Monday, September 30, 2019

Are humans naturally good or evil? Essay

Fundamentally speaking, are humans naturally good or evil? This is a question that has been repeatedly asked throughout humanity. For thousands of years Philosophers have debated whether we have a naturally good nature that is corrupted by society, or an evil nature that is kept in check by society. I believe that we are all born what society calls evil. Our instinct is to kill and survive but as society and civilization has evolved we have been taught to live in a different manner. We try to rationalize our behaviour to act civilized. Evil is our inner beast that we choose to control or be controlled by. Jack from Lord of the Flies is a very good example as he was a boy who was well mannered. He agreed with Ralph about the idea of having rules amongst the boys on the island. He said that rules are necessary as they were not savages that they were English and they English are always right. As time passes, he forgets society and manners. He becomes the savage from within, the savage that was always a part of him but was hidden. Children behave in a bad way and can be thought of as evil but we change their behaviour and teach them what we call manners. We change their behaviour to suit our surrounding’s and the image we have made ourselves portray and disobey our human nature. The Darwin Theory clearly states that us humans have evolved from apes. Apes are animals that hunt to survive. We are more advanced than apes but still have a similar motive as our nature. We were born to hunt to survive like other animals. It is us whom have evolved in such a manner that we have created society. We have taught ourselves to act in a certain way. Cavemen are the original humans. They are early prehistoric humans. They behaved in a manner that was the original purpose for them, to kill to eat, to survive. We show our nature at an early age. We show our selfishness, to want things for ourselves. You only have to look at a child to see the signs of our evil trait. However, a child can be thought quickly to behave in a moral way. The child will often stick to the boundaries set at an early age for the rest of their lives. ‘Moral acts’ persevere our reputation in society because of our fear of the law. Us humans are born evil but obtain our inner sanity and change our actions to become good and civilized. On the other hand, there are some who cannot control their inner self and act upon their nature as they kill and break what we call the law, our society’s rules. Some of us do not obey the law. This is why we have serial killers, murderers, and criminals. Our world constantly has violence. As is proven by the constant wars happening around the world. Many people believe that media is to blame for the evil created in us. That theory is wrong as it all starts since the moment we are born as our first instincts can determine our future personalities. The media can be blamed to trigger the evil within us but not to create it as it was always there. Even though we are born what society calls evil, some people cannot contain their inner aggression and desperation for the kill sensation so they become a murderer. They become serial killers who react to the thrill of the chase. They sometimes fantasize for years about the type of victims and the method of the kill before they act upon the urges. The serial killers have been proven to have an extra X (female) chromosome. Having the extra female chromosome is also called Klinefelter’s syndrome. Tests have proven that serial killers carry the extra chromosome. The serial killer Bobby Joe Lang had an extra chromosome, which lead to him growing breasts during his adolescence stage. This led him to being bullied at school. This leads onto another question. Does a bad upbringing trigger the evil within us? This is shown in the novel Lord of the Flies, as Piggy is a character that suffers from many disabilities such as being overweight, his sight and his asmar. His parents passed away when he was younger. He lived with his auntie and comforted his sorrow and grief with the sweets from her shop. This led to him being bullied for many years not only at school but also in the island by the other boys. Piggy’s character was shy and sensible. He was not treated in the same way as the others because of his disabilities, which led him into disbelieving in himself, and caused low self-confidence. To conclude my essay I would like to state that out of the 7 billion people in the world, 10 million of them are prisoners. I believe that all people are born evil but only some people trigger their evil from within whereas others learn to control it.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

To what extent does business process reengineering improve sustainable competitive advantage

Rationale / Background Due to the increasingly competitive and evolving environment of modern business, a significant focus now lies on business restructuring in order for firms to meet the demands of the global economy. Buhalis and Owen (2010) see this necessity as the driver behind business process reengineering and as a result the practice is widespread, for instance Attaran (2004) highlighted a study in which 87% of businesses were found to engage in the process. Much research has been conducted in this area (see Kettinger and Grover 1995), which points towards competitive advantage as the primary focal area. Based on Porter’s original five forces model (Porter 1979) companies now look to business process reengineering to create a sustainable competitive advantage for their firm. Whilst research done by Ansoff and McDonnell (1990) focuses on more traditionally held beliefs about a firm’s unique resources, many has since changed their beliefs on what is considered a dynamic capability wo rthy of creating a sustained competitive advantage. Meed et al (1994) cited a company needs to transform in order to adapt to its environment, and Osborne (1997) suggested that the very nature of the issue requires ever evolving material. Thus there is becoming an increased focus on the more subjective capabilities of modern organizations, as Barney’s 1999 article noted how strategic resources tend to be evenly distributed across firms and so there is a new focal point of knowledge being central to the business reengineering process and to creating a sustained competitive advantage for modern businesses. According to Grint (1994) reengineering quickly became the buzzword for businesses in the 1990’s, set on organizational improvement and change. Business process reengineering is defined as â€Å"a requirement to study fundamental business processes, independent or organization units and information systems support, to determine if the underlying business processes can be significantly streamlined and improved† by Langer (2008) and is based on operational objectives in order to improve performance. For instance a firm may wish to simplify their processes, improve communication procedures or speed up their operational turnover (Sayegh 2005.) As mentioned previously the very nature of business process reengineering requires a circular flow of communication in order for business processes to continuously improve, as Guha et al (1993) suggested the process reengineering cycle to be implemented into organizations in order to quickly tweak any issues with a new process with a minimal delay on output. The subject of business process reengineering is still relatively new and so there are suggestions for future improvements, as a significant focus now lies on not only creating the information systems but using them effectively. This requires what Earl et al (1995) called alignment, that a process must not only be operationally efficient it must also be aligned not only with the company’s other materials and systems but also with the existing knowledge of the firm’s staff. This view is supported by Burgelman et al (2008) who focused on the links between not only different management levels but also between different strategic levels of the business. The suggestion by Burgelman et al being that organizational knowledge is unevenly spread and so needs to be aligned more thoroughly. According to Brynjolfsson and Renshaw (1997) business process reengineering does suffer from low success rates, due to a lack of tools for managing the change proces s. Brynjolfsson and Renshaw proposed utilising a matrix of change in order to help managers identify and deal with critical issues. In this sense the importance of organizational knowledge is evidently the weak link in making business process reengineering reach its potential. Therefore much work has been done to attempt to bridge this success gap between the operational processes of a business and people’s ability to use them (see Khosrowpour 2006.) Attaran (2004) believed information technology to be a key element of a successful reengineering approach, citing Bill Gates’ comment on the 2000’s focus being on velocity. Therefore it is feasible for a company to rely on information technology to understand processes if they operate in a particularly fast paced industry like the example Bill Gates was referring to. In fact Johnson and Vitale (1998) believed innovations in information technology to be the future source of competitive advantage for firms, using exam ples of where it has been essential for business success for instance linking systems between an organizations diversified functional areas. Organizational knowledge is therefore seen to be one of few sources of a sustainable competitive advantage for modern firms. Tacit knowledge means that no two companies are the same (Collis and Montgomery 1995) and so as a dynamic capability knowledge appears to fulfil the necessary criteria, seen by Ambrosini and Bowman (2002) as being difficult to imitate, difficult to substitute or transfer and being scarce. Especially vital in the modern business environment is the speed in which knowledge can be created or transferred, as Saint-Onge (1996) noted how a company’s intellectual capital needs to be in line with rapid technological developments.This focus on human capital led Saint-Onge to cite the â€Å"knowledge era† of modern times. A key application for business process reengineering of this focus is the need to constantly reinvest in organizational knowledge, due to the attrition effects of competition decaying the casual ambiguity that knowledge creates (Reed and D efillippi 1990.) Therefore the real challenge for modern companies is how to undertake this required reinvestment in business process reengineering. Cavusgil and Calantone (2003) pointed out in their study on tacit knowledge that the primary issue is sharing knowledge throughout the firm. Howells (1996) noted that in order to be fully utilised tacit knowledge can be transferred on a variety of levels as in many cases knowledge should not only be transferred horizontally but vertically in firms, i.e. that managers must pass on their knowledge to their staff and vice versa. This vertical transfer is vital for informational systems as in many cases practicalities experienced by lower level staff are not considered by upper management. Due to the difficulty in representing tacit knowledge acknowledged by Lubit (2001) the suggestions on how to transfer knowledge throughout the firm focus on more informal means. Lubit believed social mechanisms to be the best option, citing how formalis ed processes will always leave gaps. Similarly Ambrosini and Bowman (2002) found that techniques such as individual questionnaires and storytelling were most suitable for demonstrating tacit knowledge. Description Project Aims and Objectives: To uncover relevant links between organizational knowledge and the firm’s business process reengineering, and the role of knowledge management in facilitating the reengineering process. To examine theoretical approaches to business process reengineering and empirical evidence of their respective success rates. To investigate the impact of business process engineering on sustainable competitive advantage from a theoretical standpoint. Research Methodology Due to the theoretical approach being adopted in this study, secondary research would be utilised in accomplishing the aforementioned research objectives. Based on this approach, the study would adopt an interpretivist epistemology. According to Saunders et al (2007), â€Å"Interpretivism is an epistemology that advocates that it is necessary for the researcher to understand differences between humans in our role as social actors†. Interpretivism relates to how people make sense of the world around them, and how they interpret social phenomena. Compared to the positivist view, the interpretivist view relates essentially to the interpretation of findings by those collecting data, and a common risk is that there may be issues of reliability and validity due to its subjective nature (Collis and Hussey, 2003). Based on recommendations by Collis and Hussey (2003), an inductive approach would also be utilized in conducting the research, as this involves analyzing the theoretical da ta concerning business process reengineering and competitive advantage, and drawing up a conclusion (after indepth analysis), on how both factors may be related. Data collection and analysis within this study would involve the systematic review of literature, reviewing previous studies on business process reengineering, knowledge management and competitive advantage to establish the relationship between all 3 variables, and ascertain if and how they the reengineering of business processes could actually lead to an improved competitive advantage within an industry. Through the combination of a number of results from a number of studies, the researcher hopes to uncover reasonable, reliable and valid insights into the subject area. Relevant databases such as Business Source Premier, Ingenta Connect and Emerald Insights would be utilized in finding these researches. Further research would also be conducted on institutes of business, such as those who may have statistics on how business processes affect competitive advantage. An entire subchapter would also be devoted to critiques of business process reengineering, particularly in its relevance to competitive advantage, as this allows for a balanced critical research and helps support the study’s reliability. Secondary research has been adopted as opposed to primary research, as it essentially bases our findings on more extensive research that may have been done in the past. These literatures are usually wider ranging and cover a lot more aspects of BRR than this research could have, if it adopted a primary approach. Deliverables This project intends to deliver clear conclusions and recommendations on the following: The relationship between business process reengineering and knowledge management within organisational settings. Do they necessarily impact on one anotherDoes effective knowledge management particularly promote better results when processes are reengineered Empirical findings on the success and / or failure rates of business process reengineering activities that have been conducted over the past decades. These could be differentiated based on industries, and conditions, such as whether the organisations properly utilised information technology or knowledge management systems. Empirical or theoretical evidence suggesting that business process reengineering does promote sustainable competitive advantage. Particular emphasis would be placed on how it was accomplished and the secondary factors (such as information or knowledge management technology) that may have acted as catalysts. Schedule Secondary research (literature search) to be completed within two weeks of the project’s s tart. Cross-examination of literature is to be completed within a week of the final data being collected. This will encompass all of the data to spot any clear patterns. Checking of the discovered patterns to ensure their viability, reliability and generalisability will also be aimed to be completed within the same week that the original cross examination has been completed. The Introduction and Methodology chapters would be written within a week from when the data has been gathered. This would help in the structure of these chapters. The systematic literature review would be written up and conducted using the thematic approach. Meaning that each of the project deliverables would be separated into different themes and analysed as such. Overall project timeline – A maximum of 4-5 weeks from starting to accumulate the relevant data to having a clear, presentable set of results. Resources Required No hardware resources are required, except for computer hardware to use in researching, analysing and writing up the project. Access to literature sources such as the journals mentioned above, and empirical results on business process reengineering may require library access to such journals and in-depth Internet research. The researcher is confident that he has the skills to accomplish all of these. References Ambrosini, V. And Bowman, C. (2002) Tacit Knowledge: Some Suggestions for Operationalization. Journal of management studies, Vol 38, Issue 6, pp 811-829. Ansoff, H.I. and McDonnell, E.J. (1990) Implanting strategic management. Prentice Hall New York. Attaran, M. (2004) Exploring the relationship between information technology and business process reengineering. Information and management, Vol 41, pp 585-596. Barney, J. (1999) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, Vol 17, No 1, pp 99-120. Buhalis, D. And Owen, R. (2010) Business Process Reengineering. Business Process Management Journal, Vol 6, Issue 2, pp 113-121. Burgelman, R.A. Christensen, C.M. and Wheelwright, S.C. (2008) Strategic management of technology and innovation. McGraw- Hill / Irvin. Cavusgil, S.T. Calantone, R.J. Zhao, Y. (2003) Tacit knowledge transfer and firm innovation capability. Journal of business and industrial marketing, Vol 18, Issue 1, pp 6-21. Collis, D.J. and Montgomery, C.A. (1995) Competing on Resources: Strategy in the 1990s. Harvard Business Review, July-August. Earl, M.J. Sampler, J.L. and Short, J.E. (1995) Strategies for business process reengineering: evidence from field studies. Journal of Management Information Systems, Volume 12, Issue 1 (June 1995.) Grint, K. (1994) Reengineering History: Social Resonances and Business Process Reengineering. Organization, Vol 1, No 1, pp 179-201. Guha, S. Kettinger, W.J. and Teng, J.T.C. (1993) BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING Building a Comprehensive Methodology. Information systems management, Vol 10, Issue 3. Howells, J. (1996) Tacit knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. Technology analysis and strategic management, Vol 8, No 2, pp 91-106. Kettinger, W.J. and Grover, K. (1995) Special section: toward a theory of business process change management. Journal of management information systems, Vol 12, Issue 1 (June 1995.) Khosrowpour, M. (2006) Advanced topics in information resources management. Vol 5. Idea group publishing. Langer, A.M. (2008) Business process reengineering. Analysis and design of information systems. Lubit, R. (2001) Knowledge Management : The Keys to Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Organizational dynamics, Vol 29, Issue 3, pp 164-178. Meed, J.W. Bots, P.W.G. and Sol, H.G. (1994) A hard core for soft problems: A business engineering case study within the Amsterdam municipal police force. TCBAUS IFIP Information systems international working conference, Gold Coast, Australia. Osborne, T. (1997) Business process reengineering. PACIS 1997 Proceedings. Porter, M.E. (1979) How competitive forces shape strategy. Harvard business review. Cited by Smit, P.J. (2000) Strategic planning: Readings. Juta and Company Ltd. Reed, R. and Defillippi, R.J. (1990) Causal Ambiguity, Barriers to Imitation, and Sustainable Competitive Advantage. The academy of management review, Vol 15, No 1 (January 1990) pp 88-102. Saint-Onge, H. (1996) Tacit knowledge the key to the strategic alignment of intellectual capital. Strategy and leadership, Vol 24, Issue 2, pp 10-16. Sayegh, F. (2005) Business process Reengineering. EFS Technical report No.21. (December 15th 2005.)

