Sub Saharan Africa Food Insecurity Environmental Sciences Essay

An Integrated Assessment and Policy Needs Identification Abstract The survey aims to supply in-depth analysis of nutrient security in SSA in a changing clime, by incorporating socio-economic factors into scenario analysis. Furthermore, particular accent will be placed on the regional security issues. The first aim is of the research is to measure the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security, while the 2nd purpose is to place the key policy needs that should be considered in version schemes. Climate alteration scenarios will be simulated utilizing HadCM3 theoretical account. Two scenarios will be examined: â€Å" worst instance † ( 1 % CO2 addition per annum ) and â€Å" best instance ‘ ( 0.5 % CO2 addition per annum ) . The projections of agricultural productiveness will be assessed with IMAGE or AEZ theoretical accounts. Once the land-use and harvest simulation theoretical accounts are run, the estimated alteration of crop-yields will be fed into IMPACT and BLS theoretical accounts in order to measure the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security and hazard of hungriness. The interaction between the two theoretical accounts will capture the cross-cutting drivers for nutrient insecurity in the part. As a concluding measure, the survey will supply socio-economic and political tendencies analysis with chief methods: literature reappraisal, informations aggregation and analysis, arrested development analysis. The overall result of the survey will be designation of the policy needs that rise consciousness, with pertinence in explicating version schemes. Keywords: agribusiness, clime alteration, estimable general equilibrium, nutrient security, integrated appraisal, malnutrition, partial equilibrium, hazard of hungriness, sub-Saharan Africa.1. Introduction The impact of clime alteration on nutrient security is important for developing states. Sub-Saharan Africa ( SSA ) is one of the most vulnerable parts in the universe, due to the high de grees of nutrient insecurity as a consequence of socio-economic, political and environmental force per unit areas. Harmonizing to FAO/ WFP 2010 study 1 SSA is on the 2nd topographic point ( after Asia ) in the universe in footings of figure of ill-fed people ( 239 million people ) . However, on the first topographic point in footings of per centum undernourished of the entire population ( 30 % ill-fed ) . Recent projections for future clime alteration in SSA dismay that the land with suitableness for harvest cultivation will worsen and the land with wet emphasis will increase ( e.g. Fischer, 2005 ; FAO, 2009 ) . At the same clip, the part is characterized with agriculture-driven economic system, whereas the low GDP and weak institutional constructions are barriers for technological development of the agricultural sector. 2. Problem Statement and Aim of the Study Recently, research workers have produced a figure of of import surveies analyzing the impact of clime alteration on harvests productiveness ( e.g. Betts, 2005 ; Challinor 2009 ) and agricultural sector ( e.g. Parry, 2004 ; Fischer, 2005 ) . Those documents present assorted patterning models for regional and planetary appraisal of the impact of clime alteration on agribusiness and the hazard of hungriness. Furthermore, several surveies examine SSA regional scenarios for future tendencies of nutrient demand ( based on the future population and income projections ) , nutrient supply ( based on agricultural productiveness and trade ) , land usage displacements and future clime conditions ( e.g. AIACC, 2006 ; Challinor, 2011 ) . However, most surveies capture chiefly harvest production ( agricultural sector ) and pay small attending to the whole nutr ient system, i.e. nutrient handiness, nutrient entree and nutrient use ( Ingram, 2005 ) . Therefore, in order to supply overall policy deductions for accomplishing nutrient security in a changing clime, we should see the drivers for nutrient insecurity in SSA, such as poorness, deficiency of instruction, hapless market entree, unemployment, failures in belongings rights ( Scholes and Biggs, 2004 ; Ingram, 2005 ) . 1 The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2010, FAO/ WFP Following the logic of the above statements, this survey aims to supply in-depth analysis of nutrient security in SSA in a changing clime, by incorporating socioeconomics factors into scenario analysis. Furthermore, particular accent will be placed on the regional security issues, such as migration and urbanisation, delicate provinces and struggles, refugee crises, HIV/ AIDS. 3. Aims of the Study and Research Questions The survey will near two chief issues. The first aim is to measure the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security. In this regard the research paper will discourse the undermentioned inquiries: – What is the environmental position and future clime conditions in SSA? – Which are the cardinal socio-economic force per unit areas in SSA that should be integrated in the appraisal of clime alteration impact on nutrient security? – What is the impact of clime alteration on nutrient insecurity and hungriness in SSA ( assessed by incorporating future tendencies of socio-economic conditions ) ? The 2nd aim is to place the key policy needs that should be considered in version schemes. In this context, the following set of research inquiries is: – What are the barriers and chances for version in SSA? -Which are the policy needs for nutrient security in the altering clime of SSA? -Which socio-economic and political conditions should be addressed in clime alteration – nutrient security policy models, based on the projections of future tendencies? 4. Sc ientific Methods n order to turn to the first set of research inquiries ( first aim ) , I will utilize he following research methods and instruments. 4.1. Climate Variability and Climate Change in SSA & gt ; Climate variableness – ( I ) calculation of indices for variableness in monthly lower limit and maximal temperature ; monthly rainfall ; ( two ) linear graphs for one-year alterations ; ( three ) arrested development analysis of long term trends2. & gt ; Climate alteration scenarios Tools and method: General Circulation Models utilizing statistical downscaling Model: HadCM3 ( coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation theoretical account ) Datas: extracted from IPCC 2002 Period: 1961-1990 ; 2010-2039 ; 2040-2069 ; 2070-2099 Base-line clime: 1961-1990 ( Fischer, 2005 ) Scenarios: SRES A1F1 and A2 ( â€Å" worst instance † = 1 % CO2 addition per annum ; 855 ppm ) and SRES B1 and A1T ( â€Å" best instance ‘ = 0.5 % CO2 addition per annum ; 560 ppm ) ( e.g. Fisher, 2005 ; AIACC, 2006 ) .The comparing between the two scenarios will turn to the uncertainties3. End product: projected degrees of future CO2 ; precipitation ; temperature The end product from HadCM3 will be fed as an input in IMAGE theoretical account or AEZ theoretical account. Both theoretical accounts provide land-use displacements and harvests fertilisation effects from the informations obtained with HadCM3. 4.2. Food Security Impact Assessment Once the land-use and harvest simulation theoretical accounts are run, the estimated alteration of crop-yields will be fed into IMPACT ( partial-equilibrium theoretical account ) and BLS ( general equilibrium theoretical account ) in order to measure the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security and hazard of hungriness. The interaction between the two theoretical accounts is necessary to capture the drivers for nutrient insecurity in the part. Table 1. outlines how the two theoretical accounts correspond to the socio-economic force per unit areas in the clime alteration – nutrient security impact appraisal analysis. 2, 3 Methodology used by James Adejuwon, 2006. A Concluding Report Submitted to Appraisals of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change ( AIACC ) , Project No. AF 23 Table 1. Models specification IMPACT Model BLS Model Partial-equilibrium theoretical account with focal point on agricultural sector, H 2O, nutrient supply and demand. It tends to hold more item than genral equlibium theoretical accounts General equlibrium theoretical accounts take into history the linkages between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. The theoretical account represents all economic sectors with through empirical observation estimated parametric quantities. States are linked through trade, universe market monetary values and financies Agricultural productiveness ( exogenic ) Agricultural productiveness and clime ( exogenic ) & gt ; agricultural production and trade ( edogenous ) & gt ; agricultural production and trade ( edogenous ) & gt ; GDP ( exogenic ) ; monetary values and trade ( endogenous ) & gt ; GDP, monetary values and trade ( endogenous ) Allows calculation of per capita KCAL, in peculiar kid malnutrition. Allows calculation of figure of people at hazard of hungriness as a portion of undernourished in the entire population. The per centum of malnourished kids is a map of: mean per c apita Calorie ingestion, female secondary instruction, the quality of maternal and child attention, wellness and sanitation. Thus the theoretical account gaining control broad assortment of societal issues. The estimations are based on: 1 ) SRES scenarios projected income and population degrees and their distribution ; 2 ) ratio of the mean national nutrient supply ( including imports ) Population and GDP ( exogenic ) Population ( exogenic ) ; GDP ( endogenous ) Population projections captures rural-urban kineticss There are regional group theoretical accounts wich capture the economic constructions of a figure of African states by grouping them into: oil exporters, low income nutrient importers and exporters, average income nutrient importers and exporters. 