucker's critical insight that instead of buying a â€Å"product† the customer buys the satisfaction of a need. Drucker has reinvented the management principles to make them fit into the present world and can be proved more suitable in the current management framework. Drucker identifies new assumptions for the social discipline of management.  He has claimed that Management is NOT only for profit-making businesses but Management is the specific and distinguishing organ of any and all organizations. This revolutionary concept can bow the seed of future methods of business and can turn around the whole institutive scenario to create a completely different set of business leaders. Gone are the days when companies were making big profits and hence were focusing the management principles only towards profit earnings. Today’s world is flat and the competitions are monopolistic, in fact tends to perfect competition. In this scenario adhering to old management principles are like suicide. Second assumption is that never think that there is only one right organization which is again very relevant in present context. He has made a significant point over management of people. In Drucker’s view, One does not â€Å"manage† people. The task is to lead people. And the goal is to make productive the specific strengths and knowledge of each individual. Next assumption he made is that technologies and End-Users are NOT fixed and given. Increasingly, neither technology nor end-use is a foundation of management policy. They are limitations. The foundations have to be customer values and customer decisions on the distribution of their disposable income. It is with those that management policy and management strategy increasingly will have to start. Drucker’s book critically emphasizes the role of customer in today’s market scenario. He focuses on the point that now customer are the central point and business has to start and end at customer. Three things are important to run an effective business set up in present marketplace and that is customer, customer and only customer. Business has to be woven around the needs of the customer and ultimate goal should be customer satisfaction. He has quoted next assumption saying that Management's scope is NOT only legally defined. The new assumption on which management, both as a discipline and as a practice, will increasingly have to base itself is that the scope of management is not legal. It has to be operational. It has to embrace the entire process. It has to be focused on results and performance across the entire economic chain. He also said that Management's scope is NOT only politically defined. National boundaries are important primarily as restraints. The practice of management  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ and by no means for business only  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ will increasingly have to be defined operationally rather than politically. This assumption has to be adopted by new world immediately in light of the â€Å"open world concept† and â€Å"world is flat† concept. Seventh assumption he made on the organizational atmosphere. He explained that the Inside is NOT the only Management domain. The results of any institution exist ONLY on the outside. Management exits for the sake of the institution's results. It has to start with the intended results and organize the resources of the institution to attain these results. It is the organ that renders the institution, whether business, church, university, hospital or a battered woman's shelter, capable of producing results outside of itself. Lastly he declared the most important assumption that Management’s concern and management's responsibility are everything that affects the performance of the institution and its results – whether inside or outside, whether under the institution's control or totally beyond it. This way he brought the managerial concept at the core of all the issues whether be political or economical or anything. His point of opinion is that the new world will be a economic world where money will be the most important thing and managerial discipline are the most efficient organ of the nation which can help keeping the country self sufficient and create bonhomie everywhere. Therefore Drucker explains in a instructive tone that managers has to be responsible and they have to start thinking out of the box to consistently keep taking the extra steps in right direction. In the course of the discussions, Drucker also addresses the ultimate challenge of managing oneself while still meeting the demands on the individual during a longer working life and in an ever-changing workplace. He has always understood that people are deeply-and rightly-resistant to being â€Å"managed.† This point is especially relevant for knowledge workers, who know more about their jobs than their bosses do. For them, supervision is a special kind of hell. This is why good managers help people manage themselves by focusing consistently on performance and results and by teaching them, often by example, to think about what they are good at, how they learn, what they value. Such self-knowledge is essential to performance. Drucker has also introduced the effect of being a change leader. In the course of discussion he gives four requirements for change leadership:- 1. Polices to make the future. 2. Systematic methods to look for and to anticipate change. 3. The right way to introduce change, both within and outside the organization. 4. Policies to balance change and continuity. In chapter-4, Drucker has navigated through the concept of information technology. Information is no doubt the most important tool to create a successful business setups. Drucker describes the new information revolution that is gaining momentum as follows. So far, for fifty years, Information Technology has centered on DATA -their collection, storage, transmission, presentation. It has focused on the ‘T' in ‘IT'. The new information revolutions focus on the ‘I'. They ask, ‘what is the MEANING of information and its PURPOSE?' And this is leading rapidly to redefining the tasks to be done with the help of information and, with it, to redefining the institutions that do these tasks.† As long as the world continues to become more complex and specialized, information management is essentially a critical part of all businesses and act as blood and vein for industry. The last chapter of the book, managing oneself, is completely devoted to the individual. Drucker advises persons to work on their strengths in order to maximize performance. Conclusion: This book is highly recommended for tyros and young turks. This book is envisaging enough eye opener facts, which can help company grow to the maximum level by reinventing and managing the organizational principles and the level of knowledge workers who will face new challenges in the 21st century. Incisive, challenging, and mind-stretching, Drucker's new book is forward-looking and forward thinking. It combines the broad knowledge, wide practical experience, profound insight, sharp analysis, and enlightened common sense that are the essence of Drucker's writings, which are continuing international bestsellers and â€Å"landmarks of the managerial profession† (Harvard Business Review).            

