Health Care Finance in the United States SLP Essay

Health Care Finance in the United States SLP - Essay Example NC Health Choice for Children does not cover pregnancy related services. Another major advantage of getting healthcare for citizens in North Carolina is that individuals cannot be rejected because of health condition. Furthermore, health Care Coverage program eligibility is based on family’s finance. Seniors along with unemployed need to have a specific medical need when application is made. Just like in other states, patients can opt for either HMO or PPO plans. This allows an individual to select a plan with a different ramifications since different provides will charge a different price. North Carolina’s policies regarding health care is not much different than federal policies outlined for other states. As a matter of fact, North Carolina dictates that children under 18 are eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is quite essential is provides affordable healthcare to parties that cannot afford insurance. One important detail about Medicaid is the fact that nearly all cost-sharing is prohibited for children covered based on family income. Hence in separate plans, the state has the ability to demand premiums, deductibles or other cost-sharing fees. This means that children’s coverage can be covered by Medicaid or a private insurance company depending on the family’s income. Â  In North Carolina the self-employed and small business are guaranteed access, and insurance companies are limited in, which is dictated by other factors. One of the key factors that dictates healthcare polices is the cost of unhealthy versus healthy self-employed individuals and small groups. Even under the best of circumstances, those who are new to the health insurance market, or have previously been covered by an employer, should be prepared for sticker shock. A standard small group health insurance policy in North Carolina can easily cost $15,000 or more for a family. Most self-employees obtain the HNOnly Plan H-101, in which the deductible for individual is

Women of Opposites Essay Example for Free

Women of Opposites Essay Two famous people that are alike but also very different would be Britney Jean Spears and Norma Jeane Mortenson also known as Marilyn Monroe. I chose Marilyn Monroe because she is a true inspiration to me and other young girls today; though she got a bad name for herself she explained life in a way that one could understand through her famous quotes. Britney Spears is also an inspiration on young girls because of being a pop fanatic, an actress, and also a sex symbol. These are two people that I loved when I was younger and inspired me to act, sing, and dance. Norma Jeane Mortenson started using the stage name of Marilyn Monroe in 1946. This name did not become legally her name until 1956. Marilyn Monroe was a beautiful woman who became an American actress, a singer, a model, and later on in her years known as a sex symbol. She was a wonderful person that was taken out of context and shaped into a person that she didn’t necessarily want to be. Although Marilyn became a huge success in the eyes of society and of her peers, she truly aspired to be known more for her acting and singing talents, rather than the sexy blonde in the white dress. Britney Spears was always very proactive when it came to anything dealing with music as a child. She started her career at a young age by the time she was eight years old she was taking her first steps towards stardom in auditioning to play a role on the television show â€Å"The All New Mickey Mouse Club† though she did not get the part she kept trying. By the time she was eleven years old her love for music and dance became real. This is when she auditioned again and received the role on â€Å"The All New Mickey Mouse Club† as the Mouseketeer the show was then canceled two years later after she received the role. She did not yet give up and was signed to a record label in late 90’s. Although there is a big contrast between Marilyn Monroe and the notorious Britney Spears most people from the start of Britney’s career have compared her to Monroe which creates a bigger contrast between the two. Britney Spears became a well-known celebrity a few generations after the Marilyn Monroe era but others still drastically compared her to Marilyn Monroe for being a hot blonde sex symbol. Marilyn and Britney are different in many ways besides the obvious facts that Marilyn became before Britney, the fact that they grew up in very different home environments and dealt with many personal conflicts and issues while growing up, also the way they became famous and well-known to the world are very different from each other. One huge example of the difference between these two celebrities was that In the 50s movie star’s careers were controlled by the film studios. Marilyn did not have much of a choice in the roles she played so she was always cast as the dumb blonde. The media loved her but like today they were very intrusive. Photographers hounded her but the publicity helped create her image that is why even today shes an icon. As for Britney she has had a choice in all aspects of her career and she makes the decisions to do what she wants to do and how she wants to do it. Although there is a similarity that they both share with the fact that they were both criticized and hounded by the media and the rumors that were created by it. There is still a small contrast in that similarity because Britney was able to survive all the rumors and speculations that she was surrounded by as from Marilyn who let the intrusion of the media and others take a toll on her life dramatically. Even though Britney spears and Marilyn Monroe have negatively impacted our generation they still have somewhat positive impacts on young women lives. Marilyn Monroe though she was a sex symbol she was still a very successful woman in her lifetime. She made her history though it may not have been the way she wanted to be known, but she is still remembered to this day. As far as Britney Spears she is known for her pop music for the most part, you do not hear about when she was an actor. Britney Spears and Marilyn Monroe still inspired me to become the young women I have become today.