3.2. nutrient entree ( affordability – income, monetary values ; allotment ) 3.3. nutrient use ( nutrition ) 4. Socio-economic factors ( population, GDP ) 1.Model type 3. Food systems constituents captured by the theoreti cal accounts ( endogenous and exogenic variables ) : 3.1.food handiness ( agricultural production, trade, imports ) 2. Climate related drivers The appraisal will be built on multiple plot line attack ( e.g. Fisher, 2005 ) : Figure 1. Multiple storyline attack 4.3. Socio-economic and political force per unit areas analysis – the chief activities which will be conducted are: literature reappraisal, informations aggregation and analysis, arrested development analysis. & gt ; Economic construction of the SSA states – descriptive analysis will be provided & gt ; Population projections in SSA – the survey will show current demographic tendencies and future projections, based on informations extracted from IIASA. The particular accent will be on migration and urbanisation, HIV/ AIDS, every bit good as educational degrees. Climate alteration induced migration will be discussed. This analysis is closely linked to climate alteration – nutrient security analytical m odel, since demographic tendencies are strongly correlated with environment and nutrient security. & gt ; Income distribution and nutrient demand trends – income degrees change the consumers ‘ penchants for nutrient. As good income distribution and inequalities between states have important impact on nutrient demand ( e.g. Cirera and Masset, 2010 ) . Therefore this issue will be addressed, taking into consideration the findings of this survey every bit good as Gini coefficients for the part. & gt ; Poverty degrees and unemployment tendencies – descriptive analysis & gt ; Political stableness – descriptive analysis on past and present struggles ; hazards of new eruptions ; refugee crisis & gt ; Property rights – descriptive analysis of rural economic conditions & gt ; Poor market entree – descriptive analysis of market engagement Current clime variableness, nutrient security and socioeconomic conditions Socio-economic development and nutrient security with clime variableness ( no alteration ) – baseline simulation Socio-economic development and nutrient security with clime alteration ( â€Å" best instance † scenario ) Socio-economic development and nutrient security with clime alteration ( â€Å" worst instance † scenario ) 5. Significance of the survey The chief parts of this thesis are expected to be: – Designation of relevant clime variables, tendencies and projections ( temperature, precipitation, turning season, land-use alterations ) and appraisal of clime alteration impact on harvest outputs – Designation of the cardinal socio-economic factors in the analysis of the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security in the context of SSA – Appraisal of the impact of clime alteration on nutrient security utilizing partialequilibrium and general equilibrium theoretical accounts – Projection and spacial distribution of people at hazard of hungriness in SSA – Appra isal of the socio-economic and political tendencies, closely related to nutrient security and clime alteration – Designation of barriers and chances for version – Designation of the policy needs that rise consciousness, with pertinence in explicating version schemes Figure 2. Applicability of the survey in Adaptation Policy Frameworks Adaptation Policy Frameworks ( APF ) for Climate Change ( Developed by UNDP ) 1. Scoping and planing an version undertaking 2. Measuring current exposure: Current clime hazards ; Socio-economic conditions ; Adaptation baseline ; Climate change exposure 3. Measuring future clime hazards: Climate tendencies ; Socio-economic tendencies ; Natural resource and environment tendencies ; Adaptation barriers and chances 4. Explicating an Adaptation Strategy 5. Monitoring and Evaluation Policy Development Integrated Assessment Applicability of the survey 6. Restrictions and Uncertainties There are three types of restrictions and uncertainnesss in i ncorporate assessment – proficient ( â€Å" quality of informations available † ) , methodological ( â€Å" deficiency of sufficient cognition to make an equal theoretical account † ) and epistemic ( e.g. human behaviour, entropy of nature ) ( Reilly and Willenbockel, 2010 ) . The survey will foreground those uncertainnesss and will utilize multiple plot line attack in order to turn to them. Bibliography: Adejuwon J. 2006 Food Security, Climate Variability and Climate Change in Sub Saharan West Africa. Final Report Submitted to Appraisals of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change ( AIACC ) , Project No. AF 23. Betts R. 2005 Integrated attacks to climate-crop modeling: demands and challenges. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2005 360, 2049-2065. Betts R. , Gornall J. , Burke E. , Clark R. , Camp J, Willett K. & A ; Wiltshire A. 2010 Implications of clime alteration for agricultural productiveness in the early 21st century. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 2973-2989. Bou wman A. , Kram T. & A ; Goldewijk K. 2006 Integrated modeling of planetary environmental alteration: An overview of IMAGE 2.4. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency ( MNP ) , Bilthoven, October 2006. MNP publication figure 500110002/2006. Challinor, A. J. , Ewert, F. , Arnold, S. , Simelton, E. & A ; Fraser, E. 2009 Crops and climate alteration: advancement, tendencies, and challenges in imitating impacts and informing version. J. Exp. Bot. 60, 2775-2789. Challinor, A. J. , Thornton P. , Jones P. & A ; Eriksen P. 2011 Agriculture and nutrient systems in sub-Saharan Africa in a 4 A °C+ universe. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 2011 369, 117-136. Challinor, A. J. , Wheeler, T. , Garforth, C. , Craufurd, P. & A ; Kassam, A. 2007 Measuring the exposure of nutrient harvest systems in Africa to climate alteration. Clim. Change 83, 381-399. Cirera X. & A ; Masset E. 2010. Income distribution tendencies and future nutrient demand. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 2821-2834. FAO. 2009 Climate Change and Food Security. A Framework Document ( www.fao.org/forestry/15538-079b31d45081fe9c3dbc6ff34de4807e4.pdf ) . FAO/ WFP 2010 The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2010, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Fischer G, new wave Velthuizen, H. , Shah, M. & A ; Tubiello F. 2005, Socio-economic and climate alteration impacts on agribusiness: an incorporate appraisal, 1990 -2080 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2005 360, 2067-2083. Fischer, G. , Frohberg, K. , Keyzer, M. A. & A ; Parikh, K. S. 1988 Linked national theoretical accounts: a tool for international policy analysis. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic. Fischer, G. , Shah, M. , & A ; van Velthuizen, H. 2002b Climate Change and Agricultural Vulnerability, Special Report to the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development. Johannesburg 2002. Laxenburg, Austria: IIASA. IEG World Bank. 2007 Disasters, Climate Change, and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons and Future Directions. Evaluation Brief 3. IFPRI. 2008 International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade ( IMPACT ) : Model Description. Ingram J. , Gregory P. & A ; Brklacich M. 2005 Climate alteration and nutrient security. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2005 360, 2139-2148. IPCC 2000 Summary for policymakers, emanations scenarios. A Particular Report of IPCC Working Group III, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. utz W. Samir KC. 2010 Dimensions of planetary population projections: what do we cognize about future population tendencies and constructions? Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 2779- 2791. Parry M. , Rosenzweig C. & A ; Livermore M. 2005, Climate alteration, planetary nutrient supply and hazard of hungriness. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2005 360, 2125-2138. Parry, M. L. , Rosenzweig, C. , Iglesias, A. , Livermore, M. & A ; Fischer, G. 2004 Effects of clime alteration on planetary nutrient production under SRES emanations and socio-economic s cenarios. Global Environ. Change 14, 53-67. Raleigh C. , Jordan L. and Salehyan I. Measuring the Impact of Climate Change on Migration and Conflict. The World Bank Group. Reilly M. & A ; Willenbockel D. 2010 Managing uncertainness: a reappraisal of nutrient system scenario analysis and mold. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 3049-3063. Satterthwaite D. , McGranahan G. & A ; Tacoli C. 2010 Urbanization and its deductions for nutrient and agriculture. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2010 365, 2809-2820. Scholes, R. J. & A ; Biggs, R. 2004 Ecosystem services in Southern Africa: a regional appraisal. Pretoria, South Africa: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Stern N. 2006 Stern Review on the Economicss of Climate Change. Prepared for HM Treasury, Cabinet Office. UNDP, Adaptation Policy Frameworks for Climate Change. ( available at: www.undp.org/climatechange/adapt/apf.html )

