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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : St. Peter's Health Care Services is a leading hospital in the Albany, New York region. It was originally established in 1985 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and as such incorporates distinct religious elements into its healthcare guidelines, mission statement and core values. The hospital is one of the largest employers in the region with an estimated annual budget of $450 million which supports 4,500 employees. These employees include administrative and nursing staff, doctors, caregivers, technicians and other forms of hospital based employment. St. Peter's offers advanced medical equipment and services not often available in state run hospitals located within the Albany area. Despite the state of the technologies utilized and the quality of service given there are distinct problems within St. Peter's organizational system, specifically the manner in which the hospital's management deals with employees.
St. Peter's Health Care Services is a leading hospital in the Albany, New York region. It was originally established in 1985 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and as such incorporates distinct religious elements into its healthcare guidelines, mission statement and core values. The hospital is one of the largest employers in the region with an estimated annual budget of $450 million which supports 4,500 employees. These employees include administrative and nursing staff, doctors, caregivers, technicians and other forms of hospital based employment. St. Peter's offers advanced medical equipment and services not often available in state run hospitals located within the Albany area. Despite the state of the technologies utilized and the quality of service given there are distinct problems within St. Peter's organizational system, specifically the manner in which the hospital's management deals with employees.
St. Peter’s Health Care Services Research Paper Introduction Located in Albany, New York, St. Peter’s Health Care Services is one of the region’s largest employers with an estimated annual budget of $450 million which supports 4,500 employees which includes administrative and nursing staff, doctors, caregivers, technicians and other forms of hospital based employment. Further examination of the institution reveals that it is one of the leading hospitals within the state with advanced medical equipment and services not often available in state run hospitals located within the Albany area. It must be noted though that St. Peter’s was originally established in 1985 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and as such incorporates distinct religious elements into its healthcare guidelines, mission statement and core values. This is evident through its charity care program which provides assistance to patients with significant economic burdens in the form of financial discounts, deferred payment practices, charitable donations and a host of other similar forms of assistance. An even closer examination of the hospital shows that its integration of technological forms of treatment with holistic services such as spiritual care and support groups has resulted in generally positive feedbacks from patients who have undergone treatment at St. Peter’s and proves how their method of patient care is definitely above average in terms of patient wellness and satisfaction. It must be noted though that despite the state of the technologies utilized and the quality of service given there are distinct problems within St. Peter’s organizational system, specifically the manner in which the hospital’s management deals with employees. From a monetary based method of examination, St. Peter’s can be considered well run fiscally in terms of its overall flexibility, level-headed spending and strict adherence to budgetary conditions in several of its departments however when examining the method in which Senior Management at the hospital dispenses promotions and salaries several problems were noted. The first problem that was noted was the fact that salaries within the hospital were widely considered by the staff as being lower than they should have been receiving, not only that social work positions within the hospital were not well managed in the least giving rise to the assumption that there is a degree of managerial negligence in this specific aspect of hospital services. The basis behind the current dispute regarding salaries is the fact that compensation is not given in light of experience on the job. Several employees within the hospital who have several years of work experience in that particular position were not given appropriate compensatory salaries equivalent to their degree of experience. In fact an examination of the hospital’s salary practices reveal that there is actually only a small level of difference between workers with several years of experience and those just entering the hospital in similar positions. Another problem that was noticed was the fact that management neglected to place professionals who were not registered nurses into more leadership positions within the hospital. This creates a distinct waste of talent within the hospital since incorporating individuals into particular leadership roles has been shown in numerous studies as resulting in greater organizational efficiency and thus fewer organizational problems. The final problem that was noted within the hospital’s style of management was the fact that nurses were often unsupported by Senior Management and were in fact expected to always keep on taking more tasks, improve their performance while at the same time only talked to Senior Management in order to be criticized for things done wrong during regular hospital operations. The inherent problem with this type of management style is the fact that it only creates a distinctly antagonistic and negative behavior between upper management and regular employees which could distinctly impact employee performance given enough time. An examination of various studies into varying management styles used in several organizations reveal that the utilization of particular styles similar to that of St. Peter’s while increasing organizational efficiency in the short term have tendency to reduce performance in the long term as a direct result of negative employee behavioral attitudes towards the type of style utilized (Hollon, 2008). When this particular factor is combined with the fact that employee salaries are not set based on their level of experience this creates the possibility of high churn rates (churn rates refer to the number of employees leaving and entering a company or organization) within the hospital which has the possibility of eventually creating a human resource base of continuously inexperienced employees which would definitely impact the hospitals ability to properly care for patients (Finkelstein et al., 2009). It is based on this that an analysis must be done in order to examine how management can impact team morale and how this can result in either positive or negative organizational efficiency and performance. Organizational Analysis When conducting an analysis of any organization it is important to first analyze aspects related to its mission statement so as to understand where the organization stands in terms of the type of services it provides and how it chooses to provide them. Overall, the mission statement indicates that the hospital is attempting to adhere to distinct Christian tenets in its operational structure through the use of humanitarian and holistic methods of service. This is reflected (as mentioned earlier) in its charity programs which aids patients who can’t afford proper medical care through the use of medical aid waivers, grants and charitable donations. Due to its nature as an institution of healthcare that has been around for the past 135 years it combines both traditional and modern methods in its organizational structure. This means the utilization of a Board of Trustees in order to oversee the hospitals future and finances while the hospitals administration department takes care of the various management related decisions needed to keep the hospital running. In terms of its level of technological achievement the hospital is widely considered to be one of the best within the state of New York and is accredited as possessing some of the best staff, services and medical equipment within the country. In fact based on recent accreditation surveys examining St. Peter’s it is mentioned that its combination of both technological and holistic methods of treatment has greatly benefited its patients thus facilitating its reputation as one of the best medical institutions in the world. The leadership style of St. Peter utilizes an almost corporate type of leadership structure wherein leadership positions are separated between Senior Management and lower management positions with tasks and duties delegated to various department heads. Due to the various departments that are usually within a hospital as advanced as St. Peter’s this entails numerous department heads having to organize departments under their own discretion. As for the workforce characteristics of the hospital, the staff is mainly composed of nurses and doctors under various departments with an assortment of support technicians for the various medical equipment in the facility. Other members of the hospital staff include maintenance and HR personnel and an assortment of administrative personnel. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses 1. Is well run fiscally which results in stability for hospital funding 1. Notable low salary increases for employees such as nurses despite several years of experience. 2. Possesses state of the art medical equipment rivaling any other medical facility within the state and country 2. Disassociative management style where there is little contact between Senior Management and ordinary hospital staff 3. Its accreditation and review board insures that only the best doctors and nurses work at the hospital 3. Distinct lack of progressive management styles where experienced employees are given leadership roles within the organization 4. Utilizes a holistic approach to treatment utilizing religious tenets and support groups which has resulted in better patient recovery times 4. Lack of positive reinforcement within the organization’s management structure based on employee complaints 5. Is well funded through both private and public sources of funding 5. Current management style encourages high churn rates within the hospital which may lead to a pool of inexperienced personnel replacing disgruntled staff 6. Is considered to be one of the largest employers in Albany giving it a well established reputation within the local community Threats Opportunities 1. Presence of other state run facilities which provide similar services at a smaller cost 2. Current financial crisis has reduced the amount of paying patients and has increased the number of charity cases 1. Current prevalence of employee desire to undertake more leadership roles could help increase hospital efficiency without having to bring in more outside employees 3. Several department cutbacks have resulted in a minimized workforce in order to cut costs 2. The restructuring within the hospital as a direct result of the financial crisis provides sufficient impetus to establish new management styles that would help to increase employee morale within the hospital 4. Current management style has been shown has causing distinct unrest in the worker populace 3. Reduction of staff on the basis of financial restraint also provides opportunities to slightly increase present salaries in order to alleviate employee grievances regarding inappropriate wage distributions 5. High maintenance cost of equipment may result in further cutbacks 4. Existing staff members can be retrained to take on more tasks and different responsibilities as a direct result of the workforce reduction which further facilitates the justification for significant salary increases. 6. Notable decrease in employee morale as noted by complaints filed regarding low salaries, disassociated management style 7. Concentration of responsibility to particular department heads has been shown to create distinct problems in terms of communication efficiency and employee productivity. Diagnosis of the Problem When examining the case of St. Peter’s it becomes apparent that the management style utilized is ineffective in addressing the concerns of employees regarding salaries, leadership problems as well as noted concerns regarding proper communication between ordinary employees and upper management. As such what is needed is to create new strategies that would help in addressing such concerns in order to improve current management conditions within the hospital. Statement of the Research Problem This paper will investigate the managerial issues evident in St. Peter’s and examine whether managerial strategies negatively/positively impact employee morale and will determine how this affects work quality and effectiveness. Review of Related Literature How Different Management Styles Affect Employee Performance and Morale An examination of recent literature examining the causes of low morale within the workplace reveals that in most cases poor leadership is the main cause of the problem (Welch & Welch, 2008). This can come in various forms such as a manager that doesn’t try to establish sufficient rapport with employees, neglecting to address particular issues in the work place or a form of management style that employees have an adverse reaction to (Paton, 2009). Suffice it to say it is an established fact that adverse management styles affect employees negatively which has been shown to impact their overall performance (King, 2004). Studies examining varying degrees of employee performance across several different companies reveal that employees performing the same type of job yet having different kinds of managers actually results in differing productivity results (Manley, 1998) (Lancaster, 1999). Employees with a manager that attempts to establish sufficient rapport, delegates responsibility appropriately and commends hard work have been shown to have increased levels of efficiency and quality and compared to employees who are under managers that are distinctly close-minded, standoffish and don’t take outside opinions into account in their managerial decisions (Lewis, 1999). From a psychological point of view it is assumed that positive reinforcement actually causes employees to look at their work from a decidedly positive point of view and as a result creates a better working environment (Needleman, 2008). Managers that use management styles that are decidedly confrontational and forceful perpetuate decidedly negative working environments where employees become increasingly despondent with the type of work that they are doing (HYMOWITZ, 2007). This results in decreasing levels of performance on the part of employees which is further compounded by instances of depression, work related anxiety and stress which culminates in high employee churn rates within particular companies (Rupe, 2003). One particular industry where this is the most evident is the call center industry located in the U.S., India and the Philippines which services various companies within the U.S (Sandberg, 2005). As evidenced by various studies examining high employee churn rates within particular call centers it was noticed that employees that were placed under an overly strict and distinctly close-minded team leader often suffered decreased levels of performance and performed poorly in meeting specific company metrics (Tebo, 2004). On the other hand, agents that were placed under a team leader that was more open, friendly and delegated responsibility throughout the team further enhancing each position resulted in increased performance, lower employee churn rates and showed a distinct improvement in being able to meet the set metrics of the company (Shellenbarger, 2001). Resolving the issue of Bad Management Practices In order to resolve the issue of bad management practices causing low employee morale there are four distinct changes that should be implemented in order to create a positive work environment and thus improve quality and efficiency. The first is creating a sufficient connection between upper management and lower level employees. It has been noted by numerous studies that there is an inherent need for employees to feel connected to management (Lovelace, 2001). This takes the form of having them know that managers know who they are, what their job is and how they contribute to the company (Kimes, 2008). Not only that, this also involves informing employees that upper management is there to help employees should they encounter problems that they are not familiar with or require further assistance in completing (Silver, 1998). It must also be noted that one of the requirements in creating better connections with employees is spending time with them in the form of regular idea sharing meeting, lunches or other forms of interaction that encourage the development of an environment where thoughts and ideas are freely shared in between different levels of the company hierarchy (Dvorak, 2006). The second change that should be implemented is creating sufficient methods of recognition for employees for the type of work that they do (Matías-Reche, 2010). Various studies examining employee attitudes towards work reveal that on average employees want recognition and a certain degree of acknowledgement for the type of work that they do (Davenport, 2010). While this can take the form of varying types of recognition such as certificates or events where they are recognized it is important to utilize such a method since it creates a positive work environment by making employees feel like they are worth something or that they are special (Forced rankings of employees bad for business, 2007). All to often in certain companies it has been noted that increased levels of employee churn and depression are often connected with the fact that they feel like they are nothing more than a number in a book, unappreciated and unknown (Rude Managers Make For Bad Business, 1999). By establishing various methods of recognition this creates positive forms of encouragement for employees which makes their jobs much more tolerable and even increases their quality and productivity in light of the type of recognition they received (Witham, 1999) (Pesta, 2005). What must also be understood is that from a psychological point of view acknowledgement acts as a positive reinforcement of work place attitudes which helps to encourage employees to be better at their jobs despite receiving the same type of pay (Bad managers can cause staff heart attacks, 2009) (BAD DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS, 2003). It is due to this that relationship management companies such as Convergys often recommend companies to establish various means of employee recognition beyond mere financial compensation so as to induce greater levels positive reinforcement and thus encourage better employee performance (Way, 2003). The third type of change that should be implemented in order to improve work place practices is to challenge employees by giving them different roles and tasks in order to improve on the drudgery of everyday work practices (Buchanan, 2008). This is done by having employees take on distinct leadership roles for certain tasks, giving them different tasks which challenge their knowledge or enable them to acquire new skills which would open new career paths in future. Such actions often involves instilling a sense of trust into employees wherein managers communicate that they trust the employee to do the job hence the fact they are giving it to them (Flynn, 1998). By doing so this encourages greater employee interest in their job and creates a workforce that has greater knowledge on an assortment of skills which would definitely improve quality and performance levels in workplace environments (Weissman, 1997). The final type of change that should be implemented is to deal with bad employees in the workplace so as to create a good working environment. It has been noted by various HR studies that employees that tend to display various negative behaviors tend to create problems in work place environments that affect other employees (Caudron, 1999). While such issues are often overlooked by dissociative and non-communicative managers, effective management often involves needing to examine current employee attitudes and employ methods of improvement or termination in order to prevent such behaviors from occurring (How to break bad news, 2009). What must be understood is that aside from poor management skills, bad co-workers are often cited as one of the problems regular employees have to deal with and as a result this leads to either declining levels of performance on their part or even resignation in the worst possible cases (Bad News Gets Easier, 2005). In order to resolve this issue managers need to regularly examine current workplace environments and determine whether particular employees can be seen as bad influences and act accordingly in order to prevent problems from cropping up in the immediate future (Bad Management Creates Cynical Employees, 2001). Research Design In order to determine the impact of managerial practices on employees and teams within St. Peter’s what this study will do is conduct a face to face anonymous interview of several current employees within the hospital and ask what practices are currently being utilized and what effect do they have on the overall level of morale. By doing so this study will be able to determine what practices are currently ineffective within the hospital and suggest alternative strategies that can be utilized in light of research done on the topic. The limitations of the study will be set to current employees of St. Peter’s and the questions utilized will concern their current views regarding management styles utilized and whether it is effective in precipitating a good work place environment. Furthermore, the subjects in the study will be asked whether they are likely to remain in St. Peter’s in light of the current practices utilized or are they positioning themselves to eventually transfer out of the hospital due to the management style. Presentation and Analysis of Data The result of the study showed that despite the positive reviews St. Peter’s has been receiving as a medical institution there are several employees who note that there are several management problems within the organization itself which have negatively impacted employee morale. The first problem is the fact that there is a distinct lack of communication between upper management and ordinary employees. This is evidenced by the fact that the management department within the hospital unilaterally implemented changes to various procedures and methods of operation without first consulting members of the staff, nurses or doctors. Not only does this create significant operational problems for members of the staff but it also creates procedural dilemmas where some of the new methods and procedures are actually not as effective as the ones that they had replaced. Not only that, this distinct lack of communication is further compounded by the fact that there is next to no method of acknowledgement within the hospital and Senior Management often berates rather than congratulates employees. In fact it was noted by one subject that was interviewed that managers often find more things to criticize employees about rather than thank them for their hard work. It must also be noted that salary problems exist within the hospital wherein it was noted that nurses and staff members with several years of experience are often given the same type of salary as new hires within the hospital. This presents itself as an unfair situation which management has far been unable or rather unwilling to address. The final problem that was noted by the interviewed subjects was the fact that there was no method of integration within the hospital to place individuals into distinctive leadership roles or give them cyclical work types so as to get rid of the drudgery of work. These combined instances have resulted in not only increasing amounts of contempt at the management department of the hospital but it has actually led to cases of lower performance ratings and high churn rates within the hospital itself wherein more and more people are leaving for places with better management styles. Recommendations In light of the results of the study it is the recommendation of this paper that the 4 managerial changes (connection, recognition, challenging employees, removing/retraining bad employees) mentioned earlier in this paper be implemented so as to address the current problems that St. Peter’s is having. It must also be noted that management within the hospital itself may actually be unaware of the problems currently happening within the institution itself and as such aside from implementing the 4 managerial changes it is also important to address the issue of creating a means of self-evaluation within the hospital itself in order to determine whether current practices in management are actually effective in creating a good working environment. It is the belief of this paper that the lack of a managerial oversight committee within the hospital itself was one of the primary reasons as to the development of problems in the first place. Based on the fact that the hospital apparently fails to uphold several of the tenets of good management this is indicative of the fact that there is no method of investigating whether the methods employed by management are good for employees or not. As such the sooner the 4 managerial changes are implemented as well as the creation of the oversight committee the sooner the hospital can get back on the right management track. Implementation Plan What must be done in order to resolve the current problems the hospital is facing is to first institute greater methods of connection between Senior Management and ordinary employees. This can come in the form of regular idea sharing meetings, cordial visits to various departments and other such methods which impart the idea that the management team within the hospital is approachable and willing to help. The next step is to establish new systems of recognition such as a monthly awards ceremony for employees that have been top performers for the month. Not only does this create greater rapport between management and ordinary employees but it is an effective method of positive reinforcement which encourages employees to improve the quality and speed of their work. The next step to be implemented is to create rotating shifts and leadership roles within the hospital where people are given alternating responsibilities. This resolves the issue of employees feeling bored when working and creates a more knowledgeable workforce. Finally, management should take note of employees within the hospital who are sources of negative influences. By either retraining or dismissing such individuals this would enable a much more peaceful work environment which employees would appreciate greatly. Conclusion Based on the findings of this study it can be seen that there are clearly several problems that St. Peter’s needs to address in order to improve its management style. As seen in the paper there are numerous problems in relation to proper compensation, appropriate methods of communication, creation of a positive work environment and employee demoralization. In fact it can clearly be seen that the current management style within the hospital has a distinctly negative impact on team/employee morale due to its creation of a distinctly adverse working environment that is detrimental towards efficiency and productivity. This has led to increase employee demoralization, high churn rates and the possibility that the hospital may in fact experience a situation where its pool of employees will increasingly be new and inexperienced as a direct result of its management style. In order to resolve this problem it is recommended that the hospital follow the 4 management changes indicated in this paper and create a managerial oversight committee so as to regularly examine current management styles and see whether they positively or negatively impact employee performance and make appropriate changed when need be. Reference List Bad managers can cause staff heart attacks. (2009). Occupational Health , 61(1), 5. Bad Management Creates Cynical Employees. (2001). USA Today Magazine , 130(2675), 8. BAD DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS. (2003). Inc , 25(5), 46. Bad News Gets Easier. (2005). T+D , 59(11), 16. Buchanan, L. (2008). The Bad and the Ugly. Inc , 30(1), 120. Caudron, S. (1999). Let Go of Bad Habits. Workforce , 78(3), 19. Davenport, T. O. (2010). Who Says Micromanagement Is Bad?. BusinessWeek.com , 8. Dvorak, P. (2006). Firing Good Workers Who Are a Bad Fit. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. B5. Finkelstein, S., Whitehead, J., & Campbell, A. (2009). What drives leaders to make bad decisions. Leader to Leader , 2009(53), 52-58. Flynn, G. (1998). You can say good riddance to bad attitudes. Workforce , 77(7), 82. Forced rankings of employees bad for business. (2007). Machine Design , 79(17), 4-5. Hollon, J. (2008). We have a ‘winner’!. Workforce Management . p. 34. How to break bad news. (2009). Machine Design , 81(23), 30. HYMOWITZ, C. (2007). Personal Boundaries Shrink as Companies Punish Bad Behavior. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. B1. Kimes, M. (2008). Were having a bad year. How can I keep employees motivated without giving bonuses?. Fortune , 158(10), 28. King, J. (2004). BAD BOSS, Bad Moralee. Computerworld , 38(45), 54-55. Lancaster, H. (1999). The Bad Boss Happens To Everyone, So You Have to Develop a Plan. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. B1. Lewis, B. (1999). To be an effective leader, you need to perfect the art of delivering bad news. InfoWorld , 21(37), 124. Lovelace, H. W. (2001). Bad Judgment’s High Price. Informationweek , (824), 144. Manley, W. (1998). Is Bad boss’ a redundancy?. American Libraries , 29(8), 128. Matías-Reche, F., García-Moralees, V., & Martín-Tapia, I. (2010). Staffing Services Quality and Innovativeness in Pharmaceutical Companies. International Journal of Selection & Assessment , 18(3), 342-350. Needleman, S. E. (2008). Bad Firings Can Hurt Firm’s Reputation. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. D4. Paton, N. (2009). Management can weigh heavily on bad backs in the workplace. Occupational Health , 61(5), 5. Pesta, B. J., Kass, D. S., & Dunegan, K. J. (2005). Image Theory and the Appraisal of Employee Performance: To Screen or Not to Screen?. Journal of Business & Psychology , 19(3), 341-360. Rude Managers Make For Bad Business. (1999). Workforce , 78(3), 18. Rupe, A. L. (2003). Horrors from the bad-firing files. Workforce Management , 82(12), 16-18. Sandberg, J. (2005). Sometimes Colleagues Are Just Too Bad Not to Get Promoted. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. B1. Shellenbarger, S. (2001). Learning How to Work With the Good Stress, Live Without the Bad. Wall Street Journal – Eastern Edition . p. B1. Silver, L. (1998). Bad Day at the Office?. Scientific American Presents , 73. Tebo, M. (2004). THE BAD EGG. ABA Journal , 90(10), 40. Way, N. (2003). A recipe for bad apples. BRW , 25(20), 64. Weissman, R. (1997). Bad claims on workers’ comp. Nation , 265(15), 22-26. Welch, J., & Welch, S. (2008). Miscreants Among Us. BusinessWeek . p. 84. Witham, H. (1999). Work trauma affects psychological health of nursing staff. Australian Nursing Journal , 6(9), 7.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the leadership style of Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks. It outlines how his style has been transformational in nature, and how it has helped to motivate employees and promote organizational growth. In addition, the essay discusses how Schultz's style has been supportive of the company's culture of legendary service.
The essay discusses the leadership style of Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks. It outlines how his style has been transformational in nature, and how it has helped to motivate employees and promote organizational growth. In addition, the essay discusses how Schultz's style has been supportive of the company's culture of legendary service.
Starbuck Company Case: Howard Schultz Leadership Style Essay The Chief Executive Officer’s Leadership Style Howard Schultz; the Starbuck’s chief executive officer (CEO) is a transformational leader. Schultz trusts in motivation and moral support. Moreover, he believes in organizational growth. Harrison (2005) alleges that Schultz persuades his employees to come up with novel ideas. He challenges status quo, and this underlines the reason Starbucks has achieved its current success in terms of product diversification and brand positioning. Schultz is a good communicator and uses personalized consideration. He deals with each staff individually and supports them based on their needs. As a way to motivate his staff, Schultz acknowledges the contribution of every employee. At times, he makes personal calls and sends emails to employees to seek their advice. Harrison (2005) asserts that Schultz has empowered his staff. For instance, employees have the liberty to select their working hours. His leadership style has helped to motivate employees, thus guaranteeing a continued growth for the company. One of Schultz’s goals is to ensure that Starbucks dominates the coffee market. Hence, He has guaranteed that employees know about his vision. Besides, he has instilled the idea in his staff. Today, all Starbucks’ workers share in the desire to dominate the coffee market. Schultz Leadership Style and Organizational Culture George (2007) claims that Starbucks’ workers are known as baristas. The company regards its workers as the image of the enterprise. One of the company’s cultures is the sustenance of an uplifting experience for its customers (George, 2007). Schultz has encouraged innovation in Starbucks leading to the enterprise offering the best beverages in the market. He encourages his staff to provide personalized services. Hence, the company has a catchphrase that encourages staff members to serve one client at a time. Starbucks is dedicated to creating a culture of legendary services. The company has recruited a cultural specialist to help it achieve this objective. George (2007) holds that Starbucks entrusts its staff with the responsibility to preserve organizational culture. Schultz allows employees to buy company’s stock as a way to motivate them. In addition, Starbucks believes in diversity and inclusion. The company hires employees from diverse backgrounds as a means to ensure that it offers customized services. Schultz advocates service diversification. He maintains that it is only through product and service diversification that a company can remain competitive. Hence, he promotes the culture of inclusion by employing staff from different regions. As aforementioned, Schultz is a good communicator. In addition, he encourages communication among the employees. Communication helps to ensure that each customer receives what s/he orders. Schultz believes, “people do not think about just how much you realize, but how much you care” (George, 2007, p. 54). Consequently, he encourages his staff to be social conscious. Presently, Starbucks embodies a number of features that aim to improve customer experience. The features include focusing on details, aggressiveness, teamwork, stability, and customer-centered. Starbucks ensures that customers enjoy a relaxed environment. Besides, Schultz takes time to relate to each employee as a way to encourage collaboration and promote innovation. Consequently, employees are dedicated to their duties since they develop a sense of ownership of the company. Schultz’s Personal and Organizational Values Howard Schultz desires to unwind. According to Marques (2008), Schultz encourages employees to be open. He always listens to all workers regardless of their position. Besides, he encourages open communication where employees are free to share their opinions and air their complaints. His desire to unwind has made him establish a calm and relaxed environment at Starbucks. Customers like visiting the business because it provides a serene environment where clients can sit, think and unwind. Marques (2008) supposes that Schultz values employee growth and development. He believes that employee training helps not only an organization to enhance its productivity, but also employees to grow professionally. It underlines the reason Starbucks has partnered with Arizona State University. Schultz assists his staff to acquire education by paying part of the school fees. Apart from employee growth, Schultz values innovation and creativity. He trusts that a company cannot be competitive and sustainable unless it is innovative. Schultz discourages complacency (Marques, 2008). He always advocates reinvention and self-renewal. Reinvention and self-renewal can only be achieved if employees have the courage to take big risks. Consequently, Schultz has helped the company to sign deals with businesses and individuals like Oprah Winfrey in a bid to stay competitive. One of Schultz’s organizational cultures is aggressiveness. He maintains that a company cannot overcome competition unless it is aggressive in terms of product differentiation and customer acquisition. Therefore, he pushes employees to remain curious and identify potential opportunities. According to Marques (2008), in Starbucks, one achievement paves way for another goal. Schultz does not stop after accomplishing his goal. Instead, he embarks on planning for the next objective. Apart from aggressiveness, Schultz is also team oriented. Schultz’s aim is to see Starbucks succeed and open more branches worldwide. Moreover, he is committed to ensuring that the company does not grow at the expense of employees. Hence, he spends a lot of time with staff and guarantees that the company helps employees to grow both financially and intellectually. Shultz’s Values and Ethical Behavior O’Neill (2009) alleges that Starbucks is regarded as one of the most ethical institutions worldwide. O’Neill (2009) asserts, “Throughout history, Starbucks has embedded acting ethically as a cornerstone to its culture and to how it works every day” (p. 28). Schultz encourages employees to execute their duties with thoroughness. He treats all employees equally and encourages communication among the staff. His love for open communication has led to employees treating each other with respect. Besides, it has made employees to offer customized and quality services. Schultz maintains that each Starbucks’ store is a constituent of a society. Hence, he requests employees to be good neighbors (O’Neill, 2009). Besides, he encourages the different stores to assist in uniting the community and work towards improving its living conditions. Schultz believes that leadership does not entail giving donations to the community or communicating organizational values. Instead, leadership involves exercising organizational values (O’Neill, 2009). He recommends that corporate leaders should evaluate their contribution to the society. Schultz values social responsibility. Hence, he has instilled the same value in his workers. Employees are passionate about offering quality products and services. Consequently, they ethically source for the best coffee beans. Moreover, they care about their customers and coffee beans suppliers (O’Neill, 2009). Starbucks’ workers considered treat each customer as special. Consequently, they ensure that every customer enjoys his/her stay in the company. Apart from offering quality beverages, Starbucks’ employees value human connection. They take time to relate to their customers and fortify their lives. Through interaction, employees are able to identify emerging customer needs. Moreover, they get customers’ opinions on what the company ought to do. Indeed, the current growth is as a result of employees’ interaction with customers. Apart from organizational growth, the company has helped the community to improve its living standards by enlightening it on how to preserve the environment. Schultz’s Greatest Strengths One of Schultz’s greatest strengths is the ability to establish strong brand position. Schultz has positioned Starbucks as a high-end brand in coffee industry. Starbucks has managed to provide exotic and delicious coffee blends under Schultz’s leadership. Today, the company offers the best coffee in the United States. Schultz is gifted in employee development and management (O’Neill, 2009). After becoming the CEO, Schultz embarked on an employee development campaign aimed at assisting Starbucks to offer quality services. Today, he has established an organizational culture that values style, sophistication, and knowledge. Customers praise Starbucks for its sophisticated and stylish atmosphere. Prabhakar et al. (2014) allege that Schultz is a good team player. He has helped not only to engender teamwork within Starbucks, but also communication and respect. Moreover, he has assisted the company to recruit competent and dedicated workers. All Starbucks’ employees are vetted by a panel of human resource, which guarantees that the company hires the best. Schultz’s Greatest Weaknesses One of Schultz’s greatest weaknesses is that he talks a lot, thus subjecting the company to scrutiny. Starbucks is known to be a progressive and respectable company. Schultz’s participation in political affairs might subject Starbucks to public scrutiny. He has gone on the record as one who advocates rejecting contributions. Such a stance may affect the company’s image. Schultz has not been able to reduce operation costs in Starbucks (Argenti, 2004). His desire to offer customized and quality services have forced the company to raise employees’ salaries. Besides, the company has been compelled to provide benefits to all workers. Hence, Starbucks has witnessed an increase in operation costs under Schultz’s watch. Another weakness is that Schultz has subjected Starbucks to distraction. Despite participating in corporate social responsibilities, Schultz has not managed to exploit the natural dynamics of the coffee industry. Therefore, in case the company encounters constraints, it would be hard for Schultz to convince the public that he is in a position to rescue the company. Recommendations Schultz has subjected Starbucks to the danger of losing its clients by participating in politics. Consequently, it is important for Schultz to remain impartial on partisan matters. Besides, he should avoid airing his opinions about controversial issues. Airing one’s opinions about controversial issues may lead to clients shifting to companies that do not share their opinion publicly. For instance, Starbucks lost many customers after Schultz expressed his opinion about gay marriage. Hence, for the sake of the company, Schultz should remain neutral even if he is not happy about some political issues. Schultz has built his legacy in Starbucks. He has helped Starbucks to become a domestic name in the United States. To safeguard the company’s image, Schultz should stay away from politics and cease commenting on contentious political matters. He should focus on helping the company to expand its market share if he wants to be remembered for his achievements. Impacts of Communication and Collaboration Communication and collaboration are essential for any organization. They ensure that activities run smoothly without interruptions. One of the reasons why Starbucks offers efficient services is due to effective communication and teamwork. Collaboration between baristas, cashiers and chefs ensures that customers get quality services (Prabhakar et al., 2014). Besides, communication and collaboration between Schultz and employees has helped the company to expand its operations to different countries. In addition, communication and teamwork have helped Starbucks to develop novel products to meet customer demands. Prabhakar et al. (2014) allege that Starbucks uses persuasive communication to alter consumer behavior and attitude towards the company. Employees work together to change customers’ perceptions of Starbucks’ products and services. For instance, they collaborate in preparing and serving coffee. Besides, they assist new recruits to adapt the company’s system by assisting them in areas that they encounter challenges. Teamwork and communication are what have made Starbucks to attract a big customer base. Impacts of Power and Politics Power and politics have had adverse effects on Starbucks. For instance, after the company alleged that firearm holders had the right to carry the guns it became enmeshed in an unwanted clash. Many people could freely bring their weapons to the business (Argenti, 2004). Schultz had to publish a report to clarify the company’s position. He realized that the issue was affecting the company’s growth since many customers feared visiting Starbucks. In other words, Starbucks’ involvement in politics affects its performance. The company is at times torn between embracing some political values and disregarding them. The major problem arises in striking a balance that satisfies all its target customers. Starbucks has been blamed for tax avoidance in the United Kingdom (Argenti, 2004). Some customers even urged people to stop using Starbucks’ products. Nevertheless, the company moved fast to assure the public that it was a tax compliant firm. Schultz assured the public that Starbucks was dedicated to improving the living standard of its customers and it could never evade tax. References Argenti, P. (2004). Collaborating with activists: How Starbucks works with NGOs. California Management Review, 47 (1), 91-118. Web. George, B. (2007). True North: Discover your authentic leadership . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Web. Harrison, J. (2005). Exporting a North American concept to Asia: Starbucks in China. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 46 (2), 275-283. Web. Marques, J. (2008). Spiritual performance from an organizational perspective: The Starbucks way. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 8 (3), 248-257. Web. O’Neill, J. (2009). Hotel brand strategy. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 51 (1), 27-34. Web. Prabhakar, A., Harvey, B., Wicky, S., Hirsch, J., Thrall, J., & Okul, R. (2014). What’s brewing: How interventional radiologists can learn from the reinvention of Starbucks. Journal of the American College of Radiology, 10 (8), 559-561. Web.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Starbucks Coffee is one of the leading American multinational corporations. The company currently operates in over 45 countries across the globe. Many analysts believe strongly that Starbucks Coffee has managed to revolutionise the coffee-drinking experience of many customers. The company operates in a very competitive and unsustainable industry. This is the case because the coffee is mainly produced in different tropical countries. Soils in such nations are usually loose and vulnerable to constant erosion. As well, this agricultural product has a high water footprint since 140 liters of water must be used to produce one cup of coffee. This paper therefore focuses on Starbucks' relationship with the natural environment.
Starbucks Coffee is one of the leading American multinational corporations. The company currently operates in over 45 countries across the globe. Many analysts believe strongly that Starbucks Coffee has managed to revolutionise the coffee-drinking experience of many customers. The company operates in a very competitive and unsustainable industry. This is the case because the coffee is mainly produced in different tropical countries. Soils in such nations are usually loose and vulnerable to constant erosion. As well, this agricultural product has a high water footprint since 140 liters of water must be used to produce one cup of coffee. This paper therefore focuses on Starbucks' relationship with the natural environment.
Starbucks Company’s Environmental Impacts Essay Starbucks Coffee is one of the leading American multinational corporations. The “company currently operates in over 45 countries across the globe” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 3). Many analysts believe strongly that Starbucks Coffee has managed to revolutionise the coffee-drinking experience of many customers ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015). The company operates in a very competitive and unsustainable industry. This is the case because the coffee is mainly produced in different tropical countries. Soils in such nations are usually loose and vulnerable to constant erosion. As well, this agricultural product “has a high water footprint since 140 liters of water must be used to produce one cup of coffee” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 12). This paper therefore focuses on Starbucks’ relationship with the natural environment. Starbucks Most Critical Environmental Impacts Environmental Sustainability The world is looking for new practices and industrial procedures that can promote the level of environmental sustainability. The natural environment supports the lives of many creatures and human beings. The current rate of global warming has forced governments and corporations to conserve the natural environment. Business organisations should also embrace the best environmental practices. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is used to guide companies whenever embracing various sustainability practices. Leading companies in CSR have the potential to attract more investors, stakeholders, and customers. CSR is achieved by “conserving the natural environment, embracing the power of biodiversity, promoting the concept of recycling, and reducing emissions” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 48). These global practices are aimed at promoting sustainability. That being the case, sustainability is the first environmental issue taken seriously by Starbucks Corporation. To begin with, the firm offers disposable cups to its customers. Such cups are “produced using large quantities of energy and resources” (Thompson 2015, p. 4). However, this move has been essential towards reducing the amount of water used by the company. As well, Starbucks has embraced the “use of environmentally-friendly packaging options” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 6). Such options have made it possible for the firm to conserve the natural environment. The main sustainability issue affecting the firm arises from its cups. Such cups cannot be easily recycled. That being the case, the firm is planning to use recyclable cups in the future. It is also planning to introduce reusable mugs in order to reduce the use of cups (Thompson 2015). The strategy will reduce the natural resources used to produce such cups. These green issues and initiatives will eventually make Starbucks Coffee more successful. Water Management and Usage Many people in different parts of water do not have access to clean drinking water (York, 2009). York (2009) argues that water shortage is a major problem affecting many communities. Many sources of water are usually contaminated or unhealthy. Sea water is usually salty and unusable. Giant corporations use large quantities of water to produce and deliver various products to their consumers. Such corporations are known to exploit every available water source. Overexploitation of natural water sources can affect the welfare of different communities and populations. This situation explains why different companies are currently required to record their water footprints. This move is aimed at conserving water and making it available to different populations. Throughout the 2000s, Starbucks “faced strong criticism from different environmental groups because of its wasteful water practices” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 29). Starbucks uses dipper wells to wash coffee and utensils. The company also uses a lot of water to prepare its beverages. That being the case, waster usage has remained another critical concern for Starbucks Coffee. Statistics show that “Starbucks wastes over 6.2 million gallons of water every single day” (Thompson 2015, p. 3). This issue has forced the company to identify new practices and approaches that can address this challenge. Starbucks is currently considering new strategies to recycle its wastewater. It has also been monitoring its water footprint. Audits are conducted regularly in order to reduce their water usage. Wastes Starbucks is known to produce numerous wastes. Some of these “wastes include plastic cups, water, cans, and coffee husks” (Thompson, 2015, p. 3). Waste management has become a critical issue in order to address the problem of climate change. Many communities are encouraged to handle their wastes effectively. The practice can reduce the emission of different greenhouse gases. As well, the “management of waste is something that requires large quantities of energy” (Thompson 2015, p. 4). A study by Thompson (2015) indicated that “waste management was responsible for 4-5 percent of green house gas emissions” (p. 9). This challenge forces different agencies to focus on the best waste management practices. Waste management is something taken seriously at Starbucks. For example, the firm has embraced the use of reusable mugs. As well, new recycling techniques are being used for different cups. Wastewater is also recycled or treated being discharged. Such measures are critical towards making the surrounding environment more sustainable (Bansal & Roth 2000). However, new strategies should be embraced in order to manage every kind of waste produced by Starbucks Coffee. Critical Analysis of Starbucks’ Response to the Above Issues The above discussion shows clearly that Starbucks Corporation focuses on different environmental sustainability issues. The major three issues include environmental sustainability, water usage, and waste management. It is notable that the corporation has managed to address most of its critical sustainability issues. Such measures are undertaken in order to lessen the firm’s impacts on the natural environment. Starbucks operates in a very unsustainable industry (Schultz & Gordon 2012). The coffee industry is characterised by numerous sustainability issues that can pose numerous challenges to different companies. Coffee is usually obtained from various tropical nations. Such nations have been using large tracts of land to produce quality coffee beans for companies such as Starbucks. The above challenge encouraged Starbucks Coffee to partner with Conservation International (CI). This partnership led to the establishment of the Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices (CAFE Practices). Such practices focus on “the best socially, economically, and environmentally responsible coffee purchasing guidelines” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 89). The approach has encouraged more farmers to embrace various practices that can result in environmental sustainability. Statistics show that Starbucks has “a one percent stake in the global coffee market” (Schultz & Gordon 2012, p. 102). However, it has managed to promote the best practices, thus making the industry more sustainable. The firm also encourages such growers to use sustainable agricultural practices. The firm can also train them in order to use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. These measures will ensure the firm is on the right track towards achieving its sustainability goals. The company has identified new strategies to promote the best sustainability practices. The criticisms presented by different environmentalists have forced Starbucks to identify new strategies to conserve water. The firm also conducts “comprehensive water footprint audits” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 6). The results are, therefore used to outline new water management practices. The company has been recycling and reusing wastewater. The approach has made it possible for Starbucks to achieve most of its business potentials. The corporation is currently using different sources of renewable energy. Such sources are expected “to reduce the firm’s energy use by over 20 percent” ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015, para. 9). The firm has also partnered with the United States Green Building Council (U.S. GBC) in order to create sustainable stores in different parts of the globe. The “proposed stores will be cost-efficient, sustainable, and green in nature” (Vogel, 2010, p. 71). These practices show clearly that Starbucks is on the frontline towards conserving the natural environment. Every business function is monitored whenever promoting the best sustainability practices. Starbucks’ cups contain recycled materials, thus conserving more trees and water. The process also “saves garbage from landfills” (Thompson 2015, p. 7). The strategy reduces the level of pollution in different countries. Starbucks’ decision to produce its cups from recycled materials has reshaped the nature of the coffee industry. Thompson (2015) explains how Starbucks Corporation “collaborates with different business leaders to innovate new practices that can support different forests” (p. 8). The important objective has been to improve the level of sustainability. The company manages wastes using the best practices. It has collaborated with different agencies in order to promote greener practices. Starbucks can also improve its practices in order to remain profitable. It is notable that some challenges are observed in the coffee industry. The existing gaps should, therefore encourage Starbucks to support different growers of coffee. Studies show that the global coffee industry has remained unsustainable ( Starbucks Coffee Company , 2015). However, the agreeable fact is that Starbucks has been using the best strategies in order to deal with the above three issues. Recommendations Starbucks Corporations uses a powerful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in order to achieve its business objectives. Effective CSR programs have the potential to produce positive results. Starbucks CAFE program has increased the level of biodiversity. The firm obtains its coffee from CAFE-certified producers ( Starbucks Coffee Company 2015). This position shows clearly that the firm has been on the frontline towards supporting the natural environment (York 2009). However, some initiatives can be embraced in order to make Starbucks more sustainable and profitable. Business ethics is something that should be promoted by every stakeholder. The firm’s efforts to “achieve its goals can be promoted by implementing new internal regulations” (Bansal & Roth, 2000, p. 719). Vogel (2010) argues that “private regulations can result in substantive improvements in corporate behaviour” (p. 68). A multinational firm like Starbucks can use such policies and regulations to support its operations. The strategy will also encourage more employees to embrace the best practices (Barrett 2000). The employees will be ready “to conserve energy, embrace the power of conservation, recycle different materials, and use water effectively” (Bates 2002, p. 469). Such conservation measures will make it easier for the firm to reduce its business costs (Bates 2002). The company will also attract more stakeholders and eventually become profitable. This corporation can also benefit significantly from the resource-based theory (Hart 1995). This theory encourages firms “to embrace the power of a natural-resource-based view” (Hart 1995, p. 986). According to the theory, companies can achieve their competitive advantages by establishing a positive relationship with the natural environment (Barrett 2000). This goal can be achieved by using powerful strategies that have the potential to promote different sustainable practices (Beckerman, 1992). For instance, Starbucks can use the model to deal with pollution and focus on the concept of sustainability. The firm can also manage its resources in a professional manner. This practice will address most of the problems affecting the company and eventually make it competitive. Starbuck should also embrace the power of corporate environmentalism (Banerjee, 2001). Some environmentalists believe that Starbucks does not embrace the best environmental conservation practices. Such environmentalists have also explained how the firm focuses on specific environmental issues. That being the case, Starbucks Coffee can use the concept of corporate environmentalism to improve its practices. This concept will make it easier for the firm to focus on every aspect of the natural environment. The leaders at the corporation should mentor and empower their followers. The practice will ensure the firm is committed to the spirit of sustainability (Banerjee 2001). As well, the firm should embrace various environmental regulations and competitive advantages that can improve the level of sustainability. This theoretical approach will ensure the company “manages wastes, conserves water, and supports the natural environment” (Banerjee 2001, p. 503). Self-regulation practices have been found to support the goals of many organisations. Such practices are usually dictated by the needs of different stakeholders and customers. Different companies “can select their levels of compliance in order to attract more customers” (Christmann and Taylor 2005, p. 2). Starbucks focuses on a similar model in order to remain competitive. The firm can also embrace new practices in order to address the changing needs of different stakeholders. For instance, it can undertake new practices that will eventually make the natural environment more sustainable. It can also collaborate with different communities in an attempt to promote the best biodiversity issues (Porter & Linder 1995). It should also conduct new studies in order to address the major issues presented by different stakeholders. This approach will produce a powerful program that can address the above environmental issues. Every stakeholder should be involved in the process (Porter & Linder 1995). This approach will make it possible for Starbucks Corporation to become one of the most sustainable firms in the coffee industry. The above models and theories should be used to develop new laws and policies. Effective legislation should govern the environmental practices embraced by different companies (York, 2009). Modern technologies can also be useful towards addressing the problem of climate change. Such technologies can be used “to manage wastes, produce renewable energies, and improve monitoring practices” (York 2009, p. 102). Evidence-based ideas will also be used to formulate new policies that govern the practices of different companies (Porter & Linder, 1995). Starbucks can, therefore embrace similar recommendations in order to deal with its major environmental issues. Such CSR strategies will play a significant role in making Starbucks the most celebrated, admirable, and profitable multinational company. Reference List Banerjee, S 2001, ‘Managerial Perceptions of Corporate Environmentalism: Interpretations from Industry and Strategic Implications for Organisations’, Journal of Management Studies , vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 489-513. Bansal, P & Roth, K 2000, ‘Why companies go green: A model of ecological responsiveness’, Academy of Management Journal , vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 717-736. Barrett, S 2000, ‘Introduction to the Special Issue-Trade and environment: local versus multilateral reforms’, Environment and Development Economics, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 349-459. Bates, D 2002, ‘Environmental refugees: Classifying human migrations caused by environmental change’, Population and Environment , vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 465-477. Beckerman, W 1992, ‘Economic growth and the environment: Whose growth? Whose environment’, World Development , vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 481-496. Christmann, P & Taylor, G 2005, ‘Firm self-regulation through international certifiable standards: Determinants of symbolic versus substantive implementation’, First Annual Conference on Institutional Mechanisms for Industry Self-Regulation , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-47. Hart, S 1995, ‘A Natural-Resource-Based View of the Firm’, The Academy of Management Review, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 986-1014. Porter, M & Linder, C 1995, ‘Green and Competitive: Ending the Stalemate’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 120-134. Schultz, H & Gordon, J 2012, Onward: How Starbucks Fought for its Life Without Losing its Soul, Rodale Books, New York. Starbucks Coffee Company 2015. Web. Thompson, A 2015, Starbucks Coffee’s Stakeholders: A CSR Analysis . Web. Vogel, D 2010, ‘The Private Regulation of Global Corporate Conduct: Achievements and Limitations’, Business and Society, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 68-87. York, G 2009, ‘Pragmatic Sustainability: Translating Environmental Ethics into Competitive Advantage’, Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 85, no. 1, pp. 97-109.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The article The Median Isn't the Message by Stephen Gould highlights the idea that statistical information can be very misleading to people who have not been trained to analyze it. The author shows how individuals can jump to conclusions because they do not understand the meaning the meaning of data. Furthermore, he shows that people often tend to form intuitive judgments while analyzing information and forget about their logic and reasoning.
The article The Median Isn't the Message by Stephen Gould highlights the idea that statistical information can be very misleading to people who have not been trained to analyze it. The author shows how individuals can jump to conclusions because they do not understand the meaning the meaning of data. Furthermore, he shows that people often tend to form intuitive judgments while analyzing information and forget about their logic and reasoning.
Statistics: “The Median Isn’t the Message” by Stephen Gould Report The article The Median Isn’t the Message written by Stephen Gould highlights the idea that statistical information can be very misleading to people who have not been trained to analyze it. The author shows how individuals can jump to conclusions because they do not understand the meaning the meaning of data. Furthermore, he shows that people often tend to form intuitive judgments while analyzing information and forget about their logic and reasoning. This article has taught me that interpretation of statistical data requires attention and training; otherwise, a person is likely to make significant mistakes. Most importantly, these mistakes can shape his or her choices and perceptions of different situations. This is why they have to be avoided. The author recounts his struggles with cancer and the discouraging prognosis which was given in medical books. In particular, it was said that median mortality after mesothelioma was eight months (Gould, 1985, p 2). The writer explains that such a prognosis may easily drive a person into despair especially if he or she does not know that the term median can not tell everything about the outcome of the treatment. It is quite possible that this individual will fall into despair and yield to the disease. The thing is that the term median does not tell that there are left and right tails and that one of them can be skewed (Gould, 1985, p 3). In other words, a person may not necessarily die in eight months after surgery, and there are many people who lived for many more years. Moreover, median mortality is only an indicator, but it is not a factor that influences a person’s recovery. Among such factors, one can single out the stage when disease was detected or the age of the patient (Gould, 1985, p 3). However, an amateur reader can assume that his or her chances of survival are minimal. This is the conclusion an individual will come to. The formulation of the prognosis could mislead even an experienced practitioner of statistics such as Stephen Gould. The author’s central position seems to be rather obvious. Thus, he points out the importance of sound judgment in practical matters. The measures of an “average” should not be understood sensu stricto . On the contrary, it is necessary to analyze information carefully. It must be noted that various data of different sciences, including statistics, contain certain errors. In other words, there are relative errors, which give us an opportunity to evaluate information correctly. However, some people do not understand that their wrong interpretation of information can cause hasty decisions or even unpredictable consequences. For this reason, Gould also highlights central position of analytical skills and, thus, clarifies the importance of correct interpretation of certain results. Of course, one is to keep in mind that the notion an “average” is considered to be a key term not only in statistics, but also in numerous other sciences. For instance, the statistical concept is also used in such fields as medicine and finance. And still, the misunderstanding of the concept leads to extremely negative outcomes for these fields (great financial losses; the survival rate of patients). Generally, there is a direct interdependence between correct interpretation of statistical data and people’s attitude towards certain numbers. Little knowledge in statistics and other sciences, where numbers are extremely significant, can cause false assumptions about non-dangerous information. The results of wrong evaluation have been pointed out earlier. In my opinion, correct interpretation of any information should take the central position all over. People should not evaluate information sensu stricto ; first of all, they are to think logically. Overall, I knew about some of the questions that Stephen Gould discussed, for instance, the difference between a mean and a median. However, his work demonstrated to me that these terms are used in many areas. Moreover, in some cases, they can be misused, as it was the case with the medical literature that the author read. In part, this article is intended for people who provide information to amateur readers. This work has been of great use to me. Reference List Gould S. (1985). The Median Isn’t the Message . Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The risk of being exposed to infectious materials is high among workers in the sphere of healthcare. Thus, the minimization of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens is a task for the managerial control in healthcare facilities because blood-borne pathogens cause the development of such diseases as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.The blood-borne incident in an STI clinic demonstrates the necessity of focusing on the discussion of the problem in terms of the management's effectiveness.
The risk of being exposed to infectious materials is high among workers in the sphere of healthcare. Thus, the minimization of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens is a task for the managerial control in healthcare facilities because blood-borne pathogens cause the development of such diseases as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. The blood-borne incident in an STI clinic demonstrates the necessity of focusing on the discussion of the problem in terms of the management's effectiveness.
STI Clinic: Bloodborne Incident Case Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Background Information 2. Administration of Occupational Exposure Risks 3. Provision of the Employee and Patient Safety 4. The Compensation Issue 5. Conclusion 6. References The risk of being exposed to infectious materials is high among workers in the sphere of healthcare. Thus, the minimization of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens is a task for the managerial control in healthcare facilities because blood-borne pathogens cause the development of such diseases as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS (Byrd, Lu, & Murphy, 2013, p. 499). According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and regulations, employers are responsible for identifying risks and developing procedures to decrease the risks of exposure to blood-borne pathogens (LaMontagne, Oakes, & Lopez Turley, 2004, p. 1615). The blood-borne incident in an STI clinic demonstrates the necessity of focusing on the discussion of the problem in terms of the management’s effectiveness (Buchbinder, Shanks, & Buchbinder, 2013, p. 103). The situation when a housekeeper in a clinic can be exposed to blood-borne pathogens is typical, and it is important to determine three management issues that are associated with the problem of occupational exposure in an STI clinic. The management issues that need to be discussed in detail are the administration of occupational exposure risks; the guarantee of the employee and patient safety; and the compensation issue. Background Information An STI clinic is an organization connected with Best Medical Center, and employee transferals are possible between these healthcare organizations. Maria Ortiz was transferred to an STI clinic after working for Best Medical Center as a housekeeper in the non-clinical areas. During a seven-day period after the transferal, Maria pricked herself with a needle that was dirty, and she was infected with Hepatitis B. While working at Best Medical Center, Maria was not provided with the training on blood-borne pathogens, and the woman was not trained at an STI clinic (Buchbinder et al., 2013, p. 103). As a result, the management of an STI clinic faced such problems as the determination of persons responsible for the incident, the treatment costs issue, and the employee occupational safety issue. Administration of Occupational Exposure Risks The main responsibility of the employer associated with decreasing risks of exposure and declared by the principles of the OSHA regulations is the provision of the initial and annual training for employees having a risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens (Byrd et al., 2013, p. 499). While focusing on a case in an STI clinic, it is important to state that the supervisor in a clinic violated the OSHA regulations while assuming that Maria as a housekeeper could have the training on blood-borne pathogens provided by Best Medical Center because the employer was obligatory to organize the initial training for new employees after the transferal (Buchbinder et al., 2013, p. 103). In addition, Mehrdad, Meshki, and Pouryagub (2013) note that according to the OSHA guidelines, an employee is not responsible for knowing the aspects of occupational exposure before the training is conducted. It is a task of a manager to develop the plan for the exposure control, to implement and conduct training sessions, and to document the completion of regular training for employees depending on the risk of the occupational exposure to infectious materials. Provision of the Employee and Patient Safety One more management issue is the problem of patient and employee safety. Chambers and the group of researchers pay attention to the fact that the employer needs to guarantee the employee and patient safety associated with hazardous waste management and appropriate implementation of work control and infection control practices (Chambers, Mustard, Breslin, Holness, & Nichol, 2013, p. 10). In case of an STI clinic, the needle that caused infection was not placed in the red box for sharp objects, but was wedged on the counter, and it was uncovered (Buchbinder et al., 2013, p. 103). Thus, the situation was potentially risky for the staff. As a result, it is possible to state that someone among the clinic’s medical staff violated the principles of hazardous waste management creating the risky situation for the safety of both employees and patients. In the research, Wilburn (2004) notes that much attention should be paid to the needle-stick and sharps injury prevention in clinical settings in order to create the safe environments for the personnel. Managers in an STI clinic are responsible for the infection control practices and waste management, the purpose of which is to guarantee the proper handling and disposal of infectious materials in a clinical setting to prevent needle-stick injuries. The Compensation Issue The other important problem to be discussed is the issue of compensation for an infected employee and identification of an employer responsible for the incident and treatment costs. It is significant to note that Maria completed all the stages of reporting the incident correctly, while focusing on the immediate informing about the case, filling in the incident report, and making the test (Buchbinder et al., 2013, p. 103). In this situation, Maria is expected to receive the adequate treatment provided by the employer because she was not vaccinated previously, and the employer did not ensure properly training on the issue (Byrd et al., 2013, p. 500). Thus, Maria should not prove the absence of Hepatitis B before she started to work at the clinic in order to receive the free treatment along with the compensation for non-providing the adequate training on the occupational exposure risks (Mehrdad, Meshki, & Pouryagub, 2013). Furthermore, the probability that Maria was infected previously can be discussed as minimal because of obligatory screenings for the staff in clinics. Conclusion In case when the housekeeper is infected with Hepatitis B while performing job duties, the employer should be considered as responsible for providing the free treatment. In case of Maria, BMC is also responsible for compensating the damage for the woman because she was not given the necessary training during the work at BMC or after the transferal, and the employer’s fault caused infection and health harm for Maria. In this situation, it is possible to recommend the employer to focus more on guaranteeing the patient and employee safety and on following the OSHA regulations strictly because of the necessity to train workers on occupational risks, to guarantee the staff safety while controlling waste management, and to provide the support for an injured person if an incident occurs. References Buchbinder, S., Shanks, N., & Buchbinder, D. (2013). Cases in health care management . New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. The book is a collection of case studies in the sphere of health care that are organized according to the topic. Byrd, K., Lu, P., & Murphy, T. (2013). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among health-care personnel in the United States. Public Health Report, 128 (6), 498–509. The article presents the results of the comparison of Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among the medical personnel in the United States with the Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among the other population in the country. Chambers, A., Mustard, C., Breslin, C., Holness, L., & Nichol, K. (2013). Evaluating the implementation of health and safety innovations under a regulatory context: A collective case study of Ontario’s safer needle regulation. Implementing Science, 8 (1), 9-12. The authors present the results of the integration of the safer needle regulation in the medical setting in order to contribute to the patient and employee safety in healthcare organizations. LaMontagne, A., Oakes, M., & Lopez Turley, R. (2004). Long-Term exposure trends in US hospitals: Relationship with OSHA Regulatory and Enforcement Actions. American Journal of Public Health, 94 (9), 1614–1619. The article presents the discussion of exposure trends in the US medical settings in the context of adopting the OSHA regulations. Mehrdad, R., Meshki, M., & Pouryagub, G. (2013). Effects of training course on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens: A controlled interventional study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 4 (11), 1236-1242. The authors present the discussion of the results on the role of occupational training on the blood-borne pathogens for the rate of needle stick injuries. Wilburn, S. (2004). Needlestick and sharps injury prevention. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 9 (3), 5-15. The author discusses the approaches of applying the OSHA standards on exposure to blood-borne pathogens to the medical settings.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: Stigma management in society is the process of reducing discrimination and prejudice against stigmatized individuals. It is achieved through education, awareness-raising, and supportive policies.
Stigma management in society is the process of reducing discrimination and prejudice against stigmatized individuals. It is achieved through education, awareness-raising, and supportive policies.
Stigma Management in Society Essay Before making any analysis, we need to understand that stigma is whereby an individual is rejected by a community because of their race, religion, belief, tribe, or health status like HIV. Thus, for us to combat this problem, there must be an effective management plan in place, in the form of counseling and social awareness to those who stigmatize others (Green, 2009). Therefore, this document is going to explicate and analyze various aspects and approaches to managing stigma in society. Stigma in society has taken the form of labeling tags on victims. For instance, people living with HIV/AIDS are referred to as prostitutes, whereas people with mental illnesses are called crazy. Such practices segregate the affected people away from society. Those who stigmatize them think they are not capable of anything productive in society and should thus be neglected, thus creating disharmony (Florez & Sartorius, 2008). Ethical issues include a lack of credibility, honesty, trust, respect, or even loyalty for people or groups that are stigmatized. Society generally believes stigmatized individuals are not capable of anything. The society, therefore, can overcome this undesired practice by raising awareness to stigmatization perpetrators through public education, setting the records straight concerning victims and piling pressure on the government to implement policies of assisting victims (Florez & Sartorius, 2008). We can define social deviance as a conducted act that is completely contrary to the societal or social norms. For instance, a man wearing earrings in certain societies such as china or a woman dressed provocatively in church or public to draw attention. Such deviant behaviors depend on an individual’s environment, poor brain development, or psychological issues of the deviant individual (Henry, 2009). Stigmatization is still rife among homeless and overweight people in society. Homeless people are considered unproductive and harmful to the rest of society, while overweight persons are perceived as individuals who consume large quantities of food substances. Some members of the society also think these people have taken it upon themselves to be the way they are. Therefore, they are neglected (Henry, 2009). If the government, stakeholders, lobby groups, and society as a whole decide to sensitize masses on the need to respect one another, irrespective of their differences, then I think stigmatized persons can live a happy life. The government should also put effective policies of punishing those who stigmatize others and open counseling centers for the victimized. By doing this, the stigma will be reduced in society, thus leading to harmony and tranquility. Moreover, such a move would give the stigmatized a chance to show their strengths by performing something productive (Green, 2009). Without adequate support from the government and individuals, the homeless and overweight people will continue to feel like outcasts within their own society. This reduces their self-esteem since most members of society do not want to associate with them. Their family and friends also often think that they are not productive, and therefore, not integrated into the community hence retaining the identity of deviance. It is thus imperative for all those concerned e.g., interested stakeholders, lobby groups, associations, individuals, and the government, to educate the nation through radio, TV, and newspapers. Moreover, calling conferences and seminars where messages of awareness can be spread, training counselors who can handle such persons, opening more counseling centers, and punishing those who discriminate others can help in containing stigmatization. The society should further adopt the system of acceptance and co-operation with every member of society, no matter their differences (Henry, 2009). Therefore, any society that wants to uphold its dignity and integrity must encourage its citizens to respect one another, irrespective of their differences. These differences may include race, ethnicity, or even beliefs. In addition, people who go against the set norms of the society should not be discriminated by being called social deviants but must be counseled and understood (Green, 2009.) References Florez, J. & Sartorius, N. (2008). Understanding the Stigma of Mental Illness: theory & interventions. London, LDN: John Wiley and Sons. Green, G. (2009). End of Stigma?: Changes in the social experience of long-term illnesses. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis e-library. Henry, S. (2009). Social Deviance . Malden, MA: Polity publishers.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Stomach ulcer is a major health problem whose effects are seen in the erosion of a patient's stomach lining. This leads to fatigue, unintentional weight loss, potential bleeding, vomiting of blood, nausea and massive abdominal pain among other gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies indicate that stomach ulcers can severely disintegrate the lining of an individual's stomach by interfering with the mucous coating that prevents stomach acid from coming into contact with the stomach wall. Lacy and Rosemore argue that with the passage of time, the acid eats through the stomach lining and thereby occasioning the exposure of capillaries that are located beneath the walls of the stomach (2789). The end result of this erosion of mucus coating is incessant pain due to bleeding in addition to perforations and subsequent health problems related to peritonitis and sepsis especially if the condition is not addressed promptly.
Stomach ulcer is a major health problem whose effects are seen in the erosion of a patient's stomach lining. This leads to fatigue, unintentional weight loss, potential bleeding, vomiting of blood, nausea and massive abdominal pain among other gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies indicate that stomach ulcers can severely disintegrate the lining of an individual's stomach by interfering with the mucous coating that prevents stomach acid from coming into contact with the stomach wall. Lacy and Rosemore argue that with the passage of time, the acid eats through the stomach lining and thereby occasioning the exposure of capillaries that are located beneath the walls of the stomach (2789). The end result of this erosion of mucus coating is incessant pain due to bleeding in addition to perforations and subsequent health problems related to peritonitis and sepsis especially if the condition is not addressed promptly.
Stomach Ulcers Concept and Problem Essay Table of Contents 1. Background 2. Etiology of the lesion 3. Macroscopic and microscopic findings 4. Symptoms, signs and laboratory findings caused by the lesion 5. Treatment and prognosis 6. Relevance to dental practice 7. Works Cited Background Stomach ulcer is a major health problem whose effects are seen in the erosion of a patient’s stomach lining. This leads to fatigue, unintentional weight loss, potential bleeding, vomiting of blood, nausea and massive abdominal pain among other gastrointestinal symptoms. Studies indicate that stomach ulcers can severely disintegrate the lining of an individual’s stomach by interfering with the mucous coating that prevents stomach acid from coming into contact with the stomach wall. Lacy and Rosemore are quite categorical that with the passage of time, the acid eats through the stomach lining and thereby occasioning the exposure of capillaries that are located beneath the walls of the stomach (2789). The end result of this erosion of mucus coating is incessant pain due to bleeding in addition to perforations and subsequent health problems related to peritonitis and sepsis especially if the condition is not addressed promptly. Etiology of the lesion Malfertheiner, Chan and McColl indicate in their article Peptic Ulcer Disease that before 1990, stomach ulcer was a health problem believed to be mainly caused by poor diet and long term stressful circumstances as well as depression (1449). These factors were assumed to interfere with mucus production and therefore giving room to corrosive stomach acids which then eroded the lining of the stomach wall. Many researchers today are still emphatic that the possible cause of peptic ulcer and its development is stress. They argue that head trauma, burns and psychological stress lead to ulcers with its main etiology being stress related. Lacy and Rosemore agree in part that stress can indeed lead to production of stomach acid. The latter undisputedly provides a favorable environment where Helicobacter Pylori can thrive (2789). However, in a quick rejoinder, they argue that that ulcer is not an infectious disease in addition to the fact that a psychological factor like stress has less significant role to play. Besides stress, another cause of stomach ulcers is a bacterium known as Helicobacter Pylori which is responsible for 90% of duodenal ulcers and 60 % of gastric ulcers. This bacterium as Zelickson points out can spread to humans via contaminated water and food (1054). It is important to note that an individual’s immune system and its antibodies are not able to fight and clear the bacteria and its infections. If this bacteria is not properly managed, it may further cause a type B gastritis which is a chronic active gastritis that affects the regulation and production of gastrin. Needless to say, early detection and control of this harmful bacterium is indeed crucial since it may lead into other chronic and deadly infections. In addition, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin can cause ulcers. Smith and Stabile indicate that prostaglandins stimulate the production of a layer of mucus to protect the stomach wall from gastric acid (799). The use of NSAIDs inhibits the functions of glucocorticoids and the production of cycloxygenase 1 (Cox-1). The latter is an important component that aids in the production of prostaglandins. Other inhibitors like Rofecobix and celecobix among other anti-inflammatories also inhibit the roles played by Cox-2 leading to gastric ulceration. Credible studies relate other causes of stomach ulcers to factors such as smoking, diet, blood type and use of certain or excessive spices in food. While these may be contributing factors, Dino et al clarify that they may not be classified as causes unless they are linked to an infection by H. Pylori (17). Alcohol consumption may also be a factor when associated with the bacteria. Macroscopic and microscopic findings Ulcers in the stomach are normally localized in areas of lesser curvatures. Macroscopically, ulcers have a parietal defect that is either round or oval. They have perpendicular borders, smooth bases and a diameter of between 2-4 centimeters. The borders of the ulcers vary depending on how intense they are. As such, the borders can be regular or irregular. Microscopically, an acid-pepsin aggression causes a mucosal defect which severely affects the muscularis propria and muscularis mucosae resulting into gastric peptic ulcers. Lacy and Rosemore are of the opinion that their margins indicate chronic gastritis and are perpendicular (2792). The authors observe that when gastric peptic ulcers reach their active phases, they appear to have four zones showing fibrous tissue, granulation tissue, fibrinoid necrosis and inflammatory exudates. The bases of the fibres may have thrombosis or vessels with thickened walls. Both the microscopic and macroscopic findings on stomach ulcers are integral in understanding the etiology, prevention and treatment of the condition. Symptoms, signs and laboratory findings caused by the lesion Physicians normally use characteristic symptoms as a base for establishing the diagnosis of stomach ulcers. The diagnosis of stomach ulcers can be made through a gastroscopy whereby a direct visual identification is done to determine the severity and location of the ulcer. Besides, a Helicobacter Pylori can be diagnosed via histological examination, stool antigen test, measurement of antibodies, rapid urease test and urea breath test. Stomach ulcers mainly affect the nerves which surrounds the stomach. This agitates the nerves causing massive pains. If this is left unattended for some significant period of time, it may spread and tear the stomach wall and cause peritonitis. Some of the common symptoms are burning pains in the stomach mostly interpreted as hunger, indigestion or heartburn. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, bloating, feeling sick and retching. It may also cause complications such as serious perforations and bleeding ulcers. Treatment and prognosis The treatment of stomach ulcers before the process of gastroscopy can be done by administering H2 antagonists or antacids and bismuth compounds. The latter are effective in clearing or reducing the presence of Helicobacter Pylori . For patients using NSAIDs, prevention of its side effects which manifest in peptic ulcers can be treated using misoprostol or a prostaglandin analogue. Zelickson points out that the effective elimination of Helicobacter Pylori can be achieved by combining 1 proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with an antibiotic such as Metronidazole, Tetracycline, amoxicillin or clarithromycin. As such, the first line treatment would be a pantoprazole (a PPI), a metronidazole and an amoxicillin (1054). In addition, in order to obtain relief from excess stomach acid, indigestion, heartburn and peptic ulcers, physicians recommend the use of a ranitidine. The latter drug acts as a general pain killer. Relevance to dental practice Stomach ulcers and dental problems are mainly caused by bacterial infections. This is a factor that calls for medical experts especially in the field of dental health to encourage proper dental care. This will be critical in reducing possible strain to an individual’s immune system due to peripheral infections related to stomach ulcers. Dental practitioners should be able to aid their patients in the application of preventative measures aimed at fostering good health and limiting infections. Works Cited Dino Vaira, Luigi Gatta, Chiara Ricci, Andrea Tampieri, Maurizio Cavina and Veronica, Be. “Peptic ulcer and Helicobacter Pylori.” Postgraduate medicine, 117 .6 (2005): 17-23. Print. Lacy, Brian and Justin, Rosemore. “Helicobacter Pylori: ulcers and more: the beginning of an era.” The Journal of nutrition 131 .10 (2001): 2789-2793. Print. Malfertheiner Peter, Francis Chan and Kenneth, McColl. “Peptic ulcer disease.” The Lancet, 374.9699 (2009): 1449-1461. Print. Smith, Brian and Bruce, Stabile. “Emerging Trends in peptic ulcer disease and damage control surgery in the H. Pylori era.” The American Surgeon, 71 .9 (2005): 797- 801. Print. Zelickson, Marc. “Helicobacter Pylori is not the predominant etiology for peptic ulcers requiring operation.” The American Surgeon, 77 .8 (2011): 1054-1060. Print.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Stress can lead to many problems in our day to day lives. It can affect our health, our performance at work and our relationships with others. There are many ways to deal with stress, but one way that has been shown to be effective is through self-affirmation.
Stress can lead to many problems in our day to day lives. It can affect our health, our performance at work and our relationships with others. There are many ways to deal with stress, but one way that has been shown to be effective is through self-affirmation.
Stress Impacts on the Human Development Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Stress and Health 3. Practical Solutions 4. Conclusion 5. Test Yourself 6. References Introduction Stress has been one of the leading challenges that humans face in their everyday life. Many psychologists have identified a factor that leads to physical, mental and emotional setbacks in growth and development of an individual. As a result therefore, a lot of studies have been conducted in this field. These studies aim at identifying the main causes of stress and how they can be controlled. This will ensure that humans achieve the goals, targets and dreams that have set in their lives. Stress is a great hindrance to success in a person’s life. It can lead to ill-health; physical, emotional or both. Have you ever been in a situation in the work place or had a family crisis that led to elevated stress levels? High stress levels have been directly associated with certain illnesses such as ulcers of the stomach, insomnia, persistent headaches, anxiety and so on. Stress is major hindrance to activities that we are involved in daily. It can affect the ability of an individual to perform his roles and duties at work, the manner in which an individual relates with others within the societal context and most importantly, the ability of an individual to perform well in education. To narrow down on the diverse nature of stress, this paper shall focus on one of the mechanism that has been identified as a possible solution of controlling stress levels in individuals. This mechanism is known as self-affirmation. To test on its validity and effectiveness, the mechanism was tested within the context of health and education. Health and education are very sensitive in nature. As a result, stress may affect the mental, physical, emotional and cognitive abilities of an individual hence affecting his/her performance and stability in a negative way. Due to this fact, several studies that have been conducted suggest that self-affirmation can be applied to control stress levels that in turn will increase the overall health condition and performance of an individual. To expound on this theory, this article critically analyzed two empirical studies. The first study was conducted by Creswell et al (2005) and focused on affirmation of personal values while the second study was conducted by Dutcher (2006) and focused on boosting of performance through self-affirmation. Integrating these studies together clearly brings out the application of self-affirmation in education and how this concept can be used to improve the performance of individuals and reduce stress levels of individuals. Stress and Health In various occasions, stress has been labeled as a source of illness to man. This conception has led to the development of measures to relieve stresses on the day-to-day activities. Some of the illnesses that have been linked to stress include migraines, hypertension, chronic fatigue, depression, acid reflux disease and many more as indicated in figure 2 below. Studies that have been done concerning stress and attempts to link it to overall health status in the long-run and the past life experience of individuals have proved to have mishaps. One of the mishaps is that stress in itself is not a single variable that can easily be quantified but it is made up of several independent variables. Many researchers do not consider it but rather, they assume that stress can be taken as a single variable. As a result, they fail to include several steps (Creswell et al, 2005). Fig. 1 A woman in stress Fig. 2 Stress effects on the body According to Creswell et al (2005), stress progressively develops from an array of physical and mental disorders that have accumulated within an individual with time (p.1). In response to this suggestion, they developed a theory that suggested that affirming to personal values might act as a buffer to the growth and development of stress. In this respect therefore, the stress levels of an individual can be controlled in such a way to avoid it developing to adverse levels. To test this theory, the following two research questions were used: 1. Does an intervention on personal values buffer physiological and psychological levels of stress within an individual? 2. Does the disposition of available resources have any effect in the affirmation of stress levels in an individual? The study had 85 participants all of whom were undergraduate students. Their ages ranged from 17-33 years. Before the commencement of the study, all the participants were identified as Asian, Caucasian, African-American, Latino and so on. Furthermore, they undertook a medical test prior to the commencement of the study to detect whether any one of them had suffered from a medical condition. All these participants were involved in a stress challenge that took place in a laboratory. This challenge aimed at measuring the cortisol responses to stress. These levels were to vary depending on the nature and extent to which each participant will affirm to stress. First, the participants listened to an audio tape that clearly explained the instructions of the experiment. From here, they were divided into two groups; value-affirmation group and a control group. Regardless of the group, each participant was given a questionnaire to fill. Here, they were to explain their thought and feelings towards the value that they had selected and rate it on a point scale that ranged from 1-3. In addition, they were expected to prepare a speech mentally and describe how stressful this process was. To evaluate this process, they would rate the difficult in creating the speech on a seven-point scale. Finally, the participants gave their speeches, each lasting for five minutes. To put them under pressure, time was counted in seconds with the alerts of the last few seconds coming up more frequently. After this, their saliva was collected and analyzed for cortisal. The results that were gathered for the study showed that participant who had initially affirmed to their values had lower cortisol levels as compared to the control group. They therefore had lower stress levels. Dispositional self-resources acted as a buffer to physiological and psychological stress. Cortisol from the saliva was a good indicator of the level of stress since it has a direct relationship with the neuroendocrine system (Creswell et al, 2005). As a result therefore, an individual who is under stress will produce high amounts of the substance as compared to another who is not under stress. From this study therefore, self affirmation is a reliable buffer to reduce the stress levels of individuals. On the other hand, Dutcher (2006) conducted a study on university students that focused on the effects of laboratory-test performance of intelligence on self-affirmation. To explore further on the works that had been done by previous Creswell et al (2005) on the topic and to prove their theories, this study aimed at answering the following research questions: 1. Does self-affirmation have any effect in the attitudes and perceptions of individuals especially those related to defensive responding? 2. Does the acceptance of threatened messages from an individual increase his/her performance? In this study, participants were given an intelligence test immediately after completing a writing test. An experienced examiner offered the this test. It was tedious and had a strict time limit. This aimed at putting the participants under pressure and at the same time exhaust their physical, mental and emotional abilities. Finally, the examiner communicated negative results to all the participants. They were all told that they had performed below average. After this, all the participants filled a questionnaire that was used to measure how they perceived their negative results. This was used as a perquisite of their acceptance of bad news hence controlling stress via self-affirmation. This therefore showed the manner in which these individuals and hence the entire population would take in bad news and adapt to the conditions to ensure that they get the best out of the situation. Practical Solutions It may appear as if it is impossible to control the levels of stress since some of the factors that cause it are permanent in nature. Some of the sources of stress found in the studies include the high bills and fees to pay, heavy workload, meeting of strict deadlines and so on. All these factors keep on recurring in the lives of people. It is therefore critical for individuals to develop mechanisms that will enable them to cope with stress. By doing so, they will be able to accomplish the tasks and duties that have been vested to them (Dutcher, 2006). A day will always have a limit of 24 hours so it is less likely that the amount of time available will ever be the solution to the problem. The stresses that come about because of family responsibilities may not be solved by running away from them because they will always be demanding. It is important to know that the victims of stress have a lot more control over the situation than they might think. Studies have shown that the simple realization that the victim is in control of the situation is a big step towards managing stress. Stress management entails controlling what goes on around you and not letting it control you. It requires someone to take control of his/her emotions. Through stress management, one would be able to get a balance in life. One will be able to set aside time for his or her work, get time with the family and friends, have time to work out the relationship and time to have fun. One would also have the capacity to work under pressure and control the situation rather than letting the situation to take control. One big step towards managing stress is the identification of the source of stress. This is not always an easy task since the source of stress might not be that obvious. Some might have misguided thoughts about situations and brand it as their source of stress while in reality, they are actually the problem themselves. To identify the actual cause of stress, one has to study his perceptions, excuses and behaviours closely (Dutcher, 2006) From identifying this cause, it is also important to accept this fact and formulate means through which you can deal with them. Better yet, it is also important to have people around you who will be there for you at your “lows” in life. These people provide emotional support and this greatly helps in increasing the hopes for success for the person. This is true to the saying that, a problem shared is a problem half-solved. Such people help a lot especially when self-esteem is the problem. Their encouragement gives strength to the victim and enables him or her to go through the situation. Conclusion Stress has a direct effect on health and well-being. This may be in form of both physical and emotional health but both have a connection. Daily stressing situations may come about as a result of the overwhelming workload at the workplace or some family situations. Stress may lead to low self-esteem that subsequently causes diverse effects to individuals depending on how they react to the situation. Stress has been proven to be one of the causes of ill-health in the workplace and people are supposed to know how to deal with them lest they affect their performance. It is important to look for help in form of emotional support whenever one is feeling stressed about a situation since emotional support helps a great deal. Those who obtain emotional help are less vulnerable to illnesses caused by stress than those who do not sort for help. When you take time to work on your emotional health, then your body will reciprocate and you will have perfect health. Additional studies that might be interesting to conduct in the future may be the determination of the effects of stress on the performance at the workplace. Since a person’s health and general well-being is a determinant of a person’s performance at work, then stress would greatly affect the performance. A suitable number of participants should be selected from different companies or organizations and it would be important to consider people of different ages and races to avoid biasness. Test Yourself 1. Stress has been linked directly to cases of illnesses. (True or false). True. 2. Nothing can be done about the stress levels one has since most of the sources of stress such as high bills might be there to stay. (True or False). False. 3. Stress is a great hindrance to a person’s success and can lead to both physical and emotional illnesses. (True or False). True. 4. An increase in the daily hassles causes a decrease in general health and mood of a person. (True or False). True. References Creswell, D. J., Welch, W., Shelly, T., Sherman, D., Gruenewald, T., & Mann, T. (2005). Affirmation of personal values buffers neuroendocrine and psychological stress responses. Psychological Science , 16 , p. 846-851. Dutcher, J. M (2006). Improving Performance on a Creativity Task via Self-Affirmation. Health Psychology , 28 , p. 554-562.
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Write an essay about: The contemporary fast speed of life is largely associated with a big amount of stress experienced by people in everyday life. Stress can be defined as the brain's response to any situation forcing the person to feel too much mental or emotional pressure. It is the way our body responds to any demand or threat. Understanding the diverse nature of the causes of the stress is crucial to the effective elimination of its effects, as these two factors heavily depend on each other.
The contemporary fast speed of life is largely associated with a big amount of stress experienced by people in everyday life. Stress can be defined as the brain's response to any situation forcing the person to feel too much mental or emotional pressure. It is the way our body responds to any demand or threat. Understanding the diverse nature of the causes of the stress is crucial to the effective elimination of its effects, as these two factors heavily depend on each other.
Stress, Its Causes and Effects Relationship Essay The contemporary fast speed of life is largely associated with a big amount of stress experienced by people in everyday life. Stress can be defined as the brain’s response to any situation forcing the person to feel too much mental or emotional pressure (Hellhammer and Hellhammer 14). It is the way our body responds to any demand or threat. Understanding the diverse nature of the causes of the stress is crucial to the effective elimination of its effects, as these two factors heavily depend on each other. The causes of stress have various origins and are highly diverse. Though stress is strongly associated with negative events, its causes can include positive experience. The main components of stress, change and pressure, can be associated both with good and bad events and, therefore, there are both negative and positive causes of stress (Aldwin 56). A person experiences significant stress both in the situation of loss of close relative and birth of a child. Besides, stressors can be classified to those that are related to everyday events (micro-stressors), those that are connected to major life events, and those that have an ambient nature. Micro stressors include personal problems, job issues, social interaction, and other minor events happening in the life of every person on a daily basis (“Stress Management – Causes of Stress” par. 2). The causes related to major life events include marriage, graduation from college, loss of parents, etc. The ambient stressors include the external conditions that have a negative value and constitute a part of our environment, e.g. pollution or traffic jams. Severe natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and social crisis, such as wars, can be unified into a separate group of stressors (Whealin, DeCarvalho, and Vega 6; Wilson and Raphael 936). The effects of stress include both biological and psychological manifestations. The scope of effects largely depends on the causes and the nature of stress. A person attacked by a homeless dog experience a release of hormones and chemicals associated with stress, which are aimed at making the body ensure the survival. The effects of such stress are short-term and fade after the stressor is eliminated. However, a person that is going through a divorce experience a chronic stress, which has long-term negative effects on his/her body, including problems with digestion, immune system, reproduction, etc. (“Q&A on Stress for Adults” par. 4). Psychological effects of stress also heavily depend on its nature. A person that experiences stress after becoming a father often faces mild effects of stress, such as over excitation while a person experiencing stress after the death of a parent is more likely to have severe psychological effects, such as insomnia and hysteria, which can lead to depression or other post-traumatic problems. The effects of the stress caused by traumatic life events, natural disasters, or social crisis, can fade after a period, but certain consequences will still be likely to appear, including nightmares, panic attacks, phobia, etc. The analysis of both causes and effects of stress reveals that these two aspects are closely interrelated. The effective prevention of stress is possible only if the person is aware of the effects of stress caused by a certain condition. For example, only after discovering the risks related to constant pressure put by enormous loads of work, the person is likely to search for a solution able to remove such permanent cause of stress. Besides, effective treatment is impossible without exploring the initial causes of the stress. For example, treating such effects of stress as panic attacks cannot be successful until the traumatic event that caused such consequences is discovered. Being aware of potential causes of the stress and understanding its effects are essential to the prevention of severe stressful situations and dealing with the consequences of prior stressful experience. Various causes lead to stress, and diverse consequences are related to it. Understanding the causes and effects of stress is crucial both for preventive activities and elimination of negative effects of the phenomenon. Works Cited Aldwin, Carolyn. Stress, Coping, and Development . 2nd ed. 2007. New York: The Guilford Press. Print. Hellhammer, Dirk, and Juliane Hellhammer. Stress: The Brain-Body Connection , Basel, Switzerland: Karger, 2008. Print. Q&A on Stress for Adults: How It Affects Your Health and what You Can Do about It . n.d. Web. Stress Management – Causes of Stress . 2014. Web. Whealin, Julia, Lorie DeCarvalho, and Edward Vega. Strategies for Managing Stress After War , Hoboken, New Jersey: Kohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008. Print. Wilson, John, and Beverley Raphael. International Handbook of Traumatic Stress Syndromes , New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013. Print.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The text discusses stress levels and stress management methods. It also provides information about cognitive and affective objectives related to stress.
