Monday, September 30, 2019

Two dads are better than none

Life would always have Its way to prove that two is better than one. And partners would always almost remain partners. A spoon would always come with a fork, as a pencil would always have an eraser. A tooth paste would only be used with a tooth brush and a shoe has to be worn with a sock. Such things are typically seen as one. Though mammals the other would be fine, difficulties would still follow. Complete Is synonymous to perfect. And a complete family consists mainly of a father, a mother and their children.Two dads are better than none – a saying that goes against the natural law of marriage when you read between the lines. What happens when a family lacks a mother, and is rather replaced by two dads with their motherly big heart? It may not look complete. It may even seem peculiar. Or worse, unethical. But nothing would be more immoral than hurting someone physically and emotionally. A lot of children nowadays came from a broken family. As a consequence, they suffer depre ssion and attitude problems towards the people around them. They often feel alone and Incomplete.There are also a number of children left in an orphanage for their parents are not responsible and mature enough to keep them. Indeed It Is difficult to live alone or to live with people one Is not related with. And If two men are willing to live together and create a wholesome and loving family for a deserted child, why would I disagree? I personally believe that love knows no boundaries and that it knows no gender. Though I am a Christian, and the bible is strictly against same sex marriage, I find it acceptable but at the same time regrettable for they would never eve their own child.And thus no family of their own. But as I watch the pride march and heard their voices, I came to an understanding that they are happy with those consequences. Having a family with two dads may not be perfect. But the love that will be built inside a house, more likely a home, is enough to make everything complete. The sacrifices that these two men give the moment they decided to adapt a child and make a family may be equal or even more than the sacrifices a mother and a father can provide. For doing so, they are ready to face all discriminations, allInjustices, and all hardships In order to protect their child. They do not only need to be financially-prepared, but most especially emotionally- and mentally-prepared. People do change together with their perspectives. And everyone has all the rights to change. Being gay is not a negative thing. It comes all with acceptance not just by them but also by us. Moreover, being gay is not a hindrance to dream and pursue a family. Two dads are better than none By syllabicating Life would always have its way to prove that two is better than one.And partners Though missing the other would be fine, difficulties would still follow. Complete is alone and incomplete. There are also a number of children left in an orphanage for their parents are not responsible and mature enough to keep them. Indeed it is difficult to live alone or to live with people one is not related with. And if two men are injustices, and all hardships in order to protect their child. They do not only need to change. Being gay is not a negative thing.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

“Of Friendship” by Francis Bacon and “Friendship” by Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay

Friendship is practical and a way of life. It is practical because it resolves the conflicts you are experiencing through reflection, your friends help you without you telling them. The efficiency of friendship lies on how you communicate with your friends. It is a way of life because it mirrors your values and attitude as a person. According to a famous saying, â€Å"Birds of the same feather flock together. Usually, friends have the same interest, opinion, habits and activities. The essays â€Å"Of friendship† by Francis Bacon and â€Å"Friendship† by Ralph Waldo Emerson revolves on the theme of   how friendship becomes practical and a way of life. Same is the point of view of William Rawlins which says that:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a cultural category and source of imagery about ideal human relationships and   social    being, the term â€Å"friendship† usually evokes positive connotations. Its idealt ypical characteristics include the freedom to choose and maintain one’s bonds with others voluntarily, the personalized recognition of and response to particular individuals’ intrinsic worth as human beings, the pursuit of equality based on the   corresponding validity of friends’ subjective experiences, a shared orientation of mutual good will, understanding, trust, support, and acceptance, and heartfelt   feelings of platonic affection and concern. (271)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   First will be the discussion of the style. Bacon’s essay is impersonal, brief and descriptive ,using figures of speech   and detailed while Emerson’s is personal, unabridged   and poetic just like the first sentence of his essay â€Å"We have a great selfishness that chills like east winds the world, the whole human family is bathed with an element of love like a fine ether†, using similes and metaphors and other figures of speech. Emerson’s style is conversational and subjective. Bacon’s style uses a smooth transition touching one subject after another in an abrupt manner and sentences are fluid while in Emerson’s coherence is improved, explaining every idea that he has in mind. The same idea is given by Edwin Abbot:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It would seem that Bacon’s habit of collecting choice words and phrases, to express his meaning exactly, briefly, or ornately, had from a very early date the effect of repelling some of his hearers by the interspersion of unusual expressions and   metaphors. ( 450)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Next will be the discussion of the essay’s focus, content and organization .The essay accomplishes to instill to the mind of the reader the message it wants to convey. The words are clearly defined except for those old English that was used. Both are appropriate to individuals reading the essay and it does consider the needs and expectation of the reader. Both are supported with adequate details and evidences .The choices of the words are just. Emerson’s essay does not really get my attention due to its length, it becomes boring to read although there are memorable quotes and ideas that I get that really moved me and make me realize what he is talking about.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Afterwards will be the discussion of the essay. â€Å"Of Friendship† by Francis Bacon denotes the idea that no man is an island, coming from its introductory words: â€Å"It had been hard for him that spake it to have put more truth and untruth together in few words, than in that speech. Whatsoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god.†It is companionship. A person should not isolate himself from the society.   It also discusses the fruits of friendship like confession and built of trust to another person , understanding and affection .Light comes out of the dark and confused thoughts become clear, that is the role of friendship. You also must not elevate yourself from others but be of equal to them to achieve true friendship.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Friendship† by Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us that the sweetness of life is achieved through friendship .Intellect can help but it should act to feel the happy expression of being a friend and to befriend someone. A possession of a friend is more than the material things that the world is offering. Emerson also uses the physiology of a human to discuss the importance and meaning of friendship and also the mythological beings like the Greek gods and their representation in the essay as an agent of companionship. If Bacon has fruits of friendship to sweeten up life Emerson has the elements of friendship including tenderness,patience,silence and camaraderie to pump up the relationship and make it worthwhile.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To sum it up, I would like to borrow the words of C.S. Lewis that says that friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value;rather is one of those things that give value to its survival. It is unnecessary because friendship comes naturally, it is not forced. It has no survival either because its only residence is a good heart. As I have said friendship is practical, so if we have friends and they don’t act like one don’t mind them. True friends know the value of each one. Friendship does not survive in a lifetime but by the time that you are need by your friend. Friendship is also a way of life. Act as you are but know the value of friendship because according to John 15:13, The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them†. Works Cited   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abbott, Edwin. Francis Bacon: An Account of His Life and Works.London:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Macmillan,1885.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rawlins,William.   Friendship Matters: Communication, Dialectics, and the Life Course.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   New York:   Aldine De Gruyter,1992.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sharp, Ronald.   Friendship and Literature: Spirit and Form.   Durham, NC.:   Duke   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University Press,1986.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Analysing People Oriented Methodology And Its Ethics Philosophy Essay

Analysing People Oriented Methodology And Its Ethics Philosophy Essay People oriented methodology is mainly focused on obtaining the ethical position of every individual. It emphasizes more on ethics which is a participative approach of human or people who might be the stakeholders or users. It also highlight’s that users are deeply involved in the development process and take control over the stages, it means that the users are also involved in the decision making process and fully committed to the IS development. People oriented methodology can be applied to a system which really involves various types of people. It is normally a difficult task of making the users getting involved in to the development stages, but still the involvement of users from the top level management to the staff level is required in order to avoid some thoughts of the user like, feeling that the job should be more demanding and less secure. On the other hand user involvement may also be used to improvise the human-computer interface. Using this sort of an approach als o includes visibility, simplicity, consistency and flexibility. It is also one to the suitable methodology in the life cycle where its aim is to involve users in the development system; its focus is on ethics, socio technical view and human implementation; in the feasibility phase it identifies current problem, opportunity, system boundaries, existing system, key objectives and task. In the analysis phase diagnosis of efficiency, job satisfaction need and analysis, specifying and weighting efficiency is done. People-oriented methodology focuses on organizational design of new system, technical options and preparation of a detailed work design. In the implementation phase, the implementing process is planned in detail it also checks for whatever it is required to make a smooth changeover and finally in the maintenance phase the system is checked in order to make sure the objective is attained, If not the correction action is taken once again ETHICS As it is told already people-orient ed methodology mainly focuses on ethics. Ethics is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality that is concepts such as good and bad, wrong and right, justice and virtue. On the hand it can also be defined as a moral philosophy involving systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior which is required for an organization. According to Enid Mumford (see Mumford, 1995), ethics is a methodology based on the participative approach to information systems development. Ethics is different from most of the system development methodologies. In ethics the process of change is viewed with the perspective of organizational issue and not as a technical issue. Ethical Theories Ethical theories play an important role in optimizing ordinary moral functions and to establish or defend basic moral principles. Why Ethical Theories? The need for this is that the emergence of new practices in the business and the basic principles may not be enou gh for the arising problems and may not cover the new areas that are still uncovered. Therefore it is necessary for a rational and consistent theory to evaluate the morality of actions. There are two possible approaches in order to overcome these problems, firstly there are some general rules and approaches but they may not be enough for some sort of issues. There might be some situation where the generally accepted practice or rules may be challenged. In such cases if there is some ways to decide and proceed on which, rule to follow it would be grateful. The ethical theories help an individual or an organization in choosing the right rule.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Interview a veteran using these questions (be descriptive) Assignment