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Cultural analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural analysis - Essay Example Drawn from three different clusters according to the GLOBE culture clusters, the research will involve interviews on three cultural dimensions as discussed by both Hofstede and GLOBE cluster. The three clusters include Latin American, the Middle East and the Sub-Saharan Africa clusters. Evidence from the interviews conducted on the two clusters indicates that people acquire their cultural traits as they grow up. Regardless of the number of years they have been away from their places of birth, culture abandonment is unlikely. Results from the interviews revealed significant similarities and differences from the three cluster communities. Respondents in the interviews had been in the United States for over two years, which means they had adopted the American lifestyles. However, to determine whether the responses from the interviews were true, I will make a comparison with the cultural dimensions discussed by Hosftede and GLOBE. Finally, I will draw conclusions with references from the study findings. Individualism â€Å"Geert-Hofstede.Com† (web) defines individualism as the degree of interdependence that a society maintains among its members. Both respondents saw signi8ficant differences between the level of socialization in the United States and their places of origin. ... He associated this separation with the capitalism in the United States. According to the Middle East respondent, people in the United States are too busy to consider social lives, or take part in any form of social events. According to him, the American society, being too individualistic, people tend to indulge in other people’s lives. For him, this is opposite in their culture, especially whenever involved in any form, of religious groupings. These two tend to regroup with people of their origin even in the United States, as they cannot avoid having a belonging, which are people of their culture. Hofstede and GLOBE agrees with these responses. According to Hofstede, there is a higher level of individualism in the United States, than in the Middle East. However, the Sub-Saharan African countries score low in the level of individualism. United States rank at 91 on the level of individualism, while Middle East scores 25 and Sub-Saharan Africa scores 20. Power distance Hofstede d efines power distance as the extent to which less power people in the society’s institutions and organizations expect and accept unequal distribution of power Geert-(â€Å"Hofstede.Com† web). Power distance argues that both the followers and leaders endorse inequality. There is a higher level of power separation between leaders and subordinates in the Middle East than in Africa and United States. According to my interview with the Middle East respondent, they accord high respect to their leaders, and treat them, with respect and humbleness. To them, leadership is divine and religious. He agrees that there is a huge difference between the rich and the poor, with the rich being the most respectable people in the society. Although Africans share similar sentiment, he points

Friday, September 27, 2019

Trace the origins of H.R.M. and show how it has impacted on todays Essay

Trace the origins of H.R.M. and show how it has impacted on todays workforce - Essay Example Later was the formation of Welfare Workers Association, whose purpose was to bring out a Chartered institute of Personnel and Development. During World War I, there was a shift of the name from industrial welfare to Recruitment and Selection. There was a call to by the government to increase the use of individuals as well as starting girls-engagement during the First World War. In 1916, it was made compulsory for the existence of a welfare worker in the explosive firms where a lot of work was accomplished by the army majorly focused on ability and IQ testing ways and techniques. In 1921, result on the tests, interview methods, and training techniques were established and published by the psychologist of the national institute (Marciano, 1995). During World War II, the focus was based on a lot of issues hence the need to establish personnel department having well-skilled and competitive staff who were charged with recruitment, selection, and training. They also had to ensure improved worker morale and motivation, health and safety of the worker, maintain discipline in the workforce, better wage policies as well as ensuring joint consultations between workers and management. Later on, the name was changed to Industrial Relations. As a result of the widespread of the consultations, the personnel department was then held responsible for organizational and administrative roles and was to act as the business’s spokesman on discussions with trade unions. Therefore, there was the need for specialists to deal with issues of industrial relations, which paved way for the industrial relations, its specialists, and its collective importance as it was witnessed in 1970’s negotiations after the reinforcement; the personnel manager was left in the authority on negotiations pertaining to wage pay among other collective issues (Armstrong, 2012). Still in the 1970’s, due to an increase

Thursday, September 26, 2019

See Below Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

See Below - Assignment Example The world expected match to end the debate for good. The match broadcasted live from the Astrodome, to as many as thirty-six countries. During the match, King dominated the net, making Riggs run around the baseline. Billie King defeated Bobby Riggs in a stunning 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 straight sets win, in a match lasting two hours and four minutes, to prove that she was the most talented and gifted layer in contemporary tennis. On winning the match, Billie King flung her racquet in the air, and hugged her husband, who lifted her to the crowd’s applause. During her winner’s press conference, she touched on advice receive from Margaret Court, who had earlier lost heavily to Riggs (Roberts 10). Billie Jean King thus became the first woman to win a $100,000 prize in athletics. She paid tribute to her coach, Dennis van de Meer, by touching her tongue. In order to ease herself for her famous press conference, she walked barefoot after taking her blue sneakers off. The tennis match we nt down in history as the battle of the sexes, with credit for women’s equal share of sport money going to Billie Jean King, and her famous

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

MPH503, Infertility and Public Health, Mod 5 Case Assignment Essay

MPH503, Infertility and Public Health, Mod 5 Case Assignment - Essay Example Issues with infertility are painful psychologically as well as physically. There is always the self defining issue of "what is wrong with me?" The reduction in self esteem is very difficult to deal with and when family who are supposed to be support dont understand what is wrong but what the couple is going through, it becomes even more difficult (Schneider, 2005). Further, much of the treatments are painful and sometimes embarrassing so there is much stress related to the treatments for both of members of this couple. There are many things that can be done for support for this couple. Trying to get them involved in a support group, however, is probably one of the most important as no one can really understand their issues as well as someone else with the same type issues. This allows them to talk about them with a group of people that feel the same way and will not tell them to go on vacation and everything will be better. Focused counseling is shown to help when it is couple targeted as shown in a study completed by Glover, McLillan, and Weaver (2008). There is some controversy in the literature about the type of support that is given to a couple undergoing in vitro fertilization. According to Knoll, Kuenti, and Bauer, (2008) some kinds of support may turn out to be more detrimental than helpful. Women seem to benefit from a different kind of help than their spouses. Women seems to do best with emotional support while men do best with instrumental support. Neither kind of support in the literature seems to make as big a difference in stress levels as groups involvement as in support groups. One of the recommended approaches is to help the couple look at and find new meaning for their life goals. This is sometimes best done in discussion with people that have been through the same issues as they have. Those couples that have been in trial for 5 years or more and are still unsuccessful need this kind of help more than