The text discusses stress levels and stress management methods. It also provides information about cognitive and affective objectives related to stress.
Stress Levels and Stress Management Methods Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Cognitive and affective objectives related to stress 2. The fundamentals of stress 3. Conclusion 4. References Cognitive and affective objectives related to stress When speaking about stress levels and the methods, which seem to be important to cope with a state of emotional strain and tension, it is necessary to consider some basic points concerning a negative psychological reaction. So, the objectives, which are related to the task, can be divided into cognitive objectives and affective ones. Thus, cognitive objectives include identifying the meaning of stress, as well as the causes of a negative emotional strain. Stress management is also considered to be one of the cognitive aims. On the other hand, an effective objective is related to the importance of stress control. The fundamentals of stress When discussing stress levels, one is to keep in mind that stress is considered to be “a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical changes, physiological changes, cognitive changes, and behavioural changes” (Taylor, n. d., p. 1). Generally, there is a need to point out that stress is caused by numerous reasons, which most widespread seem to be stressful situations, which are difficult to control (for instance, too complicated relations, serious health problems, etc.), persistent stress, which is caused by certain traumatic events, and acute stress, which is caused by sudden unpleasant situations. Of course, nobody will deny the fact that people’s responses to stress seem to be different. Such responses depend upon personality traits, genetic factors, regulated immune diseases, and the quality of stressors. Stress management is associated with a significant skill, which gives people an opportunity to solve problems and control the impact of stress on the quality of their lives. I have examined my own stress level on the basis of Dr Thomas H. Holmes’ and Dr Richard H. Rahe’s rating scale; my score was 556. According to the online stress test results, the rate of minor stress should be 150, mild stress 150-199, moderate stress 200-299, and major stress 300+ (“Online Stress Test”, n. d., para. 4). So, taking into account my own results, I can make a conclusion that the stressful events, which take place in my life, must be controlled. As far as people treat stress differently, I have also decided to measure my perception of stress. So, I have decided to rely on “the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress – The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)” (“Perceived Stress Scale,” n. d., 1). The scores range from 0 to 40. My own score was 15. So, the stress I experience seems to be rather moderate. In my opinion, some useful strategies should be used to reduce the level and perception of stress. The most common methods, which are to be used to cope with stress, can include various relaxation practices and meditation skills. On the other hand, it is necessary to communicate with pleasant people, to protect personal space, to think positively, to be open to new things and experiences, to strive for a healthy life-style, to try to overcome the obstacles, but not to avoid them. Conclusion Stress is considered to be a negative psychological experience, which influences people’s quality of life. When persons are stressed, they cannot cope with various tasks, as well as enjoy daily activities. For this reason, it is necessary to limit the impact of stress on people’s life. There are many useful practices, which can be used to control stressful situations. References Online Stress Test . (n. d.). Healthyplace.com. Web. Perceived Stress Scale. (n. d.). Ncsu.edu. Web. Taylor, S. (n. d.). What is Stress? Ipfw.edu. Web.
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Write an essay about: The essay discusses two scales that are used to score essay (critical writing) by students. The first scale, achievement motivation, measures a student's attitude and behavior related to performing well. The second scale, rotter latin of control, measures a student's type of control.
The essay discusses two scales that are used to score essay (critical writing) by students. The first scale, achievement motivation, measures a student's attitude and behavior related to performing well. The second scale, rotter latin of control, measures a student's type of control.
Students’ Achievement Motivation: Two Scales Scoring Essay (Critical Writing) The Scoring of the Two Scales The Achievement Motivation Scale is usually used in order to determine the person’s attitude and behavior related to performing well. It also demonstrates how a person chooses to strive for higher results and how he or she sees any type of success. Learners with high scores on this scale can be discussed as highly motivated and oriented toward achieving their personal and academic goals when learners with low scores are not motivated enough to achieve success within the academic setting. The average need for achievement is typical for most persons, and they need stimulation to set right and effective goals and strive for success. These scores are important for a teacher to predict the students’ academic successes and to develop strategies to improve motivation. The Rotter Locus of Control scale is traditionally used in order to determine what type of control is discussed by a student as preferable. If the locus of control is external, a student can be considered as dependent on the situation, setting, events, and a variety of external factors. This student can think that his personal efforts are meaningless. If the locus of control is internal, a student is concentrated on his abilities to complete tasks, and he usually increases efforts to overcome different barriers. This approach is advantageous to achieve high results in academic environments. Achievement Motivation Achievement motivation can be discussed as a student’s drive for the success that is observed when a student performs tasks accurately and demonstrates the high efforts to complete the activities well. As a result, a student can achieve the desired goal and become satisfied with the outcomes of his or her effort. However, there are many situations when students do not demonstrate high achievement motivation, and they need to be stimulated through a range of factors to make efforts in order to succeed. In this case, an instructor should start by focusing on such stimulation activities as praising effort, building confidence, and persuading (Schulten par. 3). This approach works for students with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as for students with an external and internal locus of control because the stimulation of personal abilities is an important element of the teacher’s support in the class environment (Vansteenkiste, Willy and Deci 22). The next step in developing the achievement motivation is the focus on the intrinsic motivation of students that is determined depending on students’ preferences. If a student is usually intrinsically motivated, it is relevant to concentrate on developing his or her self-efficacy and refer to increasing interest and enjoyment. Internal motivators include setting clear and relevant goals, among others. If a student is usually extrinsically motivated, the principles of the expectancy-value theory and comparison will work for him. External motivators include rewards, grades, and competition with other students (Tollefson 65). The result of such stimulation is the increased achievement motivation and the expected academic success, personal growth, and social recognition that are perceived by students as important outcomes of their efforts. The discussed scheme to improve the achievement motivation can be presented in the following form: Scheme to improve the achievement motivation. Works Cited Schulten, Katherine. Helping Students Motivate Themselves . 2012. Web. Tollefson, Nona. “Classroom Applications of Cognitive Theories of Motivation”. Educational Psychology Review 12.1 (2000): 63-83. Print. Vansteenkiste, Maarten, Willy Lens, and Edward Deci. “Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Goal Contents in Self-Determination Theory: Another Look at the Quality of Academic Motivation”. Educational Psychologist 41.1 (2006): 19-31. Print.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The film 12 Years a Slave accurately illustrated the discriminatory relationships between white slaveholders and black slaves that stemmed from the dysfunctional system in the country and prejudices in people's mindsets at that time.
The film 12 Years a Slave accurately illustrated the discriminatory relationships between white slaveholders and black slaves that stemmed from the dysfunctional system in the country and prejudices in people's mindsets at that time.
12 Years a Slave: An Analysis of the Film Essay The 2013 film 12 Years a Slave proved that slavery is a worldwide issue. Indeed, the film made $150 million outside the United States and $57 million in the U.S., with a production budget of $20 million (Sharf, 2020). The movie was based on the memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (Ntim, 2020). It tells the story of a free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Solomon spent twelve years away from his family, being traded from one master to another. Fortunately, the protagonist met a person who helped him deliver a message to his family and friends, who came and rescued him. This movie accurately illustrates discriminatory relationships between white slaveholders and black slaves that stemmed from the dysfunctional system in the country and prejudices in people’s mindsets at that time. The two main ethnic groups presented in this film are White and African Americans, and the three social groups are affluent slaveholders, working for middle class, and enslaved people. The movie starts with the story of a free African American violinist Solomon Northup, living with his family in Saratoga, New York (McQueen, 2013). However, he was abducted by two white men, who tortured the man and sold him into slavery, changing his name to Plat. Before they met, Solomon and these two slave traders belonged to the same middle class. However, the fact that Northup was an African American made these individuals believe that they had the right to withdraw their freedom. The two masters that Solomon had were William Ford and Edwin Epps (McQueen, 2013). The former was kind and religious, while the latter was cruel and sadistic. Since the movie was based on a real story, it indicated that slaveholders had different characters, but all had the wrong perception of race. Although 12 Years a Slave is a film about slavery, the issues of collectivism and individualism are also raised. Specifically, the main character never identified himself as an enslaved man and continued claiming he was a free citizen (McQueen, 2013). However, his counterparts on the plant had a collective mindset, imprinted in them since childhood, that slavery is normal. These people helped each other because they belonged to the same group. Although Solomon tried to become a part of this community, his individual goal to return home was above the collective values. The movie also showed prejudice, generalizations, stereotyping, and discrimination against black people. For instance, when Ford brings Solomon and Elisa to his plantation, his wife expresses her sadness that Elisa got separated from her children. However, she also stated that “something to eat and some rest” could help that woman forget her children (McQueen, 2013, 32:47-32:51). This scene demonstrated the common prejudice about slaves that they were not capable of the same feelings as white people. An example of generalization and stereotyping was how Tibeats, a carpenter, became hostile to Solomon when he showed his intelligence and gave Ford advice. In fact, Tibeats believed that Plat would never be more competent than any white individual because Plat was a “nigger” (McQueen, 2013, 36:35-36:37). Notably, before Northup became enslaved, he never experienced discrimination, but when the main character was sold into slavery, discrimination was the only attitude that he could observe. In summary, 12 Years a Slave depicts the life of enslaved people and slave owners almost two centuries ago. The film narrates a free black man’s life from the moment when he enjoyed his family’s company in the state of New York to his abduction, enslavement, and eventual liberation. Overall, the movie raised such critical issues as discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, and generalization that allowed slaveholders to maintain this societal structure for a long time. References McQueen, S. (2013). 12 years a slave [Film]. New Regency Productions. Ntim, Z. (2020). Steve McQueen says it took 11 years to create his new anthology “Small Axe” and reveals why producers almost pulled out of his Oscar-winning film “12 Years a Slave.” Insider. Sharf, Z. (2020). Steve McQueen recalls producers rejecting “12 Years a Slave” over false beliefs about black films. Indie Wire.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Social Media Examiner's (2021) video on social media initiatives was most useful to me since it provides more than twenty social media post ideas to improve the marketing of any business. This source demonstrates that social media, specifically Facebook Business and Instagram, have great power and enhance marketing, promoting organizations through posts, stories, hashtags, and user-generated content.
Social Media Examiner's (2021) video on social media initiatives was most useful to me since it provides more than twenty social media post ideas to improve the marketing of any business. This source demonstrates that social media, specifically Facebook Business and Instagram, have great power and enhance marketing, promoting organizations through posts, stories, hashtags, and user-generated content.
20+ Social Media Post Ideas to Radically Simplify Your Marketing Essay Social Media Examiner’s (2021) video on social media initiatives was most useful to me since it provides more than twenty social media post ideas to improve the marketing of any business. This source demonstrates that social media, namely Facebook Business and Instagram, have great power and enhance marketing, promoting organizations through posts, stories, hashtags, and user-generated content. The most useful information to me was about trends, pros and cons, comparison, direct offer, and long-form content. Effective change leadership is important when an organization wants to adopt social media initiatives. A good leader is associated with effective communication, for example, written content on social media. For example, a leader may encourage customers to generate content by creating a hashtag, like #MyInstagramLogo, and inquiring them to share their views on the logo or any other product or service the company offers (They Ask, You Answer, 2018). Leaders should clarify their vision and ensure that everyone understands them. They should lead their employees in the right direction, inspiring them to change. I may encounter the following ethical issues: over-promising, under-delivering, and overstated statements. I would try to provide my customers with honest information about the business and stop making everyone happy to address the first issue. Over-promising can make clients disappointed and lead to their negative feedback. Therefore, it is better to follow ethical principles and make promises only if they can be 100% fulfilled. To address the second issue, I would try to be transparent and honest about the content. If the company claims to deliver products from one country to another in three days, it will need to fulfill it. Otherwise, it will be lying to the clients, thus losing its credibility. These strategies will help me address the above-mentioned ethical issues because honesty and transparency are always valued, and they help attract new customers and make the old customers stay with the company they trust. References Social Media Examiner. (2021). 20+ social media post ideas to radically simplify your marketing [Video]. YouTube. Web. They Ask, You Answer taught by IMPACT. (2018). 5 social media campaign examples from big brands you want to be [Video]. YouTube. Web.
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Write an essay about: The text discusses how the world has been shattered by Russia's attack on Ukraine in the past few days. It also talks about how Europe could be witnessing the first major military invasion in years.
The text discusses how the world has been shattered by Russia's attack on Ukraine in the past few days. It also talks about how Europe could be witnessing the first major military invasion in years.
2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine in Global Media Coverage Essay (Critical Writing) The world has been shattered by Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the past few days. Ukraine’s forces have put up remarkable resistance to this attack, but the war is entering an even bloodier phase. Europe could be witnessing the first major military invasion in years. Many people have been displaced, and many Ukrainian citizens have fled neighboring countries for peace. Gunshots and artillery fires have been raining down on residential areas in Ukraine, with several media houses and newspapers reporting the events and sharing the news with the rest of the world. Various newspapers have reported the news differently, with the difference seen in headlines, videos and images posted. The two newspapers covering the events in Ukraine are the New York Times and Le Monde, a French newspaper. While New York Times and Le Monde report the same event, the two use very different terms to describe similar activities. In the recent takeover of the city of Kharkiv by the Russian forces, for example, the NYT headline read “Russian Troops Take Over Kharkiv,” Le Monde , on the other hand, read “La Russie A Envahi Kharkiv” to mean “Russia Has Invaded Kharkiv.” Recently a video of Ukrainian citizens making Molotov cocktail Petrol bombs was shared. The headline in NYT read, “Ukraine Prepare Molotov Cocktail In Kyiv.” Le Monde ‘s headline read “Ukrainian Resistance Using Molotov Bombs.” Because headlines are the deciding factor for people to read an article, newspapers make them enticing. The New York Times uses headlines that suggest this is another world war, while Le Monde downplays the illegality of what Russia is doing. The differences seen in the headlines of the two newspapers are all for the attraction of their audiences; each magazine writes eye-catching unique topics.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The essay discusses a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the use of a thermal imaging device by the Department of the Interior's agent to scan a house was a search under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The thermal imaging device is a type of technology that is not used publicly and is considered unreasonable, so the agent was not allowed to use it without a warrant. The court of the first instance was incorrect in approving the evidence, and the case's reasoning forced the regulators
The essay discusses a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the use of a thermal imaging device by the Department of the Interior's agent to scan a house was a search under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The thermal imaging device is a type of technology that is not used publicly and is considered unreasonable, so the agent was not allowed to use it without a warrant. The court of the first instance was incorrect in approving the evidence, and the case's reasoning forced the regulators
533 U.S. 27 (2001) Kyllo v. United States: The Use of a Thermal Imaging Device Report Table of Contents 1. Facts 2. Issue 3. Holding 4. Reasoning 5. Reference Facts The parties to the selected lawsuit are Agent Elliott and the petitioner Danny Kyllo, and the court initiated in Florence, Oregon. The United States Department of the Interior’s agent used the thermal imaging device to prove their suspicions that Kyllo grows marijuana indoors (Kyllo v. United States, 2001). Plants require consistent heating, and the fact that one wall was significantly warmer than others, according to the scanner, determined the course of further investigation. The agent received a warrant authorizing a search of Kyllo’s house, and the plantation was found there. The defendant pleaded guilty in violation of 21 U. S. C. § 841(a)(1); however, the dispute occurred as the appeal stated that using the thermal imaging scan on an individual’s house violates the Fourth Amendment (Kyllo v. United States, 2001). The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit was required to revise the warrant’s validity based on the imaging made by Elliott. On remand, the court concluded that using a scanning device was appropriate because it did not expose any private life or human activities inside the house (Kyllo v. United States, 2001). Furthermore, the defendant had no intention to hide the use of heating; thus, their privacy was not violated. Issue Was the use of a thermal imaging device considered a search under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution? Holding Yes. Reasoning The final outcome was on the side of the Supreme Court, which reversed the appellation, and further proceedings concluded that scanning the house and retrieving the information about its internal parts was a search. The technology of the thermal imaging device is not used publicly and considered unreasonable; therefore, the agent was not allowed to perform it without a warrant (Kyllo v. United States, 2001). The court of the first instance was incorrect regarding the evidence approval, and the case’s reasoning forced the regulators to revise the use of technology during investigations in terms of individuals’ privacy protection. The Supreme Court had passed no significant law enforcement related to the use of technology and surveillance. Reference Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27, 121 S. Ct. 2038. (2001). Web.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The form of business in Charles Schwab Corporation was analyzed. The CSC is a corporation with several subsidiaries and follows the requirements for a corporation form of organization. A distinctive feature of corporations is the board of directors, which has an indirect influence on daily decision-making.
The form of business in Charles Schwab Corporation was analyzed. The CSC is a corporation with several subsidiaries and follows the requirements for a corporation form of organization. A distinctive feature of corporations is the board of directors, which has an indirect influence on daily decision-making.
A Charles Schwab Corporation Case Essay Charles Schwab is a for-profit Corporation whose main business is savings and loans. The company provides banking and asset management services, and financial advisory. It has several subsidiaries – Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., TD Ameritrade, Inc., and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc., which are all limited liability companies (“The Charles Schwab Corporation,” 2021). This paper aims to analyze the form of business in Charles Schwab Corporation (CSC). Charles Schwab is a corporation, which is a form of business with some distinctive features. Firstly, its officers are agents, unlike its directors and shareholders, which means that the latter are not involved in the company’s current strategic, managerial and other business decisions (“Corporation,” 2022). Secondly, the corporation is managed by the board of directors who have the right to appoint the officers. This approach creates a balance of managerial forces, since CEOs and CFOs are directly involved in the work processes, and the board of directors, in extreme cases, has the right to dismiss them by voting. In the corporation, shareholders are free to transfer ownership, which means that in critical situations such as bankruptcy, the corporation can be sold to another owner. This outcome is possible because the corporation is an organization that creates an opportunity for investors to profit by investing, unlike an LLC (“Forming a corporation,” 2022). Finally, in corporations, the income is taxed twice: the first time at the corporate level, and a second time if dividends are distributed to shareholders. Thus, the form of business in Charles Schwab Corporation was analyzed. The CSC is a corporation with several subsidiaries and conducts business following the requirements for a corporation form of organization. A distinctive feature of corporations is the board of directors, which has an indirect influence on daily decision-making. Still, in critical cases, it can appoint new officers to manage the company. Corporations can also transfer property rights in the event of bankruptcy or other cases. References Corporation . (2022). Entrepreneur. Forming a corporation . (2022). IRS. The Charles Schwab Corporation . (2021). US Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The text discusses how a clinical office assistant's attire should be approached for interviews and work, and how it can be done within a budget.
The text discusses how a clinical office assistant's attire should be approached for interviews and work, and how it can be done within a budget.
A Clinical Office Assistant’s Attire Research Paper The work of a clinical or medical office worker is characterized by a combination of a large number of administrative operations with medical activities. Primarily, these professionals are office assistants filling out paperwork and interacting with staff (“How to become a medical office assistant,” 2021). As a result, I will be approaching interviews for this job in a professional business style. While the fitting suit can be expensive, I already have the proper formal attire. Using my black formal suit, shoes, and minimal accessories, I can make the right impression without reducing my budget. In warm weather, I can go to an interview right in a suit, and in cold weather, I can add my usual outerwear, for example, an overcoat. Work clothes, theoretically, may require additional investments and purchases. All healthcare workers, including office workers, must wear a special uniform called scrubs, consisting of a short-sleeved shirt and trousers. This uniform is relatively cheap, and a single set of scrubs can be found on Amazon for about $20-$40 (“Medical assistant’s uniform,” 2019). Most of all, in this context, one needs to take care of shoes since these specialists sometimes have to stand or walk a lot. A good pair of closed-toe shoes can cost around $100, but I have tennis shoes that fit the dress code (“Medical assistant’s uniform,” 2019). However, it must be taken into account that many medical institutions issue uniforms on their own, considering them as consumables, so the choice of purchasing a uniform will depend on the rules of a particular hospital. In any case, it is simple and easy to wear, so it will not entail high costs. Reflecting on the points studied and prepared, I want to note that the new information will affect my budget and life plan very little. In the best case, if the hospital issues uniforms, I won’t have to spend any money at all, as I can wear my existing suit for the interview and shoes for work. In the worst case, I will still be within the budget when I have to buy everything for work. Therefore, I can put that $200 aside and mentally prepare for possible demands from my interviewers. In addition, this study showed that the issue of clothing for interviews and work is not a problem for me, and I am already prepared for it in many respects. References How to become a medical office assistant . (2021). Eagle Gate College. Web. Medical assistant’s uniform. (2019). Dorsey College. Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: In 1985, Universal Pictures released a comic science fiction film known as Back to the Future to entertain millions worldwide. In this fascinating story, the main character Marty McFly agrees to help his scientist friend Doc Brown, but something goes in an unpredictable direction. McFly and Brown are sent back to the 1950s in a time machine, so the viewers can have fun comparing the current and past decades.
In 1985, Universal Pictures released a comic science fiction film known as Back to the Future to entertain millions worldwide. In this fascinating story, the main character Marty McFly agrees to help his scientist friend Doc Brown, but something goes in an unpredictable direction. McFly and Brown are sent back to the 1950s in a time machine, so the viewers can have fun comparing the current and past decades.
A Comic Science Fiction Film “Back to the Future” Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Movie’s Plot: Entertainment and Social Problems 3. Movie’s Main Characters 4. The Temporality in the Back to the Future 5. Film Evaluation and Conclusion 6. Works Cited Introduction In 1985, Universal Pictures released a comic science fiction film known as Back to the Future to entertain millions worldwide. In this fascinating story, the main character Marty McFly agrees to help his scientist friend Doc Brown, but something goes in an unpredictable direction. McFly and Brown are sent back to the 1950s in a time machine, so the viewers can have fun comparing the current and past decades. The main storyline of the film is that McFly is on a mission to get his parents to fall in love again to save his future existence. Such original games with the concept of temporary space are the distinctive “art” signature of the film’s director Robert Zemeckis. Over the years, the film has gained immense popularity and has become one of the greatest masterpieces of the 1980s. Keeping in mind that this movie was made in 1985, it will be argued that the film is great because of its excellent plot structure, character development, and detailed setting. Movie’s Plot: Entertainment and Social Problems Developing a meaningful story is an essential factor in making movies, and Back to the Future does just that. A critical element that made the movie an accomplishment is the plot development. In addition to the fact that the plot is exciting and adventurous throughout the whole film, the film’s creators raise acute societal problems. Finding roots in Barthe’s theorization of myth, Kerrigan indicates the importance of modern films as a tool to understand society and “resolve tensions in our lives” (2). Back to the Future makes people realize the integral value of their decisions and acts on the fate of further generations. Besides, in the context of modern global problems, the effect of “playing” with time in the film may encourage thinking about the human impact on the environment and climate change. Marty and Doc realized how it is easy for minor changes in past events entirely change the future. In this regard, the film’s storyline has some similar patterns to Ray Bradbury’s science fiction short story “A Sound of Thunder”. In short, this story is about how several people used a time machine to go back 66 million years to organize a dinosaur safari. As a result, small interactions with nature made a huge difference when returning to reality – the English letters began to look different, and a completely different US president was elected. The same events could happen in Back to the Future if Marty and Doc committed severe mistakes. As for the viewers, they should realize how plastic pollution and air pollution may influence the world in the future. It is also great to watch films with logical and thoughtful stories. Each plot point has a cause and effect, making it simple to find connections in the movie and why everything later relates. For example, in the first part of the movie, the news on the TV informs the audience that plutonium has been stolen from the state laboratories. Then Marty McFly enters on his skateboard, unaware that the plutonium is under the bed, and proceeds to play his guitar, causing the amp to blow out and knock him over. Thus, in this small plot juncture, the viewer can see the interdependence of numerous factors that determine the nature of the moment. Another example is when a lady approaches Marty asking him to financially support the clock tower. Towards the end of the movie, the film shows why the clock tower had stopped, and Marty was there when it happened, making the first scene relatable to the movie. These scenes are a prime example of how the film connects every stage without leaving the audience confused about what is happening. Movie’s Main Characters Another factor that made the movie such a success is character development. The most exciting aspect is the strikingly different worldviews and interests of Marty McFly and Doc Brown. Doc is a mad scientist; he constantly searches for the next significant invention from the film’s beginning. His character mirrors Marty, who has dreams of being successful with his rock music, but nothing seems to work out for him either. Although Doc and Marty are significantly different, their friendship inspires many teenagers worldwide. Friends do not have to be of the same social or racial origin. Instead, friendship is a universal notion that can break the barriers between different characters and nations. In addition, such entirely different behavior makes the viewers feel engaged in the film’s storyline. Doc’s and Martin’s communication is so unusual and unique that it is hard to miss a minor moment. If the whole family comes to the cinema on Back to the Future , they will find similarities between them and two friends from the movie. The Temporality in the Back to the Future Lastly, the setting was another critical component in making the movie so likable. What made the scene so great was how well the directors could distinguish the time in the past. One quickly discerned the time era difference because certain parts of the town would be missing or not created yet compared to the 80s. Since the movie is based on time traveling, it is essential that the audience can distinctly see what is different and what is going on. For example, during the 1950s, some roads were still dirt compared to the 1980s, which was one of the clear distinctions that the audience could immediately make. In addition, the film is full of references to political and social news and events. Maslin from New York Times indicates that “one of the most appealing things about ”Back to the Future” is its way of putting nostalgia gently in perspective”. A comic episode of Marty announcing to people that Ronald Reagan will become the president of the US, Marty’s mother not knowing the brand Calvin Klein, and all the elements of 1950s pop-culture frame this time. Film Evaluation and Conclusion The art of evaluating films is a complex phenomenon that stays a debatable topic among scholars. The perception of the film can be influenced by political views, the characteristics of watching situations (at home or in the cinema; alone or with friends), the background experience, and so forth (Schnieder 5). Concerning the movie Back to the Future , it allows the young viewer from 2022 to see two different eras of the past. Although this movie was made in the 1980s, its concept of time travel has been an enormous success even to this day. With a strong plot development, creative character development, and a detailed setting, Back to the Future is one of the most memorable movies ever created. It is a great film to watch with the old generation in a cozy atmosphere in the evening. It seems that this film will make the family relationships closer because, during the watching, young and old family members can discuss the differences between the 1950s, 1980s, and 2020s with everyone having the experience to contribute. Works Cited Kerrigan, Finola. “Movies.” Consumption Markets & Culture , vol. 21, no.5, 2018, pp. 503-509. Maslin, Janet. “ In ‘Future,’ Boy Returns to the Past “. New York Times , 1985. Web. Schneider, Frank M. “Measuring Subjective Movie Evaluation Criteria: Conceptual Foundation, Construction, and Validation of the SMEC Scales.” Communication Methods and Measures , vol. 11, no.1, 2017, pp. 49-75.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The community garage sale was a memorable event for its members due to the opportunity to communicate and share memories, objects, and ideas.
The community garage sale was a memorable event for its members due to the opportunity to communicate and share memories, objects, and ideas.
A Community Yard Sale as a Memorable Event Essay Autumn is not generally viewed as an appropriate season for having a garage sale, not to mention that one on a scale of a local community. However, what makes my neighbourhood particularly unique and different from others is its consistent inability to meet expectations (Pyrkosz 147). Either due to some event that occurred too long ago for any of the neighbours to remember or care, or out of sheer need to have something extravagant in the midst of one of the least unpredictable seasons ever, my community has a massive garage sale every autumn. Although the weather and the lingering threat of health issues complicated the task, the community garage sale carried out last fall was one of the highlights of its members’ public life due to the opportunity to communicate and share memories, objects, and ideas. The range and diversity of the items that our numerous neighbours and community members offered as sales items could easily make one feel surprised. Though being admittedly cheap and often worn-out, these items told exciting stories about the lives of their owners (Hassan 68). For instance, some of the kitchenware sold during the event was quite old, with the style thereof allowing tracking down its origin to quite far back in the past. Though these items were certainly not of high price, they still led to rather fascinating revelations about the cultural legacy of their owners and their fascinating life stories. As it often happens during large garage sales, there was some drama. For instance, one of the neighborhood children recognized one of their treasured possessions among the sold items, causing quite a stir. Luckily, the buyer was understanding enough and returned the purchase, which turned out to be a collection of action figures, without any questions. It was truly heartwarming to observe the understanding and cooperation that buyers showed during that garage sale. Furthermore, it was worth noting that a substantial portion of the money collected during the garage sale was donated to assist those in need. Specifically, those suffering from the coronavirus, as well as members of impoverished communities and several local charities, were provided with a portion of the finances form the yard sale. Though the event resulted in a rather humble outcome, the money donated to the specified parties were definitely used to improve the lives of those suffering inequality and health disparities (Arasteh 867). Therefore, the yard sale was not only an important social event and a chance for the participants to earn some money, but also an opportunity to improve the lives of those in need. Apart from the economic benefit that the community garage sale introduced, the chance to share memories, ideas, and emotions was a particularly important part of the event. Though the concept of a yard sale might seem far too common and, therefore, lacking excitement, it, in fact, represents a unique opportunity to communicate and share experiences for the participants involved. Given the diversity of my community, the process was especially enlightening and leading to multiple new insights. Though the season might be seen as unsuitable for a yard sale, especially on a community scale, it di provide a perfect opportunity to embrace the opportunities that it provided and encourage participants to share their ideas. Thus, the weird yet lovely tradition of our community, the fall yard sale has left quite an impact on me. Works Cited Arasteh, Kamyar. “Prevalence of comorbidities and risks associated with COVID-19 among Black and Hispanic populations in New York City: an examination of the 2018 New York City Community Health Survey.” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities , vol. 8, no. 4, 2021, pp. 863-869. Hassan, M., et al. “The effect of project management through e-business and garage sales on poverty reduction.” Journal of Project Management , vol. 7, no. 2, 2022, pp. 65-76. Pyrkosz, Damian S. “Cultural and Social Diversity as an Economic Resource.” Kultura i Społeczeństwo , vol. 65, no. 2, 2021, pp. 141-155.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The mother complex is a psychological theory developed by Carl Jung that explains the emotional attachment between a mother and a child. In the absence of such an attachment, an archetype develops where someone's mother fails to satisfy the essential demands associated with the relationship.
The mother complex is a psychological theory developed by Carl Jung that explains the emotional attachment between a mother and a child. In the absence of such an attachment, an archetype develops where someone's mother fails to satisfy the essential demands associated with the relationship.
A Complex in the “Every Secret Thing” Film by Berg Essay Carl Jung identifies the mother complex with an innate feeling of care at the center of the emotional attachment between a mother and a child. However, in the absence of such an attachment, an archetype develops where someone’s mother fails to satisfy the essential demands associated with the relationship. The outcome leads the victim, the child, to seek comfort elsewhere (Bobroff 35). At the core of the mother complex is the mother archetype, meaning that in every emotional attachment, between the child and the mother, on the one hand, an archetype nourishing and security image manifests. On the other hand, an archetype that devours possessiveness, deprivation, and darkness comes out (Bobroff 36). In the film Every Secret Thing , a complex emotional attachment between Alice and her mother exists and forms the underlying relationship between the two and the association with the kidnaps taking place. The complex relationship between Alice and her mother places Alice at the center of the kidnapping. Hellen is disgusted by Alice to the point of considering Ronnie her child of choice, a position that makes Alice deeply insecure. Moreover, the tension in interracial affairs is associated with the second kidnapping and having born a biracial child while in prison, and given it up for adoption, Alice becomes the primary suspect in the case (Berg). Alice’s mother, the mastermind behind the kidnap, in the first and second cases, and murder, in the first case, plants evidence to ensure Alice stands out as the main suspect. Hellen, through betrayal and deception, purposely Alice ends up in prison (Berg). Further, compared to the indifference in Ronnie’s parents, there is no emotional attachment between the parents and their daughters. As the film comes to an end, the audience learns that not only were Alice and Ronnie falsely imprisoned, the justice system failed to prove that Helen is the killer. Works Cited Berg, Amy. Every Secret Thing . Sky Movies Premiere, 2014. Bobroff, Gary S. Carl Jung . Arcturus. 2020.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: A customer was asked to wear a mask in a Chicago hot dog restaurant and responded by throwing snow at an employee and then breaking a glass door. This incident can be considered an ethical issue because the offender's actions were disproportional to the situation, apart from the obvious property damage offense.
A customer was asked to wear a mask in a Chicago hot dog restaurant and responded by throwing snow at an employee and then breaking a glass door. This incident can be considered an ethical issue because the offender's actions were disproportional to the situation, apart from the obvious property damage offense.
A Customer Told to Wear a Mask Threw Snow at an Employee: Ethical Issue Analysis Essay The article describes a recent Chicago hot dog restaurant incident that can be considered an ethical issue. The incident involved a man who was asked to wear a mask to use the restaurant’s services (Sutton, 2022). In response, the man offended the restaurant employee by throwing snow in their face several times (Sutton, 2022). Additionally, the offender broke the glass door with an unknown object (Sutton, 2022). This incident can be considered an ethical issue because the offender’s actions were disproportional to the situation, apart from the obvious property damage offense. Furthermore, throwing snow at an employee might not count as illegal; however, it is blatantly disrespectful toward an individual. A utilitarian point of view would consider this incident wrong by examining the consequences of the offender’s actions. The seeming reason behind the offender’s behavior is the employee’s request to wear a mask, which is the state’s mandate. Utilitarianism would view the restaurant visitor’s decision to commit an offense against the employee and the restaurant’s property, starting with the consequences of these actions. Since the result is a broken glass door and an innocent employee that suffered, the consequences are harmful. As such, from the utilitarian point of view, the actions can be considered wrong. The Kantian moral theory views an issue as irrational since following the moral law and duty is rational behavior. Offering an innocent individual and damaging the restaurant’s property can be immoral. As such, dismissing the moral law renders the offender irrational in the eyes of a follower of a Kantian moral theory. I believe that utilitarianism is the most logical way to conclude this ethical problem. The reason for that is that negative consequences for anybody can be the best moral compass for almost any decision. The Kantian moral theory is based on moral law, which can be subjective in some people’s minds. As such, according to Kantian theory, some people might disagree that the incident is an ethical issue. In contrast, according to utilitarianism, a negative impact on any individual renders an action wrong. References Sutton, J. (2022). A customer told to wear a mask in a Chicago hot dog restaurant threw snow at an employee and then broke a glass door . CNN. Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The essay discusses the disconnect between public transportation and destinations, and how it can be improved. The author argues that one realistic way to commute is using private means of transport instead of public transport, as city planning and development make public transportation complicated in the way transportation occurs, resulting in a lack of sense of how it works. They also discuss the issue of social contact increases with density, resulting in unpredictable and undesired interactions.
The essay discusses the disconnect between public transportation and destinations, and how it can be improved. The author argues that one realistic way to commute is using private means of transport instead of public transport, as city planning and development make public transportation complicated in the way transportation occurs, resulting in a lack of sense of how it works. They also discuss the issue of social contact increases with density, resulting in unpredictable and undesired interactions.
A Disconnect Between Public Transportation and Destinations Essay One realistic way to commute is using private means of transport instead of public transport. City planning and development make public transportation complicated in the way transportation occurs, resulting in a lack of sense of how it works. As shown in the video, there is a disconnect between public transportation and destinations (Vox, 2020). The underlying reason for the disconnect is the design with which the road network was built. Public transportation was designed to help people commute from outside the cities inwards and vice versa. Therefore, the interstate commute was not factored in when planning public transportation. Most studies show that most Americans today commute between suburban routes that are not served by the public transport system (Vox, 2020). Not only did that result in the creation of car culture, but it also made it difficult to commute between suburbs on foot once public transportation on reaching the designed destination. Moreover, the reality of the use of public transport service is the issue of private space. Evans and Wener (2006) argue that public transportation lies more with density and its inability to capture commuters’ experience in any given space. The issue of social contact increases with density, resulting in unpredictable and undesired interactions. With a lack of appreciation for the private commuter and how to move between suburbs, public transportation makes it less convenient to use when commuting in the suburbs. An insurmountable level of stress is associated with public transportation resulting in a lack of privacy (Evans & Wener, 2006). The experience is made worse, particularly during rushing hours, where body contact increases with the movement among passengers. There must be changes in how the government plans for this form of commute to use public transportation, and the responsible institutions must ensure reliability in how neighborhoods are connected. There must be a leeway with which buses move between suburbs, making it possible to access them. Moreover, time intervals in how the buses reach the neighborhoods are also critical. For example, investing in basic operations on improving fundamental operations is critical in achieving better outcomes in Toronto. Funding by the government on projects associated with improving public transportation would significantly contribute to how the mode of transportation will be redesigned. The major challenge with public transportation is, as established, the lack of privacy. With the long distances covered on foot after using trains and buses, public transportation results in more stress than private vehicles. As such, challenging the pillars of public transportation and restructuring how the system allows for inter-suburb transportation is a key milestone that must be met to facilitate the same levels of convenience as private vehicles. The government must first change its perspective on public transportation by looking at it from a public service rather than from a capitalist point of view. That would mean more investment in operations from a different approach to how the sector would benefit the citizens. Restructuring trains and buses are stopping points to minimize the walking distance between stops and respective workplaces. Currently, this distance is approximated to be 45 minutes, and changing it to let us say between five and ten minutes, will go a long way to improve my ability to use public transportation. The level of convenience would improve, maybe better than with the use of private transportation, and that would mean changing priorities in the means of transportation used. References Evans, G. W., & Wener, R. E. (2007). Crowding and personal space invasion on the train: Please don’t make me sit in the middle. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 27, 1, 90-94. Vox. (2020). Why American public transit is so bad [Video]. Youtube. Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The study represented a decrease in the HIV infection rate of girls in school by stabilizing their families' financial difficulties.
The study represented a decrease in the HIV infection rate of girls in school by stabilizing their families' financial difficulties.
“A Drug Called Money” The Economist Study Essay The primary source for this study is the general medical journal The Lancet. It publishes the survey data and provides statistics and a comparative analysis of the obtained quantitative information. The Economist can be seen as a secondary source that describes research with less digital content. The study represents a decrease in the HIV infection rate of girls in school by stabilizing their families’ financial difficulties. The World Bank funded the study to demonstrate the value of money in reducing the spread of HIV among young, poor girls. The study was authored by Berk Özler, Lead Economist and Poverty Research Manager. The medical journal The Lancet presented statistics based on a survey in the Zomba district of Malawi (G.C. 2). The Economist later summarized the study with the most critical findings from the analysis. Thus, 1,300 unmarried girls aged 13 to 22 took part in the study. This is a sufficient number of subjects to consider the prevalence of HIV in poor areas. The sampling took place with the help of a computer, so the girls fell into different experimental groups randomly. Thus, a group stood out in which girls and their families were given small amounts of money every month, girls paid to attend school, and girls left without financial support. Based on the study, it can be concluded that the subjects who received the money in both groups showed a significant reduction in the spread of the virus. However, test subjects with no money were forced to look for a sugar daddy. Therefore, in this group of issues, the statistics of the spread of HIV were preserved. Thus, the drug called money is adequate and affects the spread of STDs. The implication is that the global community needs funding to stop the spread of HIV. However, research and further assistance to young girls have several limitations. Firstly, it is hard to understand how much money each person needs to stop looking for sugar daddies and move on with their lives. Moreover, the study was conducted over 18 months, so it is impossible to assess how it will work in the long term Work Cited G.C. “ A Drug Called Money ”. The Economist. 2012. Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The article examines the changing nature of the models that are used to value bonds. According to the authors of this article, the global bond market can no longer be predicted using the old bond valuation methods.
The article examines the changing nature of the models that are used to value bonds. According to the authors of this article, the global bond market can no longer be predicted using the old bond valuation methods.
$100 Trillion Bond Market Renders Models Useless Essay The article is titled “Unstoppable $100 Trillion Bond Market Renders Models Useless” and it is jointly authored by Dave Liedtka and Susanne Walker. The article examines the changing nature of the models that are used to value bonds. According to the authors of this article, the global bond market can no longer be predicted using the old bond valuation methods. The article appears in the June online edition of “Financial Press” and it encompasses views from several financial experts. The article also uses examples from some of the leading world economies such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The authors of this article begin by noting that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has reevaluated the methodologies that it uses to estimate the yields on bonds. The fact that the earlier methods of estimation have failed to work is the main reason behind this reevaluation. The article also notes that the Fed and central banks have stimulated the global bond market to a tune of $100 trillion. This stimulation has made it difficult for financial analysts to predict the outlook of the bond market. One of the cited incidences of flawed bond market prediction involves campaigns by central banks. These campaigns have sought to assure investors about the profitability of the bond market. The article refers to current data and statistics that indicate that the global average return on bonds stands at 3.89 percent. On the other hand, the average return on 10-year bonds stands at 2.48 percent. The disparity between these rates is a testament of how unpredictable the bond market has become. The New York Fed has updated its metric of predicting the productivity of 10-year bonds. The new strategy excludes all human-based predictions and only factors in the market prices. The authors of this article argue that even if most investors predict minimal yields on bonds, they are forecasting that borrowing costs will increase as the economy gains momentum. The yield of 10-year bonds is estimated to reach 3.25 percent in 2015. It is also noted that the United States’ interest rates have been near-zero over the last six years. This development has led to complacency among bond investors due to the low yields on bonds. Therefore, it is concluded that the United States treasury bonds are relatively expensive. The article quotes one investment expert who claims that “the treasury market is overvalued” (Liedtka and Walker 1). Central banks and the Fed are floating colossal amounts of money into the economy making it hard for financial analysts to predict the outcomes of the short-term bond market. The article also notes that the benchmark rates of the major economies stand at less than 1 percent. The Fed representatives attribute the current low benchmark rates to high unemployment rates and rising inflation. However, the authors of this article note that the bond market is still a viable investment avenue because it cautions investors against inflation and a waning global economy. This article relates to most of the subject matters that were covered in class involving interest rates, bond valuation, and market drivers. Chapter six of “Essentials of Corporate Finance” contains several matters that are addressed by this article. For instance, the book contains a section on market drivers that outlines how risks and inflation rates influence investors’ choices (Westerfield, Ross and Jordan XXXX). In addition, chapter six also contains subtopics about bonds’ characteristics and their valuation methodologies. Works Cited Liedtka, Dave and Susanne Walker. Unstoppable $100 Trillion Bond Market Renders Models Useless. Financial Press . Financial Press Magazine, 2014. Web. Westerfield, Randolph, Stephen Ross and Bradford Jordan. Essentials of Corporate Finance 8th ed , New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2013. Print.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The essay discusses the importance of understanding migrant health issues in order to provide them with the care.Their living standards are poor hence they hardly afford all basic needs as expected (National Organisation for Public Health Nursing, 2009). There are laws made by states that also deny them the benefits of public funds thereby leading to few insurance cover among them.
The essay discusses the importance of understanding migrant health issues in order to provide them with the care. Their living standards are poor hence they hardly afford all basic needs as expected (National Organisation for Public Health Nursing, 2009). There are laws made by states that also deny them the benefits of public funds thereby leading to few insurance cover among them.
A Community Health Nursing-Related Migrant Health Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Importance of the topic 3. Analysis of the articles 4. Importance of finding the solution 5. Professionals to be included 6. References Introduction A migrant, in a general view, is an individual who moves and never settles at a particular place. The United States Public Health Service discovered that there were 3.5 million migrants, seasonal workers and frame workers in the U.S. In most cases, migrants are immigrants who lack enough skills and employment opportunities. They travel with their families but return to their homes during winter. Most of them live in Mexico and Puerto Rico where they have established homes. 2% of migrant frame workers are African American while the rest are Asian and Caribbean. As result of this movement, their children are often forced to change schools so often. Importance of the topic This topic is important because migrant health issues have been raised by various non-governmental organizations and agencies. The situations that they face are of great concern hence they need to be quickly addressed. Human rights activists also often blame governments whenever migrants suffer from poor health. Various nursing innovative interventions have been created but they do not solve the essential issues that affect migrants’ health. Therefore, there is need to understand what they go through in order to come up with solutions. Community health nursing practices require nurses to offer follow-up programs to individuals. It is important to note that this is rare among the migrants. In most migrant camps, AIDS victims often suffer rejection because there is no one to counsel and encourage them. Due to poor health facilities, most migrant even prescribe their own drugs whenever they feel sick. This is very dangerous and can lead to severe disorders. It is important to understand migrants’ health issues so as to provide health care to them. Nurses who come up with community outreach programs need to have in mind their working environment and prepare adequately before reaching out to migrants. The staff also lacks communication skills because they do not understand the languages of migrants. The nurses can involve the community in their outreach programs because they seem to understand their problems better. The services are often offered during working hours thereby denying migrants the health benefits. Such challenges, including transportation services, can be handled by first understanding a migrant’s heath issues. Analysis of the articles Migrants face a lot of problems in their homes and places of work. Their living standards are poor hence they hardly afford all basic needs as expected (National Organisation for Public Health Nursing, 2009). There are laws made by states that also deny them the benefits of public funds thereby leading to few insurance cover among them. The condition at their places of work is also not good despite pleas from various lobby groups. Some of them die from diseases that can be treated because they lack health fertilities. Their occupation too is considered hazardous. At work, they inhale and ingest pesticides which contain toxic chemicals that can damage their body system. Every year, almost 300 children lose their lives and 2400 are injured in farm-work. Housing regulations have been set to favor the migrant workers but their number keeps increasing every day. Due to the large number, their homes are congested and poorly ventilated. Several studies have showed that 40% of migrants positively test for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases (National Organisation for Public Health Nursing, 2009). Their drinking water is also contaminated due to the poor hygiene hence increasing the risks of communicable diseases. Health care issues faced by migrants are the same problems experienced by other disadvantaged populations. However, factors such as difficult working and living conditions, mobility and cultural isolation put their life into more risks. People who have had an experience with migrant workers know that in such areas, common diseases often occur and they are server because there are no prevention mechanisms. It is more expensive to treat than to prevent. As a result money spent to cure the ailments can be used in other follow-up programs. A research done by American public health Association in 2011 showed that the eating and cooking facilities for migrants do not measure up to the required standards in a number of camps (American Public Health Association, 2008). Medical practitioners should, therefore, step in and educate them on the safety measures they should in their homes. Providing them with enough materials is also important because some of them lack enough money to acquire credible cooking equipments. Drugs meant for the treatment of cholera should be provided in large amount due to the high probability of its outbreak as a result of dirty environment. These people also have mental health problems caused by wrangles that arise during acculturation, isolation and discrimination. A research study done in 2000 showed a 26.7% case of psychiatric disorders among a group of adult migrants in California (Fredrick, 2012). A national survey involving male migrants showed that 26% experienced sexual abuse. Children were not left out because some of them are normally forced to work at a tender age without payments and this affects them psychologically. Once they drop out of school, they become idol and vulnerable thereby hating themselves and their lives hence some resort to committing suicide. There is lack of awareness among the migrants because the community looks down upon them. Dental problems such as gingivitis and baby bottle tooth decay are common among these people (Fredrick, 2012). Some remedies do not necessarily involve medical experts but the communities that live with the migrants. The perception of the people who live with migrants should change through social events. Once the perception of the community is changed, volunteers can offer to help out with community outreach programs and educate them on safety measures that can be taken to curb dental complications. Parental health insurance programs are also affected by the frequent move of migrants. This does not only affect the immigrants but also the socioeconomic future of Americans. If the young generation is not protected against ailments, the nation is bound to have no future (American Public Health Association, 2008). There are no policies that allow for the moving of individuals to cover for their families so the children are left exposed to health risks. Insurance companies should consider coming up with a solution to handle this in order to save the children who die from diseases that can be addressed because of poverty. John F. Kennedy encouraged the establishment of a health system for migrants. This bureau of primary health care administered an effective health program to the migrants. However, studies found that the services offered were not reaching all the migrants. It was, therefore, not serving its intended purpose and migrants were still facing their daily health problems despite the intervention. The blame was on the developers of the system and not the system itself. The responsibility of the public health nurses was to ensure practical work was done to support the health systems and reports were provided after some period of time. John F. Kennedy had the migrants at heart but lacked the support of willing professionals. The policies set by the state affect the participation of immigrants in publicly funded health insurance programs. The Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity and reconciliation act of 1996 denied the migrants a chance to benefit from public funds which included health insurance. Due to the concerns created by various lobby groups, other states decided to assist immigrants by medically covering them with state funds. Until today, the decision on whether to lawfully cover residing migrant families has received mixed reactions. The bodies concerned have advocated for more agencies to support the program. With all the efforts already put, the long struggle can come to an end. The 1996 rule of the illegal immigration reform was misinterpreted by the local people as a plan for the U.S government to levy more taxes on people in order to increase public funds. Medicaid, for instance, was free for all until the ruling was made and to date migrant children who require regular health attention are still suffering. Studies have shown that approximately 44.3 percent of migrant parents insure their children. 34 percent are publically insured while the remaining are not. Health insurance is believed to be for a certain group of individuals hence migrants are left out to believe that they cannot afford to pay for insurance cover. Importance of finding the solution It is important to find solutions to the problems faced by migrants in order to have a constant focus in migrant health. Lots of money is spent on such programs to provide long term services that are available hence there should be no room for mistakes. Every human being is entitled to a healthy living condition no matter what they do. All the stake holders should stick to their professional ethics to combat the problem and create a better environment for migrants. Working together with the communities that live among the migrants can also help develop a bond and improve health awareness. Professionals to be included For better services, professionals should be employed to conduct the migrant health outreach programs. All the medical practitioners are expected to play a role in the program. Dentists and doctors should treat presented cases while nurses should conduct outreach programs. In order to provide continued care, follow-ups should be conducted on parental care programs and treatment of diabetes. Careful planning should also be conducted by agencies that lobby for better health care. Portable records with all the information on the treatment should be provided to the migrants to help them whenever they travel since they are not based in a particular place. Board of Registered Nurses in California, Kansas State Nurses, Health Protection Agency-centre for Infection and Folk stone Migrant Support Group are among the bodies that should take part in the decision to change the situation. References American Public Health Association. (2008). Cooking and Eating Fercility in Migrant Frame worker. American journal of public health , 78-84. Fredrick, M. (2012). Community Outreach. Family and Community Health , 40-41. National Organisation for Public Health Nursing. (2009). Migrant Worker. The Public Health Journal , 50-56.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The paper reflects on The Wire's third season, which follows the theme of the first season (illegal drug trade) in Baltimore. The paper also shows how institutional failures create a cycle of impoverishment among America's urban poor.Lessons LearnedThe Wire offers a glimpse into the world of illegal drug trade in America. It also highlights how the industry is controlled by a few powerful people. For example, the paper shows that the drug trade is controlled by a few powerful people who use their positions to avoid prosecution. In addition, the paper highlights how the justice system is often unable to effectively deter the drug trade. The paper also shows how the public is often unable to understand the full extent of the drug problem.
The paper reflects on The Wire's third season, which follows the theme of the first season (illegal drug trade) in Baltimore. The paper also shows how institutional failures create a cycle of impoverishment among America's urban poor. Lessons Learned The Wire offers a glimpse into the world of illegal drug trade in America. It also highlights how the industry is controlled by a few powerful people. For example, the paper shows that the drug trade is controlled by a few powerful people who use their positions to avoid prosecution. In addition, the paper highlights how the justice system is often unable to effectively deter the drug trade. The paper also shows how the public is often unable to understand the full extent of the drug problem.
The Wire: A Crime-Drama Television Series Essay (Review) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Institutional Failures 3. Community Struggles 4. Lessons Learned 5. Conclusion 6. Works Cited Introduction The Wire was a crime-drama television series that aired from 2002 to 2008. It mainly explored the community struggles of impoverished urban youth in America (through illegal drug trade). The producers of the series based it in Baltimore City, Maryland. Its narrative highlighted how the city’s police department struggled to contain the drug menace in the state. Although HBO aired more than four seasons of the series, this paper reflects on its third season, which follows the theme of the first season (illegal drug trade) in Baltimore (season two focused on drug shipment at the port). Although this paper mainly reflects on community struggles and conflict in the wire , it also focuses on showing how institutional failures create a cycle of impoverishment among America’s urban poor. The last section of this paper shows the lessons learned from the series. Institutional Failures The Wire shows how institutional failures and education system inadequacies have contributed to the growing social and economic challenges that affect the urban youth in America. For example, many people are aware of the high unemployment rate in the African-American community. Relative to this observation, Chaddha (9) says many young African-American men suffered from high unemployment rates before the 2007/2008 economic crisis (HBO aired the last season of The Wire before the crisis started). The Wire shows the unemployment reality by highlighting the link between institutional failures and community impoverishment. Supported by years of failing schools and government neglect, many African-American men have faced several social and economic challenges that have forced them to take part in the drug trade. For example, Chaddha (9) says, only 54% of African-American men had a job before the 2007/2008 financial crisis. Comparatively, about 75% of white males had a job during this time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a grimmer picture of these struggles because it shows that after the recession, the level of unemployment soared in the African-American community (Chaddha 9). Institutional failures outline the main theme of the series, which builds a narrative that indirectly shows how they contribute to the problems facing many young people in urban America. Overall, the wire shows how institutional failures have contributed to the disappearance of jobs and the impoverishment of urban communities. It also highlights how a “shady” world of politics supports incompetence in police investigations and inhibits police ineffectiveness through bureaucracy and excessive institutional control. The creators of the series also do not spare secondary institutional voices (or the lack of it) through media negligence (failing to highlight the important issues facing the community). Comprehensively, they show how institutional failures contribute to the problems facing the urban poor in America. Community Struggles Although indirectly tied to social and economic challenges of the urban poor, the wire shows how young and hopeless Baltimore men created powerful organizations from the illegal drug trade. Despite the unrelenting quest by the police department to stop the criminal activities of these organizations, the criminals change their business model by venturing into legitimate businesses (running from the law). Partly, the audience could understand what drives many of the young men into the illegal drug trade because institutional failures “conspire” to limit opportunities for the young men to thrive (institutional failures fuel community struggles and conflict in the Baltimore society). This relationship highlights the structure of inequality in America and the role of the “system” in contributing to the social and economic challenges of the urban poor. Relative to this observation, Chaddha (10) says, “Widespread incarceration of the urban poor aggravates economic inequality, masking the hardship in urban communities and producing a growing population of ex-convicts unable to find stable jobs to support their families.” The challenges witnessed by the officers in managing the drug problem and the little success they make in prosecuting the drug lords instill a sense of hopelessness among the audience, who now begin to understand that the war on drugs may never be won. Although this is an unfortunate realization, it is interesting to watch how the police casually interact with street-level peddlers, and how they come to know one another in an endless string of arrests and releases. In fact, after watching several episodes of the third season, the arrests made at the street level become a “routine procedure” and do not seem to have an impact on either the police or the arrested drug peddlers. Despite the merits of the arguments highlighted in this paper, it is important to explore the often thought about, but rarely spoken about, racial stereotypes that could affect how viewers understand the community struggles depicted in the wire . For example, Chaddha (14) says the series reinforces racial stereotypes about African-American communities and their perceived widespread involvement in criminal activities and drug use. Stated differently, at “face value,” the wire almost reinforces the belief that African-Americans are “lazy,” depend on welfare, and “lost” in a criminal world. However, after deeply assessing the series, the audience could understand how the show departs from this mentality to create a deeper understanding of the social and economic problems facing the community. Mainly, it shows that, unlike the popular belief that African-Americans are “authors” of their own struggles, forces that are beyond their control limit their prosperity. Lessons Learned After seeing the wire for the first time, one would easily assume that it is another television program showing urban life in the African-American community. However, after closely looking at the series, clearly, the program is more than that. Mainly, it shows how communities struggle to make a living and how law enforcers have trouble maintaining law and order in a culture characterized by high unemployment rates, murders, and “street mentality.” The series shows the difficulty in managing the drug problem from one perspective. In fact, it shows that using a “one-size-fits-all” approach would not work, as a long-term solution to the Baltimore drug problem. Instead, it shows the merits of using multifaceted, and sometimes unconventional approaches to managing the illegal drug trade. The multifaceted approach highlights several instances where the police manage conflict well. For example, in season three, a newly appointed police chief (Howard Colvin) instructs his officers to allow young drug peddlers to sell drugs in designated areas of the city ( Hamsterdam ) (Vint 80). He also says the police would arrest anyone selling drugs outside the designated zones. This approach is an unconventional method of managing the Baltimore drug problem and caused many controversies in the police department because some senior officers saw the intervention as illegal, while others saw it as an effective way of controlling the street gangs. Contrary to the expectations of the critics, the strategy reduces crime, but when senior officers learn about it, they force Colvin to abandon this strategy and resign from the department. Although the police abandoned the intervention, it highlights one instance where the police managed the conflict well. Overall, the series shows the difficulties that law enforcers encounter in managing the illegal drug trade. For example, the officers make little progress in managing the drug problem by making street-level arrests. Therefore, they realize that they cannot make significant progress if they do not arrest the drug kingpins. Similarly, the audience understands that although the police may have limited successes in solving some aspects of the drug war, the trade still goes on. For example, if they arrest one drug lord, another one comes up. For example, towards the end of season three, with the help of some insiders, the police “destroy” Barksdale’s criminal empire by arresting its main players. Similarly, other gang members kill their leader (Stringer Bell). The end of this criminal empire seems like a significant success for the police because, since the start of the series, the police had always tried to infiltrate Barksdale’s criminal empire, to no avail. However, as the Barksdale Empire collapses, another one comes up (the Marlo gang) (Marlo 61). They continue the same criminal activities that their predecessors engaged in. Overall, the audience comes to understand that the drug war is a “zero-sum game” because different gangs fill the void left by previous criminals. The endless strings of arrests, which aim to stop criminal activities in Baltimore city, highlight only one challenge faced by the police. The changing nature of criminal activities also highlights a different challenge that the police face. This challenge manifests in season three when Stringer Bell uses the money he got from the drug trade to do legitimate business. This way, he aims to “cover his tracks” by delinking himself from the illegal drug trade. However, his criminal past haunts him and later leads to his death before he could actualize his ambitions to transform the Barksdale Empire into a legitimate business group. Nonetheless, his quest to transform the business created a significant challenge for the police to link him to the drug business. Moreover, when the police tried to follow the drug money, they uncover a deep political connection between drug traffickers and politicians. This connection poses a unique challenge to the police department because they are unable to arrest the drug kingpins without associating the names of powerful politicians in the process. This challenge is not unique to the drug problem because it highlights the challenges that law enforcers face when they try to trace illegal money (laundered through legitimate businesses). For an aspiring criminal law practitioner, the wire shows the complexity of investigating criminal activities and prosecuting criminal gangs. Indeed, although the activities of such criminal gangs may seem simple, they are not. Therefore, adopting simple solutions to complex criminal activities is wrong. Overall, the series helps me to change my focus regarding how to approach criminal problems. Conclusion The Wire helps us to understand the complexity of crime and the need to approach it from a multifaceted perspective. Particularly, it is important to do so because the show helps us to understand crime through the perspective of community struggles, social inequality, and institutional failures. More so, the series helps us to understand how the drug war fuels these institutional failures and offers short-term remedies to community struggles. Although it is difficult to comprehend the connection among these facets of the society, creatively, the wire shows how social, political, and economic forces shape the lives of the urban poor in America. Indeed, although the series is mainly fictional, it does a better job in portraying real social problems among America’s urban poor than any other production series of its time. Works Cited Chaddha, Anmol . Why we’re Teaching ‘The Wire’ at Harvard. 2010. Web. Vint, Sherryl. The Wire : Contemporary Approaches To Film and Television Series: TV Milestones TV Milestones , Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 2013. Print.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The article discusses the subject of criminology and how it has helped the human race to understand the special characteristics of the social system. It also mentions some of the articles that have been put forth to address the subject of criminology.
The article discusses the subject of criminology and how it has helped the human race to understand the special characteristics of the social system. It also mentions some of the articles that have been put forth to address the subject of criminology.
Addressing the Subject of Criminology Annotated Bibliography Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Annotated Bibliography 3. Conclusion 4. Reference List Introduction Criminology is an important part of contemporary society. It has helped the human race to understand the special characteristics of the social system. Many researchers have written about various issues in criminology. They have cited the available evidence concerning the natural world, degree, administration, power, penalty, and hindrance of unlawful conduct, both on the personal and communal positions. The following is a critique of some of the articles that have been put forth to address the subject of criminology. Annotated Bibliography Austin, A., & Hardyman, D. (2004). The Risks and Needs of the Returning Prisoner Population. Review of Policy Research, 21 (1), 13-29. Austin and Hardyman (2004) analyze the important issue of attending to prisoners who have just been brought from rehabilitation and correctional facilities. They assess their risks and needs in society. Austin and Hardyman’s (2004) analysis of several other studies shows how the returning prisoners may be a threat to society and the public. However, their discussions regard the threat posed by ex-cons as being significantly little. These researchers also conclude that the needs of the released prisoners should not restrict their release. The findings of this research are based on significantly little evidence and a small sample over a short period. Therefore, such findings may not be completely useful in concluding. Bahr, S. (2005). The Reentry Process: How Parolees Adjust to Release from Prison. Fathering, 3 (3), 243-265. Bahr’s (2005) research is similar to the article by Austin and Hardyman (2004) since the two studies investigate almost similar characteristics and factors that have to be considered when handling people who have been freed from jail. Bahr’s article investigates the reentry of parolees into society. It also examines some of the factors and variables that determine the probability of returning to prison. This study is commendable because it establishes positive factors that relate to individuals who stay out of prison. An important variable that the research manages to demonstrate is family support. Prisoners and parolees are less likely to get adequate family support after their release from prison. Bayse, J. (1991). Family Life Education: An Effective Tool for Prisoner Rehabilitation. Family Relations, 43 (3), 254-257. Bayse (1991) investigates the relationship between family support and prisoners’ rehabilitation success. The study utilizes data from a population that is similar to the one used in Bahr’s (2005) study. The participating inmates are 54. After participating in a family program, the number of inmates who report narcissism reduces significantly. This research is an ingenious method of demonstrating how family relationships positively contribute to rehabilitation. Belenko, S. (2006). Assessing Released Inmates for Substance-Abuse-Related Service Needs. Crim e and Delinquency, 52 (1), 94-113. There is often a relationship between criminality and substance abuse. Many researchers have found a connection between the two. Belenko (2006) is one of the researchers who expound further on the relationship between drug abuse and crime. He assesses the need for drug-related services for inmates who are released from prison. He also evaluates the possibility of using new assessment tools that are psychometrically sound in the management of risks that prisoners pose to society. The researcher proposes several themes and suggestions in the management of drug conditions. This study is important since it provides additional management for prisoners who have drug abuse problems. Belenko, S., & Pugh, J. (2005). Estimating drug treatment needs among state prison inmates. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 77 (1), 269-281. Belenko and Pugh (2005) investigate the need for treatment of inmates who have been using drugs. They begin with an analysis of studies that show drug abuse as a positive relationship between being in prison and using drugs. Their assessment reveals a large relationship between drug abuse and crime in the US. Their data from over 275 prisons and over 14000 prisoners reveal that there is inadequate treatment for these prisoners about their drug problem. This study is useful because it allows the provision of important knowledge on the rehabilitation of prisoners in the line of drug abuse. Hairston, F. (1990). Family ties during imprisonment. Do they influence future criminal Activity? Federal Probation , 52 (1), 48–52. Hairston (1990) emphasizes the relationship between imprisonment and family ties. Readjustment while in prison is linked to the support that individuals have along the family lines and the resources that are available to them. Family relationships are noted as influencing how prisoners relate with their inmates, the guards, and whether they engage in criminal activities upon release from prison. Hairston (1990) states that the number of programs that are aimed at family support is increasing. However, Hairston (1990) states that the available family programs for inmates have relatively little contribution in reducing recidivism. The study incorporates the findings of other studies in its decision-making. Hence, it is less authentic in its conclusions. Holtfreter, K. (2004). Poverty, State Capital, and Recidivism among Women Offenders. Criminology and Public Policy, 3 (2), 185-208. Recidivism among women prisoners is a topic that has little studies around it. Holtfreter (2004) makes an important contribution to the topic by carrying out the above study, which investigates the relationship between state support for female offenders and the success of rehabilitation. The research is well organized with special statistical tools being used to support the available conclusions. The conclusions include the finding that addressing short-term needs for female inmates is associated with a significant reduction of recidivism. Judging by the professionalism that the study is conducted through, the conclusions are appropriate, and the research is well-grounded. Laub, J. (1998). Trajectories of Change in Criminal Offending: Good Marriages and the Desistance Process. American Sociological Review, 63 (1), 225–38. Laub (1998) studies the relationship between family and criminal offenses. The main difference between this study and the above studies is that the researcher studies family about marriage. The conclusion is that marriage is significant in creating family bonds, which are associated with reduced criminal offenses. The study is timely. It supports the available evidence on the relationship between crime and social support. The methodology that is used in the study has not been proven over the last few decades. However, the conclusions are supported by the available research in the area. Levinson, J., & Morenson, W. (2006). Risk Assessment in Child Sexual Abuse Cases. Child Welfare, 75 (1), 59-82. Levinson and Morenson (2006) assess the available evidence on risk assessment in child sexual abuse cases. The initial impression in their study is that there is progress in the risk assessment for these children. These researchers propose the use of better tools in the prediction of child abuse, especially sexual abuse. The current management of child abuse cases is better than what was the practice over the last few years. The authors insist on better measures in the prediction of maltreatment for children. This research is an important addition to the available evidence on the management of child abuse, although it only provides suggestions with no particular measure being suggested. Messina, N. (2006). Predictors of Prison-Based Treatment Outcomes: A Comparison of Men and Women Participants. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse , 32 (2), 7–28. In this last research, the prison-based treatment for some of the prisoner conditions is assessed about other forms of treatment. The researcher evaluates the differences between female and male populations based on the results reported for each gender (Messina, 2006). This research is commendable since it offers an important link for some of the researchers who look for information on the topic. The methodology is effective and important in the conclusions. Therefore, the research can be used in other references to arrive at other conclusions. Conclusion The above studies demonstrate the relationship between social interactions and crime. Most of them support the theory that prisoners are better corrected when their social bonds are intact. The studies also propose several interventions where the social bonds are broken. The summarized information can be useful for any researcher who wants to get a rough picture of the subject of criminology. Reference List Austin, A., & Hardyman, D. (2004). The Risks and Needs of the Returning Prisoner Population. Review of Policy Research, 21 (1), 13-29. Bahr, S. (2005). The Reentry Process: How Parolees Adjust to Release from Prison. Fathering, 3 (3), 243-265. Bayse, J. (1991). Family Life Education: An Effective Tool for Prisoner Rehabilitation. Family Relations, 43 (3), 254-257. Belenko, S. (2006). Assessing Released Inmates for Substance-Abuse-Related Service Needs. Crim e and Delinquency, 52 (1), 94-113. Belenko, S., & Pugh, J. (2005). Estimating drug treatment needs among state prison inmates. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 77 (1), 269-281. Hairston, F. (1990). Family ties during imprisonment. Do they influence future criminal Activity? Federal Probation , 52 (1), 48–52. Holtfreter, K. (2004). Poverty, State Capital, and Recidivism among Women Offenders” Criminology and Public Policy, 3 (2), 185-208. Laub, J. (1998). Trajectories of Change in Criminal Offending: Good Marriages and the Desistance Process. American Sociological Review, 63 (1), 225–38. Levinson, J., & Morenson, W. (2006). Risk Assessment in Child Sexual Abuse Cases. Child Welfare, 75 (1), 59-82. Messina, N. (2006). Predictors of Prison-Based Treatment Outcomes: A Comparison of Men and Women Participants. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse , 32 (2), 7–28.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: A fall as a significant clinical issue can be the signal for a serious health problem. Despite the fact that falls occur quite frequently in a number of people, the nature of the problem is quite hard to nail down and requires thorough research.
A fall as a significant clinical issue can be the signal for a serious health problem. Despite the fact that falls occur quite frequently in a number of people, the nature of the problem is quite hard to nail down and requires thorough research.
A Fall as a Significant Clinical Issue Essay Syncope, also known as a fall, is an important clinical issue that may be the signal for a serious health problem. Despite the fact that falls occur quite frequently in a number of people, the nature of the problem is quite hard to nail down and requires thorough research. More to the point, considering a fall a symptom of a specific disease is hardly possible, seeing how a fall can be caused by a range of factors. Despite the fact that falls are extremely frequent, the range of health issues that they can be a symptom of is truly impressive, which means that the nature of falls must be studied closer. Unlike many medical issues, whose causes are very hard to nail down based on the symptoms, the phenomenon in question has a rather distinct definition: “Syncope is a sudden, transient loss of consciousness associated with an inability to maintain postural tone” (Molzen, Suter & Whitson, 2001, p. 1). More to the point, a very thick line is drawn between syncope and such phenomena as “seizure, coma, vertigo, hypoglycemia, and other states of altered consciousness” (Molzen, Suter & Whitson, 2001, p. 1). According to the latest research, a specific evaluation of the phenomenon must be conducted so that the cause should be defined and the source of the problem could be located (Strickberger et al., 2006). Syncope may signify a loss of the blood supply, lack of oxygen or the absence of glucose. Such a problem as a head injury received previously and not properly tended to can be considered the factors triggering the aforementioned effects (Strickberger et al., 2006), yet the entire palette of factors that may have led to the blood, glucose, or oxygen deprivation is truly ample. Reference List Houser, J. (2014). Nursing research: Reading, using and creating evidence (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Molzen, G. W., Suter, R. E. & Whitson, R. W. (2001). Clinical policy: Critical issues in the evaluation and management of patients presenting with syncope. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 37 (6), 771–776. Strickberger, A., Benson, D., Biaggioni, I., Callans, D. J., Cohen, M. I., Ellebogen, K. A., … & Sila, C. A. (2006). AHA/ACCF scientific statement on the evaluation of syncope. Circulation, 113 (2), 316–327.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : In the text, the author discusses the issue of market unpredictability and how to fight it. He notes that while some factors might indicate the changes that will most likely occur to a specific market in the future, it can be still expected that the situation can change rapidly and catch entrepreneurs off guard. He goes on to say that, with the help of population analysis, as well as the current trends, one can forecast the on-coming changes in the market.
In the text, the author discusses the issue of market unpredictability and how to fight it. He notes that while some factors might indicate the changes that will most likely occur to a specific market in the future, it can be still expected that the situation can change rapidly and catch entrepreneurs off guard. He goes on to say that, with the help of population analysis, as well as the current trends, one can forecast the on-coming changes in the market.
A Memorandum: Market Unpredictability and How to Fight It Essay Market unpredictability has always been the scourge of business ( University of Dayton ); even at present, it is hard to come up with at least approximately correct forecasts concerning the further changes in a specific market, not to mention the world market in general. While some factors might indicate the changes that will most likely occur to a specific market in the future, it can be still expected that the situation can change rapidly and catch entrepreneurs off guard. According to the existing research, the changes in the market tendencies and the demands of the population can be predicted with the help of population analysis. Together with the changes in the demographics, the change in demand comes (Arnott and Chaves), which, in turn, shapes the current market and, therefore, defines the changes in the market. That said, however, it would be quite a stretch to consider these changes completely uncontrollable. With the help of population analysis, as well as the current trends, one can forecast the on-coming changes in the market. Therefore, it must be admitted that considering the market completely unpredictable will be quite a stretch; after all, there are certain financial laws that any market is guided by. Therefore, no market can even get fully out of hand; there will always be a way to predict the outcomes of a certain step. However, it is also necessary to keep in mind that the financial market is extremely susceptible to the changes within the financial and/or economical state of a specific country; therefore, to control the current market and be more or less certain about the future changes, it is necessary to keep the track of not only the financial but also economical and political changes within a specific state. Reflection Paper: A Memorandum. An Opportunity to Rise Higher Like any other field, market cannot be constantly progressing without any mistakes being made. It is only natural that market witnesses the periods of rise and downfall. With every single crisis, apart from taking losses, people also learn valuable lessons and understand how to manage complicated situations, thus, stretching their knowledge even further. The events of 9/11 reach the highest spot on the scale of national catastrophe; moreover, they should be considered as the tragedy for the entire humankind to mourn. The following crisis, however, is not only a doubtlessly tragic event in the sphere of economics, but also a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs and researchers to learn ( University of Dayton ). It seems that there is a strong link between the political events and he financial state of affairs within a specific market. Indeed, once the economy of a specific state proves efficient, it is expected that the financial position of the given country will go up a few notches. Therefore, when it comes to facing a crisis, it can be expected that the economy will go downhill. However, a financial crisis can also be used as a bitter lesson that has to be learned. Therefore, the crisis of 2008 that followed the terrorist attack on September, 9 can also be viewed as the necessity to take actions and enhance the state economy and learn to “isolate the external shocks” (Kosova and Enz 312). Therefore, it can be concluded that the financial and economical crisis that was triggered by the events of 9/11 should not have been feared; a natural consequence of the notorious events, the given crisis was only a stage for the world companies in general and American entrepreneurs in particular to deal with. Works Cited Arnott, Robert D. and Denis B. Chaves. “Demographic Changes, Financial Markets, and the Economy.” Financial Analysis Journal 68.1 (2012): 23–46. Print. “RISE.” University of Dayton . 2013. Kosova, Renata and Cathy Enz. The Terrorist Attacks of 9/11 and the Financial Crisis of 2008: The Impact of External Shocks on U.S. Hotel Performance. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 53.4 (2012): 308–325. Print.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: A molecular mechanics model for Imatinib and Imatinib has been developed. The model examines the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic implications of Imatinib and Imatinib.
A molecular mechanics model for Imatinib and Imatinib has been developed. The model examines the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic implications of Imatinib and Imatinib.
A Molecular Mechanics Model for Imatinib and Imatinib Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Pharmacodynamics implications 3. Pharmacokinetic implications 4. Alternative treatment 5. Conclusions 6. Reference List Introduction Chronic myelogenous leukemia is a hematopoietic disorder that affects the clone. It is identified by the displacement of chromosomes (9 and 22) and it ends up in the creation of novel fusion genetic code of Philadelphia translocation. The constitutive activity of tyrosine kinase highly contributes in the pathogenesis process of the disease. If a timely bone marrow transplant is not carried out on the patient, the patient can survive for approximately 3 to 5years (Daub, Specht & Ullrich 2004). High percentages of deaths are experienced from the time of the disease progresses to its advanced stage. Within the progress and advanced stage duration, a rapid proliferation and a transformation of lymphoid blasts from blasts process takes place. The chance of the patient surviving at the terminal blast stage is low. Chronic myelogenous leukemia can be treated by a therapy known as Imatinib. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and is used in clinics. Imatinib selectively inhibits CML cells proliferation. Imatinib mesylate is a therapy adopted to care and treat chronic myelogenous leukemia. Imatinib is heterogeneous in patients who harbor BCR-ABL mutations (Daub, Specht & Ullrich 2004). Pharmacodynamics implications The introduction of Imatinib mesylate therapy has shown a great improvement on CML treatment. The advance made on the treatment is a 2-phenylaminopyrimide and selective inhibitor of BCR-ABL. Imatinib plays a central role in patients with CML. It is also the required standard for managing the disease. Long lasting, continuous extensions and developments are produced by Imatinib and they increase the patient’s chances of surviving. Although Imatinib shows high rate of its initial response, about 10% of the patients who are in their early phase of CML display primary cytogenic resistance (Aleksandrov & Simonson 2010). The treatment of CML to such patients may also fail. Imatinib mesylate therapy fails in patient due to biological factors like BCR-ABL mutations and other variation in genes. Features in clinics also contribute to the failure of Imatinib mesylate therapy. The features include the current status of the disease or high score of sokal risk (Buschbeck 2006). IM Plasma trough levels variations also affects the molecular and cytogenetic responses in CML patients. Patients The Imatinib trough plasma concentration has an interrelationship with clinical response in various tumors that can be identified. The level of concentration of the mean trough plasma of Imatinib is higher in patients with a complete cytogenic response than those patients who lack CCR at an equal mean of daily Imatinib dose (Buschbeck 2006). The estimation of cumulative CCR rate and MMR varies among the qualities of Imatinib trough level. Imatinib trough plasma concentration can be achieved and maintained suppose a patient responds positively towards the therapy. High concentration of Imatinib are related to great risk of fluid retention, rash, anemia, low risk of fatigue, pain in the abdomen and pain in the joints. Some of the effects are an outcome of speed of therapy response. Toxicity remains are predicted by Imatinib plasma concentration. A dependable plasma concentration can be carried through after approximately a one week therapy. There is a high difference of Imatinib plasma concentration among patients. A French study revealed that large interpatient level differences in patients with CML receiving at 400mg/day IM trough concentrations ranged from 181 to 2947ng/ml (Aleksandrov & Simonson 2010). Pharmacokinetic implications There are a number of differences that have been identified in Imatinib plasma concentration. There is poor compliance due to need of prolonged long life therapy. Approximately 95% of patients who adhere to the therapy have life threatening diseases. Approximately 40% of patients were compliant to the therapy. There are some demographic factors that showed mild effect on exposure of Imatinib. Such factors include sex, age and body weight. Imatinib is metabolized by a protein p450 via CYP3A4 isoform. The drug to drug interference is as a result of the patient using other drugs that are cytochrome enzyme inhibitors. Also the level of Imatinib can be altered by disease affecting gastrointestinal tract because of improper absorption and plasma protein binding of IM differences (Sacha 2014). It is easy to evaluate and assess the concentration of Imatinib trough plasma. The blood concentrations of trough samples are collected at a steady state before the morning dose. Here, a specific liquid known as either chromatography –mass spectrometry or high performance liquid chromatography, in collaboration with protocols of tandem mass spectrometry are used to determine the trough sample concentration. The liquids have to be well validated. The quantity of Imatinib can be determined by diode array detection, HPLC and ultraviolet. The methods need serious validations according the patient current prescriptions of food and drug. Imatinib has no clear definition of therapeutic concentration window. Good cytogenic and molecular responses achievement are significantly connected with concentrations of plasma Imatinib concentration which are more than 1002 ng/ml and Imatinib more than 1009 ng/ml. The concentration of plasma trough above 1000 n/ml mean population is important for superior rates of CCR and MMR achievement (Liu et al. 2005). Alternative treatment Measuring therapeutic drugs is very critical in various clinical situations. In cases where patients fail to respond to treatment the clinician can get assistance by measuring the trough plasma Imatinib concentration of which it will make him make decisions on the patients’ dosage. If a patient experiences severe adverse reactions, reduction of dose may be of great assistance. Once a medical expert suspects drug to drug interference which might be caused by a drug that has unknown interaction with Imatinib or monitoring indicates low concentration of Imatinib, then he/she should increase Imatinib dose and also stop the suspected drug and replace it with a safer one. A repeat should be carried out on a patient by a clinician to maintain therapeutic Imatinib concentration and it should be done after invention. If a clinician notices a poor level caused by suboptimal response, it will be essential for him/her to check drug compliance. Clinical situation should determine the need for treatment decision on interference, dose reduction and change on the therapy although plasma concentration measurement might be of great assistant to a clinician when handling complications (Werner et al. 2011). Conclusions Trough plasma concentration measurements provide other tools for handling patients who are under Imatinib medication. Such cases occur when a patient develops unusual toxicity. Evidence to proof the effect of alternating the strategies of therapy on trough plasma concentration ground has not yet been established. This means that changing therapeutic strategies is not an alternative therapeutic tool. There are multiple factors including exposure of plasma that are effective to response. The therapeutic baseline of 1000 ng/ml is the required populations mean value that is linked with clinical response (Daub, Specht & Ullrich 2004). There is inadequate data on the importance of longitudinal measurement of concentration of trough plasma. The frequency of P-loop and T3151 BCR-ABL mutations are more in advanced phase specifically in blast crisis CML patients. The cause of the condition is an outcome of the occurrence of chromosomal changes frequently monitored at the relapse time at the advanced phase of CML. The number of cells at mutation risk and the rate of mutation depend on the likelihood of Imatinib resistance mutation occurrence. Mutations discoveries should be solved by alternative therapies that are adopted in majority cases. Decisions should be made in accordance with the clinical situation whenever a plasma concentration is measured and interpreted. There is hope for patients who experience low level of plasma because a clinical trial that monitors the impact of increase in dose is being developed. Imatinib is a preferred treatment of a growing tumor on the walls of intestines i.e. gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Imatinib can also be a treatment to dermatofibrosarcoma protuberant which is a tumor that develops under the skin’s top layer. Imatinib works as a blockage to the abnormal protein action that encourages the cells of cancer to spread. It is vital for a clinician to be aware of whether Imatinib escalation dose is partially or totally resistant, so that he/she comes up with decisions that overcome the resistance. The decisions might improve the final results of Imatinib. It is necessary for a clinician to identify the early characteristics of BCR-ABL mutations in Imatinib resistant CML patients so as to develop the required therapeutic strategy (Daub, Specht & Ullrich 2004). Reference List Aleksandrov, A & Simonson, T 2010, “A molecular mechanics model for imatinib and imatinib:kinase binding”, Journal of Computational Chemistry , vol. 31, no. 7, pp.1550-1560. Buschbeck, M 2006, “Strategies to overcome resistance to targeted protein kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. Drugs in R&D [Drugs R D], vol. 7, no.2, pp. 73-86. Daub, H, Specht, K & Ullrich, A 2004, “Strategies to overcome resistance to targeted protein kinase inhibitors”, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery , vol.3, no.12, pp.1001-1010. Liu, P, Li, J, Han, Z, Lu, H, Wang, Y, Xu, & Peng, Z 2005, “Elevated plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with marked splenomegaly in chronic myeloid leukemia”, Leukemia & Lymphoma , vol. 46, no.12, pp.1761-1764. Sacha, T 2014, “Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: an Overview”, Mediterranean Journal of Hematology & Infectious Diseases , vol. 6, no. 1, pp.1-9. Werner, B, Lutz, D, Brümmendorf, TH, Traulsen, A, Balabanov, S 2011, “Dynamics of Resistance Development to Imatinib under Increasing Selection Pressure: A Combination of Mathematical Models and In Vitro Data”, PLoS ONE , vol. 6, no.12, pp.1-8.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The essay discusses how information technology can offer help for older generations to enforce their social contacts and be actively involved in different social activities.
The essay discusses how information technology can offer help for older generations to enforce their social contacts and be actively involved in different social activities.