The Nuclear Age Begins

The first nuclear explosion, named â€Å"Trinity†, was detonated July 16, 1945. Main article: History of nuclear weapons During the 1930s, innovations in physics made it apparent that it could be possible to develop nuclear weapons of incredible power using nuclear reactions. When World War II broke out, scientists and advisors among the Allies feared that Nazi Germany may have been trying to develop its own atomic weapons, and the United States and the United Kingdom pooled their efforts in what became known as the Manhattan Project to beat them to it.At the secret Los Alamos laboratory in New Mexico, scientist Robert Oppenheimer led a team of the world's top scientists to develop the first nuclear weapons, the first of which was tested at the Trinity site in July 1945. However, Germany had surrendered in May 1945, and it had been discovered that the German atomic bomb program had not been very close to success. The Allied team produced two nuclear weapons for use in the war, one powered by uranium-235 and the other by plutonium as fissionable material, named â€Å"Little Boy† and â€Å"Fat Man†.These were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. This, in combination with the Soviet entrance in the war, convinced the Japanese to surrender unconditionally. These two weapons remain the only two nuclear weapons ever used against other countries in war. Nuclear weapons brought an entirely new and terrifying possibility to warfare: a nuclear holocaust. While at first the United States held a monopoly on the production of nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union, with some assistance from espionage, managed to detonate its first weapon (dubbed â€Å"Joe-1† by the West) in August 1949.The post-war relations between the two, which had already been deteriorating, began to rapidly disintegrate. Soon the two were locked in a massive stockpiling of nuclear weapons. The United States began a crash-program to develop the first hydrogen bomb in 1950, and detonated its first thermonuclear weapon in 1952. This new weapon was alone over 400 times as powerful as the weapons used against Japan. The Soviet Union detonated a primitive thermonuclear weapon in 1953 and a full-fledged one in 1955.Nuclear missiles and computerized launch systems increased the range and scope of possible nuclear war. The conflict continued to escalate, with the major superpowers developing long-range missiles (such as the ICBM) and a nuclear strategy which guaranteed that any use of the nuclear weapons would be suicide for the attacking nation (Mutually Assured Destruction). The creation of early warning systems put the control of these weapons into the hands of newly created computers, and they served as a tense backdrop throughout the Cold War.Since the 1940s there were concerns about the rising proliferation of nuclear weapons to new countries, which was seen as being destabilizing to international relations, spurring regiona l arms races, and generally increasing the likelihood of some form of nuclear war. Eventually, seven nations would overtly develop nuclear weapons, and still maintain stockpiles today: the United States, the Soviet Union (and later Russia would inherit these), the United Kingdom, France, China, India, and Pakistan.South Africa developed six crude weapons in the 1980s (which it later dismantled), and Israel almost certainly developed nuclear weapons though it never confirmed nor denied it. The creation of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty in 1968 was an attempt to curtail such proliferation, but a number of countries developed nuclear weapons since it was signed (and many did not sign it), and a number of other countries, including Libya, Iran, and North Korea, were suspected of having clandestine nuclear weapons programs

Kids and Mobile Phones

Kids and Cellphones Cell phone users are growing every minute in every part of the globe and the user is getting younger. The cell phone and service provider advertisements are increasingly being targeted at the children, teens and young adults. European governments have cautioned parents about the health hazards children face with the use of cellphones before they are16. But, countries like Britain, already have half their children using mobile phones and the number of users between ages 4-9 is fast increasing.Cell phone manufacturers are now targeting this age with friendly colourful mobiles with only 4 buttons and of upto 20 phone numbers to be stored. Parental controls and GPS locator are added features. The very reason you are going through this hub is probably because you have to make an important decision, whether your child is ready for a cell phone of her own. Well, let us weigh the pros and cons of giving her one. At what age are kids ready for their own cell phone? At what age do they really ‘need' one? Every child, whatever the age-toddler, tweens, teens, today wants a mobile phone.Tweens and teens see the use of a cell phone as becoming independent and flaunting it as a status symbol, in addition to keeping up with the peers. A toddler or a preschooler just wants to imitate what adults do. But, it is more the parent who seems to want to know what the child is upto and also keep up or one step above their friends. So, how useful is it going to be? Schools have banned the use of mobile phones as it is a constant source of distraction among students, whatever the age. Some teenagers have even cheated on tests using cell phones.Parents arguments that they need to know what their child is upto, does not hold water because the student is not permitted to use it during school hours. So, having one does not serve any purpose. If your school allows the student to bring a cell phone but makes it mandatory that it be put on silent mode during school hou rs, then probably you could know whether your child reached her swimming or music lesson after school. If a regular transport has been arranged for your child, it hardly