ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The US had experienced a massive rise in gasoline price during the month of February this year. From macroeconomics perspective, there are limited resources that human beings use carefully to satisfy their endless needs. The price of gasoline, a by-product of oil, highly depends on the price at which oil is acquired from the producers like the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the distribution cost, taxes, currency devaluation and the refining cost. Currently, the price of oil is also influenced by the worldwide demands and supply of oil and the Iranian sanctions. During the month of February, gasoline price rose; a trend that can be attributed to the above factors, which are going to be analyzed in depth. Devaluation as a possible factor means the reduction in value of a currency like the US dollar with respect to other monetary units (Currencies: What devaluation actually means, 2013). Clearly, a country that experiences devaluation will have to use more of their funds to acquire services and goods in com
Abstract This paper provides insight into leadership, power, and management with a view of determining the best approaches to improved employee performance. Most leadership approaches used in modern organizations either promote or hamper employee performance and task proficiency. The modern world has witnessed rigorous dynamism and complexity as employee responsibilities grow less formalized and increasingly difficult to encourage specialization. This paper compares and contrasts two leadership approaches that are prevalent in the twenty-first century with a view of determining the best approach to improved employee performance. Introduction In the wake of digitization owing to the constant technological advancement, the escalation of uncertainty and rapid dynamism in the execution of leadership roles has been inevitable. Organizations face the dilemma of choosing the leadership approach that suits the changing employee behavior appropriately. It is worth noting that leadership behaviors stipulated by the embraced approach have a significant effect on task performance. Leaders play a critical role in ensuring robustness and commitment. The organizational performance mirrors the effectiveness of its management and leadership. Where the performance seems to take a declining trend, it reflects bad organizational leadership and management. Numerous leadership theories have been put forward to analyze the best and worst leadership approaches to organizational success. This paper examines the empowering and directive approaches to determine their effects on employee performance. Empowering The empowering leadership approach entails the sharing of power, work, and resources amongst the organizational leaders and subordinates by ensuring the provision of additional responsibility and decision-making autonomy. In addition, the leaders also offer support to the employees to promote the attainment of additional tasks (Appelbaum, Karasek, Lapointe, & Quelch, 2015). Although the two concepts differ in the breadth of tasks involved, empowering leadership borrows from the delegation that involves the transfer of power. Empowering goes beyond power delegation to encompass a broader scope of behaviors including the expression of confidence and building capability in the employees (Giltinane, 2013). Three main perspectives correlate the empowering leadership approach to the employee activity in the workplace. At the outset, the self-determination theory posits that competence and autonomy are necessary ingredients for the formation of intrinsic motivation (Van Wart, 2013). The supporters of this theory affirm that motivation encourages more complex, creative, and self-directed efforts since the autonomous behaviors are intrinsically rewarding. Besides, they offer personalized satisfaction. As leaders share power and involve employees in deci
Abstract Astra Agra Lestari Terbuka is a multinational company that owns palm tree and rubber plantations, which are found in the tropical regions of Indonesia. Its head offices are located in the capital city of Jakarta. According to Reuters, the land occupied by the company’s plantations is said to be around 266,704 hectares. The company is one of the largest palm oil producers in Indonesia and in the world in extension. With its three subsidiary companies located in Indonesia, London, and Tokyo, Astra Agra Lestari Terbuka is regarded as the best palm oil producer in the world. Globally, Astra Agra Lestari Terbuka has the largest market share compared to its competitors in the region. It is believed to supply around 1.20 million tonnes of crude palm oil products. The current paper addresses several aspects of the marketing plan for the company’s palm tree plantation. Background information on the company is provided, in addition to a critical literature review. The current situation and trends in the market is analysed, with information on the market trend, market size, industry analysis, and competitor analysis provided. The SWOT analysis, mission and objectives, marketing strategy, action plan, and contingency plans for the marketing plan were also analysed. Introduction In this essay, the author will assess the marketing plan proposed for Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, an oil manufacturing company. The company operates its own palm tree plantations, which act as the biggest source of raw materials for its production processes. It has a milling capacity of 300 tonnes of crude palm oil per day (Astra Agro Lestari Tbk PTY [Astra Agro], 2012).The company enjoys the full support of the government. The main reason for this support is the fact that it generates significant revenues in the form of foreign exchange for the government. The revenues are from the company’s foreign operations. Astra Agro also pays huge taxes to the government. In addition to this, the company has directly employed 26,473 individuals on a permanent basis as of 31 st December 2011. More individuals are employed indirectly by the company. According to Reuters (2012), Astra Agro Lestari Tbk produced a total of 1.27 million tonnes of crude palm oil in 2011. Compared to the company’s production in 2010, this was an increase of 12.9%. In 2010, the company had produced 1.11 million tonnes of crude palm oil (Astra Agro, 2012). 95.3% of that (equivalent to 1.20 million tonnes) was consumed locally. The rest, which is 4.7% of the total production and equivalent of 59.42 thousand tonnes, was exported to other countries (Reuters, 2012). The comp