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Financial Future Of British Petroleum Term Paper

Financial Future Of British Petroleum - Term Paper Example The U.S. completed negotiations with BP Plc to establish the $20 billion fund that will compensate victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill† (Blum & Snyder). 20 billion dollar is a huge amount for BP and such a huge amount given as compensation caused severe financial problems in BP and the company is currently on the verge of bankruptcy. BP forced to appoint a new CEO in their last-minute effort for survival. This paper is trying to answer the questions like; where BP stands on the market now, where it is going and where it might end up. BP plans to sell assets for up to $30 billion over the next 18 months, primarily in the upstream business and selected on the basis that they are worth more to other companies than to BP. This portfolio high grading will leave the company with a smaller but higher quality Exploration & Production business. The company said it was taking a prudent approach to manage the balance sheet and its financial liquidity, in order to ensure that BP has the flexibility to meet all of its future financial obligations. As a result, it plans to reduce its net debt level down to a range of $10-$15 billion within the next 18 months, compared to net debt of $23 billion at the end of June (BP Sets Out Gulf of Mexico Costs, Further Asset Sales and Strong Operating Performance) BP is currently doing everything possible to stay in the market. It is not in a position to utilize some of its projects effectively because of their weak financial abilities at present. BP has realized that some of these projects can be managed more effectively by others and the market value of these projects are more than what BP would be able to derive out of it.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Network Rail a not for profit company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Network Rail a not for profit company - Essay Example The privatization of British Network Rail was the outcome of the â€Å"Railways Act 1993† legislated in the governing session of â€Å"John Majors† conservative regime. In the year 1991, the European Union formulated â€Å"EU Directive 91/440† in array to facilitate the admittanceThis act directed all EU affiliate states to split â€Å"the administration of railway maneuver and network from the stipulation of railway carrying services, partition of accounts being obligatory and managerial division being discretionary.†The main motive was that the â€Å"track operator† could charge the train operator irrespective of public or privatized with a translucent and reasonable fee against utilization of its network. The â€Å"Directive 91/440† was primarily only an accounting way of assuring an echelon playing-field for serving rail operators and novel businesses inflowing the market of rail transportation. (Green, 1997) Though, â€Å"Directive 91/4 40† presented the British regime with an explanation for hauling away a faraway added theatrical restructuring of the railway business whereas at the same occasion being capable to offer on a number of â€Å"opprobrium† to other European states. As per the amendment of the Railways Act 1993, it was anticipated that the introduction of private players. Some of the anticipations from the privatization are: (Transport, Railway Reform: Regulation of Freight Transport Markets, 2001)Superior Consumer Service Quality: Rail privatization was intended to develop patron service.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Case Solution Electro Logic Essay Example for Free

Case Solution Electro Logic Essay Ram Singam -Electro Logic writeup1. Motivational Strengths and Weaknesses of Electro Logic Strengths: Electro Logic (EL) employees are part of a highly dynamic industry and they are given the opportunity to make a difference in IT through great perfection of the VFVA system. Salaries and wage raises are offered based on performance, stimulating as such EL staff members will increase their efforts in supporting the organization reach its overall goals. On-campus-job training programs are motivating as the employees are able to learn from their colleagues in a familiar environment, maximizing the chances of future successes. The company is continually evolving, engaging as such its employees in a complex dynamic process, which maintains their motivation and reduces routine work EL creates opportunities for social interactions, which increase morale and employee collaboration. Weaknesses In Electro Logic the fact that major funding comes primarily from the government, the budget for this company was not fixed for a long term, employee benefits, Health insurance premiums can change any time, no job security for employees; thus employees levels of motivation, and consequently performance and Outcomes are negatively affected. The selection criteria for the newly appointed responsibilities were rather arbitrary and this could generate dissatisfaction. Advancement opportunities are unclear to employees as such fail to properly motivate the EL employees. The internal structure of EL organization is based on vertical hierarchy, with employees being given limited access to distinguish them. The more flat the organization the better the motivation and performance. Reinforcement is missing. The three locations of the Electro Logic separate buildings reduce the employees ability to concentrate and integrate as a team and also reduce their morale on High-Priority Actions. The micro management in some areas should be reduced in the main building. The Administrative department should be treated fairly as it is also part of the company. The appreciation and integrated team work is missing at the Electro Logic. This reduces the outcomes. Employee’s personal needs are not recognized by the managers thus reducing the satisfaction.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Bend It Like Beckham Essay Example for Free

Bend It Like Beckham Essay In the movie â€Å"Bend It Like Beckham† Jess has to face the problems of what she wants and her family wants for her, but in the end she chose what makes her happy even if her family doesn’t approve. The first abysmal conflict was that Jess gets in a horrible fight with her best friend Jules over their soccer coach Joe. This causes the team to go separate ways and this makes Jess feel really bad about herself, so then she goes to Jules’s house and tries to make everything better. In Jules’s room, Jules and Jess began to talk. Jules was furious with Jess because she knew that Jules liked Joe. This also causes to Jules’s mom to think that they’re lesbians and thinks that, that’s why she was so depress. The second antipathy her sister Pinky tells her parents that Jess is playing behind their back, but on the same day that Pinky’s future husband’s parents come and tell pinky that she can’t marry him because they saw Jess making love to a blonde. So what Jess’s parents make Jess stop playing soccer and later on Pinky is getting married, Jess gets so caught up she can’t go to soccer practices. In fact, the day before Pinky’s and the soccer tournament Joe and Jules told her that there’s going to American recruiting. So before taking the pictures it’s a big Indian tradition thing, Jess’s father Mr. Bhamra lets her go to the tournament which Jess wins and gets a scholarship to Santa Clara University in California. If I were jess I would exactly what she would do because I probably wouldn’t be happy for the rest of my life and a person who Jess didn’t know wouldn’t make her happy. She was doing the right thing but in the end, she had to do what was best for her.

