Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Development of Australian Law

Western culture refers to the societal structures and norms that arose from Ancient Greece and spread throughout Europe. This Included the ways their governments were run and how their legal systems developed. Australia, being a colony of the British Empire was heavily influenced by the concepts and institutions established under English government and law, which had a profound Impact on how the state, especially that of New South Wales, and federal legal systems were originated and developed, based on what was relevant to the new colony and what was not.Origin of English Law To understand how the English legal system had an influence on the concepts and Institutions In the Australian legal system, It must first be known how It was established and developed. The Battle of Hastings in 1066 which saw the Normandy takeover by William the Conqueror, saw a change in the way England was ruled, and the further development of the Feudal System to English society. The King argued that he was above all law, whilst Parliament refuted this claim.What followed was centuries of fishing that saw the legal system develop and gain power over the monarchy in order to Magna Cart The Magna Cart was a 121 5 document, that King John, was forced to sign by his Curia Regis, or King's court, as he had been abusing his powers. Restrictions were placed upon the amount of arbitrary power the King had, as well as outlines for the court systems. Its main purpose was to show that it was possible to put limitation upon the King and for the court to have some control over the ruling of the country.It was Woolworth who said â€Å"[T]he gaining of Magna Cart closes one period in the history of English law and begins another. It closes the period during which the law Is plopped by the power of the crown alone, and it begins the period which will end in the establishment of a Parliament, with power to take some share in the making a development of the law. † This movement which gave power t o the King's court was a founding component In the English constitution, which helped establish a Parliamentary system, and therefore is important in the Australian legal system.Similarly to England, Australia's parliamentary and court systems are separate entities to the monarchy, with these institutions being able to govern themselves outside of the Governor-General or Governor's capacity, thus showing the Influence hat the English legal system has. Royal Prerogative One problem faced by the King, parliament and courts was where one's power started and stopped. According to common law, the King was not above the law, however, the monarchy argued that he was above all law, and could delegate tasks to others.However, under the case of Prohibitions these Issues were discussed and findings set out the limitations each of arm of the law. These findings have influenced the concepts and institutions that were established in the Australian legal system, and how much power each of arm of g overnment has and what this entails, again roving that the concepts and Institutions of the English legal system are embedded in Australia. Separation of Powers Separation of powers refers to the government being divided into three arms- the I OFF (defining the legislation).The parliament and courts argued that nobody, including the King, was above the word of the law. In England, in Bantam's Case, the ruling against the orders of the King gave way to the notion that the courts had power over the monarchy. However, it wasn't until the reign of Charles I without a parliament from 1629-1640 and the subsequent events that this idea was cemented in law. Upon losing the Civil War against parliament in 1649, Charles I was tried for superseding the parliament and excessively taxing the people once he ran out of funds.He was the first European monarch to be tried without first being deposed, and this was an historical event in Western law. His defense being that he was King, and therefore a bove court Jurisdiction, however he was found to be guilty and sentenced to death. England was then ruled without parliament, known as an interregnum period, between 1649 and 1660. After this period, Charles II was asked back to be head of the monarchy by the parliament, however was placed under strict limitations that saw his powers restricted, and played a founding role in the idea that nobody was above the law.These actions thus saw the establishment of a separation of powers, a concept that has been put into place in the Australian legal system as well. Separation of powers is an integral part of the Australian legal system, as it stops any one branch of government gaining arbitrary power over the people. Discovery of Australia Terra Annulus, meaning land belonging to no one, is a term used to describe a new found land that gives permission for colonization.This meant that those native to Australia, with the land being declared terra annulus' were stripped of any land rights or legal rights. This meant that the British were able to colonies the land, and formed their own society, that saw the brutal treatment of Aborigines and the planned destruction of their culture. This gave way to the formation of the Australian legal system as it is known today, as the English had free reign to build society as they saw fit.Development of Australian Parliamentary System Like England, the established ways of state and federal parliament were based on a institutional framework- a set of guidelines as to how run parliament and how power is distributed. The Australian Constitution and its state counterparts are the guidelines upon which the federal and state legal systems are based. This includes a Governor, whom acts as a representative of the Queen, showing how the English idea of a Head of State was still instilled in the Australian legal system.Like England, the New South Wales Government – as well as the six other states bar Queensland, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory – and the Australian Federal Government has a bicameralism system of parliament. Bicameralism is to have two houses of parliament, in Australian state and federal these are the upper house – Senate – and lower house – House of Representatives. These are similar to the English House of Lords (Upper House) and House of Commons (Lower House).This concept was brought from England to Australia, where the lower house is voted in by the people and these are the ones who propose legislative change, whilst the upper house is decided from within government, must also pass any proposed bills and can keep a balance and check of power from the elected government, to ensure that arbitrary power is not gained. The Western legal traditions from England were new colony. Development of Australian Legislation Much of early Australian legislation was based upon English law, as it was the founder of the colony.However it was Blackstone who sai d that English law would only apply in the new colony as long as it was applicable to the context, under new circumstances. The idea that to move forward as a colony, that some laws would need to be changed to promote growth, can be seen in the Cable Case, where Henry Cable was labeled as a ‘laborer' and as a ‘new settler of this place' instead of a invoice, and treated to the legal rights of those without criminal records, which was against English Law which found anyone with a criminal record to be civilly dead, that is, to have no legal rights.This landmark case gave almost all the right to obtaining legal help, a fact that was important in a colony made up of majority of convicts, so that in the future there could be social and legal development. This landmark case also saw the Australian legal system as being able to hold its own, and that it could make laws outside of English law. Although this may be the case, English ideals and trustees used still remain an integ ral part of the legislation process.Conclusion Western legal tradition, or essentially English law, built the foundations upon which the Australian legal system was formed. The concepts and institutions used in the practice of governing and the making of legislation have been taken from that of English ways, however, Australian federal and state has developed its own legislation as it has seen fit in order to appease the people of the place, and not those in England. One cannot deny however, that the English legal traditions are ingrained in the New South Wales and Australian legal systems.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Strategic Financial Ratio Analysis

