Microeconomic Issue of Social Importance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Microeconomic Issue of Social Importance - Essay Example On the other hand, the suggestion too from the literature is that cigarettes are addictive, and so the demand may in fact be somewhat inelastic. This means that it may be that driving up prices through taxation may not curb consumption as the authorities hope. Some studies suggest this somewhat, even as those studies also suggest that demand is elastic for young smokers, new smokers, and those who have low income. In the long run, therefore, as the population turns over, demand should go down due to taxation leading to higher cigarette prices. The issue at hand is the determination of exactly how cigarette taxation impacts demand, such as in terms of the demographic characteristics of the market response to the taxation and other related aspects of demand. In general, in terms of supply and demand, we see from recent data and from insights from the literature that taxation has a large dampening effect on overall demand for cigarettes (Chaloupka;; Meier and Licari; Wasserman et al.). The overall take from the academic literature is that taxation does curb consumption. Moreover, the higher the price increases resulting from higher taxes, the greater the reductions in demand and consumption. Other insights include that demand is more sensitive to price reductions rather than price increases. This means that reducing taxes can increase demand by a greater amount. This is in comparison to the reduction in demand from the same level of tax reductions. To illustrate, say taxes go down by 10 percent, and demand goes up by say 20 percent. Going the other way, if taxes go up by 10 percent, the demand does not go down by 20 percent, but just by half, at 10 percent for cigarettes. These and other insights are useful in understanding the microeconomic aspects of the impacts of taxation on cigarette consumption and economics. The rest of the paper explores these impacts more closely (Sylvain; Bader et al.). Data from 2012 strongly supports the

Racism & Ethnic Identity Essay Example for Free

Racism Ethnic Identity Essay Race is evidently an important aspect in our Australian society today. It is personified in the biological makeup of an individual. Individuals of different racial background differ in physical appearance such as skin color, and facial features making DNA and genes the only cause behind these dissimilarities. Many races have been introduced into this nation since decades and slowly have been recognized such as the Caucasian race and the Asian race. Ethnicity while slightly related to race is based upon a persons cultural and social expression within an ethnic group; this entails for instance that although one may be of a Caucasian descent born and raised in Australia they also may acquire an ethnic background from Greece and follow the Greek traditions and customs thus making them of Australian-Greek nationality. This paper will recount the different races which exist in Australia as well as some popular ethnic backgrounds which this country has become familiar with whilst narrating and analyzing a number of issues facing ethnicity and race in our society today. The first issue facing ethnicity is the fact which promptly makes individuals assume that other persons of an ethnic descent are liable for criminal omissions. It is often simple for people to identify ethnic members when a crime is involved as it is much easier to classify these individuals due to their distinct physical appearance. Conflict is a natural phase during times of change, however the next issue points out that it can become violent when that particular change is not managed properly and in a just way; such as inequality of the distribution of power which could lead different sections of society against each other and form their own ethnic groups to compete for power in retaliation. Therefore conflict is likely to occur when communication between ethnic, religious or cultural groups deteriorates or breaks down resulting in more conflict and problematic situations. The third issue causing a stir in todays society is racism or racial discrimination. It is evident that immigrants have been disadvantaged in the work force as well as social welfare simply because of their racial background; the law has developed remarkably over time to protect individuals against racism of any kind. This report will set the main argument of why this has become an integral part for our society with respect to social analysis.

Overpopulation :: essays research papers

It’s a dark, cold, rainy night. The wind chill can be compared to that of Arctic wastelands, only the rain won’t freeze and disappear upon contact to your skin, instead the freezing cold ice-rain pierces your flesh like a million needles. The cold doesn’t subdue. A dark, small, shadowy object can be seen scurrying across the unlit streets. This dreary atmosphere does Hell’s Kitchen in the New York ghetto no justice. Just the sight of steam rising from sewer grills, the sound of gunshots in the distance, and the smell of rotten fish makes this an unsavory environment to be exposed to. The shadowy object seems to be on a mission. Looking back and forth as though being hunted by a beast of great stature, the shadowy object makes its way through alleyways, dank streets, and eerie overpasses. Shivering with each step it takes, the shadowy figure looks worn and used out from a night of wear and tear, and appears to be running out of gas. The spectacle of shadow finds a vacant, long deserted, decrepit wooden box, and immediately finds it as a place of seclusion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"So tired, how can I get home? I wish those gangstas never stole my bike† Thought Little Billy to himself, â€Å"Maybe Ill just sleep here for the night.† Just then, at that very moment in time, A dark looking man, wearing a black trench coat and boots, comes dashing down that back alley, running as fast as he could until he reached that wooden box, he suddenly came to a perfect stop about ten feet from Little Billy. Almost, as though paralyzed by fear, Little Billy just stares at the bizarre man with a petrified gaze. In return, the man simply stares back at the Belittled Billy, and hesitates before he speak, which seems like an eternity to one Little Billy. â€Å"Hiya!†, said the man, in a friendly tone of voice. Little Billy opened his mouth as though to speak, but only to get interrupted by a prudent mystery man. â€Å"Lemme introduce myself, I’m Jim Sinepson, and I’m a fellow street bum. What brings a nice little boy to these mean streets where homicide and illegal activity is prevalent?† Again, Little Billy began to open his mouth, hesitating and stuttering through sheer intimidation. â€Å"Well, I see that you’ve moved into this box here? Well, I’m not sure if this is the best box to spend your night in†¦ Yeah, my friend Bob was picked off here last week†

What does it to be a good leader Essay

What does it to be a good leader? A leader is that person who uses social, organizational, intellectual or such authority to command a group, organization, or country (Cragg & Spurgeon, 2007). Generally, a leader’s primary responsibility is to enlist the contribution of his/her subjects to accomplish a common task. Therefore, a leader should possess qualities that help him/her organize, command and realize the objective of the group or organization (Cragg & Spurgeon, 2007). A good leader needs to be both proactive and reactive (Gachte, Nosenzo, Renner & Sefton, 2008). This means that the leader should think several steps ahead of their subjects, so that they can see problems before they arise and hence develop counter mechanisms for them. This also means that a good leader should be flexible and adaptable, so as to fit into whatever new unexpected or uncomfortable situations. The leader also needs to be initiative- he/she should be the source of ideas and plans that benefit the group (Gachte et al, 2008). Communication is one of the most important pillars in teamwork. Therefore, an exceptional leader is that who knows how to communicate effectively. This entails having good listening skills, asking the right questions as regularly as possible, understanding the subjects’ needs and remitting directions and ideas in the best way possible (Cragg & Spurgeon, 2007). A leader who not only values feedback, but also acts according to it is most likely to produce good results (Cragg & Spurgeon, 2007). A good leader also needs to display confidence and enthusiasm for his/her job, thus causing the people under to follow in the same spirit. That is an important form of non-verbal communication for a good leader. Although the leader is the most powerful member in a group, the effective leader acknowledges the inputs and efforts of each and every member (Gachte et al, 2008). A good leader will respect all his subjects and treat them without discrimination or favoritism. In the same line, a good leader has an open mind so that they can weigh and consider all possible fruitful options even from junior members. In case a member of the team does well in achieving the groups’ mission, an exceptional leader will recognize and reward them, while motivating others to work even harder (Gachte et al, 2008). A common saying goes, â€Å"a good leader leads by example†. A good leader is not a boss, but a servant with the others. For this reason, a good leader should be resourceful and instrumental in the actual implementation of the organization or team’s tasks (Wills, 1994). Therefore, the leader requires proper skills, training and education to match the duties and responsibilities of the respective leadership position. Moreover, an effective leader should be well-organized, punctual and always ready for his/her duties (Wills, 1994). Authority and leadership are two qualities that are hardly separable. Although a good leader is a servant too, it is impossible to lead without authority over other members of the organization. A good leader understands their power such as to delegate duties, to allow or deny certain actions by the members, to reward or penalize a member, etc. (Wills, 1994). However, a leader should not use the authority vested upon them for their own good, but rather for the good of the whole organization. There are numerous other qualities that characterize a good leader, but the above are some of the basic good leadership traits. As discussed, good leadership revolves around personal endowment effective teamwork- only that the leader should understand place at the top of an organization, group or team. References Cragg, R., & Spurgeon, R. (2007). Competencies of a good leader. How To Succeed As A Leader. Ed. By Chambers R Etc. Redclif Publishing, Oxford-Newyork, US, 33–40. Gachter, S., Nosenzo, D., Renner, E., & Sefton, M. (2008). Who makes a good leader? Social preferences and leading-by-example. Wills, G. (1994). What Makes a Good Leader?. The Atlantic Monthly, 273(4), 63–80. Source document