School of Business IT and Logistics, Globalization and Business IT Report In the current society, the number of older people is gradually increasing and these seniors are in most cases living alone. Consequently, they suffer intense feelings of loneliness that cause common medical problems observed among the older population. Over the past decade, there have been great advances in the field of information technology and these changes have greatly revolutionized the way people interact, work and carry out their daily duties. This report will highlight how some IT applications can offer help for older generations to enforce their social contacts and be actively involved in different social activities. Literature review will be needed for creating the theoretic background, while the descriptive nature of the research will emphasize the challenges that old people face, and the solution process for these challenges. Since the actual importance of studying the challenges will help to define the solution strategy in the global scales, the study is based on the interview intended to test older people. Introduction Topic Area Since older generations have difficulties with the communication technologies, the study of these technologies, as well as helping these people to solve the appearing challenges, will be helpful for simplifying the entire usage of the communication technologies, and expanding the target audience of the communication technologies producers and developers. Nevertheless, digital technologies are intended to simplify most everyday operations, like communication, ordering goods and products, paying for services and son on. (Independent Age, 2010) However, these technologies often mess up older people, and perform the opposite function. This research will be helpful for creating the basis for improving the everyday life and activities for older people. As it is stated by Pollack (2005), technology use among older people has a great potential of bringing great social benefits. Technology use among old people has a great potential of bringing great social benefits to old people like participation (Pollack 2005). This proposal is set to demonstrate that technology has the potential and the ability of enabling the elderly people in their bed to renew and enforce their social contacts. Having considered all this, the use of IT applications can offer a chance to engage old people in meaningful work and other essential tasks in life (Rogers & Fisk, 2006). Research Questions The study will be based on the hypothesis that the information technology advances and innovativeness can offer old people with means of interacting with other people and actively participating in different activities (Independent Age 2010). These technologies will prevent the feelings of isolation among old people so that they do not suffer loneliness and social seclusion (Victor et al 2005). The core questions that have inspired this study include; 1. How can IT technology be used to prevent and alleviate the feelings of social seclusion and loneliness among senior citizens over 65 years? 2. What are the potentials that IT applications offer to enable old people to develop and maintain social contacts and active involvement in the society?(Zijlstra&Aminian 2008,p. 4) Governments across the world, especially developed nations are making it a priority to invest in technology that would improve the access to new technologies by old people as well as those living with disabilities (Pollack 2005). The major question emerging from this is ‘to what end is digital participation going to take place? More specifically, this bring the third question. 1. Is there any sufficient rationally given to the use of IT to address challenges of old people? (Independent Age 2010) 2. Does this strategy really provide a meaningful social interaction and involvement? Objectives of Study The research will seek to fulfil several objectives which all tend to enable old people to be active in the society and alleviate social isolation feelings (Findlay 2003). The research will also seek to address the use of IT as a threat to health and general welfare of old people. Old generations usually have several weaknesses like hearing loss, impaired vision, memory lapse and physical weakness. Thus, the main objective is to do away? With the view that older people are weak, depended and incapable of managing their lives (Independent Age 2010, p. 10). Lack of social contact is a dimension of seclusion and the study will seek to alleviate this exclusion. This study will also seek to alleviate the health problems facing old people like stress and depression (Independent Age 2010). Literature Review Innovative IT Application for (Old generation) IT application can be primarily used to enable old people to escape such social isolation (Findlay 2003). This is a very reasonable hypothesis and a timely research especially that the current society relies on technology for fast and cheap means of interaction with friends, family and even work (Charness et al 2007). Many people usually develop great social networks through technology advances and this supplements periodic direct contact with people of shared interests (Victor et al 2005). This proposal purports that technology provides the needed solutions to old people. It will also seek to explore the barriers to the application of IT and later provides recommendations on the best way of applying this theme in future. Here are some ways of helping old people to continue living independently and stays active in the society. Social Communication technologies The use of IT can offer simple use of telephones and videos communication like broadband technologies. This will enable old people to keep in touch with family and friends hence eliminating the feeling of seclusion. (Victor et al 2005). Security and Safety Gadgets Security technologies and Smart house technology can help in ensuring that the house is secure (close doors and windows) at night or when a person leaves the house (Cheek et al 2005). This technology and devices can also do other things around the house like gas and water leaks and turning off unwanted lights. Plus, automatic alarms can go off to remind or call for help (Rogers & Fisk 2006). Shopping, travelling and Social services access The internet technology currently allows online purchase of items and many businesses also offer home delivery. This way, old people can access public services through online technology and shop for whatever things they need without relying on others Reminders Memory lapse is a serious challenge for the elderly. By using programmed digital reminders, the elderly can have a schedule for the day and also set alarms for important activities like taking medication or doing a household task (Zijlstra & Aminian 2008) Mobility and User Friendly interface Mobile solution devices can be used together with GPS and other sensors for crucial signs to help old people to move around and be able to access alarm button in case of emergency or deteriorating vital signs (Lezzoni et al 2001). For the purpose of this research the initials ‘IT’ will be used to refer to the potentials of these five technologies to overcome old age challenges. The use of IT in medical sphere will be helpful for improving the overall quality of healthcare. Therefore, McCreadie and Tinker (2005, p. 108) emphasized the following: The growth in the geriatric population–those who qualify for Medicare by age or disability ‑ threatens cost increases the nation can ill afford. Information Technology, which includes both computer and communications technologies, are considered to offer the ability to improve patient outcomes while restraining overall healthcare cost increases. Support from the workshop panels illustrating this potential benefit is anticipated. Optimizing the use of the technological innovations introduced by our select panelists will require modification of our payment and staff training systems. These issues will be requested for discussion among panelists and attendees. In the light of this statement, it should be emphasized that the actual importance of IT in healthcare is explained by the increased speed of data processing, as well as improved communication between patients and medical personnel. The theoretic concepts associated with using technologies by aging people are mainly based on the fact that sophisticated technologies are not available for persons over 65, and in order to make the adaptation simpler for them, the companies need to make the functionality and adjustments simpler. (Findlay, 2003) The other concept is based on the statement that older people become less independent, which causes the necessity to help them. While this may be regarded as aim for software and technology developers, the other side of the problem presupposes that they need more extensive help. Therefore, as it is emphasized by Brink (2007, p. 46): One concern of aging individuals is that they tend to become less ambulatory as they age. Many elderly individuals often require assistance moving from one spot to another and currently another person must be present to assist with this. This means that a loved one or some other caregiver must be present in the home or the elderly individual may be forced to move to some sort of elder care facility. In the light of this fact, it should be stated that the required assistance may be included into the devices and software. The access to help should be simple, and precise. The information about the current occupations of these people will utilized as a research basis for the overall technology use study. Clear realizing of the occupations, and sphere of interest will help in understanding the way how people use communication technologies, and what is needed for the proper adaptation. Therefore, as it is stated by Cheek et. Al (2005) the occupations of the aging population are as follows: Agriculture, forestry and fishing 6.00% Manufacturing 1.80% Construction 1.70% Wholesale trade 2.00% Retail trade 4.10% Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants 2.40% Property and Busienss services 2.00% Education 1.90% Health and Community Services 2.30% The general occupation information is as follows: 1. 25% of 65+ people are occupied. 8% of women and 7% of men 2. 22% of 65-69 year olds and 3% of 85 years plus are employed. (Charness et.al. 2007) Communication technologies, as well as similar IT products are often intended for assistance, and these are mainly used by older population. Hence, as I is stated by Sixsmith et.al. (2009, p. 234): It is estimated that there are more that 20 000 products related to Assistive Technology, representing a market of more than 30 billion euro. These figures will be multiplied with the increase in the number of dependent people, which is one of the main consequences of the population pyramid inversion. This new social situation will further boost the demand of current products and will open the door to innovative products and services to meet new needs. Nevertheless, regardless of the technological development of the opportunities and assistance, the actual situation is far from perfect. Chappell (2004) claims that the key concepts that should be considered while solving the problem of access need to involve the opportunity of live support, as well as intuitively reasonable interface. Additionally, detailed video lessons should be also provided. Binstock et. al.(2006) state that thee key problem is explained by the fact that older generations are not so tough to understand the principles of using the technologies, but most of them are afraid to make something irrevocably wrong. The possible way of solving the discussed challenges will involve study of social communication, security technologies. Shopping and travelling services, as well as access to social services, reminders, and mobile communication. Hence, in accordance with the research performed by Binstock (2006), up to 30% of baby boomers are familiar with the digital technologies (see Figure 1 of the Appendix): Activities Babyboomers Generation Y Reading blogs 26 % 45 % social Networking 28 % 82 % playing video games 13 % 45 % listening to music on portable players 31 % 78 % watching/posting videos in the internet 36 % 67 % Ambient Assisted Living There has been a development of a system that is known as the “Ambient Assisted Living” and it refers to the phenomenon where information technology is used to carry out personal activities on daily duties and work making the individual stay active and socially productive (McCreadie & Tinker 2005; Charness et al 2007). Essentially, the use of IT to ensure independent living among older people can be as simple as the use of an alarm or digital reminders of taking medicine and so on (Rogers & Fisk 2006). Despite technology being very simple or complex, the principle of this ambient technology (is) that technology has to serve the user. Methodology Method and Design The study will be set to investigate some of the innovative means of applying IT to provide the elderly with ways of dealing with some challenges accompanying the issue of aging. The study will be descriptive and employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate some ground-breaking technologies of engaging old people in community. Some literature reviews will be viewed to find out relevant existed literature that addresses the technologies being used for these purposes. This is a secondary search. Besides, a primary study on real participants who use IT for managing their lives will be conducted. The data collection was performed by interviewing the target audience of the research. These are 4 people 65 and older living nearby. The questions were mainly associated with the quality and comfort of their life, as well as communication patterns and requirements. Interview questions are given in the Appendix part. Since the key aim of the research is to find out how the IT may be used for decreasing the loneliness level of the older generation, the interview questions are mainly intended to identify how older people use these technologies, and whether they help them to feel less lonely. (McCreadie and Tinker, 2005) Data Collection The researcher will interview five participants regarding their quality of life as they utilize IT for their personal daily activities and keeping contact with friends and families. The outcomes will be analyzed against the control group, which is a group of old people who do not use technology for their daily activities. Data Analysis For the systematic literature review, the investigator will use recursive abstractions to analyze the data collected so as to come up with the relevant summary for the proposal. The qualitative data is hence interpreted without making codes and picking relevant topics for study. The questionnaires will be checked for completeness, consistency and accuracy before leaving the location of study. The data will be stored into a computer. Data analysis involved classification of the answers, and creating of the general outline. Therefore, older people are mainly disappointed by the fact that sometimes they are not able to cope with the devices, or adjustments of the software. The key aim is to find the central tendency, as the problems are mainly common for all older people. Additionally, the data will be analyzed from the perspective of the literature review findings and concepts, as practical data requires theoretic background for creating the reliable research framework. Therefore, recursive abstractions of the theoretic concepts involve interpretation of the codes and topics derived from the studies. These will be applied for results gained from the interviews. Significance of Study In today’s society, the number of old people is increasing due to better healthcare systems and lifestyle. As such, developed nations have greater numbers of older citizens. However, this elderly population has been facing challenges of dependence, loneliness, and social isolation as most live alone (Findlay, 2003). As the IT industry is developing rapidly, societies now are becoming dependant on technology for a lot of assistance like cure of diseases, dealing with crime and achieving vitality among elderly people. The study will contribute deeper to the use of IT to address the social challenges that the elderly face. It is purported that IT will have a positive impact on the functioning of older people in their homes thus removing the notion that they are always dependent (Sixsmith et al 2009). This technology will also help them to stay in touch or keep contact with friends and family. Old people can also participate in different community activities. This project will seek to make technology use a normal thing, reduce stigma on old people and offer social support that have previously been overlooked (Victor et al 2005). When proper use of IT is possible at home, this would be a much cheaper and secure way of caring for the old than using institutional care. This also means that there will be less medical costs as the old will be more health and in case they are on medication, they are like to adhere to it full by help of IT (reminders etc). Findings The main difficulty is to find the necessary functions, or solve the problem that is not associated with the communication, but prevents effective use of the software or device. Hence, some of the interviewers are able to send e-mails, and use Skype, however, they are not able to configure the adjustments of the headset, or solve simple problems associated with internet access. The negative impact of aging is mainly linked with the sense of loneliness and the approaching end. The interview helped to reveal the key problems of self perception that cause all the other challenges for older people. These are: 1. The need to stay engaged and active, as well as have the sense of staying demanded 2. The necessity to stay connected. This also involves the need to be in the stream of events and news 3. The need to stay independent 4. The sense of aging (Intel Corporation, 2008) Considering the importance of these aspects for the entire study, it should be emphasized that software and technology development generally requires proper assessment of this audience, for making devices and services more comfortable for them. Since up to 30% of baby boomers are familiar with the digital technologies, developers have already made great contribution for making technologies more available. This means that older people may use communication technologies for keeping in touch with their friends, children, and other relatives. Additionally, they may be used for using various social and commercial services, and solving common problems associated with healthcare, benefits, allowances and so on. (Rogers and Fisk, 2006) Conclusion With many people in developed nations living longer, the number of people above age 65 has skyrocketed. A considerable number are even aged 85 and above. The grand challenge the world has to face is to ensure that those old generations will live healthier and stay satisfied. IT experts are working hard to ensure that the aging population of today and the future can protract their vitality. This proposal suggests ways of helping the old people to live independently as much as possible and enable them stay involved in the community and at work. The study also will seek to explore the diverse needs of old people and offers ways of helping care givers to provide better care. For old people, small issues like poor eyesight and short-term memory lapses can rapidly exacerbate to be big problems like loss of home and total dependence on others. A stay at nursing home or adapting a whole system of assisted living is very expensive but this paper seeks to offer simple, cheap, innovative and sustainable IT technologies to help old people remain independent an making sure their homes assist and not hamper them. The use of IT will transform homes into ‘supplement minds’ for the seniors and it would bridge the gap that exists between the cognitive needs and the capabilities of the old. Considering the fact that today’s society is impossible without technologies and communication, older people should not be left outside the technology development stream. In fact, the actual importance of communication can not be overestimated, as the need for communication and sense of staying in demand is one of the most important for older generation. Communication technologies can offer a technological way of satisfying these needs. Additionally, technologies will make older people more active, and let them stay in the course of the latest events. In accordance with numerous researches, this aspect may be regarded as one of the most important for making older people stay energetic and feel better. References Binstock, R. H. & George, L. K. (Eds.). 2006. Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences (6th ed.). Boston: Academic Press. Brink, S. 2007. The Challenges of Information Technology and Population Aging. Generations, 21 (3), 7. Chappell, N. 2004. Technology and Aging. Journal of Canadian Studies, 28 (1), 45. Charness, N., Czaja, S., and Sharit, J., 2007, Age and Technology For Work. In K.S. Schultz, And G.A. Adams (Eds.), Aging And Work In the 21st Century , Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. Cheek, P. Nikpour, L , & Nowlin, H., 2005.Aging Well With Smart Technology. Nursing Administration Quarterly , Vol. 29, Issue 4, pp. 329-338. Findlay, R. A., 2003. Interventions To Reduce Social Isolation Amongst Older People: Where Is The Evidence? Ageing & Society, Vol.23, No. 5, pp. 647–658. Intel Corporation. 2008. Technology for an Aging Population: Intel’s Global Research Initiative.USA. Web. Independent Age, 2010. Older People, Technology And Community – The Potential Of Technology To Help Older People Renew Or Develop Social Contacts And To Actively Engage In Their Communities. Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Lezzoni, L., McCarthy, E., Davis, R., & Siebens. H., 2001. Mobility Difficulties Are Not Only A Problem Of Old Age,’ Journal of General Internal Medicine, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 235-243. McCreadie, C., & Tinker, A., 2005. The Acceptability of Assistive Technology to Older People. Ageing And Society , Vol. 25, Issue 1, pp. 91-110. Pollack, M., 2005. Intelligent Technology for an Aging Population: The Use of AI to Assist Elders with Cognitive Impairment. AI Magazine , Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 9-24. Rogers, W.A., & Fisk, A.D., 2006. Cognitive Support For Elders Through Technology, Generations . Journal Of The American Society on Aging, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 38-43. Sixsmith, A. et al., 2009. SOPRANO – An Ambient Assisted Living System For Supporting Older People At Home. Ambient Assistive Health And Wellness Management In The Heart Of The City, Vol. 5597, pp 233-236. Victor, C.R., Scambler, S. J., Bowling, A., & Bond, J., 2005. The Prevalence Of, And Risk Factors For, Loneliness in Later Life: A survey of older people in Great Britain. Ageing and Society , Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 357–375. Zijlstra, V., & Aminian, K., 2008. Mobility Assessment in Older People: New Possibilities and Challenges. European Journal of Aging. Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 3-12.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The essay discusses the scientific management concept by Frederick Taylor and how it has been applied from the industrial revolution till our time. It also talks about the use of scientific management in the modern economy by the example of modern corporations.
The essay discusses the scientific management concept by Frederick Taylor and how it has been applied from the industrial revolution till our time. It also talks about the use of scientific management in the modern economy by the example of modern corporations.
Scientific Management Concept by Frederick Taylor Essay Scientific Management provided by Frederick Taylor overturned the model of the organization of enterprises during the industrial revolution and still has a great influence on today’s business management. This essay is devoted to the notion of scientific management and its application from the industrial revolution till our time. The paper will provide different definitions of the notion of scientific management. Further, it will discuss the use of scientific management in the modern economy by the example of modern corporations. Generally speaking, the notion of scientific management denotes the use of scientific methods in the field of management. According to Fredrick Winslow Taylor, “Scientific management means knowing exactly what you want men to do and seeing that they do it in the best and the cheapest way”(Gupta, 2008). Peter F. Drucker provides the following definition “Scientific management is the organized study of work, the analysis of work into its simplest element and the systematic improvement of the workers” (Gupta, 2008). This new approach of management was provided by Frederick Winslow Taylor during the period of huge change namely the industrial revolution. He provided new methods of planning, control and efficient production (Hackett, 1992). Taylor’s methods were applied in manufacturing engineering, business management and industrial engineering. This new approach completely reorganized the structure of many enterprises, factories and firms using scientific analysis in planning and control (Hackett, 1992). Scientific management is still successfully used in different organizations. We may observe the use of scientific management everywhere from the stores where we buy different technology to the restaurants where we eat. McDonald’s is one of the most typical examples of using scientific management in its organization and production. There are certain standards and rules which are followed in every country. Every branch of McDonald’s in different countries is the same with the same methods of preparing food, promoting stuff and even the same method of cleaning the floor. The taste of Big Mac does not change in all countries. Such unification which is the basic core of scientific management makes McDonald’s the biggest restaurant chain all over the world. A well-organized division of labour force and strict distribution of responsibilities helps to control mass production and as the result, it reduces workplace democracy (Kisanga, 2011). The basic advantage of the use of scientific management nowadays is the strict coordination between employers and workers. More than that, companies that used Taylor’s principles of scientific management are the most well-organized and successful corporations in the world. A human force is considered to be like a machine making the definite function in the whole production. Every employee has a definite task and he/she follows it without any changes. Such an approach is considered to be a “deskilling” of labour nowadays. In current organizations, the individual approach to every employee and the development of her/his skills are very important which is opposed to the principles of scientific management (Gronroos, 1994). Many great corporations and companies resort to the use of Taylor’s methods of the well-organized distribution of labour force where everyone has the definite task, the strict planning and reduction of spending (Taylor, 1917, p.122). The use of such methods provides the success of many corporations all over the world. A strict distribution of labour force and responsibilities, strict planning and unification will be always popular in great corporations. References List 1. Daniel, M 1995, ‘From Mechanical Engineering to Re-engineering: Would Taylor be pleased with modern management, Journal of Management History , vol.1no.2, pp. 38-51. 2. Gronroos, Ch 1994, From Scientific Management to Service Management. A Management Perspective for the Age of Service Competition . Swedish School of Economics, Finland. 3. Gupta, S 2008, Meaning, Definition Characteristics and Features Scientific Management. 4. Hackett, L 1992, Industrial Revolution. 5. Kisanga, O 2011, Taylor’s Scientific Management and Its Influence on Modern Day Practices. 6. Taylor, F 1917, The Principles of Scientific Management . Harper & Brothers Publishers, New York.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The essay discusses the role of Galileo in the scientific revolution and how he used observations and experiments to provide evidence for his theories. The church was hostile towards science and scientific facts during this time, but scientists like Galileo were strong believers in Christianity.
The essay discusses the role of Galileo in the scientific revolution and how he used observations and experiments to provide evidence for his theories. The church was hostile towards science and scientific facts during this time, but scientists like Galileo were strong believers in Christianity.
The Role of Galileo in Scientific Revolution Research Paper The “Scientific Revolution” was an era in time where there was an immense transformation in scientific thinking. An Italian scientist named Galileo, for example, discovered that the earth is not flat, but spherical. This finding was what led to the discovery of the law of gravity. Galileo is also accredited for the discovery of the pendulum law. He relied on investigations and experiments to provide evidence for all his theories. Not all of his findings were however accepted by the people of his era (especially the church). Despite this, he continuously delved into his quest for answers to scientific queries. The scientific revolution was greatly boosted by early scientific greats like Galileo. These scientists, however, were to a great extent hindered by institutions, the church, and even prominent people having contrary beliefs. In an article by Little Edmund on Galileo, science, and the church, the writer clearly shows us that the church was hostile towards science and scientific facts. Despite this, scientists of this era took this discipline as an indispensable constituent of their faith. They believed that studying science would help them honor and learn more about God. Despite being condemned by the church, scientists like Galileo were strong believers in Christianity. What they wanted to put across though, was that these theories could be proved through observations and experimentation. Many years after their ideas were rubbished, the truth came out and there was proof that their facts were correct and could have been made better with proper backing. As shown in Little Edmund’s journal, many scientists during the revolution had theories that were later proved to be true. The problem however was that they could not produce sufficient evidence, or were rubbished by the church, institutions, or influential people who had diverse, popular beliefs. The journal goes further to state that there was a lot of beneficial work carried out by scientists of the era who were rubbished. For example, from the early to mid-1800, a hospital worker in Vienna observed medical practitioners washing their hands before attending to patients. Due to this simple act, a bigger percentage of the patients survived. Even with this fact though, the worker was not able to bring up a scientific theory to support this happening (Little 2010, 31). Galileo, on the other hand, tried to prove that contrary to popular belief, the earth was spherical and not round. He tried to prove his theory through experimentation and observation but the people of that time especially those attached to the church refuted his ideas to the extent of not even looking through his telescope. Instead, they went ahead and condemned him. Little, in his article clearly shows that “science does not consist of ratifying what others say, rather on searching for causes of phenomena” (Little 2010, 31). He goes further and says, “What the church and other people desired was not the truth, but an additional witness in favor of their foregone conclusions” (Little 2010, 31). Another article that sheds some light on the scientific revolution is one by Karwatka Dennis. The article is essentially about Galileo Galilei and how he brought about the ‘Scientific Revolution’. In this article, Karwatka says that in the 16 th century, the popular belief among people and institutions was that “when anything appeared to be true, then it was true”. The people at that time were driven by philosophy and not by observation and experimentation (Karwatka 2002, 10). When a scientist, Galileo put forward the outcomes of his experiments and observations, he triggered the scientific revolution. In this article, Karnataka states that Galileo, then a student in medicine at the University of Pisa in the mid-1500, passed a mathematics test then became enthralled by the extrapolative ability of math and physics. Generally, people liked him because of his investigative approach to science. He was also the inventor of the thermometer and the pendulum. After hearing about the invention of the telescope, the scientist made his. With his telescope, Galileo was able to look at the stars and other planets and later was able to determine that the sun was at the center of the Solar System. “He published his results in a 1610 book Starting The Revolution” (Karwatka 2002, 10). The findings contradicted traditional thought which placed the earth in the middle of the universe. The article depicts Galileo as disagreeing with leaders who were unwilling to come to terms “with clear evidence provided by careful scientific observation” (Karwatka 2002, 10). He was stripped off of his teaching career because he strongly agreed to the fact that the sun is at the center of the solar system. He was later tried and put under house arrest for the rest of his natural life. Consequently, the scientific revolution started after he was able to use experimentation and observation to prove or disapprove theories in science. Galileo was truly a great scientist of all times, who was condemned by the church despite his efforts to prove his theories experimentally, and beyond any reasonable doubt. An interesting twist of his life again was that he was a strong believer in Christianity. Therefore, as shown here, the scientific revolution was an era when innovative ideas in sciences led to a refutation of prevailing doctrines laying the foundation for modern scientific disciplines. The revolution has proved that science is not just about general knowledge, but what is right only gets established by experimentation and observations. Reference list Little, Edmund. “Galileo, science and the Church.” Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought & Practice 18, no. 3 (2010): 31-34. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (2011). K arwatka, Dennis. “ Galileo Galilei and How He Started the Scientific Revolution.” Tech Directio ns 61, no. 6 (2002): 10. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (2011).
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The article discusses the relationship between screen time and pediatric obesity, and how evidence-based strategies can be used to reduce the behavior.The article discusses the relationship between screen time and pediatric obesity, and how evidence-based strategies can be used to reduce the behavior. It has been found that children who spend too much time in front of screens are more likely to be obese. This is because they are not getting enough exercise and are instead eating unhealthy foods. There are several evidence-based
The article discusses the relationship between screen time and pediatric obesity, and how evidence-based strategies can be used to reduce the behavior. The article discusses the relationship between screen time and pediatric obesity, and how evidence-based strategies can be used to reduce the behavior. It has been found that children who spend too much time in front of screens are more likely to be obese. This is because they are not getting enough exercise and are instead eating unhealthy foods. There are several evidence-based
Screen Time and Pediatric Obesity Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Program Goal and Objectives 2. Evidence-Based Strategies 3. Conclusion 4. References Pediatric obesity is a significant issue for children of different origins and genders. There are many factors, including lack of physical activity and related health issues, that make this unpleasant phenomenon exist, and screen time has a significant impact on them. The time children spend using their computers, tablets, and mobile phones can result in pediatric obesity. Thus, there are particular evidence-based strategies successfully addressing the behavior, and their findings can be used to create a work plan with specific goals and objectives. Program Goal and Objectives To address the behavior comprehensively, one should clearly articulate a program goal and corresponding objectives. The main program goal is to emphasize the correlation between screen time and pediatric obesity among young children, as well as to develop a useful strategy to reduce this behavior. To cope with it, one should summarize the existing evidence-based strategies and identify those that prove to be more effective than others. This goal means that it is necessary to conduct a systematic literature search and analysis. In addition to that, particular objectives, both learning and behavioral, are needed. Learning objective: In a year, underage children will be able to list the main aspects of how screen time can influence pediatric obesity. Behavior objective: Underage children will know how they should minimize by 30-50% the time they spend using their gadgets according to a particular strategy. Thus, the program goal and objectives to be achieved create a basis for the further literature search. Evidence-Based Strategies Since pediatric obesity and its relationship with screen time are quite essential nowadays, there are many works dedicated to this issue. Thus, Garmy, Clausson, Nyberg, and Jakobsson (2018) state that the two phenomena above are consequences of insufficient sleep. Garmy et al. (2018) explain that pediatric obesity and screen time are higher among those 10-year-old children who sleep no more than 9 hours per day (p. e3). That is why it can be enough to make children go to bed earlier to reduce the behavior. Furthermore, Tsiros, Samaras, Coates, and Olds (2017) argue that the issue of pediatric obesity should not be treated traditionally always. According to Tsiros et al. (2017), “not all physical activity and screen-based behaviors have equivocal relationships with children’s health” (p. 3119). It denotes that traditional means of introducing physical activities and minimizing screen time will not always address pediatric obesity directly and effectively. Even though these works present practical guidelines, they show that a more comprehensive approach is required. In addition to that, there are other works that introduce effective evidence-based strategies. Firstly, JaKa et al. (2017) prove that “physical activity followed by energy intake and fruit and vegetable intake” can be a good way to address both screen time and obesity (p. 730). This change strategy tries to make obese children change their lifestyle. Secondly, Kolko et al. (2017) indicate that it is necessary to apply various approaches to change the behavior. According to Kolko et al. (2017), both interactive and Web-based training can be used for children to understand that their behavior can have dangerous consequences for their health. These strategies have been shown effective in reducing the behavior under consideration. The last two evidence-based programs are the most effective ones to be implemented in the program because they represent a cohesive approach. On the one hand, JaKa et al. (2017) refer to a physical aspect of life, depriving the target population of much free time. As a result, the children are not left to themselves, and they have particular duties – physical exercises and healthy eating. On the other hand, Kolko et al. (2017) pay attention to an educational aspect of the issue. They show that interactive and Web-based training can make the children understand the significance of the problem. These various training and educational variations provide the target population with the necessary information on what to do to improve the situation. Thus, these strategies have been chosen because they consider the behavior from various angles. Workplan Table Element Definition Goal To emphasize the correlation between screen time and pediatric obesity, as well as to develop a useful strategy to reduce this behavior. Learning Objective In a year, underage children will be able to list the main aspects of how screen time can influence pediatric obesity. Behavior Objective Underage children will know how they should minimize by 30-50% the time they spend using their gadgets according to a particular strategy. Strategy 1 Introducing physical activities with healthy eating. Strategy 2 Providing the target population with training variations. Conclusion Screen time and pediatric obesity are significant and interrelated issues that are a topic of many scientific works. To reduce the behavior, one should develop an evidence-based strategy. The literature search and analysis show that introducing physical activities and providing the target population with training variations seem to be effective strategies because they consider the issue from different points of view. Furthermore, these strategies satisfy the program goal and meet the objectives identified. References 1. Garmy, P., Clausson, E. K., Nyberg, P., & Jakobsson, U. (2018). Insufficient sleep is associated with obesity and excessive screen time amongst ten-year-old children in Sweden. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 39, e1-e5. 2. JaKa, M. M., French, S. A., Wolfson, J., Jeffery, R. W., Lorencatto, F., Michie, S., … Sherwood, N. (2017). Feasibility of standardized methods to specify behavioral pediatric obesity prevention interventions. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 40 (5), 730-739. 3. Kolko, R. P., Kass, A. E., Hayes, J. F., Levine, M. D., Garbutt, J. M., Proctor, E. K., & Wilfley, D. E. (2017). Provider training to screen and initiate evidence-based pediatric obesity treatment in routine practice settings: A randomized pilot trial. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 31 (1), 16-28. 4. Tsiros, M. D., Samaras, M. G., Coates, A. M., & Olds, T. (2017). Use-of-time and health-related quality of life in 10- to 13-year-old children: Not all screen time or physical activity minutes are the same. Quality of Life Research, 26 (11), 3119-3129.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The type of search method to be used is usually dependent on the number of available search personnel, location, and size of a crime scene. The first responding officer should have already done a preliminary search of the area and collected any evidence that he/she came across. The investigator should then begin by establishing a plan of processing the site. In ambiguous crime scenes, the type of prior information given to investigators usually affects their perception and interpretation of the scene.
The type of search method to be used is usually dependent on the number of available search personnel, location, and size of a crime scene. The first responding officer should have already done a preliminary search of the area and collected any evidence that he/she came across. The investigator should then begin by establishing a plan of processing the site. In ambiguous crime scenes, the type of prior information given to investigators usually affects their perception and interpretation of the scene.
Searching and Recording the Crime Scene Report (Assessment) Determine (based on the sketches) your suggested plans for searching the crime scene(s) in this scenario The type of search method to be used is usually dependent on the number of available search personnel, location, and size of a crime scene. Furthermore, no single search method is limited to a particular crime site. Regardless of the selected method, the search should be conducted systemically and thoroughly. Upon analyzing the sketches and information availed by the first responding officer, the investigator can commence by establishing a plan of processing the site. In ambiguous crime scenes, the type of prior information given to investigators usually affects their perception and interpretation of the scene (Eeden, Poot & Koppen, 2016). Planning is initiated by identifying entry and exit pathways from the two sketches. The investigator then establishes the extent of the murder area. For instance, the exterior sketch shows the victim’s body positioned outside the house. Moreover, in the interior sketch, the living room seems to have been disturbed. These suggest that there are two crime scenes, which include the interior and exterior of the house. Therefore, based on the nature and size of the scene, it is best recommended for the zone and grid search method to be used in the location and collection of evidence. For the primary scene, i.e., the living room, the zone method will be used. This technique is recommended in situations where there are one or two searchers. Furthermore, it is usually used in indoor settings (Horsewell, 2016). In this method, the area is broken down into squares, i.e., manageable zones. Each zone is examined by individual investigators using any search method of their choosing. The zones can then be re-searched by different search personnel to ensure that evidence is not overlooked. On the other hand, for the secondary scene, i.e., the compound, the grid search method will be used. The grid search method is also known as the double strip or double lane method. It is best used in processing large crime scenes (Horsewell, 2016). In this technique, a lane is searched in a single direction, like the line search method. Upon reaching the end where the lane terminates, a 90-degree change of direction is made, and another lane is searched. This can be achieved either using two searchers (one searching a particular direction and the other searching an adjacent direction) or several searchers using the line method. Although it is time-consuming, the method enables an area to be searched twice at different angles (Horsewell, 2016). Therefore, this increases the chances of locating evidence. Metal detectors can be handy in tracing bullet shell casings. Signify the areas to be searched and the evidence that might be associated with this crime scene All areas around a crime scene should be thoroughly searched for evidence. It begins with the two investigators conducting an initial walkthrough to identify probable and relevant evidence for the murder case grossly. This is facilitated by investigators locating areas or objects that appear to be unusual or out of place. Based on the interior and exterior sketches, several objects and areas appear to be out of place. For instance, in the internal sketch, there is an upturned coffee table, lamp on the floor, clothes scattered all over the living room floor, sofa cushions on the floor, and an open door with a projectile hole. Therefore, the presence of these atypical elements suggests that the officers should mainly focus on examining the entire living room floor and door for any traces of evidence. On the other hand, in the external sketch, there appears to be a corpse lying a few meters from the doorway entry. This suggests that the two officers should extensively focus on searching for evidence on the area around the victim’s body and the path to the doorway. Furthermore, since there is a probability that a small high-velocity object, i.e., bullet, was an element in the murder, it is recommended for the officers to search for a bullet and its casing thoroughly. The bullet exited from the victim’s head thus suggesting that it fell somewhere in the crime scene. Establishing the location of these two key pieces of evidence is essential because the location of the shell will help determine the location at which the shooter fired the gun. The presence of an open wound signifies that bleeding occurred. Therefore, it will be necessary for the investigators to locate blood stains and document the blood spatter. This will assist in identifying the location at which the victim was shot and whether the body was moved. Last but not least, the investigating officers need to locate trace evidence such as latent fingerprints in the living room. The chaotic nature of the living room suggests that furniture was moved out of place by an individual. Thus the investigating officer can specifically analyze the misplaced objects for latent fingerprints. If you had other personnel available to assist you and your new partner, what directives and assignments would you provide them with to assist in your crime scene search process? The crime scene in this murder investigation covers a relatively large area, which extends from the interior to the exterior of the house. If more other personnel are available, I will allocate several duties to them, especially in the collection of special evidence. For instance, taking into consideration that the bullet exited the victim’s body, it could have fallen anywhere in the open vicinity of either the house or compound. Therefore, recruiting more officers into the search will greatly help by hastening the time required to locate and collect evidence. Secondly, some personnel will be allocated the duty of performing research and efforts should be mainly geared towards the discovery of trace evidence (Indiana State Police, 2019). This will ensure that maximum evidence is collected. Lastly, some personnel will be allocated the duty of collecting special evidence such as the use of an alternate light source, documentation of blood pattern, and projectile trajectory analysis (Indiana State Police, 2019). These before mentioned methods of scene processing are thorough and time-consuming; therefore, they require specialized skilled personnel. Regardless of many personnel being involved in processing the crime scene, the process of evidence collection has to be conducted systematically. The sequence used is determined by the scene location (interior or exterior), condition of evidence (fragile or stable), weather conditions, scene management considerations, and additional processing techniques that might be managed by specialized personnel (Indiana State Police, 2019). Moreover, when other persons other than the investigator discover evidence, it is recommended that such items, if possible, should be pointed out to the investigator for collection and packaging. This is to avoid a long list of individuals linked to the evidence, thus efficiently ensuring that a proper chain of custody is met (Indiana State Police, 2019). In some instances, the finder of the evidence, i.e., other personnel, is allowed to collect and package evidence rather than give it to the investigator. Although the chain of custody will be reduced, it is a requirement that the finder should notify the investigator of its discovery, location, and identity. All evidence has to be photographed first before moving or removal. References 1. Eeden, C. A., Poot, C. J. & Koppen, P. J. (2016). Forensic expectations: Investigating a crime scene with prior information. Science and Justice , 56 (6), 475-481. 2. Horsewell, J. (2016). Crime Scene Investigation and Examination: Major Incident Scene Management. In Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2nd ed.). Netherlands: Elsevier BV. 3. Indiana State Police. (2019). Crime scene procedures . Web.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The essay discusses the guidelines from readings of last two weeks that help the author become more aware of which "Self" is the source of their self-identity, self-images, desires, life intentions and goals. The guidelines also help the author understand how their integral life practices affect their Being-in-Action and behavior in the world of political, economic, ecological and social unrest and suffering.
The essay discusses the guidelines from readings of last two weeks that help the author become more aware of which "Self" is the source of their self-identity, self-images, desires, life intentions and goals. The guidelines also help the author understand how their integral life practices affect their Being-in-Action and behavior in the world of political, economic, ecological and social unrest and suffering.
Self Actualization and Self Realization Essay What guidelines from readings of last two weeks help you become more aware of which “Self” is the source of your self-identity, self-images, desires, life intentions and goals? According to Ken Wilber, we all are the seekers in this world, and we are constantly seeking for our personality (Wilber & Patten). We always try to determine the most important personal aspects for us. These are the questions of self-identity, our personal desires and life intentions. From the work by Roger Walsh I have learnt how our motives and emotions can influence our life and how it is significant to control and transform them. This knowledge is our ‘wisdom’ (Walsh). According to this, we can analyze the relationship between self-actualization and self-realization in our personality. However, it is rather a controversial question to determine what has more impact on me, and what is the source of my self-identity, desires and intentions. I prefer to concentrate on the aspects of self-realization as the way of developing of my spirituality. There are many practices for developing my spirit, but I have chosen the most interesting for me. The meditation practice can be considered as the effective approach to the progress in your awareness of you as a spiritual personality. Meditation is a way of transforming your energy. The energy is the necessary ruling force of your personality (Wilber & Patten). I want to use all the opportunities of my inner energy which the meditation practice can discover for me. My purpose is “living for real” (Wilber & Patten). That is why the guidelines to the development of spirit and to the meditation practice helped me to aware that the aspects of self-realization can be considered as the source for my self-identity. As for me, self-realization is the way to be over my negative or indefinite emotions and the way to become a person of my dream. How do your integral life practices affect your Being-in-Action and behavior in the world of political, economic, ecological and social unrest and suffering? Example? We, as the members of the constantly developing society, face a lot of challenges every day. Most of them do not depend on our actions but can influence our life greatly. Our reactions can be rather different. However, each our reaction is a significant process of various kinds of transforming our energy. Thus, our task is to make this process less harmful for us if the reaction is negative. Stresses are our everyday reality, and it is very difficult to avoid them. Nevertheless, we can learn how to cope with those dangerous factors which are the result of the situation in political, economic and social spheres of our life. It is impossible to isolate ourselves from the reality because our Being-in-Action is the necessary part of the world processes. Today I can state that my integral life practices can be rather effective for my efficient activity in the society. My knowledge on the problems of spirit, body, mind and shadow contribute to the fact of my awareness of me as a personality. Moreover, I can analyze my inner motives and emotions. Furthermore, I think I am ready to develop all the possibilities of difficult emotions for my personality. The knowledge of the integral life practices gives me the opportunity to develop myself as a conscientious person who can also care for the others (Wilber & Patten). I can notice that now I pay more attention to my emotions and feelings, desires and intentions. I try to analyze them from the point of their potential and the effect for my inner energy and opportunities. Today my reactions on the stresses produced by my classes, social activity, family and relations with friends become calmer. My meditation practice helps me to discover the depth of my personality. From Ken Wilber’s and Roger Walsh’s readings this week, describe your experience with the 3-2-1 shadow process and the relationship between spirituality and shadow. When you work with your Shadow Module you always try to integrate the unconscious part of yourself. It is the fact that your energy which concentrates, according to Wilber, in your shadow part may have positive and negative origin and effects (Wilber & Patten). That is why there are many practices with the help of which we can work with this energy and even learn how to control and transform it. I can state from my personal experience that among the number of ways 3-2-1 shadow process is the most effective practice for reducing negative traits. I had the experience in my life when I could not understand the person’s intentions and decisions, and I had to do my best to face the issue. Once my friend betrayed me and I felt sad and depressed because of this fact. I could not understand the inner motives of my friend, but it was really important for me. The first thing I did was the attempt to ‘face’ her and the problem. I chose some minutes and remembered all her features that I had evaluated or had not received before. She is jolly, kind, clever. Nevertheless, she is a real egoist and can betray her friends. It was difficult for me to admit it. The next step was to ‘talk’ to her. However, it was a real opportunity for me to analyze all the possible answers to questions which were significant for me. The main question was about her motives and intentions of her actions toward me. It helped me to discover some points in our relations to which I did not pay necessary attention. The key aspect of the practice was the moment when I stated that I am angry with your (my) paying more attention to the other friends. I have understood that I also can concentrate on my problems, be quite egoistic. Nevertheless, I really do not want this quality developing in my shadow. Thus, the practice helped me to understand myself. I believe that we can influence on the relationship between our spirituality and shadow with the help of increasing of the level of our awareness of such relationship and making some steps to improve our personality. What, if anything, gets in the way of your integral life practices? What is the level of your commitment? Integral life practices are the best way for improving your personal qualities and for your personal progress. I think that they are necessary for everybody’s awakening and awareness of oneself. If I analyze the level of my commitment to such kind of integral life practices as the development of the possibilities of your spirit through the meditation practice, I can say that the advantages of following the practices are obvious. I am inclined to use the practices in my everyday life to achieve some progress in them and to discover all the hidden abilities of my personality. Nevertheless, there are some factors that can prevent me from regular practice. The most important among these factors is the lack of spare time. However, I understand that it is all up to me to control my time and to fix the priorities. Besides, there are worked out the 1-minute practices which can help me to use my time appropriately to my everyday goals. I believe that integral life practices require more attention to their peculiarities because the process of improving oneself cannot be quick and easy. I should analyze all the challenges from our society and provide the right reactions which must not be opposite to my inner vision of the problem of self-development and my principles every day and every moment. It is necessary for me because I have chosen following the principles of real life with the opportunity to develop myself. References 1. Walsh, R. (1999). Essential Spirituality . NY: John Wiley & Sons. 2. Wilber, K., & Patten, T. (2008). Integral Life Practice . Boston: Integral Books. (Wilber & Patten)
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The short story Reunion is a wonderful representation of the selfish love of a parent conveyed through the first-person narration (the son) and multiple symbols that John Cheever introduced skillfully. Although it is a short story the author managed to provide a clear understanding of how quickly the son got disappointed in his father and the feeling of excitement about the meeting changed to the wish never ever see the father again.
The short story Reunion is a wonderful representation of the selfish love of a parent conveyed through the first-person narration (the son) and multiple symbols that John Cheever introduced skillfully. Although it is a short story the author managed to provide a clear understanding of how quickly the son got disappointed in his father and the feeling of excitement about the meeting changed to the wish never ever see the father again.
Selfish Love in the Story Reunion by John Cheever Essay The short story Reunion is a wonderful representation of the selfish love of a parent conveyed through the first-person narration (the son) and multiple symbols that John Cheever introduced skillfully. Although it is a short story the author managed to provide a clear understanding of how quickly the son got disappointed in his father and the feeling of excitement about the meeting changed to the wish never ever see the father again. The author’s writing style is a brilliant man to convey the relations between protagonists, yet giving an opportunity to think up what is missing without multiple descriptions but through heated dialogues. The story starts with Charlie telling how impatiently he is waiting for the meeting with his dad. They have not seen each other for three years. The upcoming meeting seems to be a thrilling and exciting event for Charlie, and the author gives a clear understanding of the son’s eagerness: ‘… as soon as I saw him I felt that he was my father, my flesh and blood, my future and my doom’ . (Madden, p. 254) John Cheever wonderfully describes that Charlie wants to inherit his father and the overall writing style in the first paragraph gives the precise notion of how important this meeting is for Charlie. He loves his dad and cherishes this moment for a chance to see, talk, and sit next to his ‘daddy’: ‘I hoped that someone would see us together. I wished that we could be photographed’ (Madden, p.254). However, the following events changed the boy’s impression of his dad just in a span of one-page writing. John Cheever offers several dialogues with the waiters of the three restaurants that shift Charlie’s perception of dad for the worse. Using the words ‘kellner, garcon, cameriere’ (Madden, p. 255) for the waiter and ultimately ‘sommelier’ has a completely different meaning for the story rather than presenting a father as a highly educated person. The author shows that the father wants to impress his son though the way he behaves is completely inappropriate for the place they are in. Next, John Cheever introduces the reader to Charlie’s utmost desire to escape. The father wants to buy a newspaper – the symbol of a souvenir, something that Charlie would keep as a reminder of his dad, which the boy does not want to because of his dad’s behavior near the newsstand as well: ‘…sell me one of your disgusting specimens of yellow journalism? ’ (Madden, p. 256). Outstandingly, the author turns the boy’s desire to be like his dad in the beginning of the story into the wish to never know and see the father again: ‘ I went downstairs and got my train, and that was the last time I saw my father ’ (Madden, p. 256) – this was the prompt escape of the boy who wanted to be photographed with the dad in the introducing paragraph. John Cheever presents the story very effectively for the reader to understand how the feeling of the child’s anxiety to see the father changes to awkwardness and shame for standing next to the dad. The author unveils skillfully how the dad failed to impress the son although loving him (the pad on the back, the hug, or handshake). The writing style is very effective to get the pathetic situation and sympathize with Charlie until his departure. There are Charlie’s thoughts revealed in the beginning though he becomes silent further on. His words, however, would be unnecessary because nothing more should have been saying. Work Cited Madden, Frank. Exploring Literature Writing and Arguing about Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the impact of separatist movements on the international community and countries from different regions in the globe. It also explores how the emergence of new states as a result of separatist movements has further divided the international community.
The essay discusses the impact of separatist movements on the international community and countries from different regions in the globe. It also explores how the emergence of new states as a result of separatist movements has further divided the international community.
Separatist Movements’ Impacts Essay Nowadays the emergence of separatist movements became a modern-day reality due to the variety of differences in interests or policies that people from different regions have within their state. Separatist movements are mainly non-violent and advocate for peaceful actions leading to independence; they are often supported by the international community. However, there also exist other separatist movements which are violent and reflect religious and/or ethnic animosities with their mother country. Separatist movements are common in Europe and Asia. There are several separatist movements in the world, and they are supported by different countries depending on their cause or reason for calling for separation and demanding a sovereign state distinct from their mother state. Supporting separatist movements and newly formed states have greatly divided several countries in the global community. This can be explained by the fact that different countries have different policies enhancing interest differentials. The following response paper aims to explore separatist movements and their impact on the international community and countries from different regions in the globe. In the recent period, separatist movements caused the emergence of new states. It has also led to heated debate among leaders of different countries on the legality of the new nations, and whether they should be granted full independence or not. Furthermore, it has divided the international community. Some countries may support full independence for particular separatist movements while others will oppose it. The reasons for the political strategy of those countries are connected to self-interest and gain. For instance, the emergence of Kosovo as an independent state from Serbia can be mentioned as such a case when the other countries wanted to acquire their benefits. The move was supported by the United States and their NATO allies; however, it was greatly opposed by Russia. The United States and its allies felt it was right for Kosovo to gain full independence due to their security based on religious differences as Serbia mainly consisted of Christians while Kosovo was dominated by Muslims. Controversially, Russia supported full independence of the newly formed de facto states from Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Furthermore, Russia supported the de facto states financially while other states such as the United States and Georgia opposed the full independence of the two de facto states. Thus, support for full independence of new states that have emerged through separatist movement trigger geopolitical war among the world powers as is evident from the above-mentioned illustrations. In conclusion, countries support the full independence of newly formed states depending on their policies and interests concerning the respective countries. However, this has led to the tag of war among countries in the world, and, hence, divided the international community. Separatist movements mainly arise in most countries due to ethnic and religious differentials and animosities. They also receive support from different countries while others may oppose full independence separatist movements. It is not appropriate for the other countries from the world community to interfere in granting full independence by separatist movements in case their cause for the uprising is genuine. Diversified opinions on whether such movements should be granted full independence has greatly divided the international community on the reason of their interest and to indirectly interfere into the areas where opponents have great interests leading to geopolitical war among states including the major players of Russia and the United States.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The study deals with the inclusion of students with diverse abilities in a normal classroom. The study uses a correlational statistical design and the most common statistical software, SPSS. The study finds that attitude, career satisfaction, and life satisfaction are positively correlated with each other.
The study deals with the inclusion of students with diverse abilities in a normal classroom. The study uses a correlational statistical design and the most common statistical software, SPSS. The study finds that attitude, career satisfaction, and life satisfaction are positively correlated with each other.
Serbian Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Inclusion Report The study The purpose of the study consists in the attitude of mainstream teachers towards the inclusion of children with disabilities. The attitude helps to develop strong positive relationships with students because it provides them with hope for the future. Students are taught how to go about bad situations that may crop up in their lives and to concentrate on achieving their goals regardless of disability. The study deals with the inclusion of students with diverse abilities in a normal classroom Design & Procedure Correlational statistical design is chosen by the authors as an appropriate one for this kind of study. The questionnaires are carefully planned to yield pertinent data as far as the motives for the desired ends are concerned. SPSS is the most common statistical software employed for the analysis of various kinds of data with assured accuracy due to being dependent on computers more than on manual calculations nowadays. The statistical instruments include response scales of 1-7 ranging from ‘Strongly Agree’ to ‘Strongly Disagree’, which suggests that a lot of data were to be generated for the statistical analysis. The author describes all the instruments in detail as far as their historical origin and validity for this particular study are concerned. In identical studies done in the past, correlations were within permissible limits of consistency as well as accuracy required to form valid inferences. The quality of outcomes The authors use real-world measures such as sample size, population, and predictor variables. The study should involve a predictive design. Measures of the same construct should be measured sometimes in the future, and similar sets of data are compared with ascertaining validity. Participant’s outcome reported The results include all the teachers who participated. No teacher left before the completion of the project. According to the authors, participants’ information was very important to provide reliable results. Long-term outcomes The long-term outcomes are shown in the report. The authors insist that inclusion is an entity in itself. Regular practice enables one to achieve better work outcomes. Limitations of the study As is stated by the authors, the limitation of this research is the inability of correlation. It is based on studies to provide evidence for the inclusion of students with disabilities. This example is a ‘convenience sample’ because the participants were aware of the aims of the study. Practical and Clinical Significance Extremely important interdependence was established between variable data. All instruments studied by the author show statistically significant positive relationships with each other leading the writers to conclude that attitude, career satisfaction, and life satisfaction are positively correlated with each other. Sample size adequacy The study deals with 72 teachers from 12 city schools. It seems to be an appropriate sample scale at this stage as it eliminates variation due to institutional differences and also makes the teachers to be adequately prepared for the type of questionnaires they are going to be subjected to. Though a larger sample scale could have been more indicative of the results, this study was the first attempt of its kind. The novelty of the idea compensates for the small sample size. The authors find an accepted descriptive, correlational statistical design to correspond to this kind of study. The questionnaires are created to show necessary data as far as the motives for the desired ends are concerned. Results reported in meaningful terms The reliability of coefficients was 0.78 for core perspective, 0.73 for classroom practices, and 0.76 for expected outcomes. It means that the obtained results were reliable although cultural differences play an important role in showing the differences. The results have also been depicted in easily comprehensible tabulated forms which describe the demographic details of the participants, mean values obtained for three instruments under study, and the correlational attributes within them. Errors due to cultural variations seem to be minimal as most respondents were female. Subgroup analysis and authors discussion The authors were cautious in the inclusion of subgroup analysis as the discussion in the study focused on the attitude of teachers towards inclusion to mainstream children with disabilities and the ways and means they adopt to overcome the obstacles encountered in teaching. It helps to avoid contractions. Sharing and assisting others were considered vital in promoting awareness about inclusion. The limitations in this study include the small number of participants as well as the environment and methodology which might have elicited subdued responses due to privacy concerns. Outcomes reported The authors do not identify parameters with no results or with negative results in this case. Evidence in the study The authors have used real-world data making the evidence of the study very strong. The authors describe all the instruments in detail as far as their historical origin and validity for this particular study are concerned. Additional information The additional information that is identified is the use of Pearson to identify translate the effect size of the sample. The regression coefficient is also a part of the study as it is used to standardize and measure the effect size. It represents the dependent variable changes that are results of a standard deviation change in specific independent variables. Reference Kalyva, E., Gojkovic, D and Tsakiris V. (2007). Serbian Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Inclusion. International Journal Of Special Education.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The essay discusses the reflective process that is used in service-learning projects. It states that every component of a reflective learning process must include a reflective phase that gives students the opportunity to be engaged in the reflection. The essay also discusses the planning phase of the project, how it focused on the components of the project with regards to the summer school programme, how it will be linked to the schools language arts curriculum, and the aim and purpose of the project.
The essay discusses the reflective process that is used in service-learning projects. It states that every component of a reflective learning process must include a reflective phase that gives students the opportunity to be engaged in the reflection. The essay also discusses the planning phase of the project, how it focused on the components of the project with regards to the summer school programme, how it will be linked to the schools language arts curriculum, and the aim and purpose of the project.
Service-Learning Reflective Process Essay Every component of a reflective learning process must include a reflective phase that gives students the opportunity to be engaged in the reflection (Furco, 2007). This phase gives the project a serine opportunity to reflect back on the progress that has been realized so far. Prior to its commencement, this particular project consisted of two collaborative pieces. The administrator of this particular project had a meeting with two administrators and one parent who was also the president of the Parents Teachers Association. The planning phase of the project was discussed during the meeting. It focused on the components of the project with regards to the summer school programme, how it will be linked to the schools language arts curriculum, the aim and purpose of the project and how it would involve and empower the community. Other factors, such as materials that will be required and the mode of transportation were also discussed. This project focused on gang violence; a tragedy that has caused a lot of chaos in Hartford, CT. It has been on the rise and during that process many youths have become its victims. Some of them have been hurt while others have been killed. This project will therefore give the young people of this community a chance to learn about various aspects of their society through the creation of awareness. The project thus involved six 3 rd grade students in each class. To be more interesting to the students, the administrator divided the community into different quadrants. The regions that were selected had rich history and community pride (Ammon and Middaugh, 2001). Each quadrant was assigned students from a different region so that they can experience and appreciate the difference in culture. The students were asked questions about the opposite quadrant to increase their knowledge about Harford, CT and raise their curiosity. Furthermore, they will proceed with the expository component that is linked to the school curriculum where they are expected to keep in touch with a pen pal through writing. This will increase their social and interaction skills. In the end, they are expected to share the knowledge which they have learned with their class members. Establishing the foundation of the project was difficult during the initial phase due to its sensitive nature (Morgan, 2001). To ensure that the project is successful, it commenced during summer; a period where there are minimal school activities and the size of the classes are small and manageable. Including the president of the PTO was a political move rather than a recommendation. This is because she already has the support of other community members and fellow parents. Having this huge support is healthy for the project since it will increase the chances of it being successful (Westheimer and Kahne, 2000). Having a central location for the office was a brilliant idea since it can be accessed easily from any part of the city by parents and students. This will increase the participation of parents in the project during the final gathering. Despite all this, the project is expected to face several risks and setbacks which have to be planned for. First, the fact that students have different writing skills and capabilities has to be considered. This may prevent them from communicating clearly and efficiently to their pen pals while writing letters. Teachers’ participation within the classroom is encouraged to alleviate this problem (Morgan and Streb, 2001). Transportation of parents is also another problem. There are those parents who cannot travel via public means, therefore alternatives from friends, volunteers and other sources should be explored. References Ammon, F., & Middaugh, C. (2001). Impacts of service-learning on participating students . Denver, CO: RMC Research. Furco, A. (2007). Advancing Youth Academic Success: School Engagement and International Leadership through Service-Learning: Growing to Greatness 2007 . St. Paul: National :Youth Leadership Council. Morgan, W. (2001). Building citizenship: How student voice in service-learning develops civic values. Social Science Quarterly, 82, 154-169. Morgan, W., & Streb, M. (2001). Building citizenship: How student voice in service-learning develops civic values. Social Science Quarterly, 82 (1), 155-169. Westheimer, J., & Kahne, J. (2000). Report to the Surdna Board.–D.V.I. New York: Surdna Foundation.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The article discusses the severe problem of Congo stemming from the conflict of minerals. It outlines the main body of the paper, which is dedicated to the discussion of the issue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The paper highlights the fact that despite the significant growth in macroeconomic figures resulting from the sales of mineral resources, the citizens of Congo do not experience any remarkable increase in well-being.
The article discusses the severe problem of Congo stemming from the conflict of minerals. It outlines the main body of the paper, which is dedicated to the discussion of the issue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The paper highlights the fact that despite the significant growth in macroeconomic figures resulting from the sales of mineral resources, the citizens of Congo do not experience any remarkable increase in well-being.
Severe Problem of Congo Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main body 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction Life in certain African regions is very tough due to severe social and economic problems. Some parts of the population struggle every day, trying to satisfy basic needs. One of the persistent issues is a conflict of minerals in Congo, which implies using violent ways in cobalt mining and exports. At the end of the day, cruel actions in the mineral resource industry are relevant not only to local people but to the world population as well. Main body I realize that I use cobalt daily and I cannot imagine my life without a phone, a laptop, and all other gadgets. However, I have to admit that I rarely think about what sacrifice it takes to produce these goods. It was shocking to find out about the amount of used labor that allows me to enjoy my life. Geneen and Maryse claim that despite the significant growth in macroeconomic figures resulting from the sales of mineral resources, the citizens of Congo do not experience any remarkable increase in well-being (p. 6). This fact is crucial to know, and it will now make my purchase decisions more thoughtful. Even though some might argue that it is “too little too late” to change the situation, in my point of view, there is still hope. Enough Team suggests that learning about supply chains, protecting mines, improving the governmental system, and providing some opportunities for workers might contribute to the change. Conclusion In conclusion, the situation with mining for cobalt in Congo remains extremely severe. Developed countries put a lot of effort into trying to help the Congo solve these problems. There are many organizations that constantly work on finding ways to make the lives of the communities in Congo better. However, it seems like all the people across the globe should be educated about the issue and more responsible while making decisions. Works Cited 1. Enough Team. “ A Comprehensive Approach to Congo’s Conflict Minerals – Strategy Paper .” The Enough Project , 2017. Web. 2. Geenen, Sara, and Stefaan Marysse. “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mining Sector.” Encyclopedia of Mineral and Energy Policy (2016)
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: One of our recommendations to Porter is to encouraging customers to check-in online and provide personal info regarding number of personal items, carry-ons and checked bags at least one day (up to thirty days) before departure. The extended check-in window provides the passengers more time and opportunities to notify Porter of their travel details. Cancellations should also be made in advance and notify Porter in a timely manner. By doing so, the estimated weight of the aircraft will be calculated more precisely and
One of our recommendations to Porter is to encouraging customers to check-in online and provide personal info regarding number of personal items, carry-ons and checked bags at least one day (up to thirty days) before departure. The extended check-in window provides the passengers more time and opportunities to notify Porter of their travel details. Cancellations should also be made in advance and notify Porter in a timely manner. By doing so, the estimated weight of the aircraft will be calculated more precisely and
Safety Management Systems in Aviation Research Paper Online check-in and information gathering in advance One of our recommendations to Porter is to encouraging customers to check-in online and provide personal info regarding number of personal items, carry-ons and checked bags at least one day (up to thirty days) before departure. The extended check-in window provides the passengers more time and opportunities to notify Porter of their travel details. Cancellations should also be made in advance and notify Porter in a timely manner. By doing so, the estimated weight of the aircraft will be calculated more precisely and efficiently before date of departure. One method of incentify the passenger to provide information is to implement travel credit rewards or discount system encouraging passengers to notifying the airline in advance if they do not plan to board the airplane due to any reason. Passengers booking non-refundable and unchangeable flight tickets do not have any incentive to notify the airline of their no-show, and the total weight of passengers are difficult to estimate before the date of check-in. In his strategy, cancellations made 7 days, 3 days or 24 hours before departure will receive credits or discount added to account. Or Porter could add a no-show fee (could be refunded on the day of the departure) to the original price when purchasing. Collaboration with other departments Work with customer service representatives at check-in desks to speed up the process of information gathering. In accordance with the statistics, the inappropriate presentation of data due to the absence or failed cooperation between services or employees is one of the central keys for the delays (ICAO, 2018). For this reason, there is a critical need for the encouragement of collaboration by establishing a new system where every unit reports information related to flight with the primary aim to guarantee that SOC department have all needed parameters to make calculations and prepare the plane for the flight. The data exchange can be organized via the use of special software and applications ensuring fast and effective resolution of emerging conflicts that might emerge in any airport. Clear role and responsibility are announced to the employees This recommendation is apart of the culture shift management, focusing on defining the clear role and responsibility to employees. Specific human resource management techniques and training might be used to ensure the understanding of the importance of teamwork performance and relationship with individual achievement. Employees involved in the process of estimating and completing the weight and balance check should be aware that they are performing in a team. Any mistakes or failure will affect the performance of the whole team. Therefore, individuals are held accountable for their actions and responsible for their mistakes. An individual could be assigned to be responsible for the final check-up or monitoring the whole process from check-in to the flight take off and hold employees responsible. A short record or summary notes at each step completed by employees responsible might help to identify errors and specific issue during the process. Increase the time for the flight check-in Another possible recommendation is to increase the time for the flight check-in to ensure that passengers arrive earlier and all information needed to create a balance and weight report is available in advance. There are several factors proving the possible positive impact preconditioned by this solution. First, despite the fact that passengers will be recommended to arrive earlier and, the overall time they spend in airports will be reduced. Having acquired the needed information, specialists of SOC will be able to perform all calculations and guarantee the in-time departure. It will result in the elimination of delays caused by the overweight aircraft and, as a result, reduce time wasted by passengers waiting for their journey. Additionally, it will help to improve the image of the company responsible for the flight. In accordance with surveys, the majority of passengers are more interested in the absence of delays and timely arrivals at destination points (Rodwell, Coulby, Carney, & Mott, 2015). That is why multiple problems with flights and additional time needed for calculating and balancing might irritate them and deteriorate their attitude to the provider of services. From this very perspective, increased time for the flight check-in will be an appropriate solution regarding the fact that punctual arrival is more appreciated by clients. In such a way, it can be considered a reasonable, effective, and economically appropriate recommendation that will help to improve the given sphere and achieve a significant reduction of delays caused by the need to solve problems related to overweight aircraft. Better image of the airline company will attract new customers, who appreciate their time and the absence of delays. Introduction of an online monitoring system for the creation of reports A significant problem indicated by SOC department director is that it acquires information about overweight too late and there is the need for additional time to introduce some changes to ensure that the maximum take-off weight and payload are within the norm. At the moment, SOC suffers from not having detailed information about passengers and their baggage early enough (FAA & ASA, 2016). For this reason, multiple delays occur as safety concerns have the highest priority (ICAO, 2018). However, the introduction of online monitoring and reporting system would help to improve the situation and eliminate gaps in knowledge about a particular flight, passengers, load, weather conditions, and other environmental factors that might impact the aircraft. One of the main ideas of this system is the continuous data entry about passengers who have already passed the flight check-in procedure and are waiting for the departure. It will help to acquire the complete image of the load and introduce appropriate changes when necessary. All information should be provided to SOC department for its members to monitor the current state of the aircraft, made predictions about possible overweight and plan some actions that should be performed to solve this problem in advance (Stolzer, 2015). This online constantly updating system will become a potent tool promoting better cooperation between various departments and the absence of critical delays that might be too expensive for the company. The given solution can be effective enough to introduce positive changes in the way airlines function and contribute to negative patterns that still exist in the given sphere. At the same time, the price of the new system’s integration is comparatively low if to compare with delays and deterioration of the company’s image if to speak about long-term perspectives. References Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), & Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA). (2016). Aircraft weight and balance handbook . New York, NY: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. ICAO. (2018). Safety report . Web. Rodwell, J., Coulby, A., Carney, T., & Mott, J. (2015). Essentials of aviation management: A guide for aviation service businesses (8th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing. Stolzer, A. (2015). Safety management systems in aviation (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The sandwich shop industry is a broad field of business in the United States. It is essential to analyze the trends in the industry and the overall direction of its development in the economy of a country to provide a relevant marketing plan for a particular shop. In this paper, a general overview of sandwich chop industry and a specific analysis of Subway will be provided.
The sandwich shop industry is a broad field of business in the United States. It is essential to analyze the trends in the industry and the overall direction of its development in the economy of a country to provide a relevant marketing plan for a particular shop. In this paper, a general overview of sandwich chop industry and a specific analysis of Subway will be provided.
Sandwich Shop Industry and Company Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Current Industry Overview 3. Company Analysis 4. Conclusion 5. Works Cited Introduction The industry of sandwich shops is a broad field of business in the United States. It is essential to analyze the trends in the industry and the overall direction of its development in the economy of a country to provide a relevant marketing plan for a particular shop. In this paper, a general overview of sandwich chop industry and a specific analysis of Subway will be provided. Current Industry Overview Sandwich store industry occupies a significant share in the American economy. The shops produce food for immediate consumption and non-alcoholic drinks without table service. The shops working in this sphere are growing each year, and their profits grow in correspondence with the popularity among customers. According to the IBIS report, the “industry revenue grew 4.3% and 6.0% in 2015 and 2017, respectively” (“Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US” par. 1). Such a success in performance was achieved due to some positive changes and adjustments of menu options to more healthy food items and concerns about meals containing a high level of fat. The flexibility in meeting customer requirements and preferences contributes to the overall efficiency of the industry participants. Beside revenue growth, other parameters of economic advancement showed positive changes. Indeed, the number of businesses grew by 0.9%, as well as the number of employees working in the industry increased by 2.3% (“Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US”). Also, there are some threats that might undermine the success of the industry’s performance, such as consumer confidence affecting household expenditures and customer spending rates (“Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US”). If they decrease, sandwich shops might face economic difficulties and a decline in revenues. However, as IBIS predicts, sandwich shop industry is likely to proceed in competing with other food-related fields of business (“Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US”). Company Analysis The leading company in the US Sandwich and sub store industry is Subway. The widespread net of shops located in every corner of the country ensures its high level of presence in the economy and its popularity among customers. Indeed, the brand obtains significant recognition and occupies a stable position in the market. Having more than 50-year history, the company still fosters its initial principles of high-quality menu items at a low price and the constant work for improvement (“Subway History”). The shop concentrates on making submarine sandwiches using quality ingredients to provide healthy and affordable food for everyone. The strengths of the company are its recognizable brand name, quality of services, and endeavors for technology implementation in the working and customer-service processes. The system of franchising allowed for the rapid growth of the number of stores, and the popularity increases year after year. At present, there are 40,000 shops opened around the world which justifies Subway’s leading position among submarine sandwich stores worldwide (“Subway History”). However, when comparing the company to other fast-food stores, there is no online service available to facilitate sales. This issue might be regarded as a weakness but it is possible to be eliminated according to the policy of a company to prioritize constant improvement. Conclusion In summary, the number of businesses involved in the sandwich shop industry is growing each year and shows a tendency to be dependent on labor more than finances. Subway, as a leading company in the field, occupies the most prominent place among its competitors in the USA. It also shows a high rate of popularity and business performance in the world. However, its absence online diminishes the company’s prospects in future competitiveness. Works Cited “Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US.” IBISWorld, 2019, Web. “Subway History.” Subway, n. d., Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The text discusses the economic growth of Saudi Arabia in 2018. as well as the unemployment and inflation rates. It notes that the economy grew by 2.2% in 2018, mostly due to the successful recovery of oil companies that suffered losses in 2017. The non-oil economy sector also increased by 2%, signifying a positive trend for the state.
The text discusses the economic growth of Saudi Arabia in 2018. as well as the unemployment and inflation rates. It notes that the economy grew by 2.2% in 2018, mostly due to the successful recovery of oil companies that suffered losses in 2017. The non-oil economy sector also increased by 2%, signifying a positive trend for the state.
Saudi Arabia Economic Brief Report Measuring the Saudi Arabia Economy Economic Growth Gross Domestic Product (GDP), measured in volume terms in 2018, was estimated at $689 billion ( Saudi Arabia economic outlook, 2020). When compared to the previous year, the GDP of Saudi Arabia was estimated at $645 billion in 2017, signifying economic growth. * + The nominal GDP of Saudi Arabia in 2017 was estimated at $197,026 million ( Saudi Arabia nominal GDP, no date). Notably, the economy of Saudi Arabia relies on the oil industry, which affects the GDP. However, the government has introduced reforms that aim to restructure it. The investment in the state’s economy rose by 0.7% in 2018, when compared to the previous year ( Saudi Arabia nominal GDP, no date). In 2018 the economy grew by 2.2% mostly due to the successful recovery of oil companies that suffered losses in 2017 (Jadwa Investment, 2019). The non-oil economy sector has increased by 2%, also signifying a positive trend for the state. Graph 1, created by the World Bank, presented the growth of Saudi Arabia’s economy in 2018. Government expenditure, displayed in fiscal balance, is estimated at -9.2% when compared to 2017 ( Saudi Arabia economic outlook, 2020). Import decreased by $5 billion, while export increased by $38 billion ( Saudi Arabia economic outlook, 2020). Graph 1. Saudi Arabia GDP (World Bank, no date). Unemployment In general, the majority of the workforce in the state is engaged in working for the oil and gas industry. Unemployment allows determining how many individuals of appropriate age in a state do not have a job in comparison to the entire labour force. In Saudi Arabia, individuals older than 15 years old are considered eligible for work and are included in the employment statistics ( Saudi Arabia: unemployment rate from 1998 to 2018, 2019). In 2017 the unemployment rate was 5.92%, which signifies an increase from 2017 rate of 5.89% ( Saudi Arabia: unemployment rate from 1998 to 2018, 2019 ). A series of economic reforms may have affected the state of Saudi Arabi’s labour force in 2018. The release from the General Authority for Statistics suggests that: * In total, there are 12,688,042 employed individuals in Q4 of 2018 ( Unemployment rate, 2019) * Out of them, 9,578,055 are non-Saudi employed persons Inflation Using the Laspeyres formula, the inflation in Saudi Arabia in 2018 reached 2.2% ( Saudi Arabia – Average consumer prices inflation rate , no date). Inflation rates in December 2018 were estimated at 2.2%, while in 2017 the rate was -0.7%. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January 2017 was 136, while in July 2017, it increased reaching 137.7 ( Consumer price index, 2019). However, annual CPI in 2017 is estimated at 117, indicating an increase in 2018. In 2018 it was estimated at 120.9 ( Saudi Arabia – Consumer price index, no date). According to Trading Economics (no date), the most important elements of Saudi Arabia’s CPI are food and beverages, housing and water, transport, furniture, and other categories. Graph 2 displays the change in Saudi Arabia’s CPI from 2017 to 2018. Graph 2. CPI of Saudi Arabia (Trading Economics, no date) Components of economic growth Consumption Household consumption from 2017 to 2018 increased. In 2018, the consumption totaled at $298,197,000,00 while in 2017 it was $283,678,000 (IndexMundi, no date). The annual growth of household consumption in 2018 was 1.9%, as can be seen in Graph 3. Consumer confidence, measured using The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions in 2018 was 98 in July 2017 and increased to 107 by July 2018 ( Consumer price index, 2019; Saudi Arabia – Average consumer prices inflation rate, no date; ). Since this index measures the confidence of citizens regarding their jobs, financial status, plans regarding purchases, one can conclude that a positive trend was present in the examined timeframe. Moreover, scores below 100 suggest an overall pessimistic attitude of consumers, which can be connected to the struggles experienced by Saudi Arabia’s economy in 2017 and economic improvement in 2018. Graph 3. Annual household consumption Saudi Arabia (Index Mundi, no date). Public Finances Foreign direct investment has increased by 120% between 2017 and 2018, according to the United Nations (2019) report. In total, the investment over this period is estimated at $3.2 billion. One reason for such change is policies connected to the encouragement of foreign investment in different industries, including recruitment and employment, real estate, land transportation, and others. When comparing the government expenditure in 2018 and 2017, the overall budgets were set at $261 billion and $250 billion respectively. Expenditures in 2018 were estimated at 35.1% of GDP, while the public reached 19.1% of GDP. External Trade According to the World Trade Organisation estimations, Saudi Arabia’s export reached $294,373 million for goods, while import was $137,065 (cited in Saudi Arabia: Presentation, no date). The trade balance in 2018 was estimated at $168 billion when compared to $74.2 billion in 2017. The main export goods include petroleum, both crude and refined, ethylene polymers, and others. The positive trend is connected to the strengthening of the state’s economy after 2017. Reference List Consumer price index (2019) Web. Index Mundi (no date) Saudi Arabia. Web. Jadwa Investment (2019) The Saudi Economy in 2019 . Web. Saudi Arabia – Average consumer prices inflation rate (no date) Web. Saudi Arabia – Consumer price index (no date). Web. Saudi Arabia economic outlook (no date). Web. Saudi Arabia GDP – Gross Domestic Product (no date). Web. Saudi Arabia GDP (no date). Web. Saudi Arabia: presentation (no date). Web. Saudi Arabia: unemployment rate from 1998 to 2018 (2019). Web. Trading Economics (no date) Saudi Arabia consumer price index (CPI) . Web. United Nations (2019) World investment report . Web. Unemployment rate (2019) Web. World Bank (no date) GDP per capita – current (US$) – Sauidi Arabia. Web.
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Write an essay about: The essay contains a flowchart for SBIRT screening for opioid abuse – a complex process that needs to be mastered by many nurses. The essay provides a brief explanation of the flowchart, examines evaluation metrics, and highlights areas of improvement.
The essay contains a flowchart for SBIRT screening for opioid abuse – a complex process that needs to be mastered by many nurses. The essay provides a brief explanation of the flowchart, examines evaluation metrics, and highlights areas of improvement.
SBIRT Screening for Opioid Abuse Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Explanation of the Diagram 3. Metrics and Areas of Improvements 4. Summary 5. References SBIRT Screening for Opioid Abuse Diagram. Introduction Workflow can be defined as a well-structured, orchestrated, and repeated pattern of nursing activity. Since the steps of workflow are highly predictable, it is easy to present the described operation visually – for instance, in a flowchart or a diagram. Flowcharts and diagrams are recognized as useful tools in the workplace aimed at setting standards for conducting certain procedures, staff training, and continuing education. The present paper contains a flowchart for SBIRT screening for opioid abuse – a complex process that needs to be mastered by many nurses. The essay provides a brief explanation of the flowchart, examines evaluation metrics, and highlights areas of improvement. Explanation of the Diagram Opioid medication is often prescribed for pain relief due to its effectiveness. However, this type of medication is highly addictive and should be taken with the utmost caution (Volkow & McLellan, 2016). Opioid overdose leads to difficulties breathing, slow heartbeat rate, extreme weakness, and inability to speak, and in some cases, opioid abuse may be lethal. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment and is a standard procedure for assessing the risks of opioid abuse in medicated patients. The steps a nurse needs to take to evaluate a patient’s physical and mental state are similar to those taken in the case of any other type of substance abuse (Kentuckiana Health Collaborative, 2018). Once a patient is admitted to a care facility, a nurse should ask him or her about their daily intake of opioid medication. If the intake exceeds that prescribed by their doctor, the screening is positive, and the nurse should consider taking the following steps presented in the diagram. At this stage, it is essential to conduct a risk evaluation, for instance, using the Opioid risk tool. The author of the Opioid risk tool, Webster (n.d.) recommends asking questions about the family history of substance abuse, comorbidities such as mental disorders, and alcohol intake. If a patient does not abuse the prescribed dosage significantly and regularly and his or her situation is low-risk, a nurse can advise to follow their doctor’s recommendations and be careful. If the risk is low to moderate, a nurse should intervene briefly: summarize the gathered data and tell about the possible adverse outcomes. While intervening, a nurse should be non-judgmental and compassionate to overcome a patient’s reluctance (Ideas Exchange, 2017). In case the risk is moderate to high, brief treatment is recommended: for instance, a nurse can give information about less dangerous medication. Lastly, if a patient is undeniably at high risk of having or developing opioid abuse, he or she should be referred to other specialists and encouraged to join a therapy group. All the steps are value-added: they are usually done right the first time, have the potential to transform a patient, and are important to him or her. Metrics and Areas of Improvements The implementation of hospital staff performance metrics can tackle the epidemic of opioid abuse. The use of opioid medication is tracked by health providers and available in common databases. A nurse shares information about opioid prescription with local providers so that a patient is not able to receive drugs from other sources. The most important evaluation metric is a reduction in unnecessary use and improved access to less aggressive medication ibuprofen which can help to tackle dependency issues. Another metric that can be implemented for assessment is a lower readmission rate after initial referral. The workflow for SBIRT presented in the diagram leaves some space for improvement. It describes an ideal situation in which a patient is honest and direct and shares personal data without reluctance. A diagram could benefit from an additional part in which a patient conceals information, but databases at a nurse’s disposal show that he or she is abusing drugs. The next step might include handling treatment or referral refusal. Summary Patients suffering from severe pain often make attempts to increase the dosage of opioids since they discover that their organism adjusts to the effect of medication and no longer reacts in a desired way. Conducting regular screenings can be of great help with exposing abuse cases whereas maintaining workflow helps to organize resources systematically and increase the efficiency of work processes. A nurse needs to approach the screening process in three steps: ask initial questions about daily intake, assess risks, and choose between intervention, treatment, or referral. The efficiency of SBIRT can be measured through reduced use of opioids and fewer readmissions. The workflow can be improved by adding more details and establishing the course of action in the case of a patient’s refusal to cooperate. References Ideas Exchange. (2017). The SBIRT interview: Opioid screening [Video file]. Web. Kentuckiana Health Collaborative. (2018). Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). Addressing unhealthy substance use in primary care settings . Web. Volkow, N. D., & McLellan, T. (2016). Opioid abuse in chronic pain. Misconceptions and mitigation strategies. New England Journal of Medicine, 374 (13), 1253-1263. Webster, L. R. (n.d.). Opioid risk tool . Web.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The purpose of this paper is to make a list of the best ways to build school-community partnerships and explain them.The purpose of this paper is to make a list of the best ways to build school-community partnerships and explain them.
The purpose of this paper is to make a list of the best ways to build school-community partnerships and explain them. The purpose of this paper is to make a list of the best ways to build school-community partnerships and explain them.
School-Community Partnerships Building Essay Introduction For many teenagers, it is hard to go to school every day and be active there. In the lessons, some students may feel underestimated, not cared about, not important. They need to feel a pleasant atmosphere and have something exciting to do in school. The purpose of this paper is to make a list of the best ways to build school-community partnerships and explain them. Possible Ways The first way is giving young people a voice; in other words, letting students affect changes in their school and their communities, designing new projects, being leaders of their own campaigns. Teachers and school staff need to let students feel that they and their opinions actually matter. The second way is to plan for the active collaboration of students. Students have to feel comfortable to ask any questions they have and not to be afraid that they need to come with the answers on their own. The more students figure out together, the better the results they may achieve. Also, if one wants to build school-community partnerships, he or she should develop a shared vision, which allows students to understand where they can use their strengths and resources to achieve the best result. What is also necessary is to establish clear roles for each partner; everyone should be involved in the process and have his own responsibilities. Engaging teachers in joint professional development builds a strong sense of awareness, recognition, and the contribution of the school staff. As an outside help, engaging the right leaders (mayors, city council members, superintendents, etc.) and get help identifying diverse funding resources so that the students could get access to the resources they deserve. Conclusion To draw a conclusion, one may say that there are a lot of things that need to be changed in schools. Students have to spend at school five or six days per week, so there should be a good atmosphere for them and many opportunities to express themselves. Hence, it is evident that the steps of building school-community partnerships are simple and should be done in the nearest future.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the formation of a school counseling group for 6-11- year-olds.The group will focus on the specific individual and group interventions aimed at developing effective behavioral patterns in children who encounter difficulties in school. The paper discusses the procedures and techniques that can be used in such a group, as well as the evaluation and references.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the formation of a school counseling group for 6-11- year-olds. The group will focus on the specific individual and group interventions aimed at developing effective behavioral patterns in children who encounter difficulties in school. The paper discusses the procedures and techniques that can be used in such a group, as well as the evaluation and references.
School Counseling Group Functions Analysis Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The Purpose of the Group 3. The Focus of the Group 4. Participants’ Characteristics and Rationale 5. Procedures and Techniques 6. Evaluation 7. References Introduction School counseling is an important branch of social work that prioritizes the needs of minors. In this paper, an anticipated process of forming a group similar to A School Counseling Group for 6-11- year-olds presented by Corey, Corey, and Corey (2018). Due to the particularities children might have in the school environment, the work of a counselor should be directed at the application of research and practical interventions to eliminate the problems and encourage students to deal with difficulties effectively. The Purpose of the Group The planned group will engage school children aged from six to ten years who have particular problems with learning achievements. The purpose of the counseling group is to help the students improve their learning outcomes and behaviors in school by addressing their difficulties through sessions and communication with teachers and parents. The integration of home and school environments into the counseling process will provide the basis for effective achievement of the goal. The Focus of the Group Taking into account the goals of the counseling, the group should be focused on the specific individual and group interventions aimed at developing effective behavioral patterns in children who encounter difficulties in school. Low level of performance at an early age is often caused by environmental issues (Hines et al., 2017). Therefore, the priority of the sessions will be set of the integration of different systems of environment, such as home, parents, school, peers, and others. By articulating the issues during the individual sessions or group meetings, the counselor will be able to single out the particular problems of each child and will make corrections in the plan to meet the specific needs of the participants. Participants’ Characteristics and Rationale The participants for the group will be allocated on the basis of their behavior and educational achievements in class. Overall, the group will consist of 12-16 students of different genders and aged from six to ten years. The number of participants is thought to be optimal to both ensure the effectiveness of the interventions in small groups and to provide sufficient counseling support for as many children as possible. The maximum of 16 participants will be an appropriate number for a group led by one counselor. When choosing and admitting children to the group, all involved stakeholders (teachers, parents, and counselor) will be particularly cautious toward children with low educational performance, difficulties in adjusting to the school environment, and those from underprivileged families (Hines et al., 2017). Such participant characteristics will allow for attracting the individuals who are struggling the most in school and who need support from a professional. Procedures and Techniques The choice of procedures and techniques for the group will depend on the particular issues and needs the participants have. In terms of the leader’s preparation for the work with the group, it will be required to research the target population by retrieving necessary information from teachers and parents. During the introductory communication with participants’ parents, informed consent will be required (Corey et al., 2018). Also, continuous communication and exchange of the intermediate results with parents and school teachers will be established to ensure effective cooperative work. Overall, the sessions will be designed in the form of a combination of communicative exercises and gamification to facilitate the outcomes for the designated age group. At the initial stage of forming the group, the counselor will establish the rules and disclose that the information about each participant will be shared with their parents and teachers for the benefit of the children. Such an open presentation of the issues concerning child privacy will contribute to the trusting relationship with the counselor that is crucial for effective work (Corey et al., 2018). The counselor will “minimize reluctance on the part of members” by initiating a discussion in a trusting atmosphere (Corey et al., 2018, p. 178). The success of the initial stage will become a basis for fruitful cooperation in the future. The duration of the counseling will be approximately five or six months, during which the goals will be achieved within a chosen theoretical background. According to Hines et al. (2017), “environmental factors influence the academic performance and development of students” (p. 4). Therefore, the interventions and techniques will be implemented around such ecological systems as microsystem (individual students), mesosystem (their parents and teachers), exosystem (libraries), macrosystem (school administration), and chronosystem (life events) (Hines et al., 2017). Thus, by addressing particular issues related to these five environmental factors will enable the progress of the sessions and meeting the goals of the group. Evaluation A crucial element of any counseling work is the validation of the results of the sessions. The evaluation of the goals’ achievements will be carried out by means of follow-up observation of students’ progress. It will be possible to accomplish by discussing the learning and behavioral changes in the participants as interpreted by teachers and parents. Also, repeated evaluations of the results between sessions will be implemented to make corrections in sub-groups and interventions (Corey et al., 2018). The comparison of the grades and teachers and parents’ feedback concerning the participants will be an objective indicator of the group’s effectiveness. References Corey, M.S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Hines, E. M., Moore, J. L., Mayes, R. D., Harris, P. C., Vega, D., Robinson, D. V., … Jackson, C. E. (2017). Making student achievement a priority: The role of school counselors in turnaround schools . Urban Education , 1-22. Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The environmental challenges largely determine the development of technology and science as a way of adjusting to new conditions. Environmental challenges promote the development of science and technology as a way of adjusting to new conditions.
