Discrimination in The Workplace

For years people have been treated differently based upon their class, race, and gender. This has cause discrimination to take place and destroy people lives mentally in the work environment. Discrimination is unequal treatment of any group of people. This could apply to race, ethnic group, gender, and age (Discrimination, 2011). It has impact one’s social class in the workplace, keeping certain races from establishing deceased paying jobs, and only providing genders with limited job positions. In this paper the writer will be discussing the act of discrimination in the workplace. Social Class The social class was defined by the political power and social status of one’s heritage. Which there are three types of class structures lower, middle, and upper (The Social Organization of Work, pg. 76). The lower class has no job security due to not having any funds saved or assets (The Social Organization of Work, pg. 76). Lower-classman is bound to work at poorly paid jobs such as McDonalds and Burger King. Jobs like these offer no benefits for example health care and pay tuition. If these individuals are laid off or injured the welfare of their families could be in danger (The Social Organization of Work, pg 76). The lower class has a small percentage of offering their children an advantage to a secure job. The lower class is less likely to vote due to the lack of power they posses (The Social Organization of, pg 76). Discrimination in the Workplace Discrimination in the Workplace According to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Discrimination charges were up slightly from last year from 99,922 to 99,947. In terms of the volume of charges by protected class, the highest percentages were: †¢Retaliation – 37. 4% †¢Race – 35. 4% †¢Sex/Gender – 28. 4% †¢ADA/Disability – 25. 8% Nine out of ten times when you go into a business meeting, the person you are encountering for the first time has already formed an impression of you based on your communication with them up to that point.Your religion, race, height, nationality and even your gender are factors that most people make quick judgments about. Unfortunately, many of these judgments are bias and assumptions. According to Oxford dictionary, discrimination is the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rathe r on the individual merit. My reasons for this message are to point out the effects of racial discrimination and how it can be prevented.Discrimination against people with different physical appearance, mental illness, or a different personal preference such as homosexuality is a position where people should never find themselves in. Discrimination affects people from all over the world. People of all ethnicities and from all different walks of life are influenced in some way by workplace discrimination. † One of the most common elements discriminated against is a person’s ethnicity, or their race. This is called Racial Discrimination. We’ve all heard the statistics about first impressions.When you meet someone for the first time, according to research at University of Pennsylvania 7% of their impression of you is based on what you say, 38% on how you say it, and a massive 55% on their appearance and manner. No wonder we worry about choosing our clothes for that all important meeting or job interview. What are the reasons in society that causes prejudice and discrimination? Consequently problems with discrimination are from parental discrimination, traditional labeling, and unfair generalizations. No one is born racist, sexist, or homophobic. Some parents aise their children with negative beliefs about others. This is one of the reasons why it is so hard to get rid of discrimination in our workplace. A parent who is an extremist will more than likely have negative effects on how a child will treat others. In addition traditional labeling is another cause of discrimination. Discriminatory labels have been passed down from generation to generation. For example many children engage in activities such as breaking windows, stealing fruit from other people’s trees, climbing into other people’s yards, or playing hooky from school.In rich neighborhoods, these acts may be viewed by parents, teachers, and police as innocent aspects of t he process of growing up. In poor areas, on the other hand, these same activities might be seen as tendencies towards juvenile delinquency. This sort of labeling can easily lead to workplace bias. Lastly, unfair generalizations are another cause of discrimination. After a single person of a race or sex does something injustice, people tend to group the entire race or sex with that single person’s flawed actions. This tends to happen to minorities quite often in the workplace and also in the social life.All these things that I have listed play a significant role in molding and shaping a person character. Now I’m going to talk about the effects of racial discrimination. Discrimination at work can lead to decreased job performance and lower productivity. Workplace discrimination can impact the level of employee spirits. It goes without saying that if you witness discriminatory acts or are a victim of discrimination, the experience can be crushing. Employees who are expose d to discrimination can begin to surfer the effects of disrespect even if they are not the main target of discrimination.In addition, researchers find evidence that discrimination has a negative impact on one's mental health. Results from the study â€Å"Does Perceived Discrimination Affect Health, Longitudinal Relationships Between Work Discrimination and Women's Physical and Emotional Health† reveal that women were being tested and their level of stress increased after experiencing job discrimination. In another study testing African American women, perceived racial discrimination at work led to higher levels of depression and decreased levels of psychological well-being.These studies suggest that mental stress is caused by work discrimination. Another effect of racial discrimination is that it damages the business reputation. The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website contains information about discrimination lawsuits, settlements and awards. Newspapers publ ish stories of high-profile cases and jury trials awarding damages to plaintiffs in discrimination lawsuits. Rumors and truths spread throughout the business community, and potential applicants spread the word about businesses purported to engage in discriminatory employment practices.Allegations of discrimination can even affect the relationship between a company and its suppliers and vendors. All of this takes its toll on an organization's business reputation, its ability to recruit talent and, ultimately, its profitability. The saying â€Å"all publicity is good publicity† doesn't apply when the publicity is about discrimination. On the contrary there are solutions to these problems. These steps will help guide our heart and our morals. There are many ways but I selected two main guides to help us. One way to start the change is by renewing of your minds.We have to change our views by disciplining ourselves. Systematic judgments require more controlled processing and tend to occur when forming impressions of others that can affect our happiness or welfare. Learn to interact with people more on a personal level. Another way to stop discrimination is to report it. Any individual who is the victim of racial discrimination should not allow it to continue. You can report discrimination by documenting the incidents. Next you should report to a supervisor and show him the documentations. Lastly complain to EECO.File a report immediately then wait for EEOC to get back to you so afterwards you can get permission to take legal action if the discrimination is clear. Exercise commitment and patience in your journey to remove stereotyping from the mind and heart. In conclusion, with this in mind learning to dig deep from other people will bring humility. We can remove the snap judgments we make about people because someday we might under authority or be in the position of authority. Because discriminatory behavior can hardly be seen I challenge you to be cautious about what is said or done in the workplace.We can avoid being the attacker or the victim in this situation. These indications I listed are only of the few of our automatic notions about others. We should have an equal shot to an opportunity that is presented to us. ? Bibliography The Beginners Guide To Body Language. † Photograph. http://sapientology. com/body-language/how-to-read-body-language/. Matthew Michael. 2010. Web. 7 Nov 2011. . Haworth, Abigail. â€Å"Forced to Be Fat . † Marie Claire. 21072011: 1-3. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. . (Haworth 1-3) Anderson, M. L. and Taylor, H. F. (2009). Sociology: The Essentials.Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Giddens, A. (1991). Introduction to Sociology. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. VerBruggen, Robert. â€Å"Appearance Discrimination’: The New Racism?. † National Review Online. 06292010: 1-4. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. . (VerBruggen 1-4) America Obsession with beauty. † Photograph. The Fashion Spot. Randle Lee. Jelosof t Enterprises, 2008. Web. 8 Nov 2011. . â€Å"Oxford Dictionaries. † Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University, 01082011. Web. 8 Nov 2011. . Pincus, Debbie . â€Å"Control Freak vs. Pushover Parenting: Why Neither Works . Empowering Parents. n. page. Print. . U. S Equal Employment Opportunity Commision . Privacy Policy. Facts About Race/Color Discrimination. 2012. Web. . Daeragon , Beth . â€Å"NH Employment Law Blog. † NH Employment Law Blog. . (2012): . Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Pavalko, Eliza, Krysia Mossakowski, and Vanessa Hamilton. â€Å"Does Perceived Discrimination Affect Health? Longitudinal Relationships Between Work Discrimination and Women’s Physical and Emotional Health. † 2001. Maduff and Maduff. (2008) Discrimination. Maduff and Maduff: A Civil Rights Law Firm. 2008 Discrimination in The Workplace For years people have been treated differently based upon their class, race, and gender. This has cause discrimination to take place and destroy people lives mentally in the work environment. Discrimination is unequal treatment of any group of people. This could apply to race, ethnic group, gender, and age (Discrimination, 2011). It has impact one’s social class in the workplace, keeping certain races from establishing deceased paying jobs, and only providing genders with limited job positions. In this paper the writer will be discussing the act of discrimination in the workplace. Social Class The social class was defined by the political power and social status of one’s heritage. Which there are three types of class structures lower, middle, and upper (The Social Organization of Work, pg. 76). The lower class has no job security due to not having any funds saved or assets (The Social Organization of Work, pg. 76). Lower-classman is bound to work at poorly paid jobs such as McDonalds and Burger King. Jobs like these offer no benefits for example health care and pay tuition. If these individuals are laid off or injured the welfare of their families could be in danger (The Social Organization of Work, pg 76). The lower class has a small percentage of offering their children an advantage to a secure job. The lower class is less likely to vote due to the lack of power they posses (The Social Organization of, pg 76). Discrimination in the Workplace Discrimination in the Workplace According to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Discrimination charges were up slightly from last year from 99,922 to 99,947. In terms of the volume of charges by protected class, the highest percentages were: †¢Retaliation – 37. 4% †¢Race – 35. 4% †¢Sex/Gender – 28. 4% †¢ADA/Disability – 25. 8% Nine out of ten times when you go into a business meeting, the person you are encountering for the first time has already formed an impression of you based on your communication with them up to that point.Your religion, race, height, nationality and even your gender are factors that most people make quick judgments about. Unfortunately, many of these judgments are bias and assumptions. According to Oxford dictionary, discrimination is the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rathe r on the individual merit. My reasons for this message are to point out the effects of racial discrimination and how it can be prevented.Discrimination against people with different physical appearance, mental illness, or a different personal preference such as homosexuality is a position where people should never find themselves in. Discrimination affects people from all over the world. People of all ethnicities and from all different walks of life are influenced in some way by workplace discrimination. † One of the most common elements discriminated against is a person’s ethnicity, or their race. This is called Racial Discrimination. We’ve all heard the statistics about first impressions.When you meet someone for the first time, according to research at University of Pennsylvania 7% of their impression of you is based on what you say, 38% on how you say it, and a massive 55% on their appearance and manner. No wonder we worry about choosing our clothes for that all important meeting or job interview. What are the reasons in society that causes prejudice and discrimination? Consequently problems with discrimination are from parental discrimination, traditional labeling, and unfair generalizations. No one is born racist, sexist, or homophobic. Some parents aise their children with negative beliefs about others. This is one of the reasons why it is so hard to get rid of discrimination in our workplace. A parent who is an extremist will more than likely have negative effects on how a child will treat others. In addition traditional labeling is another cause of discrimination. Discriminatory labels have been passed down from generation to generation. For example many children engage in activities such as breaking windows, stealing fruit from other people’s trees, climbing into other people’s yards, or playing hooky from school.In rich neighborhoods, these acts may be viewed by parents, teachers, and police as innocent aspects of t he process of growing up. In poor areas, on the other hand, these same activities might be seen as tendencies towards juvenile delinquency. This sort of labeling can easily lead to workplace bias. Lastly, unfair generalizations are another cause of discrimination. After a single person of a race or sex does something injustice, people tend to group the entire race or sex with that single person’s flawed actions. This tends to happen to minorities quite often in the workplace and also in the social life.All these things that I have listed play a significant role in molding and shaping a person character. Now I’m going to talk about the effects of racial discrimination. Discrimination at work can lead to decreased job performance and lower productivity. Workplace discrimination can impact the level of employee spirits. It goes without saying that if you witness discriminatory acts or are a victim of discrimination, the experience can be crushing. Employees who are expose d to discrimination can begin to surfer the effects of disrespect even if they are not the main target of discrimination.In addition, researchers find evidence that discrimination has a negative impact on one's mental health. Results from the study â€Å"Does Perceived Discrimination Affect Health, Longitudinal Relationships Between Work Discrimination and Women's Physical and Emotional Health† reveal that women were being tested and their level of stress increased after experiencing job discrimination. In another study testing African American women, perceived racial discrimination at work led to higher levels of depression and decreased levels of psychological well-being.These studies suggest that mental stress is caused by work discrimination. Another effect of racial discrimination is that it damages the business reputation. The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website contains information about discrimination lawsuits, settlements and awards. Newspapers publ ish stories of high-profile cases and jury trials awarding damages to plaintiffs in discrimination lawsuits. Rumors and truths spread throughout the business community, and potential applicants spread the word about businesses purported to engage in discriminatory employment practices.Allegations of discrimination can even affect the relationship between a company and its suppliers and vendors. All of this takes its toll on an organization's business reputation, its ability to recruit talent and, ultimately, its profitability. The saying â€Å"all publicity is good publicity† doesn't apply when the publicity is about discrimination. On the contrary there are solutions to these problems. These steps will help guide our heart and our morals. There are many ways but I selected two main guides to help us. One way to start the change is by renewing of your minds.We have to change our views by disciplining ourselves. Systematic judgments require more controlled processing and tend to occur when forming impressions of others that can affect our happiness or welfare. Learn to interact with people more on a personal level. Another way to stop discrimination is to report it. Any individual who is the victim of racial discrimination should not allow it to continue. You can report discrimination by documenting the incidents. Next you should report to a supervisor and show him the documentations. Lastly complain to EECO.File a report immediately then wait for EEOC to get back to you so afterwards you can get permission to take legal action if the discrimination is clear. Exercise commitment and patience in your journey to remove stereotyping from the mind and heart. In conclusion, with this in mind learning to dig deep from other people will bring humility. We can remove the snap judgments we make about people because someday we might under authority or be in the position of authority. Because discriminatory behavior can hardly be seen I challenge you to be cautious about what is said or done in the workplace.We can avoid being the attacker or the victim in this situation. These indications I listed are only of the few of our automatic notions about others. We should have an equal shot to an opportunity that is presented to us. ? Bibliography The Beginners Guide To Body Language. † Photograph. http://sapientology. com/body-language/how-to-read-body-language/. Matthew Michael. 2010. Web. 7 Nov 2011. . Haworth, Abigail. â€Å"Forced to Be Fat . † Marie Claire. 21072011: 1-3. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. . (Haworth 1-3) Anderson, M. L. and Taylor, H. F. (2009). Sociology: The Essentials.Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Giddens, A. (1991). Introduction to Sociology. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. VerBruggen, Robert. â€Å"Appearance Discrimination’: The New Racism?. † National Review Online. 06292010: 1-4. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. . (VerBruggen 1-4) America Obsession with beauty. † Photograph. The Fashion Spot. Randle Lee. Jelosof t Enterprises, 2008. Web. 8 Nov 2011. . â€Å"Oxford Dictionaries. † Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University, 01082011. Web. 8 Nov 2011. . Pincus, Debbie . â€Å"Control Freak vs. Pushover Parenting: Why Neither Works . Empowering Parents. n. page. Print. . U. S Equal Employment Opportunity Commision . Privacy Policy. Facts About Race/Color Discrimination. 2012. Web. . Daeragon , Beth . â€Å"NH Employment Law Blog. † NH Employment Law Blog. . (2012): . Web. 19 Nov. 2012. . Pavalko, Eliza, Krysia Mossakowski, and Vanessa Hamilton. â€Å"Does Perceived Discrimination Affect Health? Longitudinal Relationships Between Work Discrimination and Women’s Physical and Emotional Health. † 2001. Maduff and Maduff. (2008) Discrimination. Maduff and Maduff: A Civil Rights Law Firm. 2008