Ideology ; Discourse

Ideology, what is that? There are hundred answers and none of them is right or wrong. Most of ideology definitions are not compatible with each other, but I have found one that I like the most: An  ideology  is a set of  ideas  that constitute one's goals,  expectations, and  actions. An ideology is a comprehensive vision, a way of looking at things as in several  philosophical  tendencies, or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society. Ideologies are systems of abstract thought applied to public matters and thus make this concept central to politics.Implicitly every political or economic tendency entails an ideology whether or not it is propounded as an explicit system of thought. 1 So ideology is a system of conceptualized views and ides, expressing the interests of different social classes, groups and societies, to evaluate relationships between people and reality, as well as authorized on a community form of dominatio n and power (conservative ideology) or settle their transformation (radical, revolutionary ideology). It`s not a science, but it includes scientific knowledge of social and politic life, as well as assessing it.Good example of bad ideology was Nazi in Germany, when Hitler wanted to â€Å"clean† the Aryan race from â€Å"sub-human† – Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and handicapped people who were at the bottom of racial hierarchy by Nazi studies. Now let`s move on discourse. What is that? Discourse is the term that describes written and spoken  communications; the â€Å"language in the language,† a certain vocabulary, semantics, pragmatics and syntax, manifesting itself in actual communicative acts, speeches and texts. â€Å"Discourse constitutes the social.Three dimensions of the social are distinguished – knowledge, social relations, and social identity – and these correspond respectively to three major functions of language †¦ Discourse is shaped by relations of power, and invested ideologies. † (Fairclough 1992:8). 2 Example: Discourses are seen to affect our views on all things; it is not possible to avoid discourse. For example, two notably distinct discourses can be used about various  guerrilla  movements describing them either as â€Å"freedom fighters† or â€Å"terrorists†.In other words, the chosen discourse provides the vocabulary, expressions and perhaps also the  style  needed to communicate. 3 So how ideology and discourse works together? Actually they both are inextricably connected to each other, because both are elements of human thoughts and communication. Some people say that ideology affect discourse, other say that discourse is used as a way to deliver an ideology. 4It`s very important to remember that when analyzing media texts, because the interpretation of the text will depend on person who wrote it and his opinion on the subject and the person who is reading it. F or example some political articles in newspapers in the UK have political alignments, some support Labours, some support Democrats. So when one of the parties wants to write a press release or something their ideological discourse will be organized by a general strategy of positive self-presentation (boasting) and negative other-presentation (derogation).This strategy may operate at all levels, generally in such a way that our good things are emphasized and our bad things de-emphasized, and the opposite for the Others—whose bad things will be enhanced, and whose good things will be mitigated, hidden or forgotten.

