Final Project Milestone Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Project Milestone - Assignment Example This painting illustrated the difficult childhood life of an isolated, young, black, Bermudian male. Another painting, mixed media on canvas, referred to as the Trickle Down Economy, 2012, also caught my eye. This interesting art piece was a representation of plants on the ocean rocks dependent on rain and sun for their survival. This was symbolic as most Bermudians are dependent on outside sources-international business and tourism-for their survival. The most interesting art piece, apart from the ones mentioned above, was the mosaic sculpture, Frozen Time, done by Jackie Stevenson. This sculpture illustrates one of Bermuda’s exotic fish species, the parrot fish, which is the most colorful reef fish. The medium of mosaic used in this sculpture has in some way, brought to shore, the magic, the colorfulness and the inspiring nature of the fish. In her work, the Frozen Time sculptor piece, Jackie Stevenson curves out Bermuda’s famous, exotic fish, the parrot fish-red reef fish. In this art work, Jackie Stevenson uses small square pieces of glass of various colors as the sculpture’s motif. Jackie Stevenson uses white, green, blue, and clear pebbles to design the fish’s tail. ... It is worth noting that, in the sculptor, the white pebbles are dominant as opposed to the clear, green and light-blue pebbles used in designing the fish tail. The artist uses mirror-like, square piece to decorate the wing of the parrot fish. Using white, sand-like substance, Jackie Stevenson, designs the fishes mouth. This substance is tightly packed on the external surface to create a parrot-like beak just as that of a real parrot fish. It is clear that, Jackie Stevenson first curved the parrot fish using stone or concrete and later, mounts the multi-colored glass-like pieces and pebbles to illustrate the color pattern exhibited by real parrot fish. This sculpture is close to 40 cm in length just as the size of the majority of parrot fish in real life. It is amazing how Jackie Stevenson has managed to illustrate the color pattern of this magnificent, high catching fish-parrot fish. However, there are critical question that arise with regards to how the artist has mixed various colo rs (Martin & Jacobus, 2011). Around the head and the mouth of the fish, the artist uses more green, and shades of green marble-like pieces and thus making the head area more green. This can be explained by the fact that, most parrot fish species have a green colored head, and as such, Jackie Stevenson aim might have been to illustrate the most popular type of parrot fish, the green hump head parrotfish, which are known to live in reefs since they feed mostly feed on corals. As noted earlier, the choice of using tightly packed, white, sand-like substance for the design of the fish mouth is to create a parrot-like beak just as that of a real parrot fish. Jackie Stevenson uses a wooden

Kant Deontological Theory Essay Example for Free

Kant Deontological Theory Essay The Formula of Humanity- Act so that you use humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means. The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends- Act in accordance with the maxims of a member giving universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends. The moral duty is what we should be doing. Good is defined as doing what is right and avoiding doing wrong. We have a duty to act in such a way that our actions are moral even if it produces unfavourable results. What is good, according to Kant â€Å"Nothing is good but a good will†. (Good intentions). It is good to be creative or to have good fortune with good outcomes the world becomes a better place. Goodwill is having the good intention to perform one’s duty. The consequences of our actions do not make an action good but rather the goodwill. What is having a good will? Kant proposes that when someone acts out of goodwill that is when someone is acting out of duty. According to Kant â€Å"Duty should be done for the sake and duty alone†. How do we know our duty in a certain situation? Duty has nothing to do with a certain situation or what happens all that matters is the decision is good and the outcome is good. Kant suggests act as if our decision applies to all people at all times. It is always in order to tell lies if the outcome is favourable? Kant would disagree with this. When we act purely out of duty we act reasonably in a manner that we fulfil our duties. Having goodwill is to perform one’s duty It is our duty to do our duty even though we might not be rewarded in this life but we will be rewarded in the next life. Deontological Ethics. Kant Deontological theory of ethics it is linked to moral law of ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action. Origin: 1820–30; Greek deont- that which is binding (stem of deo) (Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter. ) The word deontology comes from the Greek word meaning duty (deon) and science (or study) of (logos). In moral philosophy, deontological ethics Ethical are theories that maintain that the moral rightness or wrongness of an action depends on its intrinsic qualities. (Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter). A Quote from Kant â€Å"Awe and wonder fills the mind†. â€Å"Starry heavens a metaphor (scientific absolutism) above and the moral law within†. Like gravity and science these are laws which are absolute as well as moral laws. We have a choice we can all still identify the moral law: e. g. do not steal. Kantian deontological theory of ethics is an absolutes theory something which is considered wrong i. e. suicide will always be wrong. Kant argues that morality is rooted in reason; he states that the demands of morality are unconditional or categorical and it presupposes freedom, we have a choice and can identify and rationally identify morality. Kant states that morality must be unconditional it has to be categorical. Kant distinguishes between categorical imperatives from hypothetical ones. The categorical imperative is not about desires or goals but rather about personal well-being. Categorical imperatives are absolute and universal. Categorical imperative is necessary truth and cannot be without self-contradiction or irrationality. The Universal Law Act only in accordance with that maxim through that at the same time, will that it become a universal law. One’s actions must be universal. The Universal law is that one should act on the maxim a law which can become a universal law in nature when acceptable and sustainable. We know that lying and stealing is wrong. If everyone did this society would fail. Perfect duties are without exceptions, but we understand that torture and suicide is always wrong. Suicide is always wrong if this was universalized society would fail. We know that making False Promises that cannot be fulfilled, is always wrong if we cannot regard this as a universal law society would fail. Breaking promises when it in my interest he states that this inconsistent and therefore cannot be a moral imperative. Imperfect duties is seeking the perfection of our duties are contradictions to our will. We ought to be seeking to promote the happiness of others. We understand that this is not always possible. He does not exclude pleasure in doing duty, but that pleasure should not be the guide to what one’s duty is. What is duty? Kant says â€Å"Duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the Law†: Kant believes that duty should be crowned in the end with happiness. Obedience he says is a maxim that is universally binding as a law to all rational beings. Treat humans as ends to themselves and should respect and never to treat others as a means to an end but only as an end. This means that we should respect others, because every human possesses an intrinsic value. We are to consider whether our actions are moral and acceptable. Kant argues that morals are about following the rules. Kant moral theory can be summarised in two ways Kant argues that we all have a choice that we can all identify the moral law. The Categorical Imperative Kant designed the Categorical imperative as a framework used to make moral law, which states that one must do what one expects other to do in a similar situation. The Categorical Imperative is the central concept in Kant’s ethics and the groundwork to Metaphysics of Morals. It is based to the â€Å"supreme principle of morality† (4:392), from which all our moral duties come from. He believed that moral requirements were based on a standard of rationality and he named this the Categorical Imperative. By using the Universal Imperatives we use our reason (as long as it is not corrupted) to guide us in a path which is morally virtuous. He states that we should act according to the maxim by which you can at the same time will that it becomes a universal law. Kant uses the example of a person who lends money and is unable to repay the loan. He states that this cannot be a universal law people will no longer believe each other and no person will lend money to another. This can be explained in three ways The Universal Law means that one should act on an action which can be sustained. It is important that we should consider if an action is right or wrong. This action will eliminate selfish action towards other human beings. Imperfect Duties Imperfect duties to seek the happiness of other people this cannot completed always. The moral law will most certainly collapse if everyone told lies and were to steal. It is expected of one to perform ones duty in every way. The Kingdom of Ends is in accordance with the maxims of a member giving universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends is an ideal society every person must act in such a way that it benefits the greater number of people for the greater good. Every person should act in such a way as if the person through their maxim were universal lawmakers as members in the universal kingdom of ends. One cannot say I will kill myself out of love; this is acceptable and cannot be regarded as a universal law. He argues that humans have an intrinsic worth, and occupy a special place in creation, therefore people are to be treated with respect and dignity because we should understand that we are all rational agents. We possess the freedom to make our own decisions set targets and guide our conduct by reason. He believes that God is the Supreme Being speaking through our conscious. Therefore Gods existence although it remains unproven it is necessary in order for Kant’s ethical theory to be sound. He states that is freedom and immortality. â€Å"God is the law giver to be obeyed† Kant argues that there must be a God and an after-life since it would be intolerable if there were no reward. Kant states that if humans were to disappear from the planet the moral dimension would disappear too. Critique on Kant’s theories: Humans are motivated by pleasure and not only by reason. The question is it possible to act unselfishly, it is necessary to take consequences into consideration. Kant ethics places great emphasises on lying as a form of wrong. He fails to offer an understanding of conflict between different duties, Kant theories does not take into consideration social conditioning and free will. I disagree with Kant that feelings are subjective and selfish and find that he focuses too much on pure practical moral reason he excludes feeling and desires. Kant tries to combine ethics with reason but this seems unrealistic as the concept of reason does not exist in isolation from human beings and their feelings and actions. Ref: Jorge J. Gracia E, Gregory M, Reichberg and Bernard, Schumacher N. The Classics of Western Philosophy, (Blackwell Publishing Ltd). 2004. Ref: Mc Coy A. An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Christian Ethics, Continuum. London , New York Ref: http://www. slideshare. net/t0nywilliams/kant-9170093.