Growth In The Sector Of Social Networking Media Essay

Growth In The Sector Of Social Networking Media Essay Social networking can be described as the art of keeping in touch with friends and relatives through social Media. Social networking came to be with the introduction of Facebook amongst other social sites. For years now, there has been tremendous growth in the sector of social networking. Like we all know, any changes in the course of our lives will affect us in different ways. The effects of social networking are important to me personally as it will help me understand it in a broad perspective. I will be able to fully research on the possible future effects that come with the development of social networking. I will also be able to expound more on what the other research have explored on the effects of social networking. As much as I will contribute to the study of the effects of social networking, I will also gain from it by learning on what others had to say. The study will also help others in knowing what they are getting into when they register onto social network sites. What are the positives they stand to gain and what are the negatives to be on the look out for? How well can they be able to control their use of social networking in order to benefit fully from them? Should they embrace the wave of social networking fully or take precaution measures? These are some of the questions that the study will help answer to the readers of this report. The study will mostly target individuals who use social networking sites on daily basis. The individuals will be grouped in accordance to age and current occupation. It will also take into consideration individuals who are still in school. The study will be conducted within a period of one month so as to fully establish the effects of social networking. The time duration is ideal because it is neither too short nor too long. It is suitable for effective results that are up-to-date. Through the study, I hope to establish if there are more positive than negative effects of social networking. How we can all benefit from social networking simply because it is what everyone including companies are doing. I hope to find if we can entirely do away with social networking and how it will affect us should we take that path. The main sections of this paper are the literature review, the findings of the study, the conclusion and the recommendations for the study. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW In this chapter, the effects of social networking are analyzed in depth. It will focus mainly on three variables that are mostly affected by social networking i.e. professionalism, social life and education. This paper only focuses on the three as these are the key area of the study. Social networking services can be described as online services that are only established to bring people closer together in terms of creating relations and sharing a common interest (Woessner, 2011). Social networking began to grow with the advance revelation of computers and easy access to the internet (Jue, Marr Kassotakis, 2009). Usenet and LISTSERV are some of the first online services to offer a better platform for social networking sites to expand (Jue, Marr Kassotakis, 2009). As the demand for social sites increased, more social sites were launched into the market as more and more online service providers developed. It was only until the years 19954 that the first social networking site was registered in the World Wide Web (WWW). These sites included Geocities, Theglobe.com and tripod. These sites mainly focused on establishing chat rooms and bring people closer together regardless of their geographical background (Papacharissi, 2010). Different communities see this as an opportunity that they should tap into. A good example of such communities with people who shared the same interests or background was Classmates.com. However, this social site took the approach of linking people together through the use of email address. As time progressed, the use of profiles was to be introduced in the late 1990s. User profiles just like the name suggest allow users to compile the list of friends they wish to have on their social page (Papacharissi, 2010). This new development in social networking encourages the launch of social sites such as SixDegrees.com, Hub Culture, and Makeoutclub.com amongst others. This was to mark the beginning of a new revolution in the social networking market. By the year 2000, other social network sites were being introduced almost on annual basis. This saw the increase in the number of people registering as well as an increase in competition of the site owners. By the year 2005, MySpace was the number one ranked social site in the US. All this was to change with the launch of Facebook in the year 2004. It is currently the largest social networking site in the world. The study on the effects of social networking started immediately after the launch and establishment of Facebook. This is because no social site has been able to revolutionize the world the way Facebook has. It simply took the world by storm as it had everyone registering on it (Papacharissi, 2010). The study was first conducted as certain effects become noticeable thus the need to explore on them. We can therefore say that social networking can have either a positive or negative effect on its users. On the level of professionalism, previous studies noted that the effects of social networking during work hours brought about more negative effects than the positives. The level of productivity simply went a notch lower as more employees spent their time on social sites (Woessner, 2011). With the free and easy access to the internet while at the work place, employees did and site find it cheap to access their social pages while at work. With more employees performing poorly, employers were forced to take drastic measures to ensure that things got back to normal. Most firms had to block and declare the use of social networking sites during working hours as illegal. A study conducted by HCL Technologies in the year 2011 show that an entire 50% of British employers ban the use of social sites at work (Jue, Marr Kassotakis, 2009). As much as social networking sites have proved through past studies that they do slow down employees, productivity, study also show that they can be beneficial. Recent studies prove that marketing through social sites can be very effective to a firm. With a wide audience to gain access to the information that you have to sell in a click of a button; social networking is definitely the way to go in terms of marketing (Woessner, 2011). Adverts are designed to help create awareness and market for your products and services. Previous scholars have shown beyond reasonable doubt that social networking sites can be the best marketing ground for any product and or service. With a wide and cheap way of creating awareness, all you need is to have as many people see what you are marketing. The social media is often flocked with individuals at any given time; your advert will never go unnoticed (Jue, Marr Kassotakis, 2009). Once social life has also been a keen past study as far as the effects of social networking are concerned. Your social life matters a lot simply because this is how you relate to the people around you. Do you have friends or are you always alone. Studies have shown that social networking sites can either help create or damage your social life. You want to make and keep in touch with your friends, then social sites is the answer. On average basis, you will remember to keep in touch with everyone on your phone book. However, you can be updated on what is happening in their lives through social networking (Papacharissi, 2010) Recent studies show that people do lie more often on the information they exchange on social networking sites. You want people to think that your life is amazing and therefore you lie about almost everything (Parrack, 2012). One of the major effects of social networking in regards to ones social life is the inability to keep up with the lies. Eventually the truth does come out at some point in time thus crushing the person. With a low self esteem and the truth finally out, people find it hard to go back to their normal lives (Papacharissi, 2010). Studies do show that most people who suffer this kind of fate tend to be depressed and withdrawn from social activities. They therefore might need psychological help in order to be able to interact freely with people. The effect of social networking on education has probably the most studied topic on the effects of social networking as a whole. Previous studies in relation to education and social networking were once seen as a hindrance in the development of ones education (Dunn, 2011). This is because most of the social sites users and especially on Facebook and Twitter are still of school going age on different levels. Social networking was proven to affect the grades of students as they tend to perform poorly by spending most of their time socializing on the sites. The studentsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ education almost came to a compromise with the introduction of current and easy to access social sites especially through their mobile phones (Dunn, 2011)The only way to ensure that education came first to social networking was to establish ways of prohibiting social sites while at school (Parrack, 2012). As much as social networking was considered to be a hindrance in the development of education, past studies have also shown that it can be helpful in developing technical skills amongst other. As students interact with each other on the social sites, there is a lot more they share than the events of their day to day activities. Recent studies have shown that students are now using social networking sites to explore the talents they have (Dunn, 2011). There is more than what meets the eye in relation to students and social sites. This has grown to be the platform of interaction to discuss other significant matters than the social ones (Parrack, 2012). Just like in the professional environment, students are now putting into good use the positive effects that come with social networking. The study on the effects of social networking recently took a new twist. Researchers now claim that social networking sites offer some of the best grounds to carry out research work. Most of the research work is now targeting social networking sites as it is easier to find the kind of population target that you desire (Parrack, 2012). With this recent development, we can add to the existing effects of social networking as a whole. As for the future concerns of the effects of social networking, the trend shows that there will be more emerging positive effects than negatives. This is the belief of many simply because at first there were more negatives than positives but this is slowly changing. We are yet to discover other unhidden positive effects that the social sites have to offer (Parrack, 2012). The more we expand our features and social networking uses, the more we stand to benefit from them. The advantage of carrying out this research study is to help understand the past studies and explore more on the future possible effects. The advantage of carrying out this research will not only benefit me as an individual but the entire community as a whole. This study will go a long way in help solving current problems in relation to the effects of social networking. This study will also help future researcher to develop their past studies section as they explore its contents for reference. 3.0 METHODOLOGY This chapter describes the methodology used to collect data in establishing the possible effects of social networking. The method that the research chooses to use is interview. Interviews simply because it enables the research to get first hand answers as well as offer personal interaction with the interviewee (Creswell, 2008). The use of interviews as a research method has been there since time memorial and it has proven to offer so much. The interviewer will be able to capture the non spoken responses of the interviewee such as gestures and facial expressions. In addition to that, interviews are ideal when it comes to clear explanations from either party of the interview (Creswell, 2008). The data will be collected in different venues so as to target a wider perspective of the population. Schools, offices and public places such as parks will be the targeted locations for this research. This is to enable to get as many different individuals for the research. When your targeted population is wide, you stand to benefit from unbiased results (Kumar, 2010). The more people the research will cover from different grounds, the more diverse the data collected will be. The research will focus on interview a population target between the ages of 15-40. This is because this is the ideal age that frequently uses social networking for various reasons. The age limit is that low as social networking attracts not only the adults but teenagers as well. Research has shown that a growing percentage of social networking users are mainly below the ages of eighteen. As for the age maximum age, the research will better portray the mature uses at that particular age. The data collect in the span of one month i.e. the duration period of the research, will first be edited before it is interpreted. Data editing allows for the clarity and the completion of information collected. Once editing is done, the information will be presented in the form of tables and graphs for the quantitative information. As for the qualitative, it will be presented in a descriptive manner. This is because not all information gathered can be presented in a quantitative manner. The research expects to find more positive effects of social networking than negatives. 4.0 FINDINGS This chapter describes the presentation of the finding obtained through the interview process. The use of graphs will present the quantitative while descriptive form will present the qualitative information. 4.1 Quantitative analysis 4.1.1 Respond rate Out of the 200 target population to be interviewed, only 160 had a successful interview. This makes the respond rate 80% Category Sample size Actual respond percentage 15-25 100 90 45 25-40 100 70 35 totals 200 160 80 Source Author (2012) 4.1.2Effects on professionalism Category response percentage Positive 110 68.75 Negative 50 31.25 Total 160 100 Source Author (2012) 4.1.3 Effects on social life Category response percentage Positive 150 94 Negative 10 6 Totals 160 100 Source Author (2012) 4.1.4 Effect on education Category response percentage Positive 90 56 Negative 70 44 Totals 160 100 Source Author (2012) 4.2 Qualitative analysis From the research analysis majority of the individuals who are employed or self employed find social networking to be an added advantage to their careers. The respondents agree that social networking helps them to market their goods and services in a cheap and effective way. They point out that majority of firms now have profile pages in most of the social networking sites as an easier way for them to interact with clients. Majority of the respondents find social networking to help them with their social life. It is a simply way of keeping in touch with your friends on regular basis without necessarily having to meet with them. Respondents also find it easier to make new friends on social sites through old friends. Reuniting lost friends also top the list of some of the positive effects of social networking. Only a small percentage finds social networking to ruin or be a hindrance to their social life Only a few out of the possible half way mark of the respondents find social networking to be beneficial in regards to education. They do agree that social sites are currently trending and they can be used in a positive manner. This group of respondents acknowledges the fact that social sites can be ideal grounds for research work. The rest of the respondents simply find social networking to be a fail in regards to education. They see no positive reactions between education and social sites. 5.0 CONCLUSION The main objective of this research was to highlight the effects of social networking. Majority of the respondents agree that there are now more positive effects than negative effects. Majority of the respondents agree on positive effects for the three areas tested i.e. professionalism, social life and education. From the results, it is clear that the norm of having more negative effects than positive effects of social networking is slowly changing. As much as the study was a success, if I was to do it again, the one thing I would change is the number of variables under study. Social networking does not only affect our lives in the three variables highlighted for this study. There are so many other ways in which social networking affects us. For future researchers, it is highly encouraged to explore areas such as the effects of social networking in regards to building skills, creating employment opportunities, reducing crime rates amongst others. The study on the effects of social networking was a success as I found what I expected. At the beginning of the study, I expected to find an increase in positive effects and a decrease in the negatives. From the results, it is clear that majority of people now benefit from social networking in a positive manner. The complaints as to how negative social sites can be are slowly dying as people now start acknowledging the better side of social networking. Reference Creswell, J. (2008). Research design: A qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. New York: Sage Publications Ltd. Dunn, J. (2011, June 11). The 10 best and worst ways social media impacts education. Retrieved from http://edudemic.com/2011/07/social-media-education/ Jue, A., Marr, J., Kassotakis, M. (2009). Social media at work: How networking tools propel organizational performance. California: Jossey-Bass. Kumar, R. (2010). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. New York: Sage Publications Ltd. Papacharissi, Z. (2010). A networked self: Identity, community, and culture on social network sites. New York: Routledge. Parrack, D. (2012, April 19). The positive impact of social networking sites on society [opinion]. Retrieved from http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/positive-impact-social-networking-sites-society-opinion/ Woessner, S. (2011). Increase online sales through viral social networking: How to build your web site traffic and online sales using Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin in just 15 steps. Florida: Atlantic Publishing Group Inc.