Friday, September 20, 2019

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict Across the Muslim world it is a common refrain that Palestine is the mother of all problems. (Atran Ginges: 2009: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25atran .html) That these claims could be made about such a small piece of land, particularly one which has so little oil is extraordinary, serving only to highlight the importance of finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. To date, the numerous attempts at solving the conflict have all ended in failure. The prospects for a peaceful solution in the foreseeable future look bleak, with a wide range of factors contributing towards this, most notably the role of extremists, the failure of the peace process, actions of the Israeli Government, splits among the Palestinians and the actions of outside parties who benefit from the continuation of the conflict, as well as more fundamental underlying disagreements, particularly the refugee problem and the sovereignty of East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Israeli conflict is primarily a dispute over the control of land. It has been described by Amos Oz, an Israeli journalist and author, as a tragedy, a clash between one very powerful, very convincing, very painful claim over this land and another no less powerful, no less convincing claim. (Oz: 2002: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_ east/jan-june02/oz_1-23.html) In 1947 the UN passed a partition plan, attempting to find a solution to both of these claims, however this was rejected by the Arabs of Palestine and civil war broke out between them and the Jews of Palestine. (McDowall: 24: 1995) After Israel declared its independence on 14th May 1948, many of the surrounding Arab countries sent forces to attack the new state of Israel. In the 1967 Six Day War, Israel gained the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. (Smith: 2004: 279) Having returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in 1979-1982, in 1993 Israel and Palestine signed the Oslo Accords, which agreed Israeli withdrawal from parts of the West Bank and the Gaza strip, as well as for Palestinian self-government within those areas. (Smith: 2004: 438) Despite strong hopes for a final status agreement at the Camp David Summit in July 2000, this was not reached. After the Al-Aqsa Intifada broke out later that year and the subsequent deterioration in Palestinian-Israeli relations, agreement presently looks a long way off. The two-state solution is the consensus solution to the conflict, with polling indicating that it has the support of the majority of both Palestinians and Israelis. (Pallister: 2009: http:// www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/22/israel-palestine-poll) Neither sees this as their ideal solution; however a majority of both recognise it is the only realistic way for peace to occur. Extremists on both sides present a constant obstacle towards solving the conflict. Rather than accepting that compromises are necessary, they are dismissive of the other sides right to exist. In Israel, there are organisations, including members of Benjamin Netanyahus current cabinet, that still believe that the Jewish State should include most, if not all, of Greater Israel, which among other areas, contains the West Bank. (Zakaria: 2010: http://www.cnn. com/2010/OPINION/03/18/zakaria.israel.mistake) Among Palestinians, extremists reject Israels right to exist and work to stop the possibility of peaceful coexistence. They have launched suicide attacks against Israeli civilians in their attempts to disrupt peace negotiations. Part of the reason peace has been difficult to achieve post-2000 has been the change in opinion among Israeli citizens that peace is a realistic possibility. When the Oslo Accords were signed, Israelis saw that by allowing Palestinians to self-govern, they were taking large risks and making a significant compromise. They tend to perceive the Camp David offer to the Palestinians as fair and just, and blame the lack of peace on Yasser Arafat for refusing to take it. (Morris: 2009: 135) With the Al-Aqsa Intifada beginning in late 2000 and causing the deaths of over a thousand Israeli civilians, (Catignani: 2008: 103) Israelis increasingly began to see the Palestinians as unwilling to make the compromises necessary for a two-state solution, destroying the belief of much of Israeli society in the possibility of peace. (Catignani: 2008: 103) This was only confirmed by the comprehensive victory of Hamas over the more moderate but corruption ridden Fatah in the Palestinian legislative electi on of 2006. Although also a social organisation, Hamas had perpetrated numerous suicide bombings against Israeli civilians, and rejects any attempt at a political settlement with Israel. (Mishal Sela: 2006: 52) In this context, many Israelis have concluded that they do not have a partner in achieving peace. Given that allowing the Palestinians to self-rule under the Oslo Accords had created areas from which it was significantly easier to plot attacks on Israel, (Catignani: 2008 131) they are incredibly wary of giving the Palestinians control of more land, questioning whether organisations such as Hamas will ever cease to attack Israel. Post-2000, the actions of the Israeli government have also made an end to the conflict significantly more difficult to achieve. Thousands of Palestinians have died at the hands of the Israel Defence Forces, with more suffering serious injuries. In 2005 Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, however the area has been under blockade since 2007, preventing the access of vital food and medical supplies. In May 2008, even before the more recent Gaza War of 2008-09, the International Committee of the Red Cross estimated that over 70% of Gazans were living in poverty. (ICRC: 2009: http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html /palestine-report-260609) In the West Bank the almost decade-long downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure policieswhich disrupted labor flows, manufacturing, and commerce, both external and internal. (CIA World Factbook: 2010: https://www.cia.gov/libr ary/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/we.html) Since 2002 the Israeli Government has been constructing the West Bank Barrier. Built to protect Israeli citizens from attacks, it has succeeded in vastly reducing the number of Israeli civilian casualties. (Gelvin: 2007: 249) Controversially, however, rather than being built following Israels 1949 Armistice lines, it deviates into areas captured by Israel in 1967. The International Court of Justice proclaimed that construction of the barrier is contrary to international law (ICJ: 2004: http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?pr=71p1=3p2=1 case=131p3=6) and it has also been criticised as an Israeli attempt to create an illegal unilateral solution, which severely restricts the lives of those living inside the barrier. (Shindler: 2008: 326)I loved to play football with my friends. I told the doctors that I wanted to be able to walk again they promised that I would. Ghassan, 14 years old, Gaza City. His older brother was killed and he himself was wounded during the military operation. He is waiting to be fitted with artificial limbs for both legs. The continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem also contributes towards making the conflict increasingly difficult to solve. Deemed as illegal by numerous UN Security Council Resolutions, (Qurie: 2008: 166) each new settlement is another settlement which may have to be dismantled in any realistic peace deal, and to continue building them shows a clear lack of commitment to peace. The actions of the IDF and the Israeli Government have helped created a generation of Palestinians that hate Israel and Jews. To those living inside the West Bank wall or in poverty-stricken Gaza, the message of extremists resonates. Israeli action is thus helping cause the circumstances from which extremists and potential suicide bombers emerge, creating a cycle of violence which is difficult to reverse. (Kamrava: 2005: 238) Splits among the Palestinians have also made it more difficult to end the conflict. Starting in December 2006, and continuing on-and-off to the present day, there has been a Civil War between Hamas and Fatah. Currently, Hamas control Gaza, whilst Fatah control the West Bank. This lack of unification within the Palestinians makes an end to the Palestine Israeli conflict impossible. For peace, a Palestinian leader would have to accept a deal which would to some extent not entirely fulfil the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and this leader would have to successfully convince them that taking it was their best option. Before his death in 2004, Yasser Arafat might possibly have been able to do this. Currently, there is no-one. Even before the Hamas-Fatah conflict, Israel had complained that there was no one to talk to among the Palestinians. (Gelvin: 2007: 246) Until the Hamas-Fatah conflict is to some extent resolved, there is no one that the Israelis can talk to about a deal. On the assumption that Palestinians and Israelis could be bought together for serious and meaningful negotiations, there are numerous disputes which would be very difficult to solve. Two of these, the refugee problem and the dispute over East Jerusalem, seem particularly difficult to resolve. In 1948, approximately 700,000 Palestinians became refugees after either fleeing or being forced to leave, with many more becoming refugees after the Six Day War. (Morris: 2004: 604) Many of them live in the West Bank and Gaza, but they have spread amongst the Arab World. Despite this, they have never been truly assimilated into the populations of these other countries; with Jordan being the only Arab state to have allowed large numbers of them to gain full citizenship. (Miller Samuels: 2009: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/ middle-east/no-way-home-the-tragedy-of-the-palestinian-diaspora-1806790.html) Palestinian refugees claim that the UN guarantees their right to return under UN General Assembly Resolution 194. Israel has rejected this interpretation of the resolution and has never complied with it. They also argue that an acceptance of the Palestinians right to return would bring about the end of Israel as a Jewish State. Whilst few of the 1948 refugees are still alive, their descendants have spent their whole lives fighting for what they see as rightfully theirs, and will not give this up without significant recompense. Disagreement on the issue of the refugees is one of the central reasons for the failure of the Camp David Summit. (Smith: 2004: 498) Of all of the territorial disagreements, Jerusalem is the most difficult to solve. Even assuming that agreement could be reached on all other territorial disputes, it is difficult to envision agreement over Jerusalem. From 1948-67 West Jerusalem was under Israeli control, with East Jerusalem under Arab (Jordanian) control. East Jerusalem contains the Temple Mount, the site of the ancient Jewish Temple. The site of the two ancient temples, tradition states that it will be the site of the third and final temple. It is considered the holiest site within Judaism, so holy, that many Jews will not set foot on it. To Muslims, the Temple Mount is the site of the Al-Aqsa mosque and of the Prophet Muhammads ascent to heaven. It is widely regarded as the third holiest site in Islam. (Shindler: 2008: 282) Current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged that A united Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Jerusalem was and will always be ours. It shall never be divided. (Reuters: 2009: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLL96214120090521) This highlights quite how far away the current Israeli leadership is from meaningful and realistic peace discussions. However it is still almost impossible to comprehend that any Israeli leader would negotiate away The Temple Mount and the Western Wall. It is equally impossible to imagine any Palestinian leader relinquishing their claims over the Temple Mount. Palestinians feel that by accepting Israelis right to exist and a state broadly along the 1967 borders, they are making huge concessions. Giving up The Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque is something that is just one step too far. Even if a Palestinian leader were to make an agreement, it is virtually impossible to imagine that they would persuade the rest of the Palestinian people to accept it peacefully. Lastly, there are outside actors that benefit from the continuation of the conflict. Palestine would also be removed as an issue over which the Islamic world could unify, whereas hatred towards the USA and Israel would begin to disappear. If a peace effort led by the USA was achieved, this would be a major diplomatic victory for them. Regardless of statements suggesting they would support a two state solution, (Spillius: 2009: http://www.telegraph.co .uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5225705/Irans-President-would-support-two-state-solution-for-Israel.html) this would be undesirable to the Iranian leadership. Syria, which has its own territorial dispute with Israel, would not allow any peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel to occur unless its dispute with Israel was settled. The Iranians and Syrians will thus continue to assist and fund groups that help keep the conflict going. To conclude, there is a wide variety of reasons, some ancient, some more recent, that have made the Palestinian Israeli conflict so difficult to solve today. After so much promise during the 1990s that a deal could be reached, the chances of an end to the conflict have taken several steps backwards over the last decade. Despite this, The two-state solution remains the only viable solution. Its pitfalls are numerous and significant. However, as the Israeli President Shimon Peres argued last year, a one-state solution has enough intrinsic flaws to render it no solution at all. signifying the end of the existence of a Jewish state (Peres: 2009: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR2009020902098.html) Whilst there was much hope that movement towards the opening of meaningful negotiations would be re-started with the election of President Obama, this hope has largely evaporated, resulting in the continuation of the conflict for the foreseeable future. Bibliography Atran, S. Ginges, J. (2009) How Words Could End a War (24/01/2008) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25atran.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Catignani, S. (2008) Israeli Counter-Insurgency and the Intifadas: Dilemmas of a conventional army: New York: Routledge CIA World Factbook West Bank (04/03/2010) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the world-factbook/geos/we.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Gelvin, J. (2007) The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press ICJ (2004) Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (9/07/2004) http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?pr=71p1=3p2=1case= 131p3=6: date accessed 19/03/2010 ICRC (2009) Gaza: 1.5 million people trapped in despair (29/06/2009) http://www.icrc.org/ web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/palestine-report-260609: date accessed 19/03/2009 Kamrava, M. (2005) The Modern Middle East: A Political History Since The First World War: London: University of California Press McDowall, D. (1995) The Palestinians: The Road to Nationhood: London: Minority Rights Publications Miller, J. Samuels, D. (2009) No way home: The tragedy of the Palestinian diaspora (22/10/2009) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/no-way-home-the-tragedy-of-the-palestinian-diaspora-1806790.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Mishal, S. Sela A. (2006) The Palestinian Hamas: Vision, Violence and Coexistence: New York: Columbia University Press Morris, B. (2004) The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Morris, B. (2009) One State, Two States: New Haven: Yale University Press Oz, A. (2002) Coping With Conflict: A NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Transcript (23/01/2002) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june02/oz_1-23.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Pallister, D. (2009) Most Palestinians and Israelis willing to accept two-state solution, poll finds (22/04/2009) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/22/israel-palestine-poll: date accessed 19/03/2010 Peres, S. (2009) One Region, Two States (10/02/2009) http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR2009020902098.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Qurie, A. (2008) Beyond Oslo, The Struggle For Palestine: London: Tauris Co Ltd Reuters (2009) Israeli PM says Jerusalem will never be divided (21/05/2009) http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLL96214120090521: date accessed 19/03/2010 Shindler, C. (2008) A History of Modern Israel: New York: Cambridge University Press Smith, C. (2004) Palestine and The Arab-Israeli Conflict Fifth Edition: A History With Documents: Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke Spillius, A. (2009) Irans President would support two-state solution for Israel (26/04/2009): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5225705/Irans-President-would-support-two-state-solution-for-Israel.html: date accessed 19/03/2010 Zakaria, F. (2010) Israel is making a big mistake (18/03/2010) http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/18/zakaria.israel.mistake: date accessed 19/03/2010

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby Essays -- F. Scott

The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there is an important theme in the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. These eyes watch over the events and characters of the novel like the eyes of God. Many things happen in front of the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg, like the vehicular manslaughter of Myrtle. There is one quote in particular that describes the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg. This quote has many different meanings to the reader, depending on which way you pick it open. This quote goes '†¦ above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic – their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no ...

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Southern Masculinity in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished Essay -- Faulkner?

Southern Masculinity in Faulkner’s The Unvanquished The narrator of Faulkner’s The Unvanquished is apparently an adult recounting his childhood. The first person narrator is a child at the story’s outset, but the narrative voice is lucid, adult. Telling the story of his childhood allows the narrator to distinguish for the reader what he believed as a child from what he â€Å"know[s] better now† (10). The difference affords an examination of dominant southern masculinity as it is internalized by Bayard and Ringo, and demonstrates the effects on the boys of the impossible ideal. The initial indication that narrator Bayard may be an adult recounting his childhood comes with the past tense in the story’s opening line: â€Å"Behind the smokehouse that summer, Ringo and I had a living map† (3). Other summers have passed between the narration and the action of the story; this summer is â€Å"that summer,† not last summer or the summer before, presumably. Temporal distance is suggested in personal and episodic description, as well: â€Å"[Louvinia] used to follow us up and stand in the bedroom door and scold us until we were in bed†¦[b]ut this time she not only didn’t wonder where we were, she didn’t even think about where we might not be.† The differences in language between narrator and character are dramatic, as well. Bayard’s inadequate description of the railroad to Ringo (â€Å"only hearsay†), though not articulated in the narrative, is undoubtedly inferior to the narrator’s description of t he railroad: It was the straightest thing I ever saw, running straight and empty and quiet through a long empty gash cut through the trees and the ground too and full of sunlight like water in a river only straighter than any river, with the crossties cut off e... .... There are two attainable models of masculinity for Ringo in the story. Joby is defeated, withered, frustrated, subservient â€Å"even† to white women. He can live and function in southern society, but only as a slave. The other, Loosh, is angry, defiant, independent, subservient only to the point that he must be until he escapes or is set free. He cannot live in southern society except as a slave, so at first chance, he leaves. The narrator, with appropriate distance from the action, hints that Ringo will shed the stagnant familiarity of slavery, and risk reinvention like Loosh has. Ringo’s infatuation with the railroad appears to the boy Bayard to be part of their regular game of one-upmanship, but the adult narrator â€Å"know[s] now it was more than that with Ringo†¦[it was] the motion, the impulse to move which had already seethed to a head among his people† (81).