The environmental challenges largely determine the development of technology and science as a way of adjusting to new conditions. Environmental challenges promote the development of science and technology as a way of adjusting to new conditions.
Science, Technology, and the Environment Essay Environmental Challenges Promote the Development of Science and Technology The environmental challenges largely determine the development of technology and science as a way of adjusting to new conditions. Diamond shows that the uneven development of different human societies worldwide is not an accident but a pattern caused by climate, the availability of animals suitable for domestication, and many other factors (“Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies,” 1997). For example, the Spaniards who colonized America succeed primarily due to the European diseases brought with them: the natives did not have immunity from them, while Spanish science was advanced enough to combat with them. As noted by McNeil (2001), the Europeans who significantly increased food production as a result of sedentary lifestyles wanted to expand their control over other countries, which pushed them to the improvement of technology based on steel and guns. The example of New Guinea, which only recently adopted innovations, shows that their living habits, namely, gathering and hunting, required no critical advancement in technology. The Europeans who arrived at the mentioned country found that they still live in primitive communities and practice traditional ways of production (Frum, 1998). In this connection, the culture may either promote or impede technology and science development. When the Spaniards and Portuguese came to America, it was a collapse for the Native population that was not equipped with guns, thus having little chances to survive ( Conquest , 2004; Into the tropics 2004; Out of Eden 2004 ). At the same time, the situation with New Guinea demonstrates that peaceful relationships are also possible between less and more advanced societies (“Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies,” 1997). This occurs because every nation has its own cultural peculiarities that identify its attitudes, behaviors, and principles with regard to others and potential change. Military Success: Technology, Motivation, and Leadership Technology offers a great variety of weapons and other military innovations that allow conquering other nations and controlling them. While the Europeans were making their colonies, their military success largely depended on technology. In addition, ideological motivation and leadership should also be noted among factors that led emperors and kings to victories. For instance, the effectiveness of maritime China in the 1400s was also caused by the intention to promote commerce with many countries, thus increasing production (Andrade, 2010). One of the central places in military ideology belongs to a set of criteria for evaluating phenomena in terms of justice or injustice, support or protest, which compose a moral compass in the military sphere. Adas (2015) states that the ideal images of global and national life follow from the identified rationale. In other words, the very idea of a state that aimed at the expansion should be substantial to compete with technology in terms of future success. The opposing viewpoint is that leadership may even overcome technology if it is supported by such essential factors as devotion and potential benefits. As an example, one may focus on Lockard (2015), who describes the shift from the Chinese domination in the Middle Centuries that reduced steadily due to a lack of effective leaders (“Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies,” 1997). At the same time, the conquests of Mecca and Medina turned out to be shaded by the European ascent in terms of military affairs. A range of factors may decrease the impact of a leader, including excessive murder, violence, and inconsistent actions (Taylor, 2018). On the contrary, a strong idea, as well as proper appeal to the public, is likely to help a leader in integrating people and heading them on the way to success. References Adas, M. (2015). Machines as the measure of men: Science, technology, and ideologies of Western dominance . New York, NY: Cornell University Press. Andrade, T. (2010). Beyond guns, germs, and steel: European expansion and maritime Asia, 1400-1750. Journal of Early Modern History, 14 (1/2), 165-186. Conquest . (2004). Web. Frum, D. (1998). How the West won: History that feels good usually isn’t. Foreign Affairs, 77 (5), 132-135. Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies . (1997). Web. Lockard, C. (2015). Societies, networks, and transitions: A global history (3rd ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. McNeil, J. R. (2001). The world, according to Jared Diamond. History Teacher, 34 (2), 165-175. Out of Eden . (2004). Web. Taylor, R. L. (2018). Military leadership: In pursuit of excellence . New York, NY: Routledge. Into the tropics . (2004). Web.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Sculpture is a branch of the visual arts that entails making two- or three-dimensional representatives of abstract forms and ideas, especially by carving wood or stone or by casting metal or plaster. There are different ways of making a sculpture with the primary ones including modeling, casting, carving, and assembling.
Sculpture is a branch of the visual arts that entails making two- or three-dimensional representatives of abstract forms and ideas, especially by carving wood or stone or by casting metal or plaster. There are different ways of making a sculpture with the primary ones including modeling, casting, carving, and assembling.
Sculpture Modeling Methods Essay Sculpture is a branch of the visual arts that entails making two- or three-dimensional representatives of abstract forms and ideas, especially by carving wood or stone or by casting metal or plaster. There are different ways of making a sculpture with the primary ones including modeling, casting, carving, and assembling. Modeling is when a sculptor works plastic materials by hand to build up the shape. The most common modeling materials are clay and wax with the artist’s hands being the main tools. Sometimes modeling can employ metal and wood to give a piece a more definitive form. As opposed to such a technique as carving, modeling is an additive process since materials are added to reveal form. Modeling allows some corrections, and the end result is not precisely as permanent as that of carving. Carving is a term related to subtractive culture: the form is revealed when the artist is cutting away portions of a hard substance. Subtractive sculpture can be fairly challenging because a person needs to visualize the end result before making changes to a piece of wood or stone. Casting is a process in which liquid is poured into a mold to solidify and take its shape. This method is most often used for complex forms execution of which with any other method would be economically disadvantageous or time-consuming. Lastly, assembling is a method of sculpture that includes putting together a composition using a variety of materials. Just like modeling, assembling is an additive process in which the form is revealed by gathering different parts. Madeleine II by Henri Matisse (Image 1), 1903, is an example of a sculpture cast in bronze. Madeleine II is probably one of the most important pieces that Matisse completed when he just started exploring the human form (Matisse). The sculpture shows a naked woman with her arms blended into the torso, shoulders creating a juxtaposition with the hips, and a slightly tilted head. Madeleine II demonstrates the artist’s investigation of the expressive and decorative configuring of body and limbs in space. Matisse himself admitted that he created his work not as a sculptor but as a painter, trying to first and foremost convey an emotion. The “psyche” of Madeleine II is open to interpretation: some may see the woman as being wary or scared and therefore, covering her chest. Alternatively, the sway of her hips could be seen as inviting and flirtatious. This work would probably be as good and convincing were Mattise to employ modeling or carving. Assembling, however, would definitely hurt the integrity of the form. Pieta by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux (Image 2), 1864, was created using the modeling technique: the artist mounded the clay pellets and pressed them into shape. The sculpture depicts one of the most famous Biblical scenes – Mary lamenting the death of her son, Jesus Christ. During his active years, Carpeux was primarily occupied with official portraits, including decorative sculpture and portraiture (Carpeaux). However, as seen from his works created outside the government of Napoleon III, he was passionate about religious sculpture. Carpeaux defied the tradition of depicting Jesus cradled in his mother’s lap and shows Virgin Mary lifting him from the ground. The sculpture conveys a powerful emotion locked in the maternal embrace and her face full of deep sorrow. Christ’s legs are excluded from the composition as his torso blends into the pedestal. The modeling technique contributed to the overall idea by making the sculpture look raw and rugged – something could be barely done by using any other method. A prime example of an assembled sculpture is Community Power Figure (Nkisi) (Image 3) (19-20th century) made by Songye peoples and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The media used for this piece are wood, copper, brass, iron, fiber, snakeskin, leather, fur, feathers, mud, and resin (Songye Peoples). Community Power Figure has a face with delicately rendered features – semi-circular eyes closed under the arches of the eyebrows extending down to the jawline on each side. An elaborate ensemble of fur, leather, feathers, and rope for the statue’s hairdo that cascades down to its shoulders. The body consists of sharp, angular shapes that do not easily flow each other but stay distinct. The sculpture is a joint creation of a carver and a ritual practitioner that saw meaning in every medium used. Since for Songye people, this figure is not only an object but also a spiritual experience, the method used cannot be replaced by any other. The bust of Denise Diderot (Image 4), 1773, by Jean Antoine Houdon is an example of a sculpture masterfully carved from a single piece of marble. The sculpture shows the famous philosopher of the Enlightenment era in his early sixties. The facial expression is calm and pensive; the man does not look at the viewer but directs his gaze somewhere far away. Diderot himself approved of the work and found the resemblance quite striking. The contemporary critics also showed their appraisal of the sculpture, saying that it conveyed “the flame of genius (Houdon). The carving technique seems to be most fitting here as it accounts for the neat, monolithic appearance of the piece. An assembled or modeled sculpture would probably look more disjointed and did not capture the power and serenity of this great mind. Image 1. Madeleine II by Henry Matisse. Image 2. Pieta by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux. Image 3. Community Power Figure by Songye Peoples. Image 4. Denis Diderot by Jean Antoine Houdon. Works Cited Carpeaux, Jean Baptiste. Pieta, 1864. The Met Museum, New York. The Met , Web. Houdon, Jean Antoine. Denis Diderot (1713–1784),1773. The Met Museum, New York. The Met , Web. Matisse, Henri. Madeleine II,1903; This Cast, Probably 1930. The Met Museum, New York. The Met , Web. Songye Peoples. Community Power Figure: Male (Nkisi),19th–20th century. The Met Museum, New York. The Met , Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The text discusses the importance of teaching grammar in second language learning and offers two perspectives on how it can be done.Teaching grammar is necessary to learn a language, according to one perspective. According to another perspective, teaching grammar is only important if it is done explicitly.
The text discusses the importance of teaching grammar in second language learning and offers two perspectives on how it can be done. Teaching grammar is necessary to learn a language, according to one perspective. According to another perspective, teaching grammar is only important if it is done explicitly.
Second Language Learning Theories Essay Teaching foreign language presupposes the gradual improvement of the knowledge of linguistic units and grammar rules that are needed to build sentences and communicate. However, the second domain is a complex sphere that includes many regularities that can be difficult to comprehend (Mitchell, 2019). For this reason, there are multiple debates about how to teach grammar and perspectives on its importance. One of the disputable statements is that teaching grammar is necessary to learn a language. It can be considered a relevant idea that describes the basics of foreign language learning. Regardless of the shift of priorities towards the cultivation of communicative patterns and their use in real-life conditions, grammar remains an integral component of studying as it helps to build complex and meaningful sentences and express thoughts appropriately. For this reason, one should understand that teaching grammar is fundamental to master a language and become an active speaker. It also means that conscious knowledge of all rules is critical to speak a language proficiently as it helps an individual to build complex structures and avoid mistakes. Another question that is discussed nowadays is the ways in which grammar rules can be explained to students. There is an opinion that the presentation of paradigms, or the creation of reference tables for students helps them to internalize rules more efficiently. This statement can also be considered true because of the ability of teachers to explain the logic of using certain models and how they should be created (Mitchell, 2019). The introduction of tables also helps to visualize presented material and achieve better understanding levels among students which is critical for beneficial results and learners’ ability to utilize explained paradigms in communication or real-life situations. Among the two types of grammar instruction, the explicit one can be considered the most effective. The fact is that it is focused on full and clear expression, definition, and formulation of all grammar rules for students. The central advantage of this approach is that it minimizes the chance of the incorrect understanding of some paradigms and provides learners with extensive knowledge about the existing peculiarities of various constructions’ use. It also prevents individuals from learning wrong paradigms that should be corrected. The results of the implementation of this paradigm are also observable, which means that an educator can evaluate progress and introduce some additional exercise or explanations if needed. This form can also be considered the easiest to teach as a specialist has to possess outstanding comprehension of grammar rules and present them at the beginning of the lesson avoiding the need to integrate them with some naturally arising communicative situations. At the same time, some students might prefer implicit grammar instruction to the explicit one considering it the easiest way to learn rules because of the absence of the necessity to study sets of presented paradigms; instead they might acquire the knowledge in the course of their learning, when mastering skills and receiving information from a teacher. For this reason, foreign language learners might demonstrate their desire to avoid using explicit forms because of their possible complexity and focus on the improved understanding of the most important grammar rules that should be used in various contexts (Mitchell, 2019). It means that it is critical to find the balance between these two approaches to achieve positive results and contribute to the formation of appropriate skills among students. Reference Mitchell, R. (2019). Second language learning theories . New York, NY: Routledge.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The essay discusses the legal and political significance of Section 300 of the Communications Act, specifically the mentioned twenty-six words. The essay suggests that while there are several limitations to the section, congress should not repel it but rather, modify it to hold users and interactive digital platform owners more accountable for content shared on these online platforms.
The essay discusses the legal and political significance of Section 300 of the Communications Act, specifically the mentioned twenty-six words. The essay suggests that while there are several limitations to the section, congress should not repel it but rather, modify it to hold users and interactive digital platform owners more accountable for content shared on these online platforms.
Section 230 of the Communications Act Essay (Book Review) Assignment The internet is one of the most significant element of modern era. It has shaped how communication, thinking, and problem solving is done in the last couple of decades. There are various industries and fields that have been positively impacted by the growth of the internet. It is important to note that in the beginning, the internet was not viewed as a significant part of daily life as it is today. In fact, some of the biggest critics of the amount of freedom the internet allows today, legislators, were the ones who shaped the industry. This is according to Kosseff (2019) who argues that two legislators, namely Chris Cox, a republican and Ron Wyden, a democrat promoted the nature of the internet as it is today. This tis due to the twenty-six words they used to describe the use of the internet under Section 230 of the Communications Act. This essay looks into the different aspects and implications of Section 230, particularly the mentioned twenty-six words, on the growth and use of the internet. First, the essay looks into the legal and political significance of the clause. For example, one of the legal the clause has been debated by congress over the last couple of decades due to the fact that it protects large IT firms from any harm that might emanate from content that is posted by their users or other third parties. Additionally, the essay looks at the relationship between laws such as the First Amendment, Libel and Copyright and Section 230 of the Communications Act. The essay suggests that whereas there are several limitations to Section 230 of the Communications Act, congress should not repel it but rather, modify it to hold users and interactive digital platform owners more accountable for content shared on these online platforms. Legal and Political Significance of Section 230 of the Communications Act Legal Significance There are several legal and political significances of Section 230 of the Communications Act. First, for legal, the Section means that digital platform providers cannot be held liable for comments, videos and images that other people post on their digital sites (Goodman & Whittington, 2019). An example can be given to simplify the legislation. When a Facebook user updates a disturbing video or post, the courts, or any other person, cannot hold Mark Zuckerberg accountable for that specific post or image. As mentioned, Kosseff (2019) strongly believes that this clause, which he refers to the twenty-six words, created the internet. One of the implications of this legal significance is that it protects digital platform providers. Ideally, there is no way they can manage all the data that is shared on their platforms. Additionally, due to the diversity of the internet, the providers were not, initially, able to fully monitor individual activities. Today, this has changed as algorithms have been created to identify different types of content that users see on these platforms. It is important to note that other users who share or even like content shared by third parties can also not be held accountable for that same content. The said algorithms now advice users on the type of content they are about to see. Additionally, the user has the right to watch the content or skip it entirely. It is crucial to point out that the users can also report content they find disturbing and inappropriate. However, all these actions are at a voluntary basis and they cannot be held liable for either reporting or watching the videos or other forms of content. A second legal implication of Section 230 is that courts have to use a three ponged rule to determine whether a person or digital platform is liable for information shared on their platforms (Gillespie, 2018). The first pong is that the person or entity involve must be a user or a digital platform provider. Therefore, any user of the digital platforms, whether it is a website or a social media platform can be taken to court if he or she is accused of posting indecent and inappropriate content. Gillespie (2018) notes that there are several cases that have been presented in court over the issue in the last decade. The second pong used in any court case involving Section 230 is that the action suggested by the person suing another for content shared online must view the defendant as the publisher and owner of the said content (Gillespie, 2018). This ties closely with the first suggested legal issue of Section 230 as it also means that anybody sharing or liking content will not be considered as the author, speaker or publisher of the content. The last pong used is that the defendant must prove that the content was actually provided by another person or entity (Gillespie, 2018). It is arguable that the nature of the internet makes this easy to prove as content that is liked or shared is often also tied back to the original publisher or information provider. Having said so, it is important to note that users also often quote words and content they have heard or seen elsewhere (non-digital sources). Such instances are harder to prove and the defendant can even be charged with defamation if they cannot prove that they are not the source of the content uploaded. Kosseff argues that when Section 230 was being incorporated into the Communications Act, congress did not anticipate that it would make up the internet as it is today. Indeed, one can argue that the growth of the internet has been supported by this clause due to the fact that it protects both the user and the provider. Political Significance There have been significance political debates on the relevance of section 230 of the Communications Act. First, politicians have used the debates to either support their political bids or oppose the opinions and stand of their political rivals. Babe (2018) explains that there are politicians who seek funding from some of the digital providers in order to talk positively about Section 230 when in office. It is important to note that the section fully covers and protects the digital providers. Therefore, any political goodwill and support they will receive ensures that the section is not amended or removed. Interactive digital platforms such as Facebook have on several occasions been requested to appear before congress, or a part of congress, and answer some questions based on content and even data policies. Such discussions require that the large IT and digital communication firms get support in order to have an easier hearing. Important to note, in August 2019, politicians Frank Pallone and Greg Walden from New Jersey and Oregon respectively, argued that the US government’s plan of using a similar version of the section in a trading deal with Mexico and Canada was unfounded (E&C Republicans, 2019). This debate has been pushed mainly by conservatives as opposed to democrats. One can argue that the Section allows users and the involved firms too much freedom and little accountability is used to keep everyone in check. It can be argued that many republicans would rather such freedom be curbed in order to protect some of the values they deem important for the growth and development of the nation. It is equally important to note that there are debates that Democrats fully support Section 230 due to the funding they receive from the firms involved (Babe, 2018). On the same note, one of the most contentious issues that has been debated on due to the freedom the firms enjoy is the growth of pornography online. Arguably., pornographic materials are the most shared online for both adults and children (Gillespie, 2018). One implication of Section 230 is that users can freely share these materials on other platforms but still not be held accountable as they are not the originators of the videos or pornographic materials. Interestingly, even the pornographic website owners cannot be arrested or charged as they do not upload the content themselves but rather, third parties create accounts and upload the content. Due to the fact that some politicians allegedly uphold religious morals in their debates, there have been political calls for the section to be amended or removed. Notably, political regions that are against Section 230, which are mainly republican, will support legislators that are very vocal towards the amending or removing of the law. However, it is important to note that some politicians base their dislike for Section 230 on personal values that have shaped their political careers. Additionally, republicans have expressed complaints that due to the fact they are not supportive of Section 230, their materials are censored online compared to those of democrats. This allegation has further broadened the divide between democrats and republicans in agreeing on whether Section 230 should be removed, amended or left the way it is. Currently, although there have been debates around it, the government has not been clear on the way forward and the Section remains an integral part of the Communications Act. Relationship Between Section 230 to Class Topics First Amendment There are several issues that have to be discussed when talking about Section 230 and the First Amendment. One of the highly debated concerns is the use of hate speech on online platforms. This has been a topic of interest due to the increase in mass shootings in the US. Gillespie (2018) notes that there have been several calls by legislators that IT firms and other interactive digital platform providers bar any form of hate speech from their platforms and the internet in general. However, as it is arguable that these companies have been unable to do so as hate speech is protected under the First Amendment right. Kosseff (2019) argues that the story of Eleazar Smith’s bookstore set precedence for the debate today. This is because the outcome of viewing or listening to hate speech cannot be directly linked to the intention of the intermediary (in Kosseff’s (2019) case, the bookstore was not liable for the action of the person who bought and read the erotica). The fact that the First Amendment protects hate speech means that the companies affected and regulated by Section 230 have to first adhere to the First Amendment right before any other issue that come abought due to Section 230 of the Communications Act. It is for this reason that the IT firms were unable to ban all forms of hate speech from their sites. However, as mentioned, especially on social media platforms, individuals have the right to click “yes” to watching a video or read content that they have already been informed might be sensitive. Thus, further liability is removed from the intermediary (the interact digital platform provider). Libel Libel can be defined as a term in law that comprises of false statements that have been made about someone that are damaging to that person’s reputation (Gillespie, 2018). Again, the nature of the internet allows users to create proxy accounts that they can use to damage the reputation of others. This can be done through comments, images and even videos. The nature of libel allows the person whose reputation has been damaged to sue the publisher of that information on any platform, including digital platforms. However, as Kosseff (2019) notes, the dummy accounts cannot be linked to an actual person and this makes suing difficult. It might be argued that it would be ideal for the plaintiff to sue the company or digital platform involved but they are then protected by Section 230 of the Communications Act. Kosseff (2019) gives the example of a lawsuit by the North Dakota section of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union that sought to sue a local broadcaster, WDAY for airing a speech that allegedly harmed their reputation. The case was thrown out due to the fact that WDAY aired the speech as federal communications law required that the speech be aired yet the company was still protected under Section 230 and could not be sued for either airing or not censoring the speech (Kosseff, 2019). There have been arguments that the issue of defamation and Section 230 of the Communications Act should be an ethical one. This was supported by one judge in the case’s appeal panel, Judge Frankfurt, who argued that there was some unfairness to the plaintiff over the issue (Kosseff, 2019). Copyright and Trademark Kosseff (2019) explains the case of Rothweiler, who was arrested in Eleazar’s Bookstore for selling an erotic book to a customer. The arrest of Rothweiler was necessitated by a municipal law that stated that no one should be in possession of obscene or indecent writing in any business place that also served other magazines, soft drinks, educational books and postcards. Using this Los Angeles Municipal Code, Rothweiler was indeed guilty and should have been legally charged. However, there are two other laws that had to be considered during the case. The first was the First Amendment that allowed freedom of speech. This law mainly affected the publisher of the book. Due to the fact that the publisher could not be sued, the plaintiff sought to sue Eleazar’s Bookstore owners and the attendant that had sold the book. The main argument that was used initially was that the bookstore owner could not read all the materials that were sold and solely determine whether they were obscene. The initial court believed that not taking action against the owners of the bookstore would set precedent for others to prove that materials sold in bookstores were either obscene or not. The case led to a debate on whether due to the fact that copyright law protected the book, it was to be considered property and not a form of speech (Kosseff, 2019). If this was the case, then the First Amendment right did not apply in the case and the bookstore owners were in fact liable for selling the book as per the municipal code. One can argue that the premise that copyright law ensures property and not speech is unfounded. This is due to the fact that the buyer of the so defined “property” will read the content of the book, or any other material as part of the First Amendment. Additionally, it is arguable that the issue of copyright law should not by any means suggest that the publishing house should not be held accountable for the contents of the book. In book publishing, it is common to find publishing houses purchasing the rights to publish the books. By doing so, these publishing houses are violating Section 230 and can be held liable for the content shared through the books or any other format used. Kosseff (2019) explains that the publishing house involved in the Eleazar Bookstore case gave a notice at the beginning of the book that it was a work of fiction and did not hold the opinions or expressions of the publishing house. Due to this, the publishing house could also not be sued as it was protected under Section 230 of the Communications Act. Repelling or Modifying Section 230 by Congress The importance of Section 230 of the Communications Act cannot be overstated. Indeed, one of the most significant implications of the section is that it led to the growth of the internet. However, it is also important as it protects innocent users and platform providers from malicious court cases. The magnitude and size of the internet makes it impossible for users and providers to monitor all data shared within the ideal shortest time possible. It is arguable that any content shared online can be seen by hundreds of people within the first second after uploading. Thus, it is not advisable for congress to repel Section 230 of the Communications Act. Ideally, the section can be modified to include 3 main elements namely, liability for interactive digital platform owners, ability to censor, and user liability if they choose to share. Liability for Interactive Digital Platform Owners One of the main arguments currently is that Section 230 fully protects interactive digital platform owners from any liability. Initially, it would have seemed unfair to accuse and even prosecute these owners based on what other people write on their platforms. However, today, there are algorithms being used to monitor each interaction done online in the different platforms. This innovation has been highly customized in the social media platforms as compared to websites. The same, however, should be made mandatory to all online platform providers so that they are able to flag any indecent content that is being shared on their platforms. These algorithms do not have to be monitored at all times as they are run by the software. Including this liability to Section 230 of the Communications Act will also ensure that the owners are keen on the ease of opening up accounts on their platforms. Whereas dummy accounts have been useful in the past to ensure the protection of the identity of whistle blowers and other people who might be sharing sensitive yet highly useful information, there is a need to also limit the ease of anyone opening an account. Notably, a significant percentage of indecent content that is shared online is done through fake and dummy accounts. Making it harder for people to open these accounts will ensure safer and better digital spaces. In the event that personal details are requested, and the reason for the account creation is included in the sign up forms, it is important for the platform provider to also secure these details. Such data collection is already protected by several data laws. However, it is important that Section 230 also mention the need to protect the personal details of dummy accounts unless these accounts have violated any other law. Such a premise will also ensure that people can be tracked and held accountable for their actions. Ability to Censor Additionally, the law should be modified to also explicitly give the platform providers ability to censor. Currently, there are platforms that censor the information that is posted on their sites by their users or any other third party. For example, Facebook allows people to choose whether to watch content that their algorithm has identified as explicit. Until the user agrees to watch the content, it will be censored and hidden to ensure no violations are recorded. It is important to note that using Kosseff’s (2019) arguments, an interactive digital platform provider can be sued to editing a video or any other content that has been posted by a user or third party as they are protected by the First Amendment. To resolve this, Facebook does not edit the information but rather blocks it in its entirety. This is further enhanced by the fact that the company gives a disclaimer that it reserves the right to block information posted so any user who signs up and agrees to the terms cannot sue the company despite the provision in the First Amendment. Ideally, the ability to censor should specifically bar interactive digital platform providers from editing or cutting out parts of the content shared. This is important as it ensures that the platform does not create its own information, of which it will be liable for if it were taken to court. It is important to note that the ability to censor should also be implemented in content that has been shared by different users. Currently, all social media platforms have a button for sharing what a user has posted. Ideally, even this information should be censored to other people who are not linked to the original person who shared the information even if that original user is not the author or speaker of the content. Arguably, this ability will also ensure that the service providers are protected but can also be held accountable for any indecent information on their platform. Indeed, it will ensure accountability for both the user and the service provider. User Liability if They Choose to Share It is also arguable that Section 230 should include user liability is the user decides to share the indecent content Arguably, this should only be possible if the user has been informed that the content they are about to watch can be considered explicit, thus, they are liable if they decide to share such content with others. One limitation of this suggestion is that it goes against the nature of the internet, especially social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Notably, when users like or even comment on posts on many social media platforms, their friends circle also gets access to the liked content and the comment that the user left on the site. It is this interlinkage that has made social media platforms that more popular over the decades. Whereas the suggestion on user liability should be implemented for everyone who interacts with the explicit content, other comments might be actions informing others that the content is disturbing. Currently, some sites allow users to report an issue in regards to content shared instead of liking, disliking, or commenting on the individual posts. The user is asked to state why he or she is reporting the issue and makes a selection among the given suggestions. In some sites, people can report an account as opposed to just a post. It is important to note that despite the fact that many of these issues are protected by Section 230 of the Communications Act, interactive digital platform providers have become more cautious of what their users post online. It is arguable that the clause should also consider factors such as hacking. There have been cases of people hacking accounts and using them to share information. Thus, the general recommendation is that the twenty-six words should be elaborated and made longer to ensure it caters for the internet as it is today, not as it was when the twenty-six words were initially drafted. Conclusion In conclusion, Section 230 of the Communications Act is relevant today more than ever. One of significances of the section is that it protects users and interactive digital platform providers from being harassed due to content uploaded and shared with other third parties. This is important due to the nature of the internet. It is easy for people from different parts of the world to post and comment on platforms they desire without the consent of the owners of these platforms. Whereas the First Amendment gives these third parties the right to say what they want, there actions might lead to defamation and even entice violence. Section 230 of the Communications Act works to protect the providers and any other users who are not defined as speakers or owners of the shared content. Despite the importance of the law, it is suggestable that some modifications should be included to give platform owners and their users more accountability over the content they share. For instance, the law can be amended to also include the fact that platform owners should fully block or censor any content that contains indecent material. Currently, platform owners are not allowed to edit content uploaded by third parties that by doing so, they will be infringing on the third party’s First Amendment right. Issues of libel and copy right also have to be considered when discussing the amendments to Section 230 of the Communications Act. References Babe, E. R. (2018). Communication and the transformation of economics: Essays in information, public policy and political economy . New York, NY: Routledge E&C Republicans. (2019). Letter to USTR Lighthizer regarding the inclusion of Article 19.17 in the USMCA, August 6, 2019 . Web. Goodman, E. P., & Whittington, R. (2019). Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the Future of Online Speech. Rutgers Law School Research Paper , 1-14. Gillespie, T. (2018). Platforms are not intermediaries. Georgetown Law Technology Review, 1 (2.2), 198-216. Kosseff, J. (2019). The twenty-six words that created the internet . London, UK: Cornell University Press.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The essay discusses the concepts of self-defense, provocation, and diminished responsibility, and how they are used to differentiate between intentional and unintentional types of homicide.
The essay discusses the concepts of self-defense, provocation, and diminished responsibility, and how they are used to differentiate between intentional and unintentional types of homicide.
Self-Defence, Provocation, and Diminished Responsibility Essay Table of Contents 1. Self-Defence 2. Provocation 3. Diminished Responsibility 4. Conclusion 5. Bibliography 6. Footnotes Murder is always a punishable criminal offense and is judged strictly. However, in some situations, a person may kill another individual unintentionally and, in this case, the act of killing is defined as manslaughter and is punished somewhat less strictly if at all. To differentiate between intentional and unintentional types of homicide, the concepts of self-defense, provocation, and diminished responsibility are frequently used. However, in their turn, the three terms refer to disparate contexts in which manslaughter takes place. Thus, in the present paper, the legal requirements for and results of self-defense, provocation, and diminished responsibility will be discussed to detect the major differences among them. Self-Defence The concept of self-defense implies that one can use force against somebody who attacks and tries to kill him or her. Self-defense is considered to be “a special and complete defence to charges alleging illegal use of force (e.g. assault/murder)” 1 . In other words, if it is proved that a person killed another in the act of self-defense, they will be exempted from charges that are normally associated with murder. However, requirements for self-defense in the Scots Criminal Law are very stringent. They include “imminent danger to the life or limb of the accused” and the necessity of using retaliation when dealing with the abovementioned threat to ensure own safety 2 . The last requirement is no way of escape in the face of danger 3 . An overview of HM Advocate v Doherty can allow understanding these requirements better. When Doherty was attacked by another person with a hammer, a friend of his gave him a bayonet which the former utilized to kill the attacker. The court did not accept Doherty’s claim of using the bayonet as a means for self-defense mainly because he could escape the attack but preferred to stab the man instead and, for this reason, he was convicted of murder 4 . Overall, whereas Doherty indeed faced an immediate danger and his response to it could be viewed as proportionate to the threat, the fact that he could run away from the attack was enough for the judge to regard his response as criminal. However, it is valid to note that since Doherty was not an initiator of the attack and only reacted to it, he also could rely on the partial defense of provocation. Provocation As such, provocation means that a person kills another individual when triggered to do so and placed in an emotional state conducive to a homicide. It means that provocation “privileges homicidal fury” or, in other words, makes one think that he or she was seriously wronged 5 . A person can be provided with the partial defense of provocation also when another made him or her made him believe in and fear of serious violence 6 . Based on this, the major legal requirement for provocation is the loss of control as a result of another’s words or actions. If a person proves in the court that he was provoked to kill somebody, they obtain a lesser verdict of manslaughter or culpable homicide. The latter is defined in the Scots Law as “an unlawful killing where the accused lacks intention to kill or such wicked recklessness” and are normally charged as second-degree murders 7 . Overall, when compared to self-defense, provocation may be viewed as its excessive form and a disproportionate response to immediate danger 8 . However, unlike self-defense, it is much harder to identify circumstances in which the accused must be granted this form of partial defense 9 . For example, in the case of Drury v HM Advocate , in which the accused killed his former partner because she started to date another man, the men’s rea approach was used by the judges. To gain the partial defense, Drury had only to prove that he had no initial intention to kill his ex-girlfriend, that he was not reckless enough, and that the degree of his violence towards her was proportionate to the extent of provocation 10 . Overall, like in the case with second-degree charges, provocation is identified primarily based on one’s intention to kills another person. Compared to the requirements for the evaluation of self-defense circumstances, the ones outlined in Drury v HM Advocate are more subjective and may lead to controversial results when deciding to lessen the fault of the accused. Diminished Responsibility The last type of partial defense, diminished responsibility, refers to an act of homicide that is performed as a result or in the context of an impaired mental state. Similar to manslaughter due to provocation, homicide with the proven diminished responsibility is viewed as second-degree murder. Similarly to provide one with a partial defense on the ground of diminished responsibility or “mental weakness,” it is essential to demonstrate that he or she did not have an intent to kill, did not premediate and calculate his or her malice 11 . HM Advocate v Savage was a key case in the definition of the concept of diminished responsibility which was linked by Lord Alness in his address to the jury to “a state of mind which is bordering on, though not amounting to, insanity” 12 . This statement implies that when a person commits a homicide in an unsound state of mind, he or she can be accountable for his/her actions merely partially. At the same time, the state of intoxication and the presence of psychopathic disorders are excluded from the definition of diminished responsibility because the former is a voluntary induced state and the latter implies that the border with insanity is crossed 13 . Overall, the requirements for the diminished responsibility seem to be more objective than those for provocation. The former implies the administration of a test aimed to determine whether the accused was able to control their actions or not 14 . However, it is valid to say that, like in the case with provocation, the plea for diminished responsibility may still be abused to lessen one’s verdict. Conclusion As the review of self-defense, provocation, and diminished responsibility revealed, they refer to different circumstances in which full or partial defense may be given to an accused who committed a homicide unintentionally. It is possible to conclude that the requirements for self-defense are the clearest among the discussed concepts, whereas the requirements for provocation seem to be the most subjective and controversial. Unlike self-defense and diminished responsibility that can be verified through a careful evaluation of homicide events and psychiatric metrics, the evaluation of provocation implies the assessment of one’s emotional state in retrospective and subjective analysis of his or her response’s proportions to the provocation. Thus, there is a need to clarify the definition of provocation and its requirements in the Scots Law to reduce the risk of abuse. Bibliography Crime.Scot, ‘Self-Defence’ , Crime.Scot , Edinburgh, Scotland, Crime.Scot, n.d., Web. Maher, G., ‘The Most Heinous of all Crimes’: Reflections on the Structure of Homicide in Scots Law’, in J. Chalmers and F. Leverick (eds.), Essays in Criminal Law in Honour of Sir Gerald Gordon , Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh Studies in Law, 2010, pp. 218-240. McDiarmid, C., ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Partial Defence of Provocation in Scots Criminal Law’, in J. Chalmers and F. Leverick (eds.), Essays in Criminal Law in Honour of Sir Gerald Gordon , Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh Studies in Law, 2010, pp. 195-217. Roth, L. and Blayden, L. ‘Provocation and self-defence in intimate partner and sexual advance homicides’ , NSW Parliamentary Research Service , Sydney, NSW, Parliament of NSW, 2012, Web. The Scottish Law Commission, ‘Partial Defences to Murder’ , Lawcom.gov.uk , London, UK, The Law Commission, 2004, Web. Footnotes 1. Crime.Scot, ‘Self-Defence’, Crime.Scot , Edinburgh, Scotland, Crime.Scot, n.d., Web. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. 4. Ibid. 5. C. McDiarmid, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Partial Defence of Provocation in Scots Criminal Law’, in J. Chalmers and F. Leverick (eds.), Essays in Criminal Law in Honour of Sir Gerald Gordon , Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh Studies in Law, 2010, p. 195. 6. L. Roth and L. Blayden, ‘Provocation and self-defence in intimate partner and sexual advance homicides’, NSW Parliamentary Research Service , Sydney, NSW, Parliament of NSW, 2012, Web. 7. G. Maher, ‘The Most Heinous of all Crimes’: Reflections on the Structure of Homicide in Scots Law’, in J. Chalmers and F. Leverick (eds.), Essays in Criminal Law in Honour of Sir Gerald Gordon, Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh Studies in Law, 2010, p. 221. 8. Crime.Scot, ‘Self-Defence’, Crime.Scot , Edinburgh, Scotland, Crime.Scot, n.d., Web. 9. C. McDiarmid, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Partial Defence of Provocation in Scots Criminal Law’, in J. Chalmers and F. Leverick (eds.), Essays in Criminal Law in Honour of Sir Gerald Gordon , Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh Studies in Law, 2010, p. 195. 10. The Scottish Law Commission, ‘Partial Defences to Murder’, Lawcom.gov.uk , London, UK, The Law Commission, 2004, Web. 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid. 13. Ibid. 14. Ibid.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: The Senegal River Delta is a fragile ecosystem that can be easily disrupted by human activities. The central problem with the ecosystem of the Senegal River is the alteration of the natural river flow.
The Senegal River Delta is a fragile ecosystem that can be easily disrupted by human activities. The central problem with the ecosystem of the Senegal River is the alteration of the natural river flow.
Senegal River Delta: An Endangered Ecosystem Essay One of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet is the Senegal River basin and specifically acacia forests. The area of the Senegal River is traditionally associated with the abundance of fish, wildlife, grazing land, and vegetation, with the most remarkable being acacias. The ecosystem is reminiscent of the Nile, as floodwaters of the river irrigated a vast land area making it fertile and supporting indigenous communities (Kotschoubey). The floodwaters were also beneficial for several species of fish and shrimp, as they served as a nursery home for juveniles. In short, the Senegal River Delta is a fragile ecosystem that can be easily disrupted by human activities. In recent years, the ecosystem has been severely disturbed to the level of becoming endangered. According to Kotschoubey, the primary reason for the degradation of the area is the lack of water due to human activity. Indeed, the construction of dams and roads can severely affect water routes making ecosystems change accordingly. Another reason for environmental changes is intensive agriculture, as irrigation canals are built to support crop yields (Kotschoubey). These canals and new fields also interfere with the natural water flow, causing extended droughts. As annual floods decrease in volumes due to the disruption of natural water routes, more saline water of the Atlantic Ocean penetrates the land (Kotschoubey). Ocean waters pose a threat to the drinking water supply and agriculture in general. In short, the central problem with the ecosystem of the Senegal River is the alteration of the natural river flow. Special attention needs to be paid to the effect of intensive agriculture and livestock exploitation. The problem is acacia forest devastation due to the need for new fields for crops and cattle food. Deforestation has caused decreased biodiversity, and some animals and birds that helped to maintain the ecological balance disappear. Moreover, intensive agriculture is associated with the use of fertilizers that disrupt natural biogeochemical cycles, which can cause severe environmental problems, such as the disappearance of vegetation cover, soil erosion, and reduction of fauna. Due to the rapid environmental degradation of the region, the situation has to be addressed to save the ecosystem from disappearance. Even though the problems described above are difficult to overcome, there are ways of restoring the ecosystem. The only way to preserve the Senegal River Delta in its natural state is to let the water back into the basin. The exact measures are described and assessed by Kotschoubey and seem to be feasible. However, there is a consideration to be made in terms of the financial aspect of the measure. As the International Union for Conservation of Nature has included Senegal River acacia forests in its top ten most threatened ecosystems, the place is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, it can be positioned as a tourist attraction, and the raised money can be used to restore the environment. In short, even though the matter requires considerable investments and efforts, the Senegal River Delta can be returned to its natural state. Works Cited Kotschoubey, Nicolas. “Rehabilitation of the Ecological Functions of the Senegal River Delta.” Business and Public Administration Studies , vol. 11, no.1, 2017, Web. International Union for Conservation of Nature: Red List of Ecosystems . IUCN, Web.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The role of competent leadership is considered to be the crucial aspect of work which much depends on the personality of the manager and approaches he or she uses. As an example of such a personality, Sergey Brin will be discussed, one of the founders and developers of the Google search engine.The choice of the leader is one of the main reasons why Sergey Brin was chosen for the analysis. His significant results in work were one of the factors that made him a good candidate for this
The role of competent leadership is considered to be the crucial aspect of work which much depends on the personality of the manager and approaches he or she uses. As an example of such a personality, Sergey Brin will be discussed, one of the founders and developers of the Google search engine. The choice of the leader is one of the main reasons why Sergey Brin was chosen for the analysis. His significant results in work were one of the factors that made him a good candidate for this
Sergey Brin: Leadership Process and Organizations in Context Report Abstract An opportunity to explore leadership approaches to managing organisations at different levels is a valuable practice in terms of studying unique concepts that contribute to companies’ financial growth and determine their managers’ valuable qualities. In order to analyse the theory of successful leadership in practice, it is possible to evaluate the performance of Sergey Brin, one of the founders of the world-famous Google company that owns huge financial assets. As assessment tools, Brin’s leadership traits and skills will be considered, and appropriate justification will be found regarding the relevance of his approaches. It is assumed that effective asset management and competent innovations are significant factors stimulating the growth of the corporation. Google’s performance depends much on current leadership practices, and its founder’s work is the subject of this research. Introduction The role of competent leadership is considered to be the crucial aspect of work which much depends on the personality of the manager and approaches he or she uses. As an example of such a personality, Sergey Brin will be discussed, one of the founders and developers of the Google search engine. Creativity and hard work have allowed this man to establish one of the largest and most powerful modern corporations owning multi-million dollar resources and controlling a significant segment of the information technology market. The aim of this report is to identify specific traits and skills that significantly contribute to the success of Brin, as well as provide recommendations for him as a leader. The Choice of the Leader One of the main reasons why Sergey Brin was chosen for the analysis is the significant results of the work he has done. According to Rajaraman (2018), Google has developed into a modern and global corporation with huge financial opportunities from a small start-up project where only a few people were involved. Brin managed to create a high-tech search engine and find an investor who helped the company achieve the introduction to the international market (Mueller, 2015). At the end of the twentieth century, this search engine became known to the whole world, and its peculiarities were not limited to the capabilities of several servers (Tidd, 2014). Therefore, Brin’s leadership traits and skills are the objects of the analysis. Scope of Brin’s Performance Evaluation The Google corporation develops many new products independently and also invests actively (Florida, Adler, & Mellander, 2017). In 2005, Android was acquired for $130 million, and today, it is one of the leading mobile operating systems in the world (Berger & Brem, 2016, p. 58). In 2006, Google acquired YouTube, paying $1.6 billion, and a year later, it became the owner of DoubleClick, one of the online advertising pioneers (the cost of purchase was $3.1 billion) (Tran, 2017, p. 10). Several more major investments were made in 2013-2014: $3.2 billion was spent on Nest Labs, producing devices for the smart home, and it took almost $1 billion to buy the car navigator system Waze (Tran, 2017, p. 10). Since 2015, the Google corporation has been called Alphabet, and today, its capitalisation exceeds $1 trillion (George, 2015, p. 95). A significant amount of free assets and opportunities are open to the leaders of the company (Jackson, 2014). All the considered practices indicate that Brin’s skills and traits are based on the promotion of high activity and the use of different approaches to the organisation of a profitable corporation. Brin’s Leadership Approaches and Strategies The assessment of performance skills depends on how effectively an employee assigns priorities and adheres to the principles of work that correspond to a particular area. According to Latham (2014), it is essential to realise “how the key aspects of leadership can create the environment for the systems thinking and design thinking” (p. 13). When evaluating Brin, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the company created by him is a recognised leader in its sphere, which imposes certain obligations and requires adherence to a competent approach to control overall operational processes. As McCleskey (2014) notes, Grin uses a behavioural approach, according to which a leader’s effectiveness is determined by the style of management and the habitual manner of behaviour towards subordinates. Within the Google company, the liberal principle of control is applied. Such leadership is characterised by the minimal participation of the manager, and employees have the freedom to make independent decisions (Northouse, 2017). This way of organising the workflow has allowed the company under consideration to achieve significant success. In addition to the overall work strategy in relation to subordinates, it is also essential to consider the specifics of leading a hiring policy that Sergey Brin maintains. Brin’s Traits According to the peculiarities of the workflow, Brin is not in favour of the standard form of the manager-subordinate interaction. As Ezzat, Le Masson, and Weil (2017) remark, Brin “used to hire very creative people and did not impose any formal subordination on them” (p. 22). Due to Brin being supportive, cooperative, and tolerant, he became productive in working with different subordinates preserving the creativity of the personnel. This aspect is crucial in the conditions of constant competition and the need for the regular replenishment of the company’s intellectual base. In addition to cooperativeness and tolerance, other features can be applied to Brin with regard to traits theory. As Allio (2015) argues, leadership properties remain the same in different circumstances and conditions. It means that regardless of external factors, effective management is based on well-established standards. Intelligence, determination, self-confidence, and sociability are those features that may be considered Brin’s most significant characteristics, which allowed Google to overcome various obstacles to its formation (Eisenberger, Malone, & Presson, 2016). However, there are both strengths and weaknesses which stem from the above-mentioned features. Intelligence and self-confidence make Brin a good leader who is logical and persistent in his decisions and who can make other people follow him. Determination and sociability allowed Brin to gather creative and qualified specialists who are dedicated to the overall goal of the organisation. It should be stated that weaknesses which arise from the above-described characteristics are not necessarily applicable to Brin. Nevertheless, self-confidence may become detrimental if the leader does not consider the constructive critique of his actions. Determination and intelligence are strengths only if they are used for productive aims, tough when not for rational ones, these characteristics may appear to be disadvantaged, undermining the success of the organisation. It is difficult to identify any weaknesses of sociability, though if a person is only oriented at pleasant social relationships, he or she may fail to concentrate on other important connections. Applying McGregor’s theory X and theory Y to Brin, one may note that Brin is a typical theory Y director. This is because Brin assumes that workers are internally motivated and they should exercise self-direction to work better. Brin also considers that for his employees, self-realization and self-actualization are as valuable as monetary rewards. Such an attitude has allowed Brin to gather a team of highly creative and dedicated individuals. Brin’s Skills Brin’s skills should be analysed not only in the context of work with personnel but also from the point of view of a promotion policy in relation to the company’s products. According to White (2018), Google’s marketing moves are so successful that its licensed products are available in virtually all countries of the world. Moreover, as Tran (2017) notes, “Google looks at everything from a perspective of data,” which helps it to receive valuable information from customers (p. 10). Jackson (2014) remarks that the leadership of the company has managed to create a sustainable organisation. One may add that the leadership also helped achieve recognition through the quality and convenience of the content. According to Northouse (2017), and ability to combine personal knowledge, experience, and competencies in a single project confirm the presence of high leadership skills. In particular, one may state that Brin is intelligent and can adapt his knowledge and experience to various situations. Kerr and Kerr (2016) offer the concept of immigrant entrepreneurship and argue that labour policies supported by Brin are non-standard for a particular market segment, which has a positive effect on success. Such a statement one more time highlights Brin’s exceptional creative skills. Cadwalladr (2016) argues that the Google search engine offers users the truth and accurate answers. These principles of Google are valued by the target audience, and the number of requests is steadily increasing regularly. According to Brown and Duguid (2017), when starting their career, Brin “noted the distortion to trustworthy results introduced by search engines” (p. xxii). This motivated him to make a difference and create an advanced search engine. By applying and combining different methods of improving search engines, Brin showed his persistence and resilience. The combination of human, technical and conceptual skills is an effective tool used by Brin for essential growth opportunities. Speaking of technical skills, Brin has specialized competencies of CEO and computer engineer. He has a great analytical ability to elaborate and apply new ways for problem-solving. Such a set of technical skills mostly depends on Brin’s educational background. As a result, Brin has managed to create his unique system, which proves a large scope of the work done and productive approaches to the organisation of all processes. It should be mentioned that Brin has exceptional human skills, which allowed him to create a team of creative and open-minded people aimed towards the same goal of optimizing their product. Taking into account that Brin applied theory Y in his attitude to employees, he is well aware of their needs. Finally, it is an undoubted fact that Brin has fantastic conceptual skills as he gained success due to his ability to work with concepts and abstract notions. Areas of Good Practice and Spheres for Improvement One of the most successful areas of the company under consideration is the innovation policy of products. According to Cirani and Picone (2015), numerous new goods are very popular among consumers. According to Lewis and Mills (2018), an opportunity to engage the staff in the active process of achieving goals by encouraging creativity promotes establishing good relationships among colleagues and achieving high-performance outcomes. Involving all the employees in active work aimed at maintaining the stable high status of the company could be the evidence of Brin’s competent personnel policy and, consequently, sufficiently developed leadership approaches. Recommendations When talking about spheres that deserve improvement, the policy of partnership may be more advanced. Google has monopolised a significant part of the digital market, and when a potentially successful project starts working, the company acquires it immediately. However, if mutually beneficial partnership relationships are established, it will attract additional interest in joint products and give other representatives of this sphere an opportunity to realise their ideas. As a result, new products may appear, which will attract potential buyers and, at the same time, bring profit to both companies. In the future, the management of the organisation may allocate funds for the development of start-up companies and encourage the activity of other employees, helping them to develop their talent. These measures will certainly increase the diversity of the range of digital products and possibly provide an opportunity to develop new unique technologies. Based on the analysis above, the following recommendations can be made to Brin. The leader should consider building partnerships, doing joint projects, and reducing the pace of aggressive acquisitions. Conclusion The leadership traits and skills of Brin have been identified and analysed using trait theory and the three skills approach. The leadership methods of Sergey Brin are successful and effective since the company owns enormous assets and is regularly developed. The peculiarity of the internal policy is a non-standard approach to the subordinate-manager relationships, and much personal freedom is given to employees. Recommendations to follow the policy of reducing the activity in the area of ​​acquisitions are given. Building partnerships may help start-up projects to bring new products to the digital market, and Google can contribute by participating in this process rather than monopolising the whole industry. References Allio, R. J. (2015). Good strategy makes good leaders. Strategy & Leadership , 43 (5), 3-9. Web. Berger, A., & Brem, A. (2016). Innovation hub how-to: Lessons from Silicon Valley. Global Business and Organizational Excellence , 35 (5), 58-70. Web. Brown, J. S., & Duguid, P. (2017). The social life of information: Updated, with a new preface . Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press. Cadwalladr, C. (2016). Google, democracy and the truth about internet search . The Guardian . Web. Cirani, S., & Picone, M. (2015). Wearable computing for the internet of things. IT Professional , 17 (5), 35-41. Web. Eisenberger, R., Malone, G. P., & Presson, W. D. (2016). Optimizing perceived organizational support to enhance employee engagement . Society for Human Resource Management and Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology . Web. Ezzat, H., Le Masson, P., & Weil, B. (2017). Extending lab results to advices for leadership facilitating creativity in organizations. CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation , 1 (2), 17-27. Web. Florida, R., Adler, P., & Mellander, C. (2017). The city as innovation machine. Regional Studies , 51 (1), 86-96. Web. George, S. (2015). Can strategies of successful IT companies be relevant to commercial organizations in Bahrain? A comprehensive study of corporate strategies adopted by globally successful IT companies. ZENITH International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research , 5 (6), 93-113. Jackson, A. (2014). Google®: How Larry Page & Sergey Brin changed the way we search the web . Brumall, PA: National Highlights. Kerr, S. P., & Kerr, W. R. (2016). Immigrant entrepreneurship . Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research. Latham, J. R. (2014). Leadership for quality and innovation: Challenges, theories, and a framework for future research. Quality Management Journal , 21 (1), 11-15. Web. Lewis, D., & Mills, G. R. (2018). The bullseye principle: Mastering intention-based communication to collaborate, execute, and succeed . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. McCleskey, J. A. (2014). Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and leadership development. Journal of Business Studies Quarterly , 5 (4), 117-130. Mueller, D. C. (2015). Profit seeking and rent seeking in the United States and Europe. In R. D. Congleton & A. L. Hillman (Eds.), Companion to the political economy of rent seeking (pp. 311-327). Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing. Northouse, P. G. (2017). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Rajaraman, V. (2018). Breakthroughs in information and communication technologies: Part III. Resonance , 23 (9), 993-1023. Web. Tidd, J. (2014). Conjoint innovation: Building a bridge between innovation and entrepreneurship. International Journal of Innovation Management , 18 (01), 1450001. Web. Tran, S. K. (2017). GOOGLE: A reflection of culture, leader, and management. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility , 2 (1), 10. Web. White, A. J. (2018). Google.gov. The New Atlantis . Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The essay discusses the importance of corporate social responsibility in the modern global environment and how share holder activism and responsible investment can be used to promote it.
The essay discusses the importance of corporate social responsibility in the modern global environment and how share holder activism and responsible investment can be used to promote it.
Shareholder Activism and Responsible Investment as Integral Parts of Corporate Social Responsibility Essay To function in the modern global environment, companies need to foster compliance with their employees’ corporate values and standards. Notably, organizations need that their staff members follow the key ethical principles and quality standards during decision-making. Herein lies the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Shareholder Activism (SA) and Responsible Investment (RI) can be seen as critical tools for promoting CSR in the context of an organization in regard to the financial processes within it. Using SA and RI to encourage CSR is the topic of this essay, which will analyze each phenomenon separately and then draw conclusions. The phenomenon of SA is quite multifaceted; it can take many forms and manifest itself in a number of ways. Applying a rather loose definition of the subject matter to the analysis, one may assert that SA is a “tactic designed to protect shareholders from managers’ self-interest” (Perrault, 2015, p. 159). SA is expected to protect the rights of shareholders and ensure that their needs are addressed. Therefore, with the application of SA, one can shape corporate behaviors and choices in order to champion the needs and rights of shareholders in regard to a particular business. Approaching the concept of SA from a more specific standpoint, one may claim that it is a corrective measure for addressing the inconsistencies in the allocation of financial resources within a corporation (Uldam & Hansen, 2017). Therefore, the phenomenon of SA can be defined as the propensity among shareholders to seize control over the key financial processes within an organization or, to the very least, establish rigid control over the transactions performed in its setting. In addition, SA can be interpreted as the range of activities that shareholders can perform in the context of a publically traded company concerning the financial decision, organizational structure, and overall management (Goranova & Ryan, 2014). However, SA occurs rather rarely in a financial environment since it is fraught with numerous expenses and, therefore, may hamper the progress of an organization. As a rule, several types of SA are identified in the context of the modern global economy. Traditionally, two types are used most frequently; these include proxy contests and shareholder proposals (Cohn, Gillan, & Hartzell, 2016). It should be borne in mind that the range of SA types is not restricted to the specified two phenomena; there is the SA category that requires the barest minimum of participation from shareholders and is known as “say on pay” (Perrault, 2015, p. 161). On the other side of the spectrum, there is the hedge fund activism mentioned above, which can alter the very fabric of an organization, and which allows a shareholder to alter a strategy used by a company to allocate its resources. The “Vote No Campaign” is a slightly milder approach toward SA, which suggests that shareholders are urged to withhold their votes from director candidates (Croft & Malhotra, 2017). The shareholder proposal, in turn, implies submitting a document in which a shareholder details their suggestions concerning a change in a company’s investment-related choices. While the phenomenon of SA is typically associated with numerous expenses, it would be incorrect to label it as purely negative. There are several benefits to the incorporation of SA-based principles into an organization. For example, with the introduction of SA into a corporate environment, the incidences involving poor governance are addressed appropriately (Langenbucher, 2017). Therefore, the overall level of company management is improved significantly, with key processes becoming more organized and managers’ actions being aligned with a firm’s priorities (Laskin, 2017). The specified change has a direct effect on the levels of CSR within an organization since the objectives of an organization are redefined, and the premises for creating a new corporate value are built. As a result, employees are encouraged to develop a stronger sense of CSR so that the key corporate decisions could encourage consistent economic growth. In addition, the introduction of SA into the context of a business environment is typically associated with the concept of socially responsible investment (SRI). Being the direct successor of the CSR phenomenon, SRI implies that the choices made in the context of a particular organization in regard to investing resources are aligned with the principles of sustainable use of resources. Particularly, the propensity toward a green economy can be identified in the SRI initiatives that can be launched once shareholders receive the opportunity to define the policies and decisions of an organization. Because of the focus on maximizing the social good, SRI should be seen as a critical impetus for the promotion of CSR as the basis for the corporate philosophy (Ransome & Sampford, 2016). Herein lies the importance of SA-related initiatives in the organizational setting. By focusing on the issues associated with the ethical functioning of an organization and the social aspects of its decisions, shareholders are capable of altering the course of a firm’s development and integrating the principles of sustainability in it. The identified positive change is bound to have long-term effects since it will lead to a twofold outcome (Crifo & Mottis, 2016). First and foremost, the opportunities for reducing waste and allocating corporate resources and assets, at the same time minimizing the expenses, will become possible for an organization. Furthermore, with the redesign of corporate values and the adoption of a more ethically appropriate standpoint, a company is likely to win the affection and support of a significant number of stakeholders, including potential buyers, partners, and investors. Thus, a firm that will implement the principles of SA in its design is likely to be represented in the target market much better than its competitors are. Furthermore, the introduction of SA into the context of an organization allows securing the needs of shareholders and prevent managers from abusing their powers in the context of an organization. The specified outcome aligns fully with the idea of SCR since it entitles shareholders to a certain amount of influence over corporate processes and particularly decision-making. As a result, shareholders are provided with certain power in regard to the choices made to maintain the company consistently popular and successful in the selected market (Kreibohm, 2016). As a result, shareholders are offered crucial information about the organization’s performance, influence, and the type of presence that it has established in the chosen area so far. As a result, shareholders are capable of making financial decisions that will affect a company positively and encourage it to grow. Unfortunately, the implementation of SA in the realm of a specific business is not devoid of disadvantages, either, the problem of time horizons being the key one. Specifically, it is important to keep in mind that different types of investors have different time horizons, which makes them frame their goals, strategies, and actions, respectively. The discord in the time frame of the planning process and the following conflicts in the designated area make it very difficult to plan the company’s actions and create long-term strategies. Although the phenomenon of the inconsistency between the time frames of different stakeholders could be seen as a challenge to a company’s flexibility, it still causes more harm than good by introducing discrepancies into an organization’s strategies in the global market. Particularly, because of the shift toward the short-term perspective, a firm’s long-term goals may suffer significantly, with the ensuing drop in-market representation, market shares, and profit margins (Hebb, ‎Hawley, Hoepner, Neher, & Wood, 2015). Thus, the adoption of the DSA framework requires the reconsideration of the approach toward managing long-and short-term goals, as well as the ability to balance between the needs and interests of different types of shareholders, which is often a great challenge for an average firm. The disadvantage mentioned above is particularly detrimental to the promotion of SCR since it implies that a company will put some of its investors at a significant disadvantage. Due to the differences in priorities of shareholders, locating the solution that will become the middle ground and satisfy the needs of all parties involved will become particularly difficult once SA is introduced. Therefore, an organization will not be capable of creating the setting in which all participants will cooperate to achieve a common goal; instead, each stakeholder will strive to meet their own needs, with the long-term goals of a company being abandoned. While the described scenario represents the extreme situation in which the problem of managing people’s interests has grown out of its proportions, it nevertheless is a plausible situation (Ransome & Sampford, 2016). Therefore, SA may have vastly negative consequences on both CSR and investment options. Nonetheless, it would be erroneous to dismiss SA as an entirely negative phenomenon. Although it may have negative effects on CSR and the overall management of corporate resources, it also provides an opportunity to introduce a stronger corporate philosophy, thus reinforcing the relevant values and enhancing key processes. However, due to the threats of failing to maintain flexibility within an organization and, thus, succumbing to a very rigid set of standards for organizational behaviour, decision-making, and especially investment options, there is a need to control SA as a phenomenon. Thus, a well-balanced solution can be introduced into the corporate setting, allowing one to keep the corporate integrity and ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are addressed respectively. Investing safely is one of the crucial goals that an organization can pursue in the global market. Because of the risks associated with investments, it is critical to building a sustainable approach toward investing. The problem of investment choices is also linked directly to the phenomenon of CSR since they define the process of value creation and, thus, indicate whether an organization is compliant with the existing ethical and environmental standards as it pertains to the organization’s investments (Louche & Lydenberg, 2017). Herein lies the importance of Responsible Investment (RI) as the tool for keeping a company’s financial decisions aligned with the existing standards. By definition, RI is a strategy for investing a company’s financial assets in a way that allows it to build its financial value, at the same time maintaining its sustainability levels high (Lean, Ang, & Smyth, 2015). The connection between CSR and RI is evident since RI is often termed as a socially responsible investment (SRI), which indicates that its nature is linked directly to CSR principles (Nakano & Tsuge, 2018). The phenomenon of RI can be used to help an organization benefit significantly as a CSR-oriented entity. Specifically, the application of RI affects the choices associated with sustainability directly. However, at this point, one should note that the concept of RI might take a range of shapes depending on the goals that the specified process pursues and the setting in which a firm operates. For example, RI may be linked directly to the idea of sustainability and environmentalism as the constituents of SCR, which will require that a company adopt an environmentally safe investment technique. Particularly, investing in green technology and similar projects should be seen as the critical aspect of the proposed policy in regard to environmental RI. Alternatively, RI may imply following ethical practices based on the concept of safety in investment. Either way, the focus on ethically sensible decisions made in the environment of a specific company is typically regarded as the propensity toward building an EI-based strategy. As a result, RI is likely to have a profoundly positive impact on the levels of performance of an organization. Apart from creating chances for safe investments, the RI framework will help improve the current reputation of a firm and introduces opportunities for reinforcing the system of corporate values (Bilbao-Terol, Arenas-Parra, Cañal-Fernández, & Bilbao-Terol, 2016). Thus, RI should be seen as a critical component of the CSR framework and an important constituent of managing an organization from an ethical standpoint. In addition, one should give RI credit for setting the platform for a significant change in the overall framework of decision-making in a global company. The specified step is very difficult to accomplish due to a vast range of factors that one has to embrace when dealing with a change at every level of a company’s functioning. The application fi RI, in turn, will affect every facet of a firm’s functioning, leading to a huge shift in priorities and a massive alteration in the company’s decision-making principles (Trinks & Scholtens, 2017). RI introduces the tools for making a shift in the corporate policies, organizational framework, and financial operations, giving all parties involved an option to adjust to the changes and accept them. While the adoption of RI techniques may seem like an entirely flawless plan for integrating the [principles of SCR into the corporate environment, the specified decision will ensure both benefits and problems. Due to the explicit focus on following a set of ethical guidelines and principles, the problematic sides of RI are more pronounced than their benefits. The first and most obvious issue is linked directly to the increased number of responsibilities and a change in the public image of an organization. Specifically, the decisions made by a firm that has adopted RI will be scrutinized much more closely than the ones of other organizations, and the slightest deviations from the selected path will be judged very harshly by the public (Bilbao-Terol et al., 2016). While the described outcome cannot be deemed as exactly negative, it will put an organization under considerable strain, making it meet a range of rigid demands. For instance, it is critical for a company that uses the RI principles based on environmentalism to invest in the firms that also follow impeccable environmental policies; any decision that implies the opposite will lead to an organization being criticized, with an immediate public scandal and the inevitable PR crisis. The propensity to view the choices made by companies solely from a two-dimensional perspective, as well as the public disdain and the impossibility of a resurgence for a company whose reputation has been stained, are evident disadvantages (Auer, 2016). Since the specified perspective implies that a single step in the wrong direction will imply an immediate and unavoidable demise for a company raises financial risks for a firm far too high to be seen as a positive or even a neutral factor. Surprisingly enough, the disadvantage mentioned above can also be seen as an advantage that an organisation can use when applying IR techniques. Specifically, it should be mentioned that the described problems of PI also contributes to the promotion of ethical standards within an organisation. Indeed, the inability to avoid repercussions for ethically wrong actions is not a negative factor for a company that does not intend to engage in corporate fraud (Sullivan & Mackenzie, 2017). Therefore, the focus on IR will help an organisation to follow the established ethical guidelines closely and, thus avoid the instances of corporate fraud. Furthermore, a company can monitor the adherence to corporate ethical standards and values more closely once the IR principles are integrated into its framework (Riedl & Smeets, 2017). The promotion of responsibility will create additional opportunities for fostering clarity across all organisational, financial, managerial, promotional, and other types of processes that will occur in the corporate setting. Therefore, the transparency of the firm’s activities will make it more credible in the public eye. As a result, the firm will be capable of attracting new customers and investors, as well as enhancing loyalty among its current ones. At the same time, a company that adopts IR will also have to face the problem of following objective criteria for its actions. The specified issue is rooted in the deeply subjective nature of responsible choices, in general. While there are general principles such as the need to abstain from investment fraud, the concept of responsibility, ethics, and appropriate investment choices remains a very subjective idea. The specified statement means that an organisation will never satisfy every single stakeholder and member of the general audience (Chen, Chen, & Chi, 2018). Consequently, what some critics may deem as legitimate and ethically appropriate, others may dismiss as ethically flawed, at best. The specified problem of IR is, perhaps, the greatest one for an organisation to handle in the realm of the global market. Because of the need to appease a very diverse audience, a global firm will need to be especially cautious in its investment decisions. Consequently, a range of potentially profitable opportunities will have to be discarded in case even the slightest moral ambiguity can be identified. The problem is aggravated by the fact that, in the global market, what seems as an ethically feasible choice by one culture will be branded as immoral by another. Thus, a profound cultural research will have to be made prior to making any corporate decisions, which will hamper all processes within a firm. However, there is also the undoubtable advantage of using RI is the rise in SCR within the corporate setting. By encouraging ethically responsible investing in the corporate setting, leaders will foster the idea of moral responsibility among staff members, thus redesigning the corporate environment toward a more wholesome and healthy one. Consequently, it is critical for companies to adopt RI and CSR as the foundational principles for governing their organisations. The specified notions allow building the organisational environment in which any dishonest practice becomes impossible (Louche & Lydenberg, 2017). The identified opportunity is essential for a firm that operates in a global economic setting; Due to the numerous options for staff members to engage in corporate fraud and the lack of control that leaders can exert in a global firm, it is essential to focus on building an ethically rigid setting. Thus, one can avoid a range of issues associated with the management of a company in the environment of a global market. Therefore, RI should be considered as an important chance for an organisation to advance in the selected area by building the reputation of an ethically responsible company. Although RI concerns primarily financial operations directly, it provides the foundation of building a new system of values based on which decisions are made in the corporate environment (Lean et al., 2015). Moreover, the specified approach will encourage staff members to follow the principles of corporate ethics and the principles of CSR. Promoting change in the corporate setting is a challenging task, especially when it comes to advocating ethical principles and encouraging staff members to accept rigid guidelines for decision-making. However, the specified measures are not only necessary but also inevitable in the global setting, where the threat of external factors affecting an organisation increases exponentially. Therefore, one should consider integrating the principles of SA and RI as the elements of SCR into the framework of a firm. While the specified changes may entail certain difficulties, they will set the course for a more ethical approach toward making decisions and solving issues related to finances and resource management. Thus, a firm can maintain flawless reputation in the global economy, meeting the needs of its stakeholders. References Auer, B. R. (2016). Do socially responsible investment policies add or destroy European stock portfolio value? Journal of Business Ethics, 135(2), 381-397. Bilbao-Terol, A., Arenas-Parra, M., Cañal-Fernández, V., & Bilbao-Terol, C. (2016). Multi-criteria decision making for choosing socially responsible investment within a behavioral portfolio theory framework: A new way of investing into a crisis environment. Annals of Operations Research, 247(2), 549-580. Chen, M. H., Chen, B. H., & Chi, C. G. Q. (2018). Socially responsible investment by generation Z: a cross-cultural study of Taiwanese and American investors. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 1(1), 1-17. Web. Cohn, J. B., Gillan, S. L., & Hartzell, J. C. (2016). On enhancing shareholder control: A (Dodd‐) Frank assessment of proxy access. The Journal of Finance, 71(4), 1623-1668. Crifo, P., & Mottis, N. (2016). Socially responsible investment in France. Business & Society, 55(4), 576-593. Web. Croft, T., & Malhotra, A. (2017). The responsible investor handbook: Mobilizing workers’ capital for a sustainable world. New York, NY: Routledge. Goranova, M., & Ryan, L. V. (2014). Shareholder activism: A multidisciplinary review. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1230-1268. Web. Hebb, T., J. P., ‎Hawley, ‎Hoepner, A. G. F., Neher, A. L., & Wood, D. (2015). The Routledge handbook of responsible investment. New York, NY: Routledge. Kreibohm, E. M. (2016). The performance of socially responsible investment funds in Europe: An empirical analysis. New York, NY: Books on Demand. Langenbucher, K. (2017). Economic transplants: On lawmaking for corporations and capital markets. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Laskin, A. V. (Ed.). (2017). The handbook of financial communication and investor relations. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Lean, H. H., Ang, W. R., & Smyth, R. (2015). Performance and performance persistence of socially responsible investment funds in Europe and North America. The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, 34, 254-266. Louche, C., & Lydenberg, S. (2017). Dilemmas in responsible investment. New York, NY: Routledge. Nakano, M., & Tsuge, T. (2018). Are people interested in corporate social responsibility? Exploring the possibility of socially responsible investment in Japan. Konan Economic Papers, 58(3/4), 21-45. Perrault, E. (2015). Why does board gender diversity matter and how do we get there? The role of shareholder activism in deinstitutionalizing old boys’ networks. Journal of Business Ethics, 128(1), 149-165. Web. Ransome, W., & Sampford, C. (2016). Ethics and socially responsible investment: A philosophical approach. New York, NY: Routledge. Riedl, A., & Smeets, P. (2017). Why do investors hold socially responsible mutual funds? The Journal of Finance, 72(6), 2505-2550. Sullivan, R., & Mackenzie, C. (Eds.). (2017). Responsible investment. New York, NY: Routledge. Trinks, P. J., & Scholtens, B. (2017). The opportunity cost of negative screening in socially responsible investing. Journal of Business Ethics, 140(2), 193-208. Web. Uldam, J., & Hansen, H. K. (2017). Corporate responses to stakeholder activism: partnerships and surveillance. Critical Perspectives on International Business, 13(2), 151-165. Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: Shareholder activism is a process through which an individual with equity in a publicly traded corporation attempts to use his or her shareholder rights to pressure the management team into making changes. It has been shown to be an effective way to influence change in corporate behavior, as well as increase accountability.Shareholder activism has been shown to be an effective way to influence change in corporate behavior, as well as increase accountability.
Shareholder activism is a process through which an individual with equity in a publicly traded corporation attempts to use his or her shareholder rights to pressure the management team into making changes. It has been shown to be an effective way to influence change in corporate behavior, as well as increase accountability. Shareholder activism has been shown to be an effective way to influence change in corporate behavior, as well as increase accountability.
Shareholder Activism: Business Responsibility and Sustainability Essay Table of Contents 1. Shareholder Activism 2. Advantages of Shareholder Activism 3. Disadvantages of Shareholder Activism 4. Responsible Investment 5. Advantages of Responsible Investing 6. Disadvantages of Responsible Investment 7. Conclusion 8. References Since the turn of the century, the business environment in the contemporary world has become more dynamic and competitive. This phenomenon has been necessitated by factors such as globalization, advancements in technology, increased access to education, economic empowerment, as well as the development of viable and effective business models (Gordon & Ringe, 2018). The investment culture across the world is highly dependent on the ability of financial institutions and investors to collaborate in addressing various issues relating to corporate governance and the principle of the common good. In the recent past, some of the notable global trends relating to sustainable business practices are shareholder activism and responsible investment. This essay will critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the two trends in relation to their impact on decision-making for corporate social responsibility. Shareholder Activism According to economic experts, shareholder activism refers to a process through which an individual with equity in a publicly traded corporation attempts to use his or her shareholder rights to pressure the management team into making changes (Carlisle, 2014). Shareholders are partial owners of a corporation. Thus they have rights they can exercise to influence a change of behavior. However, achieving this feat is highly dependent on one’s share classification. Major shareholders have a greater influence over the running of a corporation compared to minority shareholders who only have limited options such as proxy battles, publicity campaigns, litigation, as well as writing formal proposals that are voted for during annual meetings (Carlisle, 2014). An activist shareholder focuses on pressuring the management to make financial and non-financial changes that range from the corporate policy, financing structure, disinvestment, adoption of environmentally conscious policies to cost-cutting measures, among others (Reed & Storrud-Barnes, 2015). Several publicly listed companies in the United States have been the subject of activism where shareholders mainly ask for disinvestment from politically sensitive countries and revision of sustainability strategies. Reports indicate that the efforts of activist shareholders have been escalating at an alarming rate over the last decade. This observable fact has been influenced by the high dissatisfaction of shareholders with the poor performance of the management team, which is often characterized by elements such as low profitability, reduced support for workers’ rights, and lack of accountability (Walker, 2016). Advantages of Shareholder Activism Research has shown that shareholder activism has a number of benefits to a corporation in terms of making the right corporate social responsibility decisions (Gong, 2013). Experts argue that shareholder activism has numerous benefits to an organization as long as it is done at the right time, using the appropriate channels, and with a precise intention. For it to have a positive impact on a corporation, it is important to ensure that its objectives reflect the long-term interests of everyone and not just a group of shareholders. The main reason for this is that it influences the manner in which decisions are made during annual meetings. Stakeholders whose interests are not considered during a campaign to tend to conduct protest votes that often compromise the ability of a corporation to meet its goals in an objective manner (Goarnova & Verstegan, 2014). Over the years, shareholder activism has helped a number of companies that were on the blink of collapsing to get back on track. One major advantage of shareholder activism is that it increases the accountability of the management team. According to research, two out of three activist campaigns tend to achieve their objectives (Krause, 2018). This is an indication that shareholder activists play a crucial role in ensuring that organizational leaders are more accountable with regard to the decisions they make on behalf of shareholders. This improves a corporation’s reputation, thus enhancing the capacity to promote its corporate social responsibility initiatives. In the contemporary world, corporations have an ethical responsibility for environmental stewardship as people struggle to manage the effects of global warming (Krause, 2018). Therefore, it is important for shareholders to ensure that organizational leaders are held accountable whenever they fail to develop and adopt environmentally friendly policies. Research has shown that the success of a corporation’s corporate social responsibility initiatives helps to attract investors and earn more goodwill from the public with regard to the products and services they offer (Reed & Storrud-Barnes, 2015). The second advantage of shareholder activism is that it plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable and ethical business practices. For example, in cases where a shareholder activist is seeking a corporation’s management to disinvest from a politically sensitive country, the long-term value is achieved because it helps to solidify the existing assets, prevent the share value from dropping, as well as maintaining good profit margins. Economic experts argue that every corporation should focus on adopting sustainable business practices that complement its objectives for corporate social responsibility initiatives (Behar, 2016). The management team should ensure that the process of decision-making adapts an inclusive model that allows all the relevant stakeholders to express their opinions and interests. The importance of involving all stakeholders in making crucial decisions is the fact that it manifests their value with regard to achieving the long–term objectives of a corporation (Krause, 2018). In turn, this helps a company to gain a competitive advantage in its respective markets because of crucial elements such as improved employee retention rate, increased output from the workforce, and a strong brand (Butu, 2013). The demands of shareholder activists help to reorient a corporation’s policy framework towards promoting the values of responsibility and sustainability, which are crucial to the success of corporate social responsibility programs. In addition, it is important to note that such programs are often a direct reflection of the values that a company promotes through its activities (Butu, 2013). Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the approach applied in decision-making is well informed and guided by the same values. Reports indicate that a poorly coordinated decision-making process that lacks inclusivity and guiding principles geared towards achieving sustainable business practices often results in a disoriented corporate social responsibility strategy. The financial value of shareholder activism often reflects in the intensity of corporate social responsibility programs a company chooses to support (Goarnova & Verstegan, 2014). Disadvantages of Shareholder Activism Shareholder activism is a fully-fledged industry that has been in existence for quite some time. This phenomenon is evidenced by the existence of elements such as activist funds, activist newsletters, activist databases, and activist conferences that give an indication of the pivotal role they play with regard to influencing the running of publicly listed corporations (Butu, 2013). Research has established that shareholder activism can negatively affect decision-making for corporate social responsibility if it is not done with honest intentions (Grewal, Serafeim, & Yoon, 2016). One of its notable disadvantages is the fact that is it affects the credit rating of an organization in a negative way. Although shareholder activism helps to strengthen corporate governance within an organization, the biggest challenge lies in the constant pressure put on the management teams with regard to their investment decisions. In turn, this affects the amount of money available for other crucial activities such as corporate social responsibility initiatives, paying dividends, and buying back shares, among others (Hartmann, 2014). This does not create an ideal situation for credit investors because of an increase in the net advantage. In addition, the financial and non-financial changes that shareholder activism influences within an organization often conflict with the needs of corporate debt holders, thus compromising the effectiveness of decision-making. Another notable disadvantage of shareholder activism is the fact that activists are not always right and often look out for themselves. Thus their investment horizon may be different from that of the corporation (Gantchev, 2013). Studies have shown that one of the main objectives of shareholder activists is convincing shareholders to buy into their agenda through aggressive media campaigns that portray them as having great concern for a corporation’s welfare (Filatochev & Dotesenko, 2015). However, the truth of the matter is that they primarily focus on pressuring the management to make changes only in areas that meet their interests. Reports indicate that they often bank their campaigns on the perceived notion within the industry that they are always right due to their extensive experience in the investment sector. In most cases, this turns out to the opposite because their timing is often off with regard to the objectives of their activism and the benefits they project a corporation will get by making the proposed changes (Gantchev, 2013). Investors ought to keep this in mind when making decisions relating to a corporation’s mission and objectives for corporate social responsibility initiatives. The main reason for this is the fact that the ability of any corporation to be responsible and maintain sustainable business practices is highly dependent on the degree of influence that its shareholders have on the decision-making process (Filatochev & Dotesenko, 2015). Corporate social responsibility programs should be guided by the sober interpretation of the interests that shareholder activists seek to meet through their campaigns. For example, it is important for investors to have a good comprehension of the fickle nature of activists, with regard to their unique investment horizon compared to the ordinary shareholder. Their uniqueness is characterized by their willingness and financial capacity to accept losing a position within a corporation’s board as long as they realize no one is buying into their agenda (Gramm, 2016). This element often affects the ability of an organization to execute its corporate social responsibility agendas because the support of shareholders is often shaky. Responsible Investment According to research, many corporations in the contemporary world have purposed to reorient their investment policies in line with the principle of the common good through responsible investment strategies (Richardson, 2013). As a way of addressing the numerous challenges associated with globalization, responsible investment is one of the notable trends that corporations have taken up since the turn of the century. It refers to an investment approach that aims to integrate social, environmental, and governance elements into investment decisions with the sole purpose of improving risk management, as well as generating sustainable and long-term results (Krosinsky, 2017). The social elements integrated into investment decisions include improving employee relations, diversity, health, safety, working conditions, as well as conflict management. Environmental elements include deforestation, resource depletion, waste management, pollution, and climate change. Governance elements include issues relating to tax strategy, executive pay, political lobbying, corruption, as well as board diversity and structure (Richardson, 2013). The concept of responsible investment has been necessitated by several factors that relate to sustainability. One of the driving factors is the realization that social, environmental, and governance factors play a pivotal role in determining the risks that an investment attracts, as well as the returns made (Sullivan & Mackenzie, 2017). According to investment experts, corporations in the contemporary world have also felt the need to invest more responsibly as a way of managing the pressure of competitors who are differentiating themselves with a competitive advantage developed around responsible-oriented venture services. The culture of responsible investing has also been highly influenced by the growing pressure of shareholders who have chosen to take up a more active role in the running of corporations, as well as demanding transparency with regard to the way their money is being put into use (Sherwood & Pollard, 2018). In the recent past, there have been numerous debates seeking to develop a clear understanding of the exact manner in which an investor should practice responsible investment. According to experts, investors have a wide variety of approaches to choose from if they want to incorporate the concept of responsible investing into the decision-making process (Sherwood & Pollard, 2018). It is important to note that the strategy chosen is often guided by the nature and intensity of corporate social responsibility programs a corporation has chosen to implement. One of the most effective approaches is using the voting rights of shareholders to influence a corporation’s behavior (Richardson, 2013). Investors can also integrate information about the social, environmental, and governance elements into the quantitative and qualitative analysis of a corporation’s equity value and creditworthiness (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). This is very important because it plays a crucial role in making informed decisions while making adjustments relating to the selection, weighting, and allocation of assets. In addition, experts argue that such kind of information forms the basis for developing corporate social responsibility initiatives (Richardson, 2013). Advantages of Responsible Investing Studies have shown that corporations that integrate the concept of responsible investing in their investment decisions reap several benefits with regard to the effectiveness of their corporate social responsibility programs (Purdom & Krosinsky, 2016). One of the major advantages of responsible investing is the economic efficiency of an organization. According to research, environmentally conscious and socially cohesive business practices by any corporation often pay off good returns in the long run in terms of achieving economic sustainability (Sherwood & Pollard, 2018). This observable fact is influenced by the increasing demand for products that are compatible with the social norms and environmental regulations across the world. Experts argue that political regulation has played a major role in ensuring organizations conform to the set guidelines through government measures such as emission limit controls that have encouraged more corporations to consider integrating the concept of responsible investment. It is important to note that economic efficiency in a corporation cannot be achieved without taking the personal values of investors into consideration (Richardson, 2013). For example, the biggest motivation of all investors has a promising future. Thus they are always willing to make the necessary contributions towards achieving an environmentally conscious and socially sustainable investment culture. This forms a good foundation for an informed and inclusive decision-making process because the needs and interests of all stakeholders will be taken into consideration. In turn, this enhances the effectiveness of the corporate social responsibility initiatives because the goodwill from investors is assured since their money will be put into good use (Sherwood & Pollard, 2018). Another advantage of responsible investment is the fact that it develops investments with competitive returns and limited risks. According to investment experts, the economic relationship between investment and sustainability often leads to positive results within a corporation with regard to the efficiency of the service delivery systems, the effectiveness of the decision-making process, and the satisfaction of investors (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). For example, investors have a higher chance of approving corporate social responsibility programs proposed by a corporation’s management team provided that the existing investments have proven to be competitive enough and with minimal or no risks involved. One of the greatest fear among investors is putting their money in high-risk investments or in areas that are politically sensitive (Richardson, 2013). This often creates fear because there is a high chance that they might make huge losses that will take a long time to recover. Therefore, for a corporation to succeed in its corporate social responsibility initiatives, it is necessary to ensure that the support of all investors is earned before decision-making (Richardson, 2013). In addition, the informed input of investors with regard to the corporate social responsibility agendas is very crucial to the competitiveness of investments because the reception that people give to a corporation’s activities within a community depends on the impact it is having on their quality of life (Hebb, Hawley, Hoepner, & Wood, 2015). Disadvantages of Responsible Investment Investment experts argue that responsible investment has a number of reservations despite the immense value it adds to an organization. According to research, the drawbacks associated with the responsible investment are highly inclined towards the ability and willingness of an organization to commit enough resources into the process of integrating the social, environmental, and governance elements in investment decisions (Richardson, 2013). One of the main disadvantages of responsible investment is that it requires a lot of time and extensive research. Studies have shown that the amount of time required in studying the potential of an investment is often a put-off to investors who have a wide portfolio because of all the necessary benchmarks (Richardson, 2013). Unlike the traditional forms of investments that are passive in nature, ethical investment requires both qualitative and quantitative research with regard to the potential of investments to be competitive enough without attracting unmanageable risks (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). In addition, it is important for an investor to ensure that the proposed investment aligns with the organization’s corporate values. This is an important element in making decisions geared towards implementing the corporate social responsibility agendas. According to experts, the social responsibility agendas of an organization are a reflection of its corporate values, thus the reason why responsible investment requires adequate research into the potential of an investment (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). For example, an organization that promotes the value of sustainable business practices should extend the same commitment to the decisions of its corporate social responsibility programs. Another drawback associated with responsible investment is the fact that it is not often an optimal strategy considering the high costs involved. Studies have shown that there is no guarantee that ethical investing will give an organization optimal return even when assured financial gains are sacrificed (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). This phenomenon is necessitated by the high costs incurred in the additional research required before committing to any investment. Experts argue that the need for an organization to put channel resources into an investment that matches its belief system is quite costly because it often eats into the portfolio’s profits (Bohm & Skoglund, 2017). This challenge has proven to be a big influencing factor with regard to the decisions that some organizations make for their corporate social responsibility programs. For example, instead of embarking on an ethical investment approach that is costly, an organization can opt to apply the conventional strategies and commit a considerable fraction of its profits to increase the number of activities in its corporate social responsibility agendas. Such a decision is often influenced by the reservations of shareholders regarding the level of risks they are willing to take on investments (Richardson, 2013). Experts argue that conventional strategies of investing have lower risks, but their returns are not as augmented as those associated with responsible investing. Conclusion Corporations in the contemporary world should integrate the elements of responsibility and sustainability into their business practices. A corporation can benefit or suffer from the activities of shareholder activists based on the impending situation. Shareholder activists have the ability to influence the management team more than the average shareholder does. Organizational leaders should appreciate the fact that the changes shareholder activists attempt to influence often have huge potential in terms of increasing the value of shares. The economic value of an organization can be further heightened through responsible investing, which focuses on integrating social, environmental, and governance elements into investment decisions. References Behar, A. (2016). The shareholder action guide: Unleash your hidden powers to hold corporations. New York, NY: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Bohm ,S., & Skoglund, A. (2017). Why companies are embracing environmental activism . CNN. Web. Butu, M. (2013). Shareholder activism by hedge funds: Motivations and markets perceptions of hedge fund interventions. San Francisco, CA: Diplomica Verlag. Carlisle, T.E. (2014). Deep value: Why activist investors and other contrarians battle for control of losing corporations. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Filatochev, I., & Dotesenko, O. (2015). Shareholder activism in the UK: Types of activists, forms of activism, and their impact on the target’s performance. Journal of Managerial Governance, 19(1), 5-24. Gantchev, N. (2013). The cost of shareholder activism: Evidence from a sequential decision model. Journal of Financial Economics, 107(3), 610-631. Goarnova, M., & Verstegan, R.L. (2014). Shareholder activism: A multidisciplinary review. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1230-1268. Gong, B. (2013). Understanding institutional shareholder activism: A comparative study of the UK and China. New York, NY: Routledge. Gordon, J.N., & Ringe, W. (2018). The oxford handbook of corporate law and governance. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Gramm, J. (2016). Dear chairman: Boardroom battles and the rise of shareholder activism. New York, NY: Harper Collins. Grewal, J., Serafeim, G., & Yoon, A. (2016). Shareholder activism on sustainability issues. New York, NY: Routledge. Hartmann, M.D. (2014). Shareholder activism: Benefits and drawbacks. New York, NY: PL Academic Research. Hebb, T., Hawley, J.P., Hoepner, A.G.F., & Wood, D. (2015). The Routledge handbook of responsible investment. New York, NY: Routledge. Krause, N. (2018). Shareholder activism: A practitioner’s handbook. Massachusetts, MA: De Gruyter. Krosinsky, C. (2017). The short guide to sustainable investing (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Purdom, S., & Krosinsky, C. (2016). Sustainable investing: Revolutions in theory and practice. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Reed, R., & Storrud-Barnes, S.F. (2015). Increased shareholder activism and the changing landscape of corporate governance. American Journal of Business, 30(1), 12-34. Richardson, B.J. (2013). Fiduciary law and responsible investing: In nature’s trust. New York, NY: Routledge. Sherwood, M.W., & Pollard, J. (2018). Responsible investing: An introduction to environmental, social, and governance investments. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Sullivan, R., & Mackenzie, C. (2017). Responsible investment. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Walker, O. (2016). Barbarians in the boardroom: Activist investors and the battle for control of the world’s most powerful companies. London, UK: Pearson UK.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: The essay discusses how the perceptions of Chinese Americans changed during World War II from being seen as pariahs to being seen as paragons. The essay also discusses how the repeal of the Chinese exlusion acts in 1943 marked a turning point for the Chinese American population.Shifting Images of Chinese Americans During World War II Research PaperTable of Contents1. Introduction2. Main body3. Conclusion4. Bibliography5. Footnotes
The essay discusses how the perceptions of Chinese Americans changed during World War II from being seen as pariahs to being seen as paragons. The essay also discusses how the repeal of the Chinese exlusion acts in 1943 marked a turning point for the Chinese American population. Shifting Images of Chinese Americans During World War II Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main body 3. Conclusion 4. Bibliography 5. Footnotes
Shifting Images of Chinese Americans During World War II Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main body 3. Conclusion 4. Bibliography 5. Footnotes Introduction The position of Americans of Asian descent in the United States appears to be integral for modern society as this population contributes to the contemporary culture, politics, and economy to a vast extent. However, less than a hundred years ago, the situation was drastically different as Chinese and Japanese Americans were considered borderline outcasts in American society. Accordingly, as is the case with nearly every nation and country in human history, there are aspects of this time period that could be terrifying and poignant. Therefore, it is important to elaborate on the history of relationships between Japanese Americans and Chinese Americans in the period between 1920 and 1940. Main body The conflicting nature of the relationships between the identified populations of the United States was largely determined by the political events outside the country. Particularly, the war between China and Japan, which started in 1937, is the crucially important factor as well as the US government’s attitude toward the Asian populations within the country 1 . Japan was perceived as the enemy and aggressor (moreover, even worse aggressor than Germany), and, naturally, this perception extended to Japanese Americans who lived in the United States 2 . Thus, the tendency for the distinguishing and distancing of the Chinese from the Japanese was highly evident in this period 3 . Conclusion The second important aspect is Madame Chiang Kai-shek’s tour of the United States that began in 1943. During the tour, the visitors attended numerous cities on the West coast, however, they were on the East coast as well, visiting New York and Washington, DC 4 . This tour had a large positive impact on the perception of Chinese Americans. Finally, the congressional repeal of the Chinese exclusion acts, which also happened in 1943, remarked the crucial change in the status of the Chinese American population 5 . Bibliography Lee, Johnatan H. X., and Christen T. Sasaki, eds., Asian American History: Primary Documents of the Asian American Experience . San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2015. Wong, K. Scott. “From Pariah to Paragon: Shifting Images of Chinese Americans during World War II.” In Chinese Americans and the Politics of Race and Culture, edited by Sucheng Chan and Madeline Y. Hsu, 153-172. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2008. Yoo, David K., and Eiichiro Azuma, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Asian American History . New York: Oxford University Press, 2016. Footnotes 1. Johnatan H. X. Lee and Christen T. Sasaki, eds., Asian American History: Primary Documents of the Asian American Experience (San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2015). 2. David K. Yoo and Eiichiro Azuma, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Asian American History (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016). 3. Wong, K. Scott, “From Pariah to Paragon: Shifting Images of Chinese Americans during World War II,” in Chinese Americans and the Politics of Race and Culture, ed. Sucheng Chan and Madeline Y. Hsu (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2008), 153-156. 4. Wong, From Pariah to Paragon, 163. 5. Wong, From Pariah to Paragon, 165.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: In Sketched by Boz, Charles Dickens takes the reader on a journey through London using language mastery and different literary stylistic devices. The reader can tell that the city's untidiness inspired Dickens to write this work.