Cyberpunk Definitional Paper -- Science Fiction Definition Essays Pape

Cyberpunk Definitional Paper In the late 1970's and early '80's and new type of writing style came about that relied on many of the traditional criteria to be called science fiction, but had a certain something else that had many people agreeing that it was not just science fiction. This new style of writing was so different and so many people started writing in this style that the general public decided that it was time this genre of writing deserved a label: cyberpunk. Cyberpunk is not an easy group of writing to define on paper, but it is easy to spot when one is reading it. The cyberpunk writing movement started out with many short stories then became recognizable to the masses with probably the movements most successful novel, entitled Neuromancer. William Gibson's novel was the first major work to get recognized from this category, it seemed to set the precedence of what cyberpunk included, and what a piece of writing needed to have to get labeled cyberpunk. Cyberpunk does not define the works that are in it, rather, the works define what cyberpunk consists of. Since William Gibson's Neuromancer was one of the first to be recognized as cyberpunk, the genre can be easily defined by the aspects set forth in his novel. Neuromancer was clearly sci-fi, but it included many points that typical sci-fi had never dealt with: this is what cyberpunk can be defined by. Bruce sterling said in the preface to his anthology Mirrorshades "it's possible to make broad statements about cyberpunk and to establish its identifying traits"(ix), and all of them are exemplified in Neuromancer. One of the most distinctive features of cyberpunk is the technological aspect. Traditional science fiction dealt with things that were possible, bu... ...roup, but it is even harder to define since it is considered to be within the larger group of science fiction. Cyberpunk has almost become a way out for critics to define these writers. These writers are science fiction, but since they do not always deal with the values and ideas brought forth by the "traditional" science fiction writers, the critic will pass it off as being cyberpunk. While the label cyberpunk will take these works, the label itself grows and changes with every work that is added, making cyberpunk a broader, more open category and harder to define. Cyberpunk does however hold on to its original values that include what can be considered a human factor to set itself apart from "traditional" science fiction. Works Cited Gibson, William. Neuromancer. New York: Ace Publishing, 1984. Serling, Bruce. Mirrorshades. New York: Ace Publishing, 1986.

Friendship Between George and Lennie Essay

In the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ Steinbeck stresses the importance and abnormality of the friendship between George and Lennie by using a variety of methods. They are complete opposites, yet they share a journey through the struggles of The Great Depression as friends and have faith in the same dream. This pulls them together through the most stressful parts of the novel. These two itinerant workers meet many people along their journey, but the bond between them doesn’t weaken. Right from the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck has portrayed the relationship between Lennie and George appears abnormal. Steinbeck uses dialogue as a method to show the father and son roles between Lennie and George, â€Å"Look, George, look what I done†. This suggests that Steinbeck wants to show Lennie as having the mind of a little boy; when he says this, you think of when a son would say this to a father figure – in this case George – in order to get some kind of r eaction. It is as if Lennie is trying to impress George. This is quite strange, between grown men of around the same age – remembering that Lennie is a fully grown man, but has the mind of a five year old. The author uses historical context as a method and 3rd person narration to allow other people’s views about George and Lennie to be expressed, â€Å"I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.† This implies, that even form one of the first characters that George and Lennie come across, we already get the impression that others think that Lennie and George have a weird friendship and an unlikely bond. A lot of the characters have a tone made to sound suspicious, which I think is purposely written in to the novel be John Steinbeck. People found it unusual because at the time of the Great Depression, no one had friends because everyone was in competition for the same jobs. The other characters noticed this and thought that it was strange. John Steinbeck uses description as a method to emphasise the unusual nature of the friendship between George and Lennie, â€Å"Behind him walked hi opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eye†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This suggests that these two men completely contrast each other in looks, as well as state of mind. This makes you wonder why George sticks around Lennie, if he is according to the book, a handsome, smart man. They are opposites in everything, but love each other like brothers. George is very fit, healthy and ready to brace anything thrown at him, whereas Lennie is described as much more careless and in a world of his own. This shows contrasting personalities. From the start of the novel, Lennie is shown to be very childlike. John Steinbeck used metaphors as a method to show this, â€Å"dabbed his big paw†. A big paw is suggesting that Lennie has animalistic qualities, whether that is looks or behaviour; I think it is both. Because of these animalistic qualities, I think that Lennie is immature and hard to handle. This makes the friendship between Lennie and George seem strange because I think to myself â€Å"why would George want to stay around Lennie?† Even though Lennie could wind George up and test his patience, they stick by each other. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses foreshadowing as a method to portray how weird Lennie and Georges friendship is, â€Å"He aint no good to you, Candy.† Earlier in the story, Candy’s old dog was shot dead by Carlson, because they decided that he was of no use to anyone anymore. Candy then told George that it would be more comforting to know that he shot the dg himself. At the end of the novel, George shot Lennie â€Å"and he pulled the trigger† because he knew that Lennie didn’t need to live anymore and would be better in heaven. George killed Lennie himself because he remembered what Candy told him about the dog. This is a perfect example of the author using correlation. Also, at the start of the novel, they were on t he run and if George hadn’t shot Lennie, they would have to run again. This shows a cyclical occurrence. Steinbeck’s idea about this friendship makes me realise that it would be extremely unusual to form a friendship during the Great Depression due to everyone fighting for jobs at the same ranches. However, Lennie and George did not compete, they stuck together and found jobs at the same ranch. Lennie treats George like a father and George needs Lennie as a companion. I think this is why they work so well together; it is because they need each other. Their friendship reaches its ultimate test, when George has to choose whether or not to shoot Lennie, as self-sacrifice. However, everything that George does for Lennie is in Lennie’s best interest. John Steinbeck makes the friendship seem unusual, but deep down, I think that it is really just natural for them to need a companion.

Research and Account Essay

Report One: Old Deanery care home One staff member has been sacked and seven suspended from one of England’s largest care homes after an undercover probe by BBC Panorama found poor care. The filming at the Old Deanery in Essex showed some residents being taunted, roughly handled and one was slapped. The home said it was â€Å"shocked and saddened by the allegations†. Care minister Norman Lamb described the images as â€Å"absolutely disgusting† and said there â€Å"could be a role† for the use of CCTV in care homes. Care Quality Commission figures seen by the BBC show over a third of homes that received warning notices since 2011 still do not meet basic standards. Allegations of poor care and mistreatment at the 93-bed home in Braintree, where residents pay roughly  £700 per week, were first raised by 11 whistle-blowers in August 2012. see more:identify reports into serious failures Essex County Council put it on special measures for three months until concerns were addressed. But secret filming by Panorama’s undercover reporter over 36 shifts found many of the same sorts of issues reported a year earlier, including: a woman slapped by a care worker who had previously been complained about for her poor attitude towards residents the same woman, who has dementia and is partially paralysed after a stroke, was also repeatedly mocked and taunted by other care workers cries for assistance from a resident suffering a terminal illness ignored as she sought help for the toilet, and her call bell for assistance left unplugged on one occasion a resident bed-ridden with a chronic illness left lying in his own excrement after two care workers turned off his call bell without assisting him Report Two: Winterbourne view care home The 11 defendants – nine support workers and two nurses – admitted 38 charges of either neglect or ill-treatment of five people with severe learning difficulties after being secretly recorded by a reporter for the BBC’s Panorama programme They were filmed slapping extremely vulnerable residents, soaking them in water, trapping them under chairs, taunting and swearing at them, pulling their hair and poking their eyes. Whistle-blower Terry Bryan, a former nurse at the home, contacted the BBC after his warnings were ignored by Castlebeck Ltd, which owned the hospital, and care watchdogs. Hours of graphic footage recorded during a five-week, undercover BBC investigation in February and March last year, showed one support worker, Wayne Rogers, telling a resident: â€Å"Do you want me to get a cheese grater and grate your face off? Do you want me to turn you into a giant pepperoni?† Rogers slapped another resident across the cheek, saying: â€Å"Do you want a scrap? Do you want a fight? Go on and I will bite your bloody face off.† His colleague Alison Dove was recorded saying a resident â€Å"loved pain†, then saying to the resident: â€Å"Simone, come here and I’ll punch your face.† Dove threatened another resident when she broke a window in the lounge with a chair. She was recorded snarling: â€Å"Listen, in future I’m going to let you sit on the fucking floor, ‘cos you don’t deserve a chair.† On another occasion, Dove, Graham Doyle and Holly Draper restrained a female resident as a fourth member of staff, Sookalingum Appoo, forced a paracetamol tablet into her mouth. Later, during the same incident, Doyle put on a mock-German accent and, mimicking a Nazi guard, slapped the resident over the head with his gloves shouting: â€Å"Nein, nein, nein, nein.† The Panorama investigation, which was screened in May 2011, led to a serious case review two months later, which criticised Darlington-based Castlebeck Ltd for â€Å"putting profits before humanity†. These reports show that safeguarding of the individuals involved should have been enforced. The failings to do with this incident could have been due to the fact that the care home’s were: under staffed over worked language barriers not had up-to-date training trained in dementia a better approach to safeguarding across agencies a better system for flagging concerns and referrals better information sharing A most recent report from CQC on 1st April 2014 shows that overall, providing care, treatment and support that meets people’s needs and staffing, required improvement. The Old Deanery also had a CQC report from June 2012 which showed staffing problems and when residents pressed their bells in their rooms, they were waiting a long time until they were attended to. This shows that these issues were not addressed. Also the staff employed at The Old Deanery care home ignored or failed to recognise the individual’s rights and need for protection. There was poor communication, planning, coordination and thoughtlessness which left each individual in an abusive and dangerous situation. The government review found as well as reports from the police, the CQC and the local NHS drew the following conclusions, to Winterbourne View’s case: Patients stayed at winerbourne view for too long and were too far from home- the average length of stay was 19 months. Almost half of patients were more than 40 miles away from, where their family or primary careers lived. There was extremely high rate of ‘physical intervention’- well over 500 reported cases of restraint in a fifteen month period. Multiple agencies failed to pick up on key warning signs-nearly 150 separate incidents- including A&E visits by patients,police attendance at the hospital, and safeguarding concerns reported to the local council- which could and should have raised the alarm. There was clear management failure at the hospital- with no registered manager in place, substandard recruitment processes and limited staff training. A ‘closed and punitive’ culture had developed- families and other visitors were not allowed access to the top floor wards and patient bedrooms, offering little chance for outsiders to see daily routines at th e hospital.

