ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Police officers are the individuals charged with the task of maintaining law and order and ensuring the security of the population. To fulfill these roles, police officers are empowered to investigate suspicious activities and even use force to coerce suspects into compliance or deter aggressive parties from harming citizens. As a rule, the society expects police officers to conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach. However, this is not always the case and there have been cases of law enforcement officers engaging in police misconduct which includes any inappropriate behavior by a police that can be classified as either immoral or illegal or both. Use of excessive force and racial/ethnic profiling are arguably the most problematic misconducts facing the police. Some researchers therefore suggest that more steps should be taken to control offenses such as use of excessive force and racial/ethnic profiling by the police. They further on propose the use of stronger disciplinary measures to help deter officers from misconduct and also help weed out the offending officers from the forces. Opponent’s Position Jost (2012) argues that the racial profiling exhibited by law enforcement officers is a “police issue, not a race issue”. He notes that even in departments where majority of the police officers are White non-Hispanics, blacks and Hispanics are still overrepresented in arbitrary traffic stops. The racial profiling is therefore the result of the training, culture and customs within the department that ingrains a profiling culture in the officers. Jost (2012) also suggests that race and class are tied up with crime which results in racial and ethnic considerations being made when fighting crime. Because of this, police officers are trained to target groups which may be more predisposed to breaking the law. To solve this problem, police officials need to come up with policies that ensure that profiling based on race or ethnicity does not happen. Jost (2012) declares that police should do more to address the issue of misconduct and in particular to control the use of excessive force. The author notes that it is only a small number of police officers who engage in the use of excessive force and this abuse of power tarnishes that reputation of entire police departments. The author notes that the legal standards are loose and the city governments are not doing enough to address the situation. For this reason, the Federal government should step in and take measures by giving guidance on use of force by police. (Jost 2012) recommends that proper training and better supervision could help in reducing excessive force by police. Jost (2012) reveals that while the rates of police violence today are less frequent than in the 1960s, the use of excessive force is still present today. He suggests that law enforcement agencies should adopt stronger disciplinary measures to deal with officers who are guilty of misconduct. The presently employed disciplinary measur
Introduction Commercial activities normally take place because investors see a chance to generate profits in them. Basically in a free market economy organizations freely enter and exit markets. Moreover, investors are attracted by ventures which yield high profits. In some situation, investors who find themselves in ventures which are generating low profits tend to get out of them (Weitzman M, 2003). The current world economy is fast changing due to changes in technology and many other factors. This has in turn imposed pressure on organizations to transform to remain competitive (Weitzman M, 2003). This as in effect made the accounting information a very important tool in assisting the organization in navigating certain environments. When investors are making a decision they need clear information of the underlying economic situation both in terms of the economic situation and in specifics of the certain ventures (Moss et al, 2002). Fundamentally, for an organization to remain profitable it must be aware of the characteristics of a particular market in which it trades. Further, these organizations should be aware of expenditures as well as the current and future pricing of their products and/or services (Weitzman M, 2003). This information is normally provided in records or accounts of historical transactions in the organization are engaged (Moss et al, 2002). Without such records, it could be difficult to make an effective decision. Often organization decision involves choices between possible alternative courses of action which are subject to constraints of various kinds (Jackson D, 2000). To make effective decisions these alternatives have to e evaluated. Moreover, the decision so reached must be monitored to establish its compliance with what was expected in the plan (Jackson D, 2000). This because monitoring offers insights into what went wrong and how to modify it. Organization decisions which can be based on accounting information may include, how much of the product to sell, how much to charge for a product or a service, whether to take over other alternative activity or to shut down the business (Vaassen, 2002). They may also include whether to invest in a specific piece of equipment, choosing between alternative ways of manufacturing something, as well as how to spend on research and development (Vaassen, 2002) Ventures which have a higher degree of risks achieve a higher return (Weitzman M, 2003). This effect encourages investors to take higher risks ventures with the hope of achieving high rates of returns. Accounting information provides information that is very significant to those who directly or indirectly interact with the organization (Economic Report, 2000). This is because it allows for the assessment of the performance of the managers as well as the performance and standing of the organization itself (Jackson D, 2000). This in essence facilitates the organization managers in making more effective de