matters whether he has a cell phone or not.Yes, in times of emergency, such as school leaving early or a basketball session finishing late, it would help you as parent make necessary alternate arrangements for transport. It is this sense of security, safety and convenience, most parents give in to the plea of a mobile phone for their child. A phone with GPS is seen as a must for some parents who want to know their child's whereabouts at any given time. Of course, the child will argue that he would like a mobile phone because his friends have it, he can keep in touch with them and collect missed homework.Some parents see the need to give their little one a mobile phone if she is allergic to something or asthmatic, or going on a school trip. The Cons of Giving Your Child A Mobile Phone The safe, convenient way to cons tantly be in one-button touch communication gives a parent the sense of security concerning the child. But, if the child is under 12, he should be under the supervision of an adult at all times anyway. And in most cases, the child would know how to use a regular phone or the cell phone of the one who is supervising.Researchers have often cited cell phone usage as being hazardous to health, more so in the case of children. The ongoing research suggests that the more one spends time on one's mobile phone, electromagnetic radiation emitted can be the cause of Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, cancers ,etc. The developing tissues of a young child can be affected, but the more recent studies show that there is no connection between radiation from cell phones and brain cancer. Well, the debate is still on, and it is certainly beneficial to limit the use of a mobile phone, whatever the age.Children have been seen to be impulsive if they are allowed the use of a cell phone, according to a recent study. Because of the texting on cell phones, they learn to quickly retort/reply. These children are seen to be faster in IQ tests, but very inaccurate, since messaging between peers makes them quicker-on-the-draw, but without time for ample thought. SMSing friends takes up most of their time and most teens and tweens are losing sleep texting away into the night. Spellings take a back seat as well, since they learn to use shortcuts in messaging away to friends.Increased independence gives children the courage to skip more time from family life. They also learn to be totally dependent on a mobile phone, which comes to light when the said phone is either lost or confiscated. Depending on whether the phone is internet enabled, you will be exposing your child to unwanted MMS , youtube videos, emails from spammers, or simply calls from unwanted tricksters. Which brings us to the subject of MONEY Cell phones can be expensive. Your child may not agree to what you show her- a basic c ell phone to make and receive calls.You will have to talk to her first in order to know what exactly she wants and why she â€Å"needs† it, before you even agree to purchase one. Talking to her friend's moms or the teacher can give you a benchmark. A basic plan for your child's cell phone can be a good thing until you are hit by extra charges for those additional â€Å"awesome† ringtones, textmessaging, internet usage,and of course additional talktime. So, it certainly pays to have a good talk with your child before you settle on buying a mobile phone on the do's and don'ts as well.Some kids get into the habit of losing their cell phones often when they know their parents will replace them without a whimper, simply because the latest model has arrived in the market. Most parents realize that the cell phone is mainly used for SMSing, downloading games, ringtones,and music videos which can be an additional burden on the family budget. So, are you upto it? And of course, as time progresses, they are busy messaging friends or speaking to them, even during family outings. I have seen mothers admonishing their teenagers busy on heir phones in restaurants and in shopping malls and worse, they turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to their surrounding which can be detrimental, particularly if they are driving or about to be accosted by strangers. Many accidents happen and unwanted injuries take place because a teenager ignores warning signals as he is busy talking on the phone. Thieves love to snatch the trendiest of cell phones even as you speak, so beware of flaunting it in public. Cell phone etiquette is important, an should be taught to your child as well.Excusing oneself to take a call, ignoring a prankster and reporting him to the parent or teacher, and never be party to pranks themselves. What is good and what's not is to be dealt with by the concerned parent, before it gets out of hand. Cell phones also put your child at risk for getting in trouble for : sexting – sending or receiving nude pictures prank calls – which can get your child in trouble if someone starts pranking other people from your child's phone LG Optimus Elite Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile) Amazon Price: $115. 00List Price: $129. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, Blue 16GB (Sprint) Amazon Price: $699. 99 Brand New Sidekick LX 2009 SHARP PV300 GSM Unlocked – T-Mobile (Carbon Black). This phone does not have internet capabilities. Amazon Price: $54. 99 List Price: $149. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, Blue 16GB (Verizon Wireless) Amazon Price: $699. 99 HTC One V Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile) Amazon Price: Too low to display List Price: $199. 99 Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Phone, White 16GB (Verizon Wireless) Amazon Price: $699. 99NEW Version Ultra-thin Quad-band Watch Mobile Phone FM/MP3/MP4 2M Camera Amazon Price: $99. 