U.S companies that move factories to undeveloped nations barely pay Research Paper

U.S companies that move factories to undeveloped nations barely pay employees enough to live on. Is it unethical to pay cheap wages or are companies doing those workers a favor - Research Paper Example Furthermore, production plants in those countries work on a contractual basis with American corporations (Rock 26). On the other hand, most Americans are not aware that their desire for shopping drives an extremely controversial business. The availability of cheap unskilled labor within these countries prompts most American corporations to establish their production facilities within their boundaries. However, the controversies surrounding these corporations drive the ethical and moral questions posed in relation to their operations within these countries. American clothing and electronic companies have continuously built production lines abroad from time immemorial. Harsh working conditions, poor pay and unfair commanding managers have characterized these production lines located in under-developed countries. These corporations have additionally employed the services of young, unauthorized minors in their factories. Recently, many multinational corporations from the United States have resulted to construction of these factories in undeveloped countries as a strategic move to expand their businesses (Gupta n.d). Most sweatshops operational in the world currently are in the Asian continent. Looking at the issue of Sweatshops from a purely commercial point of view, it is a very profitable industry because they benefit from low-wage labor in third world nations and considerably decrease manufacturing costs. Numerous footwear and textile companies from the United States have been heavily associated with offshore operations in underdeveloped countries. Big brand names such as GAP, Levis and Nike have all been heavily associated with countless contraventions of basic requirements for the recommended reasonable working conditions in their manufacturing plants (Dickson 48). All the three named companies’ client bases and main offices are situated in the United States while the sections involved in the production of their goods are situated in Asia.

Teen Pregnancy Essay Example for Free

Teen Pregnancy Essay For countless years in America teen pregnancy has been an issue for many young girls between the ages of 13 and 19 years of age. Our nation is facing an adolescent reproductive crisis, because one in three girls are becoming pregnant before the age of 20 in the United States alone. More and more teens in the United States become pregnant annually. Most if not all-teen pregnancies are unplanned and never end in abortion. Some teenagers dont plan to get pregnant, but many do. However, Teen moms often don’t have the time to focus on education, which as a result are less likely to complete high school, or enroll in community college or a four-year university. According to Teen Pregnancy Prevention 2010–2015 (2013), â€Å"As part of the Presidents Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI), CDC is partnering with the federal Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) to reduce teenage pregnancy and address disparities in teen pregnancy and birth rates. The OASH Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) is supporting public and private entities to fund medically accurate and age appropriate evidence-based or innovative program models to reduce teen pregnancy. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative, multicomponent, communitywide initiatives in reducing rates of teen pregnancy and births in communities with the highest rates, with a focus on reaching African American and Latino/Hispanic youth aged 15–19 years. A communitywide model is an intervention implemented in defined communities (specified geographic area) applying a common approach with different strategies. Communitywide approaches will be tailored to the specified community, and will include broad-based strategies that reach a majority of youth in the community (i. e. , through communication strategies and media campaigns); and intensive strategies reaching youth most in need of prevention programming (i. . , through implementation of evidence-based programs and improved links to services). † Pro-Choice America has long advocated for a more sensible approach to the issue of teen pregnancy programs, better access to birth control, and investing in critical after-school programs. These interventions over the next few years will reduce rates of teen pregnancy and promote more responsible behavior.

My Philosophies on Leadership and Management Essay -- Leadership and M

Introduction Examples of sound leadership can be found in many places. I very much admire individuals in my life who exhibited extraordinary aptitude in creating influence. From our small-town pastor to my favorite elementary teacher, I have striven to catalyze the same type of positive change I found in these models with others around me looking for a source of leadership. Until the completion of this course, however, I did not have the theoretical knowledge to work proven leadership methods into my projects. The purpose of this overview will be an attempt to overlay leadership research paradigms gleaned through my time in this class onto my personal leadership and managerial philosophies. Perspective of Humankind People deserve to be treated fairly and justly. As a result of this conviction, a strong sense of ethics constitutes a major implication in my overall philosophy of leadership. It is imperative for leaders to involve themselves with followers and aid them in resolving personal issues regarding conflicting values (Burns, 1978). In order to bring a follower to a higher level of functioning, it is the respon ¬sibility of the leader to help followers assess their own ideals of equality, liberty, justice, and others. In my assumption, ethics is the central characteristic of the process of being a leader. Managerial Philosophy As a manager, success is most often measured by the achievement of organizational tasks. However, another element of managerial success that may be more difficult to quantify (but is no less vital) is how the leader attends to the people in the organization who are trying to achieve its goals. Measuring concern for production in tandem with concern for people was the product... ... Sage. Jung, C. G. (1923). Psychological types. New York: Harcourt Brace. Kogler-Hill, S. E. (2007). Team leadership. In P. G. Northouse (Ed.), Leadership: Theory and practice (4th ed., pp. 207–236). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kuhnert, K. W., & Lewis, P. (1987). Transactional and transformational leadership: A constructive/developmental analysis. Academy of Management Review, 12(4), 648–657. Larson, C. E., & LaFasto, F. M. J. (1989). Teamwork: What must go right/what can go wrong. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Levi, D. (2011). Group dynamics for teams. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Luthans, F., & Avolio, B. J. (2003). Authentic leadership development. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Parker, G. M. (1990). Team players and teamwork. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning orga ¬nization. New York: Doubleday. My Philosophies on Leadership and Management Essay -- Leadership and M Introduction Examples of sound leadership can be found in many places. I very much admire individuals in my life who exhibited extraordinary aptitude in creating influence. From our small-town pastor to my favorite elementary teacher, I have striven to catalyze the same type of positive change I found in these models with others around me looking for a source of leadership. Until the completion of this course, however, I did not have the theoretical knowledge to work proven leadership methods into my projects. The purpose of this overview will be an attempt to overlay leadership research paradigms gleaned through my time in this class onto my personal leadership and managerial philosophies. Perspective of Humankind People deserve to be treated fairly and justly. As a result of this conviction, a strong sense of ethics constitutes a major implication in my overall philosophy of leadership. It is imperative for leaders to involve themselves with followers and aid them in resolving personal issues regarding conflicting values (Burns, 1978). In order to bring a follower to a higher level of functioning, it is the respon ¬sibility of the leader to help followers assess their own ideals of equality, liberty, justice, and others. In my assumption, ethics is the central characteristic of the process of being a leader. Managerial Philosophy As a manager, success is most often measured by the achievement of organizational tasks. However, another element of managerial success that may be more difficult to quantify (but is no less vital) is how the leader attends to the people in the organization who are trying to achieve its goals. Measuring concern for production in tandem with concern for people was the product... ... Sage. Jung, C. G. (1923). Psychological types. New York: Harcourt Brace. Kogler-Hill, S. E. (2007). Team leadership. In P. G. Northouse (Ed.), Leadership: Theory and practice (4th ed., pp. 207–236). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kuhnert, K. W., & Lewis, P. (1987). Transactional and transformational leadership: A constructive/developmental analysis. Academy of Management Review, 12(4), 648–657. Larson, C. E., & LaFasto, F. M. J. (1989). Teamwork: What must go right/what can go wrong. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Levi, D. (2011). Group dynamics for teams. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Luthans, F., & Avolio, B. J. (2003). Authentic leadership development. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Parker, G. M. (1990). Team players and teamwork. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning orga ¬nization. New York: Doubleday.