Interview a veteran using these questions (be descriptive) - Assignment Example ved during a period of time when our Country was heavily involved in the Vietnam conflict, where he says that though death was a common occurrence, it was one that you never get used to; Ron did three tours in Vietnam, despite this. During times of peace Ron acted as a weapons instructor, training men on the firing range. â€Å"The hardest part of the military, initially, was basic training,† stated Ron, â€Å"later on it became the loss of human lives.† Basic training serves as a trial by fire proving ground for Marines, pushing them to their limits both physically and mentally. Ron’s time in the military allowed him the opportunity to travel and he spent time in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Germany. The whole experience was one of learning and Ron says he most enjoyed that fact, along with the travel. After the military Ron became a successful Deputy Sheriff on the Special Reaction Team where he recently retired with a full pension. Ron says his military experience taught him to view issues from all sides, though he does believe that the Government keeps soldiers to long in combat situations. He now takes the time to actually focus on what others are trying to communicate and also helps those Veterans who may not have been as fortunate as he. He says he has finally gotten more acclimated to a society that is anti-war and he see’s people in a different light, understanding that our differences are the very thing which unites each of

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Sustainability In Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sustainability In Business - Essay Example As a result, the question arises as to how organizations as well as societies which are capable of sustaining exceedingly productive performance can be developed. Moreover, it has become increasingly comprehensible that â€Å"sustained economic success and quality of community life depends on developing a different relationship with the natural environment† (Dunphy, 2000, p.5), and hence, it is necessary to realize the fact that much of the economic affluence has been attained at the cost of global resources that have been exploited at an unsustainable rate. In the light of these facts, the current research will aim at evaluating the corporate sustainability of three global majors, viz. Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), Fluor Corporation (Fluor), and The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in terms of the sustainable profiles of different countries wherein they operate. The report will address a range of corporate sustainability issues that organizations commonly face, in order to substanti ate the fundamental premise of this research. The major strengths of the Shell include its internal factors that have lead to rapid growth of the company. It is one of the largest oil companies and it has acquired very strong market position in global oil industry. It enjoys an upper hand position in the market. The company has taken vertical integration for its operations that allows it to enter downstream and upstream activities like oil and gas exploration and refining, business-to-business sales etc (Shell-b, 2009). The company internal strategies and management team are efficient in maintaining the global operational business operations. The company has acquired high technical advancements for their business operational projects. Since last five years, the weaknesses of Shell have become more prominent due to certain negative factors. Firstly, the decreasing profit and sales margins are the major weakness of the company.

Enlightened View of the American Woman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Enlightened View of the American Woman - Essay Example In 1993, NYPD hit the screens where great lightning bongo drums in the sound tracks, accomplished women and male nudity was featured there was a sigh of relief from millions of viewers. But, when ER was released there was a cause of hope because it was another hospital drama (Alan and Logan). In 2004, desperate housewives hit the air and it gained popularity among the married women with jobs kids, husbands, friends, and partners and also beyond. All these shows gave an acknowledgement of the importance of adult female audience. Women were featured as ongoing characters working for a living and focuses on contemporary problems in heterosexual relationships although there has not been an achievement of daily couples who are homosexual on TV (Blackwell). To be on point and dog eyed bound, though wounded emotionally, it is an eager to talk it through the guy centre stage. The question is what do we gain whenever we submerge and kickback ourselves in these TV shows? And is there anything which can be said about the ongoing feminism project? Susan projects NYPD Blue as a cop show set in New York city, a Steven Bochoco’s signature style of production, the show has a lot of hand held camera work, lots of shaky, first paced and with intersecting plots of various crimes which are multiple and the personal lives of those who do the investigations. Susan points out that in the last season there were more women. And this year the show is being masculinised. Kelly (a woman in the last season) was replaced by Jimmy Smits (a male in the new season), this could only be compared to a territorial peeing contest. The scriptwriter portrayed him as a widower as a result of breast cancer which killed his wife. Immediately the viewer is informed of the tragic death, we are shown Bobby warning punks dealing in drugs that he would terminate them (Chandler). ER on the other hand has also showed story lines that are interesting, and the up of fast tracking cameras which are sprint down hospital corridors and like hawks on speed are swirl around operating tables. There are also elements of percussive sounds and bongo drums when the patients are being rushed in for treatment. In Chicago Hope is ER on Vellum, the cameras are stationary at a slower pace and instead of the bongo drums R & B are played. For ER on Helium and Northern Exposure, it goes to the hospital with beats that represent the character of the patient, e.g. the one that eats her hair or one with a fallen off ear. There is also the emphasis of ideal families and family as an institution in the show. The society as portrayed in this show values an ideal family. In both shows we see the establishment of a family as an institution. The authors have put a great emphasis on how ideal American families are and the various challenges that they face. This can be seen citing an example of the desperate house wives all housewives in the show are in a typical setup of an American family. However, there is th e gender connected feeling that women care more for the attainment of an ideal family than men. Each female character in this show is portrayed as struggling to attain the idealistic family, which is a culturally determined feeling. They think about what the general society judges an ideal family as and struggle to see that their families are of this type. This ideal

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Strategic plan for healthcare enterprise Assignment

Strategic plan for healthcare enterprise - Assignment Example As an independent faculty, MFA is dedicated to ensuring that they provide quality, safe and affordable medical care for everyone who steps in one of the clinics all over the Washington, D.C area. The faculty has invested in training and recruiting new doctors that bring with them new ways of dealing with crucial cases that may arise in the clinics. Being an association of physicians, the faculty covers a wider scope of the medical industry. Therefore, there is, need to invest resources in training the members with the new ways of treatment. In addition, the faculty has to invest in acquiring new technology that eases the process of treatment. This will help the faculty to continually add to the experience and the range of the treatments that it offers. The technology will have to be in line with the regulations that have been stipulated by the FDA on medications and technology. The Business process that is currently used by the organization, works well for the organization in pushing its agenda. However, as times change, new regulations on the business process of the industry forces the faculty to adjust so that they can full fill the legal obligations that have been set. The business process has to be on point so that the faculty cannot land in problems. Investing in a good business process might seem as the best option to improve the services offered by the faculty. However, the business process needs to be in line with the needs of the faculty and the regulations set by the FDA. The success of the faculty needs to be in line with the appropriate FDA guidelines (ETQ, 2012). Swift development of business process software’s that provide solutions to the changing market demands need to adhere to these regulations. It is important for the faculty to research well before employing the services of any software. The faculty has ensured that the technolog y for the business process has fulfilled all the regulation set by the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Report - Case Study Example Note that the standard labor hours per unit = $ 5.75. Therefore, with respect to the application rate of the combined variable and fixed cost, the standard number of hours allowable = (5.75*4,100) = 23,575. Since we have the price of overhead per hour ($ 29.37), the standard combined variable and fixed overhead rate = (29.37*23,575) = $ 692,398. The predetermined total overhead cost per hour = $ 29.37. The variable cost per hour = $ 8.10. Therefore, the fixed cost per hour = (29.37 – 8.10) = $ 21.27. The variable portion of the overhead = (8.1*23,575) = $ 190,957.5 Consequently, the fixed portion of the predetermined overhead = (21.37*23,575) = $ 501,440.25. The variance with (-) sign denotes the unfavorable deviations in the above exhibit. Some of the potential risk identified is a possible case of surplus or deficit unit production. Another imminent risk is failure to completely cover the overhead costs. These variances occur due to less focus on the prediction of the future conditions. A possible way forward is to predict possible changes and include a certain margin to cover for any uncertain unfavorable variance. The organization can implement the use of linear programming or regression analysis to establish an inclusive variable prediction (Berger,

Monday, September 23, 2019

Self Evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Self Evaluation - Essay Example I possess effective communication and listening skills, which are vital in any organization. I always listen carefully and make judgment after critical evaluation of the problem; thus likely to reduce conflicts that may arise in an origination. Besides communication and listening skills, I have learnt that effective teamwork, as well as controlling emotions is essential in the work environment. I am always read to work as a team and my future and I look forward to work in a dynamic organization that fully utilizes my potential and knowledge gained in classroom. Maxwell (34) argues that great leaders are the ones that embrace and work in a team; thus achieving success. Therefore, my aim is to deliver quality services and offer exemplary services; thus my biggest goal is to make clients happy since only if they are satisfied, then, I will also benefit from my work. My objective is to work in an organization that calls for total dedication, creativity, evaluation and effective decision; thus improving organizational performance

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Gender Socialization Essay Example for Free