Earth Education by Van Matre essays

Earth Education by Van Matre essays Earth Education by Van Matreaims to help people improve upon their cognitive and affective relationship with the earths natural communities and life support system, and begin crafting lifestyles that will lesson their impact upon those places and process on behalf of all the planets passengers. (As stated on the back of the book) I agree with Van Matres value-building techniques. By helping learners build on there values it enables them to feel joy, love kinship and reverence, and understanding of our relationship with the earth. Building upon my values has made me more aware of walking lighter on the earth. Instead of clarifying (discussing) my values it has allowed me to experience and build on my own values. Avoiding naming and labeling is a great way to help people understand the environment. From my own experience I have a really hard time remembering the names of plants. Instead of remembering the names of the plants, I remember everything else about them like the color the texture, the leaves and the bark. Van Matre quotes Alfred North Whiteman When you name something, you tend to stop thinking about it. (171) Van Matre suggests children name things based on their own observations. For example: I didnt know the name of the creek than flows in front of the entrance of our land in Montana for as long as we lived their. I recently found out the name of the creek (Lake Creek). Before I knew the name of the creek I called it the beaver dam creek with leaches, frogs and tadpoles. Providing a visual focal point helps people learn. (179) I really enjoyed Van Matres example of building a glacier to demonstrate how it has shaped the land. I am a visual learner; I tend to need visual focal points to remember because words only do not cut it for me. I believe we have photographic memories, the ability to take a picture and place it in our fi...

Role and Importance of Children in the Middle Ages

Role and Importance of Children in the Middle Ages Of all the misconceptions about the Middle Ages, some of the most difficult to overcome involve life for medieval children and their place in society. It is a popular notion that there was no recognition of childhood in medieval society and children were treated like miniature adults as soon as they could walk and talk. However, scholarship on the topic by medievalists provides a different account of children in the Middle Ages. Of course, it is not correct to assume that medieval attitudes were identical or even similar to modern ones. But, it can be argued that childhood was recognized as a phase of life, and one that had value, at that time. Concept of Childhood One of the most frequently mentioned arguments for the non-existence of childhood in the Middle Ages is that representative of children in medieval artwork depicts them in adult clothing. If they wore grown-up clothes, the theory goes, they must have been expected to behave like grown-ups. However, while there certainly isnt a great deal of medieval artwork that depicted children other than the Christ Child, the examples that survive do not universally display them in adult garb. Additionally, medieval laws existed to protect the rights of orphans. For example, in medieval London, laws were careful to place an orphaned child with someone who could not benefit from his or her death. Also, medieval medicine approached the treatment of children separately from adults. In general, children were recognized as vulnerable, and in need of special protection. Concept of Adolescence   The idea that adolescence was not recognized as a category of development separate from both childhood and adulthood is a more subtle distinction. The primary evidence concerning this outlook is the lack of any term for the modern-day word adolescence. If they didnt have a word for it, they didnt comprehend it as a stage in life. This argument also leaves something to be desired, especially as medieval people did not use the terms feudalism or courtly love though those practices definitely existed at the time. Inheritance laws set the age of majority at 21, expecting a certain level of maturity before entrusting a young individual with financial responsibility.   Importance of Children There is a general perception that, in the Middle Ages, children were not valued by their families or by society as a whole. Perhaps no time in history has sentimentalized infants,  toddlers, and waifs as has modern culture, but it doesnt necessarily follow that children were undervalued in earlier times. In part, a lack of representation in medieval popular culture is responsible for this perception. Contemporary chronicles and biographies that include childhood details are few and far between. Literature of the times rarely touched on the heros tender years, and medieval artwork offering visual clues about children other than the Christ Child is almost nonexistent. This lack of representation in and of itself has led some observers to conclude that children were of limited interest, and therefore of limited importance, to medieval society at large. On the other hand, it is important to remember that medieval society was primarily an agrarian one. And the family unit made the agrarian economy work. From an economic standpoint, nothing was more valuable to a peasant family than sons to help with the plowing and daughters to help with the household. To have children were, essentially, one of the primary reason to marry.   Among the nobility, children would perpetuate the family name and increase the familys holdings through advancement in service to their liege lords and through advantageous marriages. Some of these unions were planned while the bride and groom-to-be were still in the cradle. In the face of these  facts,  it is difficult to argue that people of the Middle Ages were any less aware that children were their future then people are aware today that children are the future of the modern world.   Question of Affection Few aspects of life in the  Middle Ages  can be more difficult to determine than the nature and depth of the emotional attachments made among family members. It is perhaps natural for us to assume that in a society that placed a high value on its younger members, most parents loved their children. Biology alone would suggest a bond between a child and the mother who nursed him or her. And yet, it has been theorized that affection was largely lacking in the medieval household. Some of the reasons that have been put forward to support this notion include rampant infanticide, high infant mortality, the use of child labor and extreme discipline.   Further Reading If you are interested in the topic of childhood in medieval times,  Growing Up in Medieval London: The Experience of Childhood in History  by Barbara A. Hanawalt,  Medieval Children  by Nicholas Orme, Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages by Joseph Gies and Frances Gies and The Ties that Bound by Barbara Hanawalt may be good reads for you.

Ensuring Collegiate Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ensuring Collegiate Success - Essay Example Although many people are gifted intellectually, there are also those that lack the natural mental ability. However, this does not mean that academic success in college would be elusive for these people. There are many ways by which students' mental ability may be enhanced so as to prepare them for the rigors of college. For instance, recent study conducted by ACT, a non-profit organization that issues the widely administered college aptitude test, shows that improving reading skills is strongly correlated with academic performance in college (Brand). In this regard, students, even in the early years of schooling, may acquire the habit of reading voraciously so that they may train themselves in focusing and absorbing the voluminous reading materials they would encounter in college. Such would aid in honing their comprehension skills and would enable them to have full grasp of lessons in college. Apart from cognitive ability factors, certain personality traits also consistently predict academic performance (Ridgell & Lounsbury). This means that collegiate success is not only determined by a student's natural abilities but more so by his/her attitude about studying. As posited by Barrick and Mount, the personality traits identified that students would have to imbibe include extroversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience. These traits are dubbed as the "Big Five" (Barrick & Mount). To illustrate how the "Big Five" figures in college life, it is vital to recognize that these traits hone students' mind frame in facing academic challenges. For example, extroversion in students helps them focus their interest on people and things. This makes it easier for them to be aware of the components of their environment and facilitate learning with an outward perspective. Similarly, emotional stability makes students more adaptive as they deal with the complexities brought about by college life. Emotionally stable students are better able to cope with the ups and downs of college and remain focus on the main goal of academic accomplishment. Another relevant trait that should be emulated by college students is agreeableness. This attitude enables them to innovate and discover means by which they could make studying conditions more conducive. In this regard, students possessing this trait aim to establish good study habits. Such may include going through lessons recently taken up so that new and difficult concepts may be easily absorbed even before major exams. Furthermore, they intend to read ahead of discussions so they could actively participate in, follow lectures, and be prepared for surprise quizzes. Aside from these, conscientiousness is also deemed significant especially during college. A conscientious student exerts great effort in fulfilling course requirements. Such student, who is geared for academic success, painstakingly ensures that he/she has accomplished homework, papers and projects, among others. Note that someone, who is conscientious, is not satisfied by merely completing these requisites. This is because conscientious students go beyond simple completion of requirements, rather they strive to meet the said requirements such that above average results are obtained. Openness to experience is also important for college students to succeed