Starbucks HRM Essays

Starbucks HRM Essays Starbucks HRM Paper Starbucks HRM Paper Human resource management function is a very crucial function in any modern organization that seeks to achieve its objectives including the task of ensuring that employees are motivated by use of effective performance appraisal techniques such as reward schemes. Such HRM function is very crucial to Starbucks Corporation in order to motivate its employees. This is because people are the most important asset an organization has as compared to other assets that aid in running the organization. Therefore for accomplishment of organizational effectiveness, performance appraisal is the most important critical factor that must be paid attention to by the management of any business firm wishing to remain competitive as well as remain international in scope; Starbucks Corporation is not exceptional from such an objective. Human resource has the responsibility to coordinate all the activities within the organization and they have to ensure efficiency in productivity of the organization hence firms should maintain a motivated workforce (Bjbrkman and Fey, 2001). This paper is dealing with how Starbucks human resource department can use performance appraisal technique to improve the performance of its staff. The paper is also aimed at equipping managers particularly those from Human Resource department of the corporation to look critically on the best ways of rewarding employees in the organization. Starbucks Corporation and its Current HRM Strategy Starbucks Corporation is a coffee company in Australia which was first opened in July, 2000 in Sydney and at the Central Business District as a subsidiary of the mother company in the United States. Starbuck roasts high quality whole coffee beans and they sell them with other beverages as prepared in the Italian espresso beverages. The coffee drinks are richly brewed to give the customers necessary satisfaction and pleasure. One of the best known drink brands is the bottled Frappuccino ® which is enjoyed throughout the world. In Australia alone, the organization has been able to expand and now has 89 retail outlets in major areas of the nation such as Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Tasmania, Gold Coast, South Australia, and Brisbane. The headquarters for the Starbucks coffee company Australia is at the Frenchs Forest, New South Wales and it serves as the support centre for all the other stores in Australia. The retail stores offer people the finest coffee sourced from coffee farmers across the world in addition to great entertainment, music, good people and excellent customer service. This organization is the only retail international coffee store that has a unique brand that has a global recognition. Most of the customers get access to excellent room tables, comfortable sofas, chairs, bars and other accessories which fit the needs of everyone from the CEO of a company to the secretary of a company (Starbucks Corporations, 2008). This company endeavors to produce economic, social, and environmental benefits as a social responsibility stance for the communities it serves. This organization believes that it is possible to be good and do the best at the same time. Nevertheless, there has been a considerable criticism that Starbucks management has failed to be effective and efficient in its business activities because they have practiced unacceptable managerial activities of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. The company has not ensured that the respective managers of respective departments are well equipped with human, technical, and conceptual skills that give them an opportunity to integrate the managerial activities above in order to produce results expected from their departments. The absence of such skills by managers has led to the company performance decreasing in some of its potential markets (John and Keith, 1997). Starbucks Corporation has been criticized for not building a strong human resource relationship with its entire workforce who has failed to enhance the success of corporation. In fact there is speculation that the company does not recruit its employees based on their qualifications and their competence. They have not achieved effectiveness and efficiency because they have not developed their staff through training and have not adopted proper compensation systems that have in turn demoralized the employees in their work. Such employees have not been able to cope with effects of competition and thus they have produced poor results (Starbucks Corporations, 2008). Decisions regarding to employees, operations management have not been constantly revised by the management of the corporation in order to match international standards that will foster success in business environment. For example, employees have not been properly trained to cope with new changes like introduction in technology. However, many companies who deal with sale of drinks have also diversified and fight for market share with Starbuck Corporation, a development which has given the corporation rough time in coming up with viable marketing strategies (Starbucks Corporations, 2008). Human Resource Strategy and its role in Starbucks Human resource management in business terms is the coherent and strategic approach to the management of the working force of an organization. It combines academic, social and business practices in the application of techniques to manage a particular workforce. These practices are designed to go inline with the company’s goals, objectives, vision and mission with specific emphasis on growth and development. Starbucks Corporation needs to attract, maintain and also manage its employees effectively. There is an assumption that employees are just business assets in an organization, but human resource development professionals explain that, these employees have varying goals and needs in life which can be utilized by the organization to meet its targets while assisting the individual persons succeed in their careers (John and Keith, 1997). The following are some of the core functions of human resource management in Starbucks Corporation; workforce planning, recruitment and staffing, promoting industrial relations, personnel development and performance monitoring as well as training, compensation and benefit management. It is considered that the human resource practices used in strategic human resource management in Starbucks Corporation should enhance techniques, systems and polices developed in line with the performance appraisal management of the organization’s tasks. This performance appraisal of Starbucks Corporation is designed promote strategic planning and thinking in all aspects of employee assessment, problem solving and counseling (Maund, 2001). Good knowledge of employee behaviors, performance and needs helps Starbucks Corporation to deal squarely with diversity issues e. g. ulture, religion, race etc. in fact; studies have shown that, certain human resource practices in Starbucks Corporation have contributed both positively and negatively to firm performance through workforce alignment. It is also related to employee outcomes including; trust in management co-operation, higher commitment in workplaces as well as better employee efforts and involvement among other factors (Michael, 2006). Manpower planning within Starbucks Corporation is very critical in that, cases of either overstaffing or understaffing is detrimental in one way or another. The economies of scale for the business together with specialization orders are lost if the organization is understaffed. On the other hand, if overstaffing is sustained, it becomes a waste and also expensive for the organization. These factors are therefore part of the planning process being carried out by human resource development officers in Starbucks Corporation. For instance; they should ensure that the organization’s workforce is certainly enough to meet the general duty requirement Human resource strategy is referred to in a layman’s language as the management of the people who are working in an institution or an organization. This is done because employee performance affects how far or how successful an organization can be. Human resource strategy of Starbucks Corporation also involves the managers clarifying to the employees the organization’s goals and objectives. Studies have shown that, there is a unique relationship between the human resource management practices and techniques for a company and its overall performance (Armstrong, 2006). Starbucks Performance Appraisal and its Business Goals The success of Starbucks Corporation is mainly determined by its human resources and hence there is a need for a motivated workforce. In fact human resource of any firm has to be innovative, energetic, creative and motivated in order to remain focused in scope. Indeed any company including Starbucks Corporation should have guiding principles which help the employees to attain set goals and objectives. Such principles define what each and employee is expected to do thus attain their goals. Starbucks Corporation has such principles and such principles also points out how the company promotes trust, pride, professionalism, trust, teamwork and openness in their undertakings. Such principles however, do not concentrate much more on the issue of performance appraisal such as motivation which is a key factor in organizational success. Therefore this paper will attempt to reveal the importance of a motivated workforce as well as the different methods that can be used to motivate the workforce particularly in Starbucks Corporation (Hoyer, 2001). Research indicates that skills, knowledge and experience represent capital due to the reason that they enhance productivity. Companies invest in skills training and development to be competitive, but the failure to manage the person trained could be considered a great setback. Employee retention is basically essential in grasping a complete return on investment. Based on the human capital theory, it is imperative that companies invest in skills training and development, but they should also align the performance appraisal such as compensations and benefits of the person with his or her achievements. Research reveals that in many modern business organizations there is obviously a lack in recognizing the achievements of skilled employees. Without recognition and growth, there is no reason for the employee to carry on his good performance, or worse, to continue his service to the organization (Bjbrkman and Fey, 2001). Motivation can be assumed as the reason or the force behind why a person does what he or she does. Sometimes, it is also a means to make the person perform better and more efficient. Basically there are three assumptions in human motivation as established in research. The first one assumes that motivation is inferred from a systematic analysis of how personal, task and environmental characteristics influence behavior and job performance. The next one infers that motivation is not a fixed trait; but rather it refers to a dynamic internal state resulting from the influence of personal and situational factors. This means that motivation as one technique of performance appraisal may change with changes in personal, social or other factors. Finally, it should further be noted that motivation affects behavior which in turn will lead to poor performance by the employees (Buck, Filatotchev and Wright, 2003). As social beings, basic human interaction and communication are considered as relevant needs that should be attended to in the working environment. The rational and emotional aspects of a person enable one to be participatory and reflective on certain aspects of the operations in the organization. Social interactions are necessary so as to provide for the social needs of an individual. Since people are more than a resource of an organization, their active and contemplative nature will always be open and shown. Aside from the primary needs for existence, social interaction in the form of companionship helps in shaping the character of a person as a quality individual that is capable of doing complex things and acting complicatedly Performance Appraisal Management in Starbucks Corporation Research reveals that employee motivation is the key to the profitability and competitive success of Starbuck Corporation in the current business world i. e. particularly in the hotel industry. Research has shown that Starbuck Corporation dose not pay well its employees and thus they do not carry out their jobs well and in return the company’s performance has been negatively affected. In Starbucks Corporation; for instance, the employer-employee relations are considered not very important thus that the corporation failing to realize its mission effectively. In fact, it has been researched and found out that well paid employees of Starbucks Corporation have translated to satisfied customers i. e. with motivated workforce they do their tasks well thus retaining and attracting more customers. Hence, with improper policies and administrative skills utilized by Starbucks Corporation, managers have indeed created failed to create a satisfied workforce through such an appraisal performance technique. Starbucks Corporation employee performance appraisal technique has taken different forms that include the following: The first factor is of job security which is the primary driving force an employee Centres on while working; it is the ability to retain the job for as many years as possible (Hoyer, 2001). Personal organization and family budget go in line with job security concerns. When an employee is confident of his or her job security at the workplace, his performance is far much better than a case where he or she is not sure of being retained in the next year because he is motivated to work. With job security, some Starbucks employees have failed to know whether at the end of month he/she will be paid thus becoming demoralized to work. This implies that much time is wasted because employees are not okay and thus have do not have enough time to work for the company since they work as they think of quitting the corporation at one time The other factor that is suppose to enhance success in Starbuck is that of pay satisfaction; research indicates that people don’t work unless they receive pay for work done as a motivator which is therefore the key to employee satisfaction. Although employees are paid better than other employees of other organizations, Starbucks Managers normally do not use financial rewards to improve their worker’s performance. Good salaries equally translate to better work. Every worker would want to continue working for an organization which pays him or her well which has not been the case in Starbucks Corporation (Bjbrkman and Fey, 2001). Therefore Starbucks Corporation has not saved time since the management has to spend time of hiring new employees every time because the current employees are not secure and they have reason to look for other opportunities Another source of motivation is that of using rewards and gifts in order to inspire employees in Starbucks Corporation. Research indicates that rewards used by the corporation have been only very big inducements but the small gifts given to anybody have been ignored by the management thus its employees eventually don’t feel appreciated. For example a handwritten thank you note which can be utilized in Starbucks Corporation is normally appreciated and cherished (Foster and Harris, 2005). Everybody loves chocolate, and provision of such kind of rewards especially at the weekends and special days like Christmas and Valentine days, should help to build positive relationships between the Starbucks Corporation management and the employees. Research indicates that gift certificates such as birthday wishes are a morale booster to self-confidence of the employees. Starbucks Corporation has failed to offer sufficient logo merchandizes; for instance, in form of t-shirts, caps, mugs, pens, jackets and computer mouse pads thus not boosting the morale of the employees because they are not proud to be associated with Starbucks failure. In addition, Starbucks Corporation has not been utilizing motivational posters which are supposed to be strategically drafted for individual recognition for job well done. In most cases, people would want to know if their work has made some difference and therefore provision of such rewards by Starbucks Corporation should encourage them thus motivating the employees. Another way of appraising employees that Starbucks Corporation have not utilized fully is that of praising them; for instance if they have fulfilled their undersigned tasks effectively. The firms’ management has not strategized well since they even don’t keep the records of the performance of employees. Any employee who shows commendable improvement are not praised in the organizational weekly, monthly and also the annual meetings. Through this employees have not been motivated since they believe that they are not recognized by the organization and thus not improving their performance. However, this should not just be carried out in the formal meetings only, but managers should make time to meet with individual employees who are reported to have been performing better and praise them for the good work (Harzing and Ruysseveldt, 2004). Recommendations The main aspects of human resource strategy in Starbucks Corporation should incorporate the following areas; employee motivation and retention strategies, employee selection strategies and employee management strategies which in general encompass performance appraisal measures. This strategy if implemented simultaneously in Starbucks Corporation will create a family-like community and environment in the organization. From this study we can conclude that performance appraisal is a key factor to success of any organization including Starbucks Corporation. It should be noted that as a manager, your impact on employee satisfaction is great and immeasurable; therefore the management of Starbucks Corporation should look for convenient, cost-conscious and appreciated ways of performance appraisal such as excellent motivation structures in order to build a motivated, dynamic and committed workforce that will result in better productivity and profitability of the corporation. The most critical factor that results to poor management of many organizations including Starbucks Corporation is that of the inability of senior managers to provide necessary support for the accomplishment of organizations goals through utilization of effective performance appraisal techniques. It is substantiated that the behavior of many senior managers of Starbucks Corporation has contributed immensely to poor success of the organization. This is explicitly witnessed in the performance appraisal process. Senior managers have adopted behavior of self centeredness and they always think that they are the only one who makes viable decisions in relation to goals being attained hence resulting to low morale by existing workforce (Maund, 2001). This has resulted to lower level managers and employees not to perform quality work because they are always not motivated when carrying out their respective duties. The overall management of Starbucks Corporation should not that no matter how well the organization’s values and culture is drafted it requires the will of senior managers to maintain such performance appraisal values and cultures within the organization. The senior managers can change the attitude of their employees if only they can lead by example which will lead to good motivation and thus successful attainment of set objectives. Human resource is the most vital asset in Starbucks Corporation and senior managers have to concentrate their management efforts in their staff development in order to boost their morale and thus increase in productivity. Employees’ satisfaction strategies should be formulated in Starbucks Corporation in order to ensure smooth running of the corporation. It is the key to the economic success of Starbucks Corporation. Research has shown that a satisfied employee does his job well and in return the company’s performance is greatly improved (Hoyer, 2001). The HR department of Starbucks Corporation should formulate corporate and HR strategies that incorporate performance appraisal analysis and clarification of the corporation mission statement. The department should also offer guidelines to the rest of the management when considering how business should develop and in what direction it should be directed to. In this line the HR department should clearly ensure that the strategies developed in the organization should be the ones that direct efforts towards accomplishing the Starbucks Corporation basic mission or purpose (Armstrong, 2006). In order to enhance the activities of Starbucks Corporation, the HR department should redesign the HR department in order to remain competitive in the market place and to respond to any changes in the market place; Also strategic objectives that encompass performance appraisal measures of the organization should be formulated; this implies that the HR department should turn the mission statement in to supporting objectives for each level of management in the corporation. The objectives formulated should be directed to key result areas in the corporation where performance is necessary for business survival. The corporation key result areas that should be considered include; marketing, finance, production, human resources, physical resources, social responsibility, and profit requirement (Thomson and Rampton, 2003). Conclusion From Starbucks Corporation case analysis we can therefore deduce that, ensuring employee performance requires establishing a level of competence which the employee should be aware of as a target to be achieved. This is the measure that should be used by Starbucks Corporation managers in determining compliance with the standards and in identifying problems met by the employees in meeting such standards. For instance; in developing a performance appraisal technique such as efficient motivation structure to enhance the productivity of employees the manager will look at the competency problems of the employees and fashion the program to enable the employees to reach and even exceed the competency standard established for their work. This requires a great amount of perceptiveness on the part of the manager in determining what method of appraising will be most effective in improving employee competence (Thomson and Rampton, 2003). A considerable number of companies including Starbucks Corporation have developed into an essential part of the period of global competition, increasing development, improved business paradigms, and corporate re-organization. The continuing transformation from the traditional industrial framework with its hierarchical companies to a worldwide, knowledge-founded financial system and intelligent corporations, altering ideas regarding the social contract involving employers and employees, an progressively more adaptable pool of talent and a body of workforce, necessitates human resource (HR) strategies to realign and relocate itself in the vicinity of these drivers.