B E C: The New Phase Of Matter :: essays research papers

B E C: The New Phase of Matter A new phase of matter has been discovered seventy years after Albert Einstein predicted it's existence. In this new state of matter, atoms do not move around like they would in an ordinary gas condensate. The atoms move in lock step with one another and have identical quantum properties. This will make it easier for physicists to research the mysterious properties of quantum mechanics. It was named "Molecule of the Year" because it was such a major discovery, but it is not a molecule at all. The phase, called the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) follows the laws of quantum physics. In early 1995, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado were the first to uncover the BEC. They magnetically trapped rubidium atoms and then supercooled the atoms to almost absolute zero. The graphic on the cover shows the Bose-Einstien condensation, where the atom's velocities peak at close to zero velocity, and the atoms slowly emerge from the condensate. The atoms were slowed to the low velocity by using laser beams. The hardware needed to create the BEC is a bargain at $50,000 to $1000,000 which makes it accessible to physics labs around the world. The next step is to test the new phase of matter. We do not know yet if it absorbs, reflects,or refracts light. BEC is related to superconductivity and may unlock some mysteries of why some minerals are able to conduct electricity without resistance. The asymmetrical pattern of BEC is is thought by some astrophysicists to explain the bumpy distribution of matter in the early universe, a distribution that eventually led to the formation of galaxies. Physicists are working on creating an atom laser, using new technology derived from the BEC. The new lasers would be able to create etchings finer than those that etch silicon chips today.

French and Italian Films Essay

The EU Directive has â€Å"put forth the greatest effort to fend off what it has termed â€Å"American cultural imperialism.. † 14 France is the strongest implementor of this directive that it currently requires utmost 40% of films shown in in the country are of non-European origin. The country is also lobbying for other fellow member states to enact the same quota rules. Even the ex-president Chirac had made his opinion regarding this quota system stating that â€Å"he does not want to see European culture obliterized by American Culture† 15 and it is believed that the entertainment media are not very advantageous in terms of integration but an instrument threatening both national and cultural sovereignty. To prove the French strong views on proper film/cinea values, it has banned Paths of Glory in 1957 claiming that this film was â€Å"a slanderous attack to French Honor. † 16 For Italian films, even during the fascist regime, the film was not utilized as a propaganda device. This is according to Ricci stating that the regime even unified Italy through the elimination of markers of class and regional difference happening in the country during that time through the circulation â€Å"of terms for an imaginary national identity†. 17 Italian film is viewed as an â€Å"integral part†18 of the country’s politics. Actually, the censorship board was established, more to regulate films civic and politically related contents than that of sexually or morally intruging contents. The Tangentopoli scandal in 1992 had delegitimised Italian politicians in the eyes of the public but even prior this scandal, government corruption were already depicted in films such as the 1989 Il Portaborse (The Footman) of Luchetti. Moreover, this was also the period when the trend in production have focused on â€Å"historical fictions† 19 with emphasis on Italy’s history and even depicting the own history of cinema implying that television does not have good impact on the film industry such as the Cinema Paradiso. Currently, Italian government provide fundings for films they promote including various assistance from the Direzione Generale per il Cinema (Directorate General Cinema) giving out funds to deserving producers of films promoting the Italian/European culture outside of Italy (promozione all’estero) and for film d’essai (independent/art films) 20 Aside from these fundings, there is also the European Ivestment Bank (EIB) funding film productions in order to compete with the penetrating Hollywood films, not only in Italy but all over the region 21 It is obvious what the European countries want when it comes to film release and promotion: not so much of Hollywood films, protection of cultural values, protection of viewers, promotion of culture and competing with the American in film production and obviously in the market and in profits. IV. Conclusion Films are important weapons for those who may have control as to its regulation and release to public. Films may be used to promote a certain cause or to discourage certain acts. Moreover, when producing a film, various factors must be put into consideration. Among these factors are the current trend and interest or demand of the viewing public (especially for commercial films) and more importantly, the rules that govern over these films. These rules are, more often than not, imposed by regulatory bodies, either private or by the government to assess and classify, as well as control the release and approval of the films shown in an area or market. In European nations, various strategies are employed to promote the film industry. These involve funding of deserving film production and promotion on European values. One strong factor that makes Europe unite when film issues are being talked about is the influence and the challenge that Hollywood films cause to the European nations and European market. American films are viewed as mostly culturally damaging for Europeans as well as penetrating the industry’s market leaving losses to European film producers. In this regard, European nations have looked for some measures in protecting their culture as well as securing its market through the EU Directive, as well as through national regulations, limiting Hollywood and other foreign films shown in European nations. End Notes 1Ricci, S. Cinema and fascism, Italian Film and Society, 1922-1943, UC Regents,UC Press,2008 retrieved 31 May 2008,< http://www. ucpress. edu/books/pages/10916/10916. ch01. pdf >. 2 Rinaman, K, French Film Quotas and Cultural Protectionism, Case Number 332, 1996, American Education, retrieved 31 May 2008, .