The value of the Individual Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The value of the Individual - Essay Example He poses a big challenge â€Å"If there are, in fact, billions of other civilizations, where does that leave our celebrities? If worth is measured on a sliding scale of notoriety, what would it mean if we were all suddenly obscure† (Yagelski  301). By considering the stars, it is possible to look at the universal picture of reality of life. There could be billions of stars and other civilizations. If we were all combined together, perhaps human race would be the least valuable. It is not fair therefore, to value ourselves by public acclaim. Instead, we should all live with one another as if we were all equal. We should treat each other with fairness, love, affection, and care knowing well that we are all equal and perhaps, as human beings, the least valuable within the parameters of the whole universe. Anthony Doerr, shares the same sentiments. According to him, the universe is so large that our planet earth would only fit in as a tiny speck of dust within the universe. There are billions of other planets perhaps with more revolutionized life than planet earth. To make it more clear, small microorganisms think they are valuable within the realms of their existence. However, we believe that we are more valuable. Similarly, there could be other forms of life that are far much revolutionized than we are. Doerr asks a series of important questions â€Å"Why are you here? Why are the stars there? Is it even remotely possible that our one, tiny, eggshell world is the only one encrusted with life† (Yagelski 313). Thinking within the limits of our own understanding only makes us feel valuable and important. It makes us treat other people as if they were less human. We attach value depending on our status within the society not realizing that what we know is so limited. However, our value is indeed too insignificant to treat others as less human. We should all find value by regarding everyone around as equally important. Human beings should open their minds and see a

Examine the factors which have influenced consumption over the past Essay

Examine the factors which have influenced consumption over the past three years in the UK. Has consumption been let get out of control - Essay Example If compared to the past, the consumption in UK could be characterized as rather increased; however, the whole situation cannot be referred as being out of control. It is rather an expected outcome especially if taking into consideration the development of technology and the changes in the social and cultural ethics across Britain – as a consequence of globalization and the entrance in the country of people with different social and cultural background; more specifically, Britain has become – mainly for professional but also for educational reasons - a favourable destination of people from developing countries but also of those belonging in member states – a phenomenon well developed after the enlargement of European Union. Under these terms, the characteristics of consumption in Britain could be expected to be influenced by many different factors especially the country’s social and cultural ethics while the culture of the people living across the country à ¢â‚¬â€œ this culture can be differentiated as explained above – is another important factor influencing the characteristics of consumption developed across the country. Of course, consumption is a multidimensional social phenomenon; apart from the factors mentioned above other factors – related with the individual’s personal perceptions – can also affect the rate of consumption through the years in a particular region. In UK which is a highly developed country consumption related with a series of social activities (travelling, entertainment, shopping) has been increased the last 3 years following the development of technology but also the improvement of the standard of living in all areas across the country. This increase reflects also the development of the national economy compared to the economies of other countries within the international community. In any case, the rates of consumption across

Dealing with Stress at Workplace Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dealing with Stress at Workplace - Research Paper Example Every workshop presents a unique opportunity for adult learners to acquire new knowledge and skills that are essential in problem-solving in their workplace (Munson, 2012). The adults are aware of the learning needs and are motivated to learn skills that improve their social and occupational role competencies (Fried, 2008). The workshop is geared at enabling the employees to develop problem-solving strategies in order to avoid work-related stress and foster critical thinking skills. Adult learners have a problem-centered time perspective since the formal curriculum is balanced with opportunities to apply to learn through case studies and role –plays. Adults are capable of self-direction and trustful relationships help in identification of the learners’ needs (Munson, 2012). The adults enjoy planning and evaluating their progress while supervisors recognize the adult learners’ need and treat them as adults. The adults are ready to learn their developmental tasks move towards social and occupational role competence. The adult learners bring their prior experience in every learning situation and discovery how to learn from these experiences in attaining self-actualization (Fried, 2008). Adults have a desire to learn and will learn when they feel the need to learn. The need for adults to learn can be developed and usually learn by doing (Munson, 2012). The immediate and repeated opportunities to use newly learned skills and knowledge reinforce learning in adults and thus learning should be centered on realistic problems. The experience affects adult learning and adults must be provided with opportunities to interrupt, ask questions and argue their ideas during the learning process (Munson, 2012). Adults learn best in the informal environment that encourages interactions and various methods such as role play, cases studies and workshops should be used in teaching adults. The acquisition of new knowledge and skills occurs in a predictable sequence and the curricula should follow this sequence to develop, present and support adult learning.  

Business Management (Social Responsibility and Ethics ) Essay

Business Management (Social Responsibility and Ethics ) - Essay Example As a result, several business ethics theories have been developed. It is worth noting that accurate guidance of ethical principles is quite fundamental if business ethics is to comprise of a substantive discipline (Green 2004). The quest for such business ethics principles has given birth to a number of theories which have been tailored to suit the business environment. For the purpose of this paper, only two of these theories will be discussed. In addition, this paper will provide a basic definition of corporate stakeholder groups as well as corporate social responsibility and thereafter, the paper will describe how the relationship between a corporation and at least two of its stakeholder groups can be managed through corporate social responsibility activities. The paper will also anticipate some potential conflicts which might occur in the process of management. Business management has undoubtedly taken a new shape due to stiff competition in the business field. Business management generally involves getting all the concerned individuals together to bring about desired business goals and objectives. In basic terms, business management consist of planning, organizing staffing as well as directing a group of persons with an aim of accomplishing the desired goals of a business. Due to the undying quest for corporations to compete effectively and gain high rates of return, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an essential or else a fundamental activity to businesses globally. Now that the world is increasingly becoming a global village and large business organisations serve as global providers, they (corporations) are increasingly acknowledging the benefits of making available Corporate Social Responsibility programs in their every division of the organisation. It is quite worthwhile to note that there is an increasing recognition of the immense contribution of the private sector on the society. The

Car Safety Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Car Safety - Term Paper Example This paper will discuss a number of aspects of engineering and construction related to car safety such as car design, assembly, and equipment that eradicate or diminish car accidents. The History of Car Safety Car safety might have become a concern almost from the start of mechanized road vehicle expansion. The second artillery tractor that was powered by steam was produced by a Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in the year 1771 and is described by some individuals to have crashed into a barricade through its demonstration run. On the other hand, Georges Ageon claims that the earliest declaration of this incident dates from the year1801, and it cannot be traced in any present-day accounts. The utilization of seat belts and cushion dashboards was advocated for in the year 1934, which led to the formation of the Automobile Safety League of America. The same year, GM undertook the initial barrier crash experiment. A number of experiments and addition of a number of items in the car through the year 1940 to date has developed the car design, assembly, and equipment for the eradication or reduction of car accidents (Hamer 156). Safety did not develop into a promotion point for novel cars until the late years of the 1980s, but it is without doubt now. There has been augmented public understanding of the relative efficiency of safety features within diverse models, which has been elevated by the prologue of self-sufficient crash tests, principally the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which is a global crash test establishment in which the NRMA, as well as other groupings are members. While noteworthy legislation, for example, the blood alcohol restrictions practice for driving has taken part in playing a key role in dropping road crash injury as well as deaths. However, to date, the seat belt is the development which has saved many human beings than any other (Jain 187). Active and Passive Car Safety Active safety refers to technology that supports in the avoidance of a crash w hile passive safety is a technology that supports in the avoidance of a crash to mechanisms of the vehicle such as airbags, seatbelts, as well as the physical construction of the car, which can aid in the protection of occupants when a crash occurs (Crandall, Bhalla & Madeley 234). Crash Evasion Systems Crash evasion systems and pieces of equipment assist the driver as well as the car itself to evade a crash. Cars are outfitted with a selection of lights as well as reflectors to mark their existence, position, distance across, length, and bearing of travel to put across the driver's intention and measures to other drivers. Crash evasion systems include the car's headlamp, which some have headlights that rotate with the obverse wheels of a car, revealing the pathway around a curve. Other evasion systems include front and back position lamps, turn warning signs, brake or stop lamps, repealing lamps, side marker lights, suspension systems, cars’ mirror, as well as reflectors. Dr iver Assistance Systems A division of crash evasion is driver support systems, which aid the driver to become aware of obstacles that are concealed and to manage the car. Driver support systems consist of mechanical braking systems that put a stop to or lessen the rigorousness of a crash. They utilize long and short array radar, to function efficiently at whichever

Dealing with Stress at Workplace Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dealing with Stress at Workplace - Research Paper Example Every workshop presents a unique opportunity for adult learners to acquire new knowledge and skills that are essential in problem-solving in their workplace (Munson, 2012). The adults are aware of the learning needs and are motivated to learn skills that improve their social and occupational role competencies (Fried, 2008). The workshop is geared at enabling the employees to develop problem-solving strategies in order to avoid work-related stress and foster critical thinking skills. Adult learners have a problem-centered time perspective since the formal curriculum is balanced with opportunities to apply to learn through case studies and role –plays. Adults are capable of self-direction and trustful relationships help in identification of the learners’ needs (Munson, 2012). The adults enjoy planning and evaluating their progress while supervisors recognize the adult learners’ need and treat them as adults. The adults are ready to learn their developmental tasks move towards social and occupational role competence. The adult learners bring their prior experience in every learning situation and discovery how to learn from these experiences in attaining self-actualization (Fried, 2008). Adults have a desire to learn and will learn when they feel the need to learn. The need for adults to learn can be developed and usually learn by doing (Munson, 2012). The immediate and repeated opportunities to use newly learned skills and knowledge reinforce learning in adults and thus learning should be centered on realistic problems. The experience affects adult learning and adults must be provided with opportunities to interrupt, ask questions and argue their ideas during the learning process (Munson, 2012). Adults learn best in the informal environment that encourages interactions and various methods such as role play, cases studies and workshops should be used in teaching adults. The acquisition of new knowledge and skills occurs in a predictable sequence and the curricula should follow this sequence to develop, present and support adult learning.  