Gender Socialization Essay Every child is born to a particular society which has its set of values, norms and belief system. The first stage of socialization of the child is the family to which he/she is born. As the child grows, he/she is introduced to the way life is lived and the role he or she is to play in the family and the society. When a child is born, the first question that anybody asks is ‘is it a boy or a girl? †. This is the beginning of gender socialization. From that point, the clothes the child wears, the kind of treatment that is given to the child and the things that are expected of the child becomes distinguished. UNICEF defined gender socialization as â€Å"a process of learning cultural roles according to ones sex, and provides examples of ways in which these are incorporated through parental and societal expectations from boys and girls† ( VAWnet, 2004). Taking a queue from my life experience and from my knowledge of socialization, I will say that the traits I see myself exhibiting are rubbed off on me as a result of my family socialization. At a very tender age, I grew to recognize my role in the family and how to relate with the elderly. My father taught me how to be a man and how to live the life of integrity and boldness, which he considered a necessity of any man. Furthermore, I grew up with an idea that some jobs were for ladies while some were for men. I was taught that men are strong and do not cave in to their emotions. I was taught how to be a fearless, courageous and decent young man and how it is my responsibility to look out for my family. Although I do not stay with my father and mother again, I still see some attributes of my father in me and sometimes when I do something, I smile and attribute that thing to what I learnt when I was growing up. Summarily, I believe no matter how hard we try not to draw a line between both sexes, the fact is we all have our roles in the society. Reference: http://new. vawnet. org/category/index_pages. php? category_id=813 â€Å"Gender Socialization† (2004). Retrieved on November 21, 2008.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Postmodernism in Amélie (2001)

Postmodernism in Amà ©lie (2001) With reference to key theories studied on the module and one of the films from the given list, critically analyse the image system of the film, and the ways in which supports to convey specific meanings. You must comment on the way in which the narrative, meaning and mood are supported by the formal elements, and draw connections with the relevant historical, cultural and genre contexts. My essay will argue that the image system of Amà ©lie (2001) and the post-modern style adapted by Jean Pierre Jeunet, was one of the key aspects which lead to the film’s huge success worldwide. I intend to explore how the levels of realism and formal elements within the film, develop the narrative and mood, with reference to historical developments in French film and critical viewpoints. To clarify, when I say foreign film, I am referencing the films which are foreign to Hollywood and the other predominant production companies in western culture. The film Le fabuleux destin dAmà ©lie Poulain was highly successful not only in France, but around the world, with a Domestic Total Gross of $33,225,499. It was also nominated for five academy awards including Best Foreign Film (Box Office Mojo). The film has a very distinct â€Å"look† derived from its image system and form, which has become part of French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s auteuristic style. He has been described by Eisenreich (2004) as â€Å"the national filmmaker who develops the richest visual world, combined with a technical mastery and artistic sense†. There are many critical essays and reviews written on the stem of Amà ©lie’s success in the mainstream film industry, many putting it down to the feel-good nature of the narrative, others suggesting it was the unique cinematography and mise en scene. Elizabeth Ezra (2008) states that Jean Pierre Jeunet, as an auteur, has a highly postmodern style. I am inclined to agree with this point, as Amà ©lie is such a stylised film that the viewer is rarely emerged completely in the film. The audience is always aware that they are in fact watching a carefully structured and composed piece of work. According to Braudy and Cohen (1999) postmodern cinema is a deliberate mixing of different genres and film styles, pastiche and exposing the nature of a constructed text. As filmmakers, such as Jean Pierre Jeunet, are becoming increasingly aware of their audience’s active role in viewing their films, they have begun to use the conventions of postmodern cinema to their advantage. An example of a postmodern device often used in Amà ©lie is â€Å"breaking the fourth wall† where the character directly addresses the viewer. Amà ©lie looks directly at the camera in many close-up shots. These shots are carefully composed and use a wide lens, creating more depth in the frame. This also distorts her already elfish face, emphasizing her large eyes with an expression that includes the audience in whatever joke or feeling she is experiencing. This technique is an easy way for Jeunet to emphasise her role in the narrative and engage the audience so that she is a sympathetic character to the viewer. As well as the distinct postmodern style, Jeunet seems to take inspiration from older film techniques. In Rà ©mi Fournier Lanzoni’s book French Cinema: From its Beginnings to the Present (2002) it is noted that the locations and characters in Amà ©lie are highly reminiscent of Poetic Realism films, a movement of French cinema in the 1930s that combined â€Å"naturalism and lyrical stylization† (Lanzoni 2002). The majority of the film was shot on location in the centre of Paris; however, unattractive aspects such as graffiti and rubbish bins were digitally removed in post-production. Using this technique meant that even the real modern Paris resembled the poetic-realist sets of the 30s. In my opinion, this approach makes the film feel removed from any particular timeframe, as if it is an ecosystem unaffected by the concerns of the wider world. This also means that it is strongly juxtaposed with the gritty realism of social dramas set in Paris made at a similar time, su ch as Mathieu Kassovitz’s â€Å"La Haine† (1995). Steinberg (2001) argues that this makes Amà ©lie seem highly unrealistic, saying â€Å"Jeunet’s Paris is a thoroughly sanitised version of the real thing; clean, free from honking cars, tourists, foreigners and other complications. Even the beggars are happy in such an idyllic Paris† Adding to the slightly surreal version of Paris created by Jeunet is the bold colour palette, the most dominant colours being red and green, often complemented by yellow. These colours create a very warm and positive tone to the film, as they seem to emulate old footage and perhaps evoke a nostalgic response from the viewer. This again distances the film from modern day, despite the use of modern day technology. The colour red could also be recognised as a motif in the film, as it is present in almost every scene; Amà ©lie’s clothes, the garden gnome’s hat, the flowers and tables in the cafe as well as many other objects. Jeunet also uses black and white when providing flashbacks, such as Bretodeau’s memories conjured by the treasure Amà ©lie leaves him. This may have been done simply so that it would fit with the archive footage of the Tour de France; however I believe that it also provides a contrast with the bright bold colours in the rest of the film. Stanley Cavell proposed that in cinema, often, black and white represents reality whereas bright colour portrays fantasy (Cavell 1979). In Amà ©lie, the narrative is focused on the main character; therefore the abnormal colours used could be seen as representative of her highly imaginative and playful outlook on life. This also suggests that the reality which the viewer is witnessing may perhaps be entirely constructed from Amà ©lie’s imagination. Ben-Shaul (2007) explains that some films attempt to make their simulacrum so believable that it is â€Å"invisible†, so that the characters and situation are the primary focus for the viewer. Others use an obvious range of cinematic techniques to replicate a certain type of reality the filmmaker wants the audience to experience. As previously mentioned, the mise en scene of Amà ©lie seems to be a product of Amà ©lie’s imagination; this means that the film becomes somewhat hyper-realistic. Baudrillard’s theory of â€Å"Hyperreality† (1994) describes when a film blends both reality and fantasy together so seamlessly that it is hard to tell what is real and what is not. I think that this is an essential theory to consider when understanding Amà ©lie, as some parts of the film which might be taken literally, may perhaps be figments of her imagination. However, many aspects of the film show very obvious uses of CGI, such as the imaginary crocodile that Amà ©lie plays with as a child. There are many comical moments in the film, for instance Amà ©lie quite literally breaking down into tears after not plucking up the courage to speak to Nino. There are also more serious uses of special effects, which are very noticeable, yet more subtle, for example Amà ©lie’s daydream of Nino sneaking up behind her in the kitchen. This sequence uses a split screen which resembles a thought bubble, showing Nino approaching Amà ©lie’s back whilst larger section of the frame shows Amà ©lie’s reactions from the front view. The use of these techniques, especially the animation, contribute to the film’s novelty factor, surprising and exciting the audience. If his use of CGI tells us anything about Jeunet’s auteur style, it is that he is not concerned with absolute realism. He enjoys the artifice of film and extends it as far as he can, integrating the fanciful with the actual while avoiding â€Å"cheesiness†. Equally important in creating Jeunet’s uncompromised auteuristic style is the wide range of shots, angles, and editing techniques. Vanderschelden (2007) notes that many of the camera techniques used throughout the film are â€Å"playful†¦reinforcing the light-hearted, cartoon-like tone†. I agree strongly with this statement, as the film is rich with interesting and unusual camera angles and pans, which perfectly reflect the characters portrayed. Montage sequences are liberally used in Amà ©lie, and are a key element to the style of the film. The whole opening of the film appears to be montage, the very fast paced shots of Amà ©lie’s childhood, from conception, to birth, to being five years old, to being fully grown up. According to Eisenstein’s Montage theory, the juxtaposition of opposites or similarities allows the filmmaker to shape the mind and emotions of the viewer. I feel that Jeunet chose to show Amà ©lie growing up at such a roaring pace, juxtaposing her childhood years and adult years, to show the audience how much she has changed and how much she has stayed the same. This device not only adds a â€Å"quirky humour† to the film, but it also introduces the fast paced and frantic tone of the film, allowing the viewer to gain a lot of ‘pointless’ information in a very short amount of time. The use of sped up footage is used throughout the film, accompanied by loud sound effects to keep the pace of the film up. The pacing up also works to create a surreal and quirky feel to the film. An example of this is when Amà ©lie cuts up the letters in a blur of speed. I found this added a little cartoon-like element to the film, as well as allowing the viewer to understand what it happening. Other examples of this in the film are the sped-up linking shots between Amà ©lie visiting the various Bedoteaux (not Betodeau), again accompanied by racing car noise sound effects. Another technique Jeunet uses in Amà ©lie is the use of a handheld camera. An example of this is in the fast paced scene where Amà ©lie takes the blind man by the arm and tells him what she sees. The handheld camera adds to the spontaneity of the scene, as it follows Amà ©lie’s sudden decision to help people. The scene is over very quickly, leaving the blind man stood appreciating what has just happened, and the handheld camera turns into a crane shot which swoops above, highlighting the significance of that moment. Often in films such as Mathieu Kassovitz’s â€Å"La Haine† (1995) the handheld camera is a technique which adds realism and makes the film seem much more dramatic. I feel that in Amà ©lie, the opposite effect is achieved, as the handheld camera is not used extensively, and is only used in times of excitement and joy, such as the final scene of Nino and Amà ©lie riding on the moped in a fairytale-like ending. Instead of adding realism, the handhel d camera conforms to Jeunet’s unique style, and adds to the surrealism of the film. Jeunet successfully uses a lot of panning and tracking, adding also to the fast pace established by the other techniques. For long periods of the film there is constant fluid movement, with the camera circling characters or swooping over scenes. The audience is often placed in an observing position, with the camera standing at a distance to the action. We are used to this convention in film but we are also used to being invited to get close into the action when it is appropriate, for instance if there is an important conversation. There are some occasions in Amà ©lie where we expect to be closer in to the action than we are, for example in the closed cafe, when Amà ©lie suggests to Georgette that Joseph likes her, we are positioned in a corner behind the stacked chairs, as if suggesting that we are eavesdropping on the conversation. This adds an air of secrecy and mystery in the film. An extension of this is when we see the action through a window, or an actual physical barrier, such as the conversation between Amà ©lie and Nino in the cafe where they talk through the glass screen. And removing the audience even further, binoculars and video cameras are used by the characters in the film in some scenes, lending an air of voyeurism to their, and consequently our, role. In addition, the film appears to be shot as a picture. Many of the scenes are framed; each looked pretty as a postcard and reflected her status of an observer. Scenes framed as pictures.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Design of Taipei 101 Essay -- Structural Design