Dbq 9

America felt the need to move towards the idea of foreign policy from 1895 to 1920; their success was a combination of idealism and self-interest. Both were influential in the decision to venture outside of U. S borders. America expanded due to idealistic view such as: The White Man’s Burden, Religious motivation, a social contract with the Western Hemisphere and the Spanish American War. However, self interest offered more of a substantial force with America’s desire for a stronger Navy, foreign market, power, pride, and the influences of the Roosevelt Corollary.When both ideas are combined they create one of the most influential and globally shaping decisions of our world. America’s decision to expand their foreign policy influenced their idealistic views. America especially felt the need to assist the less fortunate and successful nations in the western hemisphere, which is called the White Man’s Burden. This is described in (Document C). This poem show s the feelings of the American people, the poem’s optimistic tone and uplifting morale portrays the justification the colonization of less developed and successful countries.Many of America’s missionaries decided to leave the land of the free and help other countries and their populations through education and the gospel. Missionaries were sent out to spread their religion and to help people who were not as fortunate as others. American men and women set up schools and hospitals in SE Asia and taught children the basic principles of science and math. (Document D) shows a picture of American missionaries teaching in China. Citizens of the government served as inspiration for the expansion of its foreign policy.America was caught in a feeling of moral obligation to its western countries. It then became morally bound to help those in times of need. The government became stuck in their good deeds. It was difficult to maintain its policy of individualism with this moral arr angement. The Spanish American War was a main factor that led America to gain foreign policy. While Cuba was struggling for independence in the late 1890s, the Spanish created a form of concentration camps in response to the revolts to keep prisoners from assisting the rebels.They believed that if they kept the citizens in these camps, they could not mount a large enough force to overthrow Spanish power. Over the time of the camps habitation, approximately a third of all prisoners were killed by the time of the camps liberation. America felt obligated to assist the Cubans due to their burden of the white man, pushing their foreign policy higher. America was given no choice; they were forced to break down their wall of individualism. This was the impetus for America’s colonial expansion.Shortly after their adventures in Cuba, America gained both Puerto Rico and the Philippines. On the other hand, self-interest, a powerful and influential factor, influenced America greatly. Ame rica was still on the rise to becoming a world power; one requirement for a world power is a powerful and efficient Navy. America had the potential to become a sea power but it lacked power on the global stage. America’s Navy was centralized near the motherland; their navy had to be present in all waters across the earth. America needed ports around the globe to refuel and re-supply.By creating ports around the world, America expanded itself and became a created a global presence. Also a big problem in the early 1900s was overproduction, farmers continued to create more product than they could sell. This can be largely contributed to America’s lack of a foreign market. The American people alone were too small to consume all of the products. This need for foreign investors drove the Americans to expand for economic purposes. This can be shown by the excerpt in (Document B). † An introduction of foreign consumers brought an influx of variety and mixture of products .America was still standing outside of the world power circle peering in. This created a desire and want from the American people to become a world leader and global power. Greed for power pushed Americans to become more aggressive and assertive on the world stage. Americans saw the addition of colonies as a way to gain power and recognition on the world stage; this led to the colonization of Puerto Rico and the Philippines, some of Americas expansion is shown in (Documents E and F). One thing was for sure, America had war pride, it was the citizens duty to prove their success in war.This pride that they felt is shown in (Document A), where it states â€Å"Anew consciousness seems to have come upon us- the consciousness of strength-and with it a new appetite, the yearning to show our strength†¦Ã¢â‚¬  An example can be found in the events following the publication of the De lome letter. Enrique Dupuy de Lome, who was the Spanish and Cuban Minister, wrote the letter. The letter stated that president McKinley was weak. The Americans found this offensive and shortly after its publication, the Spanish and Americans were at war. Document G) exhibits how Americans were done with their peripheral lifestyle; they were tired of being the little guy. The influences of the Roosevelt corollary were drastic and obvious. The proclamation showed America’s intentions and exhibited the fact that America was ready to expand and come out of its isolationist cocoon. It served as a message to the world that America had arrived on the global stage. However, America’s arrival on the world stage wasn’t without struggle. This struggle can be shown through (Document H). The political cartoon depicts the U. S.A joining happily with, or marrying, foreign entanglements through the League of Nations. It also depicts the U. S Senate objecting to the marriage showing that America’s decision to become a world power wasn’t without struggle or objection. The tension between what the people wanted and what the Senate wanted was on opposite spectrums. The people gained the win even though the Senate claimed it was against the Constitution. Obviously the push to expand America’s foreign policy cannot be attributed to idealism or self-interest alone. A combination of both created a push to leave the comforts of our borders.One is not more important than the other; they alone would not have achieved what is achieved today. This push created one of the largest current powers on the globe. One has to think; where would we be today if President Roosevelt and the American people had decided to stay isolated. America truly changed the name of the game by coming out of their bubble and stepping into the world. In retrospect Foreign Policy was not achieved through one thing, Foreign policy is like any good casserole; there are many ingredients and varying measurements of each.

The purpose of the Consumer International website Essay

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Accounting - Research Paper Example paration of Financial Statement and consistent with this, it is essential for firms to reveal separately in the statement of income for the record of the inventories which has been small persistence thing. Additionally, this rule also demands for sufficient data which influences the important measures with that data which can additional support in accepting a situation. The risk of not including the inventory write-down in the financial statement is that the investors may over-anticipate income firmness and thus lead to decisions that may create strong unethical situations. Beside this, such condition can direct towards many ethical and financial problems for example excessive manager’s payments, concealment fraud penalties, losing investors self-assurance in organization with loosing value of brand in addition to goodwill. Accountants who do not consider complete according standards while making financial statement, are not only breaching the according standards but also are breaching the trust and ethics which is considered as inevitable in the â€Å"professional behavior† (Little, 2008, p. vii) of the people. As being element of Practicing Business, it is suggested that CEO and CFO of the business should think such influence of the â€Å"Internal Revenue Service† (Internal Revenue Service Data Book, no date, p. 32). This IRM gives an outline and common knowledge of GAOs annual Financial Statement Audit of the â€Å"Internal Revenue Service† (Internal Revenue Service Data Book, no date, p. 32) (IRS). As the country’s tax collector, the IRS has the liability of collecting taxes, enforcing the nation’s tax laws and processing tax return. The GAO performs annually audits of the financial statements of IRS in keeping the CFO Act of 1990, as extended by the â€Å"Government Management Reform Act of 1994† (Guthrie et al., 2005, p. 357) Appropriate to this Act, the General Accounting Office (GAO) opines on the fiscal statements of the IRS in the report financial

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Wellshire NHS Trust - Case Study Example According to the paper, HR policies identified in the case study are centred towards nursing staff and their workplace environment. The fact finding report determined various problems that exists within two large hospitals operated by NHS Trust. There are four issues identified in the case study such as sickness absence, performance appraisal, employee relations, and learning and development. In recent years there has been increase in percentage of sickness absence. The major reason behind such problem can be lack of employee motivation. Staff members are not motivated enough to accomplish tasks or be regular in workplace practices. Stress related conditions have been so prominent in the organization that it initiated short term absence. In such scenario line managers should communicate effectively with team members. However data collected by line managers were not utilized further in order to resolve issues. It can be stated that initiatives were not undertaken by line managers and this created more problems in terms of increased degree of sickness absence. Inappropriate performance appraisal system can be denoted as another issue identified in the organization. Performance appraisal programs were undertaken by managers to address certain competencies such as communication, service improvement, people development, quality, health and safety, diversity and equality. Appraisal meetings were often not held in scheduled time period. There was no record maintained regarding employee performance and this issue gained more prominence in context of workplace shifts. The main reason behind this problem was lack of technology based applications. Hence it became difficult to track employee performance and implement productive strategies.  

Information Technology as an Element of Competitive Advantage Essay

Information Technology as an Element of Competitive Advantage - Essay Example Logistics management is an integrating function that coordinates the entire activities in logistics, together with logistic activities related to other functions such as marketing, finance, sales manufacturing and information technology (Long 2003, p.12). There are a number of components in logistics management, since it covers the entire business supply chain. Transportation logistics is one of the most discussed parts in these supply chain management. How a firm moves its goods from a certain location to a different one can have a monumental impact on the general performance (Long 2003, p.10. In a number of cases, this sector of the supply chain becomes given to a third party that deals in the transportation. This enables a business to manage all the seasonal and market demand changes, reducing the desire to hire and fire workers based on the business cycles. Nevertheless, transportation is just but a piece of logistics. There exist sectors in supply chain that get governed by this logistic management. These are; warehousing, supply, order fulfillment, transportation and also customer service (Long 2003, p.11). Supply Supply majors with the capability of securing goods or even raw materials that will later get sold to the consumer as finished goods. Running an appropriate supply requires considerable forecasting in demand, and the sound understanding of the minimum requirements in production to turn to profits (Long 2003, p.10). All the buyers based in the purchasing department, are solely responsible for getting the necessary raw material or goods, for the best available price and having the products in their possession when needed. Firms should have knowledge of the trends in the market to predict the supply that people will need, and to use this information to manage raw materials for the production of goods in order to meet the high demand. Manufacturers find this sector of the supply chain a little complex (Long 2003, p.11). They can employ a few vendors to make sure they will always locate all the raw materials the firm requires. They should always be aware of the lag times for these raw materials to reach their base. If any raw material takes three months to arrive from the date of purchase or order, the business should have not less than a three month supply on hand (Long 2003, p.14). The suppliers should be at all times monitored and counted. Transportation The transportation logistics does not only apply to the acquisition of raw materials and goods to the warehouse, but to supply all the retail locations (Long 2003, p.15). In other instances, the sales force moves with the goods at hand in a way to different retail stores, as with beverages and snacks. In a number of instances, leading retailers get shipments of goods from these warehouses. Where the movement of goods takes freight through country borders or state lines, management in logistics should address compliance with the set regulations whether local, federal and even international. Vehicles that get registered improperly or failure to reach the Transportation Department regulations can totally spoil a firm’s ability to transport goods when required (Long 2003, p.16). Such delays lead to additional costs as other third parties must become hired to take the goods where they should be on time. This is also a reason as to why a number of