Car Safety Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Car Safety - Term Paper Example This paper will discuss a number of aspects of engineering and construction related to car safety such as car design, assembly, and equipment that eradicate or diminish car accidents. The History of Car Safety Car safety might have become a concern almost from the start of mechanized road vehicle expansion. The second artillery tractor that was powered by steam was produced by a Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in the year 1771 and is described by some individuals to have crashed into a barricade through its demonstration run. On the other hand, Georges Ageon claims that the earliest declaration of this incident dates from the year1801, and it cannot be traced in any present-day accounts. The utilization of seat belts and cushion dashboards was advocated for in the year 1934, which led to the formation of the Automobile Safety League of America. The same year, GM undertook the initial barrier crash experiment. A number of experiments and addition of a number of items in the car through the year 1940 to date has developed the car design, assembly, and equipment for the eradication or reduction of car accidents (Hamer 156). Safety did not develop into a promotion point for novel cars until the late years of the 1980s, but it is without doubt now. There has been augmented public understanding of the relative efficiency of safety features within diverse models, which has been elevated by the prologue of self-sufficient crash tests, principally the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which is a global crash test establishment in which the NRMA, as well as other groupings are members. While noteworthy legislation, for example, the blood alcohol restrictions practice for driving has taken part in playing a key role in dropping road crash injury as well as deaths. However, to date, the seat belt is the development which has saved many human beings than any other (Jain 187). Active and Passive Car Safety Active safety refers to technology that supports in the avoidance of a crash w hile passive safety is a technology that supports in the avoidance of a crash to mechanisms of the vehicle such as airbags, seatbelts, as well as the physical construction of the car, which can aid in the protection of occupants when a crash occurs (Crandall, Bhalla & Madeley 234). Crash Evasion Systems Crash evasion systems and pieces of equipment assist the driver as well as the car itself to evade a crash. Cars are outfitted with a selection of lights as well as reflectors to mark their existence, position, distance across, length, and bearing of travel to put across the driver's intention and measures to other drivers. Crash evasion systems include the car's headlamp, which some have headlights that rotate with the obverse wheels of a car, revealing the pathway around a curve. Other evasion systems include front and back position lamps, turn warning signs, brake or stop lamps, repealing lamps, side marker lights, suspension systems, cars’ mirror, as well as reflectors. Dr iver Assistance Systems A division of crash evasion is driver support systems, which aid the driver to become aware of obstacles that are concealed and to manage the car. Driver support systems consist of mechanical braking systems that put a stop to or lessen the rigorousness of a crash. They utilize long and short array radar, to function efficiently at whichever

Stagnant Democracy Essay Example for Free

Stagnant Democracy Essay Democracy, whether in its early or current state, needs constant improvement even if it is a government system that is highly respectful of its constituents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Henry David Thoreau lived at a time when democracy was finally being recognized as oppressive in itself because the governing system was becoming stagnant.   The laws that citizens had to abide to were being criticized because of the injustice its system was already imposing on other races like Mexicans and Negroes.   Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson have simply seen that the legal system has become inefficient if not a means for oppression because of its taxes and treatment of others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Society needs persons like Thoreau and Emerson because they are people who are able to see and declare the evils of society.   Only when declarations such as those made by them are given attention can any government or system improve.   It is upon reflection of their ideas when true great men can enact changes that would be able to improve an always imperfect society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Both Thoreau and Emerson, even if they can be deemed as rebellious, do represent the traditional Western or American values because what they espoused in their writings were still democratic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thoreau, although he hints on individualism and disadvantages of the political system in his suggestions for civil disobedience, is merely applying his very rational beliefs and principles.   He is merely promoting a different concept that will be actually for the good of his community.   His suggestion for a non-violent revolution is democratic in itself because it is peaceful. Thoreau believes that every man has the power to enact change in his society even if he is not part of a majority. He says that a vote may be an act of one to show his agreement or dissent on certain issues but this is not enough to really change what is wrong in society.   He sees the exercise of voting as not enough.   To be true to one’s self would be to express fully what one is against to†¦ such as the way he has been stubborn (and consequently punished) in his non-payment of certain taxes.   He believes in the government because it can organize communities peacefully but insists that a political body can only be truly successful if it respects the individual.   In this way, he is actually espousing the very basic principle of democracy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He may seem rebellious when he attacks the government for imposing the taxes for Christianity but the basic formulations of his principles are very Christian. He believes that he is able to give back his spiritual obligations in other ways which are more useful to society.   His writings are testimony of his own contribution to the community he belongs to.   He insists that taxes are merely oppressive when people blindly pay it while they can share their skills and talents in other forms that will serve the community just as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emerson is also representative of the liberal American or Western values because he is able to find the freedom of speech to attack the problems of the society.   The theme of self-reliance is not selfish but civic because it upholds the dignity of an individual which in turn can contribute better to society.   He believes that the society during his time is already in need of a wake up call because of its reliance on conformity and consistency. He saw that men were becoming cowards to express what is fair and just because of the need to adapt to the opinions of other who are simply obeying the laws blindly.   He sees that most people are already trapped into making very wrong decisions because of the fear that people will attack their views and actions because of what they had done in the past. According to Emerson, people who are not able to rely on their instincts with regard to what is right and wrong because they are always concerned on how society will react to them become prisoners of their cowardice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emerson may seem like a heretic when he attacks the hypocritical expression of faith many Church leaders were making but his views are basically Christ-centered.   His idea that the Church has become overbearing because of its strict adherence to religious laws is true.   Morality, for Emerson, is to look inside one’s self and find the truth and what is ultimately good for the individual and the others who surround him.   He believes that God provided each and every one of us with the instinct to know what is correct or wrong and that too much reliance on Church teachings can lead one to further mistakes simply for the sake of conformity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thomas and Emerson are highly for democracy and God but the way they have expressed themselves can seem rebellious to those who insist in following unjust laws.   As Martin Luther King Jr. has expressed in his own writings, laws that disregard the higher morals it supposedly adheres to are ineffective and disobedience to these is simply necessary. In fact, King is correct in establishing that disobedience is actually democratic and spiritual.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Democracy may have established laws that protect the security of many but it is still imperfect.   Individuals like Thoreau and Emerson are truly important to help this political system improve and correct itself.