00 Best Course Of Action Each parent has their own views and the schools their children go to, play a big part in whether to give a cell phone to their child or not. A hand-me-down or a new handset is your decision as well, provided your child agrees. You could categorize it into one or a couple of the following. a necessity a luxury a fad an invasion Making the right choice of cell phone is necessary as well-whether you want a basic version to just make and receive calls or one that needs to be internet enabled and with Mp3.Once the decision is made, make sure you know that it is definitely going to cut into your monthly expenses,whether you have a talk with your child or not. So, is your child ready to take on this responsibility and sticking to a basic plan. Or will you need to pay extra for all the additional downloads and textmessaging. Some points worth considering: Prepaid monthly plans offer the ability to control exactly how much your child can spend in any given month. Some handsets offer unique parental controls to monitor and restrict activity which is a good thing.Some phones also let you limit who can call the phone and who your child can call. Consider giving the phone only when she is in the shopping mall or on a school trip. Discuss the do's and don'ts of important issues such as cyberbullying, pranksters, cell phone ettiquette, the dangers of driving while on the cell phone, adhering to the cell phone rules of the school,etc. If you feel the need, get one that has a GPS locator, so you will know exactly where the child is at any given time. Stress that there is a responsibility attached which needs to be adhered to, strictly.

Human Resources

Q. 1 Write down the difference between Personnel management and Human Resource management. Ans. Distinction between Personnel management & Human Resources management The history of Human Resources management traces its roots to the erstwhile Personnel management that was prevalent in the companies of a few decades ago. Though the two terms ‘Personnel Management’ and ‘Human Resources Management’ are interchangeably used by most of the authors, there are key differentiators that make Personnel Management (PM) different from Human Resources Management (HRM). HRM is clearly based on the foundation of behavioural science knowledge relating to the handling of employees to motivate organizational goals. The focus is more proactive approach and pays attention to employee satisfaction and delight. Business goals and objectives and the strategies that will enable this to happen are the foundation for HRM. The basic philosophy is driven by the Theory Y approach where the belief is that people like to work and do not prefer t be supervised and made to perform. The employee becomes a champion for the organization and its product/service. PM is that management style that deals with the control and reactive problem solving approach to resolve employee issues in a organizations. The philosophy for the PM approach relied on the Theory X approach that believed that people do not naturally like to work and need to be coerced to work and often need to be driven to work. Is more the ‘stick’ approach rather than ‘carrot’ approach. Rigid rules of do’s and dont’s exist and these provide the framework for employee’s behaviour at the workplace. Employee welfare and formal grievance systems play a significant role here and thereby managing industrial relations with high amount of trade union activity are highlighted. Very few organizations today practice this style to people management, as the benefits and the long term gains from a HRM approach, impact business results far more. HRM emphasizes on training, as an important area of people management, which covers the following aspects: 1. Increasing productivity 2. Improving quality 3. Improving organizational climate 4. Ensuring personnel growth etc. Q. Write a note on scope of HR in India. Ans. Scope of HR in India Contrary to these forces, in India the owner manager/government/public sector manager was an industry icon and a national hero of sorts. The Personnel Management practices were dominant of the ‘brick-and-motor’ industry. Though the approach was largely welfare oriented and reactive in nature it served effectively for the large PSU organizations that built the country’s foundation. Its only in the past 10-12 years with the immense growth on account of the IT industry that winds of change began to blow. It was largely the advent of the Information Technology era in India that brought with it the western management practices. MNC’s (multinational companies) started up their operations in India. The FDI (foreign direct investment) went up steeply as the world saw the potential in the country’s human resources. India became a preferred location for MNC’s primarily from the USA, followed by other developed countries. The gave birth to a new generation of management as well as HRM practices. New hiring methods, new ways of paying salaries, new employment terms and most importantly increased focus on individual performance and outcomes. There was emphasis on deliverables and linking individual and team performance to business results and success. Given the highly educated workforce there was a de-emphasis in the role of the trade unions. The era of the trade union dominance gave way to the new order of individual negotiated salaries and terms and clearly performance linked assessment systems. Another transformation that the Indian workplace witnessed was the focus on ethics and ethical practices in doing business. It was only fair to expect that with the weak legal system, it needed the support of the government policies and the corporate policies to beat the corruption that existed. This has significantly contributed to India emerging as a preferred destination for doing business. All of this has yielded to give way to the birth of the ‘professional manager’ Professional managers today are a critical and essential part of the Indian corporate. The professional manager brought about a shift in the culture from a highly authoritarian approach of getting work done, to a more collaborative and participative approach. The entrepreneurs who earlier operated