Blackstone Group Essay

The Blackstone Group (Blackstone) is a private equity firm founded in 1985 by two former employees of Lehman Brothers. In May 2007 the firm had $88.4 billion under management and had grown 41% annually since 2001. The firm operated in several business groups but distinguished itself from other firms by extensive collaboration across divisions. It was divided into Corporate Private Equity, Real Estate Funds, Marketable Alternative Asset Management, Corporate Debt Funds, and Advisory Services. In 2007 Blackstone started to evaluate the option of taking the firm public. Reasons why the firm should do an IPO, outlined by the firm’s internal project group, included: †¢Permanent pool of inexpensive capital and a wider group of investors †¢Long-term orientation in compensation package to employees †¢Shares could be used as currency in transactions †¢The firm would become more reputable †¢Partners could monetize their ownership in the firm The firm also identified several drawbacks with going public, including: †¢Quarterly reporting requirements leading to higher costs and more insights in the firm from the market †¢Risk that the market is unable to tolerate the variation of earnings in the firm due to long-term focused investments †¢Changing the firm’s structure and compensation system from a partnership to a corporation includes several challenges In 2007 the firm announced that it will go public and I will in the following five sections elaborate on some of the challenges the firm has to overcome and other implications following the IPO. 1.What are the built-in tensions with a public private equity firm? How does Black Stone’s structure attempt to reconcile them? Openness vs. private governance A challenge for private equity firm when going public is that it looses the benefits associated with being private. In the case of Blackstone, the firm’s management mainly described the need for maintaining the current governance, where the partners manage the firm, in order to ensure the firm operates in the interest of its limited partners. To handle the tension between maintaining governance and comply with the rules for listed companies the firm chose to adopt a Master Limited Partnership (MLP). Fortress Investment Group, that went public during 2006, has used this structure and considering the share price of that firm, it seemed like the investors appreciated the structure. MLP is a limited liability company with units of the firm that can be traded on the stock market. The structure allows the firm to retain the limited partnership form of governance and hence, allow the management team to continue manage the firm. The unit holders (share holders) only have limited voting rights and cannot influence the management team in the firm. By choosing this structure the firm can maintain the decision power in the same way as when being a private company. There is however a risk that the firm should be aware of, the investors can use other form of pressure (media, etc.) to influence the managing partners. Short-term vs. Long-term perspective One of the advantages of being a private firm is that the firm only has to disclose limited information about its operations. Blackstone operates its investment on a long-term basis why the firm has a lot of variability in its earnings. As an example, a fund usually has a return that can be visualized in a â€Å"J-curve†, meaning that the fund is basically loosing money in the beginning due to management fees but catches up in the long run. The stock market is known to be short-term focused and may interpret the fluctuation as negative news and therefore causing a fluctuation in the stock price or an undervaluation. Blackstone is basically using two ways to approach the problem. First, they are aligning the compensation to its employees so it serves the interest of both the limited partners (long-term) and the stock market (short-term). This is further elaborated in the fourth question in this paper. Second,  they are informing the potential investors through a prospect that holding a Blackstone unit (share) is different from other shares in the market. Third, to further smooth out potential fluctuations in the share price the firm guarantees a dividend during the first years after listing. The fact that the stock market tends to be short-term focused further shows the importance of having the MLP structure. To maintain the long-term focus on investments the firm needs to separate the governance of the firm from the shareholders and the limited voting rights will ensure this. 2.If you were a limited partner in Blackstone, how would you view the structure Blackstone has put in place to go public? As a limited partner in Blackstone I would consider the structure as chosen to ensure my interests. Given the fact that the firm chose to go public for the opportunities that a listing brings, it seems to be the best way of doing it. I would be most worried about that the firm would try too much to stabilize the share price and fulfil the interest of the shareholders by focusing on short-term profits. Many of the limited partners in a private equity fund are pensions funds or similar and do not mind to lock their money over a longer time period and, by doing so, seek the long-term profit that the private equity firm can offer. I will highlight the two things that make me confident that my interests as a limited partner will be maintained with the structure that the firm is implementing. First, the structure allows the governing rights of the firm to remain with the partners and therefore the firm avoids that the short-term oriented market gets direct influence over decisions. Second, according to the firm, the suggested compensation package should align the interest of the managers in the firm with the limited partners, or at least maintain it similar to before. However, I am slightly sceptical to this since the only thing that seems to change for them is that a part of their compensation comes in shares. Depending on how the stock market will turn out to react to news from the firm it might be so that the managers realize that they can earn more money by being short-term  focused and that would not be aligned with my interests. In addition, there are a few things that I am worried about as a limited partner despite the measures the firm has taken. The fact that the firm is a public firm is probably more prestigious for the managers than being private. Therefore I am afraid that the focus will gradually turn towards the interest of the shareholders. The firm does not want to have an underperforming or fluctuating stock in the long run and, if this seems to be the case, I am afraid that the limited partners long-term interest may be down prioritized. Another thing that is also worrying is the risk of losing competent people due to the changed compensation package. 3.Would you rather be a unit-holder in Blackstone or a limited partner? Everything taken into account I would rather be a limited partner in Blackstone. If the structure turns out to work the way that Blackstone says it will, the limited partner will be better off. From its history the firm has the competence and procedures to operate in the interest of the limited partner, i.e. long-term focused. Being a shareholder does in general include some aspects that should be considered. The stock price may fluctuate due to information, lack of information, and speculation. Therefore the market may act inefficient and in worst case it can destroy the value of the stock. In the case of Blackstone, where the firm intends to leave less information to the market than a normal firm, the risk of under- or overvaluation of the stock is even higher. By being the limited partner you avoid the fluctuations in share price and if the firm manage to keep its focus and strategy, you can continue to expect a good return. The main problem, which is outlined above, is that there is a risk the managing partners will gradually become more short-term focused so it is good as a limited partner to follow the development of the firm closely. 4.As a potential employee, how would you evaluate the Blackstone compensation package against a commensurate offer from a similar large-scale PE firm that was not public? The suggested compensation package from Blackstone has several intentions behind it. Some of the concerns that are mentioned in the case: †¢The employees should not be worse of than before †¢Their interests should be aligned with both the limited partners and the shareholders †¢Partners and managers ownership should not be too monetized in order to retain competence in the firm The firm therefore decided on multi-phase approach where the compensation includes a combination the management fee, the carry interest, and a number of units (shares). If I would consider starting working for Blackstone after the IPO, i.e. I would not receive any of the shares that the firm initially planned to give to its employees; I would prefer an offer from a non-public firm. The reason is mainly that a part of the salary comes in shares. There are several drawbacks with this. First, a part of your salary will be exposed to fluctuations in the stock market and as outlined in the previous question, these fluctuations may not always be justified. Therefore, since part of the salary will be exposed to risk an employee should request a higher salary compared to if he/she would get it in cash. Second, even though I would, as a private person, want to hold a part of my capital in stocks, I would prefer something else than the firm that I am working for. By having the same shares I am exposed to the success of the firm not only with my salary (risk of losing my job), but also with my savings. I would as a private person prefer to have most of my savings at least in another firm and even better, in another industry. If I would considering becoming an employee before the IPO I might reconsider my decision above depending on how much extra shares I would get initially and see if that outweigh the risk I see with being paid in shares. 5.The question outlined in the case Even though it is not part of the assignment I would shortly like to comment  on the offer Blackstone receives from China where they express interest in buying $3 billion of the offering. As Schwarzman outlines in the case, it would give Blackstone a great advantage if the firm whish to expand its business to China. In today’s more global world this could be a strategic important move and even if the firm does not buy a Chinese firm, it can establish local knowledge and through that better handle deals involving U.S. firms with operations in China. However, by selling 75% of the initial IPO offering to China they may not satisfy the U.S. stock market. Schwarzman therefore considered increasing the offering to 20% of the firm. This would have implications on several levels. The firm would experience an even higher pressure to give out information and it is likely that the managing partners will be influenced by the more involved stock market. Also the suggested compensation package would likely change to a situation where a bigger share of managers’ salary is coming in units (stocks). The risk with this is that the limited partners’ interests will be seen as less important and the firm might become more short-term focused than it is today.

Market Strategy Analysis on Montgras

Hung-Chang Huang 1467751 Case Questions: MontGras 1. (a) To what extent can MontGras control its own market position, as opposed to being dominated by the country-of-origin effect, and be perceived as a â€Å"Chilean Wine†? MontGras, the export-focused winery that was founded in 1992, unlike many other Chilean wineries, actually possessed a considerable control on its own market position in the late 1990s and early 2000s.Although the overall consumer perception towards Chilean wine products indicated that they need to put more efforts to build a solid image globally and that their major advantage is the low price, the situation might not necessarily hurt MontGras’ current market position if and only if the management the link between the decision to adopt the quality strategy, rather than volume strategy, and the fact that Chilean wine lacked a proper image.By pursuing quality-oriented strategy, MontGras is able to further cultivate its brand awareness as a result of th e success of the ultra-premiums(Ninquen line) and the super-premiums(Reserva line), and to eliminate the inefficient cost spent on the joint effort with Chilevid aimed at building a stronger image for the entire Chilean wine industry.Consequently, the problem of country-of-origin effect was, in fact, not significant enough that hampered MontGras’ marketing position as long as the company is fully understand what the appropriate marketing strategy is and adopt it with regard to different market ecologies of MontGras’ export destinations. (b) What implications does this have for marketing strategy? With the worldwide overproduction of vintages, competitions of wines in all segments were predicted more intense, especially in the basic segment, which traditionally accounted for nearly half of the market share of many countries, and 55% of MontGras’ total product in 2001.This indicates that already saturated basic segment, with the smallest gross profit margin for al l the players within the segment, would become a less and less lucrative red ocean. On the other hand, with the recognition that the country-of-origin effect does not incur severe damage to the company as anticipated, MontGras is able to reallocate its advertising expense through emphasizing on the brand, or on the product lines instead of building a stronger image of country-of-origin that would consume a huge portion of its dvertising expense, but unsure of whether consumers in UK or US would buy their effort. Hence, both the two aforementioned factors might serve as a juncture for MontGras to reassess its business strategy, which could be broken into producing part and marketing part, in order to keep the profitable business for long. 2. Evaluate the US and UK options separately. For each country, which option would you recommend and why? In MontGras’ major export market, UK, the company has already gained a substantial success that it ranked one of the 10 most Chilean win e exporters in terms of the value of products.In this picture, its partner distributor in UK had played an important role in MontGras’ UK penetration since 1996. Considering UK market feature, partner with leading supermarket chains such Tesbury is a comparatively feasible way to expand MontGras’ market share because these chain systems control more than 60% of all wine sales. However, partner with Tesbury is not free from side effects. First, at initial collaboration phase, MontGras enjoyed a short term victory without paying the cost of promotion.But in the future, is it able to reap without paying, or would Tesbury ask for more contribution from MontGras after it become too subservient to the large retail system? Second, partner with Tesbury could well create a supplanting effect that threatens its old partner distributor. Thus, my recommendation for MontGras in UK would be to diversify its distributor partnerships as a way to prevent over dependency, which would so mehow cast uncertainty for MontGras’ positioning strategy in the long term.Also, in order to pave the way for future expansion in premium segment, MontGras should keep records of the new marketing plan for Ninquen wines that if the targeting sales of 5,000 cases can cover the proposed GBP 20,000 and generate profit. In the highly fragmented US wine market, with regulatory three-tier distribution system, MontGras had to tackle business with importers, which are usually state-licensed wholesalers too. In addition, by the four prescribed criteria in choosing a countable partner importer, MontGras should be able to prevent the failures from unsuccessful previous partnerships.The first candidate of its partner distributor, World Wine Importers, a larger player that operated 200 brands with a 60-staff sales force, proposed to promote the Reserva line in a volume-oriented strategy with a price range of $8-$11; Cabo Imports, another candidate that operated 50 brands and a sales force of 35, offered a distinct proposal for MontGras that it intend to raise consumers’ perception towards MontGras’ quality and pric range also to broaden the return for both parties through setting a price range $8-$15, and it also intend to release the Ninquen line as a flagship product targeted a $25 retail price.Although the partnership with World Wine Importers seems more lucrative to MontGras in terms of the sales generated by large amount basis, however, simply adopt the results from simple additive questions is obviously not sagacious enough for Mr. Middleton. In general, Cabo Importers would offer a great stage for Reserva(60% of the total), and the newly released Ninquen as well. Thus, accepting Cabo Importers’ offer would be advantageous for MontGras’ market position in US market.