Change Management and HRM Essay

1. (TCO All) For the next set of questions, you will first select ONE of the TCOs of the course. Then, you will be asked to write an essay about the project you worked on this term over your two companies’ change program based on the TCO you selected above. Select the TCO your essay question will cover: TCO A – Given that progressive and successful companies require their employees to embrace change, examine how changing work conditions impact the employees. TCO B – Given the inherent reality that all organizations must experience change in order to improve, demonstrate how â€Å"models† are used in Change Management, for diagnosing an organization’s need for change. TCO C – Given external, internal and/or multi-levels of organization factors that drive change, assess and create a leadership model which supports and promotes each type of change within the organization. TCO D – Given that an organization’s mission and vision will determine its strategy towards change, ensure that an organization’s change initiative is aligned with and capitalizes on its culture and mission in preparation for change. TCO E – Given a selected Change Management implementation â€Å"model†, determine the causes of change and develop a plan of action to implement the change. TCO F – Given that both organizations and their employees commonly resist change, understand how to recognize and overcome barriers to change and develop a strategy to manage resistance to change that will ensure successful implementation of change. TCO G – Given that developing a â€Å"vision for change† and communicating that â€Å"vision† is a critical part of the change process, analyze the key elements of the â€Å"vision for change† and develop a strategy to communicate the change to the stakeholder. TCO H – Given the organization’s goal of creating and implementing a sustainable change while moving toward becoming a â€Å"learning† organization, develop a plan to implement change in a sustainable manner that can be applied to any change. Using the TCO you selected from the list above, which you felt was most relevant to your project this term, write an essay answer explaining how the change management you saw in one of your companies from your project this term followed or failed to follow the theory of success ingrained in the TCO you have selected. State the #1 thing you think that company’s change agent did which most contributed to the success or failure of the change and why that relates to the TCO you selected.  · Include in the answer the name of the company you are discussing.  · Explain/analyze why you think this way. (Points : 35) 2. (TCOs A, E) Your project this term asked you to compare and contrast two companies’ change projects or programs for change. This question will review what you learned about the change projects in a continuation of your project. It will ask you to apply course information to your project companies. For your answer, be sure to reference the names of the companies you studied in your project this term to help your instructor determine the score of your response. Recall that external and internal pressures often impact implementation of change in companies. For this question, please write an essay answering these questions: A. Define specific (at least 2 each) external and internal pressures that will (or did) affect the implementation of the changes in your two companies. (10 points) B. Name two strategies of handling these pressures that you would (have) suggested to the company leaders as being the most effective in managing those pressures during the implementation phase. (10 points) C. Defend your positions with details about why you feel your strategies would assist with handling these pressures. (15 points) (Points: 35) 3. (TCOs E,H) Your project this term asked you to compare and contrast two companies’ change projects or programs for change. This question will review what you learned about the change projects in a continuation of your project. It will ask you to apply course information to your project companies. For your answ er, be sure to reference the names of the companies you studied in your project this term to help your instructor determine the score of your response. You will assess the â€Å"sustainability† of the changes which occurred in the companies you studied. Select ONE of the company change programs for your answer to this question and state it here. Assess the change project. Was it successful or unsuccessful in your opinion? What will it take (what are some steps the company can, should, or DID take) to make it SUSTAINABLE? What theories did you consider in coming to this conclusion? Do you think this change will still be in place in one, five, or ten years? Why or why not?(Points : 35) As for the People, it should be determined whether the organization has the right skills and talents for the change to be supported and for the organization to achieve its strategic goal. For example, if the strategic goal is to increase revenue through increased sales then the company sales people should be given sufficient training about the company’s own and acquired products as this will enable the sales staff to more easily sell the company’s products. I feel that the changes made in SAP will stay in place for years to come. Now that steps have been gathered to analyze large amounts of employees, customers, and sales data being generated by companies it will enable SAP to create new processes and applications that will strength their success. 4. (TCO All) This question does not address your course project. This change scenario is envisioned instead, for this question. First, the scenario, and then the question. Scenario: You have been asked to handle a project where the company is going to close the plant in your company and offer all of the workers an option of taking a buy-out severance package which is quite generous OR relocate to another state, where the business climate is much better (but the cost of living is higher and the style of living is lower). The current location of the company is in an area where people live well, the culture is great, and because it is in a college town, there are many fun things to do on weekends, plays to attend, sporting events, etc. The atmosphere is quite upbeat. The city where the company is moving to has very little in the way of entertainment, the housing costs are higher although not as nice, and property taxes are higher as well. The company is offering moving costs for relocation costs, but not house sale assistance. It is likely most of your employees are going to take the buy-out, but most of them are in their late  30s or early 40s and are not going to be happy about it. The question: This term, we studied organizational development theory versus the more systematic nStep method of conducting a change process. What would be the pros/cons of using OD theory for this change project? What would be the pros/cons of using nStep? Which nStep would you recommend for this if you use one? Of the two methods (nStep or OD), which would you recommend we use for this particular change program? Why? (Points : 35) 5. (TCOs C,D) Your project this term asked you to compare and contrast two companies’ change projects or programs for change. This question will review what you learned about the change projects in a continuation of your project. It will ask you to apply course information to your project companies. For your answer, be sure to reference the names of the companies you studied in your project this term to help your instructor determine the score of your response. Consider ONE of your company’s change projects (not both companies – just one.) State the company and the change process/program/project. Name the leader of the change from that company. Answer the following questions about that change: A. Would you characterize your leader as the change â€Å"sponsor† or the change â€Å"implementer† of this change? Or was this leader in fact both? Describe the difference between a sponsor of change and an implementer of change, why they are both important, and why you feel your leader was one or the other. B. Evaluate the leader’s implementation of the change as it compared to the company’s vision and mission statement. Were they aligned? Did this alignment (or misalignment) contribute to the success or failure of the change? Why or why not? (Points : 35) 1. (TCO A) When JetBlue left their customers sitting on the tarmac for hours on Valentine’s Day, and their CEO was ultimately terminated as a result, the company was responding to (pick the best group) (Points : 7) A). external, reputation, and credibility pressures. B). hypercompetition, market decline, and internal pressures. C). mandated, fashion, and force field pressures. D). growth, identity, and new broom pressures. E). All of the above 2. (TCO A) Which of the following best shows forces for change vs. forces for  stability? (Points : 7) A). Change forces are: adapting, sustaining, and predicting; whereas stability forces are: bureaucracy, trust, and control. B). Change forces include: lay-offs, IPOs, and inventing new products; whereas stability forces are: hiring, stock buy-backs, and regular yearly dividends. C). Change forces include: lay-offs, stock buy-backs, and bi-annual new models of iPhones; whereas stability forces are hiring freezes, bureaucracy, and regular yearly dividends. D). Change forces include: Harry Potter Park at Universal Studios, Walt Disney Cruise Lines, and McDonald’s lattes; and stability forces are Cruise ship sinking at Giglio Island, bridging and buffering strategies, and JetBlue’s public apology after the Valentine’s Day fiasco. E).Both A and C 3. (TCO B) Which of the following best defines the â€Å"congruence† model of diagnosing change? (Points : 7) A). Includes purpose, structure, rewards, and helpful mechanisms B). Is based on the conceptualization of the organization as a transformation process C). Can be a starting point for an organization that has not given attention to the trends that may impact its future operations D). Includes strategy, structure, process, and lateral capability E). Includes structure, style, skills, super-ordinate goals, etc. 4. (TCO B) During the diagnosis for change period, it is important to analyze the stakeholders for their readiness to change. Using the power-interest matrix, you review the level of interest and amount of power of stakeholders and determine the following: (Points : 7) A). Your key players are those with the highest level of interest, but a lower level of power. B). Your key players are those with the lowest level of interest, but the highest level of power. C). Your most unimportant players are those with low levels of power but high interest. D). Your stakeholders who need to be â€Å"kept informed only† are those with high levels of interest but lower levels of power. E). Your stakeholders who need to be â€Å"kept informed only† are those with low levels of interest but higher levels of power. 5. (TCO C) The Burke-Litwin model states that there are four transformational factors of change. Identify the answer below which contains at least three of those factors. (Points : 7) A).Frames, lenses, angles, and hyperbole B). Mission and strategy, leadership, and organizational culture C). Hypotheses, problems, symptoms and inputs D). Vision, identification strategies, litigation, and execution E). None of the above 6. (TCO C) â€Å"This organization is running like clockwork!† This statement by a company leader is likely to result in â€Å"no change† because(Points : 7) A). the leader is blinded by the light. B). the leader believes his vision and mission of the company will align when the change is over. C). the leader has diagnosed by image that the company needs no change. D). the PESTEL framework has been unchallenged for too long. E). brainstorming for change was uneventful. 7. (TCO D) The art of a leader managing the meaning of a vision for followers and aligning it with his or her values is called (Points : 7) A).scripting. B). performing. C). staging. D). norming. E). framing. 8. (TCO F) The Emotional Intelligence domains and associated competencies are used to help us determine when a potential change agent, or person, is ready for leadership. When a person exhibits the competencies of integrity, initiative, and optimism, we know he or she has reached the stage of (Points : 7) A). Self-Awareness. B). Social Awareness. C). Relationship Management. D). Self-Management. E). Personal and Social. 9. (TCO G) One day, while on the company elevator, the head of HR is talking to the CEO and doesn’t realize his speaker phone is on when the CEO asks, â€Å"Do you think that we can afford to keep the downtown branch of the company  open? Or is it time to think about across-the-board layoffs?† The HR head frowns, turns off the speaker and replies, â€Å"I’ll call you later† and hangs up. Four employees from the downtown branch are on the elevator and hear this comment. The HR head tells the four employees (whose names he does not know), â€Å"Say nothing about this. You heard nothing.† They immediately rush to their cubicles and begin spreading the word. The gossip has hit the entire department and local news agencies by the 6:00 news that night. The CEO is featured saying, â€Å"This is nothing but a rumor at this point. We have no current plan to lay off anyone.† This is an example of what type of communication plan on the part of the CEO? (Points : 7) A).Spray and pray B). Tell and sell C). Underscore and explore D). Identify and reply E).Withhold and uphold 10. (TCO G) Toxic handlers, as related to change management communication, do the following: (Points : 7) A).handle all calls with the Environmental Protection Agency. B). talk in stages using assertions, requests, and declarations. C). listen empathetically, and help cool angry people down, act like sponges, and often burn out quickly. D).All of the above  E). None of the above 11. (TCO H) A sign that a change is â€Å"sustained† could be seen as (Points : 7) A). a significant and abrupt drop in the stock price of the company. B). receiving an offer from a competitor to buy the company. C). sending out WARN act notices. D). finding that the change has become baked into the culture. E). a reward system which is outdated. 12. (TCOs G,H) Review this story and pick the best answer based on your understanding of change management practices: Company X,Y,Z establishes a vision for change where â€Å"cutting costs is critical to our survival† and  establishes a reward system to the department which cuts costs the most in one quarter, and states it will be a â€Å"department-based reward† system for the next four quarters. By the â€Å"most† the management establishes, the cuts will be valued by a somewhat complicated algorithm % and $$ of cut in the total expense budget. The sales team goes for the gold and cuts their travel budget by 50%, which is by far the biggest department cut in both $ and %. They win the 1st quarter reward. In quarter 2, the IT team cuts expenses the most by ending the purchase of all new software or PCs. In quarter 3, the production line cuts their expenses the most by laying off 60% of the workers (sales have dropped significantly and technology problems have slowed production, so this was needed anyway.) (Points : 8) A). The company did a good job establishing urgency and aligning metrics with the vision for change, and this change appears to be successful. B). The company aligned metrics with the vision for change, and created its own nStep method of change. C). The company culture is dysfunctional and could have learned from CEO Bethune and the Continental Airline’s own culture of â€Å"cost is everything.† D). The company will probably win the J.D. Power and Associates award for customer satisfaction this year. E). The reward system is a â€Å"spray and pray† system.

Critical Essay of a Newspaper Article Essay Example

Critical Essay of a Newspaper Article Essay Example Critical Essay of a Newspaper Article Essay Critical Essay of a Newspaper Article Essay In the article „We did it! † published on 2nd January 2010 in The Economist, the author presents women’s current situation on the labor market and the changes it has experienced over the past years. He states that female empowerment is â€Å"the biggest social change of our times†. However, he points out that there is still no equality between men and women. The latter still obtain lower wages for the same work, there still exists the problem of the glass ceiling and the question of having children still remains problematic for many employers. Even though some countries have introduced certain improvements to make the life of working mothers easier, these solutions are yet very imperfect and far too few. The author concludes that currently women keep advancing, as they have before. For the title, the author chooses a phrase that may be confusing at first – â€Å"We did it! † – but its meaning becomes clear when we see the picture that illustrates the text. It’s the image of Rosie the Riveter, who during the Second World War was representing women who worked in factories. Apart from the well-aimed title and illustration, the author selects data that supports well the thesis of the article and presents it in a clear, well-organized way. The conclusion, however, is slightly imprecise; the last sentence of the article is just a description of the current situation and does not seem to conclude the text in a logical way. The style used is not very complicated, yet precise and accurate. The language is adequate to the profile of the newspaper the text appeared in, it is The Economist, which is addressed to the general reader. On the whole, the text is aptly written and coherent.