Operations Management in Tesco Essay

In order to define why Operations Management is needed in an organisation knowledge of operations management is required. Operations management is an area of management concerned with overseeing, designing, and redesigning business operations in the production of goods and/or services. It includes the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient by using as few resources as needed, and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. It is concerned with managing the process that converts inputs in the forms of materials, labour, and energy into outputs in the form of goods and/or services. Operations management is about how organizations produce goods and services. Everything you wear, eat, sit on, use, read or knock about on the sports? eld comes to you courtesy of the operations managers who organized its production’ (Slack, N. , et al. , 2010) We have chosen Tesco PLC as it is not only one of the largest food retailers in the world it is also successful in selling its many other products including insurance and financial services. Tesco sets its performance objectives with the following categories of people in mind; the first are the customers because these are the main people that bring in revenue to the organisation. Then there are the suppliers; the operations section depends on these people to perform adequately. (Tesco, 2007) There are also the employees; these are the people who carry out the operations and working conditions in the operations section must put this category in mind. The community is also affected by operation processes especially if the goods disseminated by the process affect the environment. Lastly, there are the shareholders who expect that the operations section is effective stock that they can be able to earn a higher return on their investments. All of the above groups have been included in the performance objectives of Tesco to a large extent. Some of these performance objectives include; (Slack, N. , et al. , 2007) Speed; Tesco recognises speed as one of the major performance objectives in operation. Speed in this case is the time spent between a request for a specific item by a customer and delivery time. The Company values this because customers can get what they require when they need it. This constitutes a respectable record and makes them come back for more business. It has been incorporated in its day to day services by andling customers in a fast manner when they are purchasing items at the store, store attendants are taught to be prompt. Secondly, when they are purchasing a product or service over the phone, customer assistants are to deliver First Call Resolution. Thirdly, when customers are online they are saving valuable time that may be wasted in queues to make payments or when trying to move from one aisle of the store to the next to find a particular item, they can simply do this by selecting the items they require from Tesco’s official Website. Tesco, 2007) Quality; in production this performance objective takes precedence over all other objectives. The product offered by any given company must meet international or local standards in order for it to be a quality good. This is important to a company for two main reasons. The first being if a product or service falls within the customer’s expectation, then they will be satisfied and will be willing to come back for the same. The company will therefore make more profits or generate more revenue. The second reason why quality is such an important performance objective is that it helps the company to achieve effectiveness through reduction of costs, increasing dependability and speed. This will occur if the goods are of good quality. The organisation will then be able to spend time on other aspects of production rather than correcting mistakes. (Slack, N. , et al. , 2007) Tesco ensure that all goods especially foodstuffs are in top notch conditions to ensure that they incorporate this performance objective. This is normally done by effective selection of suppliers for the company. Weiss & Mark, 1989) Besides this, Tesco ensures that goods do not sit too long on shelves or in the warehouse. To prevent the sale of substandard goods expiry dates are regularly checked and to ascertain the quality of the products Tesco performs audits on its suppliers to check; the capability of the factory: that hygienic conditions are incorporated in food preparation; the quality management systems of the supplier and the supply chain management. If these aspects are fulfilled then Tesco will conduct business with them and display their items in their stores. This means that only the best quality goods are chosen in this case. (Tesco, 2007) Cost; this is a performance objective that is largely dependent on the other performance objectives. If an operation is dependable, fast, flexible and full of quality then fewer resources will be spent trying to rectify mistakes. This will directly affect the finances needed and overall cost in the process. It can then be said that cost falls under the four other types of performance objective and it is best not to consider it in isolation. (Slack, N. , et al. 2007) By ensuring that all other performance objectives are met Tesco ensures that this performance objective is incorporated and therefore Tesco improves efficiency in all processes. Flexibility; this is essential in ensuring that operation processes are effective. With flexibility a company can adjust to changes in external factors that may require different aspects of the product. In relation to this, flexibility may come in a variety of forms. It may involve a change in the amount of products the company dispenses, this will normally occur after an external reason has prompted a reduction or increase in the amount of product. Flexibility also applies to the way products or services are delivered. This may be in various forms such as changes in delivery or payment systems used which are influenced by advances in technology and/or competitors. Lastly, flexibility may also mean a change in the types of products or services offered in relation to changing customer preferences. This performance objective is also essential in determining how some other internal factors flow. With a flexible operation system, responses within the organisation will be fast and the overall process will be more efficient. Enhanced flexibility will enhance dependability within an organisation because the speed will have been improved. Lastly, flexibility also affects the amount of revenue generated within the company as the way time is spent within the organisation is affected. (Slack, N. , et al, 2007) Tesco incorporates flexibility by continuously introducing new products in order to meet with changing customer preferences. An example would be the introduction of Tesco’s own product brand name. These products include nearly all foodstuffs and now clothing and electrical goods. To further expand Tesco now sell insurance and provide financial assistance with loans and credit cards. During certain times of the year, Tesco will increase the amount they stock of certain items to compete with demand. One such example is ice cream; this will be in large stock during summer months and low stock during the winter months. Tesco has also shown flexibility by the way it has been engaging in a number of mergers and expansion programs. Tesco has shown that it is flexible in terms of locations as it has a large number of stores found outside the UK. This was in response to increased globalisation and technological advancements. (Hogan, 1998) Dependability; this may be defined as an organisations ability to deliver goods, services and time. An organisation must establish as a dependable system in order to succeed. As a performance objective it is very important as it defines the image that the organisation presents to its customers and whether the customers will continue to purchase their goods or services. If the company is very dependable then their revenue will increase and vice versa if they are not dependable. Dependability brings stability to the organisation and means that resources can be spent on improvement instead of on fixing mistakes. (Slack, N. , et al, 2007) One way that Tesco has implemented dependability is by ensuring that its delivery system is top notch meaning that its customers get their goods on time, every time. (Weiss & Mark, 1989) This is especially in regard to provision of insurance. The Company makes sure that customers wait for too long, if applicants are not viable, then Tesco informs them as soon as possible so that they do not have to waste time waiting unnecessarily. To conclude, it can be seen that Tesco is an extremely successful organisation that has extracted the necessary resources to succeed from new technology and finances. Tesco’s operations management is very effective with a highly structured distribution chain for its products and services and a highly structured way of choosing its suppliers who ought to have ability to deliver. (Tesco, 2007) Trough this Tesco has become very profitable and is ever expanding.

Your Students’ English Language Skills

Your Students' English Language Skills BY gallantly How can improve English As the president of the English Language Society of the school, you wish to improve the students' standard of English. You want to give a talk to the students on how they can improve their English at one of the weekly school assemblies. Good morning to the principal, teachers and fellow students. As the president of the English Language Society of the school, indeed I felt honor to give a talk entitled â€Å"How to improve the students standard of English†. English is an international language.Many up-to-date information on internet are written in English. In order to grab the first hand information, we have no choice but to improve our English standard. There are many ways ones can improve your English if you have the will to do so. The most practical and cheap ways is to read more English story books, magazines and newspapers. You can read at any hour and anywhere. You can read at the bus-stop while waiting for a bus. All you need to do is always put an English material in your pocket or bag. There are some who felt that they need proper guidance to improve their grammar,English structures and even pronunciation. They choose to go for English tuition class. Well, its not a bad idea after all! You can get one to one attention from a tuition teacher, all you need to do is register yourself and pay up every month at any tuition center nearby. Always listening to English program on television and radio is both entertaining and learning. Beside getting your knowledge widen through National Geographic Channel and also get your pronunciation improve. What an excellence idea of killing two birds with one stone! Remember a proverb, â€Å"Practice made ones perfect†.Reading and listening a lot is not enough to improve your English. Put your English into practice will bring you surprising reward. Practical thing like speaking English with family members, classmates, teachers help a lot. Taking part in English Debate, Elocution contest, Drama Competition and poem recitation will bring marvelous improvement. Apart from oral aspect, ones can improve your written skill through Essay writing competition and even corresponding with pen-pals in English. To conclude, there are thousand and one ways to improve your English, so, lets get started. Thank you for listening.

Descartes' Method of Doubt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Descartes' Method of Doubt - Essay Example Also in the introductory remarks, Descartes very clearly explains why he believes that leveling all of his beliefs and starting over is the only way to cure science from false and uncertain beliefs. Reason now leads me to think that I should hold back my assent from opinions which are not completely certain and indubitable just as carefully as I do from those which are patently false. So, for the purpose of rejecting all my opinions, it will be enough if I find in each of them at least some reason for doubt (Descartes, 12). He does not want to simply eliminate the beliefs that he knows for certain are false. He wishes to find indubitable knowledge, and the only way to accomplish this is to reject every belief he possibly can--from the obviously false beliefs to the beliefs that have only the most remote and improbable reason for doubt. Descartes then advances to the first category of beliefs he wishes to cast doubt on--beliefs gained from the senses. Descartes points out that most of the beliefs he is most certain of come from the senses, but that he has noticed that the senses sometimes are deceiving, such as â€Å"with respect to objects which are very small or in the distance† (Descartes, 13). ... Descartes does come up with a reason you could doubt this belief though, by proposing a new scenario. The scenario imagines is one where you are caught in a dream. Everyone has had the experience of being in a dream and thinking it is real until waking up, regardless of how fantastical the dream might be. Descartes admits it could certainly be possible that the arms and body he sees do not belong to him, but are part of a dream (Descartes 13). However, he points out that its doubtful that things like arms and hands do not exist altogether, because ideas in dreams are often based on what has been seen in real life. Even if these body parts were made up though, there are certain beliefs that still cannot be doubted, such as the existence of colors, and the fact that all bodies are extended (Descartes, 14). He points out that even more certain while dreaming are truths derived from mathematics, â€Å"for whether I am awake or asleep, two and three added together are five, and a square has no more than four sides† (Descartes, 14). This realization that the most certain empirical truths are merely the existence of bodies and colors, while truths gained through reason such as mathematical truths, leads Descartes to conclude that truths in the sciences are less certain than truths in Mathematics. Descartes then moves to his final level of doubt, by coming up with the most remote and unlikely, but most powerful scenario yet. He asks us to suppose that there is an evil genius that is infinitely powerful and intelligent, who wishes to trick us into thinking even the most certain things are true. Descartes admits that if such a being exists, even the basic truth that two plus three equals five can be called into doubt. This forces him to come up with his final, most essential

Marketing research for Ice pad and Outline the process for gathering Paper

Marketing for Ice pad and Outline the process for gathering data for and explain how you would analyze the inf - Research Paper Example Yet again, market research can help management decide how best to deliver their products to the target market. With many manufacturers producing and marketing a variety of ice pads in the U.S. it is important for a new entrant in the market such as Ice Pads Limited to establish what kind of products it needs to offer to win a significant part of the market. Ice Pads Limited was established in 2011 and has been a market leader in the supply of ice pads in China. The company sees a great potential in the United States, and particularly in New York City where winter sports are commonly played. The company targets individuals of either gender who engage in winter sports such as skating and ice hockey aged between 16 and 60. The sports are played by people across all socio-economic backgrounds and who have different lifestyles. Although these games are popularly played during the winter season when there is a lot of snow, there are places in New York that have ice courses for playing thro ughout the year. The major competitors in the New York market include Paragon Sports, New York Golf Center, and Jack Rabbit, all of which offer various ice pads used for sporting purposes. Problem Definition Ice Pads Limited needs to establish the kind of ice pads to offer to the New York market, the best price for the products, and the factors that people consider when buying ice pads for winter sport activities. The organization is a new entrant in the market and needs to offer unique and well priced products to win a significant part of the market within its first year of operations. Objectives 1. To establish what customers like or dislike about the products that are offered in the market currently 2. To establish what needs to be improved in the products offered in the market currently to make them better for customers 3. To establish the factors that consumers consider when buying ice pads 4. To establish the appropriate price for ice pads in the New York market Research Metho ds Data for market research can be drawn from primary or secondary sources according to Wight (2013). During the market research, primary as well as secondary data will be collected. Secondary data will be drawn from the Internet and brochures produced by competitors in the market. Primary data will be collected through a field survey. During the survey, a sample of 50 respondents randomly drawn from New York city will be issued with questionnaires containing about 10 closed ended questions. Given that the products for which the market research is conducted are mainly bought and used by individuals across all age groups, the sample frame will include individuals of either gender, living in New York City aged between 16 and 60 years interested in and actively engaging in winter sports. In this respect, the samples will include individuals who have at least taken part in one winter sport at one time or another in their life. The samples will be drawn from different streets in New York City. The researchers will draw the samples by randomly approaching individuals between the age of 16 and 60 going about their businesses. The potential respondents will be asked to spare a few minutes of their time and introduced to the research. More specifically, the researcher will introduce themselves before briefing the potential respondent about the study; its nature and the objectives of the