Why People Act

Why People Act Edward Albee believed in the unity of family, as he chose to focus on family relationships in many of his plays. Born in our nation's capitol (Washington, D.C.) in 1928, he was adopted by a theater executive named Reed A. Albee of the Keith-Albee chain of vaudeville and motion picture theaters. Edward is known for the symbolic dialogue and realism of his plays, and praised for resembling theater of the absurd characters (people who are unwilling to communicate or sympathize or empathize with each other) as well as criticizing long accepted but immoral ideas and values. He is called the most recent Eugene O' Neill.He attended many prep schools as a youth, and stayed at the Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut for a short while. He juggled through many odd jobs, before he decided to be a playwright. His first play was written in just three weeks in 1959 at the tender age of 31 called The Zoo Story.English: Drawing for The New York Times

D.A.R.E Essays - Brian Welch, Converts To Christianity, Free Essays

D.A.R.E Essays - Brian Welch, Converts To Christianity, Free Essays D.A.R.E D.A.R.E. Have you ever imagined your future? I try to do this all the time. Most of us will follow in our parents footsteps, by this I mean our adult lives will closely resemble the lives we live as children, set by our parents examples. Have you ever stopped and thought about this? What an awesome job it must be to raise a child properly. But, what happens to the children that live with drugs, alcohol and violence in their home? Where do they their good examples? I know of one place that is trying to reach all children. It is the McDowell County D.A.R.E. Program in McDowell County North Carolina.It is sponsored by the school system and the sheriffs department.Our teacher Officer Randy Slagle, carries on his shoulders the great responsibility of teaching kids to just say NO to drugs and alcohol and violence. I am personally aquainted with all three of these things, not because I have ever tried them myself, but because of my dad. He used each of these things on a regular basis. He drank, took drugs,smoked pot and was abusive. When I was 7 years old my mom took me, my sister and baby brother and left. I wonder if when my dad first started experimenting with drugs and pot at the age of 13 if he ever thought about the consequences and what this bad decision would lead to. He has been in rehab, in jail, he can't get a decent job, he lost his family and he has nothing to show for the last 25 years of his life. These bad choices also caused him to hurt his children in horrible ways. God expects us to take care of our bodies and keep them healthy. Being a christian also means that I am accountable for all the actions I take. I am lucky that I have at leasst one parent to help me make wise decisions, and to teach me right from wrong. I am also grateful that the D.A.R.E. program is taught in our schools. One of the most important things I learned from D.A.R.E. and Officer Slagle, is that a person that has a parent with an addiction problem, is more than twice as likely to become addicted themselves, as compared to a person that has no family history of drug abuse. This really caused bells to go off in my head. This means that if I ever give in to peer pressure and try drugs, I could become addicted easier than someone else. Why would anybody take this chance? I have learned many things through this program, especially about the consequences of our actions. You could get arrested, hurt yourself or someone else, destroy your life by becoming an addict, or even die. All of these things are terrible , but I can't think of anything worse as a parent or as us kids as future parents than hurting our children and the people that love us. DRUGS DESTROY LIVES! I give the D.A.R.E. Program 2 thumbs up, for all the good things being accomplished. 6th grade student at Nebo Elementary School, McDowell County, North Carolina

How to Use German Particle or Filler Words

How to Use German Particle or Filler Words German, like any other language, has particular words and expressions that can be used in more than one way. These include the short but tricky  Wà ¶rter  known as â€Å"particles† or â€Å"fillers.† I call them â€Å"small words that can cause big problems.† Simple-Looking German Particles That Are Actually Tricky German words such as  aber,  auch,  denn,  doch,  halt,  mal,  nur,  schon  and even  ja  look deceptively simple, but are often a source of errors and misunderstanding for even intermediate learners of German. The main source of problems is the fact that each one of these words can have multiple meanings and functions in different contexts or situations. Take the word  aber. Most often it is encountered as a  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹coordinating conjunction, as in:  Wir wollten heute fahren,  aber  unser Auto ist kaputt.  (â€Å"We wanted to go/drive today, but our car is broken down.†) In that context,  aber  functions like any of the coordinating conjunctions (aber,  denn,oder,  und). But  aber  can also be used as a particle:  Das ist aber nicht mein Auto.  (â€Å"That is, however, not my car.†) Or:  Das war aber sehr hektisch.  (â€Å"That was really very hectic.†) Another characteristic that such particle-word examples make clear is that it is often difficult to translate the German word into an English word. German  aber,  contrary to what your first-year German teacher told you, does  not  always equal â€Å"but†! In fact, the Collins/PONS German-English dictionary uses one-third of a column for all of the uses of  aber.  Depending on how it is being used, the word  aber  can mean: but, and, at all, however, really, just, isnt it?, havent you?, come on now or why. The word can even be a noun:  Die Sache hat ein Aber.  (â€Å"Theres just one snag.† -  das Aber) or  Kein Aber!  (â€Å"No ifs, ands or buts!†) In fact, a German dictionary rarely offers much help in dealing with particles. They are so idiomatic that it is often impossible to translate them, even if you understand German pretty well. But throwing them into your German (as long as you know what youre doing!) can make you sound more natural and native-like. To illustrate, lets use another example, the often over-used  mal. How would you translate  Sag mal, wann fliegst du?  or  Mal sehen.? In neither case would a good English translation actually bother to translate  mal  (or some of the other words) at all. With such idiomatic usage, the first translation would be â€Å"Say (Tell me), when does your flight leave?† The second phrase would be â€Å"Well see† in English. The word  mal  is actually two words. As an adverb, it has a mathematical function:  fà ¼nf mal fà ¼nf(5Ãâ€"5). But it is as a particle and a shortened form of  einmal  (once), that  mal  is most often used in day-to-day conversation, as in  Hà ¶r mal zu!  (Listen!) or  Kommt mal her!  (Come over here!). If you listen carefully to German-speakers, youll discover that they can hardly say anything without throwing in a  mal  here and there. (But its not nearly as irritating as the use of â€Å"Ya know† in English!) So if you do the same (at the right time and in the right place!), youll sound just like a German! Uses of the German Word Doch! The German word  doch  is so versatile that it can also be dangerous. But knowing how to use this word properly can make you sound like a true German (or Austrian or German Swiss)! Lets start with the basics:  ja,  nein  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦and  doch! Of course, two of the first words you ever learned in German were  ja  and  nein. You probably knew those two words  before  you began studying German! But they arent enough. You also need to know  doch. The use of  doch  to answer a question is not actually a particle function, but it is important. (Well get back to  doch  as a particle in a moment.) English may have the largest vocabulary of any world language, but it doesnt have a single word for  doch  as an answer. When you answer a question negatively or positively, you use  nein/no or  ja/yes, whether inDeutsch  or English. But German adds a third one-word option,  doch  (â€Å"on the contrary†), that English does not have. For instance, someone asks you in English, â€Å"Dont you have any money?† You actually do, so you answer, â€Å"Yes, I do.† While you might also add, â€Å"On the contrary...â€Å" only two responses are possible in English: â€Å"No, I dont.† (agreeing with the negative question) or â€Å"Yes, I do.† (disagreeing with the negative question). German, however, offers a third alternative, which in some cases is required instead of  ja  or  nein. The same money question in German would be:  Hast du kein Geld?  If you answer with  ja, the questioner may think you are agreeing to the negative, that yes, you do  not  have any money. But by answering with  doch,  you are making it clear: â€Å"On the contrary, yes, I do have money.† This also applies to statements that you want to contradict. If someone says, â€Å"Thats not right,† but it is, the German statement  Das stimmt nicht  would be contradicted with:  Doch! Das stimmt.  (â€Å"On the contrary, it is right.†) In this case, a response with  ja  (es stimmt) would sound wrong to German ears. A  doch  response clearly means you disagree with the statement. Doch  has many other uses as well. As an adverb, it can mean â€Å"after all† or â€Å"all the same.†Ã‚  Ich habe sie doch erkannt!  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I recognized her after all!† or â€Å"I  did  recognize her!† It is often used this way as an intensifier:  Das hat sie doch gesagt.   â€Å"She  did  say that (after all).† In commands,  doch  is more than a mere particle. It is used to soften an order, to turn it into more of a suggestion:  Gehen Sie doch vorbei!, â€Å"Why dont you go by?â€Å" rather than the harsher â€Å"(You will) go by!† As a particle,  doch  can intensify (as above), express surprise (Das war doch Maria!   That was actually Maria!), show doubt (Du hast doch meine Email bekommen?   You did get my email, didnt you?), question (Wie war doch sein Name?   Just what was his name?) or be used in many idiomatic ways:  Sollen Sie doch!   Then just go ahead (and do it)! With a little attention and effort, youll begin to notice the many ways that  doch  is used in German. Understanding the uses of  doch  and the other particles in German will give you a much better command of the language.

Social perception and managing diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social perception and managing diversity - Essay Example Managers must also employ good communication process as this could further align the people. Aligning the people could eliminate formation of diversity in an organization as this involves actual communication of the vision to the human resource (Kotter, 1998). In addition, managers must employ policies that could help promote teamwork disregarding the presence of race, color, age, demographic, gender or sexual preference. One important move in an organization is to create a team that could work together in the same direction and as one, disregarding whatever prevailing issues concerning diversity in various aspects of an organizational climate. As a result, this would create a positive implication on diversity climate, by which employees would be able to learn to recognize the organization is fair in dealing with its human resource (Kreitner & Kinicki, 2010, p.53). Finally, managers must enhance their ability in decision-making by which they could showcase their ability to handle disturbance in an organization (Kotter, 1998). Stereotypes are important components of this organizational disturbance that every manager as decision-maker should take into account. Affirmative action is an artificial intervention in order for the management to correct imbalance, injustice and other unnecessary actions that could probably hinder productivity (Kreitner & Kinicki, 2010, p.36). To emancipate this, a legal system or act should be well implemented in order to create a positive response from every concerned. In line with this, some policies or legal act should be mandated in every organization such as those that would promote equal and balanced opportunity for everyone. In the workplace for instance, the law concerning discrimination must be employed in order to adhere to affirmative action. For example, every organization is under employment law that seeks to give equal opportunity to each individual and such discriminatory practices

Business Environment and Strategic Management of Primark Essay - 2

Business Environment and Strategic Management of Primark - Essay Example From this study it is clear that Primark’s product categories include the ladies wear, children’s wear, men’s wear, lingerie, cosmetics, fashion accessories, and the home products. Primarily Primark’s merchandise is made especially for its own brands, but it also stocks other products from other recognised (well known) brands like the Disney, Haribo sweets, Warner Brothers, and Nivea. According to the paper the company’s apparel products lines typically showcase simple designs and fabrics in the popular sizes. Primark usually launches its stores in the high street locations and most of its products lines are usually stocked in bulk at every location. Its main competitors are BHS, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, George at ASDA, Debenhams, and TK Max. Recognised globally for its quality in apparels and clothing at the budget prices, the company provides clothing for all sizes, ages, and sexes with different department for the household goods. Its succe ss is largely attributed to a highly organised business structures that provides its customers with what they need at within a reasonable prices. Primark’s cost leadership means that the company’s market research team are usually on the pulse of the fashion changes by providing products that are similar to its rival companies quickly. The majority of the company’s sources of supply is in the overseas countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Turkey. The company has developed the computerised customs clearance, the dedicated.