Stiffness and comfort (steel outrigger trusses) The 101 story building, 500 meters high Taipei 101 is located in Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei 101 is the pride and identity of the people of Taiwan. The building represents â€Å"concept of striving for beyond perfection† (Taipei 101 anon 2005) as it outsmarts nature with its technological features. 101 building achieved a remarkable world record for the highest building in 2004 with 101 floors hence the name Taipei 101. Designing and building the 101 building was very challenging and rewarding, as it is located in one of the most hostile places in the world. The tall building is located in Taiwan, which is constantly under attack by Mother Nature, earthquake potential and typhoon winds are just common problem which the architect, C. Y. Lee & Partners, and the structural engineers Thornton Tomasetti Inc needed to solve. The engineers of the Taipei 101 made the impossible possible (Shieh et al n.d). The initial plan was to make three building with 60 storeys building in centre, but t he 60 building soon turned into 101 storey single tower building to meet investor’s demand. In order to be the most unique skyscraper in the world Taipei 101 building represents its culture (Taipei 101 Binder, 2008). In this part of the essay we are going to investigate about how is stiffness and comfort maintained in Taipei 101, we’ll be looking in depth some of the features of Taipei 101 that work together to provide stiffness and comfort. Firstly we will be looking at the stiffness and then move on to comfort features. How is Stiffness and comfort maintained by Taipei 101? To provide comfort the 101 building has to deal against the nature. Taipei 101 is located in a hazard prone environment. Typhoon and ... ...tlUvYTVMMmicsorE9tDlv1VgdZWCJDAKPfx3AOTuaIEUkm4piLesN_8NVrM131TbT8wyyRQ_0MIcIx7yVN5ho3D9NbHoZjiAx477&sig=AHIEtbQNaZZ1eKBA82LxMn_p6RZZMKxmvA&pli=1 (accessed 3.4.11) †¢ Anon. what are steel moment frames? (N.d). [online]. Available from: http://www.propertyrisk.com/refcentr/steel-side.htm (accessed 03.04.11) †¢ Brooks. C., Huff .I. The effect of high altitude or relative humidity. (2006). [online] available from: http://www.physics.umt.edu/borealis/RH%20Lab%20Report_06.pdf. (Accessed: 03.04.11). †¢ Anon, Taipei 101 expected to receive LEED platinum certification( 2010).[online]. Available from: http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/NEWSV/en/news_in.aspx?News_Sn=24 (accessed 03.04.11). †¢ Mizuguchi.h., nakagwa.t. and fujita.y. breaking the 1000mom barrier. (2005). [online]. Available from: http://www.elevator-world.com/magazine/PDF/sept05/sept05.pdf (accessed 03.04.11)

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Essay --

The Partition of India in 1947 illustrated what the real situation for decades with conflicts of religion and dominance as India gained independence from the British Raj. The process of dividing the subcontinent along sectarian lines resulted to the establishment of Pakistan as the predominantly Muslim sections of India; and the establishment of the Republic of India composed of the southern and majority Hindu section of India. Religion played a major role in the conflicts that existed between Hindus and Muslims aggravated by British imperialism. The Hindus were unwilling to accommodate Islam and the conflicting religious views between Hindus and Muslims made it extremely difficult for their peaceful co-existence. Hinduism is a strict hierarchical structure that is separated into thousands of castes to isolated units. Hinduism as a closed society commands loyalty from the implemented system of each caste with the presence of outsiders considered as the barbarians. Any connection with such outsiders through intermarriage and any other kind of relationship or by simply sitting, eating or drinking with them are forbidden because such outsiders would only pollute the purity of Hindus. Hinduism principles are primarily directed against those who do not belong to them and all foreigners even if such individuals referred to as Maleccha are inclined to their religion. Hinduism in its strict intolerance of other faiths led to the rejection of Hindus to assimilate Indian Muslims and ensured of a barrier that always divided Hindus and Muslims. The religious differences were fundamental to the separation of Muslims and Hindus and the hostility that constrained the possibilities of cooperation between them. The Muslims shared a se... ...ions of right and wrong and has placed the British in a very ugly world impression of Britain’s evil capability of stirring up hatred and doing nothing to suppress the consequences of division the imperial power orchestrated; and thus left the Hindus and Muslims in conflict and an absolute despise of the British. The scheme of winning wars using the troops of India clearly benefitted the British Empire even with the result of the loss of millions of Indian soldiers. The British were the great benefactors of the conquered peoples who generously gave in to promises to address the natives’ sentiments for independence. The British Empire was fed a boost for its international power with the ordinary public playing the no role in international politics except its consent to continue the illusion of popular mandate in the conception of state power by modern democracy.

Violence - McViolence in McAmerica Essay -- Exploratory Essays Researc

McViolence in McAmerica The United States was born in a spirit of freedom and democracy, yet also with a strong belief in the use of individual and group violence. The Revolutionary War lasted seven years and succeeded in its goal of a new and independent nation. It also began our two-century-long love affair with the gun, as four hundred thousand victorious citizen-soldiers helped proclaim the right to bear arms (Goldstein 480). America was born with a gun in hand and the desire to use it. But where did the violence begin and what can Americans do to stop it? These are the questions American's repeat every time they encounter violence in our fair country. Arnold Goldstein's "Violence in America" and The Violence Policy Center's "Teddy Bears", conclude that America is a violent nation. What caused America to be so violent? It seems that America's fascination with violence began during the civil war. It continues to claim importance in the minds of Americans even to this day. Throughout the centuries following the war, America's fascination with violence has been fueled by particular circumstances. It's written that during the eighteenth century, during the migration to the western United States, "Self-reliance, independence, and impatience with the poorly developed laws and law enforcement of the day were also part of this mentality (Goldstein 481)." Because of this save yourself mentality, people began to take the law into their owns hands and dole out local justice. People wanted to be the rugged law enforcer that saved the day. That particular myth seemed to be the most well know, but the leas... ...es more immune to it, The Violence Policy Center writes warning posters about it, and Arnold Goldstein can write an essay about how the violence in America started. So even though the Revolutionary War gave our country freedom, it also began a losing battle with violence that ceases to release America from its cold steel hands. Works Cited Goldstien, Arnold P. "How Did We Get Here?" Violence In America. Creating America: Reading and Writing Arguments. Eds. Joyce Moser and Ann Watters. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2002 (480-482). Violence Policy Center. "Teddy Bears." Creating America: Reading and Writing Arguments. Eds. Joyce Moser and Ann Watters. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2002 (491-492). Violence - McViolence in McAmerica Essay -- Exploratory Essays Researc McViolence in McAmerica The United States was born in a spirit of freedom and democracy, yet also with a strong belief in the use of individual and group violence. The Revolutionary War lasted seven years and succeeded in its goal of a new and independent nation. It also began our two-century-long love affair with the gun, as four hundred thousand victorious citizen-soldiers helped proclaim the right to bear arms (Goldstein 480). America was born with a gun in hand and the desire to use it. But where did the violence begin and what can Americans do to stop it? These are the questions American's repeat every time they encounter violence in our fair country. Arnold Goldstein's "Violence in America" and The Violence Policy Center's "Teddy Bears", conclude that America is a violent nation. What caused America to be so violent? It seems that America's fascination with violence began during the civil war. It continues to claim importance in the minds of Americans even to this day. Throughout the centuries following the war, America's fascination with violence has been fueled by particular circumstances. It's written that during the eighteenth century, during the migration to the western United States, "Self-reliance, independence, and impatience with the poorly developed laws and law enforcement of the day were also part of this mentality (Goldstein 481)." Because of this save yourself mentality, people began to take the law into their owns hands and dole out local justice. People wanted to be the rugged law enforcer that saved the day. That particular myth seemed to be the most well know, but the leas... ...es more immune to it, The Violence Policy Center writes warning posters about it, and Arnold Goldstein can write an essay about how the violence in America started. So even though the Revolutionary War gave our country freedom, it also began a losing battle with violence that ceases to release America from its cold steel hands. Works Cited Goldstien, Arnold P. "How Did We Get Here?" Violence In America. Creating America: Reading and Writing Arguments. Eds. Joyce Moser and Ann Watters. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2002 (480-482). Violence Policy Center. "Teddy Bears." Creating America: Reading and Writing Arguments. Eds. Joyce Moser and Ann Watters. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2002 (491-492).