in a secure, sheltered market and hardly face challenges, were challenged by the globalization that swept in with the liberalization policies and measure brought in by the Indian government late 1995 and onwards. Despite the challenges, the Indian employee and his manager evolved. Together they stepped up to face the challenge head-on and to win not only in India but also globally. The levers of (a) low cost, (b) highly skilled, and (c) English as the medium of education and it being the corporate-language: were the key drivers that enabled the flow of global business to India. There was exponential growth in employment both directly (jobs in the international and domestic companies) as well as indirectly (as support industries like transport, catering and ancillary industries). The simultaneous investment of the government in building the necessary infrastructure did its share of providing impetus towards creating more jobs for the people of the country. Hence, human relations movement in India has evolved very differently as compared to what we see in the developed economies of the USA and the UK. What is currently acting as a limitation is the enhanced awareness on the need for research based HRM practices. While there is a lot of work happening in the Indian education system to promote this, it is going to take a while before it can create a distinct body of knowledge that is referenceable. For now the industry relies on emulating westerns HR practices and customizing on a as-needed basis for the Indian corporation. For the rest the industry forums and consortiums like the NASSCOM act as a hub bringing together organizations on a regular basis to discuss challenges and share best practices and identify ways and means o overcome them together. So far this has been successful and working to the advantage of the Indian corporate. Leading MNC research and consulting firms like Mercer and Hewitt too contribute to the industry through carrying out research and sharing reports on a regular basis. The approach however remains analytical and less prescriptive. Q. 3 Explain the critical steps in Human Resource Planning system. Ans. We will attempt to discuss in details the critical steps that are part of the above system. A. Purpose of Human Resource Planning: Human Resource Planning fulfils individual as well as organizational goals. What it essentially amounts to is â€Å"striking a balance† between the future human resources needs and the future enterprise needs. And this is done with the clear objective of maximizing the future return on investment in human resources. And this objective may be laid down for a short-term (i. e. for one year). B. Estimating/Forecasting the future Manpower Requirements: the first step in the process is to arrive at the desired organizational structure at a given point in time. Mapping this structure with the existing structure helps in identifying the gap in resources requirement. The number and type of employees needed have to be determined. In addition to the structure there are a number of external factors that affect this determination. They include business forecasts, competitor strategy, expansion plans, product/skills mix changes, profit/revenue growth projections, in addition to management philosophy and government policies. This step also includes an analysis of the external labour/talent environment, its demographics, demand/supply of the required talent, and cost considerations. C. Auditing Human Resources: Once the future human resource needs are estimated, the next step is to determine the present supply of manpower resources. This is done through what is called â€Å"Skills Inventory†. A skills inventory contains data about each employee’s skills, abilities, work preferences and other items of information which indicate his worth to the company. Skills inventory are also referred to as competency dictionaries. This information is us ually retained as part of the performance management system with the HR department. This step in the HRP system helps identify the existing profile of the manpower and its efficiency. It helps highlight where the organization is vs. where it ought to be. The step concludes with identifying clear gaps in the skills/ manpower mix required to meet the upcoming business objectives. D. Job Analysis: After having decided how many persons would be needed, it is necessary to prepare a job analysis. The recorded details of training, skills, qualification, abilities, experience and responsibilities, etc. as needed for a job are studied. Job analysis includes the preparation of job descriptions and job specifications. E. Developing a Human Resource Plan: This step refers t the development and implementation of the human resource plan, which consists in finding out the sources of labour supply with a view to making an effective use of these sources. Some important considerations at this point are: †¢ Specific roles/disciplines being hired for, of them which roles are pivotal for the business †¢ Competencies and capabilities needed †¢ Manager vs. employee hiring †¢ Hire internally vs. External sourcing †¢ Planning for new skills through training existing staff vs. hiring new teams †¢ In case of surpluses, planning for redeployment/ reduction in orkforce as required †¢ Succession planning for key positions in the company. Q. 4 With reference to the compensation and salary system what are the systems that are helpful to raise the effectiveness of employees Ans. Compensation/ salary systems are designed to ensure that employees are rewarded appropriately depending on what they do and the skills and knowledge (intellect) required for doing a specific job. It must therefore provide for the following key factors in order to be effective: The following factors may be helpful to raise the effectiveness employees Signal to the employee the major objectives of the organizations- therefore it must link to the overall goals and objectives of the company. For example if