In Sketched by Boz, Charles Dickens takes the reader on a journey through London using language mastery and different literary stylistic devices. The reader can tell that the city's untidiness inspired Dickens to write this work.
“Sketched by Boz” the Book by Charles Dickens Essay (Critical Writing) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. London’s Untidiness 3. Conclusion 4. Work Cited Introduction In Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens takes the reader on a journey through London using language mastery and different literary stylistic devices. The reader can tell that the city’s untidiness inspired Dickens to write this work. On numerous occasions, the author sounds disoriented as he tours the city of London. The story is mostly descriptive and the speaker starts by narrating the “appearance presented by the streets of London an hour before sunrise on a summer’s morning” (Dickens 38). This paper discusses the ways in which the experience of feeling disoriented or claustrophobic in London has been depicted by considering the ways in which London’s untidiness has inspired Sketched by Boz by Charles Dickens. London’s Untidiness In the eyes of Dickens, London is a messy place whether in the morning or at night. This disorderliness spreads from the street corners, through business establishments and transport systems to institutions, such as criminal courts. Dickens seems disoriented and lost in the murkiness of the city. During the summer, one would expect the sunrise to bring liveliness and radiate happiness as people wake up to pursue their dreams across the city unless someone is claustrophobic. However, Dickens paints a dull picture of London on a summer’s morning. He states, “There is an air of cold, solitary desolation about the noiseless streets…” (Dickens 38). A noiseless street is supposed to be calm, but Dickens conjures an image of coldness and desolation. This contrast can only be explained by the fact that the streets are untidy and perhaps the multitudes of people who throng them during the day cover this mess. For instance, if a street is littered, one may not notice the dirt when masses of people are passing by. However, if the same street is deserted, it becomes easy to see the inherent mess and disarray. Dickens tries to conjure the image of a disordered city throughout the story and this assertion is sufficiently supported by what the author says. He posits, “The last drunken man…has just staggered heavily along…the last houseless vagrant whom penury and police have left in the streets, has coiled up his chilly limbs in some paved comer. The drunken, the dissipated, and the wretched have disappeared…the stillness of death is over the streets” (Dickens 38). This passage points to different aspects of an untidy city, which can easily evoke a feeling of disorientation. First, a drunkard loiters across the street and a vagrant coils at a paved corner. The vagabond represents street families, which is an indicator of untidiness and disorderliness. If the city of London were orderly, street families would have a place to sleep. The stillness of death that hangs over the streets could be interpreted in several ways. First, the uncollected garbage may create a breeding ground for different pathogens, which would ultimately cause deadly diseases leading to the loss of life. On the other hand, Dickens could be talking of criminal elements on the streets, which could cause harm or death in a flash. The author could also be talking about poorly constructed buildings and structures that could easily crumble and bury people alive. Regardless of what Dickens sees in London, he is sure that death hangs over the streets, and this feeling evokes claustrophobia. As the day breaks, the messiness of the city is compounded. Market carts start rolling along and “Rough, sleepy-looking animals of strange appearance, something between ostlers and hackney-coachmen, begin to take down the shutters of early public-houses” (Dickens 39). The Covent-garden market is chaotic with animals, such as donkeys and horses, competing for limited space with human beings. The pavements are strewn with waste. In order to give a clear picture of the untidiness of London, Dickens says, Men are shouting, carts backing, horses neighing, boys fighting, basket-women talking, piemen expatiating on the excellence of their pastry, and donkeys braying. These and a hundred other sounds form a compound discordant enough to a Londoner’s ears and remarkably disagreeable to those of country gentlemen who are sleeping at the Hummums for the first time (39). From this passage, the disorderliness of London stands out conspicuously and the reader can understand the experience of feeling disoriented in the city. Similarly, it suffices to argue that this messiness and disarray inspired Dickens to write Sketches by Boz . Dickens also explores the untidiness caused by buildings and structures across the city of London. For instance, he discusses one building, which he says is a sample of the rest, in detail to highlight one of the many failures of the city. He notes, “The house went to ruin…the paint was all worn off; the windows were broken, the area was green with neglect and the overflowing of the water-butt; the butt itself was without a lid, and the street-door was the very picture of misery…the unfortunate house looked more wretched than ever” (Dickens 47). This description of a city house paints a picture of an untidy city that London was at the time, which probably inspired Dickens to compile this work. If, as claimed, the house was a representative of hundreds of others, then the city was a wretched place to be, and anyone visiting it would feel disoriented or claustrophobic. The throngs of people and the sight of ruined buildings are enough reasons for any visitor to feel entrapped, hence the claustrophobia. The public transport in London is in disarray and Dickens chooses omnibuses to discuss this point. He says, “We are not aware that it has ever been precisely ascertained, how many passengers our omnibus will contain. The impression on the cad’s mind evidently is that it is amply sufficient for the accommodation of any number of persons that can be enticed into it” (Dickens 108). In other words, there are no rules governing the number of passengers that an omnibus can carry. If the rules exist, then they are not followed. This aspect introduces another level of disorderliness as it endangers the lives of commuters because, in case of an accident, the casualties of an overloaded bus would be many. The omnibus men simply disregard any form of moral obligation. From time to time, some passengers confront the omnibus men, and this showdown normally leaves other travelers amused, which encourages Dickens to document such encounters. He confesses, “…and to wish, as we walk away, that we could impart to others any portion of the amusement we have gained for ourselves” (Dickens 110). Well, the author went on to write about these subjects to impart to others his experiences in the city of London. Finally, the institutionalized messiness seems to have inspired Dickens’ work. First, due to the lack of opportunities, the youth have turned to criminal activities. Dickens recounts a time when he meets a boy having been released from the courts, after spending a long time in prison, for committing some petty theft. One wonders why would a boy spend years in prison for petty theft, but it points to the institutional disorderliness of the courts. Therefore, prodded by curiosity, Dickens enters a criminal court to investigate how matters are handled. Unfortunately, “Every trial seems a mere matter of business. There is a lot of forms, but no compassion, considerable interest, but no sympathy” (Dickens 154). It suffices to conclude that the criminal courts are messed up, and while complainants go to the system for justice, the convicted are supposed to undergo reformation in jails. One can only imagine the inhumane nature of the prisons if they are an extension of the courtroom that the author has described in the above passage as lacking compassion and sympathy. Dickens continues, “There were other prisoners – boys often, as hardened in vice as men of fifty – a houseless vagrant going joyfully to prison as a place of food and shelter, handcuffed to a man whose prospects were ruined, character lost, and family rendered destitute by his first offense (216). These passages conjure images of a disorderly court system, and Dickens is inspired by such incidences to write his stories. Conclusion The untidiness and mess across the city of London inspired Charles Dickens’ work and especially Sketches by Boz. In this book, the author focuses mainly on the chaos and disorderliness that are characteristic of different aspects of the city. The mess of the city causes the author to lament that the stillness of death hangs on the streets. At the market, animals, people, and waste materials compete for space, thus compounding the problem of untidiness. Dickens draws heavily from the messiness of London to compose his chef-d’oeuvre works, such as Sketches by Boz. Work Cited Dickens, Charles. Sketches by Boz. Baudry’s European Library, 1839.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The SMOG formula is a simple measure of gobbledygook that can be used by community and public health nurses to assess the complexity of medical texts. The formula takes into account the number of polysyllabic words, with three or more syllables, and the number of sentences. The instructions I may have given to a client when he or she is discharged from the hospital or emergency room would follow the pattern provided by the SMOG formula.
The SMOG formula is a simple measure of gobbledygook that can be used by community and public health nurses to assess the complexity of medical texts. The formula takes into account the number of polysyllabic words, with three or more syllables, and the number of sentences. The instructions I may have given to a client when he or she is discharged from the hospital or emergency room would follow the pattern provided by the SMOG formula.
SMOG Formula for Community & Public Health Nurses Essay The lack of compliance in the home setting is one of the concerns for the community and public health nurses. Harry McLaughlin developed the SMOG formula in 1969 and published it in a New Readability Formula Journal (“The SMOG Readability Formula”, n.d.). The idea was that the complexity of the text in the public health sector is most affected by complex words with many syllables. The final SMOG grade formula took into account the number of polysyllabic words, with three or more syllables, and the number of sentences. In fact, this is an estimate of the proportion of compound words to the number of sentences. Nowadays, the SMOG formula is most used in assessing the complexity of medical texts, and in recent studies, it showed greater accuracy compared to other methods (Brangan, 2015). The instructions I may have given to a client when he or she is discharged from the hospital or emergency room would follow the pattern provided by the SMOG formula. For example, while writing instructions for individuals without higher education, I will use simple words that contain fewer syllables. At the same time, I will use more complex words and sentences for individuals with a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. level. Overall, I will ensure that the readability level of the instructions responds to the educational level of clients. Finally, I will make sure that it is easy for the client to follow the instructions when at home. To ensure it, I will write the instructions in such a way that the readability score will be between 7.00-8.00 in compliance with the SMOG formula (“The SMOG Readability Test”, n.d.). Accordingly, it is highly recommended for the community and public health nurses to apply the SMOG formula in order to ensure compliance in home settings. References Brangan, S. (2015). Development of SMOG readability formula for healthcare communication and patient education. Collegium Antropologicum , 39 (1), 11-20. The SMOG Readability Formula, a Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. (n.d.). Web. The “SMOG” Readability Test. (n.d.). Web.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The paper examines the case of Snapchat to identify suitable options for resolving the problems that the company is facing. It focuses on the need for research and development to improve the company's camera platform, and how this can help to increase revenue.
The paper examines the case of Snapchat to identify suitable options for resolving the problems that the company is facing. It focuses on the need for research and development to improve the company's camera platform, and how this can help to increase revenue.
Resolving the Problem With Valuation: Snapchat Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Identification 3. Analysis and Evaluation 4. Recommendations 5. Conclusion Introduction Snapchat is a leading mobile application that is used by millions of people all over the world. It was developed as a new social network offering a unique feature of sending pictures and stories that disappear after viewing or after a short period of time. Several tech giants attempted to buy Snapchat, but the owners opted to avoid acquisitions, generating funds from investors instead. This created a problem with valuation: although the value of Snapchat is estimated to be over $19billion, the company is only generating financial losses so far. The present paper will analyze the case of Snapchat to identify suitable options for resolving the problems that the company is facing. Identification Though Snapchat is a relatively recent application, it is popular and rapidly growing. The company is attractive to investors due to the fast development of its user base. Snapchat generates revenue from showing untargeted advertisements to users every 20 or 30 snaps, which amounts to 5-7 ads per day for active users. According to Snap, Inc., the company’s core strategy is “to invest in product innovation and take risks to improve [its] camera platform” (p. 5). The company is trying to achieve this goal by spending a significant part of its funds on research and development. Nevertheless, attracting new investors may become more difficult as Snapchat’s losses are over four times higher than its revenues. Furthermore, Snapchat has no clear path to high income despite a large user base. Research and development costs are affecting the financial health of the business, and thus it is critical for the management to address the situation soon to prevent the venture from collapsing. Analysis and Evaluation To provide appropriate recommendations, it is critical to understand the extent to which the company’s problem affects its financial performance. Table 2 shows that the company’s current ratio is quite high, meaning that there are no significant liquidity issues. However, the return on assets is low, and the net profit margin is negative, and thus the company’s position in terms of revenue generation not favorable. The rapid decrease in net profit margin between 2016 and 2016 also demonstrates that the company’s expenses have increased disproportionately to its revenues. The capital structure of the company consists primarily of stockholder’s equity, which amounts to $2,992,327,000 (Snap, Inc. 65). This shows that Snapchat relies heavily on its investors despite incurring heavy losses. Table 2. Ratio Analysis of Snapchat. Ratio Formula Calculation FY2017 Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 2,366,794/346,256=6.84 FY2016 1,179,985/156,744=7.53 FY2017 Net profit margin Net income/net revenue -3,445,066/824,949=-4.18 (-418%) FY2016 -514,643/404,482=-1.27 (-127%) FY2017 Return on assets Net income/total assets 824,949/3,421,566=0.24 (24%) (ROA) FY2016 404,482/1,722,792=0.23 (24%) Although the financial performance of Snapchat is weak, the company still has some strengths, including its large and growing user base, which is particularly attractive to investors. It is also worth noting that the company operates independently of large tech companies and is dedicated to research and development. These features explain the beneficial competitive position of the company and the fact that Snapchat’s strategy is producing satisfactory results in terms of user activity. However, Snapchat does not capitalize on its strengths, and its position in the market could weaken if no steps towards achieving higher revenues are taken. Recommendations The main goal for Snapchat should be to become more profitable and secure its position in the mobile app market. The company faces competition from a variety of tech giants, such as Apple and Facebook, and thus it is critical for the management to determine and implement new ways of revenue generation. While advertising is often used by mobile applications as the main method of revenue generation, in the present case, it is not effective enough to achieve profitability. The recommended action plan would be to conduct market research to identify possible options of revenue generation and then create branded products or services that can be bought and used with the app. The second recommendation is to reduce the costs associated with research and development or the general and administrative expenses. In order to do that, Snapchat should conduct an internal audit to determine processes or investments that do not contribute to strategy implementation or affect its revenues. Once this process is complete, the company should seek to eliminate these processes or reduce the resources spent on them. These recommendations will help to improve Snapchat’s profitability by reducing expenses and increasing revenues, thus making it more financially stable and competitive. Based on the information presented in the case, it is likely that the proposed plan will be accepted by the persons involved and that the organization will be able to implement it successfully. Conclusion Overall, Snapchat is a promising company that has a number of strengths, such as research and development initiatives, popularity among users, and excellent liquidity. Nevertheless, the analysis showed that Snapchat is not capable of making profits due to low revenues and high expenses. To solve this issue, it is essential for the company to review its expenditures and find new and innovative ways of generating revenue.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The essay discusses the relevant cash flows for Sneaker 2013 and how they can be used to calculate the net present value of the project.
The essay discusses the relevant cash flows for Sneaker 2013 and how they can be used to calculate the net present value of the project.
Sneaker 2013 and Persistence Case Analysis Case Study Relevant cash flows for Sneaker 2013 are those that are directly associated with the project. Among such cash flows are sales of Sneaker 2013, variable costs, an increase in inventory, an increase in accounts payable, the cost of equipment that needs to be purchased and its installation, the cost of building a factory in Vietnam, the interest cost on debt which needs to be employed to finance the project, and the advertising and promotion costs. Tax expense is also a relevant cash flow as it concerns Sneaker 2013 project. The reduction in sales of existing New Balance shoes should be regarded as the lost revenue, which is also incremental cash flow. Even though the cost of equipment and its installation and the cost of real estate are depreciated, depreciation is not a cash flow. $2 million spent on research and development on Sneaker 2013 is a sunk cost that should be ignored. Relevant cash flows for Persistence include revenue generated from sales, an increase in the working capital, the cost of equipment, the cost of the design technology and manufacturing specifications for a new hiking shoe, interest expense on debt, taxes, and net income after tax. The allocation of overheads associated with the use of the company’s factories is a sunk cost and not a component of relevant cash flows. There is no opportunity cost as the introduction of the product is not expected to impact the existing sales. Depreciation is a non-cash item, which is why it is not a relevant cash flow. The net present value of a project can be calculated as the difference between the present value of future cash flows and the initial cost of investment. The initial cost of investment includes the cost of equipment and its installation (15 million in total), the cost of building a factory in Vietnam (150 million), and an increase in the working capital, which is equal to the difference between an increase in current assets and an increase in current liabilities. The initial cost of investment for Sneaker 2013 can be calculated as: Tables 1 and 2 show total cash flows and discounted cash flows for Sneaker 2013 for 2013-2018. Revenue was calculated by multiplying sales volume by net price. Gross profit was calculated by subtracting variable costs from revenue. Tax expense was calculated by multiplying the tax rate by income before taxes. Discounted cash flows were calculated using the following formula: Table 1. Cash Flows for Sneaker 2013. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Revenue 138000000 184000000 161000000 276000000 207000000 103500000 Gross profit 62100000 82800000 72450000 124200000 93150000 46575000 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 Advertising expenses 2000000 2000000 2000000 3000000 2000000 2000000 Other advertising expenses 25000000 15000000 10000000 30000000 25000000 15000000 Interest expense 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 Total depreciation (for tax purposes) 7900000 13900000 10850000 9150000 8650000 7200000 Net income before tax 19000000 43700000 41400000 73850000 49300000 14175000 Tax expense 7600000 17480000 16560000 29540000 19720000 5670000 Cash inflow 19300000 40120000 35690000 53460000 38230000 15705000 Table 2. Discounted Cash Flows for Sneaker 2013. Sneaker 2013 Cost of investment 175000000 Discounted cash inflow – year 1 17387387,39 Discounted cash inflow – year 2 32562292,02 Discounted cash inflow – year 3 26096220,4 Discounted cash inflow – year 4 35215757,88 Discounted cash inflow – year 5 22687644,27 Discounted cash inflow – year 6 8396534,331 Net cash flows 142345836 At the end of the project, the company will gain an additional 115,000,000 million if it sells the equipment and the factory and recovers the working capital. Thus, the NPV of the project is: The lost revenue (or opportunity cost) is equal to the lost sales multiplied by the gross margin: The IRR can be calculated by solving the following equation for R: Using What-If analysis in Excel, the value of R is equal to 48.35%, which is the internal rate of return for Sneaker 2013. The payback period is calculated by subtracting each individual annual cash inflow from the cost of investment until a positive amount is achieved. The payback period for Sneaker 2013 is equal to five years (see Table 3). Table 3. Cumulative Cash Flows for Sneaker 2013. Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 (175000000) (155700000) (115580000) (79890000) (26430000) 11800000 The discounted payback period is calculated similarly to the payback period, yet the annual cash flows are discounted. The discounted payback period for Sneaker 2013 is equal to six years (see Table 4). Table 4. Cumulative Discounted Cash Flows for Sneaker 2013. Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 (175000000) (157612613) (125050321) (98954100) (63738342) (41050698) 82345836 Profitability index for Sneaker 2013 is equal to: The initial cost of investment for Persistence includes the cost of manufacturing equipment (8 million) and an increase in the working capital (15 million). The initial cost of investment for Persistence is equal to: Tables 5 and 6 show total cash flows and discounted cash flows for Persistence for 2013-2015. Total sales were calculated by multiplying the total sales for the athletic footwear market by the market share projections for Persistence with consideration of the annual growth rate. The gross profit was calculated by subtracting variable costs from total sales. Purchase of intangible assets is recognized as an immediate expense, which is why it is not amortized. The tax expense was equal to zero in 2013 since the company did not generate any income. Table 5. Cash Flows for Persistence. 2013 2014 2015 Sales 52500000 72450000 92575000 Gross profit 32550000 44919000 57396500 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 3906000 4491900 4591720 Advertising expenses 3000000 2000000 2000000 Interest expense 600000 600000 600000 Purchase of intangible assets 50000000 Tax expense 0 14106840 19473912 Cash inflow (outflow) (24956000) 23720260 33050868 Table 6. Discounted Cash Flows for Persistence. Persistence Cost of investment 23000000 Discounted cash outflow – year 1 (21891228) Discounted cash inflow – year 2 18251969,8 Discounted cash inflow – year 3 22308394,5 Net cash flows 18669136 At the end of the project, the company will gain an additional 17,320,000 if it sells the equipment and recovers the working capital. Thus, the NPV of the project is: Using What-If analysis in Excel, the value of R is equal to 42%, which is the internal rate of return for Persistence. The payback period for Persistence is equal to three years (see Table 7). Table 7. Cumulative Cash Flows for Persistence. Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 (23000000) (47956000) (24235740) 26135128 The discounted payback period is equal to three years (see Table 8). Table 8. Discounted Cumulative Cash Flows for Persistence. Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 (23000000) (44891228) (26639258) 12989136,25 Profitability index for Persistence is equal to: Tables 9 and 10 show the capital budgeting cash flow statements for Sneaker 2013 and Persistence, respectively. Table 9. Projected Capital Budgeting Cash Flow Statement for Sneaker 2013 for 2013-2018. Year 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beginning cash flows Real estate (150m) Equipment (15m) Working capital (10m) Total (175m) Operating cash flows Volume of sales 1200000 1600000 1400000 2400000 1800000 900000 Sale price 190 190 190 190 190 190 Cash revenue 138000000 184000000 161000000 276000000 207000000 103500000 Gross profit 62100000 82800000 72450000 124200000 93150000 46575000 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 7000000 Advertising expenses 2000000 2000000 2000000 3000000 2000000 2000000 Other advertising expenses 25000000 15000000 10000000 30000000 25000000 15000000 Operating income 28100000 58800000 53450000 84200000 59150000 22575000 Interest expense 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 1200000 Depreciation of equipment 4000000 6400000 3800000 2400000 2200000 1200000 Depreciation of property 3900000 7500000 7050000 6750000 6450000 6000000 Total depreciation 7900000 13900000 10850000 9150000 8650000 7200000 Income before tax 19000000 43700000 41400000 73850000 49300000 14175000 Tax expense (40%) 7600000 17480000 16560000 29540000 19720000 5670000 Net income after tax 19300000 40120000 35690000 53460000 38230000 15705000 Present value CF 17387387,39 32562292,02 26096220,4 35215757,88 22687644,27 8396534,331 Net present value 82345836 Table 10. Projected Capital Budgeting Cash Flow Statement for Persistence for 2013-2015. Year 0 1 2 3 Beginning cash flows Equipment (8m) Working capital (15m) Total (23m) Operating cash flows Sales 52500000 72450000 92575000 Gross profit 32550000 44919000 57396500 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 3906000 4491900 4591720 Advertising expenses 3000000 2000000 2000000 Purchase of intangible assets 50000000 Operating income (loss) (24356000) 38427100 50804780 Interest expense 600000 600000 600000 Depreciation of equipment 1600000 2560000 1520000 Income (loss) before tax (26556000) 35267100 48684780 Tax expense (40%) 0 14106840 19473912 Net income (loss) after tax (24956000) 23720260 33050868 Present value CF (21891228,07) 18251969,84 22308394,49 Net present value 12989136 Sneaker 2013 can be considered a more attractive choice for New Balance shareholders because it offers a higher return on the initial investment and has a greater net present value. Even though the implementation of Sneaker 2013 entails the revenue loss, which is equal to 20 million, this project is expected to generate more positive cash flows, compared to Persistence. On the other hand, Persistence is a good option, too, because its profitability index is slightly higher and its net present value is positive. However, the main reason why Persistence is worse than Sneaker 2013 is that it has a too high cost of intangible assets that should be purchased immediately. Based on all the above-said, Rodriguez may be recommended to undertake Sneaker 2013. Despite the fact that this project is slightly less profitable, its internal rate of return and net present value are much higher. If the company found a way to minimize costs associated with the purchase of the design technology or the project had a longer life cycle, Persistence could be a more feasible choice. As for now, however, shareholders will gain more from Sneaker 2013 than from Persistence.
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Write an essay about: The essay discusses social and economic inequality in the United States, focusing on the negative reactions to women on welfare and how these reactions are based on stereotypes about poor family planning and unprotected sex. The essay also challenges some of the author's own views on handouts and the effectiveness of education.
The essay discusses social and economic inequality in the United States, focusing on the negative reactions to women on welfare and how these reactions are based on stereotypes about poor family planning and unprotected sex. The essay also challenges some of the author's own views on handouts and the effectiveness of education.
Social and Economic Inequality in the United States Essay (Critical Writing) Table of Contents 1. Negative Reactions to Women on Welfare in America 2. Perceptions of Welfare for Farmers 3. Perceptions of Welfare for Financial Institutions 4. Article Analysis 5. Reference Negative Reactions to Women on Welfare in America I believe that there is a strong negative reaction to women on welfare for two reasons: First, the general public perceives welfare for women, especially single mothers, as a government handout to assist individuals who suffer the consequences of their bad choices, such as poor family planning and unprotected sex. These stereotypes are prevalent in the US. The second reason is that welfare is primarily focused on poor women rather than men, creating a discrepancy seen as favoritism. Perceptions of Welfare for Farmers Assistance to American farmers is perceived differently because farming and agriculture are associated with jobs as well as provisional security of the country. It is expected that thriving agriculture will pay for welfare it receives through taxes. Perceptions of Welfare for Financial Institutions The general public is negative about subsidies to the Wall Street financial institutions but believes them to be necessary to prevent the collapse of the banking sector. Article Analysis The article I read did challenge some of my views regarding handouts and the effectiveness of education. However, the article, just like most other ‘Top Ten’ lists, misinterprets the information in order to fit their narrative. Single parenthood is an issue recognized by social workers and the academic community at large. One of the first claims of the article states that “only 9 percent of low-income, urban moms have been single throughout their child’s first five years. Thirty-five percent were married to, or in a relationship with, the child’s father for that entire time” (Eichelberger, 2014, par. 1). This quote confirms what has already been known and stated in various sources, that over 45% of low-income mothers are left single to raise a child on their own. Additional expenses on children do not vanish after 5 years of age, as children require money for clothing, hobbies, and education, further exacerbating the issue. As a social worker, I would seek income assistance to poor clients based not on the national poverty rate, which is often two times lower than the minimal living rate for more than 620 cities (Eichelberger, 2014). Instead, I would advocate for connecting income assistance with the average prices of living in a particular location. Reference Eichelberger, E. (2014). 10 poverty myths, busted. Web.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Social Learning Theory (SLT) is a communication theory that suggests that people learn new behaviors after observing the behaviors of other individuals. The primary concept of SLT is that human beings imitate the lifestyles and actions of other people by learning new things from them.
Social Learning Theory (SLT) is a communication theory that suggests that people learn new behaviors after observing the behaviors of other individuals. The primary concept of SLT is that human beings imitate the lifestyles and actions of other people by learning new things from them.
Social Learning Theory Critique Coursework Communication Theory Social Learning Theory (SLT) Meaning Social Learning Theory suggests that people acquire new behaviors after observing the behaviors of other individuals. The primary concept of SLT is that human beings imitate the lifestyles and actions of other people by learning new things from them. Also, the process of learning happens through observation of the awards and punishments received by others. This process is known as “vicarious reinforcement” and is used to recognize desirable behavior in order to get rewards. Invention SLT was theorized by Albert Bandura, a Canadian-American psychologist. He integrated behavioral and cognitive theories of learning to create a concept that would allow explaining various learning experiences that people have in their lives. Development Initially, the theory was outlined in the first half of the 20th century by Bandura in collaboration with Walters. The detailed examination of the theory and its further development happened in the 1970s. Theory used in studies Nowadays, SLT is actively used in the neuroscience field of research. Thus, neuroscientists use mirror neurons, which serve as the basis for social and observational learning. Mirror neurons are activated when animals perform various actions and learn from other animals. Practical application SLT is applied in various areas of expertise, such as criminology, psychology, management, sociology, psychotherapy. For example, school counselors and teachers use the concepts of this theory to enhance better students’ behavior. Thus, a teacher can be a model who demonstrates appropriate behavior. Those learners who manage to behave in the same way receive rewards. Organization of information In SLT, the information is organized around the primary concepts of learning. These concepts include a cognitive process, which implies that learning is not only behavioral but social as well, vicarious reinforcement and its role, observational learning (modeling), and reciprocal determinism. Reciprocal determinism implies that learners do not just passively receive the information. The environment and various circumstances around them also influence their behavior.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The paper discusses how the rise of social media is affecting current consumer behavior.The paper features sections about the aspects of consumer behavior, the relationships between customers' trust and the growth of social media, the effects of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and the significance of brand awareness.
The paper discusses how the rise of social media is affecting current consumer behavior. The paper features sections about the aspects of consumer behavior, the relationships between customers' trust and the growth of social media, the effects of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and the significance of brand awareness.
Social Media Effects on Consumer Behaviour Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Consumer Behaviour 3. Trust and Social Media 4. EWOM 5. Blogging and Consumer Behaviour 6. Enhancing Brand Awareness 7. Conclusion 8. Reference List Introduction Social media are a crucial part of many modern individuals’ lives. Many people in the world use social media to share their images and experiences. Most importantly, however, they utilize such platforms to present their opinions on services or products they have purchased. As a result, today, consumer behavior is closely linked to social media and the way individuals use them, which means that studying the effects of online sources on purchase intentions and decisions is vital. This paper discusses how the rise of social media is affecting current consumer behavior. The paper features sections about the aspects of consumer behavior, the relationships between customers’ trust and the growth of social media, the effects of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and the significance of brand awareness. Moreover, the work addresses the data about blogging as the aspect of the rise of social media and its link to consumer behavior. The paper is based on thirteen sources on the topic; they include scholarly articles and a book on marketing. Consumer Behaviour Consumer behavior can be analyzed from various perspectives; however, in this study, it will be perceived as the actions that precede and follow purchases. Tanwar (2017) and Voramontri and Klieb (2018) reveal that purchase models customers utilize unconsciously consist of several stages. They include needing recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, purchase decision, and post-purchase behavior. It is possible to say that social media can affect customer behavior at each of the presented stages. For instance, social media platforms are significant for information search, as they allow customers to read other individuals’ reviews on products, view pictures of them, and communicate with others to learn about their experiences. Studies by Kotler and Armstrong (2014) and Tanwar (2017) correspond to this perspective. The authors note that individuals tend to perform searches through not only personal sources, such as their families, but also through commercial and public media ones, including the Internet. Notably, individuals tend to perceive online reviews as reliable and complete means of product assessment (Kotler & Armstrong 2014; Tanwar 2017). An additional benefit of social media platforms is that they allow consumers to evaluate the existing alternatives because the information about them is easily accessible. It is vital to mention that, throughout the past centuries, different types of media have affected consumer behavior (Kotler & Armstrong 2014; Tanwar 2017). For instance, before the rise of social media, individuals could obtain information about goods and services through newspapers or radio. However, it is possible to say that the impact of these media was different from the effect of today’s social media platforms. The reason for it is that modern social media have several channels that consumers can utilize to make purchase decisions (Constantinides & Fountain 2008; Tanwar 2017). They include both company websites, images, and descriptions of products or services, and the experiences other individuals share. Some of the goals organizations may have while using these channels are improving customers’ trust and brand awareness, as well as increasing the number of positive reviews. Trust and Social Media One of the crucial ways in which the rise of social media is affecting customer behavior is through enhancing individuals’ trust. Companies may utilize these platforms to motivate their clients to interact with each other and share their opinions on products and services online (Tanwar 2017; Farook & Abeysekara 2016). The works by Tanwar (2017) and Farook and Abeysekara (2016) reveal that in today’s world, advertisements on television may not have such a significant impact on purchase intentions. The reason for it is that individuals tend not to trust companies and believe that they present a glorified image of their products. Instead of purchasing items or services after seeing an advertisement, customers prefer communicating with each other and sellers. Social media platforms are highly appropriate for communication, as individuals may contact organizations directly and be updated on all launches and innovations companies introduce (Tanwar 2017; Farook & Abeysekara 2016). Moreover, social media allow individuals to read reviews from worldwide consumers, which may also affect consumer behavior significantly. The studies by Tanwar (2017) and Farook and Abeysekara (2016) agree in the argument that the growth and development of social media platforms have allowed customers to voice their opinions and concerns easily, enhancing trust. The authors note that companies cannot dictate communication terms anymore, as they are many ways in which individuals can share their opinions with each other and brands. Instead, organizations are now focused on improving their image, which requires them to participate in open dialogue with customers and be relevant in their campaigns and claims (Tanwar 2017; Farook & Abeysekara 2016). To companies, social media are open and cost-effective networks that can eliminate geographic barriers and create value together with consumers due to their flexibility, interactivity, and broad scope. Today, many organizations start to realize that the utilization of social media can help them to gain individuals’ commitment and trust. Therefore, companies have started to utilize tools to improve consumer behavior and increase trusts, such as eWOM, blogs, and measures to enhance brand awareness. EWOM One of the other ways in which the rise of social media is affecting current consumer behavior is through eWOM. The development of social media has contributed to the importance and progress of eWOM. The definition of eWOM is similar to the one of word-of-mouth, which is a person-to-person communication about a brand, a service, or a product (Tariq et al. 2016; Reimer & Benkenstein 2016). The difference, however, is in the fact that eWOM is focused on the means of electronic communication, such as social media websites and platforms. EWOM is a highly influential marketing instrument as today, consumers have an opportunity to search for information posted by previous customers before purchasing services or products (Erkan & Evans 2016; Bao & Chang 2016). Erkan and Evans (2016), along with Tariq et al. (2016), report that currently, there are many platforms appropriate for eWOM, including personal blogs, review websites, discussion forums, and social media websites. The latter are highly significant because they not only help people to communicate but also allow brands, organizations, and opinion leaders to create and promote profiles associated with their services or products. Some social media platforms, such as those focused on visual content, are especially crucial in affecting consumer behavior, as this type of content makes eWOM more appealing to individuals (Erkan & Evans 2016). Other authors support this perspective, too; for instance, Poturak and Turkyilmaz (2018) report that companies are now utilizing social media services to enhance their capacity to connect with customers. Social media platforms allow individuals to receive recommendations from not only brands but also their friends and colleagues, and they can browse companies’ websites instantly and make a purchase. It is vital to mention that when consumers learn about products or services through eWOM, they are highly likely to buy or order them (Lkhaasuren & Nam 2018; Tariq et al. 2017). As mentioned above, today, individuals tend not to develop an interest in products only through advertisement; they need to use several channels to find information about products (Constantinides & Fountain 2008; Tanwar 2017). EWOM can be considered one of the most accessible ones, as it is easy to find reviews on items on social media. Moreover, customers may trust each other reviews more than they trust the information companies provide. Thus, eWOM is one of the significant marketing tools that appeared with the rise of social media and can be used to affect consumer behavior. Blogging and Consumer Behaviour When discussing the impact of the rise of social media, it is crucial to mention blogging. Blogging has appeared because of the development of the Internet and social media platforms in particular (Navarro 2016; Tanwar 2017). Today, many blogs are used to address individuals’ opinions, life experiences, and current events. However, the development of social media has resulted in a new wave of blogging, which is review blogs. Currently, many organizations collaborate with bloggers, sending them products for reviews. Such a strategy helps companies to enhance customers’ awareness of their products and services, especially the new or emerging ones (Navarro 2016; Tanwar 2017). One of the largest social media platforms where bloggers review items are YouTube, where customers can watch videos to learn about other people’s experiences and see the reviewed items in detail. It is possible to say that for companies, blogging is a significant benefit of the rise of social media because it can motivate individuals to purchase their products. Navarro (2016) and Tanwar (2017) agree that blogs can help consumers to find recommendations the information about current trends and spend their money wisely. In addition, blogs allow individuals to comment on the reviews and share their opinions with other followers. It is necessary to mention that, in today’s world, it has become easier for people to present their views on products and services, as all of the communication can be handled online through blogging. Moreover, blog posts may provide more information than simple reviews online, as they may feature detailed descriptions of items and many pictures in addition to other users’ comments (Navarro 2016; Tanwar 2017). Thus, consumer behavior has been affected by more factors than it had been before the development of social media, and blogging has contributed to such an outcome significantly. Enhancing Brand Awareness Another way in which the rise of social media affects consumer behavior is through the enhancement of brand awareness among individuals. Tariq et al. (2017) and Erkan and Evans (2016) note that in today’s world, it is evident that customers’ experiences are significant for determining marketing strategies. Before purchasing a product or service, many individuals look for information about the brand, along with other clients’ reviews, to make better decisions and avoid possible negative experiences. While researching the data about the company or its services, customers become more familiar with the brand, which means that their awareness of it enhances. Higher brand awareness, in its turn, can be associated with increased purchase intentions among customers (Tariq et al., 2017; Roy, Datta, & Basu, 2017). Tariq et al. (2017) add that social media platforms can improve brands’ image as well. Organizations can utOrganizationsatforms to motivate customers to develop an interest in their brands. They can post images of their products, discuss the benefits of items, and address how these items can affect individuals’ lives positively. Current studies reveal that brand awareness and popularity of products contribute to customers’ purchase decisions significantly. For instance, Bao and Chang (2016) and Tariq et al. (2017) report that consumers social media may increase the popularity of products and services among individuals, which may increase sales and enhance product satisfaction. Roy, Datta, and Basu (2017) agree with this perspective and add that review recurrence is particularly crucial for improving brand awareness. It means that when individuals see a review on a particular brand, product, or service often, they are likely to have a higher loyalty to them. Thus, improving consumers’ awareness is highly crucial for organizations, and social media is a significant tool for doing it. Conclusion The paper presents a discussion on how the rise and development of social media have affected consumer behavior in today’s world. The report addresses the aspects of consumer behavior and notes that customers utilize purchase models unintentionally; social media can affect individuals’ decisions on each step of these models. The paper discusses the significance of trust as one of the most crucial aspects of purchase intentions and reveals that today, individuals tend to develop trust not through advertisements but through reviews online, which means that social media platforms affect their behaviors highly. Moreover, the paper addresses eWOM and blogging as crucial tools for online communication that allows consumers to share their experiences with products and services and find the data they may need to make purchase decisions. The report also shows that brand awareness is vital for improving consumer behavior; social media can help companies to enhance awareness among individuals significantly. The paper reveals that the rise of social media shapes consumer behavior and is beneficial for many companies. Reference List Bao, TT & Chang, TLS 2016, ‘The product and timing effects of eWOM in viral marketing’, International Journal of Business , vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 99-111. Constantinides, E & Fountain, SJ 2008, ‘Web 2.0: conceptual foundations and marketing issues’, Journal of Direct, Data and Digital Marketing Practice , vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 231-244. Erkan, I & Evans, C 2016, ‘The influence of eWOM in social media on consumers’ purchase intentions, I: an extended approach to information adoption’, Computers in Human Behavior , vol. 61, pp. 47-55. Farook, FS & Abeysekara, N 2016, ‘Influence of social media marketing on customer engagement’, International Journal of Business Management Invention , vol. 5, no. 12, pp. 115-125. Kotler, P & Armstrong, G 2014, Principles of Marketing , 15th edn, Pearson Education, London. Lkhaasuren, M & Nam, KD 2018, ‘The effect of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on purchase intention on Korean cosmetic products in the Mongolian market’, Journal of International Trade & Commerce , vol. 14, no. 4, 161-175. Navarro, GM 2016, ‘The influence of blogs in fashion in consumer behavior: an exploratory approach’, Vivat Academia , vol. 19, no. 135, pp. 85-109. Poturak, M & Turkyilmaz, M 2018, ‘The impact of eWOM in social media on consumer purchase decisions: a comparative study between Romanian and Bosnian consumers’, Management and Economics Review , vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 138-160. Reimer, T & Benkenstein, M 2016, ‘Altruistic eWOM marketing: more than an alternative to monetary incentives’, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services , vol. 31, pp. 323-333. Roy, G, Datta, B, & Basu, R 2017, ‘Effect of eWOM valence on online retail sales’, Global Business Review , vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 198-209. Tanwar, A 2017, ‘Impact of social media on consumer behaviour’, International Journal of Research , vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 1205-1215. Tariq, Abbas, Abrar, M & Iqbal, A 2017, ‘EWOM and brand awareness impact on consumer purchase intention: mediating role of brand image’, Pakistan Administrative Review , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 84-102. Voramontri, D & Klieb, L 2018, ‘Impact of social media on consumer behaviour’, International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences , vol. 462, pp. 1-24.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The text discusses the importance of social media screening in the globalized society and how it can be used to evaluate the reputation of potential employees or colleagues online.Social media screenings have been widely used by employers or business partners for evaluating the reputation of potential employees or colleagues online. This is important because a large number of companies use online sources to vet candidates even before interviewing them.
The text discusses the importance of social media screening in the globalized society and how it can be used to evaluate the reputation of potential employees or colleagues online. Social media screenings have been widely used by employers or business partners for evaluating the reputation of potential employees or colleagues online. This is important because a large number of companies use online sources to vet candidates even before interviewing them.
Social Media Screening: Personality, Reputation, Presentation Proposal In the globalized society, where social media are used as the main tools of communication and knowledge sharing, understanding how one can manage a reputation online is imperative. Social media screenings have been widely used by employers or business partners for evaluating the reputation of potential employees or colleagues online (Vroman, Stulz, Hart, and Stulz, 2016). The best candidates are thought to be found through social media because a large number of companies use online sources to vet candidates even before interviewing them. The importance of social media reputation management is linked to trying to present oneself in a positive light (Roth, Bobko, Van Iddekinge, and Thatcher, 2013). This means that being invisible online is not the best strategy in terms of having a beneficial reputation as potential employers are looking for as much information as possible: who are their candidates, have they done what they say they have done, will they fit into an organization, and do they understand how to use the Internet for business (Joyce, 2016). It is problematic that human resource managers cannot find enough information online as they tend to interview those candidates who use social media to their advantage. Literature Review Personality, Reputation, and Presentation Although the issue of reputation management online is important, there has been a lack of studies exploring some relevant information on how the problem is approached from several perspectives. In particular, relationships between such skills as reputation, presentation, and personality online as applied to social media screening have not been studied in great detail. To understand the focus of the study in greater detail, it is important first to review the concepts of reputation, presentation, and personality as applied to different contexts. The concept of personality refers to an individual’s specific combination of various behavioral traits (Borghans, Golsteyn, Heckman, and Humphries, 2012). As mentioned by Geukes, van Zalk, and Back (2017), personality can be both stable over time as well as change across a lifespan. For instance, personality disorders can occur in adolescence, with individuals experiencing borderline personality features (BPF) such as hostility, paranoia, inappropriate emotions, and many others (Babinski, Mills, and Bansal, 2018). Evaluating whether a person has any such issues is important for potential employers, which is why the concept is expected to be studied in the context of the current proposal. Personal presentation is a concept that refers to how individual markets and brands themselves (Allen, 2012). This is associated with controlling what other people may see or hear and therefore shape the opinion of the public about a person. Similar to the way organizations spend a lot of time and effort to work on their image, people also work on their presentation when using such tools as social media (Oyza and Edwin, 2015). This points to the importance of considering the idea of presentation as applied to social media screening because it is concerned with how employers may perceive their potential workers. Reputation is a term referring to beliefs and opinions that people usually hold about something or someone (Helm, Liehr-Gobbers, and Storck, 2011). It is especially important to evaluate in regards to social media screening because the reputation of potential workers may influence their likelihood of being hired (Kroeze, 2015). Reputation depends not only on a person but also on his or her history; for instance, family history information is used for promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing diseases (Claassen et al., 2010). If family history is used for health promotion, it can also be employed for concluding one’s reputation. In terms of social media screening, reputational information available to human resource managers online is being increasingly used for candidate selection. As in many companies, such screening has become a formal requirement, considering the implications of negative reputation is crucial. Overall, there is a significant gap in available research when it comes to evaluating reputation, personality, and presentation-related information with the help of online screening. Social Media Screening Several studies will be mentioned in the current literature review to enhance the understanding of the topic of social media screening. The study conducted by Van Iddekinge, Lanivich, Roth, and Junco (2013) focuses on evaluating the role of social media (SM) for selection, with a specific emphasis placed on Facebook-based assessments. According to the scholars, there are several possible benefits of using social media and other information available on the Internet to make decisions about staffing (Van Iddekinge et al., 2013). For instance, in contrast to traditional methods of selecting potential workers, such as interviews or work sample tests, social media screenings are less costly and time-consuming both in terms of development and administration since all information necessary already exists on social media (Davison, Bing, Kluemper and Roth, 2016). However, regardless of benefits, it remains unclear whether the use of social media information is enough for making final decisions as well as fulfilling the requirements for valid and legally defensible procedures of research (Jeske and Shultz, 2016). Therefore, companies that use social media information probably lack the knowledge of whether the use of such assessments will lead to better decisions in terms of choosing employees that will fit the requirements of a given position. Roth et al. (2013) mentioned that social media had become a new obstacle to hiring personnel. Companies that avoid using SM for vetting candidates are more likely to miss out on important opportunities since the costs of their use are low (Simo and Trindade, 2014). In the examination of social media assessments for measuring the personality and general mental abilities of candidates, a correlation between self-reported personality traits and rating based on judgments from Facebook pages was found (Roth et al., 2013). Regardless of the positive aspects linked to SM use for assessing the potential of candidates, there are still some challenges associated with making decisions based on incomplete information and the sheer volume of available data (Miguel, 2013). Therefore, in conducting SM reviews to evaluate the suitability of candidates, employers must account for the lack of relevant information through “cognitive imputing” (Roth et al., 2013, p. 274). In addition, when encountering negative information, it is recommended to evaluate whether a person experiences negative events more strongly than positive, whether he or she recalls traumatic experiences from memory, whether such information has been processed thoroughly, as well as whether there are differences attributed to the perception of various social norms. Root and McKay (2014) also studied the topic of SM screening; however, about student awareness of being potentially evaluated by their prospective employers. According to the researchers, human resource specialists across the globe have started using SM for accessing reputational information that can impact the process of decision-making; in addition, such use is expected to increase within the next several years (Root and McKay, 2014). When evaluating students’ perceptions, the scholars revealed that the research subjects disagreed “with the statements that it was wrong for anyone to consider what they have posted on the Internet when applying for a job and that they would worry about cleaning up what is on the Internet when starting to look for a job” (Root and McKay, 2014, p. 204). In addition, there was a discrepancy between the perceptions of students regarding the importance of spelling, grammar, and overall good communication skills and the perceptions of employers. These findings are interesting because they show a disconnect: while potential employers pay attention to all aspects of their candidates’ social media presence, the latter care predominantly about their reputation. Research Aims and Questions By researching the issue of social media reputation management, it is possible to come up with a set of recommendations that individuals can use when trying to build a positive image for their work and business endeavors. Links between social media skills such as reputation, presentation, and personality have not been defined clearly in the current research literature, which presents a significant gap that requires addressing (Pires and Trez, 2018). Thus, it is proposed to study the topic in great detail and to answer the following questions: 1. How potential employees or business partners can manage their online reputation, presentation, and personality? 2. What procedures should be put in place regarding social media screening and online reputation management? Research Design, Sampling, and Access Given the nature of the proposed research questions, choosing a qualitative research design is expected to yield reliable and measurable outcomes. Deductive reasoning will be used in the study as it will be concerned with making conclusions from generalized knowledge and applied to specific situations (Zalaghi and Khazaei, 2016). Interviews represent one of the most common types of qualitative research methods and offer opportunities for participants to elaborate on their perceptions of reputation, presentation, and personality skills as applied to social media screening. Simple random sampling is possible to accomplish in the research because SM use is widespread as well as any person can comment on their perceptions of reputation, personality, and presentation in the context of social media skills. Probability sampling implies the random selection of participants, each of which has a known (equal) chance of being selected (Bell, Bryman, and Harley, 2018). The method maintains sampling errors low and usually creates a sample of participants that is representative of a given population (Kukull and Ganguli, 2012). It is expected to interview 50 participants from different backgrounds, ages, and professions. They will be selected with the help of face-to-face interactions: the researcher can approach them in public places and ask whether they would like to participate. Data Collection Methods Semi-structured interviews are proposed to implement in the study; they include a list of themes and questions that should be covered during face-to-face conversations and allow to discuss other topics that may arise (Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2015). One of the main advantages of this method is associated with its descriptive nature and the possibility to draw inferences from data easily (Kim, Sefcik, and Bradway, 2016). This means that the scholar may omit some questions in specific instances, discuss particular organizational contexts or personal experiences, as well as to adapt the questions to his or her interviewees (Palinkas et al., 2015). Additional questions may be required in some instances given the semi-structured manner of the interviews (McIntosh and Morse, 2015). To preserve all information that was discussed during the interviews, the conversations will be audio-recorded for the subsequent transcription of data into a digital form. Data Analysis Methods Given the qualitative nature of data collected during interviews, the thematic analysis will be used for analyzing the information. Thematic analysis is a method used for identifying patterns of themes within the interview data (Maguire and Delahunt, 2017). The main benefit of this type of analysis is associated with its flexibility and the possibility to use in both explorative and deductive studies (Vaismoradi, Turunen and Bondas, 2013). To implement the analysis of data, several steps will be undertaken. First, the researcher will familiarise himself or herself with all data and use the assistance of a transcriber to transfer the recorded information into a written format (Bailey, 2008). Second, preliminary codes will be assigned to data for describing the content of the interviews (Ranney et al., 2015). Third, a search for patterns and themes will be undertaken about the codes (Nowell, Norris, White, and Moules, 2017). Fourth, the themes will be defined and reviewed to report research findings and subsequent conclusions. Research Ethics The disclosure of personal information and identity presents the main ethical challenge in the current research (Sugiura, Wiles, and Pope, 2016). For those participants who wish to maintain their responses anonymously, it is essential to develop a simple coding procedure for protecting their information (Sanjari, Bahramnezhad, Fomani, Shoghi, and Cheraghi, 2014). For example, instead of using interviewees’ names, the research will assign a number to each respondent (Babbie, 2013). Any mentions of organizations’ names, websites, or any other information that may reveal the identity of participants will not be disclosed and replaced for abbreviations or omitted altogether. Before being interviewed, the participants will be asked to sign an informed consent form communicating that they legally authorize the use of data given by them without the inducement of force, deceit, fraud, duress, coercion, or any other methods of persuasion (Millum, 2013). Informed consent will contain a short presentation of the main data that will aid potential participants understand the subject matter and any explanations why they may not want to take part in the study (Gupta, 2013). Key elements of a form for informed consent will include: a statement that participation is voluntary, a summary of research purpose and relevant procedures, reasonable and foreseeable risks, expected benefits, and alternative procedures that can be put in place. Limitations of the Research The relatively small sample size presents the first limitation of the study. Due to the qualitative nature of the proposal and the data collection method – interviews, involving a high sample of participants would be costly and time-consuming (Bolderston, 2012). Increasing the number of participants could have resulted in the better identification of significant relationships within data sets and the generation of more accurate results. Nevertheless, the qualitative study design allowed to reduce the sample due to the complications of thematic analysis. Second, the scope of discussions may be limited within the given study since the topic is relatively new and has not received much attention from scholars. The scope and depth of the study would depend on the knowledge of potential participants (Yilmaz, 2013). This means that their experiences of social media use for building a positive reputation online will dictate the scope of the findings regardless of other topics that could have become valuable contributions to the findings. Overall, it is imperative to account for the mentioned limitations in future studies that could study similar topics or further the understanding of the current one. Timeline It is expected that the study would take up to eight months to complete. This timeline accounts for the scope of the research, the number of participants, as well as data collection and analysis procedures. In the first month, the researcher will implement the sampling of participants to find thirty individuals who would agree to participate. The second and the third month of the study will be dedicated to data collection with the help of interviewing as it is expected that an interview with each participant may take between one and one and a half hours due to their semi-structured nature. The fourth, fifth, and sixth months will be concerned with data analysis. Thematic analysis of interviews is a lengthy process that will require a researcher to transcribe data from recorded into written form, develop themes and identify them, and implement necessary coding procedures. The seventh and eighth months will be dedicated to reporting findings, concluding, and making recommendations for future research. The study findings may be reported to participants with the help of an email newsletter. Overall, the proposed timeline of the study is expected to be enough for completing each stage. If the researcher encounters any delays on his or her way, a month extension will be allowed. Reference List Allen, R. (2012) Personal Branding and Marketing Yourself . Web. Babbie, E. (2013) The basics of social research . Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Babinski, D., Mills, S. and Bansal, P. (2018) ‘The effects of behavioural parent training with adjunctive social skills training for a preadolescent girl with ADHD and borderline personality features’, Clinical Case Studies , 17(1), pp. 21-37. Bailey, J. (2008) ‘First steps in qualitative data analysis: transcribing’, Family Practice , 25(2), pp. 127-131. Bell, E., Bryman, A. & Harley, B. (2018) Business research methods , 5th edition. Oxford, MA: Oxford University Press. Bolderston, A. (2012) ‘Conducting a research interview’ , Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences , 42, pp. 66-76. Borghans, L., Golsteyn, B., Heckman, J. and Humphries, J. (2011) ‘Identification problems in personality psychology’, Personality and Individual Differences , 51(3), pp. 315-320. Davison, H., Bing, M., Kluemper, D. and Roth, P. (2016) ‘Social media as personal selection and hiring resource: reservations and recommendations’, in Landers, R. N. and Schmidt, G. B. (eds), Social Media in Employee Selection and Recruitment . Zurich: Springer, pp. 15-42. Geukes, K., van Zalk, M. and Back, M. (2017) ‘Understanding personality development: An integrative state process model’, International Journal of Behavioural Development , 42(1), pp. 43-51. Gupta, U. (2013) ‘Informed consent in clinical research: Revisiting few concepts and areas’, Perspectives in Clinical Research , 4(1), pp. 26-32. Helm, S., Liehr-Gobbers, K. and Storck, C. (2011) Reputation management. Berlin: Springer. Jeske, D. and Shultz, K. (2016) ‘Using social media content for screening in recruitment and selection: pros and cons,’ Work, Employment and Society , 30(3), pp. 535-546. Joyce, S. (2016) ‘The basics of personal online reputation management’, Career Planning and Adult Development Journal , 32(2), pp. 96-104. Kim, H., Sefcik, J. and Bradway, C. (2016) ‘Characteristics of qualitative descriptive studies: a systematic review’, Research in Nursing & Health , 40(1), pp. 23-42. Kroeze, R. (2015) Recruitment Via Social Media Sites: A Critical Review and Research Agenda . Web. Kukull, W. and Ganguli, M. (2012) ‘Generalizability: the trees, the forest, and the low-hanging fruit’, Neurology , 78(23), pp. 1886-1891. Maguire, M. and Delahunt, B. (2017) ‘Doing a thematic analysis: a practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars’, AISHE-J , 8(3), pp. 3351-3359. McIntosh, M. and Morse, J. (2015) ‘Situating and constructing diversity in semi-structured interviews’, Global Qualitative Nursing Research , 2, pp. 1-12. Miguel, R 2013, LinkedIn for hiring decisions: a content validity framework, Symposium presented at the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology , Houston, TX. Millum, J. (2013) ‘Consent under pressure: the puzzle of third party coercion’, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice: An International Forum , 17(1), pp. 113-127. Nowell, L., Norris, J., White, D. and Moules, N. (2017) ‘Thematic analysis: striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria’, International Journal of Qualitative Methods , 16(1), pp. 1-13. Oyza, I. and Edwin, A. (2015) ‘Effectiveness of social media networks as a strategic tool for organisational marketing management’, Journal of Internet Banking Commerce , 2, pp. 6-10. Palinkas, L., Horwitz, S., Green, C., Wisdom, J., Duan, N. and Hoagwood, K. (2015) ‘Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research’, Administration and Policy in Mental Health , 42(5), pp. 533-544. Pires, V. and Trez, G. (2018) ‘Corporate reputation: a discussion on construct definition and measurement and its relation to performance’, Revista de Gestão , 25(1), pp. 47-64. Ranney, M., Meisel, Z., Choo, E., Garro, A., Sasson, C. and Morrow Guthrie, K. (2015) ‘Interview-based qualitative research in emergency care part II: data collection, analysis and results reporting’, Academic Emergency Medicine: Official Journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine , 22(9), pp. 1103-1112. Root, T. and McKay, S. (2014) ‘Student awareness of the use of social media screening by prospective employers’, Journal of Education for Business , 89(4), pp. 202-206. Roth, P., Bobko, P., Van Iddekinge, C. and Thatcher, J. (2013) ‘Social media in employee-selection-related decisions: a research agenda for uncharted territory’, Journal of Management, 42(1), pp. 269-298. Sanjari, M., Bahramnezhad, F., Fomani, F., Shoghi, M. and Cheraghi, M. (2014) ‘Ethical challenges of researchers in qualitative studies: the necessity to develop a specific guideline’, Journal of medical ethics and history of medicine , 7, p. 14. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2015) Research methods for business students , 7th edn, Harlow: Pearson Education. Simo, T. and Trindade, R. (2014) The Well-Vetted Workforce . Web. Sugiura, L., Wiles, R. and Pope, C. (2016) ‘Ethical challenges in online research: public/private perceptions’, Research Ethics , 13(3-4), pp. 184-199. Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H. and Bondas, T. (2013) ‘Content analysis and thematic analysis: implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study’, Nursing and Health Sciences , 15, pp. 398-405. Van Iddekinge, C., Lanivich, S., Roth, P. and Junco, E. (2016) ‘Social media for selection? Validity and adverse impact potential of a Facebook-based assessment’, Journal of Management , 42(7), pp. 1811-1835. Vroman, M., Stulz, K., Hart, C. and Stulz, E. (2016) ‘Employer liability for using social media in hiring decisions’, Journal of Social Media for Organisations , 3(1), pp. 1-12. Yilmaz, K. (2013) ‘Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences’, European Journal of Education , 48(2), pp. 311-325. Zalaghi, H. and Khazaei, M. (2016) ‘The role of deductive and inductive reasoning in accounting research and standard setting’, Asian Journal of Finance & Accounting , 8(1), pp. 23-37.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The rise of social media has changed the way people engage with each other and with businesses. An increasing number of people create accounts on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others every day. For example, in the last decade, the user base of Twitter, one of the most popular microblogging websites and applications, grew from 30 to 330 million individuals. Thus, it is clear why businesses would want to adapt to a communication channel for their profit. The question of whether consumer decisions have changed due to the influence of social media arises as a result. This essay aims to examine the role of social media in purchasing decisions, investigating such phenomena as electronic word of mouth (eWOM), social influencer culture, targeted advertising, and algorithms. The main framework introduced in the analysis is the Veblenian socio-psychological model, and the essay argues that social media users' consumer behaviors are strongly influenced by shared information, trust, and other users' perceived authority.
The rise of social media has changed the way people engage with each other and with businesses. An increasing number of people create accounts on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others every day. For example, in the last decade, the user base of Twitter, one of the most popular microblogging websites and applications, grew from 30 to 330 million individuals. Thus, it is clear why businesses would want to adapt to a communication channel for their profit. The question of whether consumer decisions have changed due to the influence of social media arises as a result. This essay aims to examine the role of social media in purchasing decisions, investigating such phenomena as electronic word of mouth (eWOM), social influencer culture, targeted advertising, and algorithms. The main framework introduced in the analysis is the Veblenian socio-psychological model, and the essay argues that social media users' consumer behaviors are strongly influenced by shared information, trust, and other users' perceived authority.
Social Media Users’ Consumer Behaviour Essay Introduction The rise of social media (SM) has changed the way people engage with each other and with businesses. An increasing number of people create accounts on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others every day. For example, in the last decade, the user base of Twitter, one of the most popular microblogging websites and applications, grew from 30 to 330 million individuals (Number of monthly active Twitter users 2019). Thus, it is clear why businesses would want to adapt to a communication channel for their profit. The question of whether consumer decisions have changed due to the influence of SM arises as a result. This essay aims to examine the role of SM in purchasing decisions, investigating such phenomena as electronic word of mouth (eWOM), social influencer culture, targeted advertising, and algorithms. The main framework introduced in the analysis is the Veblenian socio-psychological model, and the essay argues that SM users’ consumer behaviors are strongly influenced by shared information, trust, and other users’ perceived authority. Social Media To understand the role of SM in consumer behaviors, one has to see which functions do such platforms perform in people’s everyday lives. Sohail and Al-Jabri (2017) state the SM has opened up new channels for communication among people, permitting users to talk in groups, exchange instant messages, share various media types, and access content uploaded from different parts of the world. The evolution of the internet and SM, therefore, resulted in a new environment that had its specific channels of connecting people in real-time. However, SM is unique from other media and communication channels because it is a combination of the private and public approaches to interaction. It provides knowledge to the public in video and text format similar to television, newspapers, and magazines (Lucius & Hanson 2016). In this case, SM presents a collection of one-sided information that can be further discussed by other users. At the same time, it helps to share people’s own thoughts and allows for direct and private communication between users, providing feedback directly to authors and receiving answers from them. Such a level of flexibility, in addition to social media’s increased outreach, is what separates social media platforms from other ways of information sharing. Social Influences on Consumer Behaviour Among the numerous approaches to consumer behavior, the Veblenian socio-psychological model places emphasis on social factors and people’s reliance on particular community characteristics. According to Veblen’s theory of the leisure class, consumption choices rely on individuals’ social class, income, culture, and friends, persons with influence, and family members (Miller 2018). Therefore, a person does not utilize their own opinions when purchasing a product. Instead, they are guided by a combination of factors helping them to assume a particular place in the hierarchy and present a status that corresponds with their environment or makes a statement. The examination of SM as a force of influence on consumer behavior, thus, can be approached from the perspective that communication and information sharing, both private and public, is a factor that determines people’s purchasing decisions. It is theorized that consumption objects have been used as a symbol that could help individuals to associate themselves with particular groups (So et al., 2018). Moreover, So et al. (2018) argue that commodities serve not only their primary purpose but also the role of differentiators. This view of consumption allows one to address the changing attitude toward communication on SM platforms, especially if it explicitly involves marketing messages. Electronic Word of Mouth The idea of word of mouth (WOM) is not new – people have been sharing their opinions with each other since the beginning of time. The factor of discussing products and services has been substantial in influencing the purchasing decisions of people (Chu & Kim 2011). However, the previous range of WOM was limited by geography and available communication channels. For instance, family members, friends, and neighbors could advise one another to buy a certain brand or choose a model based on their own experience. Nonetheless, such conversations were hugely reliant on the situation and knowledge that one’s circle of connections possessed. In contrast, the concept of electronic WOM (eWOM) does not have physical restrictions and extends its reach to all areas that have access to the internet. In this case, a person can collect information from any individual that shares it on a public platform, most often using one of SM sites (Schivinski & Dabrowski 2016). SM users can post a short or a long review of a product and, depending on their connections online, disseminate this information to thousands of people (Cantallops & Salvi 2014). The discoverability of this knowledge relies not only on friends and relatives that the author of a text may have but on the contents of the review, namely its data and metadata. As a result, every SM user can find information about the products that they want to purchase and see the opinion of the public. While the level of trust differs from one person to another, the overall picture formed by community reviews affects purchasing choices, making some brands more recognizable and others less favorable (Doh & Hwang 2009). The power of eWOM is stronger than its real-life equivalent because it overflows with information and removes the boundaries of one’s location and connections. Influencer Culture A special niche in SM communities is devoted to influences – people who have a large following and are considered to be experts or media representatives of individual lifestyles. Social influencers have accounts that many people visit or subscribe to; as an outcome, a significant number of readers prompts brands to establish relations with these users to promote their products. Influencers’ rise in a segment of any SM creates a hierarchy of trust that is both similar to and different from using celebrities in offline advertising. It exploits the ideas of aspiration present in traditional marketing while also maintaining a level of personal connection that SM provides (Susarla, Oh & Tan 2012). Influencers, in contrast to celebrities, can engage with readers, providing and receiving feedback and continuing the conversation, thus eliminating the wall between advertising and endorsement and contributing to eWOM. Users seeing a marketing post by an influencer may not see it as an advertisement but as a personal and sincere recommendation. While the data about influencers’ role in purchasing decisions differ from one study to another, thee individuals have a definite impact on some communities that use SM (Thoumrungroje 2014). This behavior is in line with the socio-psychological model, which poses that societal pressure, class aspirations, or the need to conform affect one’s consumer choices. Friends and Family As anyone can create posts on SM, the opinion of one’s friends and family members is also included in the notion of eWOM. Here, the use of suggestions is close to real-life WOM – people listen to those whose views and experiences they trust (Erkan & Evans 2016). According to Doh and Hwang (2009), one is more likely to purchase a product that was recommended by their friends than the one without any endorsement. SM encourages sharing and simplifies group discussions by removing not only space- but also time-based differences. For instance, one can compare a conversation about a product online and offline. In real life, two or more friends may discuss an item that one of them endorses due to their personal experience. This event happens in a limited time frame, while the friends see or hear each other depending on the type of communication. Furthermore, the number of experiences and reviews is limited to physically present interlocutors (Thoumrungroje 2014). In contrast, an online discussion of a product is not limited to a location or time – people can add comments at different points in time, inviting their respective friends or family members into the conversation if they have an opinion to share (Hajli 2014). Here, the amount of information is significant, while the level of trust remains the same, enriching one’s consumer behavior and promoting stronger, more refined opinions about brands. Businesses Another participant that is more present in SM-based rather than real-life conversations is the brand itself. The outreach of SM to people and their active engagement in discussions of products and services was noticed by companies that decided to participate in the communication directly. Today, brand marketing SM accounts talk to people, respond to complaints in real-time, reach out with messages through public and private channels and even use SM’s principle of familiarity to market goods (Kumar et al. 2016). The presence of a store on a platform can determine its success (Kumar et al., 2016). Using the socio-psychological model, one may argue that this marketing approach is useful because it allows brands to create or infiltrate a culture or subculture that determines consumer choices. As an example, one may examine the success of luxury brands in establishing their presence and promoting a lifestyle to customers. Godey et al. (2016) investigate the customer-brand relationship of such companies as Burberry, Gucci, Dior, and others and find that their marketing on SM is reliant on creating a particular image of prosperity and uniqueness. SM accounts do not only share advertisements and answer comments, but they also foster an exclusive environment that encourages the readers to maintain brand loyalty and spread information using eWOM. The authors show that brands use entertainment, trendiness, interaction, eWOM, and customization as the foundations for SM campaigns and customer interaction (Godey et al., 2016). The discussed above nature of SM allows for such a variety of activities to take place on one platform. One can see that the increase in feedback and brands’ use of familiarity creates strong ties between marketing and consumer behavior. Advertising and Algorithms SM platforms are corporate entities; thus, many of them integrate advertising into the structure of their website or application. The unique feature of such adverts, however, is that they are often based on the content that the particulate user searches for, engages with, or posts (Knoll 2016). This idea is called targeted advertising, and it is much more detailed than marketing on television and publishing. On SM, the possibility for a user to see an advertisement for something related to one’s interests or recent discussions is high. The socio-psychological theory is not as apparent in this case. Nevertheless, adverts maintain or create a particular culture, making targeted advertising more effective than traditional ads because their presentation consistent with the overall message. Consumer behavior is guided by advertisements and endorsements – if one sees only products that appeal to their interests, the potential for completing purchases increases (Booth & Matic 2011). Companies can also use targeted advertising by collaborating with influencers and other brands that exist in the same cultural sphere. Another feature of SM that maintains a particular environment is the use of algorithms. Facebook and Twitter filter the content that users see when using SM – some friends’ posts are always at the top of the page, while other people’s messages may not even appear. This is explained by the SM platforms’ estimation of friend-to-friend networks and page ranking (Trattner & Kappe 2013). These algorithms embedded in SM determine the information that is seen by people. Thus, one may argue that such selective presentation has an effect on consumer choices as well – people listen to the opinions that they understand and perceive as socially acceptable. Conclusion Looking at the different concepts introduced with the rise of social media, one can conclude that the current consumer behavior is significantly affected by such factors as trust, culture and subculture, social class, and income. The findings of the discussed research support the socio-psychological model of purchasing choices, showing that internet users are often affected by the opinions of the communities in which they reside. On SM, the organization of these communities, however, is not limited by geography or time constraints. People connect regardless of their location, and communities develop based on their interests and social status. Thus, the importance of socio-psychological factors becomes increasingly prevalent in consumer decisions. Reference List Booth, N & Matic, JA 2011, ‘Mapping and leveraging influencers in social media to shape corporate brand perceptions’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal , vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 184-191. Cantallops, AS & Salvi, F 2014, ‘New consumer behavior: a review of research on eWOM and hotels’, International Journal of Hospitality Management , vol. 36, pp. 41-51. Chu, SC & Kim, Y 2011, ‘Determinants of consumer engagement in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in social networking sites’, International Journal of Advertising , vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 47-75. Doh, SJ & Hwang, JS 2009, ‘How consumers evaluate eWOM (electronic word-of-mouth) messages’, CyberPsychology & Behavior , vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 193-197. Erkan, I & Evans, C 2016, ‘The influence of eWOM in social media on consumers’ purchase intentions: an extended approach to information adoption’, Computers in Human Behavior , vol. 61, pp. 47-55. Godey, B, Manthiou, A, Pederzoli, D, Rokka, J, Aiello, G, Donvito, R & Singh, R 2016, ‘Social media marketing efforts of luxury brands: influence on brand equity and consumer behavior’, Journal of Business Research , vol. 69, no. 12, pp. 5833-5841. Hajli, MN 2014, ‘A study of the impact of social media on consumers’, International Journal of Market Research , vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 387-404. Knoll, J 2016, ‘Advertising in social media: a review of empirical evidence’, International Journal of Advertising , vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 266-300. Kumar, A, Bezawada, R, Rishika, R, Janakiraman, R & Kannan, PK 2016, ‘From social to sale: the effects of firm-generated content in social media on customer behavior’, Journal of Marketing , vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 7-25. Lucius, HW & Hanson, JH 2016, ‘Consumerism and marketing in the digital age’, American Journal of Management , vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 41-47. Miller, H 2018, ‘Veblen online: information and the risk of commandeering the conspicuous self’, Information Research: An International Electronic Journal , vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 1-32. Number of monthly active Twitter users worldwide from 1st quarter 2010 to 1st quarter 2019 (in millions) 2019, Web. Schivinski, B & Dabrowski, D 2016, ‘The effect of social media communication on consumer perceptions of brands’, Journal of Marketing Communications , vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 189-214. So, KKF, Wu, L, Xiong, L & King, C, 2018, ‘Brand management in the era of social media: social visibility of consumption and customer brand identification’, Journal of Travel Research , vol. 57, no. 6, pp. 727-742. Sohail, MS & Al-Jabri, I 2017, ‘Evolving factors influencing consumers’ attitudes toward social media marketing and its impact on social media usage’, International Journal of Marketing, Communication and New Media , no. 2, pp. 3-25. Susarla, A, Oh, JH & Tan, Y 2012, ‘Social networks and the diffusion of user-generated content: evidence from YouTube’, Information Systems Research , vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 23-41. Thoumrungroje, A 2014, ‘The influence of social media intensity and EWOM on conspicuous consumption’, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences , no. 148, pp. 7-15. Trattner, C & Kappe, F 2013, ‘Social stream marketing on Facebook: a case study’, International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing , vol. 2, no. 1-2, pp. 86-103.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: A major social welfare problem confronting the US today is poverty. The official poverty rate for 2016 is 12% (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2018).Poverty is a major social problem in the United States, with the official poverty rate for 2016 being 12% (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2018). While the Conservatives believe that poverty is caused by people who make bad choices, the Liberals consider that poverty occurs due to structural forces (race, ethnic, class barriers) that limit one's ability to stay wealthy. The government should address the problem of poverty by providing more support to individuals who live in poverty as they are not capable of taking care of themselves.
A major social welfare problem confronting the US today is poverty. The official poverty rate for 2016 is 12% (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2018). Poverty is a major social problem in the United States, with the official poverty rate for 2016 being 12% (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2018). While the Conservatives believe that poverty is caused by people who make bad choices, the Liberals consider that poverty occurs due to structural forces (race, ethnic, class barriers) that limit one's ability to stay wealthy. The government should address the problem of poverty by providing more support to individuals who live in poverty as they are not capable of taking care of themselves.
Social Problem of Poverty in the United States Essay Social Problem, Cause of the Problem (Conservative and Liberal Viewpoints) A major social welfare problem confronting the US today is poverty. The official poverty rate for 2016 is 12% (Semega, Fontenot, & Kollar, 2018). In fact, it should be stated that the institution of poverty is as old as the world. However, the Liberals and the Conservatives have different viewpoints as to why the problem of poverty exists. According to the Conservatives, individuals are responsible for their own wealth, so poverty is caused by people who make bad choices. The Liberals consider that poverty occurs due to structural forces (race, ethnic, class barriers) that limit one’s ability to stay wealthy. How the Government Should Address the Problem (Conservative and Liberal Viewpoints) It has to be said that fighting poverty has never been a major focus of Conservatives. They believe that non-cash services for poor should not exist since they demotivate people to earn for living. This means that the government exists solely for law enforcement, but it should not interfere with tackling social problems (Jimenez, Pasztor, Chambers, & Fujii, 2015). Nevertheless, the Conservatives support the private sector with its free-market charity and social entrepreneurship operating without government. On the other hand, the Liberals state that the government should provide more support to individuals who live in poverty as they are not capable of taking care of themselves. The liberal approach implies that the government is socially responsible for its residents and should create opportunities for them. The Liberals thus support social programs that aid pensioners, children, and unemployed. Current Social Policy Considering current social welfare programs, one could say that social policy is now more liberal in nature. This is because in the US, there are many federal and state social programs that are aimed at helping individuals with low-income level to fulfill their basic needs. In particular, SNAP is a food stamp program that provides benefits for poor individuals and families. Other social programs include SSI, TANF, Child Nutrition, and Pell Grants. References Jimenez, J., Pasztor, E. M., Chambers, R. M., & Fujii, C. P. (2015). Social policy and social change: Toward the creation of social and economic justice (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Semega, J. L., Fontenot, K. R., & Kollar, M. A. (2018). Income and poverty in the United States: 2016. Web.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The text discusses the issue of poverty among the aging population in the United States and how the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Program has helped to alleviate this issue. The text also talks about how some members of the American community remain more vulnerable to external threats than others due to the specifics of their environment.
The text discusses the issue of poverty among the aging population in the United States and how the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Program has helped to alleviate this issue. The text also talks about how some members of the American community remain more vulnerable to external threats than others due to the specifics of their environment.
Social Work and Security of the Elderly Population Essay (Critical Writing) The problem of poverty is quite tangible for aging people due to the rise in financial constraints after retirement would have become a dramatic issue for U.S. residents if it had not been for the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Program. The development of innovative solutions for managing economic and financial concerns faced by the aging demographic has been quite successful over the past several decades, as recent reports indicate (Ugale et al., 2019). However, some members of the American community remain more vulnerable to external threats than others due to the specifics of their environment. The rural aging population should be seen as one of such vulnerable groups since access to care is complicated by numerous obstacles. By creating an additional support system that could complement the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Social Security Income, one could offer rural residents a greater variety of options for maintaining a proper health level. The reconsideration of the current framework for financing the management of rural aging residents’ needs could start with the increase in the range of options for accessing care. The introduction of an additional program for reducing the number of expenses spent on healthcare issues and the creation of stronger social security could be seen as possible changes to the current legal standards. Moreover, opportunities for addressing the needs of rural residents more effectively and accurately will emerge. Ensuring that every stakeholder has social security and the opportunity to receive proper healthcare services is critical to the management of public health issues and the increase in the extent of elderly citizens’ well-being. Once the current framework for providing social security and financial support is reconsidered, the efficacy of social work will increase. References Hash, K. M., Jurkowski, E. T., & Krout, J. A. (2015). Aging in rural places . New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. Ugalde, A., Blaschke, S., Boltong, A., Schofield, P., Aranda, S., Phipps-Nelson, J.,… Livingston, P. M. (2019). Understanding rural caregivers’ experiences of cancer care when accessing metropolitan cancer services: A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 9 (7), 1-10. Web.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: This paper discusses the critical aspects of the case and suggests assessment and measurement tools that social workers could use.