Discuss Jan Gossaerts treatment of the classical nude figure Essay

Discuss Jan Gossaerts treatment of the classical nude figure - Essay Example ddition, in 1508, he visited Rome and returned with visions of bare flesh, erotic vigor and Adam and Eve in the exact transition from naked to almost nude. This pleased his patron Philip of Burgundy who asked him to make portraits of girls for his walls. However, not everybody was pleased with the explicit portraits of Adam and Eve such as the diarist John Evelyn, and they started criticizing Gossaert’s work. Nevertheless, Gossaert continued to make more nude figures despite the criticism and his exhibition has received more than eighty works from all over the world. This paper will discuss John Gossaert’s treatment of classical nude figure in the renaissance art of the period1400-1550. The admiration for Gossaert’s intriguing works of art from Van Mander and Durer make it frustrating that there is quite a few drawings and painting that can be linked to him. He mostly worked alone although is said to have collaborated with a few other landscape painters and other artists such as Gerald David. According to Elkins (2008; p.42), Gossaert excelled particularly in making single panel paintings and portraits, which were about half of his work. Most of his work involved biblical and devotional themes such as those of the Virgin and Child, Adam and Eve, and some episode from the Passion of Christ among others (Grà ¶ssinger, 1997; P. 13). He also introduced mythological themes, which had nude figures with high eroticism. However, his treatment of nude figures was not limited to mythological themes only but was also essential in his devotional and biblical themes such as the drawings and paintings of the Virgin and Child and Adam and Eve. The biblical theme of Adam and Eve of 1520 shows the influence of Rome on Gossaert’s work. The painting gave Gossaert an opportunity to express the male and female nudes at a life size scale in some of his paintings. He impacts a biblical story of the origin of knowledge of sex through the two figures of Adam and Eve entangled in

Internship in the Bahrain Petroleum Company Essay

Internship in the Bahrain Petroleum Company - Essay Example Founded in 1929, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) is a unique company that has undergone several transformations over the years that mark its existence (Bapco.net, 2015). Consequently, the private sector company boasts of being the pioneer oil discoverer in the Arabian Peninsula, with the exportation and refinement of this commodity beginning a decade after the inception of the company. Moreover, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) is central in shaping the Bahraini wealth-generation pattern and in the development of the country’s work force. Â  Founded in 1929, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) is a unique company that has undergone several transformations over the years that mark its existence (Bapco.net, 2015). Consequently, the private sector company boasts of being the pioneer oil discoverer in the Arabian Peninsula, with the exportation and refinement of this commodity beginning a decade after the inception of the company. Moreover, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) is c entral in shaping the Bahraini wealth-generation pattern and in the development of the country’s work force. Â   Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) has a wide employee base that consists mainly of native citizens. Though it is wholly owned by the government of Bahrain, Bahrain Petroleum Company, (BAPCO) does not only indulge in the production of oil. The primary operation of the company is the exploration of petroleum, with the massive technological investments geared towards improving the production of petroleum. Â  

Marketing Survey for Gourmet Cupcakes Research Paper

Marketing Survey for Gourmet Cupcakes - Research Paper Example The research report author recommends that the Gourmet Cupcakes Bakery undertakes an expansion strategy into the key markets of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South Africa. Opportunites exist to position the product as a luxury item in these markets. 4. Introduction The purpose of the following report is to put forward a study that gives quantitative insight into current consumer response toward the product offering, gourmet cupcakes, from the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery. The report intends to identify current and future opportunities for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery to expand its operations beyond its present location in the United States to an international market. The report also points to a secondary opportunity for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery to co-brand with specialty food stores in the United States and internationally to build sales and develop a strong brand reputation. To date the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery has focused its operations exclu sively in the United States market. However, international demand for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery product can be stimulated through a series of strategic partnerships and co-branding initiatives. Key target markets exist in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South Africa. The report seeks to highlight future opportunities that serve the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery strategic vision. In order to accomplish the stated goals of the project, the research report author employed the web based Qualtrics survey software to create an online survey of consumer responses to the current gourmet cupcake product offerings produced by the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery. The Qualtrics software allowed the research report author to... The report intends to identify current and future opportunities for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery to expand its operations beyond its present location in the United States to an international market. The report also points to a secondary opportunity for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery to co-brand with specialty food stores in the United States and internationally to build sales and develop a strong brand reputation. To date the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery has focused its operations exclusively in the United States market. However, international demand for the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery product can be stimulated through a series of strategic partnerships and co-branding initiatives. Key target markets exist in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South Africa. The report seeks to highlight future opportunities that serve the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery strategic vision. In order to accomplish the stated goals of the project, the research report author employed the w eb based Qualtrics survey software to create an online survey of consumer responses to the current gourmet cupcake product offerings produced by the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery. The Qualtrics software allowed the research report author to perform quantitative statistical analysis, create a survey database and export the results to a simple Excel document for further examination. The result is a comprehensive and thorough analysis of consumer purchasing intention for the product offered by the Gourmet Cupcake Bakery, using its present branding strategy.

To what extend the bretton woods institutions have functioned to make Essay

To what extend the bretton woods institutions have functioned to make the world economy less prosperous and less stable - Essay Example Global financial institutions were put up such as the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The ideas behind Bretton Woods were open and free markets to prevent trade blocs. Before World War II, countries competed against each other in an unhealthy manner in economic nationalism. Trade discrimination resulted in few countries getting rich while countries that did not belong to blocs were left out of the bandwagon. This paper will discuss how institutions of the Bretton Woods Conference, namely the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the successor to the GATT which is the World Trade Organization failed their mandates of improving the international economic order. The present economic order is based on a biased system in which strong nations imposed their preferences on other countries. The number of trade disputes pending at various arbitration bodies a re ominously increasing. These arbitration courts are perceived as favouring stronger nations in interpreting WTO rules although all members are bound to abide by the rules. The noble idea that free trade and open markets will raise the living standards of everybody, in the concept of â€Å"a rising tide raises all boats,† did not happen. Richer nations deal with weaker neighbouring countries by bilateral trade agreements (BTA) and free trade agreements (FTA) like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). These agreements practice discrimination by the grant of most-favoured nation status (MFN) to countries in exchange for political or diplomatic considerations. These agreements violate the non-discrimination rule in the WTO charter. Discussion The great Industrial Revolution took place in imperial England 200 years ago. Foremost among these inventions was the steam engine. This propell ed many industries such as coal mining and the iron ore and steel industries. A number of factors made England the right environment for which the Industrial Revolution took place. It has a primitive form of capitalism (in lieu of the existing feudal system in much of Europe back then), a melting pot of the greatest minds at that time which discussed novel ideas, the rise of the manufacturing and textile industries and efficient ways of raising relatively-cheap capital at that time (at 5% only versus 20%-30% in Europe). England was the right fertile ground for capitalism. Karl Marx himself believed England favoured the growth of capitalism because it had all the ingredients. Its novelty as an economic system was attractive to many sectors because England had an excess population which needed to be re-deployed from farms. Capitalism provided the saving grace for the government because people can be employed in factories in large urban areas by capitalists. The old feudal system gave way to new ways in the creation of wealth through manufacturing and exports. Capitalism became entrenched with the right combination of political and social changes (Hindess & Hirst, 1975:288). The Industrial Revolution and capitalism are being discussed here to give the reader an overview of today’s global order which is based on the economic system of capitalism. Before