There are four main types of market structures. To begin with, we have a monopoly type of market structure. Here there is only one supplier and many consumers. Therefore, the supplier determines the price and earns super normal profits. Moreover, since customers have no other alternative the supplier is not compelled to change the quality of the products. Secondly, there is an oligopoly type of market structure. This is a market where there are just a handful of suppliers producing more or less similar products. To increase market share, each producer uses price as a fighting tool. Consequently, price wars are the order of the day in an oligopoly market (Talent, 2010a). A move by one supplier to either increase or decrease price triggers other suppliers to do the same. There is also the monopolistic competition kind of market structure. Due to increased competition, suppliers in the monopolistic competition have differentiated products on sale. This is not only done by incorporating different and extra features in their products but also through different packaging. On the same note, price increase or decrease by one supplier does not affect the others because the market is big. Nevertheless, due to the increased cost of production profits earned are not high compared to oligopoly or monopoly market structures. Lastly, there is a perfect competition type of market structure. This is the most common type of market structure and it is characterized by many buyers and many sellers. Products on offer contain numerous features given that each supplier is trying to outsmart the others. Price is determined by the forces of demand and supply (Talent, 2010a). In this regard, suppliers only earn normal profits.
The first way of working with the organizational knowledge is keeping it human. I think it means remembering that at the core of any organization are people. They are the first-hand receivers and beneficiaries of the collective knowledge. Information can be complicated and provided in a way not understandable by everyone. Therefore, the subsequent implication for strategic decision makers is making sure that individuals are as capable of relating to the organizational knowledge as the organization of possessing it. The second way of using the organizational knowledge is focus on useful knowledge and “know-how”. In my opinion, it means differentiating between the general knowledge and the knowledge that can advance or develop an organization in any way. The decision-makers ought to emphasize the practical value of the knowledge, since it enables the organization to function in a unique and profitable manner. The third way of using organizational knowledge is collecting artifacts. It would seem that an artifact is viewed as “knowledge as a material thing” (Bejinaru, 2019, p. 232). In essence, it is something valuable that can acquired during an experiment or another activity, which produces something tangible. Subsequently, management should prioritize acquiring artefacts by encouraging the processes that produce unique results in the dorm of artefacts. The fourth way is avoiding an insular, isolated focus. I think that it implies not being too limited by the confines of one’s own organization. While organizational k
Those who are about to finish school know this feeling of uncertainty when you don’t know what to do next. What if I said that you could enjoy the benefits of studying and traveling in Paris at the same time? Continue reading if you want to know all secrets of living and being a student in one of the most magnificent places in the world! France is known to give a hearty welcome to international students. As for Paris, some of the world’s best universities make it home to every type of international student (Murphy). The capital is known mostly for Sorbonne, but there are many other opportunities to get high-quality education in every possible sphere, from design to business. Although the country defends the position of the French language, some universities propose programs in English. If you choose to immerse in the culture deeper and study in French, it is easy to improve your level of knowledge in one of the language schools (“Study in France”). When it comes to prices, they are usually low in public universities and quite higher in private ones (“Study in France”). However, I strongly recommend you consider the chances to get a scholarship for outstanding international students. Moreover, those who come to France for studying can count on financial assistance from the French government called CAF. Thus, everything is provided to make your stay in Paris comfortable and let you enjoy exploring the city and the rest of France. Surely, there is no problem with choosing how to spend your free time in Paris. The student’s status allows you to visit many museums and historic places, for instance, the Eiffel Tower, with significant discounts or for free. Apart from the cultural program, every detail in Paris draws the eye. I remember observing fantastic rooftops, doors, and windows looking like movie screens