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Lifestyle Choices Limit Good Health

The Scottish diet has been identified as particularly poor, it is high in salt, sugar and fat, and low in fresh fruit and vegetables. Neither women nor men meet the recommended levels of exercise; only 33% of women and 45% of men meet the recommended levels Of exercise. It is therefore not surprising that 59% of Scottish women and 69% or Scottish men are overweight and it is also not surprising that Scotland suffers from very high levels of weigh- related health problems, from diabetes to cancer.This suggests that the choices that we make about what we eat are impacting on the nation's health to a great degree. In addition, habits such as smoking certainly do have a connection with ill health. Smoking is a known cause of 25 serious diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. One in every four Scottish people will die from smoking related causes. It is therefore clear that the 23% of Scottish people who smoke are putting both their own health and others ar ound them in danger.Although all individuals have the ability to make healthy choices some of us are more likely to live healthy lifestyles than others. It can be cheap to live healthily – buying fruit or going for a walk – but for those in poverty, who are less likely to do so due to solicitation, knowledge, motivation or time. For instance, in Scotland least deprived areas, 1 1% of people smoke. In the most deprived areas, 40% of people smoke. Consequently, there are higher rates of lung cancer, heart disease, and low birth-weight babies in the most deprived areas of Scotland than in the least deprived areas.However, it is too simple to blame the poor for causing their own ill health through â€Å"bad choices†. For instance, Dry Harry Burns has spoken of the biology of poverty. In which he has argued that infants born into deprivation are exposed to the great stress, which has a lasting effect on the brain and body and leaved them more vulnerable to ease in la ter life. This has contributed to an astonishing 28 year male life expectancy gap between Gallon in Glasgow and the wealthy suburb of Leonie.Therefore, the health gap between rich and poor cannot be explained by lifestyle alone and we must take into account the wider effects of poverty on health. As a final point, other factors that are unrelated to lifestyle can also limit good health. Certain illnesses can be passed on in the genes. F-or instance, it is believed that 60% of cancers are linked to family history. However, few illnesses are purely hereditary and even those who carry a emetic Rick can lessen their risk of falling ill by making good lifestyle choices.For example, strokes do run in families, but it is said that 25% of them could have been prevented by doing regular daily exercise, such as walking. Therefore, lifestyles can still have an impact in the case of hereditary illnesses and is an important factor. In conclusion, while lifestyle factors do impact on health, the causes of ill health are more complex. Ill health is most usually the result of a combination of genes, environment and lifestyle factors and it is therefore too simple to say lifestyle is the main cause of ill health.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Social Inequality