Scientific method Essay Example for Free

Scientific method Essay Outline and illustrate three characteristics of sense-data. (15 marks) Anticipate the following characteristics: †¢ We are immediately/directly acquainted with sense-data, (from which we infer a mindindependent reality). †¢ Sense-data are (usually) mental or mind-dependent. †¢ Sense-data exist only as they are perceived. †¢ Reports regarding sense-data are incorrigible. †¢ Sense-data are nothing other than how they appear – they have no hidden depths. †¢ The sense-data I experience will vary according to the conditions in which I perceive an object. †¢ Sense-data, unlike physical objects, can have indeterminate process. †¢ Sense-data and physical objects/distinguishing sense-data. Illustrate examples are likely to differ depending on the points being made and can be drawn from various sources: Illusions and delusions (e. g. bent sticks, mirage, hallucinations), perceptual relativity (the real shape of the coin, the real properties of the table), phenomenology (apparent and real speckled hens) or time-lag arguments (seeing the ‘sun’) that distinguish between the way the world appears and the way it is. Consider the claim that the weaknesses of representative realism outweigh its strengths. (30 marks) Knowledge and Understanding Anticipate the following outline of representative realism: There is a material reality independent of our perception of it – an external world – from which experience originates. But our perception of material objects is mediated via ‘ a veil of perception’. Our immediate awareness is of an ‘internal’ non-material something – ‘ideas’ or sense-data – that we take as representative of mind independent external reality. The claim that there is an external world is a hypothesis. Interpretation, Analysis and Application Possible strengths †¢ Unlike common sense, representative realism can account for illusions/hallucinations by proposing we experience ideas/sense-data. †¢ Representative Realism gets the epistemological project right: I have to start from my own ‘experience’ and work outward to an external world. †¢ Representative Realism acknowledges the scientific claim that mind-independent reality is not as it appears to us (and the primary/secondary qualities distinction might be used here to articulate this point.) †¢ Representative realism acknowledges a distinction between appearance and reality but it is able to counter scepticism: it is reasonable to suppose that there is a mindindependent reality that impinges upon me in systematic ways, not subject to will, which my experience ‘represents’ in ways similar to your experience. Possible weaknesses †¢ Representative Realism is incompatible with Empiricism because it makes claims about mind-independent reality that transcend any possible experience: it makes empty assertions devoid of empirical consequences (e.g. ‘a something we know not what’); it illegitimately draws inferences from familiar experience (e. g. observations of casual relations) to support judgements regarding a reality that ‘must be strange’ (Russell). †¢ The apparatus employed by representative realism cannot avoid scepticism: a veil of perception intermediate between object and perceiver opens up an unbridgeable gap. †¢ Representative Realism (at least in its ‘pure’ empiricist form) does not have the resources to escape solipsism. †¢ The scientific appearance/reality distinction need not have any exceptional ‘philosophical significance regarding what there is; it just regulates what counts as relevant/irrelevant when scientists do science (c. f. demarcation issues like ‘Are we doing psychology or sociology? ’ ‘Is that a philosophical point of history? ’). †¢ A candidate might compare representative realism with other positions (e. g. idealism) just as long as the comparison highlights possible strengths and weaknesses of representative realism. †¢ Appeals to Occam’s Razor. Both direct realism and idealism are ontologically parsimonious contra representative realism. Assessment and Evaluation A candidate could argue for the following conclusions: †¢ The weaknesses outweigh the strengths †¢ The strengths outweigh the weaknesses †¢ The strengths and weaknesses balance out, more or less. †¢ Drawing out the implications of ‘something we know not what’ as Berkeley was to do. †¢ Support of direct realism e. g. exceptions can be allowed if they can be explained, correction by other senses. †¢ Presuppositions of recognising deceptions, †¢ Reid’s criticism of phenomenal variability – we can explain and predict. †¢ External world seen as hypothetical, but is this like a scientific hypothesis? Verification issues. †¢ How could we have the concept of a representation if we are only aware of representations. Analysis of how the concept works. †¢ If we cannot know physical objects, then neither can we know their causal powers. †¢ The external world could never be more than a probability. But how do we do the calculations needed for such a claim?