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy: A Review

JUSTUS HARTNACK, Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy (trans: Maurice Cranston, New York: Anchor Books, 1965) pp. (x+142). Paper. The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy, written by Professor Justus Hartnack, was first published in Danish. Later this book was translated to English by Maurice Cranston who was the author of Freedom, What are Human Rights? , Jean-Paul Sartre and the standard biography of John Locke. Hartnack is also famous for his book Philosophical Problems. The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy deals with the philosophy of the most famous contemporary philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.This book covers over one hundred and forty two pages. It begins with a preface by the author. This book, having five chapters, is the interpretation of Wittgenstein’s philosophical works. The first chapter, under the title ‘Biographical Introduction’, dealt with the life history of Ludwig Wittgenstein—the most renowned figure of the time. He was a great philosopher who dedicated himself to the growth of philosophy. â€Å"†¦philosophy was his life† (p. 3). Though he made lectures on British universities, he was not at all English, but an Austrian Jew, living and working in England.He was born in Vienna in 1889, the son of a rich engineer. Initially he had a taste to engineering; but later, it transformed to mathematics and he became a disciple of Bertrand Russell in Cambridge University. At the outbreak of the First World War, he contributed a few years in the Austrian army. His first and the most famous book, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus was published in 1922. Indeed the language of the book is elusive, â€Å"it has had an enormous influence among philosophers† (p. 6). Its influence was particularly marked in the logical positivism that became so fashionable in the years between the wars.But the later teachings of Wittgenstein were contrasting to the former teachings. His The Philosophical Investigations (1953) , which published only after his death marked a new beginning in the world of philosophy. Besides the above books, he was also the author of the book, The Blue and Brown Books (1958). His writings paved a place for Wittgenstein in the history of philosophy. The second chapter named ‘The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus’ gives out a brief summary of Wittgenstein’s eighty pages book—Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.The author begins with the traditional notion of language—â€Å"consists of words and each word possesses meaning insofar as it stands for something† (p. 13). It is the search for the problem of philosophical assertions that brings out the serious errors in using the language. So, Russell in his Principia Mathematica comes up with the need of constructing a new language preserving the logical form. It was the beginning of symbolic logic. But Wittgenstein was not satisfied with this new language because â€Å"he did not think there was a ny need to construct a new language because he held that there is only one language† (p. 6). His book Tractatus shares this idea. The author expresses the content of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus in nine parts in this chapter. The world, thought and propositions nave the same logical form—world is represented by thought and it is expressed in words as propositions. So, according to Wittgenstein, â€Å"the world is the totality of facts, not of things† (p. 18). A thing is not itself a fact even the thing is bound up with the notion of a fact. The author uses the example: â€Å"It is a fact that my watch is lying on the table, but neither the watch nor the table is a fact† (p. 25).The thought and propositions serve as pictures of facts. This is known as ‘Picture Theory of Language’—language is a picture or model of facts. Pictures are models of reality and these are made up of elements that represent objects. The combination of objects in the picture represents the combination of objects in reality. So the function of the language is to represent the state of affairs in the world. But the proposition does not give a spatial representation of the fact; it is only a logical picture of the state of affairs. Then, Hartnack points out Wittgenstein’s concept of ‘mystical’.There are some facts â€Å"that would be nonsensical to discuss, describe or even to think, because language cannot logically be employed about it† (p. 40). He included all the ethical and spiritual values in the realm of mystical. It is something that is transcendental. The third chapter ‘The Tractatus and Logical Positivism’ says about the influence of Tractatus over logical positivism. The author divided this chapter into four parts. The first part comments on logical positivist’s conception of philosophy. For them, â€Å"the task of philosophy †¦is simply to clarify the meaning of such [philosoph ical] problems and propositions† (p. 6). It has nothing to do in providing information about reality. A better understanding of the meaning of propositions can be ascertained through ‘verification principle’—one understands the meaning of a proposition only of one knows how it could be verified. For example, the statement ‘It is raining’ can be verified. But there are some other propositions that can’t be verified and it is called as ‘pseudo propositions’ similar to Wittgenstein’s ‘mystical’. In the following parts of the third chapter, the author discusses how the logical positivism differs from the ideas of Wittgenstein.It is believed by the positivist that Wittgenstein was the first one who had proposed the verification principle. Wittgenstein accepted the mystical propositions as genuine along with the empirical propositions. But positivists denied the assumption that mystical propositions are genuine for they cannot accept anything other than that is empirical. â€Å"†¦what cannot be said, and therefore cannot be thought, is not an expression of the limits of language. The reason for being silent is that there is nothing to speak about† (p. 55). The fourth chapter holds the same title, ‘The Philosophical Investigations’, of his second known book.This chapter speaks on the summary of Wittgenstein’s Investigations. This book is not a continuation of his own ‘Tractatus’; rather it is the repudiation of his views in ‘Tractatus’. The author explains its importance as: What gives the importance is that it contains the mature philosophy of Wittgenstein. It introduces a new chapter in the history of philosophy. It is not just a continuation or development of the thought of others. It is something wholly original (p. 62-63). The Investigations had a reference to St. Augustine’s Confessions. â€Å"St.Augustine fancied, acc ording to Wittgenstein, that he had discovered what was essential to all languages, namely that all words should have a meaning and that the meaning of each was what it stood for† (p. 65). Augustine conceived of it as a ‘naming-game’, that is, as a language mastered by learning the names of different things. But Wittgenstein couldn’t approve this ‘naming-game’ and with a slight difference he introduced ‘language-game’ which had its foundation on the sense that the meaning of a word is its use in the language. He thought that in language we are playing with words.As we can’t find any resemblance in different games though they possess some similarities and relationships, we can’t find resemblance in our multiple ways of language use. Hartnack discusses: Language, no longer a picture of reality, is now seen as a tool†¦with variety of uses. Different words are like different tools in the toolbox. And just as there is no one use which is the essential use of all tools, there is no one essential use for words and sentences. (p. 75) Different language-games show a family resemblance as like the members of a family share many similar features, such as eye colour, hair, facial structure, etc,.However, there will be no one particular feature that they all share in common. So the different language-games are related to one another in many different ways. In Investigations, Wittgenstein made a gradual transition on the aim of philosophy. With a new view, philosophy aims at complete clarity. â€Å"[And] this complete clarity does not lead to the solution of problem, but to its disappearance† (p. 82). Why is to say that the problem disappear? It is because the origin of the philosophical perplexity is an error, or rather a misunderstanding—a misunderstanding of the logical grammar of the sentences concerned.When it has been healed, the source of the problem has not been ‘solvedâ€℠¢, it has vanished. The role of philosophy is to show the path of liberation to the fly trapped in the fly bottle. In the last chapter ‘Contemporary Philosophical Investigations’, Hartnack says something about the philosophers who were very much influenced by Wittgenstein. He also tried to give a brief note on the papers and books published by those philosophers. Gilbert Ryle’s The Concept of Mind is the first book to be dealt with.It was published in 1949, four years before the Investigations, and it is not Wittgenstein in style, although there is no conflict on essential points; â€Å"but it is typically Wittgensteinian in that it treats philosophical problems as the consequence of the misunderstanding of the logic of concepts† (p. 119). Besides giving a short description, the author has not tried to go deep into the text. Following Ryle’s The Concept of Mind, Hartnack makes a brief study on Peter Strawson’s paper ‘On Referringâ€℠¢, where Strawson is attacking what he believes to be a mistaken conception of meaning. Strawson’s paper is Wittgensteinian in the sense that it argues that the meaning of a sentence is not what it refers to, but the rules for its correct use† (p. 121). He rejected Russell’s claim that every sentence must be true or false or meaningless. For Strawson, â€Å"a sentence is meaningful if there are rules for its use as an assertion† (p. 126). In the following two parts of the last chapter, author summarises ‘The Ascription of Responsibility and Rights’, the defense paper of Professor H. L. A. Hart and ‘On Grading’, the paper presented by the Oxford philosopher J.O. Urmson. The former is dealt with morality and jurisprudence. Here Hart made some similarities of the problems in philosophy and legal concepts. The latter studies the use of sentences that function as evaluations. Urmson works from the simple and homely example of grading a pples. An apple can be graded either as good or as bad, based on its empirical properties. But â€Å"the logical structure of the sentence ‘This is good’ is quite distinct from any question about the validity or relevance of any criterion that may be invoked in support of it† (p. 42). The validity of the statement is not proved in this kind of evaluations. The book Wittgenstein and Modern Philosophy is really an excellent interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophical works—Tractatus and Investigations. Hartnack had made a genuine effort to make this book marvelous. Though this book contributes nothing new to the world of philosophy, it shows a great honour to Wittgenstein. Hartnack was successful in giving appropriate footnotes in places where the reader needs clarifications.But it is sorry to say that this book lacks index and the last chapter of this book is so vague. The author would have to pay a little more attention to these drawbacks. Excluding these drawbacks, this book is an awesome work. This book will be very useful to the philosophy students especially those who are making study exclusively on Wittgenstein. Even the translator re-produced the book in a simple and eloquent language. This book review will be incomplete unless I mention that the author showed justice to the works of Wittgenstein and even to the readers.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Business Environment in India Essay