doing a quality job is critical for the company its compensation system has to ensure that this is adequately rewarded. On the other hand if a company values productivity and units produces, the compensation system would be designed such that productivity is rewarded. †¢ Attract and retain the talent an organization needs – the need to benchmark salaries to the prevalent market standard for that job / skill so that the company is able to attract the right talent. If a enterprises pays a salary lower that what the market does for that job/responsibilities, the probability that suitable candidates would take the job offer and join the company. Even if they do join subsequently when they find that the market pays more for that job they would quickly find a more remunerative job and leave the company. †¢ Motivate employees to perform effectively – as discussed at the outset, money is a key motivator and it often might be the only motivator for most employees, therefore ensuring that compensation is appropriately disbursed need to be taken care of while designing the compensation system. Jobs in the brick and motor, production setups would focus on higher incentive policies that would motivate the employee to produce more while the base-salary would be low. †¢ Create the type of culture the company seeks to engender – compensation systems play a critical role as sponsors for the organizations culture. A performance driven culture would build compensation policies that clearly and significantly reward performance. A company that rewards loyalty would reward employees who stay longer in the company with significantly better incentive programs. Hence we see how compensation systems are reflective of the organizations over all philosophy of what its goals and objectives are and how this can be linked to salary payout. Q. 6 â€Å"Dynamic Learning† is an organization that wants to revise the HR policies. It has conducted a survey and the results of survey indicated that r=there is employee unrest, tardiness, absenteeism, more grievances. This all clearly indicates low morale. Suggest the measures that can be taken to improve employee morale. Ans. Employee Morale Boosters. Morale boosters can take the form of recognition, eompensation, special perks or simply terminating employees. Here are 11 low cost morale boosters: Welcome ideas: Employee morale improves when staff feel they are valued. Share and implement their innovations and ideas. Keep Score: Mount a large score board in the office to recognize top performers and to motivate those on the bottom of the list. Inspect: The old management adage, inspect what you expect is true. Companies with a lack of focus can confuse staff and lead to less morale. Thank You Notes: Send a special thank you letter to you staff’s family or spouse, praising their good work and efforts. Huddle: Have a daily morning huddle to highlights tasks for the day and to cheer yesterday’s wins. Open Up: Provide an open forum or one-on-one time to allow employees to express their concerns and feelings can be an easy means to boost morale. Have Fun: Special events and outside work activities can take the pressure off the day-to-day grind in the office. Show Charity: Get your staff involved in a bigger cause to help them see there is more to life than work. Add Perks: Use low cost perks such as a Foosball table in the lunch room. Fire Staff: Sometimes the root cause of low employee morale can be a staff member whose negativity brings down the group. Even a top performer can bring down staff behind your back. Measure it: Keep tabs on the levels of morale in your business by regularly measuring employee satisfaction. The backbone of business success resides in the productivity and output of your employees. Those companies who remain vigilant to the signs of low morale and who focus on improving morale can thwart off the impact of a low morale workplace. Human Resources 1 â€Å"If you are working in a company that is not enthusiastic energetic, creative, clever, curious, and just plain fun, you’ve got trouble, serious troubles† (Tom Peters. Indeed, the success of any organization depends on several issues amongst them, organizational culture, teamwork, management style and the level of motivation amongst the employees. Leadership The whole organizational momentum is decided by the top management, the style they adopt determines how decisions are going to be made, what kind of decisions the business is likely to make, the nature of policies which the company is going to adopt as well as how the organization will respond to management issues such as competitor activity, industrial attractiveness employee relations, public relations as well as corporate social responsibilities. The strategic fit of the organization is determined by whether the leaders are visionary or non-visionary whether these exercise foresight and how they balance risk taking and the drive for initiative. According to (Stacey, 1992p. 31-39), the momentum of a company is generated from the top management and perfected in bottom level, the success of an organization squarely rests on reach and every single employee irregardless of the role and position held in the organization. Therefore, to achieve a well coordinated and motivated team, the leadership and in essence, every single employee must be able to play their role so as to achieve a synergetic effect. The company which succeeds is that which handles all departments’ issues in regard to solving problems which arise and keep on arising. The challenges can serve as the source of de-motivating an otherwise motivated staff, if issues are not well attended to, while on the other hand, the challenges can afford an organization the opportunity to bond its workforce and reassure unity of purpose in the organization positive organizational behavior leads to organizational success while a negative corporate behavior leads to loss of profits and therefore organizational failure 2. You have been hired as