Federal Governments Roles in Private Security Research Paper

Federal Governments Roles in Private Security - Research Paper Example This can be done by the creation of gazettes that limit the mandate of private security companies to access information on a particular case. Moreover, the state should be able to share information with the private sector in case of a security threat. For instance, airport security may be mandated to stop a person as mandated by the state. Such collaborations make it easier to handle security threats. Another role of the state on private firms is to ensure proper certification of the practice. An organization should be valid and legally created to be able to serve in the industry. Raphael (2004) also points out that the state should ensure operations of private companies are regulated and specified. For instance, a private company may be provided with a mandate to use firearms only in extremely necessary situations. Private security firms in charge of institutions should be major areas to be targeted by the state. For instance, airports should be handled with greater regards from the state. The state should have intensified focus on private security firms in airports. However, this mandated should be limited to avoid instances of abuse on human rights. Regardless of this requirement, national security should be a priority (Noam, 2005). The author, however, is keen to assert that institutions such as medical and educational facilities should be approached with caution considering the sensitivity of people in these institutions (Noam, 2005). An area that should be provided with maximum state control is boarder control. Private security firms with the responsibility of securing across boarder transports should be completely transparent to the government on the nature of their business and provide evidence to support the claims. One proposed Act is the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR). This act is aimed at managing the contraction of private security firms. In an

Understanding Performance Management Essay Example for Free

Understanding Performance Management Essay The mandate to operate at an optimal performance level and meet financial and organizational expectations are transforming the way organizations do business. This evolution is driving higher standards of competence in day-to-day operations and adding new pressure to increase stakeholder value. In today’s rapid-paced business climate, the agility with which a company manages performance can determine market position and company profitability. Defining Performance Management Performance management is the integrated process of defining, assessing, and reinforcing employee work behaviors and outcomes (Cummings and Worley 2005). Performance management focuses on understanding, optimizing, and aligning action and decisions and ensuring the collaboration and empowerment of all individuals across the business network. It includes practices and methods for goal setting, performance appraisal, coaching, employee development and reward systems. More than ever, organizations need broader measures of employee performance to ensure that (1) deficiencies are address in a timely manner through employee development programs that meet the needs of the organisation and its market, (2) employee behaviours are being directed toward performance of specific objectives that are consistent with the work unit and the organization strategy, and (3) employees are provided with proper and timely feed back to assist with their career development. These practices jointly influence the performance of individuals and work group, and enables them to work across strategic, tactical, and operational levels to align actions to ensure optimal performance. In order for effective performance management to take place, the process must utilize information from three time periods to do so. It makes use of data from the past in order to gather information form past performance. This information is then utilized in the present for the establishment of work plans, goals and the setting of development opportunities. These objectives therefore allow for high levels of performance in the future. The Purpose of the Performance Management System The main purpose of performance management is to make sure that employee goals, employee behaviours used to achieve these goals and feedback information about employee performance are all linked to the corporate strategy. However there is no one way to manage performance. What ever system is adopted needs to be congruent with the culture and principles that pervade the organization. Most systems of performance management has three purposes- Strategic, Administrative, and Developmental. The strategic purpose- Defining Performance One of the ways in which strategies are implemented is by management defining the desired results, behaviours and employee characteristics necessary for carrying out strategy. They can then develop measurement and feedback mechanisms which will show hoe effectively results are being achieved and what to do to produce results. The organization can achieve this strategic purpose if it is flexible and amendable to changes in the goals and strategies which can occur, and also to recognise that if such changes occur, then there needs to be change in results, behaviours and characteristics of the employees, which must of necessity change to correspond with such organizational changes. The Administrative Purpose-Measuring Performance Performance appraisal information is one of the main instruments used by organizations for making administrative decisions, for example, salary administration, in terms of pay raises; promotions, retention or termination, recognition of individual performance and identification of poor performance. The Developmental Purpose- Feedback and coaching This aspect of performance management seeks to develop further, employees who are good at their jobs. In instances where employees are not performing up to standard, performance management also seeks to improve their performance through coaching. The feedback from the performance evaluation process indicates or identifies the areas of strengths and weakness in the employee performance. It is therefore critical to businesses that they recognise and fulfill the purpose of an effective performance management system as this is central to gaining a competitive advantage through the management of human resources. They also need to develop the measures by which performance can be evaluated. The discussion now turns to the development of the performance management system. It describes the major strategic decisions that must be put in place if the task force is to effectively design a performance management system. In order for a successful performance management to be established, the process must utilize five strategic decisions. 1. How the system will be used be used? 2. Who does the evaluation? 3. What areas are to be evaluated? 4. How should the evaluation be done? 5. What are the ways in which the evaluation can be done? How will the system be used Planned employee development should be one of the basic concepts of any organization’s performance management system. This is an attempt to state a broad policy which removes any option about people development by stipulating that developing people is a pillar of whatever system of management the organization espouses. This people development should be planned, not given mere lip service or expected to happen by itself. Adoption of this policy would guard against the simplistic way in which some supervisors consider themselves to be results oriented as opposed to people oriented, thus absolving themselves from people development. The major thrust of employee development will be to emphasize that the development of people as the best means available to achieve results for the organization. Three new thoughts are intended in this policy rec ¬ommendation. First, because development is different for everyone, there should be individual development plans. While there may always be areas of growth or development common to many at the same time, these ought not to be the sum total of the people develop ¬ing process taking place. It is often an easy excuse for supervisors point to plant–wide or company–wide â€Å"people† programs as a way of absolving themselves of their people developing responsibility. The second operable word in this policy state ¬ment is review. The supervisor is required to follow up on the people development plans. They are not to be spoken of enthusiastically for a brief period and then forgotten. If documented on company forms, they ought not to be forwarded to some staff office as though float ¬ing off into never–never land. They require monitoring so that progress can be checked periodically. Third, individual plans should be reviewed at least annually. This is an attempt to offer some time frame for periodic review, so as not to make the task too time–consuming. Furthermore, a lot can happen in twelve months, so that this time span is not too soon for considering new situations that might warrant chang ¬ing or updating the plan. Many practicing managers indicate a twelve month time frame as a practical one, especially when the development plan is discussed in the context of the annual performance evaluation. Each of my subordinates should work out a specific plan of personal development. Two thoughts are contained in this policy statement. First, each subordinate is to have a development plan. Again, we speak of the universality of develop ¬ment. This isn’t only for the weak, or only for those identified as shinning stars, or only for any select lucky or unlucky few. Everyone has developmental needs in order to help achieve the mission of the organization. Second, there is the question of who works out this plan for development. Some may immediately think of some subordinates who do not appear capable of working out their own personal development, hence this may prompt a negative vote (or â€Å"false† mark) on this state ¬ment. Clearly there will be some individuals less qualified than others to work out such a plan. But the intent is not to expect people to do it alone – quite the contrary. The real point of this statement is to fix on the subordinate a sharing of the development responsibility for which the supervisor is accountable. It becomes then a shared responsibility between the supervisor and the subordinate. I should require individual development plans from each of my subordinates Again many mangers can point to individuals who might state, or have stated, they are not interested in development. We’ve all encountered people like that. They readily assert that they have no interest in getting promoted; they know their job, they do it well, they simply want to work 9 to 5 and leave the jockeying for positions to someone else. This is precisely why the uni ¬versality of the need for development needs reinforcing. It ought not to be an option. The organization cannot afford to let people maintain that attitude. It is not what we want to people to think of promotion or becoming managers or anything they truly do not want to become, but in order to continue to perform well in the present areas of responsibility, people must keep pace with develop ¬ments in their field. Because no job stays the same, no jobholder can stay the same. â€Å"Future shock† is a concept with which we are all familiar. So much happens in the work developments around us that no job remains the same very long. Hence, if a worker is doing the job the same way he or she did a year ago, that person is less effective, if not completely wrong. Periodic on–the–job coaching is a major part of an individual’s development. The hope here is that the supervisor will feel at home with the statement and its implications. Periodic instruction or assistance on the job is an everyday occurrence. No one will deny the need for giving instruction or assistance on the job to those who need it, and some need it more that others. If we can begin to see this part of the warp and weft of individual development, then the universal change envisioned in these statements will not be so threatening to some. Who evaluates Performance appraisal of the employee should be done by immediate supervisor. The supervisor is the one who is usually in the best position to observe and evaluate his or her subordinates’ performance and he or she is responsible for that person’s performance. References I/O psych text Another approach that can be used is peer appraisals. According to kane and Lawler(1978), three techniques are usually used : (1) Peer nomination- each person nomoinates a specified number of group members as being highest in particular dimension of performance. (2) Peer rating- each group member rates the others on a set of performance dimensions using several kinds of rating scales. 3) Peer ranking- each member ranks all others from the best to worst on one or more performance dimensions. The Appraisal of an employee by his or her peers can be effective in predicting future management success. One problem however is log rolling; that is all the peers simply get together to rate each other highly. Also many group members donot like to evaluate one another, so part of the method hinges on impressing participants with its values. There is also the rating committee which is usually composed of the employees’ immediate supervisors and three or four other supervisors. This type of rating is useful and advantageous because while there may be discrepancies in the rating s made by individual supervisors, the composite ratings tend to be more reliable, fair and valid. Another advantage is that several raters can cancel out problems like bias and the halo effect on the part of the individual rater. Employee evaluation can also be done by employees assessing their own behaviour. This is known as the self assessment technique. The basic problem with this is that employees usually rate themselves higher than they are rated by their supervisors or their peers. Meyer(1980) reorted a study in which engineers rated their own performance against their views of the performance of other engineers in the company. On average, each engineer thought he or she was performing better than 75% of the rest of the engineers in the study. Statically, it is quite a trick to have a 100% of the workforce be in the top 25%b of job performers. This underscores the biggest problem with self- assessment: positive leniency. Most people have higher opinions of their own performance than others do. There is also the other form of appraisal which is appraisal by subordinates, otherwise known as upward feedback. In this situation, subordinates are anonymously asked to evaluate their supervisor’s performance. When this type of appraisal is conducted throughout the firm it really helps the top managers to diagnose management styles, identify potential people problems and take corrective action with individual managers as required. Appraisal may also be conducted through performance feedback from all the persons with whom the employee has to interact; this interaction is referred to as 360-degrwee feedback. The appraisal can take place between coworkers, subordinates, and internal and external customers. The Performance Appraisal Interview and the Coaching Process The appraisal interview is one in which the supervisor and subordinate review the appraisal and make plans to remedy deficiencies and reinforce strengths. For many supervisors the formal performance appraisal interview is one of the most dreaded activities of the role. Of course, supervisors often have no problem evaluating the outstanding performer. The problem is with everyone else. They are put in the position of providing information to a subordinate that often runs contrary to the subordinates own self-evaluation or self-image. This can lead to a number of outcomes that many managers would prefer avoiding. In conducting appraisal interviews effectively there are four major things that supervisors must do in preparation for interview: 1. Spend a lot of time preparing; go over the subordinates performance, your own interactions, the history of the employee; if the employee reports to a number of supervisors, make sure you have input from all relevant sources 2. They must assemble data, study the person’s job description, compare the employee’s performance standards that would be evaluated against, and review the files of the employee’s previous appraisals. 3. Supervisors should also prepare employees, that is , give them at least a week notice to review their work, read over job description, analyze problems and gather their questions and comments so that the interview can be a two-way conversation. 4. A mutually agreeable time should be choosen ofr the interview. Enough time time should also be scheduled for the intertview. Having prepared for the interview there are four important things that supervisors need to cognizant of: ? Supervisors should attempt to be direct and specific all times. They should speak in terms of objective work data such as absences, tardiness, qulit records, inspection reports, productivity records and cost reduction. This is done so that employee is aware of all the areas that he or she is being appraised on. ?The supervisor should also encourage the appraisee to talk. Stop and listen to what the person is saying. The supervisor should ask opened questions such as â€Å" what do you think we can do to improve the situation ? ? Do not get personal. Supervisors should try to compare employees’ performance to given standards and not to othe performance of other people. This can help to avoid confrontation or misunderstanding between the appraiser and appraisee. This also ensures that the person know what they are doing wrong and what they are doing right. The supervisor s hould ensure the persons understands , and get agreement before he or she leaves on how things will be improved and by a give n date . An action plan shoud also be developed showing steps and expected results. Coaching: Some General Guidelines be as specific as possible take advantage of critical incidents-for example after a major project, sit down and reflect with your subordinate about lessons learned identify specific developmental agendas identify resources available to subordinates adapt your coaching style to the individual Link to compensation Many people may argue that a performance appraisal is little more than a tool for managers to use in wringing as much work as possible from individuals without adequately rewarding them. This perception is difficult to deny if you have ever been the victim of such exploitation. Indeed, it must be recognized that a dishonest and secretive performance appraisal system will only exacerbate poor employee relations. However, if employees believe that the system can assist them in furthering their own careers and economic prospects, performance appraisals can actually boost employee morale. Performance appraisals are particularly useful in facilitating equitable decisions about salary if the agency uses a merit pay system as the basis for salary progression. A merit pay system requires a method for translating judgments about work quality into appropriate salary actions. Pay increases of varying sizes must be rationally explained if a merit pay system is not to seem arbitrary. If an organization has an automatic pay system, with scheduled salary increases, performance appraisals will help identify (and justify the termination of) unsatisfactory employees who demoralize others, since they receive the same salary increases as good workers. Recent research (Bannister Balkin, 1990) has reported that appraisees seem to have greater acceptance of the appraisal process, and feel more satisfied with it, when the process is directly linked to rewards. Such findings are a serious challenge to those who feel that appraisal results and reward outcomes must be strictly isolated from each other. Methods for performance appraisal