1. How have businesses in India developed differently from their western counter parts? India, from 1947 to 1991 followed the socialist system of industrial development, wherein the major industries were controlled by the state. The western countries have followed a policy of free market and capitalism during the same time period. The Indian economy was restricted by the License – Permit – Quota Raj, due to which the opportunities of developing new businesses were minimal. This policy insulated the Indian economy from the outside world , and led to monopolies in the public sector which were inefficient, similar to the U.S.S.R. Post liberalisation, with removal of these restrictions, the businesses in India, free from the shackles of the permit system have grown as a fast pace with improving efficiencies. However several businesses, which could not cope with the competition, fell by the wayside. The western economies have in the capitalistic environment, graduated from family run businesses to control by institutional investors to control by private equity firms in many cases, whereas, their Indian counterparts still have a large proportion run by family run businesses and institutional investors controlled by the government. Many of the PSU’s in India which have survived the post – liberalisation opening up of the economy are monopolies in their respective markets and today are quite competitive on the global stage. The family run businesses compete fiercely with each other and look for opportunities in newer areas, including global markets. In the western world, there is a growing trend of consolidation with oligopolies emerging in almost all industries, which are being controlled by PE firms. Overall, India’s form of ownership has barely changed over the past decade. The division of profits made by family firms between those in their first, second and third or older generations has stayed pretty constant. 2. Why has Indian business developed in this way? Indian businesses have developed this way mainly because of two reasons: 1. India followed the socialist policy post independence, which converted the British legacy to public run institutions, and followed a policy of nationalization whereby control of industrial output was controlled by the government. The license – quota – permit raj severely restricted the Indian entrepreneurs from developing new businesses. The family run businesses with deep pockets and good political connections expanded their sphere of influence from their core businesses into unrelated areas where they saw an opportunity to grow. With reforms taking place post 1991 in a gradual manner, many new and existing businesses managed very well to adapt to the changing environment, taking advantage of the technology advances which had already taken place in the western world. 2. With a largely agricultural based economy, the Indian government had focussed on related infrastructure, leading to a weak over all infrastructure for industry. This has led to difficulties in starting new businesses. Similarly, regulations involved in starting new businesses are severely restrictive and cumbersome which is discouraging to entrepreneurs 3. Will it continue to? Major reforms in several areas are sorely required if Indian businesses and the Indian economy are to maintain the growth trajectory. If these happen, Indian businesses will transform into real global players in a few years. If reforms are soft-pedalled there is a very good chance the Indian business growth story will come to an early end. 4. Can the aspirations it has raised be met? Yes, the aspirations it has raised can be met. There is every reason to believe that the decision makers in Indian governance recognize what needs to be done and will act accordingly, although not at the pace required. The overall momentum generated by India Inc. should carry it through the current set of problems it is facing. The pool of skilled professionals combined with a large population with a growing purchasing power will project India to the big league. The relatively slower growth rates in the developed economies will give Indian firms the opportunity to scale up to global level at a fairly rapid pace. 5. And is this new form of capitalism good for India—and the world? The new form of capitalism called capindialism is good for India, at least for the coming generation. As India transforms into one of the largest economies of the world, the moderate growth rates as compared with China, and somewhat controlled, India will be able to protect itself and therefore the world from unexpected shocks. If the country maintains its current rate of growth it is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy sometime after 2030, and hundreds of millions of people will lift them out of poverty. The Indian businesses which survive the growth will be transformed into world class and be controlled indirectly by the Indian public.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Fashion Blogging †the Impact on Sales Essay

Thus, we first investigate whether blogging activity leads to (differential) market outcomes. We then examine whether managerial communication (magazines advertising) and blogging are synergistic. We assemble a unique data set from fashion containing market outcomes (sales), new media (blogs) and traditional media (magazines advertising) for a brand of clothing, and a brand of shoes. Each category has at least one product launch during the duration of our sample periods. We specify a simultaneous equation log-linear system for market outcomes and the volume of blogs. Our results suggest that blogs are predictive of market outcomes, new and traditional media act synergistically, pre-launch magazines advertising spurs blogging activity but become less effective post-launch and that market outcomes have some effect on blogging. We find detailed support for some of these findings via a unique and novel text mining analysis. We discuss the managerial implications of our findings. I-Introduction Consumer generated media (CGM) such as blogs (a contraction of the term â€Å"Web logs†) have witnessed explosive growth in the last few years. For example, the number of blogs worldwide is estimated to be 184 millions with a readership of 346 million (March 2010). In contrast, in March 2003, the number of blogs was essentially zero. Other types of CGM have also seen similar growth patterns, e. g. , Facebook, which started in February 2004, now has about 400 million members worldwide (February 2011). There are also indications that blogs are now being seen as similar to mainstream media sites – the number of blog sites in the top 100 most popular sites (blogs and mainstream media) worldwide was twenty-two in 2008 and blogs were being viewed by consumers as â€Å"sites for news, information, gossip etc. † (2008). In 2010, four of the top ten entertainment sites were blogs (March 2010). It is clear from these statistics that there is considerable activity (multi- media posting, blogging, visits, traffic etc. ) on the part of consumers. However, an important question, from a managerial perspective, is whether this activity leads to (differential) business outcomes such as sales or profits. In addition, little is known about the relationship between traditional or old media (where the company creates content and delivers it to consumers) and consumer generated, or new, media (where consumers create content and there in an exchange of this content between other consumers and potentially, the company). That is, are there any synergies between new media and old media? In this research, we take the first step towards answering these questions. Blogging is perhaps the most established and largest form of consumer generated media at this point in time. The total worldwide viewership of blogs is estimated to be about 346 million (March 2010). Wikipedia defines as a blog as â€Å"a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blogging is a worldwide phenomenon with the two biggest blogging markets being the United States and Japan. The number of blogs in the United States is about 23 million (about 12% of all US Internet users) and about 8 million in Japan (about 5% of all Japanese Internet users) in 2009. However, if one examines the total number of posts by language, Japanese language posts account for 37% of all posts worldwide followed closely by English language posts at 36%. Fina lly, readership of blogs in these two markets is ery high – about half of all Internet users in the US and about one-fifth of all Japanese Internet users have read a blog in the past year. While there are many informal opinions on the effectiveness of CGM in general (and blogs in particular) vis-a-vis market outcomes, there is limited empirical research that sheds light on this issue, especially for the launch of new products. The majority of the existing research has focused on online chatter (newsgroup postings, reviews and ratings) and its effect on market outcomes. There is some evidence that volume of online user ratings is positively correlated to sales. Blogging, on the other hand, has been seen as a unique type of user generated content as being a highly personal, non-directed communication tool. As Kumar (2005) note, blogs are unique for sociological reasons – they comprise a â€Å"highly dynamic, temporal community structure† that â€Å"focuses heavily on local community interactions† – and for technical reasons – blogs â€Å"offer us a ready-made view of evolution (of content) in continuous time. † In addition, blogging activity was probably the most pervasive CGM activity on the web during the time of our data. Given these unique characteristics of blogs as opposed to reviews, it is not obvious that bloggers’ activity should affect market outcomes. Surprisingly, there is very little research that has tried to quantify the effect of blogs on market outcomes, especially in the presence of traditional media and/or an examination of pre- and post-launch changes in the role of old and new media. Two recent empirical papers have focused on blogs and market outcomes. Dhar and Chang (2009) explore the relationship between music album sales (imputed via sales ranks on Amazon. om) and online chatter (as seen in blogs and on social networks). Using 108 music albums in early 2007 (before four weeks and after four weeks of their release), they find a positive correlation between both the number of blogs and Myspace member intensity with future music sales. Gruhl (2005) propose a new methodology to automatically generate a query of blog keywords to detect spikes in Amazon. com’s book sales rank. They conclude that their new algorithm could adequately predict the changes and spikes of future sales ranks. Thus, while these two studies suggest that there may be a correlation between blogging activity and market outcomes, they do not use actual sales data but only sales ranks from Amazon. com. To the best of our knowledge, the second issue that we outline above – the positive relationship between traditional media and new media – has not been investigated in the literature. Our expectation is that there will be a positive correlation between the quantity of traditional media and new media as traditional media is likely to provide discussion materials for bloggers. From a managerial perspective this issue is crucial, as managers have no direct control over CGM (blogs in our case). However, if there is indeed a synergistic relationship between traditional media, which are under managerial control, and new media, which are outside managerial control, then managers can leverage this relationship. Specifically, they can carry out â€Å"better† resource allocation and media planning (to traditional media) as they can take the spillover effect (from traditional to new media) into consideration. We examine the role of new media with respect to market outcomes as well as the relationship between new media and traditional media using data of two different clothing and shoes brand that are both promoted in fashion blogs. We consider the number of units sold, customers or subscribers (all a proxy for demand) as market outcomes, blogs as representations of consumer generated media and magazines advertising as traditional media. We specify a simultaneous equation model that links sales to advertising and blogs as well as a model that links blogs to advertising. Our results, after controlling for many temporal and cross-sectional factors, suggest that first, the volume of Blogstock (cumulative sum of past blog posts) is positively correlated with market outcomes (volume of clothing sold, and the volume of shoes sold) post launch. Second, the interaction between blogs and magazines advertising has a positive effect on market outcomes. Third, we also find that traditional media (magazines advertising) positively affects new media (the volume of blogs) pre launch. In other words, bloggers consume advertising, independent of the product, and this ncreases their blogging activity. Finally, we find that the effect of blogs varies between pre and post launch. In general, the positive relationship between magazines advertising and the volume of blogs pre-launch becomes weaker after launch. This result suggests that while magazines advertising can independently increase blogging pre-launch via the provision of information and content, post-launch (i. e. , once the product is available), consumers may rely less on traditional media, leading to a much weaker relationship between new and old media at that point. These last three sets of results shed light on the possibility that, broadly speaking, advertising and blogs act synergistically (with the relationship changing somewhat post-launch). The process explanations for our findings is not obvious. We take the first step in eliciting process explanations by carrying out a novel text mining analysis of the blog posts for the two markets (shoes and clothing) for which we have access to the textual content data. The findings from the text mining analysis suggest that blogs may affect market outcomes as they represent a rich source of product information and consumer opinion for other consumers. Also, bloggers do use advertising as a subject for blogging pre-launch but turn their attention to product attributes post-launch. II-Data Our data come from fashion market. We consider data from two brands – clothing and shoes. We first describe the market outcome data for each product market and then we describe the measurement of traditional and new media. III-Market Outcomes The daily sales of clothings were made available for the total fashion market based on a nationally representative consumer panel. The data include daily sales of two new pieces of clothing introduced in the period from January 2013 to March 2013. For shoes, the outcome variable we use is based on the same principle. We have data of two new models that were released (launched) in the period from January 2013 to March 2013. IV-Traditional Media The traditional marketing variable we use is magazines advertising. This was measured in units of daily or monthly Gross Rating Points (GRPs). There are some differences in the patterns of magazines advertising pre and post launch across the two brands. For clothing, most of the advertising is post launch. Typically, commercial ads in this market begin to air about five days pre launch and then the heavier advertising kicks in post launch. In contrast, for shoes, pre-release magazines GRPs are larger (on average) than the post-release magazines GRPs. Specifically, peak advertising for shoes was, not surprisingly, a week before its launch date in order to generate high demand at the time of the opening. V-New Media We obtain blogging data from blog 1 (www. leblogdebetty. com) for clothing data and blog 2 (www. sorayabakhtiar. com) for the shoes data. Both the brands scan and index the two blogging sites on a daily basis using keywords with coverage of about 64% of all blog articles. They then aggregate the data and provide the count of the daily number of blogs that mention a particular keyword on a specific temporal period such as day or month (multiple mentions in the same temporal unit are counted as one). As is typical for most blogs, its contents appear in a reversal chronological order and also include the blogger’s profile, â€Å"trackbacks† (links showing other websites, typically other blogs, that a blog is linked to), and comments. Buzz Research archives the contents of all blog posts. It also carries out lexical analysis of the contents of each tracked blog by using a proprietary text- mining method and classifies each blog as positive, negative and/or neutral with respect to a given keyword. We therefore have access to the actual content of all posts as well as the daily percentage of positive, negative and neutral blogs for the movies and cellular phone service markets. There is big increase in the average number of blogs per period post launch in all two brands. Interestingly, for the two brands markets where we have valence data, the biggest growth is in the percentage of neutral blogs post launch. To illustrate the relationship between marketing outcomes and both traditional and new media, we pick a product across our two brand markets. The figure suggests that magazines advertising, blog volume and shoes buyer are temporally correlated. Dividing the data temporally at the date of release we see that magazines GRPs and the number of blogs exhibit an increasing trend pre-release, but a decreasing one post-release. While we illustrate a typical data pattern through this example, the pattern is not identical for all brands across product markets. In conclusion, these data are novel in the sense that they combine marketing data for both traditional and new media along with market outcomes from a market where new media have proven to be important (at least in terms of activity). Our data are also novel in the sense that they enable us to focus on new product launches. In addition, the fact that we have data from two different brand markets (frequently purchased consumer goods) with varying characteristics (e. . , more versus fewer new product launches) will help us determine if the relationship between market outcomes and new media as well as the relationship between new media and traditional media generalizes across product markets. Finally, the availability of the actual blog post text (for two categories) opens up the possibility to conduct a deeper text-mining analysis. VI-Managerial Implicati ons So far, we have discussed the findings purely from a statistical point of view. However, it may be useful to translate these findings in a manner that uantifies the effect sizes from a managerial point of view. We therefore ran two experiments – the first to get a sense of how managers could change resource allocation and the second to see how managers could use blog data to improve sales forecasts. In the first experiment, we use the estimates from the clothing market data. To illustrate short-term effects, in the experiment, we assumed there were only three periods, two in the pre-release and one in the post-release. Recall that blogging is outside the control of managers. We therefore used the marketing instrument under managerial control in our data set – traditional magazines advertising. In the experiment, we increased the Adstock by one percent in the first pre-release period. The output we measured was the percentage increase in the size of the daily volume sold in the post-release period. A ten percent increase in the Adstock results in a 3. 3 percent increase in the number of blogs at the second pre-release period. As a result of this increase in the Adstock, we find that the net increase in the sales volume is 2. 1 percent. A decomposition of this overall increase due to traditional media versus new media suggested that the increase in the Adstock directly enhances the sales by 0. 13 percent while the interaction between blogging and advertising increases the sales by 0. 1 percent. Furthermore, the largest and most significant increase in the sales volume at post-launch is led by the indirect impact from advertising via blogging activity, which accounts for 1. 9 percent. Similar experiment for the other product markets also support these findings with the overall effect being slightly smaller for shoes (0. 4%). In addition to simulating the short-term effects of advertising, we use a simulation setting similar to the above experiments and expand the time horizon from one period to ten periods. The largest indirect effect of the ten percent increase in Adstock decays slower than do the other two effects across two product categories. The peaks of the indirect effects are located at the third period for t he clothing and at the second period for the shoes. These are resulted from the larger estimates of the carry-over constants of Adstock and Blogstock at post-launch in the blog equations. In the second experiment, we hold out the last observation from each brand and re-estimated the model. We then use the model estimates for prediction and computed the difference in the predicted value and the actual data across all the held out observations. We do this for the full model and a restricted version of the full model where the response coefficients for the number of blogs and the cumulative number of blogs were set to zero. Thus, the difference in prediction (based on the Root Mean Square Deviation) between these two models shows the extent to which the use of blog data can improve sales forecasts. The improvement in RMSD is very high for shoes, and modest for clothing. VII-Conclusion, Limitations and Directions for Future Research This paper adds to the very limited, but rapidly growing field of research into the effectiveness of new media, especially in the case of new product launches. Using a unique dataset from two product markets (a major new media market), we are able to combine into a single source, data on market outcomes, traditional media (magazines advertising) and new media (volume and content of blogs). We used a simultaneous equation model to capture the effect of new media on market outcomes and the effect of market outcomes on new media. While this in itself is somewhat novel, we were also able to include the major marketing activity (mgazines advertising) in both equations, both directly and via interactions. Thus this allows us to investigate two open questions in this domain – (a) whether new media (blogging activity in our case) leads to (differential) market outcomes and (b) whether traditional marketing actions (i. e. , magazines advertising) and new media act synergistically. We also make a first attempt, to the best of our knowledge, to use the content of the blog posts to shed â€Å"process† light on our econometric findings via a careful and methodical text mining analysis. Using data from clothing, and shoes brands, we find that patterns across the two categories showing clear linkages between traditional media, new media and market outcomes. In general, we find that cumulative blogs (Blogstock) are predictive of market outcomes, blogs and magazines advertising act synergistically, pre-launch advertising spurs blogging activity (that is predictive of marketing activity) but becomes less effective in inducing blogging activity post- launch and market outcomes also do have some effect on blogging activity. Our text mining results provide additional support for some of these findings. From a managerial point of view, in the experiment using clothing estimation results, we find that a one percent increase in the traditional marketing instrument (magazines advertising) leads to a median increase in market outcomes of 0. 2%, with a majority of the increase coming from the increase in blogging activity generated by the advertising pre-launch. Our analyses do also have a few limitations (driven mostly by the nature of the data). First, as noted earlier, the aggregate nature of our data makes it very hard to offer micro-level causal explanations of the effectiveness of new media and the synergistic relationship between new and traditional media. While our text mining analyses shed some light on our findings, it would be very beneficial to obtain datasets that link individual activity to market outcomes for a larger variety of new media. Second, our measures of new media are at present limited to blog content – volume – and in two product markets, keywords and valence. ). Third, our model could be improved with the potential use of non-parametric models to model the effects of both old and new media and the associated interactions. Finally, our data do not contain information on all marketing instruments and hence we use proxies (such as lagged sales in the case of distribution). We hope that with better data, future research will be able to address these limitations.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