Urban economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Urban economics - Essay Example Right from the time human beings have started inhabiting in the caves, they have been analyzing the effectiveness of various locational decisions. It includes factories, retail outlets, warehouses, hospitals, bus stops, educational institutes, automobile stations; just to name a few of them. This ubiquity of locational designing has led to the interest of many in locational analysis. P-median model is the most popular and most widely used location-allocation models. (John Current, Mark Daskin and David Schilling, n.d.)The idea of conditional location problem is to locate the p amount of facilities in order to serve a particular set of demand points, assuming that q facilities are already located. When q tends to zero, there is unconditional problem. In case of conditional p-median or p-center problems, once the new p locations are determined, demand can either be served by the existing facilities or the new facilities, depending on the facility that is in high demand. P-median along with p-center are the most common used models in the locational analysis. Each application to the p-median or p-center problems turns to the conditional model, when there are already existing facilities in the given area. As for example, if anybody wishes to locate p number of warehouses in a particular area, it is denoted as an unconditional p-median problem. ... Each application to the p-median or p-center problems turns to the conditional model, when there are already existing facilities in the given area. As for example, if anybody wishes to locate p number of warehouses in a particular area, it is denoted as an unconditional p-median problem. When there are q number of warehouses already existing in that particular area and p number of warehouses is to be added, then it is denoted as conditional p-median problem. (Oded Berman and Zvi Drezner, August 2007) Median Location Model is based on a few assumptions; the inputs required by the firm exists everywhere, the consumers buy fixed amount of goods and the consumers are distributed along a line, the marginal cost of transport is constant and the firms usually make separate trips for the customers. The firms minimize transport cost by locating at the median of the customer distribution line. As for example, pizza firms make a number of trips in order to serve the customers at various locations. Plants are not created at each and every place in order to reduce the production cost as well as the cost of shipping input to all the locations. Instead, if the firm is situated at the median location, it will lower down the cost of production and it can also serve the customers. Moreover, producing from more locations does not allow the firms take advantage from scale economies. Per unit costs of the production also decreases with the increase in the size of the firm, as Average Cost of Producti on is equal to the Total Cost of Production divided by the Output. Weight Losing / Gaining Location Model: Alfred Weber formulated an industrial location theory, and according to the theory, an industry is located in such a place, where

Effective Team and Performance Management Essay - 4

Effective Team and Performance Management - Essay Example The paradigm shift in business has broadened the focus of organization beyond the achievement of its own goals and objectives to the creation of an environment where the members (in this case the employees) can also realize their individual and group objectives and desires within the organization structure. Employees are now concerned about their career paths within an organization above and beyond their monetary rewards. This career path requires the creation of programs and systems that allow for new knowledge and skill acquisition within the organization that allow for successive progression or growth of the individual alongside that of the overall organization (Berger & Berger, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of team cohesion and understanding on organizational performance. It examines how leadership can better enhance the relations amongst individuals, teams and management therein increasing their collective synergistic efforts towards the realization of optimal performance and achievement of set organizational targets and objectives. It also examines how the underlying differences between individuals within the organization can lead to frictions within the organization that can dent organizational performance and progress; therein showing how such frictions can be mitigated and managed as and when they arise. The paper employs several tasks involving team and individual relations; therein using theoretical team and performance management models to evaluate the usefulness of such tasks in building capacity for achieving optimum organizational performance. Reflection Group Formation and Analysis Approach I have chosen to use the Tuckman team model (1965) in organizing my reflections on the experiences gained from the various seminar activities or tasks. This is because the model offers a simple yet conclusive four- step approach involving forming, storming, norming, and performing phases for examining and managing the group dynam ics of individuals within a team. The first stage is absolutely vital in identifying members for your team. Figure 1: Tuckman Model for reflection The selection of team members can be done based on the roles identified for members within the team (Belbin, 2004). The formation of my team comprised individuals from multicultural backgrounds: Mathew Stroud (British) Alena Linhartova (Spanish) Virginia Bath (British) Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Hunayshil (Saudi Arabia) Chunlin Chen (China) The distribution of roles within the team was arrived at based on Belbin’s self-perception inventory model (1981) which argued that team roles existed based on distinct individual preferences in addition to being behavioral and thought style-dependent. The model implied the prevailing of a more natural role in most occasions. Belbin initially had an eight role model where the roles were arrived at based on six factors namely: personality, mental ability, current value and motivation, field constraint s, experience, and role learning. He however failed to show the degree of variation within these factors.Later on, he added a ninth role; that of the specialist. Table 1: Belbin's Team

Reflection assignment #3 on Nature Religion in America by Catherine Essay

Reflection assignment #3 on Nature Religion in America by Catherine Albanese on Pages 153-163; 171-185; 196-198 (ALL REQUIRED READING MATERIAL IS UPLOADED) - Essay Example On the basis of the data presented by Albanese, the nature religion is a manner of practice of belief that is based on being one with nature. Starting from the earliest trace of human civilization, such beliefs had been present and regardless of the modernity of times or the consciousness of the people, the nature’s religions keep on developing and diversifying. Although the literal objective of the author is to provide data regarding the presence and essence of the nature religion, the transcending meaning to the said practice is a fundamental message of the paper. One of the points presented in the paper is the fact that the most renowned religions, which are based on the presence of a godly entity above nature and humans, are questioned on the basis of sustainability in future times (p.175). This can be attributed to the fact that religion although set on faith, is one of the basis of society, culture and way of life of communities. For that matter, a look on the present state of nature can be considered that there is a dogma in the society and in the beliefs which is amiss. Based on the idea presented by the author, the main issue is that people needs to modify the belief that nature is meant for the human beings to consume and rule over. It can be considered that by recapitulating the religion of the ancestors, e.g. the native Americans, nature can be saved and people can respect and take care of the environment. This is based on the fact that the religion founded on nature states that human is not above nature but a part of it. Thus, as a part of himself nature is needed to be taken good care of. But if the said religion which is based on nature is that of the ancestors, then the hope of saving nature can be considered hopeless. To answer this, the author presented the succession of the development of the nature religion towards the present era. For that matter, human being can still have the change to attempt and endeavor the process of

Effective Team and Performance Management Essay - 4

Effective Team and Performance Management - Essay Example The paradigm shift in business has broadened the focus of organization beyond the achievement of its own goals and objectives to the creation of an environment where the members (in this case the employees) can also realize their individual and group objectives and desires within the organization structure. Employees are now concerned about their career paths within an organization above and beyond their monetary rewards. This career path requires the creation of programs and systems that allow for new knowledge and skill acquisition within the organization that allow for successive progression or growth of the individual alongside that of the overall organization (Berger & Berger, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of team cohesion and understanding on organizational performance. It examines how leadership can better enhance the relations amongst individuals, teams and management therein increasing their collective synergistic efforts towards the realization of optimal performance and achievement of set organizational targets and objectives. It also examines how the underlying differences between individuals within the organization can lead to frictions within the organization that can dent organizational performance and progress; therein showing how such frictions can be mitigated and managed as and when they arise. The paper employs several tasks involving team and individual relations; therein using theoretical team and performance management models to evaluate the usefulness of such tasks in building capacity for achieving optimum organizational performance. Reflection Group Formation and Analysis Approach I have chosen to use the Tuckman team model (1965) in organizing my reflections on the experiences gained from the various seminar activities or tasks. This is because the model offers a simple yet conclusive four- step approach involving forming, storming, norming, and performing phases for examining and managing the group dynam ics of individuals within a team. The first stage is absolutely vital in identifying members for your team. Figure 1: Tuckman Model for reflection The selection of team members can be done based on the roles identified for members within the team (Belbin, 2004). The formation of my team comprised individuals from multicultural backgrounds: Mathew Stroud (British) Alena Linhartova (Spanish) Virginia Bath (British) Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Hunayshil (Saudi Arabia) Chunlin Chen (China) The distribution of roles within the team was arrived at based on Belbin’s self-perception inventory model (1981) which argued that team roles existed based on distinct individual preferences in addition to being behavioral and thought style-dependent. The model implied the prevailing of a more natural role in most occasions. Belbin initially had an eight role model where the roles were arrived at based on six factors namely: personality, mental ability, current value and motivation, field constraint s, experience, and role learning. He however failed to show the degree of variation within these factors.Later on, he added a ninth role; that of the specialist. Table 1: Belbin's Team

Two choose one. will upload later Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Two choose one. will upload later - Essay Example say will establish businesses internationalisation and focus on the economic, environmental, political, and social impacts of business internationalisation. The content in the essay borrows from Economics, International Business, and Critical Political Economy. The main aim of internationalisation is to maximise profits and formation of capital. Businesses set out to international platforms to harness the innovation and influence the price and quality of assets in other regions. Firms may also internationalise in order to present a strategic marketing alliance or technological front as compared to their competitors. Similarly, an enterprise may in its choice of location, be keen to find resources that reduce its direct costs and increase its assets base (Dunning, 2001, p.184). In the search for reduced costs of production, firms try to harness cheaper alternatives in order to maximise profit margins in a competitive market. Most times, the local market offers a high price for factors of production. With internalisation, prospects of cheaper factors of production set. At times, firms go global in order to meet their international demand. Export to foreign markets may affect their product demand due to increased shipping cost. Production at a subsidiary plant may increase returns for the parent company. The reason of internationalisation compares the advantages of the process to the business to the benefits and costs of accessing cross-border transactions (Dunning, 2001, p.187). In Economics, demand adjusts supply and consumption influences production. Thus, Economics is a system that is responsive, elastic, and automatic (Coase, 1937, p.387). Economics tries to achieve this balance by focusing on the production process and its impact on the price. Firms are characterised by the price mechanism. In internationalisation, firms optimise production by sourcing cheap sources of factors of production such as labour. With the establishment of a foreign firm, it is