Criminal Procedure Essay Example for Free

Criminal Procedure Essay â€Å"One may well ask: How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others? The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but, a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.† – Martin Luther King, Jr. Imagine a perfect society, where the population had a standard set of rules and followed them. In that perfect society, everyone knew the rules down to a specific science hence, they knew how to obey said rules. Unfortunately in our time, we do not have a perfect society. Our civilization has lost the knowledge of their rights unless either; a.) laws were broken by an individual or b.) the individual is studying or examining criminal law. Either way, our society unknowingly forfeits their rights in certain situations. On the other hand, there are law enforcement officers who have sworn to uphold these rights to obtain their position. Some do not know themselves, when they have crossed the line of duty or violated a right. It is up to us to break down and identify the validity and righteousness of the â€Å"Officer Smith The Gold Pontiac† situation we are presented with. Reasonable suspicion is â€Å"a standard used in criminal procedure, more relaxed than probable cause, that can justify less-intrusive searches. A reasonable suspicion exists when a reasonable person under the circumstances, would, based upon specific and articulable facts, suspect that a crime has been committed (Reasonable Suspicion, Cornell Law School Library [2013]).† Officer Smith pulled over a gold, older model Pontiac because she noticed tape on what she suspected to be broken. One might wonder why Officer Smith pulled the Pontiac over. In most states, the driver is held accountable for faulty equipment of their vehicle. Unless the tape is red, reflective and transparent, an officer has every right to pull the driver over and issue a ticket. In my own experience, it is highly likely for a police officer to pull someone over if there was an obstruction of a head or taillight. I myself have been pulled over for something similar in which I received a warning or ticket. On her way to the driver’s window, Officer Smith remembers the description of a vehicle that was recently involved in a roadside killing of another police officer. That description fit with the Pontiac she had just pulled over. Officer Smith proceeds to ask the driver to get out of the vehicle so she may conduct a quick pat down for weapons. According to the Fourth Amendment, a justifiable search begins with reasonable suspicion. In this case, Officer Smith asks the driver to endure a â€Å"stop and frisk†. This means, the officer had the right to ask for a quick pat down of the driver’s outer clothing in search of a weapon(s). In my belief, the driver’s rights were not violated and valid based on the officer’s request for a stop and frisk. Nothing illegal has happened between the two. â€Å"If, during the pat down for weapons, the officer feels a weapon on the individual, the officer then has probable cause to conduct a complete search.† (Roberson, Wallace Stuckey, 2007; p.83) In our example, a weapon was not felt or found on the driver. Furthermore, Officer Smith has now conducted what’s known as a â€Å"Terry Stop†. What is the difference between a Terry Stop and the Stop and Frisk you ask? There isn’t any significant difference. Prior to â€Å"Terry Vs. Ohio† (1968), a stop and frisk protected against illegitimate search and seizure. Where as after, it is come to be known as; constitutional according to circumstances where a reasonably suspicious officer has a valid concern for societies or his/her safety. After the Terry Stop, Officer Smith directed the driver to have a seat in the vehicle and asks for their driver license and registration. I would think that this procedure is pretty standard in identifying who the driver is and maybe writing out a ticket for the taillight tape. The driver had other plans and speeds away from Officer Smith without giving requested information. It is to my knowledge that Officer Smith has mor e than reasonable suspicion now. She has probable cause to believe that the driver was in fact, the killer from the incident she’d heard about. With probable cause, Officer Smith proceeds to chase the Pontiac. The chase ends when the driver of the Pontiac hits a telephone pole. You may stop to ask me; â€Å"What is the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?† From my understanding of the two, probable cause is grounds for a warrant or for an arrest. Reasonable suspicion is not but, it may be grounds to further investigate or for a police officer to detain a person or vehicle for further investigation (Florida State University Law Review, Summer (2006), Vol. 33, Issue 4, 1239-1248). I’m compelled to agree with officer Smith in this instance. The driver demonstrated reckless behavior, presenting exigent circumstances for Officer Smith to give chase to this vehicle. According to The Cornell Law Library, an exigent circumstance is â€Å"a circumstance that requires an immediate response. It occurs when police officers believe they have probable cause and there is no time to obtain a warrant. (Exigent Circumstance), Cornell Law School Library [2013])† Being that the chase ended with a severe crash, Officer Smith did respond immediately to the situation. Furthermore, our scenario goes on to explain that Officer Smith feared that the car might catch on fire from the leaking gas tank. She pulls out the driver from the vehicle and goes back to get her purse for identification. It is then that Officer Smith sees that the glove box has popped open and in it was a firearm with documents on top of it. We are asked to think about if the firearm was in plain view and if it was legally obtained? Since I am just a Criminal Justice student, I would have to say affirmative to both. I say that in full confidence because it is legal for an officer to enter a vehicle at the scene of an accident to assist without an issued search warrant. Without rummaging through the vehicles co ntents, the officer sees a weapon or narcotics. Even with the use of a flashlight, it is still considered legal. Just because something is hidden behind darkness, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be seen during daylight, right? The other permissible circumstance regarding the plain view doctrine is, if the officer moves him or herself around to take a look. The object in plain view (without a thorough search) can be seized and is admissible evidence in court. The fact that the gun was seen through the documentation clearly shows that it was in plain view and didn’t have to be searched for. Officer Smith goes on to find the driver’s purse. In an attempt to locate the driver’s identification, she finds a baggie of Marijuana in the driver’s purse. Although I do not believe that this will uphold as evidence in this case, it may present the driver with another set of charges against her. Perhaps the driver may get charged with possession of an illegal substance? However, I really feel that Officer Smith did not have the right to search for anything other than the drivers license, even though she did find the Marijuana in the purse. In my studies it would be considered â€Å"Fruit of the Poisonous Tree†. Although Officer Smith was legally allowed to enter the vehicle without a search warrant and assist in identifying the driver, I believe that the retrieval of the cannabis will not be permissible in court for the reasons I’ve stated above. Our scenario also goes on to state that it was later found that this vehicle was not the vehicle involved in the death of the officer. It also states that it was determined that the taillight was not in fact broken. One might question or argue at this point, whether the entire scenario is justifiable or necessary? From my point of view it was entirely correct. The officer had a valid reason to pull the car over. She had reasonable suspicion for a Terry Stop. Her reasonable suspicion then turned to probable cause when the driver fled the sight without presenting the officer with what she’d asked for. The officer then acted within a responsible manner to help the driver out of the crashed vehicle. After all, law enforcement is there to â€Å"protect and serve† our community. The firearm was in plain sight of the officer while she tried to locate the driver’s identification. Nothing except the search and seizure of the contents of the purse violated the rights of the driver; nor incriminated the police officer. It is in my belief that Officer Smith could’ve called for backup or help once she found the scene of the accident. She could’ve taken the purse out of the vehicle and even seized the gun. However, she had time to obtain a warrant to search the purse. In instances like we have just gone through, it is interesting to see just how knowledgeable each player is with their rights and responsibilities. We see these cases often in the news and some do not even make it to trial because either a right was violated or a piece of evidence was gathered with some mistake made in obtaining it. â€Å"Dont interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.†- President Abraham Lincoln References Exigent Circumstance [Def.1], In Legal Information Institute, Cornell Univeristy Law School Libarary. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/exigent_circumstances Plain View Doctrine [Def.1], In Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School Library. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/plain_view_doctrine Reasonable Suspicion [Def.1]. In Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School Library. Retrieved February 13, 2013, from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/reasonable_suspicion Stuckey, G., Roberson, C., Wallace, H., (2006). Procedures in the Justice System (8th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Florida State University Law Review, Summer (2006), Vol. 33, Issue 4, 1239-1248, Retrieved February 14, 2013, from http://www.heinonline.org.lib.kaplan.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/flsulr33div=61