College Hazing That Changed My Life

R&R â€Å"The College Hazing That Changed My Life† Right from the beginning line, Thomas Rogers, sucks me Into this story. It takes guts to start something off like that and pull It off, but he did. I found It very amusing, hilarious, and dangerous. College hazing are no Joke If they are anywhere near the level he describes this one as. When he states, † College Is a strange time†¦ We're free to make an extraordinary amount of mistakes and end up In situations that may not teach us much†¦ † I began to think about next year when I start my college life and what exactly Is In store for me.I hope Its not a struggle balancing everything and ring to pass my classes. When the author begins to describe his childhood I feel Like I can relate to him. My brother got most of my parents athletic ablest so I have to make due with the amount that I have. We both are tall, also clumsy even though we don't want to be. You don't get to pick how tall you are, what traits y ou have, or If your athletic or not. You have to make due with what you have and find something that suits you. That's one thing that I believe the author was trying to get across. He showcases that by doing something out of the ordinary and joining the rowing team.Also another thing that I believe he tried to get across is to strive for what you want. He went through two weeks of tryouts to Join his universities varsity crew rowing team. Then he finally made it and had to then go through hazing. L believe that if you have to become a sock in order to boost your self esteem that you have issues you need to sort out. No one should have to do that to feel good about themselves. Finally, he tried to get across that you don't have to be normal its okay if you're not. Embrace and find excitement in whatever it is. Be your own person.