Social Inequality Today, there are many stereotypes and discriminatory practices that act as barriers to a woman's advancement within the workplace. While it is undeniable that there are biological and physical differences between men and women, often times these differences are used to justify the unequal treatment of women not only in the workplace, but within society as a whole. Throughout history, women have often been viewed as the weaker sex and thus their place was thought to be within the home as the family caretaker.Unfortunately, these views continue to define the different social roles for men and women in the world today. This is an issue that almost everyone woman at some point in their life has had to face. Some may experience this unequal treatment at their work place, during their education, or in their everyday lives. Historically, a woman’s primary job was managing the household. As housewives who had no source of income besides that of what their husbands ea rned. In the public’s eye women were nothing more than wives, homemakers, caregivers, and mothers.It was not thought of for a woman to work a â€Å"real job† their place was at home taking care of the family. Throughout history women have struggled for equality. The Suffrage Movement and later the Affirmative Action were efforts to increase equality among genders. As the United States economy was changing to a more industrialized one it demanded more workers. While men were at war, the demand for workers needed for war production increased. Women decided to help out with war efforts by taking over the jobs left by men. This step was huge for women realizing their potential in the workplace.Prior to 1963 it was legal for a business to pay a woman performing similar work as a man a lower wage. It was also rare to find a woman in a position of authority in a workplace. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 required gender equality for payment of wages. From that point forward it was illegal for an employer to pay a woman a lower wage than a man simply because of her gender. A woman who suffers discrimination under the terms of this law may sue her employer in civil court to recover lost wages and punitive damages. A year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed.This granted equal rights to women in all areas of employment. Discrimination of any kind in the workplace based on gender was now illegal. The passing of the Civil Rights Act opened new career doors for women and supplied them with the legal support to do so. However, The Civil Rights Act was amended in 1991 when the federal government moved to include sexual harassment in the law's statutes. This revision allowed women to sue employers who permitted sexual harassment in the workplace for compensatory and punitive damages in court.This amendment to the Act did not stop sexual harassment in the workplace but it does help to empower women to fight back against the behavior. Even with these laws ther e is still a significant pay gap among men and women. For example in 2011, women working full time in the United States typically earned just 77 percent of what men earned, a gap of 23 percent. This gap has narrowed since the 1970s, due mainly to women’s progress in education and workforce participation and to men’s wages rising at a slower rate. The subject of equal pay is not only a woman’s issue but also the family’s issue.Families are relaying on women’s earning more than ever just to make ends meet. In typical married households, women’s incomes accounted for 36 percent of total family income in 2008, up from 29 percent in 1983. These days a large majority of mothers are in the paid labor force, and about one-third of employed mothers are the sole breadwinners for their families. For the 34 percent of working mothers who are the sole breadwinner for their family; either because they are single parents or their spouses is not in the labo r force.The gender pay gap can contribute to poor living conditions, poor nutrition, and fewer opportunities for their children. And for these women, closing the gender pay gap is much more than a point of pride it’s a matter of necessity. In 2011 women working full time made annual earnings of $37,118, while men annually made $48,202. Although statistics show the gender pay gap is smallest among the youngest workers. For instance, in 2010 full-time workers ages 16–19, women earned 95 percent of what men earned on a weekly basis.Among workers 65 years and older, women earned only 76 percent of what their male peers earned. Women typically earn more than 90 percent of what men earn until around the age of 35, at which point median earnings for women start to grow much more slowly than median earnings for men. After age 35, women’s median earnings fall to between 75 and 80 percent of the median earnings of men and remain there until retirement. When you look at ed ucation statistics you’ll see that more education is an effective tool for increasing earnings, but it is not an effective tool against the gender pay gap.At every level of academic achievement, women’s median earnings are less than men’s median earnings, and in some cases, the gender pay gap is larger at higher levels of education. While more education is an effective tool for increasing earnings, it is not an effective tool against the gender pay gap. In nearly every line of work, women face a pay gap no matter their education background or training. While a pay gap exists in nearly every occupational field, jobs traditionally associated with men tend to pay better than traditional female jobs, regardless of skill required.Even in 2012, women and men still tend to work in different kinds of jobs. This segregation of occupations is a major factor behind the pay gap. A significant part of the problem with workplace inequality is that women, throughout history ha ve traditionally assumed the responsibility of child-rearing. As a result, women's work outside the home is still seen as secondary or supplemental, even when they occupy highly skilled, professional, or management positions. The reasoning is that the Father's responsibility is with employment, while the Mother's is with the household.However, this is increasingly no longer the case in modern society. Employers often perceive working mothers as confronting a conflict of loyalty between home and work, and assume that these women, regardless of their circumstances, will lack the commitment required of the â€Å"ideal worker,† and thus they often exclude women as candidates for positions structured for such workers. Studies have shown that often times when a woman has to take a leave of absence from her job to meet family responsibilities, these absences have hurt their potential for future advancement within their organizations and others.Some businesses feel women will place t heir professional lives on hold in order to attend to family needs. This however is not always the case. If needed there should be a child care facilities on site, which should provide flexible working arrangements and hours. I personally believe that woman can balance the two lives, if the company is willing to provide assistance. There is experimental research documented showing that employers are less likely to hire mothers compared with childless women, and when employers do make an offer to a mother, they offer them lower salaries than they do other women.Fathers, in contrast, do not suffer a penalty compared with other men. Clearly, parenthood often affects men and women very differently in terms of labor force participation and how they are viewed by employers, and that difference may be reflected in a worker’s salary. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, more than 50% of women participate in the labor force. Of those 57 million in the workforce, only 72% work f ull time while the other 28% are part time workers. Many of those part-time workers hold multiple jobs.Even though women occupy more jobs than before, we can still a concentration in jobs being viewed as traditionally female. The top five occupations for women in 2003 were secretaries and administrative assistants (96. 3%), elementary and middle school teachers (80. 6%), registered nurses (90. 2%), nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (89%), and cashiers (75. 5%). Women continue to get paid less than men. Despite the awareness of gender inequality, there are still arguments about gender difference and assumptions that women and men are from different plants.The workplace still remains an unequal area, by persistent sex segregation, wage inequality, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment. Both women and men work, not only because they have to but want to. Employers should not judge women as being non-dependable. Family structure has changed dramatically over the years. Both parents share the family responsibilities. To compensate for the change businesses have introduced flextime, job sharing, telecommuting, on-site day care, and parental leave.Employers should accommodate a woman’s needs and expand the gender diversity in their company. There was a time where balance of respect and roles never existed between the two, but today, both men and women are truly redefining themselves and their relationships with each other. Most importantly women have broken from the bondage of dependence on men. They no longer have to submit themselves to one main role in the family life as the mother; they can now go beyond that and become the family breadwinner. Social Inequality Social Inequality Today, there are many stereotypes and discriminatory practices that act as barriers to a woman's advancement within the workplace. While it is undeniable that there are biological and physical differences between men and women, often times these differences are used to justify the unequal treatment of women not only in the workplace, but within society as a whole. Throughout history, women have often been viewed as the weaker sex and thus their place was thought to be within the home as the family caretaker.Unfortunately, these views continue to define the different social roles for men and women in the world today. This is an issue that almost everyone woman at some point in their life has had to face. Some may experience this unequal treatment at their work place, during their education, or in their everyday lives. Historically, a woman’s primary job was managing the household. As housewives who had no source of income besides that of what their husbands ea rned. In the public’s eye women were nothing more than wives, homemakers, caregivers, and mothers.It was not thought of for a woman to work a â€Å"real job† their place was at home taking care of the family. Throughout history women have struggled for equality. The Suffrage Movement and later the Affirmative Action were efforts to increase equality among genders. As the United States economy was changing to a more industrialized one it demanded more workers. While men were at war, the demand for workers needed for war production increased. Women decided to help out with war efforts by taking over the jobs left by men. This step was huge for women realizing their potential in the workplace.Prior to 1963 it was legal for a business to pay a woman performing similar work as a man a lower wage. It was also rare to find a woman in a position of authority in a workplace. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 required gender equality for payment of wages. From that point forward it was illegal for an employer to pay a woman a lower wage than a man simply because of her gender. A woman who suffers discrimination under the terms of this law may sue her employer in civil court to recover lost wages and punitive damages. A year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed.This granted equal rights to women in all areas of employment. Discrimination of any kind in the workplace based on gender was now illegal. The passing of the Civil Rights Act opened new career doors for women and supplied them with the legal support to do so. However, The Civil Rights Act was amended in 1991 when the federal government moved to include sexual harassment in the law's statutes. This revision allowed women to sue employers who permitted sexual harassment in the workplace for compensatory and punitive damages in court.This amendment to the Act did not stop sexual harassment in the workplace but it does help to empower women to fight back against the behavior. Even with these laws ther e is still a significant pay gap among men and women. For example in 2011, women working full time in the United States typically earned just 77 percent of what men earned, a gap of 23 percent. This gap has narrowed since the 1970s, due mainly to women’s progress in education and workforce participation and to men’s wages rising at a slower rate. The subject of equal pay is not only a woman’s issue but also the family’s issue.Families are relaying on women’s earning more than ever just to make ends meet. In typical married households, women’s incomes accounted for 36 percent of total family income in 2008, up from 29 percent in 1983. These days a large majority of mothers are in the paid labor force, and about one-third of employed mothers are the sole breadwinners for their families. For the 34 percent of working mothers who are the sole breadwinner for their family; either because they are single parents or their spouses is not in the labo r force.The gender pay gap can contribute to poor living conditions, poor nutrition, and fewer opportunities for their children. And for these women, closing the gender pay gap is much more than a point of pride it’s a matter of necessity. In 2011 women working full time made annual earnings of $37,118, while men annually made $48,202. Although statistics show the gender pay gap is smallest among the youngest workers. For instance, in 2010 full-time workers ages 16–19, women earned 95 percent of what men earned on a weekly basis.Among workers 65 years and older, women earned only 76 percent of what their male peers earned. Women typically earn more than 90 percent of what men earn until around the age of 35, at which point median earnings for women start to grow much more slowly than median earnings for men. After age 35, women’s median earnings fall to between 75 and 80 percent of the median earnings of men and remain there until retirement. When you look at ed ucation statistics you’ll see that more education is an effective tool for increasing earnings, but it is not an effective tool against the gender pay gap.At every level of academic achievement, women’s median earnings are less than men’s median earnings, and in some cases, the gender pay gap is larger at higher levels of education. While more education is an effective tool for increasing earnings, it is not an effective tool against the gender pay gap. In nearly every line of work, women face a pay gap no matter their education background or training. While a pay gap exists in nearly every occupational field, jobs traditionally associated with men tend to pay better than traditional female jobs, regardless of skill required.Even in 2012, women and men still tend to work in different kinds of jobs. This segregation of occupations is a major factor behind the pay gap. A significant part of the problem with workplace inequality is that women, throughout history ha ve traditionally assumed the responsibility of child-rearing. As a result, women's work outside the home is still seen as secondary or supplemental, even when they occupy highly skilled, professional, or management positions. The reasoning is that the Father's responsibility is with employment, while the Mother's is with the household.However, this is increasingly no longer the case in modern society. Employers often perceive working mothers as confronting a conflict of loyalty between home and work, and assume that these women, regardless of their circumstances, will lack the commitment required of the â€Å"ideal worker,† and thus they often exclude women as candidates for positions structured for such workers. Studies have shown that often times when a woman has to take a leave of absence from her job to meet family responsibilities, these absences have hurt their potential for future advancement within their organizations and others.Some businesses feel women will place t heir professional lives on hold in order to attend to family needs. This however is not always the case. If needed there should be a child care facilities on site, which should provide flexible working arrangements and hours. I personally believe that woman can balance the two lives, if the company is willing to provide assistance. There is experimental research documented showing that employers are less likely to hire mothers compared with childless women, and when employers do make an offer to a mother, they offer them lower salaries than they do other women.Fathers, in contrast, do not suffer a penalty compared with other men. Clearly, parenthood often affects men and women very differently in terms of labor force participation and how they are viewed by employers, and that difference may be reflected in a worker’s salary. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, more than 50% of women participate in the labor force. Of those 57 million in the workforce, only 72% work f ull time while the other 28% are part time workers. Many of those part-time workers hold multiple jobs.Even though women occupy more jobs than before, we can still a concentration in jobs being viewed as traditionally female. The top five occupations for women in 2003 were secretaries and administrative assistants (96. 3%), elementary and middle school teachers (80. 6%), registered nurses (90. 2%), nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (89%), and cashiers (75. 5%). Women continue to get paid less than men. Despite the awareness of gender inequality, there are still arguments about gender difference and assumptions that women and men are from different plants.The workplace still remains an unequal area, by persistent sex segregation, wage inequality, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment. Both women and men work, not only because they have to but want to. Employers should not judge women as being non-dependable. Family structure has changed dramatically over the years. Both parents share the family responsibilities. To compensate for the change businesses have introduced flextime, job sharing, telecommuting, on-site day care, and parental leave.Employers should accommodate a woman’s needs and expand the gender diversity in their company. There was a time where balance of respect and roles never existed between the two, but today, both men and women are truly redefining themselves and their relationships with each other. Most importantly women have broken from the bondage of dependence on men. They no longer have to submit themselves to one main role in the family life as the mother; they can now go beyond that and become the family breadwinner.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

To what extent can Lady Macbeth be seen as a female gothic protagonist at the start of the play?