The Bean Trees= Focus on the Issues Essays

The Bean Trees= Focus on the Issues Essays The Bean Trees= Focus on the Issues Essay The Bean Trees= Focus on the Issues Essay 1. Single Parenting bbc. co. uk/news/uk-14653813, Singer Jamelia: Why do we still vilify single mothers? , people look down upon single mothers, but they are really strong enough to raise children by themselves. People who are single, are susually widowed, divorced, or never married. The kids raisied by single mothers always wish they had a father but end up being perfectly well off since they were raised by a single mother. pg. 185 â€Å" When I was a child I had a set of paper dolls. THey were called the Family of Dolls, and each one had a name written on the cardboard base under the feet. Talyor dreamed of being in this family that included a dad and a brother. Having been raised by a single parent she never had these experiences. 2. Immigration Laws heritage. org/research/reports/2006/03/the-real-problem-with-immigration-and-the-real-solution, The Real Problem with Immigration and the Real Solution, Tim Kane Kirk Johnson. The main problem with immigration is that the people coming here are taking from the economic security of the country. If also makes our boarders so open that terrorist things can happen easily. pg. 254 â€Å" We were stopped by Immigration about a hundred miles this side of the New Mexico border. Mattie had warned me of the possibility and we had all prepared for it as best as we could† Taylor and the gang, all passed through immigration without any serious problems, so therefore the boarder is not that secure. 3. Native American Concerns finalcall. com/artman/publish/article_5011. shtml, Longest Walk Emphasizes Native American Concerns, Askia Muhammad. Native Americans want to protect their holy lands and to green the earth so that we can all live here. They basicly want to protect the earth and they tribal grounds, and heritage. The native american tell storeis to protect their heritage. pg 144 â€Å" There is a SOuth American, wild indian story about heaven and hell. 4. Hardships of the homeless and/or disabled http://articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/2004-04-27/pune/28341192_1_polling-station-paraplegic-rehabilitation-centre-voting, Physically Disabled Face

The Lords Baltimore and Their Impact on American History

The Lords Baltimore and Their Impact on American History Baron, or Lord, Baltimore is a now  extinct title of nobility in the Peerage of Ireland. Baltimore is an Anglicization of the Irish phrase baile an thà ­ mhà ³ir e, which means town of the big house.   The title was first created for Sir George Calvert in 1624. The title became extinct in 1771 after the death of the 6th Baron.  Sir George and his son, Cecil Calvert, were British subjects rewarded with land in the new world.   Cecil Calvert was the 2nd Lord Baltimore. It is after him that the Maryland city of Baltimore is named after. Thus, in American history, Lord Baltimore usually refers to Cecil Calvert. George Calvert George was an English politician who served as  Secretary of State  to King James I. In 1625, he was given the title Baron Baltimore when he resigned from his official position.​ George became invested in the colonization of the Americas. While initially for commercial incentives, George later realized colonies in the New World could become a refuge for English Catholics and a place for religious freedom in general. The Calvert family was Roman Catholic, a religion which most inhabitants of the New World and followers of the Church of England were prejudiced against. In 1625, Geroge publicly declared his Catholicism. Involving himself with colonies in the Americas, he was at first rewarded with a title to land in Avalon, Newfoundland in present-day Canada. To expand on what he already had, George asked the son of James I, Charles I, for  a royal charter to settle the land north of Virginia. This region would later become the state of  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Maryland. This land was not signed over until 5-weeks after his death. Subsequently, the charter and land settlement was left to his son, Cecil Calvert. Cecil Calvert Cecil was born in 1605 and died in 1675. When Cecil, second Lord Baltimore, founded the colony of Maryland, he expanded on his fathers ideas of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. In 1649, Maryland passed the  Maryland Toleration Act, also known as the Act Concerning Religion. This act mandated religious tolerance  for Trinitarian Christians only. Once the act was passed, it became  the first law establishing a religious tolerance in British North American colonies. Cecil wanted  this law to also  protect Catholic settlers and others who  did not conform to the established state  Church of England.  Maryland, in fact, became known as a haven for Roman Catholics in the New World. Cecil governed Maryland for 42 years. Other Maryland cities and counties honor Lord Baltimore by naming themselves after him. For instance, there is Calvert County, Cecil County, and Calvert Cliffs.

BP oil spil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

BP oil spil - Essay Example The bad publicity caused by the oil spill caused BP corporate shares to plummet, and this was made worse by President Obama’s public condemnation of the company. The company CEO Tony Hayward was largely criticized and blamed for the incident. He subsequently stepped down from his post several months after the oil spill. Based on the above situation, this paper shall now assess the public relations (PR) implications of the oil spill on BP. It shall also evaluate whether the organization could have handled the situation better and if it could have, its different actions in this regard. The main issues of the event shall be presented, along with the individuals and state affected by this oil spill. This paper shall evaluate how BP handled this disaster. A fair and balanced discussion shall be undertaken for this issue, mainly presenting the company’s side as well as the public’s side on this issue. After presenting both sides of the issue, this student’s posi tion and judgment shall also be presented. This paper is being undertaken in the hope of establishing a comprehensive and academic discussion on the subject matter. Discussion PR implications for BP The PR implications of the oil disaster for BP present a negative image of the company. In fact, with just a few words released to the press, it seems to negate its mantra, ‘BP cares.’ The way BP handled the disaster in terms of public relations did not help the company in any way; and their PR efforts did not portray BP in the best of light. It even portrayed them as an uncaring and incompetent company (Berr, 2010). Before the US Congress Hearing, Tony Hayward repeatedly blamed others for the disaster; and he, in behalf of the company, hardly took any responsibility for the disaster and for the decisions the company made which led to the explosion. A month after the explosion, BP claimed that the environmental impact of the oil spill would be â€Å"very, very modest† . In the immediate aftermath, and now months after the initial oil spill, its impact to the environment has already proven to be monumental (Hutchison, 2010). In fact, its impact is set to last for many more years to come. BP also did not release accurate statistics and reports to the public. Furthermore, it first admitted that it has underestimated the amount of oil which was leaking. It was unable to express how much was spilling, but estimates it at about 5,000 barrels. The White House negated this figure by expressing that it was closer to 60,000 barrels (Hutchison, 2010). In the aftermath of the disaster, BP’s share prices fell by about four percent. This was the same day when the US accused BP of downplaying the impact of the spill. Two months into the oil spill, it was revealed that BP was given permission to drill in the Gulf of Mexico after it presented documents which basically expressed that it was capable of dealing with oil spills even larger than the one it was facing (Hutchison, 2010). These revelations provided more sources of embarrassment for the company. Tony Hayward was criticized for his insensitivity when he later remarked that he would â€Å"like [his] life back†. Even if he apologized for his comment, the damage to BP’s image was already done. BP was wiped off 12bn pounds on the day that Barack Obama declared that he was now launching a criminal investigation of BP’

How to maxamize revenue at small business marina on a lake Research Paper

How to maxamize revenue at small business marina on a lake - Research Paper Example This is because well established large scale businesses enjoy economies of scale when they offer large scale products. Furthermore, well established business can afford to hire qualified workforce and provide employee training that result to efficiency of operations. Small lake marinas face stiff competitions for customers from the public operated marinas and big lake marinas. The big lake marinas and public run marinas have stable sources of finances to finance their activities. In addition, due to large scale of operation the rival marina owners are able to enjoy low cost recreational services hence enabling them to charge their clients competitive fees. Also, the public marinas and big lake marinas are able to provide better services to their clients due to their ability to hire qualified workers (Cooper, & Burke, 2011). There are other cheaper alternative recreational facilities that limit the performance of marinas; hence marina operators should utilize efficient technology to p rovide a wide range of recreation facilities and increase business profitability. The growth of small business revenue depends on the managers ability to use the finances appropriately throughout the financial year. Many businesses face characteristic fluctuations in the flow of finances since in some periods the income is lower than the cost with some seasons of huge sales hence greater incomes (Kariv, 2013). Therefore, since the fixed cost of running the business remains constant throughout the year, the business managers should be able to distribute their incomes throughout the financial year. However, small scale businesses are rarely able to distribute their finances throughout the year because of lack of financial reserves (Prosek, 2011). For this reason, small scale business relies heavily on borrowings from banks and other financial institutions that charge interest on the loans hence reducing the business