Discuss the Ways In Which Two Poems In The Anthology Explore The Effects Of Untimely Death Essays

Discuss the Ways In Which Two Poems In The Anthology Explore The Effects Of Untimely Death Essays Discuss the Ways In Which Two Poems In The Anthology Explore The Effects Of Untimely Death Essay Discuss the Ways In Which Two Poems In The Anthology Explore The Effects Of Untimely Death Essay Essay Topic: Poems When men went to war, there was every chance of them dying. But, their friends and family could never had prepared themselves for news of that persons death. Untimely death is a theme which is explored throughout the anthology in many ways, in particular, looking at the effects of the news of death upon loved ones.The Seed-Merchants Son is a poem by Agnes Grozier Herbertson that conveys the bereavement that a man feels for his son who has died at war. This poem continuously emphasises the youth of the boy, which constantly reiterates the idea of untimely death, as the boy died before he could live a full life. The fact that the man in the poem has lost His dear, his loved, his only one accentuates the notion that the man had love for only one child, and that child died in the war. The young age of the boy is highlighted when the author tells us his school books, into the cupboard thrust, and that they have scarcely had time to gather dust. This shows that the boy has just left school, which adds to the pathos of the poem. This sense of pathos is continued throughout the poem, and is particularly noticable when the author adjusts the poetic syntax of the fifteenth line, to tell the reader that the man in the poem is old to have fathered so young a son.The author uses elipses toward the end of the poem to generate a dramatic silence which could be seen as the silence after the death of the young soldier had been told to his father and the shock and desperation that the man felt during that time. The man would have thought about his son who had never before seen seed or sod. This line uses sibilance which has a threatening sound to it which could be interpreted as the fear that the young soldiers would all have to go through knowing that they might never again feel a sence of solace.By the end of this poem, the man has come to terms with the boys death as although the man is sadened, he is very proud of his son for fighting for his country. The man murmurs thank G-d, thank G-d, showing that he is proud of his son for the sacrifice he made.Another poem in the anthology that portrays the pathos involved and explores the repracussions of untimely death is The Deserter by Winifred M. Letts, which tells of the soldiers being forced to go to war and being dogged by fear. The author writes how one man who could not face the German guns was shot by an English bullet in his heart for desertion. He was shot in a place apart, showing that he was absolutely alone and could be interpreted that he didnt believe that anyone else could feel like he felt in battle. The poem continues to say that the mother was spared ill feelings when she is told by a messenger that her son died as a hero, foremost in the strife. This white-lie is a safety blanket, which is used to protect the woman from suffering a distraught sense of anger and sadness at the idea that he was shot for desertion. The irony is that although this brings about a feeling of pride within the mother and so she goes proudly; to the strife to mourn for her hero son, she does not know he lies in a deserters grave.The author has written that there was a man dont mind his name. This generalisation shows that this set of circumstances ocured many times throughout the war, and the untimely death of so many young men brought about so much pain and anguish.From these two poems, we can see that untimely death has many different effects and consequences on different people; it can cause grief and sadness, pain and sorrow, or it can lead to pride and peace. Whatever the outcome, untimely death at war never leads to happiness.

The Top 10 French Gestures

The Top 10 French Gestures Gestures are frequently used when speaking French. Unfortunately, many gestures are not often taught in French classes. So enjoy the following very common hand gestures. Click on the name of the gesture, and youll see a page with an image of the relevant gesture. (You may have to scroll down to find it.) Some of these gestures involve touching other people, which is not surprising since the French are touchy-feely.  According to the French publication Le Figaro Madame (May 3, 2003), a study on heterosexual couples seated at a terrace established the number of contacts at 110 per half-hour, as compared to two for Americans. French Body Language in General For a full look at the intricacies of French body language, read the classic Beaux Gestes: A Guide to French Body Talk (1977) by Laurence Wylie,  Harvards longtime  C. Douglas Dillon Professor of French Civilization.  Among his telling conclusions: The French are  more controlled  (than Americans).  Their chest remains straight, their pelvis horizontal, their shoulders do not move and their arms are close to their body....There is something stiff and tense in the French way of moving.  This is why French clothes are too narrow, too tight for Americans.  Being very controlled with their bodies, the French need verbal expression as an outlet....Americans need more space to move.Your [the French] obsession with rationality leads you to give major importance to your head. The most characteristic French gestures are associated with the head: mouth, eyes, nose, etc. Of the dozens of iconic French gestures and facial expressions, the following 10 stand out as French cultural symbols. Note that these are not drawn-out affairs; they are done fairly quickly. 1.Faire la bise Greeting or saying goodbye to friends and family with a sweet (nonromantic) exchange of kisses is perhaps the most essential French gesture. In most parts of France, two cheeks are kissed, right cheek first. But in some regions, it can be three or four. Men do not seem to do this as often as women, but for the most part, everyone does it to everyone else, children included. La bise is more an air kiss; the lips do not touch the skin, although the cheeks can touch. Interestingly, this type of kiss is common in several cultures, yet many people associate it only with the French. 2.Bof Bof, aka the Gallic shrug, is stereotypically French. It is commonly a sign of indifference or disagreement, but it could also mean: Its not my fault, I dont know, I doubt it, I dont agree, or I dont care. Raise your shoulders, hold up your arms at the elbows with your palms facing out, stick out your lower lip, raise your eyebrows and say Bof! 3.Se serrer la main You can call this shaking hands (se serrer la main, or to shake hands) or the French handshake (la poignà ¨e de main, or  the handshake). Shaking hands is, of course, common in many countries, but the French way of doing it is an interesting variation. A French handshake is a single downward motion, firm, and brief.  Male friends, business associates, and coworkers shake hands when greeting and parting. 4.Un, deux, trois The French system of counting on the fingers is a bit different.  The French  start with the thumb for #1, while English speakers start with the index finger or the little finger. Incidentally, our gesture for loser means #2 to the French. Plus, if you order one espresso in a French cafà ©, youd hold up your thumb, not your index finger, as Americans would do. 5.Faire la moue The French pout is another oh-so-classic French gesture. To show discontent, distaste or another negative emotion, pucker up and push your lips forward, then squint your eyes and look bored. Voil la moue. This gesture shows up when the French have to wait for long periods, or they dont get their way. 6.Barrons-nous The French gesture for Lets get out of here! is very common, but its also familiar, so use it with care. Its also known as On se tire. To make this gesture, hold your hands out, palms down, and smack one hand down onto the other. 7.J'ai du nez When you tap the side of your nose with your index finger, youre saying that you are clever and quick-thinking, or youve done or said something smart. Jair du nez literally means that you have a good nose for sensing something. 8.Du fric This gesture means that something is very expensive, or that you need money. People sometimes also say du fric! when they make this gesture. Note that le fric is the French colloquial equivalent of dough, cash or money. To make the gesture, hold one hand up and slide your thumb back and forth across your fingertips. Everyone will understand. 9.Avoir une verre dans le nez This is a funny way to indicate that someone has had too much to drink or that person is slightly drunk. The origin of the gesture: a glass (une verre) symbolizes alcohol; the nose (le nez) becomes red when you drink too much. To produce this gesture, make a loose fist, twist it in front of your nose, then tilt your head to the other direction while saying, Il a une verre dans le nez. 10.Mon Å“il Americans express doubt or disbelief by saying, My foot! while the French use the eye. Mon oeil!  (My eye!) can also be translated as: Yeah, right! and No way! Make the gesture: With your index finger, pull down the bottom lid of one eye and say, Mon oeil!

Capital Budgeting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Capital Budgeting - Essay Example The management has the option of employing different techniques for evaluating the performance of individual project managers, each of which has its own characteristics. This paper makes a critical analysis of the performance evaluation technique adopted by Brand Neue Corporation and suggests that the project creating positive shareholder value based on Economic Value Added (EVA) calculation is to be accepted for providing overall greater bonus to the project manager. Organizations adopt both financial and non-financial metrics for evaluating the performance of senior managers. Many of the companies use performance measures such as operating income which rely mostly on financial information generated internally within the organization and are therefore are deficient in making the evaluation perfect. In order to overcome this problem firms have started combining both financial and non-financial measures in the form of balanced scorecards specifying different elements such as profitability measures, customer satisfaction measures, internal measures of efficiency, quality and time and innovation measures. The measures incorporate both long-term and short-term horizon in the evaluation. The internal financial measures are normally based on the accounting numbers routinely prepared and reported by the organization. The idea behind evaluating the performance of different projects is not only to judge the profitability of the projects but also to provid e a meaningful basis for compensating and motivating the senior managers. The objective of this paper is to analyze the project performance appraisal techniques adopted by Brand Neue Corporation. This company has been working on three projects, the performance of which was under review. The company was using ROI technique for evaluating the performance of the projects based on which the performance of the project managers was assessed for compensating them. However the evaluation technique was changed to EVA, since the management was convinced that some of the project managers have been accepting or rejecting projects based on their current ROI status in relation to the bonus structure of the firm. One of the projects was in jeopardy as the project evaluation has not considered the cost of clean up to be incurred consequent upon the passing of an environmental legislation. The cleaning cost has made the project unviable. Therefore the management wants to have a relook at the different project performance evaluation techniques. This report will analyze the effectiveness of the capital budgeting and performance evaluation techniques adopted by Brand Neue such as Return on Investment (ROI), Residual Income (RI) and Economic Value Added (EVA) and recommend to the board of directors, the best technique for evaluating the performance of the managers. The report will also substantiate the recommendation of a particular technique and the likely issues the management has to consider in the process of evaluation. This paper is organized to present theoretical aspects of the evaluation techniques, comparison of the performance evaluation under different techniques and finally a recommendation on the technique that the management can adopt. Project Performance Evaluation Techniques The objective of performance evaluation systems is to provide the information feedback loop to the