At first meeting, Lady Macbeth appears to us as a ruthless predator, an emancipated woman driven by an all-consuming passion and displaying perfectly, the antithesis of womanhood. She has, it seems, acquired all the necessary requirements to fill the role of a female gothic protagonist. Whether or not she utilises these factors to the full extent and can really be called the protagonist will be discussed in further detail. Her character is not unveiled until Act I Scene V where, with the use of three speeches, she exposes the workings of her mind and lay it out for the audience. Her second speech displays perfectly the idea of Lady Macbeth as a ruthless predator. She calls on the supernatural to ‘unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty!’ She asks them to ‘Stop up the access and passage to remorse’ and to ‘make thick’ her blood. Here she displays a woman incapable of any feelings of love or amity, but it is important to think of her before she makes this request. If it is necessary for her to ask for the remittal of her remorse, then she must have had the ability to feel such feelings beforehand. We are given no background information on this woman and it is therefore difficult to say if she was always like this or whether it was Macbeth’s letter that changed her; this appeal she makes is one of few insights into her p ossible mind-set as Lady Macbeth before the play. Her status as a woman who displays the antithesis of womanhood can hardly be doubted, but Lady Macbeth would not have publicised these feelings. We know this from her relation with Duncan who refers to her as ‘our honoured hostess.’ The King of Scotland would hardly encourage a woman to act the way Lady Macbeth does on the audience’s initial meeting with her. Indeed, Lady Macbeth is a woman changed entirely when in the presence of people of such high status. She appears to be a domesticated woman, one happy to be at home while her husband goes out to war to serve as a loyal citizen. And yet, we know otherwise. In her second speech, she refers to her home as ‘my battlements.’ This presumption of hers, this idea that she should own her home and not her husband would have been a farcical one. The most menacing speeches uttered by Lady Macbeth occur not just when she summons iniquity, but when she does so with a language that refutes and distorts her maternal nature. In her second speech, she speaks to these ‘spirits’ and asks that they ‘come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ This line turns this universally natural feature of womanhood into something dark and troubling. Adding to this, the suggestion of changing a mother’s milk, what she feeds her children on, to poison, is a disgusting one. Further on in the play, Shakespeare manipulates this perversion of motherhood again when Lady Macbeth conveys a fantasy of infanticide: ‘I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, And dash'd the brains out†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ This horrific image is so against the searing love a mother feels for her child, that it is impossible for the reader to accept that Lady Macbeth fully comprehends firstly, what she is saying and secondly, that maternal love despite her previous statement of ‘I know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ However, Shakespeare has allowed the reader room for doubt. While we are certain that Lady Macbeth is a woman depraved of all the typical qualities of a homemaker, we do see a potential insight into the Macbeth’s sexual relations and Lady Macbeth’s ‘duty’ as a wife. Here, it appears she abides but it does become apparent that it is her who leads the way. Our insight into this idea is in her first speech where she talks of ‘pour[ing] my spirits in thine ear; And chastis[ing] with the valour of my tongue.’ The suggestion here that Lady Macbeth can impress things on her husband through the use of sex, would have been a shocking one. So while these sexual insinuations suggest the ‘wife’ side of Lady Macbeth, the knowledge that she can manipulate him as such, is once again the perfect display of the antithesis of womanhood. The gothic impact of Lady Macbeth’s indiscretion has less to do with her demonic entreaties, but rather more so with the reversals of her female nature, which show how willing she is to contemplate and fulfil her ambition for power. While certain aspects of her speech allow the reader to imagine her, for a second, as a woman happy to live and serve as a reclaimed wife, her ability to twist and distort words and ideas disallow the audience to hold these thoughts for long. This amalgamation of supernatural desires and her willingness to abandon her sex create, for the reader, a potent force of evil and the perfect female, gothic protagonist. disparagingly of her husband’s ‘human kindness’ but she summons demonic powers with her invocation: ‘Come, you spirits, / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty’ (1.5.38-41). She continues in similar vein: ‘Come to my woman’s breasts, / And take my milk for gall’ (1.5.45-46). Her communing with the forces of darkness is expressed in terms that seek to remove the ‘compunctious visitings’ of her female nature. Later, in one of the play’s most disturbing images, Lady Macbeth expresses a fantasy of infanticide: I have given suck, and know How tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out However, when it comes to her manipulation of Macbeth, she adopts the powerful weapon of sexual taunting: Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? When you durst do it, then you were a man. Lady Macbeth’s evil allows her at one and the same time to deny her maternal nature and to control her husband by invoking her sexuality. It is this capacity to distort her female identity to gain her political ends that makes Lady Macbeth at once a potent force for evil and a transgressive figure of the female gothic.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Christianity and the Identity of Jesus Essay

Although Muslims believe in one God, as do Christians, they reject as heresy that this one God is three persons. For more detail on what Christians believe on this, see the slot we did on this a few weeks ago which is posted on our website. For now, let’s suffice to say that Muslims reject the idea of God being three in one. Especially, the Qu’ran (main holy book of Islam) is strong on saying that Jesus isn’t God; ‘Isa (Jesus) was simply a created human being, and a slave of Allah’ An-Nisa’ 4:172 Jesus is given great honour in the Qu-ran, his status as a prophet and as a miracle-worker, even as God’s Christ is strongly affirmed. But he’s not God. In contrast the Bible is adamant that far from being just a created being, that Jesus is God himself become a human being. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God†¦The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ John 1:1 and 14 The Islamic and Christian views of Jesus: a comparison The person of Jesus or Isa in Arabic (peace be upon him) is of great significance in both Islam and Christianity. However, there are differences in terms of beliefs about the nature and life occurrences of this noble Messenger. Source of information about Jesus in Islam Most of the Islamic information about Jesus is actually found in the Quran. The Quran was revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and memorized and written down in his lifetime. Today, anyone who calls him or herself a Muslim believes in the complete authenticity of the Quran as the original revealed guidance from God. Source of information about Jesus in Christianity Christians take their information about Jesus from the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments. These contain four biblical narratives covering the life and death of Jesus. They have been written, according to tradition, respectively by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They are placed at the beginning of the New Testament and comprise close to half of it. Encyclopedia Britannica notes that none of the sources of his life and work can be traced to Jesus himself; he did not leave a single known written word. Also, there are no contemporary accounts written of his life and death. What can be established about the historical Jesus depends almost without exception on Christian traditions, especially on the material used in the composition of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, which reflect the outlook of the later church and its faith in Jesus. Below are the views of Islam and Christianity based on primary source texts and core beliefs.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Functions of Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Functions of Management - Essay Example An example of planning function occurs when the retailer wants to expand its operations to new markets. Organizing function involves controlling the overall operations in the organization. This includes assigning of tasks, and delegating authority and responsibility to some employees (Fox, 2009). In Wal-Mart, this function is common when the retailer wants to relieve the top management some tasks in order for it to deal with external issues. Staffing is a function that involves the recruitment of the subordinates. This function ensures that the right people are hired for the job (Fox, 2009). In addition, in Wal-Mart, the process encompasses training, promoting best employees, and transferring them to different departments and subsidiaries. Controlling is a function that ensures that all operations are ongoing without any hitches. It is an important function that identifies problems and setting new standards of performance (Fox, 2009). In Wal-Mart, this function involves auditing and using performance appraisal to identify any issue that might affect the performance of the

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Global Warming and Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global Warming and Energy - Essay Example The global warming issue is divided by 1) spreading process, 2) spreading locations, and 3) principal causes. Global environmental issues include a wide range of environment related issues, such as, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, rain forest phenomenon, desertification, reduction of wildlife species, pollution problems in developing countries, water life pollution, hazardous wastes, etc. Among all of these issues, the global warming issue, which is caused due to the increased consumption of energy derived from the fossil fuels, draws an increasing attention of the whole world. Mechanisms of Global Warming Mechanism of Warming The surface of planets including Earth is heated by solar radiation energy, which is a visible light with short wavelength, whereas it is cooled by releasing energy, which is an infrared ray with long wavelength. The temperature of the planet surface is determined by the balance between the incoming and outgoing energies. A. Cooling Eff ect Not all solar rays that are radiated towards the earth reach the surface of the earth. There are substances around the earth that reflect the solar rays. The reflected radiation energy does not reach the surface of the earth. ... e are certain gases present in the atmosphere, which do not have the tendency to absorb the visible light with short wavelength, such as, solar radiation energy but they can absorb the infrared radiation with long wavelength, such as, the energy that is released from the earth. Once these gases absorb the released energy from the earth's surface, they re-radiate the energy in all directions. Some energy is directed upwards, whereas some energy is directed back towards the earth's surface. As a result, the temperature of the earth's surface starts increasing due to the energy which is directed towards the surface of the earth. Types of Greenhouse Gases The greenhouse gases which occur naturally include methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and ozone, whereas the artificial greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbon. Among these greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the type of gas, which contributes most to the issue of global warming. If we analyze the rate of emissions of the last decade, we find that the global warming caused due to carbon dioxide accounts for approximately seventy percent, which is really a great percentage. Before the industrial revolution, the greenhouse gas concentration was relatively stable, but when the world’s population started to increase rapidly along with industrialization and agricultural modernization, the greenhouse gas concentration increased up to a great extent. Japan's Carbon Dioxide Emissions Since the first oil crisis, which occurred in 1973, Japan's carbon dioxide emissions had remained unchanged until the mid 1980s. Then, due to strong economic growth during the bubble period and the low energy cost, it faced an upward trend. Thereafter, the increase rate became slow, but in 2008, 1187 million tons

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Millennial Management Style in today's generation Essay

Millennial Management Style in today's generation - Essay Example Growing companies need this millennial generation who have innovative ideas that can help them improve performance. Deciding new millennial management style is extremely crucial for maximizing generation-Y potential in the companies. Therefore, the growing companies can win the generation game because with the millennial management style they can lead their managers and employees to help them perform better in the business world. Millennial management style is different from the conventional management style that is adopted by generation-X. The purpose of millennial management style is to satisfy generation-Y expectation in working force so that the millennial generation can perform at their best. This implementation positively impacts the future of growing company because of the rising number of generation-Y workers. The millennial generation expects active, involved leadership, income, personal enrichment, teamwork, and most importantly flexibility. Therefore, the growing companies must focus on following aspects to integrate the new millennial management style: Millennial management style applies flat management structure or teamwork based roles. The old tradition of a companys hierarchy structure doesnt work effectively in millennial management as in Generation-X Company. In millennial management, everyone has the same right to express his or her aspiration and his or her need for high interaction with his or her team. Set clear expectation with relationship-style focus appeals to millennial employees. When the company assigns a job or project to millennial employees, they should address the expectation with clear guidelines, priority, and intention that the millennial needs to follow. A clear expectation is very useful in millennial management system; this is because a companys management can set up a deadline that the millennial employees will fulfill when they submit the project. Autocracy leadership style doesnt work effectively in