The Iraq War 2003 in Western media and public opinion Essay

The Iraq War 2003 in Western media and public opinion - Essay Example Although opinion polls indicated a shift in the British public opinion about the war, the public opinion did not actually change during the entire period. Though the polls conducted by different agencies in the UK indicated an increase in the level of support for the war, it did not reflect the true opinion of the public. The public opinion only appeared to change because of the shortfalls in the polling process. In any opinion poll, there are priority issues that can alter the respondents’ answer depending on the way they are presented. If such priority issues are overshadowed by time or other events, the pollsters can ignore them in subsequent polls. For instance, in the British case, the pollsters left out the key issues because of time and other events that had occurred. Thus, if it were possible to incorporate the key events in the polls disregarding other events that had occurred, the polls could have otherwise suggested a different result. Apart from ignoring the real i ssues that initially determined people’s attitude, opinion polls possibly misidentified the respondents’ support for related issues as the support of the war. For instance, a respondent could have identified with one side of the conflict for personal reasons without necessarily supporting the war. In such situation, the polls deceptively indicated the support of the war. As a result, the outcome became unreliable. According to Baines and Worcester (2005), the public opinion changed during the war because of three major reasons.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT - Essay Example All these made HP earn the position as one of the most competitive IT companies back in early part of 2000s. Merger and acquisition can also positively affect the financial performance of companies. One of the secrets behind the business success of Apple Inc. can be explained through strategic management such as mergers and acquisitions. For instance, Apple acquired not only Logic Pro but also Emagic in 2002 (Hesseldahl, 2007; Wherry, 2006). This particular business strategy subsequently improved Apple’s ability to create digital audio software which is now being used in its iLife software (Hesseldahl, 2007). In August 2014, Apple decided to purchase Beats Electronics for USD3 billion (Stelle, 2014). Due to continuous transfer of knowledge and technologies, Apple has recently experienced a 9.5% increase in its 2013 sales growth (Market Watch, 2014). Financial restructuring ensures that there are higher sales and productivity and better use of the financial resources thus enabling it to take advantage of the possible opportunities. Such financial opportunities include the advantage of sustaining competitive advantage, as well as adopting marketing strategies that can effectively sustain the business in a competitive environment. For example, in the case of Caterpillar, the company’s 1st quarter profit increased right after implementing cost reduction strategies and increasing sales of construction equipment (Forbes, 2014). However, in some instances restructuring is disadvantages to the firms because the process is costly and the shareholders suffer from the heavy burden of financing the restructuring strategies. There is also loss of companies’ assets such as workforce especially in situations where downsizing occurs. Additionally, the procedures and processes of merging are at times lengthy and tiresome. Due to heavy market competition with Komatsu, Caterpillar was losing USD1 million each day back in 1980s (Selko,

The Impact of Internships on Graduate Employability Assignment

The Impact of Internships on Graduate Employability - Assignment Example The paper further focuses on the analysis of the normal career path for a post-internship candidate along with identifying the employment prospects from a long term and short term concern. Accumulatively, the paper has been focused on reviewing the value of internship in the current day context. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Analysis of the Current Graduate Labour Market Both General and Specific 4 Identify Skills, Knowledge & Aptitudes Required From Internships to Enter the Market 5 Identify the Medium and Long Term Prospects for Post-Internship Employment 7 Identify the Value of Internship 8 Conclusion & Recommendations 9 References 10 Introduction Lowden et al. (2011) stated that creating recruitment opportunities through placements and internships will not only provide an effectual functional method of encouraging suitable consciousness, capabilities and skills among the graduates but can also endorse creative teamwork and partnership within highly educated interns and employers. Basically, an internship is a part-time training program as per the academic world. In the present scenario, the issues regarding employability have emerged as the core concerns of the various higher education sectors all around the world. For instance, in 2010–2011, the UK government attempted to invest large sums in two internship schemes: for undergraduates and graduates. In January 2010, UK government also intended to deliver a funding amount of ?12.8 million to 57 universities and colleges in order to support the graduate internship programs. It has further been analysed that by the end of March 2011, under these schemes, 7,900 internships were already completed in the UK, which was apparent from the growth of employment within the national context (Hobijn et al., 2011). Analysis of the Current Graduate Labour Market Both General and Specific By taking into consideration the present situation of the employment market, it has often been argued that the unemployment rates, income growth of recent college graduates and the trends of part-time employment have declined after the cyclical recession of 2001, which indicates a direct relationship between employability and internship programmes (Hobijn et al., 2011). However, a global perspective depicts that during the period of 2007 to 2012, the trends of employability have been declining gradually, even though a growing concern was witnessed towards internship programs. This particular phenomenon has been apparent in the case of financial companies where the employers desire to recruit experienced candidates and where post-internship candidates are observed to gain better scope to enter into these competitive employability markets. However, conversely the candidates with no experience tend to face greater challenge in attaining employability affecting the overall employment growth in the global context (Hobijn et al., 2011). According to Kocherlakota (2010), it is viewed that this unrelenting high unemployment rate is due to huge structural frictions within the US labour market rather than the weak demand for employers who are associated with severe recessionary impacts. For instance, mismatch happens when employers are seeking for skills which are quite different from what available workers offer. It is in this context that internship offers career associated job experiences to a candidate

Kohlbergs Moral Stage Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Kohlbergs Moral Stage Theory - Essay Example An examination of â€Å"developing structures† through which an individual makes moral judgments will enable us to understand moral development (p.54). I agree with Kohlberg’s Moral Stage Theory, and judging by its tenets of moral development I will place myself at Stage 5. At this stage, the sense of morality in me has bloomed to its full development, where I have attained the constructs of â€Å"social contract† and â€Å"legalistic orientation† and I perceive right action in terms of the alignment of citizens’ right with the behavioural standards as prescribed by the society (p.55). Through my education as well as insights from personal experience, at this stage, I, have been able to obtain necessary awareness of the â€Å"relativism of personal values and opinions† and the need to adhere to relevant rules before a specific action (p.55). Thus, when I take an action, I do not merely consider the legal aspects when deciding its propriety bu t also the rights of others as well as the impacts of my action on them, though it may not legally violate their rights. As a person involved in the study of criminal justice, I also have understood that I must be â€Å"especially sensitive† towards ethics in my personal and academic life as well as professional life in future (Pollock, 2011, p.4). In this context, law enforcement officers are endowed with a lot of power and if they use it indiscriminately, it can lead to misuse of official authority that entails in violation of human rights. However, I understand that even if police officers have immunity in most cases in respect of action against them, they should not indulge in any activity that may violate the rights of citizens. On the other hand, I also know those hat police officers an explicit responsibility to â€Å"uphold and enforce† laws, in the process of which, sometimes they may not be able to fully comply with principles of protecting the rights of othe rs.

The Impact of Internships on Graduate Employability Assignment

The Impact of Internships on Graduate Employability - Assignment Example The paper further focuses on the analysis of the normal career path for a post-internship candidate along with identifying the employment prospects from a long term and short term concern. Accumulatively, the paper has been focused on reviewing the value of internship in the current day context. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Analysis of the Current Graduate Labour Market Both General and Specific 4 Identify Skills, Knowledge & Aptitudes Required From Internships to Enter the Market 5 Identify the Medium and Long Term Prospects for Post-Internship Employment 7 Identify the Value of Internship 8 Conclusion & Recommendations 9 References 10 Introduction Lowden et al. (2011) stated that creating recruitment opportunities through placements and internships will not only provide an effectual functional method of encouraging suitable consciousness, capabilities and skills among the graduates but can also endorse creative teamwork and partnership within highly educated interns and employers. Basically, an internship is a part-time training program as per the academic world. In the present scenario, the issues regarding employability have emerged as the core concerns of the various higher education sectors all around the world. For instance, in 2010–2011, the UK government attempted to invest large sums in two internship schemes: for undergraduates and graduates. In January 2010, UK government also intended to deliver a funding amount of ?12.8 million to 57 universities and colleges in order to support the graduate internship programs. It has further been analysed that by the end of March 2011, under these schemes, 7,900 internships were already completed in the UK, which was apparent from the growth of employment within the national context (Hobijn et al., 2011). Analysis of the Current Graduate Labour Market Both General and Specific By taking into consideration the present situation of the employment market, it has often been argued that the unemployment rates, income growth of recent college graduates and the trends of part-time employment have declined after the cyclical recession of 2001, which indicates a direct relationship between employability and internship programmes (Hobijn et al., 2011). However, a global perspective depicts that during the period of 2007 to 2012, the trends of employability have been declining gradually, even though a growing concern was witnessed towards internship programs. This particular phenomenon has been apparent in the case of financial companies where the employers desire to recruit experienced candidates and where post-internship candidates are observed to gain better scope to enter into these competitive employability markets. However, conversely the candidates with no experience tend to face greater challenge in attaining employability affecting the overall employment growth in the global context (Hobijn et al., 2011). According to Kocherlakota (2010), it is viewed that this unrelenting high unemployment rate is due to huge structural frictions within the US labour market rather than the weak demand for employers who are associated with severe recessionary impacts. For instance, mismatch happens when employers are seeking for skills which are quite different from what available workers offer. It is in this context that internship offers career associated job experiences to a candidate

Impression on professionalism in physical therapy core-values self Essay

Impression on professionalism in physical therapy core-values self assessment - Essay Example According to the study conducted under the ‘excellence core value, there were several indicators such as demonstration plus investment in physical therapy, importance of using several material evidence to enhance professional decisions, involvement in collaborative efforts to promote quality health plus education, and others in which the scores were 4 or 5. Under the ‘professional duty’ core value, the author achieved consistency by scoring 4 or 5 levels. The indicators, in this case, included demonstration of beneficence, promotion of physical therapy profession and others. The high rating on these indicators attributes to immense knowledge and experience. The researcher is aware of these indicators and the core values connected to the sample indicators, therefore; he showed consistency of scores. The teller is aware of his professional obligations thus he applies his knowledge of physical therapy to meet these obligations. Under the ‘accountability’ core value, he scored a 3 on the indicator concerning acknowledgement and acceptance of consequences. On the sample indicator of ‘clients requirements above those of therapists’ the score was at level 3. There was the same score for an indicator concerning cultural bias plus gender.   The author scored low under the integrity core value on the indicator entailing the limits of his expertise. Other low scores emanated from indicators of political activism and involvement in social justice matters. The low scores attribute to the knowledge and awareness in those areas.