This paper discusses the critical aspects of the case and suggests assessment and measurement tools that social workers could use.
Social Work: Assessment and Measurement Essay (Critical Writing) Assessment and measurement are critical processes in social work since they help to define problems, set goals, and track individuals’ progress. The present case focuses on a high school student who shot and killed his brother as a result of an accident. The student experiences social and emotional challenges that might affect his future life. Seeing a social worker could help him to address his needs and work through the situation, restoring his relationships with himself and others. The present paper seeks to discuss the critical aspects of the case and suggest assessment and measurement tools that social workers could use. Comprehensive Case Review Devonte, a 16-year-old student, was taken under the wings of the school social workers. Devonte is a junior at Harper High School, returning after being transferred. Devonte was transferred to another school after he accidentally shot and killed his 14-year-old brother. Now that Devonte is back, he stops into the social worker’s office 2-3 times a day to visit two social workers. Crystal and Anita work with Devonte to get him to talk about his experience and to help him with the guilt that he feels. History The accident that resulted in the death of Devonte’s brother occurred a year ago. The social worker reports that, before the accident, Devonte had issues with school attendance, aggression, and rude attitudes toward the school staff. One evening last February, he and his 14-year-old brother Damion found an old handgun. The brothers assumed that the firearm was not functional, but when Devonte held it, it went off, shooting Damion in the chest. He died within an hour, and his death was ruled an accident. Devonte has not received proper counseling; instead, he was temporarily transferred to a different school to avoid discussions among students and staff. Having returned to Harper School this year, he works with two school social workers. Current Circumstances Based on the information provided, Devonte struggles with guilt and grief following the accident. He still lives at home with his family, but his sister does not speak to him, and the parents never raise the sensitive topic, pretending as if nothing happened. Devonte has managed to improve his grades and has mostly B’s and C’s, except Music. With social workers, Devonte is making slow progress, opening up slightly, but it is still difficult for him to discuss his feelings. He also experiences trouble falling asleep at night unless he takes Nyquil. Strengths On the whole, the case shows evidence of Devonte’s resilience and his willingness to overcome struggles and return to normal life. For example, despite the stress, Devonte does not miss school and has managed to get good grades in most subjects. His grades are now better than they were before the accident. It is also important to note that Devonte is making progress with school social workers and takes the initiative to visit their office several times daily. Challenges The most crucial challenge for Devonte is healthily coping with his emotions. There are some indications that the student has not been able to develop positive strategies for processing guilt and grief. He admits sleeping in his late brother’s bed and looking at pictures and videos of him before going to bed. He also finds it challenging to talk about his emotions with social workers, which could affect his recovery and future life. Needs The case shows clear evidence of unfulfilled social and emotional needs. First of all, Devonte’s social circle is mostly limited to his family. The accident and the death of Devonte’s brother disrupted the family in several ways. There is an evident lack of trust between Devonte and his mother, and his sister detached from the boy entirely in the past year. Devonte has some friends outside of school, who are older than him. However, he acknowledges that being in the streets with them is unsafe. The social workers mention that one of Devonte’s friends was shot recently. Secondly, due to Devonte’s current social situation, his emotional needs are not being met. On the one hand, his parents avoid the subject of the accident altogether, which prevents the family from restoring after a loss. Devonte lacks communication with his mother, so she is unaware of his emotional struggles. On the other hand, he does not trust anyone enough to share his emotions. This causes him to refrain from exploring his feelings with school social workers. Based on the analysis, Devonte needs communication, emotional support, and safety. Analysis of Current Circumstances Devonte’s current circumstances are complex, which affects his emotional well-being. It is essential to acknowledge that the entire family is suffering and that the parents lack the tools and techniques to foster supportive, open communication that all family members need. Additionally, the current circumstances affect Devonte’s safety since he often socializes with older guys in the streets. Social workers can help Devonte and his family to overcome their problems, thus meeting Devonte’s needs. Assessment Tools and Measurement To develop attainable and relevant goals, it is essential to assess Devonte’s current challenges. Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, and Strom-Gottried (2017) state that assessments in social work should be focused on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. Given Devonte’s current situation, particular attention should be paid to his affective and behavioral functioning, as well as family functioning (Hepworth et al., 2017). A mental status exam would be useful to assess Devonte’s mental health to determine if any disorders could affect his recoveries, such as depression or anxiety. The empowerment-based positive youth development (EMPYD) brief should then be used to determine Devonte’s level of well-being and set clear goals for future work. Family functioning can be assessed using the Integrative Model by Level of Need, as it allows for a comprehensive assessment and can help to set goals for the family (Hepworth et al., 2017). The three tools will help to evaluate the current situation in great depth and plan future work with Devonte. Therapeutic Goals Therapeutic goals help to clarify ways of fulfilling individuals’ needs and supporting their growth. Although therapeutic goals are typically based on assessment results, some goals can be set already based on the information provided in the case. First of all, it is essential to improve Devonte’s perceived level of social support. This would help to meet his need for support, thus improving his emotional well-being and social functioning after the accident. It could also address Devonte’s safety needs; if Devonte’s perceived levels of support increase, he will be less likely to make dangerous contacts and suffer from peer pressure. Secondly, it is necessary to help Devonte and his parents to implement techniques used for open, emotional communication. Thirdly, it would be beneficial to improve Devonte’s knowledge of healthy coping strategies. Achieving both of these goals is crucial to meeting his emotional needs, as well as the need for communication in the family. Conclusion Overall, Devonte’s current situation requires attention from social workers because failure to address his needs could influence his future life and relationships. Devonte has some important strengths, including resilience and motivation for improvement. However, he suffers from disrupted family dynamics and a lack of social support. A needs assessment shows that the three core needs to be met are social support, communication, and safety. A mental status exam, the EMPYD brief, and the Integrative Model by Level of Need should be used to evaluate the current situation and set measurable goals. The initial therapeutic goals were also defined, and they can be clarified or amended based on assessment results. Reference Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017). Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The paper argues that the right of healthcare providers for conscientious objection to abortion and the right of abortion seekers to access health care service must be respected by all stakeholders involved.
The paper argues that the right of healthcare providers for conscientious objection to abortion and the right of abortion seekers to access health care service must be respected by all stakeholders involved.
Social Work Framework for the Abortion Seeking Experience Essay Discussions regarding all aspects of abortion are controversial. During the 19th century, the debate on abortion was unheard of as it was considered a taboo. However, interesting developments began to emerge towards the end of the 20th century. In the United States, for example, things changed after the Supreme Court’s Roe V (LaFollette 2017) verdict. According to LaFollette (2017), Wade made a ruling that legalized abortion in the country. Shortly after, many other countries in the world, especially in Europe, also enacted the legislation. As a result, healthcare providers opposed abortion due to religious or moral reasons. Nevertheless, the reaction of the US Congress to the Supreme Court’s decision provided guidance on the issue of abortion. As pointed out by LaFollette (2017), Congress passed legislation that protected healthcare providers who did not want to participate in abortion because of religious or moral beliefs. As one would expect, the legalization of abortion had mixed reactions. On the one hand, the pro-life group, led by some health care professionals including nurses, physicians, and pharmacists, championed for their right to make decisions in line with their conscience. On the other hand, the pro-choice group defended the rights of people seeking abortion services. Clearly, the controversies surrounding the issue of abortion as a legal health care service was, and still is, contentious. This paper argues that the right of healthcare providers for conscientious objection to abortion and the right of abortion seekers to access health care service must be respected by all stakeholders involved. If I was a health care provider my personal views on abortion would negatively affect my work as I would have to choose between my career and my religious beliefs about abortion. I would have taken an oath to help patients receive the best care they can without any form of bias. Additionally, it would be my duty to give all possible actions that a person has, in regard to the issue of abortion, despite my personal beliefs. The contention arises as I would ideally believe that my faith would be jeopardized if, for instance, I agree to perform an abortion or give advice on where a client can acquire such services. In countries that do allow abortion, the law has to be adhered to and I would have to do the abortion or give the needed advice despite my ethical or religious beliefs. The right to conscientious objection by health care professionals should not be infringed in any circumstances. In his paper titled “My Conscience May Be My Guide, but You May Not Need to Honor It,” LaFollette (2017) explains the difference between the rights to conscientious objection in the military and the health care sector. In the US military, the conscientious objection to war exempts service people from participating directly in combat if that would violate their moral and religious customs. However, LaFollette (2017) notes that the conscientious objection to war has a condition: one must serve in another non-war environment. Luckily for health care providers, conscientious objection does not come with any underlying conditions. Therefore, one would expect that their decisions not to participate in abortion cases are final. In fact, the arguments made by LaFollette (2017) provide a manifestation of what health care professionals go through around the US and other parts of the world. This paper holds that such cases of intimidation and impunity should not be encouraged in the health sector. However, the rights of patients seeking abortion services must also be respected. Ely, Rouland-Polmanteer, and Kotting (2018) posit that most abortion seekers suffer from trauma and other mental disorders due to stigma. Arguing from a pro-choice point of view, Ely et al., (2018) submit that abortion seekers, like any other patients, should never undergo mental torture through health caregivers. This implies that patients should be served unconditionally. As such, the antagonism between pro-life and pro-choice groups is unlikely to end anytime soon. One of the way forward on this issue could be to allow each group to have its way. As the manager of a health center, I would approach the situation with an open mind that will help me uphold both my beliefs and my duty as a health practitioner. In this way, I will appreciate the fact that people are entitled to their own decisions as long as they adhere to the law. Hence, although I would not participate in the act due to my personal beliefs, I would allow pro-choice practitioners in my facility to undertake safe abortions and exempt pro-life workers from participating in the act. This action would ensure that I uphold my professional ethical principles as well as my personal ones. In summary, since abortion is legal and pro-life health care professionals have the right of conscientious objection it, there is a need to create a balance that would ensure that both parties are satisfied. No health care provider should have to lose their job or suffer any other consequence because they acted according to their conscience and religious belief. Similarly, no patient in need of abortion services should have to face trauma and stigma because of their choice. In other words, everyone should be allowed to do what they believe is morally upright without any underlying conditions. References Ely, G. E., Rouland-Polmanteer, R. S., & Kotting, J. (2018). A trauma-informed social work framework for the abortion seeking experience. Social Work in Mental Health, 16 (2), 172-200. LaFollette, H. (2017). My conscience may be my guide, but you may not need to honor it. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 26 (1), 44-58.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: A social work theory critique essay on the intervention strategies used in a social work setting.The activities for volunteer work in the designated group are based on the fundamental social work theories and adhere to its principles. The agency of placement organizes its work with the clients according to the ecological mo0del of human behavior.
A social work theory critique essay on the intervention strategies used in a social work setting. The activities for volunteer work in the designated group are based on the fundamental social work theories and adhere to its principles. The agency of placement organizes its work with the clients according to the ecological mo0del of human behavior.
Social Work Theory Critique Essay Agency Intro Agency Description/Mission The agency where the volunteer work was done is the organization under the title Faith and Light, founded by Jean Vanier in France in 1971. Originated as a system of facilities in France, the agency has expanded its operations to other countries. There are several groups on the territory of the United States of America. The attended group is located in El Cajon; it seeks to support vulnerable populations with the help of Christian practice. According to the official website of the organization, the agency’s mission is to “Reveal to each person his/her unique gift and beauty” (“Our mission,” n. d., para. 1). The aim of the group is to provide social support for people with disabilities in order to take them out of isolation. Target Population The agency’s target population includes people with disabilities who suffer from social exclusion. The group incorporates individuals of all ages, excluding infants. Overall, children, adults, and older adults with diverse disabilities constitute the group (“Our mission,” n. d.). Also, the group includes not only the primary clients but also their families who provide care for the disabled. People with physical impairments, those in wheelchairs, cognitive disabilities, Down syndrome, and other issues are included in the group for social work. The volunteers initiate an array of recreational activities for the target population with an aim to facilitate their social inclusion and communication with peers. The activities include regular exercises, dancing, preparing food, eating together, praying together, drawing, coloring, crafting, and others. Self-Determination The issue of self-determination is crucial for the agency’s interventions. The people who attend the group have expressed their willingness to join either on their own or with encouragement of family members. Since the concept of self-determination embodies the ability of a client to choose and prioritize his or her activities, have and pursue their individual opinions, and behave according to them (Zastrow, 2015). Consequently, a social worker cannot force a client to join any activity against the client’s free will. In the agency of volunteer placing, the principle of self-determination is vastly preserved and respected. All clients within the target population attend the group activities voluntarily. For example, when a client was reluctant to join a dancing activity in one of the group sessions, he was allowed to watch without active participation. No pressure or force was applied in order to preserve the principle of self-determination. Theories and Intervention Social Work Theory The activities for volunteer work in the designated group are based on the fundamental social work theories and adhere to its principles. The agency of placement organizes its work with the clients according to the ecological mo0del of human behavior. According to Zastrow (2015), this perspective enables facilitating the “dysfunctional transactions between people and their physical and social environments” (p. 49). Since disabled individuals suffer from social isolation due to their impaired mobility or cognition, it is a challenge for them to participate in social life and become full-fledged members of society. According to Chau, Yu, and Boxall (2017), disabled people experience different manifestations of social exclusion varying form unemployment and economic difficulties to relational barriers. Social work with such population groups allows for achieving positive results in the inclusion of the disabled into the community. As an example of the utilization of ecological theory in the attended agency, one might highlight the organization of close communication between clients and their family members, as well as with the volunteers and other clients in the group. By adjusting the right environment for the target population, social workers foster the clients’ inclusion integration into society. Another social work theory that applies to the designated volunteer workgroup in El Cajon is the systems perspective, which is closely related to the ecological model but is more specific. According to this theory, a person is treated from the perspective of his or her interaction with different systems. These systems include family, education, social services, politics, religion, employment, and others (Zastrow, 2015). For the population of people with disabilities, the issue of belonging to the systems is significantly important since their relationship with the majority of systems is diminished due to their conditions. Consequently, it is vital for such people to feel included in those systems with the help of social workers. Isolation is a harmful psychological condition that might exaggerate the detrimental effects of disabilities of a person’s well-being (Chau et al., 2017). At the agency of placement, the work with clients is organized in a way that everyone is a part of a bigger community, in which the variety of activities represents different systems. They might include religious, family, social, and educational systems. Therefore, adherence to this theory allows the agency to achieve good results in work with its target population. Social Work Intervention The social work interventions within the agency included group work, which corresponds with the ultimate mission of the agency. According to Simcock and Castle (2016), people with disabilities are exposed to difficulties in communication. This issue impacts both the disabled and their family members, who might experience frustration and confusion, managing the needs of those they care about. Therefore, the group interventions for recreational, religious, and recreational purposes engaging people of different ages and with different disabilities ensure active facilitation of the communication between the group members. The effectiveness of such interventions is amplified due to the participation of qualified social workers who guide all the activities and help clients progress in their development. Effective or Ineffective The group work under the adherence to the ecological and systems perspectives is highly effective. The agency in El Cajon provides beneficial interventions for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. Since this population is vulnerable due to their continuous isolation for society as one of the shortcomings of their conditions, it is vital to preserving their social interaction with others. The collaborative endeavors of the staff and volunteers engaged in the performance of the agency contribute to the improvement of the psychological environment of the clients. The ability to be around peers, feel a decent member of a community, and being supported by family members and professionals benefits the clients’ social integration and well-being. The utilization of such important social work tools and ecological model and systems theory allows for well-organized and effective activities to provide the best results. Reflection Recommendation for Agency Despite the overall effectiveness of the group interventions initiated for the target population, there are some drawbacks and areas for improvement. It has been noticed that the majority of activities initiated for the groups are of recreational character. Although it is an important part of social inclusion for people with disabilities, it seems like their particular psychological issues are not directly addressed. It would be beneficial to initiate group discussions of a more therapeutic-oriented nature, during which the clients could engage in a discussion of their particular concerns. In such a way, the clients will have an opportunity to reach professionals and find their help in advising how to behave. In combination with already existing highly effective interventions, such merely psychological rehabilitation, would contribute to a more successful social integration. Discussion of Supervision The organization of the work within the mission of the agency is guided by devoted staff members who lead the volunteers through the process of interaction with the group. The program of the activities is carefully provided to all the staff members and volunteers. Necessary consultations are freely accessible if any need arises. Under such favorable working conditions and with a clear statement of the group’s goals, it is easy to follow the guidelines of the supervisors and achieve the expected results. Self-Reflection My volunteer work at Faith and Light was a productive and valuable professional experience. During my time at the agency in El Cajon, I managed to cooperate with other staff members and learn from them. Also, I was able to practice the implementation of the theories of social work, such as the ecological model and systems theory. The real-life application of the theoretical foundations helped me to understand the meaning of social work in general and its importance to the target population who are people with disabilities. I learned that the work with vulnerable populations requires thorough deliberation, acute attention, and a high level of professionalism to cope with the difficulties of such work and help people manage their isolation issues. This opportunity to use my knowledge and acquire new professional experience has contributed significantly to the scope of my skills and will benefit my future work as a social worker. References Chau, R. C. M., Yu, S. W. K., & Boxall, K. (2017). Combating social exclusion faced by disabled people in the wage labour market in Hong Kong . Social Policy and Society, 1-36. Web. Our mission . (n. d.). Web. Simcock, P., & Castle, R. (2016). Social work and disability. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Zastrow, C. (2015). Introduction to social work and social welfare: Empowering people . Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: In the given essay, it is discussed that The War Prayer cannot be viewed solely as a story of a pacifist, as the main argument is weak and unjustified.
In the given essay, it is discussed that The War Prayer cannot be viewed solely as a story of a pacifist, as the main argument is weak and unjustified.
Sociological Criticism of Twain’s “The War Prayer” Essay Mark Twain’s The War Prayer is a short story written during the Philippine-American War in 1905 but published only after the author’s death (Nagawara 30). In the story , Twain gives not only a scathing critique of war but also sharply condemns the hypocrisy of the Church that prays for love and happiness yet supports the horrors of war. One may note that in The War Prayer , Twain’s thoughts about Christianity are also revealed, as the writer claims that there is intolerance in the Christians’ views on war. It is thus no wonder that the story drew immediate condemnation from a bunch of critics stating that Twain is a jingoist who wrote the prose poem in his most distraught period of life. In the given essay, it is discussed that The War Prayer cannot be viewed solely as a story of a pacifist, as the main argument is weak and unjustified. To begin with, it is important to consider the historical background of the short story. According to Zehr, it was written as a response to the US suppressing the movement for independence in the Philippines (87). That is why The War Prayer may be considered to be a product of Twain’s revulsion of the US policy. Martin Zehr states that the work represents Twain’s ability to “emphasize the experience of the Other” (88). Such a skill to adopt the perspective of the others could have enabled Twain to write an emphatic rather than pacifistic story. It is the portrayed perspective of the other people that made The War Prayer’ s appeal to emotions so powerful. However, it is possible to assume that it was necessary for the US to maintain the linkage between national and religious aims. In this relation, the Church was a powerful tool for ensuring that this linkage was strong enough to promote the rise of Christianity. According to Vaughan, Twain “was crossing the Rubicon into a field of assured deduction” (40). That is why the main argument may be considered to be weak, as Twain does not tackle the issue from the broad perspective. One may note that obscurity of the setting and context that initially influenced Twain are often disregarded. This, in turn, does not allow for a clear interpretation of the short story. Hsu views the author not as a great American critic but as a great traveler “with a consciously global viewpoint” (79). According to Dwayne Eutsey, in The War Prayer, the natural dualism of Americans is reflected rather than “orthodox notions of God and Satan” (51). This statement can be substantiated by the fact that Twain’s appeal does not depend on his voice, as it is the aged stranger who conveys the main idea of the story. Therefore, The War Prayer may be viewed as a declaration of not a pacifist but a reflective Trans-Atlantic traveler. The main argument in the story is against the ignorance that Christians practice, as well as the hypocrisy of the Church which fully supports the war and thus its detrimental effects. Even though the argument may be considered to be reasonable, some critics claim that such an attitude to Christianity is prejudiced. In particular, Sloan states that The War Prayer was written as a scathing indictment of religion at the time when Twain experienced a number of losses (88). Considering himself to be a victim of God’s retribution, Twain could have revenged for his misfortune using the power of the word. To sum up, in the given essay, Mark Twain’s The War Prayer has been discussed regarding social criticism. It has been determined that even though the writer makes an impressive argument claiming that the Church supports the horrors of war, he does not view the issue on a large scale. This may be explained by the fact that Twain poses himself rather as a Trans-Atlantic traveler than a philosopher. Also, the story may be prejudiced as it was written at the time of the writer’s personal losses. Works Cited Eutsey, Dwayne. “‘From the Throne’: What the Stranger in ‘The War-Prayer’ Says about Mark Twain’s Theology.” Journal of Transnational American Studies , vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 50–53. Hsu, Hua. “The Trans-Pacific Lesson of Mark Twain’s ‘War-Prayer’.” Journal of Transnational American Studies , vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 78–80. Nagawara, Makoto. “A Comment on ‘The War-Prayer’: Mark Twain ‘Never Ceased to Grow’.” Journal of Transnational American Studies , vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 29–31. Sloan, Gary. “A Connecticut Yankee in God’s Court. Skeptic , vol. 8, no. 4, 2001, pp. 86–89. Vaughan, Christopher A. “Mark Twain’s Final Offensive: ‘The War-Prayer’ and American Religious Nationalism.” Journal of Transnational American Studies , vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 38–41. Zehr, Martin. “The Vision of the Other in Mark Twain’s ‘War-Prayer’.” Journal of Transnational American Studies, vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 87–91. Transnational American Studies , vol. 1, no. 1. 2009, pp. 87–91.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: Sociological research is aimed at obtaining new information and identifying patterns about social reality. Sociologists need to form hypotheses and theories and select methods and procedures appropriate for their studies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and analyze significant components of the research process.Primary data and secondary data, a questionnaire, and a structured interview as research methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis, stratified, and judgment sampling.
Sociological research is aimed at obtaining new information and identifying patterns about social reality. Sociologists need to form hypotheses and theories and select methods and procedures appropriate for their studies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and analyze significant components of the research process. Primary data and secondary data, a questionnaire, and a structured interview as research methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis, stratified, and judgment sampling.
Sociological Research as Activity Report (Assessment) Table of Contents 1. Primary Data and Secondary Data 2. Questionnaire and Structured Interview 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis 4. Stratified Sampling and Judgment Sampling 5. Conclusion 6. References Sociological research is aimed at obtaining new information and identifying patterns about social reality. Sociologists need to form hypotheses and theories and select methods and procedures appropriate for their studies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and analyze significant components of the research process. The purpose of this essay is to consider and compare some elements of a study process, such as primary and secondary data, a questionnaire, and a structured interview as research methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis, stratified, and judgment sampling. Primary Data and Secondary Data The data which are gathered for the first time by a researcher is known as primary data. Primary sources are materials that have not yet been evaluated by anyone else. The examples of primary data are firsthand accounts of an event topic or historical period and people’s original materials. For example, archeological remains, autobiographies, or personal journals are primary data. In the sciences, primary sources include raw data from an experiment or survey, lab notes or reports, trial results, interviews, or questionnaires. The data which had already been collected by someone else but used by another person is secondary data. Secondary sources are “written sources that interpret or record primary data, and tend to be less reliable” (Walliman, 2017, p. 69). Examples of secondary data include essays, reviews, books, or journal articles, and criticism or commentaries on original works. In the sciences, they include textbooks, surveys, and experiment or trial results. Questionnaire and Structured Interview A questionnaire and a structured interview both are non-experimental techniques which means that there are no independent and dependent variables. Both are types of self-report methods that rely upon the participants reporting their feelings and thoughts. A questionnaire is a method of socio-psychological research, and a survey is conducted without the help of an interviewer. It is a designed list of questions applied to collect information from many respondents. Simplicity and anonymity are significant characteristics of the method. An interview is a method of socio-psychological research, in which an interviewer conducts a survey. A structured interview contains carefully scripted questions presented to an interviewee, whose replies are carefully documented. It often contains many closed questions and fewer open ones. Sometimes, the interviewer presents the participant with predetermined options to choose from. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Quantitative and qualitative research are two approaches for gathering information about an individual. Quantitative research is based on statistical data and aimed to consider a causal link between numerous variables. The investment of quantitative analysis is predominantly of the technology, while methodology relies on statistics. In comparison with quantitative research, qualitative research is intended to reveal the social reality and consider various subjective characteristics of it, such as feelings, values, experiences. The main feature of qualitative analysis is an investment, predominantly in human capital. Therefore, it is prone to a multitude of errors that are typical of the human mind. Stratified Sampling and Judgment Sampling The idea of stratified sampling is to divide the population into groups called strata. Then a researcher randomly selects individuals from each group (Taherdoost, 2016). For example, there are 50 states in the US, and to take a sample from this, one would have to select individuals from each state randomly. According to Taherdoost (2016), “judgmental sampling is a strategy in which particular settings persons or events are selected deliberately to provide important information that cannot be obtained from other choices” (p. 23). Particular participants or cases are included in the sample because they are believed to be valuable information for the research outcomes. Conclusion Sociological research is an activity aimed at obtaining knowledge or data about social relations, phenomena, and processes. It is a system of logically consistent methodological and organizational-technical procedures, which are interconnected by one goal. Data collection, sampling, research methods are vital elements of this process because they help a sociologist to choose the type of research. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the differences between these components. References Taherdoost, H. (2016). Sampling methods in research methodology; How to choose a sampling technique for research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management (IJARM), 5 (2), 18-27. Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics . New York, NY: Routledge.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The text discusses the need for additional sources of finance when purchasing new machinery, and the pros and cons of each potential source.The need for additional sources of finance when purchasing new machinery, and the pros and cons of each potential source is discussed in the text.
The text discusses the need for additional sources of finance when purchasing new machinery, and the pros and cons of each potential source. The need for additional sources of finance when purchasing new machinery, and the pros and cons of each potential source is discussed in the text.
Sources of Finance and Management of Working Capital Memorandum Coursework Due to the identified opportunity of profitable investment in new machinery, I wanted to inform you that the implementation of new equipment will increase production, general revenues, profits, and sales. However, there are substantial challenging issues concerning cash flow in the first months after the purchase of machinery. That is why additional sources of finance should be examined and taken into consideration. There are several possible sources of financing during the early months – the personal savings of the management, loans from the members’ families and relatives, and loans from any reliable commercial bank. The company may regard investments from firms or private individuals and the selling of company shares as well. Private investors and stock trading will provide substantial cash flow for the development of our organization, however, these sources will require the disposal of the ownership part that will allow external individuals to vote on the company’s decisions. A commercial bank may provide rapid additional financing as well. It is a reliable variant that allows companies to return loans gradually and according to a convenient schedule. However, banks lend large sums of money at interest and on real property (Loxley, 2018). Such conditions significantly increase the risks of foreclose and inventory loss, especially in the case of ineffective business performance. In consideration of the foregoing premises, personal savings and the financial support from close family members and friends are defined as the most reasonable options of additional external finance. This cash flow is free of interest, and it is not faced with time constraints. I am confident in our company’s working potential and its further success due to the implementation of new machinery. That is why I am asking you to consider the proposed variants of external financing. Reference List Atrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2017) Accounting and finance for non-specialists. 10th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education. Loxley, J. (2018) Debt and disorder: external financing for development . New York, NY: Routledge.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The paper describes the research group the author is currently interested in, his research aims and preliminary ideas and his personal motivation to complete a PhD.
The paper describes the research group the author is currently interested in, his research aims and preliminary ideas and his personal motivation to complete a PhD.
Sources of Motivation for Pursuing a PhD Proposal Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Finance, Accounting and Economics 3. Research Interests and Preliminary Ideas 4. Motivation to do a PhD 5. Conclusion 6. Reference List Introduction The current wave of globalisation is dictating the way companies and individuals are engaging in international business operations. Those involved in such activities should possess adequate ideas and knowledge in these key fields: economics, financial accounting and finance. These three fields are critical because they can prepare many scholars to pursue and achieve their career goals. Those who complete various research studies in these areas will acquire additional concepts and be able to function efficiently in the global market. This paper describes the research group I am currently interested in, my research aims and preliminary ideas and my personal motivation to complete a PhD. Finance, Accounting and Economics The selected research group is that of finance, accounting and economics. These three areas of business operations provide adequate skills that can guide individuals to achieve their aims and make their respective corporations successful (Apostolides 2016). Such fields of study focus on various aspects that investors and entrepreneurs should always consider, such as accounting practices and standards, preparation of meaningful financial records and statements, performance evaluation, budgeting and quantitative research methods (Wood 2016). Those who develop such skills will be able to complete a wide range of responsibilities in management, financial analysis, accountancy and public administration. This research group is essential since it provides a perfect mix of attributes that can guide and empower those who plan to engage in various business activities. Firstly, a proper knowledge of different economic principles can make it possible for people to formulate evidence-based choices in relation to performance, macroeconomics and microeconomics (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). Such professionals will focus on the attractiveness and responsiveness of a given country or community and formulate appropriate decisions (Kazmi et al. 2016). This is a social science that goes further to monitor unquantifiable issues, including human psychology and behaviour. Those who focus on this field will acquire mathematical competencies for making meaningful decisions. Secondly, the research group promises every participant numerous ideas and insights in the field of accounting. Although professionals in this field of specialisation might not be required to work with economics, they develop adequate skills to prepare financial documents, income statements, profit and loss accounts and balance sheets (Goretzki & Strauss 2017). They also go further to provide incentives and reviews regarding the financial health of a given organisation or firm. Investors and creditors will find the duties of these experts critical before making their decisions. Thirdly, these two areas work synergistically to support the entire process of financial management. The acquired knowledge from this research group can inform a person about money flows, prices, inflation and interest rates (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). Such an individual will be in a position to apply the acquired knowledge to analyse the overall performance of industries or corporations within a given economy or region. This means that the valid application of financial principles and concepts can result in superior or evidence-based decisions. From this analysis, it is evident that the identified research group is relevant and it resonates with my future goals. Since I am planning to pursue entrepreneurial aims, I believe that the insights gained from the intended research studies and projects will make it easier for me to identify the right ventures, formulate appropriate decisions and minimise chances of making mistakes (Barsky 2017). I will also engage in lifelong learning in an attempt to acquire additional competencies that can make me successful in different areas (Goretzki & Strauss 2017). Another important thing is the need to identify and pursue specific research interests that have the potential to support my future objectives. Such a move will make it easier for me to develop appropriate philosophies that can eventually deliver the intended personal goals. Research Interests and Preliminary Ideas Throughout the learning process, I am planning to complete several researches and acquire additional insights for supporting my professional expectations. The first area of interest is that of futures markets and how entrepreneurs and business investors can focus on them to make evidence-based decisions (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). The targeted study will examine the manner in which speculators approach this business practice and the best ways to benefit from it (Goretzki & Strauss 2017). The targeted research is capable of identifying the most appropriate approaches for pursuing futures markets and suggesting how the business world can benefit from the concept. The preliminary information or research idea regarding this field is that different market practices have the potential to promote economic development and meet the needs of many entrepreneurs. Advisors and economists can focus on some of the benefits associated with futures markets and how individuals or companies can protect their assets (Barsky 2017). Some of the studies completed in the recent past have indicated that this business model is capable of minimising the dangers associated with price fluctuations (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of the benefits and challenges of futures markets. This gap explains why many entrepreneurs are still unable to make meaningful or accurate decisions whenever planning to invest in this field (Goretzki & Strauss 2017). The introduction of additional insights and ideas will guide accountants, businesspeople and asset prospectors to pursue their aims diligently. The unique advantages associated with futures markets explain why there is always a need to consider this topic. Entrepreneurs who set the sale prices for their assets and products tend to have accurate predictions of market changes (Parker 2018). Those involved in manufacturing can assess or determine the projected demand for their final products (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). This model is, therefore, appropriate for minimising losses and considering the level of depreciation. The completion of the intended study area will empower me to make accurate decisions and pursue futures markets in an informed manner. The third research interest that I am taking seriously is that of hedge fund. Barsky (2017) defines this term as an alternative form of investment that revolves around the use of pooled funds and it entails the implementation of diverse strategies to get active profit or return for all entrepreneurs. One unique thing about hedge funds is that they require aggressive managerial procedures or processes. Such investment models also support the adoption of leverage and derivatives both internationally and domestically (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). This investment model has become common in different regions because it is characterised by minimal regulation in comparison with mutual funds. Past studies have revealed that the use of this approach delivers diverse strategies that make it possible for investor clients to achieve their objectives within a short period (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). The growth curve associated with hedge funds tend to be exceptional when managed properly. Small scale investors and entrepreneurs can consider or embrace the power of hedge funds to pool their resources and pursue their investment goals diligently. A detailed research study focusing on this area can empower more people to make appropriate choices and achieve their goals in a timely manner. According to Parker (2018), many entrepreneurs consider the effectiveness of different models before making their final choices. Some researchers have indicated that many investors fail to achieve their potential after failing to have a clear knowledge of strategies that can deliver positive results (Apostolides 2016). Business experts and consultants continue to encourage and guide entrepreneurs to undertake numerous studies in an attempt to understand hedge funds and how they can support their missions. The suggested research study is capable of presenting evidence-based guidelines that investors who want to pool their resources can consider. The first preliminary research idea for this analysis is that emerging investors should possess additional knowledge in order to make superior decisions (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). The second one is that hedge funds form a powerful model for individuals who want to pursue their business aims diligently. The presented findings and concepts from the study will empower many people to solve every emerging obstacle and identify how this concept of pooling resources can deliver desirable profits. Motivation to do a PhD I am currently planning to pursue and complete a PhD in the field of business. The selected area is that of finance and economics since it resonates with my current career objectives and future aims (Barsky 2017). Several factors explain why I have decided to focus on such an academic path. Firstly, the targeted accomplishment will guide me to make adequate and timely contributions towards the selected field. The completed research findings can result in additional discoveries for improving business operations and meeting the changing needs of many investors (Dosunmu & Adeyemo 2018). Secondly, every individual has his or her long-term career objectives and vision. Personally, the targeted course will equip me with suitable competencies and ideas for supporting my current and future aims. I will engage in various exercises that have the potential to improve my strengths in the fields of accounting and finance. Thirdly, a PhD is an outstanding opportunity for recording advanced knowledge due to the nature of the learning process. Since the entire curriculum is less structured, the targeted individual can focus on challenging environments and activities that can result in additional competencies. This means that I will dig deeper and research numerous topics that are of importance to me (Dosunmu & Adeyemo 2018). Specifically, I am optimistic that I will complete a study aimed at examining the nature of accounting standards in different parts of the world and propose evidence-based guidelines for promoting efficiency and comparability. Fourthly, I have always been passionate about the identified group of fields. The decision to pursue a PhD means that I will develop new notions and ideas for supporting my future objectives as an entrepreneur. I will formulate the best strategies, develop appropriate business plans, identify most of the changes experienced in the world of business and implement evidence-based Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives (Apostolides 2016). Finally, a successful completion of the targeted PhD course is a clear indication that a given person is capable of undertaking academic research independently and presenting superior insights for transforming a given field (Dosunmu & Adeyemo 2018). Such a study process will make it possible for me to identify emerging practices, initiatives, strategies and models that can result in positive or sustainable entrepreneurial practices. I am, therefore, motivated to complete the intended course and eventually succeed in my business. With such achievements, I will be motivated to guide and mentor my workers to ensure that the targeted goals are realised within the specified time. People in different specialties should, therefore, engage in lifelong learning in an attempt to develop superior philosophies for pursuing their aims (Chang, McAleer & Wong 2017). These sources of motivation explain why I am willing to complete a PhD course and eventually emerge successful both in my entrepreneurial career. Conclusion The above discussion has presented finance, accounting and economics as an important research group that can support the changing needs of many investors, creditors and entrepreneurs. This choice is balanced and provides evidence-based insights that are capable of guiding more people to make appropriate business decisions, solve emerging challenges and pursue their aims diligently. I am planning to engage in new studies that will examine how learning institutions can design and introduce new courses that equip students with competences in the selected research group. The second field of study will examine how people can acquire adequate skills and abilities in the selected areas. The discussion has gone further to describe my sources of motivation for pursuing a PhD and the major gains that will be achieved after completing the program. Reference List Apostolides, N 2016, Management accounting for beginners, Routledge, New York. Barsky, NP 2017, Management accounting, Cognella Academic Publishing, San Diego. Chang, C, McAleer, M & Wong, W 2017, ‘Management information, decision sciences and financial economics: a connection’, Journal of Management Information and Decision Sciences, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 1-19. Dosunmu, AG & Adeyemo, KS 2018, ‘Lifelong learning, human capital development and the career advancement of women in the telecommunications industry in South Africa’, Industry and Higher Education, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 192-199. Goretzki, L & Strauss, E 2017, The role of the management accountant: local variations and global influences, Routledge, New York. Kazmi, SS, Hashim, M, Kee, DM & Khan, FU 2016, ‘Social entrepreneurship and its impact on economy: in perspective of Pakistan’, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 161-166. Parker, SC 2018, ‘Entrepreneurship and economic theory’, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 540-564. Wood, DA 2016, ‘Comparing the publication process in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, psychology, and the natural sciences’, Accounting Horizons, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 341-361.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The introduction of a health policy has to be grounded in the principles of good governance, which implies creating and implementing a respective set of actions based on exhaustive, comprehensive research of every factor that may represent an obstacle.The role of state governance has a directly positive impact on the increase in health rates among the target population due to the cohesion of actions within the healthcare system and the opportunity to keep the standards for healthcare services high, at the same time monitoring the system and identifying its flaws.
The introduction of a health policy has to be grounded in the principles of good governance, which implies creating and implementing a respective set of actions based on exhaustive, comprehensive research of every factor that may represent an obstacle. The role of state governance has a directly positive impact on the increase in health rates among the target population due to the cohesion of actions within the healthcare system and the opportunity to keep the standards for healthcare services high, at the same time monitoring the system and identifying its flaws.
South African Public Health Policy Implementation Essay Abstract The introduction of a health policy has to be grounded in the principles of good governance, which implies creating and implementing a respective set of actions based on exhaustive, comprehensive research of every factor that may represent an obstacle. Specifically, sociocultural factors that may become the roadblock in advancing patient literacy have to be considered along with socioeconomic, technological, environmental, financial, and political factors. As the case of HIV policy development and implementation in RSA has shown, good governance provides insight into the needs of the target population and the circumstances in which these needs will be met, thus guiding the creation of a policy and its integration in the target setting. Introduction Introducing an effective health policy is always a challenging and complicated endeavor, which is mostly due to the presence of multiple factors that have to be addressed in the policy in question to safeguard general audiences from health issues. In South Africa, the problem of public health management is especially concerning because of the lack of resources (Marais & Petersen, 2015). However, the presence of a somehow consistent governance system allows implementing health policies in the way that implies homogeneity of actions across the state and the application of the policy at all levels of its execution. As a result, a uniform manner of managing a particular health concern is developed in order to be later adjusted to the unique environment of a specific healthcare setting. Thus, the role of state governance has a directly positive impact on the increase in health rates among the target population due to the cohesion of actions within the healthcare system and the opportunity to keep the standards for healthcare services high, at the same time monitoring the system and identifying its flaws. In order to address the effects of proper governance on the development of healthcare bills and introducing sensible guidelines for care, one will need to take a deep look into the notion of governance. Specifically, the principles of good governance have to be outlined. According to Setyaningrum, Wardhani, and Syakhroza (2017), the concept of good governance lies in selecting an appropriate model for action and achieving the results set as the main objectives. Another way of defining this contentious subject included inciting development, in general, whereas Fusheini, Eyles, and Goudge (2016) claim that the very existence of good governance as an absolute is debatable. Given the specified viewpoints, defining good governance as the ability to achieve the defined goals on time with the minimum wastage of resources and negative effects is the best way of defining good governance (Oni et al., 2016). In the context of the South African health concerns, good governance would mean increasing the extent of health literacy by offering its people greater Review (Body) Current Situation in South Africa The present health status of the South African population leaves much to be desired due to the problems in the access to healthcare, namely, the resources that the population requires and the knowledge needed to develop basic health literacy. According to Casale, Wild, Cluver, and Kuo (2015), the current health issues in South Africa are quite vast, with a profoundly adverse effect on citizens. Specifically, the issues of HIV, infectious diseases, undernourishment, mental health, and life expectancy, in general, are the sources of the greatest concern presently (Cooper, Mantell, Moodley, & Mall, 2015). Therefore, steps have to be taken at the legal, economic, and social levels to introduce changes to the South African healthcare landscape. Health Policy: Addressing the Problem of HIV in RSA A recent change in the public health policies may turn the tide and affect the current situation in South Africa. The recent policy adopted to fight the increasing rates of HIV in South Africa displays clearly how important good governance is for producing a well-structured, effective, and people-oriented health policy. According to the key tents of the specified RSA policy, the management of the HIV epidemics observed in the RSA community presently should start with the changes in the framework of healthcare measures aimed at addressing reproductive health issues (Casale et al., 2015). In addition, the policy in question strives to encourage vulnerable groups to use contraceptives as the means of preventing not only HIV contraction but also HIV in newborn babies due to the transfer of the virus from the mother to the infant (Casale et al., 2015). The described policy has been established at the legal and political levels, yet it may need greater sociocultural insight in order to gain efficacy. Herein lies the importance of good governance, which would help to elevate the current set of measures to a new level where sociocultural and economic issues would also be taken into account, thus inciting patient education and promoting health literacy. Effects of Good Governance on Health Policy As the policy under discussion shows, the presence of good governance allows embracing legal, sociocultural, political, and economic factors that deny people access to health services and impede the development of health literacy. Therefore, with the introduction of good governance, current gaps in health literacy can be filled by restructuring the very model of communication between health institutions and citizens. New communication channels will help to introduce citizens to key health safety issues and hazards along with the strategies that they can use to avoid them. In the South African context, the emphasis on increasing literacy levels as the essential strategy against HIV, the premises for the introduction of the specified change into the public health system of the state was quite promising, yet the few social changes made within the state were insufficient to implement the policy fully. Taking retrospect at the specified failed endeavor, one will realize that the lack of connectivity as a critical component of good government was the main impediment in implementing the policy. However, it would be a mistake to assert that the case under analysis represents a reverse example of how good governance affects health rates within a state. On the contrary, the recent policy against HIV mentioned above can be seen as the product of good governance since it emerged after a meticulous and accurate assessment of the needs of the target demographic, hence the across-the-board framework that is meant to provide the basis for an outreach program and educate citizens. The described characteristics of the policy are the direct implications of good governance being used to collect data and compile it in order to transform the existing standards for care into the measures that will affect disadvantaged and dispossessed populations. However, the case under assessment also showcase why the incomplete governance may result in the outcomes of good governance being overshadowed by the lack of understanding of how the current social and health-related processes occur in target society. As the study by Davies, Matthews, Crankshaw, Cooper, and Schwartz (2017) confirms, the lack of support from the authorities responsible for the analysis and assessment of social issues and concerns has been affecting the implementation of the policy quite adversely so far, minimizing its positive effects. Specifically, the research states that “Despite South Africa’s progressive policy and advocacy environment, evidence of demand and pilot project successes, broader integration of safer conception counselling into clinical care has not occurred” (Davies et al., 2017, p. 37). The observed issue is exemplary of how good governance needs to embrace not only health-related, political, financial, technological, and economic factors, but also social ones. The current attitudes toward health management are quite rudimental among RSA citizens, especially those from remote areas where the provision of healthcare services is hampered by the lack of awareness about the social impediments to policy implementation, mainly, the absence of willingness to engage in the dialogue with healthcare providers and accept change. Remarkably, the case of the identified HIV [policy in RSA also shows the importance of establishing connections between different factors in order to define the probability of comorbidities and, therefore, create a cohesive health management strategy: We understand that there are many co-morbidities and we cannot continue to just treat diabetes or HIV for example, on its own. If there is specialised care for diabetes, for HIV and all the other common co-morbidities, how many different vertical and parallel services would we have? However, it is the connection with citizens and a proper understanding of the sociocultural challenges that prevent healthcare policies form having a proper effect is what eludes the RSA authorities currently, devaluing the effects of their governance. As a result, the current HIV management policy lacks the critical aspect of communication with vulnerable groups. Good governance, in turn, would have established and implemented methods for improving communication and establishing a feedback channel through which patient education and awareness promotion would have been possible. However, the RSA authorities still have the chance at adjusting the current policy to make it targeted toward the specific circumstances in which the vulnerable groups have found themselves, namely, the problems related to the consistency of communication with healthcare providers. Nonetheless, the policy for HIV management produced in RSA also offers several examples of how good governance can improve the effectiveness of the public policy and affect health issues productively. For example, the program in question has served it function in managing one of the major concerns within the healthcare system of RSA, which is extraordinarily long waiting time (Werfalli et al., 2017). According to Werfalli et al. (2019), The programme has been shown to reduce the need for stable HIV, hypertension and diabetes patients to visit public primary health-care clinics on a monthly basis to collect their medicines, with the positive effect of decongesting the clinics and reducing waiting times. (p. 5) Therefore, good governance encourages patients to develop health literacy and the habit of frequenting local healthcare services for regular health checks, as well as visits in case of any deviation from the set norm for public health. However, with the lack of awareness about the symptoms and possible sources of threats to which an individual may be exposed when living in the environment that does not allow for the immediate and uninhibited access to health resources. For this reason, the policy adopted by the RSA in relation to HIV also indicates that establishing broad and efficient communication channels to converse with the target population is how good governance affects the formulation and implementation of health policies. Conclusion The ability to include every significant factor into the development of a health policy and implement it in the ay that will offer access to health services to every citizen from any social background is the core aspect of good governance that allows creating and running a good public health policy. As the case of RSA has shown, the analysis of sociocultural obstacles toward building health awareness and literacy is what constitutes the core of the positive impact of good governance on health policies. One might note that the case under analysis cannot be called a complete triumph since it still fails to reach out to some of the most disadvantaged members of the RSA population. Nonetheless, it proves that the presence of good governance helps to connect different aspects of health policy implementation at the social, economic, financial, technological, and legal levels in order to produce a deeply positive impact on public health. Specifically, good governance provides the platform for educating patients, assessing the environment that defines their health status, and integrates every possible resource in order to shed light on a specific health issue and, therefore, make citizens and authorities recognize a respective policy as a crucial mechanism in managing the outlined health concern. In regard to the RSA HIV policy, future changes are necessary to improve communication between healthcare providers and the RSA population in order to encourage health literacy. However, the foundation has been created with the help of good governance based on allocating resources and arranging them in the way that will incite change. References Casale, M., Wild, L., Cluver, L., & Kuo, C. (2015). Social support as a protective factor for depression among women caring for children in HIV-endemic South Africa. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38 (1), 17-27. Web. Cooper, D., Mantell, J. E., Moodley, J., & Mall, S. (2015). The HIV epidemic and sexual and reproductive health policy integration: Views of South African policymakers. BMC Public Health, 15 (1), 217-225. Web. Davies, N. E., Matthews, L. T., Crankshaw, T. L., Cooper, D., & Schwartz, S. R. (2017). Supporting HIV prevention and reproductive goals in an HIV‐endemic setting: Taking safer conception services from policy to practice in South Africa. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 20 , 36-42. Web. Fusheini, A., Eyles, J., & Goudge, J. (2016). The social determinants of health and the role of the health care system: a case study of the significance of good governance in public hospitals in South Africa. Health, 8 (12), 1288-1306. Web. Marais, D. L., & Petersen, I. (2015). Health system governance to support integrated mental health care in South Africa: challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 9 (1), 14-34. Web. Oni, T., Smit, W., Matzopoulos, R., Adams, J. H., Pentecost, M., Rother, H. A.,…van der Westhuizen, C. (2016). Urban health research in Africa: themes and priority research questions. Journal of Urban Health, 93 (4), 722-730. Web. Setyaningrum, D., Wardhani, R., & Syakhroza, A. (2017). Good public governance, corruption and public service quality: Indonesia evidence. International Journal of Applied Business and Economic Research, 15 (19), 327-338. Werfalli, M., Murphy, K., Kalula, S., & Levitt, N. (2019). Current policies and practices for the provision of diabetes care and self-management support programmes for older South Africans. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 11 (1), 1-12. Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The Soviet wellness system was based on using natural resources for treatment, and a special attitude to water became part of not only the physiological but also the psychological profile of the Soviet citizen.The Soviet wellness system was based on using natural resources for treatment, and a special attitude to water became part of not only the physiological but also the psychological profile of the Soviet citizen.
The Soviet wellness system was based on using natural resources for treatment, and a special attitude to water became part of not only the physiological but also the psychological profile of the Soviet citizen. The Soviet wellness system was based on using natural resources for treatment, and a special attitude to water became part of not only the physiological but also the psychological profile of the Soviet citizen.
Soviet Wellness System: Sanatoriums and Bathhouses Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Trend of Using Natural Resources for Treatment 3. Cult of Bathhouses 4. Building Sanatoriums to Preserve Traditions 5. Soviet Holiday Customs and Sanatorium Vacation 6. Uniqueness of the Soviet Wellness System 7. Conclusion 8. Works Cited Introduction The topic of healthcare has always been relevant in the USSR, and during Stalin’s reign, this sector started developing significantly. During the Soviet era, people had an opportunity to undergo wellness treatment in specialised places called sanatoriums, and free trips to such facilities were offered. Particular attention was paid to water procedures as essential health programmes. The cult of bathhouses became a symbol of the Soviet era, which speaks about citizens’ love to hygiene and their respect for traditions and habits, and these customs took their roots in the birth of Christianity and were associated with purification. As a result of the Stalinist plan for the development of medicine, a large number of sanatoriums were opened from 1933 to 1936 during the restoration of Sochi as the main Soviet resort, and the trend of wellness was common (Geisler 18). The healthcare system in the USSR was largely based on using water procedures for the treatment and prevention of various ailments, and a special attitude to water became part of not only the physiological but also the psychological profile of the Soviet citizen. Trend of Using Natural Resources for Treatment The Soviet healthcare system was famous for its commitment not to contemporary developments in the field of rehabilitation but to traditional healing technologies. According to Geisler, physicians in the USSR adhered to the strategy of using natural resources as valuable sources for the prevention of various diseases (2). As a result, the trend of naturalness became a cult trend in the country, and most people considered it their duty to trust specialists promoting such methods of treatment. Therefore, promoting water procedures was one of the key areas in the healthcare system of the state. During the renovations of Soviet resorts, one of the most important procedures was the adoption of radon baths as a traditional way of healing. Veselova agues that this trend was maintained both in the era of the Soviet Union and in modern times, although in many spas, new and modern treatment methods have developed (497). Soviet citizens’ physiological need for water was natural and due to not only the desire for hygiene but also some other motives, in particular, religious beliefs. According to Vujosevic, the Orthodox Church has always encouraged the cleansing of not only the soul but also the body, and regular washing was a psychological characteristic of both Soviet citizens and their ancestors who lived in this territory (2). Natural resources were used in the USSR as those few and affordable means of healing because, at all times of its development, the country had difficult relationships with many powers. The isolation of the state explains why borrowing from foreign wellness practices was limited (Geisler 39). Therefore, the development of local sets of procedures by using water as one of the most accessible natural elements was a reasonable prerequisite. In order to meet the needs of Soviet people in water procedures, the government built resorts on sea coasts. Conterio remarks that the renovation of Sochi during the Stalinist period was justified by the convenient location of the city in the subtropical zone and access to the sea (92). The author compares the work in this region with that carried out in Miami to build recreation centres and notes that the south of the USSR was the most promising region for the development of wellness tourism (Conterio 92). Geisler notes that Soviet geography was so diverse and boundless that the local government had an opportunity to build sanatoriums in different areas (39). However, the development of the country’s southern regions was identified as a priority. As Omidi states, in accordance with the Stalinist plans of the first and second five-year plans, renovations in the field of wellness rehabilitation led to the fact that “by 1939, 1,828 new sanatoriums with 239,000 beds had been built.” This outcome allows talking about the significant interest of the local government in the development of this industry and meeting citizens’ needs in desirable water procedures. Cult of Bathhouses Even before the USSR, the ancestors of Soviet people were anxious about body hygiene and spent much time with water, taking part in various customs associated with baths. These procedures, as a rule, had a religious background and were connected with purification as one of the main covenants of the Orthodox Church (Vujosevic 3). The most accessible and easiest place to access the water was in banyas, or bathhouses, small insulated buildings where the temperature was brought to high degrees due to the glow of stones (Vujosevic 1). Steam was one of the essential elements of washing in banyas. This cult overgrew with traditions quickly, and in the future, Soviet citizens began to use these places not only for washing but also as a tribute to the rituals maintained for many generations (Lissitzky 48). According to Vujosevic, at the initial stage of the country’s inception, this trend was maintained, but after the end of World War II, when the power’s economy was in decline, people were puzzled by other problems (1). Banya traditions started losing their relevance, and even after the stabilisation of public life, less attention was paid to this recreation. However, in the era of mass shortages and bans in the USSR, interest in banyas began to revive. Pollock remarks that the government needed to restore an independent economy that experienced significant problems, and in 1970, at the congress of the Communist Party, it was decided to upgrade the status of bathhouses and other municipal institutions to supplement the country’s budget (225). Despite an extended time period that passed since the change in attitude to baths, Soviet people took this initiative positively, and it became a tradition to spend free time in many city bathhouses. In addition to municipal institutions, private banyas were also built actively, and, according to Klett, every self-respecting landowner considered it one’s duty to construct a bathhouse (264). Although many old bathing ceremonies gave way to a more modern pastime, some traditions were preserved and maintained, and their violation was unacceptable. Such a passion for bathhouses proves that during difficult times in economic and social life, the country’s population did not lose interest in such a phenomenon as joint bathing. Thus, the renewal of traditions became a natural aspect proving people’s love for hygiene. In addition to the craving for water procedures as an integral principle of spiritual and physical purification, some other principles and unwritten laws were promoted in the bathhouses of the USSR. For instance, Klett mentions the “no women” rule and notes that gender-separate visits to bathhouses were mandatory for Soviet citizens who adhered to strict moral principles and, at the same time, respected patriarchal foundations (264). Jargin notes that, despite the healthy nature of steam therapy, in Soviet traditions, visiting a banya was closely associated with alcohol consumption, which was an integral attribute of bathing, and today, this tradition is maintained in many post-Soviet countries (1). People were ready to spend their weekends time in bathhouses, and in the views of many citizens, they perceived this pastime as a healthy and pleasant holiday and considered it extremely necessary. Moreover, various bathing technologies existed, and specially trained people held the positions of professional bathhouse attendants who steamed others and controlled temperature conditions (Pollock 110). All these aspects prove the traditional character of Soviet banyas that have changed little over many decades and remained an integral element of the life of citizens. Building Sanatoriums to Preserve Traditions The large-scale construction of sanatoriums during the Stalinist period of rule was associated not only with the trend for wellness but also with the attempt of the Soviet authorities to preserve the traditions of recreation within the country. Assipova and Minnaert argue that, in accordance with the state law, all citizens of the state had the right to leisure and rest (217). Nevertheless, when analysing the history of the USSR, one can note that the government had a strict course to prevent the penetration of Western culture, and to attract the interest of citizens, the construction of rest houses and sanatoriums was maintained. In addition, it was not easy for an ordinary Soviet person to leave the country, which was favourable for promoting local recreational areas. The arrangement of resort complexes in the area of ​​water resources was of great importance for citizens because, based on the aforementioned religious and healing practices, spiritual and physical cleansing was perceived inextricably. In the context of the country’s development, the availability of sanatoriums was an important aspect. Geisler notes that Soviet medical practices relied heavily on the social determinants of public health, which became the fundamental course determining the local healing system (2). The country that was rich in thermal and mineral waters used this potential to the full extent (Ile and Ţigu 75). The desire of the authorities to maintain a course towards wellness allowed them to ensure that the number of people wishing to visit sanatoriums and rest homes increased constantly. According to Assipova and Minnaert, in 1983, 45 million Soviet citizens spent their holidays in these establishments, although in 1975, this figure was 30 million (218). Such excitement proves the success of the chosen wellness strategy and confirms that rest in conditions of proximity to water resources was extremely widespread and in-demand in the state. Although the health system was a significant sector in the context of the economic development of the USSR, the level of rest was different from that promoted in many foreign resorts. Koenker gives the concept of proletarian tourism that was modest in its manifestation and did not differ in a wide variety of services (53). Conversely, narrow-profile procedures, as a rule, were promoted in the country’s sanatoriums, and many of them were preserved for decades. This constancy can be interpreted as the desire of the government to protect citizens from the penetration of foreign culture into the masses and support the unique health-improving practices that were characteristic of specific regions. Such procedures as mud baths, bathing in mineral waters, and other integral components of traditional medicine made it possible to maintain public interest in local health sites (Geisler 115). Thus, the preservation of wellness traditions was associated with political motives and the government’s desire to provide people with access to national healing practices with an emphasis on water resources. Soviet Holiday Customs and Sanatorium Vacation The attitude of the Soviet people towards weekends was special in view of the political reforms promoted by the government. According to Frost, in 1929, the ruling Communist Party led by Stalin decided to abolish a single day off (Sunday), setting up a special schedule for workers and supporting continuous production in factories. Since the course towards industrial development was strict in that era, such a measure was considered effective for improving economic performance. However, this reform was not effective and was perceived negatively. As a result, ultimately, it was abolished in 1940 (Frost). The country retained Sunday status as an official day off that which many citizens preferred to spend with their families. At the same time, visiting public banyas was common on Saturdays, which became a tradition among people and was perceived as a natural pastime. The Stalinist course towards a policy of wellness was perceived positively among the population, which led to the intensified construction of recreational complexes and the establishment of a vacation system for trips. Voon remarks that during World War II, many establishments of this plan were destroyed or remodelled as hospitals. However, in the future, the course for renovation was laid, which was the beginning of the era of the mass wellness policy. Mcguire argues that spending holidays in Soviet sanatoriums was possible due to “a state-funded voucher system” that included full or partially paid vacations in specialised recreational facilities. As the author states, significant funds were invested in the construction of such rest homes since these buildings were distinguished by innovative architectural solutions and increased comfort for visitors (Mcguire). The proximity to the water was encouraged; therefore, the resorts of the southern regions of the USSR were greatly appreciated. Access to sanatoriums was promoted in a variety of ways, including both financial incentives and transportation facilities. Cowan notes that the USSR government encouraged the creation of a unified system of railways leading to most popular resorts. Rest in sanatoriums was considered a privilege and a valuable opportunity for many citizens to spend time with benefit. Water treatments were in demand, and, as Cowan remarks, even government elites used the services of some recreational facilities. The author calls the entire system of Soviet wellness utopian but emphasises that it was stable and appreciated by people for an opportunity to travel around the country and receive affordable medical services for free (Cowan). Thus, the peculiarities of weekends and holidays in the USSR were closely associated with a healthy lifestyle, and the state plan for the mass construction of sanatoriums confirms the relevance of this type of vacation among Soviet citizens. Uniqueness of the Soviet Wellness System The uniqueness of the Soviet wellness system consisted not only in its attachment to traditions but also in addressing those ailments that were not only of a chronic origin. As Geisler argues, in the USSR, the issue of social diseases was acute, in particular, tuberculosis, nervous disorders and other illnesses caused by the close interaction of people (4). An opportunity to help people with these problems through a unified system of assistance as a rest allowed strengthening the faith of the population in the power of the government and its favour for citizens. Although Orthodox religious trends were condemned by the authorities, increased access to water procedures encouraged the preservation of the traditional practices of spiritual purification, along with the education of the population (Migacheva and Frederick 161). Unlike many Western countries, local wellness institutions were based solely on domestic healing practices, in particular, utilising the useful power of water and its valuable components. Such a traditional nature was intentional, but strict adherence to it was unique for such a large country. The government of the USSR managed to not only create a wide network of recreational complexes throughout the country but also promote a healthy lifestyle successfully. According to Starks, “the healthy body became the manifestation of socialist triumph,” and the widespread slogan about the unity of a body and mind was evidence of the impact on people’s self-awareness (1720). In addition, as Geisler notes, nature was an integral part of this course, and adherence to traditional healing practices proves this assumption (13). The use of water as one of the main components for the treatment of local and general health problems confirms had its objective reasons, and Soviet scholars’ research programmes were aimed at searching for the alternative ways of utilising this natural resource for medical purposes (Smith 365). While considering the size of the USSR, such attention to water was strange for many foreign countries, where various anti-ageing and wellness treatments were offered. However, Soviet citizens supported domestic wellness practices and wanted to get access to water constantly either at resorts or in local urban environments, in particular, bathhouses. While taking into account the social isolation of the USSR, the collective principles of wellness were not unique to this communist state. Nevertheless, socialist tourism, as Rosenbaum argues, allowed creating unified leisure habits, which was part of the state development plan (158). In the end, political fluctuations caused a decline in this area, but the interest of post-Soviet citizens in the affordable ways of healing and, in particular, water remained. This outcome confirms deep-rooted traditions and demonstrates the value of natural wellness practices for the population. Conclusion Adherence to traditional practices was a characteristic feature of the Soviet wellness system in which using water as a key resource was determined not only by physiological but also by psychological attachment to hygiene and purification. The cult of banyas promoted in the country proves how deeply the rituals of bathing were widespread. The wellness trend promoted during the era of Stalin’s rule was supported, and the state system of vouchers offered free services in sanatoriums and rest homes, most of which were located in close proximity to water resources. Preserving traditions was an important aspect of national socialist politics, and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle was a significant achievement of the communist government. The system of weekends and holidays was ambiguous at the initial stage of the country’s formation, but afterwards, people were given separate days as mandatory components of their labour weeks. The uniqueness of the Soviet wellness system lies in various aspects, including traditional medical practices, a system of access to recreational facilities and the unification of people’s leisure habits. Works Cited Assipova, Zhanna, and Lynn Minnaert. “Tourists of the World, Unite! The Interpretation and Facilitation of Tourism Towards the End of the Soviet Union (1962-1990).” Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events , vol. 6, no. 3, 2014, pp. 215-230. Conterio, Johanna. “Inventing the Subtropics: An Environmental History of Sochi, 1929-36.” Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History , vol. 16, no. 1, 2015, pp. 91-120. Cowan, Katy. “ A Glimpse Inside Abandoned Luxury Spa Resorts Built Under the Soviet Union. ” Creative Boom . 2019. Web. Frost, Natasha. “ For 11 Years, the Soviet Union Had No Weekends. ” History . 2018. Web. Geisler, Johanna Conterio. The Soviet Sanatorium: Medicine, Nature and Mass Culture in Sochi, 1917-1991 . Dissertation, Harvard University, 2014. Ile, Florenţa Larisa, and Gabriela Ţigu. “Balneary Tourism Face to Face with Medical Tourism – A Comparative Exploratory Research.” Romanian Economic and Business Review , vol. 12, no. 4, 2017, pp. 72-81. Jargin, Sergei V. “Pine Tree Tapping in Siberia with Special Reference to Alcohol Consumption.” Journal of Addiction & Prevention , vol. 5, no. 1, 2017, p. 1-3. Klett, Tomas Casas I. “Banya Leadership: Where the Master Is a Servant.” The Life of Russian Business , 2019, pp. 263-265. Koenker, Diane P. Club Red: Vacation Travel and the Soviet Dream . Cornell University Press, 2013. Lissitzky, El. “Russia: An Architecture for World Revolution.” Lund Humphries, London , 1979. Mcguire, Caroline. “Inside the Eerie USSR-Era Sanatoriums Where Russians Go for Soviet-Style Spa Breaks.” The Sun . 2017. Web. Migacheva, Katya, and Bryan Frederick. Religion, Conflict, and Stability in the Former Soviet Union . RAND Corporation, 2018. Omidi, Maryam. “Holidays in Soviet Sanatoriums: The Weird and Wonderful Wellness Palaces of the USSR.” The Calvert Journal . 2017. Web. Pollock, Ethan. Without the Banya We Would Perish: A History of the Russian Bathhouse . Oxford University Press, 2019. Rosenbaum, Adam T. “Leisure Travel and Real Existing Socialism: New Research on Tourism in the Soviet Union and Communist Eastern Europe.” Journal of Tourism History , vol. 7, no. 1-2, 2015, pp. 157-176. Smith, Melanie. “Baltic Health Tourism: Uniqueness and Commonalities.” Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism , vol. 15, no. 4, 2015, pp. 357-379. Starks, Tricia A. “Propagandizing the Healthy, Bolshevik Life in the Early USSR.” American Journal of Public Health , vol. 107, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1718-1724. Veselova, E. Sh. “Medical Tourism: Tourism with Health Benefits.” Problems of Economic Transition , vol. 59, no. 6, 2017, pp. 480-500. Voon, Claire. “ The Utopian Leisure of Soviet Sanatoriums. ” Hyperallergic . 2017. Web. Vujosevic, Tijana. “The Soviet Banya and the Mass Production of Hygiene.” Architectural Histories , vol. 1, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1-15.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The essay by Khaled Abou El Fadl examines the issue of moral authority in Islamic law by using a conceptual framework that highlights the key assumptions made throughout the book. The author invites readers to become emotionally and intellectually involved as they savor the contents of this captivating read.
The essay by Khaled Abou El Fadl examines the issue of moral authority in Islamic law by using a conceptual framework that highlights the key assumptions made throughout the book. The author invites readers to become emotionally and intellectually involved as they savor the contents of this captivating read.
“””Speaking in God’s Name: Islamic law, Authority and Women”” by Khaled Abou El Fadl” Essay Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 In the first four chapters of the book, Khaled Abou El Fadl, the author, provides a conceptual framework, which can be used to question moral authority issues together with identifying tyrannical tendencies as an abuse of Islamic law. In the first chapter, which is titled “Induction”, the author highlights the central themes coupled with the key assumptions made throughout the book. The author invites readers to become emotionally and intellectually involved as they savour the contents of this captivating read. Khaled achieves this goal by sharing personal intellectual dilemmas and posing several questions concerning the issue of authority in Islamic law. The second chapter is titled “The Authoritative”, and it is divided into three sections. The author discusses the concept of an authoritative being in Islamic law by examining the idea of the existence of Divine sovereignty, the function of compliance in the creation of authority, and the purpose of judges. In the third chapter, named “A summary transition”, the author sums up some key concepts to introduce chapter four. Khaled defines and discusses issues surrounding the concepts of competence, determination, and authoritarianism within the context of Islamic law. Chapter 3 offers an overview of the author’s arguments, and it would be helpful for readers not interested in the finer details of the book. In chapter 4, the author explores the role of a text in determining the meaning. He discusses the idea of the text in relation to the authority by using the Quran and Sunnah. The issue of unreasonableness when interpreting different texts is discussed in depth to highlight some of the abusive legal practices entrenched in contemporary Islam. When people are unreasonable, they interpret texts erroneously, which may lead to authoritarianism. Chapter 5 In this chapter, the author explores how the concept of authoritarianism is created. According to the author, authoritarianism can be borne out of different scenarios. For instance, unreasonable or speculative interpretations of texts can be termed epistemological authoritarianism. Besides, in some cases, the source of the meaning of a text is tied to its authorial intent, thus limiting the associated instabilities, especially when interpreting the meaning. Similarly, in other cases, any governed interpretation of a text to derive meaning is rejected to allow self-directed versions, which is autocratic in nature. The author argues that in the Islamic context, authoritarianism has emerged due to the lack of self-restraint, which ultimately usurps the Divine Will through fraudulent claims. In the process, the ontological reality of the Divine is marginalised, and the interpreter of a given text thus becomes self-referential. In this dynamic of authoritarianism, the line between the Divine and the agent or the interpreter becomes blurred, and thus the two are indistinct. Consequently, the will of the message from the Divine and the agent’s speech becomes the same thing as the latter’s interpretations superimpose the former’s instructions. Therefore, the agent’s message becomes irrevocable and absolute because he or she presumably represents the Divine through textual or non-textual indicators. The problem with authoritarianism is that it negates the autonomy and integrity of such indicators. Therefore, the voice of the indicators is subject to the agent’s interpretation, and thus meaning cannot evolve within different communities. The agent may interpret the instructions of the Divine recklessly, negligently, or dishonestly to assign meaning, which he or she follows religiously regardless of the availability of compelling evidence of a different meaning of the text. Therefore, the agent becomes despotic, hence the birth of authoritarianism. The author divides this chapter into four sections to explore the issue of authoritarianism. The first section is about the underlying principles that govern authoritarianism. On this issue, the author argues that agents tend to interpret texts from the Principal or the Divine by creating unchangeable and stable determinations. For instance, the author argues that the idea of Muslim women covering their entire bodies except hands and face is a function of an authoritarian interpretation of the Quran. In the second section, the author argues that Islamic law is a work in the movement. To understand this concept, the author argues that the reader should distance himself or herself from the text in order to understand it without replacing it. The third section discusses the basics of religion and the associated burdens of proof. The Islamic religion is based on the uṣūl or certain truths. However, the author questions how the uṣūl can be proved as the truth. In the last section, the author introduces the issue of moral objections to authoritarianism in Islam. The author argues that there has been a conflict between faith-based and reason-based arguments, especially when people’s assumptions lie outside the legal framework of Islamic law. Discussion Questions 1. Should Muslim women wear the hijab if the Quran is interpreted without epistemological bias? 2. How can the authenticity of Islamic law be established from a neutral standpoint using the Quran and Sunnah ? 3. How can human knowledge, which is used in interpreting Divine texts, be separated from God’s knowledge? 4. What is the authenticity of the uṣūl ? 5. How true is the statement – “every mujtahid is correct?” Chapter 6 In chapter 6, “The anatomy of authoritarian discourses”, the author discusses the evolution of authoritarianism in Islamic laws. The chapter is divided into four major sections. The first part is on the death of the juristic tradition in Islamic law. The author argues that Islamic law has evolved through investigation, exploration, and adjudication, and thus it had no place for inertia or settlement. The makers of Islamic law used methodological approaches and normative principles to develop it from the Common Law legal system. As such, jurists incorporated adjudications of judges into the normative legal system to develop Islamic law. The author argues that if Islamic law is subjected to an epistemological process of searching and understanding, then it is dead. However, in modern times, Islamic law is taken to mean a set of settled and closed rules or aḥkām . Therefore, Islamic laws can only exist as aḥkām, but not as fiqh, which is the epistemological process. The second section of this chapter explores the aspect of consistency by discussing the challenges associated with marital vows, high heels, and bras within Islamic laws. The idea of Muslim women wearing bras is only acceptable within a given context. For instance, if a woman wears a bra for health reasons, the practice is permissible. However, if the same woman wears the same bra to prop her breasts to appear younger, she is condemned. The author questions the idea of determining the legality of a practice based on context because it introduces the element of inconsistencies when delivering justice. Therefore, the author argues that Islamic law has numerous grey areas that lack specificity on how people should conduct themselves. The author explores issues surrounding the wearing of high heels and marital vows using the same approach. In the third section, the author talks about the selectivity of evidence. In this context, selectivity is taken to mean using evidence that could potentially desecrate the principles of honesty, comprehensiveness, and diligence. For instance, an agent might be selective in looking for evidence to the extent of ignoring the meaning of the instructions from the Divine. As such, the agent may start looking for evidence from the instructions instead of reading and interpreting them with the intention of understanding. In such a case, the agent violates the principles of comprehensiveness, and the gathered evidence is selective. If the agent makes determinations based on such evidence, he or she is deemed to have used assumptions and a biased line of thought, which entrench the culture of authoritarianism in Islamic law. The last section of this chapter explores the idea that interests can be balanced using discretion as to the founding principle of legal analysis. The author argues that while the process of determining a given issue is based on a set of rules, discretion is needed in a bid to make the right decision. However, to use discretion appropriately, competence is required. The author argues that the problem of such an approach to making a judgment under Islamic law is the assumption that the determination is God’s unwavering decree. However, this assertion cannot be true because discretion and the judge’s experience are part of the determination process. Discussion Questions 1. What are some of the similarities between Islamic law and Common Law? 2. What are the major differentiating characteristics of aḥkām and fiqh ? 3. In the case of women’s bras, who is prohibiting what? Does the Divine give clear instructions on this issue? 4. Is anyone obligated to accept determinations based on selective evidence? 5. What was the competence of the agents who interpreted the Divine instructions in the making of Islamic laws? 6. Why does Islamic law treat women differently from men? Chapter 7 The last chapter of this book is divided into five sections discussing some of the faith-based assumptions and determinations that demean women under Islamic law. The majority of juristic determinations made under Islamic law against women are negligent or reckless. In the process of interpreting instructions from the Divine, the agent violates honesty, comprehensiveness, diligence, and self-restraint. As such, the agent makes analytically flawed determinations by failing to distinguish instructions from the Divine and constructs that evolve through the interpretive process of such texts. In other words, the agents are morally incompetent to make just determinations. In the first section of the chapter, the author talks about the issue of women prostrating before their husbands and licking their ulcers while at the same time struggling with Ḥadīth. In this context, women are expected to obey their husbands without asking questions. It does not matter whether the husbands are wrong, illogical, or unjust, they must be obeyed. However, these assumptions and laws are based on an epistemological error in the interpretation of the Quran. Besides, the Prophet allegedly commanded wives to submit to their husbands to the point of prostrating before them. However, these arguments denigrate the moral status of women in society. In the second section of this chapter, the author continues to prove the inadequacy of the classical methodology of traditions that were used to make Islamic law. For example, the author questions the premise that for a woman to enter heaven, she has to make her husband happy. The author argues that patriarchal traditions played a major role in creating a system that demeans women. In most cases, jurists made determinations that excluded women and banished them from public places. These laws were made based on the construct of fitnah, which espouses the idea of opening doors for evil to enter. The author debunks and deconstructs the myths surrounding this concept and concludes that it is flawed and it contradicts the core values of Sharī‘ah. At best, fitnah relies on dubious logic, and it enslaves women in many aspects. Towards the end of this chapter, the author argues that some traditions desecrate the founding principles and ethical principles of the Islamic message. The author suspects that the principles used to demean women in Islamic law embody some elements of racism and sexism. Patriarchy has been used to abuse and misuse God’s power by imposing suffocating chauvinistic rules on Muslim women. Besides, authoritarianism has infiltrated Islamic law whereby agents become small gods by making biased and self-serving determinations. The issue of gender-based discrimination in Islamic law is complex, and women have suffered its consequences for a long. Therefore, Muslim legal specialists should come together and think of amicable ways to address some of the issues that have been affecting the Islamic religion since it was founded. Discussion Questions 1. Why did the Prophet order wives to prostrate before men even after acknowledging that no human being should bow to another? Was this a legal, cultural, or social issue? 2. Did the instructions demeaning women in the Quran come from the Divine, or they are a creation of chauvinistic agents? 3. Why is pleasing her husband part of a woman’s prerequisites to enter heaven? 4. What were some of the social resistance aspects that affected early Islamic reforms concerning women? 5. How can Muslim women be liberated from gender-based discrimination entrenched in Islamic law without destroying their faith in the Prophet and Allah?
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Write the original essay for the following summary: The text highlights the demographic categories that attitudinal studies have found to be influential in attitudes toward students with disabilities. These include gender, training, and years of teaching experience.Gender: Studies comparing gender differences in attitudes toward students with disabilities have presented mixed results. Yuker (1994) stated that although past studies have reported positive attitudes for females, the differences between the genders are diminishing. Findings from studies carried out in the 1990s recapitulated in a review of the
The text highlights the demographic categories that attitudinal studies have found to be influential in attitudes toward students with disabilities. These include gender, training, and years of teaching experience. Gender: Studies comparing gender differences in attitudes toward students with disabilities have presented mixed results. Yuker (1994) stated that although past studies have reported positive attitudes for females, the differences between the genders are diminishing. Findings from studies carried out in the 1990s recapitulated in a review of the
Special Education Teachers’ Attitudes and Factors Essay This section highlights the demographic categories that attitudinal studies have found to be influential in attitudes toward students with disabilities. The themes that follow, which include gender, training, and years of teaching experience, were found within several studies assessing educators’ attitudes toward learners with disabilities. Gender Studies comparing gender differences in attitudes toward students with disabilities have presented mixed results. Yuker (1994) stated that although past studies have reported positive attitudes for females, the differences between the genders are diminishing. Findings from studies carried out in the 1990s recapitulated in a review of the literature establish that in about 67% of undertaken researches, female educators had a higher positive attitude concerning disabilities than their male counterparts (Avramidis & Norwich, 2002). Subsequently, some present studies are still consistently reporting disparities between genders, mostly with females articulating more favorable attitudes than males (De Boer & Pijl, 2011; Vas et al., 2015). Findings from previous studies contribute to the proof that gender seems to be an indicator of attitudes for educators toward disabilities with male teachers showing a more negative stance when compared to female ones (Avramidis & Norwich, 2002; De Boer & Pijl, 2011; Vas et al., 2015). Despite the rationale behind the gendered disparity remaining open to speculation, studies have attributed it to a higher forbearance and more dynamic teaching mindset in females than males. This indicates that there might be no distinction between female and male educators when it comes to the provision of inclusive education (Woodcock, 2013). Training In existing studies, training seems to be a major aspect that sways educators’ capacity to modify their teaching approaches (Shulman, 2013). Training can be about content knowledge (for example, knowledge about ABS), pedagogical knowledge (for instance, including teaching ABS policies), and pedagogic content knowledge (such as how to teach specific content to a particular learner in an outlined context (Matherson & Windle, 2017). In teaching, the training of learners with disabilities was linked to a positive attitude toward such students. Vas et al. (2015) highlighted the significance of concentrating on the training of educators. In particular, vehemence needs to be set on promoting pedagogic content knowledge associated with learners with disabilities when seeking to sway educators’ attitudes positively toward such students. Years of Experience Researches comparing the impact of variations on attitudes toward teaching learners with disabilities have established that educators with a few years of experience have a more positive disposition than their more practiced colleagues (Alnahdi, 2012; De Boer & Pijl, 2011; Vas et al., 2015). Alnahdi (2012) found that there was very little difference in teachers’ attitudes toward teaching students with ID based on their years of experience, which ranged from 0 to 30. Educators who have less than five years of practice show a statistically significant higher positive attitude when compared to the ones who have been teaching for five or more years. This could be attributed to the fact that educators who have been teaching for less than five years graduated lately from special education schools, which results in their strong association with theoretical notions that are often in educator preparation programs in institutions of higher education. On the contrary, teachers who have been teaching for five years and above tend to be more reasonable and less naive in their opinions attributable to the actual teaching practice (Alnahdi, 2012).
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Spiritual Disciplines and the False Self The phenomenon of a false self is typically rendered as one of the options for explaining the process of spiritual formation from a minister's perspective. The essay examines the role of spiritual disciplines in helping a minister to avoid the trap of a false self and to develop a more profound understanding of Christianity.
Spiritual Disciplines and the False Self The phenomenon of a false self is typically rendered as one of the options for explaining the process of spiritual formation from a minister's perspective. The essay examines the role of spiritual disciplines in helping a minister to avoid the trap of a false self and to develop a more profound understanding of Christianity.