Picture & musical instrument Essay Example for Free

Picture musical instrument Essay In this picture, it showcases a man playing a musical instrument called bagpipes which are prominent and widely used in Scotland and Ireland. Based on the composition of the image, the man is probably a musician from an average social class because his choice clothing is typically worn by commoners probably during the Renaissance period. Generally, this illustration depicts an ordinary event in a musician’s life in the early periods. There are many components in this image that can tell the story of this single picture. Lines, shapes, color, shading and proportions are the elements that give life to a portrait. For the hat, it is a simple head ornament made from a plain fabric. The color gray with touches of brown suggest that it must had been used numerous times. The color combination gives it an aged look making it in a way look stylish. More so, the flower with a hint of light purple and baby pink colored petals that is surrounded by a couple of olive green leaves provided a natural component in the musician’s head cover. At first, it may seem that the beautiful flower is wilting probably because of its downward position but if viewers would look closely, the loveliness of the flower resides on its perfect color combination which exudes harmony. Additionally, a two-toned colored feather is also present on the hat. It is seamlessly intertwined with the flower. The feather added life on this very minimal hat through the blending of the colors gold and cream. Furthermore, the soft brushstrokes on the strands of the feathers give a sense of movement. It contrasted the stiff but delicate position of the flower. Moreover, the feather and the flower can be considered as accents of the hat that showcases the creativity of the musician and his love for things that possess simple yet striking beauty. On another note, hats are usually are worn outdoors during sunny days to protect the face from the rays of the sun. But on this picture, the black background suggests that the time was around in the evening or he was probably indoors which justifies the dark backdrop. Meanwhile, the relatively large brim of the hat had cast a shadow on the musician’s face. In a way, his wrinkles were partly concealed from the viewers’ line of sight. But if it will be examined closely, the series of lines on the forehead and on the mouth area can be considered as the focal points of the facial features. These lines indicate that the musician is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. On the other hand, the eyes tell a different story. It is hard to tell whether the arch of the left eyebrow and the roundness of the eyes signify an emotion. He can either be feeling tired or impassive during his performance. The semi-closed mouth with ripples of lines along the cheek area also adds up to the anonymity of the musician’s emotions. No outstanding feature can really be distinguished making it hard to determine the prominent mood of the painting. Overall, the musician’s face was painted in details. The realistic skin-toned color of the face accented by a small blush of red on the cheeks, the protruding nose, big black eyes, arched eyebrows, nude lips and the fine facial lines made an accurate representation of a male’s physical appearance. Furthermore, the layers of wardrobe added more personality into the painting. The musician is wearing three layers of garments. In the first layer is a white collared long sleeve shirt which is covered by a red V-shaped long sleeve with a wide collar. The bottom of the red shirt is tightened by a garter producing sections of scrunched up fabrics. Also, it seems that there is a set of embroidery at the bottom of the red shirt which serves as the accents to this plain piece of clothing. It is evident from the collar line to the sleeves that the musician is wearing layered clothes. Also, the combination of red and white complements very well. The simplicity of the white is balanced off by the intensity of the red. The third layer is a coat which has the same color as the hat with a dominant grayish tone but with touches of light brown and white. Also, the utilization of dark colors gave a slimming effect on the musician which made him look less stocky. The lining of the coat has a similar shade with the red shirt but more on the orange side. Probably this was intended to give continuity and proper blending of the colors used in the outfit. The whole look of the clothes did not seem stiff because of the folds seen all over the layers of clothing. The folds were intricately added to add movement in order for the clothes to look like as if they were moving with the musician. More so, these folds or lines contrasted the heaviness of the coat which gave a fluid quality to the whole picture. An unusual element was present on the left sleeve of the coat. This object has a circular shape with three layers of different sizes ranging from small to large. At one end is a hole where a red ribbon was tied which was pinned into the coat. Most likely this object is a type of medal that represents the musician’s profession or his achievements or this could just be an ornament used for fashion purposes. Regardless of its function, the circular object adds a touch of splendor to the whole garment. Moreover, the layers of clothing suggest that the weather was cold and that the musician needed the three levels of shirts to provide heat in order for him to properly play his bagpipes. Meanwhile, the bagpipe was illustrated in a neutral mocha brown color. Four pipes of varying heights and appearance were strategically strewn all over the irregularly shaped leather bagpipe. Because of the different sizes of pipes, it gave an illusion of elevation giving some dimension to a flat medium. Also, the creases on the bagpipe added some movement and tension to the image. Furthermore, the hands of the musician holding the main pipe were precisely demonstrated. The veins, the nails and even the lines on the knuckles were accurately portrayed. The viewers can really notice these details which suggest that these hands have been through a lot of experience in playing musical instruments. Despite the rigidity of the details on the hands, the way the hands were positioned displayed softness and finesse which is a true mark of a talented musician.