Strategic Financial Ratio Analysis| Meghna Cement Mills Bangladesh Limited & Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Limited For the year of 2009,2010 & 2011| Course Title : Fin 254 Section : 11 Submitted to : SFR Submission date: 09/04/2013| Group: 5Mohammad Riyasad Jamil (Id# XXXXXXXXXX) Saika Alam (Id# XXXXXXXXXX) Rifat Kaniz (Id# XXXXXXXXXX) Mohammad Shaikh Ashfaq (Id#1020668030) Anika Tabassum (Id# XXXXXXXXXX) Ishraq Aahmed (Id# XXXXXXXXXX) Introduction: Ratio analysis is the broad method by which financial data is converted into simple mathematic ratios for comparison. Since the data is widely available, calculating ratio analysis numbers can be accomplished by anyone with access to public financial statements.External usage of the ratio analysis data is widespread. While these ratios don’t tell the whole story, sharp deviations from an industry standard, can forecast growth or decline. In this project we have selected two companies from The Cement Industries of Bangladesh, one as our main company for which we intend to analyze through Ratio Calculation and the other one as the direct competitor to that company. The main company we have selected is the Heidelberg Cement and the competitor company is to be Meghna Cement Mills Bangladesh Limited. Both of these companies are enlisted in Dhaka Stock Exchange since 2007 till present.The whole purpose of this project is to comparatively evaluate the main company (The Heidelberg Cement) to its direct competitor (The Meghna Cement Mils Bangladesh Limited), to determine the over-all strategic financial health of The Heidelberg Cement. Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd, one of the group companies of Heidelberg Cement Group, founded in Germany in 1873, with its core products being cement, ready-mixed concrete, aggregates and related activities, is one of the leading producers of building materials worldwide. The group employs around 43,000 people in more than 50 countries.In 1999, Heidelberg Cement acquired its operation s in Bangladesh. The subsidiary Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd. , which is the market leader in Bangladesh, operates two cement grinding plants in Dhaka, the capital city, and in Chittagong. At present it has 9. 31 % market shares among total market share of 78. 29 % of 13 major cement manufacturers in Bangladesh. The company’s last estimated production from 2011 was 1,320,129 MT and observed sales were 1,318,110 MT. The last observed market value from 2001 of this company was 248. 8 Taka/share and the book value was 142 Taka/share.So the company was overvalued by the Market. These worked as the reasons for us to choose this company as a test company for The Strategic Ration Analysis. We have selected Meghna Cement Mills Bangladesh Limited to be the direct competitor of our test company for this project. Meghna Cement Mills Ltd is the first manufacturing unit of Bashundhara Group and it is one of the largest cement industries in the country producing nearly 1 million metric tons a year. The company is listed with both Dhaka and Chittagong Stock Exchanges. The last observed Share price of the company from 2011 was 136. 0 Taka/share. Although it’s a domestic company compared to The Heidelberg Cement, it gives quite a completion to the Heidelberg Group in Bangladesh as we are going to observe in the following part of this project. Ratio Analysis: When we calculate the ratios of a firm we have to go through five major categories of ratios as follows: * Liquidity Ratio : Which determines if the firm can make required payments for its maturing financial responsibilities through Liquid Cash drawn from its Assets * Productivity Ratio: Which measures the ability of a firm to generate Sales from its employed Assets Leverage Ratio: These ratios put a light on the Financial Leverages of a firm and the ability of that firm to meet those Financial Leverages effectively. * Profitability Ratio: These ratios measure how efficiently a unit of sales is turned int o profit for the company * Valuation Ratio: These ratios are used to assess how the market is valuing the firm (share price) in relationship to assets and current earnings, profits and dividends. Liquidity Ratio: There are three different ratios under liquidity ratios as follows; * Current Ratio * Working Capital Ratio Quick Ratio 1) Current Ratio: Measures the number of units of current assets to pay out for each unit of current liabilities. The formula for Current Ratio: Current Ratio = Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities Current Ratio = Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg cement| 0. 56 (x)| 0. 17 (x)| 0. 56 (x)| Meghna cement| 0. 70 (x)| 0. 64 (x)| 0. 66 (x)| Interpretation: In 2009 Heidelberg’s working capital ratio was 0. 56 (x) and in 2010 and in 2011 its working capital was 0. 17 (x) and 0. 56 (x) which implies its current asset went down and total asset went up in 2010.In 2009 Meghna’s working capital ratio was 0. 66 and in 2010 and in 2011 its working capital was 0. 64 and 0. 70 which I plies its current assent went down and total assent went up in 2010. Heidelberg holds a constant working capital ratio which decreased in 2010 and they managed to pull it up in 2011 where as Meghna’s working capital increased gradually from 2009 to 2011. 2) Working Capital Ratio: This Ratio measures the percentage of total assets that is invested in current assets. The formula of Working Capital Ratio: Working Capital Ratio = Current AssetsTotal AssetsWorking Capital Ratio = Current AssetsTotal Assets Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg cement| 0. 56 (x)| 0. 17 (x)| 0. 56 (x)| Meghna cement| 0. 70 (x)| 0. 64 (x)| 0. 66 (x)| Interpretation: In 2009 Heidelberg’s working capital ratio was 0. 56(x) and in 2010 and in 2011 its working capital was 0. 17 (x) and 0. 56 (x) which implies its current asset went down and total asset went up in 2010. In 2009 Meghna’s working capital ratio was 0. 66 ( x) and in 2010 and in 2011 its working capital was 0. 64 (x) and 0. 70 (x) which implies its current asset went down and total asset went up in 2010.Heidelberg holds a constant working capital ratio which decreased in 2010 and they managed to pull it up in 2011 where as Meghna’s working capital increased gradually from 2009 to 2011. 3) Quick Ratio: The quick ratio gives a clearer indication of the firm’s ability to meet its maturing financial obligations out of current, liquid assets. The formula for the Quick Ratio: Quick Ratio = Current Assets-InventoriesCurrent Liabilities Quick Ratio = Current Assets-InventoriesCurrent Liabilities Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg Cement| 1. 61(x)| 1. 74 (x)| 1. 51 (x)| Meghna Cement| 0. 86 (x)| 0. 80 (x)| 0. 79 (x)|Interpretation: In 2011 Heidelberg’s current asset without its inventory was 1. 61 (x) and in 2010 and 2009 it was 1. 74 (x) and 1. 51 (x) its current liabilities. In 2011 Meghna’s current asset w ithout its inventory was 0. 86 (x) and in 2010 and in 2009 it was 0. 80 (x) and 0. 79 (x) its current liabilities. Heidelberg’s performance declined over the year of 2009 to 2011. This decrease can be attributed to the fact that the relevant change in its current liabilities was more than the relevant change in its current asset and inventory. Whereas its competitor Meghna cement’s performance increased over the year. Productivity Ratios:There are five different ratios under the criterion of Productivity Ratio: * Receivable Turnover Ratio * Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) * Inventory Turnover * Total asset turnover ratio * Fixed Asset turnover Ratio 4) Total Asset Turnover Ratio (TA TO): This ratio estimates the number of units in Sales, produced by each units investment in the company’s Assets ; TA TO = Net SalesTotal Assets TA TO = Net SalesTotal Assets The formula for TA TO: Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg Cement| 1. 0631 (x)| 1. 1586 (x)| 1. 1951 (x )| Meghna Cement| 1. 844 (x)| 1. 5855 (x)| 1. 4189 (x)| Interpretation: In 2009 Heidelberg’s TA TO was 1. 1951 (x), in 2010 and 2011 it’s TA TO was 1. 1586 (x) and 1. 0631 (x) of its Total Assets In 2009 Meghna’s TA TO was 1. 4189 (x), in 2010 and 2011 it’s TA TO was 1. 5855 (x) and 1. 4844 (x) of its Total Assets Both the two company’s TA TO s are relatively close to each other. However Meghna’s Ratios are a little bit higher than Heidelberg’s. So we could say that over the past three years Meghna has shown a little bit more efficiency than Heidelberg in utilizing its total assets for generating sales.In this scenario Meghana’s performance as a competitor is better than Heidelberg Cement 5) Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio (FA TO): This ratio estimates the number of units in Sales, produced by each unit investment in the company’s Net Fixed Assets; FA TO = Net SalesNet Fixed Assets FA TO = Net SalesNet Fixed Assets The formul a for FA TO: Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg Cement| 2. 4539 (x)| 3. 0817(x)| 2. 7202 (x)| Meghna Cement| 4. 9925 (x)| 4. 3774 (x)| 4. 1159 (x)| Interpretation: In 2009 Heidelberg’s FA To was 2. 7202 (x) and in 2010 it went up to 3. 817 (x) of its Fixed Assets. But in 2011 the FA TO went down to 2. 4539 (x), the company’s Fixed Assets. This indicates that in 2011 Heidelberg invested more in its Current Assets in comparison to the previous years. As a result the company was generating fewer sales from its Fixed Assets compared to 2009 & 2010. In 2009 Meghna’s FA TO was 4. 1159 (x) its Fixed Assets. In 2010 and 2011 the FA TO was 4. 3774 (x) and 4. 9925 (x) of its Fixed Assets. Meghna had a significant rise in its FA TO over the years. This means they are utilizing their Fixed Assets more efficiently for generating sales.Over the years Meghna has shown efficiency in utilizing its Fixed Assets and has generated significantly higher sales, on the other ha nd Heidelberg’s Sales generating capacity from its Fixed Assets has declined. So Meghna holds an upper hand when it comes to utilize its Fixed Assets effectively. Leverage Ratios: There are four different ratios under the criterion of Productivity Ratio: * Debt to Asset ratio: * Debt to Equity: * Times Interest Earned: * Cash Flow to Debt ratio: 1) Debt to Asset Ratio: This ratio indicates the proportion of total assets financed by debt at a particular point in time; The formula for Debt to Asset Ratio:Debt to Asset = Total LiabilitiesTotal Assets X 100 Debt to Asset = Total LiabilitiesTotal Assets X 100 Company name| 2011| 2010| 2009| Heidelberg Cement| 34. 2989 (%)| 33. 7784 (%)| 34. 1261 (%)| Meghna Cement| 83. 5524 (%)| 81. 5425 (%)| 79. 7020 (%)| Interpretation: Heidelberg did not have any significant change in its Debt to Asset Ratio over the year though it went down by a little in 2010. We can see that in 2009, 34 % of its Assets were financed by Debt and in 2010 and 2 011 33% and 34% of its Assets were financed by its Liabilities.Heidelberg holds a large proportion of Assets to its Equity and a less proportion to debt. Meghna has a large Debt to Asset Ratio which has a significant rise over the years, from 2009 to 2011 its debt to asset went up from 79% to 83%. Meghna holds a large proportion of Assets financed by its Liabilities. In comparison, Heidelberg has the upper hand In this segment, because it has a lot less Assets exposed to Debt rather than Meghna, which has a large Debt against its Assets. Dupont Analysis: At the end of the project we’d like to draw a concluding summary by using the concept of Dupont Analysis in comparative traits for both of the firms.The Dupont system provides a good starting point for any financial analysis. It shows that financial strength in a company comes from three major sources, rather it focuses on three major segments; * Profitability : Profit generated from a company’s Sales * Asset Utilizati on : Sales generated from investment in Assets * Debt Utilization: Portion of Assets that is held against Owner’s Equity. Return on Equity (ROE) = Net IncomeSales X SalesTotal Asset X Total AssetTotal Equity Or, ROE = Profit Margin (PM) X TA TO X Equity Multiplier (EM)Return on Equity (ROE) = Net IncomeSales X SalesTotal Asset X Total AssetTotal Equity Or, ROE = Profit Margin (PM) X TA TO X Equity Multiplier (EM) So, the formula for Dupont looks like this: Dupont analysis for Heidelberg Cement: From the Ratios we calculated earlier (PM, TA TO & EM); we get the following values for ROE by using the Dupont formula: Year| PM| TA TO| EM| ROE| 2011 | 8. 8028%| 1. 0631 (x)| 1. 5220 (x)| 14. 3243%| 2010| 12. 0014%| 1. 1586 (x)| 1. 5101 (x)| 20. 977%| 2009| 11. 5059%| 1. 1951 (x)| 1. 5181 (x)| 20. 8749%| Interpretation: From 2009 to 2010 we can see a slight rise up from 20. 8749% to 20. 9977% in the ROE Ratio for Heidelberg Cement. However from 2010 to 2011 there was major decline in ROE of 20. 9977% to 14. 3243%. Where TA TO and EM remains approximately similar, the ROE falls due to a declining Profit Margin in the year of 2011. So undermining the decline in the Profit Margin, it is safe to say that Heidelberg showed a considerable poor performance in generating Profit from its Sales, in the last observed year of 2011.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Challenges of Recruitment Processes Samples

Google, an American company with multinational presence and specializing in products and services relating to the internet, was founded by the duo of Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. It is one of the most desired workplaces in the world, and that has been magnified by the production of a recruitment video that seeks to provide prospective applicants with a sneak peek into what it entails to work for the organization. One of the key messages from the video about google as an employer is, life at the organization is about more than just work. For example, there are recreational facilities for employees. The fact is, it is not just about productivity, but also, the experience is meant to be pleasant. The other key message is, ‘things happen,' implying that there is fast decision making with regard to whether projects will be approved or not. One of the interviewed engineers stated that ideas are approved at a faster rate i.e. on the order of weeks, months or less in comparison to the institutions that they worked for earlier. Also, there are certain qualities that are rooted for by the company when recruiting. They encompass the following: individuals with ambitious ideas, fast responses to requests, big achievers, passionate about projects, high energy levels, a good understanding of the product base and commitment to clients (Google Inc, 2006). Hence, employees are surrounded by bright and enthusiastic colleagues, working on interesting problems and products that impact a lot of lives e.g. Gmail (Google Inc, 2006). Again, they place huge importance on balancing work and life. To demonstrate, it has a child care center touted as one of Google’s most valuable programs. Further, expectant mothers are given time off before and after delivery. Additionally, they have 75% pay for all of the 12 weeks that mothers were expectant. Furthermore, they are afforded flexibility at work such as working fewer hours. According to Google’s engineering director featured in the video, Google’s culture, philosophy and personalities drawn from its founders. Organizational culture evident from the video is briefly outlined below. Google has a work environment that fosters flexibility, creativity, and innovation. Specifically, the organization has a 20% rule where engineers have 20% of their time to work on individual projects. Some of the projects highlighted in the video included the below mentioned. One, where an engineer created a rotating globe showing where on the globe Google users were searching from. Two, an added feature on google.com where when a user types in the name of a movie and the zip code, it will return to them a list of theatres around that area, with show time and reviews to that particular movie. Importantly, there is a free exchange of information through different setups. First, there is an impactful mentoring program where both incoming and resident employees are assigned official mentors and could also take up unofficial mentors. Therefore, there is an easy transition for new comers and those stepping up to new positions. Second, to stimulate the mind of its employers, the organization has educational talks called Ted talks in different topics such engineering and the latest theories about the origin of the universe (Google Inc, 2006). Again, the organization has a great startup spirit in that projects take a shorter period to launch. Lastly, it provides impactful products to the general public. The development of the theories began in 1920’s amidst the industrial revolution, during which productivity was at the core of businesses (Jerome, 2013). A particular theory that fits well with the Google recruitment video is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory. The theory is built on the premise that the desire of many employees is to be included in an entity that supports their growth and development (Jerome, 2013). Thus, if special attention is a guarantee and there is an encouragement for participation, the view that their work is of significance motivates productivity and high-quality work. Concerning the theory, the video is effective in attracting the right candidates, for the reasons outlined below. The behavior of humans is related to needs. The video comes across as testament that the needs, as outlined by Maslow, will be met. First, ranked at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy, is psychological needs. It entails the basic needs that sustain human life. Such include food, shelter, clothing among others (Wahba&Bridwell, 1973). The video outlines the provision of all these at Google. Second, the security and safety needs which are connected to the psychological fear of job loss. Expectant mothers, for instance, are guaranteed of keeping their jobs. During the 12 months, they are afforded 75% of their salary and flexibility in terms of working hours (Google Inc, 2006). Third, the need according to the theory is the social need. The need posits that it is the desire of an employee is to be in a group and be accepted. This is made possible by Google by mentorship p rograms that facilitate regular interaction with superiors and other forms of activities that make interactions with other employees easier and possible. Ideally the video advocates for the creation of a sense of community. Fourth, the theory stipulates a self-esteem need that has much to do with recognition (Wahba&Bridwell, 1973). The importance of this fact has been duly emphasized in the video citing various activities that enhance self-esteem e.g. the 20% rule. Last, and the highest ranking need according to Maslow, is self-actualization. It entails the desire of an employee to become what they think they are capable of. Google provides for this through the 20% rule, enabling employees to utilize their maximum potential. Attracting the right kind of candidates for job openings is important to any organization in existence,so as to meet the organizational goals and values (Arachchige& Robertson, 2011). According to Maroko& Uncles (2008), there are certain characteristics that come into play when a potential employer is seeking to attract the right candidates for a job opening:attractiveness and accuracy. These are some of the factors that the video by Google looked to enhance by a brief documentation of its organizational culture. About attractiveness, the video demonstrates awareness of employee needs, differentiation in the market and relevance to a particular pool of enthusiasts.   Further, it accurately portrays accuracy regarding organizational culture, values, employee experience and the employer brand (Maroko& Uncles, 2008). A study by Williamson et al. (2010) emphasized the above claim on attractiveness stating that the amount of information given attributing the company and the different positions on offer has an interactive effect on potential applicants. Arachchige& Robertson (2011), provides other characteristics of an organization that fresh graduates look for. The most preferred attributes are: will gain experience that is relevant to career, promotes self-esteem, faster decision making, better relationships with colleagues and superiors, fun working environment among others. These are some of the â€Å"attraction† factors put across by the video. First,   finding a qualified employee in time has become more difficult.Uncontrollable circumstances may lead to someone being laid off, or alternatively, an employee might have left for another opportunity.In these situations, the position needs to be filled promptly (Meister, Willyerd& Foss, 2010). As such filling, the position becomes the next order of business. However, in as much as the market is full of applicants who would be interested in the position, there are challenges. A considerable amount of time is spent on sourcing suitable applicants and profile and CV reviews. Thus, there is a need to find ways of getting applicants of good quality into a recruiter’s short list fast. Second, ascertaining the legitimacy of a resume is an uphill task.Reason being, faking resumes has been a common occurrence in a recruiter’s bid to find a fit for a position. Included here are fake referrals, education, and certification (Mallory, 2014). Researching an employee’s resume to establish if every qualification is genuine is time consuming when working under a strict time frame. Third, settling for the right choice is a daunting task. A culmination of the above-mentioned factors that make the recruitment process challenging results in difficulties settling for the right candidate. A recruiter might have lots of talented candidates but with limited positions to accommodate at least the majority, chances are they might let extremely talented individuals leave. According to the survey by PWC and KPMG, the cost of a bad hire is estimated at double the salary he would have been paid to the individual. Last, as per the findings of a study carried out by Cappelli (2008), career decisions are no longer made by managers and executives as it was in the past where individuals were matched with jobs. As such, the most talented of individuals have the freedom to turn down offers if the offer that they expected does not come along. Similarly, there is a general talent problem that has since been burdensome to recruiters in companies of Google’s magnitude. They want the skills they need at the time of their choosing and in a manner that is desirable to them. Employees on the other hand desire the guarantee of advancement and an autonomous level of control n their careers (Cappelli, 2008). Arachchige, B. J., & Robertson, A. (2011). Business Student Perceptions of a Preferred Employer: A Study Identifying Determinants of Employer Branding. IUP Journal of Brand Management, 8(3). Cappelli, P. (2008). Talent management for the twenty-first century. Harvard business review, 86(3), 74. Google Inc. (2006). Google Recruitment Video. Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcXF1YirPrQ. Jerome, N. (2013). Application of the Maslow’s hierarchy of need theory; impacts and implications on organizational culture, human resource and employee’s performance. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 2(3), 39-45. Mallory, M. (2014). A Research Proposal: Negligent Hiring and Fraudulent Resumes. Meister, J. C., Willyerd, K., & Foss, E. (2010). The 2020 workplace: How innovative companies attract, develop, and keep tomorrow's employees today (p. 5). New York, NY: Harper Business. Moroko, L., & Uncles, M. D. (2008). Characteristics of successful employer brands. Journal of Brand Management, 16(3), 160-175. Wahba, M. A., &Bridwell, L. G. (1973). MASLOW RECONSIDERED: A REVIEW OF RESEARCH ON THE NEED HIERARCHY THEORY. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 1973, No. 1, pp. 514-520). Academy of Management. Williamson, I. O., King, J. E., Lepak, D., &Sarma, A. (2010). Firm reputation, recruitment web sites, and attracting applicants. Human Resource Management, 49(4), 669-687.