Change Management Compulsion Or An Option British Airways Business Essay

Change Management Compulsion Or An Option British Airways Business Essay There is a famous saying stated by an unknown author The only thing that is constant is change (Berman, 2007). With the current changing customer requirements and external environment necessities, organisations which behave as closed systems and do not constantly change themselves to fit the market requirements and customer demands will fail in the long term (Harigopal, 2006). Organisational change is an ongoing process which brings the systems and procedures of the organisation in line with the factors prevailing in the external and internal environment of the organisation (Nemetz and Fry, 1998). As business management gurus argue, external forces of change require not only adaptive, flexible organisations and new management approaches but also competent managers able to adopt to changing times and to manage organisational change (Beckhard and Harris, 1987). It is essential to understand how organisations in the real world implement and deal with organisational change. One such organisation which has implemented various change methodologies in the past few years in response to the changing business environment is British Airways. British Airways is the UKs flag carrier and one of the largest airlines in the world. Like many large organisations, the airline has had to change its strategy, technology, structure and culture in order to achieve competitive advantage in todays rapidly changing global business world. 1.2 Aims Objectives of Research The main objective and strategic aim of this study is to explore the role and significance of Change Management in this era of globalization and changing market needs by taking the case study of British Airways in specific. Research Question- The primary research question of this research study is: To explore the extent to which change management is necessary for a firm to achieve sustainable competitive advantage? Additionally, the secondary research question is to examine the change management initiatives previously taken by British Airways to attain competitive advantage and profitability. 1.3 Literature Review This chapter will highlight the various aspects of change management. It will use academic research to understand the concept of change management by looking at its definition and determining the various approaches of change management. It will then describe the framework for change and various change management initiatives taken by organisations. The various change models will also be listed and analysed and the organisational background of British Airways will be provided along with a SWOT analysis of the organisation. 1.4 Methodology This chapter will determine the methodology used to conduct this research and the reasons for various data collection methods chosen. It will also look into the philosophical aspects of the research study. 1.5 Research Findings and Discussion During this chapter the researcher has analysed the findings and compared these with the literature review and methodology to establish the extent to which change management is necessary for an organisation to sustain competitive advantage and the role and significance of Change Management initiatives taken by British Airways to attain profitability. 1.6 Conclusion The last chapter is the Recommendations and Conclusion chapter. This chapter will list the recommendations generated from the research study findings while also bringing to light the limitations of the research study. The references used and the research related appendices will then be presented at the end of the research study. CHAPTER 2 Literature Review This chapter will review the existing literature on change management. It is important to understand current research on the subject area, to enable the reader to understand the nature of the existing knowledge of the subject (Denscombe 1998, p.15). Specifically, this literature review will focus on the following issues; Firstly, it will determine the definition of change and list the various types from the typology of change. Secondly it will describe the framework for the change process, generic model of change and the various change management diagnostic models are discussed. Thirdly the importance of communication in Change Management is explained. Fourthly the SWOT analysis is also described along with the various change initiatives taken by organisations in the aviation industry. 2.1 Typology of Change Change in academics is defined as the substitution or succession of one thing in place of another. As per research studies conducted, it is identified that the patterns of change repeats and is recurring in every industry. These patterns of change constitute of incremental and radical changes. The increasing frequency of these patterns of change in various industries over the past couple of decades has necessitated for organisations to predict the pattern of changes in their external industry environment so that they are better equipped with the resources and capabilities required to embark upon change and maintain their competitive advantage. A typology of change was developed by Nadler and Tushman to outline the various abilities of organisations to predict the patterns of change in the external industry environment. They have divided the ability to predict changes into two types of proactive and reactive while listing the scope of change as being transformational or incremental in nature. The typology of change is created by Nadler and Tushman by developing a matrix of the type and scope of change. They have differentiated the change strategy among organisations into four types of fine tuning, adaptation, re-orientation and re-creation. These strategies have been described in the following paragraphs (Hayes, 2007 and Chaffey, 2006). The first two changes of fine tuning and adaptation in organisations which occur are incremental changes. Fine tuning is the change process where organisations are proactive and will try to fill in the inefficiencies and gaps internal to the company when compared to the changing external environments which act as reducing agents to the effective performance of the business processes of the organisation. Adaptation is a reactive change process where the organisations have to make changes to their internal processes after they have felt a threat in their competitive position due to the changes made in the organisation. These changes are limited and do not affect the core functions or business processes of the organisation but are targeted towards reducing or removing the threats from the external environment and competition in an effective manner (Cook, Macaulay Coldicott, 2004). The two changes although occur for a long duration, are only basic changes and do not impact the fundament al aspects in which the organisations operations work (Hayes, 2007). The change processes of re-orientation and re-creation are both transformational in nature since they impact the fundamental operations of change. They occur when the need for change is vital to survive (Poole Van de Ven, 2004). The re-orientation change process in organisations basically requires organisations to change or re-define their existing corporate or business strategy (Chaffey, 2006 and Hayes, 2007). This change is conducted for two reasons. The first is to pro-actively prepare the organisation for the future changing external environment or to change the external environment itself by innovation such that the core competency of the organisation is increased over its competitors (Hayes, 2007 Potter, 2004). In Re-orientation, since there is no external threat to the organisation and it is being pro-active, it is difficult for the employee workforce to understand the need for such a drastic radical change. This change process requires the management of the organisation to create a sense of urgency and a necessity for change among the organisational employees so that the change process can be enforced. Otherwise it is difficult for organisations to implement this change. The last type of change process is Re-creation. This is a forced change and is transformational in nature. This type of change is implemented by organisations when they feel they need to change their core operations in order to sustain in the changed external environment. In most scenarios, the success of these re-creation changes can determine the survival of the organisation. These changes however are high risk changes since the organisations do not plan these changes ahead and do not, in most scenarios, have the required time and resources for their successful implementation. The change impact is mostly lower than expected for many reasons such as low involvement and motivation among employees, inadequate readiness in management etc. This change if not tackled effectively can lead to employee resistance and de-motivations (Chaffey, 2006 and Hayes, 2007). 2.2 Framework of Change The framework of change as developed by Lewin (1951) constitutes of the same three steps in all change processes. These steps are unfreeze, change and refreeze. Unfreeze is where the organisation tries to create an urgency for change so that the employees and the management are ready for change. Change, as the name indicates, is the second stage where the change occurs. Freeze is the final stage where the change made is now ensured to become part of the organisation. As per the framework, every change process has a higher level of uncertainty leading to resistance among employees. However, certain techniques can be adopted in order to avoid this resistance. One of these techniques is to introduce additional steps such as identifying the future state prior to implementing the framework of change (Weick Quinn, 1999). There have been many new models which have evolved in the past few years which have tried to add more steps or make modifications to this model. One of them is the generi c model of change created by (Hayes and Hyde, 1998) however, the general concept and baseline in all these change models is still the same. The generic model of change signifies the change process to be continuous in nature. It states that the change results of one process act as the triggering factor for some new required changes. Change process begins by determining the internal inefficiencies and improper capabilities of the internal organisation and the external environment in the industry the organisation operates in and using this gathered information to develop the new organisations strategy. This new strategy will now automatically implement the new anticipated change in the organisation (Johnson, Scholes Whittington, 2008). The ability to determine the correct strategy is the most crucial step in any change process since an incorrect change strategy can also be implemented successfully however it will not deliver the same benefits and fill in the required market inefficiencies as required and the overall change process can in turn be a failure (Buttrick, 2005). After looking at the above studies, the change process is modified as below. The initial aspect of the change process is now moved to identifying the resources required to implement the change process and the various techniques which can be used further to begin unfreezing the organisation. While this is being done, the organisations inefficiencies and gaps with the external environment are determined in order to develop the change strategy. This change strategy is designed that such that it achieves the anticipated future state of the organisation and reviewed to make any modification such that it is aligned towards realising the future state. The next step is to create a change plan before directly implementing the change. This change plan is implemented on a step by step basis and upon completion of each step, it is reviewed to determine if it is still aligned or the future state and rectify any identified deviations. Once this is completed and the future state is realised by the organisation, new techniques in order to merge this change with the organisations culture will be implemented. This is when the final stage of refreezing appears and the success or failure of the change process and the involved resources is determined. It is also used to collect feedback of the change process and reward the resources who had performed effectively towards achieving the future state (Jones, 2008). This generic model of change created by Hayes Hyde in 1998 and the change framework developed by Lewin in 1951 are both effective models which can used to implement change. However, both these models ignore one crucial aspect of change management which plays a vital role in the success of any change event, people management. Without effective people management, it is impossible to implement change in any organisation successfully. 2.3 Change Management Models There are various models which can be used to diagnose the success of a change event or the need for a change event. These models reduce the overall change process into a few key factors which need to be taken into consideration while implementing the change process in any organisation. They allow the management to determine the key aspects from both the process and the people perspective which need to be looked into. This in-turn increases the ability of change managers firstly to implement the change process successfully and secondly to evaluate its success and take necessary actions (Hayes, 2007). One of these models is the McKinsey 7S model. This model divides the change process diagnosis into seven elements which can be used to determine the existing internal environment status in a firm. These seven elements are strategy, structure, systems, staff, style, shared values and skills. The internal organisational efficiency of an organisation is determined successfully using this model and its results can be used to develop the internal strategy of the organisation (Saunders, 2007). This model can be used to develop change initiative programmes in organisations and develop a strategy which will achieve the overall internal fit in the firm however, it cannot be used to determine a fit between the internal capabilities of the organisation and the external environment in which it operates leading to a necessity for another model which takes this into consideration (Burke Litwin, 1992). The model which takes this into consideration is The Burke-Litwin causal model of organisational performance and change. This model is used for many purposes such as to identify the type of change implemented, whether it is incremental step-by-step change or a radical change or to determine the overall effect of using change management procedures in organisations while determining the performance of these management initiatives. This model constitutes of various elements which are crucial for a change process. The input element is the organisational performance and the output element is the individual and organisational performance. The other factors in the model are the through-put of the model. The models elements are further divided into two types of factors. The five factors of external environment, leadership, mission and strategy, organisational culture and the individual and organisational performance are the transformational factors while the remaining factors are the increme ntal factors. They are distinguished so based on the ability of the factors to influence the type of change. One of the successful applications of this model was to determine the success and performance on the change processes implemented in British Airways in the year 1983 (Burke Litwin, 1992). (Burke Litwin, 1992). This model will again be used in this study to determine the performance and effectiveness of the change management strategies used in British Airways in the past year. 2.4 Communication in Change Management: One of the key aspects of any change process in terms of people management is communication. If the communication is ineffective or missing, then the employee resistance to embrace the change only increases further. The communication strategies used by various organisations are different and this determines the amount of information shared by them with their employee workforce. Another factor which affects this amount of information shared with the employees is the managements personal views and understanding on the subject of change management and importance of communication. The Spray and Pray strategy used by management is where the information provided to employees is not considered or evaluated by the management to determine if it is actually relevant to them or not. This sort of communication can allow the vital and relevant information to be buried under irrelevant and not so vital information and reduce the overall necessary impact of communication on the employees. The manag ement which chooses to share the relevant information with their employees and also provides them with the various benefits of the change implemented to these employees use the communication strategy of Tell and Sell. In this scenario, the communication effectiveness is higher than the previous strategy and the amount of the information shared is lower. One of the most effective communication strategies which can be adopted by management in any change organisation is the Underscore and explore strategy where the information is provided to employee workforce in exact reference to the change situation and the various inputs provided by the management are considered at the same time. This ensures that the employees feel to be a part of the change being implemented and reduce their overall employee resistance. In the other two communication strategies of Identify and reply and withhold and uphold, the information shared with the employees is not adequate and the management withholds som e crucial elements of information which can increase the employee resistance to accept change. The below diagram represents the various communication strategies in accordance with the communication effectiveness and the amount of information shared by the management (Clampitt, DeKoch and Cashman, 2000). Figure-2 : Communication Strategy Continuum   (Clampitt, DeKoch and Cashman, 2000) 2.5 SWOT Analysis To determine the inner fit of an organisation with an external environment, one of the techniques which have proven successful on numerous occasions is the SWOT analysis. This SWOT analysis is divided into two segments, the internal factors segment which constitutes of the strengths and the weaknesses of the organisation and the external factors segment which constitutes of the opportunities and threats presented by the external environment in reference to the organisation. The role of strengths and opportunities is to determine the internal capabilities and inefficiencies of the business processes and the employee talent of the organisation. The role of opportunities and threats is to determine the external environment that the organisation is functioning in and find ways in which it can either support or act as a danger to the organisations functions. Once these are determined, it is then determined how the internal strengths of the organisation can be used to benefit from the exte rnal opportunities of the industry environment. The weaknesses are also looked into to determine if there is a possibility to change into a threat and how this movement can be avoided. The threats are looked at from the perspective of changing them into opportunities or reducing their possible impact on the organisation. The weaknesses are also worked upon in a similar way, to reduce their impacts and risks to the organisation or to remove them altogether by changing them into opportunities (Briggs, 2001). 2.6 Change Management in Organisations in the Aviation Industry: Some of the change initiatives which have been experienced by organisations in the Aviation industry are the privatisation of companies such as Qantas airlines. This happened at the same time as most industries in various nations were moving towards privatisation and de-regulation while moving away from the shadows of the public sector. The change process was rapid and radical in nature. Another change in the aviation industry which was not just restricted to one organisation was the agreement of global alliances among the various international and domestic airlines in the global market. This changed the structure and process of operations in the Aviation industry while also bringing in harmony the use of labour and the strategies adopted by management across various airlines in the industry (Fairbrother, 2002). Another change initiative which was related across airline companies was the use of part time and casual employees so that they can benefit from using them when required and paying them only for the number of hours employed. This has allowed them to reduce the overall labour costs however, in most airline companies; most of the part time employees did work overtime just as much as full time employees leading to no change in the overall labour costs (Dawson, 2003). The privatisation of the airlines is not just limited to Qantas airlines but has increased further to British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM etc (Delfmann, 2005). An additional change management initiative is the collaborative effects among most airline companies to ensure a reduction in the carbon footprint overall and thus support the climate change initiatives along with the various other industries and governments (Bishop Grayling, 2003). Steve this is the other introduction to the research study I written, but Im unsure if this is perhaps too current as it relates to the current global economic recession. Could you advise if it is maybe best to delete the information I have highlighted in bold and continue with the original introduction I have written on page 3. Introduction to the research study There is a famous saying stated by an unknown author The only think that is constant is change (Berman, 2007). With the current changing customer requirements and external environment necessities, organisations which behave as the closed systems that do not constantly change themselves to fit the market requirements and customer demands will fail in the longer terms (Harigopal, 2006). The punctuated paradigms irregularities frequency has increased over the past decade implying that the change in organisations is not as fast or as paced as the change in external environments which in-turn is increasing the gaps between the customer requirements and products/services provided by organisations (Hayes, 2007). This has made it crucial to study the significance of change management internally in organisations so that this building gap can be reduced and organisations can benefit from these constant changes through adapting their culture. The recent economic recession and credit crunch with a decreasing GDP rate across the United Kingdom in 2008-09 (Statistics, 2009) has forced organisations to find new ways to reduce costs for the products and services generated by them so that they can survive in this difficult climate. Organisations responses to these necessary changes being forced upon them is being tackled using various techniques such as economies of scale (Grant, 2005), internal re-structuring and creating new operational processes which will reduce their operational and maintenance costs. This in-turn has led to need for effective change management in such organisations so that the changes implemented are widely accepted by the workforce which in-turn ensures that success from the implemented change techniques are achieved (Cameron Green, 2008). One such organisation which has implemented various change methodologies in the past few years in response to the changing industry environment is British Airways. The organisation like many others has undergone some changes in their strategy, technology, structure and cultural aspects in order to survive in the changing environment and maintain the organisations core competency. British Airways will be used as a case study in this research study in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the research study. Many literatures focus on change management in organisations enforced due to various reasons and either at the beginning or at the end of the change management procedures being implemented. However, most of these researches have not taken into consideration the change management forced by external environments due to an economic recession especially since this scenario is not very common or recurring constantly. This research will contribute to the existing literature by using economic recession as one of the external factors leading to implementing changes in the airline industry. This research study will attempt to act as a guide to further researches who wish to identify the necessity for effective change management in the airline industry organisation especially when the external contributing factor is the economic recession. Sharon, This is a very well written first draft of your dissertation. I think there are some very good elements but there are also quite long passages where there are no references cited. I think if you do a little more reading and address these gaps then you will have the basis of a very good literature review. Steve