Effect of Reader Schemes and Initiatives on Child Reading

Effect of Reader Schemes and Initiatives on Child Reading Investigate whether the Accelerated Reader Scheme and Star Reader Test has a positive effect on a child’s reading achievement. Abstract An evaluation carried out in a primary school on the implementation of the Accelerated Reader Scheme demonstrates its efficacy in improving reading scores and reading ages for students who are less able readers. The literature review shows that while there is limited evidence on the scheme itself, which is derived from American schools settings, there is evidence which shows that similar schemes, which are targeted on reading development, and also schemes which integrate ongoing support and feedback (either personal or ICT based) are effective in supporting those who are falling behind national literacy standards. However, this study, which utilises marks and reading scores to evaluate the scheme, is limited in its applicability and in the usefulness of its findings. More research is needed into the underlying cultures and pedagogies which affect such reading interventions, and more depth and detail of pupil attitudes and responses are required to understand how such programmes affec t student achievement in reading and in the longer term. Introduction Children’s reading development is a key feature of overall literacy in the primary age group, and as such is subject to considerable governmental governance and input. Achieving standardised levels of literacy is seen as important in ensuring children reach developmental and cognitive milestones, and are properly prepared for secondary school when they move into this phase of their education. However, there are a number of challenges to supporting children to read, because even though this is a key element of their learning, children are often lacking in enthusiasm or confidence about reading, and do not take well to reading for pleasure. Similarly, school resources often mean that support for reading is less than optimal, particularly if teachers do not have enough time to devote to listening to children read and providing them with feedback and guidance. This dissertation describes an evaluation of a new approach to improving literacy in a chosen age group within a primary education setting: the Accelerated Reader Scheme, which includes the Star Reader Test. This scheme uses computer-based resources to encourage children to read. Children take the Star Reader test, are assigned a ‘reading age’, and then are pointed to books associated with that reading age within the school library. Children read the books and then take comprehension tests, which demonstrate their level of learning and their progress. Students can access the website at Think.com to chart their progress and see their own attainment. The scheme originated in America, where its success within primary age schools was demonstrated, and has since been adopted in a number of schools in the United Kingdom. There is some literature to cite the benefits of the Accelerated Reader scheme, and a lot of examples of websites, weblogs and feedback demonstrating enthusia stic approaches to it in certain schools and locations. This dissertation shows an evaluation of this scheme in one school setting in a socio-economically deprived area, and contains primary data on the implementation and effects of the scheme. A critical review of the literature was carried out, to explore the context of the scheme and its place within the pedagogy and practice of primary education within this country. The discussion of the scheme and its results takes into account current theory, and concludes with recommendations for future research and practice. A summary judgement of the efficacy of the scheme is included. The evaluation is based on reading result scores as discussed in the findings sections, and indicates where the scheme has been effective, and where findings were found to be other than those anticipated. The conclusions make recommendations for future research surrounding this intervention, and also explore some of the drawbacks of using such an approach. Literature Review Search Strategy A critical review of the available literature was carried out, in order to set the context of the study and evaluation, and to explore the current state of theory and practice. A literature search was first carried out, in order to identify the pertinent literature which could be used to inform the study. In order to do this, the author first carried out a ‘thought shower’ in order to identify key terms to be used as search words and search word combinations, then used these to search the literature, shortlist articles by abstract, and then select full text articles for reading and review. The Critical Review The changing nature of education, particularly within the state-funded sector, is such that there are emergent issues around the ways in which educational goals are defined and set, and the context of education[1]. However, the concern of this dissertation is the effectiveness of interventions in relation to supporting reading competence in primary schools, and so the focus of the literature review is on reading competence, reading interventions, and factors which might affect reading and the success of such interventions. It was decided to take a broader approach to the literature review because there were very few primary studies which directly assessed Accelerated Reader itself, and therefore the understanding of the current theoretical and practical context needed to be explored in terms of this type of approach to reading competence. The literature demonstrates that there are many factors which may affect children’s reading abilities and progress[2], not all of which are necessarily to do with the child’s cognitive or other abilities[3]. Understanding these factors may be important in understanding the kinds of schemes and programmes which might support reading progress in all children[4]. This review does not specifically address children with Special Educational Needs but does make some mention of them in relation to inclusive schools practices. Although published data presented by governmental and other official sources suggests that there have been significant improvements in reading and literacy overall in children in primary education, there are other authors who argue that this is not the case, and the tests and measured used have been ‘advantageously designed’ to reflect better on the current ruling party and its policies[5]. While standards may be improving, it is suggested tha t these improvements are not as significant as they are claimed to be[6], [7], and that recording and testing processes are sufficiently biased to warrant an independent body being set up to monitor standards[8]. The introduction of the National Literacy Strategy may have something to do with changing responses to reading and even changing attitudes to reading, but this does not mean that the responses are overwhelmingly positive. One study suggests that the ways that children interact with reading and with books, and their attitudes towards books, are much more complex than the official guidelines and strategies might suggest[9]. This study was a questionnaire study with a sample of 5076 pupils in Years 4 and 6, and found that attitudes towards reading, while generally positive, did appear to decline between the younger and older of the sampled age groups[10]. Of the overall sample, it seems sub-sample of 2364 of these pupils were actually in the same schools where the same questionnaire had been implemented previously, in 1998, and it was found from comparison of these two incidences that â€Å"enjoyment of reading had significantly fallen over the five years, whilst confidence as readers had significantly increased over the same period†[11]. It may be that these changes may have something to do with the introduction of the National Literacy Strategy, but it is argued that other, less popular explanations are also possible for this change, including differences in social life and differences in children’s exposure to other media and other forms of entertainment[12]. What is interesting about this study is that children were enjoying reading less, but had more confidence in reading. This might reflect the outcomes based type of education that is now very much the standard with the UK context, and to this author, also reflects the fact that reading literacy is very much related to competence rather than true enjoyment of texts and of wider opportunities for reading. This might also represent a restriction of students to only reading ‘set’ books or texts, perhaps, which would possibly limit enjoyment and pleasure in reading. Strategies towards improving literacy have taken many forms, but on significant change has been the use of classroom assistants, who specifically target reading and other deficits in children in general classroom settings. Interventions to provide extra support through classroom assistants have been shown to improve standards at Key Stage 1 testing[13]. However, studies such as these on meeting national standards in literacy do not address the wider and more complex issues around reading and engagement of students, and around the pedagogy of literacy teaching and the limitations of having standards based education rather than supportive education that encourages children to realise their own potential. Other studies, such as one carried out recently in Ireland, show that specific programmes, such as the Reading Recovery programme, can be efficacious in improving standards[14], but more work needs to be done on evaluating what is described as the ‘depth’ of such approache s, meaning how they really affect student-teacher interactions and quality of experience[15],[16]. Earl and Maynard explore one potential issue in relation to reading progress and proficiency, the ‘reluctant reader’, looking at what makes children behave in this way[17]. They examined the underlying reasons for children to develop a negative relationship with reading, and the possible resulting attitudes that they may develop towards it, and found that while the majority of children claimed to enjoy reading, in actuality, they found reading difficult, and subsequent investigation indicated that these children were not confident n their reading abilities[18]. The study showed that self-efficacy and a sense of autonomy were potential features of improving these responses to reading[19]. Earl and Maynard conclude that reluctant readers should be offered the opportunity to take responsibility for their own reading practice and development, to allow them to learn for themselves the value of reading[20]. â€Å"It was also discovered that it is vital that the childs parents /carers1 are involved with helping to tackle their childrens reluctance to read. Parental input is crucial to a childs education; if this input is provided at an early stage, then reluctance to read is more likely to be successfully overcome and may even offer prevention as well as cure† (p 163)[21]. There is some research to suggest that teachers are one of the important factors affecting student outcomes in literacy[22]. This is not just to do with their ability to use teaching skill in literacy development, but to do with other features of teaching practice. †It is teachers’ expectations, their enacted curriculum, their classroom talk, their relations to young people and their actual ways of inducting them into specific textual practices that most affect literacy outcomes.[23] This would suggest that while there may be specifics of educational practice, and pupil response or individual ability, there can be things to do with teachers themselves that are as important as paying attention to reading ability. In a study by Wilkinsonit was found that teachers used theory effectively to improve the literacy outcomes of students in eight disadvantaged South Australian schools[24]. â€Å"Teachers constructing and using theory to enhance their agency emerged as one of the key factors that made a difference to student outcomes†, which can be viewed as teachers using theory to underpin their actions, and achieving positive effect[25]. It would seem from this study, that â€Å"teacher quality is predicated on teacher knowledge, particularly theoretical knowledge†[26]. However, this study was carried out in Australia, within a different cultural, pedagogical and policy context, and as such would have to be replicated within a UK context to be fully transf erable. Fisher also suggests that there are features of teachers and teaching practice which may affect reading activities and reading attainment[27]. He also suggests that despite a growing awareness and understand of sociocultural nature of language and classrooms, teachers and theorists are continuing to argue for more frequent and extended opportunities for teacher-pupil exchanges and discussions about texts, and more reciprocity in teacher-child dialogue in relation to reading and exploring texts and books[28]. Fisher (suggests that there are studies of classroom teaching practice and activities which demonstrate the continued use of triadic dialogue, in which the teacher predominantly controls the nature and length of any interaction, and effectively closes down discussion rather than encouraging more free exploration and debate[29]. This would seem to indicate that there is more to students developing reading skills and engaging with reading than simple pedagogical practices and activ ities, and much of the work around reading is still functional rather than philosophical. However, it may be that these findings simply reflect the realities of classroom practice, with deliberate control over discussions because of the need to maintain good discipline and achieve the prescribed tasks and goals of the teaching at that point. Certainly a classroom which encouraged more free debate and interaction with teachers could be viewed by some traditionalists as one in which discipline would be harder to maintain. And because of the kinds of limitations on resources, some ideal ways of addressing reading skill might not be practical. A study by Downer (2007) shows that one to one, targeted reading and literacy support, provided by teaching assistants, could be efficacious in improving the reading abilities of pupils who were falling behind literacy standards[30]. The study showed that as little as four minutes one to one support each day could make a difference[31]. However, this study is about supporting children identified as having fallen significantly behind their peers and the natioanl standards for their developmental age, and might require resources that are simply not available in the majority of state schools. It also has the disadvantage of singling out the students who are demonstrating slower progress and development in reading, which is not necessarily a good thing because it highlights the difference between them and their peers. Yet it does highlight the potential value of providing targeted reading support, perhaps even 1 to 1 support, in supporting children’s reading. Hatcher et al (2005) report a randomised controlled trial which evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention for reading-delayed children in Year-1 classes[32]. In this, a sample of 7 children from 14 different schools, children identified as having the poorest reading ability, were randomly allocated to either of the two groups, and the 20 intervention group received the programme for two times ten weeks, the second group only for the second ten weeks[33]. This was a small group programme, providing daily sessions of around twenty minutes, comprising small group and individual teaching[34]. In this study, the children who received the programme during the first ten weeks made markedly more progress on outcome literacy measures, but the children who received the programme in the second 10 week period seemed to catch up with the first group[35]. This programme, as with that described by Downer (2007), used trained teaching assistants, and found it was effective for children who show ed reading delays, although around a quarter of children did not respond to the intervention[36]. Again, this is an intervention which singles out those with less ability and provides specialist input, but it does not really address the notion of reading as a whole within the primary classroom, and, as with the previous study, singles out the poor achievers. This is no surprise, as it really reflects the predominant ideologies of national strategies for literacy[37]. There are a number of ways of targeting literacy, especially in poor achievers. Bunn (2008) reports a study which compared the progress in reading and spelling of 256 children in eleven classes in nine primary schools in England, located in years 3 and 4, and a partially overlapping sample of 126 children who received additional help with literacy during a single year[38]. In this study, teachers and teaching assistants implemented either Additional Literacy Support (ALS), which is a highly structured programme of small group teaching activities and materials, developed by the English National Literacy Strategy, or they used a broad range of other materials and approaches, including other published intervention programmes, reading scheme-based, computer-based and individually designed interventions, alone or in combination with ALS[39]. A strength of this study is that the researchers explored the influence of a broad range of contextual factors, especially whether childrens qualitie s, school factors such as socio-economic status and class size, and delivery differences made any marked differences to the results of the different interventions in relation to reading ability[40]. The design of the study was a naturalistic quasi-experimental design, and the author found ALS was marginally more effective than other interventions in the majority of the classes studies, however, the authors also found limitations in their ability to ‘catch up’ to their peers, and found little difference in attainment in relation to individual factors[41]. Another study demonstrates a targeted, home-based intervention that can be good at supporting literacy in children identified as being at risk of developing reading problems[42]. This was the Literacy Early Action Project, which is described as a home-visiting scheme for these children, carried out by teaching assistants, which involved parents and grandparents[43]. The study of this intervention identified five key factors which supported the child’s progress: â€Å"the flexibility in the teaching assistants approach that enabled extended family members to become engaged in literacy support; the teaching assistants sensitivity to family culture; the playful approach to learning adopted by the teaching assistant; putting the child at the centre of the intervention; and the existence of a school culture that strongly promoted involvement for parents†[44]. What this shows is that not only do certain children need more support than is available in current school settings, but that the individual needs and attributes of the child are important in achieving reading standards. The nature of the intervention, therefore, must be something that would be responsive and sensitive to individual children. Most literacy support programmes, particularly those for under-achievers, are based on phoneme-oriented strategies[45]. Authors of one study suggest that training in phoneme awareness and letter-sound knowledge is a fundamental part of effective interventions for poor reading in the context of reading books in particular, and evaluate the UK Early Literacy Support (ELS) programme[46]. Again, this is a study on children who were already identified as poor readers, and found that this programme offered a cost effective method of boosting 6-year-old childrens reading to an average level[47]. However, it does not address the idea of improving attitudes towards reading, rather, it focused on functional reading skill. A similar study explored why students did not respond well to phoneme-based reading support, and showed that other factors, such as letter knowledge and vocabulary were important in attaining reading competence[48]. This study also fails to address issues in the nature of the reading materials that may affect children’s responses to reading activities. Technological advances and the rapid development of information and communications technologies within the leisure as well as the educational sector an have effects on and provide insight into different ways of supporting reading skill development for children. Wood reports a small scale study of beginning readers using a form of ‘talking books’ software, compared to adult teaching support, using the same books in paper versions[49]. The authors found that â€Å"there were no significant differences between the two groups in their phonological awareness attainment, with both groups showing equivalent gains from pre- to post-test. Use of specific features of the software was associated with gains in rhyme detection ability and with changes in the childrens reading strategies†[50]. While this is a small study with a limited sample, and limited transferability, it does show that children might interact slightly differently with ICT-based reading interventions, perhap s due to differences in autonomy and engagement with reading materials, although more research is definitely needed into what features of the ICT-based reading activities are most effective. Another study describes the evaluation of a parent delivered, computer based beginning reading program[51]. â€Å"Statistically significant treatment effects were found for Kindergarten students in the intervention group on letter-sound fluency, oral reading fluency, non-word decoding, and phonemic awareness skills. Grade 1 students in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement over time on letter-sound fluency, letter-name knowledge, non-word decoding and oral reading fluency; however, these improvements were not significantly greater than those for the Grade 1 comparison group†[52]. This study was implemented in pupils across the ability range, but the authors also concluded that it might be a very useful intervention for students more at risk of poor achievement in reading and literacy[53]. It is interesting that this computer-based intervention was particularly targeted at reception and year one age students, and this author would raise the question of how well different reading programmes meet the needs of different ages. Also, it would have been good to have more detail about the computer based programme and its components. This may be a feature of these kinds of studies, that they do not really look at what it is about the programme that attracts students or engages them. Another study outlines the use of computer software to identify reading problems and propose ways of addressing these. This is in the form of an adaptive assessment named the Interactive Computerised Assessment System (InCAS), and can be used with children of a wide age range and differing levels of ability, in order to identify specific reading problems[54]. There are different potential formats of feedback to teachers, but overall the feedback provided also indicates how children need to improve[55]. Such programmes may be very useful but it is difficult to see how they can improve on good teacher-student interaction, and whether or not they would help to reduce the major challenges of managing the teaching workload to improve literacy. While it is unsurprising that the programme is aimed at addressing specific reading problems, it also underlines the ongoing theoretical and pedagogical orientation towards eliminating problems rather than enhancing students’ reading experien ce, engagement and enjoyment. However, there is research which shows that reading can be enhanced by ICT-type reading tools and activities[56]. Reading is important for many reasons, not just for the child’s ability to carry out the increasingly difficult tasks which concur with their progress through school[57]. Wallace (2008) shows how literacy an identity are strongly linked within the minds and behaviours of children, and how reading can help them to build links and connections between the childrens diverse personal histories and the texts and practices validated by school[58]. Supporting the development of reading literacy, and also engagement with reading as an activity in itself, may be a more important feature of primary schooling than is suggested by government guidance[59] and by teaching practice and pedagogy. It may, perhaps, be more than a functional skill. There are also some differences found within primary education between the genders[60],[61], [62], and between reading fiction and non fiction independently[63]. Boys tend to be of lower reading ability than girls, [64], [65], and although they may read marginally more non-fiction than fiction, they appear to do this less carefully and with less skill[66]. A mixed methods, but primarily ethnographic study in the North of England found that there were two different discourses around reading, both of which were gendered: â€Å"Two main differently gendered discourses about reading were encountered. The one discourse, dominant in the ‘working class’ classroom, was strongly gendered and afforded reading low status. The other discourse encountered in the ‘middle class’ classroom was gender-inclusive and reading carried high status. It is argued that the interaction between social class and gender is important in understanding children’s discourse about reading.†[67] This seems to show that reading ability is based upon a much more complex interaction of factors than simply the child interacting with the set activities, and being defined as a reading ‘age’ regardless of other features of their life, personality and attitudes. The study also demonstrates the ways in which class and social context affect perceptions of reading and reinforce gender differences in literacy and attainment at this early educational level. How much any reading intervention or teaching approach to redress this balance is debateable. Other research appears to demonstrate that the idea of encouraging reading for pleasure, rather than for necessity[68], is not really a part of current pedagogy and classroom practice[69], [70]. In a study of secondary schools in the south of England, it was found that because of a lack of time and absence of demand for wider reading in the English curriculum, teachers expressed ambivalence about encouraging and assessing wider reading, and teachers with less experience expressed uncertainty about how to introduce and encourage this[71]. Interestingly, it was also found that â€Å"where teachers did initiate wider reading, this was sometimes against departmental practice, a semi-illicit addition to their workload and could thus be seen almost as a form of bootlegging† [72]. This study places emphasis on the need for school children to learn to read widely rather than just because they have to, but also shows that the current approach to reading and literacy is prohibitive rath er than encouraging[73]. It would seem that current pedagogical and classroom cultures are limiting the opportunities for children to develop as individuals, in their own ways, and to engage in individual ways with reading[74], making their own choices[75]. The Accelerated Reader programme appears to increase self-efficacy and motivation in primary students[76], but the evidence for this is limited and is based on American schools, which have a different culture to the UK. However, the interactive, ICT based nature of the programme makes it attractive to the current primary education context, particularly in enhancing cross-curricular knowledge development. The Evaluation The Accelerated Reader Scheme was implemented in three classes, years 3, 4 and 5 in a primary school in an urban, deprived area. The aim was to improve reading scores, using the scheme to support students to engage more with their own reading activities and progress. It is well known that attainment levels suffer in schools with a high proportion of children who are subject to socio-economic deprivation[77]. The Accelerated Reader Programme has been implemented with some success in a range of schools in the