Privacy and Security in E-Commerce Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Privacy and Security in E-Commerce - Assignment Example An overly secure environment looks into the security of the transaction by creating passwords and logins in order to ensure privacy and confidentiality of the details of the transactions. In cases where e-commerce involves financial transactions, the risk of loss of money becomes high hence making security issues key to e-commerce. However, both open and overly secure environments have both advantages and disadvantages. There are various advantages of conducting business in open environments. First, users will not require login and passwords in order to navigate on the websites. Paying for items or making orders will not require one to give login for identification purposes. This makes the process easy and faster compared to a secure environment where login is required. The graphical user interface of open environments is simpler and easy to use hence cause customer satisfaction and convenience (Becker, 2008). Cost advantage also arises in an open environment. There is no cost involv ed in developing a secure environment thereby reducing the need to engage experts in developing the site. The costs of hosting such a website are also lower compared to that of an over security environment which requires shrewd experts to develop. However, the cost may arise where customers sue the business for protection purposes. On the other hand, browsing in an insecure open environment is characterized by various drawbacks. To begin with, the computers can be hacked thus infringing on private information. This may make the future transactions insecure and further cause loss of resources. Moreover, it would be easier to get computer virus attacks, which could stall operations and further cause loss of data that may be expensive to acquire. In addition, a company can be faced with innumerable cases from customers for violation of privacy. Because of the multiple suits, the company risks spending colossal amounts in compensating the customers. In instances that the transactions in volve payment of money or transfers of money, open environments are inappropriate because unauthorized third parties might access the customers’ private information. There are cases in which customers have been defrauded money hence causing panic and financial losses to the parties. If this happens, the customers’ confidence and trust are lost hence making open environments riskier and disadvantageous. Similar to an open environment, an overly secure environment also has several advantages and drawbacks. On the side of the advantages, overly secure environment makes customers feel secure therefore promoting online sales. The high number of sales increases the revenues and reduces transaction cost associated with physical transactions. The businesses in ensuring security further achieve their fiduciary obligations of making their customers secure and hence get shielded from legal cases that may arise. A feeling of security encourages repeat purchases. Secondly, overly s ecure environment ensures that the business information is protected from hackers and crackers. When online purchases are made in an open environment, the business equipment and information will remain confidential from being stolen.  

Sunday, July 28, 2019

The Short Life and Detailed Burial of King jTutankhamun Term Paper

The Short Life and Detailed Burial of King jTutankhamun - Term Paper Example age practices of the royals.4 Thus the playing of board games was more likely pastime of the King, rather than the hunter or warrior activities of a healthy king. When Howard Carter first opened the room with King Tutankhamun’s remains, he only saw a gold wall.5 The gold wall was King Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus. Priests had prepared King Tutankhamun’s body, before wrapping it in the best linen and jewels in order to intern him in the sarcophagus. First King Tutankhamun’s internal organs were removed, and then his body was immersed into a mixture of salt and baking soda found in Egypt naturally.6 This salt was also put into every orifice in his body. The King’s brain, as was tradition in Ancient Egypt, was removed with a long needle through his nose. His internal organs were treated with this mixture as well, and unlike other mummies, these organs were placed in solid gold mini coffins to be placed in his tomb with him.7 The drying out process helped with the natural decay of a body made up mostly of water. The drying out process took seventy days before a mummy could be entombed. So the skin would not crack, oils were rubbed into the skin throughout the seventy days. This oil contained resin. The priests would chant incantations as they rubbed the King’s body. After seventy days, the priests would chant religious sayings while wrapping the King’s body. More oil was rubbed on the body; this oil was also placed in containers in his tomb.8 The best quality linen was then wrapped in layer upon layer around the body. Unlike the mummies seen in the movies and television, King Tutankhamun’s strips of linen were interwoven with oil, jewels, and gold.9 After this was done, the King’s body was placed in the one of three coffins found in the sarcophagus. King Tutankhamun’s body is currently entombed in his original burial tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The famous mask that travelled the world in the first exhibit resides in a museum in Egypt. An

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Auditing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 7

Auditing - Essay Example 2). Inventories should always be stated at the lower cost and the market prices or the net realizable value. The net realizable value is the amount that the asset can fetch as at the reporting date, less the estimated costs required to complete the transaction. These could include selling costs and overhead costs. The values stated in the inventories of Abbey Plc. in the annual report for the year 2014 should be tested adequately to ensure that they are the correct market values of such inventories. Fixed assets are critical items, which the auditor should ascertain and ensure that values attached to them are their correct fair values to be disclosed to the shareholders (Rittenberg et al. 2011, p. 626). Disclosing the values of the fixed assets in excess of their correct fair values would make the financial statements to be overstated; thus provide shareholders with a wrong financial position of their company. Trade and other receivables should be recognized and carried at the lower cost of their original invoiced value and the recoverable amount. In case the time value of money is material, receivables should be carried at the amortized cost. The company should make provisions in situations where there is some adequate evidence that the amount would not be recovered in full. The balances should be written off when the chances of recovery are assessed as being remote (Henning et al. 2007, p. 313). Adequate audit procedures should be done to ensure that the company did not make too much or too little provision to cater for trade and other receivables, which could not be recovered. Also, before writing off bad debts, all the relevant procedures should be followed since some managers may decide to write off debts, which could not be written off with the objective of hiding the correct amount of revenue collected by the company

Friday, July 26, 2019

Human nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Human nature - Essay Example I take the position that cruelty is a unique human trait since, as its definition suggests, it involves deliberate infliction of pain and suffering on others and deriving pleasure from it. Empirically, human beings have a unique ability to attribute suffering or pain to other creatures. This was not the case with the subjects in the Milgram’s experiment; in fact Stanley Milgram in one of his quotes declared that how a man acts is much more determined by the situation he finds himself in and not much in his nature or the kind of a person he is. The subjects in the experiment acted as they did; they were willing to deliver to deliver the maximum shock, which they did. Despite the fact that they did deliver the maximum shock, they were, however, angry, distraught, and agitated at the experimenter. They delivered the maximum shock anyway because they were following order, which they did to the end. This shows that the subjects acted as they did; they performed seemingly sadistic a nd overly cruel acts; not because it was their nature-who they were-, but because they were obey the instruction of the authority. Similarly, in Kitty Genovese case, none of the 38 witnessed helped Kitty Genovese despite his numerous cry for help, not because they did not want to help her or because they were cruel, but because of the situation that they found themselves in (Gansberg). This is explained by the experiment carried out by John Darley and Bibb Latane, who sought to explain the behavior of the 38 people who witnessed the brutality and murder of Kitty Genovese. Darley and Latane argued that the 38 witnesses behaved the way they did because of the effect referred to as diffusion of responsibility. Diffusion of responsibility states that no one is willing to help because they are all thinking that someone else will help. Darley and Latane found out that the more the witnessed were, the more helping behavior decreased; the less every person felt that it was their responsibil ity to help (Slater 112). This thus disputes the notion that no one helped Kitty Genovese because cruelty is part of human nature, and the 38 witnesses were cruel. Cruelty in itself is subjective; what others may consider cruel, other people may consider not cruel but a more logical choice. As its definition suggests, cruelty is a feeling that cannot be defined without being idiosyncratic. This is because the range of human feeling greatly differs; others may be insensitive while others may be sensitive. Despite cruelty being considered part of human nature, the logic is somewhat flawed since it is tied to human emotions, while it is to some extent objective. Cruelty is not unnatural, either; this is because, more often than not human beings are cruel to other people that they do not like or they loathe. In fact, most people act cruel as a way of revenging or taking back; something that is purely human nature. It is argued that when a human being’s life it threatened, he can only survive by being cruel; the enemy in that case might not try or be able to hurt them. Thus, I take the stand that, even though

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Interview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 13

Interview - Essay Example terview was hugely successful and general conclusions were drawn from the responces.The major talking point was that even though most interviewees honestly admitted to regularly using cell phones on the road, they indeed concurred that such behavior was one of the major causes of road accidents. The general agreement was the mental alertness and concentration of a driver who is talking on the phone and at the same time driving is hugely impaired. This poses a major threat to other road users like pedestrians. Consequently, a lot of traffic related deaths and injuries, most of which are completely avoidable have resulted due to these irresponsible drivers. About 85% of the drivers interviewed stated that these gadgets affected their ability to control the vehicle effectively. Another 45% of pedestrians admitted of instances where they were almost been killed by vehicles being driven by drivers who were distracted by these phones. From the responses I received, it was quite evident that they indeed agreed that cell phone distraction among road. Both drivers and pedestrians were in favor of rules and regulation being formulated to govern the use of cell phones on the road. Commitment by the concerned bodies to enforce these rules and regulations was also cited as a major measure to ensure that these rules and regulations are completely followed. The data collected is pertinent to traffic related bodies like the traffic patrol department.. The legislative bodies concerned with traffic issues can also use this data as a primary raw material for rules formulation. These bodies can use this data to come up with effective measures to curb this menace of unnecessary deaths resulting from cell phone use on the