Technologys Affect on Families and Society Essay

Technologys Affect on Families and Society - Essay Example The interaction amongst individuals will reduced to such an extent that they will even not recognize their neighbors. This will create an America with no social bonding amongst the individuals and people staying in their home without the concern for the overall society, city and the country. When a customer comes out of his home for shopping he generates a living mostly for the lower strata of the society by picking a taxi or a tram, eating out at restaurants or kiosks thus generating incoming not only for the small owners but for the cab drivers and loads of workers at the eating junction. While income of these comparatively lower strata will definitely reduce, the affluent online vendors and reputed food giants who will cater to online requests will become even richer thus creating a wider gap between the rich and the poor. Obama government is working hard to keep a check on outsourcing of IT related services and products to developing country. If we have a closer look then we will find out that the web based services for development and maintenance has been offered primarily by the developing nations to US and therefore curbs in outsourcing will definitely delay any such mishaps for the lower stratum of our society Our c... ook then we will find out that the web based services for development and maintenance has been offered primarily by the developing nations to US and therefore curbs in outsourcing will definitely delay any such mishaps for the lower stratum of our society -How do you see this changing the elements of our culture Our culture has been a strong supporter of the principle of equality to all nationals. This implicitly refers that everybody has the right to equality even in financial matters. By increasing a gap between the richer and the poor, we are hindering the basic rights of equality for our relatively poor citizens thus snatching them this right to financial equality. -Who will be affected the most and how will their lives change Mostly this will affect the small shop owners who are not affluent enough to sell their items via online shopping. This is because they neither have sufficient resources to start an online shop, nor do they have the brand name that a customer will trust while placing an order online. Moreover every small worker involved in transportation sector will be hit by these changes. -Are there any social movements or collective behavior contributing to this change Our increasing dependency on internet for every small affair is catching the attention of affluent retailers and food giants to sell their products online and thus contributing to this change. Reference: American Teenagers. (July 2005). U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany. Retrieved March 14, 2009, from

History of American Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

History of American Government - Essay Example   James Madison became a student of colonial history and political theory in his search for a solution to the political and economic dilemmas which beset the colonies at the time. Madison felt the Articles of Confederation were too weak to serve the needs of the United Colonies. He reasoned that the state autonomy clause, precluded the perpetuation of a strong central government, which Madison felt was necessary to adequately regulate commerce.This inadequacy left the central government with little ability and left the Confederation coffers inadequate to wage war. Meantime, inflation began to engulf the country; a pound of tea could cost as much as $100. Of course this inflation resulted in a contraction of business activity; some small farmers were arrested for bad debts and many farmers were forced to sell their farms to pay their taxes.Madison solicited the assistance of the elder statesman, general George Washington.. Washington initially found a number of reasons to lay suspec t to the idea proposed by Madison, and was reluctant to accept Madison’s offer for assistance. Washington dealt with the issue of credibility; â€Å" what if the new experiment did not work? What light would be cast upon his reputation? After a considerable amount of soul searching, Washington wrote to Madison. â€Å"Wisdom and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm†. (Madison)George Washington understood that Madison envisioned a strong central government to provide order and stability.... pay their taxes. Madison solicited the assistance of the elder statesman, general George Washington.. Washington initially found a number of reasons to lay suspect to the idea proposed by Madison, and was reluctant to accept Madison's offer for assistance. Washington dealt with the issue of credibility; " what if the new experiment did not work What light would be cast upon his reputation After a considerable amount of soul searching, Washington wrote to Madison. "Wisdom and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm". (Madison) George Washington understood that Madison envisioned a strong central government to provide order and stability. Madison responded to Washington with; "let it be tried then whether any middle ground can be taken which will once support a due supremacy of the national authority, and providing state power only when subordinately useful" This was a mighty issue, one which would generate much debate. It became so fervent until the labels of federalist (those who supported a strong central government and anti-federalist (opposed to watering down of state sovereignty), created substantial followings. James Madison and John Tyler served together in the Virginia General Assembly. They devised a plan for a states convention to be held in Annapolis, Maryland3 in September 1786. At this convention the two men proposed that macro commerce be controlled and regulated by the Continental Congress. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton issued a report of the Annapolis meeting. The meeting

Socciological Reasearch Proposal- Violence and gun control Term Paper

Socciological Reasearch Proposal- Violence and gun control - Term Paper Example ops as â€Å"armed forces† and the importance of maintaining our firepower has been identified throughout the human history, which the firearm has helped to shape. The father of the nation have identified the necessity of arming the citizen to protect themselves and made it a part of the constitution for them to possess arms However, comparing to other countries United States have more fatalities due to fire arm violence. It is widely observed that the United States has basically higher rates of gun violence because its gun control measures are not as rigid as those found in Great Britain, Australia and Japan. The rate of gun related homicides in United States is more along with other fatalities involving gun. â€Å"President Bill Clinton initiated a $15 million program directed at lowering the number of guns in and around housing projects. When the people bring guns to local police stations they received fifty dollars on each weapon; these were then destroyed† (Squires 2001) Gun violence is an issue of major concern in America. US have a high gun murder rate as compared to England and other countries where Gun control rules are stricter. Gun control has been a controversial issue for years. A vast majority of citizens believe that, if gun control is strictly enforced it would quickly reduce the threat of crime. According to(La Follette 2001) â€Å" Based upon the production data from manufacturers of fire arms there around 300 million firearms owned by citizens in the United States as of 2010. Among them, about 100 million are handguns†. This shows the rate of guns owned by the citizens and risk of violence prevalent in the country. He suggests that 16,272 murders occurred in the United States in the year of 2008. About 10,886 or 67% were performed with firearms. It is very important to ensure the safety of the public by implementing a gun control system. If the children find gun at home they can use by not knowing the consequences of it. A much planned law and

The Tempest Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Tempest - Research Paper Example Motifs, therefore, help Shakespeare bring out the veracious analogies underlying in his text. The tempest that occurs at the beginning of the paly symbolizes notable things. To begin with, it highlights the conflicts occurring between the characters in the boat. This, especially, is crucial in the context of a wedding and a serene sea that may not promise an underlying tension. The tempest warns the audience that the characters in the boat have unresolved differences. It is essential to note that the storm places Prospero’s enemies at a vulnerable position, whereby he can exploit them for his own ends. This symbolizes his earlier suffering and struggle. Just as Prospero suffered in the sea some years ago, he places the victims of the shipwreck at the mercy of the sea. The audience later uncovers that the storm is not a natural occurrence as it had been caused by Prospero. A malicious aspect of magic warns the audience of the danger of dalliance with a mystical world. Prospero, however, is careful and conscientious enough to only use magic as a means of punishment, but not as a way of obliterating his enemies. This is because the storm does not cause any harm. In a large sense, the tempest reveals a noble and benevolent character of Prospero that seeks to realign the society towards normalcy. More essentially, the tempest represents a social upheaval that upsets the status of the privileged class in the society. The storm sets the Shakespearean society for a more egalitarian mode of life that respects the dignity of the person. When the characters suffer from the shipwreck, it manifests that death is a unifying factor that does not favor a person, regardless of one’s societal status. Shakespeare, in the character of Prospero, is an idealist who detests the feudal systems that place a certain class of individuals above others. He, therefore, see ks to reveal the meaninglessness of royal titles in life. Music is also an important motif

The Chinese Store Giordano Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Chinese Store Giordano Case Study - Essay Example In 1985, Giordano opened its first retail shop in Singapore. It was the beginning for expansion for Giordano. In 1987, the competitive market forced Lai to redefine its corporate strategy and introduce unisex casuals that were attractive and affordable for men, women and children. It was highly innovative and firm used unit sales of value-for-money merchandize as against profit margin to maximize its revenue. The strategy was a huge success helped it to maintain its competitive advantage within the market. Giordano’s expansion also resulted in differentiating its product line into well defined categories and specialized outlets that catered to more trendy casuals and semi formals for men, women and children through its brands like Giordano, Giordano Ladies, Giordano Junior and Blue Star Exchange. Giordano’s corporate strategy is aligned with its corporate vision. It relies on exceptional customer service, quality, knowledge, innovation and simplicity. It judiciously app lies FSA (feasibility, sustainability and acceptability) tools on its strategic options to optimize its productive outcome. It meets the needs of the customers by implementing the desired changes within its operations and production. Its sales team is highly skilled and equipped with socio-psychological tools to deliver exemplary service to its customers. Performance is evaluated not only by the firm’s supervisor and auditors but also by the customers. It believed in limited variety within its core items so it can maintain quality. Knowledge management was critical aspect of its operational success. Giordano continuously strives to learn from its past errors and uses technology extensively to improve and improvise its processes vis-a-vis inventory management, supply chain, analyzing changing trend in customers’ preferences etc. With low inventory and effective supply chain, it is able to provide customers with the latest trend fashion wear. At the same time, using cent ralized distribution system, low store inventory also enables it to exploit store space innovatively that attracts customers. The real time production, based on current sales greatly facilitates in meeting the changing demands of the customers. Moreover, the short cycle of its products save expenses of dead inventory or slow moving inventory, thus making its operations cost effective. Answer 2 According to Kotler and Keller (2012), position is critical element of market that helps create an image that is preferred by customer. The major aim is to ensure that the consumer identifies with the brand when product or service is required. As such, repositioning becomes highly desirable strategy for firms that deal in consumer goods and constantly need to meet the challenges of changing customers’ requirements. Repositioning strategy provides the businesses with great leverage to introduce new products or add value to existing processes or products to meet fast changing dynamics of the markets. In 1987, it had to reposition its strategy of exclusive men’s casuals with unisex clothing to target women’s segment also. With the changing external environment, firms need to adapt new strategies to compete and maintain their niche market position (Kotler et al., 2010). While Giordano’s core competency has always been its customer service, its value-for-money was hugely successful strategic option. In the highly competitive environment of global business, especially when Giordano needs to expand beyond its traditional market of