Management of Security Essay Example for Free

Management of Security Essay Sever security is instrumental in enhancing authentication, authorization, and control of access to the network from a localized point. Therefore, implementation and management of security on windows server 2003 administration is important first because it enables easy and coherent configuring and maintenance of security setting and software installation on computer network systems. The quest for implementing security on windows server 2003 administration is failure by Microsoft to provide a single mechanism for security related settings configuration (Bragg, Hunt, 2005). The security components are attached to the server externally, a factor which makes remote monitoring and control of connections to the network by the server impossible without them. In addition, management of security in windows server 2003 is important in protecting the privacy and confidence of network users. Internet access has been on the rise in the community, an element that threatens confidentiality of computer information. Such are due to hacking and infecting of personal computers by malicious computer programs. On the other hand, security management in windows server 2003 administration serves the purpose of mitigating unauthorized access into the network. Moreover, this can also function to identify and prevent malicious computer programs from compromises services of the network users. Another important aspect of implementing and managing security in windows server 2003 is that it promotes monitoring and control of the network even when the server is offline. Employing security settings like Baseboard Management Controller hardware for example enables independent communication with remote computer. In return, this effectively enhances the process of remotely identifying errors and initiating response by the network administrator (McCann, Eckert, Schitka, 2005). Therefore, security implementation and management in windows server 2003 administration serves to reliability and efficiency service provision. References Bragg, R. , Hunt, C. (2005). Windows Server 2003 Network Administration. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly. McCann, B. , Eckert, J. , Schitka, J. (2005). Managing a Microsoft Windows server 2003 Network, Enhanced. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

To Kill A Mockingbird: Innocence Essay -- essays research papers

While examining the term, "the end of innocence", Scout’s viewpoint on Boo throughout the novel can be an indication of Scout’s own "end of innocence." Scout opens the novel with a naive viewpoint on both the world and Boo Radley. At the start of the novel, Scout interprets a raiding on the jail, through an adolescent standpoint. Scout sees the circumstances of the attack from the perspective of a young child. Scout’s responses to situations, such as the one at the jail, attributes to the fact that she is young, and has few life experiences under her belt. Scout plays ludicrous games with Boo and her detachment towards reality shows the immense childishness she possesses. Boo Radley is a fictional person to Scout and her friends. Scout treats Boo like a figment of her imagination, which signifies her naà ¯vetà ©. Scout starts the novel with a false association between fantasy and reality. Scout’s maturation commences when she views the injustice of Maycomb’s court system. After a jury fails to set Tom Robinson free, Scout fully understands the mechanics of prejudice when she declares, "Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed." Scout has never met more trouble than the trouble that occurs between children‘s own social circles. After Tom Robinson is convicted, she fully comprehends racial prejudice, and begins to understand the entire situation. Following the trail, she says, "The...

Fate in Shakespeares King Lear :: King Lear essays

Fate in King Lear "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will." These words from Hamlet are echoed, even more pessimistically, in Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of King Lear where Gloucester says: "Like flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport". In Lear, the characters are subjected to the various tragedies of life over and over again. An abundance of cyclic imagery in Lear shows that good people are abused and wronged regardless of their own noble deeds or intentions. Strapped to a wheel of fire, humans suffer and endure, prosper and decline, their very existence imaged as a voyage out and a return. The movement from childhood to age and back again, the many references to fortune whose wheel spins humans downward even as it lifts, the abundance of natural cycles which are seen as controlling experience, even perhaps the movement of play itself from order to chaos to restoration of order to division again. Throughout the text, the movements of celestial bodies are used to account for human action and misfortune. Just as the stars in their courses are fixed in the skies, so do the characters view their lives as caught in a pattern they have no power to change. Lear sets the play in motion in banishing Cordelia when he swears "by all the operation of the orbs from whom we exist and cease to be" that his decision "shall not be revoked". How like the scene in Julius Caesar wherein Caesar says "For I am constant as the Northern star" Lear vows to be resolute but dies regretting his decision at the hands of his daughters who claim love him "more than word can wield" and are "alone felicitate" in his presence. That Edmund disbelieves in the influence of the stars adds to the play's recurring theme that part of our fate is our character; that we choose our lot in life by how we choose to act. Similarly, in Lear Gloucester's feelings predict what is to come when he says "These late eclipses of the sun and moon portend no good..." And because of this Gloucester begins to envision a world where "Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide..." While his father misunderstands the importance of the celestial bodies, his bastard son, Edmund denies the importance of the movements of the heavenly bodies. He calls it "an excellent foppery" to "make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon and stars." (Just as in Julius Caesar we learn that "... The fault .

Focus on the Learner Essay

1.Group Profile It’s a mixed group with a very mixed cultural background as only three students are actually from Germany. Four of the students were born in another country e.g. Lithuania, Turkey, France and Romania. They all moved to Germany as adults and all share German as a common language. The group is heterogeneous concerning the age they started learning English. Two students started learning as adults while the others started learning at school. Most of the students have learnt another language as an adult and therefore have previous language learning experience. The motivation for doing the course is quite high and the group can be divided into two groups – students who need English for their job/university and students who want to learn for their own enjoyment. They are all at upper intermediate level. Except for one student (who could be classed as a converger), the overall group could be classed as concrete learners. They enjoy the social aspects of learning and like to learn from direct experience. They are interested in the language and they enjoy games and group-work in class. The entire group could also be classed as communicative learners because they show a degree of confidence and a willingness to take risks. They are much more interested in social interaction with other speakers of the language than they are with analysis of how the language works. (Learning styles based on Keith Willing [1987]). 2.Strengths and weaknesses Grammar The students are weak when forming the present simple (especially 3rd person singular) (e.g. â€Å"I must to take the train†, â€Å"She like climbing†, â€Å"Stephen come from Australia†) very often confusing it with the present continuous. (â€Å"Sometimes I’m reading Turkish books†). Most students also have problems when using the simple past (â€Å"we seed it’s ill†, I gone to school with her†, â€Å"We can found this in a school†, â€Å"Where are you born?†, â€Å"She were †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Some students also have problems with verb-noun collocations (e.g. â€Å"She make all the housework†) Vocabulary The students have a good basic knowledge of vocabulary. They can talk about themselves, where they come from, their profession, their families, experiences they have had in the past and things they like to spend more money on. (Example of good language: â€Å"My picture is a technical object but I really don’t know what it is used for†, â€Å"Because you met the Pope, you changed your mind† â€Å"You said dug – so it is dig, dug, dug† = verb orientation). Many of the students try to translate directly from German into English (â€Å"The cat was by us†) and sometimes use a German word in a sentence, using it questioningly enabling other students to help out with the correct English word. The students respond very well, offering suggestions until correct answer is found. Most of the students focus on finding the exact translation of the unknown word rather than trying to paraphrase their idea. Pronunciation All the students have a strong L1 interference and speak with an accent. The group responds well to drilling the right pronunciation and where to put stress on the words. They are keen to sound natural and like repeating after  the teacher. Some students pronounce the endings of words that aren’t necessary e.g. â€Å"clothes†, â€Å"See† instead of sea, â€Å"Lus their jobs† Words: 208 3.Strengths and weaknesses skills Reading The students are able to read a text fairly quickly in order to understand the overall meaning. After enquiring about a few words of vocabulary (sometimes looking this up themselves in a dictionary) they are able to answer all the questions quickly and correctly. Listening The students are able to listen to texts read to them and in most cases understand the general meaning already after the first time. After hearing the text for the second time, they are able to answer questions, in most cases correctly. The students react well to instructions and during conversation they wait patiently until their dialogue partner has finished. One student is a panicky listener, the others all seem to be relaxed listeners. Writing The students have a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for the given tasks. Their sentences are well-structured and they make few mistakes. Speaking The students try to use structured sentences. If they are confident with the vocabulary hesitation is less frequent, with new vocabulary or grammar most students hesitate frequently. The students are motivated to improve their speaking ability and they make a great effort to only speak English. Some of them use gestures when they do not know a word, others switch between German and English, using the German word to fill in the gaps in the sentence (â€Å"I go with the Straßenbahn†, â€Å"I make Teig with Zimt and †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). 4.Recommendations Language development 1.Total English Workbook (Pre-intermediate) Antonia Clare/JJ Wilson – Longman Publishers Page 8, Section 1.3Grammar : Present Simple vs Present Continuous Justification:All 3 exercises on this page help the students to distinguish between the present simple and the present continuous. It also concerns activities they can associate with 2.New Cutting Edge (Pre-intermediate Student’s Book) Sarah Cunningham/Peter Moor – Pearson/Longman Publishers Module 4, page 34Language Focus 1 Present continuous and present simple Justification:At the top left of the page there is a grammar exercise section where the students have to underline and give an example of the present simple/present continuous. Exercises 1 and 2 help to practice the use of them. 3.Language to go Student’s Book (Pre-intermediate) Gillie Cunningham/Sue Mohamed – Longman Publishers Lesson 3, page 9 – The Present (Grammar focus) Justification:Exercises for the students to practice distinguishing between Present simple and Present continuous. First of all filling in the gaps, then writing their own email and finally using the language by talking in pairs 4.Total English Student’s Book (Pre-intermediate) Richard Acklam/Araminta Crace –Pearson/Longman Publishers Chapter 1, page 14 – Review and practice Justification:Exercises for practicing both present simple and present continuous (including question-forming) 5.Clockwise Pre-intermediate Class Book Bruce McGowen & Vic Richardson – Oxford University Press Chapter 25, page 65 – Present simple and continuous Justification:Students can fill in the tables with the verb and then complete the rules for using Present simple and continuous themselves in exercise 1 6.New Edition Basis for Business David Christie – Cornelsen & Oxford Unit 2, pages 24 and 25 – Further study (Simple present and present continuous) Justification:On page 24 there is an explanation of when to use simple present and present continuous and on page 25 there are exercises to practice 7.New Edition Basis for Business David Christie – Cornelsen & Oxford Unit 3, pages 37 and 38 – Further study (Simple past and past continuous) Justification:On page 37 there is an explanation of when to use simple past and past continuous and on page 38 there are exercises to practice 8.Powerbase Pre-intermediate David Evans – Longman Publishers Unit 4, pages 30 to 33 – Going places Justification:The article on page 31 is quite interesting for the students. On page 30 they can fill-in the verbs in the past and present form and on page 32 the past simple can be practiced in exercises. 9.Business opportunities Vicki Hollett – Cornelsen & Oxford Unit 5, Growth and development, pages 50 and 51 – Past experiences Justification:The article on page 31 is quite interesting for the students. On page 50 they can fill-in a time line. On page 51 there is an explanation on when to use the simple past, questions for the students to answer and discussion exercise. Skills development 10.Business opportunities Vicki Hollett – Cornelsen & Oxford Unit 2, Telephoning to make arrangements, pages 23, 150 and 151 Justification: Students usually enjoy doing role play. In these exercises they work with a partner and discuss a) a conference programme and b) arranging a meeting. 11.Business opportunities Vicki Hollett – Cornelsen & Oxford Unit 7, Telephoning to exchange information, page 73 Justification: Students will probably find the stories on this page quite amusing. They will then discuss any car accidents or funny incidents that they have experienced themselves. References: 1.Total English Workbook (Pre-intermediate) Antonia Clare/JJ Wilson – Longman Publishers 2.New Cutting Edge (Pre-intermediate Student’s Book) Sarah Cunningham/Peter Moor – Pearson/Longman Publishers 3.Language to go Student’s Book (Pre-intermediate) Gillie Cunningham/Sue Mohamed – Longman Publishers 4.Total English Student’s Book (Pre-intermediate) Richard Acklam/Araminta Crace –Pearson/Longman Publishers 5.Clockwise Pre-intermediate Class Book Bruce McGowen & Vic Richardson – Oxford University Press 6.New Edition Basis for Business David Christie – Cornelsen & Oxford 7.Powerbase Pre-intermediate David Evans – Longman Publishers 8.Business opportunities Vicki Hollett – Cornelsen & Oxford