Friday, September 13, 2019

A Study of Macroeconomics in Relation to Supply and Demand

A Study of Macroeconomics in Relation to Supply and Demand Macroeconomics can be best defined as ,the part of a countries economy which is primarily concerned with large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates as well as national productivity, national income, gross domestic product (Kaplan, J. (2002). Specifically, as the topic of Macroeconomics pertains directly to both the Supply as well as Demand for Health Insurance it is especially vital to acknowledge that Macroeconomics is a phenomena which also effects our countries (United States) inflation range, price levels, rate of growth, massive changes in unemployment(Staff, I. (2016, September 07).This essay will effectively highlight the overall extent in which Macroeconomics effects both the Supply as well as overall Demand of Health Insurance within the United States, including why the Macroeconomics system is not the preferred method system to apply in relation to our nations healthcare system. Lastly, this essay will thoroughly highlight the overall effects of Americ as Inflation Rate, Price levels of Insurance/Premiums, as well as massive changes in the rate of employment as they effect both the Supply as well as Demand of Healthcare Insurance The Overall Extent to Which Macroeconomics Effects Both the Supply as well as Demand for Health Insurance When it comes to the Macroeconomics system, there can be no doubt of the sheer importance of this particular discipline however, in order to more actively explore both the massive healthcare system in relation to the Macroeconomics system as a whole, we must come to a completely absolute and rather disappointing fact! And the fact of the matter is that, despite the Macroeconomics system working well for a vast majority of our current societys needs, it still doesnt work well nor efficiently for our Nations most basic Healthcare System needs, despite having some rather noteworthy and rather specific areas of research including both the researching of Business Cycles the economic growth aspect of the discipline. At large, The demand for healthcare really sees no limit, especially if cost is not a factor for the consumer, and that is the case, of course, in most third-party payment situations (Christensen, T. (2010, October 23). As a result, prices will steadily rise overtime and without stopping! Furthermore, when it comes to taking care of sick people as well as others in need of the basic medical services, it is important to mention that, in many cases, when it comes to both the supply and demand within the field of healthcare, its almost ,if not practically impossible for healthcare workers, fellow hospital staff, the facilities Human Resource Management Departments and even fellow nurses and physicians alike to absolutely know exactly how much demand they should expect to plan for on a daily basis. Thus, rather medical professionals are in a private practice or working in the Emergency Room, issues involving both the Supply as well as Demand within the Healthcare Industry effects all med ical professionals as well as ERs, Hospital and other various medical facilities on an operative level .Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, the supply can become an issue when demand is not accurately known. In this case as well as others like it, the much needed numbers/statistics will not be present to report accurately back to governmental officials nor to state departments and other respective governmental agencies. Lastly we must take into account that, the supply of physicians and providers is not driven by normal market forces. We see a lot of increasing specialization for reasons that arent necessarily fitting with the supply-demand curve (Christensen, T. (2010, October 23). The latter reason is because, when doctors attend medical schooling, they are free to choose their chose their medical specialty. Consequently, most doctors tend to pursue the healthcare professional specialties which pay the most in salaries (financial compensation) as well as have the most benefi ts associated with them. It is because of this Freedom of Choice amongst doctors as it pertains to their preferred medical specialty that the costs for such medical treatment and consequently healthcare professional services varies by such staggering amounts Nevertheless, the latter issues also effects both the primary Doctors and their Nursing staff .members as well as those medical doctors whom chose to become specialized because, most specialized physicians get compensated more than the average traditional family practice doctors. Subsequently, due to such a drastic increase in doctor specialization the supply demand curve is highly insufficient to say the least in field of healthcare and medicine. The Overall Effects of Americas Inflation Rate, on the Supply Demand of Health Insurance By its very definition an Inflation Rate is the overall, Rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services are rising and, consequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling (Financial-dictionary. (2013). This means that when an individual sees both the prices for goods (such as food water, shelter, and all store purchased items) As well as services (such as the ability to be both seen and treated by a doctor (not to mention any other service) will be effected. As briefly mentioned previously, both primary care physicians as well as their specialist Physician (Doctor) counterparts most often chose their specialty based on their potential salary and offered benefits package. This is makes perfect sense when prices for such services grow exponentially. Unfortunately when it comes to inflation, Healthcare, in addition to other vital needs, goods and services are oftentimes the first expenses to increase exponentially as inflation rates begin to rise. The increase f or medical insurance companies, including their billing and collection departments as well as volume and case load also increases leading to more work for less money (and an overall decrease in purchasing power).As reported by Forbes Magazine, additional costs are due to several different reasons, and can include but may not notably be restricted to, political decisions such as additional taxes and increased regulations which can impact health care costs (Patton, M. (2015, June 29). In addition to the amount the steadily increase in hospital/physician lawsuits, and consequently increased medical malpractice coverage. Macroeconomics- The Price Levels of Insurance/Premiums Unfortunately, since these changes are yet to be corrected by The System nor our elected representatives (politicians), as healthcare prices continue to soar and both medical insurance companies in addition to patients/clients and healthcare providers still continue to deal with the crunch. According to the November 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the primary reason for the rise in health care costs between 2000 and 2011 accounting for 91%, was an increase in the price of drugs, medical devices, and hospital care (Compassphs. (2015, September 18).Nevertheless, it has also been revealed that, out of these costs that Administrative cost make up approximately, 5.6%/year, and are mainly health insurance costs, while the prices of health services is expected to increase by a massive 4.2% yearly, drugs medical devices another 4% yearly and Professional service fees for doctors to increase by 3.6% each year(Compassphs. (2015, September 18). Highly depr essing figures to look forward to as well as cope with in the near future! How Macroeconomics effects Massive Changes in the Rate of Employment As it pertains to (Macroeconomics) the Supply Demand for Health Insurance can and does effect massive changes in the overall Rate of Employment. As revealed by the Employment Policies Institute The cost of this insurance has increased by more than 59 percent since 2000, with no accompanying increase in the scale or scope of benefits (Employment Institute Policies (2017, February). Unfortunately as this happens, significant effects on both health insurance markets and labor markets, including changes in the number of jobs, hours worked per employee, wages, and compensation packages (Employment Institute Policies (2017, February) can and often do occur. As this happens, more and more individuals and their families find themselves spending more money as well as being essentially limited to which doctor practices they can see ( as per coverage). Lastly, the unemployment rates as well as the amount of Americans living without health insurance could drastically increase and cause a massiv e economic disaster as more and more employers (business owners) would be forced to lay off employees in order to save money or discontinue the standard work week so that the employer no longer has to pay for their employees health insurance coverage. A Study of Macroeconomics in Relation to Supply and Demand A Study of Macroeconomics in Relation to Supply and Demand Introduction Thesis Statement: â€Å"Macroeconomics† can be best defined as ,â€Å"the part of a countries economy which is primarily concerned with large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates as well as national productivity, national income, gross domestic product† (Kaplan, J. (2002). Specifically, as the topic of Macroeconomics pertains directly to both the â€Å"Supply as well as Demand for Health Insurance it is especially vital to acknowledge that â€Å"Macroeconomics† is a phenomena which also effects our countries (United States) â€Å"inflation range, price levels, rate of growth, massive changes in unemployment†(Staff, I. (2016, September 07).This essay will effectively highlight the overall extent in which Macroeconomics effects both the â€Å"Supply† as well as overall â€Å"Demand† of Health Insurance within the United States, including why the Macroeconomics system is not the â€Å"preferred† method system to apply in relation to our nation’s healthcare system. Lastly, this essay will thoroughly highlight the overall effects of America’s Inflation Rate, Price levels of Insurance/Premiums, as well as massive changes in the rate of employment as they effect both the â€Å"Supply† as well as â€Å"Demand† of Healthcare Insurance The Overall Extent to Which Macroeconomics Effects Both the â€Å"Supply† as well as â€Å"Demand† for Health Insurance When it comes to the Macroeconomics system, there can be no doubt of the sheer importance of this particular discipline however, in order to more actively explore both the massive healthcare system in relation to the Macroeconomics system as a whole, we must come to a completely absolute and rather disappointing fact! And the fact of the matter is that, despite the Macroeconomics system working well for a vast majority of our current society’s needs, it still doesn’t work well nor efficiently for our Nation’s most basic â€Å"Healthcare System† needs, despite having some rather noteworthy and rather â€Å"specific areas of research including both the researching of â€Å"Business Cycles† the â€Å"economic growth† aspect of the discipline. At large, â€Å"The demand for healthcare really sees no limit, especially if cost is not a factor for the consumer, and that is the case, of course, in most third-party payment situations† (Christensen, T. (2010, October 23). As a result, prices will steadily rise overtime and without stopping! Furthermore, when it comes to taking care of sick people as well as others in need of the â€Å"basic medical services†, it is important to mention that, in many cases, when it comes to both the â€Å"supply† and â€Å"demand† within the field of healthcare, it’s almost ,if not practically impossible for healthcare workers, fellow hospital staff, the facilities Human Resource Management Departments and even fellow nurses and physicians alike to absolutely know exactly how much â€Å"demand† they should expect to plan for on a daily basis. Thus, rather medical professionals are in a private practice or working in the Emergency Room, issues involving bo th the â€Å"Supply† as well as â€Å"Demand† within the Healthcare Industry effects all medical professionals as well as ER’s, Hospital and other various medical facilities on an operative level .Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, the â€Å"supply† can become an issue when â€Å"demand† is not accurately known. In this case as well as others like it, the much needed numbers/statistics will not be â€Å"present† to report accurately back to governmental officials nor to state departments and other respective governmental agencies. Lastly we must take into account that, â€Å"the supply of physicians and providers is not driven by normal market forces. We see a lot of increasing specialization for reasons that aren’t necessarily fitting with the supply-demand curve† (Christensen, T. (2010, October 23). The latter reason is because, when doctors attend medical schooling, they are free to choose their chose their medical â⠂¬Å"specialty†. Consequently, most doctors tend to pursue the healthcare professional â€Å"specialties † which pay the most in salaries (financial compensation) as well as have the most benefits associated with them. It is because of this â€Å"Freedom of Choice† amongst doctors as it pertains to their preferred medical â€Å"specialty† that the costs for such medical treatment and consequently healthcare professional services varies by such staggering amounts Nevertheless, the latter issues also effects both the primary Doctors and their Nursing staff .members as well as those medical doctors whom chose to become â€Å"specialized because, most â€Å"specialized physicians† get compensated more than the average â€Å"traditional† family practice doctors. Subsequently, due to such a drastic increase in doctor specialization the supply demand curve is highly insufficient to say the least in field of healthcare and medicine. â€Å"The Overall Effects of America’s Inflation Rate, on the Supply Demand of Health Insurance By its very definition an â€Å"Inflation Rate† is the overall, â€Å"Rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services are rising and, consequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling† (Financial-dictionary. (2013). This means that when an individual sees both the prices for goods (such as food water, shelter, and all store purchased items) As well as services (such as the ability to be both seen and treated by a doctor (not to mention any other service) will be effected. As briefly mentioned previously, both primary care physicians as well as their specialist Physician (Doctor) counterparts most often chose their â€Å"specialty† based on their potential salary and offered benefits package. This is makes perfect sense when prices for such services grow exponentially. Unfortunately when it comes to inflation, Healthcare, in addition to other vital needs, goods and services are oftentimes the first expenses to increase exponentially as inf lation rates begin to rise. The increase for medical insurance companies, including their billing and collection departments as well as volume and case load also increases leading to more work for less money (and an overall decrease in purchasing power).As reported by Forbes Magazine, additional costs are due to several different reasons, and can include but may not notably be restricted to, â€Å"political decisions such as additional taxes and increased regulations which can impact health care costs† (Patton, M. (2015, June 29). In addition to the amount the steadily increase in hospital/physician lawsuits, and consequently increased medical malpractice coverage. Macroeconomics- The Price Levels of Insurance/Premiums Unfortunately, since these changes are yet to be corrected by â€Å"The System† nor our elected representatives (politicians), as healthcare prices continue to soar and both medical insurance companies in addition to patients/clients and healthcare providers still continue to deal with the crunch. â€Å"According to the November 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the primary reason for the rise in health care costs between 2000 and 2011 accounting for 91%, was an increase in the price of drugs, medical devices, and hospital care† (Compassphs. (2015, September 18).Nevertheless, it has also been revealed that, out of these costs that Administrative cost make up approximately, â€Å"5.6%/year, and are mainly health insurance costs, while the prices of health services is expected to increase by a massive 4.2% yearly, drugs medical devices another 4% yearly and Professional service fees for doctors to increase by 3.6% each year†(Com passphs. (2015, September 18). Highly depressing figures to look forward to as well as â€Å"cope with† in the near future! How Macroeconomics effects Massive Changes in the Rate of Employment As it pertains to (Macroeconomics) the â€Å"Supply Demand for Health Insurance can and does effect massive changes in the overall Rate of Employment. As revealed by the â€Å"Employment Policies Institute† â€Å"The cost of this insurance has increased by more than 59 percent since 2000, with no accompanying increase in the scale or scope of benefits† (Employment Institute Policies (2017, February). Unfortunately as this happens, â€Å"significant effects on both health insurance markets and labor markets, including changes in the number of jobs, hours worked per employee, wages, and compensation packages† (Employment Institute Policies (2017, February) can and often do occur. As this happens, more and more individuals and their families find themselves spending more money as well as being essentially limited to which doctor practices they can see ( as per coverage). Lastly, the â€Å"unemployment rates† as well as the amount of Americans living without health insurance could drastically increase and cause a massive economic disaster as more and more employers (business owners) would be forced to â€Å"lay off† employees in order to save money or discontinue the standard work week so that the employer no longer has to pay for their employee’s â€Å"health insurance coverage†.