Charles Dickens Hard Times Essay -- Charles Dickens Hard Times Essays

Charles Dickens' Hard Times Charles Dickens’s novel Hard Times critiques the use of extreme utilitarianism as an acceptable means to governing a society in which citizens are able to lead happy, productive, flourishing lives. â€Å"Just the facts,†19th century English utilitarianism argued, are all one needs to flourish. Those answers that we can arrive at by way of mathematical, logical reasoning are all needed to live a full human life. Hard Times shows however that a â€Å"just the facts† philosophy creates a community inhospitable to the needs of one another, a society nearly void of human compassion, and one lacking in morality. Underlying the novel’s argument is the Aristotelian concept that the primary purpose of government is to correctly educate citizens in morality and, consequentially, to cultivate an upright social environment where all are inspired to flourish. How fitting, then, that early in the novel we are introduced to Thomas Gradgrind, educator and owner of the M’choakumchild school where â€Å"just the facts† are taught and the apotheosis of 19th century English utilitarianism. Although â€Å"Gradgrind intellect† is calculated to be the best way to maximize happiness, in the M’choakumchild class room it soon becomes clear that its adherents are the most unhappy and immoral in Coketown, even more so than the â€Å"Hands† who suffer from its cruelty indirectly. If the purpose of the state is to cultivate moral individuals who are able to flourish together, the state built on utilitarian values inevitably fails. Part of the inadequacy of utilitarianism and its statistical approach to addressing human problems is its objective, mass-quantity view of people. Gradgrind’s description alone captures the disconnected nature and col... ...human nature† makes for a bare-bones human existence, replete with crime, immorality, greed, and as especially demonstrated in Louisa’s case, unhappiness. Mr. Sleary’s compassion gives voice to Dickens’s hope for a more unselfish perspective on human motivation. His critique concludes that the success of government lies in realistically evaluating humanity in all of its general and idiosyncratic tendencies. As Nussbaum says in her essay, Dickens does not call for a â€Å"relativistic† approach to governance but one more in touch with the realities and complexities of being human. Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Hard Times. Ed. Fred Kaplan and Sylvà ©re Monod. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2001. Nussbaum, Martha C. â€Å"The Literary Imagination in Public Life.† Hard Times. Ed. Fred Kaplan and Sylvà ©re Monod. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2001. 429-439.