While looking up statistics, I was surprised to find that the prevalence rate of pressure ulcers is fairly high in US hospitals at 15% of in-patients (Courtney et al, 2006). The incidence rate is between 7 and 10%. Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers have caused the death of 60,000 in-patients in the US. Annual direct treatment costs for the hospital have exceeded $400,000 (Courtney et al, 2006). These statistics could be simulated in my hospital. Traditional standards of care like patient repositioning have been overlooked for modern technology. Moreover the idea that such ulcers are inevitable may have influenced the health care personnel. However the picture is already changing for the better with the implementation of revised guidelines for the prevention and treatment of the ulcers and the need for change being identified. In our hospital, our patients are subjected to a nursing assessment every 12 hours. A pressure sore risk assessment using the Braden scale and a skin assessment are made in the current practice. Patients who needed repositioning are noted and the information transferred to the next duty nurse through the shift-to-shift report. The primary nurse takes the responsibility of turning the patient every two hours through the left, prone and right positions and then reversing the order. In my observation, I realize that timely repositioning of patients is compromised thereby reducing the quality of service being rendered. Need for change The article by Courtney et al (2006), which I obtained through a search of EbscoHost, supports my suggestions for using a timer and turning signs on the patient’s door for reminding the duty nurses. Among the five solutions that helped reduce pressure ulcers in the Saint Francis Medical Center, the second had the highest evidence (Courtney et al, 2006). It consisted of revising the Skin Breakdown Prevention Protocol to a user-friendly one by playing music through the in-house paging system to remind the nurses and placing signs outside the respective patients’ doors. A change is essential in order to improve on the statistics regarding patient satisfaction and quality of life. This provided me an idea as to how quality improvement of service may be rendered through finding some way to remind and help the nurses keep to the two-hour repositioning. Initially I scrutinized the problems in the procedure adopted in our hospital for the management of pressure ulcers in the ward (Courtney, 2006). Utilizing the Six Sigma procedure of problem-solving methodology which has been proven to be beneficial in Saint Francis Medical Center, I attempted to elicit the details of the problem (Courtney, 2006). The problem could be defined as the failure of nurses to keep to the two-hour schedule for repositioning within their hectic schedule. In the race to do their best to accomplish everything that needs to be done for all the assigned p
Introduction In the course of conducting his/her role as the head of state, the President of the United States of America requires advice and support of key government officials to ensure that he/she comes up with proper decisions and strategies that will ensure the sustainability and development of the nation. The White House Chief of Staff is an example of a government official who can play this role. Other than being the highest-ranking employee within the White House office and overseeing the Executive Office of the President, the holder of this office also plays a critical role in preparing and supporting various functions and agendas of the president (Patterson 32). Since its inception in 1939 during the reign of President Roosevelt, this office has grown in terms of responsibility and the power that its holder possesses. This paper will critically analyse the role of the Chief of Staff, the development of this office and instances in which it has been abused. The Role of the White House Chief of Staff The role of the White House Chief of Staff varies from one government to the next. This is because the role and power possessed by this office is usually considered as a de facto in nature since it is not directly stipulated in the laws of the United States of America. The president can therefore decide whether or not to fill this position (Kernell 109). However, every government that has been in power since the 1970s in the United States of America has had a White House Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff is the individual who has the mandate to select the staff that will hold various positions within the White House in the United States. In the selection process, the Chief of Staff usually ensures that only qualified personnel take up the posts that are available to ensure that the operations of the White House are effective and efficient. To achieve this goal, it is the duty of the holder of this office to structure the White House staff system to ensure that every need of the president within the White House is met. Therefore, the Chief of Staff supervises the operations of all personnel within the White House to ensure that all the duties are attended to as per the expectations of the president. The Chief of Staff is also a key advisor to the president. Furthermore, it is him/her who regulates the flow of people into the Oval Office, a role that has made the holder of this office to be referred to as the ‘Gatekeeper’. This is an essential role as it enables the Chief of Staff to manage the flow of information within the White House and to protect the interests of the president at all times. Given the power that this office commands, it is believed that a Chief of Staff who has a lot of influence over the president can act as a def facto Prime Minister. Considering the fact that the holder of this office is responsible for holding meetings and negotiations with the Congress and other members of the executive to present the interests of the pre