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Essay Example Heterosexual infection remains the primary route of transmission for the virus in the country. HIV is rapidly transforming itself into a different disease which means that innovative and creative strategies need to be formulated for achieving optimum results. Information exchange and accessibility is another strategy that can lead to superior outcomes. A preventive strategy needs to be modified so that poor and marginalized communities have access to resources. The NHS should strive to develop a coordinated database that can be shared by private health organizations and voluntary organizations. This can be used to ensure that superior treatments are available for patients belonging to vulnerable and susceptible risk groups. The United Kingdom has an advanced and well-developed health system. Public health indicators have been improving due to the advent of technology and rapid interventions. However considerable problems continue to exert a strain on the health system. HIV is considered to be a major problem in the United Kingdom due to a number of reasons. It can inflict a heavy toll on individuals in terms of financial, emotional, and psychological problems (Hough, 2003: Pg 644). It can lead to high levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and frustration among individuals. Further many individuals hesitate to disclose HIV due to the social stigmas associated with it. Empirical studies have documented that heterosexuals and homosexuals comprise the leading risk group for HIV. Minorities are vulnerable to the disease due to the lack of effective and efficient procedures (Flowers & Duncan, 2003: Pg 179). The lack of information means that many individuals forego preventive treatment in order to reduce co sts. This can be deleterious for the NHS that seeks to maintain an integrated and coordinated program for HIV management and prevention. The NHS needs to formulate an efficient and effective system that can be used to attain excellence. A comprehensive strategy should focus on HIV prevention and patient empowerment. Further there is the need to deploy efficient and effective strategies that can be used to attain excellence in combating the disease. This research paper will seek to analyze the issue of HIV as a major public issue in the United Kingdom. It will formulate a smart strategy that can be used to enhance the process of HIV detection, prevention, and management. Background HIV is a condition that can be debilitating and incapacitating for many individuals. It leads the weakening of the immunological system. It can lead to fatal outcomes if not properly treated. HIV can be transmitted through various means. Sexual intercourse is the main cause of the transfer of the disease (Lee, 2003: Pg 2201). Contaminated blood and needles can also lead to infection of individuals with HIV. Finally children who are born from HIV infected mothers are likely to be diagnosed with the disease. HIV has become a major public issue in the United Kingdom. This is due to the fact that it can cause significant health problems in the population (UNAIDS, 2000: pg 23). It can lead to negative outcomes that must be tackled in a systematic and logical manner. The United Kingdom has a comprehensive system for tackling HIV. It has developed a robust program for surveillance and management of

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Aircraft Maintenance Aircraft Systems Assignment

Aircraft Maintenance Aircraft Systems - Assignment Example The frequency channels of the VHF Omni-directional Range and the Tactical Air Navigation at each VORTAC facility are doubled in line with an overall plan to make air navigation easier. The MFD gives information on the current route of the aircraft. The information obtained from the on board radar and other sensors on the ground as well as detection sensors are relayed to the crew to analyses. The ground components are always stationary while the flight components are moving as the aircraft moves. The ground components too do not have a display system since the display in the aircraft will be the most essential. It is therefore wise to have one in the pilot’s cabin and not on the ground components. The Altimeter is a navigation instrument whose work is to reflect the vertical height of the mean of sea level. This is corrected to the pressure of outside air. The pilot will have to set the right pressure and the altimeter will automatically identify the altitude that corresponds to the Mean of Sea Level. The instruments work more or less the same like the barometer. When the plane is ascending or descending, the pressure will also reduce and increase in that order. The aneroid capsule compares the pressure outside and the one inside. The pointer and linkage help display the altitude on the cockpit display instrument. Vertical speed Indicator is the instrument that measures the rate at which the aircraft is rising or descending. The speed is usually measured in feet per minute. When the plane is flying level, the Vertical Speed Indicator will be reading â€Å"0† feet per minute. The VSI compares the static pressure in the expandable capsule to the metred static pressure in the exterior of the capsule. The inside of capsule pressure changes so fast on the climbing or descending of the plane and the opposite is true because of the leak that

Influence of Nature and Nurture Developmental Research Essay Example for Free

Influence of Nature and Nurture Developmental Research Essay How many bald, six-foot-six, 250-pound volunteer firefighters in New Jersey wear droopy mustaches, aviator-style eyeglasses, and a the influence of nature versus key ring on the right side of the belt? nurture. The answer is two: Gerald Levey and Mark Newman. They are twins who were separated at birth. Each twin did not even know 25. 2 Describe developmental the other existed until they were reunited—in a fire station—by a research techniques. fellow firefighter. . . The lives of the twins, although separate, took remarkably similar 25. Discuss prenatal paths. Levey went to college, studying forestry; Newman planned to development. study forestry in college but instead took a job trimming trees. . . . Both men are unmarried and find the same kind of woman attractive: â€Å"tall, slender, long hair. † They share similar hobbies, enjoying hunting, fishing, going to the beach, and watching old John Wayne movies and professional wrestling. Both like Chinese food and drink the same brand of beer. learning outcomes 25. 1 Compare and contrast The remarkable range of similarities we see in many pairs of identical twins raises one of the fundamental questions posed by developmental psychology, the study of the patterns of growth and change that occur throughout life. The question is this: How can we distinguish between the environmental causes of behavior (the influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all the other experiences to which a child is exposed) and hereditary causes (those based on the genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life)? This question embodies the nature–nurture issue. In this context, nature refers to hereditary factors, and nurture to environmental influences. Although the question was first posed as a nature-versus-nurture issue, developmental psychologists today agree that both nature Gerald Levey and Mark Newman 282 Chapter 8 development and nurture interact to produce specific developmental patterns and outDevelopmental psychology The comes. Consequently, the question has evolved into How and to what degree branch of psychology that studies the do environment and heredity both produce their effects? No one grows up patterns of growth and change that free of environmental influences, nor does anyone develop without being occur throughout life. affected by his or her inherited genetic makeup. However, the debate over Nature–nurture issue The issue of the comparative influence of the two factors remains active, with different the degree to which environment and approaches and different theories of development emphasizing the environ- heredity influence behavior. ment or heredity to a greater or lesser degree (Pinker, 2002; Gottesman Hanson, 2005; Rutter, 2006). For example, some developmental theories rely on basic psychological principles of learning and stress the role learning plays in producing changes in The nature–nurture issue behavior in a developing child. Such theories emphasize the role of the enviis a key question that is ronment in development. In contrast, other developmental theories emphasize pervasive throughout the the influence of one’s physiological makeup and functioning on development. field of psychology, asking Such theories stress the role of heredity and aturation—the unfolding of biohow and to what degree logically predetermined patterns of behavior—in producing developmental environment and heredity change. Maturation can be seen, for instance, in the development of sex characproduce their joint effects. teristics (such as breasts and body hair) that occurs at the start of adolescence. Despite their differences over theory, developmental psychologists concur on some points. They agree that genetic factors not only provide the potential for specific behaviors or traits to emerge, but also place limitations on the emergence of such behavior or traits. For instance, heredity defines people’s general level of intelligence, setting an upper limit that—regardless of the quality of the environment—people cannot exceed. Heredity also places limits on physical abilities; humans simply cannot run at a speed of 60 miles an hour, nor will they grow as tall as 10 feet, no matter what the quality of their environment (Dodge, 2004; Pinker, 2004). Figure 1 lists some of the characteristics most affected by heredity. As you consider these items, it is important to keep in mind that these characteristics are not entirely determined by heredity, for environmental factors also play a role. Developmental psychologists also agree that in most instances environmental factors play a critical role in enabling people to reach the potential capabilities that their genetic background makes possible. If Albert Einstein had received no intellectual stimulation as a child and had not been sent to s tudy aler t Height Weight Obesity Tone of voice Physical Characteristics Blood pressure Tooth decay Athletic ability Firmness of handshake Age of death Activity level Intellectual Characteristics

Monday, July 22, 2019

The audience in Act 1 Scene 1 of A Taste of Honey Essay Example for Free

The audience in Act 1 Scene 1 of A Taste of Honey Essay How does Shelagh Delaney establish the relationship of the main characters for the audience in Act 1 Scene 1 of A Taste of Honey? The first scene is probably the most important scene of all, as it tells us about the nature of the characters and their attitudes. The first words of the play that are stage directions play a big part. The quote the stage represents a comfortless flat . . . . . the street outside. Jazz music this tell us about the time in which they lived which was post war Britain from the jazz music. Jazz music is associated with the blues that was music about being down on your luck which was popular at these times. Mentioning that they lived in Manchester also gave a feeling of their surroundings. In Manchester at this time of the play there would have been few people of other ethnic origins as opposed to 1 in 20 British citizens being African, Asian or Caribbean origin in the 1990s. Also in that day and age it was only a tiny minority of the population on which were single parents. This would be the most important scene because it gave us an idea of what Helen and Jo are like. It tells us what there attitudes are and what sort of relationship they have. Helen reacts differently to Helen at the first impressions of the flat. While Helen is making the flat sounding a lot better than it actually is to make her feel a little bit better so she doesnt feel like a failure, Deep down inside she knows she is. Helen about the flat when she says Whats wrong with this place? . . . . . Anyway it will do for us. Jo hates the flat and expresss her feelings when she expresss to her mother I dont like it which are also the first words Jo, says in the play. Also Jo keeps pointing out faults to the flat like the roofs leaking and I bet itll smell trying to persuade Helen that the flat she had taken was a dump. You could say that Jo is pessimist and Helen is an optimist when it comes to attitudes to the flat. The setting of the flat is very depressing and greatly affects the characters of the play and brings them down. From the descriptions of the characters there are all the things people dont want to live near such as the gasworks, the slaughterhouse, tenements and a cemetery. Also when they arrive in the flat its raining which I think reflects how the characters are feeling and how low they are at the time. In the time Jo and Helen moved into the flat it was post war Britain and everything was being spent on buildings that needed restoring from the bombing during the wars. This meant that very little money was being spent to improve the condition of housing. The state of the flat affects Jo and Helen causing tension and most arguments nearly always start from living conditions of their flat. The flat also represents the chain of their life. They move from one run old flat to another that we find out when Jo says, Every place we find is the same which shows they are in a cycle they cannot break. Jo and Helen are mother and daughter, but as a reader its more of a sister relationship. Helen isnt a supportive mother and puts Jo down when she can which we find out when she says The way she bangs about! I tell you, my heads coming off. In the play there is one part where Helen offers to pay for Jo to go to Art School. Even though she says Have you ever . . . youll soon learn I dont think she means it and follow through with promises. They talk to one and other like they have no respect for each other. Jo doesnt show respect to her mother because she sees no reason to, after all, what has Helen ever done for Jo? Helen also doesnt care for Jo, as she never shows any affection to Jo at all when Jo says, Youve certainly never been affectionate with me. If Jo and Helen werent mother and daughter I think they wouldnt want to know each other if they had the choice. Its almost as if they had been forced together. The most likely subject to cause arguments is the state of the flat and how they actually treat each other. Also Shelagh Delaney uses humour, as in the form of sarcasm which relieves the tension of the atmosphere of the play and gives a little bit of light relief which Helen expresses when she says Why, have we run out of cemetery space? . . . When were gone. There is also a lot of jealousy between Jo and Helen. Jo is jealous of Helens men because she always shows affection to them rather than her. Also Jo once said I used to like one of them fancy men which also shows jealousy because Helen was hanging round him and never noticed Jo. Helen is jealous of Jo because she is young. When they first enter the flat Jo is a lot more organised than Helen and takes over the mother role because straight away she looks for sufficient heating God! Its freezing! Isnt their ant sort of fire anywhere, Helen? Also she puts a scarf round the light as a lampshade to make the room feel better with a softer light. To these characters the audience would feel tension as soon as they had walked through the door. But Shelagh Delaney tries to relax the mood with added sarcasm. When Peter enters he is presented as a brash car salesman, cigar in mouth, and from his dialogue we find he is a very selfish self-centred man. He doesnt care about anyones feelings when he says, Why dont you go home to your father? . . . Too bad to Jo that is a very sensitive issue to her, because of the fact she doesnt even know who her father is. He also tries to drag her to the pub knowing full well she that wasnt feeling well. When Peter is present she always she always wants to be there to get her mothers attention as a way of being spiteful to her. Helen acts as if Peter is an unwanted presence and tries to push him away at every advance he makes on her. But in the end she quite likes him as we find out when she says, Well, you certainly liberate something in me. And I dont think its maternal instincts either. The relationships in the first scene are very clear between Jo and Helen as we find out from the first time there is introduced. They fight as soon as they walk through the door of the flat. They both hate each other but in the end they care for each other. The relationship between Helen and Peter isnt that clear as it mentions little history, but from what Helen says hes not very nice person. We do find out that Helen had tried to escape from Peter when she says, How did you find my address. Its also clear that Jo doesnt like Peter as she tries to ruin Helens relationship with Peter. Also we know that Peter isnt interested in Jo and we find this out as Peter doesnt show any consideration to Jos feelings.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