the H. R director of the Schapiro Inn & out Motel. What are some of the key issues you should address the First day of work? Do you want to make your presence known the first day, or would you ease into the job slowly? What . R. management philosophies do you plan to adopt to make sure that you have the best workforce possible? Although take over calls for moderation, definitely there are some things that a new H. R manager would need be familiar with the first day of reporting to work. This is mainly because of the fact that on the fist day of work, one has already signed an agreement letter, and a letter of agreement. Probably they have been oriented and all relevant hand over details completed. This therefore implies that one is responsible for all happenings and is mandated to execute the relevant tasks as though that day was his/her 1000th day. Since not any board of directors would take the excuse that the H. R. M is new and therefore the reason for the numerous mistakes. But for the fact that different organizations have different needs, all HRM functions are similar and the rest calls for understanding of a company dynamics. On assuming office, an HRM manager has an obligation to execute normally all relevant duties such as pay issues, employee complaints, recruitment and staffing issues as well as formulate HR policies in collaboration with the administration. Where applicable, the HRM is supposed to solve any pending issues. The above is undertaken in the understanding that in an organization, smooth running is of utmost importance and a breakdown should never be experienced, for this may affect operations of the whole organization and therefore result into losses and interruptions to normal functioning of the organization. The best workforce can be achieved only by adopting suitable policies notably, pay related policies as well as employee motivation issues. The appraisal method adopted, problem solving and disciplinary issues as well as equality and equity policies at the place are of importance to an organisation. If the above are practiced, motivation results and staff often give their best. 3 â€Å"Call it what you will, incentives are what get people to work harder. † (Nikita Khrushchev) Research findings on the impact of pay and incentives on performance and output have overwhelmingly supported the above contention. Most employees work to satisfy their basic needs as opposed to achieving other goals. Although other factors such as job environment, tools and machinery, job policies as well as terms of contract are relevant to. All of the above play important roles in ensuring that employees and well equipped to perform at their best. Incentives basically refer to salaries and all other benefits which allow employees to function with minimum constraints. Incentives as a motivator should be administered carefully and uniformly. Job grading should be predictable and done in guidelines of a clear and open policy whereby employees are aware of what they need to do in order to move to the next level or to move to a higher job group. In a situation where by the issue of incentives is handled unprofessionally, conflicts arise and output and performance are negatively affected. 4 Discuss the term â€Å"turnover† in the hospitality industry. What does it mean? How can it be controlled? What are some of the causes? What does it mean to you? Turnover can be defined as the situation whereby employees keep on quitting job in unusually high rates. This could either be due to natural attrition, unfavorable working conditions as well as due to service termination. Turnover is a very common occurrence in the hospitality industry mainly due to the nature of the industry. Since many businesses in the hospitality sector peg their staff needs on seasons, low or high seasons call for flexible employment and contract terms in which organisations increase or retrench staff to reflect on market activity, this in turn results into un-usually high staff turnover occasioned by unpredictability of demand forces. â€Å"Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction† (Anne Frank) Job satisfaction refers to a state whereby one is able to work hard and in turn receive self assurance from the job upon being contented with the results of the work. Job satisfaction is good for employees in that it lead to high level of concentration and therefore high output. Lack of satisfaction leads to lack of concentration, something which a ffects performance. Laziness is a leading cause of job dissatisfaction in that for one to be truly satisfied with their work hard work and effort is needed. One needs to concentrate and exercise a lot of patience for that leads to satisfaction. Therefore, laziness hinders performance and this prevents job satisfaction. Employees should derive job satisfaction from the tasks allocated to them. This in turn leads to high profitability of the organization and a healthy work force. Human Resources 1 â€Å"If you are working in a company that is not enthusiastic energetic, creative, clever, curious, and just plain fun, you’ve got trouble, serious troubles† (Tom Peters. Indeed, the success of any organization depends on several issues amongst them, organizational culture, teamwork, management style and the level of motivation amongst the employees. Leadership The whole organizational momentum is decided by the top management, the style they adopt determines how decisions are going to be made, what kind of decisions the business is likely to make, the nature of policies which the company is going to adopt as well as how the organization will respond to management issues such as competitor activity, industrial attractiveness employee relations, public relations as well as corporate social responsibilities. The strategic fit of the organization is determined by whether the leaders are visionary or non-visionary whether these exercise foresight and how they balance risk taking and the drive for initiative. According to (Stacey, 1992p. 31-39), the momentum of a company is generated from the top management and perfected in bottom level, the success of an organization squarely rests on reach and every single employee irregardless of the role and position held in the organization. Therefore, to achieve a well coordinated and motivated team, the leadership and in essence, every single employee must be able to play their role so as to achieve a synergetic effect. The company which succeeds is that which handles all departments’ issues in regard to solving problems which arise and keep on arising. The challenges can serve as the source of de-motivating an otherwise motivated staff, if issues are not well attended to, while on the other hand, the challenges can afford an organization the opportunity to bond its workforce and reassure unity of purpose in the organization positive organizational behavior leads to organizational success while a negative corporate behavior leads to loss of profits and therefore organizational failure 2. You have been hired as the H. R director of the Schapiro Inn & out Motel. What are some of the key issues you should address the First day of work? Do you want to make your presence known the first day, or would you ease into the job slowly? What . R. management philosophies do you plan to adopt to make sure that you have the best workforce possible? Although take over calls for moderation, definitely there are some things that a new H. R manager would need be familiar with the first day of reporting to work. This is mainly because of the fact that on the fist day of work, one has already signed an agreement letter, and a letter of agreement. Probably they have been oriented and all relevant hand over details completed. This therefore implies that one is responsible for all happenings and is mandated to execute the relevant tasks as though that day was his/her 1000th day. Since not any board of directors would take the excuse that the H. R. M is new and therefore the reason for the numerous mistakes. But for the fact that different organizations have different needs, all HRM functions are similar and the rest calls for understanding of a company dynamics. On assuming office, an HRM manager has an obligation to execute normally all relevant duties such as pay issues, employee complaints, recruitment and staffing issues as well as formulate HR policies in collaboration with the administration. Where applicable, the HRM is supposed to solve any pending issues. The above is undertaken in the understanding that in an organization, smooth running is of utmost importance and a breakdown should never be experienced, for this may affect operations of the whole organization and therefore result into losses and interruptions to normal functioning of the organization. The best workforce can be achieved only by adopting suitable policies notably, pay related policies as well as employee motivation issues. The appraisal method adopted, problem solving and disciplinary issues as well as equality and equity policies at the place are of importance to an organisation. If the above are practiced, motivation results and staff often give their best. 3 â€Å"Call it what you will, incentives are what get people to work harder. † (Nikita Khrushchev) Research findings on the impact of pay and incentives on performance and output have overwhelmingly supported the above contention. Most employees work to satisfy their basic needs as opposed to achieving other goals. Although other factors such as job environment, tools and machinery, job policies as well as terms of contract are relevant to. All of the above play important roles in ensuring that employees and well equipped to perform at their best. Incentives basically refer to salaries and all other benefits which allow employees to function with minimum constraints. Incentives as a motivator should be administered carefully and uniformly. Job grading should be predictable and done in guidelines of a clear and open policy whereby employees are aware of what they need to do in order to move to the next level or to move to a higher job group. In a situation where by the issue of incentives is handled unprofessionally, conflicts arise and output and performance are negatively affected. 4 Discuss the term â€Å"turnover† in the hospitality industry. What does it mean? How can it be controlled? What are some of the causes? What does it mean to you? Turnover can be defined as the situation whereby employees keep on quitting job in unusually high rates. This could either be due to natural attrition, unfavorable working conditions as well as due to service termination. Turnover is a very common occurrence in the hospitality industry mainly due to the nature of the industry. Since many businesses in the hospitality sector peg their staff needs on seasons, low or high seasons call for flexible employment and contract terms in which organisations increase or retrench staff to reflect on market activity, this in turn results into un-usually high staff turnover occasioned by unpredictability of demand forces. â€Å"Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction† (Anne Frank) Job satisfaction refers to a state whereby one is able to work hard and in turn receive self assurance from the job upon being contented with the results of the work. Job satisfaction is good for employees in that it lead to high level of concentration and therefore high output. Lack of satisfaction leads to lack of concentration, something which a ffects performance. Laziness is a leading cause of job dissatisfaction in that for one to be truly satisfied with their work hard work and effort is needed. One needs to concentrate and exercise a lot of patience for that leads to satisfaction. Therefore, laziness hinders performance and this prevents job satisfaction. Employees should derive job satisfaction from the tasks allocated to them. This in turn leads to high profitability of the organization and a healthy work force.