The introduction of the sociological component in the field of disaster studies has led to an emergence of a distinct approach to the issue. However, it also created several controversial points that remain the sources of active debates. The article by Clarke and Short (1993) addresses a number of issues pertinent to the sociological aspects of risk. The following paper provides a summary of the sections of the article and offers a critique of its scholarly qualities. The first issue covered in the article is the existence of a difference between the technological and the natural hazards. The authors summarize the different views on the matter, citing the arguments provided by each side of the debate, and outline the major trends in the field, such as the shift from the quality-based classification towards that based on its impact on the environment and the subsequent change in human experience (Clarke & Short, 1993). Next, the contribution of social constructionism to risk is explored. Specifically, Clarke and Short (1993) argue that the objective risk posed by an object or a phenomenon is secondary to its perception by the society. The authors also point to the evident weaknesses of the approach such as the insufficient amount of information in possession of the impacted organizations as well as the improbability of value conflict resolution through information (Clarke & Short, 1993). Third, the article provides an overview of the influence of fairness and trust on the perception of risk, which, according to the authors, is based on the gap between the objective and the perceived risk. It is argued that the demographic characteristics are limited in their predictive value of risk perception whereas the degree of trust towards the capacity of science, corporate entities, and government bodies to manage danger provide a relatively reliable picture (Clarke & Short, 1993). The authors thus suggest that such approach grants institutional legitimacy the highest priority in the process of risk analysis. The fourth issue reviewed in the article is the significance of the theory of human error. The authors provide a list of factors that comprise the concept by citing a number of scholars in the field and point to the gaps in understanding, such as the inability to reach a definitive conclusion due to the multitude of presumptions (Clarke & Short, 1993). In addition, the evidence is presented that the focus on human error diverts the attention from the flaws of the system. The fifth issue studies the concept of high-reliability organizations by exploring the DEPOSE system which allows for the complex interaction of factors outside the production sequence. The low visibility of such interactions makes it more difficult to detect and prevent accidents (Clarke & Short, 1993). Consequently, the minimization of such occurrences contributes to the rigidity and predictability associated with high-reliability organizations. Finally, the authors explore the implications of the unpredictable nature o
In the Fire and Ashes, Michael Ignatieff chronicles his own rise and fall in Canadian politics. The book describes Ignatieff’s failed transition from academics to politics. The author writes that his disastrous political career began when three “men in black” approached him with an interesting political proposition. Ian Davey, Alf Apps, and Keith Davey convinced Ignatieff to leave his job as the head of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and run for a leadership position in Canada through the Liberal Party (Ignatieff, 2013). Against his family and friend’s advice, Ignatieff “pursued the flame of power and saw hope dwindle to ashes” (Ignatieff, 2013, p. 16). In the book, the author details how the political uncertainties and his skewed perspective led to his eventual downfall. In the first chapter of the book, Ignatieff reveals that he had a deep interest in public service. He admits that since childhood, he harbored the ambitions of becoming a prime minister. His political interests coupled with a strong belief in good governance motivated him to run for a public office. Although the “men in black” warned Ignatieff about “the Liberal party’s limited chances of winning the election as it was nearing “the end of the road” (2013, p. 80), he saw their proposition as an opportunity to reposition himself for his “homecoming” mission. The author delves into the campaign strategies for his 2006 début. He describes his campaign for Etobicoke’s parliamentary seat in 2006 as one that “broke down the barriers of race, ethnicity, and class that keeps us separate” (p. 56). During this campaign, Ignatieff discovered that Canada has deep-rooted divisions and diversity, but notes that the “spine of citizenship” (2013, p. 114) is what keeps the Canadian society united. In the following sections of the book, the author describes the uncertainties and conflicts in the Canadian politics. Ignatieff decries the way Parliament conducts its business and advocates for better political debates. He advises budding politicians to be candid individuals who “look people directly in the eye” when addressing them (Ignatieff, 2013, p. 91). The author tells of his populist campaign slogans, “tous ensemble”, and “rise up”, which, however, turned out to be ‘meaningless’ because people were disillusioned with the administration. Ignatieff, at first, thought that his political slogans “had caught a wave”, but later admits that his campaign speeches were like “talking to ourselves” (p. 72). He comp