Spiritual Disciplines, False Self, and Silent Retreat: Exploring the Process of Spiritual Formation from a Minister’s Perspective Essay (Critical Writing) Spiritual Disciplines Particularly Useful to a Minister Practicing spirituality is a crucial process for a minister since the use of spiritual disciplines allows for rapid growth. Therefore, to ensure that their development is consistent and that higher planes of spirituality are pursued, a minister should consider practicing a wide range of disciplines. Although the choice of spiritual practices hinges significantly on the specifics of one’s characteristics, needs, and unique path of spiritual development, there are several universal disciplines that a minister should find very helpful due to their profound and lasting impact. These include fasting, a close reading of the Scripture, and prayer. The choice of fasting-related practices, the Scripture reading, and praying as the crucial disciplines that a minister should practice are necessitated by several factors. First and most obvious, a minister has to focus on the unceasing spiritual growth, which self-exploration in connection to Christianity encouraged by the selected disciplines will spur. Reading the Scripture as the source of inspiration, wisdom, joy, and truth will allow one to explore the Christian philosophy, including its values and how they have changed over decades (Scazzero, 2006). Therefore, the use of the specified discipline is indispensable for a minister who is eager to learn and lead others. Moreover, the chosen disciplines will help a minister to address important issues of formation, namely, avoiding temptations, which represent another stumbling block on the way of spiritual self-actualization. By finding humility in fasting and combining it with worship, study, retreat, and daily office, one can analyze one’s urges and desires and examine them closely, thus dissecting the nature of temptation and its causes (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). The revelation that will occur after profound analysis of one’s desires and needs will lead to the ways of overcoming temptations, restoring one’s spiritual balance, and returning to the path of virtue. In addition, a combination of fasting and praying as the means of self-cognition may lead to insights into human nature, in general, thus allowing a minister to understand the challenges experienced by the members of their parish and their students. As a result, a minister will lead the target audience to the means of leading a virtuous life (Scazzero, 2006). Finally, the inclusion of the described disciplines into the spiritual practices of a minister will allow the latter to build a well-coordinated leadership approach. As a teacher and a minister, one should demonstrate the qualities that the rest of the parish should acquire to progress on their spiritual journey. Spiritual Disciplines and the False Self The phenomenon of a false self is typically rendered as one of the options of spiritual development and the fostering of the qualities that will make one deviate from the path of enlightenment. According to Scazzero (2006), the true self is what people become once they choose the path of sin and step away from the virtue-based principles in which the very foundation of Christianity is rooted. However, it should be noted that the described state does not exclude the chance of salvation. In actuality, the very term of the “false self” implies that the choice of a sinful life is innately unnatural to people and that redemption may lead to the discovery of one’s “true self” (Scazzero, 2006, p. 96). At the same time, Mulholland and Barton (2016) point out that even after years of following Christian practices, one may fail to discover one’s true self and, instead, remain in the grip of the false one. However, opening one’s life to the notion of the true self and compliance with the Christian values and God’s grace can be possible as long as one strives to follow essential spiritual disciplines. Awakening, purgation, and illumination should be deemed as the crucial spiritual exercises that one should adopt when attempting to transform one’s self and discover its true nature. The true self is linked to the idea of “distinguishing one’s true self from the demands and voices around you and discerning the unique vision, calling, and mission the Father has given to you” (Scazzero, 2006, p. 97). Based on the given definition, one may infer that the concept in question manifests the awakening to the need to resist temptations and follow Christian traditions, values, and virtues to embrace the concept of Christlikeness as the embodiment of virtues and philosophy that Jesus Christ taught (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). In turn, purgation as an exercise in humility will lead to the acquisition and training of inner strength is a crucial step toward building one’s true self. Illumination, in turn, will open one’s soul to the study of the fears, uncertainties, and confusions that one may possess (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). As a result, one will embark on a continuous journey of self-discovery, thus paving the way to one’s true self. Combined with the study of the Scripture, awakening, purgation, and illumination will allow one to develop Christlikeness and, thus approach one’s true self. The final stage of the discovery, which is defined as Union, will imply a leap into the realm of self-knowledge and self-cognition, helping one to reconcile with one’s fears and innate conflicts to find inner peace. Thus, one will become one’s true self, gaining the ability to lead others to a personal revelation. Silent Retreat Response Introduction The importance of a Silent Retreat is very high for a minister practicing spiritual disciplines and seeking their true self. Defined as the use of solitude and other spiritual practices to rediscover one’s true self and embark onto a journey of spiritual growth, the notion of the Silent Retreat embraces the search for answers to the questions related to the meaning of existence and one’s purpose (Job, Shawchuck, & Mogabgab, 2013). Therefore, by using the Silent Retreat exercise, one can start the journey of simplicity and humility as the path to personal growth. Basic Information Getting ready for the ritual of the Silent Retreat is paramount for performing the described Christian practice properly and take the necessary steps toward the ultimate goal of assuming crucial Christian values. Approaching the notion of Christlikeness and seeking ways of improving oneself to become a better Christian leader and a better person, in general, were deemed as the key goals of the Silent Retreat. The Silent Retreat began on Friday, June 21, 2019, and took place from 6 a.m. to noon, amounting to 6 hours total. The Daily Reading for Reflection was used as the key model for the procedure, with Chapters 1-13 playing a particularly important role in the implementation. Difficulties and Challenges The idea of the Silent Retreat might seem like an activity that does not involve any emotional labor or spiritual effort, yet the identified assumption could not be farther away from the truth. The process of exploring the spiritual self and seeking the means of discovering new facets of texts in the Scripture, as well as praying in solitude, was often disrupted by the presence of disruptive sounds. The family members showed impressive respect toward the ritual of the Silent Retreat by leaving and allowing engaging in the spiritual practices without any distracting factors that their presence could have entailed. Similarly, the sounds of cars passing by were not annoying enough to have any effect on the process of self-cognition. However, neighborhood dogs were far too loud to concentrate fully on the process of spiritual cleansing and the uninhibited search for the true self. Similarly, the sounds of lawnmowers, as well as the children playing next to the house created the disruption that made it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the spiritual core of the Silent Retreat process. In retrospect, the described obstacles could be seen as the tests for the ability to concentrate and focus solely on spiritual progress. Although the impact that the elements and aspects of the secular world have on people are undeniably strong, it is our Christian duty to withstand temptations when presented with such, thus building our path toward spiritual development. Moreover, the distractions mentioned above could be regarded as an essential part of the spiritual practice in question. Without any temptations or potential for disruption, the value of the Silent Retreat would be quite low since the amount of emotional labor and spiritual effort put into it would be close to zero. Thus, the overall experience of the Silent Retreat could be seen as positive. Spiritual Struggles and Victories The process of practicing the Silent Retreat was not devoid of numerous spiritual struggles that were inflicted by both external and internal factors. The former emerged mostly due to the plethora of distractions that served as potential disruptions of the Silent Retreat. However, there have also been several victories that signified another step in spiritual growth. Achieving mindfulness as an essential aspect of the silent retreat practice should be recognized as an important stage in the discovery of self and creating the platform for developing the qualities associated with Christlikeness. Moreover, the development of a mindful attitude toward Christian practices, in general, and the process of the silent retreat, in particular, has provided insights into the perception of Christina’s values and their application. Another triumph in practicing the silent Retreat as a crucial exercise associated with the development of Christlikeness, the learned ability to let go of one’s self completely, including the process of abstracting oneself from one’s body. The described stage of personal spiritual growth is worth being mentioned due to the chances that it opens for further training in humility. The observed phenomenon can be linked to the experiences that took place during fasting since they also led to the refutation of one’s corporal self and the acceptance of one’s spiritual nature (Aguirre, 2018). However, with the focus on all spiritual practices involved along with the creation of the environment that included few distractions, the notion of humility and one’s spiritual essence were eventually embraced fully. Despite several struggles linked to the persistent nature of outside distractions, the overall practice of the Silent Retreat could be defined as successful. A plethora of different personal discoveries were made, including insights about the importance of humility, the nature of one’s true self, and the opportunities for exploring the phenomenon of Christlikeness in depth. New Insights and Discoveries Although the process of the Silent Retreat was a rather demanding and completely exhausting experience, it provided crucial discoveries about the nature of the true self and the strategies that a minister as a leader and a teacher can use in their parish to educate people about the notion of Christlikeness and the idea of God. Representing the example of Christlikeness themselves, a minister can promote the notion of humility, Christian unity, and the importance of Christian values to the community. Moreover, the results of the Silent Retreat have allowed revisiting some of the passages in the Scripture to grasp the weight and significance thereof better. As a result, the concept of the homogeneity of the Christian community as a necessary characteristic required for spiritual growth was embraced. The observed insight led to another conclusion that suggested the need to promote the notion of humility and Christlikeness as the basic values that others in the Christian community should encapsulate. Moreover, a crucial discovery that was made during the Silent Retreat concerned praying as a discipline and a spiritual exercise. One might argue that the practice of praying has been explored and studied in its entirety and that there is nothing new to be said about it. Nonetheless, in the context of the Silent Retreat, the notion of prayer as the internal dialogue has gained a new meaning, implying the changes in the perception of God and the act of communicating to Him. Conclusion The role of a spiritual leader and the responsibilities thereof, as well as the strategies with the help of which the identified roles and responsibilities could be executed, were crystallized during the Silent Retreat practice. The internal dialogue coupled with the focus on the study of essential passages from the scripture showed that a spiritual leader should guide people toward unity and promote the notion of Christlikeness as the basis for improving relationships with others. Thus, the experience of the Silent Retreat gave insights into the role of a minister as a spiritual guide. References Aguirre, B. (2018). Mindfulness and meditation: Your questions answered . Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Job, R. P., Shawchuck, N., & Mogabgab (2013). A guide to prayer for all who walk with God. Nashville, TN: The Upper Room. Mulholland, M. R., & Barton, R. H. (2016). Invitation to a journey: A roadmap for spiritual formation . Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Scazzero, P. (2006) Emotionally healthy spirituality: Unleash a revolution in your life in Christ . Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: The text discusses the complex path of spiritual development and how a course on spiritual formation can help participants to gain a more insightful perspective into the meaning of Christlikeness.
The text discusses the complex path of spiritual development and how a course on spiritual formation can help participants to gain a more insightful perspective into the meaning of Christlikeness.
Spiritual Formation: Scrutinizing Changes and Evaluating Progress Essay (Critical Writing) Table of Contents 1. Looking Forward 2. Defining Spiritual Formation 3. Personal Spiritual Assessment 4. References Looking Forward The path of spiritual development is complex and paved with multiple challenges, yet there is an evident possibility to attain a higher level of spirituality after finishing the course. It seems that, after the studying is complete, one can develop a more insightful perspective into the meaning of Christlikeness and the ideas that it strives to convey. Specifically, it is expected to become evident that the importance of unity among Christians should take the main priority as the goal that the Christian community has to attain. With the focus on bringing people of the Christian faith together and the promotion of Christian values and virtues, the course will shed a lot of light on the role of a leader and the strategies that can be used to convince people to accept the essential principles of the Christian faith. The course is also expected to provide the platform for research and profound contemplations regarding the selection of wording used in the Bible and the impact that it has on its readers. An analysis of Biblical texts and their contextualization will reveal how one can shape people’s attitudes toward the issue of Christian unity and the ideas that allow brining the community together, particularly, the perception of specific signifiers of Christian faith. Thus, during the course, the choice of framing Biblical events and narratives as the means of shaping people’s beliefs and ideas is believed to be studied. Furthermore, opportunities for inspiring Christians and introducing them to a coherent and consistent dialogue regarding the essentials of faith will been discovered. Overall, it is assumed that the course will familiarize its participants with the principles of spiritual formation. The latter might seem as a rather obscure term, yet it, in fact, embraces several very clear notions such as personal perception of Christian values, the development of spiritual insight, and the ability to mature emotionally as a Christian believer. Although the described interpretation of spiritual formation seems comprehensive enough, it could still use significant improvements. Therefore, it is expected that the course in question will offer more extensive knowledge of the concept of spiritual formation and the strategies that can encourage spiritual growth. Moreover, since a Christian leader also has to focus on promoting spiritual development in others, the notion of spiritual formation as a community process will need to be explored. Similarly, the role of a leader in shaping people’s perception of Christian values and philosophy will have to be analyzed to determine the critical aspects of increasing spirituality and emotional maturity within a specific cultural setting. Defining Spiritual Formation Gaining spiritual insight is a multifaceted process that involves several stages, education being one of them. Representing one’s growth and maturity as a Christian, the notion of spiritual formation incorporates several aspects of personal development that have to be explored in order to reach a new stage of spirituality. At the same time, the phenomenon under analysis may contain several meanings depending on the facet of Christian beliefs that is being addressed by mentioning it (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). In the Pentecostal tradition, with which I identify myself as a Christian leader, the concept of spiritual formation is typically rendered as the “process of forming believers in the image of Christ” (Feller & Lombaard, 2018, p. 8). Therefore, spiritual formation can be deemed as the endeavor at following the words and wisdom of Jesus Christ while shaping one’s religious beliefs and defining one’s Christian values that constitute the bulk thereof. The process of religious formation in the Pentecostal tradition also involves balancing the development of the mind with the one of the body. In order to train one’s mind, one has to scrutinize the ideas that Jesus Christ conveyed in his teachings. The resulting revelation with which one’s personal journey into the next stage of the spiritual development will begin is a crucial step toward progress (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). As Feller and Lombaard (2018) state, “The mind will in Pentecostal theology learn the truth of Christ and grows under the Great Teacher” (p. 8). As far as the needs of the body are concerned in the Pentecostal movement, following the example of Christ is also necessary. Feller and Lombaard (2018) explain that “Conforming the body to Christ’s behaviours will implement the standard of Christ in demonstrable actions displaying the Lordship of Jesus” (p. 8). Therefore, based on the Pentecostal Christianity concepts, the process of spiritual growth involves introducing balance to caring for the emotional, mental, and physical progress by familiarizing oneself with the life, philosophies, and beliefs of Jesus. The significance of the described aspects of spiritual growth is stressed throughout the Scripture, with the most prominent ideas being linked to the examples of people experiencing spiritual decay. For instance, the importance of following the example of Jesus Christ in abstinence from hedonistic behaviors is mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke (Mulholland & Barton, 2016). Specifically, it is mentioned that those failing to follow the described teachings “are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (“Luke 8:14-15,” n.d.). Thus, the importance of training one’s body along with one’s soul is emphasized directly. Personal Spiritual Assessment As a Pentecostal pastor, who plays the role of a spiritual leader, and an educator in an Adult Sunday School, one has to incorporate several practices of spiritual development into one’s leadership approach. Studying the Scripture and other essential religious texts is one of the crucial facets of a pastor’s spiritual development since it provides me with a profound insight into the teachings of Jesus and their implementation in the context of the school and one’s parish. Moreover, by subjecting religious texts to scrutiny, one can develop new insights and share them with one’s students and parish members to encourage their curiosity and promote a better understanding of Biblical texts. Apart from exercises for the brain described above, one should also engage in the physical and spiritual practices that will allow one to advance in one’s spiritual development. Specifically, one should recognize fasting and praying as the key spiritual disciplines that constitute one’s religious practice presently. The focus on fasting will serve as the basis for developing the humility required for gaining a greater degree of spirituality, at the same time focusing on the notions of humility and humble life. Fasting reflects critical viewpoints on the idea of physical changes and the associated challenges that one needs to face in order to explore the essence of Jesus Christ’s teachings and philosophy. Teaching humility through fasting and the associated restrictions allows one to cleanse one’s soul and focus on the contemplations associated with one’s spiritual progress. Due to the challenges associated with fasting, one can detach oneself from the mundane aspects of one’s secular life and study tone’s interpretation of the critical principles and values associated with the Christian teachings, as well as changes in one’s attitude toward them. Therefore, the process of fasting is both a physical and a spiritual challenge that leads to the development of a new source of satisfaction, which is less secular than the traditional elements of one’s life. The significance of praying as a crucial constituent of the mental growth and a profound analysis of one’s knowledge of the Christian thought is truly priceless as well. Although praying in this context is linked to mental exercises as opposed to fasting, which is seen as a slightly more physiological one praying can also be seen as an attempt to encourage one’s emotional development. Similarly to fasting, which implies not only physical challenges but also spiritual cleansing, praying represents a twofold process of growth. On the one hand, it helps one to seek one’s true understanding of the Biblical values and principles. On the other hand, it implies addressing God directly and, therefore, represents a moment of personal growth as an exercise in emotional development. The positive effects of the practices mentioned above are quite evident. Among the key benefits that praying, fasting, and exploring religious texts, one can build a strong system of Christian values and beliefs. The described advantage bears especially high significance for a person promoting faith to a community and encouraging people to accept Christian values. Specifically, the practices in question provide the foundation for teaching the essentials of Christian faith to the target demographic. In addition, as a Pentecostal minister, one should consider engaging people into the exploration of Biblical texts and a thorough study of their meaning. Finally, the proposed activities allow one to become a role model for Christian believers to follow. For a minister, it is essential to prompt the spiritual development in the members of one’s parish. Similarly, the described goal has a crucial significance for teachers at Sunday schools, where people need guidance and support in their study and analysis of the Bible and its implicit meanings. Thus, by adopting the described methods as part and parcel of one’s religious practices, one will gain the skills required to guide students to the required ideas and help them build a Christian philosophical system. Thus, the target audience will follow the ethical standards and principles of the Christian faith by viewing their Christian leader as a role model who provides a worthwhile example of becoming a better person and a more inspired believer. Apart from one’s life as a minister and a spiritual leader, the proposed changes integrated into everyday Christian rituals will lead to vast improvements in one’s spiritual life. For example, it will become possible to develop better knowledge of the foundational principles of Christianity and the meaning of Christlikeness. Viewing the life, spiritual journey, personal beliefs, and spiritual values of Jesus Christ as an example worth following, one will be able to approach the notion of Christlikeness. Thus, one will contribute to making the world a significantly better place through the implementation of the critical postulates that Jesus promoted. Although approaching the sanctity of Jesus is impossible, it is a viable idea to better the world by taking small steps in the direction that He showed in His teachings. Nonetheless, there are some practices that might seem reasonable at first, yet cease to bring the joy and spiritual satisfaction that they are expected to deliver. For example, it would not be a sensible idea to criticize someone for failing to convert every member of their community to Pentecostal Christianity. Accepting differences in cultures and acknowledging the need for a theological dispute are some of the signs of personal and spiritual growth for a minister and a Christian teacher. The Bible incorporates a large variety of texts and books that may speak to their readers directly, causing them to experience a spiritual revelation and prompting years of further development and growth. However, there is also a variety of other readings that may prompt one’s spiritual growth or steer it in an absolutely new direction that will lead to new personal discoveries. Academic readings addressing various theological points of dispute, such as “The Routledge Companion to the Practice of Christian Theology” (Higton & Fodor, 2018) can be deemed worthy of considering as the platform for spiritual growth. Overall, the present experience of the spiritual journey can be described as a continuous process of self-cognition and the attempts at connecting emotional, physical, and mental development. By directing the further analysis at one’s self and the transformation of the current interpretations of religious beliefs, one can develop a proper insight into one’s spiritual growth. References Feller, J., & Lombaard, C. (2018). Spiritual formation towards Pentecostal leadership as discipleship . Koers, 83 (1), 1-12. Higton, M., & Fodor, J. (2018). The Routledge companion to the practice of Christian theology . New York, NY: Routledge. Luke 8:14-15 . (n.d.). Web. Mulholland, M. R., & Barton, R. H. (2016) Invitation to a journey: A roadmap for spiritual formation . Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: The essay discusses how confidence and self-efficacy can influence an athlete's performance. The essay also talks about how anxiety can affect an athlete's performance and how individual differences can also play a role in an athlete's performance.The essay discusses how confidence and self-efficacy can influence an athlete's performance. The essay also talks about how anxiety can affect an athlete's performance and how individual differences can also play a role in an athlete's performance.
The essay discusses how confidence and self-efficacy can influence an athlete's performance. The essay also talks about how anxiety can affect an athlete's performance and how individual differences can also play a role in an athlete's performance. The essay discusses how confidence and self-efficacy can influence an athlete's performance. The essay also talks about how anxiety can affect an athlete's performance and how individual differences can also play a role in an athlete's performance.
Sports Performance: Athlete’s Actions Report Introduction With regard to sports events, psychological concepts and theories are not limited to the study of the behaviour of athletes and their motives. Various aspects are taken into account, including the effects of stress, anxiety, self-control, and other factors affecting the results of sporting fights. In order to determine what effect such psychological nuances have, a soccer match will be taken as a basis. As a target participant for analysis, the captain of one of the teams will be interviewed. Based on his answers and observations of the game, relevant conclusions will be made regarding the interpretation of the performance situation within the framework of special psychological concepts. This work is aimed at determining the factors that characterise certain actions of athletes and the analysis of psychological concepts that are closely related to competitive activities. Performer’s Background The sports performance in question is a soccer national championship match. As an object of analysis, the captain of the winning team was interviewed and, based on the assessment of his behaviour and the work of the entire team, it is possible to identify some specific nuances. The athlete’s desire to win was obvious, and his efforts made it possible to achieve a high result, despite nerves and stress experienced during the match. As the game progressed, the captain’s team lost, and some players looked morally depressed due to the inability to change the course of the match. However, after the break, the players managed to change the preponderance of forces, and the captain’s merit in it was substantial since he encouraged the teammates and motivated them. As a result, with a slight advantage, the players achieved their goal, and the captain was recognised as the best player of the match. To comply with the ethical standards of the survey, the identity of the performer is not disclosed since anonymity is an important condition for an unbiased study. However, to prove the validity of the results, it is necessary to resort to the analysis of individual behavioural and other aspects of the athlete in question with the help of special psychological concepts. Based on these data, a comprehensive picture will be obtained, and appropriate conclusions will be made. Analysis of Psychological Factors Influencing Performance The evaluation of the athlete’s actions through the application of current psychological theories may help to determine the causes of certain emotional manifestations and highlight the most significant behavioural factors. The following practices will be considered as key approaches taken as rationale: the confidence and self-efficacy theory, concepts related to anxiety and its manifestation, as well as the principles for assessing personality and individual differences. Based on these approaches, the analysis of the performer’s actions will be conducted. Confidence and Self-Efficacy Theory Since the preparation for the match was essential, the athlete was probably under stress and was ready for different outcomes of the rivalry. However, in the course of the struggle, the team managed to seize the initiative and achieve victory. Such success can be interpreted from the position of attention and self-efficacy theory described by Bandura (1997). The author argues that those timely analyses of personal productivity may contribute to identifying the key areas of intervention and taking appropriate actions if necessary (Bandura 1997). Based on the result of the match, this principle was used by the captain, who did his best to motivate his teammates and make them reconsider the strategy of the game. Certainly, in addition to the aforementioned advantages, self-confidence may have some limitations. In particular, Kerr (1985) gives an example of the reversal theory where much depends on the interpretation of arousal. Spiritual uplift due to success may help the performer achieve a high result, but in case of an error, it will not be possible to regain leadership because of a lost stimulus. Vealey et al. (1998) mentions a special model of sports confidence and argues that much depends on the motivation of players caused by attendant factors, in particular, the outcomes of performances. Moritz et al. (2000) argue that self-assessment allows timely revision of the game strategy to change tactics in order to win and achieve success. As methods for improving self-efficacy, prior training should be appropriate. Mesagno and Mullane-Grant (2010) point out that routine workout can identify key problems and take steps to fix them. Thus, the captain of the soccer team was able to assess the current mistakes correctly. Theories of Anxiety The types of worries that may occur during sports event may vary. For instance, self-doubt is unlike anxiety caused by the need to retain an advantage. In this regard, there are different theories for evaluating this criterion from a psychological point of view. Hardy (1996) cites the example of the catastrophe theory when high and low levels of cognitive anxiety affect performance. Athletes’ individual differences, in this case, play an essential role. Woodman and Hardy (2003) also mention the multidimensional anxiety theory and argue that cognitive anxiety is the factor that influences productivity negatively, and measures should be taken to eliminate the emergence of such experiences. Pijpers et al. (2003) note that a process-oriented approach based on concentration on the ultimate goal can be effective in overcoming anxiety. Koivula, Hassmen, and Fallby (2002) give similar reasons and suggest promoting the method of increasing self-confidence to exclude worries. To measure the levels of anxiety in sport, Vealey et al. (1998) argue that the model of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 that is aimed at finding incentives against worries, can be effective. In general, motor skills and other essential properties that are necessary for performance in sports are important to train under external pressure (Lam, Maxwell & Masters 2009). Personality and Individual Differences Graydon and Murphy (1995) note the high role of the individual in the context of sports and the achievement of success through competition. In general, personality as a mechanism consisting of different components (openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and others) is estimated by Woodman et al. (2010) as a set of multiple traits. The authors argue that such important parameters of success as performance and self-confidence largely depend on the development of specific qualities, which is particularly important in sports (Woodman et al. 2010). In the case considered, the role of the captain is significant, and his participation in achieving victory can be regarded as the manifestation of individual strength. One of the concepts relating to individual differences is associated with perfectionism described by Roberts et al. (2013) as a desire to achieve the highest possible result, despite any obstacles. In sports, this feature can be effective since the key goal is to win, and the desire to achieve perfection increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. However, the means utilised for this purpose may differ, and some methods, such as the use of steroids, are a violation of sports ethics (Maganaris, Collins & Sharp 2000). Another significant feature considered in the context of sports is narcissism that Wallace and Baumeister (2002) regard as the expression of excessive self-confidence. In the case under analysis, the captain of the soccer team can hardly be described as an athlete who is too proud of himself, Nevertheless, the strength of his personality, as the result of the game shows, made it possible to succeed. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Psychology Research When assessing the strengths of the study, it can be noted that many psychological theories and concepts may be applied to the case under consideration. Based on the academic sources, it is possible to receive a comprehensive picture of the situation and determine which behavioural principles helped the captain and his team to defeat the opponent. However, in the study, there is one significant weakness that may not be left unnoticed. Most of the sources used can be considered outdated since they are older than five years. Certainly, the theories considered by various authors have hardly changed their essence over the past period. Nevertheless, relevant facts and statistics could be useful in the analysis of the modern sports world. Moreover, in theory, it is possible to try to challenge some of the arguments, using the justification of other studies. For instance, the opinion of Maganaris, Collins, and Sharp (2000) about potentially effective steroids goes against the modern principles of sports ethics. Therefore, more contemporary academic sources can also be used as references. Interventions and Implications for the Performer When making conclusions about the performance, it can be noted that the success achieved by one team is largely due to the strong leadership qualities of the captain. The self-efficacy theory and the concept of the athlete’s personality strength are the strategic approaches that influenced the outcome of the match. The strategy by Moritz et al. (2000), which describes the self-confidence and desire to win, is relevant in this case. Also, the approach by Roberts et al. (2013) based on the strength of the personality applies to this example. In the process of implementing these behavioural principles, some practical issues may arise, for instance, misunderstanding on the teammates, and persistence is required to strengthen personal authority. Reference List Bandura, A 1997, ‘Editorial’, American Journal of Health Promotion , vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 8-10. Graydon, J & Murphy, T 1995, ‘The effect of personality on social facilitation whilst performing a sports-related task’, Personality and Individual Differences , vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 265-267. Hardy, LEW 1996, ‘A test of catastrophe models of anxiety and sports performance against multidimensional anxiety theory models using the method of dynamic differences’, Anxiety, Stress, and Coping , vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 69-86. Kerr, JH 1985, ‘The experience of arousal: a new basis for studying arousal effects in sport’, Journal of Sports Sciences , vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 169-179. Koivula, N, Hassmen, P & Fallby, J 2002, ‘Self-esteem and perfectionism in elite athletes: effects on competitive anxiety and self-confidence’, Personality and Individual Differences , vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 865-875. Lam, WK, Maxwell, JP & Masters, R 2009, ‘Analogy learning and performance of motor skills under pressure’, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology , vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 337-357. Maganaris, CN Collins, D & Sharp, M 2000, ‘Expectancy effects and strength training: do steroids make a difference?’, The Sport Psychologist , vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 272- 278. Mesagno, C & Mullane-Grant, T 2010, ‘A comparison of different pre-performance routines as possible choking interventions’, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 343-360. Moritz, SE, Feltz, DL, Fahrbach, KR & Mack, DE 2000, ‘The relation of self-efficacy measures to sport performance: a meta-analytic review’, Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport , vol. 71, no. 3, pp. 280-294. Pijpers, JR, Oudejans, RRD, Holsheimer, F, & Bakker, FC 2003, ‘Anxiety-performance relationships in climbing: a process-oriented approach’, Psychology of Sport and Exercise , vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 283-304. Roberts, R, Rotheram, M, Maynard, I, Thomas, O & Woodman, T 2013, ‘Perfectionism and the ‘yips’: an initial investigation’, The Sport Psychologist , vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 53-61. Vealey, RS, Hayashi, SW, Garner-Holman, M & Giacobbi, P 1998, ‘Sources of sport-confidence: conceptualization and instrument development’, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology , vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 54-80. Wallace, HM & Baumeister, RF 2002, ‘The performance of narcissists rises and falls with the opportunity for glory’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , vol. 82, no. 5, pp. 819-834. Woodman, TIM, Akehurst, S, Hardy, L & Beattie, S 2010, ‘Self-confidence and performance: a little self-doubt helps’, Psychology of Sport and Exercise , vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 467-470. Woodman, TIM & Hardy, LEW 2003, ‘The relative impact of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence upon sport performance: a meta-analysis’, Journal of Sports Sciences , vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 443-457.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: Steps and strategies for a reorganization of the staff are discussed, as well as skills executives should have for successful planning and implementation of the plan.
Steps and strategies for a reorganization of the staff are discussed, as well as skills executives should have for successful planning and implementation of the plan.
Staff Reorganization in Organization Report Introduction In the pressure of the financial crisis, every executive faces dramatic outcomes, including high turnover, increased levels of stress among personnel, and lack of corporate culture. The solution to these challenges is complex and heart-wrenching: structural reorganization. However, the difficulties regarding meeting the objectives in proper methods make reorganization a hard task for executives, which often results in a failure. In the report, steps and strategies for a reorganization of the staff are discussed, as well as skills executives should have for successful planning and implementation of the plan. A strategy of reorganization should be created at the executive level in accordance with the goals and objectives of the organization. The executive should set measurable steps which must be implemented by managers and staff at the functional level (Rothwell, Stavros, & Sullivan, 2016). The core skills needed in organization development for the executives include organizational skills, direction-setting skills, interpersonal skills, and process skills. Reorganizing Employees Step 1: Defining Goals and Value Proposition At this step, the executive should use leadership skills to focus on key company values and need for improvement. This would enable to highlight the purpose of the organization and establish goals and objectives in accordance with the purpose. While the company’s aims are only the statements of general intent for departments, it is important to define the unit’s value proposition. Clarifying the value could help to develop a common understanding for personnel. According to Collins (2015), to define the value proposition, three questions should be answered: what people are passionate about? What are the best at? What drives the economic engine of the unit? Defining value proposition serves as a basis for the reorganization plan. Step 2: Defining Core Processes and Naming the Jobs In the second step, the executive defines the activities which should be performed to implement the strategies which have been selected as a value proposition. To do that, a Core Process Model should be created, which links the inputs, process steps, and conditions with the desired outcomes. For each desired output, a set of specific processes should be defined. The executive should make sure that there is a consensus in the processes so that each manager will understand the needs and points of overlap as well as how to effectively cooperate. This will help to understand how the department should function to reach the goals, as well as standards and measurements of one’s performance. The next thing the executive should do is to identify jobs and roles for the core processes. Such a step could be a key in creating a process-centric organization. It will also help solve the problem with too many (or too few) job titles given indiscriminately and get reliable data for modernizing the work for existing personnel. At this step, the executive should use his problem-solving, process, and communication skills to find solutions to a problem, redesign an organization’s processes, and communicate the solutions to everyone. Step 3: Modeling Jobs Although some organizations do not consider this step, it is essential to get detailed information on jobs. Knowing the specifics of each job will facilitate the process of hiring employees, evaluating, and improving their productivity. What the executive should take into account is that one’s uncertainty in his or her job responsibilities might have dramatic outcomes on the overall re-organization process. Also, the executive should involve the workers in job modeling to ensure their commitment to the re-organization. Step 4: Establishing Corporate Culture This step addresses the issue of boosting employee morale. In the previous points, it has been identified what kinds of work should be done and who has to perform them. However, corporate culture might support or hinder the work in the organization. In order to create a positive corporate culture, personnel should be asked whether there is something that gets in their way of performing their tasks and what could be done to improve their work. Apart from that, the executive should take into account some successful practices which could boost the morale of the personnel. These practices include celebrating one’s accomplishments, giving additional time for employers to work on personal projects, and training employees to develop a positive attitude (Anderson, 2017). At this point, the executive should use interpersonal skills to give everyone in the organization confidence that he or she is valued by the company. Step 5: Loading the Work This is an essential step in re-organization planning as it helps to define how many people will be required for each job. Taking into account that the core processes and job titles have been identified in the previous steps, the timing for the fifth step is little. This step could lead to an increase in productivity and staff reduction. The task of loading the work could be executed by managers and staff. Step 6: Organization Structure At this step, the structure of an organization should be identified using the information from the previous steps. It should be mentioned that the new structure might be significantly different from the current one. The main aim of this step is to get a structure based on the activities to achieve the value proposition. Organizational structure should be created by managers or the executive himself based on the goals, core processes, and defined jobs and responsibilities. At this step, the executive should incorporate his organizational and process skills, including the ability to redesign the organization structure. Step 7: Creating the Implementation and Communication plans At the last step, the plan regarding the implementation of the re-organization and communication plan should be created. While strategies used in the previous steps are short-term as they might be implemented within a week, the implementation and communication plans are long-term ones. In particular, the implementation plan addresses the selection of people who best fit the job positions and creating the norms of an organization’s etiquette. The communication plan, in its turn, should be a well-developed strategy for delivering information on re-organization to the personnel. Apart from high turnover and low level of morale, outdated software might pose a significant risk to the productivity of the personnel and security of an organization. In particular, outdated computers might be attacked by ransomware; a virus might cause disruption that could impact business; the third party might gain access to the business data, and so forth (Alcon, 2017). Therefore, the executive should consider updating and supporting software, browsers, and operating systems. One may conclude that the impact of resources on the process of reorganization is tremendous. Even though the main work is conducted by the executive, human resources are also involved in the reorganization. In particular, they should take part in defining the value proposition, determining the core processes, modeling jobs, and loading the work. The success of the reorganization plan depends not only on the executive’s professional skills but also on the way the staff understands the plan and implements it. Only when the personnel strictly adheres to the new distribution of jobs and responsibilities can an organization reach its goals and objectives. To sum up, the report gives a detailed plan of short-term and long-term steps which the executive could use in re-organizing jobs and responsibilities. Key organizational development skills which an executive should have to successfully proceed through the steps are mentioned; the factor of outdated software is also addressed. The given report could serve as a practical methodology for a company’s reorganization. References Alcon, J. (2017). 5 risks of outdated software, browsers & operating systems . Web. Anderson, D. L. (2017). Organization development: The process of leading organizational change . Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. Collins, JCollins, J. (2015). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap and other don’t . San Francisco, CA: Instaread. Rothwell, W. J., Stavros, J. M., & Sullivan, R. (2016). Practicing organization development: Leading transformation and change . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
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Write an essay about: The text discusses the ethical responsibilities of businesses and their managers in the workplace. In particular, the discussion is focused on the conflict between the interests of shareholders and stakeholders. The participants advance different arguments about the way in which enterprises should approach their obligations. Overall, it seems that the recognition of stakeholders' needs is essential for the sustainable development of companies.
The text discusses the ethical responsibilities of businesses and their managers in the workplace. In particular, the discussion is focused on the conflict between the interests of shareholders and stakeholders. The participants advance different arguments about the way in which enterprises should approach their obligations. Overall, it seems that the recognition of stakeholders' needs is essential for the sustainable development of companies.
Stakeholders vs. Shareholders: Ethics in the Workplace Case Study This video presents a debate about the ethical responsibilities of businesses and their managers. In particular, the discussion is focused on the conflict between the interests of shareholders and stakeholders (“Stakeholders vs. Shareholders”). The participants advance different arguments about the way in which enterprises should approach their obligations. Overall, it seems that the recognition of stakeholders’ needs is essential for the sustainable development of companies. This conflict is closely related to the functions that businesses are expected to perform. Firstly, these organizations are supposed to increase their revenues and benefit shareholders or owners. However, there is an alternative viewpoint according to which managers should take into account the interests of stakeholders or various individuals and groups that may be affected by the work of businesses. For instance, it is possible to consider the needs of workers, customers, communities, trade unions, and so forth. The key issue is that the concept of a stakeholder does not exclude the owners of a business. In this case, managers are not required to disregard such issues as financial performance and revenues. Nevertheless, they have to ensure that their activities do not pose a threat to other people and their interests. For example, in some cases, the work of enterprises can endanger the environment (The Saylor Foundation 628). If these risks are overlooked, companies can threaten the welfare of many communities. Moreover, this reckless approach can destroy the economic resources that these organizations need. To some degree, this discussion indicates that the emphasis on stakeholders’ needs is critical for ensuring that the work of companies does not threaten the welfare of society. This approach does not force businesses to reject such priorities as financial performance and the needs of owners. More likely, it emphasizes the necessity to introduce safeguards reducing the risk of unethical practices that harm other people. Works Cited “ Stakeholders vs. Shareholders”: Haas Faculty Debate “Whom Exactly Should Business Serve? ” YouTube , uploaded by Berkeley Haas. 2010. Web. The Saylor Foundation. “What is Business Ethics?” Saylor . Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The purpose of the given project was to examine the financial operations of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Based on the insurer's balance sheet, total assets, total liabilities, and surplus have been calculated. Based on the income and expense statement, net income, the loss ratio, the expense ratio, and the combined ratio have been calculated. The values of the 2019 annual report have been forecasted using the calculated growth rates.
The purpose of the given project was to examine the financial operations of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Based on the insurer's balance sheet, total assets, total liabilities, and surplus have been calculated. Based on the income and expense statement, net income, the loss ratio, the expense ratio, and the combined ratio have been calculated. The values of the 2019 annual report have been forecasted using the calculated growth rates.
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company’s Finance Essay Introduction The purpose of the given project was to examine the financial operations of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Based on the insurer’s balance sheet, total assets, total liabilities, and surplus have been calculated. Based on the income and expense statement, net income, the loss ratio, the expense ratio, and the combined ratio have been calculated. The values of the 2019 annual report have been forecasted using the calculated growth rates. Findings It has been found that both total assets and total liabilities decreased, so there was a slight increase in surplus. In particular, total assets decreased from $160,732 million to $159,865 million, and total liabilities decreased from $63,727 million to $59,112 million. In turn, the surplus increased from $97,005 million to $100,753 million. There was a decrease in cash and short-term investments, stock, and other assets, which is why the corresponding growth rates are negative. Based on the calculated growth rates, all the components of assets, liabilities, and surplus have been forecasted, assuming that the growth rate in the values will remain the same. It has been determined that in 2019, total assets will be equal to $161,529 million, and total liabilities will be equal to $55,313 million. Thus, in 2019, the surplus will be equal to $106,216 million. In 2017, income before dividends and taxes was equal to -$242 million, and in 2018, it was equal to $7,068 million. In 2017 and 2018, the values of net income were equal to $1,702 million and $6,350 million, respectively. Based on the estimated growth rates, the premium earned, service and administrative fees, and investment gain are expected to increase. In 2019, the forecasted values of income before dividends and taxes and net income are $14,477 million and $13,007 million, respectively. In 2017, the loss ratio was equal to 86.07%, and in 2018, it was equal to 73.13%. In 2019, the loss ratio will be equal to 62.28%. In 2017, the expense ratio was equal to 24.03%, and in 2018, it was equal to 23.91%. In 2019, the loss ratio will be equal to 23.80%. The combined ratios are 110.09%, 97.05%, and 86.08% for 2017, 2018, and 2019. Conclusion In summary, over the past two years, the financial performance of the insurer improved. It repaid some of its debt obligations and sold some assets, so the surplus increased. The value of net income generated by the company gradually increases, and the value of expenses decreases. Based on the combined ratio, the insurer’s profitability increased in 2018, and this trend is expected to remain in the following year.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: The concepts of statistical significance and clinical importance are both necessary for conducting valid and reliable research in clinical nursing and evidence-based medicine to implement its outcomes into practice. However, it is critical to understand the main difference between them. A statistically significant result is based on the calculation of probabilistic criteria, while a clinically important result is a conclusion that has implications for the treatment and patient care.
The concepts of statistical significance and clinical importance are both necessary for conducting valid and reliable research in clinical nursing and evidence-based medicine to implement its outcomes into practice. However, it is critical to understand the main difference between them. A statistically significant result is based on the calculation of probabilistic criteria, while a clinically important result is a conclusion that has implications for the treatment and patient care.
Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Comparing and Contrasting Concepts 3. Conclusion 4. References Introduction Statistical significance and clinical importance of results are two critical elements necessary for conducting valid and reliable research in clinical nursing and evidence-based medicine to implement its outcomes into practice. However, a researcher should remember that these two concepts are not identical to each other (Burns & Grove, 2015). Hence, statistical significance and clinical importance have certain similar and different aspects, which are necessary to be identified. Comparing and Contrasting Concepts Statistical significance represents statistical methods that allow researchers to estimate the probability of an observed or higher degree of correlation between independent and dependent variables with the validity of the null hypothesis. The achieved level of statistical significance is the probability of the erroneous rejection of the null hypothesis, calculated using sample data. As for clinical importance, this term means a considerable shift in the outcome between the treatment and the control group, which represents a practical impact on the patient. Statistically significant study results in clinical nursing can be interpreted as clinically important only if it has the potential to improve outcomes of medical interventions (Greenland, Senn, Rothman, et al., 2016). However, such results must be properly evaluated before they can be put into practice. The two concepts are similar because they reflect the quality of the clinical nursing research results, and both indicators are necessary for the study’s reliability. However, it is critical to understand the main difference between them. A statistically significant result is based on the calculation of probabilistic criteria, while a clinically important result is a conclusion that has implications for the treatment and patient care. Conclusion The analysis of the concepts of static significance and clinical importance, which are among the main in evidence-based medicine and clinical nursing, demonstrates that, at first glance, they seem to be similar. However, it is not exactly right, because even though they are related, they reflect different sides of research outcomes. Therefore, it is vital to separate these concepts and apply both carefully in the process of conducting clinical nursing research. References Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2015). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. Greenland, S., Senn, S.J., Rothman, K.J. et al. (2016). Statistical tests, P values, confidence intervals, and power: a guide to misinterpretations. European Journal of Epidemiology, 31 (4), 337-350.
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Provide a essay that could have been the input for the following summary: Data reliability and validity are important aspects of statistical research. The standard "Planning and Design of Surveys" provides instructions for validating data collection. The testing phase is another important criteria for validating data. algorithm to prove the reliability of the degree of measurement used to evaluate all possible reports. In other words, any ambiguous interpretation should have a justification, and the principle of validity is one of the priorities.
Data reliability and validity are important aspects of statistical research. The standard "Planning and Design of Surveys" provides instructions for validating data collection. The testing phase is another important criteria for validating data. algorithm to prove the reliability of the degree of measurement used to evaluate all possible reports. In other words, any ambiguous interpretation should have a justification, and the principle of validity is one of the priorities.
Statistical Standards: Data and Measurements Issues Essay Data Reliability and Validity Since the process of statistical measurement is important for research of different profiles, the validity of data collection is a crucial aspect. In accordance with the standard “Planning and Design of Surveys,” information obtained through surveys and other mechanisms for evaluating specific questions should be tested by analyzing its content and calculation tools to ensure reliable measurements (National Center for Educational Statistics, n.d.). The testing phase is another important criterion for validating data. Based on the aforementioned standard, the variability of specific procedures associated with statistical analysis requires creating algorithms to prove the reliability of the degree of measurement used to evaluate all possible reports (National Center for Educational Statistics, n.d.). In other words, any ambiguous interpretation should have a justification, and the principle of validity is one of the priorities. Applying accurate information in statistical reports depends largely on the correct collection strategy. Another proof that the information obtained is reliable is indicated in the “Collection of Data” standard (National Center for Educational Statistics, n.d.). All stakeholders are aware of the instructions that are to be followed, which, in turn, increases the validity and credibility of received facts. A detailed plan of action is drawn up, and each of the stages, for instance, sample analysis, compiling an evaluation mechanism, and other phases are intended to create a solid background for error-free and reliable data collection. Therefore, based on the given standards, the information quoted at the national level is sufficiently justified. Survey Responses Primary Means of Data Collection At first glance, the primary method of data collection promoted by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is an interview. Despite the convenience of obtaining information through direct contact with respondents, this principle creates some threats to reliability and validity. In particular, as O’Sullivan, Rassel, and Taliaferro (2011) note, following an interview protocol does not allow delving into a specific topic in detail. Also, despite being aware of the significance of a particular survey, participants may hide some information or present it incompletely. Thus, the human factor plays an essential role and may be the aspect that may affect the reliability of the information collected. 12-Month Enrollment as a Measure of Student Satisfaction When evaluating a 12-month enrollment rate, it is unlikely to be satisfactory enough. This period cannot reflect the entire volume and complexity of a specific curriculum, and, while taking into account the specifics of a particular educational course, it is impossible to argue that one may become a reliable assessment criterion. Moreover, this value is subjective and depends on personal perception. Therefore, either a longer period is needed as a basis for analysis or more reliable justification for using such a background for evaluation. Time-Series Analysis of Graduation Rates The use of time-series analysis of graduation rates as a tool for scientific research is appropriate if a particular study carries general information and does not require the detailed assessment of individual variables. At the same time, utilizing such background is more appropriate than analyzing institutional characteristics. According to O’Sullivan et al. (2011), the variable of graduation rates is used more often than the individual and unique criteria of certain educational institutions. As a result, the correct assessment of specific data may provide an opportunity to obtain the necessary information based on the stated topic due to quantitative calculation rather than qualitative characteristics. References National Center for Educational Statistics. (n.d.). Statistical standards . Web. O’Sullivan, E., Rassel, G. R., & Taliaferro, J. D. (2011). Practical research methods for nonprofit and public administrators. New York, NY: Routledge.
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Write the original essay that generated the following summary: Statistical vs. Clinical Relevance of Research EssayBoth statistical significance and clinical importance are essential in healthcare research, but they have different meanings and applications. As such, scholars have to know how they are similar or different when conducting investigations on the usefulness of a specific treatment.
Statistical vs. Clinical Relevance of Research Essay Both statistical significance and clinical importance are essential in healthcare research, but they have different meanings and applications. As such, scholars have to know how they are similar or different when conducting investigations on the usefulness of a specific treatment.
Statistical vs. Clinical Relevance of Research Essay Table of Contents 1. Statistical Significance 2. Clinical Importance 3. Conclusion 4. References Statistical Significance Both statistical significance and clinical importance are essential in healthcare research, but they have different meanings and applications. As such, scholars have to know how they are similar or different when conducting investigations on the usefulness of a specific treatment. According to Abbott (2017), any hypothesis test result that has a p below 0.05 should be considered statistically significant. The value can be lowered if necessary, with 0.01 being a popular choice in medicine due to its stringent requirements. However, statistical significance alone is not sufficient to confirm the efficacy of a treatment, though it is required. Clinical Importance Clinical importance is also necessary to mark the results of the study as definitive on whether the new treatment warrants implementation. According to Newman, Takei, Klokkevold, and Carranza (2019), it is classified depending on the tangibility and size of the effect. Tangible results and significant effects are more clinically important than their opposites. As such, according to Mackridge and Rowe (2018), it is possible for a result to be statistically but not clinically significant and vice versa. Researchers should pay attention to both criteria when determining whether the results are relevant. Conclusion Statistical significance and clinical importance are essential statistics for clinical research, but they share no other similarities. The former concerns the results of the test and whether the information obtained is likely to represent the objective reality. The latter indicates whether the treatment produces sufficient positive results it warrants implementation in clinical settings if its reliability is confirmed. One characteristic does not indicate the presence of the other, and the two are not mutually exclusive. As such, researchers have to consider both independently when conducting clinical studies. References Abbott, M.L. (2017). Using statistics in the social and health sciences with SPSS and Excel . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Mackridge, A., & Rowe, P. (2018). A practical approach to using statistics in health research: From planning to reporting. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Newman, M.G., Takei, H., Klokkevold, P.R., & Carranza, F.A. (2019). Newman and Carranza’s clinical periodontology (13th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
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Write the original essay that provided the following summary when summarized: The article by Arena and Schwartz describes the results of an experiment to combine traditional instruction and video games in the field of teaching statistics. The aim of the experiment was to infer if students who played a specially designed digital game, Stats Invaders! were able to score higher than those who used only traditional instructions. The researchers wanted to test the hypothesis if modern digital ways of instruction combined with traditional ones could outperform the latter alone in college statistics classes. They argued initially that game-based learning develops
The article by Arena and Schwartz describes the results of an experiment to combine traditional instruction and video games in the field of teaching statistics. The aim of the experiment was to infer if students who played a specially designed digital game, Stats Invaders! were able to score higher than those who used only traditional instructions. The researchers wanted to test the hypothesis if modern digital ways of instruction combined with traditional ones could outperform the latter alone in college statistics classes. They argued initially that game-based learning develops
“Stats Invaders!” by Arena & Schwartz Essay (Article Review) Table of Contents 1. Aim and Arguments 2. Methods 3. Results 4. Implications and Limitations Aim and Arguments The article by Arena and Schwartz describes the results of an experiment to combine traditional instruction and video games in the field of teaching statistics. The aim of the experiment was to infer if students who played a specially designed digital game, Stats Invaders! were able to score higher than those who used only traditional instructions. The researchers wanted to test the hypothesis if modern digital ways of instruction combined with traditional ones could outperform the latter alone in college statistics classes. They argued initially that game-based learning develops specific skills and understanding of probability distributions. Methods The game upon which the researchers based their experiment was a modified version of a famous game, Space Invaders! and represented a set of levels that contained different challenges. It allowed for two different gameplay modes, namely, proportion and distribution. In each stage, regardless of the mode, a player (or learner) is faced with different statistics concepts such as probability density function, mean, variance, and distribution of probabilities. The experiment involved 97 participants, half of which played or passed the game or was presented with conventional paper-based instructions for the statistics test. Additionally, there were two categories of participants who did not participate in a game or did not read the conventional instructions. The modes were administered by the researchers as appropriate. The data on all four categories were collected prior to and after the gaming or conventional learning experience through a 10-item survey. The gathered data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA tool. Results The main results showed the success of the game-based solution as opposed to conventional instruction methods. Both pre-test and post-test demonstrated a sharp increase in the rate of passage of statistics exam in those who played the game. In addition to that, the participants who successfully passed all levels were scoring higher during the written exam on probability distributions. As finishing the game granted access to written instruction afterward before the written test, the score results demonstrated an increase as compared to other forms of learning within the experiment. Proportion-Based gameplay yielded less exam passage rate than a distribution-based one. The results were proven statistically significant in all cases except for comparison of passage and gameplay-only test results, as all P scores were less than.023. Yet, the researchers note that proportion mode delivered less stable and predictive results, which makes it slightly less productive in terms of learning performance. Also, contrary to one of the secondary hypotheses, gameplay only demonstrated similar results to a passage that were far from statistical significance. Implications and Limitations The relative success of the game-based learning is reported to have a broad future for utilization in teaching statistics in college or other academic settings. Importantly, the combination of learning pathways, as was initially argued, seems to demonstrate better results than if used separately from each other. Therefore, it is vital for educators to utilize video games as prominent attributes of future learning as assisting technology in teaching statistics, and possibly, other subjects as well. The unstable correlation between gameplay-only and passage indicates that there is additional research needed to explore the limits to which this particular combination of instruction methods extends its practical utility. As for the limitations, is the loss of valuable data in the collection stage, as several game experiences failed to be accounted for, which resulted in fewer usable responses. Besides, the sample seems to be representative only of one community college, which does not allow for wide generalizability of results.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: In 1898, Stephen Crane published The Open Boat, a short story about four men who were shipwrecked and had to compete with the force of nature to reach the shore. The story highlights the relationship between nature and man and and how it can be both cruel and indifferent.
In 1898, Stephen Crane published The Open Boat, a short story about four men who were shipwrecked and had to compete with the force of nature to reach the shore. The story highlights the relationship between nature and man and and how it can be both cruel and indifferent.
Stephen Crane’s “The Open Boat” Essay Published in 1898, Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat is generally acknowledged to be among masterpieces of the short story into which the author transformed his near-death experience on the Commodore ship (Wertheim, 1997). In the story, the author describes four men who were shipwrecked and had to compete with the force of nature to reach the shore. Even though the work is typically categorized as an example of naturalistic fiction, some critics claim that The Open Boat is a rather existentialist fiction (Sorrentino, 2006). The relationship between nature and man is a central theme in the story that reveals Crane’s personal view on the matter. According to the author, people cannot overcome nature that is actually indifferent to them; though they should help each other as they sail in one boat. In the story, nature is a cruel and powerful force that cannot be perceived and overcome by humans. With his opening sentence, “None of them knew the color of the sky” (Crane, n.d., p. 1), the author emphasizes how insignificant is a place of a man in the world. The storm triggers the whole story and evokes an impression of loneliness on the sea and the danger of forces of nature. Being lost and isolated from the rest of the world, the characters fully depend on nature’s mercy. However, nature seems to be deliberately cruel as it knows no justice for Billie who rowed most of everyone and died in the end. If at the beginning of the story nature is perceived as cruel, it is then understood as indifferent. Crew’s uncertain future may be compared to the horizon that appears and hides again behind the waves. It it the correspondent who understands “the calm of Nature against the struggles of the individual” (Crane, n.d., p. 12). Therefore, in the story, Crane contrasts powerless and inept humans and omnipotent nature. In the second part, the author discusses the sense of human existence in the natural world. The correspondent asks himself why he was going to be drowned if he were allowed “to see sands and trees” (Crane, n.d., p. 6). By approaching death, he tries to find sense in his struggle and seems to clearly see “the difference between right and wrong” (Crane, n.d., p.12). He also realizes the mistakes that he did and how he would live life if he were given another chance to start things anew. However, nature is indifferent to people, and from this perspective, human life with one’s hopes and fears does not worth much. By showing that the correspondent cannot ignore the feeling of sympathy for other people who live in the emptiness of nature, Crane speaks to something that is more powerful than nature. As the situation in the sea gets more desperate, “the secure bond” (Crane, n.d., p. 3) is established among the characters of which they prefer not to talk. Rowing in the night and sensing that the shark is nearby, the correspondent wishes someone to be awake as being alone to him is “sadder than death” (Crane, n.d., p. 11). The man understands that he means nothing to nature, that is why he is glad that he is not alone in a senseless fight with the force of nature. He even begins to feel sympathy for the dying soldier from a poem that did not mean anything to him before. The author emphasizes that no matter how powerful the force of nature may be, there is still something it cannot affect, that is human feelings. The Open Boat contains not only Crane’s declaration of the universe’s indifference but also the idea of human solidarity and humanism (Dooley, 1993). The main idea of the story is the development from the perception of nature as vanity to finding sense in living for other people. Initially, the men could not even recognize the color of the sky, though at the end “they felt that they could then understand” the sea (Crane, n.d., p. 15). Unfair death of Billie who rowed the most and helped others survive may give insight into Crane’s personal view of the relationship between man and nature. One may suggest that Crane thought that only living with others and helping them makes one’s living important and valuable. Nature is “not interested, completely not interested” (Crane, n.d., p. 12), so it does not care for people who died. However, dead people may stay in memories of others due to their deeds. Throughout their lives, people row on one boat, and they have to act as one team to survive. It is humanity and collaboration that are invincible to the cruelty of nature. To sum up, in the essay the representation of the sea and the four shipwrecked characters have been discussed. To Crane, nature is the uncontrollable and powerful force that is indifferent to people. The four characters could do nothing about the storm but unite their forces and make their way to the shore. It is comradeship and humanity that help people survive; it is caring for other people that make one’s life valuable. References Crane, S. (n.d.). The open boat . Web. Dooley, P. K. (1993). The pluralistic philosophy of Stephen Crane . Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. Sorrentino, P. (2006). Student companion to Stephen Crane. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Wertheim, S. (1997). A Stephen Crane encyclopedia . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
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Write the full essay for the following summary: The paper compares two problem-solving strategies found on business management websites and provides a critical analysis of their essences. The first strategy, proposed by Tim Hicks, includes seven steps and seems to be a comprehensive and concise strategy presented by a qualified specialist that does not have any signs of bias. The second strategy, proposed by Allan T. Jackson, is a more creative approach that includes ten steps and seems to be a more effective strategy due to the inclusion of several crucial points.
The paper compares two problem-solving strategies found on business management websites and provides a critical analysis of their essences. The first strategy, proposed by Tim Hicks, includes seven steps and seems to be a comprehensive and concise strategy presented by a qualified specialist that does not have any signs of bias. The second strategy, proposed by Allan T. Jackson, is a more creative approach that includes ten steps and seems to be a more effective strategy due to the inclusion of several crucial points.
Steps for Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Hicks’s Seven Steps 2. Tracy’s Ten Steps 3. Comparing the Two Strategies 4. The Research Process 5. Conclusion 6. References Problem-solving is a routine practice for any manager, doctor, teacher, student, or even a stay-at-home dad. However, effective approaches to decision making in troublesome situations is a rare occurrence, as often people facing problems tend to feel afraid, uncomfortable, and wish to run away (Hicks, n.d.). The present paper describes and compares two problem-solving strategies found on business management websites and provides a critical analysis of their essences. Hicks’s Seven Steps Figure 1. Tim Hicks (Hicks, n.d.). One of the most referenced and acknowledged problem-solving guidelines is the strategy described by Hicks (n.d.) that includes seven steps. First, Hicks (n.d.) recommends identifying the problem from different perspectives. Second, the author offers to outline the interests of all the stakeholders. The third step is to create a list of all the available options and, consequently, the fourth step is to evaluate possibilities. The fifth stage includes sorting through the described variants and choosing the most balanced alternative. After that, Hicks (n.d.) insists on making a documented agreement on the decision to revise the option and to avoid forgetting any detail. Lastly, the author recommends agreeing on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation of the decision. In short, the seven-step method seems to be a comprehensive and concise strategy presented by a qualified specialist that does not have any signs of bias. Tracy’s Ten Steps Another strategy is Tracy’s creative problem-solving process that includes ten steps. The steps are presented in the following list: * Look at the situation from a positive perspective; * Give a precise definition of the case and include every possible detail; * Approach the problem from all directions and use critical thinking to evaluate options; * Describe the ideal outcome of the situation; * Choose the most balanced solution to the problem; * Develop a plan to overcome the worst possible result of the issue; * Set measures for evaluating the progress; * Specify deadlines; * Take action. While the guideline seems similar to Hicks’s problem-solving strategy, it adds crucial points that make it more effective. Comparing the Two Strategies The strategies are both viable and effective; however, Tracy’s approach is more appealing due to the inclusion of several crucial points. First, Tracy (n.d.) offers to look at the situation positively but prepare for the worst possible outcomes. Although the suggestion may seem controversial, it is very realistic and practical in my opinion. Second, Tracy (n.d.) mentions that interventions should be time specific. As deadlines are the central criteria for efficiency evaluation, Hicks’s omission of the matter is crucial. In short, I believe that the ten-step problem-solving model is more beneficial for everyday practice. The Research Process The research was conducted through a Google search on decision-making techniques. Articles were tested for credibility by identifying the authors and their credentials, the publisher, the purpose, and the evidence provided. While there were no problems in formatting the document, the research was hard to conduct due to the scarcity of credible sources. Most of the business articles present the signs of bias and aim at selling courses, books, or workshops. Moreover, many publishers fail to acknowledge the writer of the materials making it impossible to evaluate the competency of the author. Additionally, websites rarely specify the publication date, which is central for medicine and business studies. In essence, the research was hard to conduct due to complications in identifying credible Internet sources. Conclusion Problem-solving skills are crucial for all the people in the world full of stress and anxiety. The key to success is in a systematic approach towards the issue, as it helps to overcome the fear and discomfort of a problematic situation. The two most effective strategies in the matter are described and evaluated in the present paper. In conclusion, Tracy’s guidelines seem to be more effective for managing difficult situations than the method offered by Hicks. References Hicks, T (n.d.). Seven steps for effective problem solving in the workplace . Web. Module 1 – case. (n.d.). Tracy, B. (n.d.). The 10-step process to solve any problem . Web.
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Provide the full text for the following summary: The essay discusses the philosophies of life of the ancient Stoics and Epicureans, and how these ideas can be applied to modern life.The ancient Stoics and Epicureans believed that the key to a happy life was to control one's emotions and desires. They believed that by doing so, one could avoid being distracted by things that did not matter, and focus on achieving one's goals.
The essay discusses the philosophies of life of the ancient Stoics and Epicureans, and how these ideas can be applied to modern life. The ancient Stoics and Epicureans believed that the key to a happy life was to control one's emotions and desires. They believed that by doing so, one could avoid being distracted by things that did not matter, and focus on achieving one's goals.
Stoics and Epicureans’ Philosophies of Life Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The Stoic Philosophy of Life 3. The Epicurean Philosophy of Life 4. The Role of Pleasure, Emotion, and Desire in Human Well-being 5. Assessing Stoics and Epicureans’ Positions 6. Conclusion 7. Works Cited Introduction Stoics and Epicureans postulated their philosophies regarding life to enhance people’s understanding of various strategies that they can deploy to boost their happiness or manage diverse challenging circumstances. Ancient scholars such as Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Epicurus authored various texts addressing different dimensions of life. Hence, it is crucial to not only examine Stoic and Epicurean philosophies of life in detail but also debate the role of pleasure, emotions, and desire in shaping a person’s overall well-being. The Stoic Philosophy of Life The Stoic philosophy of life is concerned with the attainment of inner peace by overpowering adverse situations, exercising self-control, gaining consciousness of an individual’s impulses, and realizing various goals within the allocated short time. Stoicism emphasizes the idea of leading a fulfilling life and the determination to become a better human being. In their respective teachings, namely, Enchiridion and Meditations, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius provide insightful thoughts regarding the philosophy of life as depicted in the course of people’s search for happiness and improved livelihood. In the text Enchiridion, Epictetus teaches about the importance of mastering the art of self-control, especially when one experiences adverse circumstances. For instance, Epictetus asserts, “Work, therefore to be able to say to every harsh appearance, ‘You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be” (29). Embracing Epictetus’ response during devastating situations caused by others or adverse circumstances is appropriate because it ensures that an individual does not take unnecessary actions out of anger. Hence, in line with this philosopher’s perspectives, it is vital for people to appreciate the need for overlooking some circumstances, especially when one does not have a suitable way of directly controlling them. Developing the perception that some appearances do not reflect the reality of life helps to reinforce one’s ability to cope with adverse situations. However, the question of facing realism in particular circumstances also arises, regardless of whether individuals are in control or not. For instance, in the case of the appearance of an earthquake, salvaging oneself from the unpleasant manifestation is instinctual. This situation presents Epictetus’ idea of responding to adverse circumstances as considerably questionable. Nonetheless, since it is impossible to completely avoid unpleasant situations in life, bearing such experiences without demonstrating a significant degree of disturbance is necessary. Meditations , which forms part of Marcus Aurelius’ work, provides further exemplifications of the Stoic philosophy of life. This philosopher was a student of the Great Epictetus. Specifically, Aurelius emphasizes the need for understanding that some bad appearances do not last forever. Thus, according to Aurelius, there is life after failure. As revealed in his text, Meditations , Aurelius poses the question, “For with what art thou discontented? With the badness of men? Recall to thy mind this conclusion, that rational animals exist for one another, and that to endure is a part of justice, and that men do wrong involuntarily” (Aurelius 33). Drawing from this quote, the realization of success or prosperity usually comes at a cost in the form of failure. Consequently, according to Aurelius, adopting positive thoughts once an individual faces failure is a crucial step towards fostering their endurance to failure and resilience to succeed (Aurelius 33). For example, failing to launch a business successfully does not imply that one’s ability to fulfill their dreams of achieving profitability has been shattered. Therefore, as emphasized in Aurelius’ Meditations, one needs to avoid blaming others, unjustly terminate their employment contracts, or take any action that can result in harm since nature has its way of presenting pleasant appearances. The Epicurean Philosophy of Life The Epicurean philosophy of life emerged from the postulations of Epicurus in his work, Letter to Menoeceus . Specifically, the Epicurean conception of life holds that the greatest good is the pursuit of modest pleasures, which facilitate the attainment of calmness, freedom from fear, as well as relief from bodily pain. Epicurus believes that the ultimate goal of life is to attain happiness through the establishment of friendship, embracing humility, and refraining from pain, as well as anxiety (Epicurus 28). He presents death as “nothing” (Epicurus 29) to people and hence the reason they should not allow it to deprive them of the happiness they deserve. The Epicurean philosophy holds that living peacefully is analogous to living a virtuous life. Epicureans and Stoics disagree on various issues regarding their philosophies of life. For example, the issue of avoiding painful experiences in life is very contentious between Epicureans and Stoics. In particular, according to Epicureans evading pain requires an individual to live an uncomplicated life that is characterized by meaningful friendships. Epicurus addresses the topic of the fear of death to underline the importance of getting rid of anxiety and apprehensiveness associated with agonizing situations. In his Letter to Menoeceus , Epicurus asserts, “The most frightening of bad things, death, is nothing for us, since when we exist, death does not exist, and when death exists, we do not exist” (Epicurus 29). Many people fear death due to the pain they may endure before dying, as well as the agony inflicted to the bereaved. Therefore, to experience the best life, Epicureans discourage the idea of avoiding the pain of death before it materializes. However, when they stop existing, death takes over their existence. Conversely, Stoics argue that pain is part of nature. Hence, according to them, accommodating its appearance is logical. For instance, Epictetus argues that harsh situations are just natural appearances, which do not reflect the reality. Epicureans regard pain as a natural thing that requires people to live with it positively. As illustrated in the text Enchiridion , Epictetus argues, “Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them” (Epictetus 30). This particular quote emphasizes Stoics’ belief that individuals need to adopt a mindset, which allows them to think about pain as a natural occurrence. Therefore, while Stoicism supports the realization of happiness amid an individual’s subjection to tragedies or obstacles in life, Epicureans refute this position by viewing pain as an avoidable instance for people who wish to promote contentment, despite the challenges they encounter in their day-to-day operations. The Role of Pleasure, Emotion, and Desire in Human Well-being We should view pleasure, emotion, and desire as aspects that negatively affect individuals’ ability to reason, hence compromising their happiness in life. Led by Epictetus and Aurelius, Stoics usually disregard the emotions of pleasure and desire due to their negative effect on people’s well-being. For example, when someone faces unpleasant emotions or experiences undesirable circumstances, Epictetus advises them to “Be prepared to say that it is nothing to you” (Epictetus 29). Hence, in line with Stoics’ perspectives, living beyond one’s emotions or feelings is necessary to achieve true happiness. Epicureans view pleasure, emotion, and desire as necessary for the realization of happiness. Regarding pleasure, Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus reveals, “For we are in need of pleasure only when we are in pain because of the absence of pleasure” (Epicurus 30). Hence, according to Epicureans, issues concerning the pursuit of pleasure and the desire for happiness determine the ultimate goodness in a person’s life. Assessing Stoics and Epicureans’ Positions Amid the inevitability of unpleasant occurrences, people should strive to improve their well-being by avoiding pain and welcoming gratifying circumstances. Hence, I agree with the position held by Epicureans regarding the role of pleasure, emotion, and desire in influencing an individual’s health. Although some people may object to my position claiming that people have minimal control of what happens around them, I am convinced that that seeking pleasure in a virtuous manner is appropriate because it allows a person to develop positive emotions and desirable experiences. I am not persuaded to change my position that human beings have control over their emotions. Thus, in agreement with Stoics’ viewpoints, using this ability to attain pleasure and desire is recommended instead of expecting one’s well-being to improve without making any efforts to avoid painful experiences and emotions. Conclusion Stoics and Epicureans agree and disagree on various issues regarding life. As revealed in this paper, both of them concur that leading a virtuous life results in finding happiness. Nonetheless, they disagree on the idea of avoiding pain. While Stoics view pain as a natural circumstance that does not need to be evaded, their counterparts advocate the strategy of avoiding it. Overall, I agree with Epicureans on their views regarding the role of pleasure, emotion, and desire in shaping people’s well-being because one needs to nurture positive emotions to attain pleasure and desirable outcomes. Works Cited Aurelius, Marcus. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Translated by George Long, Blackie & Son, 1910. Epictetus. Enchiridion . Translated by George Long, Dover Publications, 2004. Epicurus. “Letter to Menoeceus.” The Epicurus Reader: Selected Writings and Testimonia, edited by Brad Inwood and Lloyd P. Gerson, Hackett Publishing Company, 1994, pp. 28-31.
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Revert the following summary back into the original essay: Aramco is one of the largest and most profitable producers and suppliers of oil, gas, and petroleum. The company has a lot of opportunities to grow and thrive in the future, but it must also grapple with the pace and magnitude of the transition to energy from non-fossil fuel sources. Aramco focuses on the enhancement of its infrastructure, the establishment of new facilities, and adoption of the newest technologies to make the exploration and extraction of shale gas more feasible and cost
Aramco is one of the largest and most profitable producers and suppliers of oil, gas, and petroleum. The company has a lot of opportunities to grow and thrive in the future, but it must also grapple with the pace and magnitude of the transition to energy from non-fossil fuel sources. Aramco focuses on the enhancement of its infrastructure, the establishment of new facilities, and adoption of the newest technologies to make the exploration and extraction of shale gas more feasible and cost
Strategic Change Management: Aramco Report The demand for energy in modern society is as high as ever. Besides, fuel consumption is expected to grow drastically within the period of a few decades ( Oil and gas trends , n.d.). For this reason, as one of the largest and most profitable producers and suppliers of oil, gas, and petroleum, Saudi Aramco has a lot of opportunities to grow and thrive in the future. At the same time, the negative sentiment of the global public towards fossil fuels and environmental pollution has been strengthening, and the interest in cleaner and greener technologies and energy sources is now on the rise. Therefore, the exploration of renewable energy sources is a growing trend, which increases the level of competition in the industry and threatens the very survival of oil and gas enterprises in the long term. Considering this, it is essential for the latter “to grapple with the pace and magnitude of the transition to energy from non-fossil fuel sources” ( Oil and gas trends , n.d., para. 3). While Aramco still plans to focus on the production of fossil-based fuels, it undertakes efforts to shift towards the exploitation of a cleaner energy source – shale gas (Dipaola and Ratcliffe, 2019). The purpose of the present report is to evaluate the tools and strategies used by the company in its attempts to tackle this change and, based on the analysis results, recommend some improvements to Aramco’s approach to change management. The rationale for Change and Aramco’s Objectives Objectives Nowadays, Aramco is one of the leaders in the production of natural gas (Figure 1). However, the company plans to improve its position in this regard and to foster “a 15-fold boost in output from unconventional deposits of the fuel” (Dipaola and Ratcliffe, 2019, para. 1). To attain this objective, the enterprise focuses on the enhancement of its infrastructure, the establishment of new facilities, and adoption of the newest technologies to make the exploration and extraction of shale gas more feasible and cost-efficient (Dipaola and Ratcliffe, 2019; Saudi Arabian Oil Co., n.d.). These targets and needs for “hard” change aimed to develop the necessary structure for the support and maintenance of the intended activities indicate that substantial shifts will also be required in terms of Aramco’s “soft” assets, including knowledge, human resources, and culture (vision and mission). Figure 1: Top ten of the states who led in the production of natural gas in 2017. Rationale The main reason for Aramco’s interest in the expansion of its shale gas production activities is that this source provides a plethora of new profitability opportunities and is in line with Saudi Arabia’s overall developmental goals. According to the statement made by the firm on its website, the use of shale gas will allow the Kingdom to meet the growing domestic demand for energy and increase sustainability during power generation and water desalination since this unconventional fuel source is characterized by greater efficiency and cleanness compared to the traditional ones (Saudi Arabian Oil Co., n.d.). The shift will also allow Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy and decrease the country’s dependence on crude oil exports (Dipaola and Ratcliffe, 2019). Therefore, it is valid to say that Aramco’s new strategic goal is a response to different types of external pressures and threats, including the trend for greater environmental sustainability, the risk associated with a high degree of reliance on the single profit source in the Kingdom, as well as other factors presented in Table 1: PESTLE Analysis Results. Besides, the exploration of shale gas provides opportunities for the development of human capital. It is noted that “as a resource-intensive operation,” Aramco’s exploration program will produce nearly 10,000 direct jobs and approximately 40,000 of the indirect ones (Saudi Arabian Oil Co., n.d). It means that the initiative will contribute to the development of skills and talents relevant to the industry, as well as the overall social welfare due to better income and individual self-realization opportunities. Table 1: PESTLE Analysis Results. Political The rate of social-political unrest and terrorism is high in the Gulf region (Blomquist, 2015). Natural resources in Saudi Arabia are governmentally controlled similarly to the company itself; changes in the Kingdom’s political environment may result in uncertainty and, in this way, influence the overall business of Aramco. Economic Saudi Arabia strives to diversify its economy since crude oil exports constitute its major source of income at the present moment (Dipaola and Ratcliffe, 2019). Economic risks that oil and gas and petroleum enterprises face include general market uncertainty and intrinsic sector volatility; long operations cycles, the necessity for large funds, and broad geographical distribution increase risks related to funding turnover and interest and exchange rates affecting the profitability of export/import operations (Yanting and Liyun, 2011). Consumers across the globe demand organizations to perform in a socially responsible way, protect human/employee rights, increase transparency, comply with ethical standards, and so forth (Wagner and Armstrong, 2010). Social Contemporary lifestyles are correlated with the rising demand for energy and fuels ( Oil and gas trends , n.d.). Saudi Arabia has a large labor force comprised of at least 9.7 million workers, both highly skilled and low-cost (NICDP, 2019). Technological The interest in cleaner technologies in the oil and gas industry is on the rise (Yudha et al., 2018). The adoption of such disruptive technologies, as automation, quantum computing, and AI allows increasing innovation and operational efficiency and reducing costs and thus provides chances for capturing competitive advantages (Prevett, 2018). Legal The laws related to the following performance areas affect enterprises in the oil and gas industry: occupational safety and health, environmental protection, intellectual property protection, accounting (Yudha et al., 2018; International Labour Organization, 2016). Environmental Increasing demand for environmental protection and the implementation of sustainable and green technologies and practices by various firms (Conner, 2015). Diverse stakeholders, including investors and policymakers, think that the oil and gas industry has no future since it is one of the most ecologically detrimental nowadays (Vaughan, 2019). Force Field Analysis The identifies reasons for the expansion of shale gas production activities are represented in Figure 2 as forces for change since they point out the advantages that Aramco and the Kingdom will gain after the realization of the initiative. Nevertheless, some factors could constrain the change process and possibly result in unfavorable outcomes. Among them, employees’ psychological resistance to organizational change due to misunderstanding of the company’s intentions and because of the fears of uncertainty, individual power loss, and negative consequences of change may be viewed as the most significant (Rosenberg and Mosca, 2011). In most cases, psychological resistance implies that employees physically participate in the work towards the desired organizational transition yet are not engaged in these efforts intellectually or emotionally (McCalman and Potter, 2015). The reduced level of employee involvement may compromise the overall success of the change process and considerably increase the amount of time and costs required for its completion. The abovementioned indicates that Aramco needs to take into account the reasons contributing to resistance. The company may eliminate them through consideration of workers’ needs, effective communication of the company’s vision for change, excellent leadership, and implementation of the right change management strategies (Rosenberg and Mosca, 2011). It is valid to say that many of those change-enabling factors are already present in Aramco since, in the past, the company went through the creation of the flexible, knowledge-sharing employee culture that fostered a freer flow of information across divisions and a greater level of employee involvement in decision making (Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett, 2016). Such a supportive and collaborative work environment can be regarded as another force for change along with the fact that the company already has substantial experience in change management and planning, which will be explained in greater detail in the following section. Figure 2: Force field analysis for Aramco’s new change management initiative. Planning Activities The identified rationales and objectives that Aramco outlined to attain its main goal of expanding the shale gas extraction activities are supported by quantitative data. It means that while planning the shift, the company conducted a comprehensive analysis and evaluated various costs and benefits of the strategic initiative. However, the traditional view on the change management process implies that organizations must primarily focus on the management of human resources in a way that unleashes employees’ full potentials (Anderson and Ackerman, 2010). To understand how Aramco planned the change in this regard, it is appropriate to look at the company’s previous experience of promoting organizational learning capacity as part of its corporate strategic 2020 vision. Evidence provided in the study by Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett (2016) implies that the planning process aimed to realize the abovementioned project in the company commenced with the identification of the need for change and best practices aimed to satisfy that need based on available research evidence. First, it was revealed that rapidly evolving trends and market circumstances require firms to stay flexible since timely adaptation to those changes in the environment defines their ability to remain competitive (Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett, 2016) Secondly, it was found that an increase in organizational flexibility can be attained by altering team structures and providing more opportunities for knowledge sharing among subordinates (Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett, 2016). After that, the company developed specific behavioral change goals, including the promotion of conversations, collaboration, empowerment, and decision making, and developed a team-based knowledge sharing framework that outlined tasks that must be undertaken by team members to solve problems in a collaborative manner (Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett, 2016). It is valid to presume that Aramco used similar tactical steps – identification of need, search for best evidence-based practices, and formulation of specific change objectives – when designing a plan for the management of the new initiative – expansion of shale gas operations. Overall, Aramco’s orientation towards the improvement of the team’s learning capacity and the existence of a flexible knowledge sharing system in the company may be viewed as one of its major strengths (Table 2). According to Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett (2016), besides enhancing organizational adaptability, these internal factors contribute to greater innovation levels, which leads to higher competitiveness as well. Additionally, in the context of change management, freer information flow and open cross-divisional communication foster an easier integration of cultural shifts and acceptance of new ideas by employees (Yeo, Stubbs, and Barrett, 2016). Considering that Aramco also has substantial financial and technological capacities, it may be argued that it can manage both hard and soft aspects of change successfully. Table 2: Results of the SWOT Analysis for Aramco. Strengths Weaknesses Aramco is the most profitable company in the world (Reed, 2019). The company has enormous production and refining capacities. The company is currently highly dependent on a single source of income (crude oil). It employs advanced technologies and has access to low-cost production assets. The situation with corporate governance and transparency is far from ideal in the company ( Saudi Aramco , 2019). As a state-owned enterprise, it is in favorable relationships with the government, which reduces political risks (Kobayashi, 2007). The company has a flexible internal information flow and a unique knowledge-sharing and collaborative culture aimed at the promotion of the team’s learning capacity. Opportunities Threats Energy demand is growing worldwide. The Middle East region experiences a large number of social-political conflicts. Shale gas is viewed as a “game changer” in the global energy markets (KPMG International, 2012, p. 2). The interest is shifting towards non-fossil fuels and renewable energy sources ( Saudi Aramco , 2019). Aramco faces competition in the sphere of natural gas production as more and more countries engage in the exploration of this resource (KPMG International, 2012). Change Management Process at Aramco When promoting shifts towards desired changes, Aramco prefers to utilize the principles outlined in such models as ADKAR and John Kotter’s 8-step change management approach (Carr, n.d.). At the same time, specific tasks that the company aims to attain during the implementation of change is the development of structured strategies that would allow targeting the needs and behaviors of all relevant stakeholders, identification of factors contributing to resistance, and selection of the right tactics for responding to them, the composition of employee training and education plans, and formulation of strategies for senior leadership involvement in the process (Carr, n.d.). Based on these objectives, it is valid to say that among the identified preferable approaches to change management, Kotter’s model is the most appropriate. To verify this assumption, different theoretical perspectives on the management of organizational transformation will be discussed and evaluated in the following paragraphs. ADKAR The major components of ADKAR are presented in Figure 3 and they refer to certain competencies that employees must have to implement change. According to Almas and Manzoor (2015), this model primarily explains what is necessary for successful change management at the individual level. Therefore, ADKAR may be good for targeting individual employee needs and abilities during the transition process. Still, the model seems to be very abstract and does not clarify but merely implies which tools could be used tools to achieve that. For instance, awareness may be developed through communication, participation can be promoted through motivation, and the ability to launch required skills through training and education. Nevertheless, ADKAR does not focus on “practical execution of specific steps” at the “broad-scale organization” level compared to Kotter’s model of change management (Stragalas, 2010, p. 31). Considering that Aramco aims to develop an integral change strategy that addresses the behaviors of multiple stakeholders, including both subordinates and top executives, ADKAR would not be particularly useful for the company. Besides, when trying to resolve the problem of resistance, it may be more appropriate to apply some management principles introduced by William Bridges and Edgar Schein (Lewin) since, unlike ADKAR, they are concerned with the issues of employees’ psychological and emotional states during the change process. Figure 3: Five elements of ADKAR change competency model. Kotter’s 8-Step Model Kotter’s model is one of the most detailed and less abstract compared to the previous one (Figure 4). Since this model combines cultural, strategic, informational, structural, and behavioral aspects of change, its major advantage is the provision of “a three-dimensional linkage between individuals, groups, and the organization” (Stragalas, 2010, p. 31). In this way, it is the right choice for Aramco if it wants to target multiple stakeholders simultaneously. Figure 4: Kotter’s change management model. The steps outlined in Kotter’s model also allow meeting Aramco’s objective of involving top managers in the transition process since it emphasizes the contribution of leadership to favorable management outcomes. Besides, it implies that the lack of employee awareness of the need for change, resources, and motivation are the primary barriers to a smooth organizational transformation. For instance, step 5, “empower others to act,” suggests that employees must be stimulated intellectually to make decisions and perform relevant tasks, and it is valid to say Aramco’s employee culture oriented towards team learning and free knowledge sharing allows for this level of empowerment already. Overall, although Kotter’s theory is still open to interpretation and allows for a substantial degree of creativity and flexibility in terms of change management (for example, short-term wins and objective may be specifically tailored to suit different organizational contexts and strategic orientations), it has been validated through many research studies (Stragalas, 2010). Thus, it provides a valuable, evidence-based, and sufficiently detailed insight on how to conduct successful comprehensive change interventions. Lewin’s Approach to Change Management and Bridges’ Model It may be argued that through the realization of steps 4 and 5 of Kotter’s model, Aramco will be able to transform workers’ behaviors and mindsets and, thus, address the problem of psychological resistance because an inspiring vision has a purpose to motivate employees, whereas empowerment is possible merely when individual needs are aligned with the organizational ones to a substantial degree (Choi et al., 2016). However, the approaches developed by Lewin and Bridges provide more specific solutions to the issue of resistance to change and, thus, may be applied as well. Bridges’ model comprises such steps as “Ending, Losing, Letting Go; Neutral Zone; and New Beginning” (Stragalas, 2010, p. 31). The first phase is characterized by a sense of loss and discomfort in employees, which can be transformed by leaders through continual and consistent communication, as well as the promotion of team morale (Stragalas, 2010). As for Lewin’s model, it consists of three steps: Unfreeze – Change – Refreeze (Stragalas, 2010). In Edgar Schein’s explanation of Lewin’s three stages of change, the first two of them always provoke a sense of psychological uncertainty and “survival anxiety” (Stragalas, 2010, p. 33). Therefore, the main task of leaders and managers is to promote psychological safety among employees through positive role-modeling, continual encouragement, communication of a positive vision, and individual consideration at the Refreezing stage (Stragalas, 2010). The latter requirement means that appropriate HR practices, including employee education, recognition, rewards, and so forth, must be implemented to stimulate and consolidate desired behaviors. It may be recommended for Aramco to focus on this part of change management since it may foster an easier acceptance of change by subordinates. Conclusion and Recommendations As the conducted analysis and literature review revealed, Aramco’s decision to expand its natural gas production activities is determined by several external factors. Among them, stakeholders’ interest in cleaner energy sources and the growing energy demand is the most important. To achieve this goal, the company plans to enhance its technological capabilities and infrastructures. However, such an initiative will require not only hard changes but soft ones as well, which means that the firm will need to develop its knowledge and human resources and foster a shift in the behaviors and mindsets of its current employees. As such, it seems that Aramco utilizes appropriate practices and strategies to manage the change. It aims to involve all relevant stakeholders in the process and pays attention to the problem of resistance to change. Besides, the enterprise already has a flexible knowledge-sharing and collaborative environment that facilitates communication and vision sharing, which may be viewed as one of its core strengths. Moreover, Aramco mentioned that Kotter’s 8-step model is its preferred change management framework. Since this approach is considered one of the best practices nowadays, it may be recommended for the company to continue using it. Specific focus on communication and employee motivation, as well as alignment of individual needs with the organizational ones through appropriate HR practices, will allow reducing resistance to change and consolidating positive organizational behaviors in the long term. Reference List Almas, K. and Manzoor, H. S. (2015) ‘An application of ADKAR change model for the change management competencies of school heads in Pakistan’, Journal of Managerial Sciences , 8(1), pp. 77-95. Anderson, D. and Akerman, L. (2010) Beyond change management . San Francisco: Pfeiffer. Blomquist, L. B. (2015) Political-security risk in the oil and gas industry: the impact of terrorism on risk management and mitigation. Web. Carr, M. (n.d.) Change management consultant . Web. Choi, S. L. et al. (2016) ‘Transformational leadership, empowerment, and job satisfaction: the mediating role of employee empowerment’, Human Resources for Health , 14(73), pp. 1-14. Conner, H. (2015) Managing environmental risk in the oil and gas industry . Web. Dipaola, A. and Ratcliffe, V. (2019) ‘ Saudi Aramco sees shale gas as Kingdom’s next energy bonanza ’, Bloomberg . Web. International Labour Organization (2016) Occupational safety and health and skills in the oil and gas industry operating in polar and subarctic climate zones of the northern hemisphere . Web. Kobayashi, Y. (2007) Corporate strategies of Saudi Aramco . Web. KPMG International (2012) Shale gas: global M&A trends focus on Argentina, China and United States . Web. McCalman, J. and Potter, D. (2015) Leading cultural change . London: Kogan Page. NICDP (2019) Human capital . Web. Oil and gas trends 2018-19 (n.d.) Web. Prevett, R. (2018) ‘18 disruptive technology trends for 2018’, Disruption . Web. Reed, S. (2019) ‘ Saudi Aramco is world’s most profitable company, beating Apple by far ’, The New York Times . Web. Rosenberg, S. and Mosca, J. (2011) Breaking down the barriers to organizational change . Web. Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (n.d.) Web. Saudi Aramco SWOT & PESTLE analysis (2019) Web. Vaughan, A. (2019) ‘ Saudi Aramco says oil industry faces ‘crisis of perception ‘’, The Guardian . Web. Wagner, J. and Armstrong, K. (2010) ‘Managing environmental and social risks in international oil and gas projects: perspectives on compliance’, The Journal of World Energy Law & Business , 3(2), pp. 140-165. Yanting, Z. and Liyun, X. (2011) ‘Research on risk management of petroleum operations’, Energy Procedia , 5, pp. 2330-2334. Yeo, R., Stubbs, J. and Barrett, M. (2016) ‘Team-based knowledge sharing: learning through complex work challenges’, International Journal of Human Resource Development: Practice, Policy & Research , 1(1), pp. 65-83. Yudha, S. W., Tjahjono, B. and Kolios, A. (2018) ‘A PESTLE policy mapping and stakeholder analysis of Indonesia’s fossil fuel energy industry’, Energies , 11(1272), pp. 1-22.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : Four Seasons is a luxury hotel chain that has been in business for over half a century. The company has a strong focus on customer service, and its hotels are known for their high standards. Four Seasons also offers home and residence rentals, many popular destinations.