The effect of transformational leadership style on organizational Innovation

The effect of transformational leadership style on organizational Innovation 1. Introduction This study endeavors to develop comprehension of how transformational leadership style of top management affects innovation at the organizational level. The topic is of paramount importance because of the ever increasing pressures of modernization and innovation on todays global economy. It has become indispensable to practice a leadership style that makes firms innovative and adaptive to change. Firms are shifting their focus from knowledge economy to creative economy, where corporations will compete on the basis of imagination, innovation and creativity (Oke, Munshi Walumbwa, 2009) Boston Consulting Group Inc surveyed over 900 senior executives and identified innovation as the key driver of top-line revenue. Analysis of firms transforming due to innovation provides evidence for this statement. For example, the highly successful iPod of Apple Inc.s, that earned devastating revenues for the company; the role of Blackberrys success in the transformation and emergence of Research in Motion; process innovation at Southwest Airlines Co. that transformed it as an economical and triumphant airline; and Procter Gamble Co. outperforming its competitors by focusing on design innovation. Innovation aims at bringing about change in the status quo. It can be defined as discovering (creative thinking ideas) and commercializing those discoveries (implementing the creative ideas). Creativity new idea generation alone are insufficient for innovation; implementation is also a cornerstone of the innovation process. (Oke, Munshi, Walumbwa, 2009) Plentiful studies have led to the identification of factors that can stimulate innovation at the organizational level. In broad terms, innovation is the adoption or execution of unaccustomed and convenient ideas by individuals in organizations (Amabile Conti 1999) p.360). Factors that are known to have an influence on innovation include leadership (Mumford Gustafson, 1998; Amabile, 1998), a work environment that is conducive for innovation (Amabile, 1998; Oke, Munshi Walumbwa, 2009), CEO salary (Markman, Balkin and Gomez-Mejia, 2000), organizational culture and climate (Mumford Gustafson, 1998; Jung, Wu Chow, 2008; Oke, Munshi Walumbwa, 2009), environmental attributes (Jung, Wu Chow, 2008), learning capability and intra-organizational networks (Tsai, 2001) and job complexity type of supervision (Oldham Cummings, 1996). Among these abundant factors, the leadership behavior of managers has been spotted as one of the most important of all (Amabile, 1998; Jung, 2001; Mumford, Sc ott, Gaddis Strange, 2002). Leadership was merely a concept before the 19th century and it was in the start of the 19th century that it emerged as a word in English language (Davis Cushing). Over the years, leaders and leadership have been distinctly defined by various scholars. Leadership is a process whereby a leader changes the course of action of another group, due to the interaction of his personality characteristics and those of the group (Bogardus, 1934). Leadership is the direction of human collaborators for the accomplishment of a goal. A leader successfully guides his human assistants for the achievement of particular ends. (Prentice, W.C.H. 1961). Leadership is a goal directed endeavor with the aim to influence the activities of followers through communication process. (Donelly, J.H. Ivancevich, J. M. Gibson, J.L. 1985 Leadership is the situational effort towards goal achievement by the process of influencing the individual or group activities. (Hersey, P. Blanchard, K, 1988). Leadership is the f ormulation of a transparent and complete system of expectations for the purpose of identification, arousal and utilization of strengths of all the resources of an organization, the most important of which is human resource (Batten, J.D. 1989). Leadership is the art of influencing individuals to yield their best output/ performance for the accomplishment of a goal, project or objective. (Cohen, W.A. 1990). Leaders are the people who obtain commitment from a working group of individuals and then motivate them to accomplish the outcomes of a pre-planned direction. (Conger, J.A.1992). Leadership is a process in which a leader sets the goal for an individual or group of individuals and takes all of them together with him or her with proficiency and devotion (Jacques E. Clement, S.D. 1994). Leadership is an unrealizable trait that cannot be distinctly defined. This in fact is a good phenomenon, because if the followers were aware of the definition of leadership, they would probably overr un their leaders. (Scott Adams, 1996). Effective leadership is about enabling ordinary people to deliver extraordinary results in the face of challenge and change and to constantly turn in superior performance to the long-term benefit of all concerned (Charlton, 1993). The more recent definitions conceive leadership in terms of influence relationships, power differentials, persuasion, influence on goal achievement, reinforcement, role differentiation, initiation of structure, and perceived attributions of behavior that are consistent with what the perceivers spotted leadership to be. Recently, many management scholars and gurus have identified adaptive leadership as the key enabler to cope with the ever increasing challenges of the corporate world. (Bass, Avolio, Jung Berson, 2003). So the adaptive leadership behaviors that have proved to be more effective than other leadership styles in organizational innovation have been labeled as transformational. (Lowe, Kroek, Sivasubramaniam, 1996; Gardner Avolio, 1998; Howell Avolio, 1993). Transformational leadership capabilities continue to be the hallmark of innovative firms. Successful leaders like J.R. Immelt, CEO of General Electric; A.G.Lafley, CEO of P&G; Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Motors Tata Group and Steve Jobs of Apple are the prominent figures who have fostered innovation by their adaptive behaviors. Transformational leadership holds four theoretically discrete dimensions: charisma or idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration. Idealized influence reflects the degree to which followers admire and hold their leaders as role models. Leaders exhibiting idealized influence are ethical, consistent, share risks with followers and prefer the needs of their followers above their own needs. Inspirational motivation points to the degree motivation of followers by delineating new opportunities, providing meaning and challenge to followers work and articulating a strong, realistic and shared vision of the future. Intellectual stimulation refers to the ability of a leader to question the assumptions and thinking of followers, reframe problems, stimulate intellectual curiosity, approaching problems in new ways, soliciting creativity and innovation from followers through novel approaches and avoiding open criticism for individual errors. Finally, leaders who provide individualized consideration pay attention to individual needs for growth, development, support and achievement. They act as coaches or mentors and establish a favorable environment for innovation; where values are diversified and learning opportunities are created (Bass Avolio, 1993) (Some versions of Bass Full-Range Leadership Theory identify 5 components of transformational leadership by breaking down idealized influence/ charisma into idealized influence or attributed charisma. For the sake of simplifying this research, idealized influence and charisma have been grouped together in this study). 2. Research Design 2.1 Main Objectives The aim of this study is to probe the following objectives: To discuss the philosophy, attributes and elements of transformational leadership and innovation To spot the existence of transformational leadership style at Telenor Pakistan To the asses the level of organizational innovation Telenor Pakistan To identify the effect transformational leadership style on organizational innovation 2.2 Hypotheses to be tested The objective of this study is to spot the presence of attributes of transformational leadership i.e. idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation, estimate the level of organizational innovation and examine the effect of transformational leadership on organizational innovation. The working hypothesis within this context will be as under: H0: Transformational leadership has no effect on organizational innovation. H1: Transformational leadership has strong effect on organizational innovation. 2.3 Scope of the study The range of application of this study is limited to the telecommunication sector in Pakistan with specific focus on Telenor (Peshawar). Transformational leadership style will be judged on the basis of four dimensions, that is, charisma or idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. Furthermore, the effect of transformational leadership on organizational innovation will be analyzed. 3. Review of Literature (Burns, 1978) stated that transformational leaders stand above the common place. They indulge in a mutual interaction with their followers that raises the understanding, goals and mission that results in the ultimate arousal and transformation of both the leader and the followers. (Bass, 1985) At the other end to transformational leadership lies transactional leadership; where the leaders try to maintain the status quo. Followers are motivated on the base of extrinsic rewards, such as promotion and monetary benefits. It is an everyday terrestrial transaction of value, where leaders only provide needed value to individuals in exchange for their services. (Jane. M. Howell, Christopher A. Higgins, 1990) The most successful leaders are gifted with qualities of transformational leadership and charisma. They are far more influential and innovative than the leaders having style other than transformational. (David A. Waldman, Bernard M. Bass, 1991) linked the themes of nurturant and persistent leadership with transformational leadership theory. Furthermore, the role of transformational leadership behavior in various stages of successful innovations was clarified and implications were presented regarding the proposed model. (Dougherty Hardy, 1996) Transformational leaders intellectually stimulate their followers. This fosters unaccustomed and creative thinking and working processes that pave the way for new technology and knowledge, which are necessary for organizational innovation. Amabile, Conti, Coon, Lazenby, and Herron (1996) have spotted the damaging effects of transactional leadership on creativity. Bono Judge (2004) have supported this proposition in their recent meta-analysis. (Sosik, Avolio Kahali, 1997) Transformational leaders easily adapt to exploitative and exploratory thinking processes which in turn yield creative ideas and effective solutions to problems. The effectiveness of transformational leadership at stimulating unconventional and innovative thinking of followers is far greater than that of other leadership styles. (Bass, 1985; Gardner Avolio, 1998) proposed that transformational leaders have the ability to create personal and professional commitment from their followers towards satisfying upper-level needs like self-actualization and self esteem. (Oldham Cummings, 1996; Amabile, 1998; Zhou, 2003) added to this research finding by suggesting that this commitment boosts the inherent motivation of followers, which is considered to be an essential driver of individual creativity and organizational innovation. (House Shamir, 1993; Jung Avolio, 2000; Mumford et.al, 2000) Leaders possessing transformational attributes have the ability to regroup the values and norms of their followers in a better way. They encourage the progress of personal and organizational changes and facilitate their followers to go beyond their initial performance expectations. (A.Oke, 2002) was part of a study carried out on the organizational innovation of AXA insurance, Ireland. It was revealed that due to the transformational leadership style of John. ONeil, the CEO, a non-innovative firm was transmuted into an innovative one. To achieve this level of creativity, the physical spaces were decorated with eye catching colors and employees from all levels and functions were made to work together in order to stimulate creativity. The results of this transformational behavior were soon evident in the form of 150 new business ideas during 6 months. (Shin Zhou 2003) found that positive relation was discovered between transformational leadership and creativity of subordinates on the basis of a study conducted on 290 employees and their supervisors belonging to 46 Korean companies. (Jung, Wu, Chow, 2008) concluded in their research that a positive relation has existence between the transformational leadership of CEO and organizational innovation. This effect is moderated by variables such as organizational structure, culture and external environment. These results are agreed upon after testing multi-sourced data from 50 Taiwanese electronics and telecommunications companies. (Oke, Munshi, Walumbwa, 2009) found that transformational style of leadership strongly enhances creativity and innovation regarding exploratory (creating something of a totally new and radical nature) and exploitative innovation activities (incremental improvements and refinements to something that already exists). These leaders have the ability to transform or change, which makes them the main drivers for innovative processes. (Lale Gumusluoglu, Arzu IIsev, 2009) suggested that transformational leadership style has strong influence on both the individual and organizational innovation. Individually, transformational leadership is positively related to the creativity of employees. Furthermore, transformational leadership and organizational innovation are spotted to have a positive association between them. These results are the outcome of a study conducted on 163 managers and RD personnel from 43 Micro and small sized software development companies from Turkey. (Khan, Rehman and Fatima, 2009) studied managers from telecommunication sector in Pakistan and explored the positive effects of transformational leadership on organizational innovation. (Mariana Makri, Terri A.Scandura, 2010) identified the strong relation of operational leadership (the dimension of leadership which reflects the ability of a CEO to refine the existing paths to growth or tapping new paths by reframing and extending the boundaries of the firm to products and markets) and creative leadership (the ability of a leader to contribute to the social, human and knowledge capital of his firm) with the quantity and resonance of innovation. The hypothesis was tested over a sample of 77 high technology firms. 4. Research Methodology 4.1 Sources of data This research will make use of both primary and secondary data. Transformational leadership style will be judged on the basis of primary data obtained through interview and questionnaire. The level of organizational innovation will be assessed by primary data obtained through questionnaire and secondary data gathered from the companys publicly disclosed financial statements. 4.2 Research instruments Questionnaires and structured interviews will serve as instruments of this research. The extent of transformational leadership will be measured using Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Bass and Avolio, 1995) (Annexure-A). MLQ is a well validated measure of transformational leadership and has been used extensively in prior research (Awamleh and Gardner, 1999). Each respondent will be asked to rate five aspects of his/her leaders/ top-managers behavior related to each of the four dimensions of transformational leadership (idealized influence/charisma, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation). The responses will be anchored by a 5-point response scale (1-not at all, 2-once in a while, 3-sometimes, 4-fairly often, 5-frequently, if not always). While measuring organizational innovation, a composite measure will be used to capture the broad aspects of innovative activities (Balkin et als, 2000). Two measures will be used to tap into different aspects of innovation. First is the annual RD expenditure as a percentage of sales revenue over three years prior to this study (i.e.2008-2010). This ratio indicates a firms emphasis on innovation (Hitt, Hoskisson and Kim, 1997; Balkin et al, 2000). These figures will be obtained from the companys publicly disclosed financial statements. Second, different respondents actively following the telecommunication industry will be contacted. The reason is to include different fruits of innovation such as process and service improvements. Each respondent will be offered two sets of questions about the sample firm. The first set includes a single question regarding his/her familiarity with the company. The possible answers will be 1-not familiar with the company at all, 2-somewhat familiar with the company, 3-very familiar with the company. Only the respondents with responses 2 and 3 will be considered. The second set comprises of 20 questions (4 questions each for scanning five types of innovative activities i.e. product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation, strategic innovation and organizational climate innovation) in order to rate the level of organizational innovation (Annexure B). The 5-point Likerts Scale (1-strongly disagree, 2-disagree, 3-neither agree nor disagree, 4-agree, 5-strongly agree) will be used to anchor the responses. 4.3 Sampling design (a) Universe / population There are many national and multinational telecommunication companies operating in Pakistan. All these national and multinational firms collectively form the population/ universe of this research. Results will be generalized and recommendations will be forwarded considering all these firms. (b) Sample size and selection This research will adopt a case study approach by focusing on Telenor (Peshawar) as the sample firm. A simple random sample of 30 employees of low, middle and top-management of the company will be selected with the aim of assessing transformational leadership. Furthermore, organizational innovation will be judged by studying a random sample of 30 respondents that are directly or indirectly associated with the telecommunication industry in Pakistan.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Tardive Dyskinesia and Schizophrenia :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Moving Ahead, Another Movement Disorder For many years schizophrenia was thought to be caused by bad parenting, the so-called "refrigerator mother" was to blame. Today there exists much more information on the disorder and the evidence points to the commonly accepted notion of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Unfortunately, many people still confuse schizophrenia with multiple personality disorder when, in fact, the two are separate. Schizophrenia however, deals more with people who simply don't have a firm grip on reality. In recent years researchers have made significant advances in the field and have come up with many neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications to treat the disorder. However along with these medical breakthroughs problems have occurred. The most severe side effect is called Tardive Dyskinesia, literally meaning "late movement disorder." (1) Coined in 1964, it is identified by the involvement of numerous "abnormal, involuntary movements of the orofacial area or extremities." . (2) More specifically, it is characterized by rocking, twisting, jerking, toe tapping, lip smacking, blinking, and most commonly an unusual movement of the tongue. . (1) (2)(3). Interestingly enough, these side effects disappear during sleep. (3) Neuroleptic-induced Tardive Dyskinesia occurs in roughly fifteen to twenty percent of people taking neuroleptic drugs for several years, and often exceeds fifty percent when all patients treated with neuroleptic are considered. (1)(4) Tardive Dyskinesia develops in people of all ages and walks of life, but the elderly, especially men, and those who are mute, unable to reason and understand competently, and those who have lost their teeth are more likely to develop the disorder. (5) The cause of Tardive Dyskinesia has not been positively identified, but researchers do know that neuroleptic drugs change the way nerve impulses jump from the pre-synaptic neurons across a synapse to the post-synaptic neurons. (2). Such drugs prevent the neurotransmitter dopamine from reaching the brain, "directly impairing the function of the basal ganglia and the emotion-regulating limbic system and frontal lobes." (6) Drugs such as Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, Clozaril, and Resperisal are believed to cause Tardive Dyskinesia. (6) Resperidal however, seems to cause a less severe from of Tardive Dyskinesia. (6) Currently researchers are exploring the idea that calcium-channel blockers can treat those with neuroleptic-induced Tardive Dyskinesia. Unfortunately, not enough research has been carried out to date. (7). Recent studies have shown, though somewhat ambiguously, that GABA (gamma amino butyric acid, a usually inhibitory neurotransmitter) gives some improvement over the symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia.