The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature Essay

The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature Essay I returned to this forgotten village, trying to put the broken mirror of memory back together from so many scattered shards, summarizes the narrators entire expedition to Sucre trying to unravel an unsolved mystery of the murder of Santiago Nasar. This essay will explore how memories serve as a tool in Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Memories seem to be the only source of information for the narrator and are frequently used by Marquez to bring to the reader the plot, albeit in a non-sequential order. Memories not only help in determining a characters perception of events but also create ambiguity. Marquez showcases some memories as contradicting and the others as vaguely similar to what actually happens in the lives of the characters twenty-seven years back. The writer creates a relation between the reader and narrator with the help of first-person narrative; this engages the reader more as he leaves them to decide whose memory should be trusted. One of many words that can be associated with this story is enigma, as a result of Marquezs non-linear narrative. Although the story begins with the revelation of specific memories of the murder such as the time, setting and the victim, the suspense lies in the context why the Vicario brothers kill Nasar. Marquez uses stereotypical techniques that accompany a mystery revealing conflicting memories of different characters at once: It wasnt raining, Pablo Vicario remembered. Just the opposite, Pedro recalled  [2]  . While Victoria Guzman was sure that it had not rained the entire month of February, some others claimed that the weather was funereal  [3]  and a thin drizzle  [4]  was falling. Thus, one cannot effectively visualize the setting of the day Nasar is murdered; these contradicting reminiscences of weather are perhaps intended to create uncertainty. The uncertainty in the recollections of weather not only forebode Santiago Nasars death, but also help the writer in using it as a tool to forebode other impending uncertainties, which are a result of ambiguous memories. This helps the writer in weaving an atmosphere of suspense. The memories of characters effectively bring out the dynamics of relationships in the plot. That the Columbian culture emphasized on strong filial bonds is clearly discerned in Placida Lineros memory of her son: The last image his mother had of him was that of his fleeting passage through the bedroomà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ as she would remember him forever  [5]  . Her memories reveal the strong tie between Santiago and herself, years after her sons death. Marquez also presents the flipside of filial bonds through Angelas recollection of her relationship with her mother. Angela only recollects the harsh incidents and the severity with which her mother dealt with her when she was returned by Bayardo San Roman for losing her virginity before marriage: The only thing I can remember is that she was holding me by the hair with one hand and beating me with the other with such rage that I thought she was going to kill me  [6]  . Purisima del Carmens vigilant disposition, made Angela subservi ent to her. This reflects on Angelas upbringing, a certain lack of trust, thereby, the dynamics of their relationship. Santiago Nasars character is established through the varied memories of him. The memories of minor characters also add to the multiple perspectives of Nasar and his murder. Flora Miguel said Here you are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦And I hope they kill you!  [7]  . But on the other hand Luisa Santiaga and Yamil Shaium try stopping the murder to save Nasar. With this in mind, he can also be claimed the protagonist of this chronicle, as all memories, either good or bad, are centered around him. The memories of individuals serve different purposes, than when used collectively to discover the truth. Separately, memories add a different angle to the recollection, by including each characters thoughts and feelings. There has never been a death more foretold  [8]  , the narrator remarks during his journey. It can also be inferred that the characters themselves did not remember the event chronologically but rather in bits and pieces. This also refers to the title, as per definition of a chronicle; it is not sequenced chronologically Jointly, memories help the writer to gather all the recollections to narrate an event that takes the reader back in time, to describe events during the wedding: I had a very confused memory of the festival before I decided to rescue it piece by piece from the memory of others  [9]  . Using memory as a motif, the writer also creates literary tension as he tries fitting all these pieces of memory together to present a sensible picture. Memories bring to life the rationale represented by Columbian culture in the eighteenth century. The writers use of memories draws a parallel between the social conventions of that period and those twenty-seven years later. Pablos wife claimed: I never would have married him if he hadnt done what a man should do  [10]  . The importance of family honor and machismo and the correlation between the two remains the same after twenty seven years. Memories therefore play mediator through different time periods by presenting the unchanged social constructs and norms. Using memories, the writer presents elements of magical realism through such instances as the dissection of Santiago Nasars body (It was as if we killed him all over again after he was dead  [11]  ) and the recollection of the priest (the dogs, aroused by the smell of death  [12]  ). These instances add to the uncertainty and create anticipation, as the suspense is revealed slowly. Later in the text, even with the description of Nasars body being cut open and stitched back together, the effect of using magical realism here is to show how Nasars reputation was questioned and how is identity was erased, after his murder. Memories are also used as a cathartic tool to purge the guilt associated with Santiago Nasars murder. The entire community is to blame for it and their memories either come across as excuses or remorse for not informing Santiago that he was in danger. (The) twins declared at the end of the trial that they would have done it again a thousand times over for the same reason  [13]  . This conveys how the brothers attempt to purge themselves of the guilt related with the murder, by convincing themselves more than the narrator or the reader that they are guiltless. We killed him openly, Pedro Vicario said, but were innocent.  [14]  They repeatedly try to justify their act, to escape the guilt and remorse associated with killing a man, whose culpability they are, perhaps, uncertain about. Marquezs portrayal of a mystery catches the attention of the readers instantly. The use of memories is prevalent in different forms and consistent through the entire mystery. Although the investigation has been carried out after so many years, it still gives rise to a few significant questions about. Thus, the reader may question the accuracy of these memories and whether they can actually be of any help in understanding the reasons for death of Santiago Nasar. The answer to this question could probably be traced through the authenticity or reliability of these memories, and the reconstruction of these broken pieces, that Marquez puts together for the reader, as a complete chronicle.