Liberal Equality Essay -- Political Science

Throughout the ages, the principles of equality and liberty have been a subject of great disputes. Liberal minimalism [1] holds a distinct outlook in the explicit implications of these expressions. For a minimalist democracy must strive to primary reduce control of authoritarian power through restraining most if not all constraints to the individual, allowing them to dictate their own lives by implementing a representative government. In addition, it implements an equal, consistent, and indiscriminate regulation. Thus effectively preventing tyranny, and creating equality before the law, irrelevant to the citizen’s position, which denies high ranking individuals legal advantages seen during the feudal era. Accordingly, the rule of law comes across to liberals as their greatest triumph, for they perceive it as the lawful representation of equality and liberty. There are numerous critics of the liberal minimalist interpretation of equality and social liberty before the law. Such as inequalities of opportunity, and material inequality which results in exploitation. However, liberals will reject â€Å"to impose upon the public a consciously selected model of distribution, whether it promotes equality or of inequality.†[2] Numerous critics agree that capitalism in the liberal minimalist model does not depict true equality and thus is problematic. Critics such as Sherman dispute that it produces "formal equality, such as civil rights, yet presents actual ongoing inequality for employees (Sherman, 1990)[3]. Nevertheless, despite the fact that liberals may possibly appear to support significant material equity, they will be cautious of forcefully creating this result through authoritarianism on the basis of their belief.[4] The reduced goal... ...27 11, Cohen G, 1989, Labor and Freedom, Oxford University Press, Oxford 12, (Marx, economic and philosophical manuscripts, p.120-31, Ollman, 1971). 13 Friedman M, 1962, Capitalism and Freedom, Chicago University Press 14 Frank R. and Cook P, 1996, The Winner-Take-All Society, Penguin press, New York: Penguin 15 Graham G, 2006, Postcapitalist Politics, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis 16 Street, P. Capitalism and Democracy "Don't Mix Very Well", February, 2000. 17 Rothbart M, 1998, The Ethics of Liberty: chp 14, Children and Rights,. New York University press, New York 18 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago 19 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago 20 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago Liberal Equality Essay -- Political Science Throughout the ages, the principles of equality and liberty have been a subject of great disputes. Liberal minimalism [1] holds a distinct outlook in the explicit implications of these expressions. For a minimalist democracy must strive to primary reduce control of authoritarian power through restraining most if not all constraints to the individual, allowing them to dictate their own lives by implementing a representative government. In addition, it implements an equal, consistent, and indiscriminate regulation. Thus effectively preventing tyranny, and creating equality before the law, irrelevant to the citizen’s position, which denies high ranking individuals legal advantages seen during the feudal era. Accordingly, the rule of law comes across to liberals as their greatest triumph, for they perceive it as the lawful representation of equality and liberty. There are numerous critics of the liberal minimalist interpretation of equality and social liberty before the law. Such as inequalities of opportunity, and material inequality which results in exploitation. However, liberals will reject â€Å"to impose upon the public a consciously selected model of distribution, whether it promotes equality or of inequality.†[2] Numerous critics agree that capitalism in the liberal minimalist model does not depict true equality and thus is problematic. Critics such as Sherman dispute that it produces "formal equality, such as civil rights, yet presents actual ongoing inequality for employees (Sherman, 1990)[3]. Nevertheless, despite the fact that liberals may possibly appear to support significant material equity, they will be cautious of forcefully creating this result through authoritarianism on the basis of their belief.[4] The reduced goal... ...27 11, Cohen G, 1989, Labor and Freedom, Oxford University Press, Oxford 12, (Marx, economic and philosophical manuscripts, p.120-31, Ollman, 1971). 13 Friedman M, 1962, Capitalism and Freedom, Chicago University Press 14 Frank R. and Cook P, 1996, The Winner-Take-All Society, Penguin press, New York: Penguin 15 Graham G, 2006, Postcapitalist Politics, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis 16 Street, P. Capitalism and Democracy "Don't Mix Very Well", February, 2000. 17 Rothbart M, 1998, The Ethics of Liberty: chp 14, Children and Rights,. New York University press, New York 18 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago 19 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago 20 Hayek F, 1994, The Road to Serfdom, Chicago University press, Chicago

A Critique Of American Sandwich Essay

The whole article tells a true story that happened when the author was a little kid. The Author moved from Portugal to American along with his parents. With so special family background, the author aspire to American Sandwiches rather than thick sliced ham and vegetables wrapped with large loaf of bread. Actually, it reflects the expectations of author that could be a strong desire to touch American cultures and fit into American social circles. Throughout the articleï ¼Å'Edite Cunha utilize the conversation between his mother and him as well as the mental activities behaved by him to describe his vivid dream of owning the sunbeam bread. The frequent transform of the scenes are better to draw the attention of the readers to focus on the rhythm of the story. I think each person has undergone same experience during his or her early stage of life. Take mine experience as an example, I was born in a remote town of a small city, when I was 10 years old, I moved out of the small town to the central areas of the city. I begun to study with these â€Å"urban kids†Ã¯ ¼Å'it took a quite long period for me to get rid of the loneliness. Because we are wired to feel fear whenever we stepping into an unfamiliar environment, this is why I stick to face the question and become more positive. Currentlyï ¼Å'I am logging for the American lifestyle, observing and mimicking people surround me.

Animal Farm Essential Questions

This is a historical, political and social allegory, that is, a story whose characters and events represent or symbolize ideas and events. George Orwell, who worked creating propaganda for the British government during World War II, saw the rise of socialism and Marxism, and the eventual dominance of Communism in the sass's. This book is Rowel's response to the world around him. How do some gain power over others? What enables them to succeed? Some gain power over others for many reasons.They may have better leadership skills and will aka charge or they could be the smartest and the most trustworthy. What enables them to succeed is if they lead correctly their followers will do the same causing success What is propaganda and what is the relationship between propaganda and power? Propaganda is communications to the public that are designed to influence the opinions. The relationship between propaganda and power is that propaganda can be used to maintain power or gain power. Why does p ropaganda work?Propaganda works because our minds are easily persuaded and any information even out by the more powerful people will be taken as true. How often In today's world are the weak exploited by the strong? Are utopias possible? I believe utopias are not possible because I think there will always be someone who will want to be different and could be greedy and change the look of the utopia. Is Animal Farm a relevant novel for the 21st century reader? All civilizations begin with a utopian society in mind but some where along the way they falter and stumble and finally fall only because of faults In human character.