that show the citizens’ life. Moreover, Paris has spectacular parks, such as Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a secret location loved by the locals. Just imagine yourself sitting on a bench with a book or having a small picnic with your new friends. By the way, French cuisine is another reason to choose this destination, with its well-known wine, cheese, and baguettes. If you crave new impressions, I advise you to use your leisure time wisely and take a trip to other places, such as Lyon, Strasbourg, or Montpellier. France is a versatile country, which is why everyone can find a place to their taste, from the lavender fields of Provence and Normandy’s seaside to the snow-covered Alps and ancient castles in the Loire valley. Higher education is a perfect time to try an entirely different way of life in a new place. It seems like the whole world is waiting for you to come, so it is easy to be lost in plenty of choices. However, I hope that after reading this blog, someone has understood that Paris can become their golden
Book review The impact left by industries and urbanization has been the reason for global concern for quite long. In the XXI century, the issue has gained even more significance, seeing how new threats posed to nature and its resources by technology have emerged since recently. Among the most topical ones, water resources and their preservation must be named. In his book The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death and Possible Rebirth , Blake Gumprecht addresses the problem of the notorious Los Angeles River and its vegetation, making it obvious that the time to reconsider people’s effect on nature has come. While Blake clearly provides a fairly honest overview of the problem, describing the current state of the river quite precisely, he still leaves the problem of technological evolution as the crucial element out of the picture, therefore, making the argument rather one-sided. Considering the integration of technological advances into the process of saving the environment would be quite an upgrade for Gumprecht’s wo
The orientation events for freshmen who start their studying process at the business school is a great opportunity to adapt to the new specific environments, to the new and curious situation, and new people effectively. I can focus on a lot of advantages of the orientation procedures, which are accepted at the business school because all the associated events and procedures are important for building positive relations with the other freshmen and for receiving the necessary information about the business school’s policies, curriculum, and specific procedures. I can also concentrate on the fact that the orientation events are required to demonstrate to freshmen the particular code of conduct which is followed in this institution. From this point, freshmen should pay much attention to all the details during the first week to receive the opportunity to adapt to the study quickly and to succeed during the first year which is often discussed as the most challenging for students without references to their background or experience. Having analyzed the first week devoted to the orientation events, I can state that this practice is necessary for contributing to the freshmen’s awareness of the situation, which can be considered as new and even provocative for many students. Even though many proposed activities for the first orientation week seemed to be not only new but also unexpected for me, I decided to focus on their purpose to achieve the most effective results. Some people can discuss the ‘welcome’ activities realized by different institutions as the common welcome ceremonies to perform the formal introductory procedures for freshmen but the real purpose of these activities is often in assisting students to cope with the first challenges associated with the first week at the business school. Thus, I focused on team-building events with great pleasure because they are weighty to build effective cooperative relations with classmates and to find new friends among freshmen. These activities can stimulate the feeling of support, which is necessary for many newcomers who suffer from the results of adaptation. Furthermore, freshmen welcome ceremonies, and other associated events play a large role in forming freshmen’s understanding of their new social roles as students of the business school. From this perspective, the appropriate student conduct can be formed with references to the feelings of respect and dignity developed as a result of the or
Introduction Psychological assessment entails a systematic way of evaluating the behavioral patterns of a person through various methods ranging from simple observation to complex scientific techniques of understanding behavior. In assessments and the entire process of therapy, historical and contextual considerations impact the outcomes and plan. In many cases, these considerations have been ignored due to various reasons. Eventually, they affect the clinical judgment of a particular client. Therefore, it is important to understand the following historical and contextual considerations. The Physical Environment It focuses on the characteristics and conditions surrounding a client. An inappropriate environment may affect the responsiveness of the client and hence the clinical judgment. Cultural Beliefs and Values These include the specific and unique set of principles that people believe in and which guide their wellbeing. The client’s culture may determine the assessment and the mode of administration. Emotional Climate The mood, attitude, and conditions in place alter the emotional climate in a therapeutic process. It could be related to the current psychological wellbeing of the client and the problems that can lead to emotional instability. This factor allows the psychologist to know the right time for an intervention. Family Background Understanding a client’s family background is crucial to therapy. It includes the state of the family members and their relationship with the client. Family history helps in the formulation of therapy goals. The Ethical Concerns Related to the Assessment Process of the Clients Listed Ethics is a set of regulations that guide the work of a psychologist. According to the American Psychological Association (2010), the responsibility of a psychologist should be in line with the legal requirements, which are meant to protect the client and ensure the therapist works professionally. Competence Competence refers to the personal and professional proficiency of the psychologist in performing assessments. A psychologist is competent if their work is not hampered by personal problems. It is eth