Four Seasons is a luxury hotel chain that has been in business for over half a century. The company has a strong focus on customer service, and its hotels are known for their high standards. Four Seasons also offers home and residence rentals, many popular destinations.
Strategic Direction For Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Report Introduction Many luxury hotels and rentals around the world are managed by corporations that have assets in many different popular resorts. These businesses use their expertise to create a network of properties that offer excellent service based on high international standards. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is one such organisation, based in Canada and operating hotels in many famous locations as well as renting homes and residences. However, unlike many other well-known hotel chains, it does not own these properties, which is a noteworthy aspect of its business strategy. There are also other aspects of its approach that deserve further consideration. Being a privately held company, Four Seasons is less open to public scrutiny than many other businesses. As such, the purpose of this report is to attempt a thorough investigation of the organisation’s strategy and the reasons for its success. Situational Analysis Four Seasons has existed for a considerable time, expanding continuously throughout most of its existence. According to About us (2020), it began in 1960 but adopted its current strategy and began developing actively in 1970, entering the U.S. in the 1980s and starting worldwide growth in the 1990s. The organisation focuses on luxury hotels and residences, providing excellent five-star service at competitive prices. It is also open to innovation and experimentation for the sake of satisfying its clients’ expectations and improving their experience. As a result, Four Seasons is generally considered one of the world’s best hotel chains, in terms of both pricing and the quality of service. Its stated orientation and the strategy that it uses reflect this tendency, highlighting a focus on the customer and the aspects that can improve their experience. Vision Statement Four Seasons does not have a specific and codified vision statement on its website, though it has a mission statement. However, About us (2020) provides a quote by the company’s founder that highlights the lack of a large-scale dream or goal and identifies a focus on delivering consistently excellent service. The company aims to create the best possible experience for the visitor, which they will remember and return when in need of accommodations again. Fundamentally, this outlook is based on the idea of mutual loyalty, where the company earns the trust of its customer base by displaying commitment on its side. Regardless, there is no comprehensive view of the company’s relationship with the people who visit its hotels or its perceived role in the industry. Some aspects can be inferred from the expressions of its self-view and goals on the website, however. As mentioned above, service is the central value of the company, and its actions are all aimed at maximising this quality. Corporate bios: Isadore Sharp (2020) quotes Four Seasons’ founder and chairman, who views the brand as associated with excellent experiences and lasting memories. The intention is to maintain this reputation in the future, as well, through maintenance of specific company culture and a particular strategic alignment that will be described below. Corporate bios: Isadore Sharp (2020) focuses attention on brand integrity, which is maintained with measures such as the transition from a corporate structure to private ownership. Four Seasons seeks to distinguish itself among the competition and attract visitors with excellent service. As a result, its vision could be framed as that of being an exemplar in that aspect of performance. Mission Statement The company’s mission statement is considerably more detailed than the account of its vision. Service culture (2020) defines the goal of the company through descriptions of who its employees are, what they believe, how they succeed, and how they behave. Four Seasons wants to be recognised as the chain that manages the best hotels and other properties wherever it operates. This aspect consists of a combination of excellent design and the best personal service that is based on a set of ethical values. To that end, Four Seasons prioritises employees, who work with customers and thus define the perceived service quality. It works to ensure that hotel workers enjoy their jobs and feel pride in them while respecting their colleagues regardless of profession. As a result, the chain is renowned for its treatment of staff members and being a place where people want to work. While quality service is the foremost priority of Four Seasons, the company remains a commercial entity. As such, its primary objective is to make a profit from its operations, whether to satisfy the owners or to expand the company and secure its future. To that end, the company balances profitability and customer expectations and tries to set fair and reasonable prices for its services. Lastly, the fourth aspect of the company’s mission statement governs the behaviours of its employees. According to Service culture (2020), Four Seasons applies a rule that it defines as “deal with others as we would have them deal with us” in this regard (para. 5). As such, the company upholds high ethical standards and tries to ensure that no problematic behaviours occur within or in its relations with partner companies. Current Strategy Four Seasons discloses its strategy openly, possibly due to the lack of significant competition and the challenges of entering the industry. Corporate bios: Isadore Sharp (2020) highlights four central aspects: treating others as one wishes to be treated, only managing medium-sized hotels, manage these locations instead of owning them and concentrate on service. The first aspect has been discussed above as applying to employees, but it is used across the business. Four Seasons is committed to creating a distinctive culture and letting the people judge it instead of making similar claims to many other companies while obfuscating internal processes. The decision to manage medium-sized hotels may be related to this approach, as it is easier to oversee their operations and prevent any unethical behaviours. A small hotel may struggle to meet the high standards of the clients, and a large one is associated with significant complexity increases that make the identification of issues challenging. The focus on managing rather than owning hotels makes it easier for the company to expand, as it does not have to wait for new venues to be constructed or spend the resources to do so. Significant design changes are often still necessary, but they constitute a relatively small part of the task. Lastly, with the decision not to own the hotels, the organisation can focus on its central value, service, and leave building management to the owners. With regards to this core belief, the size of the company’s hotels enables it to offer personalised treatment. A focus on luxury (2020) expresses the opinion that interior design is not as crucial to the feeling of luxury as how others treat the person. As such, instead of spending excessive sums on decorations, Four Seasons tries to refine the quality of customer interactions with its personnel. Recent Performance As Four Seasons became a private company in 2007, current data on its financial performance is not publicly available. However, it appears to be in the process of continuing and expanding as it has in the past. Four Seasons history: innovation meets luxury travel (2020) claims that the chain has exceeded 100 hotels owned in 2015, opening locations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Russia, in particular. From its continued growth, it is possible to guess that the business remains profitable and that its expansion efforts continue as planned or faster. It also has the resources to attempt introducing innovative services such as dedicated jet planes that transport visitors ( Four Seasons history: innovation meets luxury travel 2020). The company continues to follow its strategy and improve the scope and quality of its offerings. It can be argued that Four Seasons’ strategy is the reason for its continued success, as both have remained mostly throughout the company’s existence. The approach focuses on overall stability and expansion at a moderate speed, without risks or significant redesigns. It has worked throughout the last decade, with the business entering new markets and hitting milestones. Its experiment with planes is a sign of a continued focus on providing improved service, with the idea helping reinforce the concept of luxury. Many visitors will have the money to afford the service and choose it to improve their travel experience further. The hotel will take care of more of their needs and introduce new aspects to air travel that the discerning traveller will appreciate. As such, the new service may become popular and begin generating substantial revenue for the company, enabling further successes. Environment Analysis PESTLE Analysis * Political: Low importance. Four Seasons operates in dozens of countries, and even if political factors temporarily make one nation an unpopular travel destination, the company’s business will not be damaged excessively. Moreover, most areas where the company operates can be considered politically stable and safe. * Economic: Medium importance. The client base of Four Seasons is affluent international travellers who come to the hotel from outside the environment. However, worldwide economic recessions tend to reflect on all companies, including the chain. * Social: High importance. Four Seasons has to open their hotels in popular destinations for its client base, as people will not visit new locations solely because a part of the chain is there. Moreover, reputation is critical to the company, as it enables the business to maintain its current customer base and attract new visitors. * Technological: Medium importance. Adopting the latest advances in technology ahead of the competition is not vital to the company’s success. However, if any new tools enter the popular definition of luxury, Four Seasons has to begin providing them, preferably ahead of time. * Legal: Medium importance. Regulations on hotels are generally similar around the world, and it should not be difficult for Four Seasons to adhere to them. However, there are differences between the laws of various nations that the company should study and follow. * Environmental: Medium importance. As many Four Seasons hotels are located in resorts where people come to rest, local weather can affect the performance of a venue. However, in the long term, such factors are likely to reach an average value and stabilise performance around a new number. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses * A large number of locations * Lack of differentiation from competitors * Excellent service * Little to no service diversification * Willingness to innovate * Lower transparency than many other companies Opportunities SO Strategies WO Strategies * The emergence of new travel destinations * Open new hotels in emerging locations * Introduce ideas ahead of the competition * Innovative ideas for comprehensive service * Combine new ideas with current service paradigm * Promote openness and accountability * Hospitality services other than hotels * Expand further into residence rentals * Consider creating new offerings in different fields Threats ST Strategies WT Strategies * Significant competition from other luxury chains * Open hotels where competition is not present * Introduce a unique factor that competitors do not have * Lower-cost alternatives * Lower costs through optimisation without compromising service * Offer a new, lower-cost business model to price-conscious visitors * Economic slowdowns * Offer less expensive options that retain superior service to alternatives * Differentiate strongly from lower-cost chains Resources Based View Four Seasons depends on two critical resources: accommodations and services, which combine to create the complete hotel stay experience. High-quality accommodations are rare due to the price of their creation and the demand for them from wealthy travellers. For the same reasons, they are hard to imitate, as doing so would require a substantial investment of money and time. However, they are substitutable, as one can go to a lower-quality hotel or rent a luxurious apartment for a short time, even if both options have disadvantages. Excellent service is not rare among luxury chains, as it is considered an essential part of their operations. However, it is hard to imitate due to the company’s long-standing efforts to cultivate a specific culture that will satisfy customers while keeping employees happy. With that said, it is possible to substitute Four Seasons’ service with more luxurious accommodations or an attitude aimed solely at placating customers at any cost. Porter’s Five Forces * Competition in the industry: low. Luxury hotel chains prioritise keeping their current visitors and having them return over attracting new audiences. Affluent travellers are a small proportion of the overall population, and most will choose the best accommodations they can afford without the need for promotion. * Potential of new entry: low. While the history of Four Seasons serves as an example of how a new company can revolutionise the industry (Four Seasons history 2020), it is unlikely that new companies can make the same impact today. The associated costs, alongside the general lack of innovation in the industry, make competing with established luxury chains a challenging task. * Power of suppliers: medium. Many prestigious hotels rely on specific suppliers of high-quality goods, but can potentially replace them. In the case of Four Seasons, the company will be endangered if the owners of the properties that it operates choose to end the partnership, but such an event is highly unlikely. * Power of buyers: high. Travellers have a broad selection of venues that they can choose depending on their preferences and past experiences. As such, hotels have to try to offer them the best offer based on a variety of characteristics and encourage repeat visits. * Threat of substitution: high. Many lower-cost hotels have different classes of rooms, with the best ones possibly competing with dedicated luxury venues. Moreover, apartment and house rental services exist in many popular destinations, which can provide a better experience than a high-quality hotel. Strategic Criticisms and Recommendations Advantages of the Strategy Four Seasons is a highly successful company, at least on the surface level. With a large number of locations across the world and sufficient resources to continue its expansion, it is one of the world’s leading luxury hotel chains. It is also expanding its services into other areas such as villas and residences, with over 750 properties available and unique customisation services offered (Four Seasons private retreats 2020). This diversity of locations and propositions can make it challenging for other companies to compete with the business, as it can offer an alternative to anything they invent while the opposite is not true. Additionally, with services such as dedicated aeroplanes, Four Seasons can capitalise on customer loyalty and reinforce it by providing superior alternatives to conventional travel. Overall, it would appear that the strategy initially formulated by the company’s founder has led it to success. Most luxury hotel chains rely on the brand image to secure sales, maintaining excellent reputations so that people want to visit them. According to Hudson and Hudson (2017), Four Seasons operates similarly, following a premium pricing strategy where its comprehensive services justify high costs. As such, the company must keep its positive image as a destination where one will receive some of the best services in the world. To that end, it tries to maintain a high quality of service and provide every guest with a personalised and pleasant experience. With its medium-size hotels, it is challenging for the company to include the same quality of additional services such as restaurants or saunas as larger competitors due to the lower potential for profit. As such, it has to find different ways of attracting customers or focus on a separate category of traveller. Differentiating Aspects As a result, the chain chose to appeal to customers other than people who were the usual audience of luxury hotels. As Four Seasons history: a focus on luxury (2020) describes, Sharp’s vision was one of a personal and informal hotel that would still provide every possible comfort at a corresponding price. The opening of the first such venue coincided with an increase in jet travel around the world, with businesspeople constituting a significant portion of the traffic generated in the process. This variety of customer preferred comfort and efficiency and did not necessarily want to be treated like nobility, for whom traditional luxury hotels were designed. As such, Four Seasons suited their needs excellently, which contributed to the success of the London enterprise despite it competing with better-known and established names such as the Savoy ( Four Seasons history: a focus on luxury 2020). Learning from this success, the company began designing hotels based on the same standard around the world. In an informal environment, it arguably takes more training for the staff to respond to visitor concerns and requests correctly than in one where strict guidelines define behaviour. As such, workers became a particular focus of Four Seasons, with the company providing them with excellent conditions and ensuring that both managers and subordinates were satisfied with the situation. Reiche et al. (2017) mention how new employees in the chain’s Paris hotel were surprised that they did not have to work more hours than prescribed by the law, unlike in their previous workplaces. As a result, the chain is often known as an excellent employer that responds to staff inadequacies by hiring additional workers rather than inconvenience current ones or the visitors. However, this tendency creates additional costs for the company, which ultimately reduce its profit margin and contribute to its low net worth. Disadvantages of the Strategy Despite the company’s size, its lack of ownership over the properties that it manages prevents it from growing at faster rates and achieving similar value to the competition. According to Dierks (2006), the company was sold for $3.7 billion when it went private in 2007, and its performance since then has been unknown. For comparison, #174 InterContinental Hotels (2020) lists one of its competitors, which owns the locations it uses, as having a market cap of $12.3 billion. Moreover, the low-profit margin can endanger the company during economic recessions, and it may begin losing money unless it chooses to compromise its standards. With that said, it appears that the business is aware of this tendency and accepts it as an inevitable part of maintaining its brand. The deal that allowed it to go private was intended to enable the chain to focus on customers and be less reliant on the market, which can pressure companies to be profitable at any cost. Over the years, Four Seasons may have changed from an innovative company to an established and inflexible one. It has been using the same strategy for nearly sixty years without significant deviations. While the approach has been successful, there may have been some opportunities for improvement and growth that the company has missed. Many luxurious hotel brands belong to larger groups that manage a variety of chains and programs, maintaining a prestigious brand while ultimately serving many different types of customer. Various loyalty initiatives reward repeated visits, but the chain does not have one. The company claims that such programs are too nonspecific and do not make the visitor feel that their experience is being personalised, which is Four Seasons’ selling point. With that said, Hua et al. (2018) claim that loyalty programs result in substantial improvements for all aspects of a hotel’s performance. As such, the chain may be harming itself with its refusal to incorporate the initiative, especially since the customers it caters to can be price-conscious. Generic Strategy Four Seasons’ current approach should be classified as a focused differentiation strategy due to the factors listed above. The company appeals specifically to business travellers, offering a significantly different style of treatment to many luxury hotels. Its approach emphasises informality and service, offering personalisation instead of broad excellence. With that said, Four Seasons prefers to be seen as equal to other prestigious hotels rather than a provider that provides better value or lower costs. As such, its prices will generally be similar, except for the most expensive suites, which can reach exorbitant fees at many other locations. The efforts to introduce jet plane services and customised residences for rent using Four Seasons’ trademark personalisation. This strategy is appropriate, as the company’s lasting success shows, but it may be possible to adopt a more suitable version. It is likely possible for many other hotel chains to imitate Four Seasons’ approach to some degree, particularly in locations where there are no hotels managed by the chain. Overall, the degree of differentiation achieved by the firm has likely become lower since other companies recognised its dramatic success with its innovative London hotel in 1970. The other efforts that it has undertaken since then only appeal to a minimal selection of customers who are likely already loyal to Four Seasons. To attract a broader range of customers, it may be beneficial for Four Seasons to switch to a best-cost provider strategy. The company offers a comparable experience to most other luxury chains without the need to maintain large venues and expensive decorations. As such, it may be possible for it to further appeal to its target audience by undercutting the costs of its main competitors while retaining the same level of service. Growth Strategy Four Seasons has hotels in most of the world’s popular destinations and resorts already along with a variety of luxury residences. New popular places tend to either emerge irregularly and slowly or lose their appeal before a facility can be constructed. As such, there is a limit to how far Four Seasons can grow with its current approach of putting hotels where its customer base goes. It can construct more than one venue at some of the locations. However, such an initiative will likely result in diminishing returns, especially if the current one is not regularly filled. Attempts to increase the numbers of visitors will have unreliable effects, as well, due to the strength of the competition. As such, Four Seasons will have to change its strategy to continue growing further. The company’s expertise in providing excellent service can be transferred to other price categories more quickly than others’ luxurious decorations or extensive amenities. As such, it should be possible for Four Seasons to open a business branch that targets the upper-middle class of consumers. This category of the population is interested in the type of service provided at luxury hotels but cannot afford to stay there often. As such, a cheaper variety of the hotel that omits some non-essential aspects should appeal to these customers. The company can use a different brand for these venues to avoid negative associations with its leading brand. The less expensive variety is likely to receive additional recognition due to its relationship to Four Seasons, regardless, creating an initial influx of visitors that it can sustain if it succeeds. Expected Changes With the rise of various globalisation trends and the increasing availability of travel, the world is currently undergoing a similar transformation in its hospitality industry as that which enabled the rise of Four Seasons in 1970. According to Batabyal and Das (2019), both tourist traffic and individual expenditures are continuously rising, with service and associated services being in particular demand. With that said, this tendency is likely the result of the lower costs of transportation along with the opening of many new routes. As such, Four Seasons cannot capitalise on this trend directly in its current state. It is trying to offer an integrated travel program, but its version is aimed at the very wealthy. It is possible that in the future, lower-cost chains will be able to upgrade the quality of their services through continued improvements and take away the chain’s customers. Many new technological advancements also emerge, with chains benefiting from their implementation. Batabyal and Das (2019) note that Marriott International and Intercontinental Hotel Group are both adopting various new ideas such as virtual reality and robotics extensively. Four Seasons should follow suit and look for other innovations that will help it reduce costs and create further improvements in its service. The company has an advantage already with its experience in personalisation, but in the future, it will have to work to retain its unique proposition. Overall, expansion into other visitor categories and active innovation will be necessary if the company wants to continue growing. Otherwise, it may be left behind and struggle to catch up and retain or increase its customer base. Conclusion Overall, the strategy of Four Seasons has been successful in the past and present, with its approach of steady expansion working. However, due to changes in the environment since its creation, the company may reach the upper limit of its growth soon. As such, it may be necessary for it to change its strategic direction to keep succeeding. It should try a best-cost provider approach, as it has some differentiation but not enough to secure a significant base of loyal customers. The creation of a separate brand targeted at the upper-middle-class may also be a viable approach to guarantee future growth. Travel is becoming more and more affordable, and Four Seasons is in an excellent position to capitalise on the trend as it did in 1970. Reference List #174 InterContinental Hotels (2020) Web. A focus on luxury (2020). Web. About us (2020). Web. Batabyal, D. and Das, D. K. (eds.) (2019) Global trends, practices, and challenges in contemporary tourism and hospitality management . Hershey, PA: IGI Global. Corporate bios: Isadore Sharp (2020). Web. Dierks, B. (2006) ‘ Bill Gates and Prince Alwaleed look to take Four Seasons Hotels private ’, The Guardian . Web. Four Seasons history (2020). Web. Four Seasons history: a focus on luxury (2020). Web. Four Seasons history: innovation meets luxury travel (2020). Web. Four Seasons private retreats (2020). Web. Hua, N., Wei, W., DeFranco, A. L. and Wang, D. (2018) ‘Do loyalty programs really matter for hotel operational and financial performance?’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , 30(5), pp. 2195-2213. Hudson, S. and Hudson, L. (2017) Marketing for tourism, hospitality & events: a global & digital approach. Reiche, B. S., Stahl, G. K., Mendenhall, M. E. and Oddou, G. R. (eds.) (2017) Readings and cases in international human resource management . 6th edn. London: Routledge. Service culture (2020). Web.
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Provide the inputted essay that when summarized resulted in the following summary : The text discusses the strategic levels of the special forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan.The US Army in Afghanistan was led by the special forces against the Taliban with the primary goal of stabilizing the situation and protecting US citizens from new waves of terror and violence. The text outlines the strategic levels of the special forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan and how they were able to successfully operate in the region.
The text discusses the strategic levels of the special forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The US Army in Afghanistan was led by the special forces against the Taliban with the primary goal of stabilizing the situation and protecting US citizens from new waves of terror and violence. The text outlines the strategic levels of the special forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan and how they were able to successfully operate in the region.
Strategic Levels of the Special Forces against the Taliban Report The analyzed document is devoted to the operations of the US Army in Afghanistan, the leading causes for the emergence of the need for military intervention, strategy, and description of the opposing forces, their intents, and peculiarities. The region has always been the source of instability and terrorist threat to the whole world. Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001 became the last events that demonstrated the need for an effective response with the primary goal to stabilize the situation and protect US citizens from new waves of terror and violence. The balance of power peculiar to the region and the historical background that promoted the creation of the specific situation became other factors that laid the ground for the critical destabilization of the country. Along with the description of operations performed by military forces of the USA, its purposes, results, and peculiarities, the document also reveals opponents’ strategic intents and issues that formed relations between all parties to the conflict. In the 21st century, Afghanistan was in shambles and characterized by a lack of stability. The tribal structure that has always been the most powerful political force in the land prevented the effective functioning of the central government. Moreover, the Soviet invasion destroyed the emerging political and economic structures. It created the basis for the emergence of strong actors who tried to take advantage of this chaos and grasp power. One of the major strategic intentions represented by the Taliban group was to return the country to Islamic rule using violent measures and brutal responses to eliminate all kinds of opposition and resistance. This group also cultivated the growth of terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda headed by Osama Bin Laden, who followed similar purposes and wanted to attract global attention and spread havoc in the world. The document also outlines the primary threats the opponent perceived. Taliban correctly realized the violent character of their actions and the illegal nature of their government. Moreover, accepting the leading role of the USA in global politics, terrorist groups recognized US military forces as one of the primary threats to their power in the region. The previous operations in the Middle East, along with the traditionally high American interest in Afghanistan and neighboring areas, were also taken as threatening factors that could have a pernicious impact on the further spread of Taliban and Islamic rule. For this reason, terrorist attacks and war were accepted as one of the strategies to deal with this threat. Moreover, because of the landscape, Taliban forces felt safe and protected from all operations except for the troops on the ground. The text states that to operate in the area successfully, the USA had to create a base to organize its functioning and accomplish goals. For this reason, the first operations were focused on securing the area and penetrating some regions of the country. Moreover, with further advance, new missions, such as the raid on Kandahar and capture of Kabul, were completed. In general, the analyzed document outlines the strategy of the USA, its achievements, and its contribution to the destruction of the Taliban, one of the primary sources of instability and terrorist attacks in the region. Moreover, the liberation of Afghanistan and the defeat of Al Qaeda became other successes that were preconditioned by planning, support of Northern Alliance, and in-time intervention to avoid new acts of violence and destructions.
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Write the original essay for the following summary: Air Arabia is a low-cost airline that operates flights to various countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company strongly depends on the number of passengers. The fact that Air Arabia is the first low-cost airline makes it a pioneer in introducing onboard connectivity.
Air Arabia is a low-cost airline that operates flights to various countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company strongly depends on the number of passengers. The fact that Air Arabia is the first low-cost airline makes it a pioneer in introducing onboard connectivity.
Strategic Marketing Plan for Air Arabia Report (Assessment) Introduction Air Arabia is one of the largest and most popular low-cost companies based in the United Arab Emirates, which operates air transportation. Its main advantages are low prices for tickets, quality service, and wide geographical coverage, as it offers flights to 50 countries and more than 170 destinations, which brought it 15% revenue in 2019 (Air Arabia, 2020). The purpose of this paper is to determine the development strategy for Air Arabia, according to the Anstroff Matrix, based on an analysis of its internal and external environments. In particular, onboard connectivity will be discussed in terms of its appropriateness for Air Arabia. It is hypothesized that the implementation of the mentioned idea into the operation of Air Arabia would be beneficial to both customers and the company. PESTLE Analysis The concept of onboard connectivity refers to the opportunity to use the Internet during the flight for connecting with the crew and accessing the necessary information. With the exponentially growing technological development, the demand for such innovation can be identified as high. Among a variety of operational benefits, it is possible to note passenger empowerment and personalization – the key issues that impact customer choices and preferences. Political Issues Speaking of the mentioned innovation in terms of the political factors that are present in the UAE, one should stress that political instability in the Middle East region is the main challenge. The introduction of onboard Wi-Fi connectivity may be violated under the impact of ongoing conflicts, extremism, and terrorism. At the same time, the UAE assigns the safety of flights a top priority to protect its passengers by using sophisticated threat detection systems. Nevertheless, the stability or instability of politics can change rapidly, which makes it essential to constantly monitor this issue during onboard connectivity implementation. The latter is likely to improve political stability due to the increased potential to timely identify and address the emerging threats. Economic Issues In terms of economics, Air Arabia is a low-cost airline that operates flights to various countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Given that the target customers of this airline are composed of people who want cheap and comfortable flights, the company strongly depends on the number of passengers. The fact that Air Arabia is the first low-cost airline makes it a pioneer in introducing onboard connectivity. The example of Etihad, another UAE-based airline, illustrates that customers are ready to pay for the Internet to stay connected. In this connection, it is possible to offer a limited amount of traffic for free and design a set of plans for further access. Currently, 80 percent of passengers carry a smartphone or another gadget onboard (Air Arabia, 2020). Considering the economic growth and the average income of customers, the demand for this idea would be high, which is likely to increase the company’s profits. Social Issues The population trends include great reliance on technology and smartphones to communicate with friends, resolve business issues, and access new information. The passengers who choose Air Arabia prefer low-cost flights for tourism and business purposes, while their lifestyle attitudes are closely associated with being connected to the world. Therefore, if the airline would introduce onboard Wi-Fi, it would meet customer expectations, making them more satisfied with their experience, which would also improve customer retention. Technical Issues The technical aspects are equipping the airplanes with the necessary technology and establishing satellites or air-to-ground (ATG) in various locations. More to the point, the very approach of Air Arabia limits its investments in technological development that can set an extra burden to the company. From this perspective, the technical issues can be associated with significant challenges, which are the core issue that should be resolved by the company before implementing this technology. Legal Issues Legal factors relate to agreements between countries on airport taxes and a ban on the use of specific aircraft models. The first risk is the growth of the fees of airports or countries that Air Arabia might face as it will either force them to increase the price of tickets or lose profits. Besides, each state has the right to prohibit the use of certain aircraft models, if there are good reasons for this. For example, after the disaster in Ethiopia, many countries suspended or banned the use of Boeing’s 737 Max (Kaplan, Austen & Gebrekidan, 2019). A similar risk exists for other airplanes, so the company will experience significant losses if the model of its airplanes is prohibited by the countries of its operation. Environmental Issues Environmental factors also sharply affect the company’s operations, especially in light of recent ecological trends and the environmental crisis. Airplanes are harmful to nature, so there is a possibility that in the coming decades, their popularity may decrease, and taxes on their use will grow. However, the introduction of onboard connectivity can be used to attract customers’ attention to the problem of climate change. For example, Air Arabia can design a short video that explains the need to resolve this problem and simple steps that can be taken by any person. This video can be shown before entering the Internet as a social responsibility initiative. Accordingly, the company would demonstrate its responsible approach to the environment while also increasing customer satisfaction via a new service. SWOT Analysis Strengths Air Arabia is one of the most successful airlines in the UAE because it uses its strengths, such as low ticket prices, high quality, a variety of services, and a wide selection of destinations. Low ticket prices make it possible for the middle and lower-middle classes in all countries to afford flights. Consequently, the number of customers is statistically higher than for business and luxury airlines. The company also offers a wide variety of services both during flights, for example, amenities for children and entertainment, and as an addition to them, hotel reservations or car rental. The high quality of services is reflected both in the increase in the number of company transportations and honors. In 2019, Air Arabia received the award as the best low-cost airline in the Middle East and Africa, and one of the evaluation criteria was customer reviews (“Air Arabia,” 2019). A large number of destinations is also an advantage of the company since it allows it to attract more customers and reduce the risks associated with economic or political instability. Weaknesses The weakness of the company is an insufficient fleet, which cannot satisfy the demand of passengers. Today, Air Arabia has 52 aircraft that operate scheduled flights. At the same time, the Etihad low-cost airline has a fleet of 102 aircraft, and the largest company in the UAE Emirates has 278 airplanes (“Our fleet,” n.d.; “The Emirates A380,” n.d.; “The Emirates Boeing 777”). However, Air Arabia is already dealing with this issue and replenishes its fleet. The company’s official website has repeatedly mentioned that Air Arabia made the largest order in the region for the purchase of 120 Airbus A320 Family aircraft (Air Arabia, 2019). Therefore, the company is aware of its shortcomings and tries to correct them to satisfy customer demand. Opportunities The main opportunities of the company are expanding the market to other countries, increasing the frequency of flights, as well as offering new services. Although the company flies already in 50 countries, there are still many states where Air Arabia does not operate, and its profitability and high organizational level make this expansion possible. Besides, if the purchase of aircraft is successful, the company will be able to increase the number of flights to current popular destinations. Air Arabia can also expand its range of services, for example, build its hotel with low room prices. Thus, Air Arabia has many options for product and market development. Threats The company also continually faces threats from other airlines, and there are always risks of changing external political and economic conditions and environmental initiatives. The first threat is current as the competition is high due to such local airlines in the UAE as Etihad and Emirates, and foreign companies, for example, Qatar Airways, British Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Lufthansa. Besides, in 2019, the Indian company SpiceJet signed an agreement, which could lead to the emergence of new airlines, and Wizz Air low-cost aims to expand its network to the east (Dudley, 2019). However, cooperation with Etihad is a profitable solution for Air Arabia as this allowed it to occupy part of the market without significant investments. Moreover, any changes in the legal, political, or economic situation of one of the 50 countries where Air Arabia flies threaten to reduce profits. For example, in the Air Arabia report, the outbreak of the coronavirus in China did not affect the company’s operations (Air Arabia, 2020). However, if it made flights only to China and neighboring countries, this epidemy would significantly reduce the company’s profit. Another possible threat to the future is the need to reduce air travel due to aircraft pollution of the environment and increase taxes due to these changes. A possible solution to the problem is to invest in the development of more environmentally friendly aircraft. Although such a project can cost vast amounts of money, if it is successful, the company will receive increased demand from customers, as well as profit from the invention. Therefore, PESTLE and SWOT analyses demonstrate that Air Arabia has many advantages that open different development opportunities for it. The Strategic Model: Product Development Ansoff’s Matrix is ​​one of the most convenient tools for determining a development strategy since it uses the main features of the external and internal environment to select a model and evaluate its risks. The Matrix offers four strategies, such as market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification (Planellas & Muni, 2019). One can conclude that the company needs to use a product development strategy by assessing its weaknesses and opportunities. Since onboard connectivity is not yet implemented into Air Arabia, product development is the main strategy that should be adopted in terms of the current market. Paying attention to the PESTLE analysis that was provided earlier in this paper, this idea can be evaluated as a viable option to research and introduce by Air Arabia to improve customer satisfaction and, at the same time, increase the positive impact of the company on the environment along with greater profit. Extensive research in the field of the onboard Internet should be conducted to better understand the current position of the company on the market. Considering that the investment and technical aspects are the key challenges, the partnerships and agreements can be considered to seek support from other organizations and the UAE government. In addition, the experience of competitors should be explored to learn about their strengths and avoid potential mistakes. Consequently, the company will receive significant profits and will be able to compete successfully with other strong airlines by increasing the market, the number of aircraft, and passengers. In addition, this extension will allow the company to minimize the risks associated with environmental trends and possible political and economic instability in countries. After becoming a leader in its Air segment, Arabia will be able to use a product development strategy or even diversification. Conclusion Air Arabia is a successfully developing company that offers excellent services in the low-cost aviation segment, which is its advantage over many competitors. Its main weakness is a small fleet, but management is aware of this problem and makes efforts to correct it. The current economic, social, and environmental factors allow the company to use the product development strategy according to the Ansoff Matrix since onboard connectivity is relevant for many people. Even though there are certain political and technical challenges, partnerships with other companies and governments are likely to resolve this problem. Therefore, researching and developing onboard Internet access for passengers should be the company’s primary strategy, which will help it to develop and become leaders among the regional airlines. References Air Arabia named as Middle East and Africa’s ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ . (2019). Air Arabia. Web. Air Arabia. (2020). Results presentation Q4/FY 2019 . Web. Dudley, D. (2019). Will the future of Middle East aviation be dictated by low-cost carriers? Forbes. Web. Kaplan, T., Austen, I., & Gebrekidan, S. (2019). Boeing planes are grounded in U.S. after days of pressure . The New York Times . Web. Our fleet (n.d.). Etihad. Web. Planellas, M., & Muni, A. (2019). Strategic decisions: The 30 most useful models . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Rahman, F. (2020). UAE Cabinet approves Air Arabia Abu Dhabi as national airline . Web. SkyTime. (n.d.). Air Arabia. Web. The Emirates A380 . (n.d). Emirates. Web. The Emirates Boeing 777 . (n.d). Emirates. Web.
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Write a essay that could've provided the following summary: High Flying Drone Enterprise is a new innovative company that provides high-quality and expedient delivery service to our valued customers by means of utilizing flying drones. As a start-up company located within the southern region of California, High Flying Drone Enterprise's primary market plan focuses on creating and delivering an assortment of new products and services.
High Flying Drone Enterprise is a new innovative company that provides high-quality and expedient delivery service to our valued customers by means of utilizing flying drones. As a start-up company located within the southern region of California, High Flying Drone Enterprise's primary market plan focuses on creating and delivering an assortment of new products and services.
Strategy Marketing Plan for “High Flying Drone Enterprise” Coursework Executive Summary High Flying Drone Enterprise is a new innovative company that provides high-quality and expedient delivery service to our valued customers by means of utilizing flying drones. As a start-up company located within the southern region of California, High Flying Drone Enterprise’s primary market plan focuses on creating and delivering an assortment of new products and services. This task will be accomplished by reaching out to the needs, wants, and desires of our every day busy and hardworking customers. In today’s demanding and technological economy, consumers spend countless hours searching and shopping on the Internet for better quality and cost-effective deals. By implementing modern and current technology in the fast and growing market, High Flying Drone Enterprise will better assist their customers by making their online purchases a much more pleasant and experience. In addition to providing our valued customers with a better and faster delivery service, High Flying Drone Enterprise will also offer substantial savings by cutting out the middleman within the supply chain. Instead of receiving products and services through traditional channels, such as land transportation, our customers will also benefit by receiving a positive and enjoyable experience with their purchases from our unconventional delivery method. In addition to our customers receiving direct shipments and significant savings, High Flying Drone Enterprise will present an unlimited potential of providing a new age with quality products and expedient service. Welcome to High Flying Drone Enterprise! Market Situation / Objective High Flying Drone Enterprise is a small family and friendly company located in the southern region of California. Our market objective is to have fun while flying drones and, of course, to provide a top-quality air delivery service (ranging from packaged deliveries of sorted foods, pharmaceuticals, and retail items) to the doorsteps of our hard-working local community. Product and service orders can be accomplished by customers using our interactive Internet site. Upon making a successful online order, our customers will then become part of the mission by being able to track their orders while in progress. This can be accomplished by them being able to view the flight video of their drone en-route. Furthermore, our customers can converse with our drone pilots through chat, voice, or video technology. With this said, our customers can have a positive and interactive shopping experience with the joy of flight like no other. We also highly encourage our employees to work, learn, and grow together. We can provide training across the board for every employee and encourage new ideas. Our sales and marketing team will strive to increase our profit margin but also engage in community outreach and customer loyalty. Market Trends / Strategy According to Meola (July 2017), “Drone adoption is growing rapidly among consumers and companies, and the retail industry is leading the way in that adoption. Drones could serve different purposes for retailers, but drone delivery (which is exactly what it sounds like: products delivered by drone) is the most well-known and readily apparent.” With this said, drone delivery services are changing the future on how consumers will quickly obtain products and services such as groceries, pharmaceuticals, and retail items. For example, many companies, such as Domino Pizza and Amazon, have experimented by using GPS and camera navigations to find businesses and residents. Based on future predictions, a wide range of markets will eventually benefit from drone delivery services. For this reason, High Flying Drone Enterprise has ventured out on a quest to capture the upcoming growing demand for becoming a top-quality drone delivery service. SWOT Analysis 1. Strengths – High Flying Drone Enterprise is a drone delivery service that has many timely, accurate, and efficient advantages. A few examples include but are not limited to providing a faster delivery time compared to conventional methods like ground travel which usually has numerous obstacles such as congested traffic. Our drones also have the capability to deliver to inaccessible and remote areas compared to conventional methods. Additional strengths include providing reduced costs compared to the cost of employing human labor. 2. Weaknesses – Our commercial drone operations are required to strictly abide by the rules and regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, 2019). These regulations include, but not limited to drones being properly registered, drone pilots being required to be certified, flight operations being conducted during specific daylight hours, cargo weight being less than 55 pounds, drones not exceeding an altitude above 400 feet, preflight inspections being conducted, drones not exceeding a maximum ground speed of 100 mph, and drones being required to remain clear of restricted flight zones such as airports and military installations (FAA, 2019). Other weaknesses include environmental conditions such as inclement weather, which could restrict and prevent drones from conducting their operations. Finally, people could possibly steal cargo or be injured by operational drones. 3. Opportunities – High Flying Drone Enterprise has many opportunities, which include but are not limited to providing close-range package deliveries for foods, pharmaceuticals, and retail items. Due to being a new innovative market, our drone delivery service has a great potential of expanding to various markets and locations, which is our future objective. 4. Threats –Due to being a new innovation, many new companies may emerge, providing a competitive market against us. People could potentially steal cargo from our operational drones. Additionally, people have the potential to injure or kill our drones. Finally, wildlife issues possibly may become a factor, such as birds colliding with flying drones. Valued Proposition Drone delivery services offer significant value to both businesses and consumers through a variety of means. The technology is robust, adaptable, and much more affordable than traditional methods of delivery, particularly on a local level. Unencumbered by many barriers to traditional transportation, drones offer more efficient workflows and patterns of delivery. Drones that are electric offer a sustainable advantage to delivery trucks both through pollution emittance and time wasted. Eventually, drones will become autonomous, removing the human element as well. Drones directly deliver lightweight packaging from the distribution center to the consumer’s doorstep in under an hour. This direct route and process ensure speed, efficiency, and reliability. The drone delivery service ensures a level of control for the customer as to the time their product is delivered and the method. Furthermore, drone delivery services can be employed by organizations such as hospitals, banks, and governments to rapidly deliver vital packages in between locations. Finally, this approach to delivery ensures a level of safety as, despite the challenges posed by airspace management, drones remain safe (even in the relatively infantile stages of the industry), which ensures the well-being of the drone devices, consumers, and their valued packages (Adams, 2019). Buying Processes The primary consumers of the drone delivery service are expected to be businesses and companies which deliver products directly to consumers. These may range from local companies to large conglomerates such as Amazon that utilize their own drone fleets but may require external providers to keep up with the traffic. Therefore, the buying process begins with consumer dissatisfaction with traditional delivery methods and a desire for an innovative and efficient approach. The customer contacts the company, and details are negotiated regarding the logistics, price, and implementation of the drone delivery system. Initial information can be found on the company website, and a representative is available at all times to guide the buying decisions. The business will likely request specifications first and then submit a request for proposals which allows the company to present the core concepts and benefits of selectin drone delivery (Linton, n.d.). There is potential to bundle products with the drone delivery system such as a service to optimize logistics as well as appropriate tracking and data software to provide detailed information on delivery patterns which can significantly benefit a business. Finally, the order is negotiated, reviewed, and placed, confirming any contractual obligations. Key Message The key message which the High Flying Drone Enterprise should deliver is providing a viable and efficient “last-mile delivery” solution. It effectively provides fast and local delivery services for business and private consumers, eliminating numerous logistical barriers to provide an effective solution. Businesses should be targeted with the approach to resolve logistical issues and the ability to meet delivery demands through innovative and effective methods. Emphasis should be made towards the distinguishing factor of delivery drones in the current economy, and any business which utilizes them will gain consumer attention as highly technological (Roberson, 2019). Meanwhile, private consumers should be targeted with an emphasis on the speed and reliability of the delivery service within the local region. In both cases, the possibilities of the technology must be advertised early in the buying process and becoming more focused on price and sustainability towards the end. Needed Promotional Tools Tool Description Audience & Objective Search engine optimization (advertising) – ensuring that the service web page and relevant contact information appears in relevant areas and search terms during Google searches Anyone who may be inquiring about the drone delivery services in the area of the company. The objective is to achieve relevance in searches and gain traffic to the web and social media pages of the company of potential consumers. Web pages (sales promotion)– maintaining up-to-date and visually appealing websites which offer relevant information for potentially interested consumers. The audience is anyone acquiring the basic information about the businesses and how it operates. The objective is to offer a first perspective and fundamental operation to consumers interested in forming partnerships. Social media pages and advertising (public relations) – Utilizing social media pages such as Facebook and Instagram through posting updates and statutes relevant to the company. The audience is anyone who is interested in the company, including current and potential consumers wishing to keep up to date. The objective is to provide the latest information, maintain a public profile, and directly communicate with interested consumers. Cold calls and direct mail (personal selling) – directly engaging businesses and potential customers through telephone calls and mail providing descriptions of the service (Market Business News, n.d.). The primary audience would be businesses that offer or may benefit from delivery services. The primary objective is to offer the drone delivery service and seek partnerships both locally and regionally in hopes of acquiring potential interest and sales. Marketing Tactics 1. Product – the product offered is a high-speed and efficient high-flying drone delivery service. It partners with businesses or can be used for individual private orders to deliver a product from one location to another within a ten-mile radius. The service can be one-time or on a contractual obligation. It offers the solution and sustainability of rapid local deliveries to address barriers such as logistics, traffic, emissions, and safety of regular ground delivery. The service encompasses logistics and delivery tracking as well as insurance to ensure the fulfillment of the order. 2. Price – pricing for drone delivery is traditionally lower than other methods because the drones are electrical. The average price is $0.05 per mile, with an additional premium for the company. Thus, for short-term deliveries, drones are more affordable to the consumer and to businesses alike. However, at first, pricing may be aggressive to account for development, and business creation costs as well as charging the premium for speed. However, in long-term partnerships, these costs can be driven down as more efficient and systematic approaches to deliveries are made. 3. Promotions – the whole range of the marketing mix will be utilized for promotions. These include advertisements, search engine optimization, use of social media, and public campaigns, particularly to local businesses. It is possible to offer discount offers to long-term contractual obligations. The company will capitalize on its technological innovation and “wow-factor” of offering such a unique service that could attract consumers willing to enter and adopt this emerging market of drone utilization. 4. Place – The company High Flying Drone Enterprises is based in Southern California. It will operate in the large cities of Los Angeles and San Diego at first, offering several drone hubs around the city for the service to cover the widespread square mileage of these metropolitan areas. It will operate within the parameters regulated by the city regarding drone flying. Therefore some areas around airports and high-rise buildings may be unavailable. However, the market in Southern California is accepting of innovative technologies and creates significant potential for the company (Kareh, 2018). Financials Drone delivery has one of the lowest cost ratios for delivery out of all traditional transportation methods of approximately $0.05 per mile (Kim, 2016). However, the enterprise requires high initial and capital costs in areas such as research and development, setting up a command and logistics center, communication costs, airspace fees, insurance, and maintenance of the drones. After planning and evaluating these aspects, it can be estimated that the initial investment into the business will exceed $2-3 million dollars. The initial stages of operations are unlikely to generate significant revenue, with the first quarter potentially earning approximately $50,000 -100,000 in gross revenue. However, as the company continues operations, acquiring bigger clients, the operating revenue can easily exceed $500,000 per quarter, allowing to recuperate initial costs. Control 1. Product Control – ensuring a high level of service, including the promised elements of speed, efficiency, and safety that are emphasized by the marketing campaign. Direct communication with consumers to improve quality. 2. Competition Control – evaluating other companies that offer similar services or businesses such as Amazon utilizing their own drone fleets to examine how the enterprise can improve its offerings. 3. Profitability Control – analyzing financials and evaluation of its expenses on research and development in comparison to the company’s overall profitability and revenue. 4. Strategic Control – entails undertaking a comprehensive assessment of marketing strategy and effectiveness. This includes re-evaluating the environment, policies, and objectives that are shifting continuously, particularly in this technological and transportation industry. References Adams, E. (2019). Drone delivery services are actually, finally almost here. Wired . Web. Federal Aviation Administration (2019). Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators. Part 107 Rules. Web. Kareh, A. (2018). Evolution of the four Ps: Revisiting the marketing mix. Forbes . Web. Kim, E. (2016). The most staggering part about Amazon’s upcoming drone delivery service. Business Insider . Web. Linton, I. (n.d.). Five stages of the business buying decision process . Web. Market Business News (n.d.). What are marketing tools? Definitions and examples . Web. Meola, A. (2017). Shop online and get your items delivery by a drone delivery service: The future Amazon and Domino’s have envisioned for us. Business Insider . Web. Roberson, C. M. (2019). Drones – A viable last mile delivery solution . Web.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The street food market is one of the most rapidly developing areas that are represented by various offers. For example, McDonald's and Burger King provide fast food that is bought by many customers all over the world. However, the recent trend is that more and more people think about what they eat and how their nutrition habits affect their health. Also, the idea of environmental protection becomes very popular, especially in developed countries.The owner of Wil's Grill is John who managed to provide clean food sourced from the local farms. This report aims at analyzing the mentioned business, revealing its strengths and weaknesses, and concluding with relevant recommendations.
The street food market is one of the most rapidly developing areas that are represented by various offers. For example, McDonald's and Burger King provide fast food that is bought by many customers all over the world. However, the recent trend is that more and more people think about what they eat and how their nutrition habits affect their health. Also, the idea of environmental protection becomes very popular, especially in developed countries. The owner of Wil's Grill is John who managed to provide clean food sourced from the local farms. This report aims at analyzing the mentioned business, revealing its strengths and weaknesses, and concluding with relevant recommendations.
Street Food Market: Wil’s Grill Case Term Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Problem Identification 3. Analysis of the Global Competitive Environment 4. Industry Structure Discussion 5. Alternatives 6. Recommendations 7. Conclusion 8. Works Cited Introduction The street food market is one of the most rapidly developing areas that are represented by various offers. For example, McDonald’s and Burger King provide fast food that is bought by many customers all over the world. However, the recent trend is that more and more people think about what they eat and how their nutrition habits affect their health. Also, the idea of environmental protection becomes very popular, especially in developed countries. Therefore, street food vendors try meeting these modern requirements and ensuring that customers receive what they want. Wil’s Grill case presents the story of John who manages to provide clean food sourced from the local farms. This report aims at analyzing the mentioned business, revealing its strengths and weaknesses, and concluding with relevant recommendations. Problem Identification The owner of Wil’s Grill is John whose parents had a restaurant and ranch in Cave Creek, Arizona. The boy was fascinated by cooking and offering people healthy food. With his father, John opened Wil’s Grill, where they served fries, beverages, and burgers, working with the local suppliers. When John entered the Northern Arizona University, his father had to close the business. Furthermore, in cooperation with his friend, Karl, they opened a new street food vendor and targeted the so-called clean food. Among the services, there were street food events, catering, and individual sales. The main goal of this business was to build a local supply chain and provide hospitality-driven services. It should be stressed that John was well-aware of customers’ needs in eating healthy food at a reasonable price. When Karl decided to relocate, John became the only proprietor of the business that added more responsibilities. The part of the work performed by Karl was to be made by one person, and John hired an assistant. With time, the business grew, and revenues grew, but insufficiently. Currently, the main concern of John is how to extend the business and serve several events at the same time. One may note that there are various issues that should be taken into account. For example, one may note operational costs, promotion and advertising, cooking, partnerships with local suppliers, and so on. The restricted budget sets limitations on spending on employee salaries and innovations. Another problem is associated with investment options, which is critical to serve more events and attract more customers, both businesses and individuals. At the same time, it becomes clear that some investment in equipment is needed to ensure a high quality of products and good taste. In terms of the local market, it is important to analyze competitors and monitor customers’ preferences to remain competent in the industry of street food. As for sub-issues, it is possible to state that the problem with promotion also exists since the ways of attracting more customers is vague. In addition, Wil’s Grill is yet not deep-rooted on the local market of catering and vending, which is the key problem of this business. Analysis of the Global Competitive Environment To better understand how Wil’s Grill should develop further, it is critical to pay attention to the global tendencies in the street food industry. In the modern world, obesity and overweight became the most threatening diseases worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight, of these over 650 million were obese” (“Obesity and Overweight”). The key reasons for the mentioned health issues are junk food, overeating, and the consumption of energy-dense foods. At the same time, low physical activity and high stress levels play an important role. In this connection, food start-ups try to prepare more healthy food to improve the situation. The concept of clean food refers to fresh food cooked recently from scratch and having high-nutrient content. Even though fast food remains the most desirable snack, it has a serious opponent. The clean food movement began more than 30 years ago, and about a million people around the world have chosen it as the basis of their diet (Marber). Currently, it continues gaining increasing popularity all over the world. The principles of such nutrition are appropriate for organizing food during fat burning and, in general, for maintaining healthy lifestyles. In the philosophy of clean food, three key parameters should be followed. First of all, only fresh and tasty products should be selected to make sure that food is of high quality. Second, only safe and harmless to nature products should be used. Third, in terms of availability, fair prices should be set to make quality food accessible to everyone. Following the mentioned principles, healthy street food vendors solve several tasks. If they cook foods in accordance with the seasons and using local farms’ products, they avoid dyes, preservatives, and other substances that make food s harmful (Marber). This is also an important step for the stable development of the local farms, which is likely to allow addressing the need for food in developing regions. In other words, the problem of the uniform redistribution of food is likely to be resolved. The development of local farms serves as the key to solving the problem of hunger on both local and global scales. The global competitive environment is composed of various companies that operate either locally or worldwide. Nowadays, about 2.5 billion people buy street food every day at least once (Cardoso 18). The rhythm of life in the modern cities dictates the rules that require people to be fast and focused. Moreover, street food is not just a fast food system but a cultural phenomenon specific to any area or country. It reflects the history, as well as the social and economic situation in it. Modern street food is a full-fledged culinary industry that is not inferior in quality to restaurants or cafes. This concept assumes the presence of an open kitchen, when a visitor can see how food is personally cooked for him or her. As a rule, many vendors can be found during the city holidays. Various festivals and other events are a very profitable time for street vendors. The purpose of such events is to demonstrate the culinary skills, attracting potential customers, as well as creating an environment for an interesting pastime. Boiled corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, waffles and cakes – these are the most typical examples of street food. It should be stressed that geographical and climatic features also identify street food characteristics. For example, in Vietnam, a mountainous country, street food is replete with spices and herbs, but not spicy compared to Indian foods. In Asia, street food developed quickly and got accustomed well (Cardoso 38). In China and Thailand, the so-called xiaochi are popular as snacks (for example, an oyster omelet, Chinese baozzy manty, ficus jelly and more) sold on the street or in small restaurants. In addition, walking through Beijing and Hong Kong, one can taste the kebabs on skewers as well as a variety of edible insects. In, in Paris, one can find roasted chestnuts and a variety of sandwiches with traditional French baguette. In central Europe, Berlin or Dresden, well-known German sausages, fried with curry or other sauces, are offered on streets by vendors. In the US, the most widespread street foods are hamburgers, kebabs, and barbeque. Industry Structure Discussion The American street food industry presents relatively cheap and healthy foods that can compete with junk food offered by corporations. The growing awareness of people of the need to support their health leads to the fact that great attention is paid to clean food. It means that the increasing number of people prefer eating more vegetables, fruits, and meats that were produced on the local farms without the use of pesticides. The recent research shows that about 64,000 businesses are registered in the US as street food vendors. Even though the demand for the identified services is evident, related policies and laws are still should be developed to manage the industry risks and opportunities. Speaking of the global (foreign) street food industry, one should state that it also has competition among companies. The structure of both domestic and the global street food markets is similar and consists of catering and street food events. Currently, one can observe the emergence of new directions in the field of catering since customer demand becomes more complex and requires an ever-expanding set of services. This trend is connected to the gradual transition of the world community from the industrial stage of development to the postindustrial one, which contributes to a change in lifestyles. The range of catering possibilities is quite wide. For example, catering services can be used to organize official meeting for VIP-persons, a small private party, or an outdoor barbecue party. The catering market in the field of street food began to develop in the US years ago. Today, it is much easier to organize a lunch break. The review of the catering market segment shows that this area is not fully known to customers. At the same time, catering requires more staff, depending on the event. The cooperation with advertising or event agencies seems to be important to expand the business. There are two major types of street food catering, including indoor and outside services. Customer service companies offer equipped rooms for various events. It can be event halls, banquet rooms, kitchens for preparing food, or rooms with refrigerators for storing food. Street food vendors can use personal places and equipment or rent them for specific events. Beverage storage, tableware and appliances, accessories for design of tables and halls, and table linen are required as well. The advantage of this type of catering is saving time for preparing an on-site event. Delivery, installation of necessary equipment, and kitchen utensils are provided. Consequently, the number of guests and plates that should be prepared and served is known in advance. The disadvantage is that this type of catering incurs sets costs for leasing, insurance, and production costs. Outside catering is most popular in the street food industry. It provides for services on the territory of customers in accordance with their requirements. A typical example is the activity of catering by street foods in organizing banquets for companies, individuals, and so on. While preparing a banquet outside, a customer should provide additional information on the nature of the meeting, the number and composition of participants, and duration. This type of catering is especially important for various celebrations and company presentations. The second element in the structure of the street food industry is food festivals. It is usually an impressively large venue, in which many stations with a wide variety of foods are located. Food, which is prepared on site, is provided by vendors and amateur cooks who want to share their masterpieces with everyone in the open air. The event in the style of street food fest is a great opportunity to hold an event in a completely new and creative way full of gastronomic offers. Events in the style of street food fests are quite young in the domestic market of services. Such an event with its variety of stations is the alternative to the classic buffet line, where everything is served immediately, so it is completely different from other holiday formats. Since it still cannot be attributed to the usual and standard ones, food festival is an opportunity to stand out for any event agency. The characteristic feature is frequent migration of guests from one point to another, which, in fact, takes a considerable share of the time at the event. In addition, another feature of such festivals is the interactive cooking: guests are offered not only to try various delicious foods but also watch the preparation process. Therefore, the format of food festivals allows not burdening the event with an additional program to significantly reduce costs and achieve customer satisfaction. Alternatives The main firm level strategy of Wil’s Grill is the provision of locally sourced foods in combination with reasonable price. As a rule, the company works on events and offers catering services. The first alterative is product line diversification that means adding more foods to ensure that customers may choose from the menu. Currently, Wil’s Grill’s main focus is barbeque and smoked meats. Even though the existing customers like the mentioned foods, it is insufficient for the planned expansion. Based on the revenues and costs of the company along with the review of the existing competitors, the larger menu is likely to attract more customers. It is possible to suggest that this alternative may target the strategy of providing seasonal offerings. For example, during the season of tomatoes and cucumbers, special burgers and kebabs with curry source may be provided. The second alternative refers to employee management, starting from hiring constant employees and preparing workflow charts for all job positions. Indeed, the presence of temporary employees allows making working hours flexible to meet the business demands. At the same time, it causes challenges and impedes the growth of overall effectiveness. Namely, when the limited number of employees has to perform all tasks, everything is made in a rush, and there is no opportunity to structure processes or standardize them. Therefore, based on the case analysis, one may suggest that John should hire more employees, develop processes and visualize them, and monitor progress in this area. Recommendations Serving events and festivals differs from the working methods of traditional cafes and restaurants. From a marketing point of view, a separate catering menu should be developed. John can start working in this direction by considering the strategies applied by competitors, while the menu should be specific and preferable by customers. To make sure that new foods will become popular, it is important to survey them by asking questions and receiving anonymous answers. Not only food preferences but also the overall level of customer satisfactions, suggestions, and any other comments may be received from customers to adjust marketing strategies based on them. John should think about the formulation of the competitive advantage for his company based on the analysis of competitors, including the content of menu and marketing strategies. To differentiate from others, a specific feature should be found and presented to customers. It can be special taste or food, as well as the mission and vision identifying future goals and development areas. Advertising plays an essential role in street food business, providing consumers with products or services, helping them to choose this option over others. The basis of advertising is information that should be provided in a transparent and timely manner. The main activities for the revitalization and improvement of promotional activities should be considered. For example, the identification of products most in need of advertising, the creation of modern advertising and graphic means, and the use of marketing approach to planning the production of promotional products. To solve this problem, press responses, TV promotions, sponsorship, the participation in exhibitions, and development and maintenance of corporate identity should be targeted. Degustation can promote advertising of any products or services as it allows testing new foods and receiving valuable feedback from customers. The purpose of advertising is to cause the interest of a consumer to contact the company and create loyalty, shaping an image of a reliable partner to other companies. If one approaches the matter creatively, the company’s promotional actions may cause a vast positive response in society. Taco Bell, the Mexican restaurant, can be noted as a vivid example. In 2001, when the Mir space station was returned to Earth, it was expected that the wreckage would fall in the South Pacific Ocean somewhere between Australia and Chile (Leadem). Taco Bell launched Off the Coast Australia vinyl raft area of ​​about 120 square meters. This raft was a target consisting of two circles with a company logo in the form of a bull’s eye. On the outer border, the following words were written: tortilla taco – free. Taco Bell has promised to give out to every US citizen a taco rolled tortilla stuffed with minced meat, onions, cheese, and beans if at least one piece of the space station falls into a bull’s eye drawn on the raft (Leadem). It is estimated that if a station wreck fell into a raft, then such a support campaign could cost the company $ 10 million. While the wreckage missed, Taco Bell gained wide international popularity, spending a tiny amount on vinyl. The main task is to make the customers of Wil’s Grill also visit the website, Facebook page, and the mobile application. One of the ways to attract them is to place attractive pictures there and change them often enough. One can use a digital camera and take photos of staff, events, decorations, and visitors (with their permission). Customers will have an extra reason to visit the website again, especially for those who hope to see themselves in one of the photos. In addition, the mobile applications may be used as another means of creating customer loyalty through special promos and codes. Likewise the website, the mobile application may contain food contents, the names of suppliers, and other information that proves cleanness of foods. Thus, such online marketing mix is likely to help in covering more customers and keeping them loyal in a long-term period. Conclusion To conclude, Wil’s Grill is a modern street food vendor that provides healthy and clean fast food sourced from the local farms. The key idea of this company is to ensure that customers have healthy nutrition that can be easily accessed during the day. Two main areas of interest are catering and food festivals, where the company can participate and provide food services. The main problems of Wil’s Grill are a lack of constant employees, a lack of a wide variety of foods, and poor analysis of competitors. Therefore, it was suggested that John should focus on hiring more people who will assist him in expanding the business. At the same time, the collaboration with such partners as event and advertising agencies was proposed as a way to integrate several services. The above decision is likely to provide the opportunity to grow significantly and create greater customer loyalty. In addition, it was assumed that advertising strategies should be implemented via the website, mobile application, and Facebook page. Works Cited Cardoso, Ryzia et al. Street Food: Culture, Economy, Health and Governance . Routledge, 2014. Leadem, Rose. “ 20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Taco Bell. ” Entrepreneur , 2016. Web. Marber, Ian. “ Clean Eating: The Diet Trend Everyone’s Talking About Explained. ” The Telegraph . 2016. Web. “ Obesity and Overweight. ” WHO . 2018. Web.
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Create the inputted essay that provided the following summary: In recent years, more human resource (HR) managers have demonstrated an increased interest in using personality assessments in spite of debates on their effectiveness in a selection process. Personality tests can be viewed as an important topic for discussion in the field of management because both researchers and practitioners are interested in examining the relationship between personality characteristics identified with the help of these tests and later employees't job performance and behaviour.
In recent years, more human resource (HR) managers have demonstrated an increased interest in using personality assessments in spite of debates on their effectiveness in a selection process. Personality tests can be viewed as an important topic for discussion in the field of management because both researchers and practitioners are interested in examining the relationship between personality characteristics identified with the help of these tests and later employees't job performance and behaviour.
Strengths and Limitations of Personality Assessments Essay Introduction In recent years, more human resource (HR) managers have demonstrated an increased interest in using personality assessments in spite of debates on their effectiveness in a selection process. Personality tests can be viewed as an important topic for discussion in the field of management because both researchers and practitioners are interested in examining the relationship between personality characteristics identified with the help of these tests and later employees’ job performance and behaviour (Ellingson, Sackett & Connelly 2007; Klehe et al. 2012). In this context, personality assessments serve to determine particular traits in individuals, and this information can inform managers regarding positions and tasks to select for employees, especially in a hiring process. Nevertheless, there is a concern presented in the academic literature on the use of personality tests in the workplace that is associated with possible response distortion and faking (Jackson, Wroblewski & Ashton 2000; Mueller-Hanson, Heggestad & Thornton III 2003). As a result, despite practitioners’ choice of these measures, researchers cannot agree on the validity of these tests to be effectively used in organisations. Therefore, the question to focus on in this research can be formulated in the following way: What are the strengths and limitations of personality assessments when using them in working environments? The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these measurements in the context of applying them in the workplace with reference to related issues, such as validity and response distortion among others. Although personality tests are widely applied by HR managers to determine employees’ personality characteristics and attributes to make informed decisions regarding hiring, promotion or development, these tests are usually self-reported ones, which increases the risks of bias and faking. Personality Assessments and Their Application in the Workplace During many years, personality assessments are actively used by HR managers in the workplace. The reason is that these measurement tools are regarded as effective to enhance a selection process, determine leadership attributes in candidates and employees, and improve training and development practices (Goodstein & Lanyon 1999; Risavy & Hausdorf 2011). Personnel selection remains the main area in which traditional personality assessment tools are applied to inform decision-making regarding candidates. According to Ones et al. (2007), these measurements help to identify specific traits of potential employees that can be used to predict their professional performance and possible counterproductivity. Thus, the Five-Factor Model (Big Five Theory) is a key theory to explain and support the use of personality inventories in different contexts. Big Five factors that are referred to in this model are Intellect or Openness to Experience, Extraversion, Emotional Stability or Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Thus, focusing on Intellect or Openness to Experience scores, it is possible to determine whether a candidate is broad-minded and open to innovation. Extraversion-related scores indicate whether a candidate is active and able to work and communicate in a team (Goodstein & Lanyon 1999; Risavy & Hausdorf 2011). Much attention is paid to the scores on Conscientiousness that can help to demonstrate whether an applicant is self-disciplined and well-organised as a worker (De Fruyt & Mervielde 1999). Information about behavioural patterns followed by individuals and their personality attributes according to the Five-Factor Model and similar theories is important for HR managers to determine the best position for a person, decide on his or her leadership and the potential of being developed as a supervisor or a manager. Nowadays, numerous typologies and tests are used for personality assessment. Hogan, Hogan and Roberts (1996) and Risavy and Hausdorf (2011) explain the popularity of personality assessments with reference to the fact that today HR managers can choose among a variety of computerised and online measurement scales and tools for different purposes, the results of which can be easily computed. In this context, “personality measurement is any procedure that systematically assigns numbers to the characteristic features of a person’s interpersonal style according to some explicit rules,” and these scores can be actively used for making conclusions (Hogan, Hogan & Roberts 1996, p. 470). From this perspective, the wide application of such assessments in working environments allows for discussing their advantages and disadvantages for HR management. Strengths of Personality Assessments and Associated Advantages Strengths of Personality Measures When discussing the strengths of personality assessments, it is important to note that received scores are viewed as correlated with employees’ job or task performance, their possible counterproductive behaviours, the ability to work in a team, and leadership skills among other aspects. It is possible to state that relevant evidence supporting the advantages of using personality assessments in working environments has been available since the 1980s (Hogan, Hogan & Roberts 1996). According to the results of Goodstein and Lanyon’s (1999) review of previous studies, the measures grounded in the Big Five factors can be effectively used in staff selection to determine applicants’ potential for job performance because only valid scores are taken into account. Thus, these tools are characterised by high validity to be used for predicting employees’ counterproductivity and management or leadership capacities (Goodstein & Lanyon 1999; Risavy & Hausdorf 2011). In their study, Risavy and Hausdorf (2011) refer to the high predictive validity of personality inventories applied in different occupational contexts. Consequently, researchers tend to support the idea concerning the effectiveness of using personality tests in predicting employees’ job performance during a selection process and later. Thus, one of the key strengths of personality assessments and related scores is the fact that the validity of these tests for determining personality constructs and predicting job-related behaviours is reported to be high in many studies conducted in the 1990s and 2000s. Referring to the results of meta-analytic research, Ones et al. (2007, p. 995) supported the idea that personality assessments have many advantages to be actively utilised in the workplace because they “display useful levels of criterion-related validity for job performance and its facets”. The use of these inventories for choosing certain training and development strategies based on information about employees’ leadership capacity is also important for managers, as it is reported by researchers (Dilchert, Ones & Krueger 2019; Goodstein & Lanyon 1999; Hogan, Hogan & Roberts 1996). Furthermore, although these assessments are rather traditional self-reported tools, they are effectively modernised and amended today (Dilchert, Ones & Krueger 2019). Therefore, relying on the predictive validity of these tests, managers can apply numerous improved web-based versions to cover their needs, which is also considered as one of the strengths of these tools. When focusing on the high predictive validity of personality assessment scores and determining associated benefits for HR managers, many researchers note that these advantages are mostly observed during a selection process in organisations. In their study, Goodstein and Lanyon (1999, p. 317) noted that “carefully designed, focused studies and the meta-analyses of these studies strongly support the use of personality assessment measures for job candidate selection.” Ones et al. (2007) reported that personality assessments effectively work in organisations because information on candidates’ and employees’ Conscientiousness allows for concluding about their job performance, and information on cognitive ability is mostly valid. Risavy and Hausdorf (2011) also noted that this type of assessments was successfully used by HR managers for selecting the best candidates among applicants in the context of the talent management practices. However, one should note that more research is required in order to support the idea that personality tests can be applied in a wide range of situations equally effectively in all occupational settings, regardless of the task purpose. Using Self-Reported Personality Scales in Organisational Contexts In spite of the fact that some researchers are inclined to question the appropriateness of using personality assessments during a hiring process and later in HR management practices, there is much evidence to support using self-reported personality scales in the workplace. Self-reported scales are often discussed as biased because respondents can distort information regarding their personality traits to produce a better impression on HR managers, but these scales have demonstrated their efficiency with reference to the results of many meta-analytic studies (Dilchert, Ones & Krueger 2019; Goodstein & Lanyon 1999; Jackson, Wroblewski & Ashton 2000; Risavy & Hausdorf 2011). In addition, Goffin, Jang and Skinner (2011) noted that modern personality assessments that are based on forced-choice (FC) scales prevent individuals from distorting their answers because they are expected to choose between equally appropriate statements. As a result, the risk that respondents can provide false information about themselves in order to affect managers’ decisions or impress them decreases. To be able to predict applicants’ job performance effectively with reference to self-reported personality scales, it is necessary to use well-constructed measures that are characterised by a high level of reliability and validity. This idea was developed by Goodstein and Lanyon (1999), Hogan, Hogan and Roberts (1996) and Hogan, Barrett and Hogan (2007) in their studies. In employment contexts, well-organised personality scales contribute to identifying and predicting certain attributes in candidates that are representative of their attitude to task completion, their responsibility degree, potential commitment and possible leadership (Hogan, Barrett & Hogan 2007). Therefore, many managers use only approved personality questionnaires that are based on the Five-Factor Model because their validity and effectiveness are highly evidenced in practice and research (Hogan, Hogan & Roberts 1996; Kaiser, LeBreton & Hogan 2015). These personality scales allow for calculating scores as quickly as possible and receiving the full interpretation of a candidate’s personality profile to make supported conclusions regarding the selection or promotion of an individual (Goffin, Jang & Skinner 2011). Consequently, HR managers receive an effective tool that contributes to enhancing a hiring process, as it has been found out by researchers. Limitations of Personality Assessments Tendencies of Missing Out Information and Faking A group of researchers revealed many weaknesses and limitations in the practice of using personality assessments in organisations when hiring employees and measuring their traits and capacities. Among other aspects to focus on, they also name the risk of missing out important information related to candidates when referring only to the results of personality measures (De Fruyt & Mervielde 1999; Hough & Oswald 2008). The problem is that individuals may choose to voluntarily distort their responses when being assessed with the help of personality measurement tools, and this limitation is actively discussed in the research literature (De Fruyt & Mervielde 1999; Klehe et al. 2012; Salgado 2016). Response distortion can be associated with the further ranking of candidates depending on their scores, which directly affects HR managers’ selection of the best candidates. Nevertheless, there are also findings that response distortion is not correlated with the validity of personality measures to determine their effectiveness. Hogan, Barrett and Hogan (2007) found that test scores might remain unchanged for individuals who could distort during previous tests and later were assessed again. Still, most researchers agree that response distortion can significantly affect the quality of managers’ decisions dependent on the scores of personality tests if they are not organised appropriately to address possible biases (Ellingson, Sackett & Connelly 2007; Klehe et al. 2012; Morgeson et al. 2007). From this perspective, there are many different views on how response distortion can influence employee selection in organisations when HR managers choose to apply personality assessment tools with the tendency to evaluate this distortion as the limitation of personality scales. In the majority of studies, response distortion is discussed in the context of individuals’ faking during assessments. According to Mueller-Hanson, Heggestad and Thornton III (2003), faking is an urgent problem that needs to be taken into account when evaluating the appropriateness of personality assessments. Salgado (2016) stated that response distortion can be positive or negative depending on purposes, and faking good (positive response distortion) is associated with trying to make a good impression on a manager during personnel selection. Faking bad (negative response distortion) is not typical of organisational contexts. According to Jackson, Wroblewski and Ashton (2000, p. 372), there is also one more type that is “faking a specific job role”, and this practice is also typical for organisations. Salgado (2016) conducted a meta-analysis and designed a theoretical model to explain the effects of such faking on assessment procedures with reference to the situation in organisations. It was found out that test results are usually biased because of individuals’ faking, and HR managers need to take this aspect into account when selecting personality assessments for their recruitment process. Thus, the risk of false-positive decisions because of faking good is high. Researchers provided much evidence to support the idea that personality measurement scales can lead to missing out important information about candidates because of their self-reported nature. Morgeson et al. (2007) spent much time studying the issue and concluded that personality assessments are often associated with faking or providing incomplete information, which reduces the validity of tests. Thus, personality testing during a selection process cannot be regarded as a valid and reliable technique because test scores and results are dubious in most cases, and they cannot be directly related to future job performance (Morgeson et al. 2007). Nevertheless, Hogan, Barrett and Hogan (2007) provided evidence according to which, faking during the personality assessment process associated with selecting candidates in organisations cannot be regarded as a critical issue to pay attention to. Jackson, Wroblewski and Ashton (2000) conducted a study to determine how faking in employment tests can influence the effectiveness of results and how FC tests can improve validity. According to the researchers’ conclusions, faking observed during personality assessments negatively affects rational decision-making regarding candidates to hire. Thus, many researchers view personality scales as a controversial and biased tool. Treating Candidates Who Provide True and Fake Information Filling in personality questionnaires, individuals can manipulate information they provide in order to create a more positive impression on managers. According to Mueller-Hanson, Heggestad, and Thornton III (2003), if HR managers refer to personality test results when selecting people for hiring, there is a risk to choose and hire candidates whose performance will be below the expected level because they provide false information. In this case, when some individuals unfairly answer test questions, this situation puts honest candidates at a disadvantage because HR managers can select individuals who intentionally distorted their data. Therefore, according to Jackson, Wroblewski and Ashton (2000, p. 383), managers often choose not to utilise personality tests in employment contexts because “it is manifestly unfair to make job offers to fakers and deny job opportunities to more honest respondents.” This decision seems to be evidence-based when referring to a variety of studies on the problem that are available for the review. The risk of treating honest candidates unfairly is observed when other applicants choose faking good or ‘faking a selected role’. The problem is that response distortion and the provision of fake information during personality assessments often lead to the phenomenon which is named by researchers as “the ideal-employee factor” identified in addition to standard five factors associated with the Big Five theory (Klehe et al. 2012). This factor can be regarded as influencing managers’ decisions when they find some individuals responding to the tests to be highly productive, conscientious, active, decisive, and sociable, thus, ideal candidates for a certain position (Klehe et al. 2012). Goffin, Jang and Skinner (2011) stated that specific FC personality scales can be used instead of traditional personality measurement scales in order to reduce the probability of providing fake information and increase the validity of these tests. However, there is a lack of research involving diverse employees in order to conclude on whether these scales are effective enough to be used as efficient variants of personality tests. Therefore, many limitations associated with personality scales applied in organisational contexts remain to be unaddressed. Conclusion The critical review, discussion and analysis of the strengths and limitations of personality assessments to be used in employment contexts indicates that researchers have not agreed on effectiveness and validity of this tool to predict job performance of candidates. There is also a lack of consistent evidence on the role of personality scales in improving a hiring process in organisations among other HR management practices. The strengths associated with personality assessments and accentuated by researchers include the possibility to predict job and task performance, select the most appropriate candidates for specific positions, identify leaders and potential supervisors among employees. Thus, personality scales are applied in most cases in order to guarantee that a selected candidate will fit an open position. As a result, using such tools and referring to personality descriptions and scores, managers save time and resources during selection and promotion processes. The reference to personality types allows HR managers to predict an employee’s behaviour and take appropriate actions to address it. These benefits explain why personality assessments are actively applied in an organisational context to optimise a selection process among other managerial practices. Nevertheless, the use of personality inventories in the workplace is associated with many limitations and weaknesses actively discussed by researchers. Evidence in many studies supports the idea that these tools cannot adequately help HR managers in a selection process because of response distortion or faking. Furthermore, the problem is that even the use of FC scales cannot be regarded as appropriate in order to improve trustworthiness of conducted measurements and received test scores. As a result, managers are at risk of hiring employees who tend to provide false information about them when ignoring honest candidates that can be regarded as more fitting certain positions. The analysis of these strengths and limitations of personality measures discussed in the academic literature indicates that researchers try to find alternative variants to continue using personality tests but with a focus on increased validity. They propose using FC scales and well-constructed questionnaires based on Big Five Theory in order to address possible limitations. This approach can be discussed as advantageous for an organisational context, but more research is required in the field to determine what personality assessments are most valid. Therefore, managers should be recommended to utilise only the most valid and reliable variants of personality measurement tools in their work, and these measures cannot be used as primary tools for making hiring decisions. Reference List De Fruyt, F & Mervielde, I 1999, ‘RIASEC types and Big Five traits as predictors of employment status and nature of employment’, Personnel Psychology , vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 701-727. Dilchert, S, Ones, DS & Krueger, RF 2019, ‘Personality assessment for work: legal, IO, and clinical perspective’, Industrial and Organizational Psychology , vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 143-150. Ellingson, JE, Sackett, PR & Connelly, BS 2007, ‘Personality assessment across selection and development contexts: insights into response distortion’, Journal of Applied Psychology , vol. 92, no. 2, pp. 386-395. Goffin, RD, Jang, I & Skinner, E 2011, ‘Forced-choice and conventional personality assessment: each may have unique value in pre-employment testing’, Personality and Individual Differences , vol. 51, no. 7, pp. 840-844. Goodstein, LD & Lanyon, RI 1999, ‘Applications of personality assessment to the workplace: a review’, Journal of Business and Psychology , vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 291-322. Hogan, J, Barrett, P & Hogan, R 2007, ‘Personality measurement, faking, and employment selection’, Journal of Applied Psychology , vol. 92, no. 5, pp. 1270-1285. Hogan, R, Hogan, J & Roberts, BW 1996, ‘Personality measurement and employment decisions: questions and answers’, American Psychologist , vol. 51, no. 5, 469-477. Hough, LM & Oswald, FL 2008, ‘Personality testing and industrial–organizational psychology: reflections, progress, and prospects’, Industrial and Organizational Psychology , vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 272-290. Jackson, DN, Wroblewski, VR & Ashton, MC 2000, ‘The impact of faking on employment tests: does forced choice offer a solution?’, Human Performance , vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 371-388. Kaiser, RB, LeBreton, JM & Hogan, J 2015, ‘The dark side of personality and extreme leader behavior’, Applied Psychology , vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 55-92. Klehe, UC, Kleinmann, M, Hartstein, T, Melchers, KG, König, CJ, Heslin, PA & Lievens, F 2012, ‘Responding to personality tests in a selection context: the role of the ability to identify criteria and the ideal-employee factor’, Human Performance , vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 273-302. Morgeson, FP, Campion, MA, Dipboye, RL, Hollenbeck, JR, Murphy, K & Schmitt, N 2007, ‘Are we getting fooled again? Coming to terms with limitations in the use of personality tests for personnel selection’, Personnel Psychology , vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 1029-1049. Mueller-Hanson, R, Heggestad, ED & Thornton III, GC 2003, ‘Faking and selection: considering the use of personality from select-in and select-out perspectives’, Journal of Applied Psychology , vol. 88, no. 2, 348-355. Ones, DS, Dilchert, S, Viswesvaran, C & Judge, TA 2007, ‘In support of personality assessment in organizational settings’, Personnel Psychology , vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 995-1027. Risavy, SD & Hausdorf, PA 2011, ‘Personality testing in personnel selection: adverse impact and differential hiring rates’, International Journal of Selection and Assessment , vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 18-30. Salgado, JF 2016, ‘A theoretical model of psychometric effects of faking on assessment procedures: empirical findings and implications for personality at work’, International Journal of Selection and Assessment , vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 209-228.
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Convert the following summary back into the original text: The purpose of this report is to examine the Wall Street Journal's article "StubHub Acquisition Puts Co-founder Back in Charge" and assess the business strategy of StubHub. The article discusses how Eric Baker was a pioneer in creating an efficient way to buy tickets online and how he founded StubHub in 2000. In 2006, he launched Viagogo in Europe after quitting StubHorns' management. In 2007, the American company was sold to eBay,
The purpose of this report is to examine the Wall Street Journal's article "StubHub Acquisition Puts Co-founder Back in Charge" and assess the business strategy of StubHub. The article discusses how Eric Baker was a pioneer in creating an efficient way to buy tickets online and how he founded StubHub in 2000. In 2006, he launched Viagogo in Europe after quitting StubHorns' management. In 2007, the American company was sold to eBay,
StubHub Acquisition Puts Co-founder Back in Charge Essay (Article) Article Report The purpose of this report is to examine the Wall Street Journal’s article “StubHub Acquisition Puts Co-Founder Back in Charge” and assess the business strategy of StubHub. According to the article, Eric Baker was a pioneer in creating an efficient way to buy tickets online (Steele, 2019). In 2000, he co-founded an American-based ticket retailer company StubHub, and in 2006 he launched Viagogo in Europe after quitting StubHubs’s management. In 2007, the American company was sold to eBay, and in more than a decade, it is being sold back to Viagogo. Both companies’ co-founders long planned on this deal and managed to buy his brainchild back with far-reaching intentions in mind. StubHub managed to leave the parent-subsidiary relationship with eBay to create an equity alliance with Viagogo. The friendly acquisition will contribute to both companies’ value creation strategy (Loukianova et al., 2017). American and European-based companies are going to combine to be able to sell globally, which makes an economically promising strategic alliance, on condition that Viagogo takes measures to make their business more transparent. European ticket seller specializes in the distribution of tickets for sports matches, while StubHub offers tickets for a broader range of events, including concerts, theater, and comedy. The consolidation is going to provide a better differentiation advantage in the long perspective (Cohen & Lee, 2019). Therefore, acquisition and product-market diversification are the corporate strategies chosen by StubHub management. StubHub is a company that competes rather a on differentiation than on costs. Accordingly, several steps need to be taken to conduct the value chain analysis. It is necessary to identify StubHub’s value-creating activities that contribute the most to their customers’ value. As it was a pioneer in reselling tickets, its main strength is in the extensive database that allows for achieving an economy of scale in the industry of ticket selling for live events. The significant value for the customer is that StubHub is a platform where a customer can purchase a ticket for an event that has already been sold out. The company ensures that the ticket is legitimate; otherwise, it refunds the buyer. Another value provided to customers in handling the payment transaction, ensuring that it does not break down. As for vertical integration and its two types, it should be considered through the prism of upcoming consolidation. Eric Baker set the goal to distribute globally: “We want fans to be able to get to any event, anywhere, anytime” (Steele, 2019). The orientation towards sales and satisfaction of customers’ needs indicates the forward vertical integration rather than the backward integration that implies focusing on design and manufacturing stages. The forward vertical integration is supposed to improve the quality of service, facilitate planning procedures, and investments in specialized assets of the consolidated company (King & Walker, 2014). However, the new consolidated company, which is to become a powerful force in the booming industry of ticket selling, might perform a backward integration by rebranding and developing a new design and brand name. Overall, StubHub is implementing a complex business strategy in all three dimensions. It provides vertical forward integration by expanding its sales and facilitating customer service. Alongside this, the company is going to expand the variety of services by consolidating two ticket retailers and, simultaneously, extend the geographic scope of its work by combining American and European businesses. In this case, the acquisition, as a corporative strategy, proves beneficial for both parties. References Cohen, M. A., & Lee, H. L. (2019). Designing the Right Global Supply Chain Network. Web. King B.G., & Walker E.T. (2014). Winning hearts and minds: Field theory and the three dimensions of strategy. Strategic Organization. 12 (2), 134-141. Loukianova, A., Nikulin, E., & Vedernikov, A. (2017). Valuing synergies in strategic mergers and acquisitions using the real options approach. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 14 (1), 236-247. Steele, A. (2019). The tale behind StubHub’s sale: How Eric Baker bought back the ticket seller. The Wall Street Journal. Web.
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