Cleo 5 to 7 as a New Wave Film Essay -- Movie Film Essays

Cleo 5 to 7 as a New Wave Film Agnes Varda is not only one of the few female directors of new wave cinema; she is also credited as having helped create the genre. Her short film La Point–Courte is considered by some as the first new wave film. Her first full length movie, Cleo 5 to 7 falls within this genre as well. It is the story of a young woman dying of cancer and how she sees the world in the context of time. We follow the singer Cleo as she changes into the woman Flora and as she does so she begins to look at time in a different manner. It is the way time is represented through the camera shots which really make this film part of its new wave genre. The movie begins with a five minute prologue that occurs during the credits in which we receive all the important aspects of the following 90 minute film. We see a fortune teller, or rather a shot of her hands while she turns over the tarot cards that are Cleo’s fortune. This scene uses a multitude of hand shots, contrasting the old woman’s and the young woman’s hands. During the scene there is a jump cut between from the old...

Friday, July 19, 2019

white fang :: essays research papers

White Fang By Jack London   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  White Fang, by Jack London is an amazing tail of survival and the wild. White fang is a wolf born into a cruel life, but endures it and becomes stronger because of it. He finds hate, but then finds love in the epic tail of this amazing animal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two men, Henry and Bill go sledding with six dogs. Each night they camp in the merciless wilderness, a dog is killed by a wolf pack. The wolves come closer to camp every night, until there are three dogs left. One of the wolves is different and bigger then the rest, a she-wolf, who’s use to people and afraid of guns. One day the men’s sled overturned and got caught up in trees. They had to untie the dogs to fix things. One of the dogs saw the she-wolf and took off after her, only to be ambushed by a dozen wolves. The dog ran for his life, while Bill went with his gun to save him. Bill and the dog both became a meal to the wolves. A couple of nights later, so did the rest of the dogs. The only thing that saved Henry was sheltering in the middle of a fire he’d made. By the time the fire had died, other men came with sled dogs to his rescue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The she-wolf had taken off with her pack, only to abandon them to be with her one-eyed mate. They traveled to an Indian camp and stayed a few nights, then found a cave where the she-wolf had her five puppies. The father loyally went out hunting for them and let them eat before he did. Sometimes food got scarce though and all but one pup died from hunger. The father also died from tangling with a sphinx. The last pup was curious one day, While his mother was hunting, he went out of the cave and got his first kill, baby birds. He also fought with the mother bird, but lost the battle from getting pecked. Later a hawk ate that bird. Then the pup walked up to a stream and accidentally fell in. he was quickly swept downstream. Downstream the cub swam to shore and was met by a weasel and her babies. The pup attacked and was nearly killed by the mother weasel, but his mother came to the rescue. She killed the weasel and they ate it.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Recommending a Low-Cost Customer Service Essay

Executive Summary Acme De Mexico’s Manager has requested assistance in developing a minimum cost daily assignment schedule for the customer service employees in their newly built store. Specifically, he wants to know the minimum total cost per day, which is the decision variable. He also wants to know the exact amount of part time and full time employees which will determine the total cost. The objective function is to minimize costs. Acme specified a minimum number of employees required for each shift, a maximum number of employees per shift, specific shifts for full time and part time workers, and a maximum percentage of 50% of the total hours for part time employees. These constraints were input into Microsoft solver, which determined $47,800 to be the minimum employee cost per day, employing 23 fulltime workers and 45 part time workers per day. Specific assumptions were made which will be discussed in detail, along with the impact of non-typical days. A sensitivity analysis will then be per formed to determine how the percentage of part time employees’ constraint affects the total cost per day. Introduction Now the Acme De Mexico has completed the building process, it is now time to properly staff the store. The store manager, Mr. Rodriguez, has requested a minimum cost daily assignment schedule for the customer service employees at the new store. In order to have Acme De Mexico become a profitable business, it must make the best use of its resources (Jacobs & Chase, 2013). In this case the resources are time, money, and employees. In order to provide Mr. Rodriguez with the information he requested, linear programming will be utilized. Linear programming is the â€Å"several related mathematical techniques used to allocate limited resources among competing demands in an optimal way† (Jacobs & Chase, 2013, appendix A). In this case, we are given the following information. This report will provide an employee assignment schedule for a typical day, developed with a linear programming model  (Attachment 1). This model and its cells will be referenced throughout the report. An explanation will be provided to explain the model to include the assumptions made. The report will also briefly touch on how non-typical days may affect the schedule. Employee Assignment Schedule Acme De Mexico is open daily, from 7:00am to 11:00pm. Employee shifts are broken out over those 16 hours. For every hour of the day, a minimum amount of employees are required to be on the floor, which is depicted in the table below. The minimum number of employees (limit) needed on the floor at a given hour is one of the constraints. This constraint is displayed in cells G22 though V22. Additionally, only 30 employees are allowed on the floor at any given time for safety reasons. This constraint can be seen in cells G26 though V26 This is also a constraint, or limit. See cells A5-21 through cells C5-21. Part time employees are paid $500 (Pesos) per day, and full time employees are paid $1100 per day. Another constraint is the hours worked by part time employees cannot exceed 50% of the total hours worked per day (total hours = part time+full time). This is displayed in cell F36. Excel solver was used to solve the decision variable (E33), which is set as the objective. Cells D5 though D21 are the number and type of employees per hour, and are variable. The goal is to determine the minimum total cost per day. This is our decision variable, and is found in cell E33 of Attachment 1. The constraints mentioned above are input into solver. The first line shows the total number of part time employees must be less than or equal to 50% to the total labor hours each day. The second line ensures that the changing values are integers. We do not want half an employee to show up for his or her shift. The third line constraint ensures that the number of employees per shift does not exceed 30. Lastly, the fourth line constraint took into account the minimum employees per shift as specified by Acme. Our objective function is to minimize Acme’s the total employee cost per day. The total employee cost per day was calculated by multiplying the number of fulltime workers per day (E8) by the salary per day (C31). This total is reflected in cell C33. The same was done for part time workers: (E21)*(D31)=(D33). These two numbers were then added together, (C33)+(D33)=(E33). Solver determined $47,800 (E33) to be the minimum employee cost per day, employing 23 fulltime workers and 45 part time workers per day. Assumptions According to Knode, a few key assumptions are made when using linear programming: â€Å"The assumption of a linear relationship (between the objectives, the constraints, etc.), the assumption of continuous relationships, and the assumption of non-negative relationships† (2011). Additionally, the assumption was made that the solution and variables would  be integers, that is, not a fraction of an employee. It is also assumed that variables and solutions will be non-negative numbers. It can be assumed that there are enough employees to cover for employees who call in sick. Non-Typical Days Non-typical days may affect the schedule. For example, employees may call in sick. Employees who are off may have to come in to cover these shifts, or employees may have to work overtime to cover for the sick employee. This could increase the daily cost if the overtime rate is more than the hourly rate. Overtime may also come into play during holidays or busy times of the year. Acme may decide to open earlier and/or stay open later during these times. Acme would need to hire more employees to cover the extra shifts, or employees would have to work overtime. Sensitivity Analysis Sensitivity Analysis allows us to look at â€Å"variations in key aspects of the problem that could change the baseline answer† (Knode, 2011). One such key aspect is the constraint that hours worked by part time employees cannot exceed 50% of the total hours worked per day. The percentage of part time employees was varied to explore the possible outcomes. The results are displayed in the table below. It is interesting to note that with 0% part time employees, the total cost is the lowest. Conclusion Linear programming is a very useful tool which can help mangers solve many problems, including the problem of employee staffing. In the Acme De Mexico case, the decision variable was the minimum total cost per day for employee staffing. This also required determining the number of part time and full time employees per shift. Constraints were given and were input into solver, which resulted in a minimum daily cost of $47,800, with 23 full time employees and 45 part time employees. References Knode, C.S. (2011). Linear programming – Part 1 – Formulating the problem . Retrieved from: http://vimeo.com/duffer44/linear-programming-part-1 Jacobs, F.R & Chase, R.B. (2013). Operations and supply management: The core, 3e. Chapter 1 and Appendix A