The Tempest Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Tempest - Research Paper Example Motifs, therefore, help Shakespeare bring out the veracious analogies underlying in his text. The tempest that occurs at the beginning of the paly symbolizes notable things. To begin with, it highlights the conflicts occurring between the characters in the boat. This, especially, is crucial in the context of a wedding and a serene sea that may not promise an underlying tension. The tempest warns the audience that the characters in the boat have unresolved differences. It is essential to note that the storm places Prospero’s enemies at a vulnerable position, whereby he can exploit them for his own ends. This symbolizes his earlier suffering and struggle. Just as Prospero suffered in the sea some years ago, he places the victims of the shipwreck at the mercy of the sea. The audience later uncovers that the storm is not a natural occurrence as it had been caused by Prospero. A malicious aspect of magic warns the audience of the danger of dalliance with a mystical world. Prospero, however, is careful and conscientious enough to only use magic as a means of punishment, but not as a way of obliterating his enemies. This is because the storm does not cause any harm. In a large sense, the tempest reveals a noble and benevolent character of Prospero that seeks to realign the society towards normalcy. More essentially, the tempest represents a social upheaval that upsets the status of the privileged class in the society. The storm sets the Shakespearean society for a more egalitarian mode of life that respects the dignity of the person. When the characters suffer from the shipwreck, it manifests that death is a unifying factor that does not favor a person, regardless of one’s societal status. Shakespeare, in the character of Prospero, is an idealist who detests the feudal systems that place a certain class of individuals above others. He, therefore, see ks to reveal the meaninglessness of royal titles in life. Music is also an important motif

Internet Services Demand and Supply Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Internet Services Demand and Supply - Coursework Example It has changed every aspect of human life from studying, working to shopping and socializing. Therefore Internet services have proliferated in every part of this world and its demand is growing every day. In all countries, the governments are increasingly emphasizing on promoting universal broadband services, i.e. supply of Internet services to 100 percent households. The focus is specifically on the supply of high-speed Internet activity via big business houses to enhance global competitiveness. Due to increased infrastructure, urban areas enjoy economies of scale thus making it more convenient for Internet service providers to supply connection to all households. However, the same situation is not in rural areas and therefore broadband supply to all households is currently not possible (Galloway, 2007, p.641). In this era of the Internet, it has become obvious that sound knowledge of Internet services can lead to success in business, education, research and other avenues. Therefore the demand of the Internet has become high even in rural areas and in every domestic household. The availability of Broadband (high-speed) services has brought revolutionary changes in the demand for Internet services. It is important that the supply of Internet remains equal in all areas. Prieger (2003) has surveyed and concluded that the supply of broadband services is not equal in all areas and there is the low availability of the services in rural areas inhabited by poor and minority communities. The other result of this survey is that low supply of Internet in rural areas is due to the low demand in these areas because of market size and low knowledge of computers. A study has construed that broadband services will be unavailable in almost 12 percent of U.S. households because of lack of demand whose one co ntributory factor is the cost of Internet services (Prieger, 2003, p.347).

The romantic period and the poems of Blake Essay Example for Free

The romantic period and the poems of Blake Essay The Romantic Period which lasted 1785 to 1830 was a significant period that made a paramount contribution to the growth of English language and literature. The writers of the Romantic period were influenced by historical events such as the French revolution. Thus the Romantic period was shaped by a multitude of political, social, and economic changes. Many writers of the period were aware of a pervasive intellectual and imaginative climate which some called as Zeitgeist: Spirit of the age. Some poets call themselves as visionary bards who had the capability to prognosticate the future. There are six major writers that represent in the concepts of the Romantic period by names: Wordsworth, Keats, Percy Shelly, Byron, Coleridge and Blake. The work of these writes can be categorized under different themes. William Blake was a poet who lashed out against repression in all its many forms. The plight of the oppressed, be it the wretched child condemned to the drudgery of chimney sweeping, the hapless soldier, the youthful harlot or the robin redbreast in a cage moved him to a furious advocacy of liberty and the repudiation of reason which was seen as having a tyrannical hold on man preventing him from breaking out of the bonds that held him. Blakes Chimney sweeper in the songs of experience, crying weep, weep in notes of woe that his parents oblivious to the poor creatures suffering are gone to praise God and his priest and king/ who make a heaven of our misery. According to the boys words it is possible to deduce that it is their false reasoning that blinds them to the chimney sweepers plight; And because I am happy, dance and sing / they think they have done me no injury. Thus while openly criticizing and rejecting the traditionally accepted figures of authority the poet subtly shows that the tyrannical system is maintained by reason. Blakes Garden of Love clearly exhibits how the church has become a harmful to the people while creating disillusionment in the poets mind. The church is openly criticized by Blake for not being truly religious but being a pernicious institution The Garden indicates the romantic symbols of joy and innocence. But in the middle of the garden A chapel has been built. The graves indicate the death of that joy and innocence. Among Blakes work the poem which manifests this theme best is London. The poet is looking at the marks of weakness, marks of woe plainly etched on the faces of the passes by. As the poem develops the causes for the suffering of the Londoners are made clear. Blake accuses the blackening church for the sorrow of the innocent chimney sweepers. The hapless soldiers life is frittered away by the rulers and the young women with no means of sustenance are forced into eking out a meager living through the dangerous trade of harlotry. London echoes and resounds with cries of suffering and marks of weakness, marks of woe apparent on every face the bard encounters manifest the complete permeation of suffering in London society. However, this is also a society where there not only exists Institutionalized religion and governance but these very authority figures suppress the growth of the society by burdening it with manifold sufferings and turning a deaf ear to the protests of the people. Unfortunately, the troubles of London are not limited to a socio-political sphere. If so they could have been righted by revolution. The greatest enemy the Londoners face is the mind forged manacles which prevent them from moving on to a better life. How does one fight a foe firmly wedged in ones mind, restraining growth? Blakes songs of innocence are peopled with children, rural folk and harmless animals like lambs. They are characteristically joyful and innocent enjoying all they see and experience. Their state is one filled with unsophisticated spirituality and optimism. The Lamb is written in the form of a childs monologue with a sheep. The innocence of the child, its simple enjoyment of the beauty of nature and the close communion it has with nature is apparent in the guileless act of speaking to an animal. The child finds delight in the sheeps soft and bright fleece, and its tender voice. The child in its innocence poses one of the most profound questions that have been troubling humanity for millennia: that of origin, Little lamb who made thee? / Dost thou know who made thee? However, the child answers its own question with a strong simple belief in the Christian teachings, He is called by thy name / for he calls himself a lamb Enjoying the simple beauty and safety of un-fallen nature the child finds it possible to connect Jesus and God the creator with the world around itself. The state of innocence inherent in the child coupled with his lack of experience in evil prevents him from questioning the existence of cruel powers as the adult persona of The Tiger does, Did he who make the lamb make thee (tiger)? Another poem of Blakes which manifests the innocent spirituality of children and the noble savage is The Little Black Boy. Seated under a tree shading them from the tropical sun the mother teaches spirituality and Gods Infinite love to her little Negro son. The boy is taught to regard sun shine as a part of Gods love giving off light and heat to the flowers and trees and beasts and men. Thus the boy learns to view all things in nature as a part of Gods kingdom, receiving his love and protection. The colour of the skin is viewed as a temporary covering to be shed when souls have learnt to bear Gods love. The Negro boy sees spiritual love as a force common to all, transcending barriers of color and race. Therefore he is ready to teach this lesson of eternal love and grace to the white boy of whom the poet gives the impression as not being so innocent and worthy of Gods love as the black boy who will shade from the heat till the former is spiritually developed and capable of facing Gods love. Thus drawing on the objects of nature such as the sun, clouds, flora and fauna the little black boy builds up a spiritual message on unconditional love in the afterlife. The antithetical states of innocence and experience, their relative merits and demerits were of deep concern to Blake as portrayed through his songs of innocence and experience. The state of innocence abounds with joy, optimism and love but is sullied by its nai ve, rose tinted outlook on life. In The Little Black Boy the innocent purity of the little boys belief in divine love and the promise of a better life in the world hereafter are endearing. With a great deal of tender maternal love his mother teachers him the greater lesson of divine love. The poet draws a touching and interesting picture of the mother and the son engaged in their lessons under a tree. The boys belief and practice of love surpasses barriers of race and color as he will look after the English boy, shading him from the heat, till he can bear / to lean in joy upon our fathers knee. It is a touching and moving picture of humanity and piety but although the little back boy discards racial barriers due to his inexperience, the negative effects of racial discrimination are nevertheless apparent through his words. The little black boys attitude towards the English boy appears to be rather subservient throughout despite the fact that the former seems fuller of Christian virtues. It is a society where fairness is clearly associated with goodness and darkness with its opposite. This becomes apparent in the lines, White as an angel is the English child, / But I am black, as if bereaved of light. These lines are innocently uttered by the boy with no bitterness but the connotations of racial discrimination are present in them. The black boy persisting in his belief that in the after life both black and white will be equal, phrases this view in a manner which once again brings out the effects of the color bar, And be like him (the white boy) and he will love me. This gives rise to several questions such as, why cannot the white boy be like the black boy and not vice versa? Is the white boy only capable of loving the God? Even though Blake was added to the romantic period after poetry his poetry make a huge contribution to the Romantic ideas and views.