Communication Strategy Of Next Plc

Communication Strategy Of Next Plc To sustain a business, there must be effective and efficient communication. This means there must be efficient ways and appropriate channels of exchanging information with the stakeholders of the business, which is core to its corporate strategy. This report evaluates the corporate communication strategy adopted by Next Plc, a UK based retailer with over 180 stores spanning continental Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Middle-East, India and Japan and with international website serving the USA and 30 other countries worldwide. The report highlights the fact that Next has got an established human resource management which continually develops and implements internal communication strategies to enable all employees receive and understand information that is timely, accurate, relevant motivational. In terms of its image, a report by Susannah Streeter(July 2010), a BBC reporter reveals that Next Plc had been breaching consumer law by not refunding delivery charges on online purchases though returned within seven days. This had a damaging effect on the companys image but they were quick to offer apologies to their customers and retrace theirs steps. Also according to a Mintel report(October 2010), Next clothing are also known for qual ity with which it scores with its customers, but the challenge it faces is that as disposable incomes come under pressure, its many young customers might turn to value retailers. However, if it tries to diversify into third party brands, it may erode the image and values of its brand. Hence, the need for effective communication strategies for corporate and brand repositioning. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 2 LIST OF FIGURES 3 3 INTRODUCTION 4 4 FINDINGS 5 5 Conclusions and Recommendations 14 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.0 Nexts Record of Sales 2005-2009 Figure 1.1 Abergs Total Communications Domain Figure 1.2 Argentis Reputation framework Figure 1.3 Cornelissens Stakeholder Model of Strategic Management Figure 1.4 Hofstedes Framework of cultural dimensions Figure 1.5 Mckinseys 7-S Model Figure 1.6 General structure of Corporate Governance. Figure 1.7 Ulrichs 4 roles of Human Resources Figure 1.8 Harvard Map of HRM theory by Beer et al(1984) Figure 1.9 Horizontal/Vertical structure of communication INTRODUCTION According to Cornelissen Joep(2008 p.5), a likely characteristic of corporate communication is that it can turn out to be complex in nature. For small-medium firms, communication complexity is quite minimal but with large corporations, if due care is not taken, communication can turn out to be cumbersome. Cornelissen J.(2008,p.95) also states that managing corporate communication requires a communication strategy that describes the general image that an organisation aims to project through themed messaging to stakeholders. As a result of this complexity, this report will aim to provide insights and explore the corporate communication strategy of Next Plc. A Proquest(2011) report tells of challenges faced by Next in the four year period to 2009 as a result of laxity over its positioning and recession. By the time it realized that trends were changing, it had lost grounds. The targeted young customers were maturing and reduced their spending due to additional responsibilities. Erosion of its brand due to over-diversification was another issue. Next has lost ground since 2005 but seems to be emerging now from the underperformance period according to the graph below: Figure 1.0: Next UK sales as a share of clothing specialists Source: Next Company Accounts and Annual Reports/Mintel 2010 An industry expert, Raoul Shah, CEO of Exposure evoked that Next should develop a higher brand profile and image and senior executives need to plan new communication strategies, be more visible in the media, give more interviews and build deeper relationships with customers and stakeholders.(Proquest, n.d). Essentially there has to be a corporate identity management in place. This report will seek to investigate the corporate communication strategy of NEXT Plc with regards to its stakeholder management, Corporate image and identity, its Human resource management among others. These will be achieved through research, recommendations and conclusions will be made based on findings from the company website, articles on the company and its industry, journals, their annual reports and other relevant materials. FINDINGS What is Corporate Communications? Corporate communication is the ability of an organisation to effectively communicate to its stakeholders. This definition gives a general overview or understanding of what corporate communication is about. Looking into a more complex and detailed definition, corporate communications would then be defined as: an instrument of management by means of which all consciously used forms of internal and external communication are harmonised as effectively and efficiently as possible, so as to create a favourable basis for relationships with groups upon which the company is dependent. (Van Riel,1995, p.26) Figure 1.1 : The total communications domain(Aberg 1990) Source: Van Riel (1995) Principles of corporate communication. Van Riel(1995) supports Aberg (1990) that all communication activities within an organisation must be integrated so as to support the achievement of the organisations aims and goals. This is where care must be taken so to address communication complexity effectively and efficiently. It is about the reputation of the organisation, people being able to identify with the organisation and about the formal systems of communication at the highest level. Please see Appendix 1 and 2 for a history and timeline of Next Plc. Image Identity and Reputation Image is the picture of an organisation as perceived by target groups while identity is associated with the way in which a company presents itself to the target groups, by the use of symbols, communication and behaviour(van Riel,1992). Argenti (2007) also states that image is a reflection of an organisations identity. These definitions shed light on the fact that there is but a thin line between image and identity as the former sees from the outside while the latter projects from the inside. It was reported that Next was breaching regulations by not refunding online delivery costs to customers even if they return goods within seven working days. This would have damaged Nexts corporate image, but the companys executives were quick to offer apologies to redeem its image.(BBC Business News, July 2010). According to Richard R. Dolphin(1999), people learn to identify with a company by noting everything it does. In terms of image, whether Nexts customers decide to use the Next Directory or website, visit a Next retail store, the strength of the brand continues to be a powerful attraction in terms of design consistency, value and quality their customers know they can trust. To support this, Richard R. Dolphin (1999) says organizations communicate with those that they perceive as stakeholders because they desire an enhanced awareness, understanding and appreciation of their identity and their core beliefs as well as of their products and their services. Next has an outstanding record of achievement as a result of continued success of innovative shopping concept. Nexts greatest assets are its exclusive designs and distinctive styling that have given it a strong brand image. Figure 1.2 Reputation Framework Source: Argenti, Paul. Corporate Communications(2007) George Davies, a retail entrepreneur, believed in the 80s that tailored jacket could establish Next, as long as it represented fantastic value for the price and high quality (identity). This was their brand positioning at the time. In February 1982 Next opened its first seven shops and the sales were two and-a-half times what the company had originally estimated. Davies found a ready market for his merchandise(as customers were able to identify with the positioning) providing what he called affordable collectables, which represented good design at reasonable prices(image). (Fashion encyclopedia) Next was able to give the public a better product in terms of their expectation of quality at the price point. Also, Next logo has been changed from time to time in terms of the use of upper and lower case letters and also background colour probably as a brand repositioning strategy. Even the name Next suggests something to look forward to which essentially says a lot about how the company wants to be perceived or positioned in the minds of its customers hence translating into the image as conceived in the minds of its various stakeholders which over a period of consistency earns the company a reputation. This relationship is supported with Argentis Reputation framework (figure 1.2). Management of stakeholders Cornelissen J. (2008, p.42) defines a stakeholder as any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organisations purpose and objectives. Next addresses environmental, social, ethical and business related impacts on its stakeholders as a way of managing and bringing value to them. (Next website) NEXT has a strategy of addressing the issue of the organisations reputation as there are different expectations from different stakeholders. The Board at Next represents and promotes its shareholders interests. The Board gives account of the performance and activities of the Group and then communicates this with its shareholders with respect to the business activities.(Ezine Articles 2009). The company recognizes a need to address every kind of stakeholder it has. Figure 1.3 Stakeholder model of strategic management. Source: Cornelissen Joep, 2008. p.39 Next adopts and implements a code of conduct that delivers benefits for its workers across the globe by which means it fulfils its responsibility to uphold international labour laws with its suppliers. The company sources the products it sells from many countries around the world. It recognizes the responsibility it has to work closely with its global suppliers, and is committed to ensuring its products are made in a clean and safe environment, in accordance with all relevant local and national laws and legislation, and by workers who are treated with respect and paid fairly for the work they do.(Nextplc.co.uk). Every company has got its own reasons for being in business. For whatever reason for which a business might be in existence, it must take into consideration its responsibility to the environment in which it trades which includes its stakeholders (Government, shareholders/investors, suppliers, customers, etc) and the world at large. Please refer to the bibliography for a full statement of Corporate responsibility from Next and how it relates with each group of stakeholders. Role of Culture According to Tourish and Hargie (2004), culture can be defined as a collective (for example society, organisation, group or sub-group) interpreted for its sense of social integration, differentiation, and fragmentation. It is the culture of Next to have the interest of its people(including stakeholders) at the centre of its business. Figure 1.4 Hofstedes Framework of cultural dimensions. Source: Hofstede, G. (1994). Cultures and Organisations, London: Harper Collins As a result, the company had its business strategy implemented within a genuine organisational culture and continuous investment in its employees. This in essence gives employees a sense of security and loyalty towards the organisation and in essence help to relax the power distance(Hofstedes power distance) between employees and their bosses. A multi-national organisation such as Next, by reasons of its geographical dispersion will work with and employ people from diverse cultures, hence the need to possess a sensitive communication strategy. Cornelissen J.(2008, p.71) describes an organisations culture as the values as felt and shared by all employees of the organisation. For instance, to contain the situation of cultural differences and language in its countries of operation, Next has a multi-lingual website for its online home-shopping, Next Directory. This is a good step in the right direction in terms of communication strategy. With regards to Hofstedes concept of individualism, Next plc supports collectivism rather than individualism. It encourages employees to be integrated to a single corporate group rather than individual groups. It has in place a training and development team which designs and implements interventions to drive forward the fun, fair and rewarding culture of working together. Role of Technology According to Tourish and Hargie (2004), a torrent in recent years resulting from the surging river of technology is a key feature of the organisational landscape. Technology has proven to be very dynamic in nature and for an organisation that wants to reach and connect with a vast majority of its stakeholders or even expand its customer base in a competitive world, it must also be technologically pro-active. Tourish and Hargie (2004,p.74) supports the views of Clampitt and Downs()993) and Hargie and Tourish(2000), that communication has been at the centre of successful organisations, causing a challenge to create a communication system that is efficient and effective when it comes to addressing the needs of its customers and external and internal stakeholders. Internet popularity and new media reception offers enormous opportunities for NEXT to improve its communication strategy. According to Tourish and Hargie (2004, p.74), technology alone does not solve problems, it only offers opportunities so it must fit into already existing communication strategy. Next increased its customer base to over 2 million with the launch of the Next Directory internet shopping in 1999. The website also has multi-lingual features which helps to translate to other languages to aid user friendliness. This strategy will help Next to influence its customer behaviour. Next is a people oriented organization. Even employees may have instant access to senior managers via their e-mail address, which in essence reduces power distance as Hofstedes cultural dimension illustrates. Human Resource Management Beardwell et al (2004,p.6) supports Legge(1995) that the analysis of HRM in terms of style has revolved around whether it can be regarded as hard or soft. Soft HRM according to him is often viewed as developmental humanism in which the individual integrates into a process of work that values trust, communication and commitment while Hard HRM emphasizes cost minimization strategies. With regard to the Soft HRM, NEXT employs over 58000 people and sees its employees as valuable assets to the organization and is committed to their development by providing a working environment in which they can to achieve their full potential and accessing opportunities for both personal and professional development.(Nextplc.co.uk). Nexts recruitment is done online via the HR department. Figure 1.5 McKinseys 7-S model. Source: www.Mindtools.com Nexts human resource approach is a mixture of both the Hard and Soft approaches in line with McKinseys 7S model(pictured above). Employees enjoy an environment of support and respect, fair treatment, listened to, welfare and motivated to achieve their full potential, which is the core of its human resource management. Next applies the soft approach of recruitment policies, development and training of employees and is also committed to investment of time and resource for support, engagement and motivation of employees to feel valued, developing rewarding careers and want to stay with the company. There are reward systems for employee motivation as a hard approach. As the business continues to develop, Next understands that effective and committed employees will help to continue delivering excellent quality products and services to its customers. This suggests an output-based HRM. Ulrichs model of HRM can be substantiated with Next in that, most of its top people (executives and non-ex ecutives alike ) have been with the company for many years and this is because Next makes its employees feel valued thereby gaining their loyalty and they, over the years, work through the four roles till they become strategic partners. Figure 1.6 Ulrichs 4 roles of HR Source: Ulrich, D.(1998) Human Resource Champions. The Harvard HRM framework as developed by Beer et al(1984) explains that every organization must recognise all groups of stakeholders. Most of Nexts success can be attributed to its business strategy infused with stakeholder centred HRM strategy which can be confirmed with its statement of social responsibility. (Appendix 3) Figure 1.7 Harvard Map of HRM territory, by Beer et al(1984) Source: Beardwell et al(2004) Corporate Governance An enforced and well defined corporate governance provides a structure that works for the benefit of everyone concerned(at least in theory), by ensuring that the enterprise adheres to formal laws, best practices and to accepted ethical standards. Next has got various committees and officers overseeing its many business units in order to ensure smooth running and effective corporate communication flow. Figure 1.3 below further explains the general order or structure of corporate governance which also explains that of Next Plc. Next has a four-member audit committee which reviews the risk management process thereby refering significant risk issues to the Board for handling. Next Board is responsible for major policy decisions whilst delegating more detailed matters to its committees and officers including the Chief Executive. (Next Plc, Corporate Governance). The Board at Next represents and promotes the interests of shareholders (Ezine Articles, n.d) and also other arms including the HR and PR departments are there to help ensure communication strategies are effectively implemented. Figure 1.8 General Structure of Corporate Governance. Source: Johnson et al (2011) Exploring Strategy. Conclusions and Recommendations In conclusion, the organization has to be sustained and successful so effective corporate communication strategy is very essential in tackling its communication challenges. As a result of the unpredictable nature and diversity of stakeholders, drawing up a corporate communication strategy can in fact be very challenging. Sometimes stakeholders still lack commitment to an organization no matter how the organization tries to keep them informed or involved. The management of Next Plc had trivialised this important fact and went on playing on their customers intelligence by breaking consumer law in failing to refund delivery charges on goods bought online even when returned within seven days. The media got a hold of this activity and then made it public. This singular act could make it difficult for Next to achieve its own objectives with its stakeholders. The effect of it was damaging on the companys image and reputation but the management was quick to offer apologies to their customers before any further damages could be made.. Also with the concept of cultural division, Next as a multi-national organization employs and works with people of diverse cultural orientations and backgrounds who sometimes may see different meanings to the same words or statements. Multi-national companies may not always be able to adapt to all the cultural differences and at the same time maintain consistency in portraying their corporate culture but they would have to make strategies that inculcate cultural common grounds. It is sometimes difficult selecting the appropriate channels as well. For instance, Next plc has a multilingual website, though not all languages are included. This also poses a challenge as some cultures might feel left out. Next Plc is committed to abiding by rules and regulations in countries where it operates. Changes in laws and regulations of different countries are also unpredictable as most of the times they may run counter to an organizations strategic interest. These changes sometimes create difficul ty in maintaining its performance culture; for this reason it is confident but cautious at the same time. Against all odds of adverse circumstances and social rethinking, Next has continually moved forward the high standards of quality and processes of improvement using its keen minds. Thereby managing communication complexities arising in relation to it stakeholders. Hence, its ability to synchronise image, identity, reputation and human resource management.