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Behavior Modification Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Behavior Modification - Assignment Example Action stage is that when an individual embraces new behavior for a period of 3-6 months. This is followed by the maintenance stage during which an individual continuous commitment to sustain the new behavior. The last stage is the relapse when an individual tend to have a resumption of old behaviors. Have continued to recall information have read and heard from different sources about the importance of conserving our environment. Even though it has been had to take an initiative as an individual, I have been able to resolve that I will react emotionally to the warnings of environmental protection. I have considered environmental protection as an important aspect of livelihood of mankind. I consider environmental conversation as a means of changing ways that make the entire kingdom of living things happy. Environmental protection enables the sustainability of the life from one generation to the other. As such I have resolved to save my little resources and place them with the agencies that work towards environmental protection. I have mobilized my classmates and other friends who have agreed to work with me towards the same goal. I have found that creating awareness on environmental protection is a productive way of sp=ending my free time outside school. I develop the sense of self satisfaction when I participate in environmental conservation. Environmental conservation helps in protection of property’s value through enabling the restrictions on land use and development. This helps in putting land into proper use thereby enhancing land productivity. This in turn enhances food security for both man and animals on the both short and long run. Environmental conservation enables the protection of water sheds that help in the provision of water supply for agricultural and domestic use (Bethesda, 2008). The resolve for social health change through environmental conservation has encouraged many people

Monday, September 9, 2019

Knowledgement Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Knowledgement Management - Research Paper Example 1). The meaning of the term knowledge was qualified by Baker, Baker, Thorne, & Dutnell (1997), â€Å"knowledge is present in ideas, judgments, talents, root causes, relationships, perspectives and concepts. Knowledge can be related to customers, products, processes, culture, skills, experiences and know-how† (cited in Kalpic & Bernus, 2006, p. 44). KM is therefore important to the success of the organization because through the collective shared efforts of various stakeholders, the potentials and resources of the organizations are maximized. Core competencies and strengths are capitalized to enable the organization to address risks, threats and changes in external environmental factors that would impinge on the firm’s operations. Accordingly, not only are the organizational objectives achieved; but more so, the relevant contribution of the organization’s stakeholders are thereby percieved as instrumental for the firm’s success and therefore, make each cont ributor better motivated to share their inputs towards a greater good. As noted from Kalpic & Bernus’ (2006) discourse, â€Å"Rouggles (1998), for example, found that the four most common KM projects conducted by organizations were creating/implementing an intranet, knowledge repositories, decision support tools, or groupware to support collaboration† (p. 49). The creation and implementation of an intranet is deemed crucial for organizations to access and connect volumes and diverse information through different departments and functions within the organization. This is an example of KM due to the interplay of inputs, processes and systems that need to be identified, analyzed and connected, as required. Decision-support tools are also examples of KM programs were organizational policies and procedures identify and authorize authorities to decide on significant aspects, alternatives, and options that each personnel, department, or group makes on a daily basis. The design and implementation of

Teaching of English as the Second Language Essay

Teaching of English as the Second Language - Essay Example It is also important for the tutor to be familiar with the syllabus so that s/he the communication flow is flawless and effective when the students are being taught. (Gisela Ernst-Slavit & Margaret Mulhern) The SIOP model advocates use of inputs associated with the students' first language for them to connect with and transfer in course of learning the second language. The syllabus must ideally consist of bilingual lessons and text so that the student could read and comprehend the lesson in his or her own language first and then attempt reading and comprehending the same lesson in the second language. The use of the students' first language in teaching of second language is a powerful tool to achieve quick results by means of systematic, step by step approach involving variety of orals, visuals and group activities. Depending on the age group, gender, culture, the students' general knowledge and grasp, study material consistent with the students' faculties and knowledge level are chosen in the students' first language and supplemented with the second language s/he is about to study. The students will have the opportunity of reading the lessons in their own language, and subsequently read through the same lessons in the second language.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

MODERN LAND LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

MODERN LAND LAW - Essay Example Trusts of this nature are ‘created by a transaction between the trustee and the cestui que trust in connection with the acquisition by the trustee of a legal estate in land, whenever the trustee has so conducted himself that it would be inequitable to allow him to deny to the cestui que trust a beneficial interest in the land acquired. And he will be held to have so conducted himself if by his words or conduct he has induced the cestui que trust to act to his own detriment in the reasonable belief that by so acting he was acquiring a beneficial interest in the land.’2 The case giving way to Lord Diplock’s observations, Gissing v Gissing involved a scenario where matrimonial property was held in the name of the husband only. The questions for determination were: Did the husband hold the legal title upon trust for the benefit of both he and the wife. And if so, how were the beneficial interests to be divided? In cases such as this, Lord Diplock opined that court must satisfy itself on the evidence that it was ‘the common intention of both spouses that the contributing wife should have a share in the beneficial interest and that her contributions were made upon this understanding.’3 In many cases, the intention or common understanding of the parties will have to be inferred as there is not always going to be statements of intent from either or both parties. Lord Diplock went on to explain that this inference might also be a mere matter of fact. In many cases he explained and husband and wife purchase a matrimonial home by virtue of a mortgage, the capacity of each spouse to contribute to the monthly mortgage payments will usually come out of their separate earnings. However, a woman’s income might be altered by the introduction of children into the marital union. This, Lord Diplock stated should not operate to negate the common intention of both parties to acquire a

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Change the Culture of an Organisation Essay Example for Free

Change the Culture of an Organisation Essay The culture of an organization can be defined by the ‘way they do things’, this means the way they make decisions, operate and how they choose and achieve their objectives. As culture is a set of values and practices, changing it may be difficult and a long process, especially if the change is organized by a new chief executive. Changing the culture of an organization may not be easy especially if the new chief executive does not fully understand the previous culture and therefore does not embrace it in the change. This lack of knowledge may result in an inappropriate culture being chosen that could limit the company’s performance as productivity reduces. An example of a badly imposed culture can been seen with the Chrysler and Damier-Benz merge in 1998. Damier-Benz imposed their traditional and structured German culture on the free-spirited American car company Chrysler. The extremely different cultures created tension that later affected their efficiency as decision-making took longer and the workforce were not happy. The inappropriate culture resulted in a loss of $1.5 billon by 2006. In 2011, the new chief executive of Tesco, Phillip Clarke, also made a cultural change which proved unsuccessful. He proposed a strategy to change Tesco’s brand image to be known for â€Å"highly valued brands† as opposed to their cheaper â€Å"Value† products. The decrease in popular promotion deals such as vouchers and meal deals reduced their sales revenue and share value which fell by 15% by the end of 2011. This suggests that Clarke failed to identify Tesco’s main source of competitively. Therefore, both examples show that cultural changes may be difficult as the new chief executives lack knowledge and experience in the company. Culture change also takes a long time, especially as traditions and values are set. A prime example of this is with Sony. Sony is a Japan-based company who prides themselves in adopting a traditional Japanese business culture. Examples of their culture can be seen with their clear line of authority and their strong belief in respect. However, Sony’s reducing performance and the fast changing world alarmed the new chief executive, Howard Stringer, to change the culture to one that embraces change. Although proposals to change the culture were made in 2007, Sony’s culture has still not fully transformed which is reflected in their still low competitively. Therefore, it may still take some time for Sony to fully embrace an innovative culture as their Japanese culture has largely influenced the organization. It also took a long time for Marks Spencer to introduce higher levels of technology, such as a stock control system, as they are said to have a ‘backward culture’. This is because they don’t embrace change and are led by system and procedures. These examples provide evidence that change in a business’s culture may not be done quickly as the organization is accustomed to the previous culture. However, changing a company’s culture can be easy if the new chief executive conducts the change in an appropriate manner. As culture change will have a direct impact on stakeholders, it is important for the new chief executive to inform all stakeholders of the changes and to also encourage feedback. The loss of the innovative leader of Apple, Steve Jobbs created much anxiety about the new CEO Tim Cook. Stakeholders feared Cook would change the company and reject all Jobbs practices especially as the two leaders have different personalities. The media worsened the situation with continuous negative press coverage which resulted in a decrease in consumer confidence as well as Apple’s share price. Although Jobbs had planned to make some strategic changes to the company’s practices, he reassured stakeholders by stating that â€Å"Apple will not change†. He also identified these new strategies and their benefits in a press release which justified his decisions and satisfied stakeholders. The newfound trust of stakeholders will enable Apple’s cultural change to be easier and happen more quickly. In view of the above, I believe that it is not easy to change the culture of a business, as the current practices are custom to the organization; this also suggests that the change will be quite a process and therefore won’t be done quickly. This situation is worsened as the chief executive is new and won’t have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the business to enable a smooth and quick transition. However, the ability for the new chief executive to change the business’s culture quickly and easily is highly dependant upon the reaction of the stakeholders. For example, BP’s customers may react positively as the new culture will increase the company’s responsiveness to customers. Shareholders may also react positively as the increase of innovation should increase BP’s competitive advantage which could increase the company’s value and share price. However, the increase in innovation may pose a threat the employees as management will expect higher quality and the need for more qualified personnel may be necessary. Therefore, support from stakeholders will encourage an easier and quickly transformation whereas negativity will not. The skills of the workforce is also important as if they are innovative the cultural change will happen faster. However, Sony is in a creative industry and their strategy to increase innovation still took a long time. This suggests that attitudes and beliefs of the workforce are also important. An easy change is also depend upon the new executives approach, is it forceful or flexible? Damier-Benz’s forceful approach result in a large amount of tension that slowed the change and resulted in a financial loss.