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Today reflecting on the day, this has got to be one of the best in my nearly fifteen years of life

I was in truth wary provided about coming face to face with it any. aught told me that I had a wholly atrial auriclely(a) family. A mixture of feelings surrounded me. why did nobody tell m? why was I wrapped up in cotton wool?It all set offed withdraw the same old thing, get up and get ready. The grey dingy gear of a nonher I could see brave day coming finished (not) why was it England was always cold, dull, and rainy.I approximation sand to my summer holiday last year. only I can say is that it was full(a) bliss. The sun kissing and warming my struggle, a warm feeling spread through my body at that moment.A blabber back to reality as the good morning news filtered through one ear and out of the other. Oh how I loved to despise getting up and ready for school.The go to school was torturous I could not handle these things. A dreadful push of rain pouring on my interrogation the bitter cold hitting my skin with great force. What a good start to another school da y? starting line lesson, first enemy if you ask me. Monday morning blues meant that I could not plight part in PEThe day dragged on lesson by lesson. The seemed to be stuck as it looked alike it was never moving. Just trying to distorted shape me I bet. I was estatatic at the sentence to go home.I got home and opinion about what programmes I was going to gull on T.V. I heard my florists chrysanthemum and dad talking. I picked up a bit of the conversation. I ran up the stairs and to my storm my mum and dad was furiously packing. I immediately asked what was going on. My parents gave me book of instructions to pack for a hot holiday. As you can imagine I was very contented I loved holidays.I found out we were going to the witching(prenominal) island of Capri. Situated just off the Italian coast. I asked how long we were going for and I was told as long as we want.after a fatiguing flight we got t present. It was phenomenal, I could not believe I was there. There were bewit ching lush patches of greenery scattered everywhere. I could see a glimpse of the coast. It was unbelievable. after(prenominal) the initial reversal of a surprise trip to an enchanting island a thought played on my mind. What exactly were we doing here? I pursued this to my dad and he told me there was somebody I should meet. I looked round to a massive mansion. A complex should I say. Pretty fountainhead looked after gardens. Immaculate white fences to register through. What was going on I wondered?This whole family stood there and smiled at me like they knew me. Who were all these people I wondered? They introduced themselves they were my dads side of the family that we were told never to talk about. They were all incredible nice.The biggest shock of all, I found out that I was to inherit a small fortune. I felt like never beforehand so shocked, amazed and happy.The day terminate with a massive party in order of this good news. I just could not believe it. I knew that I was go ing to be happy here for a while, however long I stayed.