Great Leaders - Nnamdi Azikiwe and Patrick Henry :: World History

Great Leaders - Nnamdi Azikiwe and Patrick Henry Both Nnamdi Azikiwe and Patrick Henry though they lived more than two hundred years apart from each other, were leaders of their own time. They both lived through unbearable, and inhumane conditions. Nnamdi Azikiwe through slavery in Nigeria, and Patrick Henry through the unbearable things that Great Britain had placed upon the colonists. The conditions in both of their times might have been similar, but certainly not equal. The Africans were under much worse conditions than the colonists. They had to deal with the segregation of all the people around them. Separate benches, and even different restrooms for the Nigerians and the white men. The ex-servicemen didn't get the same privileged that the white men did. They were denied many things. Political freedom, economic security and social emancipation. They had to give up all that was theirs so that others could rule over them. The Nigerians were denied their basic human right that all people get. They were treated as if they of another kind like an animal or beast. Slavery was one of the worst things that the Nigerians had to live through. Working for others, and barely earning what would be just enough for their families, if they even got that, because some didn't get any money if they were stolen, so that other Nigerians could get money. They were sold, traded and t ossed around as if they were not people. They were forced to live under humiliating conditions. The conditions were unbearable to what the average person in America might be able to handle in this day and age. The Nigerians were torn from one of the most basic rights that we have here in America today. The right to freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. Through these conditions it is unnatural to live life, so that is why they needed their freedom. The Americans were treated in a similar way. They were forced to live under laws that today would seem to be the craziest ideas, and they seems like they could never actually happen to anybody, but they did a very long time ago. They were taxed major amounts. They paid taxes on almost every item. There was only tax on the items that they purchased from Great Britain, However they got all their items from Great Britain because there was no other place that they could get these items, so they paid taxes on everything.

The End of Male Dominance Essay example -- Patriarchy Literature

Patriarchy is a form of social organization in which a male is the head of the family and has all the power to control and be a dominant individual. Male dominance is an ever present concept in society but women found a way to challenge this notion and overcome the hardships of male elitism. In â€Å"Nervous Conditions† by Tsitsi Dangarembga is focused on the colonized African clan called the Sigauke clan. The novel examines unequal power relations between men and women in the Sigauke clan which is largely steeped in tradition. The women in the story challenge the practices of male dominance; usually unsuccessful but each of these women make an effort to question some of decisions that were righteous of the patriarch. The women also break out of the role of domesticity and servility to the surprise of the men. â€Å"The Awakening† by Kate Chopin and â€Å"Things fall apart† by Chinua Achebe are very similar to the notion of woman challenging male elitism. The narrator, Tambu is culturally restricted to roles that denied her opportunity to rise above domesticity. Tambu is trapped which is portrayed when her mother says, â€Å"and these days it’s worse, with the poverty of blackness on one side and the weight of womanhood on the other† (16). Tambu’s story traces her hardships from infancy; she has to cultivate the fields, fetch the water from Nyamarira river, look after her young siblings, and cook for the family. Many of these roles obstructed her chances of attending school, her brother, Nhamo, on the other hand is able to study. He is privileged to attend school despite the family having to eke out a living. The relationship between Tambu and Nhamo is reduced to that of the privileged and the non-privileged. Nhamo has all the opportunities becau... ...iety by the men. Men always picture the women to be the housewife and nurture the children whereas the men are the ones that go to work and bring food to the table. This idea is contradicted in this story, many women play powerful roles that challenge the men. Education is a huge part of it because with knowledge becomes power and many of the women in the story are educated. Another way in how women challenged male dominance is by standing up to them to what they believe and defending themselves. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Ed. Edel Rodriquez. New York: Reed Consumer Books. 1994. Print 3-209 Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Ed. Elaine Showalter. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1992. Print 1-221 Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. Ed. Holmes, Martha Stoddard. Oxfordshire: Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd, 2004. Print 1-208. The End of Male Dominance Essay example -- Patriarchy Literature Patriarchy is a form of social organization in which a male is the head of the family and has all the power to control and be a dominant individual. Male dominance is an ever present concept in society but women found a way to challenge this notion and overcome the hardships of male elitism. In â€Å"Nervous Conditions† by Tsitsi Dangarembga is focused on the colonized African clan called the Sigauke clan. The novel examines unequal power relations between men and women in the Sigauke clan which is largely steeped in tradition. The women in the story challenge the practices of male dominance; usually unsuccessful but each of these women make an effort to question some of decisions that were righteous of the patriarch. The women also break out of the role of domesticity and servility to the surprise of the men. â€Å"The Awakening† by Kate Chopin and â€Å"Things fall apart† by Chinua Achebe are very similar to the notion of woman challenging male elitism. The narrator, Tambu is culturally restricted to roles that denied her opportunity to rise above domesticity. Tambu is trapped which is portrayed when her mother says, â€Å"and these days it’s worse, with the poverty of blackness on one side and the weight of womanhood on the other† (16). Tambu’s story traces her hardships from infancy; she has to cultivate the fields, fetch the water from Nyamarira river, look after her young siblings, and cook for the family. Many of these roles obstructed her chances of attending school, her brother, Nhamo, on the other hand is able to study. He is privileged to attend school despite the family having to eke out a living. The relationship between Tambu and Nhamo is reduced to that of the privileged and the non-privileged. Nhamo has all the opportunities becau... ...iety by the men. Men always picture the women to be the housewife and nurture the children whereas the men are the ones that go to work and bring food to the table. This idea is contradicted in this story, many women play powerful roles that challenge the men. Education is a huge part of it because with knowledge becomes power and many of the women in the story are educated. Another way in how women challenged male dominance is by standing up to them to what they believe and defending themselves. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Ed. Edel Rodriquez. New York: Reed Consumer Books. 1994. Print 3-209 Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Ed. Elaine Showalter. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1992. Print 1-221 Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. Ed. Holmes, Martha Stoddard. Oxfordshire: Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd, 2004. Print 1-208.