Executive Summary Today we are living in an era of globalization. Globalization, the very concept has opened up newer vistas of trade and business all around the globe. It is said that the opening up of economies has now tilted the balance in favor of market forces, which is helping the consumer by way of providing quality at reasonable prices. As a result of globalization, market forces have started the policies with the role of respective governments becoming limited in determining the nature of imports and exports. It is now the MNCs who are effectively dictating the policies to the governments. With globalization, MNCs began to explore the markets outside their domestic grounds. In order to leverage the economies of scale at different locations, such companies try to set up some of their operations at these locations. Moreover, with the advancement in ICT, global distances have tended to become smaller while the world is gradually being seen as a global village. Bracken (2004) underlines that it was since the early 1990s when the term ‘Globalization’ became a catchphrase as it started entering into all walks of life even in developing economies. The Asia Pacific region in general and the South Asian region, in particular, is being discussed and debated at almost all international forums for the huge size of their markets, IT sector competencies, quality manufacturing at cheaper labor costs, impressive GDP growth figures, and of course the growing influence in international affairs are some of the factors which are attracting investors from all over the world. The huge pool of English language speaking people in India and the strength of its IT-ITES sector, in particular, are the factors that have made India a much-desired destination for BPO and IT-related services. The growth of the economy at around 10% has enabled the Indian government to take much bolder steps in strengthening its relations with international organizations and other nations. The strategic collaboration of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) has been trying to make a power center for developing economies, and if the events of recent past an indication, the collaboration promises to emerge much stronger in due course. Introduction Globalization has been in existence for quite a while. In the early ages, it was essentially limited to business and trade. But with the beginning of the new form of market-driven governments, globalization has filtered down to almost all walks of life like media, culture, and of course the trade and business practices. Now countries prepare strategies to make the best possible use of liberalizing their economies. Similarly, companies also try to establish themselves in the economies having the market as well as the infrastructure. Traditionally ‘maximizing’ profits have been considered to be the objective of any organization.
Abstract The heuristic approach in business decision-making generally defines the allover image of business performance. Consequently, there is a strong necessity to analyze and research the decision-making process within a company on the example of an interview with an applicant. Introduction First, it is necessary to emphasize that the types of heuristics, which are generally used in the decision-making process depend on the previous experience of the person, who makes a decision. As for the issues of accepting or declining the candidate for the job, it should be stated that the reasons could be numerous, ranging from the perfumes to the race of the candidate. Heuristic Approach The heuristics, which are used by the co-worker are, evidently, the following: reasoning by analogy and “Seeking means rather than ends”. Originally, these are the most widely used approaches in business decision-making, especially, touching upon the issues of interviewing. The fact is that the heuristic approach of the co-worker is hard to define, as his reply was rather short and without any visible logic for a clear definition of the approach. As Herbert Simon stated in his research (in Slade, 2001, p. 564): “ complexity, limited time, and inadequate mental computational power reduce decision makers to a state of “bounded rationality.” Decision-making shortcuts can save time and ease the psychological burden of decision-making. However, like other judgmental biases, there are circumstances where the use of such heuristics may result in bad choices. ” One of the most evident approaches was the reasoning by analogy. Originally, it is the most illogical method, consequently, it could be used by the co-worker for the decision-making process. Reasoning by analogy means that he could have already dealt with Hispanic candidates of a similar qualification level, and decided that Hispanic marketing manager can not be regarded as a suitable variant for the company, consequently, the candidate should be refused in this position. Another approach that could have been used is called “Seeking means rather than ends”. Originally, it is also regarded as consequentialism. Jeremy Bentam explained this approach with the issues of ethical egoism and altruism: “ can be explained as a consequentialist theory in accordance with which the consequences for the individual agent are taken to matter more than any other result. Thus, egoism may license actions which are good for the agent, but it is generally seen as detrimental to the general welfare. ”(in Hastie, 2001, p. 432). The co-worker has previously heard that most Hispanics are not aware of the US particularities of marketing, and, even even though