Case Study: Organization Behaviour Essay

1.0What do you think caused Deborah react in such manner towards Melinda? Do you think these reactions are justified? Organizational change is the alteration of the way in which people are organized (Dessler Gary, 2002). This can be something as simple as an organization restructuring itself in relative to resources, for example human resources as the case may be. However the housing industry association in Brisbane brought about an organizational change relative to the human resources in the company by promoting the 2-year-old working staff in the company to be the Executive support manager. By and large, change in an organizational setting is somewhat hard basically on the part of employees in the organization as it seems hard to alter habits, attitudes, and ethics at work in response to organizational objectives. Change in the context of an organization is defined as persuasive influence, where all aspects are subjects to continual change of one form or another. (Mullins, 2005, p. 909). Melinda’s promotion in the organization created a problem for Deborah who because of the attitudes towards jobs failed to be promoted. This has actually caused her to react in many bad ways such as bad-mouthing attitude against Melinda to other staff in the organization and making some derogatory remarks about her to other staff in the company through the use of strong critics that she is an egotistical slave-driver with no respect for the people who are being supervised. Personally, it can be inferred that Deborah was caught in a change resistance. Organization change resistance threatens structures of power with members resisting and questioning the object being changed. (Smith, C. A. 2003). In this case study it can be established that change resistance crept in the organization through two ways. Firstly, she feels that way because she thinks it’s unfair to have promoted Melinda having just worked few years, precisely two years in the company. She feels like she has spent fifteen years in the company and has accrued experience and skills that matches any promotion. Secondly, Deborah resisted the change in the structure within the facet of the organization because of her own selfish acts, specifically freedom to do whatever she likes in the company. She very much understands that the new office that is created for Melinda will closely monitor all the staff and that means that she will not at liberty to do those things again. From the case study, it is learnt that Deborah misuses her office in allocating more than one hour, to be precise two hours for the break while at work and she closes always at work one hour before the normal closing hour with the reason that she would be picking up the kids for home. All these are personal reasons for Deborah and are those that are behind her resistance to the new structures of the organization which elevates Melinda. Moreover, she feels more threatened that the laziness in her at work will be corrected by a two-year old working staff in the company, a phenomenon which she really frowns at. It can be argued that none of Deborah’s reactions are justified in any forms. From the case study, it can be assumed that Melinda’s appraisal at work is interesting and encouraging to have been recommended for such position at such early year of service in the organization. It is also an assumption that the whole staff is in the know of Deborah’s bad attitude at work and for that, there is a need to make her redress. If she is performing very great, or excellently well, then she wouldn’t have felt threatened at work. It is also understood that if Deborah is recommended for the task, she will not be able to perform well in line with the duties and responsibilities which she herself is a failure. Therefore, for an organization like HIA to run well, there is a need for a positive and good attitude staff to run the affairs. 2.0What could Melinda have done to better resolve this issue with Deborah? Melinda sensed that Deborah has been acting so bad at work and realized the importance of resolving the issues with her. She established a meeting with her informally at a coffee shop where she made her understand the roles and responsibilities unto which her office is tied to and her commitment to carry them out religiously. This is considered as a communication in resolving issues and it’s very great in resolution. However while doing this; she could have compromised a little bit perhaps by giving her choices just to settle the dispute between them. Some of the choices could be rotating her job responsibilities and trying to be flexible on her work periods. It is understood that she uses more official time for herself and family and she can work these time out on some other days, preferably weekends in order to compensate for the lost official time. Melinda could have compromised her stand on insisting that Deborah should not do things in her ways in a bid to better resolve the issues. Although this seems de-motivational for other staff that have the understanding that Deborah has been indolen t in the organization. But on the note of resolution, Melinda could have granted the deal that Deborah worked and peace would have reigned in the organization. Since it is in the best interest of the organization to settle the scores, then Melinda should have negotiated and worked out some leverages on her at least to make the work go on. Negotiation theory and practice have a great strength in easing organizational problem as it offers a two-way street. (Dessler, Gary. 2002). It is my opinion also that this issues could have been reported to the management who understand all the affairs of the organization. Usually, this case is best handled by the management who will find out the sources and the causes of the problem so at to be able to better resolve the issues between them. Managers’ involvement in dispute resolution within the framework of an organization enhances resolution through proper communication and negotiation skills. (Greenberg J &Baron A.R 2003). Organizations have ways and procedures of resolving conflicts within organizational members in quest for smooth work relationship. The ways adopted by every organization could be different depending on the issues. Conflict resolution can be employed through the use of the combination of strict and stringent measures among conflicting members in an organization. (Robbins, S.P 2000). Such theory and concept can be applied to the case between Melinda and Deborah. Also, Melinda should have gone for negotiation in order to better resolve this issue between them. She should have adopted good negotiating skills and offered many choices of things to take from perhaps it may go well with her. This is because effective negotiation brings about happiness at work in employees and employer relationship. (Dent Edward, 2003). Furthermore, Deborah understands she is a long-time serving staff and deserves respect most especially from junior staff like Melinda. Following this, to better resolve the issues, Melinda could have condescended herself while discussing the issues with Deborah. That could have made Deborah changes her mind against insisting on her ways. 3.0Is organizational change more stressful for team members or for team leaders? Identify the possible stressors for organizational members experiencing change in the workplace as depicted in the case study. In every organization, the role of team leaders are not changed and are elaborate in assisting the team members in identifying key work tasks, supporting as they perform these tasks while team members are just members of the team who are executing all the tasks relative to the common goals of the team.( Bass, B.M, et.al). Because team leaders just lead the team in assisting the team members to realize the goals, it is very easy for them to see, feel the organizational change and therefore less stressful for them. Team leaders are seen to be directing and supervising the tasks no t really executing them. (Lax, D.A. and Sebenius, J.K.,(2006). For this fact, organizational changes are easily understood by them. Because team leaders are usually one person, it is less stressful for them to adapt to any corms of organizational changes that comes their way. (Hersey, P.2006) Who are the doers of the team tasks? Who are responsible for the team tasks? It is the responsibility of the individual team members within a team. Because of the numbers which ranges from three to ten depending on the size of the project or task, it is very much difficult to bear these stresses. If taken for example, one of the team members react negatively to the team task relative to the organizational change, then the outcome of the team performance will be failure. Because team members are made up of individuals, then it is very much difficult for them to adapt to any organizational change that comes their ways as compared to the leader who is only one entity that will just act accordingly to the organizational change. In a nutshell, team members because of their numbers and their respective tasks in the team feel more stressful to bear the organizational change in the organization. (Howard, L.W. 1998). One of the possible stressors for organizational members who are experiencing change in the workplace as highlighted in the case study is overloaded workload on the path of the members of the organization. All organizational members are constantly encouraged to stay back in the organization to work some hours after the completion of the official hours. This is in line with the organizational structure of that the HIA has just adopted. This has created a lot of stress and thus has enabled them to be passing some assaults unto each other. Members of the organization after being tired at work can be seen assaulting other members in the organization. Another stressor that cannot be overlooked is the lack of social support from others at workplace and the work home interface which can also be regarded as work/non-work conflict which is concerned with management of the relationship between the individual roles and responsibilities both on the job and off the job. (Howard, L.W. 1998). An example of this is shown by Deborah who is seen to be insulting Melinda for making her to stay after working hours. Another stressor that can still be noticed is bad relationships among coworkers. The organizational structural change in HIA organization has caused organizational members to experience poor interpersonal relationship with each other. An illustration of this is seen from the attitude of Deborah in the organization towards other members of the organization. Deborah is seen to be very moody and always keeping to herself at work and most times expressing reluctance to interact with members who fails to share her own point of view. 4.0How might the situation be influenced by organizational or national level culture? Organizational culture is one of the principal factors in assessing the success of an organization in managing the work stress. This is reflected in the attitudes of the organizational member, their shared beliefs about the organization, their shared value systems and common and accepted ways of behaving while at work. (Deutsch, M., 2008).It can be established that organizational culture has strength in recognizing organizational problems and how they can be solved. It has influence and can affect what is experienced as stressful, how the experience translates into health difficulties, how both stress and health are reported in the organization and how the organization shows their response into such reports being made. (Clifford, James 2000). In view of this all organizational members with inclusions to the managers must therefore be conscious of the organizational culture and make exploration in relation to the work stress management. Because there is a great influence coming in the path of organizational culture on the overloaded work situation of the members of the organization, it is very much necessary and important that all hands must be on deck in engaging in culture change activities as it is an essential part of improving the management of stress at work. (Alvesson, M. 2000) The situation can influence the organizational systems and procedures. The simplest definition of culture is â€Å"that’s the way we do things around here.† Organizational routines and processes can become so inserted that they are considered as part of the culture, and changing the culture demands that the routines be changed too. (DiBella, A. J. 2006). An organization that has the culture of having meetings weekly and monthly can therefore become more formalized and cumbersome based on the organizational change. Therefore, changing the culture to improve communication in the organization can possibly be the made realistic by changing the procedures of the meeting or eliminating the meetings completely. The situation might be influenced by organizational or national-level culture through improving the working conditions of the organizational members in the organization. (Dent, J. F. 2001). Improving the work conditions through organizational culture will undoubtedly reduce any forms of stress at work and it has involvement of identifying any stressful parts of work. (Iivari, N. 2002). For example as it has been highlighted in the case study: extreme workload, and warring members in the organization. This strategy will definitely reduce or eliminate the identified stressors in the organization. The advantage of this influence by organizational culture combats the sources of the stress at work. Sometimes, the managers disagree with this technique because of its involvement in altering the routines of work or schedules of productions, or changes in the organizational structure. Any tasks to reduce all the mentioned stressors in the organization should be given top most priority to organizational change in improving the organizational working conditions. (Kappos, A. – Croteau, A. 2002). 5.0References Bass, B.M. and Avolio, B.J. (2000). Transformational leadership and the organizational culture. Public Administration Quarterly, 17, 112-122. Bass, B.M. and Avolio, B.J. (1994).Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage. Howard, L.W. (1998). Validating the competing values model as a representation of organizational cultures. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 6(3), 231-250 Trice, H.M. and Beyer, J.M. (1992). The cultures of work organizations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice Hall. Stoner James A. F., Freeman R. Edward, and Gilbert, Jr. Daniel R. (2003) Smith, C. A. (2003). Commitment to organizations and occupations: Extension and test of a three-component conceptualization. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78(4), 538 – 551 Management (New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India), Sixth Edition. Greenberg J &Baron A.R (2003) â€Å"Behaviour in Organisations†, Prentice Hall, Vol. 8, pp. 188- 215. Dessler, Gary. (2002).Personnel management: Modern concepts and techniques. Reston, VA: Prentice-Hall Company Robbins, S.P (2000) Organization Theory: structure, Design and Application, 3rd ed; London, Prentice Hall International Inc. Dent Edward, (2003) challenging† resistance to change† Journal of Organizational Change Management. Hersey, P.(2006) Management of Organizational Behavior; Leading Human Resources: 8th Ed, New Delhi; Prentice-Hall of India Lax, D.A. and Sebenius, J.K., (2006). The Manager as Negotiator. Free Press, New York, USA. Deutsch, M., (2008). 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