The Role of Leadership

With the increased level of competitiveness in the business world and high tempo of change at present, leading a change is currently a key leadership aptitude, and the capability for companies to discover, grow up, adjust, and change is becoming a key organisational ability. Transformational leaders are capable of identifying the need for key organisational transformation or change, and subsequently get employees concerned in carrying out the change. Through the use of a range of skills from other leadership concepts, transformational leaders are capable of leading & managing change projects of all extents.Transformational leaders are generally extremely good at selling their initiatives, building commanding support systems, organizing different professionals around decisive projects and be able keep them determined and also energized until when the transformation is over. These leaders recognize when to act; get things made; commence and complete the projects successfully; and bring positive results; Transformational leaders usual make things to happen. (Bassand and Avolio, 1999) The Role of LeadershipFor a company where the employees have faith in the capabilities of leaders, the employees look forwards to the leaders for several of aspects. Through radical changes times, the employees will anticipate efficient and reasonable planning, self-assured and effectual decision-making, and frequent, inclusive communication which are timely. In addition throughout these periods of change, the employees will observe leadership as encouraging, committed and concerned to their interests, whilst at the same moment identifying that hard decisions must be made.The best manner to sum up is that there should be an environment of trust among a leader and all employees of the organization or a team. The continuation of this trust and faith brings optimism for improved moments in the future, and this makes handle the radical change quite easier. (Bassand and Avolio, 1999) In or ganizations which are characterized by bad leadership, employees anticipate nothing positive from any change. In an environment of mistrust, employees find out that leaders will operate in indecipherable manners and in manners which do not appear to be for anyone's best concerns.Bad leadership implies a lack of hope that, if permitted to continue for a long time, results in such organizations becoming entirely non-functioning. Such an organization ought to tackle the practical effect of distasteful change, however more significantly, have to work under the burden of the employees who have lost hope, have no trust in the organization or in the capability of leaders in turning the organization about. Importance of leadership in the management of transformational changeprudent leadership previous to, through and following change implementation is the solution to attainment during the swamp. Regrettably, if a leader hasn’t created a track record of efficient leadership, at the ti me the leader will have difficulties during changes, it might be too late. If a leader is to manage transformational change successfully, a leader needs to be conscious that there are three distinctive period zones where transformational leadership is significant. We shall call these â€Å"Preparing for the Journey†, â€Å"Slogging through The Swamp†, and â€Å"after Arrival†.We shall examine more circumspectly at all of these. The Journey preparation We would be a mistaken to presume that the Journey preparation takes part only subsequent to the purpose has been defined or selected. When talking about the Journey preparation for change, it means that leading in a manner that lay the groundwork or foundation for any changes which may happen in future. Preparing is regards creating resources, through building strong organizations in the initial position.Much akin to healthy persons, who are well capable to deal with infection or illness than unhealthy persons, or ganizations which are strong in the initial position are better capable to cope with any change. (Kochan and Useem, 1992) A transformational leader will require to institute credibility and a impressive track record of efficient decision making, in order to create trust in his/her capability to find out what is needed in bringing the organization through. (Kochan and Useem, 1992) Slogging through the SwampA transformational leader plays a crucial role throughout the change implementation, the time from the when the change was announcement throughout the setting up of the change project. In this middle time the organization is in highly unbalanced, characterized with fear, confusion, reduced productivity, failure of direction, and absence of clarity regarding mandate and direction. This can be a time of emotions, with the employees mournful for what they lost, and at first incapable of looking to the prospect or future. (Kochan and Useem, 1992)During this time, effective transformati onal leaders require to put focus on two aspects. One; the confusion and feelings of the employees have to be recognized and confirmed. Two; the transformational leader ought to work with the employees to start crafting a new vision for the transformed organisation, and assisting employees to comprehend the future direction. Focusing barely on the feelings, might end in wallowing of employees. That is reason it is essential to start the transformation into the fresh approaches or situations.While, focusing just on the fresh vision might result in a perception that the transformational leader is not in touch, uncaring and cold. A core part of transformational leadership in this stage is to understand when to put focus on the pain of the organisation, and when to put focus on construction and getting into the future. (Kochan and Useem, 1992) After Arrival In a feeling change is never complete, thus in a way a leader will never arrive, however here, we are looking at the time when the early instability of enormous change has been able to be reduced.Employees at this time have now become less emotional, and thus more steady, and with efficient transformational leadership during the prior stages, are currently more open to looking in to new innovative directions, authorization and manners of performing things. This is the ideal moment for transformational leaders to commence positive new change, for example the BP transformational management change that Horton, initiated in BP in the 1990s.The crucial aspect here is that, transformational leaders should now provide hope and trust that an organization is running towards being better, through solving its problems and also improving the standards of the organisation and of employees’ work life. Whereas the fresh vision of an organization might have started whereas employees were trudging through the swamp, this is the moment to complete the progression, and also ensure that employees and all other stakeholders buy it, and comprehend their functions in this fresh organization. (Kochan and Useem, 1992)The Extent the process of change adopted by BP was consistent with theories of change management. Change in a work place is normally initiated by an organization in order to improve its service delivery. Change in management requires a thorough planning and responsive implementation, most of all, consultation need to done involving the people who are going to be affected by the planned changes. If change is forced to the people usually it brings problems. Galpin (1996) observes that, change has to be realistic, attainable and measurable, these factors are important especially when considering personal change in management.It has been observed that people change their ways because of being given statistics that change their way of thinking rather than the truth in the content. (Walton, 1995) In the case of BP, the management adopted change with resistance, and as stated in some theories for cha nge, human being are habitual creatures that will resist change even if it is good, a person don’t like changing the way he has been operating, this resistance is shown both in personal life and at place of work. Thus, as stated above it is a true person will require analysis of the issue to make him change.For example if when BP was undergoing the transformational change from traditional ways of management, a lot of questions were asked. The analysis will include, how successful is the change compared to the current ways of doing the activity, and what are the trend taking place. Also comparison has to be made in relation to other plays. If the analysis shows that the project if implemented will be successful then it is bound to get acknowledgement from the workers than if when the analysis shows that it may fail.Despite the fact that the, truth of the matter was different. The board of BP did not wait to realize the end results; this is may be due to the fact that the time frame of the transformation was to long while the board required faster outcomes. (Stoner and Freeman, 1992) Walton (1995) also says that change management implies that, employees need to feel that they are part of a process, thus, in bringing a change the people, the must be consulted and their suggestions sought.Stoner and Freeman (1992) observes that, In initiating the change ensure that it agrees with them, and that they understand the need of having the change, the people also need to chose how they will manage the change and in also should be involved in planning and also implementing the change. It is also important to use face to face way of communication in handling a sensitive issue. Thus, in the case of BP the management adopted changes on basis intellectual stimulation, through adopted the transformational process brought about by the Horton.According to this concept leaders stimulate the efforts of their employees through they innovativeness and also creativity, which w as adopted by BP Company. (Stoner and Freeman, 1992) Question two: the extent to which organizational culture may impede the process of change Organization culture is the manners in which activities are performed in an organization, the culture of an organization are guided by its values, beliefs, attitudes and experiences of an organization.Organization culture is a defined collection of norms and values that people and groups share in an organization, which directs the manner they interact with one another and with organization’s stakeholders. According to Schein (1992) concept, organizational culture is a model of shared fundamental assumption which an organization has leant in the process of solving its internal integration which has worked adequately well to be taken valid in order to be used to be taught to other new members of the organization.(Schein, 1992) Schein identifies three main aspects which are; †¢ Artefacts; evident organizational structures and procedu res †¢ Espoused values; these are goals objective and strategies of the organization †¢ Underlying assumptions; unconscious, assumed, thoughts beliefs perceptions and feelings (the eventual source of values and acts) Schein (1992) also points out that we have a deeper essential assumption that has a relationship with views of employees about the organization; that influence how employees feel and perceive the organization.(Bowditch and Buono (1990) states that; culture of an organization is dynamic and it is a continuous process. Leadership structure o an organization has a major position in defining organizational culture of an organization. Managers and founders of the organization play a significant role in as creators of culture of an organization. There are various aspects which decide the perception of the employees, these aspects includes how the organization treats its workforce, or how the management treats professional ethics or even the social relationship in or ganization, whether it is warm or cold.The organization climate created can help the organization achieve its goals and objectives or hinder it. Recent research reveals that management structure of an organization plays a significant function in defining the organizational climate in an organization. (Bowditch and Buono, 1990) Culture has an enormous effect on success rate of change Bowditch and Buono (1990) states that the organization's culture has much to do with success rate of an organisation’s projects. This entails any change that the organisation will adopt whether managerial or technological.The expression culture in general means â€Å"how things are done. † visualizes where a person asks you how effectively your organization succeeds on projects. If you answer, â€Å"We’re very poor at projects delivery,† you’re just voicing a view of one feature of your organisation culture. Culture comes into participation on changes or projects in sev eral areas. Process orientation A lot of organizations have got good processes in position and employees normally follow them well. This is possibly the principal single issue in generally project success.When an organization adheres to a well, scalable project management practice, a leader is more possibly to be constantly successful on the projects he initiates. The whole project team usually knows how to formulate and pursue a work plan, and can also apply standard procedures to successfully manage risk, extent of change, and issues of change. (Bowditch and Buono, 1990) However if the culture of the organization do not have a good processes then change procedures will not be followed and success may not be realized.Governance Numerous organizations have placed processes in position, although no one adheres to them. This underscores a difficulty with management control. In basic terms, governance of organisation entails the management role that has deals with ensuring people do wh at they’re ought to do. Usually, if the management arrangement is engaged and concerned in any projects, and if managers or leaders ensure that the project management procedure is well followed, a leader bring about change will be highly successful.But when each project manager is by his/her own and the management support is disorganized, though, a leader may try, he/she will fail. (Bowditch and Buono, 1990) Training Several organizations poorly train their project managers. Normally, such organizations have a poor training programme in genera even for other employees. When project managers in general do not have the correct skills, the transformational leader will not be successful. Organisation with poor culture on employee training will not be supportive to new changes. Roles and responsibilitiesBowditch and Buono, (1990) points out that, in a successful organization, employees usually know the function they ought to play on projects and also what is anticipated of them. T his comprises of active sponsors, concerned clients, and connected management stakeholders of organisation. The sponsors, for example, require carrying out a quality assurance functions and, being the project defender in his/her organization. Supposing an organization begins projects and then leaves a project manager in a leadership void, then, such a leader is not going to be constantly successful.Culture plays possibly the largest part in whether an organization will be successful in executing its projects. If an organization has difficulties completing their projects effectively and successfully, then, the organisation should not fault the project manager. A project manager only toils within an organisation culture which is not supporting their efforts. Managers, and even the head of the organizations, require stepping in and assess the project culture in organisation.Until an organisation culture changes for good, project managers will constantly struggle in being successful. (B owditch and Buono, 1990) Organizational structure can assist or harm project success To a lager extent, an organizational structure and culture can hinder, or assist support, the generally success of organisation projects. However, the organisational structure can be changed to some degree with time. Indeed, the management can change the organization chart regularly, and several companies do simply that. Culture, in contrast, is not easily to change.It takes many years for a big organization to build up a culture and thus it will take so many other years for such culture to be changed. A strong culture of an organization emphasis status-quo and any new ideas are not easily assimilated by employees or the management of such organisations. Conclusion As Tichy and Devanna (1986) states, transformational leaders are persons who through their own innovativeness, ability knowledge and imaginations and to influence the conduct of employees create circumstances for transforming.Thus, the ma nagement employees during the time when the organizational is going through transformation, is the critical substance of the progression of overseeing the transformation. The victorious management of this substance also comprises, (transactional) capabilities of the management, proper transformational abilities (inspirational motivation, idealized Influence, etc), and proper transformational attributes (creativity, team orientation, teaching).Organisation culture can also hinder or assist the change to take place and it’s very vital in determining how successful the transformation change will be. Hence, we conclude that qualities of transformational leadership and the organisational culture make the core of transformational management in an organisation and the means to successful running of transformational organization changes. Reference Bass, B. , M. and Avolio, B. , J (1999): (ed. ) Improving Organizational Effectiveness through Transformational Leadership, Sage Publicati ons, Ltd., USA. Bowditch, J. , L and Buono, A. , F. (1990): A Primer on Organizational Behaviour, John Wiley and Sons, New York, Galpin, T. , J. (1996): The Human Side of Change: A Practical Guide to Organization Redesign, Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, Kochan, T. and Useem, M. (1992) :(ed. ), Transforming Organizations, Oxford University Press, Inc. , New York, Lorenz, C (1990): ‘A drama behind Closed Doors That Paved the Way for a Corporate Metamorphosis’, Financial Times, (March 21), Parry, K. , W., (1996): Transformational Leadership: Developing an Enterprising Management Culture, Pitman Publishing, Pearson Professional Pty Ltd. , Melbourne, Australia, Schein, E. H. (1992): Organizational Culture and Leadership (2nd edition. ). San Francisco; Wiley & Sons Stoner, J. , A. and Freeman, R. , E. (1992): Management, Prentice Hall, Inc. , New Jersey, Tichy, N and Devanna, M. , A. (1986): The Transformational Leader, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. , USA, Walton, A. , E. , (1995): (ed. ), Discontinuous Change: Leading Organizational Transformational, Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco,