Effect Of Humor: Validating Racial Stereotypes

Effect Of Humor: Validating Racial Stereotypes The purpose of this research paper is to examine the effect of humor on validating racial stereotypes. Race-based comedy provides stereotypical misconceptions that influence the audience to accept these racial characteristics rather than denounce them. Racial stereotyping in comedy establishes the existence of racially defined differences, thus causing them to be regarded as natural while encouraging audiences to apply reality to myth. My primary sources are the first and second Rush Hour films, on which I will perform a close reading of how the two main characters, both of whom are minorities, interact with each other. The dialogue between these two characters incorporates many well-known racial stereotypes. My secondary sources include studies of Asians, blacks, and whites watching the films and their responses to the films jokes in the negative portrayals of their particular race. The movies fall into the buddy-cop action genre, which generally includes a white protagonist with a minority sidekick who frequently gets into trouble. However, Rush Hour is able to break from this convention and has the possibility to comment on the problematic aspects of stereotyping. With articles analyzing the dialogue between the characters as well as providing background history of blacks and Asians, comedy is able to disguise stereotypes and jokes that in other circumstances people would find offensive. Racial humor suggests that the Rush Hour series is able to gain acceptability from blacks, Asians, and whites because comedy is a form in which people will not take offense at racial exaggerations. Humor functions as rhetoric. It may not solve the problem of racial stereotyping but it provides the audience with the ability to look beyond the boundaries of race and come to understand how the triangulation of whites, blacks, and Asians allows for an infusion of identities. Annotated Bibliography Ma, Sheng-mei. Yellow King Fu and Black Jokes. Television New Media 1.2 (2000): 239-244. Sage Journals. Web. 17 January 2011. This scholarly article, written by Sheng-mei Ma professor at Michigan State University who specializes in Asian American studies and East-West comparative studies documents the start of the phenomenon of pairing an Asian martial artist with an African American comedian. Ma provides a historical context to movies such as the Rush Hour series, which combine yellow kung fu and black jokes (241). He begins by noting that the genre of kung fu was introduced to the West by Bruce Lee. Although there was no emphasis on black jokes in earlier kung fu films that starred Lee, The Last Dragon marks the development of racial depictions. In this film a young African American bows, meditates, and wears the stereotypical Chinese dress (240). The Asian Americans, on the other hand, take on black dialect and body rhythm (240). Ma considers the joining of yellow kung fu and black jokes as a marriage of convenience for box office profit in which the public supports this collaboration. Films such as Ru sh Hour contain jokes that include the common prevailing notions of Asians and blacks in American mass media, which would render yellow yellower and black blacker. However, this odd couple is able to blend with each other, creating a racial hybridity. Rush Hour focuses on the relationship between the Asian and African American stars; therefore, the film offers the likelihood of cross-racial identification. The article provides film theorists and scholars with new understandings of race-based comedy. Mas writings reinforce my thesis for the buddy-cop genre has a history of interracial partnerships where race is explicitly shown. Thus, besides validating racial differences, such films hybridize todays multicultural society. Nishime, LeiLani. Im Blackanese': Buddy-Cop Films, Rush Hour, and Asian American and African American Cross-racial Identification. Asian North American Identities: Beyond the Hyphen. Ed. Eleanor Ty and Donald C. Goellnicht. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 2004. 43-60. Print. This expository piece, written by LeiLani Nishime Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications at the University of Washington who specializes in multiracial and interracial studies, Asian American media representations, and Asian American sub cultural production analyzes the history of Asian American and African American relations. The chapter explains how Rush Hour breaks the general conventions of a buddy-cop film and defies the norms of Hollywood film and generic character stereotype. She utilizes the film Rush Hour as an example for its portrayal of race relations with its removal of the white male character. By including Chan as well as Tucker, the film appeals to a wider range of audiences. The purpose is primarily to inform, but it also encourages the reader to examine certain films for comedic relief as well as social and cultural commentary. Rush Hour is a comedy yet it helps the audience to notice the concept of racial power. In most buddy-cop films, there is always someone in control and someone who is simply the follower. The white male will never be the buddy but with Chan and Tucker, they are almost equals. Nishime is most likely targeting Asian Americans because for an Asian American, America is characterized by both African American and Euro-American society. Rush Hour offers a vision of cross-racial identification and the idea of hybrid identities for there is a convergence of culture in music and film (48). This builds upon my thesis in that besides an acceptance of racially defined differences, race-based humor can provide a possible changing of racial hierarchy and the questioning of racial tolerance. Such a composition is more geared towards academia instead of garnering attention from the general public because it provides background information about Asian/Black relations, applies elevated language, and creates a possibility of a future state of relations. Park, Ji Hoon. Naturalizing Racial Differences Through Comedy: Asian Black, and White Views on Racial Stereotypes in Rush Hour 2. Journal of Communication 56 (2006): 157-177. International Communication Association. Web. 17 January 2011. This research article, written by Ji Hoon Park Assistant Professor in Communication at Hope College who specializes in Asian stereotypes in the media- analyzes the ideological implications of racial stereotyping. The article, which is a result of sociology study, explains that though minorities are starring in more mainstream films, a racial hierarchy is still evident. The study included a focus group of whites, black, and Asians in order to analyze subtle reactions and responses to the films implicit stereotypes. Minorities continue to inhibit negative stereotypes but the contradiction that arises is that these stereotypical portrayals have commercial viability. Rush Hour 2 is an example of this incongruity between racism in comedy and widespread popularity. Park discusses how the genre of comedy allows for its audience to make an interpretation of racial jokes as harmless for stereotypes are an important element of comedy in that they help establish specific character classificati ons that are based on some truth that has been exaggerated. This supports my thesis because I contend that race-based humor influences the audience to not challenge the established assumptions of race. His study supports this belief since the focus group was able to laugh throughout the entire movie. Most participants did not find the humor personally offensive but they do acknowledge that the racial humor has the possibility of becoming prejudiced. In comedy, Park notes that a joke is conceived of as racist based on whether a minority is telling it or a white person. Another aspect that creates success for this film is that all races are objects of mockery and bias. Parks conclusion is that racial stereotypes are problematic because realism in the media encourages viewers to incorporate on-screen attitudes and beliefs into the real world (172). Racial ideology is also embedded in Jackie Chans performance of the racial myth of an Asian man who excels in kung fu but is culturally ign orant as well as Chris Tucker personifying a coon (159). Furthermore, with the study, it becomes clear that the comedic portrayals of racial traits encourage participants to see the small truths in racially defined charactertistics rather than dispute these distortions. It does prompt the audience to consider that when viewing a comedy, critical analysis is usually absent and this can lead to a belief that racial differences are natural and not culturally created. Park is targeting teenagers and adults because they are able to apply actuality to racial myths and hence find amusement in the satirical portrayals of race. The anticipated audience could also include scholars since this composition was published in the Journal of Communication and scholars will be more interested in learning about the responses of black, white, and Asian viewers and how they make sense of racial differences. Rush Hour. Screenplay by Jim Kouf and Ross LaManna. Dir. Brett Ratner. Perf. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. New Line Cinema, 1998. DVD. Rush Hour, directed by Brett Ratner one of Hollywoods most successful directors stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. It achieved commercial success and became the 7th top grossing film of 1998. The plot of the film centers on the kidnapping of the daughter of the Chinese Consol. Inspector Lee, played by Jackie Chan, is called to assist in the investigation because it is believed that the mysterious Crime Lord Juntao is behind the kidnapping. Lee finds himself paired with Detective James Carter of the Los Angeles Police Department, played by Chris Tucker. They gradually learn to work together and are able to reunite the family as well as discover the identity of Juntao. Rush Hour disrupts Hollywoods racial hierarchy by removing white culture and focusing on Asian American and African American culture. The film is able to break down the boundaries between races and reconstruct hierarchies, but the enjoyment of numerous racial ideologies that are integrated within the dialogue and scen es, prove that the jokes influence the audience to reify their own racial beliefs. The film gained positive reviews about Tuckers comedic performance and how Chan and Tucker work very well together. This fact supports my thesis of how race-based humor naturalizes racial differences, so the audience is more likely to focus on the true aspects of a stereotype instead of challenging the distorted portrayal. The positive reception proves that there is a paradox between racist representations and widespread approval and acceptance. The movie targets teenagers and adults because they have preconceived notions about different racial groups. Without these conceptions, the film would not be able to garner laughter but rather offense. Rush Hour 2. Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson and Ross LaManna. Dir. Brett Ratner. Perf. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. New Line Cinema, 2001. DVD. Rush Hour 2, directed by Brett Ratner one of Hollywoods most successful directors stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. It received high box-office revenues and is considered one of the highest grossing martial arts films of all time. This sequel to the 1998 film Rush Hour follows Inspector Lee, played by Chan, and Los Angeles Police Detective James Carter, played by Tucker, and the adventures that they have. Carter is on vacation visiting Lee in Hong Kong, but they soon find themselves implicated in a scandal that involves counterfeit money, which brings them from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and then finally to Las Vegas. Although this movie is a comedic action film, it challenges typical Hollywood films by starring two minorities. While minorities have traditionally been casted in the roles of a sidekick or villain, Chan and Tucker are the main protagonists. By challenging the popular notion that the leading role features an individual from the dominant white race, Rush Hour 2 propose s the possibility of a cross-racial bonding between an Asian and an African American. Chan and Tucker both embody the stereotype of their particular race: Chan is a serious Asian man yet extremely skilled in Kung Fu, while Tucker is a tall African American who acts childish and seems very impulsive. To the everyday viewer, this movie serves as an entertaining comedy, but for such representations of race to be humorous, the audience must unconsciously accept or believe the stereotypes to be somewhat true. Thus, supporting my thesis that besides entertainment, the movie proves that race in comedy generalizes and influences people to accept racially defined characteristics. The movie targets teenagers and adults because it implies that a previous understanding of stereotypes is needed for the jokes to make sense and have their intended response, which is laughter. Global Strategic Management: Advantages and Disadvantages Global Strategic Management: Advantages and Disadvantages Strategic management is the process by which strategies and policies are put into action through the development of programs, budgets and procedures can be further explained that an organizations objectives must be identified in order to develop such policies and plans. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive team should implement such plans. Strategic Management provides overall direction to the whole enterprise. The organizations strategy must be appropriate for its resources, circumstances, and objectives. (Wheelen and Hunger 2006 p. 16.) Strategy can also be defined as the procedures involving development, drafting, implementation and assessment of multi functional decisions that are employed in an organization or firm so as it attains its short term and long term objectives, its the criteria used in specifying the firms mission, vision and developing of policies and plans and how to implement them with the goal of achieving the stipulated objectives. It further assigns r esources for implementation of policies, plans, projects and programs. Traditionally strategic management has been employed on a local basis where the objectives and plans are not global oriented, but lately the traditional concepts have been embraced in a global manner i.e. extending the skills in a world scale perspective. Global strategic management offers a clear insight on the effect of globalization in business management and organizations and hence it demands that managers should respond in the same or higher intensity in order to reap in the high benefits that come with it, Managers and CEOS have to understand that the global phenomenon does not just come into play by making your firm global but they are required to develop models that embraces and resists strains from multinational networks of subsidiaries and ensure the models considers the required persistence of deep and momentous cross – national differences with these in play and appreciation of the diversity that exists across borders and continents politically, culturally and economically Global Strategic management can be achieved and dividends passed on to the investors. Global strategic management involves a set on conceptual tools that help in navigating through the often contradictory and ambiguous mass of information, market, working staff and to sum it all up this all done and appreciated on an international platform. There exists a series of considerations that have to always be kept on the check and always be incorporated in the complex decision making procedures that characterizes this level of business management. Managers and business executives at this level have to appreciate the differences between the multi-domestic and global nature of running business at this level, traditional strategic management concepts which have proved successful in local setting have faced challenges on a global arena and given back futile results this in a way have led to extensive losses by the affected firms. With this in mind firms that are already running on a global setting or have this as a future goal have not only have or plan to have a solid global st rategic plan thats strictly tailored for the specific firm but have to in depth have a set of monitoring and evaluation criteria of exactly what type of global strategy is theirs and and will it earn them long-term profitability and value. Due to the nature and extent of running global firms many management techniques are to be employed, this have to easily integrate all the different departments in a synchronized and harmonious manner, this in itself boosts the overall management and performance of the firm. Global management requires employee management from the department heads to the lowest staff on the command chains where each and every staff of each firm has to have a clear definition and understanding of the companys objectives, mission and vision. While this is being done employees have to understand that with more powers comes extra responsibilities and hence part of the strategic management plans should involve sufficient management accountability, communications and oversight from the top executives and for this to be easily achieved and in a successful manner their responsibilities have to be broken down in processes and tasks that can be easily reflected in productivity and profitability terms. And to eas ily attain these and continuously motivate the employees in achievement of the overall company global objective direct communication channels should be created and lower placed staff should be encouraged to use the open communication means for the attainment of the goal and their role in it should be well appreciated. In addition since on a global perspective the employees base is wide and shares extreme cultural and relational ways of lives the global firms should be able to compliment this in their employees and not fight it this is an important motivational practice especially for the workers. Global firms need to also employ a detailed study research and SWOT (Strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, and this should be done not on their already existing markets but on a wider and more challenging global perspective. The strength of the firms in a global arena need to be analyzed and in them more research should be done in order to maximize on their potential so as to enjoy the full benefits of being a global firm. The weaknesses on the other hand should not at any time be pushed aside since they define the loophole if hit well can drain the company back to the ground, hence all the weak links should be investigated and be well covered in a strong strategic defence mechanism. On the other hand the opportunities that openly lie and exist in the strategic plans of the firm need to be intelligently harnessed or tapped and full benefit accrued from them. Lastly like in the local business management global arenas also exposes the business to threats which are even more complicated than the local ones, hence when developing the strategic plan for the wider market a deeper scan is mandatory and once all are identified ways of curbing them in case anything crops up need to be developed, this had to be carefully done though since one might by fear scare away for rucuitive opportunities by not risking. Some few changes also need to be considered when developing the global plan, increase in the number of staff in order to match the extensive work load that comes up with the global market, other mechanisms employed by firms is the change of brand names and adopting of new and re-branded tags that sell the firm as a global entity and is more convincing to the market. The marketing of the firm as a global entity also need to be done but extremely vigorous so as to expose the firm clearly to the markets especially the global market. Political differences and interferences have also been some of the most important factors for consideration in the development of a firms global strategic plans. The management has to take into consideration that the firms doesnt perform under similar political backgrounds and in each country they are involved the case is extremely unique and its specific conditions need to be considered and thought of completely carefully since the differences experienced from one country to the other are important. Some of the most successful global firms even go to the extent of exchanging favours for business favours this has proved important and successful to those firms. In their planning the forms also employ social procedures which they serve the local communities with and this increases their popularity. Competitive Tactics are also very important in global strategic management, even though the market increases with size, the players in the market also increase a firm need to develop means of staying afloat in the market. The tactics have to be modern enough and able to make the customers chose it over other competitors in the market. They should be tailored to each specific consumer in each country in a language, tone and tongue they understood. Advantages of global strategic management Lower marketing costs Economies of scale in production and distribution Ability to leverage good ideas quickly and efficiently Helps to encourage ancillary industries to be set up to cater fo Uniformity of marketing practices Power and scope Consistency in brand image Helps to establish relationships outside of the political arena From the above its clear that this and more benefits are obtained from global strategic plans and this can be easily seen from first the scope of the work the firm does, this brings in more returns from the economies of scale that can be obtained from this. They also encouraged interaction among other firms global ones and this opens up chances and experiences for expansion one firm is able to learn from another an hence improve on areas the firm was weak before. The extended demographic coverage done by this firms also makes them gain firsthand experience on handling large number of clientele, data, resources and hence from their large portfolios they can easily develop even to larger firms by expanding their global strategic plans. The advantages gained from management of a firm on a international perspective range all over business management, and if the opportunities are carefully taken and the risks technically mitigated against the success of any company on a global perspective is very imminent and should be pursued though carefully by any developing firm from any location on the globe. Disadvantages of global strategic management Differences in consumer response to marketing mix elements. Differences in consumer needs, wants, and usage patterns for different products. Differences in product placement at the market. Differences in administrative procedures of the company between different employees and the employer. Differences in the legal environment, some of which may conflict with those of the home market especially when dealing with countries in the developing world. Differences in brand and product development and the competitive environment. Differences in the institutions available, some of which may call for the creation of entirely new ones (e.g. infrastructure). In a case where the global recession affect the developed worlds like our country,this may greatly affect the strategic management of the companies and this in turn affect different branches of the same company in different parts of the world, this is a great disadvantage. Different parts of the world have different laws governing investment and some of the laws and rules are hard on the foreign investors,therefore creating a big setback to strategic management of the different companies. REFERENCES http://www.palgrave.com/business/lasserre/ www.wikepedia.com http://mimm-ltd.com/Documents/WSGEC2009_UK_Program_Book_7-15-09-.pdf http://www-management.wharton.upenn.edu/mcdermott/files/MGMT655.pdf