Aging is a function of many factors. The factors could be biological, psychological, social, or political. The work here below examines adulthood and aging from a widow or widower’s point of view. Having been faced with a loss of a partner, a widow/widower is likely to undergo critical emotional challenges. This paper tries to look at what could be the possible consequences. A widow is a woman who has lost her husband by death and has not married again. While a widower is a man who has lost his wife by death and has not married again. A syndrome is a group of concurrent symptoms of a disease. Due to the loss of a partner, the lives of widows and widowers in most cases are characterized by grief and stress which often lead to depression. Depression has its own consequences such as impairment of the immune system thus increasing susceptibility to disease and dangerous behaviors such as excessive drinking of alcohol. The emotional disappointments coupled with emerging disease symptoms is what is termed as widow/widowers’ syndrome. There is a street argument that goes like if a 70-year-old man dies, his wife is likely to die sooner than she would if the old husband lived. According to the information posted on the site www.impactlab.com there is a correlation between mortality and loss of a spouse. According to the information on the site, studies have been carried out to compare the death rate for a group of widows/widowers to that of a control group. Generally, the ratio of the two is about 1 to 1.4, that is to say, 140 widowed persons die compared to 100 non-widowed. According to the researchers, widows/widowers exhibit what actuarial scientists term as “excess mortality”. Death rates are said to be highest within 6 months after bereavement and continue being high for about three years. Bereavement (as a result of loss of spouse) has shown to produce higher mortality among widowers than widows and among young than older ages. Social-economic factors do not seem to matter. Experts owe that to the widow/widowers’ syndrome. The death of one spouse affects the other spouse’s life. The mortality risk has been observed to be higher in widows/widowers under 55 years especially when the loss is sudden. For widows/widowers in the age range of 50 to65 years, the risk is higher when the spouse has died of chronic illness. Also according to the site, mortality risk is lower when the widow/widower has a family or other social support
The definition of public administration assumes several dimensions. The most common relates to the study of public entities and the relationship that exists among such entities and the world at a larger extent. It is, therefore, easier to explain the concepts related to public administration than attempt to offer a conclusive definition. The manner in which organizations in the public sector are managed and organized, especially in reference to the guidance offered by public policy structures, which in turn influence government operations is the backbone of public administration. It is worth noting that such government operations determine the extent of success of the plans put in place to meet the needs of the public. Public administration also determines the extent in which states, towns and counties work in conjunction with the central and federal government in an effort to meet the needs of the public. Public administration as an educational discipline involves the training personnel who in turn offer crucial services to the general populace. Street-level bureaucracy refer to activities carried out by public service entities whose constituents are street-level bureaucrats, such persons have distinct characteristics such as assuming front line position in carrying out activities. This term also incorporates public servants who experience challenges in the real world, especially in the delivery of service. This is attributed to the existence of limited resources necessary for countering such challenges. Examples of street-level bureaucrats include Doctors, lawyers, clerks, teachers and healthcare workers. Street-level bureaucrats make policies through conformation to set out guidelines and procedures such as taking responsibility on the direction to be taken in executing existing policies. In the process new policies are formulated to cover up for the existent gaps. Street-level bureaucrats also make policies through screening recipients of public service thus changing the criteria for selecting persons thus eventually deciding who can be a client or not. Street-level bureaucrats also decide the areas in the society where resources will be directed, especially in regard to the level of need, this eventually brings forth the need for policymaking. The above-mentioned activities can be achieved through maintaining discretion, interpretive ability and high degree of authority. Rational comprehensive approach to decision making involves careful analysis of all the possible solutions or methodologies requi