Explain Different Sociological Approaches Essay

When it comes to defining what health is it can be difficult, people can have a positive outlook to define health or a negative, for example a positive definition of health could be- feeling well in many ways; feeling physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially well, etc. A negative definition of health could be that you are healthy so long as you don’t have a disease. As well as there being positive and negative approaches to health, there is also a holistic approach to health, holistic means ‘relates with a complete system rather than looking at individual parts’ (Webster, 2014) – so for example if one concept of our health is affected it will affect all the other parts in some way, the concepts are- spiritual health; physical health; environmental health; psychological health and sociological health. If somebody’s physical health is poor such as becoming ill with a disease like cancer it is thought to effect all other concepts of health for example the environmental health may become dirty and unclean as the individual is weak to be able to keep on top of tidying it up; the sociological health is effected as you will be socially seen as an ill person rather than a person; the spiritual health could be the individual may feel they are being punished by god or for something they have done and the psychological health will be effected as the individual will feel extremely depressed and though they are waiting for their death to come. The world health organisation, which founded in 1948 has the definition of health that health is ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO, 2003). Finally, Mildred Baxter (1990) as both a positive definition of health, negative and functional – the positive definition regards health as feeling fit and well, the negative definition regards health as being free from pain and discomfort and the functional definition regards health in terms of being able to perform day to day tasks. There are four different social perspectives which have views on both health and ill-health, these social perspectives are functionalist; marxist; feminist and interactionist. The functionlists believe that for our society to be able to function  properly the individuals in society need to be healthy, and the idea of someone being ill is them having a form of social deviance. Talcott Parsons who is a functionlist has the view that when a person falls sick they become apart of ‘the sick role’ – this is when someone is sick they behave a certain way, such as not going to work, staying in bed, hot water bottles†¦ etc. Sick people in society are thought to have rights and responsibilies, we have the right to be able to be cared for and not go into work so we can rest our bodies and we have the responsibility to get ourselves better by going to visit the doctor, etc. The marxist view towards health and ill-health belives that the reason we have health and social care services in place such as the doctors is to serve the rich and the powerful in the society, the reason this is thought to serve the rich and powerful is to be able to get employers back to work so that no buisness is lost. The marxists have they theory that depending on the level of illness is related to the differences in social class, for example the poor are more likely to suffer from poor diets, etc. Feminists also have there own view towards health and ill-health , the femanists are more focused on the male domination in the medical field, such as why is it more money is not spent on the male contraceptive pill? There are thought to be less side effects however it is still up to woman to take it. There is an increasing number in woman who are suffering from mental health illness’ which is down to the reason that woman are expected to live as a certain poisition in society, such as the double day – this is where a woman is expected to go out to work to help provide for their family home and when the working day is over to come home and cook tea and care for the children, clean, etc. Finally, the interactionists say that if you are ill it all depends on if the individual is ill and wanting to admit that they are ill, as some people do not like to admit defeat and admit they’re ill whereas others will say they are ill when it is very minor. In conclusion there are all different views on what health is, and what ill health is†¦ as well as this we can see that depending on the individual and there beliefs and views on being ill depends on how they will accept the change.

Crooks

Blacks originally came from West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia). Rich white land owners wanted slaves to work on cotton plantations in the Deep South (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia). In the early 1800 century blacks grew in numbers in small community theses are commonly referred to as nigger nests. People in the north did not agree with slavery and thus forth created the American civil war. In the 1860's the north won and slaves were freed but wee still classed as second class citizens. Crooks from â€Å"Of Mice and Men† is a prime example of how blacks were treated in the 1860's. He is called â€Å"a nigger† by the other workers this shows that they don't give him enough respect to call him by his own name. Crooks is only allowed in the bunkhouse during Christmas and then is only used for sport for the other workers entertainment. The other workers shout at him and in the last paragraph curly steal's his gun. This shows that he is treated with no respect at all by the other workers. Crooks' living accommodation tells us how mistreated he is for example Crooks lives in a â€Å"little shed† .this tell us that he is seen as small and weak. â€Å"Square four panel window† this makes his home sound like a prison. This tells us he is trapped in his job with no chance of escape. His bed is a box of straw. This tells us he is treated like an animal and not even aloud a real bed. Outside of his window there is a pile of horse poo this tells us he is treated like shit. Crooks has few possessions he has books this tells us he is very literate and likes to read, a gun this tells us he needs to protect himself from something, an alarm clock this tells us he stick to a schedule and has duties to attend to, several pairs of shoe's this Shows us he works hard and has to replace his shoes often. His possessions are the only things he can use's to pass the time this helps us to understand his extreme loneliness. Crooks was injured by a horse kicking him now he is disabled this adds to his problems. Steinbeak reminds us that he is like white i.e. pink palms and pink lips. All of the people in the ranch judge him except from slim and Lennie this tells us he is an outsider. On the ranch crooks works as a stable buck (attends to the horse's) the owners and the workers actually need him but they don't lets it seem like they do. He is actually more skilled then most men but because of his colour he is treated much worse than the other men. The only thing he can really do as a pass time is read his books and tend to the horses this tells us he is educated an able to read and he is dedicated to his job because even in his free time he is still tending to the horses. His extreme loneliness suggests that some of his books are pornographic. This exaggerates his loneliness. Crooks's feelings are conflicted when it comes to the workers he wants company but he feels threatened by the other workers. The only people he willingly let into his home is lennie and slim he doesn't see them as a threat because only there the only people on the ranch that don't judge him for being black. The only other person he lets in is his boss but does this unwillingly. This tells us that he is very protective of his little piece of land. Crooks is constantly in pain from his accident. This makes him angry and short tempered. He is also in a lot of mental pain. He deals with the fact that he is a nobody and is under constant fear that the other workers will turn on him. Crooks was brought up in California .but is an immigrant from Mexico. Therefore he has always been an outsider. He has some companions like lennie and slim but not often most of the time he is either with the horses or on his own. Curly's wife destroyed his hope of any future friendship by reminding him of his worthlessness and belittling him. Crooks cause his own isolation by shutting people out. He wants to build a wall to block everyone else out ban leave isolate himself from the rest of the world.