Through Love and War: The Korean War Story Essay -- Society Fashion Es

Through Love and War: The Korean War Story Freddie’s Market during the early 1950s would be the host of much gossip and change. The Corsica Cafà © would lend itself to long political debates and chats over coffee. Meanwhile, the Korean War would be blasting through the decade of the 1950s. The fashions, the fads, the prices, the music, the art, and the infamous Korean War tell the story of the decade we call the fabulous fifties. â€Å"I remember working at Freddie’s Market in Corsica, SD. I would sack candy, and do other sorts of jobs to earn a little money to live on. I recall that I made one hundred and fifty dollars a month, and worked every day for at least eight hours,† (â€Å"Van Zee†). This is a memory my grandma has shared about work throughout the 50s. She did not make a lot by our standards today, but it proves that people who lived during this period of time worked hard to make a living. Working in a supermarket was just one of the many ways people in a small town earned money to get by, while fighting a war overseas. Over the years, as with everything else, fashions changed. During the 1950s, women wore high heels and cotton dresses, while men wore knit pants and cotton tops. People made a lot of their own clothing and would make a lot for their children also. My grandma recalls making and wearing circular skirts, which form a circle when laid out flat (â€Å"Van Zee†) . Along with clothing, jewelry has also changed. During the 1950s it was common to see ladies wearing clip-on earrings if they did not have pierced ears. Nowadays, adults, as well as children, have pierced ears. This proves that technology and customs have changed throughout the years. Style not only changed in the clothing category, but it also changed in t... ...o see his son. Life would eventually return to normal although everything abnormal, like the war, would be forgotten. The fifties, a time of fads, fashions, and a forgotten war, will always stand out as a pivotal point in American history. The cars of the fifties rolled in and out of view, the inflation rates grew, and the minimum wage would be raised. Certain pieces of music would yet be passed on through time. Although one major event, The Korean War, would be considered forgotten, sandwiched in between the events of history. Works Cited Dowd, Alan W. (2000, September). As It Happened. The American Legion, 66-69. Sauter, Jack. (2000, September). Why Korea Was Forgotten. The America Legion, 8-11. Young, Steve. (2002, May 26). A Soldier’s Solemn Homecoming. The Argus Leader, pgs. 1A-4A. Van Zee, Mary Ann. (2004, March 17). Personal Interview.

Is TV Harming America? :: essays research papers

Those who proclaim that television is harming society may be too quick to judge television, in fact in some ways TV can help society. One only has to look at programs such as America’s Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries, they may often be on the corny side, however America’s Most Wanted has helped authorities capture many wanted fugitives. News programs have gotten more and more graphic in recent years, but the amount of information given on the news has increased substaintially as well. As a nation, we watched the Gulf War, the Clinton Impechment proceedings, the Clarence Thomas hearings and several other pivotal news stories that we otherwise would not have had such access to without television. Children’s shows run the gamut from programs such as Power Rangers to Sesame Street. Few would argue that shows such as Sesame Street and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood are damaging our youth. With a little parental supervision the harmful aspects of television can be avoided, there are useful and educational shows available for children to watch. Some of my nephew’s favorite shows are Arthur, Blue’s Clue’s, Sesame Street, he’s even at an age now where he will tell me to change the channel when it’s time for Arthur to come on. Some critics have said that advertisers are brainwashing our children, that may be true on some level. However, ultimately it’s not the child that runs out to Toy’s R Us and purchases the toys that are hocked constantly on television; the parents have control of the checkbook and should therefore establish some rules about commercials. Unfortunatley, advertisements are unavoidable these day’s, they are everywhere, not just TV, they can be heard on the radio, there are billboards everywhere you look.

Insight into Human Nature in Geoffrey Chaucers Canterbury Tales :: Canterbury Tales Essays

Insight into Human Nature in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, (written c. 1387), is a richly varied compilation of fictional stories as told by a group of twenty-nine persons involved in a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury, England during the fourteenth century. This journey is to take those travelers who desire religious catharsis to the shrine of the holy martyr St. Thomas a Becket of Canterbury. The device of a springtime pilgrimage provided Chaucer with a diverse range of characters and experiences, with him being both a narrator and an observer. Written in Middle English, each tale depicts parables from each traveler. England, in Chaucer's time, was a nation of social and economic growth. Medievalism was a dominant influence in the lives of Englishmen, but the Renaissance had assumed definite form, and the country stood on the threshold of the modern world. Medieval Europeans asserted that the ideals of spiritual community, social groups and national interests were greater than individualism. In Chaucer's time, there were many manifestations of rebellion against the old order of things, including an influx of mysticism and materialism. People demanded more voice in the affairs of their government and viewed the Catholic Church as corrupt. An emerging religious reformation, which placed emphasis on individualism and national patriotism, along with the upsurge of manufacturing and commerce, gave rise to the English middle class. The Canterbury Tales is a literary work that deals with the personal concerns and solutions of an evolving Medieval society. In Medieval Europe pilgrimages were common for personal reflection, penance, and spiritual renewal. Chaucer chose the framework of a pilgrimage for its naturally plausible diversity of people and mix of pious purpose and holiday spirit. Geoffrey Chaucer, England's first great poet, was born in 1343, during a time of social, political, religious and literary ferment. Chaucer, who was the descendent of a prosperous family from Ipswich, received the impetus for writing from fourteenth-century Italian and French poets. Chaucer--whose father was a successful wine dealer in London and whose mother, Agnes de Compton, a member of the English court--was reared in an intellectual environment of high society. He was well educated, having studied at the Universities of the Court. He lived among nobility in his service to the Court. The project of writing The Canterbury Tales took Chaucer thirteen years of unremitting toil, a work that was both continually evolving and unfinished.

American lit

The present paper is designed to compare Faulkner’s short story â€Å"A Rose to Emily† to the writings of the same genre by Poe and Hawthorne in order to identify the similar criteria, attributed to gothic literature. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the depiction of the physical and material dimensions, employed by the authors, as most of them refer to pessimism, inescapable decay and hopelessness. For instance, Faulkner provides the details of Emily’s ageing: â€Å"When we next saw Miss Emily, she had grown fat and her hair was turning gray† (Faulkner, 2001,Part IV), which can be parallelized to the very gradual expiration.Hawthorne, in â€Å"The Birthmark† uses dark imagery, e. g. , â€Å"late one night when the lights were growing dim†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hawthorne, 2002) in order to imply the degeneration and â€Å"darkening† of the protagonist’s conscience and morality. Poe, in â€Å"The Black Cat†, employs the images of night and the black color is order to create the impressions of fear, and similarly to the other two writers, moral and mental degeneration. Another important component of Gothic literature, used by the writers, is sinister mystery.Faulkner in the introductory paragraph states that the whole city gathers at the protagonist’s funeral â€Å"through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument† (Faulkner, 2001, Part I), so that the reader is puzzled by the possible reasons for such behavior, Hawthorne introduces his protagonist as a â€Å"peculiar† person, a gifted scientist with a mysterious and ambiguous personality, whereas Poe at the very beginning cues at the intrinsic adversity of the events to be presented, as they â€Å"have terrified – have tortured—have destroyed† (Poe, 1999) the main character.Finally, all authors employ mental disorder as a vital aspect of Gothic literature: Faulkner’s Miss Emily literally keeps skeletons in her bed, Hawthorne’s Aylmer is obsessed with a single idea, the removal of the birthmark from his wife’s cheek, whereas Poe’s protagonist in â€Å"The Black Cat†, addicted to alcohol, experiences extremely grave fits of anger and aggression, extending his negative emotions to the innocent creature. Essay 2.The present paper focuses on the realistic and non-judgmental and non-pissing depiction of the protagonist in â€Å"Neighbour Rosicky†. First of all, it is important to note that the author easily managed to provide a portrait of a righteous and kind-hearted person, who is, however, ordinary and poorly-educated villager. The overall tone of the short story is friendly and down-to-earth, which probably also points to the protagonist’s nature; as his wife, Mary, believes, Anton Rosicky â€Å" was her man, and the kind of man she liked.She was rough, and he was gentle , — city-bred, as she always said. They had been shipmates on a rough voyage and had stood by each other in trying times† (Cartherm 2002, Part II). In addition, the man manages to develop his agricultural business and rich certain affluence, beginning literally with nothing, which points to his resistibility and strong survival skills. Finally, he is very committed to his family and continues teaching and transferring knowledge to his children even after they have grown into adults.It is possible, however, to suspect a high degree of sentimentalism in the depiction of the decay of the main character’s kind heart, but the author emphasizes the meaning of Anton’s attitude towards the hardships he encounters: starving, suffering from poor economic security, he in his young years managed to ascend over the circumstances and maintain his easy-going and supportive nature; thus, when learning the doctor’s verdict about the possible length of his life, he shows optimism and insists that he is not going to give up the regular agricultural activities.The protagonist’s last words probably reflect his enthusiastic and caring nature: â€Å"I like mighty well to see dat little child, Polly† (Carther, 2002, Part VI), which means, the old man’s optimism, desire for living and interest in earthy and family issues lasts as long as his own physical life.To sum up, the author successfully completes the goal of realism, associated with depicting practical, simple-minded people without any extravagancies, but with intrinsic ability to remain socially and psychologically productive. The short story resembles a memory about an old friend rather than an ode; moreover, the author manages to avoid another extremity and eliminates the traces of sentimentalism through stressing the main character’s viewpoint concerning his approaching death.Works cited Carther, W. â€Å"Neighbour Rosicky†. 14 December 2002, Faulkner, W. â€Å" A Rose for Emily†. 11 May 2001, Hawthor ne, N. â€Å"The Birthmark†. 9 September 2002, Poe, E. â€Å"The Black Cat†. 21 July 1999,