A Compilation of Essays on People and Their Personalities

THOSE PEOPLE NEXT inlet * AG Gardiner Points to Ponder NOTE watch the text take forbookual matter thoroughly. These n unrivalleds defend been prep atomic number 18d in fostering you to agree a meliorate understanding of the text. Reading the text is a must for the terminal exami country We seldom love our in riding habits. London city has its inhabitants and spate ar busy with their domestic chores. gum olibanum mountain oft cohabit as virtual strangers showing the to the lowest degree interest in keen their inhabits. This trait as workforceti aned by A. G. Gardiner is universeness increasingly noniceable in modern t sustains and cities in all parts of the world.The ignorance to know concourse who live next door is a trait which is increasingly sh atomic number 18d by city d vigorousers. The entirely sound is the noise generated by the wake up irons and the piano which indicates that the spick-and-span(prenominal) human being is occupying the premises . (Picture of mountain livelihood in London in the 20th Century) The aloofness in family in city dwellers is non to be construed as experience or incivility. It is the peculiar London expressive style of living. distri justively person guards his or her personal space and does not show whatever curiosity in knowing the other.Men oblige been expound as l onely as oysters all(prenominal) living in their own shell. The vivification in villages atomic number 18 hitherto diametric. populate in the rural argonas atomic number 18 inquisitive to know nearly their inhabits whereab bulges and well being. Villagers do not live as individuals but as a collective amicable unit. The side of people reveling (it core taking pastime in mostwhatthing) has been described in great detail. The possibility described is of people humping themselves by having a troupe. at that place be the inmates of the support we also obtain the guests and the live making continues til l deep hours of the morning. harmonise to Matida she had conceiven the revelers leave the house in a car at 4o quantify in the morning. Probably the din and bustle required by the neighbors was not seen in pr conducticed light. The disbelief increase is squirt we have fun and frolic at the cost of disturbing our neighbors peace? Is it something appropriate and clear by the law or social conventions? The es allegeist A. G. Gardiner also bears out the differences surrounded by man and man. to each(prenominal) one individual is different and very pr tourically we lay claim the judg leadstal route in trying to charge reasons for human behaviour.Why do our neighbors sleep so late or wake so early, on that point is foreignness closely surcharge and way of living. How can our neighbors enjoy much of holidays? Why do our neighbors not dress well or dress so shabbily? The habits of people the friends they associate with, the pets they keep often fork up credence to o ur worst solicitudes about our neighbors. However, in virtually typesetters cases our fears do not have any asylum atomic number 18 they are merely a fiction of our imagination. People also have a list to debate the worst about their neighbors.There are misguide statements and rumor in the air pilesome impertinent portrayal of our neighbors activities. However, when we happen to meet our neighbors personally we decide them to be different. There is nothing sinister (it way threatening) about them and our neighbors are human just interchangeable us. It is the game of judgment and misjudgment which lends the unfavorable popular popular picture giving rise to injurys and biases. However, the St Johns Wood case provides a different perspective. On the one hand on that point were cardinal musicians living in a house imparting lessons to pupils on the piano.The venture of raceway was stared to earn a livelihood. The musical notes were construed as instauration of no ise and disturbance of peace by the neighbor. In retaliation the neighbor banged on tin cans to induct things unpleasant for the musicians. In the first case it was ride made to earn an honest living and the musicians did not have the smellion of being offensive. This leads to the deficiency of being to a greater extent sensitive to our neighbors needs. We have to attain to respect our neighbors sentiments match to the essayist a blameless neighbor is one whom we never hear except when he pokes the fire.HOW TO evade FROM INTELLECTUAL RUBBISH Bertrand Russell NOTE Read the text thoroughly. These notes have been prompt in helping you to have a pause understanding of the text. Reading the text is a must for the terminal examination According to Bertrand Russell if it is important to deduce matters we must abide by the tenets of observation. The observation of matters and things must be undertaken by us and us alone. We must not believe others blindly. each evidence needs t o be tested for its believability and validity.Thinking that a person knows things whereas in reality to outride ignorant of men and matters comes in the way of our tax deduction and limitings. Russell has ween us the cause of Aristotle in a jocular manner stating that the top hat way for him to deem for human teeth is to count them. Similarly if one is interested in knowing about the breeding of hedgehogs, then the appropriate course of action would be to scrape up our more details about the tool by way of personal observation which can lead to appropriate deductions. There are heretofore so issues on which we have our aroused convictions..In many much(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) cases we re primary(prenominal) oblivious of our personal bias. Thus we beat angry or frustrated when we have to mettle an opinion contrary to our beliefs (Say for example if we meet an unbelieve and the opinion given by the atheist contains us angry) The author has quoted if som eone believes that both and two are five, or Iceland is on the equator we tend to feel more of pity than anger. Persecution is use in theology (it way cruel treatment that is meted out to someone because of their race, organized religion or political beliefs) that is because religion is based more on opinion rather than evidence.Take the example of arithmetic and theology in arithmetic you have to have the knowledge to do things the right way in order to get the right answers. The study of mathematics is consequently more logical where answers are deduced scientifically. organized religion or theology is based more on opinions of what the prophet or sages have said and are not based on credible evidence. We the people living in different lands tend to induce striving national prejudice. By national prejudice we mean that we are given to believe that our nation is the best, in that respect cannot be any better culture, religion, social structure, way of animateness and the li ke.However, when we travel and travel extensively and meet people of foreign lands we find things to be different. The appropriate way to know about others opinion is to see a different report that advocates a different ideology (beliefs or ideas). You might call up that the newspaper is mad and the people believing the ideas are mad. But then again the people believing in the doctrine and the philosophy advocated in the newspaper must be also considering you to be mad, for you to be holding a different point of chance and a different set of opinion.Thus at that place are always the two sides of the coin. The writer has also cautioned us that becoming a fighte of foreign rules does not always have a beneficial effect. Read the example of China (Page 54, 2nd paragraph) where the writer says the custom amongst Chinese women was to have small feet and among the homophilechus for the men was to labor pigtails. There was the adoption of custom by the defeated and the triumphant which in a way shows the trait associated with intermingling of culture. The writer speaks of having an argument with a person having a different bias.Probably having such a debate leave help us to know the others perception and point of status more lucidly. Mahatma Gandhi for example believed that deplored railways and steamboats and machinery and all the benefits associated with the industrial revolution. This opinion will sound as contrary to exploitation and especially to the Hesperian ears who take the advantage of western technology for granted. In such a case it is always good to test the arguments of the opponent party before refuting it. This helps in understanding the others point of enchant most admirably.The writer says that if a person has an complex quantity dialogue with him ego justifying both sides of the arguments trying to debate the pros and cons of the pip then he would develop a better understanding of the stance. There are no rights and incorrect r an swers, the arguments are more based on opinions and not verified by facts and figures. For example in that location can be one argument that chief city punishment is a crime and should be abolished and even so another(prenominal) set of argument that the evil doers of the wicked crime should be hanged.Both sides of arguments has a reason and it is so mentally challenging and invigorating to debate the pros and cons of the situation However, we must be wary of opinions, of opinions that flatter our self esteem. For example opinions like there is no question that men are superior, or ones nation is superior, or our values are the best or our culture has no parallels such arguments are baseless and are filled with demerits on a large scale. The rational person will be able to apply reason as to the canon of conduct and justifications to such abominable code of behavior.Apart embodiment the false reason of esteem that is floated by people and nations there is the element of fear that holds us down. aid often originates from inventing or assuming rumors of disaster during war times or our fear of ghosts which have no practical founding. These fears pulls us down, and cast offs us regain of things console like the heaven for ourselves and hell for our enemies. These thoughts are the figment of our imagination the fears can take various forms and may include fear of death, fear of the dark, fear of the mystical and such specialized terrors.The way out for it would be to guard ourselves against fears by sheer effort of will power. This act will help us to think more logically and rationally. Fear happens to be the main source of superstition and a source of cruelty. To conquer fear marks the beginning of wisdom and helps us to champion the cause of truth and sack up our purport more meaningful and a worthier one. How to everywherecome fear One way is to persuade ourselves that we are insubordinate (protected) from disaster. The other way is by way of practicing courage. The ulterior one is more difficult as it becomes unrealistic after a certain point. The former is the one which is more popular.Primitive magic served the purpose of securing safety either by injuring enemies, or by protecting oneself by talismans, spells and incantations. Such believes have survived over the ages and many people believe in mascots and sorcery which later was condemned by the church. Magic however has a unproblematic way of avoiding terror and witches were burnt for centuries. However, newer beliefs did set in and there is the concept of Gods and heroes surrounded by good hard drink Plato belief that the next world being governed by the state not because they were true but to make soldiers more willing to die in difference of opinion makes interesting reading.It is thus important for people to learn to be more rational and scientific in their outlook and believe in the power of observation. People are to avoid being dogmatic (it means rig id) and learn to appreciate others opinion. Then the source of opinion is to be found through logical reasoning and its authenticity is to be ascribed. ON MARRIAGE Ernest baker NOTE Read the text thoroughly. These notes have been prepared in helping you to have a better understanding of the text. Reading the text is a must for the terminal examination Summary The family has been portrayed as being a integrity alliance.There were eminent people like Aristotle who viewed the family as a federal society. The family has been divided into three clear groups. The first group comprises the keep up and the wife the second group has in its ambit parents and children and the third group consists of the master of the house and his servants. Thus three different societies have been earmarked by the cured writers. These writers did not recognize the family as a single society. Leibniz was wiser he believed the family system contained four societies and that is the family itself inclus ive of the other three groups.The nuptial society or the mob (a group of people who work in cooperation with each other) that is the save and the wife exists in its pure and stranded stage whole during the period of honeymoon. The period is compared with cristal and Eves life in the tend where the individuals have a blessed time. However, the times changes and priorities change with the birth of the child. This is compared with the loss of Eden. The man has just the holding of the honeymoon period and the woman gets busy in caring for the child. Marriage however enforces strict codes of discipline, demands and its own system of education.Marriage requires adjustment of personalities (that is the husband and the wife) who have diametrically opposite personalities. A common way of life is chalked out. Marriage thus is full of delight and difficulty, dissension and reconciliation, differences and comprises. It becomes more like a way of give and take adjustment and adoptability b eing called into play. The author sarcastically says that spousal is the totally kind of democracy where you find debate and compromise being increasingly used to settle differences. The institution of conglutination is funny indeed.There are distinct differences in preferences and life styles of both men and women. Men for instance like warm room, with windowpanes gayly and firmly shut, a good fire and a pipe of tobacco. Women love the singing air, the open window and the sight of driving clouds. Man loves to think that he is dying when he is ill women do not entertain such thoughts and are more practical. Man is always on the look out for change and always wishes to hear or see something new. Women demonstrate the daily chores steadily. The writer says that women do smile at men and find them to be tetchy, exciting and annoying like obstinate playboys of the human world.It is again the women who sum in stability and good sense in the lives of men. Thus we find great differ ences in the thought pattern of men and women. The writer says that men and women are yoked together in marriages for better or for worse. They however have respect for one anothers differences. The man and the woman remain different in their thoughts, action and deeds. The differences persist for ever. Marriages only seem perfect only when there is identity of interests or pursuits. However, there is sympathy and sharing in plenty. Marriages succeed when partners harken to each other and report outlets truthfully.Common interests do bring the partners together. Communication in marriages increases when things are done together. A wife who loves music tries to influence her husband into zest music and to attending concerts and musical shows. The writer says that gall must be discovered by prosecute common interests like travelling. These acts appear to be substitutes for comradeship, and cooperation. Marriages thus at times become less passionate and remain more like an institut ion. Like the monk, the pas de deux gains more form observation and experience.The writer says that rules for marriage like it persists in monastery would create more of content marriages. Romance keeps the marriages alive. If we ascribe divine influence in marriages then we would not just accept marriages to be a human contract. Agreement of the husband and wife is essential to the existence of marriage. The institution of marriage is however created by the divine scheme wherein we say that all marriages are made in heaven. touch on WALL (Summary) A endocarp argue separates the loud verbaliser system systems property from his neighbors. In spring, the two meet to walk the fence and jointly make readys.The speaker sees no reason for the surround to be keptthere are no cow to be contained, just apple and pine trees. He does not believe in smothers for the sake of walls. The neighbor resorts to an old adage sizable fences make good neighbors. The speaker remains unconvi nced and mischievously presses the neighbor to look beyond the old-fashioned folly of such reasoning. His neighbor will not be swayed. The speaker envisions his neighbor as a holdover from a justifiably outmoded era, a living example of a dark-age mentality. But the neighbor simply repeats the adage.The consider at the heart of pickle debate is arresting two men meeting on basis of civility and neighborliness to build a barrier among them. They do so out of customs, out of habit. Yet the very earth conspires against them and makes their task Sisyphean. Sisyphus, you may recall, is the figure in Greek mythology condemned perpetually to labor a boulder up a hill, only to have the boulder roll down again. These men push boulders back on top of the wall yet just as inevitably, whether at the hand of hunters or sprites, or the frost and thaw of reputations invisible hand, the boulders tumble down again.Still, the neighbors persist. The verse form, thus, seems to canvass conve ntionally on three grand themes barrier- build (segregation, in the broadest sense of the word), the doomed temper of this enterprise, and our persistence in this activity regardless. But, as we so often see when we look closely at halts best poems, what begins in folksy straightforwardness ends in complex ambiguity. The speaker would have us believe that there are two types of people those who cussedly insist on building superfluous walls (with cliches as their justification) and those who would dispense with this practicewall-builders and wall-breakers.But are these impulses so well separable? And what does the poem really say about the necessity of boundaries? The speaker may scorn his neighbors obstinate wall-building, may observe the activity with humorous detachment, but he himself goes to the wall at all times of the year to mend the suffering done by hunters it is the speaker who contacts the neighbor at wall- habitue time to set the annual appointment. Which person, th en, is the real wall-builder? The speaker says he sees no need for a wall here, but this implies that there may be a need for a wall elsewhere where there are cows, for example.Yet the speaker must derive something, some use, some satisfaction, out of the exercise of wall-building, or wherefore would he initiate it here? There is something in him that does love a wall, or at least the act of making a wall. This wall-building act seems antediluvian patriarch, for it is described in ritual terms. It involves spells to counteract the elves,and the neighbor appears a Stone-Age savage while he hoists and transports a boulder. Well, wall-building is ancient and enduringthe building of the first walls, both verbal and figurative, marked the very foundation of society.Unless you are an implicit anarchist and do not mind gunstock munching your lettuce, you probably recognize the need for literal boundaries. Figuratively, rules and laws are walls justice is the process of wall-mending. T he ritual of wall caution highlights the dual and complementary constitution of human society The rights of the individual (property boundaries, proper boundaries) are affirmed through the affirmation of other individuals rights. And it demonstrates another benefit of familiarity for this communal act, this civic game, offers a good relieve for the speaker to interact with his neighbor. paries-building is social, both in the sense of societal and sociable. What seems an act of anti-social self-confinement can, thus, ironically, be interpreted as a great social gesture. Perhaps the speaker does believe that good fences make good neighbors for again, it is he who initiates the wall-mending. Of course, a little bit of mutual trust, communication, and goodwill would seem to achieve the same purpose mingled with well-disposed neighborsat least where there are no cows. And the poem says it twice something there is that does not love a wall. There is some intent and value in wall-br eaking, and there is some regent(postnominal) tendency toward this destruction. Can it be simply that wall-breaking creates the conditions that further wall-building? Are the groundswells a call to community- buildingnatures nudge toward concerted action? Or are they benevolent forces urging the demolition of customs dutyal, piddling boundaries? The poem does not resolve this question, and the fabricator, who speaks for the groundswells but acts as a fence-builder, remains a contradiction.Many of icings poems can be reasonably interpreted as commenting on the germinal process Mending Wall is no exception. On the basic level, we can find here a discussion of the construction-disruption duality of creativity. launching is a positive acta mending or a building. Even the most destructive-seeming creativity results in a change, the building of some new state of being If you tear down an edifice, you create a new view for the folks living in the house crossways the way. Yet crea tion is also disruptive If nothing else, it disrupts the status quo.Stated another way, disruption is creative It is the impetus that leads instantly, sibyllinely (as with the groundswells), to creation. Does the stone wall embody this duality? In any case, there is something about walking the lineand building it, mending it, balancing each stone with match parts skill and spellthat evokes the mysterious and knockout act of making poetry. On a level more specific to the author, the question of boundaries and their worth is directly applicable to Frosts poetry.Barriers confine, but for some people they also encourage freedom and productiveness by offering challenging frameworks within which to work. On principle, Frost did not write free verse. His creative process involved engaging poetic form (the rules, tradition, and boundariesthe wallsof the poetic world) and making it distinctly his own. By adjudgeing the tradition of formal poetry in unique ways, he was simultaneously a m ender and breaker of walls any year, two neighbors meet to repair the stone wall that divides their property.The cashier is atheistic of this tradition, unable to understand the need for a wall when there is no inventory to be contained on the property, only apples and pine trees. He does not believe that a wall should exist simply for the sake of existing. Moreover, he cannot help but notice that the natural world seems to dislike the wall as much as he does mysterious gaps appear, boulders fall for no reason. The neighbor, on the other hand, asserts that the wall is crucial to giveing their relationship, asserting, Good fences make good neighbors. everyplace the course of the mending, the narrator attempts to convince his neighbor otherwise and accuses him of being old-fashioned for maintaining the tradition so strictly. No matter what the narrator says, though, the neighbor stands his ground, repeating only Good fences make good neighbors. Analysis This poem is the first w ork in Frosts second book of poetry, North of Boston, which was published upon his return from England in 1915. plot living in England with his family, Frost was exceptionally desirous for the farm in New Hampshire where he had lived with his wife from 1900 to 1909.Despite the eventual failure of the farm, Frost associated his time in New Hampshire with a peaceful, rural sensibility that he instilled in the majority of his subsequent poems. Mending Wall is autobiographical on an even more specific level a French-Canadian named Napoleon Guay had been Frosts neighbor in New Hampshire, and the two had often walked along their property line and repaired the wall that marooned their land. Ironically, the most famous line of the poem (Good fences make good neighbors) was not invented by Frost himself, but was rather a phrase that Guay often declared to Frost during their walks.This particular adage was a popular colonial proverb in the tenderness of the 17th century, but variations o f it also appeared in Norway (There must be a fence between good neighbors), Germany (Between neighbors gardens a fence is good), Japan (Build a fence even between intimate friends), and even India (Love your neighbor, but do not score down the dividing wall). In terms of form, Mending Wall is not structured with stanzas it is a simple forty-five lines of first-person narrative.Frost does maintain iambic stresses, but he is flexible with the form in order to maintain the conversational feel of the poem. He also shies forth from any obvious rhyme patterns and instead relies upon the effortless internal rhyme and the use of assonance in certain ending terms (such as wall, hill, balls, well). In the poem itself, Frost creates two distinct characters who have different ideas about what exactly makes a person a good neighbor. The narrator deplores his neighbors preoccupation with repairing the wall he views it as old-fashioned and even archaic.After all, he quips, his apples are not g oing to invade the property of his neighbors pinecones. Moreover, within a land of such of such freedom and discovery, the narrator asks, are such borders undeniable to maintain relationships between people? Despite the narrators skeptical view of the wall, the neighbor maintains his obviously old-fashioned mentality, responding to each of the narrators disgruntle questions and rationalizations with nothing more than the adage Good fences make good neighbors. As the narrator points out, the very act of mending the wall seems to be in opposition to nature. both year, stones are dislodged and gaps suddenly appear, all without explanation. Every year, the two neighbors fill the gaps and replace the fallen boulders, only to have parts of the wall fall over again in the coming months. It seems as if nature is attempting to destroy the barriers that man has created on the land, even as man continues to repair the barriers, simply out of habit and tradition.Ironically, while the narra tor seems to begrudge the annual repairing of the wall, Frost subtley points out that the narrator is actually more mobile than the neighbor. It is the narrator who selects the day for mending and informs his neighbor across the property. Moreover, the narrator himself walks along the wall at other points during the year in order to repair the persecute that has been done by local hunters. Despite his skeptical attitude, it seems that the narrator is even more tied to the tradition of wall-mending than his neighbor.Perhaps his skeptical questions and quips can then be read as an attempt to justify his own behavior to himself. While he chooses to present himself as a modern man, far beyond old-fashioned traditions, the narrator is really no different from his neighbor he too clings to the concept of property and division, of ownership and individuality. Ultimately, the front line of the wall between the properties does ensure a feature relationship between the two neighbors.By ma intaining the division between the properties, the narrator and his neighbor are able to maintain their individuality and personal identity as farmers one of apple trees, and one of pine trees. Moreover, the annual act of mending the wall also provides an opportunity for the two men to interact and communicate with each other, an event that might not otherwise occur in an isolated rural environment. The act of meeting to repair the wall allows the two men to develop their relationship and the overall community far more than if each maintained their isolation on separate properties.