Love in 4 pre 1940 poems Essay

What differences have you found in the presentation of attitudes to love in any 4 of the pre 1940 poems I am going to write about 4 different poems and about there differences and similarities The 4 poems i have chosen to write about are: To Celia – by Ben Jonson To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvell My Picture – By Abraham Cowley Shall I Compare thee†¦? – By William Shakespeare The predominant attitude to love before nineteen-fourteen was to base affection purely on surface qualities and not the internal qualities. Some of the poems support and others contradict this view. I am going to explore the different attitudes to love in poems written before nineteen-fourteen by Shakespeare, Jonson, Cowley and Marvell. The main purpose of Shakespeare’s sonnet, â€Å"Shall I compare thee†¦? † is to immortalise his beloved through his own poetry. The sonnet is initially seen as typical of the love poetry of Elizabethan England because he is comparing his beloved to nature’s beauty However, Shakespeare takes the Elizabethan love poem a step further by explaining that his beloved is, in fact, not to be viewed at all like this: â€Å"And every fair from fair sometime declines†. The sonnet is split into three quatrains with a rhyming couplet to end the poem. Shakespeare uses examples of natural beauty to explain that his beloved is not as beautiful as these exquisite natural beauties, but will last longer and will stay even more beautiful inside: â€Å"But thy eternal summer shall not fade† He reveals that she is, in fact, is even more beautiful than the summer as her beauty will never fade. Shakespeare appears to be very mature in his views on love and talks realistically rather than in a passionate moment. Shakespeare used a conventional form of poetry to praise poetry and his beloved. He boasted that both would be preserved nearly eternally. Five hundred years later, no one refutes his boast. On the other hand, â€Å"To Celia† is an example of the idolatry that the Shakespeare sonnet mocks. Jonson likens his beloved to a goddess, giving her special powers beyond realistic measure. He writes lyrically and expresses deep personal emotions about love as someone who was foolishly and passionately in love would do, using many exaggerated metaphors and vivid language phrases: â€Å"But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, I would not change for thine. † He attempts to show the extent of his love for her, by telling her, that even if he was offered to drink from the Holy Grail, he would prefer to drink from her cup. Using religion to express love was very popular in love poetry at that time, as it was viewed as extremely important part of their culture. In â€Å"To His Coy Mistress†, Marvell’s beloved is also not idolised, as in â€Å"To Celia† but he does use excessive flattery as a persuasive device. This makes many of the supposedly devoted phrases he uses seem false. â€Å"An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze† He exaggerates how beautiful he thinks she is by likening her to a Goddess who should be worshipped, hoping that this will convince her of his love. The Shakespeare sonnet makes references to the five senses. Jonson’s â€Å"To Celia†, written at a similar time, also refers to the senses: â€Å"Drink to me, only, with thine eyes† Marvell writes â€Å"To His Coy Mistress† in 1621, also attempting to persuade, like Jonson. This time not to get his beloved to love him, but to persuade her to sleep with him. Both men are seen to be being rejected whereas in the Shakespeare sonnets, it is obvious that the couples are very much in love already. The poem â€Å"My picture† by Abraham Cowley is similar to â€Å"To Celia†, as both women are the two men’s life forces. They imply in their poems that if the women were not there, then their lives would be worthless and they would die. In â€Å"My picture† Cowley gives his beloved a picture and he implies that if she is not in his life then the picture will no longer look the same. This is even though the picture has only recently been drawn, because he will have withered away as he has been out of her presence. As you can see both in â€Å"My Picture† and â€Å"To Celia† both men rely on the two women to keep them alive. If we look at the poem â€Å"My Picture† by Cowley the words he has used looked quite forced as if he has just used them to make the poem rhyme. I think however that Cowley has tried to make the poem quite light hearted by using simplicity with the rhyming- â€Å"The next sun’s rising will behold Me pale, and lean, and old. † – We can see from this small extract the simplicity of the poem and also the way Cowley has just used words that fit but therefore look forced. However if we look again at the language of â€Å"To Celia†, Ben Jonson has used quite complicated language that some might find hard to understand – â€Å"Deserts of vast eternity† Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, I would not change for thine The poem â€Å"To Celia† has a rhyming scheme ABCB. Ben Jonson has made the words of the poem flow really well – â€Å"Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I’ll not look for wine Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I’ll not look for wine† As you can see by reading this the words Ben Jonson has used do not seem as if he has just used them because they rhyme, he has simply used them because these chosen words are telling his story. If we look at the poem â€Å"Shall I compare thee†¦ † by Shakespeare the language he has used is simple and easy to read. The poem is also understandable unlike parts of â€Å"To Celia† by Ben Jonson. In conclusion we can see that all four poems however being similar in some way also have there on qualities and downsides. In Shakespeare’s sonnet he tries to say that beauty on the inside will last forever however beauty on the outside will be destroyed one day. On the other hand Marvell writes his poem to persuade his beloved, not to adore her. Jonson writes to try and tell his beloved how much he loves her as he is desperate to be with her.

Nature is such a beautiful place Essay

Life is getting hard and expensive as the years are passing by. The prices on food, and other utility prices are going up. People have school, work and a family to look out for and do not have the time to enjoy the simple things in life that earth has to offer which is nature. In the essay of â€Å"An entrance to the Woods† Wendell Berry. He admits to living such a fast paste of life that is hard to come back down to the ground and enjoy what is in front of him. People pass by things so quickly and don’t pay attention that they fail to appreciate them. Once a person slows down, they could see what surrounds them. Nature is a good way to find yourself because it is easy to escape from the influence society has. Nature has away of taking away the things that are stressing us and giving away a chance to become refreshed. â€Å" In the middle of the afternoon I left off being busy at work, and drove sixty or seventy miles an hour, hardly aware of the country I was passing through, because on the freeway one does not have to be. The landscape has been subdued so that one may drive over it as seventy miles per hour without any concession whatsoever to one’s whereabouts. One might as well be flying. Though one is Kentucky one is not experien cing Kentucky. One is experiencing the highway, which might be in nearly any hill country east of the Mississippi.† (Berry, 88) During berry’s time in the woods, he writes â€Å"A man enters and leaves the world naked. And it is only naked–or nearly so that he can enter and leave the wilderness. If he walks, that is; and if he doesn’t walk it can hardly be said that he has entered. He can bring only what he can carry– the little that it takes to replace for a few hours or a few days an animal’s fur and teeth and claws and functioning instincts. And comparison to the usual traveler with his dependence on machines and highways and restaurant and motels–on the economy and the government, in short–the man who walks into the wilderness is naked indeed. He leaves behind his work, his household, his duties, his comforts–even, if he comes alone, his words. He  immerses himself in what he is not. It a kind of death.† (Berry, 90) We came to this world naked, and that is how we should enter and leave the wilderness. If we walk using our feet and explore the wilderness that’s how we can say that we entered the wilderness. The little that we bring to survive, it is gone in a few hours or days. An animal uses its fur, teeth and animal instincts to survive versus a traveler that needs machines, highways and restaurants and motels. To be in the wilderness one has to leave behind the work, the household, duties and comforts and even his words. One has get out of its comfort zone, and use your own abilities to survive the wilderness. It is like taking a risk of death. Wendell Berry own experience where he is up and left civilization. The work setting to enter a nature environment devoted to being self efficient on nature. Berry loved and respected nature, he wanted to develop his appreciation further, as he wanted it to evolve and understand for it. He wanted to know how nature worked, and learn it’s reason for being. Berry’s goal was met through this act and it was gratifying experience to escape from moderation and become organic. Berry realizes the purpose of the trip, but the connection to nature cannot replace to connection to man. In the essay of â€Å" Why I went to the woods† by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau tried to produce his own crops, to live from the labor of his own hands, and to get rid of all the complicating things that distracted him from life’s true meaning by living in the woods. †Thoreau wanted time to read, write, and think. He wanted to make time for nature. And he wanted to test himself, to see just how much he could simplify his life, to determine how much time he could save to do what he really wanted to do with every minute of everyday†( Thoreau, 700) Thoreau mentions that he wants to live a deliberately life. To live deliberately means to take care and think of everything that you do in life, and not to do anything just for the heck of it. Everything that we do has to have a purpose and a meaning, and that is not a waste of time. â€Å"slow down rather than to speed up, to saver a few things fully rather than sample many things fleeting, and have time to decide what, in the long run of his short  life, matters most and why.† (Thoreau, 700) â€Å" I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essentials fact of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not live I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to proactive resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it and publish its meanness to the world, or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.† ( Thoreau, 701) By living in the woods he will be living a simple life away from civilization and to see his strength and weakness. By not being accustomed to that type of lifestyle he might die. When all hope is gone he realizes there are many things he have not tried. The simplest things in life could be and mean much more. Life is precious.

Violent game Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Violent game - Research Paper Example Even though video games are capable of releasing pressures and certainly entertain most people, video games still needs to be banned among young teenagers because videos game may lead to aggressive behaviors, mentality issues, and even more criminals of young teenagers. Observation reveals that video games present such deep seated implications, off-ramp thoughts as well as outlook and perception of the children. Such games greatly influence the psychology of the kids and inculcate a feeling of hostility and brutality. Studies have been conducted across the world as the situation is becoming alarming and the consequences of videogames and computer games are culminating into behavioral tribulations. An augmentation in aggression is reported to be due to observation of cruel movies or playing videogames that are based on killing acts. Videogames are immensely flattering modern children and their parents. Easy availability has not only revolutionized gaming besides keeping the children b usy, but also inculcate violence in children (Web: "Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked"). Videogames started in 1952, created by A. S. Douglas, the first computer game, Noughts and Crosses. This was presented as his dissertation. Followed by various others, Russell (1962), who developed "Spacewar". It gained popularity across the world and transformed the entire fun of gaming. With the introduction of character "Mario" in "Donkey Kong", developed by Miyamoto (1981) made the game popular. Eventually, the game became one of the most admired source of amusement not only between kids but also amongst adults. With this game Miyamoto emerged as an industry giant. Later, in the year 1994, Entertainment Software Board was established by Entertainment Software Association, with an intention of providing ratings and information about video and computer games (Web: " History of Gaming "). With the advancement of technology, Sony released its play station (PS) 2 in the year 2 000 with magnificent graphics and performance. The year 2001 witnessed the release of Grand Theft Auto 3. It gained popularity because of its quality but it was rated to be unlegislated as it encompassed slaughtering people, choosing prostitution and burglary of cars and money (Web: "The Video Game Revolution"). Such results demand to prohibit video games to avoid deterioration of developing psychology of the kids. Videogames and computer games are inducing an alteration in the behaviour pattern of the children of the present epoch. They are responsible for generating isolation, self-centred approach and also infuse violent temperament thereby leave little room for emotions and empathy, in turn they are responsible for permeating violence in children. The article highlights impact of videogames on behaviour pattern of the children playing such games. Establishing Credibility Now, it is been over 30 years, videogames are becoming the part and parcel of modern life. The video game ind ustry manages to churn multi-billion dollars as it is popular in every age group especially kids and youngsters and is a must for university libraries, laboratories to the living rooms of modern homes (Web: "History of Gaming"). With the advent of smart phones and mobiles, access to such games is gaining popularity as one can download desired games anywhere and at anytime. Considering the fact that videogames bring one of the most

Islam in Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Islam in Business - Essay Example Fiqh muamalt is the study of financial and economic transactions from an Islamic outlook which is a branch of Islamic jurisprudence that is related with commerce and residual economic activities. For Islamic economic concepts, Arabic phrases are employed and shariah compliant financial products are very popular in the Islamic business circle. Shariah offers guiding norms for day-to-day living for a Muslim but following the same is a matter of belief and conscience and not of enforcement by governments. In the majority of the Islamic nations, Islamic banking is only a matter of preference and the only Muslim country in the World, i.e. Iran has made rules that all banks must adhere with fiqh muamalt under Usury Free Banking Law that was introduced in 1983. Fatwa refers to the rulings given by Shariah scholars and these are given through reasoning by scholars and endeavoring to apply fiqh to present financial and economic transactions and this process is known as ijtihad and in real pra ctice, this needs interpretation of contractual deeds concerning financial transactions and economic activities and making sure that it is unfailing with shariah. (Wilson 177). This research essay dwells into how Islamic practices apply in business, economics and banking (commercialism, profiteering, loans & interest, partnerships, etc) and how Islam dictates one conducts oneself in business in a detailed manner. Islam and Business Muslims are permitted to engross in trade and business as long as it is lawful and not detrimental to either society or the economy. Islam also permits to acquire wealth through business and however, a Muslim should not have any pride in his wealth. Further, in Islam, greed and miserliness are regarded as sins. A Muslim is considered to be only a temporary guardian of any wealth that he acquires as all wealth is the belongings of Allah. Islam expects that business is run on the moral principle, and it shuns fraud, dishonesty, misrepresentation and deceit in business. Dealing in illegal goods (haram) is prohibited in Islam. Islam also prohibits lotteries. Gambling and business linked with distribution and sale of alcohol. The following are some of the prohibited business activities under Islam. Price manipulation Price gouging and Hoarding by artificially reducing supply of products, especially food products. Government price control initiatives except in some unavoidable scenarios. Interference in the free markets Buying stolen property Cultivating plants like hashish and poppy and raising pigs. Business profits that are generated through halal (legal) business activities are permitted and not any haram (illegal) business activities. A Muslim is needed to respect his business debts. (Khan 1999). The fundamental principle is that Muslims are permitted to purchase whatever he needs like products that Allah has allowed from both Muslims and kaafirs. It is to be noted that Allah himself purchased products from the Jews. However, if a Mu slim avoids purchasing goods from another Muslim for no good reason like bad products, high prices or deceit goods , then that will be considered as harram. Doing business with Kaffirs mean reducing business with the Muslim and thereby obstructing Muslims to sell their products or to make the success in their business efforts. (Abdul -Rahman 7). The one who proscribes the goods of the Kuffaar mean that they are waging an endless war with the Islam, intending thereby to manifest the truth

Assignment 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment 7 - Essay Example In contrast, the expansionist hypothesis relates to women working outside the home as a positive feature of society. Expansionist supporters believe that the more roles a woman takes on, the more multi-tasking that she does, the more fulfilling and successful her life will be. Where scarcity supporters feel that participation in many different roles can essentially run down a woman’s energy resources, supporters of expansionism feel the opposite in that many different roles engage different parts of the brain and actually lead to happier working women. Specifically, multi-tasking is said to have reward association. This means that women working outside the home are subject to achieving role privileges, personality enhancement, and enjoying success in one role when another may not be going so well. A women who works outside the home and also provides the most care for her children can appreciate her success as a mother during tough times at work, and vice versa. Women can also experience an increase in self esteem when they participate in many different roles at the same time; instead of feeling pigeon-holed and relegated to one specific role, be it an outside-the-home job or a role within the household. This is what expansionist supporters are trying to address in their theory: the idea that women cannot exist within and without the home without overexerting themselves and ultimately making themselves miserable and hurting their families in the long run. The scarcity theory does not intend to insinuate that women cannot hold multiple roles successfully, but maintains that they cannot be expected to do so without harming their mental health. In terms of the actual mental health of women, it appears that the more successful roles that women hold, the happier they are. Stress levels can be heightened by holding multiple roles, however this is independent of the women themselves and in general a woman’s happiness is not dependent on the